Lottery vote could come this week in Alabama Legislature KIM CHANDLER , Associated Press FacebookTwitterEmail MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) Alabama senators could vote on a lottery bill this week as lawmakers try to get the issue of gambling with or without casinos before state voters for the first time since 1999. Republican Sen. Jim McClendon of Springville said he hopes to get a Senate vote on his bill that would authorize a lottery where tickets could be sold at stores, kiosks and through a phone app. The Senate Tourism Committee approved the bill last month, but it has yet to get a floor vote as negotiations continue over whether to include casinos. Earlier this session, a proposal to start a state lottery and up to 10 casinos failed by two votes in the Alabama Senate.
Apr 5, 2021 Albany County Legislator George Langdon announced his resignation following backlash over homophobic remarks he made at an event in Voorheesville that were caught on tape. Langdon released the following statement on Monday afternoon. During the past several days, I have taken time to reflect and consider how to best serve our community moving forward. It is with a heavy heart that I have decided to resign my seat at the Albany County Legislature. I again express my sincerest apologies to all those who were hurt by my rash and thoughtless statements. It was never my intention to single-out or target anyone. I truly believe every individual should have the right to life and liberty in their pursuit of happiness.
Hostage situation, shooting blocks Birmingham Highway, Hunter Loop Road Video shows high speed chase on Birmingham Hwy. in Montgomery By WSFA Staff | April 5, 2021 at 8:23 AM CDT - Updated April 5 at 12:21 PM MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) - Montgomery police are investigating after a hostage situation and shooting Monday morning. According to Capt. Saba Coleman, officer and medics were called around 4:30 a.m. to the 2000 block of Rexford Road after a report of a shooting. When they arrived, officers found a woman who had non-life-threatening injuries from a gunshot wound. Coleman says the woman was transported to a local hospital for treatment. After the shooting, Coleman says the suspect abducted another woman from the home and fled in a vehicle.
Alabama veteran fights parole revocation due to state error April 4, 2021 FacebookTwitterEmail MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) An Alabama veteran who has met all of his parole conditions is fighting to avoid additional time behind bars after state officials say they mistakenly released him early. The Alabama Bureau of Pardons and Paroles has voided 53-year-old Jerry Lett s parole and says he needs to be arrested again and incarcerated, the Montgomery Advertiser reports. State officials say under a law passed in 2019, Lett did not serve the minimum amount of time needed to be eligible for early parole. He was due to turn himself in on Friday, but a judge granted him a temporary reprieve.
Senate approves option for lifetime concealed carry permits April 3, 2021 FacebookTwitterEmail MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) Alabamians would be able to purchase a lifetime permit to carry a concealed firearm, under a bill approved Thursday by the Alabama Senate. Senators voted 25-6 for the bill by Sen. Randy Price, R-Opelika, that would allow the lifetime permits as well as create a statewide database of people prohibited from carrying firearms. The bill now moves to the Alabama House. The legislation comes after previous efforts to abolish the permit requirement failed under opposition from law enforcement officials. “Any Alabamian who can legally purchase a handgun should be able to obtain a lifetime concealed carry permit, but bad actors and individuals deemed prohibited from obtaining this permit should be registered and flagged as such, Price said in a statement.
Montgomery church bells toll 500 times for COVID-19 victims Montgomery church bells toll 500 times for COVID-19 victims By Ashley Bowerman | April 1, 2021 at 9:50 PM CDT - Updated April 1 at 10:14 PM MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) - Montgomery County leaders remembered the hundreds of lives lost to COVID-19 with a memorial bell toll at St. John’s Episcopal Church Thursday evening. For every toll of the tower bells, a local life lost to COVID-19 was remembered. “The lives we’ve lost will always be remembered, and the sadness of that experience can never, never be anything but dramatic,” said Town of Pike Road Mayor Gordon Stone. ”At no time as we go forth in history should we ever take this lightly. Many lessons have been learned. Many ways of going about doing our daily tasks and particularly as it relates to our businesses -have been changed and impacted.”
Alabama House approves alcohol delivery bill April 1, 2021 FacebookTwitterEmail MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) Alabama could soon allow people to get beer, wine and liquor delivered to their homes, under a bill approved Thursday by the House of Representatives. Representatives voted 79-12 for the Senate-passed alcohol delivery bill sponsored by Sen. Jabo Waggoner, R-Vestavia Hills. The Alabama Senate will now decide whether to go along with House changes or send the bill to a conference committee. The House changed the bill to include brewpubs and distilleries among groups that could have products delivered. The beverages could only be delivered to people age 21 and older by companies licensed to deliver. There would also be limits on how much could be delivered in a 24-hour period. For example, beer deliveries would be limited to five cases, and wine deliveries would be limited to 12 bottles.
Committee advanced repeal of habitual offender law KIM CHANDLER , Associated Press FacebookTwitterEmail MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) A divided Alabama House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday advanced a bill to repeal Alabama’s habitual offender law that mandates lengthy sentences for repeat offenders. Committee members voted 9-5 to approve the bill by Rep. Chris England, D-Tuscaloosa, that would do away with the sentencing mandates for new cases and allow some prisoners to have their sentences reviewed. The bill now moves to the full Alabama House of Representatives but faces an uncertain future with just 13 meeting days remaining in the legislative session. England said the mandatory sentences in habitual offender laws have resulted in arbitrarily long sentences. He said his legislation would put the decision back into the hands of judges and prosecutors.
Apr 1, 2021 Albany Police are still investigating after a pedestrian is struck and killed by a vehicle. Police say the victim was hit last night on Watervliet Avenue Extension in the area of Everett Road and Watervliet Avenue. The 68-year-old man was in the road when police arrived and later died after being taken to Albany Med. The man s name hasn t been released yet but police say the driver involved stopped at the scene and is cooperating with the investigation.