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March 628- 12 August - September 3
Rutledge Leeds Elected Moody announces Mayor;ofHarrell series major Unseats Taylor repaving in Council Race projects NathanGurley Prewett, By Jakob For the Tribune
MOODY, Ala. — Nick LEEDS, Ala. – The City Rutledge has been elected of Leeds has announced mayor of Moody, defeatinga seriesHoward of pavinginprojects that John Tuesday’s will address 20 full or parmunicipal election. tial Rutledge streets inreceived Leeds starting 1,263 this week. votes, or 57 percent, while The $1,128,995 Howard earned 965 investvotes, ment use The overseat 7 tons or 43 will percent. became open when longtime See REPAVING, Page 3 See MOODY, Page 5
Leeds Mayoral NewHeaded ownersto Race of Dobbs RunoffFord celebrate by Jakob firstGurley year of managing LEEDS, Ala. — Leeds votersdealership went to the polls
Tuesday to decide the city’s By Chris Basinger, next mayor and city council News Editor with several representatives, races now headed to a runoff Ala. –a afterBIRMINGHAM, no candidate secured It has been a year of firsts majority. for InDobbs Ford race, as new the mayoral Edowners Joeyreceived and Rachel die Moore 1,315 Goshein celebrated votes, or recently 49.07 percent, just their first year as managing short of the majority needpartners as members of ed to winand outright. Kenneth Washington followed with See DOBBS FORD, Page 3 See LEEDS, Page 5
THU THU
FRI FRI
SAT SAT
SUN MON MON TUE TUE SUN
WED WED
57 82 39 62
69 78 52 63
68 82 43 66
60 81 38 66
65 78 39 65
75 80 44 65
78 83 50 65
2% 23%
7% 44%
59% 22%
19% 38%
16% 36%
4% 24%
35% 22%
Dear Grandson, Here’s What You’ve Missed Sean of the South
6 Page 2
Pinson drops state championship to Paul Bryant Paul W. DeMarco
Page Page10 6
www.TrussvilleTribune.com
2025
Trussville City of Argo After prolonged political lecture Council elects Randy Ben Short elected as recognizes Hettich from Mayor Thomas, Springville Presidential recipient new approves Trussville mayor Council pay raise for police Award Melanie Dimler From Tribune Staff Reports
By Terry Schrimscher
SPRINGVILLE, Ala. – The Springville City Council took a detour Monday night before it returned to unfinished business held over from the Feb. 17 meeting. After an extended work session and a short break, the March 3 meeting began around 6:45 p.m. As the meeting got underway, the council approved the minutes from the last meeting in February. Mayor Dave Thomas motioned for them to reconsider the minutes noting members motioned to adjourn before conducting business By Terry Schrimscher on the agenda without that motion being recognized. TRUSSVILLE, Ala. — Thomaswill thenhave proceeded Trussville a new to deliver dissertation, as mayor and aalmost an entirehe it, for the 55 ly called new council as next council minutes, cross-referencing member Ben Short has won political history, addressing the election to replace retirrecent editorials, and quoting mayor Buddy Choat who ing Roosevelt, tookTeddy office in 2016. Jesus, andShort Socrates along the way. faced opposition Although notcouncil technically from fellow mem-a filibuster, the lecture deber Lisa Bright andwas Jeffersigned to prolong meetson County tax the assessor ing Thomas air J. T.allowing Smallwood in atorace his displeasure the headed lack of many thought atwas toward a runoff. Short won
afterward, Thomas said he just needed to air his frustrations because the council sometimes delays making decisions it needs to make. He discussed his motion to add unaddressed items from the February meeting to a consent calendar for approval. That approach was denied. Many other cities in the Tribune coverage area approve non-controversial items with a single vote through a consent agenda, a Mayor Dave Thomas delivers a lengthy dissertation to members procedural process used to of the city council. (Terry Schrimscher/Trussville Tribune) reduce the need for discussion and lengthy meetings. Ben Short visited the Tribune shortly after winning the mayoral race. focus on city business. ter,” Thomas said. “The After re-introducing parAt one point, they tosethisbyelection refus- liamentary rules atolot theofmeet51.8% of the vote.Thomas Small- example Council prior cycle guaranteed fresh challenged of secthe ing to adjust salaries wasn’t ing wood came members in a distant as mayor. facesprocess, leadingThomas the cityled for,the at council raise their hands about ond withto26.3% and Bright “I their thinkfaux the martyrdom, community council least, the through next fournew years.busiif they agreed never again to sacrificing which involved accepgarnered 21.9%. wants to see for somethe for greater of con- nessIncumbent Jaime Melton leave