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March is Women's History Month!

Survey Teams Assessing Storm Damage

Severe weather rolled across much of Alabama during the first weekend of the new year.  Storm-related damage occurred early Sunday morning in Crenshaw County where a possible tornado destroyed chicken houses and damaged several homes in the Spring Hill community.  No injuries were reported.  Severe storms also are blamed for toppling trees and damaging structures in Sumter, Marion and Lamar counties in west Alabama.  The Tuscaloosa County Sheriff's Office said a 3-year-old boy suffered a minor head injury when a tree limb crashed through a house in Tuscaloosa.  Storm survey teams will determine whether the storm damage was caused by tornadoes or straight-line winds.  

Homicide Arrest

Montgomery police say a 25-year-old male is behind bars charged in connection with the city's first homicide of 2015.  Detectives arrested Dwight Williams Friday in the fatal shooting of 42-year-old Preston Fort.  MPD said the victim was slain early Thursday morning in the 4200 block of Lawnwood Drive.  Police said the New Year's day shooting stemmed from a dispute.  Dwight Williams is being held in the Montgomery County Jail under a $75,000 bond.  

Revenue Package

Governor Robert Bentley says the revenue-raising package he plans to present early in his second term will likely cause him to pay more taxes.  Bentley isn't saying yet what will be in the package he unveils when the Legislature meets in March.  But he told the Associated Press that it won't include property tax increases.  Bentley says the General Fund budget deficit ranges from $265 million to maintain the status quo to as much as $700 million dollars to repay the state's debts.  He says the new Republican-controlled Legislature will have to either raise revenue or cut some states agencies to the point they won't be able to function.  

Body Found

An autopsy is planned on a woman's body found in an Auburn Creek.  Auburn Police Capt. Lorenza Dorsey said the body was found around 9 a.m. Sunday along Blue Creek Lane, which is just off Ogletree Road.  Lee County Coroner Bill Harris described the woman as middle-aged.  Dorsey tells the Opelika-Auburn news that authorities do not believe foul play was involved in the death.  Dorsey said they believe the woman, whose name hasn't been released, lived in the area.

Preparedness Items

Alabama's fourth sales tax holiday for severe weather preparedness items is coming next month.  During that weekend of February 20th through the 22nd, the Alabama revenue department will waived the state sales tax on items needed to prepare for severe weather.  Many cities and counties will do the same thing.  Cities and counties have a couple of more weeks to sign up to participate.