MARIJUANA IS A STATE RIGHTS ISSUE

The legalization of marijuana needs to be a state issue (10th amendment - The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people) and not a federal one, said our Alabama Congressman Mo Brooks. He said states need to look at what happens in Colorado in the coming years.

Over the weekend, President Obama addressed the issue during an interview with The New Yorker. The president said marijuana is no more dangerous than alcohol and also talked about growing up and smoking marijuana as a kid. Obama called it a bad habit and a vice.
Colorado legalized the sale of the drug on Jan. 1. A similar law goes into effect in the state of Washington in a few months. Congressman Brooks said he wants to see what the long term impact is in Colorado.
"We're going to have a test case that will help us better understand what the effect of the legalization of marijuana is," Brooks said. "For example, student test scores: are the test scores going up or are they going down?" Brooks said it's up to the people and lawmakers of Alabama, but doesn't want it addressed in D.C.

"There's no way in the world that I have the kind of experience that the President of the United States has with alcohol, marijuana and other hard drugs. He's got personal experience. I don't, with those kinds of very dangerous substances," said Brooks.

ELKMONT FARMER AND HIS THOUGHTS ABOUT THE FARM BILL

Elkmont farmer Perry McNatt spent a frigid Friday morning working in his barn on a roller picker.  McNatt wants this $500,000 picker ready for next fall. His livelihood in a business that gambles on the weather and commodity prices depends on it. If the crop fails because of a drought or natural disaster, or prices are lower than expected, McNatt and other area farmers look to the federal government for help.
 

Farmers are waiting to see how last week’s renewal of the farm bill Congress passed impacts their future.  They depend on federal subsidies, especially during rough times.  Shane Seay, of the Farm Service Agency in Limestone County, said the farm bill, renewed every five years, is becoming more of a safety net program.  McNatt said farmers “just want the government to guarantee us a profit so we can stay in business.”

Farming is an expensive proposition, especially in row crops. 

McNatt said his farm could easily invest $1 million annually on his 3,000-acre farm.  Most local farms are a combination of owned and lease acreage.  Shaw said farm costs vary greatly, depending on the crop planted, fertilizer and equipment costs and hauling prices. Most local farmers diversify their crops, planting cotton, corn and soybeans. Sunflowers and canola are among the newest crops in the area.

The days of the familiar red, three-wheeled tractor are gone. The machines needed on a farm are growing bigger and more expensive.

McNatt said the average tractor has a 200-horsepower engine and costs close to $250,000. Combines run in the $500,000 range. A new picker can reach $600,000.  Crop insurance — $30 to $50 an acre — is another major expense. It’s required for any farmer who seeks an annual loan to cover seed, fertilizer and other expenses until the crop arrives.  The farmers are excited the new farm bill focuses more on insurance-style programs. They will pick between a program that pays when revenue dips or another that pays when prices drop.

“I would love more protection as long as it’s reasonable,” McNatt said. “Insurance costs keep going up, and it’s getting too high.” McNatt said he received about $40,000 last year in subsidies.

There is more to this article.  To read the complete article, click on the following link: Decatur Daily

RED CABOOSE COUNTRY MUSIC SHOW THIS FRIDAY

TP Productions presents the The Red Caboose Variety Show, February 15.  Doors open at 6 PM; show at 7 PM at Railroad Street, Elkmont, AL. Admission is $25 for adults, children 12 and under are free, food included. This show's entertainment will feature husband and wife team Phillip and Amber White.  For more info: 256-306-6201.  Reservations not required.

Dinner and A Show - Back by Popular Demand. Belle Chevre Saturday Supper + Music Event from The Red Caboose. Reservations required.
Call 888-549-1665
Reservations required.  
Two seatings: 5:45 and 7:15 

More about our featured artists:
Phillip White:

The road to songwriter 'stardom' can take various forms and for Phillip White it seemingly took the 'short route.' Born in Nashville but raised in a town nearby, the writer of Reba McEntire's "I'm A Survivor" was hired as a manager of a publishing company after he graduated high school. 

Inspired by Paul Overstreet to write, it wasn't long before Phillip was writing with his idol. Shortly after that, Phillip was writing with renowned songwriter Roger Murrah, who eventually offered Phillip a songwriting staff job in the mid 1990s. It has been White's time as a writer with Murrah Music Group that saw him bloom into a 'known' commodity. In 2000 a song that Phillip wrote with D. Vincent Williams was placed on Rascal Flatts' debut self-titled record. That song, "I'm Movin' On," became the group's first No. 1, and eventually won both writers "Academy of Country Music" Song Of The Year accolades. 

