TALLADEGA, Ala. – Talladega College has announced that Actor, Producer, Director, and Host Wendy Raquel Robinson, as the speaker for the Spring 2014 commencement ceremony.
There is no doubt that Robinson is one of Hollywood’s busiest performers. Robinson’s artistic background in acting, dancing, directing, writing, producing and choreographing displays her passion as she strives for excellence in her career as an artist. A cum laude graduate of Howard University with a BFA in Drama, Robinson became a household name when she starred as principal, ‘Regina Grier’ for six years on The Steve Harvey Show.  Currently, she portrays another memorable character, ‘Tasha Mack’, on BET’s #1 rated scripted series, The Game.  Robinson’s role on The Game, has earned her the 2014 NAACP Image Award for “Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series.”
Her experience also includes starring in a dozen feature films including, Rebound, Two Can Play That Game, and Miss Congeniality, to name a few. Her television credits include Nickelodeons’ “See Dad Run”, ABC’s hit drama, “Grey’s Anatomy.” On stage, she has graced the theater in works such as “The Vagina Monologues” (V-Day L.A.), “Black Woman’s Blues”, “Agnes of God”, “A Midsummer’s Night Dream”, “The Colored Museum” and “Vanities” for which she received an NAACP Theatre Award for Best Choreographer and Best Actress Nomination.
Robinson is also known for her work in the community. Robinson also focuses her attention on youth and the performing arts at her conservatory, Amazing Grace Conservatory. She has served as Celebrity Spokesperson for the Los Angeles Black Business Expo & Trade Show; she is the recipient of various honors which include the recipient of the Black Women’s Network (Atlanta), Jenesse Center Silver Rose for her work in nurturing young people in the performing arts; Howard University Distinguished Alumni Award, Disneyland, KJLH 102.3 FM Proven Achiever Award, and is a coveted Woman of Courage honoree. Robinson partnered with Ad Council and was featured in a national educational PSA, encouraging high school students to get their G.E.D; and was hand selected by Supervisor Mark Ridley Thomas in Los Angeles to receive the “Empowerment Congress Educate Award.”
The Talladega College Spring 2014 Commencement Ceremony will take place on campus on Sunday, May 11th at 9 a.m.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Alabama Clean Fuels Coalition was one of five Clean Cities coalitions nationwide whose work to promote propane was recognized in Washington, D.C., this week by the Propane Education & Research Council.
In winning the inaugural Outstanding Propane Supporter award, the Alabama Clean Fuels Coalition was cited for its work with a large number of propane stakeholders, including propane retailers AmeriGas, Allgas, Blossman Gas, Ferrellgas and Heritage Propane; ROUSH CleanTech, a propane autogas vehicle technology company; Precision Sales & Service, a propane conversion company; and the Alabama Propane Gas Association.
“Propane is a terrific alternative for anyone interested in saving money, limiting air pollution, and reducing dependence on foreign oil,” said Mark Bentley, executive director of the Alabama Clean Fuels Coalition. “We’ve been delighted to play a role in the growing use of propane to fuel fleets operated by private companies and government agencies in Alabama.”
Among the government agencies and municipalities using propane for transportation are the City of Mobile, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, the Department of Agriculture and Industries and the Alabama Department of Corrections, Bentley said.
Other Clean Cities organizations to receive recognition were the Greater Indiana Clean Cities Coalition, Clean Fuels Ohio, Dallas-Fort Worth Clean Cities, and Virginia Clean Cities.
“Our Outstanding Propane Supporter award winners are examples of how public and private partnerships in the transportation sector are creating a cleaner future for fleets and communities nationwide,” said Roy Willis, president and CEO of the Propane Education & Research Council.

Brenda D. Russell, Coordinator of Keep Birmingham Beautiful; Leroy Bandy, President Central Pratt; Joseph Black, Vice President Central Pratt; Clarence Ford, President North Pratt; Ellen Spencer, President of Smithfield; Alonza Darryl, President of Pratt Community. These Presidents and neighborhood members will be planting new trees to replace the ones that were destroyed in the storm. Rebuilding the Pratt CIty Community From the Ground Up and Team Work.

