(WPMI) — Mobile police are investigating a shooting Wednesday morning in the 8000 block of Hooper Street Police say one man was shot and has possibly life-threatening injuries This is a developing story that will be updated The property will be managed by LBA Hospitality Hiren Desai-led 3H Group opened the first Hyatt Studios hotel Vishnu Rageev R is a journalist with more than 15 years of experience in business journalism As a senior journalist with Asian Hospitality Hyatt Studios Mobile/Tillmans Corner is now open in Mobile was developed and franchised by 3H Group and is managed by LBA Hospitality Chattanooga, Tennessee-based 3H Group is led by President and CEO Hiren Desai, while Dothan, Alabama-based LBA Hospitality is headed by President Beau Benton “As the first developer to break ground on a Hyatt Studios hotel and now the first to open one, we’ve seen firsthand how this brand fills a critical gap in the extended-stay space,” said Desai efficient design and a flexible operating model that resonates with both guests and owners Its focus on quality extended-stay experiences paired with Hyatt’s strong support and reputation and we’re excited to continue growing with additional Hyatt Studios projects in the future.” located in Tillmans Corner less than 10 miles from Mobile International Airport provides access to downtown Mobile and the Gulf Coast It also is near the USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park Bellingrath Gardens and the Mobile Carnival Museum The new hotel offers 122 studio suites with a fitness studio and an outdoor patio The Hyatt Studios brand also provides EV charging stations at all locations said the new hotel’s opening marks a milestone in expanding extended-stay accommodations “This is just the beginning for the Hyatt Studios brand which has generated enthusiasm among hotel owners and developers,” he said “We’re proud to celebrate the grand opening with 3H Group and LBA Hospitality whose dedication has brought the Hyatt Studios vision to life.” Hyatt plans to have 40 Hyatt Studios operational by 2027, the statement said. In February a select-service brand for transient guests and conversions expanding its upper-midscale segment in the Americas ahead of global rollout 3H Group is advancing Hyatt Studios projects in Huntsville The company is developing a Caption by Hyatt hotel in Chattanooga set to open in 2026 It recently acquired Hyatt Place Tampa Airport/Westshore and is building dual-brand Hyatt Place and Hyatt House hotels in East Nashville In November 3H Group and LBA Hospitality opened their first dual-branded IHG hotels in Chattanooga—Candlewood Suites Chattanooga East and Holiday Inn Express Chattanooga East—adding 154 rooms to the market PEACHTREE GROUP RECENTLY launched the 114-key Residence Inn Ocean Township along the Jersey Shore in New Jersey This marks the company’s eighth DST offering since launching the program in 2022 The Residence Inn is in Monmouth County, one of the wealthiest counties in the U.S., known for its high median income and vibrant year-round economy, Peachtree said in a statement “This newly developed property represents everything we look for in a DST offering: strong market fundamentals and long-term upside driven by secular tailwinds in travel,” said Tim Witt Peachtree’s president for 1031 exchange and DST products Atlanta-based Peachtree is led by Greg Friedman managing principal and CFO; and Mitul Patel The hotel benefits from its proximity to beach destinations such as Asbury Park The region’s diverse economy—anchored by healthcare and technology—drives consistent lodging demand throughout the year Netflix is investing $900 million to redevelop nearby Fort Monmouth into its primary East Coast production hub a project expected to create 3,500 construction jobs and 1,500 permanent jobs “With the opening of Residence Inn Ocean Township in 2024 we’re providing investors access to a debt-free income-generating asset in a premier coastal market,” Witt said “It’s a strategic fit for those seeking tax deferral through a 1031 exchange while maintaining exposure to one of the most resilient sectors in commercial real estate.” Peachtree’s DST properties offer a compelling option for 1031 exchange investors seeking to reinvest proceeds from the sale of appreciated real estate while deferring taxes and maintaining exposure to the hotel sector The firm’s eight DST offerings total more than $220 million in debt-free real estate transactions In February Peachtree appointed Jordan Hylton as senior vice president of multifamily acquisitions for its DST platform which recently expanded its portfolio to include multifamily assets TownePlace Suites Forney is now open in Forney The pet-friendly hotel, located 22 miles east of Dallas, features a 24-hour fitness center and an outdoor pool, the companies said in a joint statement It is near the Spellman Museum of Forney History and Mesquite Metro Airport HQZ “As we continue to expand our third-party management platform we remain focused on partnering with top-tier companies that share our commitment to operational excellence,” said Vickie Callahan Peachtree’s president of hospitality management developing hotels that are both professionally executed and uniquely designed to stand apart in their competitive set connecting each property to its local community.” Peachtree partnered with TEKMAK to manage a selection of its Texas hotels and now oversees six properties: Fairfield Inn & Suites Paris expressed excitement about joining the Forney community and serving the nation’s fastest-growing county with the new TownePlace Suites “We’re grateful for the Peachtree team’s hard work in getting the hotel open and are thrilled about the strong leadership they’ve assembled to manage daily operations,” he said “We take great pride in the quality of the hotels we develop and have full confidence in Peachtree’s ability to deliver an equally high level of service to our guests.” Atlanta-based Peachtree is led by CEO and Managing Principal Greg Friedman, Managing Principal and Chief Financial Officer Jatin Desai, and Principal Mitul Patel, while Dallas-based TEKMAK is led by Chief Executive Officer and President Thomas Kirkland “Third-party hotel operators are increasingly recognized for delivering superior service often outperforming chain-managed hotels in key areas that matter most to guests,” Callahan said “The opening of TownePlace Suites Forney reflects the strength of our collaboration and our shared vision to exceed expectations and raise standards across every hotel we manage.” JALARAM SLEEPY HOLLOW acquired the 91-key Fairfield Inn & Suites Memphis Southaven in Southaven Hunter Hotel Advisors’ Senior Vice President Tim Osborne and Vice President Chase Perry brokered the deal The hotel, renovated in 2023, is near several demand drivers in Southaven, 15 miles south of downtown Memphis, Hunter said in a statement They include major employers such as Amazon XAI recently opened a nearby supercomputer site with expansion plans “Southaven is our home and a strategic market for our company’s growth,” said Rohan Patel of Jalaram Hotel Group “It was a pleasure