Brian T. Beadle/Missing Cherokee Fuel?

Brian T. Beadle resides in Florence. Last Saturday night at approximately 10:30, Mr. Beadle was traveling south on Nathan Boulevard, anticipating a left turn onto Hatch Boulevard to continue into Muscle Shoals where he has stated a friend lives. Nathan Boulevard is also known at U.S. Hwy 43 and Jackson Highway; in other words, it's a well lit highway, and it was a clear night. The area is highly built up. Deer would be a rarity, and dogs would also steer clear of this heavily traveled approach to a major intersection. That does not mean that neither would ever be encountered.

What Mr. Beadle did encounter was Mr. James Lambert. We had never met Mr. Lambert, but we do know unless there are medical problems, a grown man is at least 5' 2" in height. Mr. Lambert was probably considerably taller...taller than a deer and certainly much taller than a dog.

Sadly, we also know that when a large vehicle hits a pedestrian, the body is apt to be thrown onto the hood of the vehicle, and certainly headlights are often broken out. Unless Mr. Beadle was impaired for some reason, he knew what he hit was quite large and in all probability knew he had hit a person.

Mr. Beadle turned around, but did not stop. Did he see Mr. Lambert lying in the road as he turned? Certainly most of us would have looked to see if what we hit was still moving. Why didn't Mr. Beadle? Or did he see his victim lying there and callously head back to his home in North Florence without any remorse?

That's right, if you haven't already heard, Mr. Brian T. Beadle suddenly decided to forgo his visit in Muscle Shoals and return to his home in Florence where he parked his truck. Why would Mr. Beadle, 50 years of age and no novice driver, have behaved in that manner?

Only three reasons come to mind: He was impaired (drunk as a skunk or high as a kite), he had no insurance, he had outstanding warrants for his arrest. Whatever his reason for committing a felony hit and run, he has now hired former Judge Jimmy Sandlin to defend him. (Feel free to insert any jokes here.)

What can Mr. Beadle anticipate? Since he turned himself in over 24 hours after the event, many drugs would no longer be discernible in his system. If his reason for running from his crime was indeed impairment, it may be hard to prove. What does Brian T. Beadle deserve if this was the case? We believe the standard sentence for this type of manslaughter is 15 years, which would mean at most five years--a small price to pay for taking a life.

*****

It must always be raining in Cherokee, since Councilwoman Thelma Lambert has never heard of Sunshine...or at least the state's Sunshine Law. It seems on Tuesday night she asked the council to approve a motion prohibiting public access to certain town records. This comes at the first city council meeting after a more than startling piece of investigative journalism was published in The Connection: Link

Live in Cherokee? Then you deserve to know what, if anything, has happened to over 10K in fuel that your taxpayer dollars have funded. After that is straightened out, we suggest you start looking at other areas for misspent/misplaced funds.

*****

Many years ago schools taught basic manners. We suppose they no longer do so due to time contraints brought about by all the pat downs for weapons that occupy much class room time. That being said, let's do a little remedial teaching in good manners that also touches on basic vocabulary.

Congratulations? Don't know what that word means? It means the person to whom the comment is directed has accomplished something or won a prize. Oh, you knew that you said. Then why do some individuals "congratulate" a bride? We're sure Judith Martin feels a disturbance in the force.

Congratulations to the groom; best wishes to the bride (she usually needs them). With that in mind, best wishes to our friend Kari-Kay Harp who has embarked on the sea of matrimony. Congratulations to Jordan Cassady who has indeed won a prize.

Shoalanda

"I'm Appalled by Richard Hull"

I'm Appalled by Richard Hull

A Guest Commentary By

Bull Dog

Have you seen the latest outburst of Richard Hull of Sheffield? You need look no further than the Shoals Insider:

If this doesn't ring a bell, here's the copy from some of his Courier Journal ads:

Our Government Did The 911 Murders

Otherwise Rumsfeld would retract his statment that a missile hit the Pentagon.

Otherwise Silversteen would retract his statment that he and Controlled Demolition Ic. "pulled" Building Six at 3pm.

Otherwise the passenger listwould include arab nams or false names. There are none. No dead arbas were recovered. No engines were found from 77 or 93. No flight data recorders were found. No air traffic controllers will affirm there were real hijackings. No family members witnessed the take-off of any airplane.

No air traffic controllers will affirm that any of the four airplanes took off.

There were no boarding gate securiity videos because it was a simulated counter-hijacking security exercise.

Paid Advertisement - Richard Hull 383-7838

Author: A B "Richard" Hull
501 East 11th Street
Sheffield, Alabama 35660
256-383-7838

The above is an insult to all Americans. Hull talks about someone wishing to commit him? What's taking them so long? If the ads aren't bad enough, Hull was charged in 2007 with killing a neighbor's cat. I don't know how he got out of that cruel crime.

