Tickets are available to help STUDIO 60 celebrate 50 years of dedication and service to the community. Read more about this special celebration for STUDIO 60, which was incorporated in 1974 as the Huntsville-Madison County Senior Center. Three local agencies merged with the aim of providing services and social opportunities to area senior adults. Today, the 47,500-square-foot center located on Drake Avenue serves as a hub for various member activities, including exercise, dance, sports, creative arts, and learning.
These opportunities are free to residents of Huntsville and Madison County who are age 60 and above.
If the name Sharon Buck sounds familiar, one of the reasons may be because she helped you or someone you know find affordable prescription medications through the SenioRx Program in Marshall County.
For all of the things Sharon does or has done, and how she gives back to the community, this month she was honored with an Area Agency on Aging Award during the Alabama Senior Citizens Hall of Fame ceremony.
“We are so proud of Sharon for her day-to-day accomplishments but also for this prestigious honor,” said TARCOG’s Director of Aging Programs, Sheila Dessau-Ivey. “This year, for three consecutive quarters the TARCOG Region’s SenioRx program was first place in the state for new clients. Sharon is one of six coordinators who made this happen.”
Sharon was surprised almost speechless when she read the notification letter while going through mail after she and her husband returned home from a trip.
“I started reading it and I’m like, ‘Um. Um. Okay. Well. Oh my! Well!’ And of course I had a shocked look on my face,” Sharon said. “My husband asked, ‘What is it?’ And all I could say was ‘Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh!’ And I just handed him the letter.”
A humble Sharon said she feels honored and blessed about the recognition.
Sharon lives in Guntersville and has worked part-time for four years with the Marshall County Council on Aging. Her employment stemmed from her participation in the Senior Community Service Employment Program through TARCOG. That’s how she re-entered the workforce following a brain injury that left her on disability and only eligible to work part-time.
“I forgot how to the play the piano, I forgot a lot of things and still trying to get it all back,” Sharon said.
Her openness about her own health struggles helps her connect to her with those seeking help with their medications.
“I didn’t come to the job for the money,” Sharon says. “I do it to supplement my disability check but more than anything I do it to help people. It’s a pay it forward thing for me. The extra money is nice, but I just like being around people and helping people. I enjoy doing what I do, and I love my clients.”
Marshall County Aging Programs Director Tammy McElroy said Sharon is a dedicated employee who truly cares about those she serves.
“She is very deserving because she works very hard for her clients,” Tammy added.
Sharon took several family members with her to the award ceremony, which was held on Sunday, Aug. 11, at the Montgomery Marriott Prattville Conference Center at Capitol Hill.
Attendees of TARCOG’s Fraud and Scam Summit on Thursday, Aug. 8 described the event as “wonderful and informative” that provided them with “useful tools” to better protect themselves.
The keynote speaker, Mikala McCurry, senior public affairs specialist with the Alabama Securities Commission, presented a “Self Defense Class – How to Defend Yourself and Others Against Fraudsters.”
Among topics she covered for the 161 participants at the Robert “Bob” Harrison Senior Wellness and Advocacy Center in Huntsville included investment, romance, and pig butchering scams.
She said recent research has shattered the stereotype of investment fraud victims as isolated, frail and gullible. Instead, she said people who meet the following criteria fit the profile of an investment fraudster’s prime target:
Self-reliant when it comes to making decisions
Optimistic
Above-average income
Well educated
Open to listening to new ideas or sales pitches
Above-average financial knowledge
Experienced a recent health or financial setback
And it happens in multiple ways.
The Romance Scam
Scammers portray to be a love interest to gain trust before asking for money. Some Red Flags include:
Quickly professing love or quick use of terms of endearment
Grammatical errors in text messages
Never video calling or meeting in person
Asking for large sums of money for an “emergency” or “crisis”
Encouraging you to invest in cryptocurrency
Little to no online or social media footprint
Quickly urging you to change social media platforms
Pig Butchering Scam
Scammers connect in a seemingly innocent way and build a connection or relationship with the victim over a long period of time before stealing money through cryptocurrency investments or asking for large sums of money for a crisis or other fraudulent “opportunities” under the guise of helping you protect your assets.
