News

Armed robber beats woman, steals money

Saturday, May 18th, 2013, 8:42am

HUNTSVILLE, AL (WAFF)- Huntsville police are investigating a strong-arm robbery.

According to investigators, the offender demanded money from her in the 6400 block of Old Madison Pike around 9 p.m. Friday.

That's when the offender assaulted the victim, hitting her arms and legs. He took money out of her purse and fled the scene on foot.

The victim refused medical attention.

Police have not made any arrests in the case.

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Huntsville students to participate in Greenpower Car Race

Submitted by WAFF Web Staff

Friday, May 17th, 2013, 7:50pm

They unveiled the sleek car at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center on Friday.

HUNTSVILLE, AL (WAFF)- A group of Huntsville students is getting ready for a big race.

They worked with the Huntsville Center for Technology to design and build an electric vehicle.

They unveiled the sleek car at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center on Friday.

They're the first team from the United States to compete in the Greenpower Car Race this summer.

One New Century High senior said it was a lot of work, but fun too.

"Most kids won't give up their summer to do something like this. This is a lifetime opportunity," said Ammouri Lang.

"They built and designed it by scratch right here in Huntsville, and this is going to propel them to victory, I'm sure of it," said USSRC CEO Dr. Deborah Barnhart.

The team will travel to the United Kingdom on June 9 for the race.

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Huntsville City School leaders vote on desegregation case

Submitted by WAFF Web Staff

Friday, May 17th, 2013, 12:27am

Huntsville City School officials have been in talks with the NAACP and The Department of Justice regarding the issue.

HUNTSVILLE, AL (WAFF)- Thursday night the Huntsville City School board met for the last meeting before the end of the 2013 school year.

One big topic on the agenda, the desegregation rules for the school system. The board voted unanimously to send a motion to a federal judge Friday morning to rid of it.

Superintendent Dr. Casey Wardynski said the decision is the result of 40 years worth of work.

Huntsville City School officials have been in talks with the NAACP and The Department of Justice regarding the issue.

Now that the choice has been made to rid the school system of its desegregation rules, some big changes can come from it. Some of those changes include a building a new Grissom High school, a new school to replace Johnson High and more.

"With this effort we are talking about $194-million worth of construction. Over the next three years, we will remove 1.8-million square feet of schools," said. Dr. Wardynski.

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Arrest made in Huntsville murder

Submitted by WAFF Web Staff

Thursday, May 16th, 2013, 5:53pm

HUNTSVILLE, AL (WAFF)- Huntsville Police arrested a suspect in the Wednesday night murder of a man in West Huntsville.

Investigators arrested 25-year-old Michael Shawn Pierce Fletcher of Hazel Green Thursday. He was charged with capital murder for the shooting.

According to police, Fletcher shot 64-year-old Charles Swinford in the 2000 block of Lex Drive.

Fletcher was booked into the Madison County Metro Jail without bond.

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Hearing date set for choral director accused of child abuse

Submitted by WAFF Web Staff

Thursday, May 16th, 2013, 5:43pm

Cleopha Pair's preliminary hearing is set for June 12.

HUNTSVILLE, AL (WAFF)- A Madison County judge set a hearing date for a Huntsville City Schools choral director charged with child torture.

Cleopha Pair faces one count of torture-willful abuse of a child.

Investigators said his 2-year-old god-child suffered third degree burns on both hands while in Pair's care.

Pair is on administrative leave from Huntsville City Schools.

Pair's preliminary hearing is set for June 12.

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1 dead after Huntsville shooting

Submitted by WAFF Web Staff

Thursday, May 16th, 2013, 1:09pm

The shooting was in the 2400 block of Lex Drive.

HUNTSVILLE, AL (WAFF)- Huntsville Police are investigating a shooting in the 2400 block of Lex Drive.

At least one person was shot and taken to Huntsville Hospital with life-threatening injuries just before 9 p.m. and was rushed into surgery.

Police identified the victim as Charles Swinford, 64. Swinford was found with a gunshot wound to the abdomen inside his home. He later died from his injuries.

The investigation is ongoing.

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