Rape, sex abuse sentencing

A Gadsden man convicted of first-degree rape and sexual abuse of a child under 12 was sentenced Wednesday to prison terms totaling 110 years. 59-year-old Thomas Russell Reilly was found guilty on April 5th 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. Judge Allen Millican sentenced him to 30 years for the rape conviction and 20 years for each of the four counts of sexual abuse with the terms to be served concurrently.

Hanging death

The cause of death of an 11-year-old girl in Blount County has been ruled "hanging." Oneonta police say the girl was found last Wednesday hanging from a rope swing in her front yard. An investigation continues.

Body identified

Albertville police have released the name of the person whose body was found last weekend. The victim was 28-year-old Ansheka Radford of Albertville. Officers checking on the request of someone who hadn't heard from her in a while found her body Saturday in her apartment at the Governor's Place Apartments on George Wallace Drive. The cause of Radford's death is not known. The case was originally referred to as a homicide investigation; now it's being called a "death investigation."

Hazardous weather outlook

The National Weather Service has issued a hazardous weather outlook for an area including Marshall, DeKalb, Etowah, Calhoun, Blount and Cherokee counties. Widespread thunderstorm activity is anticipated from this evening into the early hours of tomorrow morning. The strongest storms could produce damaging straight-line winds between 60 and 70 miles an hour, large hail in excess of a quarter size and frequent lightning strikes along with locally heavy rainfall and flash flooding.

Christina Genco ride

June 6th will mark one year since the collision that killed a cyclist in DeKalb County. 22-year-old Christina Genco of Boston was one of three dozen cyclists on the Bike and Build ride--riding from South Carolina to Southern California and building houses along the way. She was hit when a driver failed to provide enough space. This Sunday, the Alabama Wheelmen will lead a memorial ride through DeKalb County to benefit the Christina Clarke Genco Foundation. Registration and the start/finish will be at the Blake Community Center on County Road 505 in Fort Payne. For more information, visit the Alabama Wheelmen's website.

Brother-sister fight

DeKalb County sheriff's deputies responded to a domestic violence call on County Road 926 in the Kilpatrick area Sunday night. A brother and sister had reportedly been arguing and the brother had been shot in the chest. He was taken to a hospital in Huntsville and is expected to survive. In a news release, Sheriff Jimmy Harris gave no names and said no charges have been filed, but an investigation continues.

Local contractor arrested

A Blount County contractor is facing charges in Shelby County. Chad Evans Huffstutler of Blountsville was arrested and indicted earlier this month, accused of theft and other crimes associated with work for the Riverchase United Methodist Church in Hoover. If convicted, Hufstutler could be sentenced to 10 to 20 years on each of four counts.

Tainted spice

Dekalb County sheriff's investigators are trying to track down the seller of tainted spice. The synthetic marijuana was laced with poison and pesticide and at least 30 teens and young adults in the county who smoked it have been hospitalized with kidney problems and kidney failure.

Body recovered from lake

The body of an Illinois man was located in a Cherokee County lake Monday afternoon, ending a three-day search. Authorities say 44-year-old Paul Cooke and two other people had jumped from a pontoon boat into Weiss Lake on Saturday; the other two resurfaced but Cooke never did. Others on the boat reportedly waited to report Cooke's disappearance, thinking he might be hiding as a joke.

Calhoun home sales up

April was a big month for home sales in Calhoun County. They were up by 37 and a half, compared to April of last year. It was the sixth month in a row that home sales in Calhoun County have been up from the year before.

Pastor arrested for stabbing

An stabbing early Monday morning in Anniston led to the arrest of a pastor. Police arrived at a residence on Homarda Drive to find a 53-year-old man unconscious stab wounds in his arm and chest. He was hospitalized at Regional Medical Center in serious condition. Police say he's the brother of 55-year-old David Allen Rice, pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Anniston. After interviewing Rice and a witness, officers arrested Rice on a charge of domestic violence.

Lane closure

The Alabama Department of Transportation says one lane of Alabama Highway 77 between Steele Station Road and Interstate 59 will be closed starting tomorrow. That's to allow for paving and pipe laying and that work is expected to last about two weeks. ALDOT says both lanes will be open during rush hours--from 7:30 to 8:30 in the morning and between 4:30 and 5:30 in the afternoon.

