UNITED NATIONS - The U.N. Security Council has scheduled an emergency meeting Friday, in the aftermath of North Korea's rocket launch.
North Korea defied the international community, launching a 90-ton, long-range rocket. But the incident ended in embarrassment.
The launch was a failure, with the rocket breaking into pieces within minutes and the satellite failing to reach orbit.
The launch lasted just over a minute - a mere 81 seconds - before the rocket disintegrated.
North Korea says its experts will be looking at what went wrong.
North Korea claimed this was only a weather satellite - launched in honor of the 100th birth year of founder Kim IL Sung.
Earlier this week, his grandson, Kim Jung-un, took over as the nation's "supreme leader."
The U.S. and other countries around the world have condemned the launch as a violation of international resolutions banning North Korea from developing its nuclear and missile programs.
The White House described the launch as a "provocative action" that threatens regional security and violates international law.
The Obama Administration plans to suspend 240,000 tons of food aid needed for starving North Koreans.
U-S officials fear the communist nation will soon conduct a nuclear test, because of increased activity at a nuclear site.
North Korea says it's part of a peaceful effort to send a satellite into space to commemorate the anniversary of its founder's birth.

Huntsville, AL- Bicycling, a fun and healthy physical activity, can also have dangerous consequences if safety precautions are not followed. Many motorists may not realize that cyclists are not supposed to be on sidewalks the law says they have to ride on the road.

“State law says that bicycles, unless it’s a designated bike path or a path that’s designated for bicycle travel, then generally they are supposed to be on the roadway,” explained Captain Rodney Baker.

Huntsville has several cycling clubs that not only bring bicyclists together but also teach safety. Ken Rex, member of the Spring City Cyclists, says remaining off the sidewalks is key when it comes to staying safe.

“Automobiles do not expect to see bicyclists coming into an intersection from a sidewalk and hence they aren’t tuned into seeing them,” he explained. There are some simple safety rules to follow if you are out and about on Huntsville’s roads. Rex says intersections are where most accidents happen.

“Ride straight don’t weave back and forth and particularly to be careful at intersections, that’s where the most serious problem dealing with cars is at intersections.”

Safety gear goes beyond just wearing a helmet and new riders can take safety classes to learn the laws and safety tips.

“The easiest thing for a bicyclist to do besides riding in a good uniform fashion is wearing bright colored clothes and having flashing lights,” says Rex.

But its not only up to the cyclists; motorists need to be accountable as well. Captain Baker says treat the bicycles just as you would a car.

“Pass them safely watch for slow moving vehicles because generally they are moving slower than the vehicles are. (You) just need to be careful and courteous when sharing the road with cyclists.”

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (AP) - Arkansas football coach Bobby Petrino has been put on paid leave.

Athletic director Jeff Long announced the decision late Thursday, capping a stunning day in which it was revealed that Petrino had a 25-year-old female employee with him during a weekend motorcycle ride that ended in a crash.

A police report released Thursday showed that he had been riding with former Arkansas volleyball player and current Razorback Foundation fundraiser Jessica Dorrell.

She was not injured in Sunday's accident. Petrino broke four ribs and cracked a neck vertebra, but didn't reveal he was riding with the woman during a news conference Tuesday.

Long says he wasn't told until Thursday that Dorrell was on the ride with Petrino.

Huntsville, AL- The Huntsville Board of Education was busy Thursday evening with some big changes on the agenda. Corporal punishment or paddling hasn't taken place in the school system since August of 2011 on the recommendation of Superintendant Casey Wardynski. But the ban has not officially been a part of the school system’s bylaws until this evening.
Wardynski says in this age of anti bullying, allowing adults to hit children just doesn't make sense.
 
“There is a big emphasis on de-escalating and eliminating violence in schools; anti-bullying and anti-cyber bullying so you don’t want juxtaposition with adults striking kids and we have got a lot of other ways to deal with disciplinary issues,” he explained.
 
Wardynski says that since Theban a year ago there has not been a rise in disciplinary issues with the students.
 
