MOBILE, AL. On Saturday, January 17, 2026, at approximately 2:13 p.m., officers observed a vehicle that was wanted in connection to an earlier domestic incident. The vehicle was driving in the area of Cottage Hill Road.
Officers attempted to initiate a traffic stop, but the driver refused to comply, leading officers on a pursuit that continued onto Lakeside Drive until the driver struck a curb.
Officers took the subject into custody without incident and he was charged with attempting to elude law enforcement and Possession of Marijuana 2nd degree.
Cedric Johnson, 26, was transported to Metro Jail.
The domestic incident occurred on Friday, January 16, 2026, in the 300 block of Wayne Place when the subject physically assaulted a known female victim.
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BESSEMER, Ala. A barrage of gunfire at an Amazon Warehouse in Besser, just west of Birmingham, has left a nineteen-year-old employee dead.
The deadly shooting occurred Sunday night in the parking lot of the business authorities have stated.
Police from several law enforcement agencies, the fire department and multiple ambulances flooded the area at 10:40 p.m. just outside of the Amazon Fulfillment Center on Powder Plant Road.
The Jefferson County Coroner’s Office on Monday identified the victim as Tyler Neil Alexander. He was 19 and lived in Birmingham according to police and it has been confirmed that he was an Amazon employee. Alexander was pronounced dead on the scene at 11:03 p.m.
“We’re deeply saddened by this tragic and senseless act of violence and are focused on supporting our employees during this time,” said Amazon spokesman Sam Stephenson. “We’re working with the Bessemer Police Department in their active investigation.”
The remainder of the shift was canceled after the shooting and employees were sent home with pay. Monday’s dayshift operations were also canceled, and counseling will be made available for employees when they return to work.
Witnesses reported hearing multiple shots that they described as automatic gunfire.
Bessemer police investigators put down at least 10 evidence markers, and that parking row was cordoned off with yellow crime scene tape.
Det. Justin Burmeister said no arrests have been made. It was not immediately clear if the suspect or suspects were also employees, he said.
Alexander is Bessemer’s first homicide victim of 2026.
“I am deeply saddened by the gun violence that occurred in our community last night,” Bessemer City Councilman Cleo King said in a Monday statement. “My thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families, and all those affected by this tragic incident.”
“In this difficult moment, we lift up those who are grieving and those working toward healing,” King said. “I thank our first responders and law enforcement officers for their swift and courageous response.”
King said he is committed to working with community leaders, faith organizations, and residents to address the root causes of violence and to pursue solutions that promote safety, healing, and peace throughout our city.
Anyone with information is asked to call Bessemer police 205-481-4366, 205-425-2411 or the Tip Line at 205-428-3541. Tips can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777.
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DAPHNE Ala. Police in Daphne attempted to stop a driver for a moving violation but the driver failed to yield to the police lights and sirens and fled.
Additional officers joined the pursuit.
Daphne Police Chief Brian Gulsby told us that the officer attempted to stop the driver for reckless driving, but he sped up and as he tried to get onto I-10, the driver lost control, causing his vehicle to crash.
The driver, identified as RICHARD BRETT LANGLEY, was quickly taken into custody.
Langley has been charged with: Felony Attempting to Elude Driving Under the Influence 9 Counts of Reckless Endangerment
Langley was taken to the Baldwin County Detention Center and was held on a bond.
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WILCOX COUNTY, AL. ALEA state troopers are investigating a fatal hit and run in Wilcox County over the weekend.
According to ALEA and emergency first responders were dispatched to a single-vehicle crash involving a pedestrian that happened around 2:45 a.m. Sunday on Alabama 5 near mile marker 6, approximately two miles south of Pine Hill.
Troopers say that the pedestrian was identified as 32-year-old DeQuarius Pritchett, of Arlington, and that he was fatally injured when he was struck by an unknown vehicle that fled the scene.
Pritchett was pronounced dead on the scene.
State troopers are trying to identify the driver of the vehicle involved in the crash.
If anyone has information concerning the crash, please contact ALEA Troopers at (334) 675-0204.
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ROSINTON, Ala. The Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a stabbing that occurred Sunday evening at around 6:30 p.m. on January 18, 2026.
Authorities were notified that one person had been stabbed on Patterson Road and deputies, along with the Rosinton Volunteer Fire Department and EMS responded to a home where the attacked occurred and found the man had stab wounds to his abdomen.
A medical helicopter was requested at the scene but due to the weather conditions at the time, and they could not fly.
Lt. Andrew Ashton, a spokesperson for the sheriff’s office told us that the male was transported to an area hospital by ground ambulance and did not appear to have life-threatening injuries. He also said that deputies have located the person who may have been involved and plan on interviewing him within the next few days.
This is an active investigation Lt. Ashton stated.