Sylvania street signs

The name of Sylvania's ex-mayor will apparently not only be removed from his office but also from a street sign. County Road 112 had been renamed Dendy Road, in honor of Mitchell Dendy, who was mayor at the time. However, he resigned on April 30th after being fired by the DeKalb County Sheriff's Office for allegations of sexual misconduct. Some residents are now saying they do not want his name on their street sign. In fact, someone ripped down a Dendy Road sign along Highway 75. The Sylvania town council talked about new names last Thursday and will vote on them at a meeting June 12th.

Anniston assault claimed

An Anniston man claims he was assaulted and robbed at Cooper Homes apartments last Thursday. The 22-year-old victim said he was visiting a friend when several men hit him with a piece of wood and took his wallet, which contained 30 dollars in cash. He said he might know one of his attackers. He had sustained lacerations on his face, head and and leg and was taken to Stringfellow Hospital.

Motorcycle accident update

A four-year-old boy hit by a motorcycle in north Anniston Wednesday night had to be airlifted to UAB Hospital, but he might be well enough to be released as early as today. The boy, his five-year-old sister and their father, 32-year-old Maurice Jones of Anniston, were struck as they crossed East Glade Road. Jones and his daughter were treated at Regional Medical Center and released. Police now identify the motorcyclist as 44-year-old Terry Johnson of Anniston; they say he was apparently driving under the speed limit and was not driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Spice arrest

The owner of a music store in Anniston is accused of selling something besides music. Calhoun County Sheriff Larry Amerson says Carl Lackey was arrested Thursday for allegedly dealing in synthetic marijuana, also known as "spice." Lackey, whose business on Quintard Avenue is called Cosmic Spice, was charged with distribution of a controlled substance. The sheriff says laws recently passed by the state legislature makes the sale of synthetic marijuana illegal.

Troublesome house

A house on Hanson Street has been a popular stop for Albertville police this week. According to neighbors, police found a meth lab in the home and arrested three people. Later that same day, they arrested another man at the house for being in possession of a stolen car. Thursday, police arrested a woman who allegedly tried to break into the house. Sharonda Smith is charged with obstructing governmental operations. A male suspect got out the back of the house. Officers were tipped off about the break-in by the local neighborhood watch program, which was started two months ago after previous complaints about that same house.

Guntersville vs redistricting

The city of Guntersville has joined Albertville, Arab and Marshall County in opposing a redistricting plan by the Alabama House. It would increase the number of state lawmakers in the county from two to five. The Guntersville City Council agrees with leaders of other local governments who have said the new plan would weaken county representation.

High-speed motorcycle chase

A motorcyclist took law enforcement on a high-speed chase through two states, reaching a speed of 147 miles an hour before being caught hiding in Fort Payne. A Georgia state trooper said he spotted 29-year-old Jason William Latimer of Rome doing 74 miles an hour on Alabama Highway. Latimer nearly doubled his speed as the trooper followed and crossed the state line where Alabama troopers picked up the chase. He made it into Fort Payne, where he was traveling through downtown at 120 to 140 miles an hour. Police there cornered him in a neighborhood and found him behind a building. It's not known why Latimer was fleeing; he will face charges by authorities in Fort Payne, Cherokee County and Georgia.

Warrior man facing charges

A Warrior man is facing charges in Blount and Jefferson counties after police say he threatened to kill his wife, then tried to steal a car in a school parking lot. Authorities say the 41-year-old suspect poured gasoline on his home on Sweetwater Way Wednesday and told his eight-year-old son he would kill his wife then himself. The wife was beaten but she escaped and called deputies, who chased the husband until his car broke down in the Southeastern School parking lot. The school was locked down until deputies caught the man running nearby.

Three hit by motorcycle

A man and his two children were hit by a motorcycle in north Anniston last night. Police say it happened on East Glade Road near Lenlock. 32-year-old Maurice Jones of Anniston and his five-year-old daughter sustained minor injuries while Jones' four-year-old son was airlifted to UAB Hospital in serious but stable condition. The motorcyclist, 38-year-old Michael Proper, and a passenger sustained minor injuries. Police say Proper was driving under the speed limit and not under the influence of drugs or alcohol. The accident is under investigation.

Arab meth bust

Arab police, responding to complaints of drug activity around a car in the parking lot of a dialysis center, made a meth bust on Monday. Terry King of of Marshall County man was arrested after he was found with just over 17 grams of pure methamphetamine known as "ice." King was charged with possession of a controlled substance and his bond set at five-thousand dollars.

