News 2008-06-22 Andanh.com

New officers prepare for their Air Force futures Sun, 22 Jun 2008 00:48:00 CST
They came as individuals. They left as a team. They are the newest second lieutenants in the Air Force.

How much do Alabama's top public officials make? Sun, 22 Jun 2008 00:55:00 CST
Captains of the state's retirement, health care and education systems round out the top 10 highest paid employees in the 2008 Journal of Salaries.

Young Baptist preachers take different paths Sun, 22 Jun 2008 00:51:00 CST
J.D. Greear persuaded his church to drop the word "Baptist" from its name, sell its historic building in Durham, N.C., and move into a local high school. Greear preaches in an untucked collared shirt, sportcoat and jeans. He generally avoids politics but signed a statement urging action on global warming.

Yard sale raises $3,500 for MDA Sun, 22 Jun 2008 00:37:00 CST
A yard sale held Saturday at St. James School raised about $3,500 for "Jerry's Kids."

Immigration complaints arriving Sun, 22 Jun 2008 00:52:00 CST
Businesses are violating a new city law against employing illegal immigrants, according to complaints from several residents. City officials expect more complaints to pile up before they can start investigation and enforcement.

Sirens now heard all over Elmore County Sun, 22 Jun 2008 00:56:00 CST
An emergency siren can mean the difference between life and death when severe weather strikes.

Garbage pickup choice may rule in runoff Sun, 22 Jun 2008 00:53:00 CST
PRATTVILLE -- There's plenty of trash talking going on in the runoff for Autauga County Commission District 4 -- but not by the candidates.

Motorcycle riders aid Elmore humane shelter Sun, 22 Jun 2008 00:49:00 CST
Motorcycle riders from throughout the tri-county area hopped on their Harleys and Kowasakis on Saturday for a long trip to help raise funds for the Elmore County Humane Shelter.

A troubled teen shares story to help others Sun, 22 Jun 2008 00:55:00 CST
As Kim Hunter talks about her childhood years, you notice something odd. There's no bitterness, no anger and no tears. She doesn't curse. She doesn't raise her voice.

Reunion celebrates China Grove connection Sun, 22 Jun 2008 00:42:00 CST
There are probably not as many people living in China Grove today as there were at a reunion of former residents this weekend.

Young soccer stars draw large crowd Sun, 22 Jun 2008 00:43:00 CST
Parents and families crowded bleachers on one side of the YMCA's indoor soccer field on the first day of the season Saturday, cheering their kids on.

Hard times are here for Montgomery Sun, 22 Jun 2008 00:53:00 CST
If we're not in a recession, it'll do until one gets here.

CRIME BRIEFS Sun, 22 Jun 2008 00:53:00 CST

The Price is right for Biscuits: Rays send top pitching prospect to town Sun, 22 Jun 2008 02:42:00 CST
David Price, the No. 1 pick in last year's draft and a former All-American at Vanderbilt, has been promoted to the Biscuits.

Q&A: ASU football coach Barlow tries to move forward Sun, 22 Jun 2008 01:33:00 CST
The last few months have been a bit of a roller coaster ride for Alabama State's Reggie Barlow. Unfortunately, there have been far more deep plunges than nice, slow uphill rides for the Hornets' second-year head coach.

McGrady hangs on to City Golf tournament lead Sun, 22 Jun 2008 02:22:00 CST
After ideal playing conditions on Friday, longer distances off of the tees and a steady afternoon breeze drove up Saturday's scores in the 30th annual City Golf Championship at Lagoon Park.

Leen provides amateur wrestling pointers at Prattville Sun, 22 Jun 2008 02:26:00 CST
PRATTVILLE -- Tennessee native and Cornell University wrestler Jordan Leen grew up going to wrestling camps.

COMMENTARY: 10 moments just as dumb as shifting New Year's to July Sun, 22 Jun 2008 01:43:00 CST
I think I've figured out a way to slide in a few more rank ings columns. I'm changing the calendar. Yes, I can do that. For the sole purpose of making my life much easier over the next few weeks, I'm going to pretend that New Year's Day is now Day 1 of SEC Media Days.

