No One Innovative in the Shoals?

 

Under the Innovate Alabama banner, our state just awarded 30 business grants. These went to the best companies the state has to offer. How many won locally? None.

The 30 winners were located in Tuscaloosa, Birmingham, Bessemer, Huntsville, Auburn, and Mobile. For all the Shoals' talk about business recruitment, we're still the red-headed step-sister.

We hear about brain drain. For brains to drain, we believe they have to be present to start with. Oh, well, we still have Inspiration Landing.

*****

We see where some Alabama teachers are bringing cattle into the classroom to help teach. We love it. We're putting in our order now: Make ours medium rare...

Here's Where the 14K Central Donation Came From

 

Pictured at left is Luke Mansell, principal of Central Elementary School. He recently posted about a $14,000.00 donation "from" Phillip Pettus. Many who saw this immediately seemed to think Pettus' personal money. 

Since we don't follow this school, we were not aware of this until a friend/reader sent us a copy. We immediately asked Mansell. No response.

We then asked Assistant Principal Jacob Fowler. No response.

We then resorted to contacting the school board's office where an extremely nice gentleman whose name we didn't get filled us in on this donation. We then filled him in on the lack of response from Mansell and Fowler.

We had assumed the donation came from COVID funds; however, it would appear that Central and a second school were the recipients of Pettus' discretionary fund for this legislative period. How these schools were chosen, we don't know. Both schools should consider themselves lucky to receive this bounty.

Bottom line: The money came from taxpayers - not Pettus himself.

Proof Positive It's Really Tennessee Street

 

Some weeks ago, there was a discussion as to East Tennessee Street/Florence Boulevard. One reader adamantly defended alleged remarks by the cemetery sexton that part of the cemetery was on Florence Boulevard. She claimed that the name was changed in the 80s when Dr. Hicks was constructed.

Pictured is the last structure on East Tennessee. According to 911 and city maps, it's located at 812 East Tennessee Street, not Florence Boulevard. The red marker shows Tennessee's last block terminating on Royal Avenue. The blue marker indicates where Florence Boulevard merges into East Tennessee at the Memorial Grove. 

Below is a map depicting the terminus on Royal Avenue:

A little knowledge is a dangerous thing. Learn a little; live dangerously.

The Battle for Pope's Tavern - Part I

 

This is the first of several articles on Pope's Tavern Museum, a facility now owned and run by the City of Florence. In this series, we will not so much comment on the history of this one-time coaching inn, but on how this early 19th Century pile has become the subject of woke sociology and the center piece of a plan to cement a one-trick pony career.

Wayne Higgins was for many years a teacher in the Florence City School system. By the end of 2018, Higgins was the curator of Pope's Tavern. He's pictured below left in a photo with former Mayor Steve Holt:

Higgins was almost universally liked. If anyone had any criticism, it was that he was unable to extract more money for museum upkeep and expansion from the turnip that was the City.

In 2019, Higgins was 70 years old. Time for retirement? Did Wayne Higgins even wish to retire? The answers to that question may vary from person to person. A local university professor once made the comment online that people of a certain age should be content to simply spend time at home playing with their grandchildren.

Why should we care what this woman espouses? It's a remarkable opinion coming from the wife of the one who replaced Wayne Higgins. 

Next: How to get the job

Wheeler Reserve Center in Sheffield Scheduled for Renaming

 

The Joseph Wheeler Reserve Training Center on Hatch Boulevard is scheduled to be renamed, along with dozens of other military facilities, after Congressional approval. Some facilities have had naming contests, with Nick Saban even getting a few votes.

We're going to suggest the Inspiration Landing Center. At least IL will then have a permanent place in the City on the Bluff.

*****

Two years ago, this was a hot topic: Rename Deshler High School

Fido Survived; Sasquatch Didn't

 

First a clarification: The dog shot by the Muscle Shoals police officer did not die, but was treated and returned to its family. Neither the dog nor the officer face any charges as far as we know.

