New Anniston polling place

People who live in Ward Four in the city of Anniston will soon have a new place to vote. The old polling place was the Mental Health Center on Eighth Street, which--now that ward boundaries have changed--is now in Ward Three. The Anniston Star reports that officials of the Anniston Country Club have been contacted about using their facility as the new polling place. The city is now awaiting a decision from the club's board of directors.

Night hunter trial delayed

Trial has been delayed for an Albertville man charged with hunting from a railroad, night hunting, hunting with night vision equipment and hunting without permission. 36-year-old Christopher Higdon was to have gone on trial in Guntersville Tuesday but the judge cited a personal conflict and recused himself from the case. Late last month, authorities received a report of shots fired just outside of Guntersville and discovered Higdon allegedly hunting deer in an electric ATV altered to ride railroad tracks. Conservation officers say Higdon had extended the axles to line up with the tracks and cut out the centers of the tires to ride the rails.

Hazardous weather outlook

The National Weather Service has issued a hazardous weather outlook for an area including North Alabama. Widespread thunderstorms plus strong, gusty winds are expected ahead of a slow-moving cold front. There is a slight risk of severe thunderstorms with damaging winds in excess of 60 miles an hour and locally heavy rainfall. There is also a threat of an isolated tornado. The chance of thunderstorms will diminish after midnight.

Hardin hearing

A hearing is set for Thursday for the Etowah County woman charged in the death of her stepdaughter. Authorities say nine-year-old Savannah Hardin was forced to run for three hours as punishment for eating candy bars. 27-year-old Jessica Hardin is charged with murder, as is the girl's grandmother, 46-year-old Joyce Garrard. Jessica Hardin gave birth to another child soon after her arrest last week. She is now back in the Etowah County jail after being released from a hospital. Court dockets don't reveal the subject of Thursday's hearing

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DeKalb aids Tennessee search

The DeKalb County sheriff's mounted unit went toTennessee to help police there search for a woman who has been missing since April 2011. 20-year-old nursing student Holly Bobo was last seen being dragged from her home in Parsons, Tennessee by a man wearing camouflage. The DeKalb unit searched the Natchez Trace National Forest over the weekend.

Fatal Cherokee County wreck

A two-vehicle crash in Cherokee County killed a teenager and injured another person Monday night. State troopers say it happened around 6:15 on U.S. 411 about 10 miles east of Centre. 18-year-old Larry Corn of Cedartown, Georgia was pronounced dead at the scene. His passenger, 23-year-old Dominique Dudley was taken to a hospital. The driver of the other vehicle was not injured.

Fishing winner

An Albertville man weighed a five-bass limit totaling 24 pounds, 11 ounces Saturday to win the Walmart Bass Fishing League Music City Division event on Lake Guntersville. For his victory, Alex Davis earned almost six-thousand dollars.

Patrol car break-in suspects

The two men arrested and charged in a series of Etowah County patrol car break-ins and thefts were identified Friday. They are 24-year-old Nicholas Scott Swann and 21-year-old David Lee Whitney, both of Attalla. A third person might also face charges. Swann was arrested Tuesday and Whitney was arrested Thursday at the airport in Atlanta and waived his extradition back to Alabama. Items they are accused of stealing from police include four AR15 rifles, three shot guns, one 22 caliber rifle and one bullet proof vest.

Absentee ballots suit

The U.S. Government is suing the state of Alabama and Secretary of State Beth Chapman. The government contends that the state sent absentee ballots to the armed forces too late for troops to vote in the March 13th Alabama Presidential Primary. Chapman declined to comment until she's had time to study the lawsuit.

Alabamian wins Oscar

For the only the second time, an Alabamian has won an Oscar. At last night's Academy Awards, Auburn University graduate Octavia Spencer received the award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the hit movie, The Help. It's based on a novel written by Alabama grad Kathryn Stockett. The first person from Alabama to win an Oscar was Birmingham native Louise Fletcher, Best Actress in "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest."

