Suspect arrested in Lookout Mtn. Murder

Authorities in Dekalb county are investigating a Wednesday shooting on Lookout Mountain that has left one Mount Vernon man dead and in jail.  35 year old Christopher Todd Landers, has been charged with murder for the death of 65-year-old Michael Lynn Jenkins, who was shot and killed at his home Wednesday. Landers was taken into custody at the murder scene, where several 911 calls were made after the shooting. After consulting with district attorney Mike O'Dell and reviewing evidence, authorities charged him with murder and he was booked into the county detention center on a $100,000 bond.  Jenkins' body was taken to Huntsville for an autopsy at the Alabama Department of Forensics Science Thursday morning.

Sheriff Jimmy Harris said their investigation is ongoing.

Woman dies in Talladega County fire

Talladega county authorities say a woman was killed Wednesday in a mobile home fire in the oak grove community.  43 year old Kimberly Hayes, died when her mobile home off Old Birmingham Highway in Oak Grove was destroyed by fire. Talladega County Coroner Shaddix Murphy said the 911 call was received about 9 a.m. Wednesday morning, and Hayes was declared dead of apparent smoke inhalation at 10:50 a.m. One other person in the mobile home, located next to The Red Barn flea market, was able to escape. Sylacauga and Oak Grove Fire Departments responded to the fire.

Ft. Payne woman killed in Thursday morning crash

Alabama state troopers report A woman was killed in a single-car wreck near Collinsville Thursday morning.  Alabama State Troopers said 53 year old Marie Duncan,  of Fort Payne was killed when her car left the icy roadway and struck a tree. The crash occurred at 7:15 a.m. Thursday morning on DeKalb County 22, two miles east of Collinsville.  Troopers said Duncan was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash which remains under investigation.

Road conditions improving

Conditions began to  improve dramatically Thursday across the area as temperatures finally made it above the freezing mark and the sun began to melt the snow and ice left by Tuesdays storm.  But, despite the improving conditions  many roads in the region remain impassable prompting school officials to delay the opening of many schools until Monday.   If students are worried about having to make up those missed days, no worries, the missed will be excused because Gov. Robert Bentley declared a state of emergency. The Legislature passed a law after the April 27, 2011, tornadoes that if a state of emergency is declared, missed school days do not need to be made up if the state Superintendent of Education agrees. Tommy Bice said early Thursday that he approved not making up the days.  In Etowah county The Alabama Department of Transportation and the Etowah County Road Department now have issued an advisory, stating roads are passable, but caution still is needed.

January tag deadline extended

The Alabama Department of Revenue Commissioner has extended the January car tag renewal deadline for those counties affected by this week's winter storm.

Those citizens who would normally renew their car tags or needed to register a new vehicle in January will now have until Feb. 10, 2014 to conduct their business.

This extension applies only to vehicle owners who live in counties where county issuing offices were closed due to the severe weather that hit the state Jan. 28.

Penalty charges associated with these January renewals, new registrations and motor vehicle property tax payments will not be charged until Feb. 11, 2014.

FRIDAY CLOSINGS AND DELAYS (UPDATED)

SCHOOL CLOSINGS AND DELAYS FOR FRIDAY, JAN. 31:

12TH ST BAPTIST PRESCHOOL RAINBOW CITY:  CLOSED

ALABAMA INSTITUTE FOR DEAF & BLIND:  NO MORNING BUSES

ALEXANDER CITY SCHOOLS:  CLOSED

ANNISTON CITY SCHOOLS: CLOSED

ATTALLA CITY SCHOOLS: CLOSED

BLOUNT COUNTY SCHOOLS:  CLOSED

CALHOUN COUNTY SCHOOLS:  CLOSED

CHEROKEE COUNTY SCHOOLS:  CLOSED

CLAY COUNTY SCHOOLS:  CLOSED

CLEBURNE COUNTY SCHOOLS: CLOSED

COOSA VALLEY ACADEMY:  CLOSED

ETOWAH COUNTY SCHOOLS:  CLOSED

ETOWAH/SMELTZER CENTER:  CLOSED

GADSDEN CITY SCHOOLS:  CLOSED

GADSDEN STATE COMM. COLLEGE ALL CAMPUSES:  CLOSED

JACKSONVILLE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY: CLOSED

JACKSONVILLE CITY SCHOOLS:  CLOSED

JACKSONVILLE STATE UNIV:  CLOSED

KIDS ALIVE PRESCHOOL OXFORD:  CLOSED

NOCCALULA ACADEMY:  CLOSED

OXFORD CITY SCHOOLS:  CLOSED

PELL CITY SCHOOLS:  CLOSED

PIEDMONT CITY SCHOOLS:  CLOSED

ST CLAIR COUNTY SCHOOLS: CLOSED

SYLACAUGA CITY SCHOOLS: CLOSED

TALLADEGA CITY SCHOOLS: CLOSED

TALLADEGA COUNTY SCHOOLS: CLOSED

THE DONOHO SCHOOL: CLOSED

TRINITY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY OXFORD:  2-HOUR DELAY

VICTORY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL PELL CITY:  CLOSED

WESTBROOK CHRISTIAN SCHOOL:  CLOSED

MARBLE CITY DAYCARE SYLACAUGA:  CLOSED