MOULTON, Ala. - Volunteers and vendors are scrambling. Thursday, they were busy getting ready for the Alabama Chicken and Egg Festival. It starts Friday in Moulton.

This is the eighth year for the festival.

"I'll tell you, we have about 80 committee folks that work on the festival year-round," festival organizer Vicki Morese told WAAY 31 FirstNews. "And they're all volunteers."

This year, it's growing to a three day event. Morese is excited about Friday's Student Day at the festival. Organizers have also added a sanctioned poultry show and a biker night.

A lot of hard work goes into the Chicken and Egg Festival.

"The weekend of the festival, we have probably 500 folks that come in," Morese explained. "They sign up to do three hour shifts. So, it is truly a community effort."

The gates will open Friday evening at 5:00 at the Lions Club Fairgrounds.

Admission is $3. Children five and under get in free.

MOULTON, Ala. - No limits! Students at Lawrence County High got to show how high they can climb -- literally.

The school put in a request for the Army's Extreme Rock Wall. That was longer than a year ago. The wall is in high demand. It makes rounds at schools and events throughout Alabama and the Florida Panhandle.

Thursday, Army recruiters put up the wall in Moulton so they could put students through their paces.

The recruiters say climbing the 25-foot wall is a great tool to promote physical fitness.

Students at Thursday's rock-climbing were excited about what they could accomplish. Senior Shawnee Voss scaled the wall more than once. "It builds your confidence because they're down at the bottom giving you advice -- what to do and what not to do," Voss told WAAY 31 FirstNews.

Confidence building is a goal. "The sense of accomplishment is just wonderful," Ssgt. Tracy Wallingsford told WAAY 31. "The kids get down. They're laughing. They're really excited they made it up. And of course they get to rub it in some of the other kids' faces that were too scared to try."

Walls are normally barriers. But, Ssgt. Wallingsford sees the Army's Extreme Rock Wall as a way to knock down barriers. "A lot of times, we'll get someone halfway up and they get a little timid," Wallingsford told us. "But, we try to encourage them to get the rest of the way up."

The encouragement almost always works.

The Extreme Rock wall is also an important tool to expose students to careers and other opportunities in the Army.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WAAY) - Nashville is serving as a test market for Burger King's new bacon sundae. The bacon topped chocolate, caramel and soft serve ice cream may go on the fast food chain's everyday menu nationwide if the new dessert is a hit in Music City.

The Tech Guy, Jamey Tucker, put down his gadgets and picked up some bacon sundaes to see how folks would react.

What does it look like? "Awful." said one skeptical customer. There are bacon chunks throughout, and a big strip of bacon sticking out of the top like a spoon, or straw. "It looks like an accident." said another customer.

Of course, looks aren't everything so we had to do the old taste test.

"It's not bad. Way better than I expected."

"First, you taste the bacon and your like 'uhhhh??'. Then you can't put it down!"

"Yeah it's really good. I like it a lot."

"Its different, definitely. Different in a good way."

"Then it's sort of nutty, a nutty flavor."

"It's pretty good. It's like mixing dinner with desert."

Out of the ten people we bought a sundae for, seven liked it - but three couldn't even think about taking more than one bite. Burger King will be following the word from Nashville closely before determining if they want to expand the Bacon Sundae elsewhere.

If you want to take the drive to the Music City, the Bacon Sundae will set you back $2.49.

RUSSELLVILLE, Ala. (WAAY) - Russellville Police have arrested and charged a man in connection with a shooting Saturday.

24 year old Johnny Thomas Borden was taken into custody on Thursday morning on Robbery charges.

According to our news partner, the Times Daily, Borden robbed a man who was visiting a friend at a Westside Plaza apartment Saturday. The victim was shaken up and left the scene. About 45 minutes later, the victim returned to the apartment with a friend, only to find the intruder was still there. The three men got into a scuffle in kitchen, and Borden pulled a shotgun. The gun went off, and sent 20 gauge shot through a wall, striking another man who was sitting in a living room.

The victim was shot in the stomach. He was rushed to Huntsville Hospital, where he's listed in critical condition in the Surgical Intensive Care Unit.

Borden is currently charged with robbery, and additional charges are expected.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WAAY) - When it comes to smartphones, the world basically falls into two camps : Android and Apple. But, as you may know, there is a third smartphone option out there - one that's been scoffed at and overlooked.. until now.