*****

Now an interesting tale from a reader:

I recently picked up a news publication displaying a photo of a young woman holding hands with a sasquatch. She looked intelligent and happy. I was impressed by her courage and obvious happiness. I've always wanted to hug a baby elephant, and here's someone hardly more than a child making her dreams come true.

Then I looked at the next photo and saw her beating the sasquatch with a baseball bat. I had no idea why she was hurting this animal.

Yes, there are too many of the big-footed guys running around, but how many would actually want to kill one for fun. Please keep her away from all the baby elephants.

When we see stories like this, we're always reminded of Southern Mama's question to her husband: Randy, we can't we buy our meat at Walmart like ever'body else?

Combining Colbert & Lauderdale Tourism?

 

Well, we're big rock singers
We got golden fingers
And we're loved everywhere we go
We sing about beauty and we sing about truth
At ten thousand dollars a show

Rob Carnegie hasn't posted on his music page since 2020, but we're sure he's hoping he makes it big fast. If Lauderdale and Colbert tourism combine forces, he may lose that title of "President and CEO." Wouldn't want to leave the CEO out, would we?

How many are anticipating this consolidation? Let's just say most sloths could count them on one paw.

*****

Attention Sheffield: Do your coaches know how to drive a riding mower? When you absolutely total one, it sure does cost a lot to repair it, doesn't it?

A Conversation in 2025 Woke Alabama

 

LEO: Mrs. Smith? We've found the man who cleaned out your tool shed while you were at your cousin's funeral. He has something he wants to say to you.

Ted: Uh, yeah, I'm sorry. I got this addiction, you should feel sorry for me.

MS: I see. Officer, when do I get my things back?

LEO: Oh, you don't get them back. Ted sold them to fuel his long time drug habit, but he wanted to say he's sorry. It's part of his rehabilitation program.

MS: So how do I do my lawn work. I'm 85; I need those tools.

LEO: (Chuckling) Well you should buy more. There' a Lowe's just two blocks away.

MS: But all I get is my social security. I'll never be able to replace them.

LEO: That is tough. You might want to hire a lawn care specialist. That's what Ted is and he's looking for a job.

*****

Ted William Wright has been posting and sending out reports of how local press has abused him. Remember, he has an addiction, so no one should ever mention his over two dozen property crimes in the past eight years. Local news needs to publish only the good, and Ted promises never to do it again.

(Ted's last arrest was two months ago in Moulton. He apparently tried to steal the entire contents of the local Walmart.)

How Would One Refuse the Loan Repayment Funds?

 

Many are upset that Biden is paying off, or at least paying on, student loans. Look at poor Marjorie Taylor Green who received forgiveness for hundreds of thousands in PPP loans. Now she's upset with the hard working former students who may be getting as much as 20K.

Our main problem are those critics who have placed all students in the same gimme jar. Not all students have asked for loan forgiveness.

Let's look at one such former student that we'll call Shoalanda:

1. Did you ever write or ask in any way for loan forgiveness?

NO

2. Did you really think that it would ever happen?

NO

3. Do you have any idea how you could possibly refuse this (paperwork, etc.)?

NO

So you might want to rephrase your "lazy" comments the next time you pontificate on those who are benefiting from this.

Elsie's Going Away...Will There Be Not a Carton Left Behind?

 

You may have read that Borden Dairies is leaving Alabama. Now state schools are short over 700K cartons of milk for their nutritional programs. Don't worry, the state is fervently trying to come up with a replacement.

It shouldn't be difficult. The US produces 22% of milk sold in the entire world. So what's the problem?

Could it be that Alabama will now have to pay more? Welcome to a state that only pretends to love its children...after they're born.

The Colbert County Race for Sheriff

 

We had originally planned to wait until closer to the general election to comment on the race for sheriff in Colbert County; however, we've been asked to comment on what is becoming a highly contested match. Both candidates, Frank Williamson and Eric Balentine, have avid supporters who have, in some cases, made accusations concerning character.

There is an anti-Balentine page now on Facebook: Eric Balentine.

