News

Pike Co. Schools Supt. reacts to fatal crash near Troy

Thursday, April 4th, 2013, 3:19pm

PIKE CO., AL (WSFA)- Pike County Schools Superintendent Dr. Mark Bazzell reacted Thursday to reports of a wreck that killed two and injured three others the evening before.

While not providing specifics about those affected, Dr. Bazzell called the crash a terrible tragedy for the system, adding that it has an impact on three of the system's five schools.

Alabama State Troopers say a father and his son were killed Wednesday afternoon in a single vehicle crash just outside Troy around 6 p.m..

Timothy H. Green, 34, was driving his 2006 Chevrolet Silverado along Pike County Road 3304 when he lost control, ran off the road, struck a tree and overturned. Green and his 14-year-old son, Timothy Blake Green, were pronounced dead on the scene. State Troopers say seat belts were not being used at the time of the crash.

Three others, unidentified, were transported to Troy Regional Medical Center. The extent of their injuries was not released.

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Weekly benefit cut for the long term unemployed to be implemented due to federal sequestration

Submitted by Donna Wallace-King, Community Web Producer

Thursday, April 4th, 2013, 9:10am

Weekly benefit cut for the long term unemployed to be implemented due to federal sequestration

Alabama Department of Labor Commissioner Tom Surtees announced today that Alabamians receiving Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) benefits can expect to see a 12.8% reduction in benefits for weeks beginning April 28 through September 30. The cuts are due to mandated federal budget cuts, known as sequestration.

In most cases, Alabamians receiving regular unemployment compensation benefits, or those who have been unemployed for 26 weeks or less, will not be impacted by the cuts. This is because the State of Alabama is responsible for paying claims for up to the first 26 weeks with unemployment insurance taxes collected from employers.

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IRS expands identity theft program to 50 states

Submitted by Donna Wallace-King, Community Web Producer

Wednesday, April 3rd, 2013, 1:59pm

IRS expands identity theft program to 50 states

The Internal Revenue Service today announced a nationwide expansion of the program designed to help law enforcement obtain tax return data vital to their local efforts in investigating and prosecuting specific cases of identity theft.

More than 1,560 waiver requests have been received since the Law Enforcement Assistance Program’s inception from over 100 state and local law enforcement agencies in the nine states participating in the pilot. The expansion covers all 50 states as well as the District of Columbia and will be effective Friday, March 29, 2013.

“The results of the pilot illustrate that this works as an innovative tool for law enforcement to help pursue tough identity theft situations,” said IRS Acting Commissioner Steven T. Miller. “This program is an effective way for law enforcement to work with the IRS to pursue identity thieves and protect taxpayers.

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Ala. Legislature sets stricter abortion standards

Submitted by WSFA 12 News Staff

Tuesday, April 2nd, 2013, 11:42pm

MONTGOMERY, AL (WSFA)- A bill placing stricter regulations on abortion clinics in Alabama is heading to the Governor's desk. The House of Representatives voted late Tuesday night to pass the bill, following a 22-10 Senate vote to approve the Women's Health and Safety Act.

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Groups seek to educate public during National Autism Awareness Month

Submitted by Donna Wallace-King, Community Web Producer

Monday, April 1st, 2013, 12:22pm

Groups seek to educate public during National Autism Awareness Month

Governor Robert Bentley has proclaimed April as Autism Awareness Month in Alabama. The Alabama Interagency Autism Coordinating Council and the Autism Society of Alabama are partnering to promote this observance. The month-long awareness campaign held annually in April has been sponsored since the 1970s by the Autism Society of America, and seeks to highlight the growing need for concern and awareness about autism spectrum disorders.

Events will be held statewide celebrating the observance, including a series of Walks for Autism in 15 locations around the state. Proceeds from the walks benefit the Autism Society of Alabama, which also sponsors the walks. In addition, a “Light It Up Blue” campaign will also be going on during April, involving everything from office buildings to people’s front porches.

According to the most recent autism prevalence rate released by the CDC, 1 in 88 children are identified as having an autism spectrum disorder.

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Scholarships available to students in River & Wiregrass Regions

Submitted by Donna Wallace-King, Community Web Producer

Monday, April 1st, 2013, 7:36am

Scholarships available to students in River & Wiregrass Regions

Through its scholarship funds, Central Alabama Community Foundation (CACF) helps area students attain their academic goals by offsetting their postsecondary educational expenses. The Foundation awards more than $100,000 each year throughout the River Region and Wiregrass communities. Qualifying criteria vary broadly by program, with the bulk of scholarship funds targeting graduating high school seniors.

The application is accessible online. Applications for students in Autauga, Elmore, Houston, Lowndes, Montgomery, and Pike counties are available via the “Scholarships” link at www.cacfinfo.org. The deadline to apply is April 1. For more information about the scholarships, please visit www.cacfinfo.org or call Caroline Montgomery Clark at 334-264-6223.

Source: Central Alabama Community Foundation

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Fight song creates bond between Troy and a Michigan high school

Submitted by Donna Wallace-King, Community Web Producer

Friday, March 29th, 2013, 12:43pm

Fight song creates bond between Troy and a Michigan high school

It’s not unusual for a group of high school students to visit Troy University’s campus as a stop along the way to another destination, but for one high school band from Michigan, Friday’s campus visit held special meaning.

The Wyoming High School Marching Wolves are the product of a school consolidation in Wyoming, Michigan, near Grand Rapids. Just a year old, the new high school has new colors, new mascots, and a new fight song, all selected by students.

Troy University’s fight song, “Trojans One and All” was adopted by the student body to unify their fans, and the University sanctioned its use.

The students’ stop came in route to New Orleans, where they will be performing over the next several weeks, said Jeff Bennett, a former band director who serving as the tour’s director.

“This trip is all about the students,” he said.

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