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MUSCLE SHOALS MAN DIES IN CRASH, DRIVER FLOWN TO HUNTSVILLE HOSPITAL

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LAWRENCE COUNTY– A single-vehicle crash at 7 a.m. today, Sept. 17, has claimed the life of a Muscle Shoals man.

Troopers tell the Shoals Insider, Austin Scott Terry, 23, was killed when the 2004 GMC Sierra in which he was a passenger left the roadway, struck a culvert, and overturned in a creek.

Terry was pronounced dead at the scene by the Lawrence County Coroner.

The vehicle’s driver, Brennen Shane Wimbs, 24, of Muscle Shoals, was transported to Huntsville Hospital.

The crash occurred on Lawrence County 314, seven miles north of Town Creek.

Alabama State Troopers continue to investigate the incident.

Jeff Roland


Sheffield loses friend as former Mayor Billy Don Anderson passes

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Billy Don Anderson

SHEFFIELD–The Shoals Insider has learned former Sheffield mayor Billy Don Anderson has died. 

Anderson, who was a retired banker, reportedly died from complications of heart bypass surgery.

He truly loved Sheffield and was an amazing ambassador for the City of Sheffield.

Mayor Anderson also served several years on the UNA Board of Trustees. He graduated from UNA in 1962.

Our heartfelt condolences go out to Liz, Don, David, Brian, and Family.

Funeral arrangements will be posted as they become available.

 

Jeff Roland

Shoals Insider- Keeping You Informed

 

UNA Community and Potts Reflect on Passing of Long-time Friend, Billy Don Anderson

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Billy Don Anderson

FLORENCE, Ala. –The University of North Alabama and the Shoals community lost a good friend with the passing of Billy Don Anderson this weekend.

Anderson graduated from UNA in 1962 with a B.S. degree in Accounting and Economics and earned the coveted Turris Fidelis award in 1962. In 1977, Anderson was selected as the UNA Alumnus of the Year.

Anderson also has the distinction of serving the longest tenure as a member of the University of North Alabama Board of Trustees, serving from 1979 – 2012. He also served three terms as Board President Pro Tempore.

Former UNA Student Government President, Brad Botes, said Anderson served on the UNA Board of Trustees when he was SGA President.

“I hadn’t seen him in over 30 years when we met at a dinner at UNA last year,” said Botes. “He remembered me immediately and recalled a Flor-ala (school newspaper) cartoon that had depicted the two of us in 1982. He said that he had saved the cartoon for all those years and then sent it to me with a nice note the next week. I will cherish that cartoon, the note and my memories of this great man always,” he said.

A native of Athens, Anderson was a three-year varsity athlete in football for the Lions from 1959-61. Along with the numerous accolades, Anderson received on the field, he was also named to the 50th Anniversary UNA Football Team for 1949-98.

He would go on to work in the banking industry, culminating in his position as the president of Union Planters Bank. In addition, Anderson was also elected Mayor of Sheffield, and served one term.

Former UNA President, Dr. Robert Potts said Anderson was a member of the Board of Trustees during his entire career at UNA, which spanned more than 14 years.

“He was the epitome of an excellent trustee,” Potts said. “He was dedicated above all to the best interest of the institution, hardworking, loyal and very sensitive to the differences between university policy formulation and implementation of those policies by the administration, faculty and staff of the university,” he said.

Potts said that most of all, Anderson was a genuine person who loved UNA with all of his heart.

“It was a privilege to serve under his leadership. He will be sorely missed, not only by his wonderful family, but by all of us who called him our friend,” Potts said.

Visitation will be Tuesday, 5-8pm at Morrison Funeral Homes in Tuscumbia, and the service is Wednesday morning at 11am at First United Methodist Church in Sheffield.

Shoals Insider

MARSHALL AMONG 32 AG’S CALLING ON EQUIFAX TO STOP CHARGING FOR CREDIT MONITORING AND TO REIMBURSE FEES CONSUMERS PAY FOR SECURITY FREEZES TO THEIR ACCOUNTS AS A RESULT OF EQUIFAX’S MASSIVE DATA BREACH

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MONTGOMERY – Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall is among 32 attorneys general calling on Equifax to drop fees it charges for its credit monitoring service and to reimburse consumers who were forced to pay for security freezes to their credit accounts as a result of the Equifax data breach.

“By Equifax’s own admission, the company suffered a massive data breach potentially compromising the credit of 143 million people,” said Attorney General Marshall. “While my office and those of many of my fellow attorneys general prepare to investigate the circumstances of this unprecedented data breach, it is important that Equifax stop efforts to profit off of the very same people who were victim of its own failure to protect their credit information.”

In their letter to Equifax, Attorney General Marshall and the other attorneys general called on the credit management company to halt its fee-based services to consumers and to extend the period of signup for free credit monitoring until at least January 21, 2018.

“We object to Equifax seemingly using its own data breach as an opportunity to sell services to breach victims. Selling a fee-based product that competes with Equifax’s own free offer of credit monitoring services to victims of Equifax’s own data breach is unfair, particularly if consumers are not sure if their information was compromised. Equifax cannot reap benefits from confused consumers who are likely only visiting Equifax’s homepage because they are concerned about whether the breach affects them and their families.”

The attorneys general also voiced objection to consumers being forced to pay for security freezes to their credit accounts as they attempt to protect themselves from Equifax’s data breach.

“Although Equifax is not charging consumers a fee for its own security freeze service, these consumers are furious that they have been forced to pay for a security freeze with other companies, such as Experian and TransUnion, when this privacy breach was no fault of their own. We agree with these consumers that it is indefensible that they be forced to pay fees to fully protect themselves from the fallout of Equifax’s data breach. Accordingly, we believe Equifax should, at a minimum, be taking steps to reimburse consumers who incur fees to completely freeze their credit.”

