[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6516305,"mediaKeyId","5753527-70a8e6f91b2a4209bd99734e9205d767","parentId",5753527,"title","Pelham reports 5,500 attendance at Fire on the Water; mayor and council pay tribute to developer Jordy Henson","audioSeconds",547,"startMs",1285000,"endMs",1832000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5753527-70a8e6f91b2a4209bd99734e9205d767&start=1285&end=1832","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5753527-70a8e6f91b2a4209bd99734e9205d767/thumbnail_1285000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6516305/Pelham-City/Shelby-County/Alabama/Pelham-reports-5500-attendance-at-Fire-on-the-Water-mayor-and-council-pay-tribute-to-developer-Jordy-Henson","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6516305-8af72205a0ad209688d121c7910472ff/orig.mp4?Expires=1771169164&Signature=bnVonyGYJgMahXDaFy7XiFGQ5RAZntzOwdBxWYeIjRILPFt8tJ4Bi6Qj~CwZCG07rktuVgMaxENNEvW9nB~VU~L4GUaMyw4RbHL7HYUIZXpIuIMp6xJodRtkW3C1UOq8nRBfdjCA~3qiLZbqKIJsh2Vv7TiiexsltsENd0KdBuyG23QSXemofWat2fCADIbN1ZeSFNidOWwN0a5CgRioOXyIZQBwSMcwYkT7RBxwhmI1pofEnCdC9SdROPJ6za5fgOdUVKKA8pQIh22PiK9LqLK-GQmbojEXGmV8YX92BKrLS3JthMgBxEzAVqNar0b6P43tPuC1XBtOOJNrWw4-Dg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Pelham City, AL","date","2025-07-07T00:00:00Z","article","Pelham — City leaders on July 7 thanked staff and partner agencies for the July 3 Fire on the Water event and held a moment of silence for developer Jordy Henson, who died recently of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

The city manager told the council that roughly 5,500 people attended Fire on the Water and thanked municipal employees, county staff and personnel from the state park for their assistance. The manager noted a routine delay at the end of the fireworks display while the fire department confirmed there were no live hazards, but said public-safety staff moved people out efficiently.

Mayor Gretchen (referred to by first name in the meeting) spoke about the loss of Jordy Henson of General Development, saying Henson served as a partner on local projects including the canopy and work adjacent to the library. The mayor said Henson and his partners invested about $50,000,000 in Pelham developments and praised his commitment to the city and his faith. The council observed a moment of silence in his memory.

Chief Reid and Chief Delmore were singled out for their roles in event safety and coordination with the state park and county; city officials said collaboration led to safer conditions for swimmers and smoother crowd movement.

No policies or budget amendments were proposed in the remarks; acknowledgments and the tribute were part of the manager and mayor reports portion of the agenda.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Meeting - July 07, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","City manager and mayor thanked staff and partner agencies for Fire on the Water; the meeting included a mayoral tribute to developer Jordy Henson, who recently died and whose investment in Pelham developments was cited at roughly $50 million.","taxTitle","Pelham City, Shelby County, Alabama","taxId",56435,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6516307,"Candidates and residents urge civility at Pelham public forum; candidate Chris Towns announces council bid",296,2081000,2377000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5753527-70a8e6f91b2a4209bd99734e9205d767&start=2081&end=2377","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5753527-70a8e6f91b2a4209bd99734e9205d767/thumbnail_2081000.jpg","/articles/6516307/Pelham-City/Shelby-County/Alabama/Candidates-and-residents-urge-civility-at-Pelham-public-forum-candidate-Chris-Towns-announces-council-bid","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6516307-3bd044f978cde538040a01c46fa06a2b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771169164&Signature=HnLy9yACkQqW3IF91hZJp~Ehkx-ElErsZezuZhC-CYJzWKwxCfefn4hSDYit1rThYDf94BO~OZqrT-r3EOpGEc9ibtYeTnl6Wkb4Tyai-pvgWrZWlwRQdZhbIHFNfdhfIB4vULlsiYx89W42tJgco9YBvQlTeroW-Pxc32mxv4KDqBz7wddmnuSM35bXn8TmErdATt~SypHPfaXqoSekumNRrLr7Z~hKLZacuEBAOuTJHyvbcKVOhOj1Qm-gHmHgTtl~BdV0J4CmHBcgJ3AU8ZbwOZyUmZZqextas4jwMw~O0FtUM9ynD6FSi4TyIpqgIIc3W1KNwx~A~zP6pWKZiA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Pelham — Public comment at the July 7 Pelham City Council meeting included calls for civility in the municipal campaign, a formal council-campaign announcement and a community thank-you.

