The Alabama Beacon

Here at the Western Star we’re always excited to celebrate our youth through their scholastic triumphs. Recently Aaden Hawkins was accepted into the Dual Enrollment Program within the Birmingham City Schools system. A ninth grader at Jackson-Olin High School, he was awarded the opportunity to begin college courses with the ability to earn high school...

Area students inducted into National Society of Leadership and Success

More than 150 Wallace State Community College students were inducted into the National Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS) during the 2025-2026 academic year, marking a milestone in their leadership and personal development journeys. “Each student member here has gained meaningful leadership insight and perspective through the steps leading to induction,” said Kristen Holmes, Vice...

Demetress Wood elected to membership into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi

Demetress Wood 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 Auburn University at Montgomery. Wood is among approximately 20,000 students, faculty, professional staff and alumni to be initiated into Phi Kappa Phi each year. Membership is...

Alabama airmen remembered 65 years after Bay of Pigs attack

It has been 65 years since four Alabama airmen lost their lives in the infamous Bay of Pigs Invasion mission to overthrow Fidel Castro and his regime. In 1961, Leo Baker, Wade Gray, Pete Ray, and Riley Shamburger, members of the 117th Reconnaissance Wing, now the 117th Air Refueling Wing, lost their lives as they...

Springing and flinging together at the Glenwood Annual 1K Walk

“Through movement, laughter and connection, Glenwood’s Spring Fling brings our community together in the best way,” said Glenwood President and CEO Christy Castleberry. This past weekend, the Glenwood family celebrated their Spring Fling Block Party with a conglomerate of activities along with good food amongst a 1K Walk taken on by staff members and students....

Isaiah Jackson elected to membership into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi

Isaiah Jackson of McCalla, 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 Samford University. Jackson is among approximately 20,000 students, faculty, professional staff and alumni to be initiated into Phi Kappa Phi each year. Membership is by invitation...

Pleasant Grove grandmother-killer one of two inmates to die in prison

A man convicted of beating his 89-year-old grandmother to death was one of two William Donaldson Correctional Facility inmates to recently die in custody. Kenneth Ray Daniels, who was serving a life sentence for capital murder, was taken to UAB Hospital on Wednesday, April 8, for further treatment of complications due to a serious health...

A chat with Aaron Armstrong, firefighter/paramedic, Bessemer Fire Department

Aaron J. Armstrong of Bessemer has been with the Bessemer Fire Department for six years. A Bessemer native, he is a brave man who puts his life on the line every day. A good, solid, decent man, Aaron and his family are members of Grace Life Church. He is a knowledgeable and well-trained firefighter and...

BHA YouthBuild hosts National College Decision Day Celebration May 1