The Trussville Tribune – Mar. 26 - Apr. 1, 2026

Mar. 26 - Apr. 1

Theta Chi to hold memorial vigil for UA student James Gracey

By Nathan Prewett, For the Tribune

TUSCALOOSA, Ala.

– The University of Alabama’s Theta Chi Alpha Phi Chapter is

to

an

March

at

p.m. for James Gracey at the Theta Chi fraternity house at 110 E. University Blvd. in Tuscaloosa. Gracey, a University of Alabama student and

New owners of Dobbs Ford celebrate first year of managing dealership

By Chris Basinger, News Editor

By Brady Flanigan, editor

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. –

TRUSSVILLE, Ala. –

Once more in a long tradition, Jefferson Memorial Funeral Home and Gardens will be hosting its annual Easter sunrise service this

It has been a year of firsts for Dobbs Ford as new owners Joey and Rachel Goshein recently celebrated their first year as managing partners and as members of

After prolonged political lecture from Mayor Thomas, Springville Council approves pay raise for police

By Terry Schrimscher

Trussville City Council approves incentives, rezoning for proposed grocery store

By Tribune Staff

SPRINGVILLE, Ala. –

Einstein Bros. Bagels coming to Trussville

By Brady Flanigan,

editor TRUSSVILLE, Ala.

By Chris Basinger, News Editor

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.

TRUSSVILLE, Ala. –

The developer of a proposed grocery store had his twopart wish list approved by the Trussville City Council on Thursday during a regular meeting that had been moved from next Tuesday due to spring break. The developer was requesting a development incentive agreement and a rezoning request.

As the meeting got underway, the council approved the minutes from the last meeting in February.

afterward, Thomas said he just needed to air his frustrations because the council sometimes delays making decisions it needs to make.

“As part of doing a commercial project, if we’re allowed to be rezoned to C-2, there would be significant offset improvements that would be required,” he said.

He discussed his motion to add unaddressed items from the February meeting to a consent calendar for approval. That approach was denied.

Mayor Dave Thomas motioned for them to reconsider the minutes noting members motioned to adjourn before conducting business on the agenda without that motion being recognized.

focus on city business.

After a weekend of riddles and cryptic clues about a new business heading to town, Mayor Ben Short confirmed to the Tribune that Einstein Bros. Bagels is headed to Trussville. Short initially teased the reveal in a Facebook post that described the business as something that “starts off

High School Physics teacher Melanie Dimler.

challenged members of the council to raise their hands if they agreed never again to leave a meeting before the conclusion of business. No hands raised. Along the way, he said the council’s lack of leadership on salaries would be a burden on the city.

to contribute 50% of local sales tax collections from the property for up to 17 years, with a cap of just over $8.1 million.

Many other cities in the Tribune coverage area approve non-controversial items with a single vote through a consent agenda, a procedural process used to reduce the need for discussion and lengthy meetings.

ter,” Thomas said. “The ing to adjust salaries wasn’t about their faux martyrdom, sacrificing for the greater

Abernathy outlined road improvements for Watterson Parkway, U.S. Highway 11 and Kenimer Avenue. Improvements would include a double left-turn lane on Watterson to U.S. 11 southbound, an extended right-turn lane on U.S. 11 north onto Watterson, and improvements to Kenimer for widening and realignment with Kay Avenue.

PINSON, Ala. – At a meeting on Friday night, the Pinson City Council authorized Mayor Hoyt Sanders to explore ways for the city to continue hosting a festival on Main Street following an Jefferson Memorial Gardens set to host annual Easter sunrise service in Trussville

First up was a development agreement between the city and BRE Main Street LLC, controlled by the principals of Blackwater Real Estate, which also developed Homestead Village in Trussville. The proposed development will be at the southwest corner of Main Street and Watterson Parkway, just south of the downtown overlay. According to the agreement, BRE will invest approximately $25 million in a strip mall shopping center with a primary tenant and multiple smaller tenants. The city would be obligated

Thomas then proceeded to deliver a dissertation, as he called it, for the next 55 minutes, cross-referencing political history, addressing recent editorials, and quoting Teddy Roosevelt, Jesus, and Socrates along the way. Although not technically a filibuster, the lecture was designed to prolong the meeting allowing Thomas to air his displeasure at the lack of

“The council had every opportunity to redress the error but chose otherwise, wanting to move on, showing their frustration and the effectiveness of the filibus-

“The example they set was that if you make an error it can’t be corrected. That the error becomes a mistake,” he said. “But now the window to act has closed as of last Wednesday, shackling the next administration with the consequences of their actions,” he said.

After re-introducing parliamentary rules to the meeting process, Thomas led council through new business which involved acceptance of bids for a new sewer project which will need further action for financial decisions. The council also renewed the city’s garbage collection contract with Management.

John Abernathy, president of BRE Main Street, addressed the mayor and council during a public

Trussville honors three women for public service

Foxhound Bee Company to bee-gin construction on new education center

TRUSSVILLE, Ala.

By Chris Basinger, News Editor

IRONDALE, Ala. – Bee enthusiasts will soon be swarming to Irondale to visit a new beekeeping education center designed to teach students and community members about the world of pollinators.

– The City of Trussville recognized three women on Thursday, March 19, with official proclamations honoring Dorothy C. “Dee Dee” Morris, Sally Payne, and Jane Bailey for their public service and community leadership, as well as the historic milestones they reached as members of Trussville’s local government. According to the proclamations, Morris and Payne were among the first women elected to the Trussville City Council, winning open seat elections on July 3, 1984. Morris was elected to Place 5, defeating Faye Melton Griffith. Payne was elected to Place 4, defeating Ken Lancaster. Both took office on Oct. 1, 1984 and served through September 1988. Morris served on the Utilities Committee, and Payne served on the Library and Educational Committee.

hearing to outline the project and explain the zoning request, which the council was also considering. Ultimately, the City Council unanimously approved the development agreement and rezoning request.

The primary tenant is described as a “leading national or regional grocery retailer that operates, as of the effective date, a traditional brick-and-mortar full-service supermarket across a span of states including, but not limited to, Florida, Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia, often with an ancillary pharmacy, that traditionally

Items from the February agenda were addressed individually. The purchase

Speaking to The Tribune

Human bones found by local dog are connected, coroner says From Tribune staff reports

Pinson Council authorizes mayor to take steps to continue street festival tradition

By Nathan Prewett, For the Tribune

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – A human skull and a left tibia found by a dog in East Birmingham last year confirmed to have belonged to the same person, according to the Jefferson County Coroner’s Office. The link was confirmed

See SPRINGVILLE, Page 2

See REZONING, Page 5

See BONES, Page

3 See EASTER, Page 5

Irondale recognizes 2026 Iron Woman honorees

Leeds High School freshmen take action to address rising school shootings

By Tanna McGuire

Morris’ proclamation noted that her election expanded municipal leadership representation during a

Birmingham-based Foxhound Bee Company is preparing to break ground on the 5,000 square foot facility

in the coming weeks, which will serve as an expansion from its current location in Hardware Park. In addition to educational opportunities and STEM programming, the center will also sell a range of products sourced from bees, including honey and beeswax, as well as supplies for beekeepers.

It will be built across from the all-new Ruffner Sports Complex, which

period of growth and change for Trussville. Payne’s proclamation recognized her election as a historic first that broadened local participation in civic leadership. Jane Bailey was recognized for a longer record of service to the city. Her proclamation states that she began serving on the Trussville Planning and Zoning Board around 1994 before being elected to the City Council in 1996, where she ended up serving three terms. During

opened on Saturday.

her time, Bailey served as liaison to Parks and Rec, working with the mayor and council members on city improvements.

“When looking for a place to build our new beekeeping store, we continued to hear comments about how Irondale was doing great things,” said founder Adam Hickman.

“Everyone on the project seemed to speak highly of working with Irondale and its leadership. So, when we approached the

The proclamation also noted that Bailey became the first female to serve as Mayor Pro Tem in 2000, and on Oct. 4, 2004, becoming the first woman selected by council members to serve as president of the Trussville City Council. She presided

See BEES, Page 3

By Terry Schrimscher

sentiment, emphasizing thecal toll that school shootings take on students and their families.

not only compiled criti cal statistics but are also working with local officials and educators to promote stronger safety measures in schools. Their project, which will be presented at the FCCLA state conference in March, aims to raise awareness about the devastating impact of school shootings and propose actionable changes to improve safety protocols in Alabama

IRONDALE, Ala. – The City of Irondale recognized 10 women for their impact on the city during the Tuesday, March 17 council meeting. Emma Tolbert, the city’s public relations director, spoke on behalf of

public schools are required to conduct two such drills per semester. However, Davis believes these measures are insufficient and is advocating for more frequent and comprehensive drills.

