Latest news with #NathanPrewett
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Leeds Girl Scout creates museum exhibit honoring local veterans
The following story was written by Nathan Prewett and published in the Trussville Tribune. LEEDS, Ala. (TRIBUNE) – A local girl scout has created a media-based exhibit at the Leeds Historical Society Museum, honoring local veterans and preserving their stories for future generations. Aubry Mabery, a member of the Leeds Area Girl Scout Troop 30234, partnered with the Leeds Historical Society for the project as part of her efforts to earn a Girl Scout Gold Award—the highest honor in Girl Scouting. The new exhibit features digitized portraits and stories of veterans from Leeds as well as an interactive scavenger hunt for students and families visiting the museum. 'I wanted to preserve the stories of those who have indirectly inspired me,' Mabery said. 'This has also been a growing experience that helped me to understand my goals and aspirations.' Mabery has had a longstanding relationship with the Leeds Historical Society Museum, located at the historic J.W. Bass House. For her Silver Award, she inventoried many of the museum's artifacts and created a digital archive stored on the society's cloud-based system. 'The people I've worked with have been so kind and understanding. They've shown me how historians can respect the history that inspires us and 'preserve the cornerstones of our past in order to inspire our future,' Mabery added. She has also used her platform as Miss Leeds Fire Prevention to raise awareness about the damage that fire and smoke can cause to historical buildings and museum artifacts, advocating for installing smoke and fire detectors in historic structures throughout Leeds to prevent their destruction. 'We are proud to support Aubry's inspiring project,' said Leeds Historical Society President Randy Ray. 'She embodies the values of both the Girl Scouts and the Historical Society—a commitment to learning, leadership, and the preservation of our shared history.' A special presentation of the exhibit is scheduled for Sunday, May 25, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Leeds Historical Museum located on 1129 Montevallo Road SW and will be part of the Leeds Historical Society's Memorial Day Weekend programming. Nathan Prewett can be reached at nthomasp6@ Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Moody Council approves incentive deal for $100 million retail development
The following article is by Nathan Prewett for the Trussville Tribune: MOODY, Ala. (Trussville Tribune) — The Moody City Council approved a reimbursement agreement with Moody LP to construct a retail space on a property along the city's thoroughfare on Highway 411 during its meeting on Monday. City Attorney Kyle Barrentine gave an overview of the agreement during the public hearing, citing Amendment 772 of the Alabama Constitution that allows a municipal body to provide public funds as incentives for economic growth. Moody LP seeks to build 200,000 to 250,000 square feet of Class A commercial retail space. The property exists before a section of the Little Cahaba River and stretches from the 7 Brew Coffee location to Joey Atkins Drive. 'It's an area and section of town that the city has been trying to get redeveloped for a number of years and it can have some challenges there,' Barrentine said. 'This agreement holds out the promise for that to happen.' The challenge, he said, is in clearing the land, grading, and construction. The cost of the development is expected to be an estimated $100 million. As a result, the developer asked to be provided with incentives to get the project started, including abatement, sales and property taxes, fees, and permits. Barrentine added that it is expected to create a 'substantial' amount of jobs upon completion, as well as have establishments not currently in the city. Tax revenue that the space is expected to generate will also be 'substantial'. Among the terms of the agreement is that the first $50,000 made per year will be received by the city before sales or other tax abatement that are eligible to be rebated. The developer will have five years to begin the incentive process after it invests a minimum of $10 million. The abatement percentage would be up to $65.1 million during the course of 35-40 years, Barrentine said or whenever the sum is paid. The abatement percentage is that for the first five years after the incentive is activated 100% of the derived revenue will be 100% for the developer. But at the 61st month, 85% of the revenue will go to the developer with 15% going to the city. At the 180th month, 75% of the revenue will go to the developer while the city receives the remaining 25% until the agreement's termination by payment of the sum of $65.1 million or the 35 to 40 year timeframe runs out. Barrentine said that the city published a legal notice as legally required in the St. Clair Times advertising the agreement and the meeting with its public hearing. Mood LP's owner, Stan Pate, was present and said that as part of the project the existing buildings on the property will be demolished but that he will work with the small business owners there to relocate. Margaret Goodwin brought up concerns about the river, particularly with potential flooding. Pate said that among the first actions is to have engineers assess the area and form a soil erosion plan. 