Public Safety Expands Driver License Services: Offices in Alexander City, Centre and LaFayette to Open Additional Day

Effective Jan. 7, three east Alabama driver license examining offices will expand their operating schedules, opening an additional day each week. Offices in Centre and LaFayette will become two-day stations, and the Alexander City examining office will be open three days weekly.

The new, expanded schedules are designed to make driver license services more accessible and convenient for customers in those areas, according to Public Safety Director Col. J. Christopher Murphy. Murphy said this latest change is the result of Public Safety’s and Gov. Bob Riley’s continuing commitment to improving the quality of driver license services statewide.

The Centre office, previously open only on Monday, also will open on Tuesday. The office is located at 260 Cedar Bluff Road. The Lafayette office, located at No. 9 Jane Place, will open on Thursday in addition to Tuesday, that office’s regular day of operation. The Alexander City office, located in the Tallapoosa County Courthouse Annex at 395 Lee St., will become a three-day station, opening on Wednesday, in addition to regular days of operation on Tuesday and Thursday.

A complete listing of office schedules, including days and hours of operation, is available on Public Safety’s Web site, http://www.dps.alabama.gov/, under the Driver License Division link.

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Public Information/Education
Alabama Department of Public Safety

Man dies in accident on Alabama 144

By Nick Cenegy
Star Staff Writer

01-08-2008

People stand at the scene of Monday's fatal collision on Alabama 144 near Alexandria. Photo: Stephen Gross/The Anniston Star

An Ohatchee man died Monday afternoon when his pickup slammed into a dump truck on Alabama 144 just west of Alexandria.

Howard Wayne Robinett, 63, of Hoot Owl Hollow Road was pronounced dead at the scene shortly after 1 p.m. after his eastbound 1990 Nissan pickup collided with a westbound 2004 Kenworth dump truck turning onto McCullars Lane, near the Vulcan Materials Co. quarry, said Calhoun County Coroner Pat Brown.

Brown said it appeared Robinett died from blunt-force trauma. His body will be taken for an autopsy at the Alabama Department of Forensic Science labs to verify the cause of death. Alabama State Troopers are still investigating the crash.

The dump truck's driver, Michael D. Chapman, 47, of Piedmont, appeared uninjured as he spoke with authorities at the accident scene.

Oxford police arrest Georgia man with $1,220 in counterfeit bills

By Nick Cenegy
Star Staff Writer

01-08-2008

Oxford Police arrested an Austell, Ga., man with $1,220 in counterfeit bills Monday after he allegedly passed a fake $20 bill at a local Sonic.

William Lyle Myers, 31, led police on a chase after a car hop at the Sonic, near the intersection of U.S. 78 and Barry Road, marked a bill he gave her with a special pen that indicated it was counterfeit.

A store manager phoned police.

While the manager was on the phone, investigators said, Myers backed out and fled the restaurant.

The manager was able to provide a description of Myers' vehicle.

Oxford Police uniform division officers spotted Myers' 2001 Chevy Cavalier on U.S. 78 around Caffey Drive.

When they signaled for him to pull over, Myers led them on a chase, police said.

At one point, police boxed him into a cul-de-sac. Myers reportedly ran over a mailbox and a trash can to slip past them.

He eventually pulled the Cavalier into a vacant lot near Lynn Drive, bailed out, and fled on foot through some woods toward Interstate 20.

Investigators said officers could hear horns blowing on the Interstate but could not see Myers.

An Alabama State Trooper in the area spotted him ducking into a line of woods and assisted Oxford Police in arresting him.

Myers was charged with first-degree possession of a forged instrument and reckless endangerment.

He was in Calhoun County Jail Monday with bail set at $36,000, but has a hold on his release pending another charge in Cobb County, Ga.

Oxford Police recovered $1,220 in counterfeit from Myers' vehicle. The U.S. Secret Service in Birmingham sent agents to interview him Monday.

According to investigators, Myers said he had passed counterfeit bills along I-20 between Oxford and Atlanta, Ga., in small businesses and restaurants.

