Meanwhile in Sheffield (We Feel for Ya, Mr. Jones)

We have to hand it to Sheffield High School teacher Mr. Chauncey Jones; he's nothing if not honest. It seems that Mr. Jones has previously taught his classes off campus, but has now been moved to the main high school. He's not a happy camper.

Said Mr. Jones:  "I wanted to be on the same schedule I'd had, which allowed for less chance of interaction with the general population of students."

We have to admire Mr. Jones; he's a very honest man.

*****

Speaking of Sheffield, our J. Redmon has a few words: It's pretty bad when store owners in Sheffield have to personally clean out CITY of SHEFFIELD storm drains to try and prevent their businesses from being flooded. How often does Sheffield perform routine maintenance on the city's storm drainage system?

*****

Finally from the City on the Bluff, Sheffield police recently arrested one of the department's staunchest critics, Sebastian Blu DeVaughn. Why? She was said to be trespassing when she refused to leave the station without being able to file a burglary report.

Apparently Sheffield police won't take a report if 1) the event occurred at Helen Keller Hospital which has security guards, 2) the person attempting to make the report is in their opinion "looney toons," or 3) they're meeting to discuss their next lip sync video.

You have been warned...

What Is Travel Softball & Can a Sex Offender's Child Be Thrown Off Team?

This falls under the category of "the things we learn writing this blog." Who knows what "Club" or "Travel" fast pitch softball is? If you don't, it's not connected to any school or to any city recreational league. It's strictly a semi-professional organization where very young women (read older little girls) pay to join a team after auditioning for the honor. In case you didn't catch it, that last word is dripping in sarcasm. If this is the definition of female success, we're afraid that no one here at Shoalanda is even remotely successful.

Yet, we can see how to a child of a certain age who is talented athletically, this would be an important part of her life. Why are we writing about it today? We were all set to rip into a Cherokee (or nearby) team until we discovered what it actually is.

Remember the Cherokee sex offender who was working for the high school football team on the sidelines this year? It seems his step-daughter was a member of a travel team. What happened after his activities were made public? She was dismissed from the team. She was no longer needed since her family was detrimental to the success of the team.

Is this fair? As difficult as it is to understand, team members have to build up their group in every way. Girls who come from families who are a deterrent to building up the team are not wanted. Remember, this is a type of professional sport. It's tantamount to your kid cousin traveling to L.A. to a Dodgers practice and saying, "Here I am." The reply is always going to be "So."

To this young lady we say: You're not going to regret the loss of this junior career for very long. Invest the time you were spending playing a sport that is utterly meaningless to most of us in an intellectual or artistic pursuit. We promise you that you won't regret it.

To the parents of the young girls on these travel clubs, we say: Really?

For Halloween, I'm Going As A Softball Player...

Waterloo: What Has Rob Carnegie Done Now?!!!

Unlike small towns in the eastern end of Lauderdale County, Waterloo is a world unto its own. It's a beautiful village without even one Dollar General store. Not many towns can say that. Yet it needs a certain amount of tourism to survive and grow. 

One person who fights for Waterloo's best interests is our friend Hank Thomas. He's almost singlehandedly fought for the improvements to Paradise Drive. Now the town has been blindsided by the new Lauderdale tourism budget which has removed a $5,000.00 yearly appropriation to the small town.

Here is Mr. Thomas' response to Rob Carnegie and the board:


Dear tourism board members:

I am writing to address a rumor I have heard that indicates the Tourism Board of Lauderdale County has decided to discontinue the funding of the Trail of Tears as it relates to the Town of Waterloo. The town of Waterloo depends on the tourism dollars generated by the event to help fund our town. In the past I have been told the Tourism Board has provided funding for this event in the amount of $5000 dollars. I have not seen in the paper nor in any print if this is true and if it is true why such action was taken by the board. This event is one of the things that makes Waterloo and Lauderdale county unique. It is held in Waterloo overlooking the water and the native Americans hold a Pow Wow to honor those that were driven from their homes and driven through Waterloo. The native Americans have been most supportive of the event being held in Waterloo.

Our town is presently struggling with our local store just now reopening after a fire and our small cafe just reopening. We do not have a lot of businesses that generate revenue for the Town that would allow funding for this event. Most of the funding is from local donations and others that feel this event puts Waterloo on the map. Waterloo is a historic town and I would think it would be one of the shining stars for tourism in Lauderdale county.

If the tourism board is not going to help fund the event please let me know. I would also appreciate the reason the funding was discontinued after around 20 years of funding by the tourism board. I would also appreciate knowing if our local officials were allowed to speak and lobby for a continuation of the funding or if anyone was present from Waterloo when this decision was made.

There is still time to assist our Town. Thank for your consideration on the matter.

