The Trussville Tribune – June 7 - 13, 2023

Center Point sees an increase in emergency calls, approves vehicle purchases

By Terry Schrimscher

For the Tribune CENTER POINT – The Center Point Fire Department has experienced an increase in the number of calls in recent months, according to Captain Chris Horn. Captain

Trussville Civic Center

vandalized in Monday morning break-in

By Chase Holmes News Reporter

TRUSSVILLE – A suspect broke into the Trussville Civic Center Monday morning, June 5.

Officers were dispatched to the Trussville Civic Center after receiving an alert that

Springville mayor requests citizens to call commissioners about tax funds for roads

By Terry Schrimscher

For the Tribune

SPRINGVILLE – Mayor

Dave Thomas also commented on the recent decision by the St. Clair County Commission to reject a request from the St. Clair County Mayors

Salem submits resignation from Hewitt-Trussville High School

From The Tribune staff reports

TRUSSVILLE — Tim Salem submitted his resignation as principal of Hewitt-Trussville High School to Dr. Patrick Martin earlier this week. The Trussville City School BOE voted to accept it on Thursday during a special called meeting.

Salem had been on administrative leave since September 27, 2022. At the time, he was in the second year of a three-year contract. Joy Young has served as acting HTHS principal in the interim.

Outside of the meeting, Martin talked about the process of reaching an agreement with Salem, who Martin said volunteered to be placed on administrative leave to remove himself as a distraction.

“Throughout this process, Mr. Salem has shown himself to be a student-first administrator,” Martin said. “His first concern was always doing what was best for the students and for Hewitt-Trussville High School.”

Martin expressed his ap-

preciation for Salem’s willingness to find a resolution that would allow the high school to move forward.

By law, the open position will be advertised following Thursday’s meeting. The process of reviewing applications and vetting candidates will begin immediately, Martin said.

In other business, Martin and the Board welcomed new

Board member Jason Daniel, who was present at the special-called meeting, although his first official meeting will be the regularly scheduled meeting on June 12.

The Board also passed a Consent Agenda, which included a recommendation that the Board work with a third party to conduct Superintendent and CFO evaluations.

Pinson Council discusses Waste Management recycling, splash pad re-opening, hears updates from CPFD

By Nathan Prewett

For the Tribune

PINSON – The Pinson City Council heard a report from Captain Chris Horn, who gave several updates and

“Starting with this school year … the School Board Association would come and present results next May,” Martin said.

Martin clarified that the AASB (Alabama Association of School Boards) has conducted Superintendent and CFO evaluations with other school systems, but this will be the first time for Trussville City Schools to utilize this service.

Tamburro’s Italian restaurant returns to Trussville after 13 years

By Crystal McGough Editor

TRUSSVILLE

– From 1994 to 2010, a small, family-owned Italian restaurant in the heart of downtown Trussville called Taburro’s was a staple in the community and a favorite for locals to enjoy an authentic – and romantic –Italian dinner.

Springville Council honors Springville High School girls soccer team for winning 5A State Championship

By Terry Schrimscher

For the Tribune

SPRINGVILLE – The Springville Council played host to the 2023 5A state champion Springville High

See CHAMPIONS, Page 3

she was only 5-years-old. It was only after she grew up and had her first child that her dad moved to Trussville and founded “Tamburro and Sons.”

Trussville Area Chamber of Commerce to host free ‘Movie on the Mall’ event Friday

From The Tribune staff reports TRUSSVILLE – The public is invited by the Trussville Area Chamber of Commerce to bring their lawn chairs and picnic blankets and come to a

See SPRINGVILLE, Page 4 See MOVIE, Page 3

Alabama Free Fishing Day to be held Saturday

From The Tribune staff reports

MONTGOMERY — Alabama residents and out-ofstate visitors can fish for free in most public waters including both freshwater and saltwater on Saturday, June 10, 2023.

Free Fishing Day allows residents and non-residents to fish without purchasing a

See FISHING, Page 4

Opinion - Page 10

Lifestyle - Page 11

Outdoors - Pages 12-13

Health&Wellness - Page 14

Calendar - Page 15

Classified - Page 15

Obituary - Page 16

Sports - Pages 17-20

Looking in from the outside, newcomers probably wouldn’t have given the small, simple building, which was located on Glenn Avenue, a second glance, but that would have been their loss. For inside of this building was a hidden gem, the likes of which one would expect to find at a themed destination spot like Disney World. Boasting a large mural of “Lady and the Tramp,” and founder Dick Tamburro walking through the restaurant serenading guests with his accordion, Tamburro’s was a local dining experience that could not be found anywhere else.

Now, 13 years after Dick Tamburro closed the doors to retire, his daughter Kyleen

Kramer and daughter-in-law

Tina Tamburro are bringing the family business back to life, and back to Trussville, planning to open the restaurant in August.

Through its early years, Tamburro’s went through a couple of name changes, being founded as “Tamburro and Sons” and later dubbed “Tamburro’s Bella Notte.” Now, it will be returning to Trussville not only in a new location in the Trussville Shopping Center on Chalkville Mountain Road, but with a refreshed name: Tamburro’s Italian Home.

“This all started when (Kyleen) was a little girl –and she’s got three other (siblings), brothers and a sister,”

Dick Tamburro said. “We used to go to a place called ‘The Italian Home’ up north (in Pennsylvania), which my mom and dad used to work at.”

“So that’s how we came up with the name,” Kramer said, taking over from her dad. “We have Tamburro’s, and then we just tied my grandparents in with the ‘Italian Home.’ We just wanted to have everybody in because our family is what it’s all about.”

While her father already has a well-established reputation in Trussville, Kramer is new to the Trussville community, having grown up and spent her life in Atlanta, Ga., after her family moved there from Pennsylvania when

“I would’ve taken over his restaurant back when he decided to close – because he wanted to retire – but we just weren’t ready,” Kramer said. “We had kids to raise and put through college. I worked in a law firm for 20 years (and) I just got so tired of the work and wanted something new. I was planning to retire in a few years anyway, so I was just like, ‘Well, why don’t I just open a restaurant?’

“Some of the best decisions my husband and I make are off the cuff,” she added.

Dick said he was surprised when his daughter told him she planned to move to Trussville and re-opening the family restaurant along with Tina, her brother’s wife. To add to the focus on family, Kramer’s other brother is going to be the main cook, bringing back their dad’s original Tamburro-family recipes.

See TAMBURROS, Page 6

Freshwater Land Trust announced the opening of a new 2-mile trail extension

See TRAIL, Page 4

Husky track coach leaving for Samford Page 18

HTMS Student places in National Science Bee Page 3

HTHS Principal Tim Salem resigned from his position this week.(Photo by Hannah Curran)

Image courtesy of Kyleen Kramer

Movie

From front page free Movie on the Mall event this Friday, June 9. The event will take place at 225 Parkway Drive at the grassy mall.

The movie selection for the evening is “DC League of Su-

L oca L / R egion

per Pets.” Food trucks and family friendly activities will begin at 5:30 p.m., and the movie will start around 7:45 p.m. This event is sponsored by Trussville’s Pet Supplies Plus and CrossPoint Church.

For more information, please visit trussvillechamber.com.

Champions

From front page

School girls soccer team. The Council introduced the players during the work session prior to the regular June 5 meeting.

Coach Meg Childress introduced members of the team. The team clenched the title May 13 in Huntsville with a 9-4 victory over Gulf Shores.

Council member Austin Phillips requested a donation to the city to be used toward championship rings for the team. The contribution of $1,700 to the St. Clair County

Hewitt-Trussville Middle School student places top 5 in National Science Bee

By Chase Holmes News Reporter

TRUSSVILLE – A

Hewitt-Trussville Middle School student has placed fourth in a National Science Bee as the only representative of the South.

Bentley Buckelew, 11, went to Washington, D.C., as one of 120 science bee hopefuls from across the United States and returned as the only representative in the South to place in the finals. The top five students were awarded a trophy for their hard work.

The International Academic Competitions National Science Bee is a thorough and challenging competition that takes place over four days between students from across the nation. The competition took place between June 1 to June 4.

The first and second days, the students underwent four preliminary rounds. Their scores from the first two days were tallied and 36 out of 120 went to Quarterfinals. Only 16 students advanced to the Semifinals, and only six

made it to the Final Round.

Bentley said it was a tough road but well worth it in the end.

“It was a difficult challenge and the questions got tough in the finals,” he said.

“I had to study a lot to get to where I’m at. It just feels

very good to have been able to represent the south and Alabama in the finals. I feel accomplished and proud to do so well in a field I’m so passionate about (science). I feel very thankful for everyone and everything that led me to this point and supported me.”

board of education was added to the agenda and approved unanimously.

During the regular meeting, Police Chief Wayne Walton recognized officer Paul Trammell with a promotion to corporal within the department. Trammell has been filling in as Officer in Charge (OIC) while the position has been vacant.

Trammell joined the Springville department two years ago from Jefferson County and will serve as night shift supervisor in his new role.

Fire Chief Richard Harvey introduced firefighter Matthew Brown who recently completed the advanced EMT certification at Jefferson State Community College.

The Council approved the appointment of Kevin Early to the Planning and Zoning board. Early currently serves on the board for Parks and Recreation and will continue to serve there as well. Greg Allen was also nominated but has agreed to serve on the Board of Equalization for St. Clair County and will be rec-

ommended for the position by Mayor Dave Thomas.

Thomas also commented on the recent decision by the St. Clair County Commission to reject a request from the St. Clair County Mayors Association for funds to municipalities from the 4¢ gas tax in effect in the county.

“Within the language passed by the County Commission imposing the fourcent tax, that money is to earmarked and used only for road and bridge construction in the county,” Thomas said. “So, there’s a debate and argument right now between mayor and the commission as to what constitutes county roads.”

The Mayors Association has been lobbying for use of some of the funds collected from the tax to be used within the municipalities to improve roads.

“The Mayors Association is arguing that our city roads are within the county. Are they not? They are,” Thomas added. “The County Commission is arguing that those are our responsibilities while they’re collecting the tax

from our citizen in our cities.”

Thomas encouraged everyone to call members of the commission to encourage them to work with the Mayors Association.

“We’re not trying to take anything from them, we’re simply trying to get more resources where they need to be in our communities, and who better than our Council and Mayor to know what our needs are,” Thomas said. “There’s going to be a meeting here soon and it might be helpful if our county commissioners were to hear from us.”

In other business, the Council approved:

A contract for phase two of sewer construction

A water testing contract with Coosa River Keepers

• The acceptance of the FY 2021-2022 audit

• Installation of a backflow preventer on the sprinkler system at City Hall $14,875 for gravel at Big Springs Nature Preserve

The next meeting of the Springville City Council will be held at 6 p.m. on June 19 with a work session at 5:30 p.m.

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The Springville Girls Soccer team won the 5A State Championship in May. (Photo courtesy City of Springville.)

Photo by Cierra Dunbarr

Springville

From front page

Association for funds to municipalities from the 4¢ gas tax in effect in the county.

“Within the language passed by the County Commission imposing the fourcent tax, that money is to be earmarked and used only for road and bridge construction in the county,” Thomas said. “So, there’s a debate and argument right now between mayor and the commission as to what constitutes county roads.”

Trail

From front page

The two-mile trail addition adds to the Five Mile Creek Greenway extending from Gardendale to Brookside.

This crushed stone trail starts at Black Creek Park in Fultondale and follows an inactive railway line along Black Creek, now ending at Newfound Creek in Brookside.

With this additional segment, the trail will be extended from 6.25 miles to 8.25 miles (one-way), making it 16.5 miles round-trip. This makes it the longest trail in the Red Rock Trail System.

The Five Mile Creek Greenway Capital Improvement Cooperative District is made up of the cities of Brookside, Center Point, Fultondale, Gardendale, Graysville, and Tarrant. These cities came together in 2002 as an effort to improve water quality and provide outdoor recreation for its citizens. This new trial is a continuation of that effort.

Much of the trail is in the shade of dense vegetation.

Nearby amenities include a playground and dog park, restrooms located at Black Creek Park, benches, and a rain shelter.

“Five Mile Creek Greenway is great for walking, biking, running, and dog walking,” said Claire Speegle, Red Rock Trail System and Development Coordinator at Freshwater Land Trust.

“This extension of the trail in Brookside is especially beautiful. The new section is next to two lakes that are visible from the trail.”

Freshwater Land Trust is preparing a public release of its plan to complete a 36-mile connected loop of existing, planned, and proposed future trails in the greater Birmingham area over the next 15 years. Once complete, it will connect Red Mountain Park to Railroad Park in downtown Birmingham and Ruffner Mountain

“Since 2010, Freshwater Land Trust has completed 129 miles of trails throughout Jefferson County, and we are thrilled to put more trail miles on the ground,” said Katie Holmes, Outreach and Communications Coordinator at Freshwater Land Trust.

“This trail extension means that we are another step closer towards our ultimate goal, which is for every resident of Jefferson County to have access to a trail or green space within a mile of their home.”

The Mayors Association has been lobbying for use of some of the funds collected from the tax to be used within the municipalities to improve roads.

“The Mayors Association is arguing that our city roads are within the county. Are they not? They are,” Thomas added. “The County Commission is arguing that those are our responsibilities while they’re collecting the tax from our citizen in our cities.”

Thomas encouraged everyone to call members of the commission to encourage them to work with the Mayors

Fishing

From front page

fishing license. The event is part of National Fishing and Boating Week, which runs June 3-11.

