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[
"The Associated Press"
] | 2016-08-30T04:49:41 | null | 2016-08-30T03:00:00 | ATHENS — Authorities say three people are dead after a wreck in north Alabama. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tuscaloosanews.com%2Farticle%2F20160829%2Fnews%2F160829663.json | http://G52-TLweb.newscyclecloud.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=TL&Date=20160829&Category=NEWS&ArtNo=160829663&Ref=AR&imageVersion=Teaser | en | null | 3 dead after wreck in north Alabama | null | null | www.tuscaloosanews.com | ATHENS — Authorities say three people are dead after a wreck in north Alabama.
Officials say two vehicles collided nearly head-on in Limestone County north of Athens just before midnight Sunday. At least one of the cars caught fire after the crash.
Two people died on the scene, and the third person died after being taken to a hospital in Huntsville by helicopter ambulance.
Two other people were injured.
Officials haven’t released the names of the victims. | http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20160829/news/160829663 | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | www.tuscaloosanews.com/3ab4fa588e0dbdfeded219e0ce8fa637874f986acb39a800b509f2beb70e534c.json |
[
"Staff Report"
] | 2016-08-26T13:00:39 | null | 2016-08-26T04:00:00 | Veterans and others interested in job opportunities filled the Community Living Center at the Tuscaloosa Veterans Affairs Medical Center during a Veterans Job Fair Thursday. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tuscaloosanews.com%2Farticle%2F20160825%2Fnews%2F160829811.json | http://G52-TLweb.newscyclecloud.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=TL&Date=20160825&Category=NEWS&ArtNo=160829811&Ref=AR&imageVersion=Teaser | en | null | Job fair: Helping veterans find employment (with photo gallery) | null | null | www.tuscaloosanews.com | Approximately 30 businesses in the West Alabama area had information for veterans looking for employment at the job fair.
Veterans and others interested in job opportunities filled the Community Living Center at the Tuscaloosa Veterans Affairs Medical Center during a Veterans Job Fair Thursday.
Veterans and others interested in job opportunities filled the Community Living Center at the Tuscaloosa Veterans Affairs Medical Center during a Veterans Job Fair Thursday. Approximately 30 businesses in the West Alabama area had information for veterans looking for employment at the job fair. | http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20160825/news/160829811 | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | www.tuscaloosanews.com/e839b33bff4dac9ee760f987cd266ec7b03b72f558d3d924b15ca55eba96dc03.json |
[
"Angel Coker Staff Writer"
] | 2016-08-27T02:49:47 | null | 2016-08-27T02:00:00 | Six Tuscaloosa County polling locations will change for the Nov. 8 general election. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tuscaloosanews.com%2Farticle%2F20160826%2Fnews%2F160829788.json | http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/global/images/fb/TL.png | en | null | 6 wards change voting locations in Tuscaloosa County | null | null | www.tuscaloosanews.com | Affected voters to be notified before Nov. 8 election
Six Tuscaloosa County polling locations will change for the Nov. 8 general election.
“Several locations or polling places have become overcrowded in some instances. Facilities have become worn,” said County Commission Chairman Hardy McCollum.
Four of the six polling places were changed because of lack of space at their locations. One location is closing, and one location will be under construction during the election.
Ward 9, formerly located at Yellow Creek Fire Department, is relocated to Yellow Creek Baptist Church, 15515 Yellow Creek Road.
Ward 19, formerly located at Mt. Olive Volunteer Fire Department, is relocated to Mount Olive Baptist Church, 13303 Mt. Olive Road.
Ward 23 , formerly at Tuscaloosa Academy, is relocated to Church of the Highlands, 721 Rice Mine Road NE.
Ward 26, formerly at the Boys Club at Jaycee Park, is relocated to Alberta Baptist Church, 2210 University Blvd. E.
Ward 29, formerly at Sprayberry Regional Education Center on Rice Mine Road is closing, and its voters are being relocated to New Zion Missionary Baptist Church, 1317 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Ward 45, formerly at Skyland Elementary School, which is expected to have construction, is relocating to Mount Pilgrim Baptist Church, 128 39th St. E.
McCollum said notices will be mailed to affected voters to let them know where they should vote.
Reach Angel Coker at angel.coker@tuscaloosanews.com or 205-722-0230. | http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20160826/news/160829788 | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | www.tuscaloosanews.com/d558360e14d99d585a4fb4216124e3d7f125cdad1f3ea74d9afc6025509c30e7.json |
[
"The Associated Press"
] | 2016-08-26T12:55:01 | null | 2016-08-26T04:00:00 | BIRMINGHAM — A man who had been convicted in a deadly shooting and was serving a life sentence has died. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tuscaloosanews.com%2Farticle%2F20160825%2Fnews%2F160829813.json | http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/global/images/fb/TL.png | en | null | Convicted killer dies in Birmingham hospital | null | null | www.tuscaloosanews.com | BIRMINGHAM — A man who had been convicted in a deadly shooting and was serving a life sentence has died.
James Antoine Holden Williams, 24, was pronounced dead Sunday at UAB Hospital AL.com reported. The Jefferson County Coroner’s Office says Williams had been transferred to the hospital from William Donaldson Correction Facility, and died from natural causes.
In 2011, Williams was convicted of the fatal shooting of Melvin Lovette Jr., 54, during a robbery of the gas station where Lovette worked.
Williams, who was 17 at the time of the 2007 incident, initially denied shooting Lovette. He later admitted the shooting but said it was an accident. | http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20160825/news/160829813 | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | www.tuscaloosanews.com/276745ac84969d9e38e258b06a1d3b82a12ddeb568650d9a1c994ea87f8c7adc.json |
[
"The Associated Press"
] | 2016-08-30T02:51:01 | null | 2016-08-30T02:00:00 | Firefighters are investigating the cause of a fire that consumed a single-wide mobile home in west Tuscaloosa on Sunday night. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tuscaloosanews.com%2Farticle%2F20160829%2Fnews%2F160829675.json | http://G52-TLweb.newscyclecloud.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=TL&Date=20160829&Category=NEWS&ArtNo=160829675&Ref=AR&imageVersion=Teaser | en | null | Mobile home fire investigated in Tuscaloosa | null | null | www.tuscaloosanews.com | Firefighters are investigating the cause of a fire that consumed a single-wide mobile home in west Tuscaloosa on Sunday night.
The mobile home on Exchange Avenue wasn't occupied, and firefighters hadn't yet located the owner Monday morning, said Tuscaloosa Fire and Rescue Service Fire Marshal Gene Holcomb.
The structure was fully involved when firefighters arrived, he said. Exchange Avenue is just west of Interstate 359 and north of 35th Street.
The cause of the fire was still undetermined Monday. | http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20160829/news/160829675 | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | www.tuscaloosanews.com/c7bd342d67e164d476a0d58f641af41ea69ff2c3ac28bded4443bd676895f79c.json |
[
"The Associated Press"
] | 2016-08-29T04:49:45 | null | 2016-08-29T03:00:00 | DOTHAN — Legendary Florida State football coach Bobby Bowden is expected to speak at an educational event in southeast Alabama. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tuscaloosanews.com%2Farticle%2F20160828%2Fnews%2F160829700.json | http://G52-TLweb.newscyclecloud.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=TL&Date=20160828&Category=NEWS&ArtNo=160829700&Ref=AR&imageVersion=Teaser | en | null | Bobby Bowden plans speech in Dothan | null | null | www.tuscaloosanews.com | DOTHAN — Legendary Florida State football coach Bobby Bowden is expected to speak at an educational event in southeast Alabama.
Bowden will speak at the Dothan Education Foundation’s annual Impact on Education event on Oct. 25, the Dothan Eagle (http://bit.ly/2bK8qZg) reported. The one-night only event will be held at the Dothan Civic Center.
Megan Dorsey, communications director for the Dothan Education Foundation, said event organizers picked Bowden for his strong record as a leader.
“They liked his focus on discipline and leadership,” she said.
Proceeds from the ticket sales will go toward funding for the foundation’s efforts to boost student achievement, enhance instruction, building teacher morale and improve community support for the city schools.
Bowden coached at FSU for 34 years, leading the Seminoles to two national championships. He collected more than 300 wins and led his team to 12 Atlantic Coast Conference titles.
Bowden was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2006.
Bowden recently authored his third book, “The Wisdom of Faith,” which delves into the importance of his religious beliefs connected to his success. He’s also involved heavily with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and presents the National Bobby Bowden Award each year to the athlete for academic achievement along with his conduct as a faith model for his community.
Dorsey said the foundation is hopes to raise $22,000. | http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20160828/news/160829700 | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.tuscaloosanews.com/2ce2ef9cdd317acca35ebe75d8645f6e652689054a21b7bdb9d7f365e65746ba.json |
[
"Stephanie Taylor"
] | 2016-08-29T16:49:46 | null | 2016-08-29T16:00:00 | A boy who nearly drowned at the Bowers Park pool is still being treated at Children's of Alabama hospital in Birmingham. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tuscaloosanews.com%2Farticle%2F20160829%2Fnews%2F160829690.json | http://G52-TLweb.newscyclecloud.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=TL&Date=20160829&Category=NEWS&ArtNo=160829690&Ref=AR&imageVersion=Teaser | en | null | Near drowning reported at Bowers Park pool | null | null | www.tuscaloosanews.com | A boy who nearly drowned at the Bowers Park pool is still being treated at Children's of Alabama hospital in Birmingham.
Paramedics with Tuscaloosa Fire and Rescue Service and Northstar EMS were called to the pool off Hargrove Road around 3 p.m. Saturday.
Upon arrival, they found the boy, 10, being cared for by a lifeguard next to the swimming pool, said TFRS Deputy Chief Chris Williamson. Fire responders provided emergency medical care at the scene before taking him to DCH Regional Medical Center. He was later taken to Children's of Alabama in Birmingham, where he was still being treated Sunday night, Williamson said. | http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20160829/news/160829690 | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.tuscaloosanews.com/81bee27b4bdcadb18459f0436dfe0811f4af5693fc88c34975a8dd51120f1f67.json |
[
"Kim Chandler"
] | 2016-08-31T02:50:33 | null | 2016-08-31T02:00:00 | MONTGOMERY — A Christian woman in Alabama was forced to remove her headscarf for a driver’s license photo after being told only Muslim women could wear them in photos, according to a lawsuit filed Tuesday by the American Civil Liberties Union of Alabama on her behalf. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tuscaloosanews.com%2Farticle%2F20160830%2Fnews%2F160839983.json | http://G52-TLweb.newscyclecloud.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=TL&Date=20160830&Category=NEWS&ArtNo=160839983&Ref=AR&imageVersion=Teaser | en | null | ACLU: Christian forced to remove headscarf | null | null | www.tuscaloosanews.com | MONTGOMERY — A Christian woman in Alabama was forced to remove her headscarf for a driver’s license photo after being told only Muslim women could wear them in photos, according to a lawsuit filed Tuesday by the American Civil Liberties Union of Alabama on her behalf.
Yvonne Allen of Tuskegee said in the lawsuit that when she went to renew her license in December, she was directed to remove the headscarf she wears in accordance with her religious beliefs. She said the clerk insisted that only Muslim women were allowed to cover their hair in the photos.
“I was devastated when they forced me to remove my headscarf to take my driver’s license photo,” Allen said in a statement released by the ACLU. “Revealing my hair to others is disobedient to God. I should have the same right as people of other faiths to be accommodated for my religious beliefs.”
The lawsuit filed in federal court named Lee County Probate Judge Bill English and clerk Becky Frayer as defendants. Efforts to reach English by telephone were unsuccessful and a message was not immediately returned seeking comment.
The lawsuit asks that Allen be allowed to take a new license photograph with her head covered.
“The government cannot discriminate between faiths in granting religious accommodations,” said Susan Watson, executive director of the ACLU of Alabama.
The lawsuit contends that Allen’s religious rights were violated and the state was selectively enforcing accommodations for religious beliefs.
The state in 2004 — responding to complaints from Muslims and Sikhs— did away with a policy that prohibited the wearing of head scarves and turbans in driver’s license photos. The new policy said that head coverings and headgear are acceptable for religious beliefs and medical conditions, but for no other reason. The person’s face must be completely visible in the photo. | http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20160830/news/160839983 | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | www.tuscaloosanews.com/b61f5f4354daa64354807c03435d5afbdddb020e39e70c9f289c32ee47abfa0b.json |
[
"Patrick Rupinski"
] | 2016-08-28T02:50:25 | null | 2016-08-28T03:00:00 | A Tuscaloosa man who was being sought for murder has been arrested and was booked into the Tuscaloosa County Jail on Saturday. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tuscaloosanews.com%2Farticle%2F20160827%2Fnews%2F160829738.json | http://G52-TLweb.newscyclecloud.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=TL&Date=20160827&Category=NEWS&ArtNo=160829738&Ref=AR&imageVersion=Teaser | en | null | Fugitive involved in fatal crash arrested | null | null | www.tuscaloosanews.com | A Tuscaloosa man who was being sought for murder has been arrested and was booked into the Tuscaloosa County Jail on Saturday.
Anthony Dewayne Wells, 40, whose listed address is in the 3000 block of 60th Court, is charged with murder in the death of Cleophus Henderson Jr., 49, who died earlier this month in a fatal car crash.
Homicide investigators and patrol officers arrested Wells after receiving a tip on his whereabouts, said Lt. Kip Hart, assistant commander of the Tuscaloosa County Metro Homicide Unit. Records show Wells being booked at the county jail shortly after 2 a.m. Saturday. His bail was set at $60,000.
Wells was driving a Mercury Grand Marquis that witnesses said was fleeing the scene of a vehicle break-in on Aug. 6. Henderson was a passenger in the car. The two men's vehicle ran a red light at University and Helen Keller boulevards and struck a vehicle that was turning from Beverly Heights, witnesses said.
Wells was extricated from the wreck after the crash and then treated and released from DCH Regional Medical Center. Following an investigation, police obtained a warrant charging Wells with Henderson's murder. In mid-August, they asked for the public's help in finding Wells.
Under Alabama law, a person who causes someone's death while committing a crime can be charged with murder.
According to police, a vehicle break-in occurred in the 3600 block of 17th Avenue Northeast shortly before the crash. Police were called. Meanwhile the victim of the vehicle break-in followed the Grand Marquis that witnesses said fled the scene of the break-in. | http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20160827/news/160829738 | en | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | www.tuscaloosanews.com/60bf4b58f3d797cf11f1a52906c732205d41cc30e99d58ea4fde282e987f0055.json |
[
"Paige Burleson"
] | 2016-08-26T13:03:21 | null | 2016-08-25T18:00:00 | The Tuscaloosa County Preservation Society is boldly going back to the year of its birth, the same year “Star Trek,” Halle Berry and Patrick Dempsey were born. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tuscaloosanews.com%2Farticle%2F20160825%2Fnews%2F160829836.json | http://G52-TLweb.newscyclecloud.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=TL&Date=20160825&Category=NEWS&ArtNo=160829836&Ref=AR&imageVersion=Teaser | en | null | Fundraiser will bring feature sights and sounds of 1966 | null | null | www.tuscaloosanews.com | The Tuscaloosa County Preservation Society is boldly going back to the year of its birth, the same year “Star Trek,” Halle Berry and Patrick Dempsey were born.
What: "Mingle and Mix Like It’s 1966," a celebration of the Tuscaloosa County Preservation Society’s 50th anniversary When: 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Aug. 26 Where: Regions Bank, 2222 Ninth St. Admission: $66. Invitations will be sent out, but it is also open to the public More information: www.historictuscaloosa.org/index.php
“Mingle and Mix Like It's 1966” will be held from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Friday in the lobby of Regions Bank, 2222 Ninth St. The bank building also shares the 1966 birthday, opening as as the City National Bank on Jan. 16, 1966, said Judi Rabel, vice president of the preservation society. “Our tagline is 'Come as you are or come as you were,'” Rabel said. “We are going for '60s 'Mad Men' or hippie attire. People can choose if they want to come in their mini-skirts and hot pants or they can come just as they dress everyday. “
Guests will be entertained with 1960s music from disc jockey “Tiger” Jack Garreston, along with some surprise musical guests, Rabel said.
A silent auction will allow guests to bid on a stay at a bed-and-breakfast in Montana just outside the gates of Yellowstone National Park, a weekend at the beach, a dinner and wine pairing at the Epiphany restaurant in Tuscaloosa and more.
The food, supplied by Piggly Wiggly, will also have a 1960s theme, Rabel said. Shrimp cocktails, Lipton onion soup dip with Ruffles potato chips, meatballs, mini Bundt cakes and salmon mousse in a mold will be among the dishes served, Rabel said. Signature cocktails from the time period, such as martinis, Tom Collins and a whiskey sours, will also be available.
Rabel said the night of fun will also bring attention to the serious work done by the preservation society in its 50-year existence, such as repairing historic houses.
“The beginning of the Preservation Society started through the saving of the Old Tavern (near Capitol Park), which is now one of our buildings. We're happy that many more buildings have been saved since then,” she said.Rabel said the fundraiser will help the society make repairs to their historic buildings.
“It costs us a lot of money to take care of the Jemison-Van de Graaff House, the Battle-Friedman House, the Old Tavern, the Murphy African-American Museum and more,” Rabel said.
Joanne Miles, a board member of the preservation society, said young people especially need to gain an appreciation for Tuscaloosa's history.
“We need to build on that and have some feeling for what took place in the past,” Miles said. “We would love to expand more on the educational programs and get kids more excited about that kind of thing.”
Rabel and Miles said the money from the $66 admission will go to preserving these houses and new educational programs.
“We want people to be aware the need to have these houses and that there is so much history in Tuscaloosa that needs to be preserved,” Rabel said.
“This event is going to be fun and it's going to be historic,” Miles said. “Fifty years ago we started and we continue to grow and help people find out what their town has to offer back then and now. There is a great history here, a lot happened here and everyone should participate in it and learn more.” | http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20160825/news/160829836 | en | 2016-08-25T00:00:00 | www.tuscaloosanews.com/06ee3eb029c9cf09e868ff8c4c2f5e57aaefeaf52dbb99465a252faa3d2b5360.json |
[
"Drew Taylor"
] | 2016-08-29T22:49:49 | null | 2016-08-29T22:00:00 | Charlotte Purvis remembers June 11, 1963, when she and the rest of the family sat in front of the TV in their McKenzie Court home. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tuscaloosanews.com%2Farticle%2F20160829%2Fnews%2F160829688.json | http://G52-TLweb.newscyclecloud.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=TL&Date=20160829&Category=NEWS&ArtNo=160829688&Ref=AR&imageVersion=Teaser | en | null | George Curry influenced family and the famous | null | null | www.tuscaloosanews.com | 'He was destined to do what he did'
Charlotte Purvis remembers June 11, 1963, when she and the rest of the family sat in front of the TV in their McKenzie Court home.
The TV showed footage of Gov. George Wallace blocking Vivian Malone and James Hood from entering Foster Auditorium to register as the first black students at the University of Alabama.
In the room with Purvis was her 16-year-old brother, George Curry, who she said was deeply impacted by what he saw.
“What I remember about that was it never occurred to us that that had anything to do with us or that it wasn’t going to limit us,” Purvis said. “Watching what happened, the message our stepfather told us was you could do whatever you want to do, you could be whatever you want to be.”
Purvis said it was that attitude that took her brother all over the world as a journalist for publications such as Sports Illustrated, The Chicago Tribune and Emerge magazine, making him a bigger presence than he could have been staying in Tuscaloosa.
“He always had big dreams and vision,” she said. “He was destined to do what he did and we were very proud of him.”
Despite Curry leaving Tuscaloosa in 1965 after graduating from Druid High School, Purvis said it was her brother’s dying wish that he be buried at Cedar Oak Memorial Park, where his grandmother and other family members are buried. He was buried there Saturday.
“It was a complicated time growing up, but it never negated the fact that Tuscaloosa was his home,” she said. “The people there and the influence of McKenzie Court and Druid High School helped him get to where he wanted to go.”
Curry’s younger sister, Sylvia “Chris” Polk, said his childhood in Tuscaloosa reflected his later life as an advocate for the black community. As a young man in the 1960s, he marched alongside the Rev. T.Y. Rogers of First African Baptist Church and would take part in different civil rights demonstrations across the state.
“He was always really involved in bringing the things from the dark into the light,” she said.
Clarence Page first met Curry when he was working at The Chicago Tribune in the early 1980s. Page, a columnist with the Tribune who won the Pulitzer Prize for commentary in 1989, said what stood out about Curry was his commitment to excellence.
Specifically, Page recalled how Curry first broke the story of civil rights activist Jesse Jackson mounting a campaign to run for president in 1984.
“I said to George ‘This is one heck of a scoop. I hope it’s true,’” Page said. “He then turned to me and said ‘It’s true.’”
Curry’s doggedness as a journalist was often on full display. Page remembered once in 1996 when he and Curry were panelists on the BET program “Lead Story” with then-presidential hopeful Bob Dole was a guest. Page remembers as Curry began to press Dole on a number of issues, Dole did something he had never seen: he dropped his pencil
“Dole is disabled on his right side and can barely hold a pen or pencil partly to ward people off who want to shake his hand,” he said. “George had so agitated Dole with this question that he dropped the pencil he was holding. George wouldn’t let us all forget that the rest of the day.”
What made Curry an exception person, Page said, was the way his dedication carried over from work to his personal life.
“Besides being a good reporter, he was just a really nice guy,” he said. “You could meet George for a few minutes and feel like you were old friends.”
Regarding Emerge magazine, which Curry edited and ran from 1993 to 2000, Page said his involvement was the contributing factor to its success as a serious news magazine on issues facing black people in America.
“It had a strong voice and was really a high-class operation,” he said. “There’s no question that George was a top-notch, five-star journalist but it was in service, above all, to the black community.”
Following news of his death, many notable people and publications offered their condolences and praised his life, including stories in The New York Times, ESPN’s “The Undefeated” website, NBC News and a statement from presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.
“George E. Curry was a pioneering journalist, a tireless crusader for justice, and a true agent of change,” Clinton said in a statement. “With quality reporting, creativity, and skillful persuasion he influenced countless people, including me, to think beyond their narrow experience and expand their understanding.”
Polk said she was very surprised to see the outpouring of support from across the country following her brother's death.
“I don’t think the family fully understood the magnitude of his greatness,” she said. “We knew he wrote and was on television, but it wasn’t until he passed away until we understood how impactful he was.”
More than anything, Curry was her brother, she said.
“He was just a good person that loved to laugh.”
Reach Drew Taylor at drew.taylor@tuscaloosanews.com or 205-722-0213. | http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20160829/news/160829688 | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.tuscaloosanews.com/fc742fbd79af22514ba517f473e4d8a1404663a98af04d16bdbb2007d358e588.json |
[
"The Associated Press"
] | 2016-08-31T02:50:53 | null | 2016-08-31T02:00:00 | BIRMINGHAM — A research institute is developing a strategic plan aimed at spurring employment and new business activity in 19 Alabama counties hard-hit by the decline of the coal industry. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tuscaloosanews.com%2Farticle%2F20160830%2Fnews%2F160839980.json | http://G52-TLweb.newscyclecloud.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=TL&Date=20160830&Category=NEWS&ArtNo=160839980&Ref=AR&imageVersion=Teaser | en | null | New course for Alabama coal country | null | null | www.tuscaloosanews.com | BIRMINGHAM — A research institute is developing a strategic plan aimed at spurring employment and new business activity in 19 Alabama counties hard-hit by the decline of the coal industry.
Southern Research will use a $60,202 grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission for the work, the Birmingham-based institute announced Tuesday. Southern Research is partnering with the University of Alabama at Birmingham to explore ways that new jobs can be created in Alabama’s coal region, the institute said.
The downturn in the nation’s coal industry has rippled through parts of northwest and central Alabama, where thousands of jobs have been lost, Southern Research said in a statement.
Some of the hardest-hit areas are Jefferson, Tuscaloosa and Walker counties, which have been Alabama’s chief coal-producing counties, the institute said.
Employment in Alabama coal fields decreased 43 percent between 1990 and 2014, as the number of mines fell by half, said Corey Tyree, the institute’s director of energy and environment in Alabama. During that time, more than 21,000 coal-related jobs disappeared in 19 counties, costing their economies more than $1.8 billion in lost wages.
“Looking at the coal mining industry from a long-term perspective, with production at a low point and no clear economic drivers to reverse the negative trends, it’s difficult to see how coal will be a source of job creation in this region of Alabama,” Tyree said in a statement.
“Areas that lose their historical economic base must recognize future opportunities for industrial development and growth, and they must put assets in place that fuel job creation and enhance competitiveness,” Tyree added.
The project’s goal is to “capitalize on the strengths and capabilities of the existing workforce and put people back to work in new industries fueled by creativity and innovation,” Southern Research said in the statement.
Southern Research has its headquarters in Birmingham and also has labs and offices in the Alabama cities of Wilsonville and Huntsville; and in Houston; Frederick, Maryland; Durham, North Carolina; and Cartersville, Georgia. | http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20160830/news/160839980 | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | www.tuscaloosanews.com/7414efdf412e95483f35a74a25c623a85333f1c60f222ca6ace379bc53e2b73c.json |
[
"Staff Report"
] | 2016-08-27T02:49:17 | null | 2016-08-27T03:00:00 | Tuscaloosa County High was vandalized around 10 p.m. Thursday, according to the Tuscaloosa County Sheriff's Department. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tuscaloosanews.com%2Farticle%2F20160826%2Fnews%2F160829776.json | http://G52-TLweb.newscyclecloud.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=TL&Date=20160826&Category=NEWS&ArtNo=160829776&Ref=AR&imageVersion=Teaser | en | null | Tuscaloosa County High vandalized | null | null | www.tuscaloosanews.com | A Northridge flag was flown over the school, toilet paper was thrown into trees and several brick surfaces were spray painted, the Sheriff's Department said.
A County High assistant principal drove by the school checking on it after hearing students talk about threats from Northridge students earlier in the day. He saw vehicles and individuals at the school and thought it might be County High students protecting the school from potential vandalism, the Sheriff's Department said. When he drove up the individuals fled. Sheriff's investigators are continuing to follow up on the vandalism. | http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20160826/news/160829776 | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | www.tuscaloosanews.com/3a0e57a45d832d908421d0a6495c85cefb1cd66e591155020f2991d6c388fd2b.json |
[
"Angel Coker Staff Writer"
] | 2016-08-28T00:49:34 | null | 2016-08-28T01:00:00 | Tuscaloosan Sandra Reed was diagnosed with Stage 2 fallopian cancer -- a rare form of gynecologic cancer -- in 2010. She relapsed in 2012. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tuscaloosanews.com%2Farticle%2F20160827%2Fnews%2F160829762.json | http://G52-TLweb.newscyclecloud.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=TL&Date=20160827&Category=NEWS&ArtNo=160829762&Ref=AR&imageVersion=Teaser | en | null | LEND A HAND: Survivor warns of disease's subtle signs | null | null | www.tuscaloosanews.com | Tuscaloosan Sandra Reed was diagnosed with Stage 2 fallopian cancer -- a rare form of gynecologic cancer -- in 2010. She relapsed in 2012.
After six chemotherapy treatments the first time and six treatments the second time, she is now in remission.
Reed accepted a formal proclamation from Tuscaloosa Mayor Walter Maddox on Aug. 23, declaring September as Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month in Tuscaloosa.
Gynecologic cancers are the uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells originating in the female reproductive organs, including the cervix, ovaries, uterus, fallopian tubes, vagina and vulva.
Symptoms include abdominal pain, pelvic pain, bloating and changes in bathroom habits among others.
“The symptoms for female cancers are very vague -- typical symptoms any female may have,” Reed said. “It's critical that females know when these symptoms become more evident or frequent, they need to get to their doctor.”
According to a release from the Laura Crandall Brown Foundation, a nonprofit that raises awareness of gynecologic cancers, a woman is diagnosed with a gynecologic cancer every six minutes in the United States.
Alabama ranks in the top five in the U.S. for cervical and ovarian cancer deaths.
Reed said it is critical to raise awareness of gynecologic cancers because the symptoms are so subtle that women may not realize they have it before it has progressed significantly.
There are also no early detection tests for four of the five gynecologic cancers, and there is a vital need for research.
The nonprofit organization sponsors a statewide awareness campaign called A State of Teal. Businesses and local landmarks across the state, including Birmingham, Huntsville and Montgomery, will light up the color teal throughout September to raise awareness of gynecologic cancers and their impacts on Alabamians.
Teal is the color for ovarian cancer awareness. | http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20160827/news/160829762 | en | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | www.tuscaloosanews.com/6cb10bfa0a1332b73f9fb3307175d42aaa65de8fcf59ef29674437689ae075e7.json |
[
"Aaron Suttles"
] | 2016-08-27T00:48:56 | null | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | On Wednesday night, Raekwon Davis sent out a picture on social media that told a story no amount of words strung together could possibly match. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tuscaloosanews.com%2Farticle%2F20160826%2Fnews%2F160829796.json | http://G52-TLweb.newscyclecloud.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=TL&Date=20160826&Category=NEWS&ArtNo=160829796&Ref=AR&imageVersion=Teaser | en | null | Alabama defensive line may have lost depth, but not size | null | null | www.tuscaloosanews.com | On Wednesday night, Raekwon Davis sent out a picture on social media that told a story no amount of words strung together could possibly match.
The true freshman defensive lineman from Meridian, Miss., tweeted out a picture of himself standing next to sophomore defensive tackle Da’Ron Payne and senior defensive end Dalvin Tomlinson. He captioned the picture with “Don’t run the ball up the middle,” an unsolicited piece of advice to opposing offenses.
What stood out about the picture was not the confidence expressed in the caption, rather that in the photo Davis, a 6-foot-7 mammoth lineman, successfully made the 6-2, 319-pound Payne and the 6-3, 307-pound Tomlinson appear normal-sized.
A 6-7 defensive tackle isn’t normal, but he’s not exactly a rarity either.
“Through the years we've had a couple guys like that,” UA coach Nick Saban said.
Throughout camp, Davis earned reps with the second-team. If ruled eligible (the university is awaiting word if he’ll be eligible to play against Southern Cal), Davis will be counted on to provide depth to a defensive line that lost A’Shawn Robinson, Jarran Reed, D.J. Pettway and Darren Lake.
Along with Payne, who exhibited his potential in a stellar freshman season, Davis would make Alabama’s run defense all the more difficult to run against inside.
Payne, the former No. 1 ranked player in the state of Alabama for the 2015 class, is making his mark on the defense, too.
“I feel like (Payne’s) footwork has gotten a lot better," Tomlinson said. "He’s explosive, you already know that. He’s been working hard just like the rest of the d-linemen we have. He’s been progressing across the board in pass rushing. He’s doing pretty good so far.
“I feel like his footwork has gotten a lot better. He’s explosive, you already know that. He’s been working hard just like the rest of the D-linemen we have.
“He’s been progressing across the board in pass rushing. He’s doing pretty good so far.”
Payne is expected to take the next step in his development this season after a freshman campaign in which he was mainly limited to being on the field in Alabama’s base 3-4 defense, a defense the Crimson Tide plays less and less each season (for all intents and purposes the team is now a nickel base defense).
Now Payne is working to be on the field regardless of the defense.
"He didn't play a lot in nickel but really did a good job in regular and his role has expanded,” Saban said. “He's had a really good camp. We've tried to improve him a little bit as a pass rusher so he could be a good inside player for us and I think he's done that so he gives us another inside player that we can play, which I think is critical based on the guys that we lost.
“Jonathan Allen can play in or out. Dalvin can play in or out. Da'Ron can play inside, we've got a couple other guys that can be inside pass rushers on third down and of course we have the outside linebackers that play a little bit more when it's third down.”
Reach Aaron Suttles at aaron@tidesports.com or at 205-722-0229. | http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20160826/news/160829796 | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | www.tuscaloosanews.com/0abe438f9d0a07e56de334f809e730fbebcb0b4ec8ceb18f7cec02f9c2919e17.json |
[
"Leonor Vivanco"
] | 2016-08-31T04:50:46 | null | 2016-08-31T04:00:00 | CHICAGO -- In the Big Ten Conference, where college rivalries are huge, the University of Illinois just lost a title. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tuscaloosanews.com%2Farticle%2F20160830%2Fwire%2F160839960.json | http://G52-TLweb.newscyclecloud.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=TL&Date=20160830&Category=WIRE&ArtNo=160839960&Ref=AR&imageVersion=Teaser | en | null | University of Alabama not in Princeton Review's top 20 party schools | null | null | www.tuscaloosanews.com | CHICAGO -- In the Big Ten Conference, where college rivalries are huge, the University of Illinois just lost a title.
1. University of Wisconsin-Madison 2. West Virginia University 3. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign 4. Lehigh University in Pennsylvania 5. Bucknell University in Pennsylvania 6. University of Iowa 7. University of Mississippi 8. Syracuse University 9. Tulane University 10. Colgate University 11. University of California-Santa Barbara 12. University of Delaware 13. University of Rhode Island 14. Wake Forest University 15. College of Charleston 16. University of Maine 17. University of Vermont 18. University of Florida 19. University of Colorado-Boulder 20. Florida State University
U. of I. was dethroned as the top party school in the Princeton Review's annual list of college rankings. The new winner in that category is the University of Wisconsin at Madison, according to the college guide released Monday. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign claims third place among party schools. Rounding out the top five are: West Virginia University (No. 2), Lehigh University in Pennsylvania (No. 4) and Bucknell University in Pennsylvania (No. 5).
The University of Alabama didn't rank in the top 20.
The rankings are based on a survey of 143,000 students at 381 top colleges and published in the 2017 edition of the "Best Colleges" guidebook, on sale Tuesday. Students rate their schools on a number of topics ranging from financial aid and best campus food to level of happiness and most beautiful campus. The Princeton Review is not affiliated with Princeton University.
The Princeton Review included feedback from unnamed students, who commented on the social scene at the University of Illinois, which has nearly 33,000 undergraduates enrolled. It quoted one student as saying, ""The bars in downtown Champaign are great and super relaxed, plus there is an awesome music scene that most people don't expect from a college town."
