Tribune
For theLEEDS – The Leeds
Board of Education called a special session on Wednesday, Aug. 30, where they heard a proposed budget presentation and adopted a cap-
TRUSSVILLE – Sain Associates held a public forum at the Trussville Civic Center Tuesday night, Aug. 29, to give residents an opportunity to share their thoughts on what they would like to see built at Glendale Farms.
City Councilors Lisa Bright, Perry Cook and Alan Taylor were present, along with representatives from Trussville City Schools, ACTA Theatre, and more.
“The setup (was) for the community to be able to come and say what they would like to go on this big piece of property that the city has purchased,” Bright said. “In each four corners are bulletin boards that you can come in and take a sticky note and express what you would like to see be put on this property. We know through years of experience that, when we get the community involved and they’re engaged in the process, they are going to be more excited about things
coming. It’s their city, it’s our city, we want everybody involved in the process.”
There was a good turnout for the event, and notes stuck to the bulletin boards ranged
from citizens expressing concerns over traffic and pleas for the city not to allow housing to be built on the property, to requests for a sports complex, a performing arts center and
Credit: Crystal McGough
other recreational facilities.
“We would like to see a performing arts center for our community,” said ACTA
of “The Play Goes Wrong,” directed by Zach Skaggs, will hit the stage on Friday, Sept. 15, kicking off six performances spread out over two weekends.
From The Tribune staff reports
PELL CITY – The 6th Annual God is Bigger Movement Bass Fishing Tournament will be held on Saturday, Sept. 23, at Lakeside Park/Sports Complex in Pell City.
The GIB Movement tournament has grown to be one of the biggest fishing tourna-
ments on Logan Martin Lake with 94 teams fishing in 2022. The 2023 tournament has increased the guaranteed prize money to $6,000 and will be paid to 16 winning places, plus a “No Weigh-In Drawing” for a chance to win $125. The entry fee is $130 per boat, which includes $10 for Big Fish. Nitro, Triton, Tracker and Ranger Bass Pro
Shops Tournament Rewards for qualifying boats are sponsored through Sylacauga Marine. Bass Cash is made available by AmFirst.
Tournament registration is now available online at https://www.gibmovement. com/23-fishing-tourney.
Pre-register by 7 p.m. on Sept. 21, and your boat number will be automatically en-
From The Tribune staff reports
Credit: God is Bigger Movement
tered for a chance to win a seven-night stay at Seascape Resort in Miramar Beach, FLa. The beach give-away winner will be drawn the day of the tournament and you do not have to be present to win. All paid anglers will be provided with breakfast, lunch and one free draw prize ticket.
See TOURNAMENT, Page 3
www.robinshoppe.com 5886 Trussville Crossings Blvd 205.655.3388
- Fabric - Machines - Classes - Demos
PINSON – The Pinson Valley Arts Council celebrated its one-year anniversary on Friday, Sept. 1, 2023, with a visit from Pinson Valley High School’s theater students followed by First Friday: Musician’s Night.
Springville Police Chief Wayne Walton completes Certified Law Enforcement Executive Program
From The Tribune staff reports SPRINGVILLE – The Center for Best Practices in Law Enforcement at Jacksonville State University has announced that Springville
— The annual Paws for a Cause charity event raised over $47,728 at this year’s event on Saturday, Aug. 19, at the Trussville Entertainment District. Trussville City Schools See SPRINGVILLE, Page
See GRANDVIEW, Page 5
Monda
From The Tribune staff reports
Jimmy Buffett, an American music icon and Alabama native, has died. He was 76.
“Jimmy passed away peacefully on the night of September 1st surrounded by his family, friends, music and dogs. He lived his life like a song till the very last breath and will be missed beyond measure by so many,” was
shared on his website.
Buffett, born in Pascagoula, Miss. on Christmas Day of 1946, spent much of his childhood and youth in Alabama. He graduated from McGill-Toolen in Mobile and spent a year at Auburn University before beginning a journey that would lead to him becoming a music legend in his own lifetime. He created the background music for a genera-
tion with a Key West theme that never seemed too far removed from his Pascagoula and Mobile roots. Buffett’s music defined the Gulf Coast lifestyle the way Brian Wilson’s music defined the Pacific Coast lifestyle of the 60s.
While best known for his hit Margaritaville, his Parrothead devotees and even the more casual Buffett aficionados will point to his
impressively deep songbook. The singer, songwriter, philosopher taught audiences to appreciate the perfection of a cheeseburger and, along with Alan Jackson, the value of multiple time zones. He is survived by his wife, Jane Buffett; two daughters, Savanah Jane Buffett and Sarah Buffett; a son, Cameron; two grandsons; and two sisters, Lucy and Laurie Buffett.
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Foundation (TCSF) will use these funds to give back to the schools, teachers and students in the form of grants this December.
Teachers will be able to apply this Fall for grants up to $1,500 per classroom to be used for special projects and equipment that will benefit the students beyond the minimum requirements set by the state.
TCS Athletic Foundation will use their funds to benefit all AHSAA sanctioned athletic sports teams at TCS and provide services, equipment, meals, supplies, travel, training, tournament fees, uniforms, and assistance.
“I am truly grateful to be
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Theatre manager Paige Turner Cain. “ACTA Theatre has been operational for 37 years; we have an 86-seat theater. We are selling out seven shows a year, two kids’ camps and running afternoon children’s classes in a building that is just not set up for educational classes, extra rehearsal space and the kind of crowds that we’re hosting for all of our shows. We think that a performing arts center
a part of a Foundation that works hard to give back to our students and teachers in TCS,” said Leslie Armstrong, TCSF Executive Director.
“We are so inspired by how our community supports local businesses, who in turn support our community! Thank you, Trussville.”
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Registered boat numbers will be entered for a chance to win one of two $250 Bass Pro gift cards.
GIB Movement welcomes all ages to attend the weigh in and door prize drawings.
Best-selling author Russell Estess will be the guest speaker at the tournament sharing his testimony on how the God Is Bigger Movement has impacted his life and the lives of his fans. Russell will also have his books available for autograph.
Christian musician Shawn Dennison and his band will perform at the tournament from 1-2 p.m.
• Weigh-in scales open at 2 p.m.
Tim Miller of Fishers of Men will begin the offi
would serve the entire community and offer opportunities to all the citizens.”
Another possibility that has been considered by the city is a new elementary school to help reduce overcrowding at Paine Elementary.
“I think we’re looking to see what the comprehensive plan is with the education corridor,” Trussville City Schools
cial weigh-in at 3 p.m.
After weigh-in, there will be door prize drawings for those in attendance.
Each $5 donation collected will receive a ticket for a chance to win amazing prizes.
The God is Bigger Movement is a non-profit 501(C)3 independent organization that began in 2011 when the creator Rachel Shaneyfelt was diagnosed with Mesothelioma. Shaneyfelt started making and giving away T-shirts as a reminder that God is Bigger. When the T-shirts became too costly, Rachel developed a challenge for her small group after ordering the first batch of 1,000 God Is Bigger bracelets, asking members to give them away to a complete stranger. Within one week, they had all been given away.
Over the past 12 years,
Superintendent Dr. Patrick Martin said. “If that includes an elementary school, we’d start to have conversation about what rezoning may look like. But I think this is a good problem to have. People are moving to Trussville; they want to be part of Trussville City Schools. We just have to make sure we have the space and quality facilities to house all these students.”
with the proceeds from GIBM merchandise and fundraisers, over 800,000 grey silicone bracelets have been given out worldwide to missionaries, refuge centers, outreach programs, victims of human trafficking, flood, fire and mass shootings, for those who are hurting or lost, or given to total strangers as a reminder that, “When life gets big, God is bigger.” The ministry is based on Luke 1:37, “For with God nothing shall be impossible.”
In August 2017, Rachel Shaneyfelt, the founder of the God is Bigger Movement passed away after a six-year battle with mesothelioma. It was Rachel’s wish that the God Is Bigger Movement continue. Her family and friends continue to spread the God is Bigger Movement in her honor to bring Glory to God.
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join them for a night of entertainment as they “Tune Up for Dog Daze” this Saturday, Sept. 9, at the Trussville Entertainment District.
Admission is free and the event kicks off at 7 p.m., with local singer Ethan Womack, followed by The Velcro Pygmies, performing on the TED stage. The Entertainment Sponsors for “Tune Up” are APCO Employees Credit Union and Trussville To Go, and the Performer Sponsor is SouthPoint Bank. Those who have been around the Trussville community for a while will likely remember the widely-popular “Dog Daze” festival held annually at the Historic Trussville Mall off North Chalkville Road. Named after the “dog days” of summer, which according to the Farmer’s Almanac is considered to be a 40-day period of excessive heat lasting from July 3 – Aug. 11, the festival was originally held on the Mall each year in August.
Though not necessarily the intended purpose of the festival, due to the name, many people would also bring their dogs along with them to enjoy the music, booths, giveaways and other entertainment.
In July 2012, the Trussville Area Chamber of Commerce announced that the name of the festival, which had been moved from August to May in recent years, would change to Trussville City Fest beginning in 2013. The location of the event was also moved from the grassy Trussville Mall to stretching all the way down Parkway Drive from Main Street to Cahaba Elementary.
The Chamber announced in July that it would be bringing Dog Daze back to the Mall on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023.
“Trussville Dog Daze is a fun, family event … and the admission is free,” the Chamber states on its website. “So much going on including kids’ activities, vendors, food trucks, art walk, cornhole tournament and lots of entertainment. Make plans to visit Dog Daze on September 16, it is a day you will not want to miss!”
Dog Daze will begin at 10 a.m. and will include free family activities provided by Voigt Abernathy (balloon artist), AireServ (inflatable sports game) and Spoc Automation (Free Face painting), as well as the Bryant Bank Kid’s Area, a Foam Dance Party provided by Mccullough Oil Company, Pet Supplies Plus Pup Strut, Jefferson Memorial Car Show, TDMA Food Tent,
various marketplace/booth vendors and more.
Throughout the day, patrons can also plan to visit Trussville’s Fresh Farmer’s Market at Holy Cross Church, located at 90 Parkway Drive from 8 a.m. – noon.
Unlimited-ride wristbands for the Fun Source Kid’s Zone will also be available for $25 (cash only), and a portion of all wristbands sold will go back to the Trussville Chamber’s Scholarship fund. Brown Automotive is the presenting sponsor for Trussville Dog Daze. Other major sponsors for this year’s festival include Courtesy Buick GMC, Bryant Bank, AmFirst Credit Union, Birmingham Coca-Cola, Ascension St. Vincent’s and Grandview Medical Center/Freestanding ER, Voigt-Abernathy Company, Pet Supplies Plus, Aire Serv, Jefferson Memorial Funeral Home and Gardens, BBB of Central & South Alabama, and Wilbur’s.
“Come be a part of this great festival,” the chamber stated. “There will be plenty of food, fun, booth vendors, kids’ activities, live entertainment, car show, touch that truck, pup strut and much, much more! And be sure to pick up one of the official Dog Daze T-shirts with this year’s great design for only $15!”
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The non-profit organization kicked off its anniversary by hosting PVHS theater students for an educational after-school program at 4 p.m.
“They’re coming to talk theater, movie, drama, art,” PVAC founder DieDra Ruff said prior to the event.
The Council had equipment on display, as well as producers and actors for the students to meet and learn from.
The students were also shown the trailer for “Frienemy for Life,” a movie set and filmed in Pinson by DieDra and Keithen Ruff’s film company, KeiDie Ruff Films.
At 5 p.m., the community was invited to join the Arts Council for First Friday: Mu-
sician’s Night, a block party style event that takes place on the historic Pinson Main Street.
“I had already planned the Musician’s Night before I realized it was also our anniversary,” Ruff said. “It’s just an open mic. It’s pretty much anybody that can sing, that’s got an instrument and wants to come and play.”
Pinson Valley Arts Council had its official ribbon cutting on Sept. 2, 2022, with members of the Clay-Pinson Chamber of Commerce and Pinson City Council and mayor in attendance.
