Tortugas Pizza: Alabama's Slice of Heaven!

Guess what, ChumCity? Tortugas Homemade Pizza just scored major points! Food Network crowned them as serving up the BEST pizza in all of Alabama! Yep, they made the "50 States of Pizza Slices" list, and we're totally drooling.

Chicago Roots, Alabama Love

What makes Tortugas so special? Their Chicago-style stuffed pizza, that's what! Carlos and Carol Vizcaino, straight outta the Windy City, brought their deep-dish dreams to Birmingham back in '99. Now, their son Matt's keeping the cheesy legacy alive, spreading the pizza love from Hoover to Southside.

Stuffed Dreams & Thin-Crust Things

Food Network raves about the stuffed pies, especially the carne special – think Italian sausage, pepperoni, Canadian bacon, and bacon ALL IN ONE GLORIOUS PIZZA. But hey, they've got thin-crust too, for those who like it lighter!

Accolades Galore!

This isn't Tortugas' first rodeo. They've been racking up awards left and right! From Birmingham Business Journal shout-outs to Hoover Sun love, they're practically pizza royalty. They even made the "100 Dishes to Eat in Alabama Before You Die" list!

Dig In!

Beyond the legendary stuffed pizzas, Tortugas has a whole menu of Chicago-inspired goodies. Find your perfect slice in Hoover (2801 John Hawkins Parkway) or Birmingham's Southside (1304 2nd Avenue South).

Pizza Perfection!

Tortugas Homemade Pizza: It's not just pizza; it's an experience. And now, the whole country knows it! Go grab a slice and see what all the hype is about, ChumCity!

Election Fever Grips Alabama Cities!

Get ready, folks! It's a HUGE election year for cities all across Alabama, and the big day is almost here – August 26th! Mayors and city councils are vying for your vote, so pay attention!

Mobile's Mayoral Battle Royale

All eyes are on Mobile, where Mayor Sandy Stimpson is retiring after a stellar three terms. He's throwing his weight behind Spiro Cheriogotis, who's also got the business community's backing and a war chest overflowing with cash. But County Commissioner Connie Hudson and State Rep Barbara Drummond are hot on his heels, battling for a spot in what's sure to be a nail-biting runoff.

Hoover's Heated Race

Over in Hoover, incumbent Mayor Frank Brocato faces a formidable challenger in veteran Police Chief Nick Derzis. This one's predicted to be a real barnburner!

Opelika's New Era

Opelika is saying goodbye to longtime Mayor Gary Fuller, paving the way for a new leader. The likely successor? Veteran City Council President Eddie Smith, a retired banker and local boy who's got the support of the business community and Fuller's blessing.

Other Mayoral Races to Watch:

• Albertville: Expect Mayor Tracy Honea to cruise to a fourth term, thanks to a great relationship with his council.
• Wetumpka: Legendary Mayor Jerry Willis is set for reelection!
• Decatur: With Mayor Tad Bowling retiring, keep an eye on Kent Lawrence.
• Trussville: Lisa Bright or J.T. Smallwood are predicted to be the next mayor.
• Vestavia Hills: Ashley Curry is likely to be re-elected.
• Mountain Brook: Graham Smith won unopposed.
• Homewood: Jennifer Andress, a popular runner is tipped to become mayor.
• Enterprise: Mayor Bill Cooper is expected to stay.
• Ozark: Police Chief Charles Ward is challenging the current mayor!
• Pike Road: Will Mayor Gordon Stone retain his position?
• Phenix City: Eddie Lowe is unopposed for his fourth term!
• Anniston: City Manager Steven Folks might be the best qualified.
• Troy: Jason Reeves should be reelected unopposed!
• Andalusia: Earl Johnson is running for his sixth term.

Dothan, Huntsville, and Tuscaloosa: Victory Laps!

Dothan's Mayor Mark Saliba secured a landslide victory. Tommy Battle in Huntsville and Walt Maddox in Tuscaloosa were reelected without opposition.

Your Voice Matters!

Your mayoral vote is crucial! Get out there and make your voice heard!

Buckmasters Celebrates Major Milestones!

Montgomery's own Buckmasters is hitting some HUGE milestones! We're talking the 30th Buckmasters Expo, Founder & CEO Jackie Bushman turning the big 7-0 this fall, and the organization's 40th birthday coming up in January!

Expo Was a HUGE Success!

The 30th Expo at the Montgomery Convention Center was a total blast last weekend, drawing massive crowds. People came from all over, not just Alabama, but the entire nation (and even the WORLD!) to check out the archery competitions, vendors galore, and the wild Bulls & Buckmasters bull-riding showdown!

