The Trussville Beautification Board has announced the winners of its annual beautification awards, highlighting some of the prettiest properties in the city. Members of the Beautification Board presented the
Page
Suspects in Leeds home, vehicle burglaries arrested
From Tribune staff reports
LEEDS, Ala. – A multi-department effort has led to the arrest of two men suspected of multiple burglaries in Leeds, according to the Leeds Police Department. On the morning of June 9, officers were dispatched
Trussville Police vehicle involved in collision during chase
From Tribune staff reports
TRUSSVILLE, Ala. – A Trussville Police Department vehicle was involved in a collision during a pursuit Sunday morning, according to Lt. Clint Riner. The collision occurred at approximately 10:30 a.m. at the intersection of Highway
UAB Health System to acquire Ascension St. Vincent’s in $450 million deal
From Tribune staff reports
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. –
The University of Alabama at Birmingham Health System Authority is set to assume ownership of Ascension St. Vincent’s in central Alabama in a deal totaling $450 million after the University of Alabama Board of Trustees voted to approve the agreement on Tuesday. Under the agreement, UAB Health will assume ownership of all Ascension St. Vincent’s sites of care including the hospitals in Birmingham, Blount, Chilton, East, and St. Clair as well as the One Nineteen Campus, the Trussville Freestanding Emergency Department, and imaging centers and other Ascension Medical Group clinics. The deal will also include current Ascension St. Vincent’s services, facilities, caregivers, and associates, including a robust network of providers serving the region.
UAB Health System and Ascension St. Vincent’s will
continue normal operations while their teams collaborate to plan the transition.
The transaction is expected to be completed in the fall of 2024, subject to standard regulatory approvals and pending satisfaction of closing conditions and approval by the Catholic Church.
“Patients will continue to have access to the healthcare services and providers they’ve come to trust, and ultimately gain access to a larger care network,” said UAB Health System CEO Dawn Bulgarella, who also serves as CEO of the UAB/ Ascension St. Vincent’s Al-
liance.
“UAB and St. Vincent’s exist to improve lives, and that purpose will drive our actions in the coming months and beyond.”
According to UAB, patients will be able to continue seeing their current doctor or provider and should not experience any changes in their care.
UAB also plans to continue operating St. Vincent’s facilities with the caregivers and associates that are currently serving their communities.
UAB has also stated that the deal will not affect how much patients pay for ser-
vices.
“As part of our shared commitment to our patients, caregivers, associates and community, we have continued to discuss options to better deliver on our missions in an increasingly complex environment,” Ascension St. Vincent’s CEO and Ascension Senior Vice President Jason Alexander said.
“It became clear that adding Ascension St. Vincent’s to UAB Health System’s network of owned hospitals–and combining and optimizing our collective strengths–is the solution to ensure that our community retains access to sustainable, high-quality healthcare. Among other benefits, patients will gain access to a larger network of local services through UAB.”
The UAB/Ascension St. Vincent’s Alliance launched in 2020 in an effort to increase Alabamians’ access to high-quality, innovative medical care and to help pa-
See UAB, Page 2
City of Pinson audit shows growth, raises concerns
By Nathan Prewett For the Tribune
PINSON, Ala.–The Pinson City Council heard an audit report for 2022-2023 year during a meeting on Thursday, June 20 in which the council discussed several items members found troubling.
Dawson Horton from Boreland Benefield delivered an overview of the report in which he noted that there were positive findings, one being a statement of net position in which the total assets had increased more than $1 million during the year.
Another, Horton pointed out, was the unrestricted net position of slightly more than $1.7 million, which he said was an estimated five months of city operations whereas having at least three months of operation funds are recommended. Total tax revenue was up more than $400,000 during the year. But in the end there were three concerning issues in particular that were identified. The first was segregation of duties and oversight of financial reporting where
“management” is responsible for preparing and presenting the city’s statements free of material misstatements.
Mayor Pro-tem Robbie Roberts later asked what constituted “management”, to which Horton replied that this would be the mayor, council and administration. The report found that there were accounting functions that “lacked adequate segregation amongst the staff without proper mitigations or review.”
The second was inconsistencies and delays in the performance of account
reconciliations, the purpose being to verify the accuracy of amounts that were recorded in the accounting system. The audit reports that a number of financial statement accounts were not reconciled on time, were not done accurately, and other times not at all.
The third regarded oversight of the payroll process in which it was found that there were no documented review and approval of times entered by department heads for overtime and compensatory time.
Despite the concerning revelations, there were no
indications that there were any improprieties with how the city employees handled the finances of the city.
According to Roberts and Horton, the issues were largely caused by the Tyler accounting system that was used. There were reportedly technical difficulties that arose when it was being implemented during that time to replace an old one.
Another factor was when accountant David Stewart left in 2022, further complicating communications that apparently caused delays with reporting when the city was working with the old software before using Tyler.
“I want to point out the fact that I do not want to place any blame on anyone of our staff members,” Roberts said. “I do believe that this team here has done everything in their power to try to overcome what has turned into a very bad situation.”
Roberts described the situation as being a “perfect storm.”
“This is really bad,” he remarked. “I think that
See AUDIT, Page 4
Pinson Mayor Pro-tem Robbie Roberts.
Photo by Nathan Prewett.
Courtesy of UAB
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Leeds Main Street unveils new downtown mural
From Tribune staff reports
LEEDS, Ala. – Leeds Main Street announced the completion of a new mural in downtown Leeds this week, which serves as a symbol of the ongoing efforts to revitalize the area.
The mural, titled “Apple Girl,” was completed by artist Marcus Fetch and is located on the side of the soon-to-open Yellowhammer Antiques at 8430 1st Avenue.
It was commissioned by Leeds Main Street and funded by a grant from Main Street Alabama, a program that promotes projects in downtown areas across the state.
“We believe this mural will become a significant landmark and contribute to the ongoing revitalization of
UAB
From front page
tients receive the right care at the right time and place.
UAB and Ascension St. Vincent’s leadership view this agreement as the natural next step to continue to expand access to sustainable care in Alabama.
“Even as our structure is changing, Ascension’s dedication to health equity and to serving the most vulnerable in Alabama remains steadfast,” added Alexander.
“The Ascension Foundation for Health Equity will continue its presence in the market and expand grantmaking beyond the transition period, investing in nonprofit organizations that accelerate positive change for generations of Alabamians.”
Bulgarella continued, “Our mission and vision to provide life-changing care and be the leader in improv-
our historic downtown district,” wrote Kristy Biddle, Executive Director of Leeds Main Street, who added that this is only the beginning of many projects that are in the works for the area.
“I fell in love with this beautiful scene the moment
ing the health and lives of all we serve aligns with the outstanding St. Vincent’s caregivers and associates who have served these communities for years.”
“We look forward to supporting continued operations and providing opportunities for Ascension St. Vincent’s caregivers and associates to essentially remain in their current positions; our goal is to support fulfilling and meaningful careers in service to our patients and communities,” she added.
Ray Watts, M.D., who chairs the UAB Health System Board in addition to serving as UAB president, said UAB Health System is uniquely positioned to deliver on that commitment to sustain patient and employee success.
“UAB Health System is recognized among the nation’s best for innovative, world-class, people-first
it came to my mind. Expressing the splendor of a child’s fearless wonder,” Fetch wrote.
“Here a girl hangs light in the crisp clean air, on the farthest branch, stretching for that glorious apple. And the universe shines on her
care, as well as among the best places to work in healthcare,” Watts said.
“As an Alabama-operated health system we love, understand and meet the needs of our local communities, and we deeply respect Ascension St. Vincent’s caregivers’ and associates’ similar community- and mission-focused commitment.”
Bulgarella said Ascension St. Vincent’s central Alabama operations also has a proud history on which UAB Health System plans to build with Ascension caregivers and associates.
“Since 1898, Ascension St. Vincent’s caregivers and associates have served our community well,” Bulgarella said.
“We are excited to honor and continue their culture and legacy, and make sure they feel secure and appreciated in this transition. I look forward to integrating our
with love for her purity and courage. It warms my heart.”
Biddle continued, “We invite everyone to visit
to
town
credible mural and support Yellowhammer Antiques as they prepare for their grand opening.”
talented, mission-focused teams as we work together toward continuity and positive results for those we serve.”
During a special called meeting of the UA System Board of Trustees at which the membership interest purchase agreement passed with unanimous support, Bulgarella and UA System Chancellor Sid J. Trant recommended the resolution for approval.
“As you all know, the University of Alabama System and the UAB Health System exist to improve the lives of Alabamians and beyond,” he said. “This acquisition will go a long way to that end and will move the UA System toward fulfilling its vision of becoming the preeminent public system of higher education and health care in the United States.”
For more information, visit uabstv.org
Down-
Leeds
view this in-
Artist Marcus Fetch stands in front of the completed "Apple Girl" mural in Leeds. Courtesy of Leeds Main Street
L oca L / R egion
winners with their awards at the last Trussville City Council meeting.
Jim Meads of 6384 Ziklag Circle won first prize for Best Use of Color while Jan Beasley of 4297 Cahaba Bend was the runner up.
Anita Eaves of 402 Water Oak Lane won the award for Best Home Landscape Design while Jan Monski of 7304 Old Mill Trail took home second prize.
Amy and Rob Trautwein of 8025 Caldwell Drive were awarded Best Home Overall while Jay and Christy Jones of 208 Oak Street were the runner ups.
Finally, Corbeau Wine Bar won Best Business Overall with Hitchcock, Maddox Financial Partners taking second prize.
Both Superintendent Dr. Patrick Martin and TCS CSFO Jim Kirkland received an overall rating of “accomplished,” which was the highest rating possible.
Lisa Stamps, the director for leadership at the Alabama Association of School Boards gave an overview of both evaluations as well as the process behind them.
