Oxford police step up online

Oxford police expanded their digital reach recently.
They are posting information on to the "Investigator Leads" part of their site.
You'll see photos and short bits about the event included. These don't have as much info as The Star's stories, but they do include pictures that may not make it into the paper.

Weekly roundup for the week of April 20

Monday, April 20

Local storm damage minimal

Trial in 2007 Piedmont murder begins today
He would plead guilty before jury selection began

Columbine students strive 10 years after massacre

Probe finds tons of released drugs taint U.S. water


Tuesday, April 21

Woman to be arrested for alleged assault

Police search for woman in two robberies

Jacksonville police arrest two women for assault

Piedmont man pleads guilty to '07 shooting death of girlfriend

Mayor says city attorney questioning Monk's contract

Visiting Detroit teen shoots self in Athens

Two killed in state as storms swept across Southeast


Wednesday, April 22

2 women killed in Jacksonville accident

Local woman arrested for allegedly stabbing another

Man in intensive care after attack

Man arrested for shooting at another

Woman arrested in 2 local robberies

Man arrested in rape case out on bond

Sheriff: Procedural failure led to escape; Search continues for inmate who robbed Anniston credit union

Court puts limits on car searches by police

Obama open to torture memos prosecution


Thursday, April 23

Pair of men sought after alleged robbery in Anniston

Anniston police charge man with December robbery

Sheriff: Officer's decisions led to inmate's escape

Wedowee: ABI won't probe fight involving mayor

EPA asks to review new state smokestack law

Wednesday booms didn't concern locals: 6 building-shaking blasts in Anniston were caused by weapons destruction at depot

Police investigating death of Freddie Mac official

Prosecutors beefed up charges against teen pirate

Another earthquake rattles Bibb County

Bill to ban texting while driving stalls

Former AGs seek review of Siegelman's conviction

Report: Alabama killer left note explaining spree


Friday, April 24

Judge hears motion to dismiss suit against Hobson City mayor

Fire destroys Sack's Salvage Grocery in Eastaboga

Local probation supervisor for Calhoun, Cleburne earns state honor

Jailer awaits disciplinary decision; Escaped inmate still on the loose

Meehan's attorneys request gag order in lawsuit against Jax State president

Substance abuse prevention group thanks local agencies

Cleburne County: Compromise reached on court cost legislation, will apply to traffic fines

U.S. to release photos showing alleged abuses of prisoners

Alabama House narrowly votes to add sexual orientation to hate crimes law


Saturday, April 25

Hugh Smitherman, 91, was county's Civil Defense Coordinator


Sunday, April 26

Man killed after being hit by car near Speedway

For better or worse, fewer using divorce lawyers

3 dead, 2 injured in Ga. shooting; professor sought

Officer, suspect killed in southeast Alabama standoff

Gunmen kill police chief in Mexican border city

Weekly roundup for the week of April 13

Monday, April 13

Anniston police investigate 'suspicious death'

Law enforcement hopes to get grant for new crime-fighting tools


Tuesday, April 14

Hobson City to explore hiring officer

Four men injure two others in Anniston bar fight

Police looking for leads in Thursday rape

Man shot near Glen Addie on Friday

Police looking for break-in suspect

Woman attempts to attack her child's dad

Man allegedly attacked at Rookie's

Judge upholds order keeping voter list in Piedmont mayoral runoff sealed


Wednesday, April 15

Lincoln council approves applying for police grant

Jacksonville police investigate scalding assault

Anniston police looking for man in Jacks' robbery

Donoho to start student drug-testing

Number of blacks in prison for drug offenses declines


Thursday, April 16

Anniston police investigate multiple gunshots fired

Birmingham police awaken, arrest alleged robbers

Lee County couple charged in Chambers County arson

Prosecutors oppose delay of today's execution of Dill


Friday, April 17

Police lose suspected drug dealer during pursuit

Anniston man charged with March robbery

Anniston man charged with attempted murder

Monsanto suit draws more interest

Fire destroys Camp Lee building

Man executed for 1988 murder, robbery


Saturday, April 18

Camp Lee fire was likely an accident

Wheel skills: Calhoun deputies test driving prowess in training session

Mississippi woman survives being shot in head, makes tea

3 people killed in wrecks in Etowah, Randolph counties


Sunday, April 19

Heflin store owner accused of building meth lab

Condemnation resolution not needed

Wellington woman killed in head-on collision

Shoot first: Columbine transformed police tactics

Official: 5 children feared dead in Texas storms

Riley wins ruling on gambling raid

Slayings bring Mexican drug war to U.S.