The attorneys general also asked Equifax to address complaints of long wait times or the inability of consumers to access its call center.

“…[I]t has been generally reported that consumers are encountering long wait times or are unable to get through to your call center. We have received similar complaints from our consumers, who have also stated they cannot locate Equifax’s phone number on your website. We request that you feature your call center number more prominently on www.equifax.com and www.equifaxsecurity2017.com. In addition, this hotline should be available 24 hours a day and properly staffed to ensure shorter wait times.”

Separately, Attorney General Marshall warned Alabamians to be on the lookout for scammers hoping to take advantage of consumers’ concerns over the data breach.

“Although Equifax has informed attorneys general that it will not be emailing, texting or calling impacted consumers, the Federal Trade Commission is reporting that fraudsters are already attempting to cash in on the unsuspecting public through phone scams,” said Attorney General Marshall. “I urge anyone who receives such a phone call, text or email to report it to the Alabama Attorney General’s Office at 1-800-392-5658.”

Tips for Consumers to Avoid being Victimized:

•Don’t give personal information. Don’t provide any personal or financial information unless you’ve initiated the call and it’s to a phone number you know is correct.

•Don’t trust caller ID. Scammers can spoof their numbers so it looks like they are calling from a particular company, even when they’re not.

•If you get a robocall, hang up. Don’t press 1 to speak to a live operator or any other key to take your number off the list. If you respond by pressing any number, it will probably just lead to more robocalls.

•If you gave your personal information to an imposter, it’s time to change any compromised passwords, account numbers or security questions.

•Verify your credit reports with all three credit bureaus, Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian, by visiting https://www.annualcreditreport.com.

•Monitor existing accounts closely. Check bank and credit card statements for unauthorized charges.

For more information about the Equifax breach, visit Equifax’s website, www.equifaxsecurity2017.com, or contact their call center at 1-866-447-7559.

UNA to Host Alabama Council for the Social Studies’ Fall Conference

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FLORENCE, Ala. – The University of North Alabama campus will be the setting for the Alabama Council for the Social Studies’ fall conference, October 13.

The conference will feature a day of social studies professional development offered by leading social studies organizations and educators, including representatives from the Alabama Archives and Bicentennial Commission.

According to Dr. Lamont Maddox, UNA associate professor of Secondary Education, the conference will feature several sessions throughout the day, with six workshops per session.  The focus of each workshop will be on one of the following strands: Early Childhood/Elementary; Geography/Middle School; American History/College and Career Readiness; Technology/World History; and Government/Economics/Civics.

“This is the first year the conference is being held in Florence,” Maddox said.  “Needless to say we’re excited to show off our campus and provide a forum for social studies professionals to share their ideas!  We hope to have the conference again in 2018, before it moves to another part of the state,” he said.

Maddox said the conference has typically been held in Birmingham at Samford University.

Dr. Jada Kohlmeier of Auburn University will be the featured keynote speaker.  Kohlmeier is a distinguished social studies researcher and teacher educator.  In addition, several exhibitors from education nonprofit organizations, corporations, and other groups will be on hand as well.

The Alabama Council for the Social Studies is the state level professional organization for social studies educators.  It is affiliated with the National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS).  Mrs. Tama Nunnelley, a social studies teacher at Guntersville Middle School, is the current president of the organization.

For more information on the Alabama Council for the Social Studies: https://www.alcss.org/

For more information on Social Studies at UNA:  https://www.una.edu/education/index.html

 

Rev. Ron Craig: All the World’s Problems Stem from Rebellion

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Reverend and Author Ron Craig

 God gave mankind a free will because He wants to be willingly worshipped by willing creatures, not by robots, which would have no choice. (Look at John 4:23-24.) That decision on God’s part made it not only possible but practically inevitable, that some of His creatures would rebel against His plan for creation; which happened from early days, and continues to happen, and will do so until Christ terminates this evil age, and sets up His eternal Kingdom on this planet. God has given all of His creatures ample warning of negative consequences for rebellion, but He will not violate their free will. All the world’s problems stem from rebellion! 

God did something to restrict the evil powers behind rebellion, although how far those divine restrictions go is limited to that original free will on the part of both the devil and his captives. God forces deliverance on no one, but has made deliverance available through the church. People must desire to be set free, then take advantage of that freedom-producing power. Moreover,  people who have been given such power need to be aware of it, and be willing to minister that divine freedom. Therefore, both people who have problems and those who have solutions determine whether any problems get solvedMany had rather put up with problems than get them solved God’s wayby accepting what Christ did for them on the cross. However, a major problem with many who have problems, and causing problemsis thatthey know not that there is a solution to their problems. That is where solution-holders come into view. Apparently, most church members today have little or no confidence that either world problems or their own problems can be solved this side of heaven. That negates the Lord’s sacrifice. We MUST learn what our Savior accomplished on the cross, which affects different kinds of circumstances during this age, and then have the guts to apply what we have learned to solve our own problems, and at least some of the world’s problemsOur problem-solving reach is determined by our knowledge of our problem-solving powers in Christour willingness to use that divine powerand the extent of our own circle of influence. More vital information next time!  
(If you are not a committed member of some other Christian fellowship, you are invited to visit Living Way Fellowship at 2041 County Road 73, in Killen area. From Killen, going north on US 43, turn right on County Road 73 and go 2 and 1/2 miles. We are on the right. You can’t miss the sign out front—Living Way Fellowship. Sunday 10:00 A.M., Wednesday 7:00 P.M. Ron Craig is the pastor, teacher and Christian book author. Contact us at ronwritercraig@gmail.com, or log onto our church website at www.livingwayfellowshiponline.org.)

