Employees take day off to serve others

Thursday, May 9th, 2013, 6:07pm

HUNTSVILLE, AL (WAFF)- Keller Williams Realty employees took Thursday off, but they didn't spend it sitting around. They spent the day giving back in the Tennessee Valley.

One group stopped at the CASA Community Garden to pull weeds and plant vegetables. The garden is maintained by volunteers year round. All of the fruits and vegetables that are grown in the garden are delivered to homebound people in Madison County.

Another group went to the Hope Place of Huntsville and fixed it up. Hope Place is a safe facility for someone in an abusive situation to turn to. The group pressure washed awnings, ripped up carpet, and painted.

Employees also helped out at Burritt on the Mountain, Wall at the Well, and read to kids through Huntsville City Schools' reading program.

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Travel & tourism dollars coming into Madison County

Submitted by WAFF Web Staff

Thursday, May 9th, 2013, 7:43am

Huntsville and Madison County are some of the most visited places in Alabama.

MADISON COUNTY, AL (WAFF)-

The numbers are in on the
economic front when it comes to travel and tourism dollars coming into Madison County.

Huntsville City officials and area hospitality
industry leaders said the number of visitors into the area decreased slightly
in 2012, but Huntsville and Madison County are still some of the most visited
cities in Alabama.

"We have an
economic impact of $1 billion dollars to this community and that is huge," said
Judy Ryals, Huntsville/Madison County Convention and Visitors Bureau. "We're
bringing in new dollars to the community and that improves the quality of life
for everyone who lives here."

Ryals
and Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle said they plan to increase the number of
visitors and conventions to the area by continuing to highlight Huntsville's role in space and research and
overall quality of life. More than 14,000 area jobs are tied to the hospitality
industry.

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WEATHER BLOG: Update on chance of rain Friday and Saturday

Submitted by Lonnie Liebner, Community Web Producer

Thursday, May 9th, 2013, 12:00am

WEATHER BLOG: Update on chance of rain Friday and Saturday

By Brad Travis

They sky will clear overnight and lows will be around 60 degrees.

Here is a forecast image showing the forecast change in Barometric Pressure as we track the next storm system. Pressure will be falling Thursday into Saturday with a rapid rise in pressure Sunday into Monday behind the weekend cold front as the cooler air mass moves in.

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Madison man pleads guilty to possession of child porn

Submitted by WAFF Web Staff

Wednesday, May 8th, 2013, 11:58pm

John Bradley Nash is scheduled to be sentenced on August 29.

MADISON, AL (WAFF)- Court documents show John Bradley Nash pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography.

Investigators said they found evidence of child porn on his computers and cell phones in his home.

He is scheduled to be sentenced on August 29.

Madison Police say John Bradley Nash volunteered at Discovery Middle School where his father, John V. Nash, was band director.

School officials at Discovery Middle School reported a possible inappropriate relationship with a 15-year-old student and John Bradley Nash to authorities on June 28, 2012.

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BBB warns of text message phishing scam

Submitted by WAFF Web Staff

Wednesday, May 8th, 2013, 11:01pm

HUNTSVILLE, AL (WAFF)- A text messaging scam is working its way through the Tennessee Valley.

Lately, customers with Verizon Wireless have been receiving a text from local Cadence or BBVA banks asking the recipient to contact them regarding their account number. Officials with the Better Business Bureau say: Do not hand your information over.

"Right when I saw the text message, I thought my bank account had been frozen based on my recent activity," said Lauren Downey. She received two text messages Tuesday and one on Wednesday.

Downey figured the text was bogus, but she called the number the text asks you to call just to be sure.

"I knew right then that my bank would call me and they would not make me put anything into an automated system," she said.

Michele Mason with the Better Business Bureau said they've been getting notified about the text messages for weeks.

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Senior Fun Fest kicks off at Madison Square Mall

Submitted by WAFF Web Staff

Wednesday, May 8th, 2013, 6:04pm

MADISON COUNTY, AL (WAFF)- Zumba-dancing ladies kicked off Wednesday's "Senior Fun Fest" at the Madison Square Mall.

Seniors from across the Tennessee Valley gathered for games, dancing, and fun to celebrate Older Americans Month.

The party is usually held at Sharon Johnston Park, but this year it moved indoors, just in case the weather turned bad.

Betty Frasier has attended Senior Fun Fest for the past decade.

"If they were unable to attend this today, they would be sitting at home alone without any interaction with anything or anybody so this is wonderful for them," said Frasier.

The TARCOG Area Agency on Aging hosts the event, along with the Madison County Commission.

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Car seat safety parents' first concern while traveling

Submitted by WAFF Web Staff

Wednesday, May 8th, 2013, 5:18pm

Car seat safety should be one of the first things parents get checked.

HUNTSVILLE, AL (WAFF)- Now is the time many of us grab the kids and our stuff and travel. Whether it's for a week or the day, car seat safety should be one of the first things parents get checked.

Little Kelsey is only 8 months old, but he is the center of his parent's world. His dad, Pranteek Patnaik, is in the medical field and knows how important safety is for traveling with children.

That's why he came to Huntsville Hospital to allow the pros to install Kelsey's car seat.

"I think, as a parent, safety, obviously, we always hear the term "precious cargo" and safety with that, and your little one brings it to a whole new level when you're a parent," said Patnaik.

The technician will go over some specific points with dad, give him a quick safety lesson, and make sure the seat is installed correctly.

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