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NEWS & EVENTS Alabama Ledger www.AlabamaLedger.com BOARD MEETING - The Alabama Conservation Advisory Board (CAB) will hold its first meeting of 2026 on Saturday, February 28. The meeting will take place at the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries, Richard Beard Auditorium, 1445 Federal Dr., in Montgomery, Alabama. Registration for those wishing to address the board will be from 8-8:30 a.m. The meeting will begin promptly at 9 a.m. Attendees with printed information they wish to share with CAB members should bring 16 copies of the material for distribution. Please ensure name and contact information are included on each copy. The CAB assists in formulating policies for the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR), examines all rules and regulations, and makes recommendations for their change or amendment. This includes hunting seasons and bag limits. The board is comprised of 10 members appointed by the Governor for alternating terms of six years. Joseph Dobbs, Jr., of Livingston, currently serves as chairman. Additional CAB members include Greg Barksdale of Hanceville; Kevin Savoy of Dothan; Grady Hartzog of Eufaula; Brock Jones of Tuscaloosa; Raymond Jones, Jr., of Huntsville; Jeff Martin of Talladega; Ben C. Stimpson, Jr., of Mobile; Charlie Gray of Dauphin Island; and Tim Wood of Selma. The three ex-officio CAB members are Gov. Kay Ivey, Agriculture Commissioner Rick Pate, and Alabama Cooperative Extension System Director Dr. Eve Brantley. ADCNR Commissioner Chris Blankenship serves as ex-officio secretary. If Americans with Disabilities Act accommodations are needed, please contact Betsy Jones at (334) 242-3486 or betsy.jones@dcnr.alabama.gov. Requests should be made as soon as possible, but at least four days prior to the scheduled meeting. BLACK HISTORY CONCERT - Snead State Community College will host the third annual Black History Concert. Dr. Reginald Jackson, Assistant Professor and Director of the Gospel Choir at the University of Alabama in Birmingham, will be the featured guest artist during the concert which is scheduled for Friday, Feb. 20. The performance will begin at 7 p.m. in Fielder Auditorium, located in the Story Administration Building at 220 North Walnut Street in Boaz. Dr. Jackson is an accomplished music educator, speaker, and performer from Madison. His dynamic delivery and broad knowledgebase have opened opportunities for him to perform globally, including locations like Turkey, France, and Japan. He teaches gospel keyboard improvisation and gospel vocal techniques and is experienced on the soprano and alto saxophone, clarinet, flute, piano, and Hammond B-3 organ. He has proficiency in pedagogical tips for playing by ear, Gospel music pedagogy, relevant aural and oral practices, and performance styles of sacred music. Dr. Jackson has worked with Gospel Recording Artist Vanessa Bell Armstrong, Bishop Marvin Sapp, and the Florida State Jazz Ensemble. He has served as faculty with the University of North Alabama, Alabama A&M University, Calhoun Community College, and Oakwood University. The Black History Concert will also feature performances by the combined choirs from Snead State Community College and Gadsden State Community College as well as the Snead State Jazz Band. Admission to the Black History Concert is free. For more information, contact Snead State Community College Music Program Director Dr. Kathleen Ruhleder at kathleen.ruhleder@snead.edu. TRAINING SEMINAR - The Gadsden State Police Department, in partnership with the Division of Languages and Humanities at Gadsden State Community College and the Etowah County District Attorney’s Office, will host a free report-writing training seminar for local law enforcement, correctional, and public safety officers. The training will take place on Friday, February 27, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Gadsden State Science Building Auditorium. The seminar is designed to enhance officers’ report-writing skills, with an emphasis on clarity, accuracy, and professionalism in official documentation. The seminar is open to law enforcement and public safety professionals of all experience levels and will focus on the proper completion of the Alabama Incident/Offense Report, Arrest Report, and Use of Force documentation. Instruction will include scenario-based and video-based exercises to reinforce best practices in professional report writing. Key topics will include grammar, appropriate use of abbreviations, first-person versus third-person writing, punctuation, and effective techniques for reviewing reports prior to submission. This training opportunity reflects Gadsden State’s ongoing commitment to professional development and interdisciplinary collaboration in support of public safety professionals throughout the region. Registration is required for the seminar. To register, contact Emily Feemster Coggins at efeemster@gadsdenstate.edu or 256-549-8611.
