The Trussville Tribune – March 6 - 12, 2024

By Nathan Prewett

See LEEDS, Page 5

Springville plans for growth after accepting SEEDS grant

Members of the Springville City Council heard an update on the SEEDS grant the city received last week from the State of Alabama. Don Smith, Executive Director of the St. Clair County Economic Development Council discussed the grant during the work session prior to the regular

See SPRINGVILLE, Page 6

City of Clay amends schedule for Alabama Open Pickleball tournament

By Terry Schrimscher

CLAY — Pickleball players will descend upon the City of Clay in March as the

plays host to the 4th annual Alabama Open. The pickleball tournament will take place at the city’s Pickleball

Civitan Donation Page 3

Trussville and other cities to benefit as Alabama reaches $220 million settlement with two opioid distributors

Montgomery – The State of Alabama reached a $220 million settlement on Monday, March 4, with Cardinal Health and Cencora (formerly AmerisourceBergen). The settlement, announced by Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall, is part of the state’s ongoing litigation in the opioid crisis.

“Today reaffirmed our decision to decline participation in the national opioid settlement with Cardinal and Cencora, as that proposal failed to adequately acknowledge the unique harms faced by Alabamians,” said Marshall. The State independently filed multiple lawsuits to combat the opioid crisis.

Alabama had already reached settlements totaling over $500 million to resolve claims against drug manufacturers and other entities before the latest settlement was announced.

Trussville was one of several cities in Alabama to vote to participate in the opioid litigations when the lawsuits were announced. The City

Council passed a resolution in July of 2022 to participate in the lawsuits and settlements.

“We’ve been on most of the opioid lawsuits and have received some funds in the past but it’s too soon to tell how much the city will get from this settlement,” said Trussville Mayor Buddy Choat. “We really appreciate the attorney general’s work on these cases.”

In the 2022 resolution, city leaders said Trussville has been harmed by the opioid epidemic and they believed it was in the best interest of the

community to participate. According to the wording in the resolution, “the city of Trussville finds that participation in the various Opioid Settlements, Settlement Agreement, and Sign-On Agreement is in the best interest of the City of Trussville and its citizens because such a plan would ensure an effective structure for the commitment of Settlement Funds to abate and seek to resolve the opioid epidemic.”

“While this settlement will not bring back those lost to this devastating epidemic, it

presents a historic opportunity to ameliorate the harm that opioid abuse has caused in our communities and to finally move us out of this epidemic altogether,” Marshall said.

According to the terms of the agreement, Cardinal and Cencora will pay a combined $220 million in abatement funds over ten years. Per the terms of each agreement, the settlement funds are to be used only to remediate the harms caused by the opioid crisis in Alabama.

Cardinal and Cencora will also be responsible for paying fees and costs for the State’s counsel, allowing the State to direct the entirety of the settlement funds to opioid abatement.

The State’s share of the settlement funds will be deposited directly into the General Fund. As with previous opioid settlements, Alabama will share settlement funds with local governments and public hospitals. No determination has been announced on the amount Trussville will receive from the settlements.

Alabama releases $148 million to expand broadband in 48 counties

By Alabama News Center Staff

A new wave of grants will support the continued expansion of high-speed internet service to unserved areas across the state.

Gov. Kay Ivey this week unveiled the 66 Capital Projects Fund grants, totaling $148.3 million. The grants, awarded to 16 internet providers, are designed to expand high-speed internet access to homes, businesses and public institutions in portions of 48 counties.

“High-speed internet service continues to strengthen and expand across the state, and we are taking the necessary strides on this journey to achieve full broadband access for Alabama,” Ivey said. “This has been a monumental task, but it is one that will pay multiple dividends for our state and its residents.”

The most recent “last mile” projects translate to more than 5,000 miles of broadband infrastructure that will provide access to almost 54,000 households, businesses and key facilities, such as

hospitals, schools and libraries.

The projects are supported by federal American Rescue Plan Act funding. The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs is administering the grants.

The latest grants follow a Feb. 5 announcement by the governor’s office of $188 million in grants for the Alabama Anchor Institution/ Middle Mile program. The middle-mile projects are an

essential precursor so that internet providers can complete the last-mile projects to reach homes, businesses and important institutions.

“This has been a remarkable journey made possible by Governor Ivey, the Alabama Legislature, the state’s internet service providers and so many other willing and eager participants,” said ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell. “Once completed, these projects will provide access for thousands of Ala-

bamians.” Alabama Power is among the organizations supporting broadband expansion.

The latest grants are going to: AT&T Southeast – Five grants totaling $6.97 million to expand broadband services in Franklin, Jefferson, Mobile, Morgan and Russell counties. The expansion has the potential to reach more than 1,871 households and businesses. Central Alabama Electric Cooperative – Seven grants totaling $21.94 million to expand broadband services in areas of Autauga, Chilton, Coosa, Dallas and Elmore counties. The service area includes more than 6,000 potential households and businesses.

• Connect Holding (Brightspeed) – Two grants totaling $388,061 to expand broadband services in Pickens and St. Clair counties. The projects have the potential to reach

See BROADBAND, Page 4

February 29 Page 7

Man charged in murder of Moody woman

From Tribune staff reports St. CLAIR COUNTY–Maxwell Allen St. John, 35, was charged on Monday with the murder of Kyla Elaine Bobo, according to the St. Clair County Sheriff. Bobo, who was from the Moody area, was last seen on Jan. 30, 2022 in Chula Vista. Her family contacted the sheriff’s office in February

See MURDER, Page 6

Springville principal named Alabama’s 2024 High School Principal of the Year

By Blair Moore

SPRINGVILLE —

When Dr. Gregory Moore of Springville High School walked into the gym after lunch one day in February, cheers erupted. The entire student body, his family and

See PRINCIPAL, Page 5

Woman charged in Moody police officer’s murder pleads guilty, sentenced to life

From Tribune staff reports

MOODY — The second person charged in the shooting death of Moody Police Lt. Stephen Williams pleaded guilty to the murder Wednesday, ac-

MARTY’S TRUSSVILLE

Photo Stihl024 Dreamstime

Trussville is one of many Alabama cities to join the state’s fight in the opioid crisis. Photo Steveheap, Dreamstime.com

Civitan International presents $373,400 donation to UAB

Special to The Tribune

BIRMINGHAM – Civitan International, global service organization serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), presented their annual donation to the Civitan International Research Center (CIRC) (housed at The University of Alabama at Birmingham) totaling $373,400 on Sunday, Feb. 25. The donation was presented alongside leadership of the Foundation for Children with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (FCIDD) who contributed to the donation.

“We are beyond excited to present this donation to the leaders and scientists of the research center alongside our partners with the FCIDD to continue performing life-changing research for individuals with IDD,” Mark Eisinger, executive vice president of Civitan International said.

The donation was presented at this year’s annual Junior Civitan All In Summit event, which was held from Feb. 23 to Feb. 26 at the Alabama 4H Center in Columbiana and included travel to Birmingham to visit the research center. The leader-

ship conference is for Junior Civitan members (middle and high school students), whose annual fundraising efforts contribute substantially to the CIRC donation. This year’s event had 28 Junior Civitans in attendance.

“Our leadership, scientists, and care providers at the CIRC are eternally grateful for the relationship we have with Civitan International and its partners. Their fundraising efforts and donations often serve as seed funds for our scientists to qualify for larger funding opportunities and to strive for a greater impact in their studies,” Dr. Craig Powell, director of the Civitan International Research Center said.

This donation gave Civitan International an early finish to donate $1M to the center over the course of four years allowing them to complete the pledge in only three years.

Bill Garrett, executive director of the FCIDD also attended the event and shared the foundation’s excitement about continuing to support the mission and research to support those with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Prior to the check presentation, the Junior Civitans

visited three learning stations at the CIRC which included a talk with researchers about autism, a hands-on interactive session to display the brain’s rapid plasticity in response to altering visual input through prism goggles, and a station where scientists displayed a human brain that had been donated for educational purposes and described the components of the brain.

Civitan International is a service organization, comprised of volunteers across the world who participate in various fundraising activities to support studies and training at the CIRC.

The CIRC was established in 1989 on the campus of UAB with the support of Civitan International, and the organization has since donated over $21M to support the center. CIRC’s mission is to improve the well-being and quality of life of individuals and families affected by IDD. The CIRC has grown to over 140 faculty members and care providers, many of whom have received national and international awards recognizing excellence in research and training.

For more information on Civitan International and the FCIDD, visit www.Civitan. org and www.fcidd.org.

Trussville FD, Center Point FD hold officer training at Civic Center

By Chris Basinger, Staff Writer

TRUSSVILLE The Trussville Fire Department and Center Point Fire District held a joint training session on Monday at the Trussville Civic Center. The Officer Development

Program is an annual training where officers spend the day working on incident management and emergency response. “It’s just a way to invest in our people and make sure that we’re prepared for whatever comes at us,” Trussville Fire Chief Tim Shotts said.

Officers spent the day collaborating with other departments through mock scenarios where they could work together to think through problems they may face in the field and develop solutions. The department will also hold a similar training for firefighters this fall.

L-R Shown are Civitan International President (2023-2024), Dee Hutsler; CIRC director, Dr. Craig Powell; and Civitan International Past International President (2022-2023) and FCIDD director, Jo Ann O’Toole. (Courtesy Civitan International)

Cahaba Valley Fire Chief Buddy Wilkes leads fire officers in a class where they work through potential scenarios they could face when responding to an emergency.

Broadband

From front page

479 households and businesses.

• Coosa Valley Technologies Inc. – Six grants totaling $12.57 million for expanded broadband services in Calhoun, Etowah, Shelby and Talladega counties. The service area includes more than 974 potential households and businesses.

• Cullman Electric Cooperative – One grant totaling $4.1 million to provide broadband services in areas of Cullman and Winston counties. The expansion has the potential to reach 1,979 households and businesses.

• Farmers Telecommunications Corp. – Two grants totaling $7.29 million to expand broadband services in DeKalb County with the potential to serve more than 1,600 households and businesses.

• Knology (WOW!) – One grant totaling $2.39 million to expand broadband services in parts of Henry and Houston counties. The expansion has the potential to reach about 970 households and businesses.

• Mediacom – Eight projects totaling $22.8 million to provide broadband services in parts of Baldwin,

Shoplifting

From front page

Those accused of shoplifting include Kinley Buckner of Tuscaloosa, Melvin Carver of Trussville, Sharnise Covington of Birmingham, Shanthia Crook of Birmingham, Luis Cruz of Birmingham, Naomi Garcia of Birmingham, Justin Hassell of Cottondale, Marcellis McCord of Birmingham, Paris McFarland of Pinson, Jose Morales of Birmingham, Terri Tucker of Birmingham, and Jakiya White of Birmingham.

“All arrest and arrest photos posted on (our Facebook page) are public information. All subjects are innocent until proven guilty,” the TPD’s post read.

Clarke, Conecuh, Escambia, Monroe and Mobile counties. The project areas include almost 8,000 households and businesses.

• Millry Telephone Co. Inc. – One grant totaling $3.6 million to expand broadband services in parts of Washington County. The expansion has the potential to reach 988 new households and businesses.

• Pea River Electric Cooperative – One grant totaling $5 million to expand broadband services in parts of Barbour and Henry counties. The expansion has the potential to reach 1,529 new households and businesses.

