One year anniversary

March 01, 2008

By WRBL Staff

Today marks the first anniversary of the tornado that struck the Enterprise. It’s a day that many local residents will spend remembering those killed, and appreciating the efforts it has taken to rebuild neighborhoods.

Last night members of the community gathered for memorial services at Hillcrest Baptist Church. It was a night to remember the eight students who were killed when the tornado struck third hall at Enterprise High School. And Edna Strickland, who died in her home on College Street.

Over the next two days, the Dothan Eagle and The Enterprise Ledger will publish a series of stories that look back over the last year - the rebuilding efforts, the struggle by students to cope with the loss of friends and the close bond the families of ‘The 8’ have formed.

In the days following the tornado, many readers emailed their thoughts, prayers and poems to our staff. Many were published in this blog. We’d like to invite you to again share your memories and support.

Enterprise, six months later

August 31, 2007

By Ken Tuck

It’s been six months since the tragic tornado of March 1 that took the lives of eight Enterprise High School students and one elderly Enterprise resident. Much has happened since then. EHS students now attend classes at Enterprise Ozark Community College. Hillcrest Elementary students attend a new facility that was built for preschool and kindergarten. A new site for the high school has been selected. Tons of rubble from destroyed houses has been moved. Residents and businesses are rebuilding. Much healing has taken place, but emotional scars remain. The city came together Friday night for another first - the first high school football game at Bates Memorial Stadium. It’s remarkable that they are playing at the stadium, which was ripped apart by the tornado. The storm that hit during the game brought back bad memories for many in attendance, but the city and the team persevered and defeated a tough Carroll team. But, it wasn’t really about winning or losing. It was proving that they are rebuilding their lives, and something that has been taken for granted like football games have taken on greater meaning.
This blog is for you to leave your thoughts and prayers for those in Enterprise. To leave memories of those who died in the storm. To express your feelings about what has happened in the past six months.