Alabama
Alabama woman in ‘secret relationship’ with ex-husband allegedly fakes home invasion as daughter shoots him
A Calhoun County woman and her daughter are charged in the shooting of her ex-husband after initially claiming she was the victim of a home invasion.
On Feb. 6, deputies responded to a shooting call on Pattiway Drive in Alexandria where they found 47-year-old Scott Ingram suffering from multiple gunshots wounds.
Wendy Ralston, 46, had an active protection from abuse order against Ingram and she claimed that he had appeared at the residence in violation of that order.
Ralston told authorities that Ingram had physically assaulted her and that she had escaped from the residence earlier in the day. Ralston did not contact law enforcement at that time.
Ralston returned to the home later in the day with her daughter, 24-year-old Destynee Cheshire, said Sheriff Matthew Wade.
Cheshire began searching the home for Ingram.
The investigation shows that Cheshire kicked open a locked bedroom door and encountered Ingram in the room.
Ultimately, the sheriff said, Cheshire fired three shots at Ingram with a 9 mm pistol, striking him three times, once each in the abdomen, arm, and leg. Ingram was transported to an area hospital.
The investigation showed through digital evidence that Ralston misled law enforcement in the events that had taken place.
Additionally, Wade said, she had allowed Ingram to be in the home in violation of the protection order and that she was aware that he was in the residence when she and Cheshire returned.
Ralston filed false reports with law enforcement and subsequently filed a warrant under false pretense, he said.
Ralston is charged with first-degree assault, a felony, and false reporting to law enforcement, which is a misdemeanor.
Cheshire is charged with first-degree assault.
“Ralston had made allegations that she didn’t call law enforcement due to our lack of action,’’ Wade said. “In reality, Ralston had a secret relationship with Ingram.”
“She made detrimental allegations to her daughter and others that led to the shooting of Scott Ingram,’’ he said.
Wade said Ralston tried to hide information from law enforcement, but the facts were discovered through a forensic examination of digital media belonging to Ralston.
Ingram even told Ralston in a discovered text that he felt like he was being “set-up”.
“As sheriff, I take great caution in arresting anyone claiming to be a victim of domestic violence,’’ Wade said. “However, the facts discovered in this investigation are clear and overwhelmingly proves that Ralston has lied manipulating the system for her person benefit.”
“In addition, her lies have caused the physical injury to Scott Ingram and caused him to be accused in our criminal justice system,’’ the sheriff said. “Ralston’s actions are offensive to the true victims of domestic violence and law enforcement.”
Alabama
2019 Alabama Prison Escapee Now Facing Florida Charges For Walnut Hill Machete Carjacking : NorthEscambia.com
A man who escaped an Alabama prison facility and allegedly staged a local carjacking in 2019 has been extradited to Escambia County, Florida.
Travis Wyatt Dawson was served with outstanding warrants and extricated last week for felony carjacking with a weapon and misdemeanor battery. He remains in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $102,500.
The charges stem from a July 14, 2019, incident on Miller Road in Walnut Hill. Dawson, who had escaped from a Loxley, Alabama, work release center four days prior, allegedly grabbed a victim from behind, brandished a machete, and stole a 2016 Dodge Caravan. As Dawson fled the scene, a witness jumped into the back of the minivan to try to stop him. The vehicle was later found abandoned after running out of gas at Interstate 65 and Government Street in Mobile.
Dawson eluded capture until May 2020, when he was apprehended in Louisiana.
At the time of his escape, Dawson was serving a 20 years sentence for a 2013 convocation for possession of a controlled substance in Escambia County, Alabama.
A man who escaped an Alabama prison facility in 2019 and allegedly staged a local carjacking has been extradited to Escambia County, Florida.
Travis Wyatt Dawson was served with outstanding warrants and extricated last week for felony carjacking with a weapon and misdemeanor battery.
The charges stem from a July 14, 2019, incident on Miller Road in Walnut Hill. Dawson, who had escaped from a Loxley, Alabama, work release center four days prior, allegedly grabbed a victim from behind, brandished a machete, and stole a 2016 Dodge Caravan. As Dawson fled the scene, a witness jumped into the back of the minivan to try to stop him. The vehicle was later found abandoned after running out of gas at Interstate 65 and Government Street in Mobile.
Dawson eluded capture until May 2020, when he was apprehended in Louisiana.
At the time of his escape, Dawson was serving a 20 years sentence for a 2013 convocation for possession of a controlled substance in Escambia County, Alabama.
Pictured top: Officers from the Alabama Department of Corrections speak to an Escambia County (FL) deputy and a citizen a roadblock on Miller Road in Florida on July 12, 2019. Dawson allegedly carjacked a minivan just a few yards from this location on July 14, 2019. Pictured below: An Escambia County (FL) Road Prison K-9 team searches near a Rockaway Creek Road bridge that spans the Alabama-Florida state line. Pictured bottom: An Escambia County (FL) deputy helps maintain a perimeter around a neighborhood along Rockaway Creek Road at Grubbs Street in Atmore. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Some Alabama downtowns just feel made for a slow walk and a good coffee, and a new ranking says there’s plenty of them.
