Hoover Sun March 2024

Hoover real estate market shows signs of recovery from slower 2023

RReported crime in Hoover drops 8% in 2023

By JON ANDERSON

For the first time in 12 years, Hoover in 2023 went a full calendar year without a homicide unrelated to traffic, Hoover police said.

2023 turned out to be good on several fronts related to crime levels. There were only nine robberies the entire year, the lowest number in 23 years and a 40% drop from 15 robberies in 2022, police statistics show.

“That’s pretty outstanding,” police Chief Nick Derzis said.

Sex offenses and burglaries were down 15%, thefts were down 14% and auto burglaries were down 12% from 2022, records show. The number of burglaries (99) was the lowest in 17 years, and the number of auto burglaries (317) was the lowest in nine years, which is “pretty strong,” Derzis said.

See CRIME | page 28

On the Ballot

See page 6

under construction in the Everlee subdivision in Hoover on Feb. 5. Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney.

One of the new Hoover Police Department patrol vehicles at the Frank and Pam Barefield Training Center. The department’s new vehicles include new branding.

Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney.

New Hospital Opening in August

UAB Medical West, as a community hospital, knows how important it is to have quality care close to home. That’s why we’re thrilled to open our brand new state-of-the-art facility right off of I-459 at Exit 1 this August. In addition to our current services, the new facility will allow us to offer robotic surgery, more beds in our Intensive Care Unit and Operating Room, and the newest state-of-the-art imaging technology including 3-D mammography. It’s just one more way we can continue to bring the highest quality of care to the communities in West Jefferson County. For more information about our services near you, visit us online at medicalwesthospital.org.

About Us

Editor’s Note By Jon Anderson

I’m one of those guys who loves statistics. I’m not talking about the math course that some people take in high school or college, but I am talking about sets of data about interesting topics.

I think the key word there is “interesting.” Of course, everyone has different interests, but some people never take the time to quantify things and analyze data to look at trends. You can learn a lot just by measuring things and looking at changes over time.

When I was growing up, one of my brothers would listen to Casey Kasem’s “American Top 40” every

Sunday. He didn’t just listen to it. He wrote down in a notebook every song and singer and what position they held on the chart each week,

PHOTO OF THE

and he would analyze the numbers and share interesting tidbits with the rest of my family. Sometimes it was a bit much, but he also had a wealth of knowledge about popular music. In this month’s edition of the Hoover Sun, we’ve gathered and presented statistics about crime and real estate in Hoover, and we hope it’s both interesting and useful for you. Happy reading!

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The Spain Park cheerleaders perform their game day routine for nationals during halftime of a game between the Jags and the Chelsea Hornets in the area basketball tournament at Spain Park High School on Feb. 6. Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney.

Palmer, Sewell face competition for Congressional district seats

By JON ANDERSON

The two members of Congress who represent parts of Homewood both have challengers in their respective primary elections on March 5.

U.S. Rep. Gary Palmer, a Hoover resident who is nearing the end of his fifth two-year term in Congressional District 6, has two battling him in the Republican primary: Gerrick Wilkins of Vestavia Hills and Ken McFeeters of the Indian Lake subdivision in north Shelby County.

Each Congressional district covers different parts of Homewood. District 6 covers the eastern part of Homewood, including Hollywood, Brookwood, Shades Cliff, Rosedale, Overton Park, portions of Mayfair and Edgewood south of Oxmoor Road. District 7 includes all parts of Homewood west of Interstate 65, plus areas on the east side such as Green Springs, Valley Avenue, Grove Park, downtown Homewood and the portions of Edgewood roughly north of Oxmoor Road and west of Edgewood Boulevard, Forest Drive South and Rockaway Road.

District 6 also includes Vestavia Hills, Mountain Brook, Trussville, Clay, parts of Hoover, the northeastern part of Jefferson County, a small part of Talladega County and all of Shelby, Bibb, Chilton, Coosa, Autauga and Elmore counties. District 7 also includes most of Birmingham, parts of Hoover and western Jefferson County, parts of Clarke, Montgomery and Tuscaloosa counties and all of Choctaw, Dallas, Greene, Hale, Lowndes, Marengo, Pickens, Perry, Sumter and Wilcox counties.

DISTRICT 6

The Republican race for District 6 has shaped up to be a battle about term limits and who can better advance a conservative agenda.

Palmer broke an earlier promise not to seek more than 10 years in office and decided to run again, and Wilkins and McFeeters have crit icized that decision. Wilkins said Palmer has done more talk than action and made poor decisions that do not adequately represent conservative Alabama values.

Palmer said he makes his decisions based on the right thing to do and doesn’t check to see how groups score politicians before he votes, but he said he has maintained a 95% rating from the American Conservative Union.

District 6 Candidates

KEN McFEETERS

► Party: Republican

► Age: 63

► Residence: Indian Lake in north Shelby County

► Political experience: Unsuccessful bid to replace David Wheeler in Alabama House District 47 in 2022; former president of Mid-Alabama Republican Club

► Professional experience: Has owned and run PAC Insurance Agency for 42 years (offices in Hoover, Bessemer and Roebuck)

► Civic experience: Legislative chairman for Alabama Independent Insurance Agents for 10 of last 20 years

► Education: Berry High School graduate, 1979

► Main issues: Redirect payments going to Federal Reserve to replenish Social Security; abolish the U.S. Department of Education; eliminate mRNA shots for infants and children; defund and withdraw from the United Nations and World Health Organization; change leadership in federal agencies; end U.S. involvement in Russia-Ukraine war

► Website/social media: Ken4America.com; X: @Ken35216; Facebook: Ken Abe McFeeters

GARY PALMER (INCUMBENT)

► Party: Republican

► Age: 69

► Residence: Hoover

► Political experience: Elected to U.S. Congress in 2014 representing Alabama’s 6th District; now in his fifth two-year term

► Professional experience: President of the Alabama Policy Institute for 24 years; worked in engineering, as well as with Focus on the Family

► Civic experience: Rotary Club of Birmingham; member of Briarwood Presbyterian Church

► Education: Bachelor’s degree in operations management from University of Alabama in 1977

► Main issues: Better secure the U.S. border with Mexico; get control of inflation; open access to energy resources such as natural gas, critical minerals and Canadian oil

► Website/social media: palmerforalabama.com; X: @Palmer4Alabama; Facebook: Gary Palmer for Alabama

Palmer said he struggled with the decision to run for a sixth term but was encouraged by others to do so and felt God leading him in that direction. He said the country has been headed in the wrong direction, and if Donald Trump is elected, “we’ve got a chance to really fix some things.”

Palmer said there has been a huge turnover among Republicans in Congress in recent years, and “we’re hemorrhaging in experience and institutional knowledge.”

As chairman of the Republican Policy Committee, member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee and a former member of the House Budget Committee, he believes his experience and background in policy matters, the budget and Congressional procedure will be needed.

Wilkins and McFeeters have criticized Palmer for advocating for

GERRICK WILKINS

Party: Republican

Age: 46

Residence: Vestavia Hills

Political experience: First run for public office

Professional experience: Has worked in automotive industry more than 24 years; now is broker in sale of dealerships for Dealer Support Network

Civic experience: Advisory board for Samford University Brock School of Business; on board for Mission Increase Alabama, which provides free counseling to nonprofits on a Biblical approach to fundraising; member of The Gideons International

► Education: Master’s degree in business administration from Samford University in 2016; bachelor’s degree in religion from Liberty University

► Main issues: Conservative representation; secure U.S. borders; safeguard the unborn; counter child exploitation and human trafficking; be fiscally responsible in Congress; balance the budget; support term limits; dismantle the U.S. Department of Education

► Website/social media: WilkinsforAL.com; X: @WilkinsforAL; Facebook: Gerrick Wilkins for Congress

spending billions of dollars to aid Ukraine in its war with Russia while the United States faces an “invasion” at its southern border. Palmer said he voted against more recent bills to provide financial support to Ukraine. Wilkins also faulted Palmer for voting to kill the Border Security and Immigration Reform Act in 2018.

Palmer said he voted against that act because it was a bad bill that would have increased the number of illegal immigrants coming into the country and given amnesty to too many already here.

