Local news

Hobson City nonprofit holds gala to benefit town revitalization

noreply@annistonstar.com (Eddie Burkhalter eburkhalter@annistonstar.com) — Sat, 25 May 2013 00:32:31 -0600

Marshal Holifield, 54, is a lifelong resident of Hobson City, was a classmate of Stringer and has volunteered throughout the park renovation. Standing among the attendees Friday, Holifield talked about the progress he’s seen in his hometown.

Badges of courage: Anniston's new police headquarters to be adorned with many departments' insignia

noreply@annistonstar.com (Paige Rentz prentz@annistonstar.com) — Fri, 24 May 2013 23:22:20 -0600

Friday morning, newly retired Anniston police officer Travis Bentley pulled up behind the new home of the APD and unloaded more than 1,700 patches to liven up the bare hallway walls. He and other officers unloaded about three dozen cork board displays and boxes of loose patches that will be hung next week.

Chief Justice: Pre-K money should go to courts

noreply@annistonstar.com (Tim Lockette tlockette@annistonstar.com) — Fri, 24 May 2013 18:50:00 -0600

Money that was set aside to expand Alabama's pre-kindergarten program should have gone to the court system instead, Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore said Friday.

With governor's signature on bill, Weaver awaits Sunday alcohol sales

noreply@annistonstar.com (Brian Anderson banderson@annistonstar.com) — Fri, 24 May 2013 15:05:00 -0600

Sunday alcohol sales for Weaver cleared a final hurdle in Montgomery this week, and now it awaits City Council approval.

Hospital board authorizes shelter-strength construction in EMS building

noreply@annistonstar.com (Laura Camper lcamper@annistonstar.com) — Fri, 24 May 2013 01:15:19 -0600

In light of the damage wrought by the Moore, Okla., tornado, Tracy Lambert, interim director of EMS and a board member, asked if the board would consider adding a storm shelter in the building.

High school seniors of 2013 ready for new adventures

noreply@annistonstar.com (Sara Milledge smilledge@annistonstar.com) — Fri, 24 May 2013 01:00:24 -0600

For one night each May, it's their world, and the rest of us just live in it. Euphoria, relief and perhaps a tinge of worry for the future - or is it just tempered caution? - fill the hearts and souls of high school graduates. They're everywhere, sure, but these our ours. History has already so recorded it.

Jacksonville City Council authorizes warrant issuance to pay for major public projects

noreply@annistonstar.com (Laura Gaddy lbjohnson@annistonstar.com) — Thu, 23 May 2013 20:05:48 -0600

“This is the big approval,” said Lee Birehall, a bond attorney who is working with the city. “They will have the money in the bank on the 29th.”

New retail complex gets $2.3 million boost from Oxford CDA

noreply@annistonstar.com (Eddie Burkhalter eburkhalter@annistonstar.com) — Thu, 23 May 2013 18:11:22 -0600

The City Council agreed to pay for the work, which will include sewer and water line installation, grading and construction of an access road, at an April 9 meeting.

Lake Chinnabee recreation area closed due to flooding

noreply@annistonstar.com (Katie Turpen kturpen@annistonstar.com) — Thu, 23 May 2013 18:03:00 -0600

The U.S. Forest Service has temporarily closed the Lake Chinnabee recreation area located in Talladega National Forest due to severe flooding on Saturday.

Crews knocking down police building, but memories remain

noreply@annistonstar.com (Paige Rentz prentz@annistonstar.com) — Thu, 23 May 2013 17:54:00 -0600

Decades-old calls by police officers for the crowded, leaky old building at the corner of 12th Street and Gurnee Avenue to be razed are finally being answered. Anniston police likely won't miss their old headquarters, but they will have plenty to remember about it.

Capital murder charged against Ohatchee man

noreply@annistonstar.com (Brian Anderson banderson@annistonstar.com) — Thu, 23 May 2013 17:31:32 -0600

According to the press release, a Calhoun County grand jury indicted Michael William Kiser on May 10. The release said no other information about the crime was available.

Radio system on its way to 911 control

noreply@annistonstar.com (Brian Anderson banderson@annistonstar.com) — Thu, 23 May 2013 16:57:00 -0600

The public safety radio system that connects first-responders throughout Calhoun County has taken its first big step toward keeping its channels of communication open. The Calhoun County 911 Board of Directors today accepted the takeover of the Calhoun County portion of the 800 megahertz radio system currently operated by the Alabama Regional Communication System, the same day the Calhoun County Commission approved the measure.

Lower housing affordability indicates improving market, housing experts say

noreply@annistonstar.com (Patrick McCreless pmccreless@annistonstar.com) — Thu, 23 May 2013 16:29:42 -0600

According to the Alabama Center for Real Estate's latest affordability index, homes in the county were 3.16 percent less affordable in the first quarter of the year compared to the fourth quarter last year.

Mother reports sexual abuse of her children

noreply@annistonstar.com (Madasyn Czebiniak mczebiniak@annistonstar.com) — Thu, 23 May 2013 11:52:00 -0600

An Anniston mother on Wednesday told police a family member had sexually abused her a 5-year-old daughter and 7-year-old son.

Oxford’s Holladay hired as superintendent of Athens City Schools

noreply@annistonstar.com (Eddie Burkhalter eburkhalter@annistonstar.com) — Thu, 23 May 2013 10:31:00 -0600

Oxford High School principal Trey Holladay was hired Wednesday evening as superintendent of Athens City Schools.

Twenty-three layoffs total seen in Cleburne County schools

noreply@annistonstar.com (Laura Camper lcamper@annistonstar.com) — Thu, 23 May 2013 00:14:18 -0600

The notices typically are issued at the end of the school year because that is when the contracts for non-tenured teachers and contract support staff expire, a state education department spokeswoman said.

Census shows Calhoun County population shrinking

noreply@annistonstar.com (Patrick McCreless pmccreless@annistonstar.com) — Thu, 23 May 2013 00:01:00 -0600

U.S. Census data shows Calhoun County's population shrank last year, extending a 2011 trend that, if it continues, could stifle the area's economic growth.

Cleburne Co. High starts over on principal search

noreply@annistonstar.com (Laura Camper lcamper@annistonstar.com) — Wed, 22 May 2013 18:25:00 -0600

Cleburne County Schools is again looking to hire a principal for Cleburne County High School, after Wellborn High School principal Rick Carter declined the position, the superintendent said this week.

McClellan dogs help make the world safer

noreply@annistonstar.com (Rachael Griffin rgriffin@annistonstar.com) — Wed, 22 May 2013 18:06:00 -0600

Eleven dogs are being trained at the Auburn University Canine Detection Training Center at McClellan. The Labs are learning the Auburn-patented vapor-wake training, which means they’ll be able to smell a plume of scent left by an explosive device that is worn or carried.

Local events planned for Memorial Day weekend

noreply@annistonstar.com (Debra Flax dflax@annistonstar.com) — Wed, 22 May 2013 18:03:00 -0600

Local cities and veterans’ groups are planning observances for the Memorial Day holiday weekend, from somber pomp and circumstance to informal cookout to fundraisers.