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General

Developer takes Huntsville to court over its tree cutting violations on Green Mountain

A Huntsville developer is taking the city to court after its proposals to remedy tree cutting violations for two Green Mountain subdivisions were denied in March.

Diltina Development Corporation filed two appeals on June 12 in Madison County Circuit Court of decisions by the city’s Board of Zoning Adjustments to reject its tree remediation plans for the Estates at Wade Point and Sunset on Green Mountain on Willow Drive.

Because Diltina was found in violation of the city’s slope development district regulations, building permits have been put on hold. Complicating the matter is that Diltina sold some of the lots for the Estates at Wade Point. It now faces a lawsuit in circuit court from two of the new owners.

According to documents, Diltina is seeking a jury trial in both of its appeals. Hearings have been set for Aug. 12.

While city officials said they can’t comment on pending litigation, Board of Zoning Adjustments attorney David Canupp said in response to the appeal that a proper appeal should be filed with the board rather than in circuit court.

March 18 meeting

The Board of Zoning Adjustments denied Diltina’s proposals for tree remediation for the subdivisions at its March 18 meeting.

According to the board’s minutes, Diltina representative Alex Maxwell acknowledged the developer knowingly allowed trees to be cut down in violation of city regulations to give Estates at Wade Point a better view.

Trees were also cut in an area marked “do not disturb” during work on Sunset on Green Mountain.

Maxwell appeared before the board in hopes that a tree remediation plan would be approved by the board to allow construction to move forward. But the three options Maxwell presented to the board for the subdivisions were denied.

City Director of Planning and Zoning Services Thomas Nunez said the developer can reapply in six months or come up with a significantly changed tree remediation plan.

Maxwell’s proposed options included two-to-one replacement utilizing 1-inch caliper trees, a one-to-one replacement utilizing seedlings or a one-to-one replacement utilizing seedlings and community beautification on the appellant’s 5-acre common area.

Maxwell told the board Diltina hired Geoffrey Ellison of Drennen Forestry Services Inc. who did a detailed site visit, and his recommendation would be to utilize seedlings for maximum regrowth. Maxwell told the board it was important to note each of the lots have plat restrictions to prevent further disturbances.

Board of Zoning Adjustments Chairman Martin Sisson asked how long it would take for the tree remediation with the seedlings to reach the height of the cut down trees. Ellison stated the seedlings would take a significant amount of time, and the trees that were cut were at least 20 to 30 years old. Some, according to the minutes, were 70 to 90 years old. Ellison told the board the trees were about 30 feet tall and about six to 16 inches in diameter.

Aerial view of trees cleared from the site of the proposed Estates at Wade Point on Green Mountain in Huntsville.Screen shot

Lawsuit

Maxwell said at the meeting his goal was to have a tree remediation plan accepted so the owners can move forward with building their homes.

That was not the case on May 20 when Beire and Shayna Castro filed a complaint in Madison County Circuit Court against Diltina Development Corporation and Green Mountain Realty.

According to the lawsuit, the Castros agreed to purchase one of the lots put on hold for $250,000. The lot they agreed to purchase was advertised with a “bluff view.” After they were under contract, the Castros were approached by owners of neighboring lots informing them there was a zoning issue with the land they were purchasing which prevented the others from obtaining certificates of occupancy, according to the suit.

The lawsuit alleges the Castros were later reassured by their real estate agent that “the tree matter” was not a big issue, that Diltina would get a variance from the city and the matter would be resolved quickly.

They are seeking a full refund, a return of the commission paid on the purchase price, commission paid on the build price and compensation for damages.

Sisson said at the meeting the right thing to do was for the developer to buy back the properties it had sold. Maxwell said three of the lots had been sold, including the one the Castros purchased.

Sisson voiced frustration during the meeting, stating the board has been reviewing tree remediation plans for years and trees are still being cut. Board members inquired about punitive measures by the city, stating that without them, the tree cutting violations would continue.

City officials said holding up building permits was punitive.

The city told AL.com the repercussions for not following the rules can range from a hefty penalty plus court costs to the appearance before BOZA to come up with a remediation plan.

