The 2015 UNCF MASKED BALL

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March 19, 2015

photo:Honorable Mayor William Bell and UNCF 2015 Masked Ball Host Deno Posey

Editor’s Note: The Birmingham Times inadvertently ran the wrong copy in last Thursday’s publication, March 19th, 2015. However, the following is the corrected version. We apologize for any inconvenience.

The 2015 UNCF MASKED BALL was hosted by Birmingham Native
DENO POSEY!
From Staff Reports
Getting to know the Man behind the Mask!
On Saturday March 14, Mr. Deno Posey a native of Birmingham, product of the Birmingham City Schools system and attended Talladega College served as the host of UNCF Masked Ball 2015 for the City of Birmingham, Alabama.
By day Mr. Posey serves as the SVP Head of Payment Operations at Regions Bank and by night he is a gifted entertainer! Comedian Deno Posey has performed in all genres of the arts scene for several years. His talents include musical theatre, stage drama, singer, MC, and his favorite standup comedy. Deno brings his own unique brand of humor that is hilarious relevant, and reverent. Deno is able to point out the funny side of everyday life that we all experience, but seldom talk about, like no other in the comedy game today. Deno’s style of G-Rated comedy entertainment is appropriate for all audiences and is sure to leave EVERYONE laughing.
Comedian Deno Posey is rapidly becoming one of the most sought after Comedian/MC/Host in the business. He commands a confidence and comfort level on stage and in front of audiences that puts them at ease and allows him to guide them through the humorous paths of everyday life with a G-rated style that is crisp and clean. He is the winner of the World Famous Comedy Club Stardome Open Mic Finale in 2011, a regular on “The Joe Lockett Radio Show” and has shared the stage with Chris Tucker, Steve Harvey, Sinbad, Singer Reuben Studdard, Comedian Cedric The Entertainer, Comedian Jon Reep, R&B Legend Melba Moore, Chris Tucker, Rob Snyder, Bobby Collins, and Steve Harvey to name a few.

Mr. Deno Posey’s message to today’s youth resonate with the following advice:
1.   Believe in yourself! Your future depends upon it. Always challenge yourself to go above and beyond what you are capable of doing.
2.   Go as far as you can in investing in yourself: the more you learn the more you earn!
3.   Be careful of who you surround yourself with, in other words Eagles never hang out with Chickens because Chickens don’t soar!

He has a strong faith in God, he is a loving son, nephew, cousin, father and “Paw Paw”. You can follow him and book performances with him by going on his website at www.denoposey.com

Deno Posey gets his fashion inspiration from his father, George L. Posey, Comedian Steve Harvey; and his Grandfather, the late Willie Posey.

AG ANNOUNCES CONVICTION OF GEORGIA MAN FOR FELONY VIOLATION OF THE ALABAMA DIGITAL CRIME ACT

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Birmingham Times

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March 18, 2015

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AG ANNOUNCES CONVICTION OF GEORGIA MAN FOR FELONY VIOLATION OF THE ALABAMA DIGITAL CRIME ACT

(MONTGOMERY)–Attorney General Luther Strange announced the conviction of a Georgia man for a felony related to attempts to access confidential information systems maintained by the State of Alabama. On Monday, Thomas Jack Hixon, 20, of Chickamauga, Georgia pleaded guilty in Calhoun County Circuit Court to Attempted Computer Tampering, which is a class C felony. This is the first case prosecuted by this Office under the new “Alabama Digital Crime Act” which was passed by the Legislature in 2012.

Hixon was sentenced to five years and a $1,000 fine, plus court costs and a $50 fee to the Alabama Crime Victims Compensation Commission. He has applied for probation which will be determined at a later hearing.

Attorney General Strange’s Special Prosecutions Division presented evidence to a Calhoun County grand jury, resulting in Hixon’s indictment in 2013. The conviction arises from a call Hixon made to the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office in which he claimed to be an employee of the Weaver Police Department. Using spoofing software, Hixon further concealed his identity by manipulating the caller ID to show him as calling from the Weaver Police Department. Hixon attempted to obtain a user name and password for access to computerized confidential law enforcement records contained in the National Crime Information Center database, or “NCIC.”

