Council of Alabama and Chamber of Commerce Association of Alabama’s state Small Business Awards last week.
Moody Council approves zoning amendments for small dwellings, vape shops
By Nathan Prewett, For the Tribune
MOODY, Ala. – The Moody City Council approved a series of amendments to the city’s zoning ordinance during its brief meeting on Monday, opening up new opportunities... The amendments, which
See MOODY, Page 4
By Nathan Prewett, For the Tribune
PINSON, Ala. – Former Pinson Mayor Hoyt Sanders was appointed to Place 3 on the Pinson City Council during a council meeting on Thursday, Nov. 21. He was one of eight who applied for the seat. Two people later withdrew their names.
Sanders served as Pinson’s first mayor from when it was incorporated in 2015 until he lost the seat to Joe Cochran in 2020. Former councilor Dawn Tanner was also among the applicants.
Sanders will fill Mayor Robbie Roberts’ former seat, which was left vacant after he was appointed mayor in the wake of Cochran’s death. Sanders will fill the vacancy for the remainder of the term, which expires in late 2025.
The vote to appoint him, however, was not without some contention among members of the council.
Sanders was nominated by Councilor John Churchwell and elected after a 3-2 vote, with councilors Clinteshia Irvin and Brad Walker opposing.
Irvin later voiced her concerns with the vote.
“I’m asking the council that we all start back working together,” she said. “This is our second meeting where something has been proposed that I had no idea about. I can’t speak for Councilor Walker or anybody else but this is the second meeting that something has been proposed and voted on without prior knowledge.”
She referred to a past meeting in which council members were divided over
From Tribune staff reports
TRUSSVILLE, Ala.
– Trussville City Councilwoman Lisa Bright announced her candidacy for Trussville Mayor on Friday. Bright has served on the City Council, including a stint as City Council President, since 2020. Municipal elections are slated for August of 2025. The current five year term is a one-off put in place by the Alabama Legislature to move municipal elections off of a presidential election year.
Cochran shortly before his death of ALS and how items were put on the agenda before meetings.
“So my request is that we start collaborating and working together because we had citizens who–they notified us that they’ve already voted and they didn’t want Hoyt in the seat and if we were going to, by way of the people, we would have put Miss Tanner into the spot so that she may finish her term.”
Tanner resigned from the position in 2022.
Irvin further urged the council to collaborate and went on to criticize the fact that it had not been discussed in greater detail during the pre-council.
Roberts pointed out that appointing a new member to fill the vacancy was on the agenda. Irvin acknowledged that it was on the agenda but said that there was more time spent discussing selecting a carpet type for the Rock School Center and that
See PINSON, Page 2
Irondale man sentenced to 9 years for Attorney General’s office bombing
From Tribune staff reports
WASHINGTON – Kyle Benjamin Douglas Calvert, 27, of Irondale, was sentenced today to 108 months in prison for the malicious use of an explosive device outside of the Alabama Attorney General’s Office in
See BOMBING, Page 6
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. –
Eight of the men who were indicted in a multi-million dollar excise tax evasion and money laundering scheme have reportedly agreed to plead guilty to federal charges.
Last year, a 114-count indictment filed in U.S. District Court charged 11 people in connection to the scheme, which involved an illegal sports betting organization.
The men charged include: Timothy J. Pughsley, 51, of Birmingham, Alabama
• Christopher Burdette, 30, of Chelsea, Alabama
• Mark Giaquinto, 50, of Upton, Massachusetts
• Matthew D. Voorhees, 47, of Englewood, Colorado
• David Richards, 38, of Las Vegas, Nevada
Defendants named within the indictment are alleged to be senior agents in the Red44 organization or original founding members.
Mayor Buddy Choat announced at the State of the City address that he would not seek a third term after nine years in office. Bright is currently the city council liaison for Trussville City Schools, Trussville Industrial Development Authority, and Trussville Public Works.
• Nathanael Burdette, 36, of Birmingham, Alabama
Jonathan Lind, 44, of Birmingham, Alabama
• Thomas V. Zito, 57, of Vestavia, Alabama
“Since 1989, I’ve invested my heart in Trussville
• Christopher Donaldson, 46, of Trussville, Alabama
Gary L. Rapp, Jr., 44, of Lakeland, Tennessee
• Joshua Gentrup, 36, of Athens, Georgia
The indictment alleged that Pughsley had begun operating a bookmaking business at least 17 years ago.
The organization, which eventually became known as “Red44,” operated bookmaking and betting activities online via an offshore server located in Costa Rica.
The indictment goes on to allege that the organization accepted hundreds of millions of dollars in wagers from bettors between 2019 and 2021.
Over those three years, Red44 is alleged to have earned a total gross profit of nearly $75,000,000.
The excise tax owed to
See GUILTY PLEA, Page 5 See MAYOR’S RACE, Page 3
190 Main Street
Trussville, AL 35173 (205) 533-8664
Scott Buttram, Publisher publisher@trussvilletribune.com
Chris Basinger, Staff Reporter chris.basinger@trussvilletribune.com
Johnny Sanders, Sports Editor John Goolsby, Sports Editor news@trussvilletribune.com
Sherry J. Parker, Marketing Executive & Photographer, sherry.parker@trussvilletribune.com
Brookelyn Rush, Office Manager
Brannon Dawkins, Tribune Unscripted Producer & Account Manager
Presented annually, the awards recognize businesses of merit based on a variety of civic endeavors, business success, and community involvement.
This year’s event was held at The Club in Birmingham on Nov. 19.
A total of 40 Alabama small businesses, 10 in each of the four categories, were named as finalists.
adr Business & Marketing Strategies, owned by Dona Bonnett, received a bronze award.
“Dona’s contributions extend far beyond chamber involvement,” adr’s nomination from the Leeds Area Chamber of Commerce read.
“She has volunteered countless hours to support local businesses and increase community awareness. As the Editor of “Everyone Leeds,” a community online news and e-newsletter, Dona has spent over four years curating and publishing weekly updates on events, offerings, and providing a community cal-
IN THE INTEREST OF:
SEX: DOB: FILE #: CASE #: M 11/19/09 15-094 71-24J-154 D.C MINOR
To: Keith Campbell, legal father of the above-referenced minor child; A Petition for Dependency has been filed in this Court on October 24, 2024, concerning the named child and an Order granting this has been requested. This is a Summons requiring you to be present in Court. A copy of the petition may be obtained in the Clerk’s office of the Juvenile Court of Haralson County, Georgia, located in the Haralson County Courthouse, 4484 Hwy 120, Buchanan, Georgia, 30113, during regular business hours. You are hereby commanded and required to appear before the Juvenile Court of Haralson County, Georgia, located in the Haralson County Courthouse, 4484 Hwy 120, Buchanan, Georgia, on December 10, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. and to remain in attendance from hour to hour, day to day, month to month, year to year, and time to time, as said case may be continued and until discharged by the Court, and you, the said parent shall appear to make a defense thereto and show cause why the said child and all parties named herein should not be dealt with according to the provisions of the law.
Witness the Honorable Timothy Taylor, presiding Judge of said Court.
This the 29th day of October, 2024.
Clerk, Juvenile Court
Haralson County, Georgia
endar. Her work ensures that residents and businesses in Leeds stay informed and connected.”
