William T. Martin
HNW Editor William T. Martin Is a multimedia journalist based in Huntsville, Alabama. He has more than 25 years experience in the news industry and is an award-winning photojournalist, having received honors from the Alabama Press Association, the Associated Press, and the Georgia Press Association (including Photographer of the Year).
Utilities: Could Be Tonight Before All power Restored
By William T. Martin
HuntsvilleNewswire
It could be Monday evening before all power is restored in the Huntsville area after high winds blew through the area before dawn, blacking out many areas of the city.
Trees and utility lines were down around the area and police were spread thin as they tried to provide traffic control in the affected areas.
According to a release from Huntsville Utilities:
As many as 1,500 HU customers are still without power this morning as a result high winds that struck north Alabama during the night.
Overnight, as many as twelve HU substations went offline when high winds blew trees onto power lines and power poles were knocked down from the winds that exceeded 50 mph at times.
An estimated 12,000 customers were affected by the substation outages.
High Winds Overnight Cause Numerous Power Outages
By William T. Martin
HuntsvilleNewswire
A wind storm that passed through the area early Monday brought down trees and power lines, leaving many areas without electricity.
According to a release from Huntsville Utilities winds of over 50 mph caused “widespread” outages starting after midnight.
Crews are attempting to restore power as quickly as possible.
Police are also stationed at intersections and along highways around the city to direct traffic around downed trees and lines.
Motorists are encouraged to use extreme caution when traveling around the area Monday.
Hail, Rain, High Winds Move Through Area; Minor Damage Reported
By William T. Martin
HuntsvilleNewswire
Heavy thunderstorms moved through Madison County Friday afternoon, knocking down a few trees and bringing down some power lines but causing no serious damage.
Areas to the east and west were not as fortunate as heavy damage was reported in the Morgan County/Decatur area and the Guntersville/Arab/Marshal County areas.
Huntsville Utilities reported a few scattered outages and a two poles down but no major service issues.
In northern Madison County high winds blew the roof off the North Alabama Gin building on U.S. 231 in Hazel Green. No injuries were reported.
Tornado sirens first sounded in downtown at 2 p.m. as a warning was issued for western Madison County. The sirens were sounded again as radar indicated possible tornadoes around the city.
Although the 911 center received several calls of funnel clouds none were confirmed, according to radio reports.
More Severe Weather Headed Into Area; After School Events Canceled Countywide
By William T. Martin
HuntsvilleNewswire
Another line of severe storms is headed into Madison County, prompting area schools to suspend all after-school activities. Classes will run on their normal schedule, according to a release.
At 1:40 p.m. the line of storms was just west of Madison County and moving east. Several watches and warnings have been posted and hail the size of golf balls was reported in the Lauderdale/Shoals area.
Power Out In West Huntsville As Storms Move Through Area
By William T. Martin
HuntsvilleNewswire
Strong thunderstorms moved through the Huntsville area before dawn Friday, causing a power failure that has left portions of west Huntsville in the dark.
Several businesses in Cummings Research Park are without power as are traffic lights in the area.
Motorists are encouraged to use extreme caution when driving to work as police are directing traffic at several key intersections.
Another line of storms is headed towards Madison County and should arrive around lunch.
AAMU Administrator Receives HBCU '2009 Noble Prize'
(From release) The Dean of Alabama A&M University’s School of Arts and Sciences was recently awarded the distinguished ‘2009 Noble Prize’ by an agency that has served as a major advocate for historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) for decades.
Dr. Matthew Edwards, dean and professor of physics, received the coveted award from the National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education (NAFEO) at the organization’s 40th Anniversary Gala and Awards Program in Atlanta, Ga.
Panoply's "Global Village" To Feature Displays of Culture, Arts From 7 Countries
(From release) The Arts Council (TAC) announced today that Panoply’s unique and popular Global Village would be back again this year, but that the number of nations would increase to seven.
The nations selected for this doorway into Huntsville’s remarkable cultural diversity include Australia, China, Egypt, India, Philippines, Poland, and South Korea.
A centerpiece of the festival celebrations, Panoply’s Global Village focuses on entertainment, education, and the “art” of ethnic diversity—as such, it is a clarion call for hope and greater unity for the future, and adds to the eclecticism of the festival’s offerings. As Gary Wolf put it, “This is what the Global Village means. We are all within reach of a single voice.”
Study Released by County Outlines BRAC Growth for Tennessee Valley
(From release) Madison County Commission officials today released a report outlining the projected growth for the Tennessee Valley as a result of the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) 2005 consolidations at Redstone Arsenal. A regional summit was held at the Decatur campus of Calhoun Community College to unveil the Tennessee Valley Regional Growth Coordination Plan (TVRGCP) which highlights the impact of BRAC on the thirteen contiguous counties in northern Alabama and southern Tennessee. The Primary Study Area of Limestone, Madison, and Morgan counties are the core of this plan.
Communications Center Named For "Pioneer" Of Madison County 911
By William T. Martin
HuntsvilleNewswire
The Huntsville-Madison County 911 Center is now known as the Harold H. Potts 911 Center after being named Wednesday in honor of the “Pioneer” of area public safety communications.
A crowd of around 100 turned out for the ceremony at the center.
According to Director Ernie Blair the center, which opened in 1997, is the largest in Alabama and has the most call traffic statewide as well.
“I just am overwhelmed by what everybody’s done,” said Potts, who laughed when asked for his reaction to the honor.
“My first reaction was ‘I’m not dead yet’.”
HandsOn Greater Huntsville Opens New Office In Madison
A volunteer organization with four decades in Huntsville is expanding into the city of Madison.
HandsOn Greater Huntsville announced the creation of HandsOn Madison at a press conference Tuesday.
According to President and CEO Sheila McFerran, the group saw a need to coordinate various volunteer projects with the goal of serving the Madison area.
