SIGNED, SEALED, DELIVERED Cougars finish off perfect season, win state title. 14
Vol 11 | Issue 3 | January 2026 As Trussville As It Gets
A judge’s farewell Carl Chamblee closes 40 years on Trussville’s municipal bench. See page 8
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2 • January 2026
Cahaba Sun
ABOUT US
Editor’s Note By Kyle Parmley We’ve made it to a new year! The turn of the calendar always finds us all with the best of intentions: to get in shape, to eat right, to maintain better connections and relationships with friends and families, to work hard — the list goes on and on. And what do we do? We typically fade back into the same old habits of previous years after a period of time. It’s just human nature, but it never hurts to strive for progress in all areas of life. I know I am certainly committing myself to that in a few aspects of my life. One habit that I hope you continue (or
start if you haven’t already) is reading this publication and getting value out of its contents. If you see something you like, let us know. If you have ideas to make things better or know a cool person worth featuring, let me know at kparmley@ starnesmedia.com. Here’s to a great year!
Publisher: Dan Starnes Managing Editor: Kyle Parmley Community Editor: Jon Anderson Staff Writer: Kelli S. Hewett
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Contributing Writers: April Coffey Diane Poole ON THE COVER: Carl Chamblee closes 40 years on Trussville’s municipal bench. Photo courtesy of Judge Carl Chamblee.
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4 • January 2026
Cahaba Sun
SCHOOLHOUSE
Trussville school psychologist honored for excellence in mentoring and student support By APRIL COFFEY Dr. Ameet Bosmia wears many hats in the Trussville community: family man, school psychologist and mentor to the next generation of professionals. Recently recognized with the Adria Ellis Model School Psychology Intern Supervisor Recognition Award, the Cahaba Sun spoke with Bosmia to learn more about what this honor means to him. Q: Tell our readers about yourself. A: I am a dedicated father, husband and school psychologist. I am married to my college sweetheart, Samantha, and we are the parents of a wonderful 8-year-old daughter, Lilah. Lilah is a third grader attending Hall-Kent Elementary School. As a school psychologist in Trussville City Schools, I am passionate about supporting the academic, social-emotional and behavioral success of all students. I value strong collaboration with educators and families, believing that a connected school community creates the strongest foundation for student growth. Outside of my professional role, I enjoy staying active and engaged in the community. I regularly participate in and encourage men to join F3, a free, peer-led men’s workout group. I play tennis, lead a small church group at Trinity United Methodist Church, play trumpet in the Homewood
Dr. Ameet Bosmia with his wife, Samantha, and their daughter, Lilah. Photo courtesy of Dr. Ameet Bosmia.
Community Pops Band and support my daughter as she swims year round. Q: What does receiving the award mean to you? A: Personally, it is an honor to have the endless hours of mentoring, counseling, support, and editing of graduate papers and projects recognized by my colleagues. Providing genuine, meaningful and impactful supervision is a sacrifice on the supervisor’s part — it is time away from your family and your immediate work. It is time spent pouring your energy into shaping a future school psychologist. You should care for your
Mothers Needed
intern the way you care for family. Professionally, it is an honor to know that the supervision I provide meets the high standards established by the National Association of School Psychologists. It is no easy feat — it takes years of cultivating and perfecting one’s own craft before pouring into students. At the same time, I learn so much from interns through the latest science and practices they bring from their coursework. Q: Can you describe the work you do in Trussville City Schools and how it contributes to student success and well-being? A: I serve as one of two school psychologists for Trussville City Schools. I serve Hewitt-Trussville High School, Hewitt-Trussville Middle School and Magnolia Elementary School. Our work often involves identifying and supporting students with disabilities who need a Section 504 Plan or an Individualized Education Program. As a school psychologist, I assess students’ cognitive, academic, social-emotional and behavioral functioning to identify strengths, challenges and barriers to learning. I collaborate with educators, families and community providers to develop evidence-based interventions that support students’ academic success, mental health and overall well-being.
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SCHOOLHOUSE
In the classroom GET TO KNOW
Scan the QR code (or go to qrco. de/cahabasun) to read the lastest schoolhouse news on our website and follow us on social media.
ACCOLADES
HTHS teacher Amber Benson Q: What do you enjoy most about teaching? Q: Tell us about A: I enjoy watching yourself. students gain confidence A: I’m currently in my — not just in the school fifth year at Hewitt-Trusssetting but in their comville High School and my munity, too. 18th year of teaching… Q: What do you hope I really enjoy living, students leave with? worshiping, shopping, A: I hope students leave eating and serving here in Amber Benson with her these programs knowing Trussville. their value and how to husband and their three Q: What do you teach? children. express it. A: I have the opportuQ: Something students nity to work with juniors and seniors in the may not know? Business Leadership Academy … and serve A: I am also a three-time national clogas the cooperative education coordinator. ging champion.
SWENext Girls in Engineering at Vanderbilt University on Oct. 29. Photo courtesy of SWENext Girls in Engineering.
By APRIL COFFEY
SWENext Girls in Engineering visit Vanderbilt By APRIL COFFEY SWENext Girls in Engineering had the opportunity to explore Vanderbilt University on Oct. 29. They met with an admissions counselor and learned how their current choices will
impact them in the future when applying to college. The girls toured Vanderbilt’s campus, explored the state-of-the-art engineering facilities and enjoyed lunch in a campus dining hall alongside current Vanderbilt students.
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6 • January 2026
Cahaba Sun
BUSINESS
Business Buzz HAPPENINGS NOW OPEN Wingstop has opened a new location at 7268 Gadsden Highway, Suite 104. The chain includes more than 2,500 locations worldwide, focusing on a wide variety of flavor-filled wings, boneless wings, chicken sandwiches and more. wingstop.com, 205-508-3079
NEW OWNERSHIP
Geaux Route Holding – 2 LLC and VH-Trussville LLC. Business operations will remain unchanged at the 464 Main St. location. The deal allows Geaux Route to lease the space from the new owner and reinvest in operations, said Adam Baxter of STREAM Capital Partners, who represented Geaux Route. The restaurant opened in December 2023 with its Louisiana-inspired menu featuring scratchmade Cajun favorites such as gumbo and etouffée, along with fresh seafood, hand-pattied burgers, sandwiches, salads, and extensive beer and cocktail choices. The sports-themed atmosphere includes ample TVs for watching games. locate.walk-ons.com/al/trussville, 205-289-8333
ANNIVERSARIES Dr. Jewelry Sales & Service is celebrating its ninth year at its current location, 243 Gadsden Highway. The store specializes in engagement and wedding rings, custom designs, and other jewelry and repair needs. drjewlery.jewelershowcase.com, 205-467-0222 Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux building in Trussville has been sold for $6.495 million in a sale-leaseback agreement between franchisee
Magic City Computers is celebrating its 29th anniversary at 7129 Gadsden Highway, Suite 203.