Windows phones have their own small but loyal fan base, but now comes a possible game changer from Microsoft.

The Nokia Lumia 900 is truly a fantastic phone. And everything about it, is different from Android and iPhone.

For starters, it has a 4.3 inch screen, which is pretty standard, but the difference is the clarity. It has a black background that makes images brighter, even in daylight.

Apps are laid out on the screen entirely different than the competition. Instead of tiny icons, windows phones have large pictures, 3 times the size of the default icons on Androids and iPhones. (Newer Android phones allow you to use larger widgets if you like, but it's not the default).

Using Facebook is a totally new experience. Checking the news feed, photographs and profiles, the Lumia’s display is head and shoulders above Facebook on the other phones. AT&T U-Verse customers can watch tv shows and movies. You can play XBox games right on the phone, the Lumia also has a radio. Using the earbuds as an antenna you can listen to any station in your area.

The cameras are both excellent, the rear facing camera is 16 mega pixels, twice the quality of the iPhone’s camera.

The biggest drawback for all Windows phones is that there aren’t nearly as many apps as Android and iTunes offer. iPhones have a half-million apps, Android isn't far behind that number, but there are only about 76-thousand Windows apps. Microsoft is paying developers as much as $600,000 to try to catch up.

Personally speaking here, I had never used a Windows phone before trying the Lumia 900 and I didn’t exactly fall in love with it right away. But the more I used it, the more I liked it. If you haven’t made the move to a smartphone yet and are choosing between an Android or iPhone, you’ll do yourself a favor by at least looking at a Windows phone like the Lumia 900.

The Lumia 900 is only offered by AT&T, and the price tag is a cool $100 with a new contract.

Have you ever wanted to change your life, your health, your body? One Tennessee Valley man did that in just 12 short weeks.

"They confirmed that I did have a heart attack at some time. After consultation with a doctor, it was your tryglycerides are 350, which I didn't know what a tryglyceride was and you need to get into shape," said Madison resident Tim Mardis.

And, that's exactly what he did.

12 weeks after starting the EAS Body for Life program he had a new body. 

"It's not difficult at all. In 12 weeks I went from 233lbs to 198lbs.

Anybody can do it. I've counseled people on the body for life website that had the same questions, is it really that easy? Nothing can be that simple."

For his efforts, Tim not only gained more energy for his work and family, but he was also named the EAS Body for Life Champion 2011 for men over the age of 46. And, now he just wants to spread the word.

"Many of my employees have looked at the before and after pictures, and when they saw the pictures they were like, ' we always thought that was fake', we never thought anybody could actually make that transformation in that period of time."

HUNTSVILLE, Ala-

Senate Bill 283 is a bill that requires companies to offer insurance coverage that would pay for autism treatments and therapies.

The original senate Bill 283 was endorsed by a national autism advocacy group, called Autism Speaks. At the last minute, key wording was changed in the bill.

“The substitute wording that was introduced at 1pm before a 2pm vote says that the employer has to “offer” the coverage. It does not require the coverage,” said autism advocate, Kimberly Travis.

Autism Speaks withdrew their endorsement saying that the substitute bill will provide little or no relief to parents.

“Alabama was actually the first state that did not pass the endorsed legislation,” Travis said.

The average yearly cost of autism therapy is $60,000.

“It’s definitely disappointing because we know what we could have had with the original wording of the bill and we could have had everything that children with autism in Alabama deserve,” said Travis.

According to the bill, companies can only offer to cover children with autism that are 9 years old and younger. For teenagers and young adults this is just another area where the bill falls short.

Melody Crane’s son, Patton, is 14-years-old. Because he is older and requires more transitional therapy as he enters young adulthood, his treatment cost is over the national yearly average.

“The passing of this legislation does not offer any additional hope for us,” Crane said.

For now, Crane says all she can do is continue to fight for her son and other autistic Alabama children.

“Where can we get the help that we need for our children with autism? Is it time to look outside the state of Alabama,” Crane wonders along with many other parents with autistic children.

Huntsville, AL-A Grissom High School teacher and coach is in serious condition after crashing his bicycle into a van Thursday morning.

"Its awful just so sad". Derry Kearns is talking about a bicycle accident in her neighborhood. The Willowbrook resident often walks in the subdivision to exercise.
She was saddened to hear the news about Grissom High School teacher and track coach David Yates being hurt while riding his bike.
"My daughter graduated from there a few years ago and knows him, and hopefully he's doing better we are praying for him and its just a sad situation" Kerns said.

