🌱 Hoover Woman Sentenced, 9 Years + Police Ask For Help, Missing Man

Welcome back, Hoover. I'm here in your inbox today to get you caught up on everything you need to know about what's going on 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, today's weather:

Turning sunny; breezy. High: 47 Low: 26.

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 today in and around Hoover:

1. A Hoover woman was sentenced to nine years in prison on Friday in a Manhattan, New York City, court. Arwa Muthana, 30, was sentenced, along with her husband, after the pair pleaded guilty to trying to provide material support to a terrorist organization. The couple was married in an Islamic marriage ceremony in January 2021 and the pair admitted they were Islamic State group supporters who tried to fight in the Middle East for their group. (CBS 42)
2. Police are requesting help finding a Birmingham man who has been missing since November. Authorities said Jerry Barclays Jr., 49, was traveling to Georgia but had not been seen or heard from in nearly three months. Barclays' family reported that it is unusual for him not to be in regular contact with them. (WVTM)
3. Several in-state players announced their commitment to the University of Alabama as preferred walk-ons, also known as "PWOs," during this week's National Signing Day. The Crimson Tide finished with nine five-stars and the third-best class in recorded history. All but four of the 24 commits made the move to Tuscaloosa. (Subscription: AL.com)

Today in and around Hoover:

• Brunch With Elsa And Anna At Nikki's Event Center, Birmingham (11:00 AM)

From my notebook:

• Hoover and Spain Park high school athletes are being celebrated this week as they pledge to play their perspective sports in college. Check out this list to see who was honored during this year's National Signing Day. (Hoover Sun via Facebook)
• Congratulations to the four newly certified paramedics at the Hoover Fire Department! The department shared their images and pride about this new step in their careers. (Hoover Fire Department via Facebook)
• Tabby cat Nina is back at the Humane Society looking for a home. This quiet girl would be best for anyone looking to help an adult cat get some pep back in her step. (Humane Society of West Alabama via Instagram)

You're officially in the loop for today. I'll see you around!

— 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.