Our network

School systems plan for uniform school calendar

HUNTSVILLE, AL (WAFF)- The three superintendents of the Madison County school systems proposed a new plan that would affect parents and school children in Madison County.

Under the proposed plan, Huntsville City Schools, Madison County Schools and Madison City Schools would have a uniform 180 day school year calendar.

Under the new calendar, schools would start August 20 and let out before Memorial Day weekend. All three systems would eliminate Fall Break. Columbus Day and President's Day would be full days of classes.

There would not be any built in weather days.

The changes are necessary due to a new state law that mandates schools start classes later in August.

Madison City Schools superintendent Dee Fowler was not pleased with the decision.

"It continues to be our unified belief that decisions involving the school calendar are best made at the local level, not from Montgomery."

Community Sponsors

We help keep you rolling on two wheels!
Helping Your Business Grow!
Quality Education in a Christian Environment.
"Making a Difference"
Making your special event an incredible experience!

KTi to host car smash

KTi to host car smash

The KTi Express Courier Car Smash event at the 2012 Relay for Life of Huntsville Metro will be this Friday, May 18 from 7 p.m. until 7:00 a.m. at John Hunt Park.

As part of the fundraising efforts at the Relay event, KTi Express will have available two beaters. Visitors can buy as many shots as they would like to pound away at cancer with a car smash All proceeds go toward cancer awareness programs.

The KTi Express Courier Car Smash team will offer as many chances as you need to take your fight against cancer out on something that can’t fight back!

KTi Express Courier is a specialty medical courier and all-purpose delivery service based out of Huntsville. Currently in the process of opening several new locations throughout the Southeast.

Law enforcement to hold torch run

Law enforcement to hold torch run

Alabama law enforcement will hold a state torch run Thursday at the Madison County Courthouse.

Set up time will be at 7:30 a.m. on the south side of the courthouse. The run will start at 8 a.m.

The end destination will be Decatur City Hall.

Damaged windows replaced at Space and Rocket Center

HUNTSVILLE, AL (WAFF)- The windows damaged in a drive by shooting at the Space and Rocket Center are being replaced.

A crane was brought in Wednesday morning and crews replaced the windows in the Davidson Center.

Police say someone fired shots from a high powered rifle from a moving vehicle on Interstate 565 on May 3rd. Bullets went through the windows and struck the Saturn V rocket inside the Davidson Center.

No one was injured in the shooting.

Police have not named a suspect in the case. Investigators interviewed witnesses and continue to look into the shooting.

Copyright 2012 WAFF. All rights reserved.

Community Sponsors

TREE REMOVAL STUMP GRINDING PRUNING TOPPING STORM DAMAGE FIREWOOD LICENSED & INSURED

Studies show Madison County men live longer

MADISON COUNTY, AL (WAFF)- Is there a "fountain of youth" in the Valley? A recent survey
showed that men who live in Madison County live longer than men living in any
other county in North Alabama.

According to a recent study done by worldlifeexpectancy.com, men in Madison
County live an average of 74.7 years. That's anywhere from one to three years
longer than the men in other Northern Alabama counties.

Lauderdale, Limestone and Morgan were all about a year less on average. Colbert
and DeKalb were roughly two years less, and Lawrence, Marshall and Jackson
counties were in the neighborhood of three years less.

Madison County was second only to Shelby County in the entire state.

75-year old David Orme of Huntsville in Madison County said, "It
doesn't surprise me because I think Madison County offers men a good
opportunity to have jobs here. Less stress."

Parents jailed after children miss 299 days of school

HUNTSVILLE, AL (WAFF)- Two parents were arrested and sentenced for letting their children miss 299 days of school.

Sydney and Laurel Benson went before Madison County judge Claude Hundley on May 9th to face truancy charges.

The couple were charged with four counts of truancy for each of their four children.

Two of their children are in middle school and two are in elementary school.

The students missed a total of 299 days of school this year.

School officials said the family was issued an early warning as part of the school system's Early Warning Program.

Officials said they ignored the warning and moved to Madison County.

When Madison County Schools also pursued truancy charges against the Bensons, the family returned to Huntsville, according to a spokesperson.

Paul Mitchell School in Huntsville raises $12,000 for charity

Paul Mitchell School in Huntsville raises $12,000 for charity

Paul Mitchell School held its 9th annual FUNraising Gala.

Each year, students and staff from the nationwide network’s 100 cosmetology schools spend three months raising money for selected charities. Raising $5­ to $10 at a time with grassroots activities like cut-a-thons, hair shows, car washes and casual days, the schools topped the $2.5 million mark this year, bringing their nine-year total to more than $8.5 million.

Paul Mitchell the School Huntsville raised $12,218. This year, school owners Robert and Susanne Brown and Director Nata Townsend joined the festivities in Beverly Hills to represent their school.