Sherry-Lea Bloodworth Botop was named the Chief Resilience and Sustainability Officer for the City of Birmingham. (Provided)
birminghamal.gov
Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin recently named Sherry-Lea Bloodworth Botop the Chief Resilience and Sustainability Officer for the City of Birmingham. This is a new role for the City and makes clear the intent to accelerate climate-centric solutions, say city officials.
“Sherry-Lea is a proven strategist in addressing social, economic, and physical challenges in communities on a local, national and global level,” Woodfin said. “Not only does she bring her 15 years of expertise, but she also brings a heart of compassion and commitment to making our community a better place.”
The Mayor’s Office of Resilience and Sustainability, led by Bloodworth Botop, will develop a comprehensive framework to enable our community to become more resilient to acute shocks such as natural disasters, infrastructure failures or economic shifts and stresses such as systemic inequality, lack of affordable housing or accessible public transportation. This framework will provide guidance that will enhance public safety, strengthen emergency response systems, and ensure the security of all residents.
“Recognizing the rich diversity of Birmingham, this plan will view actions through the lens of social equity, cultural preservation and economic empowerment,” she said. “It seeks to address systemic disparities, uplift marginalized communities and ensure that all residents—regardless of race, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status—benefit from sustainable growth, resilient infrastructure and access to renewable resources.”
Days after Hurricane Katrina tore through her native New Orleans in 2005, Bloodworth Botop saw a slew of inequities rise to the surface. The poorest communities were without food, water and support while those resources were being distributed to more affluent areas with lesser need.
“There was a disconnect, and it was tragic,” she said. “It lit a fire in my belly.”
That fire fueled Bloodworth Botop to jump into action. The working mom organized and led evacuation and relocation efforts for more than 900 people. And she didn’t stop there. She then directed her efforts toward supporting the underserved on a national level.
Bloodworth Botop has worked with local city and county governments to develop and implement plans and programs aimed at improving the quality of life for all residents with a focus on the natural and built environment, transportation, disaster mitigation and housing. She has raised significant capital for and led large-scale post-disaster recovery and rebuilding efforts including affordable housing, access to healthcare and critical infrastructure both nationally and globally. She also testified before the 110th Congress about impediments in federal disaster programs and policies.
Bloodworth Botoop is a Harvard National Preparedness Leadership Initiative alumna, former Clinton Global delegate, George H.W. Bush Points of Light recipient, and President Obama’s inaugural White House Innovation Initiative committee member. She created and led the National Resilience Initiative, a partnership with The Rockefeller Foundation’s 100 Resilient Cities, American Institute of Architects, Palantir, ARUP and Swiss RE. She was part of the team that worked with The Rockefeller Foundation to launch 100 Resilient Cities, the international program that created the Chief Resilience Officer role in 100 urban cities around the world.
“I care about this community, the rich history and culture here, the people,” she said. “I look forward to the opportunity to work with Birmingham’s leaders and stakeholders and to implement strategies to help protect and grow this great city in ways that benefit the whole community.”
Bloodworth Botop will collaborate with departmental leaders across the City, as well as agency partners, residents, and other stakeholders to create a more sustainable and resilient Birmingham. For more information, contact the Mayor’s Office of Resilience and Sustainability at ors@birminghamal.gov.
BY JE’DON HOLLOWAY-TALLEY | Special to the Birmingham Times
DENA AND JOHN RICHARD
Live: Pleasant Grove
Married: Aug. 19, 1989
Met: December 1985, at Jefferson State Community College. Dena had arrived on campus and parked near the gym when she noticed that someone had left their car lights on. She knew that the basketball team was in the gym practicing and decided to go in and make them aware, and based on the description of the car, the team pointed to John.
“The funny thing about it is when I went up to John and told him he’d left his headlights on, he asked me a dumb question– ‘are you for real?’, and given the fact that he was kind of fine I didn’t respond sarcastically, I just [confirmed it], and went on about my business,” recalled Dena.
“My response was because I used to play jokes on people all the time,” John explained, “I thought I was being set up … but they really were on.”
“A few days later I showed up to his basketball game with my boyfriend and John saw me when I came in,” Dena said.