PILEDRIVER: RAW special features draft, million-dollar giveaway Sun, 22 Jun 2008 01:31:00 CST
A major shakeup could occur on Monday Night RAW as a draft featuring the RAW, Smackdown and ECW rosters will take place on a special three-hour show on the USA Network.

RECREATION: Oversized basketball can hamper learning process Sun, 22 Jun 2008 02:25:00 CST
From the mailbag:

SPORTS BRIEFS: Crimson Tide picks up 8th commitment Sun, 22 Jun 2008 01:55:00 CST
Alabama picked up its eighth commitment of the year when Central Catholic High running back Mike Marrow of Toledo, Ohio, selected the Crimson Tide.

BISCUIT CRUMBS: Braves win in 11 after Biscuits' dramatic rally Sun, 22 Jun 2008 02:39:00 CST
The Mississippi Braves, after watching the Biscuits erase a five-run deficit in the late innings, scored twice in the 11th to take a 9-8 win Saturday. Jordan Schafer drew a bases-loaded walk and Javier Guzman followed with an infield single to put the Braves ahead 9-7. Montgomery scored in the bottom of the 11th and had the potential tying and winning runs on base when a groundball ended it. "One thing about this team, there's no quit in them," Biscuits manager Billy Gardner said. "We had the right guys at the plate and just didn't get it done." The Biscuits trailed 7-2 after 7½ innings, scored three times in the eighth and tied it in the ninth in dramatic fashion. Sergio Pedroza and Rhyne Hughes hit back-to-back home runs with two outs in the ninth — both on 1-2 pitches. "I have to tip my hat to those two guys," Braves manager Phillip Wellman said. "They both hit pretty good pitches. That game was unbelievable. My head's still swimming." Luis Valdez (1-1) gave up both home runs but picked up the victory, while Braves starter Kris Medlen took a tough-luck no-de´cision. Medlen gave up five hits and two runs over seven innings. No Bis´cuit safely reached second until Josh Asanovich led off the sixth with a home run. "It's disheartening because I wish Medlen would have been rewarded for his outing," Wellman said. "The pitcher in there that's the most (peeved) off and irritated picked up the win. "This game is funny. There's no justice. It's fair. That's why baseball is so beautiful. It's like life.There's nothing fair in this game." Montgomery's three-run eighth came with Ronnie Merrill's two-run triple and a Gabriel Martinez RBI single. ¤ Biscuits place Cottrell on DL, Hall moving up ÿ Outfielder J.T. Hall, promoted from Vero Beach on Saturday, is moving up after the Biscuits put infielder Patrick Cottrell on the disabled list. Hall won the home run derby at the Florida State League's All-Star Game this month. On Satur´day, he was 2-for-4 with two doubles, giving him a .291 average this season. The 24-year-old, who is from Mississippi, had five homers and 28 RBIs this season for Vero. Cottrell broke his right thumb when he was hit by a pitch Thursday and will be in a cast for at least the next four weeks. He likely won't return until August. ¤ Deago avoids presents as he marks birthday Biscuits reliever Roger Deago didn't have any birthday presents piled up in his locker Saturday and liked it that way. Deago turned 31 and made it a low-key affair. His family called him early in the day, so did his friends from home in Panama, and Deago didn't deal with any gifts. "Not right now, but it's OK," said Deago, who has a 2.31 ERA in 29 appearances this year. "Everybody knows it's my birthday." ¤ Midnight Sun highlight for summer in Alaska ÿ Biscuits catcher Alex Jamieson grew up in Alaska, but he never witnessed one of the highlights of a summer in the state. The Midnight Sun Baseball Classic made its annual appearance Saturday night in Fairbanks when the Alaska Goldpanners faced the California Running Birds. "It's a huge deal in Fairbanks and everybody loves it," said Jamieson, who lived in Anchorage, about 360 miles from Fairbanks. "It's played at midnight and there are no lights. They aren't needed." Saturday marked the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. The sun was up for 14 hours, 16 minutes in Montgomery. In Fairbanks, sunrise was officially at 2:59 a.m. and sunset at 12:47 a.m. today, but enough light remains in between for baseball. ¤ NUMBERS GAME 1-2: Count facing both Sergio Pedroza and Rhyne Hughes when each hit two-out home runs for the Biscuits in the ninth inning Saturday. 57: Games since Pedroza had homered. He has three this season. 67: Games since Montgomery second baseman Josh Asanovich last homered, until he led off the sixth inning with a blast to left. Asanovich has two homers this season. 0: Biscuits to safely reach second base against Braves starter ÿ Kris Medlen before Asanovich's homer. 2: Straight pitches on which Mississippi homered in the fifth inning Saturday. Greg Creek hit a two-run shot and Kala Ka'aihue followed to give the Braves a 4-0 lead. 5: Stolen bases for the Braves. ÿ J.C. Holt and Reid Gorecki, the Nos. 1 and 2 hitters in the lineup, had two steals each. 1.93: ERA for Biscuits pitcher Jino Gonzalez as a starter. Gonzalez gave up just one run in four innings. ¤ ATTENDANCE Saturday: 7,365 Season total (37 dates): 171,866 (4,645 average) 2007 (37 dates): 172,043 (4,650 average) Notable: Saturday's crowd tied for sixth on the Biscuits' all-time home list. They also drew 7,365 for Mississippi on Aug. 26, 2005. Four of Montgomery's top eight crowds have involved the Braves. TODAY'S GAME Mississippi 2:05 p.m. The Biscuits and Braves end their six-game series this afternoon at Riverwalk. Montgomery left-hander Jake McGee will make his second start of the series. McGee (6-3, 3.81 ERA) allowed two runs in 5 2/3 innings Tuesday in a no-decision. Right-hander James Parr (4-4, 4.63 ERA) starts for Mississippi. Parr moved up to make a start for Triple-A Richmond on Tuesday. He gave up four runs on six hits in three innings to lose. NEXT 5 GAMES Tuesday: at Mobile, 7:05 p.m. Wednesday: at Mobile, 7:05 p.m. Thursday: at Mobile, 7:05 p.m. Friday: at Mobile, 7:05 p.m. Saturday: at Mobile, 7:05 p.m. — Compiled by A. Stacy Long BLOG: montgomeryadvertiser.com/biscuitblog

