Alabama Power Company has dispatched about 200 line crews to northeastern states to help restore electricity in areas hard hit by a major winter storm. The utility said the crews are expected to arrive in the region later today and Wednesday. Meanwhile, motorists can get back on the roads in New Jersey and New York City, and subways and buses are restarting. The governors of New York and New Jersey have lifted travel bans after a storm packing blizzard conditions failed to live up to expectations in some areas of the northeast.
Marriage Licenses
Montgomery County Probate Judge Steven Reed says his office was prepared to issue marriage licenses to gay couples before the ruling was put on hold by the federal judge who struck the state's ban on same-sex marriage. Reed said Friday's ruling was clear cut to him even after the Alabama Probate Judges Association advised its members to not issue marriage licenses to gay couples. A same-sex couple went to the county courthouse in Anniston on Monday trying to obtain a marriage license and was refused.
School Choice Rally
Downtown Montgomery, specifically the Alabama State Capitol, will be the site of a rally Wednesday morning that's expected to attract hundreds of teachers, students and parents to celebrate National Choice School Week. Ryan Cantrell, state director for the American Federation of Children, says various education groups are looking to raise public awareness about school choice and the Alabama Accountability Act. Cantrell said Wednesday's rally starts at 9 a.m. He said participants will march from the DoubleTree Hotel up Dexter Avenue to the Capitol steps.
Justice Department
The Department of Justice is doling out more than 21 million dollars in grant money to more than 20 state and municipal agencies. U.S. Attorney George Beck announced the awards at a news conference Monday. A majority of the grant money will be utilize to enhance crime prevention and victim services in the Middle District of Alabama.
Child Sex Abuse
One of two people from Tallassee who were charged with multiple counts of child sex abuse has pleaded guilty. Prosecutors in Elmore County say 28-year-old Brandy Conrad entered a guilty plea in circuit court Monday. As part of the plea deal, several other sex-related charges were dropped. In May 2013, Brandy Conrad and her husband charged with more than 100 counts of child sex abuse. But the charges were dismissed amid allegations that their confessions were coerced. The case against Stephen Conrad is pending.