The News-Courier in Athens, Alabama

Alabama Power getting stimulus money for updates
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — The U.S. Department of Energy is allocating up to $6 million of federal stimulus money to help Alabama Power Co. upgrade electrical generating units at three dams on the Coosa River.
Victims, relatives to witness sniper execution
Some ache for revenge, others simply for justice. There is frustration, too, and defiance.
CA officials pledge changes to parole supervision
California corrections officials say they’re working to improve the monitoring of released sex offenders, responding to a scathing report that cited missed chances to catch the suspect accused of holding Jaycee Dugard captive for 18 years.
3 injured, home destroyed in Texas gas line blast
Authorities say three people were injured when a natural gas pipeline explosion shook homes, melted window blinds and shot flames hundreds of feet into the air in northern Texas.
Fla. baby missing for 5 days found alive under bed
A baby missing for five days was found alive and well under her baby sitter’s bed, and Florida authorities said Thursday they plan to charge the sitter, her husband and the child’s mother.
Nun murdered in NM like ’mom’ to parishioner
Sister Magdalena has returned home — empty now in the absence of a roommate who had worked so hard to empower people on the Navajo Indian Reservation.
AZ medical helicopter crashes, 2 injured
Authorities say a medical helicopter has crashed on Arizona’s San Carlos Indian reservation during a training flight and both people aboard are seriously injured. There were no patients on the flight.
Valley in Washington state prepares for flood
The dangerous Green River lost its sting in the early 1960s when a dam ended floods that frequently swamped its Seattle-area valley.
But the years have weakened the dam, and now residents and businesses are involved in a feverish campaign to fortify the heavily developed Green River Valley against a potentially catastrophic flood during the winter rainy season.
In Ohio, relatives ask how victims went unnoticed
The discovery of 11 bodies in one home in a run-down neighborhood here has relatives of the presumed victims wondering how such a gruesome scene could have gone unnoticed for perhaps years, and they charge that police ignored their missing person reports.
La. judge done after flap over interracial wedding
At least four times in the last 2 1/2 years, Keith Bardwell says he refused to marry interracial couples while serving as a Louisiana justice of the peace.
WEDNESDAY'S WEIRD NEWS: November 4, 2009.
• NM calf fitted with prosthetic legs
• Police: Drunk AL man pulled over, confesses theft
Judge: Mich. man can sue store he robbed
A Michigan judge says a man who claims he was chased, shot and beaten by workers at a store he’d just robbed can sue the men. But only if he comes up with $10,000 within two weeks.
Report examines Calif’s watch of alleged kidnapper
One of the biggest questions surrounding Jaycee Dugard’s kidnapping is how her alleged captor managed to keep her hidden from authorities for 18 years even as he was being monitored by parole officers because of a previous rape conviction.
Football artist wins court decision over Tide
A federal judge has ruled that artist Daniel Moore did not violate trademark laws by painting scenes of University of Alabama football without licensing the work through the university.
Calif. man indicted in 4 Va. bludgeoning deaths
An aspiring California rapper has been indicted on capital murder charges in the deaths of four people found bludgeoned to death at a central Virginia home in September.
Person says deputy chief named LA police chief
Charlie Beck, a 33-year veteran credited with cleaning up the image of the scandal-plagued Rampart Division, has been appointed chief of the Los Angeles Police Department, The Associated Press learned Tuesday.
Program will monitor Md. doctors' handwashing
Maryland is starting to keep tabs on how often doctors and nurses wash their hands at hospitals.
Neighbors griped about odor at Ohio home for years
A Cleveland city councilman is calling for an investigation into whether police and health inspectors missed any signs that could have tipped them off to a house where the bodies of six women were found.
Python hunters bag 37 in Florida hunting season
Expert snake hunters snared 37 pythons in South Florida during a trial hunting season to eradicate the invasive species.
