TUSCUMBIA–It’s official the original owner of the OhBryan’s Steak House will reopen the popular restaurant that closed on October 1st. 

After franchisees, Greg and Lisa Pace closed the restaurant, original owner Bryan Hughes saw a great opportunity and will reopen after some remodeling is done to the interior of the restaurant.

Greg and Lisa Pace moved to Courtland to open a family restaurant.  It was the second restaurant that closed in Tuscumbia after PoBoys Restaurant closed recently due to health concerns of one of the two owners.

Hats off to Tuscumbia Mayor Kerry Underwood and Robbins Development for their quick action in getting the restaurant back open with new ownership.

Hughes says the steakhouse will soon be taking applications for all types of restaurant workers.

Jeff Roland

ShoalsInsider.com – Keeping You Informed

TUSCALOOSA – Excitement is in the air as the SEC Network’s traveling pregame show, SEC Nation, will head to Tuscaloosa Saturday, Oct. 21 to highlight the matchup between Alabama and Tennessee. Airing live from 9-11 a.m. CT in front of Moore Hall, the show will delve into the storylines of Southeastern Conference football before the Crimson Tide and Vols tussle at Bryant-Denny Stadium at 2:30 p.m. CT that afternoon.

The show includes live reports, analysis and features surrounding the world of SEC football, as well as special appearances from hometown favorites throughout the season. Laura Rutledge hosts the traveling pregame show, navigating the Saturday morning conversations with analysts Tim Tebow, Marcus Spears and Paul Finebaum, along with reporter Lauren Sisler.

This will be the Crimson Tide’s 21st appearance on the show and fourth time hosting the SEC Nation crew. In addition to Saturday’s show, the Paul Finebaum Show will air from the set in front of Moore Hall from 1-2 p.m. CT on ESPN2 and 2-6 p.m. CT on SEC Network on Friday afternoon.

Source: UA Athletic Dept.

MUSCLE SHOALS–Colbert County Sheriff Frank Williamson tells ShoalsInsider.com a badly decomposed body has been found east of Muscle Shoals proper on Elledge Loop.

“The body was so badly decomposed we were unable to determine the gender of the deceased,” said Williamson.

According to authorities, a homeowner on Elledge Loop made the discovery earlier today.

The coroner is transporting the body to the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences in Huntsville for identification.

If you have any information, please call the Colbert County Sheriff’s Department at 256-383-0741 or the Crime Tips Hotline at 256-383-8685.

More details as they become available.

Jeff Roland

ShoalsInsider.com – Keeping You Informed

Publisher Jeff Roland

If you’re like me you were shocked at the events that unfolded this past weekend at a high school football game in Ames, Iowa.

As the national anthem was played thirteen members of the marching band linked arms and walked off the field and the remainder refused to play their instruments.

The national news media reported on the incident as students protesting, “social injustice, homophobia, inequality” just to name a few.

Call me old-fashioned but I was just sickened by the whole display.  I couldn’t help but think what my Sheffield High School principal Mr. Howard Jaggers would have done had we tried to pull a stunt like these misguided kids did.

We were blessed to have a principal like Mr. Jaggers.  As the administrator, during the 80’s, he believed in order and discipline. In fact, Mr. Jaggers once told me, “Students learn a lot more when provided an environment conducive to learning,”  In other words, people following the rules, like keeping your mouth shut when the teacher is talking, etc. In fact, things I had difficulty with at times. I loved talking during class.

At the beginning of every school year, Mr. Jaggers would hold an assembly of 350-400 students in the auditorium. It was a show of force and by design let us all know who was boss. We were all cutting up back and forth fresh from summer vacation. He would pace across the stage like a panther demanding order.  Every year he would make an example of the one brave soul who continued to talk or laugh while he was talking. My friend Brack Whitfield, a defensive lineman weighing 288 and six foot four inches tall, made the cut one year. Mr. Jaggers, a black belt in Judo, jumped off the five-foot stage with true cat-like reflexes, ran out into the audience and grabbed Brack up by the shirt. Saying, ” I’ll show you,” You could have heard a pin drop.

