A fugitive that had a community on edge is now in police custody and is expected to return to Jefferson County as early as Wednesday.
34-year-old Kevin Campbell was caught in Foley on Tuesday. Investigators say he had a relative living in south Alabama.
The name Kevin Campbell became widely known in Pinson last week when there was a manhunt for him. Authorities say he had six outstanding warrants involving drugs and theft. Federal Marshals also wanted him for a probation violation.
At one point, two elementary schools, one in Blount County and the other in Jefferson County were put on lockdown. Campbell had been spotted near the schools.
Fr a week people have hoped police would catch up with him.
We are keeping an eye on the inmate log at the Jefferson County Jail and will let you know as soon as Campbell is brought back to the Birmingham area.
Copyright 2012 WBRC. All rights reserved.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Pregnant woman grazed by bullet in shooting
Birmingham police say someone shot into an apartment where a pregnant woman lives. It happened at an apartment complex on John Bryan Road.
Officers received a call around 3:00 a.m. that a woman was shot. Police confirm the woman was grazed by a bullet and did not have to be transported to the hospital.
Officers are still on the scene, where they have found several bullet casings.
Copyright 2012 WBRC. All rights reserved.
Officers received a call around 3:00 a.m. that a woman was shot. Police confirm the woman was grazed by a bullet and did not have to be transported to the hospital.
Officers are still on the scene, where they have found several bullet casings.
Copyright 2012 WBRC. All rights reserved.
Woman gets trial after seven years in jail
A trial is now set for a woman who has been sitting in the Etowah County Jail for seven years. There are 12 other capital murder suspects also awaiting trial in the jail, some of them have been waiting for more than five years.
Tonya Cate was indicted in 2005 for the killing of her 16-month-old adopted daughter in 2003. Etowah County Sheriff Todd Entrekin says the long delays can be put on the shoulders of the defendant's lawyers. Entrekin says defense attorneys file motions to keep their clients in jail rather than face possible conviction in a trial.
Cate’s trial is set to begin in August.
Copyright 2012 WBRC. All rights reserved.
Tonya Cate was indicted in 2005 for the killing of her 16-month-old adopted daughter in 2003. Etowah County Sheriff Todd Entrekin says the long delays can be put on the shoulders of the defendant's lawyers. Entrekin says defense attorneys file motions to keep their clients in jail rather than face possible conviction in a trial.
Cate’s trial is set to begin in August.
Copyright 2012 WBRC. All rights reserved.
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Two Jeffco offices struggling with budget cuts
It is another day and another problem with Jefferson County’s money problems. Today we learned two key county offices are struggling with budget cuts. All of this is due to the $40 million shortfall facing the county.
Jefferson County's Treasurer's Office now has a sign posted out front, reading “We are closed on Wednesday.” Budget cutbacks are creating big headaches for the treasurer which has a lot of checks and accounts to balance from those doing business with the county. The tax collector's office is a facing the same problem. Both agencies are facing a slowdown in work because of the loss of personnel.
"It has put us in a situation where that extra day we would reconcile our books and receipts and just try to stay on top of things as best we can," said Jennifer Champion, the Jefferson County Treasurer.
Tax collector J.T. Smallwood says this is creating problems getting information to state auditors who check Jefferson County's books. County Manager Tony Petelos says the manpower shortage will create problems for the March 13th primary in a few weeks. Petelos says the only hope is a help from state lawmakers and so far nothing is moving on that front.
Copyright 2012 WBRC. All rights reserved.
Jefferson County's Treasurer's Office now has a sign posted out front, reading “We are closed on Wednesday.” Budget cutbacks are creating big headaches for the treasurer which has a lot of checks and accounts to balance from those doing business with the county. The tax collector's office is a facing the same problem. Both agencies are facing a slowdown in work because of the loss of personnel.
"It has put us in a situation where that extra day we would reconcile our books and receipts and just try to stay on top of things as best we can," said Jennifer Champion, the Jefferson County Treasurer.
Tax collector J.T. Smallwood says this is creating problems getting information to state auditors who check Jefferson County's books. County Manager Tony Petelos says the manpower shortage will create problems for the March 13th primary in a few weeks. Petelos says the only hope is a help from state lawmakers and so far nothing is moving on that front.
Copyright 2012 WBRC. All rights reserved.
Monday, February 27, 2012
Hyundai worried over possible immigration law protests
Alabama's largest foreign owned manufacturing company has a warning to all Hyundai dealerships across the country.
Leaders at the Hyundai plant, say Alabama's immigration law may spark protests throughout the U.S. They have sent letters to car companies nation-wide.
The company has learned various groups are planning demonstrations at Hyundai dealerships and other dealerships of foreign-owned car companies.
Copyright 2012 WBRC. All rights reserved.
Leaders at the Hyundai plant, say Alabama's immigration law may spark protests throughout the U.S. They have sent letters to car companies nation-wide.
The company has learned various groups are planning demonstrations at Hyundai dealerships and other dealerships of foreign-owned car companies.
Copyright 2012 WBRC. All rights reserved.
Judge may unseal documents in Hardin death case
It's a case we've been following closely, the death of 9-year-old Savannah Hardin.
Investigators say Savannah died after her grandmother allegedly ran her to death as punishment for eating a candy bar. Her stepmother was also arrested for not stepping in and stopping the punishment.
Monday we are going to find out whether or not Judge Allen Millican will unseal court documents pertaining to Savannah's death. On Thursday he issued a court order sealing certain documents, which could contain information about Savannah and certain family members. Judge Millican sealed them until he had a chance to review them.
Both the prosecution and defense have said all along they don't want this case tried in the media, so it's unclear if we will ever see those documents until this case goes to trial.
Jessica Hardin, Savannah’s stepmother and Joyce Garrard, Jessica’s grandmother are behind bars at the Etowah County Jail on a $500,000 cash bond.
Copyright 2012 WBRC. All rights reserved.
Investigators say Savannah died after her grandmother allegedly ran her to death as punishment for eating a candy bar. Her stepmother was also arrested for not stepping in and stopping the punishment.
Monday we are going to find out whether or not Judge Allen Millican will unseal court documents pertaining to Savannah's death. On Thursday he issued a court order sealing certain documents, which could contain information about Savannah and certain family members. Judge Millican sealed them until he had a chance to review them.
Both the prosecution and defense have said all along they don't want this case tried in the media, so it's unclear if we will ever see those documents until this case goes to trial.
Jessica Hardin, Savannah’s stepmother and Joyce Garrard, Jessica’s grandmother are behind bars at the Etowah County Jail on a $500,000 cash bond.
Copyright 2012 WBRC. All rights reserved.
Friday, February 24, 2012
Birmingham City Council fills agenda
The Birmingham City Council is getting ready to address a few interesting items on its agenda tomorrow.
The council will again have the chance to vote to continue using former federal judge U.W. Clemon and his law firm to represent the city in its ongoing efforts to clean up pollution in north Birmingham.
Councilor Maxine Parker also wants the city to push for a health clinic in north Birmingham. That idea has gotten lukewarm support from Mayor Bell.
The council will also vote on spending $15,000 to host an urban economic development forum in conjunction with the White House.
The forum is scheduled for next Monday at the Medical Forum Building downtown and will focus on how to create jobs and attract new companies to urban areas like Birmingham.
Also this week, Councilor Carole Smitherman will ask her colleagues to join in a workshop to brush up on parliamentary procedure. She wants to host the workshop on the rules that govern how public meetings and governments are supposed to operate.
Smitherman has clashed repeatedly and heatedly with fellow council members in the last year, especially Council President Roderick Royal.
Copyright 2012 WBRC. All rights reserved.
The council will again have the chance to vote to continue using former federal judge U.W. Clemon and his law firm to represent the city in its ongoing efforts to clean up pollution in north Birmingham.
Councilor Maxine Parker also wants the city to push for a health clinic in north Birmingham. That idea has gotten lukewarm support from Mayor Bell.
The council will also vote on spending $15,000 to host an urban economic development forum in conjunction with the White House.
The forum is scheduled for next Monday at the Medical Forum Building downtown and will focus on how to create jobs and attract new companies to urban areas like Birmingham.
Also this week, Councilor Carole Smitherman will ask her colleagues to join in a workshop to brush up on parliamentary procedure. She wants to host the workshop on the rules that govern how public meetings and governments are supposed to operate.
Smitherman has clashed repeatedly and heatedly with fellow council members in the last year, especially Council President Roderick Royal.
Copyright 2012 WBRC. All rights reserved.
Memorial erected at Savannah Hardin's home, school
Classmates have turned Savannah Hardin’s desk into a memorial at Carlisle Elementary and neighbors are also creating their own memorial for the little girl.
Savannah died on Monday after she was allegedly forced to run for 3 hours on Friday until she collapsed.
It is still shocking even days after the incident. People in the community still feel the need to do something to remember the 9-year-old girl so they have set up a memorial in front of her home.
