HELENA NEWS

Community news and updates from Helena, Alabama

A financial advisory task force for Hoover City Schools has rec­ommended shaving a day off the annual school schedule, combin­ing some jobs, seeking outside fi­nancial support for school acade­mies, technology and other needs, and piloting the use of online re­sources in place of some tradi­tional textbooks. The task force, established late last year by Superintendent Andy Craig to help guide... Full story »

Spain Park High School junior Connor Cocke got the highest possible score on the ACT college entrance exam he took in December, and he didn't even study -- unless you count the slew of Advanced Placement courses he's taking, his 4.19 grade-point average, or the years of hard work in school. Cocke, who earned a 36 on the ACT,... Full story »

The city of Hoover has named 15 students at Hoo­ver and Spain Park high schools to next year's Hoo­ver Recreation Teen Board. From Hoover High, they are: incoming seniors Alison Antee and Brooke Egan; in­coming juniors Hannah Keenan, Elizabeth Koehler, Mary Kate Lewis, Tara Mas­souleh, Callie Newton, Emma Puchta, Sarah Smith, Brookley Valencia and Kitty White; and incoming soph­omore Katie... Full story »

A team of Hoover school system employees and parents are spend­ing their spring break poring over 45 applications received for the job of Spain Park High School principal. The job was posted last month after the school board approved current Principal Billy Broadway's retirement in a January meeting. The initial February deadline was extended through March 5 to give more... Full story »

With a special city elec­tion set for April 27, Hoover school leaders are getting the word out to voters about the property tax extension they are seeking and what it would mean for schools. The City Council last month approved holding an election to decide whether to extend a 24-mill property tax that benefits Hoover City Schools for 19 years... Full story »

Illiteracy was laid to rest in the form of a posterboard cut-out with a drawn-on face. Its flimsy body was carried into a mock funeral by four pall­bearers and laid in a pine box among a spray of flowers. About two dozen people gath­ered to mourn in a back room of the Columbiana Public Library. "Here lies the immortal... Full story »

Three Shelby County fire departments will receive more than $356,000 in fed­eral money for equipment and vehicles. County 17 Fire and Rescue, which serves Maylene, will receive $232,750 to buy a new fire truck. Cahaba Valley Fire Department will receive $56,092 for equipment and the Brierfield Fire Depart­ment will receive $67,813 for equipment. The funding comes from the Assistance to... Full story »

Oak Mountain High School's varsity scholars bowl team bested Chelsea High School during the championship round of the Shelby County Scholars Bowl on Feb. 18. Oak Moun­tain and Chelsea were the top scoring high schools. Pelham High School came in third. The competition is hosted by the Shelby County Board of Education.  Full story »

Heavy rains washed out several roads in Shelby County. Full story »

Calera Middle www.shelbyed.k12.al.us/schools/cmhs Calera Middle School will hosts its second annual Spring Carnival on Thurs­day, March 25 through Sat­urday, March 27. The gates open at 5 p.m. on March 25 and close at 8 p.m., with carnival times on Friday running from 4-9 p.m. Gates will open on March 27 at noon and close at 9 p.m. Wristbands for Saturday... Full story »

More rain on the way as concerns about flooding linger. Full story »

JUST A CHAT JAZMINE MCDANIEL 'I like to watch movies where the good guy wins.' Biography: Hoover resident Jaz­mine McDaniel is a marketing and recruitment specialist for the men­toring program at Impact Family Counseling, a full-service mental health agency in Bir­mingham's Southside community. A Florence na­tive, she also teaches Body Pump and Body Step at Riviera Fitness centers in... Full story »

Hoover school board President Donna Frazier says she will vie for a second term on the board. Frazier, whose term expires May 31, said she would like to serve another five years. The City Council began accepting applica­tions for Frazier's seat on the board last week. As of Friday, no one -- including Fra­zier -- had turned one in.... Full story »

Shelby County authorities get more than two dozen reports of water over roadways. More rain on the way Full story »

Three dogs were killed in the fire, according to North Shelby County Fire and Rescue. Full story »