to work with Hunter and Helix on the acquisition.” HBS Investment Group recently acquired the 122-key Hilton Garden Inn Louisville East in Louisville SHRIV SHAKTI HOSPITALITY recently acquired the three-storey 111-key Comfort Inn East Evansville in Evansville from Priyansu Hotels for under $50,000 per room and a member of Hotel Brokers International The new owner will maintain the Choice Hotels affiliation and plans improvements for the property Niehaus & Associates said in a statement is the economic hub of a 24-county region and a trade center for parts of Indiana Vrindavan LLC recently acquired the 48-room SureStay by Best Western Bardstown General Nelson in Bardstown, Kentucky, from Dhamdhani LLC, in a deal brokered by Huff, Niehaus & Associates acquired the 189-key Westin Great Southern Hotel in Columbus in an all-cash deal—its 14th purchase in 24 months and first in downtown Columbus The company selected ZMC Hotels to manage the property Whitestone Cos "While we've acquired many assets nationwide this one is especially meaningful as it's in our hometown," Batra said "We're excited to add this historic property to our portfolio." is listed on the National Register of Historic Places Originally the Great Southern Fireproof Building and Opera House it has hosted figures including Presidents William McKinley "When you step into the two-story marble lobby you feel a century of history around you," said Batra "You see the craftsmanship that built it They don’t make them like this anymore." The hotel offers more than 10,000 square feet of event space said investors and designers value projects like this "While different from our traditional value-add offerings this project blends restoring a historic asset and enhancing the guest experience," he said In December Whitestone acquired the 144-room Homewood Suites by Hilton Minneapolis-Mall of America its first investment in Minnesota and fourth Homewood Suites purchase in 18 months Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE:H) celebrated the grand opening of its first-ever Hyatt Studios hotel Hyatt Studios Mobile / Tillmans Corner in Mobile the hotel marked the occasion by welcoming local officials Guests experienced firsthand the brand's fresh take on extended stay designed to deliver the perfect balance of comfort and modern convenience less than 10 miles from Mobile International Airport the hotel offers convenient access to downtown Mobile Guests can explore local landmarks like the USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park Mobile's diverse industries in manufacturing maritime and healthcare contribute to the city's attractiveness making it an ideal fit for the Hyatt Studios brand As part of Hyatt's Essentials Portfolio—a collection of focused service brands including Caption by Hyatt and Hyatt Select—Hyatt Studios are designed for extended stay travelers seeking modern amenities and a comfortable Hyatt Studios Mobile / Tillmans Corners features 122 studio apartment-style suites designed for comfort and functionality each appointed with a well-equipped kitchen microwave with air fryer and convection-oven capabilities Each suite includes a comfortable sleeping area along with a separate lounge area featuring a plush sofa or sleeper sofa a multifunctional table and ample storage space for comfortable long-term stays The Hyatt Studios brand introduces a new level of convenience with a variety of thoughtful amenities including a 24/7 Market stocked with snacks and easy-to-make meals and a 24-hour Fitness Studio to stay active Additional conveniences include self-service laundry where guests can borrow everyday essentials like blenders Reinforcing Hyatt's focus on guest experience and the future of travel the Hyatt Studios brand is leading the industry by offering free fiber internet and making EV charging stations a signature feature across all properties 3H Group celebrates the opening of Hyatt Studios Mobile / Tillmans Corner while also advancing its next Hyatt Studios projects in Huntsville Expanding its portfolio across Hyatt's Essentials Portfolio 3H Group continues to grow with additional Hyatt developments including a Caption by Hyatt hotel in Chattanooga set to open in 2026 as the market's first Hyatt hotel the recent acquisition of Hyatt Place Tampa Airport/Westshore which will undergo a comprehensive renovation and a new construction dual-brand Hyatt Place and Hyatt House hotels in East Nashville a seasoned operator managing over 115 hotels across the southeastern U.S. 3H Group and LBA bring extensive experience in extended stay and select service management This collaboration helps ensure a seamless guest experience and a strong market debut for Hyatt Studios Mobile / Tillmans Corner Hotel website Brand OwnerHyatt Hotels Corporation Tristen Crawford was located Tuesday afternoon and he is safe Mobile Police Department needs help locating Tristen Crawford He was last seen in the 4500 block of Schimpfs Lane last night wearing blue jeans black shoes and a black shirt with gold designs and it’s important he’s located and gets back home MPD has officers in the area currently searching for the missing teen Call (251) 208-7211 if you have seen or heard from him By Mike BrantleyPublished: Nov. 15, 2024 at 9:31 AM CSTEmail This LinkShare on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInMOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - The Mobile Police Department on Friday morning shared information about a man missing since Sunday was last seen in the 500 block of Helveston Street Investigators believe he could be in the Tillmans’s Corner/Theodore area Anyone with information about Jordan’s whereabouts is asked to contact police immediately (WPMI) — UPDATE: Mobile Police released the following Thursday evening: It was an unusual sight in Tillman's Corner Thursday morning traffic cameras captured a skid steer inching along 1-10 westbound from Rangeline Road to Highway 90 "I said there's an idiot out there on a Bobcat," said Butch Massey The driver of the stolen Kubota meandered around Exit 15 he turned around and went the wrong way toward drivers who'd been forced to put their vehicles in park "We just thought oh my gosh I can't believe this is happening," said one witness who declined to be named An out-of-state asphalt crew told us they discovered their $100,000 piece of equipment had been stolen Thursday morning and reported it to police We're told it was parked near Highway 90 and 1-10 in a hotel parking lot A sea of blue lights eventually circled the skid steer and after he was surrounded we saw officers point their weapons at the suspect One officer appeared to fire some kind of projectile He finally drove into the grass off the interstate near a ramp "The individual then attempted again to ram vehicles Shots were fired from officers and the vehicle was stopped," said Deputy Chief Melvin Jones Mobile Police have not released the suspect's identity or condition But there's a lot of homeless in this area There's been a lot of people walking around in the parking lot all morning," said Massey is the first of Hyatt Hotels Corporation's new Hyatt Studios