Stamps said that one of the first things Martin did after being hired on as Trussville’s superintendent last year was to call her and say that he wanted the board to participate in the evaluation.
“That speaks volumes there that he was concerned about what [the board thinks],” Stamps said.
Martin and Kirkland’s performances were judged in multiple leadership categories with one of four possible evidence-based ratings–not demonstrated, progressing, proficient, or accomplished.
Martin received an accomplished rating in all five superintendent leadership categories–strategic, instructional, fiscal & managerial, human & resource, and climate & engagement.
Stamps highlighted some of the actions Martin took
to earn the rating including introducing the state of the schools addresses, developing the parent and teacher advisory council, building
trust with the staff and the community, working hard to retain teachers, prioritizing student achievement, and revitalizing the culture in the district.
Kirkland, Trussville Schools’ CSFO of 20 years, also received an accomplished rating in all of his skill categories–fiscal, collaborative, and professional.
Some of the evidence Stamps provided included Kirkland’s effective communication during monthly financial reports, building the fund balance, and his problem solving.
“The word accomplished doesn’t even come close to what both of these gentle-
men do,” Board Member Dr. Steve Ward said, thanking them for their service to the district.
Board Vice President Kathy Brown added that they earned their accomplished rating by tackling some of the issues that the
board was most concerned with such as safety and communication.
“We both feel very, very blessed to get to work here at Trussville City Schools as well as with our Board of Education,” Martin said.
“I want to thank you as
a board for setting such a clear vision of what the need is here for Trussville City Schools. I think that’s so important that you came in and said these are the things that we need to get accomplished and we’ve stuck to that.”
Superintendent Dr. Patrick Martin
The winner of Best Home Overall, Rob Trautwein. Courtesy of the Trussville Beautification Board.
The winner of Best Business overall, Corbeau. Courtesy of the Trussville Beautification Board.
The winners of the Trussville Beautification Board contest are presented with their awards. Chris Basinger/Trussville Tribune
16-year-old drowns in Mt. Cheaha lake
From Tribune staff reports
TALLADEGA COUN-
TY – According to Cleburne County Sheriff Jon Daniel, on Sunday, June 23, at around 11 a.m., the Cleburne County Sheriff’s Department was dispatched to a possible drowning of a 16-year-old male at Cheaha Lake.
“At the time of the 911 call, units were notified that a 16-year-old male was swimming in the designated swimming area, became distressed, went under the water and never returned to the surface,” Daniel said via a press release.
A short time later, the victim was located near where he was last seen and his body was recovered by Rescue Squad units on
scene. The teen was pronounced deceased on scene by Cleburne County Coroner, Adam Downs.
According to Daniel, Cleburne County Coroner Adam Downs has identified the 16-year-old male victim as Thatcher Rigsby of Lincoln, AL.
“The body will be sent to the Alabama Department of Forensics Sciences Lab for autopsy for official cause of death,” Downs said. “We do not suspect any foul play in this incident. My prayers are with the family and friends of this family.”
Daniels said these types of incidents are difficult for the family of the victim as well as first responders.
“These types of calls are not always easy for the first responders and especially
some nice things about how we’re going to change things. I don’t know what those changes are. It sounds like if the council is ‘management’ then we should have some input as far as to what those changes would be. But I’m not sure.”
When asked what would be next going forward with addressing the concerns, Roberts said that he was unsure.
“I don’t know what the proposals will be for fixing,” he said. “I heard
He went on to express some hope that the council could “fast track” the upcoming audit this year, which is set to end in several weeks to get “a better idea” of their situation.
for the family and friends of the deceased,” Daniels said. “Our prayers are with the family of this young man and the agencies who came out and assisted today.”
Daniels thanked numerous departments and agencies for their assistance, including Cleburne County Dispatch, Cleburne County EMS, Cleburne County Coroner’s Office, Hollis Fire & Rescue, Alabama State Parks Law Enforcement Division, Oxford Police Department Aviation Unit, Clay County Dispatch, Lineville Police Department, Clay County Sheriff’s Department, Shinbone Fire Department, Clay County Rescue Squad, Clay County Coroner’s Office, Randolph County Rescue Squad, and the Cheaha State Park Staff.
Councilman Brad Walker echoed Roberts’ point about the software and staffing issues.
“I’ll be honest, I expected a worse report,” he said. “I’m satisfied with the report that we’ve been given. And as my personal summarization: we kind of had the perfect storm as Councilman Roberts mentioned. We started this implementation. We lost personnel. We lost the CPA. And when you get into things like that, especially in the finan-
with local realtors and brokers who specialize in home listings in Moody and the surrounding area.
The company has multiple agency offices across the Birmingham metro, but Crossroads is independently owned and operated by Morgan and Brent Gulledge.
“We’re super excited to have everybody, we appreciate the support,” said Morgan, who was born and raised in Moody.
“We’ve got agents spread around and we’re growing quickly and we couldn’t do what we do without them so we appreciate everything that they do.”
Brent added, “EXIT is based off of faith, family, and community–that’s one thing that I do appreciate and the reason why I made the move to EXIT and we’re very happy to be right here in Moody and grow more and we appreciate Troy and Kathy [Dooley] for giving us the opportunity to be a part of the franchise and be a part of the family.”
The Dooleys, who are the regional owners of EXIT Realty, also congratulated the Gulledges on the opening.
“I remember meeting [Brent] that day and having that discussion and it was about being an agent, but then you started asking questions about what does it take to own an EXIT office and when you shared your heart and your vision then I went back home and told my husband…this is an individual that really meets what we look for,” Kathy said.
“We look for leaders
who just have that heart for people and that mind for business, and then when we met you Morgan we were like, man it don’t get no better than that, that’s a perfect pair and we are just thrilled.”
Moody Mayor Joe Lee also welcomed the couple back to Moody on behalf of the city saying, “I think you’ll find Moody is a very business-friendly community and by the people I see here today that’s pretty obvious.”
The new office is located at 2345 Moody Parkway, Suite 203.
cial world, then it starts to snowball.”
The council afterwards discussed accepting the audit. Given the fact that the council did not receive an advanced copy of the audit report, Roberts said that he felt that it was unfair to ask the council to vote on it.
The vote came to a tie of three for and three against, causing the motion to fail.
In other business
the council: Rejected a $2,400 pro-
posal to authorize a layout and design of the Rock School kitchen, • Rescheduled a meeting date from July 4 to July 2 at the usual time of 6:15 for the pre-council and 7 p.m. for the regular meeting, Approved paving projects to begin in the fall for $74,304.80, Approved the purchase of broadcasting equipment for approximately $1,200, and Recognized Zoning
Administrator and GIS Specialist Chris Sharit for his effort to assist the fire department after the passing of Albert Tinney IV.
Pinson City Council meets on the first and third Thursdays of every month at City Hall on 4410 Main Street. Live-streamed meetings can be seen on the city’s Facebook page. Nathan Prewett can be reached at nthomasp6@ gmail.com.
Brent and Morgan Gulledge's daughter cuts the ribbon to officially open EXIT Realty Crossroads. Chris Basinger/Trussville Tribune
17-year-old dies in St. Clair County swimming accident
From Tribune staff reports
ASHVILLE, Ala.–A
17-year-old male has died after reportedly hitting his head while swimming, according to St. Clair County Sheriff Billy J. Murray.
Birmingham
From front page
lice chief and deputy chief were vacated.
La’Quaylin Parhm
Mack, who served as assistant police chief, was appointed by Woodfin as the first woman to serve as assistant chief of police in 2021. She has been with the department for 19 years.
As second in command, Mack was in charge of policy oversight, recruitment and retention, strategic planning, budget administration, procurement, grant proposals, and special projects, and she also served as the personnel officer.
Shelia Frazier-Finney, who served as deputy chief of the Investigative Bureau, has served with the department for nearly 30 years. She has managed programs such as the Community Safety Partnership Division, Community Service Division, and the Chaplaincy program and served as a detective.
Frazier-Finney is also a member of the National Organization of Black Law
Chase
From front page
According to the sheriff’s office, the St. Clair County Patrol Division was dispatched to a call of an unresponsive male in the Shoal Creek area of Ashville. CPR was administered on the scene and the patient
was transported to Ascension St. Vincent’s St. Clair Hospital.
The patient was declared dead shortly after arriving. He was not identified by law enforcement due to his age.
Enforcement Executives (NOBLE) and the National Association of Women Executive Law Enforcement (NAWLEE).
Lt. Rodarius Mauldin was appointed deputy chief of administration.
The mayor’s office has contacted the local Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) this month over concerns about the department’s morale. On June 11, FOP Lodge #1 vice president Lawrence Billups said he was trying to get attention to issues facing the depart-
11 and Edwards Lake Parkway and involved a TPD vehicle and a silver BMW SUV. The occupants of both vehicles were evaluated for injuries.
ment and that officers have left due to low morale.
Billups blamed a lack of leadership on officers leaving and planning to leave. He said the department had 300 officer positions that needed to be filled. Billups said that, in his 33 years, he had never seen the Birmingham Police Department’s morale as low as it had been in the last seven years.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email erica.thomas@1819news.com.
No one is in custody at this time. More details on the pursuit will be released soon, according to police.
Burglaries
From front page
to the 7000 block of Greenwood Lane in Leeds on a report of a burglary.
Officers determined that a suspect or suspects forcibly entered the front door of a home and stole multiple items from inside.
They then went into the garage and stole a vehicle.
The residence was unoccupied during the burglary.
Officers were also dispatched to the 900 block Saffron Drive, the 7000 block of Rowan Springs Lane, and the 6800 block of Valley Lane on multiple reports of breaking and entering of vehicles.
Officers arrived on the scenes and determined that the individual(s) unlawfully entered into multiple unlocked vehicles and committed thefts.
