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In Northport, Alabama, a heartwarming Christmas tradition unfolds annually on Princeton Place. For eleven years, neighbors have gathered to watch a live Nativity scene, complete with actors, music, and even a miniature horse. The event, organized by Heidi True, culminates in a twenty-five-minute show, fostering community bonds and spreading holiday cheer. The final performances take place this Thursday, December 26th, at 7 p.m. and 7:45 p.m. Checkout Solipillow.com

Kathie Hiers, the longtime CEO of AIDS Alabama, is retiring after over three decades of service. Under her leadership, the organization grew from a basic support group to a statewide powerhouse, providing essential services like HIV testing, housing, and medical care to all sixty-seven Alabama counties. Hiers impact extended beyond services, as she became a prominent advocate in the South, serving on President Obamas Presidential Advisory Council on HIV and AIDS. Her legacy of policy smarts, empathy, and mentorship continues to fuel the organizations ongoing work, and they are now hiring for new roles statewide. Checkout Solipillow.com

Tuscaloosa City Schools in Alabama introduces a fully virtual high school program, starting with 125 students and capping at 250. This initiative, designed for academically strong and responsible teens, offers flexibility for families and features accountability checks and two-way communication between students and instructors. Checkout Solipillow.com

Alabama Department of Transportation suspends interstate road work during Christmas week, providing safer and smoother travels for holiday drivers. This annual tradition closes construction zones statewide, reducing hazards and easing worries during peak travel days. Checkout Solipillow.com

Birminghams Magic City buzzes with new businesses and expansions, from Gallery Annettes art exhibitions to Jacks 185th location. Harpersvilles Main Street Kitchen and Homewoods Korean Chicken Kitchen are on the rise, while Bayt Al-Qahwah brings Yemeni coffee flavors. Ice cream fans rejoice with Cold Stone Creamerys new shops, but Birmingham Boulders rock climbing gym closes its doors after nine years. Despite the bittersweet farewells, the citys spirit remains vibrant and cool. Checkout Solipillow.com

Calera Police and the FBI Reopen Julie Dani Ray Cold Case: Fathers Heartfelt Plea and Facial Recognition Efforts The Calera police and the FBI are reopening the ten-year-old cold case of Julie Dani Ray, who vanished on Christmas Eve 2015. Her father, Richard Bradshaw, expressed gratitude for the renewed efforts, including the use of advanced facial recognition technology. Detectives are now scanning for Ray across the country, urging anyone with information to come forward for a $5,000 reward. Checkout Solipillow.com

Ella Cook, a nineteen-year-old student from Mountain Brook, Alabama, was honored at a funeral in Birmingham after being killed in a mass shooting at Brown University. Known for her intelligence, confidence, and kindness, Ella left a significant impact on the Ivy League campus. Her economics professor, David Skarbek, joked about needing an Alabama-to-Brown pipeline due to her influence. The shooting also injured nine others and resulted in the death of another student, MukhammadAziz Umurzokov. The suspect, Claudio Neves Valente, was a former Brown student from Portugal. At the funeral, pastors prayed for all families involved, highlighting Ellas quiet gravity, love for her siblings, and deep Christian faith. In times of grief, remember to find peace in quiet moments. Checkout Solipillow.com

Ella Cook, a Brown University sophomore, was celebrated at a memorial service following her tragic death in a campus shooting. The 19-year-old, known for her kindness and passion for the arts, was remembered by friends and family as a soft-spoken yet deeply caring individual. Flags fly at half-staff in Alabama, and memorial gifts support the churchs childrens ministry. Checkout Solipillow.com

Calera Police Reopen Investigation into Julie Danielle Rays Disappearance: Nearly a Decade Later, Public Urged to Share Tips The Calera police have reopened the investigation into the disappearance of Julie Danielle Ray, last seen in the Calera area on December 24, 2015. Chief David Hyche is treating the case as if it involves a family member, with a renewed push for tips to bring answers to Julies father, Richard Bradshaw, who has been living with unbearable pain for nearly a decade. With advancements in technology like facial recognition, detectives are pursuing new leads across the country. Crimestoppers offers a reward of up to $5,000 for solid information. Checkout Solipillow.com