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April Killian
Man Drowns on Alabama Coast: Identity Remains Unknown
With the drowning deaths of three young men from Alabama in the news, the dangers of ocean swimming have been in the spotlight. Dangerous rip currents, that occur often off the beaches of Alabama and the Florida panhandle, kill dozens of people each decade. That was the case almost 20 years ago, when it's believed that a rip current claimed the life of a young man in Gulf Shores. Sadly, his identity remains unknown. Renewed interest in the case, however, may finally help find the man's identity.
The End of an Era: Remembering Regency Square Mall
The author has not recieved any kind of compensation from Florence Mall or any of the retailers included in this article. Florence Mall recently announced plans to demolish the retail spaces that once housed Sears and JC Penney. For many of us who grew up in the Shoals, this marks the end of an era. Sears and JC Penney were the two largest anchor stores. They were there when the mall first opened as Regency Square Mall. Regency Square Mall was a big part of our lives growing up in the Shoals. It was the place where we shopped, ate, and spent countless hours with friends. Let's hang out at the mall one more time and look back at the era of Regency Square Mall.
'I Thought a Bomb Had Gone Off!' Florence Woman's Ordeal and Warning to Local Drivers
"I thought a bomb had gone off!" That's what one Florence resident said after a deer struck her car on Sunday afternoon and shattered the side window of her car behind the driver's seat. Luckily, no one was in the back seat. It happened on Veterans Drive, one of Florence's busiest roads. That's not the only busy road in Florence where drivers have had "run ins" with deer in the past week.
How the Government Brought Alligators to North Alabama
Unless you've been hiding under a rock, you're probably aware of the growing number of alligators spotted in the Tennessee Valley. Exactly how those alligators got here is a hot topic of debate. While many conservationists argue that they've been here all along, some people claim that the government brought them here. That may sound like a wild conspiracy theory, but it's not. This is the true story of how the federal government brought alligators to north Alabama.
How to Add an Emergency Contact to Your Alabama Driver's License
The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) has made it easy for first responders or police to quickly find and notify an emergency contact if you carry an Alabama Driver's License. It's a free service, and it only takes a few minutes to add an emergency contact to your license information online. Here's how the service works and how to add an emergency contact to your Alabama driver's license.
Places in Alabama with Fatal Dog Attacks Since 2020
Officials warn that fatal dog attacks have become more common across the country. In Alabama alone, 10 people have been killed in dog attacks since 2020. We've compiled a list of the places in Alabama where those fatalities occured.
Alabama is a 'Right-to-Work' State: What That Means May Surprise You
This article is for entertainment purposes only and is not legal advice. Please consult an attorney regarding any issues you may have with employment laws in Alabama. The term "right-to-work state" is often quoted when discussing the rights of workers in Alabama. Many people mistakenly think that Alabama's "right-to-work" law gives employers the right to fire any employee without good reason. However, that is a misconception of the meaning of the law. Read on to find out what the "right-to-work" law actually means and who it protects in Alabama.
'Dog Will Be Shot' Signs Spark Controversy for North Alabama Woman
A woman in a small town in north Alabama has caused quite a "stink" over two signs that she recently created and posted in her yard. The signs contained threats that any "dog will be shot" if caught using the bathroom in her yard. While some residents have been sympathetic to her situation as far as cleaning up neighbor's dog waste in their own yards, others think the woman has taken the matter way too far with her threats. Read on and tell us what you think in the comments!
Puppy Dies After Eating Cicadas in North Alabama
Bella was a healthy, happy, four-month-old Labradoodle and the absolute joy of her owner in North Alabama. After Bella ate several Cicadas, however, that joy turned to a sudden and devastating tragedy. Bella's owner hopes that sharing her story will perhaps spare other pet owners from the same pain that she endured. Here's what happened and why cicadas may not be as harmless as many people think.
Black Panther Sightings in Alabama: The Black Bobcat Theory (with Video)
Each year, hundreds of people in Alabama and across the southern United States claim to see what appears to be a solid black, large predator cat in the wild. Most people call this a "black panther." Panther is simply another term for a mountain lion. So are pumas, cougars, and wildcats. Biologists and wildlife officials are always quick to point out that mountain lions have never been documented to have a solid black or melanistic phase. This genetic mutation supposedly only occurs in jaguars and leopards, neither of which are native to the United States. Officials usually attribute sightings of black panthers to regular domestic house cats or native bobcats. Bobcats can be solid black. Could a few of these "black panther" sightings actually be black bobcats? This is certainly a theory worth investigating.
Skinwalker or Diseased Deer? The Legend of the 'Not Deer' Continues in Alabama
Two stories linked to white-tailed deer in Alabama have been making headlines in very different circles. A mainstream news story, "Deadly deer disease could be linked to hunter deaths," has been making the rounds among hunters and outdoorsmen in our state. In cryptid communities, photos of weird-looking zombie-like deer that some people believe are a new type of cryptid or even a type of "skinwalker" have also been circulating. The latter is not a new phenomenon. Terrifying stories of a cryptid called the "not deer" have been cropping up on the internet for a few years. In northwest Alabama, where we have had several cases of Chronic Wasting Disease, or CWD, in our deer population, creepy tales of this zombie-type creature have soared in popularity. Supposedly, there is a very old Appalachian legend that backs up the "not deer" tale. Could it be true that there's really a creature called a "not deer" lurking in our darkened Alabama forests, or are new diseases and chronic conditions in the deer population to blame? Let's take a deep dive into the "not deer" phenomenon.