Developers can be charged $500 according to state law for each ordinance violation, and each day the violation occurs counts as a separate offense.

The ordinance provides greater leverage for the totality of violations. In the past, each violation constitutes a separate offense. For example, the removal of a single tree could involve multiple violations for size, girth, species, age, location, value of wood, etc. There is also potential for additional penalties until the property is determined to be restored.

Efforts to reach Diltina attorney G. Bartley Loftin about the appeals were unsuccessful.

General

Who Athlon Sports, Lindy’s think will win Alabama football position battles

Alabama football has a quarterback battle underway, something that always takes most of the offseason oxygen. However, that’s not the only position open ahead of the 2025 season.

The Crimson Tide won’t start preseason camp until early August, ahead of an Aug. 30 season-opener against Florida State. However, due to tight publication schedules, some preseason preview magazines are already on the newstands.

Both Lindy’s and Athlon Sports predicted Ty Simpson will win the marquee job in Tuscaloosa this season, not a big reach given the Tide’s coaches announcement that Simpson was the frontrunner after spring practice. The magazines also made projections for the rest of UA’s starting lineup, including plenty of spots vacated by the previous starters.

As the season approaches, here’s who Lindy’s and Athlon think will step into starting roles for five open positions.

Left guard

Athlon: Geno VanDeMark

Lindy’s: Geno VanDeMark

Outlook: Left guard is a spot where Alabama likely won’t be improved in 2025. That’s nothing against VanDeMark, Texas A&M transfer Kam Dewberry or anyone else, but Tyler Booker was as good as it gets.

The magazines both believe in VanDeMark, but it’s possible he remains in his utility role, with Dewberry assuming the starting job.

Right tackle

Athlon: Wilkin Formby

Lindy’s: Wilkin Formby

Outlook: Formby is the most obvious choice for either of the vacant offensive line spots. He began 2024 as the starter before Elijah Pritchett, who entered the portal after the season, took over the spot.

Formby might have struggled early, but looked improved during late-season action. Coaches have been high on him throughout the offseason as well, and it looks like he’ll be starting come Week 1.

Tight end

Athlon: Josh Cuevas

Lindy’s: Josh Cuevas

Outlook: Both of the Crimson Tide’s main tight ends, CJ Dippre and Robbie Ouzts, headed to the NFL. After an offseason plagued by injuries at the position, the magazines both projected Cuevas will assume the role.

Cuevas contributed last season after following DeBoer from Washington. Danny Lewis Jr. also figures to get serious playing time at tight end.

Punter

Athlon: Blake Doud

Lindy’s: Blake Doud

Outlook: One of the best punters in Crimson Tide history, James Burnip, needs to be replaced. The magazines project Doud, who transferred in from Colorado School of Mines, will be the winner of that competition.

However, freshman Alex Asparuhov could also factor in. He was injured and missed spring practice, but could make up ground in preseason camp.

Kicker

Athlon: Conor Talty

Lindy’s: Conor Talty

Outlook: Talty has been on the roster for two seasons, first sitting behind Will Reichard, then Graham Nicholson. Alabama has other kickers on the roster, but it seems 2025 will finally be Talty’s year.

General

Dear Abby: My family doesn’t believe I’m in a real relationship

DEAR ABBY: I am a woman in my mid-20s who has had only abusive, toxic and horrendous relationships after entering adulthood. Since high school, I have spent years trying to find a “good guy” who will treat me with respect and love me unconditionally.

I made a friend online two years ago who I began recording music and podcasts with. He lives in another state. He’s smart, witty and sarcastic, and we hit it off well as long-distance friends. I am smitten with him, and he is with me, and we are a “thing” now.

In a few months, he and a mutual friend are flying here to see me and to attend a concert. He says he wants to transfer schools and attend school here. As someone who’s been single for three years, I feel ready to love again and be with someone, and my gut instincts and intuition feel safe with him.

