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Legislative Session Ends
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The Trussville Tribune TRUSSVILLE • PINSON·CLAY • CENTER POINT • ARGO • SPRINGVILLE
www.TrussvilleTribune.com
June 5 - 11, 2019 Accused Cracker Barrel shooter out on bond
HTMS SUB ARRESTED
See CRACKER BARREL, Page 14
Former Trussville Fire Chief pleads not guilty to six felony charges From The Trussville Tribune staff reports
TRUSSVILLE — Former Trussville fire chief Russell Ledbetter entered a plea of not guilty on six felony charges, according to court documents. A Plea of Not Guilty and a Waiver of Arraignment form was entered on May 23, 2019. Ledbetter has elected to not be present at his arraignment. See FORMER, Page 4
Argument over basketball leads to deadly shooting in Center Point
Clay father working to stop the opioid crisis
Man admitted to police he ‘has a problem’
By Erica Thomas, managing editor
Bryan Hancock, Jefferson County Jail
50 Cents
TUSCALOOSA COUNTY — A Northport man who has worked as a substitute teacher at Hewitt-Trussville Middle School, was arrested on five charges of possession of child pornography. Court documents show an anonymous informant came forward with concerns the teacher had suspicious images of students on his phone. According to a court deposition, an investigator went to the home of Justin Hrin Stegall, 22, and asked him about the allegations. The investigator said Stegall admitted to having a problem with child pornography. The investigator said Stegall said he had been watching child porn for years and he wanted help. Stegall was taken into custody on Thursday, May 23, 2019. He gave the officer his login and password information for his phone and laptop. The officer said he found five images of child porn. According to the deposition, those images included young, naked boys. It is unknown if the images were of students. Stegall was placed in the Tuscaloosa County Jail. He posted bond and was released
Justin Hrin Stegall
on May 24, 2019. Trussville City Schools Superintendent Dr. Pattie Neill responded to the arrest of Stegall, who filled in as a band teacher. Neill said the State Department of Education (ALSDE) showed Stegall’s credentials before he was hired to work for Trussville City Schools.
“In this case, Mr. Stegall’s credentials stated that he had ‘completed an ASBI/FBI criminal history background check and is suitable and fit to teach under state law,’” Neill said. “There were no issues reported to the administration while he was a substitute teacher.” Stegall had never been
charged with a crime and there was no information available to the school system that would lead to officials questioning his capability and fitness for a job. Neill said as soon as she heard about the arrest, she moved to notify ALSDE. “When I learned of the arrest for possession of child pornography in Tuscaloosa, I notified the state department of education of his arrest,” Neill said. “The Educator Certification Department verified the charges and changed his criminal background review in his credentials to ‘alleged misconduct.’ “It is important for the Trussville community to know that Mr. Stegall is no longer on our substitute teacher list, and he is not and will not ever be employed in Trussville City Schools in any capacity.” The Trussville City Schools system sent out a press release on Monday, June 3, 2019, announcing the return of a retired teacher, who will now substitute for the band program. Kay Carter will begin the 2019-20 school year and remain until the return of Assistant Band Director Corinth Lewis. Lewis is on maternity leave.
Trussville leading Jefferson County in growth, according to Census estimates From The Trussville Tribune staff reports
Lashaun Netherly, Jefferson County Jail See ARGUMENT, Page 3
Trussville City Council: Linden Street to be closed for 45 days starting June 4 By Shaun Szkolnik, for the Tribune
TRUSSVILLE – The Trussville City Council met for a scheduled meeting on Tuesday, May 28, 2019. The council unanimously approved 2019-024 annex. This ordinance allows for the City of Trussville to annex 7968 Arrowhead Lane. See COUNCIL, Page 4
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TRUSSVILLE – The fastest growing city in Jefferson County is Trussville, according to population estimates released by the U.S. Census Bureau on Thursday, May 23, 2019. The numbers reflect an ongoing trend for Trussville since the last full census in 2010. In 2010, Trussville had a population of 19,933. According to yearly population estimates, that number has steadily risen and surpassed the 22,000 mark in 2018. Trussville’s 12 percent growth was followed by Fultondale with 10%, Hoover with 4% and Irondale and Leeds with 2%. Trussville Mayor Buddy Choat said he isn’t surprised by the numbers. “I think Trussville as a whole is on the map as a strong, community-based city,” Choat said. “I think people still think we have affordable housing with great schools and parks and libraries and it’s still considered a safe community.”
By Erica Thomas, managing editor
CLAY — A Clay father who lost his son to the opioid crisis in 2017, has been working to save lives by using his own personal experience, science and his faith. Thomas P. Dooley, PhD., spoke at the Freedom from Addiction Coalition Breakfast on Tuesday, June 3, 2019. See CLAY, Page 4
Hewitt-Trussville Athletics launches individual donation campaign From The Trussville Tribune staff reports
TRUSSVILLE – In an effort to avoid multiple fundraisers for multiple sports and allow athletic donors the chance to make individual donations to the entire athletic department, Hewitt-Trussville Athletics has launched the HTen fundraising program. See ATHLETICS, Page 7
Coyote breaks into Argo home, kills family cat By Erica Thomas, managing editor
ARGO — It was around 3 a.m. on the morning of Monday, June 3, 2019, when an Argo homeowner’s dog woke him up with a growl. Roland Collins was home alone, because his wife Janice was on a mission trip to Honduras. He sat up in bed and heard a noise in the basement. See COYOTE, Page 3
2nd Saturday in Downtown Trussville Choat said he is anticipating the Census to show a population of between 22,000 - 23,000 people. He said traffic is a concern and he said the city is addressing outdated infrastructure in order to support increased traffic. “Traffic is what I hear most complaints about and we are just trying to do the best for them that we can until we get new roads,” Choat said.
The city launched the Trussville 2040 earlier this year It’s an initiative to enact a long-range plan for the community during this process of growth. “We want to have a plan in place in order to address what we think will be important in sustaining that growth. We’ll be able to attract people and professionals and families to the area,” said Choat.
Most cities in Jefferson County showed stagnant growth or a decline in population. Cities in St. Clair County, however, have experienced steady growth across the board. Margaret led the cities in St. Clair with a 14% increase, followed by Moody with 11%, Argo and Odenville with 6% and Springville with 5%.
The Trussville Downtown Merchants Association is hosting the first 2nd Saturday on June 8, 2019.
See TRUSSVILLE, Page 4
See 2ND SATURDAY, Page 9
Robin’s Sewing Shoppe www.robinshoppe.com 5886 Trussville Crossings Pkwy 205.985.4212 -
Fabric Machines Classes Demos
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