Saturday, May 26,2018- A late night/early morning robbery took place at several businesses within a strip mall inside the Ashland city limits on Hwy 77 N .

This is late breaking news, therefore I have not received an official statement from the Ashland Police Dept. yet.  However, I do know that three businesses inside the strip mall were broken into: A Cut Above, Kala Nails, and China Inn.

The burglar(s) gained entry into A Cut Above Barber Shop by breaking the glass on the front door. To my knowledge, nothing was taken from this business, but it was ransacked.

The other two businesses that were also robbed, presumably by the same suspect (s),  Kala Nails and China Inn, both had the back door broken. Bryan Vu, owner of Kala Nails, reported his store to be ransacked, and that a lot of change was taken.  Both Kala Nails and A Cut Above were open for business today.

The owners of China Inn were not there, so I could not gather any information on what was taken from their store. The only other store in this mall, Dollar General, was not robbed, to my knowledge.

It is unknown at this time whether the police have any suspects yet. I will bring you more information on this late breaking story as soon as I receive updates.

The Clay County Board of Education met Tuesday, May 15, 2018 for their regular monthly meeting.  The following agenda items were approved:

• Approval to accept the lowest bid from Dixie Store Fixtures of $77,750.00  for a cooler/freezer at Ashland Elementary.

• Approval to solicit bids for the following items:

1. Fresh produce products for the 2018-19 school year.
2. Safety doors for Central Junior High School.
3. Heating Cooling units ( replacement) AES and LES
4. Bathroom renovations for both girls and boys at AES

• Approval to extend bids for the following:

1. Bread and bread products-Flowers Baking Co. for the 2018-19 school year.
2. Milk Products- Dean Dairy Holdings/Barber Milk for the 2018-19 school year.

Approval of 32 Personnel Action Items which included some of the following:

• Mark Darby from full time LES Asst. Principal to 1/2 time LES Asst. Principal and 1/2 time AES Asst. Principal.
• Shannah Mathews from Special Ed teacher AES to Elementary teacher AES.
• Patty Mann from Special Ed teacher CJHS to Special Ed teacher LES.
• Anna Morrison from LES Teacher to LES Counselor
• Shannon Taylor from LES Teacher to LES Reading Coach
• Lisa Andrews from LES Teacher to LES Title Teacher
• Vicki Mitchell from AES Special Ed Aide to CHS Special Ed Aide

RESIGNATION / RETIRING

• Cassidy Elliff as English Teacher at Central High School effective May 25, 2018
• Paula Reynolds as Counselor at Central High School effective June 1, 2018
• Vicki Herron as Counselor at Central High School effective June 1, 2018
• Kris Herron as PE Teacher at Central High School effective June 1, 2018
• Jessica Hammonds as Teacher at AES effective May 25, 2018

EMPLOY

• Ada Hardy as IDEA Summer School Bus Driver and Teacher Aide
• Marsha Hammonds as IDEA Summer School Teacher and Bus Aide
• Becky Taylor as Facilitator for summer school
• Courtney Johnson as Special Ed Teacher Ashland Elementary effective August 1, 2018
• Courtney Campbell as Special Ed Teacher Ashland Elementary effective August 1, 2018
• Devin Knepper as Teacher – Ashland Elementary effective August 1, 2018
• Joseph Appleby as Bus Driver effective August 1, 2018
• Tiffany Brown as Teacher – Lineville Elementary effective Aug. 1, 2018
• Shannon Cantrell as Lineville Elementary Special Ed Teacher effective Aug. 1, 2018
• Melanie Heath as Teacher at Lineville Elementary effective Aug. 1, 2018

OPEN POSITION(s)

• Special Ed Teacher at Central Junior High
• Counselor positions at Central High School
• 1/2 time Counselor position at Central High School
• Counselor position at Central Jr. High School
• Certified Teacher 7-12 Central Jr. High
• Special Ed Aide Ashland Elementary School
• Special Ed Teacher Ashland Elementary School

Informational Items

On April 28, 2018, Deputies were called to Millerville Baptist Church on School House Road.

Upon arriving, Deputies spoke with the church clerk and was shown evidence of a forced entry into the church. Information provided to the Sheriff’s Deputies indicated several electronic items were taken, including televisions, VCR’S, children’s electronic game and accessories. It was further noted that the suspects spend some time in the church, trashing in closets and rooms while enjoying snacks and drinks that were for church use.

However, their enjoyment was short lived as Deputies received information from nearby contractors indicating seeing a suspicious vehicle earlier in the area.

