General News
Loved ones seek answers after beloved barber killed when he hit massive piece of equipment on I-59/20
Friends and family will gather tonight to remember a beloved Bessemer barber and father who was killed when his vehicle crashed into a large piece of industrial equipment that was dropped in the middle of Interstate 59/20.
Terence Bernard Summers Jr., a 24-year-old father of three young children, was killed during the lunch hour on March 18, on I-59/20 near Academy Drive and the Alabama Adventure exit.
Summers is believed to have possibly struck a sawmill blade that took up more than one lane of the interstate.
Terence Bernard Summers Jr., a 24-year-old belove father and barber, was killed during the lunch hour on March 18, 2025, n I-59/20 near Academy Drive and the Alabama Adventure exit.(Contributed)
A candlelight vigil will be held in memory of Summers tonight, ahead of his funeral which is set for Saturday.
In addition to grieving the loss of their loved one, the Summers family, as well as Bessemer police, are now trying to find out who dropped the equipment.
“This isn’t your typical somebody throwing a cup out the window, or a cigarette,‘’ said family attorney Lee Wendell Loder.
“This is a major commercial piece of equipment that’s not possible to lose without being aware it’s gone.”
“There is a dangerous and reckless driver that is still out there on the road and apparently believes he or she may be able to get away with this just by laying low and that’s an extreme concern for something as dangerous as what he deposited in the street,‘’ Loder said.
The wreck happened at 12:40 p.m. that Tuesday on I-59/20 near Academy Drive
Summers was taken to UAB Hospital where he was pronounced dead at 2:12 p.m.
“It has been extremely hard for his family,‘’ Loder said. “That’s why some element of closure is extremely important to them.”
Terence Bernard Summers Jr., a 24-year-old belove father and barber, was killed during the lunch hour on March 18, 2025, n I-59/20 near Academy Drive and the Alabama Adventure exit.(Contributed)
“He and his father especially had an extremely special bond,‘’ Loder said. “It’s been very difficult.”
Summers loved his family and his job as a barber.
“That was one of his passions,‘’ Loder said. “And we know barbers are typically stronghold in the community – consultants, advisors and everything else.”
Bessemer police are leading the investigation, and the Summers family has also hired a private investigator to assist.
“There is a growing consensus that the piece was a blade from a sawmill, to cut trees down into lumber. It likely was maybe be transported to be serviced,‘’ Loder said. “There are about three or four different places in Birmingham that service those type blades.”
Other motorists have reported having to dodge the equipment and calling 911 just moments before Summers struck the object.
Terence Bernard Summers Jr., a 24-year-old belove father and barber, was killed during the lunch hour on March 18, 2025, n I-59/20 near Academy Drive and the Alabama Adventure exit.(Contributed)
“Something that large couldn’t have been out there that long without multiple calls being made,‘’ Loder said. “It covered one entire lane and butted into another lane – you’re talking about a piece that covered almost the entire highway.”
“I’ve spoken to people who had to drive on the grass in order to get around it,‘’ he said.
The family will hold a candlelight vigil at Faith Memorial Chapel tonight following a 5 p.m. press conference with Loder and the family.
His funeral will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, also at Faith Memorial.
Anyone with information about the crash is asked to call Bessemer police Officer L. Baswell at 205-425-2411 or contact him via email at [email protected].
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Duke vs. Alabama predictions, picks, and best bets for Elite 8 matchup
Alabama will try to advance to its second straight Final Four for the first time in school history when it takes on top-seeded Duke in the East Regional Final on Saturday night at Prudential Center.
The Crimson Tide set an NCAA Tournament record by making 25 three pointers in their 113-88 win over BYU in the Sweet 16. Alabama leads the nation in scoring (91.4 per game) and is averaging 94.3 points per game in the NCAA Tournament.
But they will have to score efficiently again to knock off the nation’s No. 1 team. The Blue Devils are also scoring 94 points per game in the tournament after their hyper-efficient 100-93 win over Arizona in the late regional semifinal Thursday.
Duke vs. Alabama predictions and best bets
- Duke moneyline (-295) at BetMGM
- Duke -6.5 (-112) at DraftKings
- Over 172.5 (-112) at FanDuel
Some sportsbooks have the Blue Devils as a seven-point favorite, which seems right even though 32 of their 34 wins this season have come by three-plus possessions.
