News 2008-08-22 Andanh.com

State's infant death rate highest in 10 years Thu, 21 Aug 2008 00:43:00 CST
Alabama's infant death rate is not only worse than it was last year -- it's as bad as it was a decade ago.

Author, veteran questions Iraq war, US role Thu, 21 Aug 2008 00:42:00 CST
A hero of the Vietnam War minced no words when asked how he'd judge America's current war.

Obese state employees to pay extra for insurance Thu, 21 Aug 2008 00:40:00 CST
Alabama state employees who are obese or have three other health problems will eventually have to pay extra for health insurance if they don't try to control them.

Western stores mark 60 years Thu, 21 Aug 2008 01:20:00 CST
BIRMINGHAM -- Ken Hubbard earned some of his tuition to the University of Alabama in 1960 by working as a bagger at Western Supermarket's Five Points West store.

Lesson of DVD is children need nutrition, exercise Thu, 21 Aug 2008 01:19:00 CST
Educators hope a new DVD will help them show Alabama elementary school children that there's magic in a healthy, active lifestyle.

Elmore County official to lead state association Thu, 21 Aug 2008 01:24:00 CST
Joe Faulk feels he's done a good job serving Elmore County as its commission chairman. He's looking forward to serving the entire state.

Official says procedures bypassed in Schmitz hire Thu, 21 Aug 2008 01:16:00 CST
DECATUR -- The former president of Central Alabama Community College testified Wednesday that normal procedures were bypassed when state Rep. Sue Schmitz was hired to do public relations for a program to help troubled teenagers.

Ambassador lobbies for trade accord Thu, 21 Aug 2008 00:51:00 CST
The South Korean ambassador to the United States found a friendly audience in Montgomery when he came to lobby for the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement. The bill's reception is unlikely to be as cordial when it goes before Congress this fall.

Hyundai to sell US hybrid Sonata Thu, 21 Aug 2008 00:39:00 CST
Hyundai plans to sell a hybrid Sonata in the United States, but the company says it is too early to say when that will be or if it will mean more production or less for the Montgomery plant.

Byard has earned another term Wed, 20 Aug 2008 18:36:00 CST
Jim Byard has been involved in the leadership of Prattville city government most of his adult life. He is now seeking this third full term as mayor.

'Anti-oil crowd' inadvertently makes other point Tue, 19 Aug 2008 23:00:00 CST
The federal tax of 18.4 cents per gallon on gasoline and a little more on diesel just isn't enough any more. There has been floated in Congress a proposal to increase the fuel tax 10 cents per gallon.

Candidate cites issues in city Tue, 19 Aug 2008 23:00:00 CST
I am a retired city planner and Water Works manager from Greenville and a candidate for mayor. I have followed your Q&A coverage of mayoral candidates in some cities. I would like to respond to them.

Many paid respects to Amridge leader Tue, 19 Aug 2008 23:00:00 CST
I know that it is not possible for you to cover every funeral, but I would like to say that the attendance for the visitation/funeral services for Dr. Rex A. Turner Jr., president of Amridge University, on Aug. 14 was one of the largest that has occurred in the Montgomery area in a long time.

Lofts bring new life to downtown Fri, 22 Aug 2008 00:57:00 CST
The Montgomery Fair Lofts are in the building that housed the department store of the same name; it's also the building in which Rosa Parks worked when she refused to give up her bus seat.

Details of mall proposition vague Fri, 22 Aug 2008 01:00:00 CST
A man who believes he can resuscitate Montgomery Mall met with Mayor Bobby Bright and other city officials, one of whom said they'd hoped for more specific details about how he would revitalize the property.

Witnesses testify Woodward talked about shooting Fri, 22 Aug 2008 00:55:00 CST
Although evidence in Mario Woodward's capital murder trial still hasn't put him directly at the scene of the crime, three witnesses testified Thursday that Woodward told them that he killed Montgomery police officer Keith Houts in September 2006.

Gold-medal winner speaks at school Fri, 22 Aug 2008 00:43:00 CST
Jennifer Chandler, winner of the gold medal for 3-Meter Springboard Diving in the 1976 Olympics, visited Forest Avenue Academic Magnet Elementary School in Montgomery on Thursday. Chandler is Director of Outreach Programs with the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame.

Shelter growth sparks debate, allegations Fri, 22 Aug 2008 01:02:00 CST
A Montgomery homeless shelter got the authorization it needed to expand its facility on Mobile Highway, but not without a fight.

ASU meets fundraising goal Fri, 22 Aug 2008 01:02:00 CST
Alabama State University accomplished its yearly fundraising goal of $1 million, the school announced Thursday.

AP classes growing in number, students Fri, 22 Aug 2008 00:44:00 CST
American students are falling behind the world in math and science, but that's a trend educators in Alabama are working to reverse.

PRATTVILLE, DISTRICT 6: Demands from growth key issues Fri, 22 Aug 2008 01:04:00 CST
PRATTVILLE -- Keeping infrastructure in good shape and meeting demands associated with growth are key issues in the Prattville City Council District 6 race.

