Dangerous behavior known as sexting is starting to raise eyebrows among area schools and parents. Kids are using their cell phones to send sexual content whether it is nude pictures or an explicit text message.
Grayson and Associates clinical psychologist Dr. Keith Abrams says sexting is basically a way for teens to use technology to flirt.
But in many cases he says it can lead to embarassment, harrassment and even bullying. He says while an explicit photo may be intended for just a boyfriend and girlfriend, it can be passed around quickly. That is why he says parents need to be aware of the dangers of situation.
Dr. Abrams says in some cases sexting can be a crime. Teens could be arrested and charged with sending child pornography, and could even have to register as sex offenders. This is a situation that has happened a few times in Shelby County schools, so the board passed a new policy that features stricter punishments for kids who use cell phones during class.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Hoover school system trying to make budget cuts
Hoover's school system is scrambling to make budget cuts after the mayor recommends pulling city funding for the system for the next two years. Mayor Tony Petelos submitted his budget plan for the current fiscal year last week, and it calls for cutting all city funding of the school system as part of an effort to combat a decline in sales tax revenues.
Hoover's sales tax revenues have been going up by 7 or 8% a year for the last several years, but this year they are down by that same amount. Last week Mayor Tony Petelos submitted a budget for this current fiscal year and for the one starting in October that calls for salary freezes, a hiring freeze, asks employees to pay $100 more per month for healthcare premiums, and cuts the city's funding to the school system.
Mayor Petelos told FOX6 News, "if we fund the schools we'll have to start laying people off. Or use our reserve account. So those are the two avenues. When you don't have it, you just don't have it."
"This is kind of a double whammy for us because we're already operating $5 million less from the state because of proration. So we've had to do several different cutbacks because of state funding, and to have to do this at the end of the year is something we totally didn't expect," said Hoover City School Systems spokesperson Jason Gaston.
To make up for that $5 million dollar hole, hover schools already cut 26 teaching positions, 20 bus drivers and 31 maintenance or support positions. Now they must come up with $7 million in savings to fill the hole created by the city's lack of funding 8 months into the budget year.
"We're having to rework things, and they're probably will be some consolidation and cutbacks in the weeks ahead.it's an important partnership for us and we don't wanna burn any bridges, but we want them to know we're very disappointed at these funding cuts," Gaston said.
"They have one of the strongest reserves in the state, and we're gonna survive this. But over the next 2 years, we need to figure out what we're gonna do for future funding, guaranteeing funding so that they will have it, so they can be the best that they are," said mayor Petelos.
The mayor's budget proposal now goes to the full city council for a vote. Nothing is finalized yet. The school board plans to consider a budget amendment that would address some of these funding shortfalls at its next meeting next week.
Hoover's sales tax revenues have been going up by 7 or 8% a year for the last several years, but this year they are down by that same amount. Last week Mayor Tony Petelos submitted a budget for this current fiscal year and for the one starting in October that calls for salary freezes, a hiring freeze, asks employees to pay $100 more per month for healthcare premiums, and cuts the city's funding to the school system.
Mayor Petelos told FOX6 News, "if we fund the schools we'll have to start laying people off. Or use our reserve account. So those are the two avenues. When you don't have it, you just don't have it."
"This is kind of a double whammy for us because we're already operating $5 million less from the state because of proration. So we've had to do several different cutbacks because of state funding, and to have to do this at the end of the year is something we totally didn't expect," said Hoover City School Systems spokesperson Jason Gaston.
To make up for that $5 million dollar hole, hover schools already cut 26 teaching positions, 20 bus drivers and 31 maintenance or support positions. Now they must come up with $7 million in savings to fill the hole created by the city's lack of funding 8 months into the budget year.
"We're having to rework things, and they're probably will be some consolidation and cutbacks in the weeks ahead.it's an important partnership for us and we don't wanna burn any bridges, but we want them to know we're very disappointed at these funding cuts," Gaston said.
"They have one of the strongest reserves in the state, and we're gonna survive this. But over the next 2 years, we need to figure out what we're gonna do for future funding, guaranteeing funding so that they will have it, so they can be the best that they are," said mayor Petelos.
The mayor's budget proposal now goes to the full city council for a vote. Nothing is finalized yet. The school board plans to consider a budget amendment that would address some of these funding shortfalls at its next meeting next week.
Priscilla Dunn wins District 19 election
Democrat Priscilla Dunn has won the state senate runoff race against Merika Coleman. Dunn will fill E.B McClain's seat to represent District 19.
Close to $32 million slashed from county budget
A budget fight has now led to a court fight between Jefferson County Commissioners and Sheriff Mike Hale. Tuesday the commission voted 4-0 for almost $32 million in budget cuts. "We are out of money. We do not have place for money," said Commissioner Bettye Fine Collins.
A short time after the vote, Sheriff Hale's attorney filed request for a temporary restraining order from a Jefferson County Circuit Court. "These commissioners are an embarrassment to every one who served before them. No commission has ever devalued public safety in such a great way."
Hale says a proposed $5 million cut for his office could lead to the lay off of 194 sheriff deputies who make up his patrol unit.
