🌱 Controversial Book Discussions In Schools + Senior Alabama Pageants

Hello again, friends! I'm back with your new edition of the Hoover Patch newsletter. Here's all the local news you need to know right now.

But first, your local weather:

• Tuesday: Breezy in the afternoon. High: 72 Low: 46.
• Wednesday: Sunny and pleasant. High: 71 Low: 47.

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Here are the top three stories in Hoover today:

1. Three Alabama residents were indicted in a federal investigation after being connected to cases of stolen mail and the illegal purchase of an "arrow key" which allows mail carriers to access mail collection boxes. In federal court on Thursday, Keaundria Janae Gresham was accused of selling two keys to Derrell Allen Matthews of Birmingham. Investigators tracked down Matthews and Steven Cornelius Hudson Jr. on Apr. 2 after being seen stealing mail from outside a Shelby County post office. All three suspects are scheduled to be arraigned on May 11. (Fox News)
2. The Alabama Board of Education is working on a new set of consistent policies in local school libraries to be practiced across schools to alleviate books/materials which may be deemed controversial. Right here in Hoover, a Black author was scheduled to visit three Hoover schools during Black History Month but was later canceled because a parent complained he would bring in "controversial ideas." While Alabama has attempted to limit discussions on critical race theory and LGBTQ+ issues in schools, it has not enacted explicit book bans, leaving it up to parents and activists to challenge books on a case-by-case basis in previous years. (AL.com)
3. The Shelby County area will be well represented in June during the Ms. Senior Alabama and Ms. Super Senior Alabama pageants with four area women competing. Ms. Senior Hoover Donna Francavilla, Ms. Senior Birmingham Tawana Lowery, and Ms. Senior Shelby County Debra White will be featured in the Ms. Senior Alabama pageant, while Ms. Super Senior Alabaster Brenda Wilson will be participating in the Ms. Super Senior pageant. The pageants will both be taking place at Oak Mountain High School on Saturday, Jun. 10 at 2 p.m., admission for adults will be $20, and for children 3-12 will be $8. (280 Living)

From our sponsor:

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Today and tomorrow in Hoover:

Tuesday, May 2

• Scholastic Book Fair At Hoover Public Library (9:00 AM)
• Tuesday Game Night With Valhalla At The Casual Pint (6:00 PM)

Wednesday, May 3

• Grand Opening And Ribbon Cutting At Liberty Mutual/Comparison Insurance Agency (1:00 PM)
• #WednesdaysFirst With Isis M. Jones At Michael's Restaurant (5:30 PM)

In partnership with T-Mobile:

Do you know an incredible mom you'd like the rest of Hoover to know about, too? Maybe it's your mom — or your daughter, a friend who's a mom or someone who steps up like a mom for the people in her life. Whoever it is, we want to hear about her! Just fill out this simple form and we'll do the rest.

From my notebook:

• The Hoover High School Band wants to give a shout-out to its students who earned the opportunity to perform in the All-State Bands last week. Their dedication and hard work all year paid off and they had the opportunity to perform at the highest level. (Hoover High School Band via Facebook)
• New homes have been listed for sale in the Hoover area! Get all the property details at the link. (Patch)
• Are you looking for a new family member with four paws? Check out the list of adoption-ready pets in the Hoover area at the link!(Patch)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured events:

• T-Mobile Tuesdays: Get Free Stuff And Great Perks Every Week (May 2)

You're officially in the loop for today! See you 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.