City Golf Championship scores, tee times Sun, 22 Jun 2008 02:04:00 CST
Scores are through Saturday's second round. Listed before the scores are today's tee times for each group. Flight 5 7:15 a.m. #10 Arnold, Kevin······················198 Bowlin, Paul·······················226 Tejeda, Ron·······················207 7:24 a.m. #10 Barron, Donald·····················192 Hollis, Greg·······················190 Jones, James T.····················190 7:33 a.m. #10 Jones, Walt·······················186 Register, James II···················186 Black, Martis······················185 7:42 a.m. #10 Mackin, Tom······················185 Morgan, Mike······················184 Foxworth, Brandon···················183 7:51 a.m. #10 Ingle, Jerry·······················183 Thrash, Bubba·····················182 Pearce, Bob·······················182 8 a.m. #10 Day, Kenny·······················181 Maddox, Kent······················181 Lankford, Tyler·····················180 8:09 a.m. #10 Longcrier, Ken·····················180 Bonham, John·····················180 Duncan, Randy·····················180 Flight 4 8:18 a.m. #10 Rogers, Steve······················179 Collins, Jeff·······················179 Bassett, Jerry······················179 8:27 a.m. #10 Smith, William W.····················177 Blevins, Tony······················176 Chapman, James····················176 8:36 a.m. #10 Wilson, Glenn······················175 Glass, Ben·······················175 Eldridge, Darryl·····················174 8:45 a.m. #10 Richburg, Marc·····················173 Beasley, Jere······················173 Hinton, John·······················173 8:54 a.m. #10 Johnson, Chas·····················173 Whitaker, Andy·····················172 Abele, Randy······················172 9:03 a.m. #10 Warren, R.D.······················172 Coley, Dave·······················171 Everhart, Destry·····················170 Flight 3 7:15 a.m. #1 Chavers, Danny·····················170 Whitaker, Michael Jr.··················170 Pollock, Jacob·····················170 7:24 a.m. #1 Bennett, Wade·····················170 Jordan, Kern······················170 Mainor, Trey·······················170 7:33 a.m. #1 Norsworthy, Johnny··················169 Bennett, James·····················169 Williams, Billy······················169 7:42 a.m. #1 Whitaker, Mike·····················169 Skoneki, Scott······················169 Mills, Craig·······················169 7:51 a.m. #1 Russell, Hamp·····················169 Saunders, Joseph···················168 Scanlon, Mike······················168 8:00 a.m. #1 Piwetz, Jerry······················168 Davis, Tim························168 Pitts, Larry························168 Flight 2 8:09 a.m. #1 Greene, Michael····················168 Clark, Greg·······················168 Dutton, Jeff·······················167 8:18 a.m. #1 Smith, Michael·····················167 Keene, Mickey·····················167 Goude, Scott······················167 8:27 a.m. #1 Smitherman, Steve···················167 Raley, Dale·······················166 Reid, Brian·······················166 8:36 a.m. #1 Whiddon, Randy····················165 Turner, Tracy······················165 Justiss, Lance······················165 8:45 a.m. #1 Polk, Chris························165 Pittman, Les·······················165 Wendling, Rick·····················165 8:54 a.m. #1 Brothers, Ken······················164 Wade, Harry·······················164 