Cahaba Sun is spotlighting local businesses in print and online. Submit your business for consideration at go.starnesmedia.com/business-spotlight
Do you have news to share about a business in Trussville or the greater Birmingham area? Let us know at starnesmedia.com/business-happenings
The family-owned business specializes in custom computer builds, gaming computers, laptop and computer maintenance, upgrades, security, backup and data recovery. magiccc.com, 205-655-2848 Millington Plagenhoef Dentistry has reached 11 years in business. The practice moved to its current location of 116 Watterson Parkway in 2019. The family dental office offers a variety of cosmetic procedures, Invisalign, teeth whitening, sleep apnea devices, digital X-rays and laser technology. millingtonplagenhoef.com, 205-655-7774 TrueWealth Advisors, LLC, has marked its first anniversary at 198 Main St., Suite 100. TrueWealth is an independent wealth management firm with additional offices in Birmingham, Greenville, Gulf Shores, Huntsville and Montgomery. truewealthllc.com, 205-661-9333
GET TO KNOW
SPOTLIGHT
Eyes on Main’s Dr. Gene Harrison
Grant’s Tools & Hobby Shop
By DIANE POOLE Q: For those who haven’t visited yet, how would you describe Eyes on Main? A: Family oriented. We’re here to be part of the community. We started in the Grayson Valley area back in 1991 but really wanted to be part of a true community environment. Harrison Creating a family atmosphere — for both patients and staff — is our biggest goal. Q: What services do you offer besides glasses and contacts? A: We provide extensive medical eye care, including dry eye treatment, glaucoma care, and cataract pre- and post-op services with a trusted surgeon. Q: What sets Eyes on Main apart from other optometry practices? A: The care we give. We take time with each patient and look beyond, “Which is better — one or two?” Our goal is always
to find and solve that problem. Q: What do you enjoy most about serving the Trussville community? A: Making patients happy. Whether it’s improving vision or solving a long-standing problem no one else has been able to fix, helping people is incredibly rewarding. I’ve lived in Trussville more than 30 years — coaching baseball, serving through church ministries — and now I’m seeing former players bring their kids in. That’s humbling and gratifying. Q: What’s a trend you’re seeing in eye health that people should know about? A: A major increase in nearsightedness in kids, mostly due to screen time — Chromebooks, phones, close-up work. Less blinking leads to poor gland function, which causes dry eye. The exciting part is that we now have technology, including new lenses designed to slow myopia progression, that helps us treat both issues more effectively.
By DIANE POOLE Grant’s Tools & Hobby Shop in Trussville began with a simple goal: helping a young boy learn how to fix what he breaks. Grant started racing go-karts at age 5, and repairing RC cars became an ideal way for him to learn hands-on problem solving. As his interest grew, his parents, Craig and Peggy Giattina, realized Trussville needed a local place to buy parts and learn the hobby — without driving across town. Their solution became a full-fledged business serving hobbyists of all ages. The shop specializes in remote-control cars, crawlers, planes, boats, motorcycles and seasonal items like model rockets. RC cars remain the top sellers, with fast “basher” cars popular in the summer and crawlers in the fall. The store carries disc golf gear, pickleball equipment, puzzles, models, trains and a full array of specialty tools — an area strengthened by Craig’s 25 years’ experience as a mechanic and tool-truck operator. Service is a cornerstone of the business. The Giattinas repair hobby-grade products,
Craig Giattina displays a pickleball paddle.
honor warranties, special order parts and go out of their way to give beginners honest guidance about what they truly need. They also match online pricing when possible — something Craig says is essential in the fight to keep small, local hobby shops alive. Grant’s Tools & Hobby Shop stays engaged in the community through Chamber involvement and local merchant events. Most importantly, the family strives to offer a warm, welcoming space. “We want people to feel like family,” Craig said. “Come in, hang out and support your local hobby shop.”
January 2026 • 7
CahabaSun.com
BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT
Pinchgut Pies serves up Neapolitan-style flavor, laid-back fun By DIANE POOLE Tucked into the heart of the Trussville entertainment district, Pinchgut Pies has become a local favorite for families, concertgoers and anyone craving quality pizza in a fun, casual setting. The Cahaba Sun spoke with Operations Manager Randall Norman about the restaurant and what makes it unique. Q: How would you describe Pinchgut Pies to someone who’s never visited before? A: I’d describe it as a fun, casual pizza spot with a great vibe. We do pizza in more of a Neapolitan style, and it’s a relaxed, family-friendly place where kids are welcome. We’ve got good pizza, pasta, great drink selections and pricing that’s very reasonable compared to a lot of places in the area. It’s just a good spot to grab a pizza, a domestic beer or a specialty cocktail and hang out. Q: The name “Pinchgut” comes from Pinchgut Creek, but why did the
Randall Norman
restaurant end up with that name? A: That decision was actually made before I came on board. The owner, Coby Lake, wanted to incorporate Pinchgut Creek somehow since it runs right behind the property and is such a unique part of this area. There was a lot of back and forth — names like Pinchgut Pizza Company or just Pinchgut
were on the table — but eventually he landed on Pinchgut Pies. At first it confused some people who weren’t familiar with Pinchgut Creek, but over time the name has really grown on the community. Q: What makes your pizza menu unique compared to others in the area? A: We do all the classic favorites — pepperoni, cheese, supremes — because that’s what people love and expect. But we also like to have fun with the menu. We’ve done some pretty wild specialty pizzas over the years and still rotate some of those in as limited-time offerings for our regulars. Our style is a kind of hybrid Neapolitan approach, using more modern ovens rather than traditional wood-fired ones. Almost everything is made from scratch: the dough, the sauce, roasted vegetables and proteins are all done in house. The only thing we don’t make is the mozzarella. Our focus is quality, consistency and putting out a really good, memorable pizza. Q: What are your most popular pizzas,
and which one is your personal favorite? A: Across the board, pepperoni is still the No. 1 seller — just like at almost every pizza place. As far as our specialty pizzas, the two most popular are the Chicken Bacon Ranch and the Gator Bait, which is topped with alligator sausage. Those two battle it out for the top spot, depending on the season and the crowd. My personal favorite of the specialty pizzas is definitely the Gator Bait. Q: What do customers tell you they love most about Pinchgut Pies? A: The thing I hear most often is how much they love the staff and the casual atmosphere. We have a lot of bar regulars who come just to sit, talk to our bartenders and feel like part of the family. People also really appreciate that we’re affordable — especially families. They can bring the kids, let them play games, enjoy good pizza and cold domestics, and not feel like they’ve blown their budget. That combination of friendly service, laid-back vibe and fair pricing is what keeps people coming back.