Commissioner Bobby Humphryes who voted for the cut says Hale must share in the reduction pain along with other agencies. "We want to keep them running but the bottom line is we can't shut down other departments to keep Sheriff Hale running." No court date has been set for restraining order.
The county commissioners refused to hear from Deputy Tax Assessor Ron Yarbrough Tuesday. Yarbrough says a budget cut to his office will hurt efforts to raise tax dollars. Yarbrough says the county is also not collecting all of the tax dollars it can.
Meanwhile a Wednesday meeting is set between Jefferson County Commissioners and the county lawmakers. The two groups are trying to find common ground over a new occupational tax.
A short time after the vote, Sheriff Hale's attorney filed request for a temporary restraining order from a Jefferson County Circuit Court. "These commissioners are an embarrassment to every one who served before them. No commission has ever devalued public safety in such a great way."
Hale says a proposed $5 million cut for his office could lead to the lay off of 194 sheriff deputies who make up his patrol unit.
Commissioner Bobby Humphryes who voted for the cut says Hale must share in the reduction pain along with other agencies. "We want to keep them running but the bottom line is we can't shut down other departments to keep Sheriff Hale running." No court date has been set for restraining order.
The county commissioners refused to hear from Deputy Tax Assessor Ron Yarbrough Tuesday. Yarbrough says a budget cut to his office will hurt efforts to raise tax dollars. Yarbrough says the county is also not collecting all of the tax dollars it can.
Meanwhile a Wednesday meeting is set between Jefferson County Commissioners and the county lawmakers. The two groups are trying to find common ground over a new occupational tax.
Jurors deliberate in Katopodis trial
Jurors are deliberating the guilt or innocence of john Katopodis. Closing arguments wrapped up in the former politician's federal fraud trial Tuesday morning.
They started just after lunch around 1:15p.m. A jury of six men and six women were considering whether John Katopodis is guilty of the 97 counts of mail and wire fraud as the government claims.
The overall claim is that Katopodis founded a charity organization called Computer Help for Kids and over 7 years, stole a significant amount of money. Exactly how much that amount is continues to change. At first the government said it was $180,000, then they put on an IRS investigator who said it was $293,000 and today, during closing arguments, they said it was $162,000. But they also said that the amount was not as important as what they say is the fact he stole time and time again.
During closings, prosecutors hammered home the claim that Katopodis used the money to gamble with, to pay for trips to Egypt and the Bahamas and to make contributions to political campaigns, all things that had nothing to do with the charity's mission. But during his closing, defense attorney Jim Parkman told jurors Katopodis used his own money for those things.
He admitted Katopodis "mingled" his personal money with the charity's account, but he says that is all it was.
Parkman also alleged that this whole case was brought about when Ken Livesay, who worked at HealthSouth and was treasurer of Katopodis', told the government about it. Parkman says he only did that to get a lighter sentence for his part in the HealthSouth fraud scandal. But in rebuttal, prosecutor Greg Martin made one last plea to jurors to convict Katopodis and said with all his degrees, "it don't take no Harvard education to know you don't spend money at a casino."
They started just after lunch around 1:15p.m. A jury of six men and six women were considering whether John Katopodis is guilty of the 97 counts of mail and wire fraud as the government claims.
The overall claim is that Katopodis founded a charity organization called Computer Help for Kids and over 7 years, stole a significant amount of money. Exactly how much that amount is continues to change. At first the government said it was $180,000, then they put on an IRS investigator who said it was $293,000 and today, during closing arguments, they said it was $162,000. But they also said that the amount was not as important as what they say is the fact he stole time and time again.
During closings, prosecutors hammered home the claim that Katopodis used the money to gamble with, to pay for trips to Egypt and the Bahamas and to make contributions to political campaigns, all things that had nothing to do with the charity's mission. But during his closing, defense attorney Jim Parkman told jurors Katopodis used his own money for those things.
He admitted Katopodis "mingled" his personal money with the charity's account, but he says that is all it was.
Parkman also alleged that this whole case was brought about when Ken Livesay, who worked at HealthSouth and was treasurer of Katopodis', told the government about it. Parkman says he only did that to get a lighter sentence for his part in the HealthSouth fraud scandal. But in rebuttal, prosecutor Greg Martin made one last plea to jurors to convict Katopodis and said with all his degrees, "it don't take no Harvard education to know you don't spend money at a casino."
Jury deliberates in Katopodis trial
Jurors are deliberating the guilt or innocence of john Katopodis. Closing arguments wrapped up in the former politician's federal fraud trial Tuesday morning.
They started just after lunch around 1:15p.m. A jury of six men and six women were considering whether John Katopodis is guilty of the 97 counts of mail and wire fraud as the government claims.
The overall claim is that Katopodis founded a charity organization called Computer Help for Kids and over 7 years, stole a significant amount of money. Exactly how much that amount is continues to change. At first the government said it was $180,000, then they put on an IRS investigator who said it was $293,000 and today, during closing arguments, they said it was $162,000. But they also said that the amount was not as important as what they say is the fact he stole time and time again.
