Former Fire Chief, Son, Face PPP Fraud Charges

Hold on to your helmets, folks! A former Birmingham Fire and Rescue battalion chief and his son are in some hot water, accused of scamming the Paycheck Protection Program and allegedly dodging taxes, according to Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall.

The Accusations

Sebastian Alexander Carrillo, 54, and his son, Sebastian Alexander Gideon, 27, both of Birmingham, were indicted by a Jefferson County grand jury following a joint investigation by the Attorney General’s Office and the Alabama Department of Revenue. The alleged scheme? PPP loan fraud and tax evasion.

Specific Charges

Carrillo is accused of swiping $20,415 in PPP funds through deception. On top of that, he's facing charges for allegedly trying to wiggle out of paying income tax for 2020, 2021, and 2022.

Gideon is accused of scoring $18,123 in PPP funds under false pretenses. He's also facing charges for allegedly filing false tax returns for 2020 and 2021, plus another count of tax evasion for 2022.

The Arrest and Aftermath

Carrillo, who hung up his fire hose in 2022 and was working for the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office when the indictments were served, and Gideon were both booked Friday afternoon. They later posted $20,000 bonds.

Serious Penalties

If convicted of first-degree theft by deception, a Class B felony in Alabama, they could face two to 20 years behind bars and fines up to $30,000. The tax-related charges? Those are unclassified felonies with potential sentences of up to five years and fines up to $100,000 per count. Ouch!

Important Reminder

Remember, an indictment is just an accusation. Both Carrillo and Gideon are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Get Ready to Dial Differently, ChumCity!

Heads up, folks! If you're rocking a 334 area code in central and southeast Alabama, big changes are comin' to how you dial local numbers!

Ten Digits, All the Time!

Starting January 23, 2026, you'll need to punch in a full 10 digits (that's area code plus the number) for every local call. Yep, even to your next-door neighbor!

Why the Change? Area Code 483 is On Its Way!

Why the extra digits? A new 483 area code is arriving on February 23, 2026. Seems 334 is running out of phone numbers faster than we can say "ring-ring"! Don't worry, 911 and other important three-digit numbers are still good to go.

Permissive Dialing: You've Had a Practice Run!

You've already had a sneak peek! This "permissive dialing" thing was designed to get us all used to the extra numbers.

What About My Current Number?

Fear not! Your current phone number isn't going anywhere. The 483 code will mainly be for new lines or folks adding extra numbers.

Who's Affected?

The 334 area code covers a huge chunk of Alabama, including Montgomery, Selma, Prattville, and tons of other awesome communities throughout central and southeast Alabama.

The Commission Has Spoken

The Alabama Public Service Commission gave the green light to this 483 overlay back in March 2024. So, practice those 10-digit dials, ChumCity!

Face-Slapping Follies: Should Alabama Say "No"?

Okay, folks, let's talk about something… unusual. Face-slapping competitions. Yep, you read that right. Is it goofy? Absolutely. But people are into it!

The Alabama Angle

State Senator Gerald Allen thinks this face-smacking spectacle shouldn’t happen in Alabama. But hold on a second… we already have wrestling, MMA, and boxing!

The Big Question

What’s the actual difference? Seems like a whole lot of combat sports are already throwing down here.

Dale Jackson's Take

Dale Jackson, a Yellowhammer News guru and WVNN radio host (weekdays, 5-9 a.m.), is probably pondering this very question!

Wiregrass Shocker: 90-Year-Old Charged in Shooting Death!

Hold onto your hats, ChumCity citizens! A story out of Enterprise is causing a stir. Police have arrested a 90-year-old man in connection with the shooting death of an 85-year-old woman.

Enterprise Police Respond to Shooting

The Enterprise Police Department responded to a call Monday morning reporting a shooting at a local residence. What they found was shocking: Charlotte Wolf, 85, deceased at the scene with multiple gunshot wounds.

90-Year-Old in Custody

Detectives wasted no time, taking 90-year-old Otto Wolf into custody and charging him with murder. He's currently cooling his heels at the Coffee County Jail, waiting for bond to be set.

Details Remain Scarce

While the basic facts are out, investigators are keeping mum on further details. Multiple reports identify the victim as Wolf's wife. This is a developing story, ChumCity, so stay tuned!

Crimson Dynasty Drops Highly Anticipated Chardonnay!

