Alabaster For Tomorrow: A Productive Life

March 19, 2022By Alabaster Connection

By Brandon Mathews It was the first storm of the 2010 Pacific hurricane season but one of the most catastrophic. Tropical Storm Agatha began forming on May 29th and became the deadliest tropical cyclone in the eastern Pacific since Hurricane Pauline in 1997. Across Central America, hundreds of people were killed and hundreds of people … Read More

Citizen Spotlight: Pat Hall

March 19, 2022By Alabaster Connection

Citizen Spotlight: Pat Hall, watercolor Instructor, Senior Center Alabaster Pat Hall’s family is from Chilton County, but her dad was a medic in the Air Force so she lived all over the country and even the world growing up. Pat spent six years in Germany, France, and England as a teenager. “In London we had … Read More

Employee Spotlight: Fred Hawkins,

March 19, 2022By Alabaster Connection

Employee Spotlight: Fred Hawkins, Director of Engineering, Building, and Environmental Services
 By Barry Wise Smith When Fred Hawkins came to Alabaster in 2019, he brought years of municipal experience—both employee and leadership—with him. A civil engineer and Auburn graduate, Hawkins spent the first 20 years of his professional career working on the design and construction … Read More

Councilor Corner: Greg Farrell

March 19, 2022By Alabaster Connection

Ward 4, President Pro Tem How long have you served Ward 4, and what inspired you to run? I’m currently in my second term with 5/1/2 years as Council Representative for Ward 4. After retiring from the Alabaster Fire Department as Deputy Fire Chief in 2011, I felt that I could bring a fresh perspective … Read More

Albert L. Scott Library Spring Updates

March 19, 2022By Alabaster Connection

Meet Albert L. Scott Library Director Kim Roberts Library Director Kim Roberts has a long history in Alabaster. Originally from Montgomery, Roberts moved to Shelby County in middle school and has lived in Alabaster since high school. Roberts graduated from Pelham High School, received her history degree from the University of Montevallo, and got her … Read More

Wrestling Warriors

March 19, 2022By Kristine Alford

Coach Shawn Weltzin has built a dominating wrestling dynasty at Thompson High School. By Loyd McIntosh As the 2021-22 Alabama high school wrestling season heads toward its conclusion, the Thompson Warriors are, once again, favorites to win the state team championship as well as a handful of individual titles. These days, finding Thompson Warriors Wrestling … Read More

Alabaster For Tomorrow

January 17, 2022By Alabaster Connection

By Lee Hurley Brandon Matthews moved to Alabaster in 2011 to plant Cultivate Church, and he still pastors it today. Brandon began volunteering with For Tomorrow in 2017 at its inception and in 2019, For Tomorrow received a DFC (Drug-Free Communities) grant for a total of five years. Upon receiving the grant, there was a … Read More

Meet Neal Wagner: Public Information Officer

January 17, 2022By Alabaster Connection

By Barry Wise Smith Photo by Brit Huckabay Growing up in Shelby County, Neal Wagner, the City of Alabaster’s first ever Public Information Officer (PIO), couldn’t have predicted that this is where he would land. “I thought I might retire from the University of Montevallo,” Wagner says. “But then my dream job came open.” Wagner … Read More

Councilor Corner: Meet Stacy Rakestraw

January 17, 2022By Alabaster Connection

By Barry Wise Smith Stacy Rakestraw is serving her third term on the Alabaster City Council representing Ward 3 where she lives in the Apache Ridge subdivision. Alabaster Connection: How long have you served Ward 3 and what inspired you to run for the seat? Stacy Rakestraw: I am in my third term on the … Read More

Citizen Spotlight: JoPaul Cates

January 16, 2022By Alabaster Connection

By day, 48-year-old JoPaul Cates has a steady job as the Frozen Food Clerk at Publix. He has been at the Alabaster location for six years. During his off hours though, JoPaul’s passion is his love of photography.  His skill at fixing things, especially electronics, got him into taking pictures as a teenager when he … Read More