During closings, prosecutors hammered home the claim that Katopodis used the money to gamble with, to pay for trips to Egypt and the Bahamas and to make contributions to political campaigns, all things that had nothing to do with the charity's mission. But during his closing, defense attorney Jim Parkman told jurors Katopodis used his own money for those things.
He admitted Katopodis "mingled" his personal money with the charity's account, but he says that is all it was.
Parkman also alleged that this whole case was brought about when Ken Livesay, who worked at HealthSouth and was treasurer of Katopodis', told the government about it. Parkman says he only did that to get a lighter sentence for his part in the HealthSouth fraud scandal. But in rebuttal, prosecutor Greg Martin made one last plea to jurors to convict Katopodis and said with all his degrees, "it don't take no Harvard education to know you don't spend money at a casino."
They started just after lunch around 1:15p.m. A jury of six men and six women were considering whether John Katopodis is guilty of the 97 counts of mail and wire fraud as the government claims.
The overall claim is that Katopodis founded a charity organization called Computer Help for Kids and over 7 years, stole a significant amount of money. Exactly how much that amount is continues to change. At first the government said it was $180,000, then they put on an IRS investigator who said it was $293,000 and today, during closing arguments, they said it was $162,000. But they also said that the amount was not as important as what they say is the fact he stole time and time again.
During closings, prosecutors hammered home the claim that Katopodis used the money to gamble with, to pay for trips to Egypt and the Bahamas and to make contributions to political campaigns, all things that had nothing to do with the charity's mission. But during his closing, defense attorney Jim Parkman told jurors Katopodis used his own money for those things.
He admitted Katopodis "mingled" his personal money with the charity's account, but he says that is all it was.
Parkman also alleged that this whole case was brought about when Ken Livesay, who worked at HealthSouth and was treasurer of Katopodis', told the government about it. Parkman says he only did that to get a lighter sentence for his part in the HealthSouth fraud scandal. But in rebuttal, prosecutor Greg Martin made one last plea to jurors to convict Katopodis and said with all his degrees, "it don't take no Harvard education to know you don't spend money at a casino."
Birmingham Zoo receives funds for Trails of Africa project
The Birmingham Zoo will be expanding thanks to a vote from the city council Tuesday. The council approved funding for the Trails of Africa project.
The proposal pitched by Mayor Larry Langford will designate the Birmingham Zoo as a national leader in the care and conservation of threatened elephants.
Aproximately 14 acres have been earmarked for teh Trails of Africa exhibit. The city earmarked $1.5 million over ten years for the project.
The proposal pitched by Mayor Larry Langford will designate the Birmingham Zoo as a national leader in the care and conservation of threatened elephants.
Aproximately 14 acres have been earmarked for teh Trails of Africa exhibit. The city earmarked $1.5 million over ten years for the project.
Birmingham's budget delayed
BIRMINGHAM, AL (WBRC) - Birmingham's 2010 budget will not meet deadline. Tuesday, Mayor Larry Langford's office said the budget is not ready, and will not be voted on by the council until July 7 at the earliest.
The deadline to approve the 2010 budget was Tuesday. The city will continue operating under the fiscal year 2009 budget until the new budget is passed.
The council and mayor still disagree on some line items. The council submitted a revised budget to the mayor's office late Monday, which would cut funding in every city department by 7%. That money would be used to fund non-profits. However, the mayor does not want to cut funding.
Collins: Hundreds of layoffs likely
BIRMINGHAM, AL (WBRC) - Commission President Bettye Fine Collins said Tuesday hundreds of county employees will likely lose their jobs as a result of budget cuts.
Collins made the statement after the county commission voted unanimously Tuesday morning to cut the current fiscal budget by $31 million.
The county is being forced to cut its budget after a judge earlier this year declared the county's occupational tax illegal. The county commission and state lawmakers from Jefferson County were scheduled to meet Wednesday morning to discuss the budget crisis and possible ways to restore the lost revenue.
Collins said without the lost revenue restored, the county must cut its budget, which would likely include hundreds of county employee layoffs.
County commissioners were scheduled to meet Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. at Vulcan Park with state lawmakers from Jefferson County to discuss the lost revenue and possible solutions to the budget crisis.
Included in Tuesday's vote was $5.1 million in cuts to the sheriff's department budget. Jefferson County Sheriff Mike Hale filed a lawsuit shortly after the vote Tuesday morning against the county commission in an effort to stop the commission from cutting more than $5 million from his budget.
Sheriff Hale filed the lawsuit in circuit court in Bessemer Tuesday morning, asking the court for a temporary restraining order against the county commission to prevent the cuts from taking effect. Sheriff Hale has said any cuts to the budget would jeopardize the safety of citizens in the county and were illegal.
Collins made the statement after the county commission voted unanimously Tuesday morning to cut the current fiscal budget by $31 million.
The county is being forced to cut its budget after a judge earlier this year declared the county's occupational tax illegal. The county commission and state lawmakers from Jefferson County were scheduled to meet Wednesday morning to discuss the budget crisis and possible ways to restore the lost revenue.
Collins said without the lost revenue restored, the county must cut its budget, which would likely include hundreds of county employee layoffs.
