>MAIN NEWS PAGE WEST ALABAMA NEWS ACROSS ALABAMA
|
|
|
Man Accused of Shooting Ex-Wife in Butler Co.
|
|
From the CBS 8 South Alabama Newsroom -- A man has been arrested on a charge that he shot his his ex-wife.
Greenville police say Ronnie Whatley is charged with attempted murder. On Oct. 30, police say they responded to a call that shots were fired at Creekstone Pines Apartments.
Authorities say they found Angela Kemp with a gunshot wound.
She is in stable condition at Baptist Medical Center South in Montgomery.
|
|
Exclusive: Butler Co. School Employee Faces Rape Charge
|
|
This is a CBS 8 News Exclusive from the CBS 8 South Alabama Newsroom -- A long-time Butler Co. school system employee faces a rape charge.
Investigators say Gerald Hall, 50, is charged with rape after school officials say he had an alleged sexual relationship with a Greenville High School student, who they say was 15 at the time.
Hall has worked for the Butler County school system for 27 years as a bus driver and cafeteria worker.
Interim School Supt. Joseph Dean says Hall has been placed on administrative leave.
"Our job is to provide an environment that is safe and conducive to learning, but in turn something like this rears its ugly head, it places a black cloud over this entire district and education as a whole," Dean told CBS 8 News.
Hall's attorney says Hall maintains his innocence and looks forward to a trial.
District Attorney John Andrews says the case will be presented to grand jury on March 8. He says if Hall is indicted, his office plans to seek the maximum sentence, which is two to 20 years in jail.
|
|
Communications Company in Andalusia Cutting 150 Jobs
|
|
From the CBS 8 South Alabama Newsroom -- A communications company in Andalusia says it's cutting more than 100 jobs just nine months after announcing it was looking for new employees.
Andalusia Mayor Earl Johnson says Sitel will cut 150 jobs Dec. 1. Johnson says he's sorry this is happening, especially near the holiday season.
He says he's hoping there will be no more layoffs after this.
|
|
Woman Hits, Kills Black Bear with Car in Covington Co.
|
|
From the CBS 8 South Alabama Newsroom -- A woman has hit and killed a 265 lb. black bear with her car in Covington County.
Michelle Torres of Andalusia hit the bear on Plywood Mill Road in River Falls Saturday night. The impact killed the bear but didn't do much damage to Torres' car.
"We were driving home, I guess between 11:00 and 12:00, and we came down the road and it just jumped out in front of me -- nothing I could do about it," Torres told CBS 8 News.
Officials say black bears are uncommon to find in Covington County. They say they aren't usually agressive.
This bear was untagged, which means it had never been caught before. Investigators say the bear's carcass is being kept in storage and will soon be picked up by state officials for testing.
|
|
Former Covington Co. Probate Judge Taken to State Prison
|
|
From the CBS 8 South Alabama Newsroom -- Former Covington Co. Probate Judge Sherrie Phillips is now an inmate at the Julia Tutwiler Prison for Women in Wetumpka.
It has been a year since a jury found Phillips guilty of stealing $1.8 million from a probate estate.
Phillips was sentenced to three years in prison followed by three years of probation.
|
|
Prosecutors to Seek Consecutive Life Sentences Against Covington Co. Pastor
|
|
From the CBS 8 South Alabama Newsroom -- CBS 8 News confirmed Thursday that prosecutors plan to seek multiple consecutive life sentences against a Covington Co. church pastor charged with sexually abusing boys.
In a story that CBS 8 News was the first to break, Covington Co. deputies have charged Ralph Aaron, 54, with 152 counts of sodomy, sexual abuse, sexual torture and possession of obscene material involving children. Investigators say the alleged crimes happened on camping trips.
Aaron has been fired as pastor of Grace Christian Fellowhip Church after his arrest. He's being held on a $24.2 million bond.
Most of the counts involved possession of obsence material. District Attorney Greg Gambril said there were three counts each of sodomy and sexual torture, which he said involved a sex toy.
