Watch: St. James Hotel owner to make deal with Selma to reopen

Selma’s city attorney will work with the owner of the St. James Hotel to settle a tax issue that has stalled the hotel’s sale and eventual reopening, Selma Mayor Johnny Moss III said April 27. The Selma City Council authorized City Attorney Graham Mosely to negotiate a settlement with Lewis that would get a tax issue settled and allow St. James Hotel owner Jim Lewis to reopen the historic 55-room hotel on Water Avenue that has been shuttered since August 2025. Todd and Cindy talk about it in this segment of the Black Belt Newscast.