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According to the United States Geological Survey, Alabama was rattled by two earthquakes practically in the same location Friday night, January 16, 2026, north and west of Birmingham. The first earthquake struck near Addison at 9:17 pm from a depth of 16.2 km; it was rated a magnitude 2.4 event. The second earthquake struck about 40 minutes later at 9:59 pm about 4,000 feet north and east of the first from a depth of 14.8 km; it was rated a slightly weaker magnitude 2.3 event. No damage or injuries were reported from either quake.
Earthquakes with a magnitude of 2.0 or less are rarely felt or heard by people, according to USGS, but once they exceed 2.0 more and more people can feel them. While damage is possible with magnitude 3.0 events or greater, significant damage and casualties usually don’t occur until the magnitude of a seismic event rises to a 5.5 or greater rated event.
Earthquakes are not uncommon in Alabama. This map shows epicenters of historical Alabama earthquakes since 1886 and surface and basement faults.
According to the Geological Survey of Alabama (GSA), earthquakes aren’t completely rare in the state. According to GSA, “Most of the earthquakes we experience in Alabama are associated with the Southern Appalachian Seismic Zone (an extension of the East Tennessee Seismic Zone) that runs along the Appalachian Mountains from the northeastern corner into the central part of the state and the Bahamas Fracture Seismic Zone in southern Alabama.
The strongest earthquake to ever hit the state was a magnitude 5.1 event in 1916 in northern Shelby County.
The second and third strongest earthquakes were each rated as a magnitude 4.9 event. One struck in DeKalb County, 10 miles northeast of Fort Payne, on April 29, 2003. The earthquake was widely felt across the northern half of Alabama and Georgia, much of Tennessee, and even portions of Kentucky, North and South Carolina, and Mississippi. The other struck in Escambia County on October 24, 1997; that earthquake was responsible for a berm around a lake to fail, spilling water and fish across a road. Large cracks also developed in sand along a creek not far from the epicenter. Both were 4.9 magnitude events which did some damage, mainly to weaker masonry found in the northern part of the state.
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LOXLEY, Ala. A multi-vehicle wreck on Interstate 10 early Saturday morning, January 17, 2026, shut down part of the highway for hours.
The two-vehicle motor vehicle collision involved an 18-wheeler and at least one passenger vehicle which caused the big rig to roll over and trapped the driver inside the cab of the truck.
Multiple 911 callers to the Baldwin County Communications Center just after 5 a.m. reported that the road was blocked and several people were injured.
The Loxley police and fire departments, along with several ambulances, were dispatched to the scene. A medical helicopter was also dispatched but declined due to the weather conditions.
ALEA also dispatched troopers to the crash and ALDOT was also sent to the scene to help close several miles of interstate while Loxley firefighters worked to extricate the driver from the crushed truck.
ALEA troopers said that they are still conducting their investigation and have no further information to release.
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MAGNOLIA SPRINGS, Ala. A head-on collision Saturday evening, January 17, 2026, shut down part of the Highway 98 and injured several people.
The two-vehicle motor vehicle collision occurred at around 7:20 p.m. at US 98 and Cowboy Lane.
The Baldwin County Communications Center received multiple 911 calls reporting a serious wreck with someone entrapped inside one of the vehicles and several persons injured.
The Magnolia Springs and the Foley Fire Departments, along with several ambulances were immediately dispatched to the scene.
A medical helicopter was also dispatched but declined due to the weather conditions.
ALEA also dispatched troopers to the crash who took over the investigation of the collision.
On September 2, 2025, another head-on collision occurred at the same location during the overnight hours that left two people with only minor injuries, and partially closed US 98 for several hours in the Magnolia Springs community.
The crash, involving a pick-up truck and a commercial box truck, occurred at around 1:30 a.m., at US 98 and Cowboy Lane near the 60-mile marker.
The Magnolia Springs Volunteer Fire Department and EMS responded along with the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office and ALEA.
The troopers competed their investigation while the road was clear. It’s unknown if wither driver was cited.
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FOLEY, Ala. An unusual site in the parking lot of Walmart on South McKenzie Street in Foley on Friday, January 16, 2026, at around 1:30 p.m. shocked some shoppers and even caused several to delay their shopping while they milled about.
According to authorities, the Baldwin County 911 Communications Center received a call of a man possibly having a heart attack in a vehicle in the Walmart parking lot. The Foley Fire Department and an ambulance were dispatched. Firefighters arrived first, and gained entry into the vehicle and quickly assessed the patient but he was found with no pulse. Arriving paramedics determined that he had passed away.
At that point, police and other medical personnel responded and followed various procedures before removing the body.
One post on social media said that there was a lot of activity around a pick-up truck and they didn’t know what had happened, but it looked like a crime scene.
Authorities said that there was never any threat to the community.
Copyright 2026 Blue RAM Media. All rights reserved.
