What Jimmy Oliver Said

 

For years, we supported Jimmy Oliver and were pleasantly surprised by his honesty. Now he wants people to think only Jackie Hendrix and Ron Tyler can save Florence.

He pointedly omitted Kaytrina Simmons from his list of those who would carry on after he was gone. We're gobsmacked.

We're not sure of the point of the alliance between Hendrix and Oliver, but rest assured citizens will be watching. Chapel King and Simmons and more will be watching for inside deals and other shenanigans that waste taxpayer money to line the pockets of those who don't care about the city.

In the coming days, we'll be launching some new features on the Florence Council. Stay tuned...

It's a Matter or Perspective

Anyone Need a Urologist?

 

Surgeon General of L.A. - Bruce Campbell

A Facebook user recently commented that there was only one urologist in Florence. Is this true? We checked.

There are currently 10 urologists practicing in Florence as of 2025. Lauderdale County is 48% male and has a total estimated population of 98,692. We're not sure how many citizens, male or female, need to be tortured by one of these physicians, but 10 should cover it.

Florence Urologists

If ANY of This is True, Deshler Needs 100% New Staff

 

Deshler is an old and, we thought, respected school. When a reader asked a few years ago if the name shouldn't be changed, we received a ton of mail opposing such a plan.

Do we believe the above is 100% correct? NDAs signed by children are worthless, and Deshler staff would surely know this. Was it a bear hug or a choke hold? Big difference. Are authorities doing their best? We believe they are (that's police, not school staff). Chief Logan has said the Colbert County Sheriff's office would double check the police findings. That doesn't sound like trying to hide anything.

Yet it shouldn't take police to make Deshler admins/staff tell the truth. For those calling the alleged perp a pedophile, remember that dating doesn't always involve sex. There's nothing illegal about a 17 year-old simply dating a 14 year-old.

However, there is something highly illegal about this 17 year-old slamming the head of a 15 year-old into the concrete. If that's what really happened, the school should stand firmly behind the victim...not the perp.

Congratulations, Chapel King!

 

Several months ago, someone was heard to have asked Jimmy Oliver if he had any competition in the upcoming council race. He was reported to have said "Only that crazy woman."

Oliver had already 90% lost us when he kept pushing for Jackie Hendrix to take Jordan's seat. That remark sealed the deal. While some other elections could have turned out better for the City, we can now be assured Oliver and Hendrix will no longer be in collusion on major deals affecting Florence. 

We believe in Chapel, and she will have our 100% support!

William Foster Plays Detective

 

Today, Tuscumbia mayor William Foster stated that "we" are going to get to the bottom of August Borden's injuries. Is this the same man who supposedly told his wife he didn't think she was illegally parked?

So far in the past seven days, we've seen Steve Stanley almost single-handedly doom Town Plaza, Mike Lockhart continue to play the misunderstood victim, and now this. Isn't it time for new leadership...all the way around?

BTW, if Billy Hudson doesn't want a second term as mayor of Muscle Shoals, we believe Jennifer Underwood would make a great successor.

You Have 24 Hours to Decide Your Future

 

Thanks to the Alabama Legislature, most of our towns have just survived unprecedented five year terms of municipal leaders, many who have proved utterly incompetent - see Andy Betterton. Your vote tomorrow may be one of the most important you've ever cast.

We're now close to completing one-fourth of the 21st Century; have you advanced in your life during the past 25 years? How has your hometown advanced? Has it advanced at all?

Florence has suffered through the past five years with Napping Nancy as a "leader." District 2 has been turned into a chess piece. District 6 has become merely a podium for its representative to castigate the citizens of Florence.

Muscle Shoals, Sheffield, and Tuscumbia are facing similar challenges. No candidate is perfect or in agreement with you 100% of the time. You still need to vote.

If you won't do it for Shoalanda, do it for Randolph Scott.

This Is Not Right!

 

If you follow our blog, you know we've read Howard Blum's reports on the Idaho student murders. He wrote that you don't expect to send your child off to college to see him/her come back in a box.

