News briefs

By Staff
Reeves cleared by ethics group
Alabama's Ethics Commission has apparently cleared Hartselle High Principal Jerry Reeves. Sources close to the investigation said School Board Attorney Bill Shinn has received a letter from the Ethics Commission clearing Reeves of allegations of wrongdoing involving school-owned properties.
Shinn confirmed he was aware of the situation, but said he would not discuss the details until he could present the commission's findings to the School Board at its next meeting. That meeting is set for April 21 at 6 p.m. The results of that meeting will be on www.hartselleenquirer.com on April 22.
Gas station owner arrested after shooting at tires of alleged thief's vehicle
A local business owner turned himself into Hartselle police Tuesday after allegedly attempting to take the law into his own hands.
Dennis Harold Ramey, owner of Ramey's Shell in Hartselle, turned himself in on a warrant for shooting into an occupied vehicle. The warrant resulted from an incident that occurred Monday.
Ramey's business had cashed two stolen checks for a total of $100 on Monday. At approximately 9:15 p.m. on the same date, Ramey saw the man who allegedly presented the stolen checks across the street at Hartselle Exxon, located at Highway 31 and Highway 36.
Ramey crossed the street and attempted to detain the man until police could arrive. The man attempted to flee after being confronted by Ramey, who was armed with a .38 caliber revolver.
Ramey shot at a tire on the man's vehicle in an attempt to disable the vehicle. The man was still able to escape and was located a short time later by HPD officers and the Morgan County Sheriff's Department.
The man, Gaston Blake King, was brought to HPD for questioning and was later released. Charges for possession of a forged instrument in the second degree are pending against him.
Ramey was booked into the Hartselle City Jail and later transferred to the Morgan County Jail where he was released on $1,500 bond.
Police Report
The Hartselle Police reported the following April 5-12: