Shoals Area News – Shoals Insider

MAN ARRESTED ON DRUG AND CHILD PORNOGRAPHY CHARGES

Staff — Thu, 22 Dec 2022 15:14:58 +0000

HOWARD

Authorities have arrested a Florence man after a search warrant was executed at his residence.
A female victim initiated the case by calling the sheriff’s office to report that she had been sexually assaulted. She had found a video on his phone of her being sexually assaulted while she was asleep.

Mitchell Kyle Howard, 38, of County Road 142 in Florence, stands charged with three counts of possession of pornographic material involving minors. He is also charged with unlawful possession of a controlled substance (meth), and possession of drug paraphernalia. County investigators also found tubing with residue while searching his residence.
Evidence of sexual abuse was reportedly found on Howard’s cellphone.
According to the complaint, Investigators discovered child pornography on Howard’s cell phone.
The Lauderdale County Sheriffs Department made the arrest.
Attorney Nathan Hunt has been appointed to represent Howard.
Howard is being held in the Lauderdale County Detention Center on a $75,000 Bond.

Mastercard Recognizes Bank Independent for Outstanding Community Service

Staff — Sat, 09 Oct 2021 08:33:41 +0000

FLORENCE–Community service and partnership have long been a passion of the Bank Independent brand. Their partnerships with local agencies have made it possible to continue strong initiatives that keep the area thriving while providing opportunities for the less fortunate to have a helping hand.
This year, Mastercard recognized Bank Independent as the winner of their “Doing Well by Doing Good” award. This award highlights a financial institution on a national level that has been sighted as using their assets in ways that strengthens charitable organizations and builds the community through service.

Bank Independent was nominated for their participation in the Helping Hands Initiative and their contributions in each of the four distinct levels: Shelter Share (raises awareness and donations for local animal shelters), Food Share (collects donations of food and funds for local food banks/pantries), School Shares (Collects supplies for school students), and Toy Share (which collects toys for families in need around the holidays).

By Elizabeth Ann Reeder – Staff Writer

SHOALS UNEMPLOYMENT DOWN TO 7.9 PERCENT

Staff — Tue, 21 Jul 2020 03:25:19 +0000

MONTGOMERY- Unemployment in the Shoals fell to 7.9 percent in June, according to the latest figures from the Alabama Department of Labor.

That is down from 10.1 percent in May and 15.3 percent in April as closings and layoffs due to the COVID-19 pandemic hit locally and nationally.

Shoals numbers reached at times below 3 percent ahead of the pandemic, indicating a strong economy, and the bouncing back numbers are doing now are good indicators that the economy is rebounding.

Staff Reports

UNA CONFIRMED AS DOCTORAL-GRANTING INSTITUTION

Staff — Thu, 25 Jun 2020 19:17:23 +0000

FLORENCE, AL – The University of North Alabama has been approved to offer two doctoral programs. Beginning in Spring 2021, the College of Business will offer the Executive Doctor of Business Administration (EDBA), and in the fall of 2021, the College of Education and Human Sciences will offer a Ph.D. in Exercise Science and Health Promotion.

“The EDBA and the Ph.D. in Exercise Science and Health Promotion allow the University of North Alabama to take its place among doctoral-granting institutions throughout the state and region and are a reflection of our high standards of academic excellence,” said Dr. Ken Kitts, UNA’s President. “At 190 years, it’s an indicator that UNA continues to evolve and thrive to meet the changing needs of our students.”

The programs were approved recently by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commissions on Colleges as well as the Alabama Commission on Higher Education.

“The approval process was rigorous, and our faculty, especially those in the College of Business and College of Education and Human Sciences, worked extremely hard to ensure that the programs meet UNA’s high academic standards,” said. Dr. Ross Alexander, Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs. “We are prepared and excited to welcome our first doctoral cohorts to UNA.”

The EDBA program is designed to prepare students to address organizational challenges and disruptive trends by developing applied executive-level research skills. Further, the program will enable graduates to solve complex business and industry problems with creative and innovative solutions.

“As the only Executive DBA program in Alabama and the border states for our region, Tennessee, Mississippi, and Georgia, this will offer a post-MBA research pathway for those seeing to advance their positions,” said Dr. Greg Carnes, Dean of the College of Business. “We are well-prepared to welcome the first cohort and have put together a comprehensive curriculum and experienced faculty to ensure a seamless matriculation.”

The Ph.D. in Exercise Science and Health Promotion is designed to prepare exemplary teachers/scholars in college and university settings or to enter select professional positions requiring advanced study. Students in this program will be immersed in ongoing laboratory research and scholarship within the program to develop their research abilities, and they will engage in experiences that develop and advance their teaching effectiveness in the university setting.

“The Exercise Science and Health Promotion programs in the COEHS at UNA have a rich history of rigorous teaching, significant contributions through their field through scholarly work, and robust service to the professional community,” said Dr. Katie Kinney, Dean of the College of Education and Human Sciences. “Connecting two complementary programs to create a Ph.D. that’s the first of its kind will unquestionably put UNA on the map.”

PAROLE DENIED FOR MAN SERVING 12 YEARS

Staff — Thu, 25 Jun 2020 19:00:31 +0000

ERIC C 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.

PAROLE DENIED FOR LOCAL OFFENDER

Staff — Wed, 03 Jun 2020 20:30:16 +0000

DAVID RAY ALEXANDER

MONTGOMERY — The Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles denied a parole request Tuesday from David Ray Alexander, who is serving a 20-year sentence on various crimes including unlawful breaking and entering a vehicle in Colbert County, according to corrections records.
Alexander has served more than 9 years of a 20-year sentence, according to the department.

