LADY DEVILS IN SOCCER PLAYOFFS TODAY

The Kicking Lady Devils came in second in Area 16 this year.  They will be traveling to Huntsville for a match up with the Area 15 Champion.  St. John Paul II Catholic (10-7-2) will be hosting the playoff game, Sat., Apr. 30.  Kickoff is at 3 pm.

WHAT'S HAPPENING IN ELKMONT THIS WEEK?

30 
Sassafras Tea Celebration
*10 am @ the Depot

ELKMONT GIRLS SOCCER
*Regional Playoff Game @ John Paul II Catholic in Huntsville; 3 pm

ELKMONT TRACK
*Sectionals @ James Clemens; 9 am

ELKMONT SOFTBALL 
*Elkmont Varsity Pre-Area Tournament 

MAY 1
The Quarterback club will meet May 1 @ 2:30 PM in the New Gym lobby

ELKMONT WEATHER TODAY - MORE RAIN

Elkmont is looking mostly dry conditions for the first half of the day with possible severe thunderstorms during the afternoon and early evening. 

 

ELKMONT TRACK TEAM AT SECTIONAL TODAY

Our Elkmont Running Devils are at James Clemons this morning for the Sectional track meet. Events started at 9 am.  May their feet be swift and their jumping strong as they compete to qualify for the state tournament.

Coach Pugh's Corner 

Great season with some great kids. They work hard. I know because I have always been a coach that believes of you ask them to do it and you can, do it with them. I can't keep up with them! This group has been one of the strongest teams I have had the pleasure to coach. I love each and every one of them and wish them the best today in sectionals. They are well prepared and ready! EHS PRIDE!

CHARLES THOMAS "TOM" GANT - OBITUARY

Charles Thomas “Tom” Gant, age 87 of Athens, passed away Thursday, April 28, 2016 at Limestone Health Facility. Mr. Gant was born February 24, 1929 in Wildersville, TN to Alvia Gant and Maggie Austin Gant.

Services will be Sunday, May 1, 2016 2:00 p.m., at Limestone Chapel Funeral Home with Norm Webb, Jr. officiating. Visitation will be Saturday, April 30, 2016 from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be in Roselawn Cemetery.

Mr. Gant graduated from Clarksburg High School in TN in 1947 and went into business for himself as an electrician. He went into the Air Force for 4 years, then worked for the Federal Aviation Agency before finishing school at the University of Tennessee. From there he went to work for Chrysler Corp. as a contractor for Saturn 1B, and then worked for Prestolite Corp. in Decatur for 2 years. He then returned to work for the US Army Missile Command in Huntsville, then retired and returned to the farm. Mr. Gant was a member of the Church of Christ.

Preceded in death by his parents, Alvia and Maggie Gant; two brother, Bill and Robert Gant; three sisters, Ruth Sprurgin, Bernice Barger and Ann Allison.

Survived by his wife, Jo Ann Gant of Athens; three sons, Bruce Allen Gant and wife Sharon, Barry Mitchell Gant both of Athens and Bradley Jason Gant and wife, Tammy of Elkmont; five grandchildren, Chelsea Robinson and husband, Daniel of Athens, Adria Brown and husband Brad of Florence, AL, Levi Gant, Skyler Gant and Maggie Gant all of Elkmont; one great-grandchild, Samuel Robinson of Athens.

Pallbearers will be Bruce Gant, Barry Gant, Bradley Gant, Skyler Gant, Levi Gant and Daniel Gant. Honorary pallbearers will be Daniel Robinson and Brad Brown.

Memorials may be made to Hospice of Limestone County.

ELKMONT WEATHER TODAY

It's supposed to be beautiful today on the Hilltop and  no chance of rain according to the the National Weather Service.

However.....

Hill Spirit does want to share with you that sometimes weather can be weird, even Elkmont weather. As always be aware of what's going on around you. This is a could be, not a will be.

"Even though the National Weather Service has little to no chance of rain today in north Alabama(0 to 20% in north Ala covered out of Huntsville), be aware that there may be a MCS(mesoscale convective system) moving east/southeast into north and north central Alabama later today that could bring some strong winds, and heavy rain. A mesoscale convective system (MCS) is a complex of thunderstorms that becomes organized on a scale larger than the individual thunderstorms but smaller than extratropical cyclones, and normally persists for several hours or more.These are tricky, and can move very fast. So stay weather alert for any outdoor activities later today and this evening."

