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NASP Alabama State Championship to be held in Montgomery tomorrow

NASP Alabama State Championship to be held in Montgomery tomorrow

The largest youth archery competition in Alabama, the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) Alabama State Championship, will be held Thursday, April 4, 2013, at the Multiplex at Cramton Bowl located at 220 Hall St., Montgomery, Ala., 36104.  Individual groups will begin shooting at 8:30, 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m., and 3:30 p.m. The awards ceremony is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. The media and public are invited.

This is the first time the NASP Alabama State Championship will be held in Montgomery.

Ala. Legislature sets stricter abortion standards

Legislators vote on stricter

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

Marengo Co. commissioner, son accused of stealing, scrapping cars

Freddie Armstead, Sr.

MARENGO CO., AL (WSFA)- Marengo County authorities say a commissioner has some explaining to do. Investigators with the sheriff's department have arrested and charged Commissioner Freddie Armstead, Sr., and his son Freddie Armstead, Jr., each on 5 counts of theft. 

"We're not sure what the motive was. They told us they were going to give the funds to the sheriff's department," said Marengo County investigator Randy Sanders. 

The allegations begin at the Marengo County Road Department two miles south of Linden. County investigators allege commissioner Armstead and his son stole 5 impounded cars and sold them for scrap metal, pocketing thousands of dollars from the scrap metal sales. The cars were taken to scrap metal dealers outside Marengo County with one deal being completed in nearby Perry County. 

Groups seek to educate public during National Autism Awareness Month

Groups seek to educate public during National Autism Awareness Month

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

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

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

6th Annual Pepper Jelly Festival coming up April 27, 2013

6th Annual Pepper Jelly Festival coming up April 27, 2013

The not-for-profit, Alabama Rural Heritage Foundation announces details for their April 27th Pepper Jelly Festival.  The Saturday, April 27th event will be held from 10:00 a.m. through 3:00 p.m. on the campus of the old Marengo County High School (MCHS) – 133 Sixth Avenue, Thomaston, Alabama.  The majority of the activities will occur at the Alabama Rural Heritage Center, formerly MCHS’ Home Economics and Vocational Agricultural Building, but will include activities throughout the MCHS Campus.

2013-14 AUM cheerleading information announced

2013-14 AUM cheerleading information announced

Auburn University at Montgomery cheerleading coach Amanda Brasington is seeking interested individuals for the 2013-14 Warhawks' Cheerleading squad. Tryouts will be held from Friday, April 26 to Sunday, April 28 in the AUM Wellness Center.

In order to participate in the tryout, individuals must be a full-time student enrolled at AUM and must have an overall cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher. Freshmen or transfer students must have been accepted to AUM by the first day of tryout clinics and must bring their letter of acceptance in order to tryout.

Required information to bring to the tryout include: a physical form, tryout agreement and waiver, a tryout information sheet, a photo copy of your insurance card and a $40 cash or check (made payable to AUM Cheerleading).

Marengo County's unemployment rate for February

Marengo County's unemployment rate for February

Alabama Department of Labor Commissioner Tom Surtees announced today that Alabama’s preliminary February unemployment rate is 7.2%, up from January’s rate of 6.9%, and equal to February 2012’s adjusted rate. February’s rate represents 154,885 unemployed persons, compared to 148,663 last month, and 155,673 last year.

In Marengo County, the unemployment rate for February was 10.2%, down from 10.4% in January, but up from 9.6% a year ago.

“While we did experience a slight uptick in the unemployment rate this month, we also saw an increase in the number of people working, both over the past month and the past year,” said Surtees. “We’ve also seen an increase in the number of people in the labor force.