Earthborn Studios, owned by Tena Payne, was also named as a finalist.
“Tena has received many awards through the years including the Enterprising
she didn’t know who would be nominated.
There followed a discussion about quorum policies to discuss nominations, with Irvin saying that she understood the law but reiterated her point. Sanders was absent during his appointment but he was contacted and was able to come to the meeting after its adjournment to be sworn in.
“Well, I’m very excited to be on the council again,” he commented. “Looking forward to working with the group and hope we can unify and get some things done for the city of Pinson in this last year of this term.”
Interim Palmerdale Fire District Chief Taylor Hancock also spoke during public comments and thanked the council for the alloca-
Women Award, and the International Shipping Award from the Birmingham Business Alliance,” Earthborn’s nomination read.
“Publications such as Southern Living, Cooking Light, American Craft, Flower Magazine, and others have featured Tena and her team and their successes through the years. Earthborn now 27 years later provides plating to restaurants globally. From Amsterdam to Dubai to Hawaii, Tena’s pottery is recognized not only for the beauty of the earth it represents but a durable, marketable, replaceable product.”
tion of $50,000 that was approved at the previous meeting.
“We’ve had a pretty high turnover rate as far as our employees are concerned and we’re doing everything we can to get new people in to fill those positions and I’m doing my best I can to try to find ways to add employee benefits to help retain some employees.”
Walker mentioned that the fire districts had not benefited from funding by the city until recently.
“We realize that we neglected some areas there and we were glad we were able to get that back into the budget,” he said.
Hancock replied, “Well, that neglect could have come from different places. It is very much could have, and moving forward we’re going to try to change some policies and things like that and work better with the city
and I want to work alongside you.”
During his comments Roberts addressed several failing streetlights and traffic signals and learned that many of the streetlights are the responsibility of the Alabama Department of Transportation or ALDOT.
He said that he recently met with representatives at ALDOT and that the city has been put on a list for repairs. He also mentioned a traffic light near the high school that is the responsibility of the city and that it will be repaired in the future.
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.
By Nathan Prewett, For the Tribune
LEEDS, Ala.
– City of-
ficials and members of the Leeds Area Chamber of Commerce joined families and local business owners in cutting the ribbon at the newly upgraded playground at Leeds Memorial Park on Nov. 4.
The project to replace the outdated equipment kicked off in September and cost approximately $750,000. Children present at the grand opening reportedly began having fun on the new implements immediately after the ribbon cutting.
“The playground and the park is one of the jewels of the city, gets a lot of use and
we really love having it,” said Mayor David Miller. “Our old playground was ‘long of tooth,’ not ADA compliant, we had shavings and stuff that we had put down, NOW, we are state of the art!”
“This is as good as it is anywhere and I think the kids are going to love it. Not only do we have new surface for them to bounce on, we’ve got all new facilities as far as the features go and this is going to be a wonderful thing for our city going forward!”
The park is located at 1159 Montevallo Road. Additionally, it includes a walking tract, pavilion and a Blue Cross Blue Shield outdoor fitness center, all of which is free to the public.
There will also be a prize awarded for Best Walking Group.
The parade, which will start at 2 p.m., will run
judged in a variety of categories including Best Interpretation of Theme, Most Original, Most Innovative, and Best Overall as well as a few honorable mentions.
from Parkway Drive to Main Street, through downtown Trussville, and end at Chalkville Road at Oak Street just past the mall. Registration for participation in the parade is open
and chosen to raise my family here. Trussville is more than a place on the map; it’s home,” Bright said. “Over the years, I’ve seen Trussville grow, change, and thrive in remarkable ways, and I’ve been honored to be a part of that journey. But I also know together, we can build an even “brighter” future for Trussville. Being guided by my faith and driven by a servant’s heart, I am deeply committed to serving our community with integrity, compassion, and a steadfast focus on what is best for our city.” Bright said her time on the city council gave her firsthand experience with navigating the responsibilities and complexities of local governance. She cited her track record of leadership and commitment that now leads her to seek the mayor’s seat in Trussville.
“I believe Trussville deserves continued strong and
forward-thinking leadership rooted in both a respect for our heritage and a vision for our future,” Bright continued. “My vision for Trussville centers on assuring community safety, equipping our schools for continued excellence, focusing on economic development opportunities and infrastructure improvements, and communicating effectively with our residents. I am committed to enhancing our quality of life, strengthening our local economy, and ensuring that every resident has a voice in shaping the future of our city.”
In addition serving on the city council, Bright is the founder and CEO of the Will Bright Foundation, named in memory of her late son. The foundation is dedicated to breaking down the barriers between drug addiction and recovery by bridging the gap through awareness, education, and transitional living.
Bright’s advocacy work in Washington, D.C., and
her time as a member of Governor Ivey’s Opioid Task Force Council have given her the experience and relationships, she said, to ensure Trussville’s voice will be heard on the state and federal levels.
“As I embark on this journey to serve as our Mayor, I humbly ask for your support and vote. I am deeply grateful to my husband, Bill, and my daughters, Ashley and Amy; my son-inlaw, J.R Millington; and my wonderful grandchildren, Olivia, Anna Kayt, Brigs, and Trip, for their love and encouragement,” Bright said in a statement to the community. “I also want to thank my many longtime friends and colleagues whose support has been invaluable. Thank you for believing in me and in the vision we share for our community.”
to companies, organizations, groups, and individuals based in Trussville. Interested parties can register for $30 at trussvillechamber.com. Prior to the parade, Trussville will usher in the holiday season with its annual Tree Lighting Ceremony on Sun-
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By Drew Taylor, CBS 42 TUSCALOOSA, Ala.
– Less than a month after announcing he would be leaving the helm of the Birmingham Police Department, Scott Thurmond has announced that he will remain in law enforcement, working an hour away from the Magic City.
Thurmond, who served as BPD chief from June 2022 until his announced retirement Oct. 24, has been announced as the new deputy chief of the University of Alabama Police Department. He will begin work at the UAPD on Dec. 2, just days after his retirement from BPD will go into full effect.
amount of law enforcement and public safety experience. Police leaders across the state speak highly of Chief Thurmond’s character, abilities, knowledge and commitment.”
According to a press release sent out by the University of Alabama, Thurmond applied for the position in August, two months before announcing he would be leaving BPD, where he had worked for 26 years. At the time, Thurmond said he was stepping away from the BPD in order to spend more time with his family.
cellent police department, and I am elated to be part of the team.”
As deputy chief, Thurmond will be in charge of leading day-to-day operations at the department, as well as overseeing field operations including the patrol and traffic divisions, off-campus unit, canine unit, special event planning, and other operational functions of the department. In addition, Thurmond will also be in charge of reviewing police policies and making recommendations for changes.
Local Meetings
“It is an honor and privilege to have been selected to serve as deputy chief of The University of Alabama Police Department,” Thurmond said in a statement.
●Trussville City Council Meetings:2nd and 4thTuesday of eachmonthat6 p.m.,
CityCouncil Annex
●Trussville BoardofEducation Meetings:3rd Monday of eachmonthat6 p.m.
“Chief Scott Thurmond is a remarkable police leader who has served his community with dedication, professionalism and integrity for many years,” UAPD Chief John Hooks said in a statement. “He has a tremendous
TCSCentral Office
●ClayCityCouncil Meetings:2nd and 4thTuesday of eachmonthat6 p.m.
