The state of Alabama is suing over a plan it says will harm water quality by holding water in a Georgia lake for recreational use. Gov. Robert Bentley's administration says the suit asks a judge to block the U.S. Corps of Engineers from implementing a new water control plan for the Alabama-Coosa- Tallapoosa river basin. The lawsuit claims the plan will keep water in Lake Allatoona northwest of Atlanta to help boaters and other recreational users in the fall, which, in turn will reduce water flow on the Coosa River into eastern Alabama and harm water quality. The corps is declining comment on the lawsuit. But the agency previously said the plan complies with all laws.
Prison Reform
In an effort to stave off federal invention of its prisons, the Alabama Legislature passed a comprehensive prison reform bill Thursday. The proposal would create a class D of felony to help non-violent offenders dodge lengthy sentences mandated by the Habitual Offender Act; it would reduce penalties for some property and drug crimes; it would also increase the number of parole officers in the state and ramp up supervision of former inmates. Republican State Senator Cam Ward of Alabaster led the charge for the legislation. The proposal passed overwhelmingly in both the House and Senate and now goes to the governor for his signature.
Bond Granted
A former Alabama state trooper has been granted bond while he awaits a new murder trial in his wife's slaying 20 years ago. Al.com reports a Mobile County judge issued the ruling Thursday in the capital murder case against George Martin. A jury in 2000 convicted Martin of killing his wife, Hammolketh Martin, who was burned alive inside her car in October 1995. A circuit judge sentenced Martin to death but the conviction was overturned in 2013. A new trial for Martin is scheduled to begin January 4th.