County commissioners were scheduled to meet Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. at Vulcan Park with state lawmakers from Jefferson County to discuss the lost revenue and possible solutions to the budget crisis.
Included in Tuesday's vote was $5.1 million in cuts to the sheriff's department budget. Jefferson County Sheriff Mike Hale filed a lawsuit shortly after the vote Tuesday morning against the county commission in an effort to stop the commission from cutting more than $5 million from his budget.
Sheriff Hale filed the lawsuit in circuit court in Bessemer Tuesday morning, asking the court for a temporary restraining order against the county commission to prevent the cuts from taking effect. Sheriff Hale has said any cuts to the budget would jeopardize the safety of citizens in the county and were illegal.
Sheriff Hale sues county commission
BIRMINGHAM, AL (WBRC) - Jefferson County Sheriff Mike Hale filed a lawsuit Tuesday morning against the county commission in an effort to stop the commission from cutting more than $5 million from his budget.
Sheriff Hale filed the lawsuit in circuit court in Bessemer Tuesday morning, shortly after the Jefferson County Commission approved $31 million in cuts to its budget. Included in that was $5.1 million in cuts to the sheriff's department budget.
Sheriff Hale, in his lawsuit, asked the court for a temporary restraining order against the county commission to prevent the cuts from taking effect. Sheriff Hale has said any cuts to the budget would jeopardize the safety of citizens in the county and were illegal.
Commission President Bettye Fine Collins did not comment on the lawsuit, but has said all county departments would face budget cuts. Collins said Tuesday morning the cuts approved will lead to hundreds of county employees losing their jobs.
The county is being forced to cut its budget after a judge earlier this year declared the county's occupational tax illegal. The county commission and state lawmakers from Jefferson County were scheduled to meet Wednesday morning to discuss the budget crisis and possible ways to restore the lost revenue.
Sheriff Hale filed the lawsuit in circuit court in Bessemer Tuesday morning, shortly after the Jefferson County Commission approved $31 million in cuts to its budget. Included in that was $5.1 million in cuts to the sheriff's department budget.
Sheriff Hale, in his lawsuit, asked the court for a temporary restraining order against the county commission to prevent the cuts from taking effect. Sheriff Hale has said any cuts to the budget would jeopardize the safety of citizens in the county and were illegal.
Commission President Bettye Fine Collins did not comment on the lawsuit, but has said all county departments would face budget cuts. Collins said Tuesday morning the cuts approved will lead to hundreds of county employees losing their jobs.
The county is being forced to cut its budget after a judge earlier this year declared the county's occupational tax illegal. The county commission and state lawmakers from Jefferson County were scheduled to meet Wednesday morning to discuss the budget crisis and possible ways to restore the lost revenue.
Birmingham departments could be cut by 7%
BIRMINGHAM, AL (WBRC) -- Could Birmingham City departments be cut by 7% in the city's 2010 budget? It's the lastest revised plan to have a balanced budget by Tuesday morning. But Mayor Larry Langford is saying not so fast. The Mayor's original budget equaled out to $415.8 million, but it's been changed drastically by city councilors. "We know we were recommending a 7 percent cut from the departments," says City Councilor Valerie Abbott. Langford says that absolutely won't happen, "if that's true that dog will not hunt..you're not gonna cut public safety 5 percent, or fire by 5..you're not gonna cut any of these services by, I'm sorry 7 percent"
Councilors also plan to put money back in for local non-profit agencies and organizations, previously cut by Langford.
City Councilor Carol Duncan asys, "the non profits have been restored..some of them to full funding, some of them not
Langford says as of late Monday afternoon he and his staff had not been sent the budget.
Councilors took $26-million out of the budget, saying it was money already committed to projects. Mayor Larry Langford says that's absolutely not the case. He says the money is rolled over from last year..excess revenues from the 2009 budget. "We've explained that till were blue in the face and so the bottom line is if they give me back a budget that excludes that 26 million dollars, they can't do it anyway," Langford said. The mayor says according to the Mayor-Council Act, the council can't cut that money out of the budget.
"Its not going to do anything because I'll veto the budget...theres no reason to do any of what they're doing...they don't know what they're doing"
Monday, June 29, 2009
Defense Rests in Katopodis Trial
The defense rested late Monday afternoon in John Katopodis federal fraud trial.
Katopodis defense team called only two witnesses to the stand before resting their case.
One witness was the mayor of Meridian, Mississippi and the other an accountant and former IRS agent who testified as an expert witness for the defense.
Closing arguments in the case will begin Tuesday morning.
Katopodis defense team called only two witnesses to the stand before resting their case.
One witness was the mayor of Meridian, Mississippi and the other an accountant and former IRS agent who testified as an expert witness for the defense.
Closing arguments in the case will begin Tuesday morning.
Rape Arrest
DNA testing leads to an arrest in a year old Jefferson County rape case.
Deputies arrested 19-year-old Jessie Lee Roberts on a charge of 1st Degree Rape.
Deputies say the testing by the state Forensics Testing Lab shows Roberts raped a 35-year-old woman in April, 2008.
Investigators say the woman was raped at gunpoint.
