News 2008-07-06 Andanh.com

Airlines' luggage charges add up Sun, 06 Jul 2008 00:22:00 CST
"Pack light" has taken on a whole new meaning for air passengers.

Class honors fallen friend at reunion Sat, 05 Jul 2008 23:17:00 CST
A group of old friends dedicated their 25th high school reunion Saturday to a fallen hero who also was one of their classmates.

Safety-conscious buyers crowd farmers market Sat, 05 Jul 2008 23:39:00 CST
Alabama is a safe place to buy tomatoes, so John Aplin's fruit and vegetable stand at The Shoppes at EastChase was a busy place Saturday morning.

Former Auburn swimmer Hoelzer sets world record in Olympic trials Sat, 05 Jul 2008 23:40:00 CST
OMAHA, Neb. -- Former Auburn swimmer and Huntsville native Margaret Hoelzer earned an Olympic berth in her second event Saturday night at the 2008 Olympic Trials as she broke the world record in the 200-meter backstroke, winning the event in 2 minute, 6.09 seconds. She breaks the world record time of 2:06.39, held by her former Auburn teammate and Zimbabwe Olympian Kirsty Coventry.

Flea market stirs memories Sun, 06 Jul 2008 00:19:00 CST
A Louisiana couple on their way to visit North Carolina for a few days stopped off in Montgomery on Saturday and left with the top half of a swivel chair once used at a soda fountain.

Prattville to extend sewer service north Sun, 06 Jul 2008 00:29:00 CST
PRATTVILLE -- Officials here believe extending sewer service to the north of town can fuel future growth.

Old mall would be perfect for new state house Sun, 06 Jul 2008 00:25:00 CST
The decline of Montgomery Mall continues unabated. The latest chapter involves a Montgomery businessman who paid about $27,000 in taxes that the current owner -- who is either some guy in Dothan or a dude in North Carolina -- let slide.

Group formed to look at public housing Sun, 06 Jul 2008 00:25:00 CST
Twenty-year-old Laquandra Daniels added her name last fall to the list of hundreds waiting for low-income housing in Montgomery.

Road construction affecting some area businesses Sun, 06 Jul 2008 00:26:00 CST
The construction on a downtown stretch of I-65 is ahead of schedule, but some nearby businesses are running behind financially because of decreased traffic in their neighborhoods.

Alabama pre-K program growth slowed Sat, 05 Jul 2008 23:00:00 CST
Gov. Bob Riley's plans for expanding a voluntary pre-K program are moving forward, but not as quickly as he'd hoped.

Northport man dies in Prattville accident Sun, 06 Jul 2008 00:21:00 CST
PRATTVILLE -- A Northport man died from injuries suffered Saturday when his moped struck an SUV.

Crime briefs Sat, 05 Jul 2008 23:00:00 CST

Alabamians in the military Sat, 05 Jul 2008 23:00:00 CST
Air Force Reserve Airman Norman T. White has graduated from basic military train ing at Lack land Air Force Base in San Antonio.

STUDENT/SCHOOL BRIEFS Sat, 05 Jul 2008 23:00:00 CST
TUSCALOOSA -- Sisters Carrie R. and Mary Kat McCurdy have been inducted into Sigma Alpha Lamba, a national leadership and honors organization at the University of Alabama. They are 2007 graduates of St. James School and the daughters of Ann McCurdy of Montgomery.

Questions continue to surround Crimson Tide basketball team Sun, 06 Jul 2008 00:05:00 CST
TUSCALOOSA -- It was a hectic spring for Alabama basketball coach Mark Gottfried as he alternated between recruiting players and trying to keep the current players on the team.

COMMENTARY: Moon gives take on best sports movies, TV shows Sun, 06 Jul 2008 00:18:00 CST
Over the last few weeks, I've taken quite a few risks. I've ranked the SEC coaches, went game by game through the upcoming seasons of both Auburn and Alabama, predicted the finishing order in the SEC and criticized Nick Saban for his approach to discipline.

