PHENIX CITY, Alabama
Residents in the east Alabama town of Phenix City say they're concerned about violent crime after 3 homicides in the past week.
The Columbus Ledger-Enquirer reports that the slayings push the city's total for the year to seven, which is up from five homicides in 2010.
By comparison, the much larger city of Columbus, Georgia, just across the state line, has had 14 homicides this year, compared to 15 in 2010.
Phenix City police Lt. Jason Whitten said the recent slayings were random acts of violence, and it is difficult to prevent those type of crimes.
Phenix City police increased its neighborhood patrols earlier this year. Whitten said the department has no plans to change the patrols.
Friday, September 16, 2011
PETA calls for Auburn University to retire eagles from pregame flights (Video)
AUBURN, Alabama
Following Spirit's eventful flight Saturday, representatives for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals are speaking out against Auburn University.
The traditional pregame flight went awry when Spirit, the university's bald eagle, flew into a luxury box window in Jordan-Hare Stadium and skimmed the crowd before landing at center field.
Lindsay Pollard-Post wrote a letter to the editor of the Montgomery Advertiser condemning the school for dragging the eagle into a stressful environment.
"Animals aren't performers or party decorations, and they don't deserve to be frightened, hurt or even killed just so we can have a momentary thrill," Pollard-Post wrote in the letter.
She then said the school should retire the birds to sanctuaries.
Pollard-Post calls the eagle a mascot, but Auburn fans know the birds are representative of a battle cry. Aubie the tiger is the school's mascot.
The university's College of Veterinary Medicine's Southeastern Raptor Center works with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to promote wildlife conservation and education. According to the SRC's website, the USF&WS allows the center to house eagles and use them in educational presentations, including Auburn home football games.
Spirit is one of three flighted eagles housed at the SRC. He is the only bald eagle ever to be flown in Jordan-Hare Stadium, as Tiger and Nova, the other two eagles, are golden eagles.
Spirit was found injured in Florida in 1995 and was brought to Auburn in 1998. Spirit made his first flight in Jordan-Hare in 2001. He is not releasable because of his damaged beak.
Auburn's eagles aren't the only live animals used at college sporting events. The University of Georgia has Uga, a bulldog; the University of Tennessee has Smokey, a bluetick coonhound; Louisiana State University has Mike, a half Bengal-half Siberian tiger; and the University of Texas has Bevo, a longhorn steer.
Recently, Sports Illustrated named Auburn's pregame eagle flights the second-best tradition in college football.
Following Spirit's eventful flight Saturday, representatives for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals are speaking out against Auburn University.The traditional pregame flight went awry when Spirit, the university's bald eagle, flew into a luxury box window in Jordan-Hare Stadium and skimmed the crowd before landing at center field.
Lindsay Pollard-Post wrote a letter to the editor of the Montgomery Advertiser condemning the school for dragging the eagle into a stressful environment.
"Animals aren't performers or party decorations, and they don't deserve to be frightened, hurt or even killed just so we can have a momentary thrill," Pollard-Post wrote in the letter.
She then said the school should retire the birds to sanctuaries.
Pollard-Post calls the eagle a mascot, but Auburn fans know the birds are representative of a battle cry. Aubie the tiger is the school's mascot.
The university's College of Veterinary Medicine's Southeastern Raptor Center works with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to promote wildlife conservation and education. According to the SRC's website, the USF&WS allows the center to house eagles and use them in educational presentations, including Auburn home football games.
Spirit is one of three flighted eagles housed at the SRC. He is the only bald eagle ever to be flown in Jordan-Hare Stadium, as Tiger and Nova, the other two eagles, are golden eagles.
Spirit was found injured in Florida in 1995 and was brought to Auburn in 1998. Spirit made his first flight in Jordan-Hare in 2001. He is not releasable because of his damaged beak.
Auburn's eagles aren't the only live animals used at college sporting events. The University of Georgia has Uga, a bulldog; the University of Tennessee has Smokey, a bluetick coonhound; Louisiana State University has Mike, a half Bengal-half Siberian tiger; and the University of Texas has Bevo, a longhorn steer.
Recently, Sports Illustrated named Auburn's pregame eagle flights the second-best tradition in college football.
Denton Road man arrested and charged with Second Degree Theft of Propert
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| Kenneth Morris Jr. Credit: (D.P.D.) |
Kenneth Morris Jr., black male, 28 years of age, of Denton Road was arrested and charged with Second Degree Theft of Property with a $2,500 bond.
On September 15, 2011 the Dothan Police Department made a felony arrest as a result of a recent investigation. According to police, Kenneth Morris Jr. was charged for theft and an investigation revealed he recently took a wallet containing cash and credit cards. Police say the wallet was briefly laid on the counter at a local convenience store by the victim during which time Morris entered the store and took the wallet. The case has now been closed following yesterday’s arrest.