“You shouldn’t have to worry about being scared when you’re just trying to learn,” Johnson said.

Mayor James D. Stewart Jr. to recognize the honorees in his absence.

“When people’s lives are on the line, we can’t just do the bare minimum,” Davis said.

“We need to make sure that every school feels safe and ready to handle anything that could happen.”

“Schools should take intruddrills as seriously as they do fire or tornado drills.” Johnson echoed this

McCormick highlighted the importance of turning awareness into action.

This year’s honorees are:

“School shootings are such a huge problem, and we

“I have the great honor of presenting our Iron Woman awards this evening, which recognizes Women’s History Month here in the city of Irondale,” Tolbert said. We have several amazing women here to be honored. Some of them know why they are here and others do not.”

See STUDENTS, Page

The Trussville Tribune

190 Main Street Trussville, AL 35173 (205) 533-8664

Scott Buttram, Publisher publisher@trussvilletribune.com

Brady Flanigan, Editor trusstribeditor@gmail.com

Terry Schrimscher, Interim Managing Editor tribunenews2@gmail.com

Johnny Sanders, Sports Editor John Goolsby, Sports Editor news@trussvilletribune.com

Sherry J. Parker, Marketing Executive & Photographer, sherry.parker@trussvilletribune.com

Brannon Dawkins, Tribune Unscripted Producer & Account Manager

The Raccoon Relief Act

By Sean Dietrich

With everything going on in the world, with all the wars, international conflicts, and high-stakes political maneuvers, I’m sure you’re all anxious to hear about what’s going on with the problem of legalized raccoon ownership in Tennessee.

Well, actually, a lot is happening. In the Sixteenth State, a new proposed legislation, sponsored by Senator Joey Hensley (R-Hohenwald) and Representative Kip Capley (R-Summertown), would lift the permit fee currently required to own a pet raccoon.

Finally. Personally, I can sleep better knowing that Tennessee’s lawmakers are FINALLY putting the people first.

Especially since Tennessee is one of the fastest growing states in the nation, with inflation hitting harder than most states. In the last five years, inflation has driven the cost of Tennessee housing up by $100

per month. In some regions it’s closer to $400. And that number is only growing.

Moreover, 87 percent of Tennesseans say their wages do not keep up with the cost of living. Almost 789,000 Tennesseans admit difficulty just maintaining proper housing and food security. So the raccoon bill comes at just the right time. The pressing problem of raccoon pet ownership has been ratified. I’m proud to say that as long as your raccoon was obtained from a legal source; has been vaccinated; is non-native to Tennessee; was not captured in the wild; and has a current possession permit issued by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, you’re good to go.

There are some other great laws in our nation worth mentioning.

Foremostly, there is the pickle law in Connecticut. This is real. State lawmakers banned soggy pickles by passing a law which says, “a brined cucumber cannot officially be called a pickle

unless it bounces.”

This law was passed in 1948 after two pickle packers were arrested for packing expired pickles to the general public. A laboratory test was developed involving dropping pickles from a height of 12 inches. If the pickles don’t bounce, said pickles are termed “illegal.”

I do not know what happens to illegal pickles after they are rejected. I can only pray the pickle packers process prohibited pickles practically, proactively, peaceably, and proficiently.

problem in Indiana, people going on four-night bingo benders. Thankfully, your lawmakers are hard at work. Utah has a law which bans whale hunting.

In Gainsville, Georgia, it is illegal to eat fried chicken with anything but your hands. Officials actually arrested a woman in the 1960s for using a fork to eat her fried chicken.

I, for one, support this law.

In Rockville, Maryland, it is a misdemeanor to swear while driving. My wife could never live there.

Notice is hereby given that Service Company, Inc., 110 Greenbrook Dr., Hazel Gre 35750, has completed all wo and #18 Project 3-010-23 3-011-23, for Trussville Gas pe ons having any claim materials, or otherwise in conne with this project, should imme notify the above named cont Trussville Gas and Water, 127 Street, Trussville, AL 35173.

In Arizona, it is illegal for a donkey to sleep in your bathtub after 7:00 p.m. This law dates back to a ‘20s flood when a local donkey, who slept in a bathtub, was washed away. The donkey and tub were found floating upon floodwaters and required a huge, expensive rescue effort. The donkey and tub were unharmed.

In Indiana lawmakers are cracking down on the bingo scene. A new bill now prohibits establishments from hosting bingo more than three nights a week, as well as strictly prohibiting consecutive bingo nights. This was, evidently, a huge

In Michigan, it is illegal to tie a crocodile or alligator to a fire hydrant. Other reptiles are okay.

So anyway, as you prepare to face your day, as the worries of this world start to weigh upon you, don’t worry too much about international maneuvers or highstakes politics. Just try to be as real as you can, keep your chin up, be kind, and love your neighbor.

You can always count on me. I love you. And so does your legal, non-native, fully-vaccinated pet raccoon.

www.parcelstoo.com

L oca L / R egion

Will My Children Pay Taxes on Their Inheritance?

Sponsored Content

By Monica Quinn, Partner at Massey, Stotser & Nichols, PC

Many people spend their lives building wealth not only to support themselves in retirement or during incapacity, but also to leave something meaningful to their families. This goal of passing wealth to the next generation often raises an important estate-planning question: Will my children owe taxes on the assets they inherit when I die?

Most people worry about estate taxes, but fewer than 0.1% of estates were projected to owe federal estate taxes in 2025. Additionally, Alabama does not impose an estate or inheritance tax. That said, estate taxes are only one possible tax concern. Far more beneficiaries encounter income taxes on inherited assets than estate

Festival

From front page

announcement that the longtime Butterbean Festival would be discontinued.

Sanders began with a brief overview of how the festival was started, saying that it was started by the Homestead Community in 2005 and had expanded since then.

He estimated that the city has contributed an estimated $70,000 annually, which was managed by the Palmerdale Homestead Community Center for some time before a partnership was picked up by the Clay-Pinson Chamber of Commerce.

On March 17 the orga-

or inheritance taxes.

Estate Taxes

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) permanently set the federal estate and gift tax exemption at $15 million per individual, effective January 1, 2026. This exemption is indexed for inflation in future years. In practical terms, an individual can transfer up to $15 million during life or at death without incurring federal estate or gift tax. Married couples can use portability to combine their exemptions, allowing them to shield approximately $30 million from federal estate and gift taxes. Because the exemption is so high, very few estates are subject to the federal estate tax. However, for estates exceeding the exemption amount, careful planning is essential, as the tax rate on amounts above the exemption can reach 40%.

nizers at the Clay-Pinson Chamber of Commerce behind the annual event released a statement claiming that funding had been halted, leading to the discontinuation. Officials from both cities have denied this, pointing out that no actions have taken place to pull any of the funding.

“In any case I believe that the best course is to simply turn the page once again and work towards a solution,” Sanders said. “One door closes, another opens.”

Councilor Dawn later admonished the chamber and accused them of “backstabbing” the city.

“Shame on the Alabama-I mean on the

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

Sixteen states and the District of Columbia currently impose an estate tax or inheritance tax. Alabama does not. However, individuals who live in, or own property in, states with these taxes should be especially cautious. State-level exemptions are often much lower, and tax rates can reach 20% on amounts above the exemption.

Inherited Assets Subject to Income Taxes

Inheritances are generally not considered taxable income for federal income tax purposes, so most inher-

Clay-Pinson Chamber of Commerce for backstabbing us,” she said. “I’m sorry I have to say that. This, it doesn’t matter how it came about. We asked to look at their books and they didn’t like it, so they stomped their feet and said, ‘Nope, we’re shutting everything down,’ and shame on them and I’m just being honest with you.”

Councilor Brad Walker encouraged the public to contact council members with any ideas for a new festival.

A special called meeting has been set for March 26 to discuss whatever findings are made.

Sanders said that he could not speak as to why the organizers claimed that

ited assets do not need to be reported on a beneficiary’s income tax return. However, certain types of inherited assets are subject to income tax, most notably tax-deferred retirement accounts.

