BY MICHELLE KEY
PUBLISHER
LEE COUNTY — Several Smiths Station High School students were recently recognized for outstanding achievements across academics, leadership and the arts.
Konnor Napier was named a WTVM “Wonder Kid” for his leadership in the band program and excellence in the classroom. A 4.1 GPA student, Napier has earned A Honor Roll every year and participates in Boys State, HOBY, Beta Club, multiple band ensembles and has received numerous superior ratings and honor band selections.
At the Columbus State University Annual Art Throwdown Invitational on Nov. 7, several SSHS students earned top placements:
• Brooklyn Cheney won 1st place in the Intro to Metal Working Workshop.
• D’Kiyah Core and Arlissa Thomas won 2nd place in the Moving Collage Workshop.
• Jordyn Fisher won 3rd place in the Graphic Design Workshop and is also last year’s $5,000 scholarship winner.
• Audrey Broglio and Samara Dudenski earned 3rd place in Creative Writing (Flash Fiction/Flash Memoir).
In other business, the
commission:
• Approved the minutes from the Nov. 10 meeting
• Ratified and approved claims and procurement card transactions
• Approved commissioner appropriations
• Appointed Andrew Bryan to the Beulah Utilities Board following a second reading
• Approved a request from Premium Pours for an ABC Special Events License for events at Stone and Ivy on Dec. 11 and Dec. 14
• Approved a resolution to intervene in SSUT litigation, a measure presented by the county’s chief operating officer, Blake Beck
• Adopted a resolution establishing local license fees for three new alcohol license types created during the 2025 Alabama Legislative Session and issued by the Alabama ABC Board. Local approval is required for wet-county fees. The new license categories and associated fees are:
— Government Venue License: $50 filing fee; $250 state license fee,
— Event Storage License: $50 filing fee; $550 state license fee and
— Educational Tourism Distillery License: $50 filing fee; $1,000 state license fee.
• Cancelled the second December meeting originally set for Dec. 29
• Approved the renewal of the cable franchise agreement with R.M. Greene Inc., doing business as Beam
• Approved the renewal of the lease for the Smiths Station Revenue Office for an additional three years.
The commission will hold its next regularly scheduled meeting in January following the holiday schedule adjustment.
