The Trussville Tribune - Dec. 5, 2018

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Springville High School named National Beta School of Distinction

Page 2

Trussville woman’s act of kindness for first responders becomes annual event

Indians defeat Cougars in rematch

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The Trussville Tribune Dec. 5 - Dec. 11, 2018 Trussville amends ordinance allowing officers to save animals in distress

By Tanna M. Friday Editor TRUSSVILLE – The Trussville City Council approved amendments to the Trussville city animal ordinance on Tuesday, Nov. 27, that aim to penalize offenders See TRUSSVILLE, Page 4

Alabama Fallen Warriors Project honors memories, sacrifices

www.TrussvilleTribune.com

Hewitt-Trussville Middle School’s Leadership/Interact Club conducts a cozy coat drive

From The Trussville Tribune staff reports

TRUSSVILLE — The HTMS Leadership/Interact Club recently conducted a ‘Cozy Coat Drive’ to benefit T.E.A.M. (Trussville Ecumenical Assistive Ministry).

Mandy McIntosh class won the friendly competition by collecting 65 coats from students in their home room.

The Trussville Daybreak Rotary Club sponsored a breakfast for the winners.

Interact is Rotary International’s service club for young people ages 12 to 18. Interact clubs are sponsored by individual Rotary clubs, which

By Tommi O. Peters For The Tribune

Photo courtesy of Trussville Rotary Daybreak Club

Photo courtesy of Trussville Rotary Daybreak Club

See DOG PARK, Page 6

Moody man wanted on attempted murder, multiple additional charges From The Trussville Tribune staff reports MOODY –Ronald Demetrie Hunter is wanted in Jefferson County on felony warrants charging him with attempted murder, third degree robbery, first degree burSee MOODY MAN, Page 6

provide support and guidance, but they are self-governing and self-supporting.

The Trussville Rotary Daybreak Club meets for breakfast on Wednesday mornings at 7 a.m. at First Baptist Church Trussville, which is located at 128 North Chalkville Road.

For more information on the club, or to help with one of their projects, please email Diane Poole at diane.poole@ trussvillechamber.com.

Margaret Elementary School food drive collects nearly 2,000 items for the Argo Food Bank

SPRINGVILLE – Alabama Scout Troop #124 member Isaac Puckett presented the Springville City Council with a proposal to turn unused city property into a multi-functional dog park. If allowed, the project will serve as Puckett’s required project to promote to the rank of Eagle Scout.

Photo courtesy of Margaret Elementary

taught my students a valuable lesson. I want to thank the students for all the food they brought in and the parents for supplying the food.”

Hunter Jernigan, one of Palmer’s students, brought in the most items with a total of 290. Jim Link and Judy Graham of the Argo Food Bank gave Palmer’s class a pizza party and let Jernigan pick out a book to be donated in his honor to Margaret Elementary’s library.

Addie Grayson and Nicholas House were second and third place for the school, and also had a book donated in their name.

Patty Beal, the school counselor, sponsored the food drive.

“The food drive is a part of our schoolwide ongoing kindness challenge,” Beal said. “I’m so proud of our students and parents for participating and making a difference in our community.”

From The Trussville Tribune staff reports MARGARET — Margaret Elementary School participated in a canned food drive, which brought in 1,922 items for the Argo Food Bank during the month of November. Tina Palmer’s Kindergarten class had the most items raised with a total of 312 canned food items.

“I think the food drive was a great way to teach giving to others,” Palmer said.

“It not only helped those in need in our community, but

From The Trussville Tribune staff reports

See TPD FINDS, Page 6

TRUSSVILLE – It is often noted that freedom is not free. Less frequently observed is that when the bill for freedom comes due, it is not always distributed equally.

This makes it all the more remarkable that there are those among us who will sacrifice See ALABAMA, Page 4

TPD finds no evidence of abduction from shopping center parking lot

TRUSSVILLE –An internet post and a phone call to Birmingham police of a possible abduction from the Academy Sports parking lot sent Trussville police into investigative mode on Friday.

So far, officers have found nothing to substantiate the

By Shaun Szkolnik For The Tribune

Dog park proposal presented to Springville City Council

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Trussville Yogurt Mountain raises score to 88 on re-inspection From The Trussville Tribune staff reports TRUSSVILLE — The Yogurt Mountain in Trussville was re-inspected Monday by the Jefferson County Department of Health. According to county documents the store received a score of 88.

Remarks in the county inspection report showed that See YOGURT, Page 5

Man arrested in connection with St. Clair County crash that left four dead From The Trussville Tribune staff reports CLEBURNE COUNTY — Justin Wells, 34, was arrested Friday in Cleburne County on four arrest warrants for murder, stemming from a quadruple fatality that occurred Nov. 16 on I-20 in Pell City, according to ALEA. ALEA reported that state See MAN ARRESTED, Page 11

Alabama guardsman applies lifesaving training during Galleria shooting From The Trussville Tribune staff reports MONTGOMERY – Rashad Billingsley enlisted in the Alabama Army National Guard as an 88M – Motor Transport Operator in March of 2017, with dreams of following in his truck-driver

Photo courtesy of Margaret Elementary Schhol

See GUARDSMAN, Page 8

Inside the Tribune News - Page 1-9 Calendar - Page 12 Classified - Page 12 Obituary - Page 13 Opinion - Page 14 Faith - Page 15 Tribune Kids - Page 16-17 Sports - Pages 18-20

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The

Trussville Tribune 190 Main Street Trussville, AL 35173 (205) 533-8664 Scott Buttram, Publisher publisher@trussvilletribune.com Tanna Friday, Managing Editor Damian Mitchell, Sports Editor STAFF WRITERS Shaun Szkolnik news@trussvilletribune.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS June Mathews Crystal McGough Tommi Peters

Students share Alabama’s heroes in honor of the state’s 200th anniversary TRUSSVILLE - In honor of the state of Alabama’s 200th anniversary approaching in 2019, Governor Kay Ivey launched the Alabama Bicentennial Schools Initiative in December 2017 to give 200 Alabama schools the opportunity to participate in a year-long project representing their state’s history and achievements.

Nearly 400 K-12 schools statewide submitted proposals for the program, and each

of the 200 chosen schools received a $2,000 grant to complete their project.

Among the schools chosen for this honor were five home-school groups, one of which was Trussville’s own Faith Community Christian School (FCCS).

“It makes me so proud to see such a strong showing of schools participating in the program,” Ivey said in an August press release. “It is an honor to recognize these

outstanding schools and their projects as we head into Alabama’s bicentennial year.

The Alabama Bicentennial celebration is about bringing communities together and getting all of our citizens involved. The schools being honored are a great representation of that goal.”

For their project, the students of FCCS are collectively writing a book called Everyone Has A Story, which will profile noteworthy Ala-

bamians, selected by the children.

The middle and high school students took a sixweek journalism class in the fall where they learned to write profile news stories about everyday heroes, while the elementary students are writing biographies of famous Alabamians. The following stories were written by 12th grader Zac Pate and eighth grader Hannah Grace Singleton.

Heeding the call Welding teacher

By Hannah Grace Singleton Missionary Elizabeth Kay Robertson was born on Oct. 8, 1999, in Fort Madison, Iowa. She has six siblings and her parents were children’s pastors growing up.

When she was little, the Lord spoke to her and she realized her calling was to talk to kids about Jesus, all around the world. Robertson fell in love with teaching kids and

she had a burden in her heart to go and reach people.

Robertson’s mother made it a priority to home-school her. She poured God’s word into Robertson and her siblings, and showed them how much God loved them and had a plan for each of their lives. She was very intentional about teaching the Bible and emphasizing all things are possible with God, and See HEEDING, Page 3

tells his story

By Zac Pate, 12th grade Matthew Loggins, from Springville, Alabama, is currently the welding teacher at Eden Career Tech Center and the welding teacher at Jeff State in Pell City. At the age of 18, Loggins started off as a youth minister in Springville.

“I love working with youth and helping them because when I was a youth, myself, I

had older people who took me in when my parents divorced,” Loggins said. “So I wanted to try to give back and help young people the way I was helped.”

Loggins started welding when he was in high school after his dad came to his job and told him to get a pair of work boots, because he had to work Monday. When he started See WELDING, Page 3

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Clay Council receives check for CPFD’s new fire truck

By Crystal McGough Copy Editor The Clay City Council presented a giant check at its council meeting Tuesday night from Alabama State Senator Linda Coleman-Madison for the purchase of a new fire truck for the Center Point Fire District. The check was in the amount of $25,000.

“This is my understanding, the one cent money that was the Larry Langford tax that built all the schools in the county, when they re-did that the year before last, then each senator from Jefferson County and each House member from Jefferson County got a certain amount of money,” City Manager Ronnie Dixon said.

According to Dixon, the money from the tax was divided between the senators and House members to be used to benefit the cities they represent. The funds could go toward the improvement of schools, libraries, fire stations, etc.

“Senator Coleman is giving hers to the cities that are in the Center Point Fire District, so we can give it to the Center Point Fire Department to buy

that new truck,” Dixon said.

“So we really are just kind of a pass-through.”

Dixon said that he believes the new fire truck will be housed at CPFD Station 4, off Clay Palmerdale Road, located in Clay.

“They’re expanding that station,” he said. “We own that building, so we’re expanding that station. I think it’s over there, but we won’t really know anything until the eighth (of December).

The city will present the check to the fire department on Dec. 8 at the CPFD Christmas/retirement party.

In other city business, the council unanimously passed

two resolutions authorizing the elimination of public nuisances, consisting of weeds and personal property, from properties in Clay. Prior to passing the resolutions, the council held a public hearing for the properties, but no one was present to speak for or against the properties.

The council’s next meeting will be held at Clay City Hall on Tuesday, Dec. 11 at 6:30 p.m., following a pre-council work session at 6 p.m. The second December council meeting has been moved to Tuesday, Dec. 18, due to Christmas falling on the fourth Tuesday of the month.

TCS opens nominations for the 20182019 TCS School Bus Driver of the Year From The Trussville Tribune staff reports TRUSSVILLE — Trussville City Schools announced that it is accepting nominations for this school year’s School Bus Driver of the Year.

“TCS appreciates the work of our school bus drivers,” TCS administration said.

“While there are many people involved in school bus transportation, at the end of the day, it is our professionally trained drivers that have the

responsibility for transporting our students safely to and from school.”

The deadline to submit nominations is Friday, Dec. 7.

Click here for the TCS 20182019 School Bus Driver of the Year nomination form.

Page 3

HEEDING, from page 2

that family is very important.

Her dad didn’t always have a job, but he was a hard worker and trusted the Lord. He knew that the Lord was his provider.

One of the hardest things in the missions field for Robertson was boot camp. They were pushed spiritually, physically and relationally. They had to wake up early and be very disciplined in their time with the Lord. Being a missionary, she wore skirts that went below the knee and shirts that distinguished her from other groups. Things we take for granted, they did not have, and life was very challenging in the five countries she ministered in.

Robertson understood that she was not going to be able to reach everyone.

“You plant the seed and God will send someone to water it,” she said.

A fellow missionary of hers, Maddie Dooley, spoke

of Robertson’s loyalty and dedication to the children she ministered to. She said she loved seeing the bonds that were being made and loved watching Robertson dance until she dropped.

Robertson’s favorite thing about being a missionary is carrying a peace and fulfillment, knowing that she made a difference.

“You have listened to the

Lord and followed what he has called you to do, and that fulfills your life,” Robertson said. “When you’re a missionary, it’s not about you or the things you experience, or where you are going. It’s about what the Lord does through you.”

As Robertson’s parents instilled in all their children, obedience brings blessings.

WELDING, from page 2

working at Usco, he did everything they told him to do and, while there, he learned welding.

Later on, he started a business with his friend called 2K Steel. It was a very wealthy business, but while he did enjoy his job, he didn’t feel like that was his calling. When he told Kal, the owner of 2K Steel, that he was going to look for another job, the job at Eden Career popped up. He thought it was a dream come true.

Loggins ended up getting the job and has been there ever since, driving the bus and

teaching welding. He then got a job at Jeff State teaching welding, but he did not leave his job at Eden Career. He was offered a full-time job at Jeff State, but then he wouldn’t be able to work with younger youth.

“I felt like I was too old to be a youth minister for the church, but I feel like I can still teach welding,” Loggins said.

“I still try not to only teach kids about welding, but also about life, how to be respectful to others, to let them know I care about them more than just welding.”

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Page 4 TRUSSVILLE, from front page

of animal cruelty and protect the welfare of animals in distress.

The council discussed three changes that were amended on the city’s current animal ordinance.