Emily Calhoun is a neighbor of the Hardins. On Thursday night she and her grandson who went to the same school as Savannah visited the memorial. The two went by the Hardin's home to drop off something special for the little girl. They brought balloons, a flower and a little teddy bear, adding to the makeshift memorial that's growing along the fence outside the home. Calhoun says she has been thinking about Savannah since her death. She says the allegations against the grandmother and step mother are hard to believe.
The memorial in front of the home is not the only one that's been set up to remember Savannah. The school she attended, Carlisle Elementary, also set up Savannah's desk in the school's lobby as a memorial. The memorial includes Savannah's artwork and school supplies, a teddy bear, an angel figurine and letters and poems written to her by her classmates.
Copyright 2012 WBRC. All rights reserved.
Savannah died on Monday after she was allegedly forced to run for 3 hours on Friday until she collapsed.
It is still shocking even days after the incident. People in the community still feel the need to do something to remember the 9-year-old girl so they have set up a memorial in front of her home.
Emily Calhoun is a neighbor of the Hardins. On Thursday night she and her grandson who went to the same school as Savannah visited the memorial. The two went by the Hardin's home to drop off something special for the little girl. They brought balloons, a flower and a little teddy bear, adding to the makeshift memorial that's growing along the fence outside the home. Calhoun says she has been thinking about Savannah since her death. She says the allegations against the grandmother and step mother are hard to believe.
The memorial in front of the home is not the only one that's been set up to remember Savannah. The school she attended, Carlisle Elementary, also set up Savannah's desk in the school's lobby as a memorial. The memorial includes Savannah's artwork and school supplies, a teddy bear, an angel figurine and letters and poems written to her by her classmates.
Copyright 2012 WBRC. All rights reserved.
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Suspect charged with breaking into six vehicles
The Birmingham Police Department says they have arrested a man in connection to six vehicle break-ins.
36-year-old Roderick Speed was taken into custody on Wednesday in connection to an investigation into break-ins in the 300 block of 10th Avenue West. After identifying the suspect, investigators learned he was responsible for five other break-ins.
Speed faces six Unlawful Breaking and Entering a Vehicle warrants. He is being held in the Jefferson County Jail.
Copyright 2012 WBRC. All rights reserved.
36-year-old Roderick Speed was taken into custody on Wednesday in connection to an investigation into break-ins in the 300 block of 10th Avenue West. After identifying the suspect, investigators learned he was responsible for five other break-ins.
Speed faces six Unlawful Breaking and Entering a Vehicle warrants. He is being held in the Jefferson County Jail.
Copyright 2012 WBRC. All rights reserved.
Two elementary students stuck by third student with syringe
An incident that happened on Wednesday at Sun Valley Elementary is under investigation by Birmingham City School Administrators.
Birmingham Schools Spokesperson Michaelle Chapman says a first grader used a syringe to stick two other students during a bathroom break. The syringe did contain a liquid and is being tested to determine what that liquid is.
The parents of the two boys have been directed to take them for medical treatment.
The student with the syringe has been suspended and will face a disciplinary hearing for a Class III violation of the Code of Student Conduct.
“School and district officials are deeply concerned by the incident. We take the safety and wellbeing of our students very seriously and make every possible effort to ensure their security,” said Chapman. “We also understand the concern this has caused the parents of the students who were affected.”
Copyright 2012 WBRC. All rights reserved.
Birmingham Schools Spokesperson Michaelle Chapman says a first grader used a syringe to stick two other students during a bathroom break. The syringe did contain a liquid and is being tested to determine what that liquid is.
The parents of the two boys have been directed to take them for medical treatment.
The student with the syringe has been suspended and will face a disciplinary hearing for a Class III violation of the Code of Student Conduct.
“School and district officials are deeply concerned by the incident. We take the safety and wellbeing of our students very seriously and make every possible effort to ensure their security,” said Chapman. “We also understand the concern this has caused the parents of the students who were affected.”
Copyright 2012 WBRC. All rights reserved.
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
One killed in fatal accident in Ragland
The Alabama Department of Public Safety says one man was killed on Wednesday morning near Ragland.
According to troopers, 61-year-old James Gutsell was fatally injured after being involved in a wreck on AL-144 in St. Clair County around 10:25 a.m. He was driving a 2010 Ford Focus at the time.
Gutsell was transported to UAB Hospital before being pronounced deceased.
Copyright 2012 WBRC. All rights reserved.
According to troopers, 61-year-old James Gutsell was fatally injured after being involved in a wreck on AL-144 in St. Clair County around 10:25 a.m. He was driving a 2010 Ford Focus at the time.
Gutsell was transported to UAB Hospital before being pronounced deceased.
Copyright 2012 WBRC. All rights reserved.
Man collapses in JeffCo courthouse line
An older gentleman became light headed and eventually passed out while waiting in line at the Jefferson County Courthouse on Wednesday morning.
Sheriff’s Deputy William Poole says the man was standing in line for 3 hours and hit his head after falling down. He was treated by medics at the scene and taken away. The man was conscious during his treatment.
This took place while the Jefferson County Commission spent the morning discussing whether or not to open the Center Point Courthouse to relieve lines. Three or four new employees would have to be hired to man the courthouse.
Also discussed was the possible opening of two windows in Birmingham and Bessemer that take more time, like car titles and out-of-state tags. Commissioners say this would allow the tag renewal line to process faster.
Copyright 2012 WBRC. All rights reserved.
Sheriff’s Deputy William Poole says the man was standing in line for 3 hours and hit his head after falling down. He was treated by medics at the scene and taken away. The man was conscious during his treatment.
This took place while the Jefferson County Commission spent the morning discussing whether or not to open the Center Point Courthouse to relieve lines. Three or four new employees would have to be hired to man the courthouse.
Also discussed was the possible opening of two windows in Birmingham and Bessemer that take more time, like car titles and out-of-state tags. Commissioners say this would allow the tag renewal line to process faster.
Copyright 2012 WBRC. All rights reserved.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Etowah County investigators looking into 9-year-old's death
The Etowah County Sheriff's Office is investigating the death of a 9-year-old child.
Deputies say the girl was involved in an incident Friday. She died Monday.
Investigators are speaking with two people who were with the child.
Copyright 2012 WBRC. All rights reserved.
Deputies say the girl was involved in an incident Friday. She died Monday.
Investigators are speaking with two people who were with the child.
Copyright 2012 WBRC. All rights reserved.
One killed in crash in Remlap
A deadly crash is under investigation in Blount County.
State troopers say 59-year-old Walter Gerald Wesson was the only person involved in the crash on Remlap Drive in Remlap. It happened around 2:30 Monday afternoon.
There is no word on what caused the crash.
Copyright 2012 WBRC. All rights reserved.
State troopers say 59-year-old Walter Gerald Wesson was the only person involved in the crash on Remlap Drive in Remlap. It happened around 2:30 Monday afternoon.
There is no word on what caused the crash.
Copyright 2012 WBRC. All rights reserved.
Monday, February 20, 2012
Lawmakers backing UAB stadium idea
UAB is getting support from some state lawmakers for an on-campus football stadium.
A 30,000 seat stadium has been proposed, but the University of Alabama Board of Trustees has refused to consider it at this time.
Lawmakers met with UAB's president about other matters Monday. Even though the stadium issue did not come up, lawmakers told FOX6 News they would like to see it happen.
State Senator Jabo Waggoner says there is growing support for creating separate boards of trustees for UAB and the University of Alabama in Huntsville. He says that could happen if the UA Board continues to block proposals for the two schools.
Copyright 2012 WBRC. All rights reserved.
A 30,000 seat stadium has been proposed, but the University of Alabama Board of Trustees has refused to consider it at this time.
Lawmakers met with UAB's president about other matters Monday. Even though the stadium issue did not come up, lawmakers told FOX6 News they would like to see it happen.
State Senator Jabo Waggoner says there is growing support for creating separate boards of trustees for UAB and the University of Alabama in Huntsville. He says that could happen if the UA Board continues to block proposals for the two schools.
Copyright 2012 WBRC. All rights reserved.
Dive master expected to testify in Watson trial
Despite the President's Day holiday, the Gabe Watson murder trial resumes Monday morning. Expected to take the stand today is the dive master on the trip where Watson’s wife died.
On Friday, Dr. Doug Milsap testified about talking to Watson after his wife's death. Milsap was on the same scuba diving trip in which Watson's wife, Tina, drowned. He said Watson told him he tried to save Tina, but she was too heavy and he lost his grip. Milsap says he got upset and questioned Watson's story because she should not have been that heavy.
Prosecutors say Watson turned off his wife's oxygen tank while she sank to the ocean floor, on their Australian honeymoon in 2003.
Copyright 2012 WBRC. All rights reserved.
