By Nathan Prewett,
By Nathan Prewett, For the Tribune
By Chris Basinger, News Editor
Ala.
CrossFit Trussville opens new gym after devastating fire
After prolonged political lecture from Mayor Thomas, Springville Council approves pay raise for police
Trussville Council recognizes Presidential Award recipient Melanie Dimler
afterward, Thomas said he trations because the council sometimes delays making decisions it needs to make.
He discussed his motion to add unaddressed items from the February meeting to a proval. That approach was
By Chris Basinger, Managing Editor
It has been a year of firsts for Dobbs Ford as new owners Joey and Rachel Goshein recently celebrated their first year as managing partners and as members of Human bones found by local dog are connected, coroner says From Tribune staff reports
home–The PHNX. Dozens of community members and athletes gathered to celebrate the gym’s reopening with some even getting a workout in during the festivities.
“The council had every opportunity to redress the error but chose otherwise, wanting to move on, showing their frustration and the effectiveness of the filibus-
minutes, cross-referencing political history, addressing recent editorials, and quoting Teddy Roosevelt, Jesus, and Socrates along the way. Although not technically a filibuster, the lecture was designed to prolong the meeting allowing Thomas to air his displeasure at the lack of hands raised. Along the way, he said the council’s lack of leadership on salaries would be a burden on the city.
was that if you make an error it can’t be corrected. That the error becomes a mistake,” he said. “But now the window to act has closed as of last Wednesday, shackling the next administration with the consequences of their actions,” he said.
Speaking to The Tribune
But the day of celebration would not have come without a day of tragedy. May 7, 2023 was a typical Sunday for Andrew and Candace Rape. After church they went
Foxhound Bee Company to bee-gin construction on new education center
Birmingham-based Tower Homes launches new community in Trussville
swarming to Irondale to visit a new beekeeping education center designed to teach students and community members about the world of pollinators.
From Tribune staff reports
Ala. – Tower Homes has announced that it is launching a new 45-home community in Trussville called Hillbrook, located off of Husky Parkway just steps away
Birmingham-based Foxhound Bee Company is preparing to break ground on the 5,000 square foot facility al opportunities and STEM programming, the center will also sell a range of products sourced from bees, including honey and beeswax, as well as supplies for beekeepers. It will be built across from the all-new Ruffner Sports Complex, which
“When looking for akeeping store, we continued to hear comments about how Irondale was doing great things,” said founder Adam Hickman.
“Everyone on the project seemed to speak highly of working with Irondale and its leadership. So, when we approached the
to the gym to do some work before going off to a birthday party, but after a little while their phones started blowing up–the gym was on
See CROSSFIT, Page 2
Many other cities in the prove non-controversial items with a single vote through a consent agenda, a procedural process used to ing process, Thomas led the er project which will need further action for financial decisions. The council also renewed the city’s garbage collection contract with Waste Management. Items from the February agenda were addressed individually. The purchase See SPRINGVILLE, Page 2
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – A human skull and a left tibia found by a dog in East Birmingham last year are confirmed to have belonged to the same person, according to the Jefferson County Coroner’s Office. The link was confirmed
BONES, Page
Leeds High School freshmen take action to address rising school shootings
By Tanna McGuire
Trussville’s Piper Smith crowned Miss Alabama Preteen at NAM Alabama pageant
From Tribune staff reports
MOBILE, Ala. – Piper Madison Smith of Trussville was crowned Miss Alabama Preteen Piper at the National American Miss Alabama Pageant in Mobile last week.
The pageant, which saw girls aged 4-24 compete in six different age divisions, was held at the Renaissance Riverview Plaza.
LEEDS, Ala. – Over the past 25 years, school shootings in the United States have surged to alarming levels, with a reported 574 incidents occurring between 2000 and 2025, according to data from Statista. Three Leeds High School freshmen, Amelia Davis, Madilynn Johnson, and Beatrice McCormick, members of the Leeds High School Chapter of Future Career Community Leaders of America (FCCLA), are determined to address this pressing issue through their state conference project.
Smith, 12, competed in four overall crown winning categories including Formal Wear Modeling, Personal Introduction, Interview, and Community Service Project.
In total, she was awarded:
The young leaders have not only compiled critical statistics but are also working with local officials and educators to promote stronger safety measures in schools. Their project, which will be presented at the FCCLA state conference in March, aims to raise awareness about the devastating impact of school shootings and propose actionable changes to improve safety protocols in Alabama
sentiment, emphasizing the
cal toll that school shootings take on students and their families.
“You shouldn’t have to worry about being
ing to learn,” Johnson said.
and comprehensive drills.
“When people’s lives are on the line, we can’t just do the bare minimum,” Davis said.
“Schools should take intruder drills as seriously as they do fire or tornado drills.” Johnson echoed this
“We need to make sure that every school feels safe and ready to handle anything that could happen.” McCormick highlighted the importance of turning awareness into action.
“School shootings are such a huge problem, and we
See STUDENTS, Page 3
By Chris Basinger, News Editor
Council
proclamation during Tuesday night’s meeting honoring
School Physics teacher
Dimler.
A concept of the new education center in Irondale. (Foxhound Bee Company)
Pictured: Beatrice McCormick, Madilynn Johnson, and Amelia Davis.
A map of the new Hillbrook community. (Tower Homes)
The newly crowned Miss Alabama Preteen Piper Madison Smith.
Andrew, Candace, and their family celebrate the reopening of CrossFit Trussville at their new gym–the PHNX. (Chris Basinger/Trussville Tribune)
The Trussville Tribune
190 Main Street
Trussville, AL 35173 (205) 533-8664
Scott Buttram, Publisher publisher@trussvilletribune.com
Chris Basinger, Managing Editor chris.basinger@trussvilletribune.com
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Sherry J. Parker, Marketing Executive & Photographer, sherry.parker@trussvilletribune.com
Brookelyn Rush, Office Manager
Brannon Dawkins, Tribune Unscripted Producer & Account Manager
fire.
“Our kids, they call this Daddy’s house because when they were little and he had to be up at the gym all the time fixing stuff up, this is where Daddy was,” Candace said.
Everyone, including off-duty firefighters, came to try to save the building, but it was a total loss.
“It looked like a bomb had gone off. It was nothing that you could’ve prepared yourself for from what I had seen however many hours prior,” Candace said.
“He proposed to me in that building, that was the first place we brought all of our kids after the hospital, before we went anywhere else I came in here with them, our kid’s first birthday was here, my dad’s surprise 50th was here, my sister’s surprise 40th–it was more than just a building because of how special everybody’s relationships are.”
