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‘She Started Crying and Said ‘Yes’ Before Even Seeing the Ring’

By
Birmingham Times
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BY JE’DON HOLLOWAY-TALLEY | Special to the Birmingham Times

ARKAYA & WILLIE PACE JR.

Live: McCalla

Married: July 16, 2022

Met: Fall 2002, at the Teletech call center in Fairfield. Willie and Arkaya worked the overnight shift as call center representatives, and while they can’t remember who began working there first, they remember when they met.

“I had recently gotten out of a relationship and I was on the hunt,” Arkaya laughed. “I was looking for someone new because I was ready to get over my ex …

And when I first noticed him, I said ‘oooh, he’s really handsome’, and asked one of my coworkers/mutual friends who he was, and she [initiated the connection].”

“Sarita [the mutual friend] came to me and told me there was a girl on another team that thought I was handsome and wanted to get to know me, and unlike Arkaya, I had never been in a relationship in my life so that piqued my interest and I wanted to see who the young lady was that she was talking about. And since we [Willie and Arkaya] were both on the overnight shift, we got a chance to talk and exchange numbers,” Willie recalled.

Because of their overnight schedules, planning a date took a couple weeks. “But when we would get off work, we’d stay outside talking until the sun came up, we’d be out there for hours …,” Arkaya said. Eventually, their off days synched up and they scheduled a day date.

First date: October 2002, at the Wildwood Movie Theater where they saw “Texas Chainsaw Massacre.” Willie picked Arkaya up from home in Ensley.

“I could tell he was nervous because it was his first date. He was 21 and I was 22, and he had no experience dating so he didn’t meet any expectations of mine,” Arkaya said. “I expected him to plan more. Maybe put his arm around me but he didn’t because he was raised in the church and was very respectful, which was new to me. And even though he [was a novice], he was a gentleman and different from the other guys. He was able to come and pick me up for the date, I didn’t have to meet him there,” she laughed, “and I didn’t have to worry about paying for anything, he bought me whatever I wanted…it was still a nice date, I remember enjoying him.”

“It was a day date, so there weren’t that many people in the theater with us, but I enjoyed being in her presence and we had a great time,” Willie said. “I was definitely nervous being that it was my first date… I had no idea what to expect, but like she said, we were able to build that rapport [beforehand] because we spent a lot of time talking.”

After the first date, Willie and Arkaya’s connection cooled down. “I thought he was cute, but he wasn’t my type and we drifted apart but remained good friends. He was there through all my many relationships [that followed], and I was there for his, and we would give each other relationship advice,” Arkaya said.

In 2017, both had gone through bad breakups and vowed they were done with love. “He and I became companions. We went out on dates but we were just friends,” said Arkaya. That was until spring 2019, when she considered that her feelings may have been deeper than she realized.

The turn: In spring 2019 “I realized I was in love with him,” Arkaya shared. “He told me he was taking an ex to a gospel concert and he made a request of me that made me go off,” she said. “I realized I had deeper feelings for him, but going off on him almost cost me our friendship because he is not the type of guy that likes confrontation. But we sat down together and had a conversation and realized we both felt the same way.”

“From the conversation we had after the conflict, she helped me realize she was for me and had my best interest at heart, and [moving forward] I realized she was someone I could build with and I was ready to take our friendship to the next level,” Willie said.

Arkaya and Willie Pace Jr. met in fall 2002 at a call center in Fairfield. The couple married in 2022 after reconnecting romantically in 2019. (Provided)

The proposal: Oct. 27, 2021, at Arkaya’s home in McCalla. “I asked to come over so we could have dinner like we did often, and she didn’t think anything of it. She had made lasagna that day, and we ate and watched tv like a typical night. And around 11:30 p.m., I went to the bathroom to get the ring out of my pocket and came back into the living room and got down on one knee like I was reaching down to pick something up and revealed the ring box,” Willie said. “And at first, she didn’t acknowledge that I was down on one knee because she thought I was just picking something up, so I stayed there until she turned her head and looked at me. And when she looked at me, she started crying and said ‘yes’ before even seeing the ring, and I said ‘you said yes before seeing the ring’, and I opened the box and she started crying even more. It was a custom ring and she was really excited about it. And then Kaytlyn [Arkaya’s daughter, then 10 years old] came out of her room [and joined in the excitement].”

“I was so tired that night because it was my first time making lasagna. I had spaghetti sauce all over my shirt and I was looking a mess, but he came over looking and smelling good,” Arkaya laughed. “I was so happy about the ring because when we went ring shopping, I had shown him what I wanted and I was adamant about it because I said ‘I’m in my 40s and I don’t want a bubble gum ring.’ So when I looked at the ring my mind was blown because he went beyond my expectations. He got me a custom ring [essentially combining elements] of the two rings I showed him that I liked. After I stopped crying, I realized I was looking crazy and couldn’t take pictures like that, so I changed clothes and we took a few pictures and called and told our closest friends and family and then put it on Facebook [changing our statuses to ‘engaged’ and posting photos of the ring] and that night we started planning our wedding,” Arkaya said.

The wedding: At Arkaya’s home church, Faith Church in Midfield, officiated its pastor, Pastor Aubrey Miller. Their colors were turquoise and watermelon [a shade of fuscia], creme and gold.

Most memorable for the bride was having a wonderful reception, and how she and her groom ended their night. “We had an awesome wedding reception. And afterward, when we got back to [The Wynfrey Hotel at the Hoover Galleria] we ran into another couple who had just got married and that was really cool… and even though we had plenty of food and drinks [at the reception] we were still hungry so we got out of our wedding clothes and went to Dave and Busters and had a late dinner and that was the first moment we had to really take it all in and that we were really married,” Arkaya said. “And now we like to go to Dave and Buster’s on our anniversary to reflect.”

Most memorable for the groom was the ride from the hotel to the church for the wedding ceremony. “We had a car service pick us up from the [The Wynfrey Hotel at the Hoover Galleria] to take us to the church, and me and Arkaya actually rode in the car to the church together [which is untraditional] because you’re not supposed to see the bride before she walks down the aisle. But I liked our untraditional path to the church because I got to see my bride [which cut out anxiety], and I was able to enjoy the ceremony comfortably while waiting for her to walk down the aisle,” said Willie.

They honeymooned in New York City and stayed at the Hard Rock hotel in Manhattan. “We were able to experience New York for the first time together. That was an awesome ‘first’ to start off our marriage,” said Arkaya. “The New York culture was very interesting,” Willie added.

Words of wisdom: “Go into your marriage with two things: God and determination,” Willie said. “You have to have God as the head of your marriage because without him the marriage will fail. And you have to make the determination that no matter what comes or happens in the marriage, you make the marriage work and honor the vows ‘til death do us part’. Do your best to make the marriage successful, love each other, honor the marriage, and don’t let anything break you apart.”

“Patience,” said Arkaya. “Be patient with each other because dating and marriage are two different things. There are a lot of things that you don’t see when you’re dating that you see when you’re married. When you have patience and really have an understanding of who [your spouse is] you can get through anything. And remember, you won’t always get it right, but patience helps the marriage grow and you learn and love your partner on a deeper level.”

Happily ever after: The Paces attend Greater Emmanuel Temple Holiness Church in East Lake, where Willie serves as a musician and Arkaya as secretary of the children’s department and president of the community service outreach. They are a blended family with one daughter, Kaytlyn, 13, from Arkaya’s previous relationship.

Arkaya, 45, is an Ensley native and Ensley High School grad. She attended Miles College where she earned a bachelor’s degree in management and works for Auburn University as a nutrition educator.

Willie Jr. 44, is a Hueytown native and Hueytown High School grad. He attended Bessemer State Tech, where he earned an associate’s degree in computer science, and works for Community Service Programs of West Alabama, as the housing rehab assistant.

“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.

Birmingham Personal Injury Attorney | Guster Law Firm, LLC

September 11, 2025

By
Birmingham Times
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0
By multiple measures, the Birmingham area has seen dramatic declines in unemployment since the pandemic. (Adobe Stock)

 

 

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MERCHANDISE

 

 

 

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EMPLOYMENT

 

 

 

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Guest Experience Coordinator

 

 

 

BJCC, is recruiting for a 1) Guest Experience Coordinator, for information & to apply visit https://www.bjcc.org/jobs/ or send resume to careers@bjcc.org /fax resume 205-458-8530.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BT09/11/2025

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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LEGAL

 

 

 

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CASE NO. CV-2025-902586.00

 

 

 

NOTICE OF FINAL HEARING BY PUBLICATION

 

TO: JAMES CURTIS DEASON, JR.; J.T. SMALLWOOD, JEFFERSON COUNTY TAX COLLECTOR; JEFFERSON COUNTY, ALABAMA; CITY OF BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA; and any and all other unknown heirs, claimants or interested parties claiming any right, title, estate, lien, or interest in the real estate described herein,

 

TAKE NOTICE that on June 26, 2025, the Birmingham Land Bank Authority filed the above-styled Complaint, and the Land Bank asserts that it has recorded notice of a pending quiet title and foreclosure action in the Probate Court of Jefferson County, Alabama concerning the rights and/or interests in the following real property:

 

 

 

Property Address: 817 Appalachee Street, Birmingham, Alabama 35222

 

 

 

Tax Parcel ID No.: 01-23-00-19-4-006-004.000

 

 

 

Legal Description: Lot 14, in Block 6, according to the survey of East Birmingham Land Company, as recorded in Map Book 1, Page 7, in the Office of the Judge of Probate of Jefferson County, Alabama, situated in Jefferson County, Alabama (It appears said legal is the same as that certain legal described in Instrument No. 2024106778 as follows: LOT 14 BLK 6 EAST BHAM)

 

 

 

ANY PERSON WITH A PROPERTY INTEREST IN THE ABOVE PROPERTY IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THEY MAY LOSE SUCH INTEREST, IF ANY, AS A RESULT OF THE ABOVE-REFERENCED QUIET TITLE AND FORECLOSURE ACTION. The final hearing on this quiet title and foreclosure action is hereby set for November 3, 2025, in Room 360, Jefferson County Courthouse in Birmingham, Alabama at 10:00 A.M. The judgment of the Court may result in title to the property vesting in the Birmingham Land Bank Authority. Any person who proves to the Court’s satisfaction a right to redeem the property pursuant to Alabama Code §§ 40-10-73 (1975) et seq. or Alabama Code §§ 40-10-83 (1975) et seq. may redeem the property pursuant to those statutes within five (5) days after the appropriate Order on Final Hearing is issued. FAILURE TO REDEEM THE PROPERTY AND PRESENT PROOF OF REDEMPTION TO THE CIRCUIT COURT WITHIN THE 5-DAY PERIOD MAY RESULT IN A LOSS OF THE RIGHT OF REDEMPTION.

 

 

 

The address of the Birmingham Land Bank Authority is City Hall, 710 North 20th St., Birmingham, AL 35203. The Birmingham Land Bank Authority may be contacted care of Cherokee W. Wooley, Law Offices of Thomas J. Skinner, IV, LLC, at (205) 802-2545.

