During the summer, residents in the Goodsprings area complained about human waste from New York being spread on farms in western Limestone County.

The sludge, called bio-solids, was given to farmers by a Decatur firm under contract to dispose of the New York waste. However, the “fertilizer” was stinking up the countryside.

Alabama Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries Ron Sparks got involved and ordered a halt to the way the sludge was being spread.

Outcry against quarry

Tanner residents were up in arms when they learned that Rogers Group Inc. had plans to relocate its Crosskey rock quarry to a new site off Laughmiller Road just south of Tanner Crossroads.

The proposal led to several meetings, including one with local legislators, county and Athens city officials.

The Limestone County Commission opposed to the move and adopted a resolution banning all traffic carrying more than 15 tons on Laughmiller. Local legislators will introduce several bills in February to try to block the quarry.

Fire at Butler building

The fire that consumed the old Butler Furniture building on West Market Street on Aug. 27 burned extraordinarily hot and fast, leading firefighters to suspect arson. The 50-plus-year-old structure owned by Dr. Joe Cannon and his wife, Laurie, burned to the ground in fewer than two hours despite the efforts of all 39 of the city’s firefighters, plus several county volunteer units. An investigation by the state fire marshal and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms resulted in a grand jury indicting Samuel Keith Chambers, 49, of Rogersville—Laurie Cannon’s brother— for arson. He has not yet been apprehended to face charges.