Shoalanda

When Erica Rae Green’s engagement to Jason Lee Fox was announced in 1998, the Muscle Shoals high student was stated to work for Tuscumbia attorney John D. Clement Jr. Given her age at the time, the now 36 year-old alleged murderess probably did little more than answer the phones and take messages. It’s unknown how long she worked for Clement, but attorneys reportedly still played a large role in her life in 2016.

News sources have indicated Fox had more than one accident case pending, and a knowledgeable informant reported that the new widow spoke with attorney Joel Hamner on Friday morning (the day of her first arrest) asking what kind of award she could expect in the case. She reportedly needed $100,000.00 for an attorney—presumably not one in the Alexander Shunnarah mold. We understand her incarceration puts a damper on these cases…insert gypsy violin music here.

Judgments from accidents weren’t the only financial windfalls Erica hoped to gain. Her husband Jason reportedly had insurance appropriate for a married man with three children. Both Erica and Ronnie coveted that little bundle.

Yet, Ronnie Lee Credille wasn’t alone in his affection for the 250 pound Muscle Shoals housewife. Erica reportedly admitted to police that she had several lovers, but Ronnie was her main man.

Ronnie, divorced for around two years, living with family in Florence, and having to borrow a vehicle to make the trek to Muscle Shoals to murder Jason, must have looked better to Erica than he does to us. We can only imagine what her other side men must have been like if Ronnie Credille was her primary lover.

And Jason Lee Fox, husband, father, son, brother, church-goer never knew what hit him. We’re read that Ronnie’s ex-wife and the mother of his son has been online proclaiming his innocence. We expect to hear from her as well as a handful of others about our opinions of Ronnie and Erica. We fully expect them to be filled with profanity and vitriol and to blame the victim. Some will also call for some avenging angel to thrash all the bloggers here within an inch of our lives…that’s just so everyone will know what really nice folks they are.

So comment away. In the interim, we’ll be visualizing Erica and Ronnie and their future life (and we do mean life) in prison.

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Anyone else wonder how an overweight woman with a house, a job, a husband, and three kids found the time to have multiple affairs? If she should miraculously win her freedom, we predict a career in vitamin endorsements for Erica.

Round One is over, and was it ever interesting!

First up, Lexington: Sandra Burroughs Killen’s opponent garnered 23 votes. Apparently the incumbent had been mayor in name only since no one else would accept the job. Once Sandra gets Lexington straightened out, we’re hoping she’ll next take on the Florence-Lauderdale Tourism Board.

Sheffield District Two: Sebastian Devaughn received zero votes. That’s right. She didn’t even vote for herself. We don’t believe Ms. Devaughn is registered to vote, and obviously everyone else smelled a rat with her campaign.

Florence: The mayor’s race was a shocker. We had privately predicted a runoff between Haddock and Goode. We’ll be addressing this race later. District Six? Another shocker…not so much that Andy Betterton won as that 85 year-old autocrat Bob Hill came in second. District One? Dave Smith presented with many more votes that we ever imagined he would. Prince is writing his blog as we write ours…and foaming a little at the mouth.

Rogersville: The beleaguered Hagood not only received an almost minuscule portion of the votes, he can’t even get the TD to spell his name correctly.

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With eight months left to go on his two year sentence, Hershel Graham has returned to his late father’s home in Red Bay. He is ostensibly under house arrest while on furlough to die ala Oliver Brazelle, so if any of our readers see him at the Russellville Walmart or any of his other favorite haunts, please let us know.

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Anyone have any idea why this man never got ahead in the world?

Help ID This Child

On rare occasions, we receive complaints of child abuse. One recent message to us contained a photo of a child, allegedly from Tuscumbia, being given shots of whiskey to drink. The child appeared to be between the age of 12 and 18 months.

The story goes that the photos were found on an SD card, and information about the family pictured is scant. The Tuscumbia police department is aware of the situation. They are thoroughly investigating and asking for assistance from anyone having more information.

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After Independence Day we received a photo of a young couple where the father was “abusing” the child with a sparkler. We looked at the picture and considered it more neglect than abuse. We certainly know the shot was sent to us since the father is a life-long felon. While we may personally dislike someone, we do try to be fair. It’s our opinion the child was suffering from neglect and not direct abuse. We advised the reader to contact DHR himself and have heard nothing of the matter since.

People aren't born knowing how to parent a child. Add alcohol to the mix and it's a miracle the human race has survived this long.

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While we know DHR is not perfect, there’s little we can do here except make others aware of the situation. If you feel there is a real danger to a child or person unable to care for himself, we welcome your input here, but DHR or police should always be notified first.

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Rumors? Apparently many individuals don’t know the definition of rumor. A documented investigation is not rumor, but fact.

What of actual rumors? There are some floating around about various political candidates which have no basis in fact. When you hear a story about a candidate, be sure to ask the teller where he/she heard it. If the person “knows” the validity of these rumors, particularly involving illegal behavior, also be sure to ask why the teller hasn’t reported the events to authorities.

At the end of election season, we’re always amazed that anyone chooses to run for political office.