Palmer said the most important issues to him right now are border security, the cost of living and

District 7 Candidates

CHRIS DAVIS

► Party: Democratic

► Age: 50

► Residence: Birmingham

► Political experience: Ran unsuccessfully for Alabama House District 59 in 2014 and Birmingham City Council in 2017

► Professional experience: Director of government affairs for BHM Law Group; previously worked as director of business development for attorney Barry Walker and in Washington, D.C., Mayor Adrian Fenty’s Office on Community Relations; worked on Maryland Congressman Elijah Cummings’s staff in Baltimore and Washington, D.C.; worked in Capitol Hill whip organization for then-Sen. Barack Obama; was head of outreach for press, clergy and elected officials for the Obama campaign in Maryland

► Civic experience: Vulcan Kiwanis Club member; Anytown camp counselor for high school students for two years

► Education: Law degree, Birmingham School of Law, 2020; bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, 2005

► Main issues: Improve life expectancy in Seventh Congressional District; provide environmental justice by improving environment in distressed areas or helping people move; provide quality health care to underserved areas; reduce gun violence; reinstate assault weapons ban; bring federal projects to the district to provide jobs

► Website/social media: chrisdavis4congress.com; Facebook: Chris Davis for Congress

TERRI SEWELL (INCUMBENT)

► Party: Democratic

► Age: 59

► Residence: Birmingham

► Political experience: Elected in 2011 to U.S. Congress to represent Alabama’s 7th Congressional District; now in her seventh two-year term

► Professional experience: More than 15 years as a securities and public finance attorney; worked for Davis, Polk & Wardwell in New York City and Maynard, Cooper & Gale in Birmingham

► Civic experience: Silver Star and life member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority; has served as chairwoman and treasurer of St. Vincent’s Foundation’s board, board member of the Girl Scouts of Cahaba Council, Alabama chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, community advisory board for the UAB Minority Health and Research Center, governing board of the Alabama Council on Economic Education and corporate council for the Birmingham Art Museum

► Education: Law degree, Harvard Law School, 1992; master’s degree, Oxford University, 1988; bachelor’s degree, Princeton University, 1986

► Main issues: Create jobs; improve infrastructure (roads, bridges, water, sewer, broadband); improve access to affordable and quality health care and affordable housing; reduce gun violence; battle opioid addiction and substance abuse

► Website/social media: sewellforcongress.com; X: @Sewell4Congress; Facebook: Rep. Terri Sewell

opening up access to natural resources such as natural gas, critical minerals and Canadian oil.

Nearly 7 million people have entered the country illegally since Biden came into office, and there have been 345 U.S. Border Patrol encounters with known or suspected terrorists or potential threats between U.S. ports of entry since that time, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. It’s a threat to national security when you don’t know who is crossing the borders, Palmer said.

Trump’s “return to Mexico” policy needs to be reinstated as a law, as well as a requirement that people not be allowed in the country until it is

verified they are not carrying viruses, Palmer said.

Pressure must be put on Mexico through trade agreements, and the United States must build a wall on its southern border and pay for better surveillance technology, including technology that better detects fentanyl, he said.

The government also has to get control of inflation, Palmer said. Under the Biden administration, inflation soared over 9%, and the cumulative impact of inflation was as high as 17%, based on the Consumer

the federal bureaucracy. The current national debt is $34.2 trillion, up from $31.7 trillion in 2020, according to the U.S. Treasury.

Price Index, he said. A family with a median household income had $12,000 less buying power because of the high inflation, and 64% of the increase in fuel costs in the last two years was due to higher energy costs, Palmer said.

Wilkins said government cannot overlook the pressing moral issues of the day.

“Our society faces an urgent call to safeguard the unborn, to counter child exploitation and eradicate the scourge of human trafficking that is pervading our country,” Wilkins said. “My commitment to the intrinsic value of everyone from conception to natural end remains steadfast and unwavering. I pledge to spearhead policies that nurture and protect life and confront the menace of human trafficking at its roots.”

Wilkins also said he will fight for fiscal responsibility in Congress, support a balanced budget amendment and push for significant cuts to

McFeeters said he was drawn into this race because of the crazy government overreach during the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. involvement in the Russia-Ukraine war and the false narratives being spun related to the Jan. 6, 2021, protests in Washington, D.C.

McFeeters said he opposes the Federal Reserve banking system and doesn’t believe the U.S. government should owe money to a private entity like that. The U.S. government owed $5.4 trillion to the Federal Reserve as of the end of the third quarter of 2023, according to the Fed. McFeeters said it would be better to use that money to replenish the Social Security fund.

McFeeters also wants to do away with required mRNA vaccinations for infants and children, saying medical decisions should be left up to individuals.

The winner of the March 5 Republican primary will face Democrat Elizabeth Anderson in the Nov. 5 general election.

DISTRICT 7

In Congressional District 7, Davis said he was motivated to run against Sewell in part because of the horrible condition of some parts of the district and what he considers to be inaction on Sewell’s part.

The Seventh Congressional District has the worst life expectancy of any of the 435 Congressional districts in the country, according to data from Harvard University. “There’s no crime in that statistic,” Davis said. “The crime is that nobody is doing anything about that.” There has been no significant effort to get the Seventh Congressional District off the bottom of that list, he said.

The district faces a host of environmental justice problems, where predominantly minority communities get stuck with environmental waste sites that need cleaning up, from Collegeville and North Birmingham to the train cars full of waste in Sumter County or open sewer problems in Selma and Tuscaloosa, Davis said.

There is air, water and soil pollution in some neighborhoods and other areas where trains block the

roads and make it difficult for residents to travel, he said.

“The federal government has to have a hand in providing these families with environmental justice,” Davis said. The government either needs to improve the areas where these people live or help them move to safer environments, he said.

The district also is suffering from rural hospital closures, and people are dying trying to get hospitals in Birmingham or Tuscaloosa and don’t have access to preventative care, Davis said. A member of Congress should pull together resources to remedy that, he said.

Davis also said Sewell has failed to bring significant federal projects to District 7, like the FBI office for Huntsville (expected to grow to 5,000 jobs) or modernized docks in Mobile.

Sewell said she has a proven track record of working to bring jobs to the district, saying she worked with other federal and state officials to bring a $150 million Golden Dragon Copper of China plant to Wilcox County. There have been other significant

economic development projects in the district, including the Amazon fulfillment center and Dollar General distribution center in Bessemer, she said. Just this past fall, the Birmingham metro area was designated as one of 31 federal technology hubs, putting the region in the running for significant federal investment dollars, she added.

Sewell also said she has a proven record of working to improve the quality of life for people in the district. She said she has secured more than $11.5 billion in federal grants since taking office in 2011, including $62.6 million for water and sewer improvements in the Black Belt, $50 million for affordable housing projects in Birmingham, $38 million to fight crime and make communities safer, $30 million for public transportation in Birmingham, $13 million to preserve historic civil rights sites, $8.8 million for a program to provide nurse practitioners to underserved areas and $4.1 million for a Rails to Trails project along Valley Creek.

Sewell said she was the only member of Congress from Alabama to vote in favor of a 2021 $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill that will provide $1.4 billion to expand broadband in Alabama, which she said is critical for commerce, education and health care delivery. She also will continue working to stop gun violence and provide access to quality health care, she said.

She said she is eager to get to know people who have been added to her district in the latest Congressional redistricting.

The winner of the Democratic primary in District 7 should face Republican Robin Litaker of Homewood in the Nov. 5 general election. The other Republican who qualified, Christian Horn, announced in February he was withdrawing from the race.

Mayor’s Minute

By Frank V. Brocato

A couple of months ago, we had major winter weather blow through our area. Fortunately, it wasn’t as bad as the events of 2014’s “Snowmageddon,” but it certainly left behind some icy roads and treacherous situations.

I want to start by saying thank you to everyone who donated items to help with the warming station in Birmingham. A situation like that presents the opportunity to show what community and being a good neighbor really looks like. As usual, Hoover residents stepped up to the plate in a big way, and I wanted to express my gratitude.

This weather also prompted me to share a valuable resource with everyone, and that is the Everbridge Emergency Notification System. This program is offered through both the Jefferson and Shelby county emergency management agencies.

Everbridge allows the public to receive notifications via phone, text messages and emails about severe weather, flooding, road closures and evacuations. It also alerts users about other non-weather-related situations like emergency school lockdowns, missing persons reports and more. Residents can create confidential accounts and choose the type of warnings or information they would like to receive.

We used Everbridge quite a bit during the COVID-19 pandemic as a reliable, fast way to send information. But a lot of us have forgotten about it until situations like the one we had recently. It’s a valuable tool, and I’m grateful to our county EMAs for offering it.

