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COVID-19
The following symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure: Fever, Cough, Shortness of breath
If you feel sick
When in public:
- Stay home - Call your doctor - Wear a face mask
- Stay 6 ft. from others - Avoid gatherings of 25 or more - Cover your coughs and sneezes - Wash your hands often
The Trussville Tribune TRUSSVILLE • PINSON·CLAY • CENTER POINT • ARGO • SPRINGVILLE • LEEDS • MOODY
March 18 - 24, 2020 TCS Superintendent addresses COVID-19 concerns: ‘We are here for the students’ By Erica Thomas, managing editor
TRUSSVILLE — Trussville City Schools Superintendent Dr. Pattie Neill spoke on Monday, March 16, 2020, about the coronavirus update. See COVID-19, Page 6
St. Clair County High School student tests positive for COVID-19 From The Trussville Tribune staff reports
ST. CLAIR COUNTY — St. Clair County Schools Superintendent Mike Howard sent a letter to parents confirming a student at St. Clair County High School tested positive for COVID-19. The student also attends the Virtual Preparatory School. See ST. CLAIR SCHOOL, Page 7
Armed robbery at Arby’s in Trussville From The Trussville Tribune staff reports
TRUSSVILLE — Police are on scene of an armed robbery at Arby’s on U.S. Highway 11 in Trussville. The incident occurred Sunday at approximately 9 p.m. Employees were held at gunpoint while the suspect robbed the safe. The masked robber is a black male armed with a handgun and was wearing a green hoodie. See ROBBERY, Page 3
Clay Council receives audit report, will install Flock Safety cameras throughout city
See FLOCK CAMERAS, Page 5
Inside the Tribune
News - Pages 1-5 Tribune Living - Pages 6-7 Classified - Page 7 Business - Page 8 Sports - Pages 9-12
www.TrussvilleTribune.com
50 Cents
CORONAVIRUS
Pinson mayor addresses coronavirus concerns, closes several public facilities
Jefferson and St. Clair Counties declare State of Local Emergency By Erica Thomas, managing editor
From The Trussville Tribune staff reports
MONTGOMERY – The Alabama Department of Public Health continues to monitor testing centers and is updating positive case numbers online. As of early Wednesday, March 18, 39 cases were reported statewide. Twenty-one of those are in Jefferson County. Several local municipalities have taken drastic measures to combat the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19). The illness, SARS-CoV-2, emerged in China in December 2019. The health department said it is still unclear how easily the virus is spreading between people. People who have tested positive for the virus have had mild to severe respiratory illness anywhere from 2 to 14 days after exposure. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends older adults and people with severe underlying chronic medical conditions like heart or lung disease or diabetes, consult with a health care provider.
PINSON — The city of Pinson has closed several non-essential city facilities in order to combat COVID-19. Mayor Hoy Sanders made the announcement on Tuesday, March 17, 2020. See PINSON MAYOR, Page 5
Photo taken by Holley Thacker on Tuesday, March 17, 2020, shows traffic backup from COVID-19 testing center on Grandview Parkway.
Those people are at high risk of experiencing severe symptoms. Both Jefferson and St. Clair Counties have declared a State of Local Emergency, on top of the state of Alabama’s declaration of a State of Emergency. The local declarations will mean maximum resources will be made available to fight the spread of the virus. In St. Clair County, the declaration will allow the county to waive procedures and formalities typically needed. Several public buildings
have been closed and court cases have been put on hold. Closures can be found at www.TrussvilleTribune.com. A drive-thru coronavirus testing site from Assurance Scientific Laboratories is available at the Church of the Highlands Grants Mill Campus located at 3660 Grandview Parkway, Birmingham, AL 35243. This will be open daily from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. starting Tuesday, March. Assurance will not have coronavirus drive-thru testing at either the Acton Road in
Vestavia or Memorial Drive in Bessemer. The Jefferson County Emergency Management Agency has activated a Joint Information Center (JIC) in order to communicate with other agencies about the pandemic.The JIC is also distributing information to the public by text message. If you want to be on the list, text “InfoJeffco” to 888777. You will receive alerts on your phone. If you suspect you have the coronavirus, call the CDC hotline at 1-888-264-2256.
