Shoals Insider

Flooding hits Muscle Shoals during torrential downpour

Flooding on Woodward Avenue (Twitter)

MUSCLE SHOALS–Flooding has hit the City of Muscle Shoals rather hard today. As you can tell the water has some area residents wanting to build an ark. Please be weather aware today as you travel throughout the Shoals Rea. Continue reading Flooding hits Muscle Shoals during torrential downpour

Former Alabama Legislator Charged in Bribery Conspiracy

Oliver Robinson Jr.

BIRMINGHAM – The U.S. Attorney’s Office today charged a former Alabama legislator with accepting bribes from a Birmingham lawyer and an Alabama coal company executive in exchange for advocating their employers’ opposition to EPA actions in North Birmingham, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Robert O. Posey, and other federal officials.

An information filed in U.S. District Court charges former state representative OLIVER L. ROBINSON JR. with conspiracy, bribery and honest services wire fraud for accepting a valuable contract between the Birmingham law firm Balch & Bingham and the Oliver Robinson Foundation to influence and reward Robinson for using his position as a member of the Alabama House of Representatives, vice-chairman of the Jefferson County Legislative Delegation, and an elected representative of citizens of Birmingham to pressure and advise public officials to oppose EPA’s prioritization and expansion of a North Birmingham EPA Superfund site. Continue reading Former Alabama Legislator Charged in Bribery Conspiracy

COLLEGE STREET FARMERS MARKET AT SINGIN’ RIVER LIVE

Thursdays from 3PM-7PM

Florence, Alabama, May 11, 2017– The Market was created to provide a place for producers to

come together to provide access to locally grown and produced, healthful, and adorable food.

Founded by local farmers and producers, College Street Farmers Market opened its doors on

May 4, 2017 on 526 E. College St. in Florence, Alabama.

Continue reading COLLEGE STREET FARMERS MARKET AT SINGIN’ RIVER LIVE

Troopers Encourage Parental Involvement to Prevent Underage Use of Alcohol, Tobacco

MONTGOMERY – Summer has officially arrived. Teens are out of school, giving them more free time – often at home alone or with friends. What is to stop them from consuming alcoholic beverages and tobacco products?

“Parental involvement is key,” said Lt. Darick Wilson, an Agent with the State Bureau of Investigation’s Alcohol/Tobacco Enforcement Division. “Some parents may not realize just how important a role they play in preventing underage use of alcohol and tobacco.” Continue reading Troopers Encourage Parental Involvement to Prevent Underage Use of Alcohol, Tobacco

UNA Summer Theatre Brings Back Alumnus for New Production

FLORENCE – Michael Baldwin, former UNA theatre student, is back in Florence for the summer theatre production ofThe Mountain Top.

The play is a fictional depiction of the Reverend Martin Luther King Jr.’s last night on earth. The entire play is set in room 306 of the Lorraine Motel on the eve of his assassination in 1968, after delivering his legendary “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop” speech.

Performances will be June 29, 30, and July 1 at 7:30 p.m., and July 2 at 2 p.m., and will take place in the George S. Lindsey Theatre. Continue reading UNA Summer Theatre Brings Back Alumnus for New Production

Mexican Man Sentenced to Nine Years in Prison for Drug Distribution, Illegal Weapons Possession

BIRMINGHAM – A federal judge today sentenced a Mexican man to nine years in prison for distributing methamphetamine and illegally possessing firearms, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Robert O. Posey and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Special Agent in Charge Steven L. Gerido.
U.S. District Court Judge R. David Proctor sentenced OSCAR ADRIAN CASTILLO, 25, on one count of illegally distributing more than 50 grams of methamphetamine in Jefferson County on Sept. 15, and on one count of possessing firearms on Sept. 20 while an illegal resident in the United States. Castillo possessed a Remington 12-gauge shotgun and a Smith & Wesson .40-caliber pistol at the Bessemer home where he was living at the time of his arrest. Castillo pleaded guilty to the charges in November. Continue reading Mexican Man Sentenced to Nine Years in Prison for Drug Distribution, Illegal Weapons Possession

Governor Ivey Issues Statewide State of Emergency in Preparation for Severe Weather

Alabama Governor Kay Ivey

MONTGOMERY– Governor Kay Ivey on Tuesday declared a statewide State of Emergency in anticipation of severe weather moving through Alabama starting on Tuesday. The National Weather Service is forecasting significant flash flooding possible Tuesday through Thursday as tropical moisture moves northward into the state.

The National Weather Service predicts heavy rain combined with the current saturated soil conditions will result in the potential for significant flash flooding, especially closer to the coast. This statewide State of Emergency is effective as of Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. Continue reading Governor Ivey Issues Statewide State of Emergency in Preparation for Severe Weather

OPINION: How John Steinbeck’s In Dubious Battle Helps Us Navigate Social Discord

Stephen Cooper

Rarely since the Great Depression has our country been as polarized and angry as it is today. On television, in newspapers, on social media, around the office water cooler, in line at the supermarket, even at the family dinner table, there is constant clashing and creating of divisions. Warring political parties, “special interest” groups competing for social change, and an endless series of labels–liberal and conservative, Republican and Democrat, libertarian or evangelical–work to separate us from one another. More and more, Americans are being asked to take sides in this battle of interests and ideas, magnified by social media and the 24-hour news cycle. Inserting sanity into the crock pot of conflicting ideologies can be challenging. Reading John Steinbeck, one of America’s greatest writers and keenest observers, offers a way out of the insanity. Continue reading OPINION: How John Steinbeck’s In Dubious Battle Helps Us Navigate Social Discord

Federal Correctional Officer Pleads Guilty to Accepting Bribes for Prison Contraband

BIRMINGHAM – A former correctional officer at the Federal Correctional Institution at Aliceville pleaded guilty Monday to accepting $5,695 in bribes to smuggle contraband into the prison and lying about it to investigators, federal officials announced.
ERIC C. PENDLETON, 54, of Montgomery, entered his guilty pleas before U.S. District Court Judge Madeline H. Haikala to accepting a bribe in return for violating his official duty as a federal correctional officer, and to making false statements to agents of the FBI and the DOJ-OIG. Pendleton is scheduled for sentencing Oct. 18.
As a federal correctional officer, Pendleton was a public official. He worked at the women’s prison from about January 2014 to August 2015. Beginning about September 2014, Pendleton worked as a federal materials handler supervisor in the prison commissary and laundry, overseeing inmates assigned to work in those facilities, according to the charges and Pendleton’s plea. Continue reading Federal Correctional Officer Pleads Guilty to Accepting Bribes for Prison Contraband

Beloved Shoals Area Author Danny Creasy excited about Keller Fest to be at ColdWater Books for Book Signing Monday

Danny Creasy with two of his recent books

TUSCUMBIA–Shoals author Danny Creasy is psyched about Monday (the first day of the Helen Keller Festival), June 19th. He will be at ColdWater Books on 6th Street in beautiful downtown Tuscumbia from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. interacting with readers and signing books. Continue reading Beloved Shoals Area Author Danny Creasy excited about Keller Fest to be at ColdWater Books for Book Signing Monday