Florence Still Has Its Own Illegal Alien Fugitive

 

If you've watched or read any news, you're familiar with the Mexican immigrant wanted in Texas for savagely murdering five individuals at a neighbor's home. Authorities are still seeking the shooter who had already been deported from U.S. soil more than once.

We have no idea how many similar felons are wanted in our country and state, but we do know of one. Pictured above is Marlin Javier Vindel-Lopez, a presumed Mexican national living in Florence on December 20, 2021, when he mowed down Lori Lynne Avery with his car.

He's still out there, presumably enjoying life, while Ms. Avery's family suffers. Someone in Florence knows something about this man. They know where he is or at least how he can be reached. Protecting him is a crime.

As we have stated before, we're adding $100.00 to any reward offered in this case. Do the right thing; help bring Lori's killer to justice.

Sweetwater (Weeden Home) Sold

 

The Weeden Home, aka Sweetwater Mansion, has a long and checkered local history. From a blog seeking a buyer:

John Brahan, who served as a major general in the War of 1812, owned the land the Indians had called Sweetwater and began construction of the two story, eight room house in 1828. When Brahan died of pneumonia six years later, the house had risen only to the sills of the first floor windows.

Despite a historical marker adjacent to Florence Boulevard, and despite what publicists for the current owner Susan Leigh Smithson have reported, John Brahan never lived in the home before his death. Brahan willed the property to his son Maj. Robert Brahan. The younger Brahan chose not to reside on the plantation and traded the estate to his sister's husband, Robert Miller Patton. Robert and Jane Patton finished the home in 1835 and became the first family to reside there.

Gov. Robert Miller Patton and his wife Jane Locke Brahan Patton lived in the plantation house at Sweetwater for many years. After their deaths, the mansion passed to their daughter Martha Hayes Patton and her husband Col. John David Weeden.

John David Weeden and Martha Patton Weeden resided in the home until their demise, at which time their son John Dowling Weeden and his wife Jessie Ora Earthman Weeden took possession of the mansion, now almost universally known as the Weeden Home. John, who died in 1960, and Jessie, who followed in 1972, had one child. Their daughter Elizabeth married James Minton and chose not to live on the family plantation.

By the autumn of 2009, the building had been abandoned for some time. There were ghost stories and tours. There were reports of an asking price of six to eight million and an onsite werewolf (that was not said in jest).

Is Sweetwater a Crime?

Approximately three weeks ago, rumors began to circulate on Facebook that the old home had sold. One such post was from a real estate agent; however, we were unable to ascertain any other facts.

At this point, we do have confirmation that a sale has taken place. Unconfirmed reports indicate the buyer was an out of town company. If we are able to verify any additional aspects, we will publish them here.

Et Tu, Tuesday Morning?!!!

 

We had spoken with a store manager in Florence only two weeks ago who told us the Florence store would not close. So much for that. We assume it was kept relatively secret for as long as possible.

Now, everything is 30% off, so go for it. Gift cards will be accepted through May 13th.

It's sad for Florence to lose such a wonderful store...

The Most Stolen Grocery Item in Alabama?

 

We once read that Tide laundry detergent was one of the most stolen retail items. Why? It seems drug dealers liked it and would take it in trade. Yet that's not the most stolen item in Alabama. Any guesses?

According tbe a retail grocers' organization, it's baby formula. That certainly wouldn't have been our pick. It's a pretty good guess that there's only one use for baby formula. Sad, isn't it.

How did this become news? Our legislature has been presented with a bill that any retail theft, even one of insignificant dollar value, will be treated as a felony. In other words, two 19 year-olds work in tandem to steal a magazine or candy bar, they can be charged with a felony.

There seems little hope for this bill - thank goodness. It's yet another example of the mind of some of our legislators.

And the baby formula? That's another sad commentary on our state. 

Do You Want Tommy Tuberville to Oversee Your Hiring?

 

Alabama senior senator Tommy Tuberville asks how can the "Murdoch family" fire Tucker Carlson. We're going to take a wild guess that it's because they own Fox News. He also says the Murdoch clan is trying to make a name for itself. We hate to break this to Tommy, but there are 48 or so states where Rupert and his son are more widely known than he is.

