🌱 Search For Shoplifter + City Approves $500K In Bonuses

Hello all. I'm back in your inbox this morning with your new edition of the Hoover Patch newsletter. Keep reading for the most important things happening in town.

Also, FYI: I wanted to let you know that Patch is looking for a local writer and entrepreneur to take the helm of the Hoover Patch newsletter and make it their own. We want to pass the torch to someone truly local and in-the-know to write about Hoover long term. So if you’re interested in earning extra income while making this newsletter a more valuable resource for your neighbors, learn more and apply here.

But first, your local weather:

• Thursday: A shower and thunderstorm. High: 77 Low: 55.
• Friday: Showers and a heavier t-storm. High: 63 Low: 53.

Here are the top three stories today in Hoover:

1. Hoover police are seeking information about a person of interest in a shoplifting case. The suspect took over $1,700 worth of merchandise and left the store without paying. The individual is described as a Black person with short black hair, wearing a dark-colored jacket, black pants, and a white shirt with a picture on it. (WVTM13 Birmingham)
2. On Monday, the Hoover Council approved nearly $500,000 worth of bonuses for city employees that will be distributed to both part-time and full-time workers. There are 605 employees of the state who will receive bonuses ranging from $100 to $1,000 depending on their time of service. The city ended the fiscal year 2022 with record general fund revenue collections of almost $157 million, $34 million more than expenditures, and tax revenues so far are coming in stronger than expected for fiscal 2023, with sales tax revenues up $2.5 million from the same period last year. (Hoover Sun)
3. Alabama high school students may soon be required to take a financial literacy test to graduate. House Bill 164 was sponsored by Rep. Andy Whitt, R-Harvest, and would institute a standardized assessment test on the subject matter to be completed prior to graduating. Beginning with the 2013-2014 academic year, Alabama added financial literacy education as a requirement in a career preparedness course. (Alabama Daily News)

Today and tomorrow in and around Hoover:

Thursday, April 6

• Drinking With Culture: Tuscany Wine Tasting At Vecchia Pizzeria & Mercato (6:30 PM)

Friday, April 7

• Latin Night And Live Music At Cabo Coastal Grill, Birmingham (6:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• An honor well deserved for an award-winning radio and TV broadcaster: Donna Francavilla was named Ms. Senior Hoover after battling through two brain surgeries over the last 18 months. She will represent the city in the competition in June. (Hoover Sun via Facebook)
• Looking for weekend plans? Head over to the fourth annual Patton Creek Art Festival this Saturday, Apr. 8. The free event is located on Main Street with 50 vendors lining the road as well as local musicians performing throughout the day. (Patton Creek Art Festival via Facebook)
• The Hoover City school district is looking for bus drivers! Incentives are also in place for current employees who refer new hires. The rate for new drivers is between $22 and $29.30.(Hoover City Schools via Facebook)

Alrighty, you're all good for today. See you all soon for another update!

— Miranda Fraraccio

About me: Miranda Fraraccio is a staff writer for content creation agency Lightning Media Partners. She is a graduate of the University of Rhode Island, where she earned degrees in Writing & Rhetoric and Communication Studies. In her free time, you can find her traveling, drinking tea, or practicing film photography.