Similarly, no one sends their young high school student off to a day in a Southern public school to see him leave there in an ambulance. What happened?

This is August Van Dervender:

He's young. He's healthy. By all reports, he's popular. How did he come to be severely injured with no witnesses, no video, and no one within Deshler's staff speaking up? (We realize that a lawsuit will be involved here.)

Thank you, Tony Logan, for making sure this is investigated. If there is anyone who is guilty of any crime, we know you'll make sure he is prosecuted...as an adult, we hope.

Amended at 3:00 p.m. that August's legal surname is Borden.

Town Plaza to be Sold?

 

Westgate Investments LLC acquired Town Plaza around December 2022. The company touted its relationship with the town of Sheffield and Mayor Steve Stanley. Now the company wants to leave. Will it be able to find a buyer for the aging shopping center?

Again, we express our surprise that Steve Stanley is running for mayor after his disastrous current term. This letter also roasts candidate Tori Bailey.

For those who say Muscle Shoals and Tuscumbia should divvy up Sheffield, we say what would those two towns want with the icon of ineptness?

A Word from Tori Bailey

 

Great to see Shoalanda Speaks highlighting some of the many challenges we have in Sheffield. I will not speak for any other candidate, but the owner of this particular property said that I could put a sign there. (At the time, there was also a political sign on that very corner for the other female mayoral candidate which has apparently since been removed.) It is always a good idea to show where our problems are, so that we can see what needs to be fixed. Those sidewalks have needed repair for many years. 

The sidewalks by the Boxcar Restaurant, and several others around our City, are also in terrible condition. All of our residents in ALL of our districts deserve decent sidewalks. That is only one challenge that we face. The problems in my District Four neighborhood date back for many years.

When I was elected as a County Commissioner in 2018, my area included portions of Leighton, Muscle Shoals, Tuscumbia, the County, and Sheffield's District Four. People that I know and care about - constituents who live in Sheffield - began to call me because their needs were not being met and no one was advocating for them. As Commissioner, we deal primarily with matters outside municipal limits. In other words, folks who live within the city limits should be able to rely on their mayor and especially their district's council member. But when people told me that their calls were going unanswered, I would meet with them anyway and try to work with city officials to help resolve their problems. 

Sometimes there was nothing I could do, but as the Mayor I will be able to finally help fix what is broken. Sheffield is a good place to live already, but it can be much better. We've got flooding, overgrown right of ways, potholes, and businesses that have closed or moved to other cities because we've made it too hard for them to stay in Sheffield. We have an opportunity to turn things around and expand on the good parts. And it's past time to shine a light on our issues then work together to resolve them. 

So we can talk, complain, and even laugh at our challenges, or we can roll up our sleeves and go to work. Hope you will all go to the polls and vote for a worker who has shown that she gets the job done: Tori Bailey for Mayor of Sheffield. Put me to work for you.

Rescue at Martin Park

 

Gemini

The following is a very fictionalized account of true events...

Operator: Lauderdale 911. Please state the nature of your emergency.

Victim: I'm having a heart attack. I...I need help.

O: Stay calm, sir. What is your location?

V: I'm in Martin Park. About half the way down the walking trail.

O: Martin Luther King Park in Leighton? I'll transfer you to Colbert 911.

V: No! Martin Park in Florence. Please hurry...

O: Hold on. I have a Florence officer here with me. I'll put him on.

Florence Officer Brown: Okay, sir. Can you tell me exactly where you are?

V: Martin Park. Across from the old Coffee baseball field.

F: You're in Coffee County? I'll transfer you.

V: No. I'm in Florence. In Lauderdale County. It's the park named for Mayor Martin.

F: Have you been taking any drugs, sir?

V: No. I'm having a heart attack!

F: The mayor's name is Bedderdown...or something like that...until next November. There's a heavy fine for prank calls.

V: That's okay. I see a Border Collie coming down the trail. I'll get it to drag me to my car and I can drive myself to NAMC. (Silence)

F: Hmmm. He hung up. Must have been drunk.

Pictured: Cory Richardson, District 3 Candidate

Four Muscle Shoals Candidates for a Better City!

