Russellville High - Only Team with a Player Awaiting Trial for Murder

We have not used the name of the 17 year-old Russellville student arrested for murder in Florence, but two news outlets have. We won't use it here either, but according to reliable sources the young man was barred from competing in track in the weeks after the crime.

Now he's being allowed to play his senior year on the football team, possibly in search of a state championship. We don't know the case Lauderdale County has against the extremely versatile athlete, and obviously this was the coach's decision no matter the young man's guilt or innocence.

Our take? It's as bad as ****** ******.

Independence Day 2025

 

We just read that John Adams favored July 2nd as our Independence Day. We know others favored other days. Yet today is officially the 249th anniversary of our freedom from England. 

We also read that more and more have lost hope in our country. That's extremely sad. Can't we give it one more try and see if we're not in a better place in 2026?

Jennifer Underwood Uncovers Info Discrediting Muscle Shoals City Government

 

For some time, in fact for the entire administration of Muscle Shoals mayor Mike Lockhart and the current council, we've heard rumblings of what might be called shenanigans at City Hall. Yet no one had ever produced these links for us...until now.

Jennifer Underwood is a candidate for Place 4 on the Muscle Shoals City Council. Below is a synopsis of her findings on some extremely suspect business dealings by the current administration:

Candidate Jennifer Underwood, running for Muscle Shoals City Council Place 4, has uncovered an incestuous relationship in two (2) of the biggest announcements of projects by the City of Muscle Shoals. On the 14th of August, 2024, Mayor Mike Lockhart entered into an agreement to lease property for a solar farm with Sixth Street Solar, LLC, which coincidentally is owned by Brad Williams. This is the same Brad Williams who is the part-time Engineer for the City of Muscle Shoals. What is controversial about this agreement is that the solar panels will be emptying at least nine additional feet of water into the basin on 6th Street in Muscle Shoals every year. The panels will not allow rain water to soak into the earth.

Underwood said it is just questionable engineering by the part-time City Engineer. They are creating a permanent lake on 6th Street which, during a copious rainfall, will flood 6th Street.

Underwood further stated the additional water is increasing the health hazards and mosquito problems for Beacon Point Subdivision. The 1,040 residents of this subdivision deserve better. Beacon Point citizens in the rear of the subdivision are already facing a swamp created by the City. They are receiving over eight million gallons of water every two months from the Nathan Estate pond. It seems sadly apparent the City's solution is to spray toxic mosquito chemical repellent into the subdivision when numerous children are out playing. The City does not want to try to find a way to get the contaminated water to the river, which is the best solution.

It has also been disclosed the City entered into a contract with Strategic Construction Solutions, LLC, owned by Rusty Carbine, Luke Alexander, and Brad Williams - the Muscle Shoals City part-time Engineer. They own this company and Muscle Shoals City will pay $1,170,000.00 over 39 months to oversee the City's $65.5 million dollar Sportsplex. 

Further, there is even more money for these three in the contract. They will receive at the end of the project all tax incentives and energy efficiency deductions the City receives, plus 5% from the City on any bills they pay.

The solar panel farm on 6th Street is also owned by Rusty Carbine, Luke Alexander, and Brad Williams - partners at Strategic Construction.

The $1.17 million payment the City gives Carbine and friends on the Sportsplex equals $30,000 per month, plus overtime payroll is extra. Underwood says this does not appear kosher, and she is going to get to the truth of how the City Engineer and his friends are doing this much business with the City. 

Remember: Every Muscle Shoals City Councilman and Councilwoman voted for these projects.

Needed Immediately at Florence Animal Services

 

Due to the recent confiscation, there are over 150 dogs at the Florence-Lauderdale shelter. This was unexpected and staff and services are being pushed to their limits...once again thanks to the same individual breeder/hoarder.

This is what's needed Immediately:

* Dry dog food without dyes - if you're feeling generous, throw in some wet cat food

* New or used blankets of small to medium size

* Dog toys

* Fosters for the adoptable dogs

* Volunteers to do laundry and walk dogs

Please Share!