Some Red Flags include:
Out of the blue text message from a wrong number
Build a relationship over time
Encourage potential victim to start investing in cryptocurrency
Asking for large sums of money for emergencies
Quickly switch from one messaging/dating/social media platform to another one to avoid detection.
McCurry offered some helpful tips she calls the “DO NOT DO” List including:
Use the same password for everything
Create a document called “Passwords” where you keep track of all of your passwords.
Click on unfamiliar or strange links
Allow strangers access to your devices
Don’t send money, trade, or invest with a person you have only met online
Never give out personal information over the phone, email, or social media
Connect to “FREE Wi-Fi” or public charging stations
And on the “DO” List of Financial Protection Tips, she included:
Routinely check your bank and credit card statements, investment accounts and credit report
Protect your personal information
Verify individuals selling investments and their products and anyone giving investment advice
Seek advice from a trusted source
Ask questions
Do your own research
Request written information and/or documentation
Take your time and exercise caution
Report immediately if you suspect or become a victim of fraud
Remember STRANGER DANGER
Mikala said the Alabama Securities Commission is available to help. “Before you invest, check it out,” she said. Call her office at 800-222-1253 if you are suspicious or have questions. You may also reach the ASC by email at ASC@asc.alabama.gov or visit the website at www.asc.alabama.gov
TARCOG staff is available by calling 256-830-0818.
In addition to her presentation, Mikala also joined a panel discussion and Question and Answer session with co-presenters Teresa Hazzard, TARCOG resource coordinator with the State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) and Senior Medicare Patrol counselor, Karen Reeves, president and CEO of the Better Business Bureau of North Alabama, Denise Cassidy, the Bank Secrecy Act Manager at Redstone Federal Credit Union, Christopher Edwards, Huntsville police investigator in the Cyber and Financial Crimes Unit, TARCOG Elder Law Attorney LaTanya Rhines, and Todd Long, Electronic Content Administrator for Huntsville Utilities. The moderator of the summit was LeQuitta Gaskins, TARCOG’s outreach manager.
Exhibitors sharing additional information with participants included: Better Business Bureau of North Alabama, Community Action Partnership, VIVA Healthcare, Preferred Care at Home, Home Instead and Huntsville Utilities.
TARCOG thanks all who attended and participated in the event, and the Bob Harrison Center staff.
Where People and history come together in unexpected ways
Staff and seniors walk along Alabama Avenue to City Drug for ice cream.
Sitting on the front porch and waiting to die is not how 62-year-old Trelvis Barnhill wants to live, so he found the Bridgeport Senior Center, where he’s sitting down for lunch for the second time.
He’s new to the community he describes as laid-back. Coming from Atlanta, it’s a different pace for him and he’s trying to adjust.
“When my father got older, he sat on the front porch,” Trelvis said. “I remember visiting him and asking him what he was doing, and he said, ‘I’m sitting here waiting to die’ and that’s not me. I am waiting on the Lord.”
By visiting the senior center, he said he enjoys the food and hopes to meet people and figure out something to do besides sitting on the porch.
Whether Trelvis knows it or not yet, while Bridgeport may have a laid-back feel with a friendly vibe, the small town of about 2,300 people is an historic town. Situated along the Tennessee River and less than 10 minutes from the Tennessee state line. The first railroad bridge over the Tennessee River was completed here in 1854. There’s now a walking bridge across the river and the seniors take a stroll there from time to time.
There is a walking bridge next to the railroad bridge across the Tennessee River in Bridgeport.
During the Civil War the town was a strategic site because of the rail line and the river. Today, the Bridgeport Depot Museum is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage. It’s just down the street from the senior center, which is on Alabama Avenue in the heart of the small downtown area.