After the fire they immediately got to work, buying white boards, markers, equipment–all the things they needed to start running classes again.
“I didn’t know where we were going to go but we were going somewhere, and then our pastor at Gateway Family Church, who’s one of our coaches, was like if you want to use our building let me know,” Andrew said.
“5 a.m. the next morning we started running classes and we never missed a class.“
Despite their situation, they made the best out of it, continuing to host classes at the church for over two years while they rebuilt.
“We helped a lot of people get in shape while we were at the church and a lot of our members ended up joining Gateway Family Church,” Andrew said.
“We haven’t stopped to think in the past two years and now that we’re here,
people come to me and they’re like, ‘oh it’s nice to be at the finish line,’ but it’s not the finish line at all. It’s the finish line of the building, but it’s the starting line of making this something we can operate in.”
Their new building–The PHNX–has also opened up opportunities that were not possible at their old facility.
The gym is now two stories and hosts permanent
spaces upstairs for physical therapy, Jiu Jitsu, martial arts, wrestling, and even a church. They will also be able to hold a variety of other events.
“We’re just thankful for everybody that’s been supporting us and stuck with us. The average CrossFit gym is very small and we were, even throughout the fire, almost three times as large as the average Cross-
Fit gym, in a church, which isn’t giving us any credit it’s that all of our athletes trusted us and stuck with us and supported us emotionally, spiritually, relationally, and even financially, so even everybody here, the city council and Buddy, everybody’s been helpful,” Andrew said.
“It’s a tough thing that happened, but the people and everybody involved is what made it really great.”
A look inside the new gym. (Chris Basinger/Trussville Tribune)
The upstairs studio can be used for martial arts, wrestling, boxing, and more. (Chris Basinger/Trussville Tribune)
Local Meetings
L oca L / R egion
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●Trussville City Council Meetings:2nd and 4thTuesday of eachmonthat6 p.m.
CityCouncil Annex
●Trussville BoardofEducation Meetings:3rd Monday of eachmonthat6 p.m.
storytimeinthe library auditorium withstories,songs, bubbletime, andlotsoffun!
●Yarn Manglers: Thursday July 25 at 2p.m.- Knitters and crocheters, join us for fellowshipand creativity!
Bicentennial Park:Thursday July 25 at 4p.m.- It’stimeto
saygoodbyetoanother wonderfulSummerReading Program!Enjoy free access to theSplashPad, crafts,food trucks,& so much more!
Leeds BOE
●Parks and RecTrivia: Thursday,July25at6 p.m.
TCSCentral Office
From front page
●ClayCityCouncil Meetings:2nd and 4thTuesday of eachmonthat6 p.m.
●PinsonCityCouncil Meetings: 1stand 3rdThursday of eachmonthat7 p.m.
●CenterPoint City Council Meetings:1st and 3rdThursday of eachmonth, at 6:30 p.m.
Saturday saw a bout of severe weather as strong winds and rains blasted the area. Parts of the building sustained fire damage as well as water damage from the rain.
●ClassicCinema: Friday, July 26 at 2p.m Come and watchaclassicmovie in the library auditorium!
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●ArgoCityCouncil Meetings:2nd and 4thMonday of eachmonthat5 p.m.
●Springville City Council Meetings:1st and 3rdMonday of eachmonthat6 p.m.
●IrondaleCityCouncil Meetings:1st and 3rdTuesof eachmonthat6 p.m.
Architect Gary Owen from Goodwin, Mills and Cawood spoke at the meeting and said that a letter declaring an emergency will allow for the board to begin the process of repairs and send out proposals for general contractors to perform the work.
●Leeds City Council Meetings:1st and 3rdMonday of eachmonthat6 p.m.
Domino’s Pizza opens in Pinson
From Tribune staff reports
PINSON,
Hillbrook
From front page
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●Moody City Council Meetings:2nd and 4thMonday of eachmonthat6 p.m.
Trussville Public Library
The building will undergo an estimated two weeks of inspection and mitigation for the damage caused. The repairs will include removing part of the roof structure in order to access insulation that was soaked during the rains.
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teachers in one classroom or we convert the gym to four classrooms or the cafete ria and kids get their lunch and take it back to another room,” Moore said.
Owens estimated that repair work should be completed by the end of October or possibly November.
that the recent lightning strike was not the first for the building, and Moore suggested possibly installing a lightning rod.
Also during the meeting, the board heard an au
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Superintendent John Moore said during the course of the renovations it may be necessary to rear range classes and students.
“I’m of the opinion that we’re better off to open school and if that means we have two kindergarten
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Pre-sales are now available, and the first wave of move-in ready homes is expected to be completed later this summer.
Chief Financial Officer Ryan Miller gave his report porting that 73.74% of the general fund revenue was received along with 91.60% of the local revenue, which is up 2.26% from this time
Expenses were at 53%, accounts payable were $$629,088, gross payroll expenditures were $1,368,896, and the month ended with an excess of revenue over expenditures of $3.29 million. The unreserved fund balance was $13.9 million. The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, July 8 at 10 a.m. at the Leeds Board of Education Building located at 1517 Hurst Avenue.
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A rendering of the Azalea style home. (Tower Homes)
A rendering of the Poplar style home. (Tower Homes)
Bones
From front page
following a DNA analysis of the bones, though authorities still do not know the identity of who they belonged to.
JEFFERSON COUNTY,
Ala. The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office is investi-
gating after a man was shot at a bingo hall near Grayson Valley early Monday morning. Deputies responded to the bingo hall, located at 5712 Chalkville Road, shortly after 5 a.m. where they found a male employee suffering from a gunshot wound.
Center Point Fire and Rescue responded to the scene and transported the victim to UAB Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
According to the sher-
iff’s office, the preliminary investigation revealed that a verbal
Leeds celebrates the opening of Divergent Therapy Services. (Leeds Area Chamber of Commerce)
The coroner’s office has reported that multiple missing person cases have been ruled out by the DNA analysis as the identity of the remains.
In partnership with Miles College and the Institute of Research for Social Justice in Action, the following programs will provide the tools and support to drive change:
• Rise up Birmingham: will engage 50 teens and young adults in leadership and violence prevention roles. Participants will earn $12 and hour for their work in this five-week paid program, running from June 30 through August 1.
The skull was discovered by a homeowner on the shoulder of the roadway next to his residence near the 1300 block of 5th Place NW on Aug. 20, 2024.
Investigators believe the skull was moved from its original location, which remains unknown, to the property by the homeowner ’s dog.