Students in the BWWB’s school program display the essentials of water

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – “Water for Life!” is this year’s theme for the Birmingham Water Works Board’s (BWWB’s) Learning the Wonderful Works of Water Poster
Contest. The BWWB’s general manager, assistant general managers, and board members, along with others will participate in the judging of posters, which will take place in the utility’s
Distribution Building Friday, April 11th.
“We are really looking forward to judging this year, especially since we have noticed how unique and creative some of the students’ illustrations have been,” said BWWB Communications
Spokesperson Binnie Myles, “Last year, Board Director Sherry Lewis noted how bright students are and challenged us to become more interactive. In doing so we met with some of our school
systems that happily accepted the endeavor, and will be working with us towards involving 3rd grade students in the program.”
Elementary students from schools throughout the company’s service area submitted posters highlighting the uses of water in health and the human body. Students were asked to send in
original and creative artwork when illustrating their ideas. The award ceremony for the competition will be held at the Birmingham Crossplex Friday, April 25th  just before the
BWWB’s celebration of National Drinking Water Week, which spotlights the essentials of water the first full week in May. Usually the award ceremony is held in conjunction with NDWW,
however due to testing, students will be able to celebrate a little earlier.
Annually, Myles visits schools participating in the program to inform students of the Learning the Wonderful Works of Water’s curriculum guide, which educates 5th grade students over water
and its various processes. Students were able to download the 10-chapter guide via the BWWB’s website in efforts of gaining ideas for displaying the theme “Water for Life!”
Past winners from W.J. Christian Elementary, Huffman Academy, and Glen Oaks Elementary did an excellent job in displaying the theme “How Well Do You Know Your H2O?” This year,
winners of the contest will receive prizes such as an iPad Air, iPad Mini, and iPod Touch, as well as a t-shirt of the winning poster to wear throughout NDWW.
The school-based Learning the Wonderful Works of Water program targets science classes and involves educational and fun activities, which include water-related science experiments, the
history of the BWWB, and field trip opportunities for students to learn more about the processes of water treatment.
Founded in 1951, the Birmingham Water Works Board serves 600,000 people in Jefferson, Shelby, Blount, St. Clair, and Walker counties. The BWWB operates four filtration plants, a
certified testing laboratory, and has more than 4,000 miles of pipe in its distribution network; it also ranks among the top five water systems in the United States.
For more information about your Birmingham Water Works Board, please call 205-244-4000 or visit www.bwwb.org.

BIRMINGHAM – On Sunday, April 27 from 2 to 6 p.m., four Birmingham area breweries are opening their doors to support efforts to reduce poverty in Alabama.
Organized by Alabama Possible (formerly the Alabama Poverty Project), the Birmingham Beer Trail Tour will make stops at Avondale Brewing Company, Cahaba Brewing Company, Good People Brewing Company, and Trim Tab Brewing Company. At each stop, participants will get a special, behind the scene look at the brewing process and enjoy curated tastings from the brewery staff. Along the way, participants will also explore the emerging neighborhoods each brewery is helping to revive.
“We realized that while lots of folks have heard about Birmingham’s craft breweries, they don’t know much about them. The Birmingham Beer Trail Tour is a chance to taste each of the four breweries’ beer and learn about their history. By the end of the day, we hope that everyone has a new favorite Birmingham-brewed beer,” said Alabama Possible Executive Director Kristina Scott.
Proceeds from the Beer Trail Tour will benefit Alabama Possible, a nonprofit organization dedicated to reducing systematic poverty and its root cause across the state. Its work includes disrupting misperceptions about poverty, raising public awareness about the public-private partnerships offered to combat poverty, and increasing access to college for students from low-income families.
The Birmingham Beer Trail Tour will begin and end at Avondale Brewing Company (201 41st Street, South). Between stops, participants will be shuttled to each brewery in an authentic yellow school bus. A silent auction and food will immediately follow the final tasting at Avondale. Early-bird tickets are available until April 19 for $45/each and $85/couple.
Additional details about the Birmingham Beer Trail Tour are available at https://www.facebook.com/events/254221141417109/
Interested participants can purchase tickets at http://www.eventbrite.com/e/alabama-possibles-birmingham-beer-trail-tour-tickets-10843401907.
Alabama Possible is a statewide nonprofit organization dedicated to reducing systematic poverty and its root cause across Alabama. AP educates Alabamians about poverty, collaborates with colleges and faith-based institutions on poverty-reduction activities and advocates for fact-based policy decisions. AP was founded in 1993 and is based in Birmingham, Al. For more information visit www.alabamapossible.org.

Lee County Man Sentenced to More than Eight Years in Prison for Five North Alabama Robberies

BIRMINGHAM –A federal judge has sentenced a Lee County man to eight years and four months in prison for a 2013 string of bank robberies in North Alabama, announced U.S. Attorney Joyce White Vance and FBI Special Agent in Charge Richard D. Schwein Jr.

