The Trussville Tribune – November 6 - 12, 2025

By Nathan Prewett,

By Prewett, For Tribune

Moody High Theatre students earn top marks at Trumbauer District Festivals

From Tribune Staff Reports

By Chris Basinger, News Editor

After prolonged political lecture from Mayor Thomas, Springville Council approves pay raise for police

By Terry Schrimscher

Trussville Swears In Mayor Ben Short, new and returning City Council members

By Jakob Gurley

SPRINGVILLE, Ala. –

By Chris Basinger,

The Springville City Council took a detour Monday night before it returned to unfinished business held over from the Feb. 17 meeting. After an extended work session and a short break, the March 3 meeting began around 6:45 p.m.

TRUSSVILLE, Ala –

afterward, Thomas said he just needed to air his frus trations because the council sometimes delays making decisions it needs to make.

As the meeting got underway, the council approved the minutes from the last meeting in February.

Mayor Dave Thomas motioned for them to reconsider the minutes noting members motioned to adjourn before conducting business on the agenda without that motion being recognized.

MOODY, Ala – The Moody High School theatre department brought home several top honors from the District Trumbauer Festival last weekend, with multiple students earning superior ratings and bids to the state

The City of Trussville officially entered a new chapter of leadership on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2025, as Mayor Ben Short and members of the Trussville City Council took their oaths of office during a swearing-in ceremony at The Trussville Civic Center. The program began with opening remarks, followed by an invocation from Dr. Derrick D. Jordan, pastor of Hope Everlasting Ministries, and the Pledge of Allegiance led by Scouts Pack 216. Judge Carl Chamblee Jr. presided over the installation of elected officials, administering the oath to Councilors Jaime Melton Anderson, Kimberly Farr, Ben Horton, Brian Jackson, Jim Miller, and Mayor Ben Short.

focus on city business.

He discussed his motion to add unaddressed items from the February meeting to a proval. That approach was

DOBBS

THEATRE, Page 5

See AWARD, Page

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

Short, who succeeds outgoing Mayor Buddy Choat, said he is eager to continue the city’s growth while honoring the strong foundation laid by Choat’s administration.

Thomas then proceeded to deliver a dissertation, as he called it, for the next 55 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

challenged members of the council to raise their hands if they agreed never again to leave a meeting before the conclusion of business. No hands raised. Along the way, he said the council’s lack of leadership on salaries would be a burden on the city.

“It feels good,” Short said after being sworn in.

some good things.”

“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-

“I’m excited about the next four years. It was a great turnout tonight, a lot of support, and hopefully we can carry that through and do

good,” he added. “The example they set 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

Short said he plans to “hit the ground running,” noting that one of his first initiatives will be to begin a new master planning process for the city.

Foxhound Bee Company to bee-gin construction on new education center

Leeds Board of Education hears updates on athletic facilities project

By Nathan Prewett, For the Tribune

LEEDS

– The Leeds

By Chris Basinger, News Editor

Board of Education was provided with several updates regarding the ongoing sports facilities project during a meeting on Thursday morning.

IRONDALE, Ala. – Bee enthusiasts will soon be swarming to Irondale to visit a new beekeeping education center designed to teach students and community members about the world of pollinators.

Superintendent John Moore said that he is hopeful that a phase involving connecting reconnecting a sewer line at the Leeds Middle School grounds will begin next week and may interrupt traffic.

trition Assistance Program or SNAP benefits were suspended, saying that he has a meeting scheduled with representatives on Nov. 3.

Board member Andrew Briskey asked about the Jerry Oxford Gym, which is part of the facility project. Moore said that he is awaiting rendering plans to come back for review. He also said that he hopes for a turf replacement project for the middle school stadium to begin in May.

campus will be investigated.

Moore believed that it was possible that a drainage system collapsed to cause it.

“What we want is to get an answer so we can put it in the next scope of work,” Moore said.

Moore added that pre-construction bids will open in November for repairs to the Leeds Primary School that was damaged by lightning in June.

opened on Saturday.

Additionally, Moore announced that Leeds High School has a new assistant principal. Darius Taylor has been welcomed by the Leeds City School district and comes from Spain Park High School. He begins on Nov. 17.

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.

Irondale holds ceremony to swear in city leaders

By Terry Schrimscher

Tribune staff reports

“City planning is really what it’s about,” he said.

Items from the February agenda were addressed individually. The purchase

“I’ll be bringing a proposal to the City Council to recraft and start a new master plan

See SPRINGVILLE, Page 2

Page 4

ing-in ceremony Monday night, Nov. 3 at

ley High School. “Each term begins with a promise to serve faithful-

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

Leeds High School freshmen take action to address rising school shootings

Argo honors outgoing mayor and council members, declines to consider public nuisance ordinance

and

By Terry Schrimscher

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.

schools.

whether to propose their own ordinance addressing things like litter, weeds, abandoned cars, junk and other nuisance concerns related to property in the city.

Birmingham-based Foxhound Bee Company is preparing to break ground on the 5,000 square foot facility

On Nov. 17 a sinkhole on

He then mentioned that the district received a call from the Grace Klein nonprofit offering possible help after the Supplemental Nu-

in the coming weeks, which will serve as an expansion from its current location in Hardware Park. In addition to educational 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 a place to build our new beekeeping store, we continued to hear comments about how Irondale was doing great things,” said founder Adam Hickman.

“I’m excited,” Moore said of Taylor. “Very, very excited.”

“Everyone on the project seemed to speak highly of working with Irondale and its leadership. So, when we approached the

Chief Financial Officer Ryan Miller gave an update for the month of August, reporting that the district received 98% of the general fund revenue and 104%

ARGO, Ala. – Argo City Hall was filled to near capacity Monday night, Oct. 27 during the last official meeting for Mayor Betty Bradley and council members Ann Brown and Dan McCarley. Many in the large crowd were present for an expected public hearing on a proposed public nuisance ordinance mentioned in the Oct. 15 meeting.

After discussion in the work session prior to the meeting, the council removed the public hearing from the agenda and tabled the ordinance to allow the incoming council to decide

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

Current federal requirements mandate that schools perform lockdown or intruder drills; in Alabama, public schools are required to conduct two such drills per semester. However, Davis believes these measures are insufficient and is advocating for more frequent and comprehensive drills.

The move caused some grumbling from the audience with several people asking why the issue was ever mentioned in the first place if there was not going to be a hearing.

Attorney Chesley Payne, speaking on behalf of the city, clarified the move citing State of Alabama law.

“When people’s lives are on line, we can’t just do the bare minimum,” Davis said.

nance,” Payne said. “Asking people to come up here and comment on what the mayor and council have determined is essentially a work in progress would be premature.”

sentiment, emphasizing the emotional and psychological toll that school shootings take on students and their families.

“You shouldn’t have to worry about being scared when you’re just trying to learn,” Johnson said.

Payne explained the council decided the new mayor and council should have an opportunity to have input and tabled the measure for future consideration.

“We need to make sure that every school feels safe and ready to handle anything that could happen.”

“There is no requirement under state law for a nuisance ordinance for there to be a public hearing prior to passing a nuisance ordi-

“Schools should take intruder drills as seriously as they do fire or tornado drills.” Johnson echoed this

McCormick highlighted the importance of turning awareness into

“School shootings are such a huge problem, and we

After questions during the public comments section of the meeting, council member Ann Brown explained the council agreed unanimously in the first monthly meeting to bring

See STUDENTS, Page

Statista. Three Leeds High School freshmen, Amelia Davis, Madilynn Johnson,

Beatrice McCormick,

A concept of the new education center in Irondale. (Foxhound Bee Company)

Pictured: Beatrice McCormick, Madilynn Johnson, and Amelia Davis.

The Argo City Council tabled discussion on a public nuisance ordinance after determining the draft did mot meet the needs of the city. Photo by Terry Schrimscher.

Leeds Superintendent John Moore. Photo by Nathan Prewett.

From left: Councilor Jim Miller, Councilor Kimberly Farr, Councilor Brian Jackson, Mayor Ben Short, Council President Jaime Melton Anderson, and Councilor Ben Horton stand together after taking the oath of office. (Photo Credit Jakob Gurley)

The Trussville Tribune

190 Main Street Trussville, AL 35173 (205) 533-8664

Scott Buttram, Publisher publisher@trussvilletribune.com

Terry Schrimscher, Interim Managing Editor trusstribeditor@gmail.com

Johnny Sanders, Sports Editor John Goolsby, Sports Editor news@trussvilletribune.com

Sherry J. Parker, Marketing Executive & Photographer, sherry.parker@trussvilletribune.com

Brookelyn Rush, Office Manager

Brannon Dawkins, Tribune Unscripted Producer & Account Manager

Twenty-Seven Names

By Sean Dietrich

On Interstate 71, just outside Carrollton, Kentucky, stands a lone highway sign. It’s a small sign, DOT-green, no frills. Easy to miss.

