By Terry Schrimscher
For the Tribune
CENTER POINT – The city of Center Point joined other municipalities in Jefferson County, and around Alabama, in declaring the month of April to be Fair Housing Month. The City Council is-
CENTER POINT, Page 3
Argo Council appoints 6 residents to Planning and Zoning Commission
By Terry Schrimscher
For the Tribune
TRUSSVILLE – The Trussville City Council unanimously voted to approve a consent agenda at the April 11 council meeting that, in part, appointed Jason Daniel to the City Board of Education, effective May 26, 2023, with a term ending May 25, 2028.
“We are thrilled that you have applied and gone through the interview process that we put together, and that you would’ve applied three times to be on the school board,” Council President Lisa Bright said to Daniel.
“So, we appreciate your willingness to serve.”
Bright said is V.P. of Physicians Practice Administration on Health Systems with UAB Hospital and a graduate of Jacksonville State.
“I do want to say, too, I appreciate Jason’s willingness to serve and be a part of this,” Councilor Alan Taylor said.
“He’s been a part of Leadership Trussville … he’s a great asset to our city and I’m just
See ARGO, Page 7
For the Tribune IRONDALE – Mayor James D. Stewart Jr. invested a portion of the April 4 meet-
From The Tribune staff reports
TRUSSVILLE – Trussville Witches Ride, Inc., a nonprofit whose mission is “witchy women riding for a local cause,” is preparing for their fourth annual event, taking place on Oct. 21, 2023.
See WITCHES, Page 6
Opinion - Page 8
Lifestyle - Page 9
Outdoors - Page 10
Calendar - Page 11
Classified - Page 11
Obituary - Page 12
Sports - Pages 13-16
By Nathan Prewett
For the Tribune
PINSON – During a meeting on Thursday, April 6, the Pinson City Council heard an audit report for 2021/2022 fiscal year.
Charlie Polmatier delivered the presentation, which included an examination report for American Rescue Plan or ARP spending. He
See PINSON, Page 3
Moody Council recognizes high school indoor track team champions, promotes officers
Mayor Buddy Choat and the Trussville City Council present Proclamation 2023-11 to Birmingham Association of Realtors CEO Amanda Creel.
thankful that we have folks of his caliber that’s willing to serve on the school board.”
Daniel said that he is thankful for the opportunity and looks forward to serving the city through his position on the school board.
“I appreciate the trust that you’re putting in me,” he said. “I will give it my best.”
In other business, the council unanimously approved a proclamation declaring April 2023 Fair Housing Month and presented the
proclamation to Birmingham Association of Realtors CEO Amanda Creel.
The next regular meeting of the Trussville City Council will be Tuesday, April 25, 2023, at the City Hall Annex, beginning at 6 p.m.
Rotary Club makes a difference, looks forward to birthday
MOODY – The Moody High School’s boys indoor track team was recognized at a meeting of the Moody City
See IRONDALE, Page 6 See TEACHER, Page 5
The Trussville Daybreak Rotary Club lives out this motto by serving the community in many ways and has been doing so for over 30 years. You
might say it is a “membership-based service organization.” The Club is planning a celebration for its birthday in May. Among those expected to attend is Past Rotary International President Mark Maloney from Decatur. Charter. The Trussville Daybreak Rotary Club was chartered on May 18, 1990, in Birmingham, AL, at Medical Center East as the Trussville/East Birmingham (Daybreak) Rotary Club with twenty-three members.
The parent/sponsoring club was Birmingham East Rotary Club (now the Trussville Noon Rotary Club). Meetings were held at Medical Center East (now St. Vincent’s East) at 7 a.m. Charter Members. Charter members included Kenneth Apperson, Bob Baker, Ron Duke, Joe Elland, Rayford Etherton, Gene Fitzgerald, Don Haisten, Tom Hales, George Harris, Dennis Hill, David Holcomb, Robert Holley, Van Horne*, Owen Law-
less, Roy Long, Guy Martin, Dave Smith, Rich Street, Darrell Summers, Steve Turner, Hale Vick, Steve Waller, and David Wideman.
In addition, these members joined during first year of operation (shown by date of admission): Wesley Teague (7/1/90), Martin Woosley (8/1/90), David Cork* (9/1/90), Timothy Gilbert (9/1/90), John Payne (9/1/90), James Anthony (11/1/90),
See ROTARY, Page 4
Springville vs. St. Clair County Page 14 Bingo Hall Raid Page 2 MARTY’S TRUSSVILLE • NOW OPEN • 77 55 1% 68 59 81% 76 56 57% 83 58 13% 72 45 38% 74 50 2% 80 55 2% 3620 Vann Rd Birmingham 205-661-3828 Service & Maintenance • Lift Kits • Accessories
From The Tribune staff reports TRUSSVILLE – George Fritsma, of Trussville, has been named Moderator of the Board of Trustees of the Pres-
See PRESBYTERIAN, Page 5
JEFFERSON COUNTY
— The Alabama Attorney General’s Office confirmed bingo halls in Jefferson County were raided Tuesday morning.
Cameron Mixon with the AG’s office said details on the raids and locations would be released soon.
Witnesses said they saw three black SUVs and a gray Dodge Charger at the front door of one bingo hall off Pinson Valley Parkway. Others said they saw FBI agents on the scene, although the AG’s office could not confirm which agencies were responding.
Late last year, Attorney General Steve Marshall told
1819 News the Supreme Court made it clear bingo halls were illegal, but locations in Jefferson County continued to operate. He also said those operations were “ground zero” for more serious crimes, including money laundering.
For years, attorneys general in Alabama have been fighting against illegal gambling. But charging those
involved in illegal gaming is up to local law enforcement, and Jefferson County Sheriff Mark Pettway has previously said he had more significant concerns to deal with.
In 2019, Pettway released a statement saying it wasn’t worth the time, effort and money required to confiscate machines and track down misdemeanor offenders when
he had serious violent crime to address.
Jefferson County Commission president Jimmie Stephens previously voiced concerns over bingo halls in the county, saying he wanted to see them all shut down. However, he said the sheriff had shown “no willingness or desire to act on any” illegal bingo halls.
Stephens said the county will assist the AG’s office with securing the buildings and with whatever they need to complete the investigation.
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office has not responded to a media request about the raids.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email erica.thomas@1819news.com.
sued a proclamation during the regular meeting Thursday night, April 6.
The proclamation is part of an effort by the Birmingham Association of REALTORS® (BAR) to commemorate the 55th anniversary of the signing of the Fair Housing Act by getting 55 proclamations during the month of April.
The Birmingham Association of REALTORS® covers 6 counties: Blount, Chilton, Clay, Jefferson, Randolph, and Shelby and has, to date, received 27 of the 55 municipal proclamations as of press time.
Fair Housing Month is celebrated nationally each year in April. Alabama Governor Kay Ivey issued a proclamation in February recognizing Fair Housing Month statewide. BAR issued a release on the local effort.
“In 1968, in the wake of the assassination of Dr. King the passage of this landmark Act was a huge step in the right direction. Over the years, the Act has been amended to address additional issues, which is just a testament to how far we have come as a Nation, but still have a long journey ahead,” said 2023 BAR Diversity and Fair Housing Vice Chair Scott Ford.
The Fair Housing Act was part of the 1968 Civil Rights Act, signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson one week after the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
In other business, the city filed a lien on a property located at 205 Sun Valley Road for abatement of weeds and grass cutting in the amount of $159.80 including court costs. The Council also approved prices for abatement at 21 other properties ranging from $134 to more than $1000 for debris removal, trash and grass cutting.
The Council approved a contract with Motley Corp. for $23,198 for demolition and debris removal at two properties located at 520 Sunhill Road and 1816 1st Street NE. approved a contract for $38,000 with TNZ Construction for bridge work at the Center Point Senior Center at 335 Polly Reed Road.
In other business, the Council renewed its contract with the Greater Birmingham Humane Society for animal control in the city and approved a request from Center Point High School to assist with grass cutting at the ball fields used by the high school and middle school.
The Center Point City Council meets on the first and third Thursdays of the month at City Hall at 2209 Center Point Parkway. The next meeting will be held Thursday, April 20, at 6:30 p.m. The Council has set a public hearing for 6:30 p.m., May 4, on tattoo shops and medical cannabis dispensaries.
presented the financial situation of the city, starting with highlights of the finances in 2022 compared to the previous year. The report showed that the net position of the city improved, rising from $8.9 million to more than $10 million.
“This is largely due to your investments,” Polmatier said. “Investments in capital assets and items in the city. So what you pay for out of cash, no borrowing. In fact you have minimum debt and liabilities overall.”
In the operational statements there was an overall $154,000 increase in the fund balance, including the debt service fund, for the year, which he said was good. In the general fund there was an $84,000 excess before the transfer to cover the 2021 warrant payments.
The unassigned fund balance of the general fund was just under $2 million, he said. This reflects an unrestricted reserve balance of approximately six months of operations. Polmatier said that this was also good and showed growth.
He spoke of an operational statement of the general fund for the past six years. In 2017 the total revenue was just under $3 million. That revenue grew to $5.3 million. The expenditure growth rose from $2 million to $5.2 million. $1.4 million was spent, with some of this coming from grant money.
Among his final notes was the ARP examination report that stated that there were no discrepancies or “unallowable” disbursements of funds.
Later in the meeting the council passed several items on the agenda. Among these
was signage for the Pinson Public Library. The council approved the purchase of signs that would help clarify where the library is located since moving from its location at City Hall to the Rock School some years back. The purchase was approved for $2,557.
During public comments
Pinson Valley Arts Council
President KeiDie Ruff suggested that the city begin a regular first Friday event as other cities have adopted. She recommended having the free events take place on Main Street where there would be live music and other kinds of entertainment.
Ruff said that she wanted to bring more attention to the city with a first Friday event.
“The reason I wanted to do this is that I tour all around the world and I see this happening all around the world,” she said. “And as an arts councilor not only did we do our first movie here in Pinson now we’re trying to do this –we’re trying to do everything we can to bring attention to Pinson. We live here and even though we tour in and out the country this is where we live and we want people to know about Pinson.”
With no vote necessary, the council approved Ruff’s
suggestion.
Afterwards Pinson Public Library Director Allison Scanlan delivered some updates, saying that they are partnering with the Parks and Recreation department to put on a “Great Bunny Hop” games event for children on April 22 at Bicentennial Park from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Additionally, the library will implement “silver spots” and “tot spots”, which are tablet devices that can be checked out for seniors and children respectively. The library is also preparing to kick off its summer reading program titled “All Together Now” and a launch party is scheduled for June 3.
