Church vandalism suspects

The Rainbow City police chief held a news conference last night to announce that a teenager and his friend were responsible for spray-painting satanic symbols at a church over the weekend. According to the Gadsden Times, Chief Rick Hill said a 17-year-old boy admitted to the vandalism, telling police that he hates Christians. He was helped by a 20-year-old friend who was spending the night at the boy's house. Hill called the incident "just kids being stupid." But he did say authorities are looking into the possibility of prosecuting the vandalism as a hate crime.

Gadsden jet accident

A small jet arriving from Gadsden went off the runway at an airport in DeKalb County, Georgia, injuring all four people on board. According to the FAA, it was a Hawker Beechcraft 40 that crashed through a fence after it left the runway around 10 o'clock Monday morning. The four people injured were taken to hospitals; their conditions were not immediately known. FAA records show the jet is registered to a corporation in Centre.

Anniston shootings

A series of shootings happened in Anniston on Sunday and the Anniston Star reports police think they might all be related. One person was injured; a 28-year-old man told police he was talking on the phone when a vehicle drove by and an unknown person opened fire. The victim was wounded in the leg and was treated at Stringfellow Memorial Hospital. Elsewhere, somebody was shooting at the Norwood Homes apartments and hit two apartments and five cars, causing more than two-thousand dollars in damage.

Brody's Law conviction

Marshall County jurors have convicted a man of capital murder in the slaying of his wife and her unborn child at a car wash three years ago.The trial of Jessie Phillips was believed to be the first test of a state law that allows a person suspected of killing a pregnant woman to be charged with two murders if the fetus also dies. Prosecutors argued that Phillips killed his wife, Erica Droze, and her unborn child at a car wash in 2009. The shooting followed an argument that kept escalating.Jurors deliberated about four hours before convicting Phillips on Monday.Phillips was tried under a law called "Brody's Law." It was named because of the 2005 shooting death in Albertville of Brandy Parker and her unborn son, named Brody.

Church vandalism

Police are looking for vandals who spray-painted satanic symbols at a church in Rainbow City. The graffiti was found on the rear of the main building at Christ Central Church, on an outbuilding, and on a church van. According to the Gadsden Times, the graffiti included the numbers 666, along with upside-down crosses and phrases including "satan rules." The vandalism occurred sometime betwween 5:40 PM Friday and 7:30 AM Saturday.

Shooter still at large

A man wanted for shooting two brothers in Gadsden last Wednesday remains at large. Gadsden police say 23-year-old Jonterio Dante Walker is considered to be armed and dangerous. He's charged with murder in the shooting death of 20-year-old Corion Jedrante Jackson and attempted murder for shooting and critically injuring 21-year-old Jeffery Montez Jackson. The shootings occurred last Wednesday outside an apartment building off South 14th Street. Walker is described as a light-skinned, black male, 5-10, 170 pounds with black hair and brown eyes. If you know anything about his whereabouts, contact the Gadsden Police Department.

Rally Dixie in Gadsden

Gadsden is a stopping point for a road rally that raises money for multiple sclerosis. Rally Dixie 2012 will start tomorrow in Nobleville Indiana with some 80 cars and headed for the Goodyear Tire and Rubber plant in Gadsden on Wednesday. After an overnight stay, they'll start their next leg on Thursday morning, taking off from Downtown gadsden. Broad street will be blocked off from 7-30 a-m to 9-30 a-m at fourth and fifth streets for participants to get ready to take off. The public is invited out on Thursday morning to see the cars and meet the drivers. The 14-hundred mile rally eventually winds up at Fort Walton Beach in Florida.

Cherokee County accidents

Three people were injured in two accidents in Cherokee County Friday. 53-year-old John Sullivan of Cedar Bluff was injured in an apparent hit and run on Highway 411 near Mile Marker 245. Sullivan was driving a 2002 Kawasaki; authorities were looking for the driver of a green SUV that hit him. Later, a single-vehicle wreck on County Road 103 injured two children, ages 10 and six. The driver of the 1999 Chevy, 31-year-old Steven Boswell of Rome, Georgia, was not injured.

