Choccolocco Road Paving Wraps Up This Afternoon
De Armanville, AL · April 9, 2026
Good morning—the smell of fresh asphalt is in the air as crews finish up the final stretch of paving on Choccolocco Road, just in time for a beautiful spring Thursday. If you’re heading toward Oxford for errands today, the lane shifts should be cleared away well before the evening commute.
The Lead
The Oxford City Council has officially greenlit the "Eastern Gateway" beautification project, a move that will significantly change the visual landscape where the city meets our community. While De Armanville remains its own quiet enclave, the project focuses on the Highway 78 corridor, introducing new stone monument signage, native Alabama landscaping, and improved street lighting.
For residents, this isn't just about aesthetics; the plan includes a long-requested safety study for the intersection near the old school building. By formalizing the "entry" to the area, officials hope to naturally slow down through-traffic that often treats our main thoroughfare like an extension of the interstate. Construction is slated to begin in late May, but the final design renderings are available for public viewing at the municipal annex starting today.
Local Pulse
Highway 78 Lighting Improvements Underway Crews are replacing older high-pressure sodium bulbs with shielded LED fixtures tonight. This should improve visibility for night drivers heading toward the interstate while reducing light pollution for the homes backing up to the corridor.
Calhoun County Spring Cleanup Begins The annual roadside litter sweep kicks off tomorrow morning. If you want to help tidy up our local creek banks, the volunteer fire station has a supply of heavy-duty bags and safety vests available for pickup starting at 8:00 AM today.
Oxford High Drama Department Preview The student cast of "The Sound of Music" is holding a final open dress rehearsal tonight before their weekend premiere. It’s a great chance for neighbors to see a high-caliber production without the opening-night crowds.
Today's Outlook
- High 75°F · Low 53°F A quintessential Alabama spring day with low humidity and bright sunshine. It’s a perfect afternoon to get the tomato starts in the ground, though you might want a light jacket if you’re out walking the dog after sunset.
What's On Around Town
Oxford: Spring Plant Sale Oxford Civic Center, 401 McCullars Ln 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM Local master gardeners are on hand with heirloom vegetables and native perennials. It’s the best spot to find plants that are actually acclimated to our specific red clay soil.
Anniston: Preschool Storytime Public Library of Anniston-Calhoun County, 108 E 10th St 10:30 AM A short drive for the little ones to enjoy interactive reading and a craft session. This week’s theme focuses on backyard birds, featuring some of the migratory species passing through the county right now.
Oxford: Varsity Baseball vs. Gadsden City Choccolocco Park, 954 Leon Smith Pkwy 4:30 PM Come out to the signature "Signature Field" to support the Yellow Jackets. The concession stand’s grilled chicken sandwiches are arguably the best stadium food in the county.
Anniston: "Art After Hours" Lecture Berman Museum, 807 Museum Dr 6:00 PM A fascinating deep dive into the history of Southern folk art. It’s a quiet, intellectual way to spend a Thursday evening just ten minutes from home.
Spotlight & Story
- The Davis Family Farm
- While much of the surrounding area has transitioned to retail, the Davis family has kept their acreage near the creek active for over three generations. Did you know that the original farmhouse once served as an informal community post office before the rural routes were fully established? Today, the farm remains a vital piece of our local "green belt," acting as a natural buffer that helps manage Choccolocco Creek’s water levels during the heavy spring rains.
De Armanville Daily Digest — compiled from local sources as of 6 AM. For breaking updates, follow your local newsrooms.
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