Relocating to Florence AL
If you are planning a relocation to Florence AL and are interested in existing homes in Florence AL or new homes in Florence AL, please click on the graphic above. If you are relocating to Florence AL you can receive a FREE “Relocation to Florence AL” relocation package, which may include a map of Florence AL, a Florence AL newspaper, information about homes in Florence AL and more. This is an ideal, worry free way to ease the stress of relocation to Florence AL by giving you a Florence AL Relocation expert to help coordinate your move to Florence AL. We want to help you make your search for Florence AL Real Estate as easy and as pleasant as possible. Real Estate in Florence AL is probably very different from your current location – trust your Florence AL Relocation to an expert – click on the link today!
Free Home Buyer Relocation Packet for Florence, AL
 Home Buying in Florence AL
1. Write out a list of activities your family normally likes to do. You can then look for homes that have the right kind of space for your family. The first couple of homes we bought, we just went looking and decided on what we thought was the prettiest. However, we really didn’t think about how we lived and consequently neither of these houses were comfortable for us. A relocation expert specializing in relocating to Florence AL, can help you analyze what type of home in Florence AL would suit your family.
2. Decide what your monthly housing budget will be once you move to Florence AL. Qualify and get approved for a mortgage before you even arrive. If possible, schedule a house hunting trip about 6-8 weeks before you will be transferred. That way you can move right into your home when you relocate to Florence AL without having to stay in a Hotel. When we moved we actually parked the moving van at our new home, spent 2 hours closing the loan and then moved right in!
3. Decide which features in a home you have to have, and which would be nice to have. Focus on homes that meet your “have-to” requirements and then use “would be nice” features to determine which home to buy. For example: I had to have four bedrooms but I didn’t have to have a formal dining room as long as the house had a large breakfast room. There are many homes in Florence AL, with a great variety of price and amenities. Request a Free “Relocation to Florence AL” relocation package (click on link above) from one of our expert Florence AL Real Estate agents and you will be on your way to finding out how much home your budget can buy.
4. How important are schools? You may want to contact some schools in Florence AL and surrounding areas and talk to principles. You will find out much more about schools this way. National test scores are not always an accurate indication of how appropriate the school will be for your child/children. If you have requested a FREE “Relocation to Florence AL” real estate information package, the Florence AL Realtor who is chosen to provide that Florence AL Relocation information can also give you valuable advice about which schools are the best in the Florence AL area. Our Realtor told us about one school district whose whole curriculum is built around boosting test scores, but their standard of education and extra-curricular activities were lacking. But the results looked good!
5. How important is ease of upkeep? New homes in Florence AL are normally built with energy efficient features and low maintenance exteriors. Older homes in Florence AL may make up in charm what they lack in ease of upkeep. My husband is extremely busy and we like to spend what little time we have on our hobbies. So we chose to buy a low maintenance home. My brother, on the other hand, just bought a house built in 1910 and is loving renovating his new home! The wonderful thing about America is that it can accommodate all tastes! Click on the link above to receive your FREE “Relocation to Florence AL” real estate package today from one of our top Florence AL Real Estate agents!
Free Home Buyer Relocation Packet for Florence, AL
Finding a Realtor in Florence AL
In cities such as Florence AL you will find many Florence AL Real Estate agents licensed with the state of Alabama. However not all of them are Realtors, and not all Realtors specialize in helping relocating individuals relocate to Florence AL. It is very important to find someone who not only adheres to the ethical and professional standards laid down by the National Association of Realtors, but who has the capability to really help you when you buy a home in Florence AL. NewQuestCity helps buyers find Florence AL Realtors who are experienced in making the difficult experience of moving across country as stress-free as possible. Someone who can give you advice through e-mail and phone on the best areas to buy a home before you even arrive! Click on the above link to request your “Relocation to Florence AL” real estate information package provided by one of our top Florence AL real estate agents who is expert in providing Real Estate Florence AL relocation materials.
Free Home Buyer Relocation Packet for Florence, AL
Moving Successfully to a New Home in Florence AL
There are many factors involved in orchestrating a successful move to a new home in Florence AL.
Obviously one of the first things to do is to schedule a house hunting trip to Florence AL in order to find the home you wish to purchase. One of the Florence AL real estate agents can start helping you today by sending you information by e-mail on homes that might suit your needs. They can also send you useful information on Florence AL that will help your family get excited about the move. Just click on the above link to request your FREE “Relocation to Florence AL” relocation package today!
Once you have found a home in Florence AL and have started the whole mortgage approval process, there are things you need to do at your current location. First, decide which furniture you will take to your new home in Florence AL. Start inventorying your current possessions, dividing them into items to take and items to dispose of. Solicit estimates from moving companies. Make sure that you put all important documents in secure file to travel with you. Do not pack any documentation that might be needed to complete your loan application! Someone I knew recently had to spend a whole day at a storage facility going through every one of her packing boxes to find crucial documentation for her mortgage. Start making a list of all medical, dental, school records to transfer. You will need to find new medical facilities once you move to Florence AL.
