These are some stories from the 10/15/12 version of Tennessee Valley news update (633, 733, 833am, 304, 404, 504, 604pm) …
The Huntsville Times reports that the City of Huntsville is showing interest in possibly buying the former Coca-Cola bottling plant property on Clinton Avenue – before it’s even on the market. Big Springs Inc. closed the bottling plant this summer, citing rising production costs and other factors. The property covers an entire city block across from the VBC. Big Springs will put the building up for sale once it disposes of the bottling equipment. That process could take up to a year.
MADISON CO. Ala (WAAY) – Teen driving fatalities are on a decline in Alabama thanks in part to state efforts aimed to keep kids safe behind the wheel. WAAY reports Governor Robert Bentley declared October 14th – 20th “Teen Driver Safety Week” in Alabama. It is an effort to boost awareness that most at-fault teen driving deaths are caused by inexperience and distracted driving. In 2010 Alabama has 96 at-fault teen driving deaths. In 2011 that number dropped to 54.
FLORENCE, AL (AP) – Florence City Board of Education member Jim Fisher has resigned because of comments he made about teacher salaries on the social media network Facebook. The Florence Times-Daily reported that Fisher submitted a letter of resignation to the board Friday. He said in the letter that he had made a “grave mistake” by publishing his comments in a public forum. Fisher wrote his Facebook posting in response to the board’s recent decision to give school superintendent Janet Womack a pay raise.
Huntsville, Ala. (WHNT) – State lawmakers are considering changes to how Alabama’s “Youthful Offender” law works. State Rep. Phil Williams (R – Huntsville) is drafting a bill that would prevent suspects who are under the age of 21 and charged with Class A felonies from claiming youthful offender status. WHNT reports under current law, defendants under 21 who receive youthful offender status can serve no more than three years behind bars, with all records connected o their case also under seal. Reckless murder, rape and armed robbery are examples of crimes that would disqualify someone from youthful offender status if Rep. Williams’ bill becomes law.