Fishing boat capsizes

High winds on Friday afternoon capsized a fishing boat in the Tennessee River at Port of Decatur near Ingalls Harbor. The boat could not be saved, but two men on it were rescued. According to Marine Police, they were 27-year-old Justin Hall Tyler of Somerville and 23-year-old Quinton Williams of Arab. While both exhibited signs of hypothermia, neither was believed to have sustained life-threatening injuries.

New Albertville department

The city of Albertville has a new department. According to the Sand Mountain Reporter, the city council on Monday night approved a plan by Mayor Lindsey Lyons to merge the street and sanitation departments into one Public Works Department. The general manager of the Albertville Public Works Department will be Michael Tucker, who used to be director of the street/miscellaneous department.

9-year-old murdered

Roger Simpson said he looked down the road and saw a little girl running outside her home in Carlisle Acres but didn't give it another thought. Authorities in Etowah County, however, say the man witnessed a murder in progress. They say 9-year-old Savannah Hardin died after being forced to run for three hours as punishment for having lied to her grandmother about eating candy bars. Severely dehydrated, the girl had a seizure and died three days later. Now, her grandmother and her stepmother, who police say meted out the punishment were taken to jail Wednesday. 46-year-old Joyce Hardin Garrard and 27-year-old Jessica Mae Hardin, both of Attalla, face murder charges. Also on Wednesday, the stepmother, Jessica Mae Hardin, gave birth in a Gadsden hospital while under the guard of sheriff's deputies.

Wind advisory

The National Weather Service has issued a wind advisory for North Alabama, including Marshall and DeKalb counties. It's in effect until nine o'clock tonight. An approaching storm system will increase southwest winds to between 20 and 25 miles an hour. In addition, winds will frequently gust to 35 miles an hour. Winds of this magnitude can blow around any unsecured outdoor objects, blow down loose tree limbs and making driving difficult for those in high-profile vehicles.

9-year-old homicide vistim

A nine-year-old girl collapsed on Friday afternoon at a residence in the Carlisle community between Attalla and Boaz and died Sunday at Children's Hospital in Birmingham. The Etowah County coroner's office identified the girl as Savannah Hardin. Authorities say Savannah's collapse followed some sort of incident and her death is being treated as a homicide.

Stolen guns recovered

Guns and other items recently stolen from police cruisers in Etowah County have reportedly been recovered and two men have been arrested. Authorities are crediting tips from citizens with helping them locate one long gun, two AR-15 rifles and a bullet proof vest in various locations around Etowah County.

Ex-candidate charged with rape

Last week, a Rainsville man was running for DeKalb County Coroner; this week, he's charged with second-degree rape. 50-year-old Keary Chandler, who said he withdrew as a candidate for personal reasons, was arrested Tuesday. DeKalb County Sheriff Jimmy Harris says a woman alleges that Chandler raped her when she was 12 years old. She says that at the time he was her Sunday school teacher. The sheriff says there is no statute of limitations on rape.

Drug search, arrests

Following a two-month investigation, the Calhoun-Cleburne Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force executed a search warrant last Friday at a home on Marguerite Avenue in eastern Anniston. They found marijuana, crack cocaine, Oxycontin and methadone pills, plus several assault rifles. Arrested on multiple charges including drug possession were Lemarius Jackson and Michael Boone, who have since bonded out of the Calhoun County Jail.

Tree, seedling sale

If you're looking to replace trees lost in the storms and tornadoes over the last couple of years, you might want to circle this Saturday on your calendar. According to the Sand Mountain Reporter, the Keep Albertville Beautiful board and Albertville Lions Club will give away seedlings and small trees from 11 AM to 1 PM at the Albertville Municipal Airport. There will be some four-to six inch hardwood trees available, plus two-inch seedlings that were planted in biodegradable containers by four-graders from Albertville Elementary and Marshall Christian Academy.

four-wheeler wheeler dealer

A Webster's Chapel man is accused of stealing a four-wheeler that used to belong to him. 40-year-old Joseph Patrick Woodard is charged with first-degree theft of property. Glencoe police say Woodard had bought the four-wheeler new in 2001 and eventually sold it. The current owner brought it in to Woodard's brother for repairs. When he couldn't fix it, Woodard took it to do the repairs, then, without telling his brother, sold it someone else, who had since sold it again. It was located through an advertisement on Craigslist and recovered in Moody.