Rape guilty plea

Earlier this year, a Rainsville man was running for DeKalb County Coroner; On Monday he pleaded guilty to the second-degree rape of a pre-teen. 50-year-old Keary Edward Chandler withdrew in February as a candidate for what he said were personal reasons; a week later, he was arrested. DeKalb County Sheriff Jimmy Harris said a woman claimed that Chandler raped her when she was 12 years old. She says that at the time he was her Sunday school teacher. The alleged crime took place 25 years ago but the sheriff said at the time of Chandler's arrest there is no statute of limitations on rape. He will be sentenced in August.

Gunfight and legal fight

Two men allegedly involved in a gunfight in Anniston last month are now involved in a legal fight. 21-year-old Carey Lamont Richardson of Oxford is charged with attempted murder and assault in a shooting that took place April 29th in the parking lot of Discount Food Mart on Noble Street. Police say Richardson wants an attempted murder charge brought against 23-year-old Michael Anthony Brown of Anniston, who has so far only been charged with assault. Both are accused in connection with a 38-year-old Anniston woman who was shot during the gunfight but survived.

Road re-naming

The Alabama House on Tuesday approved a resolution naming a road in Lake Guntersville State Park as Frank McDaniel Drive. That's in honor of former Democratic state Representative Frank McDaniel of Albertville. The resolution now goes to the Senate.

Home invasion suspects sought

Two suspects in a weekend home invasion in Gadsden are being sought. Police say two men armed with handguns and with bandanas covering their faces broke into a home on West Tomahawk Trail late Saturday night. 72-year-old Freddie Lee Lott and 39-year-old Sabrina Dean Usher were bound with neckties found in the home and forced to lay face down on the floor. The suspects got away with jewelry, a purse, cash and a shotgun. They are described as black males, each about five feet, eight inches tall. If you know anything about the case, contact Gadsden police.

Pharmacy robbery suspect

Guntersville Police say they have a suspect in the robbery of a drug store. Weekend before last, a man armed with a gun held up the Bunch Pharmacy on Henry Street and demanded several types of narcotics. Investigators are awaiting the results of forensic tests before arresting their suspect, who is currently being held in Huntsville on another charges.

Missing teen found

An Etowah County teenager missing for more than two days turned up safe Monday morning. Sheriff Todd Entrekin says a resident who heard about the case from the media led authorities to 15-year-old Christina Marie Smith, who was found at a home on Thornhill Road in the Carlisle community. Smith had last been since early Saturday morning at her home on U.S. Highway 278 West in Attalla.

Hazardous weather outlook

The National Weather Service has issued a hazardous weather outlook for an area including Marshall, DeKalb, Etowah, Calhoun, Cherokee and Blount counties. A cold front will produce isolated thunderstorms this afternoon, a few of which could be strong to severe. The main threats are large hail, damaging winds and lightning.

Gadsden pick signs contract

A first-round NFL draft pick from Gadsden has signed a contract. Cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick, who played his college football at Alabama, agreed to a four-year deal with Cincinnati worth eight-point-six million dollars, with most of that fully guaranteed. Kirkpatrick was the 17th overall selection in the draft. He said that getting the contract done was--quote--"a big relief. It's a new beginning and new steps for me."

Sylvania Bible verses defended

Former Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore says his Foundation for Moral Law is ready to defend the DeKalb County town of Sylvania over a demand it remove Bible verses from welcome signs at the entrances to town.The Freedom From Religion Foundation has threatened to take the town to court if the signs are not removed. They include words "One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism." Moore told the Fort Payne Times-Journal the sign does not violate the Constitution and that the town is being "bullied" by the group. An attorney for Freedom From Religion Foundation attorney said Moore and Sylvania officials have misinterpreted the Constitution.

Cyclist memorial ride

June 6th will mark one year since the collision that killed a cyclist in DeKalb County. 22-year-old Christina Genco of Boston was one of three dozen cyclists on the Bike and Build ride--riding from South Carolina to Southern California and building houses along the way. She was hit when a driver failed to provide enough space. On Sunday, June 3rd, the Alabama Wheelmen will lead a memorial ride through DeKalb County to benefit the Christina Clarke Genco Foundation. Registration and the start/finish will be at the Blake Community Center on County Road 505 in Fort Payne. For more information, visit the Alabama Wheelmen's website.

Blount County fatal crash

A three-vehicle crash in Blount County left one man dead and another injured. Alabama State Troopers say it happened Saturday night on Alabama 75 in Remlap and involved two motorcycles and a car. The man who was killed, 55-year-old Daniel Madden of Weaver, was on a motorcycle, as was the man who was injured, 51-year-old Wllard Branem of Leeds. The driver of the car, 22-year-old Esperanza Hernandez-Villa of Hoover, was not injured. The crash is under investigation.