After the DNA match, the victim identified Roberts as the suspect.
Deputies say Roberts posted a $50,000 bond but has since been turned over to Federal Authorities on unrelated charges.
Deputies arrested 19-year-old Jessie Lee Roberts on a charge of 1st Degree Rape.
Deputies say the testing by the state Forensics Testing Lab shows Roberts raped a 35-year-old woman in April, 2008.
Investigators say the woman was raped at gunpoint.
After the DNA match, the victim identified Roberts as the suspect.
Deputies say Roberts posted a $50,000 bond but has since been turned over to Federal Authorities on unrelated charges.
Hit and Run Crash
Tuscaloosa police are searching for a suspect in a hit and run crash.
Police say the felony suspect hit Willard Forward Saturday night on Greensboro Avenue just after his daughter's wedding.
Forward was loading chairs inot his parked pickup truck when he was struck.
He suffered two broken legs, broken ribs and facial injuries.
Witnesses described the suspect's vehicle as a light-colored SUV traveling southbound.
The suspect's SUV should have damage to the right front tire and rim and possibly a broken, amber corner or side-marker lens.
Forward suffered two broken legs, broken ribs and facial injuries.
Police say the felony suspect hit Willard Forward Saturday night on Greensboro Avenue just after his daughter's wedding.
Forward was loading chairs inot his parked pickup truck when he was struck.
He suffered two broken legs, broken ribs and facial injuries.
Witnesses described the suspect's vehicle as a light-colored SUV traveling southbound.
The suspect's SUV should have damage to the right front tire and rim and possibly a broken, amber corner or side-marker lens.
Forward suffered two broken legs, broken ribs and facial injuries.
Katapodis trial enters second week
BIRMINGHAM, AL (WBRC) - The trial of John Katapodis entered its second week Monday, with testimony from Meridian Mayor John Robert Smith.
Smith took the stand Monday morning to discuss his work with Katapodis on the Council of Cooperating Governments. Smith said Katapodis worked with the council to push rapid rail for the region.
Smith testified Katapodis arranged numerous trips for Smith to attend in places such as New Orleans and Washington, D.C.
Katapodis is accused of using $250,000 from the non-profit Computers for Kids to pay for these trips and pay off personal gambling debts.
Smith did testify he had not seen any of the non-profit's checkbooks.
Smith took the stand Monday morning to discuss his work with Katapodis on the Council of Cooperating Governments. Smith said Katapodis worked with the council to push rapid rail for the region.
Smith testified Katapodis arranged numerous trips for Smith to attend in places such as New Orleans and Washington, D.C.
Katapodis is accused of using $250,000 from the non-profit Computers for Kids to pay for these trips and pay off personal gambling debts.
Smith did testify he had not seen any of the non-profit's checkbooks.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
City council meets Sunday to discuss budget
Working late on a Sunday afternoon, the Birmingham City Council put the final touches on a $389 million budget that is $26 million smaller than Mayor Larry Langford's plan because the council says that difference in projected revenues is actually money already promised to specific projects, and not available to spend.
Council president Carole Smitherman told FOX6 News "we really still stick with the fact that we want to balance the budget based on actual revenue that is projected. We can always amend the budget based on something different, but right now we want to balance it based on the actual revenue that the mayor is anticipating coming in."
The budget disagreement turned heated this week when Langford and some council members exchanged sharp words. Both sides seem sorry the arguments turned publicly bitter.
"I think the personal nature of it is horrible. Because we should be able to agree to disagree, and we don't. I think that diminishes the process when you wait till the last minute and try to get answers we've been trying to get for a long time but it's OK, it's politics,"
Smitherman said.
Mayor Langford will try positive persuasion Monday morning when he hosts a rally of dome supporters ahead of Tuesday's vote on spending at least $8 million to begin the process of designing the half-billion dollar structure.
"I think the intent is to put pressure on the council. We know how the game is played, and so I'm sure the intent is to put pressure on the council. But the council has its opinion about this, and the mayor has his, and maybe we'll be able to meet somewhere in the middle," said city councilor Valeria Abbott.
The council plans to submit its budget proposal to the mayor's office tomorrow morning. The new budget is supposed to be in place by Wednesday, but the council says that's unlikely. If no new plan is in place, the city will continue operating on last year's budget until a new one is passed.
Council president Carole Smitherman told FOX6 News "we really still stick with the fact that we want to balance the budget based on actual revenue that is projected. We can always amend the budget based on something different, but right now we want to balance it based on the actual revenue that the mayor is anticipating coming in."
The budget disagreement turned heated this week when Langford and some council members exchanged sharp words. Both sides seem sorry the arguments turned publicly bitter.
"I think the personal nature of it is horrible. Because we should be able to agree to disagree, and we don't. I think that diminishes the process when you wait till the last minute and try to get answers we've been trying to get for a long time but it's OK, it's politics,"
Smitherman said.
Mayor Langford will try positive persuasion Monday morning when he hosts a rally of dome supporters ahead of Tuesday's vote on spending at least $8 million to begin the process of designing the half-billion dollar structure.
