In partnership with the Alabama Department of Tourism and the 2010 Year of Small Towns and Down Towns, a new historical marker has been placed on the campus of the current location of the Scottsboro City Board of Education, this location being known as the College Hill Historic District.

College Hill Historic District, located along College Avenue between Scott and Kyle Streets, was nominated to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.  This District was Scottsboro's first subdivision.  The area was part of Charlotte Scott Skelton's inheritance from her parents, Robert Thomas and Elizabeth Parsons Scott, the founders of Scottsboro.

The Scott family donated a large plot at the northwest corner of Scott Street and College Avenue for a school.  The District gets its name from the academies, colleges, and public schools which have graced this campus for 130 years.  The first school located on this site was the Scott Male and Female Academy built in 1878.  The current building was constructed in 1939. 

College Avenue's first two homes, built in the 1890's on the two eastern corners, are no longer standing.  The remaining original 16 houses, were built between 1909 and the 1940's.  

The marker was unveiled at a ceremony on Sunday, June 27th.  Many local dignitaries and descendants of the original families were present to view the unveiling. 

Eagle Scout candidate Noel Bellomy recently finished his scouting project.  He built a new bridge for Sheppard Garden, which is located behind the Chamber office.  Bellomy is a member of Troop 18 with First United Methodist Church of Scottsboro.  Materials, design and help with construction were supplied by Eddie West.  Bellomy also constructed bird houses which have been attached to several trees in the garden. 

Pictured with Bellomy (far right) are, Zeke and  Zack Bellomy; Murphy Bellomy; Gail Duffey, Scottsboro Beautification Council; David Gunder; Tyler Campbell; and Eddie West.

The Greater Jackson County Chamber of Commerce extends sincere thanks to Bellomy and his contributions to the Chamber, Sheppard Garden and Jackson County.

The goodness that lives in his heart is the reason Raymond Brandon has been named 2010 Jackson County Citizen of the Year, by the Greater Jackson County Chamber of Commerce and The Daily Sentinel.  With a tireless spirit and a volunteer heart, Brandon has given of himself for many years.  Born and raised in Scottsboro, Brandon finished his education at Decatur Trade School.  During the height of the Vietnam War, Brandon chose to put his career on hold for awhile and serve his country.  After spending a year in Vietnam, he returned home and has been in Scottsboro ever since.

  In 1975, he went to work for TVA as a boilermaker for Widow's Creek Steam Plant.  It was during his time at TVA that he became acquainted with Santa Claus.  He was asked to dress up and give out gifts to the employees.   He continued playing Santa for TVA to help benefit underprivileged children.  After retiring, the demand for this "Santa's helper"  has only grown.  Brandon has played Santa not only for children, but for a variety of people and groups.  He has visited nursing homes in Jackson County and Tennessee.  He has also visited the Jackson County on Aging's Christmas Party and a Thanksgiving dinner for the ARC of Jackson County.  If there are children spending the holidays in the hospital, he'll be there to cheer them up.  Brandon is also involved with Toys for Santa's Kids, raising money to help children who otherwise might not have presents under the tree.  Brandon's giving nature was handed down to him by his parents.  He is always ready to lend a hand or give a gift or toy to someone. 

Brandon's volunteer spirit goes beyond just helping Santa.  He is a member of the VFW Post 6073.  The VFW donates and raises flags throughout the county. They also give scholarships each year to one Scottsboro City and one Jackson County student.  Brandon also belongs to the Christian Motorcyclist Association and the American Legion Riders Post 30, which provides motorcycle escorts for returning troops or fallen soldiers coming home.  Transporting veterans to hospitals in Huntsville and Birmingham is another volunteer service he provides. 

Brandon sees this recognition as an honor that is undeserving.  Giving back to his county and country is a privilege.  Congratulations to Raymond "Santa Claus" Brandon for your volunteer activities and giving spirit. 

The Greater Jackson County Chamber of Commerce and The Daily Sentinel has named Dr. Charles "Brad" Bradford as 2010 Jackson County Citizen of the Decade.  Dr. Bradford has worked tirelessly to help improve educational opportunities for Jackson Countians through the 21^st Century Council and IMPACT  Learning Center.

Bradford was born and raised in Scottsboro and has practiced medicine in the city since completing his medical degree.  Many of his patients were babies when he started practicing and those babies are now raising families of their own.  Dr. Bradford is recognized as the driving force behind IMPACT Learning Center who in partnership with 21^st Century Council has seen the percentage rate of those with a high school education at 33% in 1994 rise to 42% in 2000.  Bradford still continues to serve on the board of IMPACT whose goal is to see that percentage rise still again.  He wants to see Jackson County improve in every way possible and he realizes that it all starts with education. 

The IMPACT Learning Center is instrumental in workforce development, retraining and educating adults across the county.  Its mission is "to provide basic education, job skills training and higher education opportunities to all the citizens of Jackson County."

Besides his involvement in better educational opportunities for the county, Bradford is very active in Scottsboro.  He is a member of St. Luke's Episcopal Church where he has taught Sunday school, the Scottsboro Rotary Club, has served on the boards of the Scottsboro- Jackson Heritage Center, and the Chamber of Commerce, and is a member of Ducks Unlimited.  In 1996, he was named as "Alabama's Outstanding Contributor to Adult Education, and Jackson County's "Citizen of the Year". 

Congratulations to Dr. Charles "Brad" Bradford for a decade of volunteerism in Jackson County.