🌱 COVID-19 Update + State Seeks Death Penalty In Church Shooting

Good morning, everybody! I'm here with your Tuesday edition of the Hoover Daily. Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about what's happening in the community.

But first, today's weather:

Nice with plenty of sun. High: 76 Low: 53.

Here are the top three stories in Hoover today:

1. Hoover's Reagan Hendricks has been named to Mississippi State's 2022-2023 university alumni association's liaison organization. Hendricks, a sophomore biomedical engineering major, will now serve as a link between the land grant institution and its 158,000 living graduates. Hendricks was chosen through a highly competitive interview process that comprised nearly 300 applicants. (MSState.edu)
2. Jefferson County has recorded the best COVID-19 rate decline in the state. Last week, the county recorded 649 new cases - significantly lower than the previous week's 1,046 cases. In total, 56 counties in Alabama recorded a decline in cases. Since the pandemic started, the state has recorded 1,517,904 cases of COVID-19. (The Gadseden Times)
3. Jefferson County District Attorney Danny Carr has announced Alabama's decision to seek the death penalty for a 70-year-old man accused of shooting three individuals at a church potluck supper. Robert Findlay Smith was indicted by a grand jury in July for the shootings of Walter "Bart" Rainey of Irondale, Sarah Yeager of Pelham, and Jane Pounds of Hoover. The incident occurred during a "Boomers Potluck" at Vestavia Hills' St. Stephen's Episcopal Church. (Subscription: AL.com)

Today in Hoover:

• Blowin' Off Steam At The Hoover Public Library (9:30 AM)
• Open House At Ascension St. Vincent's Primary Care Hoover (4:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• Hoover City Hall's Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony has been scheduled for Nov. 29 at 5:00 p.m. Mark your calendar! (City of Hoover)
• Are you in the market for a new best friend? Consider this list of adoption-ready pets in the Hoover area that are searching for a forever home. Check out the list on Patch. (Hoover Patch)
• Are you searching for a new job or considering a career change? Here are some Hoover area employers hiring for a variety of full- and part-time positions. (Hoover Patch)

Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Tuesday! See you all tomorrow morning for your next update.

— Miranda Fraraccio

About me: Miranda Fraraccio is a born and raised Rhode Islander, now living in New York. She works as a staff writer for content creation agency Lightning Media Partners and is a graduate of The University of Rhode Island, where she earned a degree in Writing & Rhetoric and Communication Studies. In her free time, you can find her traveling, drinking tea, or photographing her neighborhood as a street photographer.