From Tribune staff reports
storytimeinthe library auditorium withstories,songs bubbletime, andlotsoffun!
●Yarn Manglers: Thursday, July 25 at 2p.m.- Knitters and crocheters, join us for fellowshipand creativity!
“I look forward to working with the men and women of the police department as well as the faculty, staff and students of the University. The University of Alabama Police Department is an ex-
●Parks and RecTrivia: Thursday,July25at6 p.m.
Thurmond is leaving Birmingham in the middle of one of its most deadly years. As of Nov. 13, there have been over 130 homicides reported across the city. The deadliest year in Birmingham was 1933, when 148 violent deaths were reported.
Bicentennial Park:Thursday, July 25 at 4p.m.- It’stimeto saygoodbyetoanother wonderfulSummerReading Program!Enjoy free access to theSplashPad, crafts,food trucks,& so much more!
Interim BPD Chief Michael Pickett has succeeded Thurmond as police chief.
●GlowParty:TeenFinale: Thursday,July27at4 p.m.
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MOODY, Ala. – The City of Moody is planning several Christmas events to celebrate the holiday season this December.
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Twoprime-located cemetery plots(Section76A,plots 5& 6) in theGardenofLove at JeffersonMemorialGardens.$4,750 forBOTHplots or BO -contact BobCardwell@ (205) 4106006. Will split transfer fee.
●PinsonCityCouncil Meetings: 1stand 3rdThursday
●ClassicCinema: Friday, July 26 at 2p.m Come and watchaclassicmovie in the library auditorium!
Pinson Public Library
The first will be a Christmas Tree Lighting on Tuesday, Dec. 3 at 7 p.m. at the Moody Civic Center. The event will feature music, entertainment, food, and "a few special guests from the North Pole."
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primarily addressed agricultural districts and vape shops, had been proposed by the Planning Commission. Under the new amendment, new single-family homes in agricultural districts are required to have a minimum square footage of 1,200 feet.
Property owners wanting to build new smaller homes on their properties must also have permission from all of the adjoining property owners before putting such structures on their lot. Additionally, a road or street will not be considered a dividing line, so a lot across the street from the property will be considered an adjoining lot.
Twocemeterylotsfor sale at JeffersonMemorialGardens in Trussville.For information pleasecallTim Cash at 256225-0347.
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pass out free hot chocolate and coffee. The Doris Stanley Memorial Library will host an Open House at 5 p.m. prior to the tree lighting. There will also be light refreshments and children are invited to build a gingerbread house. The Moody Christmas Parade will take place on Dec. 14 at 5 p.m. with the theme being "Rudolph's Island of Misfit Toys". Anyone who wants to participate can download an application to fill out at
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www.moodyalabama.gov or email a request to Melissa Fraser mfraser@moodyalabama.gov.
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Donate your car,truck,boat, RV andmoretosupportour veterans! Schedule aFAST, FREE vehiclepickup andreceive atop taxdeduction! Call VeteranCar Donations at 1-877-724-3049 today!
The City of Moody will also host its “Deck the Halls” decorating contest for houses that are decorated for the holiday season. Anyone who wants to enter can fill out an application at www.moodyalabama.gov or email mfraser@moodyalabama.gov. Applications are due by Dec. 11 and winners will be announced on Sunday, Dec. 15.
Jacuzzi Bath Remodelcan installa new, custom bath or shower in as little as one day. Fora limitedtime,wavingALL
-Celebrate theend of another successful teen summer readingprogram duringour Glow PartyTeenFinale. Enjoysnacks,games,music,& otherglow-in-the-darkactivi-
●Moody City Council Meetings:2nd and 4thMonday of eachmonthat6 p.m.
and tobacco
will now be officially required to
: 0 s. ed
come before the Planning Commission to obtain a special use exemption and a $50 fee for floodplain permit applications has been established to cover the time and resources for the process.
herapist-ownedphysical therapy
During the meeting, the council heard reports from department heads for the month of October, with the police department reporting 1,189 calls, 36 traffic accidents, 154 citations,183 reports, 76 misdemeanors, 24 felony cases, and seven juvenile cases.
In other business the council:
• Recognized Alabama Farm City Week from Nov. 22 to 28, Approved the police department’s request to purchase two additional MDIS licenses for
$1,989, Approved the department’s request to purchase four ballistic vests for $5,200, Approved the department’s request surplus a vehicle that was seized in a narcotics case, • ● Approved the department’s request to purchase and outfit a vehicle for $39,945 and $5,397 respectively, and • Purchased a set of Nitto all terrain tires for a vehicle at Public Works for $1,088.
Meetings are held on the second and fourth Monday of every month at 6 p.m. at Moody City Hall on 670 Park Ave. Nathan Prewett can be reached at nthomasp6@ gmail.com.
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From Tribune staff reports
BIRMINGHAM, Ala.
– A Center Point man is among the two people who were killed in a double homicide last Thursday, according to the Jefferson County Coroner’s Office.
He has been identified as 20-year-old Michael Allen Carroll.
The other victim has not been positively identified.
According to the coroner’s office, the second victim was a black male aged between 20 and 35 years old.
He was 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighed approximately 270 pounds.
The coroner’s office has released images of a chain necklace and other clothing the victim had been wearing and is asking for the public’s assistance in identifying him. The double homicide occurred on Nov. 21 in the
4400 block of 41st Place North at around 6:30 p.m. When officers arrived on the scene, they found one of the victims suffering from a gunshot wound at the back of an abandoned house.
They also found a second victim inside the abandoned house, also suffering from a gunshot wound. Birmingham Fire and Rescue personnel arrived on the scene and pronounced
both victims dead.
Officers detained two persons of interest in the area and recovered a stolen vehicle.
Anyone with information on this case is encouraged to contact BPD at (205) 254-1764 or Crime Stoppers at (205) 254-7777.
This is an ongoing investigation. Information will be provided as it becomes available.
From Tribune staff reports
BIRMINGHAM, Ala.
– A Haleyville man was shot during a reported assault Sunday afternoon near Huffman Road, according to the Jefferson County Coroner’s Office.
The victim has been identified as 36-year-old Jose Luis Reyes.
From front page
the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) during that time is estimated to be about $20 million, or 2% of total wa-
Birmingham Police received a report of a person shot in the 1000 block of Huffman road just after 12:30 p.m. on Nov. 17. When officers arrived on the scene, they found the victim lying unresponsive on the ground outside of a business.
Birmingham Fire and Rescue personnel transport-
gers placed by bettors. According to reporting from WBRC, Donaldson, Lind, Zito, Gentrup, Richards, Voorhees, and Christopher and Nathanael Burdette have agreed to plead
ed Reyes to UAB Hospital where he later died.
There is no one in custody at this time.
Anyone with information about the case can contact BPD at (205) 2541764 or remain anonymous and receive a cash reward of up to $5,000 by calling Crime Stoppers at (205) 254-7777.
guilty to their charges and pay between $40,000 and $2 million to the IRS.
The other three defendants, including Pughsley, are reportedly still expected to go to trial.
From Tribune staff reports
LEEDS, Ala. – The Leeds Police Department is asking for the public’s assistance in identifying a suspect in a burglary that occurred earlier this month.
