Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: How Hoover’s longtime assistant police chief built his remarkable career
Spotted on the Hoover calendar: Brunch & Bubbly
Hello Hoover! Stay connected with the latest updates from around town. Let's dive in! ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- How Hoover’s longtime assistant police chief built his remarkable career
- How will Hoover’s new mayor shape growth, schools, and sports tourism?
- Which Hoover runners made Birmingham’s elite cross-country Super 7 list?
And lastly, we have a post from a neighbor, Leigh M.!
Find out what's happening in Hooverfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Find out what's happening in Hooverfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Wednesday: Plenty of sunshine, with a high of 54 and low of 31 degrees.
- Thursday: Mostly sunny and pleasant, temps: high: 60, low: 41.
- Friday: A touch of afternoon rain, with a high of 57 and low of 55 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Hoover Police Department Assistant Chief Norman McDuffey retires (shelbycountyreporter.com) — Hoover residents are saying goodbye to Assistant Police Chief Norman McDuffey, who is retiring after more than two decades with the Hoover Police Department. McDuffey joined HPD in 2001 after starting his career in Birmingham and went on to serve in roles ranging from patrol and K-9 work to homicide investigations, SWAT and division commander posts. 
2. New Hoover Mayor Nick Derzis encourages sustainable growth and community engagement (wvtm13.com) — Hoover’s new mayor, former police chief Nick Derzis, is prioritizing careful growth, stronger hospitality, and more resident input as he settles into office. He’s focusing on managing development, boosting sports tourism at the Hoover Met, and launching initiatives like “Southern Hospitality, Hoover Style” and an education advisory committee to keep schools and quality of life strong.
3. Alabama high school cross country: Birmingham's top 7 runners of 2025 (al.com) — Hoover cross-country standout Reese Gonzalez has been named one of Birmingham’s Cross-Country Runners of the Year, and Hoover runners Jamie McCarthy and Ian Chatterton also made the Birmingham-area Super 7 list. The story recaps their strong performances at state, sectional, and major invitational meets against top competition statewide.
4. Body of suspected car thief identified by family (dailystandard.com) — A man originally from Hoover 47-year-old Alvin Lee Stabler, has been identified by family as the person who drowned in Grand Lake near Celina after allegedly trying to steal a pickup and fleeing police. Investigators say security video shows him entering the water to evade capture, and Ohio authorities are still reviewing autopsy results and possible accomplices.
5. 2025: North Alabamians who inspired us this year (hartselleenquirer.com) — Hoover firefighters were part of Alabama Task Force 2 that searched Texas flood debris alongside crews from several other Alabama cities, highlighting the city’s role in disaster relief beyond state lines. The wider feature profiles north Alabama residents who inspired others in 2025, from veterans and addiction survivors to community volunteers helping children and single mothers.
📸 Around Hoover
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🗓 Upcoming Events in Hoover
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
- Brunch & Bubbly
Board In Birmingham , 5426 Hwy 280, Suite 6 , Hoover
9:00 am - Libby Meet & Greet
Hoover Public Library - Circulation Lobby
10:30 am - One-on-One Tech Help
Hoover Public Library -
10:00 am - Libby Meet & Greet
Hoover Public Library - Circulation Lobby
3:30 pm - On Wednesdays We WINE for half-off!
Hoover Chamber of Commerce , 5426 Hwy 280 Suite 6 , Hoover
3:00 pm
Saturday January 3
Monday January 5
Tuesday January 6
Wednesday January 7
🗓 Events Nearby
- Zumba Gold
Pelham, AL Calendar , 50 Racquet Club Parkway , Pelham
10:45 am - Public Skate Session
Pelham, AL Calendar
11:45 am - Yoga
Pelham, AL Calendar , 50 Racquet Club Parkway , Pelham
12:00 pm - Silver Sneakers
Pelham, AL Calendar , 2020 Pelham Park Boulevard , Pelham
1:00 pm - In-Trinity Warrior
Pelham, AL Calendar Pelham, AL 35124
5:30 pm - Bootcamp
Pelham, AL Calendar , 2020 Pelham Park Boulevard , Pelham
5:30 pm - Movie Madness
Pelham, AL Calendar , 50 Racquet Club Parkway , Pelham
1:00 pm
Wednesday December 31
Thursday January 1
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Hoover PatchAM possible:
- Refine Weight and Wellness — (205) 223-3215
New Medically subscribed Weight Loss Clinic in Hoover - Mindsee.it — (646) 663-8317
Teach your kids they can achieve the impossible!
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Ok Hoover! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I heard there’s only a 50 percent chance of snow.
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