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March is Women's History Month!

WVAS Local News

Starting today, smurfing in Alabama is a felony.

State law limits the amount of pseudoephedrine one person can purchase, so those using the drug for methamphetamine production use several different people to buy it, commonly referred to as smurfing.  Rob Savage, vice-chair of Alabama's Drug Abuse Task Force, says tracking software has been extremely successful in fighting meth production.  The anti-smurfing public awareness campaign also launched today.  Alabama is the first stat to initiate one.

Use Tax

Governor Robert Bentley is confident that a Federal Use Tax relating to internet sales will be passed by Congress in a lame duck session following the presidential election.  A use tax on internet sales would be an essential part of the general fund budget as passed by the September 18th constitutional amendment.  Bentley says the collection of the tax is overdue. 

Homicide Investigation

Opelika police are investigating a homicide.  Authorities said a police officer heard multiple gunshots early Sunday morning just before 39-year-old David Lewis Lyles was found dead in a roadway.  Opelika police said the victim was discovered just after 3 a.m. Sunday in the 100 block of Chester Avenue.  Lyles was transported to the East Alabama Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.  No arrests were made.

Single-Vehicle Crash

State Troopers say two men from Wilcox County were killed late Saturday night in a single-vehicle crash in Dallas County.  Troopers said 35-year-old Curties Hall and 57-year-old Roosevelt Spencer, both of Alberta, died when the pickup truck they were riding in left the roadway and struck a tree.  Troopers said the wreck occurred about 11 p.m. on Alabama 22, three miles east of Orrville.  Hall and Spencer were not wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash.

Blankets Drive

The "Blankets with a Blessing" drive began today with Alabama's First Lady, Dianne Bentley.  Mrs. Bentley continues the tradition of collecting and donating blankets and quilts to homeless or displaced families during the holiday season.  Thousands of quilts and blankets have been donated since the drive started in 2004.  Donations can be dropped off at the Governor's Mansion Gift Shop.  The last day to donate is November 13th.