By BARTON PERKINS | Staff Writer

Mayors from all across Shelby County recently signed a statement, which vocalizes their support for the nation of Israel in the wake of the war crimes committed by Hamas.

“We recognize the brutality of war and the death and destruction it wreaks; however, the battle for justice against injustice and good versus evil must prevail to protect the innocent and ensure liberty,” the statement reads. “We pray for a speedy end to hostilities and a lasting peace.”

The statement goes on to condemn Hamas attacks on civilian populations on Oct. 7, Israel’s sovereign right to defend itself against terrorist forces and demands the immediate release of all hostages currently held by Hamas. 

The document itself cements the mayors of Shelby County as being firmly on the side of Israel, and focuses heavily on the crimes Hamas has committed against the Israeli people. However, the document neglects to mention many of the war crimes also perpetuated by Israel itself on its Islamic population and citizens in Gaza which include the violation of medical neutrality.

The letter was signed by the following local politicians:

• Tony Picklesimer, mayor of Chelsea
• Scott Brakefield, mayor of Alabaster
• Theoangelo Perkins, mayor of Harpersville
• Frank Brocato, mayor of Hoover
• Rusty Nix, mayor of Montevallo
• James Latimer, mayor of Vincent
• Ricky Ray Morris, mayor of Wilsonville
• David Mitchell, mayor of Columbiana
• Jon Graham, mayor of Calera
• Brian Puckett, mayor of Helena
• Brenda Bell-Guercio, mayor of Indian Springs
• Gary Waters, mayor of Pelham
• Larry Riggins, mayor of Westover
• Deborah Wilson, mayor of Wilton

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By BARTON PERKINS | Staff Writer

PELHAM – As a homage to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade, the students of the Linda Nolen Learning Center paraded around the school and through the halls at the second-ever Balloons Over LNLC parade on Thursday, Nov. 16.

“Just seeing the excitement from the children, the joy on their faces and the excitement that the teachers and faculty and staff had, we just all had a blast,” LNLC’s Librarian Meredith Hornsby said.

The Linda Nolen Learning Center is a specialized learning center in Shelby County Schools that serves students with special needs by individualizing programs to prepare these students mentally, physically, socially and emotionally for independence. 

“The kind of kids that go here are typically students who have multiple disabilities. Some are medically fragile and can’t be served in their home school.” LNLC’s assistant principal Molly Parks said. “But we also have students who have emotional disabilities. And they need a smaller environment to thrive and be independent.”

The parade was inspired by “Balloons over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy’s Parade,” which documents the origin story of the famous Macy’s Thanksgiving parade.

“We read the book, and we talked about how the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade got started, how the balloons became a part of it, things like that,” Hornsby said. “And then we decided we were going to do our own parade because most of our students will never have the opportunity to participate in a city parade or something larger. So we wanted to give them that experience.”

Students had the chance to decorate their own balloons and parade through the hallways of LNLC, and several teachers even chose to accompany them. Along with the school’s students and teachers, members of the Oak Mountain High School’s Dance Line came to serve as an homage to the Radio City Rockettes. Several golden retriever puppies training to be facility dogs at Rover Chase also attended.

We had Leslie Claybrook, the general manager of the Birmingham Squadron, come and she was our grand marshal,” Hornsby said. “She (Claybrook) passed out a bunch of swag to all of our students and faculty.”

While this was LNLC’s second year putting on the event, it was Hornsby’s first year organizing it, and by all accounts, it was a wonderful experience for the students.

“It’s a very special school,” Hornsby said. “It’s the happiest place I’ve ever worked. We work hard every day to make each day awesome. We have fun every day, no matter what we wind up doing.”

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By BARTON PERKINS | Staff Writer

PELHAM – The city of Pelham officially entered contracts with RCX Sports, LLC for the right to operate both a NFL Flag Football and a NHL Street hockey programs for local youth at a regularly scheduled city council meeting on Monday, Nov. 20.

The possibility of creating these teams was previously discussed at a prior work session on Monday, Nov. 6. 