As traditional pensions have largely been replaced by 401(k)s and similar plans, tax-deferred retirement accounts are often among the largest assets a person owns. When funds are withdrawn from an IRA, 401(k), or 403(b), income taxes are due at the account holder’s applicable tax rate. The same rule applies when beneficiaries withdraw funds from inherited retirement accounts.

With limited exceptions for spouses and minors, beneficiaries are generally required to withdraw the entire balance of an inherited tax-deferred retirement account within ten years. These withdrawals are taxed at the beneficiary’s own in-

funding was pulled but reiterated that the decision was made sometime after questions were raised about the general service contract with the council. In her report Parks and Recreation Director Taurus Pyles announced that local youth basketball teams won at a

come tax rate and can significantly increase their effective tax burden.

How Capital Gains Taxes and the Step-Up in Basis Apply to Inherited

Homes

Another common concern is whether children will owe taxes if they sell an inherited home. Historically, many people purchased homes decades ago for relatively modest prices compared to their value at the time of death. Fortunately, when a home is inherited and sold shortly after the death of the owner, there is often little to no capital gains tax owed.

This favorable result is due to the step-up in basis. The tax basis of an asset is generally what the owner paid for it, plus certain improvements. For example, if a home were purchased for $200,000 and later appreciated to $800,000,

recent LEAP program game by the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.

Pyles acknowledged several restaurants that fed the team members during their competitions, these being McDonald’s, Krispy Kream, Subway, Jack’s and Taco Mama. She also acknowledged staff members Jim Barnett, Anthony Grant, Shakita Howard, Riri Johnson and Nathan Scott Parker. All were honored with plaques. Toward the end of the meeting Mary Graham, who is president of the Palmerdale Fire District Board announced that members of the district will soon be part of the Retirement Systems of Alabama.

there would ordinarily be $600,000 of built-in capital gains subject to tax upon sale. However, at death, the asset’s basis is adjusted— or “stepped up”—to its fair market value at that time. In this example, the basis becomes $800,000, meaning that if the home is sold for that amount, no capital gains tax is due.

Be Sure Your Estate Plan Is Up to Date Tax laws can change.

Some policymakers have proposed limiting the stepup in basis or treat ing death as a taxable event for capital gains. If such changes were enacted, highly appreciated assets could create significant tax liabilities for heirs. For this reason, it is wise to consult with an attorney or tax professional when planning an estate. Questions? Contact Monica.

She stated that this was a long time in the making. “It was not easy,” she said. “It was a very arduous task but it has been done and it has been approved and it goes into effect (April 1).”

In other business the council:

Annexed three properties into the city, Authorized $5,000 for modification to the sidewalk at the Bicentennial Park, and Approved an ordinance for the 2025 Sales Tax Holiday.

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.

Trussville City Council uses money allocated for schools to help fund incentive for proposed grocery store

By Scott Buttram, publisher

TRUSSVILLE, Ala. –

When the Trussville City Council approved a development agreement on Thursday with Blackwater Real Estate (BRE Main Street) for a proposed grocery store, the incentive package represented a departure from previous incentive agreements. For the first time, a 1-cent sales tax allocated for Trussville schools was included in the incentive package.

The city collects 4-cents on every dollar spent on sales in Trussville, but one of those pennies has been allocated to schools for over two decades. All previous incentive agreements for new businesses, including a 2015 incentive agreement with Blackwater Real Estate for the Homestead Village shopping center, have set aside the 1-cent for schools, considering only the portion of sales tax for incentive tax rebates for businesses or developers. Last week, the City Council unanimously approved an agreement with BRE Main Street which included the full 4 percent in local sales tax.

“The City of Trussville has historically structured incentive agreements to exclude the 1% sales tax that is collected and remitted directly to our school system,” Mayor Ben Short said on Monday following the vote. “That remains a priority, and we fully recognize the critical role our schools play in the strength and success of our community. At the same time, the city must ensure that we are meeting the growing expectations of our residents and maintaining essential public services. Costs associated with trash collection, fuel, infrastructure, and public safety continue to rise, and those obligations must be balanced

alongside any economic development opportunity.”

The 1-cent sales tax for schools is actually older than Trussville City Schools and has served as a financial backbone for the 20-yearold school system that ranks among the top five in Alabama based on academic test scores. Put in place in 2002 by the Trussville City Council under former Mayor Gene Melton, the penny for schools proved critical when the city voted to form Trussville City Schools in 2004 and departed the Jefferson County school system in 2005.

The money collected, often referred to as the ‘education trust fund,’ allowed TCS to leave JEFCOED with millions of dollars in the bank and avoid the financial pitfalls that many other city school systems faced when separating from a County school system.

“To remain competitive in recruiting high-quality development, the city must maintain a degree of flexibility in how incentive agreements are structured,” Short said. “There are always unknowns in development agreements, and those uncertainties require us to be thoughtful and adaptable. In this particular case, the agreement allows for flexibility, should it be necessary, to support the project and offset the city’s service obligations. The schools are guaranteed a minimum of .5% and a maximum of their normal 1%. Importantly, this is not a blanket change in policy, but a strategic tool used only when warranted.”

There was little discussion from the City Council when they voted unanimously to pass the incentive package on Thursday. Council President Jaime Anderson asked if the developer’s promised Greenway link was in writing and Councilman Jim Miller asked

about the increased tax value of the property once developed. He later thanked the mayor and Councilman Brian Jackson for their work on putting together the deal, calling it “astronomical.”

None of the City Councilors discussed the changes in the distribution formula to TCS, which could cut the school portion by as much as half, in the public workshop or council meeting on Thursday or when the agreement was discussed in the previous Council meeting on March 10. Neither has there been any discussion of the changes during public Trussville City Schools BOE meetings.

Since there is no resolution in place to formally allocate the 1-cent sales tax to schools, the TCS BOE is at the mercy of the benevolence of the City Council and the historical “gentleman’s agreement.” The City has the legal right to change the formula or to eliminate the allocation all together at their discretion, placing the BOE in a precarious situation in hopes of maintaining the flow of critical funding for schools.

Short said the change was necessary for the current project, but schools would still benefit.

“Even with that flexibility, the school system is still guaranteed to receive a portion of the sales tax generated,” Short said. “Both the city and the schools stand to benefit significantly from

this development through new property tax revenue, sales tax generation, and business-related taxes, all of which provide recurring revenue streams that strengthen both entities over the long term.”

Problems with the SSUT (online sales tax) distribution have added to the financial stress of both entities, the city and the schools.

“With continued uncertainty surrounding SSUT and a decline in those revenues over the past year, the city has taken meaningful steps to reduce costs wherever possible without jeopardizing essential services,” Short said. “These types of financial unknowns further reinforce the need for flexibility in certain agreements moving forward, though those instances will remain limited and intentional.”

While the SSUT has added a revenue stream to the city, the collection and distribution model used by the State of Alabama has cost Trussville millions of dollars in lost brick and mortar sales tax. The SSUT has been even more devastating for Trussville City Schools which are completely cut out of the distribution model and receive nothing.

Ironically, the online ordering app used by many grocery stores and other large retailers is a key culprit in the loss of city and school revenue. When customers order groceries online via the store app and pick up

their orders at the store, the app diverts the brick and mortar sales tax into the state’s online sales tax bucket. The cities’ portion of the sales tax is roughly cut in half and then distributed to all cities in Alabama based on population, even if some cities don’t have a grocery store at all.

Prior to the March 10 City Council meeting, the Tribune requested information on the project provided to the city by the developer in part to find out if the grocery store ordering app was addressed in projections. The information was provided minutes before the City Council workshop on Thursday, March 19. But the financial information was redacted from those copies.

The Alabama Legislature, which controls the SSUT, has taken no action to correct the problems with the apps or the distribution of funds. Since the state and counties receive approximately the same or more tax revenue through online or brick and mortar sales, it is unclear if cities will ever receive any relief from legislators.

“It is also important to be clear that while some cities have moved to eliminate or pull back the full 1% sales tax contribution to their school systems, that is not a direction I support,” Short said. “As Mayor, I would vigorously oppose any effort to remove that funding structure. Our schools should and must continue to benefit from the city’s sales tax sharing approach, as they are a foundational part of our community’s success.”