But it’s there.

The sign reads, “SITE OF FATAL BUS CRASH— MAY 14, 1988.” That’s all. Thousands of cars pass this sign on their way to work. Heading toward Cincinnati. Maybe tens of thousands. I wonder how many remember what happened here.

The Carrollton bus collision was one of the deadliest bus crashes in US history. The collision involved a church youth-group bus, and an ‘87 Toyota pickup.

The former school bus was filled with mostly teens. The Radcliff Assembly of God youth group had been returning from King’s Island amusement park. It had been a sunny day.

Just before midnight, a drunk driver’s pickup struck the front of the bus.

The bus’s suspension broke, a detached leaf spring rammed into the bus gas tank. The front door was jammed shut. The fire started immediately.

Passengers started evacuating through the narrow emergency door, squeezing through the tiny opening.

But when you have 60odd teenagers crammed into a 12-inch aisle, all pressing towards the same miniature exit—the only available exit—you have disaster.

The crush of bodies was too much. The kids were gridlocked, unable to move. Within four minutes, the entire bus was on fire. Children were screaming. Metal was creaking. Smoke everywhere.

Twenty-seven died. Most victims were between ages 13 and 14. Their bodies were recovered facing the rear exit, trying to escape.

But that’s not the story here. The real story is what happened afterwards.

Thirty-six years later, the survivors of this crash are still out there. And they

haven’t exactly been sitting on their hands.

I’ll tell you about a few.

There is Harold Dennis, who survived with severe burns, and intense facial scarring. He could’ve given up. He could’ve quit. But he went on to play football for the University of Kentucky. Today, he travels the country, as a motivational speaker, talking about the crash. And Ciaran Madden.

After the fire, she was burned so severely that in some places that her bones showed. Despite countless surgeries, the pain wouldn’t stop. Both inside and outside pain.

But her healing finally did come. And it came when she decided to write to the man who caused the accident.

As a young woman, Ciaran got in contact with the driver in prison, by writing a letter.

“[The letter] sat on my dresser,” she said, “I would say for two weeks, and finally I sent it.”

The prisoner finally agreed to meet Ciaran. They gathered in the correctional facility. She was trembling with nerves. Tears were shed.

“He bawled like a baby,” Ciaran said, “and so did we.”

Jason Booher. His best friend died on that bus. He grew up to become a coach. An accomplished marathon runner. Oh, and he became

superintendent of the Mercer County Public Schools in Harrodsburg, Kentucky. Carey Cummins: 65 percent of her body was covered in third-degree burns, with second-degree burns to her face. She underwent 30-plus surgeries. She spent two months in the hospital. Her right leg was amputated. And after all that time in hospitals, after months in medical environments, getting poked and needled like a human cork board, what did she choose to do with her life? She became a registered nurse.

Karalyn Nunnallee. Her 10-year-old daughter Patty was killed in the crash. Karalyn went on to become MADD (Mother’s Against Drunk Driving) national president.

And of course, there is Quinton Higgins. He was in the hospital for six weeks with lung damage. His life forever changed. Quinton is a bus driver for Hardin County School District.

About 10 years ago, Quinton also purchased a bus which looks nearly identical to the bus from the crash. He has dedicated his life to talking about the crash. He drives his bus across America, forever ensuring the 27 names of those who died are not forgotten.

Those names are: Jennifer Arnett, Cynthia “Cindy” Atherton, Sandra “Sandy” Brewer, Joshua Conyers, Mary Daniels, Julie Earnest, Kashawn Etheredge, Shannon Fair, Dwailla Fischel, Richard Gohn, Lori Holzer, Charles Kytta, Anthony Marks, April Mills, Phillip Morgan, Tina Mustain, William Nichols Jr., Patricia Nunnallee, Emillie Thompson, Crystal Uhey, Denise Voglund, Amy Wheelock, Chad Witt, Joy Williams, Kristen Williams, Robin Williams, John Pearman.

L oca L / R egion

Jefferson County International Baccalaureate students win top honors at JSU creative writing competition

From Tribune Staff Reports

IRONDALE, Ala. –

Students from Jefferson County International Baccalaureate (JCIB) earned top honors at the JSU Creative Writing Competition, taking home first place in

multiple categories among hundreds of student writers.

According to JCIB, teams of students competed on Wednesday, achieving first place in the prose competition, third place in poetry, and first place overall in the team category.

The winning team included Becca Bynum, Willow Barkley, Peyton Arnold, Lauren Graham, Cori Crawford, and Baleigh Bennett, who were recognized for their exceptional creativity and writing skill.

“This is a huge accomplishment,” JCIB said in a

Silas McCay, Joshua McCulloch booked following Pinson bonfire shooting

From Tribune Staff Reports

PINSON, Ala. – Two men injured in a deadly mass shooting in Jefferson County earlier this month were booked into the Jefferson County Jail on Thursday, October 30, 2025, in connection with the incident.

According to jail records, Silas Aaron McCay, 21, of Remlap, and Joshua Hunter McCulloch, 19, of Jefferson County, were both charged with Assault in the Third Degree. Each received a $6,000 bond and is being held as a pretrial inmate at the Birmingham facility.

McCay was among the victims injured in the October 19 shooting at the popular Pinson gathering spot known as “the Pit,” which also resulted in the death of 18-year-old Kimber Mills.

statement, noting the high level of competition at the event.

The school also thanked Ms. April Sport for her dedication and encouragement in helping the students develop their writing talents and prepare for the competition.

2025 Reader’s Choice Awards Presentation Set for Nov. 13

From Tribune Staff Reports

TRUSSVILLE, Ala –

Tribune readers from across nine cities have spoken, casting their votes to determine the finalists in nearly 300 categories for the 2025 Tribune Reader’s Choice Awards, sponsored by the Trussville Area Chamber of Commerce.

Businesses and professionals who were selected as finalists have much to be proud of. In some categories, there were four to five finalists chosen from more

than 100 nominations—an impressive recognition of excellence across the community.

While some familiar favorites are once again among the top picks, this year’s lineup also features a wave of new names and businesses making an early impact in Tribuneland. More than 72,000 votes were cast during the nomination phase, highlighting strong community participation and support.

The finals voting phase begins today and will continue through midnight on Nov. 5, 2025, as readers choose

their top selections from this year’s standout finalists.

To celebrate, the Tribune invites everyone to attend the 2025 Reader’s Choice Awards Presentation of Winners, which will be held at The Gateway – Trussville Entertainment District, located at 119 Beechnut St., Trussville, AL 35173, on Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025, at 6:30 p.m.

The event is open to the public, and all are encouraged to attend to see if they—or their favorite local businesses—were voted the community’s top choices for 2025.

Authorities have not released further details regarding the specific involvement of McCay or McCulloch in the incident.

Media partner CBS 42 (WIAT) reported that the suspect accused of firing the shots, Steven Whitehead, was involved in an altercation at the bonfire that escalated into gunfire. Court testimony indicated that McCay and McCulloch were among the individuals involved in the initial confrontation that led to the shooting. granted bond of $330,000 and remains in the Jefferson County Jail.

ADVERTISEMENT AND NOTICE FOR BIDS

City of Argo – Storm Drainage Project

The City of Argo is taking sealed bids for labor, equipment, materials, and any incidentals required to complete the work required for the Roulain Road Culvert Replacement and Cedar Creek Drainage Project. This bid is intended to comply with the Alabama Code Title 39, the Alabama Public Works Law. Bidders shall be required to comply with the provisions of Title 39 of the Alabama Code regardless if the requirement is explicitly detailed in the bid proposal or not.

All bids must be marked with the word “BID” on the outside of the bid package along with Bid Proposal for City of Argo – Storm Drainage Project, the bid date and the Alabama General Contractor’s License Number.

All bids must be submitted on the provided bid forms. A cashier’s check or bid bond payable to City of Argo in an amount not less than ve (5) percent of the amount of the bid, but in no more than $10,000, must accompany the bidder’s proposal. Performance and Payment Bonds and evidence of insurance required in the bid documents will be required at the signing of the Contract.

Sealed bids will be received by the City of Argo at 100 Blackjack Road, Argo, AL 35173 until 10:30 AM Central Time on November 24, 2025, and then publicly read aloud. Award will be made at the next regularly scheduled meeting of the City of Argo.

The bid package is on le at City of Argo, 100 Blackjack Road, Argo, AL 35173. The bid package may be obtained by emailing your request for bid documents to Chris Jenkins, PE at cjenkins@sain.com. Partial sets of Bidding Documents will not be available from the Engineer. Neither Owner or Engineer will be responsible for full or partial sets of Bidding Documents, including Addenda if any, obtained from sources other the Engineer. All other questions related to this bid should be directed to this same email address.

