By EMILY SPARACINO | Special to the Reporter

MONTEVALLO – Describing the lasting impact the late Catherine Bridges Legg had on her community requires the use of words such as service, leadership and dedication.

Legg, who died in early January at age 95, spent her life working for the good of Montevallo and her family, both of which she loved deeply.

Legg’s adoration for Montevallo started soon after she and her family moved to the city when she was 12 years old.

“She said she fell in love with Montevallo,” said Tom Smitherman, one of Legg’s four sons. “She loved Montevallo more than anybody that I’ve ever known loving their community. It meant the world to her for Montevallo to look good, and she thought it was just the perfect place.”
For many years, Legg worked at Alabama Refractory Clay Company, which mined clay in Montevallo and Calera to sell to steel mills.

She started as a secretary, became manager and, eventually, bought the company, Smitherman said.

In addition to establishing herself as a business owner, Legg was a church leader and an active community member.

Her tireless work for the city of Montevallo reflected the care she had for her hometown. Legg served multiple terms on the Montevallo City Council, making even more connections with her fellow citizens, including Sharon Anderson.

Anderson said she was appointed to fill Legg’s seat on the City Council after she moved outside of the city limits and could no longer serve.

Anderson, who went on to serve as Montevallo’s mayor from 2004-2008, said she and Legg developed a close friendship.

“She was the most civic-minded person I’ve ever known,” Anderson said. “If you talked long enough with her in a conversation, it always turned to the city of Montevallo–how much she loved it, but also how she wanted to improve it to make it nice enough where people would want to come and live.”

Anderson described Legg as “funny and smart,” and added, “She got the job done.”
Promoting Montevallo came naturally to Legg and made her a great fit for the job of Chamber of Commerce director, a position she approached with passion and creativity.

“A lot of people in Montevallo would remember the persona she created for the Chamber Chatter, Sammy Squirrel,” said Glenda Smitherman, Tom’s wife. “She would give all the town news from the perspective of Sammy Squirrel. That became a fun thing for anyone to read.”
Legg also worked for the city as its zoning officer and in other capacities.

“She served on many boards of the city during her many years of service to the city and as a citizen,” Anderson said. “She was a great leader for those boards.”

According to Anderson, Legg helped write grants to secure funding for a new senior center and was instrumental in designing a new entranceway to Montevallo’s Orr Park, complete with a gateway similar to one located on the University of Montevallo campus.

Legg also founded a student leadership program called Leaders of Tomorrow at Montevallo Middle School.

And, as if she were not busy enough, Legg wrote as a community columnist for the Shelby County Reporter for years.

Among her many roles, however, is one that Tom remembered more fondly than the others.
“A lot of people know about what she did in the community,” he said. “What most people don’t know is the kind of mother she was.”

Tom said Legg kept books for several companies and did tax returns for many individuals and companies.

“During tax season from January to May every year when I was a young child, she’d come home from her regular job, fix us supper and then start working on income tax returns till 2 or 3 in the morning,” Tom said. “She would get a couple hours of sleep, wake up and get us ready. She was just unbelievably intelligent and work-oriented. She was pretty remarkable.”

In her later years, Glenda said Legg was known to walk her dog, Albert, around town regularly.
“Everybody would always say something about seeing Catherine and her dog,” Glenda said. “That was well into her 80s.”

She walked every day until she no longer could, Tom said. Each walk was just another chance to see the community she loved.

The post Montevallo’s Catherine Legg remembered as devoted mother, city supporter appeared first on Shelby County Reporter.

FROM STAFF REPORTS

PELHAM – Adam Lewis, a Pelham Park Middle School teacher, was arrested for alleged possession of child pornography.

Lewis, teacher and assistant wrestling coach in the Pelham School System, was arrested on Pelham City School property on Wednesday, Jan. 25, and is being held at the Shelby County Jail on charges of alleged child pornography possession. He has a set bond of $15,000.

The investigation is being led by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s Internet Crimes Against Children unit.

At 5:39 p.m. on Jan. 25, Pelham City Schools sent an email to parents and guardians. The statement read as follows:

“State law enforcement officials made Pelham City Schools aware of alleged wrongdoing by a Pelham Park Middle School teacher on Wednesday. The employee was removed from the school building, and system administrators took immediate action to place the employee on administrative leave.