Biscuits win in 12 innings Sun, 06 Jul 2008 00:15:00 CST
JACKSON, Tenn. -- Matt Spring singled in two runs in the 12th inning to give the Montgomery Biscuits a 3-1 victory over the West Tenn Diamond Jaxx on Saturday night.

PILEDRIVER: WWE goes outside the box with live title change Sun, 06 Jul 2008 00:18:00 CST
After several weeks of mediocre shows and low ratings, World Wrestling Entertainment decided to do something unconventional on Monday Night RAW last week compared to what the company has done the last few years.

RECREATION: Lagoon's Two-Man Tourney to test skill Sun, 06 Jul 2008 00:10:00 CST
Lagoon Park Golf Course will hold one of its more popular tournaments next weekend when the Lagoon Park Two-Man Tourney features a best-ball format on Saturday and a scramble on Sunday.

BOWLING REPORT Sun, 06 Jul 2008 00:10:00 CST
BAMA LANES MONTGOMERY

RECREATION CALENDAR Sun, 06 Jul 2008 00:09:00 CST
BASEBALL ' Guntersville Basic Skills Camp: Faulkner University athletic director/baseball coach Brent Barker will host a basic skills camp Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to noon at the Guntersville Dixie Baseball Ogletree ComplexYouth baseball facility. The camp is open for ages 5-15. The cost is $60 per session. For more information call 386-7148. ' AUM camp: AUM will host a baseball camp for all ages from Monday through Friday. It runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day and costs $125. For information, call 244-3237. Applications and registration are available at AUM's Web site. BASKETBALL ' St. James boys camp: St. James will have a boys camp Monday through Thursday. The cost is $75. Kindergarten through third-grade students will attend from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Those in fourth through ninth grades attend 1-4 p.m. For information, call St. James at 277-8033, ext. 100. ' Prattville Summer Slam: The Prattville Summer Slam tournament is July 26 at Prattville High, but qualifying has already started. Age divisions are for those 10-12, 13-15 and 16-19. Further qualifying is July 12 (Camellia Baptist Church). Registration forms, regulations and information are available at www.prattvillesummerslam.com. For information, call Vince or Wendy Jones at 590-5634 or 590-5637. ' Huntingdon camp: Huntingdon will host an individual camp for children ages 6-17 July 16-19. The camp, which runs from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each day, costs $170. Discount rates available for siblings. For information, visit Huntingdon's Web site or call 833-4579. CHEERLEADING ' St. James camp: St. James will have a summer camp July 14-17 for girls in K4 to Grade 5. It will take place from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. The non-refundable cost is $80 and is due May 19. For information, call 546-5555. ' YMCA youth cheerleading: Registration will be now until Aug. 18 for Montgomery YMCA summer youth cheerleading program for ages 6-12. Additional information may be picked up at Bell Road, Southeast and East YMCA's or phone Kenneth at 262-6411. FOOTBALL ' YMCA youth football: Registration will be now until Aug. 18 for the Montgomery YMCA summer youth football program for ages 6-12. Additional information may be picked up at Bell Road, Southeast and East YMCA's or phone 262-6411. GOLF ' First Tee: The First Tee of Montgomery is holding a summer camp at Gateway Park on Monday through Wednesday. The camp runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day. The camp fee of $50 includes a golf shirt, cap, lunch and snacks, plus golf and life skills instruction by PGA pros and golf instructors. Open to youth 6-17. Scholarships are available. For further information or registration call The First Tee office at 215-4441 or Gateway golf at 284-7920. SOCCER ' AUM camps: AUM will have a camp for boys and girls ages 5-9 from July 28-31. The camp will run from 9 a.m. to noon each day. For information, call 244-3617. Applications and registration instructions are available at AUM's Web site. ' YMCA youth soccer: Registration will be July 11 until Aug. 21 for Montgomery YMCA Fall outdoor soccer program for ages 6-17. Additional information may be picked up at Bell Road, Southeast and East YMCA's or phone 396-9754. ' YMCA fall mini-soccer: Registration will be July 11 until Aug. 21 for Montgomery YMCA Fall mini soccer program for ages 4-5. Additional information may be picked up at Bell Road, Southeast and East YMCA's or phone 396-9754. ' AUM upper-level girls camp: AUM will host an upper-level soccer camp -- including goalkeepers -- for girls ages 11-18 from July 21-25. The cost is $100 and the camp runs from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. each day. For information, call the AUM women's soccer office at 244-3141. Applications and registration are available at AUM's Web site. ' AUM camps: AUM will host a soccer camp for boys and girls ages 10-18 from July 27-31. The camp runs 9 a.m.-8 p.m. each day. The cost for a commuting camper is $225 and the cost for a residential camper is $360. For information, call the AUM men's soccer office at 244-3617. Applications and registration instructions are available at AUM's Web site. SOFTBALL ' Faulkner camps: Faulkner's camp will be held July 14-16. Morning session is for ages 6-12 will run from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. The cost is $80.