On Friday, Dr. Doug Milsap testified about talking to Watson after his wife's death. Milsap was on the same scuba diving trip in which Watson's wife, Tina, drowned. He said Watson told him he tried to save Tina, but she was too heavy and he lost his grip. Milsap says he got upset and questioned Watson's story because she should not have been that heavy.
Prosecutors say Watson turned off his wife's oxygen tank while she sank to the ocean floor, on their Australian honeymoon in 2003.
Copyright 2012 WBRC. All rights reserved.
Friday, February 17, 2012
Bribes for bingo trial takes a break for President's Day
Week three of the bribes for bingo retrial starts this week.
Recordings from defendants stunned the courtroom during week two of the federal corruption trial. Casino developer Ronnie Gilley was the last witness to take the stand.
Gilley was one of the big stories of the first full week of the federal corruption trial. He detailed his bribes to the three current and former state senators on trial: Larry Means, Jim Rreuitt and Harri Anne Smith. He also said that Milton McGregor was the brains and the cash behind the conspiracy to buy ‘yes’ votes on SB380.
Defense attorneys were quick to point out how Gilley is cooperating with prosecutors to get a reduced sentence. He even told his wife from a Montgomery Jail phone he needs to make sure the defendants go down for him to stay out of prison.
The court takes the day off for President's Day.
Copyright 2012 WBRC. All rights reserved.
Recordings from defendants stunned the courtroom during week two of the federal corruption trial. Casino developer Ronnie Gilley was the last witness to take the stand.
Gilley was one of the big stories of the first full week of the federal corruption trial. He detailed his bribes to the three current and former state senators on trial: Larry Means, Jim Rreuitt and Harri Anne Smith. He also said that Milton McGregor was the brains and the cash behind the conspiracy to buy ‘yes’ votes on SB380.
Defense attorneys were quick to point out how Gilley is cooperating with prosecutors to get a reduced sentence. He even told his wife from a Montgomery Jail phone he needs to make sure the defendants go down for him to stay out of prison.
The court takes the day off for President's Day.
Copyright 2012 WBRC. All rights reserved.
Today, the prosecution in a serial rape case is expected to call more witnesses and possibly investigators.
Today, the prosecution in a serial rape case is expected to call more witnesses and possibly investigators.
Before yesterday's trial even started, Ularius Johnson gave an obscene gesture to our camera. He is accused of raping six women in Calhoun County between 2007 to 2009. His alleged victims have been on the witness stand the past couple of days.
One victim testified that a masked man came into her home, held her at gunpoint then raped her and robbed her.
Copyright 2012 WBRC. All rights reserved.
Before yesterday's trial even started, Ularius Johnson gave an obscene gesture to our camera. He is accused of raping six women in Calhoun County between 2007 to 2009. His alleged victims have been on the witness stand the past couple of days.
One victim testified that a masked man came into her home, held her at gunpoint then raped her and robbed her.
Copyright 2012 WBRC. All rights reserved.
Reward offered for info on postal worker assault
A reward is being offered for anyone who can help investigators catch the person who attacked a postal worker. The attack happened last month in the 3,000 block of McLeroy Avenue in Anniston.
Anniston police say the attacker jumped in a mail truck and beat a letter carrier.
The postal service is offering up to $50,000 for information about the case. If you can help Anniston police with their investigation, call 256-240-4000. They say no detail is too small.
Investigators do not have a motive in the case.
Copyright 2012 WBRC. All rights reserved.
Anniston police say the attacker jumped in a mail truck and beat a letter carrier.
The postal service is offering up to $50,000 for information about the case. If you can help Anniston police with their investigation, call 256-240-4000. They say no detail is too small.
Investigators do not have a motive in the case.
Copyright 2012 WBRC. All rights reserved.
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Shooting victim found aboard Maxx bus
Birmingham police are investigating a shooting that left the victim on a Maxx bus.
Emergency crews were called to 20th Street at 1st Avenue North late Thursday night. They found the victim on board the bus.
The victim was taken to UAB Hospital for treatment. He is expected to survive.
It is not clear if someone on the bus shot him or if he was shot somewhere else then got on the bus.
Copyright 2012 WBRC. All rights reserved.
Emergency crews were called to 20th Street at 1st Avenue North late Thursday night. They found the victim on board the bus.
The victim was taken to UAB Hospital for treatment. He is expected to survive.
It is not clear if someone on the bus shot him or if he was shot somewhere else then got on the bus.
Copyright 2012 WBRC. All rights reserved.
Birmingham SCLC condemns lawmakers over “sanitizing” Beason comments
The head of the Birmingham Chapter of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference says three black lawmakers have tried to “sanitize” what they believe to be racist comments from another state senator.
During the bingo corruption trial last year, Senator Scott Beason was recorded on tape calling customers of Greenetrack in Greene County “aborigines.” Beason came under immediate fire for the comments and issued an apology.
Now the SCLC’s Bishop Calving Woods is condemning Representatives John Rogers, Mary Moore and Guandalyn Givan for defending the comments. In a news conference on Thursday morning, Woods called for Beason to resign and said “those who try to clean up his comments and clean his mouth with Tide” should consider doing the same.
Representative Moore told FOX6 that she does not believe ‘aborigine’ to be a racist comment.
Representative Rogers stated that he has invited Beason to come to the 16th Street Baptist Church’s Unity Breakfast to defend himself and take hard questions from those in attendance. Woods later stated that there is a move to cancel the breakfast.
Copyright 2012 WBRC. All rights reserved.
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Gabe Watson shows emotion on day 2 of trial
Day 2 of the Gabe Watson trial brought the first appearance of emotion from the defendant. During the playing of a recording of Watson’s recount of how his wife died, he could be seen teary-eyed and dabbing at his face with tissues.
Queensland Police detective Kevin Gehringer continued his testimony on Wednesday. Gehringer was questioned if Watson seemed impaired in any way after his wife died. The detective responded that his demeanor was calm and he was able to provide a high amount of detail.
On Tuesday, jurors listened for more than two hours to audio tapes of the conversation between Gabe Watson and Gehringer. On those tapes Watson can be heard explaining what happened. He said that he and Tina started to swim back to the boat when he noticed she was going down. He said started to pull her, and at some point she reached up and knocked off his face mask. He is then heard saying that he grabbed his mask and put it back on, but had to let go of her to do so. He says he turned around to see what was going on and at that point saw her going down behind him.
At the time of Tina's death, the Watsons were in the town of Townsville, Queensland. They were diving at a historic shipwreck site called the Yongala, about 48 miles off the coast of the Great Barrier Reef. The Yongala is a steam ship that sank in 1911 and today it's a world-renowned dive site.
Prosecutors say that Watson killed his wife to get more than $200,000 of life and travel insurance money, while defense attorneys contend that the dive company had a hand in Tina Watson's death. The prosecution adds that Watson was a trained rescue diver and question why he was not able to or didn't pull Tina to safety.
Defense attorneys argue that both Gabe and Tina were both inexperienced divers. They pointed the finger at the dive company itself, saying that the leader of the trip should have insisted that Tina take an orientation dive before going out, but they did not do so.
They also say that due to Tina's inexperience, she had too much weight during the dive and that caused her to sink.
Prosecutors say some of the passengers on the boat with the Watsons could take the stand as early as Thursday.
Copyright 2012 WBRC. All rights reserved.
Queensland Police detective Kevin Gehringer continued his testimony on Wednesday. Gehringer was questioned if Watson seemed impaired in any way after his wife died. The detective responded that his demeanor was calm and he was able to provide a high amount of detail.
On Tuesday, jurors listened for more than two hours to audio tapes of the conversation between Gabe Watson and Gehringer. On those tapes Watson can be heard explaining what happened. He said that he and Tina started to swim back to the boat when he noticed she was going down. He said started to pull her, and at some point she reached up and knocked off his face mask. He is then heard saying that he grabbed his mask and put it back on, but had to let go of her to do so. He says he turned around to see what was going on and at that point saw her going down behind him.
At the time of Tina's death, the Watsons were in the town of Townsville, Queensland. They were diving at a historic shipwreck site called the Yongala, about 48 miles off the coast of the Great Barrier Reef. The Yongala is a steam ship that sank in 1911 and today it's a world-renowned dive site.
Prosecutors say that Watson killed his wife to get more than $200,000 of life and travel insurance money, while defense attorneys contend that the dive company had a hand in Tina Watson's death. The prosecution adds that Watson was a trained rescue diver and question why he was not able to or didn't pull Tina to safety.
Defense attorneys argue that both Gabe and Tina were both inexperienced divers. They pointed the finger at the dive company itself, saying that the leader of the trip should have insisted that Tina take an orientation dive before going out, but they did not do so.
They also say that due to Tina's inexperience, she had too much weight during the dive and that caused her to sink.
Prosecutors say some of the passengers on the boat with the Watsons could take the stand as early as Thursday.
Copyright 2012 WBRC. All rights reserved.