Students surveyed pointed out the "19-year-old bar age" and the large Greek system, but also said the large variety of social opportunities means "there's also tons to do beyond the bars," according to the guidebook.
The third-place ranking riled U. of I. officials, as the No. 1 spot did last year.
"Whatever ranking they attach to us is insulting to our students, who are some of the brightest, most hardworking scholars anywhere," said Robin Kaler, a university spokeswoman. "This pseudo ranking is nothing more than a promotion for Princeton Review."
On the other side of the spectrum is the "stone-cold sober school," a title that belongs to Brigham Young University in Utah. | http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20160830/wire/160839960 | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | www.tuscaloosanews.com/d1be6cca9e3aaef057b827f54cb1212e60a9c5f1e19f910935d3e26954190269.json |
[
"Emily Wagster Pettus",
"Rebecca Santana"
] | 2016-08-28T02:50:35 | null | 2016-08-28T02:15:00 | DURANT, Miss. — A man suspected in the slayings of two nuns found dead in their Mississippi home confessed to the killings, a sheriff said Saturday, in the latest twist to a crime that has horrified people in the small communities where the women served. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tuscaloosanews.com%2Farticle%2F20160827%2Fnews%2F160829751.json | http://G52-TLweb.newscyclecloud.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=TL&Date=20160827&Category=NEWS&ArtNo=160829751&Ref=AR&imageVersion=Teaser | en | null | Sheriff: Man confesses in killings of 2 Mississippi nuns | null | null | www.tuscaloosanews.com | DURANT, Miss. — A man suspected in the slayings of two nuns found dead in their Mississippi home confessed to the killings, a sheriff said Saturday, in the latest twist to a crime that has horrified people in the small communities where the women served.
Rodney Earl Sanders, 46, of Kosciusko, Mississippi, was arrested and charged in the deaths of Sister Margaret Held and Sister Paula Merrill, Mississippi Department of Public Safety spokesman Warren Strain said late Friday. Both women were 68.
Willie March, the sheriff of Holmes County where the killings occurred, said Saturday he had been briefed by police from the town where the killings occurred and Mississippi Bureau of Investigation officials who took part in Sanders' interrogation.
Sanders confessed in the interrogation to the killings and gave no reason for the crimes, March said.
The sheriff said police work and tips from the community led police to Sanders, and the investigation is ongoing.
Durant police could not be reached for comment. Strain, whose department includes the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation, said the organization would neither confirm nor deny that Sanders confessed.
Sanders was convicted last year of a felony DUI, said Grace Simmons Fisher, a spokeswoman for the Mississippi Department of Corrections.
He was later released from prison and is currently on probation.
Sanders was also convicted of armed robbery in Holmes County, sentenced in 1986 and served six years, Fisher said.
People who knew the nuns, known for their generosity and commitment to improving health care for the poor, have been grappling with why anyone would want to kill them.
Dr. Elias Abboud, the physician who oversees the clinic in Lexington where the nuns worked, said Saturday that Sanders was not a patient there.
The Rev. Greg Plata, sacramental minister at St. Thomas Catholic Church in Lexington where the women led Bible study for years, said Saturday he does not think people at the church knew Sanders.
The women's bodies were discovered Thursday after they failed to show up for work in Lexington, about 10 miles from where they lived.
The sheriff said they had been stabbed.
"Sanders was developed as a person of interest early on in the investigation," Lt. Colonel Jimmy Jordan said in the statement.
Authorities said Sanders was being held in an undisclosed detention center pending a court appearance. They have not given any details on why they think Sanders killed the women or whether he knew them.
Strain said he does not know if Sanders has an attorney. Authorities do not anticipate making any other arrests. Strain said "investigators believe Sanders acted alone."
Merrill's nephew, David Merrill, speaking by telephone from Stoneham, Massachusetts, said Saturday the family was "thankful" Sanders is off the streets.
But the family still has to deal with the loss.
Merrill said he agrees with the idea of forgiveness and that is something his aunt would want for whoever killed her but he's not sure if he's capable of completely forgiving.
Merrill said he would not support the death penalty if Sanders were to be convicted but that decision will ultimately be made by the people in Mississippi. The capital murder charge leaves open the possibility Sanders would face the death penalty but that determination would be made by prosecutors later.
The order Held belonged to — School Sisters of St. Francis — thanked law enforcement officers working on the case and thanked people who offered prayers and support in the wake of the sisters' deaths.
In the poverty-stricken Mississippi county where the two nuns were slain, many people were still mourning their loss.
Jonell Payton, a Durant alderwoman, lives across the street and a few doors down from Held and Merrill's house. She said the nuns were "the most precious two people" and were known for helping provide medicine for those who couldn't afford it.
Both women worked at the clinic, where they gave flu shots, dispensed insulin and provided other medical care for children and adults who couldn't afford it.
Their stolen car was found abandoned a mile from their home, and there were signs of a break-in, but police haven't disclosed a motive.
Plata said both nuns' religious communities have asked that people pray for the killer or killers. Asked about people's struggles to forgive, the priest said: "Forgiveness is at the heart of being a Christian. Look at Jesus on the cross: 'Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.'"
The clinic and the nuns' home in Durant are in Holmes County, population 18,000. With 44 percent of its residents living in poverty, Holmes is the seventh-poorest county in America, according to the Census Bureau.
The nuns' death leaves a gaping hole in what was already a strapped health care system.
The clinic provided about 25 percent of all medical care in the county, Abboud said.
Merrill's sister Rosemarie, speaking by telephone from her Stoneham, Massachusetts, home, said her sister had been in Mississippi helping the poor since 1981.
Held — impressionable and idealistic — was committed to ending racism and poverty, according to an interview she did earlier with her order's magazine.
"The invitation to come to Mississippi provided me with the setting in which I hoped to make a difference with my life. I came here because of a dream and a cause but I stayed here because of the people," she said.
A former nun who knew Held said she had always been interested in working with the "poorest of the poor."
Darlene Nicgorski said Saturday that she had recruited Held to come to Holly Springs, Mississippi, to work as a social worker in a program there that ran schools and offered day care to help young mothers finish school.
Nicgorski said the sisters' deaths just don't make sense. She said they would have given the suspect anything he needed. | http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20160827/news/160829751 | en | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | www.tuscaloosanews.com/215470dd006ba102d9c813c37f9e9de83848c274455c78b001d13514bc4793ed.json |
[
"Staff Report"
] | 2016-08-26T13:00:14 | null | 2016-08-26T09:30:00 | Retired Army Col. William Loyd Webb III of Huntsville will receive the Leroy McAbee Distinguished Service Award at the third annual Alabama Veterans Reunion dinner on Saturday at the NorthRiver Yacht Club. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tuscaloosanews.com%2Farticle%2F20160826%2Fnews%2F160829800.json | http://G52-TLweb.newscyclecloud.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=TL&Date=20160826&Category=NEWS&ArtNo=160829800&Ref=AR&imageVersion=Teaser | en | null | Helper of veterans to be honored at Alabama Veterans Reunion | null | null | www.tuscaloosanews.com | Retired Army Col. William Loyd Webb III of Huntsville will receive the Leroy McAbee Distinguished Service Award at the third annual Alabama Veterans Reunion dinner on Saturday at the NorthRiver Yacht Club.
The award recognizes a veteran whose philanthropy and volunteerism enhances his or her community.
Webb served 28 years in the military. After retiring, he has helped veterans and their families.
He is president of Still Serving Veterans, a service organization that helps veterans and their families in finding meaningful post-military careers and communities with all the benefits they have earned. He co-founded the Alabama-based service organization in 2006, which has served more than 22,000 veterans. Webb also serves on the Alabama Workforce Development Board and the Governor’s Veterans Commission, chairing its veteran employment committee. He also is active in other volunteer organizations.
The 2016 Alabama Veterans Reunion starts Friday with a public forum for MyVA Community at the Tuscaloosa River Market from 4:30 to 6 p.m., followed by a guest reception from 6 to 8 p.m. On Saturday, a Veterans Appreciation Festival will be held at the Tuscaloosa VA grounds from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., followed by the formal dinner beginning at 5 p.m. Tickets for the dinner are $35 each, $60 a couple and $750 for a corporate table of 10 sponsorship. For tickets and more information go to www.alabamaveteransreunion.com. | http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20160826/news/160829800 | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | www.tuscaloosanews.com/2d2b653fbc308a77419eeac48a42e459ed204dbfeec7bbda0241f34aff1ba03f.json |
[
"Ken Roberts"
] | 2016-08-26T12:55:28 | null | 2016-08-26T09:30:00 | The public is invited to look at the stars in a series of free telescope viewings held by the University of Alabama’s Department of Physics and Astronomy. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tuscaloosanews.com%2Farticle%2F20160826%2Fnews%2F160829801.json | http://G52-TLweb.newscyclecloud.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=TL&Date=20160826&Category=NEWS&ArtNo=160829801&Ref=AR&imageVersion=Teaser | en | null | Public invited to see Saturn, Mars Friday night | null | null | www.tuscaloosanews.com | The public is invited to look at the stars in a series of free telescope viewings held by the University of Alabama’s Department of Physics and Astronomy.
The series begins Friday night, when observers will be able to view Saturn and Mars from 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the Gallalee Hall Observatory on the UA campus.
At other viewings throughout the semester, visitors will be able to view star clusters and nebulae from both the observatory at Gallalee and UA telescopes that will be set up across the road from the Moundville Archaeological Park’s museum.
Other scheduled sky viewings will be at:
-7:30 p.m. Sept. 7: The session will focus on the waxing crescent moon, Saturn, Albireo and the Ring Nebula.
- 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Sept. 30: The session will focus on nebulae and star clusters and the Andromeda Galaxy.
- 7 p.m. Oct. 8: The session will focus on the first quarter moon as part of “International Observe the Moon Night,” an annual worldwide public event that encourages observation and appreciation of the moon and its connection to NASA planetary science and exploration. Details will be posted at www.astr.ua.edu.
- 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Oct. 28: The session will focus on the crescent moon, nebulae, galaxies and star clusters.
- 7 p.m. Nov. 14: The session at Gallalee Hall will focus on the supermoon and will include a lecture titled, “Chasing the GHOST Particle: The Ice-Cube Neutrino Observatory.” The lecture will begin at 7:15 p.m. in room 227 of Gallalee Hall, followed by the public viewing session at 8 p.m. in the observatory.
- 7 p.m. Dec. 2: This session will focus on Orion Nebula and Pleiades.
All sky viewings are contingent on the weather. Cloudy skies are not conducive to viewing. For more information, call 348-5050 or visit www.astronomy.ua.edu/Public.html.
Advance notice is requested for those who plan to bring a large group.
Gallalee Hall is at the northeast corner of University Boulevard and Hackberry Drive, less than a block from Denny Chimes. UA’s Moundville Archaeological Park is 13 miles south of campus off Alabama Highway 69. | http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20160826/news/160829801 | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | www.tuscaloosanews.com/152c48996536b976d549ece87c05eacd28571b04ef2b8d61835df1ac288690f3.json |
[
"Kim Chandler"
] | 2016-08-26T12:56:54 | null | 2016-08-25T18:00:00 | MONTGOMERY — Gov. Robert Bentley’s lottery bill heads to a critical vote Thursday in the Alabama House of Representatives as the Republican governor tries to break through opposition to gambling as a revenue source in the Deep South state. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tuscaloosanews.com%2Farticle%2F20160825%2Fnews%2F160829837.json | http://G52-TLweb.newscyclecloud.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=TL&Date=20160825&Category=NEWS&ArtNo=160829837&Ref=AR&imageVersion=Teaser | en | null | Lottery bill heads for critical vote | null | null | www.tuscaloosanews.com | MONTGOMERY — Gov. Robert Bentley’s lottery bill heads to a critical vote Thursday in the Alabama House of Representatives as the Republican governor tries to break through opposition to gambling as a revenue source in the Deep South state.
Alabama would become the 45th state with a lottery if lawmakers and voters approve the idea. The front desk of the House was jammed with telephone calls Thursday morning after Bentley gave out his Capitol office phone number and urged people to get in touch with their legislator. The governor is proposing a lottery as a way to get money to the state’s perpetually cash-strapped Medicaid program.
“I’m asking the legislators to let the people vote on this issue,” Bentley said at a Wednesday press conference.
Legislators were offering few predictions ahead of the vote other than it would be close and the debate would be lengthy in a legislature divided over if, and how, to legalize gambling.
Lottery opponents will make a last stand against the legislation. Other lawmakers are expected to try to change the bill, either to also allow casinos or to steer the money to education instead of Medicaid. Some lawmakers suggested letting such details be decided later if voters approve a lottery.
Rep. Rich Wingo, R-Tuscaloosa, said lotteries have failed to solve budget shortfalls in other states while preying upon poor citizens’ hopes of striking it rich with a winning ticket.
“They don’t market them in Mountain Brook. They market them in lower income communities,” Wingo said.
Tensions were high early Thursday over some of the tactics as the House began debate.
Folders titled “Alabama’s Fall?” — which appeared to include an anti-gay reference— urged lawmakers to block the “degradation” of the Bible-minded state. They were anonymously placed on each House member’s desk ahead of the debate, something that would be a violation of House rules prohibiting the distribution of anonymous materials.
The documents also said Alabama had the lowest percentage of people living “abominable and perverted lifestyles.”
Rep. Patricia Todd, the state’s only openly gay lawmaker, filed a complaint with the House clerk over the distribution.
“It is against the rules,” Todd said. “And it’s unnecessary to tie LGBT to gaming.”
If a House member distributed the materials, they could face an official rebuke for breaking House rules, House Clerk Jeff Woodard said.
The lottery debate even found its way into the day’s opening prayer as Rep. Thomas Jackson, D-Thomasville, said outsiders were trying to block a vote on a lottery.
“God is watching and Jesus knows the evil that is going on in your heart and there is no escape if you deny the least of these the opportunity,” Jackson said.
Bentley lashed back at rumors ahead of the vote that he was negotiating a gambling compact with the Poarch Band of Creek Indians. Rep. A.J. McCampbell, D-Demopolis, said he feared the governor would give the tribe a monopoly on gambling machines, cutting out state dog tracks from having such machines.
The governor’s staff handed out a handwritten letter from Bentley as House members entered the chamber saying the rumor was “blatantly false.”
“My goal is to have a simple lottery and solve a decades old problem dealing with our general fund particularly Medicaid,” Bentley wrote.
A squabble erupted this week over whether there was still time to get the measure on the Nov. 8 ballot. Secretary of State John Merrill said the Wednesday deadline had passed, but the bill’s sponsor argued they had until Friday. Attorney General Luther Strange in an opinion issued Thursday said the secretary of state was not required to take the amendment but had the discretion to do so.
Merrill said his position has not changed. He believes the deadline has passed.
“Not unless the law changes,” Merrill said. He said lawmakers could change the law if they wanted. | http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20160825/news/160829837 | en | 2016-08-25T00:00:00 | www.tuscaloosanews.com/f769bf9e693a65654d6732035f125873cdaeac874b71625b5f761fbeb16c1e43.json |
[
"Compiled Retired News Librarian Betty Slowe"
] | 2016-08-29T02:49:34 | null | 2016-08-29T03:00:00 | 50 years ago this week | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tuscaloosanews.com%2Farticle%2F20160828%2Fnews%2F160829706.json | http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/global/images/fb/TL.png | en | null | LOOKING BACK: Aug. 29 | null | null | www.tuscaloosanews.com | - Two more grocers were arrested under the city’s “blue law” which prohibited certain types of food stores from doing business on Sunday; five were arrested the previous week. Arrested this week were Robert J. Henderson of the Druid Super Market and Robert Hooper of the Food Basket.
- Eight-year-old Tracy Price crawled into a vault in his aunt’s basement, his buddy shut the door and twirled the combination. They were just playing, but it quickly became serious business when the boy couldn’t get out. Firemen from Northport and Tuscaloosa, police and anxious relatives were summoned and they managed to pry open the old vault enough for the boy to crawl out – sadder, but wiser.
-n Legislative approval for a measure permitting women to serve on Alabama juries was sent to Gov. George Wallace to sign or reject.
- A 33-acre tract of land north and northeast of the Veteran’s Administration Hospital became part of the University of Alabama campus. Plans called for the tract to be used by the expansion of the biology department’s arboretum and expansion of the university golf course.
- Tuscaloosa Deputy Fire Chief Swann Gray retired after more than 25 years as a fireman here.
- Dr. Hugh H. Stegal became principal at Tuscaloosa High School replacing Harold Greer who joined the central board of education as supervisor of attendance.
-n A $4 million federal loan to aid in construction of a 14-story women’s dormitory was approved for the University of Alabama. The dormitory would house and dine 978 students and was to be built on the eastern portion of the Verner Elementary School property.
- It took the mayor’s gavel and some loud words from Police Chief William Marable to restore order at the meeting of the City Commission when the Rev. T.Y. Rogers and other representatives of the Tuscaloosa Citizens for Action Committee, appeared to protest what they described as “slum housing and slumlords” in Tuscaloosa. Rogers said there were 470 slum units owned by 65 individuals who are not residents in the slum area.
- The city-owned area of Kaulton had become a nuisance to the city with each house boarded up as the tenants left. Civil rights leaders asked that the houses be bulldozed. City officials said the 50 families there had no place to go.
-Josie P. Edgeworth became Tuscaloosa’s first woman city mail carrier.
- Gibson Mattress and Upholstering Company was featured in a Tuscaloosa News series “Salute to Industry.” The company was organized in 1950 on Fifth Street in Northport. The services offered by the company included rebuilding, repairing and recovering furniture, remaking of mattresses and making of mattresses and box springs.
- Kyle Office Supply was building a new building at the corner of 11th Street and 21st Avenue at the site where the Kyle family home had been razed. The business was started in 1920 by Leonard C. Kyle. Chris Kyle joined his parents as partner and took over the operation of the company when his father died in 1961.
25 years ago this week
- The Tuscaloosa County Commission was facing a deficit of nearly $900,000 for the fiscal year. An Alabama Supreme Court ruling in favor of county deputies over salary increases was expected to cost more than $500,000 in unbudgeted expenses and the county road and bridge department was facing a deficit of $357,000.
- Student enrollment at Stillman College was at its highest since the 1970s, surpassing 800 and triggering a crunch in campus housing.
- In the Crimson Tide’s final scrimmage before the 1991 season, Craig Sanderson tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee, the same ligament that he injured in the previous season’s Florida game, putting him back on the sidelines and devastating his teammates and coach Gene Stallings.
- Coach Gene Stallings said the Crimson Tide needed to improve on its third-down situation as the team worked on its plan for the upcoming game against Temple.
-Burglars vandalized Flatwoods Elementary School; the school’s library received the brunt of the damage.
- Retired Tuscaloosa banker and University of Alabama benefactor Frank M. Moody was a 1991 inductee into the Alabama Academy of Honor.
- Tuscaloosa Public Library Director David Brennan said Northport wasn’t paying its fair share for library services to its residents and asked Northport of increase its funding from $25,000 this year to $82,240 the following year. The Northport City Council voted to ask the library to study whether there was a need for the Northport branch.
10 years ago this week
- The Birmingham News reported that the son of fired two-year college system chancellor Roy Johnson was paid $3,000 a month by an architectural firm to oversee work on a new residence hall at the school where the son already was being paid $69,000 a year.
- After nearly two years of work, the much-anticipated remodeled Bryant-Denny Stadium would be unveiled at the season opening game with the University of Hawaii. With tickets sold out, the game would be the most-attended game in the state’s history. The stadium’s new capacity was 92,138.
- A Lamar County clerk was indicted over a missing $50,000.
- Tuscaloosa businessman Stan Pate was negotiating with Alabama Baptist Retirement Center to purchase Clara Verner Tower, a 13-story complex on the Black Warrior River that houses about 200 senior citizens.
- Statues of Alabama national championship football coaches Gene Stallings, Paul W. Bryant, Wallace Wade and Frank Thomas were unveiled at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
-Northport officials considered a ban on sweepstakes machines; they were recently banned in Tuscaloosa.
- The $6.6 million Bobby Miller Activity Center, the Tuscaloosa Park and Recreation Authority’s newest activity center, opened this week.
- The Crimson Tide held off Hawaii 25-17 in the newly renovated Bryant-Denny Stadium. John Parker Wilson threw for 253 yards and a touchdown in his first collegiate start.
Five years ago this week
-n After the Linden Athletic Association announced – four days from the start of football season – it would increase the $500 per game rate that had been in place for nearly a decade to nearly double that cost, the Linden High School football team was without a home field.
- A Tuscaloosa woman was one of three Alabama women indicted by a grand jury on tornado-related fraud charges.
-n An University of Alabama Greek fraternity and 10 of its members were sued by a former student pledge for injuries he received that allegedly resulted from a hazing incident in 2009.
- After repairs that took four months to complete after the April 27 tornado, Tom’s Cabinets and Woodworks in Alberta was destroyed by fire.
-Grammy award winning country music singer Taylor Swift donated $150,000 to Tuscaloosa City Schools Disaster Relief Fund to help students who attended the three schools damaged or destroyed by the April 27 tornado.
- Alabama, the Fort Payne-born country supergroup, performed at the Tuscaloosa Amphitheater for Tuscaloosa tornado relief.
- The Crimson Tide pummeled Kent State 48-7 in Bryant-Denny Stadium. First responders to the April 27 tornado were honored on the field before the game.
-n A stricter dress code went into effect in the Tuscaloosa City School System, requiring students to “dress for success.”
One year ago this week
- Alabama’s first lady Dianne Bentley filed for divorce from Gov. Robert Bentley with the circuit court clerk of Tuscaloosa County. A Tuscaloosa judge agreed to seal records relating to the divorce proceedings.
-n The Tuscaloosa Public Library’s interim director, Rick Freemon, was selected by the library’s board of trustees to be the system’s executive director.
- Tuscaloosa County Schools Superintendent Elizabeth Swinford’s employment status was changed from superintendent to consultant and Deputy Superintendent Walter Davie was named to interim superintendent.
- The Northport City Council voted to spend $6,625 for a new HVAC unit for Shirley Place, a historic, city-owned home in downtown. The house needed about $110,000 in repairs.
- City leaders enacted new rules governing fire and burglar alarms. Starting Oct. 1, property owners who generate two false alarms within a 12-month period would be given warnings, a third false alarm would trigger a required training program on how to prevent false alarms, fourth or fifth alarms would cause a citation and summons to municipal court where penalties or fines could be assessed. Six or more false alarms would allow police not to respond. | http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20160828/news/160829706 | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.tuscaloosanews.com/940c6c09488fcb3c221a44169fa8feb79ff42adcc8d0148cedbc9be6af1ef6f5.json |
[
"The Associated Press"
] | 2016-08-30T02:50:51 | null | 2016-08-30T02:00:00 | The main branch of the Tuscaloosa Public Library is now circulating 20 mobile Wi-Fi hotspot devices to TPL cardholders, 21 years of age or older, that will allow internet access anywhere there is cell service. The hotspots let patrons link a mobile device like a smartphone, laptop, iPad or tablet, for access to the internet. A single hotspot can provide Wi‐Fi internet access for up to 10 devices. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tuscaloosanews.com%2Farticle%2F20160829%2Fnews%2F160829674.json | http://G52-TLweb.newscyclecloud.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=TL&Date=20160829&Category=NEWS&ArtNo=160829674&Ref=AR&imageVersion=Teaser | en | null | Mobile Wi-Fi hotspots available | null | null | www.tuscaloosanews.com | The main branch of the Tuscaloosa Public Library is now circulating 20 mobile Wi-Fi hotspot devices to TPL cardholders, 21 years of age or older, that will allow internet access anywhere there is cell service. The hotspots let patrons link a mobile device like a smartphone, laptop, iPad or tablet, for access to the internet. A single hotspot can provide Wi‐Fi internet access for up to 10 devices.
A valid Tuscaloosa Public Library account and a current driver's license, passport or military photo ID must be presented at the time of checkout. Patrons must be in good standing with the library, with a current address on file and no fines above six dollars. Currently, the hotspots may only be checked out from and returned to the main branch on Jack Warner Parkway.
The hotspots may be checked out for one week with no renewals. Overdue hotspots will be deactivated within 24 hours of due date. The overdue fine for the hotspot and components is $2 per day until returned. The patron is responsible for costs associated with loss or damage of the mobile hotspot and/or peripherals. Internet content filtering is not provided through the Wi-Fi hotspot.
For more information, visit the main branch, call 345-5820 or visit www.Tuscaloosa-Library.org. | http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20160829/news/160829674 | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | www.tuscaloosanews.com/a4cba4e755d92eace3fa445e61ffa3375a8a712b2e426520bbbe48fd19bc3139.json |
[
"The Associated Press"
] | 2016-08-30T14:49:58 | null | 2016-08-30T15:00:00 | BESSEMER — Alabama authorities Monday arrested a 29-year-old woman on murder charges in the slaying of her mother, who died over the weekend after being stabbed in a Walmart parking lot. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tuscaloosanews.com%2Farticle%2F20160830%2Fnews%2F160829661.json | http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/global/images/fb/TL.png | en | null | Police: Daughter stabbed mother in Walmart lot in Bessemer | null | null | www.tuscaloosanews.com | BESSEMER — Alabama authorities Monday arrested a 29-year-old woman on murder charges in the slaying of her mother, who died over the weekend after being stabbed in a Walmart parking lot.
Ashia Christine Huddleston was captured Monday morning by the U.S. Marshals Gulf Coast Regional Task Force and Bessemer police, said Sgt. Cortice Miles of Bessemer police. Huddleston had eluded authorities for nearly two days after fleeing the scene of the stabbing Saturday.
Authorities have accused Huddleston of stabbing her mother, 49-year-old Tammy Lynn Huddleston, several times in the abdomen in the parking lot of a Walmart in Bessemer. Witnesses told police they saw the two women fighting before the younger Huddleston stabbed her mother and fled in a car with her boyfriend.
Tammy Lynn Huddleston died Sunday morning at a hospital from her injuries. The violent slaying stunned her friends, who remembered the victim as a caring mother and grandmother, al.com reported.
“She was a great mother that went far and beyond to help her kids,” said friend Kimberly Clayton. “She not only raised her daughter and her son, but she was raising her daughter’s two daughters. She ate, slept and lived for those grandkids.”
Ashia Huddleston was jailed Monday with her bond set at $250,000. It was not immediately known if she had an attorney representing her.
Miles said the suspect’s boyfriend had been cooperating with police.
Clayton said after the stabbing she messaged Ashia Huddleston and pleaded with her to turn herself in to police. She said the young woman blocked her phone number after replying: “It was an accident.”
“I hate that her daughter did this,” Clayton said. “I hope they lock her up for a long time. You don’t murder the lady that brought you into this world and always had your back no matter what.” | http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20160830/news/160829661 | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | www.tuscaloosanews.com/890555c28e25981337d2050ff7eb92c46addf1cec10b608803446c8fd338c702.json |
[
"Drew Taylor Staff Writer"
] | 2016-08-27T02:49:07 | null | 2016-08-27T02:00:00 | Tuscaloosa City Schools and the Construction Education Foundation of Alabama have reached an agreement to begin an apprenticeship program this year. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tuscaloosanews.com%2Farticle%2F20160826%2Fnews%2F160829781.json | http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/global/images/fb/TL.png | en | null | Electrical program will train recent Tuscaloosa City Schools grads | null | null | www.tuscaloosanews.com | Aim is to get those who did not go to college
Tuscaloosa City Schools and the Construction Education Foundation of Alabama have reached an agreement to begin an apprenticeship program this year.
The Tuscaloosa City Board of Education has approved a memorandum of understanding with the foundation to collaborate and provide a community-based electrical training program at Tuscaloosa Career & Technology Academy. The program will be open to those who graduated between 2013 and 2015 from the city or county high schools.
“It's one of those ones that we thought would be good to try,” said Tuscaloosa City Schools Superintendent Mike Daria.
Byron McCain, president of the Construction Education Foundation of Alabama, said the program, which works in conjunction with those in the construction industry, will be ready to go by Sept. 6 and will be open to those who are already employed in the electrical field or those who are interested in joining.
“They're a couple of years removed from a high school graduation and they're looking for a job,” McCain said. “We're looking for people who want a career.”
Kelly Norstrom, director of Tuscaloosa City Schools' career technical education program, said that this year, five full scholarships worth $3,000 per student will be available. She said that next year, five partial scholarships would be given.
McCain said the program gives options to high school graduates who did not have the opportunity to go to college, but still want to have a career. He said that in the first year, it is common for electricians to make between $26,000 or $28,000 per year.
“Four or five years from now, they can be making $40,000 or $50,000 depending on how far they've advanced in the trade,” he said. “That's a whole lot different than working at Walmart or any fast food place.”
In the first year, the program will deal mostly with Levels 1 and 2 training. Level 1 will go from 5 to 8:30 p.m. for two nights per week for 20 weeks. Level 2 will run from 5 to 8:30 p.m. for 36 weeks or for one night per week for 26 weeks.
“A year from now, if this program is successful as we think it will be, we expect a new crop of 1 and 2 and current students will be going through level 3 and 4 training,” he said.
In addition, CEFA will share the cost of security with Shelton State Community College to use TCTA afterhours.
Norstrom said that TCS will begin looking for students to fill the program.
“I spoke with Dr. Daria and what we discussed was we would push it out and see what kind of response we got and went from there,” she said.
Earnestine Tucker, vice chair of the city school board, said it would be good to look at other industries to partner with in order to allow the program to expand and grow.
“I think we need to start now looking for resources so we can continue this once it is up and running,” Tucker said.
For more information on the program, contact TCS at 205-759-3700 or CEFA at 205-956-0146.
Reach Drew Taylor at drew.taylor@tuscaloosanews.com or 205-722-0204. | http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20160826/news/160829781 | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | www.tuscaloosanews.com/06e268c97616aed0fe9691f00ac07b0e4800499d20f9310b883f2de6c34b66ae.json |
[] | 2016-08-28T00:49:14 | null | 2016-08-28T01:00:00 | The cheerleaders are sponsoring a food drive for the Little Closet Community Food Pantry, Neighbors Helping Neighbors in Samantha. They are collecting non-perishable items. The public can drop off non-perishable items at the Pantry, 13222 Fondren Road, and at the Second Hand Grace, 18509 highway 43 North, both in Northport. Dat's Good restaurant at 4300 Alabama Highway 13, Northport, also is accepting donations and will give donors a free drink. Perishable items such as fresh milk, eggs, sandwich meat, cheese, etc., will be accepted on the Saturday before the fourth Tuesday of each month. Call 534-3104 or visit www.thelittlecloset.org for more information. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tuscaloosanews.com%2Farticle%2F20160827%2Fnews%2F160829761.json | http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/global/images/fb/TL.png | en | null | SCHOOL NEWS: Aug. 28 | null | null | www.tuscaloosanews.com | The cheerleaders are sponsoring a food drive for the Little Closet Community Food Pantry, Neighbors Helping Neighbors in Samantha. They are collecting non-perishable items. The public can drop off non-perishable items at the Pantry, 13222 Fondren Road, and at the Second Hand Grace, 18509 highway 43 North, both in Northport. Dat's Good restaurant at 4300 Alabama Highway 13, Northport, also is accepting donations and will give donors a free drink. Perishable items such as fresh milk, eggs, sandwich meat, cheese, etc., will be accepted on the Saturday before the fourth Tuesday of each month. Call 534-3104 or visit www.thelittlecloset.org for more information.
Greensboro Middle School
The school received recognition for becoming the first demonstration site for co-teaching and CHAMPS by the Alabama Department of Education.The school was selected in Region 4 for its willingness to participate in professional development activities to become a demonstration site to showcase best practices in co-teaching. The program is funded through the State Systemic Improvement Program (SSIP) in an effort to improve post-secondary outcomes for students with disabilities.
After the school was selected for the program during the last school year, school personnel participated in professional development activities to enhance high-quality instruction for students in co-taught classrooms. In December, the school became the first demonstration site for co-teaching and CHAMPS and has hosted educators who wanted to learn more about implementation for co-teaching and CHAMPS. School staff shared with other school systems of how they became a demonstration site for Co-Teaching and CHAMPS at the Department of Education's Mega Conference in Mobile. | http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20160827/news/160829761 | en | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | www.tuscaloosanews.com/82ae7247512f6e170b3cf53f6b91cf099eb19d7c7dda8de098bc88e30361a50c.json |
[
"Staff Report"
] | 2016-08-30T02:51:11 | null | 2016-08-30T02:30:00 | A boy who nearly drowned at the Bowers Park pool is still being treated at Children's of Alabama hospital in Birmingham. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tuscaloosanews.com%2Farticle%2F20160829%2Fnews%2F160829676.json | http://G52-TLweb.newscyclecloud.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=TL&Date=20160829&Category=NEWS&ArtNo=160829676&Ref=AR&imageVersion=Teaser | en | null | Boy nearly drowns in pool | null | null | www.tuscaloosanews.com | A boy who nearly drowned at the Bowers Park pool is still being treated at Children's of Alabama hospital in Birmingham.
Paramedics with Tuscaloosa Fire and Rescue Service and Northstar EMS were called to the pool off Hargrove Road around 3 p.m. Saturday.
Upon arrival, they found the boy, 10, being cared for by a lifeguard next to the swimming pool, said TFRS Deputy Chief Chris Williamson. Fire responders provided emergency medical care at the scene before transporting him to DCH Regional Medical Center. He was later transported to Children's of Alabama in Birmingham, where he was still being treated Sunday night, Williamson said. | http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20160829/news/160829676 | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | www.tuscaloosanews.com/17eb2cd2e06a7719284097fae33b79810379f6c5f14cbc8dab1330afb591703b.json |
[
"Drew Taylor"
] | 2016-08-31T04:50:24 | null | 2016-08-31T03:00:00 | Tuscaloosa City Schools took a step forward with an upcoming middle school north of the river by agreeing to sublease 36 acres of land from the Tuscaloosa County Park and Recreation Authority. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tuscaloosanews.com%2Farticle%2F20160830%2Fnews%2F160839968.json | http://G52-TLweb.newscyclecloud.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=TL&Date=20160830&Category=NEWS&ArtNo=160839968&Ref=AR&imageVersion=Teaser | en | null | Board OK's land sublease for new school | null | null | www.tuscaloosanews.com | Tuscaloosa City Schools took a step forward with an upcoming middle school north of the river by agreeing to sublease 36 acres of land from the Tuscaloosa County Park and Recreation Authority.
