By Rubin E. Grant John Parker Wilson has been around football for more than 20 years, but the last thing he expected this fall was to be part of the Alabama radio broadcast team. “It definitely wasn’t on my radar,” Wilson said. But when color commentator Phil Savage left the radio team in July, the Alabama athletic department tabbed Wilson, who was the Crimson Tide’s … [Read more...]
‘Bitten by the Beatles’: How J. Willoughby Became the Rocker Behind Black Jacket Symphony
By Ingrid Schnader It isn’t hard for Black Jacket Symphony founder and guitarist J. Willoughby to remember what motivated him to pick up a guitar when he was 5 years old. “I got bitten by the Beatles,” he said. “Just became a weird freak about the Beatles at age 4. I mean, I was an only child, and I think it’s because I didn’t have video games to play or anything. I just went … [Read more...]
Recognized for Reading: Over the Mountain Schools Awarded Grants for Reading Improvement
By Ingrid Schnader Five Over the Mountain schools are among 50 schools in the state recognized for showing the most improvement in third-grade reading performance. The Alabama State Department of Education announced on Aug. 21 the 50 schools that showed the most improvement in third-grade reading performance in the state. Three of these schools are part of the Hoover City … [Read more...]
Never Forget!: OTM Cities Set Events to Remember 9/11
By William C. Singleton III It’s been 17 years since the horrific terrorist attacks of 9/11, and the Over the Mountain suburbs are doing their part to keep the memory and sacrifice of that day alive. Hoover and the cities of Homewood, Mountain Brook and Vestavia Hills collectively will hold Patriot Day observances on Sept. 11. Hoover will observe its Patriot Day ceremony … [Read more...]
Henderson Steps Up
By Blake Ells Spain Park’s Jalen Henderson stepped into a much larger role this season following the departure of D’Arie Johnson. In week one, the senior rolled up 172 yards on 31 carries and two touchdowns as the Jaguars defeated then 6A’s seventh-ranked Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa 24-14. The Jaguars expected to split some of Henderson’s carries with Manny Austin and Micheal … [Read more...]