Kyle Hamrick
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History, Mardi Gras, Alabama politics, the Eastern Shore of Baldwin County, Africatown
Chicken-scratch reporter covering Mobile Bay happenings and Alabama politics for @LagniappeMobile
Articles by Kyle Hamrick
Prichard worker dies after road-rage shooting
The Prichard sanitation worker facing charges for a bizarre road-rage incident in August died last month from injuries he sustained in the encounter. Mobile County Sheriff Paul Burch said Clifton Eugene DuBose, Jr. allegedly used the city garbage truck he was driving to run a family of five off Jarrett Road on Tuesday afternoon, Aug. 4. During the encounter, DuBose was shot after allegedly pulling a gun on the male driver of the other vehicle.
City releases $14.7M fraud timeline
A detailed timeline explaining how the city of Mobile lost $14.7 million to a scammer in October revealed the money was sent to a fraudulent account at a bank Regions Arena’s contractor does not use. The city released the breakdown of events to reporters Wednesday afternoon. While Lagniappe Daily has already reported most of the information outlined in it, the timeline offered new details on how the scammer responsible for the fraud obtained the payment meant for B.L. Harbert International.
Council poised to investigate $14.7M scam
The Mobile City Council should not use a notorious probe into former president Bill Clinton’s land deals and affairs as a guide for investigating a pair of recent scams involving city funds, one councilman said Tuesday. A resolution authorizing the council to hire an attorney and review a pair of fraudulent transactions involving city funds in August and October received a first reading during the council’s meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 10.
Bayfront parks returning in Mobile
There was a time Mobile residents could escape their growing metropolis for refreshment at bayside parks. Though many are gone, the city is working to reclaim its lost inheritance with new developments. Of the more than 100 parks managed and maintained by the city of Mobile, only Arlington, Helen Wood and McNally are located on Mobile Bay.
Food Pak rezoning denied again
A beloved Old Shell Road grocery store was once again denied its request to rezone property for a new location. Food Pak International, a decades-old, family-owned business renowned for its Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisine, asked the Mobile Planning Commission to rezone a parcel of property roughly two blocks away from its longtime storefront so it could build a new store there. kAm%96 4@>>:DD:@? C6;64E65 u@@5 !2<’D C6BF6DE :?
Touchy tax district may remake waterfront
After a contentious conversation about tax increment financing districts (TIFS), Mobile’s mayor said reviving the city’s waterfront includes landing a “transformational” development he currently cannot discuss, and relocating existing businesses “that maybe aren’t complementary” to entertainment. The question of creating TIF districts in Midtown, along the Mobile River, and in Tillman’s Corner returned before the City Council Tuesday, Nov.
NJ town (kind of) takes fraud title
A New Jersey city an hour south of the Big Apple appears to have broken the record recently set by the city of Mobile for the most amount of money a municipality lost in a fraudulent wire transfer, though they managed to recover a significant portion.
Prichard finances in peril, councilors say
Prichard city councilors sounded an alarm Friday about the finances of the embattled city, saying the general fund is overdrawn and state auditors ought to review recent bank transfers.
Mayor likens $14.7M fraud to con movie
The city of Mobile lost $14.7 million meant for Regions Arena to a scammer whose methods were similar to those of a famous check forger depicted on the big screen. Mobile Mayor Spiro Cheriogotis said in a Thursday interview the record-setting fraud perpetrated on the city between May and October did not involve high-tech trickery.
Judge scuttles attempt to stop sinking ship
A federal judge rejected an attempt to stop the S.S. United States from being towed out of Mobile and sunk off the coast of Florida next week. On Tuesday, a lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida, Pensacola Division, to halt the Okaloosa County Board of Commissioners’ plans to reef the historic ocean liner on Thursday, Nov. 12.
Man dies by suicide during traffic stop
Mobile police are investigating an officer-involved shooting in Tillman’s Corner that ended with a male suspect dying by suicide. According to a Wednesday evening press release, officers tried to stop a vehicle in the 4600 block of Schimpfs Lane at around 3:10 p.m. earlier in the day. The driver — who was not identified — was wanted on multiple felony warrants for violating sex offender registration and “other recent violent crimes,” according to police. kAmp7E6C A@=:46 AF==65 E96 >2?
Figures wins despite AL-2 shake-up
Congressman Shomari Figures’ re-election in District 2 defied the projections used to reconfigure the voting district earlier this year, one state lawmaker involved in the process said. Figures won election to Congressional District 2 in 2024 after federal judges altered its boundaries to combine the city of Mobile with Montgomery and the Black Belt.