Much on this page is undocumented. We do see where Balentine took credit for new uniforms which it would appear he had nothing to do with. 

Obviously, the civil-rights suit is also public record, but we have not as yet read all the documentation. The other accusations lack proof or at least such proof hasn't been posted on the FB page.

We invite readers to contact us with questions regarding either candidate. We will be following up on this, publishing our findings at a later date.

Confronting White Rage in Florence, Alabama?

 

What is "White Rage?" We're sure it's different things to different people. Is there White Rage in Florence, Alabama? We're sure there must be some somewhere; however, we would be hard pressed to think of a specific example. Remember, we're not discussing racism or discrimination, but White Rage...whatever that may actually be.

If anyone is concerned that not enough is being done about White Rage in Florence, there's a new article on how to confront the problem. Here's the abstract:

Public historians have struggled to take a hard line against neo-Confederate groups in theory as well as practice. This article proposes a methodological shift that can clarify the work and obligations of the public historian following the insurrection on January 6, 2021. The frame of action research positions historians as public-facing actors and advocates. The frame of restorative justice clarifies the stakes of, and stakeholders within, historical harm. We apply these frameworks to two contested sites for public history in Florence, Alabama, that revolve around the Confederacy. Finally, we use our experiences from the field to distinguish communities from counter-communities and provide strategies for making cultural institutions inhospitable to cultural insurrectionists.

After reading the abstract, you may be asking what neo-Confederacy groups? Perhaps the KKK? Unfortunately, this group does have supporters in Florence, but so does does "911 Was an Inside Job" and other extreme fringe lunatics. It's not as if they rear their ugly platforms with frequency.

Perhaps we'll all need to fork over $24.00 for the current issue of Public Historian. That periodical contains the article referenced above - "Public History in the Age of Insurrection" by Florence resident/city employee Brian W. Murphy.

Many questions come to mind about this Florence White Rage. Thank our lucky stars that Murphy is telling the world about the obvious cesspool in which we live. Such articles as these really help increase tourism, don't they?

Perhaps some kind reader will purchase a copy and send us a brief synopsis - you know, one with the socio-babble removed.

Florence Author Murphy Engaging in Performance Art

Lockhart's Muscle Shoals Project Supports Tuscumbia!

 

From faithful reader M.S.X. Ray:

Ongoing lawsuits in Cornelius Landing as a result of poor drainage and the not so long ago flooding in Nathan Estates should be a priority for the City of Muscle Shoals. That priority would include removing barriers to irrigation and floodwater retention.

Times Daily reported on August 4th there were retention pond and area surrounding the pond that needed work in Nathan Estates.  Mikey Lockhart said the city can't afford for a company like Coldwater Landscaping to professionally remove trees and make needed improvements inside this extremely high taxed neighborhood. He stated city employees could cut down the trees. Not so sure if the city employees have the experience in stump removal and landscaping that would be warranted for a neighborhood that creates such a large tax base.

If the city is in such dire straights for Mikey to shortcut infrastructure and neighborhood safety, it seems a little strange we now see social media posts of his office building undergoing cosmetic remodeling at the time he was thumbing his nose at the Nathan Estates residents.

While he would not hire a professional landscape company to work on something like neighborhood improvements, he hired an interior designer for his remodeling inside city hall. Not only did he hire an interior designer, but purchased the goods from a "Southern Gems" company that is not in Muscle Shoals! The remodeling appears to be an ongoing project with more to come. 

Nathan Estate Residents - if you haven't gotten your property tax bills, get ready. While everyone is scrambling to pay the high Muscle Shoals utility bills and property taxes, you can raise your air conditioning to 80 degrees to save on your bill and go sit in the plush offices at city hall where the temps are cool and the new decor supports a business in Tuscumbia. Way to go Mikey!

Sorry - you don't get to vote on a new mayor in November.

When a Woman is as Violent as a Man: Aldani Byrd

 

The late Cory Luke White and Aldani Faith Byrd shared one thing in common - the same Lauderdale County judge. According to an article in the Montgomery Advertiser, White was originally given probation, but then sent to prison after violating the terms of his release. White's sister some years later begged for a new sentencing for her brother, but her pleas went unanswered.