Fort Payne fishing winner

A Fort Payne man won the Walmart Bass Fishing League Bama Division event on Lake Guntersville last Saturday. Bryan Gregory weighed a five-bass limit totaling 34 pounds even for the victory and more than four-thousand dollars in prize money. Gregory said "I got lucky and was able to fish the right thing at the right time and it worked out for me. That's the way Guntersville is."

City council member sued

The Anniston Star reports that a member of the Anniston City Council is being sued for sexual harassment. The action against David Dawson was filed by an Ashville woman, Kay Dodd, who worked for Dawson at Anniston Pathology Management Services. That company along with Regional Medical Center and RMC employee Tim Jones are also named as defendants. According to the Star, Dodd alleges that Dawson sexually harrassed and assaulted her last August. Dawson resigned from Anniston Pathology in January over what he called "a disagreement" after working there for 30 years.

3rd kidnap, assault arrest

A third person has been accused in the case of a woman who claims she was held hostage and beaten for four days in Marshall County. Police arrested 25-year-old Amber Leigh Vinson of Albertville. Vinson was charged with kidnapping and assault following a warrant stemming from a Grand jury indictment. Previously arrested and charged in the case were Jonathan Lee Cranford and Robert Matthew Brown.

Sex abuse arrest

An Anniston man has been arrested in a sexual abuse case involving a child. According to the Calhoun County Sheriff's Office, 29-year-old Richard Felix Kendall is charged with rape and sodomy. The victim is reportedly 11 years old. Kendall is being held in the Calhoun County Jail.

Youth for Christ rally

A former University of Alabama football star will speak at the Youth for Christ 15th anniversary rally this Saturday in Anniston. A parade will begin at 8:30 AM at Zinn Park followed by the rally at 9 AM at Friendship Baptist Church. Following lunch, Siran Stacy for played for the Crimson Tide and the Philadelphia Eagles and is now a minister, will speak at 1 PM.

Water thief

A Fort Payne man is accused of stealing about 240-thousand gallons of water. The DeKalb County Sheriff's Department says someone tapped into a water main connected to the Northeast Alabama Water District. Workers discovered the alleged theft after a county employee hit the pipe while doing road work. An investigation found that the line was illegally supplying water to a home where water service was terminated in 2010. 57-year-old William Andrew Baker is charged with stealing the water, which is worth about 13-hundred dollars.

Police officer assaulted

Fort Payne police have charged a man with assaulting an officer while he was being booked on a charge of public intoxication. 26-year-old Michael Derek Crane had been arrested early Friday morning. During the booking process, he allegedly put an officer in a headlock. Other officers came to the rescue and Crane was eventually transferred to the DeKalb County Sheriff Office with bond set at 22-thousand-500 dollars.

Postal Service reward

Back on January 31st, a 50-year-old letter carrier for the U.S. Postal Service was assaulted in West Anniston. He was attacked on McKleroy Avenue by a male suspect in his mid-20's who jumped into the carrier's truck and used a stun gun and his fists. The victim managed to push the man out of his truck, notify authorities and was transported to Regional Medical Center. Police have been trying to figure out what prompted the attack since the suspect did not take anything or have any connection to his victim. The U.S. Postal Service is now offering a 50-thousand dollar reward for information on the assault. Anyone who knows anything is enouraged to call Anniston police or the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.

Weaver mayor trial

The jury deciding where the mayor of Weaver lives began deliberations Thursday. The trial began Monday and included a bus trip for the jurors to see homes that Garry Bearden owns in Weaver and in Anniston. They're to determine whether Bearden actually lives inside or outside the Weaver city limits. If he lives outside the city, then he is ineligible to be mayor. Deliberations lasted about four hours before the jury was dismissed for the day and were to resume this morning.

Taste of Albertville

The 2nd annual "Taste of Albertville" is coming up next week. Hosted by the Commercial Development Authority, it's billed as a "wonderful evening of food, drink and live music." Last year's inaugural event attracted some 350 people sampling food from more than 20 Albertville restaurants. This year, Taste of Albertville takes place next Thursday from 5 to 7:30 PM at The Crossroads Mall. Tickets are 10 dollars each with proceeds benefiting the Second Chance food pantry. You can buy tickets at Albertville City Hall, Albertville Chamber of Commerce, Sebastien's and Albertville Home Bakery.