If you plan on attending any of the Mardi Gras parades in Mobile, you’ll find that parking will be more expensive in city parking lots, but parking illegally will be much more expensive as several hundred people found out the hard way during the 2025 parades.
A news release from the City of Mobile has included where parking will be available and its cost including at the new parking deck on the Mobile Arena Site which becomes available on January 30th.
Parking Deck on Mobile Arena Site
The parking deck at 200 S. Claiborne St. will be available for Mardi Gras event parking beginning January 30. Please note that vehicles parked in the garage will be prohibited to enter or depart while the parade activities on route are active.
The rates for 24-hour parking will range from $15 to $30, depending on demand, with discounted rates available when you reserve a space in advance.
Prepaid parking starts at $15, while drive-up parking starts at $25. For the best price and guaranteed availability, reserve your spot in advance through the ParkWhiz app.
Parking Restrictions and Towing Information
To maintain safe and accessible parade routes, the City of Mobile restricts on-street parking in areas marked with gold and purple Mardi Gras parking signs. Unless otherwise specified, these restrictions go into effect two hours before, during, and two hours after each parade.
Vehicles found violating these restrictions are subject to being towed to ensure the safety and flow of the parade.
The Mobile Police Department’s temporary impound lot will be located under the I-10 overpass on Water Street near the intersection of Eslava. The temporary impound facility will close at 10 p.m. on each parade day.
When the temporary impound facility closes at 10 p.m., towed vehicles will be moved to the MPD Impound Lot located at 1251B Virginia St, Mobile, AL.
Cars towed on February 16 and 17 will NOT be moved after 10 a.m. and will be left at the temporary impound facility overnight. The temporary impound yard is fenced, gated and locked with a padlock.
Cash, debit cards, Mastercard, Discover, and Visa credit cards will be the accepted forms of payment at the temporary impound lot.
For information regarding towed vehicles before 10 p.m. on parade days, please call (251) 208-2584. For information about towed vehicles after 10 p.m. and on non-parade days, please call (251) 208-2585.
RV Parking for Mardi Gras
RV Parking is allowed ONLY in existing off-street, commercial, compliant parking lots. For commercially available parking, please contact Premium Parking or Republic Parking for details
RV Parking on unapproved or non-compliant property is strictly prohibited. Please reach out to the city of Mobile Planning and Zoning Department regarding the processes and permits required to create a compliant parking area.
You may contact the office by calling 251-208-5895 from Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Anyone parked on private property including retail stores and restaurants will be towed by area towing companies and owners should contact the business for more information on where the vehicle is located.
MOBILE, AL. Police officers were dispatched to the area of 3210 Pleasant Valley Road on Friday regarding a possible shooting.
When Mobile police arrived at the Courtyard Apartments, they found that one male had gunshot wounds.
The Mobile Fire-Rescue Department and EMS also responded to the scene and treated the injured person and transported the individual to a nearby hospital.
Police that the male had non-life-threatening injuries.
Investigators also said that both the shooter and the person knew each other and that they are continuing their investigation.
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CULLMAN, Ala. A guest at a Cullman area hotel who was in town to cheer on her sister at a volleyball tournament found something that she never thought would be in her room.
Shaylee Smith was staying at the Days Inn in Cullman and noticed something in the bathroom vent. When Shaylee took a look closer, she found that a camera had been planted to spy on guests.
I walked into the bathroom and started to get undressed, to get out of my pajamas, and I would have not seen it had I not been facing toward that vent she stated.
Shaylee said immediately after she found it, she called her mom, who called the police.
The Cullman police sent officers to the hotel and said that they were investigating the matter as a crime.
The Days Inn in Cullman released the following statement:
Days Inn Cullman is aware of the situation and is actively cooperating with local authorities and we are not able to comment further because this is an ongoing investigation.
Shaylee and her sister checked into another hotel for the rest of the weekend, but she said this experience will stick with her.
She said from this moment on, whenever she stays at any hotel, she’ll be looking in every possible place to see if there are any cameras there.
Many people who travel frequently for work and stay in hotels have had similar experiences and have their own methods of doing a “camera sweep” throughout the room before undressing.
Copyright 2026 Blue RAM Media. All rights reserved.
UPDATE: On January 20, 2026, our reporter spoke with Daphne Police Chief Brian Gulsby about the license plate readers that have been installed near the Daphne Sam’s Club and in the area of the Lowe’s store. The Chief stated that they are not being operated by Daphne Police and have probably been installed on private property by a property management company who has full control of Automatic License Plate Readers. During the past two years, we have reported on numerous thefts and trespassing in that area and the LPR’s may have been installed because of it. We have reach out to the company for further information.
DAPHNE, Ala. Recently, several Automatic License Plate Readers have been installed along Frederick Boulevard in Daphne.
