Several inches of rain fell in a few hours across much of the state causing flash flooding in low-lying areas. People had to be rescued from their homes in parts of Shelby and Jefferson Counties. While the rain has stopped, the rivers and creeks will continue to swell from the runoff. Autauga County Emergency Management Agency Director Ernie Baggett says those people along the Alabama river need to pay attention to the latest crest forecasts. The National Weather Service predicts most waterways to crest by Thursday afternoon and begin to recede if there is no more rainfall.
Trial Date Moved
The trial for a Montgomery man accused of fatally shooting three people at a party in Auburn in 2012 has been delayed from next week until June. Desmonte Leonard was originally scheduled to go on trial April 14th in Opelika, but Circuit Judge Jacob Walker moved in to June 3rd at the request of the prosecution. Leonard is charged with capital murder, attempted murder and assault in the killing of DeMario Pitts of Opelika and former Auburn football players Ladarious Phillips and Ed Christian during a pool party of June 9th, 2012. Lee County prosecutors says the trial could take two to three weeks and involve 100 witnesses.
NSF Grant
A grant of more than $300,000 dollars from the National Science Foundation will fund an undergraduate summer program at Alabama State University. The grant is being used to designate ASU as a National Science Foundation Research Experience for Undergraduates site. Alabama State officials say the program hosts 10 undergraduate students for 10-week summer session on experimental research in nanotechnology and biotechnology with the goal of providing more hands-on learning to students pursing degrees in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The grant will provide participants with a $5,000 stipend, meal and travel allowances and on-campus housing. It is expected to be used through March 2017.