The Tribune
TRUSSVILLE • ARGO• IRONDALE • PINSON • CLAY • CENTER POINT • ARGO CENTER POINT • SPRINGVILLE • LEEDS • MOODY • TRUSSVILLE • PINSON CLAY • CENTER POINT • ARGO • SPRINGVILLE • TRUSSVILLE • IRONDALE LEEDS • MOODY • PINSON • CLAY • CENTER POINT • ARGO • SPRINGVILLE TRUSSVILLE • LEEDS • IRONDALE • PINSON • CLAY • CENTER POINT • ARGO SPRINGVILLE • LEEDS • MOODY • TRUSSVILLE • PINSON • CLAY • IRONDALE PINSON • CENTER POINT • IRONDALE • SPRINGVILLE • ARGO • SPRINGVILLE PINSON • CLAY • CENTER POINT • ARGO • SPRINGVILLE • LEEDS • MOODY TRUSSVILLE • PINSON • CLAY • CENTER POINT • IRONDALE • SPRINGVILLE LEEDS • MOODY • TRUSSVILLE • PINSON • CLAY • CENTER POINT • IRONDALE ARGO • SPRINGVILLE • LEEDS • MOODY • TRUSSVILLE • PINSON • IRONDALE CENTER POINT • ARGO • SPRINGVILLE • LEEDS • MOODY • CENTER POINT
By The Nathan Prewett, Kiwanis Club of For Clair the Tribune St. County West has received a $1,000 matchAla.the– Alabama The City ing LEEDS, grant from of LeedsFoundation has announced Kiwanis to sup-a serieshygiene of paving projects that port closets in local will address 20 full or parschools. tial With streetsthe in Leeds starting funding it is this week. hoped that hygiene closinvestets The can $1,128,995 be established or ment will in usehigh over schools 7 tons enhanced See 3 SeeREPAVING, KIWANIS, Page 5
New owners Trussville of Dobbsawards Ford chamber celebratein $12,000 first year of scholarships tomanaging seven local dealership students By TRUSSVILLE, Chris Basinger, Ala. – News Editor Area ChamThe Trussville
ber of Commerce awarded BIRMINGHAM, Ala. to– $12,000 in scholarships It has students been a year firsts seven in theofTrussfor area Dobbs Ford new ville via its 2026asChamowners Joey and Rachel ber Scholarship program. Goshein recently celebrated According to the their first year managing chamber, six as students repartners $1,500 and as members of ceived Academic SeeSee DOBBS FORD, Page 5 3 CHAMBER,
FRI
SAT
SUN MON TUE
WED
57 69 39 51
69 72 52
68 81 43 58
60 83 38 60
65 77 39 53
75 44 51
78 81 50 58
2% 77%
7% 21%
59% 15%
19% 45%
16% 65%
4% 24%
35% 9%
Dear Grandson, Here’s What You’ve Missed Sean of the South
Pinson drops state championship to Paul W.workshop Bryant Trussville
6 Page 2
Page Page10 3
www.TrussvilleTribune.com
March - 12 May 7 -613
LeedsClub Kiwanis announces of St. Clair series of West major County repaving receives projects $1,000 grant
THU
2025 2026
Trussville One suspect After prolonged political lecture Council commits Former Velma’s workers say suicide, recognizes another from Mayor Thomas, Springville Presidential jailed after unpaid wages were only part Award recipient aggravated Council approves pay raise for police Melanie Dimler child abuse of the problem
By Terry Schrimscher Brady Flanigan, Editor
SPRINGVILLE, Ala. – TheTRUSSVILLE, Springville CityAla. Coun– It cil took with a detour Monday started a mysterious night returned social before media itpost from toa unfinished Birminghambusiness gossip held colover from the Feb. 17theatrimeetumn—anonymous, ing. Aftereasy an extended work cal, and to throw away. session and ita led shortthebreak, Instead, Trithe 3 meeting claims began buneMarch to investigate around 6:45wages, p.m. missing of unpaid the meetingquestiongot untax Asdocuments, derway, the practices, council and apable alcohol proved the minutes public safety concerns from conthe last meeting in February. nected to Velma’s, one of Mayor Davebest Thomas Trussville’s knownmokationed for them to reconsidraoke bars. er the Theminutes Tribunenoting madememconbers motioned to Velma’s adjourn tact with four of before business former conducting employees. Two on the agenda withoutMorthat agreed to be named: motion being gan King andrecognized. Alexis Hollithen to proceeded day.Thomas Two agreed be quotto a dissertation, ed deliver in full on the promise as of he called it,for forfear the of next 55 anonymity, retalminutes, cross-referencing iation. political history, addressing As part of the investirecent and quotgation, editorials, The Tribune coning Teddy Roosevelt, Jesus, ducted extensive interviews and alongreviewed the way. withSocrates former staff, Although not technically private messages, policea filibuster, lecturea was destatementstheabout March signed to prolong chase the meet2026 high-speed ining allowing Thomas air volving a vehicle thatto left his displeasure at the lacktied of Velma’s, information
Mayor Dave Thomas delivers a lengthy dissertation to members of the city council. (Terry Schrimscher/Trussville Tribune)
