Below is Part 4 of 4 of a look at the top news stories from 2010.

October

Repeat dialer arrested
The Chilton County Sherriff’s Department arrested Rose Terrell, 40, from Michigan on Sept. 15 after being charged with two counts of making terrorist threats and one count of harassing communications.
Terrell made numerous prank phone calls to Chilton County’s emergency dispatch and the county jail. The FBI got involved after she made threats of violence.
After further investigation, Terrell was held in the Macomb County Jail in Michigan.

Pleas entered in cases
John Michael Scott, 25, pled guilty to murder in the August 2007 shooting death of Santos Ramirez, a former roommate and coworker of Scott’s who died after being shot in the back of the head.  Prior to the plea, Scott was charged with capital murder during a robbery.
Ramirez’s body was found Sept. 7, 2007. Prosecutors said greed over two cars Scott took after Ramirez’s death played a motive in the crime. As a part of the plea, prosecutors recommended a 35-year sentence.
That same day, Jesse Lee Crockett pled guilty to manslaughter in the beating death of Mack Arthur Burden Jr. after an argument turned violent.
Burden, who died the next day at UAB Hospital in Birmingham, passed after being struck multiple times over the head with a stick, prosecutors said. Sentencing for Crockett was held Nov. 12.

Spann speaks to chamber
Television meteorologist James Spann spoke to Chilton County Chamber of Commerce members during the group’s luncheon at the Clanton First United Methodist Church’s activity center.
He referenced the arrests of several state leaders related to a federal probe of alleged bingo vote buying. Spann spoke about integrity and doing the right thing and selfishness.
“We’re here to help other people,” said Spann.

City loses police dog
Winnie, Clanton Police Department’s 7-year-old yellow lab, died at Auburn University’s Veterinary School Hospital. Winnie worked with her partner, Officer Ronald Giles, to take drugs off the streets, while helping to teach thousands of children about the important work K9 units do.
She had been sick off-and-on for six months when cancer overtook her. Winnie was with the department since January 2006.

Swedish Fest Queens crowned
Candace Pierce was named the 2010 Miss Swedish Fest and won the grand prize $1,000 scholarship.
Pierce followed in the footsteps of her aunt, Angela Pierce, who carried the title in the late ’90s.  Catherine Rowe took home the crown for Junior Miss, Hope Knight won Little Miss, Lexie Deavers won Tiniest Miss, Kalyn Smith won Tiny Miss and Hannah Tierce won Young Miss.

Hair Salon goes pink
Visions Hair Studio showed their support for breast cancer awareness month by offering a special on pink hair highlights to their customers.
Beauticians Krystal Arnold and Leanne Walls offered clip-ins or actual dye, two for $25.
The proceeds were donated to Susan G. Komen for the Cure, an organization that supports breast cancer research.

Refuge plan reconsidered
The expansion to Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge that would have brought the protected area to Chilton County was reconsidered.
It was going to take officials with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service six months to review all options concerning the expansion.
The expansion would have included property in western Chilton County along County Road 204, County Road 203 and County Road 73.
The refuge was established in 2002 and contains more than 3,600 acres in Bibb County.
Numerous citizens were pleased with the decision to re-evaluate the proposal.

First alcohol sold in Thorsby
Thorsby sold its first alcoholic beverages since voting to go wet in the June Primaries.
Mizzell’s Super Saver was one of two businesses that applied for a license.
Thorsby Mayor Dearl Hilyer estimated that the town would bring in about $12,000 per year in revenue or about $1,000 per month.
Main Street Market was the second business that applied.
Thorsby was the third town in Chilton County to go wet and the second to go wet in less than a year.
A special election in Jemison made the city go wet back in January, and Clanton was the first wet city.

November

Teen dies in wreck
An 18-year-old Union Springs teen was killed and her teenage passenger seriously injured following a wreck Oct. 31 on U.S. 82 near Maplesville.
Ashley Lynee Martin died after her 2010 Toyota Corolla left the road and struck a tree about 5 miles east of Maplesville.

Republicans rule elections
Maplesville Mayor Kurt Wallace defeated two-term Democrat Jimmy Martin to become the first Republican to ever claim the State House District 42 seat.
In other elections, Sheriff Kevin Davis was re-elected to a second term, and Dave Hayden beat two challengers to become the new Chilton County Schools Superintendent.

New mayor for Maplesville
Councilman Aubrey Latham was chosen to succeed Kurt Wallace as Maplesville’s mayor. Wallace had to resign after being elected state representative for District 42. Latham has served on the town council since 1996.

Miss Chilton County crowned
New Miss Chilton County Queens were chosen the first weekend in November.
They are: Chloe Olivia Haggard, Little Miss; Maddie Barrington, Young Miss; Linlee Karn, Junior Miss; and Becca Tate, Miss Chilton County.

Farm and Business of the Year named
The farm and business of the year were honored Nov. 18 during the annual Farm-City Week Banquet. Jerry and Peggy Harrison and family were named Farm of the Year, while Dr. Lisa Green and Jemison Eye Care were named Business of the Year.

December

CRH sold to Johnson Controls
Johnson Controls will finalize the purchase of Clanton manufacturer CRH in early 2011. The deal was announced in early December.
The auto parts maker, which is based in Milwaukee, plans to keep the CRH company name.

Couple killed in accident
A Verbena couple died Dec. 27 following a two-car accident near Prattville.
Charles and Faye Wilhite, longtime and active members of Concord Baptist Church, died in the accident, which took place at the intersection of Interstate 65 and Highway 14.