Hoover Gazette
Encyclopedia
The Hoover Gazette is a discontinued weekly newspaper
that served the city of Hoover, Alabama
. It was owned by Eagle Publishing Company LLC, published its first edition on June 5, 2006, and its last edition on August 15, 2007. The newspaper was published each Wednesday.
The Gazette initially started with experienced reporters, such John Cargile, former sports reporter for the Birmingham Post-Herald
, and sports editor of the Alabama Journal, and Robert Carter, who was the original managing editor of the neophyte newspaper. Cargile and Carter both left the newspaper because of major philosophical differences between editorial and the owners of the newspaper.
In January 2007, Robert Martin, publisher and owner of the Montgomery Independent, became the publisher of The Hoover Gazette, replacing Barbara and Peyton Bobo, who also publish The West Alabama Gazette and The Northport Gazette. John Junkin (son of owner Clatus Junkin) was the general manager. Featured columnists included Paul Finebaum
, Rheta Grimsley Johnson
and Tom York
. Barbara Bobo, who unsuccessfully ran for U.S. Congress, is the former five-term mayor of Millport, Alabama
.
. Hunter Ford, a reporter and columnist for the Gazette since its first edition, appeared on the Paul Finebaum
syndicated sports talk radio program on June 19, 2007. During Ford's interview with Finebaum, Ford mentioned that rumors about Hoover High football coach
Rush Propst
and alleged extramarital affairs have circulated throughout Hoover and surrounding areas for some time.
After Hoover School Superintendent Andy Craig announced an investigation of the charges of misconduct within the athletic department, Ford appeared again on Finebaum's show on June 22 to address his comments from the previous show, apparently against the wishes of Gazette publisher John Junkin. Shortly after Ford's interview, Junkin called Finebaum's show and, live and on the air, said that he wanted to "talk with my writer to address his future employment." Junkin fired Ford immediately afterward.
Ford's firing provoked a firestorm on local talk radio
shows, including Finebaum's show, as well as local and statewide Internet forums and blog
s. On June 25, Ford appeared on Finebaum's show for the third time, the first since his firing, to address the issue further.
Ford continues to work at The Western Star
, a weekly newspaper in adjoining Bessemer
, then left the news business entirely the following year.
The investigation resulted in findings that largely proved Ford correct, and eventually resulted in Propst's resignation during the football season.
Carter later became a sports correspondent for The Birmingham News, then sports editor for The North Jefferson News
in nearby Gardendale. Cargile returned to working for the Bobos at their two papers in west Alabama. John Junkin now manages a rock quarry near Selma, Alabama
for his father.
Newspaper
A newspaper is a scheduled publication containing news of current events, informative articles, diverse features and advertising. It usually is printed on relatively inexpensive, low-grade paper such as newsprint. By 2007, there were 6580 daily newspapers in the world selling 395 million copies a...
that served the city of Hoover, Alabama
Hoover, Alabama
Hoover is a city in Jefferson and Shelby Counties in north central Alabama, in the United States. The largest suburb of Birmingham, the population of the city was 62,742 as of the 2000 census and 81,619 in the 2010 census. Hoover is part of the Birmingham-Hoover, AL MSA and is also included in the...
. It was owned by Eagle Publishing Company LLC, published its first edition on June 5, 2006, and its last edition on August 15, 2007. The newspaper was published each Wednesday.
The Gazette initially started with experienced reporters, such John Cargile, former sports reporter for the Birmingham Post-Herald
Birmingham Post-Herald
The Birmingham Post-Herald was a daily newspaper in Birmingham, Alabama with roots dating back to 1850, before the founding of Birmingham. The final edition was published on September 23, 2005...
, and sports editor of the Alabama Journal, and Robert Carter, who was the original managing editor of the neophyte newspaper. Cargile and Carter both left the newspaper because of major philosophical differences between editorial and the owners of the newspaper.
In January 2007, Robert Martin, publisher and owner of the Montgomery Independent, became the publisher of The Hoover Gazette, replacing Barbara and Peyton Bobo, who also publish The West Alabama Gazette and The Northport Gazette. John Junkin (son of owner Clatus Junkin) was the general manager. Featured columnists included Paul Finebaum
Paul Finebaum
Paul Finebaum is an American sports author, television and radio personality and former columnist based in Birmingham, Alabama. His primary focus is sports, particularly those in the Southeast. Finebaum was born in Memphis, Tennessee and attended the University of Tennessee, where he received a...
