Alabama News

General

Here’s why Angelina Jolie was in Montgomery last weekend

Why was Academy Award-winning actress Angelina Jolie spotted in Montgomery this weekend? To get brunch with her daughter, of course.

On Saturday, Jolie was in the capital city to attend the fourth annual Women In Training, Inc. mother-daughter brunch at the Renaissance Hotel and Spa at the Convention Center, where her daughter, Zahara Jolie-Pitt, was the keynote speaker.

Women in Training, Inc. is a nonprofit organization that works to offers educational programs about menstruation as well as provide monthly donations of essential menstrual, dental and hygiene items to girls and young women in need at Alabama schools.

“We are truly honored that Zahara Jolie-Pitt will speak at the Fourth Annual WIT Mother-Daughter Brunch about her passion to end period poverty, which is the mission of Women in Training,” Adeyela Bennett, president and CEO of Women in Training, told WAKA.

“We are also excited that her mother, the internationally renowned movie star Angelina Jolie, will join us to support her daughter and to support our goal of ensuring that every girl and young woman has the products she needs to live her life to the fullest extent.”

You can find out more on WAKA’s website.

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General

Pair in U.S. illegally indicted after 21 kilos of cocaine seized in I-65 traffic stop in Calera

A federal grand jury indicted two Columbian nationals in the U.S. illegally for drug crimes after authorities say they were caught with 21 kilograms of cocaine on I-65 in Shelby County.

The two-count indictment charges Cristian Yesid Lugo-Beltran, 24, and Johan Leandro Zapata-Valencia, 23, with conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute cocaine and possession with the intent to distribute cocaine.

That’s according to a Monday announcement by Northern District of Alabama U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona and Homeland Security Investigations Atlanta Special Agent in Charge Steven N. Schrank.

Calera police officers stopped the vehicle about 8:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 7, because the tag light was out. The vehicle as traveling on Interstate 65, and the stop was made at a gas station just off the interstate.

Calera police Chief David Hyche said at the time of the traffic stop investigators believe the suspects were traveling from California to south Florida.

“If they chose I-65 to avoid heavy drug interdiction areas, it didn’t work out well for them,’’ Hyche said, applauding the work of his department in the stop.

One of the suspects, he said, was wanted in Atlanta on drug trafficking and failure to appear charges.

“Many departments around the U.S. have ceased making traffic stops for minor traffic violations,’’ Hyche said.

“I have repeatedly spoken out against this and other instances where law enforcement leaders apologize for enforcing the law or change policy to appease critics.”

“We in law enforcement don’t make laws,’’ he said, “we enforce them.”

HSI investigated the case, along with Calera Police Department and Alabama Law Enforcement Agency. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brittany T. Byrd and Olivia C. Brame are prosecuting.

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General

Longtime Alabama mayor lands a rare endorsement from Nick Saban

Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox, who is asking voters to elect him to a sixth term on Tuesday, has received an endorsement from former University of Alabama football coach Nick Saban.

Saban said Maddox has been a strong leader for the city that Saban and his wife Terry have called home for 18 years.

“This is the best college town we’ve ever lived in,” Saban said in a video posted on X. “And it’s largely due to Mayor Maddox. Terry and I have worked closely with Mayor Maddox on several projects.

“He truly cares about the people in our community and makes great decisions to elevate Tuscaloosa.”

Maddox, first elected in 2005, called the endorsement an honor.

“The Sabans have devoted so much to Tuscaloosa, and they believe in the work we will continue to do in the next four years,” Maddox said.

Maddox and the city of Tuscaloosa have worked with the Saban family on the the Saban Center, which will be interactive hub for education, arts, recreation and discovery, according to the center’s website.

Maddox faces first-time candidate Denson Ferrell II, a military veteran and former police officer, in Tuesday’s election.

Saban has rarely weighed in on Alabama or national politics.

The Alabama Democratic Party has hinted it would be open to Saban running against Sen. Tommy Tuberville under its banner.

Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia has known Saban since he was four years old and has said that is unlikely to happen.

“Nick won’t run,” Manchin told USA Today. “He would never run.”

Saban endorsed Manchin’s 2018 re-election campaign.

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General

For real this time: 700K civilian Defense workers must explain week’s work in new email

Civilian employees of the Defense Department are again being ordered to document their work – this time, with the backing of the Pentagon.

