Shoals Area News – Shoals Insider

TUSCUMBIA WOMAN CHARGED WITH MANSLAUGHTER PLEADS NOT GUILTY IN TRAFFIC DEATH

H. Wayne Nix — Thu, 21 Nov 2024 01:17:41 +0000

NEWS ALERT By WB Franks

Staff Writer

TUSCUMBIA – A woman who authorities said had alcohol and drugs in her system at the time of a fatal Colbert County crash pleaded not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect, according to court records.A Colbert County grand jury recently indicted Emma Claire Snipes, 25, of Tuscumbia, in the death of Jimmie D. Smallwood, 76, of Tuscumbia.On Nov. 23, 2023, the vehicle Snipes was driving collided with the one Smallwood was driving on Alabama Highway 20, south of Muscle Shoals, Alabama troopers said.Smallwood was pronounced dead at the scene by the Colbert County Coroner’s Office. A toxicology report indicated Snipes had alcohol, methamphetamine, and THC in her system, according to the indictment. In addition, troopers she was traveling at a high rate of speed.Snipes was released from the Colbert County Jail on a $50,000 bond. She was arraigned in Colbert County Circuit Court on Tuesday in front of Colbert County Circuit Judge Kyle Brown. Snipes is being represented by Florence Attorney Ralph Holt.

LAUDERDALE COUNTYWATERLOO MAN DIES IN AFTERNOON CRASH

H. Wayne Nix — Thu, 21 Nov 2024 01:12:48 +0000

NEWS ALERT A single-vehicle crash that occurred at approximately 4:10 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 14, has claimed the life of a Waterloo man. Jefferey G. Joiner, 60, was critically injured when the 2006 Lincoln Zephyr he was driving left the roadway, struck a ditch, a utility pole and then a tree. The Lincoln caught fire and became engulfed in flames. Joiner was not using a seat belt at the time of crash, was ejected and transported to North Alabama Medical Center in Florence for treatment. Joiner later succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased while at the hospital. The crash occurred on Alabama 20 near Lauderdale County 87, approximately 18 miles west of Florence, in Lauderdale County. Troopers with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s (ALEA) Highway Patrol Division continue to investigate the crash.

RESTAURANT MANAGER ARRESTED FOR MULTIPLE SEX CRIMES INVOLVING UNDERAGE EMPLOYEE

H. Wayne Nix — Sat, 09 Nov 2024 02:51:06 +0000

NEWS ALERT FLORENCE

Authorities have confirmed to Shoals Insider that a fast food restaurant manager was arrested last week and charged with multiple sex crimes involving an underage employee.

Police have identified the suspect as Garrett David Wilkins, 38 years old, of Florence.

On September 25, 2024, detectives opened an investigation involving an adult having inappropriate sexual activity with an underage juvenile. Detectives were able to establish probable cause to issue warrants for Garrett Wilkins.

Wilkins was located in Salt Lake City, Utah by the US Marshals last week and he was transported back to Florence.

Wilkins was booked into the g we Lauderdale County Detention Center and charged with 6 counts of Pornography/Obscene Material, 6 counts of Possession of Child Pornography, 2nd degree of Sexual Abuse, 2 counts of Transmitting Obscene Material to a child, Enticing a Child to Enter and Electronic Solicitation of a Child.

The victim is reportedly 15 years of age. This according to court records.

Garrett David Wilkins is being held at the Lauderdale County Detention Center on a $606,000 bond.

TUSCUMBIA SHEFFIELD MAN SENTENCED TO 15 YEARS

H. Wayne Nix — Fri, 25 Oct 2024 03:44:21 +0000

NEWS ALERT An inmate who was facing trial on a trafficking of methamphetamine charge in Lauderdale County this week has instead pleaded guilty to a lesser offense.Robert William Redding Jr., 38, of Sheffield, will serve 15 years in prison after pleading Thursday to possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute and first-degree permitting or aiding an escape, according to court records.The sentences will run concurrently with sentences from prior convictions. Redding currently is in the Limestone Correctional Facility, where he has served just over seven years of a 17-year sentence on convictions of first-degree theft of property, two counts of second-degree theft of property and one count each of second-degree possession of a forged instrument and second-degree escape, according to the Alabama Department of Corrections.He also has prior convictions on two counts of third-degree burglary, according to corrections records.By WB Franks

MAN ARRESTED FOR ASSAULTING FLORENCE POLICE OFFICER

H. Wayne Nix — Wed, 09 Oct 2024 21:29:35 +0000

NEWS ALERT FLORENCE

A suspect has been arrested and charged with assaulting a Florence police officer after an altercation at a local residence.

