By William C. Singleton III At a recent Vestavia Hills football game, Penny Downes, wife of Vestavia Hills city manager Jeff Downes, was talking to a parent about what she hopes to accomplish as she regains her strength from treatments for multiple myeloma and prepared herself for the battle that lies ahead. Penny Downes mentioned that, because her immune system is … [Read more...]
Holiday in the Heights: Merchants of Cahaba Heights Prep for Second Annual Deck the Heights Celebration
By Emily Williams Cahaba Heights will be brimming with holiday cheer Nov. 8 as the annual Deck the Heights Holiday Open House kicks off the season. The annual event is a community effort, with members of the Cahaba Heights Merchants Association organizing the event and representing businesses throughout the Vestavia Hills neighborhood. “We’ve done this in the Heights … [Read more...]
Bendall Signs Off for the Last Time: Voice of Vestavia Football Turning Broadcast Over to ‘Great and Talented Kids’ After Homecoming
By Blake Ells On Friday, Steve Bendall will call his final game for the Vestavia Hills Rebels. Bendall has been the voice of his alma mater for 20 years; he graduated high school in 1982 and currently serves on the school board. “Some people have poker nights or pool nights or golf,” Bendall said. “This is my hobby. In the fall, this is what I do on Friday nights. My wife … [Read more...]
Vaping Is In at OTM High Schools, But Teens Don’t Realize the Dangers
By Ingrid Howard The use of e-cigarettes, or “vapes,” in high school-aged youth has become so socially acceptable that the students who aren’t doing it are probably on the outside. That’s what Lindy Walker, Help the Hills Coalition chairwoman, told parents at the Vaping Workshop held Oct. 9 at Vestavia Hills High School. What teens might not realize is that they are getting … [Read more...]
Stingy Spartans: Dominating Defense Helps Propels Mountain Brook to 5-0 Record
By Blake Ells Mountain Brook earned a pivotal victory over Vestavia Hills on Sept. 21, a 28-14 decision that allowed the Spartans to remain undefeated not just in 7A Region 3, but overall. It dealt the Rebels their first loss of the year. Their offense was thorough, using long drives to keep their defense off the field. Daniel Wilbanks led the attack with 103 yards on 18 … [Read more...]