News briefs
By Staff
Benefit fund established
A benefit fund has been established through First American Bank for a Hartselle resident and teacher. Kristie Durand, 34, is an eighth grade English teacher at Hartselle Junior High School who suffered a stroke Feb. 24 in her classroom and was later admitted to Decatur General Hospital. Doctors found a myxoma heart tumor, a rare condition that most likely caused the stroke, and scheduled open-heart surgery for this week at Vanderbilt Medical Center in Nashville, Tenn. She is the wife of Jon Durand and the mother of Briley and Dillon. Donations to the Kristie Durand Benefit Fund can be made at any First American Bank location.
Governor to speak at event
Governor Bob Riley will be guest speaker at a barbecue luncheon sponsored by the Riley for Reelection Campaign in Morgan County at Sparkman Civic Center Auditorium Thursday, March 9, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Tickets for the luncheon are $12 each and the public is invited. Tickets may be ordered in advance by contacting Bill Wood at 751-0888 or Tom McCutcheon at 773-7661.
Massey body identified as missing man
The body of an adult male found in a ravine near Massey about 3 p.m. Sunday afternoon has been identified as that of Keith Sullins, a 41-year-old Vinemont resident who was reported missing to Cullman County authorities on Feb. 16.
Passersby discovered Sullins' body while traveling on Parker Gap Road, which intersects with Highway 157 at the foot of Battleground Mountain.
Morgan County Coroner Russ Beard sent the body to the State Department of Forensic Sciences to determine the cause of death.
Sullins' death is under investigation as a homicide, according to Morgan County Chief Deputy Mike Corley.
Public invited to view textbooks
Textbooks for science are being considered for recommendation to the Morgan County Board of Education for adoption to use in the school district. Books will be available for public review at the Morgan County Board of Education in Decatur March 1-7, 8 a.m.-4 p.m., and at each of the schools March 1-7, 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Citizens of Morgan County are invited to review the books.
