Earth Day Expo and Paving on US-78

De Armanville, AL · April 22, 2026

Happy Wednesday—it’s a great morning to take the long way home and enjoy the dogwoods in bloom, just keep an eye out for the ALDOT crews starting work near the interchange this morning. Whether you’re heading into Oxford for the Earth Day festivities or staying local to work in the garden, the spring air is holding steady.

📰 The Lead

Today marks a significant milestone for our local landscape as county officials and environmental partners gather to announce the next phase of the Choccolocco Creek Watershed Protection Plan. For those of us who live along the creek’s winding path, this isn't just about policy; it’s about the health of the water that defines our geography.

The new initiative focuses on "streambank stabilization" near the De Armanville reach, aiming to prevent the heavy erosion we’ve seen during recent spring storms. By utilizing native plantings and natural rock structures rather than concrete, the project seeks to preserve the rural character of our backyard while protecting property lines. Work is expected to begin in late summer, but today’s briefing at the Oxford Civic Center will lay out the specific maps and timelines for residents to review.

🏙️ Local Pulse

  • US-78 Shoulder Maintenance Near I-20 ALDOT crews are scheduled to perform shoulder work and debris clearing along US-78 today. Expect intermittent lane closures near the De Armanville exit through the afternoon. Give the orange vests plenty of room.

  • Oxford School Board Technology Grants The board met last night to finalize a new grant cycle that will bring updated STEM equipment to classrooms. Local students attending Oxford schools will see these upgrades integrated into the curriculum starting this fall.

  • Volunteer Fire Department Training Night Our local volunteers will be conducting routine equipment drills this evening. If you see activity at the station around dusk, it’s just the team staying sharp. Related: see Spotlight & Story below.

🌤️ Today's Outlook

Expect a quintessential spring day with plenty of sunshine this morning followed by a few building clouds in the afternoon. We’ll hit a comfortable high of 74°F with a light breeze from the west. Overnight, things stay mild with a low near 55°F. No rain is in the forecast, making it a perfect window for any outdoor Earth Day projects.

📅 What's On Around Town

  • Oxford: Earth Day Expo Choccolocco Park, 954 Leon Smith Pkwy 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM A great mid-day break featuring local conservation exhibits, a recycled art show, and a chance to chat with the folks managing our local trail systems.

  • Anniston: Native Plant Sale Anniston Museum of Natural History, 800 Museum Dr 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM Skip the big-box stores and grab some Alabama-native perennials that are actually built to survive our summer humidity.

  • Oxford: Community Yoga on the Pier Choccolocco Park (Lake Pier), 954 Leon Smith Pkwy 5:30 PM Wind down the workday with a low-impact session over the water. It’s free to the public, but bring your own mat and water.

  • Anniston: History After Hours The Berman Museum, 800 Museum Dr 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM A 15-minute drive for a deep dive into regional history with guest speakers and light refreshments in a relaxed setting.

  • Oxford: Trivia Night Main Street Market, 33 Jefferson St 6:30 PM Gather a team for a competitive evening. The local history round usually trips up the newcomers, so bring your A-game.

📸 Spotlight & Story

  • Talladega National Forest (Shoal Creek District) While we often think of the forest as a distant destination, the Shoal Creek District is essentially our backyard. Spanning over 160,000 acres, this northernmost section of the Talladega National Forest was heavily restored by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. Today, it serves as a critical buffer for our local climate. Did you know the district is home to the rare Red-cockaded Woodpecker? Their presence is a badge of honor for the health of our local longleaf pine ecosystem.

De Armanville Daily Digest — compiled from local sources as of 6 AM. For breaking updates, follow your local newsrooms.

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