On June 21-22, Pell City Parks and Recreation Athletics hosted a 125-team tournament for USA Rec Softball of Alabama at the Pell City Sports Complex. Thousands of visitors filled the Park and community during this successful weekend event.
Faced with two significant rain delays from unexpected storms, the success of the tournament would have been in question without the dedication of City staff. Field conditions were affected by storms during the event. However, staff responded quickly, returning fields to playing condition, which allowed the tournament to proceed.
“Our staff did everything they could to ensure this was a great tournament,” Parks & Recreation Athletics Director Joey Morrow said. “They worked countless hours, even through poor conditions. In my opinion, we have the best athletics staff around. They truly go above and beyond, day in and day out.”
During the regular meeting of the City Council for the City of Pell City on June 23, 2025, City Manager Brian Muenger noted the efforts of Morrow and his staff, as well as Parks & Recreation and Maintenance staff who contributed to the success of the event.
USA Rec Softball of Alabama organizes recreational softball opportunities across the state, promoting sportsmanship and community involvement through organized play. Pell City was proud to host this large event.
Pell City’s Fourth of July FireworksExtravaganza isn’t just any fireworks display. This spectacular show lights up the summer sky over Logan Martin Lake, attracting tens of thousands of people by boat, by car and truck, and on foot to see one of the best fireworks displays in the state.
PCPD officers at the exits closest to the Pell City Civic Center direct vehicles on specific routes away from the event site. Lakeside Park traffic will be directed to the back exit. No vehicles located inside Lakeside Park will exit at the Civic Center this year. Please use the map below to ensure you’re positioned properly to use your preferred route away from the event site.
For attendees inside Lakeside Park, the rear exit by the Splash Pad will be opened. Both lanes of traffic will be directed out of the park. The left lane will turn left on Highway 34 toward Pell City, and the right lane will turn right toward Talladega.
Sponsored by the City of Pell City, the Fourth of July Fireworks Extravaganza is one of the most anticipated events of the year, drawing visitors from near and far to celebrate our country’s independence in a special way.
The show begins at 9 p.m. on Friday, July 4, 2025 and will last approximately 30 minutes. Fireworks are launched from the Pell City Sports Complex (2801 Stemley Bridge Road, Pell City)
The fireworks will be visible from the Sports Complex as well as Lakeside Park. As always, the spectacle can also be seen by boat from multiple vantage points throughout the lake.
On Tuesday, June 10, 2025, qualifying officially opened for municipal races in Pell City. The general municipal election is scheduled for Tuesday, August 26, 2025.
Individuals interested in running for the offices of Mayor or City Council must qualify by 5 PM on June 24, 2025. Qualifying forms are available from the municipal clerk at City Hall, located at 1905 First Ave. N, Pell City, AL 35125. Candidates are also required to file a Statement of Economic Interests form with the Alabama Ethics Commission to appear on the ballot.
The following candidates have qualified to run:
Mayor – Bill Pruitt
District No. 1 – Jay Jenkins
District No. 2 – Ivi McDaniel Wilson
District No. 3 – Blaine Henderson
District No. 4 – Jason Mitcham
District No. 5 – Jud Alverson
This post will be updated as additional information becomes available.
The Pell City Board of Education Steering Committee will conduct public interviews for the upcoming Board of Education appointments from June 16-18, 2025, at the Center for Education and Performing Arts (CEPA) auditorium. The public is invited to attend.
Six finalists will be interviewed each day, with sessions running from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Each interview will last 15-20 minutes. Interviews will not be livestreamed, but footage will be released to the public.
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Alabama, in partnership with Pell City Tennis and the Phoenix Club of Birmingham, is excited to announce its inaugural Pickleball Tournament, taking place June 27-28 at the Pell City Pickleball Courts (405 19th St S, Pell City, AL 35128).
This weekend promises action-packed matches in a community atmosphere for players of all skill levels (2.0 to 5.5). Whether you’re a seasoned pickleball pro or just picking up a paddle, this tournament offers a fantastic opportunity to compete, connect with fellow enthusiasts, and most importantly, support the youth of Pell City.
All proceeds from the tournament will directly benefit the Pell City Boys & Girls Club, a vital organization that the City of Pell City proudly supports. The City recognizes the significant role the Boys & Girls Club plays in promoting educational, recreational, physical, and social activities for the youth of our community.
In line with this commitment, the City has a long-standing partnership with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Alabama, partnering with them to manage the Pell City Community Center and provide crucial services to our young residents.