On Tuesday, the Tuscaloosa City Board of Education approved a resolution to sublease the property from PARA in order to build a new middle school that will be part of the Northridge High School feeder system. Construction is scheduled to begin at the end of December near Northridge High and finish by December 2018.
In 2012, Gov. Robert Bentley made a deal with the Alabama Department of Mental Health, PARA and Ol’ Colony Golf Complex for the property, which was last valued at $3.6 million.
In February, the Tuscaloosa City Council passed a resolution that designated the board, as well as PARA, as a sublessee of the property.
Board attorney Dave Ryan said that through the agreement, the board would lease the land from PARA, which leases it from the Alabama Department of Mental Health. The lease would run until 2039 with an option for a 20-year extension into 2059, then taking another 20-year extension to 2079.
“The good news is what rent there, and it’s not much, is paid by PARA and the city schools has a use agreement with PARA that says whenever we are not using our recreation or athletic facilities, they have the right to use them,” Ryan said. “That’s how the city schools compensate PARA for its part of the lease.”
The agreement also includes an option for the school system to purchase the land between 2059 and 2079 if it wants.
“The school board can go before the Department of Mental Health, buy that property, and we’ll appraise it and say we will or won’t buy,” Ryan said. “Until then, it’s your property for free.”
The estimated cost of the new, unnamed school is approximately $30.8 million and would accommodate nearly 900 students, making it the largest middle school in the school system. The new school is part of the system’s strategic plan.
Following the approval of the resolution, the board went into executive session for students hearings.
Reach Drew Taylor at drew.taylor@tuscaloosanews.com or 205-722-0204. | http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20160830/news/160839968 | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | www.tuscaloosanews.com/8e8b095e6480658f87b95bbfc350bb66c4f50d2f5a4437d899466e7d64727def.json |
[
"Staff Report"
] | 2016-08-27T02:49:58 | null | 2016-08-27T02:00:00 | Local residents will have an opportunity to help Louisiana flood victims during a donation drive that begins today. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tuscaloosanews.com%2Farticle%2F20160826%2Fnews%2F160829783.json | http://G52-TLweb.newscyclecloud.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=TL&Date=20160826&Category=NEWS&ArtNo=160829783&Ref=AR&imageVersion=Teaser | en | null | Donations needed for drive that will help Louisiana flood victims | null | null | www.tuscaloosanews.com | Local residents will have an opportunity to help Louisiana flood victims during a donation drive that begins today.
The drive will be held in the parking lot of the Northport Winn-Dixie on U.S. Highway 82 from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. today through Aug. 31.
ReadBamaRead, a nonprofit that helps replenish school libraries, and Two Men and a Truck, a moving company, have combined to organize the drive.
"ReadBamaARead was born from the need to lend a helping hand after a natural disaster," said Dana Duckworth, who helped organize ReadBamaRead. "And while our primary focus is on childhood literacy, we are always ready to lend a helping hand where it is needed. We are grateful to Two Men and a Truck and everyone who is able to lend a hand to our neighbors."
Duckworth and company are looking for kitchen items, cleaning supplies, pet supplies, toiletries and linens, as well as clear storage bins and toys for the children affected by the floods.
"What we found after the April 2011 tornadoes, is that after the initial round of aid comes through, the needs of those affected change as they move into the recovery and rebuilding stage," Duckworth said. "We're trying to meet those needs with this drive."
Duckworth and other volunteers will be on site from 7:30-11 a.m. today.
Winn-Dixie is in the Essex Square Shopping Center. | http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20160826/news/160829783 | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | www.tuscaloosanews.com/6977a5a41c1cd4abf9b092cdcee2fda3159c22615d693a0f8a4a5db8f92a861d.json |
[
"Stephanie Taylor"
] | 2016-08-30T14:49:46 | null | 2016-08-30T14:00:00 | Alabama offensive lineman Alphonse Taylor has been found not guilty of a DUI. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tuscaloosanews.com%2Farticle%2F20160830%2Fnews%2F160839995.json | http://G52-TLweb.newscyclecloud.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=TL&Date=20160830&Category=NEWS&ArtNo=160839995&Ref=AR&imageVersion=Teaser | en | null | Alphonse Taylor found not guilty | null | null | www.tuscaloosanews.com | Taylor was charged with a DUI and leaving the scene of an accident at a Tuscaloosa apartment complex on July 17. Court records released indicated that Taylor tested negative for alcohol, but performed poorly on field sobriety tests.
Tuscaloosa Municipal Judge Ricky McKinney ruled Tuesday that Taylor was not guilty of the DUI charge. The judge is expected to issue a ruling on the leaving the scene of an accident charge after the vehicle that was struck has been repaired, said Taylor's attorney, Jason Neff.
"Of course I am pleased with this verdict," he said. "I hope Mr. Taylor will have an opportunity to move forward with his football career."
Taylor called Tuscaloosa Police at 8:50 a.m. that Sunday to report that he had struck a vehicle in the parking lot off The Woodlands off Hargrove Road.
"I immediately noticed that Taylor's speech was very slow and he appeared lethargic," the responding officer wrote in the arrest report. "Taylor advised that he had not been drinking, he did not take medication and had no medical problems."
The officer wrote that Taylor was reclining in his 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe when he arrived. Taylor told the officer that he had bumped his head on the steering wheel. The 911 call taker who dispatched the officer to the accident reported that Taylor was very difficult to understand. The officer found a nearby vehicle that Taylor had struck, and later charged him with DUI and leaving the scene of an accident.
Taylor provided two breath samples at 9:19 a.m. The tests showed that he had a 0.0 blood alcohol content.
He has been suspended from the team indefinitely, but continues to participate in practice. | http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20160830/news/160839995 | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | www.tuscaloosanews.com/fbde1a0a3b64e33f350e63c99385bda5e3e7ed5f4dcbf32ce80017e2cb15f251.json |
[
"Emily Wagster Pettus"
] | 2016-08-27T02:49:37 | null | 2016-08-27T02:00:00 | LEXINGTON, Miss. — In the poverty-stricken Mississippi county where two nuns were slain, forgiveness for their killer is hard to find, even if forgiveness is what the victims would have wanted. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tuscaloosanews.com%2Farticle%2F20160826%2Fnews%2F160829779.json | http://G52-TLweb.newscyclecloud.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=TL&Date=20160826&Category=NEWS&ArtNo=160829779&Ref=AR&imageVersion=Teaser | en | null | Killing of 2 nuns leaves hole in poor community | null | null | www.tuscaloosanews.com | LEXINGTON, Miss. — In the poverty-stricken Mississippi county where two nuns were slain, forgiveness for their killer is hard to find, even if forgiveness is what the victims would have wanted.
Sisters Margaret Held and Paula Merrill were nurse practitioners who dedicated their lives to providing health care to people in the poorest county in the state. And as authorities search for the killer, many residents wonder how they will fill the hole the women's deaths have left.
"Right now, I don't see no forgiveness on my heart," said Joe Morgan Jr., a 58-year-old former factory worker who has diabetes and was a patient of Merrill's at the clinic where the two nuns worked.
He said Merrill would want him to forgive whoever killed the women, but he hopes the perpetrator is arrested, convicted and executed.
"She doesn't deserve to die like this, doing God's work," Morgan said, shaking his head. "There's something wrong with the world."
The women, both 68, were found dead at their home Thursday morning after they failed to show up for work at the clinic, where they gave flu shots, dispensed insulin and provided other medical care for children and adults who couldn't afford it.
Their stolen car was found abandoned a mile from their home, and there were signs of a break-in, but police haven't disclosed a motive.
Authorities have not said how the women were killed, but the Rev. Greg Plata of St. Thomas Catholic Church in Lexington, where the nuns had led Bible study for years, said police told him they were stabbed.
The state posted a reward of $20,000 for information leading to an arrest and conviction.
Plata said both nuns' religious communities have asked that people pray for the killer or killers. Asked about people's struggles to forgive, the priest said: "Forgiveness is at the heart of being a Christian. Look at Jesus on the cross: 'Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.'"
On Friday, a handwritten sign on the front door of Lexington Medical Clinic said it was closed until Monday.
The clinic and the nuns' home in Durant are in Holmes County, population 18,000. With 44 percent of its residents living in poverty, Holmes is the seventh-poorest county in America, according to the Census Bureau.
The slayings did more than shock people and plunge the county into mourning. They leave a gaping hole in what was already a strapped health care system.
Dr. Elias Abboud, who worked with the sisters for years and helped build the clinic, said it provided about 25 percent of all medical care in the county.
The two nuns cultivated relationships with drug company representatives, who often left extra free samples, according to clinic manager Lisa Dew.
"This is a poor area, and they dignified those who are poor with outreach and respect for them," Plata said. "They treated each person as a child of God."
Merrill's sister Rosemarie, speaking by telephone from her Stoneham, Massachusetts, home, said her sister had been in Mississippi helping the poor since 1981 and had previously worked in Holly Springs, where she used to ride around on a moped and was instrumental in locating the source of a tuberculosis outbreak.
Merrill was raised in the suburbs of Boston and came from a working-class family, her father a laborer and her mother a bookkeeper, her nephew David said. He said his aunt had worked with Held for many years.
"We always considered Margaret just part of the family," he said. "The word 'sister' has many meanings, and they fulfilled all of them."
Rosemarie Merrill said she doesn't know what will happen to the clinic now and worries about the effect on health care in Holmes County. She said her sister and Held would often go into the clinic on Sundays after Mass or on their days off.
"It's just going to be a disaster," she said.
Genette Pierce, who works at a home health and hospice business a few doors down from the clinic, said: "Their patients — all of them — they're going to be lost without them right now." | http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20160826/news/160829779 | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | www.tuscaloosanews.com/2546b52f2099a9f934f7b0d9ff33f4a30ba9ac3513fbec7facb67ccf67c15f8f.json |
[
"Aaron Suttles"
] | 2016-08-26T12:58:12 | null | 2016-08-25T22:30:00 | The University of Alabama football team landed seven student-athletes on the first-team Preseason Coaches All-SEC and a total of 13 overall, the conference released Thursday morning. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tuscaloosanews.com%2Farticle%2F20160825%2Fnews%2F160829835.json | http://G52-TLweb.newscyclecloud.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=TL&Date=20160825&Category=NEWS&ArtNo=160829835&Ref=AR&imageVersion=Teaser | en | null | Alabama lands seven first-team All-SEC selections | null | null | www.tuscaloosanews.com | The University of Alabama football team landed seven student-athletes on the first-team Preseason Coaches All-SEC and a total of 13 overall, the conference released Thursday morning.
Senior tight end O.J. Howard, junior left tackle Cam Robinson, sophomore wide receiver Calvin Ridley, senior defensive end Jonathan Allen, senior linebacker Reuben Foster, senior safety Eddie Jackson and junior punter JK Scott were voted to the first team by league coaches.
On the second team, Alabama placed offensive guard Alphonse Taylor, outside linebacker Tim Williams, defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick and kicker Adam Griffith.
Center Ross Pierschbacher and redshirt sophomore Marlon Humphrey landed on the third team.
Alabama returns 14 starters – six on offense, five on defense and three kicking-game specialists, from a team that went 14-1 last season and won both the SEC and national championships.
Alabama placed nine players on the 2016 Rotary Lombardi Award watch list, which was also announced Thursday: defensive linemen Jonanthan Allen, Da’Shawn Hand, Da’Ron Payne and Dalvin Tomlinson, linebackers Foster, Ryan Anderson and Tim Williams, tight end Howard and offensive lineman Robinson. Alabama and Clemson each have nine players on the watch list, most in the nation.
A total of 158 players are on the list for the award, which recognizes the nation’s top college football player. Alabama’s Cornelius Bennett won it in 1986.
2016 Preseason Coaches All-SEC
FIRST TEAM
OFFENSE
TE O.J. Howard, Alabama
OL Cam Robinson, Alabama
Dan Skipper, Arkansas
Greg Pyke, Georgia
Alex Kozan, Auburn
C Ethan Pocic, LSU
WR Calvin Ridley, Alabama
Christian Kirk, Texas A&M
QB Chad Kelly, Ole Miss
RB Leonard Fournette, LSU
Nick Chubb, Georgia
AP Christian Kirk, Texas A&M
DEFENSE
DL Myles Garrett, Texas A&M
Jonathan Allen, Alabama
Derek Barnett, Tennessee
Carl Lawson, Auburn
LB Reuben Foster, Alabama
Kendell Beckwith, LSU
Jalen Reeves-Maybin, Tennessee*
Jarrad Davis, Florida*
DB Eddie Jackson, Alabama
Jalen Tabor, Florida
Cameron Sutton, Tennessee
Tre’Davious White, LSU
SPECIAL TEAMS
PK Daniel Carlson, Auburn
P JK Scott, Alabama
RS Christian Kirk, Texas A&M*
Evan Berry, Tennessee*
SECOND TEAM
OFFENSE
TE Evan Engram, Ole Miss
OL William Clapp, LSU
Avery Gennesy, Texas A&M
Martez Ivey, Florida
Alphonse Taylor, Alabama*
Braden Smith, Auburn*
C Brandon Kublanow, Georgia
WR Fred Ross, Mississippi State
Malachi Dupre, LSU
QB Joshua Dobbs, Tennessee
RB Jalen Hurd, Tennessee
Ralph Webb, Vanderbilt
AP Isaiah McKenzie, Georgia
DEFENSE
DL Montravius Adams, Auburn
Charles Harris, Missouri
Bryan Cox, Florida
Davon Godchaux, LSU
LB Tim Williams, Alabama
Zach Cunningham, Vanderbilt
Brooks Ellis, Arkansas*
Arden Key, LSU*
DB Jamal Adams, LSU
Dominick Sanders, Georgia
Minkah Fitzpatrick, Alabama
Tony Conner, Ole Miss
SPECIAL TEAMS
PK Adam Griffith, Alabama*
Elliott Fry, South Carolina*
P Johnny Townsend, Florida
RS Isaiah McKenzie, Georgia
THIRD TEAM
OFFENSE
TE Jeremy Sprinkle, Arkansas
OL David Sharpe, Florida
Mason Zandi, South Carolina
Jashon Robertson, Tennessee
Frank Ragnow, Arkansas
C Ross Pierschbacher, Alabama*
Frank Ragnow, Arkansas*
Jon Toth, Kentucky*
WR Travin Dural, LSU
Drew Morgan, Arkansas
QB Brandon Harris, LSU
RB Stanley “Boom” Williams, Kentucky
Brandon Holloway, Mississippi State
AP Derrius Guice, LSU
DEFENSE
DL Marquis Haynes, Ole Miss
Lewis Neal, LSU
Deatrich Wise, Arkansas*
Daeshon Hall, Texas A&M*
A.J. Jefferson, Mississippi State*
LB Richie Brown, Mississippi State
Oren Burks, Vanderbilt
Lorenzo Carter, Georgia
DB Marcus Maye, Florida
Marlon Humphrey, Alabama
Johnathan Ford, Auburn
Quincy Wilson, Florida
SPECIAL TEAMS
PK Gary Wunderlich, Ole Miss
P Trevor Daniel, Tennessee
RS Marcus Davis, Auburn*
Cameron Sutton, Tennessee*
Brandon Holloway, Mississippi State*
* Indicates tie on voting at the position | http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20160825/news/160829835 | en | 2016-08-25T00:00:00 | www.tuscaloosanews.com/2a9fe3ef7a50e5e7421250e22c329a0bb99b47ff6d48383c73c82c26131e80b8.json |
[
"Staff Report"
] | 2016-08-30T06:49:52 | null | 2016-08-30T05:00:00 | Students at Matthews Elementary in Northport got a look at virtual reality on Monday. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tuscaloosanews.com%2Farticle%2F20160829%2Fnews%2F160829660.json | http://G52-TLweb.newscyclecloud.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=TL&Date=20160829&Category=NEWS&ArtNo=160829660&Ref=AR&imageVersion=Teaser | en | null | Facing virtual reality: Matthews Elementary students work on 3D modeling | null | null | www.tuscaloosanews.com | Students at Matthews Elementary in Northport got a look at virtual reality on Monday.
Fifth-graders were able to work on 3D modeling in the virtual reality trailer that was visiting the school from zSpace, a Silicon Valley education company.
Students manipulated 3D models of the planet, animals, mechanical devices and more by using the virtual technology.
Since Aug. 15, zSpace has been taking its virtual reality mobile classroom to schools across the country. | http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20160829/news/160829660 | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | www.tuscaloosanews.com/3106dfd6da8f6ab577c2784cff72c1d7e699185b658fa881e4d0ce279b0120a2.json |
[] | 2016-08-31T04:50:04 | null | 2016-08-31T04:00:00 | On Tuesday, University of Alabama gymnastics coach Dana Duckworth, through her nonprofit ReadBamaRead, aided in getting supplies to help with relief efforts for victims of the flooding that hit Louisiana earlier this month. The nonprofit, along with Two Men and a Truck, assisted with the donations at the parking lot next to Winn Dixie at the interception of Watermelon Road and McFarland Boulevard in Northport. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tuscaloosanews.com%2Farticle%2F20160830%2Fnews%2F160839957.json | http://G52-TLweb.newscyclecloud.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=TL&Date=20160830&Category=NEWS&ArtNo=160839957&Ref=AR&imageVersion=Teaser | en | null | Group helps flood victims | null | null | www.tuscaloosanews.com | On Tuesday, University of Alabama gymnastics coach Dana Duckworth, through her nonprofit ReadBamaRead, aided in getting supplies to help with relief efforts for victims of the flooding that hit Louisiana earlier this month. The nonprofit, along with Two Men and a Truck, assisted with the donations at the parking lot next to Winn Dixie at the interception of Watermelon Road and McFarland Boulevard in Northport.
On Tuesday, University of Alabama gymnastics coach Dana Duckworth, through her nonprofit ReadBamaRead, aided in getting supplies to help with relief efforts for victims of the flooding that hit Louisiana earlier this month. The nonprofit, along with Two Men and a Truck, assisted with the donations at the parking lot next to Winn Dixie at the interception of Watermelon Road and McFarland Boulevard in Northport. | http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20160830/news/160839957 | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | www.tuscaloosanews.com/712adcc69230b22c844fb7956aecce9f3661e09f5d2d83a9415d1e44c9bb99be.json |
[
"Staff Report"
] | 2016-08-26T12:53:36 | null | 2016-08-26T05:00:00 | All remaining tickets for Australian Pink Floyd show, set for Saturday night at the Tuscaloosa Amphitheater, are now priced at $15 and $20, booking agent Red Mountain Entertainment announced. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tuscaloosanews.com%2Farticle%2F20160825%2Fnews%2F160829810.json | http://G52-TLweb.newscyclecloud.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=TL&Date=20160825&Category=NEWS&ArtNo=160829810&Ref=AR&imageVersion=Teaser | en | null | Tickets available for Pink Floyd tribute, set for Saturday | null | null | www.tuscaloosanews.com | All remaining tickets for Australian Pink Floyd show, set for Saturday night at the Tuscaloosa Amphitheater, are now priced at $15 and $20, booking agent Red Mountain Entertainment announced.
Tickets are available through Ticketmaster.com, or at the Amphitheater box office. For more, see www.tuscaloosaamphitheater.com. The show is set to begin at 7 p.m.
Ben Rector with Colony House will be at the amphitheater Friday night. The show will begin at 8 p.m. Tickets are $25, $30 and $37.50. | http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20160825/news/160829810 | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | www.tuscaloosanews.com/c8bef745eb118029caab8b43df19982fa4dddca25fe8f32ede0f3e37a2c425a8.json |
[
"Staff Report"
] | 2016-08-28T02:50:55 | null | 2016-08-28T03:00:00 | Applications are being accepted for The Arts Council grant programs with the deadline being at 5 p.m. on Oct. 3. Individual artists, teachers, schools and non-profit organizations from Tuscaloosa County can apply for arts related projects. Visit tuscarts.org/smallgrants for guidelines and applications. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tuscaloosanews.com%2Farticle%2F20160827%2Fnews%2F160829739.json | http://G52-TLweb.newscyclecloud.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=TL&Date=20160827&Category=NEWS&ArtNo=160829739&Ref=AR&imageVersion=Teaser | en | null | Tuscaloosa Arts Council offers grants | null | null | www.tuscaloosanews.com | Applications are being accepted for The Arts Council grant programs with the deadline being at 5 p.m. on Oct. 3. Individual artists, teachers, schools and non-profit organizations from Tuscaloosa County can apply for arts related projects. Visit tuscarts.org/smallgrants for guidelines and applications.
Applications are being accepted for The Arts Council grant programs with the deadline being at 5 p.m. on Oct. 3. Individual artists, teachers, schools and non-profit organizations from Tuscaloosa County can apply for arts related projects. Visit tuscarts.org/smallgrants for guidelines and applications. | http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20160827/news/160829739 | en | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | www.tuscaloosanews.com/cbc9cfda41cc217c2b0dbc8f2d6af9ef4185d0bacaad7b60c4cb39858e7bcd4e.json |
[
"Stephen Dethrage"
] | 2016-08-26T12:57:23 | null | 2016-08-25T05:00:00 | Lake View voters on Tuesday elected Paul A. Calhoun to a full four-year term as mayor. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tuscaloosanews.com%2Farticle%2F20160824%2Fnews%2F160829843.json | http://G52-TLweb.newscyclecloud.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=TL&Date=20160824&Category=NEWS&ArtNo=160829843&Ref=AR&imageVersion=Teaser | en | null | West Alabama election wrap-up: Calhoun elected Lake View mayor | null | null | www.tuscaloosanews.com | Calhoun was appointed mayor in July after Bruce Wade resigned April 20. His opponent, Leslyn Weathers, served as mayor pro tem in the two months between Wade stepping down and Calhoun being appointed. Unofficial totals show Calhoun defeating Weathers 317-233.
"Thank you, Lake View," Calhoun said. "Thank you for trusting me with the leadership of our fantastic community. This is not the end of anything, but a beginning -- the beginning of what I believe will be the most exciting time in our town's history."
Calhoun said his first priority will be to build a team to address how to handle concerns that citizens have had for years about their sewer system.
"Over the next few weeks, I will be creating a committee made up of citizens and elected officials," Calhoun said. "We will immediately begin work on the sewer issue that has plagued our town for so long. I know that both sides of this issue are ready to move forward so we will not delay."
After that, Calhoun said, more plans are in the works.
"Once we have this problem well in hand, there are some very exciting things that are going to be coming to our community," he said. "Opportunities that we have been dreaming about for years but until the election were not possible. This is a very exciting time to live in Lake View."
In Town Council races, Toni Braddy won the Place 1 seat by beating Daniel Griffin, 291-251.
Vivian Holt Bean took the Place 2 seat, defeating Daniel Celmer, 294-252.
Brad Cook squeaked by Bill Gorman in the Place 3 race, 272-266.
Nancy Ray will fill the Place 4 seat after beating Jimmie R. Thomas, 277-263.
Janet Dickey Smith was appointed Aug. 11 to fill a vacancy in Place 5. She had no opposition Tuesday and will remain on the council for its next term.
Wade resigned as mayor in April as did councilwomen Vivian Bean and Shannon Phillips. For two months, the town government consisted of three council members who could not act in any official capacity because of the council lacked a four-member quorum. Gov. Robert Bentley appointed an interim mayor and two council members in July.
Two of those appointees, Calhoun and councilwoman Nancy Ray, were re-elected Tuesday.
When the winners of Tuesday's election are sworn into office in November, it will be the first time in more than six months that the town council is whole and made up of duly elected officials.
Here's a roundup of other elections held Tuesday in West Alabama municipalities.
Aliceville
Marva Gipson and Edgar Pruitt will face each other in a runoff. Gipson had 277 votes, Pruitt had 198, while Fredrick Kennedy had 142. In the District 1 council race, Thomas Wilkins and Richard Hughes will be in a runoff. Wilkins had 58 votes, Hughes had 50 and Kenneth Lucas had 33. In District 3, Terrence Windham defeated Toronto Wilder, 86-46.
Belk
In the mayor's race, Ronald Waldrop defeated Karen Strickland, 56-43. William T. Davis won the Town Council District 1 seat, defeating Guy Staff 55-43. Tommy Fowler won the District 2 seat, defeating Barbara Walter, 58-41.
Berry
Jimmy Madison won the mayor's race with 229 votes to Joseph Patilla's 93.
Brent
In the District 5 City Council race, Jerry Conway defeated Russell Bamberg. Conway had 59 votes while Bamberg had 34.
Brookwood
Incumbent Mayor Alton Hyche defeated Billy Garner. Hyche received 194 votes to Garner's 121. In the Brookwood Town Council races, Joe Barger defeated Allen Abston in Place 1. Barger had 187 votes to Abston's 127.
In Place 5, the race between Kenny Herring and Jana Genery was too close to call. Herring had 158 votes to Genery's 155, but a town spokesperson said there were 11 provisional votes that cannot be verified or counted until the Tuscaloosa County Board of Registrars vets them and returns the valid ballots to the town Tuesday.
Carrollton
Terisa Stone defeated Jimmy Kimbrell in the council District 3 race. Stone had 33 votes and Kimbrell had 14.
Centreville
In the District 2 City Council race, Don Mack Sr. defeated Bobby Pratt, 101-39. In District 3, Dianne Epperson won with 89 votes while Cliff Clemmons had 22 and Forrest Murphy received 12. In District 5, Calvin Elliott won with 126 votes to Ken Cottingham's 67.
Eutaw
Raymond Steele and Hattie Edwards will face each other in a runoff. Steele had 569 votes and Edwards had 308. Carl Davis had 199 votes and Reginald Spencer had 157 votes. In the District 1 council race, Latasha Johnson defeated James Lewis, 204-59. In District 2, LaJeffrey Carpenter won with 171 votes, beating Stanley Lucious, who had 61 votes.
Fayette
Ray Nelson beat Wayne Meherg in the mayor's race. Nelson had 725 votes to Meherg's 266. In the Fayette City Council races, Eddy Campbell defeated Mike Hardin in Ward 2. Campbell had 135 votes to Hardin's 106. In Ward 5, Jerry Nichols had 126 votes, defeating David Brand, who had 65 votes.
Gordo
Craig Patterson won the mayor's race, with 246 votes while Ervin Ellis received 53 votes. Floy Goode was elected to the District 4 seat on the Town Council, defeating Melissa Adams.
Moundville
In the mayor's race, incumbent Tony Lester defeated two challengers. Lester had 404 votes, Latonda Collins had 153 votes and Kirk Pearson Jr. had 43 votes. There will be a runoff in the District 2 council race, with Jacob Epps facing Barbara G. Spencer. Epps had 44 votes, Spencer had 40 votes and William Marlon Woods had 18 votes. In District 4, Bridget Roberts defeated Lawanda Vanhorn, 96-65. In District 5, Adam Haney defeated Kirk Pearson Sr., 57-25.
Reform
Bennie Harton won the mayor's race, defeating Kim Layson Ambrose, 274-179. In the City Council District 4 race, Pat Wheat won with 76 votes to Nancy Keasler's 18 votes. In District 5, Malcolm Giles won with 76 votes to Willie "Bee" Littles' 12 votes.
West Blocton
West Blocton will have a runoff in the mayor's race. Daniel Sims will face Larry Syx Jr. Sims had 150 votes, while Syx had 89 votes. Gary Donner had 62 votes, Samuel David Broadnax had 10 votes and Justin Lee Myers had 8 votes.
In these Tuscaloosa County municipalities, no elections were held:
Coaling Mayor Gary Averett was unopposed as were the five Town Council members: Wendy Bush in Place 1, George Tatum in Place 2, James Andy Roberts in Place 3, Carol Snider in Place 4 and Frank Zark in Place 5.
Coker Mayor Marla Shaw and council members Caroline Barnes, Stephen Hysaw and James Wilson Sr. had no opposition
Vance Mayor Keith Mahaffey and the five Town Council member, Debbie Minor in Place 1, Harold McAdory in Place 2, Debbie Nichols in Place 3, Brenda Morrison in Place 4 and Dianne Averett in Place 5, were all unopposed.
City Editor Ken Roberts contributed to this story. | http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20160824/news/160829843 | en | 2016-08-25T00:00:00 | www.tuscaloosanews.com/82ffe3f06e038dc01834e8bee24d65a8494ac849c51a3326ed243e9f5786125b.json |
[
"Drew Taylor"
] | 2016-08-26T12:54:33 | null | 2016-08-26T03:00:00 | School officials believe that by next week, Englewood Elementary School will be mold-free. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tuscaloosanews.com%2Farticle%2F20160825%2Fnews%2F160829818.json | http://G52-TLweb.newscyclecloud.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=TL&Date=20160825&Category=NEWS&ArtNo=160829818&Ref=AR&imageVersion=Teaser | en | null | Englewood Elementary mold cleanup finishes this week | null | null | www.tuscaloosanews.com | School officials believe that by next week, Englewood Elementary School will be mold-free.
Before the beginning of the school year, the school started a cleanup to dispose of mold in the cafeteria and an adjoining office. The process will finish this week.
David Patrick, deputy superintendent for the Tuscaloosa County School System, said the mold was never a health issue and that as a precaution, the cafeteria and nearby area has been restricted to students since school started on Aug. 11.
“One of the interesting things is when air was tested, the mold levels inside the area were actually lower than they were in the outside air,” Patrick said.
Since the beginning of the school year, students have not set foot in the cafeteria, eating lunch in their respective classrooms. Patrick said that since the cleanup began, food has been prepared at Hillcrest High School and transported to the school.
“You couldn’t walk in there if you wanted to,” said Dawn Godwin, president of the Englewood Elementary PTO. “It’s been sealed off.”
Godwin said parents were made aware of the mold before the start of the school year and that as of Thursday, she had not received any complaints or concerns from parents.
“They had it all killed before the kids even got there,” said Godwin, whose has a child in the third grade at Englewood.
Patrick said the mold was mostly located on some walls of the cafeteria. Englewood Elementary built in 1958 although additions have been added since then.
An abatement company worked to clean the area since the mold was first reported the first week of August.
“Once they get it clean, they’ll conduct an air test,” Patrick said. “It’s a long process and it takes several hours.”
Air testing will start Friday with results expected by Monday. Patrick said the cafeteria should be open by the middle of next week.
Reach Drew Taylor at drew.taylor@tuscaloosanews.com or 205-722-0204. | http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20160825/news/160829818 | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | www.tuscaloosanews.com/d652d97cfac3f4e43e7c4af04e078b6f486f41761cae19649fbcf9de99899354.json |
[
"Ed Enoch"
] | 2016-08-29T02:49:55 | null | 2016-08-29T02:00:00 | Fans can expect no major differences in their experience getting into AT&T Stadium on Sept. 3 for the season opener between the University of Alabama and the University of Southern California, according to officials with the stadium and the matchup. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tuscaloosanews.com%2Farticle%2F20160828%2Fnews%2F160829709.json | http://G52-TLweb.newscyclecloud.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=TL&Date=20160828&Category=NEWS&ArtNo=160829709&Ref=AR&imageVersion=Teaser | en | null | Things to know if going to Dallas | null | null | www.tuscaloosanews.com | Things to know if going to Dallas
Fans can expect no major differences in their experience getting into AT&T Stadium on Sept. 3 for the season opener between the University of Alabama and the University of Southern California, according to officials with the stadium and the matchup.
Do you plan on going to an Alabama football game this season? Vote in our web poll at www.tuscaloosanews.com. For more information: http://advocareclassicfootball.com/ http://attstadium.com/
“The biggest difference that fans may notice is parking due to the (Texas) Rangers playing the same day,” said Mike Konradi, chief market officer with Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic. The game is earlier in the day. It will be over but parking will be at a premium.”
The Tide and the Trojans will play at 7 p.m. in the Advocare Classic. The Rangers play the Houston Astros at 3:05 p.m. at nearby Globe Life Park. Konradi recommended fans who are driving to the football stadium plan to arrive early and purchase parking passes beforehand. Parking passes can be purchased online through the websites for the stadium and the Advocare Classic. Parking lots at the stadium open at 1 p.m., Konradi said.
Before the game there will be a free, family-friendly festival from 1-5:30 p.m. in parking lot four, which will feature a performance by musician Jamie N Commons at 4 p.m., Konradi said.
Security lines will be the same, and there are no significant security changes that will affect fan's experience, according to Dallas Cowboys' spokesman Joe Trahan.
“The thing is there are a lot of the things going on behind the scenes that fans may not necessarily see that are setting up to create a very safe environment for fans,” Konradi said.
Trahan and Konradi both stressed fans should be mindful of the stadium's bag policy.
AT&T Stadium's policy is similar to a new policy at Bryant-Denny Stadium this fall limiting the size and type of bags fans are allowed to carry.
The AT&T Stadium policy bans backpacks, briefcases, binocular cases, camera bags, cinch bags, coolers, fanny packs, luggage of any kind, and seat cushions.
The only bags allowed in are clear totes no larger than 12 inches by 6 inches or clear, 1-gallon plastic storage bags. Clutch purses no larger than 5.5 inches by 8.5 inches are also allowed.
An exception will be made for medically necessary items after proper inspection at a gate designated for this purpose.
All bags are subject to inspection upon entry and are subject to additional inspections within the stadium.
Unlike Bryant-Denny Stadium, the stadium in Dallas does not have substitute 1-gallon bags available for fans who arrive with a prohibited bag, Trahan said. There is no option to check bags at the stadium, Konradi said, who added clear bags are sold in the stadium's gift shop.