The coroner’s office per-
• Flipping the game: From hustle to enterprise: a dynamic entrepreneurship program designed for adults. Participants will receive hands-on training, mentorship, and $2,000 in startup capital to transform informal hustles into viable, legal businesses. This program also runs June 30 through August 1.
• The community practitioner in residence program: offers adult residents and leaders an opportunity to deepen their impact through intensive training and field-based learning. The
formed an autopsy on the skull and determined that the victim had been shot. The same dog found the second bone, a left tibia, on Dec. 12, 2024.
goal is to cultivate a citywide network of practitioners committed to peace, equity, and transformation.
“These are not just programs—they are pathways to purpose,” said Mayor Randall L. Woodfin. “We are investing in people who have the power to transform their communities from the inside out. From our youth leaders to our grassroots visionaries, Birmingham is saying loud and clear: your ideas, your hustle, your leadership matters. Together, we are building a city where hope wins and violence loses.”
Using GPS trackers, officials have outlined the dog’s roaming range, but searches of the areas frequently visited have not turned up any additional remains.
Trussville Council meetings rescheduled
From Tribune staff reports
TRUSSVILLE, Ala. –
The next two Trussville City Council meetings and workshops have undergone some reshuffling due to upcoming holidays and scheduling conflicts.
The council has now scheduled its next workshop and regular meeting for Thursday, June 26.
The agenda workshop will start at 5:30 p.m. and the council meeting will begin immediately afterward.
Divergent
The event was attended by local officials, chamber members, and community supporters at the building’s location on 1389 8th Street, where services are offered for occupational and speech therapy for children and adults.
The facility serves developmental, communicative, and physical needs. It also offers parent support groups and educational classes.
This is the second loca-
From Tribune staff reports
LEEDS,
“He is a suspect in an Organized Retail Theft Investigation.
the Leeds community,” said Amy Lee, Executive Director of the Leeds Area Chamber of Commerce. “Their mission aligns perfectly with the spirit of Leeds— serving others, building connections, and improving For more information, -
ro Alabama also released information about the incident.
The council has also moved the following workshop and regular meeting to be held back-to-back on July 8. Again, the
Notice is hereby given that Hand Service Company, Inc., 110 Greenbrook Dr., Hazel Green, AL 35750, has completed all work on the Well #17 and #18 Project 3-010-23 and 3-011-23, for Trussville Gas and Water. All persons having any claim for labor, materials, or otherwise in connection with this project, should immediately notify the above named contractor and Trussville Gas and Water, 127 Main Street, Trussville, AL 35173.
If you recognize this individual or have any information about this crime, please contact Crime Stoppers of Metro Alabama.”
CrimeStoppers of Met-
Argo PD partners with Our Rescue to combat child exploitation, human trafficking
“According to a report filed with the Leeds Police
ship, Argo PD has acquired advanced digital forensic tools and established a digital forensics mini lab, providing the city with new capabilities to collect, examine, and preserve digital evidence.
According to a statement from the department, the tools will “significantly enhance” their ability to investigate crimes involving online exploitation, traf-
ficking, and child endangerment—both locally and in support of neighboring agencies.
“This partnership gives us the tools and training necessary to confront these crimes head-on,” Chief Roy A Busler, Jr. said. “By in-
If you recognize this individual, or have any information about this crime, please contact Crime Stoppers of Metro Alabama. You may remain anonymous, and if your tip leads to an arrest, you could receive a cash reward of up to $5,000.
vesting in digital forensic technology and aligning ourselves with the mission of O.U.R. Rescue, the City of Argo is taking a proactive and determined stance against the exploitation of children. We now have the ability to not only respond— but to lead—in identifying, tracking, and stopping traf-
ue to support the department with specialized resources, personnel collaboration, and ongoing training for officers. Both organizationslic awareness campaigns to educate the community on how to recognize and report
City of Trussville Logo (Photo by Hannah Curran)
Photo courtesy of www.cityofargo.org
Birmingham City Hall
found shot and unresponsive in an alleyway in the area. Poole was pronounced dead at the scene at 5:05 p.m. No one is in custody in
connection to the case.
Those with information on the shooting are asked to call the BPD at 205-2541764 or submit an anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777.
Woman who sold fentanyl at Leeds Bucee’s sentenced to prison
From Tribune staff reports
ANNISTON, Ala. – A woman living in the United States illegally has been sentenced on multiple drug trafficking charges, U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona announced on Monday.
43-year-old Claudia Montano Gonzalez, a native and citizen of Mexico, was sentenced to 39 months in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl, distribution of fentanyl, and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.
According to the plea agreement, in October 2023, Gonzalez sold fentanyl at the Buc-ee’s travel
center in Leeds. Gonzalez’s husband and co-defendant, David Angel Alejandres, facilitated the transaction from Mexico, but Gonzalez delivered the fentanyl.
After obtaining a search warrant for Gonzalez’s residence in Pell City, agents recovered approximately one kilogram of fentanyl.
In June 2024, Alejandres was charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl, distribution of fentanyl, and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. He remains at large.
Birmingham teen injured after home shot into for second time
By Austin Franklin, CBS 42
BIRMINGHAM, Ala.
– A teen is recovering after shots were fired into a home overnight.
Police confirm a 15-yearold was shot at a home on the 900 block of Redstone
Lane around 3:40 a.m. Currently, police believe an unknown person fired shots into the home and drove off. While police said it is unknown if the home was targeted in the shooting, they noted the home was shot into previously in December 2024. The victim is expected to survive.
Fatal I-59/20 crash victim identified
By Austin Franklin, CBS 42
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. –
The victim of a fatal I-59/20 crash was identified Monday
morning. Edrick Renzy Williams, 47, was driving on I-59/20 near 31st Street when he was involved in a crash early Saturday morning. Williams was pro-
nounced dead at the scene around 1:46 am, the Jefferson County Coroner reports. Birmingham police are investigating the circumstances of Williams’ crash.
Woman arrested after allegedly assaulting BPD officer
From Tribune staff reports
BIRMINGHAM, Ala.
– A woman is facing multiple charges after allegedly assaulting a police officer during a disturbance in the Tom Brown Village Housing Community. According to the Birmingham Police Department, officers from BPD’s Community Safety Partnership Unit observed a physical altercation involving multiple individuals on Sunday, June 8, in the 4100 block of 5th Court North. Officers reportedly ap-
proached the scene of the incident and attempted to de-escalate the situation by engaging with an individual
who appeared irate and visibly upset.
Police stated that the “female suspect became increasingly disorderly, using profane language and refusing to comply with the officers’ commands.” When an officer attempted to take her into custody, she allegedly assaulted them and resisted arrest before ultimately being arrested.
