Gadsden son drafted

A former University of Alabama star whose father is a minister in Gadsden was selected in the first round of the NFL Draft. Cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick was taken by the Cincinnati Bengals. Kirkpatrick's father, Charles, is a paster at Morning Star Baptist Church in Gadsden.

Traffic stop turns into chase

Anniston police tried to stop a car for a minor traffic violation Sunday morning but the vehicle sped off. That led to a brief chase which ended when the suspect car crashed into a ditch at 14th and Woodstock Avenue. That led to a brief foot chase which ended with the capture of 24-year-old Antoine Dorman, the driver of the car, and his passenger, 45-year-old Carlton Welch of Oxford. The car turned out to have been stolen; Dorman and Welch were charged with receipt of stolen property as well as fleeing police and possessing drug paraphernalia.

Anniston native makes NFL

A product of Anniston High School has made it to the National Football League. Antoine McClain, offensive tackle from Clemson, waited at his parent's home in Anniston for the phone to ring during this weekend's NFL draft. The draft came and went without the phone ringing. However, McClain was one of 20 players signed to free-agent contracts by the Baltimore Ravens. According to the Anniston Star, he'll take part in a three-day rookie mini-camp starting May 11th at the Ravens' training facility in Owings Mills, Maryland.

Anniston native makes NFL

A product of Anniston High School has made it to the National Football League. Antoine McClain, offensive tackle from Clemson, waited at his parent's home in Anniston for the phone to ring during this weekend's NFL draft. The draft came and went without the phone ringing. However, McClain was one of 20 players signed to free-agent contracts by the Baltimore Ravens. According to the Anniston Star, he'll take part in a three-day rookie mini-camp starting May 11th at the Ravens' training facility in Owings Mills, Maryland.

Tornado-less April

As Alabama remembers the devastating tornadoes that struck the state last April, it looks like this April will be the first since 2004 without a tornado touchding down in the northern half of the state. The National Weather Service says each of the last seven Aprils has seen at least one minor tornado touchdown somewhere in North Alabama. Today is the final day of the month and there is no severe weather in the forecast.

Mailbox vandalism

Albertville police say it could be the biggest teenage prank in the city's history. They got a call early Thursday morning that some people travleling in a red pickup truck were vandalizing mailboxes. Officers found a truck fitting that description and detained three juveniles. They are allegedly responsible for damaging more than 75 mailboxes. Chief Doug Pollard says the teens and their parents have agreed to pay for the damages and put the mailboxes back up.

Local man arrested in FL

Southside police say a man wanted locally has been arrested in Florida for allegedly burglarizing a house. 28-year-old Christopher Clayton Dunn is accused of stealing a 1998 Lincoln Navigator from Noah's Garage on Shady Lane on March 29th. When officers learned that Dunn had received a ticket from Alabama State Troopers while driving the Navigator, they figured that he was headed to Panama City. But before he could be picked up for the car theft, he was caught breaking into a residence in Florida's Bay County. After Dunn is released there, it's expected that he will be brought back to Etowah County.

DeKalb jailer fired

Calling it "a very unfortunate situation," DeKalb County Sheriff Jimmy Harris says the county's Chief Jail Administrator has been fired. The sheriff says Mitchell Dendy was let go because of repeated violations of jail policy involving sexual misconduct, improprieties and harassment. Rene Ramos, an 11-year veteran of the sheriff's office, has been named to manage the jail.

Etowah Operation Lockdown

Operation Lockdown is now in effect in Etowah County, where the county's Drug Task Force is tracking down individuals with outstanding warrants. Agents began conducting raids at 6 AM Wednesday. By late in the afternoon, 76 people had been arrested and drugs and guns were seized. The operation is scheduled to last three days and is expected to net more than 250 arrests.

Fatal Blount County wreck

State troopers say a Joppa man died in a single-vehicle wreck early Tuesday morning in Blount County. They say it happened shortly before 5 AM. 27-year-old Brandon Martin apparently lost control of a 2001 Ford Ranger while driving south on Alabama 79 in the Locust Fork area and struck a tree. Martin was pronounced dead at the scene.

Hazardous weather outlook

The National Weather Service has issued a hazardous weather outlook for an area of North Alabama including Marshall and DeKalb counties. Isolated to scattered thunderstorms are expected to develop along and ahead of a weak cold front settlint into the area later today. In addition to dangerous cloud-to-ground lightning and locally heavy rainfall, a few strong to locally severe storms may produce brief damaging winds and large hail. The chance and threat of thunderstorms is expected to increase early this evening as the front stalls across the area before diminishing overnight.