(Copyright 2009 The Associated Press contributed to this report. All Rights Reserved.)
|
|
Update: More Sex Charges Filed Against Covington Co. Pastor
|
This is a CBS 8 News Update from the CBS 8 South Alabama Newsroom -- A Covington Co. church pastor is facing even more sex abuse charges. CBS 8 News was the first to break the story last week.
Authorities say 54-year-old Ralph Aaron of Andalusia is charged with sexual abuse of a child and sodomy. Originally, Aaron faced three charges, but the Covington Co. Sheriff's Office announced Tuesday that he now faces more than 150 charges.
Aaron is the pastor of Grace Christian Fellowship Church on Shreves Road in Andalusia.
Sheriff Dennis Meeks says the charges involve multiple victims, all boys between the ages of 8 and 12. He says the alleged incidents mostly happened at Aaron's home and not at the church.
Aaron is being held in the Covington County Jail on a $24 million bond.
|
|
Former Probate Judge Sherrie Phillips to Turn Herself in to Authorities
|
|
CBS 8 News is covering Covington County - - where authorities say former probate judge Sherrie Phillips has until Saturday night to turn herself in to jail.
Phillips was convicted on theft and ethics violations last year. She was sentenced to three years in prison, followed by three years probation.
The Covington County Sheriff's Department says Phillips must show up to the Covington County jail before midnight Saturday night.
They say she will remain there until the state transports her to Tutwiler Prison in Wetumpka.
|
|
Update: Applications Pour In for Butler Co. School Superintendent Vacancy
|
|
From the CBS 8 South Alabama Newsroom -- Applications are pouring in from people who want to be Butler County's next school superintendent.
While school board members say interim superintendent Joseph Dean has been excellent, their focus is finding a permanent leader for the school system.
"I know that everyone in the district is ready for this to be determined, for a new superintendent to be named. The interim stage is a little bit iffy," Amy Bryan of Butler Co. Schools told CBS 8 News Wednesday.
Bryan says the central office is accepting applications until Nov. 15. The position became open when Supt. Mike Looney accepted a similiar position in Franklin, Tennessee.
|
|
Radar Company Opens in Opp
|
|
From the CBS 8 South Alabama Newsroom -- A new radar company opens in Opp. MFG Galileo makes radar domes for airports all around the world.
Opp Mayor H.D. Edgar says the company has already brought 30 jobs and he says it is looking to add a second shift. Edgar says MFG Galileo is one of only three companies in the U-S that makes radar domes and he says he's thankful it chose to open in Opp.
"We're really happy to have them. With the way the economy is now, we're just so fortunate to get a new company to Opp," Edgar told CBS 8 News Wednesday.
Galileo officials say they hope to hire 30 more employees within about a year.
|
|
New Season Brings New Sound System to the Ritz Theatre in Greenville
|
|
From the CBS 8 South Alabama Newsroom -- The Greenville Area Arts Council is getting ready for Tuesday's big night at the Ritz Theatre. "The Rat Pack Encore", will kick off the new season of shows.
The event will put the theatre's new $30,000 sound system to the test for the first time.
Organizers say the traveling theater company from California is dedicated to bringing high quality performances to rural areas and they say thanks to their new sound equipment, the Ritz Theatre can now bring more shows like this one to the area.
"It makes it more attractive to people that are looking to put shows on like that and in the area and say, 'Hey we've got the sound system, so you don't have to worry about bringing your own equipment,'" David Norrell, a member of the Ritz Players, told CBS 8 News Monday.
"The Rat Pack Encore" begins at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday. Tickets are on sale at the Pineapple in downtown Greenville. They are 20 dollars apiece.
|
|
Four People Charged with Stealing from Andalusia Walmart Supercenter
|
|
From the CBS 8 South Alabama Newsroom -- Four people are arrested for allegedly stealing more than $2,500 in merchandise from the Walmart Supercenter in Andalusia.
Deidre Phelps, Nicholas Lovelace, Kenneth Townsend and James Ward of Andalusia are all charged.
According to the Andalusia Star-News, Phelps was working as a cashier at Walmart and allegedly didn't charge for items running through her register.
The merchandise was for home repairs and included items from a faucet to caulk.