Jimmy Dawson Cunningham, Jr., 39, of Salem, Ala., pleaded guilty in January to five bank robberies between Jan. 3, 2013, and Jan. 14, 2013. The banks robbed over those 12 days were: National Bank of Commerce, Shades Creek Parkway, Birmingham; PNC Bank, Euclid Avenue, Mountain Brook; First Community Bank, Marktplatz Center, Cullman; Regions Bank, Culver Road, Mountain Brook; and Union State Bank, Pelham Parkway, Pelham.
U.S. District Judge Inge P. Johnson sentenced Cunningham to prison and ordered him to pay $14,780 in restitution to the four banks that lost money in his robberies. Cunningham took money in all five robberies, but the money he robbed from First Community Bank in Cullman was recovered following the crime.
The FBI, in conjunction with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office and the Mountain Brook, Cullman and Pelham police departments, investigated the case, which Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph P. Montminy prosecuted.

Sisters Arrested on Federal Tax Fraud Charges

BIRMINGHAM — Federal authorities today arrested two sisters on charges that they worked together in their Taxes N More business in Tarrant to prepare fraudulent tax returns for themselves and others, often falsely claiming a credit for first-time homebuyers, announced U.S. Attorney Joyce White Vance and IRS, Criminal Investigation, Special Agent in Charge Veronica Hyman-Pillot.

A federal grand jury indicted LUGENIA L. “Gigi” CONNER, 31, of Trussville, and KANESHIA L. “Kiki” CONNER-GOODGAME, 34, of Birmingham, in late March on charges of conspiracy to defraud the United States by obstructing and defeating collection of income taxes by the Internal Revenue Service. The indictment also charges both sisters, individually, with assisting in the preparation and presentation of false and fraudulent returns for the 2008 tax year, and with making and filing false returns for themselves for 2008. The indictment was sealed until both women were arrested.
“Tax return preparers who concoct schemes to collect inflated refunds are stealing from the U.S. Treasury and cheating the millions of hard-working Americans who pay their due share of taxes each year,” Vance said. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to work with the IRS to prosecute tax fraud and protect the sanctity and integrity of the tax system.”
“As filing season comes to an end, the arrests today should send a message that IRS Criminal Investigation will continue to enforce laws that protect the integrity of our tax system,” Hyman-Pillot said. “Refund fraud is not a victimless crime and it affects everyone who pays taxes. Honest taxpayers who file accurate returns can be assured that the government will pursue the individuals who attempt to defraud the United States tax system.”

According to the March indictment, Conner and Conner-Goodgame conducted their scheme as follows:

The sisters jointly owned and operated Taxes N More, where they worked together to obtain inflated refunds for their clients in 2009 by falsifying information submitted on clients’ 2008 returns. The sisters claimed the First Time Home Buyer’s Credit of up to $7,900 on returns they prepared for other taxpayers, knowing those taxpayers were not entitled to the credit. The women also prepared third-party tax returns claiming itemized deductions or business expenses that clients neither had provided information for, nor were entitled to receive.

Conner faces five counts of assisting in the preparation of fraudulent returns for falsely claiming a total of $93,683 in deductions and credits on returns she prepared for five different taxpayers. Conner-Goodgame faces two counts of the same charge for falsely claiming a total of $15,400 with the First Time Home Buyer’s Credit for two tax clients.

Conner and Conner-Goodgame also each are charged with creating and submitting 2008 personal tax returns on which they claimed the homebuyers’ credit, knowing they were not entitled to that deduction.

The Taxes N More business had a dramatic increase in both the number of returns prepared and the amount of refunds claimed from the 2007 to the 2008 tax year, according to the indictment. For the 2007 tax year, it says the sisters’ business prepared 337 third-party tax returns, claiming $1.3 million in refunds. For the 2008 tax year, Taxes N More prepared 670 third-party returns, claiming $3.5 million in refunds.

IRS Criminal Investigation investigated the case, which Assistant U.S. Attorney Amanda Wick is prosecuting.

