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As Daylight Saving Time begins, Red Cross reminds people to prepare for disasters

As Daylight Saving Time begins, Red Cross reminds people to prepare for disasters

It’s time to turn the clocks ahead this weekend when daylight saving time kicks in at 2:00 a.m. Sunday. The American Red Cross uses this time to remind everyone to bone up on preparing you and your loved ones for emergencies.
                         
CHECK YOUR SMOKE ALARM BATTERIES
When you turn the clocks ahead, take a few minutes to replace the batteries in your smoke alarms and push the test button to make sure the alarms are working. It’s also a great time to check your carbon monoxide detectors.

GET YOUR HOUSEHOLD PREPARED
Disaster can strike anywhere, anytime.

AL food safety inspectors conduct recall effectiveness checks on tuna products

AL food safety inspectors conduct recall effectiveness checks on tuna products

Department of Agriculture and Industries Consumer Food Safety Inspectors are conducting recall effectiveness checks  on specific codes of 5-ounce Chunk White Albacore and Chunk Light Tuna products. Yesterday, Bumble Bee Foods, LLC, announced they were expanding a voluntary recall because the products do not meet the company's standards for seal tightness.

Loose seals or seams could result in product contamination by spoilage organisms or pathogens and lead to illness if consumed. There have been no reports to date of any illness associated with these products.

Bumble Bee initially announced the voluntary recall on Wednesday, March 6 after identifying an issue on a manufacturing line, which has been corrected.

Prescribed burn taking place at Tuskegee National Forest today

Prescribed burn taking place at Tuskegee National Forest today

The Tuskegee National Forest is planning to burn approx. 1370 acres today on Forest Service roads 903, 904, 905, CR90 (Thunder Road), Hwy 29 and Hwy 186.  During today’s burn, the public will notice Forest Service fire crews and equipment.  Smoke may also be visible on Highway 29 and Highway 186.

Ala. Judicial Branch cuts Wednesday access to circuit clerk offices

File Photo: A person waits for service at the Elmore County Circuit Clerks office in this undated photo.

MONTGOMERY, AL (WSFA)- Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore is tightening the financial belt in the Judicial Department amid budget concerns, and the effect will be seen by the general public.

Thursday, Judge Moore sent an order to all the state's circuit clerks offices ordering them to close their doors to the public on Wednesdays. The order goes into effect on March 20, 2013.

Circuit clerks offices are responsible for numerous legal duties including maintainance of records involving court proceedings, as well dealing with public records, licenses and certificates. It also files papers on behalf of the courts.  

Judge Moore, who presides over the administrative duties of the court, cites the "chronic and substantial lack of adequate funding of the Judicial Branch...[which has] resulted in myriad problems..." as the primary reason for the order.

Officers offer seven steps to safer spring break

Officers offer seven steps to safer spring break

As this year’s plans for spring break take shape, the members of Alabama’s Integrated State Law
Enforcement Task Force remind everyone -- particularly parents of school-age children -- to add safety to the list whether the family will be kicking back at home or traveling to the beach or other fun destinations.

SLE Task Force officers will work together to create a highly visible enforcement presence during spring break season intended to prevent crimes and violations that lead to deaths and injuries. All available personnel will combine forces with county and municipal agencies along Alabama’s gulf coast and across the state to conduct various details designed to enhance public safety and to enforce all laws, including traffic, boating and alcoholic beverage laws.

Officers urge everyone to keep in mind the following seven suggestions:

1. Make hotel/motel stay safe.

Lane Closure Necessary on I-85 South this Weekend in Montgomery

Lane Closure Necessary on I-85 South this Weekend in Montgomery

MONTGOMERY – The inside lane of I-85 South, between mile markers 0.5 and 1.5, will be closed Friday, March 8 beginning at 9 p.m. until Monday, March 11 at 5 a.m., for work to rehab bridge joints from the bridge over Jackson Street through the bridge over Rosa Parks Avenue in Montgomery.

The closure is part of the Alabama Department of Transportation’s bridge joint repair and concrete slab replacement project on I-85 from I-65 to Hall Street near downtown Montgomery. The bridge maintenance project is scheduled for completion this summer

A work zone speed limit of 40 mph is being strictly enforced.

Motorists are requested to consider using alternate routes, adjust arrival/departure times, observe work zone speed limits and other work zone signs, and use extreme caution in this area. ALDOT thanks motorists for their patience during this construction to improve Alabama’s roadways.

Take steps to be weather ready during National Severe Weather Preparedness Week

Take steps to be weather ready during National Severe Weather Preparedness Week

The Alabama Emergency Management Agency (AEMA) and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) are teaming up to promote National Severe Weather Preparedness Week March 3-9. Sponsored by FEMA and the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Severe Weather Preparedness Week encourages individuals, families, businesses and communities to know about severe weather risks, take action to prepare for them, and Be a Force of Nature by encouraging others to get prepared.

Each year, many people are killed or seriously injured by tornadoes and other types of severe weather, despite advance warning. In 2012, there were more than 450 weather-related fatalities and nearly 2,600 injuries nationwide. Severe weather knows no boundaries and affects every individual in every region.