From the Midnight Rider:

Some Lists For Your Consideration

Recnetly AL.COM ranked the “Drunkest Cities in Alabama.” First of all, is that really a ranking that your Town or City wants to be on. The List is as follows:

1. Gulf Shores

2. Birmingham

3. Guntersville

4. Tuscaloosa

5. Foley

6. Anniston

7. Huntsville

8. Lincoln

9. Sheffield

10. Cullman

As I read the list, imagine my thoughts when I saw #9. Recently, you may remember that the Rider wrote an article about the City of Sheffield creating a “mini Beale Street” with the fixing up of downtown. As we had stated the sale of alcohol and the Sales Tax off of Alcohol especially with several bars, taverns or restaurants in a single area breeds Crime.

So now the Citizens of Sheffield can share that they made the Drunkiest City in Alabama List. I am sure the City of Sheffield is on many other lists. Remember they have the Panty Tree in Sheffield which we are sure is on the Shoals Attraction List.

Sheffield Panty Tree

Logan’s Files for Bankruptcy

From the Logan’s Corporate website:

Twenty-one locations of Logan's Roadhouse will be closed as part of the chain's bankruptcy proceedings. The Nashville, Tennessee-based steakhouse chain filed for bankruptcy last week. The chain operates 250 locations nationwide, including 23 in Alabama. Logan's parent company, LRI Holdings Inc., cited years of declining sales and greater competition from fast-casual restaurant chains as contributing factors in its financial issues.

For the quarter ending Oct. 28, the chain saw revenue drop 9.9 percent to $131.3 million, with same-store sales falling more than 4 percent. The company originally said it would close 18 locations but commercial real estate analysts with CoStar said Logans is asking the court to reject leases on 21 of its restaurants. Logan's has not responded to emails seeking confirmation of the list.

Those locations are:

2649 S. Market Street, Gilbert, Arizona

11674 University Dr, Orlando, Florida

7480 W. Colonial Drive, Orlando, Florida

1230 N Westover Blvd., Albany, Georgia

101 Capital Square Drive, Brunswick, Georgia

11301 Abercorn Street, Savannah, Georgia

51 Lincoln Hwy, Fairview Heights, Illinois

4825 E. 82nd St, Indianapolis, Indiana

10780 Parallel Pkwy, Kansas City, Kansas

7940 W 135th St, Overland Park, Kansas

3050 Riffel Dr., Salina, Kansas

2945 Wimsatt Ct, Owensboro, Kentucky

6571 Blue Bonnet Blvd., Baton Rouge, Louisiana

3323 Ambassador Caffery Pkwy, Lafayette, Louisiana

14235 Hall Road, Shelby Township, Michigan

7110 Sawmill Rd, Columbus, Ohio

2310 Wilkes-Barre Township M, Wilkes- Barre, Pennsylvania

2200 S. Hwy 6, Houston, Texas

21119 US-281, San Antonio, Texas

12821 Fair Lakes Pkwy, Fairfax, Virginia

46321 McClellan Way, Sterling, Virginia

We have read the articles about the bad service/food from the Muscle Shoals Logan’s We wonder if they will be next.

Sadly, We must report that the Ruby Tuesday’s Florence Location has been closed. It is sad to see any business close.

Until next time..

I am and always will be, the Midnight Rider.

https://www.freeonlinephotoeditor.com/tmp/img-5744fe72cc940/step0003.jpg?1464139539412

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We've had several comments about the photo/video we discussed yesterday in which a toddler was ostensibly given alcohol to drink. Reports differ, but the video could be as much as five years old and originate in Gadsden. Welcome to the world of urban myth.

However, our blogger Jasper Black has reminded us that if you find or receive any similar media in which someone is being abused, do not delete. The media itself may contain identifying hallmarks which can be used to locate the source.

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Time for a new award: We're giving our friends at PNS the Tom Smith Geography Award for citing the corner of Avalon and Second Street in an article on a recent police chase.

Sorry. We couldn't resist...

Lawyer Up!

It may sound like a cutesy phrase, but if you’re ever accused of a criminal act, whether innocent or guilty, it’s the first thing you should do. Feel free to use these exact words:

While I assure you I’m totally innocent, I’m not giving you even my middle name without an attorney. No, I don’t have money for an attorney; therefore, I expect you to appoint me one. I also expect the attorney to be one experienced in criminal matters and not some real estate/patent lawyer you dragged out of the lobby where he/she was attempting to get an accident report.

That being said, why in the name of Lucrezia Borgia didn’t Erica Fox ask for an attorney before she made any statement to police? We don’t think anyone considers this woman intelligent, much less moral, but you can bet the first thing her attorney (unlucky person that may be) will do is to attempt to get her statement thrown out…and the attempt just might be successful.

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Roll Over!

That will be next for Erica. She’ll avoid a Capital Murder conviction and be out in around 15 years. That’s unless Ronnie and his brother have some powerful voodoo up their sleeves to turn the tables on Erica. We doubt it, but it would be worth the price of admission to see them try.

Call it rolling, flipping, or turning state’s evidence, it’s a very popular pastime in the legal world. For those who enjoy watching this particular maneuver, we’re expecting to see quite a bit of it in the Chip Dillard/Tim Staggs trials come December, or whenever that riveting case does make it before a judge. In fact, there may just be a little of that going on this very week.

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You can leave your hat on!