extended-stay hotels Hyatt Hotels Corporation has announced the grand opening of its first-ever Hyatt Studios hotel This marks a significant milestone in the company's expansion of its offerings to cater to the growing demand for extended stay accommodations The location is ideal for tourists exploring local landmarks and professionals working in Mobile's diverse industries Hyatt Studios Mobile / Tillmans Corner features 122 studio apartment-style suites The design aims to deliver comfort and functionality making it an apt choice for long-term stays The brand also prioritizes the guest experience and the future of travel by offering free fiber internet and making EV charging stations a standard feature across all properties is concurrently advancing its next Hyatt Studios projects in Huntsville Hyatt Hotels Corporation expects to have 40 more Hyatt Studios hotels planned by 2027 Click here to join your colleagues and stay up to date on the latest hotel news and trends Copyright © Hotel News Resource & Nevistas | All rights reserved Metro Jail booked and processed Joseph Jones near the intersection of Noble Drive and Noble Lane in Tillmans Corner Jones attempted to hit one officer with the skid-steer he fled and made his way to westbound Interstate 10 near Highway 90 but Jones did not stop for officers and continued to flee the driver of the skid steer traveled eastbound in the westbound lanes of Interstate 10 before ultimately turning back around and exiting the interstate at Exit 15B back towards Highway 90 a Mobile Police Department unit was struck by the skid-steer intentionally causing major damage to the vehicle and multiple attempts by Jones to strike MPD patrol vehicles and personnel the pursuit ended after officers engaged the driver with gunfire The driver was injured and transported to a local hospital for treatment SEE ALSO: I-10 tractor chase ends in officer-involved shooting It's something usually used to move dirt at small construction sites one wielded by a man who police believe stole it Wednesday morning when officer spotted the stolen piece of equipment near an intersection in Tillman's Corner and tried to stop the driver What happened next triggered what could easily be classified as one of the most bizarre police chases in Mobile history "The individual in the vehicle attempted to ram a police vehicle,” says Mobile Deputy Police Chief Melvin Jones the driver of the Kubota took to Westbound I-10 even traveling eastbound in the westbound lane one of their police cars was intentionally hit by the Kubota MPD says the man eventually made his way to Exit 15 B in Tillman's Corner "The individual again attempted to ram vehicles shots were fired from officers and the vehicle was stopped." According to an MPD news release Wednesday evening the pursuit ended after "officers engaged the driver with gunfire." "As far as we know we think he was shot,” said the deputy chief police are not saying if the man was armed with a gun But an NBC 15 News camera caught efforts by first responders to give the man CPR only saying he was transported to a local hospital for treatment We spoke with some folks who say they work with the company that owns the piece of machinery and they told NBC 15 News that it had been parked in a lot near a hotel in Tillman's Corner before they discovered it stolen carted away on a trailer as evidence in one of the most unusual Mobile police encounters in recent history While we still don't know if the man was armed with a gun police do say he was using the Kubota skid steer as a weapon when he hit one of their vehicles Police say they learned he attempted to hit a citizen as well at the beginning of this very bizarre ordeal A masked man wearing no clothes was caught on camera scaring residents at a Tillman’s Corner apartment complex A resident at Claiborne Arms Apartments says the man lunged at her The woman who wishes to remain anonymous says she heard a noise outside of her apartment around 9:00 Monday night When she stepped outside her front door to investigate the noise a man wearing nothing but a mask and shoes charged at her from behind a stairwell The man told her to get inside and take off her clothes and what he’s capable of,” said Sabrina Pendergrass She says the man lingered around her apartment He was yelling outside her door but eventually left If he were to come in on one of us that has a child by ourselves how are we going to fight off a man and protect our child at the same time That is the scariest part is what could happen,” said Pendergrass Mobile Police Officers responded to Claiborne Arms Apartments on Monday night but did not find anyone "I just hope to God that he's caught that way the kids are a little bit safer,” said Pendergrass A Mobile Police Department spokesperson shared a statement with NBC 15 News .st1{fill-rule:evenodd;clip-rule:evenodd;fill:#2a2a2a}By Advance Local Weather AlertsA weather alert was issued by the National Weather Service on Saturday at 9:13 p.m Wind gusts of up to 50 mph and marble-sized hail (0.5 inches) are probable Doppler radar tracked a strong thunderstorm 6 miles southwest of Grand Bay moving northeast at 55 mph," states the weather service "Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects Minor damage to outdoor objects is possible." Locations impacted by the alert include Midtown Mobile consider seeking shelter inside a building A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 3 a.m Lightning strikes the United States approximately 25 million times each year with the bulk of these electrical discharges occurring during the summer months lightning claims the lives of about 20 individuals annually The risk of lightning-related incidents escalates as thunderstorms draw near reaching its peak when the storm directly looms overhead it gradually recedes as the tempest moves away To ensure your safety during a thunderstorm If you find yourself outdoors with no access to indoor shelter during a thunderstorm preparedness and vigilance are your best allies you can significantly reduce the likelihood of lightning-related incidents and prioritize your safety the risk of flooding and treacherous roads rises Here's your guide from the weather service to staying safe during downpours: avoid parking or walking near culverts or drainage ditches where swift-moving water can pose a serious risk Use the two-second rule to maintain a safe distance from the car in front of you and allow an extra two seconds in heavy rain Gradually ease off the accelerator and avoid abrupt braking to prevent skidding Stay toward the middle lanes - water tends to pool in the outside lanes Enhance your visibility in heavy rain by activating your headlights Be particularly vigilant for vehicles in blind spots The first half-hour of rain is when roads are slickest due to a mix of rain Exercise heightened caution during this period Don't follow large trucks or buses too closely The spray created by their large tires reduces your vision Take care when passing them as well; if you must pass Overloaded wiper blades can hinder visibility pull over and wait for conditions to improve Seek refuge at