Let's compare White to Byrd; who is the more violent, at least on paper? That would be Byrd who has been involved in not one, but two, armed robberies. In fact, she allegedly stabbed the victim in one robbery. She has never been incarcerated in the state prison system.

Last week she was again returned to jail for violating her latest probation. It was the second time for Byrd to be charged with not toeing the line in this particular conviction. What will happen to her now?

Byrd, in addition to being a two-time runaway as a young teen and having one child taken away by the state, has at least 16 arrests in the past eight years in Lauderdale County. That's not counting Colbert, Franklin, or Mobile Counties where she also has arrests. 

Will Byrd now go south to finish her sentence? If she doesn't, why did White, whose criminal record didn't come close to comparing to Aldani Faith Byrd's?

Trey Wooten Came Out Lucky!

 

Blakely Cowart - Innocent Victim

We don't blame the Lauderdale County District Attorney's office for making a deal with Trey Wooten. There was no guarantee that he would be convicted. Also the four years he received is only one short of what he would have served if convicted of Manslaughter. The maximum sentence would have been only five years considering Correctional Incentive Time. 

Wooten still faces charges for an accident with injuries in Jefferson County. We hope that, once he's processed into the state system, he will get the help he needs.

*****

Speaking of CIT, the TimeDaily has been recently referring to some sentences as "Day to Day." We have news - it's not like anyone gets to take a break. We believe the expression the reporter is looking for is "Day for Day."

Guilty, Guilty, Guilty!

We Have an Official State Executioner?

 

It would seem that AL.com is out to get Holman Prison warden Terry Raybon who inspected the lengths of two female reporters' skirts at a recent execution. Since Holman is the only facility with a death chamber (any envy out there?), the facility's governor is automatically the official State Executioner. Is that a title that anyone would ever aspire to?

When Raybon filed a lawsuit against the state after his dismissal as a state trooper, Judge Ira DeMent stated he should have been terminated after the first accusation of violence against a woman...a woman who had to be treated in hospital.

Raybon was also charged by the DOC for a physical fight with another corrections officer. Yet he continued to climb the ranks of the department. In other words, violence seems to be a regular component of the warden's life.

We doubt that too many would actively seek the title of Alabama State Executioner, but what does the current holder of the office say about our state?

*****

We recently had a laugh at a reader who called us a "feminist journalist." No one who blogs here is a journalist; we consider ourselves commentators or pundits. Certainly no one here considers themselves a feminist that we know of.

We do believe both males and females should be held accountable in incidents of domestic violence, especially if they work in law enforcement. We also believe in equal pay for equal work. We believe that simply makes us someone with a conscience, not a feminist.

*****

45th Anniversary of Presley's Death

Just What Does Chris Ewing Control at Inspiration Landing?

 

Located near the entrance to Inspiration Landing is a small corner of land referred to as The Slag...or The Slag Yard...or The Slag Pile...or The Slag at Furnace Hill. In hind sight, it seems to have had more names than paying customers.

When the City of Sheffield deeded IL to John Elkington, The Slag was a part of the property. In a September 3, 2021, news article, Scott Michael referred to the Slag property as his. Michael is also known as Rooster Feathers of Oxford, Mississippi, and a close friend of John Elkington. We've found no property records that mention Michael.

In this same article, Michael referred to Chris Ewing as someone who arrived to the dance late, but wanted to squeeze Rooster out. Ewing is one-half of Ewing-Kessler and also a friend of Elkington. He's often referred to as a developer, but his business description indicates air conditioning services to large businesses. On September 17, Ewing is referred to as the developer of IL. At this point, Ewing and Michael were involved in court proceedings to establish just who ran The Slag.

By October 28, Sheffield mayor Steve Stanley made a comment that he hoped the situation was resolved soon. The city had four million invested and would begin in January 2022 to make 20K loan payments on the project each month.