Tuscaloosa mayor talks to business leaders about recovery efforts
Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox spoke with business leaders in Montgomery on Wednesday about his city's efforts to bring themselves back to normal since the April tornadoes.
Mayor Maddox says the recovery effort is close to 99% complete. He adds the tragedy has not only changed the city, but also his outlook on how to be an effective leader.
Mayor Maddox says Tuscaloosa also plans to build monuments of remembrance in several areas of the city, marking the path of the tornadoes. The statues will honor those lost and the first responders who helped survivors.
Copyright 2012 WBRC. All rights reserved.
Mayor Maddox says the recovery effort is close to 99% complete. He adds the tragedy has not only changed the city, but also his outlook on how to be an effective leader.
Mayor Maddox says Tuscaloosa also plans to build monuments of remembrance in several areas of the city, marking the path of the tornadoes. The statues will honor those lost and the first responders who helped survivors.
Copyright 2012 WBRC. All rights reserved.
Junior League donates $10K to Center Point Elementary
The Junior League of Birmingham is trying to help Center Point Elementary students feel closer to normal. The school was destroyed in last month's tornadoes.
The Junior League donated ten-thousand dollars to the school for administrators to use as they see fit.
School staff says they plan to use the money to buy items like special carpets that will help the students' new classrooms resemble their old ones.
Copyright 2012 WBRC. All rights reserved.
The Junior League donated ten-thousand dollars to the school for administrators to use as they see fit.
School staff says they plan to use the money to buy items like special carpets that will help the students' new classrooms resemble their old ones.
Copyright 2012 WBRC. All rights reserved.
Cigarette blamed for double fatal fire
The Bibb County Fire Marshal believes a cigarette caused a fire that killed an elderly couple.
The fire broke out at the Brent Garden Apartments on Monday. Joe and Margie Brackneil died in the fire.
Authorities say the fire started in the bedroom. The couple's bodies were found in the hallway.
Copyright 2012 WBRC. All rights reserved.
The fire broke out at the Brent Garden Apartments on Monday. Joe and Margie Brackneil died in the fire.
Authorities say the fire started in the bedroom. The couple's bodies were found in the hallway.
Copyright 2012 WBRC. All rights reserved.
Weather Radio Wednesday comes to Forestdale Walgreens
FOX6 is taking part in weather radio awareness every Wednesday.
Today, we'll be at the Forestdale Walgreens on Forestdale Boulevard, from 7:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
We'll help program your radio and you can also buy one.
Copyright 2012 WBRC. All rights reserved.
Today, we'll be at the Forestdale Walgreens on Forestdale Boulevard, from 7:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
We'll help program your radio and you can also buy one.
Copyright 2012 WBRC. All rights reserved.
Birmingham still cleaning up April tornado damage
It is been almost 10 months and the City of Birmingham is still trying to clean up from the April 27th tornadoes.
On Tuesday, the council approved spending another $70,000 on planning and repairs to city-owned property.
The council also approved an agreement with ALDOT to reimburse the city for money it already spent on clearing debris from some state-owned roads in Pratt City.
Copyright 2012 WBRC. All rights reserved.
On Tuesday, the council approved spending another $70,000 on planning and repairs to city-owned property.
The council also approved an agreement with ALDOT to reimburse the city for money it already spent on clearing debris from some state-owned roads in Pratt City.
Copyright 2012 WBRC. All rights reserved.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Governor Bentley announces Severe Weather Awareness Week
Governor Robert Bentley proclaimed February 19th through the 24th Severe Weather Awareness Week in Alabama.
Ge says the goal is to encourage people to make their own preparations long before severe weather strikes.
Bentley also mentioned a potential sales tax holiday on certain items related to severe-weather preparedness.
Each day within severe weather awareness week will focus on a different threat, from severe weather and lightning dangers to tornado preparedness and weather radio importance.
FOX6 is taking part in weather radio importance every Wednesday.
Today, we'll be at the Forestdale Walgreens on Forestdale Boulevard, from 7:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
We'll help program your radio and you can also buy one.
Copyright 2012 WBRC. All rights reserved.
Ge says the goal is to encourage people to make their own preparations long before severe weather strikes.
Bentley also mentioned a potential sales tax holiday on certain items related to severe-weather preparedness.
Each day within severe weather awareness week will focus on a different threat, from severe weather and lightning dangers to tornado preparedness and weather radio importance.
FOX6 is taking part in weather radio importance every Wednesday.
Today, we'll be at the Forestdale Walgreens on Forestdale Boulevard, from 7:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
We'll help program your radio and you can also buy one.
Copyright 2012 WBRC. All rights reserved.
More Jeffco job positions to be eliminated
Tony Petelos, the Jefferson County Manager, announced on Tuesday that he will be recommending 180 job positions to be eliminated.
Earlier this year, Petelos sent in 97 positions to be eliminated. The newly suggested eliminations will bring the total close to 300 for the year. Petelos adds that there have been almost 750 jobs cut since last year.
Many of the jobs that are being eliminated are currently vacant from people being placed on administrative leave. Tuesday’s recommendations will have to go before the Personnel Board for approval.
In related news, Jefferson County Revenue Director Travis Hulsey says sales tax collections from Christmas has not been as high as they had been hoping. He says lawmakers still need to okay additional funding to help the county through the crisis.
Copyright 2012 WBRC. All rights reserved.
Earlier this year, Petelos sent in 97 positions to be eliminated. The newly suggested eliminations will bring the total close to 300 for the year. Petelos adds that there have been almost 750 jobs cut since last year.
Many of the jobs that are being eliminated are currently vacant from people being placed on administrative leave. Tuesday’s recommendations will have to go before the Personnel Board for approval.
In related news, Jefferson County Revenue Director Travis Hulsey says sales tax collections from Christmas has not been as high as they had been hoping. He says lawmakers still need to okay additional funding to help the county through the crisis.
Copyright 2012 WBRC. All rights reserved.
Monday, February 13, 2012
Boutwell Auditorium opened as warming station
Boutwell Auditorium is being used as a warming station for a few hours on Monday morning.
It opened its doors last night for those seeking shelter from the freezing temperatures. The mayor's office opens up the space every time temperatures will be below freezing for a prolonged period of time.
The auditorium is located on Abraham Woods Jr. Boulevard across from Linn Park.
Copyright 2012 WBRC. All rights reserved.
It opened its doors last night for those seeking shelter from the freezing temperatures. The mayor's office opens up the space every time temperatures will be below freezing for a prolonged period of time.
The auditorium is located on Abraham Woods Jr. Boulevard across from Linn Park.
Copyright 2012 WBRC. All rights reserved.
Sunday, February 12, 2012
37-year-old Michael Wardian has won the 2012 Mercedes Marathon
37-year-old Michael Wardian has won the 2012 Mercedes Marathon.
Wardian, from Arlington, Va, held the lead in the marathon since the halfway mark. After that, it became a one-man race with Wardian well in control. Near the end, runners finishing up the half-marathon even yelled encouragements to Wardian as he passed them.
His final time for the run was 2:22:42
Despite having frozen lips, Wardian discussed how he thought the weather was a big factor in his win.
“The weather was great for me. It was probably harder for the African guys because they’re not used to the cold.”
Wardian added that his running in the cold in Washington, D.C. helped him to acclimate to such severe cold.
This was Wardian’s 3rd time to run the Mercedes Marathon. He says he enjoys the race.
“I’d love to come back, if they’re willing to have me and if there’s room,” said Wardian.
This was the first year that the marathon had completely filled up.
Kenyan-born Reuben Mwei took the finish line for the Mercedes Half-Marathon.
Mwei, a Kenyan who now hails from Georgia, crossed the finish line at 8:08 a.m. and earned a time of 1:06:02.
“The course was nice. I love the course,” said Mwei after catching his breath. “You can get a good time… I’d like to come back again.”
For the females, Meagan Nedlo took the half-marathon win. She finished with a time of 1:17:54.
Copyright 2012 WBRC. All rights reserved.
Wardian, from Arlington, Va, held the lead in the marathon since the halfway mark. After that, it became a one-man race with Wardian well in control. Near the end, runners finishing up the half-marathon even yelled encouragements to Wardian as he passed them.
His final time for the run was 2:22:42
Despite having frozen lips, Wardian discussed how he thought the weather was a big factor in his win.
“The weather was great for me. It was probably harder for the African guys because they’re not used to the cold.”
Wardian added that his running in the cold in Washington, D.C. helped him to acclimate to such severe cold.
This was Wardian’s 3rd time to run the Mercedes Marathon. He says he enjoys the race.
“I’d love to come back, if they’re willing to have me and if there’s room,” said Wardian.
This was the first year that the marathon had completely filled up.
Kenyan-born Reuben Mwei took the finish line for the Mercedes Half-Marathon.
Mwei, a Kenyan who now hails from Georgia, crossed the finish line at 8:08 a.m. and earned a time of 1:06:02.
“The course was nice. I love the course,” said Mwei after catching his breath. “You can get a good time… I’d like to come back again.”