focus on city business. At one point, Thomas challenged members of the council to raise their hands if they agreed never again to leave a meeting before the conclusion of business. No to a fatal April 24 wreck hands raised. Along the way, involving a woman sources he saidhad the been council’s lack of claim at Velma’s leadership on salaries would prior to the accident, and be a burdenononathe city. Dereporting deadly “The 2025 council had every cember shooting outopportunity side the bar. to redress the error but The choseTribune otherwise, While was wanting move all on, allegashowunable totoverify ing theirformer frustration and the tions, employees’ effectiveness of the broadly filibusaccounts were
ter,” Thomas said. “The example they set by refusing to adjust salaries wasn’t about their faux martyrdom, sacrificing for the greater good,” he added. “The example set consistent across they multiple was that ifand youwere makesupan interviews error can’t portedit in partbebycorrected. records That the errorreviewed becomes bya and messages mistake,” he said. “But now the Tribune. the Despite window several to act has closed attempts as last Wednesday, to of make contact withshackownling the next ers Royce andadministration Tammy Butwith theTribune consequences of ler, The was unable their actions,” he said. reto receive a substantive Speaking The Tribune sponse prior to publication.
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 procedural process used to reduce the need for discussion and lengthy meetings. After re-introducing parliamentary rules to the meeting process, Thomas led the council through new business CBS which42involved / TammyaccepButler tance of bids for a new sewer project whichBehind will need The People further action for financial the Bar decisions. council also Velma’sThe carries a history renewed the city’s in Trussville older garbage than its collection with ownership. contract The bar dates Waste back toManagement. 1938, making it one Items from thelicensed Februof the city’s oldest ary were joint addressed bars,agenda a roadside long individually. The purchase known for burgers, beer,
investigation in St. Clair County
By Chris Basinger, News Editor
TRUSSVILLE, Staff Report Ala. – The Trussville City Council passed during ST. a proclamation CLAIR COUNTY meeting –Tuesday One mannight’s is dead from an honoring suicide Hewitt-Trussville apparent and a womHigh School Physics teacher an is in the St. Clair County Melanie Dimler.an investigaJail following
See AWARD, Page 5 3 See SUSPECT,
Human bones ALDOT to close foundboth by northbound local dog are Chalkville connected, Mountain Road coroner says ramps May 18
From Tribune staff reports
TRUSSVILLE, Ala. – BIRMINGHAM, Ala. Beginning May 18, ALDOT – A human skullboth and northa left plans to close tibia found by at a dog in East bound ramps Chalkville Birmingham last(Exit year141) are Mountain Road confirmed to have as part of the next belonged phase of to the same person,Interstate accordthe effort to widen ing according to the Jefferson County 59, to an advance Coroner’s Office.to officials notice delivered TheCity linkofwas confirmed of the Trussville.
See SPRINGVILLE, See VELMA’S, Page 2 3
See 4 See BONES, ALDOT, Page 5
High School freshmen Foxhound Beecouncil Company Leeds Irondale approves Margaret takesale action address rising to rejects bee-gincensure construction of to additional as shootings property to local on new education center cityschool conflict deepens MARGARET, Ala. – The Margaret City Council on Monday, May 4, rejected several efforts to censure Mayor Pro Tem Jonathan Ray, as ongoing disputes connected to city spending, transparency, and official conduct continued to spill into public discourse. The council’s decision came after days of tension, including a heated special-called weekend meeting on Saturday, involving public complaints against Ray and ongoing argu- from the interim city clerk, earlier wrongful-terminaments between Ray and who described Ray’s public tion lawsuit and former emMayor Matthew Tortorice criticism of her as unproployees he described as disA concept of the new education center in Irondale. (Foxhound Bee Company) about how city money is fessional, arguing that his gruntled. He also alleged By Chris Basinger, in the coming which some openedhad on been Saturday. being spent and who holds repeated calls weeks, on the weekcoached by News Editor to approve it. will serve as an expansion “When looking for a the authority end for special meetings Tortorice. from its current location of in place to build our newmeetbeeThe prospects of a cen- amounted to harassment During Monday’s Hardware Park. keeping store, wetocontinued Bee city sureIRONDALE, against RayAla. first– suremployees. ing, a motion remove In addition to educationto hear comments enthusiasts willwhen sooncombe faced Saturday, Other complaints dated Ray as mayor pro about tem how Irondale was doing al opportunities and includSTEM failed swarming to Irondale to vis- back plaint documents accusing several years, to get a second. Anprogramming, center other great things,” saida founder it a new beekeeping