Both the NFL Flag Football and the NHL Street Hockey program would be youth leagues geared towards kids ages five to 13, and each team in the league will have NFL and NHL connections and logos on their respective equipment. Pelham will be one of only two cities in Alabama to have these leagues.

While the two new youth teams have been approved, no other plans have been announced at this time.

After the resolution was passed to officially enter contracts with RCX Sport, the city council then listened to a public hearing from business owner Ammar Alsabahi who is applying for a conditional use permit for a CBD, vape, alternative health and wellness store where Cahaba Cycles was previously located on Pelham Parkway. 

No formal decisions were made, and the city council decided to continue considerations of Alsabahi’s request at a future meeting. In other news, the Pelham City Council also approved the following items on the agenda:

• The designation of the city of Pelham as a Bee City USA affiliate.
• The approval of pay grades and changes to the job title for the position of Groundskeeper at Ballantrae Golf.
• Approval of the low bid and Notice of Award to JTL Golf, LLC for cart path and Bunker improvements at Ballantrae Golf Club and the amendments to the FY2024 Ballantrae Golf Club’s Project Budget.
• An agreement with the Shelby County Park and Recreational Authority to install conduit for the Campus No. 124 park project, to approve a quote from Alabama Power Company to install overhead to underground electrical service to the Campus No. 124 power meter, and to amend the FY2024 Campus No. 124 Project Budget to complete the park development.
• Approval of an agreement with the Shelby County Park and Recreational Authority for site preparation for the City Park Playground Project.

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By ANDREW SIMONSON | Sports Editor

The Pelham Panthers improved to 4-1 to start the season thanks to a pair of victories to close out the week. The Panthers defeated Bessemer City 70-34 on the road on Thursday, Nov. 16 before coming home a night later to beat Prattville Christian 73-46 on Friday, Nov. 17.

Against Prattville Christian, Pelham opened the game up on a hot streak, scoring 25 in the opening period.  Jayden Robinson set the tone of the game in the first possession by going up and grabbing an offensive board and finishing with a thunderous dunk.

Eight different players got on the board for Pelham in the first quarter, and a stifling defense held Prattville Christian to only nine points in the quarter.

Prattville Christian responded in the second quarter with four 3-point baskets to trim the lead at the half to 39-24.

In the second half, Pelham turned up the defensive intensity by outscoring Prattville Christian 34-22 in the half, and that helped them secure the 73-46 victory.

The scorebook continued to be spread out with eight different players scoring in the second half. Leading the way for the Panthers was Joe Wimberly with 12 points, followed by James Nguyen who hit three 3’s to total 11 points alongside Jayden Robinson. Eli Lewis finished with 10 points.

Before that, Pelham traveled to Bessemer City on Thursday, Nov. 16.

The Panthers started the game on fire on offense and matched that with an aggressive defense.

Not much changed in the second quarter, with Pelham continuing to play its style of basketball with efficient offense and lock down defense. At the half, Pelham was up 45-15.

The Panthers kept the pressure going for all four quarters and used an effective second half to leave Bessemer City with a 70-34 win.

The Panthers were led in scoring by Eli Lewis with 12 points and followed by Joe Wimberly, Jordan Henschel, and Dynarian Long with 10.

Pelham will return to action when they host their annual Turkey Classic Tournament, and its first game will be Monday at 10:30 a.m. against Chilton County.

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By JOSH BOUTWELL | Special to the Reporter

TROY – It’s been a long road, but Alabama’s very first legal bourbon whiskey distillery attraction, Conecuh Ridge Distillery, is planning for a May 2024 opening as the complex in Troy nears completion.

Conecuh Ridge Distillery will produce the official state spirit of Alabama, Clyde May’s Alabama Style Whiskey. The moonshine whiskey was made famous by former moonshiner Clyde May, a native of Alabama.

After proudly serving his country in the Army’s 77th Infantry in World War II – earning a Bronze Star and Purple Heart – Clyde May returned home to Alabama and became known as one of the “most wanted” moonshiners in the state. His original still was set up close to Pike County in nearby Bullock County.

While Clyde May passed away in 1990, his son, Kenny May, launched the legal Clyde May’s Alabama Style Whiskey in 2001 and it became the official state spirit of Alabama in 2004.

While Conecuh Ridge Distillery has bottled and produced its products outside of Clyde May’s home state of Alabama over the years, it will now return to Troy, Ala., when it opens in 2024.

Conecuh Ridge Distillery will produce numerous products, including Clyde May’s Alabama Style Whiskey, Clyde May’s Straight Bourbon, Clyde May’s Cask Strength, Clyde May’s Straight Rye Whiskey and Clyde May’s Straight Bourbon Whiskey.

The facility will feature not only the distillery but also a bottling plant, a restaurant and bar, tasting rooms, a retail shop and a barrelhouse to age barrels of whiskey.  All of that will be part of tours that will be featured at Conecuh Ridge Distillery.

The distillery will create approximately 50 new jobs in Pike County once it is fully operational and up to capacity.

Steve May (no relation to Clyde May) serves as vice president and general manager of the Conecuh Ridge Distillery. Prior to joining Conecuh Ridge, May served as director of marketing operations for the Jack Daniel’s Distillery in Tennessee.

During his tenure there, he oversaw significant growth in the distillery’s retail sales and annual guest count, which grew from 191,000 to over 300,000 annually. That growth also added to the economic growth of the area. During his tenure, the Jack Daniel’s Distillery invested more than $25 million in capital improvements at the site, as well.

“I was responsible for marketing operations for the Jack Daniel’s Distillery, one of the largest tourist attractions in Tennessee,” May said. “Before the pandemic, we had over 300,000 people a year taking tours there and 190 employees just in marketing. It had an enormous economic impact on the area and it’s our hope that we can do similar things in Troy.”

The distillery will offer five different types of tours when it opens with prices ranging from $20 to $45. Tours will begin at the Clyde 240, Clyde May’s original moonshine still, which was named so because it took $240 worth of copper to make the still. After learning the history of May and Conecuh Ridge Distillery, tourists will get to tour the entire distillery facility and process.

“We will be very family friendly. If you bring your children you can take a tour that doesn’t include any alcohol,” May said. “We have a little bit of everything going on here. We are not just a tourist attraction but a full-fledged distillery with a bottling plant that will produce Clyde May’s whiskey and Conecuh Ridge whiskey.”

“We’ll be buying local grain grown in Alabama,” May said. “Our corn will come from farms right here in this area.  We’ll sell our spent grain, which is very nutritious, to local cattle farmers.”

Troy Mayor Jason Reeves said that he believed the distillery would bring a unique tourist experience to Troy.

“The Conecuh Ridge Distillery will provide a quality tourism destination and investment on the north side of Troy,” Reeves said. “It will be a unique opportunity for those traveling through Troy as well as those within a few hours who would like to take a weekend or even a day trip to see our community and the Clyde May brands’ process. I have no doubt it will be a distinctly fun experience.”

Steve May said that the distillery is planning for a May 2024 opening, but weather and other issues may push that back. Regardless, Summer 2024 looks like it will see the opening of Alabama’s first whiskey distillery that will be located off Highway 231 where 3 million cars travel annually.

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By BARTON PERKINS | Staff Writer

PELHAM – The Anglican Church of the Good Shepherd will be hosting a free health clinic on Sunday, Nov. 19,  from 2 to 5 p.m.

“They (Community Hope Health) plan on doing free health checks which will include things like blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol, women’s health and behavioral health,” Reverend Andrew Brashier said. 

Previously, the Anglican Church of the Good Shepherd hosted a health clinic with Community Hope Health back in August that helped distribute COVID-19 and other vaccinations to children going back to school. 

“It’ll be their mobile clinic and this time instead of doing shots we’re gonna be doing general wellness or health care checkups,” Brashier said.

Most healthcare professionals recommend that individuals should receive a wellness check every six to 12 months, but often people either forget or cannot afford to visit a physician due to financial reasons. Community Hope Health’s clinic will be free to anyone needing a check-up.

“Community Hope Heath has been looking for ways to collaborate with us and they’re always so supportive of the community,” Brashier said.

As part of their collaboration with Community Hope Health, members of The Anglican Church of the Good Shepherd’s congregation will be helping patients get checked in, and providing the church’s building as a warm place for people to wait on their check-ups.

