Wes Allen, Alabama’s Secretary of State, announced today that his office assisted the U.S. Department of State, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, the Franklin County District Attorney’s Office, the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office and the Russellville Police Department with an investigation that led to the arrest of three individuals for identity theft. The three individuals are also not American citizens.

The arrest of Teresa Martin Pascual, Maria Juan Pascual and Luis Balderman occurred on March 15, 2023. The three individuals are not qualified to vote, are not American citizens and had no right to participate in Alabama’s elections. According to the indictment, they each used identification that was not their own to register to vote and vote in the names of identity theft victims.

“I am incredibly appreciative of the efforts of the law enforcement agencies who worked together to indict and apprehend these three individuals,” Secretary Allen said. “My office will always assist law enforcement in every way possible to seek convictions of individuals who attempt to illegally vote in our elections. We will not tolerate a single illegal voter attempting to participate in our elections.”

Alabama law requires that registered voters must be legal American citizens.

Wes Allen serves as Alabama’s 54th Secretary of State and was sworn into office on January 16, 2023.

HAMILTON POST – A single-vehicle crash that occurred at approximately 5:30 p.m. Sunday, April 2, has claimed the life of a Madison man. Gary L. Goucher, 69, was fatally injured when the 2005 Toyota Tacoma that he was driving left the roadway, struck a tree and traveled down an embankment through a wooded area before overturning in a creek. Goucher was located on Monday, April 3, and was pronounced deceased at the scene. The crash occurred on National Forest Road 266, approximately five miles northeast of Addison, in Winston County. Nothing further is available as Troopers with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s (ALEA) Highway Patrol Division continue to investigate.

HAMILTON POST – A single-vehicle crash that occurred at approximately 9:29 a.m. Sunday, March 26, has claimed the life of a Houston, Ala., man. Ricky A. Frost, 69, was fatally injured when the 1999 Jeep Cherokee that he was driving left the roadway and struck a tree. Frost was not using a seat belt at the time of the crash and was pronounced deceased at the scene. The crash occurred on Alabama 33 near the 6 mile marker, approximately five miles north of Double Springs, in Winston County. Nothing further is available as Troopers with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s (ALEA) Highway Patrol Division continue to investigate.

On March 14, 2023, at approximately 6:30 PM, the Leeds Police Department Operations Support Unit took the Defendant Paul Allan Sellers 61, of Double Springs Alabama into custody in the 1800 Block of AshevilleRoad Leeds, Alabama. The Leeds Police Department had been investigating Mr. Paul Allan Sellers for Human Trafficking for several months.

HAMILTON POST – A single-vehicle crash that occurred at approximately 12:08 p.m. Saturday, March 11, has claimed the life of a Phil Campbell man. Donald R. Jordan, 69, was fatally injured when the 2002 Mazda Tribute that he was driving left the roadway and struck two trees before overturning and striking an embankment. Jordan was not using a seat belt at the time of the crash and was pronounced deceased at the scene. The crash occurred on Alabama 195 near the 15 mile marker, approximately six miles south of Double Springs, in Winston County. Nothing further is available as Troopers with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s (ALEA) Highway Patrol Division continue to investigate.

Haleyville Police Chief Rodney with  Officer Austin Lewis who’s promotion to was Sergeant ws approved by the City Council Monday.

The Haleyville City Council met Monday, March 6, with four  members present and Boo Brooks and Brian Berry by phone.

The Council approved a zoning variance for the Imperial Inn from Highway Commercial to Multi-Family,  pending transfer of ownership this week.

Pothole repairs for Industrial Road leading to Masonite was approved as well as roadway striping

The ext Haleyville Coty Council meeting will be Monday, March 20, 5:30 at the Haleyville City Hall.

HAMILTON POST – A single-vehicle crash that occurred at approximately 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 19, has claimed the life of a Haleyville man. Steven M. Smith, 46, was critically injured when the 2000 Honda Valkyrie motorcycle he was operating left the roadway and struck a culvert. Smith was transported to Lakeland Hospital in Haleyville, where he later succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased. The crash occurred on Newberg Road approximately five miles north of Haleyville, in Winston County. Smith was the Fire Chief of the Pebble Fire Department and was responding to a call at the time of the crash. Nothing further is available as Troopers with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s (ALEA) Highway Patrol Division continue to investigate.