Alabama News

Dear Eric: For many years, three friends and I have gotten together for lunch once a month. The venue changes each time, and we decide then where and when we will meet the next month.

Three of us write down the information and the fourth person may or may not jot it down.

The next month comes and three of us show up at the appointed time. Pat does not. So, someone calls her to remind her, even though a reminder message is sent to everyone that morning before we meet. She says she forgot, and we wait for her to come.

This last week it happened again. I strongly urged the others not to call her – that the natural consequence is that she misses joining us this time. One of the other gals said she was absolutely calling her, that we can’t give up on our longtime friend. To me it is not giving up on her, but it may suggest that she be more responsible. Who is right? Or do we just continue to enable her?

– No More Reminders

Dear Reminders: If this has been going on for years, it seems likely that Pat is no longer being irresponsible but rather just following the pattern that the four of you long ago established. Now, to me, this is chaotic – if something isn’t on my calendar, it doesn’t happen. But Pat works in a different way, apparently sitting at home waiting to be summoned to various locations. I’m not saying it’s the best way; but it’s reality.

You don’t have to participate by calling Pat, but I think you set yourself up for on-going conflict if you keep pressing the issue. If others of your friends are willing to keep calling Pat to remind her, let them. You might talk to Pat directly about how waiting around impacts the group, and I’d encourage you to talk to your other two friends about ways that you can maximize the time you have together so that you’re not just twiddling your thumbs waiting for Pat. But I don’t think anyone needs to be right here.

Read more Asking Eric and other advice columns.

Send questions to R. Eric Thomas at [email protected] or P.O. Box 22474, Philadelphia, PA 19110. Follow him on Instagram and sign up for his weekly newsletter at rericthomas.com.

DEAR ABBY: My parents got into an argument because my father saw my mother looking at an old photo of herself from when she was younger. (It had been sent by her cousin via text.) In it, she was sitting next to “an ex-boyfriend or friend.” My father thought it was disrespectful, but my mother didn’t agree.

Mom thought it was trivial for him to get upset since she was only 18 or 19 and the photo was taken 45 years ago. It was way before my mother had even met my father. Later, she mentioned to Dad that she remembered seeing an old picture of him and his ex-wife dressed up for a concert. He denied it, and she didn’t get upset.

She told me later she doesn’t regret receiving the picture because she no longer has romantic feelings for my father. You see, my parents are not legally married; they are just roommates splitting the bills together. I don’t know how to feel about this.

I don’t want to be involved, but they both have come to me separately expressing their feelings about it. What are your thoughts? — IN THE MIDDLE IN TEXAS

DEAR IN THE MIDDLE: I suspect that your father was less upset about the arrival of that 45-year-old photo than he is about the fact that your mother no longer has romantic feelings for him.

I also think you should stay out of this and no longer allow yourself to be put in the middle, which is what your parents are trying to do.

Read more Dear Abby and other advice columns.

Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.

DEAR MISS MANNERS: If I found my that my wife and I were to be seated separately at a party, I would move my place card or leave the party with her.

There are two primary duties that married couples — and, arguably, dating couples — have that supersede their “duty” to the host of a gathering: protection of and fidelity to their spouse, neither of which is served by splitting couples up. Parties are often not safe in either respect, especially when alcohol is involved.

GENTLE READER: It is not clear whether the problem here is that your acquaintances are dangerous, your wife is untrustworthy, or that all of you are apt to drink out of control. Perhaps it is all of these.

Miss Manners can offer you only her sympathy. General social customs presuppose people of goodwill, not such extreme and unfortunate cases.

Please send your questions to Miss Manners at missmanners.com, by email to [email protected], or through postal mail to Miss Manners, Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.

At 12:11 a.m. on Tuesday, the National Weather Service issued an extreme heat warning valid between 11 a.m. and 9 p.m. for Lauderdale, Colbert, Franklin, Lawrence, Limestone, Madison and Morgan counties.

