Three Montgomery men have been indicted in connection with robbery and murder of a fast food restaurant manager. Montgomery County court records show that Rendauldous Chisolm and Kenneth Temple, both 21 and 23-year-old Gacolby Green are each charged in the death of 43-year-old Vettia Roche. Authorities said the victim was beaten and shot outside a Taco Bell eatery on Atlanta Highway in March 2014. The indictments were announced Thursday.
Education Budget Meeting
Education Budget priorities for the fiscal year 2017 were discussed Thursday at a work session of the Alabama Board of Education. A plan to increase teacher pay by five percent over the next three years is among those priorities. State Schools Superintendent Dr. Tommy Bice says the raise, if eventually passed by the Legislature, would be a long-time coming. Teachers last got a raise of two percent in 2013. Bice says the increase is needed to retain and attract young people to the teaching profession. He says the number of students entering teaching programs in Alabama colleges has dropped 45 percent in the last six years. The budget priorities will be discussed again at the board's December meeting.
Bentley Talks Expansion
Governor Robert Bentley spoke at the Annual Beasley Allen Legal Conference Thursday saying his administration is considering Medicaid expansion, but has not made a final decision. Bentley, who is a doctor, said he was concerned about the health access for the state's working poor and rural health care infrastructure. Thirty states have expanded Medicaid under President Barack Obama's health care law. The governor has previously said he might support a state-designed program with work and premium requirements on recipients.
Blue Ribbon Award
A Montgomery magnet elementary school has received the 2015 National Blue Ribbon School for Excellence. Bear Exploration Center was presented the award by the U.S. Department of Education. Only 335 schools across the nation have been named Blue Ribbon schools. Bear Principal Elizabeth Hill credits the work of the students, teachers, staff and parents.