Latest news with #BlountCounty
CTV News
25-05-2025
- General
- CTV News
Man catches fish with his hands, reeling in viral fame and timeless stories
'Most people won't try it,' Woodard said with a laugh. 'As far as I know, nobody else has caught one like this.' (WVTM via CNN Newsource) BLOUNT COUNTY, Alabama (WVTM) — Each week, WVTM 13 hits the road to uncover stories that define Alabama—letting a dart thrown at a map decide where we go. This time, the dart landed in Blount County, where we found a man catching more than just fish. Meet Robert Earl Woodard—a retired P.E. teacher, lifelong fisherman, and accidental viral sensation—who's reeling in attention without ever casting a line. Woodard doesn't use a fishing pole. No hooks. No bait. No net. Instead, he fishes with his hands. 'Most people won't try it,' Woodard said with a laugh. 'As far as I know, nobody else has caught one like this.' Born in 1951, just across the road from the pond he now fishes, Woodard grew up between dirt fields, the classroom, and the water. He spent nearly four decades teaching physical education to Alabama children—thousands of them. 'I might hold the record for the most students ever taught in the state,' he said. 'At one point, I had about 500 students a day.' After retiring, the pond became his classroom—and the bass became his pupils. 'These fish are like our pets,' Woodard said. 'We relate to them. We know some of them by name.' He once hand-caught a fish big enough to break a state record, but let it go to preserve its life. 'My wife said, 'It's just another big fish. Let her live.' So I did,' he said. 'That was worth more to me than any state record.' Woodard never sought recognition. He wasn't even online—until his son posted a video of him catching a bass by hand. It went viral. 'Dad, your video's been shared 180,000 times,' his son told him. Woodard's response? 'What does that even mean?' Despite the attention, not much has changed. 'I don't look at myself as famous,' he said. 'I'm just an average guy, blessed by the good Lord.' Woodard doesn't use a fishing pole. Woodard doesn't use a fishing pole. No hooks. No bait. No net. Instead, he fishes with his hands. (WVTM via CNN Newsource) Woodard's storytelling extends beyond the pond. One day, he sat down at his computer and began typing—one finger at a time. He ended up writing 37 stories for his children. 'I wanted it in my own words. Mistakes and all,' he said. 'That's how it was back then.' Those stories became a book—a tribute to his family, faith, and the land that shaped him. 'I hope younger folks get a feel for how it used to be. And for the older folks—it's a chance to remember,' he said. A fisherman. A teacher. A keeper of time. Robert Earl Woodard doesn't just catch fish. He catches stories— And releases them for the next generation. Article by Brittany Decker.
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Yahoo
10-year-old killed, 5 people injured in Blount County crash
BLOUNT COUNTY, Ala. (WIAT) — A 10-year-old child was killed in a two-vehicle crash that injured five other people in Blount County, according to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency. The crash occurred at around 5:06 p.m. Friday when the 2009 Honda Civic the child was a passenger in struck a 2007 Ford Explorer. The 10-year-old was critically injured in the crash and transported to a hospital for treatment. According to ALEA, the 10-year-old died from their injuries on Saturday. 2 people found dead in Birmingham motel room The driver of the Honda Civic, as well as another 10-year-old passenger and a 15-year-old passenger, were injured and transported to a hospital for treatment. The driver of the Ford Explorer and a passenger were also injured and transported to a hospital. The crash occurred on Blount County 55 near Black Road, about two miles north of Blountsville. Troopers with ALEA's Highway Patrol Division are investigating the crash. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Shaking reported in Middle TN during 4.1 magnitude earthquake in Blount County
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Residents of some Middle Tennessee counties have reported feeling the 4.1 earthquake that shook the state's eastern region Saturday morning. Just after 9 a.m., the United States Geological Survey confirmed that a 4.1 magnitude earthquake was detected in Blount County, near the North Carolina state line, and could be felt as far as Atlanta, Georgia. The earthquake's depth was measured to be about 15.5 miles below the surface. RELATED: 4.1 magnitude earthquake confirmed in East Tennessee According to the USGS, in the eastern United States, a 4.0 magnitude earthquake can often be felt in places as far as 60 miles from its epicenter. Some parts of Middle Tennessee reported feeling shaking from over a hundred miles away. Central View Volunteer Fire Department in Sparta said the earthquake was felt in White County, which is located approximately 126 miles from Blount County. The Putnam County Emergency Management Agency said shaking was reported in the area, though no damage was reported. ⏩ News 2 viewers in DeKalb and Warren counties also reported feeling the earthquake. The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency has asked residents to report any earthquake-related damage to their local emergency management agency, which can be found here. Additionally, the USGS website is collecting data from those who felt the earthquake. Follow the link here. 📲 Download the News 2 app to stay updated on the go.📧 Sign up for WKRN email alerts to have breaking news sent to your inbox.💻 for Nashville, TN and all of Middle Tennessee. This is a developing story. WKRN News 2 will continue to update this article as new information becomes available. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