Trussville child battling cancer has entire communities behind him: He’s built Ford tough By Erica Thomas, managing editor
“God didn’t promise days without pain, laughter without sorrow, or sunshine without rain, but he did promise strength for the day and light for the way.” – Unknown TRUSSVILLE — They say as a parent, the most painful experience is watching a child suffer. That statement is probably true, but a loving community can make all the difference. That is evident after talking to the family of Ford Bertram. On Feb. 13, 2020, the four-year-old, vivacious Trussville boy was diagnosed with leukemia. As the family sat in the waiting room, a group of supportive friends and co-workers sat with them. After a couple of weeks of fever and pain, they finally knew what was wrong with little Ford. He is battling acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL). Ford’s father, Matt, works as a paramedic for the Center Point Fire District and for the Mountain Brook Fire Department. According
Photo from Facebook.com/FordBertram
to Ford’s maternal grandmother, Dr. Lisa Lothspeich, it wasn’t long before Matt’s colleagues banded together to show the family love. “I just can’t describe how the community support and prayers have given us so much comfort and peace through this,” said Lothspeich. “His chief and some others were in the waiting room when we got the diagnosis.” Dr. Lothspeich, who is the principal at Paine Elementary School, in Trussville, said the school system has also been there for her family.
“The schools have been unbelievable,” Lothspeich said. “They have sent things and have done all sorts of things for our whole family. Teachers are wearing shirts, the PTO is asking what they can do. Everybody is pulling together and it’s at a time that it means the most.” Since his diagnosis, Ford Bertram has undergone chemotherapy and other treatments. His grandmother says the once outgoing child is now unable to enjoy the things that brought him joy. “He has such a unique
personality and we have missed that this month because he is not that right now,” explained Lothspeich. “He feels bad. He would fall and always get right back up and say, ‘I’m okay!” Ford has always called himself a “master builder” because he loves building things with Legos and Lincoln Logs. Lothspeich said that the name he gave himself is more than imaginary. “He really is a master builder,” Lothspeich said. “He can construct anything. We haven’t seen any of those sides of him and we are so ready to get that back. He’s such a little joy.” As for the fire department, Center Point Fire District Chief Gene Coleman said the fire service is embracing the Bertram family. “Our core values are compassion, pride, family and dedication, being family at the base,” said Coleman. “Our crews are covering some of his [Matt’s] shifts to make sure he is with his family.” See FORD BERTRAM, Page 6
Robin’s Sewing Shoppe www.robinshoppe.com 5886 Trussville Crossings Pkwy 205.655.3388 -
Fabric Machines Classes Demos
Trussville mayor hopes for the best for local businesses as coronavirus precautions intense From The Trussville Tribune staff reports
TRUSSVILLE — The usual hustle and bustle around the city of Trussville is calming as people across Jefferson County are told to avoid gathering in large groups. See TRUSSVILLE MAYOR, Page 5
Jefferson County Health Department comes to Trussville to brief police chiefs in county on coronavirus By Erica Thomas, managing editor
TRUSSVILLE — A representative from the Jefferson County Health Department came to Trussville on Wednesday, March 11, 2020, to brief police chiefs from across the county, on coronavirus COVID-19. See POLICE CHIEFS, Page 3
Center Point, Trussville, Pine Mountain fire departments conduct waterfire training at Cosby Lake By Erica Thomas, managing editor
CENTER POINT — It doesn’t happen often, but when firefighters run out of water from their trucks and do not have access to a fire hydrant, training comes into play. See FIRE TRAINING, Page 3
Casa Fiesta Mexican Grill
5084 Pinnacle Sq Suite 112 Trussville
655-3530