'scope it out for October 13, 2009

Published On: 10/12/2009

Man jumps from ambulance on way to mental hospital

GARDENDALE, Ala. (AP- An Alabama state trooper says a man being taken to a mental health facility in Tuscaloosa jumped from the ambulance while it was traveling south on Interstate 65 north of Gardendale.

State Trooper Charles Dysart tells The Birmingham News that the man was being transported to Bryce Hospital by the Blount EMS ambulance service when he jumped at 9:37 a.m. Saturday.

Dysart says the man had undisclosed injuries and was put in another ambulance and taken to UAB Hospital in Birmingham for treatment.

Troopers wouldn’t release the man’s name and age but said he’s over 30.

Judge: nightclub closed by council can stay open

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP)- A Jefferson County judge has again blocked Birmingham from shuttering a nightclub that the city council had voted to close.

Judge Houston Brown ruled Friday the nightclub can stay open until a final hearing is held on the matter. The ruling also prevents the city from taking action against off-duty police officers who work at the club.

An earlier restraining order had expired Monday.

Some city council members and Mayor Larry Langford targeted the club for closing after 21-year-old Kelvin Felder was stabbed to death there on Aug. 30.

Harold Williams, a 35-year-old from Bessemer, was charged with Felder’s murder after he turned himself in. He was released on $75,000 bond.

Old NYC diner, soup to nuts, rolls into Alabama

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) _ An old diner that ran its course as a fixture on Manhattan’s West Side has arrived in Birmingham.

The Birmingham News reports that the 96-foot railroad car-style diner arrived Thursday after a two-week trip. The diner _ which has a black, white and silver metal exterior _ was divided into two pieces for the move.

Birmingham businessman Joel Owens bought the diner and plans to restore its 1940s look. It was originally called the Market Diner, and in the 1980s became the Cheyenne Diner.

Spokeswoman Patti Miller says the glass bricks that bordered the front door and the glass front door were among the parts removed for the move.

The diner is sitting on a lot while Owens tries to find it a permanent home.

Brewton Elementary teacher arrested on drug charge

BREWTON, Ala. (AP) _ Police in Brewton have arrested a fourth-grade teacher in an undercover drug sting.

Brewton Police Chief Monte McGougin said 46-year-old Kelly ball is charged with possession of a controlled substance and was released Friday on $5,000 bail.

McGougin told the Press-Register that investigators began surveillance of Ball’s home after hearing her name from street sources.

McGougin says Ball paid an undercover agent $100 for 30 Xanax pills in an alley near her home Thursday.

Brewton City Schools Superintendent Lynn Smith said no decision has been made about the employment status of Ball, who taught at Brewton Elementary.

Police said Ball also faces a municipal charge of resisting arrest.