Police: NC father killed wife, 2 children, self
North Carolina police say a real estate developer known as an active member of his church shot and killed his wife and two teen children and then committed suicide in their Fayetteville home.
Father: Missing ND students liked to star gaze
The father of one of three missing college softball players said Tuesday the women often went star gazing near a lake in southwestern North Dakota and police do not suspect foul play in their disappearances.
Judge rethinks denying damages in Mass. mob case
A federal judge in Boston who ruled that the mothers of two women allegedly slain by FBI informants James “Whitey” Bulger and Stephen “The Rifleman” Flemmi were not entitled to collect damages for loss of emotional support is reconsidering his decision.
Huntsville has nation’s highest airfares
New federal statistics show Huntsville has the nation’s most expensive airplane tickets.
Fire at Michigan welding company, 1 hospitalized
Authorities say multiple explosions have been reported and at least one person has been hospitalized after a fire broke out at a Michigan welding supply company.
Scientists decode DNA of pig, a research favorite
An international group of scientists has decoded the DNA of the domestic pig, research that may one day prove useful in finding new treatments for both pigs and people, and perhaps aid in efforts for a new swine flu vaccine for pigs.
Murder trial to begin in Ark. TV anchor’s death
A man accused of killing a popular Arkansas television personality is going on trial.
Brett Favre welcomed back to Lambeau — with boos
There is an empty space in the Ring of Honor above Lambeau Field where Brett Favre’s name will fit perfectly.
Someday.
Right now, the emotions are still far too raw.
Focus falls on cause of collision off Calif. coast
With the possibility of finding survivors all but gone and the ocean search shifted from a rescue effort to a recovery mission, focus fell Monday on what caused a Marine Corps helicopter and U.S. Coast Guard plane to collide over the Pacific.
Military plane, helicopter collide off California
The U.S. Coast Guard and Navy were still hoping Friday to find survivors of a collision between a Coast Guard plane carrying seven people and a Marine Corps helicopter carrying two off the Southern California coast.
Lawyer: NYer forced wife to violate Muslim beliefs
A defense lawyer says a woman accused of slashing the neck of her sleeping husband was “emotionally abused” and forced to violate her Muslim beliefs.
Police: Ariz. dad ran over ’Westernized’ daughter
Police in a Phoenix suburb say an Iraqi immigrant has been arrested in Georgia for allegedly running down his daughter because she was becoming “too Westernized.”
Cops: TN mechanic disabled parked cars for repairs
Tennessee police say a mechanic was drumming up business by tampering with parked cars, then charging to help start them.
Police arrested 41-year-old Christopher Walls of Johnson City on Thursday night.
Police seek shooter who wounded 2 at LA synagogue
Police on Friday pressed forward with their hunt for a gunman, a day after he wounded two men in the parking garage of a Los Angeles synagogue.
1 dead, steeple falls as tornadoes hit La., Ark.
One man is dead and a landmark church steeple toppled onto a car in Louisiana after a line of thunderstorms spawned several tornadoes there and in neighboring Arkansas.
Iowa’s early Halloween-goers need jokes for treats
There’s no trick to earning a treat for Halloween in Des Moines. All that’s required is a good joke.
Even if it’s a bad joke.
RI lawmakers adopt indoor prostitution ban
Rhode Island would close a loophole allowing prostitutes to ply their trade indoors under new legislation approved by state lawmakers.
Teen to stay in custody in slaying of Mo. girl
A teenage suspect in the slaying of a 9-year-old Missouri girl will remain in juvenile custody until a judge decides next month whether the first-degree murder case should be tried in adult court.
Semi-pro football player accused of referee attack
A semi-professional football player has been charged with slamming a referee in the face with his helmet at the end of an unruly game in upstate New York.
Boulder DA to investigate balloon boy sheriff
A special prosecutor has been appointed to investigate allegations the Larimer County sheriff violated privacy laws in the case of the runaway balloon that was believed to be carrying a young boy.
