Gov. Kay Ivey has officially proclaimed Jan. 26-Feb. 1 Alabama School Choice Week. By issuing the proclamation, Gov. Ivey joins dozens of other governors and local leaders who have recognized the importance of school choice for students and their families.

It’s Mardi Gras time and the Millbrook Mardi Gras Festival and Parade begins at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 15th at the Village Green Park with live entertainment and vendors, followed by a parade at noon.

There were many celebrations in 2019 but it’s safe to say that three neighboring businesses celebrating milestone anniversaries within just a few months is unprecedented. “We certainly have a lot of longevity and dedication to client service here on Lower Commerce Street. It’s been a big yea…

Dr. Lester Spencer, Lead Pastor of Saint James Church in Montgomery, AL, just released his first book, Free For All (4 Things God’s Amazing Grace Can Do For You).

January 8, 2020 was the date and The Lane Corporate Group’s headquarters at 208 Gunn Road in Montgomery, AL was the venue for the secret birthday celebration for Jim Lane. Mr. Lane’s office staff help orchestrate the festive affair which was attended by many of Mr. Lane’s close friends and d…

Governor Kay Ivey and the Alabama Department of Transportation on Thursday announced that $7 million in funding is being awarded to cities and counties for various local road and bridge projects. 

At mealtime, or any time you're hungry for that matter, you have options. You can fix it yourself, have your meal delivered, go through the drive-through, or actually go inside the eatery, order, and enjoy your meal there if you have time. Your dine-out choices can be plush, or barely presen…

Kelly Pate, chair of Balch’s Diversity Committee and member of the Litigation Practice, was recognized at the 68th Annual YMCA of Greater Montgomery Man of the Year Banquet, on December 9, as a 2019 Award Nominee for her outstanding community service work. Each year the YMCA of Greater Montg…

Warren Averett CPAs & Advisors is pleased to announce that Sandra J. Coaker, CPA assumed the role of Office Managing Member in the Montgomery office effective January 1.

The National Trial Lawyers is pleased to announce that Elizabeth Faulk of the Family Sunshine Center, in Montgomery has been selected for inclusion into its Top 100 Civil Plaintiff Trial Lawyers in Alabama, an honor given to only a select group of lawyers for their achievements in the field.…

On January 14, 2020, enjoy an early evening of dance, visual arts and music. Students from Carver, Baldwin and Booker T. Washington magnet schools will present a unique sneak peek of their talents and programs for the community, prospective students and parents.

Each year in the lead up to a regular session of the Alabama Legislature certain pieces of legislation begin to stand out. The upcoming 2020 session will include a number of bills that could be big lifts for certain legislators because the measures might be seen as controversial.

Auburn University at Montgomery English Professor Robert C. Evans has been named the recipient of the 2020 Eugene Current-Garcia Award for his prolific literary scholarship and dedication to mentoring student writers.

The Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce has named retired Brig. Gen. Trent H. Edwards as Senior Vice President, Military and Community Development. Edwards will focus on the viability and growth of Montgomery’s military missions while leading new community-wide initiatives that fuel the regi…

James A. Bradford, partner in the firm’s Birmingham office and member of the Litigation Practice, was recently been named as a member of the Amicus Brief Committee of the American College of Mortgage Attorneys (ACMA). Formed in 1974, ACMA is comprised of approximately 400 lawyers in United S…

Beasley Allen has recognized Soo Seok Yang as the 2019 Chad Stewart Award. This honor was created in memory of Beasley Allen lawyer Chad Stewart, who passed away unexpectedly in 2014 at the very young age of 41. The award was created to recognize the lawyer who best exemplifies Chad’s spirit…

Lauren Bright, a 13-year Alfa Insurance veteran, joined the Alabama Farmers Federation as Alfa’s Health Manager. In her new role, she’s helping members access Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama products through local Alfa Insurance offices and the Federation home office.

As a medievalist, Jan Bulman studies European history in the Middle Ages – the years from about 500 to 1500.

By FRED MARSHALL

Zella’Ques Holmes, formerly head of circulation, has been named Head Librarian at Juliette Hampton Morgan Memorial Library after the retirement of its former head librarian, who retired in June 2019.

Visitors to the Archives Tuesday the 10th enjoyed a book-signing held by Peggy Wallace Kennedy for her new book, "The Broken Road: George Wallace and a Daughter's Journey to Reconciliation." The book looks back on the politics that defined her youth and attempts to reconcile her adored fathe…

Autumn A. Caudell has been named Assistant Ethics Counsel for the Alabama State Bar in the Office of General Counsel (OGC).