Several residents in the area provided surveillance footage to police, which revealed that two males had committed the crimes using the vehicle that had been stolen from the residence at the 7000 block of Greenwood Lane.
On June 10, Special Investigations Unit detectives with the LPD identified the two suspects.
Detectives tracked to one of the suspects to Montgomery, and with the assistance of Montgomery Police Department, Bobby Earl Townsend was taken into custody.
JCA Coach
From front page
30-year-old Gerald Houston Lee, who is the former head coach of the Jefferson Christian Academy boys basketball team, was charged with first degree rape, first degree sodomy, and school employee soliciting a sex act with a student under the age of 19.
According to reporting from Carol Robinson, Iron-
Townsend was found to be in possession of multiple stolen items from the crimes committed in Leeds as well as other crimes committed in other cities, according to police.
One June 11, detectives determined the whereabouts of the second suspect, and with the assistance of Vestavia Hills Police Department, Eddie Ladarian Foster was taken into custody.
According to police, Foster was also found to be in possession of a multitude of stolen property from the crimes that were committed in Leeds.
Townsend has been charged with three counts of unlawful breaking and entering a vehicle, two counts of fraudulent use of a credit/ debit card, third-degree burglary, and first-degree property theft. He has a total bond of $110,000.
dale police launched an investigation into Lee after they said they were made aware of an inappropriate relationship between Lee and a student.
The alleged interaction took place in November 2023, and Lee is no longer employed with the school.
Lee, who lives in Springville, was booked on June 18 and is being held with a total bond of $150,000.
Townsend, who has been arrested and convicted over a dozen times on similar crimes, is currently incarcerated in the Montgomery County Jail on charges stemming from the crimes that occurred in Leeds. Foster has been charged with first-degree receiving stolen property and has a bond of $2,500.
The investigation is ongoing and additional charges are pending, according to police.
“I am very proud of everyone coming together and getting these individuals off the streets,” Leeds Police Chief Paul Irwin said.
“With the development of technology and highly motivated law enforcement professionals who it is an honor to serve with, these criminals who come to Leeds will continue to be put in jail and prison. Thank you all for working together so well”.
Former Deputy Chief Shelia
Frazier-Finney (left) and former Assistant Chief La’Quaylin Parhm Mack (right). Photo: Birmingham City Government
Gerald Houston Lee
Trussville Rotary Daybreak inducts new leadership at decades-themed trivia event
From Tribune staff reports
TRUSSVILLE, Ala. –
Trussville Rotary Daybreak
Club members got dressed up by the decade for the club’s annual meeting last week, which saw a decades-themed trivia contest and the naming of the club’s 2024-25 officers, board members, and committee chairs.
The groovy group dressed for the 70s made up of Kristi and Chuck Bradford, Mike and Julie Rowe, and Jeff and Regina Freeman won the trivia contest.
Renee’ and Gary LeCroy, Van and Carolyn Horne, and Greg and Deana Carroll won the table decorating contest for their 60s-themed blast from the past decor.
Sandra Vernon won the prize for best costume.
The Trussville club, along with over 46,000 other Rotary clubs around the
world welcomed in new leadership for the next year as Club President Dr. Kristi Bradford passed the gavel to incoming President Brad Wideman.
In her exit speech, Bradford noted many of the accomplishment and projects the club undertook in the last year including teaching kindergarten students how to read through Rotary Readers, putting together crisis buckets for schools, running the Foundations 4 Hope 5K, placing wreaths on the graves of service members for Veteran’s Day, and increasing the club’s scholarships to Hewitt Trussville High School and Restoration Academy.
“Brad, I can say with confidence that I am turning this club over to you in good standing. It has been a pleasure to serve you all as your president for the 2023-24 Rotary year,” Bradford said.
As Wideman accepted the gavel, he said, “This is a full-circle moment for me. Although I’ve only been with our club for a few years, I was exposed to Rotary at a very young age and saw the impact it had in our community. Many of you know my dad, David, was actively involved with our club during its early years. I have fond memories of him heading out to the weekly meetings, him telling me stories about projects and can still picture him on our back porch typing the newsletter.”
He continued, “Thank you for your support as I take on this new role. I will certainly be leaning on each of you for your support. I am excited to explore new opportunities to further serve our great community.”
Brad’s term officially begins on July 1.
Sandra Vernon (Trussville City Schools) is secretary, Jeremy Tuggle (Bryant Bank) is treasurer, and Alan Taylor (First Baptist Church Trussville) is sergeant-at-arms.
Directors for the coming year include David Glenn (Massey Stotser & Nichols PC), Van Horne (retired), Renee’ LeCroy (Atlanta Flooring), and Diane Poole (Leeds Area Chamber of Commerce).
Committee chairs named for the coming year are: Golf Fundraising – Cochairs Frank Jett (retired), Van Horne, and Diane Poole Social Events – Brian Fisher (Community Bank)
dridge (Keller Williams Realty) and Linda Burns (Keller Williams) Programs – Mike Rowe
• Club Grants – John Griscom (retired)
• Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA)
• Club History – Van Horne and John Griscom Public Image – Diane Poole.
The Trussville Rotary Daybreak Club currently meets at 7 a.m. almost every Wednesday morning
Dr. Kristi Bradford passes the gavel to incoming President Brad Wideman. Courtesy of Trussville Rotary Daybreak Club.
Courtesy of Trussville Rotary Daybreak Club.
Pinson city employee honored for helping with funeral of firefighter
By Nathan Prewett, For the Tribune
PINSON – Pinson City
Zoning Administrator Chris Sharit was honored at a meeting of the city council on Thursday, June 20 for his efforts in assisting the Center Point Fire District with the funeral service of the recently passed Albert Tinney IV.
Tinney died on May 29 at the age of 24 after serving the district since July of 2021.
“We had a pretty long three weeks,” said Center Point Fire District Battalion Chief Chris Horn. “We had one of our firefighters pass away and Chris really stepped up and helped us on filling the gap that we really needed.”
Councilwoman Clinteshia Irvin read aloud a letter that recognized Sharit’s help as the district mourned the loss of one of their own.
“Your knowledge, experience and unwavering dedication were truly invaluable during this deeply challenging time,” said the letter.
“Your expertise played a critical role in ensuring the funeral service was execut-
Center Point
From front page
Center Point Fire District
Station 1.
The idea for the event was born from a heartfelt eulogy delivered by Bishop
Stephen A. Davis of Refresh Family Church during the recent memorial service for CPFD Firefighter Albert Tinney IV.
Tinney died on May 29 at the age of 24 after serving the district since July of 2021. Davis suggested dedicating a day to honor and serve the brave first responders who work tirelessly to ensure our safety. In light of this, the City of Center Point chose to establish June 30 as a day of recognition and gratitude for first responders.
The event will begin at
ed with the utmost respect and precision. From coordinating logistics to overseeing critical details, your meticulous attention to detail provided much needed guidance and support to all involved.”
The letter went on to say that he is dedicated to public safety and thanked him for the service that he provided.
Center Point Fire District Brandon Dahlen was also present at the meeting and commended Sharit.
“This is something that’s very tough for us to work through unfortunately,” he said. “But the first responder family is huge and we felt a lot of that support during this time and guys like [Sharit] come out and help with the logistics and all the planning that [he] did and just being there to help support the family.”
Prior to Sharit’s recognition the council heard a report from Horn on the May numbers. There were 869 calls, with eight being structure fires and 314 being emergency medical services. There were 11 automatic aid given and five received. There are currently five vacancies in the district.
1 p.m. at CPFD Station 1, located at 2229 Center Point Parkway, where the formal proclamation acknowledging the day of service will be presented to Tinney’s family and the fire department. The event will not only honor Tinney’s memory,
Suspect charged in murder of 15-year-old Birmingham girl
From Tribune staff reports
BIRMINGHAM, Ala.
– The Birmingham Police Department has obtained a warrant for an arrest in connection to the murder of 15-year-old Cornelia Lathan, according to BPD Officer Truman Fitzgerald.
Otis Lee Montgomery III, 27, has been charged with capital murder, attempted murder, and discharging a firearm into an occupied dwelling.
On June 19, Lathan and her 5-year-old brother were shot during a domestic disturbance at a Birmingham apartment.
Just after 12:20 p.m., police were dispatched to a report of two juveniles shot at the Park Place Apartments located in the 500 block of 25th Street North.
Officers entered an
apartment and discovered Lathan and her brother both suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. Birmingham Fire and Rescue personnel arrived on the scene and pronounced Lathan dead.
BFR transported the boy to Children’s Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
Montgomery, who is an ex-boyfriend of the victim’s mother, was taken into custody within an hour of Lathan’s murder in the 6000 Block of 1st Avenue North. He is currently in the custody of the Jefferson County Jail with no bond.
Horn invited the council to their annual board meeting on July 8 at the training center where they will be given updates on additions to the facility. He then gave a reminder that their gold tournament in honor of Ricky Davis, who died in 2000, at the Grayson Valley Country Club on July 29.
Later in the meeting Councilman Brad Walker gave a report on the recent CityFest event that celebrated the incorporation of Pinson 20 years ago in 2004. There were an estimated 1,500 to 3,000 people in attendance.
He said that he invented the word “Fabtastic” to describe the fireworks display in the evening. The event featured food trucks and a display by the Pinson Historical Society that described the history of the city.
Pinson City Council meets on the first and third Thursdays of every month at City Hall on 4410 Main Street. Live-streamed meetings can be seen on the city’s Facebook page. Nathan Prewett can be reached at nthomasp6@ gmail.com.
but also acknowledge the dedication and sacrifices of all first responders in the community.
The city is inviting all members of the community to participate in the day of service and show their support.
One way community members can contribute is by writing letters of thanks to local first responders.
The letters will be collected and distributed to fire stations throughout the Center Point Fire District.