In other business the council: Approved the purchase of laptops and accessories for $6,970, and Accepted a bid to purchase fencing for the Public Works storage yard for $32,468.
Pinson City Council meets on the first and third Thursdays of every month at City Hall on 4410 Main Street. Live-streamed meetings can be seen on the city’s Facebook page. Nathan Prewett can be reached at nthomasp6@ gmail.com.
William Ramage (11/1/90), Steven Bookout (12/1/90), Gordon Flynn (12/1/90), William Hyatt (12/1/90), Wesley O’Brien (12/90), David Crawford (5/1/91), and Jimmy Burns* (5/1/91). (* denotes current members)
Highlights in History:
June 2, 2008. This club is one of about 50 in the central Alabama district. Club member Mary Jean Sanspree was installed as District 6860 Governor. District Governor Phil Fowler and his wife Diane visited the club. Mary Jean was also the first female president of the club (199899). Women were not always allowed to be members of Rotary. The 1989 Council on Legislation voted to admit women into Rotary clubs worldwide, a monumental moment in the history of Rotary. Today almost 25% of this club is female.
July 9, 2008. The Club is 100% Paul Harris Fellows, which means every member of the Club contributes to the Paul Harris Foundation. Paul Harris was the founder of Rotary in February 1905. The Foundation provides grant opportunities for local clubs, so contributions come back to the club for community projects.
July 1, 2014. Club name officially changed to Rotary
Club of Trussville Daybreak. 2020-21. The Club did not stop meeting during the pandemic. The format just moved to a virtual one until they felt it was safe to meet in person. And when most clubs saw a decrease in membership, this club membership grew! 2023. The Club completed its first strategic plan to help determine its future over the next five years. Spearheaded by Eddie Seal, the club worked for several months to determine goals, projects, and also to update its bylaws. Club Presidents. These Rotarians have served as club presidents.
May – June 1990 - Owen
Lawless 1990 – 1991 - Owen Lawless
• 1992 – 1993 - David Wideman
• 1993 – 1994 - Van Horne
• 1994 – 1995 - Martin Woosley
1995 – 1996 - Darrell Summers 1996 – 1997 - Kenny Apperson
• 1997 – 1998 - Roy Long
• 1998 – 1999 - Mary Jean
Sanspree
• 1999 – 2000 - Bob Baker
• 2000 – 2001 - Jimmy Burns
2001 – 2002 - Mark De-
nard 2002 – 2003 - Tim Cart-
wright
• 2003 – 2004 - Gordon
Flynn
• 2004 – 2005 - David Cork
• 2005 – 2006 - John Pettry
– 2007 - Matt Holdbrooks
– 2008 - Jef Freeman 2008 – 2009 - Linda Burns
• 2009 – 2010 - Pat McTamney
• 2010 – 2011 - Pat McTamney
• 2011 – 2012 - John
– 2013 - John Pat-
2013 – 2014 - Alan Taylor
• 2014 – 2015 - Danny Cooner
• 2015 – 2016 - Eddie Seal
• 2016 – 2017 - Tommy Trimm
• 2017 – 2018 - Diane Poole 2018 – 2019 - Sandra Vernon 2019 – 2020 - Ken Vaughan
• 2020 – 2021 - Ty Williams
• 2021 – 2022 - Greg Car-
• 2022 – 2023 - Jamie Townes
Projects. The Club has had many projects and fundraising events over its 33-year history. One of its first fundraisers was a golf tournament, which was initially a partnership with the Trussville Noon Rotary Club. Last year was the Club’s 30th annual golf tournament, and it raised about $15K.
The Club recently sponsored a new club in the Springville area which meets on Thursday mornings at 7 a.m. and has members from
Springville, Argo, Moody, and Margaret. This Club continues to grow and to serve these area communities in its own ways.
Other ways the Trussville Daybreak Rotary Club contributes to our community:
• City Fest (volunteer to sell Coke products, members of Rotary on the planning committee) Veterans Appreciation (hanging ribbons at city hall for Veterans’ Day)
• Computers 4 Kids (collected laptops and had them cleaned for school purposes and distributed to the schools at the beginning of the pandemic for kids who did not have them)
• Scholarships (Our Rotary Club gives out one $5,000 scholarship to a Hewitt-Trussville Student every year, as well as a $1000 scholarship to a Restoration Academy Student).
Rotary Young Leaders Awards (R.Y.L.A.) (Our Rotary club sends, on average, eleven students a year to The Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville for a 3-day retreat to learn about leadership and community service, to make connections, and to have a little fun. These students write essays and apply for this every year. Trussville Daybreak generally boasts the largest
number of participants.)
Student and Teacher of the Month (Every month during the school year, our Rotary Club recognizes students and teachers from either Hewitt-Trussville or Clay-Chalkville for their outstanding performance.)
• Rotary Readers (Rotarians go into the local elementary schools on Wednesdays to read to the children. We also participate in Read Across America on Dr. Seuss’ birthday where we purchase and distribute a Dr. Seuss book of the teacher’s choice to the students.)
Rotary Clock (Our Rotary raised funds for the Rotary Clock that is located at the corner of Hwy 11 and Chalkville Road to anchor the corner and make it more picturesque.)
• Solar Benches (Our Rotary Club applies for grants with Rotary International in order to finance projects in our community. We have placed solar powered benches in the park on the mall and in the park behind the library so that people can charge their devices while sitting at the park.)
Leadership HT (This year we have used our grant to help fund a project for this group. They plan to construct an outdoor classroom/seating area in Veterans’ Park along the stream.)
• Better Basics Book Nooks (had book nooks built in cooperation with Faith Community Church to put in various communities throughout Jefferson and St. Clair Counties in communities with lower reading and math scores to help increase literacy. These nooks are continually replenished by Better Basics.)
Alabama Fallen Warriors Memorial (major donor to the Alabama Fallen Warriors memorial being built in Veterans Park in Trussville)
• Smile-A-Mile (meals for campers, their families, and staff)
Playground equipment at The Mall
• Benches at the walking track at Cahaba Elementary
• Financial support to Trussville Noon Club’s water project in Mexico Planted trees at Cahaba Greenway The Trussville Rotary Daybreak Club meets at 7 a.m. on Wednesday mornings at First Baptist Church Trussville (128 N. Chalkville Road). For more information on the Trussville Rotary Daybreak Club, or to help with one of our projects, please email Diane Poole at dlpoole1225@gmail.com or visit our Facebook page (Trussville Rotary Daybreak).
For all
1430 Gadsden Hwy Ste 116 Birmingham, AL 35235 (205) 661-1188 www.parcelstoo.com
From front page
on Friday, April 7, 2023. Coleman represents District VII in the Secondary classification.
“Good luck to Ms. Coleman as these 16 outstanding educators are narrowed to the Final Top Four,” TCS stated.
The State of Alabama Department of Education announced the “State’s Sweet 16 Educators Being Recognized for Teaching Excellence” on Wednesday, April 5.
“Sixteen outstanding educators who personify excellence have been selected as finalists for Alabama Teacher of the Year,” the State of Alabama Department of Education’s statement said. “Each excels in the classroom and inspires students through innovative instructional techniques. This year’s 16 state finalists have emerged from a highly professional group of more than 150 top educators who submitted their official applications for this state honor. The Alabama Teacher of the Year Program is one of our state’s oldest and most esteemed recognition programs.”
Alabama State Department of Education – 2023-2024
District Teachers of the Year
• Maegan Gayle: Mobile County School System
– Hutchens Elementary School, District I Elementary Teacher of the Year
• Amanda Talantis: Gulf Shores City School System – Gulf Shores High School, District I Secondary Teacher of the Year
• Logan Faith Rasmusson: Phenix City School System – Sherwood Elementary School, District II
Elementary Teacher of the Year
Ansley A. Godwin: Ozark City School System – Carroll High School, District II
Secondary Teacher of the Year
• Jeffrey L. Norris: Shelby
County School System – Oak Mountain Middle School, District III Elementary Teacher of the Year
• Kevin Pughsley: Hoover City School System – Berry Middle School, District III
Secondary Teacher of the Year
• Dr. Allatesha Cain: Bessemer City Schools –Charles F. Hard Elementary School, District IV Elementary Teacher of the Year
Mychoal B. Woods: Birmingham City Schools –George Washington Carver High School, District IV
Secondary Teacher of the Year
• George Clausell, II: Macon County Schools –George Washington Carver Elementary School, District V Elementary Teacher of the Year Jessica Roberson: Selma City Schools – Selma High School, District V
Secondary Teacher of the Year
• Lauren Murdoch Brascho: Pell City Schools – Coosa Valley Elementary School, District VI Elementary Teacher of the Year
• Katie McGee: Cullman City Schools – Cullman Middle School, District
VI Secondary Teacher of the Year
Kimberly Jared: Hartselle City Schools – Barkley Bridge Elementary School, District VII Elementary Teacher of the Year
• Jennifer Coleman: Trussville City Schools –Hewitt-Trussville High School, District VII Secondary Teacher of the Year
Bonnie Howard: Madison City Schools – Madison Elementary School, District VIII Elementary Teacher of the Year
• Nia Nicole Stivers: Jackson County Schools – North Jackson High School, District VIII Secondary Teacher of the Year
“Alabama’s Teacher of the Year serves as a full-time ambassador for education and the teaching profession, in addition to presenting workshops to various groups.,” the statement said. “Alabama’s representative is also a candidate for National Teacher of the Year. This pool of outstanding educators will soon be narrowed down to the final Top Four. The 20232024 Alabama Teacher of the Year will be announced by the Alabama State Board of Education and Alabama State Department of Education in May.
Reflecting on his experiences as the 2022-2023 Alabama Teacher of the Year, Reggie White said, “One of the greatest achievements in my life is the honor of not only entering the teaching profession but also meeting students who would have an indelible impact on my life. It has truly been an honor to serve as our state’s 20222023 Alabama Teacher of the Year and inspiring others to see that nothing is impossible with great teachers! I celebrate the 16 finalists for accepting the call to teach and for modeling exceptional performance in the classroom. You are all Teachers of the Year.”
From front page
byterian Home for Children for 2023.
The Talladega-based Home is one of the few organizations in the state caring for Alabama’s homeless boys and girls, along with their female caregivers, in its Secure Dwellings Program. PHFC also serves teenage girls who have been subject to extreme trauma and neglect, young female adults in crisis, families in crisis through in-home intensive services, and children and youth in rural Wilcox and Marengo counties.
Fritsma has been a Trustee since 2013 and served as Moderator in 2017 when he was instrumental in helping recruit President and CEO Doug Marshall. He has a long history of serving on and leading the Governance Committee in addition to serving on the Executive Committee.
