An Air National Guard unit based at Montgomery's Dannelly Field is preparing to deploy to eastern Europe for a training exercise. 150 Airmen and 8 fighters jets from the 187th Fighter Wing will depart today for Romania. The 187th will train with the Romanian Air Force for about one month. Another Alabama National Guard unit, the 214th Military Police Company in Alexander City also was called to active duty this week. The unit's 140 soldiers will deploy to the military facility at Guantanomo Bay, Cuba. A departure ceremony is planned for Saturday morning at 9:30 in the Benjamin Russell High School auditorium.
Honoring Popham
Flags will fly at half-staff in Prattville this weekend for a fallen soldier and Prattville native. Army Staff Sgt. Christopher Popham died September 27th from injuries he sustained in a military training accident at Fort Irwin, California. Sgt. Popham, who was stationed at Fort Carson, Colorado, will be returned today to Rideout's Funeral Home in Prattville. A funeral service with full military honors will be conducted on Sunday.
Witness Retaliation
Federal prosecutors in Montgomery say an Alabama man was convicted Wednesday of retaliating against a witness in a health care fraud lawsuit. U.S. Attorney George Beck Jr. said 64-year-old Jeffrey Alan Nursey was convicted of witness retaliation and faces up to 10 years in prison. Beck said Nursey worked for a company that produced hearing aids and sent letters to a witness who cooperated with federal prosecutors in a health care fraud case that Nursey was involved with. Prosecutors say Nursey's probation in the health care fraud case may also be revoked.
Federal Responsibility
Elmore County Probate Judge John Enslen has filed a petition in the Alabama Supreme Court asking for a way out of issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples. Enslen filed the document this week that says the federal government, not state offices, should issue same-sex marriage licenses. Enslen says the feds are responsible for upholding and enforcing other law created at the federal level.