The Trussville Tribune – August 9 - 15, 2023

Trussville resident wins 4 Telly awards for work in video, film, television

From The Tribune staff reports BIRMINGHAM – Jonathan Barbee, producer and director, has been honored with four Telly Awards. These awards showcase Barbee’s exceptional talent and creativity in video, film

Springville Council approves more funding for nature preserve

By Terry Schrimscher

For the Tribune

SPRINGVILLE – The Springville City Council met Monday night, Aug. 7, for the first regular meeting of the month. The Council began earlier than normal with a work session an hour before

See SPRINGVILLE, Page 3

Pinson Council hears about school attendance, Palmerdale Fire District highlights

By Nathan Prewett

For the Tribune PINSON – The Pinson City Council heard from two guest speakers during a meeting held on Thursday, Aug. 4,

Leeds announces plans for major downtown revitalization project to be bid in 2024

From The Tribune staff reports Leeds – The City of Leeds has announced that a legacy project originally planned to be done in phases to revitalize

ACAP scores place Trussville City Schools among top in state

From The Tribune staff reports

TRUSSVILLE — The Alabama State Department of Education released the Alabama Comprehensive Assessment Program (ACAP) district level testing results this week and Trussville City School (TCS) ranked among the best systems in Alabama for proficiency.

Second through eighth grade students are tested in math and English language arts, while students in fourth, sixth and eighth grade are additionally tested for science proficiency.

The scores are for 202223, a school year that began with turmoil that saw the high school principal placed on administrative leave, followed by the resignation of superintendent Dr. Pattie Neill. Despite the challenges, administrators, faculty and students rallied for a productive school year.

In English language arts, TCS ranked sixth in Alabama with 75.4% proficiency. Mountain Brook (86.7%) led all systems followed

by Vestavia Hills (83.4%), Saraland (87.2%), Homewood (77%), and Cullman City (75.6%).

In math, TCS ranked 10th with 58.7% proficiency. Mountain Brook

(87.6%) was first followed by Vestavia Hills (68.1%), Homewood (62.9%), Cullman City (62.3%), Saraland (61.8%), Orange Beach (60.8%), Arab (60.5%), Hoover (59.4%), and Muscle

Center Point denies rezoning request for rescue home for homeless seniors

By Terry Schrimscher

For the Tribune

CENTER POINT — The city of Center Point City Council met for the first regular meeting of August Thursday night, Aug. 3. The main point of discussion on the agenda involved a rezoning

Leeds Council announces infrastructure projects, appoints BOE member

By Nathan Prewett

For the Tribune

Shoals (58.9%).

In science, TCS ranked fourth with a proficiency of 67.9%. Mountain Brook (82.6%) led the way, followed by Vestavia Hills (78.6%) and Homewood (71.3%).

Mary Poppins Jr. delivers 4 sell-out performances at Trussville’s ACTA Theater

LEEDS – Mayor David Miller announced several infrastructure projects during a meeting of the Leeds City Council on Monday, Aug. 7, where a new member was ap-

Irondale accepts grant for walking trail, amends alcohol regulations

By Terry Schrimscher

For the Tribune

IRONDALE – The Irondale City Council met Tuesday night, Aug. 1, for the first regular meeting of the month. The Council moved quickly through the short agenda with only three new items of busi-

By Crystal McGough Editor TRUSSVILLE – ACTA

Theater sold out all four performances of Mary Poppins Jr. this past weekend, Aug. 4-6, 2023.

As the final ACTA Jr. theater camp production this summer, 50 students from grades 2-12 worked hard over a two-week period to learn their parts and make ready a performance worth selling-out, all while making new friends and reuniting with old

friends.

“(The) children have all been so wonderful in terms of learning all the things they’ve learned, all the things they’ve accomplished in only two weeks,” Director Lynne Long said. “I’m so proud of them.” Mary Poppins Jr. takes place in London, England, in 1910. The musical stage act is based on the stories of P. L. Travers, as well as the Walt Disney film.

“The Mary Poppins film came out in 1964, when I was nine,” Long said in the Direc-

tor’s Notes. “Of course, I fell in love with the sassy British nanny. I think most of us did.

“The story still sounds familiar – an overworked father, a frustrated mother, and two bored kids,” Long continued. “But a magical transformation takes place. That’s sort of how I feel whenever I am part of a summer camp. The magical transformation is with the kids! The things they learn, accomplish, and execute are nothing short of miraculous, and it never ceases to amaze.

Some of them say that ACTA

is their ‘happy place.’ There’s no more sincere endorsement than that.”

Of course, the show could not have come together without the gifts and talents of the ACTA Jr. staff, including Long, assistant director and choreographer Jessica Lloyd, musical director Jennifer Day, and costumer

Elise Hill, as well as several camp counselors, tech workers and theater manager Paige Turner.

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Sports - Pages 13-16

Solar lighting installed at Pinson Sports Complex

By Nathan Prewett

For the Tribune

PINSON – A long-awaited solar lighting project has been completed at the football field parking lot of the Pinson Sports Complex and it is one of comparatively few like this in the state of Alabama.

Campbell’s Asphalt Paving poured the bases of the

Photo by Hannah Curran

Credit: Matt McGough

Credit: Matt McGough

L oca L / R egion

From front page

and television production.

Barbee received these awards for political commercials and a biography he produced during the 2022 election cycle for State Auditor candidate Andrew Sorell and Gubernatorial candidate Lindy Blanchard. The categories were: Best Craft – Directing, Best Craft – Cinematography, Best Biography, and Best Regional Commercial.

“The Telly Awards are a symbol of excellence in production, and I am deeply honored to have received these awards,” said Barbee, CEO of Barbee Media Group, during a reception at The Club in

Springville

From front page

the regular meeting.

Poppins

From front page

While summer camps have ended, there are still plenty of upcoming opportunities for thespians, both young and old, to perform live on stage at ACTA Theater.

The next ACTA Jr. performance will be Barbara Robinson’s “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,” directed by Jennifer Day. Those performances will take place Dec. 14-17, 2023.

Additionally, ACTA Jr. will resume its PREMIERE and ENCORE Classes the week of Sept. 11, 2023, with classes ending the week of Nov. 13, 2023. The Students’ Showcase is tentatively

scheduled for Nov. 18, 2023. ACTA’s PREMIERE class is for students in grades 2-5. This class will meet on Thursdays from 4 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., and students will learn basics of theatre, audition preparation, character development and acting skills.

The ENCORE class is for students in grades 6-10. This class will be taught by Alex Wilson Cardwell on Tuesdays from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Students will learn performance skills, stage presence and character development through short plays, monologues and role play.

For more information on ACTA Theater, including upcoming productions, auditions and ticket sales, please visit actatheater.com.

Nature Preserve Manager Doug Morrison gave the Council an update on the progress at Big Canoe Creek Nature Preserve. He outlined plans for bioretention swales in the parking areas to drain, capture and filter runoff water to protect the water quality of Big Canoe Creek.

Morrison asked the Council to approve $42,783 for the project. Work on the nature preserve has gone over budget for the year but Morrison emphasized the importance of getting the work done right to stay consistent with the purpose of the preserve.

“I know it seems like an exorbitant amount of money, but it can really be a benefit to the preserve and to the community at large,” Morrison said. “I’d like to see Planning and Zoning start looking into using more bioswales. This really helps our water quality.

Birmingham Thursday evening. “I want to thank my parents, friends, and my wife, Joanne, for their support and encouragement throughout the years. I also have a great team at Barbee Media Group and couldn’t do great things without them.”

The Telly Awards recognize excellence in video and television across all screens and are judged by esteemed leaders from renowned organizations such as Adobe, BBC World Service, Netflix, and National Geographic Society. With a record-breaking number of entries—nearly 13,000—from around the globe, the 44th Annual Telly Awards was highly competitive, featuring submissions

Sediment is the number one cause of pollution in a waterway.”

Mayor Dave Thomas and members of the Council expressed concern about unexpected costs of preparing the park to open. Thomas also emphasized the importance of doing the work now rather than trying to come back and amend it after the park opens.

“We need to be careful that we don’t lose sight of what is the most, in my estimation, value in the return on that investment as far as the bioswale goes and that is the decontaminating of the runoff water because that’s going to get into Big Canoe Creek,” Thomas said.

The Council added the request to the regular agenda and approved moving funds from previously approved work to apply toward the cost of the bioswales.

In the work session, the Council heard a proposal from Raymond James and Associates to borrow funds

from top content producers such as Disney, Netflix and Paramount.

for the purpose of grant matches. Representatives from the company outlined suggestions for funding. The Council is reviewing options and is expected to present options at a later meeting.

The Council also heard a proposal from Enterprise Fleet Management to upgrade and maintain the city’s fleet of vehicles. The proposal would work on a five-year cycle to lease new vehicles for city use. The Council did not add anything to the agenda and will review the terms of the proposal and amend vehicle budget requests accordingly if the plan is adopted at a later meeting.

In other business, the Council approved:

• A request from Linda Gravlee to plan the Witches Ride 2023 to benefit Springville Soccer. Declared a kiln at the Springville Senior Center as surplus.

• Renewed the annual School Resource Officer

Barbee has a 25-year tenure in the film, television and marketing industries.

Barbee’s work has earned him a total of five Telly Awards from 2021 to 2023. Many of his clients include Fox, CMT, Military Channel, Tanya Tucker, Donald Trump for President, Lionsgate Films, and numerous political clients.

“We currently have a national TV show in production, a state-wide weekly show, various video projects, Livestream productions, and videography for the Miss Alabama program,” Barbee said. “Our clients believe in us, and we deliver amazing results for them. The proof is in the Telly, so to speak.”

agreement with the St. Clair County Board of Education.

The next meeting of the Springville City Council will be held at 6 p.m., on Aug. 21, with a work session at 5:30 p.m. The Council moved the first September meeting to 8 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 6, due to the Labor Day holiday.