The accident happened at the intersection of Lily Flagg and Hickory Hill Lane. Huntsville Police say Yates was on the sidewalk travelling east toward Hickory Hill Lane when he ran into a mini-van. Yates, a Grissom High Physics teacher and track coach, was taken to Huntsville Hospital.

Students on campus like 10th grader Baylee Terry is praying for his recovery. "I just hope he's ok and I am praying for him and I don't know him all that well but I know he is a teacher and a coach and I heard about it from one of my teachers and I think its really sad".

Investigators say the driver of the van obeyed all traffic signs, but Yates picked up speed and got on to the road resulting in the crash.

MADISON COUNTY, AL - Officers are out in force this week in an effort to make sure registered sex offenders in Madison County are following the rules. 

"Essentially this is a very ambitious operation to try and verify the compliance of approximately 320 registered sex offenders," says District Attorney Investigator Kevin Turner. 

The operation began Tuesday with a briefing of nearly a hundred officers from local, state and federal agencies.

Turner says, "Every department in our county and our city are out there right now making sure to try and make the safety of our kids the priority." 

WAAY 31's Shea Allen was invited to ride along with investigators from the Madison County DA's office and Federal Marshals. The team was tasked with checking up on more than a dozen offenders with convictions ranging from rape to possession of child pornography.

At each stop, law enforcement not only checked addresses but did in home inspections and interviews with offenders.

"Our first priority is to make sure they are living where they say they are. We want to find out who they are living with, if they are violating any of the laws going towards their probation. If they are living with kids and they aren't supposed to," says Turner. 

Officers say the operation is an essential part of keeping the children of Madison County safe from those who might prey on their innocence. It also sends a stern message to sex offenders. 

"I think it says that we can come and check at any time. Any department can," says Turner. 

WASHINGTON, DC - April 15th is traditionally the deadline for filing income taxes, but not in 2012.
 
Because the 15th falls on a Sunday and Monday is a holiday in Washington, DC, Americans have until Tuesday, April 17th to get their tax returns sent off to Uncle Sam.

Despite the extra time, it seems many Americans are not procrastinating this year.

The IRS says it's already received a majority of the tax returns it's expecting.

Those who can't meet the deadline can file Form 4868 with the IRS.

It allows for a six month extension.

The form can be downloaded here. 

HUNTSVILLE, Ala-

Huntsville Animal Services partnered with the North Shore Animal League's "Tour for Life." Sunday's bus stopped by Wal-Mart on University Drive.

Families, like the Huddleston’s, came for bread but left with a new best friend instead.

The tour is helping local shelters get rid of their inventory, a blessing for animal shelters everywhere.

Saturday morning the Huddleston family adopted a kitten and a puppy. Randi Huddleston says she has always wanted to save an animal’s life, and Saturday was the perfect opportunity.

“It’s a good feeling to be able to rescue an animal instead of taking one that has been bred. I don’t think anybody should keep breeding. I think they should adopt or rescue! It’s a good feeling to be a part of something like this,” said Huddleston.

Daniel McNena, the North Shore tour leader, believes that these rescued pets will be forever grateful to their new owners.

“They are more attached and they understand what you have done for them. Some people don’t think they do, but they understand that they have been saved.”

The North Shore Animal League travels all over the United States. Their next stop is Clinton, Arkansas.

You can adopt a shelter pet anytime at Huntsville Animal Services. They are open weekdays 9:00am- 5:00pm, and Saturday 9:00-3:00.

MADISON, Ala. - Accused Discovery Middle School shooter Hammad Memon spent Saturday in police custody.  This comes after he allegedly fled the state with passports and cash.  Investigators say Memon received the Pakistani passport in the mail Wednesday.  Local, state and federal authorities began searching for Memon and his mother, Safia, on Friday.

 

With the help of the FBI and a phone company, authorities tracked the cell phone Memon's mother was carrying, and quickly located the pair in downtown Dallas.  On Friday night, police also took Memon's father, Iqbal Ahmed, into custody. 

 

Hammad Memon and his mother are now incarcerated in Dallas, awaiting police escort back to Madison County.  Meanwhile, Memon's father was released on a $15,000 bond earlier Saturday. Both parents face felony charges of hindering prosecution.

