Updates: Valley Eye/Hit and Run

We recently commented on the sudden closure of Valley Eye, a medical practice with two offices and a surgery center in the Shoals area. According to inside sources, Valley Eye may reopen, with possibly a new owner.

Dr. George Michael Taft, his wife, and at least one more investor Incorporated Valley Eye in 1992 as South Central Ophthalmology. In 1998, Dr. Taft bought out his partner and changed the name to Valley Eye, PC. Since that time, Taft has been making regular payments to his former partner; however, due to what Taft called interference from the Alabama Certificate of Need Board, his practice has been limited in recent years until profits decreased to the extent he was no longer able to keep up payments to his former associate.

Once legal wranglings have been settled, it's hoped either Taft or another ophthalmologist will be able to reopen the practice. In the interim, the two optometrists who previously worked at his clinics have begun work with other practices. Records from Valley Eye have been transferred to Florence Eye Clinic on Cox Creek Parkway.

Related post: And Another One Bites the Dust

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A source has reported that the victim in the Nathan Boulevard hit and run, James Lambert, may have been intoxicated. The toxicology reports have not yet been made public, but reportedly an employee of Cajun's Seafood has stated Lambert placed a take out order via phone just minutes before the fatal accident. Mr. Lambert's voice indicated to the Cajun's employee that he may have been impaired in some manner.

If true, this would be a most interesting development. If Brian T. Beadle had only stopped and reported the accident, he would in all probability have been fully exonerated from guilt in the death. Now he faces felony charges...

Related post: Brian T. Beadle

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Back by popular demand, Hipster Kitty:





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