“The Alabama Digital Crime Act is an important law to protect our state and to maintain the security of confidential law enforcement records,” said Attorney General Strange. “I am proud of the work by my Special Prosecutions Division in bringing this case to a successful conclusion.”

Attorney General Strange commended Deputy Attorney General Pete Smyczek and Investigators of the Attorney General’s Special Prosecutions Division. He thanked the Alabama Criminal Justice Information Center (now a part of the State Bureau of Investigation in the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency), which investigated the case. The Attorney General also thanked the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the Chickamauga Police Department for their assistance in this case. SBI Director Gene Wiggins said, “The State Bureau of Investigations will continue to aggressively investigate allegations of misuse to protect the integrity of our information systems.”

THE ULTIMATE MATCHUP IS FINALLY HERE: ANGLE VS LASHLEY

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Birmingham Times

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March 18, 2015

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THE ULTIMATE MATCHUP IS FINALLY HERE: ANGLE VS LASHLEY

— IMPACT WRESTLING continues Friday March 20^th at 9/8c only on Destination America–

This Friday on Destination America, IMPACT WRESTLING brings you the TNA World Title Match that you just cannot miss! On this all new episode titled Kurt Angle VS Lashley: TNA World Heavyweight Championship, it’s the battle we have all been waiting for. Prepare yourself for the ultimate matchup as Kurt Angle and Bobby Lashley fight for the TNA World Title. For the first time ever, “The Destroyer” Lashley defends the title against the Olympic gold medalist Kurt Angle. Watch as two of the greatest athletes in the world with impressive backgrounds battle for the famous TNA World Heavyweight Championship Belt! Don’t miss who will walk away as the champion of this epic fight! Prior to the main event, The Wolves will defend their title in the Tag Team Ultimate X Match against The Bromans and The Revolution. All this and more on Friday’s IMPACT WRESTLING!

Tune in to IMPACT WRESTLING starting at 9/8c on Friday Mar. 20^th on Destination America.

Madison County, Alabama Man Pleads Guilty to Securities Violation

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Birmingham Times

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March 18, 2015

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Madison County, Alabama Man Pleads Guilty to Securities Violation

MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA (March 18, 2015) Robert L. Broussard, District Attorney for the 23rd Judicial Circuit, Madison County, Alabama; and Joseph Borg, Director of the Alabama Securities Commission (ASC) announced that on March 12, 2015, Richard David Hall of Huntsville, Alabama, pled guilty in Madison County Circuit Court to one count Conspiracy to Commit Securities Fraud by Employing a Device, Scheme, or Artifice to Defraud. At the time the offense was committed it was a Class C felony punishable by not more than 10 years, nor less than 1 year and 1 day in prison and not more than a $15,000 fine per charge. Based upon Hall’s plea of guilt, the State of Alabama recommended a 10-year sentence and that Hall be jointly liable for restitution in the amount of $3,265,000. Hall remains free on a $60,000 bond, pending a formal sentencing hearing scheduled on April 23, 2015.

Hall’s plea is a result of a June, 2014 Madison County Grand Jury indictment. Hall fraudulently solicited investor funds to be used in a managed gold “buy-sell” program. The pitch was that the investors’ funds would purportedly purchase gold in Ghana, Africa, to be traded internationally, thus making a profit for the investors. Initially, Hall and his co-conspirators used a company named “First Fin” to obtain investors’ funds. The supposed trading of gold never occurred and investors’ funds were actually wired through an attorney trust account. The attorney managing the trust account then immediately wired the funds to Hall who sent the money to his co-conspirators and kept a portion for himself. Later, Hall created a company named “Berea” and used the same documentation of First Fin, merely changing the name to Berea, Inc. Hall and his co-conspirators fraudulently used the same sales pitch with Berea as with First Fin. Hall and his co-conspirators also fraudulently schemed to promote the use of non-existent or fake bank instruments to provide accounts on which money could be borrowed to purchase gold in their related trading program. All of Hall’s and his co-conspirators’ investment programs resulted in significant losses of investors’ funds. ASC records indicated that neither Hall nor his co-conspirators were registered with the ASC to legally conduct securities business in Alabama, as required by the Alabama Securities Act.