 

 

 

IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED by the undersigned Clerk of Court that publication of this notice be made once a week for three consecutive weeks in the Birmingham Times, a newspaper of general circulation in Jefferson County, Alabama, and that all persons to whom this notice is addressed and any and all persons claiming any title to, interest in, or lien or encumbrance on the above-described land or any part thereof are hereby directed to plead, answer or otherwise respond to the Complaint in this cause before the hearing date or a judgment by default may be rendered against them it being intended that this notice shall be used to perfect service against all parties who cannot be personally served with a copy of the Complaint.

 

 

 

 

 

BT09/11/2025

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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CASE NO. CV-2025-903118.00

 

 

 

NOTICE OF FINAL HEARING BY PUBLICATION

 

TO: MT. SINAI PRIMITIVE BAPTIST CHURCH OF COLLEGEVILLE, INC.; J.T. SMALLWOOD, JEFFERSON COUNTY TAX COLLECTOR; JEFFERSON COUNTY, ALABAMA; CITY OF BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA; and any and all other unknown heirs, claimants or interested parties claiming any right, title, estate, lien, or interest in the real estate described herein,

 

TAKE NOTICE that on July 30, 2025, the Birmingham Land Bank Authority filed the above-styled Complaint, and the Land Bank asserts that it has recorded notice of a pending quiet title and foreclosure action in the Probate Court of Jefferson County, Alabama concerning the rights and/or interests in the following real property:

 

 

 

Property Address: 1922 Stouts Road, Birmingham, Alabama 35234

 

 

 

Tax Parcel ID No.: 01-22-00-23-4-026-005.000

 

 

 

Legal Description: Lot 6, Block 2, according to the survey of E. A. Westbrook, as recorded in Deed Book 74, Page 356, in the Probate Office of Jefferson County, Alabama, situated in Jefferson County, Alabama (It appears said legal is the same as that certain legal described in Instrument No. 2021001955 as follows: LOT 6 BLK 2 E A WESTBROOK)

 

 

 

ANY PERSON WITH A PROPERTY INTEREST IN THE ABOVE PROPERTY IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THEY MAY LOSE SUCH INTEREST, IF ANY, AS A RESULT OF THE ABOVE-REFERENCED QUIET TITLE AND FORECLOSURE ACTION. The final hearing on this quiet title and foreclosure action is hereby set for November 3, 2025, in Room 360, Jefferson County Courthouse in Birmingham, Alabama at 10:00 A.M. The judgment of the Court may result in title to the property vesting in the Birmingham Land Bank Authority. Any person who proves to the Court’s satisfaction a right to redeem the property pursuant to Alabama Code §§ 40-10-73 (1975) et seq. or Alabama Code §§ 40-10-83 (1975) et seq. may redeem the property pursuant to those statutes within five (5) days after the appropriate Order on Final Hearing is issued. FAILURE TO REDEEM THE PROPERTY AND PRESENT PROOF OF REDEMPTION TO THE CIRCUIT COURT WITHIN THE 5-DAY PERIOD MAY RESULT IN A LOSS OF THE RIGHT OF REDEMPTION.

 

 

 

The address of the Birmingham Land Bank Authority is City Hall, 710 North 20th St., Birmingham, AL 35203. The Birmingham Land Bank Authority may be contacted care of Cherokee W. Wooley, Law Offices of Thomas J. Skinner, IV, LLC, at (205) 802-2545.

 

 

 

IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED by the undersigned Clerk of Court that publication of this notice be made once a week for three consecutive weeks in the Birmingham Times, a newspaper of general circulation in Jefferson County, Alabama, and that all persons to whom this notice is addressed and any and all persons claiming any title to, interest in, or lien or encumbrance on the above-described land or any part thereof are hereby directed to plead, answer or otherwise respond to the Complaint in this cause before the hearing date or a judgment by default may be rendered against them it being intended that this notice shall be used to perfect service against all parties who cannot be personally served with a copy of the Complaint.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BT09/11/2025

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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CASE NO. CV-2025-902990.00

 

 

 

NOTICE OF FINAL HEARING BY PUBLICATION

 

TO: ESTATE OF CLIFTON MCELROY, JR.; CLIFTON MCELROY, JR. and unknown heirs of CLIFTON MCELROY, JR.; ESTATE OF JOHN LLEDWYN LANIER, JR.; JOHN LANIER and unknown heirs of JOHN LANIER; MBL INVESTMENT, INC.; ALFA MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY; STATE OF ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE; J.T. SMALLWOOD, JEFFERSON COUNTY TAX COLLECTOR; JEFFERSON COUNTY, ALABAMA; CITY OF BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA; and any and all other unknown heirs, claimants or interested parties claiming any right, title, estate, lien, or interest in the real estate described herein,

 

TAKE NOTICE that on July 24, 2025, the Birmingham Land Bank Authority filed the above-styled Complaint, and the Land Bank asserts that it has recorded notice of a pending quiet title and foreclosure action in the Probate Court of Jefferson County, Alabama concerning the rights and/or interests in the following real property:

 

 

 

Property Address: 344 15th Avenue North, Birmingham, Alabama 35204

 

 

 

Tax Parcel ID No.: 01-22-00-26-2-036-010.000

 

 

 

Legal Description: Lot 10, Block 12, according to the Survey of Brownlie Realty Company’s Subdivision of Hudson Estates, as recorded in Map Book 7, Page 14, in the Probate Office of Jefferson County, Alabama, situated in Jefferson County, Alabama (It appears said legal is the same as that certain legal described in Instrument No. 2017097441 as follows: LOT 10 BROWNLIE REALTY COS S/D OF BLK 12 HUDSON EST)

 

 

 

ANY PERSON WITH A PROPERTY INTEREST IN THE ABOVE PROPERTY IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THEY MAY LOSE SUCH INTEREST, IF ANY, AS A RESULT OF THE ABOVE-REFERENCED QUIET TITLE AND FORECLOSURE ACTION. The final hearing on this quiet title and foreclosure action is hereby set for November 3, 2025, in Room 360, Jefferson County Courthouse in Birmingham, Alabama at 10:00 A.M. The judgment of the Court may result in title to the property vesting in the Birmingham Land Bank Authority. Any person who proves to the Court’s satisfaction a right to redeem the property pursuant to Alabama Code §§ 40-10-73 (1975) et seq. or Alabama Code §§ 40-10-83 (1975) et seq. may redeem the property pursuant to those statutes within five (5) days after the appropriate Order on Final Hearing is issued. FAILURE TO REDEEM THE PROPERTY AND PRESENT PROOF OF REDEMPTION TO THE CIRCUIT COURT WITHIN THE 5-DAY PERIOD MAY RESULT IN A LOSS OF THE RIGHT OF REDEMPTION.

 

 

 

The address of the Birmingham Land Bank Authority is City Hall, 710 North 20th St., Birmingham, AL 35203. The Birmingham Land Bank Authority may be contacted care of Cherokee W. Wooley, Law Offices of Thomas J. Skinner, IV, LLC, at (205) 802-2545.

 

 

 

IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED by the undersigned Clerk of Court that publication of this notice be made once a week for three consecutive weeks in the Birmingham Times, a newspaper of general circulation in Jefferson County, Alabama, and that all persons to whom this notice is addressed and any and all persons claiming any title to, interest in, or lien or encumbrance on the above-described land or any part thereof are hereby directed to plead, answer or otherwise respond to the Complaint in this cause before the hearing date or a judgment by default may be rendered against them it being intended that this notice shall be used to perfect service against all parties who cannot be personally served with a copy of the Complaint.

 

 

 

 

 

BT09/11/2025

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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CASE NO. CV-2025-903274.00

 

 

 

NOTICE OF FINAL HEARING BY PUBLICATION

 

TO: PATRICIA MCGINNIS, CAROL MCGINNIS KETABI, AND NANCY MCGINNIS WALKER, as heirs of SARAH P. MCGINNIS; SARAH P. MCGINNIS and unknown heirs of SARAH P. MCGINNIS; ERNEST W. PIERSON and unknown heirs of ERNEST W. PIERSON; OLGA D. PIERSON and unknown heirs of OLGA D. PIERSON; J.T. SMALLWOOD, JEFFERSON COUNTY TAX COLLECTOR; JEFFERSON COUNTY, ALABAMA; CITY OF BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA; and any and all other unknown heirs, claimants or interested parties claiming any right, title, estate, lien, or interest in the real estate described herein,

 

TAKE NOTICE that on August 7, 2025, the Birmingham Land Bank Authority filed the above-styled Complaint, and the Land Bank asserts that it has recorded notice of a pending quiet title and foreclosure action in the Probate Court of Jefferson County, Alabama concerning the rights and/or interests in the following real property:

 

 

 

Property Address: 2408 20th Avenue North, Birmingham, Alabama 35234

 

 

 

Tax Parcel ID No.: 01-22-00-23-4-022-004.000

 

 

 

Legal Description: Commence at the intersection of East line of 24th Street N and the North line of 20th Ave N in Section 23, Township 17 South, Range 3 West; thence Northeast along 20th Ave 120 feet to Point of Beginning; thence continue Northeasterly 25 feet; thence Northwesterly 140 feet; thence Southwesterly 25 feet; thence Southeasterly 140 feet to Point of Beginning, situated in Jefferson County, Alabama (It appears said legal is the same as that certain legal described in Instrument No. 2020086559 as follows: COM INTER OF E/L 24TH ST N & N/L 20TH AVE N SEC TP 17S R 3W TH NE ALG 20TH AVE 120 FT TO POB TH CONT NELY 25 FT TH NWLY 140 FT TH SWLY 25 FT TH SELY 140 FT TO POB)

 

 

 

ANY PERSON WITH A PROPERTY INTEREST IN THE ABOVE PROPERTY IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THEY MAY LOSE SUCH INTEREST, IF ANY, AS A RESULT OF THE ABOVE-REFERENCED QUIET TITLE AND FORECLOSURE ACTION. The final hearing on this quiet title and foreclosure action is hereby set for November 3, 2025, in Room 360, Jefferson County Courthouse in Birmingham, Alabama at 10:00 A.M. The judgment of the Court may result in title to the property vesting in the Birmingham Land Bank Authority. Any person who proves to the Court’s satisfaction a right to redeem the property pursuant to Alabama Code §§ 40-10-73 (1975) et seq. or Alabama Code §§ 40-10-83 (1975) et seq. may redeem the property pursuant to those statutes within five (5) days after the appropriate Order on Final Hearing is issued. FAILURE TO REDEEM THE PROPERTY AND PRESENT PROOF OF REDEMPTION TO THE CIRCUIT COURT WITHIN THE 5-DAY PERIOD MAY RESULT IN A LOSS OF THE RIGHT OF REDEMPTION.

 

 

 

The address of the Birmingham Land Bank Authority is City Hall, 710 North 20th St., Birmingham, AL 35203. The Birmingham Land Bank Authority may be contacted care of Cherokee W. Wooley, Law Offices of Thomas J. Skinner, IV, LLC, at (205) 802-2545.