New lawmakers join local delegation
Mobile and Baldwin counties’ representation in the Alabama Legislature made it through Tuesday mostly unaltered, but new faces earned enough votes to join its ranks. Only six of the 20 seats in the local delegation had electoral challenges in this year’s general election.
Man charged for lighting dog on fire
A 46-year-old Prichard man was arrested for allegedly setting a pit bull on fire last week. The Mobile County Sheriff’s Office issued a statement Tuesday announcing Ryan Lekeith Nelson was arrested Friday, Oct. 30, on one charge of aggravated cruelty to animals. kAms6AFE:6D C6DA@?565 E@ }6=D@?’D 9@>6 @? t2DE p==6?3J $EC66E 2E 2C@F?5 c A]>] 27E6C C646:G:?8 2 C6A@CE E92E 2 >2? D6E 2 5@8 @? 7:C6] }6=D@? H2D 2CC6DE65 3642FD6 96 >2E4965 E96 56D4C:AE:@? AC@G:565 3J 2 H:E?6DD[ 244@C5:?8 E@ |r$~]k^Am kAm}6=D@?
Council may investigate fraud incidents
The Mobile City Council may launch its own investigation into how the city lost $14.7 million to a fraudster after learning more about the scam in separate meetings Tuesday. Since news of the potentially record-setting municipal fraud broke two weeks ago, city officials have slowly released details about it. kAmr:EJ 7:?2?46 5:C64E@C {@82? v6H:? E@=5 {28?:2AA6 s2:=J @? uC:52J E92E 2 7C2F5DE6C H9@ DA@<6 H:E9 2 “492C>:?8” 2446?E :>A6CD@?2E65 2 4@?EC24E@C H@C<:?8 @?
Arena may open under budget
The loss of $14.7 million in a fraud scheme will not keep Regions Arena from opening in late March 2027 and possibly under its budget, the project’s manager announced Tuesday. Sam Matheny offered an update on the $300 million, 298,000-square foot successor of the Mobile Civic Center during the City Council’s finance committee meeting. The meeting was held to discuss the recent loss of $14.7 million to a fraudster impersonating Arena contractor B.L. Harbert International in October. kAmr@?DECF4E:@?
AL federal, state elections decided today
Chaotic redistricting, residency lawsuits and a personal appearance by President Donald Trump make today's Nov. 3 general election all the more important. Lagniappe Daily breaks down Mobile and Baldwin counties’ ballots below. Voting has already begun for the state’s next governor, lieutenant governor, congressional delegation and statewide officers, as well as Alabama Legislature members and county leaders.
Mobile veteran group in national contest
A veterans nonprofit founded by a Mobile restaurateur is in the running to win $25,000 from a national contest supporting first responder charity groups.
Enterprise set for November arrival
The world’s first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier is set to arrive in Mobile before Thanksgiving for eventual dismantlement following the exit of another historic vessel. In July, the U.S. Navy awarded a $418 million contract to NorthStar Maritime Dismantlement Services and Modern American Recycling Services to dismantle, recycle and dispose of USS Enterprise (CVN-65) in Mobile. The work is expected to conclude by 2030.
Trinity Gardens shooting kills one
A 26-year-old man was killed in a shooting in Trinity Gardens early Saturday morning, and Mobile police need the public’s help investigating the incident. According to a Monday statement from the Mobile Police Department, officers responded to the 1700 block of Lincoln Street at around 1 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 31, and found Tavaress Collins at the scene with life-threatening injuries.
Bracy appealing lawsuit dismissal
A federal judge recently threw out State Rep. Napoleon Bracy’s racial discrimination lawsuit against Austal, but the legal dispute could continue in a higher court. Attorney Candis McGowan filed a notice with the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Alabama on Thursday, Oct. 29, appealing the September dismissal of Bracy’s lawsuit to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. The notice did not get into Bracy’s reasons for appealing the ruling.
Fraudster’s accent built trust with city
The fraudster who took $14.7 million from the city of Mobile used a “charming accent” to gain trust and build rapport while posing as a contractor working on Regions Arena, the city’s finance director told Lagniappe Daily. Sitting down for an exclusive interview Friday afternoon, Executive Director of Finance Logan Gewin offered more details on what could be the largest confidence scam perpetrated on a city in American history.