a meeting before that the good,” he but added. of bids for won a newreelecsew“I’m just grateful tinuation, they also want tance Anderson easily conclusion of business. No change “Theatexample set er whichofwill Trussville came out and supthe samethey time,” tionproject with 69.2% the need vote hands Along the way, make an further for financial ported raised. me. I’m grateful for was Short that said.if “Iyou think it was against action challenger Leslee he council’s of error it can’t be ascorrected. The council also that.said I’mthe kind of blownlack away, clear and evident we were decisions. Hughes who tallied 30.8% in leadership on salaries the error thePlace city’s I fully anticipated a would runoff That campaigning thatbecomes they want-a renewed the race for 3. garbage be a burden on the he said.a“But now collection tonight,” Short toldcity. The Tri- mistake,” ed information, different Place 1 contract saw Ben with Hor“The council every to act has closed Management. bune. “I’m glad tohad have the the formwindow of communication and I Waste ton defeating Wayne Taylor opportunity to follow redressBudthe as of last Wednesday, shackItems from the Februopportunity to think that’s what I’ll be able 68.2% to 31.8%. error but chose otherwise, ling the next administration ary Brian agenda were addressed dy’s lead.” to provide.” Jackson ran unopwanting move on,last showthetwo consequences of individually. The 2purchase Choattoannounced Oc- withWith current council posed for the Place council ing andseek the their actions,” he said. tobertheir that frustration he would not members running for mayor seat. effectiveness filibus- andSpeaking to The Tribune a third term. of Hethe previously only one incumbent seek- See SPRINGVILLE, Page 2 See TRUSSVILLE, Page 5 served on the Trussville City ing reelection, this election
ARGO, Ala. — Randy By Chris Basinger, Hettich defeated former News Editor mayor Paul Jennings Tuesday night. Hettich issued TRUSSVILLE, Ala. – a statement on Facebook The Trussville Council thanking votersCity for the vicpassed a proclamation during tory. Tuesday night’s all meeting “I appreciate the honoring you’ve Hewitt-Trussville support given me High School this Physics teacher throughout campaign, Melanie Dimler. and I look forward to leading our city forward for the
See AWARD, Page 3 See ARGO, Page 5
Austin Phillips Human bones to become found mayor by of local dog are Springville connected, By coroner Terry Schrimscher says
From Tribune staff reports SPRINGVILLE, Ala. — First term Springville counAla. cil BIRMINGHAM, member Austin Phillips – A human skull andmayor a left unseated incumbent tibia found by atodoglead in East Dave Thomas the Birmingham last year are City of Springville for the confirmed to have belonged next four years. Phillips preto the same accordvailed in a person, three-way race ing to the Jefferson against Thomas and County Russell Coroner’saOffice. Starnes, career law enThe link was Both confirmed forcement officer. Phillips and Starnes were first
See BONES, Page 4 See SPRINGVILLE, Page 5
wins in a landslide Leeds High School freshmen Foxhound Stewart Bee Company take action to address rising in Irondale to bee-gin construction school shootings on new education center Sanders Wins Pinson Mayoral Election; Council Seats Decided
Jane Anderton unseats Charles Webster in Clay mayoral race
By Jakob Gurley
By Terry Schrimscher
PINSON, Ala. — Hoyt Sanders, the city’s first mayor, has won Tuesday’s municipal election for mayor of Pinson, defeating incumbent Robbie Roberts and challenger Dezmond Boudreaux. Sanders secured 411 votes (61.5 percent), while Roberts received 190 votes (28.4 percent) and Bou-
By Tanna McGuire
CLAY, Ala. — First time candidate Jane Anderton defeated incumbent Charles Webster to become mayor of the city of Clay on August 26. Anderton won with 51.6% of the vote against the threeterm mayor. Incumbents Chris Nail and Orletta Rush will return to serve on the next coun-
LEEDS, Ala. – Over the past 25 years, school shootings in the United States have surged to alarming levels, with a reported 574 incidents occurring between 2000 and 2025, according to data from Statista. Three Leeds High See PINSON, Page 5 See CLAY, Page 5 School freshmen, Amelia Davis, Madilynn Johnson, and Beatrice McCormick, members of the Leeds High Center Point Irondale Breaks Pictured: Beatrice McCormick, Madilynn Johnson, School Chapter of Future and Amelia Davis. headed to runoff Ground on Career Community Leaders in mayor’s race $20 emphasizing Million the of America (FCCLA), are schools. sentiment, determined to address this Current federal require- emotional and psychologiCivic Center The new Irondale City Council for