Good morning, readers, take a look at what’s going on today:

Traffic:

The Cullman City Street Department’s patch crew will be working on Patton Dr. in Vinemont, Timberlane Drive SE, 10th St. SE, Churchill Circle SE and Birmingham St. SW.

Weather:

Today: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 90. Northeast wind around 5 mph.

Tonight: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1 a.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 69. Calm wind.

Saturday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 88. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Saturday night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. Calm wind.

Sunday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 87. Light north wind increasing to 5 to 10 mph in the morning.

Sunday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 68.

Best bets for today and throughout the weekend:

Jam session tonight canceled: The Town of South Vinemont will not hold a jam session at the Cary C. Montgomery Scout Community Center today; will resume in October.

Rummage sales for Friday and Saturday:

• Harmony Word of Life will hold rummage sales from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. today and tomorrow at the Treasure Store, 254 County Road 1228, Vinemont 35179, with all proceeds benefitting the Heavenly Manna Food Ministry. Info: Sylvia Milligan at 256-339-2372 or Patsy Collins at 256-338-3930.

• Simcoe Community Methodist Church will hold a rummage sale all day today and tomorrow, at Dad’s Place, 1841 County Road 1545, Cullman 35058. All proceeds to go to church’s mission fund.

Midway community dance: The Midway Community Center will hold a dance at 7 p.m. Saturday featuring the Classic Country Band. Admission is $4; all proceeds go to upkeep of community center, 164 Midway Road, Union Grove 35175.

Saturday reunions:

• Descendants (family and friends) of the late Robert and Ellen Mattox will reunite at West Point Town Hall. Bring covered dish for lunch at noon.

• The Sizemore family (George, John and Hamp) will meet for a reunion at 10 a.m. at Holly Pond Park building.

Ride for Roy benefit: A poker run for Team Lancaster will begin at 9 a.m. Saturday at West Point Town Hall, riders will proceed along run to Natchez Trace Harley Davidson and return to the town hall. Fee is $20 a bike and proceeds will go to help pay for medical bills for Jeremy Lancaster, vehicle accident survivor.

Down South will be headlining band at 3 p.m. for all to enjoy. $5/person gets you in, children 4 years and younger are free and there will be an inflatables play area for the kids (no charge). Concessions will be available and there will be door prizes and a 50/50 drawing.

Those who’d like to donate may contact Rebecca McGriff at 256-507-0545 or stop by Peoples Bank (account under Patsy Lancaster). 

Ranch sorting national championship: This special event, sponsored by the Lonesome Dove Cowboy Church, will be held September 6, at the indoor arena in Vinemont: Cullman County Ag Center, 17645 U.S. Highway 31, Cullman 35058. Books open at 10 a.m., event at 11 a.m. All new contestants will receive a free RSNC membership for the 2014-15 season.

Fee for rider is $28 for all levels HC, youth, beginner sort, No. 8 HC, No. 4 HC; and is $20 for 1-man sort – all have a 50 percent payback. Entry fees include a $3 entry RSNC sanctioning fee; 5 ride limit; mandatory draw, pick 1/automatically draw one (rider can pick up to 4 or draw all five). Proceeds go to the church’s building fund and church’s community projects.

First come, first serve for stalls (limited); RV hookups available.

For more information, contact Jim Walker (producer) 205-533-1439; Paul Chamblee at 256-708-8668; or Christie Chamblee at 256-352-9998.

Of note:

Total Access: Had to get out-and-about and didn’t bring your paper? No time to run and find a paper? Wonder what everyone is talking about, but you’re far from home? Neighbor’s dog play fetch and not bring it back? Well, we have a simple solution: Try Total Access. Anyone who has a print subscription to The Times, can have a free online subscription. Access it on your work computer, your smart phone or any device you can use to access your email. To activate it, contact the Circulation/Audience Development Department at 256-734-2131. Information needed: Valid email address and a password at least six characters long, a valid phone number, and the current address the paper is delivered to. Digital-only subscriptions are available; contact the same department for more information.

10 Things to Know for Today

By The Associated Press

Your daily look at late-breaking news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about today:

Your daily look at late-breaking news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about today:

1. SHELLING MOVES CLOSER TO UKRAINIAN PORT

Russian-backed rebels press their offensive in the strategically key city of Mariupol just hours ahead of talks in Belarus that are widely hoped to bring a cease-fire.

2. ALLIANCE TURNS ATTENTION TO UKRAINE CRISIS

NATO outlines plans for stationing a rapid response force in Eastern Europe to serve as a deterrent to Moscow and ease Russia’s neighbors’ fears.

3. WHERE U.S. MISSIONARY WILL BE TREATED FOR EBOLA

Dr. Rick Sacra had been receiving care in Liberia. But the Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha is home to a special isolation unit that’s believed to be the largest in the U.S.

4. TRAILBLAZING COMIC DIES AT 81

Fashion and acting were Joan Rivers’ early dreams — but it was comedy that paid the bills and ultimately made her a star.

5. FEDS LAUNCH PROBE OF POLICE IN FERGUSON

The Missouri department — under scrutiny since the shooting of an unarmed black 18-year-old by a white officer — says it welcomes the U.S. attorney general’s investigation.

6. EX-VIRGINIA GOVERNOR, WIFE CONVICTED IN CORRUPTION CASE

Jurors decide that Bob and Maureen McDonnell performed favors for a wealthy businessman in exchange for more than $165,000 in gifts and loans.

7. SUPREME COURT ASKED FOR FINAL WORD ON GAY MARRIAGE

Thirty-two states exhort the U.S. high court to settle the issue once and for all.

8. WHAT’S NOT SO POPULAR

Jeans, as more people are sporting yoga pants and leggings instead of the iconic blues.

9. HE’S GOT FRIENDS

Country star Garth Brooks returns to full-time touring with a performance before enthusiastic fans in suburban Chicago.

10. WHO OPENED NFL SEASON WITH A WIN

Russell Wilson, Marshawn Lynch and Percy Harvin lead Seattle past Green Bay 36-16 as the Seahawks begin their Super Bowl title defense with a victory.