April unemployment rates

The latest unemployment numbers are just out: Alabama's preliminary April rate is seven-point-two percent, down from March's revised rate of seven-point-four. The last time Alabama's unemployment rate was at or below seven-point-two percent was in November of 2008. Locally, the jobless rate in all counties was down: Marshall and Etowah counties each went from seven-point-one percent in March to six-point-four percent in April. DeKalb went from eight-point-nine percent to seven-point-nine, Calhoun from seven-point-six to six-point-nine, Cherokee from seven-point-three to six-point-five and Blount from six-point-six to five-point-eight.

Hospice yard sale

You can help a good cause and get a good bargain in Albertville over the next couple of days. The Hospice of Marshall County Thrift Shoppe is holding a big yard sale. It's at the Thrift Shoppe warehouse at 407 Martling Road today until 3 PM and tomorrow from 8 AM to 3 PM. You'll get a bag and you buy everything you can stuff into that bag for five dollars. All proceeds go to Hospice of Marshall County, which is a non-profit organization, supported by the United Way.

Shoplifting turned robbery

A man and woman suspected of shoplifting at the Boaz Walmart managed to turn the crime into armed robbery. Boaz police say 22-year-old James Colton Davis of Albertville shoplifted a webcam from the electronics department and then met a woman, 23-year-old Terri Diane Chamblee of Horton. They walked out of the store, followed by Walmart loss-prevention personnel. Davis allegedly started a fight with the store employees and pulled out different knives during the struggle. Davis and Chamblee were arrested on robbery charges.

Firing range

There was a new development this week in the controversy over a firing range on Wyeth Mountain. Meeting in special session Tuesday night, the Guntersville City Council adopted a law that prevents the range from reopening. The city of Albertville ordered it closed two weeks ago and owner Barry Harbin was requesting a business license inside the Guntersville police jurisdiction. Both the Guntersville and Albertville city councils and the Marshall County Commission had been getting complaints from residence about noise from the range.

Attalla robbery arrest

Attalla police say a man armed with what turned out to be a pellet gun made up a story about his granddaughter needing surgery as he held up a check-cashing store. The robbery happened around 10:30 Tuesday morning. 65-year-old Irby Joe Richey, the alleged robber, was seen leaving Cash-In-Hand on Gilberts Ferry Road in an older model red pickup. That vehicle was spotted about two hours later behind Babe's Lounge on U.S. Highway 11 and Richey was arrested when he came out of the establishment. He was charged with first-degree robbery with bond set at 10-thousand dollars.

Weaver woman sentenced

A Weaver woman convicted of manslaughter was sentenced Wednesday. Last Thursday, a Calhoun County jury found 36-year-old Jacquindalyn Carr guilty of manslaughter in the 2010 death of her husband. Carr had claimed she acted in self-defense when she fatally stabbed her husband, Demetrious, in the neck with a steak knife during a domestic dispute at their home. Circuit Judge Malcolm Street sentenced Carr to 15 years in prison, saying "there should be a sufficient amount of time that ought to be served to taking someone's life."

Place in Peril

The annual Alabama Places in Peril list includes an historic landmark at Fort McClellan. The list is assembled each year by the Alabama Historical Commission and the Alabama Trust for Historic Preservation. They say Remington Hall, a former officers club at the fort, is in good condition now but, being vacant, it is potentially in danger because of neglect. The building dates back to 1936 and is known for its murals painted by German prisoners of war.

Attalla holdup quickly solved

It didn't take long to solve an armed robbery in Attalla on Tuesday. A man armed with a handgun held up the Cash-in-Hand check-cashing store on Gilberts Ferry Road in Attalla around 10:30 in the morning. He took some cash and was seen leaving in an older-model small red pickup truck. About two hours later, the truck was spotted and police made the arrest.

Jumper call a hoax

We told you yesterday about a call to Guntersville police on Sunday night regarding someone supposedly jumping from the top of the U.S. 431 bridge into the Tennessee River below. According to the Sand Mountain Reporters, police and local rescue squads conducted a search Sunday night and Monday and found nothing. And there has been no missing persons report filed and no discoveries of unoccupied vehicles. Guntersville Police Chief Jim Peterson says all that leads his department to believe that the call was a hoax.

Disaster communications

Meetings are underway this week in Guntersville involving emergency responders and emergency management officials from all over the state. They're attempting to address problems of communication between various agencies during a disaster.

