The Andalusia City Council last week approved an agreement with The Cottages at Packer Field, LLC to build 20 two-bedroom and three-bedroom cottages on the property currently known as Packer Field, and bordered by Packer Avenue and Snowden Drive.
City administrator John Thompson said the project is the culmination of years of work.
“We know that we have lost population in recent Censuses, and we believe the reason has been the lack of housing,” Thompson said. “We know we’ve lost at least one economic development project because we didn’t have housing available for the people who would have needed to relocate here.”
Thompson introduced Frank Thomas of Montgomery, who will build the workforce houses through the Cottages at Packer Field, LLC, and Kathleen M. Ferrell, CPM, of Enterprise, who will manage the rental properties.
Ferrell said the houses will be leased at “market rate.” The two-bedroom homes are approximately 1,200 square feet and will rent for about $1,525. The three-bedroom homes are approximately 1,450 square feet and will rent for $1,795.
“Our criteria for renting are strict,” she said, adding that tenants must have been employed for six months, show proof of income of at least three times the rental amount, and provide landlord references.
The City of Andalusia has had a long-held agreement to use Packer Field for its recreation programs, but the City’s Capital Improvement Cooperative District actually acquired the property within the last two years.
The agreement approved recently calls for the Cooperative District to deed a portion of the property to the LLC for the initial construction. Once those houses are built and leased, a second phase is expected to follow. The City Council will rebate the non-education sales taxes collected on construction-related purchases made within the City.
Once an engineering study is completed, the City and developers will decide whether the first phase will front on Snowden Drive or Packer Avenue.
Andalusia Public Library announced this week that it is migrating its digital services to Libby, the award-winning reading app from OverDrive, which allows patrons to access “Libby Extras” content as well as the library’s digital books.
Andalusia Public Library Director Sara Mixson said with Libby, APL patrons will have access to more than 51,000 titles through Camellia Net, a consortium of 150+ libraries across the state of Alabama.
“We are very excited to provide this service for our patrons. This new platform will greatly increase our collection and improve our accessibility,” Mixson said.
APL patrons with a valid library card can access a new variety of content that entertains, educates and provides unique digital experiences in addition to the library’s ebooks and audiobooks, including digital magazines. The content is available with the Libby app, or by using the following links:
• camellia.overdrive.com
• libbyapp.com
• apl.tlcdelivers.com
The locally selected collection offers content for readers of all ages from virtually every subject ranging from mystery, romance, children’s, business and more.
PIN numbers are automatically set to patrons’ zip codes.
This service is compatible with all major computers and devices, iPhone®, iPad®, Android™ phones and tablets and Chromebook™. Through Libby, readers can also “send to Kindle®” [U.S. only]. All titles will automatically expire at the end of the 14-day lending period and there are no late fees. Readers can also download titles onto Libby for offline use.
Patrons currently using APL’s CloudLibrary service will be able to finish reading current selections but will need to migrate to Libby to continue enjoying ebooks, Mixson said.
For assistance with the app, or to obtain a library card, patrons may visit Andalusia Public Library Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. or call 334-222-6612.
Four former Bulldogs were inducted into the Andalusia High School Football Hall of Fame in a ceremony at Andalusia City Hall Friday afternoon.
JOHN HENRY DANIELS, Class of 1961, known as “Big John,” played for the Ralph J. Bunche Wildcats football team from 1958 to 1960 as a defensive end, offensive end, and middle guard, leading them to winning seasons, including an undefeated 1960. He valued his time there, learning valuable lessons on and off the field from Principal CC Baker and Coach J.C. Hall, who provided guidance akin to father figures alongside his parents and community. Big John embraced the school’s motto, “Make Sure You’re Right, Then Go Ahead,” instilling the same values in his eight children.
Waverly “Boot” Flowers, Class of 1974, was a two-year starter at defensive tackle at AHS, contributing to the team in both 1972 and 1973, including the Bulldogs’ run to the state runner-up title in 1973. In his senior year, Flowers was named All-SAC, earned Honorable Mention All-State recognition by the Birmingham News, and was honored as Andalusia’s Best Defensive Lineman. He was a
two-year starter on the defensive line at Livingston University and was named Most Valuable Defensive Player of the Pioneer Bowl, a nationally-televised playoff game in 1975. In basketball at AHS, he earned a spot on the First Team All-State Tournament Team in 1973 and was named All-SAC in both 1973 and 1974.
Leon Hattaway, Class of 1980, was a three-year starter (1977-1979), playing a variety of positions, including corner back, running back, wide receiver, punt returner, kick-off returner and kicker. He was a member of Andalusia’s 1977 State Championship Team. The Montgomery
Advertiser named him First Team All-State after his junior and senior seasons. He also was named All Conference in 1978 and 1979. He was named Andalusia’s Best Defensive Back his junior year and Andalusia’s Most Versatile Player his senior year. He was a three-year letterman in baseball, making First Team also All-Conference after his junior and senior seasons. He was named Andalusia Baseball’s Most Valuable Player and permanent Team Captain in 1980. He played college baseball at LBW.
