New Era in Florence-Lauderdale/VOCAL Award

Yesterday ushered in a new era of ambulance service in the Florence-Lauderdale area. Shoals Ambulance Service now holds the city-county contract, replacing Lauderdale EMS, a division of Keller EMS. Will Keller continue to operate from its Florence base on Dr. Hicks Boulevard? We'll have updates when available.

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Several sources have reported that Logan's Road House has backed out of plans to open a restaurant on Woodward Avenue in Muscle Shoals. We understand Krystal has selected a currently occupied parcel on which to build its new store. We'll have an update on this as soon as we can confirm the location, but if reports are correct, it will be very close to its former site.

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Some updated info on Brandon Shane Munday from the Moulton Advertiser: Mundy and the town of North Courtland also face a civil lawsuit, filed by Stephen Heninger of the Birmingham firm Heninger Garrison Davis and Jeff Bowling of the Russellville firm Bedford, Rogers and Bowling. The suit was filed in circuit court on behalf of Adam Cox, a family member of the victims.

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From D.K.:

Rebecca Condrey of Florence got The State VOCAL "Victims of Crime and Leniency" Volunteer of the Year Award at the State Vigil Friday night in Montgomery. VOCAL has seven chapters throughout the state. All members are volunteers, except for the Director Janette Grantham and Counselor Eddie Sammons. Any and all help to victims is of no charge from VOCAL.

The Shoals Chapter members are proud of Rebecca Condrey for her hard work and dedication for supporting Victims of Crime in Northwest Alabama. Charles and Rebecca, after the loss of their son Troy Condrey in year 2000, have turned to giving back the love and understanding to new Victims of Crime that they received from VOCAL in their darkest days, by supporting the families through the hardest times of their lives throughout the Justice System and afterwards.

Rebecca and Charles have very good family and church support that (along with VOCAL) have been there for them. Congrats to you Rebecca from all the Shoals area and the Shoals Chapter! 

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We'll add the congratulations of the rest of us here at Shoalanda. Rebecca is extremely deserving of this award, and we appreciate her efforts on behalf of local victims and their families.

Shoalanda

Gullible?/The Burmese Are Here!

Mike Goens of the TimesDaily, aka TotallyDecatur, had a very interesting column earlier this week on gullibility. We agree 100%. Excellent example of this is their recent article on the divining of graves, with absolutely no mention of what makes this phenomenon "work." Think back to Halloween of 2011, when the TD ran an article on the Weeden Home wherein good ol' Capt. Magic stated a person named Silverman owned the home in the early 1900s. The TD just might want to publish a little rebuttal or other viewpoints on some of these "harmless" filler articles.

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While we're on the subject of incorrect information today, do we ever publish something that's incorrect? We're sure we do and strive to correct it. The most negative feedback we ever received was concerning our blog on Ron Wikkid Weems proposing from jail.

While Ron's intended said a resounding no, that didn't stop Ron from announcing to his jailers that he would soon wed. We believe it takes two to make an actual engagement, but we predict the Wikkid one will soon be romancing from a maximum security cell. There are many online sites that cater to prisoners who wish to proclaim their innocence and find mates at the same time. They also find gullible (there's that word again) women who put money on their books.

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At least one reader was curious as to the nationality of Johnson Myit, under arrest in Franklin County for soliciting an 11 year-old girl for prostitution. Myit is from Burma, sometimes called Myanmar, or at least that is the origin of his name.

Pilgrim's Pride has a diverse staff, no?




Shoalanda

The Night Shay Ledlow Died

A source in the Russellville Police Department has brought some interesting facts to our attention. It seems the night Shay Nicole Ledlow died at the home she shared with Jason Dewayne Green, there were other crimes taking place at the salvage yard Green owned along with his father. A vehicle disappeared and firefighters were called to a small fire that was later proved to be arson.

Are these two crimes related to Shay's alleged murder? We have no idea. Obviously it's possible that these events were simply coincidences, but it's highly unlikely.

Shay's family has waited over two years for Green to be brought to trial. Let's hope justice will finally be served.

Related post: Shay Ledlow

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By request, an appearance from Hipster Kitty:

Shoalanda

Who Needs the "Weekly World News?"

The Weekly World News may be defunct, but we have the TotallyDecatur to bring us our daily chuckles. Little pertinent news, but a lot of humor--intentional or not. Today's TD has a story on the so-called art of divining or dowsing. The subject of the article suggested readers look it up online, so we did.

The first dubious aspect of this pseudo-scientific research seems to be, while the subject of the article uses wire coat-hangers, any metal...or wood...can be used. Hmmmm. The second highly illogical aspect of divining is that it's used not only for bodies, but to find water and buried treasure. How do these magical coat hangers know what they're supposed to be looking for?

In that case, just what is going on? Here's a great article that explains the so-called phenomenon. For those pressed for time, skip to the bottom two paragraphs: Grave Dowsing Reconsidered.

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In another bizarre story worthy of the old WWN, Cleonita Suzie Damanazine announces her candidacy for local office. She's running on her record as a nutritionist and promises to bring back sensible eating to the Shoals.

