Community upset over handling of animal services expressing displeasure with mayor
In fact, some are claiming the animals that aren't adopted are being unjustly euthanized.
Owens Cross Roads rejects rezoning for EV battery recycling plant
Emotions were high at the meeting as the community flooded the chambers making it clear that no matter the circumstances, they do not want Florence-Lauderdale Animal Services euthanizing dogs and cats in their care.
Animal advocates are pleading with city leaders for solutions.
Many Tuesdays did not hold back when addressing the mayor who they say made a move to stop rescue transports from the shelter. Much of their distaste was aimed at the mayor who they claim is leading an effort to end the no-kill policy at Florence-Lauderdale animal shelter, but Betterton says otherwise.
'The city of Florence has not changed its policies regarding animal services,' Betterton said. 'At no time have I asked the director, staff, or volunteers to increase euthanizing the animals in our care.'
ALDOT warns drivers of road conditions ahead of freezing temperatures
Animal advocates like Paige Cloud in Florence are pushing for rescue transportation services for the animals as they strongly disagree with the policy in place that's preventing the shelter from doing so.
'It can't happen we cannot have tons of euthanasians because animals now can't leave,' Cloud said. 'City employees take their vehicles home so why can't the shelter vans be used for the shelter's animals.'
The Florence City Council did speak about considering a way for Florence-Lauderdale Animal Services to have a rescue transportation service in the future.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
22-07-2025
- Yahoo
Hands Across Decatur extends hours due to heat
DECATUR, Ala. (WHNT) — With the heat that's coming this week, Hands Across Decatur will be open with extended hours this week for those who need shelter. HAD, located on 1027 5th Avenue SE in Decatur, will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Monday, July 21. Tuesday through Thursday, they'll be open an hour later, from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. The shelter is normally closed Friday through Sunday, but HAD says they'll play it by ear, depending on the weather. Lunch is served from 11 a.m. to noon. Those wanting to donate to HAD can do so through the following options: Paypal: donate@ Cashapp: $haddecatur Venmo: @Had2Be Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Solve the daily Crossword
CNN
02-07-2025
- CNN
Grill marks are meaningless: Here's what matters when cooking out
Summer temperatures have cranked up to 'HI,' and many Americans will be turning up the heat another notch as they light the fire on family cookouts. Unfortunately for some, more grilling means more over-cooked hamburgers, burnt bratwurst and scorched steaks. But chef Tyler Florence, whose latest cookbook is 'American Grill,' says the biggest mistakes grillmasters-to-be make can easily be fixed before their next backyard feast. Without hesitation, Florence says the most common mistake grillers make is turning their grills to full heat. 'They'll either put charcoal and hard fuel in the bottom of a grill, light it, and make the entire thing one temperature,' Florence explains. 'Or they'll light all four burners on the gas grill and make the whole thing hot.' He says grills should be set up to have one hot zone, where meat and vegetables are exposed to direct heat, and a 'cool' zone that allows food to be cooked via indirect heat. If using a charcoal grill, the best way to create separate zones is to simply put the charcoal only on one side of the grill. For gas grills, only ignite the burners wanted as the hot zone. 'Beef, shrimp, chicken — protein loves high temperature, but only for a minute,' says Florence. 'They like the caramelization.' But he warns too much time at high temperatures directly over charcoal or gas burners will cause the meat to overcook on its outside before the inside cooks all the way through. 'You want to do this little dance back and forth between the hot side and the cold side. You start with searing on the hot side and getting a little more color, a little more golden delicious color. And then you move it to the cold side,' explains Florence. In the cool zone, Florence says the grill becomes more like a convection oven, with flowing hot air inside the grill cooking the meat internally at an even rate. 'The hot side is going to give you the color, and the cool side is going to give you the ability to cook it all the way through without flare ups,' Florence says before quickly pivoting. 'Let's talk about flare-ups.' Florence, chef-owner of San Francisco's Wayfare Tavern and Miller & Lux steakhouse as well as a Miller & Lux location in Hawaii, says meat cuts with high fat ratios like ribeye steaks and smashburgers are extremely popular to grill. But, he warns, they can cause unwanted flame flare-ups that can quickly ruin your grilling game plan. When fat renders down at high temperatures, it will drip onto the heat source and cause flare-ups that can burn the exterior of the meat and cause safety issues. Florence's simple solution: use a cast iron skillet on your grill. 'I like to use cast iron — on top of the grill — as a plancha,' says Florence. A plancha, made popular in Spanish cuisine, is a flat metal plate used to sear meats at a very high temperature. 'I want to put the hot pan over the hot side. I want to make sure the outside [surface of the meat] is dry. I want to season with salt and pepper, a little extra virgin olive oil and then I put it down on the pan to sear,' Florence details. 'And then when the fat collects, it doesn't drip. Also, it gives you something to baste back on top of the meat, which is great.' While marinades and sauces can enrich the flavors of grilled proteins, Florence warns that adding them before grilling can cause headaches. 'If you're going to make barbecue chicken, don't dip your barbecue chicken in barbecue sauce and then grill it because the sugar in the barbecue sauce will burn before the chicken can cook all the way through.' He believes patience is key before adding your favorite marinade or sauce. 'Grill the chicken two thirds of the way and then mop or brush on your sauce,' he says. It's in that final third that 'you get that gorgeous mahogany color.' And lastly … The sight of perfectly branded grate marks on grilled meat has long been sought by grillers at home and those in steakhouses across the globe. But Florence says aside from the aesthetics, grill marks are useless. 'F*** grill marks,' proclaims Florence. He says the pursuit of perfectly seared lines on meat cuts doesn't make the meat taste any better. Plus, it creates more opportunities for hamburgers, steaks, chicken and fish to stick to the grates and make it hard to scrape off. Florence reiterates that using a cast-iron skillet will create a more attractive-looking sear and more opportunity to baste the meats with fats and herbs. And that ups the likelihood that your guests will come back for the next backyard cookout.
