Tim Shepler is retiring from Homewood High School's basketball program after three decades of coaching! "It was just time," Coach Shepler said. "But no rocking chair for me. I am unsure what is next, but I know God will show the way." Hailing from a devout Christian household, his upbringing instilled in him strong values that have shaped his character and outlook on life. His focus transcends mere victories or defeats, aiming to impart invaluable lessons that shape the character and values of the young men under his guidance. Born and raised in Indiana, the heart of basketball country, he developed a passion for the sport from a young age. His formative years coincided with the heyday of Bobby Knight's tenure at Indiana University. After graduating as a player from Oral Roberts University, Shepler took a job coaching football and basketball at a middle school in Louisiana. And then a few years into his career, on a whim, he called the legendary John Wooden, who not only answered the phone, but then invited Coach Shepler to his home to talk further! This amazing opportunity became a pivotal eight hour conversation that truly helped shape his coaching career. "He never talked about winning," Coach Shep said. "He only talked about your best effort, doing your best. And if you do that, you can be satisfied. His old, famous definition of success was basically doing the best with what you have, all the time." Wooden said that when he got to UCLA in 1948, nobody cared about basketball. It was all about surfing and other things. So it took time to grow that program. Wooden didn't win a championship until 1964, his first of ten. Inspired by Wooden's longevity and emphasis on character, integrity, and teamwork, Shepler adopted these principles as the cornerstone of his coaching style, eventually building up to a Class 6A state title in 2016. "John's was a 16 year plan, mine was a 20 year plan to build a championship team," Coach Shep jokes.

Finance Highlights 05/13/24 1. Committee approved a motion for a request for consideration of hiring four new police officers as SRO's. Right now the city is working with contracted officers/security for some of the schools. Experienced officers are used to move into these positions, not new hires. The dilemma with the current system that exists is that the chief of police has to have enough patrol officers before reassigning as SRO's. The cost to hire these officers would be around $250K, with 80% of that cost being reimbursed by the school system. This item now goes before the full council next Monday, May 20 for a full vote. 2. Committee approved a motion for a request by Police Chief Tim Ross for consideration of budget Amendment to manage overtime costs. There are 83 sworn officer positions, but many support personal positions are short-handed, especially dispatchers and corrections officers. This means moving personal around to help, plus sicknesses, injuries and military leave, often means going over the annual overtime budget. Agenda: https://bit.ly/4bbTkXY Upcoming meeting schedules: https://bit.ly/3bvufcT Archived meetings: http://bit.ly/2UiSIaA Watch the full video above to learn more about all the items presented.

Homewood High School Ranks Third Among Alabama Public Schools In the latest U.S. News & World Report rankings for 2024, Homewood High School ranked third among Alabama's best public high schools. The top 11 public high schools in Alabama, according to the magazine, are: Loveless Academic Magnet Program High School, Montgomery New Century Tech Demo High School, Huntsville Homewood High School Mountain Brook High School Vestavia Hills High School James Clemens High School, Madison Spain Park High School, Hoover Hewitt-Trussville High School Brewbaker Tech Magnet High School, Montgomery Oak Mountain High School, Shelby County Hoover High School The rankings consider factors like college readiness, state test scores, graduation rates, Advanced Placement participation and performance, and the achievement of Black, Hispanic, and low-income students. Homewood's strong performance across these metrics earned it a well-deserved spot among Alabama's elite public high schools.

City Council meeting highlights, May 6 2024 1. Council approved a request for permission to add a crosswalk across Seminole Drive and East Hawthorne Road at the intersection with Oxmoor Road. 2. Council approved a request to add 11 parking spaces in the Right-of-Way at 65 Old Montgomery Highway for Covenant Presbyterian Church. Agenda: https://bit.ly/4b3uMQQ Upcoming meeting schedules: https://bit.ly/3bvufcT Archived meetings: http://bit.ly/2UiSIaA For all the details about this meeting watch the video above.

His brushstrokes capture intricate details with photographic precision! Steve Skipper's "Coming Home" exhibition is available now for viewing on the city hall's first floor! The Homewood Art Council is presenting this six-week show, ending May 30th. Skipper recently completed a commissioned painting for Buckingham Palace - the first by an African American artist. The piece depicts Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Anne with one of the royal horses. It'll be unveiled in Atlanta, Washington, and London over the next few months. Skipper is a Homewood native, growing up in the Rosedale neighborhood. He dedicates this exhibition to his fourth-grade teacher, Ms. Vernell Saunders. He aims to honor her impact through this homecoming showcase of his artwork. Learn more here: https://bit.ly/3xVFF8B

Finance Highlights 04/29/24 1. Committee approved to have the mayor sign an agreement with Verizon for the city's wireless cell phone contract. Agenda: https://bit.ly/3xZK6zv Upcoming meeting schedules: https://bit.ly/3bvufcT Archived meetings: http://bit.ly/2UiSIaA Watch the full video above to learn more about all the items presented.

City Council meeting highlights, April 22, 2024 1. Council approved a request by Homewood's IT Director for a budget amendment for FY 23-24 to increase security and efficiency with the city's Microsoft account. 2. Council approved a request for consideration to authorize the Mayor to sign a contract with Carr, Riggs, & Ingram for accounting work to handle city finances until a new finance director can be hired. 3. After a public hearing, council approved condemnation of the apartment buildings at 10, 12, 14, 16, and 18 Aspen Cove at The Park at Buckingham due to being unsafe. 4. Council approved the Final Development Plan at 232 Green Springs Highway for Bank of America to permit the construction of a 4,235 sq. ft., single story, branch bank, as well as associated parking, landscaping, and other site improvements. (The Planning Commission had a vote of 6-0-1 for a favorable recommendation) 5. Council approved moving May council meeting dates to accommodate for Memorial Day. The dates will now be May 6 ad 20. Agenda: https://bit.ly/3xKblxU Upcoming meeting schedules: https://bit.ly/3bvufcT Archived meetings: http://bit.ly/2UiSIaA For all the details about this meeting watch the video above.

Finance Highlights 04/15/24 1. Committee approved a request by Homewood's new IT Director, Brandon Sims, for a budget amendment for FY 23-24 to increase security and efficiency with the city's Microsoft account. 2. Committee approved a request for consideration to authorize the Mayor to sign a contract with Carr, Riggs, & Ingram for accounting work to handle city finances until a new finance director can be hired. Agenda: https://bit.ly/3vSWjFh Upcoming meeting schedules: https://bit.ly/3bvufcT Archived meetings: http://bit.ly/2UiSIaA Watch the full video above to learn more about all the items presented.

Heads up, residents! Road and alley paving projects begin Monday, April 8! The entire project on this list may take several months, weather depending. If your street is on the list, you should receive a flyer with all the details before work begins. Please park your cars in the driveway to allow crews easy access. We'll do our best to keep you updated as the project moves along. Paving planned for 4/29-5/3 Hollywood Belmont 25th Terrace Woodfern 28th Ave S Completed Crest Lane Saulter Lane Crest Drive Overlook Road West Glenwood Raleigh Gillon Woodvale Carr Mountain Ridge Fair Harbor Brookwood Medical Brookwood Blvd