🌱 Hoover Patch: What's Happening Today (Wed, Jan 25)

Hi all. It's me, Celeste "Pirate Queen" Wetzel, your host of the Hoover Patch newsletter — here to explain everything you need to know about what's happening locally. Including updates on:

• Insert teaser here
• Insert teaser here
• Insert teaser here

But first, today's weather:

A shower in the a.m.; cooler. High: 53 Low: 37.

Are you tired of blending in with all the other real estate agents in Hoover? Stand out with a premium sponsorship in our newsletter. Gain valuable exposure for yourself to our highly engaged local readership. Click here to learn more about this exclusive opportunity.

Here are the top stories in Hoover today:

1. Former American Christian football coach Chris Smelley taking over at Sylacauga (AL.com)
2. George Washington Carver Day in Iowa celebrated at Iowa State ... (Iowa State University News Service)
3. Who was Woolsey Finnell? Bridge namesake had strong ... (Tuscaloosa Magazine)
4. Music & Radio Station News for Triple A Formats (All Access Music Group)
5. Gigantic Drug Bust from a Traffic Stop in Wise County, Texas (knue.com)
6. Canton, Ohio high school basketball scores last night (Canton Repository)
7. Cities With the Most Mechanically-Inclined Workers (News-Press Now)
8. Akron, Ohio high school basketball scores last night (Akron Beacon Journal)
9. Suspect in deadly kidnapping, beating of Montgomery man found hiding in kitchen cabinet of abandoned house (AL.com)
10. Alabama lawmakers likely to consider school choice legislation this session (WKRG News 5)
11. Third suspect arrested and charged in death of Nakel Johnson ... (Alabama News Network)
12. Mayor of Washington, Iowa Charged with Felony Sex Abuse (khak.com)
13. 14. Birmingham-Hoover, AL | Northwest & National News ... (NBC Right Now)
14. Lake Havasu readies for Toyota Series Western Division opener ... (Major League Fishing)
15. Hunter Street in Hoover welcomes new worship arts minister (Alabama Baptist)
16. We Mourn the Passing of Victor Navasky: Long-Time Board Member, Crusading Journalist, Historian of the McCarthy Era, Staunch Civil Libertarian (Defending Rights & Dissent)
17. state of the city | Hoover Brocato Outlines City’s Achievements and ... (Over the Mountain Journal)
18. Montana State University students named to fall semester 2022 ... (Montana State University)
19. Hope Now: One-Armed Golfer From Hoover Taking Part in Efforts to ... (Over the Mountain Journal)
20. 🌱 Teachers In The Trenches Award Recipients + Hoover Native Named DA (Patch)
21. Alma Steele Obituary (2023) (Legacy.com)
22. Yakima Police Find Suspicious Device Close Roads (newstalkkit.com)
23. Biscuit Belly Kicks of 2023 with Focus on National Franchising (QSR magazine)
24. SUNY Broome Looking for More Integration, Not Merger with B.U. (wnbf.com)
25. Connecting Mississippi, Dr. Mutulu Shakur and 'Snowfall' (Mississippi Free Press)
26. Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat transcript: 01.24.23 (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
27. The 15 Best Michael Madsen Movies, Ranked (/Film)

Today in Hoover:

From my notebook:

