The Tribune
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www.TrussvilleTribune.com
Imagine Leeds meeting at LHS launched to form new comprehensive plan
Hattie’s Toyland coming to the Trussville Entertainment District this spring
LEEDS – A new comprehensive plan, according to city planners Matthew Tindal and Bryan King of the Goodwyn Mills Cawood firm, is necessary every ten years to See IMAGINE, Page 3
Popular Birmingham restaurant to open second location in Trussville From Tribune staff reports
TRUSSVILLE — A popular Birmingham sushi restaurant will open their second location in Trussville’s Entertainment District. Umami, which is located in the Lakview District on 7th Ave. See RESTAURANT, Page 3
Pinson Trade Days seeks talented kids to audition for spring ‘Amateur Talent Show’ By Crystal McGough Editor
PINSON – Pinson Trade Days founder Patti, of Patti’s on Main Street Flea Market and Consignment Shop, has announced that she’s planning to host an “Amateur See TALENT, Page 5
Center Point man, 68, killed when tree falls on vehicle From Tribune staff reports
BIRMINGHAM — A Center Point man was killed Tuesday when a tree fell on his vehicle, according to Jefferson County Deputy Chief Coroner Bill Yates. Cedric Ralph McNeal was identified by Yates as the victim. The incident occurred at See CENTER POINT, Page 7
Inside the Tribune
News - Pages 1-9 Lifestyle - Page 10 Opinion - Page 11 Outdoors - Pages 12-13 Savvy Senior - Page 14 Obituary - Page 16 Calendar - Page 17 Classified - Page 17 Sports - Pages 18-20
By Crystal McGough Editor
TRUSSVILLE – When the Philpot family moved back home to Alabama in February 2020, after spending years serving in ministry in Virginia, they were excited for the opportunity to raise their growing family in Trussville. Taylor and Kelsee Philpot were expecting baby number four at the time, a daughter named Hattie Ruth. Soon after settling in, however, the Philpots received devastating news. “Literally, the week we got here in February 2020, I found out that our daughter was going to be stillborn,” Kelsee said. Hattie Ruth Philpot was stillborn on March 9, 2020, one week before the national pandemic shutdown. “We were kind of forced to sit in our grief,” Kelsee said. “I think Covid really allowed us to sit with the pain and deal with it, verses trying to move forward too fast.”
Photo courtesy of Kelsee Philpot
Sometime in the following days and months of grief and pandemic-induced isolation, Kelsee had a dream about owning a toy store. This dream planted a new seed in her heart. “I’d seen families honor their children in so many different ways, and nothing ever felt right, but I did want to honor her in some way,” she said. “So, when I had a dream
about a toy store, I thought that’d be so sweet for our kids to be a part of, for us to be a part of.” At the time, the Philpots had returned to their hometown only to feel like the tragic loss of their daughter was now what defined them in their community. In the fall of 2023, however, Kelsee was talking with a close friend who owns a busi-
Page 18
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January 17 - 23
By Nathan Prewett For the Tribune
Hunter wins 200th game
Food Scores
2024 Stone gateways to be dedicated Jan. 27 in Trussville Special from Cahaba Homestead Heritage Foundation Inc.
ness in the Trussville Entertainment District. This friend mentioned to Kelsee that a property owner in the TED was interested in bringing a toy store to the area. After that, the seed aptly named “Hattie’s Toyland” quickly began to grow into a reality. “I felt like when we got here to Trussville, we were kind of known by (our loss) – that happened the week we got here and word traveled fast,” Kelsee said. “So, I’m excited for everyone to see this side of the story and see something happy. It’s good for our kids to see that, as well. That you can go through hard things, but they don’t have to define you. There can be beautiful things that come out of them, and I think that this store is a way that we’re going to do that.” Taylor and Kelsee signed the lease on a corner building across street from Cookie Dough Magic in December 2023. There is still plenty of
TRUSSVILLE – The dedication ceremony for the stone gateways in Trussville’s historic Cahaba Project will be Saturday, Jan. 27 at 10 a.m. The ceremony will be held at the stone gateway at the corner of Parkway Drive and
See TOYLAND, Page 5
See ARGO, Page 4
See GATEWAYS, Page 4
Argo police warn of possible doorto-door scam From Tribune staff reports
ARGO — Police in Argo are warning residents to be wary of a man reportedly approaching homes as a representative of Direct TV and attempting to gain access. Police said on Jan. 13, officers were dispatched to several subdivisions in reference to a suspicious person. Callers described the male
Valley Kalen DeBoer officially announced Pinson Arts Council to host ‘Mingle While You’re as Alabama’s head football coach Single’ event on By Chris Sunderland 1819 News
TUSCALOOSA — On Friday evening, the University of Alabama made the hiring of its new head football coach Kalen DeBoer official. DeBoer will be the successor to the greatest college football coach of all time, a tough task that DeBoer labeled as an “honor” in a statement released by the former Washington head coach. “I have always had an incredible respect for Alabama football and its commitment to excellence,” said DeBoer. “The tradition-rich history of this program is unmatched across the landscape of college athletics, and I look forward to continuing that moving forward.” “Following Coach Saban is an honor. He has been the standard for college football, and his success is unprecedented. I would not have left Washington for just any school,” he added. “The chance to lead the football program at The University of Alabama is the opportunity of a lifetime. My family and
Coach Kalen DeBoer meets his players in Tuscaloosa. Photo via Alabama Football
Coach Kalen DeBoer
I feel truly blessed and look forward to becoming a part of
MARTY’S TRUSSVILLE
the Tuscaloosa community.” DeBoer continued, “I want to thank Director of Athletics Greg Byrne, President Stuart R. Bell, Chancellor Finis St. John and The University of Alabama System Board of Trustees for their belief in me to lead this program.” DeBoer boasts an impressive record of 104 wins and 12 losses during his nine seasons as a head coach. Notably, he achieved a remarkable 25-3 record at Washington over the past two years. In the previous season, DeBoer led the Huskies to a stellar 14-1
record, securing the Pac-12 title and the Sugar Bowl victory, ultimately advancing to the national championship game. DeBoer has the accolades that qualify him for the job and now has Nick Saban’s approval. “I want nothing more than to see Alabama football continue to be successful, and Coach DeBoer is an outstanding choice to lead this program,” Saban said in a statement. “He has a proven track record of success and is one of the brightest football minds. Coach DeBoer has an excellent understanding of what it takes to be a successful head coach, whether it’s coaching, recruiting, developing players or building a culture.” “He has done a fantastic job at every stop of his coaching career, and I am excited to see what he will be able to accomplish in Tuscaloosa,” he continued. “Terry and I will be here to support Coach DeBoer and his family with everything they need.” Alabama athletics director
Valentine’s Day
By Crystal McGough Editor
PINSON – This Valentine’s Day, or as some like to call it, “Singles Awareness Day,” the Pinson Valley Arts Council has put together a special night just for the singles. See MINGLE, Page 6
Trussville man charged with indecent exposure at Chick-fil-A in Leeds From Tribune staff reports
LEEDS — Police in Leeds have charged a Trussville man with indecent exposure on two different occasions at the Chick-fil-A in Leeds. Brian Adam Drawdy, 34, of Trussville, is alleged to
See COACH, Page 7
See INDECENT, Page 7
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