The Plot Thickens at Harlan Elementary

 

From an informed source:

and it continues....

Principal Casteel’s actions at Harlan have continued to raise serious concerns about misconduct, intimidation, and cover-ups. And of course Shaw and the rest of the Florence City School board is all about joining in to sweep this under the rug.

During an incident, Casteel physically interacted with an officer—an act that could and should have led to an arrest. all on school campus and in the hallways (camera footage anyone??)

Instead of supporting law enforcement, the principal attempted to take control, even trying to seize evidence from the officer.

A few days later, the principal sent a carefully crafted email to staff, seemingly meant to discourage future contact with anyone if it wasn't him. The timing raises serious questions: Was this an attempt to suppress reports and protect the school’s image over student safety? yet again.... 

This incident isn’t just administrative overreach—it’s about the safety of students, the integrity of the school, and whether the administration is actively suppressing crucial information. 

Who is the administration really protecting—the students or the school’s reputation?

This demands further investigation.

What CP Didn't Do

 

Everyone loved CP. Who wouldn't? After all, at only 17, he...

* Has been recruited by UNA

* Has been recruited by Murray State

* Has been recruited by North Dakota

* Has been recruited by UAB

* Has been recruited by Jacksonville State

* Has been recruited by Kennesaw State

* Has been recruited by Yale 

* Has been recruited by Dartmouth

* Has been recruited by Middle Tennessee

* Has been recruited by Auburn

* Has been recruited by Florida State

* Has been recruited by Troy State

* Has been recruited by Mississippi State

* Has been recruited by South Alabama

* Has been recruited by University of Tennessee

* Has been recruited by Michigan

* Has been recruited by Samford

* Has been recruited by UT - Martin

* Has been recruited by Georgia Southern

* Has been recruited by University of West Georgia

* Was the male athlete of the month for entire state in 10/2023

* Was WAFF's player of the year for 2024

* Was Region's Most Valuable Player 2024

* Was All State for both 2023 and 2024

* Went home to Russellville and left his 13 year-old friend dead at a Florence apartment complex

You may want to read that last one again.

We may not know exactly why CP, rising athletic star that he is, has been accused of involvement in a murder/robbery, but we know the police had to hunt him down at his home in Russellville and arrest him at 3:00 a.m. the next morning.

No matter how many friends/fans say he never intended to rob anyone, there's no denying how the encounter ended and what CP's actions were, or should we say weren't. 

Somehow, we don't think all those fancy universities want CP on their football team now...

Note: Illustration is a stock image.

"Nobody's Butt Is Worth $1,200.00"

 

If you're out of the loop, raw sewage has been running down North Wood Avenue at Seven-Points. Yes, as you wait in line for your order at Mickey D's, you're treated to a stench straight from Mumbai on an August afternoon. 

The problem is the broken line is private. The latest take is that it's a line used by several businesses - not the City. The projected cost of digging up the street (and that's not including fixing the pipe) is 48K. 

There's been a back and forth between the City, a few businesses, Rep. Bill Griffin, and Rep. Kaytrina Simmons on just what needs to be done. Meanwhile, used toilet paper is creating its own version of snow on the asphalt in March.

Now you may think this is the story, but as they say: Wait, there's more! One local store owner wants to know why Florence says it can't invest the 48K, an amount reportedly not in its budget. This same woman has found something odd that is in the City's budget.

Yes, the City of Florence has purchased one office chair for $1,200.00. She doesn't care who got it, she say's no one's butt is worth that much. We agree.

We didn't pay half that much for our recliner that doubles as an office. Someone, in fact several individuals, needs to ask about this during the next council meeting. Because if it's Andy's ample glutes that are enshrined in the chair, he needs to just head on home right then.

He Was Only 13

 

The news reports are calling Wednesday's alleged robbery a plot - a plot concocted by a 17 year-old and a 13 year-old. That's right, the dead boy wasn't even 14 as most reports said. He was 13 years and 11 months. Now he'll be that age forever.

His obituary is online; it mentions all his family. On paper, he appeared loved. If the Florence Police are correct in theory, how did this boy, one might even say little boy, who proudly wore his middle school football uniform in photos, come to lie dead in an apartment complex parking lot?

Our blogger J. Redmon has often mentioned the problems with today's children. Something like this really brings it home.