The City of Argo reserves the right to accept or reject any or all bids or to waive any informality in the bidding process. portion thereof.

Dates Advertised: November 6, 2025, November 13, 2025 and November 20, 2025.

Silas Aaron McCay (left) and Joshua Hunter McCulloch (right) were booked into the Jefferson County Jail on Oct. 30, 2025, in connection with a deadly shooting near Pinson earlier this month. (Photo credit: Jefferson County Jail)

for the city. Mayor Choat laid the foundation and kind of wrote the playbook, so all I have to do is follow it. We’re going to continue to grow in the right way.”

The council voted unanimously to elect Councilor Jaime Melton Anderson as City Council President and Councilor Brian Jackson as President Pro Tempore for the 2025–2026 term.

Anderson, who is beginning her second term after being first elected in 2020, said she’s optimistic about the next four years and confident in the team’s ability to serve the community.

“I think it’s a great group,” Anderson said.

“The people of Trussville put their trust in us, and I’m excited about Mayor Short and all the councilors. We’re ready to hit the ground running.” Anderson will serve as liaison to Finance, Cemetery, Beautification, Board of Education, and Leadership Trussville.

Newly elected Councilwoman Kimberly Farr, serving her first term, said she looks forward to learning and listening to residents.

“I’m excited about the future and what we’re going to do as a council,” Farr said. “The residents have

of the local revenue, up 3% from the previous year.

The month was ended with an excess of revenue over expenditures in the general fund of nearly $250,000. The unreserved fund balance was $7.8 million.

spoken—they want to be heard, and that’s what we want to focus on first.” Farr’s liaison assignments include Library, Industrial Development Authority (IDA), Parks and Recreation, Chamber of Commerce, and Public Works.

The remaining council liaison assignments are as follows:

• Ben Horton – Tree Commission, Utilities, Public Safety, and Design Review

• Brian Jackson – Finance, Active Transportation, Planning & Zoning, Inspections, and Downtown Redevelopment

• Jim Miller – Veterans, ACTA, Historical, and Senior Citizens

In other business the board:

Approved the 2025-2026 Social Studies Textbook Adoption Committee, • Revised a job description for Director of Special Services to include $8,500 more, Approved the Leeds High School Marching Band’s spring trip to Or-

During the meeting, the council also adopted the city’s Rules of Procedure and approved several key appointments, including Tommy L. McFarland Jr. as Municipal Judge for a twoyear term, Massey, Stotser & Nichols as City Attorney, and Daniel Joseph Weinrib as City Clerk.

Bones

From front page

Additionally, the council approved Brian Jackson’s appointment to the Planning and Zoning Commission and designated financial institutions for city accounts and signatories.

following a DNA analysis of the bones, though authorities still do not know the identity of who they belonged to.

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the scene.

“This is something this council has been looking at for several months,” Brown said. “We have reviewed and studied other municipalities’ ordinances, and we took several that we thought we could take sections from other cities to fit us. When the attorney drafted it, we had time to read it. After reading it we saw it wasn’t

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Police believed it was a targeted shooting and that the suspect fled the scene in a vehicle.

CHOOSE Act

From front page

WATER DAMAGE CLEANUP

As the meeting closed, council member Rick Hopkins offered a tribute to Bradley to commemorate her service as mayor.

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“A few weeks ago, we as a council talked about how do we honor our current mayor, against her wishes, and one of the things we decided was to rename the storm shelter the Betty Bradley storm shelter,” Hopkins said. “We also commissioned a plaque to place on the storm shelter.”

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eligibility under the state’s CHOOSE Act.

The filings, submitted Friday in Montgomery County Circuit Court, argue that the AHSAA’s current rules unlawfully discriminate against students who transfer schools through the CHOOSE Act, a law passed earlier this year to expand school choice options for Alabama families.

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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.

The ceremony concluded with remarks from the mayor and council, followed by a benediction from Steve McCarty, founding pastor of Faith Community Fellowship.

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.

lando, FL in 2026 and • Extended the lease on the central office copier. Meetings generally take place every second Tuesday at 10 a.m. at the Leeds Board of Education Building located on 1517 Hurst Avenue.

In their response, Ivey and Ledbetter contend that the athletic association’s restrictions — which make many CHOOSE Act transfer students ineligible to compete in sports for one year — violate the law’s nondiscrimination provisions and deny those students equal opportunities.

xyge

Nathan Prewett can be reached at nthomasp6@ gmail.com.

The coroner’s office per-

Hopkins read the plaque aloud to the crowd honoring Bradley’s service as mayor, a former council member, and her community service with the Argo Food Bank and Christmas for Kids programs. The next council will decide where to hang the plaque at the shelter.

The next regular meeting of the Argo council is scheduled for Monday, November 10 with a work session at 5 p.m. and the regular meeting following immediately after the session. An agenda for each meeting is posted in local businesses including Hill Top Farms, Argo Hardware, Liberty Automotive, Shell, Southland BBQ, Fox’s Pizza and Buckeye Grocery. Agendas are also posted on the city’s Facebook page.

From Tribune staff reports

JEFFERSON COUNTY, Ala. The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office is investigating 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.

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bring the case, citing Alabama Code §36-13-2, which allows the governor to “institute and conduct” cases in which the state has an interest. The filing asserts that enforcing the CHOOSE Act falls within her constitutional duty to “faithfully execute the laws.”

to a political rather than legal issue.

Governor Ivey’s office rejected that characterization, saying the case involves a concrete dispute over AHSAA’s “Rule VI, Section 7,” which the state argues conflicts with the CHOOSE Act.

From Tribune staff reports

LEEDS, Ala. – Police in Leeds are asking for the public’s help in identifying an individual believed to be involved with an organized retail theft investigation.

formed an autopsy on the skull and determined that the victim had been shot.

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“The State is self-evidently interested in enforcing the CHOOSE Act’s nondiscrimination provision,” the filing from Ivey’s office states. It further argues that denying athletic eligibility to students participating in the program “directly injures the State.”

Ivey’s legal team also defended her authority to

Speaker Ledbetter’s response makes a parallel argument, stating that the AHSAA’s enforcement of its current eligibility rule causes “institutional injury” to the Alabama Legislature by refusing to comply with a law it enacted.

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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.

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In a statement accompanying the filing, Ivey said her goal is “to simply let the kids play” and ensure that CHOOSE Act students are treated fairly.

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The AHSAA, which oversees interscholastic athletics in Alabama, previously moved to dismiss the lawsuit, claiming that Ivey and Ledbetter lack standing and that the dispute amounts

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.

“The Leeds Police Department requests the public’s assistance in identifying this individual,” officials said on social media “He is a suspect in an Organized Retail Theft Investigation.

If you recognize this individual or have any information about this crime please contact Crime Stoppers of Metro Alabama.” CrimeStoppers of Met-

The court has not yet ruled on the AHSAA’s motion to dismiss. If the case proceeds, it could clarify how far the CHOOSE Act extends in regulating private athletic associations and define the scope of the governor’s authority to enforce state law.

Jacorrian McGregor

Mayor Ben Short takes the oath of office during the Trussville swearing-in ceremony on Nov 3, 2025, marking the beginning of his first term as mayor.

Calling to order and opening the ceremony was Judge James Hill, who formerly represented the city as its attorney.

“I know I don’t speak for everyone of us,” he said. “But I’ll say just how confident we are in the wisdom, the leadership and the direction that this group of people will provide for this city over the next years to come.”

Shortly after the prayer was delivered by Lance Ingram the following were sworn into the city government in the presence of relatives:

• Place 1 – Linda Crowe and daughter Melinda Glidewell

• Place 2 – Wes Harrell and wife Nicole McCarrell

Place 3 – Matthew Morris and wife Leslie Morris

Place 4 – Chad Williams and wife Ashley Williams

• Place 5 – Ellis Key and wife Sandy Key Rutledge was sworn in with his wife Leah in attendance.

“This is a true honor,” Rutledge said afterwards. “And I’m blessed to be here.”

He said then that he would “go off script for a little bit” and asked those who work for the city to stand and be recognized to the applause of a crowded room of attendees.

“I know we’re all here celebrating us getting elected but this here’s the backbone,” he said. “Without them none of us can do anything.”

The new administration then passed several resolutions making various appointments, starting with Crowe as Mayor Pro-temp as she has done so previously.

In the legal aspect of the city government Kyle Barrentine was appointed as

city attorney, Matthew Gossett as prosecuting attorney and Terry Cromer as municipal judge. Crowe and Morris were appointed to public safety, police, fire and court, while Key and Williams were appointed to parks and recreation and the civic center. They were also appointed to public works and the building department. Harrell and Crowe were appointed to the library, as well as to the senior center. Appointed to the finance committee was Key as chairman and Crowe and Morris. Williams was appointed to the Planning Commission. Harrell was appointed to the CDA Board. Crowe appointed Rutledge to the Planning Commission effective on Jan. 2.

