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How Racism Flooded Alabama’s Historically Black Shiloh Community

SHILOH COMMUNITY — If it’s been raining, the kids bring two pairs of shoes to the bus stop. One pair is for before school—for the trek through high water in the historically Black Shiloh community in Coffee County, Alabama. “They roll their pants legs up, too,” said Otis Andrews, who’s lived in the community nearly all his life. Once they’ve made it onto the bus, they can change into their second pair, drying out for the school day to come. “That’s not acceptable,” Andrews said. “It’s really not. They shouldn’t have to do this.” Shiloh, he explained, is naturally flat. Flooding didn't start until after the state elevated and expanded U.S. 84. Read more.

by Lee Hedgepeth, Inside Climate News

Health Officials Watching Hospitals During the Season of Flu, COVID and RSV

The normal winter flu season is in full swing in Alabama, but this year COVID and RSV are joining the mix. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ranks the state among seven others with the highest rates for respiratory disease. Alabama health officials say there has been a 3.2% increase in hospital admissions statewide for the three viral diseases, but there is no shortage of treatment facilities or hospital beds across the state. But they warn that, with the workplace and schools opened after the holidays, the numbers could climb. Read more.

by Virginia MacDonald

JeffCo Considers Forgiving Development Group’s Debt, Moving Coroner’s Office to Park

A resolution moved to the agenda of Thursday’s Jefferson County Commission meeting would forgive more than $1 million owed to the county from Jefferson County Economic and Industrial Development Authority. The county would also execute a purchase agreement with JCEIDA for land in the Lakeshore Jeffmet Park for the new office space of the Jefferson County Coroner/Medical Examiner. The purchase agreement for the land, valued at $700,000, would not be a cash transaction but would help offset the remaining JCEIDA debt being forgiven. County Manager Cal Markert called the authority “one of the most successful economic development groups in the state, if not the most.” Read more.

by Solomon Crenshaw Jr.

Meet the Tiny Fish That Call Only Jefferson County Home

Though the creek water at Turkey Creek Nature Preserve in northeast Jefferson County is crystal clear, and thousands visit the preserve each year, it’s highly unlikely most will see three unique fish species that swim alongside them. They are the endangered watercress, rush and vermilion darters “This is kind of like a ‘Where’s Waldo,’” said preserve manager Charles Yeager, wading through the center of Turkey Creek, looking for the darter. Read more.

by Claire Trammell, Reflect Alabama Fellow

A Year After the Moody Landfill Fire: “We Need Just as Much Help Now”

Around Thanksgiving a year ago, a landfill near Moody caught fire, blanketing the surrounding area with smoke. The fire burned for months before the Environmental Protection Agency covered the landfill with dirt to extinguish the flames, but there have been flare ups since. To understand what things are like now, WBHM talked with one nearby resident. Read more.

by Andrew Yeager, WBHM
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