According to a report filed with police, the burglary occurred on Nov. 11 in the 7200 block of Parkway Drive.
Detectives have released two images of the suspect captured by video surveillance.
Anyone with information about the case can contact BPD at (205) 254-1764 or
receive a cash reward of
From Tribune staff reports
MARSHALL COUN-
TY, Ala. – The 18-year-old driver in the crash that left two Albertville teens dead last week has been arrested, according to ALEA Cpl. Reginal M. King.
Yeismin Ramirez has been charged with vehicular manslaughter and two counts of first degree assault.
On Nov. 20, Ramirez was driving a 2015 Nissan Altima along Blessing Road when it left the roadway, struck a tree stump, a sign post, and then a fence.
The passengers–a 13-year-old, 15-year-old, and 17-year-old–were reportedly not using seat belts at the time of the crash.
The 13-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene while the other two passengers were transported to a local hospital for treatment. The 15-year-old later succumbed to their injuries on Nov. 21. The crash occurred at 7:45 a.m. approximately two miles north of Boaz. Ramirez was booked into the
$250,000.
Montgomery.
According to the plea agreement and other court documents, during the early morning hours of Feb. 24, 2024, Calvert placed an explosive device outside of the Alabama Attorney General’s Office in downtown Montgomery.
During his plea hearing, Calvert admitted to manufacturing the device and to using nails and screws as shrapnel. After positioning the explosive device near the Attorney General’s Office, Calvert lit its fuse and left the area. No injuries were reported.
Before planting and detonating the device, Calvert placed stickers with graphics advocating for various political ideologies on various downtown buildings. Some stickers included the phrase “Support your local antifa.” As reflected in the plea agreement, Calvert claims he has no affiliation with antifa. Law enforcement arrested Calvert on April 10, 2024.
“Kyle Calvert attacked the Alabama Attorney General’s Office with a shrapnel-filled explosive and
then fled the scene, but this sentence ensures he will not escape accountability for his crime,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland.
“Acts of violence like this one against our public institutions endanger public servants and entire communities, and they must not be tolerated. I am grateful to the FBI, ATF, and our state and local law enforcement partners for ensuring accountability for this attack, and for the work they do every day to protect our communities.”
“Today’s sentencing shows that any attack on America’s justice system, and on the civil servants and public officials who serve our communities and country, will not be tolerated,” said Director Steven Dettelbach of the Bureau of Alco-
hol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
“The sentence handed down today reflects not only the severity of the crime, but also ATF’s commitment to working with our federal, state, and local partners to hold those who attack American institutions accountable.”
“This prosecution would not have been possible if not for the coordinated efforts of numerous federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies,” said Acting United States Attorney Kevin Davidson for the Middle District of Alabama.
“Working together, investigators and analysts were able to identify Calvert as a suspect and ensure he was held accountable for his attempt to intimidate public officials and create chaos.”
From Tribune staff reports
BIRMINGHAM, Ala.
– A Birmingham man who was shot to death outside an apartment complex in the South Woodlawn neighborhood Thursday afternoon. The victim has been identified as 33-year-old Justin Grant.
According to BPD Officer Truman Fitzgerald, officers were dispatched to a report of a person shot at the Park at Wood Station apart-
ment complex in the 600 block of Wood Station Place just before 4 p.m.
Officers arrived on the scene and found Grant inside a vehicle suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.
Birmingham Fire and Rescue personnel arrived on the scene and pronounced him dead.
“We believe the victim was inside his vehicle when he was ambushed, possibly by multiple shooters,” Fitzgerald said.
“This incident took place in a heavily populated apartment complex. Anyone that captured the events of this incident on their home surveillance footage is also encouraged to reach out,” he continued. There is still no one in custody.
Anyone with information about the case can contact BPD at (205) 254-1764 or remain anonymous and receive a cash reward of up to $5,000 by calling Crime Stoppers at (205) 254-7777.
From Tribune staff reports
JEFFERSON COUNTY, Ala. – The Jefferson County Coroner/Medical Examiner’s Office is asking for the public’s assistance in locating the family of a deceased Irondale man.
Marion Allen Mosley, 58, was found dead inside his home in the 3300 block of Saddlebrook Circle on Nov.
4 during a wellness check. There was no evidence of trauma or foul play.
Mosley had previous addresses listed in Anniston, Birmingham, Gadsden, Moody, Thomasville, Tuscaloosa, and Macon and Taylorsville, Georgia.
The JCCMEO is asking anyone with knowledge of the family to call them at (205) 930-3603.
By Paul DeMarco
With all of the national election results finally in, Republicans will now control the presidency and have majorities in both the United States Senate and House of Representatives. Most of the talk has been about Donald Trump returning to the White House and the leadership changes in the U.S. Senate. With Republicans taking over the Senate, this will soon give President Trump
the ability to get both his policy initiatives passed and his judicial nominees confirmed as he did his first term in office. Senator Tommy Tuberville will probably be the closest ally of President Trump in the Senate. Senator Katie Britt has become the appropriations workhorse for Alabama. And with the GOP maintaining control of the House, Alabama is in a strong position the next session.
Alabama’s U.S. Congressman Robert Aderholt and
Mike Rogers will continue to serve in two of the more powerful roles in Washington D.C. Representative Aderholt will continue to serve in his role as Chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health & Human Services, and Education. which oversees funding the operations of some of the largest portions of the federal government. He is the dean of the Alabama delegation and one of a select Congressman who will lead the
Nation’s budget decisions. Representative Rogers serves as Chairman of the House Armed Services
Committee, which oversees ongoing military operations and the Department of Defense. For Alabama this is important considering how many military facilities sit in Alabama and citizens serve their country in the uniform.. The state will have one less Republican Congressman in the 119th Congress that convenes in January with the loss of Mobile’s Representative Jerry Carl after a new district was drawn and Democrat Shomari Figures was elect-
ed. Thus, Alabama’s House delegation will need the power of their two senior Congressman to deliver for the state. There will be a lot of action in the Nation’s capital the next two years and with Representatives Aderholt and Rogers, Alabama will be in a good position. Paul DeMarco is a former member of the Alabama House of Representatives and can be found on X, formerly Twitter, at @Paul_ DeMarco
By Steve Flowers
The only sport that Alabamians enjoy more than Alabama politics is college football. We especially love the Alabama vs. Auburn football game – one of the fiercest of college football rivalries. It is the game of the year. It is a state civil war that divides friends and families. It is bragging rights for the entire year. The loser must live with his boasting next-door neighbor for 364 days. You must choose a side even if you despise college football and could not care less who wins. Newcomers to our state are bewildered on this fall day each year. They cannot comprehend the madness that surrounds this epic war.
Young boys all over Alabama grow up playing football in their front yards and dream of playing in this big game. It is often said that when these two rivals meet
one can throw out the record books. However, this is not true. In 90% of the meetings the favorite has won. A lot of SEC championships and bowl games have been decided in this game. It has made many Alabamians’ Thanksgiving holiday either joyous or sad. The game was not played for 40 years between 1908 and 1948. Myth has it that the game was halted because of the intense rivalry. However, that is not the case. The history is that after the 1907 game, the schools could not agree on the terms of the contract. The dispute involved meal money, lodging, officials, and how many players each side could bring. Football was not the passion it is today, so the two schools let the matter rest and the fans did not seem to care. That began to change as college football grew to a major sport in the 1940s.
