QuickTrip expanding

Gas and convenience retailer
breaks ground in Ashville

QuikTrip (QT), one of the nation’s leading convenience and gasoline retailers, has broken ground on a new travel center in Ashville, ushering in what is believed to be an economic boon for the area. It will be located along U.S. 231 and Interstate 59.

QuikTrip currently has eight locations operating in Alabama with multiple additional stores under construction. The Ashville travel center is expected to open in the spring of 2026. QT opened a traditional location in Pell City in 2023.

As a travel center, Ashville’s location features a larger lot and a more spacious store design than a traditional QT.

“We are excited to continue to bring QuikTrip’s signature commitment to quality and efficient service to Alabama residents and travelers by breaking ground on a new location in Ashville,” said QuikTrip Corporate Communications Manager Aisha Jefferson.

“From the very beginning, we have felt a warm welcome and overwhelming support from Mayor (Derrick) Mostella and the other community leaders, which played a huge role in our decision to invest in this community. We’re looking forward to providing a convenient and reliable resource for Ashville and becoming a part of its growing community.”

Huge crowd and city, county officials take part

For decades, people have looked to QT for an on-the-go snack or meal as well as a comfortable atmosphere. The Ashville location will include full-service QT Kitchens featuring freshly prepared grab and go items and custom-made menu items. QT Kitchens customer favorites include warm, soft pretzels, custom breakfast tacos, hardwood smoked BBQ sandwiches, cold brew coffee and frozen treats like QT’s QuikShake®.

Customers will also be able to enjoy fresh donuts, sub sandwiches, wraps, QT’s signature pizza by the slice and roller grill items. 

“The City of Ashville would like to extend its heartfelt gratitude to the QuikTrip team,” Mostella said at the groundbreaking. “They have been incredible to work with on this project and have a real commitment to providing a quality shopping experience as well as providing an opportunity for employees to grow within the company.  Their professionalism and collaboration have made this project possible.”

St. Clair County Commission Chairman Stan Batemon agreed. “I would like to commend Mayor Mostella and the QuikTrip team for all of their hard work on this project. This company is known for its excellence and will be a destination for travelers. I believe it will also be the catalyst for additional development at Ashville’s interstate interchange.”

This location will create approximately two dozen new jobs.

Since its founding in 1958, QT has established a reputation for its benefits to employees, receiving national recognition as a top place to work year after year. In addition to providing superior benefits and opportunities for advancement, QT offers competitive pay, tuition reimbursement, medical insurance and excellent 401k benefits.

QT expresses pride for its positive impact in the communities it serves, with the company donating five percent of its annual net profits to charitable organizations. Among the organizations QT supports are United Way, Safe Place, local food banks and schools. It also supports Folds of Honor, a non-profit whose mission is to provide educational scholarships to the military and first responder families of those who have been killed or disabled while on active duty.

Over the past 66 years, QT has grown its footprint to more than 1,100 stores across 19 states and employs over 31,000 people.

Big plans for New Life Church

Groundbreaking paves way for host of programs

Story and photos
by Roxann Edsall
Submitted photos

There’s been a lighted cross just off U.S. 231, south of Pell City, for over a year, marking the spot where a new church will soon stand. Shovels tipped the dirt on a drizzly February morning, signifying the beginning of construction on the $7 million New Life Church.

Site work has already begun at the property adjacent to Cosper Construction on Easonville Road in preparation for the first phase of the project, which will include the building of an outdoor chapel to accommodate 150 people.

The main building will house 20,000 square feet of worship space, classrooms and offices with seating capacity for 300 in the sanctuary.

Byron Smith, owner of studiosmith Architecture, LLC in Pell City, designed the facilities with a nod to the casual “lake life” feel of the area. “In conceptual listening sessions, church members indicated that the proximity to the lake and its relaxed and informal nature was important to incorporate into the design,” said Smith. “The steeple will actually be a cupola with windows on four sides, which you might find at the peak of a home overlooking the lake.”

New Life sanctuary plans

Smith describes the style as “traditional southern vernacular with a modern edge.” “Traditional forms, soaring ceiling heights and exposed timber roof structures were important to me in designing a public building that is recognizable, like a home,” he added. “It’s a reflection of the people who will use it.”

The population of both St. Clair County and Pell City continues to grow, with more than 200 new homes being built just a stone’s throw from this new church.

“Pell City is growing, with new homes and new businesses,” said Rotunda Forman, Pell City Chamber of Commerce vice president. “Even though we do have quite a few churches in Pell City, new churches are about a new voice, a new direction. People need to find what fits them. Our younger generations are looking for that.”