 

 

 

IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED by the undersigned Clerk of Court that publication of this notice be made once a week for three consecutive weeks in the Birmingham Times, a newspaper of general circulation in Jefferson County, Alabama, and that all persons to whom this notice is addressed and any and all persons claiming any title to, interest in, or lien or encumbrance on the above-described land or any part thereof are hereby directed to plead, answer or otherwise respond to the Complaint in this cause before the hearing date or a judgment by default may be rendered against them it being intended that this notice shall be used to perfect service against all parties who cannot be personally served with a copy of the Complaint.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BT09/11/2025

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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CASE NO. CV-2025-902718

 

 

 

NOTICE OF FINAL HEARING BY PUBLICATION

 

TO: YASMIN T. HARRIS A/K/A YASMIN WILLIAMS; AISHA BOYD; ESTATE OF MADIE B. WILLIAMS; CAROLYN WILLIAMS; CITY OF BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA; J.T. SMALLWOOD, JEFFERSON COUNTY TAX COLLECTOR; AND JEFFERSON COUNTY, ALABAMA, and any and all other unknown heirs, claimants or interested parties claiming any right, title, estate, lien, or interest in the real estate described herein,

 

 

 

TAKE NOTICE that on July 7, 2025, the Birmingham Land Bank Authority filed the above-styled Complaint, and the Land Bank asserts that it has recorded notice of a pending quiet title and foreclosure action in the Probate Court of Jefferson County, Alabama concerning the rights and/or interests in the following real property:

 

 

 

Lot 13, Block 8, according to the map of Druid Hills, except the Easterly 14 feet used for road, as recorded in Map Book 14, Page 3 in the Office of the Judge of Probate of Jefferson County, Alabama.

 

 

 

It appears said legal is the same as that certain legal described in Instrument Number 2021001959 as follows: LOT 13 BLK 8 DRUID HILLS EXC ELY 14 FT USED FOR RD

 

 

 

and assigned Parcel ID No. 22-00-26-1-002-026.000

 

 

 

ANY PERSON WITH A PROPERTY INTEREST IN THE ABOVE PROPERTY IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THEY MAY LOSE SUCH INTEREST, IF ANY, AS A RESULT OF THE ABOVE-REFERENCED QUIET TITLE AND FORECLOSURE ACTION. The final hearing on this quiet title and foreclosure action is hereby set for November 3, 2025, in Room 360, Jefferson County Courthouse in Birmingham, Alabama at 10:00 a.m. The judgment of the Court may result in title to the property vesting in the Birmingham Land Bank Authority. Any person who proves to the Court’s satisfaction a right to redeem the property pursuant to Alabama Code §§ 40-10-73 (1975) et seq. or Alabama Code §§ 40-10-83 (1975) et seq. may redeem the property pursuant to those statutes within five (5) days after the appropriate Order on Final Hearing is issued. FAILURE TO REDEEM THE PROPERTY AND PRESENT PROOF OF REDEMPTION TO THE CIRCUIT COURT WITHIN THE 5-DAY PERIOD MAY RESULT IN A LOSS OF THE RIGHT OF REDEMPTION.

 

 

 

The address of the Birmingham Land Bank Authority is City Hall, 710 North 20th St, Birmingham, AL 35203.The Birmingham Land Bank Authority may be contacted care of Jake A. Kiser at (205) 918-5037.

 

 

 

IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED by the undersigned Clerk of Court that publication of this notice be made once a week for three consecutive weeks in the Birmingham Times, a newspaper of general circulation in Jefferson County, Alabama, and that all persons to whom this notice is addressed and any and all persons claiming any title to, interest in, or lien or encumbrance on the above-described land or any part thereof are hereby directed to plead, answer or otherwise respond to the Complaint in this case before the hearing date or a judgment by default may be rendered against them it being intended that this notice shall be used to perfect service against all parties who cannot be personally served with a copy of the Complaint.

 

 

 

BT09/11/2025

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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CASE NO. CV-2025-902473

 

 

 

NOTICE OF FINAL HEARING BY PUBLICATION

 

TO: ESTATE OF LAWRENCE W. STALLWORTH, JR.; IOLA THOMAS; CITY OF BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA; J.T. SMALLWOOD, JEFFERSON COUNTY TAX COLLECTOR; AND JEFFERSON COUNTY, ALABAMA, and any and all other unknown heirs, claimants or interested parties claiming any right, title, estate, lien, or interest in the real estate described herein,

 

 

 

TAKE NOTICE that on June 18, 2025, the Birmingham Land Bank Authority filed the above-styled Complaint, and the Land Bank asserts that it has recorded notice of a pending quiet title and foreclosure action in the Probate Court of Jefferson County, Alabama concerning the rights and/or interests in the following real property:

 

 

 

Lot 18, Block 8, according to the survey of Sudduth Realty Company’s 6th Addition, known as Druid Hills, as recorded in Map Book 14, Page 3, in the Probate Office of Jefferson County, Alabama.

 

 

 

It appears said legal is the same as that certain legal described in Instrument Number 2021021042 as follows: LOT 18 BLK 8 DRUID HILLS

 

 

 

and assigned Parcel ID No. 22-00-26-1-002-003.000

 

 

 

ANY PERSON WITH A PROPERTY INTEREST IN THE ABOVE PROPERTY IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THEY MAY LOSE SUCH INTEREST, IF ANY, AS A RESULT OF THE ABOVE-REFERENCED QUIET TITLE AND FORECLOSURE ACTION. The final hearing on this quiet title and foreclosure action is hereby set for November 3, 2025, in Room 360, Jefferson County Courthouse in Birmingham, Alabama at 10:00 a.m. The judgment of the Court may result in title to the property vesting in the Birmingham Land Bank Authority. Any person who proves to the Court’s satisfaction a right to redeem the property pursuant to Alabama Code §§ 40-10-73 (1975) et seq. or Alabama Code §§ 40-10-83 (1975) et seq. may redeem the property pursuant to those statutes within five (5) days after the appropriate Order on Final Hearing is issued. FAILURE TO REDEEM THE PROPERTY AND PRESENT PROOF OF REDEMPTION TO THE CIRCUIT COURT WITHIN THE 5-DAY PERIOD MAY RESULT IN A LOSS OF THE RIGHT OF REDEMPTION.

 

 

 

The address of the Birmingham Land Bank Authority is City Hall, 710 North 20th St, Birmingham, AL 35203.The Birmingham Land Bank Authority may be contacted care of Jake A. Kiser at (205) 918-5037.

 

 

 

IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED by the undersigned Clerk of Court that publication of this notice be made once a week for three consecutive weeks in the Birmingham Times, a newspaper of general circulation in Jefferson County, Alabama, and that all persons to whom this notice is addressed and any and all persons claiming any title to, interest in, or lien or encumbrance on the above-described land or any part thereof are hereby directed to plead, answer or otherwise respond to the Complaint in this case before the hearing date or a judgment by default may be rendered against them it being intended that this notice shall be used to perfect service against all parties who cannot be personally served with a copy of the Complaint.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BT09/11/2025

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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CASE NO. CV-2025-902470

 

 

 

NOTICE OF FINAL HEARING BY PUBLICATION

 

TO: ESTATE OF JESSIE MAE GLAZE; ESTATE OF ANNIE LEE UNDERWOOD; AOA ACQUISITIONS, LLC; CITY OF BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA; J.T. SMALLWOOD, JEFFERSON COUNTY TAX COLLECTOR; AND JEFFERSON COUNTY, ALABAMA, and any and all other unknown heirs, claimants or interested parties claiming any right, title, estate, lien, or interest in the real estate described herein,

 

 

 

TAKE NOTICE that on June 18, 2025, the Birmingham Land Bank Authority filed the above-styled Complaint, and the Land Bank asserts that it has recorded notice of a pending quiet title and foreclosure action in the Probate Court of Jefferson County, Alabama concerning the rights and/or interests in the following real property:

 

 

 

Lot 4, Block 46, according to the map of East Birmingham Land Company as recorded in Map Book 1, page 5, in the Office of the Judge of Probate of Jefferson County, Alabama.

 

 

 

It appears said legal is the same as that certain legal described in Instrument Number 2020086475 as follows: LOT 4 BLK 46 EAST BHAM LD CO

 

 

 

and assigned Parcel ID No. 23-00-19-1-022-009.000

 

 

 

ANY PERSON WITH A PROPERTY INTEREST IN THE ABOVE PROPERTY IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THEY MAY LOSE SUCH INTEREST, IF ANY, AS A RESULT OF THE ABOVE-REFERENCED QUIET TITLE AND FORECLOSURE ACTION. The final hearing on this quiet title and foreclosure action is hereby set for November 3, 2025, in Room 360, Jefferson County Courthouse in Birmingham, Alabama at 10:00 a.m. The judgment of the Court may result in title to the property vesting in the Birmingham Land Bank Authority. Any person who proves to the Court’s satisfaction a right to redeem the property pursuant to Alabama Code §§ 40-10-73 (1975) et seq. or Alabama Code §§ 40-10-83 (1975) et seq. may redeem the property pursuant to those statutes within five (5) days after the appropriate Order on Final Hearing is issued. FAILURE TO REDEEM THE PROPERTY AND PRESENT PROOF OF REDEMPTION TO THE CIRCUIT COURT WITHIN THE 5-DAY PERIOD MAY RESULT IN A LOSS OF THE RIGHT OF REDEMPTION.

 

 

 

The address of the Birmingham Land Bank Authority is City Hall, 710 North 20th St, Birmingham, AL 35203.The Birmingham Land Bank Authority may be contacted care of Jake A. Kiser at (205) 918-5037.

 

 

 

IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED by the undersigned Clerk of Court that publication of this notice be made once a week for three consecutive weeks in the Birmingham Times, a newspaper of general circulation in Jefferson County, Alabama, and that all persons to whom this notice is addressed and any and all persons claiming any title to, interest in, or lien or encumbrance on the above-described land or any part thereof are hereby directed to plead, answer or otherwise respond to the Complaint in this case before the hearing date or a judgment by default may be rendered against them it being intended that this notice shall be used to perfect service against all parties who cannot be personally served with a copy of the Complaint.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BT09/11/2025

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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CASE NO. CV-2025-902103.00

 

 

 

ORDER TO SERVE BY PUBLICATION

 

 

 

STA DRY ROOFING, LLC,

 

Plaintiff,

 

V.

 

HOWEL DARNELL,

 

HOWELL DEVELOPMENT AND CONSTRUCTION LLC,

 

Defendants

 

This matter came before the Court upon the Motion to Serve by Publication (the “Motion”) filed by Sta Dry Roofing, LLC, pursuant to Alabama Rule of Civil Procedure 4.3(a) to serve Darnell Howell (“Defendant”), an individual with the last known address of 422 Liberty Lake Drive, Vestavia Hills, Alabama 35242 located in Jefferson County, Alabama, with the Complaint by publication via The Birmingham Times, which is published in and of general circulation in Jefferson County, Alabama. Upon Consideration of the Motion, and for cause, the Motion is hereby GRANTED, and the Court hereby ORDERS that the Defendant shall be served by publication which is to appear in The Birmingham Times at least once a week for four successive weeks. The Court further ORDERS Defendant,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Darnelle Howell, to send a copy of the answer to Curtis H. Seal, the attorney for Plaintiff, whose address is Graham Neal Seal & Bell, 880 Montclair Road, Suite 450, Birmingham, Alabama, 35213, and file an original of the answer with the Clerk of Court of Circuit Court for Jefferson County,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BT09/11/2025

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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CASE NO. CV-2025-902468

 

 

 

NOTICE OF FINAL HEARING BY PUBLICATION

 

TO: WALTER EVANS; ANNIE K. EVANS; SYLVESTER DUNN; CITY OF BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA; J.T. SMALLWOOD, JEFFERSON COUNTY TAX COLLECTOR; AND JEFFERSON COUNTY, ALABAMA, and any and all other unknown heirs, claimants or interested parties claiming any right, title, estate, lien, or interest in the real estate described herein,

 

 

 

TAKE NOTICE that on June 18, 2025, the Birmingham Land Bank Authority filed the above-styled Complaint, and the Land Bank asserts that it has recorded notice of a pending quiet title and foreclosure action in the Probate Court of Jefferson County, Alabama concerning the rights and/or interests in the following real property:

 

 

 

Lot 22, Block 8, Druid Hills, being the Sudduth Realty Company Sixth (6) Addition to Birmingham, Alabama, situated in the NE 1/4 of NE 1/4 of Section 26, Township 17 South, Range 3 West as recorded in the Probate Office of Jefferson County, Alabama in Map Book 14, Page 3.