The only roadblock I’m worried about is my family. They don’t believe my relationship is “real.” They think I’m delusional for being with someone long-distance (even though my mom met my stepdad in a different state). I also don’t know how I’ll be able to explain this to my grandparents or my very strict, racist dad. How do I respond to people who call me delusional? — SEEMS LIKE THE REAL THING

DEAR SEEMS: Although you have known this person for two years, you may be jumping the gun. While he may be everything you say he is (and HE says he is), you can’t be certain he is really Prince Charming until you meet in person.

That he is considering transferring to a nearby school to be closer to you is a good thing. It will give you an opportunity to judge whether he is really the person he presents himself to be and allow your family to get to know him.

It will also provide him an opportunity — if the romance continues to develop — to decide if HE would welcome THEM as in-laws, in spite of the racism you so casually mentioned in passing.

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.

General

Asking Eric: Labor Day wedding too much work for out-of-state aunt

Dear Eric: One of my two daughters is getting married in a very small ceremony in August. It so happens to be on Labor Day weekend. Her sister and her fiancé’s sister are planning a brunch the following day to celebrate this union.

My own sister lives in Florida. When I emailed her (and our brothers) about this event, she responded immediately that, since it is Labor Day weekend, she wouldn’t be attending as she doesn’t go anywhere on major holidays due to crowds and potential flight delays.

I am beyond sad and disappointed. It seems she is prioritizing her comfort over this joyous occasion. I don’t know how to express this to her, if at all. She is something of a control freak, who doesn’t take criticism well at all.

Do I simply let it go, or do I say anything and, if so, what?

– Sad Sister

Dear Sister: I understand the logic of not wanting to travel around major holidays. Your sister does have other options, though. She can come early, if her work allows for it, for instance. She can travel some or all of the way using means of transportation that aren’t planes. Or she can make the trek for family.

Obviously, all of these things are still her prerogative. She may have already thought through the options and still decided to decline. I understand why this is hurtful to you – it’s a small ceremony and she’s close family, so her presence would be missed.

There are ways of talking about this without it coming across as criticism. Start by expressing what you feel – you want her there, you’re sad she can’t make it, et cetera. And then ask a question – is there any way that we can make this work? Would you like my help to make this easier?

An open-ended question allows her the option of engaging or shutting it down. Whereas a criticism would make her feel more boxed in. She may still choose to stay home, but by having a conversation with her that starts with your openness to hear her and respect her opinion, you may find a solution that’s not too laborious.

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.

General

Many unheralded Alabama recruits have become All-Americans, including one who wore No. 65

EDITOR’S NOTE: Every day until Aug. 29, Creg Stephenson is counting down significant numbers in Alabama football history, both in the lead-up to the 2025 football season and in commemoration of the Crimson Tide’s first national championship 100 years ago. The number could be attached to a year, a uniform number or even a football-specific statistic. We hope you enjoy.

Alabama’s 2009 recruiting class included four 5-star prospects and 14 4-stars, but Chance Warmack wasn’t one of them.

The offensive lineman out of Atlanta’s Westlake High School was a mere 3-star recruit, meaning it was generally considered as likely as not he would make a major impact at the college level. But by the time his career was over in 2012, he’d far outstripped any projections.

(I’ve generally avoided inserting myself into this countdown, but I hope you’ll indulge me this one time. I distinctly remember an Alabama recruiting staffer telling me of Warmack when he signed, “he’s listed as a 3-star, but we consider him a 5-star.”)

Warmack — who’d been a teammate of future Heisman Trophy winner Cam Newton as a sophomore in high school — was among the first of Alabama’s early-enrollees during the spring of 2009. He played in five games as a true freshman (backing up future All-American Barrett Jones) as the Crimson Tide won the first of its seven national championships under coach Nick Saban.

Following the graduation of All-American Mike Johnson, Warmack became a starter at left guard the following season. He would go on to start every game for the remainder of his career, winning national championship rings in 2011 and 2012 and becoming a unanimous first-team All-American as a senior.

“Playing well means something to him,” Alabama coach Nick Saban said of Warmack in 2012. “He is a very competitive guy. He is very physical [and] has lots of toughness. He has exceeded expectations in terms of the way he has played.”

