🌱 City Employee Indicted + 'Try Transit' Offering Free Bikes Rides

Good morning, friends! It's me, Sean Peek, your host of the Huntsville Patch newsletter — back in your inbox with everything you need to know about what's happening locally.

But first, today's weather:

Intervals of clouds and sun. High: 87 Low: 65.

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Here are the top three stories today in Huntsville:

1. Dana Wesley Coffelt, a 46-year-old man working as a General Services Facilities Worker for the City of Huntsville, has been indicted by a Madison County grand jury on several charges pertaining to the possession of child pornography. Following his arrest on May 4, Coffelt now faces 25 counts of possessing explicit material involving minors under the age of 17. He is being held at Madison County Jail on a $62,500 bond, awaiting a pretrial hearing scheduled for Sep. 7. (WHNT 19)
2. As part of Bike Month, the "Try Transit" initiative is offering free rides on Orbit shuttles in Huntsville until Friday. Huntsville's Director of Parking and Public Transportation, Quisha Bryant, emphasized the availability of bike racks on all Orbit shuttles, encouraging cyclists to consider the service in the future. The Orbit shuttles operate Monday through Friday from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and on Saturdays from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., with maps and stop locations accessible online and real-time updates on shuttle locations available through the Route Shout app. (City of Huntsville)
3. The shoplifting trial for Huntsville city councilman Devyn Keith has been postponed after his lawyer, John Taylor, encountered technical difficulties while reviewing video evidence of the incidents. Keith, who has pleaded not guilty to four misdemeanor charges related to shoplifting from Huntsville Walmarts, was scheduled for trial before the motion for delay was filed. A new trial date has yet to be selected. (AL.com)

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Today in Huntsville:

• Networking Lunch At Mason Dixon Bistro (10:30 AM)
• Martini Night At Mezza Luna (5:00 PM)
• Wine & Nine At X-Golf (6:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Watch your step! Look out for tiny turtles when strolling through the Huntsville Botanical Garden. These little guys and gals are about the size of a half dollar. (Huntsville Botanical Garden via Instagram)
• Huntsville Fire and Rescue are looking for new faces to join their team. This a great opportunity for someone looking to make a difference, and looking for a career with room to grow. (Huntsville Fire and Rescue via Facebook)
• Pottery classes are coming back on May 17 at the Alabama Contemporary Art Center with Jenny Williams! It's a perfect opportunity for those looking to master the wheel and expand their skills. (Alabama Contemporary via Instagram)

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Featured events:

• REFLECTIONS FROM MOZART TO GOSPEL - Huntsville Choral Festival Concert (June 3)
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That's it for today! See you tomorrow for your next update.

— Sean Peek

About me: Sean Peek is a writer and entrepreneur with a degree in English Literature from Weber State University. Over the years, he has worked as a copywriter, editor, SEO specialist, and marketing director for various digital media companies. He currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.