October 2025 | Volume 16 | Issue 5
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The new mayor speaks
AL#12175
Plans take shape for new Piggly Wiggly By SOLOMON CRENSHAW JR.
By SOLOMON CRENSHAW JR. For years, Homewood has been known for having the state’s largest city council. Despite being a municipality of 8 square miles, the city boasted 11 council members — a council president and two councilors for each of five wards. But that notoriety is soon to change. Jennifer Andress, the recently elected mayor, will lead a five-member council that will set policy that City Manager Glen Adams will implement. Thus, Homewood can be known for other attributes. “There are so many great things that are happening,” Andress said. “There are so many people that want to be in Homewood — whether they want to live there, buy a home there, open a business there, shop there, eat there. We have so much going on.”
See MAYOR | page 26 Jennifer Andress takes a congratulatory phone call on election night after winning the race to be Homewood’s next mayor. The city councilor ascends to the office in November as the city’s first female mayor and also the first to preside an elected term under the new council-city manager structure adopted by voters in 2024. Photo by Tosha Gaines.
Sponsors.................. 4 City............................ 6
Schoolhouse............8 Business..................10
Real Estate.............16 Events......................18
A new Piggly Wiggly could be built at the corner of U.S. 31 and Oxmoor Road once a revised plan goes back through the Homewood Planning Commission and the City Council. The project requires closing the store for several months. Mayor Alex Wyatt said store owners and developers hope the project, if approved, will take about seven or eight months with the new store opening before school starts in 2026. Following an Aug. 25 public hearing, the council approved a $3 million incentive package, down from the $3.5 million package that was approved nearly two years ago when the original project to build behind the current building was approved. Wyatt acknowledged that closing a business can be risky, but said The Pig is deeply ingrained in the community.
See PIGGLY WIGGLY | page 27
Sports......................21 Community............24
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Discover local businesses that specialize in keeping your home and garden at their best.
Patriots, Cavs aim to finish strong.
See page 12
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The view of the proposed new Piggly Wiggly from the intersection of Hollywood Boulevard and U.S. 31 near Shades Cahaba Elementary School. Rendering courtesy of Piggly Wiggly.
Homewood’s first female mayor outlines goals for her first term in office
INSIDE
Joseph Braswell Owner of Guin
See page 23