Murdock, Randall····················164 Flight 1 noon #10 Holiday, Bret······················164 Underwood, Wendell··················163 Cone, Matt·······················163 12:09 p.m. #10 Colmans, David·····················162 Alexander, Clark····················162 Jones, Undra······················161 12:18 p.m. #10 Carteret, J B·······················161 Robinson, Rodger···················161 Johnson, Bob······················161 12:27 p.m. #10 Chance, Kenny·····················161 Saunders, Steven····················160 Ross, John·······················160 12:36 p.m. #10 Law, Jonathan·····················160 Hanson, Jason·····················159 Veres, Daniel······················158 12:45 p.m. #10 Pappanastos, Ryan···················158 Helms, Tyner······················158 Hunt, Winston······················157 12:54 p.m. #10 Eubanks, Jason·····················156 Phillips, Steve······················154 Woolen, Matt······················153 Championship C 1:03 p.m. #10 Gettys, Nick 176 Riley, Joe························165 Forrer, Daniel······················163 1:12 p.m. #10 Capouya, Kenny····················162 Smith, Jimmy······················162 Bricken, John······················161 1:21 p.m. #10 Pruitt, Jason·······················160 Unis, Jay························160 Birmingham, Robert··················158 1:30 p.m. #10 Lovelady, Chad·····················158 Curtis, Chris·······················156 Raycraft, Tony·····················154 1:39 p.m. #10 Ngirailab, Moses····················154 Herndon, Tom······················154 Hanning, Bain······················154 1:48 p.m. #10 Sattineni, Anoop····················154 Gardner, Trent·····················152 McGraw, Brad······················149 Championship B noon #1 Jorajuria, Dan······················157 Paramore, Greg·····················156 Mitchell, Eric·······················156 12:09 p.m. #1 White, Robby······················156 Roberts, Chris······················155 Thompson, Will·····················153 12:18 p.m. #1 Mitchell, Shawn·····················153 Hutcheson, Todd····················152 Dunn, Jeff························152 12:27 p.m. #1 Pittman, Greg······················151 Cody, Gene·······················150 Shore, Eric·······················150 12:36 p.m. #1 Gilreath, Scott······················150 Carr, Kevin·······················148 Griggs, Rodney·····················148 12:45 p.m. #1 Harris, Jay························145 Barnes, Bart·······················144 Brandt, Jimmy······················143 Championship A 12:54 p.m. #1 Finlay, Josh·······················71-82--153 Faulkner, Turner····················72-79--151 Crenshaw, Devin····················73-77--150 1:03 p.m. #1 Causey, Cody······················72-78--150 Haman, Bruce······················72-76--148 Rogers, Chase·····················71-75--146 1:12 p.m. #1 Corrigan, Jacob·····················71-75--146 Hamrick, Hunter·····················70-75--145 Johnson, Matt······················69-75--144 1:21 p.m. #1 Jones, Jamie·············71-72--143 Duncan, Tim······················72-70--142 Hanson, John······················70-72--142 1:30 p.m. #1 Merritt, Reid·······················69-73--142 Perry, George······················68-74--142 Sutton, Thomas·····················69-71--140 1:39 p.m. #1 Mahanic, Matt······················67-71--138 Balog, Alex·······················68-68--136 McGrady, Michael···················64-70--134