It's time someone took a long look at Richard Hull and did something. Is Sheffield too busy to look into this?

*****

We'll certainly agree that Mr. Hull has been a thorn in the side of Sheffield for some time. The 1957 grad of Sheffield High School was arrested in 2007 on charges of animal cruelty and obstruction of government operations in Sheffield. The next year he filed a claim for almost 2k in damages against the city.

If Mr. Hull continues to be a nuisance to his neighbors, we suggest they contact not only the Sheffield Police, but band together to hire an attorney. Mr. Hull is obviously ill, but there is no excuse for such animal cruelty or abuse of those who have served our country. We would also suggest that local media refuse to take any more ads from Mr. Hull; however, we realize that in most of these cases, those who have the funds are the ones making their voices heard the loudest.



Shoalanda

How Much to Move Tony Logan Trial?

Judge Gil Self has now ruled on a change of venue for Tony Logan's Circuit Court DUI trial; however, the site has yet to be selected. Just how much will it cost the taxpayers of Lauderdale County? Remember, this is originally a Florence Municipal case that has been appealed to circuit court. Citizens of Florence have already paid for the Tuscumbia chief's first trial, albeit a short one.

Sources with the court system indicate that for a change of venue to be effective it would require a location far away enough from the Shoals to preclude most participants from driving each day, assuming the trial lasts over one day--and it has been predicted that it will.

Lauderdale County would be responsible for travel, food, and lodging for the judge, prosecutor, investigator(s), and witnesses. It could also be responsible for providing an extra suite or similar rented facility for the prosecution to work on the case after the courthouse closes. Our source stated that if the prosecution calls enough witnesses, the charges could reach 5K a day.

One would think the trial would not last over two days, but many of those involved would also need to remain during the jury deliberations. So, just how much are we looking at? Expenses over 10K would not be unheard of for such a trial, although we hope they would be considerably less. If Logan were proclaiming his innocence, we could understand his need for vindication, but an appeal over a technicality? Tuscumbia seems intent on keeping Logan as chief no matter the outcome; does this mean Tony Logan himself is preparing to change jobs and wishes to have an unencumbered record?

*****

We have an addendum from Tiffany Potts Evans whom we featured yesterday:

Also let me add the vote to see if such and such is going to hell is only to see if their crime is hell-worthy and is more symbolic than anything. We do know that we can't send anyone to hell. Sorry about forgetting that but it is important because a lot of people tell us who are you to judge? We are just judging if your crime is hell-worthy or not.



Shoalanda

Meet Tiffany Potts Evans

Meet Tiffany Potts Evans. Tiffany and her family live in Franklin County. Since becoming interested in local crime, Tiffany has turned her writing talent to good use. Here's a little about Tiffany in her own words:

Hello, my name is Tiffany Potts Evans from Franklin County AL. I was sent to the PYSIH website to read up on the Christie Scott case from here in Russellville AL. Once I started reading all the stories on that site I realized there are so many other victims that have been silenced and forgot about in a way. There were only a few stories from Alabama.

We all know of several crimes, some solved and some unsolved, right here in North Alabama. So I wrote Max the Cat editor of PYSIH, and asked him if he'd publish a story if I submitted it. He told me to write it and he would help with the editing if need be. My first story was on a Huntsville woman named Natashay Ward who starved her 3 kids to death. Then came the story of Paul and Kim Gonzalez whose 5 year old daughter Andrea has never been found. You see we at PYSIH don't just write these stories because we love to dwell on blood, death, torture and the misfortune of others that some commenters swear we do, we are a voice for the victims.

Sometimes the victim's family even stand up for the offender, so who is to speak for those victims? I'm no professional journalist--just an ordinary woman who is tired of the victims being forgot about so the POS offenders get their rights handed to them on a silver platter. Of course you'll notice the sarcasm in our stories but honestly it's hard to write a story such as Jesse Compton and Stella Kiser without showing sarcasm. It actually hurts my heart and even makes me cry to write these stories.

I also have a 4 1/2 year old daughter and to research then write the stories will leave deep scars in any person with a heart. It actually took me 3 days to research/write down and then another 1-2 days to type it out. I just want new people that discover or read PYSIH to realize it's very gut wrenching and will cause nightmares from some of these stories but it's all for the victims and their families, not for the monsters and their enablers. Most of the regular commenters at PYSIH have had physical, sexual, mental abuse and have gone through hardships in their own lives and it's a very good place to feel at home and accepted amongst their peers who have been through obstacles in their own lives. We are just one big happy family. I have met and appreciate each and every one of my new found friends at PYSIH. For anyone wanting to check out PYSIH go ahead but remember these stories are horrific and should only be viewed by adults.

Thanks and eager to meet our new readers.