 

 

 

It appears said legal is the same as that certain legal described in Instrument Number 2019111389 as follows: LOT 22 BLK 8 DRUID HILLS

 

 

 

and assigned Parcel ID No. 22-00-26-1-002-007.000

 

 

 

ANY PERSON WITH A PROPERTY INTEREST IN THE ABOVE PROPERTY IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THEY MAY LOSE SUCH INTEREST, IF ANY, AS A RESULT OF THE ABOVE-REFERENCED QUIET TITLE AND FORECLOSURE ACTION. The final hearing on this quiet title and foreclosure action is hereby set for November 3, 2025, in Room 360, Jefferson County Courthouse in Birmingham, Alabama at 10:00 a.m. The judgment of the Court may result in title to the property vesting in the Birmingham Land Bank Authority. Any person who proves to the Court’s satisfaction a right to redeem the property pursuant to Alabama Code §§ 40-10-73 (1975) et seq. or Alabama Code §§ 40-10-83 (1975) et seq. may redeem the property pursuant to those statutes within five (5) days after the appropriate Order on Final Hearing is issued. FAILURE TO REDEEM THE PROPERTY AND PRESENT PROOF OF REDEMPTION TO THE CIRCUIT COURT WITHIN THE 5-DAY PERIOD MAY RESULT IN A LOSS OF THE RIGHT OF REDEMPTION.

 

 

 

The address of the Birmingham Land Bank Authority is City Hall, 710 North 20th St, Birmingham, AL 35203.The Birmingham Land Bank Authority may be contacted care of Jake A. Kiser at (205) 918-5037.

 

 

 

IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED by the undersigned Clerk of Court that publication of this notice be made once a week for three consecutive weeks in the Birmingham Times, a newspaper of general circulation in Jefferson County, Alabama, and that all persons to whom this notice is addressed and any and all persons claiming any title to, interest in, or lien or encumbrance on the above-described land or any part thereof are hereby directed to plead, answer or otherwise respond to the Complaint in this case before the hearing date or a judgment by default may be rendered against them it being intended that this notice shall be used to perfect service against all parties who cannot be personally served with a copy of the Complaint.

 

 

 

 

 

BT09/11/2025

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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CASE NO. CV-2025-901363

 

 

 

NOTICE OF FINAL HEARING BY PUBLICATION

 

TO: ESTATE OF THOMAS A. BANKHEAD; C.R. COOKE, JR.; KEVIN W. BANKHEAD; PHILLIP C. BANKHEAD; STACY BANKHEAD ODOM; COREY F. BANKHEAD; CITY OF BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA; J.T. SMALLWOOD, JEFFERSON COUNTY TAX COLLECTOR; AND JEFFERSON COUNTY, ALABAMA, and any and all other unknown heirs, claimants or interested parties claiming any right, title, estate, lien, or interest in the real estate described herein,

 

 

 

TAKE NOTICE that on April 9, 2025, the Birmingham Land Bank Authority filed the above-styled Complaint, and the Land Bank asserts that it has recorded notice of a pending quiet title and foreclosure action in the Probate Court of Jefferson County, Alabama concerning the rights and/or interests in the following real property:

 

 

 

Lot 3, according to A. G. Ware Subdivision of North Highlands as recorded in Map Book 4, Page 39, in the Probate Office of Jefferson County, Alabama.

 

 

 

It appears said legal is the same as that certain legal described in Instrument Number 2019111392 as follows: LOT 3 A G WARE SUR

 

 

 

and assigned Parcel ID No. 22-00-23-4-005-014.000

 

 

 

ANY PERSON WITH A PROPERTY INTEREST IN THE ABOVE PROPERTY IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THEY MAY LOSE SUCH INTEREST, IF ANY, AS A RESULT OF THE ABOVE-REFERENCED QUIET TITLE AND FORECLOSURE ACTION. The final hearing on this quiet title and foreclosure action is hereby set for November 3, 2025, in Room 360, Jefferson County Courthouse in Birmingham, Alabama at 10:00 a.m. The judgment of the Court may result in title to the property vesting in the Birmingham Land Bank Authority. Any person who proves to the Court’s satisfaction a right to redeem the property pursuant to Alabama Code §§ 40-10-73 (1975) et seq. or Alabama Code §§ 40-10-83 (1975) et seq. may redeem the property pursuant to those statutes within five (5) days after the appropriate Order on Final Hearing is issued. FAILURE TO REDEEM THE PROPERTY AND PRESENT PROOF OF REDEMPTION TO THE CIRCUIT COURT WITHIN THE 5-DAY PERIOD MAY RESULT IN A LOSS OF THE RIGHT OF REDEMPTION.

 

 

 

The address of the Birmingham Land Bank Authority is City Hall, 710 North 20th St, Birmingham, AL 35203.The Birmingham Land Bank Authority may be contacted care of Jake A. Kiser at (205) 918-5037.

 

 

 

IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED by the undersigned Clerk of Court that publication of this notice be made once a week for three consecutive weeks in the Birmingham Times, a newspaper of general circulation in Jefferson County, Alabama, and that all persons to whom this notice is addressed and any and all persons claiming any title to, interest in, or lien or encumbrance on the above-described land or any part thereof are hereby directed to plead, answer or otherwise respond to the Complaint in this case before the hearing date or a judgment by default may be rendered against them it being intended that this notice shall be used to perfect service against all parties who cannot be personally served with a copy of the Complaint.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BT09/11/2025

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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CASE NO. CV-2025-901366

 

 

 

NOTICE OF FINAL HEARING BY PUBLICATION

 

TO: ESTATE OF JULIA LOUISE COLVIN; ESTATE OF DENNIS JAMES COLVIN; HOME BANK, SUCCESSOR TO STATEWIDE BANK, A CORPORATION; CITY OF BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA; J.T. SMALLWOOD, JEFFERSON COUNTY TAX COLLECTOR; AND JEFFERSON COUNTY, ALABAMA, and any and all other unknown heirs, claimants or interested parties claiming any right, title, estate, lien, or interest in the real estate described herein,

 

 

 

TAKE NOTICE that on April 9, 2025, the Birmingham Land Bank Authority filed the above-styled Complaint, and the Land Bank asserts that it has recorded notice of a pending quiet title and foreclosure action in the Probate Court of Jefferson County, Alabama concerning the rights and/or interests in the following real property:

 

 

 

The North 1/2 of Lot 9, Block 1, according to the map and survey of E. A. Westbrook, as recorded in Plat Book 74, Page 356, in the Office of the Judge of Probate of Jefferson County, Alabama.

 

 

 

It appears said legal is the same as that certain legal described in Instrument Number 2019111758 as follows: N 1/2 OF LOT 9 BLK 1 E A WESTBROOK PB 74 PAGE 356

 

 

 

and assigned Parcel ID No. 22-00-23-4-032-001.000

 

 

 

ANY PERSON WITH A PROPERTY INTEREST IN THE ABOVE PROPERTY IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THEY MAY LOSE SUCH INTEREST, IF ANY, AS A RESULT OF THE ABOVE-REFERENCED QUIET TITLE AND FORECLOSURE ACTION. The final hearing on this quiet title and foreclosure action is hereby set for November 3, 2025, in Room 360, Jefferson County Courthouse in Birmingham, Alabama at 10:00 a.m. The judgment of the Court may result in title to the property vesting in the Birmingham Land Bank Authority. Any person who proves to the Court’s satisfaction a right to redeem the property pursuant to Alabama Code §§ 40-10-73 (1975) et seq. or Alabama Code §§ 40-10-83 (1975) et seq. may redeem the property pursuant to those statutes within five (5) days after the appropriate Order on Final Hearing is issued. FAILURE TO REDEEM THE PROPERTY AND PRESENT PROOF OF REDEMPTION TO THE CIRCUIT COURT WITHIN THE 5-DAY PERIOD MAY RESULT IN A LOSS OF THE RIGHT OF REDEMPTION.

 

 

 

The address of the Birmingham Land Bank Authority is City Hall, 710 North 20th St, Birmingham, AL 35203.The Birmingham Land Bank Authority may be contacted care of Jake A. Kiser at (205) 918-5037.

 

 

 

IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED by the undersigned Clerk of Court that publication of this notice be made once a week for three consecutive weeks in the Birmingham Times, a newspaper of general circulation in Jefferson County, Alabama, and that all persons to whom this notice is addressed and any and all persons claiming any title to, interest in, or lien or encumbrance on the above-described land or any part thereof are hereby directed to plead, answer or otherwise respond to the Complaint in this case before the hearing date or a judgment by default may be rendered against them it being intended that this notice shall be used to perfect service against all parties who cannot be personally served with a copy of the Complaint.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BT09/11/2025

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Legal Notice

 

 

 

 

 

Notice to Richard Elmore Jr. (or descendants). Matter of importance. Father, Richard Elmore, Sr. (DOB 04.19.1900; DOD 05.05.1974) married Tina Mae Godfrey-Callier (my Grandmother) @ 1943. Richard Elmore, Sr. buried at Elmwood Cemetery beside wife Tina Godfrey Callier Elmore. Last known address: 1450 Fourth St. North, Birmingham, AL 35204. Contact Theresa Callier, PO Box 225689

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BT09/11/2025

 

 

 

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NOTICE OF COMPLETION

 

 

 

Viking Industrial Painting gives notice of completion of Painting and Repairs to  Cahaba Cove and Warrior Potable Water Tanks for the Water Works Board of the City of Birmingham (Central Alabama Water). This notice will appear for four (4) consecutive weeks beginning 09/01/25 and ending 09/27/25. All claims should be filed at our office,10905 Harrison St. La Vista, NE 68128, or with the owner, the Water Works Board of the City of Birmingham (Central Alabama Water) 3600 First Avenue North Birmingham AL 35222.

