News 2008-06-20 Andanh.com

Close to home: High gas prices make staycations more popular Fri, 20 Jun 2008 01:28:00 CST
Looking to get a little r&r this summer? What's your mpg?

Retirees, veterans missing out on tax rebate checks Fri, 20 Jun 2008 01:29:00 CST
About 7,400 retirees and disabled veterans in the River Region haven't gotten their tax rebate checks yet because they need to file a tax return, according to the Internal Revenue Service.

Officials investigate Montgomery County appraisal office Fri, 20 Jun 2008 01:16:00 CST
The Montgomery County District Attorney's Office is conducting an investigation into the county's appraisal office, but details were not being released at press time.

Air supplier industry in limbo over tanker Fri, 20 Jun 2008 01:16:00 CST
The head of a Memphis-based supplier of aircraft fire-suppression equipment, John McNulty received some vacation-spoiling news this week when his business partner reached him in Cancun.

Festival opens ponds to public Fri, 20 Jun 2008 00:28:00 CST
MILLBROOK -- The Alabama Nature Center is hosting a fishing festival this weekend at its Lanark estate, where people of all ages can enjoy catch-and-release fishing and other outdoor activities.

Prattville wants state's OK for red-light cameras Fri, 20 Jun 2008 00:38:00 CST
PRATTVILLE -- City officials are interested in using cameras to catch drivers who run red lights, but not until they get the OK from the Legislature.

State needs storm to battle drought Fri, 20 Jun 2008 00:30:00 CST
While the flooded Midwest is praying for the rains to stop, Alabama is hoping for the perfect storm.

Montgomery Kennel Club lends hand to firefighters to save pets Fri, 20 Jun 2008 00:28:00 CST
PRATTVILLE -- When homes burn, pets inhale smoke.

Police department honors 41 graduates Fri, 20 Jun 2008 00:29:00 CST
The Montgomery Police Department honored 41 graduates Thursday at the Armory Learning Arts Center.

Probate Office official charged with theft Fri, 20 Jun 2008 00:30:00 CST
A high ranking employee with the Montgomery County Probate Office has been charged with stealing from a Montgomery church.

Teens lead police on chase to woods Fri, 20 Jun 2008 00:30:00 CST
PRATTVILLE -- Two teenagers bolted from a car and led several law enforcement officers on a short chase Thursday morning, according to the Alabama Department of Public Safety.

Ceremony held for wildlife garden Fri, 20 Jun 2008 00:29:00 CST
PRATTVILLE -- The groundbreaking ceremony for the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Garden was held Thursday morning in Prattville.

Man crossing street hit twice, dies Fri, 20 Jun 2008 00:29:00 CST
A 47-year-old man who was trying to cross West South Boulevard between South Court Street and Rosa L. Parks Avenue was struck twice and killed, police said.

CRIME BRIEFS Fri, 20 Jun 2008 00:38:00 CST
Two midday robberies were reported to the Montgomery Police Department on Wednesday, including one in the Eastdale Mall parking lot.

Young talent adds excitement to city championship Fri, 20 Jun 2008 01:08:00 CST
Jamie Jones won the City Golf Championship at Lagoon Park in 1997, but the former Robert E. Lee High and Huntingdon College standout calls himself a realist.

Hughes comes up huge in Biscuits win Fri, 20 Jun 2008 01:09:00 CST
One Biscuit starred Thursday in his first action since an injury, but another likely will go on the disabled list today.

Health issue ends career for Mitchell Fri, 20 Jun 2008 01:11:00 CST
TUSCALOOSA -- The often stormy collegiate career of Lionel Mitchell is over.

Tide golfer takes lead in tournament Fri, 20 Jun 2008 01:13:00 CST
TOYOTA CITY, Japan -- Bud Cauley shot a 4-under 67 in the second round of the Toyota Junior World Cup Wednesday to move into the lead.

Prattville hires coaching staff Fri, 20 Jun 2008 01:18:00 CST
Jamey DuBose's first Prattville coaching staff was finalized Thursday night.