“Dena was cute and my dad always told me that when you find somebody you like you have to let them know that you’re interested. So the next day when I saw her in the lunchroom I walked up to her and told her I was jealous, and just walked away. I let her have her space after that, but every time I would see her around campus, I would tell her the same line ‘I’m jealous’, and would keep it moving,” John said.
One day, John saw Dena sitting in her car studying and asked her if she wanted to go grab pizza, but Dena declined because she was studying for a final.
“But when he came back, he knocked on my window and handed me a personal pan pizza and walked away. And what I liked about him was that he wasn’t pushy, he would get in where he fit in. If he caught me reading and studying, he would grab his books and come sit at the table with me and do his work,” Dena recalled.
Dena played coy with John from December ‘85, to June of ‘86. At some point they exchanged numbers and would occasionally talk on the phone, but it wasn’t until she graduated in June of ‘86 that the pair would start spending time together after Dena had split from her boyfriend.
First date: A few days after Dena’s graduation in June, 1986. John invited her over to his parents’ home in Powderly Hills for a hangout.
“That was our first time spending some real time together and talking face to face. It was wonderful. I was surprised that she actually came, and she met my parents. It was a great evening,” John said.
“It was a good night. That’s when I started to like him and found out exactly how kind he was. I already knew he was kind because he brought me lunch that day, but that night I really got to know him better,” said Dena.
The turn: “We were boyfriend and girlfriend after the night I went over his house,” she laughed. “We didn’t have to define things the way they do things now. If you were dating you were boyfriend and girlfriend until you weren’t.”
“That’s right. When she came to my house that night, I knew she was mine. From that point on she was my girlfriend,” John said.
The proposal: Christmas 1987, at Dena’s parent’s home in Bessemer. John had purchased the engagement ring as her gift and came over to propose.
“We were upstairs alone sitting in the living room where they had the Christmas tree up, and her parents were downstairs … and when [I proposed] I kind of caught her off guard because we were sitting on the floor and I said, ‘let’s get married’ and showed her the ring,” John said. “We had been together for a minute and we knew what we both wanted.”
“I said ‘Yes.’ I was smiling and happy that he surprised me with it [the proposal] on Christmas,” said Dena.
Dena and John Richard met in 1985 at Jefferson State Community College and married in 1989. (Provided Photos)
The wedding: At Oak Grove Baptist Church in Bessemer, officiated by Pastor Michael Reese. Their colors were red and white.
Most memorable for the bride was her anticipation of the ceremony start time. “I was a nervous wreck. I was sitting in the back watching the clock because we were getting married at 6 p.m., and I told [my bridesmaids] I don’t care whose dress ain’t zipped, when it hits 6 o’clock, we’re walking out,” Dena said. “And when I started down the aisle you could see how nervous I was all over my face, and when John and I locked eyes, smiles came across both of our faces and the nervousness left.”
Most memorable for the groom was easing his anxiety after having a good laugh with one of his groomsmen, Samuel Dudley, who was always a jokester “and he broke the ice that set my nerves at ease,” John said.
“I guess Sam had walked out in the back of the church and had seen Dena in her dress and he came back in to tell me. He pulled me to the side, and he said ‘maaan, Dena so fine’, and we broke out laughing, and after that I said ‘ok, we good.’ For some reason, after my good friend joked with me and told me how beautiful my bride was, all the nervousness left and I was ready to see her,” John recalled.
They honeymooned in Orlando, Florida, and went to Disney World. “I had been to Disney before, but it was Dena’s first time and she was wowed. I had fun taking her around,” John said.
“Epcot [an area of the theme park where it’s broken off into countries] was a lot to take in, getting to see all the different cultures in one place,” Dena said. “And that was the beginning of our travels. I hadn’t done much before then, but we’ve been traveling together ever since.”
Words of wisdom: “Marriage is about working together; you can’t ever stop working together,” John said. “I’ve always been a sports person, and to me, marriage is like a team. One person, or in this case, one spouse, can’t carry the team. You have to work together, and you can’t give up on it no matter how bad it gets. You have to really dig deep when things look their darkest and keep grinding. No matter how many times Dena might have said I want to give up, or I’m tired, one thing I learned from my parents was that you can’t throw your hands up. I never did, I told her ‘we gotta keep working’.”
