Good morning!

Here's your Daily News for Wednesday, August 28.
1. Reed and Woods head to runoff.
  • There will be a runoff to determine who Montgomery's next mayor will be.
  • Probate Judge Steven Reed was the top vote getter of the night with 42 percent and WCOV broadcaster David Woods was second with 24 percent.
  • Because no candidate won 50 percent plus one, Reed and Woods will face each other in a runoff on October 8.
  • Ed Crowell and J.C. Love were the next best, coming in at 12 and 10 percent, respectively.
  • See full coverage, including a breakdown of the results and interviews with the candidates from WSFA HERE.
  • Read more from the Advertiser's Sara MacNeil HERE.
2. Meadows wins HD74 nom.
  • Charlotte Meadows won the special Republican primary runoff for State House District 74 Tuesday night amid some mechanical difficulties at the Montgomery election office.
  • Before any official election results had been announced late Tuesday night, Michael Fritz had already called to concede to Meadows and statements of congratulations to Meadows had been sent.
  • The final vote tallies posted at the Montgomery County election office showed Meadows received 3,800 votes, or 55 percent, and Fritz received 3,101, or 45 percent. Voter turnout was 22 percent.
  • Meadows will face Democrat Rayford Mack in the November general election.
  • “I’m very happy, a little overwhelmed and it’s all a little surreal,” Meadows told Alabama Daily News a few hours before any ballots were fully counted. “But I got a phone call from Michael Fritz and that was a very positive conversation, so that makes it seem more real because evidently, he’s seeing the same numbers we’re seeing.”
  • Full story from ADN's Caroline Beck HERE.
3. Sawmill opens in Abbeville.
  • A new $40 million Abbeville sawmill is bringing more than 100 jobs to Henry County.
  • Gov. Kay Ivey and a host of other state officials on Tuesday attended the grand opening of Abbeville Fiber - a state-of-the-art facility that will employ 115 area residents when fully staffed. It is located at a former textile plant that closed a decade ago, costing the region hundreds of jobs.
  • Abbeville Fiber is a sister company of Great Southern Wood Preserving, Inc. CEO Jimmy Rane delivered a sometimes emotional speech recalling the economic struggles of Henry County and his commitment to investing back into the local community.
  • “This state-of-the-art facility is not just about producing the highest quality wood products, it is about empowering people to provide a better life for their families and building a stronger, more prosperous community for all of us,” Rane said.
  • Ivey said Great Southern Wood and, now, Abbeville Fiber are models for companies investing in rural Alabama communities.
  • “What I have seen here today represents the best of Alabama — good people who are proud of their work and doing it to the best of their ability,” Ivey said.
  • Abbeville Fiber processes about 45 truckloads of locally-sourced logs each day, but will eventually double that number.
  • It was a cool event and I'll be writing more about it in the coming days.
  • For now, read more from YellowHammer's Sean Ross HERE and from the Dothan Eagle's Jeremy Wise HERE.
4. Shock murder of Biscuits player's family.
  • The wife, child and mother-in-law of Montgomery Biscuits baseball player Blake Bevins were killed Tuesday in a freak murder apparently carried out by a family member.
  • Police in Pittsylvania, Virginia responded to reports of gunfire to find a woman and her child shot dead in a driveway. Another woman was reportedly found dead inside.
  • Later, Sheriff's deputies chased a crazed naked man named Matthew Thomas Bernard around a neighborhood before finally subduing him with a K-9 unit.
  • It turns out Bernard is the son, brother, and uncle of those he is accused of killing.
  • The Biscuits cancelled their doubleheader game in the wake of the "unimaginable loss" and sent prayers to Bevins and "all those who have been impacted by this tragedy."
  • Full story from The Advertiser's Kristen Fiscus HERE.
  • Read more from the Washington Post HERE.
  • Also read the local reporting from the Danville Register HERE.
5. AP News Briefs.
540 grams of meth, 100 pounds of weed found in Alabama raid

  • Deputies in Alabama say they've arrested a suspect described as a "major drug trafficker" after a two-year investigation.
  • News outlets report 34-year-old Rolando Antwain Williams was arrested last week and charged with six counts of drug trafficking, unlawful distribution of a controlled substance and unlawful carrying of a pistol.
  • Jefferson County Sheriff's Capt. David Agee says a search of a Bessemer home uncovered 100 pounds (45 kilograms) of marijuana, 133 grams (5 ounces) of heroin, 540 grams (19 ounces) of methamphetamines and 112 grams (4 ounces) of cocaine.
  • Agee says a subsequent search of a Birmingham home uncovered another 50 pounds (23 kilograms) of marijuana, 130 grams (5 ounces) of heroin and numerous firearms.
  • It's unclear whether Williams has an attorney who can comment.


