Huntsville backs mental health program after fatal police shooting
Updated 11:53 AM;
Today 11:53 AM
Huntsville police officer William Ben Darby took the stand in his own defense during his murder trial at the Madison County Courthouse in downtown Huntsville, Ala. on May 5, 2021.Lee Roop | lroop@al.com
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Leaders in an Alabama city have agreed to support establishment of a new mental health crisis program.
Huntsville City Council members voted unanimously Thursday to back a diversion center that could help people experiencing mental difficulties. The center would be a project of the city, its police and WellStone Behavioral Health.
The vote came days after officer William Darby was convicted of murder in the killing of Jeffrey Parker. The man called 911 in 2018 saying he intended to kill himself. Two other officers talked with Parker as he held a gun to his own head, and evidence showed Darby entered the scene and shot the man after he failed to drop the weapon.
Huntsville to drop mask, social distancing requirements in city buildings for people vaccinated against coronavirus
Huntsville City Hall
Posted: May 14, 2021 4:35 PM
Updated: May 14, 2021 4:43 PM
Posted By: Ashley Thusius
Starting Monday, May 17, the City of Huntsville will not require fully vaccinated people to wear masks or practice social distancing measures in city buildings or offices.
A statement from the city on Friday said “The decision mirrors newly issued guidance by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which says it’s safe for fully vaccinated individuals to not wear face coverings indoors in most cases. The White House and Congress announced it would also drop masking requirements for anyone who is fully vaccinated.”
City of Huntsville drops masking, distancing requirements for fully vaccinated City of Huntsville drops masking, distancing requirements for vaccinated individuals (Source: Storyblocks) By Anna Mahan | May 14, 2021 at 5:02 PM CDT - Updated May 14 at 5:32 PM
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WAFF) - Beginning Monday, May 17, the City of Huntsville will not require people who are fully vaccinated to wear masks or practice social distancing in City buildings.
Officials with the City announced the news Friday. The decision comes after new guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which say it’s safe for fully vaccinated people to not wear face coverings indoors.
Preparations are already underway to make room for top brass moving to Huntsville when the U.S. Space Command Headquarters relocates to Redstone Arsenal.
Masks not required for vaccinated people in Huntsville government buildings, city announces
Updated 10:04 PM;
People vaccinated for COVID-19 will no longer have to wear masks or socially distance in government buildings or offices in Huntsville starting Monday, the city announced Friday.
The decision comes a day after the CDC said it was safe for fully vaccinated people to not wear masks indoors in most cases.
“This is a sign that hopefully we are moving beyond the pandemic and getting back to a sense of normalcy,” Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle said in a statement. “I strongly encourage anyone who has not been vaccinated to do so as soon as you can.”