Author: WAKA Action 8 News

New Senior Housing Coming to Montgomery

Community members and financing partners joined developers Gulf Coast Housing Partnership and Volunteers of America Southeast to celebrate the groundbreaking for the new Country Club Estates development. The $12.6 MM project is transforming a formally vacant site on Country Club Dr. in Montgomery into 62 new one-and two-bedroom apartments for seniors – with special set-asides for veterans and individuals with…

Former ADOC Lieutenant Charged with Failing to Stop Assault on Handcuffed Inmate

The Justice Department today announced that a Federal Grand Jury sitting in Montgomery, returned a two-count indictment charging former Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC) Lieutenant Willie Burks, 39, with failing to stop a sergeant under his command from kicking and striking with a baton a handcuffed and compliant inmate at ADOC’s Elmore Correctional Facility. The alleged incident occurred on February…

Pike Road Schools Superintendent Named Alabama District IV Superintendent of the Year

Pike Road Schools Superintendent, Dr. Charles Ledbetter was elected as the District IV Superintendent of the Year.  He was nominated and elected by the superintendents in District IV of the School Superintendents of Alabama. Dr. Mackey the State Schools Superintendent for Alabama Schools states this honor is well deserved. “Dr. Ledbetter is an extremely thoughtful and conscientious leader and well…

Lawsuit: School Neglected 1st Grader Abused by Classmates

HOOVER, Ala. (AP) – An Alabama school system is being sued by parents who say officials knew their first grade daughter was being sexually assaulted by other students but did nothing about it. News outlets report the Hoover City Schools system and teachers at Trace Crossings Elementary School are being sued for negligence. The lawsuit says female classmates sexually assaulted…

Alabama sheriff to hold prayer vigil over ‘rampant evil’

CLEVELAND, Ala. (AP) – The sheriff of an Alabama county dealing with several grim cases has organized a prayer vigil. Reports say Blount County Sheriff Mark Moon released a statement Friday about the upset in the “normally quiet and peaceful county.” He didn’t mention specific cases, but said the last month has been trying. Deputies this month found the body…

Alabama Man Arrested in Terrorism Probe

ATLANTA (AP) – An Alabama man has been apprehended as part of a yearslong terrorism probe in which the FBI says he told agents he would execute a U.S. soldier if ordered to do so by the Islamic State group. FBI agents took Nayef Qashou into custody Monday. He’s charged with lying to the FBI and destroying records. In a…

State Board of Parole Chair Submits Resignation After Less than One Year in Position

The chair of Alabama’s Board of Pardons and Paroles is resigning from her governor-appointed station effective Oct. 1 after less than a year in the role. According to reports, Lyn Head said she made the decision after fervent prayer. The Tuscaloosa lawyer and former prosecutor has served on the board for a total of three years. Gov. Kay Ivey spokeswoman…

Record Heat Today, but Noticeably Cooler Tomorrow

SIZZLING SEPTEMBER HEAT CONTINUES: One more very hot day as the ridge continues to hold place. We are forecasting ample sunshine today with a high around 101°, which would beat the record for Montgomery of 100° set back in 2010. We could see a few widely scattered showers this afternoon, but these will be few and far between and most…

Tuscaloosa Officers Death Resonates with Greenville Police Department

Tuscaloosa may be nearly 150 miles from Greenville, but Officer Dornell Cousette’s death in the line of duty Monday sends waves through the law enforcement community. “Anytime something this tragic happens in law enforcement , no matter where it is, we all feel it.” Greenville Police Chief Justin Lovvorn is no stranger to the feeling. Since he’s been Chief, one…