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Saturday, Jan 28, 2012
Long-time Gadsden broadcaster and community leader Charlie Bowman has died at the age of 81. He had been battling numerous illnesses in recent months related to bladder cancer. Mr. Bowman is probably best known for putting several stations on the air, including WJBY, and WQEN FM. He also coined the phrase city of champions, when he referred to his hometown on a broadcast in New York City. He served in the armed services as the voice of the armed forces radio service during the Korean War. He will certainly be missed. He is survived by his wife Marge, three sons, and a daughter, along with 15 grandchildren.
 
Governor Robert Bentley made a stop in Anniston yesterday to tour the Sarrell dental clinic. The focus was on the clinic's bottom line and its implications on Medicaid which could eat up a third of the state's general fund budget this year. Bentley telling CEO Jeff Parker that if everyone provided healthcare like his clinic did, they could lower the cost of medical care state-wide. Sarrell now serves half of the state, as a nonprofit clinic, with qualified patients paying per visit based on their Medicare coverage. Senate president pro tem Dale Marsh of Anniston joined Bentley on the tour yesterday and says organizations like Sarrell are doing their part to keep medical costs affordable for their patients.
 
The Calhoun County commission responding to claims of animal cruelty at the animal control center by implementing two new guidelines. One will create a new animal control advisory board, with the members being selected by commission members. The other will officially adopt the rules that have been governing the facility. Local residents accused workers at the shelter last month at a commission meeting prompting an investigation by the sheriff's office. The findings still being reviewed by the D.A.'s office, but facility director Charles McDonald says they do not tolerate animal cruelty.
 
Calhoun County Chamber Of Commerce members believe for the most part that 2012 will be a better year for local businesses. The data presented by JSU marketing professors Mark Hearn and Richard Cobb, at the 33rd annual chamber economic forum held yesterday. Governor Robert Bentley delivered the keynote address, and touted the state's dropping in employment numbers that have now fallen below the national average. He told the crowd that job creation is still his number one goal. He says he will also support charter schools in parts of the state as a way to improve education.
 
The Anniston Star has selected Anniston waterworks and sewer board director Jim Miller as its citizen of the year for 2012. Star publisher Brant Ayers presented Miller with the award at yesterday's chamber meeting. Miller says he was surprised to win, but says it makes him want to work a little harder. Miller is currently a busy man working several projects, including the new DHR building, and the new justice center that the city is getting ready to build. Miller has been working in Anniston for the last 38 years.
 
Calhoun County commissioner Eli Henderson has received the marine of the year award given by the Alan Ray Chaffin Marine Corps league here in Calhoun County. It's presented annually to a former marine who's demonstrating honor, courage and commitment in the community. The entire county commission was recognized yesterday for their support of the annual Toys for Tots campaign.
 
An Attalla man has been found guilty of four counts of sexual abuse. James Alvin Hawkins faces life in prison without parole. He fled to Florida following the allegations coming to light, but was caught by authorities there who sent him back to Etowah County to stand trial. The abuse involved an 11 year-old girl who was raped repeatedly over a two year period. Hawkins has previous felony convictions on his record, and will be sentenced on March 8.
 
The union that supports workers at Anniston army depot will host a save our jobs rally this coming Monday. AFGE local 1945 president Shrene Funderberg says she believes the depot is being targeted unfairly by our nation's leaders in Washington. She' urging everyone, union and nonunion workers to participate in Monday's rally. It starts at 5:30 p.m. inside the Anniston city meeting center.
 
Gadsden State community college is receiving another accreditation for its air conditioning and refrigeration program. The recognition comes from the Partnership for Air-conditioning Heating, Refrigeration accreditation, a nonprofit group made up of educators and members of the industry itself. The program awards accreditation to programs that meet or exceed industry-validated educational standards. The program has also donated air conditioning and heating units to be used as part of the training of students.
 
A ST. Clair County man was sentenced to life in prison for the murder of a Leeds man back in 2009. Twenty-two year-old Barry McGinnis was sentenced by circuit judge Jim Hill yesterday for the murder of 42 year-old Stoney Lee McDuffie, of Leeds. McGinnis drove a nail through McDuffie's head during a robbery back in Feb. of 2009. He was initially charged with capital murder, but pleaded to a lesser charge two weeks ago, to avoid trial, and the possibility of the death penalty.
 
Executive director of the Gadsden Etowah County industrial development authority Mike McCain telling the house economic development and tourism committee that the state's tough new immigration laws are having a negative impact on bringing foreign companies to the state for business opportunities. Birmingham attorney Alex Leath who writes much of the state's economic legislation says a colleague recently sent him an e-mail showing how South Carolina is using the law against the state to help them recruit new companies. Governor Robert Bentley has said the lawmakers need to make some changes to the controversial new laws that are currently being challenged in court, and are opposed by several religious and civil liberties groups.