The South Alabamian News Podcast

FREE Rat Terrier puppies, 4 months old, 1 male & 1 female, located in Mt. Vernon. 251-402-5707 Puppies free to good home. Mixed with pit and Chihuahua. Moving and need to find a home ASAP. Call or text for more info and pictures. 251- 285-9910

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David McLean Walker, 57, of Jackson, passed away May 18, 2025. David was born August 9, 1967 to Douglas M. Walker and Betsy Walker. David is preceded in death by his parents and his son, Tyler Vanderheiden. He is survived by his daughter, Sydney Keller (Ben); grandchildren, Embry Keller and River Keller; siblings, Steven Douglas Walker and Wendy Walker Allen (Todd Williams); nieces and nephews, Emily (Jarred) Hutto, James Doc Allen and Dylan McLean Allen (Gailyn); great-nieces and great-nephews, Briggs Chancey, Leah Grace Chancey, Emma Hutto, Lallie Hutto and Molly Ann Allen. Private services will be held at a later...

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MONTGOMERY — Gov. Kay Ivey marked the end of the Alabama Legislature’s 2025 regular session on May 20 by touting newly signed laws which addressed her priorities in the annual State of the State address in February. Those priorities included public safety, veterans, education, family values and stronger governance. Public safety Ivey declared public safety her primary objective for 2025, unveiling a package that included a variety of criminal justice and law enforcement reforms that became law. • A statewide ban on Glock switches (trigger-conversion devices that turn pistols into fully automatic weapons), making possession a Class C felony under...

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MONTGOMERY — A new plan released during the Alabama Legislature’s 2025 regular session details tactics to slash recidivism in Alabama and create safer communities statewide. Reentry Alabama released a report to the Legislature detailing a strategic plan that will strengthen Alabama’s reentry systems to lower recidivism and increase success for Alabamians following incarceration. In alignment with Reentry Alabama’s mission to introduce innovative programs for reentry, the Alabama Bureau of Pardons and Paroles developed initiatives that promote rehabilitation and reduce recidivism. A notable success in this endeavor is the Perry County PREP Center, which has significantly contributed to preparing incarcerated individuals...

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Circuit Court Clerk - Summer Scruggs Padgett 251-275-3363 Office Hours: Monday – Friday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm closed 12 – 1 for lunch. Probate Court - Judge Valerie Bradford Davis 251-275-3251 Revenue Commissioner - Tyler Montana Prescott, J.D. 251-275-3376 License Commissioner - Linda Goodman 251-275-4141 County Administrator - Christy Roberts 251-275-3507 County Attorney - Bruce Wilson 251-275-3221 County Commissioners - 251-275-3507 District 1 - Honorable Abbey Walker HaagDistrict 2 - Honorable Jackie Ray RushDistrict 3 - Honorable Barry ChanceyDistrict 4 -Honorable Tyrone MoyeDistrict 5 - Honorable Rhondel Rhone Sheriff - DeWayne Smith 251-275-4254 County Engineer - Lance Jordan 251-275-3366

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Arrests booked in the Clarke County May 19-25 include the following: Cedrick Demond Davis, 24, harassing communications, assault third degree Jonathan Bettis, 45, sex abuse – child less than 12 years of age Latrice Lachelle Boykin, 40, theft of property third degree Tasha Merrick, 48, interference with child custody Christopher Harwell, 54, disorderly conduct/disturbing the peace, possession of drug paraphernalia, unlawful receipt/possession of controlled substance, resisting arrest, unlawful possession of marijuana second degree James Baretta Washington, 49, theft of property first degree Edward Dale Dickinson, 51, probation violation – new charge – misdemeanor Cardel Hickenbottom, 43, unlawful possession of marijuana...

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CLARKE COUNTY — Qualifying begins June 10 statewide for the Aug. 26 municipal elections. Grove Hill, Jackson, Thomasville, Fulton and Coffeeville will all have elections. The last day to file as a candidate for municipal office is June 24 by 5 p.m. and the last day to establish residency to vote in a municipal election is July 27.

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CLARKE COUNTY — A man was sentenced to 15 years in state prison on May 18 after his conviction on drug charges. Lemarkis Ray Sharp, who was involved in a high-speed chase after a routine traffic stop in 2021 led to a drug bust, pleaded guilty to trafficking a synthetic controlled substance before Clarke County Circuit Court Judge Robert Montgomery. Sharp turned himself in to authorities on May 23. On May 30, 2021, then-Fulton Police Chief Ethan Elmore and Clarke County Sheriff ’s Chief Investigator Donnie Floyd were conducting safety checkpoints on Old Highway 5 in Fulton when a Nissan...

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JACKSON — The Pine City Farmers Market has had a preseason of sorts with several popup markets since Valentine’s Day. On June 7, the real action begins with the Farmers Market returning at full strength to 108 South Kimball Avenue. “We’ve been having these pop-up markets to let people know we’re here,” market manager and co-founder Jodie Powell said. “We have a good following going. Typically, our growers are not ready until about the first Saturday in June, so that’s when we’re going to have our first official market.” The event was originally held at the old fire station, which...

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CLARKE COUNTY — A woman has been convicted of interference with custody involving a 14-year-old girl following a three-day trial in Clarke County. Tasha Nicole Merrick was charged following the disappearance of Leah McDonald on Mother’s Day 2023. The state’s evidence at trial showed that on May 14, 2023, McDonald told her grandfather she was going to the park to play basketball and left the home on her bicycle. When her grandfather went to the park to check on her 15 minutes later, McDonald was gone. Her grandfather contacted the Jackson Police Department and a nationwide search for Mc- Donald...

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