These are some stories from the 9/20/12 version of Tennessee Valley news update (633, 733, 833am, 304, 404, 504, 604pm) …
HUNTSVILLE, AL (Huntsville Times) - More automobile manufacturing jobs are coming to north Alabama. The Huntsville Times reports that Toyota plans a 300-thousand square foot expansion of its V6 engine plant in Huntsville. It will mark the fourth time in 10 years that operations at the plant have grown. This time, it will bring an additional 125 new jobs to the area. The ground breaking is scheduled for Tuesday
ALABAMA (AP) - Grocery-chain Kroger is recalling spinach sold at grocery stores in Alabama and 14 other states due to possible Listeria contamination. The Kroger Fresh Selections Tender Spinach was sold in 10-ounce bags and had a "best if used by" date of Sept. 16. Company officials say that if customers did buy the recalled product, they should return it to stores for a full refund or replacement. No illnesses have yet been reported.
HUNTSVILLE, AL (AP) - The French government is honor a Huntsville man and 11 other American World War II veterans with its highest military honor. William Varnedoe was a First Lieutenant with the 385th Bomb Group in the US Air Force during World War II. He and the other veterans will be recognized for their efforts in liberating France. The ceremony is Sept. 27th in Atlanta.
MADISON COUNTY, AL (WLRH) - Memorial services are planned for the two people who died on Sunday in a plane crash as the Moontown Grass Field Fly In. On Friday, a service and potluck dinner will be held for former Moontown Airport owner Gerald Myers. That service begins at 5 at the airport’s hangar. On Saturday, 17-year-old Chris Schmitt will be remember in a vigil that begins at 7 at Columbia High School, where Schmitt was a rising senior.
MONTGOMERY, AL (AP) - Federal auditors says Alabama must repay 1-point-7 million dollars related to funding it obtained for children’s health insurance programs. The audit says the state improperly enrolled children in fiscal year 2010, and failed to enact adequate controls to prevent double enrollments. The ALL Kids program is the focus of the audit, which covers children whose families don’t qualify for Medicaid, but still can’t afford private health insurance. Alabama officials say the overlapping coverage is unavoidable as children transfer between different programs, but their policy allow for retroactive coverage.
MONTGOMERY, AL (AP) - The new chancellor of Alabama's two-year college system will receive more than 270-thousand dollars a year. Mark Heinrich (Hein-rick) has agreed to a three-year contract that will pay him $250,000 annually in salary. He’ll also receive a yearly housing allowance of 21-thousand. The State Board of Education approved the deal Thursday, though Heinrich still has to sign the contract. Heinrich's predecessor, Freida Hill, was paid $289,900 annually. State Superintendent of Education Tommy Bice makes $198,000 annually.
TRION, GA (AP) - A minor earthquake hit northwest Georgia near the Alabama state line, but there were no reports of anyone having felt it. U.S. Geological Survey geophysicist Paul Caruso says the 2.0 magnitude earthquake hit at 10:02 last night. Its epicenter was about five miles northwest of Trion. That's about 30 miles north of Rome.
HUNTSVILLE, AL (AP) - The Flying Monkey Theater at Lowe Mill in Huntsville is holding a public screening tonight at 7 of the award-winning film “Eating Alabama”. The film follows director Andrew Grace and his wife on a year-long adventure of eating nothing but foods grown in Alabama. The screening is hosted Alabama Public Television and is open to the public, though seating is limit to around 300 people.