If you’d like to sign up for Everbridge services in Jefferson County, you can do so at jeffcoema.org/emergency-notifications.

Residents in Shelby County can sign up at shelbyal.com/252/ Emergency-Management-Agency-EMA.

We at the city will always do our part to keep you safe. But it’s great having other partners to join us in this effort!

Frank

Business Happenings

NOW OPEN

EJYS Homes for You LLC recently opened at 1957 Hoover Court, Suite 307, and is inspired by the core values of dignity, respect and commitment. They focus on enhancing individuals’ lives and promoting independence while providing residential, personal care and respite for individuals with intellectual disabilities in community settings.

205-578-6088, facebook.com/EJYSHomesForYou

El Tejano Mexican Restaurant, Bar & Grill has opened in the Colonial Promenade Hoover shopping center, in the former location of El Cielo at 2760 John Hawkins Parkway, Suite 112.

205-538-5150

The Sakana Sushi Bar & Grill opened Feb. 22 in the former location of J&C Seafood at 1944 Hoover Court. The restaurant has an all-you-can-eat sushi offering for $17.95 for lunch and $28.95 for dinner, co-owner and manager Johnny Zhang said. The restaurant has several owners who also own Sake Cafe in uptown New Orleans, Louisiana, which has been open since

2002. The Sakana Sushi Bar & Grill also offers hibachi fried rice, Japanese appetizers and different kinds of sake, Zhang said.

205-848-2270, sakanasushibargri2270.com

Mitu's Threading and Spa has opened at 3081 Lorna Road #102 in the Lorna Plaza shopping center. The business offers eyebrow threading and waxing, eyelash extensions, lash lifts, bridal makeovers, facials, dermaplaning and henna tattoos.

205-238-5272, mitusthreadingandspa.com

Total Looks Wax, Thread and Lashes is now open at 2146 Tyler Road, Suite 202. The salon is owned and operated by a mother-daughter duo with more than 30 years experience between them. For more information or to make an appointment, call or visit the website.

205-659-8680, eyebrowthreadinghoover.com

Concepción Salon is now open at 1580 Montgomery Highway, Suite 5, close to Wild Birds Unlimited. 334-318-1428, salonconcepcion.com

NEWS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS

America’s First Federal Credit Union, with branches at 3312 Old Columbiana Road and 2 Inverness Center Place, has two nominees to serve the next three years on its seven-member board of directors. They are Greg Johnston, the former chief financial officer for Brookwood Baptist Health who now is an independent consultant concentrating on project management and strategic and financial planning, and Barney Hatten who retired as director of technical services and quality standards at Nucor Steel. Johnston was appointed as an associate director in 2021 and currently is chairman of the Supervisory Committee. Hatten is the current chairman of the board of directors and has served on the board from 2003 to 2009, 2012 to 2018 and 2021 to 2024. Credit union members will vote to elect board members at the annual meeting on April 16.

205-823-3985, amfirst.org

Business News to Share?

Do you have news to share with the community about a business in Hoover or the greater Birmingham area?

Let us know at starnesmedia.com/ business-happenings

If

For a complete and thorough evaluation make an appointment today to see one of our 15 board certified physicians, 4 highly trained, licensed PA’s, or 16 clinical audiologists – all available to serve your needs at any of our 10 locations.

For your convenience, we have same day appointments available, as well as early morning, evening, and Saturday appointments. Please call 1-888-ENT-5020 (1-888-368-5020) for more information, visit us on our website at www.entalabama.com, and scan the QR code below to follow us on social media.

a microphone), helping customers in larger camps with their form and challenging them. Williams is a full-time primary care nurse practitioner with personal training certification and has a passion for fitness. Baker has loved working out since she was in college and started her career in Birmingham as a certified public accountant in 2016.

205-335-1884, 205-903-8154, burnbootcamp.com

Regions Bank, which has an operations center at 2090 Parkway Office Circle and numerous branches in Hoover, has named Christian White as its Birmingham market executive. White also will serve as commercial banking district director for the Alabama, Mississippi and Florida panhandle markets. White joined Regions in 2003 and served in a number of positions within the commercial banking group in Birmingham and Mobile. White succeeds Alan Register, who has been elevated to serve as a commercial banking specialized executive.

800-734-4667, regions.com

The complex is expected to open in early 2025.

205-803-5226, capstonebuilding.com

PERSONNEL MOVES

George Ash, Shauna Wesson and Betty Booker have joined the RealtySouth office at 2409 Acton Road, Suite 137, as real estate agents.

205-978-9000, realtysouthotmacton.com

Cecelia Thompson has joined as a real estate agent at RealtySouth's office in Inverness at 109 Inverness Plaza.

205-382-5328, realtysouth.com

Farrelly's Southern Bar and Kitchen, 5532 Grove Blvd., has hired Chris Kennedy as its new executive chef and general manager. He attended Johnson and Wales Culinary School in Charleston, South Carolina, and has more than 20 years of experience at Birmingham area restaurants and private clubs, including The Club and the Hoover Country Club.

205-968-1408, farrellyskitchen.com

Burn Boot Camp has hired Sam Williams as a trainer at its Hoover location at 1021 Brock's Gap Parkway, Suite 121, and Rebecca Baker as a trainer at its Meadow Brook location at 1801 Doug Baker Blvd. Both women serve as a second trainer on the floor (without

Birmingham

Orthodontics has added Dr. Nada Souccar to its team. Souccar has 17 years of experience in the industry, including more than a decade of instruction at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Dentistry, where she most recently served as an associate professor. She has received numerous awards for her research and teaching, including the Fred and Dianne Garrett Biomedical Research Award and the Eugene E. West Fellowship Award, both from the American Association of Orthodontists Foundation, and the UAB President's Award for Excellence in Teaching. Souccar is a member of the American Association of Orthodontists and Southern Association of Orthodontists and is a diplomat of the American Board of Orthodontics. Birmingham Orthodontics’ Hoover locations are at 5391 Magnolia Trace and 5406 U.S. 280, Suite E101.

205-584-4030, 205-308-9407, bhamorthodontics.com

ANNIVERSARIES

Jenn's Just Cuts, 1713 Montgomery Hwy, Suite 109, Room 115, is celebrating its first anniversary. They specialize in hair cuts for the whole family — men, women and children.

205-899-2864, jennsjustcuts.com

The Whole Scoop ice cream shop celebrated its 13th anniversary on Feb. 14. Hoover residents Sue and David Cohen opened the shop in 2011 on South Shades Crest Road and in 2020 moved to The Village at Brock's Gap at 1021 Brock's Gap Parkway.

205-444-8000, thewholescoopicecream.com

The Biscuit Belly in The Village at Brock's Gap at 1031 Brock's Gap Parkway, Suite 157, celebrated its first anniversary in February.

205-402-8126, biscuitbelly.com

Thimbles is celebrating 17 years at 181 Main St. #221 in Hoover. Thimbles offers fabrics, classes, patterns and sewing and embroidery machines.

205-682-6008, thimbles-heirloomsewing.com

Brock's Gap Brewing Co. is celebrating its second anniversary this month. The brewery opened March 3, 2022, at 500 Mineral Trace, Suite 100, next to Hoover Metropolitan Stadium.

205-848-7837, brocksgapbrewing.com

Hoover events guide

March 2-3: Hoover Metropolitan Complex Pickleball Tournament. 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. The Finley Center. The Hoover Met Complex is having an indoor pickleball tournament on March 2-3. Players will be divided into beginner, intermediate and advanced skill levels. Tournaments will be in a double-elimination format, with a consolation bracket to guarantee a total of three games. Competitions with fewer than five teams will play a round robin. Each match will be played best two out of three games to 11 points and winning by one point. The cost is $50 for one event or $60 for two events, such as same-sex doubles and mixed doubles. To register, go to hoovermetcomplex.com.

March 2: Arbor Day Celebration. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aldridge Gardens. The Hoover Beautification Board is partnering with Aldridge Gardens and city forester Colin Conner to put on the city’s 25th annual Arbor Day celebration. The Beautification Board plans to recognize winners of this year’s Arbor Day essay and poster contests for fourth graders in the Hoover public school system. The city plans to give away trees for Hoover residents to plant at home. There also will be a tree planting ceremony.

