Dear Friends, There are so many exciting things happening in Alabaster! We are seeing continued growth in our business sector, our schools have once again been ranked among the top in the state, and Alabaster has weathered the pandemic and come through in a financially healthy position. On September 13, the City Council voted to … Read More
Citizen Spotlights
A Story of Recovery
By Brandon Matthews Addiction is a cruel master, and many of us are slaves. However, there is freedom in the midst of our failure. Today we talk with Daniel Oldham, who is no longer bound by addiction. Brandon Matthews: How did your drug use begin? Daniel Oldham: It began with smoking marijuana in high school. … Read More
Giving Back to Thompson Intermediate School
Pictured left to right: Mike Higginbotham, Adam Hix, Madison Harness, Kaley Claudpierre, Lauren Whittle, Kimberly Dooley By Barry Wise Smith Mike Higginbotham shows his support for Thompson Intermediate School After serving in children’s ministry for 10 years at the Church of the Highlands and helping to establish children’s programs on the church’s expanding number … Read More
Terrific Teen: Abby McGee
By Addison Lusco Abby McGee is constantly turning trials into triumphs. Twenty-one years ago, Abby’s older brother Wyatt was born at just 23 weeks while her parents were vacationing in New Orleans. The doctors in New Orleans did everything they could to ensure that Wyatt would survive his premature birth, although Abby’s parents were … Read More
Councilor Corner: Sophie Martin
Ward 1 By Barry Wise Smith Veteran Alabaster City Council member Sophie Martin is the Ward 1 representative for the area that includes Highway 11, Old Highway 31, Weatherly, and Saddle Lake Farms. Last August, Martin was elected to her fourth term as Ward 1 representative—she has served for 13 years. S Sophie … Read More
Q&A With the Founder of the Alabaster Business Alliance
By Lee Hurley Leigh Hulsey has been a small-business owner in Alabaster for the past nine years. She owns and operates CrossFit Alabaster. She is currently serving her fourth term on the Helena City Council. Leigh has been married to her husband Dennis for 24 years, and they have three children, Bradon, Cade, and … Read More
Becoming Better; Not Bitter: The Story of Noah Galloway
Noah Galloway lives post-combat life with No Excuses. Story and photos by Cara Clark and courtesy the Galloways As the early days of August bore down with heat and humidity on Alabama, Army veteran Noah Galloway joined fellow soldiers and the nonprofit organization Sheep Dog Impact Assistance to ascend Tanzania’s famous Mount Kilimanjaro, … Read More
Alabaster All Stars
The Thompson High School Warriors football team is coming off back-to-back 7A State Championships going into the 2021 season with the expectations high for a three peat. The Warriors are firmly at the top of the pre-season football rankings, and are ranked fifth on the MaxPreps national high school football rankings. The Warriors won the … Read More
A Chat with the Mayor
Story by Barry Wise Smith and photos by Brit Huckabay Scott Brakefield reflects on the first nine months as Alabaster’s mayor while looking to the future. Scott Brakefield, a lifelong Alabaster resident—was elected mayor last August after serving three terms as the Ward 6 representative on the City Council, serving as Council president for two of those. “It’s about service … Read More
Navigating With Noah
Michael and Erika Zoebelein are devoted to being advocates for those with autism. Within their family of five, the Alabaster couple’s eldest son, Noah, has autism, something he has lived with most of his life. “Noah was born eight weeks earlier, so we expected delays,” Erika said. “Although there were many milestones he hit at … Read More