The order from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth will be sent March 3 to the more than 700,000 civilian Defense workers, according to a Pentagon news release. The civilian workers will be told to “prepare five bullet points detailing their work accomplishments from the prior week.”

The order potentially affects thousands in Huntsville, where Redstone Arsenal, a major regional employer, houses numerous Defense Department tenant agencies.

The responses, Hegseth said Monday in a video statement, will be consolidated internally within the department to satisfy directives from the Office of Personnel Management.

OPM requested the same information from hundreds of thousands of federal workers Fed. 23, but the Defense Department at that time told employees to pause replies to the request. The new guidance says employees should start writing their submissions.

“The Department of Defense initially paused this directive … but now requires all DOD civilian employees to submit five bullets on their previous week’s achievements,” Hegseth said.

Civilian employees should reply to the email they will receive Monday, according to the Pentagon, and responses should not include classified or sensitive information. Responses should be submitted within 48 hours.

Civilian employees who will not have email access in the 48 hours following delivery of the email due to being on leave, shift work or other reasons, are to complete the request within 48 hours of regaining access.

“Our civilian patriots who dedicate themselves to defending this nation working for the Department of Defense are critical to our national security,” Hegseth said. “As we work to restore focus on DOD’s core warfighting mission under President Trump’s leadership, we recognize that we cannot accomplish that mission without the strong and important contributions of our civilian workforce.”

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General

Lionel Richie thrilled by Commodores cover from ‘Idol’ hopeful: ‘You made my song your song’

It’s risky for an “American Idol” hopeful to audition with a song made famous by one of the judges, but a brave contestant for Season 23 was up to the challenge.

Sonny Tennet, a singer-songwriter from England, offered a rendition of “Easy” by the Commodores during an “American Idol” preview that aired Sunday night after the Oscars broadcast. A new season of the ABC reality series launches on March 9, and the network gave fans a 20-minute sneak peek, including this standout moment.

Anyone might be nervous covering “Easy” for “Idol” judge Lionel Richie — not to mention Luke Bryan and Carrie Underwood — but Tennet certainly didn’t show it.

“Easy,” of course, is a soul-pop ballad written by Richie, featuring warm and expansive vocals from the Alabama native. “Easy” became a hit in 1977 during Richie’s years with the Commodores, and remains a beloved signature song for him as a solo artist.

“Lionel, you’re a big influence,” Tennet said, expressing his admiration for the star. “No pressure,” he added. “I hope you enjoy.” (Watch Tennet’s performance in the video below.)

From the very first note, all three judges seemed thrilled by Tennet’s vocal skills, and his golden ticket to Hollywood was assured. In fact, Richie gave him a standing ovation.

“When you’re standing in front of the artist, and you’re gonna sing our song, the only thing we pray for is that, ‘Please God, make it your song,’” Richie said. “You made my song your song. It was beautifully done. Carrie, what do you think about this wonderful gentleman?”

“I felt my heart aflutter,” Underwood said. “You looked joyous when you were playing and singing, and we felt that. Perfect song choice.”

“My heart fluttered, too,” Bryan said. “Man, I mean really great stylistically, your own, standing in front of the guy that wrote it, making a timeless song, and you singing it in a timeless way. Great job.”

Look for more auditions — and perhaps a new crop of contestants from Alabama — when Season 23 of “American Idol” debuts on March 9 at 7 p.m. CT.

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General

Woman who kidnapped Alabama lawyer missing since 1991 back in custody after brief escape

Karen McPherson, serving a life sentence in the 1991 kidnapping of a young Jasper lawyer, briefly escaped work release Monday morning but was quickly recaptured.

McPherson, 63, was convicted in the kidnapping of Carrie Lawson, whose body has never been found.

Crime Stoppers of Metro Alabama said Monday that McPherson was last seen earlier today – about 5 a.m. – exiting McDonalds at 5170 Medord Drive in Hoover.

She was with another woman identified as Sabrina Marie Torres.

McPherson, assigned to work release in the Birmingham area, was taken back into custody about 9 a.m., authorities said.

Additional details weren’t immediately available .

Lawson was abducted from her Jasper home in the early-morning hours of September 11, 1991.

McPherson’s cousin, Jerry Bland, was identified as the main suspect and died by suicide as law enforcement surrounded his home.

The kidnapping happened about 3 a.m. at the home Lawson, 25, shared with her husband, 26-year-old Earl Lawson, also an attorney.

They received a middle-of-the night call from a woman claiming to be a nurse who said a close family member was at the hospital.