The weather service adds, “Dangerously hot conditions with heat index values up to 110 degrees to 112 expected.”

“Heat related illnesses increase significantly during extreme heat and high humidity events,” explains the weather service.

Mastering the heat: Guidelines for staying safe in high temperatures

• Stay hydrated: Make sure to drink plenty of fluids.
• Seek shelter: Stay indoors in an air-conditioned room to keep cool.
• Avoid sun exposure: Stay out of the sun, and make sure to check up on relatives and neighbors.
• Child and pet safety: Never leave young children and pets unattended in vehicles, especially when car interiors can reach lethal temperatures within minutes.
• Caution outdoors: If you must work or spend time outdoors, take extra precautions.
• Select the ideal time: When possible, reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening.
• Recognize heat-related issues: Learn to identify the warning signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
• Dress for comfort: Wear lightweight and loose-fitting clothing.

Additional tips for outdoor workers:

• The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recommends frequent rest breaks in shaded or air-conditioned areas for outdoor workers.
• If someone is overwhelmed by the heat, swiftly relocate them to a cool, shaded location.
• In emergencies, call 911 for immediate assistance.

These NWS heat safety directives are essential for safeguarding your well-being when facing high temperatures. Stay well-informed and take the necessary precautions to shield yourself and others from the potential hazards of extreme heat.

Advance Local Weather Alerts is a service provided by United Robots, which uses machine learning to compile the latest data from the National Weather Service.

A report was issued from the National Weather Service on Tuesday at 12:09 a.m. for strong thunderstorms until 1 a.m. for Cleburne County.

Wind gusts of up to 40 mph and pea-sized hail (0.25 inches) are probable.

“At 12:09 a.m., Doppler radar tracked a strong thunderstorm near Mars Hills, or 10 miles southwest of Cedartown, moving south at 15 mph,” according to the weather service. “Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is possible.”

Locations impacted by the alert include Heflin, Fruithurst, Edwardsville, Muscadine, Abernathy, Mars Hills, Sweetwater Lake, Coleman Lake And Campground, Trickem, Lake Cleburne, I 20 Welcome Center, Liberty Hill, Oak Level and Borden Springs.

According to the weather service, “If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.”

Shielding yourself from approaching lightning: Expert safety guidelines

Lightning strikes the United States approximately 25 million times each year, with the bulk of these electrical discharges occurring during the summer months. Tragically, lightning claims the lives of about 20 individuals annually, as reported by the weather service. The risk of lightning-related incidents escalates as thunderstorms draw near, reaching its peak when the storm directly looms overhead. However, it gradually recedes as the tempest moves away.

To ensure your safety during a thunderstorm, keep these recommendations in mind:

Lightning safety plan:

• When venturing outdoors, it’s vital to establish a clear plan for seeking shelter in case of lightning.
• Stay vigilant by monitoring the sky for ominous signs and listening for the telltale sound of thunder. If thunder is audible, it’s a clear indication of nearby lightning.
• Seek shelter promptly in a safe location, preferably indoors.

Indoors safety measures:

• Once you’ve found shelter indoors, abstain from using corded phones, electrical appliances, or plumbing fixtures, and refrain from approaching windows and doors.
• Lightning can follow conductive pathways, and these precautions reduce the risk of electrical surges.

Wait for the all-clear:

• After the last lightning strike or thunderclap, wait at least 30 minutes before resuming outdoor activities.
• It’s important to remember that lightning can strike even when a storm seems to have passed, so exercise caution.

When indoor shelter isn’t available:

If you find yourself outdoors without access to indoor shelter during a thunderstorm, take these steps to maximize your safety:

• Avoid open fields, hilltops, or ridge crests, which expose you to greater lightning risk.
• Steer clear of tall, isolated trees and other prominent objects. In forested areas, stay close to lower stands of trees.
• If you’re with a group, ensure individuals are spread out to prevent lightning current from transferring between people.
• Camping in an open setting during a thunderstorm is strongly discouraged. If no alternative exists, set up camp in a valley, ravine, or other low-lying areas. Remember that a tent offers no protection against lightning.
• Do not approach water bodies, wet objects, or metal items. Although water and metal do not attract lightning, they conduct electricity effectively and can pose significant risks.

