Residents are urged to stay alert for severe weather over the next few days. Forecasters with the National Weather Service say storms will move into northwest Alabama early Friday morning, bringing a chance of severe thunderstorms. The main threat will be damaging straight line winds. Also, a few strong storms could be possible across other locations along and west of a line from Livingston to Tuscaloosa.
Welfare Benefits Bill
The Alabama House of Representatives has given final passage to a bill aimed at stopping people from using welfare benefit card at liquor stores, bars, tattoo parlors, psychic networks and strip clubs. The bill now goes to Governor Bentley for his signature. The federal government is requiring all states to have law or regulations banning the use of electronic welfare benefit cards at liquor stores, casinos and bars.
Insurance Scam
A Montgomery woman has been convicted of stealing more than $13,000 from an Elba insurance company. Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange said in a statement that 31-year-old Lashondra Moore pleaded guilty to theft in Coffee County Circuit Court. Strange said the woman filed false claims with National Security Insurance Group for cancer and neurological treatments. Moore's 32-month sentence was suspended for a five year probation term. She's ordered to pay full restitution and $10,000 within the next month.
Burning Bed
A 54-year-old Dothan woman accused of lighting her boyfriend's bed on fire while he slept in being held on $2 million dollar bond. Dothan police say Gracie Mae Johnson is charged with attempted murder and attempted arson. Police say the woman's boyfriend escaped the bed without injuries. The Dothan Eagle reports Johnson appeared in court Thursday and said she wasn't trying to hurt the man. Johnson said the fire was accidental and that she plans to plead not guilty. Johnson is being held in the Houston County jail.