No one was hurt but maybe our pride at not being able to do what we wanted to do when we wanted.

Well in actuality Mr. Jaggers showed us all that day how the school would run from day to day. Brack may have got detention hall for the unauthorized talking, I don’t remember but we all made a mental note that it would not be peaches and cream if you were sent to that office.

Every time I see Mr. Jaggers around town, I try to thank him for running that school with decency and order.

The principal at Ames, Iowa, reportedly told the kids to walk off the field and was clearly instrumental in the whole debacle that has cast a long shadow on that school for years to come.

It’s amazing the impact one person can make in the lives of others.

See you next week,

Jeff Roland’s column appears weekly on ShoalsInsider.com. If you have any comments or suggestions, please email us at news@shoalsinsider.com.

FLORENCE, Ala. – In addition to the funds raised by the Student Government Association, the University of North Alabama is now offering additional help to victims of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma.

Officials with UNA recently announced a series of changes they’ll be enacting in response to the storms.  Those changes include a waiving of the application fee for the fall 2018 semester for any students affected.  In addition, UNA will also waive the out-of-state tuition for students entering in the 2018-2019 academic year.

Officials say students can qualify for these changes if they reside or have legal guardians employed in an area that was deemed a federal disaster area.

Julie Taylor, UNA director of Admissions, said this is just another small thing the University is doing to try to help.

“These storms were catastrophic in many areas,” said Taylor.  “And while we know there are many other concerns on the minds of people in those areas, we also know that some of those affected were students who were gearing up for college.  We hope these few changes we’ve enacted might give them one less thing to worry about, so they can focus on recovery,” she said.

Students interested in finding out more information regarding this can contact the UNA Office of Admissions at 256-765-4608 or https://www.una.edu/admissions/index.html

By Bryan Rachal

FLORENCE – A one vehicle crash at 7:30 a.m. today, October 17, 2017 has claimed the life of a Florence man. Jerry Wayne Jones, 62, was killed when the 1978 GMC pickup he was driving ran off the roadway in a curve and struck a residence.

Jones was transported to ECM Hospital in Florence where he was pronounced dead.

Jones was not wearing his seatbelt.

The crash occurred on Lauderdale County Road 14, five miles west of Florence.

Alabama State Troopers continue to investigate.

Shoals Insider – Keeping You Informed

Gerald L Crittenden

FLORENCE-Authorities have arrested a Florence man after he was indicted for sexual abuse.

Investigators tell ShoalsInsider.com that Gerald Lee Crittenden, 27, of 927 Sherrod Avenue, Florence,  was arrested on a Grand Jury Indictment for 1st-degree Sexual Abuse.

Crittenden has been charged with having unwanted sexual contact with a 16-year-old female.

This incident occurred in May of this year at the females father’s home in Florence.

This case was presented to the September Lauderdale County Grand Jury where they true billed it or voted there was enough evidence to move forward with prosecution.

In 2010, Crittenden pled guilty to felony assault in Lauderdale County.

In 2015, Crittenden was charged with Attempted Murder. The 2015 case was no-billed by the grand jury.

Crittenden is currently in the Lauderdale County Detention Center on a $25,000.00 bond.

Jeff Roland

ShoalsInsider.com – Keeping You Informed

MUSCLE SHOALS–The Colbert and Lauderdale County Health Departments, in conjunction with the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH), are investigating a gastrointestinal illness of 36 people who ate at a catered event hosted by North American Lighting Co. in Muscle Shoals, Ala., on Sunday, October 15. Persons who attended the event have reported vomiting and diarrhea lasting less than 24 hours.

North American Lighting continues to provide information to the health department. The source of the food has been inspected by health department environmental staff and some samples were sent to ADPH, Bureau of Clinical Laboratories, for testing. Patient specimens have been collected and will be shipped to the laboratory today.

