Alabama
Yankees select Alabama pitcher Ben Hess in first round of MLB draft
The Yankees didn’t come up in the order until the 26th pick of Sunday night’s first round in the MLB Draft.
And after they did go on the clock, it ended with them going for pitching.
The Yankees selected Alabama right-hander Ben Hess.
The Illinois native is 6-5, 255 pounds and owns the Crimson Tide’s career record for strikeouts per nine innings — 13.34. There were 205 strikeouts over 138 1/3 innings across three seasons.
This past season, the junior went 5-5 but with a high ERA of 5.80 ERA in 15 starts. He held batters to a .234 average. He struck out 106 and walked 35 over 68 1/3 innings.
His fastball runs 92-96 mph and can touch 99, and he has a slider that travels in the mid-80s. He was ranked as the No. 44 prospect by MLB.com.
“We saw him early in the year and the stuff was dynamite at times,” Tennessee coach Tony Vitello said on the MLB Network telecast of the draft. “They talked about the results kind of being come and go, well, you look at where he’s from, he’s from a northern state, he did have an injury, and as the season went on, he got better.
“I think what they’re looking for here is a big, physical starting pitcher and a guy that’s not afraid to compete.”
There’s indeed some toughness here.
“Talking with the coaching staff at Alabama, new coach Rob Vaughn, I know deep into the year, they had a game where he had food poisoning and he decided to take the ball anyway against Mississippi State,” Vitello said. “Gritted through that effort and went on to have his best starts following that. So I think his best days are ahead of him.”
The Yankees went for pitching again in the second round, taking Vanderbilt righty Bryce Cunningham.
Alabama
Alabama claims Business Facilities' 'Deal of the Year' award for Austal USA expansions
Alabama
Alabama police lieutenant killed while directing traffic outside church: 'True public servant'
An Alabama police lieutenant died on Monday after he was hit by a car while directing traffic at a church.
Irondale police Lt. Mark Meadows, 60, was setting out cones at an intersection outside the Church of the Highlands’ main campus when he was hit by a man driving a Chevrolet Colorado, local outlet AL.com reported. The driver immediately stopped.
The incident took place before 7 a.m. on Monday as the church’s popular “21 Days of Prayer” event, which runs from Jan. 5 to Jan. 25, was preparing to end for the day.
Meadows was taken to nearby Grandview Medical Center, where he died from his injuries, according to Irondale police.
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Irondale Mayor James Stewart Jr., described Meadows as a “treasured member” of the city’s family for decades.
“He was a man of few words but always led by example and embodied the heart of a true public servant,” Stewart said in a statement. “Lt. Meadows will be dearly missed by his brothers and sisters at the Irondale Police Department, as well as by all of our City employees and citizens. We are comforted in knowing that he is with his heavenly father, and we will continue to cover his family in prayer as they grieve this great loss.”
The police department announced that grief support is available for officers and others in need following Meadows’ death.
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Church of the Highlands lead pastor Chris Hodges said Meadows had worked with the church since its main campus at Grants Mill opened almost 18 years ago.
In a statement to AL.com, Hodges said “our hearts are heavy beyond measure,” adding that Meadows was considered family.
“All our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, daughter, son, family members, fellow officers and the many who loved him,” Hodges said. “Even in the most difficult and trying times, we know our God will provide comfort, strength and reassurance based on the promise of heaven. We as a church will do all we can to care for his family.”
Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey expressed condolences to Meadows’ loved ones and church family following his death in a post on X on Monday.
“My heart is heavy as I have learned of the tragic loss of Irondale Police Lieutenant Mark Meadows, a veteran and true public servant. I join all Alabamians in lifting up his family, the Irondale Police Department and the Church of the Highlands community in prayer,” Ivey wrote.
U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., also said he was “saddened to hear of the loss” and thanked Meadows for his service to Alabama as a police officer and the United States as an Army veteran.
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Meadows began his law enforcement career in 1992 with the nearby Mountain Brook Police Department before transferring to Irondale.
He was an FBI instructor certified in pistol and rifle, and an NRA instructor certified in pistol, according to AL.com. He is survived by his wife, children and grandchildren.
The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency is leading the investigation into the deadly incident.
Alabama
Man sexually abused child at north Alabama daycare run out of home, authorities say
A man was arrested Tuesday after authorities said he sexually abused a child two years ago at a daycare run out of a private home in north Alabama.
Kevin Dewayne Franklin, 50, was charged with first-degree sodomy and sexual abuse of a child less than 12, according to the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office.
Franklin is being held without bond in the Marshall County jail pending an Aniah’s Law hearing.
Deputies finished their investigation into Franklin in October 2023 following allegations he sexually abused a child at a daycare in a private home in the Nixon Chapel community.
Franklin was related to the owner of the daycare, who also lived at the home.
The daycare has since closed, authorities said.
The Marshall County District Attorney’s Office along with sheriff’s office investigators presented the case to a grand jury in November.
Franklin was arrested Tuesday by patrol deputies.
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