On [...]]]>

On Friday, July 22, 2022, Samuel Brycin Fuqua, 26 of Muscle Shoals, was taken into custody and detained as a suspect in the shooting incident of a 22yr old female victim at 812 6th St in Muscle Shoals, AL. The events that lead to the detention of Samuel Fuqua are as follows:

On July 22, 2022 Officers with the Muscle Shoals Police Department were dispatch to 810 6th St. in reference to a female with a gunshot wound. Muscle Shoals Police Officers arrived on scene. Once the scene was deemed safe, Muscle Shoals Firemen, along with Keller EMS Personnel, began attending to a female victim with a single gunshot wound to the head. MSPD Detectives and Command Staff then arrived on scene to begin the investigation. The 22yr old victim was identified as Jalisa Lashea Box of Florence, Alabama.

Officers and Detectives learned of a domestic incident that took place inside and outside of the residence that lead to Samuel Fuqua shooting Jalisa Box, once in the head. Fuqua then left the scene in a vehicle and traveled to Murphy Oil Gas Station where he got out on foot. At that point Fuqua made his way to Sheffield, Alabama.

In coordination with the Sheffield Police Department, the Colbert County Sheriff’s Office and several members of the public, MSPD learned of Fuqua’s whereabouts in the city of Sheffield. The Sheffield Police Department acted quickly on information obtained from the public and apprehended Fuqua at a residence on 8th Ave in Sheffield. Samuel Fuqua was then taken into custody and transported to the Muscle Shoals Police Department without incident. At this time Muscle Shoals Police Department Detectives are working on obtaining a Warrant of Arrest for Samuel Brycin Fuqua for the charge of Attempted Murder with other charges to follow. Fuqua is currently being held at the Muscle Shoals Police Department pending the acquisition of the warrant.

Confirmed information obtained by the Muscle Shoals Police Department from medical personnel with Huntsville Hospital, list Jalisa Box as in Stable Condition and expected to recover. Our thoughts and prayers are with Ms. Box and her family.

The Muscle Shoals Police Department would like to thank the Sheffield Police Department, the Colbert County Sheriff’s Office and members of the public for their help with this investigation.

The existing pumps, located at the Shoals City Retention pond off Wilson Dam Road, were installed in 1987. New accommodations will be made to the [...]]]>

MUSCLE SHOALS– At the last meeting of the Muscle Shoals city council, council members approved the purchase of two new pumps totaling $64,825.00 from MWI Pumps in Florida.

The existing pumps, located at the Shoals City Retention pond off Wilson Dam Road, were installed in 1987. New accommodations will be made to the retention pond off Airport Road to allow for the operation of the two new engines, giving each of the three pumps its own engine.

The next work session of the Muscle Shoals City Council has been called for Thursday, March 11th at 5:30 pm. The meeting will be held at the Cypress Lakes banquet room due to a conflict with the municipal court in session at city hall. The Council will discuss plans for future services and operational concerns.
The public is invited to attend. Social distancing guidelines will be observed.

By Elizabeth Reeder – Staff Writer

Anderson, who was a friend to the Shoals area, died at his home around 5:30 pm Monday of natural causes.

Anderson had served on many positions in the community [...]]]>

FLORENCE- Joel Anderson, a member of the Anderson family businesses that is known for its business success and civil-minded spirit, died Monday.

Anderson, who was a friend to the Shoals area, died at his home around 5:30 pm Monday of natural causes.

Anderson had served on many positions in the community throughout the years. He was a member of the Board of Directors at Fist Southern Bank, which has an extensive biography of him on its website.

Among those it lists: chairman of the Riverhill School and board member of the Riverhill School Foundation., director of Shoals Chamber of Commerce; director of First National Bank; chairman and founder of the Florence Lauderdale Library Foundation; chairman of the Shoals Literacy Council; director of the YMCA and the Florence-Lauderdale Industrial Expansion Committee.
He also was the founder, chairman and director of the American Fireworks Standards Laboratory and trustee of the Cardiovascular Institute of Philadelphia. He was a trustee of the University of North Alabama board of trustees.
Florence City Council President Dick Jordan said Anderson was a close friend who was a major leader in the move to build the new Florence-Lauderdale Public Library and UNA’s new nursing building.
“Joel and I had a unique relationship. Very special one. We graduated from high school together at Coffee,”said Jordan.
“He did so much for this whole city and gave so much,” Jordan said. “He will certainly be missed.”
Anderson was 76 years old.

Charles Edward Blankenship and William Paul Cosby had requests denied by The Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles, said Terry Abbott, director of communications for the Alabama Bureau of Pardons and Paroles.

Blankenship was sentenced to [...]]]>

MONTGOMERY — Two inmates serving on convictions in local cases have had their parole requests denied, authorities said.

Charles Edward Blankenship and William Paul Cosby had requests denied by The Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles, said Terry Abbott, director of communications for the Alabama Bureau of Pardons and Paroles.

Blankenship was sentenced to 20 years for second-degree robbery stemming from a Colbert County case, according to records. He has served 7 years, 8 months. He is in the Ventress Correctional Center.
Cosby was sentenced to 15 years for convictions in Colbert County of second-degree robbery and possession of a controlled substance, according to records. He is in the Limestone Correctional Facility.

The board turned down the request from Eric C. Terrell, said Terry Abbott, director of communications for the Alabama Bureau of Pardons and Paroles. Terrell [...]]]>

MONTGOMERY–The Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles denied a parole request yesterday for a man serving 12 years on a felony domestic violence conviction, authorities said.

The board turned down the request from Eric C. Terrell, said Terry Abbott, director of communications for the Alabama Bureau of Pardons and Paroles. Terrell pleaded guilty in Colbert County to the felony domestic violence charge in 2018, authorities said.