 

Stock

Muscle Shoals has as many problems as Florence or Sheffield, although some in power would love to deny it. Look at their "round table" philosophy; all the better to hide the truth unless they're Pigmeat Markham.

How can you retake control of your city? Besides electing Billy Hudson mayor, you have the opportunity to take four districts:

2. Beth Pirtle - She's intelligent and not a self-absorbed snob. Isn't it time to take out the trash? (Her opponent's supporters actually threatened a Florence candidate that we supported.)

3. Scott Hunter - He's more than a chair ornament - he works.

4. Jennifer Underwood - She cares about the city and has the brains to know what's wrong and fix it!

5. Mike Price - To make a clean sweep.

The City Hall Security Project

 

Stock

The strange man wore a mask.

Andy was in an entirely different building, but he was scared.

Andy wanted more security and he wanted it now.

Andy said there was only one bid (it can work that way if it's worked that way.)

Certified Alarm is an old Shoals Company.

Certified Alarm (or its owners) had given money to Andy's campaign...and Ron Tyler's.

Andy just kept pushing and pushing.

Jackie mentioned the AK-47 on the man's YouTube channel.

Citizens objected.

Jimmy implied the citizens were callous.

Everyone voted.

The motion passed 6-0.

August 26th is four days away.

Jive on while you can.

Vote Out the Solar Farms!

 

Stock

From a Colbert County reader:

With all the millions being paid tthrough the buddy system in Muscle Shoals, Sheffield and Tuscumbia, the national news outlets and commentators are revealing the truth. 

President Trump has the backbone to put these idiots on notice. Heaven forbid we lose federal funds over solar farms and the millions our local mayors and Sheffield Utilities' Steve Hargrove are giving their friends for land to do this.

VOTE!!!

Gunner Ford: Another Better Alternative

 

Ford Family

Gunner Ford, Candidate for Florence City Council, Pledges Transparency and Accountability

Florence small business owner and community servant, Gunner Ford, is running for Florence City Council, District 2. Ford, who lives downtown with his wife, and three young children, says his campaign will focus on transparency, fiscal responsibility, and bringing jobs to the city.

For more than a decade, Ford has operated a local mortuary, where he says he learned the values of listening, compassion, and integrity. “In this work, you learn quickly how to serve people in their darkest hours,” Ford said. “I want to bring that same spirit of service and accountability to City Hall.”

Ford’s platform centers on several priorities he believes the city has neglected:

Transparency and Accountability: Ford has pledged to make budgets, contracts, and voting records easily accessible to the public. “The people of Florence shouldn’t have to dig or guess to find out where their tax dollars are going or who they’re benefiting,” he said.

Fiscal Responsibility: With Florence’s sales tax rate among the highest in the state, Ford says he will fight to cut unnecessary spending and gradually reduce the rate by at least 1%. He has also voiced opposition to the proposed $48 million new City Hall, calling instead for more cost-effective alternatives.

Economic Development: Ford argues the city must take a proactive role in attracting industries that align with Florence’s workforce while also looking ahead to new opportunities. “We can’t afford to sit back and hope jobs find us. We need to be aggressive and strategic about recruiting industries that fit Florence and give our young people a reason to stay,” he said. Ford believes Florence is well-positioned to attract STEM-based industries, provided the city partners with local colleges and universities to develop specialized departments and training programs. “If we can build pipelines between education and industry, we’re not only creating jobs—we’re creating long-term careers and giving students a reason to build their future here,” Ford added.

Community Priorities: Ford has highlighted animal welfare and homelessness as areas often overlooked in city discussions. He has proposed exploring self-funded micro dog parks and a Student-Led Homeless Engagement Initiative in partnership with local universities, giving students hands-on career experience while connecting unhoused individuals with resources and recovery options.

Ford also emphasizes support for small businesses, promising to cut red tape and end favoritism that he says currently benefits special interests over local entrepreneurs.

“I’ll be present, accessible, and honest, whether it’s easy or not,” Ford said. “We may not always agree, but you’ll always know where I stand. I’m not a polished politician. I’m a husband, father, and small business owner who loves Florence and its people—and I want to make sure our city commits to us, the people, as much as we’ve all committed to it.”

