News

Dothan takes another hit - bakery closure to cut 128 jobs

Submitted by JoBeth Davis, Community Web Producer

Thursday, March 22nd, 2012, 4:21pm

Dothan takes another hit - bakery closure to cut 128 jobs

DOTHAN, AL (WSFA) - Less than a month after PEMCO's announcement to close its Dothan plant and lay off more than 250 people, another employer has announced plans to cease operations in the Circle City. The Bimbo Bakery's Sara Lee Bakery in Dothan in plans to close by May 21, 2012 leaving an additional 128 people without work.

The announcement was made Thursday afternoon by Bimbo Bakeries USA. The company says they found it "necessary to address the aging facility that made it difficult to compete in the marketplace."

“We value and respect our associates and will assist them in taking the next steps to help ease them through this transition,” said Kevin Williams, Regional Vice President of Operations for BBU’s Southeast region.

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Alabama Power receives two national awards from Edison Electrical Institute

Submitted by Donna Wallace-King, Community Web Producer

Thursday, March 22nd, 2012, 1:03pm

Alabama Power has received two national awards from the Washington-based Edison Electric Institute.

They won the Emergency Recovery Award for their restoration work following the April 2011 tornadoes. You can read the full press release regarding this award here.

Alabama Power also won the Emergency Assistance Award for the company's work assisting other utilities in 2011 following Hurricane Irene and the October snowstorm that caused major damage across the Northeast. You can read the full press release regarding this award here.

Source: Alabama Power

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Mother of Rev. Al Sharpton dies in Dothan

Submitted by WSFA 12 News Staff

Thursday, March 22nd, 2012, 8:48am

NEW YORK (AP) - The 87-year-old mother of the Rev. Al Sharpton has died.

His spokeswoman says Ada Sharpton passed away early Thursday morning in Dothan, Ala., following a long battle with Alzheimer's disease and dementia.

Rachel Noerdlinger says Sharpton will fly to Alabama to make arrangements for his mother's funeral after attending a rally Thursday evening in Sanford, Fla., for Trayvon Martin.

Martin is a black teenager who was shot to death by a Hispanic neighborhood watch captain in Florida. His parents attended a march for their son in New York City on Wednesday evening.

Noerdlinger says Sharpton learned of his mother's death while boarding the flight to Florida Thursday morning. He heads the National Action Network, a civil rights organization based in New York City.

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Man fighting serious injuries following Harley v. truck wreck

Submitted by JoBeth Davis, Community Web Producer

Wednesday, March 21st, 2012, 10:30am

Man fighting serious injuries following Harley v. truck wreck

DOTHAN, AL (WSFA) - Dothan Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding a truck vs. motorcycle crash that resulted in a Dothan man being transported to Birmingham with "serious injuries."

According to authorities, 50-year-old Antonio George Cumuze III was traveling east on Hartford Hwy. around 10:00 p.m. Tuesday night when a Ford F-250 truck pulled into the path of Cumuze's Harley Davidson resulting in a "t-bone" collision.

Cumuze was transported to a local hospital and then to Birmingham for further treatment. His injuries were classified as serious.

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Dothan PD: Henry County man arrested for robbery after being identified by victim

Submitted by JoBeth Davis, Community Web Producer

Wednesday, March 21st, 2012, 10:22am

Dothan PD: Henry County man arrested for robbery after being identified by victim

The Dothan Police Department Investigative Division has arrested Eric Denon Kelly of Henry County, for one count of Robbery First Degree. Kelly was driving a white vehicle and pulled in front of the victim while he was walking in the area of Post Oak Drive and White Oak Circle. Kelly exited the vehicle with a weapon and struck the victim on the left side of his face and demanded money. The victim positively identified Eric Kelly as the perpetrator.

Eric Denon Kelly, black male, 35 years of age, Henry County, AL, was arrested and charged with one count of Robbery First Degree, with a $100,000.00 bond.

Information Source: Dothan PD

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Man in police custody escapes from hospital

Submitted by JoBeth Davis, Community Web Producer

Wednesday, March 21st, 2012, 9:49am

Man in police custody escapes from hospital

DOTHAN, AL (WSFA) - A Dothan man serving time for unpaid fines now faces an even longer stretch behind bars after he escaped from police custody while being treated at a local hospital.

According to Dothan police, 23-year-old Curtis Thomas Bacon was serving time for fines in the Dothan City Jail when he was transferred to a local hospital for some type of medical treatment. Bacon escaped from police custody while at the hospital. Workers found a Dothan City Jail uniform in the stairwell of the hospital.

Bacon was located at a downtown motel a short time later and was taken into custody again after a short foot pursuit. He has now been arrested for Escape Second Degree and is being held on a $15,000 bond.

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Caution urged at kindling of spring fire season

Submitted by WSFA 12 News Staff

Tuesday, March 20th, 2012, 4:15pm

With the spring fire season well underway, State Forester Linda Casey is urging everyone to use caution when burning outdoors. Weather conditions are such that any fire can quickly spread out of control, threatening lives, endangering homes and property, as well as resulting in damage to Alabama's forests.

In the last 30 days, there have been 246 wildfires burning over 4,059 acres across the state. According to Casey, the Alabama Forestry Commission (AFC) has not issued any orders restricting burning at this time. "However, with the unseasonably high temperatures we're experiencing and the reduction in our agency's wildland firefighting staff, we urge everyone to use extreme caution with all debris burning and outdoor fires, including campfires," said Casey.

"The situation is particularly critical in areas of the state where timber downed from tornados is still on the ground."

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