Get ready, wine lovers! Crimson Dynasty, the Napa Valley wine label with deep Alabama roots, just released its 2024 Chardonnay! This exciting addition expands their collection of exceptional wines that celebrate both heritage and quality.

Expanding the Dynasty

This new Chardonnay joins the ranks of their acclaimed 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon and the limited-release 2024 Pinot Noir. It's a testament to their commitment to crafting world-class wines that capture the spirit of competition and excellence. Crimson Dynasty aims to blend Southern tradition with Napa Valley's renowned winemaking expertise.

What Makes it Special?

According to the founders, they're building a "thoughtful and intentional portfolio." This Chardonnay is the next step, staying true to their story, standards, and sense of place.

Here's a quick taste of what Crimson Dynasty offers:

• 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon: Bold and structured, with dark fruit and cocoa notes.
• 2024 Pinot Noir: Elegant and vibrant, showcasing red cherry and subtle spice.
• 2024 Chardonnay: The new kid on the block, with crisp green apple, ripe pear, and a touch of vanilla.

Crafted with Expertise

The Chardonnay, like the other wines, was made in collaboration with acclaimed winemaker Jean Hoefliger. He's known for capturing "truth in the glass," ensuring the Chardonnay reflects varietal purity and the brand's signature finesse.

More Than Just Wine

Industry insiders are taking note of Crimson Dynasty's rise. They're offering a unique Napa Valley experience with a distinctly Southern story. Plus, a portion of every purchase supports The University of Alabama Athletics!

Simpson's Bold Move: Loyalty Over Lucrative Offers!

Crimson Tide QB Ty Simpson recently found himself at a crossroads after a tough end to the season. Facing a critical decision, he considered his options carefully.

The Temptation of the Transfer Portal

Rumors swirled about potential mega-deals from other schools. Simpson was reportedly offered up to $6.5 million by programs like Miami, Tennessee, and Ole Miss to jump ship and join their squads. A huge payday, no doubt!

Betting on Himself

But Simpson chose a different path. He turned down the massive offers and declared for the draft, a bold move fueled by loyalty and a desire to cement his legacy at Alabama.

"A Knot in My Stomach"

In an interview, Simpson confessed the offers were incredibly tempting. "$6 million for eight months of football? It makes you think!" he admitted. His parents encouraged him to prioritize happiness, but leaving Alabama felt wrong.

Crimson Tide Forever

He confided in coaches Kalen DeBoer and Ryan Grubb, explaining the situation. Ultimately, his Alabama ties were too strong to break. "I couldn't do it," he said, citing his legacy and the bond he'd forged with the program. He even sought advice from the legendary Nick Saban, who urged him to make the choice that truly resonated with him.

Respect and Legacy

Simpson didn't want to be remembered as "the guy who took all the money." As a captain who left his mark at Denny Chimes, he chose to preserve his Alabama legacy above all else.

In an era where self-interest often reigns supreme, Simpson's loyalty is a refreshing reminder of what truly matters. We're all pulling for him as he enters the next chapter! Once a Tide player, always a Tide player.

Alabama Phones Hit with "SOS" Signal!

Hey ChumCity citizens! Did your Verizon phone throw a total tantrum and flash "SOS" at you yesterday? You weren't imagining things!

Widespread Outage Causes Headaches

A massive Verizon wireless outage messed with calls, texts, and data for folks nationwide, and Alabama was definitely in the thick of it. Around 11 AM local time, reports started pouring in about phones stuck in "SOS" mode or showing absolutely no signal. Downdetector went wild, with outage reports skyrocketing!

Verizon Responds (Eventually)

Verizon finally admitted they had a problem and promised their tech wizards were on it. Thankfully, by mid-afternoon, some users started seeing service return, but the fix was still in progress.

Still Stuck in "SOS" Limbo? Try This!

• Wi-Fi Calling is Your Friend: If you've got it set up, switch to Wi-Fi for calls and texts.
• Restart & Airplane Mode Magic: The old "turn it off and on again" trick! Also, toggle Airplane Mode - it might kickstart things.
• Emergency? Think Outside the Phone: Landline, friend's phone (different carrier), or a trip to the local police/fire station are all options if you need urgent help.
• iPhone Users, Check for Satellite SOS: If you have a newer iPhone and no cell service, satellite emergency options might be available.

FCC Investigating

The FCC is on the case and will be looking into what caused this nationwide disruption. Stay tuned to ChumCity for updates as we get them!

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