DeKalb fugitive arrested

A man wanted in DeKalb County for failure to appear in court on a DUI charge was arrested Tuesday in Jackson County. Deputies stopped 49-year-old Anthony Glenn Hilley for a traffic violation when they discovered the outstanding warrant from Dekalb County. A search of Hilley's vehicle turned up methamphetamine, Valium pills and drug paraphernalia. He was booked into the Jackson County jail on drug charges and being held for DeKalb authorities on the warrant.

Possible murder case

The shooting of a pregnant woman at Constantine Homes on January 31st could become a murder case if it turns out that the shooting caused a miscarriage. Anniston police have since learned that the 27-year-old shooting victim was in her first trimester of pregnancy but had lost the baby after the shooting. If the two are connected, police say the first-degree assault charge against the alleged shooter, 27-year-old Shronta Marie Clifton, would likely be upgraded to murder.

Weaver mayor trial

Jurors in a civil trial concerning the residency of the mayor of Weaver took a bus trip on Wednesday. They visited two residences that belong to Mayor Garry Bearden. One is a farm home in Anniston and the other is a ranch home in Weaver. The jury is being asked to determine whether Bearden lives inside or outside Weaver city limits. If the answer is outside, then Bearden would be ineligible to serve as mayor.

Cemetery future

The Alabama City Cemetery in Gadsden is close to capacity but the city has decided not to expand it. According to the Gadsden Times, the part of the Hickory Street property that has not been used has drainage problems. A meeting on the cemetery was held Monday with some 60 residents attending. Mayor Sherman Guyton said anyone who has bought a plot in the problem area will be offered a plot in another location or be given a refund. The mayor said the city will continue to maintain the cemetery after it is closed to new burials.

Murder solicitation sentence

In July of 2008, Loretta Gilbert was riding a motorcycle on Highway 411 south of Leesburg when someone pulled up beside her in a truck and began shooting at her. Gilbert eventually recovered from her wounds. Tuesday, an Etowah County judge sentenced James Thompson Stimpson of Sand Rock to 30 years in prison after a jury found him guilty of soliciting the murder of Loretta Gilbert. Danny Chandler of Collinsville is charged with attempted murder in the case and remains in the Cherokee County Detention Center.

Serial rapist trial

The Calhoun County trial of a man accused of being a serial rapist began Tuesday and is expected to go on for weeks. 23-year-old Ularius Johnson of Anniston is charged with multiple counts of rape, plus burglary and kidnapping. The crimes allegedly took place between 2007 and 2009. In his opening statement, District Attorney Brian McVeigh said six victims of sexual assault will testify against Johnson. Defense attorney David Johnston claimed that none of the evidence will connect Johnson to the crimes with which he is charged.

Marshall County meth indictments

Eight people in Marshall County have been arrested after being indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of distributing methamphetamine. The U.S. Attorney's office and the FBI made the announcement Monday; the indictments were unsealed last week. Arrested were 38-year-old Don Mitchell Wilborn, 38-year-old Christopher David Allen, 41-year-old Angela Nicole Otinger, 42-year-old Jeffrey Wayne Baugh, and 37-year-old Carlos Tabera Gonzalez, all of Albertville; 42-year-old John Calton Eller and 34-year-old Efren Ramirez Calderon of Boaz, and 36-year-old Kristie Gretchen Gauntt of Guntersville. If convicted, sentences could range from prison time to life and fines up to 10 million dollars.

2nd Papa Johns arrest

A second suspect is facing charges in connection with the September 9th shooting at Papa John's Pizza in Oxford that left an employee dead. 18-year-old Donquavious Russell of Hobson City was arrested Friday for capital murder. 21-year-old Brandon Hawkins was arrested in Gadsden in December and is also charged with capital murder in the death of Barbara Exum. With an investigation continuing, Oxford Police Chief Bill Partridge was not commenting on Russell's role in the shooting.