We've read Carlson's comments about women and weren't that appalled. We have been sickened about his comments regarding Ukraine, Jews, homosexuals, and Kanye West (you know, the one Carlson called a Christian example).

We have to wonder how he would like the general public to have the last say on whom he hires for staff or household help or anyone else. Does Tommy think before he speaks? Perhaps that should be: Does Tommy ever think at all?

*****

We've recently has a few readers ask questions about the Sheffield Police Department. We went to the department's site and discovered that Greg Ray is the police chief and Nick Risner is a patrol officer.

Nothing like being on top of things...

Sheffield Police Department

Colbert County: Prepare for Garbage Fees to Increase

 

As of March 1st, the Alabama Department of Environmental Management closed the Cherokee landfill. Until then, Colbert County and other entities had used the landfill for dumping household garbage. Costs per ton for disposal rose from $10.00 to $25.00 at the Franklin County facility now being used.

According to a highly knowledgeable source, this Plan B will no longer be feasible after May 4th, per an ADEM vote. Where will Colbert County and other Shoals entities send their trash?

Most importantly to the average citizen, how much will this plan C affect monthly bills? Will the normal monthly waste removal bill reach $50.00 or $60.00?

For those Colbert residents on a very fixed income, how will they be able to pay this increase? With other inflation driven increases in monthly expenses, the average citizen will not be happy about this current situation.

Colbert County Solid Waste Authority:

The Case of the Two Corey Speegles

 

Corey Wayne Speegle

We recently blogged about a lawsuit against several Colbert County officials including Charles Corey Speegle, head of animal control. We won't debate the merits of that suit here, but will say that some readers have been impressed by improvements Speegle has made at the shelter.

However, there is one point that should definitely be cleared up. Besides Charles Corey Speegle, Colbert County is also home to one Corey Wayne Speegle (pictured). This Corey, 34, resides in Muscle Shoals and has a criminal history dating back several years.

We believe this has created confusion, causing many to contact us asking how this element of Mr Speegle's life was covered up. We sincerely hope this sorts the matter for any who were worried about this aspect of the county's hire.

Charles Corey Speegle

Why Sheffield Has Potholes

 

Whether it's pothole repair or trash pickup, city services cost money. One of our regular readers recently made a very profound comment:

Nobody is asking the right questions. Why doesn’t the city have enough money to fill in potholes, repair its street department vehicles, or hire a sufficient number of employees? The answer lies out there on West 20th Avenue, the only place in the city with ZERO potholes but lots of manicured landscaping. By the way, the upkeep on that multimillion dollar albatross is being done by a landscaping company NOT located in Sheffield, so I guess the city has some spending money available, just none for its own citizens.

Our opinion is that no one is asking any questions. Not after nine years, not after one or two lawsuits, not after millions of dollars of loans.

Can anyone tell the public just where Inspiration Landing stands? How about where it's NOT standing?

Florence Store Closures?

 

When Bed, Bath & Beyond shuttered its Florence store in January, corporate spokespeople stated it was with the hope of reopening after obtaining new financing. Last week, those hopes proved false as it was announced any remaining stores will soon be closing.

How about other rumored local and state closings?

Old Navy/GAP - The last official statement on these two retail giants indicates that GAP won't return, but Old Navy is hanging in there as of early 2023.

J.C. Penney - This former retail giant has continued to offer hope of reopening some stores, but just recently announced that most of the remaining stores south of Birmingham will close. Don't hold your breath.

Tuesday Morning - According to the local manager, the Florence outlet is in no danger of closing in the immediate future.

Bath & Body Works - No signs of closing. The Florence store currently has employment ads on various websites. 

Target - Not too many Targets in the U.S. are closing, and the Florence location is currently remodeling/expanding. Good luck getting in the front door at this time, but will supposedly be worth the inconvenience.

Big Lots - Not on any corporate closure lists at this time.

*****

How about new businesses? 

Speaking of Target, there's been no update on a possible new store on Wilson Dam Road in Muscle Shoals. We can still hope.

Jack's Hamburgers - It seems its latest Shoals store on eastern Florence Boulevard is a major success. That's with the public, not the Florence Police who are issuing tickets to those who use the shoulder to enter the popular eatery. 