Explosive maker arrested

Thanks to a tip phoned in by a citizen, Etowah County sheriff's deputies have arrested a man for allegedly making an explosive. Deputies got the tip on Wednesday and arrested 26-year-old Josh Huie on Thursday. They found the explosive near Delmont Road. Huie reportedly confessed to making the device and was being held in the Etowah County Detention Center on a 50-thousand dollar cash bond.

DeKalb sex offender arrests

DeKalb County Sheriff’s deputies arrested two men this week for violations of sex offender regulations. 32-year-old Richard Holcomb, a registered sex offender from Dutton, was arrested for working at a business too close to a school in Rainsville. 28-year-old Billy Joe Busby, 28, a registered sex offender from Fyffe, was arrested for not having a current identification card or driver’s license showing his present address. As Sheriff Jimmy Harris said “There’s more to it than just registering. Sex offenders have to comply with regulations on an ongoing basis."

May unemployment

New unemployment figures are out today and they show that Alabama's jobless rate was up last month--going from seven-point-two percent in April to seven-point-four percent in May. Department of Industrial Relations Director Tom Surtees said the increase was expected, with new graduates entering the workforce and education staff not working during the summer months. Locally, unemployment rates were up slightly in Marshall, Etowah, Calhoun and Blount counties and were down slightly in DeKalb and Cherokee counties.

Missing teen found

A missing Etowah County teenager has been found. Southside police announced Thursday that 16-year-old Chelsey Burden was located and was unharmed. Chelsey had been missing since Monday.

Four DeKalb meth arrests

Instead of the stolen four-wheeler they were looking for, DeKalb County investigators wound up arresting four people on Wednesday. The search for the four-wheeler led them to the home on County Road 142 in the New Harmony community where they found a meth lab--actually eight one-pot meth labs along with 11 marijuana plants and drug paraphernalia. The residents, 40-year-old Gary Neal Martin and 47-year-old Donna Gail Martin, were arrested--as was a visitor, 43-year-old Bobby Lewis Rains, who was found to have meth and fled, but was found hiding in his Geraldine home Thursday morning. Finally, the search for Rains led to a house on County Road 568, where 40-year-old Renee Stapler was found to be in possession of meth and arrested.

CDP director killed

The director of the Center for Domestic Preparedness in McClellan was struck and killed while riding his bicycle work Thursday morning. 37-year-old Derek Thomas Jensen was pronounced dead at the scene. The accident, which is under investigation happened on Golden Springs Road around 6:30 AM. Jensen was hit by a Chevy Silverado truck driven by 22-year-old Ethan Norton of Heflin. In an email to the Anniston Star, FEMA administrator Craig Fugate called the death of Jensen "a tragic loss," adding that he "represented the best in all of us: a commitment to his community and to making the United States a safer place to live."

Arab fatal wreck

An Arab man was killed and two other people were injured in an accident involving four vehicles. Arab police say it happened Thursday afternoon on Alabama 69. 32-year-old Brent Allen Jones of Dusty Drive was in a Honda S2000, waiting to turn onto Mayapple Road when he was rear-ended by a Chevy Suburban. Jones' car spun into the path of a Chevy pickup, which hit still another vehicle. Jones was pronounced dead at the scene. A woman who was driving the Suburban and a boy were hospitalized. The wreck remains under investigation.

Gadsden fight and stabbing

There was a fight at a home in Gadsden this morning and a woman who tried to break it up wound up getting stabbed. Police say two people were involved in the argument and when the woman stepped in to intervene, one of them, a male, cut her in the back wiht a knife. She was taken to Gadsden Regional Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries. A suspect was arrested.

Gadsden school copper theft

Gadsden police have arrested at least one person in connection with a copper theft at Floyd Elementary School. It was discovered Wednesday morning that someone had taken copper from seven or more air conditioning units on the roof of the school. The superintendent of Gadsden City Schools, Doctor Ed MIller, says iepairing the units will cost at least 30-thousand dollars.

Missing Etowah County girl

A teenage girl from Etowah County is missing. 16-year-old Chelsey Burden of Southside was last seen Monday. She is 5-6, 140 pounds with brown hair and blue eyes. If you know anything about the whereabouts of Chelsey Burden, contact the Southside Police Department.

Calhoun copper theft

Copper thieves have been at work in northern Calhoun County. The sheriff's office says the target was Roberts Chapel Baptist Church on Maxwellborn Road south of Piedmont. Sometime last month, thieves took copper piping from the church’s heating and air conditioning units, propane tanks and a light switch. They caused extensive damage although no dollar estimate was immediately available.