* The shelter is located at 3240 Roberson Road in Florence.

* From Seven-Points intersection, take Chisholm Road north.

* Roberson Road is on the right by the Lauderdale Health Department.

* The shelter is approximately .4 mile.

A Reader Expresses Her Unhappiness with Muscle Shoals

As Muscle Shoals, AL, nears the 2025 municipal election, I’m speaking as a newcomer to address a documented pattern of favoritism and exclusion that’s too often ignored. Who will step up to fix this and make our community truly inclusive?

My family relocated here for military work at Lockheed Martin, sacrificing closeness to loved ones. Like many new families, especially with children of different ages, we’ve struggled to integrate. We’ve had to prove ourselves repeatedly to join community activities, which is exhausting when you’re just learning local basics like restaurants or school programs. Information about these opportunities is often shared selectively, leaving newcomers feeling left out. A town welcome package and clear school activity guides would help bridge this gap.

We’ve seen favoritism firsthand—a pattern many locals quietly recognize. I have documented evidence of these issues, which I’m willing to share privately with leadership to avoid public conflict. I believe local leaders are unaware due to the demands of managing a growing town. When informed, they’ve handled matters professionally, allowing us to move forward together. Yet, these challenges persisted across multiple settings due to our children’s varied ages.

I want to praise McBride Elementary’s exceptional leadership and staff, who made us feel included from the start. I also give a shoutout to the coaches and leaders of my daughter’s recreational activities—their efforts transformed her life, and I’m deeply grateful. Muscle Shoals is growing, and I see the positive changes, but more work is needed.

I speak for those who feel unheard. Many newcomers share stories of exclusion, and I’ve felt their pain. People hesitate to approach leadership, perhaps fearing dismissal, but I believe leaders want to help. This pattern isn’t just a rumor—it’s documented and needs addressing. For example, interactions with figures like Heather Wright at the Shoals Chamber of Commerce, whose attitude toward community members has felt dismissive, show a disconnect that doesn’t serve the people. We need leaders who listen and act, not dismiss concerns.

Who among the 2025 candidates—for mayor or city council—will take responsibility to end this cycle? We need leadership that fosters unity, making every family, especially newcomers, feel like part of Muscle Shoals’ family, regardless of differing views. I’m not here for drama but because I care about this town and its people. I’ve seen proof of these issues, and they’re real. Candidates, who will step up to ensure every voice is heard and our community thrives as one? 

*****

The above is from a reader. We can tell her it won't be Mike Lockhart or his second in command or most on the council to make newcomers feel accepted. They've got theirs and are looking for more. Sc**w you...

Your Rate Will Go Up, but You May Win a Gift Card

 

According to the latest from local utilities, TVA is increasing its rate in August to cover increased usage and decreased production of electricity. If you live in Florence, don't worry:

If you choose to use paperless billing, you may win a gift card! We haven't read all the fine print, but we're sure it will be a stupendous prize. 

Just think, if you're serviced by Sheffield, Tuscumbia, or Muscle Shoals, you're in a lose/lose situation. Oh, well, maybe your city will have a contest during the next cold snap.

29 More Dogs Rescued from Counce

 

Teresa Gay Counce, either in collaboration with a relative or due to addiction, is an animal hoarder. She previously had 82 dogs...yes, 82 dogs...seized from her Lauderdale property; now she's been caught with 29 more in a hot, ramshackle shed.

The dogs have gone to the Florence shelter. Fosters are needed. Food is needed. Prayers are needed. Better laws are needed.

Who's the Mystery Candidate for Mayor?

 

The list of Florence mayoral candidates included one mystery man, and we don't mean Rock Pocket. Anthony Britnell indicates on his social media that he's worked for the City since 2014 and is currently a dispatcher.

Is Britnell's candidacy a real attempt to secure the highest office in Florence or merely just dipping his toe into the political stream? We should see in the next few weeks as the election heats up.

Are Sunshine Mills Employees Murdering Cats?

