The 29 members of the Alabama Senate have been given copies of draft legislation that would allow a lottery and multiple casinos at the state's four greyhound tracks. Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh gave his colleagues a copy of the bill Thursday to take home to study over the weekend. The proposal would create a state lottery and allow casinos with table games and slot machines at the four dog tracks. The bill also urges Governor Bentley to seek a compact with the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, the tribe operates casinos in Montgomery, Wetumpka and Atmore.
Tuskegee Suspect
Authorities in Macon County say a suspect in a series of attacks on women in their homes has been captured in Tuskegee. Macon County Sheriff Andre Brunson tells WSFA the man was caught Thursday. His name was not disclosed, but the sheriff said the man is from Tuskegee. Brunson said authorities believe the man broke into homes and sexually assaulted four different women over the past two weeks. Two of the attacks were in Tuskegee and two were in Auburn. No additional information about the crimes were released because the investigation is ongoing. The suspect is jailed on charges including robbery, kidnapping, sexual abuse, theft of property and burglary. The Macon County sheriff said additional charges are possible.
Fatal Shooting
Police in Tuskegee have a suspect in custody in connection with a fatal shooting and the wounding of another male that occurred last Sunday. 25-year-old Antonio Rump is accused of killing 22-year-old Marquez Walker near a car wash parking lot on old Montgomery Road. Walker is also charged with attempted murder, the second victim is expected to recover. Rump is being held in the Macon County Jail.
Inattentive Driver
State troopers say an inattentive driver caused a crash that killed a west Alabama school bus driver last month. Daniel Bunch of Aberdeen, Mississippi, was driving an SUV when he ran a stop sign and hit a Pickens County school bus. The bus hit a tree. An accident report stated the SUV driver said "he was not paying attention and did not see the stop sign." School bus driver Sharon Beard Hood died from injuries suffered in the April 10th wreck. At least two of 14 students on the bus suffered serious injuries. Bunch has not been charged. Pickens County District Attorney Chris McCool says he could present the case to a grand jury in September.
Delay Vote
An Alabama senator has forced the upper chamber to delay a vote on a bill that would create a governing board for the state's two-year college system. Paul Bussman of Cullman said it would be dangerous to allow a governor-appointed board to operate for one year before requiring Senate approval of its members. Bussman said there are too many changes made in the version passed by the Alabama House last week..