Is Huntsville, Alabama, Overrated? Residents Speak Out Online
"What they WON'T tell you about Huntsville." That was the header for a post in the subreddit group for Huntsville, Alabama, a few months ago. The topic challenged Huntsville residents to be "brutally honest" regarding Huntsville with "the good, the bad, and the ugly," for anyone considering moving to the area. These are a few of the responses.
Recent Black Bear Sightings in the Shoals Area
A Shoals resident hit "something huge" while traveling down highway 43 in Lauderdale County a few nights ago. According to his wife, it left "black fuzzy hair" on his truck, but no blood. It happened approximately one mile north of Brush Creek Road in the Killen area. According to the resident, the game warden told them it was a black bear and most likely survived. That's not the only recent black bear sighting in the Shoals!
North Alabama Newspaper Strikes Again with Hilarious Headline Blooper
An error in a North Alabama newspaper headline has people laughing...again. It's not the first time the newspaper has published a major mistake in a front-page headline, and although this recent mistake is funny, it's not nearly as hilarious as the last gaff. That blunder made national news and had the whole country howling with laughter. Here's what happened.
Record Breaking Fish That Were All Caught in Alabama!
We have some whoppers in Alabama! Some really big fish, of course, but some even bigger tales to go along with them. A whole lot of people in Alabama claim to have an uncle or cousin that once caught a 250+ pound monster catfish in the local river or lake. The only problem: there's never any proof! I think it's time we settle the big fish debate in Alabama with catches that we know really happened. No more fish tales! Here is the official list of record freshwater fish caught in Alabama. These have all been verified and certified by the Alabama Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources.
Discover These Great Walking Parks in Florence, Alabama!
After the crazy winter we experienced in northwest Alabama, it's time to venture outdoors and enjoy the beautiful weather of spring. It's also time to shed those extra pounds added during the Shoals 2024 snowpocalypse! Walking outdoors is a great way to get some excericise and get back to nature, too. Florence has some great public walking parks! Check out the list below and tell us which one is your favorite in the comments!
Alabama Research Facility Suspected of Purchasing Stolen or Lost Pets
Blue Ridge Kennel is a research laboratory located in Wetumpka, Alabama, that conducts feeding trials and research services for the dog food industry. Inspection records from Blue Ridge Kennel reveal a disturbing picture: ailing dogs, lack of veterinary care, unsafe environments, dogs with infected wounds and other untreated health issues. This has been going on for years. Even more disturbing, investigations show that the facility may have recieved stolen and/or lost local pets for their research. In January, the ASPCA put out a statement about this:
April Fool's Day Pranks in Alabama That Got Way Out of Hand!
Ever had a prank go wrong? These April Fool's Day pranks in Alabama got bigger than anyone ever imagined!. This Prank Was a Train Wreck! No, Really... It all began on April Fool's Day 2019 when a local woman thought it would be funny to prank her friends on Facebook with this status:
The Weird History of Polesitting: Man Tries to Fast 100 Days on a 30 Foot Pole in Alabama
What happens when a 357-pound Jewish guy in Alabama attempts a 100-day fast atop a 30-foot pole? That may sound like the opening line of an elaborate joke, but for one obese race car driver and restaurant owner in Alabama, it was a serious publicity stunt in 1949. It was centered around a bizarre trend known as polesitting. As you've probably guessed, it didn't end well. This is the fascinating story of Alabama's own Percy Coplon*.
Buried Treasure: Old Map Reveals Lost Confederate Gold in Alabama
The original newspaper clippings featured in this article spelled the name of Gaius Whitfield incorrectly as "Gayus" Whitfield. Gaius is the correct spelling. It had been a long trip and a tiring stay for Gaius Whitfield. He had traveled from his home in Middleboro, Kentucky, to pay his last respects and arrange his father's burial in Alabama. Being the eldest son in the family, he was responsible for handling his father's affairs and settling his estate, per the old southern family tradition. As he finished up the last of his father's business, he decided to carry home an old trunk that he had found in the attic of his father's home. It was filled with dusty family photos and old yellowed letters and documents. Nothing that he thought would be of much importance or value. Little did Gaius Whitfield know, that inside that trunk was an old map. A map that would lead him back to Alabama and a fortune in buried gold.
April Killian
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April Killian is a native of Florence, Alabama and writes about the unique people and places found in the great state of Alabama. Before writing for Newsbreak, she enjoyed a long career in music and advertising for many years in the Birmingham and Shoals area as a copywriter and vocalist. She was employed by Crawford Broadcasting (WDJC) for several years and also worked for the New York Times (via the Times-Daily of Florence). She is the mom of three adult children and many pets. In her spare time, she fosters animals and enjoys the beautiful nature and biodiversity of Alabama. She is a lifelong supporter of charity work and has done public speaking for Safeplace, a local women's shelter in the Shoals. Most of all, April tries to be a positive force in this world in everything she does. Her favorite quote is from Pablo Picasso: "The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away."
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