MARSHALL AMONG 41 ATTORNEYS GENERAL SEEKING DOCUMENTS FROM OPIOID MANUFACTURERS AND DISTRIBUTORS

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(MONTGOMERY) – Attorney General Steve Marshall announced he is part of a bipartisan coalition of 41 state attorneys general seeking documents and information from manufacturers and distributors of prescription opioids as part of multistate investigations into the nationwide opioid epidemic.

“Opioid abuse has reached a crisis level in Alabama and in many portions of the country, and earlier this year I joined with fellow attorneys general in investigating what role opioid manufacturers may have had in creating or prolonging the opioid abuse epidemic, and to establish the appropriate course of action to help solve this crisis,” Attorney General Marshall said. “Our investigation continues as we seek information from drug manufacturers and distributors to help determine whether they engaged in unlawful practices in the marketing, sale, and distribution of opioids.”

The attorneys general served investigative subpoenas for documents and information, also known as Civil Investigative Demands, on Endo, Janssen, Teva/Cephalon, Allergan, and their related entities, as well as a supplemental Civil Investigative Demand on Purdue Pharma. The attorneys general also sent information demand letters to opioid distributors AmerisourceBergen, Cardinal Health, and McKesson requesting documents about their opioid distribution business.

Nationwide and in Alabama, opioids—prescription and illicit—are the main driver of drug overdose deaths. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, opioids were involved in 33,091 deaths in 2015 including 736 in Alabama, and opioid overdoses have quadrupled since 1999.

On August 8, 2017, Attorney General Marshall was appointed by Governor Kay Ivey to co-chair the newly-created Alabama Opioid Overdose and Addiction Council. The Council, which held its organizational meeting in the Alabama Attorney General’s Office on September 5, will examine the state’s opioid crisis and identify ways to reduce its harmful impact on Alabamians.

Do you know this man? Police need your help

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Do You Know This Man?

MUSCLE SHOALS–Police are asking for the public’s help in identifying this man.  He is wanted for questioning in a theft that occurred at Shoals Drive Shaft on Saturday, September 16th, at 07:30am.

Image may contain: car and outdoor

The suspect was last seen driving a black Buick Rendezvous.

If you know this man or his whereabouts, please call Crimestoppers or Muscle Shoals Police Department at 256-383-6746.

Shoals Insider


Alabama Football Concludes Day Two of Preparations for Vanderbilt

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Saturday’s game marks the beginning of Southeastern Conference play for the Tide in 2017

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The University of Alabama football team practiced for two hours in full pads on Tuesday afternoon at the Thomas-Drew Practice Fields.

The Crimson Tide continued to work on its gameplan to counter the Vanderbilt offense, one of the Southeastern Conference’s top-ranked units. Alabama will travel to Nashville this Saturday to take on the Commodores at Vanderbilt Stadium at 2:30 p.m. CT on CBS. Brad Nessler and Gary Danielson will have the call in the booth with Allie LaForce on the sidelines.

Alabama will travel to Nashville this Saturday to take on the Commodores at Vanderbilt Stadium at 2:30 p.m. CT on CBS. Brad Nessler and Gary Danielson will have the call in the booth with Allie LaForce on the sidelines.

Practice will resume on Wednesday and wrap up on Thursday before the Crimson Tide travels Friday for its first true road test of the 2017 season. Alabama owns the all-time advantage over Vanderbilt, 59-19-4 (after vacations), and has won the last 21 contests dating back to 1985. Head coach Nick Saban is 9-1 in road conference openers during his time with the Crimson Tide.
Source: Alabama Athletic Department

Concert Promoter Sentenced to 10 ½ Years in Prison for MDMA Conspiracy

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WOODIE LOUIS OCHLE, 40,

BIRMINGHAM – On Tuesday, a federal judge sentenced an Atlanta man and co-owner of a promotions company to 10½ years in prison for a conspiracy to distribute thousands of MDMA pills, a drug commonly known as “ecstasy” or “molly,” through musical “raves,” concerts and music festivals he presented across the Southeast.

U.S. Attorney Jay E. Town and other federal officials announced the plea.

U.S. District Court Judge Madeline Haikala sentenced WOODIE LOUIS OCHLE, 40, on one count of conspiracy to distribute 3,4 Methylenedioxymethamphetamine, or MDMA, in Jefferson and Shelby counties between February 2015 and April 2016, and on one count of possessing with intent to distribute the drug on April 13, 2016, in Jefferson County. Ochle pled guilty to the charges in April this year. He is in custody.

“Woodie Ochle unlawfully enriched himself through an illicit drug network he devised at the expense of young people,” Town said. “Ochle is among our worst offenders because his exploitation of a combination of youth and willfulness, underscored by his criminal greed, created both addicts and victims. We have bed space reserved in our Bureau of Prisons for Mr. Ochle and those like him.”

“The Postal Service is in the business of delivering the mail and has no interest in being involved in the distribution of illegal drugs,” Gonzales said. “Postal Inspectors work tirelessly to rid the mail of illicit drugs, preserve the integrity of the mail and, most importantly, provide a safe environment for postal employees and Postal Service customers – the American public. I commend the hard work and countless hours put forth by all of the law enforcement agencies involved in this investigation.”

“HSI will continue to work with our state and federal partners to ensure illicit drugs are taken off our streets,” Parmer said. “This sentencing should serve as a warning to other criminals that we will work tirelessly to investigate, arrest and prosecute you.”