“You got two different people coming from two different households, belief systems, and thought processes, and you’re trying to marry those two together and build a life together, so you have to work together and compromise,” Dena said. “Some people say marriage is 50/50, but it’s not, it’s 100/100. You both have to give your all. One thing John used to tell me is that divorce is not an option, and as long you’re not being mistreated or abused in any way, marriage is worth working for. And, it takes much prayer, forgiveness, and grace.”
Happily ever after: The Richards attend the Worship Center Christian Church in Bessemer, and have two adult children: Gabriel, 33, and Ephraim, 28, and three grandchildren.
Dena, 59, is a Bessemer native and Hueytown High School grad. She attended Jefferson State Community College, where she earned an associate’s degree in nursing, and the University of Alabama at Birmingham [UAB], where she obtained a bachelor’s degree in nursing. Dena works as a senior clinical compliance auditor for Encompass Health in Birmingham.
John, 57, is a Powderly native, and Jones Valley High School grad. He attended Jefferson State Community College where he studied business management, and retired from Birmingham Fire and Rescue in 2019, after 28 years.
“You Had Me at Hello’’ highlights married couples and the love that binds them. If you would like to be considered for a future “Hello’’ column, or know someone, please send nominations to Barnett Wright bwright@birminghamtimes.com. Include the couple’s name, contact number(s) and what makes their love story unique.
Three Birmingham City Schools landed on the list of the 25 schools that showed the most improvement on state report card scores for the 2023-24 academic year. (BCS)
Birmingham City Schools
Richard Arrington, Jr. Elementary, Inglenook Pre-K-8, and Henry J. Oliver Elementary landed on the list of the 25 schools that showed the most improvement on state report card scores for the 2023-24 academic year.
Inglenook slotted in the top three, improving its score by 21 points year over year. Arrington and Oliver improved by 18 and 15 points, respectively. Inglenook and Arrington jumped two letter grades, while Oliver bumped its score up by one letter grade.
The state’s Legislative School Performance Program awards $8,000 to each school ranked among the 25 most improved. The schools will be recognized by the State Board of Education during its meeting on Feb. 6 in Montgomery.
The Alabama State Department of Education (ALSDE) released its Annual Report Card for school districts and individual schools in November. The reports are based on several goals, and they also give a glimpse into school district demographics.
Academic growth, attendance, college and career readiness, and the graduation rate are all part of the overall grade calculation. Birmingham City Schools continues to progress on the State Report Card. The grade for 2023-2024 was a C, but the numerical grade of 74 was two points higher than the previous year’s report card. This means that a majority of the district’s 20,000 students across the board made progress.
While a grade of C is much better than years past, educators and leaders are committed to continued progress in academic achievement for all scholars.
“Our scholars are more than a score or letter grade. They are individuals with bright dreams for the future,” said Dr. Mark Sullivan, Superintendent, Birmingham City Schools, after the report cards were released.
State Senator Merika Coleman (D-Pleasant Grove) has announced her candidacy for Treasurer of the Democratic National Committee. (Brian Lyman, File)
The Birmingham Times
Alabama State Senator Merika Coleman, (D-Pleasant Grove) has announced her candidacy for Treasurer of the Democratic National Committee (DNC).
Democratic Party leaders elect their new leaders Feb. 1, at their winter meeting in Washington D.C. The meeting comes at a time when Democrats are preparing to govern following the election of Donald Trump, who returns to the White House Jan. 20 with a Republican majority in the House and Senate.
Coleman, Chair of the Alabama Legislative Black Caucus, previously served 20 years in the Alabama House of Representatives, including as Assistant Minority Leader. Throughout her career, she has introduced legislation addressing human trafficking, racial justice, healthcare reform, economic equity, and more.
“While I am new to the DNC’s internal leadership structure, I am not new to the Democratic Party,” Coleman said in a press release. “I’ve spent my career championing Democratic values, fighting for equity, and building coalitions that drive meaningful change. I started my career as a community organizer and economic justice strategist. That’s just who I am. Organizing is in my blood.”
As Treasurer, Coleman said her top priorities include enhancing transparency and accountability within the DNC’s financial systems. “Democrats lead the way in fighting for integrity and justice, and our party’s financial practices must reflect those same values,” she said. “I am committed to fostering trust through open communication, clear financial reporting, and strategic allocation of resources to amplify the voices of all communities, particularly those historically underserved.”