Prior to Alabama’s BCS national championship game vs. Notre Dame in January 2013, Warmack told ESPN’s Chris Low about the self-motivation he’d used to make himself into a great player for the Crimson Tide.

“I always told myself that I was average,” Warmack said. “When I was in high school, I just wanted to get a scholarship. When I came to Alabama, I wanted to be All-SEC.

“There’s a big difference in being a good player and being a great player. This is Alabama. Everybody’s great here. That’s something I’m still chasing, probably something I’ll always be chasing. I like playing with a chip on my shoulder.”

Warmack was part of a now-legendary 2012 Alabama offensive line that also included Jones at center, Anthony Steen at right guard, Cyrus Kouandjio at left tackle and DJ Fluker at right tackle. They cleared the way for both Eddie Lacy and T.J. Yeldon to rush for 1,000-plus yards, the first time in program history the Crimson Tide had two backs exceed that mark.

All five starting Alabama linemen from that team played in the NFL and four of them made at least one All-America team during their career. Warmack was the No. 10 overall pick in the 2013 NFL draft (an extremely high slot for a guard) by the Tennessee Titans, and spent seven years in the league with three teams — winning a Super Bowl ring with the Philadelphia Eagles after the 2017 season.

“He just mashes people and is like having a big tractor clearing the way for you,” Lacy said of Warmack in 2013.

There have been other notable “diamonds in the rough” for Alabama football over the years, unheralded recruits who went on to become stars. Also on the list from the early-to-midway part of the Saban era are center William Vlachos (2007), safety Robert Lester (2008), Ryan Kelly (2011), safety Eddie Jackson (2013) and running back Josh Jacobs (2016).

Vlachos was originally a grayshirt recruit at Alabama, though Saban changed that when he came on board shortly before signing day. He became a starter as a redshirt sophomore and played on two national championship teams.

Many believed Lester was recruited only to help lure close friend and Foley High School superstar Julio Jones to Alabama, but Lester ended up being a very good player in his own right. He led the SEC with eight interceptions in 2010 and later played two seasons in the NFL.

Kelly was a 3-star recruit, an undersized prospect at just 270 pounds. But after a couple of offseasons in the weight room, he became a stalwart at Alabama, an All-American and Rimington Trophy winner who has made the Pro Bowl four times in nine NFL seasons.

Jackson was also a 3-star recruit, with opinions split on whether he should play wide receiver or defensive back in college. He began his Alabama career at cornerback, but by the end was an All-SEC safety and Defensive MVP of the 2016 College Football Playoff National Championship Game (he was on his way to a likely All-America season the following year when he broke his leg in Week 8 vs. Texas A&M).

Jacobs was the sleeper of all recruits, barely on the national radar when Alabama scooped him up just before National Signing Day. He was a part-time player until his junior year with the Crimson Tide, when he scored 11 touchdowns and was named MVP of the SEC Championship Game (he was then a first-round pick of the NFL’s Oakland Raiders and is now a three-time Pro-Bowler entering his sixth year in the league.)

There have been many other similar stories throughout the history of Alabama football. But Chance Warmack’s rise to stardom is one of the more improbable.

Coming Friday: Our countdown continues with No. 64, when an Alabama quarterback’s knee became the story of an entire football season.

General

Goodman: The SEC’s new puppetmaster

There was a time in the SEC when everything revolved around Nick Saban and his Alabama football team.

Not anymore.

There’s a new puppetmaster in the Southeastern Conference, and it’s not commissioner Greg Sankey or reigning conference champion coach Kirby Smart.

Kalen DeBoer? Not a chance.

Those guys have plenty of power, and their sphere of influence is strong, but they don’t have the gravity of 21-year-old Texas quarterback Arch Manning.

These days in the SEC, everything is orbiting around the latest son of football’s first family.

Is Manning overrated, or will he be as good as uncles Peyton and Eli Manning? Will Arch come anywhere close to matching the game of his namesake, Ole Miss’ Archie Manning. That’s the topic of a different column.

Someone who knows a couple things about being a quarterback is already convinced that Manning is all hype.