If this is true, the tourism board should either restore the funding or be forthcoming enough to tell the town of Waterloo exactly why the appropriation was scuppered after 20 years. 

Listen Up, Rob. He Has A Very Good Point!

Sex Offender at Cherokee (or Whichever) School

It's true that not everyone convicted of a crime is guilty. Sex offenders are a special group since they must conform to the the SORNA laws, like it or not, guilty or not. 

Yes, a sex offender may attend a ballgame in which his child is participating. This certainly doesn't apply to high school games when an offender's children or step-children are in elementary school.

Volunteering? No. Alabama courts have ruled that a sex offender may not volunteer at a school for any reason. Yes, they can attend a school's open house if their child is enrolled there. They can speak with faculty. They can partake of the refreshments. They cannot volunteer under any circumstances.

In case that didn't make it clear, any convicted sex offender working at a high school ball game on a school campus, either paid or volunteer, is breaking the SORNA law and is subject to arrest. 

If anyone attending a football game or any other school event sees a known, registered sex offender working at the function, immediately notify any law enforcement official present. If there are no deputies or other officers present, take a photo to present to law enforcement at the county courthouse.

We've received some messages from individuals who believe their friends or family members have been given special privileges to be on school grounds or to flout other SORNA regulations. This is patently false. If you go along with their scams, you're enabling them and actually encouraging them to participate in behavior that will land them back in jail.

On a similar note, Facebook prohibits sex offenders from having accounts. This is strictly in violation of FB's policies. So if you're a registered sex offender, you can and will be reported. You're not special no matter what you may think or what you've told your family. This is the new reality for you. Get used to it!

The Law Isn't Going To Change. You're The One Who Will Have To Change.

We Continue to Support Billy Underwood

Every political writer has critics, and those who write for this blog are no exception. One of our staunchest critics recently asked how we could support Billy Underwood while criticizing a man who likes to cheat hardworking county employees and lie to the citizens he serves and another who likes to kill sitting duck aging animals and threaten innocent citizens of another race? 

If any are not familiar with Mr. William Underwood's plea, he pleaded to a misdemeanor. He did this since a large chunk of exculpatory evidence was disallowed, making a jury trial a very risky business for a man with a young daughter and other family with whom he wanted to remain.

It would be better to ask why someone with Steve Marshall's record went after Mr. Underwood? Many would consider this a badge of honor in itself.

To Billy we say, hang in there. Four months will pass and you will soon be home with friends and family and a new career in whatever kind of counseling/advising you wish to do...assuming you wish to work with the fickle public. If you wish to write your memoirs, we'll be here to help with editing.

Love to Billy and his entire family!

Let's All Remember Not To Tick Off Steve Marshall!

Pray for Daniel Rosser

The fervent prayer of a righteous person avails much. Let's hope that many righteous people take time to pray for Judge Daniel Rosser.

This past weekend, Judge Rosser had what his physicians are calling a second stroke. He remains in NI in Huntsville Hospital at this time and is not allowed visitors.

Please pray that the neurologists can determine what is causing Daniel's problems. Also, please pray for his family who are supporting him at this time.

Daniel has done much for Colbert County and the entire Shoals area. Taking time to say a fervent prayer in his behalf is not too much to ask.

Lauderdale: To Vote Yes or to Vote No?

Tuesday is election day in Lauderale County. If you're saying "huh?," you're not the only one. It's not been highly publicized. This is what the "Vote No" side has published:



ATTENTION FLORENCE CITY OFFICIALS: Remember when you raised sales taxes by $10 million dollars per year a few months ago? Remember how you did it with absolutely ZERO warning to the public? Remember how you were completely unconcerned with the opinion of the citizens who begged you to reconsider because higher sales taxes would hurt the working poor and seniors on fixed incomes?

Well, we certainly remember. We also remember how you dishonestly presented the tax increase as a way to pay our first responders more. In reality, what happened was you only spent 17% of the money on first responders and kept the other 83% for your pet projects.

This is entirely unacceptable, and on Tuesday, August 27th we (the citizens) are going to remind you that you’re still accountable to the voters. We are voting NO on the proposed tax on the ballot that will generate several million dollars per year for the schools because you still have $8.3 million dollars per year EXTRA in your budget after raising our sales taxes.

The truth is, you ALREADY have millions more than you need to fund the school system. For you to say otherwise is entirely misleading. Don’t come crying to the public when this tax proposal on the ballot fails, because we’ve caught onto the game you’re playing and we’re not as stupid as you think we are!

VOTE NO ON AUGUST 27TH TO SEND A MESSAGE TO FLORENCE CITY OFFICIALS

Do we see some very faulty logic there?

1. This has nothing to do with the City of Florence. Money in the city's treasury has nothing to do with funds in the school's coffers.