the second Stewart administration: Erin Arnold, Aaron Sims, Johnmandate London, that Robert Box, cal toll pressing issue through their ments schools that school shootings By Terry Schrimscher A concept of the new education center in Irondale. (Foxhound Bee Company) andperform David Spivey. Contributed. state conference project. lockdown or in- takeRenovation on students and their The young leaders have truder drills; in Alabama, families. “You shouldn’t By Center Chris Basinger, Point, Ala. — in the coming weeks, which opened on Saturday. notIrondale only is compiled public schools are required have to worry about being News Editor serveSchrimscher as an expansion Stewart “Whenoffered looking for a of Mayor Bobby Scott will face will By Terry comments bright, andcritiwe always been easy with a By Jakob Gurley cal keep statistics but a are also small, to conduct two such drills place his to build newfuture bee- will Council President D. M. Col- from its current location in about visionour for the building stronger, but vocal, group of scared when you’re just tryworking withcommunity local officials per semester. However, Da- ing IRONDALE, Park. Ala. — of keeping store, we continued – Bee to learn,” Johnson linsIRONDALE, in a runoff forAla. mayor of Hardware IRONDALE, the city moments after his more united that opponents funded partially Ala.said. — and can educators to promote vis outside believesinterests. these measures In addition to educationto hearwascomments “We city needoftoIrondale make sure enthusiasts soon be Irondale Center Point will in September Mayor James D. victory announced.about we all be proud to call by Despite The hasthat ofstronger safety measures that are insufficient and isIronad- ficially Irondale was was doinga home.” opportunities every school feels safe and swarming Irondale to vis-a al after neithertocandidate won Stewart Jr. easilyand heldSTEM off a how“Today’s election funding, Stewart, broken ground on schools.has Their project, vocating more frequent the center referendum great things,” saidnew founder handlerenovation anything it a new beekeeping educa- programming, clear majority in a three-way challenge from Birmingham on the Iron- in Stewart claimed sev- dale’s firstforAfrican Ameri- aready $20 to million which will beinpresented at can and mayor, comprehensive drills. also sellKen a range of dale, Adamand Hickman. tion center thatitscould happen.” race to leaddesigned the city toforteach the will businessman Effinger the people have eral victories his term as was endorsed by of Civic Center, markthe FCCLA state confer“When people’s lives areJoe on ing McCormick from office bees, spoken “Everyone the clearproj- mayor students highlightnext term. and community products to retain sourced the mayor’s loudly onand including closing the former mayor Tommy what Mayor James D. ence intoMarch, to raise the line, weand can’t just dolocal the Stewart honey bees- ly—they ed the importance turnect seemed to speak highly members about theofworld of including Scott fell short outright for a second termand on Tueswant the work to deals bring aims Publix and Alexander several Jr. called aof “genawareness about bare minimum,” as wellAugust as supplies for continue,” ing awareness into for action. of workingsaid with Irondale pollinators. victory with 49% of the votes wax, day night, 26. The Stewart. “I Costco to the city.the He devhas business leaders. Davis said. erational project” the astating impact aof new school take intrud- fast-growing “School shootings are such and deeply its leadership. Birmingham-based in the race against CollinsFoxand beekeepers. victory was announced soon am honored by So, the also completed li- “Schools All fiveshould council members community. shootings anda dog propose ac- in er Irondale drills as seriously as they a huge will closed be built and we whenourwe approached the brary, hound Bee Company is preFrederick Burkes. Collins fin- afterIt polls with across Stew- trust citizens have placed opened park and faced opposition The problem, groundbreaking tionable changes to improve dothe fireAugust or tornado drills.” the all-new Ruffner paringthetoevening break with ground ished 27%on of from art winning decisively 2270 in me, and together we are renovated the city’s baseball in 26 election. ceremony, held Thursday safety protocols in Alabama Johnson echoed this See BEES, See STUDENTS, Page 3 the 5,000 square foot facility Sports to 700. Complex, which ready to write the nextPage chap-3 fields. See CENTER POINT, Page 5 See IRONDALE, Page 5 See RENOVATION, Page 4 Speaking to The Tribune, ter for our city. The future But his term has not
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