🌱 Fundraiser Nets $4.3K For Barnes + Mercedes-Benz Marathon Returns

Hi all. I'm back in your inbox this morning with your new copy of the Hoover Patch newsletter. Keep reading for the most important things happening these days 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:

Sun and clouds. High: 68 Low: 55.

Business owners and marketers in Hoover: Do you want to build awareness with local customers? I have a limited number of sponsorships available to introduce our readers to local businesses they need to know. Click here to learn more.

Here are the top three stories in Hoover today:

1. We have an update to a previously-reported story on the cancellation of children's book author Derrick Barnes' appearances in Hoover City Schools. A fundraiser started by a district parent has raised $4,300 to cover a portion of Barnes' promised payment, with the rest being donated to an organization that aims to stop the "school-to-prison pipeline." Additionally, some Hoover residents are stocking the author's books in Free Little Libraries across the city. (CNN)
2. Down the road in Birmingham, the Mercedes-Benz Marathon Weekend of Events returns for its final weekend from Friday, Feb. 10, through Sunday, Feb. 12. Each of the series of races will start and finish at Linn Park, with over 10,000 runners expected to come out for the events. Since launching 20 years ago, Mercedes-Benz Marathon Weekend has raised over $5 million for local charities, while generating $60 million in direct economic impact for the Greater Birmingham area. (Hoover Sun)
3. The Hoover Police Department is seeking the public's assistance in identifying two individuals wanted for questioning in a theft of property case. The pair reportedly left with over $1,000 in merchandise from a local business, which was not publicly named in the post. Anyone who recognizes the two individuals (pictured at the link) is asked to contact Detective McCreless at 205-444-7626. (Hoover (AL) Police Department)

Today in Hoover:

• Entrepreneurial Council Meeting At Hoover Chamber of Commerce (8:30 AM)
• Ribbon Cutting and Grand Opening At I Heart Mac & Cheese (10:00 AM)

From my notebook:

• According to a new Bumper.com study, Alabama ranked No. 13 in the nation for driver fatality rates at 23.10 percent. Could our automated red light and speed cameras be playing a role? See how our state stacks up against the rest of the country in the report. (Bumper.com)
• If you're looking for a new job nearby, here are the latest job openings in and around Hoover. Full-time and part-time work opportunities are available, as well as remote positions. (Hoover Patch)
• Some good news for all pet parents: Alabama has been named the fifth-best state for pets in 2023, according to a recent article by Pettable. (The Bama Buzz)

Thanks for following along and staying informed. I'll see you soon!

— 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.