News, Phil Campbell
 By  Kellie Singleton Published 
7:58 am Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Youth groups chipping in to help PCES start new year

At Phil Campbell Elementary School, youth groups from Florida and Birmingham worked all last week to make sure the PCES students had a cheerful atmosphere to return to once school starts on Aug. 15.

Youth groups from Church on the Rock in Calera and Church on the Rock in Palmetto, Fla., painted classrooms and painted bobcat paws on the walls of the school’s snack area outside.

“We found out about the need through one of our church members, Jamie Creekmore, who went to school at Phil Campbell,” said Kristal Lawrence, wife of Calera’s senior pastor, Paul Lawrence. “He let us know their was a need here so we’ve had group painting, organizing and we had a group who was helping build a shed for a family in the area.”

PCES Principal Jackie Ergle said the group has really helped with some of the little – but important – things that might have been overlooked.

“The children still have to drive through a disaster area to get to school, but hopefully once they get here, the school can be a happy place for them,” Ergle said.

“I taught Jamie [Creekmore] in school and he was always such a nice and humble child and I appreciate him remembering us and sending help our way. I know the kids will appreciate all the hard work that has been done to spruce up the school.”

Also on Franklin County Times
Copy that: Using ham radios to traverse the world
Franklin Living
Story by Brady Petree | Photos by Dan Busey 
May 6, 2026
Whether it be a tiny island in the Indian Ocean, a global superpower or a country with only a few thousand inhabitants, Russellville resident Christop...
Baseball gave Austin Bohannon confidence. Music gave him a voice.
Franklin Living
From the mound to the mic
Story by Brady Petree | Photos by Dan Busey 
May 6, 2026
Austin “Bo” Bohannon did not set out to be a musician. In fact, for much of his early life, music was something that existed on the sidelines. It was ...
Jeff Strickland chases fractions of sections, not fame
Franklin Living
From Red Bay to the winner’s circle
By Maria Camp camp@franklincountytimes.com 
May 6, 2026
Jeff Strickland has spent most of his life chasing fractions of a second, but he has never chased fame. “I’m not a glory seeker,” Strickland said. “I ...
The sky turned black, and he lived to tell it
Main, News, Phil Campbell, ...
By Brady Petree, Addie Broadfoot For the FCT 
April 29, 2026
PHIL CAMPBELL — By the time April 27, 2011, arrived, Rodney Smith had already grown accustomed to the warnings. For days, sirens had gone off across F...
EMA warns: Don’t rely on storm sirens
Main, News, Russellville, ...
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
April 29, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — Franklin County EMA Director Mary Glass said outdoor warning sirens should not be residents’ primary alert system during severe weather...
Ex-principal recalls lost students, teacher
Main, News, Phil Campbell, ...
SEARED IN THEIR MEMORIES
By Brady Petree For the FCT 
April 29, 2026
PHIL CAMPBELL — On the morning of April 27, 2011, Phil Campbell Elementary School (PCES) Principal Jackie Ergle was aware of the threat of severe weat...
West Elementary hosts Careers on Wheels
News, Russellville
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
April 29, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — West Elementary students climbed into concrete trucks, explored emergency vehicles, and learned about skilled trades during the school’...

Leave a Reply

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