Something needs to be done. Let's hope Sunday's sermons carry some pithy remarks for all of us.

What Is Wrong with These Guys?

 

It's been a violent week. First, a 25 year-old Lauderdale County man is charged with Felony Murder after a deadly barroom brawl. He should have known better. Now he's looking at a minimum of 15 years in prison. All over a woman?

Then we have the 27 year-old Rogersville would-be bank robber. Looking at his age, no previous record, and alleged actions, we're going with schizophrenia. No matter the cause, two innocent people were shot, and he's dead.

Now for the cherry on top, a 14 year-old masked Colbert Heights 8th grader has committed armed robbery...or attempted to. Over an I-Pod no less. It cost him his life. People are calling him a child. Child or not, he should have known better. Did he think it was cute?

The Franklin Free Press has named the 14 year-old's alleged accomplice. We'll have more on that tomorrow, but for now let's just say if this 17 year-old is guilty of what Florence Police say he is, he's in more trouble than anyone could have imagined - as in Life Without.

Q&A About Court Street Homicide

 

Q. Why is there so much discussion about this death?

A. One reason is the location; not too many people have been murdered on Court Street in the last century.

Q. Exactly what time did the fight happen?

A. According to the TimesDaily, Brandon Davis struck Jeremy Benson at around 1:15 a.m. on Sunday, March 16th.

Q. Was this during a pub crawl?

A. According to one of our readers, it was not. "Shamrock the Block" was on March 22nd.

Q. How old was Benson?

A. Florence Police stated his age as 44; however, Benson's social media indicates he was turning 46 on March 25th. Davis is 25.

Q. What caused the fight?

A. An officer testified in court that it was reportedly over a woman.

Q. Was the fight at On the Rocks Bar?

A. The altercation reportedly began in the bar. Reports indicated it was unknown if any blows were exchanged inside. Davis' fatal blow to Benson occurred on the sidewalk outside the establishment. 

Q. How was the Senor Tequila eatery involved?

A. According to the restaurant manager Carlos, that establishment often assists FPD by providing CCTV of the area. Senor Tequila at 105 is located directly across from On the Rocks at 110.

Q. Was Davis inebriated?

A. According to the officer quoted in the TD, he was.

Q. What was the victim's cause of death?

A. An EMT on the scene indicated a brain bleed; however, autopsy results are not yet published. (Wasn't this EMT stating something beyond the scope of his practice?)

Q. Is Davis still in jail?

A. No. According to official records, Brandon Davis posted 100K bond and was released.

Q. If convicted of Felony Murder, what kind of sentence should Davis expect?

A. Felony Murder (comparable to Second Degree Murder in many states) carries a sentence of 10 to 99 years. Lauderdale County could offer Davis a plea of manslaughter, usually carrying a sentence of 15 years (no CIT under these circumstances).

Q. Is Davis still employed by Lauderdale County?

A. Sources say he now works in a family business, so his arrest will not affect his employment.

Q. When will Davis go to trial?

A. We'll publish that information when it's available. Judging from recent cases, a trial or plea could be many months in the future.

Q. Any takeaways from this incident?

A. If you just absolutely have to drink, please do it at home.

Update: Florence info on Mr. Benson's age is correct. There are two, or were two, Lauderdale gentlemen with same name. The deceased was 44 and would have been 45 on May 25th. The other Mr. Jeremy Benson presumably celebrated a happy 46th birthday on March 25th.

Kollin Blake Barber Memorial Ride

 

A Memorial Ride and Market to Curb Veteran Suicide. First Saturday of April. Natchez Trace Harley.

Be a friend. Tell a friend. It’s going to change lives.

Vendors already confirmed:

Grammys Monograms

Smoke & Bones Art

Big Dreams Art Collective

Scentsy by Ashley Eckert

Kick Rocks

Hummingbird Hideaway Custom Creations

Bad Dream Creations

Pug Rugs

Nevermore Oddities & Tattoo Parlor

Food Trucks confirmed:

DonutNV

The Wright Wiener Inc.

If you would like to be a vendor, donor or preregister as a rider you can message us or click the link below

We have pulled sponsorships because so many people are going to be running so many great sales where the money will come back to our fundraiser. We are also no longer taking food trucks.

https://givebutter.com/VxZP3A

From Zip City to Kilby?

