A Flood of Protests in Muscle Shoals - Part I

 

Mr. Lockhard, we understand you aren't concerned with the preparation for storms and we want to reassure you, we will actively take this latest "situation" as you call these damaging floods, to the polls in August. Every citizen is going to be informed and candidates are going to work tirelessly to address the flooding issues you and this city council do not prepare for. This "situation" as you so casually call major damage and expense to citizens, is something we take seriously and hope the new mayor and city council elected in August will too. We are working to Make Muscle Shoals Great Again.

We are fully aware of the damages along Wilson Dam Road, Nathan Estates, Cornelius Landing, Cypress Lakes, Cottonwood, Little Cottonwood, and so many other subdivisions. On the other hand, it's obvious you aren't. We're amazed that after 5 years of you sitting in your office, and 8 years on the city council that you are not "fully aware" as your list was rather short, which once again shows how little you know of the magnitude of damage to our neighbor's properties and this city. You failed to mention a sink hole on a major street in our little swamp city for some reason. Let me repeat - a sink hole on a major street. We have been patient long enough, you can't manage City Hall much less the ditch in front of the mall.

We will stay safe distances from you and the city council as you keep trying to reach in our back pockets for every single penny you can get for yours, City Clerk Walters and this city council's extravagant spending sprees. Where are the millions from the flood control account the city council blindly voted to give you and Ms. Walters for your "special projects"?

We will continue to update each other through social media and blogs while you sit behind your desk writing meaningless words and avoid person to person contact. We will flood the polls in August and wash away the waste, and useless politicians.

Words of advice: a wise man never waits for a flood to build an ark.

Special: Russellville Man Charged with Human Trafficking in Limestone County

 

Earlier today in Limestone County, nine men were charged with Human Trafficking in relation to a child. One of those arrested was Donald Devaney, 52, of Russellville. Devaney is specifically charged with:

Two (2) counts of Human Trafficking 1st Degree

Two (2) counts of Electronic Solicitation of a Child

Two (2) counts of Traveling to Meet a Minor for an Unlawful Sex Act

As of earlier this evening, no bond had been set for the nine arrested individuals. More information should be forthcoming.

Note: It's been reported to us that Devaney is a City of Russellville employee; however, we have not verified his exact position.

Investigation at Handy Head Start

 

A reader has sent us the following account of an investigation into the SRO at the W. C. Handy School in Florence. This is extremely serious and needs to be resolved:

In January 2025 a Handy SRO officer was accused of inappropriately touching a child.  The school dismissed it, so it was taken to the Board of Education.  During their active investigation the SRO was at the parents request asked not to be on that campus; however, just a few weeks ago this officer was back on campus. When the Principal (who was leading the investigation) was questioned she played dumb and defaulted questions to the board of education which profusely apologized and admitted to "dropping the ball" and agreed the officer was not supposed to be there and immediately asked him to leave. 

How could this happen, why would the Principal who knew this was still being investigated allow it? The officer obviously knows how investigations work, why would he step foot on those premises around kids especially the one that reported him and not allow the investigation to be completed? How does the Superintendent not know he was there? Seems to me they have already sided with the accused officer and are disregarding the feelings and safety of this not even 5 year old child.

We know people are innocent until proven guilty but the school is not doing everything possible to safeguard the kids until this is fully investigated. That SRO should be on administrative leave. It just seems a conflict that the board & FPD would be able to fairly investigate their own employee. I don't want to further victimize the child but they need some public pressure on them to do the right thing.

Number of Lawsuits Against Sheffield? (At Least) Eight

 

There have been questions about the actual number of lawsuits against the City of Sheffield and its police department. The TimesDaily recently listed six suits currently making their way through federal court. We count seven in federal court and one filed in the Colbert County court system. This list certainly may not be inclusive:

Sebastian DeVaughn - False Arrest - 2021

Marvin Eugene Long - Violation of Civil Rights - 2021

Anthony & Jennifer Story - Violation of Civil Rights - 2023

Demarcus Key - Violation of Civil Rights - 2023

Alexander Sayas - Police brutality - 2023

Dennoriss Richardson (Estate) - Violation of Civil Rights/Brutality - 2024

Katherine McCollum - Violation of Civil Rights - 2024

Valerie Patterson - Police Brutality/Harassment - 2025

The Patterson suit was filed in Colbert County. Can judgments be capped due to immunity of police officers? It's certainly possible.

However, the State is looking. Perhaps they'll soon think it's time for action to take over the department?

"The Superintendent is doing nothing!"

A few days ago we blogged about a teacher at McBride Elementary School in Muscle Shoals who struck a special education student with a ball. We've been informed that as of today no action has been taken against this teacher.

There have been rumblings on various local sites:

If the parent(s) of this child feel their concerns are not being taken seriously, we suggest it may be time to hire an attorney to file a civil suit against the teacher, superintendent, and school system.

Further, since there are rumblings that the O.G. Holden has aspirations to run for the current legislative seat currently held by Kerry Underwood, now would be a good time to start a comprehensive campaign to derail any such plans on Democrat Holden's part.

We wish all these parents good luck!

Still ANOTHER Lawsuit against City of Sheffield (Police)

 

The Keystone Cops are at it again. If this was not so horrible, it would indeed be laughable. 

On December 30, 2024, KAM was alone at her residence on Oakhill Avenue in Sheffield. At around 6:30 p.m., four City police officers, without knocking, broke down her front door. Upon entering, two of the officers pointed guns at KAM.

After holding KAM at gunpoint while they searched her home, the police finally looked at her identification and determined they were at the wrong house. Bummer.

These officers never produced any warrant to enter or search her or anyone's home. Needless to say, KAM was slightly ticked at the whole situation. Now she's suing the City for:

1. Fourth Amendment Violation

2. Trespass with Insult

3. False Imprisonment

KAM and her attorney Bennett Pugh are asking for a jury trial. We're not sure that Sheffield has enough citizens to compose all the juries that are needed in the next few months. 

Just when you thought it couldn't get any worse...

Can the City of Sheffield even wait until next Fall for its new mayor? We don't envy Bennett Pugh the job of cleaning up this swamp.

"Don't shoot me. I'm insolent"

What Jivin' Jackie Said

 

What if we said to you "Don't vote for Joe Blough, he was born with 12 toes?" You would probably first think why in the world would you need to know that and, second, why would any honest, normal person even say something like that?

You may remember that unelected Florence councilman Jackie Hendrix sent word, not to us, but to a male friend, that he was never the business partner of Eugene Sak. That wasn't all he said about the Sak family; he made a statement concerning something that is absolutely no one's business, while implying (?) that this made Sak something less than most people.

If we didn't like the big time jiver before, we certainly don't now. 

Speaking of District Two, our friend River Zurinsky has announced that he will be running for that seat. It's still early; we won't know until June just who is running in the August municipal elections. Therefore, we're not making any endorsements at this time.

What we are doing is suggesting you start checking out the announced candidates. If you don't know River, you should!