“There have been a few changes to our existing ordi-

nance,” Councilor Alan Taylor said. “These would allow an officer to write a non-traffic citation for violations they observe. It will also allow the magistrate to take pleas, and address officer discretion for breaking car windows for animals in distress.”

Taylor added that the current ordinance did not address these items.

“These amendments to our existing animal ordinance provide a little more clarity,” he said.

Amendments 10-52 and 10-54 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Trussville does three things: sets certain requirements for

maintaining animals and pets within the corporate limits, provides the procedure for prosecution of any violation with the use of a non-traffic complaint, and in the event a law enforcement officer observes an animal in distress, an officer can use his discre-

tion to save the animal from distress using his experience, training, policy and applicable law.

In other matters, the council approved: • Minutes from Nov. 13; • Resolution to add signature BBVA General Fund money market; • Resolution to add signature BBVA General Fund checking card clearing; • Resolution to add signature Bryant Education Fund checking; • Resolution to add signature Bryant Education Ad Valorem checking; • Resolution to add signature Bryant General Fund

Dec. 5 - Dec. 11, 2018 ALABAMA, from front page

Capital Projects Checking; • Resolution to add signature Bryant TUB LOC account; • Resolution to add signature Regions Bank Vehicle Tag account; • Resolution to add signature Regions Bank Local Drug Confiscation; • Resolution to add signature Southpoint General Fund money market; • Resolution to add signature Synovus Captial Improvement Fund; • Resolution to add signature Synovus 2018 Warrant Construction Fund; • Ordinance amend 6982 Roper Road; • Resolution to surplus Taurus – Parks; • Ordinance to amend Animal Control Ordinance; • Consent agenda; • Promote Justin Ferguson to Construction Equipment Operator effective Nov. 25, Grade 17, Step 2; • Promote Robby Pruitt to Heavy Equipment Operator effective Nov. 24, Grade 15, Step 4; • Merit increases effective Nov. 24 for dispatcher and police, Dec. 8 for police; • Auditing accounts: • Accounts payable; • Field medical training for Middleton – PD- no cost except lodging; • Governmental and accounting forum for Salter, $300; and • Surveying Standards of PracticeProfessionalnal Ethics for Sullivan, $175.

The next council workshop is scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 6, and the next council regularly scheduled meeting is on Tuesday, Dec. 11.

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everything for their country, their community, their friends and for those they will never know.

Approximately 120 Alabamians have been killed in Iraq and Afghanistan, according to the Military Times database, and the Alabama Fallen Warrior Project was created to honor their memories and sacrifices.

Mark Davis, the founder of the Alabama Fallen Warriors Project, has a goal of creating a bronze bust for every Alabama veteran that has been killed since the events of 911. These busts will then be installed in a place of honor where the community will be able to remember the fallen and contemplate the sacrifice that was made.

“When a military service member dies, he dies two deaths,” Davis said. “One is when he is killed and the other is when we forget him or her.”

The process of creating one of the bronze busts is long and involved. The family of the veteran will compile a number of pictures of the fallen. Those pictures will be forwarded to retired USMC Colonel Lee Busby, who will use the photographs to sculpt a three-dimensional bust out of clay. Once the initial clay bust has been created, Busby will meet with the families.

The families will review the work and, after a process of two or three iterations of refinement, the perfected likeness will be sent to the University of Alabama for casting.

In addition to being an involved process, it is also an expensive one. The complete cost of each bust, including its eventual installation, comes

in at $11,000. The total cost of all the busts that remain to be created and installed is $1,200,000.

“I cannot raise the $1,200,000, myself,” Davis said. “I have to reach into the business and community to help raise the $11,000 per bust.”

One of the ways in which Davis is raising funds is by connecting with local businesses and hosting special events. One such event was held on Nov. 17 at Sheepdog in Trussville, where sports cars were on display, membership specials and discounts were offered, and for every new membership to Sheepdog, $50 was donated to the Alabama Fallen Warriors Project.

That event held a particular meaning to Trussville because two of the fallen heroes meant to be honored are from Trussville and Clay.

One of these is Sargent Jason Stegall of the US Army.

He attended Hewitt-Trussville High School and was deployed 15 months during Operation Iraqi Freedom. He has been awarded the Meritorious Service Medal, the Combat Infantry Badge, two Army Commendation Med-

als, two Army Achievement Medals, two Purple Hearts and the Bronze Star with “V” for valor. He died serving his country on Dec. 14, 2009.

Another of those to be honored is Staff Sargent Michael Hosey, of the special forces.

He attended Clay-Chalkville High School. He served two tours of duty in Iraq and two tours of duty in Afghanistan.

He was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal, the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star.

He died serving his country on Sept. 17, 2011.

It is intended that once a bronze bust has been completed, it will find an appropriate home where the sacrifice it represents can be contemplated and honored.

“It is really up to the family on where it goes,” Davis said. “It should be a place of honor; maybe at city hall, the city library, or at the high school where he or she attended. I am working on an idea for the bust to go to Veterans Park in Hoover or at the Alabama Veterans Memorial Park on I-459.”

For more information on this project, please visit the Alabama Fallen Warriors Project’s website.

Page 5 The Trussville Tribune Springville High School named National Beta School of Distinction

Dec. 5 - Dec. 11, 2018

From The Trussville Tribune staff reports SPRINGVILLE – The National Beta Club announced Wednesday, Nov. 28, that Springville High School has been awarded the 2018-2019 National School of Distinction.

This award is an honor for Beta Chapters striving to-

wards academic achievement, exemplary character, demonstrated leadership and service to others. With an ongoing quest to instill these qualities in more students, the National Beta School of Distinction Award is designed to reward those schools that show an increase in membership for the current school year.

“We believe this a direct

YOGURT, from front page

Yogurt Mountain would need to provide an employee health policy that states what actions are necessary when an employee has a specific symptom or diagnosis related to diseases that are transmissible through food. In addition to providing such a policy, it is required that communication of the policy to employees be verifiable.

The JCDH inspection report further indicated that Yogurt Mountain will need to provide readily available documentation of food safety training for all employees

at all hours of operation, and that such training records were not available at the time of inspection.

Documents also showed that Yogurt Mountain had been displaying an outdated inspection score from May 11, 2017, which showed a rating of 99 instead of the most recent inspection report from Nov. 13, in which Yogurt Mountain scored an 80.

JCDH confiscated the expired report that was being incorrectly displayed in the establishment.

result of our faculty’s and student’s hard work and diligent service to our community,” Springville High School Vice-Principal Jeff Smith said.

Award recipients received a National Beta School of Distinction banner to proudly display as a symbol of their accomplishment. In addition, National Beta School

of Distinction recipients will be publicized at the 2019 National Beta Convention in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, this June.

“This prestigious honor is a true indication of Springville’s dedication to academic excellence, leadership development and commitment to celebrating their student’s achievements,” Na-

tional Beta’s Chief Executive Officer Bobby Hart said.

About National Beta: National Beta is the largest independent, non-profit, educational youth organization in America. Since its beginnings in 1934, National Beta has been committed to providing students with a positive experience in a supportive manner in grades four through 12.

The organization recognizes outstanding achievement, promotes character and social responsibility, encourages service involvement to school and community, and fosters leadership skills.

For more information about National Beta, visit betaclub.org

Alabama Department of Commerce’s Ted Clem December Chamber luncheon speaker From The Trussvile Tribune staff reports TRUSSVILLE – The Trussville Area Chamber of Commerce has announced its December luncheon speaker.

Ted Clem will be the featured speaker at the chamber’s monthly luncheon on Thursday, Dec. 20.

Clem is the director of the Office of Business Recruitment and Retention with the Alabama Department of Commerce. He is an expe-

rienced economic developer who has worked in three Southeastern states.

The Business Division markets Alabama to the world, pinpointing companies that may have expansion projects in the region over the next three to five years, and supports the expansion and retention of existing businesses. The division works closely with economic development allies throughout the state as part of a team-based recruitment effort.

The luncheon is sponsored

by Cadence Bank and will be held at the Trussville Civic Center, located at 5381 Trussville-Clay Road in Trussville.

Reservations are $17 each

and are needed by noon on Tuesday, Dec. 18. Network development time begins at 11:30 a.m., and lunch is served at noon, followed by Clem’s presentation at approximately 12:30 p.m. The chamber will also recognize its December Customer Service Award recipient.

For more information, please visit www.trussvillechamber.com, call the chamber at (205) 655-7535, ‘like’ us on Facebook, or follow us on Instagram.

Hooray for Hoopla: Trussville Library provides patrons with new digital service

By Shaun Szkolnik For The Trussville Tribune

TRUSSVILLE — The digital revolution has changed, likely forever, the way the public consumes information and entertainment. America’s libraries have been doing their utmost to keep up with these trends and serve the new demands of their communities.

Most often, that means offering digital media in an on-de-

mand way.

Several applications have been produced to help libraries keep up with the changing needs of their patrons. Two popular ones are Overdrive and Libby. Both of these applications allow for patrons to, through streaming or downloading, read eBooks, eComic books and listen to audio-books directly from their computers or personal mobile devices. Another service, now available from the Trussville

email address, new password and library card information.

From there, the user has several choices of how to enjoy the content. Hoopla can be used from a web browser, an application can be downloaded to a mobile device, or an application can be downloaded to a Roku device, Chromecast, Android TV, Amazon Firestick or Apple TV. Once set up with Hoopla, patrons can check out movies and television shows for three

days, music albums for a week, and audio-books, eBooks and eComic books for three weeks.

Reaction to the new service, by patrons of the Trussville Library, has been highly positive.

“They were really excited to find out we were getting it,” Administrative Assistant Viridiana Herrera said.

New adopters of Hoopla, however, will want to hang on to Overdrive and Libby for a while yet.

“It is totally different content,” Assistant Director Jason Baker said. “There is next to no overlap.”

However, given the ease of use and access that Overdrive, Libby, and now Hoopla provide it is not too difficult at all for users to check all three for the content that they want.

Patrons of the Trussville Library that would like to try out Hoopla can get started by visiting the Trussville Library’s Hoopla website.

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The Hoopla service offers the users not only eBooks, eComic books and audio-books, but expands the types of digital media available to categories such as music albums, television shows and movies.

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Dec. 5 - Dec. 11, 2018

Trussville woman’s act of kindness for first responders becomes annual event From The Trussville Tribune staff reports TRUSSVILLE –An act of kindness two years ago was intended to show appreciation for Trussville police officers and firefighters. Now entering it’s third year, it has grown into an annual event for organizer Beverly Cross.

With the help of friends, community members, and some local restaurants, Cross will organize meals for the first responders on all shifts for the first three weekends in December.

“I started this in December of 2016,” Cross said. “At the time, there was a lot of negativity in the media about police.

I just wanted our local heroes to know that we appreciate everything they do for us and our little town. We set everything up so it’s ready to go when our heroes line up to eat. I organize getting food, desserts, drinks, ice, paper products, etc.”

Beverly Cross organizes food for TPD and TFRD for the first three weekends of December each year.

It’s a gesture that is much appreciated by police officers and firefighters, said Police Chief Eric Rush, who was thankful for Cross’ effort.

“We are grateful that the Trussville community comes together each December and shows their support for public safety by providing us tons of delicious food during the month,” Rush said. “Each weekend is literally a feast!

Mrs. Cross goes above and beyond in organizing this effort

and ensures that we have just the right amounts of everything.”

There are challenges that come with such an undertaking. In addition to extensive planning and organizing, collecting enough food to feed the men and women of two large departments requires a lot of help.

“I try to get all the food I can every weekend,” Cross said. “My goal is to have enough that all the shifts can

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eat on it all weekend. I do a lot of begging and pleading on my Facebook page, on the What’s Happening in Trussville Facebook page, and group messages to my friends.”

Cross said the help comes from a lot of sources to help pull off the event.

“I’ve been very lucky to have a few people that step up every year and help,” Cross

said. “We’ve even been blessed by a few local restaurants that will bring in food. It takes a lot of food to feed that many people for the whole weekend.”

While a lot of people are already assisting, Cross said additional people who would like to help provide food would be welcome. The best way for someone to let her know that they would like to help would

be via direct message on Facebook or sending her a text at 205-739-8612.

“I ask that everyone have their food at the police station around 10:45 to 11 a.m., ready to eat,” Cross said. “They don’t have to stay, they can just drop it off. I don’t even mind meeting people on Friday to get their food if they can’t get there on Saturday.”

TPD FINDS, from front page

story, Lt. Phil Dillon said.

The story making the rounds on social media said a screaming woman was abducted at gunpoint and pushed into a white vehicle in the shopping center parking lot.

A call is believed to have been made to Birmingham

police, who turned the information over to Trussville police.