Russell Platt, of 2233 Richmond Lane, urged every council member and candidate to publicly repudiate personal attacks and racist comments circulating online. “We know that we, as leaders, set the tone for how those who follow us will act,” Platt said, urging candidates to call out supporters who post or share unacceptable content.

Chris Towns, of 2332 Dalton Drive, announced his candidacy for Pelham City Council, Place 3. Towns outlined a platform focused on economic development, park and recreation investments and reimagining the city’s main thoroughfare to attract visitors and employers. “We need to reimagine our main thoroughfare and turn Pelham into a destination, not just a drive through,” Towns said.

Barry Winn thanked the city for permitting a flag-retirement ceremony at City Park on June 14, noting more than 200 flags were retired during the event and that it had drawn walk-up participation from multiple communities.

Council members responded to the civility appeals during council comments, with several acknowledging personal experience of online attacks and urging higher standards for discourse. Councilor Leverett and Councilor Walsh both asked residents and candidates to “take the higher road,” saying disagreement is acceptable but personal attacks on families cross a line.

Public comment speakers are limited to three minutes under the city’s rules; speakers were reminded to state names and addresses before speaking.","During public comments at the July 7 Pelham City Council meeting, Russell Platt urged council members and candidates to reject personal attacks and racist comments; Chris Towns formally announced his candidacy for City Council Place 3. Other residents thanked the city for community events.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6516312,"Pelham Police announces inaugural youth academy, modeled on Fairview Heights program, targeted for 2026",362,455000,817000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5753527-70a8e6f91b2a4209bd99734e9205d767&start=455&end=817","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5753527-70a8e6f91b2a4209bd99734e9205d767/thumbnail_455000.jpg","/articles/6516312/Pelham-City/Shelby-County/Alabama/Pelham-Police-announces-inaugural-youth-academy-modeled-on-Fairview-Heights-program-targeted-for-2026","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6516312-96bab39c16b0040ec7c4ac2183378f15/orig.mp4?Expires=1771169164&Signature=OK26FZ1KFRsu5tLtlzEGCzSah8YMf~oHss-EzUw3ynPTBdTi9LmjBMQAONahJfA0FRUuvlfxE7PaqAh9Q-tJisdCfaByKsze~thrMjE9HjmDc2oVFn0rffBq~IV6xF8X~HxUSYDiuD5yoPrWJ7T7GYZzcJ0Lx1AW3zwHat2-PtmDFie19Rg7o9cyn0Db2ilJCjgyZG~IkBE7vB8v384ATw7N5P5EbpLN-RnlTAOduzZKA9gXzF2iCaK8ecae46RjA~Du3nuEDtSY7Y39ww0vayJyhtyuxl7wQ-QQIxihFcsh6zORF1qrN-DuJHutjYnZeJjUvi0VZAaTaLezMt5LZA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Pelham — The Pelham Police Department announced plans July 7 to launch its first youth police academy, a summer-style program the department intends to start in 2026 and model on the Fairview Heights (Illinois) program Officer Levita Scott observed in June.

Chief Ed Delmore introduced the topic, saying the department already has strong community ties and aims to expand youth engagement. Officer Levita Scott described a two-week visit to Fairview Heights Police Department in June during which she and her daughter observed that department’s long-running youth academy.

“With the police academy coming to Pelham, our vision is to set and maintain challenging but achievable standards for Pelham’s youth through education, guidance, and consistent application that will create patterns of success for a lifetime,” Officer Scott said. She outlined three guiding principles she observed in Fairview Heights: citizenship, knowledge and responsibility, and she described program activities that included classroom sessions with testing, CPR certification, team-based outdoor activities, high ropes and canoeing.

Officer Scott said the Fairview Heights program has had about 1,500 participants as of 2025 and noted demonstrations by specialized teams such as an Illinois State bomb squad during academy sessions. She also described an on-site camping and meal-rotation routine for squads and said her daughter Kayla Scott was recognized at the Fairview Heights academy as the 2025 most athletic female participant.

The Pelham program will use the acronym PELUM PD to summarize its goals: Professional, Educated, Leader, Healthy, Accountable and Moral. Officer Scott said planned curriculum categories include self-discipline, self-development, academics, fitness and team building. Chief Delmore said school resource officers and other department staff will be involved in running the academy.