Another Take on Tuscumbia City Council

 

A long-time reader and contributor has another take on the Tuscumbia council elections:

In Tuscumbia, I want to tell you about two people who are running for city council unopposed. They are Len Gregory and Krista Stanley. I know both of them personally and they aren’t going to be playing around. The clique among the current mayor and city council is going to end. Len and Krista have been talking about some major plans that they are working on as well as having an audit done to find out where all of Tuscumbia’s money has been going to. 

They have said that these people who are constantly wanting something from the mayor and city council can keep their hands in their pockets because those people are not going to be getting any more money, or grants for things that only benefit a handful of people. I’m not sure what some of the other people who are running for city council have in mind but I am certain that Len and Krista are going to be a strong arm for things that benefit everyone in Tuscumbia and not just a select group of people. 

Something else for you to think about, Katie Logan is married to Tony Logan who is the chief of police in Tuscumbia and he is always at the city council meetings. I have heard some people say that this is, and would be a conflict of interest if Katie wins the mayor election.

The LEOs Who Have Left Sheffield

 

Gemini

A reader with inside info has some interesting takes on the Sheffield Police Department and Mayor Steve Stanley:

The mayor choose to pave Pickwick which did not need it but He choose to stop at Edgewood Drive  WHY  because he lives on Edgewood and wants his drive to work smooth.

If you keep going down Pickwick past Edgewood you come to the worse part of Pickwick but he doesn't care because he doesn't drive that way to work.

Police Department.

Officers that have left in the past 6 months:

4 officers to Florence PD

1 to Lauderdale Co.

2 to Town Creek

1 to Moulton

1 to Cherokee.

1 to pardons & parole 

Maybe the new mayor "Penny Freeman" will get the police department back in top shape where it used to be.

A Resident on the State of Sheffield

 

Some interesting and vetted information from a Sheffield citizen:

Since Christopher Tate has assumed the role as Chief of Police at Sheffield Police Department. Not only have there been a significant loss in the number of manpower but as well as the amount of patrols being done. As it sits now there are from top to bottom, there are only 11 employees at Sheffield Police Department. There are only 2 officers on patrol at all times in the City of Sheffield. At this point, being a concerned citizen of the shoals area, I believe that Colbert County Sheriff’s Department should absorb the City of Sheffield. 

Furthermore, Sheffield Police Department on May 26th, 2025 (Memorial Day). Sheffield Police Department held a Memorial Day/ Community Cookout at Riverfront Park. I have it on very good accounts and were able to confirm on multiple sources that Chief Christopher Tate as well as other officers consumed alcohol at this event. So much so that it was to the extent that Chief Christopher Tate was unable to drive his vehicle home and had to have a fellow employee drive him home. It is important to know that it was advertised on Sheffield Police Department’s Facebook page on May 20th, 2025. Sheffield Police Department gave thanks to multiple companies and individual people for donating food and money to the event that resulted in Chief Christopher Tate and other officers getting drunk. The Facebook post from Sheffield Police Department mentions thanking Sam’s Club, Wal-Mart (Florence), Wal-Mart (Muscle Shoals), Foodland (Sheffield), Dollar General (Sheffield), and Pastor Stephen Gill for their donations. It is to the best of my knowledge that Pastor Stephen Gill is a current Civil Service Member over Sheffield Police Department. Not only do I believe this to be absurd and an extreme breach of trust and professionalism. It also showcases the current state that the Sheffield Police Department is in. They have posted all the time about recruiting “Looking for community minded people willing to serve and protect the City on the Bluff”. If hosting a Memorial Day/ Community Cookout and having the Chief of Police get drunk is their idea of serving and protecting their community, no wonder there are so many lawsuits against the police department. I was also made aware that a homeless member of the shoals, he as well requested to remain anonymous. He protested that he was arrested by Sheffield Police Department and charged for trespassing and possessing a bottle of liquor at Avalon Park. He stated that he was simply sleeping at the park because it was raining and he was homeless and didn’t want to sleep in the rain. He further disclosed that when he asked the officer what his charges were, he was told criminal trespassing and violation of Sheffield City Ordinance 3.7.. He further stated that he was never given any paperwork stating that he was trespassed from a public park. He further stated that when he asked what city ordinance 3.7 was he was told that it is an ordinance that prohibits the consumption, possession, sale, trade or purchase of alcohol at any public park in the City of Sheffield. I then asked the homeless citizen about what time he was arrested. He stated that it was around Memorial Day, but could not give an exact date.  After being told this, I confirmed that Riverfront Park is a public park within the City of Sheffield. If one of our community members is going to be charged from the violation of that city ordinance. Shouldn’t the Chief of Police be charged as well? I mean they are supposed to be held to a higher standard, aren’t they? Why should Sheffield Police officers and their Chief of Police be able to get away with breaking the laws that they are sworn to protect but everyone else has to pay the cost and pay their fines to go to the City of Sheffield. Say what you want about Former Chief Ricky Terry but I never heard of him breaking laws. 