Selma High coach resigns post Fri, 20 Jun 2008 01:18:00 CST
Brian Montgomery has presented his letter of resignation as a tenured science teacher in the Selma City School System. His letter also terminates his supplemental contract as head football coach for Selma High School.

BISCUIT CRUMBS Fri, 20 Jun 2008 01:10:00 CST
Tim Beckham, the Georgia high school shortstop who was the No. 1 overall pick in this month's draft, netted a record-setting bonus when he signed Thursday. The Tampa Bay Rays will give Beckham a $6.15 million signing bonus, the most given to a draft pick. Arizona gave outfielder Justin Upton $6.1 million in 2005. Beckham took batting practice with the Rays before their game Thursday night with the Chicago Cubs. He'll report to Rookie-level Princeton on Sunday. "I'm just ready to play," Beckham told reporters at Tropicana Field. "Get all the business side out of the way and do what I love to do." Beckham will join an older brother in Princeton. The Rays drafted Georgia Southern second baseman Jeremy Beckham in the 17th round. Tampa Bay's negotiations with its top pick were much shorter than last year. Pitcher David Price didn't sign until the Aug. 15 deadline day. The Rays gave him a major-league contract worth a guaranteed $8.5 million, including a $5.6 million signing bonus. Beckham established himself as a top prospect last summer. He hit .482 with six home runs, 41 RBIs and 58 runs scored for the Griffin High Bears this spring. "That we were able to conclude the signing process just two weeks after the draft is a testament both to the relationship that our scouting staff formed with Tim and his family and, of course, to Tim's enthusiasm for the game," Rays general manager Andrew Friedman said in a release. "He has true five-tool potential, and we look forward to helping him develop his unique abilities." Kamrath suffers setback, has sharp pain in hand Biscuits pitcher Jeff Kamrath will see noted orthopedist James Andrews in Birmingham on Monday after developing sharp pain in his hand. Kamrath has pitched just once since April 23 because of an elbow injury. His ring and pinky fingers started feeling colder than the others on Tuesday before he threw a simulated game. He also started feeling "throbbing pain" in his forearm and particularly in his fingers and palm. "I threw in the bullpen that day and threw well, but it was worse the next day," Kamrath said. Andrews performed elbow surgery on Kamrath when Kamrath was at the University of Virginia. "We'll see what he has to say, and I may have to see a nerve specialist," Kamrath said. "I hope we can figure out exactly what's going on there." His ring and pinky fingers felt noticeably colder Thursday than his other fingers. "It doesn't sound good, obviously," Biscuits manager Billy Gardner said. "I know he's frustrated about it. I think everybody is." Braves' Holt welcomed to town with LSU song Braves second baseman J.C. Holt didn't expect the LSU-style welcome he received in Montgomery this week. Holt played at LSU and was regaled with the LSU fight song before his first at-bat Tuesday. Biscuits director of fan entertainment April Catarella happens to be an LSU alum. "That was actually kind of awesome," Holt said. "I heard a few Tiger fans in the crowd, too." The Tigers are also in this week's College World Series. LSU was to play North Carolina in an elimination game Thursday night. The winner has to beat Fresno State twice to reach the CWS championship series. "I hope they do it," Holt said. "It would be nice to have the football and baseball titles back at home. We'll see." NUMBERS GAME 1: Number of pitches Biscuits first baseman Rhyne Hughes needed after coming off a hamstring injury to hit a home run. Hughes hit an opposite-field, two-run shot in the second inning. He had missed nine games. 4: RBIs for Hughes in Montgomery's 6-3 win Thursday over the Mississippi Braves. He also hit a two-run double in the seventh inning. 7: Strikeouts for Biscuits starter James Houser, tying a season high he set in his previous start at Mobile. 3: Braves who reached base in the first four innings against Houser. 4: Straight hitters who reached for Mississippi to start the fifth against Houser, who didn't come out for the sixth. The Braves scored twice in the inning. 3: Straight starts in which Houser has picked up a win. He was winless after his first 11 starts this year. 7,158: Distance, in miles, from Montgomery to Seoul, the capital of South Korea. Braves reliever Sung Ki Jung is from Yee Soo, South Korea. 56: Distance, in miles, from Montgomery to Braves reliever Michael Nix's alma mater, Auburn High. Nix relieved Jung to start the eighth. ATTENDANCE Thursday: 5,926 Season total (35 dates): 157,442 (4,498 average) 2007 (35 dates): 165,987 (4,742 average) TODAY'S GAME Mississippi 7:05 p.m. Left-hander Mike Prochaska (2-2, 4.25 ERA) starts tonight for the Biscuits in the fourth game of the series. Prochaska has lost his last two starts, despite allowing just two earned runs in each. Braves left-hander Carlos Sencion (2-1, 2.77) returned to the rotation last weekend with five shutout innings and a no-decision. He hasn't allowed a run a month's stay on the disabled list that ended June 4. NEXT 5 GAMES Saturday: Mississippi, 7:05 p.m. Sunday: Mississippi, 2:05 p.m. Tuesday: at Mobile, 7:05 p.m. Wednesday: at Mobile, 7:05 p.m. Thursday: at Mobile, 7:05 p.m. -- Compiled by A. Stacy Long BLOG: montgomery- advertiser.com/biscuitblog

