Judge orders written statements in case of Jacksonville trees

By Matt Kasper
Star Staff Writer

02-09-2008

After hearing testimony Friday from witnesses on both sides of Jacksonville's tree controversy, Calhoun-Cleburne Circuit Judge John Thomason ordered written closing arguments from both sides.

The case pits two Jacksonville residents against Alabama Power Co. over whether the power company should be allowed to remove four trees near their homes.

The power company's attorneys, Brenda Stedham, Steve Casey and Eric Getty, have seven days to submit a brief explaining why they have the right to cut down the trees in front of Barbara Wilson and Rufus Kinney's homes, Thomason said.

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Woman struck with rock during argument

By Nick Cenegy
Star Staff Writer

02-09-2008

An argument between two Constantine Home residents around 9:30 p.m. Thursday ended when one woman picked up a rock and struck the other woman in the face with it, according to Anniston police.

Investigators said the injured woman called police and was transported to Regional Medical Center. She was treated for a cut and swelling around her right eye, police said.

No other injuries were reported and no arrests had been made in the case as of Friday afternoon.

Controlled burns could send smoke into area

By Nick Cenegy
Star Staff Writer

02-09-2008

Controlled burns in the Talladega National Forest could send smoke drifting through Oxford and Anniston this weekend, according to U.S. Forest Service officials.

Forest workers are clearing undergrowth in the national forest about nine miles east of Talladega, said Noonan Phifer, zone dispatcher with the Forest Service.

The burn is one of several planned in the area to reduce fuel on the forest floor while conditions are favorable, Phifer said.

Several additional fires are planned for this weekend, but their locations will depend on wind conditions, Phifer said.

According to Phifer, certain types of wildlife – such as the protected Red-Cockaded Woodpecker – tend to prefer the areas cleared by the fires. The burns also help to prevent unexpected naturally occurring blazes that can become uncontrollable, he said.

Thief's aggressive actions prompt police warning

By Nick Cenegy
Star Staff Writer

02-08-2008

Anniston police are warning residents around East Sixth Street to be on the lookout for a man thought to be responsible for an attempted rape and at least three area burglaries.

"We just want to reiterate to the public the need to report anyone suspicious in the area," said Anniston police Investigator Rocky Stemen.

Stemen said police are looking for a black man around 6 feet tall, weighing around 200 pounds. In one incident, he was reportedly wearing dark pants and a dark hooded sweatshirt, in another he was in a black jacket and a knit cap. The man is considered very dangerous, said Stemen.

According to police, a pattern has begun to emerge from reports in the area beginning in late January.

On Jan. 23, around 9 p.m., a 61-year-old woman arriving at home saw a man running out of the rear of her house on the 400 block of Knox Avenue. The man reportedly had stolen a gun and jewelry.

In an incident on Jan. 27, just before 7 p.m., a 32-year-old woman on the 600 block of East 6th Street heard a noise and went to the window to investigate. She didn't see anything suspicious, so she went outside. She told police a man was hiding in the bushes. The man jumped up and said "freeze, police," before chasing her back into the house. He kicked in the door but fled the area before police arrived. On Jan. 30 around 10 p.m. the woman came home and found that someone had entered the house through an unlocked door and had stolen a VCR and jewelry.

On Feb. 5, a 27-year-old resident of the 500 block of East 6th Street let her dog out into the back yard just after 11 p.m. and was in her house when a man came in the back door, hit her, and tried to rape her, according to police reports.

A visiting friend surprised the attacker, who fled.

The incidents may not be related, but the similarities are too striking to ignore, Stemen said.

Most home burglars don't want confrontation, but the suspect in this case does and it appears that he is specifically targeting females, Stemen said.

Anyone who sees a suspicious person in the area is asked to call the Anniston Police Department at 238-1800.