The public is reminded that an indictment is only a charge and defendants are presumed innocent. It is the government’s responsibility to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
Former Child Mentor Receives 20-Year Prison Sentence

MONTGOMERY—Attorney General Luther Strange has announced that a Tuscumbia man pleaded guilty to multiple sex crimes against children, just before his trial was due to begin Monday morning in Colbert County Circuit Court. Chadmon Drew Wright, 42, admitted to sex crimes against four boys aged less than 17 at the time, as well as of possession of child pornography. He was sentenced to a total of 20 years for all the crimes, to run concurrently.
Specifically, Wright pleaded guilty to one count of sodomy, one count of sexual abuse of a child aged less than 12, two counts of first-degree sexual abuse and three counts of possession of child pornography. The crimes occurred between 2012 and 2013.
“I am thankful that this man’s crimes have been brought to an end with his conviction today and a long prison sentence,” said Attorney General Strange. “This case involves tragic and horrible betrayals of young children who were abused by someone who gained their trust and represented himself as a mentor.”
Wright, a social worker formerly employed by the Colbert County Department of Human Resources, met his first victim as a mentor with Big Brothers and Big Sisters and subsequently gained legal custody of the child. Wright abused the child in his custody as well as using the boy to entice other child victims.
Attorney General Strange commended those involved in bringing this case to a conclusion, noting Assistant Attorneys General Ternisha Miles and John Hensley of his Criminal Trials Division and Special Agents of his Investigations Division. He also thanked the Cramer Children’s Advocacy Center in Florence, the Limestone County  Department of Human Resources, the Sheffield Police Department, the Tuscumbia Police Department and the National Computer Forensics Institute in Hoover.
AG ANNOUNCES JAIL SENTENCE FOR FORMER CORONER
(MONTGOMERY)— Attorney General Luther Strange announced that a former Elmore County coroner will serve time in jail for his felony ethics and theft convictions. Timothy Ellison was sentenced this morning in Elmore County Circuit Court to four years for the ethics violation, four years for second-degree theft and 12 months for third-degree theft.  The sentences were partly suspended, and he was ordered to serve nine months in jail followed by 24 months of supervised probation.
Ellison pleaded guilty on March 9 to a felony violation of the state ethics law by using his official position for personal gain, to second-degree theft, also a felony, and to third-degree theft, which is a misdemeanor.  Ellison’s guilty plea included $7,913 in restitution to be made to the various public entities from which he stole. Under state law, a public official convicted of a felony is ineligible to hold public office, so he was automatically removed from office upon his conviction.
Also convicted on March 9 was Yancey Joe Mitchell III, director of Hillside Mortuary in Wetumpka.  Mitchell pleaded guilty to third-degree theft of property by aiding and abetting Ellison in his crimes.  He was sentenced that day to 12 months probation and ordered to pay a $250 fine and court costs. The convictions stem from Ellison submitting inflated charges to the county, state and several municipal entities for reimbursement in transporting bodies.  Mitchell assisted Ellison by providing false paperwork.
Under state law, a coroner has the responsibility to transport bodies from a crime scene to the Department of Forensic Sciences or to a funeral home.  The coroner may be reimbursed for actual expenses in doing so.  Ellison submitted inflated invoices for his costs, and Mitchell aided and abetted him with false invoices to support Ellison’s wrongful claims.
“I am pleased that this prosecution put an end to the crimes of a corrupt public official who betrayed the public trust and stole taxpayers’ money,” said Attorney General Strange.  “It is appropriate that Ellison has been held to account for his wrongdoing, will serve jail time, and will be required to repay stolen funds to their rightful public entities.”
Attorney General Strange commended those involved in bringing this case to a successful conclusion, noting in particular Assistant Attorneys General Bill Lisenby and Pete Smyczek, and Special Agents of his Special Prosecutions Division. He also thanked the Elmore County Sheriff’s Office and the police departments of Wetumpka, Millbrook and Tallassee for their assistance, and the State Ethics Commission for its referral of this matter.

Homicide Investigation

The Birmingham Police Department reports that detectives have arrested and charged a suspect in connection with a homicide investigation. The incident occurred on Tuesday, April 1, 2014 around 1:40 p.m. 1700 Block of 32nd Place North.

The victim has been identified as:
James Redmon, B/M, 27, of Birmingham, Alabama

The suspect has been identified as:
Tavares Taylor, B/M, 27, of Birmingham, Alabama. A  Murder warrant with a $200,000 bond has been obtained against the suspect. The suspect is in the custody of the Jefferson County Jail.
Detectives believe the incident between both the victim and suspect was domestic related. Detectives are continuing to pursue additional leads in this case.
If there is anyone who has information pertaining to the case, they are encouraged to contact the B.P.D. Homicide Unit at 254-1764 or Crime Stoppers at 254-7777.

Homicide Investigation

The Birmingham Police Department reports that detectives are conducting a homicide investigation. The incident occurred Sunday, April 6, 2014 in the 1500 Block of 15th Street South.