Letters can be dropped off at CPFD Station 1 or emailed to Tim Gann at timgann@centerpointal.org.
Pinson man wanted in St. Clair County
From Tribune staff reports
ST. CLAIR COUNTY –A Pinson man is wanted in St. Clair County on a felony warrant after his probation was revoked charging him with third degree burglary, according to Crime Stoppers.
Leland Alexander Frink, 33, is 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighs 145 lbs. He has short brown hair and hazel eyes.
His last known address was at the 5700 block of Bent Creek Road, Pinson. Tips from the public that lead to the solving of a felony case, a felony arrest, or the issuance of a felony warrant could be eligible for a reward of up to $5,000.
If you have information about this individual, contact Crime Stoppers anonymously by calling 205-2547777.
19-year-old St. Clair County woman killed in fiery crash during police chase
From Tribune staff reports
ST. CLAIR COUNTY–A single-vehicle crash that occurred at approximately 12:53 a.m. Sunday, June 23, has claimed the life of an Odenville woman, according to Senior Trooper Brandon Bailey of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency.
“Jennefer L. Arella-
no-Maldonado, 19, was fatally injured when the 2019 BMW X5 that she was driving left the roadway, struck a brick wall and then caught fire,” Bailey said. “Arellano-Maldonado was not using a seat belt at the time of crash and was pronounced deceased at the scene.” Bailey said Arellano-Maldonado was attempt-
ing to elude a Riverdale police officer at the time of crash, which occurred on Depot Street near Lakeview Circle, within the Riverside city limits, in St. Clair County.
No further information is available as troopers with the ALEA Highway Patrol Division continue to investigate.
Notice of Public Auction
Of Unclaimed/Abandoned Vehicle
The following unclaimed/abandoned vehicle, proper ty of Beck i L. Anglin (9151 Thermal Rd Warrior, AL), will be offered for sale by public auc tion pursuant to the provisions of the Alabama Abandoned Motor Vehicle Ac t as provided for in Title 32, Chapter 13, Code of Alabama 1975. Auc tion Location: 9151 Thermal Rd Warrior, AL 35180; Date & Time: July 25, 2024, 11:30 a.m.: Vehicle Description: Silver 2005 BMW 645, Vehicle �denti�cation Number WBAEH73435B216083. Contact: Thomas Gullo 205-910-6256.
Otis Lee Montgomery III
Leland Alexander Frink
From left to right: Center Point Fire District Chief Brandon Dahlen, Chris Sharit and Battalion Chief Chris Horn. Photo by Nathan Prewett.
Albert Tinney IV
WFF’s Weathers Credits Staff for Bradley Award
By David Rainer, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
Although he may rank in the stratosphere among his peers after receiving the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s Guy Bradley Award earlier this year, Mi
chael “Matt” Weathers prefers to keep his feet firmly grounded in Alabama’s fertile soil.
Weathers, the Law Enforcement Section Chief with the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ (ADCNR) Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries (WFF) Division, became the first officer from Alabama to receive the prestigious award that recognizes his contributions to wildlife law enforcement in honor of Florida Game Warden Guy Bradley. In 1905, Bradley was the first wildlife enforcement officer killed while performing his duties of protecting wildlife. The award was established in 1988 to recognize the
officers who have made outstanding lifetime contributions to wildlife enforcement, wildlife forensics and investigative techniques.
Instead of highlighting his contributions to enforcement efforts, Weathers wants to shine the spotlight on his Law Enforcement Section staff of about 150 employees, including about 130 Conservation Enforcement Officers (CEOs).
“I was honored and shocked I had been nominated for the award,” Weathers said. “It was meant to be a surprise. It certainly was. It’s an honor, but it doesn’t speak directly to me. It speaks more to the team that I’m a part of and that the accomplishments of our Section are impressive enough to garner an award. It really isn’t me. It’s a combination of the folks I work with every day and the officers who have made the programs we’re involved in the successes they are.”
Weathers said he wouldn’t have been considered for the award had it not been for the success of the
programs and a deliberate effort to change the public perception of the CEOs and enforcement programs.
“I’m thankful for the team I have been a part of,” he said. “We have been really successful in initiating and creating new programs and improving programs we’ve had for years. We’re getting so much more contact with the public than what we once had.”
Some of the programs that constitute the day-in and day-out duties of the Enforcement Section not only include robust enforcement protecting the state’s wildlife resources but also Hunter Education Unit, Captive Wildlife Unit and numerous training programs. These specialty units and programs complete tasks like public shooting range and community archery park operation, inspection and licensing of captive held wildlife in the state and outreach programs benefitting all Alabamians.
Speaking of public shooting ranges, the Law Enforcement Section will again hold Night Vision/
Thermal Open Range Nights at two public shooting ranges this year. These events are opportunities for the public to bring night vision and/or thermal sight-equipped firearms for a night of shooting.
“We have had strong demand for it since the first one,” Weathers said of open range nights. “We get phone calls every week about it. There are not a lot of places to shoot in the first place and very few places that will allow you to come out there and shoot at night. It is a good way to better use our ranges and give the public something there is a demand for. The goal of the open range nights is to give those people who plan to hunt the state’s special nighttime feral swine and coyote season a place to go and become familiar with their equipment in a safe environment.”
3% and 4% of Alabama citizens are engaged in hunting and 10% in fishing, the vast majority of our population won’t have a chance to interact with our staff or really understand what they do for every Alabamian regardless of whether or not they hunt or fish. Our outreach programs are the best vehicle to make our agency known to everyone.”
classes and certification but also the National Archery in Schools Program as well as the new Outdoor Alabama Academy programs that include basic training in hunting and firearms. Visit www. outdooralabama.com/Academy for more information.
“The Law Enforcement Section is responsible for the protection of the natural resources of the state,”
Weathers said one of the most successful ways that the Law Enforcement Section has interacted across the state is through the Section’s Rural Operations Program. This program teaches man-tracking and wilderness medical care to law enforcement, first responders and emergency personnel across the state.
Swan Creek Wildlife Management Area (WMA) Public Shooting Range will hold these night-shooting events from 8 p.m. until midnight on July 13 and October 5 at 18936 Harris Station Road, Tanner, AL 35671. Cahaba WMA Public Shooting Range will hold these events during the same time period on July 20 and October 12 at 3956 Coalmont Road, Helena, AL 35114. WFF firearms instructors will staff the range to ensure the event is safe for all who attend. There is no charge for the events, but attendees are required to have a Hunting License or Wildlife Heritage License, which allows access to all WFF-operated shooting ranges for the entire license year.
“The open range nights are just one example of an overall effort to engage with the public and make them better acquainted with Conservation Enforcement Officers and the programs that the Department of Conservation and Natural resources has to offer,” Weathers said. “Our officers are constantly busy and constantly in contact with the public to become better known in the community. When you consider that only between
“The Rural Ops team has taught dozens of courses to local law enforcement agencies and rescue squads across our state,” he said.
“The tracking skills imparted during these courses have already been used numerous times to find lost children and those suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. This course is a way to take the specialized skills that a Conservation Enforcement Officer develops during their career and share them with other first responders. It’s a great way to show our utility to every Alabamian.”
Other outreach efforts are administered through the Hunter Education Program, Weathers said, not only conducting hunter education
Weathers said.
“That is not just for hunters and anglers. Every Alabamian owns those resources whether they hunt or fish. They have a stake, and we are the agency tasked to protect those resources whether they know about us or not. Our outreach programs are critically important to the longevity of our agency.”
Weathers said having the support of Conservation Commissioner Chris Blankenship, WFF Director Chuck Sykes and ADCNR’s Conservation Enforcement Officers makes it easy to be successful.
“I’m fortunate to be involved with this agency at this time with all the things that are going on,” he said.
“It’s the men and women of our Division and Section that are out there creating these successes.”
Director Sykes added,
“Matt is very humble. He’s doing what a great leader does by giving all of the credit to his staff. But, make no mistake about it, he is more than deserving of this award, and it was my pleasure to nominate him.”
WFF Director Chuck Sykes presents the NFWF Guy Bradley Award to Chief Michael Weathers as Conservation Commissioner Chris Blankenship and Conservation Advisory Board Chairman Joey Dobbs join in the celebration. Photo credit: Billy Pope.
WFF’s Law Enforcement Section conducts Firearms 101 classes at public shooting ranges operated by the Division. Photo credit: Billy Pope.
WFF’s Rural Operations training teaches rescue squads and first responders man-tracking skills. Photo credit: Billy Pope.
Tree Talk: Fire Blight in Fruit Trees
By Jean Cox, VP of Friends of Pinchgut Creek Commentary
Fruit trees make lovely additions to our suburban landscapes, and if the right varieties are chosen, they are typically low maintenance trees. However, this year fruit trees across central Alabama have been plagued by an infection that has spread like wildfire recently. That infection is Fire Blight caused by the bacterium Erwinia amylovora. This disease attacks members of the rose family including pears, apples and crabapples. It makes branch tips and stems appear to be burned and can cause fruits on infected branches to shrivel and drop off. This nasty tree disease spreads easily from tree to tree and can be fatal.
Several people have reached out this Spring and asked me to help them figure out how to cure their infected apple and pear trees.
Our own front-yard orchard has also been hit hard by Fire Blight for the first time ever. I wish there was a simple solution and fast acting harmless cure. But there are mixed opinions and ideas on how to best treat this disease. After researching and witnessing the disease in my own yard, I decided to share what I have learned. There are some commercially made treatments that you could try to treat the disease with, but I will not be using them and have
not found any reports of people having success with them. Most of the products on the market contain the active ingredient Streptomycin Sulfate which is an antibiotic also used to treat Tuberculosis and Pneumonia. I question the longterm efficacy of this treatment and have found other options that I think could be more successful. Raw Apple Cider Vinegar diluted in water 1-Tablespoon vinegar to 1-Gallon of water has shown to be a great treatment option. The acidity of the vinegar works to kill the amylovora bacteria, while active cultures within the vinegar can continue to provide effective resistance, and the solution is a family friendly treatment method. This can be used in conjunction with heavy pruning to remove the infected branches.
