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Student athletes to colleges
New restaurant in Trussville
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The Trussville Tribune TRUSSVILLE • PINSON·CLAY • CENTER POINT • ARGO • SPRINGVILLE • LEEDS • MOODY
Dec. 26, 2019 - Jan. 1, 2020 Pair accused in kidnapping and murder in Jefferson County, could also be linked to triple homicide in Illinois
www.TrussvilleTribune.com
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Search continues for missing Trussville woman
Pinson Council approves 2019 audit, recognizes historic status of PHCC, breaks ground on storm shelter
From The Trussville Tribune staff reports
BIRMINGHAM — Two people arrested in connection to a kidnapping and murder case in east Jefferson County, could be linked to a multistate crime spree including a triple murder in Illinois.
By Crystal McGough, copy editor
PINSON — The Pinson City Council met at Palmerdale Homestead Community Center on Thursday, Dec. 19.
See KIDNAPPING, Page 13
See PINSON COUNCIL, Page 6
Trussville installs signs showcasing plans for Downtown Plaza
Birmingham Housing Authority plans to move residents to east Jefferson County after $20 million renovation
From The Trussville Tribune staff reports
TRUSSVILLE — The city of Trussville has placed signs at the corners of Main Street and North Chalkville Road and North Chalkville Road and Linden Street, to showcase what is to come in the city block that is being redeveloped. See DOWNTOWN PLAZA, Page 10
Trussville couple creates detailed Christmas village in their home By Elise Kidd, contributing writer
TRUSSVILLE — A Trussville couple is spreading Christmas cheer to friends and family, with a special Christmas village inside their home. Grace and Charles Nelson live in Tiffany Estates. Grace Nelson said the creation all started by accident. See CHRISTMAS VILLAGE, Page 3
Kemp’s Kitchen owner helps the homeless on Christmas Eve, also offering ‘Pay it Forward’ From The Trussville Tribune staff reports
TRUSSVILLE — A Trussville restaurant owner pitched in for the homeless this Christmas season. Brian Kemp, of Kemp’s Kitchen, offered breakfast in downtown Birmingham for a local non-profit. See KEMP’S KITCHEN, Page 8
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From The Trussville Tribune staff reports
BIRMINGHAM — Birmingham Police detectives are looking at every possible lead, in the disappearance of a Trussville woman, according to Sgt. Johnny Williams. Paighton Laine Houston, 29, was last seen around 10:45 p.m. on Friday. Dec. 20, at Tin Roof, in the 2700 block of 7th Avenue South. “She was last seen leaving the location with two heavy set black males,” said Williams. “It was reported that
Paighton appeared to have left the location willingly with the two males.” According to employees of Tin Roof, investigators with the Birmingham Police Department came to the location to obtain surveillance images from the bar. Williams said if detectives are able to obtain surveillance images from the area, there are several things they will consider before releasing the video. “When you have a case like that, especially with video, you have to run it past the DA’s office, because if you
Tin Roof, where Houston was last seen.
have to use it at trial, you have to make sure you haven’t jeopardized the case in any way,” said Williams. Houston sent a text message to a friend just after midnight on Friday stating, “idk who im with so if I call please answer. I feel in trouble.” The Birmingham Police Department is the lead inves-
tigating agency in the case. The Trussville Police Department has offered assistance if needed. “It depends upon how the investigation unfolds, whether or not our investigators will collaborate with other departments,” Williams said. See MISSING WOMAN, Page 3
Girls Lacrosse Team begs for use of Hewitt-Trussville football stadium
BIRMINGHAM — The Housing Authority of the Birmingham District has proposed a plan to renovate apartments in an unincorporated part of east Jefferson County, between Pinson, Clay and Center Point. See HOUSING AUTHORITY, Page 3
Clay City Council passes Human Trafficking Awareness Month proclamation By Crystal McGough, copy editor
By Erica Thomas, managing editor
TRUSSVILLE — Several members and parents of members of the girls’ lacrosse team at Hewitt-Trussville High School, presented concerns to the Trussville City School Board, on Monday, Dec. 16. After three years of requesting the use of Huskey Field, the group said they feel their requests are being ignored by school officials. The team would like to use the field for home games. There would be 6-10 home games each season. The team is currently using the youth football field, which they say is not of regulation size or up to standards for their games. Tandi Smith, who serves on the city’s Park and Recreation Board, also serves as a liaison for the Lacrosse Program. Smith’s daughter is also on the lacrosse team. Smith said the team has been requesting use of the field for over three years. She said she was recently informed that those who would make a decision on which sports can be played at the stadi-
By Erica Thomas, managing editor
CLAY – The Clay City Council unanimously passed a proclamation at its regular meeting on Dec. 17, 2019, declaring January 2020 Human Trafficking Awareness Month. See CLAY COUNCIL, Page 4
From left to right: Girls Lacrosse Team Members Tana Smith, Brooke Nielsen, Liberty Andrzejewski, Emily Franzer, Lillian O’Neal, Gracie Davis.
um were Athletics Director Lance Walker, Head Varsity Football Coach Josh Floyd, Facility Coordinator Barry Davis and Hewitt-Trussville High School Assistant Principal Barry Allphin. After extensive research, team parents have come up with solutions to various concerns relayed to them during denial of use of the football stadium, according to Smith. They emailed letters to Walker, Floyd, Da-
vis and Allphin, and copied Mayor Buddy Choat and Superintendent Pattie Neill on the emails. Among concerns given to the lacrosse team were painting on the field, wear and tear on the field, lighting and cleanup and possible scheduling conflicts. Smith and other parents contacted the manufacturer of the turf field to find the best water-based chalk spray, that Smith said would not cause a
“ghosting” effect on the field. “This is the chalk we plan to use, it does not hold up to heavy wear and tear, but we plan to remove the lines after each game,” said Smith. “This spray does not cause ghosting and it is water-soluble.” As far as to wear and tear, Smith said the team has an insurance policy from the US Lacrosse Association for up to $1 million in damage. See LACROSSE, Page 13
Robin’s Sewing Shoppe www.robinshoppe.com 5886 Trussville Crossings Pkwy 205.655.3388 -
Fabric Machines Classes Demos
Trussville City Schools has good news for graduates, hears update on successes at Paine Elementary From The Trussville Tribune staff reports
TRUSSVILLE — The Trussville City School Board met on Monday, Dec. 16, and discussed several positive things happening within the school system, during its workshop session. See CITY SCHOOLS, Page 10
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