Tamia Denise Arnold, 21, has since been charged with second-degree assault, resisting arrest, and disorderly conduct with a total bond of $14,000.
Claudia Montano Gonzalez
Tamia Denise Arnold
5 p.m. Monday on Avenue
H. The victim, 18-year-old Marion Cedric Poole, was
L ifesty L e
Lass But Not Least: More Than Just a Show
By Ken Lass
It was Autumn of 1929.
The country’s economy was hanging precipitously on the edge of a cliff due to the excesses of the roaring twenties, and way too many high-risk loans from overconfident banks. In October of that year, the worst-case scenario played out. The stock market crashed, sending the nation plummeting into what would be known as the Great Depression.
The American public stampeded into their banks in an attempt to draw all of their money out quickly, but the banks couldn’t withstand the pressure. More than nine thousand of them folded, costing many thousands of people their homes and life savings. With no money to buy goods and products, companies cut back on manufacturing, resulting in widespread layoffs. The South was hit particularly hard. The region was already the poorest in the United States, with a per capita income around fifty percent of the national average. It was largely a one crop economy in which too many people chased too little agricultural income.
In Birmingham, Alabama, where the steel industry dominated the market, U.S. Steel employed roughly 108,000 people. By the early 1930’s, around 25,000
of those workers, almost one out of four, had been laid off. Many of those who remained were part time. The situation was made more complicated by the fact that, during the prosperous times of the roaring twenties, Birmingham felt confident enough in its private donations to abolish its welfare department, considering there were only about eight hundred families on the roll in 1929. By 1932 however, that role had ballooned to more than eight thousand. It was against this backdrop that an energetic young man arrived at Woodlawn High School. Woodlawn had been annexed into Birmingham in 1916, and four years later the new high school was built, rapidly emerging as the gem of the city system. The young man’s name was John Light. He was a graduate of Northwestern University, a prestigious school in the Chicago area. The college is known for its high academic standards, but Light’s favorite activity by far was singing in the glee club. In fact, he loved it so much that immediately upon being hired as the new vocal teacher at Woodlawn, his desire was to form a similar club there.
As you might imagine, in the throes of the depression, educational institutions, like everyone else, had to pinch pennies and conserve funds.
What money was available had to be focused on the basics, reading, writing, math and science. Boys glee club? Nice idea, but necessarily low on the priority list of most places of learning.
Yet John Light found himself in the right place at the right time. Woodlawn High happened to be a place that embraced the arts, and music in particular. Despite an environment in which most families were deeply concerned about their financial security, in some cases where their next meal was coming from, Light successfully recruited a gathering of students who loved to sing.
Their families may have been strapped, but singing didn’t cost much.
And they were good at it. Really good. So good in fact, their appearances at school functions and community events met with rave reviews, and the club quickly became a staple of the community.
With their repertoire of spiritual, patriotic and folk ballad songs, the boys gave their audiences a much-needed breath of optimism, cheer and joy. They became a bit of an oasis in a desert of economic despair. In need of a name, many possibilities were
considered. Since the young singers could warble their voices like the chirpings of a cheerful bird, the group settled on “The Warblers”. Early photographs indicated the original versions of the club had around twenty to twenty-five members.
America would lift itself out of the Great Depression by the late 1930’s, but many challenges lay ahead. World War Two, the Korean conflict, the rise of communism, racial unrest, the Vietnam War, and the assassination of a president to name a few.
Through it all, the Warblers not only survived, but flourished. As the number of students joining the club grew, and as more funding became available, the club began to put on minstrel-style variety shows, playing to sold out venues across the area.
The Warblers became synonymous with Woodlawn and eventually began to use some of the proceeds from their uplifting work for other charitable causes. John Light’s vision and leadership was carried on by several other dedicated directors.
The 1970’s brought a shift away from traditional music and also brought a sometimes stormy integration of Woodlawn High.
The glee club ran out of gas in 1977 and was discontinued. But former members of the group longed for the
fellowship and goodwill intentions they were able to spread amongst their audiences, and the community clearly missed their encouraging spirit. In 1988 Warblers of the past from all over the world gathered for three performances at the Alabama Theater. All three shows were hard sellouts, and the glee club was joyfully reborn, now open to all ages, regardless of where you went to school. Turns out their fourpart, barbershop quartet style harmony, and stirring renditions of spiritual and patriotic songs, still lifted their audiences up from their troubles, still a ray of sunshine in a darkening culture for nearly a hundred years. The Warblers continue to perform at several area events, and every few years they put together another big, full-length show, reminiscent of those early days of John Light, the latest of which will take place July 12 at the Wright Center on the Samford campus. It will make you smile. Tickets are online at warblersclub.org. With members growing older, and some passing on, there is talk it could be the last of the club’s big shows. That would, indeed, be a big loss. The world is still troubled. The Warblers need to continue singing and entertaining. And we still need to hear them.
ICHBW: Is Healing the Missing Piece?
I Couldn’t Help But Wonder…
By Dixie Dreamer
They say time heals all wounds, but what if the wounds seem to stitch themselves up only to split wide open again at the worst possible moment? I couldn’t help but wonder—how many of us rush into love like it’s a lifeboat, only to realize we’re dragging baggage that sinks the whole thing? Spoiler alert: I’ve been there, and trust me, it’s not a good look. After a particularly messy breakup five years ago, I found myself jumping headfirst into a new relationship. Did I take the time to reflect on my past traumas? Nope. Did I focus on my own needs and desires before tethering myself to someone else? Absolutely not. I was too busy convincing myself that a new beginning could erase all the heartbreaks and insecurities I tucked neatly under the rug. What happened instead? You guessed it—those unresolved issues came roaring back like an awkward ex who won’t stop texting. My new rela-
tionship suffered because I hadn’t given myself the gift of time to heal. Worse yet, I sought validation from my partner for things I needed to find within myself. The real kicker? Baggage has its way of making you pick the wrong partner. Without healing, I didn’t know what I truly needed from a relationship—or what my dealbreakers were. I found myself in toxic dynamics where the pattern was painfully clear in hindsight. I wasn’t grounded, and in my vulnerable state, I wasn’t able to recognize— or even demand—better.
Healing is like decluttering your emotional closet. It takes time, effort, and yes,
some serious soul-searching. But oh, once the space is cleared, there’s room for so much possibility. The truth is, healing isn’t easy. It often means confronting the messy, unflattering parts of yourself you’d rather ignore. It’s sitting with your pain, unpacking past traumas, and—perhaps most importantly—learning how to love yourself in a way that isn’t dependent on anyone else.