Anniston-area power outage

Some 14-hundred customers of Alabama Power in the Anniston area were without power for almost five hours Tuesday morning. A spokesman for the utility blamed a voltage issue with a transformer on Highland Avenue. He says the transformer will be replaced as soon as possible. In the meantime, Alabama Power was able to restore power to its customers through other sources.

Guntersville robberies

Two locations in Guntersville were hit by armed robbers on Saturday. In the morning, it was the Bunch Pharmacy on Alabama Highway 69. A man walked inside the store with a gun and demanded prescription drugs. The clerk surrendered and the man ran out of the building. That evening, three men walked into the Chevron Food Mart on U.S. Highway 431 with guns and demanded money, which they got and then ran away. There were no reports of injuries in either incident.

River searched for jumper

On Sunday night, a woman called 9-1-1 to report that she had just seen a man jump from the top of the U.S. Highway 431 Bridge in Guntersville into the Tennessee River below. A Guntersville police officer responded in about one minute and found a boat but no one in the water. Those in the boat claimed they had not seen anyone jump. The Guntersville and Union Rescue Squads spent Monday dragging the river but again found nothing.

Anniston water board moves

Anniston residents have to get used to a new location for the city's Water Works and Sewer Board office. As of Monday, the water board is doing business in the refurbished Watermark Tower at 931 Noble Street. The building was originally purchased by the board in 2006. Since then, it's been sold to local investors and the board leases office space from them. There is no parking on site, but there is a drive-through window.

Hazardous weather outlook

The National Weather Service has issued a hazardous weather outlook for north Alabama, including Marshall and DeKalb counties. Isolated showers and thunderstorms are possible this afternoon, mainly for areas east of the Interstate 65 corridor. Gusty winds and small hail could accompany the stronger storms. In addition, more patchy dense fog is possible late tonight and early tomorrow morning.

Car part thieves arrested

Two men are accused of stealing catalytic converters in Marshall County last Monday. Robert Miles Harris and Joshua Wayne Lowery were arrested when they showed up at an Albertville recycling center attempting to sell a converter. Harris allegedly took a converter from a car he was test driving in Guntersville and police say Lowery admitted to taking one from a vehicle parked at a used car lot in Albertville. Both men are under investigation concerning similar crimes in Marshall and Etowah counties.

Gun range loses lease

The gun range on Wyeth Mountain Road that's been the subject of noise complaints will apparently be moving. According to the sand-mountain-reporter, the owner of Alabama Tactical Shooters has lost his lease. Barry Harbin blames it on a mistake by his insurance company. He says he plans to move the range to another piece of land north of the current location.

Copper thefts arrests

Several Etowah County copper thefts have been solved. Sheriff Todd Entrekin says his deputies arrested 19-year-old Delandis Taylor on four counts of felony theft. Entrekin says that, over a three-week period, Taylor stole copper from air conditioning units located at the Tidmore Bend Volunteer Fire Department and at New Faith Community Church on Whites Chapel Road. He was out on bond at the time, having been previously arrested for similar crimes. Jackson's new bond was set at 80-thousand dollars.

Stolen jewelry

A Gadsden man has been arrested for allegedly dealing in stolen jewelry. James Maxwell Scott is charged with one count of receiving stolen property. Authorities say he received jewelry taken from a residence in Rainbow City on April 30th and then sold it ag a store in Gadsden. Four pieces of jewelry were stolen; three have been recovered. Scott was jailed on bond of 25-hundred dollars.

Anniston councilman sworn in

The Anniston City Council is back at full strength. On Friday, the council unanimously passed a resolution appointing Marcus Dunn to fill the seat left vacant by David Dawson, who resigned last month. Dunn was then sworn in by Judge Brian Howell. With his appointment, the council has black majority for the first time in its history.

Stepmother denied bond

An Etowah County Circuit Judge has denied bond for the stepmother of a 9-year-old girl who died in March after she was run to death as punishment. Savannah Hardin was allegedly forced by her grandmother to run for about three hours at their home. The girl collapsed and had a seizure. She died three days later at Children's of Alabama hospital in Birmingham. Her grandmother, Joyce Hardin Garrard, has been charged with capital murder. Attorneys for Jessica Hardin requested a bond reduction hearing for her. The stepmother is charged with felony murder and has been in jail on a half-million dollar cash bond since her arrest.

