MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) - A Thursday execution was halted for a man set to die for the 1982 murder-for-hire of a Muscle Shoals businessman, but his legal battle is far from over.

The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Wednesday denied Alabama's request to reconsider the stay of execution for Thomas Douglas Arthur, who has maintained his innocence for more than 29 years on death row.

The stay was granted after a three-judge panel overturned a judge's ruling to stop Arthur's appeal, which contends Alabama's lethal injection procedure is cruel and unusual.

The court has yet to rule on a motion to have the full 11th Circuit re-examine the decision to allow the appeal.

If the court declines, Arthur will be allowed to appeal his death sentence.

HUNTSVILLE, Ala (WAAY) - The Huntsville Havoc are in a do or die situation Friday night.

The Southern Professional Hockey League's current format has the #8 seeded Havoc playing the #1 seeded Augusta Riverhawks in a best of three series. Wednesday night, the Havoc put up a tremendous effort in Georgia, leading the game 3-2 in the last minute of the game. However, Augusta Neil Graham was able to tie the score with just 12 seconds remaining, sending it to overtime. Captain Matt Auffrey won the game for Augusta with about 5 minutes left in overtime.

Havoc captain Glenn Detulleo wasn't deterred by the loss. "Going on the road in that situation, facing the first place team, if you'd said going into the game we'd have one shot to win the game in overtime, I think we'd all take it." Detulleo told WAAY 31 on Thursday. "So, that's the attitude we had. Obviously, we're a little disappointed but between periods we just set it aside and got ready to go to the overtime period."

Goalie Mark Sibbald agrees. "We played well all game." he said. "We definitely had changes to put them away, we had a little bit of a breakdown and they capitalized. It was defiitely a shock, and it was heartbreaking at first, but I think if you look at the bigger picture, we played with them for 60 minutes. We dominated a lot of the game. If we lost by three or four goals, I think we'd be in a lot different mindset."

Now, the Havoc must come out on top Friday night, or their season will come to an end. 

The teams will meet at 7:30 at the VBC with the Havoc's season on the line. Win, and they go on to a third and final game in Augusta. Lose, and it's all over.

"Players at this level love pressure." Detulleo said. "I think our team is that kind of team and these guys are looking forward to the opportunity to send the series back to Augusta. We want the crowd to be loud. If we played the game we played Wednesday night, if we do that in our building, the crowd would love it. I think if we get the crowd behind us, I think we have a great chance."

Sibbald says that this season has been a roller coaster, but they're playing with a purpose now. "We're playing for a new coach who we believe in." he said. "If you look back a couple of years ago, we lost our first game of the playoffs the year we won, and we rattled off some really big wins. I know our group has the confidence in each other and looking forward, I think were just going to build on last night."

PRINCETON, NJ (WAAY) -  A new study produced by Gallup shows Mississippi is the most religious state in America, with Utah and Alabama not far behind.

The study was conducted throughout 2011, asked 353,492 adults in all 50 states and the District of Columbia how they'd describe themselves. Their options were "Very Religious", "Moderately Religious" and Nonreligious".

In Mississippi, 59% of respondents said they were "very religious", with another 30% falling under the "moderately religious" category, and only 11% saying they were nonreligious. In Utah, 57% said they were very religious, 15% moderately so, and 28% not religious. And in Alabama, 56% put themselves in the "very religious" category, 29% said they were moderately religious and 16% were non-religious. Louisiana and Arkansas rounded out the top five.

The nation as a whole was 40.10% very religious, 28.30% moderately religious and 31.50% nonreligious.

The five least religious states were (from 46-50) : Alaska, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont. The full survey can be viewed here. 

Keys : we’ve all got them. Keys make us feel safe, we like to think they're the difference that protects us from the bad guys who’d love to get inside.

But what if I told you that you can throw away your house keys...and be more secure than ever?

"It’s a platform that allows you to control your doorlocks, your lights, your thermostat, your cameras all logged into a PC on a website. Or for your iPhone or iPad." Matt McGovern from Nexia Home Security says the concept isn't new. We've had keyless entry for cars for decades now. What is different, is the smartphone interface.

It's set up where if a homeowner puts their code in, it sends you a text or email. So you always know who's coming and going in your home.