Retired from the UAB faculty since 2007, Fritsma serves as a medical laboratory consultant to the UAB Department of Pathology, a consultant to several diagnostics companies, and as an adjunct associate professor for Michigan State and Rutgers universities. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in biology and chemistry from Calvin University, a Master’s in Medical Laboratory Science from Wayne State University and advanced course work from the University of Illinois at Chicago. He is a member of the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science and the International Society on Thrombosis and Hemostasis. He and his wife are members of Cahaba Springs Presbyterian Church in Trussville.
Mark D. Feagin of Hoover is Vice Moderator for the Presbyterian Home for Children Board. He grew up in Birmingham and was educated in the Jefferson County and Vestavia Hills school systems and earned a BS in Finance at Auburn Universi-
ty in 1985. His professional experience is in the banking industry where he worked for Regions Bank for 23 years as well as Iberiabank, JP Morgan Chase and Community Bank of Mississippi. Previously serving on PHFC’s Audit and Finance Committees, he is now on its Resource Development and Executive committees. Mark and his wife are members of Asbury Methodist Church.
Carol R. Copeland of Athens is the Board’s Secretary and serves on PHFC’s Programs and Executive committees. Copeland has been in the private practice of social work since 1991 after a long career with the Alabama Department of Human Resources. She is a member of the National Association of Social Workers, Academy of Social Workers, Alabama Conference of Social Work and The University of Alabama Social Work Society, and she is on the boards of Vine Counseling Center in Huntsville and the Athens Limestone Family Resource Center. She is a ruling elder of First Presbyterian Church in Athens and is the past moderator of the Board of the Presbyterian Home for Children, North Alabama Presbytery and North Alabama Presbyterian Women. Newell Witherspoon of Huntsville was re-elected as Treasurer, John Haley, Esq. of Birmingham as Legal Counsel and Missy Jones of Mobile as Member-At-Large. Rev. Joseph Scrivner, Ph.D. of Tuscaloosa will serve as Past Moderator.
Members of the Home’s Advisory Board are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Board of Trustees to serve on various committees. Advisory Board members for 2023 are Mary Otulana, Homewood; Rev. Robin Palmer, Madison; Christi Robinson, Huntsville; Brenda Uptain, Talladega; Chuck Williams, Hiram, Ga.; and Rev. Jonathan Yarboro, Wetumpka.
About PHFC Now in its 155th year of service, Presbyterian Home for Children in Talladega, Alabama, is one of few organizations in the state caring for Alabama’s homeless boys and girls, along with their female caregivers in its Secure Dwellings Program. In its Moderate Residential Care Therapeutic Program, the Home also serves teenage girls who have previously experienced extreme trauma or neglect. In addition, the Home serves young female adults in crisis through its Transition to Adult Living Program and serves families in crisis over seven counties through its In-Home Intensive Services, Family Bridges. All its programs are accredited by Social Current (formerly Council on Accreditation) and the EAGLE Accreditation Commission under the United Methodist Association of Health and Welfare Ministries. Our Ascension Leadership Academy features a fully Cognia-accredited academic curriculum focusing on academics and leadership for our residential children and youth in addition to children and youth from the surrounding communities. PHFC is rated 4-Star by Charity Navigator and received a Gold Seal of Transparency from Candid (formerly Guidestar).
Nominations for the beneficiary of this year’s ride are now open, and the Trussville Witches Ride board members invite anyone to nominate a Trussville resident who could benefit from the support of the Trussville community through the event.
From front page
ing of the Irondale City Council to issue proclamations recognizing efforts to make the community a better place for all citizens. In his report, Stewart invited people to support the Heartbeat of Irondale 5K benefitting the Exchange Club Child Abuse Prevention Center and efforts to prevent child abuse and neglect.
“I want to encourage everybody to participate,” Stewart said. “We’re doing this for Child Abuse Prevention Month. We really believe that no child should be in a situation where they have to put up with abuse.
“We’re just trying to do our part to be able to support the Exchange Club Child Abuse Prevention Center,” Stewart added. “The proceeds will go to them to be able to eradicate child abuse.”
John and Linda Schoen, representing the Exchange Club of Irondale, were on hand to accept a proclamation designating April Child Abuse Prevention Month. The exterior of City Hall was decorated by blue pinwheels and blue lighting.
Mayor Stewart awarded two proclamations to students from Shades Valley High School. Lauren Jackson was on hand to accept recognition for being named 2023 Youth of the Year for the Boys and Girls Club of Central Alabama. Jackson is a senior at Shades Valley. Micaiah Freeman was
honored with a proclamation from the city for being the youngest person to complete CERT team training. CERT stands for Community Emergency Response Team and is a FEMA sponsored program which trains civilians to work with first responders in times of emergency. Freeman is a junior at Shades Valley.
Carmen Vasquez, membership specialist for the Birmingham Association of Realtors, was on hand to accept a proclamation celebrating the Fair Housing Act declaring the month of April Fair Housing Month in Irondale.
In other business, the Council approved: $2000 for ClasTran for paratransit services.
• $2500 for the Boys and Girls Club of Central Alabama
• Up to $2,297.50 for These Guys LLC to conduct a class on bicycle safety laws
Engaged the firm of Wallace, Jordan, Ratliff and Brandt to represent the city in water matters
• Awarded a three-year sewer contract to Phoenix Water Resources Issued a zoning variance for an office building currently under construction
The next meeting of the Irondale City Council will be held at 6 p.m. on April 18 at Irondale City Hall.
“What sets our nonprofit apart from others is that the money that is raised goes towards a need that our community helps to choose,” said Christy McDonald, President of the Trussville Witches Ride Board. “There are families and individuals in our city that are facing major obstacles alone, and I love that the residents of Trussville have an opportunity to bring awareness to those needs so that our board members can choose a recipient whose need is substantial and whose circumstances could be greatly changed by the funds that are raised during the event.”
Nominations opened April 6 and will remain open until May 9, 2023.
“A unique aspect of Trussville Witches Ride is that the board is open to nominations for beneficiaries of all ages and all needs,” said Brittany Elkins, Vice President of Trussville Witches Ride. “Our community has rallied
behind the families and individuals that this ride has honored in the past, and I am so excited to find out who the next beneficiary will be. However, that can only happen if we are made aware of the needs of our community, so I encourage everyone to send a nomination in.”
Before nominating a beneficiary, the board recommends reading its FAQ document to help ensure understanding of the nomination process and to verify that the nominee meets the requirements.
“Something that people don’t realize about our nomination process is that when the board receives the nominations, any identifiers are removed by a third party,” said Karli Langner, Public Relations Manager of Trussville Witches Ride. “The board truly has no idea who the nominees are. We gather and go through each nomination and decide which need seems to be the greatest, and from there we request the nominee’s name and contact information that was given in their nomination. It’s a really cool way to make sure there’s never any bias and that all needs are equally considered.”
To keep up with what the Trussville Witches Ride board is brewing up for this year’s event, be sure to follow on Facebook and Instagram.
Council on Monday, April 10, for their state championship win in February.
Before the team was recognized, the council heard reports from department heads for the month of March. Police Chief Reese Smith reported 1,034 calls for services, 35 traffic accidents, 92 citations, 86 reports completed, 88 misdemeanors, 30 felonies and two juvenile cases. The department spent $19,399.95 on vehicle maintenance.
Fire Chief Larry Horton reported 181 total responses, eight fires (two residential, three vehicles, and three woods, grass and rubbish), 93 emergency medical calls,
eight vehicle wrecks, 17 public services, 25 lift assists, 30 false alarms, mutual aid given twice and received once. There were 75 annual inspections, one reinspection and one pump inspection.
Afterwards, the council recognized the team. Those recognized were Blaine Burke, Charlie Kitts, A’mon Lane, and Kellen Talley. Their coach is Raphael Greaux.
“It’s getting to be more often for state championships at Moody High School,” said Mayor Joe Lee. “We’re very proud of them.”
The council then approved a request from Smith to promote an officer, Johnathan Melton, from the rank of Sergeant to the rank of Lieutenant. Smith said that Melton
has been with the department for more than 10 years.
“He’s a great asset and a great teammate of mine,” Smith said. “I couldn’t have done it without him and I’m happy to promote him to lieutenant.”
After Melton’s promotion, the council approved Smith’s request to promote Brodie McGuffie from Officer to Sergeant.
In other business the council:
• Approved a request from Smith to purchase four tires for car #359 for $680,
• Approved a request from Library Director Sara Roberts at a cost not to exceed $9,000,
• Approved a request from
Horton to purchase firefighting tools for $3,150, Approved a request from Councilman Lynn Taylor to remove two fire pump
caps at Moody Industrial Park for $4,822. Meetings are held on the second and fourth Monday of every month at 6 p.m. at
Moody City Hall on 670 Park Ave. Nathan Prewett can be reached at nthomasp6@ gmail.com.
step in the process establishing a Planning and Zoning Commission in the city.
Six Argo residents were chosen from 24 applicants who were introduced during the March 27 meeting. The board was officially created by ordinance 2023-02-13, which was approved in February. The board will consist of nine members including an administrative official appointed by the Mayor and one city council member elected by the Council to serve as an ex officio member.
The six Argo residents appointed to the commission are: Randy Hettich, Lanie Kendrick, Matt Vincent, Bob Carter, Chase Gober and Michael Stanley. Members will serve six-year terms although some seats will face earlier reappointment to stagger future appointments to the board.
“Everybody that filled out an application was great. I wish we could put them all on the zoning board,” said Mayor Bradley. “If you didn’t get chosen for the zoning board,
you may still get chosen for the zoning board of adjustments, which is just as important as the zoning board.”
City Clerk Tiffany Westbrook was appointed by Bradley to fill the administrative role on the board. Council member Thomas Suggs was elected by the Council to fill the ex officio role.
Mayor Bradley will serve as the final member of the commission. The terms for Bradley and Suggs will coincide with their terms in elected office.
Members of the board will elect a person to serve as chair and individual roles and responsibilities and establish terms of eligibility for future reelection.
A special public meeting has been scheduled for April 18, at 6 p.m., specifically to discuss zoning based on the Argo Comprehensive Plan. The plan was produced by the City of Argo, the Regional Planning Commission of Greater Birmingham, and the consulting firm of Goodwyn Mills Cawood (GMC). Representatives from GMC are expected to be present to answer questions about zoning
proposals.
The Council also approved the creation of a Building Inspector position and $1,300 for certification for the role.
In other business, the Council moved into executive session to discuss issues related to development of the former Crazy Horse restaurant location at 8885 Gadsden Hwy. Developers are planning to create a gym, children’s play gym and office space in the former restaurant. The building once served as a fire station and City Hall for Argo. The request to make
changes to a promissory note on the property was tabled in March but was approved unanimously after executive session.