Deputies began talking to citizens in the area alerting them of the vehicle description. It wasn’t long before a sighting was reported on Pleasant Hill Road.

Deputies proceeded to the area where they found a vehicle fitting the description just south of Hayes Road on Pleasant Hill. Items taken from the Church Burglary were seen in the vehicle as Deputies approached. Other items were located in the wooded area alongside where the vehicle was parked.

Arrested were James Lee Gaines, age 32 of Millerville and Deanthony Marquez Houston, age 28 of Ashland. Houston was charged with Receiving Stolen Property 3rd and Haines charged with Burglary 3rd, Theft of Property 2nd and Receiving stolen property 3rd. Houston was released on $5000.00 bond while Gaines remains in the Clay County Detention Center on bonds totaling $20,000.00.

On May 1, 2018, a complainant reported a person shooting a firearm in their direction. The complainant further stated that the person firing the weapon had done so in the past. In this latest incident, it appeared the shots were intentionally directed in close proximity to the victim. It was also noted the suspect was a convicted felon and should not be in possession of firearms.

On May 4th, 2018, Sheriff’s Investigators, Deputies, Lineville Police Investigator and Ashland Police Officers executed a search warrant at 3138 Hanging Rock Road in relation to the above stated report. There Investigators found a quantity of drugs and paraphernalia. A 38 cal. Revolver was located in the suspect’s bedroom along with numerous shells.

Based on the illegal drugs and firearm found, warrants were obtained on Derrick Ray Ferrell, age 45 of Lineville. Ferrell is wanted on charges of Felon in Possession of Firearm, Trafficking Methamphetamine, Possession of Methamphetamine, and 2 counts of drug paraphernalia.Sheriff’s Office Investigates Burglary & Illegal Drug Activity

Ferrell remains at large. Anyone with information of Ferrell’s whereabouts is urged to contact the Clay County Sheriff’s Office @ 256 354 2176. A cash reward is offered for information that leads to his arrest.

On June 19th, 2017, Sheriff’s Deputies were called to the Millerville Area where a truck was reported stolen from a place of business in Millerville.

Investigators began an investigation into the stolen vehicle. Information over the course of almost a year took Investigators to areas just outside of Munford and Oxford in wooded areas.

There investigators found numerous vehicle parts that appeared to have been stripped from many various types of vehicles. Talladega County Investigators were called and information received lead to a recovery of the vehicle in question and others from Talladega County.

Once located, the vehicle stolen from Millerville had also been stripped. A person was identified being responsible for the theft and warrants were obtained. Wanted by the Clay County Sheriff’s Office is Joseph Lee Rainey, age 26 of Munford. Rainey’s last known address was 130, Appalachian Trail in Munford.

Anyone with information of Rainey’s whereabouts is urged to contact Investigator Shannon House @ 256 354 2176, or go to our website to provide information through our Tip Link. Should your information lead to Rainey’s arrest, you would be eligible for a cash reward.

Stabbing Victim:

At approximately 1am on Tuesday morning, April 24th 2018, Sheriff’s Deputies were called to a residence in the 4400 block of Cragford Road.

Upon arriving, Deputies found an individual with a stab wound to the chest. Deputies were confronted with an uncooperative victim as they attempted to find out what had happened. It was learned that the victim and the assailant were brothers living in the residence. Paramedics were called, and were also met with resistance from the victim.

Due to the seriousness of the wound and refusal of treatment by the victim, paramedics remained on the scene and after some time, were allowed to treat the victim, who was then transported to Clay County Hospital. The assailant, who also was uncooperative at the time, was taken into custody and charged with 1st Degree Domestic Violence.

Later that morning Sheriff’s Investigators began to receive information that led them to believe that the events of earlier that morning may have been not what they seemed.

After further investigation and information received, a search warrant was executed at the residence on April 26th, 2018 and Charles Preston Craft, age 59, a Registered Sex Offender on the Clay County Registry and convicted felon, was charged with felon in possession of a firearm and Elderly Abuse 3rd.

Charles Craft remains in the Clay County Detention Center on bonds totaling $21000.00. Jimmy Craft, age 61 was released from the Detention Center on a $5000.00 bond in the custody of friends and family members.

The Clay County Board of Education met Thursday, April, 26, 2018 for their regular scheduled monthly meeting. A Technology Update was given by Technology Director Brad Strother.