March 2: Alabama SWAT Foundation 5K Ruck. Brock’s

Gap Brewing Company. The Alabama SWAT Foundation 5K race starts at sunset (estimated 5:45 p.m.) at the brewery at 500 Mineral Trace, goes to the Black Creek Mountain Bike Park, loops around the trail in the park and finishes back at the brewery. Trophies will be given out for the top three finishers in five divisions, three of which involve runners carrying 35-pound vests or ruck backpacks. Runners are encouraged to bring a headlamp, glowsticks or flashlight because part of the course is in the woods on a trail. Parking will be at Hoover Metropolitan Stadium. All runners must be at least 13 or older. The cost to run is $50, plus a $4 signup fee, or $60 for on-site registration the day of the race. Brock’s Gap Brewery, which will be celebrating its second anniversary, will have a disc jockey and food trucks and will sell food from its new kitchen. There will be a live outdoor concert after the race. The goal is to raise $20,000 to help send police officers to advanced tactical training. To sign up, go to runsignup.com/Race/AL/ Hoover/SWAT5kRuck.

March 2: Taste of Teal Gala. 6 p.m. Hyatt Regency

Wynfrey Hotel. The Laura Crandall Brown Foundation, which raises money to support gynecological cancer research, awareness and patient support, is holding its annual Taste of Teal Gala. The

event (with cocktail attire) includes dinner, drinks, casino games and silent and live auctions. Tickets cost $200 per person and are available at thinkoflaura.org/tasteofteal.

March 16: St. Patrick’s Day Celebration. 11 a.m. Beef O’Brady’s at The Grove. Beef O’Brady’s will hold its annual St. Patrick’s Day celebration, including live music, a bounce house, face painting, kids’ games, green beer and a limited Irish food menu. The event starts at 11 a.m. and goes to an undetermined closing time. The cover charge is $10, but children 12 and younger are admitted free.

March 18: Berry Middle School Student-Faculty Basketball Game. 6 p.m. Berry Middle School gym. The event will raise money for a new sound system for the competition gym, where the school has choir, band and drama performances, award assemblies, pep rallies, basketball games and volleyball games. Tickets cost $10.

March 21-22: Mac

McAnally and Eric Darken in Concert. 7 p.m. each night. Hoover Library

Theatre. McAnally has put out 17 albums and hit No. 14 on U.S. country charts in 1990 with “Back Where I Come From.” He is perhaps best known for being the guitarist for Jimmy Buffett’s Coral Reefer Band and for writing songs for others to perform.

McAnally was voted Musician of the Year by the Country Music Association 10 times between 2008 and 2018. Darken is a percussionist who has recorded with artists such as Taylor Swift, Bon Jovi, Jewel, James Bay, Maren Morris, Bob Seger, Carrie Underwood, the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir, Carly Pearce and Moon Taxi. He also has performed with artists such as Vince Gill, Amy Grant, Faith Hill and Take 6 and currently tours with Buffett’s Coral Reefer Band. Tickets are $35, plus a $3 processing fee at thelibrarytheatre.com.

Birmingham — the

Bucs sweep state indoor titles for 3rd straight year

By KYLE PARMLEY

For the past three years, everyone else has been competing for second place at the Class 7A state indoor track and field meet.

Hoover High School’s boys and girls took care of business again Feb. 3 at the Birmingham CrossPlex, dominating and sweeping the state titles for the third consecutive time.

The boys accumulated an eye-popping 133.5 points, far ahead of runner-up Vestavia Hills, which posted 79 points. James Clemens, Hewitt-Trussville and Oak Mountain rounded out the top five.

Hoover’s girls scored 90 points, well clear of Hewitt-Trussville’s 59 points in second. Vestavia Hills, Auburn and Thompson made up the rest of the top five.

Hoover coach Chris Schmidt wanted his team to stay within itself during the state competition. The results the Bucs’ athletes had posted throughout the season were good enough to clinch another set of state championships.

“If we did our job and had good performances like we’ve been doing all year, I felt like great things were going to happen,” he said.

Hoover’s boys scored points in every event, with the girls scoring in all but three events as well.

Dallas Beck won the 400-meter run with a time of 48.64 seconds. Collin Pate won the pole vault competition, clearing 16 feet, 2 inches. Bradley Shaw won the shot put, reaching 51-4 on his throw. The boys 4x200- and 4x400-meter relay teams also took home top prize.

Denver Cash was second in the 60-meter hurdles, Cannon Peters was second in the 800, Jordan Woolen finished second in the high

jump, RJ Torbor was third in the long jump, Charles Crowder was second in the triple jump and the 4x400 relay team placed third.

For the girls, Taylor Canada won the 60-meter dash in 7.67 seconds. Daisy Luna took the top prize in the 400, running the race in 55.81 seconds. D’Asya Harold won the triple jump, reaching 36-9.25. The girls 4x400

relay team set a state record with a time of 3:53, while the 4x200 team won in 1:42.

McKenzie Blackledge reached the podium twice by finishing second in the 800 and third in the 400. Tamsyn Gibbs was third in the 3,200, as was the 4x800 team.

Jameson Coleman, Benny Schmidt, Zander Dakis, Norman Settles, Michael Nixon, Abby

King, Catherine Wallace, Nyel Settles, Isabella Maple and Lucy Benoit scored points for the Bucs in the meet as well.

For Spain Park, Delaney Vickers had a strong meet. She was third in the 1,600 and finished sixth in the 800. Remy Richards, Sydney Baker and Isaac Battles were among the Jags to score points as well.

Hoover’s Collin Pate reacts after clearing 16.02-feet in the pole vault competition during the AHSAA Class 7A state indoor track and field meet at the Birmingham CrossPlex on Feb. 3. Right: Hoover’s Daisy Luna competes in the girls 4x400-meter relay Photos by Erin Nelson Sweeney.

Bucs welcome coach back to dugout, embrace expectations

By KYLE PARMLEY

There’s no avoiding the elephant in the room. For the Hoover High School baseball program, there is quite a bit of added motivation this spring.

Following the Alabama High School Athletic Association’s decision to suspend head coach Adam Moseley for the 2023 season because he coached one of his players on Team USA, Moseley is back in the dugout this spring and the Bucs are chomping at the bit to make some noise.

“This is a good group,” Moseley said. “It’s a bunch of team-focused guys. We don’t have a lot of high-profile players, but there’s just guys that want to play with each other. I know that’s very cliché, but this team truly is that right now.”

Moseley had plenty of time to reflect on things last season, both as a baseball coach and as a husband and father in general. He’s learned plenty about the game, but more importantly, he is inspired to continue making a difference in his players’ lives.

“It’s become apparent to me to make sure I seek out kids to have meaningful conversations and make meaningful experiences with them every day,” he said.

Hoover’s field has also undergone a major renovation, with the city laying down artificial turf on the baseball and softball fields at Hoover and Spain Park high schools.

“We have the best facility in the country. It’s incredible. Our city has provided a top-notch facility. For a high school baseball team to get to experience what they get to experience, it’s incredible,” Moseley said.

All those things aside, the Bucs have to make it happen on the field this spring. The figurative “A-B-Cs” of baseball still apply and will make the difference in a stacked area and region.

“If you execute, you win. If you don’t, you lose,” Moseley said.

There are eight seniors leading the way for these Bucs.

“It’s a smaller senior class for us, but they’re all invested,” Moseley said. “It’s a good class, good people, and they do things right.”

Mason Blasche recently signed with Samford University and will be one of the top players in the area. He plays third base and pitches for the Bucs. Caid Finn and Camdyn Teague are both senior outfielders and fellow recent signees, with Finn headed to Pensacola State and Teague set to play at Washington & Lee University next year.

Andy Howard is new to the program this year after transferring from Albertville, and Alberto Gonzalez is another returning contributor back for his final season.

There are also sophomores like Will Adams and Jaxson Wood who are seemingly on a path to stardom. Adams will pitch and play first base, while Wood is a standout shortstop.

There are a handful of position battles that will be contested as the season gets going.

Hoover will look to get back to the playoffs this year and will use the early portions of the schedule to prepare for the Area 5 gauntlet of

Thompson, Vestavia Hills and Tuscaloosa County. Thompson held the No. 1 spot in Class 7A at times last spring and Vestavia went on to win the state championship.

The Bucs have already faced powers Central-Phenix City and Hartselle, with more to come. Spain Park, Oak Mountain, Bob Jones and several out-of-state teams await to give the Bucs all they can handle.

But what will hopefully separate them this season?

