Credille Indictment/Food Stamps?

Jeremy & Ronnie Credille (The Cross is a Nice Touch)

A reader commented on the length of time it took to indict Jeremy Credille in the Muscle Shoals murder of Jason Fox. We were also surprised since Erica Fox had incriminated her boyfriend Ronnie's brother in her August confession. So why was Jeremy Credille allowed to roam free for five months?

Grand jury dockets aren't written in stone. We've seen Bryce Graham get an indictment in a matter of weeks in some cases. Did the Colbert DA have to present the case twice...or more? 

Interestingly, Graham never got an indictment in the case of the two volunteer fire departments with allegedly missing money. Yet, he got a very prompt indictment against a young couple in the death of a visiting child whose mother wasn't watching him.

The expression of the day is: Go figure...

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According to the Sheffield school superintendent, 84% of students in his district live in poverty. Certainly not all households in Sheffield have children between the ages of five and 18, yet the image of 84% of households which do living in what may be considered poverty should be concern making to all of us. 

Once again the term "food stamps" has reared its ugly pointed head in connection with this poverty. The TD isn't the only medium to continue to use this term; however, we're pretty sure the number of individuals receiving food stamps in Sheffield...or anywhere else...is zero. No one in the entire United States has received food stamps since 2004. All such benefits were morphed into the SNAP program by that year and are sent to the public via EBT.

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Speaking of SNAP, there's no tax on food purchased with that program. Yet, Alabama is one of only four states still charging tax on groceries. Humans have to eat just as they have to drink and breathe. We have the image of state legislators charging tax on steam water and oxygen if only they could figure out a way to do so.

Nathan Bougher: Almost a Protector of Society?

Nathan Bougher: Almost a Protector of Society?

By: The Midnight Rider

On Saturday, January 14, 2017, the Times Daily reported the following:

“Nathan Paul Bougher, 21, East Fifth Street, Tuscumbia, has been charged with sexual torture and aggravated child abuse.

Police Chief Tony Logan said Bougher is accused of torturing and abusing a 1-month old boy.

Sexual torture and aggravated child abuse of a child under 6 are both Class A felonies and carries punishments of 10 years to life in prison with the possibility of patrol, if convicted.

“This is a very serious situation,” the chief said. “Our investigators put a lot of time and effort into working this case and getting to the point where we could make an arrest.”

Our research turned up that Nathan was a Reserve Deputy Sheriff for the Colbert County Sheriff’s Department. Information gained showed that he put in a lot of time in this position. Due to this, when a full time Deputy Sheriff Position came open, Nathan was hired in that position. However, here is where the deception comes in.

It appears that before Nathan was scheduled to leave for the Police Academy, there was a problem with his application. Sources state that the Governing Body of the Police Academy contacted Nathan about the problem. It is further understood, that Nathan did not inform the Sheriff of this problem right off.

From the Times Daily:

“Authorities said Bougher has not admitted to doing anything to the child.

“He has tried to make excuses for the child’s injuries, saying he did nothing intentionally (to harm the baby),” Logan said. “But the baby’s injuries are not consistent with the story he’s telling.”

Logan said the child, who is now at the Infant’s and Children’s Center at UAB Hospital, is suffering from multiple broken bones and internal injuries.

Investigators said the child has “spiral fractures” to his legs, as well as broken ribs and injuries to his mouth.

Police believe the child was tortured with an object or Bougher’s fingers.

“At this point, the hospital is doing a battery of testing on the child to determine all of the injuries and the severity of them,” Logan said.

He said doctors are also trying to determine if the child has suffered any neurological injuries.

“(The baby) is going to beunder constant medical supervision for awhile,” the chief said.”

Furthermore, sources state that Nathan tried to clear up the problem himself. When the deadline got close to him leaving for the Police Academy and he couldn’t clear up the problem, he had to inform the Sheriff.  The Sheriff allowed Nathan to resign. If you can’t go to the Police Academy, you can’t be a Law Enforcement Officer.

From the Times Daily:

“Department officials said the investigation into the allegations of abuse began Jan. 11.