The Council also approved payment of $1,131 to O’Cet for work done on roads at Cedar Creek.
Council member Dennis Griffin as voting delegate at the annual meeting of the Alabama Municipal Insurance Corporation.
Argo joined other cities in around Alabama by issuing a proclamation to declare the month of April to be Fair
Housing Month. The proclamation is part of an effort by the Birmingham Association of REALTORS® (BAR) to commemorate the 55th anniversary of the signing of the Fair Housing Act by getting 55 proclamations during the month of April. Lewis Pitchford, Government Affairs Coordinator for BAR, was present to accept the proclamation.
The Birmingham Association of REALTORS® covers six counties: Blount, Chilton, Clay, Jefferson, Randolph, and Shelby and has, to date,
received more than 30 of the 55 municipal proclamations. Argo is located in Jefferson and St. Clair counties.
Fair Housing Month is celebrated nationally each year in April. Alabama Governor Kay Ivey issued a proclamation in February recognizing Fair Housing Month statewide. BAR issued a release on the local effort.
“In 1968, in the wake of the assassination of Dr. King the passage of this landmark Act was a huge step in the right direction. Over the years, the Act has been amended to address additional issues, which is just a testament to how far we have come as a Nation, but still have a long journey ahead,” said 2023 BAR Diversity and Fair Housing Vice Chair Scott Ford.
The Fair Housing Act was part of the 1968 Civil Rights Act, signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson one week after the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
The next regular meeting of the Argo City Council will be April 24. The meeting begins immediately following the 5 p.m. work session.
It’s funny how some things just sound old or out of date, and for that reason alone become objects of scorn.
Take “Good Housekeeping Magazine.” Have you heard of this old-school periodical of yesteryear, once read by dutiful wives who vacuumed the house wearing pearls, and took time from baking fresh apple pie to sit at the kitchen table to peruse its recipes and recommended ways of doing laundry?
This old-fashioned periodical still exists! Still going strong after 135 years, “Good Housekeeping Magazine” features human interest stories and best hacks for cleaning, cooking and making your house a home. But somewhere along the way it found another niche known as the “Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval.”
In 1900 the founders of “Good Housekeeping Magazine” formed the Good Housekeeping Institute, testing products for safety, breakability, reliability, and pricing. Everything from lipstick to baby strollers to toasters is run through the Institute’s tests in an 18,000-squarefoot state-of-the-art facility in
Manhattan. Only after passing a barrage of tests can a product be given the “Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval,” providing some evidence that a standard exists holding the product manufacturer to a measure of accountability.
It doesn’t sound so old fashioned now, does it? What sounds old, dusty, and from days of yore may still bear usefulness today. Its absence would even cause a diminishment in quality of life.
The same is true of the U.S. Constitution.
There’s a lot of talk from today’s left wing about that archaic document our founding fathers spent so much time on. Even President Biden, in the wake of the recent horrible events at The Covenant School in Nashville, launched another assault on the U.S. Constitution and its Second Amendment, stating, “no amendment to the Constitution is absolute!”
Technically he is right. But historically, legally, and practically, he has no standing for his hollow rhetoric.
Between the original Constitution and its first 10 Amendments, known as the Bill of Rights, that old piece of paper has preserved the ability of people in this coun-
try to remain free of the tyranny that the founders knew firsthand.
Taken as a whole, the Constitution established that the ability of individuals to have rights was the most important thing in a free society. Actual rights to keep them free, not just from other people, but from their own government as well. Free to express themselves independently. Free to know that they can worship as they see fit. Free to not just survive, but thrive. That dusty archaic document written in lofty language has
must then be ratified by threefourths of the states. Freedom should never be based on political expediency, cultural whims or fads. This document from days gone by should be narrowly construed with a sense of originalism in its application. Courts should use judicial restraint in reviewing constitutional questions with a high degree of scrutiny based on the text of the document itself. Politicians and pundits would do well to recall that upholding the Constitution is the sworn duty of those who hold office. Standards matter. It is good to know that if you want to buy a brand of appliance, or know which TV has the best quality, you can look for the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval. The seal provides protection, reassurance, and confidence, because someone else went before you and put it to the test and it stood up under their scrutiny.
long been the standard that any encroachments on those freedoms are held to.
But the progressive left wants you to believe that the Constitution is a document that is easily manipulated or interpreted by today’s whims, subject to enforcement based on the notions of whomever is in charge. “It was written for a different time!” they argue. “Why should the living be bound by the notions of those who are dead?”
But freedoms are enacted by a process and cannot be voided merely because one
side finds them inconvenient to their agenda. The U.S. Constitution is not like the leisure suits of the ’70s or tail fins on a ’50s automobile that go out of fashion and disappear. The Constitution is about freedom, and Joe Biden of all people knows that the means to amend the Constitution is difficult by design. There have only been 27 amendments in 230 years. Six amendment attempts failed. Generally, a two-thirds majority of Congress must approve an amendment, which
The Constitution is our free society’s seal of approval. If something passes constitutional muster, then we can be more assured that we are protected and able to confidently move forward. It is the standard for measuring freedom.
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.
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Decision, decisions. We have been seriously considering taking the land line out of our home. That’s because about the only incoming calls we get are from some guy reminding us that it’s our last chance to get an extended car warranty. It will also mean giving up the phone number we have had since the Eisenhower administration.
Of course, taking out a land line is something that would have never been discussed 30 years ago. Back then, the thought that a house phone could be replaced by a device that’s portable, wireless, and is owned by everyone north of 9 years old was unthinkable. Nowadays it’s not even uncommon.
My granddaughter can’t imagine that there was a time when a household only had one phone. And when I told her that it had a receiver that was tethered to it’s main body with a cord, she looked at me like I’m speaking Latin. Golly, how did we even survive with a phone like that? I suppose I grew up in the Dark Ages.
Some of you can remember when the phone company finally made an extra long cord available. Every teenager in America wanted to make that day a national holiday. With the extended cord, teens could take the phone in another room, close the door, and get away from meddling parents – unless you were well off and had a second phone. Then you had to be careful about what you said. Of course in a few days, the line would be such a tangled mess that you were forced to stand on a chair, and hold one end of the cord so it could unwind.
Now everyone asks Siri to
make their phone calls. But not long ago, we had to physically dial someone’s number. Yes, I said dial. There was no such thing as push buttons. It was rotary, baby! That actually had some advantages. When I began dating, the rotary phone helped me when I needed to work up the nerve to ask a girl out. After using the phone book to get her phone number, I would struggle over making the call. About a half dozen times, I would start dialing and then hang up. Finally, I would get to the last digit of her phone number – almost. By holding my index finger in the number hole, I stopped the call from going thru until I got the last bit of courage up. Only then would I let go and complete the call. Of course, sometimes I got the dreaded busy signal, which meant I had to repeat the whole process again. Teen angst. I wonder how many girls realize we went thru all that just to ask them out?
Rotary phones also made call-in contests to radio stations very competitive. Once my dialing finger worked it’s magic and I was the 10th caller on our local top 40 station. I think I won 6 – 45 RPM single records. Of course I didn’t have a record player (not a stereo), so I traded them to a buddy for comic books. Ah, the simple pre-teen life that is lost on this generation.
When I was a kid, I actually made a phone call to get the correct time and the temperature. Imagine my surprise when I learned there’s still a number you can call for that. How do I know? I Googled it on my iPhone of course.
Once I knew this service was still available, curiosity got the better of me and I made the call. But before I got the time, I had
to listen to a commercial for Life Alert. That gives you an idea of the people who are calling this number. I’m pretty sure it’s people who still have rotary phones.
When I told my 11 year old granddaughter this story, she was quite confused.
“Granddaddy, why did you have to call somebody just to find out what time it was?”, she asked.
I answered, “Well, honey. That’s easy. It’s because I probably forgot to wind my wristwa——- oh, forget it!”
I wasn’t mentally prepared to go down two rabbit holes in one day.
Other thoughts:
The cell phone ended pay phones and phone booths. Where is Superman changing now?
With cell phones, prank calls are no more. You will never pick up the phone and hear, “Hey, is your refrigerator running?”
“Do you have Prince Albert in a can?”
Gone forever is a voice that says, “This is the operator, may I help you?”
Or, hearing your Dad yell,”Somebody answer that phone and see who it is!”
I must admit writing this piece makes me feel like I’m listening to my Grandfather talk about buying nickel hamburgers during the Great Depression. It’s kind of embarrassing. But one day in the distant future, my kids will be doing the same thing.
They’ll be saying stuff to their grandkids like, “When I was growing up, we played a video game called Pong, cause that’s all we had.”
I’m sure of that. It’s the cycle of life.
Follow me on Facebook at Joe Hobby Comedian – Writer.
Birmingham. I met the old woman for coffee. She was small and slight, with a mane of white. She spoke with a thick Latin accent.
“I have a story for you,” she said. I’m a sucker for a good story. She worked three or four jobs. Sometimes more. She cleaned hotel rooms. She worked as a seamstress. She worked on construction crews. She was a dishwasher at a little restaurant. She was a house painter. The worst job she ever had, however, was working with a plumber. She dug ditches. Literally.
“I was not so very happy digging the ditches.”
No kidding.
Her lowest point came when her ‘83 Toyota gave out. It was the day of her son’s 12th birthday. She had been picking up extra gigs lately so she could afford a birthday present for her boy.
This meant she was working more hours. Which meant she was never home for more than 10 minutes at a time. She got used to sleeping in her car. “It was no so much fun.”
One day, the woman was on her way to a cleaning gig. Her car sputtered and stopped on the side of the highway. It was rush hour. And her car was deader than disco. She sat in her front seat crying. This was in an age before cell phones.
The woman stepped out of her car and looked heavenward. “Don’t do this to me,” she said in Español, as cars whizzed past her by the dozen.
If you’ve ever had an automotive crisis, you know how many highway vehicles pass
you by. Hundreds. Thousands even. Motorists will lock eyes with you from behind windshields, smile curtly, then fly by at 75 mph without even glancing back.
She was about to give up any prospect of help and start walking home when a truck pulled over.
Enter the mysterious stranger.
The driver was male. Bearded. Longish hair. Older. Salt-and-pepper hair. More salt than pepper. His truck rumbled like an earth mover.
“I thought he was Norte Americano, but when he opened his mouth…”
“¿Necesita que se lleve?” he said.
His Spanish was flawless. And his voice was warm. Like her grandfather’s. She almost wept. “Yes, I need a ride! God bless you!”
