News

Preventing the summer slide: Local libraries combat summer reading loss

noreply@annistonstar.com (Sara Milledge Star Staff Writer) — Sun, 19 May 2013 00:37:25 -0600

A giant green triceratops will be encouraging kids to read this summer. It must be the world's most literate triceratops.

N.Q. Reynolds’ funeral evokes memories of a man of passion, courage

noreply@annistonstar.com (Laura Camper lcamper@annistonstar.com) — Sun, 19 May 2013 00:32:21 -0600

Rev. C. Howard Nevett said he thought the rain kept people away from the procession. But he added Reynolds was his closest friend and mentor and that was reason enough to brave the rain.

Final exam: On last day of session, school tax credit act still hotly debated

noreply@annistonstar.com (Tim Lockette tlockette@annistonstar.com) — Sun, 19 May 2013 00:27:24 -0600

Since the bill was passed into law, debate in Montgomery has focused on little else. And that debate is likely to come to a head Monday, the last day of the legislative session, as lawmakers weigh in on a second bill that could determine the shape of the tax credit program once and for all.

‘Most successful session': Anniston’s Marsh sees 2013 in ‘win’ column

noreply@annistonstar.com (Courtney Davies cdavies@annistonstar) — Sun, 19 May 2013 00:24:48 -0600

Marsh, the president pro tempore of the Senate, was the force behind the Alabama Accountability Act, a school tax-credit bill, that generated a lawsuit and hours of Senate debate after it was passed in February.

Disappointed: Democrat Barbara Boyd looks back on state legislative session

noreply@annistonstar.com (Sara Milledge Star Staff Writer) — Sun, 19 May 2013 00:21:57 -0600

As a Democrat, Boyd is a member of the minority party in the House of Representatives. She is also the area’s only Democratic lawmaker. With the legislative session ending Monday, Boyd has seen some victories with local legislation, but said she is disappointed with how this session has gone.

Bill for tag to honor fallen police officers awaits a vote

noreply@annistonstar.com (Madasyn Czebiniak mczebiniak@annistonstar.com) — Sun, 19 May 2013 00:18:51 -0600

According to Rep. Randy Wood, the tags will be different from those for working police because anyone who wants to honor a fallen officer or soldier will be able to buy them, not just active duty or retired policemen.

Police blotter for May 19, 2013

noreply@annistonstar.com (Anniston Star) — Sat, 18 May 2013 22:51:00 -0600

Crimes are listed by location. Anonymous tips may be called in to Crime Stoppers at 256-238-1414. A reward of up to $1,000 may be given.

Arrest report for May 19, 2013

noreply@annistonstar.com (Anniston Star) — Sat, 18 May 2013 22:46:00 -0600

The people listed in this arrest report, whose names and charges are obtained from public records, are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.

Sunday Record for May 19, 2013

noreply@annistonstar.com (Anniston Star) — Sat, 18 May 2013 22:30:00 -0600

The Anniston Star's Sunday Record section for May 19, 2013.

Roads fill with water from heavy rain, downed trees cut power

noreply@annistonstar.com (Ben Cunningham bcunningham@annistonstar.com) — Sat, 18 May 2013 17:08:00 -0600

Heavy, steady rain flooded roads in Oxford and surrounding areas this morning, stranding some cars as the torrent covered the pavement. Meanwhile, downed trees cut electrical power to about 5,000 customers in the Anniston area.

Teen safe after being swept beneath Quintard by storm runoff

noreply@annistonstar.com (Ben Cunningham bcunningham@annistonstar.com) — Sat, 18 May 2013 17:03:00 -0600

A teenager swept several hundred through a drainage culvert beneath Quintard Avenue was rescued today by a woman and her mother who had stopped to pick up a pizza.

Flash flood warning for Talladega, southwestern Calhoun counties

noreply@annistonstar.com (Star staff) — Sat, 18 May 2013 06:43:00 -0600

The National Weather Service Office has issued a flash flood warning for Talladega and southwestern Calhoun counties this morning, after heavy rains soaked the region overnight.

Law enforcement officers, friends and family gather to honor the fallen

noreply@annistonstar.com (Brian Anderson banderson@annistonstar.com) — Sat, 18 May 2013 01:11:57 -0600

“We don’t want this to be a Sheriff’s Office law enforcement memorial, we want it countywide, where everyone can come together and honor those who’ve made the sacrifice,” Chief Deputy Matthew Wade said.

Daisy the cow visits Alexandria Elementary students

noreply@annistonstar.com (Leah Cayson Star Staff Writer) — Sat, 18 May 2013 00:56:33 -0600

Amanda Griffith brought Daisy as an exhibit of the Alabama Dairy Farmers Mobile Dairy Classroom. The "classroom" program, which originates from the Southwest Dairy Farmers trade group based in Texas, visits 120 schools in the state of Alabama each school year.

Oxford's new performing arts center opens with ASO program

noreply@annistonstar.com (Eddie Burkhalter eburkhalter@annistonstar.com) — Sat, 18 May 2013 00:38:36 -0600

Work began in 2011 on the $10.4 million renovation and addition at the former city hall in downtown oxford. It was completed just in time to welcome the Alabama Symphony Orchestra, led by resident conductor Christopher Confessore. It was a special night for former Councilwoman Norma Martin, too.

Proposed zoning changes to be heard by Heflin City Council

noreply@annistonstar.com (Laura Camper lcamper@annistonstar.com) — Fri, 17 May 2013 21:57:41 -0600

The restaurant, Father and Son Grill, is expected to open May 24 in the building where the Rusty Spur Sports Bar previously resided. It is currently unable to get a liquor license because it sits in a general business district which doesn’t allow alcohol sales.

Calhoun County unemployment rate drops to 6.5 percent in April

noreply@annistonstar.com (Patrick McCreless pmccreless@annistonstar.com) — Fri, 17 May 2013 21:54:18 -0600

"Like last month, the positives continued to increase for Alabama counties," said Tom Surtees, commissioner for the Alabama Department of Labor in a press release Friday.

Cobb parents react to planned conversion of their school to junior high facility

noreply@annistonstar.com (Paige Rentz prentz@annistonstar.com) — Fri, 17 May 2013 21:50:33 -0600

Kevin Welch, whose daughter Kanmiyah attends Cobb, said the move could be a positive step. But at the same time, he added, it could negatively affect students who are dispersed among other elementary schools. “They might be split up with their friends,” he said.

K.L. Brown sponsors legislation on topics he has personal familiarity with

noreply@annistonstar.com (Leah Cayson lcayson@annistonstar.com) — Fri, 17 May 2013 21:46:07 -0600

“I’ve always heard the third time's the charm,” Brown said. “We tried to make the bill fair for everybody. I get the feeling that some of our cemetery folks don’t want to be regulated.”

Sen. Gerald Dial’s food tax ban died, but others viable on last day

noreply@annistonstar.com (Debra Flax dflax@annistonstar.com) — Fri, 17 May 2013 21:42:10 -0600

Dial had his own big plans for the year — including a bill that would eliminate the sales tax on food by increasing increasing the sales tax on other items. The bill never came to the floor of the Senate.