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In still other bizarre news, if you've ever had an online site you know how many spam comments you'll have to delete. These can range from ads for payday loans to online pharmacies. We've gotten some spam concerning real estate in Wales before, but received one this morning concerning cottage rental...in Korea. Sounds lovely.



Shoalanda

"Still Got a Big Scar" From Brandon Shane Mundy

Cowboy cop Brandon Shane Mundy has taken a second plea deal--this one in the beating of a Town Creek man who was cooperating with the arresting officers. Last month, Munday took a plea in two vehicular homicide deaths from his stint as an officer with the North Courtland Police.

Munday's victim from his 12-day stint with the Town Creek Police, whom we'll call simply C.T., has stated: Yea he was crazy. I should know I'm the Guy there (sic) talking about I still got a big scar on my head from mundys beating. 

Munday now faces one to 10 years in Federal prison, as well as a civil suit brought by the children of the couple he killed in July 2009.

Related post: Cowboy Cop

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From Mike Goens' column July 15, 2012: In Muscle Shoals, a Logan’s Roadhouse restaurant is in the works. It would be built on the Southgate Mall property now occupied by Krystal Restaurant. Krystal would find a new home.

It seems the Krystal vacated the building within a few weeks of this story, but where's Logan's? Where's the new Krystal? Any readers have an update?



Shoalanda

But I Did Not Shoot the Deputy...

Speaking of songs, we've Heard It Through the Grapevine that a Lauderdale County deputy was shot Friday...during qualifications...with an assault weapon. How does something like that happen? We have no idea, especially since the report stated he shot himself...in the finger. How does something like that happen? We are very sorry for any discomfort this deputy has endured, but we have to say it was hard not to laugh...just a little.

The election can't come soon enough...

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So what did happen to Laurel Pruett's money? We don't know what happened to the proceeds of the first check, but according to a source close to Pruett, she used the second check to purchase Ron Wikked Weems a new computer and blew much more on several meals at fancy restaurants and a shopping spree with their daughter. What would last most of us three years, lasted Ron and Laurel just three weeks.

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Ron Wikkid's cousin, noted for making threats before his trial for murder, has been arrested in Lauderdale County on more harassment charges as well as Second Degree Theft. Sources at the Florence-Lauderdale Detention Center state she remains in custody in lieu of bond. At this rate, Tanisha Tetter Welch will be with Laurel and Ashley soon enough. 

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Shoalanda

Those Low Down Druggie Blues

Most of us know things don't really go better with coke, or whatever the drug of choice may be. Two arrests earlier this week bring this reality home. First we have Cotey Allen Speyer of Russellville.

This is one the more unusual pics of Cotey since he's not wearing shades. Cotey openly states on Facebook that he wears his sunglasses indoors to hide his eyes. Red? Blown pupils? Who knows?

Earlier this week the 21 year-old Cotey and an underage Franklin County youth were arrested for taking part in four business burglaries plus several car break-ins. Cotey states he went to Haleyville High School in Winston County, but a source at the Russellville Police Department tells us he once attended Tharptown in Franklin County.

Tharptown isn't known for its liberal views on certain segments of the population, including not just those who indulge in the occasional toke, but those who may in some way be gender benders. After viewing Cotey's mug shot, we had to ask our informant if Cotey was gay. The reply? "He didn't used to be."

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Next let's look at Stacey Mae Ivy. Stacey hasn't had it so easy the past two years or so. Her father Jerry Ivy was murdered by his cousin Junior Clemmons and her young son Kamron was taken into state custody. Stacey states on Facebook that she's in the process of reforming her life and will soon regain custody of the young boy.

The problem seems to be that while the 29 year-old East Florence woman is in the process of reformation, she continues to indulge...in something. Her FB page mentions "crunk." Since we have a very limited vocabulary, we had to look it up. Crunk could mean crazy drunk, but probably means a combo of pot (chronic) and drunk. Still not quite mother material.

Now Stacey and boy friend Stephen Priest have been arrested in Sheffield (mugshot at right) for shoplifting, and when apprehended were found to be in possession of some very interesting drugs. Authorities say possession of LSD is extremely rare in this area. Perhaps it was Timothy Leary's birthday? No?

Actually, Stacey has stated this weekend is her 30th birthday and she'll be keeping her friends abreast of the her plans for celebration. Somehow we predict any celebrations will be held in the Tuscumbia City Jail where Colbert County's female prisoners are incarcerated.

Related post: Jerry Ivy 

UPDATE: We had someone on Facebook, a Mars Hill graduate no less, inquire if the crimes of these two are actually so bad. This was our reply:

Cotey Speyer stole not just all the money, but the actual safe from Freedom House in Russellville. If you're familiar with Freedom House, you know the good work it does. Stacey Ivy stole from the DG next to Park Place--it's a common shopping area for those who live in the complex. She and her squeeze then erratically drove from the scene endangering any and all who got in their way. Yes, we think they both need help, but first they have to admit they have a problem and to be taken off the streets where they are a danger to others.



Shoalanda