Before adjourning Rutledge took a moment to compliment former mayor, Joe Lee, who decided not to run for reelection.

“We’ve got a mayor that’s been in here for 22 years in this city,” he said. “And I’m thankful for the leadership that (Lee has) show me. I’ll never be able to repay that.”

He went on to compliment former councilor, Lynn Taylor, and thanked him for his friendship and service to the city.

Moody City Council meetings are held on the second and fourth Monday of every month at 6 p.m. at Moody City Hall on 670 Park Ave.

Nathan Prewett can be reached at nthomasp6@ gmail.com.

ly, lead with integrity, and never stop working for the people who call Irondale home,” Stewart said in a release to the media. “Irondale’s strength has always been its people. As we step into another four years, we do so with gratitude for how far we’ve come and with determination to keep raising the bar for what’s possible in our city.”

Along with Stewart, five council members also took an oath of office during the ceremony.

John London will again serve District 1. David Spivey returns to serve District

2. Erin Arnold steps in for her first time serving District 3. Robert Box remains in District 4 and Aaron Sims returns to serve District 5.

The ceremony was given the theme “Community Rising: The Oath of Leadership” and each member was given an oar, symbolic of working together. The oars were a gift from the law firm Wallace, Jordan, Ratliff & Brandt.

“We may hold different oars, but we share the same boat. When we row together—despite our differences—we become unstoppable. Together, we write our next chapter,” Stewart said.

“We all have an oar. We all have a part to play. And

I truly believe that we will continue to move the city of Irondale forward.” Stewart offered three goals for the coming term including education, economic development and eco-tourism. He said the city could become a “recreational oasis” offering all of the amenities a community needs in order to thrive. He cited upcoming renovations to Beacon Park and hinted at the construction of a new park, Heritage Park, in District 4. The next meeting of the Irondale City Council will be held at 6 p.m. on Nov. 4 at Irondale City Hall. An agenda for the meeting can be found on the Irondale website prior to the meeting.

competition.

For theatre director Lara Meeks, the success represents far more than trophies — it’s the product of creativity, resilience, and countless hours of after-school dedication.

“I think we had a lot of new people, so we had some really anxious kids,” Meeks said. “We try to eliminate that by having them perform in front of others and do critiques ahead of time. Some of them had never done any kind of theatre before, and even when they got frustrated or forgot lines, they still scored excellent. That’s how talented they are.”

The Moody students compete without many of the resources available at larger schools. The theatre department currently lacks an auditorium and technical theatre classes, so much of their preparation happens outside of regular school hours.

“Our students really don’t have anything here — no dedicated performance space, no tech theatre program — but they find a way

to make it happen,” Meeks said. “Only three of the students who competed can even fit theatre into their schedules. The rest do all of this after school.”

Despite those challenges, Moody students excelled in multiple categories. Hannah West earned a superior in props design, Sean Frost received top marks in comedic acting and comedic musical, and Ryleigh Hardeman, Mikeil Fowler, and Samantha Anderson also advanced to state for their technical and performance work.

One standout project came from West, who spent weeks hand-sculpting over 300 berries for a “Waitress” pie prop. “She said, ‘I’m

going to win,’” Meeks recalled. “They don’t usually give perfect scores at district, but she got a 48 out of 50 — that’s almost unheard of.”

Moody’s theatre department operates as a student-driven program, with older students teaching newcomers the ropes.

“It’s truly a student-run organization,” Meeks said. “They work so hard beyond what the average theatre student has to do, and they do it because they love it. That’s what makes this group so special.”

The students who earned superior ratings will compete at the State Trumbauer Festival, set for early December at UAB.

Nick Rutledge is sworn in with his wife, Leah, in attendance. Photo by Nathan Prewett.

The Moody City Council. Photo by Nathan Prewett.

By Jeff Poor

We’re a year away from the 2026 midterm elections, which may seem like an eternity to the casual observer, but it’s the back nine of the election life cycle.

Midterm elections are what they are. The party in power in the White House historically faces a disadvantage. Voting behavior suggests that Americans are more likely to vote against something or someone than to vote for it.

Based on that precedent, with Donald Trump in the White House, Democrats are more likely to show up at the polls to vote against Trump, or, by extension, Republican candidates.

With a thin margin in the U.S. House of Representatives, a handful of races will determine the balance of power, and Democrats have a built-in momentum headed into November 2026.

However, there are a few wildcards to consider.

There' uncertainty about the federal courts and redistricting. State legislatures are more engaged, facing pressure from constituents hyper-focused on national politics. In addition, both parties in Washington, D.C., are pressuring their in-state counterparts to draw congressional district maps that favor one political party.

In Capitol Hill’s upper chamber, Democrats have the same theoretical advantage of a midterm out-ofpower party, but only 35 out of 100 seats are up for grabs, two of which are special elections. Unfortunately for Democrats, 18 of those seats up are in solid red states that Republicans are expected to

o pinion

Assessing the state of the 2026

hold. Of the perceived tossup states, including Maine, Michigan, Georgia and North Carolina, the GOP has a polling advantage or is outperforming historical norms.

As in 2018, it is reasonable to expect the Democrats to take control of the U.S. House while losing seats in the U.S. Senate. At home, there are very few parallels to draw from this national outlook that might apply to Alabama. Turnout may suffer in the 2026 general election. In a state dominated by Republican voters, they have nothing to “vote against” in the general election. It is widely expected that Republicans will hold the U.S. Senate and five of the seven U.S. House seats.

There is a possibility that a Republican could mount a

challenge against the Democrat incumbent, U.S. Rep. Shomari Figures, in the so-called & “opportunity district.” However, an organized and well-funded Caroleene Dobson lost by nine points to Figures in 2024 with Trump at the top of the ticket.

It turned out that the district was drawn to be much more than a “leans Democrat” opportunity district. It is hard to conceive of a scenario where deep-pocketed Republicans would be willing to put finite resources in Alabama’s second congressional district in what would be an uphill battle at best.

Where Alabama’s general election is lacking intrigue, the GOP primary ballot makes up for it.

Tommy Tuberville is the prohibitive favorite for gov-

ernor. Beyond that, it gets interesting.

With the exception of State Treasurer, every statewide executive branch constitutional office is up for grabs without an incumbent.

The two marquee races, the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Tuberville at the end of his term and the lieutenant governor seat vacated by Will Ainsworth, are wide open.

The Senate race is in flux. Prior to 2017, the winner of a U.S. Senate race would be a lock for multiple terms. From the early 20th century until 2017, only one full-term incumbent lost his reelection bid, in 1986, when Republican Jeremiah Denton lost to then-Democrat Richard Shelby.

Denton’s election was made possible by the untimely death of second-term

incumbent James Allen in 1978 and Ronald Reagan’s coattails in the 1980 presidential election. The upheaval in Alabama’s two U.S. Senate seats, tied to Jeff Sessions confirmation to Trump’s cabinet in 2017 and the announcement of Shelby’s retirement in 2021, is a relatively new phenomenon for this state.

The current field, which officially includes U.S. Rep. Barry Moore (R-Enterprise), Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall, former Navy SEAL Jared Hudson, Morgan Murphy and Rodney Walker, has watchful eyes in Washington, D.C. concerned. Beltway Republicans, operating under the guise of not wanting to repeat a Roy Moore scenario, are once again showing a desire to try to meddle in Alabama’s Republican pri-

mary and try to choose the party's standard-bearer for 2026, as if they had not learned anything from Luther Strange in 2017 and Jeff Sessions in 2022.

It’s clear that high-profile sports figures like Bruce Pearl and Paul Finebaum are not having career epiphanies and are instead being nudged into speculative discussions.

There’s something about the current U.S. Senate field that someone somewhere thinks leaves something to be desired.

As for lieutenant governor, the unexpected candidacy of former Alabama quarterback AJ McCarron suggests a similar sentiment.

Without a built-in highname ID candidate, the Republican primary electorate is generally set in stone. Registered voters don’t come out in big numbers for off-cycle primary elections. Even fewer typically show up for a runoff election.

Tuberville broke the mold in 2020. He showed that rather than fighting for a lane in thecurrent GOP electorate, a candidate like a former college football head coach could create a “lane”; by luring new or unexpected voters, which consequently has brought McCarron, Finebaum and Pearl into our political discussions.

The last thing to watch for is the potential for a random upset in a down-ballot statewide or legislative race. While it was the exception in this year’s municipal elections, there were still a handful of shockers at the mayoral level.

That suggests a few unexpected upsets could be looming in next November’s elections.

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L ifesty L e

I Couldn’t Help But Wonder...Are We Settling for Crumbs Instead of the Whole Loaf?

