What we pay for food is taking a bigger bite out of pocket books, grocery prices rose by 5 percent for the second straight month in March. It was the largest two month-gain in food prices since 2011. Fruits and vegetables prices rose .9 percent last month. Meat and dairy prices also are increasing. A dwindling number of cattle and growing export demands are blamed for the highest beef prices since 1987. Economics say a lingering drought in California is the reason why vegetable prices have skyrocketed since February.
Fire Deaths
The state Fire Marshal has released some alarming figures. Ed Paulk says 53 people have been killed in Alabama fires in the first three months of 2014, putting the state near the top nationwide in the number of deadly blazes. Jefferson County has recorded the highest death toll among Alabama's 67 counties at 13, with eight of those in the city of Birmingham. Paulk said 81 people died in Alabama fires during all of last year.
Deadly Accident
State Troopers say an Elmore County man was killed in a single vehicle crash last night. 42-year-old James Roberts of Titus died when the pickup he was driving collided with a bridge and overturned. Troopers said the crash occurred just after 9 p.m. on Elmore County 29, approximately 17 miles north of Wetumpka. Troopers said seat belts were not in use.
Arrest Warrant
The superintendent of Lowndes County schools has until Friday at 4 p.m. to turn himself in to the Hayneville Police Department. The arrest warrant accuses Dr. Daniel Boyd of endangering female students at Central Elementary and Hayneville Middle schools. Hayneville Police Chief Kelvin Mitchell said Boyd is wanted on 243 counts of reckless endangerment of minors. Mitchell said the charges stem from the arrest of former school janitor Lee Saffold in September of last year. Saffold was charged with inappropriately touching a 13-year-old student. Earlier this month, Safford pleaded guilty to enticement of a child for immoral purposes. Dr. Boyd has been unavailable for comment.
AU Classes Resume
Auburn University students are going back to class after an alleged threat prompted a campus-wide shut down. University spokesman Mike Clardy says classes are being held as normal today and employees will be back at work. Auburn called off classes Wednesday over a message found in a campus restroom threatening violence. Clardy says officials are treating the threat as genuine and an investigation is continuing.