 

We spoke with neighbors of the Memons who feel the whole situation is sad.  They say right after Dr. Memon was taken out in handcuffs, they saw children being taken into a police squad car.

 

Family friends stopped by the house, trying to help.  They say the Memon children are with DHR, but couldn't reach them.

 

Hammad Memon's lawyer, Bruce Gardner, says he was blindsided by the recent turn of events: “I said before that I would be very surprised if they tried to escape, but now it looks like the joke was on me.  Hammad has already made a bad situation horrible."  He continues, "Probably the mother was trying to protect her son in her own way.  This has really compounded a tragedy."

 

Gardner says a milder prison sentence is now less likely, so he's considering a change of strategy: entering a plea of not guilty by reason of mental defect.  He explains, “We already know what the minimum is, it's 20 to life.  He's 16 years old, and he hasn't obviously won any friends by this latest escapade."

 

How has the victim's family responded to the whole situation?  Attorney Mark McDaniel has known the family of the late 14 year-old Todd Brown ever since Memon allegedly gunned him down two years ago.  He keeps a photo of the teen on his wall.

 

McDaniel says it's been a rocky road for the family.  Now, they're relieved that justice will still be served.  McDaniel explains, “They've longed for justice.  And so when a person attempts to flee that responsibility, he did another cowardly and vile act.  That's what he did when he murdered him, he shot him in the back of the head, and so he will face justice.  And then whatever happens in that courtroom, that's justice."

 

As for Memon's parents, McDaniel hopes the DA's office will do everything they can to prosecute them as well.

MADISON, Ala. - New developments in the capture of accused killer Hammad Memon.

Cops caught the 16-year-old late Friday in Dallas.  Investigators were concerned the alleged Discovery Middle School shooter was fleeing the country.

The case began February 5^th, 2010 when police say Memon gunned down 14 year-old Todd Brown during a class change at Discovery Middle School in Madison.

Prosecutors charged Memon with murder.  He was held in a juvenile detention center until July 2010 before a judge ruled he would be tried as an adult.  The teenager was then transferred to the Madison County Jail until August 2010.  For six weeks, his mental state was evaluated in a hospital, and in October, Memon posted a $75,000 bond for his release.  He surrendered his passport under the terms of that bond.

This past Wednesday, Memon received a Pakistani passport in the mail.  Local, state and federal authorities began searching for Memon on Friday after he and his mother went missing. 

With the help of the FBI and a phone company, authorities pinged the cell phone Memon's mother was carrying just after 6 Friday evening, and then quickly located the pair in downtown Dallas.  We’re told the Memons have relatives who live in the Texas city.

Madison Police Spokesman Lt. John Stringer explains, "He was apprehended after a brief foot pursuit, his mother was with him, both subjects were taken into custody without any real incident."

Memon and his mother, Safia Memon, were found with a large sum of cash and both had Pakistani passports.  His mother is charged with hindering prosecution, a class C felony.

Memon's father was taken into custody later Friday evening, also charged with hindering prosecution.  Both of Hammad's parents have a bond set at $15,000.  The 16 year-old won’t likely face additional charges; authorities don't want to delay his trial any further and say they're just glad to have him back in custody before he fled the country.  If that were to happen, Assistant District Attorney Tim Gann says it would have been much harder to prosecute the case. He adds, “Usually you're not dealing with a dual citizen so it's highly unusual.”

But why would Memon try to flee?  His attorney, Bruce Gardner, says prison could be lethal for the 16 year-old.  Memon faces a life sentence in state prison, and at minimum, 20 years.  Gardner says, “You throw in the fact that he is of Middle Eastern descent and the fact that he killed a black young man, and his chances of survival in there are the proverbial snowball in hell."

And after this recent turn of events, Gardner admits a milder sentencing is less likely, since his attempt to flee could be discussed in court: “That would be a devastating fact to come out in the trial, that he tried to run, the facts are already bad enough."

Police are still investigating whether other family members were involved in this attempted escape.  Several squad cars were camped outside the Memon home in Madison for several hours on Friday. 

Stringer says, “Once we realized we had a flight situation, we wanted to make sure we obtained all the information as to their possible whereabouts, location of family members across the Southeast, and also to obtain financial records that might indicate direction of travel."

