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Air Force Maj. Gen. Walter D. Givhan talks value of education with TROY grads

Submitted by JoBeth Davis, Community Web Producer

Tuesday, May 21st, 2013, 3:54pm

Air Force Maj. Gen. Walter D. Givhan talks value of education with TROY grads

MONTGOMERY—U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Walter D. Givhan, a Troy University alumnus, told TROY graduates that education will help them deal with new challenges and demanding situations as they move forward with their careers.

Givhan delivered the keynote address to graduates during spring commencement for the Montgomery Campus on Monday, May 20, inside the Davis Theatre for the Performing Arts. Some 140 students took part in the 7 p.m. ceremony.

In all, 192 students earned undergraduate and graduate degrees this spring at the Montgomery Campus.

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Tenth annual Marbury Technology Innovation Award finalists announced

Submitted by JoBeth Davis, Community Web Producer

Tuesday, May 14th, 2013, 3:40pm

Tenth annual Marbury Technology Innovation Award finalists announced

Montgomery, Ala. — A group of K-12 educators, administrators and support personnel are among the finalists for the 2013 Marbury Technology Innovation Award.

The award, sponsored by the Alabama State Department of Education, honors Chiquita Marbury's invaluable years of service as a technology innovator in Alabama by recognizing educators who are exemplary models of technology teachers and leaders.

Transforming learning one child at a time was Marbury’s daily pursuit. After 10 years, this passion is continued through the Marbury Technology Award program. Finalists who reflect the Marbury standard of excellence in six award categories are:

Elementary Teacher

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Alabama Department of Labor Obtaining Convictions for Unemployment Compensation Fraud

Submitted by JoBeth Davis, Community Web Producer

Monday, April 29th, 2013, 2:46pm

Alabama Department of Labor Obtaining Convictions for Unemployment Compensation Fraud

MONTGOMERY – Alabama Department of Labor Commissioner Tom Surtees announced today that the Department has successfully prosecuted several Alabamians for unemployment compensation fraud. The following individuals were charged with violating the Alabama Unemployment Compensation Law by making false statements in claims for benefits:

- Michael Burgess, of Tuscaloosa, was tried in Tuscaloosa County District Court on March 6, 2013. An investigation by Labor’s Benefit Payment Control Section determined that Burgess received a total of $2,580 in benefits to which he was not entitled.

Burgess pled guilty and was sentenced to 90 days in jail, which was suspended for two years, and 24 months of probation. He was also fined $100 and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of benefits received illegally.

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Three men arrested for drug trafficking, distribution and possession

Submitted by JoBeth Davis, Community Web Producer

Tuesday, April 16th, 2013, 3:49pm

Three men arrested for drug trafficking, distribution and possession

On April 12, 2013 investigators with the Tallapoosa County Narcotics Task Force, Crime Interdiction Task Force, Dadeville Police Department, Alexander City Police Department, Alexander City Special Response Group, New Site Police Department, Tallassee Police Department and Drug Enforcement Agency, executed multiple search warrants and arrest warrants throughout Tallapoosa County. The operation was the result of several months of undercover investigations, controlled buys and physical surveillance. Investigators seized approximately 1604 grams of marijuana, 20 grams of cocaine and 55 Lortab pills. Also confiscated during the drug raid was $4885 in cash, 7 firearms and one vehicle.

Arrested and charged with four (4) counts of Unlawful Distribution of a Controlled Substance, Possession of Marijuana 1st Degree, Possession of Controlled Substance x2 and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia was:

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2013 Joe Sewell Finalists Announced

Submitted by JoBeth Davis, Community Web Producer

Tuesday, April 16th, 2013, 11:05am

WETUMPKA , AL – The Board of Directors of the Joe Sewell Memorial Award and John Sewell Memorial Scholarship have released the names of its 2013 Senior Finalists and 9th Grade Certificate Winners.

The award was established in 2005 to recognize outstanding high school senior athletes in Elmore County who have consistently represented the highest ideals of Christian leadership. Each year, one male and one female senior from Elmore County high schools are chosen for the top honor – the Joe Sewell Memorial Award and $2500 John Sewell Scholarship. Male and female category winners are also selected for academics, athletics, leadership, and church, community, and character, with each student receiving a $750 scholarship. The Joe Sewell Memorial Award is the only program of its kind in the River Region that presents scholarship money in conjunction with the awards to overall and category winners.

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Former Wetumpka youth minister given maximum prison sentence for child sex abuse

Submitted by JoBeth Davis, Community Web Producer

Wednesday, April 3rd, 2013, 4:09pm

Former Wetumpka youth minister given maximum prison sentence for child sex abuse

MONTGOMERY, AL (WSFA) - A former youth minister from Wetumpka was sentenced to the maximum amount of years possible yesterday in Cullman County for first-degree sexual abuse of a child less than 12.

Officials say John A. Astorga, previously a youth minister for the Bethel Assembly of God in Wetumpka, was convicted of first-degree sexual abuse of a child who was less than 12 years old in December 2012 in Cullman County. Astorga was also convicted of two counts of first-degree sexual abuse in Elmore County back in April 2012.

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