Severe storms moved over parts of Montgomery early Tuesday evening knocking out electricity to an estimated 5,000 customers, according to Alabama Power Company. The utility said a majority of the outages have been restored. Power lines, trees and limbs were downed in the Cloverdale and County Downs neighborhoods. Also, the storms dumped torrential rain causing some flooding near Atlanta Highway and Coliseum Boulevard.
MPD Officer Arrested
A Montgomery police officer was arrested Tuesday night and charged with failing to report child abuse and child neglect. The officer, 25-year-old Jarrad Dixon, is charged with a count of Alabama's mandatory child abuse and neglect reporting, a Class B misdemeanor. Dixon was placed on mandatory leave pending the outcome of the investigation.
Jury Duty Scam
It's a scam that will not end, Montgomery County Sheriff Derrick Cunningham says someone who identifies himself as a lieutenant with the sheriff's department is threatening people with jail time if they do no pay fines associated with missing federal jury duty or have failed to respond to federal subpoenas. Sheriff Cunningham says his office never solicit funds over the telephone. He said if you received a call of this nature, call the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office at 832-2532 immediately.
Montgomery Budget
The city of Montgomery is ending the 2015 fiscal year with a $20 million reserve. Mayor Todd Strange also told the City Council Tuesday evening that Montgomery $230 million budget for the 2016 fiscal year will include pay raises for city employees. Montgomery Council members also adopted a resolution that establishes an administrative plan for a 30 percent minimum goal for minority and women owned businesses to participate in city government construction and professional services contracts.
GOP Visits
GOP front runner Donald Trump will make a campaign stop in southwest Alabama Friday evening. The office of Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson confirmed the campaign visit. Trump will appear at a 7:00 p.m. pep rally at the Mobile Civic Center. The New York City businessman is one of several GOP hopefuls making stops in Alabama this week and next week. Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker will speak at the Alabama Republican party's summer luncheon in Talladgea on Saturday.
Bond Burial
The late civil rights leader Julian Bond will be created and his ashes spread in the Gulf of Mexico. Family members say a burial at sea will occur at 2 p.m. Saturday in the Gulf in a private ceremony. Julian Bond died last Saturday in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. He was 75. The family will also announce plans for a public memorial celebration soon.