There's also a video display that will give you a chance to physically see whois there. It can be set up so anytime you put a code on a door lock, it will trigger the video to record for 10-15 seconds. There's a screen that shows which doors are locked or unlocked, and you can control the locks through a laptop or smartphone.

"A mom who wants to know when her kids get off the bus and put their code in. or someone who travels a lot they have that piece of mind of what’s going on. "

The system can also control a thermostat... and blinds if you want to make it look like someone’s home.

This high-tech home security system is a trend among all of the major lock companies. And if you still want the security of using keys, the system does offer a backup that uses traditional house keys.

Would you want something like this? Tell us about it on our Facebook page.

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. - State legislators return to Montgomery this week following their spring break.  They face a laundry list of controversial issues, from the prepaid college tuition program to health insurance coverage for abortions.  Also on the table is a bill on charter schools, which some lawmakers have been trying to implement for years.

 

Alabama is one of ten states where charter schools are illegal.  These are schools that are publicly funded but don't have to go by public school rules, including teacher tenure.  The purpose is to give families more schooling options beyond zip-code-based school zones. 

 

Nationally, charter school performance has been mixed, but here in Alabama, a group of lawmakers feel legalizing them could help education in the state, which by some statistics ranks 49th overall. 

 

We spoke with the bill's sponsor, State Representative Phil Williams of Madison.  He addressed some criticisms of charter schools, including the argument that they'll snatch funds from public schools.  He says, "Charters are just public schools, so when you hear they're taking money away from the public schools, the money follows the student."

 

Last week, the legislature held a public hearing on the bill.  Generally, Williams says many parents support it, while a number of educators are opposed.  The Ways and Means Education committee plans to vote on the bill this Wednesday.

HUNTSVILLE, AL - With Easter a week away, one Huntsville salon is once again donating its services to underprivileged children.

From 2PM until 6PM on Monday, April 2nd, Black Pearl Select Salon will offer free  haircuts to boys who are 12 and under.

This is the 16th year the salon has provided free cuts for the community.

Black Pearl Select Salon is located at 2908 Meridian Street in Huntsville.
       
For more information, call (256) 536-3133.

KANSAS CITY, MO - The National Weather Service hopes to raise awareness about the importance of heeding weather warnings by testing out a new kind of alert that's aimed to scare people into seeking shelter.

NWS officials say studies conducted after deadly tornadoes in Tuscaloosa, Alabama in April 2011 and Joplin, Missouri in May 2011 found that most people didn't heed the initial warnings about the oncoming storms.

They also say people in tornado prone areas have become desensitized by frequent false alarms and don't always pay attention to the first warnings.
 
Now, NWS offices in Missouri and Kansas will start sending out what they call "impact-based" warnings.

These warnings describe how much damage a storm could cause.

Among the messages in the new warnings: "COMPLETE DESTRUCTION OF ENTIRE NEIGHBORHOODS IS LIKELY" and "MASS DEVASTATION IS HIGHLY LIKELY MAKING THE AREA UNRECOGNIZABLE TO SURVIVORS."

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. - The spirit of Easter was in the air Saturday as hundreds of kids got to take a train ride with the Easter bunny.  The festive one-day event was hosted by the North Alabama Railroad Museum, which offers rides on its historic, 1940's era train throughout the year.

 

On each of the train's five trips Saturday, kids got to meet two Easter bunnies, one outside and one on the train.  They also received a small gift once the ride was through.  Organizers hope families will appreciate the history of the train as well. 

 

Museum Historian Hugh Dudley says, “Since we don't have any more passenger trains available here for them to ride, we think this is a good thing, they enjoy a little bit of history and they know what a real train is all about."

 

The Railroad Museum also hosts a Santa train ride for kids during the winter.

A second Wal-Mart is possibly in the works for Florence but not before the company jumps through several hoops and meets guidelines from the state.

A recent traffic study was reviewed by the Alabama Department of Transportation and has been submitted back to the planning commission this week.

ALDOT made eight stipulations that Wal-Mart must meet before the state grants official approval.  

Wal-Mart is hoping to build a stoe on thw est side of Cloverdale Road just north of Cox Creek Parkway.  However, many residents, including Coy Bramlett who lives in a nearby subdivision, have voiced concerns about the plans.