“While we cannot discuss the details of personnel matters, our top priority is the safety and well-being of our students, and we will fully cooperate with law enforcement as it conducts a full investigation into the allegations.”

Lewis is also listed as the youth director at a local church in Pelham.

This story will be updated as more information becomes available.

The post Pelham Park teacher, coach arrested on child porn charge appeared first on Shelby County Reporter.

By MEG HERNDON | Staff Writer

HELENA – The Helena Diversity and Inclusion Board announced the annual Helena United Festival will take place this spring.

The festival is set for Saturday, April 22 at Helena Amphitheater Park from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The board said residents and members of surrounding cities are invited to attend this free event.

“We are excited to provide a variety of activities for patrons while enjoying music from different cultures and genres,” read an official statement from the board. “Helena United Festival will be an amazing, free public event and all patrons will enjoy learning about various cultures, cuisines and their history in a family-friendly atmosphere.”

Attendees can expect vendors, food trucks, kid’s activities and live entertainment at the festival.

2022 was the first year the Diversity and Inclusion Board held the festival. One difference from the first year compared to this year is the addition of live music. The festival will once again feature a cooking demonstration.

“The cooking demonstration had a great turnout (last year),” said Dominga Gardner, chair of the Diversity and Inclusion Board. “Many people watched the demonstration and wanted to take the food home.”

Additionally, the board plans for more informational booths from various organizations from around the county to be present.

Gardner said she hopes that the festival acts as a way for attendees to connect with new people and celebrate their differences.

“I hope the festival is a free space (where attendees) have the ability to explore different cultures, cuisines and history and embrace everyone’s differences,” Gardner said. “Have fun, meet new people while enjoying the music and entertainment as well as shopping with various vendors.”

Those interested in becoming a vendor, sponsor or volunteer for the event may visit Helenadiboard.org/helena-international-unity-festival.

For more information, call 205-304-1344, email helenadiboard@gmail.com or visit Helenadiboard.org.

The post Helena United Festival set to return in April appeared first on Shelby County Reporter.

By MEG HERNDON | Staff Writer

The winners of Shelby County School’s 2023 Superintendent’s Art Show were announced on Tuesday, Jan. 24.

Shelby County Schools announced the winners on Facebook and congratulated the recipients. The winners will be recognized at a reception in the spring.

“We are so proud of these talented students and their amazing teachers,” read the post.

Winners for each division are as follows:

Elementary Division K-2

• First place: “Black Bird” by Nora Kloibhofer of Mt Laurel Elementary School
• Second place: “Monet’s Bridge” by Emily Steed of Oak Mountain Elementary School
• Third place: “Marcie the Monster” by Sae Kurokawa of Inverness Elementary School

Elementary Division 3-4

• First place: “Fall Day” by Hannah Johnson of Mt Laurel Elementary School
• Second place: “Majestic Ming” by Victoria Perez of Oak Mountain Elementary School
• Third place: “Pajaro Azul Amante Bark” by Levi Marcum of Helena Intermedia School

Elementary Division 5-6

• First place: “Northern Lights” by Annie McGaha of Chelsea Park Elementary
• Second place: “Aquarium” by Owen Wallace of Calera Intermediate School
• Third place: “Toucan” by Crimson Nivens of Forest Oaks Elementary

Secondary Division 7-8

• First place tie: “Lemur” by Sandra Caldera of Helena Middle School
• First place tie: “Strawberry Cheesecake” by Adelynn Smith of Columbiana Middle School
• Second place: “Teeny Moth” by Maylee Hale of Columbiana Middle School

Secondary Division 9-10

• First place tie: “There Are No Eyes in Disease” by Callie Hendren of Helena High School
• First place tie: “Still Life” by Alice Long of Oak Mountain High School
• Second place: “Untitled” by Maci Lockwood of Helena High School

Secondary Division 11-12

• First place: “Tree Paint” by Ryan Maddox of Chelsea High School
• Second place: “Boulevard” by Chloe Lawrence of Helena High School
• Third place: “City Scape” by Coleigh Dean of Chelsea High School
• Honorable mention: “Everything Perfect Everywhere” by Daniel Campos of Helena High School

Additionally, 20 students were selected to participate in the State of Alabama Art Exhibit which will be on display at the state capitol building in Montgomery during February and March.