“This is the perfect opportunity for non-anglers to test the fishing waters and to remind former anglers of all the fun they’ve been missing,” said Chris Blankenship, Commissioner of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR). “It’s also a day for kids to learn how fun and exciting fishing is, while giving families a chance to do some

Association.

“We’re not trying to take anything from them, we’re simply trying to get more resources where they need to be in our communities, and who better than our Coun-

thing together outdoors.”

Free Fishing Day takes place during Alabama’s red snapper season. While fishing license requirements are waived for Free Fishing Day, those fishing for red snapper will still need a $10 Gulf Reef Fish Endorsement. For more information on saltwater requirements and rules, visit https://www.outdooralabama. com/fishing/saltwater-recreational-size-creel-limits.

In addition, State Public Fishing Lakes still require a fishing permit on Free Fishing Day, and fishing in a private pond requires the pond owner’s permission. Some

cil and Mayor to know what our needs are,” Thomas said.

“There’s going to be a meeting here soon and it might be helpful if our county commissioners were to hear from us.”

In other news, Police Chief Wayne Walton recognized officer Paul Trammell with a promotion to corporal within the department. Trammell has been filling in as Officer in Charge (OIC) while the position has been vacant. Trammell joined the Springville department two years ago from Jefferson County and will serve as night shift supervisor in his new role.

Fire Chief Richard Harvey introduced firefighter Matthew Brown who recently completed the advanced EMT certification at Jefferson State Community College.

The Council approved the appointment of Kevin Early to the Planning and Zoning board. Early currently serves on the board for Parks and Recreation and will continue to serve there as well. Greg Allen was also nominated but has agreed to serve on the Board of Equalization for St. Clair County and will be recommended for the position by Mayor Thomas.

In other business, the Council approved:

A contract for phase two of sewer construction

• A water testing contract with Coosa River Keepers

• The acceptance of the FY 2021-2022 audit

• Installation of a backflow preventer on the sprinkler system at City Hall $14,875 for gravel at Big Springs Nature Preserve The next meeting of the Springville City Council will be held at 6 p.m. on June 19 with a work session at 5:30 p.m.

piers may also require fees and permits. Anglers looking for a new public fishing spot

are encouraged to explore the fishing section of www.out

For all your printing & shipping needs!

1430 Gadsden Hwy Ste 116 Birmingham, AL 35235 (205) 661-1188 www.parcelstoo.com

Photo courtesy of David Rainer

Photo by Freshwater Land Trust

Police Officer Paul Trammell was promoted to corporal during the June 5 meeting of the Springville City Council.

Chief Richard Harvey recognized Springville Fireman Matthew Brown for completing Advanced EMS training.

Center Point

From front page Horn delivered an update during the regular meeting of the Center Point City Council on Thursday night, June 1.

“Our medical calls are up over 75.14%,” Horn told the Council. “Our fire calls are about 10.41.”

Horn said the department made 843 runs for the month of May, which includes fire and other emergencies. For the year to date, the department has experienced 5315 service calls.

Horn introduced Lieutenant Austin Osborne, the city’s new EMS officer. Osborne has been in fire service for eight years and has served with Center Point for four years. He was recently promoted to Lieutenant.

“I thank you for the opportunity,” Osborne said. “I look forward to continuing to fulfill the role and bring great service to the city.” Osborne is expecting to help the city resume monthly CPR classes beginning in July.

Captain Horn updated the Council on the department’s annual golf tournament. This year’s tournament is July 31 at Grayson Valley Country Club. The Rickey Davis Memorial Golf Tournament is held each year to raise funds and awareness for the department. It is named in honor of

Rickey Levi Davis, a Center Point firefighter who was killed in the line of duty on April 20, 2000.

Horn also noted the department is checking fire hydrants in the city and said people should run their water for a few minutes after hydrants are checked in their neighborhoods in order to clear the lines.

The Council approved two resolutions in the meeting. One of them was a travel advance in the consent agenda.

Another resolution concerning the purchase vehicles for the city was erroneously included on the agenda and removed from the consent portion for further discussion. The item led to a few moments of contentious debate over procedure before moving forward.

Council President DM Collins asked for the item, Resolution 2023-55, to be removed from the agenda and addressed at a later date because an additional vehicle was added to the purchase request.

“There was no communication prior to it being placed on the agenda,” Collins said. Collins elaborated saying she understood the need for the vehicle but said she asked for it to be removed because proper procedure was not followed before placing it on the agenda.

Councilwoman Tiffany Moore objected to the item

being removed from the agenda. After some discussion, she made a motion to consider the purchase of the vehicle due to time constraints and the immediate need for vehicles in code enforcement.

“I understand the procedure of you being notified,” Moore said to Collins. “But, considering that we’re already down two vehicles and we’ve been waiting and there has been no availability of vehicles,” she said it would be in the best interest to “go ahead and put this item on the agenda and let the entire council discuss whether or not we would like to proceed,” she added. She explained the vehicles might not be available by the next time it could be considered for approval.

“Your point was made when you spoke with them about the miscommunication but that does not negate that the city needs the vehicles,” Moore added.

Moore made the motion to amend the resolution to include the added vehicle. The Council approved the purchase of a 2022 Ford F-150 for the price of $43,152.

The Center Point City Council meets on the first and third Thursdays of the month at City Hall located at 2209 Center Point Parkway. The next meeting will be held Thursday, June 15, at 6:30 p.m.

introduced a newly promoted first responder.

Horn began with a brief report. He said that for the month of May there were 843 calls made, totaling 5,353 calls for the medical and fire district. He said that they are testing hydrants and advised the public to run their water slightly longer than normal as they work to flush them out.

He spoke about the recently established Tri-Cities Training Facility where they’ve been holding classes despite some budget issues.

“We’ve got classes ongoing,” he said. “The board has put a stop on any more building or anything going on down there right now because we’re $63,000 over budget of what they allowed out of this year’s budget. So the classroom that I was going to get started to get the foundation done, they’ve stopped me from doing anything until we look at the budget for next year.”

He mentioned that they have been working to get paving for a nearby road where trucks have been parked on mud. Mayor Joe Cochran quickly made a motion to have the city pay for the paving to be done for $8,000, which was unanimously approved by the council.

Horn expressed his gratitude for the action and followed by reminding the public about the oncoming summer heat, advising that pets and children should never be left unattended in cars, even for short periods of time. He explained that there was an incident in which a parent left a child in a car shortly but left their keys in the locked vehicle, which prompted a call to the district.

He also reminded the public that the district still has smoke detectors to give away.

“There’s no reason for no one to not have a smoke detector in their house,” he said.

“Call our admin office and we’ll get our crews and we’ll get busy. And they’re free.”

The annual golf tournament is coming up on June 31 at the Grayson Valley Country Club. He then introduced newly promoted Lt. Austin Osborne, who spoke to the council.

“I look forward to serving the Center Point Fire District and the city of Pinson and all the other cities to the best of my ability,” he said. “I look forward to providing leadership much like y’all are doing up here.”

He said that the district will begin holding CPR classes and one called “Stop the Bleed,” which focuses on how to stop hemorrhagic shock.

“We have a lot of traumatic incidents and so this class really helps teach lay people how to stop traumatic hemorrhage and bleeding,” he said.

This class is new to the district and city staff in Pinson will have an opportunity to take it, added Horn.

During the mayor’s report it was announced that work has begun on installing signage around the Rock School Complex to clarify directions to different parts of the building.

Recycling pickup by Waste Management has also

resumed after the plant in Birmingham was temporarily closed due to damage from a fire, said Mayor Pro Temp Robbie Roberts. The recycling service was a point of discussion in a past meeting where some frustrations were expressed at the lack of pickup.

Cochran said that they have requested that the company credit one month of recycling on their bill. It was also announced that the splash pad at the Bicentennial Park has been reopened after temporarily closing due to technical problems.

The meeting ended with the council going into executive session to discuss the name and reputation of an individual and pending litigation.

In other business, the council:

Approved a request to rezone a property from C-1 to HC (Highway Commercial),

• Appointed Natalie Roberts to the library board, and Approved the purchase of metal cladding for the Rock School Complex in the amount of $8,640, Nathan Prewett can be reached at nthomasp@gmail. com.

Fire Captain Chris Horn (left) introduced Lt. Austin Osborne as the city's new EMS officer. (Photo by Terry Schrimscher)

Capt. Chris Horn and Lt. Austin Osborne from the Center Point Fire District address the Pinson City Council on Thursday, June 1. (Photo by Nathan Prewett)

Birmingham woman found burning on roadside after having been shot, killed

From The Tribune staff reports

BIRMINGHAM – A Birmingham woman was shot and killed, then set on fire, Thursday night, June 1. Birmingham Police officers were alerted to a burning body near the 200 block of Sellers Road at around 9 p.m.

The victim, later identified by the Birmingham Coroner’s Office as Jermiera Ivory Fowler, 31, was found unresponsive.

Birmingham Fire and Rescue personnel extinguished the flames. Officers were then able to identify signs of trauma.

BPD is investigating the case as a homicide.

Civic Center

From front page

the burglary alarm had been activated.

When the officers arrived, they found that the glass front door had been shattered by rocks that were located just inside. As officers entered the building, they heard a person and were able to locate and detain a suspect.

The suspect, who appeared to be in mental and physical distress, was evaluated by Trussville Fire and Rescue on the scene. Due to the suspect’s behavior, he was transported to UAB Hospital for further evaluation.

Investigators are still gathering information.

This story will be updated as more information is made available.

Anyone with information regarding this shooting is asked to call 205-325-1450,

24-year-old Center Point man shot, killed last Wednesday in late night assault

From The Tribune staff reports

Center Point on the report of a person shot.

Stock Image

option 2, or anonymously call Crime Stoppers at 205-2547777.

CENTER POINT – A Center Point man was shot and killed in the late hours of Wednesday night, May 31.

At around 9:18 p.m., Jefferson County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to the 500 block of Tupelo Way in

Tamburros

From front page

“The food will be familiar (but) the look will be refreshed; it’s not going to be a carbon-copy of (Dick’s) restaurant,” Kramer said. “But it’s just so steeped in family, it is what it is. We’re going to have our wall, when you walk in to the left, it’s going to be (photos of) friends and family. Obviously, it’s just going to start with pictures of family, and then as we have customers who come, we’ll add them to our wall of friends and family.”

As for the food, Kramer and Tamburro said they will

Deputies arrived on scene to find the victim suffering from a gunshot wound to the chest. He was transported to UAB Hospital, where he later died from his injuries.

The victim was identified by the Jefferson County Coroner’s Office as Quindell

have all the traditional Italian foods, including, among other things, pastas, chicken parmesan, lasagna and manicotti.

“It’s basically going to be a traditional menu, and then we’re going to run specials on Friday and Saturday night – just different things to see what hits and what doesn’t hit,” Kramer said. “We’re going to have several desserts, but we’re going to have mini cannoli as opposed to the big ones, and the plan is to have seasonal flavors, which a lot of people don’t do. Maybe a chocolate-mint one at Christmastime, or a pumpkin one in the fall; something like that.”

Speaking of desserts,

Rhodes, 24, of Birmingham. Detectives are still working to establish a motive and developing leads in this case.

Anyone with information regarding this shooting is asked to call 205-325-1450, option 2, or call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 205254-7777.

Kramer said she also plans to bring back Tamburro’s famous crème brulee, which they fire for guests at the table ¬– another thing that makes Tamburro’s stand out from the competition.

“I’m so excited,” Kramer said. “I can’t wait!” If all goes according to plan, Tamburro’s Italian Home will be opening to the public mid-August 2023. The restaurant will be located at 5954 Chalkville Mountain Road, #200, and hours of operation will be Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and closed on Monday.

Shattered glass from the Trussville Civic Center break-in

(Photo by Chase Holmes)

Woman sentenced to 25 years for sex trafficking minors

From The Tribune staff reports

BIRMINGHAM – A federal judge has sentenced a Georgia woman for sex trafficking of minors, announced United States Attorney Prim F. Escalona and Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Carlton L. Peeples.

According to the Department of Justice, U.S. District Judge Madeline H. Haikala sentenced Marlette Laishell Smith aka “Lala,” 29, of Rome, Georgia, to 300 months in prison followed by 20 years of supervised release. On March 23, 2023, Smith pleaded guilty to two counts of Sex Trafficking of a Minor and two counts of Transportation of a Minor with Intent to Engage in Criminal Sexual Activity. Smith recruited two minor females (15 and 16 years of age) into prostitution for her own financial gain. The minor victims were stranded in Memphis, Tennessee, and were trying to get back home to California. Smith met them on a stairwell at the Motel 6 in Memphis – the minor victims were hungry, had no money, no place to stay, no mode of transportation, only the clothes on their back, and an uncharged cell phone. Smith told them that she would help them get back home if they would go with her to Alabama and make $200 each. Smith drove the minors to Georgia then to Alabama where she sexually trafficked them.

“The commercial sexual exploitation of children causes long-lasting harms to child victims and the entire community,” said U.S. Attorney Escalona. “The fight to prevent and disrupt exploitation would be impossible without the support of our federal,

state, and local law enforcement partners. We are especially grateful for the work of FBI Birmingham in apprehending the defendant in this case.”

“This sentence sends a strong message to those who prey on minors and abuse their trust. The victims, who found themselves in a vulnerable state entrusted this person for assistance in returning home. The FBI is dedicated to ensuring the safety and security of the victims and reuniting them with their families,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Carlton L. Peeples. “I am proud of the diligent work of FBI Birmingham’s Child Exploitation Human Trafficking Task Force, the Homewood Police Department, and other law enforcement partners who assisted in bringing this individual to justice.”