Authorities are unsure whether Memon and his mother were headed to the airport, and although there are still many more facts to unravel before the investigation is through, Stringer says finding Memon is an achievement.  He explains, “We considered this to be a priority for a number of reasons.  One, he's been arrested for murder, two he's an international flight risk for us, and three, we have a family here in Madison that we’re responsible to continue to be their advocates until justice is served.”

Madison police will travel to Dallas in the near future to escort the Memons back to Madison County.  

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) - Gov. Robert Bentley's new tax return shows he would have doubled his income if he had taken a salary for being governor.

The tax return for the governor and his wife lists nearly $121,000 in income for 2011. The salary for being governor is also nearly $121,000, but Bentley is declining it because of campaign promise he made in 2010 not to take a salary until Alabama's unemployment returns to normal.

The Bentleys' income came from Social Security benefits, interest earnings and capital gains on land that the governor and one of his sons sold. The governor and first lady listed more than $9,000 in donations to charity.

Press secretary Jennifer Ardis said Bentley released his latest tax return to keep a campaign promise he made about openness and transparency.

(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

HUNTSVILLE, Ala.- Huntsville Police are investigating a burglary at Title Bucks Title Loan that happened overnight.

Police say the manager of the store, at 2910 Pike Avenue, informed police around 10:20 a.m that someone had broken into the business.

Police responded to the scene and found someone had forced their way into the store through the storage room door.

The offender entered the store and stole several dollars in loose coins.

No arrests have been made at this time and the investigation is ongoing.

EAST LIMESTONE, Ala. - A 175-year-old cemetery lives out in the middle of an open field off Mooresville Road in East Limestone. It looks nondescript, but holds approximately 15 graves. It’s called the Andrews Cemetery.

Mildred Johnson and Marjorie Pepper are not only related through Edwin Pepper (the first Pepper in Limestone County) but have also been friends for almost 60 years. Now they are hoping to fix what the April tornadoes destroyed.

“We got to do something. We got to get this place cleaned up, or else it will just be gone,” Pepper said.

The cemetery was kept up and mowed by family members for years, now they just need to clear away the debris and uprooted trees.

“It’s important to me because my husband wanted it restored and kept. And he has been gone almost 10 years now,” said Pepper.

“We hope to get enough people interested that we will have helpers to come out on May the 12 and 17 to get this cemetery back like it was,” Johnson said.

Mrs. Pepper says that every March the cemetery is blanketed with beautiful purple and blue flower blooms. She hopes to get the repairs completely finished by next March so that everyone in the community can enjoy that beautiful sight.

Johnston’s sister says this would be a wonderful project for boy scouts, or a church group.

“I think we need to care about the past, because that is where we came from.”

If you are interesting in helping with the restoration called Marjorie Pepper at
(256) 232-7637 or Mildred Johnston at (256) 232-0188

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – There is a lot going on in the Alabama legislature this week regarding education.  House and Senate committees plan to discuss several noteworthy bills, from charter schools to healthier lunch options.

 

At first glance, some could see this issue as minimally important, but defining the term de minimis in state ethics laws became a big controversy last year, when the State Ethics Commission ruled that expensive holiday teachers’ gifts aren't legal.

 

But how much money is too much? Commission members said they couldn't set a dollar amount for this de minimis value, leaving parents, students, and faculty members confused.  This week, the state senate will discuss clarifying the matter for good, by setting the maximum gift amount at $25.

 

Also on the topic of dollars and education is the highly publicized Education Options Act, which would legalize charter schools in Alabama.  The bill passed a house committee on April 5th, and now will be discussed in the senate. Critics say charter schools would stretch school system budgets even thinner. 

 

Money doesn't grow on trees, but fresh produce does.  And now, lawmakers want to put more locally grown foods on the plates of public school kids at lunchtime.   The Farm-to-School Act would also include economic incentives and learning opportunities.

 

Lawmakers are proposing another type of learning opportunity for students that's sure to have some groups up in arms.  If House Bill 135 passes, the Ten Commandments could be displayed in public schools and on any other state property.  But if it does pass, you'll still have a say; it would be an amendment to the state constitution, which requires a statewide vote.

HUNTSVILLE, AL - The Madison County Sheriff's Department is expected Monday to begin the process of returning an accused murderer and his mother back to the Valley.

Alleged Discovery Middle School shooter, Hammad Memon and his mother, Safia, were arrested in Dallas, Texas Friday.

Investigators believe the pair, along with Hammad's six year old sister, were trying to flee the country for their native Pakistan.