He loaded her cleaning equipment into his truck. He drove her across town to her home, and when he dropped her off, he helped her unload the equipment. She offered him something to eat for his trouble. He thanked her but declined.
Then he said, “Tell your son I said ‘Happy birthday.’”
“How did you know it was my son’s birthday?”
But the man only winked at her in reply.
She had to hitch a ride with
a friend to her next cleaning gig. And as she was vacuuming that afternoon, she noticed that her vacuum was not functioning properly. Finally, she opened the vacuum compartment where the bag went. She found the source of the problem.
The draw of the machine had been restricted by a roll of cash. Tens, twenties, and hundred-dollar bills.
“There was a thousand dollars in my vacuum,” she said. “I just fell down and I start to cry.” But wait, it gets better.
When she got home later that evening, she was shocked to find her Toyota sitting in her driveway. It was fixed. Nobody knew how the car had been towed home. Nobody in the neighborhood noticed when it got there. She had her brother-inlaw check the car out. He said that, miraculously, there was nothing wrong with the car. Someone had fixed it. When she turned the ignition, the car ran perfectly. It was amazing, the woman says. “People just don’t do this for each other in this country.”
“Wow,” I said at the end of our interview. “That’s a pretty good story. Who do you think that man was?”
She just smiled. Then winked.
By David Rainer Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
What do you do when you need to plant 3,500 oak tree saplings in a hurry? For Alabama State Parks, the solution was to invite the community surrounding Roland Cooper State Park near Camden to lend a hand, actually many hands.
As part of an agreement with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, State Parks was tasked with converting the old golf course at Roland Cooper into a Wounded Warrior/mobility impaired hunting area by establishing mast-producing habitat for wildlife.
“The Corps and I had a discussion, and their plan was to plant 3,500 oak trees that would provide good food for deer, turkeys and other wildlife,” said Tasha Simon, State Parks’ Natural Resource Supervisor. “Loblolly pines had taken over the area and were regenerating themselves. In order to provide quality habitat for the wildlife, the Corps wanted us to plant the oak trees, which will eventually produce a mast crop of acorns for a variety of animals.”
Numerous oak varieties were selected for planting –swamp chestnut, white oak, sawtooth oak and nutall oak. Sawtooth oaks are the quickest to produce acorns at about five years, and they are the first to drop acorns in the fall. White oak acorns are one of the mast crops preferred by deer and drop the nuts a little later in the fall. Swamp chestnuts produce larger acorns and are known to attract deer. Nutall oaks are the last to drop nuts in the fall. The
combination of oaks provides food for wildlife for a longer period after the browse plants have become unpalatable.
With that many trees to be planted, State Parks asked for volunteers in the Camden area. Simon contacted Pam Swanner at Alabama Black Belt Adventures to get the word out and was a guest on the “Gettin’ Outdoors with Big Daddy Lawler” podcast. Simon worked with Dylan Taylor at the Wilcox County Extension Office to produce and distribute a flyer about the project on social media.
“We had to prep the area. It was a lot of work,” Simon said. “We bushhogged the area to get it prepped. We got assistance from all the Parks from the South and Gulf Coast districts.
“We wanted to get the community involved to help State Parks staff. Some of the volunteers came from the Central Wilcox High School. Their ag teacher, Donald Carter, came out. On March 5, we had volunteers from 10 years old to adults. The Bama Kids organization also came out to help us plant trees that morning. Alabama Black Belt Adventures and the Camden Chamber of Commerce sponsored our lunch, and the Chamber president (Shelia Dortch) came out. State Parks Director Greg Lein was there as well as Deputy Director Matthew Capps, Lamar Pendergrass (South Region Operations Supervisor) and O’Dell Banks (District Superintendent). They also brought their families.”
The planting area was divided into zones, and the 36inch saplings were distributed to get ready for the planting with a dibble, a tree-planting
implement. Kelly Reetz, the naturalist at Gulf State Park, instructed volunteers on how to use the dibble.
“We got started about 8 in the morning with sign-in and wrapped up about 1:30 or so,” Simon said. “That’s a lot of trees. We planted five of the six zones that day. We had some of the maintenance crew from Gulf State Park come back in and plant the other zone.
“The big takeaway was getting those youngsters out there. A lot of them had never been to Roland Cooper much less learned how to plant trees. They were very excited to be a part of a project like that. They just wanted to participate. Kelly Reetz explained why we were planting those trees. They had a good time.”
Director Lein said he appreciates the chance to work with partners on projects that will improve the wildlife habitat and provide additional recreational activities.
“We were excited about the opportunity to partner with the Corps of Engineers to enhance the habitat for the Wounded Warrior project, where we are trying to make the area more suitable for special hunting activities,” Lein said. “The repurposing of the old golf course was a great team-building day for managers from the whole region to come together to help
with the manpower and get the trees planted. We were all happy to lend our labor to help Tasha with this project.
“We also got help from the Cooperative Extension System, the Camden Chamber of Commerce and Alabama Black Belt Adventures. We just felt like we could team up on this and knock it out. It was neat.”
Roland Cooper State Park, located on the Alabama River’s Dannelly Reservoir (better known as Millers Ferry), boasts access to some of the best freshwater fishing in the state with anglers catching largemouth bass, crappie, catfish and several species of bream.
In 2021, a T-shaped pier was constructed that is 160 feet long and 128 feet wide that significantly expanded the dock area for anglers and recreational boaters. It is also the park’s first handicap-accessible dock. The Bridgeport Landing, next to
the park, was renovated in 2021 with new boat ramps and parking.
For those who plan an overnight trip to Roland Cooper, the park has five two-bedroom cabins as well as six “tiny house” cabins. The park has 47 improved camping sites and 13 sites for primitive camping. Visit https://alapark.com/parks/roland-cooperstate-park for more information about Roland Cooper.
Other than the tree-planting project, Simon’s section is tasked with managing the State Parks’ forest programs, wildlife programs and fisheries program throughout the 50,000 acres in the Alabama State Parks System.
“One of the major projects we’ve been working on is at Frank Jackson State Park (near Opp),” she said. “It is a longleaf pine reforestation project. We have clearcut a portion of the park for timber sales. With the proceeds from the timber sale, we will reforest that area in the longleaf pine that is historically in that area. We have about 180 acres. We’re doing the work in a couple of waves. The first wave will be finished in May. We plan to have those longleafs replanted in the whole area by winter.
“A major portion of my job is prescribed fire. We’re working on plans for habitat and forest management at Gulf State Park, Frank Jackson, Lakepoint, Wind Creek and Oak Mountain. Last year, we stocked catfish at Frank Jackson. We’re doing lake management at Oak Mountain, and we installed fish attractors at Lake Lurleen. There’s a lot going on to enhance habitat and wildlife at Alabama State Parks.”
Children’s Storytime
Thursday, April 13: 10:30am - 11:30am
Trussville - LBK Auditorium
Character Party, celebrating children’s beloved characters. Join us on Friday, April 14th from 4 PM to 5:30 PM to celebrate The Crayons (from The Day the Crayons Quit & more) by Drew Daywalt & Oliver Jeffers! There will be great fun, snacks, games, crafts, & other activities as well as a chance to meet/ take photos with one of the crayons!
Ferus Presents: The Dirty Doors: a Tribute to The Doors April 15 @ 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Join Ms. Alicia for stories, songs, bubble time, and lots of fun! The event will be held in the library auditorium every Thursday at 10:30 a.m.
Yarn Manglers (Knit & Crochet Group)
Thursday, April 13: 2:00pm - 4:00pm Trussville - Cahaba Room
(Adults)
Get everything you need to make a spring flower pot out of pipe cleaners, just in time for spring. Our Spring Flowers Take-Home Kit will be ready for pickup from Monday, April 17th at 10 AM until Saturday, April 22nd. This craft is only intended for adults. Supplies are limited, so kits are available on a first come, first serve basis.
Chess Club
Monday, April 17: 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Trussville - LBK Auditorium
866-475-1014 (M-F 8am6pm ET).
HEALTH/BEAUTY ATTENTION OXYGEN THERAPY USERS! Inogen One G4 is capable of full 24/7 oxygen delivery. Only 2.8 pounds. FREE information kit. Call 844-3229935.
Trussville Entertainment District, 101 Beech Street Trussville, AL 35173 United States
Knit & crochet meetup group (aka The Yarn Manglers).
Bring any projects you are working on; join us for fellowship and creativity. This is a great way to check in, catch up, see what everyone is working on, and get help if you are stuck. Please join us - newcomers are welcome!
Join our Facebook group:
YARN MANGLERS ANONYMOUS
Storytime for Growin’
Beans with Ms. Allison: Boats
April 14 @ 10:00 am - 11:00 am
Pinson Public Library (RSMC), 4509 Pinson Boulevard Pinson, AL 35126 United States
The Dirty Doors: A Tribute celebrates the energy, excitement, and passion of the timeless music of Jim Morrison and The Doors like no other tribute band.
Based in Atlanta, The Dirty Doors faithfully recreates the magic of a Doors concert in sound and stage presence with all the classic hits like “Light My Fire,” “Riders On The Storm,” “Hello, I Love You,” and “L.A. Woman” for audiences everywhere.
So You Wanna Learn to Cook Series - with Jennifer Conn of Quality Kitchen Sunday, April 16: 1:30pm - 2:30pm Trussville - LBK Auditorium
AGE GROUP: ADULT (AGES 18+)
EVENT TYPE: CLASS, ADULT PROGRAM
Learn the basics, cool tricks, strategy, opening, and tactics in chess from a professional chess teacher from ChessKidsNation.
Learn the basics, cool tricks, strategy, opening, and tactics in chess from a professional chess teacher. All supplies provided. Parents are welcome to join the fun!
K - 8th Grade Students. Registration Encouraged. Parents are welcome to participate with their child.
Eclipses and Astrologywith Mandi Rae of Ecstatic Astrology
Tuesday, April 18: 6:30pm - 7:30pm Trussville - Parkway Room
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(All ages)
Join us for Storytime for Growin’ Beans with Ms. Allison on Friday, April 17th at 10 AM. Our theme is boats. We’ll read books, have fun, do a craft, & have a snack. Storytime is designed for pre-K children, but all ages are welcome.
The Day the Crayons Came to the Library April 14 @ 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm
Pinson Public Library (RSMC), 4509 Pinson Boulevard Pinson, AL 35126 United States
(All ages)
We are back with our next
Healthy cooking tips
A 5 part series - Jennifer will teach you some awesome quality hacks for cooking to reduce inflammation, improve digestion, and eat for energy. She will share the best foods to “break” a fast & more!