Authorities say Phelps is charged with a felony while Townsend, Lovelace and Donaldson are all charged with theft.
|
|
Nearly 25% of Students Sick at School in Butler Co.
|
|
From the CBS 8 South Alabama Newsroom -- Flu-like symptoms at a private school in Butler County force nearly 25% of the school's students to call in sick.
Fort Dale Academy in Greenville has 475 students and Tuesday, 117 of them were absent.
Headmaster David Brantley says Tuesday night's junior varsity football and volleyball games have been cancelled. He says closing school would be a last resort.
"To close our school for seven days or seven calendar days would really play havoc with our schedule. It would mean make-up days during Christmas holidays or spring break," Brantley told CBS 8 News.
Flu vaccinations will be offered at Fort Dale Academy some time in November once supplies are avavailible.
|
|
Opp Man Sentenced for Child Molestation
|
|
From the CBS 8 South Alabama Newsroom -- The Covington Co. District Attorney's office announced Thursday that Jimmy Allen Steele, 31, of Opp has been sentenced for child molestation. He was sentenced to life in prison plus ten years by Circuit Judge Charles A. Short.
Steele was convicted in August of sodomy and sex abuse.
According to District Attorney Greg Gambril, the sentence issued by Judge Short is the maximum for each count.
"He was sentenced to life on the sodomy count and ten years on the sexual abuse count. Judge Short then ordered them to run consecutively, which means that he will first have to serve the life sentence, then serve the ten-year sentence after that instead of serving them both at the same time," Gambril said in a statement. Judge Short also levied a $25,000.00 fine against Steele.
|
|
Covington Co. Park and Campground Get New Management, New Name
|
|
From the CBS 8 South Alabama Newsroom -- Covington County's Point A Park and Campground is now under new management with a new name.
The property is now called "Sweet Home Alabama Campground" and is no longer the responsibility of the county commission.
Thom Watson of Florida is subleasing the property and says he has plans to give it a makeover. Watson says he hopes to offer party packages after renovating the clubhouse, building an RV storage area and offering canoe and kayak rentals.
"I have done a lot of research over the last three, four, five years and I have a piece of land over on Gantt Lake that I had wanted to turn in to a campground, but it would have been building from scratch and this was much easier than that," Watson told CBS 8 News Thursday.
Watson says folks will see major changes by next summer.
|
|
Covington Co. Sheriff's Office Canine Gets Donated Bulletproof Vest
|
|
From the CBS 8 South Alabama Newsroom -- A special member of the Covington County Sheriff's Office is getting a bulletproof vest.
Sheriff's canine "Kaz" and his deputy Nic Ireland are the first to receive a bulletproof vest, which cost around $700.
Animal lover Jamella Hudson is working to raise money for five more bulletproof vests for other police canines across the county. Hudson says she was thrilled to raise enough donations for the first vest but is asking for help to raise more.
Deputy Ireland says he appreciates Hudson's efforts.
"It's good to know that people out there do see what we're doing and see how the dogs are an asset and care just like we do, " Ireland told CBS 8 News Tuesday.
If you would like to help, several gas stations and veterinarian's offices around Andalusia and Opp are collecting donations.
|
|
Soon-To-Be Interim Butler Co. School Supt. Learns about Proration
|
|
From the CBS 8 South Alabama Newsroom -- The 7.5% proration declared last week of the new state education budget has school officials discussing what to do next.
Outgoing Butler Co. School Supt. Mike Looney sat down Monday with soon-to-be interim superintendent Joseph Dean to discuss how to handle making budget cuts. Looney says this will be one of the biggest challenges Butler County Schools has faced.
He says Dean is learning "volumes" before he takes over December 1.
Dean says, while he is new to the central office, he realizes the severity of proration.
"I'm in the process of collecting data so we can have an intelligent conversation to combat the shortfalls of proration in our school district. We have a board work session planned and at that time those conversations will be held," Dean told CBS 8 News Monday.
Dean says the special called work session will be held Saturday.
|
|
New Plant to Bring 265 Jobs to Butler County
|
|
From the CBS 8 South Alabama Newsroom -- A major economic announcement means hundreds of new jobs will be coming to Butler County.
