Brian Pia
ABC 33/40 News
Contact Brian
Discover and connect with journalists and influencers around the world, save time on email research, monitor the news, and more.
| Recent: |
|
| Past: |
|
Past articles by Brian:
Birmingham's Norwood neighborhood cleaner after I-Team gets involved
Samaiyah Miller lives by an abandoned house owned by the Birmingham Land Bank Authority. City crews finally cut the grass. Miller is pleased with the progress. “I appreciate the city getting out here and cleaning it up. But it only happens once every so often,” Miller said. On May 3rd, the yard was a mess at the abandoned house and at other lots. The grass and weeds needed cutting. Jay Burrell… → Read More
Birmingham residents want action over an abandoned house and Kudzu-infested lot
John Solid takes care of his property — just like many others who live in Birmingham’s Fairview neighborhood. The trouble is, Solid said his property value declined $45,000, due in part, to an abandoned house just across the street. “What if I want to sell the house? I can’t even get a buyer. Because nobody wants to live next to that,” Solid said. Neighbors said the house was deserted nearly… → Read More
Relatives appalled by tall grass and weeds at historic Shadow Lawn Cemetery in Birmingham
Rod Jackson and I searched for his grandmother’s grave at the historic Shadow Lawn Cemetery in Birmingham. We had a tough time finding it because of the tall grass and weeds. Jackson has several relatives buried there. He called the I-Team when he saw the terrible condition of the cemetery. SEE ALSO:Relatives appalled by tall grass and weeds at historic Shadow Lawn Cemetery in Birmingham. “To… → Read More
Neighbors upset about rats and an overgrown lot at a Birmingham house
Residents care about their property and their neighborhood along 8th Avenue West in Birmingham’s Bush Hills community. That’s why one house and yard stand out so much. Weeds and ivy have taken over the property. The lot is overgrown in the front and the back. It’s been a problem for years. Errol Pharris lives next door. We talked about the weeds he sees every day. “That’s ridiculous. That’s… → Read More
Birmingham crews cut the grass at abandoned houses following I-Team probe
Just two days ago, an abandoned house at 2736 21st Street in Birmingham’s Fairview Neighborhood was an absolute mess. The weeds were at least five feet tall. It was awful. Today, the yard is a lot neater and cleaner. Neighbors said the last time the city cut the grass at that property was in 2017. Neighbors complained. No action. Then, we contacted the city and they cut the grass. Neighbors are… → Read More
Birmingham crews clean up trash in Bush Hills alley following I-Team probe
Birmingham Public Works crews cleaned up trash piles along Bush Alley and Graymont Alley following an ABC 33/40 I-Team investigation. On Wednesday, we saw a large pile of mattresses, clothes, toys, and garbage that had been on Bush Alley for seven months. It attracted rats. Around the corner, tires and trash were near a “No Dumping” sign. There were more trash piles along Graymont Alley. By… → Read More
Birmingham alley trash has been sitting for months. When will the city clean it up?
There are many nice houses in Birmingham’s Bush Hills neighborhood. From the front, you can’t tell there’s a problem. But drive the alley’s behind the houses and you’ll see piles of trash and debris. We saw a large pile of mattresses, clothes, toys, and garbage on Bush Alley that’s been sitting since late last year. The trash is more than just an eyesore. It’s attracting rats and other animals.… → Read More
Birmingham's South East Lake neighborhood want abandoned houses and lots cleaned up
Abandoned houses on 7th Avenue South have become a blight on the neighborhood in Birmingham’s South East Lake community. Two houses were abandoned more than 15 years ago. They’re rotting away. And the lot is overgrown. Neighbors say the abandoned houses are also attracting large rats. SEE ALSO: Birmingham residents want action over houses abandoned more than 10 years ago. Tanya Hill is one of… → Read More
Birmingham residents want action over houses abandoned more than 10 years ago
Theresa Scarbrough showed me the abandoned houses that she’s been living next to for more than a decade on Jefferson Avenue Southwest in Birmingham. The wood is rotting. The paint is peeling. Windows are broken. The back door is open in one house. The weeds are about waist high. Scarborough has seen rats and squatters over the years. She complains to the city annually. But the problem remains.… → Read More
Tuscaloosa County family finds loaded gun while picking up litter along AL Hwy 69
April McCracken showed me the spot along State Highway 69 in Tuscaloosa County where her daughter found a loaded gun. It was along the highway near H. B. Johnson Road. That's just across from the intersection of State Highway 69 andUpper Hull Road. Big Sandy Elementary School is located at12058 Upper Hull Road. The family of five spent a weekend last March picking up trash. That’s when they… → Read More