Police don't yet know exactly how much counterfeit money he distributed.

Investigators said there may be charges pending from other towns.

Group of men with assault rifles robs 3, steals pants

By Nick Cenegy
Star Staff Writer

01-08-2008

Three men leaving the 19th Hole Lounge on South Leighton Avenue early Monday morning were held up by four men brandishing assault rifles and a pistol, according to Anniston police.

The three had an argument with several patrons inside the bar around 2 a.m. before leaving, police said.

According to investigators, one of the men, age 34, left in one direction, the two others in another.

The man walking alone reported to police that in a wooded area near the bar, he was confronted by four men, three of whom had assault rifles, the fourth a pistol.

Police said the armed men ordered their victim to take off his pants.

When he complied, they fled with the pants and their contents.

Investigators said the group then found the two men who had walked in a different direction, ages 30 and 32, confronted them, and demanded their pants as well.

The 32-year-old gave them his pants, while the 30-year-old gave them his wallet, reported police.

The armed men then fled with two pair of pants, a pair of shoes, car keys, cell phones, and various other personal effects.

Investigators said no suspects had been identified in the case as of Monday evening. No injuries were reported related to the case.

Anniston Subway robbed

By Nick Cenegy
Star Staff Writer

01-08-2008

Two men robbed the Subway on the 100 block of Quintard Avenue Friday night, according to Anniston police.

The two men entered the restaurant just after 7:30 p.m., the police report said. One pulled a handgun and demanded money. Investigators said the cashier complied, and the thieves fled on foot with an undisclosed amount of cash and two bags of chips.

No injuries were reported related to the incident.

No arrests had been made in the case as of Monday afternoon.

Shooting death at club brings questions

By Nick Cenegy
Star Staff Writer

01-07-2008

As police continue to investigate the New Year's murder of an Ashland man, shot to death by a security guard at Dee Ford's Underground, authorities are trying to clarify the legal role and responsibility of security at nightclubs.

Anniston Police investigators said Joseph Thomas Pannell, 20, charged with murder, told them he worked for a security firm that was hired for New Year's.

City Manager George Monk told The Star on Thursday that private security firms employed by bars in the city have to be licensed by the city.

The shooting has brought more questions than answers for authorities, complicated in part because the shooter was 20 years old.

Federal firearms regulations say a person must be 21 to legally buy a handgun or handgun ammunition. Handguns can be issued or given to people over the age of 18, however, if they're not otherwise barred from having one.

Police investigators and Alcoholic Beverage Control Board officials are trying to determine exactly who — if anyone — Pannell worked for.

"We have been trying to track that down for the last couple of days," said Lt. Mike Reese of the ABC Board.

"My understanding is that he worked for an outside firm to help with security for a New Year's party."

Reese said his agency is waiting on resolution of those details before taking any administrative action. "We know there are violations that occurred, but we haven't determined what kind yet," he said.

Though the ABC Board monitors the sale and distribution of alcohol, the board does not regulate security guards at liquor vending establishments, he said.

Reese said as far as he knows no specific training is required for nightclub security, and no state laws govern nightclubs' hiring practices.

"I think that's the real tragedy here," he said.

Reese said his agency has not spoken with either the security firm or with Dewey Langford, the owner of Dee Ford's.

"I think they beefed up security for this party, but we're still looking into it," he said. "It's something that needs to be addressed and we're looking to get answers for these questions."

Man found dead in abandoned building on Moore Avenue

By Nick Cenegy
Star Staff Writer

01-05-2008

The body of a 47-year-old man was found in an abandoned building between the 1200 and 1300 block of Moore Avenue Friday afternoon.

Calhoun County Coroner Pat Brown said the man, who appeared to be homeless, was found by another man who stays in the area and occasionally stops by the abandoned building to check on him.

After finding the body, the unidentified man flagged down city workers who called Anniston Police, Brown said.

The coroner said there were signs of trauma or a medical condition. It was unclear exactly what caused his death, he said.

The man's body was sent for an autopsy, and results could be available early next week, Brown said.