Approximately 6 weeks before your scheduled relocation to Florence AL, start cleaning out closets and arranging yard sales. You may want to pick up change of address cards from the Post Office. Keep the address cards handy and so that you can fill them in when you think of new names. It may be useful to draw a floor plan of your new home so that you can start planning where you want your furniture to be placed once the moving van arrives. Once you are about 4 weeks away from moving to your new home in Florence AL, START PACKING! If you are going to have movers pack your belongings, you should start cleaning out closets and drawers. You are not going to want to unpack junk, old clothes and useless items into your brand new home! If you are not going to be moving straight into your new home in Florence AL, make hotel reservations close by to where your home is located. Clean furniture and drapes – you don’t want to hang dirty curtains in your new Florence AL home! Start using up all your groceries.
A couple of weeks before you move to Florence AL your BuyersUSA Relocation Florence AL real estate agent should be calling you soon to check on Home Owners insurance for your new home and giving you last minute instructions for making your relocation to Florence AL as smooth as possible. Check with your veterinarian about moving tips for your animals and make sure that they are all current with their shots. Your Florence AL real estate agent should be taking care of ordering last minute inspections and surveys so you don’t have to worry.
Free Home Buyer Relocation Packet for Florence, AL
Real Estate Lenders in Florence AL
For most people, finding the right home in Florence AL is just the first step. Finding the right financing to buy a home is essential to make the home purchase occur! A home buyer has a choice of local mortgage lenders and national lenders advertising on the Web. Many home buyers find that using local Florence AL lenders (with rates very comparable to online mortgage brokers) help ease some of the stress of moving. Home buyers have more personal service, and the mortgage companies have a better relationship with appraisers and other real estate professionals. Ask about adjustable rate loans if you are guaranteed to be relocated out of Florence AL within the next 5 years. I had a friend who found a 40 year adjustable with 5 year fixed rate. He knew that he had guaranteed relocation buy-out at the end of his assignment so he wasn’t worried about building equity. He ended up paying less than half in a mortgage payment than he would have paid in rent! Short on cash? There are many mortgage lenders in Florence AL that now offer 100% financing – no down payment certainly helps keep moving expenses down!
Free Home Buyer Relocation Packet for Florence, AL
Successful Relocation to Florence AL - Real Estate Relocation
There are 5 things that are important to a successful move to Florence AL.
- Find a real estate agent who is experienced in helping people move to Florence AL from out of town. Our Florence AL BuyersUSA Relocation real estate agents will help make the move to your new home go as smoothly as possible. They can communicate with you by e-mail while you are still in the process of planning your house hunting trip, sending you information about the area as well as listings of suitable homes. They can advise you about the areas which would be the most suitable for your family’s needs and help you buy the best home for you.
- Find a good mortgage company with a loan processor who will be readily available to work on any difficulties with you. Some national mortgages have good customer support, others don’t. Many Florence AL mortgage companies have excellent customer support as they rely heavily on referrals.
- Find a good moving company to help transport your belongings. They will be able to give you advice about packing your belongings so that when you actually move into your new home you will be able to unpack and adjust to your new life here in Florence AL as quickly as possible.
- Once you have closed on your home in Florence AL, start getting to know your new community. Buying a home is just the first step in making Florence AL your new home. Ask your real estate agent about different activities for your family. Possibly joining music clubs, joining museums, finding out about Little League, visiting different churches or synagogues. Get involved. Once you have made friends in Florence AL you will have started a new support system.
- Don’t forget your old friends. Send out change of address cards giving your new contact information here in Florence AL. Plan trips for your friends to visit you here in Florence AL once you have settled in. You can show off your new home and your new Florence AL.
Free Home Buyer Relocation Packet for Florence, AL
Getting a Great Home Deal in Florence AL
Home buyers involved in a relocation to Florence AL often want both a great deal and to find the perfect new home. Sometimes it is not practical. The most important factor for most home buyers moving their families from out of town is to find a home that has all the features they need, in a good Florence AL real estate neighborhood and to not pay more than fair market value for the home. However, when finding a good deal is more important that finding the most suitable home, home buyers need to make arrangements for temporary accommodation. Because finding a great deal AND a home suitable for your family in a short amount of time is nearly impossible. I’ve seen many families over the years live in uncomfortable temporary housing because of the desire to get a steal. Low-ball offers tend to sour negotiation proceedings and rarely end in the buyer getting a good deal. However, once you have found a suitable home for your family, you should obviously try to get the best possible deal in that situation.