rest areas or protected spots Keep your headlights on and turn on emergency flashers to alert other drivers of your position you can significantly reduce risks and ensure your well-being when heavy rain pours down Stay informed about weather conditions and heed advice from local authorities to make your journey safe and sound Advance Local Weather Alerts is a service provided by United Robots which uses machine learning to compile the latest data from the National Weather Service Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, (updated 8/1/2024) and acknowledgement of our Privacy Policy, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (updated 1/1/2025) © 2025 Advance Local Media LLC. All rights reserved (About Us) The material on this site may not be reproduced except with the prior written permission of Advance Local Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site YouTube's privacy policy is available here and YouTube's terms of service is available here Ad Choices A Starbucks employee in Tillman’s Corner required stitches and vaccinations last week after a customer’s pet monkey attacked her in the drive-thru window The incident unfolded when the monkey jumped from the customer's vehicle A coworker managed to grab the monkey and throw it back outside The event occurred around 8:30 a.m. on Friday, January 10, at the Starbucks on Rangeline Road near Halls Mill Road. According to a report from the Mobile Police Department, the monkey leaped into the service window and attacked the employee after the customer pulled up to the drive-thru The animal was eventually pulled off the employee by a coworker and returned to the customer’s car before the customer drove off The Mobile Police Department confirmed that the monkey’s owner, identified as Tammy Elaine Gardner, left the scene before officers arrived. The Mobile County Health Department was informed of the attack and authorities are investigating the incident suffered bite wounds on her hands and a laceration to her ear she recalled that she had never interacted with the customer before As the customer arrived at the drive-thru window one of the monkeys jumped out of the car and immediately attacked her hand The animal then moved up her arm and bit her ear We never expected anything like that to happen,” the employee said “I didn’t even realize what was happening until I felt it on my head.” with the monkey becoming increasingly aggressive before being thrown back out of the window by a coworker the customer returned briefly to check on the employee but did not leave any personal information before leaving “I'm not willing to put my primate at any more risk Mobile Animal Services responded to the scene on January 10 and the Health Department followed up with the employee three days later The employee was required to get a rabies vaccination and undergo blood tests The Health Department later identified the monkey’s owner and began tracking the animal's health to ensure it didn't carry any infectious diseases Starbucks corporate responded by banning monkeys from the drive-thru directing employees to prevent them from coming through the service window though customers can still use the drive-thru if the animals remain in the vehicle The employee said she had learned that Gardner owns multiple monkeys and had previously driven through the Starbucks service line with them even dressing the animals in costumes and leashes confirmed that the monkey involved was an Aotus monkey Michaels noted that the animal’s health had been thoroughly checked and the monkey was cleared of any diseases after a veterinary evaluation the monkey’s owner was cited for two municipal violations: failing to restrain an animal and allowing a potentially dangerous animal to be unsupervised These violations each carry a $25 fine under city ordinances that require animals to be caged or leashed when off their owner’s property the employee expressed gratitude for her health insurance and Starbucks' workers' compensation benefits which will cover any out-of-pocket medical expenses She also mentioned receiving a personal call from a claims department representative who was surprised by the bizarre nature of the incident “I was shocked that something like this could happen at work,” she said “But I’m glad I’m getting the support I need to take care of myself.” Gallery Credit: Katherine Gallagher A Starbucks barista in Alabama was bitten by someone's pet monkey, when it jumped from its owner's car INTO the drive thru window. The employee needed stitches, and the police say the owner could face charges.\nRead More The event occurred around 8:30 a.m. on Friday, January 10, at the Starbucks on Rangeline Road near Halls Mill Road. According to a report from the Mobile Police Department, the monkey leaped into the service window and attacked the employee after the customer pulled up to the drive-thru The Mobile Police Department confirmed that the monkey’s owner, identified as Tammy Elaine Gardner, left the scene before officers arrived. The Mobile County Health Department was informed of the attack (WPMI) — The City of Mobile wants to recoup the thousands it spent securing a nuisance property in Tillmans Corner City inspectors found conditions at the Extend-A-Suites motel "unfit for human occupancy" last November the trash has been removed and all the windows and doors have been boarded up "The property has been secured after quite a bit of time of vagrants and homeless and other people using this facility as their own," said Councilman Ben Reynolds He says the city is now in the process of getting back the $5,850 spent securing the site The council will hold a public hearing and vote after the amount owed is legally advertised "The taxpayer paid money for it to happen the next step will be we'll go after the cost associated with boarding it up," said Reynolds Reynolds says cleaning up one property doesn't solve all the problems in the community and he says he's getting complaints almost daily about issues in Tillmans Corner the problem that we've discussed in the past couple of years with homelessness (WPMI) — There were four drug overdoses back to back in Tillman’s Corner on Sunday Officials suspect these incidents are related and now an investigation is underway NBC 15 spoke with some folks who work in Tillman’s Corner who said seeing people high on drugs is nothing new but four drug overdoses this close together is something they're highly concerned about “Apparently something bad is going on,” Rodney Hollowell said It was right after 12 o'clock Sunday afternoon when the Mobile Fire-Rescue Department responded to the Winn-Dixie parking lot in Tillman’s Corner for a couple who had overdosed on drugs a Winn-Dixie pharmacist ran out to administer Narcan "The Quality Inn and Suites right around 12:30 then just before 1 o'clock on Halls Mill near Firehouse Subs,” MFRD Public Information Officer Steven Millhouse said A 42-year-old woman was found unresponsive in a shower at the Quality Inn another unresponsive person was found at the other end of Tillman’s Corner gentleman locked himself up in the bathroom said he doesn't know