The complainant witnessed the offender physically abusing a dog. When officers arrived, they located a small white dog [...]]]>

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.

The complainant witnessed the offender physically abusing a dog. When officers arrived, they located a small white dog deceased in the creek. The witness described the suspect, and Officers began a search of the surrounding area. Officers located Kevin Bruce, 33, nearby.

Bruce was interviewed and subsequently arrested and charged with Aggravated Animal Abuse.

Bruce is being held in the Lauderdale County Detention Center on a $2,500 bond.

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 [...]]]> POLICE IDENTIFY VICTIMS IN TUESDAYS FATAL CRASH

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.

Victims of the crash were David Terry, 53, a twenty-six-year veteran of the Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Department, and Dawn Buchanan, 57, of Florence.

The preliminary investigation indicates Buchanan was traveling east on Florence Boulevard when a vehicle coming off Sweetwater Avenue failed to yield the right of way. Buchanan swerved, losing control of her vehicle. Buchanan’s vehicle crossed over the median into the westbound lanes of Florence Boulevard, colliding with Terry’s vehicle. David Terry and Dawn Buchanan were pronounced deceased at the scene by Lauderdale Coroner Kim Jones.

If you witnessed this incident, please call the Florence Police Department at 256.760.6561

The Shoals Insider extends our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased.

According to Sheriff Hamilton, the man who died after charging two Florence police officers with knives is Bart James Barcelou, 42, of Florence.

The incident occurred at about 10:52 am Monday on the 200 block [...]]]>

Lauderdale County Sheriff Joe Hamilton has identified the person who died after Monday’s officer-involved shooting on Walnut Street.

According to Sheriff Hamilton, the man who died after charging two Florence police officers with knives is Bart James Barcelou, 42, of Florence.

The incident occurred at about 10:52 am Monday on the 200 block of Walnut Street.

Florence police officers were attempting to serve Barcelou with felony warrants for rape from another state.

Sheriff Hamilton said Barcelou held active warrants from Kane County, Utah for three counts of rape and one count of dealing harmful material to minors by an adult.

The sheriff said Barcelou had a knife in each hand during the confrontation.

He was pronounced dead at NAMC Hospital at 12:38 pm.

Officers located a male who stated his wife was ramming his vehicle with hers and she had left on foot. The [...]]]>

On Monday, November 28, 2022, at approximately 4:30 PM, officers responded to the area of College Street and Court Street to a call of a vehicle striking another vehicle multiple times.

Officers located a male who stated his wife was ramming his vehicle with hers and she had left on foot. The male had sustained minor injuries. He identified his wife as Melissa Allison.
Melissa Allison, 43, of Florence, was located a few blocks away and arrested and charged with Reckless Endangerment, Leaving the Scene of an Accident, and Domestic Violence Aggravated Assault.
She’s currently being held at the Lauderdale County Detention Center.

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

After an investigation, it was determined that the female victim was being kept [...]]]>

FLORENCE–On New Year’s Day, the Florence Police Department was contacted by a female who reportedly ran from a home at 1901 Conway Drive Florence. The female victim had several injuries and was taken to North Alabama Medical Center.

After an investigation, it was determined that the female victim was being kept at the Conway Drive residence without her consent and being physically and emotionally abused.

An arrest warrant was obtained for Richard Lee Lund, 50, of 1901 Conway Drive Florence.
Lund was arrested on January 2, 2022, and charged with Unlawful Imprisonment 1st Degree, Sodomy 1st Degree, Domestic Violence 3rd Degree (Menacing), and Domestic Violence 2nd Degree.
A search warrant was obtained and executed by the Florence/Lauderdale SWAT team on Sunday. After conducting the search, the charge of Attempted Murder was added to his charges on Monday, January 3, 2022.
Lund has a prior assault conviction in St. Charles, Missouri, and a domestic violence arrest in Florida.
Lund is being held at the Lauderdale County Detention Center on a $155,000 bond.

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