I have also learned that Chief Christopher Tate not only is being picky about hiring officers to replace the ones that have left or got charges/lawsuits filed against them but he also hires his friends and promotes them quickly. I have seen this officer come back to Sheffield Police Department and then shortly after be promoted to Lieutenant. That officer being Regina Cantrell. I was told by citizens of Sheffield that Regina Cantrell left Sheffield Police Department as a Lieutenant shortly after Former Chief Ricky Terry took office. I also have it on good sources that Regina Cantrell after she departed from Sheffield Police Department went to work for a neighboring county as a School Resource Officer and stayed in this role for over 4 years. I was also told that Regina Cantrell and Chief Christopher Tate and his wife Dionna Tate stayed in close contact and even attended get togethers at Chief Christopher Tate’s home in Sheffield. Once Christopher Tate took on the role as Chief of Police, Regina Cantrell came back to Sheffield Police Department after a 5 year hiatus from working as a patrol officer. She was then promoted back to Lieutenant within 60 days after coming back. So my takeaway from this is that if you are good friends with Christopher Tate then you will move up quickly in the ranks. Here I thought Former Chief Ricky Terry was bad but good grief Chief Christopher Tate is making a strong case.

I have also learned that the Mayor of Sheffield (Steve Stanley) was made aware of the events at Riverfront Park and Regina Cantrell. I was told that a meeting was held with Sheffield’s Civil Service Board about Riverfront Park and Regina Cantrell. It is apparent that they are more concerned about repaving Hatch Boulevard than what’s going on under their own roof. I can name a dozen more roads in Sheffield that need to be repaved before Hatch Boulevard. Maybe Mayor Stanley is thinking if he repaves a main road in Sheffield that it will win him votes in the election and will outshine his failing choice in Police Chiefs and his failed community.

Accused Child Predator Denied Youthful Offender

 

He's a rosy cheeked blond who looks like he could star in a "good genes" commercial. You might call Caden Robert Miles an all-American boy. The Lauderdale County District Attorney's office calls the 21 year-old Caden something else.

Young Mr. Miles lives in the Oak Hills subdivision of Florence and, until now, has seemed to lead a very charmed and lucky life. He's never been a throwaway kid as so many who are accused of sex crimes against children. He graduated from Florence High School in 2022 where he was a an all-star baseball player and ran track. After finishing high school, Caden attended UNA, but dropped out after one semester.

If you Google Caden, you'll see that he calls himself a "designer" and has a shop on Etsy. That's in addition to the plum job of inspector with the Alabama Department of Transportation. Unfortunately, he is accused of also accumulating quite a collection of child pornography. 

After detectives finished their investigation, Caden was indicted on 151 charges of porn possession. His attorneys quickly sought youthful offender status, but, not surprisingly, a judge has denied the request.

Now Caden Robert Miles will face a trial the week of October 6th. If convicted of the charges related to Child Abuse Material, he faces the possibility of one to 10 years on each possession count. We wouldn't want his attorney bills.

