By Emily Williams Vestavia Hills City Schools Superintendent Dr. Sheila Phillips will be retiring from her position effective Sept. 1. Phillips announced her plans to retire during a Vestavia Board of Education meeting July 31. She informed the board of her plans to leave the posi- tion she has held since 2014 in a letter submitted July 20. “Thank you for the opportunity … [Read more...]
Mountain Brook Police Chief Elected President of AACOP
By Emily Williams Mountain Brook Police Chief Ted Cook has been elected president of the Alabama Association of Chiefs of Police. Cook was elected to hold the position at the organization’s summer confer- ence in Orange Beach on Aug. 3. AACOP is made up of police chiefs and law enforcement professionals from 350 city, state and federal agencies in the state. According to … [Read more...]
A Patch of Green: Community Members Push for Pocket Park in Downtown Homewood
By Sarah Kuper Ever since the Homewood City Council decided to move forward on a new public safety building in West Homewood, residents have been wondering what will happen to the current downtown facility. Now one group is ramping up support for turning the site into a public green space. “We already have a thriving commercial center. Now is the ideal moment to explore a … [Read more...]
Taking His Message to a New Stage: First-Time Candidate Dawson Wants to Bring a New Day to Alabama
By June Mathews If you were to look at Scott Dawson’s bucket list, you wouldn’t find “run for governor” on it. Seeking the state’s highest office was never something he wanted – much less intended – to do. Then several friends, among them Birmingham radio’s Rick Burgess and Orange Beach author Andy Andrews, urged him to enter the 2018 race to become Alabama’s next … [Read more...]
Maccabi Games, Southern-Style: LJCC Prepares to Show off Birmingham Area to 800 Athletes, Their Families and Visitors
By Sarah Kuper This month, about 800 teen athletes will journey to Birmingham to compete in the 2017 Maccabi Games at the Levite Jewish Community Center. The Maccabi Games happen every year in different locations. Teams of teenagers from Jewish Community Centers around the country gather to compete in land and water sports. Athletes stay with host families from the com- … [Read more...]