Dr. Karen Landers, District Medical Officer, states, “At this time, there is no indication of persons ill other than those who attended the event. If the ADPH determines that the food from the catered establishment is the source of the illness, it will release the name of the caterer.” Local hospital emergency rooms and urgent care centers have been notified of the reported illness. The investigation is ongoing and additional information will be provided as it becomes available.

Persons who attended the event at North American Lighting and are ill should contact the Colbert County Health Department at (256) 383-1231.

KILLEN–Authorities tell ShoalsInsider.com, that a single-vehicle crash at 2:30 p.m. today, Oct. 17, has claimed the life of a Florence man.According to Troopers, Jarnais Montes Porter, 28, was killed when the 2007 Lincoln MKZ, in which he was a passenger, ran off the roadway, struck the median and overturned.

Porter was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the Lincoln, Larissa Noelle Bowlin, 24, of Killen, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was ejected and transported to an area hospital for treatment of her injuries.

The crash occurred on U.S. 72 inside the Killen City Limits.

At the time of the incident, Bowlin was being pursued by an officer from the Killen Police Department, which requested Alabama State Troopers investigate the crash.

Alabama State Troopers continue to investigate the incident.

Shoals Insider

FLORENCE–Lauderdale County Court officials are offering amnesty in a Stay out of Jail Program from October 23rd to October 31st.

Officials say there are over 2000 people with outstanding warrants. If your name is on the lists call 256-764-6351 to get the matter resolved.

The following people have active warrants for worthless checks at the District Attorney’s Office:

