Montgomery firefighters took about 30 minutes to put out a fire Tuesday morning at the Dreamland Barbeque restaurant. District Fire Chief Ronnie Bozeman said the fire started in the barbeque pit, but was contained to the smoke stack. There were no injuries.
Robbery Suspect Charged
A 30-year-old Montgomery man is facing multiple counts of armed robbery. Police said John Broadfoot was arrested Friday. Broadfoot, according to authorities, is charged with three armed robberies that occurred at businesses on the East Boulevard and Carmichael Road last Thursday and Friday. Broadfoot was ordered held on a $180,000 bond.
Child Abuse
Two Montgomery women are each facing a charge of aggravated child abuse after police said a 16-month-old child they were caring for suffered extensive burns. Al.com reports that Constance Gilbert and Linda Holmes were arrested Saturday and are being held in the Montgomery County Jail under a $100,000 bond each. The child suffered burns to 35 percent of his or her body and was transported to Children's of Alabama Hospital in Birmingham. Authorities have released few details about the case.
PSC New Rate
The Public Service Commission has approved a new rate plan for Alabama Power Company, but the three commissioners disagree on how it will affect customers. The PSC voted 2-1 Tuesday to base Alabama Power's rates on weighted cost of equity, rather than return on equity, which has been used for the last 31 years. PSC President Twinkle Cavanaugh said customers should see annual savings between $30 and $110 dollars, depending on their usage. Commissioner Jeremy Oden said residential customers and small businesses should save between $30 and $45 dollars a year. But Commissioner Terry Dunn said he doesn't expect rate payers to see any change. An Alabama Power spokesman said the company is still reviewing the impact of the commission's vote.