International recording artist, “Alabama Blues Queen” and Pinson resident DieDra Ruff, along with her husband Keithen Ruff, founded the nonprofit organization in order to encourage,
support and help develop artistic talents and events in the city.
“Our goal here in the area is to allow people to be able to pursue their dreams,” Ruff said. “A lot of people have dreamed of being a singer, dreamed of learning how to draw and (do) art and paint; a lot of people have thought of maybe interacting with someone else – like adults with disabilities interacting and making friends with other adults with disabilities and just having fun. We want to create those types of environments where they can come.”
To keep up with events and services provided through the Pinson Valley Arts Council, visit their website at www.pinsonvalleyarts. org or follow their Facebook page.
ital plan that includes a new elementary school.
The presentation by Chief Financial Officer Ryan Miller gave an overview of the district’s revenue and expenses in the general fund, federal, state, local and capital sources. The proposed budget was developed for the fiscal year beginning on Oct. 1 until Sept. 30.
“The budgeting process is designed to develop for the school system a tool in order to provide an overall plan for the use of financial resources that will best serve the needs of the current student body and to encourage the concept of site-based management,” said the proposal’s preface.
“With the implementation of site-based management, decisions for the use of the financial resources are to be made by the system’s personnel responsible for accomplishing the desired results.”
To go along with the budget, the district is required by the state to present plans for capital projects, student transportation, professional development; technology, special education, at-risk students, career/technical education, federal programs, and school safety.
As the presentation was a proposal to convey the financial status of the school district, no action was taken
and none will be taken until the next regular meeting in September.
Later in the session, the board adopted its annually required capital plan.
“It’s essentially a well thought out wish list of things for the district looking forward,” said Superintendent John Moore. “The state uses that data to create its budget year-to-year and it helps the school district achieve those things.”
Two things of note were a new elementary school and a new athletic facility at Leeds Middle School and a drainage project there. During the Wednesday meeting, the board selected Lathan Associates Architects to perform the work, which is to fix a ditch at the middle school in order to have the facility built. The cost is estimated to be around $500,000 or possibly more.
Moore said that growth
at the elementary school has prompted the need for a new building, mentioning that the current elementary school has grown by 50 students. Moore said that they have Goodwyn Mills Cawood to be the builder. The overall project is estimated to be around $30 million. In other business, the board:
Approved Goodwyn Mills Cawood as the architect for the elementary school HVAC project, • Approved contracts for speech/language, psychometry, and interpreting services, and Set regular meetings for the second Friday of every month at 10 a.m. The next meeting will be held on Sept. 15, at 10 a.m., at the Leeds Board of Education Building on 1517 Hurst Avenue.
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Tickets for the show are now on sale at acta.booktix. com.
“I love this show. I think it is probably one of the funniest, if not the funniest, show ever written,” Skaggs said. “It’s comparable in some ways to ‘Noises Off,’ where you kind of get the feel of the backstage workings of a show. … Each of our actors is actually playing another actor who is playing a character in a show. So, you get a peek into their acting troop, the Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society.”
“The Play That Goes Wrong,” written by Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer and Henry Shields, tells the story of a group of actors who are excited for the opportunity to put on a murder mystery play called “The Murder at Haversham Manor.”
“The basic premise is that they’re putting on a show that’s maybe a little bit above their level,” Skaggs said. “They’re good actors and they’re very passionate about what they’re doing, but they’re reaching for something that is just a bit beyond their grasp, and you get to see the effects of that through the show.
“There’s a fun bit in the opening monologue where they talk about how proud they are to do this production because in the past they haven’t had enough actors to play all of the parts. So, they really build it up that this is
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Police Chief Wayne Walton has completed the Certified Law Enforcement Executive Program.
“On behalf of the University Partnership for Alabama
Continuing Education, and the Alabama Association
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and commitment in treating patients receiving transcatheter valve repair and replacement procedures. Grandview was awarded Transcatheter Valve Certification based on evaluation of the staff’s ability to meet standards for multidisciplinary teams, formalized training, shared decision-making and registry performance.
The ACC’s Transcatheter
the first time they’ve really gotten everything right and this show is going to go really well for them, and you can see that hopefulness that they have.”
Apart from the actors, Skaggs added that the set, itself, is considered a character in the show.
“This is probably the most complex set that ACTA has ever had for a show,” he said.
“I feel really confident saying that. We’ve put a lot of hard work into building it.”
Tickets cost $18 for adults, $15 for senior citizens and $12 for students, and performances are Sept. 15-17 and 22-24, with 7 p.m. showings on Friday and Saturday nights and 2:30 p.m. matinees on Sundays.
“I think it’s going to be a really high-quality production that I’m just excited to share,” Skaggs said. “We are about four weeks into it now and every night we’re laughing hysterically; it’s so much fun. It does not get old and I’m super excited to share it with the community.”
of Chiefs of Police, I take great pleasure in announcing that Chief Wayne Walton has completed 240 hours of training in the Certified Law Enforcement Executive Program,” said Kaleb Littlejohn, Director of the Center for Best Practices in Law Enforcement at Jacksonville State University and
Valve Certification is an external review and certification process that pairs with established national clinical databases to monitor patient safety and real-world outcomes related to transcatheter valve therapies. Participation in established national clinical databases such as the STS/ACC TVT Registry is required for hospitals interested in achieving Transcatheter Valve Certification.
“We are incredibly proud of our cardiology team here at Grandview,” said Daniel McKinney, CEO of Grandview.
“This certification recognizes the commitment of our physicians and staff to striving for excellence in patient care.”
The certification uses established national clinical measures to support clinical decisions and links process improvement to patient outcomes. Hospitals that achieve Transcatheter Valve Certification learn best practices for implementing evidence-based medicine to support patient-centered decision-making and can track key performance metrics
UPACE Partner. “This is the highest level of achievement that is awarded through this program.”
Chief Walton is among an elite group of chiefs in the state who have successfully completed the four-level program developed by the Alabama Association of Chiefs of Police and
to better identify opportunities for improvement.
About Grandview Medical Center Grandview Medical Center is a 434-bed tertiary care hospital. In 2022, Grandview provided quality care to 832,000 patients in Birmingham and surrounding communities. Conveniently located on Highway 280, Grandview offers diverse specialties including cardiac electrophysiology, orthopedics, women’s services, digestive disorders, rehabilitation services, behavioral health, robotic-assisted surgery, and emergency care.
supported by the Alabama Peace Officers’ Standards and Training Commission. This honor is a real credit to Chief Walton and to the City of Springville.
Chief Walton received this certification and recognition at the annual Association of Chiefs of Police Conference in Orange
Specialty units include a Level III trauma center, certified Chest Pain Center, recognized stroke center, cardiac cath lab, and neonatal, surgical and medical intensive care.
In 2023, Grandview opened a Freestanding Emergency Department in Trussville.
About the American College of Cardiology The American College of Cardiology (ACC) is the global leader in transforming cardiovascular care and improving heart health for all. As the preeminent source of professional medical education for the entire cardiovascular care team
Beach, Alabama, on August 3, 2023.
Examples of courses included in the program are:
Understanding and Developing Your Leadership Style; Police Leadership: Managing for the Future; Ethics and Integrity; Police Organizational Structure: Managing for the Effective-
since 1949, ACC credentials cardiovascular professionals in over 140 countries who meet stringent qualifications and leads in the formation of health policy, standards and guidelines. Through its world-renowned family of JACC Journals, NCDR registries, ACC Accreditation Services, global network of Member Sections, CardioSmart patient resources and more, the College is committed to ensuring a world where science, knowledge and innovation optimize patient care and outcomes. Learn more at acc.org or follow @ACCinTouch.
ness: Strategic Planning and Personnel Management. The UPACE Partnership is made up of Jacksonville State University, the University of North Alabama, and Troy University Dothan. Its purpose is to make continuing education programs available for agencies and associations across the state.
erage area, Hewitt-Trussville High School received the highest ranking followed by Shades Valley, Springville, Moody, Leeds, Pinson Valley, Clay-Chalkville and Center Point high schools.
The national rankings include data on nearly 25,000 public high schools in 50 states and the District of Columbia. In Alabama, 376 traditional high schools were ranked.
According to the U.S. News Best High Schools methodology, schools were rated on the following six measures, and the weights used for each indicator are in parentheses below.
College readiness (30% of the ranking): This is the percentage of 12th graders from the class of 2020-2021 who took at least one AP or IB exam by the end of their senior year and the percentage of 12th graders who earned a qualifying score on at least one AP or IB exam in high school. Earning a qualifying score is weighted three times more than simply taking the exam.
College curriculum
breadth (10%): This is the percentage of 12th graders from the class of 2020-2021 who took a wide variety of AP and IB courses across the multiple disciplines and the percentage of 12th graders who earned a qualifying score on them. Earning a qualifying score is weighted three times more than taking.
State assessment proficiency (20%): This measures how well students scored on state assessments that measure proficiency in reading, science and mathematics. Passing these assessments can be required for graduation. Examples of assessments include Smarter Balanced in California and the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness. This state assessment proficien-
cy indicator is either based on 2020-2021 or 2018-2019 state assessment data or an average of those years.
State assessment performance (20%): This is the difference between how students performed on state assessments and what U.S. News predicted based on a school’s student body. U.S. News’ modeling across all 50 states and the District of Columbia indicates that the performance percentage of students from historically underserved subgroups – defined as Black students, Hispanic students, and students who are eligible for free and reduced price lunch – are highly predictive of a school’s reading, science and math scores. This state assessment performance indicator is either based on 20202021 or 2018-2019 state assessment data or an average of those years.
Underserved student performance (10%): This is how well the student population receiving subsidized school lunch and Black and Hispanic populations perform on state assessments relative to statewide performance among students not in those subgroups. This state assessment underserved student performance indicator is based on 2018-2019 state assessment data.
Graduation rate (10%): For the 2023-2024 rankings, the graduation rate corresponds to the 2021 high school class graduation cohort who would have entered ninth grade in the 2017-2018 school year. High school graduation rates were collected directly from each state along with the math, reading and science assessment data.
Hewitt-Trussville
High School
Overall Score 91.88/100
Alabama ranking among traditional high schools: 9th
• Alabama ranking among all high schools, including charter and magnet: 12th
• Birmingham Metro ranking: 6th
• National ranking: 1,436th
• Graduation rate: N/A
• College readiness: 43.3%
From the report: “Students have the opportunity to take Advanced Placement® coursework and exams. The AP® participation rate at Hewitt-Trussville High School is 51%. The total minority enrollment is 22%, and 4% of students are economically disadvantaged. Hewitt-Trussville High School is the only high school in the Trussville City.”
Shades Valley High School
Overall Score 78.7/100
• Alabama ranking among traditional high schools: 41st Alabama ranking among all high schools, including charter and magnet: 45th Birmingham Metro ranking: 12th
• National ranking: 3,765th
• Graduation rate: 93%
• College readiness: 13.9%
From the report: “The AP® participation rate at Shades Valley High School is 26%. The total minority enrollment is 76%, and 43% of students are economically disadvantaged. Shades Valley High School is 1 of 15
high schools in the Jefferson County Schools.”
Springville High School
Overall Score 75.15/100
• Alabama ranking among traditional high schools: 51st Alabama ranking among all high schools, including charter and magnet: 55th
• Birmingham Metro ranking: 14th
• National ranking: 4,394th
• Graduation rate: N/A College readiness: 31.2%
From the report: “The AP® participation rate at Springville High School is 38%. The total minority enrollment is 11%, and 22% of students are economically disadvantaged. Springville High School is 1 of 6 high schools in the St Clair County.”
Moody High School
Overall Score 57.8/100
• Alabama ranking among traditional high schools: 107th
• Alabama ranking among all high schools, including charter and magnet: 111th Birmingham Metro ranking: 21st National ranking: 7,461st
• Graduation rate: 93%
• College readiness: 21.8%
From the report: “The
AP® participation rate at Moody High School is 49%.
The total minority enrollment is 29%, and 39% of students are economically disadvantaged. Moody High School is 1 of 6 high schools in the St Clair County.”