Coleman pointed to her work on Alabama’s powerful Ways and Means Committee where she helps oversee the budget for all state departments. Coleman holds a Master of Public Administration and a Juris Doctorate. In addition to her legislative work, she serves as the Director of the Judge U.W. Clemon Center for Economic and Social Justice at Miles College, an HBCU where she leads initiatives that promote social equity and economic opportunity. She also owns a law firm specializing in family and estate law.
“I am honored to step forward for this critical role at such a pivotal moment for our party and our nation,” Coleman said. “Together, we will fortify the DNC’s foundation, expand opportunity, and ensure that every dollar spent reflects our mission to protect democracy and advance progress.”
It’s a touching moment between the Birmingham mother and two sons busted for doing something mischievous. It’s not hard-hitting stuff, but it’s the type of moment TikTok influencers like Ford have counted on to generate an audience.
The legal battle pitting TikTok’s arguments of First Amendment rights against national security concerns has upended the enormously popular social media site utilized by more than 17 million Americans.
“There is no doubt that the current ownership of TikTok presents a risk to our national security and the privacy of American citizens,” Republican U.S. Sen. Katie Britt of Alabama said on Friday. “I believe the most immediate problem with TikTok is effective control of the application and its data by the Chinese Communist Party, which is no friend to America. In my view, we shouldn’t allow the CCP to have such easy access into the lives of Americans via TikTok.”
The end of TikTok is likely to have an impact for the many Alabama influencers who have used the site to create or heighten their brands. Here are three of their stories:
‘Important For Small Businesses’
Ford, 39, was a content creator at the time she joined TikTok in 2022. The site, she said, allowed her to “express myself more creatively.”
“It’s helped influencers build a platform easily,” she said. “It’s helped business owners get their products in front an audience easier. It’s helped a lot of people. What is going on now with it possibly banned in the U.S. is sad, not just because we get on there and scroll all night and laugh. But it’s helped people pay their bills, feed their kids and bring artistic works before an audience.”
Ford’s focus is on lifestyle and fashion, though TikTok has allowed her to put a personal spin on her appeal. Her hair-cutting children were included in her most popular TikTok video, and the diverse range of videos has helped her draw an audience since.
Born in Nigeria, Ford grew up in Montgomery where she went to high school and college before moving to Birmingham, where her husband practices law. Before her influencer career, Ford worked for Allstate, the insurance company, and was a videographer at her church.
“Since I’m a full-time creator now, I show up every day and it’s my job,” Ford said. “I’ll take maybe one day off a week. But I work this like it’s a 9 to 5 job. If I’m not doing a brand deal, I’m posting content that is relatable and insightful for an audience.”
International Following
Ford’s audience is also diverse. She estimates her TikTok following is comprised of about 70 percent from the U.S., with a large base of followers in Birmingham, New York City and in Georgia. She also has an international following in Africa and Europe.
“What we influencers do, and I won’t say we’re doctors out there doing heart surgery, but what we do is important for small businesses, the economy and for ourselves,” Ford said. “We are, ourselves, small businesses.”
Ford said her influence has helped take obscure, small brands and heighten their popularity. A purse she purchased from a small business owner in Georgia was included in a TikTok video she did last year, helping to elevate its profile.
“Because of the work I did for her, free of charge, Bloomingdales called her in the Atlanta store (and offered to sell the purse at its store),” Ford said. “People think, ‘oh, you take pictures and don’t do anything.’ But they forget it’s a multi-billion-dollar industry. People buy from influencers. It creates jobs for women who want to be entrepreneurs … who otherwise would not have a budget for TV (commercials) or to put a billboard out.”
Ford said she is confident her brand will be healthy if TikTok shuts down soon. She is on Instagram with approximately 138,000 followers and has a following of more than 17,000 people on YouTube.
“I advise other influencers to get on other platforms,” Ford said. “You don’t own these platforms. None of us owns them. We are renting real estate in someone else’s land. We have to make sure you have other coals in the (fire), so to speak.”
Maintaining a list of old-school electronic mail addresses is also vital at this time, Ford said.
“Having an email list is No. 1,” she said. “You can always still contact your audience directly.”
Birmingham resident LaDarrius Hutcherson, who goes by the handle LHut on TikTok, has reached nearly 60,000 followers on the popular social media site. (Birmingham Times/FILE)
“Cousins”
LaDarrius Hutcherson also had that singular viral moment on TikTok that has since helped create a brand that includes highlighting small restaurants throughout Central Alabama.