Wanted man caught in Birmingham

A man wanted for sexual abuse of a child in DeKalb County was captured Thursday in Birmingham. Police there had been tipped off by the DeKalb County Sheriff's investigators that the suspect was headed that way. They say they arrested 46-year-old Lionel Lopez of Collinsville in the restroom of a bus station, where he was about to get on a Greyhound bus to leave the state. Lopez was in the Jefferson County Jail awaiting extradition to DeKalb County.

Pedestrian hit in Anniston

A man was seriously injured when he was hit by a car in Anniston Thursday afternoon. According to the Anniston Star, police say the pedestrian darted out in front of white 1996 Toyota that was heading south on Quintard Avenue near B Street. The driver tried to stop but the car was still moving as the man was hit. He was in critical but stable condition at UAB Hospital; the driver sustained minor injuries. Names were not immediately released.

Anniston house fire

Investigators are looking into the cause of house fire in Anniston early Thursday morning. It apparently started on the porch of the home in the 22-hundred block of McKleroy Avenue. It took Anniston firefighters just a few minutes to bring the blaze under control bu the house was a total loss. No one was home at the time and no one was injured.

City councilman sues Anniston

A former member of the Anniston City Council is reportedly suing the city. The Anniston Star reports that city manager Don Hoyt confirms that John Spain is seeking 870-thousand dollars. Hoyt told the paper the action involves a lawsuit filed against Spain by the Anniston Fraternal Order of Police back in November. The FOP accused Spain, who resigned in December, and Councilman Ben Little of long-term harassment and violating the Alabama Open Meetings Act.

Arab High hazing punishment

Two Arab High School students accused of hazing another student have learned their punishment. Arab City schools superintendent John Mullins has decided that each will be suspended for three days. The incident occurred two weeks ago in the Arab High field house when the students, who are members of the football team, allegedly used a bullwhip on an incoming freshman player. Mullins said the players considered it horseplay but the victim and the school administration considered it hazing. The freshman student's injuries were minor and school officials say his parents are satisfied with the punishment.

Bo's bikes auctioned

You can own one of the bicycles Bo Jackson rode across Alabama for tornado relief. An online auction site is now selling items linked to Jackson's "Bo Bikes Bama" fundraising ride. Jackson rode five different bikes during his five-day, 300-mile journey across north Alabama. Each carries a minimum winning bid of at least eight-thousand-720 dollars. Proceeds go to the Governor's Emergency Relief Fund. The ride has already raised more than 400-thousand dollars.

Gadsden holdup suspect sought

A Gadsden man is being sought for a Sunday night holdup. Gadsden police have issued a warrant for the arrest of 50-year-olld Alester Derrick Moore. He and another man allegedly put a gun to the back of a clerk at the Jet Pep on South 11th Street. They fled in a Lincoln Navigator, which was found wrecked shortly after the robbery. Moore is though to be hiding in the Guntersville. If you know where he might be or the name of his accomplice, you're encouraged to contact Gadsden police.

Town councilman drowns

A member of the Highland Lake Town Council has drowned. According to the Blount County Coroner, the body of 69-year-old William Randle Cox was recovered Tuesday morning behind his home on Highland Lake. Cox was reportedly suffering complications from surgery that led to his drowning, which has been ruled accidental.

High school hazing incident

Two weeks ago, Arab High School was the scene of a hazing incident involving a bull whip. Superintendent John Mullins says it happened in the boys locker room during spring football practice. A senior and a junior used the whip on an incoming freshman, who suffered a bruise on his leg. Mullins says "what happened was wrong--it's harassment and hazing and it's something we are not going to tolerate." The two students are facing punishment which Mullins says will be appropriate.

Shooting range update

The city of Albertville is asking for help in determining who has jurisdiction over a shooting range that's located between Albertville and Guntersville. Nearby residents have complained about noise from Tactical Shooters on Wyeth Mountain Road. Last Friday, the city ordered Tactical Shooters shut down, claiming that a city ordinance dating back to 1947 supercedes a state law exempting shooting ranges. The city council passed a resolution last night seeking an opinion from the state attorney general's office. In the meantime, Mayor Lindsay Lyons says the 1947 ordinance will be enforced.

After-prom party

A Calhoun County man is accused of hosting an after-prom party at his house in which teenagers engaged in drinking and drug use. 43-year-old Joel Keith Ingram lives on Big Oak Drive east of Anniston. That's where deputies responded after getting calls about a party involving "numerous teenagers." They say they found alcohol and marijuana on Ingram's property. The sheriff's department says teens who hadn't already run away were detained at the house until they could be picked up by their parents. It was not immediately known what school the teens attend, however, Ingram's house is in the district of White Plains High School, which did hold a prom last Saturday night.