For the females, Meagan Nedlo took the half-marathon win. She finished with a time of 1:17:54.
Copyright 2012 WBRC. All rights reserved.
3rd place half-marathon winner proposes at finish line
Kelsey Ruhmann had no idea that there was more than a medal waiting for her at the finish line for the Mercedes Half-Marathon on Sunday.
Ruhmann’s boyfriend, Sean Brown, was the 3rd place winner of the half-marathon, but he had a bigger victory in mind. When Kelsey crossed the finish line, Brown handed her the medal she earned from the run and then took a moment to let her catch her breath. Then, Brown went to one knee and asked Ruhmann to be his wife. Through squeals of joy she said yes.
“Not at all,” said Kelsey, when asked if she was expecting the proposal. “I’m so happy, though.”
Brown and Ruhmann have been dating for four and a half years after meeting in college. Brown finished with a time of 1:07:24. Ruhmann got a time of 1:41:21.
We would like to say ‘congratulations’ to the happy couple
Copyright 2012 WBRC. All rights reserved.
Ruhmann’s boyfriend, Sean Brown, was the 3rd place winner of the half-marathon, but he had a bigger victory in mind. When Kelsey crossed the finish line, Brown handed her the medal she earned from the run and then took a moment to let her catch her breath. Then, Brown went to one knee and asked Ruhmann to be his wife. Through squeals of joy she said yes.
“Not at all,” said Kelsey, when asked if she was expecting the proposal. “I’m so happy, though.”
Brown and Ruhmann have been dating for four and a half years after meeting in college. Brown finished with a time of 1:07:24. Ruhmann got a time of 1:41:21.
We would like to say ‘congratulations’ to the happy couple
Copyright 2012 WBRC. All rights reserved.
Friday, February 10, 2012
Spencer Bachus under investigation for possible ethics violations
Alabama Congressman Spencer Bachus is under fire. Bachus is under investigation by the Office of Congressional Ethics. They are looking into possible violations of insider-trading laws.
Bachus is chairman of the House Financial Services Committee. The Washington Post reports investigators are examining whether Bachus violated Securities and Exchange Commission laws that prohibit individuals from trading stocks and options based on inside information. They are also looking into possible violation of rules that prohibit members of Congress from using their public positions for private gain.
Bachus has denied he did anything wrong in his financial investments.
Copyright 2012 WBRC. All rights reserved.
Bachus is chairman of the House Financial Services Committee. The Washington Post reports investigators are examining whether Bachus violated Securities and Exchange Commission laws that prohibit individuals from trading stocks and options based on inside information. They are also looking into possible violation of rules that prohibit members of Congress from using their public positions for private gain.
Bachus has denied he did anything wrong in his financial investments.
Copyright 2012 WBRC. All rights reserved.
Prisoners ask for overcrowding lawsuit to be allowed, despite county bankruptcy
Some Jefferson County prisoners are hoping a judge will come to their rescue.
The inmates are asking a federal bankruptcy judge to let their lawsuit against the county over prison overcrowding.
At the moment, the suit is one of many legal issues on hold since the county filed chapter nine.
The inmates argue the point of their lawsuit is mostly about getting relief, not money from the county.
Copyright 2012 WBRC. All rights reserved.
The inmates are asking a federal bankruptcy judge to let their lawsuit against the county over prison overcrowding.
At the moment, the suit is one of many legal issues on hold since the county filed chapter nine.
The inmates argue the point of their lawsuit is mostly about getting relief, not money from the county.
Copyright 2012 WBRC. All rights reserved.
Teens say guns in communities are more common than expected
We've reported some disturbing stories lately involving teenagers and guns. Just today, Saint Clair County deputies described arresting a teenager they say ran from a house with guns in it. And in the last couple of weeks we've told you about police charging teenagers in two mass shootings, one in Tuscaloosa County, the other in Birmingham's Ensley community.
Teenagers tell FOX 6 guns are more common than we think. They say they’re in the neighborhoods and in the schools.
We spoke with a 14-years-old who has seen the harsh reality of losing friends, classmates to violence. He knows the young men arrested for the mass shooting in Ensley last month. "When I found out about that I was just shocked, like man. I know they are about to be gone for a long time. They will be in jail for the rest of their lives," said the teen, whose name we are not releasing due to his age.
Jacourtney Hayes and Matthew Barnes also knew the men. Both Barnes and Hayes are 17-years-old and say guns in their school are a dime a dozen. I asked Hayes out of 20 students, how many had guns. His response was 19. Barnes also estimated the number to be high. "90 percent got guns, 90 percent," said Barnes.
Which leads to the question, how are they getting their hands of these weapons? "They find older people in the neighborhood and you go buy them," said the 14-year-old.
The teens say an argument at school can turn deadly. "They have guns hid outside. If they have a problem with somebody, after school they get their guns. They get off school grounds, then they go to war," said the 14-year-old.
These three young men tell me they don't have guns and they don't want them, but when asked what they would do if they were in that Ensley home, the night so many lives were lost. This is their response. "If I'd had a gun I would probably shot back at them," said the 14-year old.
Hayes agreed, "Somebody put a gun in my face? If I've got one I'm going to shoot back."
We also tried to speak with a group of men we found in the neighborhood. They said there are no guns in Ensley. Last month's shooting may suggest otherwise.
Copyright 2012 WBRC. All rights reserved.
Thursday, February 9, 2012
New bill seeks to legalize medicinal marijuana
Dro, weed, Mary Jane or chronic; call it what you will, it's a controversial issue and right now medical marijuana is still illegal in the state of Alabama.
Chris Butts is not advocating the drug for recreational use, saying, “"I’m a 42-year old Christian, father of three, I don't want people doing drugs either."
But he does want to see some form of legalization of it here in Alabama. For the past 15 years Butts has been using marijuana for medicinal use. An incident in 1992 caused him to suffer a spinal compression injury. He began taking a cocktail of pills to combat the pain but, “after a while I was an addict and I guess I had an epiphany that I was an addict," said Butts.
He asked his doctor to swap pills for pot. Since then he's been an advocate for the medicinal use of marijuana and lobbies to convince lawmakers to make it legal. House Bill 66 would do just that.
It's a move not sitting well with Calhoun County Sheriff Larry Amerson. He put out a press release saying if legalized it will, "Unleash the flood gates making marijuana legal to grow and available to purchase by anyone that suffers even from chronic pain of their caregiver."
Amerson says if this bill is passed it will create a huge increase in added law enforcement agents.
21-year-old Chee Thao agrees with Amerson saying, “I think people are going to find a way to smoke pot anyway so that would just give them an outlet to do as they please."
But others, like William Mcclure disagree. "I think it's a good idea. It helps people, it helps with pain relief, it helps get over nausea and stuff for say AIDS patients, cancer patients."
Whether you're for it or against it, Butts says he and others will continue to push the bill all the way to the end. Right now, Butts and other advocates for the bill are waiting to get it on the agenda before its first committee.
Copyright 2012 WBRC. All rights reserved.
Chris Butts is not advocating the drug for recreational use, saying, “"I’m a 42-year old Christian, father of three, I don't want people doing drugs either."
But he does want to see some form of legalization of it here in Alabama. For the past 15 years Butts has been using marijuana for medicinal use. An incident in 1992 caused him to suffer a spinal compression injury. He began taking a cocktail of pills to combat the pain but, “after a while I was an addict and I guess I had an epiphany that I was an addict," said Butts.
He asked his doctor to swap pills for pot. Since then he's been an advocate for the medicinal use of marijuana and lobbies to convince lawmakers to make it legal. House Bill 66 would do just that.
It's a move not sitting well with Calhoun County Sheriff Larry Amerson. He put out a press release saying if legalized it will, "Unleash the flood gates making marijuana legal to grow and available to purchase by anyone that suffers even from chronic pain of their caregiver."
Amerson says if this bill is passed it will create a huge increase in added law enforcement agents.
21-year-old Chee Thao agrees with Amerson saying, “I think people are going to find a way to smoke pot anyway so that would just give them an outlet to do as they please."
But others, like William Mcclure disagree. "I think it's a good idea. It helps people, it helps with pain relief, it helps get over nausea and stuff for say AIDS patients, cancer patients."
Whether you're for it or against it, Butts says he and others will continue to push the bill all the way to the end. Right now, Butts and other advocates for the bill are waiting to get it on the agenda before its first committee.
Copyright 2012 WBRC. All rights reserved.
SCLC urges parents to get involved to stop black-on-black crime
The Birmingham chapter of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference says parents need to get more involved in their children's lives if the African-American community is going to be able to put a stop to black-on-black crime.
The SCLC held a press conference Thursday morning outside of the Ensley home where 5 men were killed almost 2 weeks ago. 3 teens have been arrested and charged with being involved in the crime.
The SCLC's local chapter president said a crime like this is "terroristic" and something close to "genocide."