The chief said his department was notified by the Colbert County Department of Human Resources that a complaint of possible abuse and torture had been issued.

Logan said the baby was taken to the doctor by his mother Jan. 9, which started the investigation.

“The baby was sent to Helen Keller and from Keller, he was transported to UAB, where he remains,” the chief said.

Investigators said Bougher was developed as a suspect and was taken into custody for questioning and then charged.

He is being held in the Tuscumbia City Jail on bail totaling $500,00.”

The above information, shows us that Nathan was not destined to be a Law Enforcement Officer. Furthermore, kudos go out to Sheriff Frank Williamson who took care of a problem when it was brought to his attention. Kudos also go to Chief Tony Logan and his Detectives on working this case that led to Nathan’s arrest.

Of course, Nathan is innocent until proven Guilty. However, it is not looking good for him. I know some people do not believe in “Street Justice” or “Frontier Justice”, but if Nathan is Guilty, there is a special place in Hell for him.

I am and always will be, the Midnight Rider.

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We understand there is to be a fundraiser for this family's medical bills. We will publish the complete information when it's available.

Nathan Paul Bougher - Totally Depraved

Nathan Bougher

Recently Shannon Dale Gargis pleaded not guilty to capital murder in the death of his girlfriend's 23 month-old daughter; he picked the child up like a baseball bat and beat her against a hard object. Yet now we have someone who makes Gargis look almost human...almost.

At least it wasn't Gargis' own child that he abused. At least Gargis has the defense that the toddler irritated him with her constant running about the household. At least it wasn't sexual. At least... 

There's no at least for Nathan Paul Bougher. Sure, he's only 21. Yet no one made him father a child. No one made him marry. No one made him... No one made him do whatever horrible things he did to a one-month old child who couldn't leave his crib,

Thankfully the child didn't die from his injuries. How much time will Bougher serve if convicted? Anthony Ryan Allen got 15 years for unprecedented abuse of his girlfriend's son; however, there was only physical injury, no sexual abuse. Bougher should be looking at a minimum of 20 years. 

Let's hope he gets life.

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A GoFundMe account has been set up for the family of Baby Tate:

Family Expenses

Jennifer Gray to Leave Shoals?/Educational Anomaly?

If you haven't heard, Dr. Jennifer Gray is a finalist for the new superintendent of Madison City Schools. Gray, the erstwhile head of Lauderdale education, is currently principal at Brooks Elementary.

Gray has three rivals for the position...and baggage. We're not placing any bets on the outcome of Madison's search for a new school leader; however, if she does win the position, it will be interesting to see local reaction.

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The state of education? A local youth has scored 36 on the ACT. That's a wonderful achievement, but over the years we've known several who've done so (no, it wasn't Shoalanda). Apparently it's now so rare that those who do so get special write-ups? Or was it a slow news day? Or a case of good PR? We sincerely hope it's not because it's become an anomaly in the Shoals.

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An on the TD front, Tom Smith still can't conjugate "lie," and Russ Corey speaks of "championing on." Perhaps our local rag should think of employmenting on. 

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And now a reader named Dita has made a special request:

Sears & K-Mart Closings/Ira Madison III

Sears and K-Mart Closures

By: The Midnight Rider

                           

Recently our great newspaper, the Times Daily, did an article about the closing of various Sears and K-Mart Stores. It is a shame that these two iconic businesses are closing. I can remember when there was a Sears in the Town Plaza, in Sheffield, when I was a kid. There was also one on Tennessee Street in Florence, across from the Gun Runner. Both of those closed when the Sears in the Mall opened.

I can remember when K-Mart was the place to shop. Everyone went there. This was before Wal-Mart. There use to be a Big-K in the Towne Plaza in Sheffield. It’s amazing that all these business were in the Towne Plaza back then and now they are no longer there and the Plaza is falling apart.