By Dixie Dreamer

Modern dating often feels like a series of unspoken tests we must pass (or fail) – what to text, when to text, and the dreaded quicksand of online messages so vague they make you question your grasp of the English language. Enter breadcrumbing. Breadcrumbing is when someone gives you just enough attention to stay on your radar but never enough to establish anything meaningful. It’s the dating equivalent of tossing breadcrumbs to ducks – just enough to keep them circling, hungry for more. And I couldn’t help but wonder, why are we chasing crumbs when we deserve the whole loaf?

He was charming – in that attractive-but-aloof way that hooks you just enough to stay curious. We’d exchange a few texts, maybe even a flirty emoji here and there (groundbreaking, I know). But every conversation had the same frustrating pattern. Him asking, “How’s your week?” Me excitedly replying, thinking maybe this time he would actually engage in a real conversation. And then… crickets. At first, I convinced myself that he was just busy. Work deadlines? Sure. Bad cell service? Maybe. Kidnapped by pirates? Unlikely, but the excuses kept coming. The truth? He wasn’t busy. He just wasn’t interested enough to follow through. Why did it take me so long to admit this? Why do any of us tolerate being breadcrumbed? It’s about as satisfying as a single French

fry when you ordered a full meal.

The last “How’s your week?” text from him was the final straw. I replied, just like I always did, full of hope and curiosity. But you know what didn’t happen?

A reply from him. Instead, I caught myself obsessively checking my phone – waiting, hoping, wondering. The waiting didn’t just annoy me; it spiraled me. I started questioning everything – had I said something wrong? Was he just having a bad day? Maybe there was a mix-up in the cosmic order of texting etiquette? And then, it hit me. Why on earth was I waiting for his response when he clearly wasn’t waiting for mine? Why was I clinging to these sporadic crumbs of attention

like they could sustain me? They couldn’t. That’s the problem with breadcrumbing – it messes with your head, making you hyper-focused on these tiny morsels of effort when you should really be asking yourself the bigger questions, like: Is this what I want? Are these short, dry, inconsistent texts with no meaning behind them enough for me? The resounding (and very overdue) realization? Hard no.

Walking away wasn’t easy. But as much as I hated letting go, something magical happened when I did – I could breathe again. My mind stopped obsessing over when he might text, how I should reply, or whether I should wait longer before sending something –

anything. Breadcrumbing taught me a fundamental truth about love and effort. True love isn’t about chasing someone’s interest, wondering if you’ll get just enough to survive another week. It’s about mutual effort and respect – and showing up.

When someone cares, you don’t have to translate cryptic texts or analyze their emojis like you’re an FBI codebreaker. They make it clear. They don’t dangle breadcrumbs to keep you on the hook; they bring you the whole loaf, no questions asked.

Here’s the thing. Once I stopped settling for crumbs, I created room for someone who was ready to show up fully. Someone whose texts weren’t sporadic but

thoughtful, whose plans didn’t fizzle out before they were even concrete. This wasn’t just someone who gave me one loaf of love –they opened their metaphorical bakery for me, oven roaring and shelves stocked with affection, kindness, and consistency. Where breadcrumbing had left me malnourished, this relationship made me feel fulfilled and, dare I say it, well-fed. I realized love isn’t just about avoiding loneliness or waiting for someone to figure out if they’re interested. It’s about being honest with yourself about what you need – and refusing to settle for less than that. Breadcrumbing raises some big questions that hit deeper than just texting etiquette. Why do we chase

these crumbs of attention?

Is it because we’re afraid of being alone? Do we think that a handful of crumbs is better than nothing at all? Or do we trick ourselves into believing that if we’re patient enough, those crumbs will someday lead to a loaf?

Here’s the truth – they rarely do.

Here’s my advice if you find yourself in breadcrumb territory (and trust me, most of us have been there at least once): Ask yourself what you truly want. And if their sporadic attention isn’t it, cut the cord.

You’re not being dramatic; you’re protecting your time, your energy, and honestly, your sanity. Responding to breadcrumbs is like feeding a stray cat – it only encourages them to keep coming back. If you’re done with the crumbs, don’t leave the door open for more.

To anyone reading this who’s stuck in a game of crumb-chasing, I feel you. And I promise you, the whole loaf – and maybe even an entire bakery – is out there waiting for you.

But you’ll only find it when you stop accepting less than what you deserve.

Have you been breadcrumbed? Or maybe you’ve been the breadcrumber (come on, honesty is the first step to recovery). I’d love to hear your stories! Email me at columnist@ichbwcolumn.com, and who knows?

Your experience might inspire a future column. Until then, remember, you deserve more than crumbs. You deserve the feast. And as always, stay fabulous. XOXO

o bitua R y

James Nolen, III

april 24, 1958 — october 24, 2025

C alendar

March 9 at 1:30 p.m. - Extensive ACT review class

James Ernest Nolen III, 67, of Trussville, AL, passed away peacefully on October 24, 2025. Born on April 24th, 1958, James was an avid fisherman, and beloved tennis coach in the community. He married the love of his life, Vikki, in June of 1984. He was a devoted husband, father, son, and uncle. He is survived by his loving wife Vikki, Daughter Jessie and Son in Law Mike; Mother Martha Nolen, Siblings Andy and Allison Nolen, Rachel and Pat Nix, Uncle and Aunt James and Linda Graves, Sister and Brother in Law Leslie and Wil Morgan , extended family Faith and Eli Bush (Odin) , along with many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, James Ernest Nolen Jr., Cousins John Graves, Irene Graves and Ashley Graves. Visi

tation will be held from 1:00 to 2:00 on November 9, 2025 at Jefferson

Birmingham, AL 35235) The service of remembrance

● 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.

Tonja Whisenhunt

january 4, 1967 — october 31, 2025

Tonja Whisenhunt, 58, beloved spouse, son, and step-father, was called to his eternal resting place on October 31, 2025. He was born on January 4, 1967 in Birmingham, Alabama, to William and Martha Whisenhunt. He was preceded in death by his mother, Martha Whisenhunt. He is survived by his spouse, Jana Whisenhunt; father, William Whisenhunt; step-daughters, Kinsey Huber and Channing Huber; and step-son, Roger Huber III.

A memorial visitation will be held on November 4th, 2025, at Jefferson Memorial Funeral Home and Gardens on Gadsden Highway in Trussville from 2:00 until 4:00 PM.

Lonnie Branaman

● Books & Brews: Monday, March 10 at 7:15 p.m.

- Our theme is Smell. We’ll read books, have fun, do a craft, & have a snack

Tonja’s passion for music started at an early age. He was a skilled percussionist who was dedicated to his craft and enjoyed playing, but also teaching, supporting, and encouraging others in their passion for music. Tonja marched on the drumline with the McDonald’s All-American Band and he was one of the few high-school students selected to perform for Ronald Reagan. He won the high school Sousa Award, and went on to attend the University of Miami on a music scholarship. After touring in Nashville, he returned home and opened his drum shop, Wizards, to continue living in the world of music.

march 5, 1950 — october 24, 2025

- 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

Ilene Foust Holmes

march 3, 1934 — october 25, 2025

● Leeds City Council Meet-

ings: 1st and 3rd Monday of each month at 6 p.m.

● Moody City Council

Ilona Hilder Branaman of Odenville, AL was born on March 5,1950 in Quakerstown, PA. She graduated from Erwin High School in 1968. She worked at Church & Stagg Office Supply for 42 years and the Printing Place for 5 and half years. She loved baking, traveling, music, shopping, helping people and taking care of her three sweet grandsons. She enjoyed being a wife, Mom and grandmother, “Onnie”. She is preceded in death by her Mother, Dorothy C. Hilder, grandparents, Harry V. and Viola D. Hilder and special aunt, Joyce Hilder. She is survived by her husband, Paul D. Branaman; son, Eric Branaman (Mallory); brother, Michael J. Hilder (Linda); nieces, Briana Moore, Sherah Hilder and Yvonne Brasher; special grandsons, Luke, Jake and Beau Branaman.

● 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

● 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!

Ann Hutto

august 28, 1930 — october 30, 2025

Elizabeth Ann Capps Hutto, age 95, a resident of Trussville, AL, passed away on October 30th. She was born on August 28, 1930 in Tuscaloosa, AL to her mother, Mary Elizabeth Dershide Capps and her father, James Herbert Capps. Ann grew up in Talladega, AL and graduated from Talladega High School. She subsequently graduated from the University of Alabama with a degree in Medical Technology. In 1959, Ann married Richard Orr “Dick” Hutto and they remained happily married until his death in 2000.

Ann’s Christian faith was important to her. She was a longtime member of Huffman Baptist Church and remained actively involved there until the onset of health issues prevented her attendance.