The FBI Birmingham’s Child Exploitation Human Trafficking Task Force (CEHTTF) investigated the case along with the Homewood Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys R. Leann White and Darius Greene prosecuted the case.

The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www. projectsafechildhood.gov.

Birmingham Water Works Board manages to maintain current structure despite devastating year in 2022 and legislative attempts to clean house

By Will Blakely 1819 News

If Alabama lawmakers had passed HB177 this legislative session, the current members of the Birmingham Water Works Board (BWWB) could have been fired and replaced. The bill would have also altered the qualification and appointment structure of the board.

Though ,the bill received a favorable report from the House Commerce and Small Business Committee in April, lawmakers chose to postpone the bill indefinitely on Wednesday, as time wound down in this year’s session.

This means that the BWWB will not get a restructuring from state lawmakers this year and will continue to operate as it sees fit for the foreseeable future.

Last year, thousands of customers reportedly didn’t receive bills for months, only to receive much larger or multiple bills all at once. The bills were not based on accurate meter readings but on previous months’ usage estimations. The Water Works

blamed the issues on insufficient meter readers and inadequate staffing.

Despite backlash from the public, the Birmingham Water Works Board (BWW) voted in November to raise rates by 3.9% for the second year in a row.

State Reps. Jim Carns (R-Vestavia Hills) and David Faulkner (R-Hoover) introduced HB177 in March in response to the billing issues.

Currently, two of the nine BWWB members are appointed by the mayor of Birmingham. The Birmingham City Council appoints four. One is appointed by the Jefferson County Mayors’ Association, another by the Shelby County Commission and one by the Blount County Commission.

Initially, Carns’ and Faulkner’s bill would’ve allowed the mayor of Birmingham the authority to appoint four members, and the Alabama governor would be responsi-

ble for appointing three.

However, lawmakers altered the bill in April.

The updated BWWB bill still purported to reduce the size of the BWWB to seven members. However, the Birmingham mayor would’ve only been allotted two appointments, and the Birmingham City Council would’ve also been allotted two. The appointees would’ve been required to have an engineering or finance background.

The remaining three members would’ve been appointed by the county commissions of Shelby and Blount Counties and the Jefferson County Mayors Association.

On April 25, the Birmingham City Council passed a resolution to express its disapproval of the legislation, noting the bill would’ve reduced the city’s number of appointments.

In response to backlash from the public following the 2022 billing issues,

the BWWB passed a new self-governance policy and director pledge in April.

The self-governance policy will require training for directors pertaining to ethics laws and procedures. If directors fail to comply with the policy, they will no longer receive an expense allowance.

Meanwhile, the utility launched a #BillBetter campaign to repair its public image and look into automatic meter readers to improve its meter-reading accuracy and capacity. Currently, the utility is in the process of working with a consultant about automatic meter implementation. It must still develop a plan, which Water Works general manager Michael Johnson said he hopes to begin implementing in the next 12 to 18 months.

To connect with the author of this story, or to comment, email will.blakely@1819news.com or find him on Twitter and Facebook.

63-year-old Birmingham woman dies 2 days after being pulled from home on fire

From The Tribune staff reports

BIRMINGHAM – A Birmingham woman pulled from her burning home has died after being hospitalized for two days.

Birmingham Fire and Rescue (BFR) responded to the victim’s residence on the 1800 block of St. Charles Court Southwest on a report of a residential structure fire on May 31, 2023, at around 1 p.m.

BFR personnel were able to pull the victim from the fire. She was transported to Princeton Medical Center

where she died two days later on June 2, at 2:10 p.m.

The cause and origin of the fire is being investigated by the Birmingham Fire Marshal’s Office and the circumstances surrounding the death

Birmingham man pleads guilty to car theft scheme involving 24 cars

From The Tribune staff reports

Stock Image

is being investigated by the Birmingham Police Department.

The Jefferson County Coroner’s office identified the woman as Sharon Anne Richardson.

70 shots fired in Birmingham shooting that killed one, injured another

From The Tribune staff reports

BIRMINGHAM – A

19-year-old was killed and another injured at a Birmingham housing community in an early morning shooting on Monday, June 5.

The man killed was later identified by the Jefferson

County Coroner’s Office as Dementrius Orlando Collins, 19, of Birmingham.

Shortly before 1 a.m., officers responded to a report of multiple Shot Spotter alerts.

On the way to the scene, the report was updated to confirm a person had been shot at the 4600 block of Roscoe Avenue in Rev. Dr. Morrell

Todd Homes in the Kingston community. Officers arrived and found Collins lying unresponsive in the front yard.

Birmingham Fire and Rescue arrived and pronounced Colins dead.

While still investigating the shooting that took Colins’ life, officers learned another person that had been shot was in a stopped vehicle requesting help on I-59/20 near the Tallapoosa exit. Officers determined that the person had been shot at the Kingston community as well.

No one is in custody and an investigation is underway.

If you have any information regarding this shooting, please call 205-325-1450, option 2 or you may call Crime Stoppers at 205-2547777.

BIRMINGHAM – A Birmingham man pleaded guilty to a scheme involving the theft and interstate shipment of at least $1.6 million in stolen cars, announced U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona and Homeland Security Investigations Acting Special Agent in Charge Travis Pickard.

According to the Department of Justice, Dexter Sherrod Pearce, 34, pleaded guilty this week to conspiracy and interstate transportation of stolen motor vehicles. As part of his plea, Pearce admitted that from May 2020 until August 2022, he and others stole and transported from one state to another at least 24 cars valued at over $1.6 million.

Pearce admitted that he and others stole cars from automobile dealerships and individuals in other states and transported them to the

Northern District of Alabama to sell. The conspirators also stole cars in Alabama and transported them to other states to sell. To conceal that the cars were stolen and to facilitate the sale of the stolen cars, Pearce and others caused vehicle identification numbers to be altered, obtained false bills of sale and tag applications, and used the false documents to obtain bogus car titles and registrations.

According to the plea agreement, Pearce has agreed to pay restitution to the victims of his crimes and forfeit $227,615.00, representing the money he made during the conspiracy.

“The theft and interstate transportation of stolen vehicles has been a persistent problem in many parts of this country, and we are grateful for the work of HSI in unraveling this scheme,” said U.S. Attorney Escalona.

“Organized criminal activity, such as this, is extremely costly to victims and the economy as a whole,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Travis Pickard, who oversees Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) operations in Georgia and Alabama. “Every day, HSI and our law enforcement partners, are working to disrupt these criminal organizations and bring those who look to profit from these stolen goods to justice.”

The maximum penalty for conspiracy is five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The maximum penalty for interstate transportation of stolen cars is ten years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

The Department of Homeland Security is investigating the case. Assistant United States Attorneys George Martin and Catherine Crosby are prosecuting the case.

Birmingham man found dead in vehicle from gunshot wound

From The Tribune staff reports

BIRMINGHAM – A Birmingham man was found dead from gunshot wounds in a vehicle on Saturday, June 3.

Shortly after 8:30 a.m., officers were dispatched to a “person shot” call on the 2500 block of Snavley Avenue Southwest. Officers arrived

and observed an unresponsive man inside a vehicle. On scene, officers identified signs of trauma but could not confirm if the victim had been shot.

The Jefferson County Coroner’s office later identified the victim, Victor Alberto Jeronimo Garcia, 27, of Birmingham, and confirmed he had been shot.

Officer Truman Fitzgerald said the discovery was made because a member of the community discovered Garcia inside the vehicle.

An investigation is underway, and no one is in custody.

If you have any information regarding this shooting, please call 205-325-1450, option 2 or you may call Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777.

Sealed proposals will be received by Jefferson County Board of Education, 2100 18th Street South, Birmingham, Alabama 35209, until 2:00 p.m. CST June 29th for JEFCO 2023 Boiler Replacements for Oak Grove Elementary & Oak Grove High at which time and place they will be publicly opened and read. All proposals must contain “Jefferson County Bid #21-23” on the outside of the proposal. The project consists of the removal and swap out of existing boilers as well as associated controls. All existing duct will remain and necessary measures taken to tie existing into new boilers.

A cashier’s check or bid bond payable to Jefferson County Board of Education in an amount not less than five (5) percent of the amount of the bid, but in no event more than $10,000, must accompany the bidder’s proposal. Performance and Payment Bonds and evidence of insurance required in the bid documents will be required at the signing of the Contract.

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

Joint venture arrangements must qualify solely on the strength of the principal firm’s qualifications. Notarized Contractor’s Qualification Certificates must be submitted to the Architect along with any request to obtain Bid Documents by a General Contractor by Thursday, June 15, 2023. The required Form of Certificate is AIA Document A305 Contractor’s Qualification Statement 1986 Edition and may be obtained from the Architect.

Drawings and specifications may be purchased from Alabama Graphics, 2801 5th Ave, South, Birmingham, AL 35233, 205-252-850.5 Contractors must purchase sets at their own expense - no deposits or refunds will be allowed. Drawings may be examined at the offices of TURNERBATSON, 1950 Stonegate Drive, Suite 200, Birmingham, Alabama 35242, the office of Birmingham Construction Industry Authority (BCIA), and F.W. Dodge Birmingham (a.k.a. McGraw Hill), Associated General Contractors, Construction Market Data on Friday, June 16th 2023.

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

A Pre-Bid Conference will be held at Oak Grove High School at 2:00 pm, CST, Tuesday, June 20th, 2023. Attendance at Pre-Bid Conference by Prequalified Contractor Bidders is Mandatory. Meet at the chillers on the exterior at the rear of the school.

Awarding Authority: Jefferson County Board of Education

Dr Walter Gonsoulin, Superintendent

Architect: The Trussville Tribune Publication Dates:

TURNERBATSON

1

Wednesday, May 31 , 2023

2

Wednesday, June 7 , 2023

3

Wednesday, June 14 , 2023

Montgomery Advertiser and Madison County Record Papers: 1 Wednesday, June 14, 2023

Big Oak Ranch: Alabama Christian children’s home helps children from difficult circumstances find dignity

By Will Blakely, 1819 News

As you enter the Big Oak Girl’s Ranch headquarters, the first thing you see is a seal on the floor. On it is a tree, and on the tree are the last several lines of Isaiah 61:3:

“... so they will be called OAKS of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.”

Former University of Alabama (UA) All-American defensive end John Croyle set out to show children the hope of this verse when he founded the Big Oak Ranch in 1974 after he met a little boy while working at a summer camp.

The boy’s mother was a prostitute, and he lived on the streets of New Orleans. John explained to the boy how to become a Christian. The following summer, the boy returned to the same camp and told John all about how Christ had changed his life. John took this as a calling.

With a Girls' Ranch in Springville and a Boys' Ranch in Gadsden, Big Oak Ranch is a place for children whose circumstances have left them needing a home. Before arriving at Big Oak Ranch, some of the children they serve suffered from extreme poverty, neglect and even violence.

Big Oak Ranch provides them with a home, a family and a Christ-centered community nestled in the foothills of North Alabama.

On Tuesday, 1819 News sat down with Brodie Croyle and his wife, Kelli. Brodie is John's son, who now runs Big Oak Ranch with his wife.

Not only does Big Oak operate completely debt-free without taking funds from any government entity, but it assigns children to full-time

house parents, married couples who gave up their jobs to come to live at the Ranch with the children.

The Ranch also operates a cattle program (Big Oak Cattle) that stocks the Ranch with over 15,000 pounds of red meat every year and runs ASCEND, a program to prepare young adults who grew up at Big Oak Ranch for the real world.

Brodie and Kelli attribute Big Oak’s success to its insistence on sticking to its principles.

“We operate in an industry that is changing,” Bro-

die Croyle said. “There is a 40% attrition rate in children’s homes in this country compared to 10 years ago. And were’ growing in that … There’s a lot of people in a lot of places that chase whatever the next fad is, that chase whatever they deem is going to be the next thing, the next big hit. And what we have done is we have said … ‘If our values aren’t strong enough and they don’t cost us something, then you know what, we’re not standing on them hard enough.”

Big Oak Ranch now has 13 homes for boys and 11 for

girls. It served 10 different states last year. However, the majority are from right here in Alabama. Since 1974, Big Oak has served more than 2,000 children from across the United States and even some from around the world.

Among these children, over 100 have professed their faith in Christ over the past five years. In the 2021-2022 school year, 99 children finished on the A/B honor roll,

and 13 young adults received college or trade education.

“What our job is, is to display family, to live out what God intended family to be,” said Brodie.

When children arrive at Big Oak Ranch, they are assigned a set of houseparents and move into a two-story brick home with their own bedroom. Children receive food, clothing, health care, dental care and even attend

a private Christian school in Rainbow City.

Big Oak Ranch does all this completely debt-free without taking money from the government.

“We don’t want to owe any man any money, and that way, we’re not indebted to anyone,” Brodie said.

“We still operate that way to this day … We’ve also been blessed with a lot of people that love that concept, and the great part about them loving that concept is that they continue to let us keep operating within that concept.”

“At the end of the day, God continues to provide us with supporters who have a heart for our children and a heart for our ministry that can give in ways to support things that we need to do,” Kelli said. “I really believe that is truly a reflection of obedience to this calling. That is a blessing that the Lord is giving us.”

The goal of Big Oak Ranch is to provide for all aspects of a child’s life and help promote generational change.

Some former residents have even come back to the Ranch with their spouses to serve as house parents.

