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Madison County looks to fill district court judge position

Madison County will soon be taking applications for a vacant district court judge position.

Applications can be submitted to the county’s judicial commission starting Jan. 21, according to a county news release. The applications are available now in the office of Court Administrator Kim McKoy, Room 327 of the Madison County Courthouse in Huntsville.

The seat opened after Judge Don Rizzardi was elected circuit court judge for Alabama’s 23rd Judicial District in the November election.

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Former Troy offensive lineman Boaz Stanley headed to SEC school

Former Troy offensive lineman Boaz Stanley has signed with South Carolina, the school announced Monday.

Stanley started all 12 games for the Trojans in 2024 — seven at center and five at right tackle. He played 786 snaps, and was not called for a penalty all season.

A native of Bogart, Ga., Stanley signed with Troy in 2023 after a season at Middle Georgia College. He redshirted in his first year as a Trojan before winning the starting right tackle job during prior to the 2024 season.

The 6-foot-3, 313-pound Stanley moved to center after starting center Eli Russ was injured early in the season. Russ moved to guard after he returned to the lineup, while Stanley remained at center.

It had not been reported prior to Monday that Stanley was in the transfer portal and he never made a public announcement to that effect. He has two seasons of eligibility remaining.

Stanley is now the third Troy starter to leave for the portal since the end of the 2024 season, following wide receiver Devonte Ross and safety Ian Conerly-Goodly. Ross, a first-team All-Sun Belt pick, signed with Penn State.

Troy added two Division I players out of the transfer portal over the weekend, former Georgia Tech offensive lineman Patrick Screws and former Vanderbilt safety Steven Sannieniola.

General

Rookie on Lions’ first No. 1 seed: ‘I went to Alabama. I’m used to this’

The Detroit Lions have been around since 1934, and before that, the NFL franchise played as the Portsmouth Spartans. In all those years, the Lions never posted consecutive seasons with double-digit victories – until the current campaign.

Detroit capped a franchise-best 15-2 season on Sunday night with a 31-9 victory over the Minnesota Vikings that secured the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoffs for the first time in the team’s history.

After the regular-season finale, players and coaches celebrated in NFC North championship T-shirts and caps, Dan Campbell spoke with emotion at his postgame press conference about the group that has persevered to success since his 0-10-1 start as the team’s coach, and fans that have never had a Super Bowl team have hopes of even more to cheer about this postseason.

But in the Lions locker room, rookie cornerback Terrion Arnold stuck his head into safety Kerby Joseph’s meeting with reporters, and his teammate asked him for the gathered media: “This is your first time, how do you feel?”

“I went to Alabama,” Arnold said. “I’m used to this.”

Arnold joined Detroit from the Crimson Tide’s 2023 SEC championship team as the No. 24 pick in the NFL Draft on April 25.

Arnold had played 948 snaps as a starting cornerback in the Lions’ secondary, when he went down on Sunday night with 11:39 left in the third quarter.

The rookie limped to the sideline, then was carted to the locker room and did not return with what the team described as an injury to his right foot.

“X-rays were negative,” Campbell said about Arnold’s injury. “But he was pretty tender. …

“He couldn’t finish the game, so take that for what it is.”

By earning the No. 1 seed in the conference playoffs, Detroit gets a first-round bye and will play its opening postseason game on Jan. 18 or 19.

Asked after Sunday night’s game if he would be ready when the Lions return to the field, Arnold told mlive.com: “Come on, man! You know the answer to that question. …

“When I got hurt today, I got emotional just for the simple fact I thought I was letting my guys down. If I have any breath in my body, I want to be sharing it with them. They know that. I would go out there and die for my teammates. That’s the type of person I am. I really love this game.”

The Lions already were playing without cornerback Carlton Davis. The former Auburn standout has missed the past three games because of a broken jaw. But Detroit held Minnesota without a touchdown in their showdown for the No. 1 seed in the NFC.

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 Twitter at @AMarkG1.

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Kings-Heat free livestream: How to watch NBA game tonight, TV, time

The Sacramento Kings play against the Miami Heat in an NBA game tonight. The matchup will begin at 9 p.m. CT on NBA TV, and it will be the second game of a doubleheader on the network. Fans can watch this game for free online by using the free trials offered by DirecTV Stream and Fubo TV. Alternatively, Sling offers a first-month discount to new users.

The Kings enter this matchup with an underwhelming 17-19 record, but they have won four consecutive games. In their most recent game, the Kings defeated Golden State 129-99.