Space is limited, so registration is required. Series dates: Feb 19, Apr 16, Jun 11, Aug 20, Oct 8
Spring Flowers Take-Home Kit April 17 @ 10:00 amApril 22 @ 4:00 pm
Pinson Public Library (RSMC), 4509 Pinson Boulevard Pinson, AL 35126 United States
Learn how Eclipses are important astrologically in this talk from Mandi Rae of Ecstatic Astrology. Eclipses mark significant turning points and can trigger major life events and changes. Eclipses occur when the Sun, Moon, and Earth align in a specific way, causing the shadow of one celestial body to fall on another. In astrology, the Sun and Moon are potent symbols that represent the conscious and unconscious parts of the self, respectively. So, when they align during an eclipse, it’s believed to amplify the energy of the zodiac sign in which the eclipse occurs. There are four eclipses coming up in 2023. Two of them are lunar eclipses, and two of them are solar eclipses. There will be a partial solar eclipse on April 19.
Mandi Rae has been studying Astrology since 2012, and has been practicing her own blend of Evolutionary and Traditional techniques since 2017. Astrology has provided answers at a time of deep grief and confusion in her life, inspiring her to help others who look for answers and need guidance.
• Physical, Occupational, and Speech Therapy.
• Secured facility, which means your love one is safe.
• Activity Programs to keep your loved one active. We
october 18, 1940 — march 31, 2023
Hugh McClendon, age 82, of Birmingham, passed away on March 31, 2023.
Hugh was retired from Jefferson County as a Senior Probation Officer and Court Magistrate. He was a member of St. Mark’s the Evangelist Catholic Church. Hugh was born in Birmingham, Alabama in 1940, and graduated from Woodlawn High School. He earned a Bachelors Degree in Sociology, and also obtained two Masters Degrees from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He also served in the U.S. Army Reserves.
Visitation will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 5th at the Chapel at St. Mark’s Catholic Church, with the funeral mass to follow at 2:00 p.m. also at St. Mark’s.
He was preceded in death by his parents Hugh Morrow and Susie Ross McClendon, as well as brother Jim McClendon.
Hugh is survived by his wife of 59 years Linda McClendon, daughter Sallie McClendon Brand (Jack), sisters Mary Jo McClendon Hand (Bob), Suzanne McClendon Taylor (Joe), granddaughters Lila Brand Mandel (Austin), Reed Brand, and Walter-Ann Brand. Hugh greatly loved his family and The Alabama Crimson Tide.
We love you “Poppy,” and can’t wait to see you again! Memorials may be made to St. Mark’s Catholic Church or ProHealth Hospice Birmingham.
march 30, 1938 — march 31, 2023
Robbie Sue Barnett Palmer of Shelby Shores, age 85, born March 30th 1938, died peacefully in her sleep on the eve of March 31, 2023. Robbie Sue was originally from Talladega, Alabama, a graduate of Winterboro high school. Funeral arrangements have been made at Jefferson Memorial in Trussville located at 1591 Gadsden Highway, Birmingham, Ala 352023. Visitation will be from 9:00 am to 10:00 am and graveside service will be held from 10:00 am to 10:30am.
Robbie Sue was a strong fiery, feisty, woman with a great sense of humor. She grew up with 3 older sisters and a younger brother. After graduating high school, she convinced one of her older sisters to move to Birmingham with her. Robbie Sue started working at the Industries for the Blind. She understood disabilities and challenges, she had contracted polio at 15 months.
Robbie Sue continued to thrive in Birmingham and while her sister returned home, she found another roommate and a different job at Hayes Aircraft, where she met Robert Grayson Palmer, her husband of 64 years as of last July.
Robbie Sue was a homemaker for many years and then later ventured outside the home to work after her children were older. She worked many different jobs but then found several that would shape her as an advocate for children and senior citizens. She worked as a child care teacher, an intake worker in two different overnight facilities that rescued children from abusive homes. She later worked as a teacher in Head Start in Columbiana, and much later, a field representative for the Black Lung Association in Shelby county, driving all over, to locate and inform miners of benefits and resources to assist them with a diagnosis of black lung. Many years later she was manager for at the original location of the Columbiana Senior Citizens Program on the Aging, advocating for a new building and eventually getting to see that vision come true.
Robbie Sue Barnett Palmer is preceded in death by parents: Harvey Lee Barnett and Cora Lee Kelly Barnett, two of three sisters- Agnes Barnett and Alice Barnett Houghston, and one brother, Jimmy Barnett. She leaves behind her husband of 64 years, Robert Grayson Palmer, daughter Lea Roxanne Palmer Jones, son, Robert Taft Palmer and one sister, Louise Barnett Sewell.
july 19, 1963 — april 4, 2023
Suzan Kiser, 59, beloved Wife, Daughter, Mother, and Grandmother, was called to her eternal resting place on April 4, 2023. She entered this world on July 19, 1963 in Birmingham, AL, born to Linda Houser. She is survived by her husband Michael Kiser; mother Linda Houser; son Joel Kiser; daughter Sam Kiser; grandsons Ryan Kiser and Riley Kiser-Kilgore. A memorial service will be held on 15 April 2023 at 2pm at Jefferson Memorial Funeral Home and Gardens.
april 16, 1938 — april 2, 2023
Herbert Leon McBride Jr. of Trussville passed away peacefully on April 2, 2023, after a battle with Alzheimers, surrounded by his family.
Herb was born in Helena, Alabama on April 16,1938. He grew up in Birmingham and was a graduate of Woodlawn High School. While there, Herb played for both championship football and baseball teams. Throughout his lifetime, his love for Woodlawn continued with longtime friends devoted to giving scholarships through The Kenny Morgan Scholarship Foundation, where he served on the board.
Herb attended Auburn University and Howard College. In 1960, he married the love of his life of 62 years, Anita Harper McBride. He was a member of the 117th National Guard Unit where he served in France during the Berlin Crisis.
Herb dedicated his life to serving others through the Herb McBride Insurance Agency where he retired in 2003. He served on many boards and organizations in Jefferson County, including The Birmingham Jefferson Civic Center where he helped lay the groundwork of the new stadium that is there today. He was a member at Crosspoint Baptist Church in Trussville, Alabama.
Herb was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He adored his family and loved celebrating their accomplishments. Herb and Anita were blessed with three children: Debbie McBride Gossett (Tom), Ronnie McBride (Koni) and Donnie McBride (Cori). He was the Papa to Matthew Gossett, Lacey Gossett Gurley (Will), Madalyn McBride Lyle (Kameron), Malorie McBride, Jaxon Waldrop and Presley McBride. He is preceded in death by his parents, Herbert Leon McBride Sr. and Pauline South McBride. He is survived by his sister, Patricia McBride Fallows of Tucson, Arizona. Never meeting a stranger, Herb loved and valued the many friendships that he made throughout his life. He longed to be around people, invested in them and was so curious about the lives of others. When you were around Herb, he made you feel like the most important person in the room. He was very generous and loved by so many. While he will be missed, the impact he made on the lives of others will forever live on.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made to the Alzheimer's Association.
A private graveside will be held at Jefferson Memorial Gardens East in Trussville, AL.
october 8, 1943 — april 4, 2023
Margaret Alice Hay Ross was born on October 8, 1943 in Tampa, Florida to Robert Welborn Hay and Jessie Mae O'Barr. Margaret was raised and attended school in Leeds, Alabama. Margaret studied to become a laboratory technician and worked as such for The Red Cross, Dr. Clark Gravlee and Dr. Joe Bancroft. She loved dancing, decorating, growing flowers, especially orchids and her dogs. But more than anything she loved her family and friends. In 1985 she married Chuck Ross and they had a wonderful life together. She is survived by her husband of 38 years, Chuck Ross and her son, Robert Watson. She is preceded in death by her mother and father, Robert Welborn and Jessie Mae Hay.
Margaret fought a long and difficult battle with both Crohns Disease and COPD. In lieu of flowers, you may make a donation to Crohns and Colitis Foundation or COPD Foundation.
Margaret's service will be family and close friends at the grave site.
The family would like to sincerely thank Compassus Hospice and Dr. Brian Flanagan with Eastern Pulmonary.
september 11, 1945 — april 3, 2023
Linda Nell Nix was born on September 11, 1945 and passed away on April 3, 2023. Ms. Nix was a member of Palmerdale Cross Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jimmie Nix and her daughter, Stephanie Suzanne Nix. She is survived by her loving son, Brian Nix. The funeral service for Ms. Nix will be held at 10AM on Tuesday, April 11, 2023 at Jefferson Memorial Funeral Home Chapel with Visitation held one hour prior. Pastor Jeff Oates with Palmerdale Cross Baptist Church will preside over the service.
april 22, 1945 — march 31, 2023
There’s nothing more heartbreaking than when a young child loses a parent. It can be an incredibly challenging circumstance for the surviving parent, who must help their child navigate grief while also going through their season of mourning.
Many parents believe their primary role is to protect their children from intense sadness and to project an image of strength; as such, they try to keep their grief private. It can be healthy for your child to see you shed tears or mourn in some other way. It helps them understand that what they are going through is normal and that it’s okay for them to express their sadness in whatever way is natural.
Something else that some parents do is try to avoid the topic of grief, leaving it as the unmentioned elephant in the room. Again, this inclination comes from a good place but may be counterproductive. The effect can be isolating if your child feels like they cannot talk about death or grief. Always be ready to ask questions and have conversations, but let the child set the tone; if they’re not yet ready to talk, there’s no need to force it.
More than anything, you must listen and reassure your child that you love them and will care for them. Help your child see that there are still things to feel joyful about, even in grief.
205-322-0543
1591 Gadsden Hwy Birmingham, AL 35235
Jane Sandford Poole was born April 22, 1945 in Birmingham, Alabama to Jewell Stewart Harwell and Thomas Edward Harwell. She passed peacefully from this earth surrounded by family and friends on March 31, 2023. She was preceded in death by her mother, Jewell Harwell, father, Thomas Harwell, precious husband Elbert Poole and beloved son Randall Dane Sandford. Mrs. Poole graduated from Phillips High School in January 1963 and went to work for Southern Bell. She retired after a long and successful career in 1995. After her retirement, she took a job in the medical field for the next 12 years . One of her greatest joys was her grandchildren. You could always count on seeing her at any sporting event or school function. She married Elbert Poole in 2007. They enjoyed 11 happy years together. She was a member of Cathedral of the Cross (Huffman Assembly) for 37 years and was a devoted Hostess for over 20 years, also serving as head hostess for many of those years. After this time she and her devoted husband Elbert joined Gardendale First Baptist for 9 years to be nearer to their home. Most recently she was an active of The Healing Place in Trussville.