In summary, when facing the threat of lightning, vigilance and preparedness are your best allies. By following these guidelines, you can significantly reduce the chances of lightning-related accidents and prioritize your safety.

Navigating heavy rain: Essential safety measures for wet roads

When heavy rain sets in, the risk of flooding and hazardous driving conditions rises. Whether it’s prolonged rainfall or rapid runoff, being prepared is essential. Here are some valuable safety tips from the weather service to ensure you stay safe in heavy rain:

Beware of rapid water flow:

Avoid parking or walking in close proximity to culverts or drainage ditches, as the swiftly moving water during heavy rain can potentially carry you away.

Maintain safe driving distances:

Use the two-second rule to maintain a safe distance from the car in front of you and allow an extra two seconds in heavy rain.

Slow down and drive with care:

On wet roads, slowing down is paramount. Gradually ease off the accelerator and avoid abrupt braking to prevent skidding.

Choose your lane wisely:

Stick to the middle lanes on multi-lane roads to minimize the risk of hydroplaning, as water tends to accumulate in outer lanes.

Prioritize visibility

Turn on your headlights and be careful of other vehicles to the rear and in blind spot areas as they are especially difficult to see through rain-spattered windows.

Watch out for slippery roads:

Be extra careful during the first half hour after rain begins. Grime and oil on the road surface mix with water to make the road slippery.

Keep a safe distance from large vehicles:

Large trucks and buses can reduce your visibility with tire spray. Avoid tailgating and pass them swiftly and safely.

Mind your windshield wipers:

Overloaded wiper blades can hinder visibility. If rain severely limits your sight, pull over and wait for conditions to improve. Seek refuge at rest areas or protected spots.

When stopping by the roadside is your only option, position your vehicle as far off the road as possible, ideally beyond guardrails. Keep your headlights on and activate emergency flashers to alert other drivers of your position.

By following these safety measures, you can significantly reduce risks and ensure your well-being when heavy rain pours down. Stay informed about weather conditions and heed advice from local authorities to make your journey safe and sound.

Advance Local Weather Alerts is a service provided by United Robots, which uses machine learning to compile the latest data from the National Weather Service.

Why not treat the last day of Venus in breezy, witty, bright Gemini as an invitation to fun? Favored moves: give someone a nickname, nab tickets to a trendy event, start a playful text thread, flirt with a stranger at the coffee shop, share a silly secret. By tomorrow evening’s planetary shift, you’ll be able to say you made the most of the cosmic omens.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). The sacred doesn’t only arrive in silence and stillness — sometimes it shows up in laughter, daydreams, pretend voices and your refusal to take the rules too seriously. Worship can look like play. Prayer can sound like giggles.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). You make care look effortless. Hosting, helping, charming — it flows because you set the tone with intention. Just be sure they know what it takes. If they value the magic, they’ll want to honor the magician.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). You keep guiding your thoughts to that clear, bright place — and each time you do, it gets easier to stay there. You’re cultivating an inner world that supports you, protects you and brings a calm momentum to everything you touch.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). Your progress is hard-won. You’re no longer swept up in a relationship, you’re navigating. There is no correct way to have a layered, irrational, magnetic relationship. You just have to keep your hands on the wheel and not let confusion reroute your journey.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Your project is developing along lines that defy expectations. You put in the hours, rise to the occasion and turn in the work with an approach that leaves no doubt about who runs the show. Attitude is everything.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). You’ll hit that sweet spot — what you love to offer meets what they want to pay for. You’re thinking about others in a real way. That’s why it works. The better you know what they like, need and want, the more successful you get.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Your radar is sharp, and first impressions especially will be spot-on. You’ll notice who’s real, who’s posing and who you should make an effort to know more about. Trust your gut — it’s smarter than any background check.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). You agreed to something a while ago, and now … Meh, you’re over it. Still, showing up anyway will bring a strange and lucky twist. You’ll be glad you followed through. The gold shows up when you don’t care anymore.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Familiarity is lovely, until it messes with your admiration. There’s a limit to how much you want to know. There are mysteries better left intact. There are stories that shine brightest from a little distance.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). You want real connection — connection to friends, loved ones, strangers, connection to the sacred. To this end, it will help to stop dividing life into serious vs. silly. Play as a child — fully, freely, joyfully — and you’ll find your way home.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). People rarely learn because they’re told to. They learn because someone makes them want to. You’re good at that — very good. You have tricks, angles, ways to entice, tempt and spark curiosity.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Soon you’ll be in a new role. But for now, calm your mind and go about your business as you would on the last day of school, knowing you’re leaving this configuration of a day behind you. Appreciate.

TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (July 29). You are a magnet for goodwill, freebies, hard-earned promotions, unexpected fun and devoted followers. More highlights: A fascination becomes a study, and then something to teach. You’ll guide others by simply doing what comes naturally to you. You’ll find a series of proverbial hidden doors — each opens to a new pleasure. Sagittarius and Virgo adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 6, 14, 8, 30 and 21.

CELEBRITY PROFILES: The term “It Girl” originates from the 1927 silent film “It,” in which Clara Bow starred as a charismatic shopgirl who captivates everyone around her with an irresistible quality known only as “It.” Leave it to a Leo to inspire an era with magnetic pathos and vitality. Taylor Swift’s reference to Clara Bow in an eponymous song is one of many modern nods to the ongoing mystique of the bold, sexy, funny and free star of the Jazz Age.

Holiday Mathis’ debut novel, “How To Fail Epically in Hollywood,” is out now! This fast-paced romp about achieving Hollywood stardom is available as a paperback and e-book. Visit creatorspublishing.com for more information. Write Holiday Mathis at HolidayMathis.com.

In the second season of the revamped Alabama High School Athletic Association Class 7A state football playoffs, the opening round will match Region 3 against Region 2 – the Birmingham metro area vs. the Auburn-Phenix City-Montgomery area.

Vestavia Hills head coach Robert Evans said the pairing will feature “probably the best eight teams in the state playing in the first round.”

He’s not a fan.

“If 2 and 3 matched up last year, Thompson would have played Central in the first round and not the championship,” Evans said on Monday on Day 1 of the AL.com Birmingham High School Football Media Days at Thompson High School. “That’s how crazy it is.”

Last season was the first that changed the traditional North vs. South setup that had Birmingham schools always playing Huntsville/North Alabama teams and the Auburn/Southeast Alabama squads playing the Mobile schools in the opening round.

Birmingham schools won three of four first-round games against teams from Mobile last season with only Hewitt-Trussville falling – by a field goal in two overtimes. The other Birmingham teams won by 21, 25 and 50 points.

In the three years before that, Birmingham schools beat Huntsville/North Alabama teams in every matchup – including the No. 3 and No. 4 seeds knocking off the top two seeds from North Alabama – with only one game’s margin being less than 18 points.

Of course, Thompson and Central-Phenix City have dominated the 7A championship games lately with the Warriors taking titles in 2024, 2022, 2021, 2020 and 2019. Central won in 2023 and 2018. Hoover won the two championships before the Warriors-Red Devils run, both over Mobile’s McGill-Toolen.

So, what does Evans believe should happen? The fourth-year head coach and Vestavia alumnus said he agreed with head coach Mark Freeman of rival Thompson, who has advocated for a straight seeding of the 16 teams (of 32) who make the playoffs.

