A divided Alabama Supreme Court said yesterday the state can execute an inmate with nitrogen gas, a method that hasn't been used carry out a death sentence. CBS News reports in a 6-2 decision, the court granted the state attorney general's request for an execution warrant for Kenneth Eugene Smith. The order did not specify the execution method, but the Alabama attorney general indicated in filings with the court that it intends to use nitrogen to put Smith to death. The exact date of the execution will be set later by Gov. Kay Ivey.
Gov. Kay Ivey has scheduled a special election to replace former Senate Majority Leader Clay Scofield, of Guntersville. He resigned Monday from his seat in District 9 to take a job with the Business Council of Alabama. AL.com reports Ivey scheduled the primary for Jan. 9. A runoff, if necessary, will be on Feb. 6. The general election will be April 23. Candidates have until Nov. 7 at 5 p.m. to qualify with the Democratic and Republican parties. The deadline for independent candidates or those with minor parties to qualify is Jan. 9.
The City of Huntsville is prioritizing road safety with its Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program. The program aims to improve traffic flow in residential areas by implementing measures such as speed tables and landscaping alterations to modify roadways. Residents can nominate a street for the program by submitting an application, and city officials will assess the street by considering factors like collision history and traffic volume. For more information, go to HuntsvilleAL.gov and click on “city Blog.”
Pryor Field Regional Airport is expanding again. Pryor Field in Tanner, Ala., broke ground this month on a concrete taxiway and access road. A news release from the Limestone County Economic Development Association says this project represents phase one of what will ultimately become the airport’s cargo ramp. The entire project is being constructed to accommodate Boeing-737 or larger military aircraft, such as the C-130. The Airport Authority recently approved plans to construct a 12,000-square-foot hangar facility with classroom space north of the airport’s terminal building.
Governor Kay Ivey announced a $1 million grant to improve Mooresville Road in Limestone County. According to a press release from the Governor’s office, the grant will help repair the two-lane road that connects Interstate 565 to U.S. Highway 72 to the nearby Mazda-Toyota Manufacturing plant. WAFF TV reports The project will involve repairing, leveling and resurfacing the road and improving the shoulders. Turn lanes and traffic signals will also be added.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has designated 11 Alabama counties as primary natural disaster areas due to drought. The designation makes farm operators in those counties eligible to be considered for Farm Service Agency emergency loan assistance. The north Alabama counties included in the disaster designation are Cherokee, Colbert, Cullman, DeKalb, Franklin, Jackson, Lauderdale, Madison, Marshall and Morgan. Farmers have eight months from the date of the disaster declaration to apply for emergency loans. AL.com reports FSA considers each emergency loan application on its own merits, taking into account the extent of production losses and the security and repayment ability of the operator.
The Huntsville Emergency Medical Services, Inc. Board of Directors approved an agreement to join the Huntsville Hospital Health System. The two entities announced the approval of the agreement on Tuesday. HEMSI board members had signed a letter of intent to officially enter talks with Huntsville Hospital about the possible merger in August. Jeff Samz, CEO of Huntsville Hospital Health System, tells WHNT TV this merger will allow them to cover and provide emergency medical services for more people across the Tennessee Valley. Samz says ambulance patients will continue to choose what hospital they want to provide their emergency care.
The Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association has launched a film office in partnership with the Alabama Film Commission. The North Alabama Film Commission will market and sell the 16-county North Alabama region to the film and television industry. 256 Today reports the North Alabama Film Commission will help attract filming by serving as an information center for incentives, locations, industry directory, film guidelines, support and crew services and more. A database of film locations and more information is available on the North Alabama Film Commission’s website at www.northalabamafilm.org.