No, Tiffany, we thank you for your writing. We can testify it's not easy, but if just one family member sends thanks, often stating they had thought everyone had forgotten the victim, it's worth it. We know that Tiffany has a very large readership on a national site, but we hope she will do some pieces for us in the future.

Here's the latest from Tiffany: Jodey Wayne Waldop

*****

A note on a related matter: We've been asked if we have ever discovered facts concerning a convicted criminal or suspect that we didn't publish. Obviously, we hear and read much that can't be proved, but we do usually manage to present the known facts to our readers.

The one time we didn't? We began research on sex offender advocates after learning of Derek Logue, then of Sheffield. The garbage that these advocates preach concerning children is so sickening that we chose not to finish the blog. Nothing we have encountered before or since has truly turned our stomach in such a way.

Logue sent us many e-mails threatening lawsuits for invasion of privacy, yet he published the same material on his pro-sex offender blogs. He objected to our remark that all sex offenders should literally be branded as such. We invite those with a strong stomach to read the propaganda he and others of his ilk write and then judge what should be done with those who choose to have sex with children and are proud of it. Please keep your children safe--there's no such thing as too much vigilance.



Shoalanda

Reedtown Rapist to Serve Three Years

Mark Anthony Hurley, dubbed by local law enforcement the Reedtown Rapist, will serve at least three years and one day in jail for his latest rape. Franklin County District Attorney Joey Rushing deemed the split sentence the best way to ensure Hurley would do a substantial amount of time in prison and, considering previous jury verdicts, we agree.

After his release from prison, the 34 year-old Hurley will then face five years of probation. Any violation of the terms of his probation will send the Reedtown Rapist to prison to serve the remainder of his twenty year sentence. Mark Anthony Hurley's record goes back at least ten years; besides several rape/assault charges, Hurley has also previously been convicted of second degree escape.

Related posts:

The Reedtown Rapist Is Free Yet Again

Rushing to Judgment

*****

Whippoorwill Hollow Films is seeking actors and writers for a comedy sketch they're filming for YouTube. If you think you have what it takes, contact Steve or Sheri at 256-412-5186.



Shoalanda

Russellville Church & CRACK House

Our recent column on the plethora of legal woes in Russellville prompted one reader to write concerning what he called "off brand" churches in the Franklin County seat. We agree that a lower socio-economic-status usually presents in a large number of storefront churches, but we do have to poke just a little fun at this one: The So Help Me God Church of Christ and CRACK House Ministries. CRACK being an acronym for Christ Resurrects After Crack Kills. We're going to bet they have a thrift store too.

*****

Our friend and CASA Board member Tina Parker has asked us to announce:

We are selling Whole Hog chicken plates again for CASA next Friday (4/8) at NW-SCC (Hospitality House). Buy your tickets from me or from another board member between now and Tuesday. We will have LIMITED extra plates to buy at the door. $8 each.

*****

For all you Josh Willingham fans out there, here's a great chance to catch any of these you may have missed: Link



Shoalanda

Unequal Justice? Surely It's Not Based on Sex Appeal?

This is a booking photograph of Amanda Leigh Houk, 40, a Madison County License Clerk who was convicted in March of embezzling over 40K. There has been no mention of a previous criminal record.



This is a booking photograph of Pam Gay Taylor, 55, a Franklin County Volunteer Fire Department treasurer convicted in March of embezzling over 32K. There has been no mention of a previous criminal record.

Which woman received the longer sentence? If you guessed Ms. Houk, you're obviously using logic--something that is often absent from the Alabama judicial system.

Pam Gay Taylor was sentenced by Judge Terry Dempsey to ten years, split with two to serve in actual prison. If during the remaining eight years of probation, Ms. Taylor should again run afoul of the law, she would be returned to state custody.

Amanda Houk was sentenced by Judge Dennis O'Dell to three years on probation. If she remains on the straight and narrow she will never see the inside of a prison. Why the huge difference?

Different judges
Different prosecutors
Different defense attorneys
Different...physical attributes

Oh, but the latter should never come into play? No, it never should.

*****

When the Webster Inn first opened as a Ramada, it was a jewel in Sheffield's crown. Now, the hotel doesn't have sufficient funds to pay its utility bill. Why? From reviews online, it would appear to be more than just the amount of competition. Here for your reading enjoyment...

9/11/07 - In our room, the wallpaper was coming off the walls, the ceiling in the bathroom was falling down, and there were stains on the side of the mattress (gross - looked like dried blood). The towels were thin, too. The water tasted funny, so we went to the vending machine -- no water. We asked at the desk, and they gave us a glass of water. We tried to save a couple of bucks, but it wasn't worth it.

10/31/07 - It was by far the worst hotel experience I have ever had. Not only was the staff rude and uncooperative, but the room itself was not sufficiently stocked or in good condition.