Wes Savage, who serves as lead pastor of New Life Church, agrees wholeheartedly. “We believe firmly that new churches help reach new people with the Gospel of Jesus Christ,” he says. “We’ve seen increases in visitors who were ‘unchurched’ or ‘de-churched’ people coming to experience renewed faith and a passion for their personal relationship with Jesus Christ. We expect that to continue as we are able to provide new facilities for children and youth to meet the needs of families moving into the area.”

“At New Life,” adds Rev. Savage, “we are committed to raising up a new generation of believers and providing a place for families and adults to make new personal connections, find purpose, build community in a local body of Christ, and become equipped for the work Christ has called them to do for his kingdom and for his glory.”

New Life Church was planted in November of 2022 and has quickly grown to 300 members with seven staff. It is an independent church which upholds Protestant Christian beliefs as contained in the Apostles’ and Nicene Creeds.

Building committee members celebrate groundbreaking with architect and general contractor

Savage goes on to explain, “First and foremost, we are followers of Jesus Christ, grounded firmly on the unchanging word of God and guided by his eternal spirit. We believe all people should have the opportunity to hear and respond to the good news offered through Jesus. We believe God’s grace is abundant and the new life he offers is life changing.”

Helping to change lives is an important part of New Life’s mission of “glorifying God, making disciples, and blessing others in Jesus’ name.” In their first two years, a focus on missions has been in the forefront of the more than 25 projects New Life members have embraced.

From supporting the physical and spiritual needs of children in Juarez, Mexico, through Hunger House International to supporting the heroes at the Colonel Robert L. Howard State Veterans’ Home in Pell City, there is always a place to serve.

New Life members have collected food for the Christian Love Pantry and participated in distributing at the food giveaways, in addition to providing Thanksgiving dinner for inmates in St. Clair County. Other missions include Dovetail Landing, the Sheriff’s Boys’ Ranch, the Gideons and St. Clair County DHR’s Foster Children Christmas gifts.

Teams have also built solar cubes to help bring electricity to people in 18 countries through Designs for Hope.

Following the disastrous effects of flooding from Hurricane Helene in October, New Life sent a team to work with Samaritan’s Purse Disaster Relief in Boone, North Carolina. “It was such a humbling experience,” said Suzanne Freeman, chairperson of missions for New Life. “We helped three families who had extensive flood damage. We thought we’d come to help them but found ourselves even more blessed by them.”

Services on the new property will begin in the Spring. Until then, services are held each Sunday at 8:30 a.m., 9:40 a.m., and 10:30 a.m. at the Pell City Municipal Complex at 1000 Bruce Etheredge Parkway.

Helms Healthcare

New clinic opens in Vincent

In a time when personal attention in medical care may seem like a relic of the past, Dr. Rock Helms sees his new practice – Helms Healthcare – as reconnecting the patient and the doctor and employing modern advances to enhance the whole experience.

An exam room

The longtime Pell City family medicine physician opened Helms Healthcare in nearby Vincent in late-March, offering “a concierge-type practice for everybody,”  he said. “When you call, you get a human. When you want to be seen, you can be seen right away. We prefer appointments, but it’s not a mandate.”

The aim is to make it easier for patients to have “easy access to their doctor or nurse practitioner for medication refills, questions about test results or a question about referrals to a specialist,” Helms explained. “Typically, there are too many barriers to achieve that. I want to break those barriers down.”

Dr. Helms envisions a practice where the doctor-patient relationship is at the core, reminiscent of the times when doctors knew their patients personally and were deeply invested in their well-being. It gives the doctor a more comprehensive understanding of the patient’s health history and needs.

Local economy continues upward trend

Story by Carol Pappas
Staff photos

Pell City is set to become a premier dining destination as Darden Restaurants, a global leader in full-service dining, officially broke ground on a new Olive Garden and LongHorn Steakhouse on May 18, 2025.

This highly anticipated project, valued at over $6 million, is the result of a dynamic partnership between Darden Restaurants, I-20 Development, the City of Pell City, and the St. Clair County Commission. The spirit of collaboration was present at today’s groundbreaking ceremony, held on the development site located at the intersection of US Highway 231 and Hazelwood Drive, adjacent to the I-20 West ramp.

“This is a ‘we thing,’ not a ‘me thing,’” said Bill Ellison, President of I-20 Development, who spearheaded the project. “It’s been a total team effort, and I want to compliment the City and County for their commitment and cooperation. As long as we can keep these relationships in place, there are limitless possibilities for what comes next.”