"I think the intent is to put pressure on the council. We know how the game is played, and so I'm sure the intent is to put pressure on the council. But the council has its opinion about this, and the mayor has his, and maybe we'll be able to meet somewhere in the middle," said city councilor Valeria Abbott.
The council plans to submit its budget proposal to the mayor's office tomorrow morning. The new budget is supposed to be in place by Wednesday, but the council says that's unlikely. If no new plan is in place, the city will continue operating on last year's budget until a new one is passed.
Prayer rally for JeffCo workers
Praying for hope and jobs was the goal of a special service at a Leeds church on Sunday night.
The “Tower of Prayer” church invited anyone affected by the recession to come to a prayer service.
The church targeted Jefferson County employees who may have had their hours and pay cut by 20-percent after the loss of the county's occupational tax revenue.
Tower of Prayer's pastor said that the goal wasn't just prayer, but also practical help.
“Not only do we want to pray, we also want to give steps how to improve your resume, how to look for jobs in the midst of a recession, and also what we really want emphasize today is to trust God," said Shaemun Webster, pastor at Tower of Prayer Church.
Tower of Prayer staff members are also working with several Jefferson County employees to try and help them update their resumes and look for second jobs as a way to make up for the lost income when their hours were reduced.
The “Tower of Prayer” church invited anyone affected by the recession to come to a prayer service.
The church targeted Jefferson County employees who may have had their hours and pay cut by 20-percent after the loss of the county's occupational tax revenue.
Tower of Prayer's pastor said that the goal wasn't just prayer, but also practical help.
“Not only do we want to pray, we also want to give steps how to improve your resume, how to look for jobs in the midst of a recession, and also what we really want emphasize today is to trust God," said Shaemun Webster, pastor at Tower of Prayer Church.
Tower of Prayer staff members are also working with several Jefferson County employees to try and help them update their resumes and look for second jobs as a way to make up for the lost income when their hours were reduced.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Hoover Police searching for bank robber
The Hoover Police Department is reporting that a robbery occurred at a Compass Bank in Hoover on Saturday morning. The robbery took place around 9:30 a.m. at 104 Inverness Plaza.
Photos from the bank's surveillance camera show the suspect as a a white female 5'05" 130lbs and approximately 40-45 years old. She was wearing black framed glasses, an orange Auburn t-shirt, and carrying a white canvass bag with red along the bottom and believed to have an Alabama "A" on it.
Police also belive that the suspect was driving a 2007-2009 white, 4-door Honda Accord.
It is unknown how much money was taken.
The Hoover Police Department requests anyone having information concerning this incident or the identity of the person in these photographs please contact Detective Sergeant Norman McDuffey at (205) 739-6730.
Warblers work to rebuild Woodlawn Methodist
It was almost one month ago that the Woodlawn Methodist Church was destroyed by fire. Not only was the sanctuary destroyed so to was musical instruments from the Warblers Club. The Warblers are an all male choral group.
On Saturday night, the Warblers held a concert at Mountain Brook high School's Fine Arts Center. The concert was held to help raise money to rebuild the church and to also replace instruments lost in the May 31'st fire. The Warblers club has been around for 80 years.
A large number of people in the Warblers attend Woodlawn Methodist Church.
Even though the church was destroyed service is still held in nearby classrooms.
On Saturday night, the Warblers held a concert at Mountain Brook high School's Fine Arts Center. The concert was held to help raise money to rebuild the church and to also replace instruments lost in the May 31'st fire. The Warblers club has been around for 80 years.
A large number of people in the Warblers attend Woodlawn Methodist Church.
Even though the church was destroyed service is still held in nearby classrooms.
Jeffco Sheriff worries over budget cuts
Jefferson County Sheriff Mike Hale tells FOX6 News that a report from the county revenue director is asking that he cut five million dollars from his budget. If Hale did cut five million dollars from his budget he said that would result in the layoff of 197 deputies. Sheriff Hale says he has a duty to keep people safe and eliminating 197 deputies would completely wipe out his patrol division. The Jefferson County patrol division works everything from checking on sex offenders, serving warrants and even responding to accidents. Commission president Bettye Fine Collins says with the loss of the occupational job tax major cut will most likely need to be made. We talked to a city council member in Pinson who tells FOX6 News reporter Dave Bondy "the sheriffs department really supplements us in that our deputies are on eight hour shifts, so that leaves another few hours uncovered and the Jefferson county deputies cover that time for us" The county commission is expected to meet next week to further discuss the budget cuts. The occupational job tax would bring in seven million dollars every month.
Friday, June 26, 2009
Fatal Accident Kills Woman in her Yard
One woman is dead after a fatal accident this afternoon in the Grayson Valley area.
Jefferson County Sheriff's Deputies say the woman was killed while working in her yard.
She was struck and killed after a collision involving a Nissan Maxima and a Chevy Blazer on Watson Road.
Deputies say preliminary information shows the Maxima ran a stop and struck the Blazer, throwing it into the woman's yard where she was fatally struck.
Two other people involving in the crash have been taken to the hospital.
The crash is under investigation.
Jefferson County Sheriff's Deputies say the woman was killed while working in her yard.
