Marion Co. school evacuated due to train derailment

Submitted by MyFoxAL Web Staff on Thursday, May 23rd, 4:47 pm

The Marion County Sheriff's Department confirms a train derailed in Bear Creek around 12:30 p.m. Thursday. Source: Kevin Burnell on Twitter/WAFF

MARION, AL (WBRC)- A school in Marion County was evacuated after a train derailed Thursday afternoon.

A Norfolk Southern Train derailed at Bear Creek near Phillips High School. The students were evacuated to St. Paul Church on Highway 79 in Franklin County and parents were notified.

The Marion County school board says evacuation is the standard procedure for any train derailments in the area. The Marion County Sheriff's Office said there is no risk of chemical endangerment.

The local EMA office and Norfolk Southern confirm that two of the derailed cars are designed to transport crude oil. Those cars were empty on the current trip so there is no leakage of crude oil.

Norfolk Southern says a total of 21 cars derailed. Fifteen were empty and six cars contained wood chips, mineral oil and cottonseed.

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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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Wells Fargo announces heavy support in Civil Rights anniversary

Submitted by MyFoxAL Web Staff on Friday, May 17th, 9:28 pm

BIRMINGHAM, AL (WBRC)- Wells Fargo announces plans to support a wide variety of programs and events as part of Birmingham's 50th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Movement. They plan to help seven specific groups this year as part of the city's "50 Years Forward" effort.

Representatives from the different organizations were at the press conference this morning. Some of their plans this year include providing college scholarships through the 16th Street Baptist Church Foundation, sponsoring the re-print of the A.G. Gaston book "Green Power," supporting educational programs at the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute and sponsoring Juneteenth Culture Fest at the BCRI on June 1st.

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Absolutely Alabama preview: Aprons, berries, a garden and saloon

Submitted by Melynda Sides, Digital Content Producer

Friday, May 17th, 2013, 3:37pm

Photos and captions by Fred Hunter

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Recipe: White chocolate mousse with warm balsamic strawberries

Submitted by Melynda Sides, Digital Content Producer

Tuesday, May 14th, 2013, 3:28pm

White chocolate mousse with warm balsamic strawberries

Chef Franklin Biggs

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County engineers welcome state funds to fix roads

Submitted by Alan Collins, Fox 6 News Reporter

Tuesday, May 14th, 2013, 1:53pm

MONTGOMERY, AL (WBRC)- A number of rural roads and bridges in Alabama are in bad shape. Monday, Governor Robert Bentley announced 254 road and bridge projects which will be getting funding to fix them.

In Chilton County two bridges will get help. The bridge on County Road 2 over Mahan Creek will get $464,000 and the other will be County Road 32 over Walnut Creek will get $530,000.

"These are the ones that are most restrictive on weight. Not allowing school bus traffic and in a couple of areas is hindering future development of the county," Tony Wearren, Chilton County Engineer, said.

In Bibb County resurfacing work will cost $2.1 million on County Road 20 and Antioch Road, and $1.3 million on County Road 24 and Vance Road. Bibb County officials said the money is welcomed.

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Ala-based firm to combat cyberattacks

Submitted by Melynda Sides, Digital Content Producer

Monday, May 13th, 2013, 12:03pm

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) - A new company is being launched in Birmingham to combat computer-based attacks.

The University of Alabama at Birmingham is starting an intelligence company called Malcovery in a public-private partnership.

The director of UAB's computer forensics office, Gary Warner, will serve as the company's chief technologist while remaining in his role with the university.

Warner says the company provides real-time intelligence to identify cyberattacks as they occur worldwide. Malcovery is an outgrowth of Warner's work identify computer security threats.

Malcovery is based jointly in Birmingham and in Pittsburgh, Pa.

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