Also on the agenda was a new contract for Huntsville High Principal Leslie Esneaut but she will not be returning to the school.
Esneaut will be filling a brand new role with the system as the Freshman Academy Transition Coordinator. She will be working with teachers, principals, and students to streamline the transition from Middle School to High School. The hope is to help students acclimate to a new environment and reduce the dropout rate.
 
“To me this is potentially the most significant year in high school. These kids have got to be equipped with the tools and the study skills. They need long term planning and organizational skills as well as to make connections with the teachers and faculties there.”
 
The position is under a 2 year contract with the possibility to renew after the trial period. Esneaut’s replacement has not yet been announced.

JACKSONVILLE, FL - The Huntsville Stars got off to an underwhelming start to their 2012 season as they were shutout by the Jacksonville Suns by a score of 2-0 in front of 6,500+ people at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville Thursday night.

While pitching was certainly at a premium all night long, the Suns plated the first of their two runs in the first inning after a bases-loaded sacrifice fly by catcher Kyle Shipworth, scoring second baseman Jake Smolinski.

From that point on though, the two teams could only muster up seven-combined hits. The only other run for Jacksonville came in the bottom half of the sixth inning on a Kyle Jensen RBI single.

For Huntsville, LHP Dan Merklinger was the hard-pressed loser, as fell to 0-1 on the season after giving up just two runs (both earned) in 5.1 innings pitched. The Stars sole starting southpaw also struck out eight hitters and retired 14 straight Suns batters from the second to the sixth inning in the process. RHP Jesus Sanchez and RHP Robert Wooten came on in relief and finished the rest of the game for the Stars.

Unfortunately for Merklinger, he was outdueled by Suns starting pitcher Joey O'Gara. The former Indiana University ace notched his first win of the season after pitching 6.2 innings of two-hit scoreless baseball. The rest of the shutout was maintained by RHP Peter Andrelczyk (who left the game with an injury), RHP A.J Ramos and RHP Evan Reed, who recorded his first save of the season with a one-hit ninth inning.

Offensively, the Stars still had their chances to get back into the game even while being shutout. In addition to outhitting Jacksonville (four to three), Huntsville also stranded six runners on base, five of them being in the last three innings of the game.

Shortstop Jeff Bianchi and center fielder Brock Kjeldgaard paced the Stars offense with two hits and a double apiece. Huntsville native Hunter Morris went 0-4 in his season debut.

In game two of the five-game season opening series against the Suns, RHP Tyler Thornburg (3-6, 3.57 ERA with High-A Brevard County in ’11) will take the mound for Huntsville while Jacksonville will counter with LHP Jose Alvarez (2-6, 5.35 ERA with the Suns in ’11). First pitch is set for 7:05 ET.

HUNTSVILLE, AL - Blueprints for the new Public Safety building in Huntsville's North Precinct show a sprawling complex that will house both police and the firefighters of Station 8.

"The end result is going to be that they are going to have a beautiful facility that will be an asset to North Huntsville," says Mayor Tommy Battle.

No one is arguing that the station could benefit from some improvements The North Precinct is one of the busiest in the city and hasn't been renovated in several decades. But some firefighters worry they'll be farther away from the people they're employed to help during the transition.

During construction of the new facility, Firefighters from Station 8 will respond from Station 10 off Pulaski Pike Road. But firefighters say the move will decrease response time by up to five minutes. They say fires can double in size every 90 seconds. In just five minutes a small kitchen fire could engulf a house.

Nearby residents who say Station 8 gives them peace of mind, are worried. "I mean fire spreads fast. You automatically go into panic mod and then now I'll be thinking its going to take longer for them to get here," says Yolanda Sales.

Sales wishes there was another option. "I would think they would get some temporary housing until it gets all sorted out," she says.

But Mayor Tommy Battle insists the city considered all of the alternatives to the temporary move and says moving to Station 10 is the best option.

"When you go from a station you have to have certain equipment. The mean have to be prepared. They have to have a place they can eat and sleep. It is very hard to do that in temporary quarters like a trailer," says Battle.

Madison, AL-  Madison's new high school is getting closer to welcoming students this fall.

Thursday night the school board heard a presentation from construction management.
They say James Clemens High School is on schedule.
More than 925 students are expected to attend the new school this fall.
Superintendent Dee Fowler says he's happy with the progress.