The new restaurants are projected to generate a combined $10 million in annual sales for Pell City, significantly boosting the local economy. Moreover, they will create numerous job opportunities for area residents and enrich the city’s dining scene with diverse culinary options, attracting visitors from across the region.

St. Clair EDC Executive Director Don Smith outlines path of success

Darden Restaurants, renowned for its commitment to exceptional dining experiences, operates over 2,100 locations worldwide. In Alabama alone, the company employs more than 3,300 team members across its 38 existing locations.

“It’s a tremendous feeling to know that these businesses that have so many choices on where to locate choose make their investment in our community,” said Bill Pruitt, Mayor of Pell City. They recognize that this is a special place to be. We’re grateful for the work of Bill Ellison and for the County Commission’s partnership, and we’re honored to welcome Olive Garden and LongHorn into the Pell City family.”

The Pell City restaurants will uphold Darden’s high standards, offering the beloved menus and inviting atmospheres that have made Olive Garden and LongHorn Steakhouse favorites. Guests can look forward to indulging in Olive Garden’s signature pasta dishes, soups, salads, and breadsticks, or savoring LongHorn Steakhouse’s expertly grilled steaks, sides, and appetizers. Both locations will also feature full-service bars and delectable desserts.

“This entire project is exciting,” St. Clair County Commission Chairman Stan Batemon said. “Bill Ellison saw a vision over here, and myself and the other Commissioners are grateful for his and the City’s work in bringing these restaurants to St. Clair County.”

The Pell City locations are expected to open in 2026.

New restaurants coming to St. Clair

Pell City Breaks Ground on
Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse

Pell City is set to become a premier dining destination as Darden Restaurants, a global leader in full-service dining, officially broke ground on a new Olive Garden and LongHorn Steakhouse on May 18, 2025.

This highly anticipated project, valued at over $6 million, is the result of a dynamic partnership between Darden Restaurants, I-20 Development, the City of Pell City, and the St. Clair County Commission. The spirit of collaboration was present at today’s groundbreaking ceremony, held on the development site located at the intersection of US Highway 231 and Hazelwood Drive, adjacent to the I-20 West ramp.

“This is a ‘we thing,’ not a ‘me thing,’” said Bill Ellison, President of I-20 Development, who spearheaded the project. “It’s been a total team effort, and I want to compliment the City and County for their commitment and cooperation. As long as we can keep these relationships in place, there are limitless possibilities for what comes next.”

The new restaurants are projected to generate a combined $10 million in annual sales for Pell City, significantly boosting the local economy. Moreover, they will create numerous job opportunities for area residents and enrich the city’s dining scene with diverse culinary options, attracting visitors from across the region.

Darden Restaurants, renowned for its commitment to exceptional dining experiences, operates over 2,100 locations worldwide. In Alabama alone, the company employs more than 3,300 team members across its 38 existing locations.

“It’s a tremendous feeling to know that these businesses that have so many choices on where to locate choose make their investment in our community,” said Bill Pruitt, Mayor of Pell City. They recognize that this is a special place to be. We’re grateful for the work of Bill Ellison and for the County Commission’s partnership, and we’re honored to welcome Olive Garden and LongHorn into the Pell City family.”

The Pell City restaurants will uphold Darden’s high standards, offering the beloved menus and inviting atmospheres that have made Olive Garden and LongHorn Steakhouse favorites. Guests can look forward to indulging in Olive Garden’s signature pasta dishes, soups, salads, and breadsticks, or savoring LongHorn Steakhouse’s expertly grilled steaks, sides, and appetizers. Both locations will also feature full-service bars and delectable desserts.

“This entire project is exciting,” St. Clair County Commission Chairman Stan Batemon said. “Bill Ellison saw a vision over here, and myself and the other Commissioners are grateful for his and the City’s work in bringing these restaurants to St. Clair County.”

The Pell City locations are expected to open in 2026.

McClendon’s legacy

Jefferson State names nursing wing after former senator

Story by Carol Pappas
Submitted photos

When Jim McClendon was first elected to the Alabama House of Representatives in 2002, state Sen. Jack Biddle asked him what he wanted for his future in politics.

“I want your seat,” he told Biddle, one of the most powerful senators at the time. Biddle retorted, “You’re not ready yet. You don’t know where the money is.”

In the years that followed, Senator McClendon not only found the money, he invested it in what is becoming a lasting legacy for St. Clair County and the region.

Jefferson State Community College recognized the longstanding support of McClendon by naming the Nursing Wing at the St. Clair-Pell City Campus in his honor with a ceremony on Wednesday, Dec. 18.

