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).
Mayors "Bury The Hatchet," Pledge More Cooperation
By William T. Martin
HuntsvilleNewswire
The mayors of Huntsville and Madison officially resolved their differences as they “buried the hatchet” in a ceremony Saturday morning at the Indian Creek Greenway in Madison.
Madison County Commission Chairman Mike Gillespie joined Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle and Madison Mayor Paul Finley for the good-natured “burial.”
“This is a new era in cooperation for the City of Huntsville, the City of Madison, and Madison County,” said Mayor Battle.
Mayor Finley echoed those sentiments, saying the three governments have a better chance of improving the area when, differences aside, they stand united.
AAMU Trustees Fail To Get Quorum; Can't Vote on New President Yet
(From release)The Alabama A&M University Board of Trustees failed to form the needed seven-person quorum in Birmingham Saturday, January 31, voiding an attempt to select from among three presidential finalists the next head of the nearly 134-year-old institution, founded by an ex-slave in 1875.
Crews Begin Second Day Of Searching For Man Who Jumped Off Whitesburg Bridge
By William T. Martin
HuntsvilleNewswire
Search teams from four counties have begun the second day of looking for a man who jumped off the Whitesburg Bridge into the Tennessee River Friday.
Units from Lacey’s Spring Volunteer Fire Department, Morgan County Rescue, Madison County Rescue, Athens-Limestone Rescue, and Colbert County began searching the river around 6 a.m. Saturday.
Police said the man drove onto the bridge around 2 p.m. Friday then climbed up the superstructure.
Police had been on the scene for a few minutes and were trying to communicate with the man when he jumped.
Lacey’s Spring VFD Chief Johnny Abbett said crews would use sonar and drag the river with hooks in an attempt to locate the man, whose name has not yet been released.
Family members arrived under the bridge soon after the search began.
Abbett said the search would continue all day and into Sunday if needed.
Sessions Releases Statement On Passing of Gov. Guy Hunt
U.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL) made the following comments today regarding the death of former Alabama Governor Guy Hunt:
“I am deeply saddened to learn of the death of Gov. Hunt.”
“Gov. Hunt loved Alabama and he gave his heart and soul to it. He came out of the soil of the state. He grew up on a farm and in the church—just as so many folks in Alabama have.
Battle Releases Statement On Passing Of Former Gov. Guy Hunt
Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle released the following statement Friday in response to the death of former Alabama Governor Guy Hunt, who passed away today in Birmingham at age 75.
“Today we have lost an outstanding Alabama citizen and statesmen. Governor Hunt was a man of dignity and service. Guy Hunt led this state admirably and will long be remembered for his decency and faith. Our thoughts and prayers will be with Governor Hunt’s family during this difficult time.”
UPDATE: Search Suspended For Man Who Jumped From Whitesburg Bridge
The search for a man who jumped from the Whitesburg Bridge Friday afternoon has been suspended for the night, according to radio reports.
Police said the man drove onto the bridge and jumped around 2:15 p.m.
Rescue crews responded to the area quickly but found nothing.
Reports indicated the search would resume Saturday morning.
Click here for an earlier story:
http://www.huntsvillenewswire.com/?q=node/547
BREAKING: Crestwood Won't Build Hospital In Madison
Crestwood Medical Center announced Friday afternoon that it will no longer pursue its goal of building a new hospital in Madison.
Crestwood had sought a Certificate of Need (CON) to build the facility but the CON went to Huntsville Hospital instead. Crestwood had appealed that ruling but the appeal was recently denied by a judge.
Here is the statement released by Crestwood Friday afternoon:
Area Men Caught With Illegal Gambling Machines
By William T. Martin
HuntsvilleNewswire
A Madison County father and son are facing charges after they were caught transporting illegal gambling machines Thursday night.
According to MCSO Investigator Chad Brooks, O’Neal Maroney, 68, and Donald Lee Maroney, 33, both of Toney, were arrested by members of the Madison County Vice/Narcotics Unit during a surveillance operation in the area of Pulaski Pike and Grimwood Road.
Man Jumps From Whitesburg Bridge
By William T. Martin
HuntsvilleNewswire
A man jumped from the Whitesburg Bridge Friday afternoon, police said.
According to HPD spokesman Sgt. Mark Roberts and information from the scene, the man drove a car onto the bridge and jumped off a short time later.
Huntsville police had arrived on the scene but were unable to keep the man from jumping.
Bond Denied For Man Accused of Robbing, Shooting Woman
By William T. Martin
HuntsvilleNewswire
A man accused of robbing a woman and shooting her in the face was denied bond during his initial appearance in court Friday.
Tavares Santes Fletcher, 28, is charged with stealing a purse from Margaret Hall and then shooting her outside the Huntsville Gymnastics Center Tuesday evening.
Madison District Judge Dennis O’Dell found that sufficient probable cause existed to keep Fletcher in custody following testimony from Huntsville Police Investigator Tony Jones.