Students to be featured in the State of Alabama Art Exhibit include:

Secondary Entries

• Alice Long, Oak Mountain High School
• Caitlyn Willis, Oak Mountain High School
• Maylee Hale, Columbiana Middle School
• Callie Hendren, Helena High School
• Coleigh Dean, Chelsea High School
• Sandra Caldera, Helena Middle School
• Ryan Maddox, Chelsea High School
• Adelynn Smith, Columbiana Middle School
• Maci Lockwood, Helena High School
• Chloe Lawrence, Helena High School

Elementary Entries

• Crimson Nivens, Forest Oaks Elementary School
• Victoria Perez, Oak Mountain Intermediate School
• Syha Franklin, Vincent Elementary School
• Annie McGaha, Chelsea Park Elementary School
• Hannah Johnson, Mt Laurel Elementary School
• Owen Wallace, Calera Intermediate School
• Sae Kurokawa, Inverness Elementary School
• Emily Steed, Oak Mountain Elementary School
• Levi Marcum, Helena Intermedia School
• Nora Kloibhofer, Mt Laurel Elementary School

The post Winners of 2023 Superintendent’s Art Show announced appeared first on Shelby County Reporter.

Love the Easy and Simple Life
The city of Helena
Helena is a wonderful place to live. The city of Helena is a very safe place to live and the people of Helena are always kind and friendly. In the last 22 years since I have lived here, Helena has grown a lot. Now there are a lot more choices in restaurants and grocery stores. I don’t have to go far to get anything I need. I plan to retire in Helena since it is such a nice little community.

Fish Food
Publix
My puffer fish Tubby is a picky eater. Thanks to the Helena Publix which offers a nice variety of fresh seafood, he is well fed. Helena Publix is the best and Tubby thanks them for having live clams, live muscles, and peeled shrimp for his demanding eating habits. While picking up food for Tubby, we also get a pound of steamed shrimp for his human.

All About That Boba
ThirsTea Cafe
BOBA tea originated in Taiwan in the ’80s. What is there to say? We have one in Helena.

Lazy Way to Cook Dinner
Helena’s eateries
There are always several varieties of restaurants to choose from in Helena. I never have to cook if I don’t want to. If I don’t want to cook or eat cereal and milk for dinner, all I have to do is use my hunting skill and hunt my dinner down since there are so many wonderful selections of restaurants in Helena.

Easy Entertainment
Helena’s Library
Helena library offers a wonderful selection of books, DVDs, audio books and programs. I’m personally biased toward the library since my sister works there.

The post My Helena – Wei Han appeared first on Shelby County Reporter.

Clif Naron, Helena High School Girls Soccer Coach

How did you begin coaching?
I actually worked out in non-education for about 20 years. And I really enjoyed working with kids and teaching people how to do their job. So, I decided I wanted to be a teacher. So I went back and got my master’s. Then, I ended up at Oak Mountain High School, for the first year that I was certified to teach, in the business education classes. And they knew that I had played high school sports or high school soccer and that I had played in adult leagues until my body couldn’t take the abuse anymore. And they asked me if I wanted to be an assistant with the girl’s program at Oak Mountain. We ended up going to State and winning that year 2014. So, when this school was opening at Helena, I moved over here with Helena and started the soccer programs here. That would have been 10 years ago. I’ve been here since the high school opened and just kind of built the program.

What’s it like having seen the growth in the program from the ground up?
Well, that really is one of the things that I really like, and I’m really probably more proud of. Our program here is one big program, from the seventh grade, middle school group all the way to high school. We’re one big soccer program here. We have parties where everybody’s there together, you know, we do a lot to create a culture here. So, for me, I’ve never really about the wins and losses. For me, it’s so much more about when these kids get to college or career or life, you know, have they learned something about determination, about being organized, about having empathy for their friends? Those soft life skills. I would trade all my wins to have more kids that find success out of something they learned in our program than just the wins and losses, you know, there’s so much more to it.