"I will say that James Clemens High School is in budget and on time. We're very excited. Furniture deliveries are already scheduled for later this spring. And we anticipate opening the school in August of this coming school year," said Fowler.

Some students currently attending Bob Jones High School and those moving on from Liberty Middle School will attend James Clemens.

Huntsville, AL -Jury deliberations will continue Friday in a Madison County murder trial.

Closing arguments wrapped Thursday in the Kimberly McLaughlin case.
McLaughlin is charged with murder and arson in the death of her mother.

Investigators say that in September 2009 McLaughlin stabbed Shirley Roebuck 200 times, decapitated her, and then lit her body on fire.
McLaughlin has pleaded not guilty by reason of mental disease.
And the defense says they have tried to make that case.

"Right now it's in the jury's hands. We have to prove that by clear and convincing evidence. And we believe that by presenting one of the top mental health psychologists in the state, we hope that we've met that burden," said defense attorney Lonzo Robinson.

Jurors deliberated for about an hour Thursday afternoon.
They will reconvene at 9am Friday.

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) - The sponsor of Alabama's tough immigration law has introduced legislation that he says revises some provisions, but doesn't weaken the bill.

Republican Rep. Micky Hammon of Decatur offered the bill Thursday in the House. He said the revisions will "make the law more workable for local governments, more enforceable for state and local police, and less burdensome for law-abiding citizens and businesses."

One change it makes is eliminating a provision that made renting to an illegal immigrant the same as harboring an illegal immigrant. It also eliminates the necessity to prove legal residence when renewing business licensees. That will only be required when a license is issued for the first time. It also revises portions of the law regarding religious and humanitarian services to mirror federal law.

SCOTTSBORO, Ala-

Ann Chambless is helping lead the way in the fight to save the original B.B. Comer Bridge in Scottsboro.

“It would tear my heart out to hear the blast that would sink that beautiful bridge and take it to the bottom of the river,” Chambless said.

Chambless has dedicated her life to preserving Jackson County’s history, she calls herself a researcher, but many consider her a historian. In 2009 she wrote a complete history of the B.B. Comer Bridge and says she has fallen in love.

“I’ve actually collected some interesting stories. One being that once the bridge was completed, the young people in Scottsboro danced in the moonlight on the BB Comer Bridge,” said Chambless.

The original Comer Bridge cost only $525,000 to build. Today the new Comer Bridge will cost 45 million.

With so much history and local attachment to the B.B. Comer, a group with over 15,000 members has banded together to help save the bridge. They’ve even made a Facebook group with a mission station that reads:

(This group is) for the preservation and restoration of part of the common history of our home. For the people to have their voice heard. A place to share ideas, forge a bond for the common good and with one accord perhaps save what some call a relic of our past for the benefit of future citizens of the place we all call home.


T-shirts have even been made. According to Chambless those will be distributed next week.
She encourages everyone to join the movement and help encourage the state to preserve the bridge.

After four months of investigating and presenting evidence 50 felony grand jury indictments were handed down against 38 people.

Sheffield Police Chief Greg Ray said that the indictments range from possession of controlled substances, trafficking, distribution and chemical endangerment of a child.

"Right now, I'd say one of the biggest problems we find is prescription drugs," said Ray.  "That's really become a problem.  We still find a lot of marijuana though."

The U.S. Marshals Service, Alabama ABC Board and law enforcement agencies from all around the Shoals jumped on board to assists with the operation which began around 5 a.m. on Thursday morning.

"It's hard to believe that you could get that many people in four months, but we did," said Ray.  "I don't know if we're thankful for that or not, but we were out there investigating and we were able to make these cases."

Officers are also in the process of seizing seven vehicles that were used during a sale or transport of illegal drugs.

Investigators said that 11 of the 38 people arrested were women, something very unusual to see.

"That's somewhat odd," said Ray.  "You don't see that many usually.  Most of the women we arrested were for pills, the selling or distribution of pills.  I think it's still an attitude that, well they're legally prescribed or they're medication, but it's a drug.  Hardly a week goes by that we don't make cases regarding prescription pills."

Ray said that he hopes this sends the message loud and clear that they will not tolerate this in Sheffield.