"They're coming and sitting down within our neighborhood," said Bramlett.  "We didn't build and buy there because of a Wal-Mart.  We already have a Wal-Mart three and a half miles from here and two Wal-Marts in this town, it's just not big enough."

One of the main stipulations in the traffic review is that an access road must be made on Cox Creek Parkway, relieving some of the congestion on Cloverdale Road.

City spokesperson Phil Stevenson said that the study also addressed other traffic concerns.

"It appears that the traffic study will answer most, if not all question composed by citizens at the first planning commission meeting," said Stevenson.  

The following stipulations will be submitted to the Planning Commission's Technical Committee for review.

1. A revised site plan indicating a 100 foot buffer along the north boundary of the proposed development.
2. Access to raodway from extending from the retail site south to Cox Creek Parkway.
3. Traffic signal at Wright Drive.
4. Traffic signal at proposed main entrance to the retail development.
5. Expansion/Revision of the Cloverdale Road approach to Cox Creek Parkway to include dual left turn lanes for eastbound traffic.
6. Ingress/Egress at the proposed outparcels is restricted to right-in-right out only for southbound traffic.
7. No direct access from outparcels to Cloverdale Road.
8. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: The ALDOT has instructed the developer's engineers to submit drawings regarding needed adjustments to the CVS entrance on Cloverdale Road.

"It can run in to a significant amount of money, but that's the cost of doing business," said Stevenson.  "It's a busy roadway and in order to present a safe environment, these are things that just have to be done."

Bramlett said, "The traffic now I think will be under control, and that was one of our biggest concerns, but there are several other issues with the site itself that we're still worried about. Now, the main concern is the cemetery located on the land.  Other concerns are no impact study has been done.  I don't know where all the runoff water is going in to the creeks and it's going in to our streams and the water we drink.  There hasn't been an noise impact study."

Bramlett said he's also worried Wal-Mart will put smaller stores in the area out of business.

"I would like to see them deny the rezoning and have Wal-Mart move down the road to the edge of the city on Cox Creek Parkway.  It's a lot more convenient for them," said Bramlett.

A public meeting with the technical committee will be held to discuss the traffic study soon.  Then, it will go before the city council for final approval for annexation and rezoning.

FLORENCE, Ala. (WAAY) - Hans and Sans, the two pit-mixed puppies reported stolen from the Florence/Lauderdale Animal Shelter earlier this week are back home.

According to officials at the shelter, the person who took the animals got into contact with them after WAAY 31 aired the story of the stolen dogs Thursday night. The person arranged to drop the dogs off with a volunteer. The shelter says they won't press charges.

We're told that one of the dogs has been adopted. The other, and several other great animals, are still looking for a new home. If you live in the Shoals and want to adopt an animal from the shelter, call (256) 760-6676, or visit the offices at 702 East College Street in Florence.

PHENIX CITY, Ala. (AP) - Law officers are searching for a trio of inmates, including one prisoner who was convicted of murder, who broke out of an eastern Alabama jail.

Authorities say the three prisoners escaped from the Russell County Jail Thursday night.

Sheriff Heath Taylor says all three inmates should be considered dangerous. Authorities say the other two inmates were being held on burglary, theft and drug charges.

Police in nearby Columbus, Ga., said they were assisting Alabama authorities with the search by issuing warnings to its officers to be on the lookout for the three.

Justin Hysmith, lives just outside Phenix City, said officers were walking down his street around 7 a.m. Friday holding shotguns, and a helicopter had been circling the area since 5:30 a.m.

The Ledger-Enquirer of Columbus identifies the men as Adam W. Barringer, 30; John Curtis Hendrix, 27; and Charles Smith, 41,

UPDATE 2:30 p.m. - The Ledger-Enquirer reports that Smith has been captured. Hendrix and Barringer remain on the loose.

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WAAY) - The team behind the Huntsville Madison County Veterans Memorial have revamped their website, with a special emphasis on letting people who purchased a custom brick paver find their brick.