The ASC cautions potential investors to thoroughly scrutinize and research any investment opportunity or offer. Contact the ASC with inquiries concerning securities broker-dealers, agents, investment advisers, investment adviser representatives, financial planners, registration status of securities or debt management programs, to report suspected fraud or to obtain consumer information. The ASC provides free investor education and fraud prevention materials in print, on our website and through educational presentations upon request.

‘His Truth is Marching On’…..Selma’s 50th Bloody Sunday Commemoration in the Eyes of Birmingham City Councilors

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Birmingham Times

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March 18, 2015

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‘His Truth is Marching On’…..Selma’s 50th Bloody Sunday Commemoration in the Eyes of Birmingham City Councilors

Thousands of citizens representing every walk of life transcended on the State of Alabama in what most would recount as historic and a once in a lifetime event where our African-American President of the United States Barack Obama would join the solidarity, speak to the current and past struggles and charge others, of all races with the responsibility to not only remember ‘Bloody Sunday’ but to respect it with deeds of constant change.

The world not only took notice, but the City of Birmingham, a miniature Mecca of the Civil Rights Movement that evolved our nation into lasting change, paid homage to the soldiers that were thrust into Selma’s bloodiest Sunday.

Among many state, local and nationally elected officials, Birmingham City Councilor Sheila Tyson was on hand with citizens from all over the City of Birmingham her eyes formed tears as one who lived through the struggle and still pays it forward in remembrance of those who fought with their souls might for voting rights for everyone.

“Word’s just can’t describe how I felt being in the same atmosphere in Selma with all nationalities paying tribute to foot-soldiers, citizens and leaders that took on the brutality of bigoted law enforcement 50 years ago during Bloody Sunday, “ Councilor Tyson said. “This celebration speaks volumes to what our nation once knew of Alabama as being one of the most hostile racially charged states in the nation. Now to have all races come together and strengthen each other in solidarity and harmony, recognizing and respecting our beliefs and culture, we can truly see the evolution of the tainted south in rare form. Celebrating our unity from Selma’s life-changing event is the manifestation of our prayers being answered, our charges kept and our WILL to do more as communities. It makes our roles as city leaders worth it.”

Councilor Sheila Tyson was not the only Birmingham City Councilor that took to the streets to marvel in the crowd driven excitement, musical accolades from national recording artists and gospel choirs and ceremonial marching in Selma, Councilor Steven Hoyt also took to the activities with proud strides, embracing the more than great turnout.

“This is a prime example of what our forefathers, Martin Luther King, Jr., Ralph Abernathy, Fred Shuttlesworth and countless other soldiers risked their lives for, “ Councilor Hoyt said. “They literally came to blows with opposing segregationists and constantly echoed voices of reason in the midst of what appeared to be a hopeless battle to many. Events like this prove their struggles were the perfect seed sown that is now reaping this great harvest of unity all over our nation. I’m just so proud that my family and I can take part in realizing this great, unforgettable and infectious attitude change. I know this is not the end of the movement, I just know it.”

This article is a contribution from Chiara Morrow in the Birmingham City Council Public Information Office.

NINE TIME GRAMMY NOMINATED POWER HOUSE SINGER LEDISI

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Birmingham Times

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March 18, 2015

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SOUTHWESTERN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE RELEASES BOWLING ALL CONFERENCE TEAMS

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Birmingham Times

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March 17, 2015

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SOUTHWESTERN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE RELEASES BOWLING ALL CONFERENCE TEAMS

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Southwestern Athletic Conference released its 2015 All Conference Bowling Teams with Alabama State University’s Danielle Walker earning Bowler of the Year honors for the second consecutive year.