What? Surely no drivers in Florence would be guilty of such a thing...

How Trashy Can Sheffield Get?

 

Travel with us now to a galaxy far away, to a mythical town called Shurfill. Now, let's be flies on the wall as we listen to a very private conversation...

Steve Stanley: Hi, John. I hate to bother you, but with the lawsuit and all, well, I was just wondering...this being already the second quarter of 2023...is there any update on when Inspiration Landing construction will begin?

John Elkington: Of course, Steve. We plan to begin the day after all the city's street-side trash is picked up.

Stanley: Oh...so you mean...

Elkington: That's right, Steve. We don't want to just bluntly say we'll never begin. Doesn't saying the day after your street department finally does its job sound so much better?

*****

According to our urban explorer J. Redmon, the two piles of refuse pictured above have adorned the curb of Atlanta Avenue for over four weeks now. We're thinking the trash may actually have squatter's rights by now.

The plan may be to pick up all the trash the same week it's announced that Inspiration Landing is a no-go. As Mayor Stanley would say: You citizens can't have everything. We picked up the trash for you; what else do you want?

John Elkington's Attorney is WHO?

 

Memphis developer John Elkington is not lacking in funds. In fact, most of us in the Shoals would call the man behind Inspiration Landing "rich." 

While much of his legal representation may practice in Tennessee, surely he has some highfalutin attorneys in Alabama...somewhere. So when Elkington answered a lawsuit filed by Carl Raft of Memphis, we were surprised his legal representation was listed as James Leslie Tassin of Tuscumbia.

Lawyer.com lists Tassin as in "general practice." The image at the top of this blog stands in for an actual photo of Tassin, and he apparently has no website. 

Perhaps even more odd is that John Elkington isn't using a Sheffield-based attorney. Doesn't anyone in the City on the Bluff still believe in Elkington and his Inspiration Landing?

What Do These Two Assistant Muscle Shoals Coaches Do?

 

While on the subject of Muscle Shoals High School policy, a reader has contacted us about a current routine of transporting students from the school to the career tech building across the street. We are not familiar with this practice or the funding involved. We welcome additional information.

From the Muscle Shoals resident:

Another thing with MSCS that is to the point of comical - they have 2 assistant coaches who assist Basden during the day. Their main duty is to drive a bus to carry high school students from the high school across the street to the career tech center for each block class, then go to the athletic facility. 

MSCS receives funding from the state tax dollars to bus "600" students (not that many MSCS students taking career tech classes unless they count the students each time they get on the bus). I would think the county schools that have time, drivers, and wear/tear on buses would like to have equal playing field when MSCS is keeping pristine busses for the few miles driven. 

We all see the coaches pick the children up, drive across the street to let them out, then go down to the athletic facility and hop out in their shorts and tennis shoes and go in.

Any readers out there who can tell us what other duties are performed by these two coaches?

You CAN Legislate Moral Behavior

 

Alabama state senator Jay Hovey has just announced that "you can't legislate morality." That's true; however, you can in some cases legislate moral behavior. If that weren't true, there would be no need for our legislature and a greatly diminished need for a county commission or city council.

No, mere legislation has very little effect on crimes of violence, but it can have a tremendous effect on property and traffic crimes. What about gun crimes?

We have to ask why our current gun laws aren't more widely enforced. Surely such enforcement would cut guns crimes by at least ten percent if not much more. 

*****

We recently read an article that shocked us. It seems that only three countries in the world include the right to own guns in their constitutions. Which besides the United States? Mexico and Guatemala. 

Getting Around the Required 180 Days of School Year

 

From a reader:

We need to expose all these school systems for their lack of fulfilling their state attendance requirements. 180 days is the mandatory (or equivalent hours). How many days did they miss this school year because the weatherman and the local yokels thought we may have severe winds? 

Those superintendents were dismissing schools as early as 11 am the day before the predicted weather front and most times nothing happened - Snow, Rain, Tornados, every prediction under the sun gave them an excuse not to have school - or to delay school.

