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Alabama's failing schools list released

Submitted by MyFoxAL Web Staff on Tuesday, June 18th, 6:03 pm

BIRMINGHAM, AL (WBRC)- The "failing" schools list under the newly-passed Alabama Accountability Act has been released. State education officials to released the results around 10 a.m. on Monday.

A total of 78 schools made the failing schools list.

State Superintendent Tommy Bice made it clear that just because a school is listed as failing doesn't mean it's not improving, or that the school has been a consistent underachiever.

Of the 78 failing schools, 48 have at least one year of being satisfactory since 2007. And under the new law's standards, 24 of the schools were not failing last year.

The state superintendent says his authority is limited and he can't just take a school off the list if it shows significant improvement.

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Missing your piglets in Pell City?

Submitted by Melynda Sides, Digital Content Producer
Tuesday, June 18th, 2013, 4:05pm
These two pigs are currently being cared for by the Pell City animal control, but police are hoping to return them to their owners. Source: Dixon Hayes

PELL CITY, AL (WBRC)- Pell City police are trying to solve the mystery of who owns two little piggies captured over the weekend.

The pigs were spotted on Friday afternoon wandering through the Kings Circle area, headed toward 19th Street South. Police say one pig was captured on Friday and the other was caught on Saturday.

The piglets are now in custody of the Pell City animal shelter and police are hoping their owners will come forward to claim them.

The Pell City Police Department posted a photo of the pigs on their Facebook page on Sunday, asking their fans to help track down the pigs' owner.

"Please help them go ‘wee wee wee, all the way home' by 'sharing' this post," the department said.

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Springville FD respond to partial roof collapse at middle school

Submitted by Brianne Britzius, Fox 6 Digital Producer
Monday, June 17th, 2013, 6:55pm
Source: WBRC

SPRINGVILLE, AL (WBRC)- The Springville Fire Department is at the scene of a partial roof collapse at Springville Middle School.

Straight line winds from a thunderstorm peeled off about 30 percent of the gym's roof around 3 p.m. Monday, according to Springville Fire Chief Richard Harvey. No one was inside at the time and no injuries have been reported.

Chief Harvey says many of the gym roof's rafters are intact, but a significant amount of water came through the collapsed roof and hit the hardwood floors.

The roof isn't safe enough to walk on, so maintenance crews are unable to climb on the roof to cover it with tarps. Crews are concerned because more rain is expected this evening.

School principal Virgil Winslett said the good news is that no one was at the school when the roof collapsed and they will have until August to repair it before kids come back for classes.

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UAB: Eye injuries more common in kids in summer

Submitted by Melynda Sides, Digital Content Producer
Sunday, June 16th, 2013, 2:00pm
UAB: Eye injuries more common in kids in summer

From the University of Alabama at Birmingham:

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Children are at increased risk for eye injuries in the summer, according to University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) researchers. Eye injuries are much more common in May and June before reaching a peak in July, then falling off as school begins in the fall, says Gerald McGwin, Jr. Ph.D., a professor in the Departments of Epidemiology and Ophthalmology at UAB. 

“Overall, the leading cause of eye injury in children 15 and younger is sports, specifically swimming,” said McGwin.

He notes that pool chemicals, which can cause eye irritation, play a prominent role in these injuries, as does being hit by water toys or flying elbows and feet. 

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Movie Review: Star Trek Into Darkness

Submitted by Melynda Sides, Digital Content Producer
Saturday, June 15th, 2013, 8:00am

For all you Trekkies out there, here's a review of the latest Star Trek film, Star Trek Into Darkness. Live long and prosper!

Reviewed by Travis Williams, Amanda Kirby, David McRaney, and Mercer Morrison from our sister station WDAM.

 

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Tips for staying safe from hail, straight line winds

Submitted by MyFoxAL Web Staff on Thursday, June 13th, 3:20 pm
Tips for staying safe from hail, straight line winds

BIRMINGHAM, AL (WBRC)- Just because today's severe weather is more about straight line winds instead of a tornado, doesn't mean you should take them lightly. They can be just as dangerous because they can quickly turn objects into flying debris as well.

Here are some other tips to keep in mind when dealing with hail and straight line winds:

- Get into a sturdy building.

- Stay away from windows. Don't venture outside to look at the hail until after the storm has passed.

- Protect your head by wearing a helmet and watch for flying debris.

 

The bad weather is supposed to hit during the evening rush hour so if you get caught on the road, here are some tips to remember:

- Pull over into a parking lot or gas station. Try to stay away from trees or power poles that could fall on your car.

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Survey company: No DNA taken in St. Clair Co. traffic stops

Submitted by Alan Collins, Fox 6 News Reporter
Wednesday, June 12th, 2013, 5:48pm

ST. CLAIR COUNTY, AL (WBRC)- No DNA was taken in the recent traffic stops in St. Clair County, according to the Maryland-based company that conducted the surveys.

During the past weekend, off-duty sheriff deputies took part in the voluntary survey. Some people complained about the blood samples and oral swabs there were taken.

John Lacey with Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation said this was a voluntary program and no coercion was used. The information to determine if drivers were under the influence of alcohol or prescriptions drugs was kept anonymous.

"We were conducting a voluntary survey. Absolutely voluntary. There was no coercion involved and we are not looking for DNA or other such identifiers," Lacey said.

Lacey said he was surprised at the criticism of the survey program which began back in 1973.

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