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Food Service Scores
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9/11 Commemorative Ride
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The Trussville Tribune TRUSSVILLE • PINSON·CLAY • CENTER POINT • ARGO • SPRINGVILLE
September 4 - 10, 2019 CAUGHT ON CAMERA: Motorcycle speeds away through Clay after trooper chase on I-59
www.TrussvilleTribune.com
50 Cents
Trussville woman indicted in hot car death of dog at Walmart
Bond reduced for woman facing drug charges
By Erica Thomas, managing editor
JEFFERSON COUNTY — The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) confirmed a trooper was involved in a high-speed chase through northeast Jefferson County on Sunday, Sept. 1, 2019.
Kelli Brooke McLaughlin
See I-59, Page 5
See BOND REDUCTION, Page 5
St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office shows off new mobile crime unit By Erica Thomas, managing editor
ASHVILLE — The St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office showed off a new tool that will help fight crime and deliver justice. The Mobile Criminal Investigative Unit will be an integral part of preserving crime scenes and collecting evidence. See CRIME UNIT, Page 4
CENTER POINT FIRE CHIEF: House fire caused by ‘critter’ in the attic By Erica Thomas, managing editor
By Erica Thomas, managing editor
TRUSSVILLE — A Jefferson County Grand Jury voted to indict a woman on the charge of aggravated cruelty to animals, for an incident that happened at the Trussville Walmart last year. Stephanie Shae Thomas, 34, of Trussville, is the woman accused in the incident that happened on July 4, 2018. The Trussville Police De-
partment said they received a call around 11 a.m., about a car in the parking lot in front of Walmart in Trussville Crossings. The caller said there was a dog inside the car and that the car’s engine was not running. Officers responded and found the dog alive but distressed inside the older model Mercedes. All the doors were locked and officers tried to locate the driver of the vehicle, according to Trussville Police. When they were un-
able to find the driver, officers broke out a window and removed the dog. Video of the attempted rescue was posted on social media. Efforts to keep the dog alive were unsuccessful. The dog died in the parking lot. The Jefferson County Humane Society responded and recovered the dog’s body. Upon further investigation, police said they learned the driver of the Mercedes had been in Walmart since 4
a.m. that morning. When she returned to the vehicle at 12 p.m., officers confirmed she was the driver. Thomas turned herself into the police station on July 5. At that time, Thomas told officers she lost track of time while shopping at Walmart, according to police. Thomas was placed in jail on a $25,000 bond, which she posted the same day. See HOT CAR Page 5
3 Hewitt-Trussville High School seniors named to UA’s Director’s List
POLICE: 2 from Pinson area busted in Trussville with drugs, stolen tag By Erica Thomas, managing editor
TRUSSVILLE — Two people are facing various charges after being stopped by Trussville Police after officers spotted a stolen tag. According to the report, the 1999 Dodge Dakota was stopped at 3:54 p.m., on Thursday, Aug. 29. See DRUGS, Page 4
POLICE: Two women crash during police chase with Trussville officers By Erica Thomas, managing editor
GRAYSON VALLEY — Center Point Fire Chief Gene Coleman said a Labor Day house fire was likely caused by some sort of animal that chewed on wires. “A squirrel or some sort of critter got to the electrical wires,” said Chief Coleman.
TRUSSVILLE — The Trussville Police Department was involved in a police chase on Interstate 59, that ended in a crash, on Friday, Aug. 30, 2019. The car crashed in the southbound lane just before the I-459 junction in Trussville.
See HOUSE FIRE, Page 5
See CRASH, Page 3
Former Trussville fire chief due in court next week
Former CBS 42 Meteorologist Mark Prater makes plea deal in domestic violence case in Trussville
From The Trussville Tribune staff reports
TRUSSVILLE — Former Trussville fire chief Russell Ledbetter is scheduled for a pretrial hearing on Sept. 9, 2019. In June, Ledbetter entered a plea of not guilty on six felony charges, according to court documents. See FIRE CHIEF, Page 5
Inside the Tribune News - Pages 1-8 Tribune Living - Page 9 Obituary - Pages 10 Calendar - Page 11 Classified - Page 11 Politics - Pages 12-13 Faith - Page 13 Kids page - Page 14 Sports - Pages 15-18
Left to Right: EJ Monforton, Brooke Melvin and Stone Logan. Photo: Trussville City Schools. From The Trussville Tribune staff reports
TUSCALOOSA — The University of Alabama Early College program named three students, from Hewitt-Trussville High School, to the Di-
rector’s List. EJ Monforton, Brooke Melvin and Stone Logan earned college credits in Summer 2019 and exceeded the required 3.6 GPA. Director of UAEC, Dr. Victoria M. Whitfield, said
the Director’s List is a way of recognizing students that have excelled in the program. “We are proud of all of our students, and understand the commitment they have made to their education,” said Whitfield. “The students list-
ed have distinguished themselves, not only by their additional workload but also by their ability to succeed at the college level.” Whitfield said the students deserve special recognition for their achievements.
Robin’s Sewing Shoppe www.robinshoppe.com 5886 Trussville Crossings Pkwy 205.985.4212 -
Fabric Machines Classes Demos
From The Trussville Tribune staff reports
TRUSSVILLE — Former CBS 42 Chief Meteorologist Mark Prater signed a plea agreement for a reduced charge in a domestic violence case that originated in Trussville. See MARK PRATER, Page 3
Casa Fiesta Mexican Grill
5084 Pinnacle Sq Suite 112 Trussville
655-3530