Coast Guard sets liner’s tow date
Local fans of the S.S. United States now know exactly when the scuttled historic vessel will leave Mobile for its date with Davy Jones’ Locker off the coast of Florida, thanks to a notice from the U.S. Coast Guard. But for those interested in seeing it, stay back or risk receiving a wildly massive and oddly specific fine.
Mobile’s record fraud loss detailed
The theft of $14.7 million in taxpayer funds took months to accomplish, involved mistakes by city workers and was not the first criminal scheme to hit Mobile this year, city councilors learned Tuesday. The Port City has been reeling since Mayor Spiro Cheriogotis’ administration revealed last week the city lost nearly $15 million in a fraudulent wire transfer made earlier this month. kAmx?7@C>2E:@? 23@FE E96 D42> C@==65 @FE D=@H=J 7C@> v@G6C?>6?E !=2K2[ 3FE 7:?2?46 5:C64E@C {@82? v6H:?
Date set for famed liner’s sinking
It is not clear exactly when the SS United States will leave Mobile, but Florida officials scheduled an exact date for sinking the famed ocean liner as the world’s largest reef. Weather permitting, the 990-foot-long vessel will be sunk in the Gulf about 22 nautical miles southwest of Destin-Fort Walton Beach on Thursday, Nov. 12, according to a Monday statement from the Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners. kAmr@F?EJ DA@<6D>2? }:4< %@>646< 564=:?65 E@ D2J H96?
City fires employee amid fraud probe
The city of Mobile terminated one employee and placed two others on paid leave as part of an ongoing investigation into how $14.7 million in taxpayer money was lost to a fraudulent entity. kAm%96 DE2E6>6?E 5:5 ?@E :56?E:7J E96 7:C65 6>A=@J66 @C E96 EH@ @E96CD[ 255:?8 E96 4:EJ H:== ?@E :56?E:7J E96:C ?2>6D[ A@D:E:@?D @C @E96C A6CD@?2= :?7@C>2E:@? “E@ AC@E64E E96:C D276EJ]”k^Am kAmr96C:@8@E:D @776C65 ?6H :?7@C>2E:@? @?
Constable pleads guilty to gun charge
A Mobile constable convicted of battery in 2009 could spend as many as 15 years in federal prison after pleading guilty last week to owning a Glock handgun. However, his legal issues are not over yet. Homeland Security agents and the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office arrested Albert McCreary in July on multiple criminal charges, including first-degree rape, second-degree perjury and unlawful firearm possession. kAm%96 dd\J62C\@=5 C646:G65 E96 =2EE6C 492C86 3642FD6 2? uqx 286?E HC@E6 :? 2 DH@C?
Downtown assault case headed to court
A court date has been set for the Prichard man charged for allegedly beating an elderly man in downtown Mobile last week. Kenneth O’Neal Riggins, Jr. was arrested Tuesday, Oct. 20, on a charge of second-degree elder abuse and neglect, as well as violating probation. He is scheduled to appear before Mobile County District Court Judge Johana Bucci for an arraignment on Thursday, Oct. 29, according to online court records. kAm%96 bh\J62C\@=5 H2D @? AC@32E:@? 7@C 2 a_ad 2DD2F=E 42D6 H96?
Carnival resumes Mobile cruises
The final cruising season before year-round Carnival sailings return to Mobile begins this weekend. At 9:30 a.m. Saturday, the Carnival Spirit will dock in the Port City for six months of cruises around the Caribbean, according to a news release from the city of Mobile. City representatives and Visit Mobile officials are set to welcome the vessel’s return at the cruise terminal. kAm%96 $A:C:E AC64656D E96 2CC:G2= @7 E96 '2=@C :? |2J a_af[ H96?
Ex-finance director details payment policy
The former chief of Mobile’s finance department outlined how high-dollar payments were made during his tenure as questions persist about the recent loss of $14.7 million in a fraudulent wire transfer. Scott Collins served as the city’s executive director of finance from 2024 until 2026, when Mayor Spiro Cheriogotis appointed Logan Gewin to replace him in April. kAmr@==:?D D2:5 :? 2 uC:52J :?E6CG:6H 96 92D ?@E C625 >F49 23@FE 9@H 9:D 7@C>6C 6>A=@J6C A2:5 2 7C2F5F=6?E 6?E:EJ S`c]f >:==:@?