“Our mission is, to sum it up, ‘loving God by serving our neighbors’” Brashier said. “So this is just one small way to meet physical needs, specifically healthcare while also being there to do spiritual deeds by praying with and praying over people.”

Brashier noted that he hopes that his church will continue its partnership with Hope Health Clinic and host more free health clinics with the group in the future.

“We’re a local church that’s present and seeking to continue to be present with those in the community,” Brashier said. “Really helping local needs, and not overlooking the people who are right here in our backyards.”

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By ANDREW SIMONSON | Sports Editor

CHELSEA – The Pelham Panthers took on their county rivals, the Chelsea Hornets, on Tuesday, Nov. 14 and came away with a 54-49 victory at Chelsea High School.

Both teams came out solid offensively with Chelsea holding a 21-16 lead after the first quarter.

The offense picked up in the second quarter for the Hornets while the Panthers cooled down. Chelsea scored another 15 points in the quarter to take a 36-25 lead into the halftime break.

Chelsea went into the half with all the momentum, but Pelham responded in the second half. Even with multiple players in foul trouble, the Panthers dug deep in the 3rd quarter. Pelham scored 15 points and held Chelsea to only eight.

Chelsea led 44-40 going into the fourth quarter. Early in the quarter, Joe Wimberly fouled out, but the Panthers rallied together as a team to make up for his absence.

The Pelham defense held to only five points in the final period as the Panthers’ strong second half defense continued even without Wimberly.

Egypt Daniel hit a big three-pointer in the quarter to give the Panthers the lead, and Sam Tolbert came up with a critical offensive rebound in the final minutes to help seal the victory.

Daniel led Pelham in scoring with 10 points, Dynarian Long with nine points and Wimberly and Sam Tolbert with eight points.

The Panthers are back in action on the road against Bessemer City on Thursday, Nov. 16 at 7:30 p.m.

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By BARTON PERKINS | Staff Writer

PELHAM – On Friday, Nov. 10, students at Pelham Oaks and Pelham Ridge had the chance to learn about the history of Veterans Day and to meet former members of the Armed Services.

“I just think it’s a great way to honor those who served our country,” said Pelham Oaks Principal Chase Holden.

As part of their celebrations, Pelham Oaks students participated in a schoolwide essay contest about veterans. The winners of this contest then had the chance to read their essays during a school assembly attended by local veterans and members of the community.

“A lot of times it’s family members of students,” Holden said. “We’re never sure how many to expect but we accept anybody who comes.”

Pelham Ridge celebrated Veterans Day differently by creating a slideshow and video honoring the various veterans nominated by students and parents. The presentation was then viewed by students in their classrooms, and was followed by a parade through the hallways of the school by students and visiting veterans.

“This was the second year that we have honored the veterans in this way.,” said Pelham Ridge Library Media Specialist Laura Reeves. “Before COVID, we would do a program in the gymnasium, but the students had to sit in silence for most of the program. The veterans expressed to us last year that they loved seeing the students cheering in the hallways and much preferred this type of program, so this is why we have changed it to the parade style.”

Despite having different celebrations, both schools took time to educate students on the history of Veterans Day, and how the holiday actually had its origins in Alabama.

Veterans Day initially began as Armistice Day which commemorated the cessation of hostilities with Germany after World War I. However, it was not until 1945 that Veterans Day became the holiday it is known as today.

In 1945, after serving in the American Navy during World War II, Birmingham native Raymond Weeks came up with the idea that Armistice Day should be set aside to honor veterans of all wars, not just World War I.

The next year, Weeks wrote and personally delivered his petition for a “National Veterans Day 1947” to then Army Chief of Staff, General Dwight Eisenhower. The first Veterans Day was subsequently held in Birmingham in 1947, but it would not be until seven years later, in 1954, that President Eisenhower would officially rechristen Armistice Day as Veterans Day and it became a national holiday honoring all veterans of the military.

Pelham Oak and Pelham Ridge’s Veterans Day celebrations are a testament to that rich history, and the honor deserved by past and present members of the armed services.