PAGE 3 E-Edition February 2026
18 Arrested For Drugs
According to DeKalb County Sheriff Nick Welden, 18 people were arrested for drugs during December 2025. On December 2, Officers with the Fyffe Police Department stopped a vehicle at County Road 50 and 44. During the stop Bobby Christopher Sanders (58 of Section) was arrested for active warrants with DeKalb County. Methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia were found during a search of the vehicle. The Major Crimes Unit was contacted and responded and Sanders was charged with Unlawful Possession of Controlled Substance and Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. On December 6, Collinsville Police received a call of a suspicious person/vehicle around County Road 51 and County Road 12. A vehicle was located sitting in the roadway with no lights on. The Collinsville Officer made contact with the driver who identified himself as Nicholas Ryan Bone (33 of Gadsden). It was found that Bone had active Felony warrants for his arrest and as the Officer attempted to detain him, Bone began to fight law enforcement. A DeKalb County Deputy arrived on scene and Bone was taken into custody. During a search, methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia was located in Bone’s pocket. The Major Crimes Unit was contacted and responded and Bone was charged with Assault 2nd, Resisting Arrest, Unlawful Possession of Controlled Substance and Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. On December 9, deputies stopped a vehicle on Alabama Highway 75 in Cartersville for not having a tag. The driver was identified as Chase Zane Goolesby (37 of Flat Rock) and the passenger as Jeffery Davis Weldon (56 of Ider). Deputies found methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia in the vehicle. The Major Crimes Unit was contacted and responded. Both Goolesby and Weldon were charged with Unlawful Possession with Intent to Distribute & Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. On December 11, deputies were responding to a Domestic Violence call in Cartersville. Deputies stopped the vehicle involved and made contact with Wendy Lynn Ridge (26 of Ider) and Patrick Lane Ridge (26 of Henagar). During a search of the vehicle, Deputies found methamphetamine, marijuana and drug paraphernalia in the vehicle, as well as a small child. The Major Crimes Unit was contacted and responded. Both Wendy and Patrick were charged with Unlawful Possession of Controlled Substance, Unlawful Possession of Marijuana 2nd, Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Chemical Endangerment. On December 11, a deputy stopped a vehicle on Highway 68 for a traffic violation. The driver was identified as John Amos Narron (37 of Crossville). During a search, Narron was found to be in possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. The Major Crimes Unit was contacted and responded. Narron was charged with Unlawful Possession of Controlled Substance and Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. On December 17, the DeKalb County Drug and Major Crimes Unit executed a search warrant on County Road 429 after a lengthy investigation of illegal drug activity. Upon entry Agents made contact with the home owner Bobbi Joe Moore (65 of Fyffe). During the search guns, Drug paraphernalia, methamphetamine, marijuana and pills were found. Moore was charged with Trafficking (meth), Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine 1st, Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Certain Persons Prohibited to Possess Firearm. Also, on December 17, a deputy stopped a vehicle on County Road 68 for failure to use a turn signal. As deputies were approaching the vehicle, they observed the male driver trying to shove multiple THC vapes under his seat. The driver was identified as Frankie Melchor Chilel (19 of Albertville). Alcohol and drug paraphernalia were also found in the vehicle. The Major Crimes Unit was contacted and responded and Chilel was charged with Unlawful Possession of Controlled Substance, Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Tampering with Evidence and Minor in Possession of Alcohol. On December 19, authorities responded to a residence on Highway 11 in Valley Head to attempt to serve warrants on April Janine Blansit (42 of Valley Head). After making contact with Blansit, she was found to be in possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. After arriving at the jail, corrections officers found her to be in possession of