Registration is Now Open! Contact Sarah Stewart at 205-329-8950 or complete the form below:
The Pell City Police Department is pleased to announce its continued offering of a complimentary house check service for residents who will be away from their homes for an extended period. This proactive program aims to provide peace of mind to traveling homeowners by ensuring their properties are regularly monitored by dedicated law enforcement personnel.
Residents can request a house check by visiting the department’s website at pell-city.com/pcpd-house-check and completing a simple form. Once registered, officers will periodically check the exterior of the residence, looking for any signs of suspicious activity, forced entry, or unusual circumstances.
“Our officers conduct these checks with utmost diligence and attention to detail, understanding the trust residents place in us to safeguard their homes while they are away,” Pell City police Chief Clay Morris said. “We are dedicated to providing that extra layer of security and peace of mind.”
The importance of securing homes during travel is underscored by national crime trends. According to data from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) there were 840,000 burglaries reported across the United States in 2023, highlighting the persistent risk. Analyses of federal crime data consistently show that a significant portion of residential burglaries occur during daylight hours and when homes are unoccupied, emphasizing the vulnerability of vacant properties.
To further enhance home security while away, the Pell City Police Department also recommends the following:
Secure All Entry Points: Ensure all doors and windows are locked, including those on upper floors and in the garage. Consider reinforcing vulnerable entry points.
Utilize Timers for Lights: Set interior lights on timers to create the illusion of occupancy. Varying the times lights turn on and off can be particularly effective.
Manage Mail and Deliveries: Arrange for mail and newspapers to be held by the post office or a trusted neighbor. Suspend or redirect any regular deliveries.
Avoid Social Media Announcements: Refrain from posting travel plans or vacation photos on social media until after you have returned home. This can inadvertently alert potential criminals that your home is vacant.
Enlist Trusted Neighbors: Ask a trusted neighbor to collect flyers, check your property, park a car in your driveway, and generally make the home appear occupied.
Maintain Exterior Appearance: Arrange for routine maintenance to prevent your home from looking neglected.
Store Valuables Safely: Keep expensive items and important documents out of plain sight and, if possible, in a secure location like a safe deposit box or a hidden safe.
Register your security system with PCPD: Visit connectpellcity.org/camera-registration to quickly register your security system with the department, giving investigators an advantage in fighting crime in your neighborhood.
The Pell City Police Department encourages all residents planning to travel to take advantage of the free house check service and implement these additional security measures. For more information and to sign up for the house check program, please visit pell-city.com/pcpd-house-check.
On May 23, the Pell City Board of Education Steering Committee announced a list of 18 finalists who have been invited to interview for a seat on the Pell City Board of Education. More information on these finalists can be found at pell-city.com/boe-finalists.
The Steering Committee’s review process has involved a comprehensive evaluation of all 47 applicants seeking appointment to the Board of Education. Under its stated goal to recommend the most qualified candidates to the City Council, the Committee’s seven volunteer members carefully reviewed the submitted material before releasing their list of interview candidates.
“The overwhelming response of immensely qualified and talented applicants made this process extremely difficult — a very good difficult,” said Committee Chair Kelly Furgerson. “What an amazing problem to have — so many really good people who want to be involved with the decision making of our school system.
“We are so grateful for each and every individual who applied, offering their time and talents to serve. We sincerely hope that all applicants and the rest of our community continue to be passionate about our City and the Pell City Board of Education. Your dedication makes a difference.”
Invited to participate in public interviews are, in alphabetical order:
Ryan Abernathy
Joseph Brascho
Shannon Cochran
Austin Brian Ellard
James Epperson
Cecil Fomby
Phaith Frazier
Tim Hawkins
Jesse P. Hooks
Jarrett Jacobs
Brian Jennings
Robert Kreitlein
Gary London Sr.
Kandie Magargee
Matt Moon
Tammy Stewart
Mara Walls
Eddie Wilson
Public interviews for the finalists are scheduled for June 16-18, 2025, from 5:00 PM to 7:30 PM daily. These interviews will take place at the Center for Education and Performing Arts (CEPA) auditorium.
Six finalists will be interviewed each day, with each interview lasting no more than 20 minutes. The public is invited to attend these interviews, and all interviews will be filmed and released to the public.
The Steering Committee is responsible for reviewing applicants, naming finalists, and recommending finalists for appointment. By State law, at least two residents who live in the St. Clair County portion of the Pell City Attendance Zone and Tax District will be appointed to the Board of Education in 2025. Members appointed by the City Council will begin their terms in November.