Primary runoff results

Alabama's primary runoff election was held Tuesday and the winners included: Republican Twinkle Andress Cavanaugh in the statewide GOP runoff for President of the Public Service Commission. Bill Monroe won the Democratic runoff for DeKalb County Superintendent. In Jackson County, the Democratic runoffs for County Commission Chairman went to Matthew Hodges, County Commission District 2 went to Sheila Cornelison and Probate Judge went to Victor Ray Manning. In Marshall County, the Republican County Commission runoffs were won by R.E Martin in District 2 and C.W. "Buddy" Allen in District 3.

Anniston bank robbery

Somebody held up a bank in Anniston on Tuesday. Police say it happened between 10 and 10:30 AM at a Wells Fargo bank branch on Bill Robison Parkway. Anniston investigators and the FBI are looking for a single suspect who reportedly left the bank on foot headed northbound. Anyone who knows anything about the crime is encouraged to contact Anniston police or the FBI.

Meth probe and arrest

A Boaz man is accused of trafficking and distributing methamphetamine in the Boaz and Albertville area. 38-year-old Tomas Ramirez Poulino was arrested Thursday night following a month-long investigation by the FBI, Marshall County Sheriff's Office, Marshall County Drug Enforcement Unit and Albertville police. Authorities seized about a pound of meth, a handgun, a car and 12-thousand dollars in cash. Poulino was being held in the Marshall County Jail on bond of five-million dollars.

Boaz school board appointee

The Boaz City Board of Education has a new member. According to the Sand Mountain Reporter, the city council considered six candidates and last night chose Rick Thompson. Thompson has lived in Boaz for 30 years with two sons who've gone through the city school system. His past experience includes being a missile systems engineer for the U.S. Army and an instructor at the Southern Automotive College at the University of Alabama. Thompson will serve a five-year term on the board of education.

Cherokee County assault

The Cherokee County Sheriff's Office has arrested a Fort Payne man on second-degree assault. 45-year-old Charles Clayton Todd is accused in connection with a woman who was badly beaten and her bed set on fire at her home in Broomtown. The victim called 9-1-1 early last Thursday and Todd was found that night in woods off County Road 60 in the Broomtown area. He was being held at the Cherokee County Detention Center on a cash bond of 150-thousand dollars.

Anniston fight

A fight between two men in Anniston, possibly involving a knife, left both men hospitalized over the weekend. Police arrived at a residence on East 54th Street to find one man with a laceration on his arm and injuries to his head; the other man was cut on his abdomen. Officers say the two men know each other but what started the fight is not clear. Charges could result as the investigation continues.

Oxford teen shooting

Oxford police say one teenage boy shot another teenage boy Monday afternoon at Coldwater Creek Park. A 17-year-old boy was in custody, brought to the police station by his brother, after officers had searched several hours for him. He's now in the Calhoun County Jail, charged with the attempted murder of a 16-year-old boy, who was reported to be in intensive care last night at Regional Medical Center in Anniston.

April 27th

Communities across Alabama are planning events to mark the one-year anniversary of the April 27th tornadoes. Ceremonies on Friday will remember the more than 250 people killed and thank the thousands of people who have helped with the recovery. A statewide memorial service with Governor Robert Bentley and other leaders is planned for the steps of the state Capitol in the morning. Ceremonies will continue on Saturday, including rememberances in DeKalb County.

Teen indicted for murder

A Marshall County Grand Jury has indicted a teenager from Albertville for capital murder in the death of his girlfriend's daughter. According to the Sand Mountain Reporter, 17-year-old Immanuel Gage Allen was indicted last week. Allen is accused of killing 11-month-old Gemma LaShae Moore on January 12th by inflicting severe head trauma. The mother, 24-year-old Bridgette Duncan of Albertville, was not indicted but the district attorney says she might still face other charges.

Teen drowns in Cherokee lake

A teenager drowned in a Cherokee County lake on Saturday afternoon. Sheriff Jeff Shaver says 17-year-old Joshua Woods of Centre was with a group of friends at Weiss Lake, north of Cedar Bluff. The sheriff says Woods jumped off a pier into nine feet of water and did not know how to swim. The sheriff's office, the Cherokee County Rescue Squad and the Marine Police assisted in recovering the body.