But here’s the thing about healing. It doesn’t look the same for everyone. For some, it might mean therapy—a safe haven to sort through the debris of the past. For others, it could be journaling, meditating, or taking solo trips to recon-
nect with who you are outside a relationship. It might mean taking a break from dating altogether or setting boundaries with well-meaning friends and family who ask why you’re still single. Healing is deeply personal, and there’s no one-size-fitsall timeline. For me, it was years of focusing on myself, but for you, it could be months, or even longer.
Why is this step so important? Because the alternative—carrying unresolved emotional baggage into your next relationship—means setting the stage for the same hurt to play out again and again. Healing allows you to walk into love as a whole, healthy
person. It gives you clarity about what you need, what you want, and what you absolutely won’t put up with. By doing the hard work, you’re not only preparing yourself for a stronger connection in the future, but you’re also giving your future partner the gift of meeting you at your best. Now, I know what you’re thinking. “Are you saying I have to be completely healed before I can date again?” Of course not. We’re all works in progress. Perfectly healed doesn’t exist—nor should it. But being intentional about your healing gives you a foundation to build on. It allows you to approach dating from a
place of strength, not desperation or fear.
If you’re in the process of healing, give yourself grace. Take the time you need, whether it’s months or years. Trade late-night texts with a questionable ex for late-night journaling about your goals and desires. Learn to take yourself on dates before insisting someone else does. Most importantly, trust that when the right person comes along, they’ll meet you where you are, not where you were. I couldn’t help but wonder—what might happen if we all prioritized healing before connection? The truth is, getting to know yourself first is the greatest love story of all. Have you been through a healing journey that changed the way you approach love? I’d love to hear your story. Share it at columnist@ICHBWcolumn.com. After all, in the wild, wonderful world of modern dating, we could all learn a little from each other, one story at a time. Stay fabulous and more importantly, embrace and get to know the incredibly true YOU! XOXO
Ken Lass, Tribune Columnist
L ifesty L e / o pinion
Sean of the South: The Night the Lights Went Out in Alabama
By Sean Dietrich
The electricity went out.
I don’t know why it happened. It wasn’t storming.
The weather was nice. All I know is I was watching TV when the lamps suddenly flickered and died.
And that was that.
The house fell silent. The refrigerator quit vibrating. The A/C compressor was no longer humming.
My dog stared at the ceiling fan slowing down. The power must have affected cell towers, too. I had no phone service.
For a few minutes I just sat in my living room, watching my dog dutifully perform an act of intimate hygiene.
Panic set in. What was I going to do? No electricity?
No internet? No phone service? How would I contact a loved one in an emergency?
How would I dial 911? How was I going to order cat food on Amazon?
I was becoming dangerously isolated from humanity, and fast. As an American, I am obligated by the Bill of Rights to keep current with essential news headlines at all times.
But without vital electronic devices, I had no idea what key events were happening in the global community. I was missing out. What if something was happening in North Korea I needed to know about?
How about Quebec? What if I missed vital updates on court hearings? Or the baby monkey kidnappings in Panama? Or the videoed
rescue of the runaway zebra in Murfreesboro, Tennessee?
How was I supposed to live without constant headlines about various billionaires’ sex scandals? What about my 24-hour footage of violent demonstrations in Third World countries, massive explosions, terrorist bombs, bodies lying in streets, or “Live with Kelly and Mark?”
No more TV means no more rich dudes in courtrooms talking about rappers’ prostitution rings. No more news anchors gleefully saying the words “Harvey Weinstein.” No more commercials urging me to purchase gold, Colonial Life insurance, or any other valuable service Joe Namath provides.
Sean Dietrich (Photo courtesy of seandietrich.com)
Also, no more fast food commercials advertising plasticized meat-like “products,” injected with industrial-grade cholesterolized gelatine before being served upon “buns” that aren’t actually—in the legal sense—bread. This is usually followed by a weight-loss commercial. No more pharmaceu-
tical ads about breakthrough drugs with vaguely Star-Trekky names that can (a) improve your life, and (b) kill you. No more lengthy drug company disclaimers which last about as long as law school: (“Zelabubracil may cause kidney failure, brain bleeding, rare forms of eyeball fungi, inability to form sentences without spontaneously soiling your underwear, depressive disorders, suicidal thoughts, sudden interest in C-Span…”)
And what about my phone? No text conversations with family members that are purely based on sharing memes? No more spam marketers texting information about my auto warranty? No more robo-calls from
pre-recorded machines offering me critical information about debt consolidation services, urgent health insurance opportunities, or scams about fundraisers for upcoming congressmen’s balls. Everyone knows congressmen don’t have those. No. Without electricity there was nothingness. I felt lost and disconnected. Where was I going to get my excitement? How was I going to adequately feel afraid? How in the WORLD was I going to defend my principles on social media by engaging with people whom I’ve never met and subsequently calling them buttholes? What in the world was I going to do with myself? Wait. I know. Maybe it’s time I lived my life.
Paul DeMarco: Fundraising for Alabama’s 2026 Elections Moving Full Steam Ahead
By Paul DeMarco
While the 2026 Alabama election campaigns unofficially started in May, we are a long way from the official kick-off.
State and county candidates in next year’s election cycle will have to wait until next January to actually sign up and pay their qualifying fees.
Once a candidate has decided to actually throw their name in the hat, the most important job is to start raising money to pay for the campaign.
Running for statewide office is an expensive endeavor and requires the resources to expend to pay for getting out the candidate’s name and message.
To reach all four corners of the state always requires television and radio advertisements, which can add up to get access to all of the major coverage areas. In addition to that, almost every candidate will make major purchases on social media, mail pieces, and even billboards. Finally, candidates have to put together a campaign
Huge hardwood trees, creeks, pastures, and level homesites
Minutes from downtown Trussville
team to run the day-to-day operation of their campaigns, and though Alabama is not the most populous state in the nation, it is large enough to require a well-funded staff to get across the finish line.
To win in Alabama you cannot just rely on the I-65 corridor and the major metropolitan areas, you must crisscross the rural parts of the state to win as well.
The conventional wisdom used to be winning Alabama’s four largest cities was tantamount to victory,
but with the Republican Party now dominating state politics, that does not cut it anymore. Candidates have to ensure those that live outside the urban and suburbs are heard, and their issues are addressed.
In particular, it is important to remember that the agriculture crop and animal production is still an important part of Alabama’s economy. Farming is essential in our state and requires those who want to serve in a lead-
ership position acknowledge it as well.