The victim has been identified has:
Patricia McCain, WF, 61, of Morris, Alabama

South Precinct Officers responded to the incident location around 11:50 a.m. on a body found in a plastic container. Officers located the container and observed what appeared to be a person inside a plastic container. Coroner’s office was notified and came to the scene and took possession of the body. Coroner’s office was able to identify the victim by fingerprints. Coroner’s office has determined this incident as a homicide.

Detectives have detained a person of interest for questioning

Additional information will be released as it becomes available.

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 on Sunday, April 6, 2014 around 1150 a.m. in the 1500 Block of 15th Street South.

The victim has been identified as:
Patricia McCain, W/F, 61, of Morris, Alabama

The suspect has been identified as:
Charles Jordan, W/M, 38, of Birmingham, Alabama. A  Murder warrant with a 60,000 bond has been obtained against the suspect. The suspect is in the custody of the Jefferson County Jail.

Detectives believe both the victim and suspect were acquaintances that engaged in heavy drug usage
AG Announces Conviction of Montgomery Woman for Theft From Insurance Company

MONTGOMERY— Attorney General Luther Strange announced the conviction this week of a Montgomery woman who stole $13,278 from an Elba insurance company. The conviction involves payments received for false claims submitted for cancer and neurological treatments.
Lashondra Moore, 31, of Montgomery, pleaded guilty on April 1 in Coffee County Circuit Court to first-degree theft, a class B felony.  Moore was sentenced to 32 months, which was suspended for a term of five years probation, and ordered to pay full restitution to National Security Insurance Group. A plea agreement called for Moore to pay $10,000 of the restitution within a month, after which she may apply for the probation to be changed to three years while she continues payments.
“I am pleased that this defendant has been held to account for her crime and ordered to repay the money that she stole by claiming large payments for medical treatment that she neither needed nor received,” said Attorney General Strange. He commended his Criminal Trials Division for bringing this case to a successful conclusion, noting Assistant Attorney General Ternisha Miles, and Special Agents of his Investigations Division. He also thanked the State Fire Marshal’s Office, noting Special Investigator William Gordon of the Insurance Fraud Unit.

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 on Saturday, April 5, 2014 around 1030 a.m. in the 2900 Block of 27th Street North.

The victim has been identified as:
Chay ya Anders, W/F, 63, of Pinson, Alabama

Detectives believe the victim’s life was ended by the suspect who robbed the business.
Detectives were able to connect the suspect to a robbery that occurred the day before at Jack’s Food Store on Friday, April 4, 2014 around 12:33p.m. The suspect was identified by a witness as the person who robbed the store that Friday afternoon. Detectives also learned from a witness that the suspect who matched the description in the earlier robbery was at the scene of the homicide on Saturday.

“This was an extremely heinous crime where there was no regard for the victim or this community. I appreciate the Detectives and the various enforcement units for their investigative intensity in this case. This was a casebook investigation where we went from absolutely nothing to an identified suspect in a matter of hours.
Our criminal homicides have decreased significantly so far this year but we realize a single homicide is one too many for the affected family.  We can’t prevent every homicide but we have solved every case so far this year. The bottom line is if you commit a homicide in this city, we will never stop looking for you,” said Birmingham Police Chief A.C. Roper.

The suspect has been identified as:
Bianca Holman, B/F, 25, of Birmingham, Alabama. A  Capital Murder warrant with a no bond and a Robbery warrant with a 150,000 bond has been obtained against the suspect. The suspect is in the custody of the Jefferson County Jail.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Y’all Connect 2014 has Alabama Power as its Presenting Sponsor for a second year.
The digital conference will be known as Y’all Connect Presented by Alabama Power.
“We are honored to have Alabama Power on board in 2014,” said conference organizer Wade Kwon. “Their ongoing support means the world to us.”
Y’all Connect takes place June 13 at the Harbert Center, 2019 Fourth Ave. N. Tickets are $129, which includes the conference, closing party, two meals and more. They can be purchased online at yallconnect.com.
Speakers include Jen Barnett, Ike Pigott, Syed Balkhi, Erika Napoletano and Jenny Schmitt. More than 200 people from across America attended the 2013 blogging/social media conference.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama is Gold Sponsor, and MailChimp is Silver Sponsor.
Wade Kwon Consulting is the force behind Y’all Connect. Kwon is a Birmingham native and communications consultant, voted both best blogger and tweeter in town. He is a co-founder of the Alabama Social Media Association, a nonprofit organization based in Birmingham.
Alabama Power, a subsidiary of Atlanta-based Southern Company, provides reliable, affordable electricity to more than 1.4 million customers across the state.

For more information, visit yallconnect.com or email hi@yallconnect.com.