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Etowah Co. authorities crack down on adults doing drugs around kids

Submitted by Melynda Sides, Digital Content Producer

Monday, May 20th, 2013, 5:24pm

(L-R) Tiffanie Angelia Mitchell and Breanna Latreace Wilson were both arrested on chemical endangerment of a child charges. Source: Etowah County Sheriff's Office

ETOWAH COUNTY, AL (WBRC)- Officials in Etowah County announced Monday they will be cracking down on parents who endanger their children by taking illegal drugs around them.

The Etowah County Sheriff's Office, District Attorney Jimmie Harp and Etowah County DHR director Teresa Sauls held a joint press conference at the sheriff's office to make the announcement. In the new push by Etowah County authorities, even unborn children will be protected by the law.

"A disturbing tragedy is occurring weekly in Etowah County as pregnant women are choosing to chemically endanger their unborn child," Sheriff Entrekin said in a release. "We will stand together as concerned law enforcement and social service professionals to fight this troubling issue."

Sheriff Todd Entrekin said if a woman gives birth to a baby and the child tests positive for an illegal drug, she will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

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Mother and daughter report being robbed by daughter's boyfriend

Submitted by Melynda Sides, Digital Content Producer

Monday, May 20th, 2013, 12:50pm

GADSDEN, AL (WBRC)- A 29-year-old woman and her mother gave separate reports to police about being robbed by the same man, the daughter's 21-year-old boyfriend.

The daughter told police her boyfriend came to her home in the 800 block of Raley Street around 4 p.m. Friday, May 17 and demanded money. When she refused, the man beat her and stole $200 in cash and a cell phone before leaving the scene, according to Gadsden police.

The victim was treated at Gadsden Regional Medical Center for her injuries. In her report, she told police that no one else was home when it happened.

Police are also investigating a separate report filed by the woman's 55-year-old mother. The mom told police that she was present during the robbery and that her daughter's boyfriend robbed her of $80 in cash. The mother also told police the man choked and shoved her. Police say the mom drove to a different location and called police.

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Armed man tries to rob Gadsden pizza place, leaves empty-handed

Submitted by Melynda Sides, Digital Content Producer

Monday, May 20th, 2013, 12:31pm

GADSDEN, AL (WBRC)- A man who tried to rob a pizza place in Gadsden fled the scene empty-handed after his attempts failed, according to police.

Employees of the Little Caesar's Pizza on West Meighan Blvd. reported to police that an armed man tried to rob the restaurant on Friday, May 17 around 8:45 p.m. Witnesses described the suspect as a 6'1", 140 pound black man between the ages of 24 and 34 years old. They said he wore a gray hoodie and was armed with a handgun.

Witnesses told police the man entered the pizza place, racked the slide back on his handgun, twice, and then announced, "This is a hold up," Captain Bobby Jackson said.

The man then told everyone to get on the ground, but when no one obeyed his instructions, the suspect tried to open up the register himself. When he couldn't open the register, he left the business without any money and without injuring anyone.

Police say the investigation is ongoing.

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Six tips to bombproof your password

Submitted by MyFoxAL Web Staff on Saturday, May 18th, 8:29 am

By Geoff Duncan
Provided by

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Etowah Co. escaped inmate captured

Submitted by Nate Hall on Friday, May 17th, 11:21 pm

Justin Wade Hopkins (Photo: Etowah County Sheriff's Office)

BIRMINGHAM, AL (WBRC)- The Etowah County Sheriff's Office says they have captured an inmate kitchen worker who escaped early Friday morning.

According to the Sheriff's Office, 30-year-old Justin Wade Hopkins of Collinsville escaped from the Etowah County Detention Center shortly after 4 a.m. May 17. He was seen running toward Tuscaloosa Avenue.

Hopkins was found thanks in part to a citizen's tip.

Hopkins was being detained on theft and burglary charges.

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Wells Fargo announces heavy support in Civil Rights anniversary

Submitted by MyFoxAL Web Staff on Friday, May 17th, 9:28 pm

BIRMINGHAM, AL (WBRC)- Wells Fargo announces plans to support a wide variety of programs and events as part of Birmingham's 50th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Movement. They plan to help seven specific groups this year as part of the city's "50 Years Forward" effort.

Representatives from the different organizations were at the press conference this morning. Some of their plans this year include providing college scholarships through the 16th Street Baptist Church Foundation, sponsoring the re-print of the A.G. Gaston book "Green Power," supporting educational programs at the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute and sponsoring Juneteenth Culture Fest at the BCRI on June 1st.

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Man arrested after threatening people with gun in Gadsden

Submitted by Melynda Sides, Digital Content Producer

Friday, May 17th, 2013, 12:13pm

GADSDEN, AL (WBRC)- Gadsden police have arrested a 35-year-old man after he reportedly threatened to kill the people inside his house.

Police responded to a domestic incident around 5 a.m. Friday at a home in the 1300 block of Merryhill Avenue in east Gadsden. A younger female told police that the 35-year-old man, also a resident of the house, was "waving a gun around and threatening to kill the people inside," Captain Bobby Jackson said.

Gadsden police arrived to the scene and tried to make contact. A few minutes later, the man's mother called dispatch to tell them the man was also threatening to commit suicide.

The Joint Special Operations Group responded to the home and entered the home within an hour. They took the suspect, whose identity has not been released, into custody.

Police say no one was injured in the incident. The investigation is ongoing.

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