Latest news with #JimmySmith
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Birmingham man claims city forced him to sell home 20 years ago that's still standing
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) — Eminent domain is the power of the government to take private property for public use, even if the owner does not want to sell. Jimmy Smith, a 92-year-old Birmingham resident, said he knows more about eminent domain than he ever wanted to. Smith has called the Collegeville neighborhood home for over nine decades. Smith was raised in a house that used to belong to him and his mother. But in 2005, Smith got a knock on the door from a Birmingham city official. 'His purpose here was to inform us that the city wanted my mom's property,' Smith said. Smith now lives right next door. He said at first, he didn't want to sell. He said the city official told him if he didn't sell, the home would be taken through eminent domain. 'They told me if you don't sell it, they are going to take it anyway because they need to widen the road,' Smith said. What to know about Alabama laws taking effect Smith referred to a project called on paperwork the '35th Street North Extension Street Improvement.' Because the house is located near businesses, tractor-trailers are often going up and down the road, which Smith said he was told is why the project needed to happen. Two decades later, the road and Smith's former home sit untouched. 'That's the same way it looked 20 years ago,' Smith said. 'The only thing that has changed is that the city owns this house. They own the house right behind us, and I think they own the empty lot over there.' CBS 42 confirmed through GIS mapping that the city of Birmingham owns nearly every property along 35th Street North. CBS 42 reached out to the city about the street improvement project. 'At this time, there are currently no infrastructure related projects targeted for this property,' the city stated. 'This acquisition took place over 20 years ago,' a city spokesperson said when asked why the project never happened. 'Right now, we do not have any related projects targeted for this property at this time.' CBS 42 sat down with real estate attorney Reagan Reeves to find out if Smith's situation was unique. CBS 42 asked him how often he sees properties bought for public use projects that never happen. 'I see a lot that do and a lot that don't,' Reeves said. 'The bad thing about these projects is the city will purchase a lot of property before the project is finalized because they don't know how long the acquisition will take for eminent domain cases.' Birmingham City Council to consider closing part of road Smith said he'd like the house back if the project isn't going to happen and the home is going to remain empty.' 'I want the home back and bring it back to what it was,' Smith said. Birmingham city officials said Smith's former home has been put up for sale. They said they contacted Smith and let him know what steps he needs to take to purchase the property. You can contact the CBS 42 Your Voice Your Station hotline by sending an email to yourvoice@ or calling 205-488-4128. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
BBC News
15-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Sheffield United and Sunderland fans in dark over play-off time
Football fans have criticised a delay in confirming when the Championship play-off final on 24 May will United and Sunderland supporters said they remained in the dark about when exactly the match at Wembley would kick off, making it impossible for them to make concrete travel and accommodation arrangements. Rail travel from London St Pancras to Sheffield will also be affected by engineering work on the day, causing disruption and BBC has contacted the English Football League (EFL) for comment. 'In limbo' Jimmy Smith, from the Sheffield United podcast Blades Ramble, said the delay was "ludicrous" and "disgusting".He added: "Fans need to know what's happening. We can't be in limbo. "It's not just Sheffield Untied fans who need to know but Sunderland fans who have an even longer journey to make."People need to make their arrangements." Mr Smith said his dad had not yet bought a ticket because his availability for the game depended on the kick-off time. "Because I want to sit with my dad, I can't buy my tickets either even though I'm free," Mr Smith added."I don't blame the club. The club are doing everything they can to communicate what's happening to the fanbase. I just think it's pretty disgusting."Speaking on BBC Radio Sheffield, fellow supporter James Kemp said: "It's crazy and it's preposterous that people booked coaches - we've booked a minibus - but we still don't know what time we're setting off."They talk about key stakeholders being involved in discussions. Where are the fans in that? "It's just madness and it's getting to the stage where the fans and powers-that-be are in a toxic relationship because they just don't care about the fans anymore." 'Totally unacceptable' The Blades Fans Advisory Board said it had escalated the matter to the Football Supporters Association (FSA).The board said the "lack of empathy, understanding, compassion, communication and care of fans needs addressing".Writing on X, it added: "This level of service would be totally unacceptable in any other industry."Sky Sports, which is set to broadcast the game, referred the BBC back to the EFL for comment when asked to explain what input it was having into Sunderland Supporters Association has been contacted for comment. 'Disrupted journeys' Dan Matthews, Network Rail's head of operations delivery, said: "We are sorry that fans heading to Wembley will have disrupted journeys on the bank holiday weekend. "Our engineers are carrying out upgrades to the overhead power lines which will make services more reliable and enable the introduction of EMR's new trains. "We are also installing new drainage and maintaining track."Engineering work like this is planned years in advance to coordinate dates, resources and people across the rail network." Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
USA Today
28-01-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
7-round mock draft 1.0 as we kick off the Ravens 2025 NFL offseason
After a heartbreaking loss to the Bills, the Ravens' 2025 NFL Draft spot is determined and set following their divisional playoff loss. Baltimore will have the 27th overall pick in the first round, one spot ahead of the Detroit Lions and just behind the Los Angeles Rams. The Ravens have picked at No. 27 twice in franchise history, selecting wide receiver Rashod Bateman in 2021 and cornerback Jimmy Smith in 2011. Baltimore's offseason needs could include a replacement at left tackle for Ronnie Stanley, a cornerback to potentially replace Brandon Stephens, an offensive guard, and another wide receiver. With the Super Bowl just two weeks away and using the mock draft simulator from PFF, we're revealing our first Ravens Wire 7-round mock draft with April's selection process quickly approaching.