How would you describe your coaching style?
Set expectations and set goals. We go back, and we look at our play throughout the season, we watch film as most teams do, and we have certain metrics, it changes year by year, player by player. Then when we have a game, whether we performed well or not, we look at our metrics and say, absolutely right, or the numbers are wrong. But we can look at them and give ourselves an A in this category, B in this category, C in that category. From a coaching standpoint, again, mine comes so much more out of the love for working for the kids. It’s working with the kids and finding things that convinced them to be responsible, not just to themselves, but to their teammates.

What are you looking forward to about the upcoming season?
You know, I say this every year because we just continue to grow and we continue to get better as a program. Every year, we continue to get more competitive. The last four or five years I say, “This is our year.” I mean we’ve got more talent than we’ve ever had. Because we continue to get better, and because we continue to grow as a program, we continue to get competitive. So, you know, this year, we’ve got the toughest schedule we’ve ever had, we’re playing most of the big schools throughout our metro area. We really feel like we’re going to be successful this year with the young talent that we have, combined with a large senior/large junior group.

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FROM STAFF REPORTS

COLUMBIANA – Sheriff John Samaniego recognized Lieutenant Shelby O’Connor for receiving the prestigious FBI-Trilogy Award. The FBI’s Law Enforcement Executive Development Association (LEEDA) presents three levels of executive-level leadership for law enforcement officers focused on first-line supervisor leadership, command-level leadership, and executive-level leadership. Upon completion of all three courses, law enforcement officers are recognized as recipients of the FBI-LEEDA’s Trilogy Award.

O’Connor serves as a Patrol Watch Commander. She has a wide range of law enforcement experience including crisis negotiations, criminal investigations and patrol. O’Connor is a graduate of the Southern Police Institute. O’Connor has amassed more than 22 years of law enforcement experience.

“O’Connor’s well-deserved recognition is an example of the dedication of our deputies, as well as their drive to be the very best in their respective fields,” Samaniego said.

O’Connor joins the ranks of six other sheriff’s office supervisors, followed by others actively involved in completing this course.

The post SCSO leaders receive FBI Trilogy Award appeared first on Shelby County Reporter.

FROM STAFF REPORTS

HELENA – The Helena Old Town Board (HOT Board) unveiled the lineup for the 2023 Old Town Live summer concert series.

This marks the third year the HOT Board has hosted Old Town Live, and they said they hope to make this series the best yet.

“Each year the event has grown in popularity,” said Helena City Councilmember and HOT Board Liaison Laura Joseph. “This year’s musical lineup is great. I am proud of our volunteer Board Members for working hard to serve their community.”

On April 15, Drayton Farley and 49 Winchester will kick the series off with soulful melodies alongside the country-pop stylings of Lindsay Ell.

June 10 will feature North Mississippi Allstars and George Porter Jr. & Runnin’ Pardners will take the stage and bring their unique blend of blues and funk to the crowd.

Telluride will be joined by the Battle of the Bands winner on July 3 for an evening complete with fireworks.

On August 12, Cracker and Bloodkin will take center stage.

All the concerts will be held at the Helena Amphitheater in Old Town and are completely free to attend. Old Town is home to locally owned shops, eateries, a small batch brewery and an artisan coffee roaster.

“The 2023 lineup is hot,” said HOT Board member Brian Hayes. “It was awesome to see Helena’s Old Town fill up with thousands of people for each concert, and I have no doubt this year will bring additional growth with the power of this year’s musical lineup.”

Hayes said producing an event such as Old Town Live is a team effort, and without the Helena volunteer team it wouldn’t be possible.

“Our volunteer team of Helena citizens all have a passion to serve our community and have really enjoyed creating Old Town Live as a place to listen to great live music, eat good food and be with neighbors and friends.”

This year’s Old Town Live is sponsored by Birmingham Mountain Radio, C-Spire, Central State Bank, Discover Shelby County and the city of Helena. There will be additional sponsorship opportunities available.

To stay informed about upcoming events, visit Helena Old Town Facebook Page and ExploreHelenaOldTown.com.

The post Helena Old Town Live lineup released appeared first on Shelby County Reporter.