Steel thief

A Gadsden man is facing theft charges in Attalla. Police say 30-year-old Michael Lee Kelton took steel products, including beams and pipe, from Machine Products last Tuesday morning. He's accused of then taking the steel to Schnitzer Recycling and selling it for scrap.

Coach gets plea deal

A former Gadsden City High School coach and teacher charged with second-degree rape wound up getting a plea deal on Friday. Nicholas Keith Smith was on trial in Etowah County Circuit Court for allegedly having a sexual relationship with a 15-year-old student. The jury was already deliberating when it was learned that there had been inadvertent contact between a juror and a member of the prosecution. A mistrial was avoided when the two sides agreed to a deal under which Smith pleaded guilty to aggravated child abuse. He is scheduled to be sentenced next month.

Storm spotter class

Just in time for tornado season, you can learn how to figure out if bad weather is approaching. The National Weather Service will teach a class in basic storm spotting this week. It's open free to the public; those attending will learn how to recognize specific severe weather patterns before, during and after an event. The class is scheduled for Thursday evening from six to eight at the Rainbow City Community Center on Rainbow Drive. You can find out more from the Gadsden/Etowah Emergency Management Agency at 256-549-4575.

Farmer wins pig verdict

It took over six years, but a DeKalb County farmer, who said a Tennessee company had sold him hundreds of ill pigs, won a sizeable verdict on Friday. Tracy Skinner was awarded three-point-two million dollars in his lawsuit against Boyce Livestock. Skinner said he bought more than four-thousand pigs from Boyce back in 2005 and wthin a few weeks, 12-hundred had died, apparently of severe pneumonia.

Guntersville home burglary arrests

It didn't take long for Guntersville police to track down a pair of suspected home burglars. A witness saw a vehicle leaving a home on Pawnee Circle Thursday morning and called police. Officers spotted the car near the causeway at Guntersville High School and pulled it over. They say a search of the vehicle turned up electronic equipment and jewelry that were identified as stolen from the home. Arrested were 21-year-old Aaron Marquis Banks and 21-year-old Samuel Earl Jamison, both of Guntersville. Police are questioning the pair regarding other recent home burlaries.

Anniston Army Depot contract

Over the next couple of months, more than 400 armored personnel carriers will be refurbished for the Iraqi army at the Anniston Army Depot. BAE Systems, maker of the M113 personnel carriers, is partnering with the Depot under a foreign military sales contract totalling more than 31-million dollars. The work involves replacing old and damaged equipment with updated components and restoring the vehicles to fully mission-capable condition. Congressman Mike Rogers said he's proud of the work done by BAE Systems and the Anniston Army Depot and pointed out that they have the longest-standing public-private partnership in the Army.

2nd hostage incident arrest

Marshall County authorities say a second man has been accused of holding a woman against her will and assaulting her. 38-year-old Robert Matthew Brown has been arrested for first degree kidnapping and second degree assault. The same charges were filed against 42-year-old Jonathan Lee Cranford, who was arrested earlier this week. Sheriff's officials say the woman, who is in her 30's, was held hostage and beaten for several days before she was able to escape. They say it happened late last year at Cranford's home in a trailer park off Highway 75 just north of Albertville. The victim did not report the incident right away. The investigation continues and more arrests are expected.

Reward offered for patrol car break-ins

Authorities are offering a reward totaling some four-thousand dollars for information on thieves who broke into five patrol vehicles from different law enforcement agencies. The break-ins occurred between midnight and 6 a.m. Monday. Patrol cars belonging to the Etowah County Sheriff's Office, the Sardis City Police Department, the Gadsden Police Department and the Calhoun County Sheriff's Office each had a window smashed. Stolen were multiple AR15 assault weapons and one bulletproof vest.

Woman killed directing traffic

Authorities say a Remlap woman was killed while trying to direct traffic after several cars on Alabama 75 crashed. The Birmingham News reports that Blount County Coroner John Mark Vaughn identified the woman who died after being struck by a car Wednesday night as 69-year-old Reba Harris. Vaughn says drivers were not able to see Harris and she was struck. At least one person was taken to the hospital after the crash but those injuries suffered were not believed to be life-threatening.

