Alabama
Alabama man arrested for murder of Georgia woman 24 years later
ATLANTA – After 24 years of investigation, authorities have arrested Clarence George, 63, of Alabama, in connection with the murder of Julie Ann McDonald. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) and the Walker County Sheriff’s Office announced that George has been charged with murder and aggravated assault in McDonald’s death.
George was arrested on Thursday, August 22, 2024, at approximately 11:30 a.m. by the U.S. Marshals Service in Birmingham, Alabama.
The case dates back to June 11, 2000, when the body of Julie McDonald was discovered in her home on Arnold Lane in Lafayette, Georgia. Despite diligent efforts by the Walker County Sheriff’s Office and the GBI at the time, the case remained unsolved for many years.
Significant progress was made between 2015 and 2016 when a Walker County detective and a GBI Special Agent reviewed the case and resubmitted evidence for testing. Although these tests did not identify a suspect, the investigation continued.
Between 2023 and 2024, renewed efforts by a Walker County Lieutenant and a GBI Special Agent led to the reexamination and retesting of evidence. Their work ultimately resulted in the charges against George.
Clarence George is currently being held at the Jefferson County Jail in Birmingham, Alabama, awaiting extradition to Georgia to face the charges.
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) – Two long-vacant Montgomery properties are slated to undergo significant redevelopment after being bought by an Alabama-based investment group.
Leitman Perlman, a Birmingham commercial real estate company, announced Monday that Noble Investments, an investment management firm located in Anniston, has purchased 1702 Norman Bridge Road and 1614 South Decatur Street for a combined $480,000.
According to Leitman Perlman, the purchase is part of an ongoing effort by Noble Investments to revitalize the surrounding neighborhood and promote long-term stability within the community.
The property at 1702 Norman Bridge Road once served as a medical office building but has remained vacant since 2013. Similarly, the property at 1614 South Decatur street currently houses a vacant neighborhood strip center that has been underutilized for many years.
Noble said it will clear out the buildings over the summer to prepare them for future tenants and will look to lease the spaces to local small business owners.
Mark Cornwell, CEO of Noble Investments called the properties part of a much larger commitment to the area.
“This corridor holds significance for our team and me personally,” he said. “I grew up in this area, I’ve driven by these buildings my whole life, and my family still lives in the neighborhood. Noble’s investment here has been steadily increasing with a long-term perspective, it’s personal.”
Cornwell said the end goal is to create spaces that are clean, safe and economically viable for residents and local entrepreneurs.
In 2019, Montgomery Investment Group, a sister company of Noble Investments, acquired and redeveloped the nearby Flats on Felder apartment complex along Felder Avenue. More recently, Noble purchased 1708 Norman Bridge Road. The space is now home to two small business.
The company has invested more than $23.5 million in River Region developments since 2017.
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RADAR CHECK: Large areas of mostly light rain are moving across North/Central Alabama early this morning in the humid, tropical air over the state. A flash flood watch is in effect for the Tennessee Valley, and much of Northeast Alabama today; this is where some spots received 5-8 inches of rain yesterday with major flash flooding issues. Major creeks, streams, and rivers are out of their banks.
People in flood prone areas need to pay attention to flash flood warnings later today if they are needed, and as always, “turn around, don’t drown”. The southern half of Alabama will be much drier with only isolated showers around. Expect a high today in the low to mid 80s.
REST OF THE WEEK: Understand we are in the time of the year when you will have the risk of a pop-up afternoon shower or storm just about every afternoon, and that chance will stay in the forecast daily. But, they should be fewer in number after today as an upper ridge rebuilds across the Deep South. This will also mean higher heat levels; expect highs in the upper 80s and low 90s with a mix of sun and clouds each day.
THE ALABAMA WEEKEND: The ridge weakens again, the air aloft will be a little colder, and the air more unstable. So, scattered showers and thunderstorms will likely be a little more numerous Saturday and Sunday. Highest chance of rain will come from noon to midnight, and highs will be in the 86-91 degree range. The sun will be out at times, and the weekend won’t be a total “wash-out”.
NEXT WEEK: Global models suggest the pattern will favor scattered to numerous showers and storms daily
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WAFF) – People from across North Alabama went to Redstone Arsenal on Saturday night to celebrate the 251st birthday of the U.S. Army.
The Redstone Gateway hosted live music, food, games, and fireworks to mark the occasion. The gateway is one of the few parts of the Arsenal that is open to the public.
The event gave kids a chance to see real military equipment up close, including helicopters and Humvees.
“They love to see the Chinook especially, which is right behind me,” said Stephanie Stone, Marketing and Special Events Manager for MWR. “A lot of kids are amazed at all the Army vehicles that we have on display here. It’s hard to say if they’re more interested in the inflatables or the Army assets.”
Congress approved the Continental Army on June 14, 1775, a full year before the Declaration of Independence.
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