She was struck and killed after a collision involving a Nissan Maxima and a Chevy Blazer on Watson Road.
Deputies say preliminary information shows the Maxima ran a stop and struck the Blazer, throwing it into the woman's yard where she was fatally struck.
Two other people involving in the crash have been taken to the hospital.
The crash is under investigation.
PROSECUTION RESTS IN KATOPODIS TRIAL
Prosecutors wrapped up their case in John Katopodis Federal fraud trial Friday afternoon.
An IRS investigator was among the final witnesses to take the stand.
Curtis Wolfe told the court that Katopodis stole more than $200,000 from the children's computer charity.
Defense attorneys are now presenting their case.
An IRS investigator was among the final witnesses to take the stand.
Curtis Wolfe told the court that Katopodis stole more than $200,000 from the children's computer charity.
Defense attorneys are now presenting their case.
Salvation Army and FOX6 team up to keep people cool
From 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. the Salvation Army will be collecting fans at the Lowe's store on Highway 280 in Shelby County and the Lowe's store on Edwards Lake Road in Trussville.
There are many people in the Birmingham area who can't afford air conditioning or can't afford to turn the air on.
The Salvation Army is holding this fan drive to replenish its supplies of fans. The last fan drive was two years ago.
There are many people in the Birmingham area who can't afford air conditioning or can't afford to turn the air on.
The Salvation Army is holding this fan drive to replenish its supplies of fans. The last fan drive was two years ago.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Fairfield Escapee Recaptured
Fairfield police recaptured a man after he escaped custody in handcuffs overnight.
Police caught Eddie Marquis Taylor II about 1:30 Thursday aftenroon.
Taylor was arrested along with two other people after a chase in Fairfield.
Taylor had been taken into custody initially on charges he snatched a woman's purse at Fairfield's Walmart Wednesday night.
Police say Taylor ran away after pushin an officer down as he was being led to jail receiving door.
Taylor is being charged with robbery and escape.
City Stages going out of business
BIRMINGHAM, AL (WBRC) - City Stages, the long-time music festival in downtown Birmingham, announced Thursday its intention to go out of business, according to staff at McMillan Associates.
FOX6 News confirmed the news Thursday.
According to a report confirmed by the staff at McMillan Associates, the Birmingham Cultural and Heritage Foundation, the non-profit foundation that runs and produces the festival, said it is now, "irretrievably insolvent."
"City Stages has come to an end," the statement said.
George McMillan, president of McMillan Associates, helped create the music festival in 1989. FOX6 News attempted to contact him for comment.
Birmingham Mayor Larry Langford said the decision to close City Stages was a "sign of the times."
"It is a sad day for the city," Langford said. "I have the upmost respect for George McMillan. It's hard to make a music festival work for one year, much less 21 years."
City Stages began suffering financial problems in recent years. Thursday's statement to FOX6 News blamed the recent economic downturn, weather challenges, low attendance, and low ticket sales for declining revenue and massive debts.
The statement said the foundation does not have enough money to pay off its current debt.
"The drastic reduction in revenue from this year's event has made it impossible for the Foundation to satisy its debts," the statement said.
FOX6 News confirmed the news Thursday.
According to a report confirmed by the staff at McMillan Associates, the Birmingham Cultural and Heritage Foundation, the non-profit foundation that runs and produces the festival, said it is now, "irretrievably insolvent."
"City Stages has come to an end," the statement said.
George McMillan, president of McMillan Associates, helped create the music festival in 1989. FOX6 News attempted to contact him for comment.
Birmingham Mayor Larry Langford said the decision to close City Stages was a "sign of the times."
"It is a sad day for the city," Langford said. "I have the upmost respect for George McMillan. It's hard to make a music festival work for one year, much less 21 years."
City Stages began suffering financial problems in recent years. Thursday's statement to FOX6 News blamed the recent economic downturn, weather challenges, low attendance, and low ticket sales for declining revenue and massive debts.
The statement said the foundation does not have enough money to pay off its current debt.
"The drastic reduction in revenue from this year's event has made it impossible for the Foundation to satisy its debts," the statement said.
City Stages No More
City Stages is no more. An event organizer confirms that the festival will not return next year, because of financial reasons. For more, visit myfoxal.com
Collins Testifies in Katopodis' Trial
Jefferson County Commission President Bettye Fine Collins testified for the prosecution today in John Katopodis' federal fraud trial.
Collins' testimony comes on the fourth day of the trial.
Katopodis is charged with misusing thousands of dollars intended for a charity providing computers to needy children. He is charged with 97 counts of mail and wire fraud.
Mountain Brook Fatal Crash
Mountain Brook police are investigating a fatal crash.
One man died in the single vehicle accident in the 3900 block of Montevallo road.
Police tell FOX6 News the accident was reported sometime between 6:30 and 7:00 Thursday morning.
A 63-year-old man died. Police are investigating if he may have had a medical condition before his vehicle crashed.
The victim's identity has not been released until family can be notified.
Its the second fatal crash in Mountain Brook in 2009.
Jefferson County Delays Cuts
The Jefferson County Commission delayed taking steps to make additional cuts in the wake of a state supreme court ruling denying the county's request to spend occupational tax money.