Hammad's father, Dr. Iqbal Memon, was arrested at his Madison home Saturday night and bonded out of jail.

Both parents are charged with hindering prosecution.

16 year old Hammad Memon is scheduled to go to trial in June.

He will be tried as an adult for the February 2010 shooting of 14 year old Todd Brown at Discovery Middle School in Madison.

DECATUR, AL - A Decatur man is accused of stealing money from a convenience store while the clerk was outside smoking is behind bars.

Investigators say 26 year old Brandon McKean intended to rob the Bud's convenience store on Westmeade Street in southwest Decatur Sunday.

He allegedly entered the store wearing a ski mask.
      
Police say when McKean discovered the clerk was not in the store, he went behind the counter to a surveillance room where he stole an undisclosed amount of cash. 

The clerk called 911 after seeing him run out the back door.

McKean was arrested a few minutes later about a block away from the store.

The arresting officer found all of the cash in McKean's pocket.

Another officer found the mask in a nearby ditch.

McKean is charged with 2nd degree theft.


 

Gurley, AL -- The congregation of Agape Community Worship Center in Maysville may be small, but the members have big plans for an upcoming event. They hope to attract hundreds of young people from all over Madison County to their Amazed Youth Rally on April 28th. Pastor Andrew Boozer says, "a lot of our youth today are afraid to share their faith. They are afraid to open up and express how they believe, because they're afraid they'll be ridiculed or made fun of."

The church wants to show the area's youth how to live boldly with the rally in Gurley. Seven bands have been invited, and there will be two speakers. Youth Pastor Tony Bryant says, "It's also to teach them there are life choices. There are choices not to do drugs. There are choices to excel in school."

The youth group members at Agape Community Worship Center are excited about the possibilities. Amanda Barnett says planning the rally has been a lot of work but worth it. Emily Wall says she hopes it gives them an opportunity to attract more people to their group, and Michelle Barnett adds, "we're just an itty bitty church in a cotton field, so no one really knows where we are... some people might be amazed what a little church can do."

The Amazed Youth Rally is from 12pm-8pm on Saturday, April 28th at Charles Stone Walking Park, which is located at 235 Walker Street in Gurley. Here's the lineup:

12:00pm - Opening/Cave Springs Praise Team
12:30pm - New Salem Baptist Drama Team, Agape Youth Group
1:00pm - Josh Harris, Speaker
1:30pm - Breaking Free
2:15pm - Not Forgotten
3:00pm - By Faith
3:45pm - Notbychance
4:30pm - Joey Beck, Speaker
5:00pm - Solid Rock
6:00pm - Seven Daze
7:00pm - Vital Pursuit

For more information and updates, visit the Amazed Youth Rally's facebook page.

HUNTSVILLE, Ala-

Debbie Bumbicka spent her Saturday morning working at the Making Connections table at the 10th Annual Walk for Autism. Her son was diagnosed with autism 10 years ago.

Just a decade ago hardly anyone was a cheerleader for the Bumbicka family.
Bumbicka’s daughter says that having a brother with autism can be hard and support is much appreciated.

“Sometimes you feel left out, and you get embarrassed. But sometimes it’s like a gift. Like here, right now,” Katie said.

“When my son was first diagnosed I went to a walk for autism in Huntsville, and there were maybe 20-25 people there. I left that walk feeling so depressed thinking that nobody cared, nobody knew about autism. So a bunch of us got together and said; ‘we are going to make some changes,’” Bumbicka said.

Changes were definitely made.

Saturday morning over 2,000 people came to the walk and over $40,000 was raised for the Autism Society of Alabama.

Families faced with autism say that walks like this help them feel supported by the community.

“Now you are here and you just feel so much support! I just can’t tell you how much it means to parents to see this kind of turnout,” said Bumbicka.

“It makes me feel special because it’s a moment where everyone gathers together about autism, and it just helps you realize everyone cares,” Katie said.

Events coordinators plan to continue the walk for years to come.

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) - Many of the state's leading health care organizations are encouraging the Alabama Legislature to raise the state's cigarette tax by $1 a pack to prevent cutbacks in health care for the state's poor and elderly served by the state Medicaid Agency.

Eighteen organizations announced their support Friday, including the Medical Association of the State of Alabama, the Alabama Dental Association, the Alabama Hospital Association, the American Cancer Society and the American Heart Association.