Armed man confronts, robs Glen Addie Homes resident

By Nick Cenegy
Star Staff Writer

02-08-2008

A man with a gun robbed a 27-year-old woman in front of her residence at the Glen Addie Homes Wednesday evening.

According to police reports, the woman got out of her car near the S building at 500 Glen Addie Avenue just before 8 p.m. and went inside to set a few things down.

Investigators said when the woman went back outside to get a few more things from the car, a man approached her, put a gun to her head, and told her to hand over her money.

The man ran away with an undisclosed amount of cash and the woman's black leather purse, police said.

No injuries were reported. Police had made no arrests in the case as of Thursday afternoon.

County officials seek end to marauding dog packs

By Megan Nichols
Star Staff Writer

02-08-2008

Calhoun County officials say they are working to come up with a solution to the problem roaming dogs have been causing some area residents.

In the past couple of weeks, some Ohatchee cattle farmers have had to destroy some cows injured by dog packs.

Officials from animal control, the Sheriff's Office and the commission met Thursday morning to brainstorm the issue, said Calhoun County Commission Chairman Robert Downing.

"The County Commission realizes there is a problem, and we're going to do everything we can to address it," Downing said.

William Chapman, director of Calhoun County Animal Control, said his office was working on a letter to be sent to people against whom loose-dog complaints have been made.

"That way, they'll be formally warned, and if we keep on having problems with them, we can prosecute," he said.

Chapman said many of the problems stem from people living in rural areas who are accustomed to letting their dogs run free. With those areas becoming more populated, the dogs can cause trouble, he said.

Animal Control also is creating informative fliers and will post notices in newspapers to inform people about the law, Chapman said.

"We're trying to educate before we get too deep into having to prosecute," he said. "Some people need to be prosecuted, but some just need to be informed."

Chapman said anyone with an animal complaint should call his office at 231-0854.

Miles College student charged in campus shooting

FAIRFIELD, Ala. (AP) -- A Miles College student was placed in police custody after he was charged in an on-campus shooting incident. Fairfield Deputy Police Chief Leon Davis said it happened just before 3 p.m. yesterday. He said the victim, a former student, did not suffer life-threatening injuries.

Neither the student nor the suspect's name was released, although police are expected to release additional information sometime today.

Davis described the incident as "isolated" and said no one else on the campus was threatened.

Miles College officials were unavailable for comment.

Trial over tree dispute in Jacksonville gets under way today in Anniston

By Matt Kasper
Star Staff Writer

02-08-2008

Barbara Wilson's home in Jacksonville is seen Thursday. A trial involving Alabama Power's plan to cut down four trees near Wilson's property begins today at the Calhoun County Courthouse. Photo: Bill Wilson/The Anniston Star

Seven months after residents first protested Alabama Power Co.'s plans to remove them, the fate of four Jacksonville trees rests on a trial today before Calhoun-Cleburne Circuit Judge John Thomason.

The trial begins at 9 a.m. in Judge Thomason's courtroom at the Calhoun County Courthouse.

Thomason set the trial date in November, thereby preventing Alabama Power Co. from cutting the trees they say pose a safety risk because power lines are overhead.

Full Story

14-year-old boy charged with murder in Theodore slaying

THEODORE, Ala. (AP) -- A 14-year-old boy has been arrested and charged with murder in the Jan. 15 shooting death of a 60-year-old Theodore man.

Kate Johnson, a Mobile County sheriff's spokeswoman, said the teen was arrested about 5 p.m. Thursday at his home.

The boy was charged in the death of Richard Land, who was shot in the front yard of his home.

Mobile County District Attorney John Tyson Jr. said he wants the boy to face the charge as an adult.

The teen's name was withheld because he was placed in juvenile detention and it cannot be made public by authorities unless a judge orders him tried as an adult.

No motive was given for the killing.

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Information from: Press-Register, http://www.al.com/mobileregister

Sheriff: Alabama hiker's death in N.C. caused by hypothermia

MOBILE, Ala. (AP) -- A Daphne woman whose body was found last week outside her locked sport utility vehicle at a North Carolina mountain parking lot died of hypothermia after being unable to reach her keys inside, authorities said.