• Pine Belt Telephone Co. – Four grants totaling $3 million to provide additional broadband services in Clarke and Marengo counties with the potential to reach more than 480 new households and businesses.

• M. Greene Inc. – One grant totaling $2.85 million for broadband expansion in parts of Barbour and Russell counties that will reach more than 680 new households and businesses.

• Spectrum Southeast – 23 grants totaling $44.83 million to provide broadband services in parts of Bibb, Butler, Calhoun, Cham-

bers, Cleburne, Coosa, Colbert, Cullman, Elmore, Etowah, Geneva, Greene, Houston, Jefferson, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Limestone, Marshall, Montgomery, Morgan, Pickens, St. Clair, Talladega, Tallapoosa and Tuscaloosa counties. The service areas include 22,000 potential households and businesses.

• Tombigbee Electric Cooperative – One grant totaling $2.78 million to provide broadband services in parts of Winston County. The service area includes 1,584 potential households and businesses.

• Troy Cablevision (C Spire) – One grant totaling $1.65 million to expand broadband services in Dale and Houston counties. There are nearly 700 potential households and businesses in that service area.

Yellowhammer Networks – Two grants totaling $5.13 million to provide broadband services in Bibb, Dallas, Greene, Hale, Lowndes, Marengo, Perry and Sumter counties. The project areas include almost 3,700 households and businesses.

To learn more about “Be Linked Alabama,” the state’s broadband expansion plan, visit broadband.alabama.gov.

Clay

From front page

Complex and is open to players of all ages and skill levels.

The tournament is scheduled to take place March 2830, 2024. The schedule was recently amended due to the Easter holiday. City Manager Ronnie Dixon announced the change in his report during the February 27 meeting of the Clay City Council.

“That’s a change from what we have been talking about,” Dixon said. “There was a lot of push back from the city on playing on Easter Sunday, so Sunday play has been cancelled. It will finish up on Saturday night. We will play on Good Friday,” he added. Registration for the event

Tyson

From front page cording to court documents. Marquisha Anissa Tyson, now 32, of Birmingham pleaded guilty as part of a plea deal that would see her sentenced to life in prison.

According to police, Williams was killed in the line of duty on June 2, 2020 while responding to a call at the Super 8 hotel in Moody. He was shot on arrival and later transported to UAB Hospital by ambulance where he was pronounced dead. A medical helicopter had arrived at the scene, but was not used.

Tyson and Tapero Corlene Johnson, now 31, of Birmingham were taken into custody after the shooting.

Last year, Johnson was convicted of murder and sen-

costs $65 and is open until March 7. Information on the tournament can be found online at www.pickleballeventsgroup.org under the tournaments tab.

The Alabama Open takes place at the City of Clay Pickleball Complex located at 6745 Old Springville Road. The tournament is not a sanctioned event, according to the website, but will have referees for all doubles matches. Matches include singles brackets, doubles brackets for men and woman and a mixed doubles bracket.

The Council also approved a $30,000 donation to the Clay Chalkville High School band to reduce expenses for a pending trip to Orlando, Florida to participate in a parade. The donation was announced

in an earlier meeting and was approved during the consent agenda portion of the meeting. The donation reduces expenses for the students from $800 to $150.

The Council also amended conflicting language in local alcohol ordinances. The change was recommended unanimously by the zoning board.

Speaking to The Tribune, Dixon explained the restriction for on-premises consumption of alcohol was changed years ago from 1000 ft to 300 ft from a school, library or church but the verbiage was not updated in different sections of the ordinance.

The next meeting of the Clay City Council is scheduled for 6 p.m. on March 12, 2024 at City Hall.

Sgt. Stephen Williams was a 23-year veteran and had been with the Moody Police Department for three years. He was the night-shift sergeant. He had been promoted to sergeant in the past year.

tenced to death. Williams, a 23-year veteran, was described as a loving father and dedicated police officer, having been honored with the Chiefs Award of Excellence during the 2019

Christmas Banquet. Although he was a sergeant at the time of his death, Williams was promoted to lieutenant posthumously by then-Police Chief Thomas Hunt.

Tapero Corlene Johnson, 31, of Birmingham and Marquisha Anissa Tyson, 32.

The Clay City Council on February 27, 2024. Photo Terry Schrimscher

Top row (L-R): Kinley Buckner, Melvin Carver, Sharnise Covington, and Shanthia Crook. Middle row: Luis Cruz, Naomi Garcia, Justin Hassell, and Marcellis McCord. Bottom row: Paris McFarland, Jose Morales, Terri Tucker, and Jakiya White.

Leeds

From front page

The meeting began with an invitation from Mayor David Miller for the public to take part in a citywide cleanup effort slated to take place on Wednesday March 20. Anyone who is interested in participating may contact Inspections Superintendent Glenn Williams for more information.

Afterwards, the council briefly heard from Kenneth Dawkins, who made the request to rezone a property he owns on Hawkins Road from R-1, Single Family District to A-1, Agricultural District.

When asked by Councilman Kenneth Washington why he wanted to have it rezoned, Dawkins said that in the future he may want to have livestock such as a pony for grandchildren and wanted to have it properly zoned in case.

Following was a discussion about the possible ramifications. Police Chief Paul Irwin cautioned the council, saying that the property is in a residential, populated area

and having livestock near residents may prove potentially dangerous.

In contrast, two neighbors spoke in favor of the rezoning, with one, Vannessa Brown, saying that her property bordered Dawkins’ and was comfortable with the idea.

Ultimately the ordinance failed to pass as council members Eric Turner, Angie Latta and Washington voted in favor while Miller, Johnny Dutton and DeVoris Ragland-Pierce voted against it.

Miller said that a concern with rezoning the property was that the Planning and Zoning Commission did not recommend it after the request came to them. He explained that the land use plan currently in effect remains, so approving it without the land use plan would result in it being considered spot zoning. The commission would be responsible for changing the land use.

Legally, spot zoning is an amendment to policies that may contradict a city’s master plan and current zoning restrictions.

“I don’t think anybody

had a problem with Mr. Dawkins or anything like that,” he said. “It’s just a matter that’s – spot zoning opens up a real can of worms throughout the city because everybody’s got some little isolated block that they all like to have that’d be a different zone than what’s around them. And so it’s always been legally held that that type of move is considered spot zoning.

Additionally, the council approved declaring items from the police department to be surplus and authorized their sale. Items included several cars, multiple guns and outdated equipment that can be sold to certified dealers or traded for updated products.

The next Leeds City Council meeting will be held on Monday, March 18.

Meetings are held on the first and third Mondays of every month at City Hall on 1400 9th Street Northeast.

Agenda packets can be seen online at the City of Leeds website.

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

Principal

From front page

friends were there as he was honored as Alabama’s 2024 High School Principal of the Year.

Dr. Moore was surprised, overwhelmed, and humbled. “I’m a passionate, emotional guy, so I didn’t mind shedding those tears of excitement for what it meant to everyone,” he said.

As the band played their fight song, Moore spotted several of his lifelong mentors in the audience including Mr. Vann Phllips who was principal of E.B. Erwin High School (now Center Point) while Moore coached and taught there. “Mr. Phillips is a mentor to me to this day,” Moore said.

Having noticed Moore’s outstanding character and ability to stay calm under pressure as a coach, Phillips helped Moore get his first position in school administration. Phillips is beyond proud of all that Moore has accomplished and was thrilled to see him receive this award. “I was so happy—I was ecstatic,” said Phillips. “Greg earned every bit of it, and he deserves every recognition and every accolade that he has received.”

Moore was quick to acknowledge those who have played a pivotal role in his life and success including Dr. Patricia Simpson, Andrew Briskey (his high school basketball coach), and his “educational angel” Dr. Jodi Newton who passed away about a year ago. Newton was Moore’s dissertation chair at Samford and greatly supported his administrative journey.

Moore attended Faulkner University on a basketball scholarship. He holds a degree in English, a master’s in Secondary English Language Arts, and an Education Specialist Degree in Educational Leadership. He completed his Doctorate of Education at Samford University. Before assuming his current position

as Springville High Principal in 2020, Moore served at Moody High, Pinson Valley High, Chalkville Elementary, and Springville Elementary.

Now in his twenty-fourth year in education, Moore is calling today’s youth to a high level of excellence in both academics and character. Since coming to Springville High, he has placed a major emphasis on reinvigorating what is known as “The Tiger Code,” originally written by counselor Donna Robinson in 2013. The code calls students to high levels of character and sets a tone of respect, integrity and generosity throughout the student body. It’s an integral part of the positive culture of the school.

“I want the Tiger Code to be something that students live not only at school but at home,” Moore said. “In our community, we are all Springville Tigers. The Tiger Code isn’t about perfection.

It’s about trying to be the best person you can be every day.”

Teachers reinforce the Tiger Code by living it out. “I appreciate that our teachers share that vision we have for who we want our students to be, and who we all want to be.”

Moore said the honor of being named High School Principal isn’t about him. It’s about what the people of Springville High have accomplished together.

Now, he is looking to the future. “I’m already thinking, ‘What’s the next thing that I need to do for Springville High School? What’s the next way we can strive towards success?’” Moore said.

“As long as I’m in the business, there’s something else that needs to be done. There’s a child who needs to be helped. There are lives that need to be impacted. There’s always more work to do.”

Springville High School's Dr. Gregory Moore named Alabama's Principal of the Year. Pictured with Dr. Vic Williams.

Dr. Moore of SHS named Principal of the Year.

Leeds Mayor David Miller on March 4, 2024. Photo by Nathan Prewett.

Murder

From front page

2022 to report her disappearance.

After an extensive search, skeletal remains were located in a wooded area near Pell City in November 2023.

According to the sheriff’s office, the remains were processed for DNA testing by the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences and in February 2024 preliminary results identified them as belonging to Bobo.

St. John, who was serving an 11-year sentence for rape

in a separate case, was later charged with one count of felony murder and one count of abuse of a corpse and extradited from Bullock Correctional Facility.

“I would like to give a special thanks to the St. Clair County Drug Enforcement Unit for their hard work and tireless efforts to bring this case to where we are today,” Sheriff Billy J. Murray wrote.

“I would like to say thank you to the family of Kyla who assisted law enforcement in remarkable ways to bring this case to a successful conclusion.”

Springville

From front page

meeting.

“I think it was about three or four months ago when I sat up here and said instead of going for the due diligence grant with the SEEDS program, I think we take a big leap of faith and go for the big pool of money which was going to be roughly 53% of the purchase price for the Riley farm,” Smith said.

Last October, the Springville City Council approved a cooperative agreement with St. Clair County to purchase and develop Riley Farm Commerce Park, the first rail-served commerce part in the county. The property is located near the WalMart interchange on I-59.

The partnership between Springville and St. Clair County received $2.1 million from the SEEDS grant to assist in the purchase of the property, which is expected to bring as many as 1500 jobs to the area once completed.

“I think in St. Clair County we got roughly 7% of all the total state allocation for

Center Point woman wanted on multiple felony warrants

the projects,” Smith said. “I thank the Council and the Mayor for having faith in that application.”

A total of $30.1 million in SEEDS funding will be matched with $38.4 million in local funds at 29 different industrial sites encompassing nearly 8,400 acres according to a release from the Governor’s office.