 

Brandon Phillip Lloyd Davis states on social media that he's from Zip City. More specifically, public records indicate Wilson Branch. One could call Brandon a "country boy." His Facebook would seem to verify that, with photos of off-roading and similar pursuits. 

But on the night of March 15th, Brandon ventured into downtown Florence for a night out at On the Rocks. It was a tragic mistake. While many business owners would vehemently deny our view, spending the night at a bar is never a good choice.

There Brandon met and became involved in an altercation with Jeremy Benson. It didn't end well.

Records indicate that Benson and Davis shared March as their birth month, with Benson being 21 years older than Brandon. Friends of the victim have reported that Brandon dramatically outweighed Jeremy. For whatever reason (and you may want to insert alcohol here), Brandon slugged Jeremy. Here reports differ as to the nature of Jeremy's injuries, but whether it was one punch or many, Jeremy Benson is now dead and Brandon Davis is charged with Felony Murder.

Sure, it may be pleaded down to some type of manslaughter, but if convicted, Brandon will not be residing in Zip City for some time. Was it worth it?

*****

Several individuals have commented that the press release from Florence Police was restrained, to say the least. If Brandon Davis' social media profile is correct, he works for the City of Florence. The City of Florence also happens to lease On the Rocks the right to use the sidewalk in front of its establishment at 110 North Court Street. 

What can you say about small towns?

Where Are Mayor Stanley's Priorities?

 

It wasn't all that long ago that Sheffield mayor Steve Stanley personally visited a Montgomery Avenue retail store to have it out over an expired fire extinguisher. Really?

Does the good mayor not see the wrecked and abandoned vehicles that dot almost every street in his not so fair town? Our J. Redmon has told us he's spotted at least 11 such vehicles on the streets near his home within a five block radius. Just what does that do to property values?

Sheffield currently has laws on the books concerning derelict vehicles; why aren't they being enforced? Perhaps Stanley is merely hoping to wait it out in the shadows until next August?

*****

While we don't see Steve Stanley running again, we otherwise have two candidates who are: Bennett Pugh and Brian Vandevender. Will there be anyone else? There's slightly over two months until qualifying begins.

Revolt in Rogersville

 

Regular readers know that we're no fan of Rogersville mayor Richard Herston. Our "beef" with him goes back years to a time when drag racing in the industrial park was upsetting many residents. Herston indicated that he had never given anyone a permit to drag race any where in his town. That was completely true - he had given the drag racers a parade permit for the industrial park. Herston is, if anything, the epitome of a politician.

Now recent storms have wreaked havoc in many areas of Rogersville. That's not anything one is ever completely prepared for, and cleanup has taken weeks. It may be months before all storm debris is removed from lawns and rural roads.

Yet, Herston is seeking to speed up the process:

As you can see, the good mayor has amended his first edict; however, most citizens remain upset that the town has offered so little help in their cleanup efforts. How many homes are occupied solely by women who are physically incapable of this massive cleanup...and perhaps don't have the immediate cash to hire a tree crew to assist? Even when males are present, they usually work five days a week. There aren't enough local laborers to remove debris from the entire town in a "timely fashion."

Our friends at the Alabama Onion have a totally appropriate take on this:

A Flood of Protests in Muscle Shoals - Part III

 

“Daddy’s Boys” Have Flooded the City with Corruption

If any Muscle Shoals resident has been searching for their ongoing “Flood issue” answers, this article will explain everything. We are about to dive deep into Mike Lockhard’s deepest secrets.

Butch Fleming, and Ryan Kennedy are in charge of alleviating “water runoff” on city property’s, pertaining to Residential, Commercial, and Industrial city owned “right of ways”. Their sole responsibility is to engineer, construct, and divert excess “water runoff” to the retention ponds. They aren’t responsible for the retention ponds, but they are responsible for getting that water TO THE RETENTION PONDS. Weather that be having drainage ditches installed, culverts installed, piping installed, having dirt or slopes “graded” for proper water runoff, etc. 

