News

Gift cards and closing stores: what to do

Submitted by Chase Erwin, WAFFstaffer

Friday, May 24th, 2013, 1:57pm

Gift cards and closing stores: what to do

A bankruptcy court judge ruled on Wednesday that the holders of some $210 million in Borders Books gift cards were out of luck: too much time had passed since the September 2011 retailer's shuttering to force its liquidators to reimburse the value of over 17 million cards that went unspent.

Whether the claimants in the lawsuit claimed ignorance or not, it would be hard to argue that the gift card holders didn't have a chance to be notified about Borders' bankruptcy or to spend their cards. Borders announced the bankruptcy in the early summer of 2011, and the last store shut its doors in late September of that year.

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Deadly respiratory illness in AL stumps CDC

Submitted by WAFF Web Staff

Tuesday, May 21st, 2013, 5:01pm

HOUSTON COUNTY, AL (WAFF)- There is a mystery brewing in south Alabama. An illness has hospitalized several people, killing two of them.

It is something that leaves the patient struggling to breathe.

The Alabama Department of Public Health is putting everyone on notice about a mystery illness. Epidemiologists are conferring with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention about a cluster of respiratory illnesses.

The origin of the illness is unknown, but it is striking people in the Houston County area. So far, seven people have been hospitalized with fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Two of those patients have died.

Lab specimens have been collected and are being studied. For now, both the Public Health Department and the CDC are recommending hospitals use respiratory protocol when dealing someone with such an illness, meaning masks and gloves.

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Alabama House rejects Bentley's 2-year-delay

Submitted by WAFF Web Staff

Monday, May 20th, 2013, 3:41pm

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) - The Alabama House has rejected Gov. Robert Bentley's proposal to delay private school tax credits for two years.

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Fort Payne names road after Siemens plant

Submitted by WAFF Web Staff

Friday, May 17th, 2013, 7:42pm

Company officials said the partnership with the community over the years has been tremendous.

FORT PAYNE, AL (WAFF)- After making Fort Payne its home for 25 years, the city is naming a road in honor of a major employer in the city.

Company and city leaders were on hand for the ribbon cutting in front of the Siemens plant Friday afternoon. They make electric generator parts.

They paid special tribute to five employees who have been there since day one, back in 1988.

Company officials said the partnership with the community over the years has been tremendous.

"I think it gives our employees here a sense of pride and a sense of ownership with Siemens that not only are we committed to the community, but the community is committed to us," said plant manager John Ustica.

The 320 employees were also praised for their safety record. The group has gone more than a year without lost time due to accident - the longest in the history of the company worldwide.

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Train collides with truck carrying metal near steel plant

Submitted by WAFF Web Staff

Friday, May 17th, 2013, 1:58pm

FORT PAYNE, AL (WAFF)- A train collided with a truck near the Nucor Vulcraft plant Friday morning.

The crash happened at 9 a.m. north of Fort Payne.

The tractor trailer loaded with metal sheets crossed the tracks and the train hit the truck.

The force of the collision spun the truck around, throwing metal sheets into a field.

Emergency crews transported the truck driver to a local hospital. There's no word on his injuries.

Crews were on the scene clearing the wreck and removing diesel fuel from the truck all morning.

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Man pleads guilty to hosting open house party

Submitted by WAFF Web Staff

Thursday, May 16th, 2013, 7:35pm

DEKALB COUNTY, AL (WAFF)- A DeKalb County criminal
case shows some house parties do not end well for the hosts.

Some parents think that by
serving their kids alcohol, they can keep things under control and safe, but
speaking to law enforcement and mental health officials, there are two problems
with that theory.

The drinking age is 21, which
means the child could go to jail.

Secondly, if a parent is
caught hosting an open house party, it is the parent who could go to jail.

Cory Allen Campbell, 23,
pleaded guilty in DeKalb County District Court Wednesday to charges he hosted
an open house party.

He was ordered to pay nearly
$400 in court costs.

Officials at Mountain Lakes
Behavior Healthcare work on educating the public about the dangers of hosting
open house parties, as well as underage drinking.

Officials said some
children have their first contact with alcohol at the age of 12, which can lead
to early alcoholism.

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AL lawmakers may vote on 3 welfare bills

Submitted by WAFF Web Staff

Wednesday, May 15th, 2013, 7:19pm

DECATUR, AL (WAFF)- On the final day of the Alabama legislative session, lawmakers will likely take up three bills involving welfare benefits. All of the bills have passed through the Senate and await votes from the Alabama House of Representatives.

Senator Arthur Orr sponsored two of the bills. One would limit what people could buy with public assistance money. EBT cards would not be able to be used to buy liquor or cigarettes. Recipients would also not be able to use them in casinos, tattoo parlors, and adult entertainment businesses.

The bill would also prevent people from using the cards to pay for psychic services. The first time someone was caught using the card for any of those items, they would lose eligibility for EBT and state cash benefits for a month. The second time, they would lose eligibility for three months. The third time could mean they would ineligible for state public assistance in Alabama permanently.

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