The coroner's office was in the process of notifying the next of kin Friday evening.

Man found dead in abandoned building on Moore Avenue

By Nick Cenegy
Star Staff Writer

01-05-2008

The body of a 47-year-old man was found in an abandoned building between the 1200 and 1300 block of Moore Avenue Friday afternoon.

Calhoun County Coroner Pat Brown said the man, who appeared to be homeless, was found by another man who stays in the area and occasionally stops by the abandoned building to check on him.

After finding the body, the unidentified man flagged down city workers who called Anniston Police, Brown said.

The coroner said there were signs of trauma or a medical condition. It was unclear exactly what caused his death, he said.

The man's body was sent for an autopsy, and results could be available early next week, Brown said.

The coroner's office was in the process of notifying the next of kin Friday evening.

Man reportedly assaulted near Oxford's Meadowlake Subdivision

By Nick Cenegy
Star Staff Writer

01-05-2008

A County Line Road man was flown by helicopter to Birmingham late Thursday night after he reportedly was assaulted near the Meadowlake Subdivision in Oxford.

Oxford Police were called to Regional Medical Center just before 1 a.m. Friday after a 23-year-old man was brought to the emergency room in a friend's vehicle.

The man suffered from severe head trauma and was unconscious, investigators said.

According to police, the man was airlifted to University Hospitals at Birmingham for surgery.

Uniformed officers escorted the man's friend back to a residence in the Meadowlake subdivision, where the 23-year-old victim evidently had gotten into a fight.

Investigators said the friend's vehicle was impounded.

Police said it was unknown whether any weapons were involved.

No arrests had been made in the case as of Friday.

Police charge Oxford woman in alleged drink poisoning

By Nick Cenegy
Star Staff Writer

01-05-2008

Anniston Police arrested a 40-year-old Oxford woman Thursday for allegedly pouring a germicide cleaner into a 22-year-old co-worker's drink at Regional Medical Center last month.

Tonya Perry Bailey, of Doster Lane, was arrested on a warrant at her home Thursday afternoon and charged with first-degree attempted assault, reported Anniston police.

Investigators said Bailey and the co-worker were part of the hospital's Environmental Services cleaning crew and apparently got into an argument.

The alleged victim told police she was on her lunch break and was preparing to take a sip from a cup when she realized the contents didn't smell right.

She told police that Bailey put Virex TB, a hospital-quality cleaning, disinfecting and deodorizing liquid, into the drink.

The 22-year-old did not drink the liquid, said police.

According to the company's Web site, Virex TB is a liquid — generally sprayed — formulated to kill a variety of viruses.

Police investigators said Bailey was fired immediately after the incident.

Bailey was not in either Calhoun County Jail or Anniston City Jail Friday night. Her bond had been set at $2,500.

2 single-car wrecks result in 2 men flown to UAB hospitals

From staff reports

01-06-2008

Two single-car accidents, one on Glade Road near Weaver and one in Talladega County, resulted in two young men being flown to UAB Hospitals in Birmingham late Friday night.

Henry Baker, 25, of Oxford, remained in an induced coma with serious head injuries Saturday, according to a family friend.

State Troopers report that the 2000 Mitsubishi Baker was driving went out of control and wrecked on Glade Road in Calhoun County around 11:50 p.m. Friday. Troopers had no further information regarding the cause of the accident.

In Talladega County, a 2004 Infiniti driven by Lacey Haney, 20, of Talladega crashed on Berney Station Road near Talladega around 9:30 p.m. Friday, injuring both Haney and Timothy Barker, 22, also of Talladega.

Barker was transported to UAB Hospital, and Haney was taken to a local hospital for treatment of injuries.

Troopers had no further information regarding the cause of the accident. No information on the condition of either victim was available Saturday night.

Appeals court refuses to release Scrushy

Associated Press

01-08-2008

ATLANTA — A federal appeals court has refused to release former HealthSouth CEO Richard Scrushy from federal prison while his bribery conviction is being appealed.