Council to probe record fraud loss
Questions about how the city lost $14.7 million will have to wait until next week’s Mobile City Council meeting, the body’s president said. kAm|@3:=6’D 4:E:K6?D 56D6CG6 2?DH6CD 23@FE 9@H D@ >2?J >:==:@?D :? E2IA2J6C 5@==2CD H6C6 =@DE[ $>2== D2:5[ 3FE 2 DA64:2= >66E:?8 367@C6 E96 3@5J’D C68F=2C >66E:?8 @? %F6D52J[ ~4E] ag H@F=5 36 F??646DD2CJ]k^Am kAm“w2G:?8 2? 6>6C86?4J >66E:?8 :D ?@E 8@:?8 E@ >2<6 E96> 8:G6 FD >@C6 :?7@C>2E:@?[” 96 D2:5] “x 2> =@@<:?8 7@CH2C5 E@ 5:D4FDD:?8 E9:D @?
Tree concerns continue months later
A member of the Mobile Tree Commission expressed frustration this week that months have passed without any assurance from city leaders that the controversial axing of several oak trees near the new Mobile airport will not happen again.
New Riverwalk Plaza plans revealed
After receiving an additional year to review a city-sponsored land deal, Burton Property Group debuted a new design for its highly anticipated mixed-use development along the Mobile River. Riverwalk Plaza has been in development since 2023, when the city announced Burton would build a hotel, condominiums, offices, restaurants, shops, a rooftop bar and a boat launch on land next to the Arthur Outlaw Mobile Convention Center.
Record fraud loss was for Arena
The city of Mobile lost $14.7 million to a fraud scheme while trying to pay for the under-construction Regions Arena, Mayor Spiro Cheriogotis revealed Wednesday. Cheriogotis spoke to reporters after the city issued a news statement Tuesday evening announcing that federal law enforcement agencies are looking into the loss. The announcement offered no details on the nature of the alleged scheme, leaving citizens and members of the City Council questioning how so much money was lost.
Mobile lost millions to fraudster
A fraudulent entity obtained $14.7 million in taxpayer funds from the city of Mobile, according to a Wednesday evening statement that offered few details about the nature of the alleged scheme. A news release sent at 6 p.m. stated the city is cooperating with investigators from the FBI and the Secret Service after the fraud was discovered. It is not clear why the millions were handed over nor who received them.
Downtown assault suspect previously arrested
The Prichard man charged for allegedly committing a broad daylight assault in downtown Mobile last weekend was sentenced in August for another assault committed last year. Mobile police arrested Kenneth O’Neal Riggins Jr., 39, on Tuesday and charged him with second-degree elder abuse and neglect in connection with an incident on Sunday that left a man bloody and beaten in Mobile’s urban center. kAm#:88:?D’ =@8 :? |6EC@ y2:= D9@HD 96 92D AC6G:@FD=J 366? 2CC6DE65 @?
Councilors question lobbying agreement
An agreement with a Montgomery lobbying group that recently hired Mobile’s former government affairs director drew questions from city councilors Tuesday morning. The City Council’s agenda for Tuesday, Oct. 20, included a first reading of a contract with the Bloom Group for lobbying services in the Alabama Legislature. The agreement — which is not to exceed $156,000 — would pay the Montgomery firm $12,000 per month for 12 months, as well as a $1,000 per month travel reimbursement.
Suspect wanted for downtown assault
Mobile police are investigating a broad-daylight assault that left a man injured on a downtown sidewalk Sunday afternoon, and need the public’s help finding the suspect. According to a Monday statement from MPD, officers arrived at the intersection of Dauphin and Broad streets at around 2:55 p.m. Sunday and found an elderly man injured with a laceration from an assault by an unknown man. kAm%96 AC6=:>:?2CJ :?G6DE:82E:@? C6G62=65 E96 >2? H2D H2=<:?8 :?
Man charged for Grand Bay shooting
A birthday hang-out in Grand Bay Saturday night ended with a 19-year-old arrested for allegedly using an assault rifle to shoot and kill his friend. The Mobile County Sheriff’s Office said in a Monday statement Tucker Woods was arrested Saturday, Oct. 17, on a single charge of murder in connection with the death of Gabriel Rogers. He sustained multiple gunshot wounds after Woods allegedly picked up an AR-15-style rifle and opened fire, according to MCSO.