Weekly roundup for the week of April 6

Monday, April 6

Pilot in Centre plane crash dies

Roanoke woman dies in traffic accident


Tuesday, April 7

Jenkins trial delayed until July

Police plan to arrest 2 for attempted murder

Man injured during argument at club

Man shot in hip on Saturday in Anniston

Woman claims man tried to hit her with car

Anniston man says roommate robbed him

14-year-old boy robbed on Christine

Oxford police looking for man who attempted to rob Sonic Drive-In

Wedowee mayor accused of injuring man in altercation

Government cracking down on mortgage scams


Wednesday, April 8

Piedmont electrical superintendent's termination may spark legal battle

Body found in Cherokee County is missing Ranburne woman

2 Anniston residents sentenced on federal drug charges

Alexandria juvenile suspect escapes during arrest near Anniston High

ABI asked to investigate Wedowee mayor altercation

Judge orders criminal probe of lawyers who botched Stevens case

4 killed in Lauderdale County home; suspect later found dead in his house

Shoe thrower's sentence reduced


Thursday, April 9

McClellan bill draws fire from trial lawyers

Jax police look for man who assaulted another

Man in jail for allegedly attacking his father

Teen allegedly rammed boyfriend with her car

Man in Dollar General burglary arrested

Economy brings big turnout to police exam

Alabama woman who hid dead baby cleared

Panel OKs bill to stop food bonuses for sheriffs


Friday, April 10

Back on patrol? Calhoun County Commission exploring option for Hobson City cops

Man charged in 2008 copper theft case

Anniston man turns self in for alleged Jacksonville robbery

Juvenile who fled during arrest apprehended

Ex-Piedmont mayor sues city clerk; Fagan alleges documents may show evidence of voter fraud

'I just did it': Wellborn Elementary fifth-grader steps in to save choking classmate with Heimlich



Saturday, April 11

Storm scare: Calhoun largely spared as tornadoes batter South

Ashland man pleads guilty to prank calling 911 more than 600 times

Drugs linked to 3 deaths, 1 illness

Piedmont attorney: Fagan must file formal contest for voter list

FBI: Long-haul truckers suspected in many highway murders

Wife charged with killing investigator

Doctor in baby murder case stands by autopsy


Sunday, April 12

Pills from South Florida flood Appalachian states

Pill mills: Florida county the 'Colombia' of pharmaceutical narcotics

PCB Trial

Megan Nichols went to Birmingham to cover the latest PCB trial. Due to the length of the trial, I've opted to pull the events out into their own blog post.

These are listed by date of publication. Therefore, they will cover the previous day's trial events.



Wednesday, April 1: New PCB trial begins

Thursday, April 2: Testimony heard on health effects of PCBs

Friday, April 3: 'I didn't know it was dangerous': Plaintiffs tell of childhood encounters with PCBs

Saturday, April 4: Expert cites elevated PCB blood levels

Tuesday, April 7: Trial: Doctor says PCBs, diabetes linked

Wednesday, April 8: PCBs trial: More claimants testify to health effects

Thursday, April 9: PCBs trial: Plaintiffs plan to rest their case this morning

Friday, April 10: PCBs trial: Defense calls witnesses to dispute plaintiffs' experts


Saturday, April 11: PCBs trial: Defense questions link between PCBs, diseases

Tuesday, April 14: Closing arguments delivered in PCBs trial

Wednesday, April 15: Jury rules for Monsanto in PCB trial

Weekly roundup for the week of March 30

Monday, March 30

Anniston woman being treated at RMC after accident

Massachusetts man kills two sisters; police save third

Eight die in nursing home shooting


Tuesday, March 31

Caregiver says client tried to stab him

Man ambushed, robbed on Thursday

Police looking for female robber

Body found in Cherokee County on Saturday
This would turn out to be the body of Brenda Louise Spradlin of Ranburne.