But let’s put ability aside for a moment.

Here’s an undeniable fact. When it comes to starpower, Arch Manning might be the most influential figure in college football ahead of the 2025 season.

Have we seen a quarterback in the SEC with Manning’s level of buzz since Florida’s Tim Tebow?

Imagine the type of network ratings Tebow would have pulled if he could have played in a 16-team playoff.

This being conspiracy theory season in the SEC, there’s a new SEC X-file involving Texas’ starting quarterback. Did Manning’s television potential influence the SEC in giving the Longhorns the easiest schedule in the league?

The SEC X-file: ESPN wants Manning in the College Football Playoff, and the WorldWide Leader has been pulling strings behind the scenes to give Texas the easiest path to the postseason.

Did corporate influence at the league and network levels factor into a conference schedule that avoids Alabama and LSU? There’s no denying that Texas’ conference schedule is laughably easy.

But it’s almost embarrassing.

And Sankey should be ashamed.

The Longhorns’ toughest conference opponent is Georgia. That matchup is on Nov.15 at Sanford Stadium. Leading up to the big game? Texas’ kingly road to Athens is practically covered in rose petals: at Kentucky, at Mississippi State, at home against Vanderbilt … AND THEN an off week before the trip to Georgia.

Let’s just put this out in the world before SEC Media Days. Vandy quarterback Diego Pavia swaggers into DKR on Nov.1 for a sleepy 11 a.m. kickoff. If Pavia rocks Texas, then he’s an instant College Football Hall of Famer.

Texas’ conference schedule is so easy that Vanderbilt is potentially the third toughest opponent.

Here’s the Longhorns’ full SEC slate: at Florida, vs. Oklahoma, at Kentucky, at Mississippi State, vs. Vanderbilt, OFF, at Georgia, vs. Arkansas and vs. Texas A&M.

That’s weaker than Texas’ power grid.

It’s almost like Sankey and ESPN did everything within their collective powers to put Manning into the playoffs.

And maybe Manning is going to need all the help he can get. What if he’s not that great?

We already know what one SEC legend thinks about Texas’ untested superstar.

Former Florida coach and Heisman winner Steve Spurrier is openly questioning Manning’s ability going into the 2025 season. Spurrier raised the question on a recent podcast with Gainesville-based columnist Pat Dooley.

If Manning is so good, Spurrier said, then why didn’t he start over Ewers last season? After all, Ewers was drafted in the seventh round.

Spurrier is setting the stage for the Gators’ conference home opener, of course. Texas goes to The Swamp on Oct.4. The Gators think they have a generational talent in sophomore quarterback DJ Lagway. Lagway can prove it early, too. Florida is at LSU and then Miami in Weeks 3 and 4.

Is Manning the league’s next Tebow-level phenomenon or is he a media creation without substance?

Tebow was dubbed “The Chosen One” in an ESPN doc before setting foot on campus, but Sir Timmy backed up the buzz and then some. As a freshman, Teebs helped starting quarterback Chris Leak win a natty in 2006. In 2007, Tebow was the Heisman in his first season as a starter. In 2008, Tebow won the national championship and should have won the Heisman again (it went to OU’s Sam Bradford). In 2009, Alabama and Saban spoiled the Gators’ all-time season.

Manning’s economic potential aligned him with Texas and then the SEC and ESPN have done the rest to elevate college football’s new golden boy.

Texas opens up the season with Ohio State. The Longhorns can lose to the Buckeyes and the Bulldogs and still make the playoffs.

But what if the Longhorns slip up and lose at Florida?

Even with three losses, Sankey will make a strong case for the Longhorns to make the CFP.

Rival Oklahoma should be furious. Look at OU’s schedule by comparison: vs. Auburn, vs. Texas, at South Carolina, vs. Ole Miss, at Tennessee, OFF, at Alabama, vs. Missouri and LSU at home.

Absolutely brutal.

Texas was given its two-year cupcake conference schedule before last season. No Alabama. No Tennessee. No Ole Miss. No LSU. No problem, Arch.

