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July 03, 2008
Alabama voters could have final say on VW deal
If Volkswagen picks Alabama for an assembly plant, voters statewide will likely get to decide if they want to seal the deal, possibly by tapping into a state savings account. Alabama is in a contest with Tennessee and Michigan for the plant and its 2,000 jobs If Alabama wins, voters going to the polls on Nov. 4 to elect a president and other officials may also get to give a thumbs up or down on how best to pay for the incentives.
Ala. Marine Police to step up patrols on waterways
The Alabama Marine Police say the busiest part of the summer water recreation season is just beginning and there have been at least eleven deaths on the state’s lake system. That already equals the number of boating fatalities recorded in 2007. In Alabama, the first offense for boating-under-the-influence can be anywhere from 600 to two thousand dollars—and up to one year in jail.
Alabama troopers target aggressive driving
Alabama state troopers are going to crack down on aggressive driving, particularly around big trucks. To help with the crackdown, the Department of Public Safety has added 11 Dodge Charger interceptor patrol cars to its fleet. Murphy says the cars allow troopers to apprehend speeders and other violators quickly.
Federal, state officials urge fireworks safety
Be careful with fireworks over the July Fourth holiday weekend. In many municipalities fireworks are illegal and can result in jail time or a fine.
Dry conditions persist across the state and experts say it’s a good idea to leave the pyrotechnics to the professionals.
Colombia frees Betancourt, US hostages
Ingrid Betancourt woke up, as always, at 4 a.m., for another numbing day in her seventh year of rebel captivity deep in Colombia’s jungle. The former presidential candidate listened to news of her mother and daughter over the radio then was told to pack by her guerrilla captors — helicopters were coming.
The sound always filled her with dread, but this time she and 14 other hostages — including three U.S. military contractors held since 2003 — were airlifted to freedom in an audaciously “perfect” operation involving military spies who tricked the rebels into handing over their prize hostages without firing a shot.
The ‘mushy middle’ hard to reach for Obama, McCain
They’re the most fickle voters, and potentially the most powerful. Thus, with party nominations secure, John McCain and Barack Obama now are pushing toward the center to win them over. Meet the “mushy middle,” a complex chunk of people likely to decide the presidential election but difficult to reach and hard to please. “Yes, we can!” isn’t floating their boat. Nothing much is, from either candidate..
July 02, 2008
Fireworks on tap in Opelika, Auburn
Fireworks shows are the highlight of Fourth of July celebrations. For the past 30 years, Pyrotecnico in Montgomery has been providing pyrotechnical entertainment for audiences in Opelika and Auburn.
Reward offered for people using stolen credit cards
A reward is being offered for information on the identity of two people seen using stolen credit cards, according to a statement released by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office Wednesday
Opelika to consider broadband business
At the Opelika City Council work session on July 15, council members are expected to hear a presentation for a proposed study that could be the first step for the city to enter the broadband communications business.
Fox tests positive for rabies
VALLEY—Tests confirm that a fox found dead in the Riverview community in June was rabid.
Opelika Police Department reports
Opelika Police Department reports
Holiday trash pick-up schedules
The Fourth of July holiday will not change the trash pick-up schedule for Auburn this week, but residents in Opelika will have garbage service one day early on Wednesday and Thursday.
Iranian FM dismisses attack threat
Iran’s foreign minister dismissed the threat of an attack against his country, asserting Wednesday that the United States can’t afford to open a second front in the Middle East and that Israel has too much political turmoil
Palestinian launches Jerusalem attack with construction vehicle
JERUSALEM — A Palestinian man plowed an enormous construction vehicle into cars, buses and pedestrians on a busy street Wednesday, killing at least three people and wounding at least 45 before he was shot dead by security officers.
UN report critical of Alabama death penalty
A United Nations report says Alabama’s death penalty system is so flawed that the state may have executed an innocent person, but the state’s top prosecutor dismisses the criticism.