The body of 47-year-old Sandra Ordner was found hours after she had phoned home on Jan. 31 to tell her husband she was going hiking.

A funeral for the Atlanta native was held Wednesday in Norcross, Ga.

Macon County, N.C., Sheriff Robert Holland told the Press-Register in Mobile for a story Friday that it had been extremely cold and raining in the hours before Ordner's body was discovered in the parking lot of the Whiteside Mountain Trail.

Ordner's keys and cellular telephone were locked inside her 2002 Landrover sport utility vehicle, Holland said.

Holland said Ordner was alone and her husband, Paul William Ordner, was at home in Daphne. She had called her husband using her cell phone to tell him she was going to hike the trail.

Her death initially was investigated as a homicide, but the autopsy determined that she died from hypothermia, Holland said.

Holland said that the presence of "smudges" on the SUV windows suggested that Ordner had tried to break the glass with her hands.

Ordner's husband called the Franklin Police Department in Macon County at 1:17 a.m. on Feb. 1 to report her missing. A person living in the area discovered the body at 10 a.m. that same day.

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Information from: Press-Register, http://www.al.com/mobileregister

Man charged in plot to kill Dale County judge, others

Associated Press

02-08-2008

OZARK — A Houston County man is accused of plotting to kill a judge, an attorney and another person by hiring a hit man, authorities said.

Dale County Sheriff Wally Olson said Andrew E. Garner was arrested Wednesday and charged with conspiracy to commit murder.

Olson said investigators believe Garner hired someone to kill Dale County Circuit Judge Kenneth Quattlebaum, attorney Buddy Williams and a third individual who wasn't named. There was no immediate word on a motive for the alleged plot, and attempts to reach the sheriff's office Thursday were not successful.

Man charged in stabbing deaths of 2 Huntsville boys

Associated Press

02-08-2008

HUNTSVILLE — Police charged a man with capital murder Thursday in the stabbing deaths of his 10-year-old son and the child's 13-year-old half-brother, killed during a confrontation that left the children's mother critically injured.

Police said there was speculation the children were fatally injured while trying to protect the woman, but details of the slayings remained unclear.

Kishon Darrell Green, 29, of Huntsville was held without bond in the deaths of Antwan Green, 10, and Frederick Thomas Jr., 13, said police Sgt. Mark Roberts.

Green also was charged with attempted murder in an attack on Tiffany Nicole Courtney-Burrell, 33, who was stabbed several times in the chest. She was hospitalized in critical condition.

Man stabs wife in front of classroom

By Terry Kinney
Associated Press

02-08-2008

PORTSMOUTH, Ohio — A man charged into a school where his estranged wife was a teacher Thursday morning, firing a gun before stabbing her as her fifth-grade class watched, police said. He later was found dead in his home after apparently shooting himself during a standoff with police.

The teacher, Christi Layne, was in critical condition at a hospital in nearby Huntington, W.Va., a hospital spokeswoman said. Police originally said William Michael Layne shot his wife at Notre Dame Elementary, but Chief Charles Horner said it was unclear whether a gunshot fired in the school hit her.

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Defendant in Jena 6 case charged with assault in Dallas

By Howard Witt
Chicago Tribune

02-08-2008

HOUSTON — A defendant in the racially charged Jena 6 case in Louisiana has been arrested for assault after an altercation at the suburban Dallas high school he is now attending, potentially complicating his legal defense in Jena and dispiriting some of his supporters.

Bryant Purvis, 19, was arrested Wednesday in Carrollton, Texas, and charged with misdemeanor assault after an incident with another student at Hebron High School, Carrollton police said. Purvis was released in lieu of $1,000 bond on Thursday and suspended for three days from the school, where he enrolled as a senior after moving to the area to live with a relative.