2. This is not a new tax, but a continuance of one begun in 1954 (even before Shoalanda was born).

So vote "YES" next Tuesday. Aren't people around here already uneducated enough?

Four-Way Roach & Sex Offender Sanctuary

There's been new activity at Chester McKinney's property in Tuscumbia. Yes, we mean the old Four-Way Motel that McKinney has attempted to turn into a half-way house for men on either probation or parole. According to most sources, approximately 50% of these offenders are to be convicted sex offenders.

This program had previously been shut down due to several reasons, not the least of which were severe fire code violations. McKinney in the past few weeks has been working on the property to bring it up to code.

One has to ask why a local businessman with a finger in several pies would want to engage in an activity so many citizens have opposed. There are rural properties that McKinney could have chosen if he merely wanted to help convicted felons. There are also many non-felons in need of both a home and job that McKinney could have recruited for this business and installed in the motel.

There's a new Facebook page with information about McKinney's project:

Problems with Reentry Programs

Obviously this is going to be an ongoing problem, so stay tuned...

So You Think You Can Do Tony Logan's Job?

Since the incident with Tuscumbia police officer Gregg Scoggins, we've seen several criticize department chief Tony Logan for hiring the disgraced deerslayer. Sorry, no props for all the arm chair police chiefs out there.

The cities of Sheffield and Tuscumbia pay their officers only a pittance compared to most agencies. Would you want to work for either department? 

For a young man (or woman) just out of any two or four year college, with parents still in their 40s and healthy, there's no incentive to remain in the Shoals and work for next to nothing when he can move to Huntsville, Birmingham, or even Montgomery and receive adequate pay and extensive law enforcement training.

That being said, we assume that Chief Logan decided to give Scoggins a second chance when he hired him. Those who have never been given a second chance at anything may throw a stone here, but we sincerely doubt that there are any out there.

Instead of criticizing Chief Logan, why not show some displeasure with city councils which refuse to pay law enforcement a decent wage? Pay a living wage and hire Dudley Do-Right or pay a substandard wage and get Gregg Scoggins. It's not a difficult concept. 

No Matter How Hard You Try, Scoggins, You'll Never Be Me...er, I!

Mark McBryer & Chad Pate: Obstruction of Justice?

Since the Quad-Cities Daily reported that an Alabama Marine Patrol report on the Shoal Creek boat crash may have been falsified, our inbox has been full of comments and questions. Is it possible to know anything before the grand jury hearing on Tuesday? No.

There are three possibilities:

1. Mark Lee McBryer was indeed the operator of the boat as stated in the final ALEA report.

2. Mark Lee McBryer lied to investigators including Lt. Chad Pate, who either suspected something was amiss or who was informed of the switcheroo by an informant.

3. Mark Lee McBryer lied to investigators and paid Lt. Chad Pate to ask no questions, only being found out when an informant went to either Pate's superiors or the Lauderdale County District Attorney's Office.

If McBryer did obstruct justice, what would be the penalty? Obstruction of Justice is a Class C felony punishable by 1 to ten years in prison. As for Lt. Pate, he would surely lose his job and face severe legal consequences as well.

Even if McBryer took a plea that allowed him to avoid prison, would you want to do business with AllSouth Home Improvement? Obviously most people wouldn't. What a tangled web this has become...

This Investigation Is Making Russellville Look Good!

Return to Chad Pate/Vigil

Rumors are swirling again about Chad Pate and the "City of Florence." We can easily address both of these.

We've recently seen Lt. Pate again being referred to as Sgt. Pate. Has he been demoted? No. Pate is indeed a lieutenant according to the Marine Patrol. The person with whom we spoke could not tell us the exact date of his promotion.

That should clear up any rumors of sudden promotion, then demotion. 

There will be a candlelight vigil in Wilson Park on Monday in memory of the two boating accident victims. We've seen some remarks that those who work for the "City of Florence" are afraid to come? Why?

Even if there were some attempt to block prosecution of certain individuals, the City of Florence has nothing to do with it. The district attorney is a county position. This shows how little many know about local government...and it's sad.

The grand jury is scheduled to meet the morning after the vigil. We have no idea how long testimony will take or if any indictments will be announced until the entire three day session is concluded. 

We can predict that no matter who is indicted, there will be those who disagree with the grand jury's decision. Instead of criticizing in advance, why not pray that those who present the case and then rule on it make the right decisions?

Reported To Have Been Seen By Lauderdale County Deputy

Salvation Army Asking for 6K More of Your Dollars

First, let us say that we have financial needs. Oh, we can't tell you what they are, but we would really love for you to help. So how about it? Can we count on you for a generous donation to our next tropical vacation...uh, we mean life saving surgery.

How many of you would give to a shady organizaton that won't even give you a cover story as to what the money is for? To a "church" that just received a 38K grant from the City of Florence?

