WED THU
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Text 911
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Board of Education Appreciation
Random Act of Kindness
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The Trussville Tribune TRUSSVILLE • PINSON·CLAY • CENTER POINT • ARGO • SPRINGVILLE • LEEDS • MOODY
January 22 - 28, 2020 CRIME STOPPERS: Trussville Police searching for Leeds man wanted on kidnapping and rape charges
www.TrussvilleTribune.com
19-year-old in custody in connection to deadly shooting in Leeds
en to Grandview Medical Center by private vehicle. Sargent was pronounced dead by hospital staff at 10:42 p.m. Leeds Police Chief Jim Atkinson said the shooting happened after the victim exited a vehicle and attempted to approach the suspect. Atkinson said the incident is likely drug-related. Widner is not yet officially charged with a crime and is considered innocent until proven guilty.
Larry Dewayne Kimble, Jr. Photo: Crime Stoppers of Metro Alabama. See KIDNAPPING, Page 3
TRAFFIC ALERT: Part of Valley Road in Trussville to close for emergency repairs
50 Cents
By Erica Thomas, managing editor
on Tuesday evening. The shooting happened late on Monday, Jan. 20, 2020. Jefferson County Coroner Bill Yates said James Brody Sargent, 19, of Irondale, was shot in the 1000 block of King Forest Drive. Leeds police responded at 9:51 p.m. to a call of shots fired. By the time first responders arrived on the scene, Sargent had already been tak-
See VALLEY ROAD, Page 5
LEEDS — A 19-year-old being held in the St. Clair County Jail has officially been charged with murder in connection to the shooting death of a teen in Leeds. Anthony Widner, of Leeds, was booked into jail at 4:33 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 21. Leeds police obtained a murder warrant against Widner
New auto parts store coming to Clay, chains in talks to take over old Fred’s building
TCS Superintendent talks growth & strategic plan at Trussville Area Chamber Luncheon
From The Trussville Tribune staff reports
TRUSSVILLE — A part of Valley Road in Trussville will close on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2020, for emergency repairs.
From The Trussville Tribune staff reports
By Erica Thomas, managing editor
CLAY — A new auto parts store is coming to the city of Clay. O’Reilly Auto Parts will be in the 6400 block of Deerfoot Parkway, across the street from the new Taco Bell.
TRUSSVILLE – Trussville City Schools Superintendent Dr. Pattie Neill was the featured speaker at the January luncheon for the Trussville Area Chamber of Commerce. As she took the mic, Neill thanked all of the people within Trussville City Schools that have made success possible. She also thanked community members, legislators, city services, parents, students and businesses that pitch in to improve excellence within the school system. “No one person can do it alone,” said Neill. “It takes a whole village.” RANKING TCS was ranked second in the state in 2018. Although the school system was ranked fourth in 2019, Neill pointed out that the system stayed in the top of the rankings, with a score of 95. “We’ll always be in that band,” Neill said. “That’s where I would want us to be. Every school in Trussville made an A on the state report card.”
See CLAY DEVELOPMENT, Page 6
Jefferson County Schools teaming up with libraries to promote digital learning on and off campus From The Trussville Tribune staff reports
BIRMINGHAM — The Jefferson County School system announced a unique partnership to promote digital learning among children in area communities. See DIGITAL LEARNING, Page 10
Inside the Tribune
News - Pages 1-5 Obituary - Page 6 Finance - Page 6 Tribune Living - Page 7 Calendar - Page 9 Classified - Page 9 Education - Page 10 Sports - Pages 11-14
Jefferson County DA in Bessemer says Paighton Houston case should not be tried on social media By Erica Thomas, managing editor
BESSEMER — The Jefferson County District Attorney in the Bessemer Cutoff responded to the arrest of a man in connection to the case of Paighton Houston. See HOUSTON CASE, Page 5
Leeds Schools Board of Education recognizes nationally certified teacher at meeting By Nathan Prewett
LEEDS – When the Leeds City Schools Board of Education met on Tuesday, Jan. 14, members recognized local teacher, Christina Allen, who was nationally certified. Anthony Widner. Photo: St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office.
See LEEDS SCHOOLS, Page 10
Leeds High School’s Oak & Ivy Theatre presents: The Great Gatsby From The Trussville Tribune staff reports
LEEDS — The Leeds High School Oak & Ivy Theatre is presenting a winter feature: The Great Gatsby. F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby was adapted for the stage by Simon Levy. The show is produced by Creative Director and Theatre Educator. See LEEDS THEATRE, Page 7
SECONDARY EDUCATION The school system keeps up with how college freshmen from Hewitt-Trussville High School rank among their peers from other school systems. Neill said those reports show Trussville students do very well at the university level. “If they go out into the university environment and
don’t do well, our A’s don’t mean anything,” she said. MORE THAN ACADEMICS Neill said school leaders are not only focused on academics, but also on citizenship and character. “I like the most that we have a well-rounded program,” she said. “It takes a lot of energy and a lot of people to do it.”
STRATEGIC PLAN Neill presented the 2040 Strategic Plan for education. She said the system will “think out of the box.” To go along with Mayor Buddy Choat’s 2040 Strategic Plan, Dr. Neill, along with Peter Reich, developed a plan highlighting four key goals:
Robin’s Sewing Shoppe www.robinshoppe.com 5886 Trussville Crossings Pkwy 205.655.3388 -
Fabric Machines Classes Demos
See TCS, Page 4
Moody City Council presents 2019 Moody Christmas Parade winners, approves donation to Moody High School bass fishing team By Joshua Huff, sports editor
MOODY – The Moody City Council convened on Monday and presented trophies to the 2019 Moody Christmas Parade winners as well as provide the Moody High School bass fishing team with a financial donation. See MOODY COUNCIL, Page 4
Casa Fiesta Mexican Grill
5084 Pinnacle Sq Suite 112 Trussville
655-3530