A frozen jail inmate, 25 indictments and an Alabama sheriff still standing
The cell where Tony Mitchell died of hypothermia and sepsis in 2023 sits empty now, but for a few spare mattresses strewn on the floor inside the Walker County Jail.
The cells surrounding the one where Mitchell died now have sensors that can detect an inmate’s breathing and heartbeat. At a nearby wall of video boards with constant camera feeds, a jail employee can see the respiratory rate and heartbeat of every inmate on the floor.
If an inmate stops breathing, or if his heart stops beating, an alarm goes off. Corrections officers are expected to respond and make instant life-and-death decisions. A nurse from the nearby infirmary is expected to respond. A commanding officer with Narcan on his belt can give an emergency injection if someone is overdosing. Paramedics are called to the jail.
That happens more frequently than you might expect. Up in the mining hills northwest of Birmingham, in the aging downtown of Jasper, many of the inmates booked at the Walker County Jail come in with health problems that may relate to drug addiction and withdrawal.
Walker County Jail has a notable history of troubles keeping its inmates both safe and alive. There’s been a long run of cases and lawsuits that culminated in the bizarre and brutal death of Tony Mitchell. And that legal reckoning has so far snared two dozen jail and medical employees.
UAB coach out after loss at FAU
UAB has fired Trent Dilfer as its head coach, and has named offensive coordinator Alex Mortensen as its interim coach.
Dilfer posted a 9-21 record over two and a half seasons in charge of the Blazers. He went 4-8 in his debut season in 2023 before posting a 3-9 record last year.
UAB is 2-4 this season and is in the midst of a three-game losing streak after suffering a 53-33 defeat at Florida Atlantic on Saturday.
Dilfer was hired by UAB after coaching Nashville-based high school Lipscomb Academy to a 44-10 record from 2019-22. He had no previous experience as a head coach.
Dilfer’s current buyout is $2,816,667, according to USA Today.
Alabama cardboard magnate to auction 1,300 classic car collection
The CEO of a cardboard packaging company based in Cullman is auctioning off hundreds of classic cars this month, after spending years overpaying Alabama residents for their cars.
Greg Rusk, who runs Rusken Packaging in Cullman, has spent years collecting classic cars. His 1,300-car collection, called “The Generous Collection,” will now be auctioned off, largely with no reserve.
The Generous Collection is quite varied. Rusk didn’t have any criteria when buying the cars, other than whether or not he thought the car was cool. There are all different makes and models, some in pristine condition, and others that need serious help.
After spending nearly 30 years collecting, he’s ready for the cars to go to other people.
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