Here's what the Salvation Army Church wants:


Dear Friends and Family of The Salvation Army. I would like to personally thank you for all of your support given to The Salvation Army as we strive to "preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ and Meet human needs, in His name, WITHOUT discrimination."
I am calling you for your help today. We have numerous clients who have come seeking assistance to the tune of $5,809.81. As of right now, we do not have the funds to pay these requests. However, we believe there are people in this community who can help us help them.
If you have excess and can help someone in need, please give.

THANK YOU in advance!

Your Servant,
Captain Benjamin Deuel

We're always amazed at the abysmal state of vocabulary among so many. Here Capt. Deuel proves our point. We're pretty sure that saying homosexuals should be dead is a form of discrimination and that refusing to teach that baptism is necessary for salvation is not "preaching the gospel."

How does that rather cheeky John Prine song go? "He's got more balls than a big brass monkey!"

Greg Scoggins: Not Fit For Human Race, Much Less Police Department

By now you've probably read about Tuscumbia police officer Greg Scoggins' behavior last Saturday night. Did it come as a surprise to anyone?

Let's look back six years: Scoggins took his own gun, while on duty, onto protected federal land, and shot an animal that was considered by many to be a pet. Nice guy, huh?

His excuse was that the City of Muscle Shoals didn't pay him enough to afford food after he paid his child support. Say what?

Our opinion (yes, our opinion and .79 will get you a cup of coffee at the Quik-Mart) is that anyone who would do that to a half-tame, protected animal would not hesitate to shoot an innocent citizen if he thought he could get away with it. The only thing that saved Ryan Williams this past weekend was that he had the good sense to video the encounter. 

We predict Greg Scoggins has a fantastic and well-deserved career ahead as a ditch digger.

Greg Scoggins

Colbert County Animal Shelter Truths - Part I

In the first of our series on the Colbert County Animal Shelter, we'll look at the animal control officers. These officers have absolutely no input on budget matters. They can't go into the shelter's offices and randomly pull paperwork to be distributed to those who ask for budgets, payroll records, etc. That should be obvious to anyone with the proverbial lick of sense. So don't blame an animal control officer if he or she can't hand you a copy of the shelter's budget on a moment's notice.

The animal control officers themselves? Colbert County has two to cover an area of 589 square miles. If you think that makes them spread thin, there's still more.

Many consider this a taboo subject, but here goes. Men and women are different (surprised, aren't you?). Take this scenario: A man's wife leaves him for the new and improved model, he loses his job, and the motor blows up in his truck. Getting drunk seems like a good idea to him, and once drunk, setting his dog on fire seems like an even better idea. It's almost midnight when the call comes in to authorities. Whom do they send?

If you've already surmised that the female animal control officer isn't used on night calls and even some day calls, you're absolutely right. That leaves Officer Anthony Wilbanks the main enforcer in Colbert County. In case you're thinking the shelter should hire more certified officers, where is the money coming from? Certainly donations are fantastic, but a budget can't be formulated on pie in the sky...certainly not the part devoted to employee salaries.

Both Charles Hovater and Tommy Barnes should be ashamed of themselves for ever suggesting donations can keep the shelter running. If that's the case, why don't they make all Colbert County fees and taxes strictly optional? 

How about it, Commissioner Hovater and Commissioner Barnes?

Daniel Rosser

Please stop what you're doing and pray for Judge Daniel Rosser. He is currently in NI in Huntsville Hospital, reportedly having suffered symptoms consistent with a stroke.

Daniel is not only the current probate judge, but has been touted by many to be a candidate for Colbert County district judge in the next election cycle. Daniel is also a husband and father and friend to many, including all of us at Shoalanda Speaks.

Yes, his condition is serious; however, we believe in the power of prayer. Let's all do our part to help Daniel return to his family and career!

Theft at the Colbert County Animal Shelter?

The next few days, we'll be concentrating on problems at the Colbert County animal shelter. What are some of the questions? Here's Mr. Ed Bowman's take (Mr. Bowman publishes the page Colbert County Corruption):



WHERE IS THE MONEY GOING Shoalanda Speaks? Is there a reason you’re not asking these questions?

Questions like 

*Why has their (sic) not been a balanced budget since 2015. A detailed budget! Not a summary budget?

*Why, when asked by elected officials, has a budget been denied by the Colbert County Animal Shelter & Board Members?

*Can the Animal Shelter & Board Members justify asking for more money from the taxpayers, when the animal shelter receives (total from the cities in Colbert County) $360,000 and another $140,000 in donations/other sources?

*What did the Colbert County Animal Shelter & Board Members do to lose a very generous donation (on a regular basis) of dog and cat food from Sunshine Mills. Inc?
A source tells me the dog and cat food wasn’t making it back to the shelter.
That in it self brings up concerning questions. Has anyone asked these questions?

