who was the first African American to be employed at Farmers &’ÄàMerchants Bank, Huntsville

In 1975, Doris Redding was the First African American to be employed as a bank employee in the City of Huntsville. She was hired by George Harris, and the Board of directors of the Farmers and Merchants Bank.

— In a move to beat the filing of legislation to prevent unopposed land grabs by outside municipalities, the Madison City Council Monday night voted to annex 1,400 acres of Limestone County land.

On the weekend Limestone County Commission Chairman David Seibert and Athens Mayor Dan Williams announced that District 5 State Rep. Henry White, D-Athens, was to introduce a bill on the floor of the House Tuesday that would require unanimous approval of the commission or a countywide vote before an outside municipality could annex Limestone land after Feb. 12.

In an effort to attract new students and restore old buildings, Huntsville City Schools plans to spend nearly $100 million for new schools and renovations.

The fiscal 2008 budget, which began in October, calls for $34 million toward three projects: a new Williams Middle School, a new Lee High School, and a new elementary school for the Big Cove area. The estimated total cost of the schools is $74.4 million when construction is completed after 2008.

Volunteer: Rev. Marjorie E. Palmer

Occupation: pastor, Highlands United Methodist Church, Huntsville

Volunteer activity: "I spent my life as a volunteer prior to joining the work force. I have been a Scout leader, both Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts; I have taught Sunday school, I have been a volunteer parent for a swim team, and since (Hurricane) Katrina I have been volunteering in Mississippi and Louisiana on mission teams at distribution centers and building projects. I am also very active in the Alabama Hispanic Association."

Dear Prospective “100 Black Men of America (BMOA)” Greater Huntsville Chapter (GHC) Member:

You and I have a mutual friend, a current member in good standing with the Greater Huntsville Chapter “100 Black Men of America”, and he thinks enough about you, your unique gifts, your sense of community and family commitment, as well as your demonstrated ability to successfully develop and work as a member of a high performing team willing to give back to the community for which we live, work, and fellowship.

Come to Huntsville, AL to build beyond Jena! This coming weekend, on September 29 and 30 the International People’s Democratic Uhuru Movement (InPDUM), is holding its annual convention in Huntsville, Alabama under the slogan: “Organization is the key; self-determination is the solution!”
Our mobilization to Jena, Louisiana was a brilliant display of Black Power in motion. But it’s not enough. There are Jena’s throughout the U.S. that are crushing our people with the U.S. brand of justice every day.

We have to go beyond Jena and develop the capacity to not only respond to every such case in the U.S., but we must also move beyond responding to the acts against us by white power and come up with the organization and strategy that can advance our interests every day.

Come to Huntsville, AL to build beyond Jena! This coming weekend, on September 29 and 30 the International People’s Democratic Uhuru Movement (InPDUM), is holding its annual convention in Huntsville, Alabama under the slogan: “Organization is the key; self-determination is the solution!”
Our mobilization to Jena, Louisiana was a brilliant display of Black Power in motion. But it’s not enough. There are Jena’s throughout the U.S. that are crushing our people with the U.S. brand of justice every day.

We have to go beyond Jena and develop the capacity to not only respond to every such case in the U.S., but we must also move beyond responding to the acts against us by white power and come up with the organization and strategy that can advance our interests every day.

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (AP) - This much seems clear: Someone released prisoners to relieve overcrowding at the Madison County Jail in Huntsville. But no one is sure how many prisoners were freed or who approved their release.

The combined population of three lockups in Madison County swelled to about 300 inmates beyond its capacity of 830 people last week.

To relieve the overcrowding, Chief Deputy Chris Stephens said a Huntsville city judge approved a release of some nonviolent prisoners. But that judge, Sybil Cleveland, says she wasn't even in the office that day and didn't approve any release.

In the meantime, the Sheriff's Department says it doesn't know how many prisoners were freed.

The jail population was down about 50 people after the releases and some prisoner transfers. But the chief deputy says officials can't confirm how many prisoners were freed.

By GIL KLEIN
WASHINGTON - Seat belts that save many lives in cars may actually make school buses more dangerous - and much more costly, school officials said Wednesday.

"For the most part, lap belts provided entertainment for the kids," said Linda Farbry, director of transportation for Fairfax County, Va., public schools, who had been a school bus driver in the 1980s when the county tried them out. "They would use them as lariats to swing around and launch at other students."

Parents are pushing state legislatures to require school bus seat belts, and five states do. Yet several studies have indicated that seat belts would not make buses safer. School officials hope the federal government will draft seat-belt guidelines to help defuse what is often an emotional issue.

CHALLEN STEPHENSTimes Staff Writer
Blossomwood renovation could be a catalyst

A rebuilt Blossomwood Elementary School could lead to the shuttering of the second oldest elementary school in Huntsville.

East Clinton Elementary, built in 1938 and located in the Old Town Historic District, finished the school year with 182 students in a building with space for 480. Low enrollment has long made the school a target for consolidation.

Doug Martinson Jr., president of the city school board, said he and Superintendent Ann Roy Moore have talked recently about closing East Clinton. Moore was out of town this week and could not be reached for comment