Thousands of MDMA tablets

Ochle led an organization that distributed MDMA across the Southeastern United States, including Alabama and Georgia, according to court testimony. Through his Atlanta business, Freakstep Promotions, Ochle set up concerts or dance events and then distributed MDMA to people who attended the “raves.”

In 2016, Homeland Security Investigations and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service began investigating the large-scale smuggling and distribution of various controlled substances, including molly and ecstasy, from Europe into the U.S. through the U.S. Mail, according to evidence at Ochle’s and a co-defendant’s sentencing hearing.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection seized two inbound packages at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York on April 7, 2016, that were destined for Bessemer and Chelsea, according to court testimony.

Each package contained 1,000 “Red Supreme” ecstasy pills, one addressed to Kenneth Howard in Chelsea and one to Jennifer Petitjean in Bessemer. HSI agents contacted ALEA and U.S. Postal inspectors and arranged controlled deliveries of the packages, according to testimony. Those deliveries led to subsequent controlled deliveries of the drugs to Howard’s cousin, Kevin Pederson, and to Ochle, who was identified as the leader of the drug-trafficking organization, according to testimony.

Investigators made a later controlled delivery to Shawn Perkins in Birmingham, for whom Petitjean said she was receiving package deliveries.

The confiscated drugs, which included the packaged pills, plus more ecstasy pills, xanax pills, the drug “molly,” LSD, cocaine and marijuana seized from Pederson’s vehicle, his Birmingham apartment, and from the U.S. Mail, were destined for Spring Weekend in Panama City Beach, Fla., for distribution, according to testimony. Spring Weekend is a beach music festival that caters to a college crowd. During the course of the investigation, law enforcement seized approximately 30 pounds of illegal drugs, including about 20,000 pressed ecstasy pills, and four pounds of crystal “molly”.

Pedersen, 28, Perkins, 22, Petitjean, 31, and Howard, 38, all have pled guilty to the conspiracy to distribute MDMA. All await sentencing, except for Howard who received eight weekends in custody.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement-HSI, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, ALEA, Alabama Attorney General’s Office and Helena Police investigated the case, which Assistant U.S. Attorney Brad Felton prosecuted.

ALABAMA AG JOINS COALITION SUPPORTING STATE LAWS BANNING SANCTUARY CITIES

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Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall

MONTGOMERY – Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall joined a coalition of eight state attorneys general in supporting state laws banning sanctuary cities.  On Tuesday, Alabama signed onto a multi-state amicus brief siding with Texas as it appeals a federal court ruling blocking the state’s sanctuary cities ban.

“When local officials deliberately choose to ignore the law and thereby place their citizens at risk, the result is a breakdown in the rule of law,” said Attorney General Marshall.  “This is precisely what we are witnessing with sanctuary cities and localities which prohibit or impede cooperation between federal and local officials on immigration enforcement.  Alabama supports Texas’ sanctuary cities ban because we believe individual states should have the right to prohibit sanctuary cities within their borders.”

The eight-state amicus brief opposes a federal court injunction of Texas’s ban on sanctuary cities.  Texas law requires local entities and officials to not interfere with federal immigration enforcement. It also places duties and liabilities on certain persons in the criminal justice system, provides civil penalties and creates a criminal offense for violating those provisions.

In June, Alabama was also one of ten states defending President Trump’s executive order that directs the federal government to take lawful actions to ensure compliance with laws prohibiting sanctuary cities.

Alabama joined Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, Missouri, Oklahoma, South Carolina and West Virginia in filing the amicus brief with the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals Tuesday evening.

A copy of the amicus brief is available via this link.

Collier Library to Host Archive Exhibit in Conjunction with Homecoming Festivities

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UNA’s Collier Library (Photo: Annie Cole)

 

FLORENCE, Ala. – The University of North Alabama Collier Library is hosting an archives exhibit for UNA’s Homecoming, Saturday, Oct. 7, from noon until 2 p.m.  The event will be located in the basement of Collier Library.

Library officials said the event is designed to raise awareness about some of the unique and interesting items they have in the archives.

“Many first time visitors are often surprised at what we have in archives.  This is an opportunity to showcase some of our best items from the history of UNA while celebrating homecoming,” said Jennifer Maddox, Collier’s User Engagement Librarian.

As part of the exhibit, library staff will be placing a series of banners on campus leading from Rogers Hall to the library, which will feature historic photos from the archives.

“We’re hoping that this will lead people from the Rogers Hall food truck event to Collier,” Maddox said. “We will also be passing out flyers at the Rogers Hall homecoming event to drive traffic to the exhibit.”

Maddox said some highlights of the exhibit will include historic Leo mascot heads set-up for a “selfie station;” photos from the archives; Kilby, Florence State and UNA yearbooks; old banners and more.

“The oldest items will be from La Grange College,” she said.  “It includes the 1836 diploma of Governor Edward A. O’Neal.  There also will be a Dialectical Society badge worn at a Florence Wesleyan 1857 graduation and an 1859 Florence Wesleyan catalog,” said Maddox.

For more information:  https://www.una.edu/library/

Authorities release identity of alleged church gunman

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Emanuel Kidega Samson

ANTIOCH–Authorities have identified the alleged gunman responsible for the Nashville church shooting as Emanuel Kidega Samson, 25.

Police say Samson has been released from the hospital and will be charged with murder and attempted murder.

One woman is confirmed dead and the other injured are considered stable except for the preacher who is in critical condition.

The alleged gunman is from the Murfreesboro area and reportedly wore a clown mask as he shot the church members on their way out of the church as the service was being dismissed.