“We don’t agree on everything, but we do on that,” he said.

Evans also said he has high hopes for the AHSAA task force that is investigating non-compliant transfers.

“We have some high-end transfers coming in from throughout the state,” he said. “I want to see what will come from the task force led by Mr. (AHSAA executive director Heath) Harmon that is looking into what is essentially a transfer portal in Alabama high schools.

“We are truly a community-based program. There are so many talented kids in places like Alabaster, Hoover, Prattville who didn’t necessarily grow up there. That’s not a knock on anybody, not an accusation. When you have a good program, you attract players.”

Evans also said that Region 3 has “never been as loaded as it is this year” and that Vestavia Hills will “play the hardest schedule in the state with our non-region games.”

“We don’t complain. We don’t b—- and whine, we go right at it,” Evans said. “It’s a selling point to our parents. We embrace playing talented rosters with really good coaches. We want to challenge ourselves and play this region and Region 2 as well.”

Vestavia’s non-region schedule begins with the opener against Westside of Anderson, S.C., followed by Auburn, both at home. Westside was the No. 3 team in South Carolina last season with a 13-1 record and second at 14-1 in 2023. Auburn finished 10-1 last year. The Rebels’ final game of the season is at home against Montgomery Catholic, last season’s 14-0 Class 5A state champion.

“Teams like Stanford, Northwestern and Vanderbilt and when coach (David) Cutcliffe was at Duke are the teams I look to,” Evans said. “It’s very cyclical in nature for those teams. When those programs are humming, they are really good at the line of scrimmage and they play a quirky brand of football with smart stuff. That’s what we have to do at Vestavia and we hope to do it this year.

“We specialize in getting creative.”

The 2025 Rebels have five returning starters on offense, including junior quarterback Charlie Taaffe. Evans said junior Price Lamaster would also likely challenge for playing time at QB. Defensively, Vestavia Hills has four starters returning from a 6-6 team that lost in the second round of the playoffs to Central-Phenix City after whipping 9-2 Mary G. Montgomery in the playoff opener. The Rebels were fourth in Region 3 with a 4-3 mark.

Donovan “DK” Kaufman spent three seasons at Auburn playing safety and nickel back. On Monday, he signed with the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted rookie – to play running back.

After appearing in two games at Vanderbilt in 2020, Kaufman played 32 games in the next three seasons for Auburn before finishing his college career as a North Carolina State safety in 2024.

Kaufman attended Seattle’s rookie minicamp in May on a tryout basis and did not get a contract.

But with running back Kenny McIntosh going on injured reserve on Monday after sustaining a torn anterior cruciate ligament at training camp on Saturday, the Seahawks reached out to Kaufman to make a position change.

Kaufman joins the competition for the No. 3 running-back spot and at kickoff returner. Last season for N.C. State, Kaufman returned 13 kickoffs for a 31.3-yard average.

The Seahawks opened training camp on Wednesday. Seattle starts its three-game preseason schedule on Aug. 7 against the Las Vegas Raiders.

FOR MORE OF AL.COM’S COVERAGE OF THE NFL, GO TO OUR NFL PAGE

Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on X at @AMarkG1.

UAB men’s basketball coach Andy Kennedy announced a late addition to his 2025-26 men’s basketball team on Monday.

The Blazers announced the signing of 6-foot-6 transfer forward Daniel Rivera, marking the seventh portal signee for UAB this offseason.

Rivera spent last season at UMass with 24 starts for the Minutemen. He averaged 11.5 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 2.0 assists with 38 blocks and 30 steals.

A career-high of 29 points, he was a 3-star recruit out of the transfer portal according to 247Sports.

Before his time at UMass, he started all 32 games for Bryant and averaged 13.3 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 2.2 assists for the America East program.

“Excited to have Daniel join our program,” Kennedy said in a release. “He is a strong, versatile forward with the ability to impact the game on both ends of the floor. His experience at UMASS and Bryant over the last 2 seasons will help him efficiently transition to Blazer basketball.”

