🌱 Missing Hoover Woman + Jake Pratt Scholarship Winners Announced

Hi there, Hoover! I'm here in your inbox this morning to tell you everything you need to know about what's going on in town.

But first, your local weather:

• Saturday: A shower and t-storm; humid. High: 88 Low: 75.
• Sunday: Humid with a t-storm in spots. High: 90 Low: 71.

Here are the top three stories in Hoover today:

1. Hoover police are seeking the public's assistance in locating a missing 25-year-old woman, Carlethia "Carlee" Russell, who disappeared after reporting a sighting of a child walking alone near the interstate on Thursday. Despite finding Russell's car and personal items nearby, neither she nor the child were discovered by authorities. Angela Haley-Harris, the mother of Aniah Blanchard, has now joined the search and is appealing for a central base of operations in Hoover. As of Friday afternoon, police have not received any additional reports concerning a missing child and encourage anyone with information on Russell's whereabouts to contact them at 205-444-7562. Click the link to view photos of Russell. (WIAT - CBS42.com)
2. Down Syndrome Alabama (DSA) announced the winners of the second annual Jake Pratt Scholarship, granting a total of $11,000 to five young adults with Down syndrome for their post-secondary education. The recipients include Allie Simmons of Hoover, as well as Jackson Ray, Lindsay Davis, Serah Jeppsen, and Cooper Long, who are enrolled in various programs at universities such as Auburn University, Mississippi State University, and the University of Alabama. The goal of the scholarships, established in partnership with The UPS Foundation, is to support individuals with Down syndrome in pursuing higher education and becoming independent and productive members of society. (Hoover Sun)
3. In a targeted attack, a man entered a fire station in nearby Birmingham and shot two firefighters, Jamal Jones and Jordan Melton, during their routine morning maintenance on Wednesday. The assailant had a personal conflict with one of the firefighters, according to police. Jones and Melton were rushed to UAB Hospital, with Melton in critical condition and Jones in serious condition. No suspect has been apprehended yet, and a reward of up to $15,000 is being offered for information on the incident. The Birmingham Fire & Rescue Service Personnel Relations Committee is also seeking donations to aid the families of Jones and Melton. (WVTM)

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Today and tomorrow in and around Hoover:

Saturday, July 15

• Brad Upton At Stardome Showroom, Birmingham (9:15 PM)

Sunday, July 16

• Film Club: The Dawn Wall At Hoover Public Library (1:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• At the link, West Palm Beach News put together a list of the five most dangerous neighborhoods in Hoover, based on the number and severity of crimes per 1,000 residents. (West Palm Beach News)
• The Hoover Police Department successfully completed the Certified Sensory Inclusive training for 2023, following a partnership with KultureCity last year. Through this initiative, officers are provided with annual training and equipped with sensory-inclusive items in police Tahoes, ensuring their ability to assist individuals with sensory needs, mental health challenges, and invisible disabilities during emergency situations. (Hoover (AL) Police Department via Facebook)
• On Thursday, Developer Jeff Wise dropped out of the Jefferson County Commission District 5 race, leaving just two candidates — retired Alabama Supreme Court Justice Mike Bolin and developer David Silverstein — for the Jul. 18 special election. (Hoover Sun)

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You're all caught up for today. See you all 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.