The total seems astronomically high for a college game — the Purdue vs Houston Sweet 16 game had an Over/Under of 133.5 — but these are two of the best offensive teams in the nation, and each topped 100 in its last game.
Duke vs. Alabama moneyline analysis
If Alabama shoots the way it did against BYU on Thursday, there’s not a team in the nation that could beat it. But the Blue Devils are hyper-talented, led by superstar freshman Cooper Flagg, but are also deep, with a nine-man rotation of contributors.
Of course, Mark Sears and tandem guard Mark Holloway are going to score. Sears has the fourth-shortest odds to win tournament Most Outstanding Player (+1400) via FanDuel, and he leads the Crimson Tide’s six players who average double-figure scoring.
It’s just whether the Crimson Tide, who rank 356th in the nation in points-against per game (81.2), can get enough stops to pull off the upset.
Why Duke could win as the favorite
Best odds: -295 at BetMGM
Because the Blue Devils can score and play defense. Duke may have allowed 93 to Caleb Love and Arizona on Thursday night, but that was the first time it had surrendered even 80-plus points all year, and it took a superhuman effort from Love (35 points) to even get there.
Flagg gets most of the flowers for Duke, but that undersells Kon Knueppel, Sion James, and Tyrese Proctor’s impact.
The Blue Devils got to 100 on Thursday — mainly due to their 23-for-27 effort at the foul line — but Proctor only had seven points. Proctor was Duke’s third-leading scorer, and it seems like there’s still another gear for its offense to get to.
Why Alabama could win as the underdog
Best odds: +250 at DraftKings
If it puts up another record-setting performance. It isn’t every day a team allows 88 points and wins by 25, and it’s safe to say if the Crimson Tide surrender that many again, they won’t be victorious Saturday.
That’s not to say Alabama can’t get to 90 again since it clearly is OK with the rims in Newark after shooting 49% from 3-point range Thursday night.
But it’s hard to envision a scenario where Alabama scores that efficiently again, and even if it does, it probably still doesn’t have the horses to keep up with Flagg and the Blue Devils.
Read MoreMarch Madness 2025: Where to buy tickets to see TCU vs Notre Dame in Birmingham
Tomorrow’s game between the TCU Horned Frogs and Notre Dame Fighting Irish is expected to be a major matchup. The No.2 Horned Frogs, led by star point guard Hailey Van Lith, are set to clash with the No.3 Fighting Irish and sophomore guard Hannah Hidalgo.
Fans looking to purchase tickets to see tomorrow’s game can do so through Stubhub, Seatgeek, Ticketmaster, and Vivid Seats. The cheapest price we found out of these sites is through Stubhub, starting at $4.
Here’s everything you need to know before TCU and Notre Dame clash:
When: Saturday, March 29, 2025
Time: 12 p.m. CT
Where: Legacy Arena at the BJCC, Birmingham, AL
Read MoreNorth Alabama 2-year-old drowns Thursday night
A two-year-old drowned Thursday night in the New Hope community, according to the Madison County Sheriff’s Office.
The incident happened in the area of Ed Spears Road at about 6 p.m.
Deputies were called to the scene following reports of a missing child.
Upon arrival, first responders located the child unresponsive in a body of water, according to the sheriff’s office.
The child was pronounced dead at the scene.
Sheriff’s office spokesman Brent Patterson said there is no indication of foul play.
The child’s body has been turned over to the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences for an autopsy.
“The Madison County Sheriff’s Office extends its deepest condolences to the family during this tragic time,” the office said in a statement.
Read MoreAuburn’s King of Spring returns with United Football League
The United Football League returns for its second season this weekend, and Sal Cannella, the King of Spring, will be back at tight end for the Arlington Renegades.
After Cannella closed his Auburn career with a 37-yard touchdown on a pass from quarterback Bo Nix against Minnesota in the Outback Bowl on Jan. 1, 2020, the tight end played two years in the Spring League, then earned All-USFL recognition with the New Orleans Breakers in that league’s Birmingham-based revival in 2022.
In 2023, Cannella played with the Arlington Renegades in the XFL’s comeback season. In the Renegades’ 35-26 victory over the D.C. Defenders in the XFL Championship Game, Cannella had four receptions for 71 yards, including a 41-yard touchdown catch.
Cannella returned to the Renegades in 2024, but now as a United Football League team after the merger of the USFL and the XFL.