By MEG HERNDON | Staff Writer

HELENA – The second oldest church in Shelby County, previously known as Helena Cumberland Presbyterian Church, recently changed its name, and it didn’t have to look far for its new namesake.

Before the church was known as Helena Cumberland Presbyterian in the early ‘70s, it was previously named Harmony Church. Last year, after a vote, the church decided to change its name back to its former.

“We debated on several names, and (Harmony Church) was one of them,” said Mike Ensminger, pastor at Harmony Church. “Whether (the name) be something completely new, or go back to where we started, and that’s what most people wanted to go to. There’s even a historical sign on the side of the road for the Harmony Cemetery.”

Ensminger said though the church is starting a new journey in many ways with the renaming and building renovations, the church is able to find its roots thanks in part to the history of its new name.

“We’re going back to our roots starting over, at the same time, we’re going back to where it began,” Ensminger said. “It’s just, kind of, a big circle.”

In addition to the new name, which was made official in 2022, the church also saw major renovations done to the sanctuary.

“Nothing had been done for a long, long time,” Ensminger said. “Forty to 50 years, I guess since major renovations have been done. So, we wanted to go in there and just kind of freshen it up.”

Ensminger said the renovations began last summer and they completely redid the sanctuary.

“Now it’s nice and clean-looking, new everything is in there, it’s got a modern look to it,” Ensminger said. “And with a new name and new facilities, we just hope that’d be attractive to people that may have never stopped by before, to come in and check it out.”

Updates to the church will not stop at just the sanctuary, Ensminger said. They also plan to update the church’s restroom facilities and Sunday school classes in the future.

Ensminger said the response from the church has been overwhelmingly positive and supportive, and the church has seen new attendees and encourages more to visit.

“I would just like to put an invitation out there for people that may have never been, to invite them to come check us out,” Ensminger said. “Come check out what we’ve done, come see how we’re growing and what we’re doing for the community.”

Currently, Harmony Church is asking the public to help gather supplies for those in Autaugaville and Prattville who were impacted by the tornado which caused major destruction and multiple deaths on Jan. 12.

Supplies that are needed include:

• Daily basics
• Canned goods
• Can openers
• Ready-to-eat meals
• Feminine products
• Baby products: food, cereal, baby spoons and bottles
• Tarps
• Storage containers with lids
• Duct tape
• Cleaning supplies
• New washcloths and towels
• Unscented bath soap and shampoo

Harmony Church will not accept clothing unless it is new, unopened underwear and socks.

The church will be collecting donations from 3-6 p.m. every day, however, those who would like to donate and can’t at those times, can drop off items at the table set up in front of the church. Currently, there is no end date specified for when collections will end.

For more information on Harmony Church, visit Harmony Church Helena on Facebook or Harmonychurchofhelena.net/.

The post Old name, new look: Helena church sees name change, renovations appeared first on Shelby County Reporter.

By MEG HERNDON | Staff Writer

CALERA – A fugitive being sought by the U.S. Marshals Service was arrested in Calera on Sunday, Jan. 15.

Timothy Jabbar Wyatt, 41, was wanted since 2019 for numerous violent crimes with warrants in four Alabama counties. Wyatt’s crimes include robbery, domestic violence by strangulation, kidnapping, assault and attempted rape: dangerous/violent sex offender/serial rapist.

Wyatt was apprehended when a Calera Police Department patrol unit stopped to render assistance on I-65 to an apparent disabled vehicle.

As the officer approached the vehicle, an individual dropped food and a case of water and fled into the woods.

When an investigation revealed it was Wyatt who fled, additional officers responded and tracked him into a heavily wooded area several hundred yards from the interstate. A makeshift shelter was found, and Wyatt was apprehended safely. A handgun was found in his possession.

“I want to recognize and commend these officers and supervisors from both shifts for going way above and beyond what could reasonably be expected and apprehending a fugitive with over 20 prior arrests,” said Calera police Chief David Hyche. “This is proactive policing, community policing and service all displayed in one series of events by exceptional professionals. There are much better locations for a fugitive’s campsite than Calera, Alabama.”

Wyatt is currently being charged with burglary in the third degree, illegal possession of a pistol, criminal mischief–second-degree damage to private property and theft of property in the third degree. Currently, his bond totals $26,000.

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