Hillary Simon
CBS 42
Birmingham, AL, United States
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Past articles by Hillary:
Patton Creek bridge reopening delayed again
HOOVER, Ala. (WIAT) — The Patton Creek bridge on Patton Chapel Road remains closed. Cal Markert, deputy county manager of infrastructure, said the goal was for the bridge to close in March and reopen in the end of June. “Several things messed us up. We had two big rain events that hit us at a […] → Read More
What to expect during holiday travel during COVID-19 pandemic
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) — As the holidays approach, this may be the first time people are traveling since the COVID-19 pandemic started. Experts with AAA Alabama experts say they expect 10-15% decrease in holiday travel this year compared to last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “Thanksgiving is like Christmas. It’s one of those holidays […] → Read More
Voters complain of long lines while casting absentee ballot
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) — Hundreds of people are showing up to the Jefferson County courthouse a day to cast their absentee ballot. Voters are complaining the wait time exceeds 4-5 hours and that the Clerk’s Office was not prepared for the crowds. “I thought the process would be faster but it has not been. It […] → Read More
Alabama’s only passenger train service, Amtrak, cuts long-distance rides with revenue down over 80%
BIRMINGHAM, Ala (WIAT) — Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Amtrak announced that their long-distance schedules will be moving operation to tri-weekly. This is due to the decrease in travel demand and will impact the Crescent Train, which runs through Birmingham and other Alabama cities. The Crescent Train will move to tri-weekly operations starting Oct. 5. […] → Read More
Alabama State Fair opens Friday with COVID-19 guidelines
JEFFERSON COUNTY, Ala. (WIAT) — This year, the Alabama State Fair will be held in the in-field at the Birmingham Race Track starting Friday. Mark Lovell, the fair director, said despite the COVID-19 pandemic, they still wanted to make the fair possible so they implemented CDC and health department guidelines. Those who attend the fair […] → Read More
Shelby County Schools bring students back full-time
SHELBY COUNTY, Ala. (WIAT) — On Monday, Shelby County Schools welcomed students back to full-time, in-person learning. The school district has been following a staggered schedule the past month under their “Cautious Together” phase. At Chelsea Park Elementary School, principal Jennifer Galloway said they’re excited to move forward and bring students into the classroom full […] → Read More
Jefferson County Schools start school year remotely
JEFFERSON COUNTY, Ala. (WIAT) — For the first nine weeks of school, Jefferson County students will be going remote. Walter Gonsoulin, superintendent of Jefferson County Schools, said they made the decision after sending a survey to parents this summer. He said 56% of parents wanted their child to go remote and 44% wanted traditional school. […] → Read More
Two Birmingham police officers go viral with store photoshoot
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) — Two Birmingham police officers are being recognized for engaging with the community in a unique way. Corey Bishop, owner of Refresh Clothing, was having a photoshoot for his store in Five Points West when two officers saw them and decided to jump in the picture. Officers Vincent Larry and Justin Judge […] → Read More
Study linking heart condition to COVID-19 concerns cardiologists
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) — The Journal of the American Medical Association recently revealed a study that points to COVID-19’s impacts the heart and specifically inflammation in the heart muscle, causing a condition called myocarditis. Dr. Barry Rayburn, a cardiologist with Cardiovascular Specialists of Birmingham at St. Vincent’s Hospital, said in the study, 100 people who […] → Read More
Adamsville mayoral race heats up
ADAMSVILLE, Ala (WIAT) — On Aug, 25, Adamsville residents will head to the polls to decide who their next mayor will be. The ballot includes incumbent Mayor Pam Palmer, Tammi Taylor, William England, and Christopher James. The two candidates fighting a hard campaign in the city are Palmer and Taylor, who has lived in Adamsville […] → Read More
What will Alabama’s classrooms and school hallways look like this year?
Check out other CBS 42 “Back to School” special reports here. CHILTON COUNTY, Ala (WIAT) — With the number of coronavirus cases continuing to rise across Alabama, the decision of sending your child back to school or not may be one of the most stressful decisions parents are facing now. There’s a lot of cleaning […] → Read More
Jefferson County inmates offered COVID-19 testing, 1 tests positive
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) — The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office has partnered with the Jefferson County Health Department and a new healthcare provider called NaphCare to bring COVID-19 testing to inmates. On Friday, inmates were offered to get tested for the coronavirus and also receive a Hepatitis A vaccine. The sheriff’s office said this was voluntary […] → Read More
Preparation underway for Alan Jackson drive-in concert in Cullman
CULLMAN, Ala (WIAT) — On Friday, country star singer Alan Jackson will be performing in Cullman in a drive-in concert setting. The event will be held at field used during Rock the South, which was canceled this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Cullman Mayor Woody Jacobs said this is something the city really needs […] → Read More
Birmingham area summer camps taking extra precaution during COVID-19 pandemic as they reopen
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) — A lot is changing this summer due to COVID-19, including the way summer camps are held. The Birmingham Zoo is having their zoo camp, but at a reduced capacity. Roger Torbert, vice president of education at the zoo, said each camp group will be separated and won’t interact with the other […] → Read More
Birmingham area barber shops make changes to combat COVID-19
VESTAVIA HILLS, Ala. (WIAT) — Vestavia Barber Shop opened their doors officially on Tuesday and said ever since, it’s been very busy. Julie Turpin, a barber at Vestavia Barber Shop, said that on average, about 10 people are on the wait list. She said they’ve made a lot of changes to ensure everyone safety like […] → Read More
Birmingham restaurants changing Mother’s Day plans due to COVID-19
BIRMINGHAM, Ala (WIAT) — Mother’s Day is usually one of the busiest holidays in the restaurant industry. However, due to COVID-19 pandemic, families aren’t able to dine so restaurants are getting creative on how to bring their food to their customers on Mother’s Day. Bandit Patisserie and The Essential, both run by the same owners, […] → Read More
Alabama meat stores prepare for higher prices due to nationwide meat shortage caused by viral outbreak
CENTER POINT, Ala. (WIAT) — Stores like Grikey’s Meat and Market in Center Point are preparing for the possibility of meat prices to rise due to the meat shortage happening around the United States. Owner Brad Snyder said he heard a meat shortage was in the future so he got an offsite storage and started […] → Read More
Birmingham area summer camps face hard decisions on whether or not to stay open due to COVID-19
BIRMINGHAM, Ala (WIAT) — A lot of summer camps in Central Alabama are having to decide whether summer camp will happen or not. The YMCA of Greater Birmingham President Dan Pile said camp is happening but they’re already changing the programs. “Summer camp is going to be an interesting proposition. We’re actually looking at plans […] → Read More
Local shops in Hoover ready to reopen following COVID-19 closures
HOOVER, Ala (WIAT) — Many local store owners in Hoover are opening their doors for the first time in weeks since the stay at home order went in effect. The owner of Wrapsody in Hoover said for the past six to seven weeks, she’s been doing only curbside pickup, and her loyal customers are what’s […] → Read More
Birmingham gyms looking into how to safely reopen when state allows it
MOUNTAIN BROOK, Ala. (WIAT) — The Levite Jewish Community Center is working on a responsible reopen plan, in conjuction with infectious disease specialists. Samantha Dubrinsky, executive director for the LJCC, said even if Gov. Kay Ivey allowed gyms to reopen in her “safer-at-home” order, they were not planning on opening this week, and possibly not […] → Read More