PRATTVILLE, DISTRICT 7: Services important in race Fri, 22 Aug 2008 01:06:00 CST
PRATTVILLE -- Making sure city services can expand to accommodate the growing community is the main issue in the City Council, District 7, race.

WETUMPKA, DISTRICT 3: Candidates: Good city needs work Fri, 22 Aug 2008 01:10:00 CST
Incumbent Kevin Walker is not seeking re-election, leaving the race for the District 3 council seat to four candidates, Andrew Powell, Kevin Robbins, Elisabeth "Betsy" Sheldon and Kathy Holt.

WETUMPKA, DISTRICT 5: Timing 'perfect' for new candidates Fri, 22 Aug 2008 01:12:00 CST
For the three candidates running in the Wetumpka District 5 City Council race, winning would be a great opportunity.

Taylor Road rallies in AISA football opener Fri, 22 Aug 2008 01:14:00 CST
PRATTVILLE -- Taylor Road Academy found itself in an all too familiar position in the first half of Thursday's game with East Memorial.

Smokies edge Biscuits in pitchers' duel, 2-1 Fri, 22 Aug 2008 01:03:00 CST
The Biscuits helped a pitcher snap a two-month winless streak and dropped further behind in their pennant chase Thursday.

BEIJING OLYMPICS: Auburn athletes win bronze Fri, 22 Aug 2008 01:09:00 CST
BEIJING -- If Auburn University were a separate nation, it would be having a good Olympic Games in track and field.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL: Auburn receiver on long road back Fri, 22 Aug 2008 03:19:00 CST
AUBURN -- Tim Hawthorne shrugs his shoulders and slips a quiet laugh when asked to review his college career.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL: UA's Grant ready to run Fri, 22 Aug 2008 03:51:00 CST
TUSCALOOSA -- Terry Grant says his sports hernia injury may have dated back to last year's preseason practice.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL: Barlow to employ ASU QB platoon for starters Fri, 22 Aug 2008 01:15:00 CST
A couple of weeks ago, Alabama State head coach Reggie Barlow made it perfectly clear he wanted one starting quarterback running his offense.

FAULKNER FOOTBALL: Eagles rest up for scrimmage Fri, 22 Aug 2008 03:20:00 CST
Jim Nichols plans to give his team a couple of days off in preparation for its final scrimmage of the preseason on Sunday.

HUNTINGDON FOOTBALL: Hawks go through two-a-days Fri, 22 Aug 2008 03:20:00 CST
The Hawks had their second two-a-day of the preseason on Thursday at Samford Stadium.

VOLLEYBALL ROUNDUP: MA shuts out Ben Russell, ACA Fri, 22 Aug 2008 01:10:00 CST
In a tri-match, Margaret Virden had nine kills, Alex Garcia had seven kills and Layne Doctson's added six kills and three blocks in Montgomery Academy's 25-21, 25-18 victory in their debut. The Eagles then went on to beat Alabama Christian 25-18, 25-23. Doctson had nine kills and four blocks, while Morgan Ramsey and Sarah Harmon contributed 16 and 18 assists, respectively.

SPORTS BRIEFS: Former Poets, UA standout dies Fri, 22 Aug 2008 01:02:00 CST
Clarence "Butch" Avinger, a former two-sports star from Sidney Lanier who became an All-Southeastern Conference football player at University of Alabama in the late 1940s, died Wednesday.

Rogers snags endorsements, leads in poll Fri, 22 Aug 2008 00:38:00 CST
During his monthlong break from duties in Washington, U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Saks, has snagged two endorsements and the lead in at least one recent voter poll.

Governor honors Marine of the Year in Capitol ceremony Fri, 22 Aug 2008 00:28:00 CST
Gov. Bob Riley presented a proclamation Thursday honoring Marine Sgt. Peyton Williams as Marine of the Year for the 2nd Marine Division. The division includes about 35,000 Marines. State Rep. Greg Wren, Williams and Riley invite family members forward.

Police look to identify victims Fri, 22 Aug 2008 00:34:00 CST
BIRMINGHAM -- Five men found dead in a locked apartment reportedly had their throats slashed, and investigators were still trying to verify the names of all the victims, authorities said Thursday. No arrests have been made.

Officials say they never saw Schmitz at work Fri, 22 Aug 2008 00:33:00 CST
DECATUR -- Directors for a two-year college system program to help troubled youth testified Thursday that they never saw state Rep. Sue Schmitz at their offices while she was working for the agency.

Tuskegee Airman Rose dies at 88 Fri, 22 Aug 2008 00:31:00 CST
DOTHAN -- Sherman Rose, who served as flight instructor for the Tuskegee Airmen, has died in Dothan. He was 88.

Mascots at the Capitol Fri, 22 Aug 2008 00:35:00 CST
Ten college and university mascots appeared with Gov. Bob Riley at the Capitol on Thursday as he signed a proclamation in support of College Colors Day. College Colors Day will be Aug. 29, and people are encouraged to wear their school's colors.

Chinese Dir