Sewer overflows of more than 2 million gallons spill into Mobile County waterways

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - Recent heavy rains have caused numerous sanitary sewer overflows that have spilled more than 2 million gallons into area waterways, according to the Mobile Health Department.

Both the Mobile Area Water & Sewer System (MAWSS) and Prichard Water Works & Sewer Board have reported spills.

Prichard officials estimated that overflows occurred Wednesday and Thursday at the following locations:

Meanwhile, MAWSS reported Thursday that it found evidence of an overflow that happened Wednesday at McVay Drive and Navco Road. The estimated amount was unavailable, officials said.

MAWSS crews also responded Monday to an overflow at 9220 Airport Boulevard that released about 1,800 gallons into Pierce Creek, the utility reported.

The health department said the overflows occur when untreated or partially treated sewage leaves the sanitary sewer system through manholes, broken pipes, pump stations or building cleanouts before reaching a wastewater treatment plant. Sewage can contain bacteria, viruses and parasites that cause diarrhea, vomiting, skin infections and other illnesses.

Dr. Kevin Michaels, health officer for Mobile County, reminded residents to avoid contact with affected water, soil and any obvious sewage; keep children and pets away from ditches, creeks, flooded areas and standing water that may be contaminated; and avoid swimming, wading or fishing in posted areas or in water that looks or smells contaminated.

Residents who come into contact with possibly contaminated water or soil should wash their skin and clothing thoroughly with soap and clean water as soon as possible.

In addition, spills happened Monday and Tuesday at the following locations:

>td >Chin St. & Butts St.

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3 MEN ARRESTED FOR JOE CAIN DAY SHOOTING PLEAD GUILTY

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - Three men arrested on successive days near the site of a mass shooting on Joe Cain Day pleaded guilty to federal gun charges Thursday.

Mobile County District Attorney Keith Blackwood said at the time that the arrests might have prevented even more violence.

The shooting on the night of Feb. 15 outside of a nightclub on Dauphin Street wounded seven people, including the two men accused of shooting at each other. Minutes later, an unrelated shooting occurred in a parking lot a block south on Joachim Street.

On Thursday, Kelvin Barnes Jr., Joshua Marcel Pugh and Braedan Matthew Thomas all pleaded guilty to possession of an illegal Glock switch.

Police arrested Barnes on Feb. 15 at North Jackson and St. Francis streets a couple of hours before the two shootings later that night. of there on Joachim Street. He had a Glock switch and was yelling at another man, according to his written plea agreement.

Thomas admitted that he had an illegal Glock switch the next day. According to his plea agreement, he appeared in a video mocking the victim in the Joachim Street shooting. Police said that man was trying to rob another man, who fired in self-defense.

According to court records, officers with the Mobile Police Department’s gang unit saw Thomas walking on North Broad Street near Springhill Avenue about 40 minutes after the video appeared on Instagram. He resisted and repeatedly reached toward his waistband, and a gun fell to the ground, according to court records.

Police arrested Pugh on Feb. 17, Fat Tuesday, at a gas station on North Broad Street. He admitted that he had a Glock switch, telling a police officer who approached him: “The button is in my bookbag.”

All three defendants are scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 27. The maximum penalty is 10 years in prison, but prosecutors have agreed to recommend prison terms at the bottom of the sentencing guideline range.

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https://www.fox10tv.com/2026/05/29/3-men-found-with-glock-switches-plead-guilty-federal-gun-charges/