Shoalanda Speaks- instead of blaming Commissioner Tommy Barnes, why not go to Anthony Wilbanks first and demand, under the Sunshine law, a copy of the budget? A DETAILED BUDGET!


You will notice that we have already answered one of these questions. Sunshine Mills tells us that the donations to the shelter were stopped not because of theft, but due to the gifts not being tax deductible. Business is business.

We'll also note that Mr. Wilbanks is the animal control officer, not the director of the shelter. He does not make the budget, nor does he handle business requests of the shelter. 

If you have additional questions, please send them now. In the meantime, here's a point for you to ponder: How would you like your paycheck to be dependent on donations? In other words, if donations come in, you get paid. If donations don't arrive, you don't eat or pay your bills. Does that sound reasonable to anyone out there? How about it, Tommy Barnes? Is that how it works at your house?

Tommy Barnes is as (Idiotic/Incompetent/Evil) as Charles Hovater

Tommy Barnes seems to think it's funny to try to steal as much money from a Colbert County employee as possible. That's right...let's not give a valued employee his promised vacation or pay him the cash instead. Let's be the horse's patoot that we all know Colbert County commissioners are.

How would Tommy Barnes like to do Anthony Wilbanks' job? We're guessing he wouldn't. What he does want is someone to work for free, someone not to complain when the paychecks are late, someone not to pitch a hissy fit when a paycheck bounces. You get the idea. 

Tommy Barnes was the ONLY one at a recent animal control board meeting who objected to Mr. Wilbanks getting one-half of his vacation paid in salary. He said he wants to be fair. He calls that fair?

We've been blaming Charles Hovater for the totally unfounded rumor that Colbert County Animal Shelter employees have appropriated Sunshine Mills donations for private use. Now we have to wonder if Barnes isn't pushing that scenario also. It makes a convenient out for not ponying up the money the county owes the shelter.

No one at the Colbert shelter has had a raise in over 12 years. No one at this point is even being paid regularly. Colbert County makes some third world countries look good!

Not interested in what happens to faithful county employees? How about what happens at what's starting back up at the Four-Way Motel Roach and Sex-Offender Sanctuary? Are Barnes and Hovater doing anything about that this time around?

Do Barnes and Hovater have up to date rabies vaccinations? Prince is on his way...

Coming To A Colbert County Commission Meeting Soon!

Shoals Gasoline Mafia?

There can be many reasons for varying gasoline prices across the state. Our J. Redmon has his doubts about the Shoals:


A recent article in 'Yellowhammer News' commented on 'Dropping gasoline prices across the state'. The article is 'partially' correct.

Gasoline (regular) prices in Huntsville and Decatur areas currently range from a low of $2.18/gal, to a high of $2.29/gal. This down from $2.29-$2.37/gal 2 weeks ago.

In The Shoals? Well, that's another story. Local gasoline (regular) prices range from a low of $2.31/gal, to a high of $2.36/gal. This is down from $2.34-$2.42/gal 2 weeks ago.

It's fairly common knowledge that members of the local 'Shoals' Gasoline Mafia' meet weekly to decide 'where to set prices' for gasoline.

You didn't REALLY think it was 'coincidence' that almost all of the gas stations in the area had THE SAME prices, did you?

So do you agree with J.? Tell us your money-saving tips!

How Not To Conserve Gasoline

Manslaughter Compared to Leaving the Scene

Several of our readers have compared the crime of manslaughter to the crime of leaving an accident with injuries. Surprisingly, at least to us, some have found the latter worse than the former. How does the law see it?

Manslaughter: Person recklessly causes the death of another person. The penalty for manslaughter in Alabama is two to 20 years in prison.

Leaving Scene of Accident with Injuries: Class C Felony. The penalty for this crime is one year and one day to 10 years in prison.

There you have the law as Alabama looks at it. The crime of manslaughter does have some nuances to it. The 20 year sentence is reserved for gun crimes. Any accident involving a motorized vehicle would bring 15 years. Except (yes there's an except there) some cases are classified as so wanton as to deserve a type of murder designation. We'll leave that distinction to our attorney friends, but let's just say it's usually applied more often in cases where alcohol is involved.

No matter how you may look at it, the law in Alabama deems the crime of manslaughter worse than merely leaving the scene of an accident with injuries.

Who Does It Better? Leon Russell or Tim Blake Nelson?

About Those Sunshine Pet Food Donations...

There appear to be very few things in life about which no one is willing to start a rumor. It's been well publicized that the Sunshine Mills company in Red Bay had for some time very generously donated food to the Colbert County Animal Shelter, but recently stopped. Why?

A rumor seems to have popped up that the food was not making it back to the shelter. It was either being sold or going home with employees or both. Is any of this true?

