Alabama
Alabama legislators pass bill to increase penalties for phony calls
![Alabama legislators pass bill to increase penalties for phony calls](https://gray-wtvy-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/J2CJU45JNZB37FK67GIOP2PTUQ.png?auth=35944d12e2f1922c61f513a76aefbe5b01275db689856a118d8425a671daf34d&width=1200&height=600&smart=true)
DOTHAN, Ala. (WTVY) – After unanimous votes in both the Alabama House and Senate, House Bill 82 has been sent to Governor Kay Ivey’s desk to be signed.
The bill strengthens the penalties for people who make phony calls to law enforcement. It used to be a Class A misdemeanor, punishable up to a year of jail time, but will now be classified as a Class C felony, punishable up to 10 years in prison.
“It’s kind of a step in the right direction for us because it helps us maybe deter somebody from just going out and doing it and thinking it’s a joke,” said Henry County Sheriff Eric Blankenship.
The bill was introduced following the Carlee Russell incident, where she faked her kidnapping in 2023. Sheriff Blankenship said his department was called the same year with a phony call of an active shooter in a Henry County school.
“We had to bring our SWAT team there, we had to clear the entire school to ensure that there really wasn’t an active threat,” said Sheriff Blankenship.
Sheriff Blankenship explained the domino effect of bad circumstances that occur for the department whenever a false call is made.
“It not only puts a strain on us with manpower, but it also puts a strain on budgets and having to pay overtime, said Sheriff Blankenship.
When a phone call comes through 911, it is expected to be serious. Sheriff Blankenship hopes the stricter penalties make others thing twice before trying to pull a quick one on law enforcement.
“If it’s a valid reason where law enforcement needs to be there, by all means call 911If,” said Sheriff Blankenship. “It’s in a hoax or a prank or anything, we have severe penalties now, not only for the swatting calls, but also for just abuse of the 911 system.”
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Alabama
Vigor offensive lineman and Alabama commit Micah Dubose is transferring to Theodore for senior season
![Vigor offensive lineman and Alabama commit Micah Dubose is transferring to Theodore for senior season](https://gray-wala-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/NDJTV4HHRNGTTIGQT4MUOJFSIE.png?auth=2c72faeb3408dee06d9ad5314beeb39eb04d181048eeba27e221d4b215f9cb37&width=1200&height=600&smart=true)
MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) – Four-star offensive lineman Micah Dubose is transferring from Vigor to Theodore for his senior season, Theodore Bobcats Head Coach Steve Mask confirms to FOX10.
The announcement comes just two weeks after Vigor announced it was relieving Markus Cook of his duties as head coach.
Mask says the decision to move was based on Micah’s education and the Alabama commit plans to graduate in December.
Dubose is considered one of the top players in Alabama in the 2025 class, being named first team all-state by the Alabama Sports Writers Association in back-to-back seasons.
Dubose committed to Kalen DeBoer and the Tide while on his official visit in Tuscaloosa over the weekend.
Copyright 2024 WALA. All rights reserved.
Alabama
Alabama Ag Commissioner Rick Pate speaks on 2024 peanut projections
![Alabama Ag Commissioner Rick Pate speaks on 2024 peanut projections](https://gray-wtvy-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/H7CQYSAJDNE5VJQKDVAX25GLFA.png?auth=122583d6ca294d121114c1000650865894e37930498666e9d516d1c0e343c185&width=1200&height=600&smart=true)
DOTHAN, Ala. (WTVY) – After a below average yield in 2023, peanut farmers across Alabama are hoping for a more productive 2024.
Dry weather made for a challenging crop but so far this year, Alabama Commissioner of Agriculture Rick Pate said things are on pace for at least an average year.
“Last year was kind of a struggle for a lot of our farmers, especially in the west side of the state. We had a drought that lasted so long so production was way down,” said Commissioner Pate. “We are hoping to get just an average yield this year and so far, so good.”
Even with a proclaimed below average year, the state of Alabama still produced 480 million pounds of peanuts with Houston, Geneva and Henry County being among the top four producers for the state.
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Alabama
Alabama 4-star OL commit Micah DeBose transferring schools for final HS season
![Alabama 4-star OL commit Micah DeBose transferring schools for final HS season](https://www.al.com/resizer/v2/XNQP7NZO2ZFPRDYQIIFILVAD2A.jpg?auth=45c8998108a2342f2d6d73c620320f794295b12318125e47af761d9c2ebe21ce&width=1280&quality=90)
Alabama 4-star offensive line commit Micah DeBose has transferred from Vigor to Theodore for his final season.
Bobcats’ head coach Steve Mask confirmed the news to AL.com on Thursday. Mask said DeBose enrolled earlier this week.
“This was an educational decision for Micah and his family,” Mask said.
Both Vigor and Theodore are Mobile County Public Schools.
DeBose told AL.com on Sunday that he plans to graduate in December.
The one-time Georgia commit committed to Kalen DeBoer and Alabama during his official visit to Tuscaloosa on Saturday night. He told AL.com on his way back home Sunday that his recruitment was officially shut down.
“It was really their plan for how they are going to get me acclimated to college – that whole process. That was the difference,” DeBose said of why he decided to commit to Alabama.
DeBose announced his commitment in front of a room full of recruits and their families, Alabama coaches and some player hosts in Tuscaloosa.
He is the 8th-ranked senior recruit in the state, according to the 247 composite rankings, and the 8th-ranked player at his position in the nation. He joins Southside-Selma WR Derrick Smith, Carver-Montgomery RB Anthony Rogers and Saraland DL Antonio Coleman as top 20 in-state players in the Class of 2025 committed to the Tide.
Former Vigor coach Markus Cook said they sky is the limit for DeBose moving forward.
“He can be as good as he wants to be,” Cook said. “As long as he keeps God first, commits to the weight room and pursues excellence every day then the sky is the limit. Micah can be as Micah wants to be.”
DeBose goes from the Class 5A, Region 1 race at Vigor into the tough Class 6A, Region 1 race with Theodore. The Bobcats open the season against Baker on Aug. 23.
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