Orthopedic Physical Therapy

Manual Therapy

Post-Operative Rehabilitation

Hand Therapy Services*

Avai able at Trussvi le

Functional Dry Needling Injury Prevention

Performance Enhancement Workers Comp Injuries

TherapySouth Trussville 1423 Gadsden Highway, Suite 135 Birmingham AL 35235 (205) 655-1921

Clinic Director: Mike Stallworth, PT, DPT

TherapySouth Clay/Pinson 6723 Deerfoot Parkway, Suite 105 Pinson, AL 35126

(205) 681-5131

Clinic Director: Jason Grammer, PT, DPT

Credit: Crystal McGough

Credit: Crystal McGough

Credit: Matt McGough

Jonathan Barbee holds up his Telly awards (Photo courtesy of Jonathan Barbee)

Doug Morrison outlines plans for a bioswale to filter runoff water at Big Canoe Creek Nature Preserve. Morrison was named manager of the preserve in the summer of 2022.

poles topped with solar panels provided by the French company Fonroche Lighting for $36,000. The project was overseen by Operations Director Eric Winfrey, who said that he attended a national conference last year where he met representatives of Fonroche.

“I got all this information and we picked up a lot of great ideas from the conference that I went to last year — the national conference — and now they want to use us because we are their first Southern installation,” he said during a meeting of the Pinson City Council on Aug. 3.

One of the advantages of solar lighting is the energy it saves. The panels provided by Fonroche have different phases of lighting during the night. Winfrey explained that when night falls they come on at full capacity and then go to 30% capacity before going back to full capacity an hour before sunrise.

“I think there’s a lot of applications for this,” he said. “And the technology that has come about in solar power is just – it’s amazing. It really is. And I think we just got a little taste of it.”

Winfrey said that operating costs were also saved, as well as installation costs. Specifically, an estimated $60,000 was saved with the

cost of installation, he said. About $5,000 per year in operating costs have been saved as well.

“It really saved us a lot of time and money in the long run,” he said.

Other cities are catching on with solar lighting. Winfrey mentioned that the Cen-

ter Point Fire District – which also serves Pinson – has enlisted the same company to install this technology at their recently established training facility.

With the lighting thriving off of the energy provided by the sun, the new technology is more environmentally sound

than the previous traditional lighting.

“This is solar energy,” he said. “So were’ not emitting any of the stuff that destroys the ozone and things like that, and we’re not taking away from the grid as well. A lot of solar or a lot of battery-operated cars — you’re putting stress on the grid because they have to produce more to supply them. Well, we’re totally off the grid for this.”

With the benefit of saving operating costs, this could spring up more around the municipality and elsewhere.

“Technology has come so far,” Winfrey said. “This is something we really should look into because, along with the renewable energy, there’s the cost savings initially. It’s the smartest thing we could do.”

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

request postponed from the July 6 meeting.

The zoning request was submitted by Project Success Ministries, a local nonprofit serving a variety of needs. The ministry asked to change the zoning of property at 100 20th Avenue NW from C-1 to Institutional 2. Project Success presented plans to turn the property into a shelter for homeless seniors who have been released from local hospitals needing additional recovery time.

Councilmember Tiffany Moore expressed concerns about the plan during the discussion of the ordinance.

“I voiced my concerns at the initial meeting regarding rezoning it from C-1 to Institutional. I did request additional information,” Moore said. “I still have some concerns based on what I did receive,” she added. Moore said she could not support the rezoning.

Council President DM Collins spoke on the importance of addressing the needs of the homeless community.

“Now, more than ever, we see a lot of people dealing with homelessness,” Collins said. “Typically, it plagues larger cities and now the problem has grown so big that a lot of smaller cities are seeing an uptick in homelessness.”

Mayor Bobby Scott asks parents to combat chronic absenteeism by making sure kids attend school every day and arrive on time.

Councilmember Glenn Williams made a motion to vote on the ordinance. The measure did not receive a second from the Council and failed without a vote.

After the meeting, Morris Jolly, a board member for Project Success Ministries, spoke to The Trussville Tribune about the decision.

“One thing’s for sure. We want to address the needs of the community. So, we won’t stop,” Jolly said. “There is a hurting population in this community. Jolly said the decision was a great disservice to the community. He did not say whether the ministry would seek other property in the city for the shelter.

The Council began the meeting with a public hearing to review the city’s property abatement list. Only one person spoke during the hearing to remove a cleared property from the list.

In his report, Mayor Bobby Scott commented on schools opening next week. He asked everyone to get their kids to school every day and on time, saying chronic absenteeism has been a problem in Center Point in recent years.

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, Aug. 17, at 6:30 p.m.

Credit: Eric Winfrey Credit: Eric Winfrey Credit: Eric Winfrey

Credit: Eric Winfrey

Leeds

most of the downtown area will now be completed in one large venture.

Plans are for the total reconstruction of downtown Leeds from Seventh Street to Ninth Street on Parkway Drive and two blocks on Ninth Street on either side of the Parkway.

This reconstruction will include new sidewalks with decorative brick pavers, more well-defined landscape areas and new decorative pedestrian lighting. One of the key functions will be ADA compliance for all sidewalks. The current sidewalks are structurally sound, but not all of them are ADA compliant and this project will solve that problem.

“One big deal is that new traffic signals will be installed at Eighth and Ninth Streets that will include decorative traffic signals on mast arms, teardrop lighting fixtures with fluted poles and decorative clamshell bases that will either be powder coated black or Leeds Greenwave green,” said Keith Strickland, Engineering Manager of Goodwin Mills Cawood. “This will definitely add an additional element of charm similar to Homewood and Mountain Brook. Other cities that have similar design structure include Huntsville, Sheffield, Tuscaloosa, Sylacauga and Memphis.”

The project will also rebuild parking spaces that will be constructed of concrete instead of asphalt with a raised elevation from the street. The curb height of the sidewalks will be raised a little, as well.

Sidewalks will include decorative brick pavers, planting islands for trees and flowers, as well as ADA ramps. Irrigation and drains will be re-worked. Plantings will be new with trees and flowers. Everything will be brand new or torn out and rebuilt, except the roadway,

since the street was just resurfaced last year.

This revitalization is a joint project with the City of Leeds and Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT). A TAP grant (Transportation Alternatives Program) was applied approximately two years ago and has guidelines, rules, a review process and approval process through ALDOT, which takes time. Mayor David Miller was instrumental in obtaining the grant to make this project possible. “We are about to embark on a definitive project for downtown Leeds,” Miller said. “It’s something we’ve been working on for the past couple of years that’s about to come to fruition that will completely change the landscape downtown. It’s going to be a massive project to redo all of the sidewalks, all of the lighting, all of the signaling and make everything ADA compliant. When we’re through, Leeds will have a similar look to cities such as Homewood, Mountain Brook, and I think this is going to be a legacy project for the city that will take us into the future and make Leeds look like the first-class place that it is.

“This is a project that we’ve wanted to be involved in for a long time. It’s something that will not interfere with our businesses. It will allow us to have access throughout the whole project, but when we’re through, it’ll look like the miracle on Parkway. I hope everybody will just hang with us until it’s done, because the end result will be spectacular!”

Plans are to be sensitive to traffic flow during the construction phase. Contractors will be required to maintain access to the businesses affected at all times. Construction will occur on one side of the street at a time with only one block torn out and rebuilt before moving on to the next block. Completing the project in this manner means that no business should be interrupted, provides for continual customer access and minimizes the stress on downtown businesses that are affected by the construction.

Because the project has expanded from what was originally proposed, the design approval is expected to take another year. The city hopes to bid the project by late 2024 and begin construction, which will take approximate one year to complete.

From front page pointed to the Leeds Board of Education.

In his report, Miller announced that the projects would commence soon. The first was a project in collaboration with ALDOT and Goodwyn Mills Cawood architectural firm that is three years in the making. The project is an overhaul of the sidewalks, signage and lighting in the downtown area that Miller compared to Homewood.

“It’ll really be a first-class project,” Miller said. “And one of the things that we’ve had to work with is to make sure that we maintain access for our businesses. One of the major concerns is that if we do this much major disruption to our sidewalks and so forth, it will interfere with business and that was a major concern that the design people have determined that we will be able to have access to all of our businesses.”

He then said that a project on a deteriorating wall of the public library is underway, and finally, that the children’s playground at the city park will have new playground equipment and will be increased in size.

During department reports, Police Chief Paul Irwin addressed an incident that took place recently in which a woman started a fire inside of the Leeds Walmart location.

“The officers did a great job locating her really quickly,” he said. “And we had a lot of great citizens that came forward with information on her, so it was a great thing working together.”

He also mentioned the bust of a gambling ring in Leeds last month with help from the public.

A resolution came up again that would modify the zoning ordinance of R-5 Garden Home District and delete R-6 Patio Home District. This resolution was, again, rejected after a motion called by

Councilman Eric Turner was not met with a second.

The modification would require certain changes to be made for homes under the code, including requiring driveways to be put behind the building.

Councilman Kenneth Washington explained that there were still aspects to the modification that were unclear, such as the driveways being wide enough to accommodate more than one car.

The final item on the agenda was to appoint a new member to the Leeds Board of Education. This was Karla “Crickett” Ford, who has served as treasurer for the Leeds Water Works Board.

“I think she’ll be a mighty fine appointment,” said Superintendent John Moore. “She’s proven her worth to the city of Leeds and we appreciate your consideration.”

Ford replaces outgoing member Jeff Hudson, who stepped down in May.

Before going to public comments, Washington addressed what he said were some remarks made in writing that attacked his character, with the author being named “Citizens for Justices Leeds.” The writing apparently accused him of neglecting the citizens, to which he said was false and stressed that he would help whoever he could.

“If you’re going to say something, make sure it’s right,” he said. “And make sure you sign our name. Because I will help anyone, any-

one that I can. That’s always been my position.”

Afterwards, Turner asked a question regarding two lawsuits that he said have been filed against the city. He asked if this had been reported to the city’s insurance carrier, to which City Attorney Scott Barnett said that it was a “work in progress” and that the council will be briefed on it in the future.

During public comments, Albert Daw spoke and urged the council to reverse a resolution that he said bans “tiny homes.” He also urged affordable housing, citing citizens in Leeds that are in need of it.

In other business, the council:

Declared a property on Clairmont Drive to be a public nuisance, Approved replacing non-compliant curb ramps on Highway 119,

• Approved right of way acceptance and maintenance for Unali Lane, Ashley Drive and Weaver Way, Approved invoices for fire department equipment purchased from a grant, and

• Adopted the 2024 Council Meeting Calendar. Meetings are held on the first and third Mondays of every month at City Hall on 1400 9th Street Northeast. Agenda packets can be seen online at the City of Leeds website.