As the couple left for the hospital, a gunman appeared at their vehicle. Earl Lawson was bound, and Carrie Lawson was never seen again. She had recently graduated from the University of Alabama law school.

A ransom demand was made, and paid, but Carrie Lawson was never found.

A search of Bland’s property found the majority of the $300,000 paid by her family. Carrie Lawson was declared dead two years after her disappearance.

McPherson was last denied parole in 2022.

Lawson’s sister, Margaret Smith Kubiszyn, previously told AL.com McPherson’s role in the disappearance has always been understated.

“She was alone with Carrie for a long time when they were holding her and she got to know her and still didn’t let her go,’’ she said.

“That’s always been really hard for me to swallow, that anyone could get to know Carrie and then turn her over to her executioner.”

Years ago, McPherson agreed to meet with Lawson’s father, who has since died, and give details about the crime in return for the family not protesting parole.

“She sat down with my dad for five hours and told all lies,’’ Kubiszyn said.

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General

Spring sports roundup: Madison Academy pushes softball mark to 10-2

Madison Academy pitchers Cat Schreiber and Addie Pressley led the Mustangs to a 4-1 weekend in tournament play at Fort Payne with two wins over Ider and single victories over Skyline and Sand Rock. Cherokee County edged the Mustangs 2-1 to wrap up the weekend.

Madson Academy ran its record to 10-2.

On Saturday, Schreiber pitched a 5-inning 5-0 shutout win over Ider. The junior struck out 11 and allowed 2 hits with no walks. At the plate, she went 2-for-3 with a home run and 2 RBIs.

Evie Stephenson was 1-for-3 with an RBI, Pressley was 1-for-2 with an RBI and Mya Western walked twice with an RBI. Breelyn Kilpatrick went 2-for-3 with a run scored.

In an 8-7 win over Skyline, eighth-grader Pressley earned the win in the circle. She gave up 7 earned runs on 9 hits with 2 strikeouts and 2 walks over 4 innings.

Memphis Houston was 1-for-2 with an RBI, Emily Burgreen was 1-for-2 with an RBI, Schreiber went 1-for-2 with a run scored and Western was 1-for-1 with an RBI. Stephenson and Anna Allen also had RBIs.

In the loss to Cherokee County, Schreiber gave up 2 runs – none earned – on 1 hit with 9 strikeouts and a walk. The Warriors scored a pair of runs in the third inning and Madison Academy got its run in the bottom of the fourth – and final – inning.

Kilpatrick was 3-for-3 at the plate, Pressley went 1-for-2 and scored the run. Western and Burgreen were both 1-for-2.

On Friday in an 8-1 win over Ider, Schreiber struck out 4 and walked 3 in 3 innings. She allowed an unearned run on 2 hits. At the plate, she drove in a run in a 1-for-2 performance.

Western went 2-for-2 with a home run and 3 RBIs. Kilpatrick was 1-for-3 with an RBI and Burgreen went 2-for-2 with 2 RBIs. Houston was 1-for-1 with 2 runs scored.

In a 12-9 win over Sand Rock, Pressley struck out 7 and allowed 2 hits to get the win. She was 1-for-1 at the plate with 2 runs scored.

Stephenson went 3-for-3 with an RBI, Houston was 1-for-1 with an RBI and 3 runs scored. Schreiber went 2-for-2 with 3 RBIs and Burgreen went 1-for-4 with 4 RBIs. Western, Madison McCoy and Allen also had an RBI.

The Mustangs will host Whitesburg Christian on Monday.

In other high school spring sports action from across the state over the weekend:

GIRLS

SOFTBALL

STATEWIDE

Prattville Christian 8, Ragland 0

The Panthers improved to 11-1 on the season with a three-game sweep – two on no-hitters – in the Ohatchee Tournament on Saturday.

In the opener, Prattville Christian’s Laura Beth NeSmith pitched a no-hitter against Ragland. She struck out 5 batters. Saniyah Weaver went 2-for-3 for the winners. Megan Masters was 1-for-2 with a pair of RBIs.

Alivia Messick picked up the second PCA no-hitter on the day as the Panthers topped Ohatchee 8-0. She struck out 6 in the win. Weaver was 2-for-2 and Laura Beth NeSmith had 2 RBIs in a 1-for-2 effort at the plate. Laney Little hit a solo home run.