toward educa- ing Ray of misconduct allegations the of adverse proposal, formal will also and sell insubordinaa range of resolution Adam Hickman. tion center designed to teach city employees were pre- conduct to censure Ray, products from bees, also“Everyone the effort projstudentsforand community sented council review. tion. Onesourced complaint alleged failed. A on third including bees- to ectexpand seemedthe to speak highly members worldbut of Ray No actionabout wasthe taken, calledhoney a city and employee censure lanwax, as well and as supplies of working with Irondale pollinators. the topic returned Monday. homosexual referredfor to guage to all council memand and its the leadership. So, Birmingham-based Fox- abeekeepers. Records of the comjudge with a racial slur. bers mayor also It will be built across failed. when we approached the hound Bee Company is pre-a plaints obtained through Ray denied that allegafrom and the said all-new paring to break request ground inon tion public records manyRuffner of the Sports Complex, BEES, Page 5 3 the 5,000a square facility complaints cluded recentfoot allegation were tied which to an See See COUNCIL,
By Tanna McGuire
developer
LEEDS, Ala. – Over the past 25 years, school shootings in the United Terry Schrimscher States have surged to alarming IRONDALE, levels, with Ala. a reported – The 574 incidents occurring Irondale City Council last between 2000 the and sale 2025, night approved of according property to datato from additional Pine Statista. Three High Whispers LLC,Leeds increasing School freshmen, Amelia the amount of property sold Davis, Madilynn Johnson, by the city to 81.229 acres. and Beatrice Pine Whispers,McCormick, according members of also the Leeds High to records, purchased School Future Pine TreeChapter CountryofClub last CareerforCommunity Leaders week $12 million. of Pine America (FCCLA),orgaare Whispers, determined to address this nized by former Brasfield pressing their & Gorrieissue CEOthrough and current state conference project. Jim executive chairman The young have Gorrie, boughtleaders 45 acres not only compiled critifrom Irondale in January for cal statistics but for area total also $45,000 per acre, working local officials price of with $2,025,000, with andoption educators promote an to buytoadditional stronger The safetynew measures property. agreein schools. Their ment increases the project, amount which presented at of landwillinbethe purchase the FCCLA agreement to state 81.229conferacres enceaninestimated March, aims to price raise for total awareness about the devof $3,655,305. astating In hisimpact State ofoftheschool City shootingsin and proposeMayacaddress February, tionable to improve or Jameschanges D. Stewart ansafety protocols in the Alabama nounced plans for prop-
Pictured: Beatrice McCormick, Madilynn Johnson, and Amelia Davis.
schools. sentiment, emphasizing the Current federal require- emotional and psychologiments mandate that schools cal toll that school shootings perform lockdown or in- take on students and their truder drills; in Alabama, families. “You shouldn’t public schools are required have to worry about being to conduct two such drills scared when you’re just tryper semester. Daing to learn,” Johnson said. Mayor JamesHowever, D. Stewart announced plans for land around visPine believes these measures “We need to make sure that Tree Country Club at his State of the City address in are insufficient and is adeveryPhoto: schoolCity feels safe and February. of Irondale. vocating for more frequent ready to handle anything and would comprehensive that could happen.” erty include a drills. PGA Irondale further specifies “When people’s lives on work McCormick must beginhighlighton the Hall of Fame. The Pineare Tree the line, we can’tproperty just do the ed the importance turnwithin five of years of Country Club is property bare minimum,” ing closing awareness action. date,into or the city currently zoned Davis CC-1,said. but the “Schools should take intrud“School shootings are such but is not obligated to, the acreage purchased from can, er drills as as they a huge problem, and we the property. Irondale is seriously not restricted to repurchase do fire tornado drills.” use as aorclub. Johnson echoed with this See 3 See STUDENTS, IRONDALE, Page 2 The sale agreement
J&H DIAMOND JEWELERS
Inside the Tribune Inside the Tribune News - Pages 1-4 News - Pages Opinion - Page1-6 5 Calendar Page Lifestyle - Page 67 Classified Page87 Obituary - -Page Obituary Calendar--Page Page89 Sports Pages 9-11 Classified - Page 9
Sports - Pages 10-12
Diamond Sale Service & Maintenance • Lift Kits • Accessories 3620 Vann Rd Birmingham
205-661-3828
ALWAYS ALWAYS BUYING BUYING GOLD GOLD SILVER SILVER AND AND DIAMONDS DIAMONDS ON SITE JEWELRY REPAIR
PHONE: 205.853.4121 5118 OLD SPRINGVILLE RD PINSON, AL 35126