AL lawmakers respond to bill allowing police to take cell phones at wrecks

Monday, June 17th, 2013, 9:39pm

DECATUR, AL (WAFF)- A New Jersey lawmaker has introduced legislation that would give police the right to take cell phones at the scene of crash sites. The officer would have access to the drivers call log to see if the phone played a part in the wreck. But lawmakers in the Tennessee Valley said they don't see a bill like that passing here.

"The short answer is it's probably something that would be very difficult to pass in Alabama," said Senator Arthur Orr (R., Decatur - District 3)

Orr said a bill like that could be a violation of the Constitution.

"I think there is a problem with the 4th amendment, the searches and seizures law allowing a law enforcement officer just to take someone's cell phone after a traffic accident."

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Coyotes sighted in the Tennessee Valley

Submitted by WAFF Web Staff

Monday, June 17th, 2013, 9:18pm

MADISON COUNTY, AL (WAFF)-

Don't be surprised if you
see more coyotes in cities across North Alabama.

June, July, August, and September are the months we see the most coyotes in urban areas. Animal experts said this
time of year the adult dogs are looking for more food to feed their babies.

But don't worry if you do spot a coyote experts
said the chances of a coyote attacking a human are slim.

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Investigation into Moulton church fire continues

Submitted by WAFF Web Staff

Monday, June 17th, 2013, 8:24am

Firefighters arrived to a fully-involved church in Moulton Saturday evening.

MOULTON, AL (WAFF)- The investigation into a weekend church fire in Moulton will continue Monday.

The blaze started around 7:30 p.m. on County Road 221 at Pine Grove Holy Church of Christ.

Firefighters from Moulton, Speake, Caddo-Midway and Chalybeate responded to the fire.

The Caddo-Midway Fire Chief said when they arrived, the fire was coming from the attic. He said residents nearby saw flames and called for help. No one was inside at the time of the fire.

Officials said the main building was a total loss. There are several other buildings surrounding the church, but there's no word if or how much damage they sustained.

The state fire marshal said there will be a joint investigation into the cause of the fire.

The congregation met on the church's front lawn Sunday morning to have their regularly scheduled Sunday service.

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Former police officer found not guilty on child abuse charges

Submitted by WAFF Web Staff

Friday, June 14th, 2013, 8:43pm

LAWRENCE COUNTY, AL (WAFF)- A former Moulton police officer was found not guilty Friday on child abuse charges.

Mitchell Breland was accused of abusing
two 7-year-olds. He was a Moulton police officer at the
time of his arrest.

Both young girls testified this week
during Breland's trial. They told jurors Breland struck them repeatedly with a belt
after catching them with a cigarette.

The jury heard closing arguments Friday morning before beginning their
deliberations and coming back with their verdict just a short time later.

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Investigators: Murder suspect confesses to killing more than 30 people

Submitted by WAFF Web Staff

Thursday, June 13th, 2013, 10:07pm

LAWRENCE COUNTY, AL (WAFF)-

Police confirm a Tennessee Valley murder suspect may have been one busy killer. Jose Manuel Martinez is charged with murder for one killing in Lawrence county and may be connected to dozens of other murders.

Lawrence County Sheriff's investigators said they put his name on the national crime information center database and an hour later got a hit from Arizona where authorities in Yuma picked up Martinez as he tried to cross into the U.S. from Mexico.

Once they got him to confess to the murder here, investigators said he started telling him about scores of other murders. Authorities have connected him to 10 murders in California and two in Florida.

According to authorities, Martinez said he killed while collecting drug-related debts in retaliation for things done to his family members, and that he even claims he murdered child sex predators in vigilante-style killings.

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Consumer alert in the Shoals

Submitted by WAFF Web Staff

Thursday, June 13th, 2013, 6:52pm

LAUDERDALE COUNTY, AL (WAFF)- Authorities in the Shoals are alerting consumers about scam artists. For the last several months police across the Shoals have seen an increase in phony phone calls.

Investigators said the callers are trying to steal people's money and/or identity. According to authorities, with advancements in technology crooks are turning to cell phones and computers to commit their crimes.

Recently police in the Shoals have dealt with callers claiming to work with utility departments, raising money for volunteer fire departments. Some are even callers who claim to be members of federal agencies.

Investigators said these fake calls can be alarming because no one wants to go without power or go to jail as some of the calls suggest.

Police said no one is exempt, these calls target people of all ages.

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Summer heat wave hits TN Valley

Submitted by WAFF Web Staff

Wednesday, June 12th, 2013, 4:54pm

NORTH ALABAMA (WAFF)- According to the Alabama Department of Public Health, the first heat wave of the summer is the most
dangerous of the year, particularly in the end of June to the beginning of July.

Health officials said the
risks of heat related illnesses increase during that time because for a lot of
people it's their first time getting outside to enjoy the summer and they don't
realize how fast they get exhausted.

For workers who spend their
days in the heat, they sometimes forget just how hot those temperatures can
get.

The Alabama Department of Public Health said the state of Alabama had a total of 809 reported heat-related
illnesses in 2012 and a total of 6 deaths. There were 241 heat-related cases
reported in North Alabama alone.

Health officials said it's extremely
important to pay attention to your body as the temperatures start to rise.

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