During the victory, Malik Monk and Domantas Sabonis led the Sacramento offense. The two players combined to score 48 points and shot 19-27 from the field. Both players are averaging more than 16 points per game, so they will try to continue their offensive success tonight.

The Heat enter this matchup with a 17-16 record, but they have lost back-to-back games. In their most recent game, the Heat lost 136-100 against Utah.

During the loss, Miami struggled offensively. The team only shot 9-35 from three-point range, so the Heat will try to bounce back this evening.

Fans can watch this game for free online by using the free trials offered by DirecTV Stream and Fubo TV. Alternatively, Sling offers a first-month discount to new users.

General

Alabama athletes highlight MaxPreps high school football All-America team

Six Alabama high school football players — three defensive linemen — were included on the annual MaxPreps high school football All-America team, announced Monday.

Four of those players were recognized to the first team in Elba running back Alvin Henderson, Parker defensive lineman Jourdin Crawford, Thompson defensive back Anquon Fegans and Parker defensive back Na’eem Offord; Offord was recognized as an all-purpose player.

Thompson’s Jared Smith and Enterprise’s Zion Grady were recognized as second-team defensive linemen.

Henderson, who became the AHSAA’s all-time leading rusher this season, ran for 3,620 yards and 61 touchdowns during his senior season at Elba. The Auburn signee is a finalist for Class 1A Back of the Year and has a chance to win the award for the third straight season.

Crawford finished the year with 90 total tackles, 16 tackles for loss, six sacks and a safety for Class 6A champion Parker. The Auburn signee was named 6A championship game MVP, was an Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Classic selection and is a finalist for 6A Lineman of the Year.

Fellow Auburn signee Fegans, another first-team selection, totaled 81 tackles, nine tackles for loss and six interceptions for Class 7A champion Thompson. A finalist for 7A Back of the Year, he was a first-team all-state selection and participated in the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Classic.

Offord, an Oregon signee and 5-star prospect, helped lead Parker to a Class 6A state title and is a finalist for 6A Back of the Year. He finished with 50 tackles, a TFL, two interceptions and two fumble recoveries on defense, ran the ball 73 times for 629 yards and 13 touchdowns and caught the ball seven times for 106 yards.

The first-team all-state selection also had six punt returns for 170 yards and five kickoff returns for 140.

A finalist for 7A Lineman of the Year, Smith totaled 89 tackles, 22 tackles for loss, 11 sacks and an interception on the season for Class 7A champion Thompson. He was a first-team all-state selection and was an Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Classic participant.

Grady, another finalist for 7A Lineman of the Year, was a first-team all-state selection for Enterprise and helped lead the Wildcats to the Class 7A semifinals.

The Ohio State signee was a first-team all-state selection and participant in the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Classic.

General

Irondale police lieutenant hit, killed directing traffic at Church of the Highlands’ 21 Days of Prayer

A veteran Irondale police lieutenant was hit and killed early Monday while directing traffic at Church of the Highlands.

Lt. Mark Meadows, 60, was putting out cones at the intersection of Grants Mill Road and Overton Road as the church’s first day of 21 Days of Prayer was preparing to let out when he was struck by an oncoming motorist.

The crash happened shortly before 7 a.m. Monday, shutting down all lanes of Grants Mill Road for hours.

Meadows was taken to Grandview Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.

Irondale Mayor James Stewart said grief support is being offered to Meadows’ co-workers.

“Lt. Mark Meadows was a treasured member of our Irondale family for over 30 years,’’ Stewart said in a press release. “He was a man of few words but always led by example and embodied the heart of a public servant.”

The mayor said Meadows will be missed.

“We are comforted in knowing that he is with his heavenly father and we will continue to cover his family in prayer as they grieve this great loss,’’ Stewart said.

The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency is leading the investigation.

Irondale police Lt. Mark Meadows was fatally struck by a vehicle while he was preparing to direct traffic at Church of the Highlands on Jan. 6, 2025.(Special to AL.com)

Meadows served four years in the U.S Army 3rd Ranger Battalion, 10th Mountain Division at Ft. Benning in Georgia.

Originally from Jacksonville, Florida, he began his law enforcement career with the Mountain Brook Police Department 1992, before transferring to the Irondale Police Department.

“He was a true public servant, and a true family man,’’ said retired Irondale Sgt. Michael Mangina.

Meadows, a husband, father and grandfather of two, became an FBI instructor certified in pistol and rifle in 2001. He then became an NRA Instructor certified in pistol in 2017.

Meadows worked at Church of Highlands for more than decade, helping to coordinate traffic security.