Neighbors want action over a neglected house on Birmingham’s Southside
Milner Court South in Birmingham. It’s a beautiful neighborhood — but residents are living next to a neglected house. The property is in terrible shape. The paint is peeling. The wood is rotting. And the weeds have taken over. In fact, I stood next to a weed that’s taller than I am. We spoke with neighbors about living next to the eyesore. They’ve seen large rats and snakes. “It’s annoying to… → Read More
Improvements at Birmingham’s Roosevelt City Park following I-Team investigation
There are several new picnic tables at Birmingham’s Roosevelt City Park. They replaced the ones that were damaged by vandals or wear-and-tear. There’s a new security system. The Park Board says the women’s and men’s bathrooms are being renovated. There’s also new sod after the Birmingham Water Works repaired three leaks that we called in. The improvements are being made following our I-Team… → Read More
Improvements at Birmingham’s Roosevelt City Park following I-Team investigation
There are several new picnic tables at Birmingham’s Roosevelt City Park. They replaced the ones that were damaged by vandals or wear-and-tear. There’s a new security system. The Park Board says the women’s and men’s bathrooms are being renovated. There’s also new sod after the Birmingham Water Works repaired three leaks that we called in. The improvements are being made following our I-Team… → Read More
Neighbors in Birmingham's Norwood community want trash and overgrown lots cleaned up
Mattresses, building debris, and household items have been dumped on a street in Birmingham’s Norwood community. It’s on 17th Lane near 34th Street and 17th Avenue North. It’s an eyesore that’s been here for about seven months. Ed Emery has lived in the neighborhood for 20 years. “It doesn’t make you feel good, I know that. All that stinking trash. Brings germs, snakes, rats. It doesn’t look… → Read More
Illegal trash dumping continues in Pratt City following a massive cleanup
Part of Dugan Avenue in Birmingham’s Pratt City neighborhood goes through a wooded area owned by US Steel. What should be beautiful land has been tarnished by more trash and tires just one week after a massive cleanup. The company put up “No Dumping” signs. But the illegal dumping continues. Jennette Bester lives on Dugan Avenue. “When you live in a place, it should be clean. I was raised like… → Read More
Illegal trash dumping continues in Pratt City following a massive cleanup
Part of Dugan Avenue in Birmingham’s Pratt City neighborhood goes through a wooded area owned by US Steel. What should be beautiful land has been tarnished by more trash and tires just one week after a massive cleanup. The company put up “No Dumping” signs. But the illegal dumping continues. Jennette Bester lives on Dugan Avenue. “When you live in a place, it should be clean. I was raised like… → Read More
Birmingham residents want action after abandoned homes remain for years
The Roebuck Gardens neighborhood has a lot of abandoned houses. One house on Orchid Road caught fire several years ago. But just this week, the City of Birmingham posted a notice saying the house is in the condemnation demolition process and major repairs have to begin within 30 days. Brian Cole called the I-Team about the abandoned house and others in his neighborhood. “Does that give you more… → Read More
ADEM orders cleanup of three unauthorized dumpsites following I-Team investigation
The biggest dumpsite is at 1001 Manor Drive in Jefferson County’s Muscoda neighborhood. It’s hard to see the house because of all the junk that’s on the road and behind the fence. The Alabama Department of Environmental Management has given the property owner 30 days to clean it up after the ABC 33/40 I-Team filed a complaint. Juanita Boone lives just down the road. “That’s a hassle down there.… → Read More
Improvements made in Birmingham's West Brownville community after I-Team gets involved
Robert Jones, Jerry Lunceford, and I went for a walk through their neighborhood. Birmingham city crews cut the grass and cleaned up several lots shortly after we reported the problems for the first time. They like the results. “It’s a blessing. It’s a blessing. Makes our houses and things look a whole lot better,” Jones said. “I feel great. When I woke up the other morning and looked around. It… → Read More
Union plans to file objections following failed vote at Amazon's Bessemer facility
Officials with the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store union plan to file objections with the National Labor Relations Board after a vote to unionize workers at Amazon’s Bessemer facility failed. They say Amazon interfered with employees’ right to vote in a free and fair union election. Amazon workers at the Bessemer facility voted against unionization by more than a two-to-one margin. There… → Read More