Alabama’s leading Political Columnist Steve Flowers
This week marks the 20th Anniversary of the infamous 9/11 terrorist attacks on our nation. It was a day in your life where you remember where you were and what you were doing when you first heard of the attacks on the New York World Trade Center and Pentagon. It changed our world.
Like most people, I thought the first plane that flew into the towering Trade Center, was an accident. However, when the second plane hit you knew it was not pilot error. It was traumatic and terrifying. I asked several of our state leaders their memories of that fateful day. Allow me to share some of their experiences.
Today, only two members of our current congressional delegation were in Congress at the time: Senator Richard Shelby and Congressman Robert Aderholt. Our senior senator, Richard Shelby, was actually chairman of the U.S. Senate Intelligence Committee. He was immediately briefed by the CIA, however, amazingly, he was not placed in a protective bunker. He quietly sat in his office with his staff and watched the day unfold on television.
Congressman Robert Aderholt, who was a brand new 33-year old congressman recalls he and his wife, Caroline, were taking their daughter to her first day of school while all the 9/11 events were unfolding. That daughter, Mary Elliott, is now a senior at Auburn.
PSC President Twinkle Cavanaugh had just left Washington and was back home in Alabama getting ready for a conference call. The call was cancelled, and she sat in shock all day.
ATHENS — Attorney General Steve Marshall announced that former Limestone County Sheriff Michael Anthony Blakely was sentenced recently to serve three years in jail.Blakely was found guilty by a jury in Limestone County Circuit Court on August 2 of two counts, one of theft and one of an ethics violation. After his two felony convictions, Blakely was removed from office as Limestone County Sheriff and taken into custody.
ATHENS —Attorney General Steve Marshall announced that former Limestone County Sheriff Michael Anthony Blakely was found guilty on theft and ethics charges after a Limestone County jury returned two guilty verdicts Monday afternoon. As a result of his two felony convictions, Blakely has been removed from office as Limestone County Sheriff and taken into custody.
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – A federal grand jury today indicted an inmate on an assault charge, announced federal authorities.
A one-count indictment filed in U.S. District Court charges Lemond Lawrence Burns, 22, of Alpine, with assault of a correctional officer resulting in bodily injury. Burns is accused of assaulting an on-duty corrections officer in the Morgan County Jail in April 2021.
KILLEN–A two-vehicle crash at approximately 2:50 p.m. Monday, July 26, has claimed the life of a Lawrenceburg, Tenn., woman and injured two others. According to Troopers, Patricia Mashburn, 81, was killed when the 2003 Chevrolet Malibu she was driving struck a 2006 Chevrolet Colorado.
Red Bay, AL – The Tiffin Group, owner of luxury recreational vehicle manufacturers Tiffin Motorhomes and Vanleigh RV, announced today that Leigh Tiffin, grandson of founder Bob Tiffin, will assume the role of President of the Company on July 12, 2021.
“It was always important to me that the legacy of this company be protected and managed by someone who understands what we have built at Tiffin and by someone who is passionate about maintaining the great Tiffin brand. This was a big part of the reason why our partnership with THOR made so much sense to me, because THOR lets us run our company and make decisions like this that are in the long-term interest of our customers. Leigh is the right person for the job, and I could not be more excited about the future of the company under his direction,” stated founder Bob Tiffin, who will stay in his current role of Chief Executive Officer.
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – A federal judge yesterday sentenced Norman David Ray Fischer, 41, of Owens Cross Roads, to 211 months in prison on gun and drug charges, announced U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Special Agent in Charge Mickey French.
In March, Fischer pleaded guilty before U.S. District Court Judge Abdul K. Kallon to one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Welcome to Rocketzoid S3, where we serve Great Food from Planet Earth. We are proud to be a part of the Lexington community, and strive to help reach others while here. We are known for supporting local teams, organizations and giving back to our local community.
Our specialty is to provide a source for great food from Planet Earth. We bring in items from local as well as international favorites such as our fluffernutter, classic reuben, and soon to be introduced the Avocado Bacon Tomato sandwich to name a few specialties. We offer daily rotating specials, and Sunday lunch is always interesting and delicious.
The gourmet burgers and gourmet pizzas are crowd favorites. Homemade soups and desserts are made daily! Come see what’s new as we do rotate items in and out of our menu weekly.
TUSCUMBIA–Veteran law enforcement officer Jim Heffernan retired on Wednesday after 26 years in law enforcement. A reception was held for Heffernan at the Sheriff’s department Wednesday afternoon where several coworkers and area law enforcement officers came by to see Jim on his last day before retirement.