ACKLIN, JANAS

$533.35

ADAY, JASON

$1,757.28

ASBERRY, JACOB

$1,934

BEARD, DONNA

$251.85

BELUE, ASHARA

$316

BLANKENSHIP, CATHERINE

$854.52

BORDEN, DAVID

$613.46

BORDEN, TENISHA

$766.85

BOWMAN, LACRISHA

$1,521.35

BOX, ELIZABETH

$253.63

BURGESS, JESSICA

$818.02

BUTLER, BROCK

$854.00

CAGLE, HAROLD

$1,148.34

CARLSON, JR, ROBERT

$1,542.20

CLARK, DEBRA

$334

CLEMMONS, REGINA

$558.00

COLE, BRANDLYN

$394.00

COPELAND, JANICE

$1,036.62

CREASY, ROBERT

$953.34

CROWDEN, TERRI

$794.83

DAUGHERTY, SHANE

$276.97

DAWSON, CASSANDRA

$304.00

DROSS, DONNA

$772.40

EZELL, SHARRON

$528.81

FERGUSON, APRIL

$270.83

FERGUSON, JOSEPH

$785.08

FISHER, CHRISTOPHER

$301.68

FOUST, JASON

$354.00

FOUST, PAULA

$2,157.11

FULKS, JASON

$2,865.70

GALLAGHER, JEFFERY

$350.47

GIPSON, BRANDI

$300.75

GREEN, DIXIE

$1,279.51

HANEY, ROBERT

$409.00

HARDIN, TESSIE

$366.45

HERNANDEZ, SANDRA

$566.42

HOLLINGSWORTH, IVAN

$929.80

HORTON, JOHN MATTHEW

$4,932.18

HUFFMAN, KELLI

$1,512.76

INGRAM, JUANITA

$801.08

JACKSON, CASEY

$275.82

JOHNSON, BARBARA

$1,653.83

JONES, RENETA

$634.61

KILPATRICK, RANDAL

$546.27

KING, KIMBERLY

$901.36

LAIRD, TAMMIE

$277.07

LANE, BART

$573.44

LEDONNE, STEPHEN

$322.79

LOVELACE, ERIC

$555.31

LOVELACE, JUSTIN

$518.95

LOVELACE, LILLIAN

$480.65

MARONA, TAMMY

$494.00

MATHIS, JOEL

$267.13

MCNEILL, CHARLOTTE

$514.36

MEANS, JEREMIE

$247.60

MINOR, KIANA

$433.21

MOORE, DELVIN

$298.06

MORGAN, PENNY

$294.00

NARMORE, DAVID

$1,042.63

PATEL, SUNNY

$6,641.81

POAGUE, DAPHNE

$818.19

POOLE, SIDNEY

$933.78

PRICE, TONY

$599.00

PRIDE, MARCUS

$432.68

RHODES, TYLER

$242.67

RUMPH, RICKEY

$497.11

SCOGGIN, CANDICE

$268.53

SHORT, CYNTHIA

$334.00

SINER, SHELIA

$502.82

SKIPPER-KELLEY, TIFFANY

$3,056.92

SMITH, CHRISTY

$597.30

SMITH, DOROTHY

$288.68

SPEEGLE, PAUL

$781.64

SPURILL, HENRY

$613.33

STAGGS, ROBERT

$407.69

STOGNER, DOUGLAS

$248.63

STRICKLAND, LARRY

$288.96

SWAFFORD, CORI

$529.64

TABSCOTT, CANDICE

$835.88

THOMAS, AMBER

$513.31

THORNTON, KERRIE

$821.54

WILLIAMS, SHELIA

$324.00

WOOD, DANIEL

$1,176.21

Source: Lauderdale County DA

FLORENCE–The following people have active alias warrants in Lauderdale County District Court. Court officials are offering an amnesty program running from Oct. 23rd until Oct. 31st. If your name is on the list call the DA’s office at 256-764-6351 to avoid arrest.

MONTGOMERY – The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency is set to begin enforcing the Alabama Mandatory Liability Insurance Law (Act#2016-361).
Last year, during the 2016 legislative session, the law was passed and signed by the Governor to mandate all Alabama motorists have liability insurance. Beginning Wednesday, Nov. 1, those who choose to drive without liability insurance will face a civil penalty.

The MLI law provides that no person shall operate, register or maintain registration of a motor vehicle designed to be used on a public road or highway unless it is covered by a liability insurance policy.

Alabama’s Secretary of Law Enforcement Hal Taylor said, “There has been a grace period in enforcing that law to give motorists time to obtain the proper insurance coverage. Beginning Nov. 1, motorists are subject to a civil penalty if involved in a motor vehicle incident, the vehicle you are operating is not covered by the state’s mandatory liability insurance and you are not issued a citation for no insurance at the time of the incident.” (First offense: $200; second offense: $300; third or subsequent offenses: $400 each.)

In addition, Secretary Taylor said, those individuals will face a 90-day driver license suspension if they do not pay the civil penalty within 45 days or request a hearing with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s Driver License Division. (Driver license reinstatement fee: $100.) If a driver is issued a civil penalty, due process provides the option to appeal, and a hearing will be conducted to determine whether the motor vehicle being operated at the time of the motor vehicle incident was in compliance.

Alabama Department of Insurance Commissioner Jim Ridling said, “It just makes sense to have liability insurance on your vehicle because operating a motor vehicle without it drives up everyone’s rates. Do the right thing, and follow Alabama’s Mandatory Liability Insurance laws to help stabilize rates for Alabama insurance consumers.”

Justice Roy Moore

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – On Wednesday, the Judge Roy Moore for U.S. Senate Campaign announced the endorsement of Alabama Speaker of the House Mac McCutcheon (R-Monrovia). McCutcheon’s endorsement reflects the strong support Judge Moore has received from state Republican elected officials ahead of the December 12th special election.

“I am pleased to add my name to the continually-growing list of those endorsing Judge Roy Moore in his bid to fill the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Jeff Sessions,” McCutcheon said Wednesday. “Judge Moore is the only candidate remaining in the race who holds the same conservative beliefs and moral values that most Alabamians share, and he is the only one who will follow in the footprints that Jeff Sessions left behind.”