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

Mayor David Miller on Aug. 7, 2023. (Credit: Nathan Prewett)

Image courtesy of the City of Leeds

Irondale

From front page

ness to cover.

The Council approved Resolution 2023-R-97 as a consent agenda item. The resolution authorizes Mayor Stewart to accept a $5,000 grant from the Community Grant Program of the Jefferson County Commission. The funds will be used for work on the extension of the Cahaba River Trail and work along Karl Daly Road.

According to Councilmember Cindy Cuellar, Jefferson County Commissioner Joe Knight agreed to extend a grant to Irondale to expand the popular Cahaba River Trail and agreed to additional funding to assist with beautification of the entrance to the Karl Daly community.

“So, I reached out to Commissioner Knight and he agreed to expend $1,500 (for the Karl Daly Road entrance),” Cuellar said. “Five thousand for the Cahaba River Trail and $1,500 for the Karl Daly Road entrance.”

Cuellar said she is committing $3,500 from her discretionary funds to the projects and Councilmembers Spivey, London, Box and Sims have agreed to allocated funds as well.

“They’ve all agreed to put forth some of their discretionary funds,” Cuellar said. “This will come out to about $14,000 for the Cahaba Trails

Credit: Terry Schrimscher

extension.”

The Council also approved an amendment to the municipal code regulating alcohol consumption in the city. Ordinance 2023-23 amends the portion of the code prohibiting the possession, distribution or consumption of alcohol in public buildings.

The new wording exempts the Irondale Civic Center from the code. The new ordinance also makes exceptions for city property during city events or during events where special permits are required by municipal codes.

The Council also approved a resolution authorizing Mayor Stewart and the law firm of Wallace, Jordan, Ratliff and Brandt LLC to condemn property in the rear portion of 1811 Crestwood Boulevard for the purposes of creating an easement.

The easement is needed, according to the resolution, to install a new water line which was approved in the 2021 budget for the water department. Flipsies Furniture is located on the property but the easement only pertains to a portion of the back of the lot needed for the project.

Additionally, the Council approved payment of current bills in the amount of $997,204.61.

The next meeting of the Irondale City Council will be held at 6 p.m. on Aug. 15, at Irondale City Hall.

at City Hall.

The first was Jackie Byers, who is a behavioral interventionist and counselor at Kermit Johnson Elementary School. She spoke about her concerns regarding attendance and absenteeism in the community.

“School attendance within our community is on the decline,” she said. “Last year our school, Kermit Johnson, our chronic absenteeism rose by two points: from 15% to 17%.”

Chronic absenteeism, she said, is when a student misses 18 or more days of school. This includes doctor’s excuses, though she said the real concern is families who do not send their children to school when there’s no valid medical reason. She also described “close to chronic absenteeism,” which is when a student misses between 15 and 18 days. She said that this increased by 11% in the school last year, with 27% of the students considered close to chronic absenteeism.

She added that getting students to attend schools is a “huge” priority this year. She shared data from the State Department of Education, which says that chronic absenteeism for elementary students will make them less likely to read at grade level as they age and indicates eventually dropping out.

She suggested, as a potential solution, more education and encouragement to parents. She said that Mayor Joe Cochran and Operations Director Eric Winfrey have agreed to include attendance information on the LED sign in front of City Hall.

She also suggested working with Parks and Recreation, as well as businesses and churches, to help encourage and educate parents and the community on the importance of school attendance.

Getting businesses that children patronize to incentivize attendance may also work, she said.

Afterwards, the council heard from Palmerdale Fire District Chief Jason Howell. He began by thanking the council for their support and then spoke on some of the highlights of the district. With the council’s help, they were able to purchase a new ambulance that first went into service on June 8.

The ambulance was paid for partly by county American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) fund, in addition to the money allocated by the council. The district is also anticipating a second truck. He said that with this number of trucks they can offer BLS services.

“It’s kind of a trial run right now, but when we respond we have a paramedic on the scene,” he said. “The paramedic determines it’s not necessarily an emergency. We have EMTs and advanced EMTs who can basically do everything a paramedic can but some cardiac drugs, and if they’re stable enough, we transport them in the BLS transport.”

He said that the district was in need of a new fire engine, with the current one being a model from 2008, when he was able to secure a Rosenbauer 2022 model that was customizable. This was purchased for $615,000, much lower than previous prices of around $850,000.

Howell mentioned the council in the past allocating money to help hire and retain workers for the district and that he hopes to add state retirement and insurance benefits. The allotment of funds from the city for the past several years has helped to not only hire during a past staffing shortage, but to give employees raises and maintain the payroll.

He requested that this could be done again, though Cochran had reservations if

the staffing was already stabilized.

“I’ll say this,” he said.

“My intention was not, when we started this, to get into a long term – every year give this money. That was not my intention. So, go back. Create a good game plan. Bring that to us and show us why we need to.”

Councilwoman Glenda Kirkland had concerns regarding the budget.

“We don’t have a budget,” she said. “I don’t like spending any more of the people’s money. This is the people’s money. It’s not ours. It’s theirs. And I don’t like spending any more money until we have a budget.”

This was a concern that was brought up later when the council voted to give Rudd Middle School $5,877.85 for new uniforms and $12,000 to Pinson Valley High School for headsets from the discretionary funds, which was passed after a 3-2 vote.

Cochran said that they

have to get everything reconciled and adjusted in order to have a budget in the future.

“But to let the public know,” he said. “We’re not broke. We’ve got $3 million in the bank. We’re okay.” In other business, the council: Annexed Raindrop Car Wash into the corporate limits of the city, • Rezoned a property on Main Street from R2 to RM, Residential Medium, • Heard a report from Winfrey that the solar lighting project at the sports complex is complete and Announced National Night Out set for Sept. 19, at Bicentennial Park. Pinson City Council meets on the first and third Thursdays of every month at City Hall on 4410 Main Street. Live-streamed meetings can be seen on the city’s Facebook page.

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

The new Palmerdale Fire District ambulance.

Jackie Byers, a behavioral interventionist and counselor at Kermit Johnson Elementary, speaks to the council about school attendance.

H ea L t H a nd W e LL ness Tumbling into the season with a fellowshiptrained spine surgeon

Written by Gregory B. Gullung, M.D., of OrthoAlabama Spine & Sports

Cheerleading and gymnastics are high-intensity, highstakes sports that require an immense amount of strength and flexibility to successfully execute stunts. Taking these factors into consideration, it is not surprising that gymnasts and cheerleaders get injured as often as they do. We see a range of orthopedic injuries in these athletes that can keep them off the mat.

Muscle Strains

Muscle strains are stretches in the tendon or muscle that can result in a spasm. Typically, strains are caused by a sudden and forceful motion and can occur in the ankle, knee, wrist, lower back and neck. A cervical strain, such as whiplash, is one example of a common strain found in the neck. For cheerleaders and gymnasts, much of their activity requires a certain amount of flexibility, and the twists and turns in the air can also play a role in lower back strains.

Getting a muscle strain can keep you from your sport for weeks. Taking a few extra minutes to stretch and warm up can make a difference. Other prevention habits include cross-training to strengthen muscles, eating foods high in potassium before a workout and proper hydration during exercise.

If a muscle strain does occur, treatments for this type of injury include rest, gentle stretching and alternating heat and ice at the location of the injury. Physical therapy may also be an option to identify weaknesses and muscle tight-

ness that could affect capabilities during your sport. After identifying these issues, a therapist can then work with the athlete to strengthen their core muscles and directly target potential concerns. Alternatively, some back issues for cheerleaders and gymnasts can happen over time, including lumbar hyperextension.

Lumbar Hyperextension

Lumbar hyperextension

is a common overuse injury that can affect athletes who frequently do backbends, back handsprings, flips and other related activities. When an athlete has lumbar hyperextension, the lower spine is bent backwards or arched beyond the normal anatomical position. This kind of injury can damage the bones and nerves in the back, leading to other complications.

To prevent this condition, stretch the hamstrings before and after activity, allow for adequate warm-up and cooldown time, and when learning new skills, take it slow and ease into the full speed of your new skill. Having an overall awareness of your body and staying proactive can have a major impact on avoiding lumbar hyperextension.

The severity of this injury can vary, so the approach and type of treatment will depend on the specific situation. If recognized early, simply icing the area, getting plenty of rest and immobilizing your spine will help relieve the pain. If you are experiencing back pain, it is time to stop. Do not continue until you have had rest; otherwise, more serious issues can arise. Athletes who do not take this advice can

develop a more serious issue called spondylolysis.

Spondylolysis

Spondylolysis is a type of fracture that happens in the lower spine. More specifically, it is a stress fracture in a section called the pars interarticular in the lowest vertebra. The pars interarticular is the segment of bone that connects the sacrum (the bone that stabilizes the pelvis) to the disc at the bottom of the spine. It plays a key role in keeping your entire body aligned.

This condition is typically caused by overuse or hyperextension, but genetics may also play a role. It is very common, occurring once in every 20 people, and does not always show symptoms or symptoms may be minor. If this is the case, the only symptom is lower back pain that gets worse with exercise and leaning backward, but it does not affect daily activity. Athletes experiencing lower back pain for more than two weeks should see a doctor, as this condition could be even more serious than perceived.

To prevent this lower spine fracture, limit partic-

ipation in sports, keep your back and abdominal muscles strong, use proper equipment and techniques and warm up before activity.

Treatment for spondylolysis includes refraining from bending back for several weeks or months, physical therapy, wearing a back brace and pain medication. When these treatment methods have been exhausted or if there is injury to a nerve, surgery may also be an option. When spondylolysis goes untreated and unacknowledged, it can cause a vertebra slippage referred to as spondylolisthesis.

Spondylolisthesis

For spondylolisthesis, the pars interarticular fractures so badly that it breaks and causes the vertebra to slip forward. The broken bone is called a pars defect. Over time, spondylolisthesis can result in developing a narrower spinal canal, chronic pain or spinal deformity.