Blount County fatal accident

Alabama State Troopers are investigating an accident in Blount County that left one person dead and two injured. It happened around 9:30 Tuesday night on Highway 79. 53-year-old Eddie Terrell Dutton of Hayden was killed. 20-year-old Clay Fountain and 18-year-old Logan Self, both of Oneonta, were injured and taken to UAB.

No ATVs on the street

If you don't want to get a ticket from Albertville police, don't let your kids ride all-terrain vehicles or golf carts on city streets. According to WAAY-TV, police chief Doug Pollard says if his officers catch a child riding an a highway or public roadway they'll get a warning and the parents will get a call; if it happens again, the parents will be ticketed. The problem tends to increase in the summer. A University of Alabama study indicates that four-wheeler related injuries are highest among the 10 to 19 age group. Police say kids should not ride without a helmet.

DeKalb drug busts

Two traffic stops turned into drug busts for DeKalb County sheriff's deputies early Tuesday morning. They pulled over a vehicle that was swerving southbound on Alabama Highway 11 at County Road 51. They say the driver tossed something out of the window that turned out to be a container holding methamphetamine and a small green pill called a ladder. 26-year-old Chad Roberts of Fort Payne was arrested on a drug possession charge. And deputies picking up a chase from Etowah County got help from Fort Payne police who used spikes to stop a car heading north on Highway 11 at County Road 83. A bag containing meth, drug paraphernalia and a firearm was seized and 28-year-old Annette Carter of Woodville was arrested on a number of charges.

Etowah fatal wreck details

The Alabama Highway Patrol has released more information about a fatal three-car accident that happened in Etowah County this past weekend. Troopers say the wreck happened on Highway 278, seven miles west of Attalla, shortly before noon on Sunday. The person who was killed has been indentified as 22-year-old Edith Aguinaga of Decatur, a passenger in one of the vehicles. Two other people were injured, including an 18-month old child. No word on their conditions.

Grand jury gets pastor case

A grand jury will review the case against an Anniston pastor accused of stabbing his brother. 55-year-old David Allen Rice is pastor of First Presbyterian Church on Henry Road. He was arrested May 28th after police found his brother, 53-year-old Philip Rice in the pastor's home on Homarda Drive unconscious with stab wounds to his arm and chest. Philip Rice has since undergone surgery and been released from Regional Medical Center. According to the Anniston Star, staff at David Allen Rice's church would not comment as to whether he is still acting as pastor.

Murder sentence

A Hokes Bluff man convicted of murder has been sentenced. 27-year-old Jeremy Wayne Grissom pleaded guilty in April to murder and abuse of a corpse in the 2010 death of his girlfriend. Authorities say Monica Michelle Payne, who was 28, was beaten with a weapon and a fist. Her body was wrapped in duct tape and plastic and placed in a duffel bag inside the house where she lived with Grissom. On Monday, Circuit Judge David Kimberly sentenced Grissom to 37 years in prison.

Fatal wreck in Etowah

A woman was killed in a wreck in Etowah County on Sunday. Alabama State Troopers say it happened just before noon on U.S. Highway 278, seven miles west of Attalla. Names of the victim and others involved plus other details were being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

Arab meth bust

A meth bust in Arab Monday morning. Police making a traffic stop on Highway 231 found a large amount of drugs they say were tossed out of the vehicle by the two men inside. Confiscated was 26 grams of methamphetamine worth an estimated 26-hundred dollars. Arrested and charged with unlawful possession of a controlled substance were 30-year-old Johnny Ray Smith of Altoona and 27-year-old L.C. Waller of Albertville.

Arson suspected in Anniston

Investigators think a fire at a residence in Anniston Sunday morning might have been deliberately set. The fire occured at a home on the 2200 block of Walnut Avenue. Firefighters responded to a call from a woman, apparently alone inside the home at the time, who said she smelled smoke. They put out the fire, limiting the damage mostly to an outside door. Arson is believed to be a possible cause.