“Playing with a purpose. They’ve got a chip on their shoulder,” Moseley said.

Hoover’s Caid Finn (24) hits a single in a game against Houston High School (Tennessee) in the 2023 Buccaneer Classic spring break tournament in March 2023. Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney.

Jags loaded with seniors, ready to repeat success

By KYLE PARMLEY

The margins are so close in Class 7A baseball in the Birmingham area that Spain Park High School can ill afford to rest on the success of winning Area 6 last spring.

Spain Park took home the area title and advanced to the second round of the state playoffs before falling to eventual state champion Vestavia Hills. The Jags posted a 28-9 record in what was a strong campaign.

If the Jaguars hope to achieve anything near that level once again this spring, it will require everything to come together once more.

Head coach Will Smith believes this team certainly has the capability to achieve those things. The Jags feature a large senior class and a handful of players with key experience returning.

Second baseman James Battersby, shortstop Aiden Burke and outfielder Matthew Widra are back and provide comfort and stability for the Jags in the lineup and in the field. CJ Gross and Blake Patrick are also back, as both pitched plenty of key innings last year.

Battersby and Burke are expected to contribute some innings on the mound. Widra was the team’s leading hitter and was second in many other categories. The Jags will rely on that group to lead the way, particularly early in the season, as they figure out the rest of the lineup.

“We’ve got capable guys,” Smith said. “You’re excited to see those guys and watch them compete. They’ve waited their turn, they’ve worked hard, they’ve been good teammates and now you’re excited for them to show what they can do.”

There are 19 seniors on this team, the

largest group of 12th graders Smith has ever seen come through his program. Typically, players gradually fall off along the way due to ability or other interests. But not for this group of players, many of whom will get their first opportunity to make a big impact on the varsity level.

“It’s very much a case of loyalty and dedication, and that’s why we’re excited about watching this group go compete,” Smith said. “I think there is definitely some ability there, it’s just being able to do it on a consistent basis.”

Richard Moon, Sam Waldrop, Evan Bistritz, Jackson Bradley, Tyler Walker, Cooper Cole, Caelan Phillips, Jacob Byrd, Sean Corey, Lucas Harvey, Chapman Blevins, Coleman Gray, Connor Langston and Hudson Cahalan are also seniors.

Langston, Phillips, Corey and Cole are among the other pitchers who will be asked to contribute. Gray and Bistritz are battling for time at catcher. Blevins was a key player last year and will hit in the middle of the order. Byrd can play first base and outfield.

There are two sophomores and six juniors on the roster as well.

Spain Park’s field has a new look this year. New turf and lights are now operational, with a restroom project still ongoing.

“It’s going to be very nice once it’s completed,” Smith said.

Smith believes in this team, but he acknowledges it will be a collective effort if the team is to duplicate last spring.

“We have to have quality at-bats throughout the order,” he said. “We’re going to need guys that have dirty uniforms, that win the small attention-to-detail stuff that gets us a run. Those are the things that we’re going to have to excel at in order to be successful.”

Spain Park’s CJ Gross (9) pitches in an area game against Hewitt-Trussville at Phil English Field in Trussville in April 2023. Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney.

Bucs putting tough finish behind them, ready for 2024

By KYLE PARMLEY

Two things can be said about the Hoover High School softball season in 2023.

The Bucs put together a tremendous season, winning the Class 7A, Area 5 regular season title and posting a 34-8-1 record for the year.

But the season also ended in disappointing fashion, as the Bucs were upended in the area tournament by Tuscaloosa County and Thompson. Hoover was the victim of an improbable Tuscaloosa County run from the No. 4 seed to the area tournament crown.

That gives the Bucs motivation heading into the 2024 season.

Led by five senior college signees, Hoover has a pretty solid starting point. Hannah Christian, Olivia Christian and Bella Foran have each been heavy varsity contributors since their freshman year. The Christian twins are headed to Southern Miss, while Foran will play at Florida Atlantic.

Ki Davis has signed with Alabama A&M and Mac Stribling will play at Wallace State.

“Those five are going to be the spearheads of how we go,” Hoover head coach Trey Matlock said.

Hannah Christian and Davis are outfielders. Foran has been a fixture at shortstop.

Olivia Christian plays third base and is a top pitcher for the team. The Bucs are hoping to get Stribling back from injury at some point this spring.

A certain strength for the team this season will be the pitching staff. Olivia Christian and Kaitlyn Raines have a proven track record of success, with recent North Alabama commit Haley Westhoven also ready to step into a key role in the circle.

MC Detwiler is another one of those seniors ready to step into a leadership role in right field. She stepped in at times last year and proved to be a steady player. She is a strong third option, especially after the likes of Kate Dinkel and Gracie Hillman graduated and are

now playing in college. Jesse Givens is the Bucs’ other senior.

Lindsey Westhoven got plenty of experience behind the plate last spring and is a UNA commit along with her twin sister. Avi Davis could see playing time at first base. The Bucs will also face the tall task of replacing Carolyne Hecklinski’s contributions at second base, as she is now playing at Shelton State.

Mollie Hanson, Stella Storch, Ava Hartman,

Izzy Andre and Savannah Whalen are also in the mix for the Bucs.

“We’re just taking it one game at a time,” Matlock said. “We’re trying to get better and grow. The biggest thing is also trying to stay healthy.”

Hoover will have a tough road once again in Area 5, with Thompson, Tuscaloosa County and Vestavia Hills all capable of making postseason runs.

“It’ll be stacked still,” Matlock said.

Hoover’s schedule certainly won’t be straightforward this season. The Bucs will face the likes of Hazel Green, Spain Park, Helena, Springville, Auburn and Austin, in addition to playing in tournaments hosted by Central-Phenix City, Spain Park, Gulf Shores and Brentwood (Tenn.). Hoover will also host a pair of tournaments during the season at the Hoover Met Complex.

Hoover’s Bella Foran (27) moves toward the ball during an at-bat in a game against Tuscaloosa County at Hoover High School’s Jim Brown Field in March 2023. Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney.

Offseason foundation propelling Jags softball

By KYLE PARMLEY

This season has the chance to be a special one for the Spain Park High School softball team.

Long regarded as one of the state’s top programs, the Jags will look to continue that tradition in 2024. Second-year head coach Allyson Ritenour believes the groundwork the team laid throughout the offseason will pay dividends on the field this spring.

“The offseason for us has been very productive,” Ritenour said. “We established a strong foundation and will continue to get stronger in all aspects of the game as the season progresses.”

Ritenour said the connection formed amongst the players is a strong one.

“There is so much joy and happiness when we all come together in the afternoons for practice,” she said. “One can feel the positive energy and love the girls have for each other on a daily basis. We are truly a family.”

The words Ritenour used to describe the Jags this year are competitive, hard-working, determined and focused.

“The upperclassmen have done an excellent job of leading their teammates this preseason, and I look forward to seeing everything this team will accomplish together,” she said.

Spain Park features five seniors this year in Maggie Daniel, Ella Ussery, Reagan Stewart, Caroline Charles and Ruth Cherry. Daniel has signed to play college ball at UCLA, while Ussery is headed to North Alabama.

“I expect all my seniors to be great leaders and teammates,” Ritenour said. “I want them to have fun this season playing the game they love.”

Daniel is a respected leader for the Jags, having been a lineup regular for four years. She holds teammates accountable and understands the game at a high level, in addition to being a talented catcher.

“Maggie is one of the most competitive players I have ever coached,” Ritenour said. “She thrives under pressure and has been a key player at Spain Park for many years.”

Ussery is back in her element in the pitching circle, after expanding her horizons and playing volleyball in the fall. The talent is evident in watching her pitch, but her coach also sees determination and toughness from one of her leaders.

“Ella is extremely tough and makes everyone around her better. She has a chance to make a huge impact this season,” Ritenour said.

Charles is a returning starter in the outfield, while Stewart has played several spots in her time at Spain Park. Cherry will be tasked with providing stability in the infield this season as well. Ritenour described all three as selfless in their various roles.

Charlee Bennett, Klara Thompson, Allie Whitaker and Teagan Huey are among the other lineup regulars back for another season. Ritenour also mentioned freshman pitcher Jaley Young, along with Tatum Lasseter and Hailey Nichols, as players that could step in and make an impact.