The most common causes of this condition are severe fractures, congenital or developmental anomalies at birth, degenerative changes and bone disease.

Preventing spondylolisthesis is similar to preventing spondylolysis. Rest when you need to, do exercises to keep your core strong, warm up adequately and use the correct equipment and techniques.

If you do get spondylolisthesis, there are various nonsurgical and surgical treatment options based on the situation. The patient’s age, overall health, the severity of symptoms and degree of spinal slip could have an effect. For some, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication, back support with a brace and physiotherapy are ideal. For others, surgical treatment is necessary.

Typically, two operations are performed to treat spondylolisthesis: decompression laminectomy and spinal fusion. During decompression laminectomy, a surgeon will relieve nerve pressure by removing the bone. Spinal fusion is when a surgeon joins two or more vertebrae together, stopping the vertebra from further slippage.

Though common in gymnastics and cheerleading, hyperextension-related pain is not the only condition causing low-back pain—sacroiliac joint dysfunction also plays a role.

SIJ Dysfunction

Dysfunction in the sacroiliac joint, or SIJ dysfunction, is known to cause low-back pain, leg pain and inflammation due to overuse. Pain can affect one side or both sides and may be accompanied by numbness, weakness, tingling and feelings of leg instability. The sacroiliac joint sits toward the bottom of the spine,

connecting the ilium bones (hip bones) to the sacrum. For athletes, this condition is caused by unconditioned low-back and/or pelvic muscles, landing on one leg, falling, landing a tumbling pass short or prior low-back surgery.

The prevention of SIJ dysfunction starts with good posture and a neutral spine position. Athletes should also focus on exercises that strengthen their core and hips. Check in with other cheerleaders or gymnasts to have them observe your technique on various stunts. Good technique from the start can prevent falls and, in turn, prevent injury.

Some cases of SIJ dysfunction will get better with time, rest and alternating heat and ice. Other situations may need more attention with anti-inflammatory medication, sacroiliac joint injections or treatments for hypermobility. A sacroiliac joint that is hypermobile, or stretches further than normal, may require treatments like supports or braces, gradual physical therapy, low-impact aerobic exercise, water therapy or manual manipulation from a chiropractor or other qualified practitioner.

In both gymnastics and cheerleading, athletes can reach new heights with careful training and consideration of their sport’s long-term effects. By taking preventive measures, listening to your body and seeking appropriate medical care when necessary, you can stay in winning shape and compete at your best while avoiding lasting injuries.

Female gymnast performing on balance beam during training session with teammates and coach in gym

Phil Williams: This council ain’t so grand

By Phil Williams, 1819 News Commentary

Donald Trump was just indicted for a third time in the current election season.

I’ve seen third world power struggles first hand and nothing beats this mess.

In the opening months of 2002, the war in Afghanistan was still fresh. Smoke was still rising from some of the most recent bombing runs in the Tora Bora mountains. The Taliban and al-Qaeda were on the run. Life in and around Afghanistan was taking on an eerie wait-and-see posture.

My team was inserted into the northern province of Kunduz right after the invasion, and for most of the next year we lived among the Afghan people. We often dressed as Afghans, lived in

an Afghan house with our own private guard force, ate their food. It was a very surreal year.

In June 2002 the powers that be decided a transitional government of Afghan leaders was needed to run the country until the first free elections could be held in 2004. The way forward was to conduct a “loya jirga.”

Translated from Pashto, loya jirga means “grand council,” and is a tradition in Afghanistan. It is democracy with a southwest Asian tribal flair. In Kunduz, a huge tent was set up. Hundreds of men in traditional Afghan garb representing tribes, councils, and communities were all crowded into this massive tent. There was yelling, swearing, posturing, and speeches. There was clamor from the young, and

deference to the gray beards. Nothing like this had happened for years because of the Taliban, and before that, the Soviets.

These were people trying hard to figure out what self-determination meant. They were beaten down for so long that just gathering to talk about an election made many of them nervous. It was amazing to watch it all.

Loya jirgas occurred in every province. Even the smallest mudbrick, dirt-patch communities sent their representatives to each of the 34 provincial capitals, and they yelled, cussed, postured, and gave their speeches. Hazaras, Pashtuns, Tajiks, Uzbeks. They all came. For the first time in memory women were allowed a limited role in the loya jirga. Trouble arose when certain Afghan war-

lords demanded entry to the loya jirga tents and tried to threaten and intimidate the participants.

Eventually the congregation of angry, noisy, Afghan men in Kunduz selected their delegates, who then selected their leader. Those men then represented Kunduz Province in the great loya jirga in Kabul. The former King of Afghanistan, Mohammad Zahir Shah, who had been in exile since before the Soviet invasion, returned to formally open the ceremonies.

But there was still shouting, and cursing, and posturing. Weapons were drawn on several occasions. There were walkouts and resignations, nominations and more resignations. It was organized chaos.

From an outsider’s perspective, I had trouble believing they would ever reach a resolution. But it is amazing what people can do when they are given a choice, and eventually Hamid Karzai was elected interim president.

The first free election in Afghanistan was a raucous mess. But nobody went to jail, nobody was shot, and nobody tried to send their opponent to jail on trumped up charges.

Twenty-one years later I am watching the current election season here in the U.S. and I feel like the post-Taliban Afghans did a better job at electing a government. The modern world has not seen anything like the mess we have going on right now with former President Trump indicted again and again.

In American elections, we expect raucous speech. We expect over-the-top adver-

Phil Williams is Policy Director for the Alabama Policy Institute.

tisements and feisty debates. We actually expect some of those ubiquitous sleights of half-truths designed to knock your opponent’s favorable polling numbers down.

What we don’t expect is a coordinated abuse of the justice system designed solely to derail a political opponent’s campaign. Trump has now been indicted for the third time during the ongoing election season: once on the classified documents issue, once by rogue New York City District Attorney Alvin Bragg on alleged campaign finance violations, and again this past week on claims related to Jan. 6th and election irregularities. Don’t forget that Trump also faced decades-old sexual harassment allegations for which he was just in court, and the sense is that he will possibly be indicted on additional charges in Georgia for allegedly attempting to insert himself in the process of that state’s 2020 election ballot counting.

Does anyone really believe that the timing of these various suits and indictments is not coordinated? Is there

anyone who really believes that it took almost three years for the DOJ to decide whether or not Trump said something inciteful on Jan. 6th? Or that he made claims about elections that some people took issue with?

The bottom line is that where there is this much smoke, it is not a question of whether there is a fire. When you have this much smoke, what you actually have is someone fanning the flames. What we are watching is not an attempt at multiple prosecutions; rather, this is one single persecution.

Meanwhile, Biden has been on vacation again at his beach house, conveniently out of pocket and unavailable for questioning. That’s what tyrants do. They sit back in their castles and send their minions out to do their bidding.

If tribal leaders in a war zone can come together in a tent and yell and cuss and posture and actually elect their leaders, all while a war is still going on around them and the Taliban’s brutality is still fresh on their minds, then surely we can complete a U.S. election without looking like a bunch of Afghan warlords trying to intimidate their way into the tent.

But hey, those Afghan warlords got nuthin’ on this.

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.

Keeping You Healthy All Season Long

Lass But Not Least: You have to check this out

By Ken Lass

It finally happened. I knew it was just a matter of time, and I’ve been dreading it. I was shopping at one of Trussville’s big box stores and, after I had gathered my purchases, I strolled over to the checkout area searching for a cashier.

There were none.

There was only a bank of self-checkout machines, accompanied by a couple of watchful employees. So, we’ve finally gotten there. The time when checkers have been all but eliminated and we have to check ourselves out. I try not to be one of those people that hates change. But I don’t think I’m going to handle this well.

For starters, can we not standardize these things so they all handle the same stuff?

One machine takes cash only.

One takes credit cards only.

One takes cash and credit cards. One only takes cards from Southern Baptists. Another is for Capricorns. Then there’s the search for the bar code. I’m convinced the packagers are entertaining themselves by deliberately trying to make them as hard to find as possible. Kind of like playing a game of Where’s Waldo. After rotating my can of paint for ten minutes in a futile attempt to find the code, I am rescued by the employ-

ee monitor, who seems annoyed at my incompetence. She points out the tiny code, which is located on the bottom of the back label, partially obscured by a sticker telling me this product is helping to save the environment. I’m not certain, but I think I saw the employee roll her eyes at me as she walked away.

The robotic female voice in the machine tells me to remove my items from the plat-

form and bag them, unsympathetic to the fact the bags are too small to hold anything larger than a cantaloupe.

“Take your receipt” she says. Glad to. Where is it? I have this uncanny ability to choose

the machine that has run out of paper.

All the while I feel the heavy gaze of the monitors, watching me intently, the way a mother watches her toddler after telling him to stay away from the wet paint on the kitchen doorway. I have this fear of accidentally forgetting to scan one of my items, and immediately being led out of the store in handcuffs. You’re not paranoid if they really are out to get you.

I blame Piggly Wiggly. Back in the early 1900’s, when grocery stores and supermarkets began to proliferate, the customers would give their shopping lists to the clerk, who would then gather your groceries, and bring them to you. But around 1916, the first Piggly Wiggly opened in Memphis, Tennessee, pioneering a radically new concept. They let the customers actually roam the aisles by themselves, gather their own items, and bring them to the checkout. It was the genesis of a nefarious plot to make the customers do more of the work, while the employees do less, making them more expendable. The

experiment was so successful that in 1937 the company introduced the next step, the shopping cart. Now, not only did you have to pick out your own stuff, but you had to tote it to your car and load it.

As you can see, it was inevitable that, ultimately, the process would become complete when the customer would also have to check himself out. And here we are.

It’s not a total revolution just yet. Most stores still keep a checker or two available so that you have the option. Folks who choose to do self-checkout usually do so because they don’t want to stand in line. They feel they are saving time by doing it themselves. Want to know a secret? Studies have shown that most shoppers who have multiple items don’t get out of the store any faster using self-checkout than they do by waiting it out in the cashier line. It just seems faster

because you are busy doing something. I’m going to miss the cashiers once they’re gone for good. That friendly lady asking me if I’m having a good day, or how I like that new brand of toothpaste, or offering me a choice between paper and plastic. I’ll miss placing that wooden divider stick on the belt, protecting me from paying for the broccoli the lady behind me tried to sneak into my items. Little did she know I hate broccoli. It won’t be the same without arm wrestling my cart away from the aggressive bag boy, who insists on pushing it to the car, desperate to look busy so that he doesn’t get laid off. Alas, no matter. The self-checkout is here to stay. I expect I’ll get used to it. Guess I’ll see you at the store. I’ll be the one down on my hands and knees trying to find the slot where the receipt comes out.