Leeds High School
Overall Score 55.03/100
• Alabama ranking among traditional high schools: 119th
Alabama ranking among all high schools, including charter and magnet: 123rd Birmingham Metro ranking: 22nd
• National ranking: 7,951st
• Graduation rate: N/A
• College readiness: 25.4%
From the report: “The AP® participation rate at Leeds High School is 41%.
The total minority enrollment is 43%, and 38% of students are economically disadvantaged. Leeds High School is the only high school in the Leeds City.”
Pinson Valley High School
Overall Score 44.29/100
Alabama ranking among traditional high schools: 152nd
• Alabama ranking among all high schools, including charter and magnet: 157th
• Birmingham Metro ranking: 29th
National ranking: 9,849th
Graduation rate: N/A College readiness: 15.6%
From the report: “The AP® participation rate at Pinson Valley High School is 27%. The total minority enrollment is 78%, and 63% of students are economically disadvantaged. Pinson Valley High School is 1 of 15 high schools in the Jefferson County Schools.”
Clay-Chalkville High School
Overall Score 30.38/100
• Alabama ranking among traditional high schools: 212th Alabama ranking among all high schools, including charter and magnet: 217th
• Birmingham Metro ranking: 39th
• National ranking: 12,308th
• Graduation rate: 90%
• College readiness: 9.1%
From the report: “The AP® participation rate at Clay-Chalkville High School is 20%. The total minority enrollment is 89%, and 56% of students are economically disadvantaged. ClayChalkville High School is 1 of 15 high schools in the Jefferson County Schools.”
Center Point High School
Overall Score less than 25
• Alabama ranking among traditional high schools: 237-359th
• Alabama ranking among all high schools, including charter and magnet: 237359th
Birmingham Metro ranking: 40-44th
National ranking: 13,26117,680th
• Graduation rate: 87%
• College readiness: 2%
From the report: “The AP® participation rate at Center Point High School is 8%. The total minority enrollment is 99%, and 91% of students are economically disadvantaged. Center Point High School is 1 of 15 high schools in the Jefferson County Schools.”
From The Tribune staff reports TRUSSVILLE – Grandview’s Freestanding Emergency Department in Trussville will be temporarily closed while a permanent generator is installed. The shutdown will begin on Wednesday, Sept. 6, at 5 a.m.
From The Tribune staff reports
IRONDALE – The Irondale Senior Center reopened on Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2023, under the leadership of Interim Executive Director Marsha Kelley-Sutton. The Irondale Senior Activity Center has been temporarily closed since Aug. 15, 2023, due to staffing issues.
“My family has been rooted in the Irondale community for decades, and I am looking forward to using my years of professional experience to serve the City I’m proud to call home,” stated Interim Executive Director Marsha Kelley-Sutton. “We will be creating new programs and opportunities to enhance the lives of our aging population and working to grow the reach and impact of the Irondale Senior Activity Center.”
Irondale Mayor James D.
Stewart Jr. said the city is excited to begin this new chapter with the Irondale Senior Activity Center.
“I am confident that Marsha Kelley-Sutton will be able to lead the center in a way that aligns with our comprehensive vision for the City
of Irondale, which is to build community and build the future,” Stewart said.
About Marsha Kelley-Sutton
Marsha Kelley-Sutton possesses broad expertise in program management, grant solicitation, and development of strategic partnerships. Her professional career includes 20 years of service to the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), where she was a program administrator for the University of Alabama School of Medicine. She is also the founder and CEO of the MKS Foundation, which provides scholarships, networking opportunities, and professional development training to young students. Kelley-Sutton holds a Master of Public Administration degree from UAB, as well as certifications in Non-Profit Management and Manager Training.
All systems should be back up and operational to accept patients beginning at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 7. Community first responders and other emergency teams have been notified and the FSED team will be in close communication with them during this period.
Installation of the permanent generator will support continued operations and delivery of patient care in the event of a power outage.
From The Tribune staff reports VANDIVER — A Leeds teen was killed on Tuesday, Sept. 5, when the vehicle they were driving left the roadway. The crash occurred at
12:30 a.m.
According to State Troopers, the 17-year-old was fatally injured when the 1999 Mercedes C280W the teen was driving left the roadway on Dunnavant Valley Road in Shelby County and struck several trees.
The youth was pronounced deceased at the scene of the crash. Nothing further is available as Troopers with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s (ALEA) Highway Patrol Division continue to investigate.
From The Tribune staff reports
BIRMINGHAM — A father and daughter have been charged with devising a scheme to misuse CARES Act funds on Thursday, August 31.
The charges were announced by U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona and Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Carlton L. Peeples.
An information filed yesterday in United States District Court charges Kenneth L. Phillips, 62, of Birmingham, and Danielle A. Phillips, 30, of Birmingham, with conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
Chief Operating Officer and in-house legal counsel. PSI’s stated mission is to strengthen military families by advocating, educating, and addressing critical issues affecting veterans and their families.
By Craig Monger 1819 NewsMONTGOMERY — State
Rep. David Cole (R-Huntsville) was arrested Tuesday on charges of voter fraud stemming from long-standing complaints from the 2022 election.
Cole took office in 2022 after the 10-year tenure of Mike Ball. Cole is charged with fraud by voting at multiple or unauthorized locations. He was booked into the Madison County Jail and held on a $2,500 bond.
Earlier this year, Cole’s residency was questioned by his Libertarian election opponent Elijah Boyd, who alleged that Cole claimed a residence in District 10 when he declared for the race, while tax documents showed his residence was in District 4.
Cole won the House District 10 seat with 51.6% of the vote in the general election. Marilyn Lands, a Democrat, received 45%, and Boyd won 3.4%.
Boyd filed a complaint for contesting the election in Madison County Circuit Court on November 22, alleging Cole wasn’t eligible under state law to serve as State Representative for House District 10 due to him not being a resident of the district and him not being a resident of the district for one year prior to the general election on November 8.
Alabama’s constitution requires state representatives to be citizens and residents of the state for three years and residents of their respective counties or districts for one year before their election.
The extent of Cole’s charges is still unclear; however, Attorney General Steve Marshall’s office is involved in the case.
House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter (R-Rainsville) released a statement after the arrest, saying Alabamians can be assured the state’s elections are properly conducted.
“This afternoon, the Speaker’s Office became aware of
David Cole’s arrest on the charge of fraud — voting at an unauthorized location,” Ledbetter said. “As this is an ongoing investigation, we are still waiting to learn more details as they become available.”
“In recent years, the Alabama House has prioritized legislation that promotes election integrity, and we believe that any allegation of fraud must be addressed regardless of the party, public official, or candidate involved.”
“Alabamians may remain confident that their elections are conducted honestly, their votes are cast and counted fairly, and their ballot boxes are secure. Now, it is up to a court of law to determine the validity of the allegations Cole is facing, and I anticipate Alabama’s election laws will withstand their true intent.”
The legislature passed several election integrity bills this past session, drawing fierce opposition from Democratic lawmakers.
According to the information, Kenneth Phillips, a retired Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Army, was the founder and CEO of Priority Solder, Inc. (PSI). His daughter, attorney Danielle Phillips, held various roles with PSI including
The information alleges that in November 2020, the defendants submitted a fraudulent proposal to the State of Alabama requesting COVID-19 grant funding to operate an online program to assist veterans dealing with PTSD in coping with the then-ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The defendants received approximately $1.9 million dollars in funding, but rather than use the funds for their intended purpose, began transferring funds to their personal bank accounts. After paying themselves a combined salary of more than $400,000 during the one month the program operated, the defendants in January 2021 represented to
the Alabama Department of Finance that PSI had spent all but $54,617.04, which they returned. In reality, more than $1.4 million remined in the PSI bank account, which the defendants used to purchase personal items such as luxury sports cars, watches, and diamond jewelry for their own personal benefit.
In conjunction with the charge, the government also filed a plea agreement with both Kenneth and Danielle Phillips. Both must appear before a judge to enter a guilty plea.
The maximum penalty for conspiracy is five years in prison.
The FBI investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Ryan S. Rummage is prosecuting the case.
An information contains only charges. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
From The Tribune staff reports
BIRMINGHAM – A 24-year-old Center Point woman and a 33-year-old Birmingham woman died early Labor Day morning, Sept. 4, 2023, following a 2 a.m. shooting at Club Aria, located at the 900 block of 5th Avenue
North, Birmingham.
Jefferson County Chief
Deputy Coroner Bill Yates identified the women as Markiezia Deactrius Atkins, of Center Point, and Chaveda Arreaiia Willis, of Birmingham.
Birmingham Police responded to reports of a shooting at Club Aria and both women were transported to
UAB Hospital where they succumbed to their injuries. Willis was pronounced dead at 2:30 a.m., and Atkins died at 2:55 a.m.
Three others were injured in the shooting, according to WVTM13.
The Birmingham Police Department is investigating the shooting as a homicide.
From The Tribune staff reports
BIRMINGHAM – An assistant to Representative John Rogers has been indicted by a federal grand jury in connection with schemes to defraud the Jefferson County Community Service Fund on Thursday, August 31.
The indictment was announced by U.S. Attorney
Prim F. Escalona, Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Carlton L. Peeples, and Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Acting Special Agent in Charge Demetrius Hardeman. According to the Department of Justice, a 21-count indictment filed this week in United States District Court charges Varrie Johnson Kindall, 58, of Chelsea, with one count of conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud, 14 counts of wire fraud, 3 counts of mail fraud, 1 count of money laundering, and 2 counts of obstruction of justice.
These charges arise from an investigation of wrongdoing in connection with the Jefferson County Community Service Fund. In June, former Representative Fred L. Plump, Jr., pleaded guilty to conspiring with Kindall and resigned from the Alabama House of Representatives.
According to the indictment, in 2015 the Alabama Legislature passed Alabama Act No. 2015-226 (the “Act”) and authorized the Jefferson County Commission to levy and distribute a one percent sales tax and a one percent use tax to benefit the public welfare and enhance the education of the children of Jefferson County. Jefferson County began levying the new taxes in or about August 2017.
The Act required the County to distribute the tax revenue according to certain specified priorities, including paying debt incurred during school construction, increasing the County’s general fund, giving funds to each board of education serving students in the County, and for certain other purposes set forth in the Act.
The Act created the Jefferson County Community Service Fund, which was subsidized by approximately $3.6 million annually from the new taxes. The Act also created the Jefferson County Community Service Committee, the four members of which were elected by members of the Jefferson County House and Senate delegations. The Committee
was responsible for ensuring that the Fund was used only for the purposes set forth in the Act, which included to support public entities and projects such as schools, libraries, museums, parks, zoos, neighborhood associations, athletic facilities, youth sports associations, road construction, the performing arts, police departments, the sheriff’s office, fire departments, and certain nonprofit entities.
Each Representative and Senator representing Jefferson County could make recommendations to the Committee of expenditures from their allotted amount of the Fund. These recommendations were made on a form created by the Committee that required certain certifications by the legislator. The organization receiving the funds was required to submit information about the organization and confirm that it intended to use the money for a public purpose. During each fiscal year from 2018 to 2022, each Representative was allocated approximately $100,000 and each Senator was allocated approximately $240,000 from the Fund.
The indictment identifies certain relevant parties.
Representative John Rogers was a long-serving member of the Alabama House of Representatives. Fred L. Plump, Jr. served as the Executive Director of the Piper Davis Youth Baseball League (“Piper Davis”), a nonprofit organization that claimed to provide a positive sporting experience for inner city youth in Jefferson County. Defendant Varrie Johnson Kindall was Rogers’ personal and professional assistant. Individual #1 was the Founder of Organization #1.
Between fiscal year 2018 and fiscal year 2022, Representative Rogers was allocated approximately $500,000 by the Fund. Rogers directed approximately $400,000 of those discretionary funds to Piper Davis. In turn, Plump gave approximately $200,000 to defendant Kindall.
The indictment alleges that from in or about March 2019, and continuing through April 2023, Kindall conspired
with Plump and others to defraud and obtain money from the Fund. It is alleged that it was part of the conspiracy that Rogers, with Kindall’s assistance, recommended during each fiscal year that most of his allotment of Fund money be paid to Piper Davis. In turn, Plump agreed to pay kickbacks to Kindall. Plump and Kindall submitted false and fraudulent information to the Committee about Piper Davis’ intended use of Fund money. Upon receipt and deposit of Fund checks, Plump gave checks to Kindall for approximately onehalf of the amount of Fund money received by Piper Davis. On two occasions Kindall engaged in money laundering by moving large sums of illegally obtained money between bank accounts.
Additionally, the indictment alleges that, in 2019, Kindall committed wire fraud by assisting Rogers in directing Fund money to Organization #1 and then requiring Individual #1 to pay kickbacks to her. The indictment alleges further that, after learning about the federal investigation into the fraud scheme, Kindall attempted to obstruct justice by asking Individual #1 to give false information to federal agents and offering Individual #1 additional grant money as a bribe.
The maximum penalty for the conspiracy and substantive fraud counts is twenty years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The maximum penalty for money laundering is ten years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The maximum penalty for obstruction of justice is twenty years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The maximum penalty for obstruction of justice by bribery is five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorneys George Martin and Catherine Crosby are prosecuting the case.
An indictment contains only charges. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
From The Tribune staff reports
JEFFERSON COUNTY –Frederick Hampton, 53, of Jefferson County, pleaded guilty to abuse of a corpse before Jefferson County Circuit Judge Thomas Thrash on Monday, Aug. 28, 2023. The plea is in connection to the 2019 disappearance and death of 29-yearold Trussville woman Paighton Houston. According to Al.com, Hampton’s plea came in the same day his trial was set to begin and, as part of the plea, he was sentenced to 20 years in prison, with three years to serve followed by five years of probation. Hampton also received credit for time already served, Carol Robinson reported.
Hampton is not charged with Houston’s death, but for illegally burying her body in a shallow grave in Hueytown, where Houston’s remains were
discovered on Friday, Jan. 3, 2020, after she had last been seen at Tin Roof in Birmingham on Friday, Dec. 20, 2019, according to police.
Following an autopsy and toxicology report in January 2020, Jefferson County Coroner Bill Yates stated that the cause of death was determined to be Morphine and methamphetamine toxicity and the manner of death was determined to be accidental.
“This represents an overdose and is classified as a drug-opioid death,” Yates said.
A wrongful death law suit filed in 2022 by Attorney Scott Hughes on behalf of Houston’s family stated while both Houston and Hampton were in a “visibly and apparently intoxicated state … Hampton proximately caused the death of Paighton Houston by providing and or/administering a lethal dose of morphine and methamphetamine,’’ to Houston.
According to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department, Hampton is listed as NG6, a classification reserved for inmates who pose an extreme escape risk, have a history of violence, or pose a significant threat to the safety and security of staff and other inmates. Hampton is a convicted sex offender, and he has previous convictions for first-degree rape and first-degree sodomy, among other charges, according to court documents.
Abuse of Corpse (Alabama Code 13A- 11- 13) is a Class C felony, defined as: except as otherwise authorized by law, a person knowingly treats a human corpse in a way that would outrage ordinary family sensibilities. Abuse of a corpse may include knowingly and willfully signing a certificate as having embalmed, cremated, or prepared a human body for disposition when, in fact, the services were not performed as indicated.
From The Tribune staff reports
BIRMINGHAM – A federal judge Tuesday sentenced a convicted felon for illegal possession of a firearm on Thursday, August 31.
The sentencing was announced by U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona and Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Carlton Peeples.
According to the Department of Justice, U.S. District Court Judge Karon O. Bowdre sentenced David Mitchell, IV, aka “Luh Mexico”, 27, of Birmingham, to 33 months in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm.
According to court documents, on December 28, 2022, Birmingham Police officers were patrolling the area of Norwood Bottoms. Officers observed a black Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT running, with music playing loudly, and unoccupied. As officers were looking at the Jeep, Mitchell approached yelling at them. Officers recognized Mitchell and knew he had an active felony warrant. Officers took Mitchell into custody for the warrant.
Officers conducted a pat down of Mitchell and found a Glock 9mm pistol in his waistband. The pistol had been reported stolen with Alabaster Police Department,
and it was loaded with fifteen rounds of 9mm ammunition. Officers found the key to the Jeep in Mitchell’s back pocket and $4,398 cash in his pocket. After running the tag
on the Jeep, officers discovered that the tag was not registered to the Jeep. The Jeep had been reported stolen with the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office in Georgia. Officers
obtained a search warrant for the Jeep. Upon searching the vehicle, officers found a blue duffle bag containing marijuana, an iPhone, hydrocodone pills and two high-ca-
pacity Glock magazines. FBI investigated the case, along with the Birmingham Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristy Peoples prosecuted the case.
From The Tribune staff reports
BIRMINGHAM – United States Department of Justice
Attorney Prim F. Escalona and FBI Special Agent in Charge Carlton L. Peeples have announced that last week, Eugene Douglas Reid III, 48, of Vestavia, was convicted of distribution and transportation of child pornography, follow-
ing a three-day jury trial before U.S. District Court Judge R. David Proctor. “In 2020, FBI Milwaukee, in collaboration with the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office, was investigating numerous groups of individuals engaged in the receipt, possession, distribution and possible production of child sexual abuse material through a proactive operation,” Escalona
said. “As part of the FBI’s Operation, online covert employees documented these illegal activities and forwarded the documentation for further investigation to the appropriate FBI field office. The evidence at trial established that Reid had distributed and transported numerous videos and images of child sexual abuse material on the Kik messaging application in various private
groups during the first half of 2020.”
The maximum penalty for distribution of child pornography and transportation of child pornography is 20 years in prison, and a term of post-imprisonment supervised release of at least five years up to life.
The FBI Birmingham’s Child Exploitation Human Trafficking Task Force investigated the case with the assistance of FBI Milwaukee Division, Winnebago County
Sheriff’s Office, Vestavia Hills Police Department, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, and the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kristen S. Osborne and R. Leann White are prosecuting the case.
The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploita-
tion and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www. projectsafechildhood.gov.
Please take notice that a petition for adoption of the above-named minor child, who was bom to Patrick Acosta and Andrea Gail Layton on or about the 21sl day of February 2020, has been filed and is pending in said Court by the Petitioner named below. Please be advised that if you intend to contest this adoption you must file a written response with the attorney for the petitioner named below and with the Clerk of the Probate Court at, 1815 Cogswell Ave. #212, Pell City, Alabama 35125, as soon as possible, but no later than thirty (30) days from the last day this notice is published.
Dated this 10lh day of August 2023.
ANDREW WEATHINGTON Judge of Probate
By Paul DeMarco
Labor Day is usually the kick off for election season in Alabama, even with an election many months away.
While we are over a year away from the United States presidential contest in November of 2024, Alabama voters should get ready for
the marathon run leading up to the big day. Because Alabama is one of the early primary states in the Nation, there will be a lot of visits by the contenders to the White House that come to the state between now and next Spring when the election is held on March 5, 2024 There is also talk of a Re-
publican Party Presidential Primary Debate that may be held in Alabama in October.
If the event happens, the eyes of the Nation will be on our state as candidates make their case to win the GOP nomination. This will further cement Alabama’s vital role in picking the next president as well. The real campaigns will
get up and going soon with qualifying in November ends for all state and federal offices in Alabama. There will be a number of offices up for grabs from Congressional Representatives to both appellate, circuit and district court judges.
Finally, the state’s Congressional maps which were
re-drawn by the Alabama legislature are still in flux and will continue to be litigated in federal court. These maps could include another review visit back up to the United States Supreme Court. There could be new district lines that will upset the apple cart and could pit incumbent congressman against each other
depending on what the courts decide. So get ready for a busy political season in Alabama during the coming months.
Paul DeMarco is a former member of the Alabama House of Representatives and can be found at @Paul_DeMarco on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Commentary
Have you noticed that when the left disagrees with a conservative view they can’t just simply disagree? Their primary tactic is first to rebrand and then vilify. Saul Alinsky would be proud to know that number 12 of his “Rules for Radicals” is still actively in use: “Pick the target, freeze it, personalize it, polarize it.”
In February, National Public Radio (NPR), that uber-liberal public media outlet funded with your tax dollars, ran a story making the audacious, salacious, and somewhat contumacious claim that “more than half of Republicans support Christian nationalism.” You mean there are people out there who believe in Jesus and love America?! Say it ain’t so!
NPR went on to describe so-called Christian Nationalism as a fringe viewpoint in American politics, particularly in the GOP. NPR’s screeching piece on the ills of being a so-called Christian Nationalist stated that the adherents of Christian Nationalism would supposedly go to great lengths to impose their vision of the country on others.
Hogwash. I love Jesus, and I believe that He is Lord. I also love the United States of America, and I believe that it is the greatest country on the face of the earth. I believe
in the Bible, and I support and defend the Constitution. The screechers will tell you that you can’t mix politics with faith. I would reply that my faith cannot be separated from me, and if I am in politics, my faith naturally goes with me.
The beauty of Christianity is that it is a freely made choice in both heart and mind. People can choose not to believe. Likewise, folks don’t have to love this country. The Constitution guarantees me the right to believe what I believe and to say so.
I find no disparity in the idea that I can love the Lord and love my country, and because I love the Lord, I want my country to know Him like I do. It’s really as simple as that, and if that makes me a “Christian Nationalist,” then I’ll wear that t-shirt every day of the week.
But the same knuckleheads who conjure up the ridiculous narrative that loving the Lord and loving America makes us dangerous are actually moving forward, intending to rebrand and polarize in Alinsky-like fashion. There is an assault on Christian patriots right now.
Progressives at the Center for American Progress published a 2022 piece labeling Christian Nationalism as the single greatest threat to America’s religious freedom. Their tedious screed claimed that Christian Nationalists seek
to undermine democracy and make America a nation for Christians only, which could lead to violence and discrimination.
I’ll be honest: I’ve never met a Christian who believes that. Not one. I’ve met plenty who, like me, pray for revival. But never a soul that said, “America is for Christians only.” Nonetheless, the progressive left is determined that Christians who love America are somehow the problem.
In February, the nationally known Brookings Institution hosted a forum on the threat
of White Christian Nationalism. Oh, now it’s racial too! Describing the forum Brookings stated, “The rising influence of white Christian nationalism in some circles of American politics is posing a major threat to the health of our democracy and culture.”
Just. Wow.
The left will not be content until they eradicate your deeply held beliefs in God and country, and I believe the day is coming when we must be prepared to take a stand.
Look at what is happening in the highly westernized newest NATO ally, Finland. A respected member of Finland’s Parliament, 62-yearold Päivi Räsänen, a medical doctor and grandmother of seven, is facing criminal legal action for the heinous offense of quoting Bible verses in her social media posts. Finnish prosecutors have cited her for hate speech related to a 2019 tweet in which Räsänen questioned her church’s sponsorship of an LGBTQ pride event. In doing so, she cited Romans 1:24-27, which speaks of homosexuality and
states that “they exchanged the truth of God for a lie.”
When the charges against her were made public, the Finnish state prosecutor said that Räsänen’s comments were made to cause intolerance, contempt, and hatred toward homosexuals. But Räsänen has kept a great attitude, expressing her desire to stand up against this “in all necessary courts.” In her words, “If writings based on biblical teachings were to be condemned, that would mean a serious restriction of freedom of religion. It is natural that this would raise concern among Christians both in Finland and internationally.”
Don’t discount Räsänen’s charges as a Finland-only thing. This is America, but the same America where your tax dollars paid for the NPR attack on so-called Christian Nationalism and where FBI internal memos recently directed a strong investigative predisposition against traditional Catholics.
The Bible gives us perspective spiritually, and the Constitution guarantees our
rights legally. In America, unless we abdicate our rights, the default is always to err on the side of liberty. In essence, I have to be a Christian Nationalist. Christ is why I live and America is where I live, and if I separate one from the other, then I am sacrificing the protections of both.
Christian Nationalism?
Sure. If you need a label to put on someone who loves the Lord and loves America and believes that the two go well together, go ahead, label me that. Guilty as charged. If I’m wrong, I’ve lost nothing. But if they’re wrong, they’ve lost everything.
Get ready folks, and all the more as the day is drawing near.