Funding a serious effort to win these high offices means an operation that operates seven days a week on all-cylinders and that costs a lot of money.
It may be 2025, the fundraising for the 2026 elections has already started in earnest.
Paul DeMarco is a former member of the Alabama House of Representatives and can be found on X, formerly Twitter, at @Paul_ DeMarco
Paul DeMarco
o bitua R y
Shelia Gamble
March 9 at 1:30 p.m. - Extensive ACT review class
● Chess Club: Monday, March 10 at 5 p.m. - Learn the basics, cool tricks, strategy, opening, and tactic in chess from a ChessKidsNation coach
to pick up our “Dahl’s Delightful Kits.” Packed with exciting games, activities, & crafts inspired by Dahl’s beloved stories
● Storytime for Growin’ Beans with Ms. Allison: Friday, March 7 at 10 a.m.
Carolyn Joyce Willard French
november
Runyan
(Blenner “Pale”). Joyce graduated from Emma Sansom High School and married the love of her life, Wilburn (Bill) Benton French, on May 2, 1952. Together, they built a life marked by unwavering faith, sacrificial love, and dedicated service. For over
Richard Michael “Ricky” Harbison
● Books & Brews: Monday, March 10 at 7:15 p.m. - An evening Adult Book Club meeting at Ferus Artisan Ales
● Ukulele Club: Tuesday, March 11 at 6:30 p.m. - Beginner ukulele club
● Preschoolers at Play: Wednesday, March 12 at 10:30 a.m. - Join us for a short movement and story with Ms. Alicia followed by free play with various toys
● Children’s Storytime: Thursday March 13 at 9:30 and 10:30 a.m. - Join Ms. Alicia for stories, songs, bubble time, and lots of fun
● Homeschool Hangout:
- Our theme is Smell. We’ll read books, have fun, do a craft, & have a snack
● Goat Yoga: Saturday, March 8 at 1 p.m. - Announcing “Goat Yoga” with our friends at Olive Valley Farms & our host, “Yoga with Kayla.” This will be a day of yoga, laughter, & the adorable company of friendly goats! Registration required
● Tech Tuesdays: Tuesday, March 11 at 10 a.m.
Drop by for helpful tech tips and tricks with Mr. Keith!
Please bring your device with you if you are able
Loudell “Dell” Hubbard
Allen N. Hide, Jr.
Thursday, March 13 at 1 p.m. - A place for homeschool teens to hang out, socialize, and play games
● Cult Classic Cinema: Thursday, March 13 at 5:30 p.m. - An evening highlighting the other half of Trussville’s Core Collection of movies–Cult Classics. This month’s feature: “Little Shop of Horrors” (1986) Pinson Public Library
● Dahl’s Delightful Kits: March 3-8, All week - Join us as we celebrate the imaginative world of Roald Dahl! Stop by the library
● Geek Guild D&D (Teens): Tuesday, March 11 at 4:30 p.m. - We’re playing Dungeons & Dragons! Delve into the Forgotten Realm in this fantasy Role-Playing Game.
● Junior Jamz: Wednesday, March 12 at 10 a.m.
- Bring your little kiddos to jam at the library! We’ll provide a variety of musical instruments for the children to explore
● Let’s Jam!: Thursday, March 13 at 4 p.m. - Are you learning to play an instrument or have you been playing for years? Come jam at the library!
As a devoted nurse, she found both purpose and joy in caring for others—serving not only with skilled hands, but with a tender heart. Nursing was her calling, and she cherished it as a sacred way to show love to the world.
“Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a few things; I will make you ruler over many things: enter into the joy of your Lord.”, Matthew 25:23. She will be deeply missed and forever remembered by all who knew her.
Loudell was the proud mother of three children: Joe Wilson (Nell) and Teresa Giangrosso (Gary). Her legacy lives on through her grandchildren, Kristin Giangrosso, Angela Harris, April Agee, and Suzanne Wilson, numerous great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews and extended family.
A woman of deep Christian faith, Loudell loved Jesus with all her heart. She often reminded her loved ones that angels were always watching over us-a truth she held close and lived by every day. Her home was a place of peace, prayer, and unconditional love.
Though we mourn her passing, we rejoice in knowing she is now reunited with her husband, B.C., her son, Jimmy, and her granddaughter, Amber, who preceded her in death and being surrounded by the heavenly
always believed in. Her life was a radiant testimony of love, service, and faith. The family would also like to extend a special thank you to her sitters,
cLassified
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Local Meetings
● Trussville City Council Meetings: 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m., City Council Annex
● Trussville Board of Education Meetings: 3rd Monday of each month at 6 p.m., TCS Central Office
● Clay City Council Meetings: 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m.
● Pinson City Council Meetings: 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month at 7 p.m.
● Center Point City Council Meetings: 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month, at 6:30 p.m.
● Argo City Council Meetings: 2nd and 4th Monday of each month at 5 p.m.
● Springville City Council Meetings: 1st and 3rd Monday of each month at 6 p.m.
● Irondale City Council Meetings: 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m.
● Leeds City Council Meetings: 1st and 3rd Monday of each month at 6 p.m.
● Moody City Council Meetings: 2nd and 4th Monday of each month at 6 p.m.
● The M.W. Hosey American Legion Post 205, Clay-Trussville, meets on the 2nd Monday of each month at 6 p.m. at the Clay Community Center. Meetings are open to all veterans. Post 205 also meets on the 3rd Thursday of each month at 6 p.m. at the Trussville Applebee’s for a Veteran’s Pub night. Trussville Public Library
● Archery: Saturday, June 21 at 1 p.m. - Basic archery class for teens with Trussville Parks and Rec
● Crafternoon: Monday, June 23 at 4 p.m. - Join
us for a Crafternoon and a showing of Wicked!
● Beatin’ Path with Mr. Dave (Kids): Tuesday, June 24 at 10:30 a.m. - A Rainbow of Rhythm
● Beatin’ Path with Mr. Dave (Teens): Tuesday, June 24 at 2 p.m. - Join us for an interactive jam session!
● Sound Baths: Tuesday, June 24 at 5:30 p.m. - Experience a unique blend of neuroscience and relaxation with Dr. Lindsey Smith, as she guides you through immersive sound baths designed to enhance brain-based well-being and stress resilience
● Adult Book Club: Tuesday, June 24 at 6 p.m.
● Mario Kart Tournament (Teen): Wednesday, June 25 at 4 p.m.
● Children’s Storytime: Thursday, June 26 at 9:30 and 10:30 a.m. - Join Ms. Alicia for stories, songs, bubble time, and lots of fun!
