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New Column: I Couldn’t Help But Wonder…
Page 7
Oct. 31 - Nov. 6
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Pinson accepting applications to fill vacant council seat
Irondale unveils designs for civic center renovation
Huskies Blank Wildcats
Page 10
2024
Springville man charged with murder
By Chris Basinger, Staff Writer
PINSON, Ala. – The City of Pinson is now accepting applications from the public to fill a vacancy on the Pinson City Council following the passing of Mayor Joe Cochran on Sept. 20.
Adam Cornelius
See PINSON, Page 3
See MURDER, Page 5
2 Leeds businesses named finalists in state small business awards From Tribune staff reports
LEEDS, Ala .– Two local small businesses have been named among 40 finalists in this year’s Alabama Small Business of the Year Awards. Presented by the Chamber of Commerce Association of Alabama and the See LEEDS, Page 3
By Chris Basinger, Trussville Tribune
IRONDALE, Ala. – The City of Irondale released conceptual drawings for one of its biggest capital projects this week, setting the stage for what the future face of the city could look like. The release included preliminary conceptual designs for the renovation of the Irondale Civic Center, formerly the Zamora Temple, which the city hopes to convert into a functional multipurpose civic center. The city purchased the temple in 2022 for $5 million and renamed it as the
Springville 16-year-old killed in crash, 15-year-old airlifted with injuries From Tribune staff reports
Irondale Civic Center later that year. The project is being funded as part of a nearly $43 million bond issued by the city’s Public Building Authority, who is also overseeing the development of
the city’s new public library and municipal building. The PBA, which had been inactive for years, was renewed this summer and three new members were appointed by the Irondale City Council–Kim Mc-
Danal, Denzel Okinedo and Terry Burney. The renovated civic center is being designed by Williams Blackstock Architects, which estimates that the project will cost around $17 to $18 million.
BLOUNT COUNTY, Ala. – A single-vehicle crash that occurred at approximately 11:30 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 27, has claimed the life of a Springville juvenile, according to Cpl. Reginal M. King of the Alabama Law
See CRASH Page 4
Trussville PD, BPD swear Birmingham police in 12-year-old battling chief retiring, mayor cancer as honorary officer names interim chief From CBS 42 reports
DJ meets Trussville Chief Eric Rush before being sworn in as an honorary officer. Courtesy of Trussville PD. By Chris Basinger, Staff Writer
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Devarjay “DJ” Daniel has never given up on his dream of becoming a police officer. At just 6 years old DJ was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer, but despite the challenges he has faced,
his battle has not stopped him from inspiring others. In 2019, the Texas native was sworn in as an honorary officer for the first time by the Brookshire Police Department. From there, his mission took off and he has since been sworn in by hundreds of law enforcement agencies
from around the world while undergoing 13 surgeries. Last Friday, Oct. 25, Daniel, now 12, was sworn in for the 900th time at a ceremony at the Birmingham CrossPlex. The Trussville Police Department was one of the See TRUSSVILLE, Page 3
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – After two years leading the Birmingham Police Department, Scott Thurmond is retiring, according to reporting from Drew Taylor of CBS 42. During a press conference Thursday, Thurmond announced that he would be retiring as chief of the BPD. He will leave the force Nov. 29. Thurmond, 50, said he had been thinking about retiring for the last four or five months and that he had wanted to spend more time with his family. “I’ve had a lot of thought about this and this is something I’ve decided to do,” Thurmond said. “The department will be in good hands moving forward.” Thurmond has served with the BPD for 26 years. In June 2022, Thurmond was promoted to chief of the department, succeeding former chief Patrick Smith, who resigned after nearly four years as chief.
Mayor Woodfin speaks alongside Chief Thurmond during Thursday's press conference.
Thurmond leaves office weeks after a mass shooting occurred in Five Points South on Sept. 21, where four people were killed and 17 others were injured. One arrest has been made in the case. As of Thursday, there have been over 120 homicides in Birmingham, on track to bypass the 135 homicides reported in the city last year. Birmingham’s most violent year was in 1933, when there were 148 violent deaths reported in the city.
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Following his speech, Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin thanked Thurmond for his service to the city and his leadership of the department. Woodfin named BPD Deputy Chief Michael Pickett as the interim chief following Thurmond’s exit. “I want to thank Mayor Woodfin for his confidence in me and offering this opportunity,” Pickett said. “My focus is straightfor-
See BIRMINGHAM, Page 4