Your first step is to request a FREE “Relocation to Florence AL” relocation package (click on link above). Then, a top Florence AL Real Estate agent will contact you and send you information on homes in Florence AL. Your BuyersUSA Relocation Florence AL real estate agent should be able to research the motivation of the seller, give you information about the sales prices of other homes in Florence AL. Then you can make a fair offer towards the low end of what you know the seller would be able to take. Removing contingencies such as financing (cash offer) or selling your current home may allow the seller to be more open to lower offers.
A Florence AL Relocation can be as easy or as difficult as you want. To make your relocation to Florence AL as smooth as possible, request the Free “Relocation to Florence AL” real estate information package today! It’s the first step to finding all the houses for Sale in Florence AL, AND an agent experienced real estate!
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VW Campervan Hire
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Camperbug is a VW campervan hire service which connects people looking to rent a Campervan for their holiday with owners of Volkswagen campervans. It provides a place where hirers are able to contact campervan owners who wish to rent out their vans. Alaska
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John. R. Napolitano, DDS
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Innovative Dental Professionals are experts in cosmetic dentistry. Illinois based, they do tooth extractions, dental implants and more. Alaska
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Sydney Accountants
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Over 15 yrs of experience in accounts preparation. Business Activity Statement (BAS), GST, PAYG, Payroll ... bookkeeping services for small business. Also accounting and taxation services for individuals, companies, trusts, SMSF. Alaska
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Laptop Computer Rental Australia
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Short to Long Term Desktop PC Computers & Computer Accessories Rental Company Australia offering IT Hire Services for Notebooks, Laptops, Projectors, Audio Visual Equipment and Video Conference Rental Alaska
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GSB Architecture
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GSB Architecture: a team of Sacramento Architects and El Dorado Hills Architects that provide California architecture, planning, design and construction administration services for a greener, healthier, sustainable built environment. Alaska
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Rick's Renovations
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Each Richmond remodeling project we complete is as unique as our customers. Contact us for roofing in Richmond or renovations throughout Virginia. Alaska
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Crowes
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Crowes provide many printing related services including digital, brochure and catalogue printing for business to business purposes. Alaska
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Hair Removal Cream
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Collection of various Hair Removal Cream Products. Find your favorite Hair Removal Cream Cream here. Alaska
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Bath and Kitchen Remodeling Contractor
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Zarpas Construction is a home, bath and kitchen remodeling company offering superior quality kitchen renovations. Call us for your next bath remodel! Alaska
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Musical Hearts Guitar Academy
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Interested in guitar lessons? Tucson based Musical Hearts Guitar Academy offers a kids guitar lesson and music lessons Tucson students will love. Alaska
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Check out what's happening in the NewQuestCity Forums for Alabama .
Albertville, AL-New jobs on the way to Marshall County. An automotive supplier is now calling Albertville home.
City leaders and company executives broke ground Friday morning for the Newman Technology plant. The company manufactures door sashes and exhaust components for Honda.
Newman Technology will employ sixty to eighty workers and employees will handle metal fabrication and assembly. City Councilor Chuck Ellis says having the new automotive supplier in Albertville is good news for the economy. "This has been trying times over the past four years and fortunately for many people this will be new jobs for them in the coming year and its exciting for the people of Albertville" Ellis said.
Company spokesperson Steve Rourke says the opportunity to open a plant in Albertville was the perfect location to open for business in Alabama. "We're really excited, this represents a big opportunity for our company to expand in this region".
The manufacturing plant will cost 15 million dollars to build, production is expected to begin in early 2013 and as the business grows officials plan to expand and hire more employees.
HAZEL GREEN, Ala. (WAAY) - Madison County Sheriff's deputies are looking for at least two, possibly three suspects in connection with an armed robbery at the Rite-Aid pharmacy on Highway 231/431 in Hazel Green.
It happened around 4:15 Friday afternoon. According to Madison County Sheriff's Department Lt. T.A. Miller, three people were involved in the crime. Two masked men entered the pharmacy and demanded money. Contrary to some witness reports, no shots were fired.
The duo ran out of the pharmacy, where they were encountered by an off-duty law enforcement officer. One of the suspects was tackled and stopped by the officer and held until backup could arrive. That suspect is only identified as a 16 year old juvenile. The money taken in the robbery was recovered at the scene.
The other two suspects fled south towards Huntsville. Their car was found on Millbrae Road, off Pulaski Pike, near the Johnson High School football field. K-9 units are on the scene looking for the suspects.
Stay with WAAY 31 FirstNews and waaytv.com for more on this developing story as it becomes available. 
ATHENS, Ala. (WAAY) - The Limestone County Sheriff's Department is investigating a spike in burglary cases over the past three weeks.