what it's going to take to see change He used to work at another business in Tillman’s Corner "Couple days later on that first month of working there flopping around like a fish,” Hollowell said Seen him two weeks later walking down on the street again like nothing The Mobile Police Department said no arrests have been made in connection with these incidents The MPD said it takes these matters very seriously and is working diligently to gather information it’s a really bad problemI don't even know how to fix it or address it,” Hollowell said NBC 15 also reached out to the Mobile County Sheriff's Office to see if investigators are looking at these four incidents as well No word from officials yet on what exactly is going around but sources have said they suspect it's laced with fentanyl (WPMI) — A speculation firestorm swept through Mobile Monday sparked by rumored sightings of the subject of a nationwide search Authorities are trying to find Brian Laundrie a person of interest in the disappearance of his fiancée Gabby Petito Since Friday rumors have been flying that he'd been seen in Tillman's Corner Today Mobile Police found a body at a Walmart in that area adding fuel to the rumor mill Police were on scene for hours meanwhile the Mobile mayor's Chief of Staff confirmed the body found was not that of Brian Laundrie Multiple Mobile Police officers along with a lead homicide detective were out there looking for clues as to what happened Their investigation was targeted behind a dumpster with yellow police tape around it behind that dumpster a body lying on the ground Throughout the day officers spoke to people who were on the scene About 30 yards from the dumpster was a black backpack and it too had crime tape around it UPDATE: (9:00 p.m.):MFRD tells us the Walmart is closed indefinitely due to significant fire damage UPDATE: (5:05pm): Mobile Fire says arson investigation underway Mobile Fire-Rescue units have responded to a fire inside an area Walmart A fire department spokesperson says units were dispatched to the Tillmans Corner Walmart at 3:37 Friday On Thursday, MFRD units responded to the Walmart on the I-65 Service road for a fire inside.That fire has been determined to be arson. This is a developing story and will be updated (WPMI) — The Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) partnered with the City of Mobile on a traffic signal improvement project to reduce delays along US-90 in Tillman’s Corner from Swedetown Rd to just north of Lowe’s at the US-90 West Service Rd This 4-mile stretch of roadway carries up to roughly 27,000 motorists per day and includes seventeen traffic signals drivers often experienced delays along this corridor year- round worked with ALDOT and the consulting firm Kimley Horn to make the necessary changes and implement new timing plans “The scope of work included installing new communications and software and updating the timing plans to reduce congestion and overall delay,” said ALDOT Southwest Region traffic engineer Adam Spence the traffic signals are now coordinated together to allow for more signals to be green at the same time early indications show that travel times have been reduced anywhere from 15% to as much as 50% over the entire 4-mile segment compared to prior travel times Those numbers translate into savings of time and money each year provided directly to users that travel this stretch of US-90 early indications also suggest a significant improvement in route reliability This means motorists can now expect to have similar experiences with travel times throughout the day which aids a motorist in planning their trips Additional benefits of the project are expected to include reduced crashes While motorists may still experience some congestion around peak travel times they should expect their overall travel times to be lessened ALDOT traffic engineers plan to continue to monitor the corridors’ performance and make adjustments as needed over the coming months to optimize the corridor fully This project costs roughly $160,000 and was funded with federal and state matching funds ALDOT has funded and is completing a study of the same segment of roadway to look at access management options to further improve traffic flow and safety A public involvement meeting will be scheduled soon for that effort ALDOT plans to continue working with the City to fund and retime the remaining traffic signals on US-90 as well as US-98 and US-45 in the City of Mobile This work will be performed under ALDOT’s new program called Regional Traffic Operations (RTOP) that is being implemented That program will also upgrade and retime traffic signals on other state routes located in Mobile (WPMI) — Anita Hopper hasn't been getting much sleep lately She's up at all hours peering through the blinds monitoring the activity outside her Rester Road home that she's lived in for 50 years "There's a lot of disorderly conduct," said Hopper She says homeless people have stolen tools out of her neighbor's shed and passed out on the property she says two homeless men were fighting in front of her home "You could tell they were either drunk or they were on something," said Hopper She says there are homeless people living in the woods behind her home that back up to Carol Plantation and Boykin Park in Theodore She routinely hears men arguing and even more menacing sounds You don't know what they're shooting at," said Hopper The trash is absolutely out of this world," said Kathleen Myrtle Myrtle lives three miles away on Johnson Road in Tillman's Corner Myrtle says a homeless camp in the woods there is creating havoc "There's a lot of ruckus and whatnot that goes on over there," said Myrle A spokesperson for Mobile says there's an increase in complaints and reports about homeless people in Tillman's Corner but law enforcement can become involved if crimes or violations are occurring In response to some of the concerns in this area we have recently begun stepping up enforcement in the 2nd Precinct and issuing citations for any violations that are observed," said spokesperson Jason Johnson in an email Johnson says the city relies heavily on non-profit partners to provide outreach and that the city helps fund those organizations Johnson also told us that in recent months the city has focused on preventing homelessness by paying to re-house folks who've been evicted and funding a rental assistance program "Something needs to be done," said Hopper Hopper says she's connected with others who share her concern on social media and she's hoping to come together and work with agencies to try to address this also says this is something he's been looking at because he's been getting complaints Here's the full statement from the city: "Whether it's through partnerships with local social services or law enforcement we try to approach homelessness with compassion The Mobile Police Department has received reports and complaints about an increase in unhoused persons in the Tillman’s Corner area we have recently begun stepping up enforcement in the 2nd Precinct and issuing citations for any violations that are observed law enforcement cannot eliminate