Wind advisory

The National Weather Service has issued a wind advisory today for an area including Marshall, DeKalb, Etowah, Calhoun, Cherokee and Blount counties. You can expect sustained wind speeds of 15 to 25 miles an hour with gusts up to 35 miles an hour. Strong winds will make driving difficult, especially for high-profile vehicles traveling over higher elevations. These winds will also blew around any unsecured outdoor objects and blow down loose tree limbs.

Local unemployment

Just like the state as a whole, local unemployment rates dropped in March. Alabama's jobless figure was down for the eighth month in a row, from seven-point five to seven-point-three percent. Closer to home, Marshall County went from seven-point-six percent in February to seven-point-one in March, DeKalb from nine-point-seven to eight-point-nine, Etowah, seven-point-eight to seven-point-one; Calhoun, eight-point-one to seven-point-six, Cherokee, eight-point-one to seen-point-two and Blount, seven-point-two to six-point-five.



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School grades

Public schools would be graded on an A through F scale under a bill approved by the Alabama house. The vote was 89-to-five for the bill. It calls for the state superintendent of education to rate schools with letter grades according to indicators of test scores and college readiness. A similar program has been up and running in Florida for several years.

Cherokee fatal accident

State troopers are investigating a two-vehicle accident on Highway 411 in Cherokee County Wednesday night that left a Piedmont woman dead. The victim was identified as 57-year-old Susan Fann Mason, who was driving a 1994 Ford Tempo. The other driver, 50-year-old Melvin Nelson of Collinsville, was in a 2005 Mack Truck. Nelson was not injured; Mason was taken to Cherokee Medical Center where she later died.

Black widow documentary

A film crew was in Oxford Thursday, shooting interviews and other footage for a Discovery Channel documentary about the woman known as the "black widow" of Anniston. According to the Anniston Star, the producer said interviews were planned with the son and daughter of Audrey Marie Hilley, whom she tried to poison and kill in the 1980s as she had done to her husband. Hilley's story has already been turned into a made-for-TV movie and two true-crime novels.

Jesse Phillips trial

The case of a man accused of killing his pregnant wife at a Guntersville car wash three years ago is about to go before a judge and jury. WHNT News 19 reports that Jesse Phillips will go on trial starting April 30th for the shooting death of his wife, Erica Carmen Phillips, who was 23 at the time. Jesse Phillips is charged with capital murder under the new Brody Bill, named for Brody Parker, the unborn child of Brandie Parker of Albertville, who was eight months pregnant when she was fatally shot.

Bama at White House

President Barack Obama is honoring the University of Alabama's latest national college football championship during a Rose Garden ceremony today. The Crimson Tide will also visit Arlington National Cemetery and the National Mall while in Washington. It's Coach Nick Saban's third trip to the White House. Saban went with Bama after its 2009 national championship and took LSU on the same trip after the Tigers won the title in 2003.

Attalla Cleanup Day

People who collect litter in Attalla this Saturday could win some cash. It's Attalla's annual Cleanup Day and the city has announced that the team that picks up the most trash gets 200 dollars. The team that comes in second gets 100 dollars and third gets 75 dollars. Cleanup gets underway at Attalla City Park on Alabama Highway 77 at 10 AM and collected trash is to be brought to the park by 2 PM. Afterward, refreshments will be served.

Teen injured in wreck

A single-vehicle wreck in Hokes Bluff critically injured a Southside teenager. According to Hokes Bluff police, 17-year-old Christopher James Crespo was traveling north on Colvin Gap Road late Tuesday night. Crespo apparently failed to negotiate a curve, his vehicle ran off the road, spun around and slammed passenger-side into a tree. Crespo was taken to Gadsden Regional and then to Huntsville Hospital, where he was listed Wednesday in critical condition.

Albertville band fundraiser

The Albertville high school band is hosting a bass fishing tournament on Lake Guntersville. The goal is to raise money for the Aggies to perform in Chicago.
Registration is 100 dollars per boat, including registration, prizes and favors. First prize will be one-thousand dollars with all proceeds going to the Albertville High band.All proceeds go to the Albertville High School band.The tournament will start at 5:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 28th.