Albertville driver in GA wreck

An Albertville man escaped injury in a Wednesday morning wreck in west Georgia that killed two people. 49-year-old Joel Scott Jordan was driving a tractor-trailer on Highway 113 near the town of Taylorsville when a passenger car ran a stop sign and collided with the truck and went up under it at an angle. The occupants of the car, a man and woman from Taylorsville, were killed.

Guntersville fatal accident

Police and state troopers are investigating a two-vehicle accident that left one person dead. It happened on Highway 431 just after 1:30 PM Tuesday. According to Guntersville Police, the driver of a water-well drilling truck was headed northbound on 431, when he lost control at a stop light near Guntersville High School. The truck turned over on its side into the southbound lane landing on top of a Chevrolet Impala.The driver of the Impala was pronounced dead at the scene. The victim was identified as 76-year-old Veron Jones of Brooksville in Blount County. The driver of truck was not injured.

Arab bypass project

According to the mayor of Arab, it's not a sure thing but Gary Beam says it--quote--"looks good right now" that the bypass project to re-route Alabama Highway 69 away from Arab's downtown busines district will go forward. Beam says funding for the project is not yet approved but if it is, construction could begin in 2013. Added the mayor--quote--"I'm excited."

Recycling champs

Students at an Albertville school are champions of a national recycling competition. Keep American Beautiful Incorporated says Marshall Christian Academy won the "Recycle-Bowl," its first nationwide competition for elementary, middle and high schools. The organization announced the results on Monday. The students at Marshall Christian recycled 41 pounds of waste per child and reduced their garbage pickups by half. The competition was held last October and November. The school wins 35-hundred dollars in prize money with the victory.

Brother versus brother

An Albertville man has been arrested on assault charges for allegedly stabbing his brother. Police say 35-year-old Steven Darrell Dorton and his brother got into a fight at their home in Albertville Sunday night. 37-year-old Paul Dorton is in the Intensive Care Unit at Marshall Medical Center South with a punctured lung.

Bama star drug charge dropped

A drug charge against a former standout football player for Gadsden City High and the University of Alabama has been dropped. Dre Kirkpatrick had been arrested last month in Bradenton, Florida and charged with possession of less than 20 grams of marijuana. According to records in Manatee County, the case was dropped last week. Kirkpatrick is foregoing his final year of eligibility at Alabama to enter the NFL draft and is projected as a first-round pick.

Judge Cole running again

The longest-serving judge in the state is not ready to retire. Randall Cole has been circuit judge for Cherokee and DeKalb counties since 1974 and he has announced that he will seek re-election. Cole tells the Cherokee County Herald--quote--"I enjoy my work and I never tire of seeking to provide people with a courtroom that is fair and just."

Sharing GSCC money

A state lawmaker from Rainbow City has proposed legislation requiring that Gadsden State Community College share the money it gets from Etowah County's one-cent sales tax. Republican Representative Blaine Galliher wants to give half of the funding to the county's school teachers to spend on classroom supplies. The measure could be in trouble because it's opposed by another member of the Etowah delegation, Gadsden Democrat Craig Ford, the House Majority Leader.

Albertville man arrested for kidnapping

An Albertville man is accused of holding a woman against her will and assaulting her before she was able to get away. Jonathan Lee Crawford was arrested Sunday morning at his home on Alabama Highway 75 North. Crawford is charged with first-degree kidnapping and second-degree assault. Marshall County sheriff's deputies also found methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia in his home. Sheriff Scott Walls said the kidnapping actually occurred late last year but was not immediately reported.

Police car break-ins

Thieves broke into five patrol vehicles from different Alabama law enforcement agencies overnight, making off with guns and a bulletproof vest. Etowah County sheriff's spokeswoman Natalie Barton says the break-ins occurred between midnight and 6 a.m. today. She says the thieves absconded with multiple AR15 assault weapons and one bulletproof vest. Weapons were taken from patrol cars belonging to the Etowah County Sheriff's Office, Sardis City Police Department, Gadsden Police Department and Calhoun County Sheriff's Office.Barton says each of the cars had a window smashed in. Authorities believe the break-ins are related. Police have no leads on who broke into the patrol vehicles. The FBI and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives will be involved in the investigation.

