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Circuit Judge Collins Pettaway, Jr. steps down after 13 years on the bench

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Circuit Judge Collins Pettaway, Jr. steps down after 13 years on the bench


SELMA, Ala. (WSFA) – After more than a decade serving Alabama’s fourth judicial circuit, Judge Collins Pettaway, Jr. is stepping away from full-time service, closing a chapter that spans nearly four decades in the legal profession.

Pettaway was elected to the bench in 2012 and served in several counties including Dallas, Wilcox, Perry, Hale and Bibb counties, the largest geographical circuit in the state.

Now, he says, it was simply time.

“I never wanted to serve in that capacity forever,” Pettaway said “And plus, I wanted to also make room for some younger, brighter minds to come forward.”

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Before becoming a judge, Pettaway practiced law in Selma for nearly 30 years after being licensed in 1985. During that time, he handled cases that helped shape Alabama law; something he says he didn’t fully appreciate until colleagues reflected on his impact.

“I handled several cases which actually affected and changed the direction of the state of the law in our state,” he added. “And I didn’t realize I did all that.”

Friends and fellow legal professionals once presented him with research showing his involvement in Alabama Supreme Court cases that made significant changes in state law; a moment he describes as both surprising and humbling.

During his time on the bench, Pettaway says one of his priorities was maintaining professionalism and respect within the legal system.

He often referenced the Alabama State Bar’s Lawyer’s Creed — a pledge attorneys take promising to treat even their opponents with civility and understanding.

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“In that creed, you are promising that you’re gonna treat even your opponents with civility and with kindness and understanding.”

Pettaway says he believes the legal profession — and society at large — must continue working toward a culture rooted in respect and service.

Although stepping away from full-time duties, Pettaway says he is not completely leaving the legal field. He has transitioned to retired active status and plans to assist with cases when needed, while also returning to private practice.

He says this new chapter is about balance.

After decades shaping courtrooms across five counties, Pettaway says he is focused on health, perspective and trusting the next generation to carry the bench forward.

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Governor Kay Ivey has appointed former Assistant District Attorney Bryan Jones to serve the remainder of Pettaway’s six-year term.

Jones previously served as senior chief trial attorney under District Attorney Robert Turner Jr. and has also led the Fourth Judicial Circuit Drug Task Force.

The transition marks a new era for the Fourth Judicial Circuit, while closing a significant chapter in its recent history.

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NEW: brick & tin opens 4th Alabama location in Cahaba Heights [PHOTOS] | Bham Now

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NEW: brick & tin opens 4th Alabama location in Cahaba Heights [PHOTOS] | Bham Now


brick & tin Cahaba Heights. (Pat Byington / Bham Now)

brick & tin, the popular restaurant known for its farm-to-table approach, opened on March 13 in Cahaba Heights. 

Located at 3151 Green Valley Rd in the Market Square Shopping Center, the new spacious eatery which contains a bar, patio and bakery and is open daily from 10:30AM to 8:00PM.

All of brick & tin’s favorites were on the new Cahaba Heights menu this past Saturday when we paid the new location a visit, including:

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  • Brisket panini (named best sandwich in Alabama by Big 7 Travel)
  • Bluebird salad
  • Sauteed salmon
  • Mushroom and Butternut soups
  • Fresh baked bread and desserts

4th brick & tin location

brick & tin’s sandwich, “the Brisket” has been named the best in Alabama by Big 7 Travel. (Pat Byington / Bham Now)

Founded in 2010 by former Highlands Bar and Grill chef de cuisine Mauricio Papapietro, brick & tin recently expanded its culinary footprint to Huntsville in late 2025. The new spot in the fast growing Vestavia Cahaba Heights neighborhood is their fourth location. 

They include:

What’s your favorite brick & tin menu item? Tell us on social media in the comment section at @bhamnow

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Pat Byington
Pat Byington

Longtime conservationist. Former Executive Director at the Alabama Environmental Council and Wild South. Publisher of the Bama Environmental News for more than 18 years. Career highlights include playing an active role in the creation of Alabama’s Forever Wild program, Little River Canyon National Preserve, Dugger Mountain Wilderness, preservation of special places throughout the East through the Wilderness Society and the strengthening (making more stringent) the state of Alabama’s cancer risk and mercury standards.

Articles: 3111





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No. 6 Alabama Softball Wins Series over No. 9 Arkansas with Complete Game from Briski

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No. 6 Alabama Softball Wins Series over No. 9 Arkansas with Complete Game from Briski


TUSCALOOSA, Ala.— In her second time facing Arkansas in three days, Alabama starter Jocelyn Briski looked just as dominant as she did the first time.

Jocelyn Briski pitched a complete game with 10 strikeouts as No. 6 Alabama beat No. 9 Arkansas 4-1 on Sunday afternoon at Rhoads Stadium to secure the series win over the Razorbacks.

The only run Briski allowed came on a solo home run from Ella McDowell in the sixth inning. Other than that, the Razorbacks had trouble timing up Briski all day.

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“Today was going to be a dog fight,” Briski said after the game. “Arkansas’ a great team. They have really great hitters, definitely some of the best we’ve faced this season, so it was just another opportunity to go out there and show everyone what we’ve got.”

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Marlie Giles went 0 for 4 on her senior day in Saturday’s game, but when she got her opportunity at the plate in the second inning of the series finale, the Alabama captain came through with an RBI single to give Alabama the first lead of the game. Giles added another RBI on a ground ball in the fourth inning to make it 2-0 Alabama.