The forward also spent time at Saint Louis, where he redshirted following a stint at Odessa College that saw him average 9.2 points and 4.4 rebounds.

CHICAGO (AP) — Ryne Sandberg, a Hall of Fame second baseman who became one of baseball’s best all-around players while starring for the Chicago Cubs, has died. He was 65.

Sandberg was surrounded by his family when he died at his home on Monday, according to the team.

Sandberg announced in January 2024 that he had been diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer. He had chemotherapy and radiation treatments and then said in August 2024 that he was cancer-free.

But he posted on Instagram on Dec. 10 that his cancer had returned and spread to other organs. He announced this month that he was still fighting, while “looking forward to making the most of every day with my loving family and friends.”

Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts said Sandberg “will be remembered as one of the all-time greats in nearly 150 years of this historic franchise.”

“His dedication to and respect for the game, along with his unrelenting integrity, grit, hustle, and competitive fire were hallmarks of his career,” Ricketts said in the team’s statement.

Sandberg was born and raised in Spokane, Washington. He was selected out of high school by Philadelphia in the 20th round of the 1978 amateur draft.

He made his major league debut in 1981 and went 1 for 6 in 13 games with the Phillies. In January 1982, he was traded to Chicago along with Larry Bowa for veteran infielder Ivan De Jesus.

It turned into one of the most lopsided deals in baseball history.

Sandberg hit .285 with 282 homers, 1,061 RBIs and 344 steals in 15 years with Chicago. He made 10 All-Star teams — winning the Home Run Derby in 1990 — and took home nine Gold Gloves.

“Ryne Sandberg was a legend of the Chicago Cubs franchise and a beloved figure throughout Major League Baseball,” MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said. “He was a five-tool player who excelled in every facet of the game thanks to his power, speed and work ethic.”

Even with Sandberg’s stellar play, the Cubs made just two postseason appearances while he was in Chicago.

He was the NL MVP in 1984, batting .314 with 19 homers, 84 RBIs, 32 steals, 19 triples and 114 runs scored. Chicago won the NL East and Sandberg hit .368 (7 for 19) in the playoffs, but the Cubs were eliminated by San Diego after winning the first two games of the National League Championship Series at Wrigley Field.

The 1984 season featured what Cubs fans still call “The Sandberg Game,” when he homered twice and drove in seven runs in a 12-11 victory over St. Louis in 11 innings on June 23.

Chicago paid tribute to Sandberg and that game when it unveiled a statue of the infielder outside Wrigley Field on that date in 2024.

“He was a superhero in this city,” Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer said during a TV broadcast of the team’s game on July 20. “You think about (Michael) Jordan, Walter Payton and Ryne Sandberg all here at the same time, and I can’t imagine a person handling their fame better, their responsibility for a city better than he did.”

Sandberg led Chicago back to the playoffs in 1989, hitting .290 with 30 homers as the Cubs won the NL East. He batted .400 (8 for 20) in the NLCS, but Chicago lost to San Francisco in five games.

Sandberg set a career high with an NL-best 40 homers in 1990 and drove in a career-best 100 runs in 1990 and 1991, but he never made it back to the postseason. He retired after the 1997 season.

“When you examine the offense and defense, you’ll find some years where he was the best player you’ve ever seen in your life,” former Cubs first baseman Mark Grace said.

Sandberg was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2005, receiving 76.2% of the vote by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America in his third try on the ballot. The Cubs retired his No. 23 that same year.

“Ryne Sandberg had a relentless work ethic and an unshakable positive outlook,” Hall of Fame chair Jane Forbes Clark said. “With it, he inspired all those who knew him.”

Sandberg also managed Philadelphia from August 2013 to June 2015, going 119-159. He got the interim job when Charlie Manuel was fired, and he resigned with the Phillies in the middle of a difficult 2015 season.