My husband and I chose to stay at Webster the night of our anniversary. We stayed in a suite. When we first arrived in the room, there were light bulbs missing from the lamp and the shower was constantly dripping. We left shortly after checking in and returned to get ready for dinner since we had reservations. We discovered that the comforter had cigarette burns in it and that the iron was missing. Not to mention, the wallpaper was coming off the walls. And management went in our room despite the DO NOT DISTURB sign.

The management was even worse. they refused to give our money back or switch us into another room. They kicked us out for asking for extra pillows and towels on the night of our anniversary. As we left the manager wished us a happy rest of our anniversary. The peole here have no customer service skills and are racist. DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME OR MONEY. THIS IS A CRAP MOTEL.

2/5/08 - We wanted to stay at this hotel because of the advertisement of a jacuzzi suite and well it was our anniversary. We arrived at the hotel and the lobby looked decent but when we arrived in our suite it looked like a pay by the hour room. All of the furniture was very outdated, worn out, sinking in and different colors. There were smears all over the mirror, the cabinets under sink were falling in and jacuzzi was rusted and filthy. Wallpaper and some sheetrock was falling off the walls. We left and went to get dinner and a movie. When we arrived back the parking lot was so packed that we had to find a place to park in the grass along with many other people. When we went to our room our walls were shaking and you could loudly hear the bass from the band unstairs at the hotel bar. We went to the front desk and asked if there was another suite we could move to and the night auditor said no, so we asked for our money back and he said no again. So finally after a little convincing he just happened to find another suite available. When we checked that room out it was in the same condition maybe a tad better but it was right next door to our previous suite -so we had the same noise problem.There were people walking down the hallways being very loud. We went back upstairs and asked for a down grade to a regular room and the night auditor said i cannot do that. We were pretty upset by this time and asked for a manager. This guy comes walking out from behind the counter (looked very unprofessional and i believed was chewing tobacco). I explained what was going on and he said "well sometimes i have to park in the grass and i work here" his reply to the loud band was "well theyll be winding down around 2AM and then you can go to sleep" he also told us there was no one walking in the hallways being loud and we were imagining it. I could not believe this guys management skills-he would not accomodate his $175.00 paying guests. He would not budge on giving us our money back or another room. I told him i was going to post bad reviews and his reply - "OK-go ahead" So about 10 minutes of arguing with this guy he finally said i can downgrade you to a single room on the other side of the hotel. The downgrade was in terrible condition but quite so by this time we were just tired and wanted to go to bed. I would never recommend this place to anyone. I have stayed at plenty of hotels/motels before and this one gets the grande prize for the worst hotel not only in looks but also in service. If you are thinking of staying at this hotel please consider a chain/name-brand hotel first.

6/23/08 - My family and I went up there for a meeting. The hotel was disgusting. We had cigarette holes in our beds, there were roaches, the bathroom was dingy and unclean, the rug was filthy, the walls were speckled and had things wiped on them. The bed was extremely uncomfortable. The staff was distant and strange. Everything needs to be updated. It was extremely ugly. The hotub/pool was okay. The pool did have quite a bit of bugs, however. The bar was filled with people that weren't staying in the hotel.

8/18/08 - This hotel was awful! The room smelled bad! The sink was stopped up and the bathroom was dirty. The beds and pillows were as flat as a board! You could see foot prints in the bottom of the pool where it had not been cleaned. The air did not work right in the rooms. It was dirty and i would not recommend that anyone stay in the hotel.

2/15/10 - The rooms were filthy and there appeared to be vagrants hanging out at the pool. When we saw to HUGE cockroaches in our room that was it. This is truly an example of getting what you pay for. It was by far the cheapest hotel in the area and we quickly found out why. I went to the local Walmart to disinfect the bathroom and purchase a new pillow and sheets. When we checked out I filled out the comment card and never heard back. Finally I just disputed the charge with Amex and got a refund.

9/13/10 - This hotel was very poorly managed. Bathroom was so dirty, I would never have taken a bath in it. We had a "no smoking" room but the blanket on the bed had huge cigarette burns in it and cigarette burns were all in the dirty, soiled carpet. The paint on the ceiling in the bathroom was falling off. On one side of the bed, there was a spot which looked as if someone had thrown up on the carpet. Three of the light fixtures in the room had blown bulbs which left the room very dimly lit. The furniture was dirty and outdated as was the decor of the room, halls & lobby of the hotel. Also, aside from myself and my sister-in-law, I saw no other women guest in this place which I found very strange. The carpet in the hallway leading to the rooms had huge dirty, soiled spots all over. This was the dirtiest hotel I have ever stayed in and if we had not been so tired, we would have left. Most miserable night I have ever had in a hotel. Cheap price, cheap hotel. You get what you pay for! The Health Department should pay this place a visit!



Shoalanda