“The biggest measurable of fruit is someone that grew up somewhere and is willing to go back and give their life to it,” Brodie said. “[F]our out of our 40 [houseparents] grew up here and thought enough of it to go ‘I want to give my life to the younger version of me.”

Read the rest of this article at https://1819news.com/ news/item/big-oak-ranch-alabama-christian-childrenshome-restores-neglectedand-abandoned-childrenwith-the-dignity-they-deserve

John Croyle. Photo from Big Oak Ranch's Facebook page.

Racist if you do, racist if you don’t

By Phil Williams, 1819 News Commentary

The Supreme Court of the United States will soon announce whether Alabama’s congressional district lines are racist. If redrawing is required, it will be because SCOTUS feels that racial preferences should have been considered more fully. If redrawing is not required, it will be because the Court feels that racial preferences were given enough consideration, which the opposition will take to mean that racism has won.

Hmmm … it sounds like we’re racist if we do and racist if we don’t.

Does racism still exist?

The simple answer is “yes.”

Anyone even remotely open-minded must concede that man’s inhumanity to man is still very evident and that racism is a part of that inhumane way of thinking.

BUT … I do not cotton to the notion that there is a racist under every rock. While there may be no way to legislate the purification of all thoughts and motives, I believe that the laws of our state and nation have made us the harbinger of freedom in the world.

Regarding Alabama’s congressional district lines, the issue is whether the lines recently drawn by the Alabama Legislature violated the Voting Rights Act of 1965. In 2013, the Supreme Court released Alabama from Justice Department pre-approval on election law changes. Since 1992, Alabama has had seven congressional districts upheld as meeting legal requirements, resulting in six ma-

jority-white districts and one majority-black district using demographics based on geographic location. As the population shifted, the argument was made that the issue is less about where folks live and more about percentages of the population. Has the law changed?

The legislature, with hardly any changes, drew the current lines using 2020 census data much the same as before using “race-neutral criteria.” The plaintiffs have argued that race should have been considered based not on geography, but on percentage of the state population, which they argue would create potential for two majority-black congressional districts. The state has countered that traditional redistricting principles would then have to yield solely to questions of race.

I thought that race should not be considered?! No, no, no, you silly racist, you failed to consider race, which was racist. What you should have done was consider race, then you might not have been racist. So if race is the deciding factor, then we’re good? Sure, well, maybe, at least until the next time we need to cry racism.

In the totality of our national circumstances, no state has come further than Alabama. The same state that served as the first capital of the Confederacy, where George Wallace stood in the schoolhouse door, and where churches were bombed, is also the seat of the modern civil rights movement and the home of great men and women of color like Condoleezza Rice, Martin Luther King, Jr., Mae Jemison,

and Booker T. Washington, among others.

Do we still have the specter of racism in our world? Yes. But are we systemically racist? No.

Is there a claim for racism at every turn? No. Aren’t the laws of our nation now in defiance of racism? Yes.

But there are those who want to continue to play the race card as a bludgeon, determined that no matter what we do we will be racist if we do, and racist if we don’t.

Recently, one of the more egregious examples of someone working hard to promote the narrative that there is no hope occurred at the City University of New York Law School commencement ceremony. One student was tapped to give an address. She then used everyone’s special day to announce that the very laws she had just spent years learning are racist, fascist, oppressive, and nothing more than a “manifestation of white supremacy.” As she addressed the deans, professors, and graduates of her law school, she further opined that enforcement of criminal laws is racist, and therefore we must not enforce the laws as to some people.

Racist if we do, racist if we don’t.

Thankfully she received bipartisan rebuke. But it bears repeating that this young lady is preparing to embark on a career in law with the sense that the laws of the land are racist.

I don’t believe that for a minute because I’ve seen Alabama change in my lifetime.

My wife and I recently watched an amazing movie called “Woodlawn,” pro-

duced by Alabama’s own Erwin Brothers. It is the true story of the forced integration of Woodlawn High School in Birmingham in the early ’70s and the upheaval caused by the spillover of social unrest into the student body. There were fights, demonstrations, and threats by the school board to “shut it all down” because of the sense that nothing could bring kids together or overcome the years of racial divide.

But one man felt called to minister to the newly integrated football team: former State Sen. Hank Erwin. He saw past the lie and brought a message of hope.

It became the Cinderella story of the decade as a group of kids, black and white, saw past their skin color, in defiance of parents and classmates, and bonded like a family. They practiced together, they played together, and most importantly they prayed together, willing to believe that with God all things are possible. They had a radical impact on their community, and it happened at the height of racial tensions in a city that had seen multiple bombings and riots.

Alabama’s history shows us that with God anything is possible.

“Racist if you do, racist if you don’t” is a lie.

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.

Alabama legislators to consider bill to allow release of more felons this week

By Paul DeMarco

We are about to see the Alabama Legislature adjourn their regular session for the year in the next week or so.

This is the first session for about three dozen new lawmakers in the Alabama House of Representatives and Senate who just were elected last November. A supermajority of Republicans hold power at the State House and vehemently campaigned on public safety as one of their most important priorities.

Thus, it should be a real concern for citizens that Alabama legislators are on the verge of passing legislation (HB 229) that would allow certain convicted felons who are serving a sentence of life without parole yet another opportunity to appeal for early release outside of the normal appeals process. This means more victims having to go through the trauma of having to appear and beg a court to keep the offender behind bars for the sentence that has already been imposed.

The supporters of this legislation explain that the bill excludes those convicted of homicide, sex crimes and those who caused serious physical injury. However, this bill would give certain inmates yet another opportunity to petition a Judge to be released despite their previous conviction and sentence, which could include those convicted of such offenses as first-degree robbery. Thus, someone who had previously been convicted of threatening someone with a deadly weapon, who already had prior felony convictions, could be released from prison over the objections of a prosecutor and the crime victim.

Interestingly, the bill says the victim has the right to oppose the release of the inmate and testify at the hearing, but there is no provision in the legislation for the victim to be notified of the hearing or that the inmate is petitioning for an early release. How can the victim express their concerns about the resentencing if they are unaware the case

Paul DeMarco is a former member of the Alabama House of Representatives

is back in court? By contrast, when parole hearings occur, Alabama law specifically outlines how and when the victim must be notified prior to the hearing. We cannot assume that victim notification will miraculously occur (especially since these are cases more than 23 years old); we saw how botched victim notification was 4 months ago when the Retroactive Mandatory Supervised Release law went into effect. Even after Senator April Weaver pointed out this shortcoming in committee last week, lawmakers still gave the current bill a “favorable report.”

When victims have the courage to come forward and report crimes, and follow through with prosecution, we should honor their role in our criminal justice system and not snub them years later when an inmate seeks to overturn their sentence.

There has been an ongoing effort by progressive advocacy groups and Democrats to weaken the Alabama criminal justice system and unfortunately some Republicans are following their lead. We have seen the horrific results of these soft-on-crime policies nationwide, as weak laws lead to more violence and more crime victims.

Alabama voters need to pay attention to what their legislators are supporting in Montgomery and hold accountable those who vote for laws that are contrary to promises they made on the campaign trail or the priorities of their constituents.

Paul DeMarco is a former member of the Alabama House of Representatives and can be found on Twitter at @ Paul_DeMarco

Complete Automotive Repair 6857 Gadsden Highway | Trussville, AL 35173 Mon-Fri 7am - 5pm Brian Panos - O wner panosautomotive@gmail.com www.panosautomotive.com 205-655-1527

Savvy Senior: Can I Collect Social Security from My Ex-Spouse?

By Jim Miller

Dear Savvy Senior,

Is it possible to collect Social Security benefits from my ex-spouse? We were married for 12 years but have been divorced for almost 20 years now.

Never Remarried

Dear Never,

Yes, depending on your specific circumstances, you may very well be eligible for divorced spouses Social Security benefits. Here’s what you should know.

Who’s Eligible?

A divorced spouse can collect a Social Security retirement benefit on the earnings record of their ex-husband (or ex-wife) if you are at least age 62, were married for at least 10 years, are unmarried, and are not eligible for a higher benefit based on your own earnings record.

In order to collect, your former spouse must also be at least 62 and eligible for Social Security benefits. But he doesn’t have to be receiving them in order for you to collect divorced spouse’s benefits, as long as you’ve been divorced for at least two years.

Even if your ex is remarried, it won’t affect your right to divorcee benefits, nor will it affect your ex’s retirement benefits or his current spouse’s benefits.

Benefit Amount

A divorced spouse can receive up to 50 percent of their ex’s full Social Security benefit, or less if they take bene-

fits before their full retirement age, which is 66 for people born in 1945-1954 but is gradually increased to age 67 for people born in 1960 or later. To find out your full retirement age and see how much your benefits will be reduced by taking them early see SSA. gov/benefits/retirement/planner/agereduction.html.

Keep in mind though, that if you qualify for benefits based on your own work history, you’ll receive the larger of the two benefits. You cannot receive benefits on both your record, and your ex’s work record too.

To find out how much your retirement benefits will be, see your Social Security statement at SSA.gov/myaccount. And to get an estimate of your ex’s benefits, call Social Security at 800-772-1213. You’ll need to show your marriage certificate and divorce decree to prove your marriage lasted at least 10 years along with his Social Security number to get it.

Other Factors to Know

You also need to be aware that working can affect your divorced spouse’s benefits. If you start taking benefits while working, and are under full retirement age, your benefits will be reduced $1 for every $2 you earn above the annual limit, which is $21,240 in 2023. In the year you reach full retirement age, however, the annual limit increases to $56,520 and the reduction lowers to $1 for every $3 above that limit. See SSA.gov/pubs/EN-05-10069. pdf for more details.

Lass But Not Least: The Wake-Up Call

By Ken Lass

Another factor that can reduce your divorced spouse’s benefits is receiving a pension from an employer that did not withhold Social Security taxes (like a government). This is a rule know as Government Pension Offset (see SSA.gov/ benefits/retirement/planner/ gpo-calc.html) which can reduce your benefits by twothirds of the amount of your pension.

Divorced Survivor’s

Benefits

You also need to know that when your ex-spouse dies (and if you were married for 10 or more years), you become eligible for divorced survivor benefits, which is worth up to 100 percent of what your exspouse was due.

Survivor benefits are available to divorced spouses as early as age 60 (50 if you’re disabled). But if you remarry before 60, you become ineligible unless the marriage ends. Remarrying after age 60 will not affect your eligibility.

Also note that if you are receiving divorced spouses benefits when your ex-spouse dies, you will automatically be switched over to the higher paying survivor benefit.

For more information visit SSA.gov/benefits/retirement/ planner/applying7.html and click on “Benefits for Your Divorced Spouse.”

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

The alarm on my smart phone awakens me from a deep sleep. For a moment I am disoriented, wondering where I am. Once my senses begin to function properly, I manage to crank open one eye to gaze at the time. The digital readout shows 5:15am. What cruel, inhuman twist of fate would require an old, retired guy like me to have to wake up at this pre-dawn hour?

Slowly my brain begins to put it together. It’s the day of the monthly men’s bible study breakfast at my church. The program is titled “6-11”. The name comes from the verse in First Timothy, chapter six, verse eleven: “But you, oh man of God, flee from these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness.”

Unfortunately, the church also thought it would be a neat idea, considering the chapter and number of the verse, to actually start the bible study at 6:11am. Naturally, one of the running jokes amongst many of the participants is that we’ve got to find an equally appropriate verse in chapter nine or ten. Alas, not to be.

I turn over and bury my head deeply into my soft pillow. I must be honest. I must confess. I don’t want to go. I begin to rationalize. Surely this study is designed for the younger, working guys who have to be at their jobs by eight o’clock, or earlier. It’s not aimed at me. I have all day to set aside time to read the Good Word and pray. It would be so much nicer to roll back over, close my eyes, and drift back into la-la land.

But then I begin to hear it. That voice in my head. A little voice that reminds me that, to whom much is given, much is expected. That there is a message out there that I need to hear this morning. That I can’t expect younger men to put forth the effort if I don’t help set the example myself.

Dang that voice. Sometimes I wish it would take a vacation.

I drag myself out of bed, wash up, throw on clothes and drive to church. The instant I get out of my car, men are greeting me with a smiling face and a warm hello as we head into the gym. Pastor leads us in a prayer of thanksgiving, and we line up for breakfast.

Breakfast is awesome. Scrambled eggs, bacon, tater tots, biscuits and gravy, even fruit for those that are trying to eat healthy. It’s not the reason we come. At least I don’t think it is, but it sure helps.

As a couple hundred men work their way through the buffet, the volunteer cooks lean up against the wall by the kitchen door. Bleary-eyed, they watch for trays to empty and then quickly replace them with full ones. Most all of them are around my age, senior adult types. They get here hours earlier to start preparing this feast. For a moment I feel badly for groaning about having to get up so early, considering they show up so much earlier to cook. But I quickly get over it as I pile bacon on to my plate. I make sure to thank them as I walk past. They manage an exhausted smile as they mumble something sleepily incoherent. They are good folk.

After loading my plate, I sit with a group of good friends.

We’ve been meeting at this gathering for years. We talk about our aches and pains, football, grandkids, prayer needs. We laugh and joke. I’m in a good mood now. This is fun.

A few seats down to my right a young father has brought along his son, who I’m guessing is nine or ten years old. What a great habit to instill in the boy. He’ll never forget these times with his dad the rest of his life. There are, in fact, several children in the crowd. It’s a very diverse turnout, spanning all stages of life.

