Latest Alabama news, sports, business and entertainment

METH TRASH

Bills in NW Alabama meth trash lead to arrest

(Information in the following story is from: TimesDaily, http://www.timesdaily.com/)

MUSCLE SHOALS, Ala. (AP) Colbert County authorizes say they cracked a methamphetamine manufacturing case when they found portions of some mail thrown out with leftovers from the meth lab.

The director of the Colbert County Drug Task Force, Curtis Burns, said a business in Muscle Shoals notified authorities last week that someone had put materials from a meth lab in its trash bin. The business found more meth lab leftovers in its trash on Wednesday. The second round of trash included the portions of phone and cable bills that led investigators to the address of 43-year-old Larry M. Mason of Tuscumbia.

Burns told the TimesDaily that Mason was charged Thursday with first-degree manufacturing methamphetamine and illegal possession of a controlled substance. Court records indicate he doesn't have an attorney yet.

POLICE CHASE

Police say biker topped 140 mph in 2-state chase

(Information in the following story is from: Fort Payne Times-Journal, http://www.times-journal.com)

FORT PAYNE, Ala. (AP) Police say a motorcycle rider reached speeds of more than 140 mph as he was being pursued by officers in a chase that spanned two states.

The Fort Payne Times-Journal reports that the chase began when a Georgia State Patrol officer attempted to stop the biker on a routine traffic stop Wednesday. Georgia officers chased him to the state line and officers in Cherokee County, Ala., picked up the pursuit.

Fort Payne Police Chief Randy Bynum said officers tried to keep the red "crotch-rocket style" motorcycle in view as it traveled through the city's downtown, residential districts and three school zones.

Bynum said officers finally blocked a road and then found the suspected driver hiding behind a garage.

Police say the suspect faces multiple traffic violations in Georgia and Alabama.

COLUMBUS NEWSPAPER EXECUTIVE

Columbus newspaper names new executive editor

(Information in the following story is from: Columbus Ledger-Enquirer, http://ledger-enquirer.com)

COLUMBUS, Ga. (AP) The Columbus Ledger-Enquirer has named newspaper veteran Dimon Kendrick-Holmes its new vice president and executive editor.

The west Georgia newspaper reports that President and Publisher Rodney Mahone made the announcement to employees Thursday afternoon.

Kendrick-Holmes succeeds Joe Kieta, who was named editor of The Modesto Bee in California.

Mahone said the 44-year-old Kendrick-Holmes has been instrumental in recent newsroom successes, strengthened its breaking news coverage and played a key role in adding new content in print and online.

Kendrick-Holmes has been with The Ledger-Enquirer for more than a decade. He's a former U.S. Army intelligence officer who joined The Ledger-Enquirer in 2001. He's held the positions of features editor; metro editor; senior editor in charge of projects and planning; and managing editor.

HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION RATES

New formula sees Alabama graduation rates drop

(Information in the following story is from: Montgomery Advertiser, http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com)

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) Fewer Alabamians are graduating from high school than previously thought according to a new formula for calculating graduation rates.

The Montgomery Advertiser reports that state officials said Thursday about 72 percent of Alabama high school students are graduating. That rate was previously thought to be at more than 87 percent under the old methodology.

State officials say the new formula for calculating graduation rates is believed to be more accurate.

Assistant State Superintendent Melinda Maddox says the new numbers are more exact, but cannot be compared accurately to the old figures.

Maddox says the state Education Department is tasked with making sure every graduate is job-and-career ready. She says the department will work with school systems to understand the new data.