Ten months later in August 2022, Ewing-Kessler announced that The Slag would not reopen. There was to be an entirely new configuration for the whole area. 

On a related note, IL is divided into six land parcels, and the contact person of record for each is Chris Ewing. There has been no mention of old pal Rooster in almost a year. John Elkington made his last appearance in local news in January of this year. 

And they're lining up to run against Steve Stanley three years from now...

You Can't Complain without a Form, but You Can't Get a Form?!!!

 

The Colbert Animal Shelter Board says you can't just complain over the phone or in a letter - you have to fill out an official form. Where do you get the form? You can't. They don't exist yet. We're being charitable by saying yet.

A new video by a Sheffield animal welfare activist has asked for a public apology after a very public insult by shelter director Corey Speegle. We sincerely hope that it's forthcoming. Everyone should know by now that Florence is the only place a public employee can make fun of a citizen and get away with it. Let's not add Colbert County to that list.

We want to take this opportunity to laud our Florence Shelter and former Mayor Steve Holt for making it happen after years of delay from former administrations. We want to commend the employees for persevering even though the current administration puts up roadblocks for shelter progress. We could not be more proud of them!

Please plan to attend the next Colbert animal board meeting if you reside in that county and care about animals and the area's image. Let the leaders know that you're tired of the situation there. You don't want the FLAS to make your shelter look like it was moved from the hills of West Virginia, do you?

Illustration is stock image.

I'm Prince and I'm Ready to Bite Anyone Who Doesn't Do Right!

Inspiration Landing Plays Musical Music Venues

 

There have been two designs for the Inspiration Landing amphitheater in the past seven years; now a third is coming. This one won't be constructed on the previous location, but where the smaller Slag venue is now.

What will go where the original amphitheater was located? Hold your horses, folks. The Auburn architect hasn't drawn up any new plans as yet. You just have to trust that this is coming in year eight or nine of this development.

Has any other new construction been observed? You really have to ask that question?

By our calculation, the City of Sheffield has now made eight payments on the USDA loans for this pie-in-the-sky attraction, with a ninth one due in two weeks. Your tax dollars at work, Sheffield!

West Lauderdale Commissioners Abandon District 2 Residents

 

You may have heard the good news often enough - there's a new bridge in the works on Lauderdale County Road 16. What you may not have heard is that residents around the construction site are being deprived of running water for their homes for large blocks of time, with no assurances that things will get better.

The problem with the West Lauderdale Water Department reached a peak this week, with dry faucets for almost 20 hour stretches. No warning is ever given for these cut-offs, and no one has any answers.

Joe Hackworth and Fay Parker are the county commissioners for District 2. Neither one will return phone calls from the irritated public. What's even stranger is that Hackworth's home address is listed as County Road 16. We assume the outage didn't affect him or perhaps he moved his family into a hotel for the duration of this project.

We're asking Hackworth and Parker to do the jobs for which they were elected. It's not just making public appearances and picking up a check. These two need actually to assist the residents in their district when needed.

At least pick up the phone, Fay and Joe!

AL.com Can't Find the Governor? Shoot, Florence Can't Find Its Fire Chief

 

You may have heard that AL.com and several other news agencies have been trying to locate Gov. Kay Ivey. She hasn't been seen in a week. Wherever she is, we wish her well.

Meanwhile here in Bettertown, the fire chief hasn't been heard from in almost two months. Where is Jeffrey Perkins?

Has anyone checked the trunk of Handy Dandy Andy's vehicle? The East River? The complaint box at city hall (no one ever seems to check there for anything).

All most citizens want is a little honesty from our municipal government. It's been a long time they got any from the Florence mayor...

Meanwhile back in Montgomery:

Who Tried to Kill Fish? $100.00 Reward...

 

Pictured is Fish, a red tabby male cat found with burns to tail and feet. He was recently discovered in the Windsor Heights area of Florence, not far from Seven Points. His burns are not believed to be connected to the fatal house fire on Malone Circle from July 30, but more recent.