Since April 1st, the LSCO has handled twenty burglary calls - mostly in the southern half of the county and in Salem and Good Springs communities.
The crimes have all been committed during the daytime, in the mid-morning and mid-afternoon hours. Most of the items stolen were jewelry, guns and electronic items like Tv's.
In response, deputies are patrolling the southern half of Limestone County much more than usual.
If you've seen anything suspicious, or have any information in connection with these crimes, call the Limestone County Sheriff's Office. There is a $10,000 reward being offered for tips that lead to the criminals.
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WAAY) - Madison County Circuit Judge Ruth Ann Hall has dismissed Towanda Moore's lawsuit against Madison Board of Education. The mother of slain Discovery Middle School student Todd Brown filed the suit claiming the school system failed to provide a safe environment by allowing the accused shooter, Hammad Memon, to attend despite several disciplinary problems. Her suit against Superintendent Dee Fowler and Former Discovery Principal Sharon Willlis will be allowed to stand. Defense Attorney Woody Sanderson says he is not entirely surprised at the ruling.
"This is very early in the case, the burden on the defendant is much greater to get a dismissal at this stage in the case," Sanderson explained.
The lawsuit claim Memon was suspended numerous times from Liberty Middle School, but allowed to remain enrolled, and was transfer to Discovery Middle. The suit also claims the school was aware of Memon's alleged gang involvement before the shooting.
" I think that we are going to be able to prove that there was a report that he brought a gun to school before. Now I don't know what I am going to be able to show you as far as who knew it and how many people knew it, but I’m certain that there is a report that he brought one to school before," explained family attorney Eric Heninger.
The case has been slowed due to the ongoing criminal investigation. The criminal trial is scheduled to begin in June. Defense attorney Bruce Gardner says he may seek a change of venue.
Sanderson says the discovery process in the civil case will take several months. Once complete he will have another opportunity to request a dismissal of the cases against Fowler and Willis.
Hammad Memon, and his parents, Dr. Iqbal and Safia Memon were also sued. That part of the suit also stood Friday. 
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (WAAY) - It's been less than a week since Alabama's 2011 BCS National Championship Trophy was destroyed while on display during last weekend's A-Day festivities. At the time, the media was told only that a player's parent was responsible for the accident, but the person wasn't identified. On Thursday night, the man came forward on his own.
"In my mind, it was slow motion," Carleton Tinker told ESPN. "as it rolled off the top of the trophy case onto the table onto the floor. I'm not sure if I bumped the table when I turned around, or if my foot caught on the large tablecloth they had draped and puddled on the floor. That's exactly what happened."
Carleton is the father of Alabama long snapper Carson Tinker.
"At night, as I went to sleep, every time I closed my eyes," Tinker said. "I kept seeing it roll off and hit the floor. That marble floor in the trophy room - it wasn't going to be a soft landing. It shattered. It spread out all over the place."
Tinker offered to work off the $30,000 replacement trophy by working in the athletic department, but the school turned down the offer, saying the trophy was insured.
SANFORD, Fla. (WAAY) - George Zimmerman, the man accused of gunning down Florida teen Treyvon Martin, was in court Friday morning for a bond hearing.
Zimmerman took the stand during the hearing to make a brief statement and answer a few procedural questions asked by the judge.
""I wanted to say I am sorry for the loss of your son." Zimmerman told the Martin family. "I did not know how old he was, I thought he was a little bit younger than I am and I did not know if he was armed."
The judge ruled that Zimmerman could be released on $150,000 bond, with a host of conditions. They include: wearing an electronic monitoring bracelet and having no contact with the victim's family.
Zimmerman's wife, mother and father testified over the phone that he isn't a flight risk.
NASHVILLE, TN - One question we’ve all asked is whether it’s better to shut down a computer or put it to sleep? Which is best not only for the life of your computer, but for your electricity bill? Let’s take a look first at a desktop computer. By shutting it down completely and turning off all external hard drives, you will save electricity. It won’t be using any power at all, but that’s not necessarily a good thing. Turning a computer off and on actually uses more power than just waking it up. And, if you’re going to have a problem with a computer, many of those problems start when you re-start. There are a lot of moving parts that have to get moving and that can cause stress on all of those tiny parts. It’s best to shut the computer off completely only if you’re not going to be using it for a couple of days. If it’s just overnight or during the day, put the computer to sleep. It’ll use a tiny bit of electricity, but it’ll also save everything you’ve been working on. When you click a button or move the mouse, your computer will wake up and you’re back in business quickly. Hibernation saves even more energy. You can use this option if you’re not going to be using the computer for about 24 hours. If you’re using windows 7, the sleep and hibernation options are next to the shut down button. If you’re using Windows XP, the sleep option is called "standby mode". If you want to put the computer in hibernation, hold down the shift key when you click "standby". On a Mac, click the Apple icon to see the sleep option. On laptops, Macs and PC's, just close the lid to put the computer in sleep mode. There are other energy saving tips for computers and other electronic gadgets on the US Department of Energy’s website, and energysaver.gov. Keeping you plugged in on Earth Day, I’m Jamey Tucker. anchor tag Jamey adds that it is a good idea to re-start a computer once a month or so to clean out some of the things that get stored on your computer when you're using it. That may speed up a sluggish computer. 