“We haven’t found anyone that saw anything or talked to anyone with first-hand knowledge of the alleged incident,” Dillon said.

Trussville officers spent the afternoon investigating

the claim, but have found no evidence to support it at this time.

“We will continue to investigate, and if anyone has any first hand knowledge, I would urge them to call us,” Dillon said. “But as of now, we’ve found no evidence of an abduction.”

DOG PARK, from front page

Mayor William Isley Jr. notified council members and public that he will regrettably not be in attendance at the Christmas Parade and other holiday activities.

“I have been diagnosed with a serious medical condition requiring that I have immediate surgery,” he said.

The mayor will be at St. Vincent’s Dec. 7 – 14 and expects to fully recover within four to six weeks, returning to light duty within two to three weeks.

The council unanimously agreed to pursue a purchasing contract of four acres of land at 101 Camp Road. Drainage from the lot in question has negatively impacted the fields within Springville City Park. Acquiring the land would provide the city an opportunity to reroute drainage while also improving the safety and aesthetics of the lot for improved public parking.

In other business, the council approved various expenses

as requested by public works, police, fire, and parks & recreation departments. The council also passed amendments to two ordinances impacting public nuisances of noise and litter.

Council members voted to cancel the Dec. 17 meeting and postpone the Jan. 7 meeting. Due to these modifications, the next regularly scheduled meeting will be Thursday, Jan. 10, at 6:30 p.m. at Springville City Hall, following a 5:30 p.m. work session.

MOODY MAN, from front page

glary, unlawful breaking and entering a vehicle, and failure to appear for making a terrorist threat and ex-felon in possession of a firearm.

Hunter, 26, is 5 feet, 6 inches tall, and weighs 160 lbs. His last known address

Ronald Demetrie Hunter

was in the 3300 block of Pinehill Road in Moody.

If you know Hunter’s whereabouts or have any information that may assist in his apprehension, please call Crime Stoppers at (205) 2547777.

Dec. 5 - Dec. 11, 2018

The Trussville Tribune

Metro / State

Page 7

Business graduate pursues career with UPS after bout with childhood cancers From The Trussville Tribune staff reports BIRMINGHAM — A two-time childhood cancer survivor, Rusty Duvall, will graduate from the University of Alabama at Birmingham with his bachelor’s degree in industrial distribution Saturday, Dec. 15, and start his dream job with the United Parcel Service in January.

When Duvall was 7 years old, physicians found a brain tumor that his parents knew would impact his life. At age 11, Duvall was diagnosed with a rare cancer in the bones of his eye socket.

“Sometimes I feel like my childhood was ripped from me in the blink of an eye,” said Duvall, a senior in the UAB Collat School of Business from St. Clair County, Alabama. “I spent a lot of time in the hospital. I didn’t get to grow up doing a lot of the things that I wanted to do.

When I did get to go home, I was really weak and tired.”

Within the first four weeks of his brain tumor diagnosis, Duvall had four surgeries related to the brain tumor and a fifth surgery later that year.

At one point, Duvall had fluid leaking from his brain and had to have emergency surgery to place a shunt in order to stop the drainage.

Duvall did not suffer any serious problems from brain surgery, but has felt the lifelong effects from the high dosage of chemotherapy and the surgeries that followed.

Duvall has chronic periphial neuropathy, where the nerves

in his right leg are dead, leaving him without muscle strength. He had several surgeries over the course of three and a half years to fix the nerve damage in his leg and eventually help him walk better in the future.

“I have a slight limp when I walk from the lack of muscle strength in my right leg,” Duvall said. “Unfortunately, they were never able to fully repair the nerves, but were able to prevent further damage. My legs and ankles are still very weak.”

The high dosage chemotherapy made Duvall very sick. He lost his hair and became extremely underweight.

Because of the surgeries and chemotherapy, Duvall missed most of his second and third grade years in school. His teachers at Odenville Elementary School made sure he did not miss out on his education by working with his parents to complete assignments at home.

“School was always important to me, but it was hard to keep up with the work during this time,” Duvall said.

“I would try my best to get up and go to school, but I was just physically too weak and sick to be there. Luckily, my teachers and my mom helped me through, and I passed both grades.”

Four years later, he was diagnosed with a rare bone cancer near his eye that was completely unrelated to the brain tumor. Duvall was devastated to learn that he had cancer again and became depressed.

The physicians at Children’s

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of Alabama did a biopsy on the bone cancer to determine that it was easily treatable.

Duvall underwent two surgeries to remove the cancer and another year of chemotherapy and steroids.

“My parents and I couldn’t believe that we had to go through this again,” Duvall said. “The treatments made me very sick and I was out of school for most of my sixth grade year, too.”

Duvall’s teachers worked with him to help him finish up the school year on time. On Aug. 18, 2008, he received his last chemotherapy treatment just in time to start seventh grade. He had 13 surgeries related to the two cancer diagnoses, with the last surgery taking place when he was a senior in high school.

“Cancer has changed me and made me a better person,” Duvall said. “Every day is a new day, and each day is a chance to get better and improve myself.”

In 2005, Duvall started at-

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tending Camp Smile-A-Mile, an organization that provides year-round programming that serves children and their families from diagnosis and throughout the years of treatment. Taylor Lawrence was his camp counselor from 2010-2014 and is a UAB Collat School of Business alumni. Lawrence and Duvall discussed his future and what he wanted to do. Lawrence would tell Duvall what college classes were like and the career opportunities that could follow upon graduation.

“I knew I wanted to go to UAB to pursue my degree and secure my future,” Duvall said. “But college was not looking like an option because of financial constraints.

My parents worked hard to provide for me and my siblings, but college just seemed far-fetched.”

Upon graduation from St. Clair County High School in 2014, Duvall continued to pursue his dreams of higher

education by applying for The Smith Scholarship Foundation, which provides scholarships to deserving Alabama students who have served their communities and have also faced adversity throughout their lives.

“Rusty is the type of person we should all want to be: kind, considerate and dedicated,” said Ahrian Dudley, executive director of the The Smith Scholarship Foundation. “He achieves through perseverance and grit. Securing his degree and job was not easy. Rusty learned to adapt both academically and professionally by maturely dealing with obstacles. He combined his hard work and support systems in place at UAB, the Foundation and community to succeed. He has accomplished more than he dreamed possible when he first set foot on campus. We are so proud of him and the positive impact he has already made on so many people.”

During Duvall’s high school years, he had volunteered and served his community for more than 300 hours.

His ability to overcome his challenges, alongside giving back to his community, led to his selection as a Smith Scholar. The scholarship and support programs enabled him to attend UAB and complete his degree.

In the fall of 2014, Duvall started UAB in pursuit of a nursing degree. He had been in and out of hospitals so much as a young child, and thought this was his calling. After speaking with his

mentor, Lawrence, he learned about the UAB Collat School of Business’s Industrial Distribution program. During Duvall’s junior year, he switched his major, looking to find a career in the business industry.

Duvall received an internship with UPS before his junior year at UAB, where he learned the inner workings of industrial engineering at the Memphis distribution center.

Duvall was invited back to intern with UPS before his senior year at the Birmingham distribution center. Upon graduation, Duvall will work at UPS full time as an industrial engineer supervisor.

“The experience I received at UPS really proved that I had taken the right career path,” Duvall said. “When they offered me a job, I couldn’t believe that I achieved my dreams amid all of the challenges I faced as a child.”

About UAB Known for its innovative and interdisciplinary approach to education at both the graduate and undergraduate levels, the University of Alabama at Birmingham is an internationally renowned research university and academic medical center, as well as Alabama’s largest employer, with some 23,000 employees, and has an annual economic impact exceeding $7 billion on the state.

The pillars of UAB’s mission include education, research, innovation and economic development, community engagement, and patient care.

Learn more at www.uab.edu.

UAB: Powered by will.

The Trussville Tribune

Page 8

Dec. 5 - Dec. 11, 2018

GUARDSMAN, from front page

father’s footsteps. He said he always expected to one day parlay his military training and certifications into a commercial driver’s license and profitable career, but he never anticipated needing it to save a life here at home.

On Nov. 22, less than a year out of Initial Entry Training, the 18-year-old private first class, currently assigned to the 2025th Transportation Company out of Jacksonville, said he was Black Friday shopping at the Riverchase Galleria mall in Hoover with his cousin and a few friends when he heard two distinct gunshots over the sound of the crowds.

A few seconds passed, then he heard two or three more.

“At that point, everybody was running and screaming,” he said. “It was chaotic. And that’s when I crossed (the injured girl’s) path. They

were screaming ‘(she’s) hurt, (she’s) hurt,’ so I stopped and told them I could help.”

The 12-year-old girl, running with her sister and grandmother, had been shot in the back, though she hadn’t realized it at the time and only remarked that it “hurt.” Billingsley, however, recognized right away.

“I cleaned off as much of the blood as I could with what I had,” he said. “Then a police officer came up and I asked him to grab me a shirt off a rack nearby and I used it to apply pressure and try to slow her bleeding.”

Billingsley said he kept her calm and stable, holding pressure on the wound until paramedics arrived to transport her to the emergency room. Billingsley said he also accompanied her sister and grandmother to the ambulance to shield their view from bodies on the floor near-

by.

Billingsley’s parents and unit leadership both said they were unsurprised to hear how he responded in the moment.

“We’re very proud of him, but not surprised,” his mother, Amanda Billingsley, said.

“That’s just the type of young man that he is, and we’re thanking God he was at the right place at the right time to help.”

Capt. Jody Harkins, company commander of the 2025th Transportation Company, echoed the sentiment.

“When I got the call that he was the one involved in this incident, I was immediately proud to know him and share a unit with him,” Harkins said. “Even from my first impressions of Pfc. Billingsley, he’s just been that kind of guy, but I think that would also be the reaction of most Alabama Guardsmen in that moment.

Traffic accident on I-65 near Exit 231 leaves one dead From The Trussville Tribune staff reports SHELBY COUNTY — State troopers were dispatched to a single vehicle crash on I-65 Northbound near Exit 231 at approximate-

ly 6:48 a.m. on Friday, according to ALEA. ALEA has reported that the vehicle left the roadway and struck an embankment.

The driver, 24-year-old Cayla Danielle from Shelby County, was not wearing her seat-

belt and was ejected from the vehicle. Danielle was pronounced dead on the scene by the Shelby County Coroner.

The crash is still under investigation by state troopers.

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Rashad Billingsley, photo provided by the Alabama Army National Guard.

“That’s what we’re trained for, and that’s what these guys live to do. They’re always volunteering for any missions, they love their country, love their community, love to do their part and they love to serve the people around them.

Pfc. Billingsley did a heroic and outstanding thing and, while I certainly can’t take any credit for it, I’m proud to be his commander.”

Billingsley, however, never used the word “proud,” saying, instead, that he is sim-

ply “grateful.”

“I’m just glad I could help her out,” he said, “glad God put me there in that moment, and glad I had the training I needed so I could potentially help save this girl’s life.”

Ultimately, he said, it was that training that made the difference. He admitted he is not a medic or even Combat Life Saver-certified, but feels the soldier-level combat casualty care training drilled into him since his first unit of assignment had “fully pre-

pared” him to act quickly and appropriately.

“It was just natural,” he said. “It all clicked in the moment. I didn’t panic, I knew what to do and I just acted.”

Billingsley said he is trying to stay humble in the midst of media attention and tries not to bring it up, but he is quick to encourage others to get the same training.

“A lot of people my age say, ‘Oh, I’m gonna try to do this or that, but I’ll keep the military as a plan B,’ but I always tell them, ‘No, the military really can be plan A,’” he said. “You get the best training on so many things; it really opens up a lot of opportunities to do good for yourself and maybe someone else, too.”

Billingsley said he has been in constant communication with the young girl he helped, as well as her family, and is happy to see her recovering. He looks forward to life returning to normal for himself and for her.

Harkins said Billingsley is expected to be promoted to the rank of specialist in January 2019, and he wouldn’t be surprised to see Billingsley receive official military recognition for his actions.

Alabama AG announces new Law Enforcement Coordinator From The Trussville Tribune staff reports MONTGOMERY – Attorney General Steve Marshall announced that City of Demopolis Public Safety Director Chief Tommie Reese Sr. has been appointed to serve as the new law enforcement coordinator for the Alabama Attorney General’s Office. Reese will

begin work in the Attorney General’s Office in January.

“I am pleased that Chief Tommie Reese will serve as my new liaison with Alabama’s law enforcement community,” Attorney General Marshall said. “Chief Reese brings over 30 years of varied law enforcement experience from the state to the local level, and is well known and respected

by his peers. In particular, he has served the people of Demopolis and Marengo County with distinction and I look forward to his leadership on my team come January.”