The council and other elected officials in the meeting expressed support. Councilors thanked Scott and Delmore for bringing back a tested model and said they look forward to an inaugural class in 2026. No specific budget, enrollment limits or schedule were presented during the meeting; those details will be developed by the department and reported later.","The Pelham Police Department unveiled plans for the Pelham Youth Police Academy (PELUM PD), based on training Officer Levita Scott observed in Fairview Heights, Illinois. The program emphasizes citizenship, knowledge and responsibility and is expected to begin in 2026.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6516317,"Pelham City Council unanimously sets sewer-easement hearing, appoints election officials, okays public-safety agreement and final sidewalk invoice",79,1830000,1909000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5753527-70a8e6f91b2a4209bd99734e9205d767&start=1830&end=1909","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5753527-70a8e6f91b2a4209bd99734e9205d767/thumbnail_1830000.jpg","/articles/6516317/Pelham-City/Shelby-County/Alabama/Pelham-City-Council-unanimously-sets-sewer-easement-hearing-appoints-election-officials-okays-public-safety-agreement-and-final-sidewalk-invoice","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6516317-468dae92ae426f7e55a4ba3d680dbc9f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771169164&Signature=F7~h9cmaNp8Ae9HbFn4SVBuRn7yKBzkn2K8uvr6Pn8GzSaQuGPS689NxGJ0XidhFoenD7M3Zw8bmb9gtMs~Ok8KIBId79bnV18I60f3h0LFTRXiI947~I-fqBpXVHdJSbmb86OwEZSH2y1BYHpAl3HF-CIUVMbB5jw5tbw-sbL8VHPkTR6JQYCWtZaypLTKjYWMQqx6mJ~pB99jbMs2YnT4q2~JVC2vbX5LltWW1is-r4MHKn4MnW1T7G9QT82PF8wNGCYdUZJbUPPX4JyUJatn26b31t7j0B1iZgKJVy60I~VJL6O0fuGqUwbuOKF7lNoaYqrimcmtIv1QkdqzFDg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Pelham — At the July 7 Pelham City Council meeting, council members voted unanimously to approve four resolutions covering a sewer easement hearing, appointment of 2025 municipal election officials, a public-safety agreement with Alabama Power Co., and final payment to the Alabama Department of Transportation for a sidewalk project.

The council approved Resolution 2025-070701 to set the time and date for a public hearing on accepting property for a sewer easement and lift station in Eagle Cove Subdivision. The council set the hearing for Aug. 18, 2025. No additional project details or costs were specified during the meeting.

Resolution 2025-070712 appointed citizens to serve as election officials for the 2025 Pelham municipal election. The clerk recommended Chief Inspector Lynn Waters, Inspector Sandra Howard and clerks Betty Austin, Neil Blackwelder, Deborah Backwelder, Diane Bulos, Chris Cooley, Faye Bridal, Theralone Hardy, Keith Kennedy, Kelly Parman and Valerie Reeves. Alternates were mentioned as on a separate list; names and roles for alternates were not specified in the discussion.

The council also approved Resolution 2025-070713 authorizing an agreement with Alabama Power Company for public-safety services; the resolution text and contract amount were not read aloud and no specific financial terms were provided in the meeting record.

Finally, Resolution 2025-070714 authorized payment of a final invoice to the Alabama Department of Transportation related to the Industrial Park Drive and Bearden Road sidewalk project. The amount of the invoice was not specified in the discussion.

All four resolutions passed by voice vote with the ayes prevailing and were recorded as unanimous.

Votes at a glance
- Resolution 2025-070701 (sewer easement hearing in Eagle Cove): approved (unanimous). Hearing set for Aug. 18, 2025.
- Resolution 2025-070712 (appointment of election officials for 2025 municipal election): approved (unanimous). Chief Inspector Lynn Waters and Inspector Sandra Howard named; clerks listed as noted above; alternates: not specified.
- Resolution 2025-070713 (agreement with Alabama Power Company for public-safety services): approved (unanimous). Contract details: not specified in meeting discussion.
- Resolution 2025-070714 (final invoice payment to ALDOT for Industrial Park Drive/Bearden Road sidewalk): approved (unanimous). Invoice amount: not specified.

The resolutions were introduced under new business and passed without extended discussion. The clerk read names for the election-official appointments; other measures were moved, seconded and approved by voice vote.","At its July 7 meeting the Pelham City Council unanimously approved four resolutions: setting an August 18 hearing for a sewer easement in Eagle Cove, appointing election officials for the 2025 municipal election, authorizing an agreement with Alabama Power for public-safety services, and approving final payment to ALDOT for a sidewalk project.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Pelham reports 5,500 attendance at Fire on the Water; mayor and council pay tribute to developer Jordy Henson

Candidates and residents urge civility at Pelham public forum; candidate Chris Towns announces council bid

Pelham Police announces inaugural youth academy, modeled on Fairview Heights program, targeted for 2026

Pelham City Council unanimously sets sewer-easement hearing, appoints election officials, okays public-safety agreement and final sidewalk invoice