Gadsden company to expand

Some new jobs will be coming to the area, thanks to action by the Gadsden City Council. The Gadsden Times reports the council has approved incentives for an expansion by Decatur Plastics Products, a company that does something called flocking. That involves putting a cloth-like finish on vehicles' dashboard areas. Decatur Plastics is currently in the Gadsden Airport Industrial Park but has bought a building on Thomas Avenue. The company says staffing for the new facility could require between 25 and 50 new employees.

Computer theft

A Gadsden man is accused of stealing a computer. The Etowah County Sheriff's Office says 25-year-old Brandon James Hyfield broke into a residence on Old Fords Valley Road and took the laptop. Hyfield is charged with third-degree burglary and third-degree theft of property.

Prom school bus

Almost 40 Fort Payne teenagers went to their prom in a yellow school bus after another bus they'd rented failed to show up. The transportation director for Fort Payne's city schools, Laran Crowe, says a group of students rented a party bus two-thousand dollars to take them on a 104-mile round trip for dinner in Chattanooga. But the Times-Journal of Fort Payne reports the bus never showed up, leaving them stuck on Saturday night. Two city school bus drivers volunteered to drive the students without pay, but the group still owes about 120 dollars to cover costs. Crowe says the students were disappointed; no one wants to go to prom in a school bus. But school officials say all the students made it home safely.

First lady in Albertville

The first lady of Alabama is planning a visit to Albertville next week. According to the Sand Mountain Reporter, Dianne Bentley will be the guest speaker for the Albertville Chamber of Commerce’s annual Professional Assistant’s Day Luncheon on Wednesday, the 25th. Then, from one to two PM, Mrs. Bentley will hold a meet-and-greet at the Albertville Museum, located in the Little Branch Primitive Baptist Church on West Main Street. Residents will be allowed to bring cameras and take pictures with the first lady.

Restaurant hold up

Police are looking for two men who held up a restaurant in East Gadsden. It happened Saturday night while the China Buffet on east Meighan Boulevard was open for dinner. The men had guns, which they pointed at employees and demanded money. They also forced customers and workers to get on the floor. One of the men's guns went off when he used it to strike a customer who attempted to flee. At that point, the men left without any money.

Teach Children to Save Day

School children in Alabama and across the country will get a valuable lesson in saving money next week. Next Tuesday is National Teach Children to Save Day and this is the 16th year that the American Bankers Association is sending volunteer bankers to schools. Locally, Bancorp South Bank in Arab and Citizens Bank and Trust in Guntersville have signed up to take part. You can find out more about the program by going online to teach-children-to-save-dot-com.

Boaz high-speed chase

Last Saturday, a Boaz Police officer clocked a motorcycle going 93 miles per hour on Highway 431 in Mountainboro. The officer tried to stop the motorcycle, but it kept going and a high-speed chase ensuded from 431 to Highway 77, then onto Highway 278 and eventually on Highway 179. The bike stopped at a convenience store in Aurora. When the officer got out of his car, the biker tried to take off again but ran right into the patrol car. 20-year-old Charles Long the third was arrested and charged with attempting to elude or evade a police office, criminal mischief and reckless endangerment.

Marshall County escapee caught

A man wanted for escaping from the Marshall Count Sheriff's Department on January 1st, plus other felonies in Marshall County and warrants in Arab, helped get himself arrested. Police in New Hope say they had gotten complaints about James Casey Dove recklessly joyriding his four-wheel, all-terrain vehicle. Dove eluded an officer who was chasing him, then stopped to chat with a New Hope resident, telling the man he was being chased by police and had some drugs on his ATV. Turns out the man he was talking to was an off-duty member of the New Hope police force. Dove was arrested with new charges added, including eluding police and possession of marijuana.

DeKalb meth lab bust

DeKalb County Sheriff's deputies and Drug Task Force agents busted a meth lab in the Lickskillet area of Fort Payne last Thursday night. They had received a number of tips regarding drug activity at a residence on County Road 127 and they say they found the lab, methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. 34-year-old Jeremy Ladon Nelson was arrested on several drug charges.

Teen dies in crash

A teenager was killed while in a two-vehicle crash on a DeKalb County road Thursday. According to state troopers, it happened on County Road 12, three miles east of Crossville. 16-year-old Kolby Clayton of Crossville, who was driving one of the vehicles, died after being taken to a hospital in Huntsville. A passenger in Clayton's vehicle and the driver of the other vehicle were injured.