Manning was the backup to quarterback Quinn Ewers in 2024 and the Longhorns coasted into the College Football Playoff despite losing to Georgia in the conference championship game. Was Amarillo Slim on the College Football Playoff committee? Talk about being rigged.

Texas then landed on the easiest CFP path of all. It was Clemson at Texas in the first round and then the Longhorns matched up with Arizona State in the quarterfinals. Texas needed double overtime to get past ASU before being demolished by Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl.

If ESPN wanted Manning on television as long as possible, then the network certainly got its wish.

Manning and Texas open the 2025 season against Ohio State and that game will be a television ratings bonanza. After that, no one in the SEC has an easier schedule than Texas.

It’s almost like it was by design.

BE HEARD

Got a question for Joe? Want to get something off your chest? Send Joe an email about what’s on your mind. Let your voice be heard. Ask him anything.

Joseph Goodman is the lead sports columnist for the Alabama Media Group, and author of the book “We Want Bama: A Season of Hope and the Making of Nick Saban’s Ultimate Team.”

General

Expanding the NCAA Basketball Tournament to 76 teams? That way lies madness

They’re going to do it, aren’t they? History, tradition and public sentiment be damned.

They’re going to mess with success, fix what isn’t broken, add Botox and fillers to the Mona Lisa. It’s what they do, isn’t it? Not because they should. Because they can.

They’re going to expand the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament from 68 teams to 76 teams, and they’re going to do it for the upcoming 2025-26 season. That’s the prevailing sentiment in college basketball circles. There have been too many trial balloons floated in that direction, the latest by NCAA President Charlie Baker. Never mind that every time one of those balloons goes up, it comes under heavy fire from people that love college hoops.

This is not March Madness.

It’s madness. Period.

March Madness is three extended weekends of symmetry, intensity and unpredictability, emerging and established stars sharing the same stage, underdogs taking a bite out of big dogs, all capped by One Shining Moment. It’s the quintessential college sports championship experience just the way it is.

According to @CBKReport on X, six of the top seven most-watched basketball games in 2025 were NCAA Tournament games. The other was Game 7 of the NBA Finals in which Oklahoma City pulled away from wounded Indiana in an anti-climactic clunker.

Three of the top four games on that list were Florida’s national championship comeback over Houston at No. 1, Houston’s national semifinal comeback against Duke at No. 3 and Florida’s national semifinal thriller over Auburn at No. 4.

The Elite Eight games in which Auburn pulled away from Michigan State and Duke ran away from Alabama came in at Nos. 5 and 7. Which means three of the seven most-watched basketball games of this year – college or pro – involved Auburn or Alabama.

It’s proof of concept, example number eleventy billion. Make your mark in March Madness, and a state formerly known for football only can capture the nation’s attention in roundball as well.

Actual madness is taking the proven formula that attracted all those eyeballs and tweaking it for reasons that have yet to be made clear and presented in a convincing, compelling presentation.

Should the tournament expand because the number of Division I basketball schools has increased considerably, up to 364 last season? Part of the beauty of the current long-standing format is that it maintains an optimal balance of opportunity and exclusivity.

Conference tournaments, which grab nationwide attention during Championship Week and serve as a tasty appetizer before the Big Dance, give every school a chance to play its way into the NCAA Tournament. Witness Alabama State’s inspiring run through the SWAC Tournament in March.

The Hornets played their way into the First Four, where they earned the program’s first NCAA Tournament victory with a stunning full-court Hail Mary pass and finish to beat St. Francis. That gave State a chance to put an early scare into No. 1 overall seed Auburn in the first round.

An expanded tournament won’t give us more Alabama States. It’ll give us more teams like Oklahoma and Texas, who went 6-12 in their debut seasons in the SEC but still landed NCAA at-large bids.

Remember the talking point that power conference teams that finish down in the standings need the additional bids an expanded field would provide because they’re more likely to survive and advance, like NC State 2024? The 10th-place Wolfpack had to win the ACC Tournament that year to reach the NCAA Tournament, then found a way to make it to the Final Four as an 11 seed.

