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Alabama inmate convicted in dancer’s 1982 rape and murder to plead guilty in 1980 Boston killing

An Alabama man convicted in the 1982 murder of a Sammy’s Go-Go dancer is set to plead guilty in a Massachusetts murder of a sex worker.

Steven Fike, 65, was expected to plead guilty this week to a reduced charge of manslaughter in the 1980 killing of Wendy Dansereau at a Boston motel.

However, “unrelated matters” in the plea agreement pushed to court proceedings to March, according to NBC Boston.

Fike was first linked by DNA in 2019 to Dansereau’s murder and then arrested for the crime in 2022.

Fike, a Birmingham native described as a drifter, was convicted when he was 23 years in the Jan. 30, 1982, rape and murder of Patricia Ann Culp, a dancer at Sammy’s on Third Avenue West in Birmingham.

He was sentenced to life in prison and is an inmate at Elmore Correctional Facility.

The 20-year-old Culp was last seen entering the Hiway Host Motel on Bessemer Super Highway.

Her body was later found in a ditch, in about six inches of water, alongside Interstate 59 in Tuscaloosa County.

An autopsy later showed Culp died from “a severe blow to the back of her head.”

The manager of the Birmingham motel testified that Fike and Culp arrived in the early morning hours of Jan. 30, 1982, at the motel in a red car. They registered and went to Room 330.

The next morning the housekeeper discovered that one of the beds in Room 330 had been stripped and all the linens, bedspread, and blanket were missing from the room. Traces of blood were found in various areas of the motel room, including on the mattress.

Several witnesses testified they saw Fike at the Omelette Shop near the Birmingham Airport about 10 a.m. Jan. 30. He was seen driving a red Mustang.

Later that morning, Fike bought some new shoes. He then went to the Ramada Inn near the airport around 1 p.m. where he was seen changing clothes in the men’s room at this time.

Fike gave a bag containing shoes and keys to the Ramada Inn desk clerk. He then had the driver of the Ramada Inn van take him to get cigarettes and drop him at the airport.

Later that day, one of the security officers for the Ramada Inn noticed a red Mustang with a broken window. When he looked inside the car, he found a tote bag which contained a sheer nightgown, panties, make-up and a pill bottle with the name Patricia Culp on it.

Photographs of Culp were found in the glove compartment. Blood was found in the trunk of the car, and a tire tool with hair fibers on it was also recovered in the trunk.

Fike was identified as the suspect after investigators composed a sketch of the suspect through witness descriptions and then police files.

A murder warrant was issued, and a nationwide alert sent to law enforcement agencies across the country. Fike was eventually arrested in Atlanta.

In Dansereau’s killing, Massachusetts authorities said an employee of the Hotel Diplomat in Boston’s South End discovered Dansereau’s body inside a hotel room on March 18, 1980.

She had been sexually assaulted and strangled.

A sample of DNA collected during the early stages of the investigation was entered into the FBI’s Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) and was ultimately matched to Fike’s genetic profile.

His DNA had been entered into the national database as the result of his conviction for Culp’s murder.

In addition to DNA and physical evidence, police reports put Fike in New England the day before the victim’s body was found, Rollins said.

“Ms. Dansereau was 19 years old when she was murdered, and her family has waited nearly four decades to know what happened to her,’’ former Suffolk County District Attorney Rachael Rollins said at the time of Fike’s indictment.

“Today, we have not only the advances in forensic testing necessary to identify her killer, but a team of dedicated professionals – including Boston Police Detective Jack Cronin and SCDAO Civilian Investigator Emily Wood – who have worked to find answers for Ms. Dansereau’s loved ones,’’ he said, “especially her daughter, who was only four weeks old at the time of her mother’s death and has waited her entire life for accountability.”

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‘It ain’t ideal’ – Lower-cost options for Toyota Field upgrades back on deck

Madison has put lower-cost options for required renovations to Toyota Field back on deck.

City Councilors approved spending up to $385,500 for architects to prepare plans and construction drawings for two slimmed-down versions of work on the home of the Rocket City Trash Pandas, the double-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels. The contract is to Gilbert, McLaughlin, Casella Architects.

Monday’s vote was the latest back-and-forth over how far the city is willing to swing to comply with Major League Baseball facilities standards that went into effect while the $46 million Toyota Field was being constructed.

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Alabama-Texas free livestream: How to watch Alabama basketball, TV, schedule

The No. 2 Alabama Crimson Tide play against the Texas Longhorns in an SEC basketball game tonight. The matchup will begin at 8 p.m. CT on ESPN. Fans can watch this game for free online by using the free trials offered by DirecTV Stream and Fubo TV. Alternatively, Sling offers a first-month discount to new users.

The Crimson Tide enter this matchup with a 20-3 record, and they possess a 9-1 record in SEC play. Notably, the team has won six consecutive games.