He has served 2 years, 8 months of his sentence, according to the Alabama Department of Corrections.

The board on Thursday considers parole requests from two other inmates connected to local offenses, Abbott said.

Those include Charles Edward Blankenship, who is 7 years, 8 months into a 20-year sentence for second-degree robbery in Colbert County, and William Paul Cosby, who is 2 years, 10 months into a 15-year sentence for convictions of second-degree robbery and possession of a controlled substance in Colbert County, according to records.

Colbert Sheriff Frank Williamson says Jason Dickson, 45, of Muscle Shoals, is in custody [...]]]>

FORD CITY- Authorities have arrested the man they say is responsible for the robbery last week of the Ford City Shell station and firing shots at Florence police in a chase the next day after the robbery.

Colbert Sheriff Frank Williamson says Jason Dickson, 45, of Muscle Shoals, is in custody on 1st degree Robbery charges in the Colbert County Jail.

According to court documents, Dickson, who used duct tape for a mask, took some items to eat, drink, and smoke. The complaint states Dickson, during the robbery of the Shell picked up a Yoohoo drink, a pack of Marlboro Red cigarettes, a Swisher Sweet cigar, and the victim’s sack of food.

The robbery occurred after closing, as the female employee walked to her car, Dickson allegedly met her on the way to her car.

Dickson, who reportedly did all of this at gunpoint, also allegedly took $750 cash.

Dickson reportedly left with the gas station employee’s cell phone after he told her he was, “the bogeyman” and “her worst nightmare,”

Video cameras have Dickson on tape purchasing the duct tape he used to cover his face at the Dollar General in Ford City.

Dickson apparently became involved in a chase with Florence police while on the run after robbing the Shell Station in Ford City. He was reportedly later apprehended with a firearm and bank bag from Ford City Shell.

Colbert deputies picked up Dickson at the Lauderdale County Detention Center after his arrest following the chase with authorities in Lauderdale County.

Dickson is being held in the Colbert County Jail on a $30,000 bond.

Staff Reports

ShoalsInsider.com – Keeping You Informed

Hamer has served [...]]]>

Parole was granted Tuesday for two inmates serving time for Shoals area crimes.
The Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles granted requests from Lee Vaughn Hamer and Matthew Lee Vandiver following hearings, said Terry Abbott, director of communications for the Alabama Bureau of Pardons and Paroles.

Hamer has served more than 8 years, 1 month of an 18-year sentenced on convictions of two counts of possession of a controlled substance, according to the Alabama Department of Corrections. One count is from a Colbert County case and one is a Lauderdale County case. He is in the Red Eagle Work Center.
He also has prior convictions on possession, second-degree assault and second-degree theft of property in Lauderdale County, officials said.
Vandiver has served just over a year of a five-year sentence in the Limestone Correctional Facility on Colbert County convictions of first-degree theft of property, possession of a controlled substance and possession/receiving a controlled substance, according to the Department of Corrections.
Wednesday, the board hears a request from Dennis Jason Montgomery. Abbott said.
Montgomery has served 10 years, 8 months of a 20-year sentence in the Limestone Correctional Center on theft-related charges in Colbert, Lawrence and Morgan counties, officials said. The convictions include second-degree burglary, third-degree burglary, three counts of first-degree theft of property, two counts of possession of a controlled substance, two counts of second-degree receiving stolen property and two counts of breaking and entering a vehicle, according to the Department of Corrections. He also had priors of third-degree burglary and second-degree theft of property.

According to Chief Tony Logan, Sherrod is home and safe.

Friends and family searched Spring Park on Monday in the hopes of finding some clues as to his whereabouts.

Over the weekend, Sherrod’s cell phone and wallet [...]]]>

TUSCUMBIA- Authorities have confirmed that the missing Tuscumbia man, Antuawn Sherrod, has been located.

According to Chief Tony Logan, Sherrod is home and safe.

Friends and family searched Spring Park on Monday in the hopes of finding some clues as to his whereabouts.

Over the weekend, Sherrod’s cell phone and wallet were reportedly found at Spring Park.

Chief Logan tells ShoalsInsider,com that Sherrod maintains he was never at Spring Park over the weekend.

More details as they become available.

Staff Reports

ShoalsInsider.com – Keeping You Informed

Out of an abundance of caution concerning the pandemic, the leadership of the City of Florence and owners of [...]]]>

FLORENCE – The 39th annual Spirit of Freedom Celebration scheduled for July 4, 2020, at McFarland Park in Florence has been rescheduled. The new date for the event is November 11, 2020, on Veterans Day.

Out of an abundance of caution concerning the pandemic, the leadership of the City of Florence and owners of Singing River Media Group made the decision to postpone this popular event. Mayor Steve Holt’s concern is the safety of thousands of people who attend.
“It’s difficult to predict where we’ll be in terms of the pandemic in July so the event sponsors and I agree it’s best to err on the side of caution,” Holt said. “We opted to postpone the event instead of cancelling it.”
“Planning for an event this size is difficult even in the best of times,” said Mike Self, President and General Manager of Singing River Media Group. “Because of the uncertainty surrounding the pandemic the best option was to postpone the event. This gives us time to let the virus run its course and get a good understanding of what safety measures we may need to put into the event. Weather in The Shoals is generally great in October and early November and we’re looking forward to a successful celebration to honor America and veterans!”
The Spirit of Freedom Celebration was begun in 1982 by WLAY and has continued annually. It is held at McFarland Park in Florence, AL on The Fourth of July. It has been named one of the top events in Alabama and the Southeast. Singing River Media Group is the parent company of WLAY-FM 100.1, WVNA-FM 105.5, WMSR-FM 94.9, WMXV-FM 101.5, WLAY-AM 1450, and WVNA-AM 1590.