RBCEP remains open

At the Hodges Equestrian Park, things are going to go on just like they have been, according to Hodges Mayor Terry Petree.

Of course, there are the undeniable, irreversible changes – the loss of access to Rock Bridge Canyon, the loss of Mike Franklin as director, and the controversy and bad feelings that have abounded in the past month. But Petree said he is focused on setting the past aside and moving forward. “I feel like we have to be positive toward what we’ve got. That’s all you can do, is be positive, and we’ll just have to see how it goes.

“Our trail, right now I feel good about it,” added Petree, who has employed some assistance to get permission to allow visitors to cross landowners’ property and utilize other locations in developing a system of trails campers and horse enthusiasts can still access, without entering the canyon.

Petree said the town is committed to hauling horses from the campground to trailheads when necessary. Hodges has gotten permission to start at Atwood and ride the lower end of the trails as far the Averys’ property. Horse enthusiasts can also ride Scott’s land and ride up and down the railroad track to Atwood. “We aren’t where we can’t do nothing,” Petree said. “We’re just in one spot of being in a bind.”

According to Petree, the town is preparing to move forward with two recently-acquired grants: a $100K ADECA grant and an $80K TVA grant that will fund a certified builder, required environmental study, a top for the RBCEP arena and development of new trails that will connect to the lower end of the trails that are already in place.

At its Monday meeting, the town also approved the hiring of a new police chief, after accepting Mike Franklin’s resignation. Jeffrey McCraw will serve as police chief, and Petree said the hiring comes with the understanding the McCraw will not be paid unless and until the town acquires grant funding to pay him.

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: Veteran Spotlight – Mousey Brown

News

Russellville First Baptist Church receives historical marker

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: Meeting a higher standard – Russellville High School JROTC

News

RCS BOE announces new superintendent  

News

Miss Dream Girl Pageant names winners

Franklin County

First Metro Bank hosts FAME Girls’ Ranch donation drive

News

PCHS holds annual Shelby Grissom Memorial Fashion Show

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: VFW Post 5184 – ‘No One Does More For Veterans’

Features

Supporting students’ futures

Features

Red Bay Garden Club discusses amaryllis planting

Franklin County

UA announces local students for fall 2023 President’s, Dean’s, graduation lists

News

School news

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: Veteran Spotlight – Troy Oliver

Franklin County

Appropriations bill passes, allots more than $3 million for new Russellville library/multipurpose center 

Franklin County

Franklin County Cattlemen’s Association names Cattleman of the Year 

Franklin County

Franklin County votes: Unofficial March 5 primary election results 

Franklin County

Funding for new Russellville library, multipurpose community center expected this week

Features

Faces of Franklin County: BTCPA

News

GFWC Russellville Book Lovers Club sponsors downtown art crawl

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: Veteran Spotlight – Cody Bragwell

Franklin County

42nd annual Miss RHS pageant names winners 

News

Miss RHS pageant takes place Friday

Franklin County

Political announcement: David Hester speaks about run for reelection as county commissioner

Franklin County

BTCPA auditions for final production of season take place March 3-4 

x