The Site Evaluation and Economic Development Strategy Act (SEEDS) was passed by the legislature last year as part of the governor’s Game Plan package of eco-

nomic development bills.

The program was initially funded with $40 million and requires local matching funds. The grants were open to all communities in the state seeking to develop or evaluate industrial property, purchase property for industrial use or upgrade infrastructure for industrial development.

In other business, the Council approved the creation of a new part-time position to serve at Big Canoe Creek Nature Preserve. The position will help with specif-

ic needs at the park on weekends including parking and assisting guests.

The Council also passed a resolution eliminating peddler’s license requirements for vendors at a city sponsored event. The resolution applies to an upcoming event at the Senior Center.

The Council moved into executive session and the regular meeting adjourned.

The next meeting of the Springville City Council will be held at 6 p.m. on March 18 with a work session at 5:30 p.m. prior to the meeting.

Trussville man wanted on strangulation domestic violence charge

From Tribune staff reports JEFFERSON COUNTY – A Trussville man is wanted in Jefferson County on a felony warrant charging him with failing to appear for a domestic violence by strangulation charge, according to Crime Stoppers of Metro Alabama. Robert W Gray, 38, is 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighs 240 lbs. He has short brown

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ABC Form C-1

August 2001

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A cashier’s check or bid bond payable to Jefferson County Board of Education in an amount not less than five (5) percent of the amount of the bid, but in no event 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.

The Owner intends to award multiple or single contracts for this work to pre-qualified General Contractor(s). The Owner will accept proposals only from firms which demonstrate their experience and ability to perform the work necessary for this project. Interested General Contractors must submit a Contractor’s Qualification Statement, AIA A305. Minimum qualifications to be certified by prospective bidders include: 1) statutory licensor requirements, 2) bonding capacity in excess of $5,000,000 dollars, 3) minimum of five (5) years successful history as an approved, authorized or licensed General Contractor, 4) successful current experience in construction of a size and scope similar to this Project, and 5) submit list of proposed contractor’s team including subcontractors.

Joint venture arrangements must qualify solely on the strength of the principal firm’s qualifications. Notarized Contractor’s Qualification Certificates must be submitted to the Architect along with any request to obtain Bid Documents by a General Contractor by Friday, March 22nd, 2024. The required Form of Certificate is AIA Document A305 Contractor’s Qualification Statement 1986 Edition and may be obtained from the Architect.

Drawings and specifications may be purchased from Alabama Graphics, 2801 5th Ave, South, Birmingham, AL 35233, 205-252-850.5 Contractors must purchase sets at their own expense - no deposits or refunds will be allowed. Drawings may be examined at the offices of TURNERBATSON, 1950 Stonegate Drive, Suite 200, Birmingham, Alabama 35242, the office of Birmingham Construction Industry Authority (BCIA), and F.W. Dodge Birmingham (a.k.a. McGraw Hill), Associated General Contractors, Construction Market Data on Friday, March 15th, 2024.

Bids must be submitted on proposal forms furnished by the Architect (Engineer) or copies thereof. All bidders bidding in amounts exceeding that established by the State Licensing Board for General Contractors must be licensed under the provisions of Title 34, Chapter 8, Code of Alabama, 1975, and must show evidence of license before bidding or bid will not be received or considered by the Architect (Engineer); the bidder shall show such evidence by clearly displaying his or her current license number on the outside of the sealed envelope in which the proposal is delivered. The Owner reserves the right to reject any or all proposals and to waive technical errors if, in the Owner’s judgment, the best interests of the Owner will thereby be promoted.

A Pre-Bid Conference will be held at Jefferson County Board of Education – Executive Conference Room at 2:00 pm, CST, Tuesday, March 26th 2024 Attendance at Pre-Bid Conference as well as in-person observation to all location prior to the bid opening by Prequalified Contractor Bidders is Mandatory.

Awarding Authority: Jefferson County Board of Education Dr. Walter Gonsoulin, Superintendent Architect: TURNERBATSON

The Springville City Council discussed plans to purchase Riley Farm with grant funding on March 4, 2024. Photo City of Springville Facebook

Charles Barkley: ‘If I see a black person walking around with Trump’s mugshot, I’m gonna punch him in the face’

Caleb

Charles Barkley said over the weekend he’d punch a black person if he saw them wearing a t-shirt with former President Donald Trump’s mugshot.

In a conversation with Gayle King on their “King Charles” show on CNN Saturday, Barkley responded to remarks Trump made last week in South Carolina before winning the state’s Republican primary.

Trump said many in the black community have responded positively to his arrest in Georgia and accompanying mug shot merchandise. According to a recent New York Times poll, Trump’s support among black voters is up to 23%, a stark increase from the end of his first term

in 2020.

“When I did the mug shot in Atlanta, that mug shot is No. 1,” Trump said at the Black Conservative Federation’s annual Honors Gala. “You know who embraced it more than anyone else? The black population. You see black people walking around with my mug shot. You know, they do shirts.”

Barkley responded on CNN, “First of all, I’m just gonna say this: if I see a black person walking around with Trump’s mugshot, I’m gonna punch him in the face,” the NBA legend said.

When King said that Barkley would get arrested for assault, the former Auburn power-forward said, “I mean that sincerely. I will bail myself out and go celebrate,” he said to laughter. “If I was at that conference, I would have

got up and walked out. That was an insult to all black people.”

Barkley continued, “To compare black history, when we’ve been discriminated against, to his plight—first of all, he’s a billionaire, and they’re prosecuting him for stuff he did wrong. … Well, some of the stuff is true. They did storm the Capitol; they did say that the election was stolen. Those aren’t lies, Gayle.”

“It’s not a fair comparison. He’s had a great life. He’s been President of the United States. To insult black people who have been discriminated against all these years, to put them in the same category,” Barkley added, “I was just offended.”

To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email caleb.taylor@1819News.com.

3 from Jefferson County charged with bank fraud

with theft of mail matter.

The indictment alleges that between May 2022 and August 31, 2022, Spencer, Perkins, and Moody conspired together to defraud Chase Bank.

To achieve this goal, the defendants obtained three fraudulent checks drawn on three businesses’ banking accounts. These three businesses had deposited checks after hours into the blue depository boxes at the Meadowbrook U.S. Post Office. Those three checks were then stolen from the depository boxes.

Jeffery Dwaine Moody, Jr., 22, of Birmingham with conspiracy and bank fraud. Spencer also was charged

The fraudulent checks were made payable to Moody and deposited into a Chase Bank account controlled by him. The defendants attempt-

ed twice to withdraw money for personal use from this Moody-controlled bank account. The total value of the checks deposited into the bank account and drawn on the accounts belonging to three separate businesses was more than $7,000.

The maximum penalty for conspiracy to commit bank fraud is 30 years in prison. The maximum penalty for theft of mail matter is five years in prison.

The U.S. Postal Inspection Service investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brittney L. Plyler is prosecuting the case.

An indictment contains only charges. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Sean of the South:

February

By Sean Dietrich, Sean of the South Commentary

So here’s something. February 29th is the rarest birthday on the calendar. Did you know that?

There is only a one in a 1,461 chance of being born on February 29th. This means that a leap year baby is more rare than an albino peacock, or purple carrots, or a totoaba fish.

February 29th babies are earthly rarities. And rare things are, by default, noteworthy. I know this to be true because February 29th is Superman’s birthday.

Superman’s real name isn’t Superman, of course. It’s Clark Kent. And, actually, if you’re getting technical, his true name isn’t Clark Kent, either. It’s Kal-El.

Kal-El was born on Planet Krypton. When he was a baby his birth parents sent him to Earth on an infant-sized spaceship shortly before the planet’s natural cataclysm. He was found by a farmer who named him Clark.

I know this because I am a huge Superman fan. And we Superman fans do not call him Superman, if you must know. We call him “Supes.” It is our way.

I am still a big fan. Currently, Superman comics litter my office. I have Superman statues everywhere. I collect Superman lunchboxes. I grew up wearing Superman underpants.

When I was a kid, every February 29th, I’d sit before our Zenith console TV and watch reruns of the “Adventures of Superman” starring George Reeves, who looked like a regular person, not like a professional wrestler. George Reeves looked like a guy who had put in some time

Twenty-Ninth

around the queso dip.

The local station broadcasted Superman marathons all day on the 29th. I celebrated his birthday by watching each episode, clutching my figurines, dressed in my little Superman undies.

I had a crummy childhood. My homelife wasn’t the stuff of dreams. Mine was an abusive home. My youth was painted with suicide and gun violence. I failed a grade. I was not a smart child. I had bad teeth. We were poor. My mom cut my hair with World War II clippers. Blah, blah, blah. None of that matters here.

What matters is that every year on February 29th I was no longer a tragic kid. I was Superman’s friend. Which leads me to you.

I can’t forget the day I met you, Becca. You were 10. And blind. You were born to drug-addicted parents who treated you poorly. You were a pinball in the Foster Machine before being adopted. You underwent open heart

surgery, and more surgeries than I can count.

You wrote me a letter before you went to Saint Jude’s hospital for treatment. Your teacher emailed the letter. I read it.

And I knew I had to meet you. I traveled to Boaz, Alabama, which isn’t the edge of the world, but you can see it from there. We met for lunch. You were in a rocking chair outside the restaurant. White cane. Your little eyes closed. You were as big as a minute. Ponytail. Velcro shoes. Scar on your neck. And we hugged. You didn’t know me. I didn’t know you. But we hugged. Long and hard. And somehow, I knew my life would never be the same.

And you probably don’t remember this. But as we ate our lunch, I asked when your birthday was.

You cheerfully replied, “I was born February 29th.”

Well.

Move over, Supes.

Sean Dietrich (Photo courtesy of seandietrich.com)

AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Senate continues private negotiations on gambling legislation

Caleb Taylor 1819 News

MONTGOMERY —

Members of the Senate Tourism Committee on Tuesday briefly met without voting on House gambling legislation before recessing to continue private negotiations.

The House passed comprehensive gambling legislation, including a bill and a constitutional amendment that would create a statewide lottery, sports betting, and set up a process for up to seven casino licenses to be issued by the state. If passed by the Legislature, the constitutional amendment would be voted on in the November general election.

However, the legislation hasn't yet received a vote in the Senate Tourism Committee. The committee held a public hearing on the House gambling package last week.

A draft of the Senate's substitute amendment shared with 1819 News recently includes a statewide lottery and a requirement that the Governor negotiate a compact with the Poarch Band of Creek Indians. Sports betting or other new casino licenses aren't included in the Senate's draft amendment. The amendment

Days is held, rain or shine, of the first Saturday of each month.

Vendor booths at Pinson Trade Days are free of charge and Hometown Bank pro-

would be voted on September 10 in a special election in the revised Senate plan. Senate Tourism Committee Chairman State Sen. Randy Price (R-Opelika) said he expected the committee would meet again later on Tuesday.

"Our goal is for the differences that are being worked on, they'll come to an agree-

vides easy access to teller machines for shoppers.

“We do this as a way to support local businesses,” Patti said. “We would like to thank everyone who came to Pinson Trade Days last Saturday including the Hometown Bank ATM,” she said.

ment and that agreement will be before the day is out. It's just several pieces of the legislation that there's some differences. It's better I think at the present time for everybody to sit down that has an issue to meet with the sponsor and work on trying to resolve this," Price told reporters after the meeting on Tuesday afternoon.

