July 2006

Church about $800,000 in debt after project Rachael Scarborough KingStar Staff Writer Published: July 24, 2006Parker Memorial Baptist Church finished a two-year, $4.2 million renovation of its sanctuary with a dedication ceremony at its Sunday morning services. The project, which originally was intended to bring the sanctuary up to fire code, has been in the works for seven years, said Valera Johnson, chairwoman of the renovation committee."I just...

Amphibians, reptiles get day in the spotlight Rachael Scarborough KingStar Staff Writer Published: July 23, 2006Movie-goers around the country may be eagerly awaiting the release of "Snakes on a Plane," but the Anniston Museum of Natural History had real snakes for visitors to touch and hold as part of its "Skins, Scales and Scholars" program Saturday. The event, which also featured live lizards, turtles, alligators and frogs was...

Ecotourism could benefit area Rachael Scarborough KingStar Staff Writer Published: July 23, 2006MOUNT CHEAHA - At their campsite in Cheaha State Park last week, Carl and Lorene Ponder created a classic camping scene: a tent tucked away in a grove of trees and a food-laden picnic table covered in a red checkered tablecloth. Carl Ponder, a pastor from Newnan, Ga., was leading a camping trip for members of...

Motorcyclist breaks leg in accident Rachael Scarborough King Published: July 22, 2006Anniston police report that a motorcyclist ran a red light and collided with a Jeep Cherokee in the intersection of Quintard Avenue and 22nd Street Friday afternoon, sustaining a broken leg but no life-threatening injuries. Around 2:15 p.m. Friday Laquita Mack, 19, of Anniston, was turning left onto 22nd Street from the northbound lane of Quintard when...

Man dead of gunshot wound Rachael Scarborough KingStar Staff Writer Published: July 21, 2006A 77-year-old man walked up to the front door of the Calhoun County Sheriff's Office around 7:45 Thursday morning and fatally shot himself. The incident occurred shortly before the office's opening time of 8 a.m., according to Sheriff Larry Amerson. Amerson said there were about 10 people in the parking lot waiting for the doors...

Police continue investigation of Ohatchee murder, robbery Rachael Scarborough KingStar Staff Writer Published: July 21, 2006OHATCHEE - Police say they have no new information in the shooting death of Thomas E. Dewey Bowen, 62, in an alleged robbery at the Sav-More Convenience store in Ohatchee Wednesday night. Two men robbed the store of money and drove off in a small vehicle on Alabama 144 in the direction of...

EDIT health walk set for this weekend Rachael Scarborough KingStar Staff Writer Published: July 21, 2006Local residents will be walking their way to better health Saturday morning as part of a program designed to combat obesity and diabetes in minority communities. The walk, organized by the West Anniston Foundation, starts at Zinn Park in Anniston at 8 a.m. Saturday. It is a part of the foundation's EDIT -...

Jacksonville to foot bill for $30,000 theft Rachael Scarborough KingStar Staff Writer Published: July 20, 2006Criminal mischief and theft at the old Wal-Mart building in Jacksonville has left the city with another huge bill for maintaining the empty property. Someone stole about $80 worth of copper tubing from the air-conditioning units on top of the building and caused an estimated $30,000 dollars in damage, according to Jacksonville Police...

1 slain in Ohatchee robbery Rachael Scarborough KingStar Staff Writer Published: July 20, 2006OHATCHEE - An Ohatchee man buying bottled water was killed in a robbery and shooting Wednesday evening at the Sav-More convenience store on Alabama 144. Thomas E. Dewey Bowen, 62, was killed by a single bullet to the left side of his chest at the former Texaco station at 1485 Alabama 144, police said. Bowen...