Man in hospital after accident

LOCUST SHORES — A Cherokee man remains hospitalized after he was injured in a motorcycle accident early Monday morning, officials said.

Michael P. Coffee, 52, was injured in the accident that occurred about 6:30 a.m. on U.S. 72, near the Golden Road intersection, state troopers said.

Coffee was taken to Helen Keller Hospital in Sheffield where he is listed in serious condition, according to hospital officials.

Troopers said Coffee was riding a 2006 moped and was traveling east on U.S. 72. Emergency personnel at the scene said it appeared he hit an animal that caused him to lose control of the moped and crash.

The accident is under investigation by the Quad-Cities State Troopers Post.

2 brothers, girl charged in assault

FLORENCE — Police said three people, including two brothers and a 17-year-old girl, have been charged in connection with the assault of a man at Taco Bell on North Wood Avenue on Saturday.

Reports indicate Traevane Ohara Turner, 19, 318 Seymore Ave., Florence, and his brother, Keyontae Quandez Turner, 20, same arrest, along with the 17-year-old Florence girl are all charged with second-degree assault.

They are accused of attacking a 20-year-old Florence man in the parking lot of Taco Bell on Saturday afternoon with baseball bats.

Florence police detective Keith Johnson said the attack apparently was retaliation for Traevane Turner being beaten up by the 20-year-old during a fight Friday night at McDonald's parking lot on North Wood Avenue.

Reports indicate Keyontae Turner hit the 20-year-old in the face with his fist, and they started fighting on the ground when the 17-year-old girl and Traevane Turner started hitting the man with baseball bats.

They ran off when police arrived, according to reports.

Johnson said that according to reports, the victim was not seriously injured.

Men charged in Wal-Mart theft

FLORENCE — Two men are accused of going on a shopping spree at Wal-Mart on Sept. 28 without paying for any of the items, police said.

Kenneth Ray McDonald, 43, 6384 Lauderdale 189, Florence, and Joel Lafayette Shewbart, 44, 1810 Franklin 52, Russellville, are both charged with second-degree theft of property, officials said.

They are accused of trying to steal more than $500 in hunting equipment and supplies from Wal-Mart.

"They went in and starting loading hunting supplies and equipment and other items into a buggy and then just walked out with it," Florence police detective Keith Johnson said. "Apparently, they didn't make any attempt at trying to pay for the items."

Johnson said the men were stopped in the parking lot by Wal-Mart employees and held there until police arrived.

Break-in attempts under investigation

FLORENCE — Doors were damaged at three businesses in the Underwood-Petersville community north of Florence but nothing was taken, authorities said.

Reports indicate a garage door at Bama Pools was damaged while someone tried to pry open doors at Shoals Pool and Spa and Power Cleaning, all on Cloverdale Road.

Lauderdale County Sheriff Ronnie Willis said the would-be burglars were not able to gain entrance into the buildings.

"They did do some damage trying to get in," the sheriff said.

Anyone knowing anything about the attempted burglaries should call 256-760-5757 or Shoals Area Crime Stoppers at 256-386-8685.