Parents fear for missing Metallica fan daughter
The parents of a 20-year-old Virginia Tech student who disappeared outside a Metallica concert say they fear their daughter is the victim of foul play but hope for her return.
Bush urges listeners to stick to their principles
Former President George W. Bush has used a paid motivational speech in Fort Worth, Texas, to urge listeners to stand by their beliefs.
Soldiers accused in marriage scam for benefits
Sgt. Jason Hawk and his bride met for the first time when he picked her up at a bus stop near his Army base a day before their wedding. Prosecutors say the speedy romance was echoed by a fast honeymoon: Ayna Ivanova returned to New York soon after.
Slain north Florida girl to be laid to rest
A slain north Florida girl is being laid to rest after a funeral and private burial.
Police say dozen people watched Calif. gang rape
Police believe as many as a dozen people watched a 15-year-old girl get beaten and gang-raped outside her high school homecoming dance without reporting it.
Baby born hours after Mobile Co. crash
A baby girl was born just hours after her mother, father and two sisters were among five people injured in a three-vehicle crash in south Mobile County.
Florence man unfolds lost years
The photos turned back time for Bob Stansell.
“I’m surprised I packed that much into it,” Bob Stansell said, emptying the contents of a billfold he hadn’t touched in 45 years.
Ala. officials: education key to prevent cruelty
Area officials agree education is the key toward combating animal cruelty through neglect.
“We see animal cruelty cases on a fairly continuous basis,” said Dr. Ken McMillan, partner and veterinarian at Pell City Animal Hospital. “But you have to define what animal cruelty is.”
Man, woman found dead in Ohio day-care parking lot
Police say a man and woman found dead in an SUV parked at a southwest Ohio day care center had both been shot in the head.
RI nightclub victim’s dad asks feds to investigate
The father of the youngest victim of a 2003 nightclub fire that killed 100 people has met with the new U.S. attorney for Rhode Island to ask federal authorities to investigate.
Jordanian pleads not guilty in Dallas bomb plot
A Jordanian man accused of trying to blow up a Dallas skyscraper with what he thought was a car bomb pleaded not guilty during his arraignment Monday.
Judge tosses verdicts against infomercial pair
A federal judge has tossed out guilty verdicts against two salespeople who used late-night infomercials to tout their stock-trading abilities.
MN family wants court out of son’s cancer case
The parents of a Minnesota teenager who once fled the state to avoid chemotherapy are asking a judge to end the court’s role in the case.
Fla. man arraigned in throat slashings of family
A Florida man accused of slashing the throats of his wife and five children has pleaded not guilty.
Ala. Guard unit going to Afghanistan
An Alabama Army National Guard unit is preparing to begin a mission in Afghanistan.
Jury to deliberate 3rd day in ex-judge’s trial
The jury in the trial of former Mobile County Circuit Judge Herman Thomas is set to begin a third day of deliberations.
Ala. officials: education key to prevent cruelty
Area officials agree education is the key toward combating animal cruelty through neglect.
“We see animal cruelty cases on a fairly continuous basis,” said Dr. Ken McMillan, partner and veterinarian at Pell City Animal Hospital. “But you have to define what animal cruelty is.”
Titanic expedition possible in 2010
The company that has exclusive rights to salvage the Titanic is planning a possible expedition to the world’s most famous shipwreck in 2010.
The first expedition to the North Atlantic wreck site since 2004 is revealed in a filing by RMS Titanic Inc. in U.S. District Court, where four days of hearings are scheduled to begin Monday on the company’s claim for a salvage award.
Castro’s sister says she collaborated with CIA
Fidel Castro’s younger sister says she collaborated with the CIA in 1964 following the Cuban revolution.
Texas skyscraper bomb plot suspect due in court
A Jordanian man accused of trying to blow up a Dallas skyscraper with what he thought was a car bomb is expected in court.