IT'S TODAY!!! COME TO THE HILLTOP

The Kicking Red Devils are in the first round of the Regional Playoffs.  They have a good chance to be able to win tonight but they need our help.  

Kickoff starts @ 7 pm for what is to be a tough, physical matchup between Elkmont and the Columbia Eagles.  You can be that extra needed to put our Red Devils over the top tonight.  If you haven't been to a soccer game before, this is a great game to start with.

 

ELKMONT FIRST GRADERS ON THE MOUNTAIN

Spring means more than beautiful flowers, wonderful temperatures and baby animals.  It also means school field trips.  

The first graders at Elkmont had the chance to visit the Burritt Park on Monte Santo Mountain. 

The site features Burritt's eclectic mansion, a historic park with restored nineteenth-century houses, a barnyard with authentic breeds of farm animals, a series of nature trails, and concerts, plays, festivals and exhibits. 

ELKMONT SOCCER ENDS REGULAR SEASON ON A HIGH NOTE

The Kicking Red Devils ended the regular season with another solid victory, defeating the Loretto, TN, Mustangs, 6-2 on Tuesday. Daniel Valencia, a familiar name on the score sheet this season, led Elkmont with five goals. 

Alex Alvarado added the other goal and also registered an assist. Daniel Marina, Juan Mendoza, and Luis Valencia also had assists. 

Tee Boyd had seven saves at goal. 

The Kicking Red Devils play at 7:00 pm against Columbia High School at home on Friday in Round 1 of the playoffs. Come out to Boss Hill Stadium and cheer them on!

HOW DID YOUR SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVE VOTE LAST WEEK?

In this MegaVote for Alabama's 5th Congressional District: Recent Congressional Votes Senate: Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization – Passage Senate: Energy Policy – Passage Senate: Fiscal 2017 Energy-Water Appropriations – Eliminate Funding for Various Commissions Senate: Fiscal 2017 Energy-Water Appropriations – Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Loan Program House: IRS Hiring – Passage House: IRS Oversight and User Fees - Passage House: Bar IRS from Rehiring Certain Employees – Passage

Recent Senate Votes

Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization – Passage - Vote Passed (95-3, 2 Not Voting) The Senate passed a measure which authorizes $33.1 billion in funding for FAA programs through fiscal 2017, including those related to unmanned aircraft, equipment certification, and aircraft control system technology. Sen. Richard Shelby voted YES Sen. Jeff Sessions voted YES Energy Policy – Passage - Vote Passed (85-12, 3 Not Voting) The chamber passed a bill which streamlines the permitting for liquefied natural gas exports, mandates improvements to the electric grid's reliability and security, raises energy efficiency standards for commercial and federal buildings, and permanently reauthorizes the Land and Water Conservation Fund. Sen. Richard Shelby voted NO Sen. Jeff Sessions voted NO Fiscal 2017 Energy-Water Appropriations – Eliminate Funding for Various Commissions - Vote Rejected (25-71, 4 Not Voting) The chamber rejected an amendment by Joni Ernst, R-Neb., that would have cut $200 million from a number of joint state-federal commissions that promote economic development, infrastructure improvements and job training across four regions of the country. Sen. Richard Shelby voted NO Sen. Jeff Sessions voted NO Fiscal 2017 Energy-Water Appropriations – Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Loan Program - Vote Rejected (48-49, 3 Not Voting) The Senate rejected an amendment by Dan Coats, R-Ind., that would have limited the use of the Department of Energy’s Advanced Technology Vehicle Manufacturing loan program. The vote was subject to a 60-vote threshold. Sen. Richard Shelby voted YES Sen. Jeff Sessions voted YES