homelessness or address its underlying causes which is why we lean heavily on our partners in the non-profit sector that provide outreach and services for homeless individuals in our community Through performance contracts and federal funds for the homeless the City contributes to organizations like the Salvation Army The City also has two representatives on the Mobile area Continuum of Care which is a consortium of charities and agencies that focus on preventing homelessness and assisting to house those that are homeless we have also focused on preventing homelessness by putting funding into re-housing those that have been evicted and preventing evictions through a rental assistance program set up with partners like Legal Services of Alabama and Penelope House We also recently set aside $3.5 million from the City of Mobile’s American Rescue Plan dollars that will go into continuing and expanding these rental and utility assistance programs through partnerships with Housing First These additional partnerships are projected to be finalized later this month Our staff has also been assisting those needing further assistance by helping them through the County’s application for their nearly $20M federally funded rental assistance program that was awarded last year to jurisdictions with more than 200,000 residents." Hyatt's first upper-midscale extended-stay brand experiencing growing pipeline with strong interest from developers Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) marks Hyatt's entry into upper-midscale lodging in the Americas with the groundbreaking of the first Hyatt Studios property Hyatt has entered into a franchise agreement with 3H Group Inc The Hyatt Studios brand is expected to be a key accelerator for Hyatt building on Hyatt's six years of industry leading net rooms growth the first planned Hyatt Studios hotel will provide guests with easy access to the Gulf Coast The property will be located just 10 miles from Mobile International Airport and near historical and cultural destinations including the USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park GulfQuest National Maritime Museum of the Gulf of Mexico and the Mobile Carnival Museum the city boasts a diverse range of industries in manufacturing The construction of Hyatt Studios Mobile/Tillman's Corner is expected to create dozens of local jobs and enrich Mobile's hospitality industry Following Hyatt's announcement of the Hyatt Studios brand in April strong interest from hotel developers is contributing to a growing pipeline The brand's growth is further evidenced by a newly executed deal for a Hyatt Studios hotel in Portland Hyatt's first franchise agreement with Giri Hotel Management - a hotel group that operates more than 50 hotels in New England - for a 122-room Hyatt Studios hotel at Portland International Jetport (PWM) that will serve Maine's largest city Portland has witnessed a continuous surge in leisure and business travel in recent years with several airlines adding new non-stop routes from PWM and a variety of industries expanding their presence in the area in line with the overall Hyatt Studios brand centers the needs of an evolving guest demographic offering cozy home comforts with the flexibility The forthcoming hotel will be perfectly situated near Portland's charming historic downtown and breathtaking year-round destinations along Maine's coast including Kennebunkport as well as ski resorts in Maine and New Hampshire The Hyatt Studios brand will join the Hyatt Place Hyatt House and Caption by Hyatt brands in Hyatt's select service category and broaden the guest experiences offered by World of Hyatt widely recognized as the industry's leading loyalty program quadrupling in number of members over the past five years guests can anticipate the high quality and contemporary style that is characteristic of the Hyatt brand and rooms that emulate studio apartments offering dedicated space to work Serving extended-stay and transient demand To learn more about the Hyatt Studios brand, visit https://www.hyatt.com/development/ourbrands/hyattstudios The term "Hyatt" is used in this release for convenience to refer to Hyatt Hotels Corporation and/or one or more of its affiliates Hotel website Share on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInMOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - Two people were booked into the Mobile County Metro Jail after Mobile police said they tried to rob a Walmart Officers responded the Walmart on Rangeline Road just before 2 p.m 35-year-old Robert Jackson and 27-year-old Victoria Fortner tried to leave the store without paying for the items Jackson allegedly threatened the employees but were stopped by officers not long afterward (WPMI) — Mobile Police say 42-year-old Melissa Cody died after she was shot in the stomach in a Days Inn motel room in Tillman's Corner Wednesday Records show she'd listed Olsson's Motel on Government Boulevard as an address A manager there says she moved out months ago and he didn't know her Police say a man who was also shot in the hotel room survived and drove himself to a nearby urgent care A third man who was in the hotel room was questioned and released Ala (WPMI) — For several months now NBC15 has reported on the numerous homeless camps in Mobile The camps behind the Lowes in Tillmans Corner under the bridge at I-65 near Government Boulevard Now one business down the road from the first Lowes encampment says they're facing the problem too "It's hard to rent a building if you have a problem that looks like it's going to be a potential crime," said Chris Stratas Trash was seen everywhere- Chris Stratas is the building manager of Patmos Plaza He says they've been dealing with a homeless issue for months now "It was a mess it...someone had opened up the dumpster and put everything out on the ground then it was trailed all the way back to the woods and I didn't realize there was an encampment back there," said Stratas Stratas says this is not the first time they've dealt with the issue Saying when the Lowes camp moved out they affected a couple of their properties they cut the locks off the sockets outside and they were using the power to charge all of their devices and then we also had to put a lock on the water there because they were showering in the parking lot Saying some damage repairs are estimated to be around 5 thousand dollars "My spicket was ripped off the exterior wall They ripped the pipe out of the wall and flooded the tenant's unit," he said He added one of their main concerns is also safety Kimberly Goldsberry works in one of the rental spaces she says the incident has her looking over her shoulder "It's scary when I come out here when I have any money or anything of value I'm having to look twice," said Kimberly Goldsberry Now the manager and renters are pleading with the City of Mobile to take action "They need to be swift in action because this is our business." said Stratas (WPMI) — A small crowd stood in the Tillman's Corner Walmart parking lot Many of them had their phones out and watched as homicide detectives gathered evidence where a man's body had been discovered