An Alabama man is safe after being kidnapped and forced to cash fraudulent checks at several Destin banks for his captors, authorities said.The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office in Florida said the incident happened on July 19, when two men approached the 45-year-old victim in a Fort Walton Beach park. The victim is from Helena, but his name has not been released. Authorities said the two men, 39-year-old Courtney Ayers and 23-year-old Tabias Wimby, asked the victim if he was looking for work. The victim said he was, and the two men asked for identification and a bank card. The sheriff’s office said when the victim showed Ayers and Wimby his documents, the men took pictures of the cards.The victim got in a car with Ayers and Wimby, police said, because the two men told the victim he wasn’t "dressed appropriately" for work, and the trio went to a thrift store in Destin.Following the thrift store, the victim told police Ayers and Wimby took the victim to a Regions Bank … [Read more...] about Alabama man kidnapped near Florida beach; two men charged
Huntsville Real Time News
This was named the worst city to live in Alabama
Wilcox County was recently named the worst county to live in Alabama. To find the worst city, however, you have to go to Jefferson County.24/7 Wall Street, the same website that gave Wilcox County its dubious title, compared a host of factors to determine the worst city to live in each state. The rankings were determined by looking at 25 measures that fell into four categories: affordability, economy, quality of life and community. Only places with 8,000 or more residents were considered. In Alabama, the dubious distinction of the worst city was given to the Jefferson County municipality of Bessemer. With a population of just under 27,000 Bessemer has a poverty rate of almost 30 percent, compared to the state average of 18 percent. The median home value in the state is $84,000 compared to Alabama’s $132,100.But it’s Bessemer’s crime rate that singled it out.From 24/7 Wall Street:“The violent crime rate in the small northern Alabama city of about 27,000 is a … [Read more...] about This was named the worst city to live in Alabama
Angela Davis to be inducted into National Women’s Hall of Fame
World-renowned activist, educator and Birmingham native Angela Davis will soon be inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame.The organization and museum has been celebrating the achievements of women since 1969. To celebrate the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment which gave women the right to vote, Davis, as well as nine other women from across the country, will be inducted on September 14. Inductees are nominated by the public and selected by a panel of experts in various fields. The experts judge the nominees based on their contributions. Davis is being recognized for her lifetime commitment to the fight for civil rights, women's rights and racial justice. Much of her work touches on her own experiences. Davis faced multiple forms of discrimination while growing up in Birmingham and she spent 18 months in jail after being placed on the FBI's "Ten Most Wanted List" during the early 70s.She joined many groups, including the Black Panther Party, while she was a graduate … [Read more...] about Angela Davis to be inducted into National Women’s Hall of Fame
Alabama research may help secure the chocolate supply
Climate change, fungi and booming demand are threatening the world’s chocolate supply, but Alabama genetic scientists have added an important new weapon in the fight to save it.Scientists at the HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology in Huntsville have completed and released an updated genetic profile of the tree that produces cacao beans, the critical ingredient in chocolate. It’s an new model of the tree’s “reference genome” first completed in 2010. A reference genome lets breeders identify the parts of the plant’s genetic makeup that would be good to have in future generations. Examples are genes for drought tolerance, increased yield and resistance to disease. When they know that, breeders can quickly sequence the genes of young crossbred plants searching for the ones with the good characteristics. Those are the ones they plant. It’s called selective breeding, and farmers have used it for generations. But modern genetic sequencing … [Read more...] about Alabama research may help secure the chocolate supply
Spontaneous prayer at Alabama Chick-fil-A captured by photo
A moment of spontaneous prayer caught on camera is warming hearts.Photographer Brittany Calden of Brittany Calden Photography was at the Chick-fil-A in Madison when she spotted employee Stephen Spray, known to many as “Mr. Steve,” talking with a customer. Calden saw Spray put his hand on the woman’s shoulder and say a prayer.Instincts taking over, Calden snapped a photo. “I find myself always searching for things that move me, and this was one of those instances,” she told Atlanta’s Fox 5. Spray later told Calden he didn’t know the woman but “the Spirit led him to pray for her,” something he feels free to do at the Madison restaurant.“People need prayer, encouragement, and love. That’s what we try to do here,” Spray told Calden. … [Read more...] about Spontaneous prayer at Alabama Chick-fil-A captured by photo