Fifth-ranked Auburn met rival Dothan on Friday in the Class 7A Girls Central Regional semifinals, the fourth meeting between the teams this season. The results were much the same as the Tigers never trailed on the way to a 72-31 rout of the Wolves at Alabama State University’s Dunn-Oliver Acadome.
Auburn improved to 26-6 with its fourth win over Dothan and the game was pretty much decided from the start as the Tigers led 24-6 after one quarter. Auburn was up 38-11 at the half and pushed the margin to 62-27 after three periods.
Hueytown police and fire medics responded to the shopping center and arrived to find the two victims injured – an adult and a juvenile.
Police at the time said investigators believed the victims were there to meet someone, and said they knew the alleged shooter.
Authorities on Friday said detectives, upon arriving at the crime scene, were immediately given the name of a possible suspect.
They spent the past week confirming the identity and gathering additional evidence.
Detectives took the suspect into custody on Wednesday and returned to Hueytown.
Earlier today, detectives obtained multiple warrants against the 16-year-old, including two counts of attempted murder.
“All parties in this case knew each other and at one point were acquaintances,’’ according to a press release. “Detectives believe that there are more suspects involved, and more arrest are possible.”
None of those involved live in Hueytown, police said.
“This is another example of criminals coming to our city and thinking they can not only commit these serious crimes but also get away with it,’’ the release said. “Our detectives have worked around the clock to bring this suspect to justice and will continue to work this case until all subjects are identified.”
“It is still unclear to detectives why all parties, who do not live in the City of Hueytown, chose to come to Hueytown,’’ police said. “However, one thing is clear and that is we will not tolerate such violence in our community, and we will work tirelessly to bring those who think they can come to our city and commit crimes to justice.”
The Tigers on offense rank No. 7 nationally in turnover percentage, per KenPom. The Crimson Tide sits at No. 207.
Alabama can’t allow the turnover problem to pop up again against Auburn. The two teams are set to play in the first No. 1 vs. No. 2 regular-season game in SEC history. Auburn, ranked No. 1 in the AP top 25 and No. 2 in the coaches poll, will face Alabama, ranked No. 2 in the AP top 25 and No. 1 in the coaches poll, on Saturday (3 p.m., ESPN) at Coleman Coliseum.
“We need Mark Sears and Grant Nelson to stop turning the ball over,” Alabama coach Nate Oats said Friday. “That’s what needs to happen. We have two fifth-year seniors that have played over 100 basketball games that know how to take care of the ball who have not taken care of the ball and we need them to.”
Sears and Nelson average the most turnovers per game of any Alabama players. Sears averages 2.8 turnovers. Nelson averages 2.1 turnovers. No other player is above 1.6 (Labaron Philon).
In conference play, it has been about the same. Sears is averaging three turnovers per game. Nelson’s averaging 2.18.
“If you look at the turnover rates between those two guys, they’re just way too high,” Oats said. “We’ve got to quit trying to make home-run plays. We’ve got to quit over-driving. Gaps that aren’t there. We’ve got to get the ball out of our hands earlier. We’ve got to make the appropriate reads, whether it’s pick-and-roll or drive reads. Elbow catch reads with Grant. If those two guys can significantly reduce their turnovers, the team turnover rate will go down and look a lot more like we need it to look like.”
Turnovers haven’t cost Alabama in many games this season, even though the number has been high. But against Auburn, every possession will matter. Giveaways won’t lead to a win.
“Hopefully they understand the gravity of particularly live ball turnovers against Auburn,” Oats said. “Kind of ignite their break and get them going. We just can’t afford any of them. We need those two guys, fifth-year senior captains to understand the importance of it and take care of the ball tomorrow.”
Buoyed by its upset of No. 10-ranked Baker in the area tournament championship game, Mary G. Montgomery was confident it could make an even more unexpected voyage to the state tournament.
Then Daphne showed up and punctured the Vikings’ balloon with precision playmaking.
The White House has put its own twist on the traditional “Roses are Red” poem this Valentine’s Day.
The official social media accounts for the White House posted the faces of President Donald Trump and Tom Homan, the “border czar” appointed by Trump to head immigration.
There pictures are posted with the rhyme:
“Roses are red, violets are blue, come here illegally, and we’ll deport you.”
The post follows with a “Happy Valentine’s Day.
From The Associated Press:
Most recently, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a sweeping package of immigration laws on Thursday aimed at carrying out Trump’s mass deportation agenda.
Republicans said the laws put Florida — long a haven for immigrants — on the leading edge of conservative-controlled states working to leverage state and local resources for federal immigration enforcement.
As Trump supporters in state capitols across the country race to deliver on the president’s signature issue — despite concerns from immigrant advocates — lawmakers in Florida are teeing up a potential fight with the courts as they advance a provision that critics argue is unconstitutional.
Florida’s new legislation mandates the death penalty for immigrants in the U.S. without legal authorization who commit capital offenses such as first degree murder or child rape. It’s a provision that goes above and beyond Trump’s executive orders.
Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa coach Scott Suttles knows it’s tough to beat a team three times, and it’s even tougher to beat a team that looks completely different than the first two times you faced them.
Still, his Patriots prevailed in a win-and-advance scenario.
Tabari Allen sank six free throws in the final minute as unranked Auburn held off No. 8 Enterprise 50-45 in the AHSAA Boys Central Regional semifinals on Thursday at Alabama State University’s Dunn-Oliver Acadome.
“I will take a win any way that I can get it,” said Auburn coach Chris Brandt. “Luckily, this is the best free-throw shooting team that I have had at Auburn.”
Cracker Barrel has new menu items just in time for spring.