Fla. town, family say goodbyes to slain girl
The family of slain 7-year-old Somer Thompson is preparing to lay the child to rest, a week after she vanished in north Florida on her way home from school.
Chicago sees 26 percent jump in parking tickets
Chicago is cashing in on its much-criticized parking meter deal.
1st polygamist sect criminal trial set to begin
The first of a dozen polygamist sect members charged with abuse of women is set to stand trial Monday, 18 months after agents raided the group’s remote ranch and carted off more than 400 children in the largest child custody case in American history.
Carrots and Sticks: Obama’s split media strategy
The same president who aggressively harnesses the power of the press to promote his agenda has taken to lacing his comments with criticisms of the media, with no bigger target than the gabby culture of cable television.
Hotel owner tells Hispanic workers to change names
Larry Whitten marched into this northern New Mexico town in late July on a mission: resurrect a failing hotel.
The tough-talking former Marine immediately laid down some new rules. Among them, he forbade the Hispanic workers at the run-down, Southwestern adobe-style hotel from speaking Spanish in his presence (he thought they’d be talking about him), and ordered some to Anglicize their names.
Mich. man pleads no contest to killing Ala. teen
A Michigan teen has pleaded no contest to shooting and killing a 14-year-old from Alabama outside a Pontiac church.
Mom to unknown Fla. child killer: “We’ll get you.”
The mother of a 7-year-old Florida girl whose body was found in a landfill made a promise on national TV Friday to the unknown killer: “We’ll get you.”
Man accused of shooting Jags player set for trial
The attorney for the man accused of shooting and paralyzing Jacksonville Jaguars offensive lineman Richard Collier last year is expected to tell jurors that others also had a motive to pull the trigger and that her client is innocent.
Indianapolis bridges closed after tanker explosion
State highway engineers plan to take steel samples from two Interstate 465 bridges damaged in a propane tanker explosion to determine whether it is safe to reopen the Indianapolis expressway.
1 dead, 8 injured in helicopter crash on Navy ship
One service member was killed and eight others injured after an Army Black Hawk helicopter crashed on a Navy ship during a training exercise, the Navy said in a news release.
Police: UConn killing witnesses threatened online
University of Connecticut police say witnesses to the killing of football player Jasper Howard are being threatened with violence if they come forward with evidence.
19-year-old Norwegian takes Monopoly world title
A lucky swap and some eager building propelled a 19-year-old Norwegian student to the top of board game fame and sent three would-be tycoons to the poor house at the Monopoly World Championship in Las Vegas.
FAA investigators may be focusing on balloon call
The parents who reported last week that their 6-year-old son may have been on board a giant, runaway balloon could potentially be in more trouble with the Federal Aviation Administration for making a phone call than for setting loose the saucer-shaped craft, aviation experts say.
Investigators believe landfill body is Fla. girl
Authorities believe a body found in a landfill is that of 7-year-old Somer Thompson, a north Florida girl who disappeared on her walk home from school, the sheriff in charge of the case said Thursday.
Alabama's 2 GOP senators drop King, back Strange for AG
Hazelnut spread recalled over undeclared peanuts
Burglar gets prison in NYC cop-shoots-cop case
A man will spend 1 1/2 years in prison for breaking into the car of an off-duty New York City police officer who was then killed in a friendly fire shooting.
Woman in W.Va. torture case now says she lied
When a black woman told West Virginia authorities in 2007 that seven white people had raped and tortured her over several days in a racially motivated attack, minority rights groups rallied to her support.
Musicians crank up the volume on Guantanamo debate
A coalition of mega-bands and singers outraged that music — including theirs — was cranked up to help break uncooperative detainees at Guantanamo Bay is joining retired military officers and liberal activists to rally support for President Barack Obama’s push to shutter the Navy-run prison for terrorist suspects in Cuba.
Sheriff: no sign anything taken in fatal break-in
Authorities in Dale County say a man charged with the capital murder of a Level Plains man had met the 43-year-old victim at least once before the killing.