The university announced its new bag policy for the fall earlier this summer.
UA noted similar clear bag policies in place at other Southeastern Conference schools and professional teams in its announcement, as it said the change would increase safety and enhance the fan experience by expediting the security-check process at the stadium gates.
Bags or purses must now be clear plastic, vinyl or PVC and no larger than 12 inches by 6 inches by 12 inches. Small one compartment, clutch purses are also allowed as long as they are no larger than 4.5 inches by 6.5 inches. Fans are each limited to one clear bag and a small clutch purse. | http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20160828/news/160829709 | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.tuscaloosanews.com/ab2db5abeabddd4c88f85c988306cdc51329a79cc71a5e9e8211b2e070a99203.json |
[
"Stephanie Taylor"
] | 2016-08-26T12:59:48 | null | 2016-08-25T17:00:00 | A U.S. Postal Service employee has been accused of stealing gift cards from the mail. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tuscaloosanews.com%2Farticle%2F20160825%2Fnews%2F160829838.json | http://G52-TLweb.newscyclecloud.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=TL&Date=20160825&Category=NEWS&ArtNo=160829838&Ref=AR&imageVersion=Teaser | en | null | Former UA player accused of mail theft | null | null | www.tuscaloosanews.com | Former UA player accused of mail theft
A U.S. Postal Service employee has been accused of stealing gift cards from the mail.
Terrill Chatman, 48, of Birmingham was indicted by a federal grand jury on Wednesday.
Chatman is accused of stealing a $50 Publix gift card in September 2015 and a $10 Walmart gift card the following month.
He could face up to five years in prison and a fine up to $250,000.
Chatman was an offensive lineman for the University of Alabama football team from 1987 to 1990.
The U.S. Attorney's Office and U.S. Postal Service's Office of Inspector General announced the indictment Thursday. | http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20160825/news/160829838 | en | 2016-08-25T00:00:00 | www.tuscaloosanews.com/82b235d1ed2a0ef669a45cf91be86d46ec3d280f4b4c61cf12d6c03b1db431d4.json |
[
"Mark Hughes"
] | 2016-08-31T04:49:54 | null | 2016-08-31T04:00:00 | Theatre Tuscaloosa held its T. Earle Awards ceremony Sunday, honoring volunteers from on and off stage, in the company's Bean-Brown Theatre at Shelton State Community College. The awards were named for T. Earle Johnson, a longtime arts patron and performer as well as an University of Alabama theater and speech professor. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tuscaloosanews.com%2Farticle%2F20160830%2Fnews%2F160839961.json | http://G52-TLweb.newscyclecloud.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=TL&Date=20160830&Category=NEWS&ArtNo=160839961&Ref=AR&imageVersion=Teaser | en | null | Theatre Tuscaloosa's Earle Johnson Awards honor actors, volunteers | null | null | www.tuscaloosanews.com | Theatre Tuscaloosa held its T. Earle Awards ceremony Sunday, honoring volunteers from on and off stage, in the company's Bean-Brown Theatre at Shelton State Community College. The awards were named for T. Earle Johnson, a longtime arts patron and performer as well as an University of Alabama theater and speech professor.
Dianna Brown Shaw won the Paul K. Looney "Our Ox Is In The Ditch" award, given to someone who stepped in to save the day. Shaw moved into the role of Amanda in "The Glass Menagerie," considered one of the most challenging roles in theatrical history, after another actor had to bow out for personal reasons. Looney, artistic director emeritus for the company, presented the award, named for one of his oft-repeated phrases, meaning "emergency."
The Outstanding Service to Theatre Award went to Yvonne Thomas, one of those people, said presenter Drew Baker, who's always asking "What can I do?" to help the company.
Twins Hope and Faith Bonitz, who performed challenging roles in "Glass Menagerie" and "To Kill a Mockingbird," respectively, won a pair of Newcomer of the Year awards.
Stage manager Tyler Afflerbach won the Charlie Dennis "Bear It" Award for technical service. The late Dennis helped found the company, as well as the Arts Council of Tuscaloosa, and served for decades as its technical director. He was also a rabid Crimson Tide football fan, hence the award's name.
Easty Lambert Brown was honored with Patron of the Year for a generous donation kicking off a fund-raising campaign, and Grace Conner was named for the T. Earle Johnson Volunteer of the Year. Brown and Conner were unable to attend.
In performance awards, Kim Palm won best featured actress for multiple roles in "The Producers."
Brodrick Santeze Ryans won best featured actor for Carmen Ghia in "The Producers."
Best supporting actress went to Lisa Waldrop for Spencer in "Regrets Only."
Best supporting actor votes ended in a tie, with awards given to both Ray Taylor for Roger Debris in "The Producers," and Dylan G. Davis for Franz Liebkind in "The Producers."
Best leading actress went to Rosie Webber, for Ulla in "The Producers," and best lead actor to John Walker, for Leo in "The Producers."
Performance awards are determined by audience votes; service awards are chosen by members of the Theatre Tuscaloosa staff and its board of directors. | http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20160830/news/160839961 | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | www.tuscaloosanews.com/edfdedad5ac4faee2103e09d2f7b91e3f2ee374d21bc2b064060678a07d50524.json |
[
"Drew Taylor"
] | 2016-08-26T12:59:25 | null | 2016-08-25T05:00:00 | Despite 20 candidates filling the ballot for Northport’s municipal election Tuesday, the turnout was lower than previous years. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tuscaloosanews.com%2Farticle%2F20160824%2Fnews%2F160829842.json | http://G52-TLweb.newscyclecloud.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=TL&Date=20160824&Category=NEWS&ArtNo=160829842&Ref=AR&imageVersion=Teaser | en | null | Northport election turnout lower than in previous elections | null | null | www.tuscaloosanews.com | Despite 20 candidates filling the ballot for Northport’s municipal election Tuesday, the turnout was lower than previous years.
According to uncertified poll numbers, approximately 3,424 votes were cast in the mayoral election Tuesday out of 16,576 registered voters in the city, marking a 20.6 percent turnout. This year’s voter participation marks a drop from the 2012 election, when 3,724 votes were cast.
However, the turnout for the 2012 election percentage was 28.6 percent out of about 13,020 registered voters.
In 2012, roughly 11 candidates vied for seats, including four for mayor. This year, there were six mayoral candidates. With the exception of two candidates in District 4, each City Council district had three candidates.
The number of registered voters in Northport has grown steadily over the last decade. In 2008, there were 3,757 votes cast out of about 11,875 registered voters, marking a 31.6 percent turnout. Fourteen people ran for office that year, include five mayoral candidates.
The 2008 race resulted in a runoff between Bobby Herndon and then-mayor Harvey Fretwell. More than 3,210 voters came out for the runoff later in October, electing Herndon with 2,361 votes to Fretwell’s 819 votes.
In 2004, 38.5 percent of an estimated 10,005 registered voters came out to the polls.
This year's election resulted in a mayoral runoff. Herndon, who is seeking a third term, received 1,538 votes, or approximately 44.9 percent, against retired teacher Donna Aaron, who received 948 votes and 27.7 percent.
Herndon and Aaron will be in a runoff on Oct. 4.
The District 1 and District 5 seats on the Northport City Council will also go into a runoff election. For District 1, Dennis Hambright received 270 votes, or 42 percent, while Judy Hayes received 238 votes, or 37.2 percent.
As of Tuesday, the runoff in District 5 appears to be between Jeff Hogg and Dale Phillips. Hogg received 34.6 percent of the vote, or 260 votes, compared to Phillips, who received 249 votes. Danny Higdon came third with 243 votes.
Provisional ballots will be counted next week to establish who the top two candidates will be in the District 5 runoff.
No Northport election officials were available for comment Wednesday.
Reach Drew Taylor at drew.taylor@tuscaloosanews.com or 205-722-0204. | http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20160824/news/160829842 | en | 2016-08-25T00:00:00 | www.tuscaloosanews.com/77d8bde5a93ed33a37b67b9e4dc55120d0ac623143b631600f09d5532318e8ee.json |
[
"The Associated Press"
] | 2016-08-29T04:49:25 | null | 2016-08-29T03:00:00 | HUNTSVILLE — Authorities say a man accused of killing his girlfriend at a Georgia hotel has been arrested in northern Alabama. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tuscaloosanews.com%2Farticle%2F20160828%2Fnews%2F160829701.json | http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/global/images/fb/TL.png | en | null | Man arrested after girlfriend’s death | null | null | www.tuscaloosanews.com | HUNTSVILLE — Authorities say a man accused of killing his girlfriend at a Georgia hotel has been arrested in northern Alabama.
Henry County police spokesman Capt. Joey Smith told local news media Saturday that Tory Leroy Jones, 44, was apprehended by U.S. marshals in Huntsville. Jones is charged with murder in the death of Elimisha Maryetta Gate, 40.
Gates body was found at the Express Inn & Suites in Stockbridge, Georgia, on Aug. 23. Details were not released.
Earlier this week, the Henry County Police in Georgia issued a “Be On The Lookout” for Jones calling him “armed and dangerous.”
Jones is being held at the Madison County Jail in Alabama with no bond. | http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20160828/news/160829701 | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.tuscaloosanews.com/098b934926c64165091b68cf4456e20cc3c88ea4637628f9005ca46eaf5b5cfd.json |
[
"Stephanie Taylor"
] | 2016-08-26T12:54:03 | null | 2016-08-25T17:00:00 | Tuscaloosa Police are searching for two people who stole money from a woman's purse at Walmart on Saturday. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tuscaloosanews.com%2Farticle%2F20160825%2Fnews%2F160829839.json | http://G52-TLweb.newscyclecloud.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=TL&Date=20160825&Category=NEWS&ArtNo=160829839&Ref=AR&imageVersion=Teaser | en | null | Photos released of theft suspects | null | null | www.tuscaloosanews.com | Tuscaloosa Police are searching for two people who stole money from a woman's purse at Walmart on Saturday.
The victim told police that she was shopping at the Walmart on Skyland Boulevard when a woman approached and distracted her. Security video showed that a man removed an
envelope containing money from the victim's purse.
TPD released images of the suspects exiting the store after the theft. Anyone who can identify them is asked to contact Tuscaloosa County CrimeStoppers at 205-752-STOP (7867) or TPD's Criminal Investigations Division at 205-248-4250. | http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20160825/news/160829839 | en | 2016-08-25T00:00:00 | www.tuscaloosanews.com/e8953776c5d5ae4d1ebf6e99b1289a7f41ea792dab98691b925c1846d2616b68.json |
[
"Stephanie Taylor"
] | 2016-08-31T00:49:52 | null | 2016-08-30T23:00:00 | A former judge could face prison time after accusations that he had sex with a woman who sought Social Security benefits and tried to cover it up during the subsequent criminal investigation. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tuscaloosanews.com%2Farticle%2F20160830%2Fnews%2F160839994.json | http://G52-TLweb.newscyclecloud.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=TL&Date=20160830&Category=NEWS&ArtNo=160839994&Ref=AR&imageVersion=Teaser | en | null | Former judge agrees to plead guilty in obstruction case | null | null | www.tuscaloosanews.com | A former judge could face prison time after accusations that he had sex with a woman who sought Social Security benefits and tried to cover it up during the subsequent criminal investigation.
Paul Stribling Conger Jr., 73, served as an administrative law judge for the Social Security Administration from May 1999 to April 2014. He previously served as a family court judge in Tuscaloosa County Circuit Court after being elected to his first term in 1983.
Conger, who lives in Akron in Hale County, is accused of obstructing justice, accepting a gratuity for an official act while serving as a public official and stealing government property. The U.S. Attorney's Office filed a three-count information against him in U.S. District Court on Tuesday, along with a plea agreement in which Conger acknowledged the charges and agreed to plead guilty.
The charges were announced Tuesday by U.S. Attorney Joyce White Vance, SSA-Office of Inspector General Special Agent in Charge Margaret Jackson and FBI Special Agent in Charge Roger Stanton.
Attorney Mark White, of the Birmingham firm White Arnold & Dowd P.C. issued a statement on Conger's behalf:
"This unfortunate situation represents an anomaly in the long, distinguished career of an excellent judge and a good person. Judge Conger has accepted responsibility for his actions and is prepared to face the consequences."
Conger presided over the woman's claims hearing in July 2013. She was approved for SSI benefits, including future monthly payments and retroactive benefits.
According to the court documents, the woman identified as T.M. approached Conger in 2013 after speaking with a mutual acquaintance who suggested the judge could help her receive retroactive SSI benefits in a lump sum of $10,000.
T.M. met with Conger in his chambers at the Tuscaloosa federal courthouse on Nov. 19, where the two engaged in sexual activity, according to the plea documents. They remained in contact over the next few weeks through phone calls and text messages.
Conger is accused of obstructing justice because he allegedly paid someone to obtain and destroy T.M.'s phone. He is accused of giving that person material from her Social Security file to find her.
He is accused of theft of government property for using records from the SSA database to learn more about her. Information included medical records and identifiers, such as her Social Security numberr.
Conger is also accused of telling federal agents that he never had physical or sexual contact with T.M., even after he was notified that he was the target of a federal grand jury investigation.
The maximum penalty for the obstruction charge is 20 years in prison and a fine up to $250,000. The maximum penalty for the gratuity charge is two years in prison and a $250,000 fine and the maximum penalty for the theft of government property charge is a year in prison and a $100,000 fine.
An arraignment is scheduled for Sept. 15.
Reach Stephanie Taylor at stephanie.taylor@tuscaloosanews.com or 205-722-0210. | http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20160830/news/160839994 | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | www.tuscaloosanews.com/e079e0f645c4f9c419c5e09a89b13f2703e4fc2d6bcc243d811d9c8392ea6524.json |
[
"Stephen Dethrage"
] | 2016-08-28T04:49:15 | null | 2016-08-28T04:00:00 | The funeral of Tuscaloosa native and nationally known journalist George Edward Curry drew reporters, dignitaries and hundreds of others from around the nation to Weeping Mary Baptist Church Saturday, where tributes and testimonies from Curry’s colleagues and family were capped off by a eulogy from the Rev. Al Sharpton. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tuscaloosanews.com%2Farticle%2F20160827%2Fnews%2F160829733.json | http://G52-TLweb.newscyclecloud.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=TL&Date=20160827&Category=NEWS&ArtNo=160829733&Ref=AR&imageVersion=Teaser | en | null | Leading black journalist eulogized | null | null | www.tuscaloosanews.com | The funeral of Tuscaloosa native and nationally known journalist George Edward Curry drew reporters, dignitaries and hundreds of others from around the nation to Weeping Mary Baptist Church Saturday, where tributes and testimonies from Curry’s colleagues and family were capped off by a eulogy from the Rev. Al Sharpton.
Many public figures and politicians who could not attend in person sent letters, resolutions and declarations in their stead, including messages from Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox, Gov. Robert Bentley, the Alabama House of Representatives and Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton.
Curry, a 1965 graduate of Druid High School, died in Maryland on Aug. 20 at age 69.
His journalistic career include being a reporter at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and The Chicago Tribune. He later became the editor in chief of Emerge magazine in 1993. The publication’s cover proclaimed it was "Black America’s Newsmagazine," and Curry was at its helm until 2000, when it published its last print issue.
After Emerge, Curry was named editor in chief of the National Newspaper Publishers Association, a trade association for black newspapers. In that role, he wrote a weekly syndicated column that ran in more than 200 black-owned newspapers around the United States.
Reporter Roland Martin joined five of Curry’s other professional colleagues and his niece, sister and fiancé in sharing tributes to his life, influence and impact. Martin praised Curry for being a voice for black Americans when his talents could have landed him a job at The New York Times or The Washington Post.
"There was no newspaper, no magazine George Curry could not have worked for, but he chose to work in black media," Martin said. "He chose to do that because he said there has to be an independent voice that is unapologetic, that thinks about black people from the moment they wake up to the moment they go to sleep."
His colleagues said Curry was driven by bravery and integrity throughout his career, especially during his time at Emerge. While there, he published a cover depicting Clarence Thomas, a black U.S. Supreme Court Justice, wearing an Aunt Jemima-style handkerchief beside a bold headline that read "Betrayed." Another cover called ‘Uncle Thomas’ referred to Thomas as "a lawn jockey for the far right."
Benjamin Chavis, a member of the National Newspaper Publishers Association, said Curry had a knack for speaking truth to power while also holding black leaders and the black community accountable when he needed to. Curry was committed to the truth no matter the consequences, Chavis said, which made him courageous.
"I have been in the presence of Malcom X. I have been in the presence of Martin Luther King Jr. I have been in the presence of Dr. Louis Farrakhan," Chavis said. "I’ve been in the presence of some of our giants, male and female, but I want to say on this public record, in my life, I’ve never met a brother that’s had more courage than George Curry."
Several of the tributes also touched on Curry’s ability to influence the people he encountered, from high school and college students to young journalists all the way to veteran civil rights leaders, a trait Sharpton highlighted during his eulogy.
"George never knew he was much more of a minister to me than I ever was to him," Sharpton said. "George Curry not only helped to mentor and bring along students and the next generation, but he also did it to many of us that you see out there on the front line."
Almost universally, his friends and family asked that the people who knew and cared about Curry to carry on his legacy and to keep the proverbial pen he used so well writing.
The mood of the service fluctuated from somber reflection to near-frenzied joy as the speakers looked back on Curry’s life and legacy and an organist piped in to accent the high points.
Sharpton may have summarized it best when he said in closing that Curry was "part of a long tradition, but he was one of a kind."
Curry had requested he be returned to Tuscaloosa after to be interred, and he was buried in Cedar Oak Memorial Park on Mimosa Park Road Saturday.
Reach Stephen Dethrage at stephen.dethrage@tuscaloosanews.com or 205-722-0227. | http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20160827/news/160829733 | en | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | www.tuscaloosanews.com/8fde997e5391387507c4882c386b39d7f01e685fb2750e7675a54c5c0b9a1dbc.json |
[
"Drew Taylor"
] | 2016-08-29T02:50:05 | null | 2016-08-29T03:00:00 | As thousands of students are transported to school each day by bus, both Tuscaloosa city and county schools have been having issues hiring drivers. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tuscaloosanews.com%2Farticle%2F20160828%2Fnews%2F160829707.json | http://G52-TLweb.newscyclecloud.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=TL&Date=20160828&Category=NEWS&ArtNo=160829707&Ref=AR&imageVersion=Teaser | en | null | Fewer bus drivers in city, county schools | null | null | www.tuscaloosanews.com | As thousands of students are transported to school each day by bus, both Tuscaloosa city and county schools have been having issues hiring drivers.
Cathy Staggs, transportation director for Tuscaloosa City Schools, said that despite the fact the school system employees 87 full-time bus drivers, there are seven vacancies in the department. Because of this, many people in her department have had to pick up the work.
“Everyone in the shop is driving,” Staggs said. “All the mechanics are driving and we're all either driving or working as bus aides.”
Staggs said there have been several issues in hiring bus drivers and that there were a few changes over the summer where some drivers would resign or leave just right before the start of the new school year. However, Staggs said she understands why some may be leery to take up work behind the wheel.
“It's a hard job,” Staggs said. “You're basically driving a huge vehicle in heavy traffic with two classrooms full of children at your back, so discipline is an issue and the safety factor is a huge responsibility.”
Bus drivers for Tuscaloosa City Schools cover approximately 94 bus routes across the city while TCSS covers 196 regular bus routes and 29 routes for special needs students..
Donna Christian, transportation director for the Tuscaloosa County School System, said her department has two driver vacancies that she expects to fill them by Sept. 8.
“We did have a little more turnover this year,” Christian said. “Some decided to retire or some chose to move on.”
Staggs said there is a lot required of drivers in order to get certified, such as getting a CDL license, spending 40 hours training with a local instructor and spending three days at bus school to take both a written test and a driving test.
“If you pass all of that, then you have to pass a background check and a drug test,” Staggs said. “To be honest, that scares a lot of people off because it's a complicated process.”
Chad Carpenter, education administrator for pupil transportation for the Alabama State Department of Education, said full-time bus driver vacancies are a common problem across the state and the country.
“Some systems are better off than others, obviously, but some struggle,” Carpenter said.
Carpenter said that typically, there is a pattern between the economy and the number of full-time bus drivers in a given school system.
“A lot of times, when the economy is not doing very well, we have more bus drivers because you have people who don't have other jobs and they're looking for a job with benefits,” he said. “When the economy is doing better, a lot of times, what happens is those drivers find other jobs that may pay better and offer benefits.”
Across the state, there are approximately 7,600 full-time drivers, although the state certifies between 16,000 and 17,000 drivers every year.
Staggs said TCS has worked to bring more incentives to drivers, such as reimbursing the costs to take certain license tests as well as increasing pay, offering a $1,000 incentive over six months to drive.
“It's brought in a couple of folks, but not enough,” she said.
Staggs said she hopes more drivers will come.
“I'm very hopeful that we're going to be able to recruit some really good folks to be able to come in and work with our kids,” she said. “We have excellent folks working out there, doing their best every day.” | http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20160828/news/160829707 | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.tuscaloosanews.com/02fc98a6caf1768008c1b3fcd0157a0226ffb3576ce89b3a06e692cb749bca31.json |
[
"Aaron Suttles"
] | 2016-08-28T00:49:24 | null | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | The first thing you notice about Gehrig Dieter, the talented graduate transfer wide receiver from Bowling Green, aside from his hair, is his size. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tuscaloosanews.com%2Farticle%2F20160827%2Fnews%2F160829763.json | http://G52-TLweb.newscyclecloud.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=TL&Date=20160827&Category=NEWS&ArtNo=160829763&Ref=AR&imageVersion=Teaser | en | null | Transfer receiver adds depth to already talented group for Alabama | null | null | www.tuscaloosanews.com | The first thing you notice about Gehrig Dieter, the talented graduate transfer wide receiver from Bowling Green, aside from his hair, is his size.
At 6-foot-3, 207 pounds, Dieter is a big target for a quarterback. That’s why he was so successful a year ago when he hauled in 94 receptions for 1,038 yards and 10 touchdowns, including a seven-catch, 133-yard game against Tennessee, a performance that caught the attention of fans in the SEC.
He wears No. 11 after a switch late in fall camp from No. 14, and he’s worked in the slot and on the outside. Add it all up and he’s just another weapon for one of the best wide receiving corps in the country.
“They’re all really talented, probably some of the best receivers I’ve ever been around being at all the camps and being at Bowling Green, just coming here these guys are really good at every single thing that they do,” Dieter said.
“They’re all fast. They all can catch. They’re all super athletic. They’re all smart and they all work hard. So it’s been fun coming in with these guys and building a relationship with them. I mean, they call us “assassins,” so it’s been fun.”
The assassins is one nickname the group has given itself. Band of brothers is another. Led by Calvin Ridley, ArDarius Stewart and with a healthy Robert Foster (and you might as well throw in tight end O.J. Howard), and it’s easy to see why this unit is as respected as it is.
Dieter just adds to the talent and depth.
He respects the competition of playing at Alabama, but he doesn’t fear it. Wide receivers carry a level of confidence around with them and he’s no different.
“Football’s football anywhere you are,” Dieter said. “You’re going to be competing against 11 other guys on the opposite side of the ball as you. Just coming here’s a challenge for myself, but something I want to do to prove to myself and prove to a lot of people that football is football anywhere you go.”
His position mates recognize Dieter’s talent, and that’s why they accepted him right away when he transferred.
“He's added a lot,” Stewart said. “He's come in and just fit right in with the band of brothers. That's what he's supposed to do, and he's done a great job at it.”
After the season he had in 2015, Dieter could have transferred almost anywhere he wanted to go. Choosing a place that stockpiles blue-chip athletes at every position might not have been appealing to some. But Dieter doesn’t lack for belief in himself, so he chose Alabama.
“It's definitely a challenge,” he said. “It definitely was a risk coming here. The safe route was staying at Bowling Green and probably being one of the leading receivers in the country.
“But coming here, I wanted to be on a winning program and compete for a national championship and get the resources that all these guys have on an everyday basis. It's really been a great, great transition, and these guys here are all awesome.”
Reach Aaron Suttles at aaron@tidesports.com or at 205-722-0229. | http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20160827/news/160829763 | en | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | www.tuscaloosanews.com/f8fbdcd48db5685dc9546ca587202dfeca59500c18fd492a83c07edd56b7a518.json |
[] | 2016-08-29T02:49:45 | null | 2016-08-29T03:00:00 | The Tuscaloosa City Council will meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday in the council chambers on the second floor of City Hall, 2201 University Blvd. The following items will be on the agenda: | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tuscaloosanews.com%2Farticle%2F20160828%2Fnews%2F160829705.json | http://G52-TLweb.newscyclecloud.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=TL&Date=20160828&Category=NEWS&ArtNo=160829705&Ref=AR&imageVersion=Teaser | en | null | Tuscaloosa City Council Agenda for August 30th | null | null | www.tuscaloosanews.com | The Tuscaloosa City Council will meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday in the council chambers on the second floor of City Hall, 2201 University Blvd. The following items will be on the agenda:
- Revoking the business license of High Tide located at 508 Red Drew Ave. (Tabled Aug. 23)
-n Declaring property surplus and authorizing its disposal.
- Authorizing request for street lighting system modifications.
- Authorizing payment to Alabama Municipal Insurance Corporation; total $7,966.
- Authorizing payment to Deason Inc. in settlement of claim; total $595.93.
- Authorizing change order No. 2 for 2015 City Wide Resurfacing Project; total $460,570.
- Authorizing payment to Christina Sanders in settlement of claim; total $870.58.
-Authorizing change order No. 1 for West End Tank Restoration Project; extension of time 30 days.
-Authorizing change order No. 1 for University Boulevard Storm Sewer and Sanitary Sewer Project; total $21,992.
- Authorizing change order No. 1 for Cured in Place Sanitary Sewer Liner, College Park Sewer Repair; total $1,650.
- Authorizing purchase of equipment/supplies/services at the Gateway; total $12,770.
- Amending resolution designating the Tuscaloosa City Board of Education as its designee to sublease 36 acres of land near Northridge High School from the Tuscaloosa Park and Recreation Authority for the construction of a public school facility.
- Authorizing the mayor and city clerk to execute certain certificates for the issuance of up to $114.7 million aggregate face amount of revenues bonds by the Public Education Building Authority.
- Amending the budget for 2014 Alabama Trust Fund disbursements.
- Adopting the fifth amendment to Fiscal 2016 Water and Sewer Reserve for Future Improvement Fund.
- Authorizing amendment No. 1 to the engineering and related services contract with Volkert Inc. for the Lift Station No. 3 Interceptor Improvements Project.
- Authorizing the mayor to execute agreement for 2016 Storm Water Media Campaign; total not to exceed $20,000.
- Tentatively awarding public works contract for 39th Avenue East improvements; total $373,397.
- Amending an agreement with the Appraisal and Consultant Group Inc. for professional property appraisal; total increase of $45,000.
- Authorizing contract with Magellan Advisors LLC; total $49,000.
- Appointing and reappointing members to various boards.
- Authorizing the payment of bills; total $9,065.07. | http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20160828/news/160829705 | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.tuscaloosanews.com/940f84eab99cbbd53d035dac6e6ad653f41322c303382026c67c97a5d6bbeba2.json |
[
"Maddy Ard"
] | 2016-08-26T13:03:00 | null | 2016-08-26T05:00:00 | Creating artwork is one of the ways Caring Days keeps its clients engaged. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tuscaloosanews.com%2Farticle%2F20160825%2Fnews%2F160829809.json | http://G52-TLweb.newscyclecloud.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=TL&Date=20160825&Category=NEWS&ArtNo=160829809&Ref=AR&imageVersion=Teaser | en | null | Ex-UA player's design will be on fundraiser's T-shirt | null | null | www.tuscaloosanews.com | Creating artwork is one of the ways Caring Days keeps its clients engaged.
The program, which serves people with memory disorders, holds an art contest among its clients each year. The winner's creation earns the distinction of being used on a commemorative T-shirt for the annual Vicki Kerr Walk 2 Remember, which will be Saturday at University Mall in Tuscaloosa.
On Thursday, Caring Days workers and clients gathered to honor this year's winner: 97-year-old Don Salls, who played fullback on the University of Alabama's 1941 national championship team and served as head football coach at Jacksonville State from 1946 to 1964.
Salls' drawing of a gray elephant wearing a red blanket saddle will be on this year's T-shirt, which will be given to walkers who collect donations of $40 or more.
"My heart was totally filled with joy," said Salls' wife, Diane, when describing the moment her husband saw his design on the T-shirt.
She said her husband attends Caring Days two or three days a week and the program "keeps him motivated and his mind active."
Established in 1997 by 21 church congregations, Caring Days is a day-care program that seeks to provide quality of life to people with memory disorders. Hosted in the Mal and Charlotte Moore Center, the program facilitates daily activities to foster the cognitive, social and motor skills compromised by memory disorders. Caring Days establishes a safe, stimulating environment to encourage regular social interaction among its clients, as well as respite for their caregivers.
Vicki Kerr, executive director of Caring Days, said clients are charged about half of what it costs to provide the daycare program. Without fundraising events like the Walk 2 Remember, Caring Days could not afford to serve its clients at the standard it does now, she said.
“Caregivers pay per day for the services Caring Days offers, and the vast majority of that money goes to providing meals to our clients,” Kerr said. “In order to keep Caring Days’ services affordable to our clients, we have to fundraise through events like the Walk 2 Remember.”
Kerr said many who choose to participate in the walk do so in memory or in honor of loved ones diagnosed with memory disorders.
“Some people walk to honor family members who are clients of ours,” Kerr said. “Others walk for loved ones they have lost to memory disorders.”
People who want to participate in this year’s Walk 2 Remember can choose to walk alone or create a walk team. The event will also include activities for the whole family, such as live music, face painting and special guests including the University of Alabama women’s basketball team. A free breakfast will also be provided.
Admission is free, but donations will be welcomed to ensure that Caring Days can continue to help members of the Tuscaloosa community who have memory disorders.
Alan Davis said that he will participate in Saturday's Walk 2 Remember.
“Last year, I went with my wife and we both had a good time,” he said. “It’s nice knowing that while you’re enjoying yourself, you’re also helping such a great program.”
His wife, Barbara, has been a Caring Days client since suffering a stroke.
Davis said he can’t describe the joy the program brings her. He said Caring Days has given him his life back and given his wife many opportunities for growth.
“Caring Days has been awfully good at working with her,” Davis said. “They’re always coloring this, making that. It keeps her mind working.” | http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20160825/news/160829809 | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | www.tuscaloosanews.com/c2f8f8d9f27466ece7f44a471888d33ece6951af8acca6a65b477e93608534f1.json |
[
"Stephanie Taylor"
] | 2016-08-29T16:49:36 | null | 2016-08-29T15:45:00 | Firefighters say that a fire at a bail bonding company Sunday appears to have been set intentionally. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tuscaloosanews.com%2Farticle%2F20160829%2Fnews%2F160829692.json | http://G52-TLweb.newscyclecloud.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=TL&Date=20160829&Category=NEWS&ArtNo=160829692&Ref=AR&imageVersion=Teaser | en | null | Firefighters investigating suspicious fire | null | null | www.tuscaloosanews.com | Firefighters say that a fire at a bail bonding company Sunday appears to have been set intentionally.
The fire set at the back of the A-Advance Bail Bonds building caused minor damage to the siding and wood framing, said Tuscaloosa Fire and Rescue Service Fire Marshal Gene Holcomb.
It's the same business owned by a bail bondsman who was involved in the recent arrest of Tuscaloosa attorney John Fisher.
Firefighters were called to the business on T.Y. Rogers Avenue Sunday morning, Holcomb said.
"It is suspicious, and we are investigating," he said. Arson investigators have recovered samples from the site, he said.
Drug investigators were at the business last week after bail bondsman Mark Flemmings found a backpack containing a meth lab in the office.
He told investigators that Christopher Shane Rushing had left the bag in his office, and he suspected that he was being set up to be arrested, according to court documents. West Alabama Narcotics Task Force agents watched the business, and reported that they saw Fisher arrive and later leave with the bag. The agents followed Fisher back to his office on Greensboro Avenue, and later charged him and Rushing with trafficking methamphetamine.
Flemmings is offering a $1,000 reward for anyone who provides information leading to an arrest for the fire.
"We're actively trying to find out who did it," he said. "I don't know where this is coming from. I'm not a person who carries enemies at all. As far as why I was a target, I don't know."
Flemmings received a call that his building was on fire at 6:30 a.m. Sunday.
"I don't think this was a random act," he said. "I hope we can bring the people who did it to justice and prosecute them properly. They will be brought to justice, I promise you that."
He declined to comment on the charges against Fisher and Rushing.
The Alabama Supreme Court has appointed a Walker County Circuit Judge to preside over their cases because Fisher has practiced for years in Tuscaloosa County Circuit Court.
Walker County Circuit Court Judge Henry Allred will preside over a preliminary hearing scheduled for Sept. 23. | http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20160829/news/160829692 | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.tuscaloosanews.com/8a64b2f307b857049baa8e7d56b0cfba826ff9e8790fd2dd42bbffad2957fdc1.json |
[
"Terrin Waack"
] | 2016-08-30T06:49:42 | null | 2016-08-30T05:00:00 | Nick Saban covered his eyes whenever Rohan Davey would throw passes during practice, but when game time rolled around the former LSU coach had full confidence in his quarterback. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tuscaloosanews.com%2Farticle%2F20160829%2Fnews%2F160839999.json | http://G52-TLweb.newscyclecloud.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=TL&Date=20160829&Category=NEWS&ArtNo=160839999&Ref=AR&imageVersion=Teaser | en | null | Alabama QB race between Bateman and Barnett | null | null | www.tuscaloosanews.com | Nick Saban covered his eyes whenever Rohan Davey would throw passes during practice, but when game time rolled around the former LSU coach had full confidence in his quarterback.
When: 7 p.m., Sept. 3 Where: AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas TV: ABC Radio: 95.3 FM, 102.9 FM See video of Nick Saban's weekly press conference on www.tidesports.com.