Replanting Alabama trees

The Arbor Day Foundation and the Alabama Forestry Commission are giving away 30-thousand trees to help replant Alabama communities that were devastated by tornadoes last year. Alabama First Lady Dianne Bentley was scheduled to join officials in Tuscaloosa today for an event to kick off the distribution effort. Dozens of tornadoes splintered thousands of acres of trees when they tore through the state last April, leaving neighborhoods and rural land bare. The groups are distributing seedlings to help jumpstart the reforestation effort.

Gambling defendant death cause

A defendant in the retrial of Alabama's gambling corruption case died from natural causes. The Montgomery County coroner said Friday that an autopsy and toxicology analysis by the state Department of Forensic Science showed the death of 63-year-old Ray Crosby resulted from hypertensive cardiovascular disease. Crosby was found in his bed at his Montgomery home on the afternoon of January 29th. The retrial was to have started the next morning but was delayed one week.

Democratic reaction to "Biblical" reference

The Democratic leader of the Alabama House is calling remarks by a Republican senator blasphemous. House Minority Leader Craig Ford reacted Friday to comments by Senator Shadrack McGill. McGill told a prayer breakfast in Fort Payne, "It's a biblical principle. If you double a teacher's pay scale, you'll attract people who aren't called to teach." The freshman senator said teaching is a calling, and people who are called to teach would do it regardless of the pay scale. Ford said he doesn't know what Bible McGill is reading, "but it's not the King James version."

Storm shelter grants

Since last the tornadoes last April 27th, more than four-thousand Alabama homeowners have applied to the Federal Emergency Management Agency for grants to build storm shelters at their homes. So far, FEMA has approved about 11-hundred. The agency pays 75 percent or up to four-thousand dollars toward the cost of a shelter.

Congressional race dropout

A Blount County probate judge is among five candidates remaining in the Republican race for Congress in the sixth district. Tuscaloosa businessman Stan Pate dropped out Friday, saying he didn't realize when he qualified last month that his home would no longer be in the sixth district, which has been redrawn. Also in the race, besides Blount County Probate Judge David Standridge, are incumbent Spencer Bachus, State Senator Scott Beason, Al Mickle and Justin Barkley.

Hunting from railroad tracks

An Albertville man was arrested last weekend for hunting from a railroad, night hunting, hunting with night vision equipment and hunting without permission. After authorities received a report of shots fired just outside of Guntersville, 36-year-old Chris Higdon was discovered allegedly hunting deer in an electric ATV altered to ride railroad tracks. Conservation officers say Higdon had extended the axles to line up with the tracks and cut out the centers of the tires to ride the rails.

Father-son burglary charges

Rainsville police say they caught a father and son moments after the burglarized a store early Monday morning. 44-year-old Rondal Donal Cuzzort Junior and 18-year-old Colton Seth Cuzzort are charged with third-degree burglary and possession of burglary tools. They're accused of burglarizing Southern Gold and Silver, a business in the 23-hundred block of Gault Avenue South.

More RiverFest entertainment

Another piece of the RiverFest 2012 entertainment puzzle is in place. Kerri Griffin of the Chamber of Gadsden and Etowah County confirmed Thursday that 80's rockers Skid Row will open RiverFest's opening night on Friday, June 8th. They'll be followed by former Foreigner lead singer Lou Gramm and the band Fuel. So far, the Saturday night lineup consists of the Oak Ridge Boys and Jamey Johnson. Tickets are expected to go on sale next month.

Senator backtracks on teacher pay

A state lawmaker quoted as saying it's a "Biblical principle" that teacher salaries should not be raised says his remarks are being taken out of context. State Senator Shadrack McGill says he's been hearing from teachers who are "outraged' that he would make such a statement. McGill was speaking at a prayer breakfast in Fort Payne earlier this week when he said--quote--"If you double a teacher's pay scale, you'll attract people who aren't called to teach." The senator now claims he only meant that things should be kept in balance and says it would be ridiculous to suggest that you can't raise a teacher's pay because of Biblical principles.