Rare Red Hills salamander gradually losing habitat Sun, 22 Jun 2008 02:52:00 CST
It is fishing in its most bizarre form, conducted deep in the woods with no water in sight.

Questions linger in Siegelman case Sun, 22 Jun 2008 02:48:00 CST
A year ago this month, Don Siegelman walked into the federal courthouse in Montgomery with family and friends and left in the custody of U.S. marshals.

Silo collapses, $1 million in wheat spills Sun, 22 Jun 2008 02:49:00 CST
A grain silo collapsed, spilling nearly $1 million worth of wheat at the Alabama Farmers Cooperative facility.

Soldier disabled in attack returning to Iraq Sun, 22 Jun 2008 02:49:00 CST
One day last August, while manning the .50-caliber gun atop his Humvee on a dirt road in northern Iraq, Army Spc. Daniel "Joey" Haun suddenly lost consciousness. His vehicle had struck a buried bomb, an "improvised explosive device."

Airline departure: Impact of Continental's leaving not yet known Fri, 20 Jun 2008 16:55:00 CST
Continental Airlines is taking off -- for good. The airline's departure from Montgomery Regional Airport is leaving airport officials wondering how much funding may be departing with those flights.

Real people @ work: Al Bouler Fri, 20 Jun 2008 16:59:00 CST
Old Alabama Town actor Al Bouler is so convincing as no-nonsense schoolmaster Alpheus Reid Adams that visiting schoolchildren often leave with a new appreciation of their schools.

Hyundai welcomes all kinds of guests to visitors' center Fri, 20 Jun 2008 17:00:00 CST
T.M. Jones of Prattville wanted the yellow concept car sitting in Hyundai's visitors' center Monday when he was introduced as the 50,000th guest to tour Montgomery's auto plant.

People in business Fri, 20 Jun 2008 17:01:00 CST
If you have items or announcements of interest for the People in Business column, send them to Cosby Woodruff at cwoodruff@gannett.com Photos should be sent as .jpg files.

Premium sales tank as gas prices keep going up Fri, 20 Jun 2008 17:02:00 CST
MIAMI BEACH, Fla. -- Ernesto Evangelista prefers to pump premium gas into his seven-month-old Nissan Titan, thinking it makes the truck run better.

Auto dealers try new ways to boost service Fri, 20 Jun 2008 17:04:00 CST
WARREN, Mich. -- A box that sends puffs of new car-scented air into his Chevrolet dealership's service lane is just one of the tricks Tim Colussy is using these days to entice buyers to come to his Pittsburgh-area dealership for servicing.

State officials among best paid Sat, 21 Jun 2008 21:30:00 CST
Alabama ranks among the bottom 10 states in most comparisons of income for its residents, but Alabamians still have some of the best-paid state executive officials in the nation.

Downtown roundabout 'abominable' Sat, 21 Jun 2008 19:13:00 CST
I am a longtime resident of the area and have worked in the downtown area for over 17 years. During that time I have always wondered what mental institution our traffic planners inhabit, but I have never witnessed such lack of forethought and vision from the city's planners as what is occurring on the streets of downtown Montgomery.

STATE EXECUTIVE OFFICIAL PAY Sat, 21 Jun 2008 21:24:00 CST
The following is the pay of selected members of Alabama's executive branch of state government and how that pay ranks when compared to similar positions in other states. Those marked with an asterisk (') are elective positions in Alabama; the remaining are top officials of selected executive agencies. The information comes from the Council of State Government's 2008 Book of the States: Governor' ($112,895) ·························32 Lieutenant governor' ($61,714)···················32 Secretary of state' ($79,580)······················35 Attorney general' ($161,794)·······················2 Treasurer' ($79,580)·························36 Agriculture' ($79,026)·························47 Auditor' ($79,580)·························39 Banking ($152,058)·························1 Budget ($171,271)·························3 Education ($191,270)·························7 Environmental Protection ($139,320)···············7 Health ($225,021)·························3 Mental Health ($140,383)·························7 Personnel ($147,458)·························1 Revenue ($136,990)·························10

Drivers ignore conservation Sat, 21 Jun 2008 19:12:00 CST
Returning from Savannah to Montgomery recently, I drove west on Interstate 16 for 185 miles. To conserve gas I drove at 64 mph. Every car on the road passed me running at 70 to 75 mph.