 

 

 

BT09/11/2025

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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NOTICE OF COMPLETION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

that

 

In accordance with Chapter 1, Title 39, Code of Alabama, 1975, as amended, notice is hereby given

 

 

 

A.G. Gaston Construction Company ,

 

(Contractor Company Name)

 

Contractor, has completed the Contract for

 

(Construction)

 

✔(Renovation)

 

(Alteration)

 

(Equipment) (Improvement) of (Name of Project):

 

 

 

 

 

City of Montgomery Intermodal Transfer Facilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

at  2346 West Fairview Ave, 495 Molton Street

 

 

 

(Insert location data in County or City)

 

for the State of Alabama and the (County) (City) of

 

Montgomery, AL ,

 

Owner(s) and have made request for final settlement of said Contract. All persons having any claim for labor, materials, or otherwise in connection with this project should immediately notify

 

Barry Robinson

 

Robinson and Associates Architecture, Inc. 906 South Perry Street Montgomery, Alabama 36104 (334) 269-5590

 

 

 

(Architect / Engineer)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A.G. Gaston Construction Company

 

(Contractor)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1820 3rd Ave North, Suite 400

 

Birmingham, AL 35203

 

(Business Address)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BT09/11/2025

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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LEGAL NOTICE

 

Notice of Completion of Public Works Projects (Over $50,000)

 

Pursuant to Ala. Code §39-1-1 (1975), notice is hereby given that REV Construction, Inc. has completed its contract with Jefferson County Commission for the Stadium Trace Pump Station Chemical Feed for Odor Control, Contract no. 20240145. Any person or firm having claims on said Project for materials or labor should contact the above contractor at 5801 Grover Burchfield Drive, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401 All claims should be filed within 30 days of the first publication of this notice.

 

 

 

 

 

BT09/11/2025

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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INVITATION TO BID

 

 

 

Growth Builders invites land development contractors to bid on site work at Oak Hill and Shadowbrook. Interested contractors should email jdapogny@growth-homes.com to request site plans and scope. MWDBEs certified by ADECA or BCIA are encouraged to apply.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BT09/11/2025

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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INVITATION TO BID

 

 

 

Growth Builders invites residential homebuilding contractors to bid on new homes at Oak Hill, Woodlawn, and Shadowbrook. Interested contractors should email gmowatt@growth-homes.com to request architectural plans and scope. MWDBEs certified by ADECA or BCIA are encouraged to apply.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BT09/11/2025

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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INVITATION FOR BIDS

 

 

 

The Jefferson County Commission will receive bids for the Irondale Storm Shelter at Room A-420 meeting room of the Jefferson County Courthouse until 10:00 a.m. local time on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, at which time and place all bids will be publicly opened and read aloud.

 

 

 

Any bid to be delivered by hand or mail prior to the above time or at a different place shall be at full risk of the bidder. Such bids may be delivered or mailed to the Jefferson County Department of Community Services, at 716 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd N, Suite A-430, Birmingham, Alabama 35203. If for any reason such bid does not reach Room A-420 meeting room of the Jefferson County Courthouse prior to the opening, it may be rejected. No bids shall be accepted after the time stated for receipt of bids. This requirement shall not be waived.

 

 

 

All bids must be submitted on bid forms furnished, or copy thereof, and must be in a sealed envelope. The outside of the envelope should contain the following:

 

(1) “SEALED BID”; (2) “DO NOT OPEN”; (3) PROJECT NAME AND NUMBER; (4) PROJECT OFFICER: “Alfonso Holt”; (5) CONTRACTOR’S NAME AND ADDRESS; (6) ALABAMA GENERAL CONTRACTORS LICENSE NUMBER (7) DUNS #.

 

 

 

Bids are invited upon the following work, but not limited to, as follows: Provide a Prefabricated Storm Shelter, Site Work, Drainage, and Parking.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bids must be accompanied by a certified check or bank draft payable to the order of Jefferson County, Alabama negotiable U.S. Government Bonds (at par value) or a satisfactory Bid Bond executed by the bidder and an acceptable surety, in the amount equal to five percent (5%) of the total of the bid amount but not to exceed $10,000.00, for the construction of Irondale Storm Shelter

 

 

 

The bid security is to become the property of the owner in the event that: (1) the bidder fails to meet any of the qualifications required in the bid specifications stated herein; (2) the bidder misrepresents or falsifies any information required to be provided by the owner; (3) for any reason that the bidder fails to qualify, causing his bid to be withdrawn or rejected and such withdrawal or rejection results in delay or substantial additional expense to the owner; (4) the contract and bond are not executed within the time set forth, as liquidated damages for the delay and additional expense of the owner caused thereby.

 

 

 

Bid documents are on file and will be available for examination at the JEFFERSON COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY SERVICES, 716 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd N, Suite A-430, Birmingham, Alabama 35203; at the BIRMINGHAM CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY AUTHORITY, 601 37th Avenue South, Birmingham, Alabama 35222; at the Office of Sentell Engineering.

 

 

 

General Contractor Bidders may obtain two (2) sets of hard copy drawings for each project and specifications from the Engineer Contact Donna Shelton at(205)752-5564. General Contractors will then be placed on Official Bidders List. The sets in the amount of $_65.78 per set made payable to Tuscaloosa Blueprint. Additional sets of drawings/ specifications and digital copies will be available to General Contractors for purchase directly from the Tuscaloosa Blueprint. Addenda and other proposal information will be issued only to holders of drawings and specifications distributed by Sentell Engineering and on the Official Bidders List. Release of contract documents to the bidder does not imply acceptance of the bidder’s qualifications by the Owner or Engineer.

 

 

 

General Contractors who obtain drawings and wish to withdraw from the Bidders List must do so in writing to the office of the Engineer prior to bid date, otherwise deposit will be forfeited. Deposit will be refunded in full on sets issued to each General Contractor Bidder submitting a Bonafide bid, upon the return of documents in good, reusable condition within ten (10) days after receipt of proposals.

 

 

 

Bids received from General Contractors who are not on the Official Bidders List may not be accepted or opened. Sentell Engineering makes no guarantee for plans and specifications obtained by Contractors and Vendors from sources other than the printed contract documents provided by their firm. Contractors and Vendors who base their pricing from contract documents obtained from other electronic sources, either in part or whole, do so at their own risk.

 

 

 

Bids must be submitted on proposal forms furnished by the Engineer or copies thereof, issued either with the original contract documents or by addendum. General Contractors shall not use Proposal Forms other than those provided in the contract documents.

 

 

 

All bidders bidding in amounts exceeding that established by the State Licensing Board for General Contractors must be licensed under the provisions of Title 34, Chapter 8, Code of Alabama, 1975. The Bidder must display current General Contractor’s License Number on the outside of the sealed envelope in which the proposal is delivered, or it will not be considered by the Engineer or Owner. The Owner reserves the right to reject any or all proposals and to waive technical errors if, in the Owner’s judgment, the best interests of the Owner will thereby be promoted.

 

 

 

Bidders are advised that submitted bids bind the bidders to the “Bid Conditions Setting Forth Affirmative Action Requirements for all Non‑Exempt Federal and Federally‑assisted Construction Contracts to be awarded in Jefferson, Shelby and Walker Counties, Alabama, “also known as the Birmingham Hometown Plan.

 

 

 

Attention is called to the fact that not less than the minimum salaries and wages as set forth in the contract documents must be paid on this project, and that the contractor must ensure that employees and applicants for employment are not discriminated against because of their race, color, sex, age, religion, national origin, disability, or veteran status.

 

 

 

All bidders be advised that this contract is subject to Section 3 of the Housing and Urban Development act of 1968, as amended, (12 USC l701U) which if it is in excess of $100,000, requires that to the “greatest extent feasible”, opportunities for training and employment be given lower income residents of the project area and contracts for work in connection with the project be awarded to business concerns which are: (1) 51 percent or more owned by section 3 residents; or (2) Whose permanent, full-time employees include persons, at least 30 percent of whom are currently section 3 residents, or within three years of the date of first employment with the business concern were section 3 residents; or (3) That provides evidence of commitment to subcontract in excess of 25 percent of the dollar award of all subcontracts to be awarded to business concerns that meet the qualifications set forth in paragraphs (1) or (2) in this definition of “section 3 business concern.”

 

 

 

The Jefferson County Commission reserves the right to reject any or all bids or to waive any informalities in the bidding.

 

 

 

This project will be funded in its entirety (100%) with Jefferson County General Funds.

 

No Bid may be withdrawn for a period of sixty (60) days from the date of the opening of bids to allow the Jefferson County Commission to review the bids and investigate the qualifications of bidders prior to awarding the contract.

 

 

 

 

 

BT09/11/2025

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS

 

 

 

Sealed proposals will be received by Birmingham Board of Education, Central Administration Building, 2015 Park Place North, Birmingham, Alabama, 35203; UNTIL 2:00 PM CST; on Thursday, September 18, 2025, for:

 

 

 

BIRMINGHAM CITY SCHOOLS: CAPITOL IMPROVEMENTS

 

GROUP 3

 

 

 

at which time and place they will be publicly opened and read.

 

 

 

The project includes, but is not limited to, miscellaneous repairs and improvements to the following schools:

 

 

 

Barrett Elementary School

 

Hayes K-8 School

 

Hemphill Elementary School

 

Parker High School

 

Phillips Academy

 

Ramsay High School

 

 

 

A cashier’s check or bid bond payable to Birmingham City Schools, Birmingham, Alabama, in an amount not less than five percent (5%) of the amount of the bid, but in no event more than $10,000, must accompany the bidder’s proposal. Performance and statutory Labor and Material Payment Bonds, and insurance in compliance with requirements, will be required at the signing of the Contract.

 

 

 

Drawings and Specifications will be available after August 28, 2025; and may be examined at the Alabama Graphics Plan Room. Follow link below.

 

 

 

https://www.algraphicsplanroom.com/projects/1317/details/2024-02-birmingham-city-school-improvements-group-3-nr

 

 

 

 

 

Bidders may obtain documents from Alabama Graphics, for a non-refundable cost equal to the cost of printing. Other sets for general contractors, and sets for subs and dealers, may be obtained at the same amount. Partial sets will not be available.

 

 

 

Bids must be submitted on proposal forms furnished by the Architect or copies thereof. All bidders bidding in amounts exceeding that established by the State Licensing Board for General Contractors must be licensed under the Provision of Title 34, Chapter 8, Code of Alabama, 1975, as amended, and must show such evidence of license before bidding or bid will not be received or considered by Architect or Owner; The bidder shall show such evidence by clearly displaying their current license number on the outside of the sealed envelope in which the proposal is delivered; Bidder must also include their current license number on the Proposal Form. No bid may be withdrawn after the scheduled closing time for receipt of bids for a period of NINETY (90) days.

 

 

 

A PRE-BID CONFERENCE will be held at the same location where bids will be received, at 2:00 PM CST, on Tuesday, September 8, 2025, for the purpose of reviewing the project and answering Bidder’s questions. Attendance at the Pre-Bid Conference is not required for all General Contractor Bidders but is highly recommended.

 

 

 

This project is being bid without sales taxes according to Act 2013-205 (of the Alabama Legislature). However, sales tax for the base bid and all other bid items must be accounted for on the contractor’s Bid Proposal Form. ABC Form C-3A indicates how the sales tax shall be accounted for on the bid proposal form and shall be modified by the project architect as appropriate for bid items on each project.

 

 

 

Completion Time: Work shall commence on the earlier of either the date of the owner’s written “Notice to Proceed” or the contractor’s receipt of the fully executed contract and shall be “Substantially Complete” within 240 Consecutive Calendar Days thereafter.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supervision: Contractor to provide Superintendent(s) to ensure proper supervision for all work.

 

 

 

The Owner reserves the right to reject any or all proposals and to waive technical errors if, in their judgment, the best interests of the Owner will thereby be promoted.

