Shipping Containers for Sale in Montgomery, AL

BIRMINGHAM – UAB Baseball (7-5) hits the road down Interstate 65 on Tuesday as the Blazers meet up with South Alabama (9-3) in Montgomery. First pitch from Riverwalk Stadium will be at 6:05 p.m. The Green and Gold swept the Jaguars last season at Young Memorial Field.

Who: UAB (7-5) vs. South Alabama (9-3) Where: Riverwalk Stadium – Montgomery, Alabama Watch: None On The Call: None Series: USA leads, 53-34 In Montgomery: First Meeting Last Meeting: February 23, 2025 (UAB won, 9-7)

GAMEDAY INFORMATION

Tuesday (6:05 p.m.) Probable Starters UAB: Justin Hicks (0-0, 0.00 ERA), RHP, Sophomore South Alabama: Hayden O'Dell (0-0, 8.44 ERA), LHP, Senior

Live Stats: StatBroadcast

SCOUTING THE JAGUARS Mark Calvi enters his 15th season as the head coach of the Jaguars. USA is coming off a 3-game sweep of West Georgia over the weekend. The Jaguars rank second in the Sun Belt in runs scored (103), third in hits (117), and fourth in batting average (.295). Brennon Wright leads the conference in hits (20) and is third in the SBC in batting average (.476).

THINGS TO KNOW - Tuesday's game will be the lone neutral site game the Blazers play in the regular season.

- UAB has homered in nine straight games and leads the American Conference with 21 home runs. Additionally, UAB is 6-3 in games in which it hits a home run. The total is tied for 13th nationally.

- The Blazers also lead the league with a .981 fielding percentage, tied for first with 11 double plays, and are tied for second-best in The American with nine errors.

- The Green and Gold are 6-0 this season when scoring first.

- Despite meeting the Jaguars for the 88th time, this is the first time the two schools have met in Montgomery.

- Alex Dupuy was tabbed as an Honorable Mention by the American Conference as part of the league's weekly awards. Dupuy rides a 7-game hit streak into the week and has three consecutive multi-hit games.

- Head Coach Casey Dunn is 3-2 at UAB against South Alabama with all three wins coming in 2025.

FOLLOW THE BLAZERS For more information on the UAB Baseball team, follow @UAB_Baseball on X and Instagram.

SPORT GIFT ACCOUNTS There are numerous ways to support UAB Athletics in our efforts to improve the Blazer student athlete experience. Sport gift accounts directly impact operational support to our teams in resourcing them with a more competitive edge in the American Conference. Follow the link or connect with the Blazer Boosters team on how you can continue to fuel success.

2025-26 GOLD CARD The 2025-26 Gold Card is on sale. The 2025-26 Gold Card will get you access to all home events for Women's Soccer, Men's Soccer, Volleyball, Women's Basketball, Softball, and Baseball (Regions Field & Young Memorial Field). This card is not valid for American Conference or NCAA Championship events.

Alabama State University announced last week it will host Montgomery.AI. The free, one-day artificial intelligence summit will take place at Abernathy Hall on the university’s campus March 5, 2026, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event will bring together students, educators, business leaders and public-sector partners to explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping learning, work and public service.

Organizers designed Montgomery.AI for beginners and experienced professionals and will emphasize practical tools, real-world applications and discussions about the responsible and inclusive use of artificial intelligence. Alabama State University is organizing the event in collaboration with Montgomery Public Schools, the city of Montgomery and local artificial intelligence leaders.

“Artificial intelligence is no longer a future concept. It is a present-day tool that is actively changing how we teach, learn and work day-to-day,” said Tanjula Petty, vice president for Institutional Effectiveness, Strategic Initiatives and Transformation at Alabama State University. “Montgomery.AI is about making AI clear, making it accessible and ensuring our students, educators and community partners are equipped to use these tools thoughtfully, ethically and with purpose.”

Organizers expect up to 300 participants, including ASU faculty, staff and students; Montgomery Public Schools students and career coaches; local business and industry leaders; and city and county government representatives. Attendees will participate in keynote presentations, hands-on workshops, concurrent breakout sessions and a hackathon designed to encourage collaboration and problem-solving across sectors.

“During the Montgomery.AI Hackathon, we will utilize the city of Montgomery Open Data portal to explore the city’s available public-facing data,” said Tony Porterfield of the city of Montgomery. “As this data is accessible to the public, it is crucial to identify ways to enhance it. This not only benefits citizens but also aids the city in understanding the needs of its communities.”

Montgomery.AI will spotlight accessible AI tools that support decision-making, creativity, learning and research and will examine the limitations and ethical considerations of emerging technologies. Participants will gain insight into how AI can influence education, workforce development, business innovation and public service delivery.

