DeSoto State Park Facing Budget Cuts

DeSoto State Park finds itself in the unenviable position of having do make do with a budget cut of $207,000 – after the Alabama Legislature transferred $3 million from the Department of Conservation & Natural Resources for the 2016 Fiscal Year.

According to park officials, they're looking at possible fee increases and park passes similar to those used by many Georgia facilities.

There will reportedly be a number of changes for park employees, with some unfortunately losing their jobs; some others experiencing a reduced work week of under 29 hours and the normal 60 day layoff for some employees during the winter months would be extended to a total of 120 days.

The restaurant and lodge will both experience reduced hours during the winter months, but the cabins will be open year 'round.

Statewide, 132 park system employees will be laid off.  A total of five parks – Bladon Springs, Chickasaw, Florala, Paul M. Grist and Roland Cooper – will be all be closed, as of this Thursday, October 15th.

The campground at Buck's Pocket will be closed – becoming a day-use park managed by the Lake Guntersville State Park.

(Ft Payne Times-Journal) 

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Mr. Harold Milton Skates obit (Wallis)

Harold Milton Skates, 88, of LaFayette, passed away on October 5, 2015, at Memorial Hospital in Chattanooga following an extended illness.   

Harold was born February 7, 1927, in the Halls Valley community of southern Walker County.  He was preceded in death by his parents James Harvey Skates and Grace Dover Skates along with two brothers, Luther Skates and Roland Skates.  Harold served his country in the United States Army at the end of World War II as a guard for German prisoners of war.  Soon after returning home, he married Edna Louise Pegg and began farming.  Later he became a carpenter, building houses and owning his own lumber and hardware business.  In his later years, he built swings, cedar chests, and cabinets for many people throughout Walker and surrounding counties.

Mr. Skates was an active member of Waterville Baptist Church in LaFayette, Georgia, where he served as a deacon for many years. 

 He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Louise Skates, and seven children, Gene and Jean Skates of LaFayette, Georgia; Glenn and Idalia Skates of Houston, Texas; Danny and Debbie Skates of Ringgold, Georgia; Mickey and Billie Skates of LaFayette, Georgia; Rickey and Gayla Skates of Cypress, Texas; Freda and James Buffington of Palatka, Florida; and Teresa and BJ Holliday of Douglas, Georgia; fourteen grandchildren, many great –grandchildren, and several great-great grandchildren.  Mr. Skates is also survived by three sisters, Evelyn Jackson, and Lula Avenell Gamble of LaFayette, Georgia, and Janice Hartline from Calhoun, Georgia. 

 Visitation for Harold Skates will be held at Wallis- Wilbanks in LaFayette, Georgia, on Thursday October 8, 2015 from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.  The funeral service for Mr. Skates will be Friday, October 9, 2015, at Waterville Baptist Church on Hwy. 151 South at 11:00 a.m. and will be conducted by Rev. Sam Barrett.  Interment will be at LaFayette Memory Gardens.

The family has asked that in lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Waterville Baptist Church 11815 Highway 151, Trion, GA 30753.

Arrangements by Wallis-Wilbanks Funeral Home, LaFayette.

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General Mills Issues Voluntary Recall Of Cheerios

General Mills is voluntarily recalling several days of production of Cheerios and Honey Nut Cheerios cereal produced at its Lodi, California facility on certain dates in July of this year because of an undeclared allergen – wheat – with potential adverse health effects.

Cheerios and Honey Nut Cheerios produced on these dates at the company's Lodi, California facility are being recalled because an isolated incident resulted in wheat flour being inadvertently introduced into the gluten free oat flour system at its Lodi facility. As a result, the products may contain an undeclared allergen – wheat – in products labeled as gluten-free.

General Mills will recall and retrieve affected cereals produced on those dates from customer warehouses and store shelves. Consumers with wheat allergies, celiac disease or gluten intolerance should not consume products bearing the affected code dates and should contact General Mills for a replacement or full refund.

This voluntary recall includes four days production of original (yellow box) Cheerios, and thirteen days of production of Honey Nut Cheerios at its Lodi, California facility .

Products containing wheat can cause illness or severe reactions for individuals with wheat allergies or celiac disease. Products containing wheat can also cause illness or discomfort for individuals with gluten intolerance.

General Mills is transitioning five varieties of Cheerios to gluten free. Cheerios and Honey Nut Cheerios cereals produced at General Mills’ other facilities, or on dates other than those noted at the Lodi, California facility, are not impacted. General Mills’ other gluten-free Cheerios varieties – including Apple Cinnamon Cheerios, Frosted Cheerios and MultiGrain Cheerios – are not impacted and are not being recalled. No other General Mills cereals are affected

Consumers requesting refunds or calling with further questions should contact General Mills Consumer Services at 1-800-775-8370.