When the series resumed, a popular rumor is the Alabama legislature called a special meeting and forced the teams to play. That never happened, but the House of Representatives did pass a resolution in 1947 to encourage, not force, the schools to meet in football, and officials at Alabama and Auburn agreed. The presidents of Auburn and Alabama simply decided it would be in the best interest of the schools to start playing again. A contract was drawn up, papers signed, and the rivals literally buried the hatchet. On the morning of December 4, 1948, the presidents of each school’s student body dug a hole in Birmingham’s Woodrow Wilson Park, tossed a hatchet in, and buried it. The series resumed in 1948 with a 55-0 Alabama victory and the teams have squared off every season since.
Many of you have seen signs and car tags that simply say, “A house divided,” with half the tag emblem being Auburn and the other symbolic of the Alabama Crimson Tide. There are many families in our state where one spouse went to Auburn and the other attended Alabama. The family that epitomizes this “house divided” adage of my generation is Joe and Katie Espy of Montgomery. Joe is an Alabama man through and through. Espy is one of our state’s most gifted and successful attorneys. He grew up in Abbeville and journeyed onto the University of Alabama where he began his meteoric legal/political career. He was President of the SGA at the Capstone, then graduated from the University of Alabama School of Law. Many expected Joe to enter politics and probably become governor. However,
he has lived a better life as one of the state’s top lawyers.
Katie Espy was born and raised in Eufaula. She was “Miss Everything” at Eufaula High School, including head cheerleader. She went straight to Auburn where she became a cheerleader for the Auburn Tigers. Joe and Katie have been married for 54 years. Every Auburn vs. Alabama game, Katie dons her orange and blue attire and Joe dresses in crimson and white. As stated earlier, Joe Espy is from Abbeville. Guess who grew up around the corner from him? None other than Jimmy Rane, the Yella Fella. Espy and Rane are both 78 and were born only three months apart and grew up as best friends and neighbors.
Joe has probably been the most ardent Alabama alumnus and fan in history. He was a University of
Alabama trustee for over a decade. Jimmy Rane is the most devoted Auburn man in Auburn history. He has been one of the largest benefactors of Auburn for 50 years and a member of the Auburn University Board of Trustees for 25 years. These two outstanding gentlemen epitomize loyalty to their alma maters and grew up together in Abbeville – a town of 2,000, which is probably evenly divided on Iron Bowl Day.
As I have said many times in the past, Alabama is one big front porch. WAR EAGLE and ROLL TIDE! See you next week. Steve Flowers is Alabama’s leading political columnist. His weekly column appears in over 60 Alabama newspapers. Steve served 16 years in the state legislature. Steve may be reached at steve@steveflowers.us.
By Joe Hobby, Tribune Columnist
My wife recently gave me an unusual gift for our anniversary. A bag hammock. Why she thought an old guy like me needed one of these, I’m not sure. I think it’s another one of her plans to keep me out of the house as much as possible.
A bag hammock is quite popular with campers. It isn’t one of those giant numbers that fits on a metal frame; instead, it’s thin, strong material that is stuffed in a tiny bag along with two nylon ropes which attach to a couple of trees. This means that I will need to be in the backyard, far away from our home. Now do you understand what she’s trying to do?
Of course, I had no intention of even trying to use this thing until it cooled off. Look, fending off mosquitoes and the fear of being pelted by bird poop is bad enough – I didn’t need to add searing heat to my new hammock experience.
So last week, with the heat of Alabama summer beginning to give way to
more moderate temperatures, I decided it was time to hang from the trees. I was surprised how easily the hammock went up. Within a few minutes I had it strung between two large hardwoods in the middle of my property. Once I carefully maneuvered myself in the middle of the thing, I leaned back and put my feet up.
At once, I was taken back to my childhood days when I had an old army surplus hammock in my backyard. I used to crawl in that thing around dusk with a pile of old Marvel comics and a flashlight, then read until it was pitch black outside.
ing excitedly – I’m sure it was laughter. I’ll remember that when I get out of here because I still have a BB gun.
video and got the whole thing.”
A wave of anger flooded over me. I knew what she had in mind. I was about to become the next big Tik Tok sensation. I grit my teeth and spoke forcefully. “Delete it! Delete it now!”
“Why?”
“You know why!” I yelled. “Delete it or that video I took of you falling off a jet ski goes on Facebook!”
That’s when I discovered that both of my feet were a good foot off the ground. I had stupidly mounted the hammock too high. To make
On this afternoon, I looked up and saw a canopy of oak, hickory, and maple over me. Dollops of blue sky flashed as the wind gently moved the leaves to and fro. It was so peaceful. I’m sure I felt my blood pressure dropping. After a couple of minutes, I pulled out my phone and began writing until I dozed off. There is no rest better than hammock rest. Maybe it’s because the way the thing envelopes you gives you a sense of security that’s almost womb-like. Finally, it was time to get up, so I swung my legs over the edge, fully expecting to touch the earth.
things worse, my attempts to escape caused the nylon webbing to roll up into hard edges on either side of the hammock, effectively trapping me. I tried in vain to arch my body over the edge, but it wasn’t working. I was trapped like a bug in a Venus Fly Trap. I heard a couple of squirrels above me chatter-
Desperately, I began to rock the hammock back and forth until the tips of my toes barely touched. I continued rocking higher, thinking if I could get both feet on the ground, I would just stand up and walk right out of the thing. So, I kept swaying until I was almost ready to stand up. That’s when I went too high, and the law of gravity took over, allowing the hammock to unceremoniously dump me out on all fours like a calf being birthed.
“Are you all right?”, asked a voice from a second story window. It was my wife, Carol, who had apparently been watching me the whole time.
“I’m OK – I think,” I answered. “What are you doing in that window?”, I asked suspiciously.
“I was going to take a picture of you in the hammock, but when I saw the trouble you were having, I switched the phone to
“Ok,” Carol replied sheepishly. She seemed genuinely disappointed she couldn’t share my humiliation on the World Wide Web. Then she countered with, “But you have to delete the jet ski video.”
“All right. Deal.”
And I immediately kept my end of the bargain, then checked her phone to make sure she kept hers. Done and done.
But what she doesn’t know is I still have a two-minute video of her snoring and swearing in her sleep.
You never know when you may need to negotiate another agreement.
By Sean Dietrich, Sean of the South
Today, schoolkids across the nation will sit at desks, forced to write at knifepoint the same essay we all wrote each November: “What I’m Thankful For.”
Every student approaches this essay differently. Some, primarily front-row students, draft an itemized list wherein items one through 49 explicitly thank the teacher for being so incredibly, stupendously, unmitigatedly awesome that she is finally forced to wipe the brown stains from these students’ noses.
Meantime, kids in the back rows pass around M.A.D. magazines, retelling the timeless joke about the pig with the wooden leg, a joke which has brought me, personally, more comfort than any major religion.
Nevertheless, we wrote our lists each year. I never received an A-grade on my essays. But to this day, I have a stunning collection of magazines which bear the face of Alfred E. Neuman on the cover.
