According to court documents, April Dawn Malone, 42, of Star Lane in Killen stands charged with chemical endangerment of a child, Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance (methamphetamine), possession of marijuana, and [...]]]>

Lauderdale County authorities arrested a Killen woman last week after a search of the home revealed a cache of drugs and paraphernalia.

According to court documents, April Dawn Malone, 42, of Star Lane in Killen stands charged with chemical endangerment of a child, Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance (methamphetamine), possession of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Deputies say they found Methamphetamine, Marijuana, and meth pipes in a search of the home.
Malone is being held in the Lauderdale County Detention Center without bond.

The business was suspicious of the transaction and notified the Florence Police. Detectives began an investigation and learned Camden Rainey had obtained credit using the stolen identity [...]]]>

The Florence Police Department was notified Wednesday that a person had attempted to purchase an all-terrain vehicle and trailer valued at $31,400 from a local business.

The business was suspicious of the transaction and notified the Florence Police. Detectives began an investigation and learned Camden Rainey had obtained credit using the stolen identity of a resident of New York. It was discovered that Jamal Gilbert was also involved in the theft plan. Gilbert and Rainey were taken into custody after completing the fraudulent transaction at a Florence Boulevard business.
Camden Rainey, 19, of Huntsville, was arrested and charged with theft of property in the first degree, four counts of possessing a forged instrument in the second degree, identity theft, and forgery in the third degree. Jamal Gilbert, 22, of Athens, was arrested for criminal conspiracy to commit theft of property 1st degree. Both are currently being held at the Lauderdale County Detention Center. Rainey has a $71,000 bond, and Gilbert has a $15,000 bond

The withdrawals began on July 28th, according to police. [...]]]>

FLORENCE–Authorities have arrested a Florence man for making fraudulent bank withdrawals from someone else’s account in excess of $20,000.
According to court documents, Cord Scott Cassels, 33, of County Road 11, Florence, stands charged with theft of property 1st degree and identity theft.

The withdrawals began on July 28th, according to police. Court documents further state that Cassels had taken a debit card that did not belong to him.

Cassels was arrested in Lauderdale County in October of 2020 for Breaking and Entering a motor vehicle, Identity Theft, possession of a forged instrument, and theft of property 1st degree.

He had reportedly burglarized a truck at Shoals Tubular stealing the truck owner’s checkbook and writing $5,100 worth of checks. Cassels was captured in his vehicle on surveillance cameras, according to court documents.

Cassels would have had a $60,000 bond on the most recent charges but he failed to appear on the 2020 charges and the judge has issued a bench warrant.

Elizabeth Ann Reeder – Staff Writer

Officers located a man who had been stabbed in the arm.He was transported to [...]]]>

FLORENCE– Police officers made an arrest early Sunday morning after receiving a domestic violence call.
According to Florence police, at around 5:13 Sunday morning, officers responded to 745 Meridian Street Apartments, to a domestic call involving a knife.

Officers located a man who had been stabbed in the arm.
He was transported to a local hospital where he underwent emergency surgery.
After an investigation, Katie Ann Fitch, 31, was arrested for Domestic Violence Assault in the second degree.
Both Fitch and the victim have reportedly been in a dating relationship for many years.
The victim’s injuries were serious. Fitch was incarcerated on a $30,000 bond which has been revoked since she was out on bond for a previous domestic assault that occurred back on June 19th of this year. She is being held at the Lauderdale County Detention Center.

Jeff Roland – Editor in Chief

The city council ordered the hotel closed on Aug. 24 after a hearing during which Police Chief Ron Tyler [...]]]>

FLORENCE — Citing the need for order and the protection of the citizenry, Lauderdale County Circuit Court Judge Gil Self denied a request for a preliminary injunction that would have reopened Florence Inn & Suites.

The city council ordered the hotel closed on Aug. 24 after a hearing during which Police Chief Ron Tyler said his department has received more than 1,000 calls to the 1915 Florence Blvd. business motel since 2017.

The chief said his department had received complaints of rapes, burglaries, unwanted guests, drug activity, theft of property, prostitution and drug paraphernalia coming from the hotel.
Self issued his order Thursday, also stating the business license for Florence Inn & Suites remains revoked.

Staff Reports

According to authorities, Seth Jones Robinson, 20, of Florence, stands charged with criminal mischief, criminal trespass, desecration of a venerated object, and attempting to elude a law enforcement [...]]]>

FLORENCE – Authorities took a man into custody Wednesday afternoon who they say slung paint on the Confederate monument in front of the Lauderdale County Courthouse.

According to authorities, Seth Jones Robinson, 20, of Florence, stands charged with criminal mischief, criminal trespass, desecration of a venerated object, and attempting to elude a law enforcement officer.
The incident occurred late Wednesday afternoon, and county workers were able to hose off most of the paint.
The man used blue and purple paint, and a courthouse employee saw him and contacted deputies, courthouse officials said.
A deputy chased him on foot and caught him.
Robinson was released from the Lauderdale County Detention Center on a $1500 bond ar ar

Staff Reports