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.
Sharon and I recently made the six and a half hour journey to Williamstown, Kentucky to take in the Ark Encounter. The magnificent structure is an intriguing mix of Bible fact and artistic license. The builders call it “ark-tistic license”.
You know the story. God told Noah to build the giant boat to the size of just under two football fields. Noah and his family, and thousands of animals, survived inside of it after forty days of rain washed out all life on the planet. The Bible supplies only limited detail about what the ship looked like and how it functioned. Because of this, many regard the story of Noah and the great flood as little more than legend.
To their credit, the builders of the Kentucky ark are very up front about having to fill in the gaps. The first thing you see when you board is a series of plaques explaining how much of it is based on Scripture, and how much needed to be guessed at, based on the resources available at the time.
I had no problem with this. After all, the mission of the Ark Encounter is not so much to convince you that the story of Noah is true. It is to convince you that it can be true, that you don’t have to suspend all rational thinking to accept it as fact. As such, the builders make a reality-grounded case that Noah and his clan, given enough time, could indeed have built it, gathered the animals, and navigated the flood, as per the biblical account. The exhibit
also provides ample geologic evidence that such a flood did actually take place.
Of course, there had to be a few nods and winks to modern convenience to make the structure viable as a tourist attraction. I’m pretty sure Noah didn’t have ceiling fans, elevators and Coke vending machines, not to mention Uncle Leroy’s Candy Kitchen on the second deck. No matter. The large collection of visitors had little problem separating the meaningful from the marketing.
Speaking of the crowd, I probably did as much people watching as ark observing. I was fascinated by the diversity of the visitors, in age, gender, ethnicity, everything. At various times I heard folks around me speaking languages that sounded like German, French and Spanish. We met nice travelers from New York and Illinois. There were people from every stage of life.
Seniors like me, young adults bringing their small children, teenagers in groups. I saw long hair, pink hair, nose rings and full body tattoos.
There’s a punch line in there about God sending two of every kind of human to the ark, but I’ll refrain.
I saw very little boredom. There was a palpable air of excitement. Everyone wandered the decks, read the plaques, watched the videos, stared wide-eyed at the displays. There were smiles. There was reverence. There was…..something else. I couldn’t put my finger on it. Was it vindication? Or just plain relief?
Most Christians want to believe the Bible, but it’s hard to keep doubt from creeping in because of some of the fantastical improbabilities. Adam and Eve, the parting of the sea, Jonah and the whale, David and Goliath, Daniel and the lions den. Does accepting the credibility of accounts such as these require some brand of blind faith that often must ignore what appear to be scientific facts?
Maybe not. Along comes the Ark Encounter. Here we see a logical, believable, realistic, step-by-step depiction of how the story of Noah and the flood can not only be true, but likely is so.
Perhaps that was it. That’s what I saw in the faces of so many visitors. The joy one feels when you discover solid evidence that supports what you so desperately want to place your faith in.
People today hear a lot of voices coming from a lot of different directions. We all have a need to believe in something, to invest our faith in a consistent source. If you find yourself twisting in the wind of troubled waters, take a trip to the ark.
It just might help you drop anchor.
(kenlassblog.net)
By Sean Dietrich, Sean of the South CommentaryI am a child. My father is young, shirtless. My grandfather still has color to his hair, although there isn’t much hair left. We are outside. It’s Labor Day weekend. So it’s the last days of summer. School is about to start again, and we children know we will once again belong to communist dictators known as schoolteachers.
My father is getting ready for the shindig at hand.
Daddy is the kind of guy who works hard for a living. I have no memories of him that do not involve denim, Budweiser, or profanity.
My grandfather is always followed by children and dogs. He fought in two wars. Was wounded once. He was leading a charge, and he extended his right arm and was yelling, “Charge!” A bullet bit him in the armpit.
He was in R-and-R in “Itlee.” Where an Italian woman thanked him for delivering her people from Mussolini, and gifted him a mandolin. He impressed her when he played “Turkey in the Straw” and “Soldier’s Joy.”
Together, Daddy and Granddaddy are digging a shallow pit in the backyard, with shovels. They are scrawny, bare chested. They are three sheets to the wind. Maybe four.
The pit is the size of a grave. Except nobody has died. At least not yet. Although my mother has insinuated, several times, that if I don’t go outside to play, and get out of her way,
the pit will be my eternal resting place.
The men line the newly dug pit with concrete blocks. Then, they start a fire inside it with p’cawn and hickree.
Party goers arrive. First, my aunt: a woman who is such a staunch Methodist; she has to take Metamucil just to stay alive.
Next, my uncle, who wears overhauls, and smells like Old Spice.
More people come. Most have kids with them. We children are turned loose, without supervision. These are our final days of summer, which means we are feral.
We take full advantage of our freedom. We tramp through creeks, which we call “cricks.” And hollows, which are called “hollers.”
Because we come from people who talk weird. My aunt, from rural North Carolina, for example, pronounces the word “white” as “hu-what.” She also says “I swannee,” instead of “I swear,” which would be swearing. And swearing is a sin.
The women bring food of all kinds. There is sweet potato pie, which is pronounced as: “swee’ tater pah.” And potato salad, which is pronounced “tater salat.” There are baked beans, which is pronounced, “type II diabetes.”
Gingham table cloths are spread out. Someone has made funeral potatoes, which is a dish you cannot find anymore. Topped with cornflakes and enough cheese to short circuit Congress.
The conversations are all over the map. Men are cussing the president. Women are talking about someone’s baby
who was born 7 months after the wedding.
A whole hog is placed onto the pit. The aroma that fills the air is a smell I cannot describe.
I have attended barbecue competitions in eight U.S. states, and even judged a few. But I have yet to smell this exact odor again.
When the meat is ready, it’s time for the prayer. So, men set down their beers. Women all bow their heads. Rowdy children are silenced.
Cousin Tommy Lee, who is a lay preacher, dressed in golf apparel, says the prayer. And it’s time to eat.
Which we do. We all eat so many ribs, and pork shoulder, that our ears ring and our feet swell.
Then, as the sun is setting, we children are busy playing a game called Red Rover, which was recently outlawed by modern-day public schools due to excessive violence.
The women eat dessert. Old men are busy chewing wads in their lower lips that are the size of softballs.
They are all dead now. Those days are gone.
Today, people use propane grills, Big Green Eggs, or Japanese porcelain cookers. Children now have cellphones. There are no “hollers” anymore, and nobody has ever heard of a “crick.” And any parent who would allow their child to play Red Rover would be sentenced to community service.
But I still remember it all. I still remember the smells. And the laughter. And the way I felt when a few dozen people said “Amen” in unison. Especially on Labor Day.
From the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
MOBILE – Are you looking for an opportunity to get outside with friends and family and do something that benefits your community and the environment? If so, you are encouraged to take part in the state’s largest single-day volunteer cleanup event, the 36th Annual Alabama Coastal Cleanup. The event will take place in Baldwin and Mobile counties on September 16, 2023, from 8 a.m. until noon.
“Volunteers are the backbone of this event,” said Chris Blankenship, Commissioner of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR). “Over the years, they have served as good stewards of our coastal waters and shorelines. Without them, Alabama’s Coastal Cleanup would not be possible.”
Alabama’s Coastal Cleanup is part of the International Coastal Cleanup, an effort to remove marine debris from coastal waters around the world. The event is coordinated by ADCNR’s State Lands Division and Alabama People Against a Littered State (PALS). Since 1987, more than 108,000 volunteers have participated in the Alabama Coastal Cleanup and removed over 875 tons of marine debris from beaches, roadways, bayous, backwater and other coastal areas.
“This event demonstrates what can be accomplished long term when state agencies, business, industry, coordinators and volunteers come together for a common mission greater than themselves,” said Spencer Ryan, Executive Director for Alabama PALS. “It truly is a remarkable partnership.”
In addition to removing various forms of marine debris, many of the plastic bottles and aluminum cans collected will be recycled. The types and number of debris will be recorded at each zone by participating volunteers. Organizers are recommending participants use the Ocean Conservancy Clean Swell app to tally the debris. Data collected over the years helps provide insight into the issue of marine debris and gener-
Unclaimed/Abandoned
ates efforts to better understand its causes and mitigate it in the future. The Clean Swell app is available for free from the Apple and Android app stores. More information about the Clean Swell app can be found at www.oceanconservancy.org/trash-free-seas/ international-coastal-cleanup/ cleanswell.
Volunteers are needed for all cleanup sites in the 28 cleanup zones in Mobile and Baldwin counties. Zone coordinators will distribute trash grabbers, large trash bags, recycling bags, gloves and other cleanup supplies to participants. There is a limited number of t-shirts, scout badges and window decals available to participants on a first come, first served basis.
The Alabama Coastal Cleanup is made possible by the generosity of many organizations, including 2023
returning Title Sponsor – the Poarch Band of Creek Indians. Other sponsors and volunteer organizations include: Perdido Beach Resort, Bebo’s Express, Ike’s Beach Service, AirBus, Alabama Power, City of Gulf Shores, City of Orange Beach, Coast 360, Coastal Conservation Association-Alabama, Compass Media, Evonik, FloraBama, Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism, Gulf
Shores Utilities, The Home Depot, Kommerling USA, LuLu’s, Mobile Bay National Estuary Program, Riviera Utilities, Rock & Roll Offs, Holcim, Baldwin County Sewer Service, Osprey Initiative, Thompson Engineering, Weeks Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Alabama Department of Transportation, Alabama Farmers Cooperative, ALFA Insurance, Association of County
Commissions of Alabama, Coca-Cola Bottling Company United, Honda, and Vulcan Materials Company.
For more information about the coastal zones, zone captains, start times, safety tips and a list of event sponsors, visit www.AlabamaCoastalCleanup.com or call (251) 621-1216.
You can also follow the Alabama Coastal Cleanup on Facebook at www.facebook.
com/AlabamaCoastalCleanup. Learn more about Alabama PALS at www.alpals. org.
ADCNR promotes wise stewardship, management and enjoyment of Alabama’s natural resources through four divisions: Marine Resources, State Lands, State Parks, and Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries. Learn more at www. outdooralabama.com.
SSG Michael W. Hosey American Legion Post 205 7257 Old Springville Road, Pinson, AL.
Children will be introduced to the pleasure of stories and caregivers will learn books, rhymes, and songs to use at home.
Yarn ManglersKnit & crochet group
Thursday, September 07: 2:00pm - 4:00pm Trussville Public Library - Cahaba Room
AGE GROUP: ADULT (AGES 18+)
EVENT TYPE: DROP-IN, CRAFT, ADULT PROGRAM
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 205317-0948 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.
Video Games - Teen
Wednesday, September 06: 4:00pm - 5:30pm
Trussville Public Library - LBK
Auditorium
AGE GROUP: TEEN (6TH12TH GRADE)
EVENT TYPE: TEEN PROGRAM, GAMING
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 Sewing for Charity
Thursday, September 07: 6:00pm - 7:50pm
Trussville - Parkway Room
AGE GROUP: ADULT
(AGES 18+)
EVENT TYPE: CRAFT, ADULT PROGRAM
way people stared at me after I lost my hair. The indention in my head also bothered me a lot. I know it is never going to go away, and the child in me wanted to fill it in with Silly Putty. I felt like the monster in The Goonies until Steve changed that for me in the blink of an eye. Without even asking, he put his finger in the indention on my head and said to me, God put His hand on you and said, this is my Patsy! That one statement changed the way I thought about my look and took all of the hurt about it away. He helped me see that I am truly one of God’s special children!
Storytime for Growin’ Beans with Ms. Allison: Camping Fri Sep 8th
10:00am - 11:00am Pinson Public Library, 4509 Pinson Blvd, Pinson (All ages)
SERVICES
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Free play video game program for teens
The first Wednesday of each month the library will be hosting a free play video game program. The library will provide several gaming systems and games as well as a large projector for use. From there we will battle, explore, and race through various games. This is a great chance for our game loving teenagers to meet other gamers and enjoy a digital past time in person. The program is open to anyone in the 6th to 12th grade. Snacks and refreshments will be provided.