FPD released the following statement regarding the incident:

On Monday, October 7, 2024, at around 6 PM, officers responded to a residence in the 500 block of North Franklin Street to assist a homeowner with an unwanted guest. Tyler Reeves was present and refused to leave. Reeves had warrants for his arrest. Officers made contact with Reeves at the front door, and he slammed the door. A short time later, Reeves opened the front door again, and officers attempted to grab him. Reeves slammed the front door. The door struck the officer’s arm, causing the glass to shatter. The officer sustained a deep laceration to his arm. Reeves was taken into custody and charged with Assault of a Police Officer and Resisting Arrest.

The officer was treated and released from the North Alabama Medical Center.

Tyler Reeves, 31, of Florence, is being held at the Lauderdale County Detention Center on a $2800 bond.

Body found in Sweetwater creek identified

H. Wayne Nix — Wed, 09 Oct 2024 02:46:43 +0000

NEWS ALERT Florence police have identified the missing man who was found last Friday in Sweetwater Creek. On Friday, October 4, 2024, at around 1:30 PM, a deceased male was located lying in Sweetwater Creek. The male has been identified as Clarance Spann, 69 years of age of Florence. Spann was reported missing and last seen September 20, 2024. Spann’s body was sent for autopsy and no foul play is suspected in his death. Our condolences are with the family of Clarance Spann as they navigate this difficult time.

Form to use for a train blocking an intersection.

H. Wayne Nix — Mon, 07 Oct 2024 01:06:06 +0000

Use this form to report when a train is blocking a highway-rail grade crossing. Please report only once for each blocked crossing. There are no federal laws or regulations pertaining to blocked crossings. Therefore, this information is only being used to track the location and impacts of blocked crossings. FRA’s purpose of collecting this information is to learn where, when, for how long, and what impacts result from blocked highway-rail grade crossings. FRA may share this information with stakeholders, including railroads, state and local governments, and other federal authorities. There may be legitimate operating and/or safety-related reasons for a crossing to be occupied by a slow or idling train. FRA does not confirm the accuracy of the blocked crossing reports submitted to this portal. This collection is not designed to provide a representative sample or create generalizable statistics. The data gathered from this collection is not suitable for use in budgetary requests, nor regulatory proposals. The agency shall not utilize the data for these purposes. Further, when the agency disseminates data from this collection, it will note that the data is not a representative sample and whether the agency has confirmed the information.

MOTORCYCLIST RECOVERING AFTER MORNING CRASH

H. Wayne Nix — Sun, 06 Oct 2024 00:18:05 +0000

NEWS ALERT Tuscumbia, Alabama.

A Leighton man is recovering in Huntsville Hospital after an early Saturday morning motorcycle crash at 6th Street and Commons in Tuscumbia near Hines Tire.

The driver of the motorcycle suffered a fractured shoulder and some internal thoracic injury. It is unknown how long he will have to stay in Huntsville Hospital. This according to family members who contacted Shoals Insider.

There was a second vehicle involved in the crash that occurred at around 8 am Saturday.

Tuscumbia Fire and Rescue along with Keller Ambulance were on the scene within minutes of the crash.

Tuscumbia police continue to investigate the crash.

Body Found in Sweetwater Creek, Florence, Alabama

H. Wayne Nix — Fri, 04 Oct 2024 22:39:05 +0000

Police are conducting a death investigation after a male body was found at the creek on Sweetwater Drive between Patton and State Street. Florence police and the Lauderdale County Coroner Kim Jones are currently on the scene. Jones tells Shoals Insider that the body will be sent to the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences in Huntsville for an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death. We will have more details as soon as they become available.

Sheffield High School Homecoming Parade 2024

H. Wayne Nix — Fri, 04 Oct 2024 04:12:05 +0000