Pruning as a treatment for Fire Blight is also a debated topic. If you chose to
prune, it is recommended to cut branches off about 12 inches below the infected areas. Pruning shears should be disinfected between cuts with Lysol or rubbing alcohol to prevent spreading the disease. We have tried this method on some of our trees and they seem to be responding well. I would not severely prune young trees in this way though. If you must cut over a third of the tree’s mass off to get rid of the “burned” tips, the prun-
ing may kill the tree quicker than the disease.
Some folks think that pruning is not the answer and believe it is best to let the trees fight the disease naturally. The right way probably depends on the variety of the tree, the weather, and severity of infection.
Some varieties of pears and apples are more resistant to blight than others.
Kiefer Pear seems to resist and recover from Fire Blight quicker than Bartlett pears.
Freedom Apples show substantial resistance to the disease, and they are a great cultivar for our climate, requiring only 500-600 chill hours each year. When choosing fruit trees for our area, careful consideration of disease resistance is important.
With the high heat forecasted over the next few weeks, I would advise against any heavy pruning right now. But if you have infected trees you may want to prune them heavily this Fall. It is best to apply apple cider vinegar solution when the trees are in bloom. So next Spring let’s all be sure to pay extra attention to our apple and pear trees. I have never seen so many trees infected as I have this year. Hopefully, next year it won’t come back quite as bad. And hopefully the fruits that have held on so far this year will continue to ripen and provide sweet Fall treats.
c ommenta R y Facebook removes news story from Trussville Tribune page
Cy Scott Buttram, Publisher Commentary
TRUSSVILLE, Ala. –
We had a disturbing incident with Facebook yesterday. And it impacted your ability to receive news that may be important for you.
I’ll say up front that I’m not interested in bashing Facebook, Instagram, X or any other social media platform. To the contrary, I en-
joy social media and believe they help provide needed information and entertainment. But when it comes to delivering news, some are sorely lacking and readers should be aware. At approximately 5:40 p.m. on Monday, The Trussville Tribune posted a story titled ‘Birmingham mayor vacates assistant police chief and deputy police chief positions.’ About 20 minutes later, Facebook no-
tified the Tribune that story had been removed for violating “Community Standards on spam.”
The news article is not spam. It is in no way misleading. It is 100 percent accurate and every source is cited. In fact, the story was reported by multiple Birmingham area media outlets and shared to those outlet’s social media accounts. They do not appear to have been removed by Facebook as
our story was.
The Tribune immediately disputed the claim by Facebook. As of 6:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Facebook had not responded. In a world where newspapers are expected to deliver news in a timely fashion, the lack of a response some 12 hours later is problematic.
Maybe is was a simple mistake. I don’t know because, as stated, Facebook has not responded to our dispute. But I do know it should never have happened in the first place. And I know it would not have happened had the decision maker had even the most elementary understanding of what a local newspaper is and how a local newspaper operates.
The news article in question relates to a press release on Monday from Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin stating that two top level positions in the police department had been vacated. The mayor’s latest personnel moves come as the city has seen an increase in homicides compared to the 2023 pace.
The story was written by former Tribune editor and current 1819 News editor Erica Thomas. The Tribune has a content sharing agreement with the outlet. Thomas is an experienced, award-winning news journalist who was repeatedly recognized for her work by the Alabama Press Association during her years with the Tribune.
The story is also of undeniable interest to the Tribune audience. All nine cities in the Tribune coverage area are part of the Birmingham
Metro area. Multiple Tribune cities share city limits with the City of Birmingham. More importantly, east Birmingham residents are among our most loyal readers. While I respect the right of Facebook/Meta to run their website as they please and implement any rules they desire, it is important for Tribune readers to be aware that any reliance on social media to deliver their local news would be a mistake. We cannot control decisions by social media platforms to censor news articles.
I give Facebook credit for helping grow the Tribune audience, especially in the early days. But much has changed with the social media giant in the last decade.
In 2012, as a deadly tornado took the life of a teenage girl, destroyed over 300 homes in Clay and dozens more in Trussville, the Tribune found itself without access to our website. With almost the entire
coverage area plunged into total darkness without electricity, we reported almost exclusively via Facebook for hours.
To this day, Tribune readers share stories of being glued to their phones checking the Tribune Facebook page for updates throughout the night and the following day. They relied heavily on our reporting for help and resources. Facebook access truly made a difference for hundreds of our local residents that tragic night. Today, a local tornado warning posted on our Facebook page, meaning people have minutes to protect their lives, may not be seen by many readers for days or even a week. That’s baffling to me. Even today–as Facebook incorrectly labels an important local newspaper story as spam–our Facebook inbox is inundated with spam messages from people claiming to work for Facebook or Meta. Multiple messages every day.
Despite highly detailed algorithms and AI ability, the social media giant seems unable or unwilling to stop the avalanche of spam directed at Facebook pages. But they somehow managed to find and block a legitimate news story. The best advice I can give readers is to visit trussvilletribune.com on a regular basis to check for the latest news stories or go old school and pick up a copy of the printed newspaper each week. We’ll continue to do our very best to deliver the local news. I hope you’ll do your best find the news that matters to you. And, while I’m at it, thank you to our readers for your amazing support over the last 15 years. Our growth has been phenomenal because of you and we do what we do because of you.
Scott Buttram, publisher of The Tribune
o pinion
Alabama’s so-called “Prison Reform” Has Created More Crime Victims in Our State
By Paul DeMarco
There are consequences when lawmakers in Montgomery listen to progressive advocacy groups and not their constituents.
Two weeks ago a violent felon was given 8 life sentences for the kidnapping and rape of two teenage girls in Autauga County in 2022.
He also has been charged with the unrelated murder of a woman in St. Clair County that is set for trial later this year.
What is tragic and infuriating is the felon was out on a mandatory release from an Alabama State Prison.
He had been in a corrections facility after his conviction on his fourth felony.
District Attorney CJ
Robinson, who prosecuted the kidnapping and rapes, pointed out that the Alabama Legislature’s prison reform in 2016 failed the state and created these dangers to public safety.
He rightly argues that there has been a misrepresentation that those incarcerated in Alabama are in prison for low level drug offenses, when the reality is that there have been thousands released early, which includes those convicted of violent felonies.
With those released, we have seen a pattern continue of recidivism and repeat felons out on the street to revictimize more, such as this reprehensible crime here. To make matters worse, there continue to be aggres-
sive efforts to co-opt the parole board to release more and more violent prisoners who have not served their full sentences.
Alabama citizens need to talk to their state representatives and senators to ensure that when they return to session in 2025 they correct their mistakes in weakening the criminal justice system to avoid the type of horrific crimes that occurred in Prattville.
Public safety must be the number one priority for Alabama state legislators.
Paul DeMarco is a former member of the Alabama House of Representatives and Chairman of the Judiciary Committee. He can be found on X, formerly Twitter, at @Paul_DeMarco
By Joe Hobby, Tribune Columnist
“Hey Google! What’s the weather forecast for today?” Those are my waking words each and every morning. And during the course of the day, it’s a sure bet that one of us in our household will ask Google the same question again, just in case the forecast has changed. For example, I will not only check to see if it’s going to rain, but then I’ll turn on the Weather Channel to see when it’s going to rain, how long it’s expected to rain, and where they expect the heaviest rain. Strangely, my activity as an unofficial weatherman drives my children nuts. It’s like pouring lemon juice on a paper cut. I have no idea why this bugs them so. But it does. It has even caused some fairly intense family disagreements. Their argument is always the same. “Why do ya‘ll check the weather all the time? Why is it so important? You can’t control it. You can’t do one thing about it! You’re just obsessed!” Such a Gen Z statement. By the way, I can do something about it – like turn my windshield washers on. And maybe they should talk to the people who didn’t check the weather before Snowmageddon, and spent the night in their cars on the interstate.
What they don’t under-
ple didn’t have iPhones with live doppler radar (whatever that is). So, they had to use primitive methods to forecast, which meant constantly checking the environment around them. Ever heard, “red sky at morning, sailor take warning”? Some folks used their arthritic bones to tell them of a change in the weather. Seeing cows lay down meant a bad storm was on the way. Even I used to get headaches 24 hours before a downpour. I always said, “When my brain’s in pain, we’re gonna get rain.”
would be sure to say, “Don’t go outside without a coat! You’ll catch your death of cold.” And depending on the anticipated temperature for Halloween night, she reserved the right to make me wear a jacket over my costume when I went trick or treating. I hated that. I never saw Batman wearing a parka. So, our obsession with weather has some logic and history behind it. Why is it some Gen Z’ers don’t understand that weather requires us to make constant adjustments? Um-
ronment around us. Don’t believe me? Try putting a on sweatshirt in August or a tank top in February. Those weather haters should also consider that they are in the minority. Weather is important enough that movies use it in their plots. Ever watch White Christmas? And hundreds of songs have been written about it. From “Here Comes the Sun”, to “Have You Ever Seen The Rain?”, the titles flow. Others in-
Hurricane, Stormy Weather, Kentucky Rain, and Mr. Blue Sky. The list is almost endless. Some of these songs go back a long time, and believe it or not, even Taylor Swift has a few songs about rain. Perhaps it’s always been normal for people to be aware of the weather.
So, the next time one of my kids beats me up about my meteorological fixation, I’ll counter with something like, “Why are we even ar-
ly check your iPhone every waking minute?” Is it worth ignoring the person you’re with just to see if you got a ‘like’ on the video you posted of a cat chasing a laser pointer? Maybe you should look at your screen time each day before you talk about anyone being obsessed.”