 

Butch Fleming, Department Supervisor for the City of Muscle Shoals Public Works Department has been in this position for 25 years, this year(2025). Butch’s wife works at the Muscle Shoals Water Department. His father, Sol Fleming retired from TVA after 27 years of service, and he served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War. He was a Muscle Shoals home building contractor for more than 50 years. He was a member of Muscle Shoals Street Rod Club, Exchange Club, Muscle Shoals Planning Board and Highland Park Church of Christ. When the time came 25 years ago to hire the new public works department supervisor, it was an obvious choice as to who the City Council was going to hire. Everyone LOVED Sol Fleming, as he was a great man, with DEEP ties with Muscle Shoals politicians. So they hired his Son, Butch Fleming expecting the same greatness his dad had to one day shine over this lovely city. 

Now on to Ryan Kennedy, the Muscle Shoals Public Works Assistant Director(2nd in command). Ryan’s wife is a School Nurse in a Muscle Shoals School. Ryan has been employed with the city for 18 years. Ryan’s great uncle owned Arnold’s Truck Stop on Hwy 72, and his Grandmother owned Jody’s Restaurant next door. His Grandmother fed City Council members, civil service board members, Policeman, Fireman, and political figures HUNDREDS OF TIMES FOR FREE. Don’t believe us? Ask any retired City of Muscle Shoals Affiliate. On the very night Ryan was hired to begin his career with the City of Muscle Shoals, his father (a Retired City of Muscle Shoals Assistant Fire Chief) coincidentally bought a Quizno’s dinner for each and every Civil Service Board member. As you would expect, with full belly’s and happy hearts, they all 5 chose to hire Mr. Kennedy.  

All of this is so wrong in so many ways…if “Nepotism” had a story to tell, this is it sadly…but this is ONLY THE BEGINNING. 

Butch and Ryan are over the Public works department, containing the “Street Dept” and the “Sanitation Dept”. The Street Department is the group that is responsible for being told how to properly alleviate water runoff, install catch basins, install pipes, etc. Under the mismanaged leadership of Mike Lockhard, Butch Fleming, and Ryan Kennedy, HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS of dollars have been spent on Pipe, which has been sitting UNUSED for several years. While homes flood, these unused pipes continue to waste away as no plans are drawn up for installation. 

Also last month, amidst all this mismanaged money, Lockhard purchased 2 BRAND NEW FORD F-150’s for the public works Department. One going to Butch, and the other going to Joseph Campbell (Sanitation Dept Lead), totaling a WHOPPING $116,000!!!!!

Not only is the department's money, projects, and time being mismanaged, the Street Department is short 2 employees. Both of which were FIRED THIS MONTH!!! Let us explain. In October of 2024, Megan Scott was hired by the Civil Service board to be a Laborer at the Street Department. The first female employee to work for the Street Department in MUSCLE SHOALS HISTORY. She is an extremely hard working single mother, with a kind heart that can’t be matched. Her spirit radiates to everyone she comes in contact with. Over the course of the following months, she was bullied, made fun of, sexually harassed, cussed out, and discriminated against for being a hard working young woman. 

As time passed, they bullied her to the extremes. Making her get up in a bucket truck with NO PRIOR TRAINING, running equipment with NO PRIOR TRAINING, all because they wanted to MAKE FUN OF HER FOR NOT KNOWING HOW TO RUN EQUIPMENT SHE WAS NEVER TRAINED ON. With hate in their hearts, Butch and Ryan made a plan to fire her. Several days before her 6 month probation period ended, she was told by both Ryan and Butch that she was not performing “as well as the men”, and was tested on her physical ability to “perform her job properly”. Later that day, Human Resources Director Jalen Johnson was called down to the Department, and they made Megan form a catch basin, pour the catch basin with hundreds of pounds of concrete, and smooth it off as it dries. Keep in mind, this job is always performed with 5 or more MEN AT ONE TIME. 

Noticing this horrific mistreatment of a single mother, Senior Equipment Operator of 23 years Chad Gibson walked down there and expressed his safety concerns, and expressed how this situation “was not in any way, shape, or form” a way to test out the new employees ability to keep her job. She also had not once in her entire time at the Street Department ever poured a catch basin. After it was all said and done, she executed the job perfectly. Overjoyed with excitement, she felt as if she was in the clear. The next day, Chad and Megan were both fired for “being defiant, and ill mannered” the previous day. 