"We want everybody out there that's selling drugs or that's going to bring drugs here or that's exchanging drugs or stealing stuff to buy drugs with that, we're going to be out there looking for you," said Ray.  "No, we're not going to catch everybody, but we'll catch you."

Ray said that he hopes this operation swings the pendulum of crime away from drug dealers and abusers in the city and back to honest law abiding citizens.

I imagine we will be inside Monaco Pictures today for the first time all week, since there are some storms moving through. We could use a little rain, so I guess one day won't be bad. Although, I do hope none of the storms are severe.

We have a pretty full show this afternoon at 4....

Our friends at Nesin Physical Therapy will be offering some tips on gardening...not the kind that will help your plants grow, but instead, keep your body from aches and pains. Check out www.nesintherapy.com.

The Pure Barre craze has sweep the country and here in the Valley nightly classes are packed. Just in time to get ready for swimsuit season, Pure Barre Huntsville is teaming up with the Westin Hotel at Bridge Street Town Centre for a weekend retreat. April 28-29th women can participate in workshops, mingle with other Pure Barre students and experience the Westin. Prices vary depending on room occupancy. Call 256.428.5421 to register or log on to www.purebarre.com/huntsville for more information.

Parent Educator Lysa Parker will on to tell us about the attachment parenting event next weekend. There will be lots of music at the April 14th event. Tickets are $50 or $75 for VIP seating. Visit www.attachmentparenting.org for more.

And the Alabama Youth Ballet Theatre is ready to present Cinderella this weekend. Performances are Friday through Sunday at various times. The shows will be at the VBC Playhouse. Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for students and seniors. Log on to www.alabamayouthballet.org or call 256.881.5930 for ticket information.

See you at 4!

FLORENCE, Ala. (WAAY) - Lauderdale County Sheriff Ronnie Willis says his deputies are looking into a kidnapping case.

Willis tells WAAY 31 that they received a call early Thursday morning from the family of 30 year old Ashely Sterry. Family members said that her mom received numerous texts from her claiming she'd been kidnapped. The mother received one text that said that she was being held in a block building. When they tried to contact her, her phone had been turned off and investigators were unable to get a signal from her phone.

Investigators have been out along State Road 64 and County Road 89 looking for clues and leads in connection with the incident.

Willis said that investigators located Sterry's car with the keys inside parked in the driveway of her home on County Road 89 near the Tennessee state line.

Investigators believe that Sterry could be in danger.  Anyone with any information is asked to call the Lauderdale County Sheriff's Department at (256) 760-5757.

LOS ANGELES (AP) - California corrections officials have released a new photograph of convicted cult killer Charles Manson that shows him sporting long hair, a shaggy beard and a swastika scar on his forehead.

The Manson photo was taken last June and released Wednesday. The buzz cut he had in his last picture is gone, his hair and beard are now long and gray. He's had the carved swastika scar for decades.

The 77-year-old is scheduled for his 12th parole hearing next week. He's serving a life sentence at Corcoran State Prison for the killings of nine people, including the 1969 deaths of pregnant actress Sharon Tate and six other people in cult attacks.

Three of his followers also are serving life sentences. A fourth, Susan Atkins, died in prison in 2009.

NEW ORLEANS (AP) - A newly released recording purports to capture former Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams telling players to "put a lick" on San Francisco's Kyle Williams to see if the receiver has lingering effects from an earlier concussion.

Filmmaker Sean Pamphilon, who had access to Saints meetings for a documentary on football, has posted the audio on his web site. Pamphilon shared the content with Yahoo Sports, telling the website that while he was not bothered by much of Williams' profanity-laced speech, he was troubled by comments about the previously concussed player.

In the recording from a meeting before the Saints played the 49ers in a playoff game in January, Williams urges players to beat running back Frank Gore's head, "lay out" quarterback Alex Smith and go after receiver Michael Crabtree's knee.

DECATUR, Ala. (WAAY) - A series of car break-ins around Decatur has been solved.

Investigators say the incidents began in February and continued through March and April.

In some of the break-ins, credit cards were stolen, then later used. Investigators scoured surveillance tapes from the stores involved until they were able to find the suspect's car on one piece of film.