Plans for murder scene

Meanwhile, the scene of another Etowah County murder will apparently take on a more positive image. 15-year-old Jeffrey Blake Stone was murdered and buried on the property, then dug up and put in a refrigerator. Stone's mother wants to turn property near Attalla into a ranch to help troubled youth. She got the house and a hundred acres in a two-million dollar settlement with one of the suspects accused of killing her son.

Grandmother returns to crime scene

A ruling by an Etowah County judge last week allowed the woman accused of running her granddaughter to death to return to the scene of the crime. Deputies escorted Joyce Garrard to a home on Carlisle Acres Road in Attalla Friday. That's where she allegedly punished nine-year-old Savannah Hardin by forcing her to run for several hours until the girl collapsed and later died. It's not known what Garrard and her attorneys did at the crime scene. The sheriff's department would only say that they were there to carry out a judge's order.

Hazardous weather outlook

A hazardous weather outlook has been issued for an area including Marshall, DeKalb, Etowah, Calhoun, Cherokee and Blount counties. Severe thunderstorms are possible today as a cold front approaches. The primary threats will be gusty winds, large hail and locally heavy rainfall.

Law enforcement honors

A state game warden has been awarded the state's Medal of Honor for Alabama law enforcement officers for rescuing a 7-year-old boy from the burning wreckage of a plane that crashed after takeoff from the Guntersville airport last June. Joe Lindsey the Second received the Legislature's highest honor given to law enforcement Thursday during a ceremony at the Alabama Statehouse. Other officers nominated for the award included: Sergeant Cassidy Lambert of Arab Police Department for rescuing a young child found in rubble after one of the tornadoes that hit the state on April 27th, and Chief Johnny Grant, Reserve Deputy Michael Bishop and investigator Josh Morgan of the Etowah County Sheriff's Department for helping to rescue a family trapped under a home by a tornado.

Lexus key theft

Etowah County Sheriff's deputies arrested a Southside man on Monday for stealing car keys. 38-year-old Steven Darryl Mize is accused of breaking into a residence on Old Fords Valley Road and taking the keys to a 2001 Lexus. The vehicle has not been found. Mize is charged with third degree burglary and first degree theft of property, both felonies. He was being held in the Etowah County Detention Center on bond of 75-hundred dollars.

Councilmember seeks re-election

According to the Sand Mountain Reporter, a member of the Albertville City Council has announced he plans to run for re-election. Chuck Ellis holds Place 4 on the Council. The 47-year-old Ellis served for 10 years as an Alabama State Trooper. The Reporter quotes Ellis as saying “Albertville has suffered over the past 20 years because a few have expected hard-working people to carry burdens, while those same few sat back and made their retirement." He adds, "Accountability, decisiveness, and openness are keys to Albertville’s success.”

Arab arson arrest

Arab police have arrested a man who allegedly set fire to a youth house adjacent to Victory Cornerstone Church. 20-year-old Andrew Keischer of Arab is charged with burglary, arson and criminal mischief. The fire occurred Tuesday morning, causing extensive heat and smoke damage. Keischer was spotted walking on Main Street Tuesday afternoon by an officer who recognized his mannerisms from surveillance video from a grocery store near the church. Police say Keischer admitted to setting the fire. He was being held in the Marshall County Jail on a 10-thousand dollar bond.

Red Flag Warning

The National Weather Service has again issued a Red Flag Warning for North and Central Alabama this afternoon. That includes Marshall, DeKalb, Etowah, Calhoun, Cherokee and Blount counties. Relative humidity values are expected to drop as low as 20 percent for at least four hours. The very dry airmass in place across the region will result in critical fire weather conditions. Outdoor burning is not recommended.

Cherokee home and garden show

If you're looking for something to do in Cherokee County this weekend, you could check out the annual Home and Garden Show, sponsored by the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce. It will take place Friday from 11 AM to 6 PM and Saturday from 9 AM to 2 PM in the Gadsden State Community College-Cherokee Arena.

Man sought in teen death surrenders

A Boaz man sought for questioning in the death of a teenage boy has been arrested. The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office says 43-year-old Todd LaShane Thomas turned himself in on Monday. Sheriff Jimmy Harris says his department was helped by tips about Thomas from the public. 17-year-old Alan Michael Tarwater died one week ago today in a home on County Road 1931. Investigators are still waiting for autopsy results.