Cannella led the UFL with six touchdown receptions in 10 regular-season games in 2024. He finished third in the league with 53 receptions and fifth with 497 receiving yards.
Canella has returned to Arlington for a third season in 2025.
Cannella and the Renegades kick off their campaign as part of the UFL’s Week 1 set of four games:
· St. Louis Battlehawks at Houston Roughnecks, 7 p.m. CDT Friday (FOX)
· San Antonio Brahmas at Arlington Renegades, 3 p.m. Saturday (FOX)
· Michigan Panthers at Memphis Showboats, 11 a.m. Sunday (ESPN)
· Birmingham Stallions at DC Defenders, 2 p.m. Sunday (ESPN)
Cannella hasn’t confined his football to the spring since leaving Auburn.
In 2021, the tight end had a short stay at the Miami Dolphins’ training camp.
In 2022, Cannella went to training camp with the Green Bay Packers. He caught three passes for 31 yards in the Packers’ final two preseason games, but Green Bay waived him as it reduced its preseason roster to the regular-season limit of 53 players.
In 2023, Cannella got a late look in the Seattle Seahawks’ training camp but was waived by the NFL team before the start of the regular season.
In 2024, Cannella spent training camp with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and had two receptions for 16 yards in the preseason. But he was waived before the start of the NFL regular season.
Cannella is among the players from Alabama high schools and colleges on UFL rosters for the Week 1 games:
Arlington Renegades
- Tight end Sal Cannella, Auburn
- Defensive lineman DaVonte Lambert, Auburn
Birmingham Stallions
- Guard Deonte Brown, Austin High School (Decatur), Alabama
- Cornerback Shyheim Carter, Alabama
- Defensive end D.J. Coleman, Jacksonville State
- Guard Lachavious Simmons, Selma High School
- Wide receiver Austin Watkins, UAB
- Wide receiver Marlon Williams, McGill-Toolen Catholic High School (Mobile)
DC Defenders
- Long snapper/tight end Trae Barry, Spanish Fort High School, Jacksonville State
- Guard Gunner Britton, Auburn
- Offensive lineman Tykeem Doss, Aliceville High School
Houston Roughnecks
- Defensive end Christopher Allen, Alabama
- Defensive tackle Shakel Brown, Troy
- Offensive tackle Cam Carter, Minor High School
- Cornerback Keenan Isaac, Midfield High School, Alabama State
- Center Avery Jones, Auburn
- Punter Mike Rivers, Troy
Memphis Showboats
- Wide receiver Dee Anderson, Alabama A&M
- Cornerback Eric Garror, McGill-Toolen Catholic High School
- Wide receiver Eli Stove, Auburn
- Tight end Jay Jay Wilson, Auburn
Michigan Panthers
- Outside linebacker De’Gabriel Floyd, Alabama A&M, injured list
- Kicker Austin Jones, Alabama
- Defensive tackle Garrett Marino, UAB
San Antonio Brahmas
- Wide receiver Kawaan Baker, South Alabama
- Running back La’Damian Webb, Beauregard High School, South Alabama
St. Louis Battlehawks
Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on X at @AMarkG1.
Read MoreKentucky vs. Tennessee predictions, picks and best bets for March Madness Sweet 16
A record-setting 14 SEC teams made the NCAA Tournament, and we were bound to see two of the schools go head-to-head. It took until the Sweet 16, but it’s finally happening with No. 3 seed Kentucky vs. No. 2 seed Tennessee on Friday night at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
The Wildcats haven’t been to the Elite Eight since 2019, and first-year head coach Mark Pope is already a win away from ending the streak. Volunteers head coach Rick Barnes has a shot at getting his team in back-to-back Elite Eights for the first time in program history.
These teams faced off twice in the regular season, providing plenty of data to reflect on ahead of a third meeting in the NCAA Tournament.
The latest March Madness odds list Tennessee as a 4.5-point favorite, and the over/under is 144.5. Let’s get into my Kentucky vs. Tennessee predictions and best bets.
Kentucky vs. Tennessee predictions and best bets
Note: Odds are based on the best value our experts find when writing; check lines closer to game time to ensure you get the best odds.
This isn’t the first time Kentucky has been an underdog against Tennessee. In late January, the Wildcats went to Knoxville and earned an outright win as 10.5-point ‘dogs. The teams met again two weeks later at Rupp Arena and Kentucky notched another victory despite catching 3.5 points on the spread.