The monthly event, held in the Pinson Entertainment and Business District, features food trucks, vendor booths and a cruise in for car enthusiasts. This spring, Patti also plans to host a talent show for children.

Businesses interested in registering for a free booth can visit Patti’s on Main Street at 4281 Main Street in Pinson to register. Business hours are Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The next Pinson Trade Days is scheduled for April 6, 2024 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Lily

The Hewitt-Trussville High School Science Olympiad team. Photo from Trussville City Schools.

Hewitt-Trussville High School Science Olympiad team medal winners.

Photo from Trussville City Schools.

Jeff Poor/1819 News

Trussville PD releases annual crime report, previews installation of license plate cameras

By Chris Basinger Staff Reporter

TRUSSVILLE – The Trussville Police Department released its annual report for 2023, giving insight into the department’s operations over the last year.

The report, compiled by TPD Chief Eric Rush, includes data on calls for service, crime, vehicle incidents, and arrests as well as a preview of the new cameras that will be installed in patrol cars this year.

In 2023, the department had a total of 24,602 calls for service, an increase of 10.62% from the 22,240 calls in 2022.

Generally, the numbers of crimes in each category in the report were consistent with previous years, but there were some categories that saw significant decreases as noted by Rush.

“This year there were a lot of the crimes that were way down,” Rush said.

“Our call volume was up 10% and so we had a decrease in crime but with an increase in calls, so anytime that happens that’s a good thing because typically an increase in calls would mean crime’s going up but that wasn’t the case last year.”

Shoplifting had a steep drop from 411 cases in 2022 to 299 cases last year.

Vehicle theft also saw a decrease from 59 to 38 in 2023.

DUIs have also seen a steady decline in recent years.

There were 89 DUIs in 2021, 72 in 2022, and 65 in 2023.

Trussville also saw zero homicides last year according to the report.

At the same time, there were some calls that saw an increase in 2023 such as narcotics complaints, which jumped from 61 in 2022 to 84 last year.

Trussville also saw a rise in traffic accidents.

There were 1,300 traffic accidents without injury in 2023, an increase from 1,216 in 2022, and 138 traffic accidents with injury, up from 122 in 2022.

The numbers of citations and warnings issued also saw significant increases.

There were 4,878 citations issued in 2023, up 11.83% from the previous year, and 3,753 warnings in 2023, up by over 1,200 from the previous year.

According to the report, the Trussville City Jail processed 1,730 people in 2023.

In total, 2,679 people were processed through the jail including arrests by other agencies.

The report also teased a new piece of technology the

department will be implementing to help prevent and solve crimes.

Later this year, TPD will be installing Axon in-car cameras with automated license plate readers in every patrol car.

The cameras will be able to automatically take a picture of every license plate they view and run the plates against a criminal database.

“We’re mainly looking for stolen vehicles, stolen tags, and wanted persons,” Rush said.

According to the report, one patrol car managed to read 6,654 tags in just one week during a test of the camera.

Rush later added, “We’re not watching law-abiding citizens. We don’t care what you do as long as you’re not breaking the law. If you’re breaking the law, we’re going to be looking for you, so we use that technology to track criminals, we don’t use it to track law-abiding citizens.”

Center Point man wanted on multiple felony warrants

205-508-3654 311

Poarch Band of Creek Indians compact, lottery remain in revised gambling legislation in Senate

Caleb Taylor 1819 News

MONTGOMERY — Al-

abama State Senators will likely consider a revised version of the gambling and lottery legislation passed by the House in February this week.

A draft of the revised version of the Senate's substitute amendment includes a statewide lottery and a requirement that the Governor negotiate a compact with the Poarch Band of Creek Indians. Sports betting or other new casino licenses aren't included in the Senate's draft amendment. The amendment would be voted on September 10 in a special election in the revised Senate plan. The House's version scheduled the vote on the constitutional amendment in the general election in November.

The version is just a draft and could undergo more changes before it comes up for a committee vote as soon as Wednesday.

A public hearing on the House legislation was held by the Senate Tourism Committee last Wednesday, but no vote was taken. Multiple Senators have said some type of gambling legislation will

be considered this week. If passed by the Senate, the bill would return to the House for their consideration.

The Senate's revised constitutional amendment also includes authorizing pari-mutuel wagering, including historical horse racing at the racetracks in Greene, Jefferson, Macon, Mobile, an additional location in Greene County, at the existing bingo halls in Houston County, and the town of White Hall in Lowndes County.

According to a draft copy of the constitutional amendment, under Section 65 of the Constitution of Alabama of 2022, lotteries and gift enterprises are prohibited. This bill would propose an amendment to the Constitution of Alabama of 2022 to establish an official state lottery to be administered by a newly created Alabama Gambling Commission.

The proposed amendment would levy a 24 to 32% tax on identified facilities as determined by the commission pursuant to general law.

The proposed amendment would require the Legislature to establish a law enforcement division within the Ala-

bama Gambling Commission to police lottery games and other gambling activities and eliminate unlawful gambling activities.

The proposed amendment would also require the Governor to negotiate a compact with the Poarch Band of Creek Indians.

According to a draft of the bill, the Governor shall negotiate and may execute a Tribal-State compact with the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, but the Governor may not grant authority for any activity to be conducted outside of lands held in trust by the United States for the Poarch Band of Creek Indians.

The proposed amendment would repeal all local bingo amendments and prohibit the enactment of any future local amendment to the Constitution of Alabama of 2022, providing for gambling activities. The proposed amendment would also authorize the Legislature to provide any court jurisdiction to hear matters involving the Alabama Gambling Commission.

To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email caleb.taylor@1819News.com.

The Alabama Senate is expected to consider a statewide lottery (Gvictoria | Dreamstime.com)

LMy Life as a Hobby: Cornbread 101

For whatever reason, I decided today was going to be the day. Without hesitation, I walked into the bedroom with purpose, and called to my wife Carol, who was watching a movie on her iPad.

I got right to the point and said, “Hey, the time’s come. I should have done this a long time ago. Today I want you to teach me how to make cornbread. And once you do that, show me how to make pecan pies. Then I will have no further use for your services.”

She looked over her iPad and said, “Do you know the only reason I even keep you around is for lawn maintenance and minor home repair.”

Touché.

She followed me into the kitchen, which is my domain now. That’s because I enjoy cooking, and Carol, well let’s just generously say it’s more of a chore for her.

There are two exceptions to this rule. She can cook pecan pies and cornbread. I’ve seen the proof at many a church covered dish where her pecan pie vanishes early, and her plate of cornbread is always empty. So today I was going to force her to reveal one of her dark secrets, one that I’m sure that has been passed down for generations. At last, I was going to learn the secret of making proper cornbread.

She immediately opened the pantry door and pulled out a package of cornmeal mix from a secret stash. Then from the very back of the fridge, a quart of buttermilk and an egg.

After grabbing a mixing bowl, she picked up the cornmeal package, turned it over, and said, “The directions are

right here on the back, and I just follow them.”

“What? That’s it?,” I asked incredulously. “No secret ingredients? No magical incantation passed down from little old ladies in bi-focals?”

I felt like a student at Hogwarts who had been told there was no such thing as magic.

I continued by saying, “The next thing you’ll tell me is the recipe for green bean casserole is on the back of a can of Campbell’s Mushroom soup.”

“Joe, that recipe is on the

back of a can of Campbell’s Mushroom Soup.”

This cooking lesson was becoming more traumatic with each passing minute.

Carol continued, “Now there is one secret, one thing you must have for good cornbread,” I perked up. And she produced an old cast iron skillet, brandishing it like a wizard’s wand. “This was my grandmother’s. An old seasoned cast iron skillet is what really does it. But first, you coat it with oil, swish it around, then place it in a hot

oven.”

I knew there had to be some special, secret to all this. The magic skillet! Of course. I felt better - that is, until I saw the next step.

While the oven heated, my wife reached in a lower cabinet, pulled out a small tub and put it on the counter. I knew what it was and I knew what she was about to do. My face turned white. The fear of eternal damnation rose in my soul. I recoiled in horror. Carol was about to put sugar in the cornbread.

“No! You can’t do that,” I shrieked.

“I thought you wanted to learn how to make cornbread,” she replied.

“I do, but I know enough about it to know what you’re doing is so wrong.” I was almost pleading. “My mom would never do this! She used to say that if you put sugar in cornbread, then you’re really just making cake.”

A look of mild disgust came over her face. “Well this is the way my grandmother taught me, and this is what

the recipe calls for, and this is what we’re going to do.” Then she scooped a tablespoon in the sugar tub and dusted it over the batter.

I began to feel faint as I stepped back from the counter. I just knew that any minute Paula Deen would come crashing thru our front door and arrest us for impersonating southerners. I could already see the crime scene tape being strung across our kitchen door. What’s she gonna do next, put mayonnaise in it?

My wife looked up, shook her head, and said, “Enough with the drama, Shakespeare. How many times have you eaten my cornbread?”

“Lots of times,” I replied uncertainly.

“Right. And people love my cornbread, right?”

“Um, well…yeah.”

“Then what are you worried about? It’s just a personal preference, not a crime against humanity.”

“That depends on who you ask,” I replied.

Soon, the batter was poured in the hot cast iron skillet and placed back in the oven. Within twenty five minutes we had a perfect pone. The top was a warm oak color, while the bottom was a rich, crisp mahogany crust because of the hot cast iron. In between was light, moist perfection. My Cornbread 101 lesson was now officially complete.

Carol washed her hands and began walking out of the kitchen, saying matter-of-factly, “That’s all there is to it.”

“Hey, wait! What about the pecan pie?”, I asked. She looked over her shoulder, and replied, “Joe, don’t push your luck.”

oPhil Williams: Like lemmings to the pronoun sea

We’ve all heard the phrase, “like lemmings to the sea.” Yet the U.S. Department of State (DOS) recently underscored this phrase, raising eyebrows with an internal directive requiring its personnel to follow the crowd, becoming pop culture lemmings in the process.

Originally a description of animal behavior, “lemmings to the sea” is now an analogy for those who blindly follow something, or someone, to their own demise. But when one digs into the phrase’s origins, its meaning takes on an entirely new twist.

With the world in upheaval and diplomacy needed for the actual prevention of war, the DOS issued a memo signed by Secretary of State Antony Blinken directing DoS staff on the proper use of gender-neutral terms. According to the memo, “Modeling DEIA: Gender Identity Best Practices,” State Department staffers should avoid using inflammatory words such as “mother,” “father,” or “manpower.” The memo instructs staff to "increase understanding of gender identity and provide guidance on

like lemmings to the sea, they became the norm – albeit forcibly in most circles – when one lemming bought into the idea that the fad was real. They knew they had to jump off that cliff! And every-

But the lemming analogy takes on new meaning when its backstory is fully known. Lemmings are rodents, similar to muskrats, native to arctic regions. In 1958 Disney created a wildlife documen-

they would leap to their feet and rush to commit mass suicide as a form of natural population control. “A kind of compulsion seizes each tiny rodent and, carried along by an unreasoning hys-

A 1983 investigation determined that the lemming scenes were fabricated. A few dozen lemmings were placed on a revolving turntable and filmed as they tried to run on the spinning disk. Disney employees literally threw them off the cliff using tight camera angles to film

erywhere, have fallen prey to the false notion that we need to avoid gender-specific terms and carefully use preferred pronouns. They’re all in, leaping before they look as they follow the masses! Yet they are following an absolute lie.