“I feel that the most memorable moment of our event was when a grandfather spoke after the sing-a-long,” Reeves said. “He talked about how important it was for veterans to be able to get together with comrades and be able to talk about their time in service, and expressed gratitude for the recognition of the veterans.”

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By BARTON PERKINS | Staff Writer

HOOVER –  The Alabama Civic Chorale has announced that they will be putting on their 76th annual presentation of Handel’s “Messiah on Sunday, Nov. 19 at 3 p.m. at Riverchase United Methodist Church.

Handel’s “Messiah” was composed in 1741 by George Frideric Handel. “Messiah”’s structure is similar to that of an opera, however instead of relying on character and narrative structure like a traditional opera does “Messiah” is more a meditation on Jesus as the Messiah called Christ. 

Today, Handel’s “Messiah” is one of the most well-known and performed pieces of music in the Western world. 

The Alabama Civic Chorale has been putting on annual performances of “Messiah” since the 1950s at Riverchase United Methodist and has used the event as a way to both contribute to Birmingham’s music scene and to give back to the less fortunate.

The Chorale was founded by Earl and Frances Clark in 1951, following a trip with their high school and youth choirs to Ridgecrest Music Conference where they sang “Messiah.” Both Clarks were longtime musicians and churchgoers and were inspired to try and combine their group into a cohesive chorus.

Over the past decades, the Alabama Civic Chorale has expanded to include a hundred standing members and has performed all over the state.

The final rehearsal for the 76th annual “Messiah” performance took place on Monday, Nov. 13.

“We’ve worked hard and hope that you will come to fill the glorious sanctuary at Riverchase United Methodist Church this Sunday, November 19th, at 3 p.m.,” The Alabama Civic Chorale said on Facebook. “What a wonderful way for you to begin the holiday season by attending the performance.”

“Messiah” will be open to the public and childcare will be provided. Additionally, guests are encouraged to bring an item of non-perishable food to be placed in one of the BHN barrels located at Riverchase to provide food for Grace Klein’s distribution program.

“If you are bringing food to the concert then you can trust that food is going to be delivered to members of the community that really needs it,” said Grace Klein founder Jenny Waltman. “It’s especially helpful to families this year during Thanksgiving.”

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By NOAH WORTHAM | Staff Writer

COLUMBIANA – The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office is set to receive body cameras for its officers—bringing enhanced transparency between local first responders and the public.

The Shelby County Commission awarded a bid for 135 body cameras to be used by the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office during a regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, Nov. 13.

“We are thrilled for the opportunity to deploy body cameras for our field operations,” Chief Deputy Clay Hammac said. “I am even more grateful for the foresight and partnership with our county commissioners for funding this project.”

The SCSO was already utilizing camera systems in patrol vehicles as well as an audio recorder for each deputy, but now it can take advantage of body cameras that will be compatible with the same server and systems.

“The Commission has discussed it for the last three years and we knew we were going in that direction, we were just waiting for the product to catch up and this year was that year,” Sheriff John Samaniego said.

Samaniego said the SCSO was concerned with the use of cameras when they were first released on a widespread basis, due to the possibility of the camera battery dying or the camera losing connection.

“The worst thing you can have is to be wearing a body camera and it doesn’t work because nobody is going to believe you (when you say) it wasn’t working properly,” Samaniego. “What we wanted to do is make sure that product met the quality of Shelby County. We try to stay top-shelf all the time.”

Samaniego said he believes that some of the negative thoughts citizens have about police will be dispersed thanks to the addition of the cameras.

“We polled the deputies, ‘What is your feeling on body cameras,’” Samaniego said. (And) 80-something percent of the deputies wanted them. So, that means they’re going to support that, they’re not going to try and get around it.”

According to Samaniego, the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office hopes to have the cameras deployed by the first of next year or the first quart of net year.

“As the law enforcement profession continues to evolve, we must seize every opportunity to continue to communicate our devotion to accountability and transparency, through excellence in service, in all that we do,” Hammac said. “The body camera simply serves as a tool to reassure our community that our priorities are unchanging; that we safeguard lives, property and protect the Constitutional freedoms and rights of all.”

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