In an 8-3 win over Jacksonville, NeSmith picked up the win in the circle with 7 strikeouts. Weaver was 2-for-3 with an RBI and Addie Byrd went 2-for-3 with a pair of RBIs. Caralee Janes and Sara Payton Schmidt were both 1-for-2 with an RBI.

PCA will host Marbury at 6 p.m. on Tuesday.

Spanish Fort 6, Orange Beach 5

Haley Hart smacked a 3-run home run in the bottom of the sixth to lift the 12-0 Toros past MaxPreps national No. 1 Orange Beach. Hart was 3-for-4 for Spanish Fort.

The Toros finished with 8 hits to 10 for the Makos. Each team committed 2 errors.

The teams scored 2 runs each in the first, Orange Beach scored a run in the second and Spanish Fort answered with a run in the third. Spanish Fort pushed across 2 runs in the top of the sixth.

Jayla Harris picked up the win in relief of Mallarie Beagle, going the final 2 innings with 2 strikeouts and allowing 3 hits. Beagle struck out 6 and allowed 3 earned runs.

AT Luke went 2-for-4 with 2 RBIs and Pressley Parks went 2-for-3 in the win.

Daigle Wilson went 3-for-4 for Orange Beach and Teagan Revette was 2-for-3 with an RBI. Freshman MK McMullan gave up 3 earned runs on 5 hits with a strikeout and a walk in relief of senior KG Favors. Favors struck out 7 and walked 6 in 3 innings. She allowed 3 runs – 2 earned.

SOCCER

BIRMINGHAM

Springville 3, Westminster Christian 1

Springville withstood a late rally from visiting No. 3 Westminster Christian to beat the Wildcats 3-1 on Friday, with senior Rebecca Sierra turning in a hat trick for the top-ranked Tigers.

Tigers keeper Abbey Holland came up big with 14 saves against Westminster. The Wildcats outshot Springville 15-10 on the night.

Sierra got gave Springville a 1-0 lead in the 31st minute, rebounding her shot off the post and driving the ball through the net. The Tigers made it 2-0 on Sierra’a second goal in the 59th minute.

After several close calls at the goal, the Wildcats finally scored on a corner-kick header by freshman Carleigh Lewis just over the reach of Holland to cut the lead to 2-1 in 71st minute.

The Tigers answered 3 minutes later when Sierra fired a left footed shot just out of the reach of Wildcats goalkeeper Piper Blazier.

Springville (3-2) will return to action Tuesday at Moody while Westminster will host St. John Paul II.

– Jimmy Lay

STATEWIDE

Prattville Christian 4, BTW-Montgomery 0

Aiden Williams led the Panthers with a pair of goals in the win over Booker T. Washington of Montgomery on Friday.

Addison Sutton added a goal with 2 assists. Avery Mora also scored a goal and Mimi Szeker had an assist. Scarlett Mahlke recorded the shutout in goal.

PCA is now 2-0 on the season and will host Glenwood on Tuesday in its Class 1A/3A Area 3 opener.

BOYS

BASEBALL

HUNTSVILLE/TENNESSEE VALLEY

Bob Jones 8, Gainesville (Ga.) 0

Senior right-hander Camden Martin fired a no-hitter for the defending Class 7A state champions in a win over Gainesville, Ga., on Friday at the Hoover Met Sports Complex in the Perfect Game High School Showdown. Martin struck out 13 Red Elephant hitters and walked 2 in 7 innings. He threw 67 strikes on 102 pitches.

Martin also helped his cause at the plate, going 1-for-3 with 2 RBIs.

Bob Jones got a pair of runs in the top of the first inning, another in the third and pushed across 5 runners in the fifth.

Center fielder Mason Rinehart homered and drove in 2 runs for Bob Jones. Leadoff man Dill Adkins went 3-for-4 with a double and a pair of RBIs. Robert Chatmon was 1-for-2 with an RBI.

Cullman beat Bob Jones 2-1 in an earlier game on Friday in Hoover. The Patriots scored a run in the top of the first and the Bearcats responded with 2 in the bottom of the inning in what turned out to be the only runs of the game.

Bob Jones left 7 runners stranded while Cullman left 4 on base. The winners had 3 hits while the Patriots had 2. Both teams committed an error.

Cullman center fielder Bennett Johnson went 1-for-2 with a run scored and Carson Stancil was 1-for-3 with an RBI. Tyler Brock had the other hit for the Bearcats.