The Hornets also accepted Freshman of the Year accolades under Lindsay Paredes.

Michael Boykins, head coach of the 2015 regular season champions (Jackson State), was named Coach of the Year.

With a total pinfall of 5,843 in conference play, Walker provided herself with a solid MVB position among SWAC bowlers, passing her pinfall count from last season (5.637). Her 208.68 average against the league came after she participated in 28 total games, helping her team produce a 17-7 record with a 949.18 average and 26,577 total pinfall. Like last season, Walker bowled above 200 pins in 15 games. Her best competition came during east round up play as she bowled three games with pin counts higher than 250 – 258, 259, 265.

Paredes claimed the top freshman award after collecting a total conference pinfall of 5,467. Her appearance in 28 games granted her an average of 195.25. Paredes knocked down 200 plus pins in 12 games, retrieving a season best count of 255. The Hornets are ranked 26 by the NCAA.

Head Coach Boykins led the Tigers to a 19-5 conference record. With an average of 939.18, Jackson State pushed through a total of 26,297 pins. This standing granted the Tigers a 27^th, nationally ranked position among the NCAA. JSU’s Marcela Sanchez owned the best game overall for the SWAC this season as she bowled a 289 against Grambling State University at the east round up. The freshman is ranked sixth with a pinfall of 5,449 with a 194.61 average.

Other members of the All Conference First Team include: Kaila Ryan (Alabama State), Dyana Abu Baker (Jackson State), Nicole Kleutgen (Alabama A&M) and Lindsay Paredes (Alabama State). The second team consists of Marcela Sanchez (Jackson State), Brittney Wehmeier (Prairie View A&M), Brittany Kinny (Prairie View A&M), Kiara Smith (Jackson State) and Dawn Sidney (Texas Southern).

The SWAC Bowling All Conference Teams were selected among the top ten averages in league play. The top five averages were named to the first team with the bowlers ranked six through 10 completing the second team.

The MVB and freshman awards were handed to the top bowlers with the best average fitting the respective criteria and must have participated in 2/3 of the conference matches.

The SWAC Bowling Coach of the Year award is voted on by the league’s head coaches.

Moving into the 2015 SWAC Bowling Championship Tournament, the six-team field will consist of Alabama A&M, Alabama State, Jackson State, Prairie View A&M, Texas Southern and Southern.

BOWLER OF THE YEAR

Danielle Walker (Alabama State)

FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR

Lindsay Paredes (Alabama State)

COACH OF THE YEAR

Michael Boykins (Jackson State)

SWAC BOWLING ALL CONFERENCE FIRST TEAM

Danielle Walker (Alabama State)

Kaila Ryan (Alabama State)

Dyana Abu Baker (Jackson State)

Nicole Kleutgen (Alabama A&M)

Lindsay Paredes (Alabama State)

SWAC BOWLING ALL CONFERENCE SECOND TEAM

Marcela Sanchez (Jackson State)

Brittney Wehmeier (Prairie View A&M)

Brittany Kinny (Prairie View A&M)

Kiara Smith (Jackson State)

Dawn Sidney (Texas Southern)

National Society of Black Engineers Convention Showcases Community Impact

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Birmingham Times

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March 17, 2015

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National Society of Black Engineers Convention Showcases Community Impact

More than 8,000 to Attend the Event, in Anaheim, Calif.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – The National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), an organization that seeks to increase the number of black engineering professionals, will hold its annual convention in Anaheim, Calif., on March 25-29. The 41st Annual Convention, to be held at the Anaheim Convention Center and neighboring facilities, is expected to draw more than 8,000 attendees.

NSBE’s largest event, the Annual Convention has been a turning point in the lives of countless black college and pre-college students over the past four decades. The convention showcases black students and professionals who have a passion for science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), who are high-achievers in these fields and who are channeling their passion to advance their communities and society at large.

