Sheriff speaks to commission about recent meth bust

Sheriff Dave Sutton addressed the Coffee County Commission during a July 23 meeting to report on a recent meth lab the Coffee County Sheriff’s Department recently raided.

According to Sutton, the raid resulted in the recovery of methamphetamine as well as several items that have been recently stolen in the area.

Sutton said his office conducted a raid on a meth lab July 19.

“We’ve had a rash of burglaries that have occurred out in the county,” Sutton said. “I was very proud of the professionalism of my investigators.”

Sutton said his Deputies raided a home in New Brockton and found a “one-pot” methamphetamine lab as well as firearms, tires, rims, electronics, tools, all terrain vehicles and lawn equipment.

“In the barns and in the house were thousands of dollars worth of equipment that had been taken in Coffee, Houston and Pike counties,” Sutton said. “We have all those items down at our office.”

Sutton said the meth bust solved about ten burglaries and recovered approximately $35,000 worth of stolen equipment.

In other news, the commission unanimously agreed on a resolution to purchase a pressure washer for use by the county.

In a previous meeting Rod Morgan, county administrator, said the pressure washer and a trailer to haul it would cost approximately $3,000.

The washer will be used to clean sidewalks and walkways at several of the county’s municipal locations, including the Coffee County Complex in New Brockton and both of the Coffee County courthouses.

County Engineer Randy Tindell’s request to put several county owned items up for sale was unanimously approved by the commission.

Tindell requested to put several miscellaneous items including a tractor and a “low boy” on a short list of items to be sold.

The commission also approved a motion proposed by commissioner Dean Smith to appoint Kinston City Clerk Paula Katauskas and Charles L. Webb to the Coffee County Emergency Communication Board.

In other news, Annie Hendrix and David Garrett of the Coffee County Extension Office brought several county students who participated in the office’s 4-H summer programs before the commission.

Two of those students got a chance to read their public speeches before the commission members.

Bailee Deal gave a presentation on ATV safety.

Deal’s sister was injured after an ATV the two were riding flipped over on top of her breaking several ribs and causing internal injuries.

“We never dreamed something like this would ever happen,” Deal said. “We drove our ATV all the time.”

Layken Hussey also gave a presentation on texting while driving.

Hussey said a driver who was texting struck his older brother last year as he was working with the Alabama Department of Transportation.

Hussey’s brother passed away from injuries sustained in that accident a few days later.

“My big brother was special to me,” Hussey said.

Hussey presented several statistics in his speech and asked that everyone try to remember that texting can wait.

“You can save your life and others’ by not texting and driving,” Hussey said. “Who knows? If you text and drive you might be the next victim.”

Hendricks said in light of Deal and Hussey’s presentations the 4-H Program would focus on community safety during the coming school year.

There was a reception for all of the 4-H summer program participants following the commission meeting.

The Coffee County Commission will meet again at 9 a.m., Aug. 13, in the community room at the Coffee County Complex.