In his new capacity, Reese will work with law enforcement agencies across the state to develop training See ALABAMA AG, Page 9

Dec. 5 - Dec. 11, 2018

The Trussville Tribune

Page 9

Birmingham man and father charged with multimillion dollar investment fraud, bank fraud scheme From The Trussville Tribune staff reports BIRMINGHAM – Two men, a father and son, were charged today with concocting a scheme that allegedly defrauded individual investors and Alamerica Bank out of millions of dollars, announced Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Jay E. Town of the Northern District of Alabama, FBI Special Agent in Charge Johnnie Sharp of the Birmingham Division, and IRS-Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge

Thomas J. Holloman.

Donald V. Watkins Sr., 70, of Atlanta, Georgia, and Donald V. Watkins Jr., 46, of Birmingham, Alabama, were charged in a 10-count indictment filed in the Northern District of Alabama with seven counts of wire fraud, two counts of bank fraud, and one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and bank fraud.

According to the indictment, from 2007 until at least 2014, the defendants induced investors to pay millions of dollars into a bank account controlled by Donald Watkins Sr. by telling the investors that their money would be used for

specific purposes related to the international growth of two companies associated with the defendants. Instead of using the money for those purposes, the defendants redirected the funds for other uses, including the payment of personal tax obligations, personal loan payments, alimony and clothing, the indictment alleges.

“Persons who defraud investors through material misrepresentations, omissions and lies must be held accountable,” lead prosecutor Lloyd Peeples said. “As set forth in today’s indictment, the defendants mislead numerous individual investors and used their in-

vestments for unrelated purposes.”

For example, the indictment quotes one solicitation in which Donald Watkins Sr. represented that he needed an investor’s funds to pay for investment bankers and lawyers ahead of an anticipated business transaction, when, in fact, the funds allegedly went toward the payment of unrelated expenses. The indictment also alleges that, up until 2016, the defendants sent the investors stakeholder reports and other updates that purported to keep the investors apprised of developments related to the companies involved, but were instead intended to conceal

what had really happened to the investors’ money.

The defendants are also charged with conspiring to obtain loans from Alamerica Bank through an allegedly fraudulent scheme involving the use of a third party to take out the loans on their behalf. Finally, the indictment charges the defendants for fraudulently obtaining money from Alamerica Bank by convincing one of their investor victims to apply for loans under his name, when — as they had planned — the defendants ultimately took and used those funds for their own purposes.

The FBI and IRS-CI investigated the case. Trial

Attorney Kyle Hankey of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section, First Assistant U.S. Attorney Lloyd Peeples and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Beau Brown of the Northern District of Alabama (the latter of whom is on detail from the Alabama Securities Commission) are prosecuting the case. Former Assistant U.S. Attorney Xavier O. Carter also was instrumental in the investigation.

The charges in the indictment are merely allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Justice Education from the University of Virginia and is a graduate of the distinguished FBI National Academy Session 210th, Quantico, Virginia. He is further recognized as a Certified Chief of Police by the Alabama Association of Chiefs of Police and as a Certified Law Enforcement Executive by the Alabama Peace Officer’s Standards and Training Commission. He currently serves as President of the

Alabama Peace Officer’s Association and was recently appointed to the Board of Directors for the International Association of Chiefs of Police. He served two terms as President of the Alabama Association of Chiefs of Police.

Reese replaces former Attorney General Law Enforcement Coordinator Chris Carden, who retired from state service in September.

ALABAMA AG, from page 8

programs, to notify officers of changes in criminal law, and to facilitate communication and cooperation between the Attorney General’s Office and law enforcement statewide.

“I am truly honored by the opportunity to work with the Alabama Attorney General’s Office under Attorney General Steve Marshall as his law enforcement coordinator,” Reese said. “It is going to be a privilege to con-

tinue my professional career by serving the men and women of law enforcement and the citizens of the state of Alabama in this position.

I look forward to continuing the good work of those who served before me while making Alabama an even better place for its citizens.”

A native of Demopolis, Reese began his law enforcement career with the Alabama Department of Public Safety in 1985. He

later joined the Demopolis Police Department as a patrolman. In 1991, he joined the Marengo County Sheriff’s Office as a deputy sheriff. In 1994, he was appointed to Chief Deputy, where he served until he was appointed Chief of Police for the City of Demopolis in 2009.

During his tenure as chief, he has focused on crime prevention and combining community-police partnerships.

He developed The Demopo-

lis Citizens Police Academy (CPA) and The Demopolis Police Youth Leadership Academy (DPYLA), which have strengthened a greater police-community effort in resolving crime and community issues. In 2017, Reese was appointed Director of Public Safety, expanding his oversight to include both the Demopolis police and fire departments.

Reese holds a graduate certificate in Criminal

4 students win 2018 Congressional App Challenge From The Trussville Tribune staff reports BIRMINGHAM – Congressman Gary Palmer announced four students from Jefferson County International

Baccalaureate School as the winners of Alabama’s Sixth Congressional District’s first Congressional App Challenge.

The winners were Aniket Pant, Viraj Kacker, Lonnie Webb and Cole McKee. The team de-

signed an app to bring awareness to the water crisis in Tanzania, Africa.

The winning students called their app, “Water Well Forecasting and Analysis in Tanzania, Africa.” The app has the

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intended purpose of predicting the functionality of water wells in real time and in the future.

“This is an impressive group of students with creativity and talent,” Palmer said.

“Technology skills are more

important than ever today and I’m glad that the Congressional App Challenge offered students of the Sixth District the chance to grow in these areas. I congratulate Aniket, Viraj, Lonnie and Cole on their winning app.

They should be very proud.”

Apps were judged by Steven Puckett of Southern Research. The winning students will receive a special recognition certificate from Congressman Palmer.

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The Trussville Tribune

Page 10

Dec. 5 - Dec. 11, 2018

Alabama man pretending to be college softball coach pleads guilty in South Florida of producing child pornography From The Trussville Tribune staff reports DOTHAN – Jason Ford, a former teaching assistant and travel softball coach, pled guilty on Nov. 20 in South Florida for attempting to produce child pornography.

Ariana Fajardo Orshan, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, George L. Piro, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Miami, Florida Field Office, Charles P. Spencer, Special

Agent in Charge of the FBI Jacksonville, Florida Field Office, James E. Jewell, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Mobile, Alabama Field Office, and Alphonso Norris, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Columbia, South Carolina Field Office made the announcement.

Ford, 42, of Dothan, Alabama, is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Beth Bloom on Feb. 1, 2019, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida (Case No. 18-cr-60117). He faces a mandatory minimum

sentence of 15 years in prison.

According to the court docket, including the agreed upon factual proffer, Ford was a teaching assistant and travel softball coach, working out of Dothan. However, Ford falsely represented himself to be a University of North Florida and University of South Carolina softball coach, in order to have contact with female high school softball players.

Ford engaged in a calculated scheme to gain the trust

of minor females who aspired to earn college athletic scholarships. He engaged in inappropriate conversations with teen softball players in Florida, Alabama and Tennessee.

Ultimately, Ford made contact online with an undercover agent he believed to be a 15-year-old female softball player. Ford was arrested after he sent the teen (who, in fact, was an undercover agent) currency for a sexually explicit video.

U.S. Attorney Fajardo Orshan commended the in-

vestigative efforts of the FBI Miami, Florida, Jacksonville, Florida, Mobile, Alabama, and Columbia, South Carolina Field Offices in this matter.

She also thanked the Dothan Police Department for their assistance. The case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney M. Catherine Koontz.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched

in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. 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, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www. projectsafechildhood.gov.

Fultondale doctor indicted for prescribing controlled substances, healthcare fraud From The Trussville Tribune staff reports BIRMINGHAM – A federal grand jury, in a 103-count superseding indictment, charged a Fultondale doctor on Thursday with conspiracy to prescribe controlled substances and participating in a healthcare fraud conspiracy with a Demopolis pharmacist and a Tuscaloosa sales representative, announced U.S. Attorney Jay E. Town, DEA Special Agent in Charge Stephen G. Azzam, and FBI Special Agent in Charge Johnnie Sharp Jr.

Paul Roberts, M.D., 46, of Fultondale, is charged with multiple counts of conspiring and dispensing controlled substances without a legitimate medical purpose. The drugs Roberts prescribed include Adderall, a drug used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorders, Suboxone, a drug used to treat opioid addiction, and oxycodone, an opioid. The indictment charges Roberts with prescribing oxycodone to an individual described as C.H. “in exchange for sexual favors performed

by C.H. at various locations.”

Roberts is also charged

with participating in a healthcare fraud conspiracy and scheme that involved delegating responsibility for seeing patients with opioid addictions to staff such as his X-ray technician and office manager, but billing Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama as though he personally saw the patients.

The indictment also charges Roberts, along with Stanley F. Reeves, 60, of Demopolis, a pharmacist and owner of F&F Drugs, and Brett Taft, 45, of Tuscaloosa, with defrauding third-party administrators of health insurance plans of over $10.5 million in fraud-

ulently billed compounded drugs. Reeves is also charged with making false statements to federal agents and with tampering with a witness, and both Reeves and Taft are charged with spending the proceeds of health care fraud.

“The U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners will continue to aggressively pursue doctors who demonstrate such blatant disregard for their patients’ well-being, and to prosecuting individuals who defraud the healthcare insurance plans that exist to help the citizens of this district pay for healthcare,”

Town said. “Dope dealers sometimes wear a white coat.”

“DEA is fully committed to the pursuit of any individual who abandons their oath as a medical professional,” Azzam said. “We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners, the medical community and the public to identify and stop those responsible for endangering lives in our communities and bring them to justice.”

The maximum punishment for the dispensing controlled substances charges is 20 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine. The maximum penalty

for health care fraud and conspiracy charges is 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

The maximum penalty for the false statement charge is five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The maximum penalty for the witness tampering charge is 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

The maximum penalty for the spending proceeds of healthcare fraud charge is 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

DEA and FBI investigated the cases, which Assistant U.S. Attorneys Austin Shutt and Chinelo Dike-Minor are prosecuting.

Missing Georgia senior found dead off Finley Boulevard From The Trussville Tribune staff reports BIRMINGHAM — Birmingham Police Department has reported that the

a 68-year-old Georgia man who went missing last week has been located.

Alto Griffin, of Poulan, Georgia, was last seen Tuesday, Nov. 27, at ap-

proximately 3 a.m. He was found unresponsive near Finley Boulevard, near the interstate. Griffin was later pronounced dead. Investigators do not suspect foul play

at this time.

According to authorities, while traveling by Greyhound Bus from San Antonio, Texas, Griffin became separated from his

wife during a stop at the Greyhound Bus terminal in Birmingham. He had recently been diagnosed with the early stages of Alzheimer’s. Griffin is was retired

war veteran, last seen wearing a black Michael Kors jacket with a hood, faded blue jeans and black tennis shoes.

The Trussville Tribune

Dec. 5 - Dec. 11, 2018

Teen missing from Arab may be in Birmingham area From The Trussville Tribune staff reports

“Lilly Chapman, 15, was last seen Wednesday morning,” police said via social media. “Lilly may be in the Birmingham area. If you have any information that would help in locating this juvenile, please contact Arab Police Department at 256-5868124.”

ARAB –Police in Arab need help finding a teenager who has been missing since Wednesday. According to an alert issued by the police, she may be in the Birmingham area.

Pell City woman indicted on wire, bank fraud From The Trussville Tribune staff reports BIRMINGHAM – A federal grand jury indicted a Pell City woman on multiple counts of wire fraud and bank fraud on Thursday, according to U.S. Attorney Jay E. Town and FBI Special Agent in Charge Johnnie Sharp.

Julia Hollis Meyers, 53, has been charged in a seventeen-count indictment filed in U.S. District Court with stealing money from her former employer. Meyers was previously employed by Hib-

bett Sports, Inc., as a Senior Lease Administrator. While employed by Hibbett Sports, Meyers obtained checks for vendor lease payments from Hibbett Sports and deposited the checks into her personal bank account. Additionally, Meyers engaged in a scheme to direct ACH payments from Hibbett Sports to her personal bank account. The defendant’s scheme is alleged to have resulted in Meyers stealing over $200,000 from her employer.

“This is yet another example of an employee stealing

from her employer,” Town said. “This outright theft and misuse of funds will not be tolerated and those who continue to operate these type schemes will be prosecuted in federal court.”

The maximum penalty for each count of wire fraud is 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The maximum penalty for each count of bank fraud is 30 years and a $1,000,000 fine.

The FBI investigated the case, which Assistant U.S. Attorney Robin Beardsley Mark is prosecuting.