On Aug. 15, 2022, a video he filmed inside Ruth’s Place in Irondale went viral. Since then, under the handle LHut, he has built a following of nearly 60,000 on TikTok, using the platform to spotlight small, minority-owned and unheralded restaurants in Central Alabama.
Other restaurants are drawing attention from LHut. A video about his 2023 visit to Yo Mama’s on 2nd Avenue in Birmingham drew over 337,000 views. A visit to Urban Parc that same year has amassed over 180,000 views.
Hutcherson refers to his followers as “cousins,” and the 33-year-old Birmingham resident has hopes of someday taking his TikTok experience to greater fame with a show on The Food Network or writing restaurant reviews.
Hutcherson, who is currently working on a doctorate in business administration with a focus on rural business innovation at the University of West Alabama, is a 2010 graduate of GW Carver High School and a 2014 graduate from Jacksonville State University.
“My goal is that I wanted to start a marketing firm, and I also want to do more independent teaching, not necessarily at a college, but more of doing workshops for new and up and coming business owners,” Hutcherson said. “There are so many things that people don’t know about businesses.”
‘Impactful’
Hutcherson’s work on TikTok has already helped out businesses in Birmingham, and he’s been compared to TikTok food review sensation Keith Lee, who has an astonishing 16.8 million TikTok followers.
“I try not to get caught up in that,” Hutcherson said about the comparisons. “He’s internationally known.”
For now, Hutcherson said he’s heartened with stories about the impact his TikTok handle has had on Birmingham and its foodie scene. He said there have been small businesses that have reached out to him before with appreciation for his videos, saying they help increase foot traffic and their bottom lines.
“I’ve helped businesses in the process of closing to stay open,” Hutcherson said. “Small mom and pop shops. The business owners (that I profile) … they are truly thankful for what I do and they support me and I, of course, support them and it’s been impactful.”
Hutcherson said his food reviews are positive. He said that if a restaurant isn’t worth the praise, he will simply move on and not post a review on TikTok.
“I understand my influence, and I’m not in the business of taking people out of business,” he said. “That’s not my thing. I’m practical in understanding the impact and the influence I have.”
Hutcherson said that without TikTok, that influence will have to come from elsewhere. He said he has been working to build up his other social media channels in order to continue with his work.
“If you asked me that question a year ago, I might’ve been frightened,” Hutcherson said about the prospects of TikTok vanishing. “But on Facebook, my videos do exceptionally well. I’m not necessarily concerned about it, but I do love TikTok.”
‘Drastically change’
For 21-year-old Jackson Dean, a Los Angeles influencer who grew up in Madison, TikTok has “consumed” his young influencer career.
Dean, whose TikTok following is over a whopping 5.7 million people, got his start during the pandemic while he was in high school.
“When COVID happened, I was really bored and out of school with nothing to do,” he said. “I saw a bunch of people on TikTok getting thousands of followers and likes. I thought, ‘let me give this a try.’ I did and saw some success right away. I kept going until now, it’s my whole life.”
Dean moved to Los Angeles when he was 17, when his manager at the time persuaded him to move into a house with other influencers. Now, Dean lives with his girlfriend, fellow TikTok influencer Paige Taylor, and his TikTok videos are mostly focused on their day-to-day lives together.
They are also extremely popular. A video of his girlfriend styling Dean’s hair drew 4.4 million viewers.
TikTok fame aside, Dean said he loves Alabama, is “not a huge fan of L.A.,” though he says, “it’s a nice place.” He said his parents have been supportive of his work.
As far as the TikTok lawsuit, Dean said he is concerned about people who have gained attention on the site but who “will lose everything” if it shuts down. He is not worried about his own brand, as he anticipates his massive audience following him to YouTube or other sites.
By TikTok’s own estimate, around 2 million creators would suffer $300 million in lost earnings in just one month if the app is banned.
“I think if everyone is going to ban TikTok for national security (reasons), then they should look at the other big players of social media as well in the U.S.,” Dean said. “If this app does get banned … some people’s lives will drastically change.”
The University of Alabama at Birmingham has achieved a remarkable milestone, blazing into the top 6 percent of global universities in the latest U.S. News & World Report international rankings.