Megan was fired 3 days before her 6 month probation period ended, and Chad Gibson was fired after 23 years of service. Chad is considered a Hero to stand up to the tyranny of the “Daddy’s Boys”, and knew what they were doing to Megan was morally unacceptable. We need Chad and Megan back working for the Muscle Shoals Street Department, as both were extremely valuable employees. The EEOC has gotten involved with Megan’s case, and Chad has taken legal action to get his job back. 

The only thing that will stop Butch and Ryan is a NEW MAYOR...Muscle Shoals, LET YOUR VOICES BE HEARD!!!!!!!!!!!!! Mic Dropped...

Andy Was a Groomer!

 

Donald Andrew Devaney was, until earlier this week, a lieutenant in the Russellville Fire Department. Now he's facing six charges related to trafficking an underage girl that could bring him a life sentence in the State prison system. For a man with no criminal record, that's quite a leap. How did Andy go unnoticed for so long?

Credit reports don't indicate that Andy has a family, but he does have five Russellville addresses linked to him, as well as six email addresses. Two of the email addresses use a name other than his. These are possibly two aliases Devaney used while attempting to contact victims.

Since 2023, the 52 year-old RFD lieutenant had been in charge of the annual Russellville firefighters Christmas toy drive, an endeavor that saw young teenagers assisting the predator. Devaney is pictured above with teenage girls at Walmart purchasing items with donations from the public.

Russellville High School is one of the few in the Northwest Alabama area to offer courses in Fire Science, and Devaney was reportedly deeply involved in teaching the curriculum at his alma mater. There he met Russellville youth who were happy to assist him in his toy drives and similar projects, totally unsuspecting his darker side.

Parents, it's sad, but just because someone is a "pillar of the community" or connected to your child's school, it doesn't always mean that he or she is a person with good intentions. Ask who else is going along on those school-related trips. Ask who else will be at after class meetings and outings. If you don't get satisfactory answers, you're entitled to say no.

Just because someone holds a responsible place in your community, it doesn't mean he or she isn't a child predator!

A Flood of Protests in Muscle Shoals - Part II

 

Muscle Shoals Residents Get Ready!!

Muscle Shoals residents deserve so much better than the Mayor and City Council we have. More evident than ever, we see their poor management and lack of strategic planning is causing problems across the city and in many subdivisions and home. Let's talk about the water. And, I mean a LOT OF WATER. 

A few months ago, City Clerk Ms. Brittney Walters and Mayor Mike Lockhard told the council they wanted half of the flood control tax money to put into their own special projects. And, of course, the council voted UNANIMOUS to hand the money over to Mikie and Ms. Walters. with no specific "projects" or heaven forbid, any plans for avoiding floods in citizens' homes and vehicles.

Now, as we knew it would happen, FLASH FLOODS CAME. Once again, neighborhoods were flooded, roads were impassable, water rose high enough to get in cars, homes were damaged while drains were stopped up from lack of maintenance.

This is the deal, this mayor, city clerk, and city council have done nothing to insure maintenance, and flood abatement. Their priorities are buying new vehicles (a lot of them), travel, remodeling their offices, short work days (or none at all), handing out "tax abatements" to their buddies, and blowing money, leaving a $1700.00 surplus in the general fund at the end of the year.  That's right - $1700.00.

MIKE LOCKHARD - CHRIS HALL - GINA CLARK - KEN SOCKWELL - WILLIS THOMPSON - YOU ARE A DISGRACE. Granted most of you are not Muscle Shoals natives. You moved here to enjoy what we ONCE HAD. Thanks to each of you, collectively you have brought our city down. You've managed in less than 5 years to make this city a dirty, trash filled, unkept and neglected shell of what it once was. Our founding fathers and past Mayors would be so embarrassed at how quickly you have created an economic disaster.

When were the last big paving jobs?  I can tell you, it was when David Bradford was mayor. What business owner has seen Mike Lockhard visiting and asking how he can help - as far as that goes, when does anyone see Mike Lockhard? He certainly doesn't return phone calls and even when his vehicle is at City Hall, most people are told "he isn't in". When do you see the city council members except when they show up for the quick work session and meeting? 2 times a month for a couple of hours for $700 a month! That's $350.00 for each meeting - not to mention all their traveling and staying in the high priced resorts on our tax dollars! What have they accomplished on those out of town trips that benefits us, the citizens? We hear a lot of lip service and "what we are going to do", but quite frankly, their babbling is nothing more than noise.