Ken Lass, Tribune columnist

R s

WFF biologists available to help with hunting season preparations

By David Rainer Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

When it gets hot in late summer, most hunters in Alabama start dreaming about the upcoming seasons Chris Cook, Deer Program Coordinator with the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ (ADCNR) Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries (WFF) Division, says those who want to increase their odds of successful hunting can start preparations right away, and WFF biologists are available to help.

“What most folks don’t realize is they can get in touch with our biologists in our Technical Assistance Unit to develop plans for collecting data and other things that are important for managing the deer herd,” Cook said. “They can schedule site visits and answer questions about deer management and what they might do for their specific property, data collection, habitat-wise or deer harvest strategies.

“We have a Technical Assistance biologist in each district now that is a free service. We’ve had our Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP) since the mid1980s, but you don’t have to be enrolled in DMAP to make use of our biologists. Just get in touch with your district office to make an appointment. They can definitely give you some advice on what to do to get ready and what you can do to improve things down the road. They can help you determine what is realistic for your property, and each situation is a little different. They look at timber stands and density to see if sunlight is getting to the ground for browse production. Leased lands may have restrictions on things like prescribed fire, so they have to look for different ways to improve the habitat.”

Visit www.outdooralabama.com/wildlife-section for the counties in each district and corresponding contact information.

“Most folks this time of year that are planning to do plantings in the fall for the

wildlife are getting ready with weed control to prepare their food plots,” Cook said.

“If they have perennial clover plots, most of those are struggling right now because of the heat. Heat is not a friend of clover, but they will bounce back when it cools off.”

Cook said hopefully most landowners and lease holders have pulled soil samples to get tested and know what to do to reach a proper pH level of around 6.5 with the recommended application of lime. If you’re a little late, he said to go ahead and get that done.

“If you apply lime now, it’s not going to have much of an effect on what you’re going to plant for this season,” he said. “But it’s never a bad time to get that done. That is something that needs to be done periodically, every couple of years or every three years, to get that preferred pH range.”

Next on the checklist for Cook is to inspect your ladder stands, shooting stands and houses to ensure they are safe and in good working condition.

“You can also work on getting the best access into those stands figured out,” he said. “You want to make it as easy as possible to slip in and out of those stands with the least amount of disturbance.

“And it’s a good time to do some road maintenance to make sure you can get to those stands.”

Cook said the sweat equity continues by checking your hunting property for mast production, which can dictate tactics when hunting season opens.

“It may be hot, but you can start scouting the acorn crops,” he said. “It can be difficult with leaves, but with binoculars, you can figure out what it’s going to be like and find trees that look like they will have good acorn production.

“From what I’ve seen in our area, it looks like there’s going to be a lot of white oak acorns. That’s always good for deer. If acorns are really abundant, that’s not too good for hunters because it spreads the deer out. If it turns out that only certain trees are producing acorns, that can be great for hunting.”

Many hunters may not be thinking much about their trail cameras right now, but Cook said that would be a mistake.

“I like running cameras this time of year to see what the deer herd looks like. They can check for the bucks maybe they passed on last year or see some new deer showing up. Getting pictures of deer that pique your interest gets you motivated to do these other things to get ready for

deer season.”

Many hunters may make take a break from preparing for deer season by a doing some dove hunting in September. Cook says if you’re finished with your mowing and weed control, it’s fine to take a break in September.

“I rarely recommend planting in the fall before the first of October as it’s typically hot and dry through September into early October,” he said.

Cook said probably the single most important aspect of deer management is collecting data from the animals that are harvested.

“There are countless incidences where folks will come by the office with jawbones of bucks they killed the previous year and want me to tell them the ages,” he said.

“The hunters typically think the deer are younger than they are. I tell them the deer was 5 or 6 years old, and they say the antlers were ‘only this size.’ A lot of people are good about passing bucks, but they don’t realize they’re passing bucks they should be shooting. Those are deer that aren’t where they should be and will never get there. They also may be shooting younger deer that are off to a great start, thinking they are older.

“Collecting body weight, lactation status of does, antler measurements and ages will give an idea of the condition of the deer. If you don’t know what you have, you may just be spinning your wheels.”

Earlier this year, a roadkill deer in Holmes County, Florida, near the Alabama line,

tested positive for chronic wasting disease (CWD). In response, ADCNR will increase CWD sampling surveillance efforts in southeast Alabama as outlined in Alabama’s CWD Surveillance and Response Plan.

WFF will deploy additional self-service, drop-off CWD sampling freezer locations throughout southeast Alabama. Updated information about CWD sampling and a map of self-service, drop-off CWD sampling locations statewide for the 2023-24 season will be available soon at www.outdooralabama.com.

“In the rest of the state we’ve been doing surveillance and sampling for CWD for quite a while,” Cook said. “We will continue to do increased surveillance in our CWD Management Zone in Lauderdale and Colbert counties as well as the adjoining counties of Limestone and Lawrence. That’s the approach we will take in Geneva and Houston counties, which are closest to where the positive deer was in Holmes County.

“We’ll focus on getting as many samples as we can. That’s what Florida is doing right now. They’ve sampled quite a few additional deer and haven’t found any other positives. We’re asking hunters to help us with sample collections. We will have more freezers in place where they can drop off the deer heads for sampling. We depend on hunters for a lot of things, including the surveillance. If we detect it early, it gives us more options.”

c a L enda R

SSG Michael W. Hosey American Legion Post 205 7257 Old Springville Road, Pinson, AL.

cLassified

Life Skills: Interviewing

Thursday, August 10: 6:00pm - 7:00pm Trussville Public LibraryParkway Room

Post Service Officer on Duty

every Monday, 1 – 5 PM.

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

M. W. Hosey American Legion Post 205 will be at Trussville City Fest 16 September 2023. Come join us and visit with fellow Veterans and share your experiences.

Happy Birthday, Socks!

Thu Aug 10th 4:00pm - 5:00pm

Pinson Public Library, 4509 Pinson Blvd, Pinson

Trussville’s Human Resources department will be joining us to talk about jobs.

The Trussville Public Library is hosting a series of programs for older teens aimed at providing useful information to teenagers headed out into the world. The City of Trussville’s Human Resources Department will be joining us on August 10th to talk about interviewing and the workplace. This is a place to pick up useful tips as you are headed into the workplace.

Meditation with Anita Theart

Monday, August 14: 9:30am - 10:30am Trussville Public LibraryCahaba Room

Library! Connect with your community and share your thoughts about this month’s book while enjoying delicious food and drinks at Ferus. We will meet each month on the second Monday of the month at 7:15 PM in the event room at Ferus. Contact the Adult Dept (205-6552022 or tr.adult@jclc.org) if you need assistance in obtaining books or if you have any questions. 2023 meeting dates are January 9, February 13, March 13, April 10, May 15, June 12, July 10, August 14, September 11, October 9, November 13, and December 11.

Yoga

Tuesday, August 15: 11:00am - 12:00pm Trussville Public LibraryLBK Auditorium

Call (205) 533-8664 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: 833-449-1307.

BECOME A PUBLISHED AUTHOR! We edit, print and distribute your work internationally. We do the work… You reap the Rewards! Call for a FREE Author’s Submission Kit: 888-283-4780

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.

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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

(All ages)

Help us celebrate as Socks turns eight years old on Thursday, August 10th! Stop in anytime between 4 to 5 PM.

You don’t have to bring a present for Socks, he is already so very spoiled!

Socks would love for you to please consider making a donation to Kitty Kat Haven through their Amazon Wishlist: https://smile.amazon. com/hz/wishlist/ls/3ET68KTYPX985?fbclid=IwAR3Q150FIR8qzfiUgBTTo5ZwkQS7LCXyKZUY4CHL73QZadKNzHO3TiJdhTU

All ages welcome. Snacks will be served.

Yarn ManglersKnit & crochet group

Thursday, August 10: 2:00pm - 4:00pm Trussville Public LibraryCahaba Room

Breath work and Meditation class for beginners with Anita Theart. This will be a six week series with the overall intention to offer the beginner the tools and inspiration to practice. Each class will be building on the previous one. We will be using breath work to set the foundation for meditative practice. Appropriate breath awareness is the doorway to the inner. Regular breath practice creates respiratory fitness, lowers heart rate and blood pressure and increases vitality. Appropriate practice consistently over a long period of time expands the breath capacity and reduces the stress response to life. Participants will sit in chairs; no equipment is necessary. This class will be taught by Anita Theart, Yoga Therapist, Holistic Wellness practitioner, Meditation teacher. More about Anita: https:// atholisticwellness.com/

Books & Brews

Monday, August 14: 7:15pm - 8:15pm

Ferus Artisan Ales - Event Room

Yoga with FitByBlee

Enjoy gentle yoga with FitByBlee at the library. Bring your own yoga mat, limited mats are available. Please fill out this waver upon registration: https://docs.google.com/ forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScdoCTsi9QBErGMyVBnG4JjnY114vEREeyCrWpGTkipnmpdag/viewform

Tech Tuesdays Tue Aug 15th 10:00am - 12:00pm Pinson Public Library, 4509 Pinson Blvd, Pinson

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

ERC Funds $26,000 PER EMPLOYEE If you had 5 or more employees doing COVID YOU MAY QUALIFY, copy and paste link on provided to find out https://www.topnotcherc.com/?agentreferral-id=DWM646

EDUCATION

ATTENTION ACTIVE Duty & Military Veterans! Begin a new career and earn your Degree at CTI! Online Computer & Medical training available for Veterans & Families! To learn more, call 866-475-1014 (M-F 8am-6pm ET).