Then I’ll turn on the Weather Channel, or pick up my phone and check the Doppler radar – whatever that is.
Joe Hobby, Tribune Columnist
Paul DeMarco
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Local Meetings
● Trussville City Council Meetings: 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m., City Council Annex
● Trussville Board of Education Meetings: 3rd Monday of each month at 6 p.m., TCS Central Office
● Clay City Council Meetings: 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m.
● Pinson City Council Meetings: 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month at 7 p.m.
● Center Point City Council Meetings: 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month, at 6:30 p.m.
● Argo City Council Meetings: 2nd and 4th Monday of each month at 5 p.m.
● Springville City Council Meetings: 1st and 3rd Monday of each month at 6 p.m.
● Irondale City Council Meetings: 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m.
● Leeds City Council Meetings: 1st and 3rd Monday of each month at 6 p.m.
● Moody City Council Meetings: 2nd and 4th Monday of each month at 6 p.m.
Trussville Public Library
● Summertime Stories - Thursday, June 27 at 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.
- Join Ms. Alicia for a summer-themed storytime in the library auditorium with stories, songs, bubble time, and lots of fun!
● Yarn Manglers - Thursday, June 27 at 2 p.m. -
Knitters and crocheters, join us for fellowship and creativity!
● Garden Work Day - Monday, July 1 at 9 a.m. - Help keep our butterfly garden healthy and happy!
● Friends of the Trussville Library Monthly MeetingTuesday, July 2 at 11 a.m.
- The Friends of the Trussville Library (FOL) members support library staff by providing extra hands for special events and money for programs and prizes!
● Family Movie Matinee
- Wednesday, July 3 at 11 a.m. - Join us in the library auditorium to watch “Migration”, a story about a family of ducks that convince their overprotective father to go on the vacation of a lifetime.
Pinson Public Library
● Five Nights at Freddy’s Interactive Movie (Teens) - Thursday, June 27 at 4 p.m. - Can you survive Five Nights at Freddy’s? We’ll watch the film with themed food & activities.
● Storytime for Growin’ Beans with Ms. Allison: Space - Friday, June 28 at 10 a.m. - We’ll read books & do an activity. Each child will get a craft & snack to take home as well. Storytime is designed for pre-K children, but all ages are welcome.
● Once Upon a Murder Mystery Dinner - Friday, June 28 at 5 p.m. - It’s time for another murder mystery! Dinner will be served. Perform as characters while
also solving a mystery. There are only tickets available for people who will participate as characters. Registration Required ($5 fee)
● Into the Enchanted Forest - Monday, July 1 at 5 p.m. - Make fairy/gnome gardens, play games, enjoy snacks, & more delightful activities! All ages welcome.
● Take Home Tuesdays” Cereal Bird-Feeder - Tuesday, July 2 - Drop by the library beginning at 9 a.m. to pick up an all-ages kit with a craft & fun surprise! This week’s theme is the forest. Supplies are limited, so kits are available on a firstcome, first-serve basis.
● Tech Tuesdays - Tuesday, July 2 at 10 a.m.Need help with your tablet, smartphone, or computer? Mr. Keith is here to help! Please bring your device if you can.
● Soap Sculpting - Tuesday, July 2 at 4 p.m. - Turn bars of soap into works of art. All supplies will be provided.
● Yoga in the Park - Tuesday, July 2 at 6 p.m. - Join us for a yoga experience amidst the beauty of our Pinson Bicentennial Park.
● Mr. Larry’s Magical Misadventure - Wednesday, July 3 at 10 a.m. - Reading is an amazing adventure that begins in the library! Mr. Larry’s Magical Adventure will take your young readers on an exciting journey using magic, puppetry, & a wide variety of books!
o bitua R y
Jeffery Griner
december 1, 1962 — june 14, 2024
Jeffery Alan (Jeff) Griner, age 61, of Pinson passed away on June 14, 2024. Jeff loved the outdoors and camping. He was an avid Auburn fan. He was preceded in death by his mother, Gladys Faye Griner; father, Harry Griner; grandparents, Gladys and William Trimm, Esther and L. I. Popham.
Jeff is survived by his wife Michelle Griner; daughter Jessica Griner; two step-daughters, Felicia Smith and Sarah Smith Nunn (Tyler); step-son, Daniel Smith; four step-grandchildren, Noah Trammell, Anthony Trammell, Bralen Trammell and Wyatt Nunn; three sisters, Beverly Griner Payne( late husband, Pat), Cheryl Griner White ( Anthony), Carol Popham Griner (late husband, Mike) and Terri Griner Boley (Don); brother, Jerry Griner (late wife,Susan); step-brother, Randall Griner (joy); special family member who was always there for him to help out Jason Griner and numerous nieces and nephews.
The family asks if you would like because of Jeff’s love for Auburn football that you can wear the colors orange and blue to the service or Auburn Football shirts or simply whatever you feel is comfortable.
Helen Williams
january 23, 1945 — june 17, 2024
Helen Jane Williams, 79, of Pinson, Alabama, passed on June 17, 2024.
She is preceded in death by her husband William M Williams Jr; parents Hoyt M. Short and Lovevtries Short; brother Danny Short; brother Mark Short. Jane retired from BellSouth in 1993. She was a part of the telephone Pioneers.
She was a member of Pinson Methodist Church.
She is survived by son Roger Williams (Tami); granddaughter Shelby Barron (Josh); grandson Alex Williams; brother Stan Short (Gayla), brother Randy Short (Robin); sister Kathy Short; sister Sherry Short and one niece and many nephews. Services will be held Thursday, June 20,2024 with visitation at 9:00 a.m. and service at 10:00 a.m. followed by a graveside service at Jefferson Memorial Funeral Homes and Gardens.
Clifton Hamrick
august 15, 1938 — june 18, 2024
Clifton (Buddy) Hamrick (age 85) passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving wife and children on June 18, 2024, at The Oaks on Parkwood, Bessemer, Alabama.
Buddy was loved dearly by his earthly family as well as by family and friends who were waiting for him in Heaven.
He was a long-time member of Deerfoot Baptist Church, in Trussville Alabama. He loved his Lord and he loved his family.
Buddy will be laid to rest on Friday, June 21, 2024, at 1:00
AskEddie
How Do I Cope With Grief and Mixed Emotions?
Grief can be complicated if you had a strained relationship with your loved one. For example, if the last few years of marriage were more challenging due to the added responsibilities of caregiving.
If you find yourself struggling with conflicting emotions, there are some strategies you can employ. You can write a letter to your loved one, expressing things you wish you had said (or not said) or things you wish you had done differently when they were alive. You can also try creating a memory box with mementos associated with positive memories or sharing stories about happier times with family members.
No matter what, know that you do not need to go on your journey alone. Help is always available.
Please scan the QR code to read the full article.
PM, Jefferson Memorial Funeral Home and Gardens in Trussville, Alabama. Officiating will be Thomas (Tommy) Roberts.
He is survived by his loving wife, Billie Sue Hamrick and children: Deidra Schwartz (spouse/ Brian); Alisha Durrance (spouse/Don); Darren Hamrick (fiancee/DeAnna). He is also survived by his grandchildren: Justin Black, Austin Black, Kylie Durrance Lynch (spouse/Brian), Brett Durrance (spouse/Brittany), and Chloe Hamrick.
In addition, he is survived by his great-grandchildren: Haddie Black, Jett Black, Ava Lynch, Pratt Lynch, Rhys Lynch and Noah Durrance.
His surviving sisters include Betty Smith (spouse/Milton) and Dot Carson (spouse/Jimmy), as well as a multitude of nieces and nephews – too many to count.
He will be greatly missed and we all look forward to seeing him again one day.
Brenda Smith Parr
december 23, 1942 — june 21, 2024
Funeral Services for Mrs. Brenda Smith Parr, age 81 of Pinson, will be held on Wednesday, June 26, 2024 at 2:00 P.M. at Jefferson Memorial Funeral Home with Bro. Tim Tidwell officiating. Burial will follow at the adjoining gardens.
Brenda S. Parr went to her heavenly home on Friday, June 21, 2024 at her home. She was preceded in death by her parents, Olive and Edgar Smith, her husband, Bobby G. Parr, her son, Brian “Glenn” Parr, her sister, Shirley Rogers and her brother, Dwain Smith.
She is survived by her sister, Jane Owens, her daughter-in-law, Kristy Parr, her grandchildren, Brooke (Ryan) Greenwood, Brian (Kirstan) Parr and Kaitlin Parr, her great-grandchildren, Brynlee, Elliot, Shepard, Kamdyn and one due in September, Beau.
One special caregiver, Amy Reed. A host of nieces and nephews and friends. She was a member of Springdale Baptist Church and retired from Birmingham Board of Education.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, June 26, 2024 from 1:00 P.M. until service time at 2:00 P.M. at Jefferson Memorial Funeral Home.
Sandra Lee
december 20, 1942 — june 21, 2024
Sandra Sharit Lee of Trussville, AL went home to be with the Lord on June 21, 2024, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s. She was preceded in death by her parents Grady Abner Sharit and Evelyn Pugh Sharit. She leaves behind her husband of 54 years, Billy Gene Lee of Trussville. Two Children – Tonya Cardwell White (Scott) of Trussville and Jarrett Keith Lee (Jana) of Birmingham. Four Grandchildren – Caleb Jarrett Lee, Mikayla Renee Cardwell (Dakota), Morgan Elizabeth Lee and Emersyn Blair White. Two Great Grandchildren – Harper Raelynn and Chandler Renee. Sandra was a high school teacher in Georgia. Paused her career
children. She then resumed teaching at Jefferson State Junior College, UAB
Eddie Seal, General Manager
Hewitt-Trussville legend Jack Wood inducted into NHSACA Hall of Fame
By Johnny Sanders, Sports Editor
TRUSSVILLE – Long-
Hewitt-Trussville head
time
football coach Jack Wood was announced as the latest member of the National High School Athletics Coaches Association Hall
of Fame on June 22. The Hall of Fame ceremony will be held on Thursday at the National Convention in Bismark, North Dakota.