This morning’s message is from Genesis 39, the story of Joseph and Potipher’s wife. After being wrongly accused of sexually assaulting the woman, Joseph was sent to prison. Despite the adversity, he remains faithful to God. If you’re familiar with the story, you know that eventually Joseph is rewarded by becoming the second most powerful man in the kingdom.

The message is clear. Hard times will come, often unjustly. Keep the faith. Never feel abandoned. There may be a blessing right around the corner. It’s exactly what I need to hear. It’s what everybody needs to hear. We all have issues that get us down. As we pray at dismissal, those problems seem a little less daunting.

Everyone gets up with a grin. My friends bid me a warm good-bye. I leave with a bounce in my step, ready to take on the day.

Funny thing. When that wake-up alarm rings, I tell myself I’m never doing this early study again. By the time I leave the gym, I can’t wait for the next one.

o

By David Rainer Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

Not only did exceptional anglers get to participate in the Exceptional Anglers event Gone Fishin’, Not Just Wishin’ at Oak Mountain State Park a few weeks ago, but a new bait company provided them with lures to land the numerous bass that inhabit the park’s lakes.

The annual event teaches basic fishing skills to students with special needs from Alabaster and Pelham city schools and the Shelby and Jefferson county school systems. The bait company’s name and mission made it a perfect fit for the event. Exceptional Baits was launched to provide skills for people with disabilities.

“We help people with disabilities learn job skills, life skills and social skills,” said Equip’s Blake Huynh. “We actually launched our new company at the Gone Fishin’, Not Just Wishin’ event. We are making fishing lures, soft plastic baits, with people with disabilities. We’re also packaging that way, and we’re paying the individuals $10 per hour, no matter how much they can produce so they can learn job skills.”

Chris Blankenship, Commissioner of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) said he looks forward to Gone Fishin’, Not Just Wishin’ each year and thinks Exceptional Baits is

R s

Exceptional Baits makes debut at Exceptional Anglers event

a perfect complement to the Exceptional Anglers event.

“Gone Fishin’ Not Just Wishin’ is one of my favorite events that we put on each year,” Commissioner Blankenship said. “It

makes my heart full to see the huge smiles as the kids catch fish, some for the first time ever. It was also good to meet Blake and hear what they are doing at Exceptional Baits. The fishing event

teaches kids how to fish and enjoy the outdoors, and Exceptional Baits is teaching people with disabilities life skills so they can work and take pride in earning a living. It sure is good to see that people of all abilities can fish and work and enjoy the quality of life we have here in Alabama.”

Huynh said Exceptional Baits was created under the non-profit Equip (equipservices.org), which has been established since 2018.

“Exceptional Baits is kind of a sister company that comes under the umbrella of Equip, where we can hire people with disabilities, train them on job skills and build that stamina,” he said.

Huynh said several of the current participants

were significantly impacted by the COVID pandemic and are now just trying to get back into the routine of working.

“We’ve had a couple of participants who have come through with a lot of anxiety,” he said. “They were in a routine of working, but after COVID they just struggled to get back into the workforce. We’re trying to build that stamina so they can get back to working regularly.”

Huynh said Exceptional Baits combines his two passions into a productive outcome.

“I love to fish, and I also love to work with people with special needs,” he said. “I’ve been working with people with special needs since 2004, and I just want-

ed to bring my hobby into something that was new and would benefit them. It’s different, because not many people do this in the world of people with disabilities.

“I think the outdoors is difficult to have access to at times. I know other programs have been created to deal with that. This is just another opportunity for us to reinvest into the outdoors culture that exists in our area.”

Exceptional Baits currently offers five different styles of soft plastic lures – lizards, finesse worms, stick worms, Ned worms and a creature bait called the Grass Grenade.

“We’re working toward producing swim baits and flukes, and we recently just got in some new molds,”

Anglers and mentors line the banks of one of Oak Mountain State Park’s lakes for the Exceptional Anglers event recently. (Kenny Johnson, Blake Huynh)

Huynh said. “We’re slowly working on building up colors, and we can also do custom colors. We let our participants in the program choose random colors and glitters at times just so they can have a say in creating some new baits. Then we take them fishing to try them out.

“From the Oak Mountain event, we’ve had a few orders already. Our participants have not only gained great life skills from placing the baits in packages, packing them in boxes and adding the addresses, but they also are taking the boxes to the post office, requesting tracking numbers and talking about the rates and how we want to ship it to the customer. Teaching those life skills is one of the great bonuses of the new company.”

Huynh said the individuals at Exceptional Baits, which produces the baits in Birmingham, have a wide

range of disabilities, and the job assignments are matched with their abilities.

“The individuals that do the injecting of the plastics are typically higher functioning,” he said. “The people packaging the worms typically have the more severe disabilities.”

Huynh said the participants gain a great deal of satisfaction when they are involved in the creative process.

“The most excitement comes when they create their own color and glitter pattern,” he said. “But they enjoy packaging. It’s a repetitive task. A lot of times, when working with people with disabilities, they excel at repetitive tasks and are able to concentrate and focus on the tasks, sometimes better than their typical peers. We have taken them fishing and plan to do it again soon. Even if they’re not catching anything, they enjoy using something that

they’ve made.

“From the financial side, they love to get some money from it. They can make something where they have struggled to get or hold a job. That’s huge for them. And I can see some awesome pride in the ones producing the baits.”

Huynh said the feedback from customers who have purchased the baits online at equipservices.org/exceptionalbaits has been positive.

“They’ve all told us they are high quality baits and are very similar to the major brands when it comes to quality,” he said. “Several of the vendors said they planned to order more. And I have personally been using them and have had great success with them as well.”

Huynh hopes to expand the production and display products at retail shops in the Jefferson/Shelby County areas. Discussions are being held about selling the baits

at Alabama State Parks.

“I think the most important thing about Exceptional Baits is all the money that is generated through this is going right back to paying for materials and supplies or funding the paychecks of the participants who work there,” he said. “The money coming into Exceptional Baits goes right back to those with exceptionalities. We are paying them a meaningful wage as well. I love the exposure we’ve had in the outdoor world and the interest they’ve gained in wanting to go fishing more. I had one of the participants ask if we could go fishing next week. He wants to go back to Oak Mountain.”

Huynh said the Exceptional Angler event was the perfect setting for his work-

ers to see the results of their labor.

“Gone Fishin’ is an event I’ve attended multiple years, and I think it’s great to expose youth with disabilities to fishing and get them more comfortable with it,” he said. “Many of the students I worked with in previous years had never even seen a fish up close. When we’re there, most people catch one. That’s huge for the participants to have success when fishing. It’s fun fishing, but if you’re not catching anything ever, you can lose interest. But the event sets them up for success, and they always want to go back. They look forward to it all year long.

“It’s a great time with great volunteers and businesses that support it. And

we have fried fish too. I encouraged my students to try it.” Gone Fishin’, Not Just Wishin’ sponsors include the ADCNR’s Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division, Alabama Power Company, Spire Energy, Alabaster City Schools, Bud’s Best Cookies, Buffalo Rock, City of Pelham, Consolidated Pipe and Supply, EBSCO, Golden Flake, Hadaway’s Good Little Farm, HPM, the Humber family, Jefferson County Adapted Physical Education, Jefferson County Board of Education and Transportation, Oak Mountain State Park, Pelham City Schools, Pelham police and fire departments, Shelby County Commission, Shelby County Schools, and Tyson Foods.

Orthopedic Physical Therapy

Manual Therapy

Post-Operative Rehabilitation

Hand Therapy Services*

Avai able at Trussvi le

Performance Enhancement

Exceptional Baits makes a variety of soft plastic lures in different shapes and colors.

(Kenny Johnson, Blake Huynh)

A pair of workers at Exceptional Baits sorts the lures to get ready for packaging. (Kenny Johnson, Blake Huynh)

H ea L t H and W e LL ness

Swinging into golf with an orthopedic surgeon

Written by Zane B. Hyde, M.D., of OrthoAlabama Spine & Sports

Combining skill, strategy and an appreciation for nature, it is no wonder so many around the world have committed to the golf lifestyle. With a seemingly low-impact sport, what are some of the problems that we see in orthopedics that prevent people from enjoying their time on the course?

Why do my elbows hurt?

We all know that playing golf involves the constant swinging of a club. The repetitive movement can cause pain in your elbows in the form of golfer’s elbow, or medial epicondylitis, a type of tendonitis.

Besides pain, you may experience stiffness and tenderness in your elbow. Golfer’s elbow can even affect your hand and wrist, causing a tingling sensation, numbness and weakness. These symptoms are the result of damage to the muscles and tendons that control your fingers and wrist, usually related to the overuse of your forearms. Other factors that can contribute to golfer’s elbow include improper hitting, poor conditioning and not taking enough time to warm up.

This condition can be prevented, and proper conditioning goes a long way. You can start by strengthening your forearm muscles. Simple exercises, such as using light weights or squeezing a tennis ball, can help with that pesky elbow pain.

Warm up with brief cardio and stretching to decrease your risk of injury. Without warming up, you may put unnecessary strain on your

muscles and joints. Like rubber bands, your body’s tissues tend to be more flexible and less likely to get damaged when stretched and warmed up before doing quick or jerking movements.

Bracing, stretching and rest as well as applying ice and heat can also help with the pain and healing process for your minor elbow injuries.

See a doctor if your elbow is hot, inflamed, stiff or deformed or if you suspect you have broken a bone.

Why do my shoulders hurt?

Your shoulders hurt for the same reason your elbows do — overuse. Repetitive motions, like swinging a golf club, put an immense amount of stress on the shoulder’s muscles, tendons and connective tissues. This can cause a rotator cuff injury.

Common to professional and beginner golfers alike, rotator cuff tears happen in one or more of the four muscles responsible for stabilizing the shoulder joint. These include the subscapularis, the infraspinatus, the teres minor and the supraspinatus, which is the most commonly injured

muscle. You may experience weakness or pain when your shoulder is moved or at rest. Another symptom of a rotator cuff injury is crepitus, which is a crackling sensation when moving your shoulder in certain positions.

A simple way to prevent and avoid shoulder pain is to clean out your golf bag. Try removing unnecessary items or invest in a pushcart for your clubs if a golf cart is unavailable. Doing this can reduce the strain on your shoulders and neck.

Upgrade your clubs to graphite material. Old clubs are made from a heavier material, which can affect your swing and put tension on the shoulders as you lift the club above your head.

Additionally, using the right form will allow you to last longer on the course. Using poor form can be compared to using a butter knife to cut tough steak. It may get the job done, but it will be at the cost of hurting yourself.

To get your swing smooth like butter, talk to other golfers and ask them to correct your form so that you can prevent injury and even improve your

game in the process.

If you are experiencing pain, numbness, tingling, weakness or limited mobility that is preventing you from doing your everyday activities, your injury may be more serious and you should seek a professional.

Why does my back hurt?

Even for the best golfers, it can be a challenge to pinpoint where your back pain is coming from or even how to prevent it. Lumbar strains, disc herniations and arthritis are all common back issues that golfers can experience.

When swinging your club, forces work against each other, creating shear force, which is a combination of one force pushing your body one way and another force pushing your body the opposite way. This kind of movement is not natural to how your body is structured. Without the proper amount of rest, these shear forces can cause pain, strains and inflammation and can even irritate present arthritis.

To reduce the chance of severe pain and injury, decrease your power teeing off to about 70%, as this is one of the more vigorous movements in golf. You can also try exercising when not on the course to improve flexibility and build your core muscles to better support your spine and upper body. Some exercises you can try include planks, crunches and sit-ups.

Limit your time on the course, as 18 holes multiple times a week can put strain on

your body. You can improve your form and refine your swing by investing in lessons.

For minor back injuries, simply resting, applying ice or taking over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications can help relieve your pain. If you have pain or weakness that goes down the leg or your back pain is unmanageable, your injury may be more severe, and you should seek a medical professional.

Why do my knees hurt?

Though most movement happens in the hips, back and arms of golfers, knee injuries are still a surprisingly common occurrence. From lining up your putt in a squat to teeing off, the risk of a knee injury can happen at any point. One of the most common knee injuries is a tear in the meniscus.

Acting as a shock absorber, the meniscus is a crescent-shaped piece of tissue that sits on either side of your knee. If you have torn your meniscus, you may not experience symptoms right away. A telltale sign of a torn meniscus is swelling that happens a few days after your golf outing. You may also have pain and a catching or locking sensation preventing you from getting back to your activities.

Other common golf knee injuries include medial collateral ligament damage (located on the inside of the knee), cruciate ligament damage and injuries due to degenerative conditions, such as osteoarthritis.

You can prevent such injuries by strengthening and stretching the muscles in your mid back and low back, calves, hamstrings, thighs and hips. Exercises you can try include lunges and squats.

Rest, ice, anti-inflammatory medications, elevating your knee and wrapping your knee with a bandage or brace are good for relieving your pain and getting you back to playing golf. See a professional if you are experiencing significant swelling, redness, unbearable pain, tenderness, a popping sensation or fever or if your joint appears deformed.

Are you wanting to try golf and looking for somewhere to start? Birmingham offers many outlets for new golfers and professionals alike. Custom fitting to improve your club comfort is offered at just about any golf store, and many of those locations also offer lessons or resources where you can receive lessons. If you have questions about gear or techniques, you can always ask other golfers or golf shop employees for advice. If you have questions about golf injuries or have experienced an injury while playing, see a medical professional so you can return to the course as soon as possible.

Perfect your swing this summer or find the perfect new hobby that gets you out to enjoy the season. Whatever you do, make sure you don’t let aches and pains keep you from having fun.

c a L enda R

Dynamic Education

Adventures: You Matter!

