WDEF News 12 - Covering Alabama

Laurence named publisher of Richmond Register

Tue, 21 May 2013 14:05:02 -0400

RICHMOND, Ky. (AP) — Community Newspaper Holdings Inc. has named Ann Laurence publisher of the Richmond Register.

The newspaper reports (http://bit.ly/10ivbEN) Laurence began her new responsibilities Monday.

Since 2005, she has been publisher of The News Courier in Athens, Ala., where she oversaw daily newspaper operations that included digital, print and niche publications. She joined CNHI in 2000.

Laurence started her newspaper career in the composing room of her hometown newspaper The Winchester (Ky.) Sun, and worked her way up to advertising director.

She says she is happy to be back in her home state and wants to "build on the accomplishments" of the newspaper.

She succeeds Nick Lewis, who had served in the post for more than eight years.

Ballot question could add foreign law protections

Tue, 21 May 2013 14:04:55 -0400

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — In a swift-moving late-night session, the Alabama Legislature approved a bill that will put a Constitutional amendment in the hands of the voters.

If passed, the amendment would prohibit the state from recognizing laws of other states in making legal decisions if they violate the public policy of Alabama. Further, it would prohibit applying foreign law in violation of the rights of citizens.

Previous versions of the bill failed. This time around, there was no direct mention of Shariah law, but legislators were aware of prior attempts by sponsor Sen. Gerald Allen, a Republican from Cottondale, to ban the use of Islamic law in Alabama courts.

The House, under pressure to act on local legislation in the last minutes of the Session, heard no discussion of the bill.

Judge sets date for hearing for Desmonte Leonard

Tue, 21 May 2013 14:04:48 -0400

OPELIKA, Ala. (AP) — A Lee County judge has scheduled a hearing for a man accused of killing three people at an Auburn apartment complex last year.

Circuit Judge Jacob A. Walker set the date for the hearing for 23-year-old Desmonte Leonard for 2 p.m. Oct. 15 in Lee County Court.

The Opelika-Auburn News reported (http://bit.ly/119hRkJ ) that one aspect of the hearing would be Walker saying that both sides have indicated that the case is not yet ready for trial.

Leonard's defense attorneys have asked that he be allowed to visit the scene of the June 9, 2012 shootings at the University Heights Apartments in Auburn.

District Attorney Robbie Treese has opposed the motion. He said the visit would cause unwanted publicity that could be used by defense attorneys to move the site of the trial.

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Information from: Opelika-Auburn News, http://www.oanow.com/

Ala. legislators' view of session depends on party

Tue, 21 May 2013 14:04:41 -0400

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — The description of the Legislature's 2013 session depends on a legislator's party label.

The Senate's Republican leader, President Pro Tem Del Marsh, of Anniston called it the best session since Republicans gained a majority in the 2010 election. Republicans passed the Alabama Accountability Act, loosened restrictions on guns, started the consolidation of state law enforcement agencies, and kept a promise to commit to the repayment of money removed for the Alabama Trust Fund.

The Senate's Democratic minority leader, Vivian Davis Figures, called it the worst session of her legislative career. Democrats failed to pass their top priority, which was expanding the state Medicaid program under the federal Affordable Care Act. Marsh said the Republican majority is opposed to enlarging the role of government.

The session ended at midnight Monday.

Builders preserve Montgomery building's past

Tue, 21 May 2013 09:12:07 -0400

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Builders are putting the final touches on a three-story loft project in downtown Montgomery, and they are highlighting the 1907 building's historic past.

The Montgomery Advertiser reports (http://on.mgmadv.com/14MNzc4 ) that the Printing Press Lofts downtown contain so many artifacts that some parts could be mistaken for a museum.

Modern newspapers and turn-of-the-century documents will line the entranceway, tracing its original purpose as the home of a printing press for the Alabama Journal.

Beau Daniel of Foshee Management said descendants of original building owner Adolph Roemer have donated so many period documents that they may spill over to multiple floors.

A newspaper scale that was found in the basement now stands near the elevator and, like the other antiques, will have a placard explaining it.

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Information from: Montgomery Advertiser, http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com

Woman who drove car into lake dies at hospital

Tue, 21 May 2013 07:58:03 -0400

HOOVER, Ala. (AP) — Authorities say a woman who drove her car into a lake near Birmingham has died.

Hoover police say 68-year-old Deanna Owen Shumate was taken to a hospital after driving her car into Star Lake on Friday night.