In one word: No! A source at Sunshine Mills has stated the company discontinued the donations due to the shelter not being a 501c3 charity. Any donations to a non-charity are not tax deductible and therefore impact the company's profits greatly. 

We're not sure if the shelter would even qualify for such a status. We're guessing that it wouldn't since the shelter is part of the county government. Let's just be appreciative that the shelter received these donations for such a long period of time.

And the rumors? Was one county commissioner responsible for most of them? If so, Prince will be happy to put him on the agenda.

My Incisors Stand Ever At The Ready!

And going out for Charles Hovater:

Two Death Investigations; Two Agencies

In writing this blog, we've seen two areas where seemingly intelligent individuals have no clue. One of these areas is elections, while the second is in matters of the law - as in who does what and what can actually be done. That has certainly been the case recently in a local death case investigation.

A reader has asked why a death investigation involving a young woman killed in an accident involving a tree can be concluded in as little as ten days, while an investigation involving two deaths on Shoal Creek took, or perhaps is taking, six times that long. There are many nuances to this situation, but one of the main ones is that the investigations are being handled by two different agencies.

First, neither case has been presented to a grand jury. Grand juries are usually held in Lauderdale toward the end of the month, and we presume both cases will be presented then. The case of the young woman in Killen who was hit by a falling tree was on land - that means not on water or on any roadway. It was properly handled by Lauderdale County Sheriff's investigators who turned their findings over to the district attorney's office.

The case of the two females killed in the June 8th boating accident obviously involved water deaths and was investigated by the Alabama Marine Patrol. That organization is the waterway equivalent of the Alabama Highway Patrol.

Since the district attorney's office has stated no indications of any wrong doing have been found in the Killen case, it's even more interesting that no such statement has been made concerning the boating incident. Obviously an investigation where an actual crime is deemed to have occurred would take longer. It should be an interesting grand jury.

*****

Perhaps the most bizarre accusation we've seen in the boating investigation is that the driver of one of the vessels has appropriated the photo of someone else to use as his own. If it were an attractive photo, we could understand, but the small amateur shot is one of the worst we've ever seen used professionally. 

How do people who claim not to know the man even know this is not an actual photo of the "suspect?" How do they come up with these accusations? Reading about the boating incident is tantamount to reading about Sandy Hook as told by Alex Jones.

What the Lauderdale Deputy Saw

"I certainly enjoyed hearing you sing last night!"

When the owner of the small shop made this remark to us, we began to look for the men in white coats carrying nets. Let's just say singing is not one of the talents God gave us.

Yes, years ago we had a double that was in fact a great entertainer and one who even drove a car identical to ours. We've often wondered just what each of us may have been blamed for that the other did.

That brings us to a recent Lauderdale County investigation. We have no idea if a certain person rumored to be heavily involved in a death investigation was ever at the scene. What we can say is that several have told us a certain Lauderale County deputy has placed him there and told just a few people about it.

We have the greatest respect for Sheriff Rick Singleton, but his deputy has committed a tremendous faux pas. Perhaps the deputy told only two or three what he either saw or thinks he saw. How many did he think those two or three would tell?

From a deputy who doesn't know how to keep his mouth shut to a deputy who doesn't know not to enter private property and pick up evidence without a warrant...what do these law enforcement jewels say about our county?

Local skeptics talk about our district attorney throwing cases. We have to ask how that office wins any cases with investigators like this working for the sheriff's department?

Meanwhile On The Savannah Highway...

The Old Family Tradition of Dishonesty

Many families have traditions, even if it's just keeping the peanut butter in the fridge. How many have traditions that lead to warrants and manhunts?

We don't use names of those who've committed misdemeanors or felons not currently in the system and won't start now, so we're going to give everyone an alias for the purposes of this blog. Still, it's not like these names haven't previously made the news with great frequency.

John was the grandfather and quite a successful burglar...until he wasn't and went to prison. John's son Jim followed in his footsteps and more. He's been convicted of everything from rape to escape and is now living in one of Alabama's finest gray bar hotels. Jim's son Joe has also been known to practice the traditional art of burglary, but never to the extent of his father and grandfather.

Yet Jim is the father to more than Joe. His daughter Jill is quite a winner herself. No burglary that we've noticed, but she can't seem to find her way to municipal court. Perhaps she's worried about the father of the older two of her five children who's just been arrested for drug trafficking. She's probably more worried than he is since this is nothing new for him.

Jill has been to jail six times in the past six years. It must be an annual tradition as well as a family one. Worried about her children? Her mother or her grandmother always oblige and make sure the little ones are fed, bathed, and schooled. 

Yes, the mother and grandmother are enablers. Of course, we're sure they don't see it that way. Neither do they realize what they may have done wrong to have raised a man serving decades for heinous crimes or a woman who'd rather blow her family responsibilities off if she has a chance to party hardy. 