Two arrested for allegedly ramming SUV, attacking driver

Two Anniston High School fires being investigated as arson

Group: Teacher-student sex laws in Alabama too weak


Wednesday, April 1

Anniston man convicted of manufacturing meth

No ID yet for remains found in Cherokee County

924 pinwheels: Local group marks beginning of Child Abuse Prevention Month


Thursday, April 2

Police looking for 2 men who robbed disabled man

Justice Department moves to drop jury conviction against Stevens


Friday, April 3

English-only driver's tests proposed in Georgia

Former Illinois Governor Blagojevich indicted

Just published photos show MLK killing aftermath

Sylacauga man indicted on federal bank robbery charge

Delta woman dies, kids hurt in single car wreck


Saturday, April 4

Piedmont man charged with manufacturing meth

Multi-vehicle accident injures 3

Gunman kills 13, himself at immigrant center

Iowa Supreme Court legalizes gay marriage


Sunday, April 5

Small plane crashes into Centre home; Businessman Harley McGatha injured, at the controls

3 Pittsburgh officers ambushed, killed

Justice Department under scrutiny after Stevens trial

Appetite for candy lands man on the run in jail

Moody wants approval to disperse of confiscations

State senator arrested on suspicion of DUI


Note: Due to the depth of coverage of the PCB trial, I am featuring Megan Nichols' stories in a separate post.

Weekly roundup for the week of March 23

Monday, March 23

Munford woman dies in 1-car accident near Cheaha State Park

Anniston boy taken to Children's Hospital after falling into pool

The Death of Willie Brewster: The agent, the judge and the trial

Family: Suspect in Oakland police deaths feared jail

FAA: Kids among 14 to 17 dead in Montana plane crash


Tuesday, March 24

Two local residents file PACT lawsuit

Wreck shuts down Alabama 21 lanes

Jacksonville council approves grants from stimulus

Accident on Quintard injures one person

Western Sizzlin' burglar arrested

Woman allegedly hit boyfriend with bottle

Oxford police investigating Sunday incidents

NTSB checks for plane overloading

Graysville teen in jail after mother killed


Wednesday, March 25

Hearing set in suit against Hobson City mayor

4 Ohatchee residents arrested on burglary, theft, drug charges

Man arrested for allegedly sexually abusing his niece

Anniston police look for alleged sex abuser

Depot, EMA to practice response to chemical accident today

White House steps up anti-cartel fight on border

Officials investigating Pell City shooting death


Thursday, March 26

Wadley woman killed in accident near Roanoke

Anniston police searching for pair of armed robbers

Depot, EMAs participate in exercise for chemical weapons accident
We also ran a slideshow of this practice.

Fewer than 10 percent of blind Americans read Braille

Clinton: U.S. shares blame for drug violence


Friday, March 27

Law enforcement auction set for weekend

2 men charged in Oxford drug raid

Alleged Western Sizzlin burglar faces charges in other crimes

Cleburne court costs could go up by $51

Siegelman, Scrushy seek full review

Priceville principal fired over painkillers accusation


Saturday, March 28

Man reports being threatened, robbed

Man wanted in assault on Rocky Hollow Road

Police seek men who robbed mom, daughter

Anniston High School evacuated while firefighters put out small blaze
This fire delayed the elementary school version of this rally.