MAN ARRESTED, from front page

troopers took Wells into custody and will be transporting him to the St. Clair County Jail in Pell City, where he’ll

be held with no bond.

According to ALEA, Wells is suspected of driving under the influence at the time

of a traffic crash that led to the deaths of four people.

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Tax preparer from Bessemer sentenced to two years in prison for filing false returns From The Trussville Tribune staff reports BIRMINGHAM – A federal judge on Tuesday sentenced tax preparer Pamela Whitt, also known as Pamela Motley, of Bessemer, to two years in prison for filing false tax returns, according to U.S. Attorney Jay E. Town and Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge Thomas J. Holloman.

“The U.S. Attorney’s Office and IRS-Criminal Investigation will continue to aggressively pursue those who threaten the integrity of the tax system,” Town said.

“Dishonest and abusive tax preparers like Whitt, who make their living preparing and filing false tax returns, will be charged with federal crimes and will go to federal prison.”

“As we enter the tax return filing season, it is important that every taxpayer reviews their tax return and verifies that all of the information is correct on that return,” Holloman said. “This case is a prime example of a return preparer who was not credible and, in addition to filing her own false tax returns, she filed false tax returns for her clients.”

Whitt pleaded guilty in July to her role in filing

false tax returns. According to her plea agreement, Whitt made false representations on her 2011 and 2012 individual tax returns by willfully underreporting receipts from her business and further falsely listed her filing status as single.

The receipts related to over 1,000 federal income tax returns prepared.

Whitt also filed false tax returns for her clients, to inflate the amount of tax refund they would receive. Whitt agreed to pay restitution of $146,177.

IRS-CI investigated the case, which Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert O. Posey prosecuted.

The Trussville Tribune

Page 12

Dec. 5 - Dec. 11, 2018

Calendar

December 3 – 7 Winter Book Fair Magnolia Elementary School December 6 SHINE Christmas Spectacular Cahaba Elementary School December 6 HTHS Christmas Concert Hewitt-Trussville High School fine arts wing beginning at 5 p.m.

December 6 Homeschool Book Club 11 a.m. to noon at the Trussville Public Library Cahaba Room. Teens ages 11-14 years will read and discuss young adult books over pizza.

December 6 Inspirational Book Club Join us for Inspirational Book Club! Each month we will read and discuss a fiction or nonfiction book of an inspirational nature. Go here to register: http://www.trussvillelibrary. com/adult/adult-events/. Call 655-2022 for more information.

December 7 Christmas Tree Lighting Celebration Begins at 6 p.m. in the Trussville Mall.

December 8 Arlington Antebellum House and Gardens Holiday Open House Christmas at Arlington is Arlington’s gift to the City of Birmingham! Held the first full weekend in December (December 8-9, 2018), this Birmingham Christmas tradition is a great way to kick off the holiday season each year. Visitors are invited to “step back in time” as local decorators adorn rooms of the museum in seasonal period décor. Some of Birmingham’s finest decorators will make the past come alive in the rooms of Arlington with creative holiday decorations of Christmas Past. Friday, December 7, 2018 Hanging of the Green, Candlelight Program and Reception, 6:00 pm. $20 admission.

Saturday, December 8, 2018 – Arlington Open House, 10 am – 4 pm, free admission Sunday, December 9, 2018 – Arlington Open House, 1 pm – 4 pm, free admission Address: 331 Cotton Avenue SW, Birmingham, AL 35211; Phone: 205-780-5656 Facebook Page: Arlington House and Gardens; www. arlingtonantebellumhomeandgardens.com December 8 Trussville Christmas Parade 3 p.m. The mall downtown Trussville. Visit www.TrussvilleChamber.com.

December 9 Argo Food Bank Collection Cahaba Springs Presbyterian Church December 9 Cross Point Christmas Musical 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. at Crosspoint Church.

December 10 Teen Music Trussville Public Library in the Cahaba Room beginning at 4:30 p.m.

December 10 Trussville Planning and Zoning Meeting Trussville City Hall beginning at 6:30 p.m.

December 10 Trussville City Schools TCS BOE Meeting Work session begins at 4:30 p.m. and board meeting begins at 6 p.m. at the Trussville City Schools central office.

December 10 HTHS Christmas Choral Concert HTHS beginning at 7 p.m.

December 11 Second Grade Music Program Cahaba Elementary School beginning at 6:30 p.m.

December 11 Teen Advisory Board Trussville Public Library in the Parkway Room beginning at

4:30 p.m. for grades 6 and older will meet to plan library events and materials.

December 11 Trussville City Council Meeting The regularly scheduled Trussville City Council will meet at the Trussville Municipal Building beginning at 6 p.m.

December 11 Chess Club Trussville Public Library for grades 1-5 to learn the basics of chess beginning at 6 p.m.

December 11 Ukulele Club 6 p.m. at the Trussville Public Library in the Cahaba Room.

Visit the Ukulele Strummers on Facebook for more information and to register, facebook.com/groups/trussvilleUkulelestrummers.

December 12 Teen Games For sixth graders and up.

Trussville Public Library beginning at 4 p.m.

December 13 Magnolia Elementary School Polar Express Day December 14 Christmas Sing-a-Long Cahaba Elementary School beginning at 8:30 a.m.

December 14 TCS students dismiss at noon.

December 15 Wreaths Across America Jefferson Memorial is proud to be a partner with Wreaths Across America and Three Hots and a Cot. This year’s event will be on December 15th. Each December on National Wreaths Across America Day, our mission to Remember, Honor and Teach is carried out by coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery, as well as at more than 1,400 additional locations in all 50 U.S. states, at sea and abroad.

Join us by sponsoring a veterans’ wreath at a cemetery

near you, volunteering or donating to a local fundraising group.

Please contact Adam Seal for additional information at aseal@jmgardens.com.

December 17-January 2 Trussville City Schools winter break December 18 HTHS PTO Meeting Beginning at 12:30 p.m. at the high school.

December 17 – January 2 Athletic Performance, Speed and Agility Training for Young Athletes Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. for rising second through fourth graders; 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. for rising fourth graders through eighth graders at the Trussville Athletic Center.

Students will work on speed, agility, strength training, performance testing, nutrition and coaching. Pre-registration is required by Dec. 14.

Cost is $50 per student and $30 for siblings. Call Michael Ryan at (205) 482-0329 for more information.

December 17 Bolton Book Club Adult Book Club – each month we will read a selection (fiction or non-fiction) and discuss. For the December meeting, we will discuss The Hidden Light of Northern Fires by Daren Wang. Contact the Adult Dept. if you need assistance getting the book (also available in Large Print, audiobook, and ebook formats) Register here: http://www.trussvillelibrary. com/adult/adult-events/. Call 655-2022 for more information.

December 19 Thyme to Cook Holiday Fun for Kids Begin your holiday with a cooking class with kids your age (6-12 years) where all

treats are red, white and green! Come and enjoy Pita Trees, Colorful Veggie Wreath with Dip, Grinch Kabobs, Candy Cane Popcorn and Mint Hot Chocolate.

Please call 408-6550 to register by noon on Monday, December 17th. The cost is $15/child. Minimum of 4 children.

December 20 Comprehensive Diabetes Education If you have diabetes or prediabetes, this seminar at St. Vincent’s Trussville is a must. A physician’s referral is required. Pre-assessments are given proceeding the class time. Please call 939-7248 to register.

January 21-27 Scale Back Alabama Coming in January, Trussville will be a Weigh in site.

Weigh in week is January 21-27. More information about the challenge can be found at www.scalebackalabama.com.

January 25 Living Room Rest with Kirk Cameron Kirk Cameron will be bringing the Cameron living room to churches across the country, and want you to join him for a heartfelt conversation about what matters most to us as husbands, wives and parents. Think of it as a “home-run date night” with Kirk and his wife, Chelsea and also our special music guest, Matt Hammitt. A time to get away with your spouse for 3 hours with them to laugh together, pray together, learn together, and worship together, as everyone dives deep into the subjects that matter most to you and Kirk.

And best of all, you’ll learn how to see your family with new eyes, and be inspired about giving your family a “Living Room Reset”.

ONGOING Georgiana Davis Masonic Lodge Georgiana Davis Masonic Lodge No. 338 in Trussville meetings are at 7:30 p.m. on the 2nd/4th Monday at 190 Beechnut St., Trussville. For information, call Bruce Phillips at 205-4852.

Cahawba Art Association meetings The Cahawba Art Association meets the 2nd Monday 6 p.m. at the Trussville Library. For info call 661-0517.

Republican Women of Trussville The group meets on the first Thursday of the month at the Three Earred Rabbit in Trussville with meet and greet beginning at 5:30 p.m. For more information, contact cherylamathews@gmail.com or www.rwot.com.

Springville Military Order of the Purple Heart The Military Order of the Purple Heart Chapter 2213, Springville meets at the Smokin’ Grill at 85 Purple Heart Boulevard on the first Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m.

The Joyful Jammers The Joyful Jammers are looking for people to join us who enjoy playing Southern Appalachian folk music and hymns. Dulcimers, psalteries, spoons, and all types of acoustical stringed instruments are welcome. We are part of the Southern Appalachian Dulcimer Association (SADA). We meet each Thursday from 6-8pm at the First Baptist Church Trussville, AL. For more information and room location, contact E. Maddox at 205-542-0076.

For more events, please visit our on-line calendar at trussevents.com.

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Trussville Christmas Events

Caroling and Tree Lighting Ceremony Friday, December 7, 6-7pm (tree lighting at 6:30)

Join us on West Mall for caroling, booths and other Christmas activities.

Santa will also be there!

Christmas Parade Saturday, December 8, at 3pm

Register your float entry today! There are cash prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place.

For more information visit trussvillechamber.com

Special thanks to our presenting sponsor Amerex Corporation and also to the City of Trussville!

The Trussville Tribune

Dec. 5 - Dec. 11, 2018

Obituary

Bobbie Jo Brown Davis

Page 13

Francis L. Joyner

november 22, 1939 ~ november 25, 2018 (age 79)

july 19, 1921 ~ november 29, 2018 (age 97)

Bobbie Jo Brown Davis was born to the late Johnnie Brown and Ruth Manning Brown on November 22, 1939. She passed away on November 25, 2018 at the age of 79. She was a resident of Leeds, AL and a member of Westmont Baptist Church in Minor, AL. Bobbie Jo was is survived by her loving husband of 58 years, Bobby Davis; her son, Gregory Dewayne Davis; her two grandchildren, Brandon Davis and Brittany Davis; her sister Rhonda Brown Mark (Gary). She also leaves behind two brothers-in-law, one sister-in-law and numerous nieces and nephews. The family will have a memorial service for Bobbie Jo that will be held at Westmont Baptist Church on Wednesday, November 28th at 11:00 a.m. A meal and fellowship will follow the service. Pastor Landon Byrd will preside over the services. The family has requested that in lieu of flowers please send donations to Westmont Baptist Church in Minor, AL.

Mr. Francis Luther Joyner, age 97 of Remlap died Thursday, November 29, 2018. Mr. Joyner was preceded in death by his son; Steve Joyner, grandson; Michael West; great-grandchildren Emma and Oliver Hicks, sister Christine Meade and his loving wife of 67 years; Evelyn Jane Joyner. Survivors include daughters Judith Wood and Debora Thrasher; son, Isaac Joyner; daughter-in-law, Julie Joyner; nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be 12:00 pm Friday, December 7, 2018 at Jefferson Memorial Chapel with Rev. Sammy Hodges officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 11:00 am until service time. Burial will follow at Sunrise Memorial Gardens in Pinson with Jefferson Memorial East directing.

James E Massey

Willie K Reeves

november 4, 1955 ~ november 26, 2018 (age 63)

july 23, 1928 ~ november 26, 2018 (age 90) Willie Keith Reeves, age 90 of Birmingham, AL passed away on November 26, 2018.

She was a member of Huffman Baptist Church and the Happy Hearts Choir. She served as a Pink Lady with St. Vincent’s East Hospital. She is preceded in death by her daughter, Christy Brady; brother, Bill Smith and sisters, Frankie Williams and Ruby Alvarez.

She is survived by her daughters, Diane Garnette and Jeanie Cornelison (Rick); sisters, Maxie McCullough and Lettie Poe; brother, James Keith; grandchildren, Steven Cornelison, Greg Garnette, Stacey Phillips (Jeff), Stephanie Barnes, Shannon Cruz (Toby) and Michael Cornelison (Kimberly); great grandchildren, Logan Phillips, Carson Phillips, Christian Sullivan, Cole Cruz and Brooke Cruz and she leaves behind her constant companion, her puppy Susie. Visitation will be on Thursday, November 29, 2018 from 1 to 2 PM at Jefferson Memorial Funeral Home. Graveside services will follow at 2 PM at Jefferson Memorial Gardens East. Rev. Larry Smith will be officiating over the services. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Palliative Care at UAB. Jefferson Memorial Trussville directing.