In their most recent game, the Crimson Tide defeated Arkansas 85-81. During the victory, four Alabama players scored double-digit points: Grant Nelson, Chris Youngblood, Mark Sears, and Mouhamed Dioubate.

Sears currently leads the team in points and assists, so he will be a key player to watch tonight.

The Longhorns enter this matchup with a 15-9 record, and they have lost back-to-back games. In their last game, the Longhorns lost 86-78 against Vanderbilt.

In order to bounce back tonight, the Longhorns will need to rely on their star guard Tre Johnson. He leads the team in points, as he averages 19 points per game.

Fans can watch this game for free online by using the free trials offered by DirecTV Stream and Fubo TV. Alternatively, Sling offers a first-month discount to new users.

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Influential punk-rock pioneer in need as Stage 4 cancer battle worsens

He sang with an early ‘70s rock band whose sound and look influenced everyone from upstart American punks to Guns N’ Roses, cracked the pop market by reinventing himself as lounge singer and had some memorable acting roles as well.

But David Johansen – the vocalist for the New York Dolls who later took on the persona of Buster Poindexter – is suffering from Stage 4 cancer and in need of support, according to a plea for help from his daughter and wife.

In her post at sweetrelief.org, daughter Leah Hennessey wrote that her father has been undergoing cancer treatment for “most of the past decade,” but that he and his wife, Mara Hennessey “are generally very private people” and never made the diagnosis public.

“Five years ago at the beginning of the pandemic we discovered that David’s cancer had progressed and he had a brain tumor,” Mara Hennessey says in the post. “There have been complications ever since. … To make matters worse, the day after Thanksgiving David fell down the stairs and broke his back in two places. After a week in the hospital and a successful surgery David has been bedridden and incapacitated. Due to the trauma, David’s illness has progressed exponentially and my mother is caring for him around the clock.”

The family’s immediate needs are “full time nursing, physical therapy and funding for day to day vital living expenses,” she wrote. She said she was hopeful that with proper care Johansen could regain some mobility and independence.

Though he has not been able to perform since the pandemic, Johansen has continued to host the Sirius XM show “The Mansion of Fun.”

David Johansen, center, performs with Rick Derringer, left, and Earl Slick perform during a 2012 Chuck Berry tribute concert.(Joshua Gunter/ The Plain Dealer)

As Poindexter, Johansen scored a minor pop hit with a cover of “Hot, Hot, Hot;” the MTV generation may also remember a cover of Louis Armstrong’s seasonal tune, “Zat You, Santa Claus?” Johansen’s musical projects included the David Johansen Band and The Harry Smiths, a group that focused on classic blues.

According to the Internet Movie Database, his numerous acting credits include a role as the Ghost of Christmas Past in the Bill Murray comedy “Scrooged” and several appearances in the series “Oz;” he also voiced a villain in the animated series “Teen Titans.” He appeared as a member of the “Saturday Night Live” house band in 1986-1987.

For more information visit www.sweetrelief.org/davidjohansenfund.

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Italian takeout, market opening 2 Birmingham locations

A Shelby County-based Italian food provider is opening two takeout locations in the Birmingham area.

Marano Foods has announced it is opening two Marano’s d’asporto Italian Market and Caffè locations at Homewood’s The Edge and at The Shops at Grand River, in Leeds.

The Edge restaurant is set to open this spring. There is no prospective opening date yet for the Leeds location.

“D’asporto,” or to take away in Italian, aims for fast-casual carryout service or delivery.

Marano’s offers an award-winning selection of sauces, pasta and mixers online and wholesale.

For the takeout locations, the menu will feature fresh baked focaccia, artisan sandwiches, Italian dishes and desserts and Italian specialties. Customers can buy grab-n-go options or take-and-bake meals.

The markets will also offer catering services.

The Edge location will join other tenants, such as Baba Java Coffee, Bham Burger, Cookie Plug, Corbeau Wine Bar, Eighteen South, popbar, Shin Ramen Noodle, The Cue*Bicle and True40.

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Auburn-Vanderbilt basketball free livestream: How to watch SEC game, TV, schedule

The No. 1 Auburn Tigers play against the Vanderbilt Commodores in an SEC basketball game tonight. The matchup will begin at 6 p.m. CT on SEC Network. Fans can watch this game for free online by using the free trials offered by DirecTV Stream and Fubo TV. Alternatively, Sling offers a first-month discount to new users.

The Tigers enter this matchup with a 21-2 record, and they possess a 9-1 record in SEC play. However, the team is coming off a 90-81 loss against No. 3 Florida.

In order to bounce back tonight, the Tigers will need to rely on their star forward Johni Broome. He currently averages a double-double, as he leads the team in points and rebounds.