On Thursday, police spotted the car and stopped it on Sandlin Road. The driver was identified as 18 year old Eli Read. Officers discovered a GPS unit that was listed as being stolen during one of the break-ins was in Read's car and held in for questioning.

Investigators soon uncovered two juveniles who Read was reportedly working with in the break-ins, which stretched into Priceville as well. As the juveniles were arrested, numerous GPS devices, a computer, a firearm and other valuables were recovered.

All three people involved were charged with four counts of breaking into an automobile and three counts of fraudulent use of a credit card. Eli Read was booked into the Decatur CityJail and later transferred to the Morgan County Jail.

The 16 year old was found to be in possession of a stolen firearm. He was booked into the Decatur City Jail and transferred to the Juvenile Detention Facility in Tuscumbia, Alabama.

The 14 year old male was booked into the Decatur City Jail and released to his parents pending juvenile court procedures. Additional charges may be pending on cases from Priceville.

ATHENS, Ala (WAAY) - Tips from concerned neighbors led to the arrest of a 28 year old Athens man on Drug Trafficking charges.

Limestone County investigators set up surveillance on the home of Stanley Dwayne Billions Jr., and arrested him Tuesday night. He's been charged with Trafficking in Mairjuana, Possession of Controlled Substance, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Deputies say they found a small amount of marijuana in his vehicle and after executing a search warrant of his room, confiscated 3.5 pounds of marijuana, hydrocodone tablets, several sets of scales, and $2200.00 in cash.

Billions remains in jail on a $56,000.00 bond.

LACEYS SPRING, Ala. (WAAY) - A simple traffic stop in Morgan County early Thursday morning led to two high speed chases and two arrests.

It began around 1:00 a.m. near Whitesburg Bridge when a deputy tried to stop a car to ask about an expired tag. The driver of that car sped off towards Fields Road. After a few minutes, the car stopped, and the driver got out and ran into the woods on foot.

The deputy got out of his car and chased the man into the brush. Meanwhile, the passenger of the car slid over into the drivers seat and zoomed away.

Another deputy chased after the car, finally catching up to it on Wilson Road. The woman, later identified as Kristy Moore, stopped and was taken into custody without incident. 

Meanwhile, K-9 units searched the Fields Road area for signs of the male driver, but came up empty.

After several hours, investigators got a call about a suspicious man walking alone in a field near the scene. He was arrested and identified as the driver who took off - Marvin Kendall.

Kendall was charged with Resisting Arrest, Improper Lane Usage,
Driving With a Revoked License, Attempting to Elude, Failure to Follow Reasonable/ Prudent Speed and Failure to Signal

Kristy Moore was charged with Attempting to Elude, Obstructing Government Operations, Driving with an Expired Tag and Driving With a Revoked License.

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) - The Alabama Legislature has taken the first step toward passing legislation that would authorize 20 charter schools in Alabama.

These would be taxpayer-funded schools that would operate outside the regulations most public schools must follow.

The House Ways and Means-Education Committee voted 9-6 Thursday morning to approve the measure that now goes to the full House. The creation of charter schools is supported by Republican Gov. Robert Bentley and by GOP legislative leadership. The Alabama Education Association and most Democrats in the Legislature oppose the measure.

The committee vote was mostly along party lines with only Republican Rep. Jeremy Oden of Vinemont switching sides and voting against the bill.

Democrats complained the bill was rushed to a vote and more time was needed to study the issue.

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WAAY) - Huntsville police are investigating a late night armed robbery at a liquor store.
Police say two men held up "The Liquor Store" at the corner of Golf Road and South Memorial Parkway around 9:30 Wednesday night.
Police said one suspect was wearing a hockey mask.
The other had on a grey hoodie.
Police said the two men were armed with guns and fled on foot, but believe the pair got into a waiting vehicle.
Investigators said the pair stole money and alcohol from the store.
if you have any information, call the Huntsville Police Department at (256) 722-7100.

MOULTON, Ala. -- The Alabama Chicken and Egg Festival is right around the corner.

One of the more popular events of the weekend is the WAAY 31 chicken wing eating contest.