Shoals Insider

 

Huntsville Defense Contractor Sentenced for Defrauding DTRA, NASA

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HUNTSVILLE – A federal judge last week sentenced a Huntsville defense contractor on criminal charges of falsely obtaining Small Business Innovation Research contracts with the Department of Defense and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, announced U.S. Attorney Jay E. Town, NASA Inspector General Paul Martin and Defense Criminal Investigative Service Special Agent in Charge John Khin.
        U.S. District Court Judge Abdul K. Kallon ordered the contractor, Scientic Inc., to repay the full amount of the contracts with the Defense Threat Reduction Agency and NASA, which totaled $250,000, and fined the company $30,000. Judge Kallon also placed Scientic on three years’ probation.

“Bringing those to justice who defraud the United States is among my office’s highest priorities,” Town said. “We are already aggressively expanding our investigative oversight into this illicit behavior.”
“The NASA Office of Inspector General will continue to aggressively investigate those who defraud NASA programs and waste taxpayers’ money,” Martin said. “The NASA OIG congratulates the investigative and prosecution team for their hard work and professionalism.”
“In concert with our partner agencies, DCIS aggressively investigates fraud and corruption that undermines the integrity of Department of Defense programs and contracts,” Khin said. “We must do all we can to preserve precious American taxpayer dollars while ensuring our national security.”
Scientic pled guilty in June to making a false statement in order to obtain research contracts with the DTRA and NASA. As part of its plea, Scientic agreed to the fine and restitution.
NASA OIG and DCIS investigated the case, which Assistant U.S. Attorney David Estes prosecuted.

Jury Convicts Tax Preparer for Filing False Returns

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 BIRMINGHAM – A federal jury on Friday convicted an Atlanta-area woman on 13 tax-related counts following a weeklong trial in U.S. District Court, federal officials announced.
        The jury convicted PATRICE ANDERSON, 37, of Fayetteville, Ga., for using her Birmingham-area tax preparation business, Queen’s Fast Tax, to file tax returns on behalf of others in 2010 and 2011 that she knew contained false information. The jury found Anderson guilty of 12 counts of aiding or assisting others to prepare and file false income tax returns and one count of filing her own false income tax return for 2010.

        According to evidence during the five-day trial before U.S. District Court Judge R. David Proctor, Anderson filed tax returns that claimed refundable credits her clients were not entitled to so that they would receive inflated tax refunds from the government. In return, Anderson would charge the clients abnormally high fees to file their taxes. Anderson charged her clients up to $3,000 per fraudulent tax return, according to testimony.
Anderson testified during the trial that she included only information given to her by clients on the returns she prepared. The government presented evidence, however, that even Anderson’s own 2010, 2011 and 2012 tax returns contained some of the same false items that were characteristic of the fraudulent tax returns she filed for her clients.
        Anderson will face up to three years in prison.
        IRS, Criminal Investigation, investigated the case, which Assistant U.S. Attorney Xavier Carter prosecuted.

Pharmacy Tech Pleads to Taking Morphine and Dilaudid Intended for Hospice Patients

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        BIRMINGHAM – The U.S. Attorney’s Office today charged the former lead technician at a central Alabama pharmacy with tampering with vials of opioid painkillers used in the compounding of intravenous fluid bags intended for hospice and homecare patients. U.S. Attorney Jay E. Town, Drug Enforcement Administration Assistant Special Agent in Charge Bret Hamilton and Food and Drug Administration, Office of Criminal Investigations, Special Agent in Charge Justin D. Green announced the charge.
        Prosecutors filed a one-count information charging JOHNATHON WILLIAM CLICK with tampering with consumer products in reckless disregard for the risk that another person would be placed in danger of death or bodily injury, and under circumstances manifesting extreme indifference to that risk. Between December 2014 and September 2016, Click, 30, of Bessemer, removed morphine sulfate and hydromorphone hydrochloride from vials intended for use in mixing IV bags. Click replaced the drugs with another liquid, knowing the diluted vials would be dispensed to patients, according to the charge.

        In conjunction with the information, prosecutors also filed a plea agreement with Click in U.S. District Court. According to the plea agreement, Click worked at Birmingham-based ContinuumRx of Central Alabama. CRX primarily distributes IV bags containing morphine and hydromorphone for palliative care.  Click, as the lead pharmacy technician, prepared the vast majority of CRX’s IV bags until the company ended his employment in September 2016.
        “This defendant was willing to subject terminal cancer patients to intolerable pain in order to feed his own addiction,” Town said. “This is one more aspect of the epidemic problem America has with abuse of prescription opioids. It also is a testament to law enforcement’s commitment to fight the illegal diversion of these drugs. In this case, people who desperately needed the prescribed drugs for their intended purpose of controlling intense and prolonged pain instead suffered at the hands of a man who knew the misery he could cause.
 
“It is disappointing when assumed professionals, like pharmacy technicians, are engaged in the diversion of controlled substances,” Hamilton said. “Anyone who can deliberately deny medication to legitimate patients and violate their duties as a professional will be held accountable for allowing these good medicines to get into the wrong hands. The charge and plea agreement in this case are the result of DEA’s continued commitment to work with our law enforcement partners and hold accountable those who participate in illegally diverting controlled substances in our communities,” Hamilton said.
 