Mildred Randall march 2, 1933 ~ december 2, 2018 (age 85) Mildred Mickie Gordon Randall, age 85, of Trussville, passed away December 2, 2018.

She was a member of South Roebuck and Trussville First Baptist Churches, and was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years Charles Dale Randall. Chapel services will be held on Wednesday, Dec 5 at 2pm with visitation from 1pm until 2pm. She is survived by her sons Gary Randall (Janet), Gordon Randall (Barbara) and Gray Randall, grandchildren Angel Smith, Jacob Randall, Jamie Justice, Garrett Randall, great grandchildren Catherine Randall, Linley Justice, and Zoey Justice.

James (Jimmy) E. Massey, Jr., 63, passed away on November 26, 2018 after fighting serious health problems most of his adult life. While our family is terribly sad to lose him, we are grateful that he is healed and at peace. He was born in Lawrenceburg, TN on November 4, 1955, son of the late James E. Massey, Sr. and Marcie Lee. He and the former Linda Montano Reid were married on July 9, 1994 and shared many beautiful memories. His career field was in electronics repair but his special talent for fixing most anything was appreciated by many. He enjoyed years of special trips to the mountains and the beach and to visit his family. He looked forward every spring to starting his vegetable garden, sharing his prize tomatoes and piddling around the house. And who can forget his spontaneous and playful nature and his recounting of stories. Mr. Massey is survived by his wife, Linda, step-son Jonathan Reid, sister, Kathy Tidwell (Scott), sister, Joy Bunt (Don), nephews Aaron and Dillon, nieces Lara, Julie and Lauren. He is also survived by his sisters-in-law Mary Achatz (Jim) and Jennifer Montano and in-laws Bill and Peggy Montano. Jimmy was a loving, caring and devoted husband, son, brother, son-in-law and stepfather who will be greatly missed. In honor of Jimmy’s wishes, a formal funeral will not be held.

He always said he wanted it to be an uplifting gathering of friends and family. So in thanksgiving to God and in joyous celebration of his life, there will be an informal Remembrance Gathering and reception on Sunday, December 2, 2018 between 1:00 and 4:00 pm at the family residence. A private burial for the family will be held earlier at Jefferson Memorial Gardens in Birmingham, AL. Memorial donations may be made to the Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens, 2612 Lane Park Road, Birmingham, AL 35223. ...for all that we love deeply becomes a part of us.

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Trussville, Al Trussville

The Trussville Tribune

Page 14

Dec. 5 - Dec. 11, 2018

Opinion

Obamacare’s individual mandate eliminated

By Judi McGuire, Capitol Steps After failing to overturn Obamacare earlier this year, Republicans in Congress found a way to weaken it through the tax bill. The GOP passed a law that eliminated the individual mandate penalty for not having health insurance.

Under Obamacare, people were required to buy insurance or pay a tax penalty.

Most Americans get their insurance through their employer or Medicare or Med-

icaid. Everyone else had to find coverage in order to avoid the penalty.

It is important to mention that the individual mandate penalty remains in effect for 2018. The penalty for not having healthcare coverage is $695 per adult or 2.5 percent of household income.

The Congressional Budget Office estimated that now that Obamacare’s individual mandate has been repealed, that beginning in 2019 there potentially could be around 4 million people

Judi McGuire

without health care. Also, without the tax penalty pro-

vision, convincing people to sign up for healthcare will be more difficult.

President Trump and the Republican administration significantly reduced grants for the Affordable Care Act (ACA) advertising and outreach. This year, it will spend $20 million on advertising and navigators. Navigators help people sign up for health insurance. Former President Obama spent $67 million on advertising and navigators.

The Trump administration has criticized the nav-

igator program saying it doesn’t enroll a large number of people, but Sabrina Corlette, a research professor at the Center on Health Insurance Reforms at the Georgetown University Health Policy Institute, said otherwise.

“That’s not the point of navigators,” Corlette said.

“The average appointment is 90 minutes. They are taking on complicated family situations, tricky issues like if you’re not salaried or if you have a mixed-status family. There’s all kinds of

reasons determining eligibility, it is incredibly complicated. Navigators are there for those people.

“Technically, the tax bill doesn’t actually repeal the individual mandate under Obamacare, it simply reduces the penalty for going uncovered to zero,” she added.

“But in practice, eliminating the individual mandate penalty will have the same result as eliminating the individual mandate altogether.”

When being good is hard, but being bad is harder

By June Mathews I try to be good. I really do. Especially this time of year. With Santa coming to town, I’d like to think I’ve got at least half a chance to wake up on Christmas morning to a new car or a remodeled kitchen. Not that I really expect or need such lavish gifts but, hey, if they were to magically appear, I sure wouldn’t turn them down.

Like most people, however, there are times when I just can’t help but be bad.

Not to the point of criminally malicious, though I can’t say I haven’t considered murder a time or two. (I’ve been married to the same man for nearly 40 years, so I’m entitled.) But considering my age and energy level, my sins these days tend to-

June Mathews ward the more effortless stuff like gluttony, sloth, and envy of people with active metabolisms and weekly housecleaning help.

But through many years of trial-and-error, I’ve discovered that being truly bad takes a combination of

shrewdness and smarts I just don’t have. In other words, I’m not very good at being bad.

As I recently shared on Facebook, I was once caught skipping class on Sadie Hawkins Days, oversized water gun in hand, ready to douse an unsuspecting target. I was hoping for a certain mean girl, but no such luck.

Thing is, I was stationed about 20 feet from the school offices, and – to nobody’s surprise but mine – the first person to walk by was the principal. Fortunately, my trigger finger froze, preventing me from compounding an already sticky situation by soaking the very person I’d never cared to tangle with.

As it was, the consequences of my actions were small. Since it was my first

visit to his office, the principal simply gave me a stern talking-to and sent me to class. But to this day, I can’t imagine what I was thinking. I mean, good grief, who skips class then hangs out near the principal’s office?

My weakness in the badness department is further illustrated by an incident that occurred while spending the night at my best junior high school friend’s house, and we decided to roll the neighbors’ yard. Now keep in mind, we’d never rolled a yard before and had no clue how to go about it. But we figured it was a cool thing to do and blindly proceeded with our plans.

Other than that, the circumstances were ideal. Her grandmother, who kept house for my friend and her

single father, had recently laid in a new supply of toilet tissue, and both adults were sound asleep.

We took great care in plotting our escape from the house, even thinking to grease the hinges on the front door to minimize any creaking sound they would make when we opened it. Once outside, we hightailed it down the street, only to come to a screeching halt when confronted with one lone, towering pine in our intended victims’ yard, a critical detail we’d failed to notice.

For those of you unversed in the art of yard-rolling, this meant a distinct lack of limbs from which to stream toilet tissue. Thus, the festive effect we were going for would be practically nil. Considering our other options – which

were none – we sadly strolled back up the street and gave up on the idea of any mischief-making that night.

All that to say, while my intentions aren’t always the purest, my ability to be truly bad is hindered by a sheer lack of skill and savvy. So maybe Santa will sympathize with my ineptness, give me a passing score in terms of goodness, and drop some major presents by my house this Christmas Eve. But wait. I’m the one who manages the money around here, and once you’re grown, visits from Santa don’t come cheap. So in the interest of saving a few bucks at Christmastime, maybe I’ll just keep trying to be my bad old self after all.

Email June Mathews at jmathews120@charter.net.

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The Trussville Tribune

Dec. 5 - Dec. 11, 2018

Page 15

Faith

A word aptly spoken When someone is grieving there are no words you can speak to make it any better.

However there are things you can say to make it worse.

I spend a decent amount of time around people who are hurting. Over the past few years I have preached hundred(s) of funerals for families who don’t have a minister. I have counseled families who have lost loved ones to suicide, depression, cancer, and even murder.

I have stood at the casket with too many young widows and their children as their family has become yet another victim to our nation’s drug epidemic or opioid crisis. All of this is

on top of my regular duties as a pastor, where I often counsel people through issues of divorce, abuse, betrayal, adultery, depression, eating disorders, death, addiction, family conflict, financial hardship, and sexual identity. People are hurting. Unfortunately most of the time I don’t possess the magic words to make it all better.

During the time of the Old Testament, the Hebrew people began a practice called ‘Sitting Shiva’. This practice was common during a time of mourning over death and usually helped with the grieving process quite well. The process goes like this: when a friend experiences

Andy Waits death, you simply go to their house and sit for seven days.

You have no agenda other than to simply sit and listen, letting the person know you are there.

If they want to talk, you talk. If they remain silent, you remain silent. Sometimes the person would read the Torah if they felt the timing was appropriate.

Your job is to practice the ministry of presence.

When a friend is grieving, you can do nothing better than spend time and listen. Sometimes when we try to make things better, we end up making them worse. Our motives are pure but our actions bring more pain to the people we love.

What we say may be true but it may not be the right time to share that truth with someone in a painful situation. Most of the time, people have to come to

hard realizations on their own.

As believers we must share the Scripture but we have to allow the Holy Spirit to guide our timing and approach.

Over the summer my wife and I had a miscarriage. Obviously, this has been one of the most difficult seasons of life we’ve ever experienced. It hurts. Nothing hurts like losing a child…..and yes, a baby in the womb is a child. We have received a lot of encouragement from our friends, family, and church family. We both feel very loved and supported.

Yet, a few people have made well intentioned comments that brought us more pain than com-

fort.

If I could only offer one suggestion it is this: You don’t know how they feel. Even if you’ve been through the same situation, you haven’t been through their situation. The details are different. Even though you’re trying to help, it is often perceived as insensitive and trying to down play ones trauma. Sometimes perception is reality.

Proverbs 25:11 says “A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.” To those in affliction, a kind word spoken at the right time taste better than the finest fruit taken from the most tropical paradise.

Kids Talk About God: In the sixth commandment, why did God forbid murder?

By Carey Kinsolving and Friends There are three reasons Chase, age 11, would never murder anyone: 1) “It is wrong to take a gift of God”; 2) “If you think about it, I don’t believe you would want someone to kill you”; and 3) “You don’t want to go ZZZZ! in the electric chair.”

Yes, life is a gift of God. In the creation account of Genesis, God breathed into Adam the “breath of life, and man became a living being.”

God not only gave us physical life but created us “through his own image,” says John, 11. Actually, that’s “in his image,” John. This is the key to understanding why murder is so terrible.

The Bible doesn’t explain what constitutes the image of God. Though scholarly debate has raged through the centuries, certain facts concerning God’s image in us are indisputable, says theologian Millard J. Erickson.

First, every person is created in the image of God, so there’s innate dignity to being human. Second, God’s image in people has been tarnished --

Carey Kinsolving

but not lost -- as a result of sin.

Third, there’s no indication God’s image is more present in one person than in another.

When religious leaders asked Jesus whether they should pay taxes to Caesar, he asked them whose image and inscription were on a Roman coin. “Caesar’s,” they replied.

“Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s,” Jesus said. Jesus’ logic implies that because people bear the image of God, their lives belong to God. And it could not be right for man to arbitrarily destroy what belongs to God. “We should not kill because it’s against the Lord’s laws,” says Adam, 8. “You might not get caught, but in God’s eyes, you’re caught.”

The first murderer, Cain, thought he had committed the perfect crime. He killed his brother, Abel, and buried

him when no one was looking, or so he thought. When God asked Cain the whereabouts of his brother, he replied, “Am I my brother’s keeper?”

God judged Cain by placing a curse on him. Later, under God’s laws given to Israel, intentional murderers were executed.

Cain murdered his brother for the same reason people murder today: anger. The Bible says Cain became “very angry” when God rejected his offering and accepted Abel’s.

“God tells us not to murder because you’re supposed to love your enemies,” says Brandon, 10. That’s it -- replace anger with love, and there’s no motivation to murder.

In Jesus’ kingdom, the world is turned upside down.

If someone slaps you, offer the other cheek. If people curse you as they cut in front of you on the freeway, bless them. If they spitefully use you, pray for them.

“But what about my rights?” you ask. Listen to Matthew, age 11: “Because God has created everyone, their judgment is in his hands, not ours.”

God is capable of judging evil, and believe it or not, he actually loves those who are causing you grief. Have you considered that God wants to demonstrate his love through you?

“Our tormentors, no doubt, count on our resistance and

anger to support their continuation of the evil that is in them,” writes author Dallas Willard. “If we respond as Jesus indicates, the force of their own actions pulls them off their stance and forces them to question what kind of people they are.”