Science and common sense reveal that only two genders exist. Pronouns have a very specific usage in the grammatical sense. “He and she” don’t require explanation. “Mother and father” are absolutely acceptable in all venues.

But somewhere along the way, a progressive left fad became a norm. A fake narrative was created saying that if you abuse the English language enough, you will somehow virtue signal to the world that you are more understanding, more inclusive, more with it.

Someone somewhere threw some pronoun lemmings off a proverbial cliff and the left-wing world bought the lie and went with it!

Despite its false origins, the phrase stuck, and blindly following the crowd is still likened to “lemmings to the sea.” Yet now that we know the whole lemming film was a lie, the phrase might actually

Think about it. The U.S. government, countless bigname corporations, stars and starlets in Hollywood, and

The use of gender-neutral terms and preferred pronouns is really nothing more than virtue signaling. But we don’t have to play word games to show respect. Just tell the world you have no intention to live out a lie like lemmings jumping headlong into the pronoun sea.

To contact Phil or request him for a speaking engagement, go to www.rightsideradio.org. The views and opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the policy or position of 1819 News. To comment, please send an email with your name and contact information to Commentary@1819News.com.

o utdoo R s Conservation Advisory Board Celebrates Successes and Remembers Those Lost

By David Rainer, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

The first 2024 meeting of the Alabama Conservation Advisory Board was a celebration of accomplishments and a remembrance of those no longer with the conservation community.

The celebration started with the recognition of two members of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ (ADCNR) Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries (WFF) Division. Conservation Commissioner Chris Blankenship recognized the awards given to WFF Enforcement Section Chief Michael “Matt” Weathers and WFF Director Chuck Sykes during last weekend’s meeting at Auburn University. Chief Weathers was recognized as the recipient of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s Guy Bradley Award for his contributions to wildlife law enforcement. The award was established in 1988 to recognize the officers who have made outstanding lifetime contributions to wildlife enforcement, wildlife forensics and investigative techniques.

“In 1905, Guy Bradley, a Florida game warden, became the first wildlife enforcement officer killed while performing his duties to protect our nation’s wildlife,” Commissioner Blankenship said. “Law enforcement officers like Bradley are essential to virtually every aspect of wildlife conservation.”

Director Sykes presented the plaque to Chief Weathers and highlighted the significance of the award, saying, “It’s a big deal.” “It’s an absolute honor to be recognized for this award,” Chief Weathers said. “I’ve been so fortunate to have

had the finest men and women in conservation showing me the way and mentoring me throughout my career. To have had the opportunity to protect the natural resources of the state that is my home has made for a very rewarding career.

“Having the support of Commissioner Blankenship, Director Sykes and all our Conservation Enforcement Officers has made all the difference. We have so many new initiatives like public shooting range expansions and the continued modernization of our Law Enforcement program that are being used as the blueprint for other states. Having folks like this to work with makes success easy.”

Director Sykes recently received the National Wild Turkey Federation’s (NWTF) C.B. McLeod Distinguished Service Award, an award to recognize outstanding NWTF volunteers who have dedicated their lives to wildlife conservation and hunting heritage.

“That is one of the premier awards of the National Wild Turkey Federation, and we’re very proud of Chuck,” Commissioner Blankenship said. “Chuck is also President of the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies this year. We appreciate his service to Alabama but also on a national level, bringing some of the successes we’ve had in Alabama and being able to share that work with other states to make a difference like it has in Alabama.”

Director Sykes said he

was at the NWTF Awards Banquet when he realized the exclusiveness of the McLeod Award.

“I didn’t realize how big this was until I’m sitting at the table that night and looking at the list of people who had won the award,” Director Sykes said. “You had NWTF royalty on the list, like Dick Kirby, Tom Kelly and Dale Rohm. I don’t know that I deserve it, but I am very proud to have it and be considered in that group of people.”

Commissioner Blankenship also apprised the Board of the variety of projects under the ADCNR umbrella that are underway or scheduled to start soon.

“We are really blessed here in Alabama with our natural resources and great people,” he said. “I’m very grateful to be the Commissioner of Conservation and for the work this Board and our staff do to enhance and protect the resources of our state.”

Commissioner Blankenship then listed the ongoing and upcoming projects administered by ADCNR or the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and implemented by partner agencies, like the Mobile County Commission, The Mobile Bay National Estuary Program, and various

coastal cities and towns.

“Many projects that have been in the engineering, design and permitting stage are now under construction,” he said. “It’s really a testament to the work of our staff, the people of Alabama, our partner agencies, and the Legislature to give us the ability to do good things.

“There are more than $1 billion in projects in Mobile and Baldwin Counties from the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill funding sources that are completed, underway or approved. There will probably be another $500 million to $600 million in projects that will continue through 2031 when the last deposit is made from BP.”

Commissioner Blankenship cited the beach renourishment work that is happening from Gulf Shores through Gulf State Park to Orange Beach in Baldwin County and Dauphin Island in Mobile County.

Other projects are: $26 million for Dauphin Island Causeway protection and habitat enhancement

• $22 million for project in Theodore Industrial Canal and marsh habitat protection south of the entrance to the canal

Enforcement Chief Michael Weathers is joined by CAB Chairman Joey Dobbs, right, Conservation Commissioner Chris Blankenship, second from right, and WFF Director Chuck Sykes, left, as Weathers receives the NFWF Guy Bradley Award. (Billy Pope, NWTF)

$6 million for Bayfront Park renovations in Mobile County

• $2 million for the Dauphin Island Ecotourism project

The Commissioner also highlighted the rebuilding of the cabins on Lake Shelby at Gulf State Park.

“Gulf State Park’s cabins, if you recall, were destroyed by Hurricane Sally,” he said.

“Those 20 cabins have been rebuilt for about $9 million and reopened to the public on February 1. They are beautiful. They are first-class, and I think everyone will enjoy those cabins on Lake Shelby.

“Also, the Romar Beach parking and bathroom facility work has been completed. The Gulf State Park Pier damaged by Hurricane Sally is undergoing a $14 million rebuild.”

The Commissioner also

praised the $19 million Bayou La Batre sewer outfall project that has been 10 years in the making.

“The project will move the outfall about four more miles offshore,” he said. “Where that is important to this Board is that it will help with the oyster industry both on public reefs and the oyster aquaculture industry by opening more areas as approved growing zones once that outfall is relocated.” Commissioner Blankenship noted that Governor (Kay) Ivey awarded more than the $67 million in GOMESA (Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act) funds last July for 26 projects in Mobile and Baldwin counties, and more will be announced this spring.

Boating access will be a priority for the Department, the Commissioner said, with more than $30 million ded-

icated for access in the next few years.

“I’m excited about that,” he said. “We have more navigable waterways in Alabama than any other state, and we are committed to providing access to our public. I appreciate the work done by our Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Section, our State Lands Division and Marine Resources Division as well as our State Parks, where we will have boating access on those properties around the state. As Tim Wood (Board member from Selma) said, the Selma Boat Ramp was built with multiple funding sources, and we were glad to be a partner in that. I would like to thank Deputy Commissioner (Ed) Poolos for bringing multiple agencies together to do that project. That is going to be a great asset for Selma to be able host fishing tournaments

and bring needed revenue to the area.”

Commissioner Blankenship also pointed out the importance of shooting sports to the future of wildlife conservation.

“We are building a new world-class shooting range near Columbiana and expanding other shooting sports facilities over the next few years,” he said. “Just for interest to the Board, shooters who don’t necessarily hunt are the largest contributors to the Pittman-Robertson program. It is eye-opening that shooters pay the bulk of the excise tax on firearms and ammunition that helps us manage the wildlife in this state. We plan to do more to support them and continue to increase the revenue for that program. We feel like it’s a good investment for not only

the shooters but the wildlife in our state.”

Meanwhile, Alabama

State Parks is using the $80 million in bond money to do a variety of projects throughout the state.

“One of the largest projects will be the new Cheaha hotel and lodge,” Commissioner Blankenship said. “That will be a beautiful facility on the bluff. We are planning to use wood taken from ADCNR properties and milled here in Alabama. The trees will be harvested, and the areas will be replanted with longleaf pines. The new lodge will be strikingly beautiful and will be a great example of how to sustainably build with these natural materials.

“Lake Lurleen will have a total rebuild, and Gulf State Park will have a campground expansion on the old golf course property. Those three projects together will be in the $50 million range.”

Other State Parks projects include:

$12 million Oak Mountain campground renovations

• $4 million Lake Guntersville golf course cart paths, pro shop and cabin renovations

• DeSoto pool house and facilities renovations

$7.5 million Meaher campground expansion, new cabins and administration building

• Monte Sano campground and cabins renovations

• $11 million Wind Creek cabin construction and campground renovations

Joe Wheeler lodge and pool upgrades

Rickwood Caverns new pool renovations and new pool house

• Lakepoint renovations at lodge and cabins

“The driving range at Oak Mountain is now lighted,

which will produce income,” Commissioner Blankenship said. “This will capitalize on the use of that facility and get people out after dark when it’s a little cooler.”

Commissioner Blankenship said $2 million will be used at the Forever Wild M. Barnett Lawley Field Trial Area to build a meeting facility and pavilion, expand the barn and paddocks and build new bathrooms.

“These projects will support more than 35 dog trials and events held each year,” he said. “With these new facilities, we hope to be able to host more regional, national and international dog trials.”

Several important members of the outdoors community were also remembered at the Board meeting, including WFF Conservation Enforcement Captain Marisa Futral, former State Senator and Conservation Advisory Board member Jack Biddell, and James “Big Daddy” Lawler, a media personality and champion of Alabama’s outdoors, especially in the Black Belt region. Former Conservation Advisory Board member Dr. Bob Shipp also passed earlier this year.

“We had a great loss in Marisa Futral,” Commissioner Blankenship said. “She is going to be very difficult to replace in the Department. We will miss her and her work ethic and what’s she’s done for shooting sports and hunter education. We also want to mention the passing of Senator Jack Biddle, a former member of the Conservation Advisory Board. Many of you know Big Daddy Lawler from Wilcox County, who promoted hunting and fishing in the Black Belt and got the word out across the state and country about what we have to offer. He will be missed.”

The WFF Honor Guard presents colors at the recent Conservation Advisory Board meeting at Auburn. (Billy Pope, NWTF)

Chuck Sykes receives the C.B. McLeod Award from NWTF Co-CEOs Kurt Diroff, left, and Jason Burckhalter. (Billy Pope, NWTF)

s avvy s enio R

How to Divide Your Personal Possessions Without Dividing the Family

By Jim Miller

Dear Savvy Senior, Do you have any suggestions on divvying up my personal possessions to my kids after I’m gone without causing hard feelings or conflict? I have a lot of jewelry, art, family heirlooms and antique furniture, and four grown kids that don’t always see eye-toeye on things.

Conflicted Parent

Dear Conflicted, Divvying up personal possessions among adult children or other loved ones can often be a tricky task. Deciding who should get what without showing favoritism, hurting someone’s feelings or causing a feud can be difficult, even for close-knit families who enter the process with the best of intentions. Here are a few tips to consider that can help you divide your stuff with minimal conflict.