The following agenda items were approved:

• Approval of all the March 2018 financial reports.
• Approval to award lawn maintenance bid for Lineville Elementary School gym and the maintenance building to Danny R. Haynes ( D&J Lawn Care). This was the lowest bid ( $130.00 per cutting) received.
• Approval of the Clay County Data Government Policy. This was given to Board members for review at the March 20, 2018 meeting.
• Approval for the 6th Grade Class at Ashland Elementary to travel to Chattanooga, TN to visit the Tennessee Railroad, Aquarium, and Ruby Falls. There will be no cost to the Board for the trip.
• Approval for CNP Director Juanita Riley to send CNP Equipment Bid Request for a  walk-in cooler/freezer at Ashland Elementary School cafeteria.
• Approval of 53 Personnel Action Items which included some of the following:
  

  Retirement / Resignations:

• Elaine Long as Special Ed. Aide, Central High School
• Robert Smith as Janitor, Central High School
• Richard Coleman as Assistant Principal, Central High School
• Anna Fables as Multi-needs Special Ed. Teacher, Ashland Elementary
• LeighAnn Roberson as Multi-needs Special Ed. Teacher, Lineville Elementary
• Billy Todd as Teacher, Lineville Elementary
• Jan Martin as Reading Coach, Lineville Elementary
• Darlene Lovelady as Counselor, Lineville Elementary
• Margaret Hallman as Bus Driver

  Open Positions:

  Transportation:

• Bus Driver

  Central High School:

• Special Ed. Aide
• Janitor
• Assistant Principal

  Ashland Elementary School

• Special Education Teacher (2)
• Elementary Teacher (2)
• Assistant Principal  1/2 time

  Lineville Elementary School:

• Special Education teacher  (2)
• Elementary Teacher  (2)
• Title Teacher
• Reading Coach
• Counselor
  The next regular Board meeting is scheduled for May 15, 2018, 4:00 PM, at the Board office.

On April 24^th at around 9:02pm,  Lineville Police Department received a call of a shooting on Evans Ave in Lineville. Officers responded to find a 35 year old male with fatal gunshot wounds. The Clay County Rescue Squad, Coroner, and Ashland Police responded to assist. The shooter was questioned by police and the case is still under investigation.

ANTHONY QUESTOR TRAMMELL- Receiving Stolen Property

TRAVIS BARRETTA ACKLES- Assault 2nd Degree

JOSEPH DALE BAKER- Use/Possess  Drug Papaphernalia, Possession Marijuana 2nd, Possession Controlled Substance

DENISE LAGEANA BOZEMAN- Possession Forged Instrument 3rd

CAMRON MILEK BURNEY- Theft of Property 2nd Degree

KRISTALYN MICHEL CAMPBELL- Possession Controlled Substance

MITCHELL RYAN COOK- Possession/Receive Control Substance, Use/Possession Drug Paraphernalia

DEXTER JAROD COX- Use/Possession Drug Paraphernalia, Possession Forged Instrument 1st, Criminal Trespass 1st

ERIC LAMAR DUDLEY- Posession Marijuana 1st Degree, Use/Possession Drug Paraphernalia

ALBERT MARION EDMONDSON- Possession Controlled Substance

JESSICA HOPE ELKINS- Obstruction Justice-False Identity

DE ANTHONY LATRELL ELSTON- Use/Possession Drug Paraphernalia, Possession Marijuana 1st Degree

HOUSTON DONTAE FORD- Use/Possession Drug Paraphernalia, Possession Marijuana 1st Degree

CASEY KESHAWN GLENN- SORNA Violation

DA’JON AHMAD GRAHAM- Robbery 1st

DANIEL LAMAR HARDY- Robbery 3rd, Attempt to Elude

JEROMIE DOUGLAS HAND-  Possession Marijuana 1st Degree, Improper Lights

STING RAY HILL- Disorderly Conduct

MALIK ISHMAEL HOLTZCLAW- Robbery 1st

COREY ALLEN HOSEY- Robbery 1st, Breaking/Entering Vehicle

DONALD NMN HUNTER- SORNA Violation,  Domestic Violence 2nd Degree Assault

COY LEE INGRAM- SORNA Violation

MEGAN DANIELLE LONG- Theft of Property 3rd Degree

GRADY MILSTEAD- SORNA violation

ANTHONY TYLER MINTER- Use/Possession Drug Paraphernalia, Possession Marijuana 1st Degree

CHAD ANDREW MITCHELL- Use/Possession Drug Paraphernalia, Possess/Receive Controlled Substance