“Genocide is destruction of a race. From my perspective, it doesn't have to be a person of another color destroying you. If you're a destroyer, you are destroyed. That's seemingly what some of them are headed to, and we've got to head it off,” said Bishop Calvin Woods.
Bishop Woods said his organization plans to host more youth forums to try and reach teens with the message of nonviolence he believes is desperately needed right now.
Copyright 2012 WBRC. All rights reserved.
The SCLC held a press conference Thursday morning outside of the Ensley home where 5 men were killed almost 2 weeks ago. 3 teens have been arrested and charged with being involved in the crime.
The SCLC's local chapter president said a crime like this is "terroristic" and something close to "genocide."
“Genocide is destruction of a race. From my perspective, it doesn't have to be a person of another color destroying you. If you're a destroyer, you are destroyed. That's seemingly what some of them are headed to, and we've got to head it off,” said Bishop Calvin Woods.
Bishop Woods said his organization plans to host more youth forums to try and reach teens with the message of nonviolence he believes is desperately needed right now.
Copyright 2012 WBRC. All rights reserved.
Man found fatally shot on Birmingham's west side
Just after midnight on Thursday morning, Birmingham police say they found a man fatally shot on the city's west side. Now, they are looking for the killer.
Officers say 44-year-old Isaac Spencer was found dead on a front porch at a home on 23rd Street Southwest.
If you have any information, you are asked to call Birmingham police.
Copyright 2012 WBRC. All rights reserved.
Officers say 44-year-old Isaac Spencer was found dead on a front porch at a home on 23rd Street Southwest.
If you have any information, you are asked to call Birmingham police.
Copyright 2012 WBRC. All rights reserved.
Storm victims aksing for more help in Birmingham
Almost three weeks after tornadoes touched down in central Alabama, some homeowners say they feel like they are forgotten.
Current volunteers say there is still a lot of work to do and they are asking for more help. Obviously, volunteers cannot tackle this on their own, but there is other work to be done in this community.
The neighborhood wants to speed up the recovery process to get downed trees, tree stumps and other storm debris cleared from the Echo Highlands community in east Birmingham. Volunteers are needed in three subdivisions: Winewood, Redstone and Sun Valley.
Volunteers have been working for the past two weekends, but more work needs to be done and a lot more manpower and equipment are needed.
“We don't have a lot of devastation. We have a lot of damage and a lot of people want to get back to normal,” said volunteer Marty Brill.
Copyright 2012 WBRC. All rights reserved.
Current volunteers say there is still a lot of work to do and they are asking for more help. Obviously, volunteers cannot tackle this on their own, but there is other work to be done in this community.
The neighborhood wants to speed up the recovery process to get downed trees, tree stumps and other storm debris cleared from the Echo Highlands community in east Birmingham. Volunteers are needed in three subdivisions: Winewood, Redstone and Sun Valley.
Volunteers have been working for the past two weekends, but more work needs to be done and a lot more manpower and equipment are needed.
“We don't have a lot of devastation. We have a lot of damage and a lot of people want to get back to normal,” said volunteer Marty Brill.
Copyright 2012 WBRC. All rights reserved.
FEMA Centers change hours, Alabama asks for more funds
FEMA disaster centers in Center Point and Clay will have new operating hours beginning this Sunday. The centers will be open Sunday from 1:00 to 6:00.
During the week days FEMA will be available from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Those affected by the storms are encouraged to visit the centers if they already have not. If you have any questions you can call the FEMA Help Line at 1-800-621-FEMA. .
Alabama wants more federal money to help with the cleanup from last month's tornados. Governor Bentley is asking FEMA to approve grants to help fund debris removal and repair work in Jefferson, Chilton and Perry Counties.
Copyright 2012 WBRC. All rights reserved.
During the week days FEMA will be available from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Those affected by the storms are encouraged to visit the centers if they already have not. If you have any questions you can call the FEMA Help Line at 1-800-621-FEMA. .
Alabama wants more federal money to help with the cleanup from last month's tornados. Governor Bentley is asking FEMA to approve grants to help fund debris removal and repair work in Jefferson, Chilton and Perry Counties.
Copyright 2012 WBRC. All rights reserved.
Center Point Walgreens runs out of radios on Weather Radio Wednesday
A Walgreens in Center Point has to re-stock its weather radios after our event on Wednesday when hundreds of people showed up. Walgreens sold out of its 1,500 weather radios by early Wednesday afternoon.
The FOX6 staff programmed NOAA weather radios for people to receive warnings in the event of severe weather.
Another radio event will be next Wednesday when the fox6 team will be at Walgreens in Forestdale. That’s on Forestdale Boulevard from 7:00 a.m. until 6:30 p.m.
Copyright 2012 WBRC. All rights reserved.
The FOX6 staff programmed NOAA weather radios for people to receive warnings in the event of severe weather.
Another radio event will be next Wednesday when the fox6 team will be at Walgreens in Forestdale. That’s on Forestdale Boulevard from 7:00 a.m. until 6:30 p.m.
Copyright 2012 WBRC. All rights reserved.
Birmingham police in need of quarter horses
Birmingham police are looking for a few good horses.
The city's mounted patrol is down to just one and police need more donated quarter horses.
They are looking for animals that have a calm demeanor and can be trained to work on the streets.
Copyright 2012 WBRC. All rights reserved.
The city's mounted patrol is down to just one and police need more donated quarter horses.
They are looking for animals that have a calm demeanor and can be trained to work on the streets.
Copyright 2012 WBRC. All rights reserved.
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Remlap woman struck and killed by vehicle
A Remlap woman was killed after being hit by a car on Highway 75 in Blount County. It happened just before 6:00 p.m. Wednesday night.
68-year-old Reba Harris was walking when investigators say she was struck by a driver.
The driver is being treated for injuries.
The case is under investigation.
Copyright 2012 WBRC. All rights reserved.
68-year-old Reba Harris was walking when investigators say she was struck by a driver.
The driver is being treated for injuries.
The case is under investigation.
Copyright 2012 WBRC. All rights reserved.
New plan could speed up Highway 280 this year
Highway 280 traffic is a huge headache for drivers every day. So, why are some people afraid of a new plan to ease traffic on the often congested highway? It is mainly because the plan is coming at a cost to residents living on the side streets of the congested highway.
All traffic lights from Red Mountain Expressway to Highland Lakes will turn into adaptive lights. This system will coordinate the signals, meaning when one light turns green, all lights in the stretch will go green.
Brian Davis with the Alabama Department of Transportation says this will ease the flow of traffic. Residents living on side roads along 280 say are against the change. They say it will take more time to get out and could even create dangerous situations.
"Either there are going to be a lot of wrecks coming out of our neighborhood, because we have several teens in here that drive, or we'll be sitting here for an hour just to get out of our neighborhood," said Sharon Albritton, who lives along Highway 280.
The change is set to begin mid-year.
Copyright 2012 WBRC. All rights reserved.
All traffic lights from Red Mountain Expressway to Highland Lakes will turn into adaptive lights. This system will coordinate the signals, meaning when one light turns green, all lights in the stretch will go green.
Brian Davis with the Alabama Department of Transportation says this will ease the flow of traffic. Residents living on side roads along 280 say are against the change. They say it will take more time to get out and could even create dangerous situations.
"Either there are going to be a lot of wrecks coming out of our neighborhood, because we have several teens in here that drive, or we'll be sitting here for an hour just to get out of our neighborhood," said Sharon Albritton, who lives along Highway 280.
The change is set to begin mid-year.
Copyright 2012 WBRC. All rights reserved.
Bentley say economy improving in State of the State address
Governor Bentley says job creation is proof that Alabama’s economy is improving.
In his "State of the State" address last night, the governor says 41,000 jobs have been created in Alabama in the past year. He says at least 13,000 more are on the way.
Besides touting successes, he also talked about what he wants the legislature to take up this year. It includes what he calls "The School Flexibility Act." It would create charter schools.
“We will give local school systems the ability to develop their own innovative strategies, free from state or federal bureaucracy,” said Bentley. “We must also allow parents a choice in how and where their child receives an education.”
The governor's speech capped off the first day of the 2012 legislative session in Montgomery.
Copyright 2012 WBRC. All rights reserved.
In his "State of the State" address last night, the governor says 41,000 jobs have been created in Alabama in the past year. He says at least 13,000 more are on the way.
Besides touting successes, he also talked about what he wants the legislature to take up this year. It includes what he calls "The School Flexibility Act." It would create charter schools.
“We will give local school systems the ability to develop their own innovative strategies, free from state or federal bureaucracy,” said Bentley. “We must also allow parents a choice in how and where their child receives an education.”
The governor's speech capped off the first day of the 2012 legislative session in Montgomery.
Copyright 2012 WBRC. All rights reserved.
No arrests yet in Walker County gambling machine seizures
There are still no arrests after Walker County authorities seized nearly 60 gambling machines at three different locations. The busts happened in Sumiton, Nauvoo and Eldridge.