The 21 Days of Prayer started Jan. 5 and runs through the 20th. People gather at the various church campuses to pray each morning beginning at 6 a.m. on weekdays.

General

Miss Manners: Is it tacky to share donation amount after a death?

DEAR MISS MANNERS: A friend’s daughter recently died. In lieu of flowers, they suggested a donation to a charity, which we did. We will tell them we made the donation, but should we tell them how much we gave?

GENTLE READER: Why?

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.

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Kentucky woman killed, 2 children among 5 injured in head-on Conecuh County crash

A Kentucky woman was killed and two children — ages 12 and 9 — were among five people injured in a head-on crash Thursday morning between two cars in Conecuh County, authorities said Monday.

Virginia L. Schueman, 64, of Shepherdsville, Kentucky, was a passenger in a 2023 Tesla Model 3 that collided head-on with a 2019 Honda Accord around 9:20 a.m. Thursday on Alabama State Route 55 near the 47-mile marker, said Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Senior Trooper Kendra McKinney.

The drivers of the Tesla and the Accord and a passenger in the Tesla were airlifted to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola with undisclosed injuries, McKinney said.

The two children, who were also passengers in the Tesla, were injured and taken to a local hospital for treatment.

Schueman was pronounced dead at the scene of the wreck about a mile south of McKenzie, in Conecuh County.

Further information was unavailable as state troopers continued investigating the wreck.

General

McDonald’s new value menu launches Jan. 7: Here’s what’s on it

Months after teasing its new McValue menu, McDonald’s has revealed its offerings.

McValue, McDonald’s new value platform launches Tuesday, Jan. 7 at participating restaurants nationwide.

The new Meal Deal platform features customizable deals including Buy One, Add One for $1 deals, $5 meal deals, in-app exclusives, and local/ regional deals.

McValue MenuMcValue Menu

Buy One, Add One for $1

Customers will be able to customize their own deals thanks to the new Buy One, Add One for $1 offer. Here’s how it works: Customers can buy one full-priced menu item from the McValue menu and add one more item of their choice for a $1.

McValue Breakfast Buy One, Add One for $1 menu items include:

Sausage McMuffin
Sausage Biscuit
Sausage Burrito
Hash Browns

McValue Lunch/Dinner Buy One, Add One for $1 menu items include:

6-pc. Chicken McNuggets
Double Cheeseburger
McChicken

$5 Meal Deals

The McValue $5 Meal Deal features a choice of a McDouble or McChicken sandwich, small fries, 4-piece Chicken McNuggets and a small soft drink for $5.

“As local small business owners, my fellow franchisees and I are always listening to what our customers want from their neighborhood McDonald’s,” said Cory Watson, McDonald’s Owner/Operator and National Value Chair for 2025, in a press release. “No matter the city or the state, they’re telling us how important it is for them to find their favorite meals at affordable prices. And we couldn’t agree more. That’s why we’re committed to continuing to serve up great local deals – from special discount pricing on fan-favorite a-la-carte items to unique meal bundles, you can find great prices on iced coffees, soft drinks, cheeseburgers, chicken McNuggets and more. We have great value for everyone, whether you’re a party of one or feeding the whole family.”

General

Lilly Pulitzer Sunshine Sale has great finds on sale as low $9

Put a little sunshine into the cold, gray days of winter with Lilly Pulitzer’s Sunshine Sale.

The iconic brand has tons of deals up to 70% off. The sale includes women’s clothing and home goods, all with the Lilly Pulitzer signature patterns and colors.

One of our favorite is the Emery Dress. Available in the Flitting About (pink, navy and turquoise) and Fiddle Lead Green Safari Pattern (green and white), the versatile dress is normally $118 but is on sale for $54.

Another cute option is the Elsey Popover Dress. Available in Noir Knit Pucker Jacquard (Black) or Malbec Red Knit Pucker Jacquard, it’s normally $198 but is on sale for $74.

If you’re looking for a great garment bag, check out the Martinique Blue Zee Bebe tote. It’s normally $188 but is on sale for $84.

Other great choices:

Cody T-Shirt Dress – $44, normally $98

Printed Votive Candle Set – $24, normally $54

Reversible Throw Blanket – $49, normally $118

Kenton Cardigan – $69, normally $158

Stainless Steel Tumbler with Handle – $24, normally $45

Wallen Sherpa Half Zip Jacket – $69, normally $178

Drena Dress – $119, normally $268

Deacon Dress – $94, normally $198

Oversized Scrunchie Set – $9, normally $20

Adalee Shift Dress – $69, normally $198