“This team has the potential to create an amazing story together as we continue to experience this season together,” Ritenour said. Spain Park will certainly challenge itself with its regular season schedule, as everything leads up to Class 7A, Area 6 play against Oak Mountain, Chelsea and defending state champion Hewitt-Trussville. The Jags will face the likes of Thompson, Hoover, Springville and Tuscaloosa County in games, along with stout tournaments hosted by Central-Phenix City, Wetumpka, Spain Park, Gulf Shores and Hoover.

Spain Park’s Ella Ussery (21) pitches for the Jags in an area game against Chelsea at Spain Park High School in April 2023. Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney.

GOING TO THE NEXT LEVEL

By KYLE PARMLEY,

Photos by ERIN NELSON SWEENEY

On the spring National Signing Day, Feb. 7, Hoover and Spain Park high schools recognized many of their student-athletes who will continue their athletic endeavors at the college level.

ALBERTO GOMEZ

JEREMY COOK

BRADLEY SHAW

▶ SPORT: Baseball

▶ COLLEGE/ UNIVERSITY: Lawson State Community College

▶ SPORT: Football

▶ COLLEGE/ UNIVERSITY: Jackson State University

▶ SPORT: Football

▶ COLLEGE/ UNIVERSITY: University of Arkansas

MATTHEW EGORSHIN

▶ SPORT: Lacrosse

▶ COLLEGE/ UNIVERSITY: University of Montevallo

HANNAH CHRISTIAN

▶ SPORT: Softball

▶ COLLEGE/ UNIVERSITY: University of Southern Mississippi

McKENZIE STRIBLING

▶ SPORT: Softball

▶ COLLEGE/ UNIVERSITY: Wallace State Community College

MASON BLASCHE

ANDREW PITTS

▶ SPORT: Baseball

▶ COLLEGE/ UNIVERSITY: Samford University

▶ SPORT: Baseball

▶ COLLEGE/ UNIVERSITY: Southern Union State Community College

MICAH HAMPTON

▶ SPORT: Football

▶ COLLEGE/ UNIVERSITY: Hinds Community College

JORDAN WOOLEN

▶ SPORT: Football

▶ COLLEGE/ UNIVERSITY: Georgia Southern University

RODERICK BARTENGE

▶ SPORT: Soccer

▶ COLLEGE/ UNIVERSITY: Southern Union State Community College

OLIVIA CHRISTIAN

BELLA FORAN

CAID FINN

▶ SPORT: Baseball

▶ COLLEGE/ UNIVERSITY: Pensacola State College

CAMDYN TEAGUE

▶ SPORT: Baseball

▶ COLLEGE/ UNIVERSITY: Washington & Lee University

MICHAEL NIXON

▶ SPORT: Football

▶ COLLEGE/ UNIVERSITY: Northwestern State University

KASEY ZYLSTRA

SAGE THOMAS

▶ SPORT: Softball

▶ COLLEGE/ UNIVERSITY: University of Southern Mississippi

▶ SPORT: Softball

▶ COLLEGE/ UNIVERSITY: Florida Atlantic University

KI DAVIS

DALLAS BECK

▶ SPORT: Football

▶ COLLEGE/ UNIVERSITY: BirminghamSouthern College

▶ SPORT: Soccer

▶ COLLEGE/ UNIVERSITY: Spring Hill College

▶ SPORT: Softball

▶ COLLEGE/ UNIVERSITY: Alabama A&M University

▶ SPORT: Track and field

▶ COLLEGE/ UNIVERSITY: University of South Alabama

CANNON PETERS

▶ SPORT: Track and field

▶ COLLEGE/ UNIVERSITY: Univ of Alabama in Huntsville

COLEMAN GRAY

CAM McFARLIN

▶ SPORT: Baseball

▶ COLLEGE/ UNIVERSITY: Snead State Community College

▶ SPORT: Football

▶ COLLEGE/ UNIVERSITY: Jones County Community College

REGINALD TORBOR

LUKE EATON

▶ SPORT: Track and field

▶ COLLEGE/ UNIVERSITY: University of South Alabama

▶ SPORT: Bowling

▶ COLLEGE/ UNIVERSITY: Belmont Abbey College

DERICK SHANKS

▶ SPORT: Football

▶ COLLEGE/ UNIVERSITY: Jones County Community College

McKENZIE RICHARDS

▶ SPORT: Volleyball

▶ COLLEGE/ UNIVERSITY: Lawson State Community College

DELANEY VICKERS

▶ SPORT: Cross-country/track and field

▶ COLLEGE/ UNIVERSITY: Furman University

JAMARI MOSLEY

▶ SPORT: Football

▶ COLLEGE/ UNIVERSITY: Dodge City Community College

Family

»

»

»

»

SIGNING DAY

CONTINUED from page 21

KELBY ROBERSON

▶ SPORT: Football

▶ COLLEGE/ UNIVERSITY: Indiana Wesleyan University

DREW HERMAN

KNOX HOLSTON

▶ SPORT: Golf

▶ COLLEGE/ UNIVERSITY: University of Montevallo

▶ SPORT: Lacrosse

▶ COLLEGE/ UNIVERSITY: Young Harris College

ZYIAN HEYLIGAR

▶ SPORT: Lacrosse

▶ COLLEGE/ UNIVERSITY: Chowan University

ELLA BROWNING

▶ SPORT: Rowing

▶ COLLEGE/ UNIVERSITY: University of Tennessee

DAVIS GURLEY

▶ SPORT: Golf

▶ COLLEGE/ UNIVERSITY: University of Montevallo

INDIE GANNETT

JOSIAH TOONE

▶ SPORT: Lacrosse

▶ COLLEGE/ UNIVERSITY: Winthrop University

▶ SPORT: Track and field

▶ COLLEGE/ UNIVERSITY: University of Montevallo

Jags reclaim state championship crown

By KYLE PARMLEY

Spain Park High School’s boys bowling team claimed redemption at the Class 6A-7A state championship.

Spain Park capped off the two-day state bowling tournament in Mobile by defeating Thompson 4-2 in the championship round.

This is the Jags’ second state title in three years, and the fourth in program history. After falling short of the crown by mere pins a year ago, there was only one thing on the mind of everyone within the program this season.

“Last year in Gadsden, we came in second,” said Lillian Singleton, one of Spain Park’s coaches. “I said then, ‘We will be back.’ Guess what? We’re back.”

The state tournament was contested over two days. On the first day, the teams bowl traditional games and are seeded for a single-elimination bracket by total pins. On the second day, teams play a best-of-seven series of Baker games — five bowlers each bowl two frames to make up one game — in a bracket format to determine a champion.

In the 6A-7A final, Thompson won the first game, before Spain Park won three straight to pull to a 3-1 advantage. Thompson bowled a 229 in the fifth game before Spain Park grabbed the victory in the sixth game.

Spain Park entered bracket play as the No. 2 seed, as Hewitt-Trussville edged the Jags by only 20 pins (2,812-2,792) on the first day. Luke Eaton was the individual standout of

the tournament, posting a three-game total of 663 to convincingly claim his own state title. Eaton has signed to bowl at Belmont Abbey College.

Michael Kimble finished tied for fifth at 589. He and Eaton are the team’s two seniors, with Kimble still mulling over his college options.

Connor Shamblin, Evan Kelty, Ray Olatubi, Caleb Mason, Zion Mims and Griffin Mikos also contributed.

The Jags were tested in the opening round, as Hartselle pushed the match to seven games. Hartselle bowled games of 227 and 236 to take a 2-1 lead in the match, before the teams alternated the next three. In the seventh, Spain Park won big, 222-143.

Spain Park’s matchup against defending state champion Sparkman was no easy one either, as that contest also went to seven games. Sparkman evened the match at 3-3 by bowling a 257, before the Jags captured the final game with a strong closing frame.

“Against Hartselle, we were nervous,” coach Stephen Hobbs said. “We started getting it together. They didn’t bowl their best, but when they needed it, they did it. That’s just being tough.”

Spain Park has now captured four state championships in the nine years that bowling has been a fully sanctioned sport in Alabama. But this season was the first in which the Jags won the area, the region and state tournament all in the same year.

Left: The Spain Park boys bowling team claimed the AHSAA Class 6A-7A state title on Feb. 2 at Bowlero Mobile. Photo by Kyle Parmley. Right: Spain Park’s Luke Eaton reacts after rolling a strike as the Jags compete in the Baker round against Spanish Fort during the AHSAA Class 6A-7A South Regional Tournament at Vestavia Bowl on Jan. 19. Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney.