HUNTSVILLE, AL - Huntsville police say around 3:00 Sunday morning, officers responded to an ATM alarm at the CB&S bank on Highway 431 in Hampton Cove.
They found the ATM on the west side of the building had been stolen.
A forklift that had been abandoned nearby was still running.
Investigators say the forklift had also been stolen.
If you have any information on this case, call the Huntsville Police Department at (256) 722-7100. 
It's been a turbulent year for Huntsville City Schools, with the system struggling to overcome a financial crisis while improving its educational offerings. On April 24th, the public will have an opportunity to learn how administrators are faring in their tasks. The annual State of the Schools address will be held from 6:00-7:00 p.m. at the Lockheed Martin Auditorium at 4800 Bradford Drive. The address is hosted by the Huntsville Council of PTAs. Seating is limited, and anyone who would like to attend is asked to register in advance. Click here to sign up. 
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. - Visiting state parks is a popular past time here in the Valley. And for a cash- strapped park system, tourism season brings the chance to rake in some revenue. But, now the Alabama House of Representatives has passed a bill taking away a significant chunk of state park funds. Even though money is tight, some feel parks aren't where pennies should be pinched. Huntsville resident Josh Smith spends as much time as possible in Alabama's state parks, particularly Monte Sano. He says, "I live in the Five Points area, so it's like right in my backyard, and I'm always up here, either hiking, or I just started biking, even taking friends up here to the overlook and sitting eating lunch." But Smith's home away from home could soon look a little less lustrous. Alabama’s House of Representatives recently passed a budget that axes $2 million from the state parks fund. Monte Sano State Park Manager Kent Wilborn says the legislature already cut the fund by $5 million last year. Wilborn says, “We have over 800 facilities that the state parks take care of in 22 parks, so those facilities need paint, shingles, carpet, furniture. Those things have to be maintained in order to get the guests to come back." With the majority of state park funds coming from these guests, the slimmer budget could impact tourism. Wilborn adds, “If we can't maintain and keep them up to standards, people will find other places to go." Still, even if maintenance deteriorates in Monte Sano, mountain biker Quinn Otte says he's staying put: “I don't come for the buildings or the walls or the overlooks or anything. I come for the trails." But rural park-goers may not have that option. Wilborn says those state parks could be hit the hardest: “In the wintertime, some of the smaller parks, we may close some facilities just to save money.” Since there's still time before this budget bill becomes law, state park officials are voicing their concerns to the legislature, and encouraging people to visit more parks. But Smith wishes none of this were necessary. He feels budgeting for parks ought to have higher priority: “I guess it's probably low on the totem pole, but I prefer it not to be. I think it's important to have somewhere where your city's people can go to have recreation, have access to stuff like this." 
HUNTSVILLE, Ala-
The threat of rain did no stop dozens of car enthusiast from coming out to the Collaborations Child Development Center on Saturday morning.
The monthly Cars and Coffee event is sponsored by the local non-profit called The Autism Resource Foundation. The event is a meet and greet opportunity for car lovers to show off and talk all about cars. For a donation, patrons could also enjoy fresh coffee and doughnuts.
With April being autism awareness month, this week was a particularly special time for event coordinators.
“We raise money to provide financial support to families with autism. The money goes toward any type of therapy they might need, because insurance does not cover it for a lot of people,” Sally Davis said.
The next Coffee and Cars event will be Saturday, May 19’Th.
MADISON, Ala. - An aviation executive says he wants to be the next mayor of Madison. Don Palmer has served as a board member for the city's industrial development committee and is also founder and president of the International Society of Huntsville. He says if elected, he will focus on Madison's financial sustainability and infrastructure. Palmer says, "I think this is the most important time in the city's history. We have quite an investment in schools, the population requiring infrastructure, roads, and of course redistricting will happen." Also running for Madison's highest office is businessman and army veteran Troy Trulock. Current mayor, Paul Finley, is not seeking a second term. The election is August 28th. 