, Rheta Grimsley Johnson
Rheta Grimsley Johnson
Rheta Grimsley Johnson is an award-winning reporter and columnist for King Features Syndicate of New York. Johnson travels the country in search of stories, frequently reporting from her native South, with datelines from Washington, D.C., to Iuka, Mississippi....
and Tom York
Tom York
Tom York is an American television personality, who worked from 1957 to 1989 for WBRC-TV in Birmingham, Alabama. While he served in several capacities with the station, he is best remembered for The Tom York Morning Show, which was the station's primary morning show for 32 years...
. Barbara Bobo, who unsuccessfully ran for U.S. Congress, is the former five-term mayor of Millport, Alabama
Millport, Alabama
Millport is a town in Lamar County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 1,160.-Geography:Millport is located at .According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , of which, of it is land and 0.18% is water....
.
Hoover High School athletics investigation
The Gazette became a peripheral part of an investigation of alleged improper activities in the athletic department of Hoover High SchoolHoover High School (Alabama)
Hoover High School is a public high school in Hoover, Alabama, USA, serving grades 9-12. It was built as a replacement for W. A. Berry High School. It is currently one of the two International Baccalaureate schools in the Greater Birmingham Area...
. Hunter Ford, a reporter and columnist for the Gazette since its first edition, appeared on the Paul Finebaum
Paul Finebaum
Paul Finebaum is an American sports author, television and radio personality and former columnist based in Birmingham, Alabama. His primary focus is sports, particularly those in the Southeast. Finebaum was born in Memphis, Tennessee and attended the University of Tennessee, where he received a...
syndicated sports talk radio program on June 19, 2007. During Ford's interview with Finebaum, Ford mentioned that rumors about Hoover High football coach
Head coach
A head coach, senior coach or manager is a professional at training and developing athletes. They typically hold a more public profile and are paid more than other coaches...
Rush Propst
Rush Propst
Rush Propst is the head coach of football at Colquitt County High School in Moultrie, Georgia. He is the former head coach of the team at Hoover High School in Hoover, Alabama...
and alleged extramarital affairs have circulated throughout Hoover and surrounding areas for some time.
After Hoover School Superintendent Andy Craig announced an investigation of the charges of misconduct within the athletic department, Ford appeared again on Finebaum's show on June 22 to address his comments from the previous show, apparently against the wishes of Gazette publisher John Junkin. Shortly after Ford's interview, Junkin called Finebaum's show and, live and on the air, said that he wanted to "talk with my writer to address his future employment." Junkin fired Ford immediately afterward.
Ford's firing provoked a firestorm on local talk radio
Talk radio
Talk radio is a radio format containing discussion about topical issues. Most shows are regularly hosted by a single individual, and often feature interviews with a number of different guests. Talk radio typically includes an element of listener participation, usually by broadcasting live...
shows, including Finebaum's show, as well as local and statewide Internet forums and blog
Blog
A blog is a type of website or part of a website supposed to be updated with new content from time to time. Blogs are usually maintained by an individual with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or video. Entries are commonly displayed in...
s. On June 25, Ford appeared on Finebaum's show for the third time, the first since his firing, to address the issue further.
Ford continues to work at The Western Star
The Western Star (Bessemer, Alabama)
The Western Star is a weekly newspaper published in Bessemer, Alabama. It is owned by Trib Publications, a regional chain based in Manchester, Georgia. Their website is...
, a weekly newspaper in adjoining Bessemer
Bessemer, Alabama
Bessemer is a city outside of Birmingham in Jefferson County, Alabama, United States eight miles west of Hoover. The population was 29,672 at the 2000 Census, but by the 2009 U.S...
, then left the news business entirely the following year.
The investigation resulted in findings that largely proved Ford correct, and eventually resulted in Propst's resignation during the football season.
Demise
After the Finebaum/Ford incident, The Gazette staff slowly dwindled to a single writer. By August, with only one writer on board and the Hoover High/Propst investigation coming to a head, the Junkins published their last edition on August 15, 2007.Carter later became a sports correspondent for The Birmingham News, then sports editor for The North Jefferson News
The North Jefferson News
The North Jefferson News is a newspaper based in Gardendale, Alabama. It is owned by Community Newspaper Holdings, and is published twice a week on Wednesdays and Saturdays.The North Jefferson News was founded in 1970 as a weekly newspaper...
in nearby Gardendale. Cargile returned to working for the Bobos at their two papers in west Alabama. John Junkin now manages a rock quarry near Selma, Alabama
Selma, Alabama
Selma is a city in and the county seat of Dallas County, Alabama, United States, located on the banks of the Alabama River. The population was 20,512 at the 2000 census....
for his father.