Interview a random sample of NSBE members about their first experience at the Annual Convention, and one will invariably hear words like these from the majority: “I had never seen so many brilliant black professionals….” Like many people, these first-time attendees found NSBE’s convention to be a stark contrast to the negative images they’d seen in media, and a shattering of the “glass ceiling” created by falsely low expectations of black youth.

Here, high-achieving NSBE collegiate, pre-collegiate and professional members are the masters of their domain. Here, they set a course for the future of black engineers coming up the ranks, and plan policies and procedures that will impact the futures of thousands of young people like them. Here, they are viewed by their peers as cutting-edge new talent. And they are regarded as innovators in STEM fields by sponsors such as The Boeing Company and Google, Inc., who support their efforts. NSBE’s members will be joined by local leaders and celebrities alike, in activities and events spotlighting the next phase of engineering and centered on the conference theme: “Innovation & Excellence: Reimagining Your Future.”

As the convention prepares to get underway, the Society’s executive director says NSBE’s chief focus is achieving one goal of its new strategic plan: to graduate 10,000 black engineers with bachelor’s degrees, annually, by the year 2025.

“We view our Annual Convention as a time to show the world what excellence in engineering looks like,” says Karl W. Reid, Ed.D. “As we continue to advance NSBE‘s mission to increase the number of black engineers, we are also focusing on making engineering the career of choice for many more black children around the world. We are committed to reimagining our children’s futures.”

Sossena Wood, a Ph.D. student in bioengineering at the University of Pittsburgh, is NSBE’s national chair, the organization’s top-ranking officer.

“NSBE’s Annual Convention has been a big part of my personal development,” she says. “Six years ago, in Las Vegas, as a first-time member of the NSBE Senate, I was actively involved in deciding what path the Society would take in the coming year. Now, as we prepare for our convention in Anaheim, I have come full circle, as I share with the Senate the path the Society should take until 2025.”

The following is a small sample of newsworthy events at NSBE’s 41st Annual Convention:

Silicon Corner: NSBE Hackathon and CyberSecurity Case Competition
- o NSBE computer programmers, graphic designers and others get competitive while working on team-based software projects during the NSBE Hackathon, powered by Google, Inc. and sponsored by Thought Works.
- o NSBE computer engineers and scientists show their defensive skills during the Cybersecurity Case Competition, powered by EMC Corporation.

“To the Moon, Mars and Beyond,” NSBE Space Special Interest Group Workshop
- o The Special Interest Groups (SIGs) gather the talent of NSBE members to acquire knowledge and take on challenges in specific areas, from the environment to energy to public policy. In this session, the Space SIG presents its bold proposals for U.S. lunar, Martian and other explorations beyond the Earth.

Technical Research Exposition
- o The Technical Research Exposition showcases NSBE members’ skills in technical writing, theoretical research and oral presentation. The competition provides an opportunity for graduate students and technical professionals to present their research findings while encouraging undergraduate students to showcase their research and pursue graduate degrees.

APEX Career Fair and APEX College Fair
- o NSBE’s Academic Pyramid of Excellence (APEX) recognizes members who maintain grade-point averages of 3.0 or above. During the two-day Career Fair and College Fair events, the APEX members have hours of exclusive access to the more than 200 corporate, government, academic and other recruiters exhibiting at the convention.

NSBE’s “Impact Ferguson” Campaign
- o Launched last fall, NSBE’s “Impact Ferguson” campaign raised funds to engage students in the Ferguson, Mo., area in STEM educational activities and to bring 21 of the students to the positive, possibly life-changing experience of the NSBE Annual Convention.

Workshop – Urban Revitalization: How Volunteering Can Influence the Entrepreneur in You
- o “Positively impact the community” is one of the core components of NSBE’s mission. In this session, NSBE entrepreneurs and prospective entrepreneurs learn how to achieve this end while building a successful business.

Workshop – Saving Our Cities: Green Projects to the Rescue
- o NSBE’s Environmental Engineering Special Interest Group demonstrates the importance of environmental awareness and environmental protection to the well-being of urban communities.