“Just try to grab them, eat pull it off put it down,” contest emcee Walter “Bird” Young said. “Eat pull it off put it down, keep going.”

Young and Greg Dutton know what it takes to quickly leave a chicken wing bare boned. They don't compete, but they will have emceed the event all eight years.

In fact, Dutton’s son won the contest five times.

“He took after his mother,” Dutton said jokingly.

“The key is to make sure you take your time and get all the meat off the bone,” Young said. “A lot of times people try to eat real fast and don't get enough meat off and we don't count those.”

John's BBQ in Moulton has the honor of supplying the chicken wings.

“Preparing these wings for the competition, I prepare four-to-five hundred in order to have enough wings for 15 competitors,” restaurant owner Stacey Cross said.

In three minutes, it takes about 25 to 30 wings to with this competition. But, there is a strategy that will help you win eating the double bone or drummy.

“If you get the double bone wing, you take the big end of it, pushing it down,” Dutton described. “It sets the meat free. Pull it off and you have a good clean wing that won't get thrown out.”

“The drummy is probably easier than the double wing,” Young said. “All you got to do is put it in your mouth, and pull it clean!”

Now you know how it's done, so anyone can win.

“We've had folks, Kyle, from Hamilton, Haleyville, Tennessee, Mississippi,” Dutton said. “You get motorcycle riders that come in. You may have a 300 pound guy there that loses to 16 year old 80 pound girl.”

The Alabama Chicken and Egg festival is April 13-15.

CROSSVILLE, Ala. (WAAY) - DeKalb County Sheriff's deputies have released new information as their investigation into the death of a 17 year old in Crossville continues.

The boy has now been identified as Alan Michael Tarwater. According to Sheriff Jimmy Harris, Tarwater appears to have died in his sleep from yet undetermined causes. His body was sent to Huntsville for an autopsy. On Thursday, Harris said the preliminary investigation showed no signs of foul play, but it couldn't be ruled out at this time.

In the meanwhile, Sheriff Harris has announced that his deputies are searching for a man they want to question in relation to the case. Todd Lashane Thomas was reportedly with Tarwater and three juveniles the night before the boy's death. Thomas left the scene when the body was picked up.

Because Tarwater had been a ward of Marshall County DHR for some time, that agency is handling funeral arrangements and other such details.

Warrants have been obtained charging Thomas with Contributing to the Delinquency of Children. He also has outstanding warrants for previous traffic offenses. Anyone who has knowledge of Thomas or his whereabouts should contact the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office at (256) 845-3801.

LEIGHTON, Ala. (WAAY) - Three people have been arrested and charged in connection with a New Year's Day shooting in Leighton.

According to investigators, 31 year old Thomas Ricks shot at a group of people outside a trailer on Maple Street on January 1st. Two people were with Ricks at the time - 30 year old Sabra Taylor and 42 year old Derrick Carter.

No one was injured in the shooting, but police say the bullets went into the home and narrowly missed two children who were sleeping inside.

All three were indicted on Attempted Murder and Shooting into an Occupied Dwelling charges in the Colbert County Grand Jury session in March.

According to our news partner, the Times Daily, authorities said Taylor and Carter were charged because of their indirect involvement in the crime. Pace said Taylor drove Ricks to the residence and Carter, who was in another car, brought the gun and gave it to Ricks.

Carter and Taylor are free on bond. Ricks remains in custody.

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – Friday afternoon, a jury reached a verdict in the murder trial of a woman accused of stabbing her elderly mother more than 200 times. 

 

The eight male and four female jurors found Kim McLaughlin guilty of killing and burning her mother in a Madison home in September of 2009.  She was found not guilty of 2^nd degree arson, since she burned her mother’s body but not the home. 

 

McLaughlin’s mother, 73 year-old Shirley Robuck, suffered more than 200 stab wounds, and according to a state medical examiner, her decapitated head and body were lit on fire. 

 

McLaughlin’s attorneys tried to argue that their client is mentally insane; according to accounts after she was taken into custody, she claimed her mother was a demon who could control her thoughts.  Still, the jury wasn’t convinced that the 51 year-old was suffering a severe mental illness at the time of the murder. 

 

Judge Ruth Ann Hall says a sentencing date will be set on Monday.