'We recognize the importance of the river,' Pate said. Alabama nonprofit art studio that celebrates the autism community hit by Trump cuts to NEA Michael Ray, who owns a tattoo parlor on the property, also voiced concerns about the river, saying that the endangered aquatic life may be at risk with the construction there. Later in the meeting Karen Bareford with the Cahaba River Society spoke briefly and said that she would be willing to work with Pate to ensure protection of the river's wildlife. Ray and another resident, Craig Martin, brought up potential traffic issues, with Martin urging that additional red lights be put at a section of the road by the property near a Starbucks location said to be heavy with traffic. Pate agreed with him and said that a traffic study would be done. Ray also pointed out that he and other business owners that pay leases month by month to operate there would be forced to leave and did not desire to do so. Pate reiterated that the leases would be honored and that he would work to help relocate all of the owners. 'We're not–I'm not about to be unfair with any of the businesses located there,' Ray said. He also criticized the city's advertisement for the hearing, saying that it should have been published in other outlets and posted on social media as well. Val Bagley said that the project will affect the families of the business owners and their employees. 'Moody's a small town,' Bagley said. 'And I love the people here. They've always wanted to keep it a small town. We all understand that you have to have growth at some point in time. We get that.' 'The businesses that are going to be demolished – it's going to affect the families. Not only that, it doesn't matter what our lease says, the people that are leasing, yeah, we will be affected. But our employees, as soon as they find out that this is happening, they're out. They're going to be looking for somewhere else to go.' She added that when they look elsewhere for a place to rent the rent would be increasing 'substantially.' After discussion, the council voted unanimously to approve the agreement. 'I think it's a positive thing for the city of Moody,' commented Mayor Joe Lee. 'It's property that is a challenge to develop and we've shown it to many developers and we feel that Stan Pate is the right person to develop this property.' Moody City Council meetings are held on the second and fourth Monday of every month at 6 p.m. at Moody City Hall on 670 Park Ave. Nathan Prewett can be reached at nthomasp6@ Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
19-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Pinson City Council presents $60K to local schools
The following is a story by Nathan Prewett for the Trussville Tribune: PINSON, Ala. (Trussville Tribune) — The Pinson City Council presented their usual round of $60,000 to the local schools during a meeting that was held on Thursday, April 17. Speaking first was Stephanie Floyd, who is vice president of the Jefferson County Board of Education, and represents District 3, which Pinson Valley High School falls under as a feeder pattern. 'I wanted to come and make sure that, you know, that we are here to help support you all in anything that you do to help support the schools is critically important for us,' she told the council. 'You know it takes a village. No one person can raise children. It does take a community.' She highlighted chronic absenteeism as an issue for schools in the past, but said it has improved in recent times. She also mentioned Pinson Valley High School Principal Michael Turner being selected for the role of interim superintendent for Bessemer City Schools and congratulated him. 'It's going to be really difficult to fill the shoes of Mr. Turner,' she said. 'He was extremely vocal and vital to the community, so he will be missed.' Afterwards Johnson Elementary School Principal Brandi Wilson spoke. 'I've enjoyed my years at Johnson and I'm so proud of the progress that we've made,' Wilson said and added that chronic absenteeism has improved, decreasing from 16% to 9% in 2024. 'We've just done a lot of mentoring with our students on why they should be at school everyday and the importance,' she added. 'So, all of those efforts did show.' She expressed her gratitude to the council after the school was able to purchase playground equipment using the last round of grants last year. Following her was Gerolyn Woodruff, principal of Rudd Middle School. She also expressed gratitude to the council and said that recently the school awarded several students for perfect attendance, as well as for good grades. High school football recruit in Alabama declines $750,000 NIL deal to stay in state, trainer says She added that the school celebrated with a 'Gaming Day Experience' in which 52 arcade games and other video game machines were set up in the gym for the students to enjoy. Additionally, the school also wrapped up its 'ACAMP' initiative to improve math and reading scores. 