Etowah commission approves budget

The Etowah County Commission approved a $37.5 million budget in a special called meeting thursday.  The budget  includes a 2.5 percent pay increase for employees, , Chief administrative officer.Patrick Simms said the raise will reflect a step increase for classified employees and be a 2.5 percent cost of living adjustment for non-classified employees.  Simms said the cost of health insurance for employees increased by 5 percent, but the commission will absorb the increase in the budget and not pass it on to employees.  Simms said some of the figures in the budget are not set in stone. He said he expects a 3 percent to 5 percent increase in sales tax revenue and a slight increase in property tax revenue next year.

Man pleads guillty to murder for hire

Federal prosecutors say an east Alabama man has agreed to plead guilty to murder for hire.  Investigators say Allen W. Morgan of Munford tried to hire who he thought was a KKK member to kill a black neighbor, who his wife accused of raping her. That "KKK member" turned out to be an undercover FBI agent and Morgan was taken into custody shortly after trying to hire the agent. According to court documents, Morgan described how he wanted his neighbor murdered by stating, he wanted the man hung in a tree like an animal.

Morgan faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.

Police search for sex offender who removed tracking anklet

Oxford Police are asking for the publics help finding 44-year-old Charles Brown.

Police say the Eastaboga man removed his court-ordered monitoring ankle bracelet Monday afternoon. Authorities say Brown is a convicted sex offender who has a violent history with law enforcement.  If you have information about Brown, you are asked to call the Oxford Police Department.

Convicted sex offenders sentenced in Calhoun County

Two convicted sex offenders, convicted in separate cases of sexually abusining children in Calhoun county have been given maximum sentences.   Circuit Judge Brian Howell sentenced 33 year old Derick Reza Foroutan,  of Anniston to 99 years in prison without the chance for parole. In early August, Foroutan was convicted of first-degree rape for having forcible sex with an 11-year-old girl last year.  Circuit Judge Debra H. Jones sentenced  39 year old Valerie Stanton of Gadsden, to two consecutive 20-year sentences in prison. In connection with her August conviction of second-degree rape and second-degree sodomy for having a sexual contact with a 15-year-old boy.

I20 eastbound to Georgia closed due to wreck damage

Alabama state troopers  at least one person was injured in an early morning accident involving 4 tractor trailers on interstate 20 just east of oxford.   The accident closed the eastbound lanes of the interstate for hours.  Troopers say  one driver in the accident had been airlifted from the scene.  Troopers say the accident happened around 4 a.m Monday morning.  The rerouting of traffic created a mile long backup as traffic was diverted at exit 199.  Motorists were able to return to the interstate at exit 205.  Troopers say this afternoon that ALDOT is keeping the section of interstate closed to make repairs and hope to have one lane open by 4 this afternoon. 

Police searching for suspect in attempted armed robbery

Gadsden Police are searching for a woman who they believe used a knife to try and rob another woman at the East Gadsden Wal-Mart Supercenter Friday afternoon.  A 58-year-old woman told police a white woman in her twenties with long blonde hair, wearing a white T-shirt and dark pants, approached her in the parking lot from a white Nissan.  The woman was carrying a knife with an eight- to nine-inch blade. She pointed the knife at the woman and told her to hand over her purse and all of her money.  The victim instead held her purse and began yelling for help, which prompted other shoppers to run to the scene. The woman with the knife got into her car and fled.