“The fact that noted liberal Democrats like Joe Biden and Tim Kaine are working feverishly to elect Judge Moore’s opponent offers concrete proof that Doug Jones opposes President Trump’s reform agenda and embraces Barack Obama’s ultra-leftist positions on issues like Obamacare, abortion, immigration, and gun control,” McCutcheon observed. “The liberal course that Doug Jones would chart for our nation directly contradicts the mainstream conservative views of average Alabamians.”

“For these reasons, Judge Moore has my firm support and my prayerful hopes for his successful election on December 12th.”

FLORENCE–Prominent Florence attorney Jean Darby collapsed this morning during the murder trial of Alfonso Jarmon.

Officials tell ShoalsInsider.com that Darby did not suffer a heart attack when she collapsed around 10:30 a.m. Doctors at ECM say it may have been a stroke or cerebral hemorrhage.

Presiding Circuit Court Judge Gil Self dismissed the jury after Darby collapsed.

One of the jurors is a registered nurse and began CPR on Darby immediately.

Paramedics with Shoals Ambulance Service took Darby to ECM Hospital where she remains in critical condition.

Darby has practiced law for 31 years.

Jeff Roland

ShoalsInsider.com – Keeping You Informed

LAGRANGE–A single vehicle crash at 2:00 a.m. on Friday has claimed the life of a Sheffield woman.

State Troopers tell ShoalsInsider.com that Tiela Ann Curry, 26, was traveling North on LaGrange Rd. when her 2003 Ford Escape left the roadway, struck a ditch and overturned approximately 5 miles south of Muscle Shoals.

Curry was ejected from the vehicle and transported to Helen Keller hospital where she died at approximately 6:00 a.m. this morning.

There were no other passengers in the vehicle.

Alabama State Troopers continue to investigate.

Editorial Note: Our thoughts and prayers are with Tiela’s mother and children at this difficult time.

Shoals Insider – Keeping You Informed

Author and Pastor Ron CraigBro

In light of the many Scripture passages, we have provided in these lessons, an even more appropriate question for us to ask than, “Why is God not solving the world’s problems?” is “Why is the church as a whole not doing what Christ commanded us to do?” Especially since Jesus Christ promised to BE WITH US every day throughout this age as we obey Him in carrying out the Great Gospel Commission until He comes back? I want to give you something to think about.

If, as many theologians contend, miracle solutions to the world’s basic problems (human problems) were restricted to the early days of the church, a whole host of New Testament Scripture passages is worthless to New Testament believers today. If those instructive Scriptures do not apply to the church throughout the entire church age, when did God rescind those commands and promises? And where are their God-approved replacements? God would NOT pull such a cruel trick upon His church, the very Body of Christ! Human problems are basically the same today as they were back then, so why would God not use the same supernatural power (Holy Spirit anointing upon and within Christians) to solve the same basic human problems that plagued the human race 2000 years ago?
What about human problems is different today than back then? The only thing that has changed is technology. Human nature is still basically the same as it has always been since Adam’s fall. Lost people still commit the same atrocities lost people have been committing through the ages. Advanced technology just makes it easier for them to do it, and a lot more of it. God has not changed (Malachi 3:6). Nor has Jesus Christ changed (Hebrews 13:8). The devil has not changed. Human nature outside Christ still commits the very same evils it has always committed but has multiplied, because the population has multiplied. Which means we need more supernatural power working for us and through us today than ever before. Think and pray about that. Also, check out our website.

(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.)

CULLMAN–A single-vehicle crash at 12:40 p.m. Monday, Oct. 23, has claimed the life of a Tuscumbia woman. According to Troopers, Selina Burns Peralta, 45, was killed after she fell from a 1988 GMC van driven by Christopher Allen Reece, 45, of Cullman.

Peralta was struck by the GMC van and pronounced dead at the scene.