Dr. McClendon has been an ardent supporter of Jefferson State initiatives for many years. He was instrumental in the opening of the St. Clair-Pell City Campus in 2009 and the establishment of the Nursing Wing in October 2017, an expansion that included two simulation labs, a fundamental instruction lab, two classrooms, six offices and a conference room.

Nursing students at the opening of the new wing in 2017

 “Dr. McClendon was instrumental in Jefferson State starting in St. Clair County,” said Jefferson State President Keith Brown. “Because of his efforts, we’ve been able to educate hundreds of RNs, and they’re working and caring for people right here in this community.”

Just before unveiling the plaque commemorating the new name, Brown talked of McClendon’s dedication to education and health care in the form of support for the college. “It’s just my job,” Brown said McClendon told him.

“I’ve always had an affinity for nurses,” he joked to the crowd gathered for the ceremony. “I married one.”

Jefferson State’s first presence in the county was in Moody, but it was only temporary – representing a “foot in St. Clair County” – as McClendon described it. The college was built in 2009 with an LPN program. In 2012, the RN program became a reality, and the opening of St. Vincent’s St. Clair Hospital in 2011 and the Col. Robert L. Howard State Veterans Home in 2012 catalyzed the program’s growth.

“All of this was critical to educating these folks here and creating good jobs,” McClendon said. He noted that graduates have a 100 percent rate of job placement before graduation. “It’s a model for other state programs. They are educated here. They come back here. Health care in our area is getting better and better because of what’s going on at Jefferson State in Pell City.”

The college, he said, represents so many opportunities for St. Clair Countians. Many times, it is the first time higher education doors are open to families. “It’s changing Alabama. It’s changing our community. And they’re doing it the right way.”

A vision for the college

Looking back to the earliest conversations about locating a community college in St. Clair County, “there was always a recognition that there was a need for what a community college could bring to our region,” said Guin Robinson, dean of Economic Development at Jefferson State.

“Workforce development was at the top of that list,” Robinson said. “It was very obvious that health care was a driver for St. Clair County and the entire region, so it made sense there would be a need for nursing in Pell City and St. Clair County. It has certainly been a priority,” bolstered by the location of hospital and the state veterans home near the campus and doctors’ offices throughout the area.

The nursing program is expensive to operate and is not fully funded by tuition. The community’s and McClendon’s support have been “vitally important,” Robinson stressed. “Sen. McClendon has been our partner since the beginning. He could not have been a greater partner.”

McClendon’s influence and determination ensured that this legacy will continue, Robinson said. “And he did it without fanfare because we needed it for our community. He played a major role in the generational impact it is having in our community, and we wanted to honor him now so that we can show our appreciation.”

The McClendon story

Born in Mobile, McClendon earned his Bachelor of Science degree at Birmingham-Southern College in 1965 and his Doctor of Optometry degree from the University of Houston in 1967.

 McClendon then joined the United States Navy Medical Service Corps in 1968 where he was commissioned as an officer. Lt. McClendon served with distinction in Vietnam, for which he was decorated with the Navy Commendation Medal with Combat Distinguishing Device.

Over the course of his optometry career, McClendon distinguished himself as a leader in Alabama›s optometry community, serving as president of the Alabama Optometric Association.

Retired senator chats with new senator, Lance Bell

 In November 2002, McClendon retired from his private practice to pursue public service. That year, he was first elected to the Alabama House of Representatives, representing the state’s 50th District, where he was subsequently reelected for two additional terms.

Among other notable postings and accomplishments (including Chair of the House Ethics Committee and Chair of the House Redistricting Committee), Rep. McClendon served as Chair of the Health Committee, where he played a pivotal role in the passage of the Medicaid reform legislation.

In 2014, McClendon was elected to the Alabama Senate where he represented Alabama›s 11th District for two consecutive terms. He served on and provided leadership for various critical Senate committees, including the Rules Committee, Education and Youth Affairs, Fiscal Responsibility and Economics Development, Transportation and Energy, Health and Human Services, for which he served as Vice Chair, and the Senate Healthcare Committee for which he served as Chair.

 McClendon personally introduced 210 bills in the House and Senate on a range of critical issues, including education, public safety, economic development, and, of particular personal importance to him, healthcare and the advancement of Alabama’s healthcare professions.

“During my time as a legislator, I always heard the importance of job creation, employment and improving Alabama by creating good jobs,” said McClendon. “That’s exactly what Jeff State is doing, and it is a model for all other programs in the state.”