WANTED: By Dothan Police, Domini Carson for Second Degree Theft of Property
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| Domini Carson |
On September 15, 2011 the Dothan Police Department signed a felony warrant following the investigation of internal theft at a local jeweler. According to investigators, Domini Carson took several pieces of jewelry from her employer, Zales Jewelry, earlier this month. Police were unable to make contact with Carson and have received information that she may have fled the area in an attempt to avoid prosecution. Police are asking anyone with information on the whereabouts of Carson to call the Dothan Police Department or CrimeStoppers 334-793-7000.
Alabama unemployment rate drops in August
MONTGOMERY, Alabama
Alabama's unemployment rate dipped to 9.9 percent in August, down from 10.0 percent in July.
The counties with the lowest unemployment rate, according to Alabama Department of Industrial Relations Director Tom Surtees, were Shelby at 6.8 percent, Coffee at 7.4 percent, and Madison at 8.1 percent.
Counties with the highest unemployment rates were Wilcox at 22.3 percent, Perry at 18.9 percent, and Dallas at 18.7 percent
August's rate, Surtees said, represents 213,412 unemployed people, down from 215,631 in July.
There were 28,000 more jobs statewide in August than there were at the beginning of the year.
Last month, state employment stood at 1,949,824 compared to 1,921,819 in January.
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| Tom Surtees |
The counties with the lowest unemployment rate, according to Alabama Department of Industrial Relations Director Tom Surtees, were Shelby at 6.8 percent, Coffee at 7.4 percent, and Madison at 8.1 percent.
Counties with the highest unemployment rates were Wilcox at 22.3 percent, Perry at 18.9 percent, and Dallas at 18.7 percent
August's rate, Surtees said, represents 213,412 unemployed people, down from 215,631 in July.
There were 28,000 more jobs statewide in August than there were at the beginning of the year.
Last month, state employment stood at 1,949,824 compared to 1,921,819 in January.
Postal processing facilities in Anniston, Dothan, Huntsville, Mobile and Tuscaloosa could close
ATLANTA, Ga.
The U.S. Postal Service could close 5 mail processing facilities in Alabama as part of a nationwide cost-cutting effort as it struggles with finances.
The Alabama facilities are among 252 mail processing facilities across the nation that will be reviewed over the next 3 months for possible closing.
They are in Anniston, Dothan, Huntsville, Mobile and Tuscaloosa.
The Postal Service is looking at consolidating operations as part of its nationwide effort to trim costs at the financially strapped agency.
Postal officials say their studies will be finished in early 2012 and that it's too soon to say how many jobs might be affected.
The U.S. Postal Service could close 5 mail processing facilities in Alabama as part of a nationwide cost-cutting effort as it struggles with finances.
The Alabama facilities are among 252 mail processing facilities across the nation that will be reviewed over the next 3 months for possible closing.
They are in Anniston, Dothan, Huntsville, Mobile and Tuscaloosa.
The Postal Service is looking at consolidating operations as part of its nationwide effort to trim costs at the financially strapped agency.
Postal officials say their studies will be finished in early 2012 and that it's too soon to say how many jobs might be affected.
VictoryLand seeks Alabama's OK for new liquor license
MONTGOMERY
VictoryLand is seeking state permission to serve alcohol again after surrendering its liquor license last year.
A spokesman for VictoryLand said the business applied for a new license to serve alcohol in the area where patrons bet on simulcast races. The liquor license will allow the business to better serve customers in the simulcast area and to hopefully provide for more jobs at the track, he said.
VictoryLand currently only offers gambling on simulcast dog and horse races. Electronic bingo machines and live dog racing are currently not offered at the track.
Lt. Darrick Wilson of the Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board said track officials met with the state this week to discuss the license. He said VictoryLand officials indicated the license was for the simulcast area.
VictoryLand voluntarily surrendered its liquor license last year during the controversy over electronic bingo machines.
State law allows enforcement officials to inspect liquor license holders without a warrant. At the time, then-Gov. Bob Riley's gambling task force was trying to gain entry to the facility in an effort to seize thousands of electronic gambling machines in operation there.
VictoryLand is seeking state permission to serve alcohol again after surrendering its liquor license last year.
A spokesman for VictoryLand said the business applied for a new license to serve alcohol in the area where patrons bet on simulcast races. The liquor license will allow the business to better serve customers in the simulcast area and to hopefully provide for more jobs at the track, he said.
VictoryLand currently only offers gambling on simulcast dog and horse races. Electronic bingo machines and live dog racing are currently not offered at the track.
Lt. Darrick Wilson of the Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board said track officials met with the state this week to discuss the license. He said VictoryLand officials indicated the license was for the simulcast area.
VictoryLand voluntarily surrendered its liquor license last year during the controversy over electronic bingo machines.
State law allows enforcement officials to inspect liquor license holders without a warrant. At the time, then-Gov. Bob Riley's gambling task force was trying to gain entry to the facility in an effort to seize thousands of electronic gambling machines in operation there.
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