MIKE LOCKHARD - CHRIS HALL - GINA CLARK - KEN SOCKWELL - WILLIS THOMPSON - YOU ARE FAILURES. YOU ARE FIRED. WE WILL VOTE YOU ALL OUT THIS AUGUST 2025. You are welcome to do like David Moore and resign to avoid the embarrassment.

WE DESERVE BETTER - We deserve flood control, street and drainage maintenance. We deserve to have phone calls returned. WE DESERVE BETTER.

  

A Snake in the Midst of the Florence City Council?

 

TAKE ME IN OH TENDER WOMAN 

The agenda for the 03/18 meeting of the Florence City council was rather tame on paper. The only item that really stood out to me was for an extension request from Craig construction to add 90 days onto the allowed time to complete the pickleball and tennis complex at Veterans Park. They needed more time due to the rainy weather. In remarks from the public, one commenter made the statement that as far as he was concerned the Craig crew could take a break from working on the project until after the election is held on August 26th for new representatives and the mayor. Even better if they just stopped work altogether until after a new government is sworn in on November 1st 2025. In a perfect world the taxpayers could get off the hook for the $9,997,000.00 the project is costing. Nonetheless, the city council gave Craig a 90-day extension by a unanimous vote.

Then there was the matter of Eugene Sak and his “Days Inn” project, the Hard Rock Reverb Hotel. He made a presentation at the work session. All I can say is there was some reference to the state creating an entity called “Sweet Home Alabama” and Sak was trying to get money from the state but first the city had to amend part of the resolution passed. Or something to that effect. Which shell is the pea under? With Eugene Sak and the “Reverb” hotel, who knows? A citizen put it quite well when he quoted from the parable of the old woman and the snake. “Take me in oh tender woman, take me in for heaven's sake, take me in oh tender woman cried the snake” Sak wanted an agenda item approving his request put on the agenda and a resolution voted on in this session! NOW! And it looked like one or two on the council were willing to go along. But the wiser and wearier, and in this group, I definitely include Michele Eubanks, insisted they have time to study the new proposal. Sak said they had until April 28th.

Of the remarks from the public, River Zurinsky made the most compelling and impassioned speech. He started off with saying how glad he was to see that it seemed some on the council were being more keenly aware of how much money was being spent on projects. Especially in “overruns” These are added cost that a contractor submits on a project as it is being constructed. Jimmy Oliver kind of summed up the way the council had been considering “overruns” “$4 million does not necessarily mean $4 million” Sometimes, as in the cost of the “new” parking deck, overruns can total nearly $1 million dollars over the original bid on a project. River wondered if this newfound thriftiness from the council was due to this being an election year but whatever the reason, he applauded them for paying attention to how taxpayer money is spent. He went on to say that if the city had not approved the “pickleball park” there would have been almost $10 million dollars to build 2

fire stations with. A new one for District 2 and one in District 4 which currently has no fire station. PERIOD! River is a SKYWARN storm spotter and he livestreams severe weather coverage for Lauderdale and Colbert county. He proposed building a storm shelter in the downtown area. Currently there is not one available. He also proposed that the city create a list of shelters in each district. River is actually quite an impressive young man in this writer's opinion. He is even running for city council representative in District 2!

That about sums up the works session and city council meeting as I witnessed it on 03/18/2025. It was rather tame with undertones of confusion from the work session. The best advice? Beware of snake bites!

Special: Andy Devaney Terminated

 

Andy Devaney was terminated by a unanimous vote at last night's city council meeting in Russellvillle. He had been promoted to lieutenant in the City fire department in October 2023 and had no previous criminal record...until this weekend.

At 1:30 today, Devaney will face a judge in a bond hearing. Under Aniah's Law, a judge may withhold bond and force the firefighter to cool his accused heels behind bars until trial on six human trafficking charges.

And what of trial? Devaney is facing extremely serious charges involving a trafficked child from another state. More information will obviously come to light at future hearings, but Donald Andrew Devaney is looking at a possible life sentence in prison.

The 52 year-old Devaney is a graduate of Russellville High School and Northwest Shoals Community College. Recently, he had been an instructor in the the city high school's fire science class. He is shown below purchasing items for a 2023 fire department toy drive.