Rightly so, since Davey threw for a school-record 3,347 yards and 18 touchdowns in 2001.
“I kind of like that,” said Saban, now coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide. “Even though it was hard to take sometimes in practice, you knew the guy was going to always play well in the game, because he was that kind of competitor.”
Now, 15 years later, Saban draws from that experience before naming UA's lead quarterback.
Saban announced Monday that the competition is down to two competitors — Cooper Bateman and Blake Barnett — but the coach is still not revealing a final decision on who will start. Facts are missing; Saban doesn't know how they're going to perform in an actual game.
“I think it's one thing to be in practice and see what they can do, but it's another to see how they react in a game-like situation,” offensive lineman Ross Pierschbacher said. “It'll be interesting to see how these guys compete, and I'm looking forward to it.”
The deciding factor in the quarterback competition has really come down to experience. Bateman enters his third year with the Crimson Tide as a redshirt junior. Barnett enters his second as a redshirt freshman. The gap is not a large one. Neither is new to the team.
“I don't think one guy can do anything that the other guy can't do,” senior tight end O.J. Howard said.
Bateman has one solid bonus over Barnett, though: He has actual game experience from last season, even recorded a start again Ole Miss, completing 71.2 percent of his passes with two interceptions.
The position will go to who not only knows the offense well, but works best with its artillery. With a receiving corps that includes Calvin Ridley, ArDarius Stewart and Robert Foster, Saban is looking for quarterback who will connect.
“Blake has really been an effective passer for us,” Saban said, “so we want to continue to try and develop him and see where his knowledge and experience will take him relative to whether we feel like he can be a winning player at that position or not.”
Don't count out Jalen Hurts either. He may not have made the cut as one of the final two, but the true freshman is still listed on Alabama's depth chart.
Saban believes Hurts has a tremendous future, but there were too many question marks surrounding him and how he'd handle being on the big stage.
“We are not giving up on that ability,” Saban said. “Hopefully we'll be able to develop it that at some point this season he's going to be a productive player for us.”
Until Alabama's season opener against Southern Cal on Saturday rolls around, no decision is final. Even then, it's still up in the air.
Right now, however, it's either Bateman or Barnett. Hurts isn't ready.
“That's kind of where it is right now,” Saban said. “There's nothing really else to talk about. Nothing else to say.” | http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20160829/news/160839999 | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | www.tuscaloosanews.com/0a80971bbbd899b9f5ad7e71a38a70a2a5ada39c93f20f61c313ae18c22dad75.json |
[
"Staff Report"
] | 2016-08-28T02:49:45 | null | 2016-08-28T03:00:00 | The Community Foundation of West Alabama has established a permanently endowed scholarship in memory of Elois Zeanah. A statement from the foundation said Zeanah was noted for her vision, passionate public leadership and personal contributions to the citizens of Alabama, the Republican Party, the Alabama Federation of Women and the National Federation of Republican Women. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tuscaloosanews.com%2Farticle%2F20160827%2Fnews%2F160829736.json | http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/global/images/fb/TL.png | en | null | Endowed scholarship created by Community Foundation of West Alabama | null | null | www.tuscaloosanews.com | The Community Foundation of West Alabama has established a permanently endowed scholarship in memory of Elois Zeanah. A statement from the foundation said Zeanah was noted for her vision, passionate public leadership and personal contributions to the citizens of Alabama, the Republican Party, the Alabama Federation of Women and the National Federation of Republican Women.
The scholarship is open to male and female students who attend a four-year college in Alabama, have a minimum 3.0 GPA and are classified at least as a college sophomore. Applicants must be a citizen and resident of Alabama and an Alabama high school graduate. Financial need is not a consideration. Scholarship applicants must submit a two-page essay on the following topic: “The most challenging issues facing my generation and how I can make a difference.”
Applications can be found on the CFWA website at www.thecfwa.org under the scholarship tab. All scholarship applications must be postmarked by Oct. 15, and the recipient of this initial $1,000 scholarship will be notified on Dec. 2. | http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20160827/news/160829736 | en | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | www.tuscaloosanews.com/e63b9ae69aafac313d4aab7b9f1f9288c783205b19eb6bba8d468feecb66f4f2.json |
[] | 2016-08-31T02:49:53 | null | 2016-08-31T02:00:00 | All 13 locations of Spiller Furniture and Mattress will collect supplies for Louisiana flood victims through Sept. 9. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tuscaloosanews.com%2Farticle%2F20160830%2Fnews%2F160839979.json | http://G52-TLweb.newscyclecloud.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=TL&Date=20160830&Category=NEWS&ArtNo=160839979&Ref=AR&imageVersion=Teaser | en | null | Donations sought for flood victims | null | null | www.tuscaloosanews.com | All 13 locations of Spiller Furniture and Mattress will collect supplies for Louisiana flood victims through Sept. 9.
The stores will accept donations of bottled water, towels, wipes, wash cloths, cleaning sprays, soap, toilet paper, paper towels, baby diapers, socks, underwear, toiletries, mosquito spray, bleach, mold killer, disinfectant spray, blankets and pillows.
In the Tuscaloosa area, people can drop off donations at Spiller stores at 1940 Harper Road in Northport and 200 14th St. in Tuscaloosa.
Here are other Spiller stores that will accept donations:
Aliceville: 202 Third Ave. NW
Reform: 105 Third Ave. SE
Selma: 1505 Water Ave.
Greensboro: 1313 Main St.
Eutaw: 200 Main St.
Demopolis: 307 South Cedar Ave.
Brent: 2154 Main St.
Columbus, Mississippi: 1207 Highway 45 N, Suite 8
Prattville: 235 South Chestnut St.
Thomasville: 33045 U.S. Highway 43
Starkville, Mississippi: 319-A Martin Luther King Jr. Drive | http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20160830/news/160839979 | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | www.tuscaloosanews.com/dac4b8b240b1dbe580548786a6201758737cb20f488cd08ecb318a847d697392.json |
[
"Ed Enoch"
] | 2016-08-31T04:50:34 | null | 2016-08-31T04:00:00 | The University of Alabama is opening the southwest corner of Bryce lawn as a family-friendly, alcohol-free tailgating zone starting with the first home football game on Sept. 10. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tuscaloosanews.com%2Farticle%2F20160830%2Fnews%2F160839959.json | http://G52-TLweb.newscyclecloud.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=TL&Date=20160830&Category=NEWS&ArtNo=160839959&Ref=AR&imageVersion=Teaser | en | null | Alcohol-free tailgating area to open University of Alabama game days | null | null | www.tuscaloosanews.com | The University of Alabama is opening the southwest corner of Bryce lawn as a family-friendly, alcohol-free tailgating zone starting with the first home football game on Sept. 10.
Does the University of Alabama need an alcohol-free tailgate area? Vote in our web poll at www.tuscaloosanews.com.
“It is kind of an alternative for fans looking for a new place to tailgate. Again, it is more family-centered, an area for children to play,” said Nick Frenz, associate director of event management with UA's transportation services.
The new family tailgating area is located at the corner of Hackberry Lane and Campus Drive. The university will cordon off some of the trees to discourage climbing as well as the gravesites of Peter Bryce, the first superintendent of the historic hospital, and his wife, Ellen Peter-Bryce, which are located on the lawn, Frenz said.
Alabama plays Western Kentucky University on Sept. 10. The game will also be the first for the university’s new clear bag policy, which limits fans to clear bags or small clutch purses in Bryant-Denny Stadium in an effort to improve security and speed bag screenings. Fans can purchase approved clear plastic totes or complimentary plastic, gallon-size storage bags will be available all season for fans who need them, Frenz said.
Spots in the new tailgating area will be available on a first-come-first-served basis, and there are no reservations required for fans bringing their own tents, Frenz said. Fans may arrive to claim an open spot and begin setting up at 7 a.m. on Sept. 10. Fans also may have a tent set up for them and reserve a space as part of packages that can be purchased ahead of time through the university’s Gameday Tents service. The pick-up and drop-off of tailgating supplies will be similar to the process on the Quad, Frenz said.
The university is moving all its child-themed attractions from the Quad to Bryce lawn. The inflatable games will be free of charge, Frenz said. Other attractions will include food vendors, games including a video game truck, a TV viewing area and restrooms. Merchandise vendors will not be part of the amenities at this time, Frenz said. There will also be bus service from the area to the Quad and stadium, he said.
The prohibition against alcohol will be strictly enforced, he said.
“Again we are centering it around families trying to get away from the Quad and as high traffic as it is. It is more relaxed over here,” Frenz said.
The area was added following feedback from fans who wanted to tailgate but get away from the party atmosphere on the Quad, he said.
Frenz predicted the tailgating area on Bryce lawn would also likely expand in the future.
“We want to try to start if off with a good base and hopefully it grows over time,” Frenz said.
Ed Enoch can be reached at ed.enoch@tusacloosanews.com or 205-722-0209. | http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20160830/news/160839959 | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | www.tuscaloosanews.com/8945ccd855d4921f71318d72de3df05b816cbfdfc0ca980705d2aaea37715b14.json |
[
"The Associated Press"
] | 2016-08-26T13:01:35 | null | 2016-08-26T04:00:00 | MONTGOMERY— The Alabama House of Representatives on Thursday night refused to stop debate on a proposed state lottery. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tuscaloosanews.com%2Farticle%2F20160825%2Fnews%2F160829814.json | http://G52-TLweb.newscyclecloud.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=TL&Date=20160825&Category=NEWS&ArtNo=160829814&Ref=AR&imageVersion=Teaser | en | null | Alabama House refuses to end lottery debate | null | null | www.tuscaloosanews.com | MONTGOMERY— The Alabama House of Representatives on Thursday night refused to stop debate on a proposed state lottery.
Representatives voted down a motion to force a vote on the lottery bill after more than six hours of debate.
The vote was at least an indicator that House members want to continue to try making alterations to the proposed lottery.
Legislators proposed a number of amendments Thursday, most of which were voted down. House members did accept a change that would limit the lottery to paper tickets, an attempt to prevent the authorization of electric lottery terminals.
Gov. Robert Bentley is seeking the first statewide vote on a lottery since 1999 when voters rejected the idea.
The debate was expected to stretch late until the night.
Bentley’s lottery bill was headed to a critical vote as the Republican governor tries to break through opposition to gambling as a revenue source in the Deep South state.
Alabama would become the 45th state with a lottery if lawmakers and voters approve the idea. The governor is proposing a lottery as a way to get money to the state’s perpetually cash-strapped Medicaid program.
“Let our citizens have the opportunity to vote, yes or no, whether or not they want a lottery,” said Rep. Alan Harper, R-Tuscaloosa, at the start of debate Thursday morning.
Thursday’s contentious debate was peppered with arguments about the impact on the poor, the best way to use lottery proceeds and if the bill could — or should — also allow electronic gambling machines.
Supporters said Alabama is bordered on three sides by lottery states and is getting no benefit from the tickets Alabamians travel across state lines every day to buy.
“I can tell you for a fact that thousands — and I’m talking about thousands of people up in my area — go over to Tennessee and they buy tickets,” said Rep. Kerry Rich, R-Albertville.
Opponents argued that lotteries have failed to solve budget shortfalls in other states while preying upon poor residents’ hopes of striking it rich with a winning ticket.
“They don’t market them in Mountain Brook. They market them in lower income communities,” said Rep. Rich Wingo, R-Tuscaloosa.
The lottery bill needs 63 votes to clear the 105-seat House. Legislators were offering few predictions Thursday other than that the eventual vote would be close.
Harper, who is shepherding Bentley’s bill in the House, could be heard at one point on the legislative microphone asking a staffer what the vote count was.
Senators approved the bill last week without a vote to spare and will have to vote again on House changes. The governor projected a lottery would raise $225 million each year, but some lawmakers questioned those projections.
The bill would steer 10 percent of proceeds to education and 90 percent to the general fund budget, with the first $100 million specifically going to the Alabama Medicaid Agency. Lawmakers added an amendment to steer 1 percent of the general fund money to rural fire departments.
Tensions were high over some of the tactics as the House began debate.
Lawmakers came into the chamber and found blue pamphlets on their desks titled “Alabama’s Fall?” — which appeared to include an anti-gay reference regarding “perverted lifestyles” — saying Alabama risked losing “God’s blessing.” Patricia Todd, the state’s only openly gay lawmaker, filed a complaint with the House clerk over the violation of House rules regarding anonymous distribution, and the materials were taken up.
The front desk of the House was jammed with telephone calls after Bentley gave out his Capitol office phone number and urged people to get in touch with their legislator.
The debate even found its way into the day’s opening prayer as Rep. Thomas Jackson, D-Thomasville, said outsiders were trying to block a vote on a lottery. “God is watching and Jesus knows the evil that is going on in your heart, and there is no escape if you deny the least of these the opportunity,” Jackson said.
Supporters were aiming to get the measure on the Nov. 8 ballot. Secretary of State John Merrill said the deadline had passed, but lawmakers argued they have until Friday to pass the bill. Attorney General Luther Strange, in an opinion issued Thursday, said the secretary of state could insist on the Wednesday deadline but had the discretion to add it to the ballot.
“Not unless the law changes,” Merrill said. | http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20160825/news/160829814 | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | www.tuscaloosanews.com/1552c1138d2c027249fc0ec2f3cc2ce82fbda96973be9c5ed0757c3b73d0f18c.json |
[
"Angel Coker Staff Writer"
] | 2016-08-27T02:50:08 | null | 2016-08-27T02:00:00 | The Tuscaloosa County Sheriff’s Office plans to build a new radio tower. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tuscaloosanews.com%2Farticle%2F20160826%2Fnews%2F160829789.json | http://G52-TLweb.newscyclecloud.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=TL&Date=20160826&Category=NEWS&ArtNo=160829789&Ref=AR&imageVersion=Teaser | en | null | 1st step for new radio tower approved by Tuscaloosa County Commission | null | null | www.tuscaloosanews.com | The Tuscaloosa County Commission on Wednesday authorized the purchase of 1 acre of land in the northern part of the county where the tower will be built.
The land, to be purchased from Chism Communications, will cost $5,000, and the county will seek bids to construct the tower. Chief Deputy Byron Waid, the sheriff's chief deputy, said the tower hopefully will be built during the next 18 months.
Waid said the sheriff’s office has rented a guided tower from Chism Communications for eight to 10 years, but that tower is old and doesn’t work well with the sheriff's office communication system.
“That tower has kind of outlived its usefulness and, at this point, is not working very well with our system,” he said. “That tower is a guided tower so it moves a little bit, which interferes with our microwave radio system. We need a self-supporting tower so the tower won’t move (and) will help keep the radio system operating at peak performance all the time.”
Waid said communications among officers in the field and communications between officers and the 911 call center are spotty and signals are dropped often.
He said the planned self-supporting, stationary tower will be able to maintain connection with the sheriff’s office radio communication towers in Brookwood and Samantha in the respective east and west ends of the county.
The new tower will be built next to the rented tower in the northern part of the county, located off Goodwater Road.
Reach Angel Coker at angel.coker@tuscaloosanews.com or 205-722-0230. | http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20160826/news/160829789 | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | www.tuscaloosanews.com/74c7457d3bf458b827b7fbffe26146082e89ba866fefbf1f09c229551ffdea43.json |
[] | 2016-08-31T02:50:23 | null | 2016-08-31T02:00:00 | The Alabama Department of Transportation will be performing patching work on U.S. Highway 82 from 13th Street to the Woolsey Finnell Bridge through Friday. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tuscaloosanews.com%2Farticle%2F20160830%2Fnews%2F160839977.json | http://G52-TLweb.newscyclecloud.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=TL&Date=20160830&Category=NEWS&ArtNo=160839977&Ref=AR&imageVersion=Teaser | en | null | Work continues on U.S. Highway 82 | null | null | www.tuscaloosanews.com | The Alabama Department of Transportation will be performing patching work on U.S. Highway 82 from 13th Street to the Woolsey Finnell Bridge through Friday.
The work will begin daily at 9 a.m.. and will end by 3 p.m. today and Thursday. The work will end by noon Friday.
Motorists should expect the westbound inside lane and the eastbound inside lane to be closed.. Motorists should consider using alternate routes and adjust arrival and departure times.
Drivers should also observe work zone speed limits and other work zone signs/message boards and use extreme caution. | http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20160830/news/160839977 | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | www.tuscaloosanews.com/d78d81a2a5ec6f1b62572d703820ec58afab9108cd4d49019b9b84a4d5e7b0ed.json |
[
"Stephanie Taylor"
] | 2016-08-26T12:53:06 | null | 2016-08-25T14:30:00 | The pilot who was flying a small plane that crashed in Tuscaloosa on Aug. 14 had reported a fuel pump failure just before the crash that killed all six people on board. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tuscaloosanews.com%2Farticle%2F20160825%2Fnews%2F160829841.json | http://G52-TLweb.newscyclecloud.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=TL&Date=20160825&Category=NEWS&ArtNo=160829841&Ref=AR&imageVersion=Teaser | en | null | Failing fuel pumps apparent cause of Tuscaloosa plane crash | null | null | www.tuscaloosanews.com | The pilot who was flying a small plane that crashed in Tuscaloosa on Aug. 14 had reported a fuel pump failure just before the crash that killed all six people on board.
A preliminary report completed by an investigator with the National Transportation Safety Board was made available online Thursday morning.
Air traffic control data indicated that the pilot requested a diversion to the nearest airport at 11:11 a.m. that Sunday. When he was approximately 10 miles away from the Tuscaloosa Regional Airport, the pilot reported that the airplane "lost the other fuel pump" and continued to descend until crashing 1,650 feet from the runway.
The ongoing investigation will determine whether the fuel pumps and other components malfunctioned or were working properly. Fuel receipts indicated that the pilot had topped off the tanks with 134 gallons of fuel before departing Kissimmee Gateway Airport at 8:55 a.m. that day.
The plane crashed into trees in Van de Graaff Park, before coming to rest in an upright position and catching fire. The main body of the plane had separated from the rear of the aircraft, and was heavily damaged by the impact and fire, according to the report.
Fuel pumps and other components of the Piper Navajo plane were salvaged from the crash site and will be further examined before the NTSB releases a final, factual report listing the cause in about a year.
The pilot had accumulated 48.7 hours of flight time in the plane since March. The plane was manufactured in 1984, according to FAA records, and issued an airworthiness certificate in 1998. The most recent annual inspection was performed on Nov. 13, according to the report. At that time, the plane had accumulated 3,261 total hours of time in service.
The debris path was about 250 feet in length. All major components of the plane were accounted for at the scene, according to the report. An engine data monitor, fuel meter gauge, left and right engine gear-driven fuel pumps, right boost pump and right emergency pump were retained for further examination.
The victims were three couples returning to Oxford, Miss., from a dental conference in Florida. They left behind a total of 11 children.
Northport Mayor Bobby Herndon attended a memorial service held for the victims in Oxford on Saturday, where he got the idea to place a memorial in Van de Graaff Park in their honor. He said that he has contacted the Tuscaloosa Park and Recreation Authority
"I think it would be a great thing for our community to tell the community of Oxford, Mississippi we're thinking about you, we care about you, we care about the children of these victims," he said. "A great idea it would be to have these 11 children contribute something to either the design of the memorial or maybe the words that's on the memorial."
Herndon says it was emotional experience to meet the victims' family members.
"I'm a parent, a grandparent. You know, what these folks went through, we can all as parents relate to them and hopefully that we'll never have to go through the horrible, tragic accident," he said. "And I think anytime you can make somebody feel better, even through tragedy, is awesome." | http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20160825/news/160829841 | en | 2016-08-25T00:00:00 | www.tuscaloosanews.com/0e9731bcc6b0862839119bc6435c5b676b9cd38b36415471fa91e28bc67a6221.json |
[
"The Associated Press"
] | 2016-08-29T04:49:35 | null | 2016-08-29T03:00:00 | DECATUR — Authorities say an escaped work-release inmate from the Decatur Work Release Center was captured in central Alabama. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tuscaloosanews.com%2Farticle%2F20160828%2Fnews%2F160829702.json | http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/global/images/fb/TL.png | en | null | Escaped inmate recaptured in Decatur | null | null | www.tuscaloosanews.com | DECATUR — Authorities say an escaped work-release inmate from the Decatur Work Release Center was captured in central Alabama.
Local media reported that Ramon Andre Nalls, 39, was captured in a wooded area near the job site Sunday. He went missing around 4:10 a.m.
Nalls is serving a 22-year sentence for a burglary committed in Tuscaloosa County. | http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20160828/news/160829702 | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.tuscaloosanews.com/de816f00e7bb3a4ce11e2d30fea104a9c6d13405ce18ad2cc10c77f480f115dc.json |
[
"Staff Report"
] | 2016-08-27T02:50:18 | null | 2016-08-27T02:00:00 | Tuscaloosa police are searching for two men who robbed a woman at gunpoint at a hotel earlier this month. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tuscaloosanews.com%2Farticle%2F20160826%2Fnews%2F160829786.json | http://G52-TLweb.newscyclecloud.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=TL&Date=20160826&Category=NEWS&ArtNo=160829786&Ref=AR&imageVersion=Teaser | en | null | Police search for 2 robbery suspects | null | null | www.tuscaloosanews.com | Tuscaloosa police are searching for two men who robbed a woman at gunpoint at a hotel earlier this month.
The woman told police that the men forced her into her room in the 4300 block of Skyland Boulevard East on Aug. 10 before stealing her cell phone.
She reported that the men searched her room for other valuables and left after not finding anything.
Surveillance photos released Friday show the suspects and the newer-model white Toyota Camry they were traveling in. The suspects appear to be in their mid- to late-20s. Anyone with information is asked to contact TPD at 205-248-4520 or CrimeStoppers at 205-752-STOP (7867). | http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20160826/news/160829786 | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | www.tuscaloosanews.com/397da2831c6881a341d219a0f5d7af290880c85ced4361ca84da154d1c2a530c.json |
[
"Jason Morton"
] | 2016-08-31T04:50:14 | null | 2016-08-31T04:00:00 | Tuscaloosa Mayor Walter Maddox is proposing a combined $197.5 million budget for fiscal 2017, which includes step raises for all city employees and rate hikes for water and garbage customers. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tuscaloosanews.com%2Farticle%2F20160830%2Fnews%2F160839958.json | http://G52-TLweb.newscyclecloud.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=TL&Date=20160830&Category=NEWS&ArtNo=160839958&Ref=AR&imageVersion=Teaser | en | null | Garbage fees, water rate hikes proposed | null | null | www.tuscaloosanews.com | Tuscaloosa Mayor Walter Maddox is proposing a combined $197.5 million budget for fiscal 2017, which includes step raises for all city employees and rate hikes for water and garbage customers.
These rate increases -- $1 per month for garbage service, 2 percent for water and sewer services -- are in line with recent year increases, he said, and will go toward balancing the overall budget.
Of this, $145.33 million is estimated for operating the General Fund. The remaining $52.2 million is allocated for the water and sewer side of the city's operations.
For revenue, the General Fund will rely most on sales tax revenues — 53 percent of overall revenue is expected to come from sales taxes — along with business licenses (14 percent) and property taxes (11 percent). The remaining revenue is expected to come from a variety of sources, including lodging taxes, commercial and rental taxes, environmental services fees and others.
All told, Maddox said the City Council is expected to have almost $6 million -- $3.87 million of which is discretionary -- more in revenue to budget from over fiscal 2016 projections.
From this, the mayor is recommending a contingency balance of $402,134.
On the Water and Sewer Fund side, revenues are expected to reach $47.83 million with budgeted expenses of $52.21 million. The discrepancy comes from the city's practice to budget for depreciation, which for fiscal 2017 is expected to be $9 million, for wear and tear on equipment and facilities.
Without the depreciation factor, the city's expenses would be about $43.2 million.
Revenues for the Water and Sewer Fund are expected to come mainly from water sales — 53 percent — and sewer sales — 41 percent. The remaining 9 percent in revenue is predicted to come from other fees, such as those for collections, new taps and fire inspections.
The additional 2 percent on water sales is expected to garner an additional $503,000 while the increase for sewer services is expected to bring in an extra $391,000.
As for expenses, the General Fund's largest department is now the Infrastructure and Public Services Department, which is the combination of seven individual departments under Maddox's plan for realigning City Hall. Salaries and costs for this department is expected to reach $30.5 million.
Following closely behind is the Tuscaloosa Police Department at $30.2 million with the Tuscaloosa Fire and Rescue Service at $21.6 million. Combined, 45 percent of the city's overall departmental expenses go toward public safety, Maddox said.
"Your money is where your heart is," he said.
On the whole, the total amount for salaries and employee expenses in the General Fund is budgeted at $83.2 million, which accounts for 57 percent of the General Fund's overall expenses.
An additional eight employee positions also are included in the mayor's fiscal 2017 budget.
They are spread across a number of departments and offices as defined under the mayor's restructuring plan for City Hall. In total, the increase in salary and benefits for these employees is expected to be almost $365,000.
The city's 1,400 or so employees are slated to receive a step raise in fiscal 2017. This will amount to a 3 percent increase for exempt (those who are not eligible for overtime pay) and public safety workers and a 1.5 percent increase for non-exempt employees, or those who are entitled to overtime pay.
During the 12 years Maddox has been crafting budgets for the city of Tuscaloosa, the exempt and public safety employees have received a 41.8 percent increase in salary while the non-exempt workers have received a 34.3 percent increase in pay.
The mayor also wants to boost salaries for heavy equipment operators for Environmental Services crews to that of those who work for the Tuscaloosa Department of Transportation. This increase will amount to about $88,000.
Offsetting these increases for employees, though, is anticipated increases in healthcare costs.
These adjustments are expected to be anywhere from $10 per pay period for a single employee to more than $22 for those under the family plans. Taxpayers, though, are absorbing the approximately $200,000 increase in healthcare related to taxes associated with the federal Affordable Care Act as well as more than $1.2 million in related health care premiums, Maddox said.
The mayor's budget also calls for a 15 percent -- or about $68,000 -- increase in training expenses for all city departments, as related to his restructuring plan for City Hall. The total travel and training expenses in fiscal 2017 is budgeted at $518,487.
"If we're going to ask our employees to do more as part of our restructuring, it's important we give them the tools to be successful," Maddox said.
The fiscal 2017 budget also has a $2.4 million allocation for vehicle and equipment purchases. Most of this is expected to come from the refinancing of bonds secured in 2007 and 2009 that the mayor plans to present to the City Council next fiscal year.
These allocations are intended to help the city catch up on equipment and vehicle purchases that have been delayed in favor of helping the city recover and rebuild following the April 27, 2011, tornado.
"This is probably the most exciting budget I've had the opportunity to propose since 2007," Maddox said. "It gives us the opportunity to provide for our employees and invest in technology upgrades to get us caught up from the lag since 2011.
"All in all, it creates a foundation that we can all use as we build toward our standard of excellence."
The City Council is expected to review the mayor's budget during September and has slated a vote on it for Sept. 27. The budget would take effect on Oct.1, the start of the city's 2917 fiscal year.
Reach Jason Morton at jason.morton@tuscaloosanews.com or 205-722-0200. | http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20160830/news/160839958 | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | www.tuscaloosanews.com/88bb4450f3cec15f15e3e4e53357e249e134929255396baf51c6760d29471e26.json |
[
"The Associated Press"
] | 2016-08-26T12:57:47 | null | 2016-08-26T04:00:00 | MOBILE — Officials in Alabama say a man was rescued after falling roughly 40 feet into a hold of a ship out of Norway. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tuscaloosanews.com%2Farticle%2F20160825%2Fnews%2F160829812.json | http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/global/images/fb/TL.png | en | null | Man rescued after 40-foot fall on ship at Alabama State Docks | null | null | www.tuscaloosanews.com | MOBILE — Officials in Alabama say a man was rescued after falling roughly 40 feet into a hold of a ship out of Norway.
News outlets report that Mobile Fire-Rescue spokesman Steve Huffman says the man fell Wednesday night while loading rolls of paper at the Alabama State Docks. Officials have not released his identity.
A crane onboard the ship was used to lift the man from where he fell and set him down on the dock.
Huffman says the man was in a lot of pain but was in stable condition as he was transported to a hospital. | http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20160825/news/160829812 | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | www.tuscaloosanews.com/77d56447aea1ca43ac602e5371e063de05163c975a1e7e73b5ff511da3cfeb2d.json |
[
"Staff Report"
] | 2016-08-31T02:50:03 | null | 2016-08-31T02:00:00 | MONTGOMERY — Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley on Tuesday appealed the dismissal of the state’s lawsuit against the federal government over refugee placement. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tuscaloosanews.com%2Farticle%2F20160830%2Fnews%2F160839976.json | http://G52-TLweb.newscyclecloud.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=TL&Date=20160830&Category=NEWS&ArtNo=160839976&Ref=AR&imageVersion=Teaser | en | null | Bentley appeals refugee lawsuit dismissal | null | null | www.tuscaloosanews.com | MONTGOMERY — Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley on Tuesday appealed the dismissal of the state’s lawsuit against the federal government over refugee placement.
The governor’s office said the notice of appeal was filed with the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta.
Bentley filed the lawsuit in January, arguing that federal officials were failing to fulfill a duty under the Refugee Act of 1980 that says the federal government “shall consult regularly” with states on placement.
The state asked a federal judge to block refugees from coming to the state unless federal officials provided a full background check and medical information on each refugee. Alabama U.S. Magistrate Judge John Ott wrote last month that there was “nothing in the Refugee Act” that required federal officials to give states the information that Alabama was seeking.
“My problem is not with individual refugees, rather my issue is with the federal government and the unwillingness to enforce their own laws and follow their own procedures,” Bentley said in a statement.
The lawsuit did not specify Syrian refugees but was filed after a number of governors, including Bentley, vowed to try to ban Syrian refugees in the wake of the Nov. 13 attacks in Paris that killed more than 100 people.
States have had little success with lawsuits regarding refugee placement.
The dismissal of the Alabama case came shortly after a judge dismissed a similar Texas lawsuit, ruling states had no authority over resettlements handled by the federal government.
Alabama takes in a low number of refugees overall compared with other parts of the country. The state took in 107 refugees in fiscal year 2014, one of the lowest numbers of any state, according to the U.S. Office of Refugee Resettlement. Only five states took in fewer refugees that year. | http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20160830/news/160839976 | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | www.tuscaloosanews.com/5498e000dfbd7d6174ba220ff6f1a047958db4c4d25f38038503339b25b274a7.json |
[
"Kim Chandler"
] | 2016-08-26T13:02:31 | null | 2016-08-26T05:00:00 | MONTGOMERY — The Alabama House of Representatives on Thursday night narrowly approved Gov. Robert Bentley’s proposed state lottery after 10 hours of contentious debate and two vote attempts. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tuscaloosanews.com%2Farticle%2F20160825%2Fnews%2F160829802.json | http://G52-TLweb.newscyclecloud.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=TL&Date=20160825&Category=NEWS&ArtNo=160829802&Ref=AR&imageVersion=Teaser | en | null | Alabama House narrowly approves governor’s proposed lottery | null | null | www.tuscaloosanews.com | MONTGOMERY — The Alabama House of Representatives on Thursday night narrowly approved Gov. Robert Bentley’s proposed state lottery after 10 hours of contentious debate and two vote attempts.
House members voted 64-35 for the legislation, barely clearing the 63 votes required to pass the chamber. Legislators cheered and clapped as passage was announced. The bill now moves to the Alabama Senate where senators must decide whether to go along with mostly minor House changes to the legislation.
The Republican governor proposed a lottery as a way to provide money to the state’s perpetually cash-strapped Medicaid program. Alabama would become the 45th state with a lottery if lawmakers and voters approve the idea.
“Let our citizens have the opportunity to vote, yes or no, whether or not they want a lottery,” said Rep. Alan Harper, R-Tuscaloosa, at the start of debate Thursday morning.
Legislators worked late into the evening during a contentious debate — peppered with arguments about the impact on the poor, the best way to use lottery proceeds and if lawmakers should also allow casino gambling.
The evening brought a bitter reversal of fortune for lottery opponents who initially thought they had defeated the measure when the initial vote failed 61-37. Supporters quickly won a reconsideration motion, wagering they could garner enough votes on the second attempt.
“I’m disappointed, extremely disappointed,” said lottery opponent Rep. Rich Wingo, R-Tuscaloosa. “This is the legacy this group is going to leave behind. We’ve brought gambling into the state of Alabama. This is on us. I’m ashamed of that.”
Wingo argued that lotteries have failed to solve budget shortfalls in other states while preying upon poor residents’ hopes of striking it rich with a winning ticket. Supporters contended Alabama is bordered on three sides by states with lotteries and is getting no benefit from the tickets Alabama residents travel across state lines every day to buy.
“I can tell you for a fact that thousands — and I’m talking about thousands of people up in my area — go over to Tennessee and they buy tickets,” said Rep. Kerry Rich, R-Albertville.
House members made minor changes to the bill, including defining the lottery as paper tickets — an attempt to prohibit electronic lottery terminals — and earmarking a small sliver of lottery proceeds to rural fire departments. Lawmakers voted down other attempts to broadly change the bill to allow casino gambling or steer more lottery proceeds to education.
The final vote came after hours of nervous counting from both sides trying to gauge support. Harper, who is shepherding Bentley’s bill in the House, could be heard at one point on the legislative microphone asking a staffer what the vote count was.
The governor projected a lottery would raise $225 million each year. The bill would steer 10 percent of proceeds to education and 90 percent to the general fund budget, with the first $100 million specifically going to the Alabama Medicaid Agency. Lawmakers added an amendment to steer 1 percent of the general fund money to rural fire departments.
Bentley is seeking the first statewide referendum on a lottery since 1999 when voters rejected a lottery proposed by then-Gov. Don Siegelman.
Tensions were high over some of the tactics as the House began debate.
The front desk of the House was jammed with telephone calls after Bentley gave out his Capitol office phone number and urged people to get in touch with their legislator.