The center is on Alabama Avenue, not far from the site of a deadly natural gas explosion in 1999 that forever changed the town. Three men died instantly and at least nine others were critically injured, with one more dying as a result of injuries in the spring of the following year. Three buildings were leveled, and several others were damaged.
The Town Park sits across the street from the Bridgeport Senior Center is an amphitheater, pavilion, fountain and playground.
The tragedy will never be forgotten and today the town continues to work on a revitalization plan. Across the street from the senior center, an amphitheater, pavilion, and a playground make up the Town Park. It is also where the annual Trail of Tears Commemorative Motorcycle Ride starts in Alabama each September.
Bridgeport and its residents embrace its historic highs and lows. And they share their stories at the senior center.
Sue Lokotar, 73, recently returned to the center following her husband Bob’s death. They started going to the center together about 10 years ago and attended regularly until he got sick.
One of the best parts about the Bridgeport Senior Center, she said, is the stories you hear.
“There are all kinds of stories,” she said. Including her own.
Sue Lokotar, Doris Clark and Ethel Ferguson share stories while working on a puzzle at the Bridgeport Senior Center.
Some 21 years ago, Sue was living in Canada and Bob was in Wisconsin when they met in an online chatroom while both were recovering from different surgeries. When they both healed enough to meet it person, it didn’t take long for them to tie the knot. After one winter together in Wisconsin, they agreed to look for a more tolerable climate and wound up purchasing property in Bridgeport.
Getting back to the Senior Center after Bob’s passing has been good for her spirits.
“I love it here,” Sue said. “The socialization with the little ladies here is amazing.”
According to U.S. Census Data, 22.4 percent of the town’s population is 65 and older. And several count on the Senior Center for food, fun and friends.
Mary Anne Tennant is the new manager of the Bridgeport Senior Center
Trelvis isn’t the only new face in town and the center either. Mary Anne Tennant became the center’s new director mid-July. She and her husband Larry moved to Bridgeport in December after he retired from the ministry.
“We were looking for a place we could afford, and this was the first place we looked, and we bought the second house we looked at – it’s a hobby farm,” she said. “And we love it here.”
A friend from church told Mary Anne about the opening at the senior center, thinking it would be a perfect fit for her. She agreed, applied and was hired.
“I’m excited about being here,” she said at the end of her first week on the job. There’s a small crowd on this July 19th morning, with games and conversation taking priority.
Hot meals are prepared for 15 at the center and another 33 homebound meals are delivered, said Linda Larcom, nutrition coordinator for the Jackson County Council on Aging who is at the center training Mary Anne.
Ethel Ferguson, 90, soon to be 91 in November, is thankful for a meal she doesn’t have to fix and the van ride that gets her to the center.
“I live by myself and it’s good to get out of the house, talk to people and get a hot meal that I don’t have to cook,” Ethel said. She doesn’t always feel like fixing a meal.
She’s been going to the center for 25-plus years. Ethel recalls growing up working on a farm and picking cotton and corn with a pickaxe and hoe. She left the farm for town started working at the hosiery mill a few weeks before she turned 16. She worked there until it closed and found a job at the sewing factory. A work injury forced her to retire early.
Ethel Ferguson has been a participant with the Bridgeport Senior Center’s longer than anyone else.
“I miss working. I wish I could work now,” she added. “When I retired, I was home by myself.”
The Senior Center has been a mainstay of her weekday life.
“I enjoy associating with others because it helps get through the day,” Ethel said. “We’re real lucky to have a van, otherwise, I would not be able to come. I’ve been riding the van since it started, and it also takes me to the doctor, or the store and it really helps.”
Doris Clark, 86, has been attending the center for the past two years.
“I love playing BINGO, putting together puzzles, or whatever is going on,” she said.
Enjoying ice cream at “The Scoop” at City Drug in downtown Bridgeport.
A new ice cream stand at City Drug down the street is becoming a popular Friday after lunch excursion for center participants. They walk down Alabama Avenue to the store, so the extra calories don’t count as much.