“I want to express my deepest gratitude to every member of the Steering Committee for their tireless work and dedication throughout this important process,” Furgerson said. “We’ve poured our hearts into finding the best possible candidates for our school board, and we truly believe in this list. We genuinely encourage everyone in the community to come out to the upcoming interviews at CEPA and get to know these incredible finalists who are ready to serve our students and schools.”
We’re excited to finally share this project, as it’s something we’ve been working on for a few months. 2025 marks the 10-year anniversary of some major milestones for the City of Pell City, so Mayor Pruitt and the City Council felt a brief look at the past was in order.
Back in 2015, projects like Premiere Cinemas and the Pell City Splash Pad were first coming into view and, as we’ve learned since, projects like those were merely a signal for what was to come for our community.
Over the past 10 years, among other milestones, Pell City added 1,000 new homes, 1,800 new jobs, and invested more than $35 million into capital improvement initiatives that support our residents.
Through sustainable growth, we’ve become a place for families to live and to thrive. And we feel like that’s worth celebrating.
We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who has played a part in our journey: from citizens, volunteers, and community leaders who have supported these efforts, to event attendees, local businesses, and community organizations that contribute daily to the vibrancy of Pell City. Thank you for being a part of a decade of progress, and creating a future of opportunity for our town.
Each year, the men and women of the Pell City Police Department gather alongside the public outside City Hall to pay tribute to two officers who gave their lives in service to the community – Officer Greg Surles and Lt. Richard Woods.
The Department’s entrance is flanked by stone monuments that honor these fallen officers. On May 15, 2025, during National Police Week, the Woods and Surles families joined the department for this annual recognition of their heroism and sacrifice at the site of these permanent memorials.
The event, led by Pell City Police Chief Clay Morris, included remarks of faith and gratitude from Rev. Scotty Pinson and a performance by Barrett Haynes.
“The brave men and women who serve in our City put their lives at risk every day,” Pinson told the crowd. “I am forever grateful for the service and sacrifice of these great leaders. We should always stand with them, keep them and their families in our prayers, and show them the respect and support they deserve.”
Pell City Police Officer Surles died from injuries he sustained when an 18-wheeler collided with his patrol vehicle in 2008. Lt. Woods died of a heart attack in 2015. His symptoms began while assisting two women who were trapped in their vehicle following a traffic accident.
“Our work is worth doing,” Chief Morris said to the families of Officer Surles and Lt. Woods. “For Richard and Greg, that work was protecting this community, protecting the lives of others, upholding justice, and ensuring peace. We put on the uniform each day and confront the unknown, driven by a sense of duty and an unyielding commitment to the communities we serve. Our courage is not the absence of fear. It’s the mastery of it.
“Greg and Richard’s sacrifice is a testament to their courage and commitment. Their legacy lives on every day in the lives they touched, in our department, and in this community. We will never forget them.”
Summer at the Pell City Center for Education and Performing Arts (CEPA) will see three major events, including the return of Black Jacket Symphony. More at pellcitycepa.com.
June 15: Tristen Gressett & Delaney Renee
Pell City native and American Idol performer Tristen Gressett kicks off his second national tour on his home stage this summer. Before his run on the popular TV show in 2022, Gressett was a frequent face in local theater productions at CEPA. Since, he’s moved to Hollywood and has been recognized by the Alabama Music Hall of Fame. Gressett is touring with Massachusetts-based American Idol performer Delaney Renee.
June 27: Local Sounds: Ricky Barnes & Sand Rock
Local Sounds is a performance series designed to highlight singer/songwriters and emerging bands from the surrounding areas. Catch Ricky Barnes and local students Sand Rock on June 27 at 7 PM.
July 7-18: Spotlight Kids Summer Drama Camp – “Finding Nemo Jr.”
CEPA’s Spotlight Kids Camp is an annual summer program where students ages 7-17 create a full musical in just under two weeks. This year’s camp will focus on the musical Finding Nemo Jr., an underwater adventure full of catchy songs, lively choreography, and heartwarming moments. Performances will be held Friday, July 18 at 6 PM and Saturday, July 19 at 2 PM.
August 9: The Black Jacket Symphony Presents Jimmy Buffett Changes in Latitudes Changes in Attitudes
The Black Jacket Symphony returns to CEPA with an end-of-summer classic from legendary performer Jimmy Buffett. “Changes in Latitudes Changes in Attitudes” can be heard live in its entirety—note for note, sound for sound—plus a full set of greatest hits.
CEPA, its live events, and its arts education programs are supported by the City of Pell City through an annual appropriation.
