The Trussville Tribune – September 2 - 8, 2020

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The Tribune

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By Erica Thomas, managing editor

CLAY — The first day of school started virtually in Jefferson County on Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2020. See JEFCO SCHOOLS, Page 3

Argo police receive donation that will combat speeding Erik Harris, sports editor

ARGO — The city of Argo received a donation from soon-to-be council member Dusty Stinson on Monday night. Stinson, who will take his seat in Place 3 on Nov. 2, presented his donation during Monday’s Argo City Council meeting. See ARGO POLICE, Page 3

Body of Fultondale man missing since July 16 recovered in Smith Lake From The Tribune staff reports

CULLMAN COUNTY — According to the ALEA Marine Patrol Division in Cullman County, the body of the missing boater Dustin New from Fultondale was recovered Saturday night, August 29. See MISSING BODY, Page 4

TCS to follow new guidelines concerning COVID-19 symptoms From The Tribune staff reports

TRUSSVILLE — The Trussville City School system outlined changes made to the Alabama Department of Health’s School Toolkit. The guidelines for schools to reopen was revised to categorize symptoms of COVID-19. See TCS, Page 3

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TCS employees to get $500 supplement and extra planning time By Erica Thomas, managing editor

TRUSSVILLE – The Trussville City Schools Board of Education approved a proposal by Superintendent Dr. Pattie Neill to award school system employees extra money and to give teachers extra planning time. The approval came during the board meeting on Monday, Aug. 31, 2020. All TCS employees will be given a $500 supplement in the month of September. Neill said the purpose of the extra money is to show gratitude for all that the employees have done in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. “We have reimagined education and successfully reopened schools in the midst of a global pandemic,” Neill said. “I’ve never seen a group of dedicated professionals work as hard for the benefit of students. We are truly blessed in Trussville.” Neill said leadership at schools and teachers have had to plan as changes are made at the state level and with Schoology and Schools PLP,

the programs being used inside and outside classrooms. “Truly, if we had given more time to become totally familiar with these programs, we would still not be open,” Neill said. “We got the email last week that things were being tweaked in Schools PLP. But changes seem to occur each week as new material is uploaded.” The extra planning time will come in the form of additional teacher workdays. Sept. 8, Oct. 9 and April 23 will be teacher workdays. The time can be used for principals to direct professional develop-

ment, grading days, collaboration with virtual teachers or anything teachers need to accomplish without students in the classroom. “It will be very important for parents to know these dates in advance to plan for child care if they need it,” said Neill. Neill said the Alabama State Department of Education (ALSDE) has already approved three additional workdays but a revised calendar will still have to be sent to the ALSDE. Assistant Superintendent of Student Services Dr. Man-

di Logan also announced that substitute teachers will be provided to provide relief for teachers. “Schools can use them where they need them to help teachers get ahead or plan ahead, learn some more things about the virtual side of schools and use it for whatever they need,” Logan explained. The school system has already received availability dates from multiple substitute teachers, according to Logan. Paine Elementary School Principal Lisa Lothspeich said the extra help will be much appreciated among teachers. “I want to thank the board for recognizing our teachers and staff,” Lothspeich said. “I will tell you I have ever been so proud to be part of a team. They have just done the unimaginable, honestly. I know we’re still learning some things and we’ve got a little bit of a learning curve, but I walk into a classroom and these kids are learning and they’re happy. There’s a sense of normalcy, too because of that.”

4 car break-ins reported on same day in Trussville From The Tribune staff reports

TRUSSVILLE — The Trussville Police Department is investigating after three cars were broken into at Hampton Inn and one was broken into at Cracker Barrel, all on the same day. According to police reports. See CAR BREAK-INS, Page 5

Woman arrested in Pinson held on $1 million bond after drug arrest From The Tribune staff reports

PINSON — The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office arrested a Tarrant woman after deputies said they found her in possession of large amounts of heroin and methamphetamine. See DRUG ARREST, Page 5

Trussville family blessed with gift for brother with autism By Erica Thomas, managing editor

TRUSSVILLE — The family of a man with autism is showing the world that Trussville and the people in the city put love before everything else. Althea Miller said a neighbor blessed her brother with a big surprise. The neighbor in the Cahaba Project area gifted Jesse Miller with a new bicycle. “Not only did it bless him, but it blessed me and my family as well,” Althea Miller posted on Facebook. “To know that someone went out of their way to bring a smile to his face and make his day, brought tears to our eyes.” His sister said social distancing during the coronavirus pandemic has been challenging for Jesse Miller, so riding his bike has been an outlet for him to exercise and make connections within the community, while social distancing. Althea Miller said her brother was very excited to get the new bike. She said

Jesse Miller poses with his new bicycle after a neighbor gifted him with it. Photo: Althea Miller.

her brother has a big heart and loves to meet people and make friends. “If you meet him once, he will remember you forever!” she said. “Even if your encounters are few and far between, he will always remember you and greet you by name in passing.” With the current social climate, Althea Miller said the random act of kindness came at a great time.

“For me, it was symbolic – a peace of mind knowing that our community is so much bigger than what’s going on in world,” she explained. “I’m so thankful to God for putting people like you [the person who gifted the bike] in our lives as a reminder that there are still great people around that choose LOVE over EVERYTHING!” After posting the experience on Facebook, Althea

Miller said she was surprised and uplifted by the reaction. She hopes people get to know Jesse Miller by his story. She said her family has been concerned about his safety but seeing how people in Trussville support him has comforted them. “With Jay loving people so much and with his unique way of displaying this, our fear is that people wouldn’t know how to interpret it,” Althea Miller said. “The added melanin in his skin wouldn’t provide much aid in the situation. So, in an effort to protect him, I hope this post is also being used as an opportunity to create awareness of autism and so my community will be able to speak up for him if we aren’t around.” The family has lived in Trussville since 2004. They are thankful for the Trussville community accepting Jesse with loving arms. “This brings me so much more peace to know that people are aware and will be looking out for him,” said Althea Miller. See JESSE MILLER, Page 7

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September 2 - 8, 2020

Jefferson County Schools Superintendent addresses issues on first day of school

WED THU

Buckle up, buttercup: Mayor-elect of Springville ready to ‘take the bull by the horns’ By Erica Thomas, managing editor

SPRINGVILLE — The citizens of Springville voted for a change in leadership in the 2020 municipal elections. See SPRINGVILLE, Page 8

JefCoEd mourns passing of Nez Calhoun From The Tribune staff reports

JEFFERSON COUNTY — Former Jefferson County Schools Director of Public Information Nez Calhoun passed away on Thursday, Aug. 27, JefCoEd announced on Friday. Calhoun, a graduate of the University of Georgia, served FefCoEd for 42 years before retiring in 2017. See NEZ CALHOUN, Page 4

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