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. - It's been nearly 80 years since the Holocaust began, during which Hitler's Nazi regime murdered some 6 million Jews. Sunday afternoon, hundreds gathered at Huntsville's Museum of Art for a Holocaust Remembrance Day ceremony. It was part of a global effort to ensure the atrocity is never forgotten. Although it hurts to remember, Regina Roth Dembo mustered up the strength to share her story with hundreds at this year's ceremony. In 1938, she and her two young siblings made the trek to America from Vienna, Austria to escape the Holocaust. Her parents never made it. Dembo says, “It was very sad to remember everything that I've tried not to remember, and one of my younger sisters said she almost didn't want to hear what I said because it would be such turmoil for her. And I understood that perfectly." Dembo is one of three known Holocaust survivors living in Huntsville. She sees it as her duty to keep the memory of the Holocaust alive in the coming generations: “The value is that we hope this will never, ever happen again to anyone." The theme of remembrance was driven home through traditional poetry and music, student essays, and heart wrenching true stories of life and death under the Nazis. One speaker read a chilling account of the 1941 Babi Yar massacre in Ukraine, where nearly 34,000 Jews were killed in just two days: “I saw them standing on the bodies and shooting one person after another. I saw dead bodies on the bottom laid across in three rows." These accounts are horrific and gruesome, but Huntsville Jewish Federation President Arlene Averbuch feels they're stories that need to be told and retold. Averbuch explains, “I think it's wonderful education, especially for our students, they're learning about this, to be able to hear these stories firsthand." In addition to Sunday’s service, the museum also has an exhibit celebrating the lives of 20 Alabama Holocaust survivors. “Darkness into Life" will be on display through June 10th. 
HUNTSVILLE, AL - A former Morgan County principal is in critical condition at Huntsville Hospital.
According to our news partner, The Decatur Daily, Guy Bowling is in a coma following a wreck in Huntsville Saturday morning.
The 53 year old Bowling was a principal at Union Hill and Priceville schools.
Witnesses told investigators Bowling was driving erratically while heading north on South Memorial Parkway and crossed over into southbound traffic, striking another vehicle.
The driver and a child in the other vehicle were treated for minor injuries.
The crash is under investigation. 
The University of Alabama football team has begun its final week of practice for the 2012 spring session. The full pads practice was the first of two this week, leading up to Saturday's A-Day. Here's what you need to know:
The University of Alabama football team has concluded its regular practices for the 2012 spring session. Thursday's practice was held in shorts and helmets and was the final practice before Saturday's A-Day. Here's what you need to know:
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) - The crowd attending the annual "Pro-Life Legislative Day" in Montgomery on Thursday got a surprise when Republican Rep. Ed Henry of Hartselle talked publicly for the first time about going with his pregnant girlfriend to have an abortion.
The freshman legislator from Hartselle said it happened in 1991. He told the crowd, "I murdered my first child."
He said the impact of it hit him nearly eight years later when his wife was pregnant with their daughter and they went for an ultrasound. He said he will live with regret for the rest of his life.
Henry is sponsoring legislation that says elective abortions can't be part of any health insurance plan offered through an insurance exchange in Alabama. His bill is pending in the House.
CANDICE CHOI
AP Food Industry Writer
NEW YORK (AP) - It could've been Starbursts, Twizzlers or Sour Patch Kids. But when Trayvon Martin was fatally shot, he happened to be carrying a bag of Skittles.
The 17-year-old's death at the hands of a neighborhood watchman in February ignited nationwide protests and heated debate about racial profiling and "Stand Your Ground" laws.
For Mars Inc., the privately held company that owns Skittles, the tragedy presents another, more surreal dimension. Protestors carried bags of the chewy fruit-flavored candy while marching for the arrest of shooter George Zimmerman. Mourners pinned the bright red wrappers to their hooded sweatshirts at memorial services.
On eBay, vendors sell $10 T-shirts with the words "Justice for Trayvon Martin" printed over a cartoon-like rainbow of pouring Skittles.
Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company -the unit of Mars that owns Skittles- issued only a brief statement offering condolences to Martin's friends and family, adding that it would be inappropriate to comment further "as we would never wish for our actions to be perceived as an attempt of commercial gain."
Skittles isn't the first popular food brand to find itself at the center of a major controversy. The terms "the Twinkie defense" and "don't drink the Kool-Aid" became part of the vernacular decades ago in the wake of tragic events. More recently, Doritos made headlines when it was reported that the corn chips were Saddam Hussein's favorite snack.
The cases show how millions of advertising and marketing dollars can be rendered powerless when a company's product is swept into a big news story. Hostess Brands Inc., which owns Twinkies, says it does not have any archival information on how it handled the popularization of the term "the Twinkie defense." The phrase was used derisively by the media during the trial of Dan White, who fatally shot San Francisco Mayor George Moscone and city supervisor Harvey Milk in 1978. White's lawyers cited his poor eating habits as a sign of his depressed state.
As for "don't drink the Kool-Aid," younger generations may not realize the phrase has its origins in the 1978 mass suicide in Jonestown, Guyana, where Reverend Jim Jones led more than 900 members of the Peoples Temple to drink a grape flavored drink laced with cyanide.