Is there an answer? Unfortunately not for any of those mentioned here. It won't be a popular answer, but when was the last time you took your children to a worship service? Look at it this way: Church now or the Hard Times in ten years. 

Hey, I Think I Can Get 20 Grand For You On e-BayBe!

Hey, Let's Steal Something...We're a "Church"

Just when you think it's hard for some organizations to hit a new low, the Salvation Army Church has done it again. Or at least come close; admittedly its theft of a trademark is not as dastardly as advocating the death of homosexuals. 

First, let's look at legalities. For those not of a legal bent, think of patents. Acme Pharma discovers a cure for athletes' foot and immediately patents it. Similarly, if Acme names the new medicine Fun Guy Free Foot, that's a copyrighted name. In other words, you can't mix up your own recipe and open a corner stand to sell your own. Well, you could if you were basically a thief. 

Did the name "Stuff the Bus" seem familiar to any of you when the Salvation Army Church (Cult) started its new program with Walmart this year? If it did it's probably because United Way began the Stuff the Bus program over 20 years ago and copyrighted the name.

Since the United Way is a charity endeavor, we doubt that the organization will want to waste money and effort on suing the Salvationists. If it should, it's a slam dunk case.

Speaking of lawsuits against the Salvation Army, how's that one against the cult and City of Florence coming along?

Tune In Next Month When the Salvationists Steal The MAGA Logo

Unfair Eviction in Tuscumbia?

From the UNA police to renters' rights, here's another letter from a reader. We're not legal experts on this type of "eviction," so comments welcome as always:

XXX apartments are owned by XXX; he decided he wasn't going to honor a lease his property manager did and had the tenants’ power turned off and told the power company not to turn it back on. He has told the party to move but hung nothing on a door or gone through the court system to make them vacate.

There are 4 small dogs, a baby, and man with heart problems who needs oxygen to breathe at night in the dwelling. When confronted about it, he said he had been doing this 25 years and had never used the court system to get a tenant out and wasn't starting now. This is clearly a self help eviction procedure and basically a lock out made to where they couldn't stay. They were there 2 weeks when the power was shut off and he refused to give them their deposit back.

Now Tuscumbia Utilities refuses to turn  on the power saying the lease isn't current; it was signed June 6th and good for a year. The manager and woman named Brittney were very rude.


So how about it, readers? Any ideas on how this family can recoup its lost money?

Perhaps All Three?

UNA Police Chief to Utah?

A guest blog:

Is the softer ‘Community Policing’ that Police Chief Kevin Gilliland and/or Vice-President Kimberly Greenway forced upon their department sending a message to would be criminals that it is now easier to break the law in and around UNA than ever before? Maybe it could be that Chief Gilliland is looking for another job (going as far as Utah to interview with another university) that sends a message to his department that he is no longer interested in the safety of our children who attend this college that still employs him.

With officers who now have duties to color, make slime or hand out honey buns to these college students (yes... college students), I can see why breaking the law would be so easy to do and not be stopped or seen. Mass shootings are in the forefront now more makes me nervous to think that my child will be protected by Picasso or Chef Boyardee. These officers were hired to uphold the law and I for one want them to do their job. They are there to protect our children. The meal plan that UNA requires me to purchase each semester should buy plenty of honey buns to feed my child or is it the 4% hike in tuition going to start covering the cost of honey buns?

With 5 stolen vehicles over the summer since graduation in the spring, why should I not be worried about my student parking on campus? Maybe it would be safer to have them park where Florence City Police Officers are actively policing their jurisdiction instead of the campus that I thought at one time was covered with police officers acting like police officers. School isn't even in session and this is a big concern! Now if my child has their vehicle stolen while attending UNA, that criminal will get a bonus parking pass that I also had to pay for so they wouldn't get a ticket if not parked in the correct designated areas.

BUT WAIT - will there even be tickets given out any more because that's something that an actual police officer does on their job as a police officer. I guess Picasso can paint me a ticket or Chef Boyardee can cook me up a nice meal if I get thrown in jail for doing a job the officers are there to do because the safety of my child comes first. Not coloring, not slime and definitely not honey buns.

Is It a New Jail or a Sex Offender Resort?

A recent blog concerning Colbert County Commissioner Charles Hovater refusing to support the county's animal shelter has garnered a pithy comment concerning the good commissioner:

The Tuscumbia Camp William A. Johnston #898 respectfully asked Mr. Hovater if we could place a military monument on the court house lawn with other military monuments, he assured us there would be no problem with it. When we arrived he and his fellow members turned against us and used 48 News as their way of twisting this into their way of being re-elected. Now ask them what is coming on Woodward Avenue very soon?