1. Fish is currently in a veterinary hospital in Mississippi being treated. Donations to the Florence-Lauderdale Animal Shelter are appreciated. Please specify that they are for Fish. You may donate here: https://www.facebook.com/fofflas

2. The burns Fish experienced were deliberate. If you have information leading to an arrest in the felony animal cruelty case, our blog is offering a $100.00 reward for a conviction.

3. As an aside, the back of Windsor Heights subdivision overlooks Railroad Avenue. In other words, the avenue wraps around from the Sweetwater area. Problems in that area have spread to various areas of North Florence. Be vigilant - if you see suspicious activity call 911.

Let Me at the Abuser First. I'll Biiiiiite Him!

ALEA Blames the Woman

 

Pictured is Warden Terry Raybon, governor of Holman Prison. He's recently come under scrutiny for calling out a female reporter on her short skirt and uncovered toes.

Yes, her toes. Was she expected to be moving file cabinets? Has he seen some of the females who work at Florence Municipal Court? 

Yet this is about Raybon's previous job as a state trooper. He was suspended for allegedly attacking two women whom he had dated. He admitted to owing the second woman almost $6,000.00. What is now ALEA chastised him for this. Not because he had poor money management skills, but because he should not have borrowed from a woman with an arrest record. Apparently if he had borrowed from his 89 year-old former grade school teacher and failed to pay it back, it would have been all right.

Our take, look closely at anyone, male or female, accused of domestic violence - especially if it's more than one accusation. The number of accusers dramatically raises the odds that the claims are true. Second, if a woman recants just after her partner comes into some money? Probably neither is telling the whole truth. 

Now let's all sing a verse of "Good Ol' Boys."

You're Nobody Till Somebody Bans You

 

A letter from James Marks. What...couldn't Corey Speegle get Larson E. Pettifogger?

If you really want to see disruptive...

Kerry, we have no doubt that you'll win the upcoming election, but do you really want to have to deal with this during the campaign?

Mike, this won't help the public's perception of you in that upcoming lawsuit.

Steve, Inspiration Landing is a total wash. Do you want to have to explain this as well?

If your new director flop isn't handled, things will just get worse. Man up and take care of it. 

Why Do You Have Job Security? Know Where the Bodies Are Buried?

 

Want job security? Work for yourself or know where the bodies are buried.

How do you work for the city and still picket its policies? Ridicule tax payers in the guise of performance art? Post false statements on Facebook about a city councilman?

Or perhaps you work for a county entity and make disparaging videos about anyone who questions your job performance? Call them names? Pontificate about how misunderstood you are?

Either these two men must have super low impulse control or they know where a whole lotta bodies are buried.

*****

Stay tuned; we hear much more to come on Colbert shelter...

Just Consider Me the Blind Dog on the Corner, Prince Speaks

Colbert County: You're Setting Yourself up for Disaster

 

In case you didn't know it, it's difficult dealing with the public. If they're wrong, simply smile and thank them for their input. Guess what? They may just be right.

If Charles Corey Speegle has any fans left, he may have lost most of those with his rant on Facebook concerning a well known Colbert animal welfare worker. He seems to have never learned the lesson about turning away anger with kind words.

That's not to mention Colbert citizens paying his salary. Mrs. Snitzer does not deserve to be called "Wendy Snitches." Are you getting that, Steve, Kerry, Mike, Tori? This will only bite you in the glutes, and you should know it.

Let's consider this: During the last ice/snow storm, Florence mayor Andy Betterton refused to allow the city's snow plow to clear the one-quarter mile from the highway to the shelter. That's petty revenge for most shelter staff supporting Mayor Steve Holt in the previous election. Did you see any shelter employees getting on social media and acting like village idiots?

That's one of many reasons we advise readers to contribute to the Florence shelter. You know your money is well-spent and the employees are performing their jobs...not attempting to ridicule local citizens with whom they don't agree.

Colbert Commissioners, it's time to ditch Corey Speegle for everyone's good. Your optics are only getting worse as you continue to defend your bad decision in hiring this ill-educated and angry man.

Anger Management, Corey. We Highly Recommend It!