Do You Want Your Children Asked These Questions?

 

Have you ever received a survey attached to an e-mail? Most of them will indicate that they are voluntary and that you are not required to answer any question that makes you feel uncomfortable. 

Then we have the survey posted above. Look closely and you'll see it was intended for college students, but apparently one high school in Alabama gave the survey to 10th graders as a required assignment. The high school is in the mid-state area, it's not in the Shoals...yet.

What would you do if this survey was given to your child? Is a high schooler to know what post-gender means? We had to look up the term, and it seems to be an idea that could have many interpretations.

While we often comment that our J.D. came from Big Lots, we don't believe this survey is legally suitable for a graded assignment. So now when you ask your income tax deduction how gym class was, be sure to ask about any strange surveys they may have encountered during the school day. 

You really needed one more thing to worry about, didn't you?

Joshua Dale Price: Two Time Child Predator Freed?

 

In 2008, Joshua Dale Price was arrested in Colbert County on a charge of First Degree Theft. This was one of Price's first area arrests, but it certainly wasn't his most infamous.

In June 2015, Price was convicted in Franklin County of enticing a young girl for immoral purposes. He was given probation.

Less than two weeks after his conviction, Price was arrested in Franklin County on a probation violation.

In October 2015, Price was charged in Franklin County on a probation violation in the child sex conviction.

In November 2015, Price was arrested for failure to register as a sex offender in Colbert County.

In August 2016, this perennial bad boy was charged again in Colbert for failure to register his new Sheffield address with authorities.

In March 2020, Price was arrested again in Franklin County for violating probation.

In February 2021, Price was arrested in Lauderdale County on two drug charges plus a weapons charge.

In June 2021, Joshua Price was arrested for attempting to lure a young boy for immoral purposes in Colbert County. After this arrest, Price was placed in a state prison. 

In October 2022, Price, now in prison, was denied parole.

The above list of charges/convictions is not inclusive; however, it should give you a very good picture of the registered sex offender. Joshua Dale Price has two arrests, six years apart, for a child sex crime. Yet he is, as of today, again a free man.

According to the terms of what is called Mandatory Release, Price should not be allowed in this program due to the child sex conviction. Why is he free? How inaccurate is the State's record keeping in the case of Price...and perhaps others?

The public may not have to worry about Price's freedom for long, judging by his past record. That and the fact he reportedly has not been tried on his last child sex arrest. Judging by his record, even one day is too long.

A Victim's Friend on the Tre Wells Release

 

Editor's Note: Tre Wells was arrested in 2003 in connection with the murders of his parents. Wells was acquitted of his father's murder, but convicted of manslaughter in his mother's death. He was sentenced to 20 years and given credit for the years he spent awaiting trial. His sentence will end officially later this year, but he has been released due to a program that went into effect on February 1st. Now a family friend has released a statement:

I write this to you in total amazement at the apparent atrocities that can be committed in Alabama and the perpetrator not only receive a light sentence for the heinous and brutal murders of both his parents but then be given academic recognition and scholarships while serving said sentence in a state prison.


If that were not bad enough and to add insult to injury, he is then given early release despite the ADOC parole board in November 2018 denying parole and stating, “he has a dangerous mental condition and could not be released into the public” and was yet again denied parole in November 2022 when evaluation reports by both his treating prison Psychologist and Psychiatrist concurred that “he still posed a direct risk to the public”.


I personally grew up with Lavonda Cummings Wells. In my life, I’ve rarely encountered a more loving, kind, gentle person- a devout Christian and loyal friend who was meek, soft spoken and chose to be a vegetarian because she loved animals too much to eat meat. I find it repugnant to think her character was so badly maligned during the trial but apparently anyone can make false allegations against a dead person without fear of truth invalidating their claims.


As for his “academic recognition“, the press release celebrating the accomplishments of Alabama Community College System’s (ACCS) top scholars across the state during the 2022 All-Alabama Academic Team Recognition Program, the students awarded scholarships were, “selected from their colleges……..for the students’ demonstration of academic excellence and intellectual rigor, leadership and service, and for a commitment to extending their education beyond the classroom to benefit society”. That tax dollars would be used to reward this killer with a scholarship either due to his “leadership and service” or “to benefit society” is beyond appalling and totally inappropriate.


