News from the South - Alabama News Feed
Alabama House committee approves bill allowing governor, AG to appoint local police chiefs • Alabama Reflector
Alabama House committee approves bill allowing governor, AG to appoint local police chiefs
by Alander Rocha, Alabama Reflector
February 12, 2025
An Alabama House committee Wednesday approved a bill that would allow state officials to appoint the leaders of local police departments.
HB 14, sponsored by Rep. Reed Ingram, R-Pike Road, would allow the governor and attorney general to appoint a local police chief if they determine there is an ongoing public safety risk.
“It was a fair, valid question about ‘Why don’t we just do both to give it a little more meat and to make sure that everybody’s on the same page?’” Ingram said.
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The legislation has drawn opposition from city officials and legislators, who say it is government overreach that would allow chiefs appointed under the law to operate without local oversight.
The bill requires the governor’s office and attorney general’s office to review crime statistics relevant to the area and consult with the local district attorney’s office, the sheriff’s office and crime victims before declaring an emergency. Staffing at a local police department must also be 30% off average staffing levels over the prior ten years. Many police departments in the state are dealing with staffing issues and struggling to attract recruits.
The legislation was amended after a public hearing in Tuesday’s committee meeting to limit the intervention to six months, with the possibility of returning after another six-month period. The amendment also requires the governor and the attorney general to agree to intervention. As originally filed, the bill only required one of the two officials to decide to intervene.
“Six months they’re out. They can’t come back in for another six months,” Ingram said.
But opponents of the legislation said they remained wary of political influence.
“I just still have concerns that there’s no criteria, and it could be an arbitrary use of power at the executive level,” said Rep. Kelvin Datcher, D-Birmingham.
Reed said that this bill is a temporary way to address violence and that Gov. Kay Ivey’s office is working on another bill that would provide a more permanent solution, including funding for a permanent task force.
“This was just a temporary fix, since we had so much problems here, along with the city, the county and the state, that worked on that,” he said, though he did not specify the local governments.
The bill now heads to the full House for further consideration.
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Alabama Reflector is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Alabama Reflector maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Brian Lyman for questions: info@alabamareflector.com.
The post Alabama House committee approves bill allowing governor, AG to appoint local police chiefs • Alabama Reflector appeared first on alabamareflector.com
News from the South - Alabama News Feed
EF-1 tornado damage in Calera, Alabama
SUMMARY: An EF-1 tornado caused significant damage in Calera, Alabama, particularly at an RV lot where trailers were overturned, and homes sustained damage. Key locations, including the Calera Baptist Church, faced destruction, losing part of their roof and suffering from downed trees. Fortunately, city officials report no serious injuries from the storm. Community members are actively participating in cleanup efforts, showcasing a strong spirit of solidarity as neighbors support each other during this challenging time. Heavy machinery is deployed to clear fallen trees, and volunteers continue to work diligently to restore the area.

EF-1 tornado damage in Calera, Alabama
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News from the South - Alabama News Feed
Fire destroys church in Atmore at height of severe weather Saturday night
SUMMARY: A fire late Saturday night severely damaged a century-old church in Atmore, collapsing its roof and prominent steeple. Fortunately, no injuries were reported as firefighters prioritized safety. Church members expressed heartbreak over the loss but emphasized that the church is more than just a building; it is a community and a family. They gathered for an outdoor service, giving thanks for their safety and hoping for a revitalization of their congregation. Despite the destruction, including soot-stained stained glass, members are resolute in their spirit and commitment to rebuilding and fostering new life within their community.

The fire chief says the blaze that destroyed the First Presbyterian Church may have been caused by lightning
News from the South - Alabama News Feed
At least three people dead in Alabama tornado outbreak
At least three people dead in Alabama tornado outbreak
by Ralph Chapoco, Alander Rocha and Anna Barrett, Alabama Reflector
March 16, 2025
At least three people were killed Saturday in severe weather in Alabama that spawned dozens of tornadoes and left damage all over the state.
A spokesperson for Gov. Kay Ivey said early afternoon that three people had died. Officials reported two deaths in Dallas County and one in Winterboro in Talladega County. One of the Dallas County deaths was in Plantersville; it was not immediately known early Sunday afternoon where the other Dallas County death took place. The statement also said 52 of Alabama’s 67 counties reported damage from the storms.
“Our damage assessment continues,” Ivey said in the news release. “The sun has risen in Alabama, though. We pray for those lives we lost, as well as those who were injured. And we pray for our first responders, emergency management officials and linemen who are doing incredible work on the ground right now.”
Ivey connected with affected communities on Sunday, and said in a statement that emergency management officials “have been working hard to assess the damage brought by this weekend’s storms.”
The Alabama Emergency Management Agency Sunday said in a Facebook post Sunday that those needing help with clean-up should call 844-965-1386.
The National Weather Service (NWS) said it tracked at least 16 possible tornadoes in central Alabama on radar Saturday. It plans to dispatch multiple teams to affected areas to survey the damage and visually confirm the formation of the tornadoes from radar.
NWS said later on Sunday that the tornado that touched down in Plantersville was an EF3, with winds of up to 165 mph. Jason Holmes, a meteorologist with the NWS, said Sunday afternoon they were able to confirm the tornado in Shelby and rated it as an EF1, which produced winds up to 90 mph, and the one in Talladega near Winterboro as an EF2, with winds up to 120 mph.
“Shelby County was also affected,” Holmes said. “Calera was impacted. There was another possible track west of Calera, and there might be a third one that tracked into the southwest portion there, from Bibb County. The surveys will define the start and endpoints.”
The old Winterboro High School in Talladega County was significantly damaged, but classes were no held held there and students have moved to a new facility. It’s unclear whether there students will have class Monday.
Confirmed tornadoes
The NWS confirmed five tornadoes as of 4 p.m. Sunday.
Officials reported EF3 tornado damage, with wind gusts between 136 mph and 165 mph, in the Plantersville area of Dallas County. The Talladega County tornado was estimated as an EF2 with wind gusts between 111 mph and 135 mph.
Survey teams reported EF-0 tornado damage, which had wind gusts between 65 mph and 85 mph, in the Thomas Mill area of Bibb County. It spanned about 7.5 miles and 75 yards wide with an estimated wind peak of 80 mph, and lasted about 15 minutes Saturday night.
An EF1 tornado in Calera spanned about 10 miles and 250 yards wide with an estimated wind peak of 90 mph. It lasted about 15 minutes on Saturday night starting at 7:57 p.m., according to the NWS.
The National Weather Service from Mobile reported gusty winds but little damage.
The office in Huntsville reported a possible tornado in south Cullman County as well as some isolated flooding because of the heavy rain.
This is a breaking news story. Updated at 11:33 a.m. with number for clean-up assistance. The story was updated at 12:53 with the third death confirmed in Dallas County. It was updated at 1:37 p.m. with extent of damage in Talladega County. It was updated at 1:56 p.m. with confirmed tornadoes and their ratings on the EF scale. It was updated at 4:54 p.m. with more confirmed tornadoes and their ratings on the EF scale.
Alabama Reflector is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Alabama Reflector maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Brian Lyman for questions: info@alabamareflector.com.
The post At least three people dead in Alabama tornado outbreak appeared first on alabamareflector.com
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