Among the songs from Phillip's catalog are Neal McCoy's Top 10 hit "Billy's Got His Beer Goggles On," Reba's Top 10 hit "He Gets That From Me," Blake Shelton's Top 10 hit "Nobody But Me," Trent Willmon's current hit "On Again Tonight" and cuts on records by artists like Gary Allan, Neal Coty, George Strait, Blackhawk, The Blue Dogs, Chris LeDoux, Brian McComas, Rachel Proctor and Kevin Sharp, Tanya Tucker, Chalee Tennison and Kenny Rogers. Many of Phillip's latest hits have been co-published through his own publishing company "Texabama Music" since 2002. With a steady pen writing top hits Phillip White should continue to write hits for years to come. 

Amber White:

South Texas Girl Amber Leigh White Has Made Nashville, TN Home And Has Found Her Place In The Music Industry Through Songwriting, Singing, And Performing. Amber’s Sound Is A Combination Of Her Texas Swing Roots With Her Love For The Sound Of Deep- South Blues. Her Passion For Rhythm Oriented Music Is Evident In The Tempo Driven Performances With Her Band While She Pours Her Soul Into The Reality Of A Songwriter’s Lyric. She Says, “There Is So Much Power In Music, And When I Get The Chance To Show Out, It‘S Great Therapy!”

Amber Says She Hopes For A Long Career Doing What She Loves And Has Had Radio Success With Her Song “Easy Loving You” Recorded By Country Artist Chalee Tennison Which Is A Song About Her Daughter In A True Story Of Her Personal Struggle And Triumph With Teenage Pregnancy.

She Is Married To Songwriter Phillip White And Says Their Children Jordyn Leigh And Jackson Glen Are The Greatest Joys In Her Life. Phillip Has Major Hits With Such Songs As “I’m A Survivor” And “He Gets That From Me” By Reba Mcentire, “Nobody But Me” By Blake Shelton, “Billy’s Got His Beer Goggles On” By Neal Mccoy, And Academy Of Country Music Song Of The Year “I’m Movin’ On” By Rascal Flatts.

PANCAKES ARE GREAT FOR ELKMONT HIGH SCHOOL SOFTBALL

2014 Elkmont High School Softball Pancake Breakfast was a success!  Thanks to all the players & parents for their hardwork Saturday at Applebee's....we missed Leah Seibert & her family but want them to know we're ready to step up to the plate and fight this battle with her.....Loving Leah....

SUCH A GOOD IDEA!!!

The Hill Spirit is a firm believer in community and helping those within our community.  We are quick to send our money and stuff somewhere else to help but it is best when it starts at home.  These are our friends, friends we don't know yet or family.  The Elkmont Youth League has come up with a great idea to recycle equipment that is no longer needed or exchanged for needed equipment.    So look in the closet or in the garage and see if you have baseball/softball stuff that needs a new home.

WINTER STORM WATCH - NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ALERT

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN HUNTSVILLE HAS ISSUED A WINTER STORM WATCH...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM MONDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH TUESDAY MORNING.

* TIMING AND AREAS AFFECTED...FROM 3 PM MONDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH NOON TUESDAY.

* SNOW/SLEET ACCUMULATIONS...STORM TOTAL SNOW ACCUMULATIONS BETWEEN 2 TO 4 INCHES IN NORTH ALABAMA AND 1 TO 3 INCHES IN SOUTHERN MIDDLE TENNESSEE...WITH SLEET AMOUNTS LESS THAN ONE HALF INCH.

* IMPACTS...SIGNIFICANT WINTRY PRECIPITATION WILL LIKELY IMPACT TRAVEL ACROSS NORTH ALABAMA AND SOUTHERN MIDDLE TENNESSEE FROM MONDAY AFTERNOON INTO TUESDAY.

GOOD NEWS FOR THOSE WHO WORK AT REDSTONE

The Army's Installation Management Command has agreed to increase the number of security guards at Redstone Arsenal after weeks of traffic delays caused by staffing shortages and closed gates.