Calhoun rape investigation

A woman claims she was raped last week east of Anniston and the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office is investigating. According to the Anniston Star, Sheriff Larry Amerson says a 21-year old woman who had broken up with her boyfriend a month ago sent him a happy birthday text last Friday. The man reportedly showed up at her apartment and they had a conversation which turned violent. The man allegedly grabbed the woman and forced her to remove her clothes. She says she tried several times to escape but was unable to. There was no immediate arrest.

Red Flag Warning, Frost Advisory

The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for this afternoon for all of north and central Alabama, including Marshall, DeKalb, Etowah, Calhoun, Cherokee and Blount counties. Relative humidity values are expected to drop to around 20 percent for at least four hours. Combined with the very dry airmass in place across the region, the result will be critical fire weather conditions. Outdoor burning is not recommended.

Then, later--a combination of light winds, clear skies and overnight lows in the mid 30's will produce a good chance of frost across the entire Tennessee Valley late tonight into early tomorrow morning. Plants, shrubs and trees already in full bloom will be susceptible to these cold temperatures and could suffer frost damage and die if left unprotected.

Inmate released

A Marshall County man was released from prison Friday after spending 17 years behind bars, much of it on death row. Larry Randell Smith was convicted in 1996 of the robbery and shooting death of his friend, Dennis Harris. A successful appeal of his capital murder conviction allowed him to plead guilty to a lesser charge. Prosecutors say they went along with the deal because the victim's mother agreed to it. Diane Maier does not believe that Smith killed her son and believes he can help authorities find out who did.

Crash kills Crossville man

A weekend crash took the life of a Crossville man. State troopers say the single-vehicle wreck happened just before 7:30 on Saturday night. 38-year-old Roberto Carlos Orozco was driving a pickup truck on County Road 24 in DeKalb County when it rolled off the road and struck an embankment. Orozco was taken to a hospital where he died Sunday.

Bus driver retires

A woman who has been driving a bus for Centre Schools for 35 years is hanging up her keys. The Cherokee County Board of Education, meeting last week, accepted the retirement of Helen Whorton. Superintendent Brian Johnson saluted Mrs. Whorton, saying "We congratulate her on her retirement, but also let her know that she willl be missed.

Boaz child abuse arrest

A Boaz man is accused of sexually abusing a six-year-old girl. 32-year-old Aaron Wayne Pace has been indicted on a charge of first degree sexual abuse and booked into the Etowah County Detention Center. He's being held on a 100-thousand dollars bond.The sheriff's office says the alleged abuse took place in early 2011.

Regions Center auction

The building that once served as the operations center for Regions Bank in Anniston is for sale. It is the central property among 13 former bank branches and other sites being auctioned May 1st to the 3rd, starting in Anniston. The Regions center is located at 1031 Quintard Avenue and includes 31-thousand feet of office space. You can find out more at the auction company's website, john-dixon.com.

Man sought in teen death

A teenager from Crossville was found dead last week and now authorities are looking for a 43-year-old man in connection with that death. DeKalb County investigators say that, last Wednesday, two other juveniles found the body of 17-year-old Alan Michael Tarwater, who had apparenly died while sleeping, at a residence on County Road 431. .Autopsy results are pending. Meanwhile, Todd Lashane Thomas has been charged with contributing to the delinquency of children. He's described as 6 feet tall 225 pounds with green eyes and brown hair. If you have any information about the case, you are encouraged to contact the DeKalb County Sheriff's Office.

Soldier killed in Anniston

An Anniston woman who was a sergeant in the National Guard was shot and killed Friday afternoon. The death of 24-year-old Dequirea Royal at the Constantine Apartment complex, where she lived, has been classified as a homicide. There have not yet been any arrests. Royal was expected to be deployed to Afghanistan in June.

Red Flag Warning

The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for the afternoon hours in an area including Marshall and DeKalb counties. Relative humidity values are expeced to drop to between 20 and 25 percent. That and the dry airmass in place across the region will result in critical fire weather conditions.

Meth arrest

Somebody tipped off Marshall County authorities about drug activity at a residence in Albertville. Sheriff's deputies and investigators checked it out and arrested a man at that address. 25-year-old Joshua Christopher Sparks is charged with possession of methamphetamine and a probation violation. Sparks was being hled in the Marshall County Jail with no bond.

