2/25-16 News

JSU Hack

Jacksonville State University says a subject has been arrested in connection with a suspected data breach at the university..  An individual has been arrested by order of the District Court of Calhoun County and is being detained by the Coosa Valley Regional Detention Center. JSU says they were not victim to a hacker, but instead an internal security violation comprised student info. Authorities were reportedly questioning a person earlier who may be responsible for the alleged hacking incident that had students worried that their personal information was on a website for the world to see.   As early as Tuesday morning, a website allowed any user to search any Jacksonville State student in the university’s database.  The website warned those who may try to shut it down. It said they lived in Russia, the VPS is in Bulgaria and the domain is in Switzerland, and challenged “start buying tickets.”  The university released a statement encouraging students to change their student log-in and email passwords.  The university’s vice-president of information technology also said in the statement that the school’s internet security is a top priority.

Fire chief indicted

A St. Clair County grand jury has indicted the former chief of the Wattsville Volunteer Fire Department with first degree theft of property.

St. Clair County Deputy Sheriff Billy Murray said authorities arrested 48 year old Larry G. Underwood,  of Pell City, on Feb. 16 after his indictment. The indictment came after the sheriff's office received a report of "suspicious activity" at the fire department involving allegations of funds from the department being used for personal gain.

Underwood was the chief at the time the incident occurred, Murray said.

He was released on $2,500 bond.

 Talladega drug conviction

A Talladega County jury of of six men and six women Tuesday convicted 55 year old Robert Keith Catchings,  of manufacture of a controlled substance in the second degree and felony drug paraphernalia charges.

Catchings and Ginger Lynn Crawford, both of Sylacauga, were caught in a routine traffic stop by Sylacauga police in February 2014 with components of a methamphetamine lab inside the car.

Catchings now faces two to 20 years in prison on the manufacturing charge, and one year and one day to 10 years on the paraphernalia charge. He will be sentenced by Circuit Judge Bo Hollingsworth April 12.

Munford man charged with forgery

A 20 year old Munford man is being held on a $10,000 bond after being charged with one count of possession of a forged instrument in the second degree with More charges pending.

Cody Michael Huddleston, was arrested Friday. His initial court appearance was before District Court Judge Jeb Fannin, who set bond in the case.

Huddleston was accused of writing a stolen check at the Munford Food Mart on Jan. 23. Investigators believe this is not the only check he forged, but it is the only one he has been charged with as of Tuesday.

 Margaret approves Sunday sales

Voter turnout was right at 5 percent Tuesday, but the residents in Margaret who did cast ballots overwhelmingly said they wanted Sunday alcohol sales in the city.

Although Margaret has 2,500 registered voters, only 130 showed up at the polls. There were two provisional ballots cast.

 (78 percent) voted in favor of the sales

Mayor Isaac Howard said the main thing – whether it passed or failed – was keeping tax dollars within the city.

Altoona man arrested

A 28 year old Altoona man has been arrested in connection to stolen property, according to Etowah County Sheriff Todd Entrekin.

Jeffery Scott Eugene Bearden,  is charged with one count of first-degree receiving stolen property, which is a felony, Lt. Robin Grant said.

Bearden allegedly was in possession of several stolen items including five Michelin motorcycle tires, a Motorola handheld radio and charger, a rolling metal toolbox, a Vanguard propane gas heater and a leather jacket and pants (riding clothes).

He was booked into the Etowah County Detention Center and later released on $5,000 bond.

Dial ethics bill

State Senator Gerald Dial, a Republican from Lineville has filed a bill – SB279 – that would allow politicians or public workers to go to the Ethics Commission director or its lawyers and ask for an informal opinion about an ethics question. Under the bill those "informal" opinions would give actual immunity to the person who asked.  The bill would also make corrupt public officials almost untouchable to state prosecutors.  It says the Attorney General's office and county district attorneys' offices can no longer step up and step in to investigate violations of the ethics law.nnIt says the AG, and the DAs, who investigate most of the corruption when it gets investigated at all, can only get involved after the Ethics Commission determines a violation of the ethics law has occurred.  Dial has acknowledged problems with the bill. He said he has met with Ethics Commission officials and will seek input from others "to clear up ambiguities." He said The bill is likely to change, he said.

Suspects arrested in Gadsden robbery

Gadsden police have arrested three young men in connection with the robbery of two teens in East Gadsden, and they are looking for three more suspects.mmPolice were called Friday after six young men went to an East Gadsden residence and robbed a 17-year-old and an 18-year-old there, taking cash and electronic devices. No injuries were reported in the robbery. Investigators developed information in the case and Tuesday, 18 year old Jeffery Lee Higgins,  and 17 year old  Demarcus Nashune Mostella, were arrested on two counts of first-degree robbery. Mostella was charged as an adult in the case.  A third suspect, 19 year old Tyrice Deveon Baise, was arrested Wednesday, and also is charged with two counts of first-degree robbery.  All three suspects are in the Etowah County Detention Center on $10,000 bonds.