Coach Wood has served as the Alabama Football Coaches Association Executive Director for the past 20 years, the only Executive
Director the association has ever had. Wood took over in April 2005.
Among his accomplishments in this position, Wood has been responsible for securing corporate sponsorships, allowing the association to run its program over his tenure, he
has established a scholarship program for children of coaching members and senior students who desire to go into coaching, as well as representing the ALFCA on national committees and strengthening the association’s relationship with the AHSAA.
Wood grew up in Wetumpka, Alabama, where he played football and wrestled. He went on to Auburn University, graduating in 1973 and joining the coaching staff as an assistant at Auburn.
Area high school football teams busy with 7 on 7 competition
By John Goolsby, Prep Sports Editor
The 7 on 7 season for area high school football teams is in full swing.
7 on 7 has become a staple of summer work and features seven players on offense, including a quarterback, running backs, wide receivers, and tight ends, and seven on defense, including cornerbacks, safeties, and linebackers.
This format focuses on improving passing and defensive coverages.
By John Goolsby, Prep Sports Editor
The 7 on 7 season for area high school football teams is in full swing.
7 on 7 has become a staple of summer work and features seven players on
offense, including a quarterback, running backs, wide receivers, and tight ends, and seven on defense, including cornerbacks, safeties, and linebackers.
This format focuses on improving passing and defensive coverages.
Here is a look at the upcoming activities.
Hewitt: competed at the University of Georgia last week. At Foley later this week.
Clay-Chalkville: competed at Troy, Alabama, and UAB. Offense at Springville Thursday.
Shades Valley: competes in the Steel City 7 on 7 today at Legion Field. Center Point: “Shades of Service” this Thursday
See FOOTBALL, Page 14
Keystone Financial Group focuses on helping you maximize your future financial standing. Most of all, we ensure you a level of customer service and interaction that is genuinely personable
The Cougars won the UAB 7 on 7 competition last week. Credit: CCHS
See JACK WOOD, Page 14
Area athletes tapped for AHSAA All-Star Week
By John Goolsby, Prep Sports Editor
The 28th annual AHSAA North-South All-Star Week All-Star competition occurs on July 15-19. The teams, made up of 2025 rising seniors, were announced by Brandon Dean, Director of the Alabama High School Athletic Directors & Coaches Association (AHSADCA) Monday earlier this month. The AHSADCA will host All-Star games in Basketball, Baseball, Softball, Volleyball, Boys’ and Girls’ Soccer, Cross Country, and Golf during the All-Star Week. Baseball: Christian Helmers, Hewitt-Trussville. A doubleheader is scheduled for July 15 at 4 pm and will be held at Riverwalk Stadium in Montgomery. Softball: Zaylen Tucker, Hewitt Trussville. The Softball All-Star game is scheduled for July 17 at 4 pm and will be held at Lagoon Park in Montgomery.
Soccer: Libby Armstrong, Hewitt-Trussville and Rebecca Sierra-Barciaga, Springville. The girls’ game is scheduled for July 17 at 5 pm.
Soccer: Asher Tharp, Hewitt-Trussville, Jerome Byrd, Springville, and Avery Langford, Leeds, Coach Cody Wilkerson, Springville. The boys’ game is scheduled for 7 pm. The Soccer AllStar games will be held at the YMCA Soccer Complex in Montgomery.
Golf: Morgan Hopper, Hewitt-Trussville
Basketball: Ashlyn Howard, Hewitt-Trussville.
Volleyball: Jasmine Ter ry, Shades Valley AHSAA All-Star Week
MLB honors Mays and Negro Leagues at Rickwood; Cards down Giants 6-5
By John Goolsby, Prep Sports Editor
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. –
Brendan Donovan returned to his home state Thursday night and helped the St. Louis Cardinals defeat the San Francisco Giants 6-5 in the Negro Leagues tribute game at Rickwood Field.
The Enterprise and University of South Alabama product hit a two-run home run and added a double inside the confines of the 114-year-old park.
Rickwood, the oldest professional stadium in America, was the home of the Birmingham Black Barons of the Negro League.
The Black Barons split time at Rickwood with the allwhite Birmingham Barons.
The Black Barons played from 1920 through 1960 and
Football
From page 13
against Brewer. 7 on 7 versus Hoover July 11.
Springville: ClayChalkville Thursday.
Leeds: 7 on 7 at Mountain Brook Thursday.
Moody: OTA at Vestavia July 10; OTA vs Montgomery Catholic July 23.
won four championships in the Negro American League (1943, 1944, 1948 and 1959).
The game at Rickwood honored Birmingham’s Willie Mays, who passed away Tuesday, and scores of other Negro League players, such as Bill Greason, a former Black Baron, who threw out the first pitch.
Both teams honored Mays by wearing throwback uniforms with Mays’ #24 adorning them.
A Fairfield product, Mays played for the Black Barons in 1948 as a high school student before moving on to the Giants.
The 1951 Rookie of the Year and two-time MVP was a 24-time All-Star.
Mays batted .301, hit 660 home runs, hammered 3,293 hits, and scored over 2,000
Jack Wood
From page 13
In 1983, Wood became the head coach of the Hewitt-Trussville Huskies, then a 4A football team. He was one of the youngest coaches in 4A at the time.
During his tenure at Hewitt, Wood compiled an impressive 141-78 re-
cord in 19 years. 14 of his 19 teams went to the state playoffs. Three of his teams had 9-1 regular seasons. In 1992, under Wood’s leadership, the Huskies were state runners-up, finishing with a school-best 12-3 record. He also won four region titles, turning the Hewitt-Trussville football program into one of the
tops in 6A. Wood was also named head coach of the Alabama team in the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Game twice as well as having Husky Stadium named after him (Jack Wood Stadium) in 1998. Wood was also named Alabama Sports Writers’ Coach of the Year in 1992 and he
LEGAL NOTICE INVITATION FOR BIDS
Project Name: 2023 Regulating Station Replacements
Bid Date and Time: July 16, 2024 at 10:00 A.M.
was inducted into the AHSAA Hall of Fame in 2003.
do it in Alabama, I’ve got some friends and family in the stands, it’s like playing summer ball again.”
The first all-Black umpire crew in American and National League history officiated the game.
St. Louis jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning.
Heliot Ramos pulled the Giants even with the Cardinals with a three-run homer in the third.
St. Louis retook the lead with two runs in the bottom of the inning and added another in the fifth to take a 6-3 lead.
The Giants scored twice in the sixth to pull within one run but could not get another runner across the plate, and the Cardinals left Rickwood with a 6-5 win in the first MLB game played in Rickwood.
In addition to serving on the ALFCA as Executive Director, Wood served as President of the Alabama Coaches Association in 1995, a member of the Executive Board of the National Federation of High School Coaches, served on the AHSAA Central Board as President of the Coaches Association and was a member of the original AllStar Sports Week Committee.
Coach Jack Wood is, no doubt, a coaching legend here locally and now he will be recognized on a national level as the newest member of the NHSACA Hall of Fame.
Sealed Bids will be received by Trussville Gas and Water located in Trussville, Alabama, until the local time set forth below, for furnishing all labor, equipment and doing the work of constructing, according to Plans, Specifications and Contract Documents on file in the office of Trussville Gas and Water, the project hereinafter described. No bid will be received after the time set forth below; and the Bids will be publicly opened and read at Trussville Gas and Water Engineering Dept., 6620 Green Drive, Trussville, Alabama 35173.
Interested contractors can obtain prequalification applications from TG&W Engineering Department (“Engineering Department”), 6620 Green Drive, Trussville, Alabama 35173; Telephone: (205) 655-3211 and must submit the completed prequalification application to the Engineering Department at the above address, no later than 4:00 p.m. on July 2, 2024.
Project Number
2-008-23
2-009-23
2-010-23
2-011-23
2-012-23
2-013-23
2-014-23
2-017-23
2-018-23
2-019-23
2-020-23
2-021-23
2-022-23
2-023-23
Project Location
Happy Hollow and Bonnie Ruth Road
Floyd Bradford Cutoff and Roper Road
Old Springville Road and Sunny Lane Drive
Reed Road NE and 18th Avenue NE
Deerfoot Parkway and Jonathon’s Way
AL SR 75 and Pinson Main Street
Old Springville Road and Dug Hollow Road
Emerald Lake Drive NE and Cedar Mountain Road
Brewster Road and Bonnett Landing
Roper Road and Roper Tunnel Road
Carrington Drive and Carrington Way
Roulain Road and Pine Lane
AL SR 7 and Advent Circle
Red Mill Road and Cheri Lane
Plans, Specifications and Contract Documents for the project described above are open to public inspection at Trussville Gas and Water Engineering Dept., 6620 Green Drive, Trussville, Alabama 35173. Telephone: (205) 655-3211.
Trussville Gas and Water reserves the right to reject any or all bids, to waive any informality in any bid, and to accept any bid considered advantageous to the Owner.
No bid may be withdrawn after the time for opening bids has passed. Trussville Gas and Water reserves the right to hold the bids for a period of Sixty (60) days after the date of receiving Bids.
If said bid equals $20,000.00 or more, a certified check or bid bond must accompany each bid in an amount of not less than five percent (5%) of the total bid, but in no event more than $10,000.00. The payee of such check, or the obligee of such bond, shall be Trussville Gas and Water.