Some time ago we gave our first “Born in a Barn” award to an elected official who was pictured in the TD wearing his hat at an official function. We never heard from him, but were told his wife and mother thought it was hilarious and hoped it taught him a lesson.

Our second award was bumped and then overlooked, but it was presented to a local (actually national) celebrity with enough money to be able to forgo morals and manners. Our third? Unfortunately, in haste, we didn’t consider that the egregious offender wasn’t a pubic personage and for that we apologize.

However, the recipient of our award, over a week later, then left obscene remarks on all intervening posts…many of them from the Alabama Political Reporter, Pen-N-Sword, and the Shoals Insider. If this person had contacted us via e-mail and asked about the post, it would have taken five minutes or less for us to have decided it should be taken down.

Now? After his language to us as well as many innocent commenters who had no idea why they were the recipient of such language, we pretty much think he deserves the award. We’ve also been informed the man is a professional musician who’s using the post to increase his visibility. Let’s hope he has more musical talent than he has common sense. We do, in future, promise that any recipient of this award will be a public personage.

We recently blogged on sex offender activist Derek Logue who some time ago named three people as being part of our blogging team or at least being associated with us in some manner. We discussed the Killen woman and briefly touched on the second, Valerie Parkhurst, who lived well outside the Shoals area.

As far as we know, Ms. Parkhurst never even commented on our blog, but suffice it to say, we’re positive she’s never written anything for us. Until today we assumed she was a blogger who championed tighter sex offender laws.

No, it seems Ms. Parkhurst, whom Logue insists on calling the “Valigator,” was a real estate agent in Florida. She came to the conclusion that if the law stated a realtor had to tell a client about a bad roof, the realtor should also inform prospective buyers of any sex offenders in the area. She was successful in helping enact this law in her state.

Ms. Parkhurst’s other claim to fame, the event that Logue constantly blogs on, was less noble, but hardly evil. As Parkhurst’s activism became known, she became the target of sex offenders. When one confronted her one day and she feared for her life, she drew her gun from her purse. The convicted sex offender had her arrested on some type of intimidation charge which was later dismissed.

Sadly, Ms. Parkhurst passed away July 27th. We assume she will no longer be the brunt of Logue’s misplaced hysteria.

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How many of you want to move to New York City? That’s what we thought. One of our readers told us yesterday that we couldn’t make it there as she had done. No, according to AB, those left here are, as we understand her meaning, inferior.

The saddest part of this exchange is that we’ve known three generations of AB’s family, many of whom are still “left behind” here in Florence. Her family attempted to give her the best so that she can now live where she wishes.

Anyone have a serpent’s tooth icon?

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If we didn’t live in Florence?

You can’t say that our blog isn’t ready to jump into the pressing issues of the day, and with that we’ll attempt to answer the important question of just who owns the panty tree under the Old Railroad Bridge. The Midnight Rider has assigned the tree to Sheffield, but at least one reader has questioned that, asserting the tree is closer to Florence than Sheffield.

We’ve learned that a few year ago, a man lost his hat while on the bridge and then jumped down to retrieve it. In most news articles this is where one would insert that police believe alcohol was involved in the incident. Upon retrieving the hat, the man found that he couldn’t climb back to his spot on the bridge and was stranded. He called 911, but who helped?

Sheffield Police and Fire said it was Florence’s problem and Florence Police and Fire said it was Sheffield’s. Is the man still stranded there? No, finally Lauderdale EMA put a boat in the water and rescued him.

The bridge itself has been declared in Sheffield, if that helps decide the issue, but the land itself? We’re awaiting opinions from some more experts, so feel free to comment.

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What has happened to the Tuscumbia Muskrat? We’ve received questions and have two possible answers, but if the Muskrat is still out there, even not posting, please contact us.

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It has now been four years since Mr. Elbert Farley Davis was attacked in his own home. From an earlier blog:

In August 2012, Mr. Elbert Farley Davis Jr. was found unconscious in his Tuscumbia home; he died a short while later of his injuries. We don't think Mr. Davis' attacker originally intended to murder the 88 year-old WWII veteran. Mr. Davis' home was the target for some thug who wanted quick cash and some drugs in the mix to boot.

There's currently a five thousand dollar reward offered for information in this murder. Yes, the thug will be charged with Capital Murder since Mr. Davis died in connection with a robbery. That's a lot of money. Someone knows something.

Mr. Davis was truly an innocent victim. He wasn't a drug dealer, drug user, abuser, adulterer, or gambling kingpin. He simply got in the way of a burglary and paid the ultimate price. If you know something, say something.

Tuscumbia Police urge anyone with information about Elbert Davis’s murder to contact the Shoals Area Crime Stoppers Tip Line at 256-386-8685.

We understand the reward is actually much more than $5,000.00. Reward or not, anyone with information should come forward to bring justice to the murderer and at least some closure to the family. This blog never has less than 3K readers a day, and 10K isn't unusual. We believe that someone reading this blog today knows something that will help Tuscumbia Police break this case. What if you die tomorrow and your information dies with you?

Think about it...and then do the right thing.

From the Midnight Rider:

A Chief’s Story: Internal or External?