States of Matter Science

June 7 @ 10:00 am - 11:00 am

Pinson Public Library (RSMC), 4509 Pinson Boulevard

Pinson, AL 35126 United States

time during our Buzzy Bee Party event on Thursday, June 8th from 10 AM to 12 PM. Learn how bees work together for their hive to prosper. Enjoy games, crafts, snacks, & more fun!

Storytime for Growin’ Beans with Ms. Allison: Animals are Friends

June 9 @ 10:00 am - 11:00 am

Pinson Public Library (RSMC), 4509 Pinson Boulevard Pinson, AL 35126 United States

cLassified

Tuesday, June 13th at 9 AM

It’s Take-Home Tuesday! Drop by the library beginning Tuesday, June 13th at 9 AM to pick up an all ages kit with a craft & fun surprise! This week’s theme is Friendship Bracelets. Supplies are limited, so kits are available on a first come, first serve basis.

Let’s Move! Sport Stations June 13 @ 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm

Pinson Public Library (RSMC), 4509 Pinson Boulevard Pinson, AL 35126 United States

(All ages)

Wednesday, June 7th at 10 AM

Join The Science Lady for an exciting & engaging exploration of the states of matter! This fizzing, bubbling, exploding show will be full of cool chemical reactions. All together now for some thrilling science fun!

Coffee & Crafts:

DIY Felt Coasters

June 7 @ 10:00 am - 11:00 am

Pinson Public Library (RSMC), 4509 Pinson Boulevard Pinson, AL 35126 United States

(All ages)

Join us for Storytime for Growin’ Beans with Ms. Allison on Friday, June 9th at 10 AM. Our theme is “Animals are Friends”. We’ll read books, have fun, do a craft, & have a snack. Storytime is designed for pre-K children, but all ages are welcome.

Yasu Ishida: Magic Story Artist June 12 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Pinson Public Library (RSMC), 4509 Pinson Boulevard Pinson, AL 35126 United States

(Teens)

Tuesday, June 13th, 4-5:30PM

Get active and celebrate our Summer Reading Theme, “All Together Now”, at our Let’s Move!: Sport Stations! This is a teens-only event (6th-12th grade) where teens can move from station to station participating in a variety of sports: mini-golf, bowling, archery, & foursquare. Snacks will be provided.

Decoding the Mysteries of Cats: Why Cats Do What They Do June 15 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

(Adults)

June 7th at 10AM

Coffee & Crafts is our monthly craft event for adults! Join us on Wednesday, June 7th at 10 AM to enjoy coffee & design your own felt coasters. All supplies will be provided.

Buzzy Beehives

June 8 @ 10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Pinson Public Library (RSMC), 4509 Pinson Boulevard Pinson, AL 35126 United States

Pinson Public Library (RSMC), 4509 Pinson Boulevard Pinson, AL 35126 United States

(All ages)

Monday, June 12th at 6 PM

Yasu Ishida is a storyteller who incorporates Origami and magic tricks into storytelling! Join us for a special performance!

Take-Home Tuesdays: Friendship Bracelets

June 13 @ 9:00 am - 6:00 pm

Pinson Public Library (RSMC), 4509 Pinson Boulevard Pinson, AL 35126 United States

SERVICES

SELLING a RV, Tractor or Golf Cart? ADVERTISE STATEWIDE or by region in over 100 Newspapers, reaching over 1 million readers each week! Run your ad in our Classified Network for just $210 per week! Make one call to this newspaper (participating Ala-SCAN newspaper) or call 1-800-264-7043 to find out how easy it is to advertise statewide!

BATH & SHOWER UPDATES in as little as ONE DAY! Affordable prices - No payments for 18 months! Lifetime warranty & professional installs. Senior & Military Discounts available. Call: 833449-1307.

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LONG DISTANCE MOVING: Call today for a FREE QUOTE from America’s Most Trusted Interstate Movers. Let us take the stress out of moving! Speak to a Relocation Specialist, call 844-925-3534

EDUCATION

ATTENTION ACTIVE Duty & Military Veterans! Begin a new career and earn your Degree at CTI! Online Computer & Medical training available

Call (205) 533-8664

for Veterans & Families! To learn more, call 866-475-1014 (M-F 8am-6pm 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 844-322-9935.

ATTENTION: VIAGRA and CIALIS USERS! A cheaper alternative to high drugstore prices! 50 Pill Special - $99 + FREE Shipping! 100% guaranteed. CALL NOW: 866-5050828.

FOR SALE

TWO BURIAL PLOTS at Jefferson Memorial Gardens. Located in the shady and serene center of the cemetery in the Garden of Everlasting Life away from busy traffic noise. Plot 54C, spaces 3 and 4. $4,300 each, seller is responsible for transfer fee. Call 251404-9321.

DirecTV Satellite TV Service

Starting at $59.99/month! Free Installation! 160+ channels available. Call Now to Get the Most Sports & Entertainment on TV! 844-594-7108

NEED NEW Flooring? Call Empire Today to schedule a Free in-home estimate on Carpeting and Flooring. Call Today! 1-888-381-0916.

UPDATE YOUR HOME with Beautiful New Blinds & Shades. FREE in-home estimates make it convenient to shop from home. Professional installation. Top qualityMade in the USA. Call for free consultation: 844-809-9165. Ask about our specials!

Eliminate gutter cleaning forever! LeafFilter, the most advanced debris-blocking gutter protection. Schedule a FREE LeafFilter estimate today. 20% off Entire Purchase. Plus 10% Senior & Military Discounts. Call 1-833-683-2005

GENERAC Standby Generators provide backup power during utility power outages, so your home and family stay safe and comfortable. Prepare now. Free 7-year extended warranty ($695 value!). Request a free quote today! Call for additional terms and conditions. 1-877-323-5516

AUTOMOTIVE

SUPPORT THE BLIND! Donate a car to the American Council of the Blind. FAST FREE PICKUP. 24-hour response. Running or not. maximum tax deduction and no emission test required! Call 24/7: 844-601-1342.

AUTO INSURANCE from $29 month Free 2-minute Quote! We Compare all Insurance providers offers for you! Lowest Rates! Call Now 866450-0943

(All ages)

Thursday, June 8th 10 AM to 12 PM

Drop in for a buzzin’ good

(All ages)

(Adults)

Thursday, June 16th at 6 PM

Registration Required Stephen Quandt, certified Feline Training & Behavior Specialist, has created a feline behavior webinar to explain cat behavior from the perspective of the evolutionary & adaptive forces that help shape the lives of cats. Stephen’s presentation will be virtual, so you can register to receive the link to watch at home or you can come to the library to watch in person on our large screens.

https://bit.ly/pplfelinewebinar

The City of Argo is currently accepting applications for a City Maintenance position. The job description and employment application can be found on our website at cityofargo.org

All applications can be turned in to City Hall, Monday - Friday from 8:00 A.M. - 4:00 P.M. or emailed to city.argo@gmail.com.

Please include a resume.

o bitua R y

Jennifer Salvadori

march 6, 1971 — may 19, 2023

Jennifer Lee Salvadori’s life was unexpectedly taken too soon on May 19, 2023. Her family and friends are deeply saddened by her sudden and senseless death.

Jennifer was born on March 6, 1971. She was 52 years old.

Jennifer is survived by her Sons, Andrew Bunt and Joshua Bunt; Sister, Amy Gore (Jerry); Nephews, Garrett Gore and Mason Gore; Niece, Ava Gore; Step-brothers, Jeffrey Murray and Brent Murray; Grandmother, Elsie Clark; Aunts, Candy Bynum, Cindy Colvin (Steve), Teresa Davenport (Gary); Cousins, Doug Tidwell, Kim George (Eric), Bradley Colvin (Mary), Jacob Davenport (Michele), Rebecca Briley (Barrett); Ex-husband, David Salvadori; and a host of family and friends.

Jennifer is preceded in death by her Great Grandmother, Vera Lee; Grandfather, Aubrey Clark and Morris Murray, Sr; Grandmother, Charlsie Murray; Parents, John Murray, Pamela Murray and Jerry Connell.

Jennifer graduated from Huffman High School in Birmingham and worked in the Banking Industry since graduating high school. She was a member of OneEighty Church in Springville, Alabama. She loved attending her workout classes at the YMCA, all types of music (especially anything Prince or Eddie Vedder), but if you know Jennifer, then you know her obsession with shoes, jewelry, purses and anything that sparkled.

A visitation for Jennifer will be held Saturday, May 27, 2023 at 2:00 pm with a Memorial Service to follow at 3:00 pm at OneEighty Church, 5770 US Hwy 11, Springville, AL 35146.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Jennifer Salvadori, please visit our flower store.

Norman Cummings

april 11, 1939 — may 22, 2023

Norman (Gary) Cummings, age 84, of Pinson, Alabama passed away on May 22, 2023. He was born to Claude and Beulah Cummings on April 11, 1939. Gary retired after 35 years of service as a machinist at Acipco. He was a member of Fultondale First Baptist Church.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Claude and Beulah Cummings; daughter, Lisa sisters, Shelby Rickey, Betty Desho; brothers, C.P., Michael, Grady , and Clyde Cummings.

Gary leaves behind his wife of 43 years, Janice Cummings; daughters, Karen Maze, Robin Norris; sons, Bryan Cummings (Elizabeth), Greg Cummings (Gisille), Chad Radcliff (Meliaha); sister, Sue Smith; brother, Billy Cummings; grandchildren, Gregory, Chase, Anna, Stephanie, Garrett, Evan, Sarah; 8 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

A funeral service in his honor will be held on Saturday, May 27, 2023 at 12:00 PM at Jefferson Memorial Funeral Home in Trussville.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Norman Cummings, please visit our flower store.

William Lawson

june 17, 1953 — may 26, 2023

William "Gene" Lawson, age 69, of Trussville, AL passed away on May 26, 2023. He was born on June 17, 1953 in Sendai, Japan to Leonard Eugene Lawson and Tamako Kato Lawson. He graduated from Hewitt Trussville High School in 1971. He joined the Airforce in May of 1971 and was honorably discharged in 1975 after serving in the Vietnam War. He retired from the State of AL as a Law Clerk after 10 years of service.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Bobby Lawson. He is survived by his sister, Judy Lewis; a brother, Steve Lawson; numerous nieces.

Gene also leaves behind several great nieces and great nephews.

A visitation for friends and family will be held at Jefferson Memorial Funeral Home on Thursday, June 1, 2023, from 1:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. The funeral will be held at Jefferson Memorial's Chapel at 2:00 p.m. with a burial immediately following at Jefferson Memorial's adjoining cemetery. Pastor Randy Williams will preside over the service.

Edward Andre Monteith

may

Trussville

6, 1938 — may 24, 2023

Edward Andre’ Monteith, 85, of Trussville, AL., passed away on May 24, 2023.

He is survived by Sarah Mullins Monteith, his wife of 66 years.

He is preceded in death by Samuel Edward and Emma Fikes Monteith, parents; Barbara Monteith Townsend, sister; and Lisa Luquire, niece.

He was born May 6,1938 in Birmingham and graduated from Phillips High School. He worked for Remington Rand before becoming co-owner of Spring

Aire Dry Cleaners in 1970 with ten locations in central Alabama. He was a lifetime member of Sertoma International and president of Pinson Valley Chamber of Commerce, 1975-1976.

He is survived by Samye “Susie” Luquire of Tuscaloosa, sister; Don Townsend of Hoover, brother in-law; Rusty (Keisha) Luquire of Birmingham, nephew; Cathy (Fred) Townsend Smith of Hoover, niece; Amie Smith of Pelham, great niece; Ashley (Nicholas) Kirby of Helena, great niece; Emma and Jenny Kirby of Helena, great-nieces; and many extended family members and friends. Memorial service will be June 10, 2023 at 11:00 with reception following at St. Simon Peter Episcopal Church, 3702 Mays Bend Road, Pell City, AL 35128. In lieu of flowers, the family request that any memorials be made to the Men’s Club at St. Simon Peter Episcopal Church or charity of your choice.

Hazel Wentzell

november 30, 1924 — may 30, 2023

Hazel Dorothy Wentzell, 98, resident of Birmingham, AL passed away on May 30, 2023. Hazel was born on November 30, 1924, in Arnprior, Ontario, Canada.

Hazel is preceded in death by her husband of 66 years, Merle Wentzell and is survived by her three children: son, David Wentzell (Kathy) of Tobermory, Ontario, Canada; daughters, Chris Diuguid (Mike) of Trussville, AL and Debbie Hall (Randy) of Birmingham, AL. She is also survived by five grandchildren: Torry Wentzell (Denise) of Puslinch, Ontario, Canada, Ian Diuguid of Denver, CO, Carrie Wentzell (Bryce) of Cobble Hill, British Columbia, Canada, Cameron Hall of Birmingham, AL, and Megan Hall of Birmingham, AL and one great granddaughter, Elodie of Cobble Hill, British Columbia, Canada. Hazel was a steadfast member of Faith Lutheran Church and attended many annual conventions and cluster meetings over the years. She had numerous hobbies including knitting, quilting, working jigsaw and crossword puzzles, bird watching and reading. She loved to travel and explore new places. Hazel never met a stranger and touched many lives with her kindness and generosity. in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Faith Lutheran Church or Lutheran World Relief.