SPORTS BRIEFS: Local auto racing legend Todd passes away Sun, 06 Jul 2008 00:15:00 CST
Charles "Buck" Todd, a drag-racing innovator, longtime promoter and former manager of Montgomery's now-defunct Capital City Dragway, died Friday at Baptist Medical Center South. He was 67.

Island clean-up Sun, 06 Jul 2008 00:09:00 CST
Members of Land Mangement Forestry & Horticulture Division take a boat to work recently to clean up and trim the grass on the man-made islands in Big Spring International Park in Huntsville. After working on the island, in the background Alex Westen, in bow, and Sam Spann use the boat to get back to Terry Harbin, who is using a grass trimmer on the other island. They are getting ready to plant holly and crape myrtles.

Congressional hopefuls report income Sun, 06 Jul 2008 00:09:00 CST
Congressional candidate Jay Love reported more personal annual income in 2007 than either of the other two remaining candidates for the 2nd District seat, according to forms filed this year with the Alabama Ethics Commission.

Troy's Hawkins may run for governor Sun, 06 Jul 2008 00:07:00 CST
After nearly 20 years as chancellor of Troy University, Jack Hawkins doesn't have retirement on his mind. But he is giving some thought to another job.

Alabama Democrats eyeing delegation majority Sun, 06 Jul 2008 00:10:00 CST
Democrats are in position to become the majority in the Alabama delegation to the U.S. House of Representatives -- if three candidates can pull off wins in November.

2 killed, 2 hurt outside nightclub Sun, 06 Jul 2008 00:10:00 CST
BIRMINGHAM -- Two 20-year-old men were shot and killed and two others wounded early Saturday in a shooting outside a Birmingham nightclub. Police described a 16-year-old in custody as the suspect.

Man killed by crossbow arrow Sun, 06 Jul 2008 00:08:00 CST
GADSDEN -- An Etowah County man has died after he was shot in the neck with an arrow from a crossbow.

Officer dies from crash injuries Sun, 06 Jul 2008 00:07:00 CST
PELL CITY -- A Pell City police officer injured last month when a tractor-trailer struck his patrol car on U.S. 231 has died.

2 die in separate holiday incidents Sun, 06 Jul 2008 00:10:00 CST
MOBILE -- Two Mobile men have died in separate Fourth of July swimming incidents.

Let's take a closer look at the Webb GI Bill Sun, 06 Jul 2008 00:08:00 CST
With the Veterans Education Assistance Act of 2008 signed into law June 30, military members and veterans crave information on whether, when and how they will gain access to the richer education package, known also as the Webb GI Bill or the Webb-Hagel GI Bill.

Long-vacant downtown buildings get new lives as loft sites Fri, 04 Jul 2008 00:59:00 CST
Loft living, a staple in many cities, is gaining a larger foothold in Montgomery with a pair of side-by-side developments set to open the doors this year.