The Volunteers are outstanding on defense, ranking third in KenPom’s defensive efficiency metric. However, the Wildcats managed 75 points or more in both regular season meetings and held the Vols to just 64 points in the second game.
Pope’s squad ranks 25th nationally in 3-point percentage (37.4). They were lights out against Tennessee in the regular season, hitting at a 50% clip from beyond the arc. The Volunteers have one of the best 3-point defenses in the nation, but the struggles with Kentucky are glaring. I’ll take the Wildcats to cover the spread, and the +170 moneyline odds are also worth considering with a smaller wager.
Slowing down Zakai Zeigler will be key for Kentucky. Zeigler averages 13.7 points and 7.4 assists per game, but he won’t get as much room to operate against lockdown defender Lamont Butler. Butler joined the Wildcats after winning Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year last season, and he has a notable size advantage over Zeigler.
Kentucky vs. Tennessee moneyline odds analysis
Why Tennessee could win as the favorite
Best odds: -190 at Fanatics Sportsbook
Tennessee’s defense has been dominant through the first two rounds of the NCAA Tournament. No. 15 seed Wofford was held to 62 points in the first round, and No. 7 seed UCLA failed to break 60 points. The Volunteers must forget the regular season losses against the Wildcats and keep the positive momentum rolling.
Tennessee has been a solid 3-point shooting team, but nothing was falling in the previous matchups with Kentucky. The Volunteers combined to shoot an abysmal 20.55% from beyond the arc. If Zeigler and leading-scorer Chaz Lanier drain more shots from long-range, Tennessee will stand a much better chance in the third meeting.
Attacking the offensive glass is a strength for the Vols. The Wildcats surrender the second-most points per game in the SEC, and Tennessee bigs Igor Milicic Jr. and Felix Okpara can find easy put-back buckets if Kentucky’s defense is caught sleeping.
Why Kentucky could win as the underdog
Best odds: +170 at DraftKings Sportsbook
Kentucky is one of the few teams Tennessee likely hoped to avoid in March Madness. The Wildcats and Florida are the only squads that defeated the Volunteers twice this season.
Playing vastly different styles is partially why Kentucky is such a difficult matchup for Tennessee. The Wildcats like to push the tempo, ranking 41st in average possession length. Tennessee is much more methodical and sits at 275th in pace.
Six Kentucky players average double-digit scoring, and Otega Oweh leads the way with 16.3 points per game. The ‘Cats rank sixth nationally in average scoring thanks to a very well-balanced attack. Tennessee’s offense is better than years past, but they won’t be able to keep up if Kentucky has another hot night from beyond the arc.
Read MoreGround coffee recalled due to labeling error
More than 692 cases of ground coffee distributed across 15 states are being recalled due to a labeling error.
Massimo Zanetti Beverage USA has voluntarily issued the recall of Our Family Traverse Ground Coffee because certain bags of the “caffeinated” were mislabeled as “decaffeinated.”
The recalled coffee is the Our Family Traverse City Cherry Artificially flavored decaf light roast ground coffee. The coffee was sold in 12-ounce bags with the UPC number 0 70253 11080.
According to the recall notice from the FDA, the recalled bags were sold in 15 states, including Colorado, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Minnesota, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
Read MoreChipotle has a new meat option and it’s a little spicy, a little sweet
In case you haven’t noticed, there’s a new item at Chipotle.
Earlier this month, the Tex-Mex chain added Hot Honey Chicken to the menu. Per a press release from Chipotle, the dish is made with chicken, seasoned with savory Mexican spices, in a marinade of seared, smoked chipotle peppers and a touch of pure honey.
Chipotle Honey Chicken made a limited-time debut last year when the chain tested the dish in Nashville, Tenn. and Sacramento, Calif.
“Chipotle Honey Chicken was our top performing limited-time offer in test markets and we’re excited for guests to taste this bold, new protein with their go-to order,” said Chris Brandt, Chipotle’s Chief Brand Officer, in a press release. “The delicate balance of heat and a touch of sweet pairs perfectly with our real ingredients prepared fresh every day.
If you have plans to try the new chicken, Chipotle recommends pairing it with white rice, black beans, fajita veggies, fresh tomato salsa, roasted chili-corn salsa, sour cream, cheese and lettuce.
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