Donors can visit HuntsvilleVeteransMemorial.org and search for their loved one's name. Once a query is submitted the database returns any and all results that contain the letters or phrase that was searched. Results will include the name of the donor, location of the paver and the inscription of lines 1, 2 & 3. A comment section will denote the following:

A) A paver is not installed at the current time
B) A misspelling has been verified and brick will be reordered
C) A misspelling has been verified and is engraved correctly. Donors may replace brick for a minimal fee of $30.
D) The brick was ordered after the dedication of Phase I and will be installed prior to Phase II dedication.

Moulton, AL- A hit and run in Russellville sent police on high alert Thursday morning.
30 minutes later...a Moulton police officer caught up with the car on Highway 24.
But the flashing lights didn't stop the driver. He continued to keep the pedal to the metal for several more minutes.

"He came up Court Street from Highway 57at a high rate of speed, which leads directly by the court house," said Police Chief Lyndon McWhorter.

The driver sped right through red lights and stop signs in downtown Moulton before finally stopping in a parking lot.

"There was about 4 or 5 cars that had another vehicle surrounded and they had him out of the car and was arresting him when I came by," said Faron Terry.

Terry later learned the chase happened around 8 o'clock in the morning....when his children were going to school.

"If he was running that fast through downtown Moulton that time of day, he got close.. He was one block away from the school. He could've got in school traffic and he could've injured no telling how many kids," said Terry.

34 year old Thomas Tucker of Winfield faces a long list of charges.....including DUI, driving with a revoked license, and no insurance.

"Basically we want to set an example, you run from us, we're not going to tolerate it especially putting our citizens in danger. If we catch you, we are going to prosecute you with every charge we possibly can," said Chief McWhorter.

Tucker remains in the Lawrence County jail.

Athens, AL-Accused killer James Pigg made his first court appearance Thursday morning in Athens.

The 33-year-old suspect appeared on a closed circuit video hookup from the Limestone County jail inside the chambers of Judge James Woodroof. His bond is set at 100-thousand dollars. The judge appointed an attorney to represent Pigg. No plea was entered during the hearing.

Pigg is charged with killing his grandmother, 69-year-old Barbara Delaney. Investigators say she was beaten and shot during an attack in the backyard of the home they shared in Limestone County. The suspects mother Dianne Harber says her family is still haunted by what happened. "I mean something horrible must have happened to make him snap like this. He has no recollection of this whatsoever and I'm going to ask his lawyer for a mental evaluation" Harber said.

Pigg has not posted bond. His next court appearance is set for April 10th.

DECATUR, AL - James MacIlveen has been a beekeeper for 35 years. He has two active honey beehives in his backyard that he uses to make his own honey.

MacIlveen says, "The raw honey that comes from a beekeeper is full of pollen, full of nutrients, full of vitamins." 

But MacIlveen eats a teaspoon of his honey every day for another reason besides its sweet taste. He believes the pollen in his honey helps take the sting out of his seasonal allergies. 

"The thought behind that is as you ingest the honey with all the pollen in it, your body builds up a resistance to those pollens and will lesson your reaction to allergies," he says. "It won't eliminate it, but it certainly will lesson your reactions."

Dr. Sarah Styers of Family Health of Hartselle says she'll continue prescribing medicine instead of honey to treat her allergy patients. But, she says it doesn't hurt to try.

Styers says, "Studies have shown that it does not make a significant difference in allergy symptoms. However, people believe it with all their heart and it's certainly not going to hurt you as long as your above the age of two."

MacIlveen says he will continue using his honey to help keep him breathing easy this time of year. "Absolutely no doubt in my mind and not only me, there are tens of thousands of people out there that swear by honey as a allergy preventative," he says.

HUNTSVILLE, Ala-

At 17-years-old, Bill Koch joined the Marine Corps and served in the Gulf War. He experienced a warm welcome from friends and family when he returned home from duty.

"There were parades, signs and people everywhere. It was overwhelming as a veteran to get that kind of reception,” Koch said.

Koch says he can't imagine how Vietnam veterans felt returning home to so much hostility.

”I can’t even imagine how the Vietnam veterans felt when they had to sneak back into the county because people were not welcoming them back. That is tough," said Koch.

Koch now works with a veteran’s advocacy organization called Still Serving Veterans. This is a group that worked closely with organizers for the "Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day" event.

"I mean, it’s got to be hard for them to see the way our modern veterans are treated and know the way we were treated when we came back. So maybe this will give them some closure," Koch said.