So, in no particular or-
der, here is my list: “The Andy Griffith Show.” I grew up in a tragic, fatherless home. I look back now and realize I was probably clinically depressed. But each afternoon at five, the clouds parted and a local channel ran back-to-back reruns of Andy. Andy Griffith was my pretend dad.
I’m grateful for that.
I am thankful for dogs. On any given day, I receive more tangible love from dogs than I could get, say, attending Woodstock.
I am thankful for music. Old music. The kind that forms a living scrapbook of our ancestors. “Amazing Grace.” “Leaning on the Everlasting Arms.” “Hard Times.” I am thankful for my old fiddle. My piano. And, God help me, even my banjo. I am not thankful for the accordion.
I am thankful for babies. All infants. Happy, plump, fat, pink newborns who laugh so hard that semi-solids come out both ends.
My wife and I were not able to have children. This has mostly been okay with me. After all, I didn’t have an example of a father. I
lived the life of a bar musician since age 14, playing in stuffy rooms where you could actually see the air.
The older I get, the more I wonder what a little redheaded girl would have looked like. This child might have had my wife’s brains, my wife’s looks, and I could have taught her how to hate the accordion.
I’m thankful for beer.
The smell of cinnamon. Chili Cheese Fritos. Largemouth bass which, I have been told by reliable sources, actually do exist.
For my friend Becca. For my front porch. Feral cats. The sound of rain. For Pluto TV, a streaming service which has a 24-hour Andy Griffith Channel. Also, a James Bond channel, as well as “Little House on the
Prairie” and “Love Boat” channels. No “Charlie’s Angels” channel yet. But nobody’s perfect.
I am thankful for my wife, who made me into me.
Fate should have made her a gentleman’s wife. Instead, Fate gave her a dork. But she made the best of him.
Lastly, but not leastly, I am thankful for You, God.
I know it seems redun-
dant, thanking God for being God. But how can one be grateful for true art without also being grateful for the Artist?
I appreciate what you made, God. The big and little stuff. I cannot tell you what a privilege it’s been, just having a shot at being alive—for however long my life lasts.
Oftentimes, religious people will write to me, hell-bent on telling me how I don’t know you, or how there is a list of criteria to meet, or how I have to do A, B, and C, before I can get to heaven. When the truth is, I don’t really need to go to heaven, God. I’m happy here. Just being right here, with all your love floating around me. If this is all you give me, I’ll be okay. These religious people don’t know what you and I have going on, God. They don’t know how you helped a traumatized kid, the survivor of suicide and poverty of spirit, find himself. These people just don’t know how good we are together.
So anyway, God, I know you’re busy, but please give me an A for this essay.
By Dixie Dreamer
Is there anything more nerve-wracking than a first date? Imagine my surprise when I found myself rummaging through my closet, trying to find the perfect outfit for my own ‘one-onone.’ As I tried on the third pair of shoes, I couldn’t help but wonder: Why do we put so much pressure on these first meets of fate? There’s mystery, magic, and, quite often, a little mayhem in the art of dating. Take Sasha, for instance. She was all set to meet a charming fellow who worked for UPS. Ironically, the man whose job was to deliver packages
couldn’t deliver himself to the right location! There she was, looking fabulous and yet puzzled, standing in a restaurant as text after text came in, “I’m sure I was at the right place!” If only he’d tracked his own steps as diligently as a parcel. It makes you wonder, are we as dependable in love as we are in logistics? Then there’s the case of Sasha’s unexpected chauffeur gig. There seems to be a new dating trend, or should I say, a call-back to chivalry bypassed? Sasha’s interest peaked when a sophisticated gentleman asked her out. But this knight in shining armor had a twist in his tale—he casually requested
that she pick him up. In her sleek sedan, she ventured out, pondering if this was a glimpse into a future where women drove the romantic steering wheel, or merely an alternate version of the carpool. Was gasping for air a part of getting gas now, too?
And then there was my personal night at the baseball game. You’d think an evening among peanuts and cracker jacks would hit a home run, right? I met a promising prospect who seemed just as interested in the game as he was in the innings of our conversation. Five batters later, he promptly declared an inning-ending, announcing he
had other “commitments.”
As he left, I jested to myself, was it something I said, or was he just not ready to play ball?
First dates are fascinating. They’re like opening an unfamiliar book—one could be a thriller, while another might be a comedy of errors. It’s these unpredictable stories from the heart that remind us of the joys and jitters of human connection. We dress, we drive, and sometimes, literally, find ourselves in the wrong place, quite like love itself. So the next time you’re standing in front of your closet, vying for the ideal avatar of love, remember this: Each first
date is merely a chapter in the grand novel of life. I couldn’t help but wonder, what’s your story’s first line?
I couldn’t help but wonder... What’s your worst (or best?) first date story? Did you meet your soulmate over a romantic dinner, or did you endure a cringe-worthy evening that left you questioning your life choices?
Share your tales of first date triumph and terror with me at Columnist@ICHBWColumn.com. Let’s commiserate, laugh, and maybe – just maybe – uncover the secrets to a successful first date. Until next time, stay fabulous, and keep on dating! XOXO
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BIRMINGHAM
march 11, 2002 — july 24, 2024
It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Christian Lane Welsch, 22, of Los Angeles, California who succumbed to his injuries he sustained in a motor vehicle accident on July 24, 2024. He was born on March 11, 2002, in Birmingham, Alabama to Matthew and Lisa Welsch. He lived in Birmingham until he was five years old when he moved to Gulf Shores. Christian excelled in school earning many awards and graduated from Gulf Shores High School in 2020. He worked and saved money to follow his dream to live in California where he made many friends and loved living in California. Christian enjoyed spending time at the beach, traveling with family and friends and had a passion for cats. Christian was a beloved son, grandson, great grandson, brother, nephew, cousin and friend to many who loved and adored him and he will be greatly missed. Christian is survived by his father, Matthew Welsch, his mother, Lisa Welsch, his grandmother, Marcia Welsch, his grandfather, Ricky Weldon, his grandfather, Len Welsch, his great grandparents, Grace and Charles Nelson, his sister, Addison Weldon, his brother, Jax Loria, and a host of aunts, uncles, and cousins. Visitation will be held Saturday, November 16, 2024, at 2 pm with a celebration of life at 3 pm at Jefferson Memorial Chapel. Burial will follow at Jefferson Memorial Gardens. Join us as we fellowship and eat afterwards at the Nelsons 835 Vanessa Drive, Trussville.
may 18, 1982 — november 4, 2024
Funeral Services for Mr. Adam D. Cooner, age 42 of Hollytree, were held on Wednesday, November 13, 2024 at 2:00 P.M. at Jefferson Memorial Funeral Home where Father John Fallon officiated. Adam passed away on Monday, November 4, 2024 at his home. Born in Birmingham, he was a lifelong resident of Alabama. Adam was a proud member of the United States Marine Corps and had an associate’s degree in Machine Technology. He worked many years as a Master Machinist and was employed at Norris Cylinder in Huntsville. Adam was a proud father of 3 boys, he enjoyed hunting, fishing and being outdoors. He was a beloved son, father, brother and friend that will be dearly missed.
