Author: WAKA Action 8 News

House of Representatives Approve Record $7.2 Billion Education Budget

The Alabama House of Representatives passed a record education trust fund budget Thursday. The $7.2 billion dollar education budget is the largest in Alabama history, but it does not include some of the raises for teachers that were spoke of  earlier in the session. The House of Representatives voted 76 to 1 to approve the education trust fund budget. The…

Lee County Sheriff’s Office Makes Drug Bust in Beauregard

On Thursday, May 7, Lee County Sheriff’s Investigators conducted a drug search warrant at a residence in the 1100 block of Lee Rd. 147 in Beauregard. Marijuana, THC oil, controlled narcotics, illegal distilled spirits, approximately $6,000 and 17 firearms were discovered from the residence. Michael Scott Ford, 37, of Opelika, was arrested and charged with one count of Possession of…

Gov. Ivey Giving Control of CARES Act Money to Legislature

Governor Kay Ivey on Thursday issued the following statement in response to the Legislature’s desire to have control of CARES Act money that President Trump designated for the governors: “I just got off the phone with House General Fund Chairman Steve Clouse, R-Ozark, and expressed to him my desire for the Legislature to have full control of the CARES Act…

New Unemployment Claims Fall After 400,000 Seek Benefits

New unemployment claims have leveled off some in Alabama after a record 400,000 people applied for job loss benefits during the coronavirus outbreak. The Alabama Department of Labor reported that nearly 29,000 unemployment claims were filed last week. More than 19,400 of those claims were COVID-19 related. The number is well above normal unemployment levels in the state, but down…

The Shoppes at Eastchase Farmers Market Returns May 9

The Shoppes at EastChase Farmers Market returns Saturday, May 9. The Farmers Market and vendors are taking extra precautions to follow all CDC and State Farmers Market Authority guidelines.  Vendors will be spread out so that everyone can practice social distancing. For the time being, dogs will not be allowed. This is the 16th year for the Shoppes at EastChase…

U.S. Marshals Searching Fugitive Considered to be Armed and Dangerous

The United States Marshals Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Task Force is searching for the location of 38-year-old fugitive, Timothy Jabbar Wyatt. Wyatt is described as a black male, 6’0 ft.in height, weighing approximately 222lbs. Wyatt is considered a Dangerous Sex Offender with violent tendencies. U.S. Marshals confirm warrants against Wyatt for Kidnapping, Assault, and Attempted Rape-Dangerous/Violent Sex Offender/Serial Rapist. U.S….

Montgomery Teen Killed in Deadly Danbury Court Shooting

The Montgomery Police Department is conducting a death investigation following the fatal shooting of James Legregory McGhee Jr., 18, of Montgomery, that occurred on May 6. On May 6, around 6:50 pm, MPD and Fire Medics responded to the 4400 block of Danbury Court in reference to a subject shot. At the scene, police located an adult male victim with…

New COVID-19 Cases Reported in Alabama Prison System

The Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC) on Wednesday confirmed an inmate incarcerated at Hamilton Aged & Infirmed (Hamilton A&I) in Hamilton, has tested positive for COVID-19. This represents the eighth confirmed case of COVID-19 among our inmate population, four (4) of which remain active. The inmate, considered high-risk due to preexisting medical conditions, immediately was admitted to a local hospital…

Suspect Charged in McQueen Street Homicide

Maurice Cooper-Jenkins/Source: Montgomery County Detention Facility Montgomery Police has charged a man in the Wednesday, May 6, homicide that left one person dead. Police arrested and charged 36-year-old Maurice Cooper-Jenkins with murder relating to the shooting death of 62-year-old Joseph Ford. MPD Spokesperson Cpt. Saba Coleman says police and fire medics responded to the 2900 block of McQueen around 3:00PM…