In addition, he has convictions on charges of theft, criminal mischief, assault and promoting prison contraband charges in other counties, Abbott said.
He is in the Hamilton Community Work Center, according to corrections officials.
Yesterday, Michael Shane Ellis was scheduled for a hearing, said Terry Abbott, spokesman for the Alabama Bureau of Pardons and Paroles.
Ellis is serving 20 years for 2016 convictions of first-degree receiving stolen property and possession of a controlled substance in Lauderdale County, officials said. He has served more than 4 years, 7 months.
Ellis has a previous manufacturing a controlled substance, according to the department. He is at the North Alabama Community Work Center.
The board will hear the request from Edward Ashley Garrett on Thursday, Abbott said.
Garrett is 1 year, 10 months into a 10-year sentence on offenses including first-degree theft of property in Colbert County and first-degree receiving stolen property and possession of a controlled substance in Lawrence County, according to corrections records. He is in the Limestone Correctional Facility.

COLBERT’S FIRST CASE OF COVID-19 IN LOCAL HOSPITAL

Staff — Wed, 25 Mar 2020 16:21:44 +0000

SHEFFIELD- Colbert County has its first case of Covid-19 Coronavirus, bringing the total amount of Shoals area cases to eight.

Officials at Helen Keller Hospital have confirmed one patient has tested positive for the disease.

According to hospital personnel, Keller has separate ventilation systems for Coronavirus patients and the possible Coronavirus patients. This is to ensure other patients do not contract the disease.

It takes anywhere from 24-48 hours for the results of a Covid-19 test to return, according to hospital personnel.

Lauderdale County has six cases, as of this morning, and Franklin County has one case. The Mayor of Phil Campbell’s wife, Debbie Bell, has come forward as the sole confirmed case in Franklin County.

Statewide Alabama has 284 confirmed cases, as of this morning.

By Jeff Roland

ShoalsInsider.com – Keeping You Informed

SINGING RIVER MEDIA GROUP ISSUES STATEMENT ON CORONAVIRUS

Staff — Wed, 18 Mar 2020 11:36:56 +0000

Singing River Media Group is committed to safety in this unprecedented time during the outbreak of coronavirus/COVID-19. We continue to monitor the latest information and are sending updates to our radio stations, facebook pages, and singingrivermediagroup.com.

SRMG is following guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO). We have a plan in place to help protect our staff and clients. We have moved staff to work farther apart, increased our cleaning of all surfaces, and provide hand sanitizer throughout the facilities.

We are passionate about helping the Shoals and surrounding communities in any way possible and will continue to do so throughout the pandemic. Amidst the chaos of life, I encourage you to relax, turn on one of our stations and listen to your favorite music, My 101.5, WLAY 100.1 – Country’s Greatest Hits, ROCK 105.5 – THE BIG DOG, and 949 The Bull are here to serve you, our listeners! We appreciate you all!

Advice from Jon Gordon:

“Three important truths to remember and share during challenging times:
1. Every challenge has an opportunity within it.
2. How you see the world determines the world you see
3. We will overcome”

Prayers for you and your family!

— J Michael Self/President/GM

Shoals Area School Closings

Staff — Mon, 19 Mar 2018 15:07:50 +0000

The following schools will close or dismiss early on Monday, March 19th:

Colbert County Schools dismissing at 1 p.m., no extracurricular activities

Florence City Schools are as follows:

Grades K-6 will dismiss at 11:30 a.m.
Grades 7-12 will dismiss at 12:30 p.m.

Franklin County Schools will dismiss at noon

UNA and Kilby Elementary will dismiss at noon

Lawrence County Schools will dismiss at noon, after-school activities canceled

Lauderdale County Schools will close at noon, no after-school activities

Mars Hill Bible School is dismissing at 11:45 a.m.

Muscle Shoals dismissing at 1:30 p.m.

Russellville City Schools dismissing at 1 p.m., no extracurricular activities

Tuscumbia dismissing at 1:30 p.m.

Shoals Christian will close at 12 p.m.

Sheffield City Schools – Closing at 1:30 p.m.

Northwest Shoals Community College – Closing at 12:30 p.m.

SAFEPLACE LIBERTY LUNCHEON: Celebrating 36 years of domestic-violence free life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Staff — Mon, 12 Jun 2017 14:34:16 +0000

FLORENCE– If all homes were safe homes communities would not need services like Safeplace, Inc. However numberless homes, including many in the Shoals, are not safe havens.

Each month Safeplace, the only domestic violence program in northwest Alabama, serves an average of 650 people. The organization offers emergency housing, transitional housing assistance, counseling services, children’s outreach programs, and intervention programs for adults and teenagers. As a non-profit entity Safeplace is funded solely by grants and donations.

On June 21 Safeplace will host the Liberty Luncheon, its largest annual fundraising endeavor. The event will take place at the Marriott Conference Center from 12 pm to 1 pm.

“Event Entry is free although I hope guests will be inspired to make contributions,” said Rachel Hackworth, Executive Director of Safeplace, Inc. “Within the last year, with the help of donors, we have been able to add brand-new services for children experiencing domestic violence.”

Tickets are available at Eventbrite.com, by emailing safeplaceinc@gmail.com, and by calling 256-767-3076.

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