The 2024-2025 Best Global Universities rankings from U.S. News & World Report named UAB No. 164 out of 2,459 schools, making it the highest ranked school in Alabama. This ranking surpasses UAB’s previous rankings of top 10 percent in 2021 and top 8 percent in 2022.
UAB’s continued ascent among the top 10 percent in these rankings—a four percentage point gain over four years—speaks to the world-class caliber of research and scholarship being conducted by our faculty, staff and students all around campus,” said UAB President Ray Watts. “As we carry on the most successful era of research funding in UAB history—and pursue the ambitious aims of Growth with Purpose—our research enterprise will become all the more competitive and, most importantly, have an even greater impact on lives around our state, nation and world.”
Out of the 297 schools ranked in the United States, UAB is No. 57, or in the top 19 percent of American universities.
49: Best Global Universities for Clinical Medicine
58: Best Global Universities for Endocrinology and Metabolism
69: Best Global Universities for Oncology
71: Best Global Universities for Immunology
85: Best Global Universities for Cardiac and Cardiovascular Systems
86: Best Global Universities for Infectious Diseases
The Best Global Universities methodology is based on data provided by Clarivate, rather than gathered directly from the institutions by U.S. News. Rankings were calculated using bibliometric indicators such as publications, citations and highly cited papers rather than data about specific programs.
This is the 10th year that U.S. News & World Report has compiled its Best Global Universities rankings. A complete list of U.S. News rankings can be found online.
Gloria Jean Berry, a copy editor for The Birmingham Times, died on January 4. (Provided)
The Birmingham Times
Gloria Jean Berry, an eagle-eyed copy editor for The Birmingham Times, died on January 4. She was 75.
Ms. Berry was born in Birmingham on July 26, 1949, to Thattius and Dorothy Berry. She spent part of her formative years in New Jersey before returning to Birmingham to live with her aunt (second mother), Mrs. Mamie Lee Walker.
Ms. Berry confessed Christ at a very early age and was baptized into the family of the Macedonia 17th Street Baptist Church. Always a willing worker, over the years, she served in numerous positions at church including choir member, Sunday School secretary.
Upon graduating from A. H. Parker High School, she was employed as the secretary of the Baptist Leader newspaper. She worked there for numerous years, before becoming an employee of The Birmingham Times. Always an eye for fine detail, she became the copy editor of the Birmingham Times.
Ms. Berry was the epitome of a sweet soul and would help and serve wherever she was needed. Her kindness will be sorely missed by her family and friends.
Her parents, aunt, sisters Janet Blake and Juanita Callens, all preceded her in death.
Those left to cherish her memories: niece, Esther Callens: nephew, Bobby Callens, all of Birmingham; nephew, Kenneth Blake of New Jersey; cousins, Sylvester Childress, Erskine (Cynthia) Childress all of Birmingham; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, Jan. 14 from 12 -p.m. – 6 p.m. at Davenport & Harris Funeral Homes, Inc., 301 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Birmingham, AL 35211.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, Jan. 15 at 12 p.m. at Macedonia 17th Street Baptist Church, 1405 13th Ave N. Birmingham, AL 35204. The final resting place is New Grace Hill Cemetery, 1931 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Birmingham, AL 35211.
The rains continue to melt away some of the wintry mix that fell early Friday morning. But those who made it outside early Friday had to contend with snow and slush on the roads.
The big concern will be if the pavement freezes during the overnight hours. Downtown streets covered in slush Friday morning making for some dicey driving conditions.
“It’s funny it kind of feels like you’re driving through sand to a degree, like the wheels not catching all the way, they’re kind of spinning,” Birmingham resident Norris Woods explained when asked to describe the driving conditions.
For those who live and work downtown, walking really required boots Friday morning, but not everyone was prepared. We spoke with a UAB medical student Bipul Mainali who stopped to talk with us while walking to the grocery store.
“My exam got canceled this morning so appreciate the school for doing that,” he noted.
“I’m lucky, I have a nice warm jacket on so it’s not too bad but it is a little bit on the icier side with the snow, so got to be a little bit careful in making sure you don’t slip.”
The concern moving forward will be refreezing according to Melissa Sizemore, an Emergency Management Officer with the Jefferson County EMA.
