By Keysha DrexelJournal editorUAB Medical West broke ground last week in Hoover on the state's first freestanding emergency room.UAB Medical West, an affiliate of the UAB Health System and based in Bessemer, turned over the first shovelfuls of dirt Aug. 28 at the southwest corner of Interstate 459 and John Hawkins Parkway where a $13.5 million emergency … [Read more...]

By William C. Singleton IIIJournal contributorA new Democratic challenger has emerged to take on Republican Gary Palmer for the Alabama Sixth Congressional District race.Mark Lester of Homewood has announced he will represent the Democratic Party in the Nov. 4 general election.Lester, a Birmingham-Southern College history professor, replaces former … [Read more...]

By Keysha DrexelJournal editorOverton Park in Mountain Brook will be closed the week of Sept. 15 for work on a memorial to a 3-year-old resident who passed away in November.The Mountain Brook Park Board is working with a group of residents to renovate a portion of the playground at Overton Park to serve as memorial to the late Cam Cole, the son of Lauren and … [Read more...]

By Keysha DrexelJournal editorOn those days in early September when the skies are clear and blue, Sunel Merchant prepares himself to relive a nightmare.Merchant, who until a couple months ago owned the Philly Connection restaurant in Vestavia Hills, said the sunny, calm weather of late summer and early fall always reminds him of what the sky looked like on Sept. … [Read more...]

By William C. Singleton IIIJournal contributorVestavia Hills resident Stan Roth considers his five hens pets in the same way others view their dogs and cats.“They’re better behaved, quieter and come with the benefits of eggs” he said.Roth represents a growing number of residents who want to raise chickens in the city instead of the countryside. The Vestavia … [Read more...]