Sherry Mitchell, 68, has been coming to the center since she was 50 as a volunteer, helping prepare meals, deliver meals and clean up.
“I knew all of the people here and I enjoy helping them,” she added.
Among those at the Bridgeport Senior Center on July 19 were from left, Sue Lokotar, Doris Clark, Sue Smith, Ethel Ferguson, Wanda Shavers, Mary Anne Tennant, Linda Larcom, and Brenda Robinson.
For the past 17 years, Brenda Robinson, 57, has been the van driver for the center. She also helps with lunches, plays games and just enjoys being with the older crowd.
“I enjoy watching them and sometimes I bring my granddaughter, Jelani, who is now five.,” Brenda said. “She’s been coming since she was born and they have all held her, fed her and changed her. She knows and loves them all.”
As Jelani grows older, Brenda said she gets in trouble for telling her granddaughter to stop asking so many questions.
“They love her too,” she said. “She has a lot of grandparents.”
Volunteer Sue Smith handling paperwork at the Bridgeport Senior Center.
Sue Smith, 64, stopped at the center eight months ago to volunteer. As a cancer survivor since 2013, she enjoys helping others following her experience.
“I would drive by the center and the Lord impressed me to stop and do something besides sitting at home in my chair doing nothing,” Sue said. “Now I’m enjoying giving back to the older generation, cheering them up and giving them love and attention and the Lord has blessed me tenfold for it.”
For more information about the Bridgeport Senior Center, contact Mary Anne Tennant at 256-495-3383 or just stop by the center at 411 Alabama Ave.
How long have you been at TARCOG and what do you do? I’ve been here for 12 years.
Currently, I am the program manager for the Home and Community Based Waivers Program. I manage the day-to-day operations of the Elderly & Disabled Waivers, Technology Assisted Waivers, Alabama Community Transition Waivers, Gateway, and Hospital to Home Waivers. I am also a liaison with stakeholders — Alabama Select Network, Alabama Medicaid and Alabama Department of Senior Services. Additionally, I am a credentialed Person-Centered Thinking Trainer. I train case managers across the state monthly on person centered practices.
What did you want to be when you grew up? Police officer.
What do you hope to accomplish within the next year? Continue to grow as a person through self-development. Life is short and I plan to travel and enjoy family more.
Who is your hero and why? I don’t’ have a specific hero however, I have tremendous respect for anyone that stands up and fights on behalf of another person or a group of people for rights, dignity, and equality.
If you could choose to do anything for a day, what would it be? SPA day with friends and good food!
What is the best piece of advice someone has given you? It was in regard to raising my daughter — I was super worried about her going to school because of my fear kids would bully her because of a disability. However, a very wise woman told me that if I didn’t allow her to go to school with other kids, I would be pulling her out of life experiences forever. That advice changed my perspective and really affected how I raised my daughter and son. My daughter is a computer engineer now and if I didn’t adhere to that advice, I am not sure how her life would have been negatively affected.
What’s the most daring thing you’ve ever done? Rappelled off a 40-foot tower — backwards.
Who knows you the best? My husband.
What would you do if you won the lottery? Share with my kids, buy investment properties, and save the rest.
Congratulations, Melissa! Thank you for all that you do!
Phoenix Robinson is still trying to reach two gift card winners by email after the offer of one gift card was expanded to three because of the response to the Safe Streets Survey.
An Athens man won a $100 Visa gift card for completing one of 975 surveys being used to help create a new Regional Safety Action Plan for DeKalb, Jackson, Marshall and portions of Limestone and Madison counties.
TARCOG thanks Gage Coker and everyone who provided input for their participation, said Lee Terry, the agency’s director of Economic Development and Planning.
“Public input is very important when putting together a plan for future road improvements,” Lee said. “Planners need to know what people see and experience each day on the road as part of this process so we’re appreciative of those who helped with the surveys.”