Coastal Forest Products has announced it's opening a new saw mill and plywood manufacturing plant in the town of Chapman. It will be located in the old Chapman Forest Products plant that closed in July.
Coastal officials say the plan is to invest $10 million in the plant and to hire 265 workers.
"This is a great day for Butler County. We needed these jobs to put these people back to work. This is more about 500 or 600 jobs because of all the loggers and all the other people, mechanics, the people out there that will be supplying this plant," Greenville Mayor Dexter McLendon told CBS 8 News Thursday.
The company hopes to begin operations by January. People interested in a job should contact the Alabama Career Center.
|
|
First on CBS 8: Lowndes Co. Sheriff Arrested on Harrassment Charge in Butler Co.
|
From the CBS 8 South Alabama Newsroom -- Lowndes Co. Sheriff has turned himself in to authorities in Butler County on a harrassment charge. CBS 8 News broke the story on CBS 8 News at Noon Wednesday.
The charge stems from the same alleged altercation with Hayneville Police Chief Kelvin Mitchell that led to Mitchell's arrest on harrassment and menacing charges a day earlier.
Sheriff Williams has been released from jail on bond.
The competing warrants for arrests stem from an altercation between Mitchell and Williams at a drug task force meeting last Thursday in the Butler County District Attorney's office.
Sheriff Williams says Chief Mitchell threatened him with his gun.
Wednesday morning, attorneys representing Chief Mitchell released a statement denying any wrongdoing. They say the charges against him are racially and politically motivated. Mitchell is black while Williams is white.
"Sheriff Williams threatened me and I did tell him that I'd put a hole in him and he told me some other things and that's why there is a warrant for his arrest because he threatened me," Mitchell told CBS 8 News.
Chief Mitchell says he's worked with Sheriff Williams since 1998 and he says while they tend to disagree, he does respect his position as sheriff.
|
|
First on CBS 8: Hayneville Police Chief Arrested in Butler Co.
|
|
From the CBS 8 South Alabama Newsroom -- As CBS 8 News was first to report Tuesday at noon, the police chief of Hayneville has been arrested in Butler County.
Last Thursday, a meeting at the Butler Co. District Attorney's office involving Hayneville Police Chief Kelvin Mitchell and Lowndes Co. Sheirff Charles Williams allegedly got out of hand, which led to Mitchell's arrest Tuesday.
Officials say Mitchell turned himself in at the Butler Co. jail. He is accused of removing his gun from his holster and threatening Sheriff Williams. Authorities say the argument was broken up by deputies who were present.
Mitchell was booked by Butler Co. Sheriff Kenny Harden, who tells CBS 8 News situations like these are never easy.
"I don't think any law enforcement likes to arrest another law enforcement officer. When we put people in these positions, they're supposed to be professional in what they doing and they ought to be able to handle these meetings without it getting out of control like that," Harden said.
Hayneville Mayor Helenor Bell says Mitchell will continue his position as police chief. Bell says she hopes the city and county can one day work together.
|
|
City of Andalusia Helps Shaw Industries Go Green
|
|
From the CBS 8 South Alabama Newsroom -- The city of Andalusia is helping one of its largest employers go green.
Biodiesel was delivered to Shaw Industries Tuesday afternoon. The fuel will be used to power one of Shaw's boilers and will also cut down on production costs.
Andalusia began the green initiative in January, giving citizens the opportunity to recycle used cooking oil.
|
|
Army Soldier from Covington Co. Dies of Tick Bite in Afghanistan
|
|
From the CBS 8 South Alabama Newsroom -- A U.S. Army soldier from Covington County has died while serving in Afghanistan.
Sgt. Robert Gordon, 22, of River Falls got sick after being bitten by a tick last Friday and died Wednesday.
Gordon enlisted in the Army more than four years ago in Montgomery. He was sent to Afghanistan in July.
|
|
BAMA COUNTRY 98.9 97.9 JAMZ Q 96.1
NEWS TALK 107.9 & WACV
|
