Entries by Mike Easterling

Next-Gen Inventors Get a Boost in Alabama Classrooms

Two classes were in session at the HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology’s Propst Center last week. In one, middle schoolers were working on summer camp projects downstairs. Nothing unusual there, but one floor up a second learning session unfolded – for teachers. The Invention Convention (IC), a state, national, and international program with competitions that begin […]

Huntsville City Council Moves Forward on Sewer Hike, Ice Center Expansion

The Huntsville City Council made the first sewer rate hike to utilities customers in 20 years official at its regular meeting Thursday night. That approval was expected, as was passing a $44.6 million construction contract for a major expansion of the Huntsville Ice Sports Center (ISC). First, however, Mayor Tommy Battle’s special recognitions included Huntsville […]

Huntsville Honors the Jurenkos with Road Dedication at HudsonAlpha

John Jurenko co-founded local fiber networking and telecommunications heavyweight Adtran in 1985, but it was his and wife Ruth’s philanthropic efforts that carved their lasting legacy within the Huntsville community. Jurenko Way, off Moquin Drive and leading into the campus of HudsonAlpha Institute of BioTechnology, was christened during a ceremony Thursday morning in Cummings Research […]

Transit or Development First? Huntsville Says Both

The age-old riddle about which came first, the chicken or the egg, was long ago solved. It was the egg. Eggs are prehistoric and predate the chicken, which is relatively new in the evolution of things. Sounds reasonable, but Dennis Madsen, manager of urban and long-range planning for the City of Huntsville, unveiled his own […]

What’s next for the Huntsville Depot? You decide by voting now!

The future of the Huntsville Depot and its surrounding area holds endless possibilities as the city explores redevelopment of the historic site. One option not on the table is razing the 165-year old landmark, or even giving it a major overhaul, as per the city’s agreement with the Alabama Historical Commission. However, changes will be […]

New Home, Same Mission: FirstBank Opens Doors on Franklin Street

The physical relocation was barely over half a mile, but the move was major nonetheless for FirstBank. The Nashville-based financial institution, already a presence in the Rocket City since 2015, traded its original home in the five-story office tower that’s part of the Twickenham Square development for an empty building at 401 Franklin St.. A […]

“Here for Good”: Community Foundation of Greater Huntsville awards nearly $80k in grants

Words of inspiration can be found just about everywhere inside The Boys & Girls Club of North Alabama’s chapter on Fairbanks Street in Northwest Huntsville. Posters proclaiming educational-themed axioms like “Knowledge is Power,’’ intended to motivate and encourage students of varying ages taking advantage of programs offered by the club, cover many walls. It was […]

Huntsville Residents Split on Proposal for Trash Truck Cameras

Opinions were mixed at Huntsville City Council member Bill Kling’s latest town hall regarding the topic of cameras on trash collecting trucks to aid enforcement of grass and yard maintenance. The measure has been discussed among the council but any decision has yet to be considered for a vote. But it’s out there, and residents […]

2027 AYSO Tournament to Bring $9 Million Windfall to Huntsville

An already vibrant 2027 schedule for national sports events in Huntsville is getting crowded as 360 teams, an estimated 15-16,000 visitors and a projected $9 million addition to city business coffers will arrive for a two week summer soccer tournament that year. The dates for the tournament are June 29 – July 3, 2027.  At […]

Armed Forces Celebration in full swing as Mohan praises Tennessee Valley’s military support

Featured speaker Chris Mohan, a United States Army lieutenant general and commander on Redstone Arsenal, heaped plenty of praise on his fellow service members during the Armed Forces Celebration luncheon Wednesday. He did, however, save some praise for civilians in the region as he addressed the crowd at the Von Braun Center’s Saturn Ballroom. The […]