Brody Bill trial

The Brody Bill is an Alabama law that allows for the death penalty in capital cases involving women who are murdered while pregnant. And the first case in which that law is being applied is taking place in Marshall County. Jury selection began Monday for the trial of 32-year-old Jessie Phillips of Albertville. He's charged with killing his wife, 23-year-old Erica Carmen Phillips. She was shot to death at Lakeside Carwash in Guntersville in February 2009; she was eight weeks pregnant at the time.

Officers kill DeKalb man

A DeKalb County man who aimed a gun at officers during a foot chase on Friday was shot and killed. Sheriff Jimmy Harris said in a news release that a DeKalb deputy and a state trooper tried to stop a four-wheeler being driven by Monroe Curtis Smith on state Highway 117 in the Ider area. With the officers in pursuit, Smith turned onto a secondary road, then onto private property. The officers saw Smith pick up a firearm before abandoning his vehicle and when they approached, they say he pointed it at them and ignored commands to drop it. That's when they opened fire. Smith was pronounced dead at the scene. The incident remains under investigation.

Cherokee County HOF

The Cherokee County Hall of Fame inducted its Class of 2012 over the weekend. Those entering the Hall included Cedar Bluff football and basketball standout Harry Tucker, Hatcher and Cherokee County High School basketball standout Ronald Rooks, and Sand Rock football standout Lance Mackey. The ceremonies were held Saturday evening at the Gadsden State-Cherokee community room in Centre.

Oil leasing postponed

The Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service were scheduled to start leasing portions of the Talladega National Forest, including some that reach into Calhoun County, this Thursday. But last Friday, the leasing of the 43-thousand acres was postponed. The delay was requested by Congressman Mike Rogers when it turned out that there were no maps and very little information available to the public concerning the proposed sale. Among the tracts to be leased are areas near the Dugger Mountain Wilderness east of Jacksonville and one bordering a drinking water reservoir in Calhoun County. Environmental groups have threatened to sue, fearing the impact that drilling would have on endangered species, such as the red-cockaded woodpecker and the Indiana bat.

Calhoun County HOF

The Calhoun County Sports Hall of Fame will induct its eighth class this weekend. Among those being honored are former Jacksonville High School running back David Luttrell, Oxford High football coach Robert Herring, Saks football coach Jack Stewart, former Wellborn basketball coach John Adcock, Anniston High athlete and coach Ernest Washington and Anniston's Vaughn Stewart. The induction will take place Saturday at the Anniston City Meeting Center starting at 6:30 PM.

Saks cabinet shop fire

Despite the presence of fuels like solvents, wood and sawdust, Anniston firefighters made relatively quick work of a fire in a cabinet shop on Thursday morning. They were called to the Liberty Cabinet Shop on Old Gadsden Highway in Saks at 6:40 and found 75 percent of the building on fire. But by 9:30, the fire was out and no one was injured. There were no initial indications of arson.

Bike and Build ride returns

It was one year ago Wednesday that a driver in DeKalb County stuck and killed Christina Genco of Boston, who was taking part in a Bike and Build ride from South Carolina to Southern California. Thursday, riders in the 2012 Bike and Build ride arrived in Alabama, wearing ribbons on the jerseys with Genco's initials. They took a different route this year, taking Highway 40 from Rome, Georgia, to Scottsboro and then onto Highway 35 to cross the Tennessee River. Along their way across the country, the riders will stop in 10 different cities to work on Habitat for Humanity houses.

Neighbor alerts neighbor

A woman who had just driven up to her residence on County Road 386 in the Kilpatrick community on Wednesday was alerted by a neighbor that two men were running from the rear of her house. DeKalb County sheriff's deputies were notified by 9-1-1 and captured a suspect, Franklin Ray Elkins of Arab, who was positively identified as one of the men leaving the home. Elkins was charged with third-degree burglary. A search continued for the other suspect.

Blimp over Albertville

You might have seen the Goodyear Blimp flying over the area on Thursday. The blimp, called the Spirit of America, was airborne in tribute to Wilks Tire and Battery in Albertville, which is celebrating 60 years in business.

Pastor arrest followup

It turns out that a man who was recently hired as pastor of an Albertville church did a lot of prison time. 41-year-old Mark Allen Green was terminated by the Cowboy Church of Marshall County following his arrest last week on charges of sexual abuse and aggravated sexual abuse of two children in the Texas counties of Ellis and Navarro. But even before that, going back more than 20 years, Green faced a number of charges in at least six counties in Texas and spent almost a decade in that state's prison system. According to WAFF, there's been no comment from members of the church's Board of Elders as to whether they did a background check on Green before hiring him.