At one point, the City of Hoover allocated 16 percent of sales tax to Hover City Schools as well as some dedicated building permit fees. But between 2002 and 2005, the Hoover City Council eliminated the

building fees and replaced the 16% sales tax revenue for schools with a flat $2 million annual payment which was $7 million less than the schools would have received in that year alone. It is estimated that Hoover schools have lost over $51 million in city funding since the change was enacted.

“We have had positive and productive discussions with school leadership regarding this development and the structure of this agreement,” the Mayor said.

“They understand that this approach will be used in a limited capacity for new development when necessary, that no existing agreements will be impacted, and that the city has no intention of removing the longstanding sales tax sharing structure.” Without the ability to impose taxes or fees on the population at-large, TCS remains dependent on education ad valorem taxes in place and the generosity of the City Council for funding. It is unknown how many projects or allocation changes will impact Trussville City Schools funding in the future.

“We remain committed to supporting our school system and will continue to work closely with school leadership to ensure that future agreements are structured in a way that provides mutual benefit,” Short said.

“Ultimately, any agreement must provide a net positive return for both the city and the schools, and the return on investment must make sense for both parties. Thoughtful, balanced incentive strategies allow us to attract investment while still funding the roads, infrastructure, and public safety services that our residents expect and deserve. Developments like this are about positioning Trussville for long-term success for both our city and our schools.”

Easter

From front page

year, adding another notch on the belt of a ritual that staff members say has been happening in Trussville for at least 40 years, likely longer.

The service will begin at 6:30 a.m. Easter morning in the Garden of the Old Rugged Cross at Jefferson Memorial Gardens in Trussville.

According to staff at Jefferson Memorial, the event may very well predate the funeral home itself, which was built in the mid-1980s.

While they are still working to pin down an exact year, Cemetery Operations

Manager Eric Frederick said photos from the period show it was already well established by then.

“It’s been going on a long, long time,” Frederick said. “The funeral home wasn’t built till about ’85, and it’s been going on before that.”

According to staff, the annual service has never missed a year. In years of bad weather, it is moved

Theta Chi brother, died last week while visiting friends in Barcelona, Spain.

According to a press release from the fraternity, the service will follow traditional memorial form: a ceremony historically observed following the death of a brother. The release states that the vigil will include comments from individuals

does not operate under a discount, limited-assortment or warehouse format retail model to anchor at least

30,000 square feet of space

to the chapel indoors, but never cancelled. The event typically draws around 300 people or more, and staff said attendance has grown year over year.

“We have 300 plus people here every year, and it is a true service,” Funeral Director & Embalmer David Fowler said. “A lot of people just look like it’s just a gathering. It is a service. It is a church service. We have a pastor, we sing hymns, all of those kinds of things.”

This year’s service will feature a message from Al Choquette, pastor of Trussville Southside Baptist Church. Jefferson Memorial staff said the service is held before the crosses near the center of the property just as sunrise breaks Easter morn-

chosen to reflect Gracey’s faith, life, and legacy.

“This vigil is a time for brothers, friends and loved ones to come together in remembrance of Jimmy Gracey and to honor the impact he had on so many lives,” the fraternity said in a statement.

For additional information, the inquiries are to be sent to Mitch McQuate at mitch@thelafayettecompany.com.

within the project.”

The name of the grocery store has not been released. While Blackwater has developed multiple projects with Publix as the anchor tenant, they have also worked with other grocers. In Trussville,

The Trussville Tribune

ing.

“It is hard to compare it if you’ve never seen it,” Fowler said. “The sunrise rises over the crosses, and it’s just incredible.”

Fowler noted that Jefferson Memorial treats the event as a full event every year, involving every staff member. Chairs, tents, coffee, donuts and other refreshments will be provided.

For long time employees of Jefferson Memorial, the service has become a tradition. Frederick said he has been with Jefferson Memorial for 27 years and has never missed a single sunrise service.

“It’s such a special event to me,” he said. “There’s so many people that I’ve seen year after year that pilgrimage here from all over. They may not even live in Trussville any longer, but they still come here.”

Staff said the service has become both an annual Easter observance and a point of return for families who have attended for years, with many coming back every spring to watch the sun rise over the cross.

Blackwater had originally planned a Fresh Market grocery store in Homestead Village before the retailer began canceling leases and ultimately gave way to Aldi.

The description would seem to rule out grocers

High gas prices strain central Alabama nonprofits

By Charlize Ramos (WIAT)

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. —

Rising gas prices across Alabama are putting increased financial pressure on nonprofits, forcing some organizations to reconsider how they allocate resources while continuing to serve their communities.

“Our state average is $3.64 a gallon, which is also up more than a dollar a gallon in the past month,” said Clay Ingram, a spokesperson for AAA Alabama. “We’re used to seeing increases this time of year, but nothing anywhere close to this level.”

The rising costs come as global tensions, including conflict involving Iran, continue to change fuel prices.

For organizations like the Community Food Bank of Central Alabama, the effects are immediate. The nonprofit operates a fleet of 14 trucks

simple;” but “people tend to argue about what I become.”

“Some like me warm,” Short’s post said. “Some build me into something excessive. Some keep it basic and judge everyone else silently.” Cheekily, Short also wrote that there’s “a hole in my story,” and the Tribune would have the scoop on Monday.

That scoop, however, is not cream cheese. It’s Einstein Bros. Bagels—the

such as Trader Joe’s or Whole Foods, which do not operate pharmacies.

The proposed property was zoned for light industrial and a planned unit development that was approved under the Melton adminis-

that travel roughly 15,000 miles each month to pick up and distribute food across the region.

“That strains the food bank budget,” CEO Nicole Williams said. “We’re spending a lot more on gas than we usually do.”

Williams said the effects extends beyond the organization itself. As families spend more on fuel, they often have less money available for groceries — increasing demand for food assistance.

“Any time there’s strain on a household budget, that can come out of a person’s food budget,” Williams said.

“When we’re paying more for gas to get to work, sometimes that means less food we’re able to buy for our families.”

At the Jimmie Hale Mission, leaders said higher fuel costs are also affecting its bottom line. The organization provides shelter and services

national chain known for breakfast sandwiches, coffee, and bagels—coming to Trussville

The new location is set for 1430 Gadsden Highway, in Suite 100, in the location of a former Starbucks. A design review packet filed with the city identifies the business as store No. 5127 and includes exterior signage for the storefront, including a main wall sign, a circular projection logo and displays for a “Now Open” banner.

The filing places the

tration but never materialized. Following Thursday’s vote, the property is now zoned C-2 with qualifiers. The strip mall would be situated at the rear of the property, facing Main Street with outparcels fronting

aimed at helping people get back on their feet, including transportation to jobs.

“We really hope that it won’t impact the number of people we can open our doors to,” Executive Director Perryn Carroll said. “But I don’t see prices going down anytime soon.”

Carroll said if gas prices remain high, the organization may be forced to make difficult decisions to cover costs.

“One of the ways that we help people is getting them back into the workforce,” Carroll said. “Rather than saying we can’t take you to your job and risking them losing that job, we may have to make cuts in other areas, maybe staff or programs.”

Despite the financial strain, the organizations said missions remain unchanged. They plan to continue serving the community but emphasize that public support is critical.

business in the multi-tenant retail center beside Pastry Art Bake Shoppe across Highway 11 from the Raceway, beside the Waffle House—an area where national chains continue to cluster as Trussville grows. Its arrival would add another breakfast-coffee option to the local mixture, marking another in the growing tapestry of brand name retailers and restaurants to the city.

An opening date has not been announced publicly as of publication.

Main Street. The development would also include property and improvements for an extension of the Greenway along Pinchgut Creek. The city hopes to eventually connect the section to the Entertainment District.

Lass But Not Least: Driving and Conniving

By Ken Lass

It began as a casual conversation with a friend. We were catching up on each other’s children and grandkids. My friend mentioned her youngest grand had just gotten his driver license. I smiled and said I’ll bet he was glad to have that stressful DMV road test behind him. That’s when she told me students at Hewitt Trussville High don’t have to take the DMV road test anymore. They get their license by passing the Driver’s Ed requirements at the school.

What? Those lucky dogs! Where was that when I was in school? Sure would have spared me a lot of teenage trauma and anxiety. Her revelation sent me back into this mental flashback from the mid 1960s.

