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April 2025 | Volume 12 | Issue 12
SERVING VESTAVIA HILLS, THE 280 CORRIDOR, HOMEWOOD, HOOVER, MOUNTAIN BROOK AND TRUSSVILLE
VESTAVIA HILLS’ COMMUNITY NEWS SOURCE VESTAVIAVOICE.COM | STARNESMEDIA.COM
FROM ‘UNLIVABLE WILDERNESS’ TO THRIVING COMMUNITY
Commemorating 75 years of Vestavia Hills By EMILY REED
F
or years, Vestavia Hills has been a place families have chosen to put down roots. But before it became a thriving city of 37,000, it was a rugged, untamed landscape — so wild that early explorer Andrew McLaughlin
once claimed he spent five days trapped in a hickory tree after a pack of wolves chased him down Shades Mountain. Much has changed since then. What was once considered an “unlivable wilderness” became an incorporated city on Oct. 24, 1950 — when 96 voters cast their ballots, 88 in favor — turning
a growing suburb into an official municipality. Now, as Vestavia Hills approaches its 75th anniversary, the city is launching a months-long celebration to reflect on its transformation. This feature marks the beginning of a series of stories leading up to the milestone. Throughout the year,
the city and its residents will honor the journey from its early days to the thriving community it is today, with historical presentations, community gatherings and the 61st Dogwood Festival already underway.
See 75 YEARS | page 28
This feature is part of a series of stories leading up to the 75th anniversary of Vestavia Hills
An aerial view of the shopping centers along U.S. 31 in Vestavia Hills. Photo by Savannah Schmidt.
Crime in Vestavia Hills dips 18% in 2024 By JON ANDERSON Crime in Vestavia Hills dropped 18% from 2023 to 2024, including notable reductions in vehicle thefts, fraud, vandalism and drug offenses, according to statistics shared by the Police Department. There was a 62% decline in vehicle thefts — from 52 to 20 — and a 40% drop in vandalism cases — from 55 to 33. Fraud cases fell 30%, from 148 in 2023 to 105 in 2024, while drug offenses decreased by 13%, from 722 cases to 629, Police Department records show.
Vestavia Hills Police Department patrol units. Staff photo.
Assaults rose 20%, increasing from 112 in 2023 to 134 in 2024. However, Chief Shane Ware said Vestavia Hills continues to have a very low incidence of violent crime, particularly for a city of nearly 40,000 people. The city recorded no homicides in five of the last six years, with the exception of three homicides in 2022. In 2024, Vestavia Hills had only one robbery, seven sexual offenses, three kidnappings and one case of arson, according to police records.
See CRIME | page 30
INSIDE
Sponsors............................. 4 City....................................... 6
Schoolhouse....................... 8 Business............................. 10
Events................................. 18 Sports................................ 22
Community....................... 24 facebook.com/vestaviavoice
Home & Garden
All-South Metro
Find tips and tricks from area businesses to jump-start any spring project in our guide.
Vestavia’s Sarah Gordon named co-Player of the Year.
See page 14
See page 22
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