Alexis Pupillo added on to her team-leading RBI total with an RBI sigle in the fifth inning that provided a big insurance run at the time. Pupillo now has 33 RBIs on the season.

Right after Arkansas had scored its first run of the game, Alabama head coach Patrick Murphy called on freshman Ambrey Taylor to pinch hit in the bottom of the sixth inning. She delivered with a two-out, solo home run over the wall in right-centerfield to bump the Tide lead back up to 4-1.

“I was staying ready all game,” Taylor said. “I just get my timing down throughout the game. Murph called to me, and luckily I had an at-bat off her yesterday, so I kind of knew what to expect from her. I just went in there knowing I was doing this for my team, it had nothing to do with me.”

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The series win over Arkansas (23-4, 3-3 SEC) keeps Alabama (26-1, 5-1 SEC) right in the hunt at the top of the SEC.

“To start out with a sweep on the road and come home and do that, really proud of the team,” Murphy said. “We learned that they were a bunch of fighters, really, because it was a tough game yesterday. It was 3.5 hours and back-and-forth, and things didn’t go our way a lot of the time, but they came back today and completely turned it around.”

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Crew of fatal U.S. military crash included Alabama father and several troops from Ohio

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Crew of fatal U.S. military crash included Alabama father and several troops from Ohio


A pilot from Alabama had just been promoted to major in January and had been deployed less than a week when the refueling aircraft he was aboard crashed in Iraq this week, killing him and five others, his brother-in-law said Saturday.

Alex Klinner, 33, leaves behind three small children: 7-month-old twins and a 2-year-old son, said his brother-in-law, James Harrill, on Saturday while confirming his death.

“It’s kind of heartbreaking to say: He was just a really good dad and really loved his family a lot — like, a lot,” Harrill said.

Klinner was one of three people killed in the Thursday crash that the U.S. government said were assigned to the 6th Air Refueling Wing at MacDill Air Force Base in Florida. On Saturday it identified the others as Capt. Ariana Savino, 31, of Covington, Wash., and Tech. Sgt. Ashley Pruitt, 34, of Bardstown, Ky.

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Three additional deceased service members on the aircraft were assigned to the 121st Air Refueling Wing at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base in Columbus, Ohio. They were identified by federal and state officials as Capt. Seth Koval, 38; Capt. Curtis Angst, 30; and Tech. Sgt. Tyler Simmons, 28.

The U.S. government listed Koval as being from Mooresville, Ind., while the Ohio National Guard listed his home in Stoutsville, Ohio. The Ohio National Guard listed both Angst and Simmons as residents of Columbus, while the U.S. government listed Angst as being from Wilmington, Ohio.

The aircraft was on a combat mission supporting operations against Iran but was in “friendly” airspace when an unspecified incident involving another aircraft occurred, according to U.S. Central Command. The other plane landed safely, U.S. military officials said.

A new father and a new major

Klinner, a graduate of Auburn University and an eight-year Air Force veteran from Birmingham, Ala., had just moved with his family into a new home, said his wife, Libby Klinner, in an Instagram post mourning his death.

An outdoorsman who enjoyed hiking, Klinner was also ready to help others. When Harrill last saw him in January, Klinner had shoveled Harrill’s vehicle out of the snow during a family wedding.

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“Alex was one of those guys that had this steady command about him,” said Harrill, of Atlanta, who helped set up a GoFundMe site for Klinner’s family. “He was literally one of the most kindest, giving people.”

Libby Klinner said in a post that her heart is broken for their children, who will grow up not knowing their father.

“They won’t get to see firsthand the way he would jump up to help in any way he could,” she wrote. “They won’t see how goofy and funny he was. They won’t witness his selflessness, the way he thought about everyone else before himself. They won’t get to feel the deep love he had for them.”

A man with a ready smile

Simmons was a boom operator responsible for transferring fuel from the tanker to the receiving aircraft, according to his Air Force biography.

His mother, Cheryl Simmons, said Saturday that she was making funeral plans for her son.

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In a statement obtained by WCMH-TV in Columbus, Tyler Simmons’ family said it was saddened beyond measure to hear of the fatal crash.

“Tyler’s smile could light up any room, his strong presence would fill it. His parents, grandparents, family and friends are grief stricken for the loss of life,” they said.

The Ohio National Guard said Koval was an aircraft commander with 19 years of service. A graduate of Purdue University, he served in the Indiana National Guard before transferring to an Ohio unit in 2017, according to his Air Force biography.

Angst was a pilot with 10 years of service who graduated from the University of Cincinnati, according to his Air Force biography provided by the Ohio National Guard.

The refueling aircraft

U.S. Central Command, which oversees the Middle East, said the crash occurred in western Iraq. Military officials said it is being investigated and was “not due to hostile or friendly fire.”

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The crew was aboard a KC-135 aircraft, which refuels other planes in midair, allowing them to fly longer distances and sustain operations without landing. The plane can also be used to transport wounded personnel and conduct surveillance missions, according to military experts.

The Congressional Research Service says the Air Force last year had 376 KC-135s: 151 on active duty, 163 in the Air National Guard and 62 in the Air Force Reserve. It has been in service for more than 60 years.

Lieb, Scolforo and Walker write for the Associated Press.



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