● Houseplant 101: Thursday, June 26 at 5 p.m.Learn the basics of houseplant care
Pinson Public Library
● Storytime for Growin’ Beans with Ms. Allison: Friday, June 20 at 10 a.m.
- Our theme is Purple. We’ll read books, have fun, do a craft, and have a snack
● Anime Afternoon (Teens): Friday, June 20 at 4 p.m. - Want to practice drawing your favorite anime character or learn how to draw different anime eyes? We’ll have snacks
mystery! Please purchase tickets online one at a time & provide an email address for each attendee so character information can be sent before the event
● Witchy Movie Matinee (Adults): Monday, June 23 at 2 p.m. - We’ll be traveling to Oz! Wear pink or green to support your fave witch & enjoy themed snacks
● The Colors of Science with Dynamic Education Adventures: Monday, June 23 at 6 p.m. - Join the Science Lady from Dynamic Education Adventures for an exciting & explosive look at science through a prism. This show blends all the colors of the spectrum into an amazing adventure that will leave you “dyeing” to see more!
● Take-Home-Tuesdays: Tuesday, June 24 - Drop by the library beginning Tuesday to pick up an all-ages kit with a craft & fun surprise! This week’s craft is Summer Sun Craft! Supplies are limited, so kits are available on a firstcome, first-serve basis
● Tech Tuesday: Tuesday, June 24 at 10 a.m. - Drop by for helpful tech tips and tricks with Mr. Keith!
● Hoop for Fitness: Wednesday, June 25 at 10 a.m. - Hoop for Fitness will share the history of hula hoops & perform for us. Learn more about hoop dance designs, hoop dance moves, & Sock Poi
● Capybaras & Chill (Teens): Thursday, June 26 at 4:30 p.m. - Come
sports
Trio of Greenies sign to play college baseball
By Johnny Sanders, Sports Editor
LEEDS – Jake
Wingo’s
Leeds Greenwave baseball team had a very successful season, making it to the sweet sixteen of the Alabama 5A Baseball tournament where they lost to eventual final four participant Madison County.
Adding to the list of folks who have already signed college letters of intent, Ty Bedell, Graham Gulock, and Jacob Calvin made their future intentions know back on May 30.
Graham Gulock, who finished his Leeds career with a .343 batting average, 135 hits, 76 RBI, 20 Doubles, 13 Triples and a home run to his credit, signed with Northwest Shoals.
“My Leeds career was a great experience,” said Gulock. “I had a lot of great teammates and coaching staff during my four years. We won 97 games in those four years and were area champs each year as well. We made some good runs in the playoffs all four years. There is nothing better than the playoffs. It is by far my favorite part of the season.
As for me signing with Northwest Shoals, it just felt like where I was supposed to be. They have a great coaching staff and great facilities. I am excited to start the next chapter of my baseball career.”
Jacob Calvin, who had a .313 batting average, .391 OBP, 32 RBI, 25 runs, 36 hits, and 11 doubles, signed to play at Lawson State.
“I started at Leeds during my ninth-grade year,” said Calvin. “I was welcomed into the high school community not only as an athlete, but as a student. I am extremely grateful for all of the valuable time my coaches and teachers have dedicated to me. I consider myself one of the lucky ones who had the opportu-
See BASEBALL, Page 12
Hewitt Freshman wins state junior golf tournament
By Johnny Sanders, Sports Editor
HUNTSVILLE – Mer-
ritt Daniel is making quite a name for herself on the links at a very young age.
One of the youngest players on Maggie Rasberry’s very successful Hewit-Trussville Girls Golf team, Merritt took home the state’s junior golf championship at the Valley Hill Country Club in Huntsville back on June 4.
This makes back-toback championships for the young lady, who is going into her freshman year at Hewitt, as she won the same title last year.
It was the 62nd Alabama Girls State Junior Championship and it included 49 other female junior golfers from the state. “It was a challenging course that tested all parts of my game over the three-day tournament,” said Merritt.
After day one, Merritt was tied for fifth place. On day two, she took the lead and never looked back.
“After the second day, I had a two-stroke lead. My plan heading into the final day was to focus on keeping the same mindset I had maintained the first two days, which was to play each hole to the best of my abilities.”
Holding onto her twostroke lead, the Husky golfer was steady up to the final
hole of the game. “I had a two-stroke lead heading into the final hole and made a birdie to secure the win.”
“Winning the tournament was a big goal of mine and I was blessed to be able to achieve it,” said Daniel.
The win earns her a spot in the US Girls Junior at
the Atlanta Athletic Club, which Merritt is excited to compete in. “I am so excited for this amazing opportunity,” she said.
“I am so thankful that God blessed me with the ability to play this great game and my goal is always to honor Him,” Merritt continued. “I’m also very blessed to have a wonderful support system who are all with me every step of the way.”
The US Girls Junior will be held July 14-19. Go to https://championships.
usga.org/usgirlsjunior.html for further details.
Merritt Daniel after winning the Alabama Jr Golf Championship. Credit: Michelle Daniel
Former Husky baseball star wins 7A Coach of the Year
tinued to grow as a team,” he
lis, Christian Helmers, and Hudson Mitchell. made the
By Johnny Sanders, Sports Editor
TUSCALOOSA – Connor Acton, who got his start as a baseball player on Jason Estabrook’s Husky squad, has won the Alabama Sports Writers Association’s 7A Softball Coach of the Year. Acton was a star for Hewitt-Trussville until he graduated in 2011.
Steele went 11 for 15 with ten runs scored, two triples, one double, and six RBIs and was named tournament MVP. Mitchell threw a three-hit complete game shutout with seven strikeouts.
After his high school career, Conner went on to play college baseball at Lawson State Community College in Birmingham, Alabama under Blake Lewis before transferring to Stillman College in Tuscaloosa, Alabama to play for Donnie Crawford, where he was part of an SIAC conference championship team, advancing to the NCAA DII Regionals.
After his college playing days were over, Acton went into coaching at Tuscaloosa County as an assistant coach on the baseball team. His first stint at Tuscaloosa County was in
Helmers threw a complete game one-hitter with seven strikeouts and offensively had five hits and reached base on 10 of 13 plate appearances. The Huskies host Huntsville this Tuesday.
2015 when he served as a volunteer assistant as he finished school. After the 2015 season, Connor and his family moved to Orlando, Florida to help pastor a church. There, he stayed connected to baseball as he worked alongside Adrian Hernandez, coaching for Quinco Baseball Academy. Acton made his return to Tuscaloosa County in 2020 where he served as a junior varsity assistant. He also worked with 9-12th grade pitchers during this time.