Nice story, but the SEC shot down that argument in 2025. It didn’t need a 76-team field in March to shatter the old record by putting 14 teams in the NCAA Tournament field. There was enough room for Alabama State and Troy, which won the Sun Belt Tournament, as well as Texas and Oklahoma.

The 68-team field is big enough for bluebloods and new bloods, for Alabama State to complete a Hail Mary and for Johni Broome to finish off Michigan State with one arm to send Auburn to its second Final Four.

Why mess with success? Why try to improve upon the closest thing to perfection you’ll find in any postseason in any sport at any level? Why not leave well enough alone and focus all your bracket-busting energy elsewhere?

Like on the College Football Playoff. It needs all the help it can get.

General

Immigration raid, your favorite ‘Unsung’ barbecue joints: Down in Alabama

We’ve had recurring segments on the podcast that looked at This is Alabama’s “Unsung Alabama” summer story series. Check out today’s episode for that — and then submit your nomination for the most unsung Alabama barbecue joint.

Illegal-immigration raid

P.J. Lavoie of Homeland Security said that, on Tuesday, authorities detained 36 people believed to be in the country illegally who were working at the construction site for a Gulf Shores High School facility, reports AL.com’s Patrick Darrington.

Lavoie said 20 of the 36 had some form of criminal history, though not all of those are suspected of violent offenses. One is facing federal charges over allegedly assaulting a federal agent.

Tips from citizens led to the raid. Lavoie said that, during the raid, several of the construction workers ran off and even drove through a fence to get away.

The City of Gulf Shores and Gulf Shores City Schools released a joint statement saying the general contractor was responsible for the construction site and workers.

RIP John Pruett

Longtime Huntsville Times sports journalist John Pruett passed away after a long illness, reports AL.com’s Creg Stephenson and Ben Thomas.

Pruett was at the Times for more than 40 years. He was the sports editor and columnist for years until his 2008 retirement.

He was named Alabama’s sportswriter of the year 17 times by the National Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association. He won the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame’s Mel Allen Media Award, twice won the Alabama Sports Writers Association’s Henry Kirby Award for story of the year, is in the ASWA Hall of Fame and was named as one of ASWA’s 50 Legends.

Pruett, who was originally from Cullman, was 83 years old.

Special election

State Rep. Matt Woods, a Walker County Republican, is jumping from the House to the Senate after winning Tuesday’s special election, reports AL.com’s Mike Cason.

The election was to fill a seat left vacant when former Senate President Pro Tem Greg Reed left to work in Gov. Kay Ivey’s administration.

Scooby Don’t

Tuscaloosa Police are looking for someone who broke into the Highway 82 Duncanville Quick Stop while wearing a Scooby-Doo costume, reports AL.com’s Heather Gann.

The intruder activated the alarm at 3:45 a.m.

So far he’s gotten away with it, too. Although police do have video of the suspect, and they shared images that are a lock to go viral. They say the suspect looks to be a 5-foot-9 white male and stole cash and coins.

Quoting

“My husband himself even being from Iran supported Trump, his immigration policies and understood he was trying to protect the American people and was praying he helped free the Iranian people.”

Morgan Karimi, to Newsweek, after her husband was detained by ICE in Locust Fork. Ribvar Karimi is a former member of the Iranian Army who, according to the Department of Homeland Security, could be deported because he did not complete a procedural step to become a citizen. Morgan said Ribvar’s military service allowed him to obtain a passport and leave Iran.

By the Numbers

That’s how many vehicles Hyundai’s Montgomery plant produced for export this month as it turned its focus to producing automobiles for domestic sale under President Trump’s 25% tariff on imported cars and trucks.

More Alabama News

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General

Former Troy standout on NFL: ‘You’re growing or you’re dying’

As a fifth-round rookie from Troy, Javon Solomon played 134 defensive snaps for the Buffalo Bills in 2024. Of the five defensive ends who played more snaps for Buffalo last season, three are no longer with the Bills.

But that doesn’t automatically mean more action for Solomon in his second NFL season. While Von Miller, Dawuane Smoot and Casey Toohill are gone, Buffalo signed five-time Pro Bowler Joey Bosa and drafted Landon Jackson from Arkansas in the third round on April 25 to join Greg Rousseau, AJ Epenesa and Solomon.

