Wednesday, July 31, 2013
This story is featured in today's TimesFreePress newscast.
GADSDEN, Ala. - Authorities say someone has stolen body bags and other supplies from an Alabama funeral home.
The Gadsden Times reported Tuesday that someone broke into Collier-Butler Funeral Home in Gadsden.
Police reports show that plastic bags used to cover bodies are missing, along with a metal stretcher used to transport remains. Rubber gloves, shoe covers and disposable masks also are missing, and a GPS unit is gone.
The burglary happened last Thursday or Friday. No arrests have been made.
GADSDEN, Ala. - A judge in Gadsden has set a trial date of June 23, 2014, for a woman accused of running her granddaughter to death.
Circuit Judge William Ogletree set the trial date for Joyce Garrard after meeting with defense and prosecuting attorneys.
Garrard is accused of making her 9-year-old granddaughter Savannah Hardin run around their Etowah County home for about three hours for lying about eating a candy bar.
The girl collapsed and died three days later. Garrard faces a capital murder charge.
The girl's stepmother, Jessica Mae Hardin, faces a charge of murder. Both women say they are innocent.
NASHVILLE - Tennessee is getting $3.3 million in federal funds to provide fresh fruits and vegetables to public school children.
According to the Education Department, students at participating schools will receive a fresh fruit or vegetable during the school day at some point other than a regular meal.
The program is funded through the U.S. Department of Agriculture to combat childhood obesity by helping children learn healthy eating habits. It allows students to sample fresh produce to which they might otherwise not have access.
The funds will go to schools with the highest rates of students receiving free and reduced-cost lunches. Shelby County has the state's highest concentration of participating schools with 69. A total of 159 schools in 29 districts are participating.
MACON - The Georgia Chamber is planning to honor U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss at its annual Congressional Luncheon in Macon.
Organizers say the Aug. 19 event is being hosted at the Macon Marriott Centreplex, and that Chambliss is being honored for his contributions to the state and for his career in public service.
Chambliss, a Republican from Moultrie, last year announced plans to retire from the U.S. Senate after his current term.