At first, I wondered if I would ever even get the chance to get my license. When the time came to ask my dad to take me to the DMV for the road test, he just kind of looked at the floor, shook his head and muttered. Something about wishing he had remained childless. His angst was understandable. You see, I have an older brother who is equal parts brilliant, me-

Irondale

From front page

Johnson, Jackie Crandall, Adrienne London, Lis Hernandez and Heather Flaherty. The Iron-Woman Awards began in 2024 with an inaugural class of eight women. The 2025 class featured nine

Services

over council meetings until her final public meeting on

chanically skilled, and mischievous. As a teenager, he would borrow Dad’s car, drive out of sight, pull over, raise the hood, and disconnect the odometer wires. He would then proceed to put hundreds of miles on the vehicle, even driving to neighboring states. Everyone else in the family, maybe even the entire neighborhood, seemed to know about this, except Dad. I have this memory of Dad walking into the garage, staring at his car, and scratching his chin, puzzled at why the tread on his tires was wearing smooth after only about five thousand miles. This deception may never have been exposed, were it not for an uncharacteristically foolish mistake by my enterprising brother. Apparently, he got to the point where he felt bold enough to actually perform the odometer disconnection while giving my grandmother a ride back to her house. Of course, Grandma ratted him out to Dad, and I can tell you, there was hell to pay.

All of this did not bode well for me years later, when it was my turn to ask Dad to accompany me to the examiner’s garage. But being a good man who, de-

winners. Each of the 2026 winner will be featured on the city’s Facebook page through the end of the month. In other business, the council approved a real estate agreement with Wiley Dental Holdings, LLC for additional parking at the Irondale Public Library.

spite occasional desires to have remained childless, still loved his youngest son, Dad let out a big sigh and agreed to give me my shot. He needn’t have worried about any such mechanical skullduggery from me. I wouldn’t have known an odometer wire from a radio cable. (And still don’t.) My sole ambition at that point in life was to be able to drive a couple of miles to pick up a date, and make it to the local

movie theater. My road test appointment was set about two weeks in advance, and for some reason, I began to get more and more nervous about it with each passing day. I had wanted to drive for so very long, and this was my chance at last to get my license. What if I fail? What if I forget which shoulder to look over before making a turn? What if I forget to yield to the car on

my right? What if I forget to position my hands at ten and two on the steering wheel? So much can go wrong! The examiner will be watching me like a hawk, waiting for me to slip up, anxious to critique my every move! It was all so stressful. The big day finally arrived. We got to the DMV, Dad got out of the car, the examiner slid in next to me on the passenger side and introduced himself. He seemed nice, but you could cut the tension with a knife. I was a basket case, so nervous I could see my hands shaking. I prayed he wouldn’t notice. He told me to start the car and turn the lights on (yes, I’m old. This was before they made cars where the lights came on automatically).

I turned the key, the engine cranked up. But I was so skitterish, when I reached down to hit the button to turn the lights on, my hand hit the lever protruding from the steering wheel. In horror, I watched the windshield wipers rise and begin swabbing the front glass. I knew right then I was cooked.

What followed was about fifteen minutes of the worst driving I have ever done, the highlight of which

was when he instructed me to parallel park between two cars on a downtown street. After rolling the car forward and backward for what seemed like an hour, I still wound up a short cab ride from the curb. Parallel parking was my greatest nemesis, and still is. Upon return to the DMV, the examiner got out of the car, and I heard him tell my Dad “well, I think the boy needs a little more practice.” That was it. I had failed. My life was over. Dad tried to console me on the way home, but I think secretly he felt great relief.

Teenage puppy love can be a great motivator. Three weeks later, I took the test again.Having been through the process before, I wasn’t the least bit nervous this time, and passed easily. I did get to pick up that date. I did get to the movie theater. And I never disconnected the odometer. Like I would have had a clue how to do it anyway. I confess to being a bit jealous that today’s young people don’t have to go through this road testing rite of passage. Maybe it’s for the best. I suspect being a teenager today is stressful enough.

“The new library has been so successful that we’re running into parking issues.”

Spivey explained the agreement is simply a license to use the property for

“What we’re looking at doing is entering into an agreement with that dentist office that’s just to the right of the library,” said David Spivey, council president.

Oct. 28, 2008. Even after leaving the council, Bailey remained active as a volunteer on several city boards and commissions, includ-

ing serving as Planning and Zoning chairman. Bailey’s service coincided with what the proclamation describes as major

additional parking. Costs of design and infrastructure to build a parking lot will be considered in the future. The agreement itself is no cost to the city and renews annually unless cancelled by either party.

The council also approved $56,809 in an agreement with BamaView, LLC for video streaming and monitoring at the construction site for the Irondale Civic Center. Mayor Stewart called in from a meeting in Utah to clarify the need for the agreement. The item was approved on the consent agenda. Also on the consent agenda, the council ap-

advancements in the city, among them the establishment of a full time fire department, the expansion of the police department, the

From front page *Amount of rebate will not exceed purchase price.

creation of the Trussville City School System, and the construction of the Trussville Civic Center. All three proclamations

proved a software agreement with Tyler Technologies, Inc. for permits, licenses and credential management for a one-time fee of $10,101 and an annual fee of $20,220. The council also approved $15,000 with Gonzalez-Strength & Associates, Inc. for landscaping architecture services.

were adopted March 19 and signed by Council President Jaime Melton Anderson, Mayor Ben Short, and City Clerk Dan Weinrib.

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o bitua R y

Charles Willis Wright, III

march 8, 1949 — march 1, 2026

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Charles Willis Wright, III, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend. Charles passed away peacefully at home on March 1, 2026, just one week shy of his 77th birthday. Born on March 8, 1949, in Atlanta, Georgia, he graced the world with his warmth, wisdom, and unwavering kindness.

Charles was a man of great intellect and achievement. He graduated from Central High School in Phenix City, Alabama, and continued his education with a Bachelor’s degree in Biology from Troy State University. Not stopping there, Charles pursued a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree from Auburn University and later achieved his Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Mercer University. His commitment to education and his field was a testament to his dedication and passion for helping others.

For forty-five years, Charles worked as a pharmacist, leaving a lasting impact on the many communities he served. His diverse career spanned roles in small-town pharmacies, pharmaceutical sales, and mentoring the next generation of pharmacists. His colleagues and those he served will remember him as a beacon of knowledge, compassion, and integrity.

Charles’s life was rich with interests and affiliations that spoke to his character and passions. He was an active member of Leeds Valley Church and contributed generously to the Auburn Alumni Association and Greater Birmingham Auburn Club. A proud member of the National Rifle Association and Gideons International, Charles lived a life of service and dedication.

A lover of the great outdoors, Charles found joy in hunting, fishing, golfing, and cheering for Auburn football.

His laughter and enthusiasm were infectious, and his presence brought warmth to every gathering. His benevolence knew no boundaries, and he was always willing to extend a hand to those in need. His kindness and generosity touched countless lives, leaving a legacy of love and compassion. Charles was predeceased by his father, Charles Willis Wright, Jr., and his parents, Foster and Mary E. Bender. He is survived by his devoted spouse, Brenda Wright; his loving children, Shanna Smith (Chris) and Drayton Green (Mallory); and his cherished grandchildren, Lance Smith, Emily Green, and Martin Green. His family was the center of his world, and he loved them deeply.

A memorial service to celebrate Charles’s life was be held on March 6, 2026, at 2:00 PM Eastern time at Lakeview Memory Gardens, located at 3800 US Hwy 280-431, Phenix City, AL 36867. The family wishes to express their heartfelt gratitude to the staff of Aveanna Home Health and Hospice and the Palliative Care Unit at Baptist Health Brookwood Hospital for their compassionate care during Charles’s final days.

Serving as pallbearers are James Flowers, Drayton Green, Tony Howell, Brian Smith, Chris Smith, and Henry Turnbull. Lance Smith will serve as honorary pallbearer.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made Aveanna Home Health and Hospice and Leeds Valley Church (Leeds, Alabama) in Charles’s memory. His spirit will live on in the hearts of all who knew him, and he will be deeply missed.

May he rest in peace, eternally surrounded by the love and beauty he so generously shared in life.

Donald Vernon Scheinert

january 13, 1939 — march 21, 2026

Funeral Services for Donald Vernon Scheinert (Pop), 87 of Trussville, will be held on Thursday, March 26, 2026 at 10:00 A.M. at Jefferson Memorial Funeral Home, Trussville, Alabama. Visitation will be held from 9:00 A.M. until 10:00 A.M. prior to the service. Burial will follow the service at Jefferson Memorial Gardens.

