By NOAH WORTHAM | Staff Writer

NORTH SHELBY – Local residents enjoyed the fall atmosphere as they shopped for arts and crafts during The Town of Mt Laurel’s annual fall festival.

The Mt Laurel Fall Festival took place this year on Saturday, Nov. 4 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the town’s center.

The festival serves as a biannual showcase for local artists and as a way to promote the community. The event boasted a variety of activities including a craft fair, inflatables, live music, food trucks, a farmers market and more. A kids zone was also present at Olmsted Park.

“It’s just such a wonderful time of year in The Town of Mt Laurel, it’s a beautiful landscape,” said Codie Thoma, office coordinator at the Mt Laurel Arc Realty Office. “It’s just got a really nice feel.”

The event featured a variety of local vendors and craftsmen for locals to discover.

“We do get a lovely collection of home items, we (have) young entrepreneurs breaking out in the business as well as seasoned veterans,” Thoma said. “We are very familiar with the arts and crafts scene in Birmingham.”

Residents were also able to enjoy live music throughout the event as they traveled about the festival.

This year’s edition of the fall festival symbolizes a special milestone as 2023 marks the 25th anniversary of the Town of Mt Laurel.

“Mt Laurel is a sustainable neighborhood that offers residents a relaxed pace of life,” reads the town’s website. “ It’s a place with a unique identity, formed by three core values: community, respect for nature and a commitment to the future.”

Those interested in more information on events at Mt Laurel may visit its website at Mtlaurel.com.

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By NOAH WORTHAM | Staff Writer

CHELSEA – The Chelsea City Council approved an economic incentive for a new Waffle House coming to the city and made various appointments to the newly created Board of Zoning during a regularly scheduled city council meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 21.

During the meeting, the Chelsea approved an economic development incentive for HCI Chelsea, LLC which will support its efforts to bring a Waffle House to the city of Chelsea.

The new Waffle House will be located on Atchison Drive in front of the hotel—next to where Arby’s is currently located.

“We’re very excited about that, and we really appreciate all the work HCI Chelsea did in making that possible,” Mayor Tony Picklesimer said.

During the council meeting, Picklesimer shared that construction on the ABC wholesale distribution center is complete and that the business hopes to take possession of the building sometime in November and hopes to be operational by Friday, Dec. 1.

The expansion of ABC’s operations is expected to bring 15 jobs to Chelsea and the business will continue to be a revenue generator for the city.

The Chelsea City Council also approved the appointment of Councilmember Casey Morris to the library board.

“I’m excited to serve,” Morris said. “I attended my first meeting unofficially last week, and we’ve got a great library board doing some really cool things over there. I’m excited to be a part of it (and to) learn more.”

In other news, the Chelsea City Council:

• Approved a resolution authorizing the mayor to execute a managed print services agreement.
• Approved a resolution to declare property as surplus and authorize its disposal.
• Approved the appointment of six individuals to the Board of Zoning and Adjustments.
• Approved an ordinance for an annexation request by Paul and Holly Preston for property located 755 Salser Lane.

The Chelsea City Council meetings for the month of December are scheduled to take place on Tuesday, Dec. 5 and Tuesday, Dec. 19. The Chelsea High School theatre is set to perform songs from its upcoming production at the Chelsea City Council meeting on Dec. 5.

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By NOAH WORTHAM | Staff Writer

CHELSEA – Locals enjoyed a variety of festivities during the first-ever Save the Camp Fall Festival Fundraiser

The festival took place on Nov. 18 from 5-8 p.m. at the field between Chelsea Corners and Winn Dixie where the Big Kaboom and the Bikes 4 Kids Rodeo normally take place.

The event brought an evening filled with smiles, food and a variety of entertainment for local families all while helping raise funds to save Hargis Christian Camp.

