Halloween Parade

Children from local schools and other citizens paraded down the street, this afternoon.

Some wore costumes, others held up "VOTE" signs. Bystanders waved and shouted as some of the paraders tossed candy at the crowd.

Man Injured in Pump Fire

A man was injured, and pump fire was put out, today, at the Idle Inn gas station on the corner of Jeff Davis and Broad. The fire started, according to the attendent, as a pump repairman was working on the pump around 4pm. She reported that the man appeared to have been shocked by the pump handle, and dropped it.

A fireman on the scene, Tony Mitchell, said he believed the fire was started by static electricity, but that it wouldn't be conclusive until the insurance investigator arrived.

The repairman was rushed to the hospital with burns. Another vehicle at the pump at the time of the fire was burned, as well.

Have a Safe Halloween

The City of Selma will be observing Halloween from 6pm until 8pm tonight. Costumed children will be filling the streets in search of candy. Since Halloween falls on a Friday, this year, and not a school night, crowds are expected to be larger.

In order to make sure your candy-gathering experience is a safe and healthy one, a few simple rules should be followed. Young children should be accompanied by an adult while trick or treating. Having a flashlight for the darker hours is a smart move, as well. Observing street-crossing safety rules, such as looking both ways before crossing a street, is very important. Also, make sure that any masks have eye-holes large enough to not impede vision.

Trick or treat in familiar areas, and discard any questionable candy.

Keep these few ideas in mind to have a safe, accident-free Halloween.

Hyundai Goes to 4-day Week

A decline in auto sales has prompted the Hyundai plant in Montgomery to swap to a 4-day work week for the remainder of 2008.

Hyundai isn't the only Alabama auto maker to be affected. The Mercedes plant in north Alabama will also be going to a 4-day week. The Honda plant in Lincoln, AL will be reducing output by 10,000 vehicles, as well.

Not all automakers in Alabama are suffering, however. The Toyota plant in Huntsville, which shut down it's V8 engine production earlier this year, will be restarting the line this week.

Cow Killed and Eaten in Field

3 men in White Plains, AL killed, butchered and ate a pregnant cow in a farmer's field. The cow was killed with a bow and arrow. The men have been charged with killing the cow, which could amount to a felony.

[READ MORE]

Council Meeting: Recognition and Renaming

Those not returning to positions in city government following this year's municipal elections received plaques from the city at the council's bi-monthly meeting Tuesday night. They were also honored by the Angelic Harmonizers. Mayor Perkins received recognition from the Selma/Dallas Youth Ambassadors, as well.

Discussion continued on the renaming of Jeff Davis Avenue to J. L. Chestnut, Jr. Boulevard. After an initial vote of 5-4, and a discussion of parliamentary procedure, a resolution passed unanimously to consider the name change.

Also speaking at the meeting was Carolyn Bates. Bates is bringing suit against the city for what she claims were "many violations on election day". Among the claims she made were allegations of individuals registering to vote 15 to 25 times, voters listing addresses as empty lots, and voting machines being unwatched during voting.

City Attorney Jimmy Nunn stated that the city made a motion with the presiding judge to dismiss the case. Both Nunn and Bates stated they would meet in court on November 12.

Woman Beaten outside Wal-Mart

Reports are coming in to the Selma Intelligencer that a woman with the last name Nettles was beaten by an angry group of people outside the Selma Wal-Mart last week. Initial reports indicate that there was an altercation in the store at a cash register. One of those involved in the register incident called friends or family on her cellphone to assail the victim outside the store.

When questioned, a Wal-Mart employee confirmed the altercation. She stated that one of the ladies was "in a hurry" and forcefully moved someone else's items from the conveyor at a register. The alleged beating took place outside shortly afterwards.

Developing...

Dallas County Sample Ballot

Be prepared on election day. The 2008 ballot for Dallas County is available online at the AlabamaVotes.Gov website. Click HERE to download the ballot in .pdf format, or click the picture to the left to enlarge. Find your candidate on the ballot before you vote.

Economy Falters; Gun Manufacturers Thrive

At a time when many are considering adding penny pinching measures to their household budgets, consumers are shelling out more money than ever for firearms. The motivating factor seems to be uncertainty.