Fysher Dahlke earned the win for Cullman, allowing an unearned run on 2 hits with 10 strikeouts and 5 walks over 7 innings.

Jackson Shaw took the loss for Bob Jones, allowing 2 earned runs on 3 hits with 8 strikeouts and a walk. Mick Tyrrell threw a hitless, scoreless inning in relief.

Rinehart doubled for the Patriots and Martin went 1-for-3 in the loss.

James Clemens 8, Itawamba (Miss.) 7 (8)

Ian Berry smacked a game-tying home run in the top of the seventh inning and drove in the game-winner with a groundout in the eighth as the Jets went 1-1 in a pair of games at Russellville. The host team edged James Clemens 12-11, dropping the Jets to 4-4 on the season.

The Jets fell behind 5-3 after three innings before scoring a run in the fifth and 3 in the top of the seventh against Itawamba. The Mississippi squad had 11 hits and committed 3 errors while James Clemens had 9 hits and committed 4 errors.

Winning pitcher Jesse Isensee went 2-for-5 with a double and 3 RBIs and Hudson Smith went 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI. Bryson Hodge drove in a pair of runs, going 1-for-2.

Insensee pitched the final 1.1 innings, allowing a hit with a walk. Starter Tyler Lewis worked 3 innings, allowing 7 hits and 5 runs – 1 earned – with 4 strikeouts and 2 walks. Scotty Sieja pitched 4 innings, allowing 2 earned runs on 3 hits with 4 strikeouts and 4 walks.

Russellville pushed across 6 runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to slip past James Clemens. The Jets had led 11-6, scoring 3 in the first, 4 in the second, 1 in the fourth and 3 in the fifth. Russellville scored 3 in the bottom of the second and 3 more in the bottom of the fifth.

Clemens was again plagued by miscues in the field, committing 3 errors to 2 for Russellville.

Russellville leadoff hitter Brayden Entrekin went 2-for-5 with a double and a pair of RBIs. Tyler Willis was 2-for-3 with an RBI. Tripp Cleveland was 2-for-3 with an RBI, Brennen Thorpe was 2-for-4 with an RBI and Ty Englethaler went 3-for-4 with an RBI.

Gunner Sappingon, Russellville’s fourth pitcher, picked up the win, throwing 2 hitless innings with 4 strikeouts. Cleveland was the starter, giving up 3 earned runs on 3 hits in 1 inning. Coltan Oliver gave up a pair of earned runs in the second inning before being lifted for Brayde Hatton, who went 4 innings, allowing 6 earned runs on 8 hits with 3 strikeouts.

Braden Powless took the loss for James Clemens, allowing 6 runs – 2 earned – on 2 hits with a strikeout in one-third of an inning. Starter Matthew Drinkwater went 5 innings, striking out 8 with 2 walks. He allowed 6 runs – 4 earned – on 10 hits. Will Congo finished the game, striking out both batters he faced.

Smith went 1-for-2 with a solo home run. Drinkwater had a pair of doubles with an RBI in 4 at-bats. Isensee was 2-for-4 with 3 RBIs and Hayden Udovich was 2-for-4 with an RBI. Congo and Trip Morgan also had RBIs in the loss.

East Limestone 11-15, Colbert Heights 5-5

The Indians swept a double-header over Colbert Heights at home on Saturday.

In Game 1, three East Limestone hitters drove in 2 runs apiece – Cade Parham, Matthew Drake and Brodie Coker. Parham was 2-for-4 at the plate while Drake and Coker were both 1-for-2.

Charlie Eslick went 1-for-1 with an RBI.

Drake also pitched 2.2 innings with 5 strikeouts. Jacob Brooks struck out 2 in 2 innings and Micah Montgomery struck out 2 in 1.1 innings.

In Game 2, Leyton Coffman went 3-for-4 with 4 RBIs and pitched 4 innings with 6 strikeouts. Drake went 2-for-3 with a double and Cole Vining went 2-for-4 with 3 RBIs.

Spencer Williams struck out 2 batters in 1 inning.

BIRMINGHAM

Hueytown 3, Fairhope 2

Braden McCrary threw a 3-hit complete game for the Gophers in the narrow win over Fairhope on Friday in the Perfect Game High School Shootout at the Hoover Met Sports Complex.

Hueytown scored single runs in the top of the first, fourth and fifth. Fairhope scored single runs in the bottom of the fifth and another in the sixth.

