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July 03, 2009
Alabama’s new fishing pier opens July 23
GULF SHORES, Ala. (AP) — One of the Alabama’s attractions that was destroyed by Hurricane Ivan in 2004 is finally getting back in business. State Conservation Commissioner Barnett Lawley say the new fishing pier at Gulf State Park in Gulf Shores will open July 23. Gov. Bob Riley is scheduled to cut the ribbon at 9 a.m.
2 Birmingham supervisors suspended in beating case
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — Police Chief A.C. Roper says two Birmingham police supervisors have been suspended in connection with the 2008 police beating of an already-unconscious suspect that was captured on videotape.
Montgomery Zoo: Alabama elephant deaths not related to breeding
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — A Montgomery Zoo veterinarian says the final necropsy reports show the deaths of a 23-year-old African elephant and her 1-month-old calf were not related to breeding elephants in zoos, a conclusion that critics dispute.
HealthSouth accuses Scrushy of hiding assets
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — HealthSouth Corp. is accusing fired chief executive Richard Scrushy of hiding money in offshore bank accounts and transferring assets out of his name to avoid paying court judgments.
Chewacla State Park offers numerous ways to spend Fourth of July weekend
Chewacla State Park was busy Friday with a steady stream of visitors taking advantage of the long Fourth of July weekend to commune with nature. A number of locals and out-of-state folks gathered at the park’s campsites and picnic tables. Some were reading books while sitting in the sun, and others were hanging out with friends and family, including their canine pals.
Census estimates show Huntsville leads Alabama growth
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (AP) — Huntsville is growing faster than Alabama’s three other major cities. New Census estimates released Thursday show Huntsville’s population has jumped to an estimated 176,645 people. That’s a growth of more than 18,000 residents since 2000.
UA, Alabama Shakespeare Festival ending masters program
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Squeezed by a tight budget, the University of Alabama is ending an alliance with the Alabama Shakespeare Festival that has produced actors, stage managers and designers for Broadway and Hollywood. This weekend, the class of 2009 will become the final group to complete the University of Alabama-ASF Professional Actor Training/Master of Fine Arts program.
4 decades later, freedom rider returns to Mississippi
JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Corey Carter could hear snippets of music in his head — a calm and subtle melody that hadn’t found its shape. The 19-year-old college student simply needed a hero to visualize before he could finish his composition for wind ensemble. He found inspiration in an unexpected place. And instead of a hero, he found a heroine.
More people camping permanently amid recession
CROPWELL, Ala. (AP) — Jerry and Carolyn Wallace are living the American dream. Retired, they have a place on Lake Logan Martin where they don’t cut grass or work in the yard. Their home is a popular gathering place for their two children and five grandchildren. It’s just like the couple always dreamed.
Jacksonville State faces cost overrun on stadium
JACKSONVILLE, Ala. (AP) — Jacksonville State is finding out that there are unexpected costs in aiming for big-time college football. The university faces about $5.25 million in unexpected construction costs related to a major expansion of its football stadium, and some students fear they’ll be paying for it with tuition increases.
July 02, 2009
Electric vehicle plant considering Alabama
MOBILE, Ala. (AP) — A South Korean company says Alabama is one of five states it is considering for an electric vehicle manufacturing plant that will create 2,600 jobs over the next five years.
Mississippi agencies involved in red snapper research in Gulf Coast
BILOXI, Miss. (AP) — Marine biologists are studying how artificial reefs may help restore red snapper numbers. The study is being conducted by Mississippi State University’s Forest and Wildlife Research Center and the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources.
Sparks wants lottery, gambling taxes
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — State Agriculture Commissioner Ron Sparks fashioned a campaign platform for governor that calls for taxes on the gambling industry and the creation of a state lottery to provide tax cuts for Alabama families and college scholarships for their children. At a news conference Thursday, the Democratic candidate said Alabama politicians must quit ignoring the expanding gambling industry in the state and start taxing the games.