Alabama’s leading Political Columnist Steve Flowers
Alcohol was on the minds of many Alabama lawmakers this year as the legislature considered an abnormally high number of alcohol-related bills. Several of the bills passed. Most notable was legislation that made it possible for Alabama businesses to deliver beer, wine and liquor to customers’ homes, and separate legislation that allows state residents to order wine directly from wineries, even if those producers are out of state.
One piece of legislation that did not pass was Senator Arthur Orr’s perennial bill to privatize ABC liquor stores. There are a number of reasons for Alabamians to be thankful this legislation did not pass.
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – A Florida man was sentenced recently for a bank robbery in Anniston, announced U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona and Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Johnnie Sharp, Jr.
United States District Judge R. David Proctor sentenced Shaun Jamar Harris, 32, of Miami, Florida, to 70 months in prison for bank robbery. Harris pleaded guilty to the charge in November 2020.
TUSCUMBIA– Folks be sure and save the date, because a funfilled day of music is headed to the Shoals.
Alabama Music Concert – Sat., July 31 * 1:00pm – 10:00pm *15 Bands/Artists. (Food, Vendors & Live D.J.)At the Alabama Hall of Fame Outdoor Stage – Tuscumbia, ALFeaturing: Kari Erickson from American Idol, Tyler Jones & Band, Darien Omar. Anna Kate Warner, Twisted Country Band, Night Shift Band, Howell Sledge & the Revue, Justin Miller, Commom Ground Band, Rev. Jerry Reeves & Band & others.. 1:00pm – 10:00pmTickets: $10.00Concert Information https://www.facebook.com/distinguishedproduction
SHEFFIELD–The Sheffield VFW located at 419 Raleigh Avenue was closed on Tuesday of this week pending an audit to determine if the local chapter is following all local, state, and federal laws.
Wow!! If you haven’t been to 360 Grille, by the Marriot in Florence, AL you need to go. The atmosphere is very classy and part of the room where the diners sit rotates “360 degrees” every hour. This provides a great view of all of the Shoals. Having been FB friends with executive chef Angel Heinkel for quite some time she had been inviting me up there and I’m so glad I went. She is a professional and my it truly shows in her work.
FLORENCE– The Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) announced that the University of North Alabama’s College of Education and Human Sciences is one of 60 providers from 26 states to receive accreditation for their educator preparation programs. The Spring 2021 review by the CAEP Accreditation Council resulted in 60 newly accredited EPPs, bringing the total to 423 providers approved under the CAEP Accreditation Standards – rigorous, nationally recognized standards that were developed to ensure excellence in educator preparation programs.
TUSCUMBIA- A recent session of the Colbert County Grand Jury upgraded the charge of Major Julius Rice, 28, of Sheffield. According to officials, Rice was initially charged with Assault 2nd degree after an incident where he reportedly attacked his neighbor, Sebastian Blu Devaughn, on August 11 of 2020, at Jackson Apartments in Sheffield.
FLORENCE, AL – University of North Alabama Athletics Director Mark Linder will step down from his duties in that role, effective Tuesday, June 1. Linder will shift into the classroom as a Lecturer in Sport and Recreation Management in the Department of Kinesiology.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time as the Athletics Director at North Alabama. I am so honored to have been a part of the success of our transition to Division I, our teams, our staff, and most important, our student-athletes over the past 14 years,” Linder said. “The time is right for me to request this change in responsibilities in order to focus my attention on other aspects of my life. North Alabama Athletics will always graduate champions, and I am proud to have been part of the success of these teams, coaches, and student-athletes.”
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – A Childersburg woman was sentenced recently for engaging in a wire fraud scheme, announced U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona, and Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Johnnie Sharp, Jr.
U.S. District Judge Annemarie Axon sentenced Tonya Bird Swain, 43, to 24 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for wire fraud. Swain was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $532,724.48 to the victim. Swain pleaded guilty to the charges in January.
Memorandum of Understanding between UNA and the PCH Hotels and Resorts. Photo by Leah T. Johnson. photo@una.edu
FLORENCE – Officials with the University of North Alabama and PCH Hotels and Resorts signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that will benefit all PCH Hotels and Resorts employees seeking any online or on-campus, graduate or undergraduate degree from UNA. Further, the agreement highlights the opportunity for employees to take part in UNA’s New Start Scholarship program. Any PCH Hotels and Resorts employee who enrolls in two courses will qualify, and the first course will be free.