Remember, “God made all of us and loves us,” says Meg, 11.

Point to ponder: Respect the image of God in all people.

Scripture to remember: “But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you” (Matthew 5:44).

Question to consider: Have you allowed God to transform

your heart so that you love your enemies?

“Kids Talk About God” is written and distributed by Carey Kinsolving. To access free, online “Kids Color Me Bible” books, “Mission Explorers” videos, a new children’s musical, and all columns in a Bible Lesson Archive, visit www.

KidsTalkAboutGod.org.

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The Trussville Tribune

Page 16

Dec. 5 - Dec. 11, 2018

D KI S Tribune

Each month, The Trussville Tribune invites students to submit stories to Tribune Kids for their own special column.

The list of the upcoming topics will help you plan. Please also try these guidelines in order for students to have a better chance of having their writings published. Please send all writings to tribunekids@gmail.com or bring to The Tribune located at 190 Main Street, Trussville.

TRIBUNE KIDS MONTHLY WRITING

C O R N E R Gift What is the greatest gift you have ever given?

Why? Deadline: December 7 Publish Date: December 12 Home Where do you feel most at home? What makes you feel so comfortable there?

Deadline: December 14 Publish Date: December 19 Family What is unique about your family?

Deadline: December 21 Publish Date: December 27

TRIBUNE KIDS MONTHLY WRITING

GUIDELINES 1. Keep length between 50 and 100 words.

TRIBUNE KIDS WRITING SUBMISSIONS

Last month we reached out to young readers and writers asking, “Why it is important to give back to the community?” These are their submissions.

DeDe’s Book Rack has partnered with The Tribune to award two $5 gift cards each week.

Winners will be announced this Friday following the paper’s release on Wednesday via email.

2. Follow directions for the topic. Creativity is great but is the entry on topic?

3. Make sure all entries are legible.

4. Include students’ name, school, grade and parent’s email on each entry submitted.

5. Screen for appropriateness. We try to avoid potentially embarrassing entries, but sometimes it is not obvious.

Note: Parents or teachers should include a note if an entry is exceptional for a particular student that might not otherwise stand out.

Community

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Community

Submitted by Sky Russell, 5th grader

Submitted by Any Patel, 5th grader

I think it is important to give back to the community because not only does it help us, it helps the community. You get a good feeling after helping the community. Maybe it’s helping clean up pollution or doing just simple tasks could make a big impact. Maybe it’s a school fund-raiser to help the school or maybe it’s for a small business.

Never the less, helping the community helps everyone, even you.

I think it is important to help your community because then you can keep streets clean.

Firstly, when you pick up trash and put it in the trash can, you can help animals survive and stop pollution. Also, if you are doing a fund-raiser for people, you can help them with their hard times. This is why helping your community is so important.

Community Submitted by Jake Summers, 5th grader

I think it is important to give back to the community because not only dos it make you feel good, it impacts our community with clear parks and it is also giving a Christmas to those who don’t usually get one and it can also help endangered animals that live in polluted areas. This is why I think it is important to give back to the community.

Dec. 5 - Dec. 11, 2018

Community

The Trussville Tribune Community

Page 17

Community

Submitted by Brody Bingham, 5th grader

Submitted by Sarah Johnson, 5th grader

Submitted by Peyton Armstrong, 5th grader

I think it is important to give back to the community because if you give back, you feel good after you do it. You don’t have to spend the whole day helping in your community, but at least do it part of the day. And you will never know, something good could happen to you. It’s always good to give back to the community every once in a while.

I think it’s important to give back to the community because you can make a difference, you can save pets in the pound. You can do great things if you give back to the community. Just think, you could give money and that goes to homeless people for food.

I think it's important to give back to the community because if everyone litters, the whole earth will be polluted. I think the people that pick up trash on the streets are really important. Also, I think it's important to give back to the community because you could have a food drive and give food to the homeless or people who are poor, and that would make their day. It is so great to just give a hint of kindness to everyone.

Community

Communty

Value

Submitted by Noah Fruge, 5th grader

Submitted by Kylie Hendrick, 5th grader

Submitted by Mary Jane Giles, 5th grader

I think it is important to give back to the community because it will help others and the world.

You can give to fund-raisers and sometimes get nothing in return. You can give money for local schools or pick up trash on the side of the road.

Do you know why we should give back to the community? Wee, in case you don’t, you best be listening. Helping or giving back will help you feel good about yourself in many ways. My favorite way to give back is the Angel Tree project because you don’t have to worry about people in the community stealing toys are using them for themselves. The Angel Tree project is where kids that don’t have a bunch make a Christmas list and you buy something off of it.

My most valuable possessions are the necklaces that my grandma and grandpa gave to me. They are very pretty and small crosses.

One is a silver cross with blue, pink, and green diamonds all over the front. The other one is a turquoise sorta marble cross with gold in the middle and on the ends. I absolutely love these necklaces and if anything were to happen, I would have them right by my side.

Value

Value

Value

Submitted by Cale McIntosh, 5th grader

Submitted by Nathan Mabry, 5th grader

Submitted by Samara Thomas, 5th grader

My most valuable possessions are my Bible, iPad, and family. My Bible is my most valuable possession because it is the only book about The Lord and my dad gave it to me two years ago after somebody took my old Bible. My family is also my most valuable possession because I have been in this family for 10 years.

My most prize possession is my two fishing rods and gear because I have spent countless hours with my family and they’re each over $300, so I would hate to see them go to waste. But my first rod is really important to me because I have had it for four years and it was my first bass rod.

My most valuable possession is Grace, my dog. She is cute, nice, sweet, and lazy, but also fierce. She makes me feel warm and happy like I am safe. When I look at Grace, she is as beautiful as a rose with dew on it and she warms my heart. If I didn’t have Grace today I wouldn’t be the lady I am today. If you saw Grace, you would say the same thing. I love Grace with all of my heart. If you see her, so would you!

Value Submitted by Mareli Martinez, 5th grader My most valuable things are what people give you, like presents because there are many kids that on their birthday don’t get anything. They probably don’t have enough money to eat. So even if you don’t like the present, appreciate it.

This is my most valuable thing.

Value Submitted by Tyler Anderson, 5th grader My most valuable possession is my Fernando Alonso picture. This is valuable because Fernando Alonso is a famous race car driver.

I have been watching him on television for six years. Every time I watch him on television, I would watch his line when he races.

He is one of the main reasons I want to be a race car driver. I saw him when there was an Indy car race at Barber Motor Sports Park.

And he was there because he wanted to see the cards because he was going to race in the next one. I was walking in the pits and I saw him and he signed my picture. That was a great day.

Value Submitted by Maggy Melvin, 5th grader My most valuable possession is my blanket because I feel more safe with it and another reason is when I am sad, it makes me feel better. It is pink and white. One time, I put a heart sticker on it and it made a heart there.

Every night it is there by my side.

The Trussville Tribune

Page 18

Sports

Dec. 5 - Dec. 11, 2018

Indians defeat Cougars in rematch 28-20

By Justin Nails Tribune Sports PINSON—Pinson Valley will have a chance to defend their 6A crown after defeating region rival Clay-Chalkville tonight 28-20. With the help of their defense, who took advantage of some timely turnovers, the Indians were able to build just enough of a lead to take down the Cougars.

Both teams were lead by their strong defenses in the first half as both teams finished the first quarter scoreless. Running back Courtney Braxton put Clay-Chalkville on the board first with a 52yard touchdown run early in the second quarter to give the Cougars a 7-0 lead. Bo Nix answered the call on a fourth down touchdown pass to Demarion Holloman for a 29yard score to even the game at 7-7.

Turnovers were huge in this game as Clay-Chalkville had the first of several on the ensuing kickoff, fumbling the ball away to the Indians on the 13-yard line. Nix found Gaquincey McKinstry on a 13-yard pass to give the Indians their first lead of the game, a lead they never gave up.

After taking the 14-7 lead into the half, the Indians began the second half of the

Indians’ quarterback Bo Nix looks downfield to make a play against the Cougars. (Photo By Ron Burkett)

game with the ball, starting at their own 5-yard line after a sloppy kickoff return. The Indians drove 95 yards, eating a lot of third quarter time, scoring on a Nix to Keyonteze Johnson completion that went for 34 yards and a touchdown.

The Indians lead 21-7.

Not to be outdone, Cougars quarterback Willie Miller lead the next drive down the field and eventually scored on a 33-yard touchdown run himself to cut the lead back to one score, 21-13. Clay-Chalkville

would get a huge 4th down stop on their own 3-yard line preventing the Indians from adding to their lead. The Cougars would again have a crucial fumble after Miller had to sit a play out after being injured. The Cougars would

fumble the next play, giving the ball back to Pinson Valley.

The Cougars did force another punt and once again had a chance to tie the game.

On the next drive, the Cougars drove down inside the Indians 7-yard line with

first and goal to goal and failed to score after another huge fumble that was kicked while trying to be fielded by an Indians defender all the way back to the Cougars 43yard line. The Indians would again take advantage of the turnover as Nix hit Holloman again on an 8-yard pass to give the Indians a 28-13 lead.

Alabama commit and Clay-Chalkville defensive lineman DJ Dale would add a late touchdown on a jump pass Sam Thomas for eight yards but the ensuing onside kick was recovered by Pinson Valley who ran out the clock.

Nix finished the game 24 of 51 for 326 yards and four touchdowns. Nix also became the all-time leader in total yards on Friday night eclipsing 11,000 total yards in his career. Clay-Chalkville’s Courtney Braxton lead all rushers with nine attempts, 111 yards and one touchdown. Pinson’s Keyonteze Johnson lead all receivers with 14 catches for 208 yards and one touchdown. The stat of the game comes in the turnover column as ClayChalkville had four turnovers on the night while Pinson Valley did not turn the ball over once.

Pinson Valley will take on Saraland for the 6A state title next Friday in Auburn.

Super 7 move to Auburn, Tuscaloosa was a ‘happy accident’ From The Trussville Tribune staff reports AUBURN — The Alabama High School Athletic Association’s wildly popular Super 7 football championship left Birmingham’s venerable Legion Field in 2009 for Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, a new tradition was born due to a “happy accident.”

Ironically, the impetus for the move of all six title games – at the time – to the University of Alabama campus came from a couple of civic-minded men from Auburn.

The previous year, Ron Anders Jr. and John Wild decided to approach AHSAA Executive Director Steve Savarese about putting in a

bid for a state championship event for the Auburn-Opelika area, maybe softball that could be played at some new facilities built by Auburn University.

“It was really a happy accident,” said Ron Anders Jr., who is now Auburn’s mayor.

“John Wild, president of the Auburn and Opelika Tourism Bureau, and I went to that meeting to ask about maybe getting a state championship for Auburn. Coach Savarese told us he was looking for some opportunities related to football. We were surprised by that.

“We came back to town, got with the elected leaders, Mayor Bill Ham from Auburn and Mayor Gary Fuller from Opelika, and got the ball

rolling. Coach had told us we needed to put in a competitive bid, and he said, ‘I need you to work with Tuscaloosa.’”

The stage was set for Anders, Wild and Opelika’s representative D. Mark Mitchell to contact their counterparts at the Tuscaloosa Tourism & Sports Commission and the University of Alabama.

“We built a bridge with the good people of Tuscaloosa,” Anders said. “We discussed a plan for the city that didn’t host the Iron Bowl to host the then-Super 6. One thing led to another until we put together a competitive bid and won the event for the next year.”

According to Wild, the Super 7 – the championships expanded to seven classifications in 2014 at Jordan-Hare

Stadium – has an enormous economic impact on the area.

“Back in 2008 or 2009, we counted how many teams would be coming, the number of players and coaches and fans, how often they would eat in our restaurants, purchase tickets, buy gasoline, and we came up with a number just over $3 million,” he said. “In the past two years, we have used an impact calculator provided to us by our national association and came up with a number very close to that $3 million.”

The influx of fans and money has been a particular boost to the Auburn-Opelika area since the Super 7 is in town in the years when the university’s Tigers play their biggest rivals, Georgia and

Alabama, on the road.

“The years we don’t host Alabama or Georgia, it’s a great shot in the arm,” Anders said. “Having 50,000 or 60,000 people here is a multimillion-dollar generator.

“Of course, more importantly, I think there is a tremendous amount of value in just the pure experience we give young people. It’s great public relations for our communities, but it’s an experience for the young people they might never have had.

We have been offered the opportunity to guide maybe the greatest athletic experience of their lives. We take it very seriously and do our honorable best to give those young men the greatest memory we can.”

