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Cahalan heads to Tuscaloosa
Page 9
Pinson mayor, council call out Jefferson County Sheriff Pettway regarding electronic bingo facilities
From The Tribune staff reports
By Crystal McGough Associate Editor
TRUSSVILLE — Surveys and community meetings have been distributed for the Trussville City Schools (TCS) Superintendent search.
PINSON – The Pinson City Council, at its regular Thursday night meeting on Jan. 5, 2023, heard from Zoning Administrator Chris Sharit regarding citizens’ concerns and complaints over electronic bingo facilities in and around the city. “I just wanted to clarify a few things,” Sharit said. “We get several complaints and calls every day and every week to city hall and on social media about electronic bingo in the city of Pinson. The city does have an ordinance against electronic bingo. We do not have any electronic bingo facilities operating in the city limits, unless one opened today – and that’s possible because they pop up that quick. We have actually, physically, in the last few months shut down three. … In the city of Pinson, we do not have electronic bingo because it is illegal, and it is against our ordinanc-
By Loyd McIntosh For The Tribune
CENTER POINT — The Center Point City Council ran through a packed agenda and heard from several citizens while addressing several major issues during its first council meeting of the year See CENTER POINT, Page 5
Trussville Parks & Recreation launches esports League From The Tribune staff reports
TRUSSVILLE — The City of Trussville Parks & Recreation department has partnered with Mission Control to launch the inaugural season of its new esports league. This season features Mario Kart on Monday evenings, Rocket League on Thursdays, See ESPORTS, Page 5
Waste Management representatives visit Pinson City Council to address concerns By Crystal McGough Associate Editor
PINSON – As more and more complaints have been coming into City Hall regarding missed garbage and See PINSON, Page 6
PVHS Guess steps down
Page 10
2023
TCS Superintendent search underway, survey & community meetings announced
Center Point tackles several major issues in City Council meeting
Pinson City Council (Photo by Crystal McGough)
es. We’ve shut them down and we will continue to shut them down.” Sharit explained that there are a lot of bingo halls that appear to be in Pinson, but they are not legally within Pinson’s corporate limits and the municipality has no authority in unincorporated areas. Mayor Cochran and some of the council members spe-
cifically called out Jefferson County Sheriff Mark Pettway for not making electronic bingo a priority, and appealed to him for help. “The only person that can deal with these unincorporated areas outside of our city limit is the sheriff of Jefferson County, Mark Pettway,” Cochran said. “He was recently re-elected. I’ve read comments from Sher-
iff Pettway that said he’s not dealing with this; he’s gonna focus on violent crime. Well, I know of robberies that have happened at these places – armed robberies. I know of shootings that have occurred in these places, and if that’s not violent crime, please define it for me. “I have talked to Sheriff Pettway, as have many city leaders around this county. I have talked to Steve Marshall, our attorney general. I can’t for the life of me understand why our sheriff will not enforce these rules and other sheriffs in other counties will. There’s a lot of rumors and innuendos out there, and I’m not getting into any of that, but at the end of the day, it’s a blight on our community.” Cochran said that he would also like to call upon Alabama’s state legislators to change the classification of electronic bingo from a misdemeanor to a felony. See BINGO, Page 3
Multiple properties of the Trussville Entertainment District listed in potential federal indictment By Erica Thomas, 1819 News, and Hannah Curran, Trussville Tribune
TRUSSVILLE — The investigation into a possible multi-million dollar illegal sports gambling conspiracy, tax evasion and money laundering scheme could lead to the seizure of 30 properties, many across Alabama, including several that make up the Trussville Entertainment District (TED). The 114-count indictment reads like a Hollywood thriller and includes millions of dollars in dirty money switching hands in parking lots, restaurant bathrooms and high-end conferences where the alleged “boss” tells people how to stay clean in a high-stakes business. According to the United States Department of Justice (USDOJ), 11 defendants, nearly half of them from Alabama, were indicted in connection to the management of the scheme. Of those 11 defendants, six of them are from
Trussville Entertainment District (Photo courtesy of Trussville Tribune)
Alabama and they are the top four accused of managing the organization. The scheme spanned over at least three years, although the exact date of when it started is unknown, prosecutors say. The head of the operation, according to the indictment is Timothy J. Pughsley, 51, of Birmingham. He started the bookmaking business at least 17 years ago but it eventually became known as “Red44” and more players have been added as “senior agents,” prosecutors say. He also invested in properties that are now on the seizure list.
MARTY’S TRUSSVILLE Inside the Tribune
Nine of the properties listed within the TED include the properties where Ferus Artisan Ales, Mexicali Blues, Mr. West’s Asian Kitchen and Pinchgut Pies are operated. Another property listed that is within the TED is a restaurant that is owned by a lessee of that property. Those properties are owned by prominent businessman Coby Lake. Lake’s attorney, Jay Smith, said Timothy Pughsley has been a “passive investor” in some of Lake’s dealings. He believes that’s why Lake’s properties are listed in the indictment.
“Tim Pughsley, who is a defendant in this indictment, is a passive investor in the entity that owns some of these properties,” Smith explained. “By passive I mean, he doesn’t have any operating authority over them or anything like that. He’s just a passive investor.” Smith said he and his client are monitoring the case but they are not concerned that it will impact operations at the TED. “I can understand why people on the outside would be concerned, but I don’t think there’s any reason to be,” said Smith. “At least not from the perspective of the real property owners, Coby, and the city of Trussville itself.” Smith said another investor in some of Lake’s businesses, Chris Donaldson, is also listed in the indictment but with this particular case, he hasn’t identified a connection between Donaldson’s investments and this case. See INDICTMENT, Page 3
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Argo Police Department awards ‘Officer of the Year’ at Argo Council meeting By Crystal McGough Associate Editor
ARGO – A special award was given during the Argo City Council meeting Monday night, Jan. 9, 2023. Former Argo police chief Glenn Wells and current Chief Alan See ARGO, Page 4
Incentives for new Starbucks approved at Trussville Council, accepts applications for TCS BOE board member By Hannah Curran Editor
TRUSSVILLE — During the regular meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 10, the Trussville See TRUSSVILLE, Page 2
Ragland Police Department’s K9 Smoke received donation of body armor From The Tribune staff reports
RAGLAND — Ragland Police Department’s K9 Smoke has received a bullet and stab protective vest thanks to a charitable donation from the non-profit organization Vested Interest in See RAGLAND, Page 6
Outdoor air monitors to be installed at Trussville City Schools From The Tribune staff reports
TRUSSVILLE — Trussville City Schools released a letter to parents and guardians that informed them of the installation of outdoor air monitors at four sites in the school system. See TCS, Page 5
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