By: The Midnight Rider

https://improvingpolice.files.wordpress.com/2013/09/chief-badge.jpg

Recently, the Muscle Shoals Police Department named a new Chief of Police when Robert Evans had decided to retire. While we knew the three candidates well enough to speak to them, they all appeared to be good candidates. Capt. Clint Reck was named the new Chief. We want to congratulate him on the promotion and hope him the best.

While writing the above, we had the thought, is it best to hire within the Department or outside the Department. We spoke to several employees at the various Departments and got positive reviews. Actually we didn’t hear anything negative. Let’s look at some examples:

Within:

Colbert Co Sheriff’s Dept. Frank Williamson. Sheriff Williamson was a Sheriff’s Deputy before winning the last election. He has implemented things that have brought the Sheriff’s Department into this Century.

Florence Police Department. Ron Tyler. Chief Tyler worked his way up the Ranks. FPD seems to be better accepted by the citizens.

External:

Lauderdale Co Sheriff’s Dept. Rick Singleton. Sheriff Singleton has definitely brought new ideas and updates to the Sheriff’s Dept.

Tuscumbia Police Dept. Tony Logan. Chief Logan has brought Pride back to the Tuscumbia Police Department. The pay may not be the best but the Officers seem happy.

So, which way is the best, we don’t know. Both seem to have its merits. Sheffield Police Department is the last Department in this area to not to have a new Chief or Sheriff’. But of course, Sheffield has a major turnover problem. When it is time to hire a new Chief at Sheffield, should it be internal or external? Probably the best is to hire someone that has no idea where Sheffield, AL is. They can come in and shake the place up. However, how are you going to get a quality person with what they are paid at Sheffield?

The Riots

As most you know, as seen on the television, newspapers or internet, there are Riots in Milwaukee after an Officer Involved Shooting. As we sat watching the news on Sunday morning, there was a report of a Firetruck and Ambulance that had come under Gunfire while responding to one of the many fires there. Okay, Mr. Rioter, those First Responders are trying to help you. If you keep shooting at them, they will stop coming to help you. Then what will you do?

http://media.breitbart.com/media/2016/08/officer-involved-shooting-milwaukee-MILWAUKEE-JOURNAL-SENTINEL-VIA-AP-640x480.jpg

Until next time…

I am and always will be, the Midnight Rider.

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Readers, usually more aptly termed critics, often contact us or make remarks on Facebook about information contained in this blog. The critics also take swipes at the Shoals Insider and the Quad-Cities Daily which publish arrest records and Pen-N-Sword which publishes certain high profile arrest articles and later follows up on the disposition of these miscreants.

Apparently these critics slept through the year 2000 or thereabouts when the Alabama open records act was passed. The act covers several areas, but for our purposes we’re discussing only information concerning prisoners.

With the exception of prisoner transfers (shuttling a prisoner from the county lockup to the state facility), prisoners sent for temporary medical treatment (drug rehab not included) and the very few in protective custody, the public has the right to know where a prisoner is at any time.

Perhaps the most interesting thing is that the law coincided with the advent of a true Internet. In other words, open records plus Internet equals a major breakthrough in public knowledge. No longer can a mother tell her neighbors that Little Johnny is away working on the Alaska pipeline when in fact he’s down south working in a prison laundry.

So when you rant and rave about such articles being “gossip” and “no one’s business,” you don’t look very intelligent, do you?

Like the Shoals Insider

Like Pen-N-Sword

From Tuscumbia Police Chief Tony Logan:

I am so glad that Shoalanda Speaks has helped the Tuscumbia Police Department to keep the case of Elbert Davis in the media. Mr. Davis was an awesome man and his death was a loss to the entire City of Tuscumbia. Please if you know something or someone involved come forward and help us solve this case and bring closure to his family.

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Also congratulations to Katie Logan on her recent win in Tuscumbia municipal elections. She will be an asset to the city.

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Returning to Lauderdale County, most of our readers have probably seen a news story about a notorious madam being returned to the Lauderdale County Detention Center only a week after she was shipped south to begin a prison sentence. Why?

We're pretty sure it wasn't due to a judge having a change of heart concerning her sentencing for drug crimes. She's known to be testifying in a case for the Alabama Attorney General's office, but if anyone had simply needed to speak with her, they could have done that in the DOC lockup. No, logically, she was brought back by the boys in Montgomery to testify before the grand jury. As former Florence police chief Rick Thompson once said, that's only a theory. Is it a plausible theory?

PNS is reporting that Florence attorney Chip Dillard has been returned to Lauderdale County from the Franklin County Detention Center. Since his trial on human trafficking charges isn't until December, why now? Only another theory, but new indictments come to mind. We'll be following this closely.

Chip Dillard Returned to Lauderdale

Look up at the top of the page. That’s right. That pretty lady up there is Ms. Kaytrina Simmons and she wants to represent you if you live in District 1 in Florence. Speaking as your canine adviser, I agree that Ms. Kaytrina is the one for the job.

But you say, Prince, isn’t Shoalanda getting money for her advertisement? Sure, but I’m not. Now I want you to think about something.

Remember four years ago when Dave Smith escorted the ex-husband of his opponent down to the TimesDaily office for a news conference. You know…the time ol’ Dave didn’t know what the man was going to say. Wink, wink? Now, tell me, do you have to be a border collie to know that ol’ Dave knew exactly what the man was going to say?