Some of the Flock Cameras are placed at the entrance to the area on Frederick Boulevard, while others are at or near the entrances to Lowe’s and the Sam’s club.
We have contacted the Daphne police to determine if these are city license plate readers or if they have been installed by the shopping center’s property management company. We also asked who is monitoring the LPRs and who has access to its data.
We will update this story when that information is provided.
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BALDWIN COUNTY, Ala. On January 14, 2026, Deputies with the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop on Interstate 10 near the 58-mile marker.
The driver of the vehicle, Andres Hernandez, was found to be travelling from Canyon Country, California to Miami, Florida.
During the initial interaction, Deputies discovered that Hernandez was being deceptive about his travel itinerary. Consent to search the vehicle was requested from Hernandez but he denied consent.
Deputies utilized the Loxley Police Department K9 to conduct a free air sniff of the vehicle. The Loxley Police Department K9 alerted to the presence of narcotic odor emitting from the vehicle. A search of the vehicle was conducted which resulted in the discovery of 65 pounds of marijuana. The Marijuana was concealed in trash bags and duffle bags inside the trunk.
Hernandez was arrested for drug trafficking and transported to the Baldwin County Correction Center.
The Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office and its partners in law enforcement are committed to continuing their efforts to identify and apprehend individuals who engage in trafficking, distributing, and selling of illegal narcotics in our community.
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MOBILE, AL. A Mobile County Grand Jury indicted a trio accused of sodomy involving children.
Jeremy Dugas, Billy Joe Johnson, were charged with sex abuse with a child and first-degree sodomy and a third person, identified as Lydia Smith was indicted by a grand jury in December.
Johnson is accused of engaging in sodomy with a child younger than 12 years old and subjecting a child younger than 12 to sexual contact; Dugas faces the same accusations, according to the indictment. Smith is accused of sodomy with a child younger than 12.
According to the Mobile County District Attorney’s Office, the three defendants are known to each other, and the cases are related.
Dugas and Johnson were each granted a $90,000 bond; Smith was granted a $60,000 bond. The three remain in jail at this time.
Copyright 2026 Blue RAM Media. All rights reserved.
BALDWIN COUNTY, Ala. A Baldwin County jury has found a local man guilty in a recent drug trafficking case.
42-year-old James Pressley, who had been previously arrested by police for selling drugs was convicted of trafficking methamphetamines following a two-day jury trial.
According to officials with the Baldwin County District Attorney’s Office, Pressley had been the subject of a joint investigation into drugs being trafficked in our area.
“This case is the result of proactive policing and outstanding collaboration between the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office Drug Task Force and Special Operations Unit, who worked together to stop Pressley from bringing nearly three ounces of methamphetamine into Baldwin County from Florida before it could reach our communities,” the release said.
The jury took less than an hour to come back with the guilty verdict.
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FORT MORGAN, Ala. An intense and stubborn brush fire took several hours to contain on Friday, January 16th, 2026.
Residents on Gulf View Drive in Fort Morgan called 911 at around 3:20 p.m. to notify them of the brush fire near their homes.
The Fort Morgan Fire Department was initially dispatched but a call from the sheriff’s department let them know that the fire had already jumped across the road and was now burning brush and vegetation in several areas. The Gulf Shores Fire Department was dispatched to assist in getting the fire under control.
However, firefighters said that the fire continued to gain on them and a call for more assistance went out at around 4:30 p.m. bringing Foley, Orange Beach, Bon Secour and Oyster Bay Fire Departments to the fire. Tanker trucks also responded to assist with water supply.
Firefighters remained on scene into the late evening extinguishing the fire.
About 15 acres burned during the fire according to the Fort Morgan Fire Department.
At around 2:15 a.m., 911 dispatchers received a call that the fire had rekindled, and the Fort Morgan Fire Department once again responded to the Gulf View Drive area. Firefighters did not find any active fire but there was some light smoke in the area.
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MONTGOMERY, Ala. During Governor Kay Ivey’s final State of the State address, she announced that she has made provisions to enhance the CHOOSE Act funding to ensure that everyone can benefit from deciding where their children will learn.
The governor said that she’s budgeting an increase for the state’s new education savings account program.
State Finance Director Bill Poole said on Wednesday that the increase was driven by demand for the program. The total investment for the next fiscal year is $250 million,” Poole said.
For the 2027-2028 school year and beyond, this program becomes universal as the income limits on eligibility come off but is subject to available funds.
Ivey said in her address on Tuesday night that the program already serves 23,000 students.
“That number will only grow as more folks learn about the program, as student athletes feel more confident in the rules, and when it becomes fully universal in year three. For the ’27-’28 Academic Year, I am proposing we increase funding for the CHOOSE Act to $250 million. This will help even more families receive the education that best suits their child.”
23,000 students now have made a decision that will have a large effect on their lives and their future, the Governor said.
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