near a dumpster A scene NBC 15 News was live streaming on Facebook Speculation was running wild that the body might've been Brian Laundrie the person of interest in the Gabby Petito's death thousands on Facebook watched the scene unfold Our internal analytics showed people from Los Angeles to New York and everywhere in between watching the stream "What are you curious about?" asked NBC 15's Andrea Ramey "Just curious to see if it is the guy everybody says it is," replied Billy Trentham Police later confirmed it was not Laundrie Mobile Police had received tips Laundrie had been spotted in Tillman's Corner NBC 15 has confirmed that Mobile Police Officers were in the Tillman’s Corner area Monday following up on leads that Brian Laundrie was seen in the area over the weekend MORE ON BRIAN LAUNDRIE (WPMI) — Mobile Police have arrested and charged a man they say killed 42-year-old Melissa Cody in Tillman's Corner last week 35-year-old has been arrested and charged with murder and burglary first degree This is after he shot and killed Cody at a Days Inn motel room in Tillman's Corner Wednesday His bond hearing is set for Thursday morning Ala (WPMI) — The homeless community living in the woods behind the Lowe's in Tillman's Corner has two days to pack up and leave we told you about complaints from a business owner who says the group has been stealing and damaging his property Now volunteers have stepped up to help clean up the area and relocate the folks living there "I was contacted by several business owners in the area complaining about homeless in the area they could not leave equipment on their property because it was stolen and vandalized," said Mobile County Commissioner Randall Dueitt Wednesday those living in the woods will be forced to move out "I feel like it's a situation that has been here a long time," said Dale Pfeiffer "You know mental illness is always a factor in homelessness And when you have mentally ill people living in dire situations with no public service like water and sewage these situations happen," said Elizabeth Chiepalich founder and director of Homeless in Mobile "I'm concerned about them around my business but you know I'm concerned about Tillman's Corner also.. like to see that it gets cleaned up and everybody feels safe in Tillman's Corner," said Thomas Smith She says she was told by city officials the woods would be cleared out on Wednesday "There were some complaints by neighbors and businesses in the area and I understand why the city had to do this I'm thankful that this time the city reached out to me to let me know that this impending eviction was going to happen so that way we could give the homeless citizens here a heads up," said Chiepalich Now they are working on what's next for the community to help find a solution "The city and council have no plans or place for them to be relocated The homeless in mobile group is going to do what it takes to work one on one and get these folks relocated," said Chiepalich has entered into a franchise agreement with Hyatt to build the inaugural Hyatt Studios hotel in Tillman's Corner The site will mark Hyatt's first branded hotel in the area and is strategically located near Mobile Bay's Gulf Coast providing extended-stay guests exceptional value and easy access to this rapidly expanding port city "We are honored to be a part of this significant milestone with Hyatt," said Hiren Desai "Hyatt's unwavering commitment to delivering world-class service to owners operators and guests alike makes them the ideal hospitality company to expand our extended-stay presence in this growing community." Be sure to visit the new Wendy's and see what all it has to offer! Martha Ulmer of the Carlisle Corporation speaks with Heather Healy on this exciting grand opening! MOBILE, Ala. (WPMI) — Saturday, the Southwest Mobile County Chamber of Commerce hosted the 9th annual Kids Day. This year was a drive-through event at the Tillman's Corner Community Center on Carol Plantation Road. They had a thousand bookbags full of school supplies to give out as well as gifts from partnering-businesses. Tina Poiroux the executive director with the Southwest Mobile County Chamber says the turnout was great. "The turnout was amazing, the weather was great. We had a lot of vendors that have donated today to make this event possible, and we're just excited to give back to the community." You can see the event was Disney-themed as both workers and kids were wearing their mouse ears. Armstrong Williams takes on the news of the week and asks the questions you want answered. Don’t miss our weekly town hall. City code enforcement officers issue citations at Tillman's Corner homeless camp by Andrea Ramey MOBILE, Ala (WPMI) — Heaps of trash that accumulated at a homeless camp were hauled out of the woods off Highway 90 last week. Homeless advocates worked with those living there to find other arrangements, but at least two people remained camped there Monday. "Because they've been there a while you know, and it's just like your home, you know?" said Gregory Smullen. Smullen says he is homeless but did not live at that camp. He helped clean it last week and spoke with people living there. "I know that there's one individual back there that is debilitated by mental illness, sometimes catatonic," said Elizabeth Chiepalich, who runs the Homeless in Mobile ministry. Chiepalich says they're trying to get him help. "It's my understanding he was not removed from the property and me and some other homeless advocates are at this point working to have that man committed," said Chiepalich. Chiepalich believes lack of access to mental health care is one of the root causes of the problem. "The majority of these people that are homeless in Tillman's corner first of all, suffer significant mental illness. The vast majority of them were not born with the privileges that you and I and most people were born with," said Chiepalich. "The mental health system in Alabama is greatly underfunded and deficient and there's just not programs to follow up from inpatient care to save the lives of these people." On Monday, city code enforcement officers issued two citations for trespassing, but Smullen believes if the two people staying there leave, they'll just trespass somewhere else in other woods. "That's all we got. That's one place we have to go. I mean, you know, we don't have no no kind of shelters," said Smullen. Chiepalich is organizing a meeting Wednesday for homeless advocates and other stake holders to discuss solutions like establishing an organized camping site. Search for two who dumped crate of puppies at Tillman's Corner vet without food and waterby Emily Pounds Ala (WPMI) — Mobile Police are looking for these two people who they say left puppies outside the Tillman's Corner Veterinarian Hospital but the veterinarian says they left nine puppies in one crate...with no food or water...on a day the clinic was closed a good Samaritan spotted the litter of 6–8-week-old pups and immediately called the veterinarian "They happened to stop and see that there were some puppies," said Dr the owner of Tillman's Corner Veterinarian Hospital says