Composer, musician and compatriot, Bobby Horton of Vestavia Hills is an asset to the music and history profession. A native of Birmingham, Horton’s lifelong fervor for music and history, has contributed to him being recognized as a leading authority of Civil War period music. Horton is a noted music historian and has recorded 16 volumes of authentic Civil... Read More

Lee Sentell, Alabama’s longest-serving Director of Tourism, has announced his retirement. Appointed in 2003, Sentell was committed to promoting the state’s tourism industry and in so doing, significantly increased the state’s tourism revenue. Governor Ivey has appointed Glenda Allred as Director of Tourism for the remainder of the Ivey Administration. Prior to the appointment, Allred served as... Read More

The Bessemer City Council recently approved a resolution authorizing the disbursement and payment of $10,000 from the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Budget to the Community Action Agency of Northeast Alabama. A written request from Luke Laney, executive director of the Community Action Agency, requesting disbursement of $10,000 from the city’s budgeted nonprofit allocation, was received by the Bessemer... Read More

A native of Bessemer, Rev. George R. Blanks is the founder and pastor of the Perfecting Reconciliation Church International. Opened in 2014, the church is located in the former First Presbyterian Church on the corner of 18th Street and 3rd Avenue, North in downtown Bessemer. Everybody is made welcome at the church. A friendly, outgoing personality, he is... Read More

Community leaders are united in faith. The 3rd Annual A Call for Prayer is planned for Saturday, August 22, on the front steps of the Bessemer City Hall. The prayer service starts at 12 noon. The public is invited. Shield our City and our School System. Partnering for A Call for Prayer are School Board... Read More

The City of Hoover will receive $16 million in federal transportation funding for the new Exit 9 interchange on Interstate 459. The funding is the result of an amendment to the Birmingham Metropolitan Planning Organization’s (MPO) 2024-2027 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). Months of coordination and collaboration among several regional partners, municipalities and Jefferson and Shelby... Read More

The Marengo County Historical Society will hold its Rooster Auction and Membership Party on Sat., Aug. 15, at 6 p.m. at the Coplin Building, 203 E. Washington St. in Demopolis. The evening will feature live and silent auctions, live music by Trey Rowell, food and BYOB. Auction items include a painting by Sierra Murphy, a... Read More

Anyone with a spare 15 minutes and a flowering plant can contribute to real scientific research this month. The Great Southeast Pollinator Census returns Friday and Saturday, August 21-22, and the Alabama Cooperative Extension System is inviting residents of all ages to take part. Participants choose a flowering plant, watch it for 15 minutes, and... Read More

The Marion Police Department released the following monthly activity report for July. Reports taken July 4 – Eluding police, Highway 14 July 4 – Harassment, East Lafayette Street July 4 – Assault, second degree, Washington Street (Texaco) July 5 – Menacing, Thompson Street July 5 – Domestic violence disturbance, Lincoln Heights July 6 – Abuse/neglect... Read More