• James Spann: "The Panhandle of Texas…Lake Meredith. Photos from Darlene Thomas." (James Spann via Instagram)
• 1818 Farms: "Love this wooly babydoll sheep face….hay and all!" (1818 Farms via Instagram)
• James Spann: "Panama City Beach this evening… photo from Dawn Whitten" (James Spann via Instagram)
• James Spann: "Morning views after the overnight rain…" (James Spann via Instagram)
• James Spann: "Jasper, Arkansas this afternoon… photo from Cody Raines" (James Spann via Instagram)
• James Spann: "Windy in Gulf Shores overnight… to my knowledge nobody was in this thing when it tipped over. Photo from Jennifer Walker" (James Spann via Instagram)
• James Spann: "Turbulent clouds over Northwest Alabama this afternoon" (James Spann via Instagram)
• James Spann: "McLouth KS this morning… photos from Brandy Jones" (James Spann via Instagram)
• Hoover (AL) Police Department: "“We appreciate our SRO every day. Thanks, Officer Katie for all you do for us at the Stone!” - Greystone Elementary School We are grateful to work for such an amazing community. It’s an honor to serve you. #TuesdayThoughts #hooverpd #wel..." (Hoover (AL) Police Department via Facebook)
• James Spann: "Song Of The Night 1.24.23" (James Spann via Instagram)
• James Spann: "St Thomas, USVI this morning… photo from @kristienolen3" (James Spann via Instagram)
• James Spann: "This Alabama state bird took flight last night in Chelsea…" (James Spann via Instagram)
• James Spann: "From @robtaylorphotography “The comet Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) was visible with the aid of binoculars before dawn this morning. An emerald green beauty! Photo from Lake in the Woods, near Trussville.”" (James Spann via Instagram)
• James Spann: "Snow this morning at Lubbock, Texas… Photos from @elilombardo62" (James Spann via Instagram)
• Hoover City Schools: "Teacher in the Trenches: Congratulations to the HCS teachers honored this morning for being selected as 2023 Teacher in the Trenches award winners! Monica Horne, Deer Valley Elementary School Allison Winterberger, Simmons Middle School J..." (Hoover City Schools via Facebook)
• Alabama State Parks: "Congrats to our Alabama State Park employee delegates that recently attended the @americasstateparks Leadership School in West Virginia. This is another great example of our focus on training and educating so that our leadership team can..." (Alabama State Parks via Instagram)
• Will Gilmer: "Kevin and Mary from @alfafarmers on the farm today filming for a future episode of @simplysoutherntv." (Will Gilmer via Instagram)
• Hoover Sun: "The Finley Committee, of group of community members who promote character in Hoover City Schools, today recognized teachers from Deer Valley Elementary, Simmons Middle School and Hoover High School as the 2023 Teachers in the Trenches. R..." (Hoover Sun via Facebook)
• Hoover City Schools Foundation: "Mark your calendars! Denim and Dining is coming to Aldridge Gardens the end of April and we want you to be there! #hoovercsf #partnersineducation #educatingtogether" (Hoover City Schools Foundation via Facebook)
• Hoover Sun: "Here's a look back at the last week in Hoover and Spain Park high school sports." (Hoover Sun via Facebook)
• Visit Coastal Alabama: "Peaceful moments kayak fishing down in the bayou are unmatched. Come down to Bayou La Batre, AL, to find out for yourself! 🔆🎣 #bayoulabatreal #dauphinisland #visitsomo #visitcoastalalabama #vca #gulfcoast #familyfun #fishing #kayak #k..." (Visit Coastal Alabama via Instagram)
• Hoover High Athletics: "Girls Varsity Basketball beats Vestavia Hills 49 - 45" (Hoover High Athletics via Facebook)
• Hoover Sun: "A typical winter weeknight at The Finley Center in the Hoover Metropolitan Complex. Lots of youth basketball and volleyball action." (Hoover Sun via Facebook)
• American Red Cross of Alabama: "Before Jan 12, we’ve worked hard to create lasting partnerships to ensure we would be ready if a disaster hit. When tornadoes devastated the city of Selma and surrounding counties our plans were put into action. We’re grateful for our fa..." (American Red Cross of Alabama via Facebook)
• Hoover High Athletics: "JV and Varsity Wrestling vs. Thompson and Arab" (Hoover High Athletics via Facebook)
• Hoover High Athletics: "Hoover Varsity Basketball vs. Thompson" (Hoover High Athletics via Facebook)
• City of Hoover: "One of our city's greatest assets is our school system. Hoover City Schools provides our students with a top notch education day in and day out. BUT--it takes teamwork and vision to accomplish those goals. That's why HCS is seeking your ..." (City of Hoover via Facebook)
• Hoover City Schools: "SAVE THE DATE!! HCS 4th graders are participating in the Arbor Day Celebration essay and poster contests! City of Hoover #arborday" (Hoover City Schools via Facebook)
• Hoover High Athletics: "Boys Junior Varsity Basketball falls to Vestavia Hills 58 - 46" (Hoover High Athletics via Facebook)
• Amy M.: "My signed copy arrived. The kid and I like the same books so I always have personalized books inscribed to both of us cause I figure she’ll get them when I die. 🤷🏻‍♀️ #book #bookstagram #signedbooks #toberead" (Amy M. via Instagram)
• Nextdoor Neighbor, Ridge Crossings: "Hi! - My brother is moving in a month and is giving me his washer and dryer. It’s in much better condition than mine. Does anyone know a place that will pick up his washer and dryer, bring it to me, and take away my old one? Movers are a..." (Nextdoor)
• Nextdoor Neighbor, Hoover: "I am trying so hard to move out of The Park at Hoover! - Can anyone recommend a website to find houses to rent? I downloaded Zillow but it isn’t very much help. Facebook is a joke! I need help! Please!" (Nextdoor)
• Nextdoor Neighbor, Mountain Oaks: "Bobby was such a huge help with a roofing issue. - Not only did he help with that problem, he uncovered something that would have been a much bigger issue if left untreated. Huge relief. I trust his work, his pricing is fair, and I’m gla..." (Nextdoor)
• Nextdoor Neighbor, Central Hoover: "Valentine's Day Wreaths $20. - 00-$60.00" (Nextdoor)

You're officially in the loop for today! I'll see you soon.

— Celeste "Pirate Queen" Wetzel

About me: The original Pirate Queen and QA engineer for Patch. Did you know that this week I have worked at least two fourteen hour days? This sprint has been nuts and the engineering team has been keeping me hopping non-stop. I'm exhausted and very close to needing a vacation.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Hoover Patch newsletter? Contact me at celeste.wetzel@patch.com