Etowah spice bust

A Spice bust in Etowah County, where the Drug Enforcement Unit seized synthetic marijuana from a Gadsden business called Pleasure Treasures. Following a two-week investigation, the raid took place Wednesday afternoon and three people were arrested, including the owner/operator. All are expected to face drug-related charges. The Drug Enforcement Unit also seized two to three pounds of spice along with drug paraphernalia.

Talladega drilling

Portions of the Talladega National Forest, including some that reach into Calhoun County, are about to be leased for oil and gas exploration. The Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service are scheduled to begin leasing 43-thousand acres one week from today. Among the tracts to be leased are areas near the Dugger Mountain Wilderness east of Jacksonville and one bordering a drinking water reservoir in Calhoun County. Environmental groups say they will sue, fearing the impact that drilling would have on endangered species, such as the red-cockaded woodpecker and the Indiana bat.

Jax state senior drafted

A senior from Jacksonville State has been chosen in the Major League Baseball amateur draft. Ben Waldrip, a left-handed hitting first baseman, was selected in the 10th round Tuesday by the Colorado Rockies. Waldrip hit .330 this season for the Gamecocks with 18 homers and 61 runs batted in. He called Coors Field "a great hitters' park" and said Colorado is a great organization and he's looking forward to his future with the Rockies.

Marshall County meth bust

Marshall County sheriff's investigators have arrested two men have in connection with the discovery of an active meth lab. The lab was located at a residence on Porch Hollow Road, where shotguns and other drug paraphernalia were seized. 47-year-old Randy Bearden of Grant and 32-year-old Albert Wayne Moon of Guntersville are charged with unlawful manufacturing of a controlled substance. They're being held in the Marshall County Jail.

Flagpole prayers

A local dentist told the Arab City Council that a group has been praying at local school flagpoles for the past three months. Dr. Jerry Webb says members of the Hosea 4:6 Ministries at Liberty Church show up unannounced at the poles every two weeks at 6:30. Webb says they now want to pray at the flagpole in front of Arab City Hall on June 13th. The city council told him they had no objections.
saying they had received a complaint.

Pastor arrested in Texas

A Marshall County pastor is now in a jail in Ellis County, Texas. Mark Allen Green served for less than two months as pastor of the Cowboy Church of Marshall County in Albertville. Green has now been terminated after being arrested in Texas last week. He is charged with sexual abuse of a child in Ellis County and aggravated sexual abuse of a child in neighboring Navarro County. Green is being held on a half-million dollar bond. A spokesman for the church said they are--quote--saddened by the circumstances surrounding his termination but cannot comment further due to legal issues involved."

Arab PD humvees

Arab police recently expanded their fleet of motor vehicles. WAFF reports that the department has added four military-style humvees. They were acquired through government surplus and all it cost was the price of transporting them--about 350 dollars each. Chief Ed Ralston says they will come in handy during bad weather because of their four-wheel drive capability. However, one has been painted black, with police logos and lights added, for use in public relations with local schools.

Boaz fire investigation

An investigation continues into a fire early Saturday morning at a residence on Alabama Highway 168. Boaz Police Chief Terry Davis says the fire, which caused about a thousand dollars' damage to the back portch of the house, is suspicious in nature. Davis says evidence has been sent to state forensic officials, who will look into whether an accelerant was involved in starting the fire.

Walmart arrest followup

Gadsden police have identified the man arrested after a confrontation with security at the Walmart in East Gadsden last Friday morning. 28-year-old Antonio Dericko Owens of Gadsden allegedly tried to leave the store with a television for which he had not paid. After getting into a scuffle with a store employee, police say Owens fled to the gas station in front of Walmart, where he was taken into custody. He is charged with third-degree robbery and second-degree theft of property.

Cosmic Debris petition

Last month, the owner of an Anniston music store was charged with possession and distribution of synthetic marijuana, commonly referred to as "spice." Last week, the Calhoun County District Attorney's Office filed a petition requesting that property seized from Carl Lackey and Cosmic Debris be forfeited to the D.A.'s office and the sheriff's office. The petition contends that two cars, thousands of dollars in cash, real estate and drug paraphernalia were used, intended to be used or earned in the illegal distribution of spice.