The debate even found its way into the day’s opening prayer as Rep. Thomas Jackson, D-Thomasville, said outsiders were trying to block a vote on a lottery. “God is watching and Jesus knows the evil that is going on in your heart, and there is no escape if you deny the least of these the opportunity,” Jackson said.
Supporters were aiming to get the measure on the Nov. 8 ballot. Secretary of State John Merrill said the deadline had passed, but lawmakers argued they have until Friday to pass the bill. Attorney General Luther Strange, in an opinion issued Thursday, said the secretary of state could insist on the Wednesday deadline but had the discretion to add it to the ballot.
“Not unless the law changes,” Merrill said. | http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20160825/news/160829802 | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | www.tuscaloosanews.com/79fe0662bf539d1c269393197300c388dcdf15ffb750d066be557edf6821a261.json |
[
"Grayson County News Gazette"
] | 2016-08-27T16:47:11 | null | 2016-08-27T11:55:57 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fgcnewsgazette.com%2Fnews%2F5154%2Fschool-board-raises-taxes.json | http://gcnewsgazette.com/news/5154/school-board-raises-taxes | en | null | School Board raises taxes | null | null | gcnewsgazette.com | With the choice of taking a tax rate that would allow a four-percent increase in revenue, or a compensating rate which would allow for the Grayson County School to receive the same amount of tax revenue, the board chose the four-percent revenue increase.
Treasurer Erin Embry recommended in the special-called board meeting, Friday, Aug 26 the board should take the four-percent rate increase, which will increase the school board’s revenue by $218,715 a year.
By accepting the four-percent increase, the tax rate will increase from 48.3 cents per $100 of real estate to 50.2 cents. The rate for personal property increased from 49.0 cents to 50.2 Cents.
This will allow the board to collect a little over $6 million in county taxes.
By Theresa Armstrong tarmstrong@civitasmedia.com
Reach Theresa Armstrong at 270-259-9622, ext. 2011.
Reach Theresa Armstrong at 270-259-9622, ext. 2011. | http://gcnewsgazette.com/news/5154/school-board-raises-taxes | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | gcnewsgazette.com/518f2036860bb5a9e525b1b1b25d60ff47a572683e3f9fb9f3541d69ad10960c.json |
[
"Grayson County News Gazette"
] | 2016-08-31T06:49:09 | null | 2016-08-31T01:04:07 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fgcnewsgazette.com%2Fnews%2F5180%2Flpd-awarded-2016-17-federal-grant.json | http://gcnewsgazette.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_LeitchfieldPD-2-.jpg | en | null | LPD awarded 2016-17 federal grant | null | null | gcnewsgazette.com | The Leitchfield Police Department recently received more than $12,000 in federal grant funding to enforce highway safety laws.
The $12,250 Highway Safety grant will run from Oct. 1, 2016—immediately after the current grant expires—through Sept. 30, 2017, according to Assistant Leitchfield Chief of Police David Riley.
“During that period, officers will be conducting federal overtime,” said Riley, who explained that the grant will fund officers’ working extra hours to observe for traffic violations and perform safety checks on motorists.
The grant also funds the Leitchfield Police Department’s (LPD) participation in federal highway safety programs, such as “Click It or Ticket” and “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over,” which is required of agencies that receive this federal grant money, Riley said.
The $12,250 grant is a decrease from the $16,000 grant received for 2015-2016, and Riley speculates this may be the result of a lack of federal funding; however, he said, the LPD is satisfied with its grant amount.
The LPD’s participation in the federal Highway Safety Grant program started under Leitchfield Chief of Police Bart Glenn and has continued for nearly 10 years, according to Riley.
He said that, since that time, the LPD has seen a rise in seatbelt usage, as well as a decrease in crashes with the extra police units working the roads.
“I think it’s definitely a benefit to the citizens,” said Riley of the Highway Safety program.
Additionally, Riley said that the Grayson County Sheriff’s Office is participating in the Highway Safety program to further enforce traffic laws outside the city limits of Leitchfield.
Through the Highway Safety program, the LPD also hopes to educate citizens on the dangers of distracted driving through the distribution of literature throughout the community and at the Leitchfield Police Department.
“I think the Leitchfield Police Department will be a long-time partner with the Highway Safety program,” Riley said.
http://gcnewsgazette.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_LeitchfieldPD-2-.jpg
By Matt Lasley mlasley@civitasmedia.com
Reach Matt Lasley at 270-259-9622, ext. 2015.
Reach Matt Lasley at 270-259-9622, ext. 2015. | http://gcnewsgazette.com/news/5180/lpd-awarded-2016-17-federal-grant | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | gcnewsgazette.com/d95679db85bcd648a82aa8f0b9ee4d7d2ec42fc8addd055d2e111c18f5cfdb4e.json |
[
"Grayson County News Gazette"
] | 2016-08-30T22:49:04 | null | 2016-08-30T17:12:55 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fgcnewsgazette.com%2Fnews%2F5178%2Fbluegrass-opry-announces-september-show.json | http://gcnewsgazette.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_Into-the-Blue-bluegrass.jpg | en | null | Bluegrass Opry announces September show | null | null | gcnewsgazette.com | Grayson County Bluegrass Opry welcomes Into the Blue, a bluegrass band from Hardinsburg, to its next show on Saturday, Sept. 17, at the Old Judicial Building (third floor) at 125 East White Oak St., in Leitchfield. Showtime is 6:00 p.m., and admission is free. Guests are reminded to use the rear entrance to the building.
The Into the Blue band is composed of four members from two different families. Ken Williams, a banjo player and singer, along with his wife Ruthie, who plays the bass, make up half of the band. The other half of the band includes Brian Stevenson, who plays guitar and sings, along with his son, Grant Stevenson, who plays mandolin and sings. This Breckinridge County band performs a variety of songs, including traditional and contemporary bluegrass music, as well as gospel music, and the band is known for its tight harmonies and splendid picking.
Other bands that will be appearing on the Opry stage on Sept. 17 include two Leitchfield bands, McDonald Road and Hickory Grove. Enjoy toe-tapping bluegrass music in a family-type atmosphere at the Grayson County Bluegrass Opry.
Courtesy photo Into the Blue, from left: Grant Stevenson, Ruthie Williams, Ken Williams, and Brian Stevenson. http://gcnewsgazette.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_Into-the-Blue-bluegrass.jpg Courtesy photo Into the Blue, from left: Grant Stevenson, Ruthie Williams, Ken Williams, and Brian Stevenson. | http://gcnewsgazette.com/news/5178/bluegrass-opry-announces-september-show | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | gcnewsgazette.com/585add167f9d7d70dd8b1bcfb4460a656cde514e508e20776c24543a807dd663.json |
[
"Margaret Hensley"
] | 2016-08-28T22:47:49 | null | 2016-08-28T17:04:44 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fgcnewsgazette.com%2Fspecial-sections%2F5170%2F2016-fall-sports-preview.json | http://gcnewsgazette.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/cover-1-478x1024.jpg | en | null | 2016 Fall Sports Preview | null | null | gcnewsgazette.com | null | http://gcnewsgazette.com/special-sections/5170/2016-fall-sports-preview | en | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | gcnewsgazette.com/2bb9ad0757e3780a0d02d11f2d3a68dfbd870ce67f11e5ca139aed0ac1295c76.json |
[
"Grayson County News Gazette"
] | 2016-08-31T06:49:10 | null | 2016-08-31T02:10:05 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fgcnewsgazette.com%2Fnews%2F5182%2Ftlrmc-receives-state-national-recognition.json | http://gcnewsgazette.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_TLRMC-3-.jpg | en | null | TLRMC receives state, national recognition | null | null | gcnewsgazette.com | Twin Lakes Regional Medical Center has been recognized multiple times on both the state and national levels in the recent months.
The Leitchfield hospital’s four most recent recognitions are as follows:
On July 27, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released their updated star ratings on the Hospital Compare website.
According to a news release from Twin Lakes Regional Medical Center (TLRMC), hospitals are ranked on a scale of one to five stars in an effort to help millions of patients and their families learn about the quality of hospitals, compare facilities in their area side-by-side, and know what to ask about care quality when visiting a hospital or other health care provider.
“CMS rated 82 Kentucky hospitals, and TLRMC was one of only 16 hospitals to receive a four-star rating,” said TLRMC Director of Planning and Marketing Bill Oldham. “No hospital in Kentucky received a five-star rating. The ranking means that TLRMC is in the top 25 percent of hospitals nationally.”
TLRMC was also recently announced as a Community Value Leadership Award winner for being a top-ranked, Community Value Five-Star hospital by Cleverly + Associates, a healthcare financial consulting firm that specializes in operational benchmarking and performance enhancement strategies, the release states.
The findings were released as part of Cleverly + Associates’ new publication: State of the Hospital Industry – 2016 Edition.
This marks the third time TLRMC has been chosen for this recognition, Oldham said.
TLRMC was also honored at the Kentucky Hospital Association’s (KHA) 87th annual convention held in Lexington.
The local hospital was one of six across the state to be recognized with a KHA Quality Award, presented to honor hospital leadership and innovation in quality, safety, and commitment to patient care, Oldham said.
This year’s recipients were TLRMC; Marcum and Wallace Memorial Hospital, in Irvine; Rockcastle Memorial Hospital, in Mount Vernon; Kosair Children’s Hospital, in Louisville; Central State Hospital, in Louisville; and Continuing Care Hospital, in Lexington.
According to Elizabeth Cobb, Vice President of Health Policy for the KHA, these six hospitals demonstrated not only a dedication to patient safety, but also their persistence to going above and beyond what is expected for providing quality care.
Two of the stated goals of this award are to raise awareness of the need for an organization-wide commitment to highly reliable, exceptional quality, and patient-centered care, and to reward successful efforts to develop and promote improvements in the quality of care, Oldham said.
Finally, earlier in the summer, TLRMC Director of Quality Michele Vincent, APRN, was presented with the KHA Patient Safety Hero Award.
Representatives from the KHA Kentucky Hospital Engagement Network presented Vincent with a plaque in front of her peers at TLRMC, Oldham said.
In her nomination for Vincent, Deb Cambell, TLRMC Director of Infection Prevention and Employee Health, wrote the following:
“Michele is a tireless advocate for patient safety. She supports all of our LEAN work and leads or facilitates multiple QI projects which are helping us to make improvements in many areas, such as the teams working to reduce falls, re-admissions, OB harm, EED, and ADEs. She has developed our Safety Team and promotes transparent discussion about errors and near misses to nurture the safety culture at TLRMC. She readily adopted a suggestion from a co-worker and began a ‘Good Catch’ program to reward those who report near misses and other potential safety issues. She always has the best interests of our patients and their families at heart.”
http://gcnewsgazette.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_TLRMC-3-.jpg
By Matt Lasley mlasley@civitasmedia.com
Reach Matt Lasley at 270-259-9622, ext. 2015.
Reach Matt Lasley at 270-259-9622, ext. 2015. | http://gcnewsgazette.com/news/5182/tlrmc-receives-state-national-recognition | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | gcnewsgazette.com/19d823d07ee1c676f7b0ee6b34e513f37d6b69dcf1382a7280c5c1aba36102ca.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T12:54:26 | null | 2015-04-27T23:02:47 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fgcnewsgazette.com%2Funcategorized%2F1%2Fhello-world.json | http://gcnewsgazette.com/uncategorized/1/hello-world | en | null | Grayson County News Gazette | null | null | gcnewsgazette.com | Welcome to WordPress. This is your first post. Edit or delete it, then start blogging! | http://gcnewsgazette.com/uncategorized/1/hello-world | en | 2015-04-27T00:00:00 | gcnewsgazette.com/c85c3a4a148176c711475aa2c76a0483277f49f664d6e0725814b81ff8a380da.json |
[
"Grayson County News Gazette"
] | 2016-08-30T20:48:59 | null | 2016-08-30T16:21:32 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fgcnewsgazette.com%2Fnews%2F5176%2Ffeeding-america-asks-locals-to-take-action-to-end-hunger.json | http://gcnewsgazette.com/news/5176/feeding-america-asks-locals-to-take-action-to-end-hunger | en | null | Feeding America asks locals to take action to end hunger | null | null | gcnewsgazette.com | This September, Feeding America, Kentucky’s Heartland (FAKH) together with the Feeding America nationwide network of food banks, will mobilize across all 50 states in an effort to bring an end to hunger.
Hunger Action Month is designed to inspire people to take action and raise awareness of the fact that 48 million Americans, including 15 million children, are food insecure, according to the USDA.
In the 42 Kentucky counties served by FAKH, one in six people struggle with hunger and may not know where they’ll find their next meal. That number includes one in four kids who may not have enough to eat.
September marks the ninth year the Feeding America network of food banks has organized this annual call to action and the third year FAKH has participated in the Hunger Action Month movement. This year, the campaign will focus on the strong connections between hunger and health.
The Hunger Action Month 2016 campaign asks people to consider how it must feel to live with an empty stomach, which puts a healthy life and a promising future at risk.
“Ensuring that children across our service area have enough to eat is very important to us. When a child goes to school hungry it makes it harder for them to learn and be successful. Through programs such as our BackPack Program, we are working together with our supporters to help alleviate this program,” said Amber Lyvers, FAKH Development Director.
According to the Feeding America study, Hunger in America 2014, nearly half of households served by the Feeding America network include someone who is in either fair or poor health.
“I’ve spent many days on the road this past year, visiting food banks, food pantries, and meal programs and meeting people who are facing hunger,” said Diana Aviv, CEO of Feeding America. “I’ve seen firsthand the anguish that food insecurity and hunger can cause. It is always heartbreaking to meet a mother or father who fears that they will not be able to feed their children. They know that their children cannot reach their full potential if they don’t have enough to eat.”
Hunger Action Day, the second Thursday in September, is a day where efforts across the country are focused for greater impact.
This year, during the entire month of September, FAKH asks supporters to get involved with in the fight against hunger through donations, volunteering, or simply talking about the issue.
“With the combined effort of Feeding America, the nationwide network of food banks and hunger advocates across the country, the goal of this campaign is to raise awareness about hunger and inspire Americans to get involved,” Aviv said. “The Feeding America network is leading the fight to end hunger in the U.S. We all have a role to play in getting food to our neighbors in need. Advocate. Educate. Volunteer. Donate.”
To learn more about Feeding America, Kentucky’s Heartland and other ways you can get involved, please visit www.feedingamericaky.org. | http://gcnewsgazette.com/news/5176/feeding-america-asks-locals-to-take-action-to-end-hunger | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | gcnewsgazette.com/b89aeb6f42151cea5e715d5eb28a9846074e3c26974f6e5d3d33c0ab7e4244d1.json |
[
"Grayson County News Gazette"
] | 2016-08-27T14:47:09 | null | 2016-08-27T09:20:12 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fgcnewsgazette.com%2Fopinion%2Fcolumns%2F5153%2Fhouse-leaders-double-down-on-pension-secrecy.json | http://gcnewsgazette.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_Jim_Waters_cmyk.jpg | en | null | House leaders double down on pension secrecy | null | null | gcnewsgazette.com | Legislation during this year’s General Assembly requiring disclosure of public retirement benefits for all current and former lawmakers, “including their name, status, and projected or actual retirement benefit payments,” passed the Republican-run state Senate with unanimous, bipartisan support from all 38 senators and flew through the Democratically controlled House State Government Committee with 19 of the 21 members who voted approving it.
Only Reps. Derrick Graham, D-Frankfort, and Reginald Meeks, D-Louisville, voted “no” on Senate Bill 45 filed by Sen. Chris McDaniel, R-Taylor Mill, which also had bipartisanship sponsorship as Republicans Joe Bowen, Danny Carroll, C. B. Embry Jr., Chris Girdler, Mike Wilson and Max Wise were joined as cosponsors by Louisville Democrat Perry Clark.
Opening up the legislators’ pension plan, which, mysteriously, is the healthiest of Kentucky’s retirement funds—while the Kentucky Employees Retirement System teeters on the verge of insolvency—would shed much-needed light on how part-time politicians collect $40,000 legislative salaries but retire with six-and-seven-figure publicly funded, but secretly maintained, pensions.
Even committee chairman Brent Yonts, D-Greenville, a vocal opponent of shining the light on the commonwealth’s crisis-ridden pension systems, voted “yes” to giving citizens access to information regarding his own retirement benefits.
Amazing, isn’t it, what can happen during political full moons known as election years?
The fact that it’s campaign season likely is the reason House Speaker Greg Stumbo, D-Prestonsburg, and Majority Floor Leader Rocky Adkins, D-Sandy Hook, made sure all 100 House members didn’t get to—or have to, depending on each lawmaker’s perspective—vote on SB 45.
Adkins in 2005 voted for House Bill 299—also known as the “Greed Bill”—when it passed with overwhelming support from both parties.
Stumbo as a result of HB 299 stands to reap an estimated lifetime legislative-pension windfall of $1.2 million—the difference in the amount he’ll amass should he fulfill his life expectancy versus what he would have gotten without the spike provided by the Greed Bill.
HB 299 allows Stumbo to use his three highest years’ of salary when he was attorney general in determining the size of his legislative pension rather than the much-smaller paycheck he received during his 31 years in the General Assembly.
While I don’t profess to understand how brown cows eat green grass and produce white milk, how many Kentucky taxpayers can possibly comprehend how a part-time politician earns a $40,000 salary, becomes attorney general for four years in an entirely different branch of government and winds up raking in millions in legislative-pension payments?
Putting transparency of politicians’ pensions to a vote on the House floor during an election season would have placed recalcitrant members of both parties who want to maintain Frankfort’s good-ole-boy secrecy in a tough spot.
These are mostly political dinosaurs who don’t want to open the blinds; they also don’t want a political challenger for their seat calling them on their opposition to open and accountable government.
Putting transparency for a vote before the entire House just ahead of an election would have successfully forced an overwhelming majority of lawmakers to do the right thing—even if for impure reasons.
Since Stumbo didn’t call the bill for a vote by the entire House, politicians like Yonts and Speaker Pro Tem Rep. Jody Richards, D-Bowling Green, who voted “yes” in committee but failed to provide leadership needed to move the legislation to the floor for a vote, can go home and campaign on claims they support openness while breathing a sigh of political relief that most of their colleagues were denied the opportunity to weigh in.
As a result, taxpayers still don’t know how many pension checks Richards will collect thanks to his 40-year rumble in Frankfort, during the latter part of which our retirement systems—with the exception of the politicians’ plan—have spiraled downward.
Jim Waters http://gcnewsgazette.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_Jim_Waters_cmyk.jpg Jim Waters
By Jim Waters Bluegrass Beacon
Jim Waters is president of the Bluegrass Institute; Kentucky’s free-market think tank. Reach him at jwaters@freedomkentucky.com. Read previously published columns at www.bipps.org.
Jim Waters is president of the Bluegrass Institute; Kentucky’s free-market think tank. Reach him at jwaters@freedomkentucky.com. Read previously published columns at www.bipps.org. | http://gcnewsgazette.com/opinion/columns/5153/house-leaders-double-down-on-pension-secrecy | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | gcnewsgazette.com/e9f5ab3d86826156b683b92abfaa80f77254f4fc6426307a640f301ec5288b8d.json |
[
"Grayson County News Gazette"
] | 2016-08-26T12:49:15 | null | 2016-08-24T02:42:04 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fgcnewsgazette.com%2Fnews%2F5138%2Ftwo-community-movie-nights-announced.json | http://gcnewsgazette.com/news/5138/two-community-movie-nights-announced | en | null | Two community movie nights announced | null | null | gcnewsgazette.com | The first two community movie nights have been set as part of Leitchfield’s fall 2016 movie series.
During the regularly scheduled, Tuesday, Aug. 23 Leitchfield Tourism Commission meeting, Leitchfield Tourism Director Ilsa Johnson announced that two groups had agreed to host movie showings.
The first scheduled night of the fall movie series will be held on Sept. 6 and be hosted by United Way of Central Kentucky, according to Johnson.
The movie Utopia will be shown as part of a carnival-style kick-off to Grayson County Schools and Twin Lakes Regional Medical Center’s annual fundraising competition to see which organization can raise the most money for United Way, according to Leitchfield Tourism Commissioner Angie Jones.
Johnson said the Babe Ruth ball field in Leitchfield is available for use as the venue of the movie screening, and R & B Productions will screen the movie.
The cost to secure the license for Utopia on Sept. 6 is $375. The movie itself will cost $19.99, and R & B Production’s services for the evening will cost $500.
The second movie night will be hosted by Grayson County DECA on Oct. 28 and will be held on the Babe Ruth ball field, as well.
The license to secure the Oct. 28 movie, Goosebumps, will also cost $375; the movie itself will cost $13.49; and the fee for R & B Productions’ services will be $500 for that night, as well.
After some discussion, the Tourism Commission voted to secure the licenses to show Utopia and Goosebumps on the aforementioned dates.
Johnson said Leitchfield Tourism is looking to show more movies between the two aforementioned dates, as well.
Any business or organization interested in hosting a community movie night, which will be sponsored by the Leitchfield Tourism Commission, may contact Johnson at the Centre on Main at 270-259-5587.
In other business:
*Twin Lakes Regional Medical Center CEO Wayne Meriwether addressed the Tourism Commission regarding the Population Health Committee’s plan to establish a permanent structure to house the Leitchfield Farmer’s Market.
Meriwether said he believes the local farmer’s market could be more successful were a permanent structure in place, and there are state grants available for such a project.
Johnson said a grant application for this project cannot be turned in until the next fiscal year, but it is to the community’s benefit to begin planning now.
After some discussion, the Tourism Commission passed a motion to allow Johnson to participate on the planning committee for a permanent farmer’s market structure.
A timetable for the construction of the structure and its location have not been set.
*Johnson said Leitchfield Tourism has received some criticism from community members for cutting Leitchfield Aquatic Center’s hours of operation back to only weekends.
This was due to Leitchfield Aquatic Center’s lifeguards’ returning to school at the end of summer vacation, according to Johnson.
For the 2017 season, Leitchfield Tourism will look to hire some lifeguards—either older lifeguards or high school students as co-ops—who can continue to work at the Aquatic Center when school is in session.
*The Tourism Commission voted to reimburse Leitchfield Tourism Intern Eduardo Mendoza for his travel from Campbellsville University to Leitchfield to work on a project to catalogue the locations of all the memorial pavers at American Legion Post 81 Veterans Memorial Park.
*The Tourism Commission approved changing the name of the bank on the Leitchfield Aquatic Center’s letter of credit from Leitchfield Deposit Bank to The Cecilian Bank, as well as authorize City Clerk Kim Sowders to sign the letter.
By Matt Lasley mlasley@civitasmedia.com
Reach Matt Lasley at 270-259-9622, ext. 2015.
Reach Matt Lasley at 270-259-9622, ext. 2015. | http://gcnewsgazette.com/news/5138/two-community-movie-nights-announced | en | 2016-08-24T00:00:00 | gcnewsgazette.com/859837c1e04ccad6f101301d2a2a59c1893ba307658f536609eb310453819fe3.json |
[
"Grayson County News Gazette"
] | 2016-08-29T22:48:29 | null | 2016-08-29T17:17:46 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fgcnewsgazette.com%2Fopinion%2Fop-ed%2F5175%2Foutrage-over-bevins-medicaid-waiver-proposal.json | http://gcnewsgazette.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_house43.jpg | en | null | Outrage over Bevin’s Medicaid waiver proposal | null | null | gcnewsgazette.com | In spite of massive public outcry which included testimony from medical professionals, warnings from vision and dental experts, fact driven data from advocates and pleas from Kentuckians who will be devastated by the loss of their healthcare, Gov. Bevin has submitted a harsh, draconian expanded Medicaid waiver proposal to the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for consideration.
In doing so, the governor has made good on his campaign promise to strip healthcare away from 440,000 Kentuckians.
For eight months—beginning with the Senate killing my House Bills 5 and 6, which would have preserved Kynect and expanded Medicaid and secured funding for those programs—and up to this moment, Democratic legislators, Congressman Yarmuth, and an army of champions, advocates, healthcare experts and citizens have daily decried the horrendous consequences of the waiver proposal. But our facts and arguments have fallen on deaf ears.
The governor’s revised proposal changes nothing that would make it any less harmful to Kentuckians or any more agreeable to HHS which must approve the waiver. This stubborn, unyielding, “I’m right, you’re wrong” dictatorship style of governing is Bevin’s reckless gubernatorial response to every situation and it is deeply harming our commonwealth and our people.
The small consolation is that HHS has stated repeatedly, even in their response to this proposal, that a waiver must expand coverage and services, so it is widely assumed they will reject the governor’s submission.
That consolation is fleeting because we know the governor will, upon HHS’ rejection, ultimately act to halt the expanded Medicaid program to appease his political base that believes Medicaid recipients are unworthy. Even as HHS negotiations take place, the countdown to that ultimate reality continues with the inevitable conclusion before us. Hundreds of thousands of Kentuckians—80 percent of whom are working—will lose access to healthcare.
The public comment period by HHS will commence in two weeks and I urge Kentuckians to submit their statements against the governor’s proposal. While the odds appear to be woefully stacked against us, we must voice our concern and, yes, outrage over the governor’s politically contrived scheme at the expense of deserving citizens. I am sadly reminded of the scene in Charles Dickens’ great novel, A Christmas Carol, where the mean, miserly Ebenezer Scrooge asks those soliciting charitable donations for the poor if the work houses are still in operation. The collectors say they are but many would rather die than go there, to which Scrooge replies, “they had better do it, and decrease the surplus population.”
One wonders how significantly Kentucky’s population will decrease when our citizens are cruelly ejected from the life-saving healthcare they now have. It’s a sobering, sad and frightening conclusion to this political game the governor is playing.
Rep. Darryl Owens http://gcnewsgazette.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_house43.jpg Rep. Darryl Owens | http://gcnewsgazette.com/opinion/op-ed/5175/outrage-over-bevins-medicaid-waiver-proposal | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | gcnewsgazette.com/8a39ebf6b1bd7d7d55ab013deb9a19df9851a9d4c990a8d8e131e1dac8a1516c.json |
[
"Grayson County News Gazette"
] | 2016-08-26T12:52:26 | null | 2016-08-24T02:10:05 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fgcnewsgazette.com%2Fnews%2F5137%2Fanneta-days-is-saturday-2.json | http://gcnewsgazette.com/news/5137/anneta-days-is-saturday-2 | en | null | Anneta Days is Saturday | null | null | gcnewsgazette.com | The second annual Anneta Days will be held this Saturday, Aug. 27 at the Anneta Volunteer Fire Department firehouse.
The event, which will be held from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. CST, will benefit the Friends of Anneta Volunteer Fire Department (AVFD), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that helps purchase equipment for the AVFD, according to AVFD Chief Cody Weiss.
Anneta Days is free to the public with numerous events and activities occurring throughout the day, including a bluegrass, country, and gospel music festival from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
At least nine bands will be performing, including McDonald Road and Hickory Grove, both of Leitchfield; Into the Blue and Honeysuckle Ridge, both of Breckinridge County; Sassybrown Bluegrass Band, of Evansville, IN; Becky & the Butler County Boys, of Morgantown; Justamere Bluegrass Band, of Anneta; Arlen Blanton and Friends, of Bee Springs; and special guest Emily Portman, of St. Paul, who will perform at 8:00 p.m.
A large tent will provide shade for spectators, who are reminded to bring their own lawn chairs.
In addition to the bluegrass festival, numerous other activities will be held throughout the day, beginning at 10 a.m., including a bouncy house and slide for children, a dunking booth, raffles, silent auction, a prize wheel, a blood pressure check and safety booth, and more.
Food—including hamburgers, hot dogs, brats, barbecue, and snow cones—drinks, and ice cream will be sold during Anneta Days, as well.
Parking is free, and area attendees can also sign up to receive smoke detectors, Weiss said.
Previously, with funds raised by the Friends of AVFD, the Anneta Volunteer Fire Department has been able to match grants to purchase a thermal imaging camera and other gear, according to Weiss.
The AVFD firehouse is located at 11700 Anneta Rd. (at the junction of Highway 259 and Dickey’s Mill Road), and, provided there is no severe inclement weather, Anneta Days will be held “rain or shine,” Weiss said.
By Matt Lasley mlasley@civitasmedia.com
Reach Matt Lasley at 270-259-9622, ext. 2015.
Reach Matt Lasley at 270-259-9622, ext. 2015. | http://gcnewsgazette.com/news/5137/anneta-days-is-saturday-2 | en | 2016-08-24T00:00:00 | gcnewsgazette.com/9a15c17b47706bb635d3ec5279e2e5753ec3383e946c82bdf01873e4b0369b4c.json |
[
"Grayson County News Gazette"
] | 2016-08-26T12:47:45 | null | 2016-08-22T15:35:12 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fgcnewsgazette.com%2Fnews%2F5132%2Fhands-on-pasture-weed-id.json | http://gcnewsgazette.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_Whitney-Carman-Headshot.jpg | en | null | Hands-on Pasture Weed ID | null | null | gcnewsgazette.com | The extremely wet and humid summer of 2016 has brought out many different types of weeds to fields, gardens, and yards. Some of them you may not have seen before, or even know how to manage them.
The Grayson County Extension Service will host a Hands-On Pasture Weed Identification program on Thursday, Sept. 8 at 6:00 p.m. The program will be conducted by University of Kentucky Weed Specialist J. D. Green and Whitney Carman, Extension Agent for Agriculture & Natural Resources, and will be held at the Extension Service Research Farm at 124 Quarry Rd. in Leitchfield.
The program will be held prior to the monthly meeting of the Grayson County Cattlemen’s Association, which is to begin at 7:00 p.m. The Hands-On Pasture Weed ID program is open to the public, and you don’t have to be a member of the Cattlemen’s Association to attend.
Please call the Extension Office to RSVP for the Weed-Id program by calling (270) 259-3492. The program will include handouts and a question and answer session.
Whitney Carman http://gcnewsgazette.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_Whitney-Carman-Headshot.jpg Whitney Carman | http://gcnewsgazette.com/news/5132/hands-on-pasture-weed-id | en | 2016-08-22T00:00:00 | gcnewsgazette.com/f50df51657e6724a29e23d333433c7b26cc271d963a0392c91e2d5728aa2b00c.json |
[
"Grayson County News Gazette"
] | 2016-08-26T12:47:12 | null | 2016-08-24T03:49:05 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fgcnewsgazette.com%2Fnews%2F5139%2Ffiscal-court-talks-taxes-and-gates.json | http://gcnewsgazette.com/news/5139/fiscal-court-talks-taxes-and-gates | en | null | Fiscal Court talks taxes and gates | null | null | gcnewsgazette.com | With the choice of taking a tax rate that would allow a 4 percent increase in revenue or a compensating rate, which would allow for the county government to receive the same amount of tax revenue, the Grayson County Fiscal Court chose the compensating rate.
Judge Executive Gary Logsdon announced in the Fiscal Court meeting on Friday, Aug. 19 that taxes had not been raised in the county for over 25 years. Although, the Fiscal Court has been accepting the compensating rate which does increase the tax rate, the amount of revenue collected by the county remains close to the same as last year.
The county’s tax rate for 2016 will be 6.9 percent per $100 of real estate verses 6.8 percent in 2015 and 6.7 percent in 2014. The 7.9 percent per $100 for motor vehicle/watercraft and personal property remains the same as last year.
First District Magistrate Harold Johnson pointed out, “This (property tax rate) does not have anything to do with county road maintenance.”
The money to repair and maintain roads is received from the gas and fuel tax.
“We hear all the time that someone pays taxes so their road should be fixed,” said Johnson.
Several residents from Peter Cave Landing Association, represented by Attorney Earlene Whitaker-Wilson appeared before the court asking for clarification from two previous Fiscal Court meetings.
Wilson stated that the closing of Mohawk Lane was discussed but proper procedure was not done to close part of the road.
The Association, according to Wilson, is requesting that a gate owned by Todd Oller be removed from the road and the county maintain the entire road. They also asked that a sign be reinstalled announcing the entrance of the subdivision.
Wilson stated that the closing of Mohawk Lane was discussed but proper procedure was not done to close part of the road.
County Attorney Clay Ratley said the minutes from the June 16, 2015 should be amended to reflect no official road closure was done and the county did not own that portion of the road.
Logsdon had previously given permission for the sign to be installed within the 50-foot right-of-way and reiterated they still have permission to do so.
The Association asked that the County maintain the road, but Logsdon advised them they would have to go through the proper procedures to have the road added to the Grayson County maintenance system.
In a motion from Curtis Wells, the court approved having Ratley send Oller a letter requesting the removal of the gate he put up because it is a platted subdivision.
In other business:
• Sheriff Norman Chaffins recognized and expressed his appreciation for Deputy Jeff King, whom is retiring, and Deputy Tony Willen, whom has left the Sheriff’s Department to accept the position of Emergency Management Coordinator.
• The Fiscal Court accepted the Grayson County Extension District’s compensating tax rates of 4.039 percent Real Estate, 7.9518 percent personal and 1.72 percent motor vehicle/watercraft.
• The Fiscal Court accepted the Grayson County Health Department’s compensating tax rates of 2.6 percent Real Estate, 3.0 percent personal and 3.0 percent for motor vehicle/watercraft.
• The Fiscal Court accepted the Grayson County Library District’s compensating tax rates of 9.3 percent Real Estate, 18.25 percent personal and 3.11 percent for motor vehicle/watercraft.
• The Fiscal Court approved hiring Cindy Higdon to answer phone and work in the office of the Grayson County Road Department.
By Theresa Armstrong tarmstrong@civitasmedia.com
Reach Theresa Armstrong at 270-259-9622, ext. 2011.
Reach Theresa Armstrong at 270-259-9622, ext. 2011. | http://gcnewsgazette.com/news/5139/fiscal-court-talks-taxes-and-gates | en | 2016-08-24T00:00:00 | gcnewsgazette.com/fe774aa3d0efced30f969496812c6df189aa069351c72f371712b4a9e3afb747.json |
[
"Grayson County News Gazette"
] | 2016-08-26T12:48:48 | null | 2016-08-24T11:43:07 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fgcnewsgazette.com%2Fsports%2F5146%2Fhornets-swarm-past-cougars-42-8.json | http://gcnewsgazette.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_Coaches.jpg | en | null | Hornets swarm past Cougars 42-8 | null | null | gcnewsgazette.com | Heading into the 2016 football season, head coach Ed Smart said it would be an uphill battle for his Cougars this year.