Collinsville VFD gets grant

In Cherokee County, the Collinsville Volunteer Fire Department just got a big gift from Uncle Sam--a grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for more than 224-thousand dollars. Congressman Mike Rogers congratulated the Collinsville firefighters, calling them--quote--"our first line of defense." The money is expected to go toward the purchase of a new firefighting vehicle.

Calhoun County chase

On Tuesday, a Calhoun County Sheriff’s deputy and Talladega County investigators went to a residence on River Road in Ohatchee in attempt to serve a warrant. When they arrived, a man ran out the back door into the woods. Authorities then got information that he was going to be picked up and taken into Talladega County. A Calhoun County deputy spotted the suspect vehicle and gave chase when it did not pull over. The deputy said he saw a firearm pointed at the driver. The vehicle was eventually stopped and a firearm was thrown out of it. It was recovered and 31-year-old Troy Clifford Ford of Lincoln was arrested and charged with second degree kidnapping.

Bad Check Amnesty Month

February is Bad Check Amnesty Month as declared by the Marshall County District Attorney's office. If you got caught writing a bad check by the DA's Worthless Check Unit, you can have the warrant cleared, which might be preferable to being arrested in front of family, friends and/or co-workers. And you can take care of the whole thing without additional fines, a court appearance, a criminal record or going to jail. Just call this number: 256-505-0960.

Glencoe rape arrest

Glencoe police have arrested a man they say had sexual contact with a 13-year-old girl. 21-year-old William Michael Vice of Glencoe was charged on Tuesday with second-degree rape. Investigators say Vice was a longtime acquaintance of the girl's family. They say there were two sexual encounters, about a month apart, at a residence off U.S. Highway 431 South.

Piedmont rape arrest

A Piedmont man is accused of having a sexual relationship with an underage female. 22-year-old Joseph Daniel Law and a 14-year-old girl were found Monday evening at a hotel in Piedmont by the U.S. Marshals Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Task Force. Etowah County authorities say the female had left her home in Ball Play with the suspect two days earlier. Law is charged with one count of second-degree rape and one count of interference with custody.

Biblical principle

According to one state lawmaker, keeping teacher salaries low is “a biblical principle.”The Dekalb County Times-Journal reported the comments made by State Senator Shadrack McGill at a prayer breakfast in Fort Payne. McGill said--quote--“If you double a teacher’s pay scale, you’ll attract people who aren’t called to teach.” McGill also said of teaching--quoting again--“It better be a calling in your life. I know I wouldn’t want to do it, OK?”

Neighbors stop burglar

DeKalb County Sheriff Jimmy Harris is thanking some residents of Ider for helping bring about the arrest of an alleged burglar. The sheriff says that, last Thursday, neighbors saw a man sneaking around a house, kept him from stealing a truck to get away and held him until deputies arrived. 43-year-old John Edgar Oliver of Marshall County was arrested and deputies say they found evidence that he had burglarized the house and also a beauty shop in the Cartersville area. The stolen items were returned to their owners and investigators are looking into whether Oliver might be involved in any other local burglaries.

Anniston armed robbery arrests

Shopping in Anniston is about to get a little more expensive. The city council voted Tuesday to increase the sales tax by one percent--a penny on the dollar--effective April 1st. That means the total sales tax in Anniston will be 10 percent. The council also approved a resolution to spend proceeds of the tax on economic development, schools, and the police and firefighters' pension fund.

Anniston sales tax increase

Shopping in Anniston is about to get a little more expensive. The city council voted Tuesday to increase the sales tax by one percent--a penny on the dollar--effective April 1st. That means the total sales tax in Anniston will be 10 percent. The council also approved a resolution to spend proceeds of the tax on economic development, schools, and the police and firefighters' pension fund.

Judge to run as independent

A Marshall County judge who was kicked off the ballot by the Republican Party is going to run for re-election anyway. Howard Hawk had switched from the Democratic Party back in 2010, but earlier this month the Marshall County Republican Party blocked him from running on the GOP ballot. Tuesday, Hawk announced that he will run as an independent. That means he'll have to collect enough signatures to be on the November ballot and turn those in by primary day, March 13th. Hawk's opponent would be Albertville attorney Jerry Baker.