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CRIME

CONTINUED from page 1

Total offenses in the major crime categories reported to the U.S. Department of Justice declined by 8%, from 4,184 to 3,842.

Derzis said he was very pleased with 2023’s numbers, and he complimented Capt. Keith Czeskleba and his patrol officers for the work they do.

“We know that seeing police cars and being out doing what we’re paid to do is certainly a deterrent to crime,” Derzis said. “They do a magnificent job of working and, I think, take it personally when people from Hoover or other areas try to come here and commit a crime; they do everything they can to stop it. I would also echo that to the detective side. If somebody is able to commit one, our detectives do a really fantastic job in solving it.”

HOMICIDES AND ROBBERIES

The average number of homicides for Hoover is about three per year, but the last time there were zero homicides (other than one related to a traffic incident) was 2011, Derzis said.

There were two deaths on Oct. 31 that were ruled homicides, after a head-on collision on John Hawkins Parkway near Hunter Street Baptist Church. A woman driving a Lexus crashed into a Nissan Rogue, and the two occupants of the Rogue, 67-year-old George Roberts and 64-year-old Teresa Roberts of Bessemer, died on the scene.

The driver of the Lexus, 34-year-old Sarah Rose Tisdale, was determined to be under the influence of multiple controlled substances at the time of the crash. The case was presented to the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office in Bessemer, and Tisdale was charged with two counts of murder and one count of reckless endangerment, which was related to the 3-yearold child who was in her vehicle and suffered only minor injuries.

The national homicide rate per 100,000 people in 2022 (the most recent year available) was 6.3 homicides per year, according to Statista. Hoover’s population estimate as of July 2022 was 92,435, according to the Alabama

State Data Center.

The national robbery rate was 66 robberies per 100,000 people, according to Statista, so Hoover’s nine robberies in 2023 were far below that average. The average number of robberies in Hoover over the past nine years is 29, records show.

Of Hoover’s nine robberies last year, one was a bank robbery, two were shoplifting incidents that turned into robberies, and six were robberies of people who were involved in illegal or morally questionable activities that contributed to the crime, police Lt. Daniel Lowe said.

“Sometimes your choice of who your friends are can determine your future, and people that were hanging out with folks and involved in things that they shouldn’t have been led to some of those [robberies],” Lowe said.

Seven of Hoover’s nine robberies from 2023 had been solved as of late January — a 78% clearance rate, and all of them probably will end up being solved, Derzis said. Nationally, only 23% of robberies were cleared in 2022, according to Statista.

“I think our police department is committed to excellence, and we know that our good work will continue in 2024, and our promise to our citizens is that we will not waver from our public safety mission, which is to keep our citizens safe.”

CRIME FIGHTING TOOLS

Derzis also complimented the work of Detective Brian Hale, who manages the department’s social media accounts and quickly posts about incidents to get help from the public in solving crimes.

The Hoover Police Department’s Facebook page has 101,000 followers. “We reach a lot of folks,” Derzis said. “That’s very, very important, especially when we have something when we have something where we want to potentially get help. We reach a lot of people, and we get a significant amount of help when we post things.”

One reason burglaries may be down is because there are so many doorbell cameras and other types of security cameras in use now, Derzis said. Police in recent years have had access to security footage they didn’t previously have, he said.

Czeskleba noted that more people work from home these days as well, rather than being gone for long periods of time. That puts more eyes in neighborhoods.

Derzis and Czeskleba both said they also believe the department’s “9 p.m. routine” campaign called “Lock It or Lose It,” which was launched in March 2022, has been a successful

crime fighting tool.

The campaign encourages residents, at 9 p.m. each night, to make sure they remove guns and other valuables from their outdoor vehicles, lock their vehicles and turn on floodlights. The number of guns stolen from vehicles in 2022 dropped by more than 50% from the 113 guns stolen in 2021, police said. That statistic for 2023 was not yet available.

Thefts of vehicles themselves increased slightly (6.5%) from 92 in 2022 to 98 in 2023, but those numbers have been in the same general range during the last five or six years, Derzis said.

The biggest thing police want to emphasize regarding theft of vehicles and items inside them is the importance of simply locking vehicle doors and taking your keys inside with you.

“People leave their car keys in the vehicle with the vehicle unlocked,” Czeskleba said. “If we can get folks to not only remember to take in their valuables and their firearms, but take your keys with you, too. Do things to help prevent yourself from becoming a victim of crime.”

Lowe noted that on Oct. 17, five vehicles were broken into in two areas of the city, and three of them had the keys left inside. On

another day, three vehicles stolen from one apartment complex had keys in them, he said.

Derzis also emphasized that security cameras frequently show locked vehicle doors being a good deterrent to criminals. Thieves check the door handle, and if it’s locked, they usually move on, he said. They usually don’t want to break the windows for fear of setting off an alarm, he said.

Fraud offenses were down 7% from 2022. Lowe said that, hopefully, people are paying more attention to the scam alerts, though some people still fall prey to pop-up computer ads that thieves use to steal personal information or phone calls that request money or gift cards to settle a debt or arrest warrant against the victim or a family member.

No law enforcement agency or governmental agency is going to call you and ask you to get gift cards or pay for a fine in cryptocurrency, Derzis and Lowe said.

Weapons violations were down 72%, from 72 in 2022 to 20 in 2023, but that’s just because of a change in the law, Czeskleba said. “There are not less guns out there. It is just no longer against the law to carry a gun without a permit,” he said.

One other crime category that did increase is drug offenses. There were 721 drug offenses recorded in 2023, an 11% increase from 650 drug offenses in 2022. Forty-five percent of those (324) were marijuana offenses, and another 30% (215) were drug equipment violations.

Czeskleba said he doesn’t know that marijuana is more prevalent than before. “I just think our guys are doing a better job of finding it and making traffic stops and making those contacts where you do find somebody that has it on them,” he said.

Even though the total number of criminal offenses dropped 8% in 2023, Hoover officers had a record number of warrants signed in 2023 (1,129), Lowe said. That’s up 6% from 2022.

“In a year where you had lower violent crime stats and lower things like that, we’re still solving more cases than we ever have,” Lowe said. “I think that shows not only the deterrent that patrol plays, but when we do have bad things that happen, we’re going to put the bad guy in jail. If you come to Hoover to do that, we’re going to throw everything we can at you to make sure that the crimes get solved.”

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REAL ESTATE

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That included a drop in existing home sales from 1,858 in 2021 to 1,512 in 2022 and 1,166 in 2023 and a drop in new homes sales from 385 in 2021 to 332 in 2022 and 255 in 2023.

The primary reason for the slowdown was the continued uptick in interest rates, Realtors said. Thirty-year fixed mortgage rates had fallen to a historic low of 2.65% in January 2021, creating a surge in home buying, but rates climbed back up to 7% by October 2022 and continued rising through most of 2023, peaking at 7.79% in October 2023, according to Freddie Mac.

The higher rates made it less attractive for many people to sell their homes and move because even if they wanted to find an equal house in the same market, it was going to cost them more money just because of the higher interest rates, said Jonathan Belcher, president of Signature Homes, which sold 85% of the new homes purchased in Hoover in 2023.

As a result, more people who were potential buyers and sellers decided to stay where they were, he said.

While the overall number of home sales were down, it was still a very profitable year, said Kathy Gipson, the team leader and broker for the Keller Williams Realty office in Hoover.

From her perspective, Hoover had the strongest of all the markets in the Birmingham metro area, although she is less familiar with the Mountain Brook and Homewood markets, she said.

Hoover certainly has a higher volume than other suburban markets, with its 1,421 home sales in 2023 comparing to 610 in Vestavia Hills, 554 in Trussville, 465 in Pelham, 446 in Bessemer, 427 in Chelsea, 407 in Calera, 337 in Helena, 352 in Alabaster, 302 in Odenville, 300 in Homewood and 280 in Mountain Brook, according to MLS data.

PRICES STILL RISING

Hoover’s average home prices also held up nicely in 2023, despite the higher interest rates. The average home price in Hoover had jumped 11% in 2022 (from $438,666 to $485,441) as inventory remained low, but the average price managed to rise another 4% in 2023 to $505,168, even with higher interest rates.

That shows the strength of the Hoover market, Belcher said.

Other metro area cities where prices increased more than the Consumer Price Index in 2023 included Pinson (where the average price increased 19% to $241,433), Odenville (increased 17% to $253,917), Mountain Brook (increased 7% to $1,102,750), Trussville (increased 4% to $425,278) and Alabaster (increased 3.5% to $307,129).