Father killed, son shot after older son ordered to clean up

  • An Alabama father is dead and his 12-year old son is in critical condition following a domestic shooting at their home in Toney.
  • Linda and Rick McNamara tell WAFF-TV that their son, 43-year-old Chad Wanca, died Saturday from a gunshot wound at Huntsville Hospital. Wanca's 12-year-old son, Hunter, is recovering at Children's Hospital of Alabama in Birmingham.
  • The McNamaras say their 16-year-old grandson faces charges of murder and attempted murder and is being held at the Madison County Jail under a $200,000 bond. Madison County investigators aren't releasing his name because he's a juvenile.
  • The McNamaras say they were told the shooting started when the 16-year-old was asked to clean his room.
  • News outlets report deputies received multiple 911 calls concerning the home. The teen was outside when they arrived.


Grandma charged in overdose death of 19-month-old

  • An Alabama woman has been arrested in the death of her 19-month-old grandson, who swallowed and overdosed on methadone.
  • News outlets report 44-year-old Michelle Lee Light was charged Monday with chemical endangerment of a child resulting in death.
  • Journey Dorman was found unresponsive while in her care last year.
  • Jefferson County Sheriff's Capt. David Agee says Light didn't tell rescue workers that Journey might have ingested the methadone, so they weren't able to try to save his life with Narcan or other anti-overdose treatments.
  • Agee says detectives obtained an arrest warrant and had been searching for Light since early July. She was arrested during a traffic stop.
  • It's unclear whether Light has an attorney who can comment.


Lawyer: Pastor charged in church fire dies before court date

  • An Alabama pastor indicted in connection to a fire at his church has died the night before a hearing in the case.
  • News outlets report an attorney for 50-year-old Ricky Van Mitchell says the Riverside pastor had a heart attack Monday night. Tommy Spina says his client died at a hospital in Birmingham.
  • Mitchell and his wife, 46-year-old Angela Mitchell, were charged with arson, criminal conspiracy and insurance fraud in the Jan. 12 fire. Forty-five-year-old Heather Whitten was also charged with arson and criminal conspiracy.
  • AL.com reports a St. Clair County judge ordered a funeral home to preserve Mitchell's body. Prosecutors filed a motion citing unusual circumstances in the death. Spina filed a motion to dismiss the case.
  • The pastor had been scheduled for a bond revocation hearing Tuesday morning.


Headlines.
ALABAMA DAILY NEWS - Meadows wins House District 74 GOP runoff

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS - Byrne: Lack of agreement could kill $2.1B Mobile bridge plan

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS - 5 companies compete to build new Alabama prisons

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS - State opens European development office

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS - Judge weighs defamation claim against Roy Moore

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS - Auburn’s Malzahn took ‘refreshing’ look at his past offenses

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS - Tide aiming to be ‘just like any other Alabama team’

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS - Gas tax increase coming, road projects already moving

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS - Daily News Digest – August 26, 2019

AL.COM  - Honda has $12 billion annual impact on Alabama’s economy
 
AL.COM  - Charlotte Meadows wins GOP nomination for Montgomery House seat
 
AL.COM  - Alabama-built Space Launch System mockup is in NASA spotlight
 
AL.COM  - $40 million sawmill opens in Henry County
 
AL.COM  - Alabama contractors having trouble filling skilled positions
 
AL.COM  - Adelante demands ICE release board member and son
 
AL.COM  - State recommends hepatitis A vaccine for all food workers
 
AL.COM  - Ilhan Omar says ALGOP not in position to call for her ouster after nominating Roy Moore
 
AL.COM  - Information scarce on some Alabama prison-building firms
 
AL.COM  - Alabama changes seat belt law: Starting Sept. 1, all people in vehicles must be buckled up
 
Montgomery Advertiser - Steven Reed, David Woods head to runoff for Montgomery mayor

Montgomery Advertiser - Veteran forces City Council incumbent Tracy Larkin into runoff; 1 of 3 districts heading back to polls

Montgomery Advertiser - 2019 Montgomery municipal election: See the vote totals here

YellowHammer News - Report: Salaries in Birmingham metro area go furthest in nation

YellowHammer News - ‘Duty, Honor, Country’: Abbeville Fiber grand opening showcases best of Alabama, America

YellowHammer News - Study: High costs prevent one in three Alabamians from using prescription drugs

