City's First 2019 Homicide; I-59/20 Closing: Week In News

BIRMINGHAM, AL - The first week of 2019 is in the books, and the week had its share of headlines locally. Unfortunately some of those headlines included the city's first homicides of the year (after a year that saw 110 homicides in the city), and included a search for a missing man in Vestavia Hills.

Here are some of the news items that made headlines in the Birmingham area this past week:

57-Year-Old Man Is Birmingham's First Homicide Victim Of 2019

After a 2018 that saw more than 100 homicides, the new year was barely 6 hours old before Birmingham saw its first 2019 homicide. A shooting in Ensley Jan. 1 resulted in the death of 57-year-old Earl Lee Evans Jr.

I-59/20 Construction: City Expands Hours To Address Traffic

In anticipation of the 14-month closure of Interstate 59/20 this month, the City of Birmingham announced it will expand its service hours to the public for select departments beginning January 14 to better serve commuters attempting to access City Hall.

Western Supermarkets To Close In Birmingham Area

For 70 years, Western Supermarkets were a staple in Birmingham communities. Slowly over the last several years, they have become more of a rarity. In 2019, they will no longer exist. An announcement by the company said its remaining locations will either be sold or closed outright.

Police Search For Missing Vestavia Man

The Vestavia Hills Police Department is looking for a missing 52-year-old Vestavia resident. The VHPD has asked the community to help locate the man, identified as Barry Allen Gray.

Shooting On Old Springville Road Under Investigation

Jefferson County Sheriff's detectives are conducting a shooting investigation after a 14-year-old passenger in a vehicle was grazed by a shot fired into the car in which she was traveling early Thursday morning.

Photo by Michael Seale/Patch