 

 

 

Owner:

 

Birmingham Board of Education

 

2015 Park Place North

 

Birmingham, Alabama 35203

 

Phone: (205) 231-4885

 

 

 

c/o

 

 

 

Project Manager/Owner’s Representative

 

Steel City Services, LLC

 

119 3rd Avenue West

 

Birmingham, Alabama 35204

 

205.306.3444

 

 

 

Architect:

 

Dorsey Architects & Associates Inc.

 

2301 1st Ave. North, Suite 101

 

Birmingham, AL 35203

 

Phone: (205) 250-7100

 

Clay R. Dorsey, AIA

 

cdorsey@dorseyarchitects.com

 

 

 

Wesley Henry, Project Manager

 

 

 

wesleyh@dorseyarchitects.com

 

 

 

 

 

BT09/11/2025

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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PROPOSED ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER

 

 

 

Account Code: 421

 

 

 

 

 

Jefferson County

 

 

 

Pursuant to the provisions of the Alabama Environmental Management Act, the Alabama Department of Environmental Management is proposing to issue an Administrative Order to C and A Transport LLC (EPA Identification Number VAR000543520), which operates a waste transportation company headquartered at 6485 Irisburg Road in Axton, Virginia.

 

 

 

The violation consisted of the transportation of used oil without an Alabama Used Oil Transport Permit.

 

 

 

The Department is proposing a civil penalty in the amount of $5,000.The Order, if issued, would require C and A Transport LLC to comply with all applicable requirements of Division 14 of the ADEM Administrative Code.

 

 

 

Interested persons may submit written comments, including request for a hearing, within 30 days of the publication date of this notice, to:

 

 

 

Alabama Department of Environmental Management

 

Attention: Stephen A. Cobb

 

Chief of the Land Division

 

P.O. Box 301463

 

Montgomery, Alabama 36130-1463

 

 

 

The comment period shall end at the close of business 30 days from the publication date of this notice. A copy of the proposed order is available on the ADEM web page at http://adem.alabama.gov/compInfo/adminOrders.cnt or may be obtained by written request to the above address. A nominal fee for copying may be charged.

 

 

 

This notice is hereby given 11th day of September, 2025, by authorization of the Alabama Department of Environmental Management.

 

 

 

______________________________

 

Edward Poolos

 

Director

 

 

 

 

 

Nondiscrimination Statement: The Department does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, or disability in the administration of its programs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BT09/11/2025

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

______________________________

 

 

 

NOTICE OF PUBLIC BUDGET HEARINGS

 

Revised

 

FISCAL YEAR 2026

 

Notice is hereby given that the Bessemer Board of Education, in accordance with Alabama Code Section 16-13-140, will conduct two public hearings concerning the FY26 Proposed Budget for Bessemer City Schools for the 2025-2026 school year. The location and times for the budget hearings are as follows:

 

Thursday, September 4th, 2025 – 10:30 a.m.

 

Tuesday, September 9th, 2025 – 5:30 p.m.

 

Bessemer City Board of Education

 

Central Office, Boardroom

 

1621 5th Avenue North

 

Bessemer, AL 35020

 

A copy of the printed budget will be available on the day of the budget hearing for the public at the above address.

 

 

 

BT09/11/2025

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

______________________________

 

 

 

INVITATION TO BID

 

ITB# 92-25R “Fresh & Frozen Meats”

 

JEFFERSON COUNTY, AL

 

 

 

Bids will be received by the Jefferson County Commission Purchasing Agent, Michael D. Matthews, Ph.D., C.P.M., until 4:00 (CST) p.m. on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, for ITB 92-25R Fresh & Frozen Meats.

 

 

 

All solicitation information, including forms and specifications, is available for download free at https://jeffcobids.jccal.org/Search.aspx .Interested parties must meet bidder requirements and qualifications as specified in the bid documents on or before the date that the bids are due.

 

 

 

All questions must be submitted in writing to procurementservices@jccal.org, attention Valerie Henderson.

 

 

 

A pre-bid conference will be held Wednesday, September 24, 2025 at 10:30 a.m. (CST) in Purchasing Suite 830of the Jefferson County Main Courthouse, 716 Richard Arrington, Jr. Blvd. N., Birmingham, AL 35203.

 

 

 

 

 

BT09/11/2025

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

______________________________

 

 

 

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP) 001-2025

 

 

 

General Legal Services

 

 

 

 

 

DATE ISSUED: September 5, 2025

 

 

 

TYPE OF PROJECT: The Agency is seeking proposals from qualified licensed and insured entities to provide a wide range of legal services. These services are a necessary supplement to the daily operation of the Agency. The successful proposer shall be the legal advisor to the Agency’s Board of Commissioners (BOC) and the Agency Executive Director (ED) for legal services which typically fall under General Legal Services

 

 

 

CONTACT PERSON: Renae Garrett, Executive Administrative Assistant

 

 

 

LAST DAY FOR QUESTIONS: Friday, September 19, 2025, by 12:00p.m. CST

 

 

 

SUBMISSION DEADLINE: Monday, October 6, 2025, 2:00 p.m. CST

 

 

 

SUBMISSION ADDRESS: FAIRFIELD ALABAMA HOUSING AUTHORITY

 

6704 Avenue D

 

Fairfield, AL 35064

 

 

 

 

 

BT09/11/2025

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

______________________________

 

 

 

LEGAL DISPLAY AD FROM BRAD BLACK/WHITE AUCTION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BT09/11/2025

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

______________________________

 

 

 

Abandoned Vehicles

 

 

 

[2014, Mercedes Benz C300, VIN# WDDGF8AB2EA939038]

 

[2020 Audi Q5 Titanium Premium VIN#WA1ANAFY9L2092642]

 

[2007, Chrysler 300 Touring, VIN#2C3KA53G27H742809]

 

Auction Time: 7:00 AM on 10/14/2025

 

Vehicle Location: 1525 Cherry Avenue, Birmingham, AL 35214

 

Vehicles will be sold at public auction for cash to the highest bidder. The seller reserves the right to reject any bid and the right to bid

 

 

 

 

 

BT09/11/2025

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

______________________________

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Abandoned Vehicle

 

 

 

[2007, Chrysler 300 Touring, VIN#2C3KA53G27H742809]

 

Auction Time: 7:00 AM on 10/14/2025

 

Vehicle Location: 1460 Minor Parkway, Birmingham, AL 35224

 

Vehicles will be sold at public auction for cash to the highest bidder. The seller reserves the right to reject any bid and the right to bid

 

 

 

 

 

BT09/11/2025

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

______________________________

 

 

 

 

Birmingham Remembers Four Girls Killed in Church Bombing 62 years ago

By
Birmingham Times
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0
Arthur Price, Jr. pastor of 16th Street Baptist Church in downtown Birmingham. (Sym Posey, The Birmingham Times)

By Sym Posey | The Birmingham Times

Community leaders, activists, and local residents gathered Monday at the historic 16th Street Baptist Church in downtown Birmingham to remember four girls killed in a bombing at the house of worship, a devastating act of racial violence that shook the nation and galvanized the Civil Rights movement.

“When we look at the four innocent lives that were lost, the four candles that were blown out by the cruel winds of racial hatred, we are here not just to mourn them, but to meditate,” said Arthur Price, Jr. pastor of the church, “we’re here to mark their memory, we are here to marvel how still God moves even in the ashes.”

Commemorative events were held across Birmingham on Monday to honor the victims — Addie Mae Collins 14, Cynthia Wesley 14, Carole Robertson 14, and Denise McNair, 11 — and to reflect on the enduring impact of the bombing.

Denise McNair, 11, Carole Robertson, 14, Addie Mae Collins, 14, and Cynthia Wesley, 14, were killed in the Sixteenth Street Church bombing in 1963. (File)

The church was a prominent meeting place for Civil Rights leaders, and the attack underscored the dangers and urgency of their struggle.

“The tragedy is that four girls that were full with promise, possibility, potential lost their lives” said Price. “People were angry and their anger turned into activism. The activism turned into action. And that action made people agents of change. Because in 1964, we get the Civil Rights Act passed. In ’65, the Voting Rights Act passed.”

Former Alabama Attorney General Bill Baxley, who reopened the cold case in 1977 and prosecuted one of the Ku Klux Klan members involved in the bombing, also spoke during the services.

“Being asked here today is the most meaningful thing to me because to me this is sacred ground more than any other church anywhere,” he said.

The Carlton Reese Memorial Unity Choir performed several selections before closing out with “We Shall Overcome.” At 10:22 a.m., the time the bomb detonated on Sept. 15, 1963, church bells across downtown Birmingham rang out.

Later in the evening, The Black Lives Matter Birmingham Chapter held a wreath laying at Kelly Ingram Park in commemoration of the girls.

Michael Glenn, Popular Birmingham Chef and Caterer, Dies at 66

By
Birmingham Times
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0
Chef Michael Glenn shows some of his holiday food creations in this 2004 Birmingham News photo. (Birmingham News Archive, Charles Nesbitt)

By Joseph D. Bryant | jbryant@al.com

Chef Michael Glenn, a longtime restaurateur, caterer and arranger whose creations were enjoyed throughout the Birmingham area and beyond, has died. The Leeds native died Sept. 12 at age 66 after an extended illness.

Glenn’s food was found everywhere from corporate dining rooms and VIP executive functions to family and community gatherings.

“He was really an institution,” said Birmingham Councilwoman Carole Clarke, who has been friends with Glenn for nearly 20 years. “He got to spend the best times of peoples’ lives with them or the hardest times of peoples’ lives with them. He was with them at the highest and lowest and helping them through those low times. He loved his work for that reason.”

Glenn had long operated Creative Catering by Ambrosia when he and his family decided to expand. In 2009 Glenn and his sisters Cheryl Wilson and Barbara Pugh opened Ga Briella’s restaurant in downtown Birmingham across the street from the Carver Theatre.

“If you put out a good product and good service, people will support you,” Glenn told then-Birmingham News reporter Roy Williams in 2009. ‘’As an executive chef, my job is to make people feel good and relax. People will still go out and have a good meal with their loved ones and try to forget about the situations they’re going through.”

The restaurant opened with artwork, white table clothes and a grand piano. Glenn described Ga Briella’s as specializing in ‘’progressive Southern cuisine.’’

Numerous news stories over time depicted Glenn at work showcasing his culinary and pastry creations and posing with a variety of guests and friends including former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

Glenn was also an avid supporter of the Miss Alabama pageant, as evidenced by his various photos alongside the reigning queens.

“He has no shortage of friends,” Clarke said, noting that Glenn’s connections included international figures, including Rice and many Birmingham-area friends and community leaders.

Away from kitchen, Glenn was lauded as a generous and encouraging father figure, said his niece Lashon Warren.

“He was a giving person, and he didn’t have any children, but he pretty much still took care of us like we were his,” Warren said. “He paid for my prom dress. He helped pay for my wedding and walked me down the aisle.”

Glenn graduated from Alcorn State University in Alcorn, Mississippi where was also served as student president. The future master chief earned a degree in biology and chemistry.

“He excelled in everything he did,” Warren said. “He was big on encouraging people to go to school because he knew that education could open doors. That’s what he showed me, and I did that because he paved the way.”