Hunter Syx, Jarret Kauhn and Bronson Moore each had a hit for Hueytown.

Rock Gearhart had a double and an RBI for Fairhope. Bryon Martin was 1-for-3 with a run scored and Will Sparks was 1-for-1 with an RBI.

Starter Ty McGinley went 3 innings for the Pirates, allowing 2 runs – 1 earned – on 5 hits with a strikeout and 2 walks. Charlie Patterson worked 2.1 innings, allowing an earned run on 2 hits with a strikeout and a walk. Ethan O’Meara walked 2 in one-third of an inning and Harrison Cook threw the final two hitless innings.

Mortimer Jordan 8, Elmore County 7

The Blue Devils split a pair of games on Saturday at Springville, falling 10-1 to the host team before beating Elmore County, thanks to a big rally in the top of the seventh inning.

Mortimer Jordan trailed 7-2 headed into the final inning.

Tanner Rice went 2-for-3 at the plate with a triple and an RBI. Braylon Disko was 2-for-4 with a pair of runs scored with an RBI and Kye West went 3-for-3. John Owen Dean was 2-for-4 with a pair of runs scored.

Jackson Woodruff picked up the win in relief of Rice. Woodruff gave up 1 hit in an inning’s work. Rice allowed 5 earned run on 7 hits with a strikeout and 4 walks over 5 innings.

Disko was saddled with the loss in a 10-1 setback to Springville. He allowed 6 earned runs on 7 hits with a strikeout and a pair of walks. Disko, Justin Lyons, Dean and Bryce Funderburk had hits for Mortimer Jordan.

SOCCER

BIRMINGHAM

Gardendale 4, John Carroll 1

Gardendale stayed undefeated with the home win over John Carroll on Friday.

The Rockets (6-0) scored four times in the first half, taking an early 1-0 lead when Wyatt Chandler scored on a penalty kick 3 minutes into the game. Mikey Pribyl scored with 23:30 to go in the half, and Chandler added another penalty-kick goal with 10:51 left before halftime.

Pribyl scored the Rockets’ fourth goal when he rebounded his own shot and found the back of the net with 7:50 remaining before intermission.

John Carroll tallied a second-half goal with 13:08 remaining.

Gardendale returns to Driver Stadium on Monday and Tuesday with girls/boys doubleheaders – against Woodlawn on Monday and rival Mortimer Jordan on Tuesday.

STATEWIDE

Prattville Christian 4, BTW-Montgomery 3

After falling behind 3-0 early in a home match on Friday, the Panthers came storming back to score the final 4 goals of the game.

Lannom Bowman led the Prattville Christian with a pair goals. Ethan Green and Joshua Rybarczyk each scored a goal for PCA (2-2).

Prattville Christian will Glenwood on Tuesday in its first Class 1A/3A, Area 3 game of the season.

Editor’s Note: To report highlights to AL.com, please email [email protected] following your games. Reports must come from coaches or team statisticians.

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General

Alabama now seeing most active wildfires in five years

More than 160 fires, affecting nearly every corner of the state, were burning across Alabama as of Sunday.

That’s 4,600 acres affected, with wildfires burning in 54 of Alabama’s 67 counties. It’s the most wildfires the state has seen since at least Jan. 1, 2020, the first date wildfire data was available from the Alabama Forestry Commission.

The agency strongly discouraged outdoor burning over the weekend, citing dry conditions, gusty winds, dropping relative humidity as catalysts for dangerous wildfire conditions.

Ten fires were reported in Randolph County on the Georgia line. That was the most in any single county.

Of the 162 active fires in Alabama, 119 were listed as “contained,” as of Monday morning, meaning firefighters have taken measures to keep them from spreading.

According to the Forestry Commission, 43 of the fires were considered uncontained, or “active.”

The 162 total fires were the most for any single day since 2020, and the 4,666 acres affected were the seventh most for any one day.

[Can’t see the chart? Click here.]

The previous high for the most active fires in a day was Nov. 8, 2023, and the high for acres affected was nearly 7,000 on Feb. 27, 2024.

Wildfires were burning in 54 of Alabama’s 67 counties, affecting nearly every corner of the state. Ten fires were reported in Randolph County, the most of any individual county.

[Can’t see the map? Click here.]

A bout of severe weather is expected to roll into the state Tuesday night. That rain could help alleviate some of the wildfire conditions.

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General

69-year-old woman killed in 3-vehicle crash in Tuscaloosa

A 69-year-old woman was killed in a three-vehicle weekend crash in Tuscaloosa.

