The state of Alabama executed Derrick Dearman Thursday for the 2016 murders of five people in Citronelle, outside of Mobile. Media witnesses did not report any complications with the execution, conducted by lethal injection. The execution took place just three weeks after Alabama executed Alan Eugene Miller by nitrogen gas. The Alabama Reflector notes it was the fifth carried out this year by the state, which is tied with Texas for the most in the nation so far.
An Alabama lawmaker is proposing a change to the state constitution to clarify that paper raffles and bingo for charitable purposes are legal. The legislation is in response to a July cease and desist letter Attorney General Steve Marshall’s office sent an organization that wanted to hold a raffle to raise funds for children with autism. The office said such raffles are illegal under state law. The bill’s sponsor, Rep. Jim Hill tells the Alabama Daily News there are a lot of entities that use raffles for fundraisers and the purpose of this bill would be to allow them to continue to do so for charitable purposes.
Marshall is the second-largest county in Alabama where alcohol is banned from being sold inside retail stores or restaurants within unincorporated areas. On Nov. 5, voters will be asked to make Marshall County completely “wet” and to back a referendum that one state lawmaker says gets people “caught up to the 21st century.” Marshall County has five cities – Guntersville, Boaz, Albertville, Grant and Arab – that are wet. AL.com reports the referendum, pushed by the Marshall County Commission, would enable anyone anywhere within the county to sell liquor under a regulatory watch by local or county governments.
Drier and colder conditions throughout Alabama mean a heightened risk of brush and field fires. Alabama Forestry expert Terry Ezzell tells WAFF TV the state is currently seeing 20-30 fires a day. The Alabama Forestry Commission says October is the state’s driest month. As the weather becomes less humid, grass will continue to die and leaves will fall from the trees, creating more fuel for these fires. Some areas in Huntsville-Madison County haven’t seen measurable rainfall since last month, and forecasts indicate that it will not rain again in the area until the end of October.
The Huntsville City School district will be replacing 25 traditional school buses with new electric ones. They’re paid for by a nearly half-billion-dollar grant from the federal government. The new buses will cost nothing to the district or the taxpayers. WAFF TV reports the grant also covers the charging stations for the buses, which take about 6 hours to fully charge. The buses could be in operation in just over a year.
Fantasy Playhouse Children’s Theatre has purchased Merrimack Hall. This 24,000 square foot facility currently offers a 300-seat theatre and renovation opportunities to add various classroom spaces, costume shop/maker space, catering kitchen, and an office wing. A Facebook post from the theater says they will begin the renovation project this month and hope to relocate in late Spring 2025.
The Ardmore Welcome Center reopened to travelers this week. The welcome center on I-65 near the Tennessee state line was closed for nearly two years to reconstruct the facilities and revamp the grounds. The new main building contains a spacious lobby with ALGO kiosks overhead to provide real-time travel information. The tourism lobby offers brochures and kiosks with information about local destinations and events.
About 6,500 people are expected to participate in Saturday’s Liz Hurley Ribbon Run and Survivor’s Walk in Downtown Huntsville. The 5 K race begins at 8:30 and the Survivor’s Walk at 8. WAFF TV reports proceeds from the 2024 Ribbon Run will provide for the top-priority needs of Huntsville Hospital Breast Center.