CNN
02-07-2025
- CNN
Grill marks are meaningless: Here's what matters when cooking out
Summer temperatures have cranked up to 'HI,' and many Americans will be turning up the heat another notch as they light the fire on family cookouts. Unfortunately for some, more grilling means more over-cooked hamburgers, burnt bratwurst and scorched steaks. But chef Tyler Florence, whose latest cookbook is 'American Grill,' says the biggest mistakes grillmasters-to-be make can easily be fixed before their next backyard feast. Without hesitation, Florence says the most common mistake grillers make is turning their grills to full heat. 'They'll either put charcoal and hard fuel in the bottom of a grill, light it, and make the entire thing one temperature,' Florence explains. 'Or they'll light all four burners on the gas grill and make the whole thing hot.' He says grills should be set up to have one hot zone, where meat and vegetables are exposed to direct heat, and a 'cool' zone that allows food to be cooked via indirect heat. If using a charcoal grill, the best way to create separate zones is to simply put the charcoal only on one side of the grill. For gas grills, only ignite the burners wanted as the hot zone. 'Beef, shrimp, chicken — protein loves high temperature, but only for a minute,' says Florence. 'They like the caramelization.' But he warns too much time at high temperatures directly over charcoal or gas burners will cause the meat to overcook on its outside before the inside cooks all the way through. 'You want to do this little dance back and forth between the hot side and the cold side. You start with searing on the hot side and getting a little more color, a little more golden delicious color. And then you move it to the cold side,' explains Florence. In the cool zone, Florence says the grill becomes more like a convection oven, with flowing hot air inside the grill cooking the meat internally at an even rate. 'The hot side is going to give you the color, and the cool side is going to give you the ability to cook it all the way through without flare ups,' Florence says before quickly pivoting. 'Let's talk about flare-ups.' Florence, chef-owner of San Francisco's Wayfare Tavern and Miller & Lux steakhouse as well as a Miller & Lux location in Hawaii, says meat cuts with high fat ratios like ribeye steaks and smashburgers are extremely popular to grill. But, he warns, they can cause unwanted flame flare-ups that can quickly ruin your grilling game plan. When fat renders down at high temperatures, it will drip onto the heat source and cause flare-ups that can burn the exterior of the meat and cause safety issues. Florence's simple solution: use a cast iron skillet on your grill. 'I like to use cast iron — on top of the grill — as a plancha,' says Florence. A plancha, made popular in Spanish cuisine, is a flat metal plate used to sear meats at a very high temperature. 'I want to put the hot pan over the hot side. I want to make sure the outside [surface of the meat] is dry. I want to season with salt and pepper, a little extra virgin olive oil and then I put it down on the pan to sear,' Florence details. 'And then when the fat collects, it doesn't drip. Also, it gives you something to baste back on top of the meat, which is great.' While marinades and sauces can enrich the flavors of grilled proteins, Florence warns that adding them before grilling can cause headaches. 'If you're going to make barbecue chicken, don't dip your barbecue chicken in barbecue sauce and then grill it because the sugar in the barbecue sauce will burn before the chicken can cook all the way through.' He believes patience is key before adding your favorite marinade or sauce. 'Grill the chicken two thirds of the way and then mop or brush on your sauce,' he says. It's in that final third that 'you get that gorgeous mahogany color.' And lastly … The sight of perfectly branded grate marks on grilled meat has long been sought by grillers at home and those in steakhouses across the globe. But Florence says aside from the aesthetics, grill marks are useless. 'F*** grill marks,' proclaims Florence. He says the pursuit of perfectly seared lines on meat cuts doesn't make the meat taste any better. Plus, it creates more opportunities for hamburgers, steaks, chicken and fish to stick to the grates and make it hard to scrape off. Florence reiterates that using a cast-iron skillet will create a more attractive-looking sear and more opportunity to baste the meats with fats and herbs. And that ups the likelihood that your guests will come back for the next backyard cookout.