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8 • January 2026
Cahaba Sun
A judge’s farewell Carl Chamblee closes 40 years on Trussville’s municipal bench
Judge Carl Chamblee stands in his office next to his diplomas. Photo by Diane Poole.
By DIANE POOLE
C
arl Chamblee served as Trussville’s presiding municipal court judge for over 40 years. Serving since October 1984, he believed in teaching people to be accountable and learn from their mistakes. You might say he was a “people’s judge,” putting what was best for them at the forefront. Serving as a municipal judge is very demanding, and in his 40 years, Chamblee missed many a special occasion since he had to be on call 24/7, 365 days a year. “I have to see prisoners within 72 hours if they can’t get out of jail on a bond. I can’t do it on Zoom — I have to go and actually see them face to face. There were Sundays, holidays, even Christmas Eves when I’d go in to make sure it was done right.” Chamblee viewed accountability as priority and strove to teach it to people who entered the court system. Over the years, Chamblee became known not only for his fairness but also for his steady philosophy about justice and personal responsibility. That philosophy was simple: make people accountable and give them a chance to do better. “I didn’t care about the money — I cared that they did what they said they were going to do,” he said. “But I also believed in second chances. If they were willing to work hard, I wanted to give them that opportunity. You can’t fix everyone, but you can help them see that their choices have consequences.” Situations in which people were able to turn things around were among his favorites. “I had a young man once who was in trouble with drugs,” Chamblee recalled. “His father came to me and asked if I could help. I told the son, ‘You’ve got six months in jail — or you can join the military.’ He chose the Air Force, became a captain, flew fighter jets and later flew for Delta Airlines. That’s what makes it worthwhile — seeing somebody turn their life around.” Even after four decades on the bench, Chamblee never lost his sense of humor. When asked about his approach to sentencing, he grinned. “I used to tell folks, ‘You have to work really hard to get put in jail in my court. You can’t just
walk up here and go to jail — you’ve got to earn it first. But once you’ve earned it, I’ll make sure you get your full pay for it.’” It was not unusual for Chamblee to offer payment plans to offenders and let people tell him what they could afford. “It wasn’t about the money. If they said they’d pay it, I expected them to follow through. They set their own terms, and I held them to it.” He gave another example: “I’ve had senior adults [who’d] been paying $25 a month for years and still owed a few hundred dollars. When I found out, I’d have them come to court and tell them, ‘You’ve done enough — I’m forgiving the rest.’ They’d been faithful and done what was asked of them. The court isn’t there to make money for the city.” Chamblee couldn’t say enough about his court staff and praised the support received from the city, the police department, the prosecutor and the public defender. “They’re the heart and soul of it. I just make policy — they’re the ones who make it work.” He continued, “They treated me like a king, and I didn’t deserve it. They’d stand up when I walked in, open the door for me, bring me water, always make sure I had candy at hand. They never called me Carl — always ‘Judge.’ I was blessed with the best people anyone could ask for.” The municipal court position in Trussville is a part-time role, something many don’t realize. Cities like Birmingham and Montgomery have full-time judges, but smaller cities like Trussville and Mountain Brook don’t. This allows
them to get good, qualified judges — who can still practice law — without having to pay full-time salaries. “When you have a good support staff, you don’t need a judge there 24/7 — you need the right policies and people who follow them,” Chamblee explained. In his last case on the bench, he learned something from a traffic offense. “A driver came out of Edgar’s and turned into the center turn lane to merge into traffic. The prosecutor told me that’s actually against the law — when you come out of a business, you have to clear both lanes and get straight into the nearest travel lane. You can’t use the turn lane to merge. That was my last trial, and the driver — a trucker — was found not guilty. It was a good reminder that you never stop learning, no matter how long you’ve been doing something.” As this chapter closes his remarkable career as a judge, Chamblee says he’s grateful for the people, the lessons and the service he’s provided to Trussville. When asked about his plans for life after the bench, he said, “I’m looking forward to spending more time with my wife and daughter. My daughter’s involved at Independence Place and works here at our office a couple days a week. I love that time with her. I want to travel while I still can. After all the years of middle-of-the-night calls, I’m looking forward to sleeping through the night and enjoying life at a slower pace. I’ll miss the people and the bench, but it’s been a great life. I’ve been honored to serve this community. It’s time to rest a little and just be thankful.”
January 2026 • 9
CahabaSun.com
REAL ESTATE
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10 • January 2026
Cahaba Sun
EVENTS
Save the Date
NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION 6K TRAIL RUN ► Where: Trussville Sports Complex, 504 Cherokee Drive ► When: Saturday, Jan. 3, 8-10 a.m. ► Cost: $30 ► Contact: 205-516-5515 or designsforhope.org; register at runsignup.com/Race/AL/Trussville/ DesignsForHopeNewYearsResolution6K TrailRun ► Details: Kick off 2026 with Alabama’s only 6K trail run, presented by Clearbranch Methodist Church and Designs for Hope. Run or ruck along the Cahaba River on a scenic offroad course. Registration ends Jan. 2. Proceeds support Designs for Hope’s global ministry.
