Hide Article Text (OCR)
Serving Athens and Limestone County: A Community of Tradition and FuturiMWMIMlM i tv wtn wow lt;w|-V-* vav/. . vw*. . iVM|Friday, December 28, 2007i *► ■iV.V.w-VA'AYIIThere will be a hole in our hearts forever. She was vivacious, fun and astrong leader of the squad.- KIM BAILEY, CHEERLEADER COACHCOURTESY PHOTOJessica Elkins, a 15-year-old Athens High School junior varsity cheerleader, died Wednesday of bacterial meningitis.AHS students mourndeath of a cheerleaderSchool open todayto offer counselingB^ Kami n Midoitiun and Sonny Ti hnkrharm a athtnsot'w s-tvuriiT.conirIhe siui isn’t shining today because our sunshine. less, isn’t here,” Susan Clavton siiid of her•r w Wniece. Jessica Elkins, who died of meningitis late Wednesday at Children’s Hospital in Birmingham.Family and friends of the Athens High Schlt;x)l cheerleader were in shock Thursday after learn-wing of 15-year-old Jessica’s death.The ninth-grade student, junior varsity cheerleader and daughter of Tallxt and Michelle Elkins of Athens died Wednesday night after tailing ill Friday after schtxrl Clavton said the teen succumbed to bacterial meningitis and pneumonia.Her funeral will be at 2 p.m. Saturday in theAthens High School gymnasium. The family will receive friends from 5 to 9 tonight at Sprv Funeral Home and again Saturday from 1 to 2 p.m. at the AHS gym.“She was a high-quality person and a greatkid,” said Athens High School Principal ChrisBolen. “It is a great loss for Athens High School.' Bolen said Miss Elkins was in school Fridayduring semester exams.“She had gotten sick Friday afternoon and everything went down hill from that point on, Bolen said. She was a great kid with a jxisitive attitude. She had lots of friends. If I had to write a description for a student, she would be the one I would describe.Bolen met with school counselors Wednesday“We have decided to open Athens High School F’ridav tor students who wish to come bvW wand speak to counselors,” Bolen said. “In addi-See Cheerleader, page 10COURTESY PHOTOCheerleading coach Kim Bailey said Jessica Elkins, center, always requested the hardest stunts. Pictured with her are varsity cheerleaders Breanne Griffin, left, and Jessica’s sister, Emilee Elkins.50 cents» •» «.* lt;»«*'« ** «v» .« .Ar * •* » y/a’Y * 4 .w . . .4 *4 / / ,« 4 * I^.vp/.-.v. ww.'/w v.v..BMMMigppmmi **y/V/lt;y,Vlt;WMMAthens BibleSchool 2020Project startson a 40-acreU.S. 31N siteBy Sonny Turnersonny a atlwnsnews-couricr.comwAthens Bible School hopes to raise $12 million bv 2020 to build a new school on 40 acres south of the Athens Sportsplex.“We’ve got to raise a lot of money — $10 to $12 million.” said Joe Olson, principal of the 04-year-old private school. “That will come from projects like the Gene Stallings banquet we held recently and. hopefully, from donors.”Site work on the project has begun, including roads, parking lots and two soccer fields.The school has outgrown its campusat Forrest and Fast Washington streets.“The school is getting old, plus we need more than 30 acres for accredita-ABS planThe private school now sits on nine acres at the corner of Forrest and East Washington in Athens. Plans call for a new school to be built by the year 2020 with an estimated 600 students. The new school will sit on 40 acres just off U.S. 31 North near the Athens Sportsplex.tion.” Olson said. The campus is now sitting on only about nine acres, and that makes a big difference.”The first phase site work will take a year to complete,Olson said. The second phase will include a new baseball field, softball field and youth fields.wOlson, who is in his 33rd year as principal, said he has no idea what school officials will do with the old school once students move into the new one.“They may decide to sell it and they may decide to keep it as an elementary. he said.Athens Bible School opened 64 years ago and the existing buildings were built more than 50 years ago. The school has grown from a graduating class of five to six students to more than 347 students today.Bv the time students move into thewnew school, there will be 600 students enrolled at the school, officials said.Grayson Carter and Son Contracting Inc. of Athens is doing the site work and Taz Morrell of Athens is project engineer.“We want to thank them for the work they are doing on this project,” Olson said, “These are family-owned and operated businesses and their help on this project is greatly appreciated.Courthouse, countv offices closing 2 days;ritv only off TuesdayAll Limestone County offices, includ-wing those in the Limestone County Courthouse, Washington Street Courthouse Annex and Limestone County Commission, will be closed Monday, Dec. 31, and Tuesday, Jan. 1, for the New Year’s Dav holiday T he offices willW Wreopen Wednesday, Jan. 2.Athens municipal offices will be closed New Year’s Day only and reopen Wednesday, Jan. 2.— Sonny Turner—Athens man jailed for robbery of woman at hospitalWalter McLinB\ Sonny Tlrnfrs(nun aiatht‘nsnv\\ s-vourit'r.coniAn Athens man was arrested Wednesday night after being accused of forcing his way into the car of a woman at Athens-Limestone Hospital, robbing her of $20 and making her drive him to the intersection of U.S. 72 and HineStreet, police said.Walter Stuart McLin, 43, ol 1204 Montreat Drive, is facing a third-degree robbery charge, records show.Athens Police Capt Marty Bruce said the victim w'as doing contract work at Athens-Limestone Hospital at the time of the robbery. She toldinvestigators she was gettinginto her vehicle about 7:15 p.m. when a man forced his wav into her car.W“After he forced the victim to give him money, the man forced the woman to drive him to the area of Hine Street and U.S. 72 West,” Bruce said. “The man got out of the vehicle at that point.”Lt Trevor Harris and Officer Jay Looney arrested McLin later in the night after he was located at the hospital by security officers. He was wearing clothes described by the victim.McLin has been transferred to the Limestone County jail.
Newspaper Details
Athens News Courier
Athens, Alabama, US
Fri, Dec 28, 2007
Page 2
Full Page
Clipped by
Anonymous
USA 03 May 2018
Other Publications Near Athens, Alabama
Athens Post
Athens Limestone County Shopper
Athens Limestone Democrat
Athens News Courier
Athens Alabama Courier