“FDA is fully committed to the vigorous criminal investigation and prosecution of any individual who threatens the safety and security of the U.S. drug supply,” Green said. “The plea agreement in this case sends a clear signal that this kind of illicit tampering activity will not be tolerated.”
        According to the plea agreement, Click diverted quantities of morphine and hydromorphone from CRX’s locked inventory by surreptitiously removing vials, withdrawing drugs from the vials and replacing the withdrawn amount with saline or sterile water. He subsequently would return the adulterated and diluted vials to the inventory, undetected, and later used those vials to compound IV bags that were distributed and administered to homecare and hospice patients. CRX’s primary customers are Alacare Home Health & Hospice, New Beacon Hospice, Lakeview Homecare & Hospice, Comfort Care Hospice and Kindred Hospice.
        Former patients or family members of patients treated at any of those homecare or hospice providers between December 2014 and September 2016 may receive updates on the case by visiting the U.S. Attorney’s Office website at http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndal/us-v-johnathon-william-click or calling the toll-free number: 1-866-480-8230.
The maximum penalty for tampering with consumer products is 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Click must appear before a federal judge to formally enter a guilty plea.
DEA, FDA and the Alabama Board of Pharmacy investigated the case, which Assistant U.S. Attorney Mohammad Khatib is prosecuting.

Bro. Ron Craig: The devil slipped up on the church, caught it off guard

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Reverend and Author Ron Craig

 Actually, God is actively involved in relieving the world of its problems! (And the same is true for the Christian’s problems as well. If one believes for it!) However, He does not perform acts of deliverance apart from the active faith of believers, to whom He has delegated authority to minister deliverance in behalf of the needy, and in conjunction with the request of the needy, and the faith of the needy in what Jesus Christ purchased for them on the cross. “According to your faith be it unto you (Matthew 9:29).” God’s plan is to work in conjunction with New Testament believers through their faith in Christ’s Calvary-purchase. Remember that the apostles went out and preached the Gospel everywhere, the Lord working with themconfirming their word with miraculous signs (Mark 16:20). (I must explain that God is free to render due punishment upon rebels irrespective of the faith of anyone. That is proven by what happened to the King Herod of Acts 12:23. No believer had to release faith for that. That was God’s decision alone. King Herod was eaten by worms and died a horrible death. But, deliverance is tied to people’s faith in Christ’s sacrifice.) A prime example of that Bible Truth is the fact that the apostle JamesJohn’s brotherwas killed early on by King Herod. Obviously, the devil slipped up on the churchcaught it off guard, and robbed the church of one of the original twelve apostles; into whose life the Savior had invested three years of His time and energy in training James for Gospel ministry. I cannot believe God planned for James to be eliminated so soon after entering the ministry. The main reason I am convinced of that is that King Herod arrested the apostle Peter as well, and intended to eliminate him as well; merely as a political favor to the Jews (Acts 12:3). However, the church got down to praying about that problem, and the Lord miraculously answered their prayer. God works not through just any old thing people call prayer, but through genuine prayers based upon genuine Bible Faith. How many people are qualified to solve world problems? And how do they get qualified? Next time!   

(If you are not a committed member of some other Christian fellowship, you are invited to visit Living Way Fellowship at 2041 County Road 73, in Killen area. From Killen, going north on US 43, turn right on County Road 73 and go 2 and 1/2 miles. We are on the right. You can’t miss the sign out front—Living Way Fellowship. Sunday 10:00 A.M., Wednesday 7:00 P.M. Ron Craig is the pastor, teacher and Christian book author. Contact us at ronwritercraig@gmail.com, or log onto our church website at www.livingwayfellowshiponline.org.)

Jeff Roland: Colin Kaepernick an unemployed hot potato

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Publisher and Columnist Jeff Roland

If you’re like me, you’re getting tired of seeing and hearing these millionaire NFL players whine and disrespect the country by not standing for the national anthem. I probably wouldn’t have called them a “Son of a bitch,” like President Trump did. But I see a pattern developing among these naysayers.

I stood at a Sheffield Highschool football game recently for the anthem and the lowering of the colors. Sheffield won that night, by the way, but, I respect the flag and what it stands for regardless of who occupies the White House. Several professional athletes are saying the President is misusing his position as leader of the free world for calling them out when in reality, they are doing the very same thing.  We have all heard the saying it’s like the pot calling the kettle black. This saying rings true during all of these recent verbal attacks.

Colin Kaepernick, the millionaire 49ers player that started this whole thing, is still unemployed.  I do not agree with him on his notion that the American flag and the National Anthem is a sign or symbol of oppression.  Far from it my friends. That flag has and is still an inspiration for billions of people around planet Earth. People have and still do risk their lives fighting for that flag and the ideals that it stands for. Many paid the ultimate price to ensure our freedoms and rights.

A recent poll asked NFL fans if their favorite team hired Kaepernick would they stop supporting the team. 70 percent said yes they would stop supporting their favorite NFL team if they hired Kaepernick.

Is the National Football League so patriotic that this man taking a knee at the anthem should be kept without a job? Absolutely not. NFL teams are businesses and they are there to make money and teams can’t make money if there are no fans to buy tickets and licensed products.

Kaepernick has become a political and business hot potato and would quickly be the kiss of death for any NFL team that signed him on board and they know it.

I always remember the old slogan  All gave some, Some gave all. It is normally used to honor those that served and those that paid the ultimate price in battle for the freedom and rights we enjoy.

It seems Kaepernick in his arrogance or in his miscalculations has become an unemployable martyr.

What can we learn from the Kaepernick fiasco? Sometimes you have to put your money where your mouth is and sometimes it’s just best to keep your mouth shut.

 

See You Next Week

Jeff Roland

 

Jeff Roland is Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of ShoalsInsider.com. His column appears weekly.

 If you have any questions or comments, please email them to news@shoalsinsider.com

 

Steve Flowers: Senate race is Clash of the Titans

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Alabama’s leading Political Columnist Steve Flowers

The very interesting and entertaining Republican Primary for our open U.S. Senate seat culminates this Tuesday with the clash between two Titans.  Judge Roy Moore and Big Luther Strange will be in a Titanic battle to fill the seat left vacant when Jeff Sessions became U.S. Attorney General.