JANUARY CHAMBER LUNCHEON ► Where: Trussville Civic Center, 5381 Trussville-Clay Road ► When: Thursday, Jan. 15, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. ► Cost: $25 by cash/check or $26 by card ► Contact: 205-655-7535 or trussvillechamber. com (for more details or to register) ► Details: Join the Trussville Area Chamber of Commerce for its January luncheon sponsored by Bryant Bank. Trussville City Schools Superintendent Dr. Patrick Martin will discuss the state of the schools. Registration ends Jan. 13 at noon.
► For more events news, connect with the Cahaba Sun online by scanning the QR code. ► Have an upcoming event to share? Email Kyle Parmley at kparmley@starnesmedia.com.
CULT CLASSIC CINEMA: “EDWARD SCISSORHANDS” (RATED PG-13) ► Where: LBK Auditorium, Trussville Public Library, 201 Parkway Drive ► When: Thursday, Jan. 8, 5:30-8 p.m. ► Cost: Free ► Contact: trussvillelibrary.com (for more details or to register) ► Details: Join the Trussville Public Library for Cult Classic Cinema night. Enjoy a fun, nostalgic evening each month celebrating beloved films from Trussville’s Core Collection. Free popcorn and snacks will be provided at each screening.
TOAST OF THE TOWN ► Where: Ferus Artisan Ales, 101 Beech St. ► When: Thursday, Jan. 22, 5:30-7:30 p.m. ► Cost: $30 per person or $50 per couple ► Contact: 205-655-7535 or trussvillechamber. com ► Details: Hosted by the Trussville Area Chamber of Commerce, Toast of the Town celebrates Trussville’s best with awards, hors d’oeuvres, adult beverages, live music by Cashmere Williams and networking. A brief awards presentation will begin at 6:15 p.m. Business casual attire is requested.
YOGA WITH BRITTNEY LEE ► Where: Parkway Room, Trussville Public Library, 201 Parkway Drive ► When: Monday, Jan. 12, 6-7 p.m. ► Cost: Free ► Contact: trussvillelibrary.com (for more details or to register) ► Details: Unwind from the holidays and reset for the new year with a calming yoga session led by Brittney Lee. Open to adults ages 18 and up. Bring a mat and wear comfortable clothing. Space is limited.
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12 • January 2026
Cahaba Sun
SPORTS
QB Aaron Frye (1)
WR Dylan Cope (1)
RB Joshua Woods (6)
All-South Metro Football Parker Floyd earns back-to-back Defensive Player of the Year awards By KYLE PARMLEY Each year presents a mixed bag when it comes to individual performances. Some of the top players in the area put forth the great seasons expected of them. Others, however, come out of nowhere and emerge as the new stars of the area. The 2025 high school football season presented exactly that. Brock Bradley, the Spain Park quarterback, earns the Under the Lights All-South Metro Player of the Year award for the second straight year. He completed his senior year with another incredible campaign, throwing for nearly 3,000 yards and leading a young Spain Park team to another impressive season. Parker Floyd earns a share of the Defensive Player of the Year honors for the second straight year, posting yet another 100-tackle season and leading the Hewitt-Trussville defense to another lights-out campaign. Then there are players who ascended to a new level, each capitalizing on the opportunity to become a top player on their team. Homewood quarterback Kaleb Carson and ClayChalkville’s Aaron Frye share the Offensive Player of the Year honors, posting tremendous dual-threat seasons to cap off their high school careers. Gage Nasworthy, Briarwood linebacker, will also be one of the Defensive Players of the Year after leading the area in tackles by a wide margin. ► Player of the Year: Brock Bradley, Spain Park ► Offensive Player of the Year: Kaleb Carson, Homewood, and Aaron Frye, Clay-Chalkville ► Defensive Player of the Year: Parker Floyd, Hewitt-Trussville, and Gage Nasworthy, Briarwood
LB Parker Floyd (0). Photos by Shawn Bowles, Michael Jackson, David Leong and Todd Lester.
► Coach of the Year: Stuart Floyd, Clay-Chalkville
1ST TEAM OFFENSE
► QB: Kaleb Carson, Homewood; entered his name into the Homewood record books with a big year, throwing for 2,697 yards with 29 touchdowns and rushing for 726 yards with 14 touchdowns. ► QB: Brock Bradley, Spain Park; threw for 2,939 yards and 32 touchdowns to lead the Jags back to the playoffs. ► RB: Joshua Woods, Clay-Chalkville; ran for 1,546 yards and 24 touchdowns. ► RB: Marty Myricks, Oak Mountain; one of two area running backs to go over 1,000 yards, scoring 10 touchdowns. ► WR: Corey Barber, Clay-Chalkville; still one of the top receivers in the area despite being the target of opposing defenses, going for 1,130 yards and 13 scores. ► WR: Tomon Felton, Homewood; had 1,160 yards and
10 touchdowns in a breakout season. ► WR: Kena Rego, Spain Park; went for 986 yards and 11 touchdowns in his lone season at Spain Park. ► WR: Dylan Cope, Hewitt-Trussville; posted 905 yards and nine touchdowns as the top Huskies target. ► TE: Nasir Ray, Clay-Chalkville; the “Swiss Army knife” of the Cougars offense, scoring five receiving touchdowns. ► OL: Caleb Boylan, Vestavia Hills; started for three years at center, finishing with a 90% grade this season. ► OL: Carter Fountain, Briarwood; one of the Lions’ leaders, starting for three years and grading out at 95%. ► OL: JT Jones, Clay-Chalkville; one of the top linemen in the state, heading to the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Classic. ► OL: Hudson Reed, Spain Park; an Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Classic selection as a leader on the Jags offense. ► OL: Rocco Gray, Mountain Brook; played several different positions for the Spartans and started 37 games over
January 2026 • 13
CahabaSun.com
SPORTS
K Joseph Del-Toro (16)
DL Colton McIntyre (5)
RB Deuce Alston (2)
three years. ► ATH: Aaron Frye, Clay-Chalkville; threw for 2,305 yards and 25 touchdowns while rushing for 1,320 yards and 19 touchdowns. ► ATH: Charlie Taaffe, Vestavia Hills; threw for 1,592 yards and rushed for 827 in just nine games, totaling 29 touchdowns. ► ATH: Jonah Winston, Hoover; one of the most versatile players in the state, rushing for 625 yards and totaling eight touchdowns. ► K: Joseph Del Toro, Clay-Chalkville; converted all of his extra points for the state champions. ► P: Ryan Swetz, John Carroll; averaged a whopping 47 yards per punt. ► ST: Hardy Butler, Homewood; one of the top-ranked long snappers in the state. ► ST: Tyler Kirkland, Chelsea; no bad snaps in four seasons as the starting long snapper.
had 23 total touchdowns. ► RB: Chase Malone, Chelsea; finished with 822 yards and 12 touchdowns while battling injuries. ► RB: Deuce Alston, Hewitt-Trussville; finished with 694 yards and nine touchdowns. ► WR: Luke Stubbs, Vestavia Hills; caught 54 passes for 726 yards and four touchdowns. ► WR: Mason McClure, Spain Park; came on strong this year with 826 yards and nine scores. ► WR: Jeremiah Tabb, Hoover; had 741 yards and eight touchdowns for the Bucs. ► WR: Sam Canale, Briarwood; moved to receiver this year and posted 786 yards. ► TE: J.T. Watts, Homewood; scored a couple of touchdowns. ► OL: Luke Kelly, Oak Mountain; led the Eagles in knockdowns in his third year as a starter. ► OL: Rob Schoenvogel, Mountain Brook; moved over from the defensive line and only allowed two sacks. ► OL: Lamar King, Hoover; played three positions as a versatile piece for the Bucs. ► OL: Brooks Dixon, Chelsea; had a 17-knockdown game and graded at 91% on the year. ► OL: Christian Bennett, Clay-Chalkville; paved the way for a strong running game. ► ATH: Jackson Rankin, John Carroll; scored nine offensive touchdowns and a defensive touchdown and made 71 tackles. ► ATH: CJ Davis, Hewitt-Trussville; scored eight total touchdowns. ► ATH: Morgan Barnes, Chelsea; totaled 10 touchdowns. ► K: James Bryant, Hoover; nailed all 10 field goals, including the 55-yard game-winner against Thompson. ► P: Grant Morrison, Hoover; averaged 40 yards per punt, putting 14 inside the 20-yard line. ► ST: Lincoln Anderson, Hoover; played center and long snapper for the Bucs. ► ST: John Leith, Chelsea; one of the most versatile players in the area, kicking, punting and playing defense for the Hornets.
► LB: Porter Schott, Chelsea; the leader of the Hornets defense, finishing with 126 tackles and six sacks. ► LB: Quinton Lowe, Clay-Chalkville; totaled 115 tackles and 17 for loss. ► LB: Zay Brown, Clay-Chalkville; led the Cougars with 122 tackles, including 20 for loss and seven sacks. ► DB: Hayden Chauvin, Hewitt-Trussville; finished with 61 tackles and led the Huskies’ secondary. ► DB: Deon Callins, Clay-Chalkville; broke up 14 passes. ► DB: Brandt Aho, Briarwood; registered 64 tackles and broke up seven tackles. ► DB: John Martin, Homewood; intercepted two passes and made 54 tackles. ► ATH: Trey Sanders, Hoover; went for 105 tackles.
DEFENSE
► DL: Nic Gagliano, John Carroll; registered 92 total tackles despite being double-teamed frequently. ► DL: Jovon Pulliam, Hoover; finished with 91 tackles and nine sacks on a loaded defensive line. ► DL: Colton McIntyre, Clay-Chalkville; another disruptive campaign, with 21 tackles for loss and 12 sacks. ► DL: Boyd Cooper, Mountain Brook; finished with 55 tackles and 10 for loss. ► LB: Parker Floyd, Hewitt-Trussville; another triple-digit tackle season, with 103 tackles and 11 for loss. ► LB: Gage Nasworthy, Briarwood; led the area in tackles with 161, including three pass breakups. ► LB: EJ Kerley, Spain Park; reached 100 tackles as the leader of the Jags defense. ► LB: Alex Plaia, John Carroll; finished with 137 tackles and forced two fumbles. ► DB: Jayden Aparicio-Bailey, Oak Mountain; broke up five passes and totaled 40 tackles despite being thrown away from. ► DB: Tate Burdeshaw, Homewood; intercepted three passes and totaled 89 tackles from the safety spot. ► DB: Will Phillips, Hewitt-Trussville; another stellar campaign with 75 tackles. ► DB: Xavier Starks, Clay-Chalkville; finished with 68 tackles and 16 pass breakups. ► ATH: Woogie Crawford, Hewitt-Trussville; had 100 tackles, 20 tackles for loss and eight sacks.
2ND TEAM OFFENSE
► QB: Cayden Hofbauer, Mountain Brook; threw for 1,666 yards and 16 touchdowns while nearly rushing for 1,000 yards. ► QB: Kaleb Freeman, Hoover; threw for 2,130 yards and
DEFENSE
► DL: Ethan Walton, Oak Mountain; had a huge season with 75 tackles, seven sacks and 17 hurries. ► DL: Miller Lee, Mountain Brook; totaled 86 tackles and seven quarterback pressures. ► DL: Keith Richmond, Clay-Chalkville; had 17 tackles for loss and 10 sacks. ► DL: Justyn Hartley, Hoover; had 75 tackles, 11 for loss and seven sacks. ► LB: William Yoder, Oak Mountain; went for 106 tackles and a couple of forced fumbles.
HONORABLE MENTION
► QB: Charlie Vacarella, Oak Mountain; Jack Floyd, Hewitt-Trussville; Zach Benedict, Hewitt-Trussville; Charles Dedmon, Briarwood. ► RB: Stuart Andrews, Mountain Brook; Davis Griffin, Homewood. ► WR: Kasen Lemons, Oak Mountain; Hunter Purdue, Hoover; David Walden, Homewood; Dane Whitehead, Briarwood. ► TE: Hayes DeCoudres, Homewood. ► OL: Pearson Tucker, Vestavia Hills; Adam Brooks, Chelsea; Hugh Tighe, John Carroll; Hank Freeman, Briarwood; Adrian Derico, Briarwood. ► ATH: James Kelly, Hewitt-Trussville. ► P: Harrison Hebert, Briarwood. ► DL: Rodregus Lambert, Homewood; Jamarion White, Hoover; Baasel Alabsi, Hewitt-Trussville; D’ante Seals, Hewitt-Trussville; Randall Jaquez, Homewood; Paxton Ussery, Vestavia Hills; Garrett Witherington, Briarwood. ► LB: Daniel Richardson, Vestavia Hills; JC Schwender, Oak Mountain; Miller Crumpton, Mountain Brook; Jarrett Goldsby, Hoover; Antonio Wynn, Hewitt-Trussville; Harrison Malone, Hewitt-Trussville; Jamario Yadao, Clay-Chalkville; Joey Luckianow, Homewood; Parker Lindsey, Homewood; Luke Eldridge, Homewood; Brooks Allred, Briarwood. ► DB: Owen Wilbanks, Vestavia Hills; Kennedy Silas, Oak Mountain; Clay Mills, Oak Mountain; Kolby King, Oak Mountain; Caden Ali, Hewitt-Trussville; George French, Homewood; John Griffin, Homewood. Starnes Media’s publications cover several communities throughout the Birmingham metro area. Schools included for consideration on this team were Briarwood, Chelsea, ClayChalkville, Hewitt-Trussville, Homewood, Hoover, John Carroll, Mountain Brook, Oak Mountain, Spain Park and Vestavia Hills. The team was selected by Starnes Media’s sports department in collaboration with the coaches.
