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Vigil held for fallen officers of Madison County

Vigil held for law enforcement killed in the line of duty.

HUNTSVILLE, AL (WAFF)-

Many gathered Wednesday
night to pay tribute to Madison County law enforcement that lost their lives in the line of duty.

The memorial was held at the Madison County Courthouse and was sponsored by the Fraternal Order of Police TL Blakemore Lodge #6, the Huntsville-Madison County chapter of the FOP.

Organizers and family members said it was a
good way to remember the lives of the officers killed in the line of duty.

"I'm glad we can
honor all of them. I think it's wonderful people still have them in their
hearts," said Mickey Giarrantano, sister of a Fallen Officer.

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WEATHER BLOG: Update on chance of rain Friday and Saturday

WEATHER BLOG: Update on chance of rain Friday and Saturday

By Brad Travis

They sky will clear overnight and lows will be around 60 degrees.

Here is a forecast image showing the forecast change in Barometric Pressure as we track the next storm system.  Pressure will be falling Thursday into Saturday with a rapid rise in pressure Sunday into Monday behind the weekend cold front as the cooler air mass moves in.

Construction worker hit by vehicle on Parkway

HUNTSVILLE, AL (WAFF)- A construction worker was hit by a vehicle Wednesday night on Memorial Parkway in South Huntsville near Walmart.

Huntsville Police said the man was doing road work when a vehicle hit him.

He was transported to Huntsville Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

One man was later taken into custody.

No names have been released.

Copyright 2013 WAFF. All rights reserved.

Shooter sought in Owens Cross Roads murder

Alonzo McGhee (left) with members of Cougars Football team (Source: Friend)

MADISON COUNTY, AL (WAFF)- Money can't bring him back, but friends and family of a murdered Madison County man are hoping it can bring justice.

They've pitched in $6,000 in reward money so far for their friend, Alonzo McGhee.

"Alonzo was an athletic, fun loving kind of guy. Very giving, giving to the kids," said Greg Parker, a friend of McGhee's.

Parker said he knew McGhee for 10 years. He coached rec league football and baseball teams with him.

Parker calls McGhee a big guy with a big smile.

"He wanted to work with the kids," he said.

McGhee was a standout football player at Georgia Southern before becoming a Lt. Colonel in the Army.

He had been going through a divorce, and Parker saw the strain on his friend.

"And that's always tough when a family's breaking apart," he said.

BBB warns of text message phishing scam

HUNTSVILLE, AL (WAFF)- A text messaging scam is working its way through the Tennessee Valley.

Lately, customers with Verizon Wireless have been receiving a text from local Cadence or BBVA banks asking the recipient to contact them regarding their account number. Officials with the Better Business Bureau say: Do not hand your information over.  

"Right when I saw the text message, I thought my bank account had been frozen based on my recent activity," said Lauren Downey.  She received two text messages Tuesday and one on Wednesday. 

Downey figured the text was bogus, but she called the number the text asks you to call just to be sure.

"I knew right then that my bank would call me and they would not make me put anything into an automated system," she said.   

Michele Mason with the Better Business Bureau said they've been getting notified about the text messages for weeks.   

Huntsville officially in race for drone testing site

If Huntsville is selected as a testing site, it will give a major boost to the economy.

HUNTSVILLE, AL (WAFF)- Huntsville is officially in the race to become one of six drone testing sites in the country. The final application for the competition has been submitted.

The Rocket City is up against dozens of groups in 35 other states for the chance to become one of six testing sites.

The Federal Aviation Administration will use those sites to determine how drones can be used commercially and how they can co-exist with airliners already in the sky.

Proponents of the effort say Huntsville is a natural fit for the job.

Redstone Arsenal is already the hub for developing and managing unmanned aerial vehicles for the Army.

If Huntsville is selected as a testing site, it will give a major boost to the economy.

Tens of thousands of new jobs would be brought to the area in both North Alabama and Tennessee.

The Rocket City is partnering up with Tennessee as a way to improve the city's chances.

Senior Fun Fest kicks off at Madison Square Mall

Seniors from across the Tennessee Valley gathered for games, dancing, and fun to celebrate Older Americans Month.

MADISON COUNTY, AL (WAFF)- Zumba-dancing ladies kicked off Wednesday's "Senior Fun Fest" at the Madison Square Mall.

Seniors from across the Tennessee Valley gathered for games, dancing, and fun to celebrate Older Americans Month.

The party is usually held at Sharon Johnston Park, but this year it moved indoors, just in case the weather turned bad.

Betty Frasier has attended Senior Fun Fest for the past decade.

"If they were unable to attend this today, they would be sitting at home alone without any interaction with anything or anybody so this is wonderful for them," said Frasier.

The TARCOG Area Agency on Aging hosts the event, along with the Madison County Commission.

Copyright 2013 WAFF. All rights reserved.