Jeffrey (Jeff) Scott

november 27, 1982 — may 28, 2023

Jeff Scott, age 40, of Trussville, AL passed away on May 28, 2023. Jeff graduated from Trussville High School in 2001, and then went on to graduate with honors from Auburn University with a Doctorate of Pharmacy degree in 2010. After graduation he pursued a PGY1 pharmacy residency in Pediatrics and a PGY2 in Pediatrics Oncology at St. Jude Children’s Hospital for 5 years.

Then he went on to work in Oncology at UAB Kirkland Clinic for the last 7 years. He loved spending time with his family, especially his son Brooks. Jeff also had a passion for motorcycles and even did a little racing at one time.

Jeff is preceded by his grandparents William and Jeanie Hargrove and Rheubin Scott Jr. and Esther Scott.

He leaves behind to cherish his memory his parents, Robert and Kay Scott; son, Brooks Walker Scott; brother, Adam Scott (Katy); the mother of his child Brittany Scott; Aunts, Sue Scott and Angela Hargrove, and a close family friend Pat Mullins. In lieu of flowers memorial contribution may be made to St. Jude at www.stjude.org.

The family will receive friends on Friday, June 2, 2023 from 11:00 am to 11:45 am. Family only visitation will be from 11:45 am to 12:00 noon with a graveside service following at Jefferson Memorial Funeral Home and Gardens in Trussville.

Mary Taylor

march 17, 1935 — may 29, 2023

Mary Taylor, 88, passed away on May 29, 2023. She was born on March 17, 1935, in Ohatchee, AL, to parents Oscar and Plumer Phillips. She married Howard Taylor on July 27, 1957. The couple had 2 children, Kay Brinkley and Ken Taylor.

May I Ask a Cemetery Owner or Operator to Help Me Find a Gravesite?

This is a common conundrum: You wish to pay your respects to a deceased loved one or ancestor and know which cemetery they are buried in. What you don’t know is exactly where their gravesite is located - and in vast, sprawling cemeteries, this can pose a significant logistical problem.

The question is, who can you ask to help you find the grave you are looking for? Is it proper etiquette to contact the cemetery owner or operator to provide you with some direction?

The short answer to this question is yes, though you may not need to speak with a cemetery owner directly. These days, many cemeteries have websites where you can get the lay of the land and develop some sense of where your loved one is buried. Often, this is the quickest way to find the information you’re looking for.

But if the cemetery doesn’t have a website, or you still need assistance, contacting the cemetery’s owner or operator is perfectly fine. It’s best to gather some key information before you do so, however - including the full name of the deceased and, if possible, the year of their birth and death. This helps the cemetery owner to locate your loved one more quickly.

An alternative is to reach out to the local funeral home; even if it’s not affiliated with the cemetery in question, it may have access to records that show where your loved one is buried. In short, there’s always a way to identify the final resting place of your loved one, so never hesitate to ask!

Mary was known for her green thumb with flowers & gardening and delicious cake-making. She loved working in church, and over the years served the Lord in various ways, including wrapping hundreds of boxes for Operation Christmas Child.

Mary is preceded in death by her father, Oscar Phillips, her mother, Plumer Phillips, her husband, Howard Taylor, and her 8 brothers and sisters: Violet, Cecil, Charles, Burtis, Clifford, Lee, Bo and Mack. She had one unborn great-grandchild, Hope Whipple.

Mary is survived by her daughter, Kay Brinkley, son, Ken Taylor - granddaughters Taylor Brinkley and Emily Whipple, and her great-grandson, Landon Whipple, along with many other family.

Appreciation is extended to all, including her great-niece, Rachel Creswell, for their kind attention to Mary. Thanks also to the workers of Enhabit Hospice, and her caregiver, Brandy Williams, for their wonderful care for her. The service for Mary Taylor will be held on Friday June 2, 2023 at 10:00 am at the Upper Room Baptist Church in Irondale, Al.; The family will receive friends one hour prior to service starting at 9:00 am till 10:00 am at the Upper Room Baptist Church. Burial will follow at Jefferson Memorial Gardens in Trussville Al. Memorial donations can be made in Mary's name to Upper Room Baptist Church, in Irondale Al.

Linda Upchurch

november 30, 1952 — may 28, 2023

Linda Susan Johnson Upchurch, age 70 of Moody, AL passed away on May 28, 2023. She is preceded in death by her parents, W H and Dorothy Johnson and aunt, Pat Singleton. She is survived by her husband, Richard Upchurch; daughters, Tamara Upchurch and Donna Sue Upchurch; niece, Patti Christman (Kenneth), cousin, Roy Singleton and uncle, RA Singleton.

Martha Burke

march 30, 1939 — may 25, 2023

Martha Gail (Sanford) Burke Age 84 of Birmingham passed away on May 25th, 2023. She was born March 30, 1939, to Robert and Ruth Sanford. She was a member First Baptist Church of Oneonta.

She is proceeded in death by her husband Len Grafton Burke Sr. and son James Edward Burke.

She is survived by her sons; Len Burke Jr. (Sue), John Burke (Sheila), Brother Robert Sandford Jr, sister Sara Catrett, Grandchildren JJ Burke (Taylor), Alyson Blythe (Zach), Phillip Burke (Sara), Preston Burke (Allie), and Robert Burke

Great Grandchildren: Parker Burke, Lilly Burke, Paxton Burke, Kennedy Burke, Ashlan Simpson (Christian) Bronsyn Burke, Dru Burke, Bodhi Burke and Brantley Blythe

Nieces, Suzi Valentine (Brian) and Chana Miller (Jonathon)

Martha worked with Mayo Management for 34 years. She began her career as store manager of Giftwick in Century Plaza and went on to become a buyer for all Mayo Management stores. She also traveled to trade shows, set up new store locations and was a huge part of their business family.

She loved her family, friends, and her Auburn Tigers! War Eagle

She

205-322-0543 www.jmgardens.com

1591 Gadsden Hwy Birmingham, AL 35235

Pinson’s Caitlin Buford signs with Xavier of Louisiana

By Johnny Sanders

Sports Editor

PINSON – Pinson Valley shortstop, Caitlin Buford’s journey is a bit different from most. A 2023 graduate of Pinson Valley High School, Buford has played softball in Dubai, India, Singapore, and the Philippines before deciding, in 2020, to come back to the United States of America, moving in with her grandmother Gloria Howard, to complete her high school career in both academics and on the softball field. “I moved to Dubai in 2016 with my mother, who is a teacher there,” said Caitlin. “I was not going to go but she told me that I would still be able to play softball and that changed my mind. In 2020, I returned home to Alabama. The thing I missed most was simply playing competitive travel softball.”

Upon moving back, Caitlin got back into the groove of playing softball, but it was not always easy. Pinson has experienced a revolving door, of sorts, at the helm of the softball team. In all three of Buford’s seasons on the team, they have had a different head coach each year. They also won just 5 games during the most recent season. There has been one constant, however, in assistant coach Katie Green. “For me, stability is everything, especially when it comes to softball,” said

Buford. “During my time at Pinson, having a different coach every year since my sophomore year was not easy. I was constantly having to maneuver through different coaching styles as well as personalities. Having Coach Green as a constant helped because there was a sense of stability there with myself as well as my teammates. In Coach Green, I had someone who understood my athleticism and passion for the game of softball. I am forever grateful that Coach Green was my constant.”

Coach Green, who teaches at Rudd Middle School as well, is equally grateful. “It has been my privilege and honor to witness Caitlin Buford play the game she loves,” said Green. “I have watched her character and leadership on and off the field for the last 3 years. She is one of the most passionate players I have ever seen. In her senior year, her leadership was evident in assisting younger players in their development offensively and defensively. I continuously saw her across the field going back in the dugout and talking to teammates about what she saw in the opposing pitcher. It is no secret that Pinson Valley has seen some struggles these last few years in being able to retain a head coach suitable for the level of talent we have here, and while it has been just as hard for me as it has been for the

players, I am so incredibly proud of the resilience Caitlin and the whole team has shown through it all. They are what keeps me coming back year after year. Caitlin is the second player that has signed to play collegiate softball under my tenure, and I am so excited to see her to move up to the next level and continue playing the game she loves.”

Rather than be discouraged in a senior season that saw another coaching change, Buford kept her head down and had a fantastic senior season, batting .353, leading the team in hits (24), singles (23), accumulating 13 RBI, 18 runs and 11 stolen bases.

“This year, despite another coaching change, my goals were met. I played to the best of my ability, not only myself but my teammates as well. For me, this was all about having fun my senior year. Through hard work and support from my teammates, we all enjoyed out season. I certainly enjoyed it with this group of girls. I’ve been with them since my sophomore season and they accepted me and treated me like family and for that, I will forever love them!”

With the adversities that she faced in high school and in traveling all over the world now behind her, Caitlin looks

to take on the challenges of becoming a college student athlete. Caitlin signed her letter of intent to play softball at Xavier of Louisiana. “Since I was a child, I have always wanted to go to an HBCU. As I hope to pursue a career in the medical field, I have always shown interest in Xavier University of Louisiana,” said Buford. “As I got older, I decided that XULA would not be the school for me because they did not have a softball program. While I was living in Dubai, there was talk that Xavier was getting a softball team. Shortly after I heard that, they in fact did get a softball program. Since

then, I made up my mind that I wanted to go to Xavier on an academic and athletic scholarship. On August 6, 2022, I made my dreams a reality. I felt at home at Xavier, and I don’t think I could have made a better decision about picking a college than I did. I am also ecstatic to be attending my mom’s alma mater, where she earned a bachelor’s degree from there in 2003.”

As if being a student athlete was not enough, Caitlin is going the extra mile in furthering her education. “My major is Biology Pre-Med. After I earn my degree from Xavier, I hope to earn a Doctorate of Physical Therapy and attend medical and earn my MD.” Caitlin has left behind a legacy at Pinson Valley High School of determination, hard work and perseverance through difficult circumstances. Her message to the students following behind her is, “You may not always win, but don’t ever lose your passion and drive for whatever you have your eyes set on. I hope that when people hear my name, they remember how strong my love and passion for the game of softball is. I hope they remember how cognizant I am when it comes to the game. Most of all, I hope they remember my resilience and how, despite all of the changes, I never settled, I endured, and I never gave up on the game.”

Caitlin Buford, surrounded by loved ones, signs her letter to play at Xavier.

Photo by Caitlin Buford

Jesse Turner named Leeds Softball coach

By Johnny Sanders Sports Editor

LEEDS – There has been a change at the helm of the Leeds High School softball team for the upcoming season. On May 9th, Leeds selected Jesse Turner as the replacement for Erin Wright. The Green Wave just completed a 4-18 season.

Jesse Turner, a multi-sport athlete at Leeds High School, graduating in 2011, has been at the school as a teacher and coach since he graduated from the University of Alabama, even volunteering some during his time in college, helping out the football team. When Turner graduated in 2015 from Alabama, Leeds had an 8th grade English position open and he has been there ever since. Turner coached on the softball team for 6 years before taking a year off after becoming a father for the first time. He still coached track for the Green Wave, believing that track would afford him more family time. But, when the opportunity to take over the softball team presented itself, Jesse had to at least consider it. He also coaches receivers on the Leeds football team under Head Coach Jerry Hood.

“I coached softball for 6 years without any previous experience,” said Turner. “I loved it. I got to work with Brian Gulock and Erin Wright and learned a lot from them. I told the girls that some will say that I just missed softball. It was never softball that I missed necessarily. It was the team. I’ve always just wanted to be on the team. It’s the kids. That’s what brought me back. The foundation I already had with the team and wanting that back and knowing them and what kind of folks they are and players they are. I am

excited about trying to build the team. My passion is building the puzzle. That’s my favorite part.”

After just one year away from the softball diamond, the Turner family was faced with a tough, but exciting decision. “Jordyn (Coach Turner’s wife) is really supportive. When this came up, Jordyn and I had a date night. The baby (James) was at his grandparents’ house and we went out and we talked it over Saturday night and all day Sunday. We bounced it back and forth and Jordyn, who is an amazing wife, mentioned that we had not talked about what I wanted to do. She then asked me what I wanted to do

Husky track coach leaving for Samford

By John Goolsby For the Tribune

TRUSSVILLE – Hewitt

Head Boys and Girls Track and Field coach Tom Esslinger is heading to Samford University after 20 years as a high school coach and educator.

In Esslinger’s first year at Hewitt, the girls and boys won the 7A State Championship in Indoor Track and Field. Over the last three years, the Huskies have had three runner-up finishes, twenty individual state titles, one individual national title, broken forty-six school records, and had twenty-eight athletes go on to compete at the collegiate level.

The 2021 Trussville City Schools Foundation Coach of the Year Award recipient has had great success as a high school coach and program director. He has produced twenty-two State Championships as a coach, thirty-three Championships as a Program Director, two National Champions, four All-Americans, one hundred and forty Individual State Titles, and eighty-one collegiate athletes.

tem that has given us support every step of the way.”

demic All-District IV Team for NCAA Track & Field.

and I just grinned. She said, ‘then, let’s do it and I am with you.’ She’s a great and supportive wife, she really is. I couldn’t do any of this without her.”

As is the case with any new (though Turner is not really that new), Coach Turner has specific goals for this team, and they may not be what you would think. “Number one is to develop good people and good softball players,” said Turner. “If we develop the best players we can and give them opportunities to play and work, the wins will come. We have to just believe in our work and what we do.

See COACH, Page 20

“I just want to thank all of the students, student-athletes, and co-workers who have impacted my life in such a positive way,” Esslinger said. “As with anything, there have been many ups and downs, mostly ups, but I step away feeling such tremendous gratitude to all of those who changed my life for the better.”