He is survived by his sons, Adam H. Cooner, Will Cooner and Collin Cooner, his father, Douglas Cooner (Vicky), his mother, Catherine Posey (Jimmy), his brother, Luke Cooner (Cammie), his stepsister, Mari Lizacano (Alina) and a host of nieces, nephews and extended family.
He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Howard and Frances Cooner and his maternal grandparents, William and Sue Small.
Visitation was held on Wednesday, November 13, 2024 from 1:00 P.M. until service time at 2:00 P.M. at Jefferson Memorial Funeral Home.
Honorary pallbearers were Douglas Cooner, Adam Cooner, Will Cooner, Collin Cooner, Luke Cooner, Jimmy Posey and Ricky Small.
may 29, 1942 — november 16, 2024
Judith Ann Waters, age 82, passed away on November 16, 2024. Mrs. Waters loved to serve people.
She loved to cook for large crowds. She was always willing to help her children and grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband Robert M. Waters; siblings, Ada Arata, Virginia Ullrich, Robert Ferry and Margie Ferry.
Judith is survived by her four children, Karen Gaskill, Robert Waters, Tracy Bateman and Kenneth Waters; nine grandchildren, Michael Gaskill, Stephanie Gaskill, Aimee Gaskill, Tylers Waters, Brian Reinhard, Christine Brown, Kenneth Waters, Patrick Waters, Katie Waters; and eight great-grandchildren, Emma, Braden, Madyson, Brooke, Nixon, Carson, Jordan and Kynzlee.
may 19, 1938 — november 16, 2024
Waymon Ray Townsend of Trussville, at the age of 86, peacefully passed at home on Saturday, November 16, 2024.
He is survived by his wife, Evelyn Fox Townsend, Rhonda Townsend Buckner (Pat), Bill Townsend (Jennifer), Jeff Fox (Tracy), Cyndi Fox Polito (David), and many grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Also survived by brother Randall Townsend and sister Pam Skinner.
He was called Papa and loved his family with great passion. He enjoyed working in his yard, flowers (especially red roses), sharing life stories, talking “trucking,” keeping up with family news and events and sharing a bit of time together.
He was preceded in death by his parents Riley and Mollie Townsend, sister Betty Townsend Kitchens, and grandson William Matthew Townsend. Papa’s quiet laugh and smile warmed our hearts. He will be forever missed.
december 5, 1939 — november 16, 2024 Funeral Services for Mrs. Judy Brown, age 84 of Birmingham, were held on Thursday, November 21, 2024 at 1:00 P.M. at Jefferson Memorial Funeral Home where Rev. Terry Newland officiated. Burial followed in the adjoining gardens.
Judy Brown (Rylant) of Birmingham AL and Sylacauga AL, passed away on November 16th 2024, at her home, with her family by her side. She was 84 years old. Judy was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother and aunt. She was a friend to everyone she met and dedicated much of her time to visit those who were homebound or in nursing homes. Before her illness with Alzheimer’s, she he was very active in her church and in her community, always looking for ways she could help others and to share God’s love. She and her husband Jim were members at Lakeside Baptist Church for many years.
Judy
Judy
Jefferson Memorial is a full-service funeral home and perpetual care cemetery dedicated to serving our community with dignity and compassion. We Make it Personal®, one family at a time.
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celebration, can also be a lonely time for those grieving the loss of a loved one. Honoring their memory can provide solace and a sense of connection. One way to celebrate a loved one is by creating a special or nament or decoration in their memory. This can be a comforting reminder of their presence during holiday gatherings. Another idea is to prepare their favorite dish and share stories about them around the dinner table. Not only does this keep their memories alive, but it also fosters a sense of healing for all.
Engaging in these acts of remembrance can help the love and memories shared. This holiday those we miss and creating new traditions that keep their spirit alive.
By Johnny Sanders, Sports Editor
MOODY
– When the
Moody Blue Devils football team woke up Friday morning, the school had never won a third-round playoff football game. A 49-7 thumping of 5A powerhouse Ramsay would change that as the clock ran out on Friday night in the AHSAA 5A quarter final game at “The Bill.”
The Blue Devils started the game on offense and, after driving the ball down to the four-yard line, Bravis Cave Jr. took it in on the short run to put his team ahead 7-0.
Ramsay would waste little time, scoring just a
minute and a half later on a 28-yard pass with 6:14 to go in the first quarter, making it 7-7 and it looked like this one would be a slugfest. With 1:57 to go in the first, Charlie Johnston would find Josiah Dozier on a 21-yard touchdown pass that saw the junior receiver make a one-handed catch with a defender pulling his jersey on the other arm. The PAT would make it 14-7 Moody.
On the next drive, Ramsay would fumble and Bailey Abercrombie would pounce on it at the eight-yard line. A couple of plays later and La’Kameron Meadows would bust through the middle of the line for a four-yard touch-
down to put Moody up 21-7 at the 1:07 mark of the first quarter.
The second quarter would be more of the same thing as Moody wasted no time scoring again. Johnston to Dozier proved to still be one of the deadliest duos in the state as the two connected for a 37-yard touchdown with 8:42 to go in the second. The score would be 28-7 at that point. Ramsay would show some promise as they would use a 60-yard burst to set up shop at the Moody four. Ramsay would fumble on the next play and Sidney Walton would pounce on it in the end zone. The Blue Devils would not capitalize and the drive ended up with Kaleb Goff
punting to the Rams. Ramsay would fumble the ball again, at the 25yard line. Alabama commit Ba’Roc Willis would scoop the ball up and take it 75 yards for the score and it would be 35-7. “I saw my d-lineman make a play and I saw the ball rolling,” said Willis. “When you see the ball rolling, you’ve got to go pick it up. So I did and then I was just thinking ‘go score.’ I was pretty tired and needed that oxygen. This feels great, but the job is not done. We’ve got to go right back to work next week.”
A Brodie McCutcheon interception would end the half as Moody once again kept the Rams out of the end
zone after they made it deep into Blue Devil territory.
At the 5:02 mark of the third, Cave would pick up his second touchdown of the game from two yards out.
Johnston would find senior Braden Wright for a spectacular 35-yard touchdown that saw Wright put several moves on Ramsay defenders to get the ball into the end zone. The final would be 49-7 with Moody advancing and the Ramsay Rams ending their season.
Linebacker Jagger Ludolf, who had seven tackles on the night, said, “This game was really a statement. Last year, this is where we got killed, as Coach Ganus
says, but we came back and did way better. It’s just great playing with this team. This defense is like a brotherhood. I just love these guys and we play for each other. This is all God’s plan and it’s awesome to get to play Leeds again and get our getback one more time.”
Quarterback Charlie Johnston finished 14 if 15 passing for 179 yards and three touchdowns. “It’s a great feeling for the team. I’m so proud and happy for our guys. It was a night of complimentary football. That offensive line keeping me protected, wide receivers and running backs play-
By Will Heath, For the Tribune
LEEDS – Advancing out of the third round of the AHSAA playoffs required a total team effort.
Leeds got it. And Leeds is advancing.
The Green Wave offense rolled up 501 total yards of offense on Friday against 7th-ranked Corner, enough for a 57-36 victory over the Yellow Jackets.
That win means that Leeds (11-2) gets a semifinal matchup against archrival Moody, next Friday at Bill Morris Stadium.
“Everybody in the 205 is going to be there (at Moody),” Leeds senior quarterback Conner Nelson said after the game.