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BLU-tube: You Tube for police

Someone sent me a link to BLU-tube, which bills itself as "secure video site for Law Enforcement."
The site has plenty of videos that are open to the public to, however like these on the most watched page.

Just thought I'd pass it along. Does anyone locally use this? Is there a professional aspect to it or is it just for goofing off?

-aj

Police: 5 dead in LA standoff

By THOMAS WATKINS, Associated Press Writer

LOS ANGELES - A man barricaded himself in a house after telling police he had killed three relatives, then opened fire on a SWAT team Thursday. Five people, including an officer and the gunman, were killed, police said.

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Alleged attempted rapist sought

By Nick Cenegy
Star Staff Writer

Updated 3:54 p.m.

Police are asking residents who live near the 500 block of East Sixth Street to keep an eye out for a suspicious man who they say tried to rape a woman in her house Tuesday night.

The 27-year-old woman let her dog outside into the backyard around 11:15 p.m. Tuesday and was inside her house when a man entered through the back door, reported Anniston police.

According to investigators, the man hit the woman and tried to rape her, but she fought back.

A male friend of the woman was coming over to visit and noticed the dog outside, felt something was amiss, and walked in the back door, investigators said.

Police said the friend startled the attacker who fought his way past the friend and fled out of the back door.

The woman did not recognize the attacker, investigators said.

Police said the attacker is described as a black male, 6 feet 3 inches tall, weighing 230 pounds, in a black jacket and knit cap.

Anyone near East Sixth Street who sees someone suspicious matching that description is asked to call police at 238-1800.

Anniston man charged with assault in baseball bat attack

By Nick Cenegy
Star Staff Writer

Updated 3:54 p.m.

Police charged a 21-year-old Anniston man Tuesday in relation to the September beating of a 22-year-old Anniston woman.

Anniston police took Timothy Lamar Hutchinson, 21, into custody around 8 p.m. at the Cooper Homes and charged him with second-degree assault.

According to investigators, Hutchinson pulled the woman – his ex-girlfriend – into bushes near the 1000 block of West 15th Street around 9:30 p.m. Sept. 14 and beat her with a baseball bat. The woman survived the attack but needed medical treatment for her injuries.

Hutchinson was in Calhoun County Jail Wednesday, held on $10,000 bond for the assault and $1,100 for another outstanding warrant.

Many Alaska villages have no cops

By RACHEL D'ORO
Associated Press Writer

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) -- In the four hours it took Alaska State Troopers to arrive at the Eskimo village of Nunam Iqua, a man choked and raped his 13-year-old stepdaughter in front of three younger children. He had already beaten his wife with a shotgun and pistol-whipped a friend after an evening drinking home brew.

Across the remote, frozen reaches of Alaska, scores of native villages have no full-fledged police officers at all. And help in an emergency can be a long way off.

"We're just trying to hang in there," said Edward Adams, mayor of Nunam Iqua.

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Residents to police roads

By Megan Nichols
Star Staff Writer

02-06-2008

The city of Anniston may soon take control of roads at a McClellan subdivision, allowing Anniston police to ticket motorists. Until then, residents of the subdivision said they will police the roads themselves.

Map

McClellan roadways accepted into City of Anniston (179.6 kb .pdf)

Residents of The Homes at Summerall have complained in recent months of an increase in traffic they say results from parents using their subdivision as a shortcut to Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic School, which is off Littlebrant Drive. The homeowners have requested that the McClellan Joint Powers Authority close Littlebrant where it enters their neighborhood.

The JPA has not yet taken action on the road closure, but during investigations into the matter it was discovered that the Anniston Police Department cannot by state law write tickets on many McClellan roads. Polly Russell, Anniston’s city attorney, said that when McClellan was annexed into the city, it did not take ownership of the roads, many of which are still owned by the JPA or developers. She said the roads needed to be brought up to city standards before being accepted.