The surveys were completed online and in-person at outreach events throughout the region. Participants email address served as entry to the gift card giveaway.
Phoenix Robinson, principal planner working with consultants on the safety action plan, said Mr. Coker was selected in a random drawing for the gift card. Because of the tremendous response, two additional gift cards were authorized, however Phoenix said she’s been unable to reach the other two winners by email.
“We understand people are often concerned about opening emails from unknown sources, but in this case, we’re legitimately trying to let them know they won a real gift card.” Phoenix said. “For those out there who completed a survey and provided their email address for entry into the $100 Visa gift card giveaway, if you see an email from Phoenix.Robinson@tarcog.us, it’s me and I’m trying to notify you that you are a winner.”
She said currently, the Regional Safety Action Plan is in its final phase in which all of the collected data, research, surveys, stakeholder and public input are being compiled into proposed project lists for what are being identified as the Top 20 High Injury Corridors along the roadways in the region.
Phoenix said customized lists for each county are being developed that will identify suggested safety improvements along those corridors.
The area project is funded by the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grants from the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration.
For more information or any questions or information requests about the regional safety plan process, please contact TARCOG Economic Development & Planning Staff at 256-830-0818.
They’re ready for business in Fort Payne in DeKalb County.
Big news for DeKalb and Limestone counties as their economic statuses in the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) has improved for the upcoming year making the areas eligible for different types of funding opportunities.
TARCOG’s Director of Economic Planning and Development Lee Terry said the biggest takeaways from the recently announced status changes is that DeKalb moved from At-Risk to Transitional and Limestone moved from Transitional to Competitive for FY2025.
“With the current rankings, the only state with more transitional counties than Alabama in the ARC is Pennsylvania,” Lee said. “And Alabama and Georgia are the only two states in the ARC that has counties in the attainment category.
ARC computes new county economic levels each fiscal year based on the most current data available at the beginning of the calendar year of computation. This is good news for the TARCOG Region as the areas economy continues to thrive, Lee said.
“While we acknowledge the positive growth, we continue to have 18 areas that we will continue to focus on with our member governments.,” he added.
Below are the FY2025 designations for each county in the TARCOG region.
DeKalb County has been designated as a transitional county in fiscal year 2025. The maximum ARC share for projects funded in this county is 50 percent. This county has seven distressed areas in fiscal year 2025.
Limestone County is designated as a competitive county in fiscal year 2025. The maximum ARC share for projects funded in this county is 30 percent. This county has no distressed areas in fiscal year 2025.
Jackson County is designated as a transitional county in fiscal year 2025. The maximum ARC share for projects funded in this county is 50 percent. This county has seven distressed areas in fiscal year 2025
Madison County is designated as a competitive county in fiscal year 2025. The maximum ARC share for projects funded in this county is 30 percent. This county has no distressed areas in fiscal year 2025.
Marshall County is designated as a transitional county in fiscal year 2025. The maximum ARC share for projects funded in this county is 50 percent. This county has four distressed areas in fiscal year 2025.
Since 2007, ARC has used an index-based county economic classification system to identify and monitor the economic status of Appalachian counties. The system involves the creation of a national index of county economic status through a comparison between national averages and that of each county’s averages for three economic indicators:
Three-year average unemployment rate
Per capita market income
Poverty rate
The resulting values are summed and averaged to create a composite index value for each county. Each county in the nation is then ranked, based on its composite index value, with higher values indicating higher levels of distress. Each Appalachian county is classified into one of five economic status designations, based on its position in the national ranking.
Distressed counties are the most economically depressed counties. They rank in the worst 10 percent of the nation’s counties.
At-Risk counties are those at risk of becoming economically distressed. They rank between the worst 10 percent and 25 percent of the nation’s counties.
Transitional counties are those transitioning between strong and weak economies. They make up the largest economic status designation. Transitional counties rank between the worst 25 percent and the best 25 percent of the nation’s counties.