FORNEY GENE MULLALLY- Theft of Property 4th degree, Burglary 3rd degree

AARON LEE MYERS-  Possess/Receive Controlled Substance, Use/Possession Drug Paraphernalia, Possession Forged Instrument- 3 counts, Theft of Property 4th degree- 2 counts

MICHAEL RAY NELSON- Possession Burglar’s Tools, Criminal Mischief 3rd,  Theft of Property 4th degree

NATALIE G NELSON- Possession Burglar’s Tools, Criminal Mischief 3rd, Theft of Property 4th degree

CRYSTAL MICHELLE PHILLIPS- Possession Controlled Substance, Use/Possession Drug Paraphernalia

DONALD ERLE REEVES- Operating Vehicle without Insurance, No Driver’s license, Switched Tag , Possession Controlled Substance

JMEKIO SIR’NARD RUSSELL- Robbery 1st

JOSHUA GLENN SAFFOLD- Robbery 1st, Break/Enter Vehicle

THOMAS BRANDON SAFFOLD- Receiving Stolen Property 3rd

JAMIE NICHOLE SCOTT- Paraphernalia Misdemeanor, Possession Controlled Substance

AMETRIA SHUNEA SMITH- Possession/Receive Controlled Substance, No Child Restraint, Improper Lane Usage, Use/Possession Drug Paraphernalia

DONALD EUGENE SMITH- Assault 2nd degree

GEORGE WILLIARD VIX- SORNA violation

SHANNON DEWAYNE WALDROP-  Theft of Property 1st degree,  Theft of Property 2nd degree, Burglary 3rd degree- 4 counts, Theft of Property 4th degree- 3 counts

MARY RUTH WETZEL- Possession Controlled Substance

KEVIN WAYNE WILLIAMS- Theft of Property 3rd degree

STEVEN WAYNE WILLIAMS- Possession/ Receiving  Controlled Substance, Use/Possession Drug Paraphernalia

DALTON SCOTT WRIGHT- Possession/Receiving Controlled Substance, Attempt to Elude, Use/Possession Drug Paraphernalia, Chemical Endangerment of a Minor

EDDIE J ZACKERY- Assault 2nd degree

TONIA JENKINS- Obstruction of Justice-False Identity

Below  is a press release issued by Ashland Police Chief Joseph Stanford:

On Wednesday, April 11, 2018, the Ashland Police Department received a call about a threat received by a worker at the Tru-Cabinetry plant in Ashland, AL. The caller stated that there was a bomb in each of the three different plants(2 located in Ashland, 1 in Lineville). Sergeant Tony Hubbard was the first on the scene, and Chief Stanford was second.

After speaking with the State Bureau of Investigation’s Bomb Squad, a sweep of the building was completed by company personnel and law enforcement, and nothing of note was found. After the sweep was completed an investigation into the call was started.  

Investigator Corey Dickinson, and Chief Stanford worked with the president of the company, to identify the individuals that were likely to have done such an act, and narrowed the timeline down to a specific time.

It was later discovered that a current employee had left his place on the assembly line about the time the call was made, and returned a few minutes later. The supervisors over this employee’s area listened to the voicemail that was recorded and identified his voice.

On Friday, April 13, 2018, Dewayne Lambert, of Lineville, was brought in for questioning, and subsequently admitted to placing the phone call. Mr. Lambert was taken into custody and charged with Making a Terrorist Threat.

As always, all persons arrested and charged with crimes are presumed innocent until proven guilty.   

The Lineville City Council met Monday, April 2, 2018 with all members present.

Presentations were made to the Council in the Planning Session by   Rick Stratton representing his law firm, Beasley-Allen, who is representing several Alabama counties and cities in a class action lawsuit opiod abuse case, urging the city of Lineville to get on board and enter into litigation with the lawsuit. Mayor Adamson said that since they had literally just received the contract via email just a few minutes before the meeting, that the council would have to discuss it and get back to him. For more information on this lawsuit, click here: http://www.beasleyallen.com/matter/opioids/

Representing Ron’s One Stop located at 89372 Hwy 9 in Lineville, Renee Houston addressed the Council in opposition of the opening of an ABC store in Lineville.  Houston handed out an information packet to all the council members with literature and figures. Houston pointed out that Ron’s One Stop had paid the city $15,329.11 in city sales tax over the past 11 months since the store opened. Based on these figures, Houston went on to say that the city would lose approximately $350,000-$400,000 over a ten year period with an ABC store because the state was not required to pay the same city taxes.