Those words turned prophetic last Friday evening when the Cougars hosted the Hancock County Hornets in the season-opener at Cougar Field. The Hornets outplayed the Cougars in every phase of the game and beat the home squad 42-8.
The Hornets rushed for 279 yards against the Cougars, led by junior running back Tanner Singleton who finished the game with 120 yards on nine carries and scored two touchdowns. Singleton also returned an interception 75 yards for a third TD. Junior Gage Gray added 67 yards on 12 carries and one touchdown.
There were very few bright spots for Grayson County on the evening. Junior slot-back Jordan Stallings carried the ball 12 times for 78 yards and the Cougars’ only score of the game. Senior Dustin Woosley carried the ball 13 times for 65 hard-earned yards.
Grayson County trailed 15-8 at the half and was still within reach, 21-8 at the start of the fourth quarter, but the defense gave up three fourth-quarter touchdowns, including a 27-yard pass play for a score with 21 seconds left to play. Grayson County turned the ball over four times in the second half.
Stallings led the Cougar defense with 12 tackles, while sophomores Ethan Cates and Taylor Fentress had eight and six tackles respectively.
The Hornets had the ball to start the game, but were unable to move it on their first possession. Grayson County started their first possession at the 22, but could move only to midfield before punting the ball away.
The Hornets took over at their own 11 and started a drive that ended in the first score of the game. Five plays moved the ball to the 35, where the Hornets had a first down. A fumbled snap moved the ball back a yard before Singleton took the ball off tackle and beat every Cougar defender 66 yards for the first touchdown of the season. Michael Rates added the extra point, and with 1:27 left in the first quarter, the Hornets led 7-0.
Freshman Logan Kopp, who had a good night returning kickoffs for the Cougars, took the ensuing kickoff at the 10 and brought it back to the 30.
As the second period began, the Cougars had moved into Hornet territory at the 45. On a third-and-seven play at the 42, Stallings got loose on a 21-yard run down to the 21-yard line.
Three running plays could move the ball only to the 17, but on fourth down the Hornets were whistled for being offside and the ball was moved to the 12 where it was fourth and one. Stallings took the handoff, popped through the line of scrimmage and twisted and turned his way into the end zone, shedding three or four tacklers along the way.
When Stallings added a two point conversion, the Cougars held an 8-7 lead. It would turn out to be their only lead of the game as they would not score again.
On the next Hornets possession they moved 65 yards in 10 plays to take a lead they would not give back. The key play on the drive was a Grayson County facemask penalty on a third down that set up the Hornets with a first down at the Grayson County 45.
Senior Gage Gray carried in from 11 yards out at the 2:18 mark, then added a two-point conversion to put the visitors in front 15-8, which was the score at the half.
The Cougars had the ball to start the second half, but on a third-and-nine at the Cougar 42, sophomore quarterback Noah Bullock was picked off by senior defensive back, Andrew Anderson, who returned the ball to the Cougar 34.
The defense was able to stop the Hornets on that possession, but Hancock later moved 44 yards in just four plays to add on. Singleton carried in from the 13 for his second touchdown of the night. The extra-point try failed, but the Hornets still led 21-8.
Grayson County fumbled the ball away on its next possession, but the defense forced a punt as the fourth quarter began. Singleton, who also does the punting for the Hornets, was tackled for a loss at the Hancock 38 following a bad snap.
With good field position, the Cougars were looking to get back in the game, but on third-and-six, Bullock threw his second interception of the night and this one was returned by Singleton 75 yards for a score to make it 29-9.
The Cougars were unable to move the ball on the ensuing possession and lined up to punt on fourth-and-18 at their own 18-yard line. Woosley, who had punted well all evening, for some reason kept the ball and tried to pick up the first down, but only succeeded in giving the Hornets the ball at the Cougar 19.
Four plays later senior Jacob Smith carried in from a yard out to make it 35-8.
With time winding down, head coach Ed Smart had inserted some of his younger players, including sophomore quarterback Cameron Harris. On a second-and-nine play at the 41, Harris tried to pitch the ball as he was being tackled and the Hornets c0vered a loose ball at the Grayson County 43.
A run moved the ball to the 27, and with just 21 seconds remaining, backup quarterback Spencer Harpenau connected with junior receiver Parker Layne for the final score of the night.
The 0-1 Cougars will be at home again this Friday when they play host to the Shelby County Rockets (0-1). Shelby County reached the semi-final round of the state championship last year before falling to the eventual 5-A champions, South Warren. They steamrolled the Cougars 52-0 last year in Shelbyville.
Photos Don Brown | GC News-Gazette Junior running back Jordan Stallings eluded several tackles on his way to the Cougars’ only touchdown of the game in their 42-8 loss. http://gcnewsgazette.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_Jordan-TD.jpg Photos Don Brown | GC News-Gazette Junior running back Jordan Stallings eluded several tackles on his way to the Cougars’ only touchdown of the game in their 42-8 loss. Sophomore Taylor Fentress had a bear hug on Hancock County’s Tanner Singleton. http://gcnewsgazette.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_Fentress-Tkl.jpg Sophomore Taylor Fentress had a bear hug on Hancock County’s Tanner Singleton. Senior Dustin Woosley got loose on an 11-yard run in the first period. Woosley carried 13 times for 65 yards for the Cougars. http://gcnewsgazette.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_Woosley-Run.jpg Senior Dustin Woosley got loose on an 11-yard run in the first period. Woosley carried 13 times for 65 yards for the Cougars. Senior Chase Peak brought down Hancock County’s Nathan Swihart. http://gcnewsgazette.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_Peak-tkl.jpg Senior Chase Peak brought down Hancock County’s Nathan Swihart. Senior Tommy Harper stood up the Hornets’ Tanner Singleton for no gain. http://gcnewsgazette.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_Harper-Tkl.jpg Senior Tommy Harper stood up the Hornets’ Tanner Singleton for no gain. Following the Hornet’s second score, the Cougar coaching staff compared notes. http://gcnewsgazette.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_Coaches.jpg Following the Hornet’s second score, the Cougar coaching staff compared notes.
By Don Brown
Reach Don Brown at 259-9622, ext. 2016.
Reach Don Brown at 259-9622, ext. 2016. | http://gcnewsgazette.com/sports/5146/hornets-swarm-past-cougars-42-8 | en | 2016-08-24T00:00:00 | gcnewsgazette.com/4db6ad0b81adcb20ec359af9b770388185cf0d6220c01157f5590206cf7b3cbb.json |
[
"Grayson County News Gazette"
] | 2016-08-26T12:51:26 | null | 2016-08-22T11:52:00 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fgcnewsgazette.com%2Fnews%2F5130%2Fyoung-named-to-centre-college-deans-list.json | http://gcnewsgazette.com/news/5130/young-named-to-centre-college-deans-list | en | null | Young named to Centre College Dean’s List | null | null | gcnewsgazette.com | Grayson County High School graduate Jessika Young, the daughter of Sloan and Kent Young, of Leitchfield, has been named to the Dean’s List for the spring term at Centre College, an honor reserved for students who maintain at least a 3.60 grade point average.
Centre College, founded in 1819, is ranked among the U.S. News top 50 national liberal arts colleges. Forbes magazine ranks Centre in the top 100 among all the nation’s colleges and universities. | http://gcnewsgazette.com/news/5130/young-named-to-centre-college-deans-list | en | 2016-08-22T00:00:00 | gcnewsgazette.com/ab95ea921ca6055803b2ecd55a8cefdc4010c5ab2389d44105f813461401fa73.json |
[
"Grayson County News Gazette"
] | 2016-08-27T14:47:09 | null | 2016-08-27T09:08:13 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fgcnewsgazette.com%2Fnews%2F5151%2Fhospital-holds-active-shooter-drill.json | http://gcnewsgazette.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_Shooter-Drill-2.jpg | en | null | Hospital holds active shooter drill | null | null | gcnewsgazette.com | To better prepare its employees for such an emergency, Twin Lakes Regional Medical Center held the first of a series of active shooter drills this past Tuesday, Aug. 23.
The drill began around 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday; however, employees were aware of the date well in advance to allow time to review the hospital’s plans and protocols for responding to such a situation, according to Twin Lakes Regional Medical Center (TLRMC) Director of Planning and Marketing Bill Oldham.
The “shooter” was portrayed by TLRMC employee Bradley Decker, who did not have anything on his person to represent a gun, Oldham said.
This, coupled with the hospital’s announcement over its PA system that the drill would be taking place, was to ensure that patients and visitors were not frightened or put into a panic during the drill, according to Oldham.
“We made a very conscientious effort to let people know it is a drill,” said Oldham.
When the drill began, hospital officials announced over the PA system the location of the “shooter” as well as his appearance and direction of travel to ensure that employees took immediate precautions to protect themselves and patients.
Officials also called Grayson County E-911 dispatch to have emergency personnel respond.
Oldham said law enforcement was made aware of the drill in advance as well, and a portion of the drill had hospital employees track the shooter’s location and inform police of it so the “shooter” could be quickly apprehended.
Hospital officials wished to express their gratitude to local law enforcement who participated in the drill, including the Leitchfield Police Department, Kentucky State Police, and Grayson County Sheriff Norman Chaffins, the latter of whom advised the hospital of additional ways it can better help the police respond in emergency situations.
“They took it seriously,” said Oldham of the responding law enforcement personnel.
In addition to holding annual active shooter drills, TLRMC also has its employees watch a more realistic active shooter drill on video and educate themselves on the hospital’s plans for such an event.
Oldham said that, while the majority of the hospital’s employees work first shift, TLRMC does remain open 24 hours a day, so it is important that employees of every shift have the opportunity to take part in active shooter drills, so one was to be held for each work shift.
http://gcnewsgazette.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_Shooter-Drill-1.jpg http://gcnewsgazette.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_Shooter-Drill-2.jpg
By Matt Lasley mlasley@civitasmedia.com
Reach Matt Lasley at 270-259-9622, ext. 2015.
Reach Matt Lasley at 270-259-9622, ext. 2015. | http://gcnewsgazette.com/news/5151/hospital-holds-active-shooter-drill | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | gcnewsgazette.com/6d0cfe6d22ec2966e584cb07e63f0cdf2e271f2519bdfc43621f98950613c8e6.json |
[
"Grayson County News Gazette"
] | 2016-08-26T12:50:53 | null | 2016-08-23T11:46:06 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fgcnewsgazette.com%2Fnews%2Fbusiness%2F5135%2Flaser-eye-procedures.json | http://gcnewsgazette.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_Brett-Abney-1.jpg | en | null | Laser eye procedures | null | null | gcnewsgazette.com | When we discuss the need for a laser procedure to treat patients’ eyes, they usually have the thought of getting rid of their glasses or contacts. Sometimes this is the case, but in other instances the lasers are used to treat diabetic eye bleeding, lower eye pressure from glaucoma, or remove a film behind a lens after cataract surgery.
Lasik surgery is the procedure used to eliminate the need for glasses and contacts. It is a purely elective procedure that can cost several thousand dollars. Since it is elective and considered cosmetic, insurance doesn’t cover the procedure. It is a remarkably accurate procedure with astounding results when performed on appropriate candidates. Once called the “flap-and-zap”, the procedure involves making a flap on the front surface of the eye, lifting the flap, then a very specialized laser reshapes the curvature of the eye to change the power. Current technology has made the creation of the flap much more precise since lasers can make the flap instead of mechanical gears and blades.
There are occasions when patients with diabetes need to have laser surgery. Diabetics can have leaky blood vessels in the retina that cause accumulation of fluid in the part of the eye that allows clear central vision. If the leakage affects this area, or a larger area in other parts of the retina, a laser can be used to stop the bleeding and reduce the swelling.
Certain types of glaucoma are now effectively treated with lasers. Specifically, selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) works by increasing the fluid outflow from the drainage structure inside the eye. Lowering eye pressure by SLT has a similar effect to an eye drop.
Lastly, patients who had cataract surgery often need a laser procedure to remove a film behind the artificial lens placed at the time of surgery. When this film is dense enough to cause vision problems, a YAG laser procedure can be performed safely and effectively to improve vision.
As we can see, there are several types of laser surgeries used to treat eye conditions. Make sure you ask your eye doctor to explain the type of laser treatment needed, and always ask about the risks and benefits before having surgery.
http://gcnewsgazette.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_Brett-Abney-1.jpg | http://gcnewsgazette.com/news/business/5135/laser-eye-procedures | en | 2016-08-23T00:00:00 | gcnewsgazette.com/f140a9f64489763cdcca5b269df4cf8335c2614ce8e53b383039b94a6416e4e5.json |
[
"Grayson County News Gazette"
] | 2016-08-27T16:47:12 | null | 2016-08-27T12:05:04 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fgcnewsgazette.com%2Fsports%2F5162%2Flady-cougars-roast-red-devils.json | http://gcnewsgazette.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_Alexis.jpg | en | null | Lady Cougars roast Red Devils | null | null | gcnewsgazette.com | Behind the powerful hitting and serving of junior Emma Wilder and the digging of senior libero Ally Felix, the Lady Cougar varsity volleyball team beat the visiting Lady Devils of Owensboro High in straight sets Thursday evening in Cougar Gym, 25-14, 25-9.
Because the Lady Devils had bus troubles on their trip from Owensboro, they were nearly an hour late arriving for the match. That caused a change in plans. Rather than have the freshman and JV teams play a best-of-three-sets match, each played just two sets.
After losing the first set, the Grayson County freshman girls fought back to salvage a tie, 15-21, 21-14. The JV girls also won their match in straight sets, 21-18, 21-13.
Varsity Match
The Lady Cougars trailed by as many as four points in the early going, but a 5-0 run, including kills from Wilder and senior Grace White, put them in front by one, 8-7.
The visitors responded with a 5-0 run of their own to back up by four points, 12-8. A service error gave the ball back to the Lady Cougars, and Wilder took the serve. A kill and five aces by Wilder combined with a pair of kills by junior Briannah Wagner and another by junior Meredith Pawley during an 11-0 run to give the Lady Cougars a seven point advantage, 19-12.
Junior Julie Carroll put away a kill to bring it to set-point at 24-14 before Pawley blocked an Owensboro hitting attempt to give the Lady Cougars the first-set win.
Grayson County never trailed in the second set after scoring the first three points. After an Owensboro side-out made it 3-1, the Lady Cougars reeled off five straight, including two more Wilder kills, to make it 8-1.
Leading 11-4, Wilder served two more aces before an Owensboro hitting error increased the lead to 10 points, 14-4.
Owensboro battled back to close to within seven points of the lead at 16-9, but Felix made an incredible save on a ball in the net and got it to Pawley who drove a kill to stop the Lady Devil run.
That seemed to spark the Lady Cougars even further. Felix took the serve at that point and she served out for the match. Two Owensboro errors, a Pawley kill and a Felix ace made it 21-9.
Two more Lady Devil errors brought it to 23-9 before Pawley smashed a ball to the floor to move to match-point at 24-9. Felix followed that up with another ace, and the match went into the Lady Cougars’ win column.
JV Match
Owensboro took command of the first set, leading by as many as five points before the Lady Cougars began to fight back into it.
A pair of Owensboro hitting errors allowed the Lady Cougars to get to within a point at 11-12, but the Lady Devils pushed the lead back up to four points at 16-12.
Grayson County still trailed by four, 17-13, when sophomore Olivia Lucas dinked a kill to give the ball back to Grayson County trailing by just three.
Sophomore Katie Mullins took the serve and nearly served out. An Owensboro error was followed by kills from sophomore Maggie Clark and Lucas to tie the score at 17-17. Mullins followed with a pair of aces to put Grayson County on top by two, 19-17.
A Grayson County hitting error gave the ball back to Owensboro, but Clark followed with another kill to move it to set-point, 20-18. Another Owensboro error then gave the set to the Lady Cougars.
Owensboro grabbed an early three-point advantage at 5-7, but the Lady Cougars scored four straight to take their first lead, 8-7.
The score was tied at 9-9 when junior Jasmine Smart took the serve. When her first serve knuckled over the net and was not returned, the Lady Cougars took a lead they would not give back. Two hitting errors and a kill by freshman Sam Milliner but Grayson County up by four, 13-9, and they never looked back.
An Owensboro service error moved it to match-point at 20-13 before Mullins served another ace for the win.
Freshman Match
The freshman girls seemed to have control of things in the opening set after racing out to a five-point advantage at 7-2.
The Lady Cougars still led by two points, 13-11 when a service error gave the ball to Owensboro’s Armanda Pappas. Pappas had two aces in a 6-0 run that put them in front 18-13 and Grayson County was never closer than three points the rest of the way.
Leading 19-15, eighth-grader Kaelyn White’s kill moved it to set-point before eighth-grader Krystell Pappas served an ace to give the visitors the first-set win.
The two teams stayed within a point or two of one another at the start of the second set before a Milliner ace and a Lady Devil error pushed the lead to four points, 8-4.
Four straight Grayson County points, including a Hart ace pushed the lead to six points, 12-6. Five straight Owensboro points closed the gap to 12-11 before a Maddie Duvall kill stopped the run.
Leading by three, 15-12, Shelby Pierce took the serve for Grayson County. Five straight points followed, including a Pierce ace moved it to set-point.
A double-hit call stopped the Lady Cougar run. Grayson County was whistled for being in the net to take it to 20-14, but when the next Lady Devil serve was long, Grayson County had the tie.
Junior Emma Wilder had a monster game for the Lady Cougars against Owensboro, both serving and hitting. http://gcnewsgazette.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_Emma-1.jpg Junior Emma Wilder had a monster game for the Lady Cougars against Owensboro, both serving and hitting. Sophomore Katie Mullins hit a ball during the JV 2-0 win over visiting Owensboro. http://gcnewsgazette.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_Katie-M-1.jpg Sophomore Katie Mullins hit a ball during the JV 2-0 win over visiting Owensboro. Freshman Briley Berry set a ball during the freshmen’s tie with the Lady Devis. http://gcnewsgazette.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_Briley.jpg Freshman Briley Berry set a ball during the freshmen’s tie with the Lady Devis. Junior outside hitter Meredith Pawley blasted a ball during the varsity match. http://gcnewsgazette.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_Meredith.jpg Junior outside hitter Meredith Pawley blasted a ball during the varsity match. Junior Briannah Wagner set a teammate during the varsity’s 2-0 win over Owensboro. http://gcnewsgazette.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_Briannah.jpg Junior Briannah Wagner set a teammate during the varsity’s 2-0 win over Owensboro. Freshman setter Alexis Hart starts for both the freshman and JV squads. http://gcnewsgazette.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_Alexis.jpg Freshman setter Alexis Hart starts for both the freshman and JV squads.
By Don Brown
Reach Don Brown at 259-9622, ext. 2016.
Reach Don Brown at 259-9622, ext. 2016. | http://gcnewsgazette.com/sports/5162/lady-cougars-roast-red-devils | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | gcnewsgazette.com/b820d66aa614990c4b23d69719004401743e341c82542cf445d880ad2c10477b.json |
[
"Grayson County News Gazette"
] | 2016-08-27T18:47:12 | null | 2016-08-27T12:48:13 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fgcnewsgazette.com%2Fnews%2F5164%2Fnew-county-tourism-director-hired.json | http://gcnewsgazette.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_Tourism-Dir..jpg | en | null | New County Tourism Director hired | null | null | gcnewsgazette.com | With the recent resignation of Grayson County Tourism Director Brittany Gary, the County Tourism board is pleased to announce a replacement. Nastasha “Anya” Edgley-Turpin has been hired to replace Gary.
“I am extremely honored to have been chosen for this position and I am excited about the opportunities that this new position will present for me to work alongside you and serve the community of Grayson County and beyond,” said Edgley-Turpin.
“Professionally, I have almost a decade of management and leadership experience in both large non-profit businesses as well as with smaller privately owned franchises. I was raised in Oahu, Hawaii, however, I have visited Grayson County frequently ever since I was a young child,” said Edgley-Turpin.
“My mother, Sharon Edgley, formerly Sharon Decker, was raised in Grayson County and my grandfather, Herbert Decker, is a long time resident of Millwood. Additionally, my husband, Corey Turpin, was raised in Leitchfield and graduated from Grayson County High School in 2004.
“Together we have one son named Jack who turned three this year and this new position has enabled us to return home to Grayson County to raise him closer to his immediate and extended family,” said Edgley-Turpin. “Thank you for your warm welcome and I look forward to getting to know you better through our partnerships. Please feel free to connect with me should you have any questions that I may assist you with.”
Gary will spend the next few weeks training Edgley-Turpin before completely turning the position over to her sometime in September.
Should you like to connect with our former Tourism Director, Brittany Gary, you may feel free to reach out to her through her personal email at: Brittany.Gary660@gmail.com.
Submitted Photo Nastasha “Anya” Edgley-Turpin has been hired to replace Brittany Geary as the Grayson County Tourism Director. http://gcnewsgazette.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_Tourism-Dir..jpg Submitted Photo Nastasha “Anya” Edgley-Turpin has been hired to replace Brittany Geary as the Grayson County Tourism Director.
By Theresa Armstrong tarmstrong@civitasmedia.com
Reach Theresa Armstrong at 270-259-9622, ext. 2011.
Reach Theresa Armstrong at 270-259-9622, ext. 2011. | http://gcnewsgazette.com/news/5164/new-county-tourism-director-hired | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | gcnewsgazette.com/7e09e7a9765bc27ddc8a09618444ed0bf4c81fdd62cb0fe6cb81f511526d4637.json |
[
"Grayson County News Gazette"
] | 2016-08-26T12:52:56 | null | 2016-08-22T17:18:49 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fgcnewsgazette.com%2Fnews%2Fbusiness%2F5133%2Flge-ku-thank-customers-for-recycling-40000-appliances.json | http://gcnewsgazette.com/news/business/5133/lge-ku-thank-customers-for-recycling-40000-appliances | en | null | LG&E, KU thank customers for recycling 40,000 appliances | null | null | gcnewsgazette.com | When it comes to protecting the environment and better managing energy use as a community, a little can go a long way.
Customer participation in Louisville Gas and Electric Company (LG&E) and Kentucky Utilities (KU) Company’s Fridge and Freezer Recycling Program is proving just how far. Thanks to their participation, the utilities are celebrating a significant milestone—40,000 appliances recycled.
“Recycling these appliances helps to reduce energy consumption and ensures they won’t be left behind in a local landfill,” said Lisa Keels, LG&E and KU manager of Customer Energy Efficiency Operations. “We’re grateful to our customers for their participation and look forward to continuing to partner with them to help save energy and money.”
LG&E and KU’s Fridge and Freezer Recycling Program began four years ago and helps residential customers haul away and properly recycle old, inefficient refrigerators and freezers. In return for reducing energy consumption and recycling the appliances, participating customers receive $50 per appliance.
The utilities work with ARCA Inc., Appliance Recycling Centers of America, to properly disassemble and recycle nearly every part of the refrigerators and freezers.
The 40,000 appliances recycled through the program thus far equates to 5.7 million pounds of metal, 432,500 pounds of plastic and just over 117,000 pounds of glass all repurposed for additional use.
“Since 2008, customers’ participation in our energy efficiency programs, like Fridge and Freezer Recycling, has resulted in a savings of 830,000 megawatt hours of energy, which is equivalent to powering about 70,000 homes for a year,” said Keels. “By taking advantage of our offerings, customers continue to help us plan for the future while becoming better energy managers of their homes and businesses.”
LG&E or KU customers interested in learning more about the utilities’ full portfolio of Energy Efficiency programs can visit lge-ku.com/saving-energy-and-money or call 800-356-5467 for more information.
Utilities’ Fridge and Freezer Recycling Program reaches new milestone | http://gcnewsgazette.com/news/business/5133/lge-ku-thank-customers-for-recycling-40000-appliances | en | 2016-08-22T00:00:00 | gcnewsgazette.com/bb6c4ad7dab5de8aa761b56e7688b88a4fd6b8a7e6564937f5be3d84ab9ab6c3.json |
[
"Grayson County News Gazette"
] | 2016-08-27T16:47:10 | null | 2016-08-27T12:04:34 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fgcnewsgazette.com%2Fsports%2F5155%2Fcougars-harriers-run-in-border-clash.json | http://gcnewsgazette.com/sports/5155/cougars-harriers-run-in-border-clash | en | null | Cougars harriers run in Border Clash | null | null | gcnewsgazette.com | Grayson County’s cross country teams saw action for the first time this season last Tuesday as both the boys and girls teams ran in the Fifth Annual Kentucky-Indiana Border Clash, hosted by Owensboro High School at Yellow Creek park, In Owensboro.
The Cougars have attended this race since its inception as it is always heavily attended by some of the best cross country teams and runners from both Kentucky and Indiana and it gives head coach Anthony Miller a good indication of where his team stands as the season begins.
This year 18 girls teams attended with 184 runners participating. On the boys side, 22 teams were on hand with 326 runners. Daviess County’s girls took first place, while Tell City, Ind. won the boys team title. Daviess County won with 34 points, with Evansville Memorial second with 66 points, and Jasper, Ind. third with 109 points.
Tell City’s boys took first with 56 points, while Madisonville-North Hopkins was second with 107 points, and Castle High, from Indiana, was third with 142 points.
Presley Warren, a junior runner from Evansville Memorial, won the individual title, running the 5K course in 18:59.53. Evansville Memorial’s junior, Matt Schadler, took the boys individual cro9wn with a time of 15:50.51.
The Lady Cougars finished 18th overall with 363 points, while the Cougars were 19th with 497 points. Sophomore Hailey Stallings was the first Lady Cougar across the finish line, coming in 19th overall with a time of 21:26.91. Defending Region 2 champion, junior Jarrett Crawford, was the first Cougars to finish with a time of 17:28.11.
Sophomore Kaylee Masden, who ran most of the season last year wearing a knee brace while recovering from a basketball injury, was the second Lady Cougar to finish, coming in 84th overall with a time of 24:02.00. Others earning points for Grayson County included junior Grace Childress, 100th in 24:43.33, sophomore Emery Crume, 105th in 24:56.13, and senior Shannon Smith, 108th in 25:01.34.
Finishing out of the points were sophomore Rachel McMahan, 115th in 25:20.82, junior Kayla Matthews, 134th in 26:12.34, and junior Kennedy Childress, 143rd in 26:57.85.
Other point-winners for the Cougars included junior Nate Saltsman, 111th in 19:28.98. junior Jacob Stinnett, 132nd in 19:51.87, junior Eli Thomas, 136th in 19:56.05, and junior Luke Weedman, 142nd in 20:01.12.
Running out of the points for the Cougars were, eighth-grader Eli Helm, 176th in 20:39.29, freshman Isaac DePoyster, 196th in 21:08.99, sophomore Gabriel Mudd, 229th in 22:02.53, eighth-grader Lucas Gallagher, 247th in 22:31.70, and junior Brennan Childress, 298th in 25:03.65.
The Cougars will be running this Saturday afternoon the the Warren East Raider Twilight Run, at Ephram White Park, in Bowling Green. Elementary school races begin at 4:15 p.m., followed by middle school races at 4:55 p.m. and varsity races beginning at 5:35 p.m.
By Don Brown
Reach Don Brown at 259-9622, ext. 2016.
Reach Don Brown at 259-9622, ext. 2016. | http://gcnewsgazette.com/sports/5155/cougars-harriers-run-in-border-clash | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | gcnewsgazette.com/66ccf48f0d6bf31afa8d4a13141e7923affb8a8e6a985cab65b175c4e3f6358d.json |
[
"Grayson County News Gazette"
] | 2016-08-27T18:47:11 | null | 2016-08-27T12:59:00 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fgcnewsgazette.com%2Fnews%2F5166%2Fgrayson-county-fair-starts-tuesday.json | http://gcnewsgazette.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_Fair.jpg | en | null | Grayson County Fair starts Tuesday | null | null | gcnewsgazette.com | The 67th annual Grayson County Fair kicks off its five days of fun at the Grayson County Fairgrounds this coming Tuesday, Aug 30.
Anyone wishing to enter their crops or homemade items in this year’s fair may do so beginning 11 a.m. See the Grayson County Fair Book for categories and rules.
All the favorites return this year, starting with the Miss Pre-Teen, Miss Teen, and Miss Grayson County pageants on Tuesday evening.
The front gates open at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, and the pageants begin at 6 p.m.
On Wednesday night, Aug 31, the Children’s and Little Miss and Mister pageants will be held, starting at 5:30 p.m., as well as the Horse and Mule pull, starting at 6 p.m., and KOI Drag Racing, starting at 7 p.m.
Front gates open at 4 p.m. on Wednesday.
On Thursday, Sept. 1, starting at 7 p.m., the annual Mrs. Grayson County pageant, the Mini Car and Lawn Mower Derby, and karaoke preliminaries will be held.
Front gates open at 4 p.m. on Thursday.
Fair weekend kicks off on Friday, Sept. 2 as the front gates open at 3 p.m., and at 7 p.m., karaoke preliminaries continue, and the annual Big Car Demolition Derby will be held.
Fair gates open at 3 p.m. on Friday.
Finally, on Saturday, Sept. 3, the fair starts early as the front gates open at 8 a.m.
Events throughout Saturday include the Bass Ride Competition at 12 p.m.; the Kentucky Arm-wrestling Championship at 1 p.m.; Antique Tractor and Engine Show judging at 2 p.m.; the Grayson County Only Truck Pull at 3 p.m.; and the karaoke contest finals and KTPA Truck and Tractor Pull at 7 p.m.
Rides and merchant buildings operate every day of the fair. Tuesday through Friday, rides operate from 5 p.m. until closing, and on Saturday, rides operate from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. to closing. The merchant buildings are open from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday.
The Grayson County Fairgrounds, located at 1414 Brandenburg Rd. in Leitchfield, will be closed on Sunday, Sept. 6, and Fair week wraps up on Monday, Sept. 7 with the annual Labor Day Parade, starting at 8 a.m.
Staff Photo The Grayson County Fair will begin next Tuesday evening and will run through Saturday. The 2016 Grayson County Fair will begin next Tuesday and run through Saturday. http://gcnewsgazette.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_Fair.jpg Staff Photo The Grayson County Fair will begin next Tuesday evening and will run through Saturday. The 2016 Grayson County Fair will begin next Tuesday and run through Saturday.
By Theresa Armstrong tarmstrong@civitasmedia.com
Reach Theresa Armstrong at 259-9622, ext. 2011.
Reach Theresa Armstrong at 259-9622, ext. 2011. | http://gcnewsgazette.com/news/5166/grayson-county-fair-starts-tuesday | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | gcnewsgazette.com/efb898de8e94e06c66e54056f2aa0fc79780c488a9d3c6e0da0ab654d9bf7bf5.json |
[
"Grayson County News Gazette"
] | 2016-08-31T08:49:11 | null | 2016-08-31T03:12:06 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fgcnewsgazette.com%2Fnews%2F5184%2Fpolice-offer-fair-time-safety-tips.json | http://gcnewsgazette.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_GCSO-Speed-Radar.jpg | en | null | Police offer fair-time safety tips | null | null | gcnewsgazette.com | The Grayson County Fair has begun, and local law enforcement is taking the opportunity to remind citizens of ways to protect themselves and others during fair season.
Both the Leitchfield Police Department (LPD) and Grayson County Sheriff’s Office have placed speed radar trailers beside Highway 259 North near the Grayson County Fairgrounds to remind motorists that the speed limit has been reduced to 35 mph on that road.
“The speed limit has been reduced, and due to the increased traffic during the fair, we ask citizens to pay close attention to posted speed limits and their surroundings, including pedestrians and other vehicles,” LPD Detective Kevin Smith said. “We want to do everything possible to ensure a safe fair season once again.”
Law enforcement will have increased patrols out during the fair and through Labor Day weekend in response to the increased traffic, but, Smith said, citizens can take a few simple steps to protect themselves and their belongings.
“Lock your vehicles,” Smith said. “Do not leave any belongings in your vehicle, but if you must, put it in the trunk or in a covered area. Allow yourself plenty of time going to and coming from the fair because we expect increased traffic each night of the fair.”
Assistant Leitchfield Chief of Police David Riley also wished to remind citizens that at 9:30 a.m. on Monday morning, Sept. 5, the annual Grayson County Labor Day Parade will be held in Leitchfield, and major streets will be blocked during the parade, which will march as directed to the Grayson County Fairgrounds.
Motorists are asked to plan their routes and activities accordingly.
Riley encouraged citizens to report any suspicious activities or problems to local law enforcement.
The LPD may be reached by phone at 270-259-3850 or online at www.leitchfieldpolice.org.
http://gcnewsgazette.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_GCSO-Speed-Radar.jpg
By Matt Lasley mlasley@civitasmedia.com
Reach Matt Lasley at 270-259-9622, ext. 2015.
Reach Matt Lasley at 270-259-9622, ext. 2015. | http://gcnewsgazette.com/news/5184/police-offer-fair-time-safety-tips | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | gcnewsgazette.com/df7f137ab1193291a9768a4bade3567c1375ea05c2afe737a3ad119091313bba.json |
[
"Grayson County News Gazette"
] | 2016-08-26T12:51:55 | null | 2016-08-23T12:49:40 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fgcnewsgazette.com%2Fnews%2F5136%2Fbody-found-in-tool-box-identified.json | http://gcnewsgazette.com/news/5136/body-found-in-tool-box-identified | en | null | Body found in tool box identified | null | null | gcnewsgazette.com | The body discovered earlier this month in a truck tool box floating in Spring Fork Creek in Grayson County has been identified.
On Tuesday, Aug. 23, Grayson County Coroner Joe Brad Hudson and the Chief Medical Examiner’s Office in Louisville made a confirmed identification that the body of the male found in the truck tool box on Tuesday, Aug. 2 was that of 29-year-old Tromain Jerome Mackall, originally of Prince Frederick, MD.