This raises two points. First, no matter how anyone feels about the proposed monument, if Hovater lied to the Sons of Confederate Veterans about the acceptance of the monument, he needs to face severe censure. We would love to hear more about Hovater's role in any miscommunication concerning the monument.

Second, what is coming to Woodward Avenue? Is it the new jail? Or could it be the once defeated sex offender halfway house?

Colbert County, do you know what your commissioners are doing?

Congrats to Room in the Inn!

In case you've missed it, Room in the Inn is expanding. Guess what? So far this wonderful organization is preparing to serve more and to serve better without a single dollar of taxpayer money.

We certainly believe in saving taxpayer dollars whenever possible, but it does highly disturb us that the City of Florence is donating funds, huge funds, to the Salvationists, but not to RITI. We haven't heard any updates on a possible lawsuit against the city over this "grant" of 38K, but will certainly update our readers when we do.

In the meantime, look at the header of this blog. See the blue advert just under the blog's name? Click on it and you'll be taken to a donation page. Please donate now to Room in the Inn. They don't turn anyone away, much less tell homosexuals that they deserve to die. 

Same Reason Anyone Donates to the Salvationists...They're Uninformed!

How to Report Those Bribes You Keep Talking About

We keep seeing references to bribes in the June 8th boat crash. We even see that this blog has again been accused by someone in their lack of legal wisdom. Let us reiterate that we, beyond the name of the cabin cruiser's operator, have no idea who may have been on the boat or how they would be guilty of any crimes. Remember, it was the operator's decision to remain or return to shore. As for the boat's operator, let him have his day in Lauderale County Circuit Court and not Facebook court.

Now, as to the alleged bribes paid Lt. Chad Pate of the Alabama Marine Patrol, instead of repeating these claims on FB, a wise person would call the AMP's Montgomery office and discuss the matter. Be sure to ask how sailing one mile to the marina is not leaving the scene of the accident; we would like to know that ourselves. We strongly suspect it's common policy in nighttime crashes where damage can't be immediately ascertained. 

Alabama Marine Patrol

Chief Steve Thompson (Lt. Chad Pate's immediate supervisor)

334-517-2950

marinepatrol@alea.gov

*****

Why is the investigation of the crash not being called a criminal probe? Don't you logically think it has to be proved first that a crime took place? That will come to light when the toxicology reports on both vessels' operators are complete. 

While it can be fun to play armchair detective, the amount of inane speculation on Facebook isn't helping the families of the two crash victims...

Meanwhile, At A Sheffield Railway Crossing...

It Took 135 Days to Indict Ryan Tolliver Johnson

For those seeking a quick indictment in the boating deaths of two individuals from Georgia, you might want to refer to the indictment of Ryan Tolliver Johnson. The then 19 year old man is accused of killing one man and seriously injuring a young woman. What did Johnson do?

1. He, at the age of 19, illegally obtained liquor in some manner.
2. He illegally consumed enough liquor to have an extremely high BAC.
3. He took illegal possession of a Polaris Ranger UTV.
4. He allowed three extra (illegal) passengers to ride with him.
5. He illegally operated the UTV on a public highway.
6. He attempted a maneuver that a sane, sober person would not have.

How long did it take to indict Ryan Tolliver Johnson for his crimes? The UTV accident occurred on September 16, 2017, and Johnson was indicted between January 29th and January 31st the next year. 

That's a minimum of 135 days for the family of Samuel Newton to have to wait for the first indication of justice. That's 135 days for a young woman who suffered untold injuries to have to wait for someone to say they cared about what had happened to her. 

And what of Johnson now? He was quickly denied youthful offender status, but has not yet come to trial. Our legal system takes time; there's a reason for that. Whoever did anything illegal on the night of June 8th will hopefully be indicted for their crimes. Isn't it better to wait until all the evidence is ready to be presented to a grand jury before anyone rushes in?

Tell It To The Judge, Ryan...

Will Dismukes? Be Very Afraid...

By now, most of you know that U.S. Congresswoman Martha Roby is retiring. So far, two have announced they will stand for the office she's vacating. One is Will Dismukes, currently an Alabama state representative from Prattville. Take a look at Dismuke's photo. Charming or what?

Yet Will Dismukes is anything but charming. He's bought and paid for by ALFA. Dismukes went to work for the Cthulhu of our state immediately after graduation from Faulkner State University. In case any are wondering, Dismukes proudly proclaims himself a Baptist in campaign literature, but attended Faulker to further his aspirations to play baseball. First things first.

After working for ALFA for a few years, he left to run for office. Guess what? His wife still works for the brutal insurance giant. Where do you think Dismukes' alliances lie? 

The salient question may be how can Will Dismukes help both himself and ALFA in Washington? Let's hope we never have to find out.

Please Protect Us from ALFA. Amen!