Shooting range closed

Citing a city ordinance signed back in 1947, Albertville officials have ordered a shooting range to be shut down. Tactical Shooters, which is outside the city limits but inside police jurisdiction, has been the target of nearby residents who've complained about noise from the facility. Marshall County decided not to do anything about it because of a state law that exempts shooting ranges. But the Albertville ordinance pre-dates the state law. The ordinance could also affect those who hunt outside the city but inside the police jurisdiction. Mayor Lindsay Lyons says he will ask the city council to address that situation at next week's work session.

Firefighter challenge

The Scott Firefighter Combat Challenge will be coming to Albertville this Saturday and Sunday. The event is designed to promote the physical fitness of firefighters. The public is encouraged to come and watch as the participants navigate the Challenge course. The Scott Firefighter Combat Challenge will be held at the Albertville Recreation Center, at 915 West McKinney Avenue. The individual competition starts Saturday at 11 AM. The tandem and team relays begin Sunday at 1 PM. There will also be a Kids’ Firefighter Challenge for children from ages 4 to 11 who ever wanted to put on fire gear and operate a fire hose. You can find out more at firefighter-challenge-dot-com.

Gadsden home sales up

Some positive news concerning the local housing market. The Alabama Center for Real Estate reports that March residential sales in Gadsden were up almost 19 percent compare to March 2011. It's the fourth consecutive month that Gadsden home sales have improved when compared to the same month from the prior year. The nearly 19 percent improvement well outpaces Alabama residential sales which were up eight-point-seven percent from last year and national sales--up five-point-two percent.

Anniston shooting arrest

Anniston police have arrested a second suspect charged in a gas station shooting that injured a bystander. Carey Richardson has been charged with attempted murder, assault, menacing and criminal trespass. Another man, Michael Anthony Brown, was arrested earlier this week in connection with the case. Authorities said the shooting happened last Sunday. A bystander caught in the crossfire was treated for non-life threatening injuries.

Fishing champs

An Albertville man weighed a five-bass limit totaling 27 pounds-one ounce Saturday to win the EverStart Series Southeast Division bass fishing tournament on Lake Guntersville with a three-day total of 15 bass weighing 81 pounds, 12 ounces. For his victory, Alex Davis earned more than 34-thousand dollars. Two Guntersville men, Justin Lucas and Rick Cotten, finished second and third respectively.

Hazardous weather outlook

The National Weather Service has issued a hazardous weather outlook for North Alabama, including Marshall and DeKalb counties. Numerous thunderstorms are expected across the area this afternoon. The strongest storms will be capable of producing damaging winds around 60 miles an hour, hail up to the size of quarters and frequent cloud-to-ground lightning strikes. Locally heavy rainfall is also possible. Although the thunderstorm activity will diminish briefly this evening, a second round of storms will begin to impact the area very late tonight as a cold front approaches from the northwest. There is also a risk of severe thunderstorms in an area including Etowah, Calhoun, Blount and Cherokee counties.

New Etowah warning system

The days of county-wide warning sirens in Etowah County are numbered. The Gadsden/Etowah County Emergency Management Agency is about to start using the National Weather Service's polygon warnings system. Under that system, the sirens are localized to the people most likely to be impacted by a storm. The changeover is scheduled for June 1st.

Manslaughter instead of murder

A Weaver woman on trial for murder has been convicted of a lesser charge. On Thursday, a Calhoun County jury found 36-year-old Jacquindalyn Carr guilty of manslaughter in the 2010 death of her husband. Carr had claimed she acted in self-defense when she fatally stabbed her husband, Demetrious, in the neck with a steak knife during a domestic dispute at their home. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for May 16th for Carr, who could get up to 20 years in prison.

Anniston council applicants

There seems to be plenty of interest in filling a vacant seat on the Anniston City Council. On April 24th, David Dawson resigned from the council. The remaining four members are responsible for filling his seat for the rest of his term, which ends in October. They will consider seven people who applied by the deadline of Wednesday at 5 PM. They are Chris Abernathy, Marcus Dunn, Brian Harmon, Millie Harris, Bill Robison, Joel Russell and Richard Thompson. They will be interviewed on Monday by the council members, who plan to make a choice on Tuesday.