The powdered mix used to make the concoction was actually the lesser known Flavor Aid. Even so, executives at Kraft Foods Inc., which owns Kool-Aid, decided to let the matter go, rather than set the record straight.
"It would be like spitting into the wind at this point - it's just part of the national lexicon," says Bridget MacConnell, a Kraft spokeswoman. "We all try to protect the value of our brands. But this one just kind of got away from us. I don't think there was any way to fight it."
MacConnell added that Kool-Aid remains a popular drink and that the Jonestown tragedy has not overshadowed the brand.
In 2005, Doritos became fodder for late night comedians when it was reported that Saddam Hussein loved the chips. A U.S. military guard quoted in a GQ magazine story said the deposed Iraqi dictator originally obsessed over Cheetos and got "grumpy" whenever guards ran out of the finger-staining treats. Saddam forgot about Cheetos only after guards gave him Doritos as a substitute one day.
"He'd eat a family size bag of Doritos in 10 minutes," the guard said.
A spokesman for PepsiCo Inc., which owns Frito-Lay, says the matter was a "non-issue" for the company.
Although it didn't get as much attention, the article also noted Saddam preferred Raisin Bran Crunch for breakfast, telling a guard, "No Froot Loops."
As difficult as it may be for companies to weather controversy, the uncomfortable attention doesn't spell the end of a product. Hostess and Kraft say they don't have information on whether the "Twinkie" and "Kool-Aid" catch-phrases had an impact on sales. But both brands clearly survived.
Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company declined to say whether the Martin case has had an impact on Skittles sales. But it is one of the most popular candies. Annual sales have grown steadily to $213.8 million in 2011, according to SymphonyIRI, a Chicago-based market research firm that tracks sales at supermarkets, drug stores and mass merchandise outlets, excluding Walmart.
The best approach for companies is to maintain a low profile, says Katherine Sredl, an assistant professor of marketing at the University of Notre Dame's Mendoza College of Business. That's particularly true in the Martin case, where any action by Mars could be interpreted as insincere or opportunistic.
Fate can swing in the other direction too, of course. Companies can become the beneficiaries of unexpected positive press, usually when celebrities are spotted consuming their products without being paid for an endorsement.
Last winter, Skittles basked in exactly that type of exposure when NFL star Marshawn Lynch was shown scarfing down a bag of the candy on the sideline after a touchdown. Lynch, a running back for the Seattle Seahawks, explained it was a tradition he started with his mother in high school. Fans started throwing Skittles at Seahawks games.
In that scenario, Mars was quick to step forward and capitalize on the opportunity. The McLean, Va.-based company gave Lynch a free two-year supply as well as a custom-made Skittles dispenser for his locker.
Despite becoming ensnared in the Martin case a few months later, Mars may ultimately benefit from the tragedy, says Sredl, the marketing professor. The many people who see Martin as an innocent victim might buy the candy in solidarity or an act of protest, she says.
Sredl believes the Martin case could help to reinforce the buoyant image Skittles convey.
"Skittles have always symbolized youth and innocence. They're so brightly colored and almost pure sugar," Sredl says.
That's why the candy became such a vivid detail in the Martin case. In the public imagination, it underscored that the teenager was "just a kid walking down the street eating Skittles," Sredl says.
Perhaps more importantly, Skittles has become a part of the public discourse, she says. And that's always good for a company.
SANFORD, Fla. (AP) - Neighborhood watch volunteer George Zimmerman has made his first court appearance on a second-degree murder charge in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin.
During the brief appearance Thursday, Zimmerman stood up straight and wore a gray prison jumpsuit. He spoke only to answer "Yes, sir," after he was asked basic questions about the charge against him.
The judge said an arraignment would be held on May 29 before another judge.
Zimmerman was charged after a public campaign to make an arrest in the Feb. 26 shooting, which has galvanized the nation for weeks. Some legal experts had expected Zimmerman to face a lesser count of manslaughter and say a prosecutor will face steep hurdles to win a murder conviction. Zimmerman has claimed that he fired in self-defense.
GUNTERSVILLE, Ala. (WAAY) - An Alabama Conservation Officer is receiving his second Legislative Medal of Honor in Montgomery Thursday.
Joe Lindsey is being hailed as a hero for his efforts saving a child after a plane crash in Guntersville in June of last year.
Lindsey was off duty at the time, picking up his son at Guntersville Airport when he saw a small plane take off and crash into a neighborhood just past the runway. Lindsey rushed to the scene and helped a young boy get out of the crash scene and kept him calm until paramedics arrived. Lindsey left the scene once emergency crews had the situation under control, and for several weeks was known only as the "mystery man" who rushed to the wreckage.
