Saving Selma

SAVING SELMA: Dallas Co. Jail repairs making slow progress

From the West Alabama Newsroom– The tornado that hit Selma on January 12th — tore the roof off the Dallas County Jail — flooding the facility — and causing extensive damage inside the building. Now officials say part of the facility — is nearly ready to reopen. Crews continue to hammer away — at making repairs to the Dallas County…

Historic Selma church hosts tornado recovery event

From the West Alabama Newsroom– Historic Brown Chapel AME Church in Selma is hosting an tornado recovery event Friday. Balm of Gilead Day focuses on the mental and spiritual health needs of tornado victims — as well as their physical needs. Organizers say the event is a day of healing — hope — and restoration — for families impacted by…

Selma City Schools receives tornado recovery aid

From the West Alabama Newsroom– Selma City Schools receives $1.75 million dollars in state funding to help with tornado recovery efforts. The January 12th tornado caused extensive damage — to about a third of the buildings in the city. And some of the buildings damaged were school buildings. “That tornado caused millions of dollars in damages, uprooted lives, changed lives…

Non-profit repairing damaged houses in Selma

From the West Alabama Newsroom– A small Selma non-profit is helping to make repairs at the homes of January 12th tornado victims — who can’t afford to make the repairs for themselves. The Black Belt and Central Alabama Housing Authority  currently has repair projects underway at three houses that received damage from the tornado. “Our primary mission is housing repair…

Dallas Co. EMA unveils new Mobile Command Center trailer

From the West Alabama Newsroom– First responders in the Selma-Dallas County area have a new tool to improve communication and efficiency during an emergency situations. EMA Director Toya Stiles Crusoe — unveiled the county’s new Mobile Command Center — Friday morning. The command trailer generates it’s own electricity. It has it’s own air and heat. Room for eight separate work…

Deadline looms for free removal of tornado debris in Selma

From the West Alabama Newsroom– People in Selma only have one week left to sign up to have tornado debris removed from their property — at no charge. Property owners have to sign a Right-of-Entry form — that gives the city permission to go on to their property to remove the debris. “We really want people to take full advantage…

Selma Continues to Recover 3 Months After the Tornado

From the West Alabama Newsroom– People in Selma continue to recover from a tornado — that ripped through the city three months ago — and destroyed a third of the city. Although progress has been made in the recovery effort — there’s still a long way to go — before things are back to normal. Three months ago — a…

SBA Now Focused on Effort to Stimulate Selma Economy

From the West Alabama Newsroom– Federal agencies continue to provide resources in Selma — to help the city bounce back from the devastation caused by the January 12th tornado. The Small Business Administration hosted a Small Business Community Forum at Wallace Community College Selma Tuesday. The event brought businesses and resources to help them together under one roof. Kem Fleming…