Here is a list that shows more closures than the Times Daily article:

Sears:

• 90 Elm St, Enfield, Connecticut

• Kentucky Oaks Mall, Paducah, Kentucky

• 1901 S. Yale Ave., Tulsa, Oklahoma

• Town Center Mall, Charleston, West Virginia

• Meadowbrook Mall, Bridgeport, West Virginia

• Walden Galleria, Cheektowaga, New York

• Boulevard Mall, Amherst, New York

• 1 Galleria Dr., Middletown, New York

• Swansea Mall, Swansea, Massachusetts

• Florence Mall, Florence, Alabama

Kmart:

• Jasper Mall, Jasper, Alabama

• 2003 US-280, Phenix City, Alabama

• 3001 Iowa Ave., Riverside, California

• 1801 NW US Hwy 19, Crystal River, Florida

• 501 N. Beneva Road, Sarasota, Florida

• 19400 Cochran Blvd., Port Charlotte, Florida

• 2111 S. Federal Highway, Ft. Pierce, Florida

• 1501 Normandy Village Parkway, Jacksonville, Florida

• 2211 W. Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway, Kissimmee, Florida

• 4955 Golden Gate Parkway, Naples, Florida

• 111 Town and Country Dr., Palatka, Florida

• 2815 West Parrish Ave., Owensboro, Kentucky

• 1501 Paris Pike, Georgetown, Kentucky

• 14662 N. US Highway 25 E, Corbin, Kentucky

• 1710 W. Highway 192, London, Kentucky

• 3010 Fort Campbell Blvd., Hopkinsville, Kentucky

• 2945 Scottsville Road, Bowling Green, Kentucky

• 222 North Point Blvd, Baltimore, Maryland

• 9 Plaza Way, Fairhaven, Massachusetts

• 4645 Commercial Dr., New Hartford, New York

• 250 Three Springs Dr., Weirton, West Virginia

• 731 Beverly Pike, Elkins, West Virginia

• 5132 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, Washington

• 1050 Division St., Parkersburg, West Virginia

I am and always will be, the Midnight Rider.

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PUBLIC INFORMATIONAL MEETING – Family Law Reform

The Alabama Family Rights Association (ALFRA) will host a family law reform informational meeting on Tuesday, January 31, 2017, at 6:00 p.m. located at the Coldwater Inn, 712 Highway 72, West Tuscumbia, Alabama 35674, Conference Room.

The meeting is open to the public and is sponsored by Concerned Citizens for the Children’s Future in Colbert County, Lauderdale County, and adjacent counties.

ALFRA will discuss the ongoing efforts to change the current Alabama child custody law (enacted in 1852) to ensure that no child is put at risk. Such efforts include proposals to be pursued in the 2017 legislative session where all children have a fundamental right to spend time with their two fit parents regardless of their parents’ marital status.

We would like to invite those impacted by the family law practices to attend: clergy, elected officials and candidates, parents, school counselors and other educational staff members, the administrative office of courts, therapists, mediators, parent-child coordinators, social workers, Alabama DHR representatives, family law attorneys, district attorneys, and judges. One of the greatest economic stimuli for our state is to protect and safeguard the parent-children relationship.

Contact: Debbie Zeiger, State VP                                    

Phone: (205) 626-9458

E-mail: info@alfra.org

Website: www.alfra.org

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Want to contact MTV in Los Angeles about their writer Ira Madison III? In case you missed it, he chose to drag Jeff Sessions' grandchild into his criticism of the cabinet nominee. Here's an addy and phone number:

Codepink/Shannon Johnson

Earlier today, a group called Codepink protested the senate confirmation of Jeff Sessions as U.S. attorney general. What is Codepink? From Wikipedia:

...a left-wing NGO that describes itself as a "grassroots peace and social justice movement working to end U.S.-funded wars and occupations, to challenge militarism globally, and to redirect our resources into health care, education, green jobs and other life-affirming activities".

The Wiki article goes on to say the group has branched out in certain areas. It would appear so if it's now protesting Sen. Sessions' appointment. 

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And now a word from one of Prince's friends:

Hi, people. I'm a raccoon name Rainey. Yep, I get a bad rap from time to time since I wear a mask. I'm asking two things: first, don't consider me a bandit, consider me a superhero; second, to that bunch of scraggly individuals who call themselves a band, please remove my picture from your advertising. My raccoon brothers and sisters and I don't rob people or point guns at them. You're profiling and you don't have much room to talk. That is all.