Full Story.

75 arrested in sex-sting operations in Baldwin Co.

FOLEY, Ala. (AP) -- Baldwin County sheriff's officials say at least 75 people, mostly males, are facing charges in a county-wide undercover sex sting operation.

Authorities said undercover officers posing as prostitutes made arrests in Foley, Gulf Shores and Daphne. Among those arrested were Benjamin Lodmell, a Democratic Congressional hopeful who announced plans to run against Republican incumbent Jo Bonner. The 36-year-old Lodmell was charged Friday with soliciting an undercover female officer.

Since early January, various police agencies across Baldwin County have conducted sex-sting operations, resulting in dozens of arrests.

In Alabama, soliciting a prostitute is a misdemeanor.

Texas man arrested after cocaine is seized in interstate stop

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) -- A Texas man awaits arraignment after he was arrested Saturday for being in possession of 30 kilograms of cocaine.

U.S. Attorney Alice Martin in Birmingham said Alabama state troopers stopped 35-year-old Orlando Martinez of Dallas on Interstate 20/59 in Sumter County.

Authorities said Martinez was driving a tractor-trailer rig and was stopped after troopers observed him violating traffic and commercial trucking laws.

Troopers, according to Martin, found 53 packages of cocaine, each wrapped in plastic bags stashed under the sleeping bunk inside the vehicle.

Martin said its likely formal criminal charges will be filed against Martinez in the next few weeks. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration also is investigating.

Martinez remains in police custody.

15 mailboxes downed in Anniston

By Nick Cenegy
Star Staff Writer

02-05-2008

Someone is making is making life a bit difficult for local postal workers.

In one sweep early Saturday morning, someone downed 15 mailboxes at Anniston residences, according to Anniston police.

Investigators said it appeared some of the mailboxes had been driven over. In several cases tire tracks were found leaving the road and leading to the mailboxes. No car parts have been recovered, however.

The assault on mailboxes was focused primarily in four areas. At least three mailbox-casualties were reported between the 300 and 600 block of West 38th Street, three others between the 400 and 4100 block of Rice Avenue, a string of six between the 700 and 900 block of West 42nd Street, and the remaining two between the 500 and 600 block of West 41st Street.

In at least one case, the victims were awakened around 1 a.m. by a crashing sound, investigators said.

Police had not made any arrests in the case as of Monday afternoon.

Anniston woman tells police she was forcibly sodomized

By Nick Cenegy
Star Staff Writer

02-05-2008

A 46-year-old Anniston woman told Anniston police she was forcibly sodomized by several people at an Anniston residence early Sunday morning.

The woman was either unable or unwilling to tell police the address of the residence where the assault took place.

The woman told police she and a friend went to a residence early Sunday morning where several other people had apparently been drinking. There, she was forcibly sodomized, according to the report.

Investigators said several people were involved in the act. No arrests had been made in the case as of Monday afternoon.

Food Outlet on Noble Street robbed Saturday morning

By Nick Cenegy
Star Staff Writer

02-05-2008

A man wearing a tan jacket and shirt robbed Food Outlet on the 2100 block of Noble Street on Saturday morning.

The man walked into the store just after 9:20 a.m. and tucked his hand in his pocket, indicating he had a gun, reported Anniston police.

He walked behind the counter, took an undisclosed amount of money and fled on foot, according to the report.

Investigators said the man may be the same man who unsuccessfully tried to rob the store Jan. 28.

In that instance a khaki-clothed man approached the counter just before 4:30 p.m. and motioned to the female clerk that he had a weapon, reported Anniston police.

Investigators said he told her to fill a plastic grocery sack with money, but the clerk ducked below the counter instead.

According to police, the man stayed around for a few seconds but eventually got frustrated and left.

No injuries were reported in either incident. Police had made no arrests in either case as of Monday afternoon.