The crash occurred on Alabama Highway 69 two miles south of Fairview.

Alabama State Troopers continue to investigate.

ShoalsInsider.com – Keeping You Informed

BIRMINGHAM – A federal grand jury yesterday indicted three foreign nationals for being in the United States illegally after previous deportation, announced U.S. Attorney Jay E. Town and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Special Agent in Charge Ray Parmer.
Separate and unrelated indictments filed in U.S. District Court charge JESUS PREITO-ROSAS, 34, who is also known as Louis Martinez, and ADAN MIRELES-JARAMILLO, 30, both of Mexico, and PEDRO EDGARDO PORTILLO-PORTILLO, 43, of El Salvador, with illegal re-entry after deportation.
According to Preito-Rosas’ indictment, he was in Jefferson County on Sept. 26 after having been removed from the United States to Mexico in October 2011 following a conviction for an aggravated felony. The maximum penalty for that charge is 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Mireles-Jaramillo was in Jefferson Count on Sept. 18 after having been removed from the United States in December 2010 and August 2013, according to his indictment.
Portillo-Portillo was in Shelby County on Sept. 15 after having been removed from the United States in July 2015 and August 2016, according to his indictment. The maximum penalty for the charge against both Mireles-Jaramillo and Portillo-Portillo is two years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
ICE investigated the cases, which the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Alabama is prosecuting.

Dr. Humphrey Lee

MUSCLE SHOALS — Northwest-Shoals Community College (NW-SCC) President Humphrey Lee is throwing in the towel. He announced this morning he will retire December 31, 2017. Lee has been President of the college for the past 14 years.

President Lee shared his plans for retirement with the faculty and staff of the College Thursday morning (10/26) via email. “I love the NW-SCC family and the commitment each of you show toward educating our students and improving the quality of life in our community,” stated Lee. “I have devoted almost 43 years of my life to working in education and I think it is time to enjoy the next phase of my life which includes spending more time with my family.”

Lee’s career has not been without controversy. He has recently come under fire for cutting out public safety for both campuses and cutting some programs at the Phil Campbell campus.

Lee turned 66 earlier this month and will finish his 14th year as president of NW-SCC in December. Prior to his time at NW-SCC, Lee served over 29 years at Shelton State Community College in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Lee has an Ed.D. in Higher Education Administration, M.A. in Counseling and Guidance and a B.A. in Biology from the University of Alabama.

Lee has made workforce development his primary focus since coming to NW-SCC in 2004. Through Lee’s leadership, NW-SCC has constructed and renovated career technical training facilities in areas such as Automotive Service Technology, Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC), Machine Tool (on Phil Campbell and Shoals campuses), Salon and Spa Management and Welding (on Phil Campbell Campus). Additionally, NW-SCC has started new programs such as Cyber Security, Injection Molding Technology and Medical Assisting Technology. All of this was accomplished under the newly structured Workforce Solutions division of the College.

Lee hopes to continue to play a vital role in the growth of the community. “I have always encouraged our faculty and staff to be active in the community,” said Lee. “I hope to continue that even after my retirement.” Lee served in numerous roles throughout the years including: Chairman of the Shoals Chamber of Commerce, Board of Directors for the Shoals Economic Development Authority and Shoals Entrepreneurial Center.

As a result of Lee’s vision, funding has been secured for a new workforce training center. With the new workforce center on the horizon, I’m excited for the College,” said Lee. “Northwest-Shoals will always hold a very special place in my heart and I look forward to seeing all the great things the College will accomplish in the near future.”

TUSCUMBIA– If you happen to see Tuscumbia Mayor Kerry “Bubba” Underwood today, wish him a Happy Birthday. 

Underwood turns 51 today. For those that know Bubba, he works tirelessly for the city that he truly loves and has taken the city in a new positive direction.  He actively recruits businesses and is result oriented.

Mayor Underwood, we wish you many more blessed years.