Whether you like savory or sweet items, this menu has something for everyone. The new dishes include the Louisiana-Style Shrimp Skillet, Onion Petals with Country Comeback Sauce, and the Pancake Latte, and the limited-edition Shrimp n’ Grits.
Southern Living describes the limited-time dish as “tender shrimp simmered in a savory and zesty creole sauce with Andouille sausage, sweet onions, celery and red peppers served over rich n’ creamy “dinner-style” grits, accompanied by grilled parmesan sourdough bread.”
In a press release, Sarah Moore, the Chief Marketing Officer for Cracker Barrel spoke about the new lineup.
“Our spring menu lineup is just as bold and savory as it is sweet and indulgent. Our new Creole Shrimp skillets appease guests with an appetite for fresh flavors and zest this season; for those wanting something a bit more indulgent, our new Oreo Stuffed Cheesecake Pancakes, a new twist on our staple Strawberry Stuffed Cheesecake Pancakes, are sure to delight.”
A Huntsville-based foundation that helps teachers equip their classrooms – at no cost — is expanding into Athens and Limestone County.
Free 2 Teach, which says it has given away nearly $14 million in supplies during its 14-year history, announced the expansion Friday in Athens.
“Limestone County is an incredible place, and it is such a joy to partner with this community to support educators across all public schools so that together we can ensure that every child in our public schools has access to an equitable and excellent education,” said Free 2 Teach CEO Alison Kling.
Damien Laron McDaniel III will remain in state prison against his wishes while he waits for trial in the killings of 11 people and the wounding of 29 others.
Jefferson County Circuit Judge Shanta Owens denied McDaniel’s request.
“Defendant is to remain incarcerated with the Alabama Department of Corrections,’’ Owens wrote in her ruling. “Defendant will be transported back to the Jefferson County to be present at each hearing in court.”
McDaniel, 22, was moved from the county jail to Kilby Correctional Facility on Jan. 28 after his probation in an October 2019 case in which two people were shot at in Fairfield was revoked.
In addition to the mass shootings at Hush and Trendsetter lounges, he is also charged in several other murders and violated his probation on the convictions in the 2019 case by being recorded on social media brandishing firearms at least nine times between April 1, 2024, through Oct. 1.
McDaniel, Jefferson County Bessemer Cutoff prosecutors contended, violated his probation terms by engaging in “injurious and vicious” habits.
His probation was revoked on Dec. 12.
McDaniel’s attorney, John Robbins, earlier this week filed a motion requesting to be returned to Jefferson County.
Robbins noted in his motion that he expects prosecutors to seek the death penalty and that McDaniel “intends to exercise his right to be present at any and all proceedings at every stage of his capital trial.”
“The defendant’s presence at every stage of the proceedings is necessary to ensure his rights to due process, a fair trial, and reliable sentencing,’’ guaranteed by law, Robbins said.
A status hearing on the cases against McDaniel is scheduled for April.
Damien Laron McDaniel III, 22, speaks with his appointed lawyer, John Robbins, during a Jan. 22, 2025, arraignment in a Jefferson County courtroom.(Carol Robinson)
McDaniel was arrested in the 2019 case at Fairfield High School and pleaded guilty on April 26, 2023, to two counts of attempted murder. He was sentenced to 15 years in prison with two years to serve followed by three years of probation.
Here’s a look at McDaniel’s cases:
The July 13 mass shooting at the private club Trendsetters that killed Angela Weatherspoon, 56, of Center Point, Markeisha Gettings, 42, of Birmingham, Stevie McGhee, 39, of Birmingham, and Lerandus Anderson, 24, of Center Point and wounded 10 others during an adult birthday party. Hatarious Woods, 27, is also charged with capital murder and 10 counts of first-degree assault in that case.
Charlie Herbert Moore, 61, was shot to death Aug. 13 inside his Birmingham home. Police say the shooter or shooters were actually looking for someone else. Charles Derius Nance, 41, is also charged in Moore’s death. Authorities contend Nance provided the intended victim or victims’ names and address to McDaniel. Nance was also arraigned Wednesday, and is represented by attorney Emory Anthony.
The Sept. 19 killing of Diontrante Tinae Brown, a 35-year-old mother who police say was an innocent bystander shot to death inside 604 Bar and Lounge on Ninth Street North.
The Sept. 21 mass shooting outside Hush lounge that killed Carlos McCain, 27, Roderick Lynn Patterson Jr., 26, Anitra Holloman, 21, and Tahj Booker, 27. Those four were killed, and 17 others injured, in the Five Points South shooting. He is the only person so far charged in the Southside mass shooting. He is the only suspect charged so far in the Hush massacre.
The Sept. 22 robbery shooting death of 32-year-old Jamarcus McIntyre, who died in a hail of gunfire in the 700 block of 81st Place South less than 24 hours after the Five Points South shooting. Others charged in McIntyre’s murder are: Larry Rollins, 32; Ny’Quan Lollar, 22; Demarco Beck Jr., 29; and Zachary Holmes, 31. They were arraigned to on Jan. 7. McIntyre’s killing was caught on chilling home surveillance video and showed gunmen killing McIntyre and stealing his backpack. Text messages show McDaniel and two others allegedly waiting for the victim for him for nearly two hours before gunning him down.
McDaniel, police have previously confirmed, is also suspected in other unsolved homicides, police confirmed.
Robbins previously said McDaniel has told him he’s not guilty.
“When I met with him, he said he’s not guilty,’’ he said. “We didn’t get into any specifics about the case because I don’t know anything other than the charges and there’s a lot of charges.”
Robbins said he’s eager to see the state’s evidence against McDaniel.
“I know there’s a lot of pressure in the community to prosecute this case,’’ he said. “The actual event was horrific, and we feel for the victims and their families. We understand they want someone prosecuted.”