Commissioners Jim Carns and Bobby Humphryes said they would not sign off on a resolution to vote on $31 million in cuts at next Tuesday's meeting.
Commissioners Bettye Fine Collins and Shelia Smoot were not present at Thursday's pre-commission meeting, but county officials say the two had signed the resolution.
Commissioner William Bell said he would not sign the resolution Thursday because he did not want to get in the middle of Carns and Humphryes political squabble while the county went down.
Submerged boat found in Logan Martin
PELL CITY, AL (WBRC) - Authorities are on the scene of a sunken boat on Lake Logan Martin and are trying to find out if any people were involved.
Police were alerted early on Thursday morning when two fisherman made a call to 911 about a boat sticking up out of the water attached to a waverunner. The also reported life vests floating in the water.
It is unknown when the accident happened, but it is known there was a fishing tournament in the area the night before.
Police do not know if there are people involved in the accident, but they will keep divers in the water.
The serial numbers have been recovered from both the boat and the waverunner, but neither numbers are registered.
Police were alerted early on Thursday morning when two fisherman made a call to 911 about a boat sticking up out of the water attached to a waverunner. The also reported life vests floating in the water.
It is unknown when the accident happened, but it is known there was a fishing tournament in the area the night before.
Police do not know if there are people involved in the accident, but they will keep divers in the water.
The serial numbers have been recovered from both the boat and the waverunner, but neither numbers are registered.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Jefferson County considering layoffs
BIRMINGHAM, AL (WBRC) - The Jefferson County Commission is considering its options, including several hundred layoffs, after a ruling Thursday by the Alabama Supreme Court, refusing to let the county spend money collected from its occupational tax.
The county commission is scheduled to meet Thursday morning to discuss its options. Sources tell FOX6 News one of those options could include several hundred layoffs, which could be approved as early as next week.
The county says without the money from the occupational tax, it needs to cut an additional $31 million from its budget.
The county commission had asked the court to let it continue spending the tax money while it appeals a January court ruling that overturned the tax. Wednesday morning, the court said no.
SCLC protests state lawmakers
BIRMINGHAM, AL (WBRC) - The leader of the Jefferson County chapter of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference is putting state lawmakers "on notice" to come up with a solution to the county's financial problems.
Calvin Woods, president of the Jefferson County chapter of the SCLC, said Wednesday he may urge people to write letters and sign petitions against any state lawmaker not willing to work towards a solution to the county's financial problems.
Woods said the lawmakers are "on notice."
The Jefferson County Commission on Wednesday began considering more financial cuts, including several hundred layoffs, after a ruling Tuesday night by the Alabama Supreme Court, refusing to let the county spend money collected from its occupational tax.
The county commission is scheduled to meet Thursday morning to discuss its options. Sources tell FOX6 News one of those options could include several hundred layoffs, which could be approved as early as next week.
The county says without the money from the occupational tax, it needs to cut an additional $31 million from its budget.
The county commission had asked the court to let it continue spending the tax money while it appeals a January court ruling that overturned the tax. Wednesday morning, the court said no.
In its ruling, the state's high court said the county has two options: it can either continue to appeal the judge's ruling, or it can ask the judge to let it spend the money if it posts a bond.
In January, DeKalb County judge David Rains ruled the tax illegal, a decision the county is appealing. Earlier this month, Judge Rains ordered the county to stop spending the tax money, saying the argument over whether the county should have an occupational tax and who should pay it may never get solved if legislators and the commission believe the courts will allow it to keep spending the money.
The county commission voted earlier this month to cut the county's hourly employees to 32-hour work weeks, cancel contracts and close satellite courthouses to save millions of dollars.
Calvin Woods, president of the Jefferson County chapter of the SCLC, said Wednesday he may urge people to write letters and sign petitions against any state lawmaker not willing to work towards a solution to the county's financial problems.
Woods said the lawmakers are "on notice."
The Jefferson County Commission on Wednesday began considering more financial cuts, including several hundred layoffs, after a ruling Tuesday night by the Alabama Supreme Court, refusing to let the county spend money collected from its occupational tax.
The county commission is scheduled to meet Thursday morning to discuss its options. Sources tell FOX6 News one of those options could include several hundred layoffs, which could be approved as early as next week.
The county says without the money from the occupational tax, it needs to cut an additional $31 million from its budget.
The county commission had asked the court to let it continue spending the tax money while it appeals a January court ruling that overturned the tax. Wednesday morning, the court said no.
In its ruling, the state's high court said the county has two options: it can either continue to appeal the judge's ruling, or it can ask the judge to let it spend the money if it posts a bond.
In January, DeKalb County judge David Rains ruled the tax illegal, a decision the county is appealing. Earlier this month, Judge Rains ordered the county to stop spending the tax money, saying the argument over whether the county should have an occupational tax and who should pay it may never get solved if legislators and the commission believe the courts will allow it to keep spending the money.
The county commission voted earlier this month to cut the county's hourly employees to 32-hour work weeks, cancel contracts and close satellite courthouses to save millions of dollars.
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