Competitive counties are those that are able to compete in the national economy but are not in the highest 10 percent of the nation’s counties. Counties ranking between the best 10 percent and 25 percent of the nation’s counties are classified competitive.
Attainment counties are the economically strongest counties. Counties ranking in the best 10 percent of the nation’s counties are classified attainment.
Tanner Senior Center participants on a recent Tennessee River outing.
Imagine a hot summer day, a pontoon boat on the Tennessee River, and fishing off its banks.
Participants at the Tanner Senior Center in Limestone County enjoyed an impromptu day like that recently at Joe Wheeler State Park, plus a group lunch outing at Fuqua’s Southern Soul Food in Rogersville.
“It was really nice,” said Martha McWilliams, 72. “And I caught a fish, or at least I thought I had a fish, for the first time — ever!”
Martha is one of the newer participants at the center, going for about a year now.
“I call ‘em old folks down here even though I’m older than most of the ones here,” Martha said laughing. “I don’t usually stay all day, but I like to get out of the house. I go to the gym and workout, and I come here to the center. I like Bingo and being around other people.
“And sometimes, I get them to dance,” Martha added.
Sitting next to her is Pat Southard, 70. She’s been going to the Tanner center for about two and a half years, but beforehand she went to the Athens center for nearly eight years until it changed to an Activity Center only.
“We have fun here,” Pat said. “We play cards, sing, dance, and meet and greet people.”
Pat Southard and Martha McWilliams at the Tanner Senior Center
She added that since Martha started coming, she’s the “clown of the center,” always bringing fun.
There’s a lot of fun-loving personalities that shine bright at the Tanner Senior Center. But a friendly competitive spirit emerges when the Bingo cards come out.
“I have to have one with a 66 or 7 on it,” Pat said.
“I gotta find me one with a 74 or 66 on it,” Martha added looking through the cards.
Those are their “winning” or “lucky” numbers. Janie Anders, 77, has a different strategy. She balanced her Bingo card on her knees and picked it to play as she worked a puzzle on the table.
Janie Anders
Why do people come?
Thomas Kirk, 77, and his wife Martha, 72, have been coming to the center for about two years.
“We just came to the center one day and kept coming back,” Thomas said. “We have a good time and I like everybody here.”
Thomas and Martha Kirk
Sitting with the Kirks is Greg Whittier, 64, who has been a center participant for four years, following a brain injury.
“Coming here gives me something that I can do,” Greg said. “It’s a good place.”
He enjoys working on puzzles, playing solitaire and games on the computer.
“I enjoy the food,” Greg added.
Greg Whittier
Rhonda Barbour, 70, said her daughter-in-law suggested going to the center might be good for her.
“Now I look forward to coming and I try to come all the time,” Wanda said. “I don’t get to see anybody at home and coming here is being with friends.”
Retirement and food
Rhonda Barbour
Smiling, Annie Swinney said at one time she was 55 and now she’s up to 73 years old.
Annie has been attending the Tanner Center for 10 years. She started after she retired.
Annie Swinney
“When the plant closed, I started coming here,” she said. “I enjoy coming together, having friends, playing games, especially Bingo. But there’s a lot of activity here.”
Mary Jane Hammer, 75, said she enjoys the food and especially the group trips to restaurants.
“I love going to Mildred’s in Ardmore,” Mary Jane said. “But the fact is, we have plenty of food here, every day!”
Mary Jane Hammer
About the center
Sharon Davis has been the center manager for three and a half years but has a long history in Tanner where she has also worked as a bus driver and homemaker.
“I know everyone from driving the bus and I love them, and I love it here,” Sharon said. “It’s the best job I’ve ever had.”
Each weekday, the center provides 15 to 20 hot meals, and another 40 Meals on Wheels are delivered through a dedicated network of volunteers from the Mental Health Center, Birdie Thornton Center, retirees and homeschooled students.
Sharon said the center features a variety of activities, like the recent outing to Joe Wheeler State Park, which was organized by the Limestone County Council on Aging.