● Homeschool Hangout: Thursday, March 13 at 1 p.m. - A place for homeschool teens to hang out, socialize, and play games

Ilene Foust Holmes, age 91, died peacefully surrounded by her family on October 25, 2025. Her passing was 12 years to the day after the passing of her husband, Roy Edward (Ed) Holmes. Ilene was born in Blount County Alabama on March 3, 1934. She was the last surviving child of Ollie Leon Foust and Era Calvert Foust. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brothers Ervin C. Foust (Lois), Robert Frank Foust (Sarah), and James Howard Foust, and her sister Pauline Thames (Jack). She is survived by her son Jeff (Mona) and her grandson Nathan (Katie).

Meetings: 2nd and 4th Monday of each month at 6 p.m.

Trussville Public Library

Please bring your device with you if you are able

● 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.

Ann was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, and her sister, Genevieve Wharton. She is survived by her children, Richard Orr Hutto, Jr. (Alisa), and James Colin Hutto (Cassie); four grandchildren, Heather Hutto Cates (Jonny), Haleigh Hutto Blake (Taylor), Emma Katherine Hutto, and Mason Alan Hutto (Katie); three great-grandchildren, Addie Grace Blake, Ansleigh Elizabeth Cates, and Olivia Mackenzie Cates; and a host of nieces and nephews.

The family especially wishes to thank the staffs of Legacy Ridge Assisted Living, Fair Haven Skilled Nursing, and ACG Hospice for aiding in Ann’s care during her final years.

Jo Anne Smith Rodda

Ilene‘s young life was full of music – singing and playing piano. She sang in quartets and entertained veterans at the VA hospital and at VFW conventions at Boutwell Auditorium. She had a beautiful singing voice and could play anything on the piano.

● Young Adult D&D: Friday, March 7 at 4 p.m.D&D for ages 18-25

● ACT Prep: Saturday, March 8 at 10 a.m. - Extensive ACT review class

● 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)

● Junior Jamz: Wednesday, March 12 at 10 a.m.

Ilene was married to Ed Holmes for over 60 years. After Ed retired from a manufacturing management position in 1982, she and Ed founded Holmes Clothier. Starting with no experience in retail sales, they developed a successful ladies clothing business with customers all over the country. Ilene had a talent for finding the perfect attire for any occasion for her clientele. They operated Holmes Clothier for 30 years, all the while flourishing as a couple and making many lasting friendships.

Pinson Public Library

- Bring your little kiddos to jam at the library! We’ll provide a variety of musical instruments for the children to explore

december 13, 1942 — october 22, 2025

Funeral Services for Mrs. Jo Ann Smith Rodda, age 82 of Odenville, will be held on Monday, October 27, 2025 at 12:00 P.M. at Jefferson Memorial Funeral Home with Bro. Robert Smith officiating. Burial will follow in the adjoining gardens.

● ACT Prep: Sunday

● Dahl’s Delightful Kits: March 3-8, All week - Join us as we celebrate the imaginative world of Roald Dahl! Stop by the library

● 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!

Ilene lived a beautiful life. She brightened every room she entered. She genuinely cared for people and made time for their concerns. And she was especially attentive to her family, setting an example by her actions of a nurturing and sustaining spouse, parent, mother-in-law, and grandparent. The center of her life was her Lord Jesus Christ. At the appropriate time, those who crossed her path heard about her Lord in a humble, non-judgmental, yet passionate presentation. Ilene was courageous and kind and compassionate and giving. Our sadness in her passing is tempered by our fond loving memories of her life well lived, her lasting contribution and influence on our lives, and her eternal life.

Jo Anne “Nannie” (Smith) Rodda, age 82, of Alabama, entered her eternal rest on October 22, 2025, surrounded by the family she loved so dearly. She was born on December 13, 1942, to the late Robert E. Smith and Lenora J. Smith, who, along with her beloved husband, Phillip Henry Rodda Sr., and cherished son, Phillip Henry Rodda Jr., welcomed her home in Heaven. Nannie’s life was a testament to compassion, faith, and unwavering devotion. She devoted herself to caring for others, family, friends, and even those she barely knew, with quiet strength and enduring grace. Her hands were never still, and her heart was never closed. She was a caregiver in every sense of the word, answering God’s call to serve with love and humility throughout her life. She is survived by her children, Debra Rodda, Renee “Missie” Rodda, and Marty Rodda and his wife, Tracy Rodda. She also leaves behind twelve grandchildren whom she deeply adored: Joseph, Crystal Anne, Trey (Phillip III), Lenora Anne (Boo), Mandy Leanne, Jacob Anthony, Shanterria, Brandi, Kevin, Marti Leanne, Marty Wade, and Zyriah. Nannie is also survived by numerous great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends, all of whom she held close in her heart.

Her cousin, Brother Robert Smith, and his wife, Pam, were her spiritual companions and devoted supporters throughout her final days. Brother Robert will lead her service and prayer, honoring the faith that guided her life.

Pallbearers will be Joseph Rodda, Kevin Murry, Chris Moore, Jacob Rodda, Jason Smith, Johnny Smith, and Trey Rodda.

Those who were blessed to know Nannie will remember her warmth, her hospitality, and the unmatched comfort of her kitchen. Her butter beans and cornbread were famous among family and friends, and her carrot cake will forever be remembered as a family treasure. Her home was a place of safety, laughter, and love, a gathering place for all who needed comfort and care.

Nannie’s daughter, Renee “Missie” Rodda, was her devoted caregiver through every season of her later years. Missie’s love and dedication sustained Nannie’s strength and spirit until her final breath. Since 1985, Missy faithfully did her mother’s hair every week, a loving tradition that became a symbol of their unbreakable bond and devotion to one another. The depth of their bond and Missie’s devotion will forever stand as a reflection of true love between mother and daughter.

Joe Tho mpson

september 5, 1931 — october 22, 2025

c a L enda R

Registration for the event is required as space is limited.

Kitchen Lab Soil Layer Dirt Cups Friday, November 07 4:00pm - 4:45pm

3rd Monday of each month at 6 p.m., TCS Central Office

● Clay City Council Meet-

ings: 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 Coun-

cil Meetings: 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month, at 6:30 p.m.

● Argo City Council Meet-

ings: 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.

Adult D&D:

College Edition

Friday, November 07 4:00pm - 5:30pm

Trussville Cahaba Room

D&D for 18-25 year olds

Are you between the ages of 18 & 25 and want to play D&D? Did you age out of the teen D&D but don’t wanna play with the old fogies in the Adult D&D? Then this is the group for you! Dungeons and Dragons is a classic tabletop roleplaying game that encourages creativity and cooperation. The players form a party, go on quests, explore ruins, and (probably) save the world.

Trussville Parkway Room

Learn about Earth’s soil layers during this hands-on way program.

It is a little twist on the traditional Oreo dirt cups recipe and teaches a science in the process of making a fun treat.

Meet Author Alan Gratz Sunday, November 09 2:00pm - 4:00pm

Trussville

LBK Auditorium

Don’t miss this exciting chance to hear from one of today’s most celebrated authors for young readers!

Join us for a special afternoon with #1 New York Times bestselling author Alan Gratz, known for powerful and fast-paced novels like Two Degrees, Ground Zero, Refugee, and introduce his new book War Games Alan will deliver a 45-minute presentation filled with behind-thescenes insights, writing inspiration, and stories that connect with readers of all ages—especially kids and teens who love thrilling historical fiction. Alan will offer a 15minute Q&A, then meet Alan in person during a book signing from 3:004:00! Enjoy light snacks while you wait. Please click the link to purchase your tickets.

B.Y.O.Book Club

Monday, November 10 4:00pm - 5:00pm

Trussville Cahaba Room

Teen Book Club with a Twist!

Join a book club with a twist, teens are invited to discuss books old and new. Share recommendations. Bring the book you are reading and we will provide the snacks.

(Photographs may be taken during the program and used by the TPL. If you do not want pictures of your child to be taken please let the Librarian in charge of the event know)

Chess Club

Monday, November 10

5:00pm - 6:00pm

Trussville

LBK Auditorium

Learn the basics, cool tricks, and strategy in chess with a ChessKidsNation coach.. All supplies provided. Parents and caregivers are welcome to join the fun!

Open to K - 8th grade students. Registration is encouraged to account for supplies.

Preschoolers at Play

Wednesday, November 12

10:30am - 11:30am

Trussville

LBK Auditorium

Join us for a short circle time followed by free play at several themed stations set up around the large auditorium.

A special playtime program for preschool-aged children. Circle time will begin at 10:30, followed by free play at several themed stations around the large auditorium.

Grown ups are asked to stay with their child and travel with them as they play with the different selections of toys.

Best for ages 2-5 years old. No Registration Needed.