While Glenn’s name is synonymous with food, he was just as proficient as a creative designer, said longtime friend Monique Rogers.

“He could make the best arrangements and make everything beautiful,” said Rogers of Mobile. “That’s something people need to know about. They think about that flood and also the ambience that he brought along with it.”

Rogers said there was art in every element of Glenn’s work. Above all, she said, flowers will continue to remind her of her friend.

“God knows when he wants to take his beautiful flowers, so he took him,” Rogers said.

News of Glenn’s death generated swift reaction and condolences on social media.

“The greatest of all times,” State Rep. Juandalynn Givan wrote on Facebook shortly after Glenn’s death. “You’ve earned your reward. Servant of God rest well done! Rest well, my friend.”

Others followed.

“Amazing chef. A cooking scholar. A true friend he was. Holidays, birthdays, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving, we depended on Michael,” wrote Josephine Clark. “Rest Michael rest. Birmingham and other cities will truly miss you.”

Glenn’s sense of style transcended food. Clarke recalled meeting Glenn for the first time at his 44th birthday party. It was held at a plant nursery decked out for the occasion. And as always, Glenn was also decked out in his best attire, she said.

“He loved grandeur anyway,” Clarke said. “He was formal all the time.”

On Facebook, Cadeshia Howlett Samuel underscored Clarke’s observations with a simple summary.

“A beautiful soul, great chef, and stylish dresser,” she wrote.

The Safe Summer Series Brings Trail Ride Edition to Birmingham’s Legion Field

By
Birmingham Times
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Mike Clark Jr. performs in Legion Field on Sunday during the Safe Summer Series: Trail Ride Edition. (Marika N. Johnson, For The Birmingham Times)

Written and photographed by Marika N. Johnson

Legion Field came alive on Sunday with the Safe Summer Series: Trail Ride Edition, a part of a lively series of community events featuring music, line dancing, family fun and food trucks.

The lineup featured performances from Yass Tish, Logan the Entertainer, Mike Clark Jr., and Tonio Armani, both known for trail ride style music — and Cupid, best known for his hit “Cupid Shuffle.”

Each artist kept the crowd moving, with line dance teams filling the area in front of the stage and throughout the venue. Hosted by V94.9 personalities “Lady Woo” Woodruff and DJ Chris Coleman, the energy never dropped between sets.

Legion Field came alive on Sunday with the Safe Summer Series: Trail Ride Edition. (Marika N. Johnson, For The Birmingham Times)

Teams came from as far as Memphis and Huntsville and included The Pretty Stampede Steppaz from Georgia and Birmingham’s Rhythm Riders and She Rides TrailRiders (SRT). Tonita “Boss Lady” Ellison, founder of SRT, said: “Our team was really impressed with the amount of people that came out to enjoy … Everyone was there to have a good time — and it just felt good.”

The Trail Ride edition of the Safe Summer Series was courtesy of the City of Birmingham, Birmingham City Council with Latonya Tate, District 9 and Darrell O’ Quinn, District 5 as lead sponsors.

Community leaders praised the event for offering an environment where music and culture can serve as unifying forces, strengthen neighborhoods, build trust, and inspire pride.

By blending music, culture, and community spirit, the Safe Summer Series offered more than just entertainment — it provided a joyful reminder of Birmingham’s commitment to keeping summers safe, creating trust and upping morale.

Tonio Armani belts out his hit “Cowgirl TrailRide” in Legion Field on Sunday during the city’s Safe Summer Series. (Marika N. Johnson, For The Birmingham Times)

Meet the Birmingham Mother-Daughter Team Bringing Expertise into the NIL Era

By
Birmingham Times
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Danielle, left, and Melva Tate, of Tate & Associates. (A. Boswell Photography)

By Javacia Harris Bowser | For the Birmingham Times

Melva Tate who’s made a name for herself in Birmingham and beyond for the past 17 years through the different divisions of her company Tate & Associates is now stepping up to the plate in a new era — sports. And this play is extra special because she has her daughter Danielle Tate by her side.

Tate Sports Strategies, a new division of Tate & Associates, is dedicated to advancing athletes, coaches, and athletic organizations through leadership development, executive coaching, and personal branding.

“She’s always worked with me behind the scenes,” Melva said of her daughter Danielle. “With her background in sport management we were able to expand.”

Danielle, who serves as vice president of the new division, has a degree in sport administration from Louisiana State University (LSU) and in sport management from the University of Alabama. She’s also worked in various athletic departments, sports nonprofits, and athletic conference offices.

And the new division comes at a critical time in sports with the expansion in NIL — or Name, Image and Likeness — a policy that allows student athletes to profit from their personal brand by engaging in marketing and promotional activities.

“I have a background in personal branding and NIL, so that’s the expertise that I will bring for athletes, specifically in high school and college, but also for some pro athletes as well,” Danielle said, “making sure that they know and understand what their brand is, how to build on it, and how to receive an extra income outside of them just playing their sport.”

Her mother added, “With NIL and everything else being so important, she added that extra bonus piece to being able to provide additional services that were not part of what we were normally doing.”

Working the athletes is not new for the company. Before officially launching Tate Sports Strategies last month, the mother-daughter duo worked with athletic departments at several Historical Black Colleges and University (HBCUs) including, Alabama A&M, Alabama State University, Miles College, Morehouse College and Tuskegee University. They’ve also done work with Birmingham City Schools and Jefferson County Schools.

Tate Sports Strategies will deliver staff development programs and compliance training for professional sports organizations, provide executive coaching for sports leaders, and lead team-building and communication workshops for youth, college, and professional teams as well as Title IX compliance support,

Doing Good Work

Melva Tate, 56, was born in Indiana but her family relocated to the Wenonah area of Birmingham when she was five years old. Eventually, the family returned to Indiana, where Tate remained until she joined the U.S. Navy and spent time in Charleston, South Carolina. In 1997, Melva made her way back to Birmingham to be closer to family.

She’s a highly sought after human resources expert who offers strategic planning, leadership coaching, talent acquisition, policy management and more under the Strategic HR Partnerships arm of her company. She’s also an in-demand public speaker. Through Melva Tate Speaks, corporations across the country hire her to deliver workshops and keynote addresses at conferences and other events.

Though her time in the military may seem unrelated to the work she does today, Melva says her experience with the U.S. Navy taught her much about business.

“The military taught me about processes and procedures and doing them consistently and so that’s one of the models that I have for my business,” she said. “Decide what we need to do, set some standards around it and do that thing consistently. Do it right. Do it consistently.”

Danielle Tate, left, Melva Tate. (A. Boswell Photography)

Despite her military background, Melva admits she’s not as deadline driven as her daughter Danielle, which has taken some getting used to as the two have been working together more intensely with this new division of the business.

“I’ve had to remind her one or two times, I am your mother,” Tate said with a laugh. “But we’ve always bonded well.”

For Danielle, the best part of working closely with her mother is seeing her mom in a new light. “Being able to work with her in this capacity is allowing me to see her the way that other people have seen her for so long,” Danielle said.

Melva said it’s her reputation that has helped her business be successful.

“I do think that being heavily involved in our community through community service and board work and building a strong network in the business community has truly benefited us,” Melva said. “I really do appreciate the fact that I’ve got so many unpaid brand ambassadors around our city and actually around our state. It’s all about word of mouth and doing good work.”

“Stay True To Who You Are”

Danielle can’t remember a time when she didn’t love sports. “I cheered in high school competitively, but I did so that way I could watch all of the sports,” said Danielle, who graduated from Pleasant Grove High School in 2012.

In college, she jumped at the chance to study sport management at LSU. Danielle, 30, urges other young women interested in pursuing careers in sports not to be intimidated by a field that seems dominated by men.

“Looks can be deceiving,” she said. “It looks like it’s male dominated, but there’s actually quite a lot of women in [the industry]. Find out what your strengths are and what you’re really good at, hold on to that. Always stay true to who you are and your talent.”

Looking Ahead

Melvaree Witherspoon, who serves as chief operations officer for Tate Sports Strategies and has been with Tate & Associates for five years, is excited about the new venture.

From left: Melva Tate, Danielle Tate and Melvaree Witherspoon. (A. Boswell Photography)

“Sports is one of the most influential industries — it shapes culture, inspires communities, and drives major economic opportunities,” Witherspoon said. “Launching Tate Sports Strategies is a natural extension of our expertise in leadership, development, and organizational effectiveness. It allows us to support athletes and sports organizations with the same high-level strategy and care that we provide to businesses and nonprofits. It’s about meeting a need that is both timely and transformative.”

Looking ahead, the Tates hope to continue to expand their business by hiring an additional consultant with a strong background in sports and player marketing. They also plan to open two brick-and-mortar locations — one in Birmingham and one in Houston, Texas — and pursue partnerships in Georgia, Florida, and Louisiana. And Melva hopes that eventually Danielle will take over the company and that the business will continue to grow with her at the helm.

“This is more than a business expansion,” Melva said. “It’s a legacy moment and a celebration of Black women leading, mentoring, and building together.

Learn more about Tate Sports Strategies at tateassociatesllc.com.

Recording Artist Jekalynn Carr, Dr. Karrie Bryant Inspire during Birmingham Women’s Conference

By
Birmingham Times
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Dr. Karrie Bryant addresses more than 600 attendees during women's conference at Shiloh Baptist Church. (Marika N. Johnson, For The Birmingham Times)

By Jordyn Davis | For The Birmingham Times nn

The sanctuary of Greater Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church was filled Saturday with more than 600 women, many with tear-stained cheeks a testament to their joy, anger, pain, suffering and loss at they listened to wisdom from a group of inspirational speakers.

“Can I tell you this is not for perfect women? This is not for pristine women. This is not for women who have never had any blemishes or any challenges,” said Dr Karri Bryant, the First Lady and Executive Pastor of Creative/Experience at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Atlanta, one of the keynote speakers.

Grammy award-winning recording artist Jekalynn Carr speaks during Balance Women’s Conference at Greater Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church. (Marika N. Johnson, For The Birmingham Times)

Bryant joined a number well-known Black, female ministers as well as Grammy award-winning recording artist Jekalynn Carr at the Annual Balance Women’s Conference hosted by the Greater Shiloh Missionary Baptist church in southwest Birmingham.

This year’s theme was “Level Up!” and aimed to inspire women to prioritize their faith to achieve a great level of personal respect to both themselves and others.

“Those who have never been in any trouble, who have been perfect their whole life, you might as well tune me out because nothing I am going to say is going to resonate with you …,” said Bryant. “It is when we begin to petition God for help. This is when you know God is positioning you to level up. He is positioning you for your ‘next.’”

Other speakers included Minister Sherrika Allen, minister and founding member of True Love Church of Ensley; Reverend Veronica Barnes, minister leader at Greater Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church, and Robin Alyssa Sellers of No Ordinary Worship (NOW) Ministry.

Sellers shared, “I remember there was a time when I was a little girl in about the eighth grade there was a really bad snowstorm … I found myself being trapped at my middle school. Some kids were there all weekend, some were overnight, but I [wasn’t worried] because I knew who my father was and because I knew the relationship I had with my father, Lord God.

“I can tell you that this is my testimony and my father parked and drove as far as he could and then walked a mile to come get his baby girl … After all the storms, the rain, after all the sickness, you have to expect that ‘I’m not leaving here without getting everything that God had for me,” said Sellers, founder of Pretty Girls that Preach, a space for women to study the word of God while also uplifting each other.

