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HB 209 Prevents Absentee Ballott Harvesting
n Editorial by Secretary of State Wes AllenOver the last decade, there have been multiple convictions for absentee ballot fraud across the state of Alabama. As a Probate Judge, a legislator and now as Secretary of State, I am committed to eliminating election fraud in our state. HB209, sponsored by Rep. Jamie Kiel, makes incredible strides in protecting the rights of Alabama voters to cast their own votes without undue influence.Currently, it is legal for groups operating as non-profits to offer payments in exchange for absentee ballot applications to Alabama registered voters. HB209 would end that.Today, it is legal for out of state organizations to mail pre-filled absentee ballot applications to unsuspecting voters across the state, some of whom have moved or who have no intention of voting absentee. HB209 would prohibit this practice.HB209 would make it illegal to pay, or to be paid by a third party to collect absentee ballot applications or absentee ballots from Alabama voters. Furthermore, it would eliminate the ability of organizations to sow the seeds of chaos and confusion by sending pre-filled absentee applications into our state. Our elections are the foundation of our constitutional republic, and nobody should be paid for their absentee application or their ballot. Ballot harvesting should not be a job description.Rep. Kiel shepherded HB209 through the Alabama House of Representatives and through the Senate committee. Senator Garlan Gudger will present HB209 for a vote to the entire State Senate and on to Governor Ivey’s desk for her signature. I applaud these two legislators for their efforts to further secure Alabama’s elections and to help protect each individual Alabama voter’s right to cast their own ballot without interference. That is, after all, the foundation of this great nation. -
Three Arrested in Franklin County for Identity Theft and Voter Fraud
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.
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Fatal Traffic Crash
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.
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Vehicle Crash Claims Houston Man
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.
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Double Springs Man Arrested for Human Trafficking
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.
Our Detectives got information that the Defendant had been soliciting to get underage females for sexual purposes. The Defendant in this case wanted to meet someone under the legal age for sexual purposes. The Defendant came to the City of Leeds in St. Clair County where he was intending on meeting a minor child under the age of consent, pay for sexual activity with this child and perform sexual activity with this minor child. The Defendant was taken into custody for Human Trafficking First Degree which occurred in the City of Birmingham. The Detectives will be following up on additional charges with the St. Clair County District Attorney since the Defendant came to the City of Leeds in St. Clair County on this date. The Defendant had in his possession his identification as a Respiratory Therapist REG for UAB Hospital.On March 16, 2023, Detectives got additional warrant for Traveling to Meet a Child for an unlawful sex act, Soliciting a minor child and Evidence Tampering. These additional charges were obtained in St. Clair County and the Mr. Sellers has a no bond.UPDATE! On March 20, 2023, the Defendant had a bond reduction hearing in Jefferson County and remains in jail without bond. -
Crash Takes Life of Phil Campbell Man
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.
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Haleyville City Council
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.
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Haleyville Man Dies in Crash
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.
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Garbage Pickup for President’s Day
The Haleyville Street and Sanitation Department will be closed Monday February 20th for Presidents’ Day.Monday’s route will be added to Tuesday’s.Scott Crook, Street & Sanitation -
Leo’s Loveliest February 24th and 25th
2023 Haleyville High School’s Leo’s Loveliest Beauty Walk
The Annual Haleyville High School Leo’s Loveliest Pageant will be Friday, February 24th for Junior Division and Saturday, February 25th for Senior Division. The pageant will begin at 7:30 each night with doors opening at 7:00.
Leo’s reserved tickets for Jr. and Sr. contestants only will be on sale Wednesday Feb 15th
Tickets for Jr. Division contestants will be sold at the Middle School and Sr. Division contestants will be sold at the Center of Technology Office.
Wednesday (only) ticket sales will begin at 7:15 a.m.
On Friday Feb 17th, reserved tickets for escorts will be available. Reserved tickets will be available to the public on Monday Feb 20 at the Center of Technology office. Any remaining tickets will be sold at the door the night of the pageant.
Anyone needing special accommodation seating please call the Haleyville Center of Technology office at 486-9481.