It is with heavy hearts that we say goodbye to Pop who was far too clever to be ordinary and far too stubborn to be forgotten. Known for his cantankerous attitude and perfectly timed sarcasm, he had a way of making us laugh. Though he may be gone from our sight, his voice will live on in every sarcastic remark, every shared laugh, and every moment that reminds us to hold tight to our faith, family, and love.

Donald Scheinert was born January 13, 1939, in Cullman County, Alabama to Hugo and Della Scheinert. He passed away on Saturday, March 21, 2026, in Trussville, Alabama at the age of 87 years. Mr. Scheinert is survived his daughter, Cathy Evans (Lamar); son, Greg Scheinert; sister, Zellene Ingle; grandchildren, Ronnie Booth and Trevon Booth; great-grandchildren, Kinsey Carden and Emma Heyer; a host of nieces and nephews and special friends. Mr. Scheinert was preceded un death by his wife of 67 years, Sue Scheinert; his parents, Hugo and Della Scheinert; his brother, Frank Scheinert.

Serving as pallbearers will be Ronnie Booth, Trevor Booth, Steve Ingle, Ron Ingle, Craig Head and Juan Bernal. Pastor Brad Smith will be officiating over the Celebration of Life Service with Jefferson Memorial Trussville directing.

Patricia Elizabeth Friedman

march 24, 1934 – march 19, 2026

Patricia Elizabeth Friedman, beloved mother and grandmother, passed away just before her 92nd birthday on March 19, 2026. Patricia was born on March 24, 1934 to Robert Lee and Carrie Dodd and grew up in Odenville, AL as the middle child of 3 children. She graduated from St. Clair County High School in 1951 and was double promoted during her schooling due to scholastic ability. As a young woman, Patricia began a career as a dress buyer in the downtown Birmingham retail district and worked for major department stores in the Birmingham area, including the historic Pizitz. She once said that she knew well what others would want to wear and traveled often to New York City or other major cities in the U.S. to curate collections, with many stories shared over the years of fond memories from this time. Patricia married and had two sons by the late Martin S. Friedman, raising her children in Birmingham, AL and for a brief time in Hollywood, FL. Known as “Pat” to family and friends, she later built a cherished life in Trafford, AL where she enjoyed many years reading and working in the garden.

Pat was a fierce advocate for those she loved and will always be remembered for her quick wit, humor, and spunk. Pat’s favorite role, however, was as a grandparent. She treasured her time with her grandchildren (and great-grandchildren) and loved being their “Granny Pat” and “Nanna,” never failing to miss a birthday or milestone. She was known for the lovely handwritten cards often sent to express her affection. Pat was a beloved grandmother whose grandchildren will miss her dearly.

Patricia is preceded in death by her parents, Robert Lee and Carrie Dodd, sister, Barbara Dodd Spruiell, brother, Robert Lee Dodd, Jr., grandson, Tyler Friedman, husband, Marvin Parvin, and many dear friends. She is survived by sons, Marty Friedman (Lynn) and Michael Friedman (Ginger), daughter-in-love, Carolyn Hula (Steve), grandchildren, Michelle Belue (Mike), Erik Merrill, Jennifer Friedman (Janna), Stephanie Friedman-Simpkins (Rodney), Robert Friedman (Katie), Dustin Hula, Chad Hula, and numerous great-grandchildren.

A funeral and life celebration will be held at Deerfoot Memorial Funeral Home on Wednesday, March 25, 2026 at 11 a.m., with visitation at 10:30 a.m., followed by a graveside service for the immediate family at Mt. Tabor Cemetery in Blountsville, AL.

Patricia Gardner Thompson

February 24, 1952 — march 21, 2026

Patricia Lynn Gardner Thompson, 74, of Trussville, Alabama passed away on March 21, 2026 at the University of Alabama Birmingham Hospital. A funeral service will be held at 11am on Thursday, March 26, 2026 at First Lutheran Church, 2507 Highland Ave, Birmingham, AL 35205. A visitation will proceed the service starting at 10am.

Known to her family as Tricia and her friends as Pat, she was born on February 24, 1952 in Columbia, South Carolina. Her father was an Army paymaster at Fort Jackson. When his deployment ended, the family moved to Birmingham and later to Trussville.

Pat and her husband Glen were high school sweethearts and met at Hewitt High School. They dated for six years and were married on March 17, 1973.

Incredibly meticulous, Pat had early success in her career as the Assistant Treasurer at City Federal Savings and Loan. After City Federal closed, Pat transitioned from banking to administrative support. She retired from the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 2013 where she supported the Anesthesiology Department.

An avid and skilled baker, Pat particularly loved gifting homemade perfect chocolate cakes. They were frequently holiday gifts given to friends or colleagues.

Pat had a legacy of service and political action. She was a member of First Lutheran Church in Birmingham, served for years on the Altar Guild, and served as the Treasurer of the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League.

Politically active, her vibrant spirit will be missed at the March 28, 2026 No Kings Day Rally.

Pat is survived by her husband Glen, their son Aaron, daughter-in-law Carrie, granddaughters Ellie and Hannah, siblings- Debbie Gray, Alan Gardner, Lisa Moseley, and Angie King, along with 17 nieces and nephews. Pat approached her 74 vibrant years with grace and gratitude. She endeavored to actively live her faith with passion and advocacy for those cast aside by systems and institutions. While her sudden loss brings immeasurable sadness for those who loved her, we are also reminded of the ferocity and depth of her love.

Brian Alan Berry

may 25, 1978 — march 19, 2026

Brian Alan Berry, age 47, passed away on March 19, 2026. He was a member of Gardendale First Baptist Church. Brian loved cooking gourmet meals and designing fireworks shows. He was a great salesman who never met a stranger.

Mr. Berry is survived by his mother Barbara Harrison; father, Fred (Cindy) Berry; sister, Brianna (Todd) McGill; niece, Brittany McGill and nephew Grant McGill. Also, a host of other loving family members and friends. The pallbearers will be Fred Berry, Todd McGill, Grant McGill, Michael Haney, Bob Coleman, Jamie Hartzog.

Special thanks to the Fultondale Fire Department who assisted Brian on numerous occasions.

LEGAL NOTICE: To all parties seeking to make a claim. Toro, Luis Eduardo is doing business as LUIS EDUARDO TORO and all derivatives thereof. Notice of fee schedule(s): Each and every use not authorized by Toro, Luis Eduardo requires a $15,000.00 USD fine payable to: LUIS EDUARDO TORO within 30 days of notice and the fines must be settled in full. In order to authorize, contact must be made with the Name Holder for a contract to do so. Failure to timely notify the name holder, produces an agreement that the user’s contract is invalid. Additionally, this notice is retroactive. All parties prior to this notice must contact the Name Holder within 180 days of this notice for an update to the contract. Be advised that this notice is applicable to the use of each and every account associated with LUIS EDUARDO TORO and all derivatives thereof. A written request must be, signed under penalty of perjury and sent to the Name Holder at Care of: 109 Glen Cross Circle, Trussville Alabama 35173, all other deviations will be returned as invalid to sender.

Lawrence Extends Points Lead With Birmingham Supercross Victory

By John Goolsby, Motorsports Editor

BIRMINGHAM – Hunt-

er Lawrence continued his strong 2026 Monster Energy AMA Supercross season Saturday night, taking the 450SX main event inside Protective Stadium in front of a big crowd to extend the Aussie’s championship lead to nine points.

Lawrence, aboard his HRC Progressive Honda, crossed the finish line 2.391 seconds ahead of Progressive Insurance Cycle Gear

Suzuki’s Ken Roczen to take his third win in the last four stops on the schedule after opening the season without a win in the 450SX class.

Lawrence said the Birmingham track, which used new dirt this year, demanded patience as the racing surface became slick and unpredictable throughout the main event.

“Kenny had a really good pace, and I knew when he got around Eli, he was going to put in some strong laps,” Lawrence said. “I just tried to keep pushing the whole main. The track was tough. It was really, really slippery. There were rocks and hard spots embedded in the dirt, so there were moments where you thought there was traction, but you’d actually get a lot of wheel spin. It was definitely a demanding track, especially

with the number of laps we put in.” Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Eli Tomac finished 33 seconds behind Roczen.