Survivors include sister Montez O’Neal, daughter in law, Cindy Sandford, grandsons Austin and Andrew Sandford and Brandon and Sterling Scott, stepdaughter Rona (Wade) Scott, great grandkids Kavan, Kaleb, Aiden, Lucas, Blakely and a host of cherished nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Please join us for a special time of celebrating the life of Jane Poole with her family and friends. Visitation will be on Monday, April 10, 2023 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM with services immediately following at The Healing Place Church in Trussville. Reverend Anthony Bellew officiating Flowers or Donations to Youth Missions at Cross Point Church, 8000 Liles Lane, Trussville, AL 35173.
august 6, 1938 — march 31, 2023
Gene Gary Strickland, age 84, of Gardendale, AL passed away on March 31, 2023. Gene was born August 6, 1938 to Clarence and Mertice Strickland. He was a native of Brilliant, AL and graduated from Brilliant High School.
Gene was firefighter for the city of Birmingham, AL for 27 years before retiring.
He was a member of North Gardendale Church of Christ.
Gene is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Bertha Strickland; his daughters, Gina West (Charles) and Rhonda Brown; grandchildren, Garrett West, Gary Brown and Chris Brown.
The funeral for Gene will be held on Friday, April 7th at 10:00 a.m. at Jefferson Memorial Funeral Home Chapel with visitation for friends and family held one hour prior to the service. A private committal will be held for family only following the chapel service.
may 12, 1933 — march 31, 2023
Willodean Wilson Payne of Hoover and formerly Forestdale passed away on March 31 at the age of 89. She recently shared that she had a good life, was tired and ready to go.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Clayton (C.L.) Payne, and sister, Shirley Patton. She is survived by her daughter, Donna Lynn Hamrick (David). She was a loving care giver to my Grandmother and later my Dad. She retired from Durr Surgical Supply in 1990 after 30 years of service and made many lifelong friends.
She had many friends and was a well- loved in the community. There are so many wonderful neighbors: Pat, Joy, Nina, Sri, Jsri and our second family, the Plummers. Mother and Dad had the opportunity to travel upon retirement, many times with our dear friend, Elise. Dana, Dr. Ernst and Merry Gordon were special friends from the Sr. Center. She always felt her best when leaving Steve from The Look and loved him so.
By John Goolsby
For
Tribune
theBIRMINGHAM – Pato
O’Ward, the NTT IndyCar points leader, was in Birmingham Monday. The 2021 Barber winner, coming off a second-place finish at Texas Motor Speedway, spent the day visiting with patients at Children’s Hospital. Children’s of Alabama replaces Honda as the title sponsor of the IndyCar race this year.
O’Ward spent the day inside the hospital listening to patient stories, answering questions about racing, playing bingo, and painting wooden race cars. “It was great to spend time with the kids and have the opportunity to give back.”
O’Ward is looking forward to returning to Birmingham later this month and has high praise for Barber. “I love that place,” he said. “It really is my favorite track.” The 23-year-old Mexican has had success at Barber in the past. He had two wins in the Star Mazda series and two wins in Indy Lights before winning in an IndyCar last year.
“As a driver, the commitment that Barber requires is really high,” the 2018 Indy Lights Champion said. “The car requires a lot of commitment to get it where it needs to be to get the most out of it.”
O’Ward says the entire track is challenging, but the
last section of the track, turns 11 through 13, are the most difficult. “It is insane,” he said. “It is flat out downhill, then down a gear, and then flat uphill,” O’Ward said. “You don’t see the apex of the corner, you have to time it with the boards on the outside, and you don’t get it identical every single time.”
“I have always loved very high-commitment tracks,” he said. “I feel that’s why I am
very strong on superspeedways and ovals.” O’Ward’s commitment was on full display Sunday at Texas. He made 93 passes during the race, the most in IndyCar since 2016, and was battling Josef Newgarden for the lead when a caution flag came out with two laps to go in the race.
O’Ward, in his fourth year with Arrow McLaren, is feeling good about his team and
the addition of 2016 Indy 500 winner Alexander Rossi. “He has been great to work with,” said the 2020 Indy 500 Rookie of the Year. “The team has embraced him, and he has embraced the atmosphere.”
O’Ward says the culture at Arrow McLaren is what makes the team special. “We share everything; strategy and data,” he said. “We don’t section off.” That sharing and openness has seen the team have great qualifying results early on this season.
Felix Rosenqvist, Rossi, and O’Ward qualified in the top5 on the 1.5-mile Texas oval this past weekend. While O’Ward is extremely happy to be racing in IndyCar, he has always had his eye on Formula One. O’Ward would most likely be racing in Formula One this year if not for a rule change by the FIA , the governing body of international racing, regarding his “super license.” That controversial decision left him six points shy of the total needed to obtain the license for Formula One. “Right now, there is no point in focusing on that because I want to win an IndyCar championship,” he said.
Later this year O’Ward will get testing time behind the wheel of a McLaren Formula One car. He tested previously for McLaren in 2021 and 2022. Arrow McLaren is the U.S.-based team of the
storied McLaren racing team in Formula One. O’Ward says that his relationship with American Zac Brown, CEO of McLaren Racing, gives him a “path to Formula One and is an ongoing project that will continue.”
O’Ward is looking to increase his points lead as the series heads to the historic
Long Beach Grand Prix April 16. The series then makes it’s way to Barber, April 28-30, before spending the Month of May at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Tickets for the Children’s of Alabama Grand Prix can be purchased at indyalabama. com or by calling 877-3327804.
BIRMINGHAM
MOODY – The Moody
Blue Devils took the momentum from back to back wins at Hoover last week and used it to put together two wins over the Ramsay Rams on Tuesday and Wednesday to punch their ticket to the 2023 Alabama State Playoffs.
It all got started on Tuesday as the Blue Devils got the 11-1 win over Ramsay. The Rams struck the first blow, getting the 1-0 lead after the opening inning. Moody would answer in the second and tie the game at 1 apiece before two scoreless innings.
In the fifth inning, the Moody bats would get really hot, scoring 3 runs followed by 4 in the sixth and 3 more in the seventh, all while Bryant Hardin pitched lights out and the Blue Devils allowed no more runs the rest of the game and sealed the 11-1 victory. Hardin allowed just 1 run on 1 hit in the complete game while striking out 13 Ramsay batters in the process. Payton Isbell and Chase Marshall led from the plate driving in 2 RBI each but it was a team
effort as 6 others would get a single RBI in the winning effort.
Blue Devil coach Eamonn Kelly said, “Tough start, to be honest. Their pitcher threw really well. We had to kind of wait him out. It took us a few innings to get rolling. I can’t say enough about freshman Bryant Hardin. He pitched well giving up 1 hit in 7 innings. Their team made routine plays and kept it close. I’m glad we were able to pull it out in the end.”
Originally scheduled for Thursday, the second game of the series was moved to Wednesday night due to weather, but that seemed to have no affect on the Blue Devils as they got the playoff-clinching win over the Rams 13-3. Moody jumped out to a 3-1 lead after one inning and then put 2 runs on the board in both of the next two innings, building a 7-1 lead heading into the fourth. The fourth inning would be scoreless by both teams but the Moody bats were not finished. In the fifth, Ramsay attempted a comeback
– On Friday night, the red-hot Leeds Green Wave took a 6-game winning streak (11 of their last 14) to John Carroll Catholic High School and, if any team was going to look past an opponent, Leeds had that opportunity. But Coach Jake Wingo and his staff had the boys focused and they took care of business against the Cavaliers in an 8-1 thrashing.
Leeds went up 1-0 in the top of the first inning when A Bradford grounded out to third base, bringing in Ty Bedell for the first score of the game as the defense held John Carroll scoreless. The second inning would be much of the
same as Leeds put up 2 runs on an Andrew Howard pop fly that got Will Landers across the plate and a Bedell walk with the bases loaded later in the inning. The Cavaliers did not score.
Heading into the third inning with a 3-0 lead, both teams would go scoreless for the next two innings. In the fifth, Leeds would tack on 2 more runs to make it 5-0. Bedell would score on a based ball and Conner Nelson would double to drive in Bradford.
John Carroll would win the sixth inning, getting their first run of the game, but that would be it for the home team. Leeds would get 3 more runs across the plate in the seventh inning to make it 8-1 and that
would be the final.
Bedell would have 2 runs on 2 at-bats while Bradford would match his 2 runs on 3 at-bats. Dax Phillips started on the mound and allowed no hits, no runs and struck out
3 batters in 2 innings. Jarod Latta came in for the next two innings and allowed no hits nor runs and sat 4 batters. Nolan Moore got the fifth and
SPRINGVILLE – The Tigers struggled over spring break, dropping 4 games in a row, which is very uncharacteristic of this team. However, they recovered when it counted most, beating area rival Saint Clair County in 3 consecutive games on Tuesday and Wednesday. “At 3-1 in area play, we control our destiny for the opportunity to host the first round,” said Springville coach Jonathan Ford.
The Tigers opened the week on Tuesday evening against the Saints. Both teams started slow as neither one put anything on the board until the third inning where
Springville scored 1. The fourth would be scoreless and then it got interesting. The Saints outscored Springville 2-1 in the inning, knotting
the game at 2 each. Saint Clair, looking for the comeback win, got 2 runs across the plate in the sixth, scoring 2 runs and taking a 4-2
lead into the seventh inning as Springville was unable to score in the inning. In the seventh, Springville would put up 4 runs to make it 6-4 and Saint Clair would be scoreless, sealing the win for the Tigers. Brady Gillespie got the win, pitching 6 innings and allowing 4 runs on 7 hits and 4 strikeouts. Zach Brown came in to finish things off in the seventh, allowing no runs or hits. Brown also led from the plate, driving in 2 RBI on 2 hits and getting across the plate himself. Grant Martinez also looked good from the plate, scoring all 3 times he came to the plate.
“A really huge win tonight! Anytime you are able
By John Goolsby
For the Tribune
IRONDALE – Shades Valley’s Reah Degraffenried competed at the Mobile Challenge of Champions Invite this past Saturday. Degraffenried, the 2023 6A State Indoor 60 Meter Hurdle Champion, competed against top hurdlers from Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, Florida, and Georgia. “This past weekend was exciting,” said the Valley senior. “I got to compete against state champs from surrounding states.”
Degraffenried ran a personal best of 42.89 on her way to winning the 300 Meter Hurdles. Her winning time is currently the fastest time in Alabama and the 17th fastest
See SHADES VALLEY, Page 16
For the Tribune
IRONDALE – With victories over Fultondale and ClayChalkville, the Shades Valley Lady Mounties went 3-0 this week to improve their record to 10-9. The Lady Mounties outscored their competition 48-9 and have now won seven of their last nine games.