Richard Knight served in Vietnam in 1969 and 1970. He remembers how it felt getting off his plane in America where there were certainly no parades or balloons waiting for him.

"When we got back, most guys didn’t want to wear that uniform. And if you came with it on in the airport, the first time you got to a bathroom you wanted to change into some civilian clothing because we were not received well behind what the Vietnam War brought for us," Knight said.

Warren Harmon relates. He also felt unappreciated.

"It was like no one liked the military back then. Everyone was burning draft cards and going to Canada," Harmon said.

Thursday afternoon all the Vietnam veterans were hoping for a sense of closure, and a renewed since of pride for serving our country.

"Today is going to bring along a lot of healing for myself and probably quite a few more veterans here that have come to see this event," Knight said.

"Today brings a lot of peace, a lot of these Vietnam veterans are still suffering even today after this long time since the war was over," Harmon said.

Event coordinators hope to make this celebration of service an annual event.

Huntsville, AL -- On a recent Thursday afternoon, a group of local clergy sat gathered around a conference table, lunch bags scattered in front of them, as a minister read aloud from a well-worn book. But this was no King James or NIV. Instead, it was Madeleine L'Engle's A Wrinkle in Time, a work of science-fiction.

The woman reading from it, Rev. Traci Loveman, says, "you never know what God can use to get his word out, when you're willing to show up and let God work through you." Loveman has been a fan of fantasy and sci-fi since childhood and says that didn't change just because she entered the ministry. Now, she's sharing some of her reflections on the role these fictional genres can play in faith with other members of the Huntsville Association of Pastoral Care.

Last fall, HAPC began a series of monthly lunch meetings for spiritual care givers. Each week, a topic is presented, after which the clergy take part in a dialogue. Loveman's topic was "Faith and Fantasy: Using Fictional Resources for Spiritual Care Ministry."

Rev. Frank Broyles is the Executive Minister of HAPC. While some might find the pairing odd, he says, "the place of fiction and fantasy in the Christian life is a fascinating thing. You can use it in worship, in Bible study, in small group experiences, and if it's done well, it can be a great way of helping people on their spiritual journey better understand who they are and whose they are."

Lawrence County-

It was a weather active Saturday night across the Tennessee Valley.

After 6:30, a strong thunderstorm caused flash flooding, toppled trees and even produced thumbnail sized hail. Crews were quickly called to clear trees from the roads.
No injuries were reported.

A Lawrence County convenience store owner says that the hail pounding on the tin roof of her business was the scariest part of the storm.

“It was dark outside and the wind was blowing really hard. It was raining really heavy and there was a lot of hail. Not large hail, just a lot of it,” said Donna Lindsey.

One viewer from Lawrence County tells us this is the worst hail storm they've had since 1989.

MARSHALL COUNTY, Ala. – Motorists driving along Highway 431 in Sand Mountain Saturday morning may have seen something out of the ordinary.  Christians from different denominations took to the streets.  Escorted by police, they marched roughly 13 miles from Boaz to Guntersville.  For many, the reasons for marching were emotional.

 

Sarah Howard faces a tough challenge at home, and says God is guiding her through it.  She says, “My step-dad got on meth really bad, and it was unreal how bad his life was changed."

 

But Howard believes her step-dad's life can change for the better, which is why she's marching side by side with fellow believers: “He does change lives.  I mean, never stop believing in God because he will make a difference."

 

March organizer Jon Henderson adds, "Nationally, we've been known as "Meth Mountain," and the first thing we want to do is break that identity, that this is not Meth Mountain, it's God's mountain."

 

Fixing Sand Mountain's drug problem is just one of the march's many causes.  Henderson explains, "What we challenge is for people to come out and march for their cause, whatever it is, and ultimately that cause is the cause of Christ."

 

Jon Henderson runs a non-profit evangelist ministry.  He says the idea for the march came to him during prayer: “We just want to bring the church, every denomination together, and bring them together for the cause of Christ and get out in our streets and just start praying over our land."

 

Along their route from Boaz to Guntersville, Henderson hoped to inspire those marching and driving along Highway 431.  He says, “Our nation is in a time of trouble and need, and there's no better time than this to let the church shine."