Thank you, Rainey, but we doubt your message will have much impact. After all, not everyone can read.

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Our prediction for the Shannon Johnson trial? He'll be convicted and get life as a habitual offender. What if he's found not guilty? He's already serving two consecutive sentences and in all probability won't leave prison until he's 66--still young enough to raise some, uh, heck. Let's hope he's found guilty.

Readers Speak on HKH & ECM Collections

We published this comment below a recent blog; however, we want our readers to be sure to note:

You are ignorant to the health care financial system, Republic. I wish I was. Regional is no better and they have threatened and actually followed through on there employees. These profit seeking bottom feeders prey off the vulnerable sick and uneducated. 

I have been threatened with collection from both organizations. My wife's OB sent me a $1400 bill after regional bought him from keller. I prepaid almost that for a discounted rate at the beginning of the pregnancy with the assurance that It covered everything. I paid ecm a sizable check before i left the hospital. And i was told by both if my other secondary insurance service paid i would receive a refund. After they did both pay and being told my refund was in the mail multiple times over 3-4 months, the story changed and the billing department stated that not only would i not be reimbursed my secondary insurances payment that i now owe an additional $1400 and would be handed over to collections in a week. Flabbergasted i spent 10 hours in 24 hours getting the new itemized bill sent to both insurance agencies. 

The rudeness during the process and being talked to like a dead beat was despicable. We planned our pregnancy, my inlaws graciously had kept a secondary bcbs policy on my wife. I had saved for the medical expenses since my wedding date. Even when losing my job one month before i was financially stable and quickly gained employment at a certain hospital. To do everything right and have that type of experience was pathetic. Sorry for the misunderstanding your prepayment was for keller and your deductible started over pay me $1400 this week or we will send you to collections... 

Thank you Dr keith for getting my child here safe, but you and the physicians need to pull your heads out of the sand and realize how these bottom feeder collection and billing agents are treating and conducting business of your behalf. For the record $1400 wasn't the issue bc i work 5 jobs. Nor was the $600 from Helen keller out patient clinic for a cough bc they billed With a tax id They failed to put in a referral for... Another 10 hours on the phone being degraded and threatened. What inflames me is that this is being done to our friends and family. People with no knowledge of itemized bills, billing codes reimbursement, $20 for a medication bcbs would have paid $1.00- but they didn't because the office messed up on a referral. $100 for the 3 injections not the medication- $100 for the RN putting the needle in the muscle. i could have given it myself or simply took PO? No sir Mr defender the items you buy at walmart are clearly priced and i pay as soon as i leave. 

The hospitals bill in code to hide what they charge for from the ignorant. They accept pennies on the dollar from insurance agencies and the gov. But if one of them doesn't pay and that bill comes to your lap get ready to pay 3-10 times what the government and bcbs deem reasonable. But my story is nothing unusual. Imagine being on a vent or undergoing treatment for a terminal disease and then hopefully not losing the battle so your family has to deal with these bottom feeders after the funeral home expenses. 

And this comment we received via e-mail:

I work nights and sleep during the day, but must keep a phone on for emergencies. Some time ago I received a call identified as coming from ECM. The woman said I had an outstanding ER bill. Since I knew I didn't, I tried to find out the problem. The phone number was mine, but the name and address weren't. I was ASSURED they wouldn't bother me anymore. 

The next day, the same thing. It was a different women, and she told me NO ONE had made a note that it was the wrong phone number. She then assured me no one would call again, but I didn't trust her. I called another number at ECM and was told that it was a collection agency which called me and that it was common for them to say they were ECM calling directly. The man said I would receive no more calls, and I didn't. Why does a collection agency have to lie and say they are the actual hospital? What else would they lie about?

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If you have horror stories related to HKH or ECM collections, send them in. 

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Our congratulations to the University of Alabama for an excellent football season. Our bloggers are pretty much evenly divided between allegiance to UA and Auburn; however, we can guarantee that no Auburn supporters here have such a low IQ or are so evil-spirited that they would root against Alabama.