Sodomy arrest

A Gadsden woman has been charged with a sex act involving a 14-year-old girl. Police say 31-year-old Jamie Duffey sought out young girls through a youth events at the Tabernacle church on South 11th Street. She was arrested after the alleged sex act took place incident in the women's restroom at Premiere Cinemas in the Gadsden Mall. Detectives believe there may be other victims of Duffey who have yet to come forward. Anyone with information is encouraged to call Gadsden police.

Investigation of teen death

The DeKalb County Sheriff's Office continues to investigate the death of a 17-year old male. Investigators say foul play is unlikely but has not been ruled out. The body was found Wednesday in a residence on County Road 1931 in Crossville. His name has been withheld pending notification of next of kin. Cause of death will be determined by an autopsy being performed at the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences in Huntsville.

Rape, child sex abuse conviction

A Gadsden man was convicted Thursday on charges of first-degree rape and four counts of sexual abuse of a child under 12. 59-year-old Thomas Russell Reilly was found guilty in less than two hours by an Etowah County jury that had heard testimony from four minor females who testified about incidents of rape and sexual abuse. The girls were between five and 10 years old at the time of the crimes. Reilly had allegedly allowed a number of young girls to spend the night with him at his home on the pretense of taking them to church the next morning. He could be sentenced to 20 to 99 years or life in prison.

Sex offender arrested

A registered sex offender has been arrested in Marshall County for failure to register or transfer residency and violating probation. 27-year-old Adam Wayne Sparks was convicted of second-degree rape in Etowah County in 2007. He was supposed to be residing at an address on George Wallace Drive. But deputies conducting a compliance check found out Sparks was not staying there. He was arrested when he cam to the Sheriff's Office on Wednesday to check in.

Juvenile body found in DeKalb

The death of a juvenile male is under investigation in DeKalb County. Sheriff's deputies found his body Wednesday afternooon at a home in the Cross Creek Subdivision on County Road 24 in Crossville. The victim's name or age were not immediately released, pending notification of next of kin.

Stabbing over rent

An argument between family members over money apparently turned violent. According to the Sand Mountain Reporter, Albertville police say the incident took place Friday night at the Kountry Korner Mobile Home Park just off Rose Road. Jack Brumbalough was found standing in his kitchen with stab wounds in his chest and back. He claimed he had been stabbed by his uncle, Tommy Dixon, after a disagreement over rent. Dixon, who had left and was found walking along Rose Road, claimed Brumbalough and his brother, Travis, had jumped him and head-butted him. Dixon was taken to the Albertville City Jail, charged with public intoxication and second-degree domestic violence.

Attempted holdup in Gadsden

A pizza store in Gadsden was the scene of an attempted hold-up. It happened shortly before 9 o'clock Tuesday night at the Little Caesars in the 2500 block of West Meighan Boulevard. A man whose face was covered with a black bandana and holding a black semi-automatic handgun entered the business. He demanded cash from the register, but an employee told him the register could not be opened. At that point, he fled the store and was last seen heading in the direction of 27th Street.

Tornado memorial ride

One year after the tornadoes that devastated Alabama, the victims will be remembered with a memorial ride. It is scheduled for Saturday, April 28th, and will begin at the Rainsville Civic Center with a pre-ride meeting. The route will follow the 60-mile path of the storm. Donations from riders will help fund completion of the Tornado Memorial Monument at the DeKalb County Schools Coliseum.

Calhoun foreclosures down

Things are looking up in the Calhoun County housing market as foreclosures are down. According to the Anniston Star, records in the county probate office indicate that 79 Calhoun County homes were in foreclosure in the first quarter of 2012 compare to 88 in the same period last year. Some experts say the decreases could encourage increases in home prices across the board.

Two arrested in deputy attack

The DeKalb County Sheriff's Department has arrested two people wanted for an assault on a deputy and is looking for two others. The attack happened Saturday night during a traffic stop on County Road 814. One of the suspects, 42-year-old Joseph Xavier Register, allegedly stole a piece of recording equipment from the deputy. That helped authorities track him down to his home in Fort Payne, where he admitted to having a meth lab. Also arrested at that time was 26-year-old Patrick Gourdine of Flat Rock. Still at large are 31-year-old Joseph Michael Jenkins of Higdon and Elisha Edward Goins.