Ill. Democrats face off in rare impeachment fight
Three of the state’s governors have served time. Scores of legislators and aldermen have gotten into legal trouble over the years. But Illinois politicians haven’t seriously considered impeaching one of their own — until now. Gov. Rod Blagojevich finds his enemies these days boldly considering impeachment. The enemies? His fellow Democrats. The tension boiled over recently when House Speaker Michael Madigan, the powerful head of the state Democratic Party and Blagojevich’s main nemesis, circulated talking points to Democratic legislative candidates on how and why to call for impeachment hearings.
Ala troopers to target impaired drivers
State and local law enforcement officers will be keeping a watchful eye on drivers. Alabama Public Safety Director, Colonel Chris Murphy, says all available troopers will be on the roads during the 78-hour holiday travel weekend. DPS said special “Task Force Zero” DUI enforcement teams will target impaired and aggressive drivers who fail to obey traffic laws.
Man charged in 11-year-old girl’s murder
Authorities say a capital murder charge has been filed against a 35-year-old Shelby County man in connection with the slaying of 11-year-old Katherine Helen Gillespie. The arrest of Ryan Gerald Russell was announced Wednesday. Sheriff’s deputies found the girl upon entering a home on Kerry Downs Road just after 9 p.m. Monday. How Gillespie died has not been disclosed.
No Mega Millions jackpot winner
The jackpot in the multistate Mega Millions lottery drawing grew to $53 million Wednesday.None of the tickets sold for Tuesday’s $43 million drawing matched all five lotto numbers and the Mega Ball. The next drawing will be Friday.There was one second-prize winner from Tuesday night’s drawing, matching all five lotto numbers but not the Mega Ball number to win $250,000.
US contradicts itself over its own ID theft advice
The nation’s Medicare agency and the Pentagon compel at least 52 million Americans to carry their Social Security numbers in their wallets, contrary to warnings by the Federal Trade Commission that people should avoid doing so. At least 44 million Medicare insurance cards include the beneficiary’s full Social Security number. Social Security numbers also appear on 8 million Defense Department identity cards used by active duty and reserve forces and their dependents, and on identification cards issued to military retirees.
July 01, 2008
Indian Hill residents win road battle
Indian Hill residents won a major victory Tuesday in a months-long battle to keep an Opelika developer from routing traffic from a proposed mixed-use developement into their
neighborhood.
Mailbox vandalism increasing
The occurrence of mailbox vandalism has doubled this year compared to last, said Terry Dozier, post master at the Opelika Post Office.
9 qualify on first day in Opelika
Nine people signed up on the first day of qualifying Tuesday for the Aug. 26 municipal election in Opelika.
Lockhart’s attorneys seek to close file
Defense attorneys for Courtney Lockhart want his file to be sealed, according to a motion filed Friday in the Lee County Circuit Clerk’s Office.
Fewer cars to be on the road this Fourth
Fewer travelers will be on the road during the Fourth of July holiday period this year, according to AAA Alabama.
Auburn City Council votes to vacate right of way on Indian Hills Road
The Auburn City Council unanimously approved vacating the right of way at the end of Indian Hills Road in the Indian Hills Subdivision at its regular meeting Tuesday. The vote effectively blocked a proposed connection with a mixed-use development in Opelika.
Obama makes pitch for evangelicals
ZANESVILLE, Ohio — Barack Obama showed his religious audience he was comfortable talking their talk, calling his faith ``a personal commitment to Christ.’’ And then he promised that if elected president he’d use tax dollars to help them do ``the Lord’s work.’’
Death of Auburn 7-year-old ruled natural causes
An autopsy performed Monday confirmed the preliminary finding of an inflamed heart, a condition known as myocarditis, as the cause of death for a 7-year-old Auburn girl who died over the weekend at George H. Lanier Hospital in Valley.
Tuskegee man charged with armed robberies
Auburn police charged a Tuskegee man Monday with armed robbery in connection with three 2006 robberies, according to a police report.
SSHS class schedule pick-up dates announced
Students will be able to pick up their schedules at the Smiths Station High School auditorium on July 14 and July 15.