Contractor agrees to comply with all specifications, plans and contract documents as furnished by Trussville Gas and Water. Contractor must be licensed under the provisions of Title 34 Chapter 8, Code of Alabama, 1975. Prior to submitting a bid for this project, contractor must be prequalified as a Gas Line Utility Contractor for Trussville Gas and Water. Contractor prequalification applications may be obtained at Trussville Gas and Water Engineering Dept., 6620 Green Drive, Trussville, Alabama 35173.
runs. What a special night,”
said Donovan. “I mean, this is something that we should celebrate. This right here is pretty amazing. And to
Rickwood Field. Photo Credit: Sherry Parker
L oca L / R egion
Trussville volunteer speaker joins Megan Montgomery Foundation
From Tribune staff reports
BIRMINGHAM, Ala.
– The Megan Montgomery Foundation announced the addition of a local professional to its Voluntary Speakers’ Bureau last week.
Abraham Evans III of Trussville is joining the nonprofit to aid in its mission of
empowering young adults to recognize unhealthy behaviors and stopping relationship violence before it starts by speaking to civic clubs, youth groups, men’s organizations, faith organizations, and other groups.
He is also a certified and trained John Maxwell speaker, consultant, and leadership coach.
The Megan Montgomery Foundation was founded by the family of Megan Montgomery, who was slain by her husband in 2019.
Evans is the assistant director of Greek Life at Samford University and is a graduate of Business Administration.
Trussville City Council honors the back-to-back state champion Hewitt-Trussville High School softball team
To date, the foundation has distributed $161,500 to schools and nonprofits to prevent relationship violence before it starts.
The foundation also collaborates with national providers to deliver evidence-based and age appropriate programs.
Other speakers bureau members include Kristy Stewart of Synovus Bank, Denita Bearden from the Birmingham Housing Authority, Marla Townsend, retired softball coach UAB, Dotti Bailey, DSW, Bailey Consulting, and Anondo Banerjee from Postsecondary Success at Alabama Possible.
SPOC names new CFO
From Tribune staff reports
.–
TRUSSVILLE, Ala
SPOC has announced significant changes to its leadership team as the company continues to grow.
After years of service, Doug Markham has retired from his role as CFO and has accepted an appointment to the Board of Directors.
David Beauchaine, the current Executive Vice President of Finance, will assume the role of Chief Financial Officer.
Markham made substantial contributions as CFO and will now transition from his daily responsibilities to a strategic role on SPOC’s board.
“Under Doug’s financial leadership, SPOC has seen remarkable growth and success,” a statement from the company read.
“His strategic vision and keen financial acumen have been pivotal in steering the company through numerous market challenges, ultimately driving significant business devel-
opment and expansion.”
Beauchaine will bring his extensive expertise and experience to his new role as CFO having previously served as CFO at a leading pharmaceutical technology company.
He also holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Business Administration from St. John’s University and is a Certified Public Accountant.
“David’s deep under-
standing of financial dynamics and strategic planning will be crucial as we continue to innovate and expand,” says Robert L. Mason, CEO of SPOC. In his new role, Beauchaine will oversee all financial operations at SPOC and work closely with other senior leaders to drive the company’s financial strategy, including planning, risk management, and investment tactics.
“As the company embarks on its ambitious growth into hybrid energy sectors and broadens its market reach nationally and internationally, David’s expertise will be invaluable in navigating the complex landscapes and seizing emerging opportunities across these new frontiers,” the statement continued.
“His role will be instrumental in steering SPOC toward achieving its ambitious goals through enhanced business development, cost reduction initiatives, and rigorous financial oversight.”
Abraham Evans III
David Beauchaine
The Hewitt-Trussville High School softball team was honored with a proclamation at Tuesday night’s Trussville City Council meeting for winning back-to-back 7A state championships. Chris Basinger/Trussville Tribune
Trussville Social showcases Budweiser Clydesdale
By Chris Basinger, Staff Writer
TRUSSVILLE, Ala. –
Hundreds of people from around Trussville flocked to the Gateway Entertainment District to see a larger than life Budweiser Clydesdale last Friday.
Rocco, a 4-year-old male Clydesdale, made an appearance at Trussville Social in support of Folds of Honor, a nonprofit organization that provides families of fallen or disabled U.S. service members and first responders with scholarships.
The Budweiser Clydesdales visited Birmingham last week as part of a cross-country tour celebrating 14 years of partnership with the nonprofit, which Anheuser-Busch and wholesaler partners including Adams Beverages have donated $28 million to, funding over 5,000 educational scholarships for Folds of Honor recipients.
“It’s one thing when you see it on a calendar or a poster, but when you see one up close, they’re massive and it’s really neat,” Trussville Social co-owner Jeremy Reeves said.
“We’re thankful that [Anheuser-Busch] chose us to be one of the sponsoring locations.”
“We distributed 350 scholarships last year in the state of Alabama,” said Brigadier General (Ret.) Paul A. Pocopanni, Jr. who is the state vice president of Folds of Honor and chairman of the Hoover Veterans Committee.
“This is great with the Clydesdale here, you know, have awareness of what we do and we get a portion of the money, everybody that drinks a Budweiser product, they give us a little money that goes in our pocket and all the money that’s raised in Alabama stays in Alabama so that’s good.” “I
think it’s a great day for Trussville,” said Truss-
ville
Mayor Buddy Choat. “The draw that it has brought to our downtown
area in particular in support of programs like Folds of Honor and it complements
LEGAL NOTICE INVITATION FOR BIDS
Project Name: Contract to Supply – Approximately 168,000 lbs of USA Made Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) in Turnkey Carbon Exchange Bid Date and Time: June 27, 2024 at 10:00
Sealed Bids will be received by Trussville Gas and Water located in Trussville, Alabama, until the local time set forth below, for furnishing all labor, equipment and doing the work of constructing, according to Plans, Speci cations and Contract Documents on le in the o ce of Trussville Gas and Water, the project hereinafter described. No bid will be received after the time set forth below; and the Bids will be publicly opened and read at Trussville Gas and Water Engineering Dept., 6620 Green Drive, Trussville, Alabama 35173. Interested contractors can obtain prequali cation applications from TG&W Engineering Department (“Engineering Department”), 6620 Green Drive, Trussville, Alabama 35173; Telephone: (205) 228-1091 and must submit the completed prequali cation application to the Engineering Department at the above address, no later than 10:00AM on June 27, 2024.
The Board desires to have a turnkey exchange of four (4) GAC lters. Each lter contains 1,392 ft of carbon for a total of 5.568 ft3 of carbon for all 4 lters. An optional price shall include truck haul o of removed spent carbon and disposed of on customers property and an optional price including leaving spent carbon in supersacks and left for drying and disposal by customer.
On Exhibit A. Contractor shall state its price for the turnkey carbon exchange of four GAC lters with each lter containing 1,392 ft3 of carbon for a total of 5,568 ft3 in all four lters. This price shall include freight with delivery and o oad once on site. Contractor shall also state its price in Bid Option A for removing all spent carbon from site and dispose of it in a land ll or other disposal facility. Contractor shall also state its price in Bid Option B for placing all spent carbon in supersacks and leave on customer's property. Once awarded bid, the bidder shall have until August 1, 2024 to complete the project.
Product shall be 100 % fresh virgin Granular Activated Carbon made in the United States of America. The coal for the corresponding GAC shall be mined in the United States of America. The GAC shall be capable of removing tastes, odors, and other organic contaminants from water. The successful bidder shall provide written documentation that the carbon being supplied is 100% virgin. with no reactivated carbon content whatsoever. The GAC must be a 100% reagglomerated bituminous coal-based product sized to granular form prior to thermal activation.
The Product furnished by Contractor shall meet the following other requirements:
Each Product and its components must be new and not refurbished.
The GAC shall comply with AWWA 8604. latest edition.
The GAC shall conform to the requirements of NSF/ANSI/CAN 61 Drinking Water System Components- Health E ects standard. Bidder shall indicate source of coal, carbon manufacturing location and a description of the reagglomeration/thermal process.
The preferred method for carbon installation of virgin GAC shall be hydraulic water induction.
The Owner shall be responsible for providing the water supply needed to complete the process. Depth of GAC in each lter bed is 48" thick.
Plans, Speci cations and Contract Documents for the project described above are open to public inspection at Trussville Gas and Water Engineering Dept., 6620 Green Drive, Trussville, Alabama 35173. Telephone: (205) 228-1129. Speci cations may also be viewed on the Trussville Gas and Water website, Trussville.com under the News tab.
Trussville Gas and Water reserves the right to reject any or all bids, to waive any informality in any bid, and to accept any bid considered advantageous to the Owner.
No bid may be withdrawn after the time for opening bids has passed. Trussville Gas and Water reserves the right to hold the bids for a period of Sixty (60) days after the date of receiving Bids.
If said bid equals $100,000.00 or more, a certi ed check or bid bond must accompany each bid in an amount of not less than ve percent (5%) of the total bid, but in no event more than $10,000.00. The payee of such check, or the obligee of such bond, shall be Trussville Gas and Water. Contractor agrees to comply with all speci cations, plans and contract documents as furnished by Trussville Gas and Water. Contractor must be licensed under the provisions of Title 34 Chapter 8, Code of Alabama, 1975. Prior to submitting a bid for this project, contractor must be prequali ed as a Gas and Water Line Utility Contractor for Trussville Gas and Water. Contractor prequali cation applications may be obtained at Trussville Gas and Water Engineering Dept., 6620 Green Drive, Trussville, Alabama 35173.
our Veterans Committee, you know, we’re very active in our veterans park and our other things that we do every year, I just think this is a natural for Trussville.”
Community members take pictures with Rocco. Chris Basinger/Trussville Tribune
A crowd gathers at Trussville Social. Chris Basinger/Trussville Tribune
Trussville Social co-owners Jeremy and Misty Reeves and Trussville Mayor Buddy Choat pose with the Clydesdale. Chris Basinger/Trussville Tribune