Storytime for Growin’ Beans with Ms. Allison:

November Fri Nov 7th 10:00am11:00am

Pinson Public Library, 4599 Pinson Blvd, Pinson, AL 35126, USA

(All ages)

Friday, November 7th at 10

AM

Join us for Storytime for Growin’ Beans with Ms. Allison on Friday, November 7th at 10 AM. Our theme is November! We’ll read books, have fun, do a craft, & have a snack.

Storytime is designed for pre-K children, but all ages are welcome.

Having the Prime of Our Lives Presents The Seasoned Performers Wed Nov 12th 10:00am11:30am

Pinson Public Library, 4599 Pinson Blvd, Pinson, AL 35126, USA

Adults)

Wednesday, November 12th at 10 AM

Having the Prime of Our Lives is a monthly social event tailored specifically to people “of a certain age.” Attendees can look forward to a range of fun & engaging activities that cater to their interests & provide opportunities for socialization with like-minded peers. From games & crafts to hobbies, excursions, & other senior-focused pursuits, there’s something for everyone!

The Seasoned Performers: Join us for an unforgettable performance as we host Red Mountain Theatre’s Seasoned Performers, a group of older adult actors, as they bring nostalgia, storytelling & laughter.

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12, 2025

Indians finish season with big 48-40 win over Hueytown

By Johnny Sanders, Sports Editor

HUEYTOWN, Ala – In

a season that could be entitled “One’s that Got Away” for the Pinson Valley Indians, the season finale failed to “get away” from James Thompson’s boys, sending a large senior class out with a win on the road Thursday night in a 48-40 shootout with the Hueytown Golden Gophers.

The home team would start things off with the ball and drive it right down the field but stout defense inside the five-yard line would hold Hueytown to a short field goal and the Golden Gophers would go up 3-0 early in the first.

Pinson’s opening offensive drive would consist of two plays. First, a beautiful catch by Christian Thomas from sophomore quarterback Raymond Howard to get the ball down to the Hueytown 47. The next play would be a short throw from Howard to Thomas that would end with the Indians celebrating in the end zone after putting the first touchdown of the night on the board. The extra point try would be blocked and the score would stand at 6-3 Indians.

Once again, Hueytown would get down to the fiveyard line but this time the Gophers would punch it in

on a running play, making it 10-6.

Pinson would have to punt on their next drive as the Hueytown defense looked to have the high-powered offense of the Indians figured out.

The first quarter ended with the Golden Gophers ahead 10-6.

Pinson would hold Hueytown to a punt on their next drive and Pinson would get their first shot in the second period.

On the first play of the drive, RJ Addison would take a speed sweep 70 yards to the house to make it 1210 Indians after another blocked PAT.

Not to be outdone, the Gophers would hit a 75-yard pass on their next offensive play, and this offensive showcase was off and running with a 17-12 lead for the home team.

Pinson took a bit longer on their next drive, giving the ball to running back Simeon Conner for a few nice gains, but the end result would be the same. This time, Howard found Thomas from 18 yards out and the same duo would connect for the two-point play to make it 20-17 Indians.

The Gophers had a successful drive, but it would end with a missed field goal and as time expired in the first half.

ond touchdown run and a successful two-point play made it 40-30 Indians.

Hueytown would hit a 65-yard pass play to make it 40-37 and, after holding Pinson to a punt, the Gophers would kick a game-tying field goal, giving the home crowd hope for a big win.

However, after a Hueytown pick six was called back due to a pass interference penalty, Simeon Conner blasted a 47-yard touchdown run and the two-point play made it 48-40 with 1:46 to go in the game.

The defense would hold, and Pinson would walk away with the eight-point victory to finish their season. Howard finished the game 12 of 17 for 242 yards and two touchdowns passing. Simeon Conner had a monster game with 225 yards on 22 carries and four touchdowns.

Hueytown couldn’t hang with the Pinson defense and gave the ball back to that explosive offense. On Pinson’s next drive,

The Indians started the third quarter with the ball and, after another long Howard to Thomas connection, the Indians would go up 26-17 when Simeon Conner found paydirt from five yards out.

Howard would throw an interception, and a long return would set up Hueytown inside the Pinson 30.

The Gophers would capitalize on the opportunity, and a four-yard run would close the gap to 26-23 Indians.

The teams would trade punts before Pinson got back to their old ways, punching

it in once again, this time on a keeper by Howard from five yards out to make it 3223 Pinson.

The Gophers would narrow the Pinson lead on a long pass play, and the PAT would make it 32-30 with Pinson clinging to the twopoint lead in the third.

Things would get interesting after Howard’s sec-

“Really proud of our guys for going on the road against the region champion on that side, and handling business,” said Pinson coach James Thompson. “Tight game all the way through, but we were able to finish this go around. Happy for those seniors for continuing to lay the foundation for this program and where we are headed.” The Indians finish the season at 4-6.

Pinson's James Thompson. Credit: Ron Burkett

Tigers Fall to Corner 48-14 in Season Finale

By Henry Williamson, For The Tribune

SPRINGVILLE, Ala. –

The Springville Tigers’ season came to a close Thursday night with a 48-14 loss to Corner at Bagley Harris Stadium. The Tigers struggled to find rhythm, falling into a 27-0 halftime deficit that proved too much to overcome.

Springville couldn’t get anything going early. Corner scored on a touchdown run in the opening quarter, then added a 61-yard score to jump out to a 14-0 lead.

Offensively, the Tigers’ possessions ended quickly, constantly shifting the momentum to Corner as they kept adding on. The Yellow Jackets tacked on two more touchdowns before half-

time, leading comfortably at the break.

The Tigers defense battled, but couldn’t slow down Corner’s balanced attack. The Yellow Jackets controlled the tempo on the ground and aired out passes when needed, picking up first downs and keeping drives alive throughout the game.

The Tigers finally broke through in the third quarter.

Quarterback Brennen Archer led the offense down the field, extending the drive with quick passes and strong runs. He found Brady Caldwell for a contested 6-yard touchdown catch, cutting the deficit to 34-7 and putting the Tigers on the board.

Springville maintained consistency the very next drive in the fourth.

Archer connected with Caldwell again on a 38-yard pass, pushing the Tigers deep into Corner territory and giving Springville another opportunity to score. Gavin Webber then powered in from 9 yards out to make it 41-14.

Later in the fourth, Corner answered with a long touchdown run to cap the scoring at 48-14.

Despite the loss, Metcalf reflected on his first season and what the senior class meant to the program.

“Our record doesn’t reflect the growth that I feel like we’ve experienced as a program,” Metcalf said. “I’m proud of their effort all year. They play with tremendous effort, always fought to the finish, and that’s what we’re doing in

our program as we’re building. This group has been phenomenal, and they mean the world to me.”

With a roster that is filled with underclassmen,

Springville’s future showed flashes throughout the season. Freshman Noah Hampton and sophomore Trigg Murdoch were key pieces to the Tiger offense all year,

improving and evolving as varsity players. Reed Wallace remained a reliable target in his final game, hauling in multiple catches late in the fourth quarter. The young core fought through a tough schedule, learning after every game.

Metcalf sees a bright future with so many young players gaining experience at the varsity level. “There is no substitute for varsity reps,” Metcalf said. “My guys have gotten those, and it’s gonna pay off in the long run for them. The future’s really bright at Springville.” Springville finishes the season 1-9 overall in Metcalf’s first season as Head Coach, but with a young core returning, the foundation has been built for the Tigers’ future.

Second half surge sends Booker T. Washington past Shades Valley

By Shane Paschal, For The Tribune

Tuskegee-Shades Valley traveled to Tuskegee on Thursday night, hoping to end their season on a high note against a surging Booker T. Washington Golden Eagles team. The Golden Eagles had already secured second place in their region and were looking forward to hosting a home playoff game next week.

The Mounties took the opening kickoff and made one first down, but turned the ball over on downs at the Eagle 46. The Eagles made one first down, then also turned the ball over on downs. The Mounties fumbled, and on the next play, the Eagles’ Jeremiah Kitt threw a 44-yard pass to Marquez Daniel for a touchdown. The extra point was no good, and with 2:52 left in the opening quarter, BTW led 6-0. The Mounties took

the kickoff and ran it all the way back to the Eagle 35. Valley’s Antwan Kelser’s keeper gave the Mounties first-and-goal at the five. On the next play, Kelser took it in from five yards out, evening the score at 6-all. The extra point failed, and with 32 seconds in the quarter, the game was tied. To start the second quarter, the teams traded possessions. Then the Mounties intercepted an Eagle pass and ran it back past midfield. A block-in-the-back penalty moved the ball back to the Mountie 35. Then the Mounties’ Small ran 25 yards to the Eagle 40. A play later, Quincy Poole took the ball and raced 40 yards for a touchdown. The extra point would give the Mounties a 13-6 lead with 6:44 left in the half. The Eagles took the kickoff and made four quick first downs, giving them first-and-goal at the 7-yard line with 4:12 remaining in

the half. A couple plays later, BTW fumbled, turning the ball over to the Mounties at the Eagle 15 with 2:42 left in the half. A long Kelserto-Ayden Shackleford pass gave the Mounties a first down at midfield with 54 seconds in the half. A Kelser keeper and another pass completion moved the ball to the Eagle 25. Valley attempted a field goal, which

was short, and then it was picked up by the Eagles and run back toward the Mountie end zone. The Mounties were successful in pushing the runner out of bounds at the five, saving a touchdown. The half would end with the Mounties leading 13-6. The Eagles got the ball to open the second half and were forced to punt. A questionable roughing-the-kick-

er penalty against the Mounties gave the Eagles life into Mountie territory at the 45. A couple of big plays moved the ball to the 30. Then on fourth down, Kitt ran a keeper for around 20 yards, giving the Eagles first-and-goal at the Mountie five. A few plays later, Kitt passed one yard to Daniel for a score, and the extra point was no good, narrowing the Mounties’ lead to 13-12 with 5:58 left in the third.