Or how about this? How about ol’ Dave making the new animal shelter a white v. black issue. Just the thing to unite Florence, right? Do you really want four more years of Dave Smith…or do you want a progressive and intelligent candidate who will serve ALL the residents of her district.

Nope, I’m no border collie; I’m just a beagle, but even I know what’s right for District 1. Her name is Kaytrina P. Simmons and she’s grrrreat!

(And if you vote for Dave Smith, I will biiiiite you!)

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The body found Thursday in Florence has been identified. We’re sure there is a great deal more to this story, but we hope all our readers will take a second tonight to say a prayer for this young woman’s family and friends.

“Lilly” Copeland Missing Since August 4th

It’s been said that 42% of the population make up statistics off the top of their heads. Uh, right, then.

No matter what one thinks of the lottery, you have to be amused at a recent letter writer to the TD who claimed as much as 30% of all revenue taken in by Tennessee, Georgia, and Florida lotteries came from Alabamians. Whether the man actually read that statistic somewhere or not, he certainly didn’t stop to think about such a number logically.

Remember, Mississippi also has no lottery. Surely some of its citizens cross into Tennessee to purchase tickets. Even if we said only 10% of Tennessee’s lottery sales came from our neighboring state, that would leave only 60% of tickets purchased by Tennessee residents themselves. A logical person might just want to question that statistic.

Of course, the statistic could be legitimate and prove that Tennesseans are more intelligent than Alabamians…

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Why do some consider the lottery a moral issue? Obviously the lottery is a form of gambling, and gambling ultimately encourages one to seek money he or she hasn’t worked for. Whether you consider it a moral issue or not, we’ll leave that up to you, gentle reader.

A detailed study by Cornell University shows that state lotteries get a disproportional amount of sales from the poor and disadvantaged and examines the reasons behind why those who have the least spend the most on the lottery. While it is for many a source of entertainment to play, the study finds that the real reason for this trend is that those stricken with poverty look to the lottery as a way to improve their lives and help them escape their poverty. However, the lottery will often hurt, not help, their financial predicament, further pushing these Americans deeper and deeper into a downward spiral of crippling poverty.

Cornell Univ study -Entertainment Poverty and the Demand for State Lotteries

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The lottery isn’t the only pie in the sky thinking we’re currently seeing in this state. Regular readers know we’ve been contacted by a number of individuals concerned about locals currently serving time in the state prison system having access to cell phones to ask for money and carry on other conversations (read: escape plans?).

A recent news story out of Birmingham confirmed how Holman Prison is a hotbed of cell phone use and that some inmates use live chat to communicate with a veritable audience. When confronted with these facts, the warden at Holman stated there was too little manpower to enforce cell phone bans, but things would change when the new prisons were built to include signal jamming equipment. And just how long before construction starts?

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Is all crime really criminal? We can definitely say some “crime” is more comical than criminal. Be sure to catch the latest installment of Shoals Crime.

Bear Footin’

Current Florence City Councilman Hermon Graham is not a gracious loser. In case you missed the WAFF story (our local rag the TotallyDecatur has so far neglected to publish this extremely interesting tale), Graham has requested a recount of the August 23rd ballots. Bradley won the race with 63% of the vote; however, Graham was so certain of his victory that he has stated there must have been problems with the voting machines.

If by any stretch of the imagination, Graham is right about the vote, the city will pay for the recount. If Graham is wrong, as any intelligent person could predict, he will pay the cost of a recount. An official date for the recount at Florence city hall on College Street has not been announced, but insiders say it may be as soon as Tuesday morning.

Graham has basically said that if Andy Betterton and Blake Edwards won, he should have also. We’re not sure of the logic behind Graham’s belief; in fact, we’re not sure why Betterton won. Edwards won because he had no viable opponent.

One incumbent had no opposition, and one incumbent chose not to run. The sixth race, District One, will be decided in a runoff between incumbent Dave Smith and political newcomer and rising star Kaytrina P. Simmons.

The only thing the Florence city council race was lacking was a candidate named Chad…

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Don’t miss H.D.’s review of Five Guys Burgers. If you have a review of a favorite eatery, be sure to send it to us.

Five Guys

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Tomorrow is Labor Day. As is our custom, we’ll publish a rundown of the candidates in the annual trade unions' beauty contest. If you’ve missed some in the past, here’s a chance to catch up before tomorrow:

Miss Labor Day Beauty Contest

It Was A Glorious Day!

Even the shade trees at Tuscumbia’s Spring Park can’t cool the heated atmosphere surrounding the Miss Labor Day 2016 contest as five union representatives vie for the coveted title. Here’s this year’s roundup:

1. Jami McDonald is representing the Shoals area’s fast food workers; however, her appearance today may be in jeopardy. Set to perform a tap dance routine to You Deserve a Break Today while simultaneously flipping four burgers and balancing a beer on her heard, the 53 year-old contestant suddenly left the venue when told alcohol wasn’t allowed in the park.

2. Myrtle Clogmore will be representing the plumbers’ local. Word in the park is the Tuscumbia vice squad will be keeping a close watch on the 38 year-old Myrtle’s talent routine involving a pole and three plungers.

3. Local paralegals will be represented by Kanye Twitty of ambiguous gender and Facebook fame. Odds makers favor the ageless Kanye who has only to walk across the stage to produce both smiles and guffaws.