Esslinger continued, “I have spent a good bit of time reflecting on what we have accomplished as a track and field program the last few years. It makes me so thankful to have been a part of such a tremendous program with extraordinary athletes, coaches, parents, and a school sys-

The 2022 Jackson County Sports Hall of Fame inductee ran at Scottsboro High School for his father, John Esslinger, an AHSAA Hall of Fame member with winning forty-six state championships. The 1998 graduate was an AAU All-American in the decathlon and was All-State multiple times.

Esslinger competed for he University of South Alabama.

As a Jaguar, Esslinger was a Sun Belt All-Conference Decathlete in 2001 and 2003. Esslinger graduated magna cum laude with a degree in Political Science.

At South Alabama, Esslinger was awarded the Perseverance Award for Courage and Character in Athletics, received the Most Outstanding Student in Political Science Award, and was selected to the Verizon Aca-

NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING

After leaving Mobile, Esslinger got his first taste of coaching in the Birmingham area. As a grad student, Esslinger coached at Mountain Brook High School for two years while completing his Master’s in Education at UAB.

Esslinger then moved across town to Homewood High School, where he served as the head track and field coach and track and field and cross country program director from 2005-2020. Under Esslinger, the Patriots program thrived, winning thirty-one state championships, twenty in track and field.

Esslinger earned National Coach of the Year honors in 2017, and he has also been named Alabama Coach of the Year four times. He was a

See HUSKY, Page 20

ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION DRAFT STATEWIDE TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (STIP)

FY 2024-2027

The Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) will hold public meetings to gather input regarding the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP). The meeting is scheduled for:

Thursday, June 22, 2023

East Central Region – Birmingham Area Office Training Building 1020 Bankhead Highway – West Birmingham, Alabama 35204 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM

The ALDOT is seeking public comment on the proposed STIP, which includes a listing of specific transportation projects that will be funded. This four-year program includes state, county, city, Federal Lands, and Tribal projects. Project types include roadway, bridge, and other modes of transportation such as railroad, freight, public transit, bicycle, and pedestrian.

Each meeting will be held in an open house format. Displays and information, along with a short presentation, will be included to explain the requirements the STIP. ALDOT staff will be available to discuss planning efforts and answer questions.

Persons with disabilities should contact the Birmingham Area Office, (205) 581-5725 (Mrs. Sandra F. P. Bonner) to request special assistance. Please make this request at least one week prior to the meeting and specify the type of assistance needed.

The DRAFT FY 2024 - 2027 STIP will be available for review at the Birmingham Area Office, and the District Offices in Oneonta, and Calera. The comment period will end on or around June 26, 2023.

For more information about the Draft FY 2024-2027 STIP projects, visit: https://cpmsapps.dot.state.al.us/OfficeEngineer/Plan/Statewide2

You can participate and give feedback, visit: https://www.dot.state.al.us/news/opmStatewideSTIP2024.html

Leeds Softball Coach Jesse Turner along with his wife, Jordyn, and son, James. Photo by: Jesse Turner

Former Hewitt Trussville Track Coach Tom Esslinger, who is now moving to a position on the Samford University track team. Photo by: Tom Esslinger

Hewitt Football Heads Into Summer Workouts After Productive Spring

By Zack Steele

For the Tribune

TRUSSVILLE – Hewitt

Trussville had a few questions entering Spring practice.

Entering summer workouts in preparation for the 2023 season, Hewitt Coach Josh Floyd feels like a few of those questions have been answered.

“I thought it was a really good Spring overall, ” said Floyd. “We are still in the evaluation part at this point so it’s great to see our guys go in competition with each other.”

Center Point High School Wraps Up Spring, Encourages Community To Get Behind The Eagles

By Loyd McIntosh

For The Tribune

CENTER POINT — The Center Point High School football team wrapped up spring workouts with high expectations following an unprecedented and unexpected fall campaign.

The Eagles surprised the high school football world in 2022 going 9-2 — 9-1 in the regular season — and advancing to the second round of the Alabama High School Football Playoffs in their first season in 6A since 2017. During

Spring football report: Shades Valley

By John Goolsby For the Tribune

IRONDALE – Coach

Rueben Nelson enters his third year at Shades Valley with the expectation that his Mountie team will improve on last season’s 5-4 record.

Nelson knows one style of football is the only way to win a championship. “We are looking to play a hard nose brand of football, and we practiced that way in the spring, and we will continue practicing that way once we get into camp,” said Nelson.

The Mounties had to overcome a lack of depth this spring because player numbers were down. Nelson is looking to offset the lack of numbers with the strenuous strength and conditioning program he implemented when he arrived.

The number of students not playing football or leaving Valley for other programs has been problematic for several years. “We have got to be able to keep kids at Shades Valley,” said Nelson. “If we can do that, we will be successful.”

“We know we are doing things the right way, and we aren’t going to stop,” said Nelson. “We hope that high school football stops mimicking the college game and kids will learn to bond with the kids who they started playing with and hopefully finish with them.”

On the offensive side of the ball, the Mounties return senior quarterback Steve Brown who accounted for 23 TDS and over 2,000 yards last year. “We have got to get a lot out of Steve at quarterback,” said Nelson. “I think he’s one of the most talented guys in the metro and has a chance to have a really good year.”

Brown is looking forward

to having the opportunity to lead Valley’s resurgence. “I want to elevate my game to the next level,” said Brown. “We want to do things that Shades Valley hasn’t accomplished in a long time.”

Defensively, All-State linebacker Ethan Johnson will lead the Mounties. As a junior last year, Johnson recorded 153 tackles in only nine games. “If Ethan has the same type of year that he had last year, he’ll go down as one of the best linebackers to ever come through Shades Valley,” said Nelson.

Johnson, who has nine offers including Army, Coastal Carolina, and Appalachian State, is looking to elevate his play on the field and his role in the locker room. “I want to play fast and be very explosive this year,” said Johnson. “I also accept the role of being the leader of the defense.”

The old adage, “games are won in the trenches” applies to every level of football. Nelson is keenly aware of

the shortcomings of his line last year but is encouraged by what he has seen through spring camp. “Up front, defensively, we knew we would have to continue to get better,” he said. “I think we have done that.” Zion Cathey, Terrance James, Kyle Deramus, Justin Miller, and Carlos Ford will see action on the front.

The Mounties were extremely young on the offensive line last year. “We started two freshmen and two sophomores,” Nelson said. “Now they are a year older and stronger.” Julian Maddox, Ajari Jones, Johnny Steele, Peyton Kid and Will Looney are potential starters.

Maddox, a junior, will be returning as the center. “What we want to accomplish as a line is to help the team make it to the playoffs,” hehe, he said.

The Mounties will be looking to replace “Mr. Everything” Christian Thom-

Peyton Floyd (file photo)

Center Point Head Coach George Bates gives instructions during the Eagles win over Oxford, Friday, October 21.

(Photo by Ron Burkett)

Shades Valley football coach Rueben Nelson.

Photo by John Goolsby See CENTER POINT,

See FOOTBALL, Page 20

Football

From page 19

as. Juniors Ji’Quez Daniels and Quincy Crawford will be stepping up to lead the Mounties at the wide receiver position.

Daniels, who had 25 receptions for 256 yards and 3 TDs last season, has been working hard in the off-season and wants to help the Mountie offense. “I want to be a player that can help us get to the playoffs,” said Daniels. “I want to be the guy that can make a statement and be

Center Point

From page 19

their run, Center Point defeated 6A Region 6 heavyweights

Pinson Valley and Oxford, falling only to 2021 state champion Clay-Chalkville in September.

Center Point was the only team from the region to advance to the second round following unexpected first-round losses by ClayChalkville, Pinson Valley, and Oxford. The Eagles also featured one of the most dynamic backfields in high school football in 2022 with quarterback Jabari Collier and running back Troy Bruce carving up defenses all season long.

With Collier and Bruce heading into the college ranks, the 2023 edition of the Eagles is a work in progress.

However, Center Point Head

Football Coach George Bates isn’t ready to say who is going to step up at quarterback and running back just yet, spending the spring working on the fundamentals of the game. “I’m old school, so we still call it ‘spring trainingOur whole goal is to be the best blocking, tackling, rushing, and receiving team that we can be,” said Bates. “We want to see who’s physical and who’s not. That’s what

counted on.”

Crawford, who missed last season due to an injury, is expected to make an impact.

“He will add a big punch to what we do,” said Nelson.

“He’s a guy that can make plays on the ball real fast.”

Senior Torez McCall returns after seeing playing time at wideout as well. The secondary is perhaps the part of the team that took the biggest hit due to graduation and transfers. Sopho-

mores Jamie Smalls and junior Jacaryous Burrow return after seeing playing time last

we hang our hat on in spring ball. We want to hit the fundamentals and see who can play football. We’ve got all summer to put guys in positions. Right now, we want to see who our real football players are.”

Bates acknowledges that there is no way to truly replace Bruce, one of the most talented and explosive rushers in school history and the running position in 2023 will be by committee. Bates also said the offensive line is young but possesses good size, but also stated that the Eagles’ defense should be much improved this fall.

“We’re really excited about the defense because our secondary is all veterans. They’re young still, most of them are going to be juniors but most of these guys started as sophomores,” said Bates.

“The linebackers are led by our captain Malik Brown. He’s a senior and is our leader on defense.

Unfortunately, Center Point was unable to put what they’ve learned to the test in a game situation due to the cancellation of their spring game against Briarwood following the tragic death of Senior Pastor Harry Reader on Thursday, May 18.

In 2023, Bates more than anything wants the community to come out and support

Hewitt

year. Senior David Ware, sophomore Geordan Clarke, and Johnson saw considerable time at running back last year and will be returning to the backfield for the Mounties this fall.

Senior Jair Aguilar will return as a kicker.

“We can’t make excuses; we have to get it done,” said Nelson. “We have to live up to a standard of excellence that was established here years ago. We have to get back to where wearing the black helmets means something.”

the Center Point High School football team. Bates doesn’t care if you’re a Johnny Come Lately, he just wants you to come and support the Eagles in 2023.

Since Center Point High School opened in 2011, moving from the old Erwin High School location just two miles away, Bates said many of the old Erwin faithful moved on. The new school is still trying to find its identity in the community and build a fanbase. Despite Bates’s success at Center Point – he has 40 wins, and 20 losses since taking over the program in 2018 – the Eagles struggle to pull a crowd on Friday nights.

Bates hopes that will change after one of the program’s most successful seasons in the toughest region in 6A. “Our kids deserve to have the stands full,” said Bates. “This is some of the best times that Erwin and Center Point have ever seen, and we need people to come out and appreciate it and support these kids,” Bates added. “This is the time to jump on the bandwagon.”

The Eagles will open the 2023 season on the road as they travel to the Magnolia State to take on the Tylertown Chiefs on the campus of Southwest Mississippi Community College.

From page 19

Hewitt traveled to Troy to take on 5A Charles Henderson in a Spring Scrimmage to wrap up their camp, and rising senior quarterback Peyton Floyd was in midseason form. The 2022 All State signal caller was 13-14 passing on the night with a 42 yard touchdown run added on to lead Hewitt to a

Husky

From page 20

coach for the U.S. Navy at the 2014 Warrior Games.

The move to the collegiate level is bitter sweet for Esslinger, “I will always cherish the extraordinary relationships developed through

Coach

From page 20

We want to develop people, not just in softball but in life. Next is to be a good ambassador for Leeds. I love this place and have chosen to work here, live here, raise a family here. I love this place. I told the girls that this is you playing for a place that you love. So, being good ambassadors and representing Leeds positively is important. Third, it’s weird, but to love each other and build a team. At the end of the day, only seven teams win a state championship. I was able to be a part of 4 state championships total. 2 as a player and 2 more as a coach, but I am not blind to the fact that you have to be very fortunate to be on those teams. Building a team and a love for each other is very important. I’ve seen it in football and in softball. I want to challenge them because there’s going to become a day when you’re a husband or wife and the bills are due or the baby is sick and momma is tired. How are you going to respond? I

27-17 win over the Trojans. Hewitt jumped out to a quick 13-0 lead, and stretched the lead to 20-7 at halftime thanks to a 15 play scoring drive.

The reserves played the second half as Hewitt added another touchdown late.

Noah Dobbins led the Huskies in rushing with 67 yards. Veteran Jaqson Melton and Kennedy Mitchell had 47

coaching and teaching.”

Esslinger heads to Samford University, a D1 program that has become a powerhouse in the SoCon under legendary coach Rod Tiffin.

“I can’t wait to be a part of the dynasty Coach Tiffin has built at Samford,” said Esslinger. “Coach Tiffin has

yards rushing apiece for the Huskies.

Jadon Loving had 6 receptions for 71 yards and KaDarious Barnes had 3 receptions for 69 yards.

Hewitt will head into summer workouts no doubt preparing for a tough opponent in 7A Central of Phenix City. Hewitt hosts the Red Devils on August 25th to kick off the 2023 season.

always been a role model for me, and I am so excited for the opportunity to learn from him at such a prestigious program.”

Tom lives in Homewood with his wife Amanda, who is the principal at Spain Park High School, and their two sons John and Will.

believe sports prepare you for life and I believe I am a better husband because I was an athlete and I hope the girls who come through this softball program are better wives,

mothers, daughters, and people because of it. I believe, if you focus on those things and have a good time and bring a great energy, you will look up and have won some games.”

Leeds Softball Coach Jesse Turner, who also coaches wide receivers for the football team. Photo by: Jesse Turner