Sweating the Small Stuff

For starters, you need to be aware that it’s usually the small, simple items of little monetary value that aren’t mentioned in your will that cause the most conflicts. This is because the value we attach to the small personal possessions is usually sentimental or emotional, and because the simple items are the things that most families fail to talk about.

Family battles can also escalate over whether things are being divided fairly by monetary value. So, for items of higher value like your jewelry, antiques and art, consider getting an appraisal to assure

fair distribution. To locate an appraiser in your area, try ISA-appraisers.org, Appraisers.org or AppraisersAssociation.org.

Dividing Fairly

The best solution for passing along your personal possessions is for you to go through your house with your kids or other heirs either separately or all at once to find out which items they would like to inherit and why. They may have some emotional attachment to something you’re not aware of. If more than one child wants the same thing,

you’ll have to make the ultimate decision.

Then you need to sit down and make a list of who gets what on paper, signed, dated and referenced in your will. You can revise it anytime you want. You may also want to consider writing an additional letter or create an audio or video recording that further explains your intentions.

You can also specify a strategy for divvying up the rest of your property. Here are some popular methods that are fair and reasonable:

Take turns choosing: Use a round-robin process

where your kids take turns choosing the items they would like to have. If who goes first becomes an issue, they can always flip a coin or draw straws. Also, to help simplify things, break down the dividing process roomby-room, versus tackling the entire house. To keep track of who gets what, either make a list or use adhesive dots with a color assigned to each person to tag the item. Have a family auction: Give each person involved the same amount of play money or use virtual points or poker chips to bid on the

items they want. Use online resources: For families who want help or live far apart, there are web-based resources like FairSplit.com that can assist with the dividing process.

For more tips, see “Who Gets Grandma’s Yellow Pie Plate?” at YellowPiePlate. umn.edu. This is a resource created by the University of Minnesota Extension Service that offers a free video and detailed workbook for $12.50 that gives pointers to help families discuss property distribution issues and lists important factors to

keep in mind that can help you avoid or manage conflict. It’s also very important that you discuss your plans in advance with your kids so they can know ahead what to expect. Or you may even want to start distributing some of your items now, while you are still alive.

Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior. org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.

the second Monday of each month at the Clay Community Center on Old Palmerdale Road at 6 PM. Call 205-317-0948 for information.

Preschoolers at Play

Wednesday, March 06 10:00am - 11:00am

Trussville LBK Auditorium

Are you looking for a place where your child can learn

play? Join us twice a month for this fun, interactive program! No registration is needed.

We will begin with a short read-aloud and movement time at 10:00 am, followed by free play at toy and activity stations around the auditorium.

This program is designed for preschool ages 2-5 years old and their caregiver.

Children’s Storytime

Thursday, February 29 9:30am – 10:00am 10:30am - 11:00am

Trussville LBK Auditorium

Join Ms. Alicia for stories, songs, bubble time, and lots of fun! The event will be held in the library auditorium every Thursday at 9:30 & 10:30 a.m.

All ages. Every Thursday at 9:30 & 10:30 a.m.

*Themes for the month of March: 3/7: Rain, 3/14: Saint Patrick’s Day, 3/21: Frogs, 3/28: Easter and Bunnies

Yoga By Nancy Springville Public Library March 8 Duration: 30 min

Register for 30-minute mat and chair yoga sessions every Friday, at 11:00 (beginner mat w/ chair) and 12:00 (chair only). Participants who have not attended recently are encouraged to speak with Nancy about which session time to attend. Due to limited space, please call 205-467-2339 to ensure that your name is on the registration list for each week.

Muscle Strength & Flexibility Springville Public Library March 8 Duration: 30 min

Adult beginners can focus on strength and flexibility in this muscle training class led by Nancy. Classes will meet every Friday at 11:30 AM. Space is limited; visit the library or call 205-467-2339 to register.

Preschool Storytime Springville Public Library March 12 Duration: 1 hr

Preschool Storytime is moving to Tuesdays! Join us as Preschool Storytime with Mrs. Shallon! Children will enjoy interactive stories

suited for ages 2-5, related crafts, and yummy snacks, as they make new friends and increase literacy.

STEAM for Kids!

Saint Patrick’s Day Science

Monday, March 11 4:00pm - 4:45pm

Trussville LBK Auditorium

Join Ms. Jan, the science lady, of Dynamic Education Adventures in the library auditorium for a hands-on application of STEAM!

Make plans to join us this month as we learn about science with a St. Patrick’s Day twist.

This club is open to K - 5th grade students. No registration is needed.

STEAM for Teens!

Monday, March 11 5:00pm - 6:00pm

Trussville LBK Auditorium Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math club for teens.

The Trussville Library and Jan the Science Lady are hosting a series of STEAM program throughout the fall for Teenagers. STEAM stands for science, technology, engineering, art, and math! The STEAM Club is the perfect place for anyone that loves science, math, animals, or just cool facts and gross things!

(Photographs may be taken

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Roy White

march 31, 1937 — february 27, 2024

Roy White, age 86 of Pinson, AL passed away on February 27, 2024. He was a member of Palmerdale Methodist Church. Roy served the Lord for the better part of 70 years as a Pastor before retiring. He was currently the prayer Pastor at Palmerdale Methodist Church. He is preceded in death by his wife of almost 60 years, Joy Elizabeth White; parents, Lewis and Ada White; 4 brothers and 2 sisters; grandson, Jason Hallmark. He is survived by his children, Deborah Gail Hallmark (Dwight), Elizabeth Ann Bush (Ricky), John Stephen White (Melissa) and Nathan Roy White (Karen); sister, Eva Smith; brother, Howard White; grandchildren, Amanda Talley (David), Katie Hallmark, Carrie Burch (Geoff), Carla Bush, Ryan White and Erika White; great grandchildren, Lucas Burch (Katie), Lexie Burch (Trevor), Levi Burch, Lydia Burch, Lawson Burch, Josh Talley, Jacob Talley, Colt Hallmark, Luke Hallmark and Rayven White; great great granddaughter, Harlee Ann Burch.

Albert Manoske

may 31, 1937 — february 26, 2024

Albert Manoske, age 86, of Trussville, passed away on Feb. 26, 2024. He was a member of The Church at Ross Bridge. Albert was preceded in death by his wife Grace Manoske; 3 brothers, Mike Manoske, Matt Manoske, Johnny Manoske; 4 sisters, Mary Livery, Pauline Moore, Kathryn Nelson, Betty Warren. Mr. Manoske is survived by his son, Brian Manoske; brother, Ronny Manoske; two sisters, Annie Letanosky, Helen (Don) Bean and several other loving family members.

Mattie Harrison

march 3, 1929 — february 22, 2024

Mattie Lou Reeves Harrison, 94, of Birmingham, Alabama, peacefully passed away Thursday evening, February 22, 2024. She was born March 3, 1929, in Birmingham, AL, to Mary Frances and Shelley Vester Reeves. Mattie Lou, affectionately known by her grandchildren and many others as Momma Lou, was preceded in death by her parents, her in-laws Mr. & Mrs. Hubert O. Harrison, her sister Frances Reeves Killingsworth, her brother Charles V. Reeves, her granddaughter Mary Kathryn Harrison, and her husband of 62 years, Lt. Colonel James Welbourne Harrison.

Survivors include her children, Mary Ann Harrison Hancock (Steve, D.), Sandra Harrison Bolling (Alan), James Welbourne Harrison, Jr. (Tamara), Lisa Marie Harrison (Theo), Cheryl Harrison Tucker (Rick), 12 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren, and 5 1/2 great-great grandchildren.

After being educated at Robinson Elementary School, Woodlawn High School, and Paul Haynes School, Mattie Lou became a devoted stay-at-homemom raising her five children. She was a skilled seamstress, providing services for many years to friends and family. Later, she worked as a Day Care employee for 3 years at East Lake Methodist Child Development Center, and then became a Bank Teller for Compass Bank where she retired in 1996 after 20 years of service. Mattie Lou was an active member of East Lake United Methodist Church, the ABC Sunday School class, and sang in the Sanctuary Choir for many decades. She really knew how to enjoy life and had many passions including cooking, sewing, working 1,000-piece puzzles, baking pound cakes, and crocheting gifts for her family and friends. She made afghan-blankets and scarves for the UMW international missions, local outreach shelters for the homeless and preemies at local hospitals. Giving back to others brought her so much joy. Mattie Lou truly had a servant’s heart. Her love for music included attending Gospel quartette singings and conventions, hearing Bing Crosby in White Christmas, the Beatles, Big Band music and the organ at ELUMC.

Mattie Lou kept herself active by attending line dancing classes at Trussville’s Senior Center and playing bingo. She continued being socially active while living at Saint Martin’s in the Pines. She was a best friend and cheerleader to more than we know, especially to her family. She loved cheering for the Crimson Tide and watching Atlanta Braves baseball. Mattie Lou treasured her time spent with family and friends during the holidays, birthdays, and church functions. What a blessing to be loved by Mattie Lou Harrison.

The family requests memorials be made to East Lake United Methodist Church, 7753 1st Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35206 or the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind (www.aidb.org, Mary Kathryn Harrison Fund) in honor of Mattie Lou Harrison.

How to Save or Display Cremated Remains in Your Home

Customarily, the funeral home will provide you with an urn in which the cremated remains rest. Select a style that meshes with the rest of your home décor - making it easy to proudly display the urn in a place of honor. It’s typical to have the urn in your home for a season before moving it to a more “permanent destination.” Interment in a cemetery is usually the most sensible approach.

You can request a smaller keepsake urn to have in your home. These miniature-version urns make for more subtle, discreet additions to your home décor. Alternatively, you can incorporate your loved one’s remains into keepsakes, such as jewelry or elegant ways of holding onto their memory.

Please scan the QR code to read the full article.

205-322-0543

Vanarah Sue Parker

october 4, 1945 — february 20, 2024

PARKER, Vanarah Sue (Dasinger), age 78, of Alabaster, Alabama passed away peacefully Tuesday, February 20, 2024, after her battle with liver cancer. She was surrounded by her loved ones as she entered her heavenly home. Sue was born in Louisville, Alabama and raised on a farm in the Texasville community, near Clayton, Alabama. She was a graduate of Louisville High School, class of 1964. After marrying Terry Allen Parker in December 1964, they along with their sons, lived in multiple cities following Terry’s career in the U.S. Air Force, including Alexandria, Louisiana, Montgomery, Alabama, Prattville, Alabama and Pinson, Alabama before moving to Alabaster in 2008. She retired from JH Berry Multi-Family, Inc. in 1998, after 26 years of service.