Lawmakers plan to eliminate AL grocery tax
Leadership in the Alabama Legislature committed this week to get rid of the state’s tax on groceries in 2027, potentially bringing to completion an effort started three years ago. In a statement posted to social media Friday, Speaker of the House Nathaniel Ledbetter, R-Rainsville, announced legislation will be presented in next year’s session to abolish the 4 percent sales tax, which legislation has chipped away to 2 percent since 2023. kAm{6536EE6C D2:5 E96 =68:D=2E:@? :D A2CE @7 2 ;@:?E A=2?
Chemicals found at I-10 bridge site
High levels of harmful chemicals were found on land where the new Mobile River Bridge will be built, but the discovery is not expected to delay the multi-billion-dollar interstate project. The Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) published a notice Wednesday announcing the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) plans to clean up two parcels on Old Water Street and Royal Street where quantities of arsenic, cadmium and other toxic materials were discovered.
Local funds in Brookley grant questioned
While pleased the city received millions in state funding to bring a long-awaited bayside park closer to opening, one Mobile city councilman balked at the idea of committing more local dollars to the project. The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources awarded Brookley by the Bay $9 million in Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act (GOMESA) funds in August to help the city build the first phase of the 100-acre park south of downtown.
Sea Pines re-zoning denied again
Taking the side of numerous concerned neighbors, the Mobile City Council denied a Dauphin Island Parkway mobile home park’s controversial rezoning request Wednesday. Sea Pines Mobile Homes, located on Cedar Crescent Drive behind Ben C. Rain High School, previously asked the Mobile Planning Commission to remove a 2022 restriction capping the number of mobile homes in the community at 133 and allow the park to add more. That request was rejected in August, after many area residents objected to it.
Council delays TIF vote
Plans to start the process of setting up new tax increment financing districts around Mobile derailed Wednesday morning after a city councilman and county commissioner voiced concerns that the mayor said took him by surprise. The City Council was ready to vote on a pair of resolutions that would schedule public hearings later this month for tax increment financing (TIF) districts in Midtown and along the Mobile River when District 4 Councilman Ben Reynolds said the city should slow its roll.
Greer's not committed to RV resort
Though a parcel of land in Bayley’s Corner is named “Greer’s RV Resort” in state permitting documents, a representative of the Mobile grocer said Tuesday the company is still figuring out what to do with the property.
Greer’s developing RV resort
A Mobile-based, family-owned grocery chain plans to build an RV resort near its Dauphin Island Parkway store. The Alabama Department of Environmental Management’s public documents portal shows GGDIP has a construction stormwater permit for “Greer’s RV Resort” just south of Greer’s CashSaver in Bayley’s Corner. The planned development would be located near the intersection of Dauphin Island Parkway and Fowl River Road on the eastern side of Dauphin Island Parkway.
AI models correctly call Isaias’ arrival
Hurricane Isaias veered to the east and made landfall more than 60 miles away from coastal Alabama last week, following a path forecast by an artificial intelligence model that a renowned meteorologist said beat the traditional programs that had a lot of locals prepping for the worst. Forecast models put Mobile and Baldwin counties in the late-season tropical storm’s sights on Wednesday, Oct. 7. As Isaias neared landfall on Friday, Oct.
Def Leppard to rock Regions Arena
Tickets are on sale this week for a concert bringing three rock legends to Mobile’s new Regions arena next spring. The Oak View Group recently announced Def Leppard, the Goo Goo Dolls and the Struts will include the Port City in its 2027 North American Tour. Pre-sale tickets for the concert slated Tuesday, April 20, went on sale at 10 a.m. Monday before opening to the general public on Friday, Oct. 16. kAms67 {6AA2C5 C646?E=J HC2AA65 FA 2 D@=5\@FE C6D:56?4J :?
FL county may sink liner soon
A famous ocean liner docked in Mobile could become the world’s largest artificial reef before Thanksgiving. The Okaloosa County Commission announced in a Friday statement the SS United States could be towed into the Gulf and sunk more than 20 miles off the coast of Destin and Fort Walton Beach sometime during the second week of November. kAm%96 9:DE@C:4 4CF:D6 D9:A E92E D2:=65 7C@> `hd` E@ `heh 92D 366? >@@C65 :? |@56C? p>6C:42?
Shelters offer safety from Isaias
An abundance of caution and nowhere else to go prompted dozens of Mobilians to seek shelter from Hurricane Isaias’ rain and wind at Theodore High School, one of three facilities in the county open for people in need. Across Mobile Bay, roughly 100 Baldwin County residents did the same at shelters in Foley and Robertsdale. kAm!F3=:4 D49@@=D :?
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