DeKalb County meth bust

A meth bust in DeKalb County: on Wednesday night, agents searched a home on Count Road 380 and found components to make methamphetamine as well as finished meth. Martin Allan Morgan and Tammy Wonzeha McElrath were arrested at the residence and charged with manufacturing and unlawful possession of a controlled substance and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia. James Bentley Garner of Albertville arrived at the residence during the search and agents found a one-pot meth lab in his vehicle. Garner was also charged with manufacturing and unlawful possession of a controlled substance. All three were taken to the DeKalb County detention center.

School calendars

Action by state lawmakers is liable to mean changes in the calendars for local school systems. The Legislature has approved and sent to the governor a bill that would not allow schools to start until two weeks before Labor Day and they would have to end before Memorial Day. According to the Sand Mountain Reporter, Albertville City Schools Superintendent Ric Ayer says if the bill is signed, he'll recommend starting school on August 20th and ending on May 25th. Original plans called for a starting date of August 15th and and ending date of May 28th.

Southside High shooting incident

The Etowah County Sheriff's Department and Board of Education are investigating a shooting incident that occurred Tuesday afternoon at Southside High School. According to Sheriff Todd Entrekin, it took place after school in a parking lot and involved several juveniles and a pellet gun. The sheriff said more information would be released when the investigation is finished.

Accused stabber pleads guilty

A Marshall County man pleaded guilty Monday to assault and burglary. 44-year-old Daniel Mark Gilbreath was arrested in August 2010 after allegedly attacking a woman in her home and stabbing her eight times. His victim, Julia Gunter, survived. Gilbreath is scheduled to be sentenced August 13th and could get life in prison.

Sex offender arrested

A sex offender registered in Jefferson County but living in Marshall County has been arrested. Deputies picked up 33-year-old Mark Anthony Brown at a residence on Isbell Road in Horton. Brown is charged with failure to transfer and establish residency and with living in a prohibited location. He was being held in the Marshall County Jail with bond set at 30-thousand dollars. In 2007, Brown was convicted of second-degree rape in Blount County.

New Fort Payne business

A new business and new jobs are coming to Fort Payne. Officials with Jet Polymer Recycling announced Tuesday that they are moving out of their facility in Rainsville into the former Sara Lee plant in Fort Payne. Jet Polymer will spend about two and a half million dollars on upgrading the new location, which is seven times the size of the old one. Initially, the move will mean 40 new jobs in Fort Payne, with plans to increase that to 100 over the next two years.

Sex abuse sentence

A Marshall County man has pleaded guilty to sexual abuse involving a nine-year-old boy. Prosecutor say that, in February of 2011, there were two episodes of inappropriate contact with the boy at the home of 61-year-old Paul Lafayette Keener of Boaz. Authorities found out when the boy told a teacher what had happened. Keener was sentenced to ten years in prison.

Teacher arrested and suspended

A Marshall County teacher was arrested for domestic violence in Madison County over the weekend and has been suspended. Brooke Frazier teaches pre-kindergarten at Union Grove Elementary. Superintendent Tim Nabors says Frazier was placed on leave without pay Monday morning after he saw the arrest report.

Guntersville fishing

A New Market man weighed a five-bass limit totaling 24 pounds even Saturday to win the Bass Fishing League Choo Choo Division tournament on Lake Guntersville. For his victory, Casey Martin earned almost four-thousand dollars plus a two-thousand dollar bonus from Ranger and a one-thousand dollar bonus from Evinrude. Leon Knight of Guntersville came in fourth. And Lee Graves of Southside won the co-angler division.

Gadsden drones

The police chief of Gadsden says he recently discovered that his department has two unmanned aerial vehicles. Chief John Crane told The Gadsden that he learned two weeks ago the department has had unmanned aerial vehicles since 2010.
The revelation came to light after the Federal Aviation Administration released a list of agencies certified to fly drones and unmanned aerial vehicles. Crane, who was named police chief in February, said he doesn't know why they were purchased. The cost was about 150-thousand dollars, paid through a federal law enforcement grant. Crane said the department's UAVs, which have video surveillance capability, haven't been used because there hasn't been a need for them.

West Anniston shooting

A shooting at a convenience store in Anniston Sunday afternoon. Police say it happened in the parking lot of the Discount Food Mart on Noble Street. A 38-year-old woman from Saks was taken to Regional Medical Center and transferred to UAB Hospital in Birmingham with gunshot wounds in the chest. 23-year-old Michael Anthony Brown of Anniston was arrested and charged with felony first-degree assault. Police say the shooting might be connected with day-long arguments between two groups of people in West Anniston.