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January 16 - 22
Argo Mayor Betty Bradley announces she will not seek reelection
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My Life As A Hobby: Drones Fell On Alabama
Page 4
Springville hires Chris Metcalf as new football coach
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www.TrussvilleTribune.com
2025
Alabama Sees Snow!
By Chris Basinger, News Editor
‘We will not tolerate it here;’ Suspected shoplifter’s car veers off road during police chase
ARGO, Ala. – The City of Argo will swear in a new mayor after its municipal election later this year as Mayor Betty Bradley announced she will not seek the office for a third term. “For the past 13 years,
TRUSSVILLE, Ala. – The Trussville Police Department has identified the woman suspected of shoplifting at Kohl’s last week and released a video depict-
See ARGO, Page 2
See POLICE CHASE, Page 3
From Tribune staff reports
Trussville City Schools affected by PowerSchool student data breach
New park manager introduced at Moody council meeting By Nathan Prewett, For the Tribune
MOODY, Ala. – Parks and Recreation Director Mike Staggs introduced a new park manager during a meeting of the Moody City Council on Monday, Jan. 13. In his introduction Staggs said that the new See MOODY, Page 3
By Chris Basinger, News Editor
Snow blanketed Tribuneland last Friday, Jan 10, canceling school and closing roads throughout the region. According to the National Weather Service, Birmingham saw approximately 2 inches of snowfall. Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey declared a state of emergency covering 37 counties, including Jefferson and St. Clair, ahead of the severe winter weather. ALEA reported that most roads were passable with no issues by Sunday afternoon. These photos by Ron Burkett show some of the sights locals woke up to on that wintry day.
TRUSSVILLE, Ala. – Sensitive personal information of Trussville students may have been compromised during a recent nationwide data breach of
See DATA BREACH, Page 3
Irondale Council mourns Hewitt-Trussville physics teacher receives fallen officer, sets vote for redistricting plan Presidential Award From Tribune staff reports
TRUSSVILLE, Ala. – President Joe Biden announced yesterday the 336 recipients of the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching and the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring. Established in 1983, the award is the highest award K-12 math and science teachers can receive from the U.S. government and honors the vital role they play in shaping the next generation of scientists, engineers, explorers, and innovators. Among the honorees was Hewitt-Trussville High School’s own Melanie Dimler who teaches AP Physics 1 and 2 and serves as the school’s Science Department Chair. “The Presidential Award means the world to me and confirms that I’m living my true calling and vocation,” Dimler said. “I did not start my career
Melanie Dimler
in education, but I knew deep down that being a STEM teacher would be the perfect career for me–and it is! I love teaching physics because of the multitude of opportunities to engage students through hands-on lab activities. Being recognized for all of the time, passion, and energy I put into this truly valuable work is just icing on an already delicious cake.” Dimler earned a B.S. in mechanical engineering from Louisiana State Uni-
versity before working as a mechanical engineer in the energy industry for several years. “Our community is extremely fortunate to have Mrs. Melanie Dimler, not only teaching science, but leading science for our school,” HTHS Principal Aaron King said. “As the science department chair at Hewitt-Trussville High School Mrs. Dimler ensures our students receive nothing but the best in science education. I am so thankful to see Mrs. Dimler receive the recognition she deserves, and on at the national level.” Despite her career in industry, she always had ambitions to become a classroom teacher, and after moving to Alabama with her family, she obtained her secondary science teaching certificate and began teaching physics at HTHS in 2011. She later earned a Master of Natural Sciences from LSU through the Louisiana See HTHS AWARD, Page 3
By Terry Schrimscher
IRONDALE, Ala. – The Irondale City Council met for its first regular meeting of 2025 on Jan. 7 in front of a capacity crowd at Irondale City Hall. The 6 p.m. session began immediately following a memorial service in remembrance of Irondale officer Lt. Mark Meadows who was struck and killed on Jan. 6 while directing traffic at Church of the Highlands. As he concluded his report to the council, Mayor James D. Stewart, Jr. again paid homage to Meadows and asked for civility during the meeting in his honor. “This is my prayer for the meeting tonight,” Stewart began. “We just got through, outside, talking about how wonderful Lt. Meadows is, what he meant to the city. We’ve celebrated him with prayers and I hope that we don’t come in here tonight and act a fool during the deliberations as if we don’t have any sense.” In recent weeks, a small group of citizens has been
The Irondale City Council meets on Jan. 7. Terry Schrimscher/Trussville Tribune
active on social media offering criticism of the mayor and members of the council. “I believe, at a minimum, that’s the respect that we can give him tonight is that we deal with the issues and not talk about the personalities,” Stewart added. “I hope tonight after we’ve had that wonderful celebration outside that you all don’t get up and blow it and talk about things and talk about people and question people’s character.” In her report, Councilmember Cindy Cuellar expressed fond memories of Lt. Meadows and asked everyone to pray for his wife and children. She also offered a
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statement in response to calls and emails she received over the holiday break. “I would like to make a statement, a report, as a means of clarification of my position and commitment to Irondale,” she began. “Experience has shown when I raise concerns about policies I believe are not in the best interest of our city, I am often dismissed and unfairly portrayed as being against the mayor or the progress of Irondale,” she said. “I have faced sarcasm, verbal attacks, and personal insults both from this dais and communications where
See IRONDALE, Page 3