Court: Plan for Gulf hotel violates law


Sunday, March 29

Law enforcement auction draws hundreds

Young killers struggling to make it on the outside

Weekly roundup for the week of March 16

Monday, March 16

Muscadine woman dies in traffic accident

Deputy who chased South Alabama gunman buries loved ones


Tuesday, March 17

Statistics show type of accident that killed 13-year-old Alpine girl rare

One injured in two-vehicle wreck in Anniston

Anniston man out on bond on domestic violence, drug charges

Mom: Husband laughed after throwing children from bridge

Pakistan to reinstate top judge, defusing crisis


Wednesday, March 18

Doctors warn about dangers of inhaling compressed air

Lead law raises questions about children's books

Source says Obama wants more feds to combat border violence

Officer accused of stealing changes plea

Witnesses: Man was on bridge when kids tossed over

Hundreds mourn 4 relatives, victims of south Alabama gunman


Thursday, March 19

Man captures alleged burglar in his home

Man who allegedly fired gun near AHS arrested

Local police see decrease in metal theft

2 men charged with attempted murder

Troopers: Girl took car while family slept; 13-year-old of Alpine died Friday in wreck in Talladega County

Army reviews troop use after south Alabama shootings

Father accused of incest pleads guilty to charges


Friday, March 20

Man charged with taxi driver's 2004 murder

Police hunting woman's boyfriend in alleged attack

Accident on U.S. 431 injures pair of men

Ben Little target of death threats

Latest CIA scandal puts focus on how agency polices self

Dallas school held cage fights, records show

Games seized from bingo hall may be slot machines

Body found in refrigerator in Clarke County identified

Child with lighter blamed in 5 Etowah County deaths

'A death ride': Man convicted of 4 children's bridge deaths


Saturday, March 21

Woman accused of trying to hit man with her SUV


Shooting suspect charged with assaulting Oxford police

Wife of murder suspect charged in crime

Second taxi robbery led to murder charge

Anniston High School student accused of making terrorist threat

Jury urges death for man who tossed 4 children from bridge

Natalee Holloway's dad sends search dog and handler to Aruba


Sunday, March 22

The death of Willie Brewster: Memories of a dark time

Medical marijuana advocates breathing easier

'Hillary: The Movie' now showing at Supreme Court

Schmitz may not get back pay

Daphne man dies in motorcycle accident

Body found near bank of Warrior

Jail log

Sheriff Larry Amerson is an unabashed fan of technology.
One of the tools the Calhoun County Jail staff maintains is a log of current inmates.
Amerson said it is updated daily.
I use it with regularity as a fact-checking tool. I'm sure the general public could find it useful as well.
The address is: http://www.calhouncountysheriff.org/current_inmates.cfm

Weekly roundup for the week of March 9

Monday, March 9

Police probe slaying of Talladega man


Tuesday, March 10

Jacksonville Fire Department awarded grant

Hobson City leaders argue over electronic bingo

Car crash in Anniston hospitalizes four

Illinois man charged in church shooting


Wednesday, March 11

Jacksonville Police Station is in need of repairs

Stop the Violence: Group's new coordinator introduced

Police investigating robbery at Sonic

Car, home hit by gunfire; no injuries

Police seeking man suspected in robbery

2 Piedmont residents charged with making meth

3 arrested after police find meth lab material

2 Weaver officials leave positions

At least 9 killed in South Alabama; Gunman burned down mother's home, shot himself


Thursday, March 12

Last man in '05 quadruple homicide sentenced

Arsonists destroy Pinky Burns' cabin; 3 suspects arrested for burning down Rabbittown landmark

Bill proposed to legalize medical marijuana


Authorities find list left by Alabama shooter

Teen kills 16 in Germany before taking own life


Friday, March 13

Woman allegedly stabbed by 17-year-old in Anniston

Cleburne court costs may rise to help roads

'Sorry and ashamed': 70-year-old financier pleads guilty

Officials say shooter depressed over failures

State has online service for abandoned vehicles

Legislators look to increase penalty for fleeing police

German police suspect chat room posts were faked


Saturday, March 14

Judge who found FBI liable for mob killings dies

Government investigator obtains passports with false documents

Arson reduces historic Fort Benning landmark to ruins, shakes military post

South Alabama comedian hailed as hero after shootings

5 perish in mobile home fire in northeast Alabama


Sunday, March 15

Fire tamer: Alexandria Fire Chief retires after 30 years

Teen girl dies while driving car

North Carolina mom will fight order against home schooling

Officials working to prevent rockslides

Ex-online college dean gets 2 years for fraud

$47K collected for shooting victims' families

1st funeral held for shooting victim

Teenagers see serious consequences of 'sexting'