4. Not to be outdone by the paralegals, Shoals attorneys have also posted an entrant this year. Recent law school graduate Apara Briefs will be representing the juris doctor crowd, but is considered a dark horse due to the 27 year-old filing a law suit this morning against her four competitors for having the nerve to challenge her.

5. Rounding out the slate is Olympic swim champion Ryan Lochte, 32, representing local park and recreation workers. Lochte is rumored to be hiding in the Shoals until Brazil stops looking for him, but couldn’t resist one final public appearance while sporting his platinum blond tresses.

That’s it for this year. Remember, no matter who may win the Labor Day beauty contest, the real winners are the public who are served by the working man and woman 365 days a year.

Election Results, Muskrats, & the Panty Tree

By: The Midnight Rider

Election Results

First, The Rider gave you an endorsement for 4 Election Candidates. They were:

Tuscumbia Mayor: Kerry Underwood

Tuscumbia District One: Katie Logan

Sheffield District 4: Penny Freeman

Lexington Mayor: Sandra Killen Burroughs

All four of the above candidates won. I guess the Rider should retire to Vegas and become an Odds Maker.

Muskrats

I recently read that the Muskrats at Spring Park in Tuscumbia had disappeared. Since I had interviewed one of them once before, I decided to go see what had happened to them. This is what happened last night…

I walked into the tree line at Spring Park. The wind blew the leaves making strange noises. The moon had been covered in clouds that when it shifted it brought eerie reflections. I heard a stick crack behind me. As I spun around, drawing my sixgun, I saw yellow eyes peering out of the night.

Out of the shadows walked Mike the Muskrat. He looked at me and stated “Hello Rider.” I reholstered my six-shooter and said “Hello Mike. I hear people have been looking for you.” Mike nodded and said “yeah, we have been waiting for the election results to see who was taking over.” I told him that I knew that “Kerry Underwood and Katie Logan had won and that they were good people.” He nodded and said “maybe we can work a truce out with my people and yours.” I replied “maybe so” as I walked away.

Getting back to my horse, Mike shouted out “Hey Rider!” I looked at him as he said “what’s this we have been hearing about a Panty Tree…”

And Finally The Panty Tree

It appears the Rider has gotten something started about The Panty Tree. Some say it is in Florence, some say it is in Sheffield. Well I will tell you where it is…………Who cares, it is in the middle of the River. If Florence wants to share this great National Monument, so be it. There are enough panties to go around.

I went back the other day to check it out again. I saw various colors and sizes of panties and some that that looked like Dental Floss. I didn’t know that you could consider something that small as practical. So I have decided to do some research on the Tree. I spoke to a friend of mine who works at Sheffield Police Department who told this story:

"The Railroad Bridge closes at a certain time. During patrol, if we see a car there after closing time, we have to go tell them to leave. I was driving by and saw a car. I walked onto the Bridge to tell them to leave. At the end of the bridge, this young man had put up a hammock connected to the supports of the bridge. A young lady was with him in the hammock. She was engaged in “discussing world politics” with him.” After telling them they had to leave, I turned around and walked away. I thought to myself “this young man put a lot of thought into the adventure (or misadventure since it was interrupted).”

P.S.

Final thought. Sunday I was eating lunch at a local restaurant. Watching the various TVs in the establishment, I saw some Rapper and his “entourage” performing before a Tennis Match. When did this become common place? What’s next, Snoop Dog will be announcing Golf Games. What a minute, that may be pretty cool.

Until next time….

I am and always will be, the Midnight Rider.

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Our friend the Tuscumbia Muskrat seems to have disappeared. His leaving the scene could simply be due to Kerry Underwood's election or, sadly, it could be that the Muskrat has shaken off his mortal coil.

While we have heard rumors of the Muskrat being this person or that person, the name Delton Posey often came up. Mr. Posey, a long time City of Tuscumbia employee who wished for better things for his hometown, passed away last month.

We always enjoyed our online conversations with Mr. Posey. Our sincerest sympathy to his family.

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Before it was known as the TotallyDecatur, the TimesDaily was often referred to north of the river as the Daily Disappointment. Those brought up south of the river were known to call our daily rag the TriCycle Daily.

It would seem there is now indeed a TriCycle Daily. You don't want to miss any of its news stories:

TriCycle Daily

A man was found dead yesterday in Lauderdale County. According to knowledgeable sources, the deceased had been released from jail on probation only three days before his suspected day of death. Why had this man been incarcerated? Among other things, while high on drugs, he attempted to run down two policemen. Besides the assault charges, the man had been arrested for drug possession, theft of property, and attempting to elude police.

Articles in various publications have been online concerning this man for over 18 months; no one has objected. Yet now some in his family are terming “slander” the charges for which the deceased was convicted. They say he was a loving father. Yet he hadn’t been in his son’s life for at least a year. When he had a chance to leave crime and incarceration behind and become a loving father, he instead chose to return to drugs. This is the memory the son will have of his father…for his entire life.

Still another family member has stated online that the system failed the deceased. Perhaps it did. Yet we aren’t seeing any of the family remarking on their failure. They seemingly didn’t even know the man was missing for several days.

