By STEPHANIE BRUMFIELD / Staff Writer

COLUMBIANA – Although, nationally, October is designated Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the county has decided to raise awareness of another issue.

At its meeting Oct. 14, the Shelby County Commission declared October Domestic Violence Awareness Month while also welcoming representatives of SafeHouse of Shelby County at the meeting. SafeHouse is a domestic violence and sexual assault shelter serving Shelby, Clay and Coosa counties as well as the entire city of Hoover.

Commission chairperson Lindsey Allison called SafeHouse a “jewel” in Shelby County and said the facility is very important for the county.

“If we didn’t have y’all, I don’t know what would happen,” Allison said.

In 2012, there were two domestic violence homicides, two rape assaults, 18 aggravated assaults and 400 simple assaults in Shelby County, according to the resolution, which urged “all citizens and people of faith to participate actively in scheduled events and programs that focus on this cause.”

“We are very grateful that the county as a whole is recognizing (domestic violence),” said SafeHouse volunteer coordinator Valencia Albright.

In other business:

-The Commission approved a $122,000 contribution to ClasTran, a group that provides public transportation to the elderly, disabled and rural populations.

According to Reggie Holloway, manager of community services for Shelby County, ClasTran is a consortium composed of Shelby County, Jefferson County, the city of Birmingham and Walker County. The program is a subscription service available for $4 per trip and funded mainly by federal funds with local matches from county and city funds, Holloway said.

“It’s very valuable to our community,” he said.

Anyone interested in participating in the service should request transportation the day before it’s needed by calling 325-8787.

-County engineer Randy Cole announced that Shelby County 49 would be resurfaced soon. The approximately $2 million project will include widening the road and bettering the surface and shoulders, Cole said.