Helping Battered Women Stay Safe

 

Gemini

Are you afraid to register to vote...afraid your batterer will find your address on the voter rolls? You don't have to be. Sheffield mayoral candidate Penny Freeman has provided some extremely interesting information to us:

I just learned something that I wish I’d known — and I bet I’m not the only one. If you’re a victim of domestic violence, fleeing an abusive situation, OR living in a household with someone who is, you can fill out a simple form with the Alabama Secretary of State’s office to have your residential and mailing address removed from the public voter list. That means you don’t have to give up your right to vote out of fear for your safety. Unfortunately, I only just found out about this, so it may not apply in time for the upcoming election, but it’s too important not to share. Everyone deserves to have their voice heard without risking their safety. Here’s the form: https://www.sos.alabama.gov/sites/default/files/voter-pdfs/Domestic_Violence_Affidavit.pdf Please share — someone you know might need this.

Cavapoochons? Really?

 

You may have seen this ad in the TimesDaily. Did you think: What in the world is a Cavapoochon? We clicked on the ad to see if our suspicions were correct - and they were.

A Cavapoochon is part Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, part Poodle, and part Bichon Frise. In other words, as cute as they are, they're still a Mutt.

Our local shelter is full of Mutts who're looking for a furever home. We promise you'll love your shelter rescue just as much as you would this Frankenstein concoction of canine genes.

Check them out at 3240 Roberson Boulevard just off Chisholm Road in Florence.

Sheffield & Tuscumbia City Councils?

 

We've previously offered endorsements in Sheffield for mayor (Penny Freeman) as well as Tuscumbia (Katie Logan); however, we have not spoken about city council positions. We've looked at the candidates and feel that we don't know enough about their platforms to offer an opinion. 

In Sheffield, there is no dramatic issue, other than attempting to retrieve the Inspiration Landing property from John Elkington. Unfortunately, none of the Sheffield candidates has offered any positive input on that issue. 

In Tuscumbia, our readers are asking for new leadership in the mayor's office, but have no opinions on the council. Yes, a new mayor should be able to lead the city in a positive direction.

Next, we'll look at the Muscle Shoals Council. Comments are always welcome.

FLAS Needs a Benefactor

 

Recently, a philanthropist paid to have the Shoals Theatre sign totally refurbished. A wealthy entrepreneur who graduated from Brooks High built the school a new press box. Kudos to both individuals!

We're asking someone to step up and purchase Florence Animal Services a new transport van. Pictured above is the van mayor Andy Betterton donated to the department. It's out of service more than it is in. The heating and cooling don't work - not surprising since it was the oldest the City owned.

If you can help, call Cheryl Jones at 256-760-6676.

The Benches Went Walkabout and Never Returned

 

Gemini

Most benches installed in public areas today have an armrest in the middle to deter stray citizens from making like a cat. That apparently wasn't a problem when the last Court Street renovation was planned since none of the benches featured that hardware. By June 2021, when the alley behind Ricatoni's filled up, many of the city's unhoused were appropriating these older benches on South Court where foot traffic was not a major problem. Then police chief Ron Tyler decided to put a stop to it.

Tyler had six of these benches removed from their pavilions for "three to four weeks," stating the confiscation was purely temporary. Now four years later, the benches are still missing. 

A concerned citizen has asked where they are. Why have they not been returned after all this time? The area is home to both a popular pharmacy and veterans' affairs office. It would seem both endeavors would need this seating from time to time.

The homeless...there but for the absolute beneficence of God.

Well...Florence is Getting Some Bigger

 

Here's a population snapshot of nine Alabama cities over the past 75  years. We honestly didn't know Huntsville was that small in 1950.

Only Birmingham and Gadsden have lost population, but the remaining seven cities have grown at much different rates. Florence is considered "rural" due to it's being over 50 miles from a metropolitan area and not having at least 100K residents.

Combine that with the fact it's so far from an Interstate, chances of a substantial new industry are extremely slim. If SEDA really wanted to help, the board would be out each day digging for gold or uranium.

He Brags of Being on the SEDA Board