14 • January 2026
Cahaba Sun
SPORTS
Clay-Chalkville celebrates following the AHSAA Class 6A state football championship against Saraland on Dec. 5 at Protective Stadium. Photos by Todd Lester.
Cougars finish off perfect season, win state title By KYLE PARMLEY It was déjà vu from the same stage 729 days ago. In a rematch of the 2023 state championship, ClayChalkville High School once again toppled Saraland, 38-21, in the Class 6A title game on Dec. 5 at Protective Stadium. The 2023 matchup was a classic — one of the best games in Super 7 history. But the Cougars ensured this matchup did not have the same dramatic flair. Part of the reason for that was a singular focus ClayChalkville (15-0) has had all season long, never getting over the disappointment of losing in the second round of the state playoffs last fall. The Cougars were rarely threatened and met all challenges, especially their final one at the end of the road against a Saraland team making its fourth consecutive state title game appearance. Aaron Frye stole the show one final time in his high school career, capping off a brilliant season with another fantastic game. He totaled five touchdowns — two passing and three rushing. He completed 8 of 10 passes for 167 yards and rushed 15 times for 183 yards. “That feeling is amazing,” he said of lifting the state trophy and winning MVP of the championship game. “This team has put in a lot of work for 11 or 12 months. It got cut short last year, so to go on this journey with this team means the world.” Frye became just the third Clay-Chalkville quarterback to post a season with 2,000 passing yards and 1,000 rushing yards, joining Tyrrell Pigrome and Jaylen Mbakwe. The transformation in Frye from filling in a few times in 2023 to being the full-time starter the last two years has been evident for all to see. “I had some jitters as a sophomore but calmed down when I got in,” he said. “I didn’t play up to Clay’s standard last year, as a starting quarterback losing three games. I had a different mindset over the summer break and worked harder than I ever have before.” Clay-Chalkville was ready to go from the outset, scoring on three of its four drives in the first half. The Cougars hit an explosive play to get on the board first, as Frye rolled out to his left and hit a wide open Jacari Johnson, who bolted the rest of the way for a 66-yard score. Johnson has had a penchant for coming up with big grabs down the stretch, capitalizing on his opportunity with the attention superstar receiver Corey Barber garners. Clay-Chalkville scored on another big play to go up 17-0 midway through the second quarter, as Frye ran 39 yards for the score. Each team scored on its first drive of the second half. Clay
Aaron Frye (1)
Clay-Chalkville celebrates following the AHSAA Class 6A state football championship against Saraland.
Nasir Ray (17)
managed to score after finding itself in a second-and-32 situation. A couple plays later, on fourth and 8, Frye found Nasir Ray running wide open down the seam for a 37-yard score. “They’ve been integral parts,” Clay-Chalkville head coach Stuart Floyd said of Ray and Johnson. “We couldn’t run our offense without Nasir. He’s our Swiss Army knife; we can run any personnel grouping we want with him. He has a rare skill set.” Frye capped off his championship night with rushing touchdowns of 4 and 56 yards to stretch the lead to 38-14. As impressive as Clay-Chalkville’s offensive showing was, the defense was equally as disruptive to Saraland’s typically lethal offensive attack. The Cougars tied a Super 7 record with eight sacks on the night, with Zay Brown leading the way with 2.5 sacks. Brown credited the preparation throughout the week, led by backup quarterback CJ Eldridge on the scout team.
Brown led the team with 10 tackles, as well. Xavier Starks racked up seven tackles, with Brayden Butler, Jamario Yadao and Keylon Curry-Stewart adding six each. Floyd joins a rare club with the win, having won state titles at Clay-Chalkville as a player, assistant coach and head coach. “My own personal coaching journey is nothing short of God putting me where I couldn’t put myself,” he said. “To be sitting here at this podium with these guys at this moment, I can’t put it into words other than, ‘Thank you, Lord.’” Floyd knows the focus shifts quickly. The talk will soon become about next year’s team, but on Friday night, ClayChalkville grabbed the state title for the fifth time in program history, joining the 1999, 2014, 2021 and 2023 teams in the record books. “We left a good legacy,” Brown said. “We made history, going 15-0, and we’ve got a young team. We’ll definitely be back.”