Piedmont woman held against will and raped in Saks area

By Nick Cenegy
Star Staff Writer

02-05-2008

A 51-year-old Piedmont woman whose car broke down in Anniston Wednesday night was reportedly picked up, held against her will, and raped.

Anniston police said the woman's vehicle broke down at the intersection of 7th Street and Noble Street.

According to investigators the woman began to walk alone toward a friend's house in Saks.

A gold colored pickup stopped at 22nd and Noble Street, and a man offered her a ride, police said.

The woman accepted the ride but allegedly was taken to an apartment in the Saks area, held for three hours against her will, and raped, said investigators.

The man then took her home, said police.

Police had made no arrests in connection with the case as of Monday afternoon.

Angry woman uses van to ram Anniston man's SUV

By Nick Cenegy
Star Staff Writer

02-05-2008

A woman, angry at a 31-year-old Anniston man, allegedly rammed his SUV on Friday morning near the 900 block of West 33rd Street, according to an Anniston police report.

The man went outside his home just before 9 a.m. after he heard a crashing noise, police reported.

He was just in time to see a Ford van driven by a female acquaintance driving away after apparently ramming his 2000 Dodge Durango.

Police said when the man walked out into the road to look at the damage, the woman turned the van around.

She allegedly tried to run over the man, but in the process hit a parked car, investigators said.

No injuries were reported and no arrests had been made in connection with the case as of Monday afternoon.

Crime briefs: Sonic carhop assaulted, robbed while in restroom

By Nick Cenegy
Star Staff Writer

02-05-2008

A man followed a Sonic carhop into a restroom and assaulted and robbed her Friday evening, according to Anniston police.

The 19-year-old employee of the Sonic on the 700 block of Noble Street walked into the restroom around 8 p.m. A man in a multi-colored jacket followed her in and hit her in the head, police said.

Investigators said the man knocked the woman down, turned off the lights, and took her tip and change money before fleeing on foot.

Police had no suspects in custody Monday afternoon.

Retired judge to probe Rimpsey-Monk case

By Nick Cenegy
Star Staff Writer

02-03-2008

A retired judge is taking over responsibility for an investigation into allegations that Anniston City Manager George Monk slandered and harassed a neighbor, the Rev. Dr. Freddy Rimpsey Sr.

Former Circuit Judge Robert Parker will evaluate the allegations stemming from a visit by Monk to Rimpsey's home on May 13, 2007, Mayor Chip Howell told The Star.

Rimpsey has said Monk came to his home after a domestic incident in which police records obtained by The Star say Rimpsey had a shotgun that discharged.

Rimpsey appeared before the Anniston City Council on Dec. 11 and alleged that Monk came to his house after the incident, maligned his name and reputation to neighbors, and later persuaded the owner of his property to evict him.

Rimpsey claimed Monk is carrying out what amounts to a personal vendetta against him.

The allegations led to calls by Councilman Ben Little for an investigation, which the council approved and assigned to Howell. Parker began moving forward with interviews last week and said he will take as long as necessary to get the story straight.

Full Story

2 charged in string of car burglaries

By Nick Cenegy
Star Staff Writer

02-02-2008

Local law enforcement agencies say they have resolved at least 100 car burglary and theft-related cases after two arrests by the Calhoun County Sheriff's Office earlier this week.

The reported break in a car-theft ring occurred after a northern Calhoun County resident used his car to box in a suspicious vehicle in a driveway just south of the Etowah County line near U.S. 431, said Sheriff Larry Amerson. The resident called the Sheriff's Office around 2:30 a.m. Monday.

The resident saw people around the car, but they fled into nearby woods, Amerson said.

Deputies reported finding that at least five vehicles had been broken into. Evidence they discovered led them to a house in Saks, Amerson said.

There, investigators arrested Tyler Cowan, 18, and Matthew Elgin, 19, and charged them with burglarizing the vehicles.

Amerson said evidence assembled by investigators showed that the two men and up to three additional suspects were responsible for around 100 car burglaries in the last 3 or 4 weeks.