Tomac’s Red Bull KTM Factory Racing teammate Jorge Prado grabbed the holeshot, but Lawrence quickly moved his Honda into the lead group during the opening laps. Tomac settled his KTM into the top three on Lap 1, with Roczen joining the front-runners after a bad start, with clutch issues dropping him to sixteenth.

Tomac passed Prado on Lap 6 before Roczen moved into second one lap later. Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Cooper Webb climbed into fourth before a crash on Lap 9 reshuffled the order among the championship contenders.

With just under seven minutes remaining, Lawrence maintained a lead of nearly three seconds over Roczen while Tomac ran third more than 10 seconds behind the runner-up position.

Fan favorite and last year’s podium finisher, Aaron Plessinger, went down late in the race and left the track under his own power.

Lawrence managed his lead through the closing laps to take the win.

Roczen, now trailing Lawrence by 31 points in the standings, worked him-

self into contention for the win and kept the pressure on throughout the race, but could not close the gap.

Roczen said he was encouraged by his performance despite finishing second.

“I’m ecstatic, honestly,”

Roczen said. “I think I rode really well, but you can’t start 15th and expect to win a race. Inconsistency on the start is something I’m not happy with. I rode really well tonight. Coulda, woulda, shoulda, but with riding like that I’m totally fine with it.”

Tomac advanced through the Last Chance Qualifier, his first LCQ appearance in seven years, following a Heat 2 incident involving Justin Cooper. “I just wasn’t as good tonight as the front two.

That’s it,” Tomac said. “Of course, the LCQ was very stressful and a high-pressure moment, but I got myself to a good start in the main event from the outside gate and just got beat tonight. Just a little bit off. It’s tough, one of those nights, but we’ll regroup next week and see if we can get back up front.”

Cooper rebounded from the heat accident with Tomac to finish fourth. Malcolm Stewart, who finished on the Birmingham podium last year, recorded his first top-five finish of the season. 250SX East/West Showdown

Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Cole Davies was awarded the 250SX East/West Showdown victory after Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing team-

mate Haiden Deegan was penalized one position for switching lanes in a splitlane section of the track.

Deegan crossed the finish line first after charging from 10th place but was moved back one spot following review by AMA officials. Deegan moved steadily through the field after the start, closing the gap to the leaders before ultimately being moved back one position in the final results.

Deegan said he was confident in his pace entering the Birmingham round and enjoyed charging through the field in front of the crowd.

“I heard a lot of things coming in here making it seem like the battle for the win would be close,” Deegan said. “I came out here to whoop everyone’s butt for these Alabama fans. That was a good time coming from 10th to first. I sent it for sure.”

Davies remained part of the lead battle throughout the race, exchanging the top position with Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Levi Kitchen, who got the holeshot, during the early laps before maintaining position late.

Davies focused on the points gained but expressed frustration with his performance.

“Looking at the positives, I gained points tonight,

but I’m not exactly happy with that,” Davies said. “I rode terrible, to be honest. I was just overriding. We still made gains in points, so I’m happy with that, but I’m not happy with my riding. It is what it is, and we’re on to the next round.”

Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Seth Hammaker finished third, while Honda HRC Progressive’s Jo Shimoda placed fourth after briefly contending near the front.

Hammaker said he was encouraged by parts of his ride but felt he needed more speed earlier in the race.

“I’m a little disappointed with my result,” Hammaker said. “You always want to come out and win at the showdowns, but I didn’t have it tonight. Those other guys were riding good. Early on and midway through the race I didn’t really have the pace. I felt better at the end but that’s not when you need it. It’s good to know I have the endurance, but I need to be better at the beginning. Other than that, solid night.”

Davies now leads the Eastern Divisional Championship by six points over Hammaker, with Shimoda nine points behind in third. In the Western Divisional Championship, Deegan holds a 42-point lead over Max Anstie, with Kitchen 47 points behind in third.

Lady Huskies Score 40 Runs In Five Innings During Monday Sweep

By John Goolsby, Prep Sports Editor

Gulf Shores – The Hewitt Lady Huskies (18-3) put on an offensive clinic Monday in the Gulf Coast Classic, scoring 40 runs in just five total innings in two dominant wins over Halleyville and Morristown-Hamblen East (TN).

The Lady Huskies opened the day with a 22-4 win that was called after two innings, using a 13-run first

inning. Hewitt finished the shortened contest with 11 hits and 15 RBIs. Hewitt’s continued to pound the ball, and the Lady Huskies tacked on nine more runs in the second inning. Erin Coleman drove in three runs, Emily Bates was two for two at the plate, Corey Goguts had two RBIs, and Presley Hull scored twice as Hewitt-Trussville consistently put runners in scoring position.

Sophia Shubert got the

Walk-off error lifts Hewitt past The Webb School (TN)

By John Goolsby, Prep Sports Editor

TRUSSVILLE – The

Hewitt-Huskies (13-3) defeated The Webb School (TN) in extra innings with a 4-3 walk-off win at Phil English Field.

With the game tied at three in the bottom of the ninth, the Huskies scored the winning run on a Webb error.

Hewitt got on the board first after a Webb error allowed Jace Riggans to score.

Taylor Alfano’s sacrifice fly scored Koal Duckett to give the Huskies a 2-0 lead.

Hewitt went up 3-0 in the second when Kaleb Kynard scored on a wild pitch.

The Webb School stormed back with a homer in the fourth inning. The visitors from Tennessee tied the game in the fifth with a two-run homer.

The game remained scoreless the rest of the way until the bottom of the ninth, when Walker Smith came to the plate with two on for the Huskies. The sophomore hit a grounder and reached first on an error by Webb. Bryson Clements scored from second to give Hewitt a dramatic 4-3 win. Devan Kizer got the start and worked five innings for

win with three strikeouts. Hewitt’s bats stayed hot into the second game.

The Lady Huskies defeated Morristown-Hamblen East 18-3 in a game that lasted three innings. Hewitt put up 12 runs in the third inning, led by a Gogut’s two-hit, four-RBI inning that included a two-run homer.

The Lady Huskies finished the second game with 15 hits and 16 RBIs.

Cate Bruce went 3-for3 with two RBIs and three

runs scored, Coleman had two hits and three RBIs, Presley Hull scored three runs and had two RBIs, Emily Renda had two hits, Kylie Hendrick had three RBIs, Hannah Miller scored twice, and Taylor McLaughlin added a hit. Harper Looney got the win with four strikeouts and one hit in two scoreless innings.

Hewitt takes on Lawrence County and Oak Grove on Tuesday.

Leeds picks up second win in a row

By John Goolsby, Prep Sports Editor

LEEDS – Leeds banged out ten runs to take a 7-5 home win over Oak Grove Friday.

The Green Wave (9-7) opened the scoring in the first inning when Jack Miller’s single scored Bennett Schorfhaar.

Oak Grove answered back with a two-run second inning and another run in the third before Leeds’ Taylon Gaiter scored on a passed ball to cut the Tiger lead to 3-2.

The visitors tacked on two more runs in the fourth to take a 5-2 advantage. In the bottom of the fourth Brody Chambers singled to score Brady Smith to make the score 5-3.

The Green Wave battled back to tie the game in the fifth after Ryder Chambers’ RBI single scored Schorfhaar, and Miller scored on

an Oak Grove error. In the bottom of the sixth, Schorfhaar’s RBI double scored Gavin Howard to give the Greenies the go-ahead run. Miller’s RBI single scored Schorfhaar to give Leeds a two-run lead and a little insurance as the two teams headed to the final inning. Jackson Drake worked six innings to earn the win, allowing five runs, walking one, and striking out one. Joseph Bryant closed the door in the seventh for the save. The Green Wave return to action on Monday at home against Lincoln.

By Johnny Sanders, Sports Editor

BIRMINGHAM

– The Springville Tigers had the honor of playing at “America’s Oldest Ballpark” on Friday, taking on the Red Bay Tigers at Birmingham’s Rickwood Field and getting a hard-fought 5-4 win in the process.

The game started with a scoreless first inning as the pitchers battled it out as each one made quick work out of the batters they faced.

Springville’s Caysen Reyer smashed a double to left field that brought pinch-runner Trigg “Solo” Murdoch home to break the scoreless tie in the top of the second inning, making it 1-0.

Matthew Murray sat down all three batters in the bottom of the second to get his team back to bat.