January 2026 • 15
CahabaSun.com
SPORTS
All-South Metro Volleyball Freedman named Coach of the Year By KYLE PARMLEY The 2025 high school volleyball season featured some new faces making deep postseason runs. Hewitt-Trussville returned to the state tournament for the first time in 36 years, Briarwood announced its presence as a force once again and Spain Park made another deep playoff run in its return to state. But plenty of players and teams continued to make strong statements, as they have made a habit of doing. The Under the Lights All-South Metro Volleyball Team aims to recognize the top performers from the season. Millie Burgess of Vestavia Hills is the Overall Player of the Year after capping off her high school career with another brilliant season. She posted 424 kills and 294 digs, and her impact is far beyond the stat sheet for the Rebels. She will head to Jacksonville State University next season, recently signing with the Gamecocks. Chelsea’s Alexis Rudolph is the Offensive Player of the Year, as the only player in the area to eclipse 500 kills in the season. Rudolph earned this nod, but it very easily could have gone to a number of players, such as Johnna Cox (Hewitt-Trussville), Bea Wiggins (Spain Park), Julie Roberts (Briarwood) or any of the first-team setters. Mountain Brook’s Sullivan Lell is this year’s Defensive Player of the Year, as the junior libero finished with 477 digs and returned to the Spartans’ program to command the libero jersey. She is a University of Southern Miss commit and had a season to remember. Hewitt-Trussville’s Andie Freedman is the Coach of the Year after taking her Hewitt-Trussville team to the program’s first state tournament appearance since 1989, missing the final by merely a few points. ► Player of the Year: Millie Burgess, Vestavia Hills ► Offensive Player of the Year: Alexis Rudolph, Chelsea ► Defensive Player of the Year: Sullivan Lell, Mountain Brook ► Coach of the Year: Andie Freedman, Hewitt-Trussville
1ST TEAM
► Outside: Millie Burgess, Vestavia Hills. One of the top all-around players in the area for several years, she put together a great senior season to top it off. ► Outside: Johnna Cox, Hewitt-Trussville. Her efforts led the Huskies to their first state tournament appearance since 1989. She notched 466 kills and 272 digs on the season. ► Outside: Alexis Rudolph, Chelsea. Racking up 511 kills and 298 digs, she surpassed 1,000 kills and 500 digs in a stellar career that has a year left. ► Outside: Bea Wiggins, Spain Park. She helped lead the Jags to the precipice of the state finals after a strong senior season with 487 kills and 353 digs. ► Setter: Noelle Suellentrop, Briarwood. The sophomore had an outstanding season, going for 1,076 assists and 252 digs. ► Setter: Cailyn Kyes, Spain Park. She finished with a sensational 1,144 assists on the year, along with 344 digs. ► Setter: Kayleigh Nguyen, Hewitt-Trussville. She tallied
Head coach Andie Freedman. Photos by Shawn Bowles.
Johnna Cox
983 assists to spearhead Hewitt’s historic season. ► Libero: Sullivan Lell, Mountain Brook. The future Division I player finished with 477 digs and led the Spartans’ back row all season. ► Libero: Camdyn Kyes, Spain Park. The freshman has already established herself as a great player, posting 541 digs. ► Libero: Cheyenne Conner, Hoover. She racked up 700 digs in a stellar season. ► Middle: Ja’Niyah Mosley, Spain Park. The senior had 278 kills in another solid campaign. ► Middle: Sydnie Broom, Hoover. The imposing middle blocker had 244 kills and 109 blocks. ► Middle: Marley Cowan, Vestavia Hills. The middle blocker finished with 160 kills and 102 blocks. ► Right side: Mae Noerager, Homewood. The Trinity University commit had 229 kills and surpassed 100 career blocks. ► Right side: Marion Haskell, John Carroll. The Bucknell commit racked up 416 kills in a great season. ► All-around: Julie Roberts, Briarwood. The South Alabama commit had a standout season, going for 436 kills and 258 digs. ► All-around: Abby Tingle, Hoover. She is a versatile player who finished with 310 kills, 70 digs and 63 blocks. ► All-around: Kamryn Coleman, Homewood. This strong all-around player finished with 826 assists, 125 kills and 109 aces.
2ND TEAM
► Outside: Sarah Johnson, Homewood. The senior went for 357 kills. ► Outside: Caroline Whitehurst, Oak Mountain. The
Christiana Callens
senior standout had 321 kills and 247 digs. ► Outside: Aliyah Pooler, Hoover. She had 271 kills and 268 digs on the year. ► Outside: Lucy Comer, Mountain Brook. The sophomore had an impressive year, going for 313 kills and 291 digs. ► Setter: Darby Rhodes, Mountain Brook. The sophomore racked up 808 assists and 230 digs. ► Setter: Isabella Marino, John Carroll. She put forth 616 assists to finish her career with 1,467 assists. ► Setter: Addison Jenkins, Hoover. She had 574 assists and 232 digs. ► Libero: Christiana Callens, Hewitt-Trussville. The leader of the Huskies defense had 544 digs and 158 assists. ► Libero: Sophia Bagley, Chelsea. The senior took advantage of her opportunity and had 359 digs. ► Libero: Lillie Hill, Vestavia Hills. She finished her junior season with 439 digs and 109 assists. ► Middle: Walker Binkley, Homewood. The senior finished with 157 kills and 58 blocks. ► Middle: Clara Crawford, Briarwood. The senior had a great year with 223 kills and 214 digs. ► Middle: Layne Moller, Chelsea. The sophomore had 202 kills. ► Right side: Claire Ogden, Vestavia Hills. The senior had 172 kills and 72 blocks. ► Right side: Adele Moffatt, Mountain Brook. The junior went for 270 kills, playing in multiple hitting positions. ► All-around: Mady Kirkpatrick, John Carroll. The senior six-rotation player had 335 digs and 177 kills. ► All-around: Betsy Smith, Oak Mountain. The allaround player had 318 assists, 168 digs and 114 kills in her senior year. ► All-around: Kate Gordon, Oak Mountain. The versatile senior had 403 assists and 196 digs.
HONORABLE MENTION
► Outside: Leighton Hendley, Briarwood; Helen Morrison, Briarwood; Peyton Harrington, Spain Park; Reese Wolfe, Hewitt-Trussville; Lucrezia Vavassori, Hoover ► Setter: Anna Burnett, Chelsea; Brynn Toenes, Hoover; Kendall Wilkins, Hoover ► Libero: Addison Wood, Homewood; Presley Hull, Hewitt-Trussville; Maria Binder, Hoover; Lilly Kerr, Oak Mountain ► Middle: Anni McCarthy, John Carroll; Loren Purnell, Hewitt-Trussville; Eden Rainbolt, Hoover; Ally Ross, Oak Mountain; Chloe Shumate, Spain Park ► Right side: Emory Congleton, Hoover
16 • January 2026
Cahaba Sun
COMMUNITY
A look ahead at 2026 From infrastructure fixes to school capacity, city leaders set the agenda for the year ahead By KELLI S. HEWETT Trussville enters 2026 with excitement, change and a big to-do list. A new mayor and the city’s youngest council in recent history are promising visible fixes — parking and traffic at the sports complex, safer crossings, better pedestrian links — as they tune the city’s long-range plan for the years ahead while keeping the city’s community feel intact. New Mayor Ben Short calls it “a year of visible progress and foundational planning,” with an emphasis on communication. “We will continue to share updates, invite community input and explain not just what we are doing but why we are doing it,” Short said.