 

The small town of Red Bay has two main employers - Tiffin Motor Homes and Sunshine Mills. The latter is known for donating pet food to local shelters and other charitable acts. Would its employees intentionally kill neighborhood moggies?

Red Bay resident Paula Johnson is no stranger to lawsuits. She just won a suit against the Sheffield Police Department, having previously lived in that Colbert County town. Now she lives in her native Red Bay and has encountered a problem that seems impossible to believe. Is it?

Johnson, who is caretaker of a small colony, believes that Sunshine Mills is refusing to oversee its more rough employees who are systematically killing the cats she takes care of. She's planning to take legal action.

We hope Sunshine Mills takes note and ensures its employees have better oversight. No, one can't legislate morality, but one can legislate moral behavior.

Some Kids Need Help...So Help Them

 

We are thrilled to announce the kickoff of the 12th annual School Share drive, running from June 30 - July 18! Partnering with the Helping Hands Foundation, Bank Independent is dedicated to making a positive difference in our communities, and we need your support to help local school children succeed.

This year, through the “$5 Helps Carry the Cost” campaign, your donation will help provide essential school supplies to children in need.

Here’s how you can participate:

• Donate easily via PayPal
• Bring donations to any Bank Independent Sales Office
• Shop directly for what’s needed through each partner's Amazon Registry

Plus, join us for a special Collection Day event on July 18 at the Walmart on Hwy 72 in Madison and the Walmart on Cloverdale Road in Florence to drop off supplies and show your support in person!

 

For more information, please visit hhfal.org. Let’s make this year’s School Share drive the most successful yet!

The Helping Hands Foundation, Bank Independent, and you – together, we’re making a positive difference.

Update on Shooting in Downtown Florence

 

Pictured above is Roderick Justin Watkins, age 24. Just after midnight on Sunday morning, Mr. Watkins has indicated he was at On the Rocks in downtown Florence when he became involved in an argument with a highly intoxicated man. In order to avoid further escalation, Roderick left the bar, but the 21 year-old Killen man followed him outside where the argument became physical.

To escape the altercation, Watkins pulled his gun and shot into the ground. According to Roderick, the bullet either ricocheted or a small piece of concrete loosened by the shot hit the younger man in the ankle. No one was really "shot."

It seems the wounded man agreed, and Watkins was charged with only Reckless Endangerment. He also has a charge of Disturbing the Peace from February 10th of this year.

Again, this account is from Mr. Watkins himself; however, judging from the charge, the Florence Police must have agreed. Watkins posted a $500.00 bond and was released. 

Meanwhile, at Senor Tequila's...

The city of Florence never disappoints entertainment-wise. For those who missed the shooting Saturday night at On the Rocks, Senor Tequila's said "Watch this" before hosting a cat fight.

A Florence Police spokesperson stated in a press release that it was a fun night.*

* Strictly satire

Subliminal Advertising in Florence Council Race

 

First, while subliminal advertising isn't illegal, it can be unethical. Not sure what subliminal advertising is? It can range from hidden messages that are flashed on a screen to the more open, and somewhat ethical, use of the color red to create excitement.

If a candidate shows you pictures of humble beginnings and omits a very upper middle class current lifestyle, this can subliminally influence the electorate to think he's a man of the people, someone who will vote to protect the common man from the greedy business interests.

Many didn't understand our reference to the appraised value of candidate Jackie Hendrix's home. No where has he shown the voters how he lives today, but he has certainly shown the public pictures of his family's abode from a generation ago.

Not only that, Hendrix has told the voting public what his ancestors have done. We've always found such tactics reprehensible, even though we've had a cousin who once did so (he didn't win).

Let's look at Hendrix's current conduct in voting to help certain businesses while refusing to assist veterans (which he professes to support). If you live in District 2, you have two great choices - River Zurinsky and Gunner Ford.

We invite you to look at both River and Gunner and compare their ideas, lifestyles, and actions to those of the appointed Hendrix. The upcoming municipal election is an important one - choose wisely. We fought off unelected representation in 1776; let's do it again in 2025.