She said newcomers are always welcome at the Tanner Senior Center.
“Just call or better yet just stop by.”
Tanner Senior Center, 13589 Lucas Ferry Road, Athens, 256-230-6400
Sharon Davis, manager, Tanner Senior Center
Bus drivers Cathy Robertson and Leslie Williams help transport participants to and from the Tanner Senior Center.
A game of Skyjo underway at the Tanner Senior Center
Preliminary survey results show that distracted driving is a top safety concern of drivers in Northeast Alabama as work continues on a new Regional Safety Action Plan for DeKalb, Jackson, Marshall and portions of Limestone and Madison counties.
“It’s been interesting to see the concerns of the people who use the roadways,” said TARCOG’s Economic Development and Planning Director Lee Terry. “Now that the surveys are completed, we can combine the public input with the statistical traffic crash data to create a realistic picture that will help guide suggestions for making our roads safer for all users.”
In recent months, along with the online and in-person surveys, TARCOG staff and the Alta Planning and Design team met with stakeholders throughout the TARCOG region as part of the Northeast Alabama Safe Streets for All project.
In person meetings were held with 36 key stakeholders in Scottsboro, Athens, Guntersville, Madison County, and Ft. Payne. During each of the meetings, the Alta team shared draft crash analysis findings and asked stakeholders for their feedback on what action items they would like to see in the Roadway Safety Action Plan.
Sara Kovachich, an ALTA planning associate, said the project team is synthesizing the survey feedback and incorporating comments that will inform the future plan. The plan is expected to be completed in late fall of this year.
There were 975 surveys collected online and in-person. As promised, participants were entered into a drawing to win a $100 Visa gift card. Because of the tremendous response, Sara said three $100 gift cards were authorized. The process of contacting the winners will begin in July and will be announced through TARCOG.
Sara said as the survey results are being finalized, some key points that stand out include distracted driving, high vehicle speeds and poorly maintained roads are at the top of driver’s safety concerns.
She said next steps include developing project lists of the top 20 high-injury corridors along Alabama Department of Transportation roadways and customized lists for each county and identifying safety improvements along those corridors.
“We’ll be creating a toolkit for safety practitioners to match safety improvements to corridors with the most significant safety concerns,” Sara said. “The plan will detail regional crash findings, project lists, public feedback, and implementation guidance and is estimated to be ready in a few months.”
The area project is funded by the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grants from the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration.
For more information or any questions or information requests about the regional safety plan process, please contact TARCOG Economic Development & Planning Staff at 256-830-0818.
TARCOG has some ideas on healthy living to share in a new community awareness campaign it will launch at a 10 a.m. news conference on Thursday, July 11, at the Madison Senior Center, 1282 Hughes Road.
TARCOG’s Director of Aging Programs Sheila Dessau-Ivey said the information in this campaign applies to anyone but it is focused on the aging population.
“To my understanding, we haven’t done anything like this in a long time, if ever,” Dessau-Ivey said. “We are excited to bring this information to everyone in the community in an easy-to-use format and we believe it will be useful on many levels.”
In the coming months, TARCOG case managers will present the information to clients, now totaling more than 1,000. The program information will be presented to each Council on Aging in the region, and educational material will be provided at outreach events throughout the region attended by TARCOG staff.
As part of the program, a short video is featured thanks to several of the City of Madison’s Senior Center participants and its manager Levoneia “Bonnie” Ayers. The video highlights aspects of the campaign such as staying active, socialization and eating healthy meals. TARCOG appreciates the center’s help to create a visual message for everyone in DeKalb, Jackson, Limestone, Madison and Marshall counties — and beyond.
“This is useful information, and we encourage people to use it so that we may all live and live well,” Dessau-Ivey added.
It’s also easy to access on the TARCOG website at www.tarcog.us. Just look for the Live and Live Well button on the top left of the site, under the agency logo — or under the Serving People tab.
More information is available by contacting 256-830-0818.
