The Mayor of the City of Muscle Shoals announced on Monday the development of a new 66-acre mixed-use development in the city that will include multi-sport athletic facilities and a complex with the ability to host indoor and outdoor events adjacent to major retailers.
Mayor Mike Lockhart stated the new city-owned development located at Sportsplex Dr., “has been in the works for over two years”. The space will include indoor and outdoor facilities capable of hosting large regional tournaments.
Major retail development is central to the concept of the site. Plans include for significant retail space to be built out as the site develops.
On Sunday, Florence police officers responded to an animal welfare check at the bridge near the 300 block of Minniehaha Street. A witness stated he heard an animal that sounded like it was in distress.
Authorities have identified the two people that died in a two-vehicle crash on Tuesday on Florence Boulevard.
According to FPD Sgt. Ryan Kelly at approximately 4:08 p.m. on Tuesday, May 7, 2024., members of the Florence Police, Florence Fire Department, Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Department, and Lifeguard EMS responded to the intersection of Florence Boulevard and Sweetwater Avenue to a crash that took the lives of two individuals.
BOND SET FOR ANIMAL ABUSE SUSPECT DEBRA JANE CATLEDGE
The District Attorney’s office announced on Monday that a Colbert County Grand Jury has indicted Debra Jane Catledge for multiple felonies and misdemeanors related to a long-term investigation involving dogs and horses on her property.
The Shoals area was not excluded from the viewing path of the 2024 eclipse as many gathered outside making memories for years to come. Referred to as “Syzygy” where the sun, moon and earth temporarily align was truly an amazing sight to see.
Authorities have released the identity of a man who was found deceased at a Florence motel and is the subject of a death investigation.
Last Saturday, on March 23, 2024, at approximately 10:45 a.m., Florence Police responded to Budget Inn on Florence Boulevard to the report of an unresponsive person.
A two-vehicle crash involving a Keller ambulance that occurred at approximately 9:25 p.m. Saturday, March 23, has claimed the life of a Blountsville man.
According to State Troopers, Sidney L. Canada II, 33, was fatally injured when the disabled 2003 Honda VT600 motorcycle that he was on was struck by the 2017 Ford T250 Ambulance.
A former Sheffield resident pleaded guilty Thursday in Colbert County Circuit Court to two sexual abuse charges in exchange for a 24-month prison sentence.
According to court records, John Thomas Sledge, 70, of 385 Jones Road in Russellville, pleaded guilty to sexual abuse in the first and second degrees with the sentence to run concurrently.
At a special called meeting Friday afternoon, the Russellville City Schools Board of Education officially hired Dr. Tim Guinn as the next superintendent of Russellville City Schools.
Guinn is no stranger to Russellville or to Russellville City Schools. While Guinn is currently serving as superintendent of Satsuma City Schools in South Alabama, where he has been superintendent for the past two years, he was at Russellville prior to that post. Guinn came to Russellville in 2002 and served as the Assistant Principal at RHS from 2002 to 2009 before moving to the principal position for the next seven years. In 2016, Guinn accepted a position at the RCS Central Office as an administrative assistant, which is the position of assistant superintendent. He served in this capacity until accepting the superintendent’s job at Satsuma in January 2022.
On Tuesday March 19,2024 Colbert County Circuit Court, Richard Kevin Hester, 59, the man accused of killing John Thomas Call, 34, back in 2019 pleaded guilty to murder in exchange for a plea deal that allows him to serve 4 and a 1/2 years in prison to run concurrent with a prior sentence on a drug conviction that he still has 7 years left to serve. Hester must serve the 7 years on the drug conviction.
During the morning hours of Wednesday March 13, police received multiple reports of vehicle burglaries in the area of Ford Avenue to West Edison Avenue. During the course of the burglaries, multiple debit/credit card(s), and other sensitive instruments and documents were stolen. Utilizing leads developed during the hours that followed the burglaries, officers arrested a suspect.
On Friday, March 8th, Agents with the Lauderdale County Drug Task Force executed a search warrant at 30 Rainbow City Drive. A search of the residence revealed approximately 8 grams of Fentanyl pills, a gun, a small amount of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.
The street value of the Fentanyl was approximately $ 1,200. This according to drug agents.
Authorities have arrested a man in the shooting death of his wife.
On Tuesday, at around 8:00 a.m., Lauderdale County deputies responded to the 4000 block of County Rd 10, north of the Cloverdale community on a welfare check.
Once on scene deputies located a deceased female inside a residence. The female had died of an apparent gunshot wound. This according to Lauderdale County Sheriff Joe Hamilton.
Authorities have arrested a Lauderdale county man after he was indicted by a grand jury on five counts of possession of child pornography.
According to court documents, Hunter Cole Borden, 25, of County Road 277 in Florence, was arrested last Thursday and booked into the Lauderdale County detention center.
Northwest Shoals Community College (NWSCC) Upward Bound Phil Campbell Project participant Soraya Fonseca has been awarded the prestigious QuestBridge National College Match Scholarship.This will secure her place at Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire, upon her graduation from Russellville High School in 2024.
The QuestBridge National College Match Scholarship is a testament to Fonseca’s hard work, academic excellence, and commitment to serving others. This four-year full scholarship to Dartmouth College, one of the esteemed Ivy League institutions, recognizes her exceptional achievements both inside and outside the classroom.
HAVE YOU SEEN THIS MAN OR KNOW OF HIS WHEREABOUTS?
The Florence Police Department is asking the public for help in locating this suspect.
Philip Payton is wanted for multiple domestic violence criminal charges.
If you or someone you know has any information on his whereabouts please contact Detective Brian Berry at the Florence Police Department at 256-760-6504.
FLORENCE