Houston said that not only were they highly opposed to the opening of an ABC store, but they were also asking the city to also voice their opposition as well.  “Although the coming of the ABC store may look like a good thing for the city, that it is not based on just the fact that the state isn’t obligated to pay the same city taxes that we pay. We feel like with an ABC store coming in, it would not bring any jobs in, and they would more than likely staff one person who would manage and operate the store. We would have to close our package store because we already get our inventory from the ABC store and even just this month our purchases have already decreased because we are afraid of getting stuck with all the inventory.  The ABC store in Talladega already makes it impossible for all the surrounding package stores to operate efficiently and that’s just one example. We just don’t think it would be good for the city. Our employees are worried about losing their positions and we are worried about having to close out doors and we are really concerned about the city ultimately losing money. We feel like there were a lot of citizens who voted for alcohol sales into the city based on the revenue it would bring in and this would not be the case if ABC comes in”, said Houston. 

Adamson responded to Houston: “As long as I have been here and as long as I have been around the city, I have never known the city the right to deny a legal business coming in and from my understanding, that contract is already signed and done. The state has not contacted us in any shape, form or fashion on this matter. They’ve been working with a private citizen on that and I haven’t seen a contract, but it’s supposedly already signed and they are already working on the store, so again, I don’t see the right to step in at this point in time. That’s the state of Alabama and we have never denied anybody the right to do a legal business in the city just so we can give another business exclusive rights. ”

Houston went on to say that it wasn’t just about the competition.  ” You’re talking about a state-operated business in a city this size. All of our purchases already come from the state. No one else on the inside would be able to compete, it would be a monopoly in that area.  Our sole intention for being here is not to ask that you deny anyone the right to open a business, we just want to make sure that everyone is aware that its not just us that is going to suffer, the city as a whole is going to suffer. “

Adamson said he felt that with the amount of hours the ABC store would be open, plus closing one day a week , that he felt Ron’s wouldn’t have a lot to worry about as far as a loss in revenue and the council members were all in agreement.

This concluded the presentation.  Later,  Adamson also stated that after doing some research on this matter, he discovered that the State will pay 2% fee in lieu of tax of their gross sales to the city. Adamson reported the city of Wedowee received  approximately $21,000 last year from their ABC Store as a result of their gross sales.

In other business, the Council accepted the resignation of Jarrid Griffin from the Park Board, leaving a vacant spot.  The vote was unanimous.

The Council also voted to participate in the  Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday which will take place on the weekend of July 20-22, 2018.

With no further business, the meeting was adjourned.

A suspect wanted by Clay County Sheriff’s Office led multiple agencies on a chase covering just under 30 miles through two counties.

On Sunday Evening, March 18^th, Clay County Authorities received a possible sighting of the suspect and vehicle description. Neighboring County Deputies were notified and were provided that description. Sheriff Latham and Lineville Police Investigator Chris Mathews proceeded to an area where the suspect was believed to be in.

After some hours of surveillance, a vehicle fitting the description was spotted traveling just inside Randolph County. Surveillance continued with Cleburne County Deputies being notified the suspect vehicle was entering Cleburne County. As Cleburne County, Alabama State Troopers and Clay County Law Enforcement attempted to stop the vehicle just inside Cleburne County, the suspect vehicle fled, leading authorities though parts of Cleburne and Clay Counties.

After just under a 30 mile chase, the driver of the suspect vehicle lost control at the intersection of Fosters and East Mill Roads. Two occupants, one identified as John Ross McCay, age 25 of Lineville, wanted by Clay County Officials was apprehended.  Although McCay received minor injuries in the accident, he was treated, then transported to Clay County Hospital by Clay County Rescue Squad (CCRS) where he was checked and released.

McCay was then booked into the Clay County Detention Center on charges of absconding probation from a previous drug charge& unlawful distribution of a controlled substance. McCay remains in the Clay Detention Center without bond. The driver received more extensive non-life threating injuries. He also was treated by CCRS and airlifted to an area hospital for treatment.

Due to the on-going investigation at press time, that name has not been released. A special thanks to Lineville Police Patrol & Investigative Division, Cleburne County Sheriff’s Office, Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA),Trooper Division, area agency dispatch centers, Clay County Rescue Squad and Clay County Sheriff’s Deputies. “Again when faced with difficult and dangerous circumstances, our law enforcement personnel teamed together and worked flawlessly to apprehend the suspects. Thank you for your professionalism and dedication to serve and protect our citizens of this great county” states Sheriff Latham.