Nelson and the Green Wave offense, typically a methodical unit, dominated Friday night’s game on the strength of big plays on Friday night against the Yellow Jackets (11-2). Sophomore wideout Taylon Gaiter scored touchdowns from 52 and 92 yards away. His fellow wideout, junior Brooks Ford, caught a 25-yard TD pass from backup QB Sam Lollar. And Nelson threw a third TD pass, to Rylan Rose, for 39 yards to close out the scoring.
Nelson finished the game with 303 yards passing for the game.
“We had to take advantage of their DBs and we did,” Nelson said. “I’m glad they got the trust in me to let me throw the ball around in the third round.”
On defense, Leeds limited Corner tailback Spencer Unruh — who had nearly 2,000 yards for the season entering the game — to 80 yards on 13 carries. Unruh scored one TD, a 46-yarder to open the third quarter.
“He’s a heck of a player,” Leeds linebacker Gavin Howard said. “I wouldn’t say we shut him down, but he didn’t rush for 350
yards like he did last week (against Boaz).”
The Green Wave built a 35-7 advantage in the first half. However, as they have done much of the season, Corner rallied to within 14 points twice in the third quarter.
“They don’t know how to quit,” Corner head coach Trent Campbell said afterward. “It boiled down to us not being able to make a stop defensively.” It started with Gaiter, who took a shovel pass from Nelson in the third quarter, and in his words, “found a
hole and got gone.”
After Corner’s Keaton Coffee narrowed the lead to 13 points with a TD pass and 2-point conversion, a Leeds 8-minute drive ended with a ZJ Dale touchdown.
“That’s kind of the way we’re built,” Leeds head coach Jerry Hood said. “They don’t think anything of 11, 12 plays in a row. Just consistently get first downs.”
Hood’s “overachieving” squad can now turn its attention to the Blue Devils, who defeated them 38-22 during the regular season.
“We keep talking about, just get to Monday,” Hood said. “They’ve bought into that. “Now we’ll look to Moody. … They’re a great football
Moody From page 13
ing their tails off, watching that defense playing great football, it’s just a testament to the work we have put in. It’s a huge blessing to be part of this team and I can’t thank God enough. This rivalry is going to be fun. It’s Thanksgiving week and black Friday and we are excited to have them back.”
Head Coach Jake Ganus, who is the first Moody coach to ever make it this far in the playoffs, said the following, “I am so proud of
our guys. That was a really good Ramsay team. They have peaked at the right time and they’re really dangerous. We took control and we made it about us. They are very physical. Our guys didn’t back down to them.
We played ball control and defense in the second half.”
The win, along with a 57-36 win by Leeds over Corner, sets up a massive game on Friday night at Moody, as the two teams, rivals in a game dubbed “The Battle of the Bridge” will face off at The Bill for the right to play either Mont-
ly we’ll try to give them a good game. “
gomery Catholic or Vigor in the state championship game on December 5.
“When I was at Thompson, we played Hoover in the regular season and then usually in the semifinals. You never know. It’s a rivalry. There are a lot of external factors like Thanksgiving, but we will try to keep it all about us and make it as normal of a week as possible. It’s really just a blessing to be able to play this game that we love and work hard for. And to play it against our rivals down the road, we are excited.”
By Johnny Sanders, Sports Editor
CLAY – The East Central Patriots do not play in your typical fashion of football, competing in the eightman football league, made up of mostly homeschooled players. Those players are mainly from Clay, Pinson, and Trussville and surrounding areas.
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This past weekend, these young men finished the most successful season that the team has experienced in its history, going 9-3 overall. They made it to the championship of their conference after getting the team’s first-ever playoff win, and were invited to the national tournament in Panama City Beach, Florida over the weekend, where they lost the first game to the Freedom Cowboys 5848 but rebounded two days later to get a 47-44 win over Tennessee Heat.
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coach Smith. "We did not look very good in the spring. The players and coaches just continued to work. I can't say enough about out seniors. Andrew Barksdale, three-time All American, Nikita Getmanshchuk and Tucker Wadsworth have both been invited to the All American Bowl this year along with Jeb Lacy. All of them had a major impact on this year's success. Most of these guys have been here from the start. They have experienced the struggles of starting a program and are now experiencing success at a high level."
Smith continued, "We started in Gatlinburg with a win, played a conference championship and ended in Panama City with a win.
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The Patriots started in 2019, where they went 0-6 on the season. The 2020 team went 1-6. The team improved in 2021 and went 3-6 on the season.
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Smith said the following
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after that game, “We had our opportunities, but it ultimately came down to execution. We left some points out there and that came back to bite us. We scored five touchdowns in the first half, and they scored four. They converted their two-point tries and we did not. I am extremely proud of how our guys competed. It’s a tough environment, but they did not blink.”
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On the season, quarterback Nikita Getmanshchuk, who is a senior, was 96 of 170 for 2352 yards and 35 touchdowns while throwing just three interceptions. On the ground, sophomore running back DaiJon O’Neal led the way with 68 carries for 584 yards and 12 touchdowns. Micah Smith, a junior, was the leading receiver with 43 catches for 1264 yards and 19 touchdowns.
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On defense, Andrew Barksdale was the senior leader for the unit, picking up two interceptions, 13 passes defended, two fumble recoveries and 20 total tackles as a defensive back. Freshman Nick Nelson had 70 total tackles, 12 of them for loss and Judah Bush followed with 50 total tackles, 13 of which were for a loss.
"I am so proud of how far this team has come," said
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That's a great year and I am so thankful to our fans, administrators, and volunteers who make it happen. I am just blessed to be part of a tremendous organization that truly puts God first and allows our athletes to grow spiritually as well as compete at the highest level. I'm definitely looking forward to next season. We are actually a fairly young team with some really good players coming back. Hopefully we can build on this year's success. Go Patriots!!!"
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By Johnny Sanders, Sports Editor
MOODY – As football
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(both flag and regular) begins to wind down, signing period for baseball and softball are heating up. On Friday, Moody catcher Landon Cherry added his name to the list of players signing as he made his public decision to play for the Bevil State Bears out of the Alabama Community College Conference. Cherry, heading into his fourth season at Moody, is a known leader and proclaimed as the hardest worker on the team by many. He is a four-year started, two time all-state player (2022 Honorable Mention and 2024 second team).
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Moody strength and conditioning coach Cam Willis said via his X account, “Not too many work harder than this guy. He brings his hard
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hat and lunch plate on a daily basis.”
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Fellow teammates have shared the sentiment regarding Landon via social media accounts.
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Moody head coach Eamonn Kelly said the following about the senior catcher, “I am really proud of the player and person he is. He has been a huge part of our program over the last four years behind the plate.
He is the hardest worker we have. We would be unstoppable with a whole team of guys who work as hard as he does. Coach Woodard is getting a great player and person. He keeps setting the bar high for our team and fellow teammates. I look forward to his senior year and seeing what he can help us accomplish.”
“I thought today was exciting,” said Landon. “It
was great being able to finally sign that paper after all the years of hard work. Seeing all the people who have impacted min in a positive way here today shows that I will have a ton of support at the next level. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for me at the next level, but first I have one more school season and I’m ready for one last ride in Moody uniform.”
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