(Photographs may be taken during the program and used by the TPL. If you do not want pictures of your child to be taken please let the Librarian in charge of the event know)
Children’s Storytime
Thursday, September 07: 9:30am - 10:00am; 10:30am - 11:00am
Trussville Public Library - LBK
Auditorium
AGE GROUP: EARLY LEARNERS (BIRTHPRE-K)
EVENT TYPE: STORYTIME, CHILDREN’S PROGRAM
Sew items to donate to various charities.
If you are interested in sewing items for charity (pillow covers, blankets, bibs, bags, etc.), stop by to work on some projects! Fabric and patterns will be provided; you may bring a sewing machine or do some hand sewing. Beginners are welcome! If you are unable to attend, but are interested in future participation, please contact the Adult Department at tr.adult@jclc. org. We are hoping to make this a regular program.
Author Talk with Patsy Brown Wilder
Thu Sep 7th 5:30pm - 6:30pm Pinson Public Library, 4509 Pinson Blvd, Pinson (Adults)
Pinson Public Library is hosting an Author Talk with Patsy Wilder Brown on Thursday, September 7th at 5:30 PM. She will talk about being an author, her book, her love of music, & her faith.
Patsy has lived in Alabama all her life. She taught herself to play the guitar at age fourteen. Patsy has found music to be a great escape when life gets too devastating. She graduated from college at the age of 45 with an Associate in Applied Science degree.
Patsy worked as an X-ray tech until she was diagnosed with cancer & could no longer work.
Join Ms. Alicia for stories, songs, puppets, rhymes, bubble time, and lots of fun! This thirty-minute program will be held in the library auditorium every Thursday at 9:30 a.m.
Patsy’s book, My Mountain Has a Name, was published in 2012.
Synopsis: I guess after the healing inside my body, the way I look has been just as difficult to accept. I hated the
Join us for Storytime for Growin’ Beans with Ms. Allison on Friday, September 8th at 10 AM. Our theme is camping. We’ll read books, have fun, do a craft, & have a snack. Storytime is designed for pre-K children, but all ages are welcome.
BECOME A PUBLISHED
Please run
STEAM for Kids! -
Live Animal Show
Monday, September 11: 4:00pm - 4:45pm
Trussville - LBK Auditorium
AGE GROUP: UPPER ELEMENTARY (3RD-5TH) LOWER ELEMENTARY (K-2ND) ELEMENTARY (K-5TH)
EVENT TYPE: STEAM, CHILDREN’S PROGRAM
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
LONG DISTANCE MOV-
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AUCTION: Fultondale Mini Storage Auction September 5th, 10 AM Tables, Tables with Umbrellas, and Miscellaneous Items 1992 CHEVY SILVERADO, New Tires, Cold AC, PW, Major TuneUp – Looks Good.
NEEDS Head Gaskets. Sacrifice $3,750.00. ONLY 127,600 Miles. Blue/Gray. Call Pete: (205) 873-4735
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)
AUTOMOTIVE SUPPORT THE BLIND!
Join Ms. Jan, the science lady, of Dynamic Education Adventures in the library auditorium for a hands-on application of STEAM! Open to all elementary age students. Join us for a Live Animal Show this month! No registration is needed.
Teen: Basic Sewing
Tuesday, September 12: 5:00pm - 7:00pm Trussville - Cahaba Room
AGE GROUP: TEEN (6TH12TH GRADE)
EVENT TYPE: TEEN PROGRAM, CRAFT, CLASS
MEMORIAL PLOTS FOR SALE: Garden Of The Christus, Jefferson Memorial Gardens, Trussville, Alabama. Lot 72A. Spaces 1, 2, 3, 4. Includes: Full Date Williamsburg Companionate Memorial 36” X 13” with Vase; Two (2) Opening and Closing; Two (2) Lined Concrete Vaults. As of 8/29/2023 valued at $30,800.00. Will consider offer of $28,800.00 (seller will pay $295.00 transfer fee). Contact Paul J. Vishaway at (251) 644-4941.
HOUSE FOR RENT: 6560 Self Lane, Pinson, AL 35125. 3 bed, 1 bath, 2-story house located in the city of Clay. Approximately 1,600 square feet total (800 upstairs/800 downstairs). Fenced yard. Call Jordan Self for price and additional info. (205) 6156073.
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 866-4751014 (M-F 8am-6pm ET).
HEALTH/BEAUTY
ATTENTION OXYGEN
Teens (6th-12th) join us with Ms. September to learn the basics of sewing. Ms. September will cover how to thread a needle, tie a knot, tie off the end of a seam, and try out 3-4 different kinds of stitches. Supplies will be provided or you are welcome to bring your own from home. This will be a monthly program running from September-December. All teens are welcome!
THERAPY USERS! Inogen One G4 is capable of full 24/7 oxygen delivery. Only 2.8 pounds. FREE information kit. Call 844-322-9935.
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)229-8756
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 estimates make it convenient to shop from home. Professional installation. Top quality - Made in the USA. Call for free consultation: 844-8099165. Ask about our specials! Eliminate gutter cleaning forever! LeafFilter, the most advanced debris-blocking gutter protection. Schedule a FREE LeafFilter estimate today. 20% off Entire Purchase.
Plus 10% Senior & Military
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 866-450-0943
2008 Toyota Sequoia Limited Edition Light Blue 5.7L V8 96k miles LOW MILES Great Condition, Runs FANTASTIC! 16,400 FIRM CASHIERS CHECK ONLY! Please contact DL Tuggle (423)394-9685.
LEGAL NOTICE
In accordance with Chapter 1, Title 39, Code of Alabama, 1975, as amended, notice is hereby given that , Milam & Co. LLC Contractor, has completed the Contract for Construction of Trussville Fire Station #4 Sitework Package at 5540 Trussville Clay Road, Trussville, AL 35173, for the State of Alabama and the City of Trussville, Owner(s), and have made request for final settlement of said Contract. All persons having any claim for labor, materials, or otherwise in connection with this project should immediately notify Turner Batson Architects, 1950 Stonegate Dr., Birmingham, AL 35242, Architect/ Engineer Wil Bradford. Milam & Co. LLC (Contractor) 2748 Alton Road, Suite 116, Birmingham, AL 35210 (Business Address)
august 26, 1964 — august 26, 2023
Richard Jeffery Daugherty, age 59, of Trussville, Alabama, passed away on August 26, 2023, after a long and well fought battle of heart disease. Jeff was born on August 26, 1964, to Richard Jerrell Daugherty and Mary Judith Shrader. Jeff met the love of his life in 2002 and were married for 17 years. They went on adventures often and spent most of their time enjoying life together. Jeff was a loving and devoted father. Family meant more to Jeff than anything in the world.
He was unendingly proud of his daughter, Jennifer Daugherty Sweatman, his son, Richard Justin Daugherty, and his son, Christopher William O’Neal. He always tried his best to support his wonderful wife and children in any way possible.
Jeff was loved by so many. His presence joyfully filled up any room. Richard
Jeffery Daugherty was predeceased by his father, Richard Jerrell Daugherty, his brother, Russell Lee Daugherty, and his beloved uncles, David and Sonny Stewart.
He is survived by his mother, Judith Shrader, his loving wife, Alesia Daugherty, his children, Jennifer Sweatman, Justin Daugherty, Christopher O’Neal, and his grandchildren, Kaden O’Neal, Jax Sweatman, and Jolene Sweatman.
He was a legend, and legends are never forgotten.
Please join us to celebrate the life of Jeff Daugherty. Visitation and services will be held at Church of the Highlands Chapel, Grantsmill RD. 35210 on Thursday, August 31st. Family visitation will be at 9:30. Visitation for friends will be at 10:00 with service at 11:00 following.
There will be a committal service at 12:30. Jefferson Memorial Mausoleum 1591 Gadsden Hwy, Birmingham, AL 35235.
january 22, 1940 — august 28, 2023
Sandra Starnes Gardner of Trussville, Alabama departed from us August 28, 2023 after a long illness. Born January 22, 1940 in Gadsden, Alabama, Sandra lived a life of dedicated service, professionally and privately, and was cherished by her family for her boundless love, her genuine kindness, and her generous spirit in all things.
A graduate of Glencoe High School, Sandra attended Auburn University where she perfected her writing and administrative skills. Starting at the Jefferson County Department of Health in the 1960s she later joined the team at Rust Engineering as Executive Secretary to the president in Birmingham, Alabama.
As her family grew, Sandra worked closer to home as Executive Secretary at Cahaba Bank and Trust, later becoming a member of its holding company. She translated working in the heart of the Trussville community into a new role as Executive Director of the Trussville Chamber of Commerce. Through this position, Sandra created, organized and found funding for many Trussville edifices and institutions that still serve the community. Heritage Hall, The Civitan Bridge, The Trussville Beautification Board, the first ACTA Theatre, and as well as local events like Dog Daze, the Miss Trussville Pageant and the Christmas Parade were founded and evolved from Sandra’s persistent drive to establish these community cornerstones. To mark Trussville’s great strides to preserve and celebrate its landmarks and community spirit during the1980s, Sandra accepted the Take Pride in America award in Washington DC on behalf of the community she loved.
Following her role directing the Miss Trussville Pageant for many years, Sandra became a founding member of the Miss Alabama Board of Directors, She later served as Executive Secretary for the Miss Alabama Scholarship Organization and as a traveling companion for a generation of Miss Alabama representatives.
Marking her life of service through volunteer leadership roles in the Alabama Federation of Women’s Clubs, The Propheos Club, The Birmingham News Advisory Board, and many social service projects over her lifetime, Sandra’s positive support for her greater community remains her strongest public legacy.
As her grandchildren arrived, Sandra retired to devote herself to them and to lovingly give in-home care to her senior family as they made their own journeys to transition. Devoted to her grandchildren and constantly in their company, Sandra earned the nickname “Beloved Grandmother”, spoken frequently and with love by them. She remains in death as in life, truly beloved by her kin.
Preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Robert Gardner, and her parents Houston Eugene Starnes and Lois Wilabay Starnes, Sandra is survived by her children, Paige Gardner Smith and Patrick Starnes Gardner, her grandchildren, Kearney Brann Smith, Houston Graham Smith, Gabrielle Diane Gardner, Jeremiah Monroe Smith, Malcolm Hugh Smith, and John Michael Gardner. The family will mark her internment in a private crypt-side ceremony. If desired, friends and community may make memorial donations to the Human Rights Campaign in Sandra Gardner’s name. Human Rights Campaign (hrc.org) .
april 16, 1959 — august 26, 2023
Camille Gregg Key, age 64, passed away in the early morning hours of August 26, 2023. She was preceded in death by her parents Johnnie L. and Margaret Gregg, her sister Candy Johnson and her brother Mark Gregg. Camille had a vibrant and infectious personality that brought joy to everyone she encountered.
Camille graduated from Huffman High School and married the love of her life, Terry, on June 2, 1978. She later became a registered pharmacy technician in the late 1980’s. She could always be found smiling with those beautiful dimples as she served customers at her pharmacy, helped a neighbor with a chore, or spent time with her family.
Camille’s giant, lovable personality made her an ambassador of friendliness, positivity, and goodwill. She had a vibrant and larger-than-life personality that lit up every room she entered.
She is survived by her husband Terry, daughter, Valerie Weaver Hydrick and son Stefan Key, her daughter-in-law
Carley Key. She is further survived by her eight grandchildren-all of whom she adored-Brennan Hydrick, Baylee Key (Peyton Weisskopf), Asher Key, Sutton Hydrick, Dylan Crews, Perry Underwood, Hudson Underwood and Opal Ray Underwood.
Camille will forever be missed and remembered by her family and friends and may we all strive to impact the world the way she did with her positive attitude, kindness and unconditional love.
The family will receive friends Tuesday, August 29th, 2023 from 12:30-2 pm at Jefferson Memorial Funeral Home in Trussville. A funeral service will follow at 2 pm in the Chapel at Jefferson Memorial.
Long time friend Tommy Toles will be officiating the service.
august 1, 1954 — august 20, 2023
James (Jimmy) Thomas Foster, a long term resident of Birmingham, Alabama, died at home on August 20th 2023 at 5pm at the age of 69.
