Congressional Gold Medal awarded to 'Four Little Girls'

Submitted by MyFoxAL Web Staff on Friday, May 24th, 6:25 pm

President Obama signing the bill to award the "Four Little Girls" the Congressional Gold Medal. Source: WBRC video

WASHINGTON, D.C. (WBRC)- A tragic moment in Birmingham's turbulent Civil Rights struggle leads to a national distinction from the White House.

President Barack Obama signed a bill awarding the Congressional Gold Medal, the nation's, highest civilian honor, to the four young girls killed in the 1963 16th Street Baptist Church bombing.

Birmingham Mayor William Bell was at the signing along with family members of the victims Addie Mae Collins, Carole Robertson, Cynthia Wesley and Denise McNair. Former U.S. prosecutor Doug Jones, who brought two church bombers to justice, and bill co-sponsor Rep. Terri Sewell attended as well.

The medals will be awarded at a Congressional ceremony later this year and will then be permanently displayed at the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute.

Click here to read the text of the bill.

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President Obama to honor 1963 Birmingham bombing victims

Submitted by MyFoxAL Web Staff on Friday, May 24th, 6:29 am

BIRMINGHAM, AL (WBRC)- The four girls killed in the 1963 bombing at the 16th Street Baptist Church will be honored in Washington, DC, today.

President Obama is scheduled to sign a bill that posthumously awards the girls the Congressional Gold Medal.

Birmingham Mayor William Bell and other state leaders are scheduled to join President Obama for the signing this afternoon.

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16th Street Baptist Church victims remembered ahead of Congressional honor

Submitted by Vanessa Araiza

Thursday, May 23rd, 2013, 10:14pm

BIRMINGHAM, AL (WBRC)- Dozens of people joined together at Kelley Ingram Park Thursday afternoon to commemorate the Birmingham Civil Rights 50th Anniversary.

"We believe joining together that it's important to have civil right, equal rights and union rights," said J. David Cox with the American Federation of Government Employees.

Members traveled from as far as the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.

All of them came to Birmingham to commemorate the 50th anniversary remember the tragic death of the four African-American girls at the 16th Street Baptist Church.

Celestine Hood and her sister, Rosena Robinson, were only teenagers when the tragic bombing happened.

"I can remember us leaving school. Being put in jail. I can remember the fire hoses. I can remember the dogs. I can remember the people on the sidelines spitting on us," Hood said.

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Alabama Power warns customers of bill scam

Submitted by MyFoxAL Web Staff on Wednesday, May 22nd, 11:08 pm

BIRMINGHAM, AL (WBRC)- Alabama Power is warning customers about a phone scam.

Officials say someone is calling customers, telling them their power will be shut off at a certain time if they don't pay. The customers are told to go an buy a reloadable debit card and are given a deadline to pay. When the customer buys the card and calls back with the information, the card is quickly emptied.

Alabama Power officials say, unfortunately, some people have already been duped.

"The thing we want to remind our customers is: that's not the way we do business. If you have every have any question...hang up the phone and call [the utility company]," Ike Pigott said.

If you have questions about your power bill or you've received a scam call like this you are encouraged to call Alabama Power at 1-800-245-2244. Read more about avoiding scams on the Alabama Power news page.

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JeffCo hopes new bill will cut wait in car tag line

Submitted by Alan Collins, Fox 6 News Reporter

Wednesday, May 22nd, 2013, 6:32pm

JEFFERSON COUNTY, AL (WBRC)- Jefferson County did not get a lot of help from the recently completed legislative session. But, one bill may help shorten some of the long lines for those trying to renew car tags or to do other county business.

Alabama Revenue officials believe House Bill 215 by Homewood Rep. Paul DeMarco will cut the tag lines. In the past, if there is joint ownership of a vehicle, two identifications had to be presented to register that vehicle. DeMarco said that will change immediately under the bill to help cut down on waiting time. Another provision will allow for people to purchase specialty tags online. This change will start the first of next year.

"This is something they said would have an impact on the lines by streamlining some of the process. Reducing some of the paper work. So this will hopefully bring some relief," DeMarco said.

Taxpayers waiting in line are hoping for any relief.

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Construction on new Birmingham transit hub begins this summer

Submitted by Alan Collins, Fox 6 News Reporter

Wednesday, May 22nd, 2013, 5:42pm

The current MAX bus facility. Source: Alan Collins

BIRMINGHAM, AL (WBRC)- This week the Birmingham City Council approved spending $101,000 as a penalty to tear down the Birmingham Jefferson County Transit Authority building on Morris Avenue.

The building has been around for only 14 years but in that time Birmingham leaders have been trying to build a new intermodal facility. The new building will have more room to create a headquarters for Max buses and its riders. The new facility will also service Amtrak and Greyhound riders.

Birmingham-Jefferson County Transit Authority Ann August says the facility can't serve Birmingham's needs.

"The building here leaks whenever it rains dramatically and it does not have the capacity to expand," August said.

But some taxpayers may question spending more money on a new building and even paying a penalty to tear the old building down.

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Birmingham Police investigate deadly shooting

Submitted by MyFoxAL Web Staff on Wednesday, May 22nd, 6:20 am

Police investigate a shooting on Avenue T Tuesday night. Source: WBRC video

BIRMINGHAM, AL (WBRC)- Birmingham Police are investigating a deadly shooting in Ensley.

The incident happened Tuesday night in the 1800 block of Avenue T. Officers responded to a call around 7:45 p.m. of a man lying in the street after being shot.

When they arrived, they found Lederious Peoples, 27, of Birmingham, shot multiple times. He was taken to UAB Hospital where he died a short time later.

Birmingham Police Lt. Curtis Mitchell says at least two guns were used based on evidence at the scene. He says police have no suspects at this time and investigators continue to work the case. No eyewitnesses have come forward.

If there is anyone who has information pertaining to the case, they are encouraged to contact the B.P.D. Homicide Unit at 205-254-1764 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777.

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