Burial Plots for Sale: LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION! Four burial plots for sale at Jefferson Memorial Gardens. Plots are located in the highly coveted Twin Addition Garden. The neighborhood is super quiet! If purchased from Jefferson Memorial plots are $4,095.00 each. Will sell for $3,275.00 each OBO. Seller will pay transfer fees. Call today! (205)2298756

2 Burial Plots - Jefferson Memorial Gardens located in the Garden of Love section. List price is $3795 per plot asking $3000 per and $5800 for both. Contact John Chisholm at 205-500-3101

DirecTV Satellite TV Service

Starting at $59.99/month! Free Installation! 160+ channels available. Call Now to Get the Most Sports & Entertainment on TV! 844-5947108

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 esti-

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

Use Happy Jack® DD-33 on dogs & cats to kill fleas and deer ticks on contact. Biodegradable! At Tractor Supply® (www.happyjackinc.com)

METAL ROOFS Completely Installed $4750* Siding/ Windows 40% Off. LIMITED TIME. Factory Warranty. Free Estimates Credit cards accepted. SR/Military discounts *1500 sq ft CALL NOW !! 800-664-4856

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

Knit & crochet meetup group (aka The Yarn Manglers). Bring any projects you are working on; join us for fellowship and creativity. This is a great way to check in, catch up, see what everyone is working on, and get help if you are stuck. Please join us - newcomers are welcome!

Join our Facebook group: YARN MANGLERS ANONYMOUS

Join us for Books & Brews, an evening adult book club from the Trussville Public

(Adults)

Need help with your tablet, smartphone, or computer?

Mr. Keith is here to help! Drop in on Tuesday, August 15th from 10 AM to 12 PM for helpful tech tips & tricks, Please bring your device with you if you are able to do so. No registration is required

Anime & Unwind

Fri Aug 18th

6:00pm - 8:00pm Pinson Public Library, 4509 Pinson Blvd, Pinson

(Adults)

Friday, August 18th at 6 PM

It’s our anime club for adults! Come to the library for Anime & Unwind on Friday, August 18th at 6 PM. Enjoy Asian snacks & hang out with fellow anime enthusiasts.

o bitua R y

Willie Lockhart, Jr

june 17, 1954 — july 30, 2023

Willie Raymond “Ray” Lockhart, Jr, age 69, of Ashville, AL passed away on July 30, 2023. He was born on June 17, 1954, to Willie Lockhart and Lula Belle Miles. He grew up in Parish, AL with his parents and three siblings. He was a graduate of Tarrant High School.

He was a retired painter and devoted member to Red Hill Baptist Church in Springville, AL. He enjoyed fishing and spending time with his family.

He was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived his daughter and caretaker, Shannon Rene Dennis (Jared); his daughter, Brittany Waldrop, (David), grandchildren, Samantha, Tabitha and Cameron, Landon, Kayden, Braden, Paisley, Jaxson, and Hudson; one great grandson, Brantley; he also leaves behind two sisters, Mae and Rhonda, and one brother, Larry.

A visitation for Ray will take place at Red Hill Baptist Church in Springville from 1:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. with the funeral service beginning at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, August 7th. The burial will immediately follow the funeral service at Jefferson Memorial Gardens in Trussville. Pastor Tony Layton will preside over the service.

Bobbie Holtam

february 18, 1940 — july 28, 2023

Bobbie Jean Watson Holtam, age 83, of Pell City, Alabama passed away on July 28, 2023. Bobbie was born on February 18, 1940 in Meridian, Ms. She later moved to Birmingham where she grew up for most of her life. She is preceded in death by her beloved son Richard Holtam and her cherished mother Agnes Waddell. Bobbie is survived by her devoted husband Robert G. Holtam Jr., her son Robert Lynn (Diane) Holtam Sr., Grandchildren include her grandson Robert (Miranda) Holtam Jr., her granddaughter Leah (Ryu) Chong Holtam , and two great grandchildren Rose Anna Marie Holtam and Cole Robert Holtam. Her husband, son, and grandchildren were the lights of her life. Bobbie was a member of Victory Christian Church in Pell City, Al. Bobbie loved volunteering in church, listening to Pastor Wier’s and Pastor Gray’s sermons, and meeting with her women’s bible study group. In her free time Bobbie loved to cruise and take part in her community. Bobbie was the past president of the Tree commission in Pell City, Al. and participated in many charitable events, such as the Christmas store to help people in need have great holidays with their families. Bobbie will truly be missed by all who knew her.

Linn “Mike” Templin

august 14, 1952 — july 28, 2023

Linn “Mike” Templin, a native of Center Point, AL passed away at the age of 70. He was born on August 14, 1952 to Leon Marcus Templin and Myrtle Nona Bradley. He was the youngest of their two children. He graduated from Irwin High School class of 1970.

Mike was a maintenance manager for both the Jimi Hale Mission and Jessie’s Place of Birmingham. He loved the Lord and enjoyed working with several mission groups and attending Bible study. He enjoyed watching golf and gardening. In his younger years he enjoyed swimming and being active.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and is survived by his loving sister, Gail Daniels (Cliff), and extended family and friends.

A graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 2, 2023 at Forest Hill Cemetery.

Pastor Brian Hinton of Hunter Street Baptist will preside over the service.

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Marlene Sayers

june 10, 1932 — august 2, 2023

Marlene C. Sayers was born Marlene Tera Canady on June 10, 1932. Marlene died peacefully August 2, 2023 at the age of 91. Marlene was preceded in death by her parents Hoyt A. and Lula C. (Bynum) Canady, youngest brother James L. Canady, former husband J. C. Kennedy, and husband Grady H. Sayers.

She is survived by Brothers: Morgan E. Canady (Nancy), San Antonio, TX, Felton A. Canady (Marie), Center Point, AL, and Harold E. Canady, Slidell, LA. Sister-in-Law: Donna Canady, Starkville, MS. Nephews: Jay A. Canady, Panama City, FL and David Canady, Slidell, LA. Nieces: Lisa Canady McLaughlin, San Antonio, TX, Crystal Canady, Starkville, MS, Melinda Canady Bonner, Oneonta, AL, Christine Canady, Trussville, AL. Marlene's cousins live in Alabama, Georgia, Oklahoma, and New York, and she will be missed by a host of friends, especially her "Birthday Buddies" and others at The Healing Place Church.

Marlene was born in Oneonta, AL. The family lived on Warrior Valley Road in one of Monroe Bynum's rental houses, and they were farmers "on shares". In the Winter, the family traveled to Florida to work in the juice factories. Marlene had a rich Christian heritage. Growing up in rural Blount County, she was privileged to know a number of her ancestors including her Great, Great, Grandparents Rev. John and Martha Phillips. There was a long line of ministers in the Phillips family including some of the pastors of Hopewell Primitive Baptist Church where Marlene attended as a child. There were also several ministers in the Bynum line of ancestors going back to Asa Bynum, one of the early settlers of the Oneonta area in 1818.

The Bynum School in Altoona was where Marlene attended First Grade. She graduated from Springville High School in 1950. At that time, she was attending Murray's Chapel Church of God and accepted Jesus Christ as Savior at age 17. In 1950, the family moved to Birmingham and Marlene attended The Woodlawn Church of God.

Marlene worked for Hayes Aircraft for many years in Data Entry on the night shift. She also partnered with her husband in a Paint and Floor covering business located in Center Point, AL. Marlene and her husband were Children's Church Leaders at Tarrant Church of God in the early Sixties. In 1967, they were founding members of the Huffman/Sherwood Church of God which is now The Healing Place Church in Trussville, AL. Marlene was a faithful member of this church for 56 years. She was actively involved in ministry to the sick and shut-in church members and friends, and she supported local ministries in feeding and clothing the homeless. Marlene also supported other Christian Ministries both domestic and abroad. She loved cooking and gathering with family and friends, and traveling with the Church Senior Adults. She especially loved taking her Mother on road trips thru several States in the U.S. Her favorite personal activity was growing flowers of numerous varieties in her large backyard.

Marlene was a highly independent person who faced many trials and struggles in her life. She was also a person of faith and an over-comer. She is now at peace with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Services will be at The Healing Place Church in Trussville, AL with burial at Jefferson Memorial Gardens, Trussville, AL.

James Randy Boatright Sr.

june 4, 1953 — july 29, 2023

James “Randy” Boatright Sr. PLS, age 70, from Birmingham, Al went to be with our Lord on Saturday July 29, 2023. Randy is preceded in death by his father Elbert Lee, mother Audrey Sue, along with brothers; Cecil, Billy, Ronald, his sister Joyce Melton, and grandchild Bella Boatright. He was raised in the Inglenook community where he found a love for cars, music, and friends. He met the love of his life Glenda Lett and started a family. As a young man, he began work with a land surveyor and quickly fell in love with the job. Over the years he had his first child Brandy, moved to Center Point, and had a son James. In 1992, he earned his professional license as a Land Surveyor and began his own business, which he passionately pursued for over 30 years. As a youth coach at Center Point Ballpark, he helped coach the infamous Panthers and many baseball teams, where he touched the lives of many young men. He had a passion for music. He played guitar and sang with some of the best musicians in Birmingham. Randy is survived by his wife of 46 years, Glenda Boatright, daughter Brandy Kelly (Scott), son James Boatright, Jr. (Nicole), grandkids; Brelyn Kelly, Cole Kelly and Emma Boatright and numerous nephews, nieces, and cousins. Randy’s visitation will take place at Jefferson Memorial Trussville on Thursday August 3rd, 2023, from 5-7pm. Funeral will be at Jefferson Memorial, Friday August 4th, 2023, at 2PM. 1591 Gadsden Highway, Birmingham, Al 35235.

Alvin Bresler and The Lost Jersey

By John Goolsby

For the Tribune

IRONDALE

– In the fall of 1967 Shades Valley head coach Bud Bishop retired receiver Alvin Bresler’s jersey. Bresler was the first jersey retirement in the history of the school. No Mountie was to wear number 44 again. There is little known about the location of the retired jersey from 1967 to 1969, but it appears that starting in 1970 it was prominently displayed in a trophy case inside the Shades Valley senior lounge for an unknown period of time.

Two facts are known. The first is that Bresler was told that his jersey was being unretired in 1974, and second,

that shortly after Dr. T.L. Clement’s arrived at Shades Valley in 1978, the jersey was discovered in a desk drawer.

