April 2024 | Volume 17 | Issue 6
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A decade of learning Forest Oaks Elementary School celebrates 10 years
By LEAH INGRAM EAGLE Lions, Hornets players named to this year’s All-South Metro Basketball Team.
See page B1
I
t’s been a decade since Chelsea’s third elementary school opened its doors. Forest Oaks Elementary is celebrating its 10th year in 2024, and Principal Stevi Sims said she feels honored to have been a part of the entire process from the ground up.
In 2013, the city of Chelsea was experiencing tremendous growth, and the need for a third elementary was evident. New attendance zones were drawn to determine which students would be zoned and divided among three elementary schools.
See FOREST OAKS | page A26
Home & Garden
Find tips and tricks from area businesses to jump-start any project in our Spring Home & Garden Guide.
See page B13
INSIDE Sponsors.............A4 City........................A6 Business.............A12 Community....... A18 Schoolhouse... A20
Sports.................... B1 Events..................B8 Opinion.............. B10 Real Estate.........B12
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Students in Casey Pate’s second grade class watch a video during a math lesson at Forest Oaks Elementary School in Chelsea on March 12. Forest Oaks Elementary School is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney.
By the numbers: A look at crime stats from 2023 The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office and Jail in Columbiana. Shelby County saw a decrease in crime in the past year. Photo courtesy of Shelby County Sheriff’s Office.
By LEAH INGRAM EAGLE While unincorporated Shelby County saw a decrease in crime in 2023, Shelby County Deputy Chief Clay Hammac said the complexity of the crimes was increasing. “Specifically in response to financial exploitation cases, scams and identity theft cases, we are seeing an uptick in those,” Hammac said. While there was a decrease in burglaries, auto burglaries, homicides and overall thefts and calls for service in 2023, the categories that increased from the previous year included robberies, auto thefts, sex crimes and assaults, according to statistics from the Sheriff’s Office.
See CRIME | page A24