UNA "Most Liberal" College in State

 

Niche has just named the University of North Alabama the most liberal college in the state and the 14th most liberal in the nation. We're sure imported activist Katie Owens (not pictured) is thrilled. Hmmm, that would explain the Palestinian terrorists...

Wondering which is the most conservative? Niche says the University of Alabama. We found that surprising.

*****

The last day to register to vote is October 21st. Don't forget or you'll have no right to complain.

*****

Matthew Tidwell Didn't Learn

 

In December 2014, Matthew Ray Tidwell placed his three children in a vehicle and sped off to the Rogersville McDonald's wishing to arrive before the eatery's midnight closing. Tidwell was under the influence of Xanax and codeine at the time and left the road, crashing into a tree. His oldest child, Samantha, died at the scene and the other two were injured. None had been wearing a seat belt. Tidwell took a plea that required him to serve 33 months for manslaughter, professing himself to be reformed. Was he truly?

On March 22nd of this year, Tidwell was indicted on a similar crime. The 42 year-old was alleged to have been at a Lauderdale County drug den in possession of oxycodone and marijuana, but he hadn't gone there alone. Tidwell had taken a four year-old child to what's commonly called a trap house. He's officially charged with Possession of Illegal Narcotics and Child Endangerment.

Tidwell wasn't arrested until October 9th, and his family promptly bonded him out. We'll be following this case as it makes its way through the courts.

*****

UNA Grads Only? Is This Kosher?

 

One of our bloggers is asking if it's unfair for the City of Florence to be involved in business promotion for UNA grads only:

We're not totally sure that non-grads are excluded, but if so, we're not sure that it violates any federal laws. It does smack of elitism in many ways. 

The last time we checked, only 25% of the population of Florence held a bachelor's degree - a fairly high percentage for this state. Sad, isn't it?

*****

Incident at Sheffield Ball Game

 

After Friday night's Sheffield football game, social media was full of a story about the arrest of a "child molester." Some even posted photos.

We're not going to post either accounts or photos related to the incident at this time. We are going to remind parents to remain vigilant with their children. 

This kind of crime is not as rare as some think. We recently posted a Most Wanted notice for a man whose original crime was attempted enticement at a Red Bay ball game. Luckily, in both cases, the would-be victims managed to escape harm.

If you see anything odd, no matter where it is, be sure to notify authorities.

*****

Andy Says It's Illegal; Is It?

 

Several seeking answers to the school bus/traffic problem have suggested private monitoring cameras at 6.5K per vehicle. These cameras are mounted on the prominent "Stop" sign that automatically extends when the vehicle stops to let anyone on or off, taking snaps of cars that run the sign.

How does the Stop Arm Camera System Work?
Step 1: Video cameras are installed on the front and rear driver’s side of a school bus.
Step 2: When the school bus stop arm is extended, the camera system is activated and automatically captures video footage of all vehicles passing the stopped bus.
Step 3: The high definition video is uploaded via a secure virtual private network to the RedSpeed® processing system. Still images are extracted from the video showing the vehicle passing the school bus along with a zoom shot of the vehicle’s license plate.
Step 4: After a comprehensive review process, the violation images and video are securely transmitted to the Police Department where a trained officer reviews the evidence package and either approves or rejects the violation.
Step 5: Once approved by law enforcement, a citation is issued and mailed to the vehicle’s registered owner.

Several Alabama cities already use this system. Fines are divided among police/school system/camera company. According to Dothan, the system is a win-win.

Are these Alabama towns doing something illegal? How is this different than the system used by our new parking meters?

Why is Andy Betterton so opposed to a solution that seems to have no downside?

*****

September Rape at UNA

 

On Sunday, September 22nd, University of North Alabama police received a complaint of First Degree Rape at Rivers Hill on Pine Street. According to university records, this predawn assault is currently under investigation by Florence police and no arrests have been made.

Ladies everywhere, be vigilant. Here's a four-way personal alarm now on sale at Amazon: Personal Alarm.

We'll update information on this crime when more details are released.

*****

Attorney Asks for Investigation into Sheffield Man's Death

 

From attorney Roderick Van Daniel:

The family of Dennoriss Richardson, the 39-year-old Black man found hanging from a porch in an abandon house in Colbert County, Alabama wants answers to why this young Black man from Sheffield, Alabama with no history of mental illness was found dead hanging from a porch in an incident that bears a disturbing similarity to the 1955 death of 14-year-old Emitt Till. Colbert County has a history of lynching going back to May 8, 1885, of Jordan to George Whiteside on November 12, 1918.

Notably, Mr. Richardson filed a federal lawsuit in February of 2024 for excessive force against the City of Sheffield, Alabama, former Lieutenant Max Dotson, and other officers due to constitutional violations for excessive force, assault and battery, and Title Il of the Americans with Disability Act.

Authorities discovered Richardson's hanging from a porch on Saturday, September 28, 2024, and within a week, had ruled it a suicide with a rope but the investigators for Colbert County, Alabama has promised to continue to investigate. His wife of 22 years, Leigh Ann Richardson said that "He would have never done this. We have five (5) children together. Dennoriss "NaNa" loved his children. The FBI needs to help in this investigation. This cannot be right. He did not commit suicide."

"Dennoriss was my client fighting for his rights and his community not to be subjected to harassment and excessive force by the police in Sheffield, Alabama. He became an advocate for change and coached little league sports in the community. This is how I will always remember him'. I will continue to stand up for his rights not only for him but his family," said Attorney Dr. Roderick Van Daniel.

The family has also received strong support from civil rights leaders in the community.

*We must have truth transparency in this matter. Hanging is not a form of death that can be easily dismissed, particularly here in the South where it has been used as a weapon of terror against Black families for generations. This family needs the help of the federal government to investigate, not to let Dennoriss Richardson's story get swept under the rug.” said Van Daniel. “This is 2024, not 1885."

According to the FBI, there is no official comment at this time.

*****