'We're going for level four gold, which is the highest,' she said. 'And we're just trying to increase our math scores and our reading scores at Rudd Middle School, and our state report card; we had a 75 so we're aiming for a B status for the upcoming year.' During the pre-council meeting, Scott Ragsdale gave an update on his proposed Veterans Honor Park first mentioned in a January meeting. At that meeting the council gave a preliminary approval for the park, which would display six, 20-foot tall concrete columns, each representing a branch of the armed forces along with an American flag, a plaque displaying the Oath of Enlistment, and an Arlington burial cross representing soldiers who died overseas or died after returning home. The original plan had the entry of it going into Bicentennial Park. However, after consulting with engineers it was found that the location would cause flooding concerns and an exorbitant cost to address it. And so he began looking for an alternative location and proposed that it be constructed at a section of Triangle Park at the intersection of Pinson Boulevard, Roddam Road, and Pinson Main Street. 'That is the staple point for the city of Pinson,' he said. 'I've been here all my life, except for the time I was in the service, and that is just like the main intersection that belongs to the city of Pinson.' He said that he has letters of commitment from multiple contractors to provide labor but now needs an area to construct the project. The matter will be revisited in the future. In other business the council: Approved an annexation request from a property owner on Ridgewood Drive, Designated Councilor Clinteshia Irvin as the primary delegate to the Alabama League of Municipalities, with Roberts being the first alternate and Councilor Glenda Kirkland being the third alternate, and Approved $25,000 for Turkey Creek. 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. Nathan Prewett can be reached at nthomasp6@ Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Yahoo
1950s-themed Leeds Historic Walking Tour set for April 15
LEEDS, Ala. (TRIBUNE) – Downtown Leeds will travel back in time to the 1950s for this year's Historic Walking Tour, set for April 15 from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. 'We are incredibly excited to offer this immersive experience to our community and visitors alike,' said Ron Howard, 2025 History Walk Captain. 'The 1950s was a transformative decade, and we're eager to showcase how Leeds reflected the spirit of that time. This walking tour will bring history to life in a fun and engaging way.' According to Nathan Prewett of the Trussville Tribune, the tour will feature: Historic re-enactors who the public can interact with. Displays showing the architecture, businesses, and daily life of Leeds in the 1950s. Music by Leeds High School Jazz Ensemble and Elvis tribute artist Aiden Joiner Food trucks The self-guided tour will also take walkers past landmarks and historic sites as well as other gatherings including Market on Main, Yellowhammer Antiques' Springfest, the Cornhole Tournament Fundraiser, Greenwave Giveaway Dinner, and more. The tour is presented by Leeds Historical Commission, Leeds Redevelopment Authority, Leeds Area Chamber of Commerce, Leeds Jane Culbreth Library, and the Leeds Historical Society with support from Leeds Water Works Board and Leeds Main Street. The walking tour will be held along Parkway Drive between 7th and 9th Street. For more information, visit Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
29-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Leeds completes major LED lighting upgrade at interstate exit
LEEDS, Ala. (Trussville Tribune) — The City of Leeds has finished installing new LED street lights at Exit 140 that will help improve visibility in the traffic-heavy area. According to Nathan Prewett with the Trussville Tribune, the project aims to make navigating the roads off I-20 safer especially with the volume of drivers visiting Buc-ee's, Bass Pro Shop, and The Shops of Grand River, which are all located nearby. Their installation also places Leeds among a select number of cities in Alabama with fully operational and modernized exit lighting systems. Alabama student Alireza Doroudi removed from local jail, reportedly taken to ICE facility in Louisiana 'Thanks to our electrical team headed up by Mike Cauble and our Economic Development group that saw this through, we're now happy to announce that we have new all-LED lighting at our Exit 140—our exit for Buc-ee's and Bass Pro,' Mayor David Miller said. 'The lighting was really poor there, so we went in with all brand-new fixtures, all brand-new LED lighting. We're one of the few in the state that's got every light that works—and they're all LEDs.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