Investigators tell WBRC-TV (http://bit.ly/19Ye9jf) that Shumate had attended her 50th class reunion at the Hoover Country Club shortly before the accident. She graduated from Ensley High School in 1963.

Two teenagers said they jumped into the water and swam to her car, but it was under water by the time they reached it. The boys, both 16, said they were unable to break the windows to get to the woman, but kept diving anyway so they could tell rescuers where the vehicle was.

Shumate's funeral is planned for Friday in Conway, Ark.

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Information from: WBRC-TV, http://www.myfoxal.com/

Autopsy shows Moss Point fisherman drowned

Tue, 21 May 2013 07:57:56 -0400

MOSS POINT, Miss. (AP) — A man whose body was recovered after a boating mishap in the Escatawpa River drowned.

Jackson County Coroner Vicki Broadus tells The Sun Herald (http://bit.ly/10RyfaJ ) an autopsy Monday confirmed the cause of death for 56-year-old Timothy Gordon Sr., of Moss Point. Broadus said the autopsy showed no other causes contributing to his death.

Gordon had been fishing with 40-year-old Curtis Leon Goleman, of Grand Bay, Ala., when they were thrown from a 14-foot johnboat about 5:15 p.m. Friday. Authorities said it appeared the boat hit something or a cast net got stuck on the propeller.

Goleman remains in custody at the Jackson County jail.

The sheriff's office arrested Goleman on a felony charge of possession of marijuana.

It was unclear whether Goleman has an attorney

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Information from: The Sun Herald, http://www.sunherald.com

Alabama Legislature targets elder abuse

Tue, 21 May 2013 07:57:48 -0400

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — The Alabama Legislature is making it easier to prosecute people who abuse, neglect or financially exploit senior citizens.

The House and Senate passed different versions of the bill earlier in the Senate and then agreed on the same version on Monday night shortly before the 2013 legislative session ended.

The Protecting Alabama's Elders Act was pushed by Republican Sen. Cam Ward of Alabaster and Republican Rep. Paul DeMarco of Homewood. Proponents said it better defines what constitutes elder abuse and increases the penalties for the most serious offenses.

The state director of AARP Alabama, Jesse Salinas, said the bill makes it harder for people to get away with preying on the elderly.

The bill now goes to the governor for his review.

Alabama governor offers help to Oklahoma

Tue, 21 May 2013 07:57:29 -0400

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Alabama's governor says the state stands ready to help Oklahoma recover from a deadly tornado.

Gov. Robert Bentley says he's been in touch with Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin's office and offered whatever assistance Alabama can provide. He said other states helped Alabama rebuild after deadly tornadoes hit on April 27, 2011, and Alabama is ready to do the same for Oklahoma. He said the Alabama Emergency Management Agency is prepared to coordinate all resources that Oklahoma may request.

The deadly twister struck the Oklahoma City suburb of Moore on Monday afternoon.

Summary of action in Alabama Legislature

Tue, 21 May 2013 07:57:21 -0400

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — A summary of action in the Alabama Legislature on Monday, the 30th and final meeting day of the regular session:

HOUSE:

—Joined the Senate in rejecting the governor's proposal to delay Alabama's new private school tax credits for two years.

—Gave final approval to a major overhaul of Alabama's gun laws, including allowing workers to keep guns in their vehicles while at their jobs. Goes to governor.

—Gave final approval to a bill to provide funds for breast cancer treatment and education. Goes to governor.

—Gave final approval to a proposed constitutional amendment authorizing $50 million in bonds for building National Guard armories.

—Overrode veto by Gov. Robert Bentley of a local bill to allow school employees in Franklin County to carry a weapon if they have been trained as police officers.

—Joined Senate in passing a bill to make elder abuse a crime. Goes to governor.

SENATE:

—Gave final approval to a bill allowing city and county school systems to hire armed school guards that have had police training. Goes to governor.

—Gave final approval to a bill saying prosecutors no longer have to put on witnesses and prove guilt when a person pleads guilty to capital murder and is going to be sentenced to life without parole. Goes to governor.

—Gave final approval to a bill making it a felony for a parent to neglect to promptly notify authorities when their child is missing or dead. Goes to governor.

—Gave final approval to a $30 million bond issue to repair tornado-damaged schools. Goes to governor.

—Joined the House in giving final approval to a $50 million bond issue for school technology equipment. Goes to governor.

COMMITTEES:

—House Rules Committee rejected a resolution to discourage local schools from adopting Common Core educational standards.