🌱 Hoover Daycare Accused Of Child Abuse + Southern Voices Festival

Good morning, Hoover! Here's something special to check out today — especially for those of us wanting to look and feel our best in 2023. We asked Laura Silsbee, a Mountain Brook native and wellness expert, to help us find the best classes, special offers and freebies for anyone looking to lose weight, get in shape or improve their overall health. Check out her Birmingham Patch Wellness Guide for January here.

Now, onto everything you need to know about what’s happening around town today.

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Here are the top three stories in Hoover today:

1. A religious, exempt-from-licensure daycare in Hoover is being accused of child abuse. A group of parents and former teachers at the Heritage Preschool on Ross Bridge Parkway is speaking out, reporting they either witnessed or suspected abuse and neglect. The daycare denied the allegations in a statement sent to families on Thursday; as of Friday morning, Heritage Preschools has not responded to CBS42's inquiries on the allegations. (CBS42)
2. A local woman's reaction to a nearby lightning strike is going viral. Hoover resident Lori Boohaker shared doorbell footage of her daughter going out to collect a delivery package and coming up against a close encounter with the lightning. The woman screamed out loud upon seeing the flash — after which she composed herself and grabbed her delivery. (Indian Express)
3. Tickets to the Hoover Public Library's Southern Voices Festival will go on sale this Thursday, Jan. 12! The two-day festival includes An Evening with Elin Hilderbrand on Friday, Feb. 24 at 7 p.m., as well as an Author Conference on Saturday, Feb. 25 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visit southernvoices.info for more information. (City of Hoover)

This weekend in Hoover:

• Alabama Icebreaker Volleyball Tournament at The Finley Center at the Hoover Met Complex (Jan. 7 and 8)
• Happy Hour at Brixx Wood Fired Pizza (Jan. 7, 3:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Did you know the average Alabama resident’s average monthly electric bill in 2022 increased by over 10 percent from the previous year? Learn more about where our state stands on power consumption and costs compared to the rest of the country in this new Ownerly data study. (Ownerly)
• If you love reading and discussing nonfiction books, get excited about a local opportunity to do both! The Insatiable Readers Social Club at the Hoover Public Library is a great way to meet other people who share the love of reading and make some new friends. The next meeting takes place on Jan. 14 at 10:30 a.m. (Hoover Public Library)

Thanks for following along and staying informed! I'll be back in your inbox Monday morning with a new 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.