News
 By  Staff Reports Published 
12:31 pm Friday, October 18, 2013

Bankhead Forest reopening following government shutdown

Visitors looking to take a stroll through nearby Bankhead Forest are now able to do so.

The national forests in Alabama are beginning to reopen recreational facilities after employees began returning to work on Thursday, Oct. 17, following the federal government shutdown.

“We are very pleased to be back at work and reopen these facilities that people enjoy every day on the national forests in Alabama. We hope everyone will be patient with us as we safely resume normal operations,” said Forest Supervisor Steve Lohr.

Forest employees are working not only to clean and evaluate the safety of each facility and site, but also to repair any vandalism or resource damage that may have occurred during the shutdown.

“It took us a few days to close all of our facilities, so it may take us the same for reopening,” said Lohr.  “We look forward to making all of our programs and activities available to the public as soon as possible.”

Recreation sites on the Bankhead, Conecuh, Talladega and Tuskegee National Forests have reopened. For a current listing of open sites, check the “Know Before You Go” on the website, www.fs.usda.gov/alabama, or call a national forest office.

Bankhead District in Double Springs – (205) 489-5111, Conecuh District in Andalusia – (334) 222-2555, Shoal Creek District in Heflin – (256) 463-2272, Talladega District in Talladega – (256) 362-2909, Oakmulgee District in Centreville – (205) 926-9765, the Tuskegee District in Tuskegee – (334) 727-2652 and the central office in Montgomery at (334) 832-4470.

 

Also on Franklin County Times
Thorpe to play at Blue Mountain Christian
High School Sports, News, Russellville, ...
Brannon King For the FCT 
July 16, 2025
RUSSELLVILLE – Brennon Thorpe made his plans official to attend Blue Mountain Christian University and play baseball for the Toppers during a recent s...
Russellville High Class of 1967 gathers, reminisces
Columnists, News, Opinion, ...
HERE AND NOW
July 16, 2025
You can’t really go back to the good old days of high school, but you can pay them a visit now and then. That’s exactly what the RHS Class of 1967 has...
Former Cypress Lakes official to lead Guntersville State Park
Lifestyles, News
Bernie Delinski For the FCT 
July 16, 2025
GUNTERSVILLE — Heath Puckett had an Auburn University degree and golf course superintendent certification in his pocket when he arrived at Cypress Lak...
European travel builds bonds across cultures
Lifestyles, News, Russellville, ...
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
July 16, 2025
RUSSELLVILLE -- A group of Franklin County travelers spent nine days this summer walking through catacombs, exploring castles and standing in places w...
Little Free Library welcomes readers in East Franklin
Lifestyles, News, Phil Campbell
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
July 16, 2025
PHIL CAMPBELL — Eleven-year-old Aiden Hall is an avid reader, but he doesn’t just want to read books. He also wants to share them, and the way he deci...
King becomes elementary curriculum director
Lifestyles, Russellville
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
July 16, 2025
RUSSELVILLE — Molly King says every child can learn, though not necessarily in the same way or on the same day — a belief she plans to carry into her ...
New Junior Leaders begin their training
Franklin County, News
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
July 16, 2025
FRANKLIN COUNTY — Forty-two high school students from across Franklin County are beginning 10 months of hands-on leadership training and community ser...
Fire destroys 2-story garage, guest suite
Main, News, Russellville, ...
Kevin Taylor For the FCT 
July 16, 2025
R U S S E L LV I L L E – Jason Gist leaned against the wall of his home with a look of disgust while dozens of firefighters worked to extinguish a fir...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Latest Stories
July 4, 2025Augusto Simon Diaz, 42, of Russellville, passed away July 4. Visitation and funeral were held at Spry Memorial Chapel on July 12 from 2pm ...
July 16, 2025
July 8, 2025Jamie Kerby Cummings, 41, of Russellville, passed away on July 8. Visitation took place July 13, at Spry Memorial Chapel from 1 pm to 3pm....
July 16, 2025
July 11,2025Julie “JuJu” Welch Black, 63, of Russellville, passed away on July 11.Graveside service was held at 1pm on July 13, at Belgreen Cemetery w...
July 16, 2025
July 9, 2025Scott Noel Benford, age 58, of Muscle Shoals, passed away on July 9. Visitation was held at Pinkard Funeral Home in Russellville on July 1...
July 16, 2025