On November 06th, 2018, the Clay County Sheriff’s Office received a report of illegal entry on property and theft of items just off Mountain View Road north of Ashland.

Sheriff’s Investigators began looking into the thefts and found evidence that the thieves would most likely be returning.

On November 15th, 2018, Investigators were alerted, via electronic devices, that thieves had returned to the property.

Investigators responded and were able to take 3 persons into custody. That investigation continues and a more though report will be provided in the near future.

On December 6, 2018, a Clay County Sheriff’s Deputy was patrolling highway 9, just north of Delta when an unidentified vehicle was observed traveling north driving from one lane to the other.

When the deputy attempted to initiate a traffic stop to identify the driver, the driver abruptly turned around on the highway and began traveling south. The driver was stopped at the intersection of Haynes Mountain Road were a verbal altercation directed at the deputy by the driver began.

Moments later, the driver sped off traveling down Haynes Mountain Road with the deputy in pursuit. During the pursuit the driver fired shots directed at the pursuing deputy. That chase eventually ended in Randolph County on County Road 313.

The suspect was taken into custody and transported to the Clay County Detention Center where they remain at the time of this report. That investigation is continuing with additional information provided at a later date.

Press Release issued by Ashland Police Chief Joseph Stanford regarding the incident:

On November 5, 2018, the Ashland Police Department received a call from the Dollar General in Ashland, and the cashier stated that the store had been robbed at gun point.

Officer Griffin responded and made sure the scene was safe. He then notified Inv. Corey Dickinson, and Chief Joseph Stanford, and made them aware of the incident. Inv. Dickinson responded and he and Officer Griffin processed the scene. The matter is under investigation, and as more details become available they will be released to the public.

This is a great time to remind our businesses and store owners not to keep large amounts of cash on hand, or visible to would be criminals. It is the time of the year that we see a spike in these types of crimes, but we should always be vigilant in making sure that we harden our targets as much as possible. But if you are confronted with something similar, we ask that you comply with their requests and not try to be a hero. Money and objects can be replaced, but once life is gone it cannot be brought back.

We, at the Ashland Police Department, will work to prevent this from happening again, and we need your help in doing this. If you see something suspicious, please call us and we will check it out. We all love our small town, with its family appeal, and we want to keep it that way.

Remains found identified as missing Clay County Woman On July 09, 2010, Clara Vaughn Rogers, age 74, was reported missing from her home @ 4237 Cheaha Road, Munford, in the Northern most part of Clay County. Joseph Edward Rogers, husband, reported Clara Rogers missing at approximately 3pm that date. Mr. Rogers told Sheriff Alexander and Sheriff’s Investigators that he had last seen his wife around 8am that morning when he left the residence to cut grass and do yard work.

Upon returning, Mr. Rogers stated he could not locate his wife anywhere in the residence or on the property. Mr. Rogers stated all vehicles were accounted for and no one had been at the residence that day. Mr. Rogers told deputies his wife suffered from Dementia and had possibly wandered away from the house.

Sheriff’s deputies, Clay County Rescue Squad personnel and the Alabama Department of Public Safety Rotor Wing Search & Rescue personnel were dispatched to the mountainous wooded area around the Rogers Residence attempting to locate Mrs. Rogers. In all, personnel searched the wooded and mountainous area for approximately 3 days in an attempt to locate the missing woman. Those searches proved unsuccessful.

In June of 2011, Sheriff Latham organized a search effort with Cadaver K-9 and law enforcement personnel around the Roger’s residence. Later in 2011 and thru the spring of 2013, several efforts were made by Clay County Sheriff’s Deputies aided by members of the Talladega Sheriff’s Office, Lineville Police Department and Ashland Police Department in the search of Salt Creek and surrounding area of the Rogers home.

On June 1st 2013, a group of hikers were hiking Salt Creek Falls and found what appeared to be parts of human remains in Salt Creek just north of the falls in Clay County. Those remains were received by Sheriff’s Investigators and transported to the States Forensics Lab in Montgomery. Results to positively identify the identity was challenging.

Clay County Sheriff’s Investigators retrieved DNA samples from a Rogers family member in an effort for a more precise match. Those remains and the DNA samples were then transfered to the FBI Lab Quantico, Va.

A report to Clay County Sheriff’s Office from the FBI Lab dated September 27, 2018 confirmed that the remains found on June 1st, 2013 were the remains of the missing Clay County woman, Clara Vaugh Rogers. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Rogers family as they are able to have closure in their time of sorrow, states Sheriff Latham.

* MARK THE DATE *
On Thursday, October 11, 2018, a community forum/town hall meeting will be held from 6:00-8:00 pm at the Clay County Farmer’s Market to discuss the amendment that will be on the November 5th ballot. 

This amendment states to vote yes or no to holding state court in the courthouse for as long as it is habitable.

The amendment has been the subject of much controversy due to lack of knowledge on this matter. Hopefully, this meeting will shed some light for the citizens so they can vote with knowledge.

The meeting will be conducted by a guest moderator and security will be provided. All citizens are encouraged to attend.