Valley played a doubleheader against Fultondale Tuesday. The Lady Mounties came away with 15-0 and
14-0 wins. The Lady Mounties stole 39 bases in the two games against the Wildcats. Bethany Moran was the winning pitcher in the first game. The senior gave up two hits and had five strikeouts. Jenna
Paxton picked up the win in the second game. The sophomore also gave up two hits and struck out four.
Valley defeated ClayChalkville Wednesday night, 19-9. “Clay has a great team,
MOODY
– A rested and ready Moody Blue Devis softball squad came into the week after 12 days off and dominated two of their biggest rivals on Tuesday and Wednesday in wins over Saint Clair County (12-2) and Leeds (11-1) to bring their current winning streak to 4 straight.
On Tuesday, the Blue Devils welcomed the Saints to Moody to be their first post-spring break victim on the softball diamond. Moody scored early and often in this one, jumping out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning while holding the Saints scoreless. The second would see no runs from either team, but Moody would outscore Saint Clair County 3-0 again in the third.
The Saints got on the board in the fourth with 1 run, but Moody would answer in the bottom of the inning with 2 runs of their own to make it 8-1, all Blue Devils. In the fifth inning, Moody would get 4 more on the board and Saint Clair would manage just one more and the game would end at 12-2, all Moody. Ryleigh Hodges pitched 4 of the 5 innings, allowing just 1 run on 4 hits and striking out 2 batters in the process before Hannah Rutledge took over the mound to finish the game out by allowing just 1 run in an inning. At the plate, Zoey Terry absolutely smashed the ball, hitting it all 4 times she stepped up, scoring each time herself and getting 5 RBI in the process. Libby Higgins, Alex Harvard and Lacey Nichols all had 2 RBI each as well. In the second game in as many days, Moody loaded up
the bus and headed down 411 to Leeds to take on the rival Green Wave. Carrying over the momentum from the previous day, the Blue Devils got hot early in the game and did not slow down. Moody went up 2-0 in the first and then put up 5 runs in the second, still holding Leeds scoreless. In the third, Moody would score 3 runs to make it now 10-0 before allowing Leeds to score a run in the fourth inning. Moody would score one of their own and both teams would be scoreless in the fifth. The game would end with an 11-1 victory for the red-hot Blue Devils of
Moody. In the game against Leeds, B Turley would get the win, pitching 3 innings and giving up just 1 hit. Hannah Rutledge would take over for Turley in the fourth, going 2 innings and allowing 1 run on 2 hits and striking out
1. Kendall Trimm channeled her inner Zoey Terry, hitting the ball all 3 trips to the plate, scoring each time and putting up 3 RBI to go with Harvard’s 4 RBI.
“I am extremely proud of my team,” said Moody coach Becky Seymour. “It’s always a challenge to regroup after
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in the top by scoring 2 runs, but Moody answered with 4 of their own, taking an 11-3 lead into the sixth. Moody would tack on 2 more runs in the sixth to end the game at 13-3 and get the Blue Devils to the playoffs. Isbell pitched 5 of the 6 innings, allowing 3 runs on 5 hits, striking out 9 batters. Brady Dodd came
in to finish the game in the sixth, allowing not hits and no runs and striking out one. At the plate, Isbell and Marshall once again had 2 RBI each.
“Winning game 2 punched our ticket to the playoffs,” said Coach Kelly. “We just keep focusing on ourselves and some of the goals we have set. Most of those goals are in game goals. Making routine plays, sticking to our offen-
sive plan and pitching it well. Ramsay is being coached well. Those kids are in good hands. They are playing good ball. I am glad we were able to do the little things right and set up a big area matchup with a good Leeds team.”
From page 15
the 100 Meter Hurdles to go along with her runner-up finish in the 300 Meter Hurdles.
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job throwing strikes. I was proud of the way our guys played and competed. It was a good win over a good team.”
Leeds finds itself sitting at 17-11 with a 7-game winning streak heading into a monster matchup on Tuesday night against a 15-10 Moody team that have won 4 straight themselves. To say it is a big one is an understatement, as the one who wins it will be in the driver’s seat in the area.
Coach Wingo said, “Moody’s got a great team. They’re well coached. They are playing really good base-
From page 14
to come back in the last inning, it is special,” said Coach Ford. “But when it is in area play, that makes it even more so. I was super proud of these guys tonight for finding a way to get this win.”
Due to potential weather, Thursday night doubleheader against Saint Clair County was moved to Wednesday evening. The opponent would be the same and so would the results, as Springville took both games against the Saints.
The first game was a close one as both teams went scoreless in the first 4 innings. In the fifth, Saint Clair got first blood with a run in the top of the inning; however, the Tigers would be able to answer in the bottom to tie it
up heading into the sixth. Springville would be able to hold the Saints to no runs in the top of the inning and the bats started coming alive with the Tigers putting up 2 in the sixth. Saint Clair could not answer and the game ended 3-1 Tigers. Kade Wills got the win for the Tigers, allowing just 1 run on 6 hits and 3 strikeouts.
The second game was not so close as Springville’s bats continued to heat up and the pitching remained brilliant in the 8-0 win over the Saints. After a scoreless first, Springville put a run on the board in the second. Then, they began pouring it on by scoring 3 each in the third and fourth innings and adding another in the fifth to blank the Saints 8-0. Carter Samuelson got the win, going 6 innings
ball right now. They’ve beat some bigger schools. We’ve got our work cut out for us. It’s going to be a really fun series to play against a good team that’s close by. We are looking forward to it. It’s going to be a lot of fun.”
Moody Coach Eamonn Kelly shared his thoughts on the upcoming game as well. “Big matchup against a good Leeds team. This is what we play for. A chance to win the area and host a first-round playoff game. We just need to play our game and continue to do the little things right.”
Moody, now riding a 4-game winning streak, will take on a Leeds team that is riding a winning streak of their own at 6 games straight on Tuesday at Moody. sixth innings, allowing a run on 2 hits and got a strikeout and Will Ford finished things up in the seventh striking out 2 and allowing not runs nor hits. “We played a complete game,” said Coach Wingo. “The guys competed well. For the most part, we were able to execute offensively and hit with runners in scoring position. Our pitchers did well. We pitched 4 different guys and they all did a good
and allowing no runs on 4 hits and striking out 7.
Alex Holland came in to finish things off in the seventh, allowing no runs or hits and striking out all 3 batters. It was a group effort from the plate as 7 different players scored in the game and 4 had RBI.
“So proud of the way the guys are finding ways to win,” said Coach Ford. “We were not ablet to find big hits in this game when we needed, but we were able to capitalize on some mistakes. Sophomore Kade Willis kept them off balance scattering 6 hits in game 1. In game 2, sophomore Carter Samuelson got stronger as the game went on.”
Springville improves to 14-12 and will welcome Boaz on Saturday.
time in the nation. Degraffenried finished second in the 100 Meter Hurdles with a personal best of 14.82, the fourth fastest time in the state and 2nd fastest in 6A. “Reah has worked so hard over the past few year,” said Coach Gary Ferguson. “She came up a little short the past few years and finished second in the state as a junior.”
At the 2022 AHSAA 6A State Championship Degraffenried finished 5th in the 100 Meter Dash, 4th in the 200 Meter Dash, and 4th in
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and I’m proud of my girls for working together to get the win,” said Shades Valley head coach Jo Amy Rollo.
The Lady Cougars came out on fire. Kaidyn Williams drove in two runs with a triple. LaDonna Scott’s homer gave Clay a 5-1 lead.
The Lady Mounties exploded for eight runs in the second. A single by Carleigh Blackwell scored Kyla Franklin to start the scoring barrage. Kharly DeLaine and Brookelyn Cossey scored on an error to pull Valley within one run.
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a break. We didn’t play over spring break because the girls needed a break after a tough start to our season. Going into spring break, we had played 24 games so their bodies and minds were tired. I believe, for most instances, it’s a good thing to step away from the game so you can let your mind refocus and your body recharge. We knew we would get this break so I loaded our schedule in February and March.”
“We are looking to do big things this year at State,” Ferguson said. “As one of the top hurdlers and sprinters in the state, she is looking forward to trying to become a multiple state champion.”
Degraffenried also recently ran a personal best of 25.01 in the 200 Meter Dash. Her 200 time is the 5th fastest in the state and 3rd fastest in 6A.
Degraffenried is not only a standout on the track but also in the classroom. She holds a 4.1 GPA and has re-
Blackwell then stole home to tie the game. Mayah Tarver’s single scored Jenna Paxton to give Valley a 6-5 lead. Haylee Knight and Alyssa Butts scored on an error to push the Shades Valley lead to 8-5. Tarver then scored on a walk to close out the scoring. Valley held a 9-5 lead as the teams headed to the bottom of the inning.
The Lady Cougars battled back and cut the lead to 9-8 on a Williams’ inside-thepark homer that scored Jerica Tyree and Skylar Swain.
The Lady Mounties weren’t done scoring. Valley pushed the lead to 18-8.
It paid off for the Lady Blue devils. Coach Seymour continued, “The girls came back with a strong focus and determination to win and it was evident from the first ball that was hit in practice. I was nervous for the first game on Tuesday because Saint Clair is a rival and an area game and the girls hadn’t played in 12 days. They came out strong and did their job. Then, against Leeds yesterday, they set the tone of the game in the first inning on offense and never let up. Defense for both games, including pitch-
ceived $500,000 in scholarship offers. “I intend to major in Business Administration with a concentration in Supply Chain Management,” she said.
Outside of her academic scholarship offers, Degraffenried has several opportunities to run at the collegiate level.
“I am currently entertaining scholarship offers from Morgan State University, the University of North Texas, and Jackson State University,” she said. “I am still communicating with more schools, and I am still undecided, but I plan on making a decision very soon, though.”
Knight, Trinity Collier, Tarver, Tailyn Louis, and Cossey scored on three errors and a walk. Jenna Paxton closed out the scoring on a steal of home.
The Lady Mounties picked up their final run on an error that scored DeLaine. The Lady Cougars scored on an RBI by Williams to make the final score 19-9.
Jenna Paxton was the winning pitcher, giving up two hits, one run with one strikeout. “I’m really proud of how the team played,” said Rollo. “Tailyn and Jenna both pitched great, and we had several good hits.”
ing performances, was outstanding and our bats put up 23 runs in two games. That is crazy! One thing I am glad to see is that we are still making mistakes, we are not perfect and I am glad for that. That means we still have growing and learning to do. We don’t want to be perfect on April 5. We want to be perfect May 17-18!”
The Lady Blue Devils improved to 17-9 and they will look to win their fifth in a row with a Monday trip to John Carroll Catholic High School.