The child, Gavin Whitacre, was the only survivor of the crash that killed his sister, Hailee, mother, Tara, and another man - Robert Hutton. After he was identified, he was put on the list to be awarded with the special Legislative Medal of Honor Award, which he receives Thursday.
This is the second time Lindsey has been given the award. The first was for an incident on Thanksgiving Day 2008, where he pulled a mentally disabled girl get out of a burning van after a wreck in Huntsville. 
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) - Athens State University has taken the first step toward having its own board of trustees.
The Senate Finance and Taxation-Education Committee voted unanimously Wednesday for a bill that would end control of Athens State by the State Board of Education and create a board of trustees like other state universities. The bill now goes to the Senate for consideration.
A spokesman for the state Department of Postsecondary Education said the state school board has given its approval to pursue the legislation.
The bill's sponsor, Republican Sen. Bill Holtzclaw of Madison, said Athens State focuses on the last two years of college and it's different from the community colleges overseen by the state school board because they focus on the first two years of college. Holtzclaw is an Athens State graduate.
DECATUR, Ala. (WAAY) - Decatur Police say it didn't take very long for tips to start pouring in after WAAY 31 posted pictures of a man wanted for an armed robbery. The incident happened Monday at the Payless Convenience Store on 6th Avenue. A customer was approached by a man who claimed his car was broken down, and asked for a ride over the bridge. A short time after crossing the bridge, the passenger pulled a gun and demanded that the driver stop at an ATM and withdraw money for him. Pictures of the suspect were posted on WAAY 31 on Tuesday afternoon, and tips began coming in a short time later. Multiple people said that the man on the clips was Michael Richard of Moulton. Wednesday night, Decatur Police teamed up with officers from Moulton made contact with Richard at his home. Richard was questioned and later arrested and charged with 1st Degree Robbery.
He's being held in the Morgan County Jail, awaiting transfer to the Limestone County Jail.
Richard is no stranger to the law. In 2008, he was accused of stealing a woman's purse, while on probation for another crime - installing hidden cameras in a bathroom in 2007. 
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) - The Florida neighborhood watch volunteer who fatally shot an unarmed black teen is set to appear before a judge on second-degree murder charges in a case that galvanized the nation.
George Zimmerman turned himself in to authorities and is jailed in Sanford, Fla., in the February shooting of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin. His attorney says he plans to plead not guilty in court today.
Legal experts say a special state prosecutor has steep hurdles to climb to make a murder case against Zimmerman. Experts say they need to counter Zimmerman's claim that he shot Martin in self-defense, and prove he intended to kill Martin.
Zimmerman's attorney also plans to invoke Florida's "stand your ground" law, which gives people wide leeway to use deadly force to protect themselves.
Special prosecutor Angela Corey says she never promised Trayvon Martin's parents that criminal charges would be brought against the neighborhood watch volunteer who fatally shot their 17-year-old son.
She even says they talked about what they could do in case criminal charges were not filed against George Zimmerman. That conversation was put to rest Wednesday, when Corey announced second-degree murder charges against Zimmerman.
The 57-year-old prosecutor is known for her tough tactics, locking up criminals for long sentences and not negotiating easily on plea bargains, but those who know and have worked with her praise her sensitive approach with the relatives of crime victims and survivors.
During a news conference Wednesday, Corey called Martin's parents "sweet" and vowed to uphold the law for their son and for Zimmerman.
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WAAY) - Grissom High School physics teacher David Yates is at Huntsville Hospital following an early morning accident on Lily Flagg Road.
According to Huntsville Police, a Toyota mini-van was travelling south on Hickory Hill Lane, and stopped at the sign at Lily Flagg. The motorist says he didn't see anyone coming, so he pulled forward into the intersection. As the van crossed the road, it was struck by the Yates' bicycle at a high rate of speed.
Police believe Yates was travelling too fast to stop on time, and skidded from the sidewalk to the road and into the van.
At last word, Yates was in serious condition at Huntsville Hospital.
UPDATE : 10:45 a.m. - Yates' name released, condition improved from Critical to Serious. 
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) - The Alabama Legislature has approved a bill aimed at restoring a settlement over Alabama's financially troubled prepaid college tuition plan.
The board of the Prepaid Affordable College Tuition plan had reached a settlement to pay tuition at 2010 rates rather than current rates, but the Alabama Supreme Court struck it down in March. The court said the settlement violated a law the Legislature passed in 2010 to provide extra funding to PACT. That law provided for the program to be 100 percent funded.
The Alabama Senate voted 23-3 Thursday to give final approval to a bill to removing the full funding provision. State Treasurer Young Boozer, who oversees the PACT plan, said the legislation will be used to ask the Supreme Court to reconsider its decision.
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