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March is Women's History Month!

WVAS Local News

Gun-related violence on the Fourth of July holiday left two people dead in Montgomery.  The victims included a 12-year-old boy.  According to Montgomery Police, the youngster was killed Wednesday afternoon at a residence on Commodore Street, just off Carter Hill Road.  Authorities said the shooting appeared to be an accident, but police said an inquiry will be conducted to determine the exact circumstances.  The 12-year-old victim's name was withheld.

Another shooting that occurred last night claimed a woman's life.  Montgomery Police said officers and paramedics responded to a residence on Dee Drive where they found a female suffering from a gunshot wound.  The victim died after being transported to Baptist Medical Center South.  Police said a male suspect was identified.  But no arrests have been made.  It was Montgomery's 13th homicide of 2012.

Donors Needed

There is an urgent need for blood donors.  Officials at LifeSouth Community Blood banks say all blood types are needed because supplies have reached critically low levels.  Donor centers in Montgomery, Opelika and in southeast Alabama are open daily.  Times and locations can be found at lifesouth.org.

Alabama Wildfires

Wildfires remain a major concern for state and federal forestry officials.  Wooded areas are tinderbox dry and citizens are urged to be extra cautious when burning outdoors.  Wildfires in recent weeks have burned more than 1100 acres across the state. 

Weather Supplies

Alabamians planning to buy supplies to prepare for the state's next round of severe weather can do it tax free this weekend.  The state will observe its first-tax free weekend for weather preparedness items on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.  The director of the Emergency Management Agency said the law waives the state's four percent sales tax on many emergency preparedness supplies that cost $60 dollars or less. 

Obama Fundraiser

First Lady Michelle Obama will be the guest of honor at a campaign fundraiser in Birmingham this month.  Mrs. Obama will be in Birmingham on July 18th and will appear at a reception at the Obama Victory Fund event at the Sheraton Birmingham hotel, downtown. 

Tdap Vaccine

The Alabama Department of Public Health says students ages 11 and older who are entering the sixth grade in Alabama schools will have to get a Tdap vaccination to guard against pertussis, or whooping cough.  Seventh and eighth-graders who did not receive the Tdap vaccination during the last school year must also get it.  Public health officials said there were 69 cases of pertussis in the state during the first six months of the year.