Before the snow melted Edie Galicia, who is from Guatemala, drove his friends who had never seen snow before to Birmingham. His friends are from Columbia and Venezuela. We also saw folks out walking their dogs in the snow, four-month-old Cash and 8-year-old Harper, a huskie, really seemed to enjoy their time outdoors.
“Oh she loves it,” said Lance Ledbetter, a Birmingham resident. “We used to live in Denver and so this is like the first big snow she’s gotten to have since then so she’s loving it.”
The city of Birmingham’s Community Development Department wrapped up its final public hearing to gather input and discuss the Program Year 2025 Action Plan. (File)
The city of Birmingham’s Community Development Department wrapped up its final public hearing Tuesday night to gather input and discuss the Program Year 2025 Action Plan, which outlines the city’s objectives and priorities for allocating approximately $9.2 million in federal funding.
Interim Deputy Director Randi Foy
The money, provided annually by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), will support affordable housing projects and public services. According to Interim Deputy Director Randi Foy, the funding aligns with the mayor’s strategic goals to improve the community.
The funds will go towards affordable housing projects, public service to expand those projects, and collaborating with affordable housing initiatives, according to Foy.
Attendance at the in-person meeting was low, but Foy said the department saw better engagement during two virtual sessions held earlier this week.
“We actually received a lot of new activity this year from agencies who are hoping to partner with us to spend some of these funds and make an impact in our communities,” Foy said. “Our highest turnout was about 60 participants at our first virtual option. Our second virtual option today we had close to about 40 participants.”
Foy also noted that agencies interested in partnering with the city can begin applying for funding starting Wednesday morning. Residents and organizations are encouraged to submit public comments or questions about the funding process until February 14.
The department is planning to host another virtual session in the coming weeks to ensure more people have a chance to share their input.
For more information on how to apply or submit comments, click or tap here.
If winter storms cause dangerous road conditions and power outages, residents should have what they need to last until Monday without having to leave the house. (Adobe Stock)
A State of Emergency and a Winter Storm Warning have been issued as Alabama prepares for winter weather.
Alert Days are issued when widespread severe weather or winter weather poses a life-threatening risk. Please prepare for the upcoming winter storm. It is important you stay up to date with the latest forecast details.
Who will be affected?
A Winter Storm Warning has been issued for North-Central Alabama beginning late Thursday night through Saturday morning.
Counties included in the Winter Storm Warning are Cullman, Marion, Lamar, Fayette, Winston, Walker, Blount, Etowah, Calhoun, Cherokee, Cleburne, St. Clair, Jefferson, Lauderdale, Colbert, Franklin, AL, Lawrence, Limestone, Madison, Morgan, Marshall, Jackson and DeKalb.
Heavy snow mixed with periods of sleet and freezing rain will move in late Thursday night through Friday. Total snow and sleet accumulations between 1 and 3 inches and ice accumulations up to one-tenth of an inch are forecast for areas under a Winter Storm Warning. Counties closer to Huntsville and the Tennessee border could see snow accumulations of 2 and 4 inches.
A Winter Weather Advisory has been issued for areas south of I-20. Counties included are Autauga, Greene, Hale, Perry, Sumter ,Pickens, Tuscaloosa, Bibb, Chilton, Coosa, Greene, Hale, Sumter, Tallapoosa, Chambers, Elmore, Lee, Clay, Randolph, Shelby and Talladega.
Areas included in the Winter Weather Advisory can expect a mix of snow, sleet and freezing rain with accumulations up to an inch and ice accumulations up to one-tenth of an inch.
Timing
The Winter Storm Warning begins Friday morning at midnight and continues through Saturday morning at 6 a.m. The Winter Weather Advisory begins Friday morning at midnight and continues through 3 p.m. on Friday.
The type of winter weather (sleet, snow, freezing rain etc.) will heavily depend on how fast warmer air filters into Alabama from the south. The winter storm will begin in southwest Alabama and stretch to northeast Alabama.
Roads, bridges and overpasses are likely to become slick and hazardous, making travel very difficult or impossible (mainly along and north of Highway 278). You should avoid all travel if possible.
Ms. Berry was born in Birmingham on July 26, 1949, to Thattius and Dorothy Berry. She spent part of her formative years in New Jersey before returning to Birmingham to live with her aunt (second mother), Mrs. Mamie Lee Walker.