he is not shocked when pets are dropped at the doorstep but this amount of pups took him by surprise "This is the most that we have ever seen that have been dropped off here but this is the first time that we had an entire litter dumped on us," said Dr "They were all covered in urine and feces and it looks like they had been like that for a while." Left in the heat he added they were excessively dehydrated "We had to continue to keep them from drinking the water that was running off of them," he said Mims handed the pups over to the City of Mobile Animal Shelter to hopefully find the culprits "It is illegal to abandon animals in the state of Alabama under the state law and the city ordinance," said Jennifer Greene the City of Mobile Director of programs and project management "If those people are identified we will defiantly be considering pressing charges against them for abandonment." Jennifer Greene with the city says despite the conditions the puppies were found in and they have been under the care of our vet at the shelter and they are doing great and we are actually preparing them for adoption," said Greene The couple stormed off in a white Hyundai SUV with a black bug protector on the front of the car (WPMI) — Keep Mobile Beautiful and the Southwest Mobile County Chamber of Commerce teamed up Saturday to plant azaleas in Tillmans Corner outside the Tillmans Corner Community Center on Carol Plantation Road behind Griggs Elementary School Keep Mobile Beautiful was able to purchase the azaleas using funds from the sale of KMB Azalea Trail Bonds and community donations is a non-profit organization dedicated to keeping Mobile County clean For more information on this project and others, click here. FBI offering reward in Walmart fire casesby Brad Gunther (WPMI) — The FBI has announced a $2500 reward for information leading to the identity and location of the people depicted in surveillance photographs from the Mobile and Gulfport Walmarts Anyone with information is asked to call the FBI at 251-438-3674. MOBILE, Ala. (WPMI) — The Mobile Waterfront Rescue Mission, their partners, and volunteers passed out hot meals Tuesday ahead of Thanksgiving at First Baptist Church in Tillman's Corner. Perry Taylor came to pick up his meal and told NBC 15 that seeing a community come together like this for people like him makes him feel wonderful. "These people are really good people and they go far and beyond anything I ever seen. Helping people out here, they feed us constantly, and they take care of us. I'm very honored," Taylor said. "I'll tell you man, just living everyday out here is really hard. I struggle with my addictions. It's tough but I got God. But you know, it is what it is, we do what we do, and it's going to get better." Not only were meals passed out at First Baptist Church, they were delivered by members of the community who can relate to people living on the streets, members like John Roush. "After I left the streets, I never turned back," Roush said. "I've always brought back to the streets, socks, shoes, things in that nature, especially food." So Roush packed a truck full of hot meals to head out to local encampments. "What are some of the reactions, what are the feelings that they express to you?" NBC 15 Reporter Lisa Librenjak asked. "Thankfulness is one of the biggest, main things. But I'd say the second thing is tears. You'd be amazed at the thankfulness, how it brings tears to their eyes because somebody is willing to just reach out and give them a hug.," Roush replied. In total, about 300 meals were passed out Tuesday. The next meal distribution is on Thanksgiving, beginning at 11 a.m. at the Mobile Waterfront Rescue Mission at 279 N. Washington Ave. Between Mobile and Pensacola, the Waterfront Rescue Mission is expecting to serve about 5,000 meals for Thanksgiving. Two homes destroyed by fire on General Rd in Tillman's Corner by Keith Lane (WPMI) — Following reports of a fire on General Rd in Tillman's Corner there is lots of activity and are multiple trucks on scene a house and a trailer home on the same property were both destroyed Everyone made it out safely and no firefighters were injured The cause of the fire is still under investigation MOBILE, Ala. (WPMI) — Shots were fired Friday morning during a dramatic take down at a Tractor Supply in Theodore. Witnesses said two men were trying to steal merchandise and that's when customers took action, determined to stop them. The shots did not come from the suspects. One customer pulled out his gun and shot out at least one of the tires on the suspect's SUV. "Don't come to Theodore and rob a Tractor Supply without knowing the person is going to have a gun, everyone is walking around with guns in Theodore," Ryan Maxie said. Maxie and his fiancé Katie Clark were in the parking lot when they heard shots fired after two men loaded up their buggy with unpaid merchandise. "I was trying to call 911 while we were seeing what was going on," Clark said. Turns out the two suspects, Troy Brown and Toby Priest, thought they were going to get away but customers had a different plan. Priest was pulled out of the getaway SUV by a customer, according to witnesses. "What was funny is the guy put his hands up to his mouth and went like that, and when he went like that, a big o'l bag full of white powder came and hit the ground. It was like dude, we all know you threw it," Maxie said. "You got like 15 people standing around, everybody is going to be able to tell." The other suspect, Brown, took off but he didn't make it far since a different customer shot out one of the tires. "They kind of beat on each other inside the car, the guy was trying to get him so he wouldn't start the car," Maxie said. "Unfortunately, he was able to get it started and floored it back so the guy had to step back so he didn't get hit. When he floored it back he came out this entrance place and went to that light right there and hit a U-turn and kind of did a couple donuts in the road." Mobile Police later found that car abandoned with at least one flat tire on Highway 90 at the I-10 entrance. "The guy that was in the car had a mask on so it was kind of difficult to tell," Maxie said. Maxie and other witnesses said Mobile Police eventually found Brown, the suspect that fled. They also said when he returned, he had a whole new outfit on. Brown and Priest were booked into Mobile Metro Jail and are being charged with felony theft in the 3rd degree. ALEA identifies man struck and killed by a vehicle in Tillmans Cornerby Kearyon Chestang (WPMI) — UPDATE 5/20/2019: ALEA identified the man struck and killed on I-10 as 38-year-oldJason Lee Duggins of Grand Bay ALEA said Duggins was initially struck by a2009 Toyota Corolla driven by Bryan Conway of Loxley and additionally by a 2006 Peterbilt driven by Kenneth Lee No further information is available as troopers continue their investigation Authorities are working reports of a fatality on I-10 WB near mile marker 15 I-10 WB traffic in that area is being diverted to Highway 90 MPD and Alabama State Troopers are working the scene Alabama law enforcement confirms that the pedestrian was killed