Each year, the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce honors first responders serving in the 11 public safety agencies in Shelby County. Nominated by their supervisors for their dedication, hard-work, and sacrifice, this year’s Alabaster recipients were Officer Monique Bivins and Officer Bryan Stewart of the Alabaster Police Department and Apparatus Operator Jamada Green of the … Read More
By Lee Hurley John Haggard grew up in Cullman, Alabama, the son of two accountants. He attended Baylor High School in Chattanooga before heading to Auburn in 2006 intending to major in something other than accounting. In fact he earned a B.A. in history. Somewhere along the way though John remembered the words his dad … Read More
By Barry Wise Smith In 2016, Rick Ellis, a 20-year resident of Alabaster, was inspired by his family to run for the Ward 2 seat on the Alabaster City Council and won. Alabaster Connection chatted with Councilor Ellis about his plans and what he would like to accomplish in this term. Alabaster Connection: … Read More
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