Real People@Work: Ashlee Meriwether Fri, 04 Jul 2008 00:57:00 CST
Server Ashlee Meriwether believes the fast-paced atmosphere at Chappy's Deli is the ideal training ground for a student pursuing a career in marketing. The work is customer focused, and must be done with a smile regardless of how one feels or is treated by a guest.

Cosby WoodruffHyundai avoids swoon in June Sun, 06 Jul 2008 00:24:00 CST
June was a rough month for the auto industry as a whole, but Hyundai had some pretty good news. While other carmakers suffered, Hyundai celebrated some nice milestones in June.

From the WebS.C. barbecue fan has bone to pick with columnist Sun, 06 Jul 2008 00:23:00 CST
Tom Ensey is not a nice man. I mean, why else would he write such a painfully mouth-watering column recently about the endless joys of good barbecue?

John NorrisSupply, demand always will correspond in time Fri, 04 Jul 2008 00:58:00 CST
Question: The stock market has fallen apart since the end of May. The economy is at a standstill, and gasoline and food prices are going through the roof. The Federal Reserve is hinting at a rate hike in August. What in the world is going on here? How can prices be so high when economic activity is in the tank

People in Business Thu, 03 Jul 2008 23:00:00 CST
Whitney National Bank has named Spencer Knight as a commercial banker for Autauga and Elmore counties. Gene C. Crane, the bank's regional president, said Knight will handle commercial, industrial and real estate banking. Knight, who graduated from East Carolina University, has lived in Prattville with his wife, Sylvia, since 1976. They are members of First Baptist Church of Prattville, and he is a former member of the Autauga County Board of Education. ---------- Goodwyn, Mills and Cawood Inc. has opened a branch in Prattville and named Josh Pierce the office manager. Victor Apodaca, Frank Noble and Kris Flaherty joined the branch's leadership team. Pierce has worked for the firm for more than 10 years, most recently as a project manager. David Reed, the firm's executive vice president, said opening the new branch is just part of the company's growth plans. "Locating a new office in Prattville will strengthen the level of service we are able to provide for our clients in the area," he said in a statement. ---------- Compass Bank announced that Gilbert "Gil" C. Steindorff has joined the bank as senior vice president and manager of commercial banking for the Montgomery market. He will supervise commercial lending in the area. He has worked in commercial banking for more than 30 years and has held senior positions at other banks in the Montgomery area. He is a graduate of the University of Alabama and the LSU School of Banking of the South. Steindorff and his wife, Debbie, have one son. Bruce Crawford, city president for the bank, praised Steindorff. "Gil has enjoyed a broad career in banking and experienced in commercial lending," he stated in a news release. "His experience and leadership will be invaluable to Compass Bank as we continue to grow our corporate and commercial banking business." ---------- Chad Gentry has been named district manager for Alabama and West Florida for Varco Pruden Buildings, a manufacturer of pre-engineered metal buildings. Gentry, of Vestavia Hills, will be responsible for marketing, training and building solutions in the territory. He has been a director of sales for a general contractor for the last eight years. Gentry is a graduate of the University of Texas. He and his wife, Michelle, have two children, Zack and Haley. ---------- Murlee Harris has been named the on-site real estate agent for Dexter Ridge, a new home development in east Montgomery. "We are pleased to welcome Murlee to the Aronov Homes' sales team," Steve Thompkins, president of Aronov Homes, stated in a news release. "She has come to us with a great foundation in real estate and great insight for matching a buyer with a home that meets their needs." ---------- Rajiv Dorewamy, a Montgomery native, has been selected for the NASA Senior Executive Service Candidate Development Program. He is deputy manager of program planning and control for Ares Project at Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville. The program provides training and prepares candidates for senior level executive service positions at NASA.

Tri-County building permits Thu, 03 Jul 2008 23:00:00 CST
The following building permits were issued in the tri-county area during the week of June 23-27, 2008.

