Tarrant City Councilors argue during a council meeting on November 18, 2024. The meeting devolved into chaos as unresolved legal disputes, leadership conflicts, and personal tensions overshadowed municipal governance. The city faces a $500,000 personnel settlement tied to the dismissal of former Fire Chief Jason Rickels, who urged the council to resolve the matter by paying his back pay and allowing him to retire in two years. Mayor Wayman Newton dismissed the proposal as a "money grab," while broader leadership disputes, including the employment of Police Chief Wendell Major, remained unresolved. Tensions flared between Mayor Newton and Councilman Tommy Bryant, reigniting a feud stemming from a 2022 altercation where Bryant punched Newton.
Producer/Editor/Publisher:
Amanda Khorramabadi
An Alabama town officially still has two fire chiefs, but only one will lead first responders, following an agreement that ends a contentious leadership and personnel standoff. The political and legal fight over who leads the Tarrant fire department is over, and it comes with a six-figure price tag. The city council Monday evening agreed to officially reinstate Jason Rickels and negotiate paying him back pay and salary through retirement which totals at least $368,000.
Producer/Editor/Publisher:
Amanda Khorramabadi
Tensions flared at Tuesday night’s Orange Beach City Council meeting as Mayor Tony Kennon and attorney Kristopher Anderson engaged in a heated exchange over a lawsuit accusing the city of pushing an unconstitutional de-annexation to keep out low-income residents. City officials said none of that is true, and that de-annexation was never under consideration for Prosper Orange Beach, a 300-unit apartment complex on the Foley Beach Express near Columbia Southern University. Kennon, seething over the claims, accused Anderson of smearing the city’s reputation and embarrassing its children. Anderson fired back, calling Kennon a bully. The tension hit a boiling point when Kennon told Anderson he was “full of crap” and suggested he leave.
Producer/Editor/Publisher:
Amanda Khorramabadi
Parents criticized Baldwin County Public Schools at a March board meeting for their handling of a disabled student’s case, calling for Superintendent Eddie Tyler’s resignation.
Producer/Editor/Publisher:
Amanda Khorramabadi