“We wanted to have something for our community,” said Aaron Knight who runs Hargis Christian Camp with his wife Kellie. “Our community has been really good to us and so really this festival is more than a fundraiser—it’s more of a way for us to show appreciation to the community that has helped us raise money to save this camp that means so much to our town.”

Attendees were also able to enjoy live music throughout the event and children were able to participate in a variety of games and enjoy a petting zoo.

The event featured around 80-90 different vendors, with a variety of food trucks and local merchants selling goods. Vendors at the event were able to register for free.

“There’s no vendor fee set up,” Aaron said. “We wanted them to be able to come in and be able to enjoy whatever they’re selling. If they want to give a portion of the proceeds to the camp, they can.”

Hargis Christian Camp has been a staple of the area since 1965 and has served a space for generations of local residents to congregate and spend time together.

“It’s more than just (a) church camp and church camps are great—what we do is we try to connect with the community and be an asset,” Aaron said. “The local teams come in—the Shelby County High School football team, Chelsea football team, the volleyball team, soccer team, baseball team—local teams come in and we share the gospel with them. Also, a lot of special needs groups come in to the camp.

Aaron and Kellie have working over the last two years to pay back a $2.5 million loan in order to keep the camp after buying back the camp’s property.

“Not every town gets to have a camp, not every town around here has a camp,” Aaron said. “And so, in saving the camp, we wanted to make Jesus known, that was our main objective for this generation. We also wanted to be an asset to our community and (be) something that people could use and come around be able to share in God’s creation out there.”

The Knights are close to meeting their goal of raising funds for the camp. After a recent donation by Avadian Credit Union, Hargis Christian Camp needs to raise $475,000 by Dec. 31.

“We’ve raised almost half a million dollars in six weeks—that’s a good spot to be in,” Aaron said. “We’ve gotten kind of used to being uncomfortable. “It’s a good place and it’s a challenging place but it’s fun to see how the Lord raises that money. It’s really not up to us, it’s up to him.”

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By NOAH WORTHAM | Staff Writer

ALABASTER – There were smiles and hugs across Alabaster City Schools as the Board of Education surprised staff with extra compensation checks the week before Thanksgiving break.

After approving the annual extra compensation checks for ACS staff during a BOE meeting on Monday, Nov. 13, members of the board of education visited each school on Tuesday, Nov. 14 to personally hand deliver the checks to the workers that make the school system possible.

“I’m just so thankful for our wonderful board of education that always makes the extra compensation a priority when we’re doing our budget,” Superintendent Dr. Wayne Vickers said. “This year, we were able to give the largest amount that we’ve ever been able to give to our employees. So, we’re very excited to be able to do that.”

This year, all certified employees received $2,000 and classified employees received $1,000 which is double the amount that was given last year. The delivery of the checks has become a tradition for Alabaster City Schools as this year marked the 10th year that the board has provided extra compensation.

During the first stop on the journey, the BOE visited Meadow View Elementary School and were met with surprised smiles from office staff, child nutrition workers and teachers alike. Plenty of hugs were exchanged between staff and this year was special for several who received checks for the first time as new ACS employees.

“It’s one of the most wonderful feelings,” Vickers said. “When I was a teacher, I remember getting a turkey one year from Bruno’s. That was one of the gifts to our employees, and it was so exciting. It was a wonderful thing, but to be able to give employees some extra compensation at a time of year when they need it with Thanksgiving holidays, Christmas holidays and winter break—it’s an exciting time to be able to do that and our employees deserve it.”

Afterward, Alabaster City Schools were also able to look forward to a full week of Thanksgiving break after it was previously approved by the board of education.

“I’m glad this year they agreed and the advisory council that helps me with the calendar came up and we presented it and it was overwhelmingly supported by everyone,” Vickers said. “Everyone seems to be very happy with it.”

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By NOAH WORTHAM | Staff Writer

ALABASTER – The Alabaster City Schools Board of Education approved multiple pieces of technology to aid in its goal of educating students during a regularly scheduled BOE meeting on Monday, Nov. 13.

