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April 2025 | Volume 18 | Issue 6
Turn that old jewelry into CASH.
Sell us your GOLD.
Cummings JEWELRY DESIGN
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SERVING THE 280 CORRIDOR, HOMEWOOD, HOOVER, MOUNTAIN BROOK, TRUSSVILLE AND VESTAVIA HILLS
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Home & Garden
Find tips and tricks from area businesses to jump-start any spring project in our guide.
See page B1
All-South Metro
Haley Trotter named co-Player of the Year after leading Chelsea to Final Four.
See page B6
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Major league dream Spain Park’s Colton Ledbetter on the rise as baseball prospect of the Tampa Bay Rays By EMILY REED There was a play during Spain Park High School freshman Colton Ledbetter’s baseball season opener that his coach still clearly remembers several years later. “It was the first JV game of the season, and Colton hit a home run,” Spain Park Jaguars Coach Will Smith said. “My eyes just got really big, and I just kind of looked at it Ledbetter all with a little bit of shock. It was that moment that I knew Colton had a chance to be something really incredible.” Ledbetter, 23, is a professional outfielder for the Tampa Bay Rays, most recently completing a season with the organization’s minor league affiliate, the Bowling Green Hot Rods in Kentucky. Ledbetter headed to spring training at the end of February in Port Charlotte, Florida, where he will spend about a month practicing before finding out to which team he will be assigned for the upcoming 2025 baseball season. The Tampa Bay Rays selected Ledbetter in the second round of the Major League Baseball draft in 2023, making him the 55th overall pick. Ledbetter was among several players who had the opportunity to attend the draft at Lumen Field in Seattle during MLB All-Star Week. After signing with the Rays and receiving a
See LEDBETTER | page A22
Cheryl and Fred Ledbetter hold up the jersey of their son, Colton Ledbetter, in their home. Ledbetter is currently a professional outfielder for the Tampa Bay Rays. Photo by Savannah Schmidt.
From child raising to rising Republican star, DuBose leaving mark in Montgomery By TAYLOR BRIGHT
Rep. Susan DuBose, left, poses with Sen. April Weaver at the 2025 state-of-the-state address. Photo courtesy of Susan DuBose.
State Rep. Susan DuBose, R-Hoover, never expected to enter politics. No one recruited her to run, and she challenged an incumbent in her first race. Despite that, she has quickly made a
name for herself in Montgomery while sponsoring both archly conservative legislation and bills with bipartisan support.
See DUBOSE | page A20