18th Annual NSBE Golden Torch Awards
- o Individuals and organizations, 21 in all, will receive NSBE’s top honors during this black-tie event sponsored by Northrop Grumman Corporation and emceed by actor Laz Alonso. Among the honorees are Retired U.S. Air Force Capt. Ed Dwight, now a successful artist, who was the first African-American to undergo astronaut training, and Julian Earls, Ph.D., retired director of NASA Glenn Research Center.

Miles College Students to Hear of Dangers of Underage and Binge Drinking

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Birmingham Times

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March 17, 2015

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Miles College Students to Hear of Dangers of Underage and Binge Drinking

ABC Board program warns alcohol can ruin spring break – and lives

FAIRFIELD, Ala. – Just before they head off for spring break, students at Miles College will hear a special message from the Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board, Mothers Against Drunk Driving and American Character Builders: Don’t let alcohol ruin your good time.

The ABC Board, in partnership with The Links Inc., will present its “Under Age,Under Arrest” program on underage and binge drinking to students at Miles College today, Monday, March 16. Miles students will be out the week of March 23 for spring break.

“It is important to get the message to students before they head off for spring break that they don’t need to drink to have a good time,” said Dean Argo, manager of government relations and communications for the ABC Board. “In fact, for most college students, those under the age of 21, alcohol should never be part of their spring break. It’s illegal for them to drink, period. And for those 21 or older, if they do drink, they should do so responsibly.”

“Alcohol can kill. We want students to return to school safe.”

This is the second year the ABC Board and the Birmingham area chapter of The Links have teamed to bring the “Under Age, Under Arrest” program to Miles College. “Under Age, Under Arrest” is a statewide educational and public awareness initiative launched by ABC Board Administrator H. Mac Gipson in 2013 to discourage underage and binge drinking. The program highlights the dangers and the legal and social costs of these forms of irresponsible drinking.

Taking part in the program will be ABC Board officials and speakers representing Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), the Alabama Citizens Action Program (ALCAP) and law enforcement.

Today’s program will be at 11 a.m. in Brown Hall.

Nationwide, about 5,000 people under the age of 21 die each year from alcohol-related car crashes, homicides, suicides, alcohol poisoning and other injuries. In 2008, more than 190,000 people under the age of 21 went to an emergency room for alcohol-related injuries.

State Troopers report that 62 people were killed and more than 1,000 injured between 2010 and 2012 in car crashes in Alabama caused by underage drinkers.

Studies show that young people who begin drinking in their teen years are four times more likely to become problem drinkers or alcohol dependent.

It is against the law for people under the age of 21 to consume or possess alcoholic beverages. It is also illegal for adults to provide alcohol to those under the legal drinking age. Penalties include fines, possible jail time and, for minors, the loss of their driver licenses.

The ABC Board is working with law enforcement and organizations such as MADD, Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD), and ALCAP’s American Character Builders to help schools and colleges get the message to students and parents about the dangers of and penalties for underage drinking.

For more information about “Under Age, Under Arrest,” go online to www.underage-underarrest.com.

The Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board controls alcoholic beverages through distribution, licensing and enforcement as well as education.

Homicide Investigation Update:

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Birmingham Times

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March 16, 2015

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Homicide Investigation Update:

The Birmingham Police Department reports that detectives have arrested and charged a suspect in connection with a homicide investigation. The incident occurred Sunday June 15, 2014 in the 1800 Block of 3rd Place SW..The victim has been identified as:Arthur Mills, B/M, 53, of Birmingham, Alabama The suspect has been identified as:Freddrious Nelson, B/M, 26, of Birmingham, Alabama. A Capital Murder warrant witha no bond has been obtained against the suspect. The suspect is in the custody of the Jefferson County Jail.If there is anyone who has additional information pertaining to this case, they are encouraged to contact the B.P.D. Homicide Unit @ 254-1764 or Crime Stoppers @ 254-7777.Refer to media release #70 of 2014 for additional information on this case.