Dothan Eagle - Gov. Kay Ivey, others tout importance of Abbeville Fiber, partnerships at facility’s grand opening

Dothan Eagle - Mattel chooses Alabama Civil Rights activist Rosa Parks for Barbie’s Inspiring Women series

Dothan Eagle - Ozark man accused of stealing more than $2K from Dothan Walmart

Tuscaloosa News - Lawyer: Pastor charged in church fire dies before court date

Tuscaloosa News - Gas prices in Tuscaloosa County near $2 mark

Tuscaloosa News - Council extends negotiations for Tuscaloosa News building, site

Decatur Daily - Mayo leaving Decatur Heritage for Cook Museum

Decatur Daily - Ard won't seek 3rd term while other city leaders consider future

Decatur Daily - Man with numerous convictions jailed by city for 4th time this year; bail $50,000

Times Daily - Still no clear resolution after 'no confidence' vote at NWSCC

Times Daily - Social media valuable when weather threatens

Times Daily - Shoals MPO approves street improvement project

Gadsden Times - Local employers look to hire at annual job fair

Gadsden Times - Gas tax plans finalized by county, cities before going into effect Sunday

Gadsden Times - Gadsden chase leads law enforcement into Anniston

Anniston Star - Heflin council hears reason for higher dispatch fees

Anniston Star - Phillip Tutor: A big thank-you to Forward 4 All

Anniston Star - Police chase from Etowah County ends in Anniston with suspect in custody, no injuries

Troy Messenger - Lindsey excited to begin first season as Troy head coach

Troy Messenger - New hunting, fishing licenses available at probate office

Troy Messenger - OPEN FOR BUSINESS: Brundidge government moves to new city hall

Andalusia Star News - EMA assistant director urges residents to prepare for possible storms

Andalusia Star News - Zeigler: I think it is imperative that the people have a voice

Opelika-Auburn News - Opelika police searching for purse-theft suspect

Opelika-Auburn News - Museum of East Alabama celebrates 30 years

Opelika-Auburn News - Two arrested in connection to Lake Martin-area meth lab explosion

Daily Mountain Eagle - ESL Camp a building block for students learning English

Daily Mountain Eagle - Boat parade on Smith Lake to honor veterans

Daily Mountain Eagle - Chambers suggests dissolving industrial board

Trussville Tribune - Trussville City Council discusses ‘potential litigation’ during executive session

Trussville Tribune - Lawyer: Riverside pastor charged in church fire dies before court date

Trussville Tribune - Man jailed on $2 million bond considered ‘major drug trafficker’ in Jefferson County

Athens News Courier - Spurning Amazon aid, Bolsonaro demands apology from Macron

Athens News Courier - LCBOE approves 5-year 'wish list'

Athens News Courier - Respiratory ailments hit in Amazon as Brazil spurns G-7 aid

Sand Mountain Reporter - McKelvey found guilty | Sentenced to life without parole

WSFA Montgomery - Reed, Woods heading to runoff in Montgomery mayor’s race

WSFA Montgomery - 5 Montgomery City Council seats decided, 3 races headed to runoffs

WSFA Montgomery - Meadows wins GOP runoff for House District 74

Fox 6 Birmingham - AT&T workers end strike over alleged unfair labor practices

Fox 6 Birmingham - Self-storage company fights Birmingham over building permit

Fox 6 Birmingham - License plate cameras watching McCalla neighborhood

WAFF Huntsville - Shots fired at Huntsville apartment complex, police searching for shooter

WAFF Huntsville - Limestone County suspect gives update on ‘attack squirrel’ while leaving court

WAFF Huntsville - Lincoln County leaders talk hospital’s survival

WKRG Mobile - Man accused of deadly hit and run due back in court Wednesday morning

WKRG Mobile - Eastern Shore MPO meets Wednesday amid mounting toll controversy

WKRG Mobile - Short police chase ends on Durant Street in Mobile

WTVY Dothan - Ala. teen killed father, critically injured brother after being told to clean room, family says

WTVY Dothan - UPDATE: Teen arrested and charged with Monday night shooting in Enterprise

WTVY Dothan - Headland woman accused of abusing, neglecting 74-year-old
 
WASHINGTON POST  - ‘Take the land’: President Trump wants a border wall. He wants it black. And he wants it by Election Day
 
WASHINGTON POST  - Gun control advocates air ad to pressure McConnell and other GOP senators
 
WASHINGTON POST  - Heart disease progress is slowing or stalling, study says. Obesity is likely to blame
 
NEW YORK TIMES  – Columnist Frank Bruni: Donald Trump Has Worn Us All Out

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