Health officials said adding $1 to the state's tax of 42.5 cents per pack would generate $212 million annually and would encourage some people to quit smoking.

Medical Association President Jeff Terry said Alabama has one of the lowest tax rates in the country on cigarettes, and "it's time for tobacco to pay its fair share."

(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

HUNTSVILLE, AL - A study released this week by the National Institute for Early Education Research  puts Alabama's state funded pre-kindergarten at the top of its list.

Advocates of First Class are quick to brag on the program that is setting the bar for early education across the country. "Our program is not pretty good, its excellent. Its the best in the nation according to the report that was put out this week," says Allison De la Torre of the Alabama School Readiness Alliance. 

NIEER ranks states by how well they measure up to a set of ten benchmarks that include early learning standards, teacher education and child-teacher ratios. Alabama is one of only five states nationwide to meet all ten.

Local pre-kindergarten teachers like Kendra Draper say the state's focus on early childhood education is spot on. " I think that we've hit it right on the money to begin with them when they're young. They are sponges at this age. They are ready to soak up everything. When we get them this early we get them excited about school and it affects them from here on out," says Draper.

Draper says pre-k is necessary to help young children learn the behaviors and social skills associated with school. She says its challenging for a child to focus on academics in kindergarten when they have never been taught how to interact and behave in the school environment. She says children who enter kindergarten without ever having been exposed to the classroom setting, start off at a disadvantage.

This is the sixth year in a row Alabama's pre-kindergarten program has exceeded all ten of NIEER's benchmarks. But strikingly, the state's exemplary program is only reaching six percent of Alabama four year olds.

Jan Hume, Director of the Alabama State Office of School Readiness says the program's growth hit a wall several years ago. "Under Governor Riley's administration, there was a very clear plan about the growth of the program over a several year period. That plan was really derailed when the recession hit and the economy went down the drain," says Hume.

But Hume says the support of Governor Bentley and Alabama lawmakers is good news for the program. She says the momentum and growing excitement is good news for growth.

Currently, only about 3,800 four year olds in Alabama are enrolled in state-funded pre-k. Advocates hope that with support of both lawmakers and the business community, the state will find the resources to expand the program so that every child in Alabama can benefit from it.   

 

  

HUNTSVILLE, AL - A majority vote Thursday night by the Huntsville City Council means developer John Wisda finally has the go ahead to begin construction on his Branscomb Road subdivision. The vote marks the end to a nearly three year long battle with residents in the southeast Huntsville neighborhood. 

"I feel vindicated because the zoning I requested several years ago was denied because the city council and the homeowners were given inaccurate facts about the project," says Wisda. 

Wisda explains that he requested the 23-acre subdivision be changed from Residence 1-B to Residence 2. The change allows for greater lot coverage and decreases the required space between homes by about two feet. 

"This allows me to build nicer homes with the majority of the space of the home on the ground floor," says Wisda. 

The vote was bad news for residents who have spent the past three years fighting the subdivision. At Thursday's meeting, a 150-signature petition against the re-zoning was presented to the council. But some who signed it say they were misinformed. 

James Colebaugh, a 29 year resident of Branscomb Road, says he is one of those people. He says he was under the impression the rezoning meant multi-family, low income housing could be built in his backyard. 

"Low income housing was basically what they said the petition was about. So that is what everybody was upset about," says Colebaugh. 

Brad Ginn saw the green space behind his home disappear when the developer broke ground back in 2009. He was also at one time under the same impression.

"There was concern early on that it might be multi-family, a lot of renters and high traffic but to be quite honest with you after learning a little bit more about it, I'm full support of it," says Ginn. 

Ginn says he's just ready to look out his back window and see landscaped yards instead of the 26-acre dirt pile he's grow used to seeing. "Anything that can improve or raise our comparable sales around here, I'm all for it," says Ginn. 

A Florence man is behind bars after leading police on a chase across two counties in the Shoals.

19 year old Trevor Brewster is charged with DUI, carrying a concealed weapon, reckless endangerment, reckless driving, fleeing and attempting to elude a motor vehicle, fleeing and attempting to elude any means and resisting arrest.

Police said that Brewster led them on a high speed chase Thursday night from Florence to Sheffield where he slammed in to a house on Austin Avenue.

Officials said that Brewster fled the scene but was taken in to custody not long after.

He faces additional charges in Florence.