During the meeting, the ACS Board of Education approved the purchase of Magma Math for grades K-12.

“We’re trying to make math come alive, and we’re also trying to give our teachers the ability to monitor and give feedback without the traditional (way of) having to get up to the board,” ACS Superintendent Dr. Wayne Vickers said.

The interactive program allows students to do work on their chrome books and the teacher can pull up each desk individually and see how the student is doing.

During the meeting, the ACS Board of Education also approved purchase of Viewsonic Interactive Panels for the front of classrooms to assist in instruction as well as Cortex Desktop Security Software.

The BOE approved a resolution at the recommendation of Volkert, Inc for the purchase of Wenger Choir Risers for Thompson Middle School.

“That’s something that we’ve done at the high school and we’ve done at the others—theirs were just ready to be replaced so we just took care of it,” Vickers said. “We don’t want people to have to raise money for choir risers, we want to be able to take care of that. That’s part of their instructional program.”

In other news the ACS Board of Education approved the following resolutions:

• Out-of-state field trip requests for TMS and Thompson High School.
• Purchase of Chromebooks from Clear Wind Technologies.
• Volkert, Inc recommendation of owner/architect agreement.
• Volkert, Inc recommendation of funding for VE for subsequent CO.
• Volkert, Inc recommendation of Amendment #5 renewing program.
• Approval of Alabaster City Schools vehicle purchase.

After addressing the items on the agenda, Vickers spoke to those to the Board and those in attendance.

“I want to thank everyone, especially our administrators and our central office staff for the great work that they do,” Vickers said. “We’ve had a great school year so far and we’re looking at having our first full week of Thanksgiving coming up, that’s new for our system and very well-received by everyone.”

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By NOAH WORTHAM | Staff Writer 

ALABASTER – Shelby Baptist Medical Center in Alabaster recently acquired a number of new technologies to help improve each patient’s care and experience.

Shelby Baptist recently acquired three new pieces of technology including a Mako Robotic Surgery System, Siemens 256-slice CT scanner and a Philips Azurion.

“We’re extremely excited to have these advances in medical technology at Shelby,” said Shelby CEO Holly Dean. “We are committed to providing the highest quality care possible here at Shelby, and these enhancements will certainly help us do that.”

Shelby Baptist purchased a new Siemens 256 Slice CT Scanner and installed it for use on Sept. 25.

“The 256 is the latest and greatest piece of equipment out there for CT scanners,” said Diane Baribeau, imaging director for Shelby Baptist. “We are now able to do a complete imaging of the heart in less than seven seconds.”

The 256-slice CT scanner is a piece of advanced diagnostic imaging equipment that uses a combination of X-rays and computer technology to produce cross-sectional images of the body in both horizontal and vertical directions. The device is capable of capturing three-dimensional images of the entire heart in only two heartbeats.

Previously, the staff was hindered in getting patients through due to the slowness of the old machine and the need to medically lower a patient’s heart rate.

“We’re able to do more procedures because it’s a faster machine,” Baribeau said.  “So, for heart studies, there has been a big, big increase. We’re able to do a noncontrast CT stroke patient in probably three seconds.”

After working with the device for around a month, Baribeau said the state-of-the-art device helped the department expedite the process.

“It makes it easier on the techs to get the patient in position and for the radiologist to perform studies based on us having new equipment here that can do things that previous equipment wasn’t able to do,” Baribeau said.

Orthopedics surgery at the hospital will soon benefit from the addition of a new Mako Robotic Surgery System.

“It is meant for aiding surgeons replacing knees and hips,” said Paula Pool, surgical services director for Shelby Baptist Medical Center. “The Mako is exactly like a navigation system. Just like if you put your address in your navigation system in your car, it takes you directly to that address instead of you making a bunch of turns you didn’t need to make.”

