Solomon Crenshaw, Jr.
BirminghamWatch
Solomon Crenshaw, Jr is a reporter with BirminghamWatch, a nonprofit, independent news site. WBHM and BirminghamWatch collaborate through a content-sharing partnership.
Jefferson County Commission OK’s More Cleanup Help In Fultondale
"Somebody has to get those big trees out of that creek or it’s going to back up and start flooding and start blocking roads and flooding these houses that are damaged," said Commissioner Joe Knight.
Jefferson County Commission May Hire More Road Clean-Up Help
Jefferson County Commissioners are considering whether to hire temporary workers to clean up litter along county roads.
Gambling Proposals Must Pass The ‘Smell Test’ Before Going To Voters, Ivey Tells Lawmakers
The governor recapped the challenges of 2020, particularly on schools and the economy.
Settlement Reached To Address ABC Coke Pollution
The Drummond Company will now be required to follow a leak detection and repair program for the rest of the plant’s existence.
Park Board Approves Making Legion Field A 24/7 Vaccination Site
Legion Field has been operating as a testing site for COVID-19. Now officials want to expand the operation to include coronavirus vaccinations.
JeffCo Commission Picks Up Where Feds Left Off, Will Pay For COVID Time Off
The Jefferson County Commission unanimously approved funding this week that will help pay county employees for time off related to COVID-19.
COVID Vaccinations Begin For People 75+ Years Old
Jefferson County residents 75 and older started receiving the COVID-19 vaccine this week.
Scales Announces Bid For Mayor
The county commissioner would be the first elected female mayor of the city.
Turning Red Line Green: Virtual Conference Brings Attention To Underserved Areas
In the past, certain areas of Birmingham that were up for redevelopment faced discriminatory practices by banks and insurance companies. Some bankers, regulators, developers and entrepreneurs want to change that.
Jefferson County Emerges From Consent Decree After 45 Years
After 45 years, Jefferson County has been released from its consent decree.
Spend It All: JeffCo Commission Makes Sure to Leave No Cares Act Money On The Table
The county commissioners sought to tie up any loose ends for Cares Act money at its meeting on Tuesday.
UAB Predicts COVID Hospital Patients Will Double By Christmas, Vaccines Expected Soon
In a gathering of 20 people, there's more than a 50% chance that one person in that gathering will be infectious and contagious with COVID-19, according to Jefferson County Health Officer Dr. Mark Wilson.
Jeffco Commission To Consider Mortgage Assistance
The Jefferson County Commission is expected Thursday to amend its disbursement of Cares Act funds to include mortgage assistance for residents adversely affected by the novel coronavirus pandemic.
Dogs, Firehoses Were A Precursor To Today’s Violent Protests
“You will never be Christ, but that doesn’t mean that you stop pursuing that Christ-like behavior. What we have to do is be in relentless pursuit of having a positive relationship with the community we serve," said Birmingham Police Chief Patrick Smith.
Commission OKs Cares Act Funding In Quick Session
"We don’t want to send money back to Washington. We want to make sure that it’s spent here and for us to do that, we need to make sure we’ve looked at every avenue possible," said Jefferson County Commissioner Steve Ammons.
Concerns Raised About COVID At Horizon Church Polling Place After Worker Tests Positive
Voters who cast their ballots last week at Horizon Church may have been exposed to COVID-19.
Big Turnout But No Major Problems At Jefferson County Precincts
About 64% of registered voters in Jefferson County turned out to vote in Tuesday's general election, according to the county's website.
Jefferson County Clerk’s Office Redesigns To Handle Throngs Of Voters
It was a working weekend of those in the clerk’s office as they set the stage for what they hope is a more efficient processing of in-person absentee voters.
JeffCo Commissioners Discuss $199 Million Budget With One-Time Longevity Bonuses For County Employees
Jefferson County commissioners are set Thursday to consider a budget that would include $1.485 million for a one-time longevity payment to each county employee.
Jefferson County Bids for Release From HR Consent Decree
Jefferson County's attorney filed a motion yesterday asking that the county be removed from its consent decree.
Accounting Contract Leads To Squabble On The Jefferson County Commission
Tensions were high at the county commission meeting this week after Commission President Jimmie Stephens said he felt he was being disrespected by President Pro Tem Lashunda Scales.
Jefferson County Curfew Is Over, Commission Says
The Jefferson County Commission voted Tuesday not to extend the order establishing a county wide curfew.
Jefferson County Commission Considers Higher Rent For Polling Places
Polling places in Jefferson County could be in line to receive more money to host elections, according to a new report.
Jefferson County Commission Considers More COVID-19 Relief For Businesses
The Jefferson County Commission is considering a resolution that would seek up to $1.15 million in supplemental funds for the county’s revolving loan fund grant from the state’s Economic Development Administration.
Birmingham Health Care Worker Who Caught Virus ‘Had A Feeling That Things Weren’t Normal’
One healthcare worker in Birmingham talks about her experience battling COVID-19.
Face Covering Law in Birmingham Extended Through Next Week; Curfew Lifted
Birmingham’s public safety curfew is no longer in effect, but the ordinance requiring masks or face coverings to be worn in public has been extended for another week.
Jeffco Commission Goes Behind Closed Doors Over Stimulus Money
The Jefferson County Commission received guidance this week on their legal use of federal stimulus money because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Jefferson County Reopening Courthouses Friday, With Some Restrictions
Jefferson County will reopen its courthouses and county facilities on Friday.
Jefferson County Commission Sets Up $1 Million Virus Fund, Extends County Closings Through April
The Jefferson County Commission used its second emergency meeting of the COVID-19 pandemic to extend the closure of county facilities until April 30 and set up a $1 million COVID-19 fund to handle needs as they arise.
Some Prisoners Invited To Vote By Absentee Ballot For The First Time This Year
Valentine’s Day took on new meaning Friday as members of five organizations continued their tour to get persons in jail and prison registered to vote by absentee ballot in the upcoming primary and beyond.
JeffCo Commission Approves Fees for Credit, Debit Card Payments to Revenue Department
The Jefferson County Revenue's Office will now apply a 1% convenience fee on debit and card payments after passing with unanimous consent on Thursday.
Jefferson County Commission Delays Vote on Fee for Card Payments
The Jefferson County chief financial officer says discussion about a 1% debit and credit card convenience fee should be tabled for another two weeks.
