One killed in morning wreck on Hwy. 145

A wreck the morning of June 19 resulted in one fatality and two others being hospitalized.

Two vehicles collided head-on at about 7:20 a.m. Thursday on Highway 145, close to Jefferson State Community College’s Clanton Campus, according to Clanton Police Department Deputy Chief Keith Maddox.

A 45-year-old Alabaster man was killed, according to Chilton County Coroner Awlahjaday Agee.

Two others were transported to UAB Hospital, one by air ambulance and one by road ambulance, Clanton Fire Department Chief David Driver said.

Driver said the injuries sustained by both of the surviving victims were “critical.” They were in the same vehicle, became trapped and had to be extricated.

A third vehicle left the roadway, apparently in an effort to avoid the wreck, but no injuries were sustained by anyone in the third vehicle.

Traffic was flowing in both directions, with one southbound lane and one northbound lane open. The Alabama Department of Transportation helped with traffic control.

CPD, led by Officer David Hicks, was assisted by the Chilton County Sheriff’s Office and Calera Police Department with the investigation.

New Peach Queens crowned

Tayler Mazingo was crowned 2014 Miss Peach on June 26, capping off the year’s Chilton County Peach Pageants.

Mazingo described the feeling of becoming a Peach Queen as “a dream come true.”

She was sponsored by M & M Farms.

Mazingo joined Junior Miss Peach Whitley Smith, Young Miss Peach Kassidy Payne and Little Miss Peach Cambree Crumpton as the newest Chilton County Peach Queens.

Mazingo’s court included Natalie Peoples, first alternate and Swim Wear winner; Kendal Elijah, second alternate; Savannah Swindle, third alternate; and Laken Patterson, fourth alternate.

Kali Trice was named 2014 Miss Congeniality.

Peach Jam marks another successful year despite storm

The first three hours of the 2014 Peach Jam Jubilee went on without a hitch as hundreds of people and vendors filled Clanton City Park to enjoy a night of live entertainment and food.

Then, a thunderstorm hit at about 9 p.m. June 27.

Chilton County Chamber of Commerce Executive Assistant Brittani Ellison said an announcement was made at 8:45 p.m. about the impending storm to give people a chance to evacuate the park.

“EMA let us know the weather was coming in,” Ellison said. “We kind of shut down the entertainment and let the crowd know. We wanted to give everyone a heads-up.”

Ellison said Valley Road Bluegrass, the final band to take the stage, was able to perform for only about 10 minutes before crowds dispersed.

Two bands, Elevate and Southern Pride, performed before Valley Road Bluegrass.

After the storm passed, the Chamber and Stokes Automotive announced the winner of a $1,000 giveaway.

Ellison said 134 arts and crafts vendors came to the event, which was 10-15 more than the 2013 Peach Jam.

“We had more vendors than we’ve ever had,” Ellison said, adding the attendance at this year’s Peach Jam seemed to be equal to, if not higher than, last year’s.

“I think it was a very successful event this year,” she said. “ We had a great response from our sponsors, and we had plenty of volunteers that took the time to spend the day with us and set up. I think that we had a good crowd that was able to enjoy it for the time that we were able to with the weather.”

The Chamber sponsors the annual event, which also included tethered hot air balloon rides, Kid Zone with inflatables and amusement rides for children and performances by Central Cheer Dance and Twirl, Cornerstone Fitness and Wellness and Just Dance.

M&M Farms continues winning streak with peaches

Robust Lucky 13 variety peaches from M&M Farms lived up to their name once again.

For the seventh straight year, M&M Farms won first place for its peaches at the 67th annual Chilton County Peach Auction June 28.

Mark Knight of M&M Farms said it felt great to win again after setting a record in 2013 for six consecutive first-place baskets in the auction.

“We’ve just been fortunate and very blessed,” Knight said. “We thank the Lord for it. He’s been good to us.”

Knight said he has entered Lucky 13 peaches in the auction about five of the seven years he has won first place.

Knight estimated his peaches resting behind their bright blue ribbon measured 3 to 4 inches in diameter and each weighed about 1 pound or more.

“It’s a good-sized peach,” he said.

More than 25 baskets were entered in the 2014 Peach Auction, which raised more than $16,000 for Clanton Lions Club charities.

Below is a list of the top five baskets, growers and winning bidders in the 2014 Peach Auction:

•First place: Peaches grown by M&M Farms, sold to the Chilton County Farmers Federation for $2,500.

•Second place: Peaches grown by Todd’s Produce, sold to Peoples Southern Bank for $1,500.

•Third place: Peaches grown by Patterson Farms, sold to Clanton Tractor for $1,400.

•Fourth place: Peaches grown by Harrison Fruit Farms, sold to McKinnon Motors for $1,100.

•Fifth place: Peaches grown by Wise Farms, sold to The Clanton Advertiser for $900.

The Peach Auction followed the Peach Parade, drew hundreds of people to the streets of downtown Clanton at 9 a.m. the last day of the 2014 Chilton County Peach Festival.