We do offer this man’s family our sincerest sympathy and our prayers. One of our prayers and fervent wishes is that they, and others like them, learn the meaning of personal responsibility.

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Jobs. That one word can comprise an entire political platform. Can one elected official bring hundreds of jobs to the Shoals? Can pigs fly?

When we read of micro companies locating in the Shoals, then continue to read the words of our elected officials concerning these jobs, read of their great rejoicing in the five or ten new positions which have perhaps three hundred aspiring applicants, we find it remarkable that our emperors even wear clothes.

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Yes, but can Alabama play soccer?

Football Season, Respect & Old Friends

By: The Midnight Rider

Football Season

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Football Season is upon us. The Rider asks that you support your local teams. These kids play their heart out every Friday Night. They are not getting paid like the NFL Teams or on possible Scholarships like the College Teams. To these kids, this is the big time. So, if someone comes around for donations for the school for the various Athletic Departments, reach down and give a little. Even if you don’t have kids in school, you may know one of these kids that are playing.

Also, remember the Band Members as well as the Cheerleaders. It is expensive for the parents to let their children participate in these events. I did not realize how expensive until a recent conversation with a Mom that has a child in Band and as a Cheerleader. They all deserve our support.

Respect

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9-2-2016

Alamogordo (NM) High School (in black) and Los Lunas High School played last night and honored the Thin Blue Line as they entered the stadium. Both teams entered bearing Blue Line flags. This came just hours after Alamogordo Police Department lost one of their own, Officer Clint Corvinus. A big thank you to both high schools for their show of support!

The above was posted on Facebook this morning. This shows respect to Law Enforcement for giving the Ultimate Sacrifice.

Old Friends

Recently I was driving through downtown Sheffield on an errand. I had a little time to kill so I stopped in at Hammer Down Gun & Pawn located in the Foodland Shopping Center to visit. Bobby Inman is the owner and is an old friend. He had a couple of Stroke like scares last year but he looked good and appeared to be getting back to 100%. He still has Drew Sebelski working for him. There is a new guy named Steve. He seemed like a card.

It was good to see Bobby and Drew. If you have never been to Bobby’s shop, you need to go by. There is no telling what you will find in there. I saw Comic Books, Star Trek paintings, NASCAR collectibles as well as the usual stuff such as guns and tools.

Until next time….

I am and always will be, the Midnight Rider.

*****

We hear a recent story of animal abuse in Sheffield has gone viral. If you really want to know how the hoi polloi feel about abusing animals, killing police officers, and having sex with children under the age of 12, you should write a blog. It's an eye-opener...and you just might learn some new words...

Current District Three councilman Hermon Graham has now demanded a second recount in the August 23rd race that saw him lose to political newcomer David Bradley, or at least he has announced his attorney will demand it. Until the count is official, Mr. Bradley won’t be able to make plans for his first days in office. Let’s hope this second recount, one performed entirely by hand, will be done shortly, and Florence will be on its way to better things.

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The runoff for municipal elections will be in approximately three weeks. Florence will continue to vote on the office of mayor and Districts 1 & 4 council members. No matter the results, District 4 will have a new representative. We’ll again be discussing these offices next week.

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From a reader:

I thought I wanted to be a police officer, but little did I know what they go thru. Thank you for standing up for law enforcement. Now I’m in security outside Atlanta and I love it and make some nice money too. My uncle was a sheriff’s deputy for 20 years and I often heard him say he’d rather confront armed bank robbers than a DV situation.

He said he dreaded the calls from Central and Cloverdale the most. Women who could barely stand after being beaten would then hit and spit at him for trying to help. These people are a law unto their own. They’re not like us and never will be as long as they don’t even try to lead law abiding lives. But it’s never their fault.

If you can use your blog to promote any position or idea, please keep stressing how important the police are and how much their lives matter. The ones who complain about it will never learn, but at least someone tried to help them. Thank you again.

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Rest assured, we will always support our local law enforcement. From all of us here to all of them: Thank you!

It’s hard to say if District 4 in Florence is a more hotly contested race than District 1; both are pivotal for Florence if it’s to take a new direction. We made no recommendation in the first primary and we’re not making one in the runoff. Why?

No one who blogs here lives in District 4. The rhetoric surrounding this race has ranged from bought votes to theft. What’s the truth? If you live in District 4, we suggest you dig deeply for that elusive quality. We’re happy to publish readers’ comments.

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Most Wanted Lists? Why is a person on a most wanted list? He or she allegedly committed a crime. Not only has this person committed a crime, he or she has run from facing the consequences of this crime.

No, all crimes aren’t equal, but stealing four or five hundred dollars from a retail concern is no small matter, especially if you’re already on probation for bank robbery. If you’re wondering why we’re addressing this now, earlier today we received an absolutely charming message from the niece of the man who’s wanted in Colbert County for this exact crime. The message contained more filth than most garbage collectors see in a week, so needless to say she lost her privilege to contact this site.

What happens when you steal $500.00 from a retail concern? (We’re using an arbitrarily rounded amount.)

* The vendor is still liable for sales tax of $50.00 to the state.

* The vendor is still liable for paying his vendor the original cost of the merchandise, around $225.00.

* The vendor may be responsible for a bank fee (Yes, that actually happens with some banks).

