Seale News

A new National Cemetery for military veterans will be dedicated Sunday, July 13th in Montevallo.

It took a Russell County jury only one hour Wednesday to determine Marcus C. Phillips did just that April 9, 2007.

“For the hundreds of thousands of men and women in Alabama who have worn our country's uniforms, this national cemetery will be a fitting tribute to their service and sacrifices”

On Monday, May 26, the country will pause from work, school, and daily routines to celebrate Memorial Day, the federal holiday that commemorates U.S. men and women who have died in military service. via Black & White

“The small aircraft that crashed yesterday in Seale, Ala., was badly fragmented and spread over a large area, an official with the National Transportation Safety Board said today. The plane, which was described as "home built”

The plane, which was described as "home built" by NTSB Senior Transportation Official Brian Rayner, went down about noon yesterday on private property off Old Seale Road near Russell County High School. via Planenews Aviation News Portal

Officials say at least two people were killed in a small plane crash in east Alabama.

The Russell County Sheriff's department told WTVM-TV of Columbus, Ga., that a plane that dropped off radar Monday afternoon was found off Highway 431 near Phenix City, Ala.

The plane is a single engine 2006 RV-10 kit plane registered to RVN 210 HM-10 Inc. in Hermitage, Tenn.

Montgomery's WSFA-TV reported that the plane was flying from Lebanon, Tenn. to Colorado. The Civil Air Patrol was called around 2 p.m. after the plane reportedly tried to divert to Columbus, Ga., and then tried to divert to Auburn-Opelika. Read more

The FAA confirms a small plane is missing in the Seale, Alabama. We're told the plane was en route from Lebanon, Tennessee, but fell off the radar in the Seale area. via WTVM

“They just get the little aluminum out of it. And a little bit of copper is not going to be too much money value. I don't know why they would want to do that to a church.”

With the temperatures warming up, people are starting to turn on their air conditioner units. via WSFA-TV Montgomery

James and Barbara Wilkerson of Seale, Ala., announce the engagement of their daughter, Lisa Marie Lemons, to Christopher William Beverly, both of Phenix City, Ala. via Southeast Missourian

“A big piece of ice was suddenly in front of us, we couldn't avoid it. We tried what we could but without a rudder there wasn't much we could do.”

A disabled fishing trawler getting a tow from a Canadian coast guard vessel slammed into a piece of ice and capsized Saturday in the icy waters of the Gulf of St. via Alabama Live

Canada's contentious annual seal hunt has started. Fisheries and Oceans Canada spokesman Phil Jenkins says 16 vessels headed to the ice floes in the southern Gulf of the St. via WAFF-TV Huntsville

Posted by Kathy Seale March 19, 2008 2:00 AM Yes, we know it's not Christmas. But we couldn't resist sharing this photo of whippets Parker and Luka, who belong to Tom and Rosemary Johnson of Irondale. via Alabama Live

“Customers say it's the best salad bar in town”

If you choose to dine alone at Country Life, you will be left alone. But if you want to make friends among the other patrons, you will be welcomed to others' tables and can join in conversation. Midtown's homey eatery, about 30 years old, has always been a gathering place for people wanting a healthy meal and healthy conversation.

For instance, it's not unusual for punk rockers, Muslims, Jews and Christians to break bread there together. Regulars are welcomed by name in the line, served cafeteria style. Read more

“He committed these crimes, and he needs to answer for each and every one of them”

Jeffery Hall's victim said Wednesday was the first time he ever apologized to her.

Prosecutors standing close to Hall during his sentencing on convictions of sexual torture and first-degree sodomy didn't hear Hall, 49, say he was sorry, but he did mumble something, said Assistant District Attorney Max Smith.

His words or mouthings, whatever they were, came before Russell County Circuit Court Judge George Greene sentenced Hall to life in prison, followed by 25 years incarceration, and a $25 fine for contempt of court. Read more

“It's very possible we may have more injuries”

No local deaths reported but many lose power BY MICK WALSH - mwalsh@ledger-enquirer.com -- Late afternoon storms caused extensive damage in the Seale and Cottonton, Ala., areas Sunday but apparently ... via Columbus Ledger-Enquirer

“He tried to justify the things he said in the video. He did not want to answer the questions.”

It took a Russell County jury less than three hours to convict Jeffery Hall of the sexual torture and first-degree sodomy of a woman he knew.

Hall, 49, of Seale now awaits sentencing by Circuit Court Judge George Greene for crimes that could net him 10 years to life in prison.

Prosecutors had accused Hall of forcing himself on the woman.

'Our main piece of evidence was a videotape that depicts these things taking place,' said Assistant District Attorney David Johnson. 'He still has some pending charges.' Read more

The Auburn Composite Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol is sponsoring the second annual 'Wreaths Across America' event on Saturday at noon at the Fort Mitchell National Cemetery in Seale. via Montgomery Advertiser

“It's saving water. It's helping the environment”

With a number of Georgia counties -- including Muscogee, Harris and Troup -- facing a water crisis, area companies are feeling the impact, especially if water plays a significant role in their business.

For some, the drought has ushered in more business. Others say the water crisis has had minimal effects for now. The drought is keeping Heath Davis and his crew busy at his Seale-Ala.-based well drilling company. Davis, co-owner of family-owned Davis Well Company, said business has 'picked up tremendously' during what is normally considered the company's slow season. Read more

“I don't want to compare somebody who got a second bite at the apple to another one who hasn't gotten his second bite yet”

Prattville High School head football coach Bill B. Clark has agreed to amend his annual disclosure forms with the Alabama Ethics Commission to better reflect his sources of income. via Montgomery Advertiser

“People were trying to help him move out of the road, but he refused help”

by deer, killed

by truck

BY HARRY FRANKLIN

hfranklin@ledger-enquirer.com

-- --

First, Stephen Keith Taylor's 2004 Kawasaki motorcycle was struck by a deer as he rode along U.S. Highway 431 South in Seale on Sunday night.

Minutes later, after he apparently refused help from a passer-by, Taylor was run over and killed by a pickup truck.

Taylor, 55, of Pittsview, Ala., was struck by the deer just before he was run over about 8:56 p.m. by a 1984 Dodge pickup truck driven by Michael Frank Stuckey, 64, Panama City, Fla., according to the Opelika Post, Alabama State Troopers. The accident took place about 15 miles south of Phenix City. Read more

“We're forced to look at ways to continue to get revenue and provide services for all of us”

Many oppose drink tax bill If tax passes, soft drinks would cost 5 cents more per 12 ounces BY JERRY F. RUTLEDGE Russell County's proposed soft drink tax was not on the county commission's agenda Tuesday, yet ... via Columbus Ledger-Enquirer