In Auburn, the universi-

ty’s Tiger Walk is recreated for each team, the world-famous eagle flight is the featured part of every pre-game festivity and there are fireworks each night.

“We can’t do too much more,” Anders said, “because school at the university is still in session. We don’t want to turn the championship game into an amusement park, but being in a college locker room, playing in a college stadium with college scoreboards is memorable. We offer a college gameday experience.”

To make that happen, a lot of planning and cooperation must take place.

“All of our volunteers and See Super 7, Page 19

Dec. 5 - Dec. 11, 2018

The Trussville Tribune

SUPER 7, from page 18

(tourism bureau) staff and committees work so closely with the AHSAA and (event management group) Knight Eady and we all take pride in our local area shining,” Wild said. “From the people who work parking and shuttle service, to the people who coordinate the Tiger Walk, to those who clean the locker rooms and those who feed the coaches, we just love hosting every other year with our partners in Tuscaloosa. We have so many volunteers who work on the same committee every time.”

Anders reflected on the beginnings and said he gets too much credit for what has turned into a hallmark event.

“Coach Savarese gives me a lot of credit,” he said, “but I was part of the engine and energy driving early on.

So was (Tuscaloosa Mayor) Walt Maddox. So was (former Auburn Mayor) Bill Ham and (Opelika Mayor)

Gary Fuller and Don Staley, the CEO of the Tuscaloosa Tourism & Sports Commission. It also depended on the cooperation of Coach Nick Saban and Coach Gene Chizik, then-Athletics Director Mal Moore at Alabama and then-Athletics Director Jay Jacobs at Auburn. We couldn’t have done it without all of them.”

This year, Super 7 begins Wednesday at 3:30 with the annual Unified Game, followed by the Class 7A title matchup between Thompson and Central of Phenix City.

For more information and all the playoff brackets, visit super7al.com.

The complete schedule is below: AHSAA Super 7 Championships At Jordan-Hare Stadium, Auburn (Home team listed second)

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 5 UNIFIED GAME Vestavia Hills vs. Baldwin County, 3:30 p.m.

CLASS 7A Central-Phenix City (130) vs. Thompson (12-1), 7 p.m.

THURSDAY, DEC. 6 CLASS 3A Piedmont (12-2) vs. Flomaton (11-3), 11 a.m.

CLASS 1A Linden (13-0) vs. Mars Hill Bible (13-1), 3 p.m.

CLASS 5A Vigor (13-1) vs. Central-Clay County (11-3), 7 p.m.

FRIDAY, DEC. 7 CLASS 4A UMS-Wright (13-0) VS. Deshler (9-5), 11 a.m.

CLASS 2A Fyffe (14-0) vs. Luverne (13-1), 3 p.m.

CLASS 6A Pinson Valley (12-1) vs.

Saraland (13-1), 7 p.m.

6A State Championship Preview: Pinson Valley vs. Saraland

Page 19

Former Husky Zac Thomas earns Sun Belt Conference offensive player of the year

Damian Mitchell Sports Editor BOONE, N.C.— Appalachian State and former Hewitt-Trussville quarterback Zac Thomas has been

awarded the Sun Belt Conference Offensive player of the year. Thomas earned the honors after throwing for 1,787 yards and and 18 touchdowns.

He also added 417 yards and eight touchdowns rushing, as

well.

Thomas led the Mountaineers to a 10-2 record this season and also captured the Sun Belt Conference championship after defeating Louisiana 30-19 on Dec. 1.

Birmingham Council welcomes the Wake Forest Demon Deacons, Memphis Tigers to this year’s Birmingham Bowl From The Trussville Tribune staff reports BIRMINGHAM – Council President Pro Tem William Parker, Chair of the Park and Recreation Committee, joined the Birmingham City Council to welcome Wake

Forest Demon Deacons and the Memphis Tigers to the Birmingham Bowl.

The 13th Annual Birmingham Bowl will be held on Dec. 22 at Legion Field.

“This is something the city looks forward to every year,” Parker said. “It’s a great op-

portunity to showcase Birmingham on a national stage and let people know what a great sports town this is. We welcome people from all over the country and it has a great impact on our local economy.”

Bo Nix looks to lead his team to another championship (Photo By Ron Burkett)

By Damian Mitchell Sports Editor PINSON— Pinson Valley will face Saraland this Friday for the 6A state championship in Auburn at Jordan-Hare Stadium. This will be both teams second appearance in a state championship game with Saraland coming in at 0-1 after a 2014 loss to ClayChalkville and Pinson looking to go back-to-back in state championships with their win over Wetumpka last season.

This is the first matuchup between the teams in their history. Saraland comes into the game after defeating Wetumpka 22-21 in their semifinal contest while Pinson Valley gets a chance to repeat as state champion after defeating Clay-Chalkville 28-20.

The pressure of stopping Indian’s quarterback Bo Nix

and the offense has been no easy feat for anyone this season and the Spartans will have a full plate to handle come Friday night. Clay-Chalkville had some success in flustering Nix in the pocket but was unable to maintain the level of pressure to result in a win.

The wide receiving corps of Demarion Holloman, Keyonteze Johnson, Geordan Pollard, Ga’Quincy “Koolaid” McKinstry are all weapons no matter where they are on the field. The key to the Spartans to have a chance is to be fundamentally sound in their technique against these shifty receivers.

Johnson had 208 receiving yards last week in the semifinal game. He was the go-to guy but any one of them have the capability to take the control of the air attack and put up similar numbers.

The Spartan offense has averaged 31.7 points per game and looks to use their explosive offense to help bring thier first championship in school history. They will be introduced to the Indian defense that has only given up 21 points to one team in 6A other than Clay-Chalkville this season.

The Pinson defensive line looks to continue their dominating performance with Kam Griggs and Joel Parker holding down their spots across the front. The secondary will need to turn things around as Clay-Chalkville was able to find some big open holes in the passing game. Look for safety Rashaan Christian to lead his guys in the secondary and make sure things are in order to keep the Spartans out of the endzone and secure their second championship.

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The Trussville Tribune

Page 20

Dec. 5 - Dec. 11, 2018

Alabama Sports Hall of Fame announces class of 2019 inductees From The Trussville Tribune staff reports BIRMINGHAM – The Board of Directors of the State of Alabama Sports Hall of Fame announced Wednesday, Nov. 28, the Class of 2019 that will be inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame on April 27. The Class was selected by ballot through a statewide selection committee; votes were tabulated by the firm of PricewaterhouseCoopers.

The newly elected inductees for the Class of 2019 are as follows: Tommie Agee, Bill Burgess, Willie Davenport, Luis Gonzalez, Bud Moore, Antonio Langham, Steve Savarese and Catherine Reddick Whitehill.

They will be inducted at the 51st Induction Banquet and Ceremony, which will be in the Birmingham Ballroom at the Sheraton Birmingham Hotel, on April 27.

Since 1969, this will be the 51st class inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame. The eight newly elected inductees will bring the total number of inductees to 361.

Class of 2019 Biographies: Tommie Agee | FOOTBALL Born Feb. 22, 1964, in Maplesville, Alabama. Agee played football at Auburn University, where he was a four-year starter at fullback as lead blocker for Bo Jackson. He finished his college career with 356 carries, 1,733 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns. He was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the fifth round of the 1987 NFL Draft. He played one year for the Seahawks, one year for the Kansas City Chiefs,

and five years for the Dallas Cowboys. While he was with the Cowboys, they won two consecutive Super Bowl Championships (Super Bowl XXVII and XXVIII).

Bill Burgess | FOOTBALL – COACHING Born Jan. 26, 1941, in Birmingham, Alabama. Burgess was a letterman at fullback for Auburn University in 1962. He began his coaching career as a football assistant at Banks High School in Birmingham before accepting the head coach position at Woodlawn High School in 1966. Following his time at Woodlawn, he coached the Oxford Yellow Jackets to nine playoff appearances, four area titles and four regional titles. In 1985, he was named head coach at Jacksonville State University. Under Burgess, JSU won the 1988 Gulf South Conference and the 1992 NCAA Division II National Championship. Burgess was honored as the Gulf South Conference Coach of the Year three times and was named the 1992 NCAA Division II National Coach of the Year. His tenure as head coach at Jacksonville State spanned 12 seasons from 1985-1996, and he finished his college career with an 8449-4 record. He has been inducted into the Jacksonville State University Athletic Hall of Fame and the NCAA Division II Football Hall of Fame.

Willie Davenport | TRACK & FIELD Born June 8, 1943, in Troy, Alabama. Davenport competed in the 110-meter hurdles at the 1964, 1968, 1972 and 1976 Summer Olympics. After the 1964 Summer Olympics, he enrolled at Southern University and won the AAU outdoor title outright in 1965, 1966,

and 1967; he tied for first place in 1969. At the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City, he won a gold medal in the 110-meter hurdles. Eight years later, he won the bronze medal in the same event at the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal. At the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, Davenport and one of his bobsled teammates, Jeff Gadley, became the first two African-Americans to represent the United States at any Winter Olympics. Davenport is one of only 10 Americans to compete in both the Summer and Winter Games. He was inducted into the USA Track & Field Hall of Fame in 1982 and the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame in 1990.

Luis Gonzalez | BASEBALL Born Sept. 3, 1967, in Tampa, Florida. Gonzalez attended the University of South Alabama where he was named to Baseball America’s All-Freshman Second Team.

He was drafted by the Houston Astros in the fourth round

of the 1988 MLB Draft. He played 18 seasons for seven different teams. In 2001, he was a member of the Arizona Diamondbacks’ only World Series championship team to date. His game-winning hit in game seven clinched the title for the Diamondbacks.

He was a five-time All-Star, and won the Home Run Derby and Silver Slugger Award in 2001. He ended his career with a .283 BA, .479 SLG, .845 OPS, and 354 home runs. His No. 20 was the first Diamondback number to be retired. In 2005, he won the Branch Rickey Award for his community service after Hurricane Katrina. He was inducted into the Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum Hall of Fame in 2011.

Bud Moore | FOOTBALL – COACHING Born Oct. 16, 1939, in Jasper, Alabama. He played collegiately at the University of Alabama in both football and baseball. After his college career, he had coaching stints at Alabama, Kentucky, Texas

A&M and North Carolina. In 1975, he became Head Coach at the University of Kansas and was named Big Eight Coach of the Year by the AP and UPI after taking the Jayhawks to a 7-5 record. He was named District Six Coach of the Year by the American Football Coaches Association. In 1996, he was named recipient of the Paul W. Bryant Alumni-Athlete Award.

Antonio Langham | FOOTBALL Born July 31, 1972, in Town Creek, Alabama. Langham played collegiately at the University of Alabama, where he was a three-year starter at left cornerback for the Crimson Tide. He holds the school record with 19 career interceptions. As a junior, he was recognized as a consensus first-team All-American. His senior season he was a consensus First-Team All-American and won the Jim Thorpe Award and the Jack Tatum Trophy, both of which are awarded to the nation’s top defensive back. Drafted in 1994 in the first round (ninth overall) by the Cleveland Browns, he was named 1994 NFL Rookie Defensive Player of the Year.

He played two seasons with the Browns and also played with the Baltimore Ravens, San Francisco 49ers and New England Patriots over a seven-year career.

Steve Savarese | ADMINISTRATION Born Oct. 16, 1952, in Glencoe, New York. Savarese grew up in Leeds, Alabama, and graduated from Southwestern College in Kansas.

After a successful high school coaching career that included state championships in Kansas (Douglass) in 1978 and Alabama (Daphne) in 2001, he became just the fourth ex-

ecutive director in the history of the Alabama High School Athletic Association in 2007.

He introduced several major changes at the AHSAA, including the rotating of the state championship football games between Auburn and Tuscaloosa. He introduced a revenue-sharing plan that provided for additional opportunities for student-athlete participation, as well as sportsmanship initiatives that have had a significant impact on high school sports across the State of Alabama.

Catherine Reddick Whitehill | SOCCER Born Feb. 10, 1982, in Richmond, Virginia. She started her soccer career at Briarwood Christian School in Birmingham, Alabama.

She played four seasons at the University of North Carolina where she won four national championships and was named to the NCAA All-Tournament Team four times. She was named NCAA Final Four Defensive MVP twice, NSCAA First-Team All-American twice and First-Team All-ACC three times. In 2003, her final season at UNC, she won the prestigious MAC Hermann Trophy and the Honda Sports Award, both of which are awarded to the best female player in college soccer. She played for the U.S. Women’s National Team from 20002010 where she scored 11 goals in 134 appearances.

Whitehill played professional soccer in the United States from 2009-2015. She has also established a successful career in broadcasting, serving as a color commentator on television broadcasts.

For more information, please contact the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame Museum at (205) 323-6665.

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