Mackall’s last known address was on Barnett Creek Road in Hartford, located in Ohio County, KY, according to a news release from Hudson.
Mackall had moved to Ohio County several months ago, and was reported missing on July 24, 2016 to the Ohio County Sheriff’s Office, the release states.
At around 5:30 p.m. CST on Aug. 2, a community member reported seeing a tool box (such as one that would be found in the bed of a truck) floating in Spring Fork Creek, according to Kentucky State Police (KSP) Post 4 Trooper Jeff Gregory.
Law enforcement, including the KSP and Grayson County Sheriff’s Office, responded to the scene and discovered Mackall’s body inside the tool box.
Hudson pronounced Mackall dead just before 8:00 p.m. on Aug. 2.
On Friday, Aug. 5, Hudson said autopsy results determined that the cause of the Mackall’s death was “multi-modal asphyxiation”—death caused by impairing a person’s normal breathing through more than one method—and that his death had been ruled a homicide.
The identification of Mackall was delayed because authorities did not learn until a number of weeks into their investigation that Mackall had previously been in the Navy until 2007, Hudson said.
In order to positively confirm the identity of a homicide victim, authorities must confirm identification through dental records, fingerprints, or DNA, according to Hudson.
Hudson said that, due to the moderate state of decomposition of Mackall’s body when he was discovered, identification through fingerprints was not possible, and DNA would have taken too long for results to be returned.
Upon learning that Mackall had been in the Navy, investigators were able to locate his Navy dental and medical records to make a comparison, Hudson said.
Aside from Mackall’s dental records from the Navy, no other dental records could be found because Mackall’s childhood dentist had passed away some time ago and Mackall had not been to the dentist since he was in the Navy, Hudson said.
The investigation into the murder of Mackall is ongoing by the KSP and Ohio County Sheriff’s Office.
By Matt Lasley mlasley@civitasmedia.com
Reach Matt Lasley at 270-259-9622, ext. 2015.
Reach Matt Lasley at 270-259-9622, ext. 2015. | http://gcnewsgazette.com/news/5136/body-found-in-tool-box-identified | en | 2016-08-23T00:00:00 | gcnewsgazette.com/4db15f4335188940b08c54d4f0e2e147ae73e1af88963d76db81971e0ddc01e2.json |
[
"Grayson County News Gazette"
] | 2016-08-26T12:49:44 | null | 2016-08-24T13:15:07 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fgcnewsgazette.com%2Fnews%2Fbusiness%2F5148%2Fprepare-for-these-milestones-as-retirement-approaches.json | http://gcnewsgazette.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_Grant-Collins-1-2.jpg | en | null | Prepare for these milestones as retirement approaches | null | null | gcnewsgazette.com | Over a two-decade span ranging from ages 50 to 70-1/2, investors will face multiple milestone decisions that will likely impact their retirement savings and portfolio. As you navigate through each decision, you’ll need to be aware of how rules governing Social Security, Medicare and your taxes will come into play. Take steps now to be prepared as these milestones approach:
Age 50
Give your retirement savings a boost by making “catch-up” contributions. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) rules for 2016 allow those 50 and older to invest an additional $1,000 per year (for a maximum of $6,500 per year) in an IRA, and another $6,000 per year (to a maximum of $24,000) in a workplace retirement plan such as a 401(k).
Age 55
This may be the first opportunity you have to make penalty-free withdrawals (income taxes still apply) from employer-based qualified plans. To become eligible, you must first retire from your employer in the year you turn 55 or later. While tapping into your retirement income may make sense for you, consider the impact early withdrawals could have on your long-term financial security before taking action.
Age 59-1/2
At this age, you have more penalty-free access to your retirement assets–meaning you can take distributions from IRAs and potentially from qualified work plans (check with your Human Resources department to see what rules apply to you). Keep in mind that withdrawing from your nest egg early is a risk to your long-term financial situation. Taxes are due on distributions attributable to pre-tax contributions and earnings.
Age 62
You first become eligible to claim retirement benefits from Social Security at age 62. The earlier you claim benefits, the lower the monthly payout will be. Many investors choose to claim at a later age, because you can receive a higher monthly benefit. If you do decide to claim benefits at age 62 while you continue to receive a paycheck, your Social Security benefits may be reduced until you reach full retirement age (defined below).
Age 65
You qualify for Medicare coverage starting at age 65. You’ll automatically be enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B if you’re receiving Social Security at this time. Otherwise, you need to apply for it. Your application window is the three months on either side of your 65th birthday month. Medicare is complex, so make sure to research what options are available to you.
Age 66-67
Depending on your birth year, you reach what Social Security defines as “full retirement age” at 66 or 67. Visit www.ssa.gov/planners/retire/retirechart to learn what age that is for you. If you wait until now to receive Social Security benefits, you’ll have more ways to structure your benefits. Married couples in particular tend to have many options, so be sure to coordinate your decisions with your spouse.
Age 70
Your maximum monthly benefit is available after your 70th birthday. If you haven’t claimed Social Security benefits, you should do so as there is no advantage to waiting beyond this date. You may want to consider donating your benefit if you have other investments that cover your expenses.
Age 70-1/2
By April 1 of the year after you turn 70-1/2, you are required to take a minimum distribution from traditional IRAs and workplace retirement plans. The IRS calculates the amount you pay (called Required Minimum Distributions or RMDs) using the Uniform Lifetime Table and your age at the time you’re talking the distribution. Instructions for calculating RMDs can be found in IRS Publication 590 at www.irs.gov. Distributions must be taken from each account that is subject to this rule. Failure to do so can result in penalty of 50 percent of the amount that was required to be distributed.
If you have questions about making these milestone decisions or want to get an objective opinion, consider hiring a financial advisor. Find an advisor who will look comprehensively at your financial situation and your retirement goals, in order to help you make decisions with increased confidence.
http://gcnewsgazette.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_Grant-Collins-1-2.jpg
By Grant Collins Watson, Chaney & Associates
Grant Collins, CRPC, is a Financial Advisor with Watson, Chaney & Associates, a private wealth practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. in Owensboro, KY. The practice offers fee-based financial planning and asset management strategies and has been in practice for more than 20 years. To contact him by phone, please call 270-684-8424 or by mail at 111 West 3rd St., Owensboro, KY 42303. www.ameripriseadvisors.com/taylor.collins.
Grant Collins, CRPC, is a Financial Advisor with Watson, Chaney & Associates, a private wealth practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. in Owensboro, KY. The practice offers fee-based financial planning and asset management strategies and has been in practice for more than 20 years. To contact him by phone, please call 270-684-8424 or by mail at 111 West 3rd St., Owensboro, KY 42303. www.ameripriseadvisors.com/taylor.collins. | http://gcnewsgazette.com/news/business/5148/prepare-for-these-milestones-as-retirement-approaches | en | 2016-08-24T00:00:00 | gcnewsgazette.com/d221e27b23a3498232d095a34e9dc25f1d2e2944c19f40240d70722de77f10ed.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:02:17 | null | 2016-08-21T18:58:59 | A number of arrests have been made following today’s derby match between Ipswich Town and Norwich City. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.newmarketjournal.co.uk%2Fnews%2Flatest-news%2Farrests-after-derby-match-between-ipswich-town-and-norwich-city-1-7537169.json | http://res.cloudinary.com/jpress/image/fetch/w_300,f_auto,ar_3:2,c_fill/http://www.newmarketjournal.co.uk/webimage/1.6053830.1472134531!/image/image.jpg | en | null | Arrests after derby match between Ipswich Town and Norwich City | null | null | www.newmarketjournal.co.uk | A number of arrests have been made following today’s derby match between Ipswich Town and Norwich City.
They included:
A 23-year-old man from Norwich was arrested on suspicion of possession of class A drugs.
A 23-year-old man from Colchester and a 57-year-old man from Witham were arrested for breaching a section 35 dispersal notice to leave a designated area following anti-social behaviour.
A 29-year-old man from Felixstowe was arrested on suspicion of affray and a 23-year-old man from Norwich on suspicion of assault.
A 34-year-old man from Ipswich was arrested for discharging a flare in the stands in the ground and a 45-year-old man from Norwich was arrested for possession of a lit flare inside the ground.
All have been taken into custody at Martlesham Police Investigation Centre.
A number of people had to be treated by medics for the effects of the flares, but all are now said to be okay.
Chief Superintendent Louisa Pepper said; “A very small minority appeared to be set on causing trouble and officers made several arrests during the course of the policing operation today.
“We said before the game that we would not tolerate anti-social behaviour, violence, racial chanting, mindless vandalism or any alcohol-fuelled disorder and the vast majority of the 25,000 who attended were responsible and respectful.” | http://www.newmarketjournal.co.uk/news/latest-news/arrests-after-derby-match-between-ipswich-town-and-norwich-city-1-7537169 | en | 2016-08-21T00:00:00 | www.newmarketjournal.co.uk/d57191b3d7a8d6c37ef73025bebb47116ced28137991d1ffaf8cc3f438418301.json |
[
"Liam Apicella",
"Liam.Apicella Jpress.Co.Uk"
] | 2016-08-26T13:10:55 | null | 2016-08-15T16:18:04 | Needham Market have moved to bolster their attacking options by securing the services of striker John Sands from King’s Lynn Town. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.newmarketjournal.co.uk%2Fsport%2Ffootball%2Fbreaking-transfer-news-sands-joins-needham-market-1-7527732.json | http://res.cloudinary.com/jpress/image/fetch/w_300,f_auto,ar_3:2,c_fill/http://www.newmarketjournal.co.uk/webimage/1.7527731.1471274233!/image/image.jpg | en | null | BREAKING TRANSFER NEWS: Sands joins Needham Market | null | null | www.newmarketjournal.co.uk | Needham Market have moved to bolster their attacking options by securing the services of striker John Sands from King’s Lynn Town.
Ex-Mildenhall Town player Sands initially linked up with Lynn in February on loan from Boston and he went on to score six goals in 10 appearances, prompting the frontman to sign a permanent deal at The Walks earlier this summer.
However, after featuring in all three of Lynn’s matches this term, Sands has now surprisingly transferred to Bloomfields.
“It’s a shame to lose John. He’s struggled with his fitness having missed most of the pre-season campaign it just wasn’t working out for him,” Lynn boss Gary Setchell told the club’s website.
“I wish Sandsy all the best with his career and thank him for his time and efforts at the football club.
“John was one of the top earners at the football club and with him leaving that’s freed up some money.”
Meanwhile, Sands posted on Twitter this afternoon: “Would like to thank all @officialKLtown including the wonderful fans, its been a pleasure and I wish you all the best.”
Sands has turned out for a host of clubs in the region, including Bury Town and Leiston, where he worked alongside current Needham assistant Richard Wilkins. | http://www.newmarketjournal.co.uk/sport/football/breaking-transfer-news-sands-joins-needham-market-1-7527732 | en | 2016-08-15T00:00:00 | www.newmarketjournal.co.uk/564b01c43e15955ecba72ca3773c9ddbcecd309cee055d5fc273ffe5fbb0dce2.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:00:13 | null | 2016-08-19T15:40:15 | A prolific offender who beat a woman with a baseball bat while on bail for assaulting two men has been jailed for more than five years. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.newmarketjournal.co.uk%2Fnews%2Flatest-news%2Fhaverhill-man-who-beat-woman-with-baseball-bat-while-on-bail-for-bury-assaults-jailed-1-7535698.json | http://res.cloudinary.com/jpress/image/fetch/w_300,f_auto,ar_3:2,c_fill/http://www.newmarketjournal.co.uk/webimage/1.7537794.1471862089!/image/image.jpg | en | null | Haverhill man who beat woman with baseball bat while on bail for Bury assaults jailed | null | null | www.newmarketjournal.co.uk | A prolific offender who beat a woman with a baseball bat while on bail for assaulting two men has been jailed for more than five years.
Hari Farlie, 21, had been with a group of men who had asked Ricky Short and Jordan Robinson for a cigarette in Fornham Road, Bury St Edmunds, at about 3am on February 20.
Ipswich Crown Court heard today that Farlie, of Montfort Court, Haverhill, had persisted despite refusals and then assaulted Mr Short,throwing a bottle which struck his head.
Prosecuting, Nicholas Cooper said it caused a cut for which Mr Short was treated at hospital.
When Mr Robinson, who recognised Farlie as he had been at school with him,tried to intervene, Farlie struck him on the ear and then threw three or four punches which missed.
Farlie, who has 19 previous convictions for 31 offences, pleaded guilty to two offences of assault by beating.
He also pleaded guilty to the robbery of a woman takeaway delivery driver in Shepherd’s Court, Haverhill on June 29.
Agnieszka Podyma was beaten with a baseball bat and had her handbag stolen by Farlie who, at the time, was on bail in connection with the Bury assaults.
Farlie also pleaded guilty to assaulting a fellow inmate at the Feltham Young Offenders Institution on November 20, 2015 and asked for six burglaries, one offence of criminal damage and one of theft to be taken into account by the court.
Appearing for Farlie, Edward Renvoize said his client had served sentences in Young Offenders Institutions but the prospect of being sent to prison appeared to be having a beneficial effect on Farlie.
Mr Renvoize said: “This young man may be coming to a decision that a life of crime is not a way forward for him.”
Farlie was the ‘black sheep’ of his family and had committed offences since an early age.
Mr Renvoize added: “There is a glimmer of hope that he may realise there is a useful and proper life that can be made outside this small scale but none the less serious offending.”
Mr Recorder Ian Evans jailed Farlie for five years and four months.
After the trial DC Steve Duncan, who investigated the robbery of the delivery woman, said; “This robbery was unprovoked and planned. She sustained significant injuries just because she was doing her job and Farlie decided he was prepared to go to these lengths to get money from her.
“In her victim impact statement she described how the attack had left her with nightmares and anxiety in addition to scars on her face and chronic headaches, dizziness and nausea following the injuries sustained. Farlie caused misery to her and those he burgled and he will now have time to reflect on his crimes as he serves a lengthy prison term.” | http://www.newmarketjournal.co.uk/news/latest-news/haverhill-man-who-beat-woman-with-baseball-bat-while-on-bail-for-bury-assaults-jailed-1-7535698 | en | 2016-08-19T00:00:00 | www.newmarketjournal.co.uk/851ca400bf9a5e1d14f9705efed919ef17ce4ef9414a7d5b1e006d1b5e31be8c.json |
[] | 2016-08-29T14:49:57 | null | 2016-08-29T15:19:26 | The 15th Traditional Music Day takes place on Saturday, September 3 at the Museum of East Anglian Life in Stowmarket. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.newmarketjournal.co.uk%2Fwhat-s-on%2Ffolk-luminaries-to-perform-at-traditional-music-day-in-stowmarket-1-7532824.json | http://res.cloudinary.com/jpress/image/fetch/w_300,f_auto,ar_3:2,c_fill/http://www.newmarketjournal.co.uk/webimage/1.7532823.1471519221!/image/image.jpg | en | null | Folk luminaries to perform at Traditional Music Day in Stowmarket | null | null | www.newmarketjournal.co.uk | The 15th Traditional Music Day takes place on Saturday, September 3 at the Museum of East Anglian Life in Stowmarket.
The guest line-up is headed by singer Nancy Kerr making a rare solo appearance.
Nancy was BBC Radio 2’s Folk Singer of the Year in 2015 and she tours the UK extensively with the Sweet Visitor Band and Simpson, Kerr & Cutting.
Other guests include superb singers Roisin White (Singer of the Year 2015 for Ireland’s Gaelic language TV channel TG4) and traditional singing legends Peta Webb and Ken Hall, first time appearance of the new English Dulcimer Duo, festival favourites The Dartmoor Boys, and local Irish musician Michael Sheehy.
Site entertainment includes storyteller John Row, one man band Chucklefoot and singer Jim Eldon, with stepdancing, ceilidh dancing and music sessions making full use of the museum grounds.
Tickets are available in advance until 1st September, from the East Anglian Traditional Music Trust.
Alternatively, you can turn up on the day and buy an ordinary museum entrance ticket which allows access to the outdoor Traditional Music Day events, including the site entertainment and family activities, but not the main concerts or other indoor events.
The whole museum site is open from 10am and museum buildings close at 4.30pm except for the Barn which hosts a Stepdance Special until 5.30pm.
In the evening there is just one event – Traditional Night Out in the Tithe Barn - an atmospheric acoustic event in a magical setting, featuring all the main guests.
Tickets for this event are available separately.
All the details are on www.eatmt.org.uk or you can ring EATMT on 01449 771090 for more information. | http://www.newmarketjournal.co.uk/what-s-on/folk-luminaries-to-perform-at-traditional-music-day-in-stowmarket-1-7532824 | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.newmarketjournal.co.uk/fc8e5af1e502301ddf487ab6cd4c82e976da69eec05fa8f25bfd94b75eb134bb.json |
[] | 2016-08-28T14:50:16 | null | 2016-08-28T13:39:32 | Teenage sensation Jordan Jenkins has dropped his biggest hint to date about the possibility of riding for the Mildenhall Fen Tigers beyond the current season, writes Graham Clark. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.newmarketjournal.co.uk%2Fsport%2Fspeedway%2Fjenkins-is-not-ruling-out-link-up-with-fen-tigers-in-2017-1-7543995.json | http://res.cloudinary.com/jpress/image/fetch/w_300,f_auto,ar_3:2,c_fill/http://www.newmarketjournal.co.uk/webimage/1.5455383.1472135716!/image/image.jpg | en | null | Jenkins is not ruling out link up with Fen Tigers in 2017 | null | null | www.newmarketjournal.co.uk | Teenage sensation Jordan Jenkins has dropped his biggest hint to date about the possibility of riding for the Mildenhall Fen Tigers beyond the current season, writes Graham Clark.
With a host of clubs expected to fight it out for the 15-year-old’s signature over the winter, the Norwich-based rider has spoken enthusiastically of his time spent with the National League side in his two meetings to date.
After scoring nine on his debut for the West Row-based outfit against the Kent Kings earlier this month, Jenkins bettered that effort with a paid 13 total (12+1), which included three heat wins, during Mildenhall’s 61-29 defeat of the Cradley Heathens on Sunday.
“Mildenhall seems like a good place. We’ve already spoken about things,” said Jenkins.
"The management team don’t put you under any pressure.
"They help you out and when you do really well they are happy with you.
"They are very supportive and the fans are so good as well.
“Potentially I could be with Mildenhall Speedway next year but we will see what happens."
While no deal has been struck yet one thing Jenkins, who will be starting his GCSE exams at Sprowston High School next month, will not be swayed by when making his final decision is money.
“It is not all about the money it is about the club,” added Jenkins.
“Some people chuck lots of money at you then treat you like rubbish.” | http://www.newmarketjournal.co.uk/sport/speedway/jenkins-is-not-ruling-out-link-up-with-fen-tigers-in-2017-1-7543995 | en | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | www.newmarketjournal.co.uk/53eed434b814a32890270142f9c19a6895bbbc9acfac0eac4ba7daa629a0e77c.json |
[
"Steve Barton",
"Steve.Barton Haverhillecho.Com"
] | 2016-08-26T13:05:49 | null | 2016-08-20T11:07:20 | The summer series of family events at St Edmundsbury Cathedral continues on August 23 and 25 with a feather and fun filled day where children can learn more about and get close to birds of prey. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.newmarketjournal.co.uk%2Fwhat-s-on%2Fmasters-of-the-skies-to-make-flying-visit-to-st-edmundsbury-cathedral-1-7522662.json | http://res.cloudinary.com/jpress/image/fetch/w_300,f_auto,ar_3:2,c_fill/http://www.newmarketjournal.co.uk/webimage/1.7522661.1470924467!/image/image.jpg | en | null | Masters of the skies to make flying visit to St Edmundsbury Cathedral | null | null | www.newmarketjournal.co.uk | The summer series of family events at St Edmundsbury Cathedral continues on August 23 and 25 with a feather and fun filled day where children can learn more about and get close to birds of prey.
A range of birds will be there, including eagles, owls and hawks.
Visitors can learn about their lives and challenges in the natural world and even be photographed with one of them.
At 11.30am and 2pm each day there will a chance to watch a full flying display and falconer’s demonstrations on the cathedral’s garth.
Each day there is also a family trail, plus art and craft activities.
Entry is £5 per person and includes the whole event (plus the flying displays) and activities on the day. Under-3s are free
On August 29 the cathedral is holding a Mad Hatter’s Tea Party. It is an Alice in Wonderland themed drop-in event, with activities such as making a Cheshire Cat mask and Mad Hatter’s hat. An entry fee applies. | http://www.newmarketjournal.co.uk/what-s-on/masters-of-the-skies-to-make-flying-visit-to-st-edmundsbury-cathedral-1-7522662 | en | 2016-08-20T00:00:00 | www.newmarketjournal.co.uk/d1eb9a4d16d83a80cf22b609f4c323bb948358a041a8fde14c76dd590ffc8641.json |
[
"Steve Barton",
"Steve.Barton Haverhillecho.Com"
] | 2016-08-26T13:06:08 | null | 2016-08-19T15:22:39 | Chantel McGregor stunned The Apex’s audience with her guitar virtuosity when she played there two years ago. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.newmarketjournal.co.uk%2Fwhat-s-on%2Fguitar-queen-chantel-returns-to-bury-st-edmunds-1-7535664.json | http://res.cloudinary.com/jpress/image/fetch/w_300,f_auto,ar_3:2,c_fill/http://www.newmarketjournal.co.uk/webimage/1.7535662.1471616552!/image/image.jpg | en | null | Guitar Queen Chantel returns to Bury St Edmunds | null | null | www.newmarketjournal.co.uk | Chantel McGregor stunned The Apex’s audience with her guitar virtuosity when she played there two years ago.
Now she’s back to showcase her own style of contemporary rock-blues.
Imagine the tone of Robin Trower, the inspiration of Hendrix, the influence of Stevie Ray Vaughan, the energy of Bonamassa, the intensity of Walter Trout and the haunting vocal of Stevie Nicks all rolled into one...that’s Chantel.
Guitar prodigy Chantel has won five British Blues Awards in the last three years, including Guitarist of the Year in 2013 and 2014, in doing so becoming the first woman to achieve it.
When Chantel was eight years old, she was the youngest person in the UK to pass a Rock school exam.
At 12, she was jamming in her native Bradford and evolving into a gifted musician.
At 14, Chantel was told by major labels that she had a “great voice, but girls don’t play guitar like that!”
Wisely ignoring the comments, she enrolled at the Leeds College of Music and became the first student in the college’s history, to achieve a 100% pass mark, with 18 distinctions.
When Chantel released her 2011 debut album, ‘Like No Other’, one critic said, “Chantel McGregor deserves to be held up as a messiah of blues-rock and given her own mountain.
She doesn’t strum or pick her guitar but almost bends and distorts it, as if she’s channeling the ghost of Hendrix through her fingers”
New album ‘Lose Control’ sees Chantel producing an exciting pantheon of rock crescendos and riffs that will please her devout blues rock fan base, but also displays a bigger and bolder rock sound with progressive influences.
Chantel explains: “I juxtaposed heavy, guitar riff-based, dark tracks with haunting, emotive acoustic tracks, whilst tying them together with the lyrical themes of desperation and loss so often seen in Southern Gothic fiction.”
Chantel plays at The Apex on Thursday, September 8 at 8pm. Tickets are £14, or £16 on the door. | http://www.newmarketjournal.co.uk/what-s-on/guitar-queen-chantel-returns-to-bury-st-edmunds-1-7535664 | en | 2016-08-19T00:00:00 | www.newmarketjournal.co.uk/23839260f0db005d093838b379c67eee0023d5882f1af23ffd5591c2897ac6a0.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T12:57:48 | null | 2016-08-21T20:00:33 | A 16-year-old boy who went missing today whilst on a day trip to Thorpeness has been found safe and well. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.newmarketjournal.co.uk%2Fnews%2Flatest-news%2Fupdated-missing-teenager-samuel-creed-found-safe-and-well-1-7537216.json | http://res.cloudinary.com/jpress/image/fetch/f_auto,ar_3:2,c_fill/http://www.newmarketjournal.co.uk/webimage/1.7537215.1471807044!/image/image.jpg | en | null | UPDATED: Missing teenager Samuel Creed found safe and well | null | null | www.newmarketjournal.co.uk | The types of cookies we, our ad network and technology partners use are listed below:
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Add This ► Add This provides the social networking widget found in many of our pages. This widget gives you the tools to bookmark our websites, blog, share, tweet and email our content to a friend. | http://www.newmarketjournal.co.uk/news/latest-news/updated-missing-teenager-samuel-creed-found-safe-and-well-1-7537216 | en | 2016-08-21T00:00:00 | www.newmarketjournal.co.uk/ff63b43229cbdcbf4ed00039ad6ce0b9cb82cee97a463004e64ca8fbb1dca7e2.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T14:48:08 | null | 2016-08-26T13:54:41 | There is still time to join the army of more than 2,000 women who have signed up for St Nicholas Hospice Care’s Girls Night Out. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.newmarketjournal.co.uk%2Fnews%2Flatest-news%2Fstill-time-to-join-the-growing-fund-raising-army-of-girls-night-out-1-7535404.json | http://res.cloudinary.com/jpress/image/fetch/w_300,f_auto,ar_3:2,c_fill/http://www.newmarketjournal.co.uk/webimage/1.7535403.1471611477!/image/image.jpg | en | null | Still time to join the growing fund-raising army of Girls Night Out | null | null | www.newmarketjournal.co.uk | There is still time to join the army of more than 2,000 women who have signed up for St Nicholas Hospice Care’s Girls Night Out.
The walk on Saturday, September 10 sees women come together in their pyjamas and flashing bunny ears while walking either six or 11.2 miles around Bury St Edmunds.
Jenny Baskett, events and challenges fund-raiser for the hospice, said she is ‘astounded’ by the popularity of this year’s fund-raiser.
“Each year I think the event can’t get any bigger, but each year I am happily proven wrong,” she said.
“The money raised from this event really does help the hospice continue to support and care for those in the final chapters of their lives from across the community.
“Last year we raised an incredible £190,000 and it would be great to beat that total this year – but we can only do that with the help of our brilliant fund-raisers.”
One group of women taking part for the very first time will be the 365Motivate Team, who decided they would give it a go after seeing the event advertised online.
Leader Lucy Cronin said: “I haven’t done the walk before, so I am so excited to see all the ladies, the light up bunny ears, and to get going.”
This year’s Girls Night Out sees the return of the memory boards so walkers can write messages about the loved ones they have lost.
Other highlights include ‘water boys’ handing out refreshments and medals for participants.
To sign up visit www.girlsnightoutwalk.co.uk | http://www.newmarketjournal.co.uk/news/latest-news/still-time-to-join-the-growing-fund-raising-army-of-girls-night-out-1-7535404 | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | www.newmarketjournal.co.uk/8fd4ce2f26b67cf77c2ca231e338b4fb97855c6e4e680819be6f7995f1553d9b.json |
[] | 2016-08-31T06:50:33 | null | 2016-08-31T06:00:00 | A test has been developed that could help to diagnose bacterial infections, including meningitis in minutes. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.newmarketjournal.co.uk%2Fnews%2Flatest-news%2Fpin-prick-meningitis-test-could-be-available-within-five-years-1-7543599.json | http://www.newmarketjournal.co.uk/news/latest-news/pin-prick-meningitis-test-could-be-available-within-five-years-1-7543599 | en | null | Pin-prick meningitis test could be available within five years | null | null | www.newmarketjournal.co.uk | A test has been developed that could help to diagnose bacterial infections, including meningitis in minutes.
The new test, developed by a team at Imperial College London, is a major breakthrough in the rapid diagnosis of meningitis and sepsis in children. If made available through the NHS, it could allow treatment to begin much earlier, saving hundreds of lives and reducing the risk of life-changing after-effects.
The signs and symptoms of meningitis are notoriously difficult to diagnose, and can be dismissed as a cold or flu. Many young children presenting the early symptoms of the disease are initially sent home, before being rushed back to hospital a few hours later as their condition rapidly deteriorates.
Currently, doctors grow bacteria in a sample of blood, in a process which can take up to 48 hours.
Responding to the news, Liz Brown, CEO at charity Meningitis Now said: “A delay in life-saving treatment for bacterial meningitis can be a matter of life or death. We welcome this significant progress in the development of a rapid test for meningitis and sepsis.
“We would however, continue to advise people to know the signs and symptoms of meningitis and to seek immediate medical attention if they have any concerns”.
The study led by Professor Michael Levin has shown that a bacterial infection can be distinguished from other causes of fever, such as a viral infection, using a pattern of genes that are switched on or off in response to an infection.
A larger project will now begin to develop these findings into a pin-prick diagnostic test, which Professor Levin believes could be available through the NHS within five years.
14 facts about meningitis and septicaemia
Meningitis is usually caused by bacteria or viruses
Meningitis is inflammation of the membranes that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord
Septicaemia is blood poisoning
Some bacteria that cause meningitis also cause septicaemia
Meningitis and septicaemia often happen together – it is vital to know all the signs and symptoms
The early signs and symptoms of meningitis and septicaemia can be similar to ‘flu and include fever, headache, nausea, vomiting and muscle pain.
The more specific signs and symptoms include fever with cold hands and feet, drowsiness, confusion, pale blotchy skin, stiff neck, dislike of bright lights and a rash which doesn’t fade under pressure.
In babies, symptoms can also include being floppy and unresponsive, dislike of being handled, rapid breathing, an unusual, moaning cry and a bulging fontanelle (soft spot on the top of the head).
There are an estimated 3,200 cases of bacterial meningitis and septicaemia each year in the UK.
Following bacterial meningitis or septicaemia, one in ten people will die and at least a third of survivors will be left with lifelong after-effects such as hearing loss, epilepsy, limb loss or learning difficulties
Meningitis and septicaemia can affect anyone, of any age, at any time. However, babies and young children are most at risk, and young people between 15 – 24 years are also a higher risk group.
In the past 20 years, effective vaccines have been developed to give protection against SOME types of meningitis. These are offered to all babies and young children as part of the UK childhood immunisation programme. BUT there are not vaccines to protect against ALL types.
A vaccine to protect against meningococcal group B (Men B) disease, the most common cause of bacterial meningitis and septicaemia, was introduced into the UK childhood immunisation programme in September 2015.
If you suspect someone may be ill with meningitis or septicaemia, trust your instincts and get immediate medical help.
Meningitis Now aims to reduce the impact of meningitis by raising awareness and funding research into vaccine and treatment. For support and advice on meningitis call the Meningitis Now Helpline on 0808 80 10 388.
For more information or to donate visit the website at www.MeningitisNow.org | http://www.newmarketjournal.co.uk/news/latest-news/pin-prick-meningitis-test-could-be-available-within-five-years-1-7543599 | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | www.newmarketjournal.co.uk/201f4b8f1adcfeb33067e6917032ad8e7162aa10b3a06e11ea2d00790d993fda.json |
[] | 2016-08-28T00:49:58 | null | 2016-08-14T09:00:00 | Newmarket trainers William Haggas and Charlie Appleby will be looking to lower the colours of Postponed in the Juddmonte International Stakes at York on Wednesday. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.newmarketjournal.co.uk%2Fsport%2Fhorse-racing%2Fnewmarket-giants-go-head-to-head-in-juddmonte-clash-1-7521001.json | http://res.cloudinary.com/jpress/image/fetch/w_300,f_auto,ar_3:2,c_fill/http://www.newmarketjournal.co.uk/webimage/1.7521000.1470845595!/image/image.jpg | en | null | Newmarket giants go head-to-head in Juddmonte clash | null | null | www.newmarketjournal.co.uk | Newmarket trainers William Haggas and Charlie Appleby will be looking to lower the colours of Postponed in the Juddmonte International Stakes at York on Wednesday.
Haggas has given Mutakeyyef the go ahead to contest the Group One showpiece, while Coral Eclipse winner Hawkbill is expected to take his place in the star-studded line-up for Appleby.
Since being gelded Mutakeyyef — the five-year-old son of Sea The Stars — has gone from strength-to-strength this season.
He won a listed race on his return to York before recording an impressive victory in the summer mile at Ascot last month.
The Roger Varian-trained Postponed was forced to miss his defence of the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot because of a respiratory infection.
The Juddmonte International is one of the highlights of the four-day Ebor Festival and last year’s renewal was won by David Elsworth’s Arabian Queen, who sprung a 50/1 shock on the Knavesmire.
Thursday’s highlight will be the Darley Yorkshire Oaks before the Nunthorpe Stakes takes centre stage on the Friday.
n A potential step up to group company looks on the cards for Hugo Palmer’s Majoris (pictured) after an impressive performance at Newmarket on Saturday.
The colt lit up the July Course by running out a comfortable seven-length winner in the Royal British Legion Nursery.
It followed up the two-year-old’s success at Brighton and gave his famous sire Frankel a first winner on the course where he gained the first of 14 career victories back in 2010.
The Royal Lodge and Dewhurst are potential targets for the horse.
There was also a double for James Doyle on the card.
After riding the Charlie Appleby-trained Wuheida to victory in the opening Sea The Moon Maiden Fillies’ Stakes, Doyle then partnered Chris Wall’s First Sitting to glory in the Buy, Breed And Train in Germany Handicap over a mile-and-two-furlongs.
The five-year-old put a poor run in the Old Newton Cup at Haydock behind him with a length-and-three-quarter success over Passover in second.
In the final race, Luke Morris made the dash back from Haydock all the more worthwhile by piloting the progressive St Michel to a facile victory in the Price Bailey Chartered Accounts Handicap.
After just missing out at Sandown on his last outing, the Sir Mark Prescott-trained three-year-old enjoyed the return to two miles. | http://www.newmarketjournal.co.uk/sport/horse-racing/newmarket-giants-go-head-to-head-in-juddmonte-clash-1-7521001 | en | 2016-08-14T00:00:00 | www.newmarketjournal.co.uk/96f9abd8795558deb55adfaa5aeafd23422b212d2c3f77028895c186584c6e7d.json |
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