“At the end of the day, football is competition,” Solomon said, “so you got to go out there and put your best foot forward every time you step on the grass. But having a room like that, being able to learn from them guys, man, that’s a big opportunity for me. You know what I’m saying? Like whatever position I’m in, I’m hearing what they’re saying, leaning on those guys to be able to see what I can do to just naturally get better, and, end of the day, that’s kind of what matters in football.

“Either you’re going to be growing or you’re going to be dying, so you have to have that constant mindset: Well, I’m getting better.”

Although he saw most of his action on special teams with 241 plays, Solomon contributed two sacks, six quarterback hits, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery for the Buffalo defense as a rookie.

“Our playbook’s the same,” Solomon said. “We haven’t changed anything too much. So now being able to pay attention to the details and be able to just fine-tune things, because back then, I’m just running out there, I’m just trying to do my job every single play. But now I can do my job at a higher level because I’m excelling because I actually know what my guy’s doing, I know what the whole line is doing, and so that’s just what it kind of is.”

Solomon said a season of experience and another offseason of practice had made a noticeable difference.

“Then I was looking,” Solomon said. “I was, like, I’m trying to look at, oh, let me see what I could do different at the top of the rush. But every rush starts with a get-off. I’m missing the key point — the initial point of the rush. So now I’m focused on the main: What’s my stance like? What’s my angle like? Where are my eyes at? So that’s all before the ball’s even snapped, so now there are different keys coming in that I have to make sure I’m incorporating into my game so I can excel, so I can make those almost become actual sacks, you know, actual numbers.

“So that was probably the biggest thing — understanding pre-snap, just pre-snap stuff. Now it’s learning at the top of the rush. How can I get that toe turn so I can be facing the quarterback? Maybe make that play. How I can just maybe stick an arm out, maybe just to get the ball out. It’s little things like that.”

The Bills have completed their offseason program. Buffalo will be back at St. John Fisher University in Rochester, New York, for training camp, with the rookies reporting on July 15 and the veterans on July 22. The Bills start their three-game preseason schedule on Aug. 9 against the New York Giants.

Before leaving for the summer break, Solomon said he would be ready for training camp.

“I’m the type of guy, I kind of bounce around a little bit,” Solomon said, “so I’ll probably be in Dallas for like two weeks, then I’ll go down to South Florida a little bit. You know, there’s different training facilities with different trainers I like, so I like to maybe try to hit those. I like to get a different feel for things, so kind of go back and forth from those and get back up here probably like two weeks before training camp, work with Will (Greenberg), he’s the new strength coach, and he’s doing a great job, so to be able to get some work in with him, just be in the best shape.

“And I got a list of things I’m going into the summer with, and Will’s definitely going to help me out with some of those things, so we’re doing some Pilates, doing yoga, doing swimming, we got a bunch of things locked in.”

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

General

Rocket Classic livestream: Where to watch golf tournament round 1, TV, schedule

The first round of the Rocket Classic is scheduled to begin today, as golfers compete in the tournament this morning. The coverage will begin at 5:45 a.m. CT on ESPN+. Fans can watch round 1 of the Rocket Classic online by purchasing a monthly ESPN+ subscription for $11.99.

Cam Davis won the Rocket Classic last year, so he is looking to win the trophy again in 2025. He is coming off a poor performance in his last outing, so Davis will try to bounce back in round 1 today.

Benjamin Griffin will be another key golfer to watch at this tournament, as he played well in his last outing. He ended his most recent tournament with a -7 score, which was good enough for 14th place. If he continues to play at a high level, then Griffin could secure the victory at the Rocket Classic.

Keegan Bradley emerged victorious at his last tournament outing, so he is looking to win a second-straight tournament this week. He recorded a -15 score in the last event, so he will try to perform similarly at the Rocket Classic.

Fans can watch round 1 of the Rocket Classic online by purchasing a monthly ESPN+ subscription for $11.99.