For the procedure, a CAT scan is loaded onto the device’s navigational program and the device will allow the surgeon to only make the precise cuts to the joint that are for the placement of implants.

According to Pool, the Mako has been known to make a patient’s recovery much quicker because there are less unnecessary cuts to the joint space.

“We’re really excited about it,” Pool said. “Mako technology has been around for a long time. Our surgeons are very interested in that and have already been trained up on all of that and they are in the process of defining what patient base would be best for having the procedure done.”

The hospital’s catheterization laboratory, or cath lab, has also benefitted from a new piece of technology—a Philips Azurion machine.

“It has new cardiac advanced technology that is going to better serve our population,” said Crystal Holtzapfel, the cath lab manager for non-invasive and invasive cardiology.

The new device has lower radiation exposure for patients and staff and better image quality thanks to stent boost technology.

“It also has a CT scanner on it,” Holtzapfel said. “If we wanted to take some nice pictures of the neck or head arteries, we could do that without having to take the patient off the table.”

The department has already made use of the Philips Azurion and started using it with patients starting on Oct. 17.

“The procedures are quicker, everybody is impressed as they’re looking at the monitors, the images are huge—(it makes it) a lot easier to see what we’re working on,” Holtzapfel said.

All of the new technologies at the Shelby Baptist Medical Center assist the nurses, doctors and staff in delivering a high-quality service at a fast pace.

“We’re incredibly proud to bring this technology to Shelby,” Dean said. “We want residents of Alabaster and the surrounding community to know that they don’t have to leave town to benefit from advanced medical technology. It’s available to them right here at home, and were proud to be the hospital that offers it.”

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By NOAH WORTHAM | Staff Writer 

ALABASTER – The Alabaster City Council approved an ordinance relating to fats, oils and greases and approved a change order for renovations to Veterans Park during the first city council meeting held at the new 6:30 p.m. meeting time.

On Nov. 13, the City Council held a public hearing for an ordinance relating to fats, oils and greases (FOG) measures within the city. After receiving no public comment for or against the issue, the Council approved the ordinance.

The approved ordinance regulates the depositing of fats, oils and greases into the municipal wastewater treatment system.

“This was a regulation set forth by the state and the EPA but there is no deburring or enforcement, so therefore the city is going to be the enforcer of these mandates,” Councilmember Greg Farrell said.

According to the ordinance, fats, oils and greases that are disposed into the sanitary sewer system can cool, solidify and combine with other foreign materials and restrict or completely block flow through the sewer lines. When the lines are blocked, wastewater backs up until it overflows from manholes or building plumbing fixtures into storm drains, creeks or buildings.

The ordinance enables the city to inspect and monitor the use of the sanitary sewer system and establishes methods for controlling the introduction of FOG materials.

During the meeting, the city council approved a resolution authorizing a change order in the amount of $107,295 for Veterans Park renovations. The city needed to replace a damaged water line, relocate an existing water line and replace concrete plaza panels.

After the council meeting, members of the VFW Lance Corporal Rivers Memorial Post 12185 presented flags to Mayor Scott Brakefield—representing each branch of the U.S. Armed Forces to flown in the city of Alabaster.

In other news, the Alabaster City Council approved the following items on the agenda:

• An ordinance to amend the name on the last line of Ordinance 180212-056 dated Feb. 26, 2018 from API Alabaster, LLC to API Alabaster, LLC; API Alabaster TWO, LLC; API Highway 31, LLC; and/or Alumni Property & Investments, LLC.
• An ordinance to prezone 2 Dogwood Trail to R-3 Single Family Residential.
• An ordinance for the annexation of 2 Dogwood Trail following prezoning.
• An ordinance amending the business license ordinances as relates to community living facilities within the city.
• A resolution awarding a bid to One Call Services in the amount of $1,575,055 for No. 3 sanitary sewer system rehabilitation.
• A resolution awarding a bid to Southern Civil Contracting, Inc in the amount of $770,757.01 for No.4 sanitary sewer system rehabilitation.
• A resolution adding one substitute clerk position at the Albert L. Scott Library.
• A resolution authorizing the reclassifying of maintenance mechanic and maintenance mechanic supervisors in the city.