Harold Collins with eXp Realty said 2023 was the second best year his team, The Collins Group, has ever had in his 11 years in the business, falling only behind 2021. No matter where interest rates are, people have multiple reasons for needing to move, from job relocations to needing more or less space, or desiring a different kind of space, he said.

What he noticed in 2023 is that, in general, homes priced at $500,000 or below were moving faster than larger, more expensive homes, he said. They seemed to be getting more multiple offers, he said. Owners of higher-priced homes could still get the price they were asking if it was within reason, but they might have to wait longer to sell, he said.

Gipson said the market hasn’t been nearly as volatile as it was during the COVID-19 pandemic, when there sometimes were 50 people vying for one house. Still, buyers are getting multiple offers, and she believes it is still a seller’s market, she said.

Houses are not selling as fast as they were in 2021, Gipson said. Due to the low inventory, for a while real estate agents were tracking hours on the market instead of days, she said. Some sellers began to expect that to happen automatically, but as interest rates have risen, real estate agents have had to give sellers a reality check so they don’t get disappointed when it takes a little longer to sell, she said. “It’s a different market now.”

That said, most buyers can expect a house to sell in under 30 days, depending on the price point and condition, Gipson said in early February. “Now, condition is the key,” she said.

She also has noticed, with fewer buyers competing for houses, that buyers are beginning to put more contingencies in their contract

Greater Birmingham Area Suburban Home Sales 2023

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offers, and more buyers are requiring inspections that were being waived during the peak market demand, she said.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, a lot of people were taking advantage of lower interest rates to buy bigger houses with office space to accommodate working from home, Gipson said. Also, families wanted more space to spread out since they were spending more time at home, she said.

As workers are shifting back to offices, the need for office space at home has lessened, Gipson said. But families may now want space for a bonus room for teenagers or a place for aging parents to move in with them, she said.

BLUFF PARK HOT SPOT

The Hoover neighborhood with the most real estate activity for existing homes in 2023 was Bluff Park, with 81 sales. Bluff Park is going through a revitalization, with people buying older homes and renovating them, Gipson said.

“It’s a sought-after community, mostly

because of the schools and community atmosphere,” she said. “Everybody that lives in Bluff Park wants to stay in Bluff Park.” Collins, who lives in Bluff Park, agreed. A lot of people who live in Bluff Park call it a “modern-day Mayberry,” with an old-fashioned, locally owned hardware store and diner, Collins said. The addition of numerous sidewalks in recent years has added to that community feel, he said.

“Value occurs when something is difficult to recreate,” he said. “Bluff Park and Cahaba River Estates are the most difficult neighborhoods [in Hoover] to recreate because of what they have.”

Both of those communities have large lots, which give people more room to add things such as a batting cage, workshop or three-car garage in the backyard, Collins said. And some people just like a bigger yard, he said. “I appreciate having a lot of dirt.”

Bluff Park also has road connections that can get people to key places in every direction in eight to nine minutes, including downtown

Birmingham, Collins said.

Other communities with larger numbers of existing homes sold in 2023 included Lake Cyrus (46), Greystone (35), Riverchase (35), Trace Crossings (34), The Hamptons at Ross Bridge (34), Russet Woods (25), The Preserve (20) and Green Valley (20).

Gipson said she had noticed quite a few people moving from Lake Cyrus to newer communities such as Everlee.

NEW HOME STATS

Of the 255 new home sales in 2023, Signature Homes was responsible for 217 of them (85%), including 75 in Bradbury at Blackridge, 52 in the Knox Square sector of Trace Crossings, 40 in Everlee, 47 others in Blackridge and three homes in the Abingdon sector of Lake Wilborn, according to MLS data. Meanwhile, Embridge Realty had 13 home sales in Lake Cyrus and three in McGill Crossings, and Harris Doyle Homes had seven homes sales in The Foothills at Blackridge.

The average price of a new home in Hoover in 2023 was $661,519. The most expensive homes sold on average (new and existing) were in Blackridge ($1,013,369), Heatherwood ($917,627), Greystone ($896,952), Greystone Legacy ($864,590), The Preserve ($858,953), Greystone Cove ($736,219), The Foothills at Blackridge ($705,665) and Kirkman Preserve ($701,480).

Belcher said the modest increase in home prices last year made for a “balanced year” in the market.

He said his company would have been able to build more new homes in Hoover if it hadn’t been for supply constraints. It wasn’t the same as the supply chain problems from a couple of years ago. The wood market has been consistently better the past 18 months, and the market for windows has gotten better, too, he said.

But there were big challenges with ductile iron pipe, which is used in the land development stage, so his company wasn’t able to get to the actual home building stage as quickly as it anticipated, Belcher said.

Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney.

FUTURE OUTLOOK

The outlook for 2024 looks positive from the development and real estate industry standpoint, Belcher and Gipson said.

Interest rates started to drop toward the end of the year and were averaging 6.63% on Feb. 1.

“We’ve had a great January,” Belcher said. “All the banks and real estate offices have seen a lot of activity just in the past 90 days.”

As rates decline, it will increase what people can afford to purchase, which should push up home values, he said.

Gipson said it generally takes about 90 days for a change in interest rates to show up in the real estate industry, so the rate decreases that started happening in late 2023 are beginning to be felt.

Belcher said he expects rates to keep dropping into the second half of the year, and Gipson said she thinks they’ll drop at least two more times this year.

Belcher predicted real estate closings from the Greater Alabama MLS, after falling from 21,536 in 2022 to 17,739 in 2023, would jump back over 20,000 in 2024. It’s harder to

tell what the Hoover numbers will look like, he said. Hoover usually has 1,700 to 2,000 overall home sales but had only 1,421 last year.

As for new home sales, Belcher said he expects his company will see its home sales in Hoover climb from 217 in 2023 to 335 or 345 in 2024. That should include about 75 in Blackridge, 80 in Windsor Court on U.S. 280 and 180 to 190 in Everlee off Alabama 150, he said.

He also expects to see 30 to 40 new home sales in the portion of Lake Wilborn being handled by Embridge, 30 to 40 home sales in The Foothills of Blackridge, handled by Harris Doyle, and 15 to 20 new home sales by various builders in The Preserve.

His company also expects to deliver 700 apartments restricted to buyers age 55 and older in the near future, including 163 in Knox Square across from Hoover Metropolitan Stadium, 300 in Everlee and 250 in the Riverwalk development in Riverchase, he said. Those units combined should generate $250 million in property tax revenue but shouldn’t add students to Hoover schools because of the age restrictions, he said.

He expects to complete the Knox Square apartments by the end of this year, he said.

Embridge, which is building homes in the last section of Lake Wilborn, has about 90 homes left out of the 540 or so total in the neighborhood, Belcher said.

About 400 of the 854 planned homes in Blackridge have been built and sold, so that development likely will take four to five more years to complete, he said.

No one had moved into the Windsor Court townhomes off U.S. 280 as of late January, but about 80 of the 120 townhomes should be built this year, leaving 40 or so for 2025, Belcher said.

He estimated there probably are about 300 homes left to be built in The Preserve, out of a little over 800 total home sites that had been approved. Meanwhile, the Riverwalk development should be in the development phase throughout 2024 and probably won’t get into vertical construction of the residential units until mid-2025, Belcher said.

Collins, who is representing the developer of the 44-lot Smith Farm development in Bluff Park, said 12 of those had been sold as of early February, but 22 more were under

contract, leaving only 10 left to sell. All the lots had been under contract with builders or individuals until the fall of 2022, when a builder backed out of a contract to buy 30 lots after interest rates rose, Collins said.

He believes all the lots will be sold by the end of 2024, he said.

Marty Gilbert, the city of Hoover’s building official, noted that single-family building permits actually increased from 317 in 2022 to 357 in 2023. The first four months of 2023 were relatively slow, with just 39 permits issued, he said. Normally, the permits average in the mid-30s on a monthly basis, he said.

Activity seems to be picking back up, Gilbert said. “I think the first half of the year is going to be good,” he said. “Our market is strong.”

There is more uncertainty with the second half of 2024 because markets sometimes change directions in an election year.

As interest rates drop, real estate agents are preparing for a surge of interest.

“Will it be as wild as during COVID? I don’t think so,” Collins said. “But we may get a taste of that in some areas people really want to be in.”