The Mounties punted back to the Eagles, who started at their own 29. Kitt ran a keeper for 25 yards to the Mountie 47, then a 30yard run by Jaden Woods gave them first-and-goal at the six. Kitt passed six yards to Raymond Minor for a touchdown, and a two-point pass would also be successful, giving the Eagles a 2013 lead with 1:43 left in the third. The Mounties completed a 30-yard pass down

to the Eagle 28 as the quarter ended. The Mounties failed to get a first down but intercepted an Eagle pass a few plays later, giving Valley the ball at the Eagle 44. Kelser gained 24 yards on a keeper to the Eagle 20. Valley then lost yards on the series of plays and had to punt, giving the Eagles the ball at their 32 with seven minutes left. BTW then started handing the ball off, draining the clock and moving the ball down the field. Kitt scored on a keeper with 2:13 left, and the extra point gave the Eagles a 27-13 lead. The Mounties got the ball back at their 20 and passed 30 yards to midfield but couldn’t get any further before the clock — and the season — ran out. Booker T. Washington defeated the visiting Shades Valley team 27-13. Shades Valley’s 2025 season ends with a record of 2-8.

Mounties fall to BTW. Credit: John Goolsby

Springville's Brennan Archer against Corner. Credit: Henry Williamson

Eagles fall to Woodlawn 22-0 in season finale

By Johnny Sanders, Sports Editor

BIRMINGHAM, Ala –

Year one of the Dre’Mail King era is in the books as the first-year head coach took his Center Point Eagles to Woodlawn for the final game of the 2025 season on Friday night. Despite some big plays and tough defense for most of the game, high snaps, penalties and other mistakes kept the Eagles out of the end zone and gave the Colonels everything they needed for the senior night win, culminating in a 22-0 win for the home team.

The Eagles started the game off with the ball and a mix of John Ford runs and efficient throws from Antonio Archer to Daemon Canty and Marquis Zeigler got the visitors deep into Woodlawn territory.

On a key play in the drive, Archer threw an interception at the one-yard line and Woodlawn took over.

On the first play of the Colonels’ drive, Canty, playing both sides of the ball, picked off a Colonel pass and gave Center Point good field position midway through the first quarter; however, it would fail to yield any points for the Eagles, and the first quarter would end scoreless.

Most of the second quarter would be a defensive struggle, with both teams unable to find traction on offense.

With 3:38 to go before the break, the Colonels would find paydirt on an 11-yard run to light up the scoreboard. The two-point try would be intercepted, making it 6-0 Woodlawn.

On the next drive for Center Point, a high snap would set them back and get them behind the chains. Canty busted off a huge 45-

yard run, getting the ball to the one-yard line, but a holding penalty would set the Eagles back.

The half would end with Woodlawn up 6-0 and Center Point leaving at least 12 points on the field in the first half.

The Eagles would come out of the locker room and go on defense first, where an interception in their own territory would swing the momentum in their favor.

But another offensive stall would cause Center Point to punt to Woodlawn.

The Colonels wasted no time, busting a 30-yard run up the middle for a score and making it 14-0 with a successful two-point play with 9:11 to go in the third period of the game.

On the next drive, the Eagles would throw an interception and the momentum that came at the beginning of the quarter became a distant memory.

Coach King’s boys would not give up as the defense held their own and snagged a fumble with around four minutes to play in the third, but another long run by Canty was called back, this time due to a facemask penalty on a lineman.

Inside of six minutes to play, the Eagles were moving the ball effectively and found themselves with a fourth and goal at the fouryard line with 5:41 to play

in the game. However, an incomplete pass at the goal line would end that drive.

The defense held Woodlawn to a punt, but the ball would hit the Center Point returner’s leg, and the Colonels would recover.

With 1:06 left, Woodlawn would add one final touchdown and two-point conversion to their total, making it 22-0 and sending the Eagles back to Center Point with their eighth loss of the season.

Coach Dre’Mail King said the following, “We just can’t give the game away. This was another game where we just literally gave the game away. We have to play better. We had explosive plays offensively only to lose on third down. We have got to be able to capitalize. We can’t fumble snaps and have high snaps.”

Reflecting on his first year at Center Point, King said, “We have a lot of work to do. We need to make sure we understand the fundamentals of football and be persistent in doing the right thing all the time.

King’s message to the seniors who wore the Center Point jerseys for the final time was, “You did a great job of laying a foundation. As long as I am here, they are welcome back and we enjoyed the ride.”

The Eagles finish the season 2-7.

Tribuneland Playoff Preview 2025: Round 1

By, Tribune Sports Editors

TRUSSVILLE, Ala – It is that time of year again in Tribuneland, and if you know us, you know that we are going to have multiple playoff teams who have worked all season to play football in November. This year, half of our teams have earned the right to play in the postseason. Hewitt-Trussville, ClayChalkville, Leeds, and Moody have punched their ticket with hopes of getting to Protective Stadium in the first week of December to play for the coveted Blue Map.

We will preview each of the first-round games for you and give you all of the information you will need leading up to each game.

Leeds Greenwave (6-4; 3-3) at Briarwood Lions (5-5; 5-1):

The Leeds Greenwave, who finished fourth in 5A Region 6, make their sixth consecutive appearance in the postseason and will travel to take on the Briarwood Lions, who won 5A Region 5. These two teams met back on September 26, with the game ending in a 29-28 win for the Greenies. This one appears to be another great game, with both teams aiming for their ultimate goal.

Where: Lions Pride Stadium

When: Friday, November 7, 2025, at 7:00 pm

All-Time Record: 1-1

Last Meeting: 2025 –Leeds 29 Briarwood 28

What’s on the Line: A round two matchup against the winner of the Russellville vs Boaz game

Moody Blue Devils (82; 6-0) vs Corner Yellowjackets (8-2; 4-2):

This is an interesting one, as Corner was the fourth seed in 5A Region

5, but they have the same record as Moody, who won 5A Region 6. Moody has been one of the favorites to win 5A since the dust settled in Protective Stadium last year, with the Blue Devils earning the runner-up spot with a 17-14 loss to Montgomery Catholic.

Where: Bill Morris Stadium

When: Friday, November 7, 2025, 7:00 pm

All-Time: Moody leads 8-6

Last Meeting: 2021 –Moody 41 Corner 13

What’s on the Line: A round two matchup against the winner of the Guntersville vs Priceville game

Clay-Chalkville Cougars (10-0; 6-0) vs Jackson-Olin Mustangs (4-6; 3-3):

The Cougars come into the game as the 6A Region 6 champions with an undefeated record and only one close game in 2025, and that was against the top-ranked team in the state’s largest classification (Thompson). The Mustangs finished fourth in 6A Region 5.

Where: Jerry Hood Field at Cougar Stadium

When: Friday, November 7, 2025, 7:00 pm

All-Time Record: Clay leads 2-0

Last Meeting: 2021 –Clay 46 Jackson-Olin 14

What’s on the Line: A round two matchup against the winner of the Gadsden City vs Jasper game

Hewitt-Trussville Huskies (8-2; 5-2) vs Opelika Bulldogs (7-3; 4-3):

This will be a matchup of teams that play in arguably the toughest two regions in 7A in our state. Hewitt endured teams like Hoover and Vestavia while tripping up against Thompson and Prattville in 7A Region 3, finishing second. In similar fashion, Opelika played in-region games with wins over Carver Montgomery and Dothan, but dropped games to powerhouses Auburn and Central Phenix City. This is a game of battle-tested teams and could potentially be a game of the week candidate.

Where: Husky Stadium When: Friday, November 7, 2025, 7:00 pm

All-Time Record: 0-0

Last Meeting: Never What’s on the Line: A round two matchup against the winner of the Baker vs Florence game

Center Point's Antonio Archer drops back against Woodlawn. Credit: Johnny Sanders

Credit: Shane Paschal