The legislators need to be riled that taxpayers are sending money to the schools for AVERAGE DAILY ATTENDANCE. There should be make up days (Muscle Shoals has 1 on their calendar - but did not go to school on that day to make at least one of theirs up. 

My solution is - if you delay the start of school, you delay the end of school. If you miss days because of bad weather, you make them up on Saturdays (like in the "old" days) or you give up days that you would have been out for long weekends, holidays, or heaven forbid - spring break.

They are paid by the taxpayers to be in school 180 days, period. There is a reason Alabama is on the bottom in national testing - the superintendents and boards.

Legislators need to enforce their own laws - 180 days is 180 days.

New Florence Arts & Museums Director?

 

The City of Florence is advertising for a new department head: Director of Arts and Museums. It would seem that current director Elizabeth Stoddard Watts Jordan is retiring...or at least leaving the position she has enjoyed since 2015.

Obviously, with her degree in geology (we still think that has to be geography) from UNA, she will be hard to replace. Therefore, we'd like to make a suggestion - Brian W. Murphy.

Murphy's qualifications:

1. He's experienced in performance art. Here is Brian dressed as a local activist. It take cojones to ridicule a taxpaying citizen:

2. He has an excellent vocabulary. He has frequently called himself a professor at UNA. Don't real professors really love it when adjunct faculty do that?

3. He speaks so well of Florence. Author of "Not Tearing Down History, but Building up Hope."

4. He's even won a prize for exposing the City of Florence. Author of "Confronting White Rage in a Red State."

5. He works well alone. Took it upon himself to edit the script for the Florence walking tour, adding additional anti-capital punishment rhetoric. Some city residents were so thrilled over Murphy's initiative that they made sure the FBI was aware of it.

6. He's an excellent story teller. Concocted a lame account of why Florence citizens were picketing him: 

7. He's not afraid to take risks. He took part in a demonstration against his own employer, the City of Florence.

8. He's also a great photographer. He secretly took a photo of Councilman Jimmy Oliver being stopped by one of Murphy's detractors, then had someone post it on Facebook.

9. He has terrific editing abilities. He once removed the comment button from the Pope's Tavern Facebook page due to critical remarks.

10. He's knowledgeable on required procedures. He once stated that sub-committee meetings of the historical board were not subject to open meetings act.

11. He handles criticism well. Nothing like the threat of a lawsuit to bring the citizens together.

If any readers are aware of qualifications we've omitted from our endorsement of Brian W. Murphy, please forward them to us for a later update. 

The Staff at Shoalanda Speaks

Rogersville Says You Can't Have Water?

 

Previously: Rogersville Increases Water Rates

Now a reader has sent us this startling claim about the town's water department:

"Rogersville Water Works & Sewer Board is now requiring ALL new construction, whether residential or commercial, to complete a water and/or sewer availability application. If approved, the customer may then complete the application process for water and/or sewer and pay appropriate tie in/tap fees."

Rogersville is no longer offering water to new homes. How do they decide who gets water and who does not? Members of the board are building new homes as we speak.

Does Mayor Herston decide who is worthy of water and who is not?

Is this a way of extorting money because the state has cracked down on the number of tickets they can write?

Some people will be granted water and some will not. All on Mayor Herston's political whim.

Residential housing approved for water. What is the criteria? That can't be legal.

What conditions would cause a family to not be approved for water hook-up? This is insanity.

While we don't know who may be affected by this new policy, if any of our readers feel discriminated against, we suggest contacting:

Alabama Public Service Commission - Complaints

Muscle Shoals Athletic Department

 

From a reader:

What in the world is going on with Muscle Shoals High School’s athletic department?

Athletes in the sports are leaving the programs.

Is it the athletic director, superintendent, or just Muscle Shoals doing what they do best - treating children and parents poorly? It’s sure not because they are winning state championships. Didn’t Basden say he would leave on his own if he didn’t have a football championship in 5 years? Mr. Basden and Mr. Holden, the grace period long expired 7+ years ago.

You both need to leave.

*****

We hope to have Part II of this up shortly. In the meantime, as a mere onlooker, we have often wondered when...and if...Coach Basden will address his hollow promise of over five years ago.

