Birmingham Local News - ABC News Radio

Tea Party Group to Protest at IRS’ Birmingham Office

2013-05-21T16:24:48Z

(BIRMINGHAM, Al.) -- The Rainy Day Patriots, a Birmingham-based Tea Party group, are protesting Tuesday at the offices of the Internal Revenue Service, according to The Birmingham News.

"On behalf of Tea Party, Patriot groups, 9/12, liberty activists, and the American people, we are calling for anyone and everyone to protest the IRS' complete abuse of power on Tuesday, May 21, 2013 at noon local time," the Tea Party Patriots said in a statement on their website.

The protest is a response to the IRS targeting Tea Party and conservative groups when deciding tax exempt status.

Still, the Rainy Day Patriots will also be protesting amnesty for unauthorized immigrants.

Alabama state Senator Scott Beason of Gardendale is expected to speak at the rally.

The national conservative group Tea Party Patriots has organized similar rallies across the county.

Suspect Charged After Man Killed in Northport Hit-and-Run

2013-05-21T15:09:59Z

(NORTHPORT, Ala.) -- One person is dead and another is facing criminal charges following a hit-and-run collision in Northport on Monday night.

The incident happened in the area of Highway 82 and Highway 43. Authorities said in published reports that a male pedestrian was struck and killed by a vehicle, with the driver of the vehicle then fleeing the scene.

Police were able to track down the vehicle, and suspect Len Lamar Rice, 23, was arrested. Rice was charged with leaving the scene of an accident with injury or death.

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Woman Found Alive with Bag Over Head Near Cemetery

2013-05-21T14:56:00Z

(PLEASANT GROVE, Ala.) -- An investigation is underway after a woman was found alive with a bag over her head, near a cemetery in Pleasant Grove on Tuesday morning.

The 19-year-old woman was discovered around 5 a.m., on Fifth Avenue near Pleasant Grove cemetery. The woman was found with a plastic shopping bag covering her head, police said in published reports.

The victim was taken to a local hospital for medical treatment, however, details of her injuries were not immediately known.

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Birmingham Named Tenth Laziest City in America

2013-05-20T16:21:16Z

(BIRMINGHAM, Ala.) -- Birmingham placed 91 out of 100 on Men’s Health’s list of the most and least active cities in America. In other words, Birmingham is one of the laziest cities in the nation.

The magazine looked at where and how often people exercise, the percentage of households that watch more than 15 hour of cable television a week and buy more than 11 video games a year, and the rate of deaths from congestion linked to lots of sitting and little activity.

Seattle, Wash. took the top spot. Lexington Ky., placed last on the list.

The magazine notes that it doesn’t doubt the work ethic of the lower-ranking cities like Birmingham, “it’s the workout ethic we question.”

Inmate Fatally Stabbed at State Prison in Bessemer

2013-05-20T15:39:33Z

(BESSEMER, Ala.) -- The Alabama Department of Corrections is investigating the stabbing death of an inmate on Sunday.

The department said in published reports that inmate Anthony Jones was fatally stabbed during a fight with another inmate at the Donaldson Correctional Facility in Bessemer.

Authorities said inmate Albert James Evans has been held as a suspect in connection with the killing.

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Ensley Shooting Leaves One Hospitalized

2013-05-20T13:31:17Z

(BIRMINGHAM, Ala.) -- Police are investigating a shooting in Ensley on Sunday morning.

The shooting was reported shortly after 11 a.m. on the 6100 block of Court O. Police said in published reports that a man was shot and taken to UAB hospital with life-threatening injuries.

There were no immediate arrests.

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Man Arrested for Possession of Sawed-Off Shotgun

2013-05-17T15:45:27Z

(BIRMINGHAM, Ala.) -- Police responding to a report of gunshots arrested a man who was found in possession of a sawed-off shotgun.

According to the Birmingham News, when sheriff's deputies arrived at the scene near the 100 block of Candy Mountain Road, a deputy saw a man place a suspicious object on the ground and run into an apartment.

After the deputy determined that the object was a gun, he placed the weapon in his patrol car. According to the News, when Evenuel Magwood, 35, exited the apartment, the deputy called for backup and detained Magwood and another man. Deputies then searched the apartment.

No additional suspects or weapons were located. The man was charged with possession of a short-barreled shotgun. The other man was not charged.

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Inmate Escapes from Etowah County Detention Center

2013-05-17T14:02:31Z

(ETOWAH COUNTY, Ala.) -- The Etowah County Sheriff's Office is searching for an inmate who escaped from a detention center on Friday morning.

The sheriff's office said Justin Wade Hopkins, 30, escaped from the Etowah County Detention Center shortly after 4 a.m. and was last seen running toward Tuscaloosa Avenue. Hopkins is an inmate kitchen worker, who was being held on theft and burglary charges.

He's described as a Caucasian male, about six feet tall, weighing approximately 220 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes.

Anyone with information on Hopkins' whereabouts is asked to contact the Etowah County Sheriff's Office at (256) 546-2825.

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Man Found Shot Dead in Car

2013-05-17T10:52:35Z

(BIRMINGHAM, Ala.) -- Birmingham Police are investigating the murder of a man who was found dead early Friday morning.

Police say around 2:45 a.m. they responded to the 1200 block of Rayfield Drive on a report of a man found dead. At the scene, officers found a man sitting in his vehicle suffering from an apparent gunshot wound.

The victim, identified as 22-year-old Arthur Green, was pronounced dead at the scene.

There were no arrests.

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Elementary School Closed Due to Power Outage

2013-05-16T15:54:51Z

(BIRMINGHAM, Ala.) -- A Birmingham elementary school will close early on Thursday due to a power outage.

According to the Birmingham News, a traffic accident knocked down a power pole Thursday morning, causing Avondale Elementary School to lose electricity.

Parents who typically pick up their children are asked to do so as soon as possible. Buses will be running.

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