 

And for Sarah Howard, the help can't come soon enough: “He's not too small, and he's gonna change lives through this. And hopefully we'll bring a revival into Marshall County and take back our mountain."

HUNTSVILLE, Ala (WAAY) - The Huntsville Havoc's roller coaster season hit a major high point Friday night with the team's 4-3 overtime victory over Augusta in the first round of the SPHL playoffs.

After a disappointing end to game one Wednesday night in Georgia, the Havoc were in a do or die situation. Win, and they have a chance to continue the playoffs Saturday. Lose, and Augusta moves on to the second round to play in-state rival Columbus, who knocked off the Louisiana Ice Gators the night before.

The teams locked in a tight defensive battle through the first period, with neither side breaking through on the score sheet. The second period was a much different story, with both teams posting a pair of goals. Colin Reddin and Justin Fox tallied for the home team, while Matt Auffrey and Egor Mironov scored for the Riverhawks.

The Riverhawks took a 3-2 lead five minutes into the third period when MVP hopeful Jim Gehring pushed the puck past Mark Sibbald. For the next 14 minutes, the Havoc frantically tried to even the score, while Augusta was content to keep the puck away and run down the clock.

With less than a minute remaining, Reddin found a loose puck in the Augusta zone and ripped a quick wrist shot that flew into the net behind Augusta goaltender Jon Olthuis. The Von Braun Center erupted in celebration. The final 50 seconds saw both teams take shots, attempting to avoid an overtime, but the time ran out with no new scoring and extra time would be needed.

The intensity of the situation was clear from the drop of the puck in OT. Both teams had several good scoring opportunities fall by the wayside, including a controversial penalty shot turned aside by Sibbald after a broken stick was flung at an Augusta shooter.

Moments after the dramatic save, Havoc forward Alex Morton led a drive into the Augusta zone down the left wing. Morton dropped a no look pass behind him to trailer Mike MacDonald who skated in and ripped a shot from just outside Olthuis' crease. The puck trickled behind the Augusta netminder and ignited a massive celebration in the stands and on the ice.

"That's something we work on every day in practice, it's called 'cross and drop at the blue line' and luckily enough, I got to the far side of the goalie and froze him a bit."

The goal was particularly key for MacDonald, who along with linemates Ray Ortiz and Morton, was a -3 in Augusta. "We're matching up with their best line and they were getting the better of us the first part of two games, and it's good to get back on the plus side with a goal."

The Havoc and Riverhawks now face each other for the third and final game of the series Saturday night, with the winner going on to face the Columbus Cottonmouths in the second round. The game will be broadcast live online at 6:30 p.m..

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. - Emotions are running high after the shooting of an African American teenager in Florida.  Many believe a neighborhood watch captain targeted the teen because of his race.  On Friday, organizers at Alabama A&M University held a vigil and march they called “1,000 Hoods.”

 

Trayvon Martin was wearing a hood the night he suffered a deadly gunshot wound, and many who march say the incident is bringing much deeper issues to the surface.

 

In the 17 year-old’s shooting, injustice and racial profiling are just some of the reasons hundreds donned their hoodies and marched at Alabama A&M.

 

Edgra Fallin felt compelled to step in tune, since it all hits too close to home.  She explains, “It’s something that all of us live every day.  As a mother, I know every time my son walks out the door, my words to him are 'be careful,' and that's code for, you know what I mean.  Just last Sunday, he was followed all the way to church, just about."

 

Fallin and the others also marched in solidarity with Trayvon's family.  Many hope bringing light to racism and racial profiling will help make it stop.  AAMU Student Body President Drew Foster says, “You know, racism is still alive and nowadays it's swept under the rug until things like this come up, so it's really saddening."

 

Signs and symbols of the shooting were scattered among the vigil's flickering flames: hoodies, like the one Trayvon wore that fateful day, and the skittles and iced tea he held in his hands. 

The meaning of it all isn't lost on 10 year-old Jordan Franklin.  He says, "If I was to walk down the street with a hoodie on, I wouldn't want to get shot, and I wouldn’t want him to get shot because there was just no reason."

 

Foster is grateful for the solidarity the controversial case inspires, but wishes the circumstances were different: “Of course it's unified us, but I feel like our community should be like that all the time, not when something unfortunate happens.  A young man's life doesn't need to be taken, or anyone's life, to bring us all together."