Bankruptcies Sat, 05 Jul 2008 18:15:00 CST
The following are Chapter 7 -- known as straightbankruptcy or liquidation -- or Chapter 13 -- called debt adjustment -- bankruptcy cases filed in the U. S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Alabama June 25-July 1, 2008. The Middle District includes Autauga, Barbour, Bullock, Butler, Chambers, Chilton, Coffee, Coosa, Covington, Crenshaw, Dale, Elmore, Geneva, Henry, Houston, Lee, Lowndes, Macon, Montgomery, Pike, Randolph, Russell and Tallapoosa counties.

Incorporations Thu, 03 Jul 2008 23:00:00 CST
Businesses in the state of Alabama are required to establish corporations in order to operate. Businesses can create incorporations establishing a legal entity that can exist separately from its owners, or Limited Liability Claims, which provide that limited liability are taxed like a partnership. The following businesses were incorporated in the local probate court for the week of June 23-27, 2008. Listed are the name of the corporation, initial agent and initial address.

State dodges one more fiscal bullet Fri, 04 Jul 2008 17:58:00 CST
Once again, Alabama's chronically cash-strapped Medicaid program has dodged a fiscal bullet.

Pike Road will lose rural appeal Fri, 04 Jul 2008 17:16:00 CST
The recent action of the Pike Road City Council is hardly in keeping with the "smart growth" concept we were all promised when we came into the city of Pike Road.

Parks' personal effects ought to come home Fri, 04 Jul 2008 17:13:00 CST
L ast week the news that the personal effects of civil rights icon Rosa Parks may be sold by an auction house left open the possibility that some of these items may end up scattered, traded for cash to land in private collections, vaults hidden away from public view or displayed inappropriately in some circus-like atmosphere.

Rants and Raves Fri, 04 Jul 2008 17:14:00 CST
RAVE: For the remarkable boost given to aquatic life in the Cahaba River by the removal of a dam that had functioned as a bridge for trucks. The fragile Cahaba, home to many rare species of plants and wildlife, has seen a dramatic increase in surveyed species in just four years. Removing this needless impediment to the natural flow of the river was a splendid move. -- RANT: For the dolts who continue vandalizing the Emma Sansom Monument in Gadsden by removing fingers on the 1907 statute. Emma Sansom was the young girl who pointed out a safe creek crossing for troops led by Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest during the Civil War. This important bit of Alabama history deserves more respect. -- RANT: For the troubling finding that the University of Alabama at Birmingham is not adequately preparing elementary education students to teach mathematics. Authors of the nationwide study say other Alabama universities not included in the study also would likely get failing grades because of low state requirements in mathematics education.

State officials should have acted Thu, 03 Jul 2008 23:00:00 CST
Having, as Secretary of State Beth Chapman stated, the high number of absentee ballots in the counties that they have accused of voter fraud, was widely known for years. Why do you call in the Feds to those areas and let them make the charge, then try to make it seem they are taking over your turf?

Fed's inflation fears overblown Thu, 03 Jul 2008 23:00:00 CST
Inflation is rising and the economy is weakening, says Steve Forbes. He asks, "How can our central bank stimulate the economy without risking even more inflation?" The Fed's idea that we must either have economic growth or inflation is false.

Save your sole Sun, 06 Jul 2008 00:47:00 CST
Driving to lunch around the Auburn University campus recently, Justin Shroyer glanced at the ground and counted. Roughly six out of nine students' feet were clad in flip-flops.

Coral alternatives capture the spirit of the sea Sat, 05 Jul 2008 23:00:00 CST
You can have your coral and save it too.

Colorful characters make unusual comedy a must-see Sun, 06 Jul 2008 00:46:00 CST
Don't let the unusual name throw you off.

Trail recounts quest for civil rights Sat, 05 Jul 2008 23:00:00 CST
Alabama was ground zero for many of the struggles and conflicts of the civil rights movement. From Sixteenth Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, where four girls were killed in a bombing in 1963, to Selma's Edmund Pettus Bridge, where marchers were beaten in 1965, visitors can walk in the footsteps of history. This summer, why not bring the history books to life with a trip down the Alabama Civil Rights Trail?

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