In the top of the third, Grant Martinez got himself into scoring position with a triple to right field. Charlie Hare came up and drove Martinez in with a single to left to make it 2-0 Springville. Reyer would get his second hit of the

Tigers win at Rickwood

game with two outs on the board, hitting a single that would bring Hare across the plate and put the Tigers up 3-0 over Red Bay. Murray struck out all three Red Bay batters in the bottom of the third to

hold the three-run lead after three complete innings.

With one out in the fourth and Luke Hale waited at second base and Ryan King drove him home on a ground ball error by Red Bay to extend the lead to

4-0.

Murray was once again brilliant on the mound, sitting three of the four batters he faced in the bottom of the fourth, taking a four-run lead into the fifth inning.

In the top of the fifth,

Murray would contribute at the plate, driving in a waiting Hare to make it 5-0.

Despite a four-run effort in the bottom of the fifth inning by Red Bay, Springville would hold off the Tigers and grab the 5-4

win. At the plate, Caysen Reyer drove in two runs on two hits. Grant Martinez, Charlie Hare, and Matthew Murray each had two hits. On the mound, Murray went four-plus innings allowing four hits and four runs while striking out 11 and earning the win. Hare came in to get the save with just under an inning pitched, allowing no hits nor runs and striking out a batter.

“Getting to play at Alabama’s Oldest Baseball Park was a really great experience,” said Springville coach Jonathan Ford.

“Knowing we were able to play in a place where so many great baseball players played was amazing. Even getting to put on old gloves from the 20’s and 30’s in the gift shop brought things into perspective for the boys. Being able to pull out a victory over a really good Red Bay team was icing on the cake.”

The Tigers improved to 9-6 with the win (10-7 after splitting a weekend series with Hueytown) and they will take on Hixson on Wednesday.

Kirkwood Carries Momentum Into Barber for Children’s of Alabama Indy Grand Prix

By John Goolsby, Motorsports Editor

BIRMINGHAM – An-

dretti Global’s Kyle Kirkwood heads to the Children’s of Alabama Indy Grand Prix at Barber Motorsports Park with momentum and the NTT INDYCAR SERIES points lead.

The native of Jupiter, Florida, holds a 26-point lead over four-time series champion Alex Palou following his victory at the inaugural Arlington Grand Prix on March 15. Driving the No. 27 Dallara-Honda, the 26-year-old has established himself as a serious contender for the 2026 title.

Kirkwood’s rise to the top of American open-wheel racing has been steady. He won the 2018 U.S. F2000 National Championship with Cape Motorsports, dominating by taking 12 of 14 races. One year later, he added the 2019 Indy Pro 2000 Championship to his

résumé with nine victories in 16 starts. In 2021, Kirkwood narrowly beat David Malukas, who now drives the No. 12 Team Penske Chevrolet, for the Indy Lights Championship while racing for Andretti Autosport. The achievement made Kirkwood the first driver to win championships at every level of the Road to Indy ladder, compiling 31 wins in 50 starts.

That title also guaranteed three IndyCar starts in 2022, including the Indianapolis 500, accelerating his transition into the NTT INDYCAR SERIES. Kirkwood turned his championship into a full-time IndyCar seat with A. J. Foyt Enterprises.

In 2023, he rejoined Andretti. During his second season with Andretti, he won the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach and added another victory at the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix in Nashville.

Kirkwood owns six wins, three pole positions, and eight podium finishes in 78 career IndyCar starts.

The Floridian also has sports car experience on his

résumé, competing in IMSA with Vasser Sullivan Racing in the Lexus RC F GT3.

Over seven years and 22 starts, Kirkwood recorded three victories and most re-

By Joe Hobby

As if by magic, he pulled a folded one-hundred-dollar bill out of a pile of gray lint.

“Look what I found,” he said, waving it in the air with a flourish.

My wife and I stared at him the same way we did when David Copperfield made the Statue of Liberty disappear. You know the look - mouth slightly open, eyes fixed, brain trying to processes what the eyes have just seen. Talk about money laundering.

It’s a rare day indeed when an appliance repairman comes to make a service call and hands me money before he leaves, but that’s exactly what happened. My wife Carol had called an appliance repair company, and at the appointed time, Gabe the repairman, came to look at our dryer, which had begun producing an annoying, high-pitched wail. The sound was somewhere between a smoke alarm with an attitude and a teakettle experiencing emotional distress. It was so bad that the

cently finished 10th at Daytona and 11th at Sebring in the GTD Pro class.

Kirkwood’s 2025 IndyCar season was a breakthrough year, with three

L ifesty L e

Money in the Maytag

last time we dried a load of clothes, about two dozen howling dogs showed up on our front porch. Of course, the fact that we would even attempt to have an appliance repaired is unusual in itself. Normally, when something like a dryer goes bad, it’s not repaired, it’s replaced. That’s just the way things work now. Most people call it planned obsolescence. I call it the Law of Lowe’s. Once an appliance crosses a certain age, it begins making noises that suggests it’s on its last legs - and possibly on fire. We were also painfully aware that buying a new dryer wouldn’t just mean paying for the dryer. There would be delivery fees, setup fees, installation fees, removal fees, disposal fees, and, if the installer so much as set foot in our hallway, probably a “walking through the house” fee. Suddenly, that old noisy dryer seemed worth saving. And then there was the small matter of the missing hundred dollar bill. We knew, without a

doubt, a couple of years ago, a crisp one-hundred-dollar bill had disappeared into the dryer. I will not go into detail about how this happened, other than to say I didn’t do it. I’m not saying I couldn’t have done it - I’m just saying there was someone else who lives in the house who was responsible. Long ago, I had accepted that the money was gone forever. Somewhere between socks and lint, it had entered another dimension. But after only about fifteen minutes of work on the dryer, Gabe an-

nounced that a treasure had been found. Actually, several treasures. In addition to the hundred-dollar bill, Gabe found enough loose change to fill a small piggy bank, more folding money, a couple of old keys, a credit card we had long since canceled, and an old photograph I had been looking for and assumed was lost forever. The dryer, it turns out, is not just an appliance, it’s a vault. As we marveled at the valuables Gabe laid out on

the kitchen table, I couldn’t help myself.

“What’s the most unusual thing you’ve ever retrieved from a dryer?” I asked.

“First of all,” Gabe said, pointing to the pile in front of us, “this kind of thing isn’t unusual at all. Happens all the time. But once, I was going through a pile ofq dryer lint and found a ring. The stone was so big I thought it was costume jewelry. When I showed it to the lady of the house, she burst into tears.”

It turned out to be her grandmother’s diamond ring. She had been looking for it for years and thought it was gone forever. No telling what the thing was worth. She offered Gabe a reward, but he refused. After all, it belonged to her. I just shook my head. I regularly turn on the History Channel to watch those treasure-hunting shows. I’ll admit it, I’m hooked. For more than a decade, I’ve followed a group of people searching for buried riches on a program called The Curse of

wins, including his first oval victory. He finished fourth in the championship with early wins at Long Beach, Detroit, and St. Louis, positioning himself as a front-runner in the series.

Kirkwood’s family lacked a strong motorsports background, making his ascent through the Road to Indy ladder all the more impressive. His performances have established him as one of the most versatile drivers on road courses, street circuits, and ovals.

Barber Motorsports Park has presented challenges for Kirkwood in the past, with a best career finish of 10th at the 17-turn course. Still, his current form suggests he could earn his first win at the Birmingham road course.

With the championship lead in hand and momentum on his side, Kirkwood arrives in Alabama as one of the drivers to watch as the NTT INDYCAR SERIES returns this weekend.

Oak Island. Every year, I’ve watched them spend untold millions of dollars and come up with nothing more than a few rusty artifacts and a lot of dramatic pauses. They use bulldozers, massive drilling rigs, sonar, metal detectors, and ground-penetrating radar. They dig hundreds of feet into the earth. They sift through dirt by the ton. And after all that effort, they celebrate finding a scrap of wood or an old button like they’ve discovered the Holy Grail.

Meanwhile, Gabe comes into my house, spends fifteen minutes with a phillips head screwdriver, and finds more treasure than those guys ever have.

Maybe the Oak Island folks should quit digging holes and start checking clothes dryers. It seems like the odds are a lot better, the equipment is cheaper, and there’s a chance of finding at least a sock.And most importantly, if you don’t find any treasure, the people will still write you a check

I’m just saying.

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