 

Thousands are expected to march to the Sanford Police Department Saturday morning.  Law enforcement in the Florida community has been criticized for not arresting Trayvon Martin's shooter, George Zimmerman.

Scottsboro, AL-More then one thousand fishermen are hoping to hook the big one this weekend in Jackson County. Anglers are competing in the Big Bass Splash tournament.

The seventh annual competition begins Saturday morning and continues on Sunday. Officials say this tournament brings in more then two million dollars to the Scottsboro community. And businesses are hoping to reel in another good catch. Nova Sisk is the general manager at the Hampton inn and Suites. She says every room is booked. "We are really excited about the big bass splash it's always a big draw for fishermen to the area and all the hotels and businesses are excited. So it's really good for the economy" Sisk said.

Angler Billy Duncan brought his family of four all the way from Kentucky. Fisherman come from all over the Unites States hoping to win the top prize. "Words cant express this experience especially when your children catch more fish then you do and they rub it in alittle" Duncan said. "Getting to spend time with them is one of the great things that's what we look forward too coming here to spend the weekend fishing".

Last year 900 bass fish were caught and released. The winner gets more then 100 thousand dollars in cash and prizes including a new boat.

Hundreds of youth baseball players from eight different states are heading to the Shoals this weekend for a big tournament.

Despite the early rain, 74 teams are preparing to play in 13 fields at the Muscle Shoals, Florence and Airport sports complexes.  

Gas stations, hotels and restaurants should see a lot of business in the area.  Most of the 1,300 Shoals hotel rooms are already filled as well.  

Tourism officials said that tournaments like this have a tremendous impact on the local economy.

"A family that's traveling for a tournament such as this, will spend anywhere from $250-$300 per day while they're here," said Florence-Lauderdale Tourism Assistant Director Allison Stanfield.  "The tournament winner, the ones that have stayed the longest, will really pump a lot of money in to our economy."

Although the tournament only lasts a couple of days, Stanfield said that the tournaments often spawn repeat visitors for the future.

"It's very important that we're able to have these particular events," said Stanfield.  "It showcases our wonderful facilities that we have that the city has put so much effort in to having for the area."

Schedules for each age division are posted on www.usssa.com.

DECATUR, Ala (WAAY) - A month long investigation by the Madison/Morgan County STAC Team, Decatur Police, Morgan County Sheriff's Dept., and Alabama ABC Board has resulted in six arrests and the seizure of a significant amount of drugs.

Drug agents have been tracking marijuana and meth for the past several weeks, and say they've traced a supply back to a home on Thomas Drive in Decatur.

On March 28th, agents raided that home, and arrested seven people inside. They reportedly found several pounds of marijuana, finished ice meth, and several assorted handguns and assault rifles.

Arrested were :

Erick Segura Degante
Trafficking Methamphetamine
Unlawful Possession of Marijuana 1st Degree

Jose Luis Avila Abarca
Trafficking Methamphetamine
Unlawful Possession of Marijuana 1st Degree
Failure to Appear

Marco Montano
Trafficking in Marijuana

Paulino Camacho Balderas
Unlawful Possession of Marijuana 1st Degree
Tampering with Physical Evidence
Failure to Appear

Adan Garibay Leyva
Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance
Unlawful Possession of Marijuana 2nd Degree

Diaz Guadalupe Abarca
Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance
Unlawful Possession of Marijuana 2nd Degree

Julio Cesar Brito
Unlawful Possession of Marijuana 2nd Degree
Reckless Driving

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - A Shelby County mother is facing contempt-of-court charges and possible jail time for baptizing her two children without the knowledge or consent of her ex-husband.

This week the Tennessee Court of Appeals said Lauren Jarrell must face a criminal contempt hearing for violating a court order that said major decisions regarding the religious upbringing of her two children should be made jointly with her-ex-husband.

The mother and her ex-husband, Blake Jarrell, are both Christian - he's a Methodist and she's a Presbyterian.

Court records say the father thought the children should be baptized once they are older. He has asked that his ex-wife be found in criminal contempt for baptizing the children without his knowledge or permission.

If convicted, she could face 20 days in jail and a $100 fine.