Hazardous weather outlook

The National Weather Service has issued a hazardous weather outlook for areas of Alabama including Marshall, DeKalb, Etowah, Calhoun, Cherokee and Blount counties. Scattered thunderstorms are expected this afternoon. A few of these strongs could briefly become strong, with hail, gusty winds and frequent lightning the primary threats.

Gadsden Walmart scuffle

There was trouble at the Walmart in Gadsden on Friday morning. A man who was allegedly trying to leave the store with a television he had not paid for got into a scuffle with a security guard. He then ran away to a gas station on East Meighan Boulevard where he was taken into custody by Gadsden police.

DeKalb meth bust

DeKalb County authorities also arrested two people on methamphetamine charges last week. 33-year-old Chris Allan Johnson of Rainsville and 36-year-old Tara Battles Hensley of Sylvania are each facing several charges including first-degree manufacturing of meth. Authorities seized meth, various drug paraphernalia and two firearms from a residence on Clements Road in Rainsville. That's where they also found two children under the age of 12 who were given to other family members and the state Department of Human Resources was notified.

DeKalb spice bust

A Sylvania man is accused of dealing in marijuana and spice. Last Wednesday, the DeKalb County Drug Task Force arrested 42-year-old Aaron Wiley Jones on charges of possession of marijuana and distributing and conspiring to distribute a controlled substance. Sheriff Jimmy Harris says complaints from concerned citizens prompted an investigation of Jones. He added--quote--"We are very much aware of the dangers of marijuana and spice in our area and we are continuing to attack this distribution network."

Jail inmate dies

An inmate at the Cherokee County Detention Center was found unresponsive in his cell on Friday morning. Sheriff Jeff Shaver says 50-year-old Ronald Atkins of Centre was later pronounced dead by the coroner. There were no signs of foul play; an autopsy will be performed.

Accident kills Oneonta man

A one-car accident left an Oneonta man dead. Alabama State Troopers say it happened late Friday night on County Road 20 in Oneonta. The victim was identified as 21-year-old Juan Contreras. Two others in the 2002 GMC Envoy were injured: Noe Maldonado and Oscar Cervantes were transported to UAB.

Hazardous weather outlook

The National Weather Service has issued a hazardous weather outlook covering areas including Marshall, DeKalb, Etowah, Calhoun, Blount and Cherokee counties. Thunderstorms are expected through the day with the strongest storms capable of producing damaging winds, large hail and locally heavy rainfall. There could be incidents of flash flooding, especially in areas that have recently been affected by heavy rains.

Burglary arrests

Two men from Blount County are accused of breaking into two homes in Etowah County. 37-year-old John Anthony Williams of Oneonta and 36-year-old Roger D. Engel of Blountsville allegedly stole jewelry and fishing poles from a home on Alabama Highway 132 in the Altoona area and a television and fishing equipment from a residence on Duck Springs Road. The items were found at three local pawn shops. Williams and Engel are each facing felony burglary and theft charges and were being held in the Etowah County Detention Center on 15-thousand dollars bond.

Boating under the influence

A man who ran for county commissioner in Madison County earlier this year was arrested Sunday on the Tennessee River near Guntersville. State marine police charged Joey Parker with operating a vessel under the influence. They turned Parker over to the Marshall County Sheriff's Department, where a sheriff's spokesman said he posted bond.

Fatal wreck

State troopers are investigating a single-vehicle wreck that occured in the Guest community Thursday morning, killing a man from Fort Payne. According to Fyffe Police, 63-year-old Johnny Green Chitwood died when the 2012 GMC truck he was driving struck a tree and ran off a bridge into the embankment on County Road 44. Chitwood was the only person in the truck.

Illegal immigrant indicted

A federal grand jury indicted a Mexican man and illegal immigrant living in Boaz on Thursday for drug-trafficking and weapons violations related to the distribution of methamphetamine this year and in 2009. The charges against 38-year-old Tomas Ramirez Poulino include possession and distribution of methamphetamine on several occasions, illegal possession of guns and being in the United States illegally after having been deported to Mexico. Possible sentences include up to life in prison and millions of dollars in fines.