Males or Females?

 

About 20% of our audience reads the blog directly via Blogspot. The other 80% come to our site via a Facebook link. While we can't label those who read us directly, we can pigeonhole those who come to us from Facebook.

Initially, 25% of our FB readers were male; for the past one or two years, that figure has risen to 26%. 74% female readers are still quite the larger number. Similarly, most FB comments are from women.

When we recently made a post about a male candidate for the Florence City Council, we were surprised that those who questioned its purpose were male. Were these comrades from civic organizations? Obviously some were. It was still surprising to have that large number of males chiming in.

While only voters from District 2 in Florence matter in this particular case, we ask that all choose wisely. You want someone who will support your interests - not the interests of the business moguls.

Jennifer Underwood Announces Muscle Shoals Candidacy

 

Jennifer Underwood Announces Candidacy for 

Muscle Shoals City Council Place 4

Jennifer Underwood, a lifelong resident of the city and proud graduate of the Muscle Shoals school system, has officially announced her candidacy for Place 4 on the Muscle Shoals City Council in the upcoming municipal election scheduled for Tuesday, August 26, 2025.

Underwood is a Registered Nurse at Florence Nursing and Rehabilitation Center and a Licensed Medical Esthetician at Bare Beauty Spa in Florence. She says her deep roots in the community, combined with her professional experience in healthcare and small business, make her uniquely equipped to serve the residents of Muscle Shoals.

A mother of two—Stella, a fourth grader at McBride Middle School, and Colin, a Muscle Shoals High School graduate and member of IBEW 558—Underwood is focused on preserving the city’s strong educational reputation. “I want to help push the Muscle Shoals school system to be the number one school in Alabama,” said Underwood. Jennifer is married to Billy Underwood, a retired attorney. 

She said her campaign is driven by a passion to preserve and enhance the quality of life for all residents of Muscle Shoals. Her campaign platform emphasizes responsible spending, infrastructure improvements, and economic development that fits the city’s long-term vision. She is calling for better-paved roads, support for public safety workers, and incentives to attract industries that bring meaningful employment to the area.

Underwood voiced concerns over recent decisions by the current administration, including a controversial vote allowing a corporation to utilize four acres of the city’s Industrial Park for a solar panel installation. She posits that the project creates minimal jobs, contributes to local flooding, and strays from the Industrial Park’s original intent of job creation for local residents.

In addition, Underwood is highly critical of the city’s proposed $95 million Sportsplex project, citing the lack of such supporting infrastructure as hotels and restaurants and the potential for heavy financial burden on taxpayers. “That’s nearly $6,000 per person in Muscle Shoals,” she stated. “We need recreation options, but not at the cost of financial instability. This project could bankrupt the city.”

She also raised red flags over recent city spending, pointing to inflated personnel costs within the Recreation Department and questioning the city’s trend of purchasing expensive vehicles for staff. “Unlike the mayor and city clerk of Muscle Shoals, the mayor and city clerk of Huntsville do not drive $70,000 cars. Every city employee doesn’t need a $70,000 vehicle. We have to learn to spend wisely.”

Jennifer Underwood is committed to working collaboratively with city leaders and departments, while remaining focused on fiscal responsibility and community input. “I may not have all the answers,” she said, “but I will listen—especially to those who may not agree with me. Our community deserves thoughtful leadership, not reckless spending."

Muscle Shoals municipal elections will be held Tuesday, August 26, 2025.

What the Voter Said About "Those Poor"

 

Sometimes you don't know whether to laugh or cry. We recently commented on a Florence City Council candidate who had posted a photo of a run down home in a bad section of town (more on that later). His own home is valued at $312K (credit report) to $328K (Zillow).

A man commented (more on that later also) that while the average house in Florence is valued at $216K, it would be a much higher value if there weren't all those ramshackle homes bringing the average down; therefore, the candidate's home wouldn't be valued at 44% above the average. Brilliant.