The U.S. 11th Circuit Court of Appeals denied Scrushy's motion to be released on an appeal bond. Appellate Judges Gerald Tjoflat and R. Lanier Anderson wrote in an order that Scrushy had not shown that he was not a flight risk if released from prison.

Scrushy and former Alabama Governor Don Siegelman were convicted last year of bribery and other charges in a federal government corruption case.

Siegelman also has a motion for release on appeal bond pending with the 11th Circuit.

U.S. Supreme Court justices divided over lethal injection drugs

Associated Press

01-08-2008

WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court appeared divided Monday over whether the drugs commonly injected to execute prisoners risk causing excruciating pain in violation of the Constitution.

Several justices indicated a willingness to preserve the three-drug cocktail that is authorized by three dozen states that allow executions. Such a decision would allow lethal injections, on hold since late September, to resume quickly.

Justice Antonin Scalia said states have been careful to adopt procedures that do not seek to inflict pain and should not be barred from carrying out executions even if prison officials sometimes make mistakes in administering drugs. "There is no painless requirement" in the Constitution, Scalia said. Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Samuel Alito also indicated their support for the states' procedures.

Other members of the court, who have raised questions about lethal injection in the past, said they are bothered by the procedures used in Kentucky and elsewhere in which three drugs are administered in succession to knock out, paralyze and kill prisoners.

The argument against the three-drug protocol is that if the initial anesthetic does not take hold, a third drug that stops the heart can cause excruciating pain. The second drug, meanwhile, paralyzes the prisoner, rendering him unable to express his discomfort.

As the nation ponders the death penalty, Alabama presses ahead

By Markeshia Ricks
Star Capitol Correspondent

01-06-2008

A recent stay of execution spared James Harvey Callahan of Calhoun County at least temporarily from dying on this gurney. Photo: Courtesy Alabama Department of Corrections

Alabama wants James Harvey Callahan to die.

Callahan was sentenced to death for the 1982 rape and murder of Jacksonville State University student Rebecca Howell, but still his life continues on death row.

He would have been Alabama's first execution of the year, but the federal courts are standing in the way.

Callahan's execution was stayed, along with those of two other death row inmates, pending the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in a Kentucky case that questions whether strapping a person to a white-sheeted gurney and injecting him with life-draining drugs is cruel and unusual punishment.

As the Supreme Court considers that case, the nation is taking a hard look at the death penalty. One state, New Jersey, decided last month to do away with the death penalty entirely.

With 200 inmates on death row, Alabama has one of the largest death-row inmate populations per capita, and the state's executive branch is determined to carry out the executions.

It's a position that most local lawmakers say they support. Some even want the death penalty expanded as punishment for more crimes than capital murder, and they want executions carried out more swiftly.

Tara Hutchison, spokeswoman for Gov. Bob Riley, said there are no plans to change the state's execution strategy because Riley believes "that some crimes are so monstrous that they deserve the ultimate punishment."

Business as usual

The view that some crimes are so horrendous that they should be punishable by death earned Alabama, along with Oklahoma, a second-place ranking in the nation for the number of executions in 2007, according to a recent report from the Death Penalty Information Center.

Murder-suicide suspected in death of Alabama couple

Associated Press

01-06-2008

SHEFFIELD — Police suspect murder-suicide in the shooting deaths of a Sheffield couple found in their home.

Acting Sheffield Police Chief Greg Ray said Bill R. Cabaniss Sr., 75, and his 74-year-old wife, Ira, were found in their Robertson Boulevard home just after 10 a.m. Friday.

Police said they both died from single gunshot wounds.

It appeared that Cabaniss shot his wife Tuesday night in the back and then shot himself. Their son found the bodies on the bed in their night clothes.

According to family and friends, both had been sick and Bill Cabaniss was distraught over the illness.

The results are in ...

The people have spoken and they want to give a law enforcement:

A helicopter	9 (9%)
Ammunition ... lots of ammunition	10 (10%)
A vacation	22 (23%)
A speeding ticket	37 (40%)
Walker Texas Ranger	14 (15%)

Votes: 92

Don't forget to vote on the next poll.
-aj