Clements contacted Bresler and informed him that he wanted to return the jersey to him. A short time later Clements met Bresler in a parking lot near Shades Valley and handed the once retired jersey over to Bresler.

The once honored and retired jersey hung in Bresler’s closet for over four decades.

How Clements knew who the jersey belonged to and that it shouldn’t be displayed remains a mystery to this day.

Before the full story of the “lost jersey” can be explained the story of why Bresler’s number was retired in the first place must be told.

Bresler is perhaps, to this day, the most decorated high school player in the school’s long history.

The speedy wide receiver was All-State as a junior and a unanimous All-State player as a senior in 1966. Bresler was also named to three high school All-American teams. He was named the number one college prospect in the state by the Birmingham Post-Herald.

Bresler didn’t just excel on the football field. Bresler led the Mounties to the 1966 State Championship in Track and Field. He was the individual state champion in the 440 yard dash, a member of the 440 yard and mile relay state championship teams, and runner-up in the 180 yard

low hurdles. Bresler’s 1966 Shades Valley team holds the distinction of being one of four teams to play in the first ever AHSAA football playoffs. Before the 1966 season, a claim to a state football championship was a “mythical” claim. “Prior to ‘66 it was about how much politicing you could do with the newspaper to be ranked number one I guess,” Bresler said. Bresler’s Mounties were 6-0 and ranked number one in the state for four consecutive weeks before being upset by Ensley at home in week eight of the season. The unexpected loss dropped the Mounties to number five in the state rankings.

Valley responded by blow-

ing out Bessemer and Berry by a combined score of 78-6 the next two weeks. With the playoffs in sight, the Mounties climbed to number three in the rankings as they went on the road for the last game of the regular season against seventh-ranked Vigor.

On a rainy night in Mobile, the Mountie offense gained 207 yards against Vigor, but numerous penalties, three fumbles, two missed field goals, and a bobbled snap on the PAT left Valley with only six points.

The Valley defense played well and held the Wolves to only 52 yards of total offense. Vigor’s only score of the night came late in the third quarter after Valley fumbled a punt at

their own 23-yard line.

Valley, trailing by one, had an opportunity to pull out the win late but saw their chance of victory slip away when an official knocked down a wide-open Bresler at the goal line, preventing a sure goahead touchdown.

“As I was approaching the goal line, an official standing out of place started running toward me to get to where he should have been,” said Bresler. “As he was trying to get there, he blindsided me and broke up the play.”

“Bill Legg, our coach, gave the officials a piece of his mind….nothing out of the ordinary,” said Bresler. “We See ALVIN BRESLER, Page 16

Bresler with Nelson. Photo by: John Goolsby Alvin Bresler in 1966. Photo by: Shades Valley High School Bresler in his Auburn days, along side Pat Sullivan and Terry Beasley.

Photo by: Alvin Bresler

Birmingham Stallion’s championship winning quarterback signs with Green Bay Packers

Fall Football Preview: Hewitt Trussville Huskies

By Zack Steele

For the Tribune

TRUSSVILLE – In year 9 of the Josh Floyd era at Hewitt Trussville, the Huskies are hungry for something more. In Floyd’s tenure, Hewitt has made the playoffs in 8 of those nine years. Since 2014, Floyd has molded Hewitt into one of the best programs in the state, with teams that regularly ranked in the top 5 in 7A every season.

Unfortunately, in those 9 years

Hewitt has never made it past the quarterfinal round. In 7A, the road to the state championship usually goes through Hoover, and more recently, Thompson High of Alabaster. Those two teams are normally one and two in the state. Both schools happen to fall in Hewitt’s region year in and year out.

Add those two schools with the likes of Vestavia and Spain Park, and you get the toughest region in Alabama high school sports.

Still, Coach Floyd likes what he has with his 2023 squad, especially considering the returning players on offense.

Reigning All State quarterback Peyton Floyd leads an experienced

backfield, including senior running back Jaqson Melton. Tight End/H back Donovan Price gives Floyd a big target for possession downs.

Price was voted second team all state as a junior. Hewitt also returns several experienced receivers with 25 or more career receptions. The passing game should be potent.

“We have high expectations every year for our offense, but especially this season since we have so many returners. Our offensive line improved throughout last season and had a really good off season.”

Hewitt’s offensive line is anchored by 4 year starter Kade Martin, who can play multiple positions on the line. The focus of the offensive line is getting bigger and playing more physical.

“They have definitely gotten stronger over the last few months and we should have some pretty good size up front.” said Floyd

Defensively, the Huskies have a few more questions to answer. Along with replacing an entire linebacker corps, the Huskies also must replace all state defensive back Ricky Gibson and defensive lineman Hunter Osborne. Despite this, Coach Floyd is still bullish on the Husky defense.

1.1 BID INFORMATION

“We lost 2 SEC players that will be hard to replace but we believe we have guys that can step into those spots. We are fortunate to return 5-6 starters on the defense that was ranked 4th in 7A last season. Tyrell Averhart was an all state d-lineman last season and he led our team in sacks and tackles for loss the last two season.”

Riggs Dunn and Michael Igbinoginene bring substantial experience to the defensive secondary.

“Riggs will be a 3 year starter in the secondary so it’s great to have that experience on the back end. Michael Igbinoghinee returns at corner and we expect him to take his game to the next level.” said Floyd.

The schedule will be a challenge with several of the most competitive teams in 7A residing in Hewitt’s region. Aside from Thompson and Hoover, the other teams in the region continue to improve.

Floyd was complimentary of Region 3.

“As always, Region 3 will be super competitive. People always talk about us, Hoover and Thompson because we have been in the top 3 the last several years. Vestavia

See HUSKIES, Page 16

By Chase Holmes News Reporter

BIRMINGHAM — The Birmingham

Stallion’s two time championship winning quarterback signed with the Green Bay Packers on Wednesday, July 19.

Alex McGough, 27, recently helped the Birmingham Stallion win their second United States Football League (USFL) championship. He accounted for over 2,600 passing yards and 28 passing touchdowns over the course of last season as well as over 500 rushing yards and 6 rushing touchdowns. His

SECTION 001116 INVITATION TO BID

A. Project: UV Disinfection for Springville Lagoon

B. Owner: City of Springville

C. Engineer: Canyon Engineering, LLC

1.2 ANNOUNCEMENT

work on field helped secure the Stallions their second USFL championship. Before taking the field for his second post-season year, he took home the regular season MVP.

McGough will be joining a Green Bay Packer’s team that recently traded star quarterback Aaron Rodgers to the New York Jets and are hoping their former first round pick QB, Jordan Love, can continue the team’s recent stretch of Super Bowl winning quarterbacks. After originally being drafted by

See PACKERS, Page 16

A. Your firm is invited to submit a sealed Bid for the project listed above. The owner will receive Bids at the Springville City Hall, located at 160 Walker Drive, Springville, Alabama, 35146, until 2:00 PM local time on the 29th day of August 2023, at which time and place the Bids will be publicly opened and read aloud. Bids not received by the indicated time will not be opened.

B. Project Description: Construction of a new 1.5 MGD Ultraviolet Disinfection Reactor, simplex feed pump, control panel, exposed ductile iron piping, flow meter, electrical service, and related appurtenances.

C. Owner requires the Project to be completed in 240 calendar days st

D. Bidding Documents for a Unit Price contract may be obtained from the office of the Canyon Engineering, LLC, 404 1 Street E., Fort Payne, Alabama, 35967. Electronic copies will be a free download to all potential bidders. Paper sets are available upon receipt of a $100.00 non- refundable amount per set.

E. Potential bidders may view the Bid Documents at the office of the Canyon Engineering by appointment only

F Bidders will be required to provide Bid security according to the requirements in Document 002113 - Instructions to Bidders and Document 003100 - Available Project Information.

G. Refer to other Bidding requirements as described in Document 002113 - Instructions to Bidders and Document 003100Available Project Information.

H. Submit your Bid on the Bid Form provided. Bidders are required to submit the bid form, bid bond, and the E-Verify documents at the time of the bid. Bids must be submitted in a sealed envelope bearing the name and address of the bidder, the bidder's General Contractor's license number, the project name, and bid date. Bidders are asked not to submit the full contract documents and specifications book at the time of the bid.

I. Bidders must carry the Municipal and Utility construction classification as listed in the roster of the Alabama State Licensing Board for General Contractors to be considered for the award of the project.

J. Your Bid will be required to be submitted under a condition of irrevocability for a period of 60 calendar days after submission.

K. Owner reserves the right to waive irregularities and to accept or reject any or all Bids.

File photo. (Photo by Ron Burkett)

Alex McGough was signed by the Green Bay Packers (Graphic provided by the USFL)

Paine elementary student earns All-American Junior Olympian honor

Hewitt Cross Country look to build on great 2022 season

By John Goolsby For the Tribune

TRUSSVILLE – The 2023 Hewitt-Trussville boys and girls cross country teams are looking to continue the success they have enjoyed over the last five years. Both teams finished seventh in 7A last year at the championship meet in Oakville. Their finish was not indicative of the team’s potential. The team suffered a rash of non-running injuries and sickness the last week and a half leading up to the meet.

Hewitt, along with Vestavia, are the only two schools in Section 3 to qualify both the boys and girls teams for State five years in a row.

“Our goal is to get out of the section,” said head coach Matthew Michalke. “It’s a big deal to just get to State. When we get there, we want to be in the top five.”

By Chase Holmes News Reporter

TRUSSVILLE — A Paine

elementary student has earned All-American status at the Junior Olympics that took place on Monday, July 31.

Rylee Mitchell, 7, of Trussville, placed fourth in the 8U Girls Shot Put at the AAU Junior Olympics in Des Moines, Iowa, beating out almost 60 other athletes across the country. Her best, and All-American winning distance, was 6.37 meters.

“We couldn’t be prouder. Not just for placing in the top five in the country, but more specifically in how she

performed. Often she gets nervous before competition, and we can see it in her body language because she gets what we call, ‘Nervous Jitters.’” said Rylee’s parents, Josh and Tawanna Mitchell. “We had been working with her on ways to calm herself and conserve that energy for her performance. We spoke on ways to meditate and pray to herself while she waited her turn, and that’s exactly what she did. She closed her eyes and focused on the task at hand. She could be seen pushing her hands in a downward motion and that was her way of controlling her energy. I think that was the most worthwhile aspect of

it all was seeing her put into action all the things that we had been working on and discussing with her for weeks in preparation for this day. Everything else was icing on the cake.”