NEW ADMINISTRATION: CONSERVATIVE SPEND, INFRASTRUCTURE FIRST Short says the quickest visible changes will center on roads and walkability. First up: more than 200 new parking spaces at the Trussville Sports Complex, a much-requested upgrade by residents frustrated with game-day congestion. Work began last month, just weeks after Short assumed office. “Early in the year, residents will see progress on parking expansions within the sports complex, updates to pedestrian crossings and traffic-flow adjustments in key areas,” Short said. Some larger moves will start with survey work, design renderings and engineering studies, Short Short said. Councilmember Jaime Melton Anderson, who also serves on the finance committee, put the fiscal state plainly, explaining that planning for Trussville’s future is imperative. “My No. 1 goal is putting more money away in reserves and cutting down on expenses,” Anderson said, planning monthly finance updates for the public to see. Short’s broader goal? Anderson “Strengthening infrastructure, improving public safety visibility and operations, modernizing city facilities and positioning our departments to serve a growing population efficiently,” he said.
Paine Elementary School remains a focal point of discussions between city leaders and Trussville City Schools as officials plan for future growth and capacity needs. Photo by Ron Burkett.
DOWNTOWN, PHASE 2: CAHABA STATION Across the tracks from TED, the public-private reboot of the former Hall’s Motorsports building is framed as an aesthetics-first addition that fits downtown’s character. “Cahaba Station is a promising prospective private development, and we are approaching it with intentionality,” Short said. “This project gives us the opportunity to set a higher standard for how development should be done in Trussville.”
TRUSSVILLE 2040: FROM VISION TO CODE AND MAPS Expect more rule-writing — design standards, overlays and corridor priorities that determine what can be built and where. The residents asked for it and the leaders heard them. “We will absolutely begin moving components of Trussville 2040 forward — foundational work, traffic, connectivity, redevelopment corridors, green space planning and updated design standards,” Short said. Anderson called it essential core planning for the way Trussville looks and feels in the years and decades to come. “Updating the design standard and our master plan for the city — that is crucial,” Anderson said. “It’s not moving dirt, but it is the important work to lay the foundation because the master plan has not been updated in decades.”
SCHOOL OVERCROWDING: CAPACITY AND SAFE ROUTES Enrollment pressure remains a top issue citywide. “We are committed to working closely with Trussville City Schools to anticipate needs rather than react,” Short said. Conversations and strategies will continue about facilities, traffic management, safe routes and ensuring that growth — residential and commercial — aligns with the school system’s long-term capacity planning. Anderson, the new council liaison to the school board, pointed to active projects, as well as recognition that there are decisions to be made with the state’s largest elementary school, Paine Elementary, which serves more than 1,300 students. “The new elementary school and updates to the middle
A new citywide vape tax, which takes effect on Jan. 1, is aimed at deterring youth vaping as well as generating revenue for public safety and education efforts. Stock photo.
school and the C wing are all projects that are in the works,” Anderson said.
VAPE TAX: DETERRENCE FIRST, REVENUE SECOND Effective Jan. 1, Trussville’s new $0.10 per mL vape tax applies citywide to vape products sold within the city limits, including convenience stores/gas stations. “The vape tax was created with two goals: to deter youth vaping and to ensure the city captures revenue from a growing retail segment,” Short said. While it’s early to project totals, he said the funds can support public safety, enforcement and education initiatives surrounding youth health. The “shop local” push is an emphasis that makes the bigger goals possible through revenue. “We have had declining brick-and-mortar sales tax,” Anderson said. “We really want to encourage folks to shop local,” he said, with the city supporting the chamber and the Downtown Merchants Association and using social media to amplify the message. Pharmacist and Downtown Merchants Association board member Greg Carroll said buying local is a win-win for everyone. “It’s much more beneficial to shop local so more of your money stays in the community,” Carroll said. The DMA’s mission is to drive the public into Trussville stores and educate them through efforts such Carroll as Retail Week, Trussville Gives Back and the Cookie Walk. The constraint is capacity. “We don’t have the resources to have a big shop-local education campaign,” Carroll said. “It’s just difficult to get the resources and time.” Overall, Anderson emphasized the success of past work and those who achieved it, even as the city tunes for what’s next. “We want to honor everything that councils before us and mayors before us have done,” Anderson said. “But we’re turning an eye to the future to improve the infrastructure and control the growth.”
HOUSEHOLD DROP-OFF
2026 Events (Inclement weather backup, Feb 7)
May 9
9-11:30 AM
June 13
9-11:30 AM
September 12
9-11:30 AM
October 17
8-11:30 AM
January 31
9-11:30 AM
March 14
Electronics/TVs /Paper Shredding Jefferson County Village Water Reclamation Facility 1440 Pleasant Hill Rd, Birmingham, 35224
9-11:30 AM
Electronics/TVs /Paper Shredding Jefferson County Valley Water Reclamation Facility 3923 Clear Water Dr, Bessemer, 35023
April 25
8-11:30 AM
Electronics/TVs /Paper Shredding Birmingham Zoo 2630 Cahaba Rd, Birmingham, 35223
Household Hazardous Waste/ Electronics/TVs/Paper Shredding Site 1: City of Bessemer Laydown Yard 1205 15th Ave N, Bessemer, 35020 Site 2: First Baptist Church of GardendaleSouth Location 940 Main St, Gardendale 35071 Site 3: Classic Car Motoring 3900 Grants Mill Rd, Irondale 35210
Electronics/TVs /Paper Shredding Jefferson County Center Point Satellite Courthouse 2651 Center Point Pkwy, Birmingham, 35215
Electronics/TVs /Paper Shredding Birmingham City Hall / Linn Park 710 20th St N, Birmingham, 35203
Household Hazardous Waste/ Electronics/TVs/Paper Shredding Site 1: Camp Bessemer 3295 King St, Bessemer, 35023
Site 2: Camp Ketona 121 County Shop Rd, Birmingham, 35217
For more information call 205-325-8741 or scan QR code Your digital data is secure and will be destroyed during recycling at no additional cost.
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18 • January 2026
Cahaba Sun
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