Authorities on Monday identified the victim as Sheree Ann Kelly. She lived in Duncanville.

The wreck happened at 4:10 p.m. Saturday in the 6900 block of University Boulevard East.

Police spokeswoman Stephanie Taylor said all three vehicles were in the eastbound lanes.

A Honda Accord with three occupants was stopped at the intersection of Hurricane Road and waiting to turn left, when Kelly struck the rear of their vehicle.

The driver behind Kelly, a friend who had just helped jump-start her truck’s battery, was unable to stop and struck the rear of her vehicle.

Paramedics arrived and attempted life-saving measures, but Kelly was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The driver and front seat passenger of the Honda Accord were transported to DCH Regional Medical Center for treatment of injuries that were not life-threatening.

TPD’s Traffic Homicide Unit responded to the accident and is conducting the follow-up investigation.

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General

Who should be the boys player of the week from the AHSAA State Finals? Cast your vote

Seven boys’ basketball champions were crowned in Birmingham at the AHSAA State Finals, but there were even more standout performances from the week.

Fans can cast their votes for the top performance from the week at the poll below.

If you cannot see the poll below, click here to cast your vote. Remember to hit the “finish survey” button when you are finished.

Voting is open until Thursday evening. The winner will be announced on AL.com on Friday.

Here are the nominees:

Isiah Thomas, R.C. Hatch: The Class 1A state tournament MVP totaled 30 points, 19 rebounds and 5 assists across two games to lead R.C. Hatch to its 11th state championship. He logged 13 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists in the semifinal matchup with Oakwood before a double-double for 17 points and 13 rebounds against Brantley in the championship.

Jayden Parks, Brantley: Parks was one of the top players in Birmingham, totaling 78 points across two games as Brantley finished as the 1A state runner-up. The all-tournament team member scored 34 points against Hubbertville in the semifinals before a 44-point performance against R.C. Hatch in the state title game.

Pearce Boone, Providence Christian: The Class 2A state tournament MVP dominated in the Class 1A state tournament championship with 37 points and 12 rebounds in an 89-61 rout of Tuscaloosa Academy; he shot 11-for-22 from the field and knocked down seven 3-pointers in the title game. He totaled 13 points and 8 rebounds in the Eagles’ semifinal win over Decatur Heritage.

Skyler Stovall, Montgomery Academy: Stovall racked up 42 points, 11 rebounds and 6 assists as Montgomery Academy took home the Class 3A state title. The state tournament MVP logged 17 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists in a semifinal win against Glencoe before beating Mars Hill Bible in the title game with 25 points, 7 rebounds and 2 assists.

Joseph Taylor, Jackson: The Jackson standout was key in helping the Aggies earn back-to-back state titles with a combined 31 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists in two games. The tournament MVP logged 18 points, 6 rebounds and an assist against Brooks in the semifinals before scoring 13 points, 3 rebounds and 4 assists in the championship win over Plainview.

Aslan Jones, Vigor: The senior totaled 30 points, 12 rebounds, 11 steals and 4 assists as Vigor claimed the program’s first basketball state championship. He scored 19 points and logged 7 steals in the semifinals against Guntersville before a near-double-double for 11 points and 9 rebounds in the championship game against Sylacauga.

Javian Williams, Paul Bryant: The Class 6A state tournament MVP totaled 19 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals to lead Paul Bryant to a state championship victory over Pinson Valley on Saturday. In the semifinal round against Gadsden City, he finished with 8 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals.

Austin Coner, Pinson Valley: Coner shined in both games for Pinson Valley, totaling 19 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists in a semifinal win over McGill-Toolen before totaling 20 points, 5 rebounds and 3 steals in the Class 6A state championship game against Paul Bryant.

DeWayne Brown, Hoover: The Tennessee commit helped lead Hoover to a Class 7A state title with a double-double in both the semifinal game and the state title game. Brown totaled 27 points, 15 points, 4 assists and 4 blocks in the semis against Central-Phenix City before piling up 14 points, 16 rebounds, 5 blocks and an assist in the title game against Florence.

Jalen Chandler, Florence: In one of the most dominant performances of the week in Birmingham, Chandler had a double-double for 41 points, 10 rebounds, 4 steals and 2 assists in the Falcons’ victory over Fairhope in the semifinals. He finished with 9 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists against Hoover in the title game.

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