Alabama’s maximum unemployment check goes up
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Alabama’s maximum weekly unemployment benefit is going up $10 for people who file new claims starting Sunday. State Industrial Relations Director Tom Surtees said the maximum benefit will go from $255 a week to $265 a week. The increase is the second of two that the Legislature approved last year.
Anniston architect pleads guilty to reduced charge
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — An Anniston architect pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of aiding and abetting the obstruction of justice in the two-year colleges corruption case and will spend six months in home confinement.
Valley hopefuls state their case for police chief’s job
The two candidates contending to be the next police chief in Valley plan to use their experiences and leadership skills to improve the morale of the police department and repair its tarnished relationship with the community.
Wisconsin job loss a plus for Auburn plant
More jobs will be coming to Briggs & Stratton’s Auburn location as part of a consolidation of the company’s home power products group, according to a company spokeswoman.
AAA Alabama to help those who party too hard
While many Americans will be celebrating the nation’s history this weekend, one auto service is working hard to ensure they do it safely. AAA Alabama is offering free towing over the July Fourth weekend as part of its Tow-for-Life Program aimed at keeping impaired drivers off roadways.
Alabama Attorney General King wants tape of Birmingham Planned Parenthood
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Attorney General Troy King has asked for a copy of an audio tape of a Birmingham Planned Parenthood staffer allegedly saying rules are sometimes bent at the clinic.
July 01, 2009
Chief justice won’t run for Alabama governor
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Some Democrats are still looking for a gubernatorial candidate who can generate more excitement among voters and someone the party can unite behind after Alabama’s chief justice said Wednesday she will not run. Chief Justice Sue Bell Cobb said in a statement that she plans to remain chief justice and that she was honored by people across the state encouraging her to run.
Alabama troopers set special holiday patrols
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Alabama’s state troopers will be conducting special enforcement operations during the busy Fourth of July weekend. State Public Safety Director Chris Murphy says that includes checkpoints and speeding details.
Briggs & Stratton to close Jefferson, Wisconsin plant
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Briggs & Stratton will eliminate 430 jobs and close its Jefferson (Wis.) facility that makes pressure washers and portable generators by mid next year. Ninety to 100 additional employees, who are salaried, will being offered relocation packages.
Jackson’s hospital is known for ‘raising the dead’
When Michael Jackson went into cardiac arrest, rescuers took him to a place known for bringing the dead back to life. A world-renowned surgeon at the UCLA Medical Center has pioneered a way to revive people that most doctors would have long written off, including a woman whose heart had stopped for 2½ hours.
Wild dog pack linked to Alabama man’s death killed
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — A pack of seven wild dogs that may have killed a 96-year-old man and strewn his remains over property near his home in rural west Alabama was tracked down and destroyed, authorities said Wednesday.
Alabama late paying tax refunds due to recession
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — The longest U.S. recession since World War II has caused Alabama’s tax collections to plummet so badly that more than 120,000 taxpayers are having to wait for their state income tax refunds.
Keep pets safe during Fourth of July weekend
While the Independence Day holiday is one many folks hope goes off with a bang, their pets may not share that same sentiment. A dog can hear up to four times the distance a human is capable of, according to the http://www.dogfacts.org Web site.
Police: Follow simple steps to avoid being victim
Area law enforcement have seen an increase in the amount of car burglaries recently. Auburn police Capt. The Lee County Sheriff’s Office arrested four Phenix City men June 24 for more than 100 car burglaries and thefts from vehicles in the past two months. Chief Investigator Capt. Van Jackson said all the cars burglarized by the group were unlocked in residential areas.
Opelika man accused of falsely reporting armed robbery
A 33-year-old Opelika man was arrested Wednesday after investigators with the LaFayette Police Department determined he had falsely reported an armed robbery at the Kentucky Fried Chicken in LaFayette earlier this month.
Alabama late paying tax refunds due to recession
The longest U.S. recession since World War II has caused Alabama’s tax collections to plummet so badly that more than 120,000 taxpayers are having to wait for their state income tax refunds.
Former HealthSouth exec gets prison time
Another former HealthSouth executive is going to prison for his role in a huge financial fraud at the Birmingham-based rehabilitation company