“Whether AI-curious or already working in the field, attendees will leave with practical knowledge, new connections and a deeper understanding of how intelligent systems can help reimagine what’s possible for Montgomery and beyond,” the university said.

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, and Montgomery is serving up romance on a platter. The city’s restaurants are ready to set the mood for love, and maybe even a few unforgettable memories.

According to OpenTable, these restaurants were chosen for their exceptional service, exquisite cuisine and romantic ambiance. Montgomery’s top spots combine dim lighting, soft music and intimate settings to make every meal memorable.

Here are Montgomery’s top 10 romantic restaurants.

Firebirds Wood Fire Grill-Montgomery

Location: 7078 EastChase Parkway

Cuisine: American

Price range: $9.95-$86.50

Ariccia Cucina

Location: 241 S. College Street, Auburn

Cuisine: Italian

Price range: $7-$49

243 South

Location: 2413 S Court Street, Prattville

Cuisine: Contemporary American

Price range: $9-$40

Itta Bena-Montgomery

Location: 1801 Eddie L Tullis Rd, Montgomery

Cuisine: Southern cuisine

Price range: $50-$100, according to Google

Location: 100 River Oaks Dr, Wetumpka

Cuisine: Steak and seafood

Price range: $10-$69

Waterworks Rooftop

Location: 116 Coosa St, Montgomery

Cuisine: American

Price range: $30-$50, according to Google

The Oak Tavern

Location: RTJ Golf Trail at Capitol Hill, 2500 Legends Cir, Prattville

Cuisine: American

Price range: $20-$30, according to Google

Saffron- Montgomery

Location: 8868 Minnie Brown Rd, Montgomery

Cuisine: Indian

Price range: $20-$30, according to Google

The House Restaurant

Location: 201 Tallapoosa St, Montgomery

Cuisine: Southern

Price range: $10-$120

Kinsmith

Location: Trilogy Hotel Montgomery, 108 Coosa St, Montgomery

Cuisine: Contemporary Southern

Price range: $10-$36

Jennifer Lindahl is a Breaking and Trending Reporter for the Deep South Connect Team for USA Today. Connect with her on X @jenn_lindahl and email at jlindahl@usatodayco.com.

Council President Natali Fani-González has requested the state Board of Education grant a waiver to Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) so that Eid al-Fitr is a non-instructional school day.

Fani-González wrote to State Superintendent Carey Wright Monday asking for the waiver on behalf of the county council.

The Montgomery County Board of Education originally designated Eid al-Fitr on March 20 as a non-instructional day to recognize the religious holiday. Because schools were closed for six days during the recent snow and ice storm, the school district changed March 20 to a make-up instructional day. This was done so that MCPS could meet the minimum required number of instructional school days.

Not closing schools for this holiday places families and staff “in the position of choosing between full participation in their religious observance and school attendance,” the council president wrote.

There could be inadequate staffing that day if teachers are absent to observe the holiday, she pointed out.

To avoid this situation in the future, Fani-González told Wright that Montgomery County Council strongly supports mandating a number of religious days to be non-instructional days. She also requested the required amount of schooling each year change from 180 days to a set number of hours instead.

“That will give MCPS flexibility,” she explained during a Tuesday morning news conference.

Councilmember Andrew Friedson, along with several other members of the council, issued statements in support of closing schools for Eid al-Fitr. “That’s not fair to our Muslim families and it’s not consistent with the school system’s values of equity and inclusion in the most religiously diverse county in the country.”

The Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr should never be treated as a “make-up” school day.

Montgomery County must respect all religious holidays equally. pic.twitter.com/jsI9q574lH

— Evan Glass (@EvanMGlass) February 6, 2026

Press release from the issuing company

In his own words, Hal reflects on his incredible journey and talks about discovering Minuteman Press, working through the early years, building long-term relationships with clients he still has to this day, changes to the industry, and how the business became woven into the fabric of the family life he and Marti built together.

A Personal Reflection on 40 Years

By Hal Richardson, Minuteman Press, Montgomery, AL

Wow — where did 40 years go? It feels like it’s been both a long and a short journey. When I think back to 1985—starting the business, raising two kids, moving locations three times, and going through both the great years and the tough ones—it really hits me how much life has happened inside these four decades. And I also realize that none of it would have been possible without the support of my family, friends, and especially my wife, Marti. She’s been the best partner I could ever ask for—not just in business, but in every part of my life.

Discovering Minuteman Press

Our story began in California. We were working as missionaries with the Southern Baptist Convention, and as our two-year program was ending, we started praying and thinking about what we wanted to do for the rest of our lives. My background was in manufacturing, and business ownership appealed to me. Printing seemed like a good fit—even though I’d never stepped foot in a print shop before.