Sen. Jeff Sessions' office announced Thursday IMCOM had agreed to the addition of 20 guard positions in response to growing traffic problems. IMCOM had earlier announced it was cutting Redstone's guard force by more than 40 percent and installation officials warned traffic problems would only worsen as a result.

The cutbacks meant Redstone wouldn't be allowed to fill vacant guard positions and in response, the arsenal closed Gate 8 on weekdays and reduced operations at Gates 3 and 7. Those changes led to traffic tie ups at the other gates, especially the already busy Gate 9, and delays for morning commuters on I-565.

Complaints about the traffic congestion caught the attention of state officials in Washington, who, along with Huntsville leaders, said they were trying to find a solution.

Redstone had originally asked for 130 security guards but IMCOM wanted that number set at 72. The Army's Office of the Provost Marshal General came back with a personnel requirement of 95 guards.  A compromise was reached to set Redstone's guard force at 100 positions.

"We are thankful for the efforts of (IMCOM)," Sessions' office said "We are going to monitor the situation closely and continue to work with Sen. Richard Shelby, Rep. Mo Brooks and Mayor Tommy Battle to do whatever we can to ease traffic congestion around the arsenal."
Redstone Arsenal officials said they have not been officially notified of the change. Once they are, they will adjust gate schedules accordingly, they said.

SENATOR SESSIONS - 10 MYTHS OF IMMIGRATION REFORM

Senator Jeff Sessions, R-Alabama has talked a lot about one of the hot topics in Washington D.C.   His recent comments about the current immigration reform are summed up when he said they are "the same recycled talking points, crafted with the help of the same consultants and special interests," and that the proposed legislation "ensures only the amnesty and not the enforcement." 

Continuing, Sessions said the Republican so-called principles "would surge the already unprecedented level of legal lesser-skilled immigration to the U.S. that is reducing wages and increasing unemployment." While the Republican goal should be "to transition millions of struggling Americans from welfare and joblessness to work and rising wages," President Barack Obama's plan is to force "legislation that drastically surges the future flow of new immigrant workers competing against unemployed Americans." 

Sessions conveniently summarized the facts about where we are and where we should be going in a 30-page statement. He refutes 10 widely circulated myths that are currently used to deceive the public on this issue. 

10 Myths about Immigration Reform: Article Link

ARE YOU READY FOR SEVERE WEATHER - SALES TAX HOLIDAY

The third-annual Severe Weather Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday will be held from noon Friday, Feb. 21, through midnight Sunday, Feb. 23. The holiday is designed to help residents stock up on a variety of supplies for protecting their homes or businesses during Alabama’s tornado and hurricane seasons. During the three day weekend, state, county and local sales and use taxes will be exempt on storm-related items.

Both the Limestone County Commission and the state of Alabama had already approved the tax holiday.

The following list contains examples of items covered under the Severe Weather Preparedness Holiday:

$60 or less
• Batteries:  AAA, AA, C, D, 6-volt and 9-volt batteries.  (Coin batteries, automobile batteries, and boat batteries are not exempt.)

• Cellular telephone batteries;

• Cellular phone chargers;

• Portable self-powered or battery-powered radios, two-way radios, weather-band radios or NOAA weather radios;

• Portable self-powered light sources, including battery-powered flashlights, lanterns or emergency glow sticks;

• Tarpaulins, plastic sheeting, plastic drop cloths and other flexible, waterproof sheeting;

• Ground anchor systems, such as bungee cords or rope, or tie-down kits;

• Duct tape;

• Plywood, window film or other materials specifically designed to protect window coverings;

• Non-electric food-storage coolers or water-storage containers;

• Non-electric can openers;

• Artificial ice, blue ice, ice packs and reusable ice;

• Self-contained first-aid kits;

• Fire extinguishers;

• Smoke detectors;

• Carbon monoxide detectors;

• Gas or diesel fuel tanks or containers.

$1,000 or less
• Portable generators and power cords

TYLER HELMS BECOMES A LION

Elkmont High School Senior Tyler Helms signed a cross-country scholarship with the University of North Alabama today. Tyler helped his team to win the 2013 Limestone County Championship meet and back to back Section 3, 3A championships. He will be starting his career with UNA in the fall of 2014.Tyler Helms signs with the University of North Alabama.   His hard work and determination have paid off! Great work Tyler!

Pictured are Coach Barry Pugh, EHS principal Garth Garris, Tyler Helms, McKenzie Helms, Michelle Helms, and Chris Helms.