[READ MORE]

City Council Meeting Postponed

The Selma City Council meeting scheduled for 5pm this evening has been rescheduled for Tuesday. A call to the city clerk's office yeilded no further details, other than the new time and date for the council meeting. Unconfirmed reports indicate that there was a League of Cities meeting to be attended by many of the council members.

The person answering the phone at the clerk's office indicated that the council meeting would be at 5pm on Tuesday.

Gas Below $2.50

TSI STAFF WRITER
At least 2 gas stations in the area had regular unleaded gasoline priced below $2.50 a gallon this morning. After prices soared to all-time highs nearing, and at times surpassing, $4 a gallon, the dropping prices are more than welcome. Money in consumer's pockets at Christmastime should be good for local retailers, as well.

Frost Possible Monday Night

TSI STAFF WRITER
Temperatures are expected to drop into the low 30s Monday night. Plants and pets should be moved indoors or otherwise protected from the cold. A hard freeze is possible for the northern part of the state.

Bama Still Unbeaten

TSI STAFF WRITER
After handling the Volunteers Saturday, the Alabama Crimson Tide are 8-0. The Tide proved that they are capable of playing 4 full quarters, scoring the majority of their points in the second half in their 29-9 victory over Tennessee. Bama also held their 2nd place position in the major polls and in the BCS.

The Tide will meet Arkansas St. this Saturday in Tuscaloosa.

McBama/Bilen

In this era of propaganda-laden advertisements for prepackaged, over-processed goods, it should come as no surprise that our politics follow the same formula. With every election cycle becoming more exclusive and filled with propaganda, the choices become more and more limited. The quality of the product drops, as well.

There is no meat in our politics. It's all filler. Just like the breakfast cereals with the same nutritional content as the boxes in which they're packaged, our politicians are hollow fundamentally. The commercials point up nothing but the created issues that mean very little in the way of solutions to the problems they pretend to address. Where's the beef?

Rainy Day in Selma

These pictures of a wet and rainy October Selma sky were taken this morning by Amy Nichols. The top picture is the sky above police headquarters; below is a railroad crossing on Alabama Ave.

Update on 7 Killed in DOC Van Accident

More information was released yesterday by the Alabama Department of Safety about the wreck that took the lives of 1 Department of Corrections officer and 6 applicants. The men killed in the accident were Brandon Anglin, Julius Bouier, John Foye Sr., Lionel Moore, Derrick Ivey, Rodney Kelley, and Henry Simmons Sr. State Troopers stated that the truck that struck the DOC van transporting the men was going 10MPH over the speed limit and was attempting to pass in a no passing zone. The case will now be given to the District Attorney to be presented to a Grand Jury who will ultimately decide whether Andrew Carter, the driver of the truck, will be prosecuted.

IRS Owes YOU almost $5 Million

AL.com reports that the IRS is looking for 6,800 Alabamans that have not yet received their stimulus and refund checks, due to mailing address errors.

Check for your name here:
Spreadsheet

[READ MORE]

Woman Found Dead in Montgomery

The body of a deceased female was discovered on Early Street in Montgomery, yesterday afternoon. She has since been identified as 32 year old Stephanie Miller. Montgomery Police reported blunt force injuries to her head. No more details were released, pending investigation.

'The Snake' Not Guilty of DUI

Ken "The Snake" Stabler, former University of Alabama quarterback and color analyst for the Crimson Tide Football Network, has been cleared of DUI charges. The charges stemmed from a traffic stop in June when an officer detected alcohol on Mr. Stabler's breath. Stabler was aqcuitted when the judge for his case, acting Municipal Judge James Sweet, determined there wasn't enough evidence to convict.

Auburn Heads to West Virginia Tonight

Both Auburn and West Viriginia started the season with high hopes. Both were in the top 10; both were expecting to stay there. Now, with 5 combined losses at the halfway point of the season, the game has lost much of it's pre-season luster.

Still, it will most likely be a close match. Both teams are struggling to reinvent their offensive attack. Neither team is looking to take chances. A defensive battle is to be expected in a traditional, low-scoring, smash-mouth affair.

The game will be televised on ESPN. Kickoff @ 6:30pm Central.

US to Create Domestic Spy Agency

Congress made a request of the RAND Corporation, Monday, that would outline the creation of a domestic spying agency. The agency would institutionalize the monitoring of American citizens, which has been permitted by law since the passage of the USA Patriot Act. Executive orders dating back over half a century have authorized domestic spying, but this would be the first domestic agency who's primary mission would be that of monitoring American citizens.

