Montgomery, Ala. – The Alabama Department of Mental Health (ADMH) recognizes April as Autism Acceptance Month, dedicated to increasing understanding of autism and supporting individuals and families across the state. Autism, or autism spectrum disorder, is a developmental condition that affects communication, behavior, and social interaction. According to recent data from the Centers for Disease... Read More

Phuong Nguyen of Pelham, AL, has earned a Master of Science in Analytics from the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta. Nguyen was among approximately 7,200 undergraduate and graduate students to be presented Georgia Tech degrees during the Institute’s 269th Commencement exercises Dec. 11 – 13, 2025, at McCamish Pavilion (Ph.D. and bachelor’s) and Bobby... Read More

Cherleen Sumter of Bessemer, Alabama, was recently elected to membership into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation’s oldest and most selective all discipline collegiate honor society, at University of West Alabama. Sumter is among approximately 20,000 students, faculty, professional staff and alumni to be initiated into Phi Kappa Phi each year. Membership... Read More

At a regularly scheduled meeting of the Bessemer City Council, duly assembled with a quorum present, it was agreed to authorize a request from the Bessemer Board of Education. The Board of Education had requested the use of park grounds at Carver Park to host a Special Olympics track and field competition on Friday, April... Read More

Ten Jefferson County arts organizations will share more than $500,000 in grants from the Alabama State Council on the Arts through the Creative Places Arts Facilities program, which funds construction, renovation, and equipment upgrades at facilities where the public participates in arts programming. The grants, totaling $2.77 million statewide to 60 organizations, were awarded in... Read More

The AlaTrust4U Foundation is proud to announce that Elizabeth Harris of Bessemer has been selected as a 2026 scholarship recipient. Eight scholarships were awarded across Alabama to students continuing their education. Harris is currently attending Columbus State University, where she is furthering her academic journey. The AlaTrust4U Foundation’s goal is to increase its financial literacy... Read More

In honor of America’s 250th anniversary, the Old Autauga Historical Society is sponsoring an excellent exhibit of America’s history. Known as USA250 – The Chronicle of America, it opens on April 9–11, 2026, in Prattville, Alabama. The exhibit will be held at the Doster Center, 424 South Northington Street. The event is free, and the... Read More

Dr. Lamanda Thomas of Adamsville opened The Christian Bookstore & More, a religious bookstore, in 2016. Located at 618 19th Street, North in downtown Bessemer, the store sells Bibles, books, communion sets, lap scarves, prayer shawls, fragrance oils, jewelry, and much more. A native of Daleville, Alabama, Dr. Thomas earned a PhD in Industrial/Organizational Psychology... Read More

An Alabama state prison officer has been arrested on drug and contraband charges. Markia Sherie Smith, 27, of Pleasant Grove, is charged with possession of marijuana and first-degree promoting prison contraband. Smith worked at William Donaldson Correctional Facility in western Jefferson County. According to Alabama Department of Corrections officials, prison narcotics agents pursued an investigation... Read More