We looked at several franchises, including Kwik Kopy and PIP, and finally Minuteman Press. Their program and the level of support they offered made all the difference, especially since we were moving across the country. We signed the papers with Harlan Monford and headed to Montgomery, where Bob Moore became our regional director. And that’s where the journey officially began in 1985.

The Early Years & Coming Full Circle

Those early years were hard work. Even with two weeks of in-person training in New York, the learning curve was there. Thankfully, we had support from Minuteman Press and a great pressman who taught us so much. Marti and I spent plenty of late nights at the shop before we could afford more staff, and deciding when to hire was always a challenge. We delivered orders in a two-door Cutlass—our only vehicle—which made for some interesting days. But the franchise support was invaluable. Whenever we didn’t have the answers—and that was often—they were there to help with hiring, training, and giving us a system to rely on.

The business also became part of our family story. Marti and I worked side by side until we had our first child, Meredith, five years in. When she was born, I like to joke that I lost my best employee—but I was grateful that Marti had the chance to stay home with Meredith and Clay. That’s what she wanted more than anything, and the business allowed us to live that life. Once the kids grew up—finished elementary school, high school, college, and moved out on their own—Marti came back to work with me. It feels like things have come full circle.

When Customers Become Friends & Growing Together

We’ve had so many wonderful customers who became true friends. One memory that stands out is from 1989, when I met a man starting a nonprofit called Family Guidance Center. Today it’s one of the largest organizations of its kind in the state, doing amazing work in communities across Alabama. We’ve been their printer—and their friends—for all these years. Our customers really are our backbone. We treat them like family, and we always try to go above and beyond. That approach has kept us in good standing for decades.

Changes to the Industry

The industry itself has changed dramatically. When we started, we ran 1250 presses and made paper plates just to print on. Offering two-color printing—and the occasional free color—was a big deal. Four-color process was expensive and took weeks. Today, with our Xerox Iridesse, we can print thousands of full-color brochures in about 20 minutes and finish them just as fast.

The graphic arts world has changed too. Back then, only trained graphic artists or print-shop staff could create artwork. Now customers design their own files, download templates from the internet, and send us ready-to-print pieces. The digital world transformed everything.

I also think back to the early years of the QMDI presses. When they came out, we bought one and suddenly we were printing for Minuteman Press centers nationwide. We became a preferred printer and built relationships with franchise owners all over the country. It was a great run, until copier technology advanced and costs dropped to the point that the QMDI wasn’t viable anymore. But those were exciting times, full of growth and great memories.

Employees—well, that’s a story of its own. There have been challenges, but I’ve also had incredible employees. One of them, Mike A., has been with me for 34 years. At 74, he still works harder than most 18-year-olds. I’ve been blessed to have people like him by my side.

Resiliency During the Recession – “The Business Came Back”

Some of the toughest times came during the Great Recession in 2008–2009. Everything seemed to shut down. What got us through was the support of the franchise, working with the banks, loyal customers, and leaning heavily on our faith and our family. We tightened our operation and did what we had to do. It took almost two years to get back to where we were, but the business came back.

Final Reflections on 40 Years as Retirement Approaches

There are so many things I’ve loved about running this business. One is simply that it’s mine. I’m responsible for it all—the success and the challenges. I genuinely enjoy solving problems, working with customers, and even getting hands-on with the equipment. Production has always energized me. Meeting deadlines, producing quality work, and earning customer trust for over 40 years—that’s something I’m proud of.

We’ve built a strong customer base, with many clients who have been with us for over 20 years. Their referrals and loyalty have kept us going strong, and we work every day to turn new customers into lifelong business partners.

So, to sum it up, it’s been a wonderful 40 years. I’m grateful for every part of the journey. And now, Marti and I, we’re ready to retire and enjoy time with our family. Our kids are in Nashville and West Hollywood, and we’re excited to travel, visit them more often, and begin this next chapter. We are in the process of selling the business and handing it off to another great owner who will take care of our customers. We feel confident the transition will be smooth and that Minuteman Press will support them just as they supported us for all these incredible years. We’re excited for what’s ahead and grateful for everything that brought us here.

SINCERELY, HAL & MARTI RICHARDSON

Special Note: We wish Hal & Marti all the best in their retirement and congratulate new owner Rajesh Patel on purchasing Minuteman Press in Montogomery.

For more information on Minuteman Press in Montgomery, visit https://minuteman.com/us/locations/al/montgomery/

Learn more about #1 rated Minuteman Press franchise opportunities and read Minuteman Press franchise reviews at https://minutemanpressfranchise.com