World Atlas recently highlighted 10 small towns with the best downtowns in Alabama in a recent travel roundup, pointing to walkable streets, historic storefronts and locally owned shops that give each destination its own sense of place.
The list reflects a growing interest in small-town travel, where downtown districts serve as hubs for dining, shopping and community life.
Standout Alabama downtowns highlighted by World Atlas
A few of the towns on the list stand out for especially distinctive downtown experiences. Here’s what World Atlas had to say.
In Fairhope, a waterfront downtown meets a historic shopping district, where Fairhope Avenue leads to Mobile Bay and the city’s iconic pier stretches into wide coastal views. Independent bookstores, antique shops and cafes anchor a walkable core that feels both coastal and classic.
Opelika has transformed its railroad heritage into a lively downtown scene. Brick storefronts line North Railroad Avenue, now home to breweries and distilleries like John Emerald Distilling Company, along with a growing cluster of locally owned restaurants and tasting rooms.
In Eufaula, antebellum architecture defines the downtown experience. Grand historic homes, courthouse squares and the Yoholo Micco Creek Trail combine history and nature in a setting that feels deeply preserved and unusually expansive for a small city.
And in Monroeville, literary history shapes nearly every corner of downtown. The courthouse square and surrounding district reflect the legacy of To Kill a Mockingbird, with museums, sculptures and shaded public spaces that reinforce its identity as Alabama’s Literary Capital.
Some of the most unique features on the list
Several towns also stand out for their one-of-a-kind attractions:
- Montevallo features more than 50 intricate tree carvings hidden throughout Orr Park
- Abbeville is home to Huggin’ Molly’s, a 1950s-style diner inspired by a local ghost legend
- Fairhope’s pier and coastal park system offer one of the most scenic downtown waterfronts in the state
World Atlas’s 10 best downtowns in Alabama
- Fairhope: waterfront pier, bookstores and bayside views.
- Opelika: railroad district and craft distilleries.
- Eufaula: 700+ historic structures and scenic trail.
- Cullman: German heritage and Oktoberfest events.
- Wetumpka: Coosa River views and historic district.
- Abbeville: 1950s neon and Huggin’ Molly’s diner.
- Tuscumbia: Helen Keller birthplace and Spring Park.
- Montevallo: arts scene and tree carving park.
- Monroeville: “To Kill a Mockingbird” courthouse.
- Sheffield: Tennessee River views and arts venues.
Jennifer Lindahl is a Breaking and Trending Reporter in Alabama for USA TODAY’s Deep South Connect Team. Connect with her on X @jenn_lindahl and email at jlindahl@usatodayco.com.
OZARK, Ala. (WTVY) – Dale County Schools Superintendent Ben Baker has been named Alabama’s Superintendent of the Year.
The honor was announced at the State School Superintendent Association Conference, which celebrates leaders who champion public education and academic progress.
Under Baker’s leadership, Dale County Schools scored a 95 on the state report card, the highest score recorded by a county school in state history.
Baker was recognized by State Superintendent Dr. Eric Mackey. He said the award reflects the work of his staff.
“I recognize that it has a lot to do with the good people that work for Dale County Schools, that work hard every day to try to create opportunities for our students,” Baker said. “Superintendents across our state really work hard to provide the best opportunities for our students, and I’m excited to have this platform because I’m going to use this platform to share the great things going on in Dale County, and also the great things going on in the state of Alabama.”
Baker was one of nine finalists up for the award.
Download the WTVY News4 app to get alerts and stories the moment they are published. Available for FREE in the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store!
Copyright 2026 WTVY. All rights reserved.
-
Augusta, GA1 minute agoAugusta Pride celebration moves to fairgrounds amid Broad Street construction
-
Washington, D.C8 minutes agoStates show their stuff: The Great American State Fair opens in D.C.
-
Cleveland, OH11 minutes agoColt Emerson Leads Mariners Past Guardians In Return to Ohio – WHIZ – Fox 5 / Marquee Broadcasting
-
Austin, TX16 minutes agoPaxton says Austin energy code breaks state law
-
Alabama23 minutes ago2019 Alabama Prison Escapee Now Facing Florida Charges For Walnut Hill Machete Carjacking : NorthEscambia.com
-
Alaska26 minutes agoMan with same name as US Sen. Dan Sullivan is eligible for Alaska’s primary ballot, judge rules – WTOP News
-
Arizona31 minutes agoArizona Lottery Mega Millions, Pick 3 Evening results for June 26, 2026
-
California36 minutes agoCalifornia Central Valley city’s first-ever Pride event moves indoors after pushback