Recent House Votes

IRS Hiring – Passage - Vote Passed (254-170, 9 Not Voting) The chamber passed a measure which prohibits the IRS from hiring any new employees until the Treasury Department certifies that no IRS worker has serious tax delinquencies. The measure defines such delinquency as an outstanding debt under the Internal Revenue Code for which a notice of lien has been filed in public records. Rep. Mo Brooks voted YES IRS Oversight and User Fees - Passage - Vote Passed (245-179, 9 Not Voting) The House passed a bill which makes Internal Revenue Service spending of the user fees it collects subject to the annual appropriations process, thereby blocking the IRS from spending collected user fees unless Congress provides for such spending in appropriations acts. This restriction would apply to all IRS user fees collected after the date of enactment. Rep. Mo Brooks voted YES Bar IRS from Rehiring Certain Employees – Passage - Vote Passed (260-158, 15 Not Voting) The House passed a measure which prohibits the IRS from rehiring former employees who were previously removed or terminated for misconduct. It would apply with respect to any IRS employee removed at any time (before, on or after the date of enactment.) Rep. Mo Brooks voted YES

Upcoming Votes

Fiscal 2017 Energy-Water Appropriations - HR2028 The measure would provide $37.5 billion in fiscal 2017 for various items including $6 billion for the Army Corps of Engineers, $5.4 billion for Department of Energy science research and $12.9 billion for the Department’s nuclear security programs. Private Market Investors - HR4498 The bill would expand the circumstances under which events where businesses offer unregistered securities in the private market would not be considered "general solicitations" that otherwise require the issuer to verify that the individuals attending the events are accredited investors. Washington D.C. School Vouchers - HR4901 The bill would reauthorize for five years, through fiscal 2021, the Scholarships for Opportunity and Results program, under which federal funding is provided to eligible students in Washington, D.C., to allow them to attend private schools, and modify the program to provide for greater student participation and to mandate greater accountability by the private schools that participate in the program. Block Fiduciary Rule - HJRES88 The joint resolution would disapprove the rule issued by the Labor Department on April 8, 2016, commonly known as the fiduciary rule on retirement investment advice, that subjects broker-dealers who oversee such investments to the fiduciary standard and stipulates what types of activities and communications would give rise to fiduciary investment advice responsibilities.

REGIONAL SOCCER PLAYOFF GAME ON THE HILLTOP

The Elkmont Kicking Devils won Area 16 and will be hosting the first game of the regional playoffs tomorrow, April 29. Kickoff is at 7 pm, Boss Hill Stadium. They finished the regular season with a 13-5-1 record. 

 
The team in their way to the second round of the state playoffs is Columbia High School, Huntsville.  The Eagles are the Area 15 runner-up with a 6-2-2 record.  Other schools in its area are East Limestone and St. John Paul II Catholic School (Area 15 champion).  

Couldn't find much about them other than their record and that the Eagles are known for their tough, physical play.

THE FIRST SHALL BE THE LAST

Elkmont is the oldest school in the Limestone County School System.  It was established in 1912 and has served our community for over 100 years. 

Talk about building a new elementary school for the Hilltop has been around for at least 20 years.  The land where it was to be built is across from the Pig. As time has slipped by, the new school has always been pushed down the list so other communities would receive the needed funds.  There are now indications that the new school may always be in the Twilight Zone.  Never to be built, only to exist in the imagination.

Limestone County Schools Superintendent Tom Sisk has provided another piece of the puzzle called "What About Elkmont?" One of his long-term goals is to break up the remaining K-12 schools in Limestone County. The only ones left are West Limestone, Tanner and Elkmont. Ardmore, Clements and East Limestone have already been switched.  East Limestone has Creekside, Ardmore got Cedar Hill, and Clements has Blue Springs.

West is getting a new $15,191,800 school called Sugar Creek Elementary. Sugar Creek is scheduled to open by the 2017-18. Sisk said,Tanner already has its own building on campus that already functions independently from the main school. Plans are in the works to build a dedicated administration suite for the elementary building to create Tanner Elementary School.

What about Elkmont?

Though it's not in the immediate future, splitting the K-12 facility is next on the list. The plan is similar to the one taking place at Tanner — an Elkmont Elementary School will be established with its own administration and identity. The building is separate from the main school already and has its own administrative suite, but there will be some “investment” made into the Elkmont Elementary campus, Sisk said.  

"Some investment made".... Hill Spirit reads this to mean that the new elementary school is gone, not to be built.  Sorry folks, as it stands now, the first school in the county is now the last. It's too bad...Elkmont is a wonderful community to raise children. However, young families move to where the new schools are, not the recycled - even the well-loved, maintained one. The growth(money) in the county will be directed elsewhere.

Athens New Courier Article
*the Elkmont/Piney Chapel plan of 15 years ago has been transformed into the West/Owens plan