We will see if Moses with his Ten Commandments and Hebrew children of rural Alabama can slay the Philistine Mountain Brook giant.

The results from the August 15 first primary were predictable.  The turnout was about 18 percent, about what you would expect for a Special Election in mid-August, during 100-degree dog days of summer and one race on the ballot. Moore garnered 39 percent, Strange had 33 percent, and Mo Brooks received a respectable 18 percent.

The early polling and constant polling revealed that Roy Moore had a hard-core 30 percent of the electorate.  It was and still is a solid block of voters that are going to vote for Moore come hell or high water.

Those of us that know politics knew that Moore’s 30 percent would become accentuated and would grow to 40 percent with a low voter turnout.  That is exactly what happened.  The final poll and the only one that counts is the count of those that show up to vote.  Older people vote and Moore’s supporters are more ardent, dedicated, and older.  They showed up and voted.  They will again on Tuesday.  Turnout is as critical as it was on August 15.  Therefore, Luther Strange’s path to victory is narrow.

The Roy Moore popularity and hard-core support is a phenomenon and anomaly in this day and time in politics.  It is very similar to George Wallace’s appeal in his hey day.

Although, unlike Wallace, who was a professional politician and demagogue in the classic Southern stereotypical style, Moore is a true believer.  He has put his money where his mouth is.  He has lost his job, not once but twice, for his stands for the Ten Commandments and against gay marriage.  I doubt George Wallace would have given up his job as governor if a federal judge told him to get out of the school house door in the 1960’s.

However, Moore’s support is deeper than just an evangelical base.  He is a true populist in the mold of a George Wallace or even Huey Long. This job of U.S. Senator actually fits him better in voters’ minds than governor.  He could have and probably should have dug up and recycled an old Wallace slogan used by the fighting little judge from Barbour County in his presidential forays, “Send them a message.”

Moore amazingly carried 60 out of 67 counties on August 15.  It was not just rural counties either.  He won Mobile and Montgomery.  Strange carried Imperial Jefferson and Brook’s carried his home bailiwick of Madison.

Luther Strange had all of the money.  The Washington super PAC’s let it be known early that they were going to load him up and treat him as an incumbent.  They were not just whistling Dixie. In the first primary, they spent over $5 million.  Moore spent $400,000.  Folks that is a 15 to 1 advantage. They have outspent Moore 10 to 1 in the runoff.

With the Washington money also comes the Washington gurus – the best pollsters and media experts in America.  They polled Alabama Republican voters early and late and found Donald Trump’s agenda was very popular in the Heart of Dixie.  They gave Luther Strange the pro-Trump script and he stuck to it perfectly.  They hammered the Trump/Strange message repeatedly.  They have stuck to the script in the runoff.  Luther’s 33 percent vote on August 15 puts him within striking distance of Moore in the runoff.

Luther was bolstered by both the Trump endorsement and also the Alabama Farmers Federation endorsement.  This conservative group’s support is vital in a statewide race.

The former State Attorney General did well as expected among upscale urbane voters in Jefferson and Shelby counties.  He also did surprisingly well in some of the more populous counties of North Alabama, especially Tuscaloosa, Talladega, Cullman, DeKalb, Jackson and Walker counties.  Walker County had a large turnout due to a local issue on the ballot.

The pivotal question is where do Brooks’ voters go Tuesday.  My guess is it is a wash at best.  Most stay home. Therefore, the only route for Big Luther to make up the difference was to go negative and they really did.  We will soon see if it works.  Again, turnout is the key.

See you next week.

Colbert County Mugshots September 26, 2017

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The following people have been arrested in Colbert County. All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

JEFFREY LEE HORRISON
Booking #: 1709251948
Age: 26
Gender: M
Race: B
Booking Date: 09-22-2017
Charges:
VIOLATION OF TERMS OF SENTENCE

 

EARLY, MICHAEL DAVID
Booking #: 1709251947
Booking Date: 09-22-2017
Charges: FTA: THEFT OF PROPERTY 1ST

 

FREEMAN, SINCLAIR ELLIS
Booking #: 1709221946
Booking Date: 09-21-2017
Charges: CHILD SUPPORT

LEWIS, JOHN WESLEY
Booking #: 1709221945
Booking Date: 09-21-2017
Charges: FTA: MULTIPLE TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS

 

LAUDERMILT, RAYMOND EDWARD
Booking #: 1709211944
Booking Date: 09-20-2017
Charges: DUI; SPEEDING; DRIVING WHILE LICENSE SUSPENDED

 

POWELL, ALBERT LAMAR
Booking #: 1709211941
Booking Date: 09-20-2017
Charges: FTA: BURGLARY 3RD

 

CORNELIUS, DAMIAN NICHOLAS
Booking #: 1709201938
Booking Date: 09-20-2017
Charges: FTA: THEFT 3RD

 

DRUMGOOD, DAVID ALLEN
Booking #: 1709201940
Booking Date: 09-19-2017
Charges: ATTEMPT TO COMMIT MURDER; DISCHARGING FIREARM INTO OCCUPIED VEHICLE; VIOLATION SUSPENDED SENTENCE

 

BROWN, JOHN LISTER
Booking #: 1709201937
Booking Date: 09-19-2017
Charges: FTA: BREAKING ENTERING VEHICLE

 

STONE, SHERRY KAY
Booking #: 1709191934
Booking Date: 09-15-2017
Charges: POSSESSION CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE, SELLING DRUGS NEAR SCHOOL, VIOLATION OF TERMS OF RELEASE

 

INGRAM, TORY J
Booking #: 1709191933
Booking Date: 09-15-2017
Charges: CHILD SUPPORT 100 DAYS

 