The Commodores enter this matchup with a 17-6 record, and they are coming off an 86-78 win against Texas. During the victory, four Vanderbilt players scored double-digit points: Tyler Nickel, Jason Edwards, AJ Hoggard, and Jaylen Carey. If the Vanderbilt offense performs similarly this evening, then they could pull off the upset.

Fans can watch this game for free online by using the free trials offered by DirecTV Stream and Fubo TV. Alternatively, Sling offers a first-month discount to new users.

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New Chipotle, Chick-fil-A and more coming to Tillman’s Corner

Keesler Federal Credit Union paid $1.502 million for 1.55 acres at the corner of U.S. 90 and Nevius Road in Tillman’s Corner, and plans to build a branch office there, according to Robert Cook of Vallas Realty, who represented the buyers. The property is part of a larger development under way by Delaney Property Group. Delaney owns a chunk of land at the intersection and has sold land to the credit union, and is leasing some of the land as well. Chipotle Mexican Grill has leased 1,400 square feet in a strip center and an adjacent 1,400 square feet is available for lease, according to Scott Delaney of Delaney Property Group. Chick-fil-A has leased a lot for a new restaurant on the site as well, according to Delaney.

Also …

♦ 3 Arrows Boutique Butcher has leased 1,800 square feet at Polo Crossing on Greeno Road in Fairhope, according to Herrington Realty, which represented the landlord. George Catranis of Catranis Realty worked for the tenant. 3 Arrows Butcher also has a shop in Spanish Fort.

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Scott Cochran uses megaphone to start 4th quarter program at West Alabama

Longtime Alabama football strength coach Scott Cochran was back at it again on Tuesday. Now the head coach at West Alabama, Cochran posted a video of himself using a megaphone, as the Tigers began his famed fourth quarter program.

During his introduction at UWA on Friday in Livingston, Cochran said it was coming.

“I cannot wait to get the party started with them,” Cochran said. “We’re actually starting our fourth quarter program on Tuesday, because you know how it works. Soon as you get here, you want to do so many things.”

In the video he posted, Cochran gathered the team around him, speaking thorough a megaphone. He delivered the speech with his famed gravelly volume and had the Tigers repeat what he called the team’s “DNA traits” back to him, including commitment, discipline, effort, toughness and pride.

The Division II West Alabama job is Cochran’s first as a head coach. He worked with Nick Saban at Alabama from 2007-2019 as a key piece to the Crimson Tide’s dynasty, then moved to Georgia as special teams coordinator.

Cochran dealt with addiction issues throughout his career, leading to his departure from Georgia after the 2023 season. He spent the past year working with his non-profit, the American Addiction Recovery Association, speaking to teams and other groups about the dangers of substance abuse.

After a year out of the game, he was receiving calls about returning to college football as a strength coach or assistant, before West Alabama, which was in need of a head coach after Brett Gilliland moved up to athletics director, inquired.

“I think going through what I went through, I realized that I kind of got back to the pure of, I didn’t get into coaching for financials” Cochran said Friday. “I didn’t get into it for the money. I didn’t. I mean, I didn’t make any money at the beginning. So taking a year to reassess my life made me realize it’s not about that. That what I need to focus on is the people around me.”

Cochran’s West Alabama players present at his introduction Friday said they were excited to begin working with their new coach. When he posted the video Tuesday, some of his ex-players from UA also shared their support in the Instagram comments.

“This just gave me the chills just watching,” Reuben Foster wrote.

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Trump’s polling numbers leave CNN in shock: ‘We’re living in a different world’

Less than a month into his second term, President Donald Trump has already surpassed the number of days he had a net positive approval rating in his entire first term, CNN analyst Harry Enten revealed this week.

“[In his] entire first term, just 11 days Donald Trump had a net positive approval rating,” Enten said in a segment Monday.

“Compare that to the second term, just so far…every single day of Trump’s second term so far, he has been on the positive side of the ledger.”

“That’s 10 more days than what he had his entire first term,” he continued.

“So, again, this is just another sign that Americans are far more likely to like what they are seeing in his second term than they were during his first term.”

Trump’s net approval rating on Feb. 10 back in 2017 was -5 points. In 2025, it is +4 points, Enten said.

He added that this jump had been consistent across multiple stations.

“Again, it’s not just the CBS News poll,” he said.

“We are talking about the Gallup poll, we are talking about Ipsos poll, we are talking about the Pew poll. All of these polls have Trump in a better position now than they did eight years ago.”

Enten attributed the approval increase to the public’s opinion that Trump is keeping his campaign promises.

Only 46% of those polled in 2017 said Trump was doing what he promised to do, according to Enten’s segment.

But current polling shows that 70% of people believe that he is doing what he promised to do, Enten said.

“When Americans are 24 more points likely to say you are doing what you promised to do, it’s no wonder that your net approval rating is more likely to be on the positive side than the negative side,” he said.

“Quite a different world.”

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