[READ MORE]

SSAB Plant Expansion Means New Jobs

The Swedish steel company Svenskt Stål Aktiebolag, or SSAB, has announced plans to expand it's Mobile, AL facility. The expansion will mean the creation of 180 new jobs in the State of Alabama. $400 million will be invested in the construction, due to begin next year.

Police Ram and Fire Weapons at Vehicle; Teen Killed

The Alabama Bureau of Investigation is investigating the death of a Childersburg teen shot in an incident over the weekend. Witnesses report that Tony Martin Jr. was fleeing when police rammed and opened fire on his vehicle, a 1998 Mercury Cougar. The Childersburg Police Department had no comment.

Iraqi Calls Alabama Home

An Iraqi man who served alongside American servicement has made the move to the US. Amid fears of reprisals from their fellow countrymen in Iraq, he and about 1,700 other translators chose to come to America. It's estimated that about 12,000 Iraqis have been relocated to the US in the last year.

[READ MORE]

More Voters than Citizens

The Associated Press reports that 6 Alabama counties have higher numbers on their voter rolls than voting age adults. DA Michael Jackson's request for a probe into voter fraud in June has yeilded no results from the FBI to date.

[READ MORE]

Friday Deadline for Voter Registration

If you intend to vote on November 4th, you need to be registered by October 24th. The deadline for new voter registration or for voters who want move their registration precinct is Friday. October 30th is the deadline for absentee ballots to be returned. Registration must be done at the registrars office in your county of residence. The Dallas County registrar's office can be reached at (334) 874-2534.

Voters may also register to vote via postcard, or online. Questions about registration can be answered by your local registrar, or the Secreatary of State's voter hotline, 1-800-274-8683.

Cody back for LSU Game

Terrence Cody, the 360+lb Alabama defensive lineman, will not be playing in the Crimson Tide's game this Saturday in Tennessee. His knee sprain will keep him out of action for 2 weeks, per Coach Nick Saban. Saban also indicated that Cody will be back in time for the LSU game on November 8th.

Not Again: Irregularities in Early FL Voting

Reports are already surfacing of voting problems in Florida. Equipment and personnel problems are listed as causes. Voters have been waiting five to ten minutes to enter the polling station.

[READ MORE]

Abortion Ban on Ballot in SD

South Dakota voters will vote on a measure in November that would place a limited ban on abortion in the state. Should the measure pass, it would most likely be challenged in the US Supreme Court. This would create the potential for an overturn of Roe v. Wade.

[READ MORE]

Somali Pirates Target EU Waste Dumpers

Pirates in the Red Sea have been attacking European vessels. They claim it's because vessels from Europe are bringing toxic to dump along the Somali coast.

[READ MORE]

Tuberville: "I plan to be here 10 more"

In a press conference earlier today, Head Coach Tommy Tuberville discounted stories circulating about the coach making an exit from the plains. After pointing out that he had been at the university 10 years, he stated that he had no intention to leave Auburn.

After disappointing losses to Vandy and Arkansas, Auburn is looking for a win this Thursday at West Virginia.

General Motors and Chrysler Merge

2 of the Big 3 US auto makers are in negotiations to merge within the week. Concerns about the merger have led some in the auto industry to say that this merger would create a corportaion "too big to fail". The Big 3 (GM, Ford and Chrysler) were recently granted $25 million by Congress for eco-friendly technology development.

GM has indicated that it will begin closing most Chrysler facilities when the deal goes through.

'Bama Sidesteps Rebel Invasion

The Ole' Miss Rebels gave the Crimson Tide a scare Saturday. After becoming the only team to score first on Bama this year, Ole Miss scored 21 unanswered points in the second half to whittle the Alabama lead to 4. With little over a minute remaing in the contest, the Rebels drove into Alabama territory.

Bama fans breathed a collective sigh of relief as the Tide defense denied the Rebels a 4th down conversion, ending the game with a turnover on downs.

Injured in the game was standout freshman lineman Terrance Cody. Cody, along with his normal defensive line duties, aided the offense in a first half touchdown, shoving the Ole' Miss defensive line into the endzone. Cody suffered an apparent knee injury early in the second half. Later reports indicated that Cody suffered a knee-sprain which will not require surgery.

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