Look Which Son This Graceless Mother Chose

 

Grace had two sons; both needed her. One son was very ill. In fact, he was so physically ill that he could die at any time. The second son was also very ill, but not physically. He was morally bankrupt and hurt almost every one with whom he came in contact.

Did Grace go to her sick son who lived in a nearby state? Or did she stay to defend the son who had no defense. One wonders how this second son became so warped.

Grace chose the son who had no redeeming qualities. Why? Perhaps this explains it:

Editor's Note: Grace says she's not available for charitable endeavors for the next month. Too upset, Grace?

Anderson, Cherokee, Rogersville, Sheffield, & Waterloo to Lose Revenue

 

In 2021, the Alabama Legislature passed a new law limiting police jurisdictions within the state. Towns of over 6,000 are limited to a jurisdiction of three miles, while towns of under 6K population are limited to 1.5 miles.

However, a lesser known part of the new law is currently making waves. Each town is now required to file an annual report on how much revenue is taken in. If an entity chooses not to file such a report, it's goodbye police jurisdiction and any funding that would normally come from fines or permits in the area.

Almost 130 towns chose to flout the new law and are now faced with the loss of revenue that police jurisdictions offered. As of now, there's no recourse for these municipalities. Which cities in the Shoals are affected?

In Lauderdale County, Anderson, Rogersville, and Waterloo will no longer have jurisdiction extending beyond their corporate limits. In Colbert, Cherokee and Sheffield have run afoul of the new law.

What does the state department of revenue say? Everyone was notified in multiple ways, and in the immortal words of Jimmy Buffett...

Chalk up another negative for Sheffield this week.

No, Gary Highfield, This Isn't Storm Refuse

 

According to blogger J. Redmon, the above pile of junk has been sitting at the corner of 31st Street and 18th Avenue for at least six weeks. So, no, Gary Highfield, not all unsightly debris in Sheffield is related to two storms that passed through the area during the latter half of March.

At least Mr. Highfield addressed the problem...sorta. Now if he and his fellow council members would issue a public statement on Inspiration Landing. Or potholes. How about a statement concerning potholes in that city that are old enough to vote?

How about a rumored lawsuit concerning a lieutenant at the Sheffield Police Department? Our readers are certainly asking questions about that...

Sheffield City Schools System Has 47 Openings

 

The Sheffield School System is made up of four schools. Currently, 47 job openings are reported within the system. 

A reader has stated: 47 positions, including ALL of the Central Office Staff. I know that non-tenured positions always get reposted each year, but *47* positions in a system the size of SCS in unheard of.

Obviously, education ain't what it used to be...

*****

We may have an idea on what precipitated this dramatic exodus from Sheffield schools - faculty and staff are tired of having to run the gauntlet of trash to arrive at their jobs each day.

Three Weeks & Counting on 32nd Street

Easter 2023

 

We're two weeks into a new Spring. Today is the first day of a new week. It's also Easter, a time of new beginnings.

We make New Year's resolutions, so why not Easter resolutions? Let's resolve to make our communities a better place. How? Make it a point to do something for your town and county whenever you see a need. 

If you're still asking how, may we suggest helping your local animal shelter? We can promise you'll be a better person for it!

Happy Easter!

All of Us at Shoalanda Speaks

No More Exhibition Driving in Alabama (Rogersville)?

 

A bill has made it through committee that would impose much stiffer penalties for those who engage in racing or stunt driving on public streets. Interestingly, this problem was brought before the Muscle Shoals City Council earlier this week.

However, the situation isn't new in the Shoals. In 2016, readers asked for our help in combating street racing in Oakland, Green Hill, and Rogersville. After we asked for more information, several told us the town of Rogersville had actually issued a permit for a drag race (something that would be illegal if the new law is passed).

Mayor Herston sent word that no such permit had been issued. Technically, he was telling the truth. The permit he asked to be issued was for a parade; the parade was the drag race. Sneaky little devil, isn't he? If he believed this was a positive for the town, why didn't he just say so?

Recently, we've received no complaints about drag racing or stunt driving, but as mentioned earlier in this article, it is apparently alive and well in the City of Muscle Shoals. Let's hope this bill, sponsored by Rep. Roger Smitherman, makes it into law. 

Calling Out Rogersville