Over the years, Sue enjoyed traveling, camping, and visiting friends and family. She was rarely without a smile on her face and was often described as a truly genuine and kind person. Those who knew her best describe her as one of the sweetest people they had ever known, with many affectionately referring to her as “Sweet Sue”. One of her greatest treasures was spending time with family; whether that meant spending quality time with her siblings or traveling to visit with extended family at reunions. Above all, Sue valued spending time with her grandchildren. Each of them will tell you that they never left her house without a hand full of goodies she insisted that they take with them. Sue had a wonderful gift of hospitality and loved welcoming friends and family into their home. One of her favorite things to do with family was enjoy a good board game or card game. Sue is preceded in death by her parents, Ethel and James E. Dasinger and son, Dennis A. Parker. She is survived by her husband of 59 years, Terry A. Parker; son (James) Chris Parker and his wife, Andi; grandchildren, Kayla (Jake) Haygood, Korie (Thomas) Calhoun, Jacob (Ana Catherine) Wipperman and Campbell Parker; great-grandchildren, Caden Haygood, Karoline Calhoun, Bradyn Wordlaw, Marilyn Calhoun, Alice Calhoun, Harley Calhoun, and Connor Haygood; brothers, James M. (Melissa) Dasinger and Johnny R. (Raquel) Dasinger; multiple nephews, nieces, cousins and friends.

Robert Larry LeMaster

october 5, 1948 — february 22, 2024

Robert Larry LeMaster, born October 5th, 1948, passed peacefully on February 22, 2024.

A life-long member of Pinson Methodist Church and a devoted family man, he is survived by his loving wife Janice LeMaster (nee Hagood), sons JL (Becky) Brian (Danielle) and Robby (Montrice) and grandchildren Nicolas, Sam, Robert, Jeffrey and Olivia. Known for his incredible generosity and sense of humor, Bob will be remembered as the best husband, FATHER, FATHER-IN-LAW, UNCLE AND GRANDFATHER that anyone could ask for. Above all he would want to be remembered as a GOOD, GODFEARING, CHRISTIAN man.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Humane Society, Pinson Methodist Church or Marvin’s Chapel Cemetery in his memory.

Donald West

august 13, 1938 — february 22, 2024

Donald “Don” West, age 85, of Daphne, AL, passed away peacefully to his heavenly home on Thursday, February 22nd, 2024, surrounded by his family.

Don was a member of Clearbranch Methodist Church in Argo and a skilled machinist in life who retired as a superintendent with 47 years of dedicated service to Hardie-Tynes Manufacturing. He was a Master Mason at Masonic Lodge 872 and was a 50 year pin recipient. He will be dearly missed by all who knew him.

Survivors include his loving wife of 65 years, Jennie Sue West; children, Donnie (Stacie) West, Ron (Leslie) West, Johnny West, Kathy West, Lonnie (Tricia) West; grandchildren, Angela (Justin) DeMarco, Brandon West, Marli West, Ronnie (Kristi -

na) West, Jessica (James) Davis, John William West Jr., Jordon West, Amberly (Matthew) Owens, Ashleigh (Orie) Hamilton, Abbey (Jesus Levya) Landis, Sydney (TJ) Bradshaw; 13 great grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Preceding him in death are his parents, James Milton and Edna Gertrude West; brothers, James West, Carl West; and sister, Marie Cromer.

The family

great fourth quarter from the Lady Huskies, the Bucs would edge them out by two points, 58-56.

“That’s a nice trophy,” said Hewitt head coach Tonya Hunter. “I have always wanted one of them. It isn’t the one we wanted, but it’s nice to get this one with this team.” And what a special team it was.

The Lady Huskies dug an early hole that they could not get out of. They had some streaks during the game that looked like they would lead to a comeback, but Hoover had an answer each time.

The Huskies scored just six points in the first quarter, four of them coming from senior Jordan Hunter. Hoover cut through the Husky defense often in the first, leading to a 17-point quarter that would sort of set the tone for the early part of the game.

Hewitt would find traction in the second quarter, even outscoring Hoover 14-11 and going into the halftime break trailing by just eight points, 28-20.

Hoover would answer with a good start to the third quarter before Hunter would get a key block at around the 3:50 mark and the Huskies would go on a 6-0 run to cut the Hoover lead to a game-low one point. Hoover would outscore Hewitt in the third 15-13 and the teams would head into the final period of the game with the Lady Bucs holding onto a 43-33.

The Huskies would explode on offense in the fourth quarter, but Hoover would hold serve and use the early offensive woes for Hewitt to secure the win. Ryleigh Martin and Lauryn Holley helped Hunter in the quarter, hitting key three-pointers for the Huskies. Hunter hit two threes in the final 15 seconds but, despite outscoring the Bucs 23-15 in the

period, it would be two points short of the ultimate goal.

The Hoover Bucs dynasty

would continue with a fourth state title in a row. They have also won six of the last eight

7A championships. The Huskies finish their “season in pink” with a 28-6 record and a second-place finish in Alabama’s largest classification.

“This was the first time I had to coach a team this young and inexperienced. I was a little relaxed on them. The freshmen don’t really know, but I didn’t run them as much and I even gave them days off,” said Coach Hunter. “But, after practice was over, these girls kept practicing. I came in to check the gym on one of our off days and these girls are up there hitting each other with pads. I had to tell them to go home and rest and get off of their feet. That is the kind of group this is. I have had some really good teams, but this one, I’m sorry to the

other teams, this one will be talked about for a long time.”

Ryleigh Martin, who was second in scoring on the night with 13 points despite being just a freshman, looks to take over the departing Jordan Hunter’s spot, but she does not believe it is a one-person job. “It’s not just me filling her shoes. It is all of us. I just look at it as multiple people filling that role. Even though, we are really going to miss Jordan.”

Lauryn Holley, who finished the game with nine points for the Huskies, spoke of playing in the all-pink uniforms and what the “season in pink” means to her. “It is really special. Especially for what it stands for. It was special to play for Coach Hunter and her friend. To go out there and perform like we did, it felt really good.”

“Miss Shana was the feistiest person I’ve ever known in my life,” said Jordan Hunter. “Her daughter actually played in the final four. She will be my roommate next year at Auburn. It was really nice to do something for her. For me, basketball is how we connected. So it was great to be able to play for someone other than ourselves.”

This will surely go down as a season to remember for Tonya Hunter and this group of girls that she had the pleasure of coaching.

Hewitt-Trussville coach Tonya Hunter accepts the runner-up trophy. Photo by: Ron Burkett Hewitt’s Jordan Hunter with the layup in the 2024 AHSAA state championship game. Photo by: Ron Burkett

Hewitt’s Lauryn Holley hits a three-pointer in the 2024 AHSAA 7A state championship game.

Photo by: Ron Burkett

Hewitt’s Ryleigh Martin brings the ball up the court in the 2024 AHSAA 7A state championship.

Photo by: Ron Burkett

Monster Energy

AMA Supercross in Birmingham March 9

By John Goolsby Prep Sports Editor

Birmingham is set to host the best off-road motorcycle riders in the world when round nine of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship takes place inside Protective Stadium on Saturday, March 9.

The Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship, comprised of technical courses in stadiums over 17 races, makes up half of the SuperMotocross World Championship.

The AMA Pro Motocross Championship, outdoor racing on larger and faster natural terrain tracks, forms the other half.

The two combined series create a 28-event “super series” that crowns the SuperMotocross World Champion after a season-ending threeround playoff.

Riders in the Monster Energy AMA Supercross series compete in two different classes.

The 450cc class is the premier class and showcases motorcycles with powerful 450 cubic centimeter four-stroke engines.

The 250cc class features slightly less powerful 250 cubic centimeter four-stroke engines and is generally contested by younger riders.

The 250cc class is split into East and West Regions.

Manufacturers Beta, GasGas, Honda, Husqvarna, Kawasaki, KTM, Suzuki, Triumph, and Yamaha make bikes for the series.

What does it take to turn Protective’s field into a world-class track? Five hundred truckloads of dirt totaling 5,500 cubic yards and

weighing 26 million pounds.

The course in Birmingham will be tight and challenging. The series describes most supercross tracks as “featuring whoop sections (brutal washboards where riders skim along the tops of the bumps), rhythm sections (irregular series of jumps with a variety of combination options), and triple jumps (three jumps in a row that riders normally clear in a single leap of 70 feet or more). Many of the turns have banked berms, but some are flat.”

Superstar Jett Lawrence,

a 20-year-old Australian who turned in a historic 2023 year by going undefeated in the Pro Motocross season and winning the SuperMotocross World Championship, headlines the 450cc class.

Americans Jason Anderson, Cooper Webb, Eli Tomac, and Chase Sexton, all past champions, will compete against international stars Ken Roczen (Germany), Dylan Ferrandis (France), Hunter Lawrence (Australia), Jorge Prado (Spain) and Dean Wilson (Scotland).

Americans Aaron Plessinger, Justin Barcia, Malcolm Stewart, and Shane McElrary look to claim their first championship and are in the top 15 in points through the first seven rounds.

Alabamian Austin Cozadd, a native of Attalla, is on the 450cc entry list for Birmingham.

450cc Top-10:

1. Jett Lawrence, 135 points

2. Cooper Webb, 132 points

Chase Sexton looks to defend 2023 Monster Energy AMA Supercross championship

By John Goolsby Prep Sports Editor

Chase Sexton sits third in points through eight rounds of the 2023 Monster Energy AMA Supercross season after a third-place finish in Daytona Saturday night.

“It’s definitely a step in right direction. I’ve had a rough couple weeks with my hand being hurt,” Sexton said.

“It was a good first couple laps. I was doing this section next to the tunnel jump pretty good. Then I started getting a little sketchy and stopped doing it, and I paid the price for it.”

”So overall this is a building block, and we’ll go back

to work this week. I finally got to ride this week with my [injured but healing] hand, and yeah,

Lawrence wins in Daytona as Monster Energy AMA Supercross heads to Birmingham

By John Goolsby Prep Sports Editor

DAYTONA – Jett Lawrence claimed the eighth round of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross series at Daytona Saturday night in front of a record-breaking crowd.

The Australian’s third win of the year on his Honda CRF450R extends the rookie’s point lead to ten points in the 450cc class as the series heads to Birmingham’s Protective Stadium this Saturday. Rain and a soft soil and sand mixture made for a challenging course.

Greenies turning things around on the softball diamond

By Johnny Sanders Sports Editor

LEEDS – On May 9, 2023, Jesse Turner was chosen to take over a softball team at Leeds that was looking to overcome a 4-18 season.

In the short time between then and now, Jesse Turner and his staff have literally turned this program around. One win shy of doubling their win total from last season, the Greenwave find themselves at 7-2 on the season heading into March.

This week, Leeds took on Victory Christian and traveled to Shades Valley and both games saw explosive offense by the Greenies that led to an early departure for their opponents.

Against Victory Christian on Tuesday, Leeds pitcher Audrey Whitcomb found herself in a jam in the first, with the bases loaded much of the inning. A few errors later and the Lady Greenwave were down, but the damage was minimal as Victory Christian scored just two runs in the first.

Leeds came to the plate and answered with two runs of their own to tie it heading into the second.

Whitcomb would find her footing and shut the Lions out in the top of the second before Leeds put up three more runs.

Victory Christian would get a run in the top of the third, but Leeds exploded in the bottom, putting 13 runs on the board and sending everyone home early for the night. The final was 18-3 Leeds. Whitcomb got the complete game win allowing four hits and three runs and striking out two batters. At the plate, Rhyan Carson had four RBI to go with three from Sophie Gromko and two each

from Maddie Payne and Gianna Davis.

Next up for the Greenies would be a trip to Irondale to take on Shades Valley and the results would be very similar but this time it was a bit more methodical rather than a one-inning blast of offense that led to the Leeds victory.