CRUMBS: Top pick Beckham signs; bonus sets draft record Fri, 20 Jun 2008 00:11:00 CST
Tim Beckham, the Georgia high school shortstop who was the No. 1 overall pick in this month's draft, netted a record-setting bonus when he signed Thursday.

Saving for college? Take a state tax break Fri, 20 Jun 2008 00:11:00 CST
Gov. Bob Riley says a new state law will allow parents to save up to $250 annually in state income taxes.

Probate judge's brush with fire left him dazed Fri, 20 Jun 2008 00:10:00 CST
VALLEY GRANDE -- It was a hot, muggy morning and Kim Ballard had just poured kerosene on a pile of brush near his house in this little Dallas County town.

Inmate dies after 17-year wait for retrial Fri, 20 Jun 2008 00:12:00 CST
TALLADEGA -- More than a decade ago, a frustrated judge vowed there would be no more delays in the stalled retrial of death row inmate Shep Wilson Jr.

State looks at online voting systems Fri, 20 Jun 2008 01:28:00 CST
Online voting is inevitable, Alabama's Secretary of State Beth Chapman says.

Coroner: Husband should be charged in death Fri, 20 Jun 2008 00:12:00 CST
SYDNEY, Australia -- An Australian coroner ruled today that a tourist from Alabama should face a murder trial in the death of his wife, who drowned while on a reef dive during their honeymoon in 2003.

Michelle Obama coming to state Fri, 20 Jun 2008 00:09:00 CST
BIRMINGHAM -- Sen. Barack Obama's wife will attend a private fundraising luncheon Monday in Birmingham.

Woman pleads not guilty in infant's death Fri, 20 Jun 2008 00:11:00 CST
FORT PAYNE -- A DeKalb County woman accused of killing her 5-week-old son has pleaded not guilty and not guilty by reason of mental disease.

Timber broker pleads to fraud Fri, 20 Jun 2008 00:12:00 CST
MOBILE -- Tuscaloosa businessman Dennis Raymond Sheffield has pleaded guilty to bank fraud charges and must repay a Demopolis bank nearly $1 million borrowed for phony timber deals.

Alabama militia's arsenal destroyed Fri, 20 Jun 2008 00:12:00 CST
TALLADEGA -- Teams of law enforcement officers are in Talladega destroying a stockpile of weapons seized in an inquiry of a rag-tag Alabama militia.

ALABAMA HISTORY Alabama troops guarded border Fri, 20 Jun 2008 00:12:00 CST
It was 92 years ago this month that the National Guard assembled in Montgomery before being sent to protect the Mexican border.

Company owner winner of national contest Fri, 20 Jun 2008 00:51:00 CST
Adams Hudson had the chance to get a new Ford Mustang convertible or $25,000 cash after he won an advertising copy writing contest, but the owner of Montgomery's Hudson Ink decided to accept the third option -- mentoring from an industry leader.