Let's get rid of all those who live in cheap homes. Sound good? Florence has a 20% poverty rate. One in five you pass on the street as you walk from your car to Odette lives in poverty.

No, we can't force high-paying jobs to come here, but we can do a much better job of recruiting them.

Two Florence Districts Have No Incumbent

 

If you live in Districts 3 or 5 in Florence, you won't have the chance to vote for the incumbent. In District 3, Bill Griffin is running for mayor.

In District 5, long-time member Blake Edwards, who made his initial mark on City politics supporting a new Walmart, has chosen not to run. We always felt Blake was too status quo about most situations in Florence, but he will be missed.

*****

We regularly have readers ask us what district they live in. Many are not newcomers, but apparently have never taken an interest in City politics before. 

Simply go to this site and enter address. Good luck and keep informed:

Where Do I Vote?

Is Someone Missing in Sheffield's Mayoral Race?

 

We had assumed our friend Bennett Pugh would be in the race for Sheffield mayor. It looks as if only four qualified, and Ben was not one seeking the office at this time.

We now have two women running against two men. A runoff seems in the works, and it should be a hard fought race.

Central's Softball Coach Arrested

 

Carmen Gail Whitfield has been the softball coach at Central High School since 2021. At 3:00 a.m. Saturday morning, she was arrested by the Florence Police and charged with DUI - Alcohol and Obstruction of Government Operations (a charge that could involve anything from giving a false name to hiding such evidence as illicit substances).

The 31 year-old Whitfield posted a 3K bond and was released. Before assuming her current position at Central, she coached at Tharptown and Shoals Christian. Whitfield's charges will be adjudicated in Municipal Court.

Steve Holt Just Blew the Mayoral Election Wide Open

 

Can former Mayor Steve Holt pull off a win in a field of six? Seven if we count virtual candidate Rock Pocket?

Now Bill Griffin and Ron Tyler will have to up their game, and a runoff is 99% assured. If you're like us, you're rethinking Florence's future with two candidates who can move the city forward in a positive way.

Jimmy Oliver Called Out on Jack's Bistro Stance

 

Current Distric 6 representative Jimmy Oliver has told business owner Jack White to just hold out until City construction is over. Oliver's critics have plenty to say on that strategy. Here's one of the best critiques:

Jimmy Oliver, you sat on that throne of yours and looked down at that man while he stood there—begging.
Begging the council for help.
You didn’t want to help him. But what you did do—when the cameras weren’t rolling—was attack anyone who did want to help, or anyone who dared show that man an ounce of compassion.
You talk about “political games,” sir?
That’s all you’re about.
Your carefully curated photo ops.
Your polished Facebook posts.
All for show.
What this community doesn’t see is how you act when people challenge you—when they don’t fit your narrative or dare to disagree.
That’s when the real Jimmy Oliver shows up.
And that’s when the cameras should be rolling.
So the people can see exactly who they’ve put in that seat.

Brent Woodall Seeks Seat on Public Service Commission

 

Our friend Brent Woodall has announced he's running for Place 2 on the Public Service Commission next year. We'll have more on the election in weeks to come, but for right now, you can get to know a little more about Brent here:

Brent Woodall

Campaign to Support Jack's Place Bistro

 

Margaret Thatcher said if you want something done, get a woman to do it. That certainly applies to the fate of Jack's Place Bistro on West Mobile just off Court Street.

We admire Jimmy Oliver of District 6, but he told Jack White to wait for better times when the new city hall was constructed. What did Jimmy's opponent Chapel King do? She began a campaign to increase awareness of the small eatery.

Will Jack's still close on July 1st? We can't predict how it will turn out, but we hope awareness of the current situation downtown will bring some changes...pronto!

Two Franklin County Men Sue High 5 Games

 

On June 9th, two Franklin County residents filed suit in circuit court against the online casino High 5 Games LLC. According to court records, Michael Sumerel is seeking $75,000.00 in compensation, while Jacob Seal is asking for $15,000.00. 

The suit is based on this code:

The moral of this is: Don't gamble to start with...