Two 17-year-olds, whose names are being withheld because they are juveniles, were arrested early this week. At least one more suspect remains at large, Amerson said.

Officials allege the group worked in Calhoun County, targeting Silver Lakes, Alexandria, Indian Oaks, East Anniston and Oxford. After communicating with authorities in other counties, investigators connected the group to similar car burglaries in St. Clair and Talladega Counties.

"The ones in our jurisdiction had a lot of similarities. They did not force entry into any of the cars, only cars that were unsecured," Amerson said.

"They would go into a neighborhood and try every car, stealing iPods, laptops, other electronics," he said.

Full Story

Charge: Woman fed baby meth

By Nick Cenegy
Star Staff Writer

02-02-2008

A 21-year-old woman has been charged with giving her boyfriend's 10-week-old baby crystal methamphetamine and ecstasy.

Stevette Patrice Chapman, 21, of Anniston was in Calhoun County Jail on Friday charged with aggravated child abuse, two counts of possession of a controlled substance, and two counts of intent to distribute a controlled substance.

According to Calhoun County Sheriff Larry Amerson, the baby was left with the father for a visit early Thursday. At some point during the day, the father left his girlfriend, Chapman, alone with the baby.

When the baby's mother returned, she noticed that the baby was sick and took the baby to the hospital.

Medical personnel conducted a blood test and found evidence of crystal meth and ecstasy.

Investigators from Daybreak Crisis Recovery Center and the Sheriff's Office arrested Chapman. Her bail has been set at $90,000.

LifeSaver helicopter leaving RMC for Gadsden

By Megan Nichols
Star Staff Writer

02-01-2008

LifeSaver Omniflight Helicopters, which provides air ambulance services for the region, will move its Anniston base to Gadsden, according to the company.

Lynda La Rue, Omniflight regional manager, said that because the company recently opened a base in Sylacauga, the move north from Anniston will provide greater coverage to the region's residents.

"This will not affect Anniston adversely, it will just help us to more effectively cover the region," she said.

La Rue said employees will not lose their jobs because of the move. All Anniston Omniflight employees will work in Gadsden.

"We employ people from several communities around Anniston and Gadsden, so some of them may have more of a commute, but they will keep their jobs," she said.

La Rue said 12 full-time and about 16 total employees will move to Gadsden. The move will be completed today or Monday, she said.

Susan Williamson, spokeswoman for Anniston's Regional Medical Center, said she was excited about Omniflight's move from RMC to Gadsden.

"This really widens their coverage area and is going to allow them to provide a better service," Williamson said.

La Rue said LifeSaver has been in Alabama for 27 years. The Anniston base opened in June 2002, she said.

Anniston man critical after being shot in chest

By Nick Cenegy
Star Staff Writer

02-01-2008

A 40-year-old Anniston man remained in critical condition Thursday afternoon after he was shot in the chest Wednesday at a West 15th Street residence. According to Anniston police reports, Dexter Spinks and a friend went to a house near West 15th Street and Stephens Avenue just before 4 p.m. Investigators said while the two were there, another man — whom police did not identify pending a warrant for his arrest — entered the house, walked past Spinks, and told him "You will pay me back that five dollars," before walking into another room. A short while later, police said, the man returned with a handgun and took two shots at Spinks. One shot hit him in the chest. Investigators spent Thursday tracking down leads on the shooter.

Anniston man charged after stolen gun parts found

By Nick Cenegy
Star Staff Writer

02-01-2008

An Anniston man was in jail and Oxford police were searching for a second man Thursday after they connected the two men to a $100,000 stash of allegedly stolen gun parts found in a public storage facility.

Police charged Howard Ray Frye, 27, of Anniston with first-degree receipt of stolen property. Frye was taken to the Calhoun County Jail. Police are searching for his alleged accomplice, Justin Carl Burcham, 23, of Anniston.