suboxone. Blansit was charged with Unlawful Possession of Marijuana 1st, Unlawful Possession of Controlled Substance, Promote Prison Contraband 2nd and Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. On December 20, a Henagar Officer responded to a call of someone trespassing on Broad Street. Henagar made contact with a female matching the description of the trespasser and identified her as Kelly Kent (28 of Dawson). Kent was found with a bag full of items that she openly admitted to breaking into a residence and taking. Kent was arrested for active warrants and she was found to be in possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. The Major Crimes Unit was contacted and responded and Kent was charged with Burglary, Unlawful Possession of Controlled Substance and Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. On December 21, deputies made a traffic stop on Alabama Highway 75 in Fyffe for improper lane usage. The driver was identified as Erin Kay Davis (42 of Arab). During a search of the vehicle, Deputies found a firearm, methamphetamine, pills and drug paraphernalia. Davis was charged with Unlawful Possession of Controlled Substance (x2), Certain Persons forbidden to Possess Firearm and Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. On December 22, deputies made a traffic stop on Highway 40 in Henagar for improper lane usage. The driver was identified as Sonya Gail Wade (49 of Flat Rock). During a search of the vehicle, Deputies found methamphetamine, marijuana and drug paraphernalia. Wade was charged with Unlawful Possession of Controlled Substance, Unlawful Possession of Marijuana 2nd and Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. On December 24, deputies met with another agency and took Justice Marie Laverty (35 of Albertville) into custody for outstanding warrants. After arriving at the jail, authorities found methamphetamine and suboxone in Laverty’s property. Laverty was charged with Unlawful Possession of Controlled Substance (x2) and Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, along with her warrants. Also, on December 24, a Henagar Officer stopped a vehicle on County Road 85 and County Road 122 for a tag light violation. The driver was identified as Melissa Leann King (35 of Fort Payne) and while speaking with King Officers could smell marijuana. During a search of the vehicle multiple types of pills and marijuana were found. King was charged with Unlawful Possession of Controlled Substance (x2), Unlawful Possession of Marijuana 2nd, Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Resisting Arrest. On December 26, a Collinsville Officer conducted a traffic stop on Alabama Highway 68 in Collinsville. The passenger was identified as Amanda Nicole Moore (40 of Albertville) who had active warrants. Moore was charged with Unlawful Possession of Controlled Substance and Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, along with her active warrants. On December 27, a Henagar Officer attempted to stop a motorcycle on Alabama Highway 75 for no tag. The motorcycle did not stop leading Officers on a chase into Jackson County. The driver of the motorcycle pulled in behind a residence on County Road 88 and the driver jumped off and ran into the woods. Officers quickly found the driver in the woods and detained him. The driver was identified as Charles Eugene Palmour (53 of Henagar). During a search, Palmour was found to be in possession of a bottle of illegal pills. Palmour was charged with Unlawful Possession of Controlled Substance and Attempting to Elude. On December 30, DeKalb County Deputies made a traffic stop on Highway 75 in Cartersville for an expired tag and improper light violation. Deputies made contact with two male suspects in the vehicle. While speaking with the driver, he attempted to reach down by his side but refused to follow verbal commands, after the driver was detained, a loaded pistol was found in his right pocket. He was identified as Damian Lee Powell (41 of Jasper, Tn). While on the stop Deputies found a large amount of methamphetamine, marijuana and drug paraphernalia in the vehicle. The Major Crimes Unit was contacted and responded. Powell was charged with Trafficking (meth), Unlawful Possession of Marijuana 2nd, Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Tampering with Evidence and Certain Persons Forbidden to Possess Firearms.
Brandon Boswell h Pharmacist/Owner h 256-524-2981 “Caring for You Like Family”
588 South Valley Avenue P.O. Box 498 Collinsville, AL 35961 (256) 524-2981 (256) 524-2987
“Caring for you Like Family” Brandon Boswell, PharmD Pharmacist/Owner
Photo by Brandon K. Pierce, Alabama Ledger Guntersville Varsity Cheerleaders pose for a picture during the Marshall County Tournament.
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