Her everyday motivation to compete came in the form of not only her parents, but a sign that has hung over her door since she was born. The sign reads ‘Though she be but Little, She is Fierce.’

As for Rylee, it was a day to remember and an accomplishment she had been looking towards for a long time. “I feel so good, and I am happy about it,” said Rylee . “I kept telling myself to stay calm and focus.”

Michalke, entering his third year as head coach and 14th at Hewitt, has a unique team this year. Over 40% of the 60 kids participating in cross country are new to the Husky team.

“This is the hardest working group, without a doubt, that I have ever had,” said Michalke. “They like to have fun, but they get going when it is time to work.”

The girls team will see the return of seniors Kinley Harris, eighth at last year’s Sectionals, and Avery Cahoon, the fifth fastest 800 meter runner in the state last year.

Michalke will be looking to round out the rest of his five scorers from a pool of talented but largely inexperienced girls.

On the boy’s side, the

team lost their top three runners, time-wise, and five that were key leaders for Michake’s squad.

Oscar Spears, Jacob Mullinax and Aran Cane will be called on to set the pace on and off the course.

“They have been around a while, but they have been waiting their turn,” said Michalke. “They had solid track seasons and they are working hard and setting appropriate expectations.”

Michalke, with the help of assistants Rachel Higginbotham and Mark Dunn, is working hard to introduce his young runners to the Husky cross country culture. “We

want to teach them what hard work looks like,” he said. “What it looks like to work as a team, what it looks like to care for each other.”

“All the other things, times and results, will take care of themselves. I don’t really worry about the results because, one, it’s not the ultimate goal, and, two, those things will follow with the things that we are trying to do.”

It has been a busy month for Michalke, who has filled in as the middle school cross country head coach with assistants Kelly Dunn and

See HEWITT, Page 16

Hewitt Trussville's Kinley Harris. Photo by: Brian Harris

Rylee Mitchell competes in girls shotput, taking home fourth in the competition

From

stepped up last year and had a great season. The return their quarterback and one of the top prospects in the country on defense.

“Spain Park is loaded with several guys getting D1 offers in the offseason. Tuscaloosa

Alvin Bresler

From page 13

were called for an unsportsmanlike 15 yard penalty.”

“After that penalty our coaches were vocal because they couldn’t believe it,” Bresler said. “That resulted in another 15 yard penalty.”

The loss of those critical 30 yards took the Mounties out of scoring position and ended their chance to win the game.

Tempers flared after the game and the Mounties headed back to Birmingham with a 7-2 record and thoughts that their playoff dream was over.

When the state poll came out the following Wednesday, the Mounties dropped to number eight in the rankings.

After the Mounties packed away their equipment for the season, the unexpected happened the following Friday night. Number three Banks lost to Jones Valley, number five Etowah lost to Gadsden, and number seven Vigor tied McGill.

With those two losses and tie, Valley was voted the fourth seed in the playoffs by the AHSAA over number six ranked Butler and, in a measure of justice, the number seven ranked Vigor Wolves. Ironically, the number one song in the nation that week was “You Keep Me Hangin’ On” by the Supremes.

The Mounties found themselves hastily unpacking equipment and footballs that had been packed away a week earlier in preparation for the number one ranked Poets of

County was a lot better last year than they have been. They have a running back committed to Miami that will be back.”

“The coaching is very good in the region and that is what makes it tough each and every Friday.”

Hewitt Trussville opens the season at home against Central of Phenix City on August 25th.

Sidney Lanier. “They called everyone up and told us to get to practice Saturday afternoon,” said Bresler. Six days later the Mounties would fall to Lanier in the first ever playoff game in Alabama. Lanier would defeat the Lee Generals the following week to claim the first-ever AHSAA state championship.

“Playing Lanier was like playing a college team back in those days,” said Bresler. The 1966 Poets went 12-0, outscored their opponents 393-42, and would again win titles in 1967 and 1968. Lanier, the winningest program in the 1960s, won five “mythical” and official state championships between 1961 and 1968.

Bresler, who grew up cheering for Alabama at Legion Field wanted to run track in college. “Track was just as important to me as football was back in those days,” Bresler said. “The reason I went to Auburn was because Coach Bryant said I was only going to play football and Coach Jordan told me I could run track.”

“My parents wanted me to go to Alabama, but there was just something about track that made it important to me, and I made the decision to go to Auburn,” he said. “I easily converted over to orange and blue.”

That decision proved to be a wise one for Bresler. He caught passes from Heisman Trophy winning and College Hall of Fame quarterback Pat Sullivan and lined up oppo-

Heather Matos.

Michalke has seen the running community and interest in the program grow in his time at Trussville but knows there is room for more growth and support.

“I would love to see the

site another College Hall of Famer and All-American in Terry Beasley.

Bresler held the record for longest touchdown reception in Auburn history, an 85 yarder, for 34 years until it was broken in 2004. Bresler ended his career with four receptions for 102 yards and a touchdown to help the Tigers defeat Ole Miss in the 1971 Gator Bowl.

Bresler was the recipient of The Cliff Hare Award, the highest award an athlete can receive at Auburn, in 1971. He was inducted into Auburn’s Tiger Trails Walk of Fame in 2017.

Due to Bresler’s size, great hands and blazing speed, he was the 153rd player taken in the 1971 NFL draft by the San Francisco 49ers. “I stayed through part of the training camp and decided I really didn’t want to continue pursuing an NFL career,” Bresler said. “I found myself running back kickoffs and punts and I really wanted to be a receiver.”

Coach Jordan was true to his word and allowed Bresler to run track. He was able to compete in track as a freshman and was runner up in the hurdles to Tennessee’s Olympic hopeful Richmond Flowers at the SEC Championship meet in 1968.

A knee injury as a sophomore sidelined Bresler for nearly a year and a half. He recovered and was the 1971 SEC champion in the 440 yard intermediate hurdles.

Because of his knee injury as a sophomore, Bresler had

community show up and embrace the kids when we host the Husky Challenge at home on October 21.”

The Huskies start the season at the Black and Gold Classic in Scottsboro on September 2.

Fans can follow the Husky cross country program online at almilesplit.com

the opportunity to go back to Auburn and run track in 1972 but had signed a contract with the 49ers. “It would have been really fun to go back and concentrate just on track,” Bresler said.

With the decision to put his playing days behind him, Bresler made his way back to Alabama an took an assistant coaching position at Anniston High School for the 1971 season. Bresler, as a 23-year-old, applied and was hired as the first head coach of Homewood High School in 1972. In his third year, Bresler won the state championship. In the Patriot’s run to the championship in 1974 they defeated Shades Valley 37-0. Bresler had defeated his old school 33-0 the previous year.

After the 1974 game, Mountie head coach George Miller, smarting from the blowout, informed Bresler at midfield that they were going to have his jersey unretired at Shades Valley.

At that time, Bresler had bigger things on his mind, such as winning a state championship, than worrying about the threat from a defeated opponent. At 26, Bresler was at the top of his profession and left Homewood for a lucrative offer to become the head coach at Talladega High School.

His first team in 1975 won the region and made the playoffs. In 1976 Bresler made the decision to start a black quarterback. “They weren’t ready for that and I wasn’t ready for their reaction,” Bresler said.

the Seattle Seahawks in 2018, McGough would end up on several rosters before a second stint with the Seattle Seahawks that ended with him getting released in 2021. He was then drafted by the Stallions but would suffer an ankle

“We went 4-5-1 and I told them that I was leaving.”

Bresler’s goal was to coach in college. That almost became a reality. Auburn head coach Doug Barfield offered Bresler a position, but the NCAA had recently made some changes that limited the amount of money Bresler could make. “I told Coach Barfield thanks for the offer but with two kids and one on the way I didn’t see how it would work,” Bressler said.

Barfield then contacted Larry Blakney at Vestavia Hills High School and offered him the Auburn job and he accepted. With Blakney’s departure, Vestavia had an opening and reached out and offered Bresler the head coaching position. Bresler also had an offer to take the coaching position at Huntsville High but elected to return home to Birmingham and coach the Rebels.

Bresler arrived at Vestavia in the summer of 1977 and due to various circumstances went 3-7. Bresler felt that the time to leave coaching had come. “Buddy Anderson had been on Blakney’s staff and was on mine,” Bresler said. “I saw Buddy everyday and I knew he wanted the job.”

“After the season I told Buddy I hoped he got the job because I was leaving for the business world.” Anderson got the job and became the winningest coach in the history of Alabama high school football.

Bresler joined Engel-House/Corroon & Black

injury that sidelined him until he replaced an injured J’Mar Smith in their first championship game and would go on to secure the victory.

Now, after his second championship win, he is returning to the NFL to backup a young quarterback who has yet to start a season for the Packers.

in 1978 and then found success in the surety bond and contractors’ insurance industry.

“God has a plan for everyone and I sure know He had one for me,” Bresler said.

For years the comment from Miller in 1974 and the phone call from Clements, along with the return of the jersey, solidified Bresler’s belief that his alma mater had indeed unretired his jersey.

As plans were being made by Shades Valley to retire current NFL player Daron Payne’s jersey, a search by an alumnus was made to determine the number of jerseys Shades Valley had retired. A lead by Lee C. Parker, Shades Valley class of 1965, led to a call with Bresler who told the story of the “lost jersey.”

On August 3 Bresler made the trip to Shades Valley to meet with current Mountie coach Rueben Nelson and return #44 to it’s home after a forty-plus-year absence.

“This means a lot to the program,” Nelson said. “These things matter.”

Bresler’s jersey will join Ben Tamburello’s #55, Bonkey McCain’s #71 and Daron Payne’s #94 on the Wall of Fame in Shades Valley’s field house.

Bresler and Becky, his wife of 53 years, reside in Vestavia Hills. They have three married daughters, one who ran track at Auburn, and ten grandchildren, two who have followed in their grandfather’s footsteps and run for Auburn.