Jimmy is survived by his wife Terry Foster, his three children Ryan (Ashley), Brianna and Nathan (Britney), his mother Mary Ellen, and his four siblings Bob (Debbie), Susan, Sharon and Teresa. He is predeceased by his father Rufus, and his sister Donna.
Jimmy was born in Lewisburg, Tennessee on August 1, 1954. He moved to Birmingham at the age of 18 where he worked as a computer analyst for Motion Industries for 38 years. Prior to that he worked at CARS Inc for 10 years where he met his wife Terry. On July 30, 1983 he married Terry and the two had three children together, Ryan, Brianna, and Nathan. Jimmy and Terry celebrated their 40th anniversary on July 30 as well as his 69th birthday on August 1st, several weeks before his passing on August 20th, 2023.
Jimmy was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He loved playing golf and was an avid University of Tennessee football fan. He enjoyed reading and spending time with his family and grandchildren. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
A celebration-of-life service is scheduled for Saturday, September 9th at Hope Community Baptist Church (Formerly McElwain Baptist) at 11am. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Hope Community, 4445 Montevallo Rd, Birmingham, AL 35213.
Camilla Louzetta Anthony Harper, resident of Birmingham, was born on November 16, 1922 in Guin, AL passed away on August, 28, 2023 at the age of 100 years old.
Camilla moved to the Birmingham area at the age of six. She went to Powell Elementary and graduated from Phillips High School. She worked at Norwood Variety Store owned by her parents, Lillian, and Claude Anthony from age 18 until age 24.
Camilla became the Executive Secretary for Frank Samford, Sr., and Frank Samford, Jr with Liberty National for 25 years. She had a strong work ethic and was proud to arrive every day to a beautiful office with marble floors and fireplace. She was a member of Executive Women of America.
Camilla married C. Bervin Harper in 1962 and remained his loving wife until his death in 2014. They had one daughter, Carol Ann Henry. Her loving daughter, Carol provided Camilla with comfort and acted as her sole caregiver in the last seven years of her life.
Camilla was preceded in death by her parents, Lillian and Claude Anthony and her husband, C. Bervin Harper. She is survived by her daughter; her granddaughter, Jessica Taylor Watkins (Tommy), and her grandson, Jonathan Taylor (Malinda), and one great granddaughter, Emma Elizabeth Watkins.
A funeral service for Camilla will be held at Jefferson Memorial Funeral Home Chapel on Saturday, September 2nd at 2:00 p.m. with visitation for friends held one hour prior to the service. Mr. Turner Owen Wade will preside over the service.
october 9, 1936 — august 23, 2023
As football season begins, those grieving a loved one who was a football enthusiast often experience a range of complex emotions. The article offers multiple coping strategies, such as creating a tribute space with football mementos and attending games with friends and family who also loved the sport. Other suggestions include sharing memories on social media, engaging in creative memorial projects, and seeking professional grief counseling. The piece emphasizes that grief is non-linear and encourages people to embrace the season as a time to honor the memory of their loved one while finding solace and connection with others.
To gain more insights and detailed guidance on navigating grief during football season, scan the QR code to read the full article. Don’t go through it alone—find comfort and strategies for healing.
Mr. Robert S. Hudson passed away peacefully with family surrounding him at home on August 23rd, 2023. The family will receive friends at Jefferson Memorial August 28th from 10am-12pm in the Chapel. Immediately following visitation, the funeral services will begin at 12:00pm.
Robert Hudson is survived by Pat Hudson, his loving wife of 62 years, his sister,Ruth Tillman and brother, James Hudson. He is also survived by daughters Tina (Tommy Yeager), Talitha (Rusty Ledbetter). Grandchildren; Jeremy Godwin (Faith), Farrah Wright (Del), Tyler Yeager (Jill), Wesley Yeager(Karli) and Kimbrell Jenson (Jacob). Great grandchildren; Elliott, Micah, and Brennan Godwin, Noelle, Nora, and Nolan Yeager, and Gracy Wright.
Robert Hudson is preceded in death by Mother Pauline Gorham and sister Marilyn Ratliff.
He was a very dedicated, creative and hard working man. Robert could build just about anything…and he did…he built their home that they loved and lived in for 30 years. Pat and Robert were the epitome of young love. They both knew they were meant for each other as soon as they met. Their first date was going to a Church service together. Robert and Pat created the most beautiful foundation of Christ in their marriage. Every morning began with a prayer at the kitchen table and devotion throughout their life together. Because of this, their children , grandchildren , and great grandchildren witnessed what a Godly marriage should look like.
Robert was a man of few words, but when he said something, everyone would listen.
Most people thought Robert was very put together, and he was, but when he was around his family, he was so silly with the kids. Robert absolutey loved to play jokes and pranks on his kids and grandchildren every chance he had but he also loved putting balloon animals on his head, playing games and putting smiles on everyones faces.
He also loved teaching the children and grandchildren so many skills and some of the most fond memories we had were spending family time in the mountains for numerous Thanksgiving holidays.
The family also loved to gather two nights before Christmas at Gram and Papa’s house for the annual “Christmas Eve Eve Celebration”,Christmas Eve morning the family would stay in their pajamas, eat breakfast together and open presents. It was incredible!
One last thing that stood out the most is how Robert was always the one who prayed over our meals and the incredible impact his faith had on every one of us.
Robert was a loving husband, an incredible Papa, a strong brother and a faithful friend who led our family so well.
october 3, 1939 — august 26, 2023
Mary Ruth Green, 83, went to be with her Lord and Savior on August 26, 2023, in Ashville, AL.
Mary Ruth is survived by sons Chuck Green, (Pamela), of Goldsboro, NC., Danny Green (Cheryl), Ashville, AL., Stephen Green (Leigh), of Woodside, CA. and grandchildren Zachary Green, Andrew Green, Benjamin Foster, Chase Foster, Danielle Green, Wilson Green, Davis Green and Caroline Green.
Mary Ruth is preceded in death by Charles B. Green, Sr. – husband, Woodrow
Mize Sr. – father, Clemmie Mize – mother, Woody Mize – brother, Jeanne Phillips – sister, and Larry Mize – brother.
Mary Ruth Graduated from St. Clair County High in 1958, and started her 50 marriage to husband Charles. She worked for the Social Security Administration, retiring after 25+ years of service to her rural Saint Clair county home. She loved her family and enjoyed having her grand children running around, driving golf carts and exploring her woods. Aunt Mary Ruth was
Zack Steele For the Tribune
GADSDEN – The Hewitt Huskies made the trek up Interstate 59 Friday night to the familiar confines of Titan Stadium in Gadsden City for the 18th meeting between the Huskies and Gadsden City High. Fans were treated to an entertaining matchup between two contrasting styles of play.
John Goolsby
Prep Sports Editor
Irondale – Shades Valley bounced back from last week’s season-opening loss to Stanhope Elmore by defeating Fairfield 42-19.
The visiting Tigers scored first on a 54-yard touchdown pass to take the lead with 7:24 remaining in the first period. The Mounties tied the
game up with a 65-yard drive that was capped off by a 13yard touchdown run by Josh Scott with 5:12 remaining in the opening period. Senior quarterback Steve Brown rushed for 47 yards on two carries during the drive.
After the teams traded punts, the Mounties took the lead on a Brown 21-yard pass to Ji’Quez Daniels for a touchdown with 5:31 remaining in the half.
With 35 seconds remaining in the half, Fairfield pulled to within one on a nine-yard touchdown run to cap off a 75-yard drive. With the missed PAT, the Mounties took a 14-13 lead into the locker room.
The second half began with a bang for Shades Valley with a 90-yard kickoff return for a TD by Quincy Craw-
See MOUNTIES, Page 20
Ultimately, Hewitt’s quick-strike offense proved too much for Gadsden City’s deliberate, grind-it-out style. The game was intense and often sloppy, with over twenty penalties between the two teams. The game was also “chippy” at times, with both teams flagged for multiple unsportsmanlike conduct penalties and an ejection of a Gadsden City player.
In a game that featured only three punts, both offenses found success in different ways all night. Gadsden City found success with ball control. Hewitt found success airing it out.
The Titans would strike first with a 93-yard touchdown run by T.J. Worthy on an option play early in the first quarter.
Hewitt would respond quickly with an outstanding pitch and catch from Peyton
Floyd to Jacon Serena, who would finish the game with five receptions for 71 yards and a touchdown.
Gadsden City would march down the field again, but Hewitt’s defense managed to shut down the Titan drive with three straight stops
inside their own 10-yard line, forcing the Titans to settle for a field goal.
Hewitt would waste little time on their next possession, as Floyd would hook up with Loving for the first of three
Britney Bailey For the Tribune
HUEYTOWN – After a slow start on the road Friday night, the Clay-Chalkville Cougars fought their way to a 17-3 victory against Hueytown. The first half of Friday’s matchup was a somber one, with the only points on the board coming from a late first-quarter field goal from Hueytown. The Gopher defense managed to get the ball loose from Cougar wide receiver Mario Craver with just under two minutes to go in the first inside the 10-yard line. The Gophers could not make it through the Cougar defense and settled for a field goal.
portunity. Offensive penalties plagued the remainder of the half for the Cougars.
Will HeathFor the Tribune
PELL CITY — Jerry
Hood called the week leading up to Friday night’s game “bloody,” specifically for his defense.
“We challenged the guts of that group,” said Hood.
It paid off for the Green Wave, who scored twice in the fourth quarter to turn a 3-point deficit into a 30-23 victory over Pell City. The defense was key, holding Pell City out of the end zone and turning two different Panther passes into defensive touchdowns.
“We took it very personal, since last week we took an L,” said linebacker Joshua Lee. “Just came out just ready, eager to win. Ready to fight.”
Lee scored the game’s final touchdown, stepping in front of an out route from Pell City’s Nikita Getmanschuk, snaring the football, and dashing 40 yards for a touchdown.
“They came through (on defense) tonight,” said Hood.
Lee’s interception fol-
lowed an 83-yard drive by the Green Wave offense, giving the visitors the good lead. Junior quarterback Conner Nelson, who finished with 234 all-purpose yards, finished it with a 5-yard run, his second touchdown of the game.
“This means a lot because people were doubting us this week,” Nelson said after the game. The two teams had battled to a stalemate for most of three quarters. Leeds (1-1) grabbed an early advantage when Miles Ashford picked off Getmanschuk and ran it back 62 yards for the game’s first score. The Panthers (02) answered with a 77-yard drive that ended with a Caleb Groce touchdown.
A Nelson interception set up a field goal by Jake Blackstone, who was 3-for-3 on attempts for the Panthers. Nelson immediately answered with a 52-yard touchdown run, only for Getmanschuk to find Ethan Everett for a 73yard touchdown to give the lead back to Pell City.
Getmanschuk would fin-
ish with 180 yards through the air, with a touchdown and the two interceptions.
“Our team had a chance to win the game,” Pell City head coach Rush Propst said afterward. “We don’t turn the ball over, we probably win the game.”
“They’re resilient kids. They’ll come back fighting.”
By the time Avery Langford knocked down a 26-yard field goal to end the half, the two teams had played to a draw.
“It was a good high school football game,” Hood said. “Just tough, and back and forth.”
A Blackstone field goal on the first drive of the second half gave Pell City the lead. On the ensuing drive, Leeds held the Panthers on downs at the Green Wave 17-yard line. That set up the drive that would give the Green Wave the lead for good. Both teams begin region play next Friday. Pell City will host Clay-Chalkville. Leeds will travel to face Springville.
The second quarter sparked hope for the Cougars with an early Xavier Starks interception, but the Cougars could not capitalize on the op-
The Cougars came out in the second half an entirely different football team, due in large part to Craver’s 92-yard kickoff-return to put six on
the board for the Cougars. A successful PAT from Antoine Ellison gave the Cougars a 7-3 lead. Ellison would add three more for the Cougars with a field goal on the next posses
MCADORY – The McAdory Yellow Jackets defeated the Pinson Valley Indians 2817 last night.