Walker County District Attorney Bill Adair says he is hoping to send a message to people allegedly operating illegal bingo halls.
“There'll be a court case in the next 30 to 60 days where we'll present the paraphernalia to see if they're in violation of Alabama's gaming statutes,” said Adair.
The paraphernalia Adair is talking about includes the machines, a vehicle and some electronic devices.
Copyright 2012 WBRC. All rights reserved.
Walker County District Attorney Bill Adair says he is hoping to send a message to people allegedly operating illegal bingo halls.
“There'll be a court case in the next 30 to 60 days where we'll present the paraphernalia to see if they're in violation of Alabama's gaming statutes,” said Adair.
The paraphernalia Adair is talking about includes the machines, a vehicle and some electronic devices.
Copyright 2012 WBRC. All rights reserved.
A new judge has taken over the Daniel Acker case.
A new judge has taken over the Daniel Acker case.
Acker is the former alabaster school teacher charged with six counts of child sexual abuse.
St. Clair County Judge James Hill will now hear the case since all the Shelby County judges recused themselves. They cited their relationship with Acker's father, who is a former county commissioner.
Copyright 2012 WBRC. All rights reserved.
Acker is the former alabaster school teacher charged with six counts of child sexual abuse.
St. Clair County Judge James Hill will now hear the case since all the Shelby County judges recused themselves. They cited their relationship with Acker's father, who is a former county commissioner.
Copyright 2012 WBRC. All rights reserved.
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Mercedes Marathon poised to break records this weekend
The cold temperatures this weekend will create a crisp marathon morning for thousands of runners.
Mercedes Marathon events kick off Saturday and if you are planning to run, but have not registered yet, race organizers say you may be disappointed. The races are filling up!
The five person marathon relay is already closed. There was a maximum of 200 people who could run that race.
To avoid overcrowding the course this year organizers placed caps on each race. Right now, there are about 100 slots left for the half marathon and 120 slots left for the full marathon. The 5k race is filling up a little slower, there's still about six hundred slots left to fill.
This year, something else new is going on. Mercedes Marathon is doing something similar to what Boston, New York and Chicago marathons do. Social media is being incorporated so people can track runners on the course
Valerie McClean, race chairman, said,”(You can) find out where they are on the course, what time they’re expected to finish. Runners sign up, get text sent to people and know when to look for them. You can actually post it to your Facebook page or tweet it to your Twitter account.”
Online registration ended Tuesday night, so you will have to register on race day. Volunteers are still needed to assist people along the course.
Twelve thousand runners are expected for the marathon, the largest number in the event's eleven year history.
Copyright 2012 WBRC. All rights reserved.
Mercedes Marathon events kick off Saturday and if you are planning to run, but have not registered yet, race organizers say you may be disappointed. The races are filling up!
The five person marathon relay is already closed. There was a maximum of 200 people who could run that race.
To avoid overcrowding the course this year organizers placed caps on each race. Right now, there are about 100 slots left for the half marathon and 120 slots left for the full marathon. The 5k race is filling up a little slower, there's still about six hundred slots left to fill.
This year, something else new is going on. Mercedes Marathon is doing something similar to what Boston, New York and Chicago marathons do. Social media is being incorporated so people can track runners on the course
Valerie McClean, race chairman, said,”(You can) find out where they are on the course, what time they’re expected to finish. Runners sign up, get text sent to people and know when to look for them. You can actually post it to your Facebook page or tweet it to your Twitter account.”
Online registration ended Tuesday night, so you will have to register on race day. Volunteers are still needed to assist people along the course.
Twelve thousand runners are expected for the marathon, the largest number in the event's eleven year history.
Copyright 2012 WBRC. All rights reserved.
Legislative session begins today
Alabama lawmakers are back to work this afternoon. The 2012 regular session starts at noon in the both the House and Senate.
Lawmakers hope to tackle controversial issues like changes to the immigration law, resolving shortfalls in the state's two largest operating budgets and authorizing a limited number of charter schools.
Several Republican legislators are working on a plan to lower the Legislature's pay. Another idea is to make sure pay cannot change without a statewide vote.
Copyright 2012 WBRC. All rights reserved.
Lawmakers hope to tackle controversial issues like changes to the immigration law, resolving shortfalls in the state's two largest operating budgets and authorizing a limited number of charter schools.
Several Republican legislators are working on a plan to lower the Legislature's pay. Another idea is to make sure pay cannot change without a statewide vote.
Copyright 2012 WBRC. All rights reserved.
Monday, February 6, 2012
Chilton County officials say storm shelter's lock was defective
We are learning more about what lead to a locked storm shelter a few weeks ago in Chilton County. We are told the lock was defective at the Union Grove storm shelter.
Fire Chief Robin Ellison says there are two other storm shelters in the county having the same problem. The issue was discovered after a woman had to wait 30 minutes before someone opened the shelter. The fire department had opened the shelter 12 hours earlier but something caused the door to lock again.
Chilton County's EMA is working to fix the locks.
Copyright 2012 WBRC. All rights reserved.
Fire Chief Robin Ellison says there are two other storm shelters in the county having the same problem. The issue was discovered after a woman had to wait 30 minutes before someone opened the shelter. The fire department had opened the shelter 12 hours earlier but something caused the door to lock again.
Chilton County's EMA is working to fix the locks.
Copyright 2012 WBRC. All rights reserved.
Tuscaloosa leaders meet in preparation of new legislative session
The Tuscaloosa Legislative Delegation met on Monday to talk about their top concerns.
Mayor Walt Maddox and Tuscaloosa City Council members offered 12 items for legislators to consider that affect Tuscaloosa going into the legislative session. They include opposing statewide business licensing and streamlining sales tax collection and getting more money for tornado relief.
"We feel that our recovery is going to be long and it is going to be significant. And we're going to need federal dollars and state dollars to help us through the process. When you juxtapose the amount of funding that's been given to other communities in the past, clearly there's a disparity," said Mayor Maddox.
Members of the Legislative Delegation say they are willing to help Tuscaloosa with securing more funding for the tornado recovery.
Copyright 2012 WBRC. All rights reserved.
Mayor Walt Maddox and Tuscaloosa City Council members offered 12 items for legislators to consider that affect Tuscaloosa going into the legislative session. They include opposing statewide business licensing and streamlining sales tax collection and getting more money for tornado relief.
"We feel that our recovery is going to be long and it is going to be significant. And we're going to need federal dollars and state dollars to help us through the process. When you juxtapose the amount of funding that's been given to other communities in the past, clearly there's a disparity," said Mayor Maddox.
Members of the Legislative Delegation say they are willing to help Tuscaloosa with securing more funding for the tornado recovery.
Copyright 2012 WBRC. All rights reserved.
Tree recovery campaign kicks off in Tuscaloosa
The Alabama Tree Recovery Campaign kicked off its giveaway of trees to tornado damaged communities in Tuscaloosa on Monday. First Lady Dianne Bentley, Mayor Walt Maddox and others attended the event.
The ultimate goal of the campaign is to restore Alabama's forests to their former beauty and strength.
30,000 tree seedlings will be split up between 16 communities throughout February.
Copyright 2012 WBRC. All rights reserved.
The ultimate goal of the campaign is to restore Alabama's forests to their former beauty and strength.
30,000 tree seedlings will be split up between 16 communities throughout February.
Copyright 2012 WBRC. All rights reserved.
One killed in single vehicle crash in St. Clair County
The Alabama Department of Public Safety says one man was killed on Saturday after being involved in an accident.
25-year-old Michael Coy Nolin was driving a 1995 Honda Accord on County Road 31 on Saturday night around 9:50 p.m. The Accord traveled off the roadway and overturned. Nolin was not wearing a seatbelt and was ejected.
Nolin was pronounced dead on the scene and was transported to the St. Clair County Coroner’s Office.
Troopers are still investigating.
Copyright 2012 WBRC. All rights reserved.
25-year-old Michael Coy Nolin was driving a 1995 Honda Accord on County Road 31 on Saturday night around 9:50 p.m. The Accord traveled off the roadway and overturned. Nolin was not wearing a seatbelt and was ejected.
Nolin was pronounced dead on the scene and was transported to the St. Clair County Coroner’s Office.
Troopers are still investigating.
Copyright 2012 WBRC. All rights reserved.
Bribes for bingo trial to begin today
The bribes for bingo trial that was delayed because of a defendant's death, is now happening today.
The death of defendant Ray Crosby a week ago delayed the start of the re-trial. Ray Crosby was facing one charge of bribery when he was found dead in his home. Judge Myron Thompson dismissed that charge and made clear this will not stop the trial from moving forward, starting with jury selection today.
The trial last summer ended with no ‘guilty’ verdicts and 33 counts left without any decision. This time, six defendants, including Victoryland owner Milton McGregor and former state lawmakers, face bribery and conspiracy charges that allege they gave or took money to try and advance a law legalizing electronic bingo in the 2010 legislative session.