San Francisco looks to bag paper, not just plastic
In a city that has already banned plastic shopping sacks, there is a new target: paper bags.
Marine pleads guilty in hero hoax, to be sentenced
A Marine Corps sergeant pleaded guilty Wednesday to faking post-traumatic stress disorder and pretending to be an injured hero to get in free to rock concerts and professional sporting events.
Miami judge gives cocaine kingpin 45 years in jail
A top Colombian kingpin who shipped billions of dollars worth of cocaine to the United States and ran a private army was sentenced Wednesday to 45 years in prison.
Panel backs vaccine as cervical cancer alternative
A second kind of vaccine against cervical cancer may be added to the recommended list for girls and young women after a federal advisory panel voted Wednesday to support it.
Tom Ridge seeks leniency for man who beat up girl
Tom Ridge, former U.S. Homeland Security secretary and a former Pennsylvania governor, wrote a letter requesting leniency for an Erie, Pa., man who assaulted his ex-girlfriend’s daughter.
Investigators baffled by missing Fla. girl
Investigators have no clues three days after a 7-year-old girl vanished on her way home from school, a sheriff in North Florida said Wednesday.
Judge to rule on unsealing Jackson doctor warrants
A Nevada judge is considering whether to unseal warrant documents in the Michael Jackson investigation, following a closed-door meeting with a Los Angeles police detective and prosecutor.
Captain in Somali pirate drama mulls career change
He’s got a book deal, and a movie could be in the works. He’s been to the White House to meet the president, to the Queen Mary ocean liner for a vacation and back to his modest 1830s Vermont farmhouse. He gives motivational speeches on the lecture circuit.
Howard came to UConn to give family a better life
Jasper Howard had the names of his teenage sisters Keyondra and Jasmine tattooed across his chest.
Prosecutor: Birmingham mayor took $230K in bribes
Prosecutors say a deeply-in-debt Birmingham Mayor Larry Langford took $230,000 in cash and expensive gifts in return for lucrative bond work by an investment banker.
Ala. man charged in hunting death
A man who killed his stepfather in a deer hunting accident has been charged with criminally negligent homicide.
Closing arguments made in restaurant slayings case
A jury has heard closing arguments and must now decide whether to hand a death sentence to a man convicted of helping kill seven employees of a suburban Chicago restaurant in 1993.
Pastor’s accused killer deemed unfit for trial
A judge says a man accused of gunning down a pastor during his sermon in a southwestern Illinois church is mentally unfit to stand trial.
TUESDAY"S WEIRD NEWS: October 20, 2009
• Cleveland museum’s Earhart ’hair’ just thread
•9 lives per gallon? Cat stuck in SUV engine is OK
Dale County man killed in home invasion
Detectives with the Dale County Sheriff’s Office are investigating a home invasion robbery that resulted in the homeowner’s death.
Huskies resuming practice after cornerback’s death
As the University of Connecticut football team prepares to take the practice field for the first time since its starting cornerback was killed, police still haven’t said who they think fatally stabbed him during a fight outside a school dance over the weekend.
Former Yale lab tech due in court
The former Yale lab technician charged with killing a graduate student last month is scheduled to appear in a Connecticut courtroom.
Full results show AIDS vaccine is of modest help
Fresh results from the world’s first successful test of an experimental AIDS vaccine confirm that it is only marginally effective and suggest that its protection against HIV infection may wane over time.
Lawyer: Nurse assistant denied care after attacks
A nurse assistant who is in a vegetative state after being attacked at a Pasadena hospital has been unfairly denied care by workers compensation and her health insurance, her attorney alleges.
Police release messages between McNair, Kazemi
Text messages between a woman and former NFL quarterback Steve McNair made in the hours before police say she shot him to death and turned the gun on herself support authorities’ contention that she was spiraling out of control.

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