McAdory took a 7-0 lead on a Jacob Copton touchdown run with six minutes remaining in the first quarter.
Compton then hooked up with JaCorey Whitted for a touchdown pass to extend the McAdory lead to 14-0 over the Indians in the first period.
Pinson Valley answered back with a Dylan Reese to Rico Freeman score and a run by Josh Wood to tie the game
at 14-14 with less than four minutes remaining in the half.
The Yellow Jackets’ Khomari Sheppard scored right before the half to give McAdory a 21-14 lead as the two teams headed to the locker room.
The Yellow Jackets scored
a third-quarter touchdown, and the Indians added a field goal to give McAdory a 28-17 lead as the two teams headed to the final quarter.
Neither team scored in the final period and the score would end with a 28-17 McAdory victory.
Despite giving up 418 yards of total offense to the Indians, the McAdory defense came up big with stops at critical times and forced three Pinson turnovers in the second half.
Pinson Valley is off next week before entering regional play against Clay-Chalkville on Sept 15.
By Johnny Sanders Sports Editor
MORRIS
– On Friday
night, the Springville Tigers took to the road in a matchup with the Mortimer Jordan Blue Devils in a game that saw a back-and-forth fight in a rainy, messy game between two tough teams who were both coming off of wins in their first game of the season. The Blue Devils would end up with the advantage at the end, getting the win over Springville 34-28.
Mortimer Jordan would strike first on a 17-yard run to go up 7-0 over Springville. The Tigers would answer with a 28-yard Mahlon Alverson touchdown run. The Blue Devils answered with a 71yard touchdown and the quarter would end with Mortimer Jordan leading Springville 14-7.
Springville would get the scoring going first in the
second with a 39-yard touchdown run by quarterback Jake Conner. Mortimer Jordan would answer on a 35-yard run but the Tigers would not go away. This score would see Conner find Noel Cox for a 78-yard touchdown to get the fans on their feet and send the Tigers into halftime with the momentum and with the game tied at 21.
The third quarter would only see on score and it would be a 10-yard touchdown run by the Blue Devils to make it 28-21 Mortimer Jordan heading into the final stanza.
The fourth quarter would see Springville’s Mahlon Alverson get his second touchdown of the night, this time on a three-yard plunge into the end zone. The game would be tied at 28 at this point. Mortimer Jordan would score next on a 14-yard run to go up 34-28. The Tigers would now have an opportunity to go ahead if they scored
By Johnny Sanders Sports Editor
SYLACAUGA – Moody traveled for the first time of the 2023 season on Friday night as they headed down 280 to take on the Sylacauga and Chris Smelley’s Aggies in a game that started out in a downpour, which caused slow starts for both teams. The scoring picked up later in the game with Moody’s running game and opportunistic defense taking over and out-dueling the home team 31-17 in the end to make the Blue Devils 2-0 on the season heading into regional play next week.
Moody didn’t take much time to open the scoring in this one as they drove the ball down the field on a long drive that ended with Blaine Burke punching one in from four yards out. Burke would fin-
ish the score with a two-point run to put Moody up 8-0 with 9:13 to play in the first.
The Aggies would answer Moody later in the quarter, scoring on a short run with 5:46 to go in the first. The extra point would make it
8-7 and that would be the extent of the scoring in the first quarter and in the first half as well. The most excitement in the remainder of the half would come when Brady
and got the extra point, but they would not be able to find paydirt, even though the intercepted a Mortimer Jordan pass with around five minutes left in the game.
The Blue Devils would amass almost 400 yards on the ground to defeat Springville, only gaining 49 yards through the air. The Tigers’ Jake Conner threw twice (both passes complete to Noel Cox) for 110 yards and a touchdown with the largest coming on a 78-yard strike in the second quarter to tie the game at 21 before halftime. Springville also had a good night running the ball with 267 yards on the ground, three of those runs going for touchdowns (2 for Alverson and 1 for Conner).
ALICEVILLE – The Center Point Eagles improved to 2-0 Friday night as they traveled to Aliceville to take on the Yellow Jackes in a game that saw tough defense and a continuation of “ground and pound” offense the Eagles are hitting the field with this year. Center Point walked away from their second-straight road game with a 22-14 victory, despite being behind in the third quarter.
The Eagles got the scoring
The Tigers fall to 1-1 with a trip to cross-town rival Leeds Friday night. The Greenwave are coming off of a close win against Pell City, now 0-2, this past week. See EAGLES, Page 20
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scores on the night, this one for 43 yards.
Gadsden City would again drive down the field, only to stall again in the red zone, settling for another field goal with 2:22 left in the half.
Hewitt would work the two-minute drill to perfection, marching 70 yards in just under two minutes. Jacqson Melton would appear to score on a 34-yard pass from Floyd, but officials would rule Melton down just short of the goal line. Floyd would punch it in 1 play later, and Hewitt took a 21-13 lead into halftime.
Hewitt would force a punt on Gadsden City’s first possession of the second half and waste little time as Floyd would hit Donovan Price on a screen pass that netted 35 yards into Titan territory. Price would deal out a little punishment to the Gadsden safety who tried to take him on along the sideline. Floyd would score two plays later on a 7-yard run. Ward’s PAT was good, and Hewitt’s lead stretched to 15 points.
The Titans wouldn’t go away quietly as they mounted another long scoring drive, which would result in another touchdown. The Huskies would hold on to a 28-20 lead entering the fourth quarter.
With 11:26 left in the game, Floyd would “bring back that Loving feeling” as he hit Jett Loving on a swing
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sion to push the lead to 7.
The Cougar defense, led by DJ Barber and Avion Pickett, held the Gophers to their lone field goal of the night.
Running back Taurus Chambers led on offense, carrying most of the workload on the ground for the Cougars. Wide receiver Marlon Comp-
pass. Loving would juke and jive his way to the end zone for an 18-yard score.
Gadsden would take advantage of a short field after a long kickoff return and score quickly to close within 8 points again of Hewitt as Worthy would cash in from three yards out. The PAT was good, and Hewitt led 35-27 with 10 minutes to go in the game.
About a minute later, Floyd and Loving would connect for a third time on a beautiful pass and catch totaling 52 yards.
Gadsden City would threaten one last time in the 4th quarter, but Hewitt would recover a Titan fumble on the goal line.
Hewitt would close out the game with a 42-27 win.
Floyd was pleased with his team’s offensive output.
“Loving had some big plays, and so did Serena. I thought Peyton made some big throws under pressure.”
Floyd would finish the game, passing 15-23 for 329 yards and 4 TD passes. He would add 63 yards on the ground with two more scores.
Loving had five receptions on the night for a whopping 149 yards and three touchdowns.
Defensively, sophomore Parker Floyd tallied ten tackles, with 2 for loss. Gavin Williams would add seven tackles and three pass breakups.
Hewitt now turns their attention to region play. They travel to Oak Mountain Friday night.
ton, putting in efforts on special teams, sealed the victory for the Cougars with a sensational 40-yard punt return touchdown with 5:33 to go in the ballgame. The PAT from Ellison secured the 17-3 win.
The Cougars remain on the road next Friday, September 8th, to face Coach Rush Propst and the Pell City Panthers. Kickoff is at 7pm.
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started in the first quarter as Jaquoryae Busby caught a 6 yard pass from Deon Moore, the first of a pair for this connection on the night. Center Point added a two-point conversion to make it 8-0 after one quarter of play.
In the second quarter, the Yellow Jackets would answer with a touchdown of their own on a three-yard touchdown run. Aliceville would be successful in their twopoint attempt to tie the game going into the half.
Aliceville would come out of the locker room swinging,
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ford. However, a penalty negated the score.
The Mounties started a 73-yard drive that ended with a 10-yard run for a TD by Jayden Gilmore. The Mounties led 21-13 with 8:35 remaining in the third quarter.
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Dodd would pick up an Aggie fumble at the 2:28 mark in the second to stop a drive that had made its way beyond the 10yard line.
The second half started with the Aggies taking the ball once again, but quickly turning it over as Moody recovered a fumble that set them up at the Sylacauga 10-yard line. On second down, Burke would find a wide-open lane to find paydirt. Charlie Johnston would find Burke for the two-point conversion to make it 16-7 Blue Devils.
Sylacauga would answer on a long touchdown pass at the 9:38 mark of the third to close the gap, making it 16-14 Moody.
The Blue Devils answered
gaining their first lead of the game on a six-yard touchdown run. The two point try would fail, making it 14-8 Yellow Jackets and the early season unblemished record looked to be in jeopardy for the Eagles.
Deon Moore would not be denied on this night, however. Still in the third quarter, Moore would find Busby once again for a touchdown. This time, it would be from 22 yards out. The two point try would fail, making it a tied ball game at 14.
Before the third quarter was over, Moore would add a 19-yard run to put Center Point up 20-14 heading into
After Fairfield fumbled a snap on a punt deep in their territory that was recovered by Chris Ingram, Brown scored on a five-yard touchdown run. After Jair Aguilar’s successful PAT, the Mounties led 28-13 with 7:22 remaining in the third period.
Jared Brundidge later recovered a fumble for the
with a long drive that saw Johnston find Aiden Robinson for what looked to be a touchdown, but he was called down at the one-yard line. Burke would get his third touchdown of the night on the next play and Junior Moreno’s pat would put Moody up 23-14 with 5:26 to go in the third. Sylacauga would get the ball down to the six-yard line but settle for a field goal to make it 23-17.
Moody would ice the game in the fourth quarter after Abram Jackson blasted a long run to the three-yard line followed by a quarterback sneak by Bryton Usrey, the backup quarterback. Johnston would find KD Barnes for the two-point conversion to make it 31-17, the final score.
“I thought we executed better in the second half,” said
the final frame. Aliceville would find no success on offense as the Center Point defense held serve and closed out the game with a Jaquoryae Busby safety to make the final 22-14.
Moore did it all on offense, tallying 8 completions on 20 attempts with 56 yards and two touchdowns to go with 68 yards on the ground in 13 attempts and another touchdown. His most popular target on the night was Busby, who finished with three receptions for 25 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Coach George Bates said the following about the game. “It was good to play in bad
Mounties.
Senior Christian Gorman capped off a 42-yard drive with a seven-yard touchdown run to give Valley a 35-13 lead with nine minutes remaining in the game.
The Tigers answered with a 73-yard drive that ended with a 17-yard touchdown pass. After the two-point con-
Moody coach Jake Ganus. “We protected the football. We took the ball from them on some plays. Got some big stops on fourth down out there. I’m proud of these guys. We’ve got to be more physical and win the turnover battle. This is two games in a row that haven’t been easy. These wins are going to pay off in November. We have a lot to fix. We are better than that score. Hats off to coach Smelley. They are good and they will get better. The weather tonight caused us to dig deep.”
After being ejected from last week’s game, Burke had the following to say about his first complete game of the year, “I feel like I played well. I could have played better but was grateful to be back on the field with my team. Next
weather conditions. We have to prepare for each opponent properly to have the desired play and outcome. We did not, so the football gods stepped in and forced us to refocus on our weekly preparation by making Friday night tougher than it should have been. We have another week to hone our skills so we will see Friday what we learned from this. We are looking forward to being at home after two long away games.”
The Center Point Eagles now find themselves at 2-0 on the season and will finally get a home game this week as they host the Huffman Vikings Friday night.
version failed, the Mounties led 35-19 with 4:51 left on the clock.
Valley put the game away, 42-19, with a 24-yard touchdown run by freshman running back Armon Goldsby with 1:58 remaining.
Shades Valley enters region play against Oxford at home next week.
week we just have to get better and play hard.”
Cam Mallory, sophomore defensive lineman, said the following about the defensive performance, “We are built for moments like this. Our goal is to start fast and we have to work on that. I have one of the best coaching staffs and they prepare us and make it easy for us to play fast. We just going to play our style of defense next week and I like our chances against anyone.”
The Blue Devils, now 2-0, travel to region foe Alexandria next week. The Valley Cubs find themselves in unfamiliar territory needing a big win after starting 0-2. Coach Ganus said of the upcoming road trip to Alexandria, “I’m excited about it and I want to experience it for myself. I’ve heard all about it.”