Acting on a search warrant, Oxford police found the weapons at a public storage facility on Whiteside Drive.

Stacked in the unit were a number of plastic tote boxes and metal display cases containing firearms parts and accessories that were reported stolen earlier this year.

Oxford man assaulted by son, other youths Tuesday

By Nick Cenegy
Star Staff Writer

02-01-2008

OXFORD — An Oxford resident reportedly was assaulted and robbed by his 14-year-old son and some other youths just after midnight Tuesday, police said.

Oxford police reported the 37-year-old Fink Avenue resident let his son and another boy around the age of 15 come over to stay the night.

The man went to sleep but was awakened by someone hitting him.

The man told police his son and his son's friend were both punching him.

Two other youths of similar age had also been let into the house. The four youths took the man's wallet and his keys and fled through the back door.

No arrests have been made.

2 men attempt to force way into Anniston home Monday

By Nick Cenegy
Star Staff Writer

02-01-2008

Two men shot a front doorknob and tried to kick their way into a residence on the 4800 block of Old Birmingham Highway Monday evening, according to Anniston police reports.

The 45-year-old homeowner, his sister, and the sister's female friend were visiting at the house around 6 p.m. when two men came to the door, police reported.

Investigators said one of the men was the husband of the visiting friend and the other was an acquaintance.

The husband was apparently angry that his wife was visiting the home, police said.

The husband's acquaintance allegedly fired shots at the doorknob in an apparent attempt to break it before the two started trying to kick the door in, police said.

The men left before police arrived.

No injuries were reported. No arrests had been made Thursday.

29-year-old responsible for Anniston courthouse clock and bell

By Megan Nichols
Star Staff Writer

01-31-2008

Photo: Stephen Gross/The Anniston Star

In a dusty, drafty and dark tower about six stories above 11th Street and Gurnee Avenue hangs the Calhoun County Courthouse clock and bell, which has tolled the hour in downtown Anniston for almost 80 years.

While most Anniston residents have probably seen the clock tower and heard the bell toll, almost none have seen the workings up close.

The man responsible for making sure that the bell tolls 12 times at noon and that people can set their watches by the clock is Jacksonville native Tim McCurry. McCurry, 29, has worked as a maintenance man at the courthouse for eight years and has cared for the clock the whole time.

Full Story

Holloway's mom: secret footage 'put an end to my nightmare'

By ROBERT WIELAARD
Associated Press Writer

THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) -- Secret camera footage of a Dutch student saying he believed missing teenager Natalee Holloway was dead and asking a friend to dump her body at sea in Aruba proves he is not innocent, her mother said in an interview Monday.

But Joseph Tacopina, a lawyer for student Joran Van der Sloot, said his client was not responsible for the Alabama teen-ager's death and that the tapes do not amount to a confession.

"There was no confession, no admission of a crime by Joran on any of these tapes, which is very telling," Tacopina said on ABC's "Good Morning America."

In the secret recordings broadcast Sunday in the Netherlands, Van der Sloot said Holloway, 18, was drunk and that she began shaking and slumped down on the beach as they were kissing in May 2005.

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Mother says footage proves Dutch student is not innocent

THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) -- The mother of missing Alabama teenager Natalee Holloway says a Dutch student who has been a suspect in Holloway's disappearance is not innocent.

Beth Twitty of Mountain Brook says secret camera footage of Joran Van der Sloot (YOHR'-uhn VAN'-dur-sloht) proves it.

At the same time, she says the tape allows her to take more comfort in knowing what actually happened and put an end to her "nightmare" of not knowing. Twitty tells ABC that she can now begin the mourning and the healing process involved in losing a child.

Footage broadcast in the Netherlands shows Van der Sloot saying he was with Holloway when she collapsed on a beach in Aruba. He is recorded saying he thought she was dead and asked a friend to dump her body in the sea, saying "She'll never be found."