🌱 Vestavia Church Killer Indicted + Back To School Drives Today

Welcome back, Hoover. I'm here in your inbox per usual to tell you everything you need to know about what's going on in town.

First, today's weather:

A heavy t-storm in the p.m. High: 86 Low: 73.

Here are the top three stories today in Hoover:

1. A Jefferson County grand jury voted to indict Robert Findlay Smith on capital murder charges this week. The 70-year-old man is the accused killer of three people at a church potluck supper in Vestavia Hills. Walter "Bart" Rainey of Irondale, Sarah Yeager of Pelham, and Jane Pounds of Hoover were the victims in the horrific shooting. Click the link to learn more about the incident and the criminal procedures that followed. (AL.com)
2. Friends and family will gather to celebrate the life and mourn the loss of James Paul Brooks. The 88 year old passed away on Saturday, Jul. 23. A visitation will take place on Aug. 2 at Currie-Jefferson Funeral Home at 9:30 a.m. The funeral service will take place at 10:00 a.m. immediately following the visitation. Click the link to learn more about his life and legacy. (Legacy.com)
3. Churches and community organizations are holding back-to-school drives today. Christ The King Lutheran Church in Hoover is hosting a supply drive at 3:00 p.m. today. If you or someone you know is in need of school supplies, you're encouraged to get in contact with Christ The King Lutheran Church. Anyone interested in donating should visit the drive on Saturday afternoon. (ABC 3340)

Today in Hoover:

• Hoover Dad Brigade at Hoover City Schools (8:00 AM)

From my notebook:

• James Spann shared beautiful photos from the Alabama Gulf Coast. Click the link to see the gallery of sunsets and other views off the beach. (James Spann via Instagram)
• Hoover Fire Department shared photos of Rescue 8. The ambulance is the primary rescue unit for Hoover's east side. (Hoover Fire Department via Facebook)
• Looking to dance and play with your kiddo? Hoover YMCA's new program "Music & Art With My Grown Up" is an opportunity for kids and parents to work on gross motor skills, cognitive development, and social skills. Click the link to register for the August session. (Hoover YMCA via Facebook)

You're all caught up for today! I'll see you around.

— 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.