From Atlanta to Montgomery: A Home Run!

Believe it or not, the Expo started as the Buckmasters Country Jam in Atlanta. But when a certain sporting event (cough, Olympics, cough) needed the Georgia Dome, Buckmasters found a new home in Montgomery! And guess what? Vendors LOVED the hospitality and sold out of everything! Except for a short stint in Greensboro, it's been Montgomery ever since.

More Than Just Hunting: A Family Affair

Jackie Bushman wanted to make the Expo a family-friendly event. By partnering with the governor, mayor, and the City of Montgomery to let people in with a canned good donation, they made it accessible to everyone! Plus, it's the perfect spot to snag hunting gear before the season starts.

Reaching New Audiences

Buckmasters is even stepping into the digital world. They're embracing social media with influencers to connect with younger audiences, while still keeping the magazine for the more traditional readers. And it's all thanks to Aly and Cody Hall.

A Look Back and a Look Ahead

Jackie Bushman is amazed by how far Buckmasters has come. Trail cameras have changed the game, the number of women hunters has increased, and more people are getting outdoors. But, at the end of the day, he just wants people to enjoy the sport! And you have the rafting options right here at Montgomery Whitewater Park.

Buckmasters Will Continue

Even with his 70th birthday approaching, Bushman isn't slowing down. He's still booking hunts and is excited for the future of Buckmasters.

Northport Scores Big!

Hold on to your hats, ChumCity! Northport's on a roll! Fresh off the grand opening of the amazing River Run Park, the city's just landed a major league win.

HBCU Championships Headed to Town!

Get ready to cheer! The HBCU Athletic Conference (that's Historically Black Colleges and Universities, folks!) has picked River Run Park to host their baseball and softball championship tournaments in 2026, 2027, and 2028! Talk about a home run!

A Grand Slam for Northport

The HBCUAC, now featuring Stillman College among its 16 members, chose Northport because of the top-notch facilities. Commissioner Kiki Baker Barnes says the tournaments will bring over a dozen teams each year, making Northport the place to be!

Boost for Local Businesses

City leaders are predicting a wave of visitors, giving a huge boost to local shops, hotels, and restaurants. It’s a win-win! Visit Tuscaloosa is even planning welcome receptions to show off our area's famous hospitality.

Community Celebration

Mayor John Hinton, the City Council, and local leaders are all thrilled. Council President Christy Bobo called the championships a "cultural and economic win." Sounds like Northport is hitting it out of the park!

Local Heroes: Fort Rucker Team Saves Driver from Overturned Car!

Hold onto your hats, ChumCity! We've got a real-life rescue story that'll warm your heart. Three everyday heroes from Fort Rucker – David E. Gardner II, John J. Perez, and Michael V. Henderson – found themselves in the right place at the right time to save a life!

Lunch Break Gone Wild

These IT pros decided to ditch their usual on-post lunch routine for a drive to Enterprise. Little did they know, their midday meal would lead to an extraordinary act of bravery.

Hydroplaning Horror

Driving back on U.S. Highway 84 East, a sudden downpour hit. Suddenly, the car in front of them hydroplaned, careening off the road and vanishing from sight! "It just veered to the left like it got lifted," Gardner recounted.

Instant Action!

Without hesitation, Henderson dialed 911 while Gardner, behind the wheel, spun the car around. They scrambled down a rocky embankment towards the creek, where the overturned car lay 25 feet below.

A Team Effort

They found a man trapped inside his vehicle with his dog. The trio, along with another brave bystander, didn't think twice. Wading into chest-deep water, they pushed with all their might, flipping the car back onto its wheels!

Saving the Day

After getting the door open, they got the man's dog to safety and helped the injured driver. First responders arrived soon after, and the Fort Rucker heroes shared their dashcam footage before heading back to work – soaking wet, dirty, and scraped up, but full of purpose.

Proud Boss

Dave Southerland, Technology and Support Division chief, G-6, praised their actions, saying, "I am extremely proud of their selfless actions."

Meant to Be?

The team reflected on the unusual circumstances that led them to that exact spot, at that exact moment. From a buy-one-get-one sandwich deal to a slightly different route back to the office, it all seemed like fate. As Henderson put it, "God had a purpose."

A Reminder to Drive Safe

These local heroes urge everyone to be extra cautious while driving, especially in wet weather. Slow down, drive for the conditions, and remember, you never know when your actions might make all the difference!

Courtesy of the U.S. Army.