Copyright 2012 WBRC. All rights reserved.
The death of defendant Ray Crosby a week ago delayed the start of the re-trial. Ray Crosby was facing one charge of bribery when he was found dead in his home. Judge Myron Thompson dismissed that charge and made clear this will not stop the trial from moving forward, starting with jury selection today.
The trial last summer ended with no ‘guilty’ verdicts and 33 counts left without any decision. This time, six defendants, including Victoryland owner Milton McGregor and former state lawmakers, face bribery and conspiracy charges that allege they gave or took money to try and advance a law legalizing electronic bingo in the 2010 legislative session.
Copyright 2012 WBRC. All rights reserved.
Friday, February 3, 2012
Birmingham police searching for info on missing man
Birmingham police are reaching out to the public for information about a missing man. They think someone knows what happened to him, but they are scared to come forward for fear of retaliation.
Fighting back tears, Mable Allen remembers the last words her husband said to her. "He said 'baby, I'll be home in a few minutes, I'll see you in a little while,'" recalls Mable Allen.
Lee Allen never made it home. That was nearly five years ago and Mable still wonders where he is.
“He had a note and said that the guy - someone had called and told him they had found his other car that had gotten stolen from the service station out in 5 Points West and told him they know where the car was,” said Allen.
Mable says her husband went to this service station to meet up with someone who supposedly knew where his car was, but when the other person did not show up, Lee got into his car to leave. That is when something strange happened.
“Well, according to one of the witnesses he stated that when Lee Allen got in his vehicle, a young male was in the back seat of his car. He sat up and looked out the rear view mirror as Mr. Allen was driving off in the vehicle,” said Detective Tasha Thomas with Birmingham P.D.
Police are not saying if they think foul play is involved, but they do believe more information is out there and they want to encourage more witnesses to come forward.
“Sometimes, we get that we have the public scared to come forward with information due to retaliation and then you have people who say 'well I have to live in this area.' So, we're just trying to let the public know we're not trying to get anyone in trouble. We're just trying to resolve a case, trying to work a case, trying to clear a case,” said Detective Thomas.
“I just wish someone that knows something will call the detective and let her know,” said Mable Allen.
Allen says if the case is not solved by June, a judge will declare Lee dead. The family is offering a $5,000 reward for information. The number to call if you have information is 205- 297- 8413.
Copyright 2012 WBRC. All rights reserved.
Fighting back tears, Mable Allen remembers the last words her husband said to her. "He said 'baby, I'll be home in a few minutes, I'll see you in a little while,'" recalls Mable Allen.
Lee Allen never made it home. That was nearly five years ago and Mable still wonders where he is.
“He had a note and said that the guy - someone had called and told him they had found his other car that had gotten stolen from the service station out in 5 Points West and told him they know where the car was,” said Allen.
Mable says her husband went to this service station to meet up with someone who supposedly knew where his car was, but when the other person did not show up, Lee got into his car to leave. That is when something strange happened.
“Well, according to one of the witnesses he stated that when Lee Allen got in his vehicle, a young male was in the back seat of his car. He sat up and looked out the rear view mirror as Mr. Allen was driving off in the vehicle,” said Detective Tasha Thomas with Birmingham P.D.
Police are not saying if they think foul play is involved, but they do believe more information is out there and they want to encourage more witnesses to come forward.
“Sometimes, we get that we have the public scared to come forward with information due to retaliation and then you have people who say 'well I have to live in this area.' So, we're just trying to let the public know we're not trying to get anyone in trouble. We're just trying to resolve a case, trying to work a case, trying to clear a case,” said Detective Thomas.
“I just wish someone that knows something will call the detective and let her know,” said Mable Allen.
Allen says if the case is not solved by June, a judge will declare Lee dead. The family is offering a $5,000 reward for information. The number to call if you have information is 205- 297- 8413.
Copyright 2012 WBRC. All rights reserved.
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Forest fires in Calhoun County believed to be arson
Investigators are blaming arsonists for multiple woods fires in Calhoun County. The fires were reported near the White Plains community.
Forestry officials did not say exactly where the fires were located, but say expected rain this weekend should contain them. They said no homes or other private property were damaged.
Copyright 2012 WBRC. All rights reserved.
Forestry officials did not say exactly where the fires were located, but say expected rain this weekend should contain them. They said no homes or other private property were damaged.
Copyright 2012 WBRC. All rights reserved.
18-year-old in custody in connection to Tuscaloosa shootings
In Tuscaloosa, police are holding an 18-year-old they believe took part in one of two related shootings.
Bryan Taylor faces two attempted murder charges. The shootings took place just minutes apart at the Creekside Apartments.
Authorities believe that Taylor shot at two people standing outside a car Monday afternoon.
Copyright 2012 WBRC. All rights reserved.
Bryan Taylor faces two attempted murder charges. The shootings took place just minutes apart at the Creekside Apartments.
Authorities believe that Taylor shot at two people standing outside a car Monday afternoon.
Copyright 2012 WBRC. All rights reserved.
Groundbreaking today for new Birmingham ballpark
Birmingham is getting ready for a big groundbreaking today. The new multi-million dollar ballpark project will officially be underway in just a few hours.
The groundbreaking for Birmingham's new baseball complex is set to begin at 11 o'clock. The project has gained both applause and criticism from business owners. The growth of the complex has forced some businesses to move.
"We put some pretty heavy infrastructure in here, so having to move and pick it all up and find a new place to relocate would not be good at all for our business," James Malone, the co-owner of the Good People Brewing Company.
Today's ground breaking is open to everyone in the community.
Copyright 2012 WBRC. All rights reserved.
The groundbreaking for Birmingham's new baseball complex is set to begin at 11 o'clock. The project has gained both applause and criticism from business owners. The growth of the complex has forced some businesses to move.
"We put some pretty heavy infrastructure in here, so having to move and pick it all up and find a new place to relocate would not be good at all for our business," James Malone, the co-owner of the Good People Brewing Company.
Today's ground breaking is open to everyone in the community.
Copyright 2012 WBRC. All rights reserved.
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Alabaster residents upset over convicted-murderer neighbor
When Mississippi's governor pardoned hundreds of convicted felons in his last hours in office. It sent shock waves through that state.
Haley Barbour set free four convicted killers, now we've discovered one of those murderers is living in our area.
David Gatlin just recently purchased a new car with an Alabama tag and the address listed for the tag took us to a home in Alabaster. When we knocked on the door Earnest Jack’s answered and told us Gatlin was living there.
Jack’s didn't add much else, other than he believed in redemption. His neighbors on the other hand aren't happy a convicted murderer has moved in on the block. Bonita Nabors lives across street. "I'm pretty petrified. It's kind of scary," said Nabors.
Sidney Frazier is also in close proximity. He lives right next door. "It's crazy. I don't want him in the neighborhood, a convicted murderer. I've got children. Heck no, I want him gone. He has no right to bring somebody like that in our neighborhood," said Frazier.
To understand why this neighborhood is so upset you have to go back to the summer of 1993 to Mississippi. David Gatlin was only 22-years-old when he walked in his estranged wife, Tammy's trailer and shot her in the head while their newborn child was lying on her chest. He then turned his gun on Randy Walker, a long time family friend, shooting him too. Walker survived, Tammy did not.
Gatlin was given a life sentence, but just last month, before leaving office Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour decided to pardon Gatlin and three other murderers. A decision Tammy's family will never understand. Tammy’s mother said, "There's one person who is not here today that was affected by all of this. He was left lying on the floor in his mother’s blood that day. And even though he didn't know her, he's had to live his whole never know what a great mother she could have been."
Life in prison to new life in Alabaster; living with an interesting man to say the least. When we first interviewed Earnest Jack’s he was a man of very few words, but that soon changed when he didn't like us talking to his neighbors- or getting video of his home. Jack’s walked out to the street where we were and said, "You're out telling my neighbors, exposing giving them something to worry about which they don't have anything to worry about."
From there Jack’s talked for close to twenty minutes about what he's here on earth for: "In essence I'm the anti-Christ.”
From there he told us his plans to solve the world’s problems. "I will solve social security. How I will do that is I'll bomb Florida and Arizona where there are 1000’s of them and then we won’t have to pay their social security checks.” Something he says God told him to do.
Jack’s also shared his plans to solve illegal immigration, and lowering the population. “That's what I'm up against saving the world,” said Jacks.
For the families who live here none of this is a laughing matter. Many said they won’t be able to sleep tonight knowing Gatlin has come to town. "I hope he's recovered or whatever they do to them in prison. It's scary," said Nabor.
"I'm going to be watching and I'll tell him right now he doesn't want someone like me having to watch him," said Frazier.
Alabaster Police say they have not been informed that a David Gatlin moved to town. They are looking in it.
Copyright 2012 WBRC. All rights reserved.
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