Leader of women's Realtor group says networking key Fri, 20 Jun 2008 00:52:00 CST
The state president of the Women's Council of Realtors told members of the Montgomery Chapter that being an active member is one of the best ways to build a network of professional contacts.

Judge upholds state's Medicaid fraud verdict Fri, 20 Jun 2008 00:54:00 CST
A judge upheld the fraud verdict that Alabama won against AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP in a Medicaid drug pricing suit, but ruled Thursday the punitive damages were too high, trimming the total judgment to $160 million.

Regions to announce earnings Fri, 20 Jun 2008 00:54:00 CST
Regions Financial Corp. will announce its second-quarter earnings July 22.

State inmate dies without new trial Thu, 19 Jun 2008 20:11:00 CST
Justice delayed may be justice denied. But in the case of Alabama death row inmate Shep Wilson Jr., it's difficult to determine precisely who was denied justice -- Wilson or his victim's family, or both.

Sloth alive and well in Legislature Thu, 19 Jun 2008 19:54:00 CST
Once upon a time in a faraway place called Pennsylvania there was a Legislature famous far and wide for its sloth. This body did nothing and reveled in doing nothing. One senator from Redford sold sloth from his seat, another from Sherlock was unintelligible most of the time as he practiced sloth.

'Food for fuel' misleading term Thu, 19 Jun 2008 20:01:00 CST
The term "food for fuel" is misleading and totaling inaccurate. In corn-based ethanol production, the corn used to extract alcohol is destined for livestock feed. But before it goes to the feed processor or directly to the feed lot, it is processed and the byproducts are ethanol and high protein feed.

Crosses not only highway distractions Thu, 19 Jun 2008 20:00:00 CST
I saw on the news that a dad had put a cross memorial on the side of Interstate 65 toward Birmingham in memory of his son who was killed there.

Square purple tomatoes are safe Thu, 19 Jun 2008 20:00:00 CST
I am grateful for the informative answer to the salmonella-affected tomatoes that has filtered down to us from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

A new way of worship: Sign language helps children learn and understand Thu, 19 Jun 2008 23:07:00 CST
Hundreds of vacation Bible schoolers gather for assembly at First Baptist Church.

God's forgiveness allows all kinds of healing Thu, 19 Jun 2008 23:14:00 CST
How far would you travel to get to the source of peace that passes all understanding? What would you do to obtain true forgiveness?

All-girls conference set for July Thu, 19 Jun 2008 23:18:00 CST
Eve's Circle, a community-based organization dedicated to empowering girls ages 8 to 18, will hold its first all-girls conference from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 19.

Enjoy messianic music this weekend Thu, 19 Jun 2008 23:19:00 CST
The Chavurah Shalom Messianic congregation is hosting an evening with Ted Pearce at 7 p.m. Saturday.

St. John's AME Church to honor its pastor Thu, 19 Jun 2008 23:20:00 CST
The Ninth Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church and the officers and friends of St. John's AME Church will pay tribute to the Rev. James E. Arnell at 5 p.m. Sunday as he prepares for the election of new bishops for the denomination.

Tickets on Sale Wed, 18 Jun 2008 23:00:00 CST
TRI-COUNTY SHOWS Jonny Lang: Tickets are now on sale for the June 23 concert at the Montgomery Peforming Arts Centre. Tickets are $34.50-$42.50. Call 800-277-1700.

go! Clubs Wed, 18 Jun 2008 23:00:00 CST
Here's what's happening in area clubs this week:

Get Smart (2 stars) Wed, 18 Jun 2008 19:22:00 CST
Before seeing "Get Smart," the big-screen remake of the 1960s television series, a natural question one might pose about the film is: Why? After seeing it, the question remains. Why "Get Smart"? Why now?

Bluesman Tinsley Ellis to play at Capitol Oyster Bar Wed, 18 Jun 2008 19:20:00 CST
Tinsley Ellis, who played here often in the early late 1980s and early '90s, has earned a reputation as one of the best blues guitarists in the country.

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