AREA NEWS IN BRIEF

Police Chief Free of Falkville certified

FALKVILLE — Falkville Police Chief Chris Free received the certificate in police management at Jacksonville State University.

He earned the certification by completing the first 40 hours of the Law Enforcement Executive Program through the University Partnership for Alabama Continuing Education.

The Alabama Association of Chiefs of Police honored the Falkville police chief at its annual conference at Auburn.

Jacksonville State, Troy University at Dothan and the University of North Alabama at Florence compose UPACE.

Ronnie Thomas

Pawned computer leads to arrest

ATHENS — Athens Police arrested a man Monday after he allegedly stole a computer and tried to pawn it.

Capt. Marty Bruce said Bryan Edward Hooper, 33, of 402 N. Jefferson St. Apt. 12, Athens, allegedly broke into a vehicle Oct. 30, 2006, on East Pryor Street and stole a Gateway computer.

Bruce said Hooper then apparently pawned the computer at a Huntsville pawnshop. Investigators recovered the computer.

Hooper is in Limestone County Jail on the charge of unlawful breaking and entering a vehicle. Bond is $2,000.

Bayne Hughes

Woman accused of stealing from job

ATHENS — Athens police arrested a Huntsville woman Monday who was accused of stealing money from a local hair salon. Capt. Marty Bruce said investigators believe Pamela Lynne Reisinger, 18, of 108 Terrapin Circle, Huntsville, took about $2,500 while employed at Cost Cutters until Aug. 17.

Investigators charged Reisin-ger with second-degree theft. She is in Limestone County Jail on $2,000 bond.

Bayne Hughes

Morgan to seek pay hike for coroner

The Morgan County Commission will ask the local legislative delegation to pass a local bill to increase Coroner Russ Beard’s salary and expense allowance from $25,000 to $30,000.

In addition, the local bill would permit the commission to adjust Beard’s salary and benefits at its discretion and make Beard eligible for pay raises and retirement benefits.

Sheryl Marsh

Hartselle approves raise for retirees

HARTSELLE — A City Council majority here voted Tuesday to give its 29 retired employees a one-time cost-of-living adjustment. The raises will cost he city between $8,000 and $12,000.

“We have to do it now if we’re going to do it. We can’t retroact it,” Mayor Dwight Tankersley said.

According to Retirement Systems of Alabama, the Legislature passed an act during its last session that allows governments to give retirees $1 per month for each year worked.

Unlike in January when the council approved a 7 percent pay hike for retired employees, the one-time raise passed with very little deliberation.

Councilman Mark Mizell, who has in previous meetings expressed concerns about the city’s increased employee cost, opposed the increase.

Deangelo McDaniel

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