Special to The Independent

On the evening of December 9, 2019, the YMCA of Greater Montgomery held their 68th annual Man of the Year Award ceremony. Nominated by a panel of youth from the River Region, the candidates are each recognized for their outstanding service to young people through leadership and volunteer wor…

Downtown Montgomery was alive with activity Saturday the 14th as the city celebrated the state's 200th birthday. There was the parade up Dexter Ave., followed by the Park Dedication, the Festival, and capped-off later in the afternoon by a concert and light show. But while many were taking-i…

While some sex offenders will spend the rest of their days behind bars, many will be inevitably released from incarceration. Dr. Kristen Stives’ research focuses on the challenges of prison life for these individuals and their return to the community after release from prison.

Last week Steve Murray, director of the Alabama Department of archives and history, oversaw the opening of a time capsule sealed 50 years ago. Even though the event of sealing the Time Capsule was well-documented there were still some surprises.

   Warren Averett, LLC is pleased to welcome Kevin Patel to the Firm. Patel joins the team as a Senior Manager in the Atlanta Office Tax Division.

Diverse coalition of 11 selected to help Mayor implement his “Montgomery United Transition” plan. 

WoodmenLife Montgomery Chapter 25 purchased numerous items, such as pillows, pillow cases, socks, pajamas, gowns, Boost meal replacement, lotion, toothpaste, wipes, word search books, chapstick, YooHoo, and fleece blankets for the hospice ministry at Landmark Church of Christ. The care bags …

   Jerusha T. Adams, a shareholder at Capell & Howard P.C., has been selected by the Judges of the United States District Court for the Middle District of Alabama as a full-time Magistrate Judge.

A statue six decades in the making now sits downtown to honor one of Montgomery’s Civil Rights icons

   U.S. Air Force Air National Guard Airman 1st Class Edward C. Davis graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio, Texas.

  Palomar Insurance Corporation recently announced that Pat Hart has joined the firm as President of the Palomar-Hart Group, a Division of Palomar Insurance.

Josh M. Roberts, Dean of Student Development at Lipscomb University, has been named the new dean of student affairs, diversity and inclusion of Auburn University at Montgomery (AUM). 

One of the River Region’s favorite holiday traditions will kick off at 6:00 pm on Thursday, December 5, 2019 when Mayor Steven Reed officially flips the switch at the Montgomery Zoo to turn on thousands of lights for the 28th Annual Christmas Lights Festival.

All towns and cities with any age on them have their historic places, be they landmarks, statues, buildings, or particular businesses. Montgomery is fortunate to have several representatives in each category, and one of them is Tucker Pecan Company on N. McDonough St. For 67 years, when one …

Montgomery, AL – Waitr is making sure local families in need don’t go without a Thanksgiving meal this week. The food delivery app began delivering free meals today to people who need them the most, as part of its Share Thanksgiving program. For the past five weeks, Waitr has set aside a por…

Since 2017 Alabama has been preparing for its Bicentennial celebration. Led by the Alabama Bicentennial Commission, the Alabama 200 project has been a three-year cross discipline education project with components including: education outreach in public and private schools, touring the State’…

   Gretchen Vercher, Chief Nursing Officer of Encompass Health Montgomery was approved by the Alabama Board of Nursing and selected by NCSBN to participate on the NCLEX-RN® item development panel of subject matter experts. The NCLEX-RN® and NCLEX-PN® examinations identify those candidates wh…

   Sasser, Sefton & Brown, P.C.  is pleased to announce 3 lawyers have been named 2019 Mid-South Super Lawyers or Rising Stars. Only the top 5 percent of lawyers in Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi and Tennessee are named Mid-South Super Lawyers. No more than 2.5 percent of lawyers in thes…

Veterans and their families and others gathered at Riverwalk Stadium Monday the 11th to observe Veterans Day. Formerly known as Armistice Day, November 11th marks the 11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month in 1918 when our enemies in Europe laid down their arms, effectively ending Wor…

Harmon Dennis Bradshaw, Inc. (HDB) announced the appointment of Jeff McGee, CPCU, ARM as Director of Operations. McGee will oversee HDB’s overall business operations and ensure that client service exceeds expectations. He joins HDB with more than 20 years of experience in insurance agency op…

MONTGOMERY – Governor Kay Ivey on Friday announced she has named JC Love, III to serve as Montgomery County’s Probate Judge. The governor signed Love’s appointment letter today.

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Amanda Rae Moreno Navy Office of Community Outreach

MONTGOMERY – Governor Kay Ivey joined Hyundai executives and local leaders today to announce that the automaker plans to add a new vehicle to its Alabama production lineup as part of a $410 million expansion project that will create 200 jobs at the state-of-the-art facility. 

Recently, The Montgomery Capital Rotary Club donated two new bicycles to the Boys and Girls Club of the River Region. The bikes will be used by Club members to ride trails around the Montgomery area. Rotary President, Joe Hamilton, presented the bikes to Rick Jackson, President (not pictured…

Dr. Joyce Kelley’s research includes raising public awareness of underrepresented writers, including authors of children’s literature. While she enjoyed reading as a child, the Associate Professor in the Auburn University at Montgomery Department of English and Philosophy says she never expe…