The Greenwave scored early and often in this one, opening the game with a three-run first. The Mounties put together a two-run inning to make it close heading into the second.

The second would be a low-scoring period as Leeds had a run in the top and blanked Shades Valley in the bottom or the inning.

Leeds would have a big third inning as they scored five runs to Shades Valley’s zero. The Mounties would score another run in the bottom of the fourth, but Leeds had three and, after a scoreless fifth for both teams, the Greenies would put up five more in the sixth.

The final was 17-3, another big win for Turner and his girls.

Ashlynn Mayfield went the distance, allowing eight hits and three runs while striking out four.

Maddie Payne was perfect from the plate, going three of three with six RBI and two

home runs on the night, earning her the Trussville Tribune Player of the Week. Coach Turner said the following about his team. “The thing I’m most proud of is how we have faced adversity and responded. It has happened all season and we have responded. We preach to face and play each situation. We have done a really good job of that. The energy that this team brings is phenomenal. I remind them that joy fixes everything and we need to be joyful. We have love and energy.” Turner speaks humbly about the turnaround thus far, “It is so rewarding to just be around them. They have had a hard two years. To see them get to experience some of what they have this year and see them play like they have and play together with such joy and excitement…it gives me chills. I have always just wanted to be on the team and I’m just happy to be on it. It’s so much fun!”

The 7-2 Greenwave look to keep that momentum going this week as they take on John Carroll, whom they have already beaten once this year in a 4-1 win, followed by a trip to Ramsay and then a bit of a revenge game on Monday against one of the only two teams that have beaten them, Lincoln.

Attalla’s Austin Cozadd returns to Birmingham to compete in Monster Energy AMA Supercross

By John Goolsby Prep Sports Editor Attalla’s Austin Cozadd

is looking forward to racing back home this weekend.

The Alabama native competes in the Monster Energy AMA Supercross series.

“I was super excited when I found out they were going to do one in Alabama,” he said.

“I never thought that was going to happen and hopefully, we can keep coming back.”

Cozadd, in his fourth season as a pro, began in the 250cc class before moving straight to the larger and more powerful 450cc bikes for his second and third year.

“This year, the opportunity came up for me to do 250s also,” he said. “It’s been nice, a bit easier than the 450s.”

Cozadd competes in the 250SX class while the series is on the West Coast and in the 450SX class when the series races on the East Coast.

“The progression I made on the 450 the last two years is really paying off on the 250.”

“The 450cc bikes weigh more and are a lot more to handle, a lot faster, and have more torque,” he said.

“The 450s are almost harder to ride on a supercross track because there is a lot of timing in it, and it is a smaller track.”

“A 450 realistically has too much power for a supercross track, to be honest.”

“On a 250 for me, I’m 6’1 and 175 pounds. I’m struggling to make some stuff, and on a 450, I have everything I need.”

“The biggest aspect is the jumping and the timing,” Cozadd said.

Cozadd attended Coosa Christian in Gadsden and then began homeschooling in fourth grade.

Unlike many professional riders, Cozadd didn’t begin racing until he was 12 years old. Instead, he raced BMXs and spent many hours competing at Oak Mountain State Park’s BMX track.

Cozadd comes from a racing family. His grandfather was a race car driver, and his father, Kevin, was a motocross rider.

Kevin felt God’s call to stop competing and to attend Rhema Bible college.

After he and Austin’s mother, Cassie, graduated, he entered the ministry as an associate pastor

However, the Lord had other plans, and Kevin stepped away from a fulltime associate pastor job to

begin a ministry, MXers for Jesus. MXers for Jesus ministers to and shares the Gospel with motocross racers nationwide.

Austin was born shortly after the ministry was created and it is a big part of his life.

The life of a professional rider isn’t always easy.

Cozadd races as a privateer, a racer who doesn’t receive significant financial support from sponsors.

He doesn’t benefit from a full-time paid mechanic or support staff, so he has to wear many hats.

“I’m on a privateer team. So, no salary. Nothing. I actually have to get sponsor money to pay for them to take my stuff.”

“I’m on a team, but the program is run by me, really. I’m kind of the everything. I often work on my bike. I am my mechanic, get my spon-

The Leeds Softball team huddles up with Jesse Turner and his staff. Photo by: Johnny Sanders

Cozadd before the season opener. Credit: Austin Cozadd

From

San Francisco with his new team, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing.

Sexton, who raced a Honda for nine years, delivered Honda their first Supercross championship in twenty years last season.

Sexton is optimistic about his transition from Honda to KTM.

“Overall the move has been good,” he said. “I have been learning a lot about the bike and trying to improve overall every weekend.”

“I feel like we have gotten better and better and we had a good week of testing during the break.”

“I feel like we haven’t found our stride yet,” he said. “That’s almost a good thing because they haven’t seen the best of us yet.”

“Overall, it has been fun.”

Motocross riders are some of the fittest athletes on the face of the earth.

“You have to be well-rounded as an athlete,” Sexton said.

“It is a very talent-based sport; I could say you have to have a lot of skill.”

Talent and skill are not enough to compete at the top level.

“Racing for twenty minutes, you have to have good cardio because you are at max heart rate, and you have to be strong enough to manhandle the 450s and be in control.”

That’s what it takes just to stay upright. Riders also condition their bodies for the inevitable fall.

Supercross

From page 18

3. Aaron Plessinger, 128 points

4. Chase Sexton, 127 points

5. Eli Tomac, 122 points

6. Jason Anderson, 118

“You have to be flexible if you hit the ground,” he joked.

“It is a true test of being an overall athlete.”

Sexton doesn’t anticipate having any difficulties in adapting to the new Birmingham track.

“Going to a new venue is different, but we have all been riding a long time and very capable of adapting to a new track.”

“The biggest thing about going to Birmingham is the dirt and not knowing what the dirt is like,” he said.

“After you ride a few laps you are going to have an idea where you’re at.”

The Illinois native is fully aware of how passionate Alabamians are about any type of racing.

“Knowing that Alabama is a motorsports state, I could be biased, but I feel like this is the pinnacle of motorsport racing.”

“That in itself is a driving force to come watch it.”

Sexton is looking forward to racing for the first time in Birmingham.

points

7. Ken Roczen, 116 points

8. Dylan Ferrandis, 93 points

9. Hunter Lawrence, 86 points

10. Justin Cooper, 75 points

Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

“We’ve never been in Alabama before and it will be fun.”

Chase Sexton’s results:

2023 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship 450SX Champion

2022 AMA Pro Motocross Championship 450 Runner-Up

2023 SuperMotocross World Championship 450SMX 3rd place

Seven career Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship 450 Wins

Six career AMA Pro Motocross Championship 450 Wins

One career SuperMotocross World Championship 450SMX Win

2018 250SX Rookie of the Year 2016 Pro Motocross 250 Class Rookie of the Year

2016 AMA Nicky Hayden Amateur Horizon Award

The Monster Energy AMA Supercross series comes to Birmingham this Saturday, March 9.

Gates open at 11 AM and racing begins at 6 PM.

Round eight of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship takes place in Daytona, Floida Saturday before heading to Alabama for the first time.

The race can be seen on Peacock, beginning with 250cc qualifying at 12:30.

Lawrence’s race almost ended before it started as his team struggled to remove a rear tire cover seconds before the gate dropped.

Chase Sexton took the lead out of the gate on his KTM 450 SX-F, followed by Eli Tomac, winner of five straight Daytona events, on his Yamaha YZ450F, Frenchman Dylan Ferrandis on his Honda CRF450R and Lawrence. Sexton and Tomac ran first and second for the first eight minutes of the twenty-minute main event before a hardcharging Lawrence, using the quad combination section to make up time, passed Tomac and Sexton in a span of twelve seconds.

Lawrence then opened a huge lead and coasted to victory.

“It felt great. I felt good all day, but like I said, we came here for business, I stood on business,” Lawrence said.

“I’m just happy to come out of here with a win.”

“Now I only hope we can keep clicking them off. I improved on my mistakes from last weekend, so I’m pumped about that and I’m ready to go on to the next few.”

Second-place finisher Tomac, dealing with an overheating bike due to maximum clutch use, was not as willing to jump the quad section.

When asked about his smoking bike, Tomac said,

sors, all of the above,” he said.

“A lot goes into it.”

Cozadd does have one very special team member: his fiancée, Janie Beeland.

“She’s awesome, she’s there whenever I need her help,” he said. If it is holding my bike on the gate, cleaning

“No, to be totally honest I didn’t look over at my pit board so I didn’t see anything.”

“I didn’t feel anything, the motorcycle is fine,” he said.

“There are treacherous conditions out there. For me, I’m on the clutch a lot and with the ruts that deep, obviously make the bike hot but I powered through there.”

“Thinking back to the race, frustrated I didn’t do the quad, cost me. So gotta take more risks next time. That’s that. So, yeah, second place.”

When asked more about the quad, Tomac said, “Yeah, that’s all what it came down to.”

“And then I moved over to the right side and the depth of the rut was a lot smaller, I’m just bummed that I didn’t take that earlier.”

Sexton rounded out the podium.

“It’s definitely a step in right direction,” said Sexton. “I’ve had a rough couple weeks with my hand being hurt.

“It was a good first couple laps. I was doing this section next to the tunnel jump pretty good. Then I started getting a little sketchy and stopped doing it, and I paid the price for it,” he said.

“So overall this is a building block, and we’ll go back to work this week. I finally got to ride this week with my hand, and yeah, we’re not done yet. Just gotta keep building and keep moving forward.”

my helmet, videoing me to see what I need to be better at, pretty much whatever I need, she’s there for me!”

Cozadd has a simple message to the people that have never watched motorcycle racing.

“It is very intense racing,” he said. “Even if you don’t understand it, it is exciting.”

The gates open at Protective Stadium Saturday, March

Daytona Top 10:

1. Jett Lawrence Landsborough, Australia

2. Eli Tomac Cortez, CO

3. Chase Sexton LaMoille, IL

4. Cooper Webb Newport, NC

5. Ken Roczen Mattstedt, Germany

6. Justin Cooper Cold Springs Harbor, NY

7. Malcolm Stewart Haines City, FL

8. Dylan Ferrandis Bedarrides, France

9. Jason Anderson Rio Rancho, NM

10. Benny Bloss Oak Grove, MO

Season standings through eight rounds:

1. Jett Lawrence Landsborough, Australia, 160

2. Cooper Webb Newport, NC, 150

3. Chase Sexton LaMoille, IL, 147

4. Eli Tomac Cortez, CO, 144

5. Ken Roczen Mattstedt, Germany, 133

6. Aaron Plessinger Hamilton, OH, 132

7. Jason Anderson Rio Rancho, NM, 131

8. Dylan Ferrandis Bedarrides, France, 107

9. Justin Cooper Cold Springs Harbor, NY, 91

10. Hunter Lawrence Landsborough, Australia, 87

Round nine in Birmingham takes place inside Protective Stadium this Saturday, March 9.

Gates open at 11 AM and racing begins at 6 PM.

9 at 11 AM for practice and qualifying.

Opening ceremonies begin at 5:30 PM. Follow Austin Cozadd on Instagram at: austincozadd512

Follow Janie and Austin on YouTube @JanieAndAustin

Learn more about Kevin and Cassie Cozadd’s ministry at: mxersforjesus.com

Sexton wins season opener