The Montgomery City Council and mayor grappled with two controversial issues at its meeting last night. The question of allowing ridesharing services like Uber to the city has received plenty of attention in recent weeks. The Montgomery Advertiser reports that the council reviewed an amendment to the transportation ordinance that creates a new section under which ridesharing companies would be classified.
The amendment specifically establishes a price ceiling and requires inspections of cars for ridesharing services like those administered to cabs. Drivers for the so-called "transportation network companies" would have their background checked, have to maintain insurance and obtain a permit. The ordinance will be discussed again during a special work session at 2:30 on January 5th at City Hall.
On another matter, friends, family and co-workers of a Jackson Hospital employee fatally struck by a truck last week asked the council for improved road safety in the area. Donna Murphy and a friend were walking across Park Place near the hospital when the accident occurred. The group claims the location is dangerous and suggested a stop sign be placed at the corner of Park Place and Hampton Street. Mayor Todd Strange said a traffic study will be conducted on the street.
Four Life Sentences
A man was sentenced to four life sentences Tuesday in Montgomery County Circuit Court. The county's district attorney, Daryl Bailey announced that 23-year-old Mikqwan Allen received the judgment for convictions of robbery, possession of a firearm and receiving stolen property. Allen robbed two victims at gunpoint in November of last year near the Alabama State University campus. He was prohibited from having a gun because of a previous felony and he was also in possession of a stolen vehicle at the time of his arrest. Bailey says Circuit Court Judge Gene Reese was particularly disturbed by the photos displayed on the defendant's Facebook page glorifying guns and violence.
Alex City Deadly Crash
Police say a woman who works as an animal control officer in Alex City has died after a car crash. WSFA reports that 36-year-old Kelly Cotney died Monday night at UAB Hospital in Birmingham. Cotney's car hydroplaned during heavy rain, and then was hit by a large truck. A 7-year-old girl in the vehicle was critically injured and taken to Children's of Alabama Hospital.