Missing pastor back

A missing Marshall County man is back home. 75-year-old Wendell Hudspeth, a pastor at the Trinity Church of God in Albertville and owner of a water purification business in Gainesville, had not been seen since early Monday morning. Hudspeth had left for an appointment in Nashville. Authorities said Hudspeth became disoriented and got lost, but he made his way back to Guntersville Tuesday morning around 10 o'clock. Hudspeth doesn't remember what happened. Paramedics checked him out and he is fine.

Hazardous weather outlook

The National Weather Service has issued a hazardous weather outlook for an area of North Alabama including Marshall and DeKalb counties. Thunderstorms will develop this afternoon across southwest Tennessee and northern Mississippi, then move east across northern Alabama late this afternoon and into the early evening hours. A few of these storms will be strong and perhaps becoming briefly severe with lightning, large hail and gusty winds.

Child porn guilty plea

A Boaz man pleaded guilty Monday to possessing child pornography. Anthony McLendon was arrested in 2009 after a search of his home turned up 70 CDs containing child porn plus thousands of images. Another man was arrested along with McClendon--David Janey pleaded guilty last year and received probation. McClendon is scheduled to be sentenced May 7th.

Runaway girl

In another missing persons case, Huntsville police are looking for a runaway girl who might be in the Gadsden or Decatur areas. 13-year-old Selena Hope McCaleb is 5-6, 105 pounds with sandy-colored brown hair and blue eyes. She also speaks Spanish. Selena was reported missing on March 19th and police say this is the fifth time Selena has run away from home. It's believed she is with her boyfriend, Miguel, who reportedly works in the Gadsden and Decatur areas. And she might be pregnant.

Pastor missing

A local pastor has gone missing and Guntersville police are asking for your help. 75-year-old Wendell Hudspeth is a pastor at Trinity Church of God in Albertville and is the owner of a water purification business in Guntersville. Police say Hudspeth left his home around 7:30 Monday morning for a doctor's appointment in Nashville, but never got there. He has several health issues, including diabetes. If you have any information as to his whereabouts, you are asked to notify Guntersville police.

Hazardous weather outlook

The National Weather Service has issued a hazardous weather outlook for an area including Marshall and DeKalb counties. An area of low pressure is moving northeast into the Tennessee Valley with afternoon showers and thunderstorms likely. A few of the strongs might be strong with an isolated severe storm possible. The man threats will be winds around 40 miles an hour, occasional lightning and heavy rainfall.

Bama Grand Prix

Will Power has won his second straight Indy Grand Prix of Alabama, once again holding off Scott Dixon. Power started ninth but took the lead on a late caution and pulled back in front of Dixon on the double-file restart with 16 laps left Sunday at Barber Motorsports Park.

Gas prices

Triple-A reports the national average price for a gallon of regular gasoline is now at three-dollars 92-cents, up three cents from last week. The auto club says tensions between the U.S. and Iran are likely to contribute to continued increases with the price hitting four dollars a gallon by the end of April. In Alabama, the statewide average price for a gallon of regular is up four cents from last week to three-76. According to gas-buddy-dot-com, the current price in Albertville ranges from three-71 to three-75 a gallon.

Oxford bank robbery

A bank was robbed in Oxford on Friday. Oxford police and the FBI are looking for a man who went into the BBVA Compass Bank on Quintard Avenue shortly after noon and handed a teller a note demanding money. After being given an undetermined amount of cash, he left on foot, headed in the direction of Snow Street. It's not known if the suspect is armed but he is considered dangerous. He's described as 6 feet tall, wearing a black t-shirt with a design on it, black jeans, white ball cap and white tennis shoes. If you know anything, contact Oxford police or the FBI.

Gadsden head-on crash

A head-on collision between two vehicles in Gadsden Sunday left three people injured, two critically. State troopers say the accident occurred on Lay Springs Road between Belmont and Glen Gap. The drivers were identified as 44-year-old Vickie Wise and 36-year-old Dana Pannell, both of Gadsden. As of last night, they were both hospitalized in critical condition. A passenger in Wise's car, 43-year-old Thomas Bowen of Gadsden was treated at Gadsden Regional.

DeKalb deputy attacked

The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office says one of its deputies was attacked during a traffic stop. It happened Saturday night on County Road 814 near Ider. According to the sheriff's office, the deputy pulled over a car and the driver got out. He started a fight with the deputy, attempting to get his gun and then ran into the woods. The deputy was not injured. A search was underway for the driver.