DAVID MOORE, Class of 1966, was a three-year letterman from 1963 through 1965. Moore played as both an outstanding center on offense and linebacker on defense during the 1963 and 1964 seasons, but moved to tackle in 1965 when he was named AHS Best Blocking Lineman and Team Captain. He was named First Team All-Conference and an All-State Honorable Mention by the Birmingham
News in 1965. Moore attended the Marion Military Institute where he started at nose guard in 1966 and tackle in 1967. He was also president of the “M” Club at Marion.
Andalusia High School Football Hall of Fame Committee members select honorees each year. Committee members are Lucky Cope, Robert Cremer, John Jones, David Moore, Joe Nix,
Larry Brown, Will Sconiers, Lex Short, Jimmy Wilson, Jackie Woods, Jr., Kyle Gantt, Trent Taylor, and
Ray Wilson.
The Andalusia City Council on Tuesday appointed Dr. Charles Eldridge to the Andalusia City Board of Education.
Dr. Eldridge was appointed to fill the vacancy in the District 5 position created by the untimely passing of longtime board member Dr. David McCalman. The Code of Alabama requires the City Council of the City of Andalusia to fill a vacancy within 30 days.
“Dr. McCalman served this community well, both as a physician and on the board of education,” Mayor Earl Johnson. “Dr. McCalman led the board through some important projects, and he will be missed.”
Similarly, he said, Dr. Eldridge has served the community in many roles.
“Almost everyone in Andalusia knows Charles Eldridge as ‘Dr. E,’ “ the mayor said of the long-time Andalusia pediatrician. “In both his professional and civic life, he has spent his efforts helping children.”
Eldridge currently chairs the Public Education Building Authority board, and in that role, led the effort to raise more than $1.1 million in private donations for the renovations of the Andalusia High School stadium and auditorium that were completed in 2019.
He previously also has served on the board of Andalusia Health, and the Covington County Child Advocacy Center.
Eldridge is expected to be sworn into office at the board’s next meeting.
The City of Andalusia on Friday hosted the 15th induction ceremony of the W. Robert Brown Andalusia High School Outstanding Graduate Awards.
This year's honorees were Hollis Kelley, Jr.; Deidre W. Smith, Dr. Zack Studstill, Bill Tunnell, Sue Williams Wiggins, and James Arthur Wilson.
Hollis Kelley, Jr., Class of 1984, is a financial advisor and limited partner for Edward Jones, who also is known in his profession as a mentor. Forbes named him Best Wealth Advisor in 2022, 2023, and 2024. He is a graduate of Auburn University and the College for Financial Planning. He has been active as a coach and board member for Little League and other youth organizations, and in his church, St. Stephen Catholic in Glenwood Springs, Colorado.
Deidre W. Smith, Class of 1988, is the Deputy Director, Civil Rights Zone V, for the U.S. Forest Service, where she has worked for 30 years. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Alabama A&M University and a master’s from Strayer University. She often mentors students, and has reached back to Andalusia to help more than a dozen students earn scholarships, stipends and internships.
Dr. Zack Studstill, Class of 1956, practiced dentistry for 42 years in Montgomery before becoming the executive director of the Alabama Dental Association, where he served for 12 years. He also earned a master’s degree in counseling from Auburn University while practicing dentistry, and used it in his church’s family counseling program. He was inducted into the Alabama Healthcare Hall of Fame, and received the American Dental Association’s Distinguished Service Award, its highest honor.
Bill Tunnell, Class of 1964, spent 20 years as the executive director of the USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park, which has documented 20 million visits. During his tenure as executive director, and later as executive director and Battleship Commission Chairman (2020-2024), many additions and repairs were made to the Park. He was the first inductee into the Alabama Tourism Hall of Fame. He earned a bachelor’s degree at the University of the South, and completed additional studies at the University of South Carolina School of Law.
Sue Williams Wiggins, Class of 1968, has spent a lifetime bringing art to the public. She founded her own company which created and maintained corporate art collections across the United States. A graduate of the University of Alabama, Wiggins recently returned to Andalusia where she founded Air Artist, Inc., and opened the Cotton Street Gallery.
James Arthur Wilson, Class of 1923, spent a career in education, but is most well known for the 18 years he served as principal of Andalusia High School, where his pursuit of excellent teaching was unrelenting, and where he inspired students to reach their fullest potential. He was a member of the first AHS football team, and is credited with restarting the storied program after World War II. He also was a WWII-era veteran of the Army Signal Corps.
The Andalusia High School Outstanding Graduate Award was established in 2007 by the Class of 1948 Foundation, now the Andalusia High School Scholarship Foundation. The award is designed to honor those graduates of Andalusia High School, Woodson High School and Ralph Bunche High School whose personal lives, professional accomplishments and community service exemplify the ideals of Andalusia High School.
To make a nomination for the award, contact Michele Gerlach at .