Members of the first-team All-Marshall County volleyball squad for the 2011 season were recognized during halftime of the Marshall County Tournament’s varsity boys championship game Jan. 21 at Snead State. From left, are Jimmy Latta, Guntersville, coach of the year; Cati Leak (MVP), Kathryn Anderson and Taylor Gibson, Guntersville; Monica Cooper, DAR; Sara Conaway, Asbury; Carleigh Larkin, Arab; Kaley Sawyers, Albertville; and Hannah Clark, Brindlee Mountain. Not pictured are Hannah Liverett and Taylor Douglas, of Boaz; Mallory Moore, of Guntersville; and Katelyn Marshall, of Douglas.

When the shovels sank into the coastal soil at the Marine Resources Division facility in Gulf Shores on Dec. 12, the work officially began to bring the Claude Peteet Mariculture Center into the 21st century.

Tony Stewart won his third championship in 2011, and no one has ever been more spectacular down the stretch. He won five of the final 10 races, the most ever since the Chase was implemented in 2004, and yet still won only by tie-breaker over Carl Edwards, who had the same number (2,403) of points.

Without a doubt -- at least in my mind -- the dumbest argument that can be had in regards to the players of the National Football League is whether or not somebody is "elite."

By DAVID RAINER

Is there anything more captivating, anything in sport that offers more sheer excitement than baseball's winter meetings? I think not!

Are you looking for some gift ideas for the gardener on your shopping list? I tried a few tools this summer that really helped make gardening easier.

If he'd only been civil -- just civil -- when the cameras weren't rolling ...