These are some stories from the 9/25/12 version of Tennessee Valley news update (633, 733, 833am, 304, 404, 504, 604pm) …
HUNTSVILLE, AL (Huntsville Times) - A Madison County judge has sided with the City of Huntsville in a legal fight involving an overgrown yard in Five Points. The Huntsville times reports that Circuit Judge Jim Smith ruled yesterday that records from the Huntsville City Council's July 10 meeting supported the council's unanimous decision to declare James Hessler's yard a public nuisance. Hessler may appeal. The next step for the city is enforcing a plan to heavily trim the yard on Pratt Ave.
SELMA, AL (AP) - Opponents of efforts to build a new monument to Civil War Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest plan to ask the Selma City Council to refuse to allow the new statue to be built. The protesters plan to march to Selma's City Hall on Tuesday afternoon to protest the plan.
AUBURN, AL (AP) - An Alabama football fan awaiting trial for his alleged involvement in the poisoning of Auburn's beloved trees at Toomer's Corner has been arrested in Louisiana following a dispute over refund for a lawnmower. Reports say 63-year-old Harvey Updyke Jr. was arrested when the incident with a store manager escalated.
MONTGOMERY, AL (AP) - Alabama education officials say the state is No. 1 in the nation for the growth in high school students making qualifying scores on Advanced Placement exams for the last five years and for the growth in minority students taking AP courses. Gov. Robert Bentley, state school Superintendent Tommy Bice and supporters of the A Plus College Ready program announced yesterday that qualifying scores have gone up 102 percent and minority participation 318 percent over the last five years. Students who pass an AP exam can get college course credit.
HUNTSVILLE, AL (AP) - Amy Bishop has been sentenced to life in prison without parole for killing three of her colleagues and wounding three others during a faculty meeting. The jury deliberated for about 20 minutes before convicting the former UAH biology professor yesterday. She showed no reaction as the verdict was read. Circuit Judge Alan Mann then imposed the life sentence. Bishop did not speak in court.
ATHENS, AL (WAFF) - City workers in Athens will go without a pay raise under a budget for 2013 passed unanimously Monday by the city council, WAFF reports. The police and fire departments are slated to receive the biggest shares among the general fund departments out of the expected $23.6 million in revenues. The council has about a $4.4 million for appropriations but the bulk of that goes to the Athens City School System because the city splits half of property, sales and alcohol taxes with the school system. The school system should get a projected $3,433,000 in gross receipts tax in 2013. The council will decide how to divvy up the remaining funds for tourism, libraries, beautification, special events, etc., at its meeting on Oct. 8th. The council could look at raises mid-budget year, but council members have not discussed that yet.
HUNTSVILLE, AL (WLRH) - The latest exhibit at the US Space and Rocket Center makes its debut this Friday. A number of local officials and civic leaders will join educators and children for the ribbon cutting on “Math Alive” Friday morning at 11 on the main floor. “Math Alive” features 40 interactive exhibits aimed at showing how math works in our everyday lives. There’s even a chance to design your own video game. Find more information on our Facebook page.
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) – The Alabama Department of Industrial Relations and the Alabama Department of Labor will merge Oct. 1, with the new department known as the Department of Labor. Industrial Relations Director Tom Surtees will lead the combined department. The Legislature approved the merger with the support of the governor, and it’s supposed to save $100,000 to $200,000 per year. Surtees says people filing unemployment compensation claims online should begin using the new website …. www.labor.alabama.gov