LOCKE, JAMES MATTHEW
Booking #: 1709151929
Booking Date: 09-14-2017
Charges: Breaking/Entering OF VEHICLE x 2

 

KILPATRICK, LARRY RAY
Booking #: 1709141923
Booking Date: 09-13-2017
Charges: STATE INMATE HERE FOR COURT

 

WOOTEN, EDWARD LEE
Booking #: 1709121913
Booking Date: 09-12-2017
Charges: UNLAWFUL B/E OF VEHICLE

 

RICKS, SANNORIS SANCHEZ
Booking #: 1709141921
Booking Date: 09-11-2017
Charges: BURGLARY 2ND

 

SHIPLEY, JASMAN QUANTEZ
Booking #: 1709141920
Booking Date: 09-11-2017
Charges: PROBATION VIOLATIONS ON BURGLARY 3RD

 

MEADE, DARRIN TREMAINE
Booking #: 1709121918
Booking Date: 09-11-2017
Charges: PROBATION REVOCATION ON POSSESSION CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE

 

HAMM, DANNY WAYNE
Booking #: 1709121916
Booking Date: 09-11-2017
Charges: FAIL TO PAY RESTITUTION

 

VANDIVER, MATTHEW LEE
Booking #: 1709141919
Booking Date: 09-10-2017
Charges: VIOLATION SUSPENDED SENTENCE

 

LEMAY, RALPH EVANS
Booking #: 1709121917
Booking Date: 09-09-2017
Charges: FTA: BURGLARY 3RD AND CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE CRIME

 

FREEMAN, EDWARD CORNELL
Booking #: 1709121914
Booking Date: 09-08-2017
Charges: FAIL TO REGISTER AS SEX OFFENDER

 

GARGIS, MARK DILLON
Booking #: 1709071903
Booking Date: 09-06-2017
Charges: THEFT OF PROPERTY 1ST

 

WILLIAMS, MONTY LAMONT
Booking #: 1709071910
Booking Date: 09-05-2017
Charges: GJI: UNLAWFUL DISTRIBUTION CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE

 

HALL, WALTER JAMES
Booking #: 1709071906
Booking Date: 09-05-2017
Charges: ROBBERY 1ST

 

DARLING, COURTNEY DAWN
Booking #: 1709061896
Booking Date: 09-05-2017
Charges: FTA: RECEIVING STOLEN PROP 3RD; FTA: FORGERY 3RD; CHILD SUPPORT

 

CARROLL, ANTHONY DESHAWN
Booking #: 1709061895
Booking Date: 09-05-2017
Charges: FTA: FORGERY 3RD; CHILD SUPPORT

 

ROBERTS, JAMES EDWARD
Booking #: 1709071909
Booking Date: 09-03-2017
Charges: POSSESSION DRUG PARAPHERNALIA; FTA: POSS FORGED INST; ILLEGAL POSS PRESCRIPTION DRUGS; CHILD SUPPORT 140 DAYS

 

MOSS, ASHLEY KAY
Booking #: 1709071907
Booking Date: 09-03-2017
Charges: ILLEGAL POSSESSION PRESCRIPTION DRUGS; POSSESSION DRUG PARAPHERNALIA; FAILURE TO PAY RESTITUTION

 

WILLIAMS, STEFANO JAMAL
Booking #: 1709071911
Booking Date: 09-02-2017
Charges: VIOLATION SUSPENDED SENTENCE ON CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES; FAILURE TO OBEY POLICE OR FIRE DEPT

 

GRANT, ARMON RAKEL
Booking #: 1709071904
Booking Date: 09-01-2017
Charges: OBSTRUCTING JUSTICE – FALSE I.D.

 

GLOCK, KAYLA RENEE
Booking #: 1708311890
Booking Date: 08-30-2017
Charges: VIOLATION SUSPENDED SENTENCE; NEG WORTHLESS INSTRUMENT (CHECKS)

 

PRICE, AMANDA FAYE
Booking #: 1708301889
Booking Date: 08-30-2017
Charges: ASSAULT 1ST; ATTEMPT TO COMMIT MURDER

 

DECATUR, LATAURAS DURANT
Booking #: 1708281884
Booking Date: 08-25-2017
Charges: UNL DISTRIBUTION CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE X2

 

RODEN, AUSTIN RYAN
Booking #: 1708241881
Booking Date: 08-23-2017
Charges: POSSESSION CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE AND RECEIVING STOLEN PROPERTY

 

SPEEGLE, DANIEL ALLIE
Booking #: 1708231877
Booking Date: 08-22-2017
Charges: TOP 1ST; TOP 2ND; AND FAILURE TO APPEAR IN COURT FOR PREVIOUS TOP 1ST CHARGE

 

WALLACE, TYLER BLAKE
Booking #: 1708221876
Booking Date: 08-21-2017
Charges: POSSESSION CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE X2; POSS MARIJUANA 1ST; BOND REVOCATION

 

GREGORY, CHELSIE NICOLE
Booking #: 1708181867
Booking Date: 08-17-2017
Charges: VIOLATION SUSPENDED SENTENCE

 

ROY, BRADLEY CECIL
Booking #: 1708181866
Booking Date: 08-17-2017
Charges: FAILURE TO REGISTER ADDRESS AS SEX OFFENDER

 

SPEEGLE, CHRISTOPHER ALLEN
Booking #: 1708181865
Booking Date: 08-17-2017
Charges: VIOLATION OF COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS

 

BURT, BRADLEY LENARD
Booking #: 1707281823
Booking Date: 07-27-2017
Charges: GJI: UNLAWFUL DISTRIBUTION & POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE; VIOLATION SUSPENDED SENTENCE

 

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