* The vendor has lost time in stocking and unstocking merchandise for which he’ll never see a financial return.

* The vendor himself may have bounced a check due to your crime.

* The vendor is out still more money when he has to pay a charge for the district attorney’s office to collect the check.

Ah, but you say (yes, someone sent us a copy of your FB post) you knew nothing about it. Really?

* Your bank should have sent you an overdraft notice.

* Your bank statement would not have shown the check as cleared.

* The business you defrauded would have attempted to contact you.

* The district attorney’s office would have attempted to contact you to tell you a warrant had been issued for your arrest.

* Your name and photo have been plastered on at least FIVE sites that we know of. Surely someone would have mentioned this to you in the intervening four weeks.

Aside from a select few of your friends and family, whom does the public support? In case you haven’t guessed, it isn’t you.

September 11: Lost Heroes

By: Bobby V. Inman

September 11th or 9-11 will always be remembered by this generation. This is our D-Day, Pearl Harbor or When Kennedy was shot. This generation will remember this day as the day that changed the focus and lifestyles of the United States as well as Countries abroad. There have been countless books and movies about the events leading up to and as well as the tragic events that took place that day.

I had recently written an article for the upcoming 9-11 event and had a thought after I had sent it in to the Publisher. We as the American People have heard stories of the brave heroics of the Police, Fire, Civilians and First Responders. However, there are some Heroes that don’t get mentioned as much. That is the Search and Rescue K-9’s that helped locate survivors at the Twin Towers.

Scout and another unknown dog lay among the rubble at Ground Zero, just two of nearly 100 search and rescue animals who helped to search for survivors

Sources within the New York Police Department, New York Fire Department and New York EMA, state that there were 100 Search and Rescue K-9s that were utilized at Ground Zero. In September of 2013, only 12 of these Search and Rescue Dogs remained alive. These K-9s helped find the victims and survivors of the terrible attack. They are the unsung heroes of this day.

Searching for survivors: The dogs tirelessly worked to help find those who survived the horrific attacks

Recently, we lost the last Search and Rescue K-9. She was getting old and was having problems getting around. Her owner decided to have her euthanized. There is a video on Youtube of the owner walking her into the Vet’s Office with two roles of Fire Fighters saluting her. After the process is done, She was placed in a flag draped coffin for burial.

From the CNN Website:

Last 9/11 rescue dog laid to rest June 7, 2016

(CNN)When it was time to say goodbye, she was given a hero's farewell.

Firefighters and rescue workers lined the sidewalk as her body, draped in an American flag, was carried out. Tears streaked down some faces.

Bretagne, believed to be the last surviving 9/11 Ground Zero search dog, was euthanized Monday.

The golden retriever was 16. Old age had slowed her down, and it was time to put her to sleep.

Last Known Living 9/11 Search & Rescue Dog Honored With Dream Day

Bretagne takes a break from work at the 9/11 site with Denise

So this 9-11 when we are remembering the Heroes of that day, let’s not forget the furry Heroes that were there.

Thank you for your service.

Bobby

Bobby Inman is retired from Full-time Police work. He currently works as a Reserve Deputy for the Colbert County, Alabama Sheriff’s Department as well as owning Hammer Down Gun & Pawn in Sheffield, Alabama. He has had articles published in Law & Order Magazine, Police Marksman Magazine, Guns & Weapons for Law Enforcement Magazine as well as several published ebooks on Amazon and Barnes and Noble (Nook). . He is the owner of Poopiedog, an Animal Rescue Dachshund, who is his constant companion.

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If anyone has problems posting Facebook comments, please let us know via e-mail. We have not previously enabled the profanity filter, but due to recent comments, we've activated it with a strict setting.

On that note, we have to ask why so many (not being PC here) of a certain social class can't say "good morning" without using either a profanity or vulgarity? We're also totally bemused by those who say we don't have a right to censor their comments.

Think of your FB page as your living room. You have a right to ask anyone to leave...and not come back. We've done that with a few readers over the years, and this past week we began a program to eliminate those who constantly break the rules. Remember: No vulgarities, no libelous statements, no threats of violence, no advocating rape or sex with children. You would think it wouldn't have to be said, but unfortunately no one administers an IQ test when selling computers or similar devices.

Lawyers, Sex, Money, & Murder: How Erica Fox Plotted to Have It All

Election Post Mortem/Hershel Graham

Drunk Baby in Tuscumbia?/Political Rumors

Just How Drunk is Your Hometown?

Lawyer Up/Roll Over/You Can Leave Your Hat On...

Valerie Parkhurst/A Serpent's Tooth

Panty Tree?/Tuscumbia Muskrat?

Fourth Anniversary of Mr. Elbert Davis' Murder

A Chief's Story/Public Information

A Word from Tony Logan/Update on Chip Dillard

Kaytrina P. Simmons/Missing Woman Found Dead

42% of All Statistics?/Holman Prison Cell Phones

Hermon Graham Demands Recount

Labor Day 2016

The Midnight Rider & Muskrat News

He Tried to Run Down Two Police Officers...

Football!/Animals, Police Officers, & Children

Graham Demands Second Recount/A Thank You from a LEO

Florence District 4/The Thief Isn't So Innocent

Remembering September 11/Profanity Filter