Flood will hit prices of food Sat, 21 Jun 2008 19:17:00 CST
In a world where food and clean water are becoming rare commodities, the floods across Iowa and the Midwest could have global repercussions. Corn, soybean, and wheat crops have been destroyed.

Jail should be more like jail Sat, 21 Jun 2008 19:17:00 CST
Kudos to Chief Baylor and Capt. Hardy for their efforts to make our city jail more like a, well, a jail.

Affordable Atlanta: MVP Pass package won't throw your budget for a loop Sat, 21 Jun 2008 23:40:00 CST
After pumping dollar after dollar of what seems like "liquid gold" into your car on a regular basis, you might believe that a summer vacation is out of the question this year.

Alabama looks for ways to promote Pinhoti Trail Sat, 21 Jun 2008 23:41:00 CST
PIEDMONT -- You can tell a lot about a hiking trail by its markings, and the abundance of blue splotches marking trees throughout the Alabama Pinhoti says plenty about the trail's ambitions.

Capitol IdeasA few thoughts on grammar, top-selling authors Sat, 21 Jun 2008 23:40:00 CST
Say you were to write a book and that book were to make bestseller lists all around the country, maybe even claiming the No. 1 spot on The New York Times bestseller list.

Arts briefs Sat, 21 Jun 2008 23:00:00 CST
"Shine A Light": The "Original Snapper Snatchers - Distinguished Gentleman of the High Seas" are hosting a special showing of "Shine A Light," the critically acclaimed Rolling Stones concert movie produced and directed by Martin Scorsese, at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Capri Theatre, 1045 E. Fairview Ave.

Books briefs Sat, 21 Jun 2008 23:00:00 CST
"Summer Sumpthin'": Join The Friends of the Wetumpka Library for the group's first "Summer Sumpthin,'" a fun-filled evening featuring dinner, entertainment and a chance to meet Carolyn Haines, author of the Sarah Booth Delaney Mystery series.

Taking it to the limit: Anniston to pull police jurisdiction back to city limits Sun, 22 Jun 2008 16:31:44 CDT
Calhoun County is about to grow overnight — at least as far as the Sheriff's Office is concerned. Beginning July 1, the city of Anniston will pull its police jurisdiction back to the city limits. The move will bring Anniston in line with other municipalities in the county and other cities around the nation.

Hispanic Association holds annual picnic and parade Sun, 22 Jun 2008 16:31:44 CDT
By faces alone it would be tough to find the common thread in the two dozen people gathered at the Lenlock Community Center on Saturday afternoon. Every color of the racial spectrum was represented — a number of countries as well — yet they communicated with a common tongue and celebrated a similar heritage.

Local group volunteers to help Iowa flood victims Sun, 22 Jun 2008 16:31:44 CDT
About 35 men — most between the ages of 25 and 40 — and a handful of women met at the residential office of Community Against Pollution at 1521 Cobb Ave. on Saturday afternoon. The group gathered to sign up for work cleaning up after floodwaters recede in Iowa.

Watermark Tower renovations delayed: Project developer waiting on financing Sun, 22 Jun 2008 16:31:44 CDT
Renovation plans for Watermark Tower, the new name for the historic 10-story structure at the southeast corner of 10th and Noble streets, are waiting on financing that has become tough to find in recent months, according to the project's developer.

Farmer's market opens in Zinn Park Sun, 22 Jun 2008 16:31:44 CDT
Farmers and local artisans brought out their goods for the traditional Calhoun County farmer's market, which opened around 6 a.m. behind the county annex, and for a new cooperative effort, the Buckner Farmers and Crafts Market at Zinn Park.

George Smith: Katrina yet lingers in heartache Sun, 22 Jun 2008 16:31:44 CDT
George Smith's column for Sunday, June 22, 2008.

1 2 3 4 5 Next

Chinese Dir