On June 13, 2023, Conner was asked to change sports at Tuscaloosa County, becoming the Wildcats’ new head softball coach. The Wildcats missed the 7A playoffs in his first year; however, they made it to the final four of the playoffs this past year, just his second season at the helm. No doubt, that accomplishment played into the ASWA voting him as their 2025 7A Coach of the Year.
Conner Acton Credit: Patch
Graham Gulock. Credit: Leeds Baseball
Jacob Calvin. Credit: Leeds Baseball
Ty Bedell. Credit: Leeds Baseball
Center Point High School to host Alabama State Games track and field events
By Amy Hybels, CBS 42
Local Meetings
●Trussville City Council
Meetings:2nd and 4thTuesday of eachmonthat6 p.m., CityCouncil Annex
BIRMINGHAM, Ala.
– We’re just hours away from the opening ceremony for the 42nd Alabama State Games at Legacy Arena.
●Trussville BoardofEducation Meetings:3rd Monday of eachmonthat6 p.m.,
TCSCentral Office
●ClayCityCouncil Meetings:2nd and 4thTuesday of eachmonthat6 p.m.
●PinsonCityCouncil Meetings: 1stand 3rdThursday of eachmonthat7 p.m.
●CenterPoint City Council
Softball is back for the first time since 2015. More than 80 teams are registered to play softball at Bill Noble Park and the Trussville Sports Complex. We spoke with executive director Laura Creel Burt at Legacy Arena about what makes this event so special.
Meetings:1st and 3rdThursday of eachmonth, at 6:30 p.m.
●ArgoCityCouncil Meetings:2nd and 4thMonday of eachmonthat5 p.m.
“There’s lots of tournaments around, but the participants are not going to have this experience,” she explained.
●Springville City Council
Meetings:1st and 3rdMonday of eachmonthat6 p.m.
●IrondaleCityCouncil
Meetings:1st and 3rdTuesday of eachmonthat6 p.m.
“There’s not a parade of athletes at every tournament. They’re not going for gold, silver and bronze medals at every tournament, and they don’t always get to
●Leeds City Council Meetings:1st and 3rdMonday of eachmonthat6 p.m.
Baseball
From page 10
●Moody City Council Meetings:2nd and 4thMonday of eachmonthat6 p.m.
Trussville Public Library
●SummertimeStories: Thursday,July25at9:30 and 10:30 a.m. -JoinMs. Alicia fora summer-themed
nity to go to college and to play baseball. When choosing colleges, Coach Drake approached me about the option of Lawson State
have a podium moment at other tournaments. So we just feel like this is a very unique experience for athletes.”
storytimeinthe library auditorium withstories,songs, bubbletime, andlotsoffun!
●Yarn Manglers: Thursday July 25 at 2p.m.- Knitters and crocheters, join us for fellowshipand creativity!
●Parks and RecTrivia: Thursday,July25at6 p.m.
●ClassicCinema: Friday, July 26 at 2p.m.- Come and watchaclassicmovie in the library auditorium!
Pinson Public Library ●SplashBashatPinson
The Cauldron is now in place ahead of Friday’s opening ceremony and parade of athletes at Legacy Arena. This year, more than 4,300 athletes are registered to compete in sports including softball, pickleball, tennis and track, which is being hosted by Center Point High School for the first time. Those numbers are up from 2024 by more than a thousand athletes, according to organizers.
Preston Wilson, track and field coach at Center Point High School says there are two types of competitors among the more than 700 athletes who will take part in events on Saturday.
“We’ve have people competing for PRs, which is
Community College. The coaches invited me to visit, and I fell in love. Lawson is allowing me to pursue my dream of playing baseball while working toward my aspirations to become a mechanical engineer. I cannot
their personal records, and you have teams competing for points and most medals,” Wilson noted.
17-year-old Ke’Asia
Bicentennial Park:Thursday July 25 at 4p.m.- It’stimeto saygoodbyetoanother wonderfulSummerReading Program!Enjoy free access to theSplashPad, crafts,food trucks,& so much more!
MLB announces rosters for EastWest Classic game at Rickwood Field
Washington is one of the best high school girl shot putters in the state. The Center Point High School student won the silver medal at the 5A state championship. She said her strategy for Saturday is all about focus:
●GlowParty:TeenFinale: Thursday,July27at4 p.m.
-Celebrate theend of another successful teen summer readingprogram duringour Glow PartyTeenFinale. Enjoysnacks,games,music,& otherglow-in-the-darkactivities!
“I don’t really look at the competition because if I look at it, then I’ll be nervous,” she explained. “I’ve got to go knowing I’m the top one.”
By AJ Holliday, CBS 42
BIRMINGHAM, Ala.
– Rosters for the East-West Classic that is coming to Rickwood Field have been announced.
part of a salute to the Negro Leagues. Rickwood Field is the oldest existing professional ballpark in the U.S. and served as the home for the Birmingham Barons and Birmingham Black Barons.
If you want to come out and cheer on Washington and the other athletes. The track and field events are expected to kick off on Saturday at 8:30 and 9:00 a.m. respectively. Coach Wilson added that they do have an inclement weather plan to keep everyone safe.
wait to chase my dreams! Go Cougs!”
Ty Bedell finished his career with a .440 batting average, 138 hits, 58 RBI, 26 Doubles, 8 Triples, 3 HR, and 92 Stolen Bases in his Leeds career, signed to play
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The event, scheduled for June 19, will honor Negro-League all-star games of the past. It’ll feature former players from past generations. Chris Young is the captain of the East, while CC Sabathia is the captain for the West.
Birmingham’s historic field hosted a 2024 MLB regular season game between the St. Louis Cardinals and San Francisco Giants as
at Chipola in Florida.
“My Leeds career was great,” said Bedell. “I came into my sophomore year really hot. Won a lot of good games with a great team, and it was only up from there. Had a great senior
Here’s a look at the rosters: East Edwin Jackson – P
• Jeremy Jeffress – P
• Jake Peavy – P Ryan Howard – INF Jerry Hairston – INF
• Dee Strange-Gordon –INF Xavier Scruggs – INF
• Josh Barfield – INF • Chris Young – OF (Captain) Justin Upton – OF
year and posted some really good numbers my entire high school career and won with a great group of guys. Signing with Chipola was an easy decision. Their staff is awesome, and they were nothing but respectful to
me. I really appreciate the opportunity they have given me. I wanted to go to a program with a history of winning and getting guys even further than they want to be and they do exactly that.”
Merritt Daniel – Hewitt-Trussville Girls Golf