The Alabaster City Council also set the following public hearings for Monday, Dec. 13 at 6:30 p.m.:

• An ordinance to rezone property owned by Larry and Patricia Edmondson at 8365 Highway 119 to B-4.
• An ordinance to prezone property of Samuel Brown located at 1104 Kent Dairy Road to R-3 Single Family District
• An annexation request by Samuel Brown for two acres of property at 1104 Kent Diary Road.

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By NOAH WORTHAM | Staff Writer

ALABASTER – The new Michaels is now open in Alabaster and ready for locals to come and purchase supplies for all of their crafting and artisan needs.

Michaels in Alabaster opened a few days early on Monday, Nov. 13 after originally planning to open on Friday, Nov. 17. The business is located in the Propst Promenade shopping center where Bed Bath & Beyond was formerly located at 300 Colonial Promenade Parkway, Ste 2400.

“We’re so excited to see this new and much-requested retailer come to Alabaster,” said Neal Wagner, public relations manager for the city of Alabaster. “Our residents have been requesting a dedicated craft store like this for many years, so we’re happy to see Michaels open its doors in the Promenade.”

Michaels is part of a chain of arts and crafts stores that provide residents with do-it-yourself supplies and merchandise.  Michaels carries a full range of art supplies, including paints, brushes, canvases, charcoal, easels, school and office supplies, markers, drawing sets and more.

The store features a teacher supplies section that is coupled with an everyday 15 percent discount for teachers. The section offers an array of classroom décor, including bulletin board decorations, educational posters, storage and organization tools.

The city of Alabaster first announced that a Michaels craft and hobby store was coming to the city back in June. Since then, the Alabaster City Council approved an incentive package with cosmetic upgrades to the building and surrounding parking lots during a meeting on Sept. 11.

Michaels in Alabaster is open every day at the following times:

• Monday from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Thursday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Friday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Saturday from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Sunday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

More information on Michaels can be found on its official website at Michaels.com.

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By NOAH WORTHAM | Staff Writer

ALABASTER – Alabaster City Schools Superintendent Dr. Wayne Vickers met with students from across all ACS schools to hear their valuable feedback on how to improve the schools.

Dr. Vickers met with students from Meadow View Elementary, Creek View Elementary, Thompson Intermediate, Thompson Middle and Thompson High School during the 10th annual Student Advisory Council meetings which began on Tuesday, Nov. 7.

“It is the most meaningful interaction that you can have because we get them in there, and we have one-on-one conversations,” Vickers said.

Vickers also holds group meetings and ACS staff gets involved with the program as well. According to Vickers, the Student Advisory Council meetings promote an atmosphere that makes students comfortable with sharing.

“To me that’s the most authentic type of communication, when a student tells you, ‘Hey, on the bathroom stall on the third-grade hall—the third girls restroom—the latch doesn’t work and we have to crawl out,” Vickers said. “It means something because then the next time we meet with them it’s, ‘Hey, you all got that fixed. You all took care of that.’”

The advisory council also gives the ACS staff a chance to not only hear requests from the students for improvements but also advice on where to save money or better use resources.

“When we were building the high school, the student advisory (council) are the ones that talked to me about lockers,” Vickers said. “They said, ‘We don’t use them, so don’t waste your money. We don’t use them—our moms buy them in ninth grade and we don’t even know where they are.’”

Vickers said he finds his experience with the council to be rewarding.

“It gives me a chance to sit down and talk with them and they understand who I am and what I do,” Vickers said. “They also realize how important they are because every bit of our school system points (toward) making sure our students are successful and giving them that voice gives them that opportunity.”

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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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