This year marks 10 years in which Greater Shiloh held its annual women’s conference.

Alisha Bothwell, one of the attendees, said the conference “was just an eye-opener to know that even though things don’t necessarily go the way you anticipate or the way you think, that God is still in control … [and] It’s okay to be who God called you to be.”

Dr. Karrie Bryant speaks during Balance Women’s Conference at Greater Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church. (Marika N. Johnson, For The Birmingham Times)

Teresa Pulliam, Former Jefferson County Judge, Widely Respected Lawyer, Dies at 67

By
Birmingham Times
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0
Retired Jefferson County Circuit Judge Teresa Pulliam died on Sept. 12, 2025. (Contributed, Redemption Earned, Tiffany Roach)
By Ivana Hrynkiw | ihrynkiw@al.com

Teresa Tanner Pulliam, a former Jefferson County judge and a longtime figure in the Birmingham legal community, died on Friday.

She was 67.

Pulliam was currently serving as the executive director of Redemption Earned, a legal nonprofit that works to help elderly and sick inmates in Alabama’s prisons earn parole.

“Judge Pulliam’s years on the Jefferson County trial court sharpened her sense of justice. She worked daily to protect the safety of the public, while giving those before her true fairness,” said Former Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Sue Bell Cobb, who currently serves as the president of the board of directors for Redemption Earned.

A friend of Pulliam’s and fellow attorney Barry Ragsdale knew Pulliam for five decades.
“The state of Alabama has lost a true hero who leaves a legacy of justice and honor and dedication to the rule of law,” said Ragsdale. “I will miss her greatly and our state has lost a true champion.”
Pulliam served as a criminal circuit judge in Jefferson County for 18 years. Prior to that, she worked across the state in two district attorneys’ offices and in private practice.
A Huntsville native, Pulliam graduated with Ragsdale from Huntsville High School in 1976. “Judge Pulliam was an outstanding judge and an even better human being,” he said Friday afternoon. “Having known her for more than 50 years I can say that she was a shining example of everything that is good about the legal profession and always did what she knew to be right and just,” he said.
Retired Jefferson County Circuit Judge Teresa Pulliam

Pulliam graduated from Birmingham Southern College and the University of Alabama School of Law. She worked as a prosecutor in the Mobile District Attorney’s Office before moving to the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office in 1986.

While in the prosecutor’s office in Birmingham, Pulliam worked on several high-profile cases, including the brutal rape and murder of Tracey Diane Schoettlin in 1986.

Schoettlin had been working the late shift at a restaurant in Birmingham’s Five Points South when she got off work around 11 p.m. on July 13, 1986. She disappeared after buying oil at a nearby gas station.

Pulliam was on the prosecution team of the case, which became infamous in Birmingham and has been featured on several national TV crime shows. Thomas Paul Bradley was convicted of the slaying and sentenced to life in prison.

She also worked to prosecute Leon Albert Prince, a former Sunday school teacher who was convicted of rape and accused of dozens more rapes and molestations. The case garnered national headlines and became a landmark case. Prince served 15 years behind bars.

Decades later, in 2020, Pulliam wrote to the Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles opposing a pardon for the former minister.

“If my presence at the hearing was allowed, I would be there in person to strongly object to his pardon request,’’ Pulliam wrote.“While (his victim’s) life-changing injuries for the repugnant and heinous crimes he committed to her should be all this Board needs to hear, it is important for the Board to know that Leon Prince is a serial pedophile.”

“This is one of the worst crimes I ever prosecuted or have ever seen as a defense attorney or as a Circuit Judge,’’ she wrote.
After her work in the district attorney’s office, Pulliam worked in private practice for 14 years. She then took the criminal bench in 2005.
While serving as a judge, she oversaw multiple capital murder cases. She also oversaw one of the appeals for Alabama Death Row inmate Toforest Johnson. That case is ongoing under Judge Kandice Pickett, who took over Pulliam’s seat.
Pulliam retired from the judgeship in 2023. She began working for Redemption Earned in 2024.
Now retired-Jefferson County Circuit Judge Laura Petro, who worked with Pulliam in the district attorney’s office and served on the bench at the same time, said Friday that the two had a longstanding friendship and that Pulliam was good to work with as a fellow judge.
Petro called Pulliam a “fabulous trial lawyer and a fabulous advocate.”
Pulliam had been an instructor for the National Judicial College in capital murder litigation and served as a past president of the Alabama Circuit Judges Association and of the Birmingham Bar Foundation. She was also on the state’s Prison Reform Task Force. According to Redemption Earned, Pulliam was “actively working towards prison and sentencing reform in the State of Alabama since 2008.”

She served on the state’s sentencing commission and was the Chairperson of the Alabama Supreme Court Pattern Criminal Jury Instruction Committee, according to Redemption Earned.

Pulliam was a member of the Alabama and Birmingham Bar Associations and was active in her community. She is survived by her husband, attorney Max Pulliam, and their daughter.

Birmingham City Council Extends Loan Agreement with Pizitz Food Hall for Revamp

By
Birmingham Times
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The Birmingham City Council has extended its loan agreement to the Pizitz Food Hall, that houses multiple eateries. (File)

The Birmingham City Council voted to extend the terms of the loan agreement for Pizitz Food Hall while the owner/operators work to rebrand and remarket the space.

There will be no new money obligated from the City for this period of upgrades, which was extended for 24 months.

Several Councilors commented on the fact that COVID and the move to remote work in the years that have followed, both played a role in the decrease in afternoon foot traffic for the food hall. The representatives with Pizitz LLC explained to the Council that there are plans to increase the variety of food offerings and branch out into more retail spaces.

The City allocated a $3.2 Million Housing and Urban Development loan to Pizitz in 2015 to finance costs incurred for the historic renovation and redevelopment of building.

The former Pizitz Department Store, which operated from 1925 to 1988, had sat dormant for decades before the food hall was opened in 2017. The developers explained they are focused on more programing and events being held in the space once the upgrades are completed.

“I want to thank this group for continuing to work on this anchor property,” Councilor Hunter Williams said. “No one wants to see this become a boarded up storefront again. This loan extension is very worthwhile, because the alternative of having this space go dark would be very detrimental to the work we’ve been doing to have more restaurants and businesses locate to this area.”

Last week, the Council provided annual funding to the McWane Science Center, which is located across from the food hall. The developers explained on Tuesday that part of the rebranding effort will be to engage more with McWane and possibly provide additional programing and entertainment for the daily visitors.

  • The Council approved a funding agreement with the Community Food Bank of Central Alabama in the amount of $15,797 to provide goods and services to residents in order to address food insecurity.

Funding for this effort will come from the following sources: $10,000 District 8 Discretionary funds and $5,797 District 6 Discretionary funds.

Councilor Crystal Smitherman, who contributed funds for this program, has been an advocate for more healthy food options in underserved communities.

“Building equity in our community, especially as it relates to food insecurity, must start with ensuring healthy, affordable food options for residents that live in one of Birmingham’s designated food deserts. And there are many,” Councilor Smitherman said. “In addition to recruiting grocery stores and other retailers that offer healthy food options, we are trying to get creative with how our communities can access fresh, healthy food. I’m honored to be able to partner with this organization who is doing incredible work in our community to feed those who are in need.”

What Parents Need to Know About Concussions as Students Compete in Fall Sports

By
Birmingham Times
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Head injuries are never a welcome aspect of sports participation; however, they are common. (UAB Photo)

By Savannah Kirchner and Micah Hardge | UAB News

As athletes head back to the fields and courts this season, parents and coaches should be mindful of one of the most common, and potentially serious, injuries in youth sports: concussions.

Experts from the University of Alabama at Birmingham Department of Neurosurgery and Department of Family and Community Medicine say being informed and precautious of this injury is key to keeping student-athletes safe.

What is a concussion, and how does it affect the brain?

A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury that occurs when a bump, blow or jolt to the head or body causes the brain to shift inside the skull. This sudden motion can injure brain cells and disrupt normal brain function.

While concussions are sometimes referred to as mild TBIs, or mTBIs, they can range in severity and, in some cases, lead to permanent impairment.

Spotting the warning signs

Concussions can present in a variety of ways. While some individuals will feel symptoms right away, others may not realize anything is wrong until hours or days later. Concussions can affect the body, thinking skills and emotions.

“Most concussions are functional injuries, rather than structural,” said John Lax, M.D., assistant professor in the UAB Department of Family and Community Medicine and provider with UAB Sports and Exercise Medicine.

Parents, players and coaches should watch for these symptoms during and after games:

  • Dizziness or balance problems
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Headaches
  • Trouble focusing or remembering
  • Irritability, anxiety or unusual emotional reactions
  • Loss of consciousness
  • Sensitivity to light or noise

“As a reminder, losing consciousness is not a requirement for a concussion,” Lax said.

If any of these signs are present, the athlete should be removed from play immediately and evaluated by a health care professional.

“Appropriately removing athletes from play is the most important intervention we can provide after a head injury,” Lax said. “When in doubt, hold them out.”

Lax says many times the adrenaline of the game and the fervent desire of the athlete to get back into competition can mask or minimize symptoms of concussion. He stresses it is imperative that parents, coaches and medical personnel keep a level head and prioritize the long-term health of the athlete over the game at hand.

Reducing risk

Head injuries are never a welcome aspect of sports participation; however, they are common. Although sports concussions cannot be completely avoided, parents, coaches and players can take proactive measures to reduce the risk of head injuries and ensure any suspected concussion is recognized and treated quickly.

“In football, the most effective interventions we can do to safeguard players is developing key fundamental skills in the sport while glorifying and rewarding form,” Lax said. “Poor tackling techniques are a common cause of concussion and head/neck injury, so parents, coaches and league leadership need to continue to prioritize skills training, especially early in the season.”

A TBI expert in the UAB Department of Neurosurgery offers several tips to minimize the risk of student-athletes sustaining a concussion:

  • Play smart: Teach athletes proper techniques and to avoid unnecessary collisions.
  • Check the gear: Ensure helmets, protective equipment and uniforms fit properly and are in good working condition.
  • Enforce the rules: Coaches and referees should always hold players to safety and sportsmanship standards.
  • When in doubt, sit them out: Remove athletes from play if a concussion is suspected, and never allow a player to return until clearance has been issued by a health care professional.

Experts strongly suggest parents, coaches and student-athletes develop escalation plans prior to an event. Speak with teams, parents and local resources about where to go following an injury.

Return to play: When is it safe?

If a concussion is sustained or suspected, the athlete should be removed from play and evaluated by a health care professional.

“I would encourage all parents to defer management decisions to properly qualified medical personnel,” Lax said. “If none are immediately available, I would recommend emergency department evaluation if your child is persistently confused, reports a severe headache, is persistently vomiting, has any seizure-like activity or is acting ‘off.’”

Players should not return to practice or competition until symptoms have resolved and an official medical clearance has been issued to the athlete. Returning too soon increases the risk of another concussion and can lead to longer recovery times.

Parents and coaches play a critical role in protecting student-athletes. By staying informed, promoting safe play and taking concussion symptoms seriously, adults can help ensure young athletes stay healthy, on and off the field.

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