In researching his early release, I could not find any local or state news items or notifications to the public of his release. How sad it is that her life and memory as well as the safety of the community are disregarded as this cold blooded murderer is released without so much as a 1-paragraph notice. Only time will tell if he will pose a danger (or worse) to another member of our community….. but that’s just my opinion.

https://www.al.com/news/anniston-gadsden/2023/01/these-are-the-369-alabama-prison-inmates-being-freed-in-mass-release.html


https://www.accs.edu/alabama-community-college-system-announces-2022-all-alabama-academic-team/

Sorry, Andy, ShoalsFest is a No-Go for '23

 

Last year, Florence mayor Andy Betterton proclaimed we would have an annual ShoalsFest day. Guess what?

That's right; Jason has posted the bad news. No ShoalsFest for 2023. And all of Cliff Haven rejoiced.

Thinking about running for office in Sheffield? Several have told us they will be on the ticket in three years. In fact, they seem to be lining up to run. If you're looking into standing for a Sheffield office, drop us a line. 

We'll be helping get the vote out. In the interim, visit your semi-monthly council meeting. It's time to demand answers on how much of your money has gone down the uninspirational landing.

Covenant Christian Headmaster Accused of Malfeasance

 

Covenant Christian School is an above average, private, Christian school located in TUSCUMBIA, AL. It has 198 students in grades PK, K-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 7 to 1. Tuition is $5,650 for the highest grade offered. After graduation, 90% of students from this school go on to attend a 4-year college. Niche

Go to the Covenant School website and search for "Lee Campbell." The result will be "nothing found." Why?

According to WHNT News, Dr. Campbell has been placed on administrative leave for failing his duty in a recent terrorist threat by a 14 year-old student. What was the threat? That has not yet been made public*; however, Campbell failed to notify the families of students who may have been affected by the threat.

Anyone else find it odd that a student whose family is paying over 5K a year would make such a threat? The student was taken to a juvenile jail and not sent for mental evaluation. That does not bode well for anyone involved.

What's the difference in a headmaster and a principal? Apparently about 5K a year tuition.

*A private source has told us the student threatened a "mass shooting." Sad the headmaster didn't think parents should have been notified immediately. 

Child Rapists to be Released Starting February 1st?

 

Pictured is Joshua Dale Price. The 43 year-old inmate is currently serving a ten year sentence for a sex crime involving a child. His inmate profile is clearly marked with an "S" and the victim labelled as a minor child.

Yet Price is on the state list of inmates receiving early release. If you haven't heard, on Wednesday the ADOC will begin releasing 369 inmates on a new experimental program aimed at reducing prison population and (supposedly) providing more monitoring of those released. Those convicted of a sex crime involving a child are not eligible for this program...or so we've been told.

Everyone knows the rules and regulations involving our prisons are in a state of disarray. We don't have the answers, but we certainly have an opinion on releasing ANY sex offenders early, much less one whose victim was a young child.

Contact your state legislators now. We're sure they're busy with trimming their toenails and other pressing matters, but if enough call, we can stop this!

Sheffield: The City That Could, but Won't

 

The day-to-day operations of the City of Sheffield border on 'the abysmal'. Its city streets are falling apart, derelict buildings and cars abound in almost every neighborhood, and illegal dumping goes unaddressed. Yet, the city continues to throw taxpayer $$$ at a boondoggle called Inspiration Landing. Where's a good State audit when one is needed?


Respectfully,

Remember when they built the McFarland Golf Course in Florence? When naysayers predicted flooding, the city pooh-poohed the idea. How many times did the course flood before it was finally scuppered? Then came the tourism office. No, they promised, it wouldn't flood. No, it doesn't, but the roadway and walkway do. Bring your water wings if you want to get in on a very wet day.

Now think about the land Inspiration Landing will be (might be) built on. Those who know, say the property will flood, at least the area closest to the river. Is that why no one is snatching up those residential lots?

While we don't live in Sheffield, J. and at least one more blogger do. We urge you to attend every council meeting to ask why the taxpayers are still losing money each month on the resort from Hell.

Did we hear someone say Bennett Pugh for mayor?