Travel & tourism dollars coming into Madison County

Thursday, May 9th, 2013, 7:43am

Huntsville and Madison County are some of the most visited places in Alabama.

MADISON COUNTY, AL (WAFF)-

The numbers are in on the
economic front when it comes to travel and tourism dollars coming into Madison County.

Huntsville City officials and area hospitality
industry leaders said the number of visitors into the area decreased slightly
in 2012, but Huntsville and Madison County are still some of the most visited
cities in Alabama.

"We have an
economic impact of $1 billion dollars to this community and that is huge," said
Judy Ryals, Huntsville/Madison County Convention and Visitors Bureau. "We're
bringing in new dollars to the community and that improves the quality of life
for everyone who lives here."

Ryals
and Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle said they plan to increase the number of
visitors and conventions to the area by continuing to highlight Huntsville's role in space and research and
overall quality of life. More than 14,000 area jobs are tied to the hospitality
industry.

View Comments | Post a Comment

Community Sponsors

Sweat Fitness Studio

Watch video

Think. Train. Live. Differently.

One Free Class

Brister's Martial Arts Academy

Watch video

What are you waiting for?

Free 1 Week Trial

Salon Villa

Watch video

Look Your Best

Grace Lutheran School

Watch video

"Making a Difference"

25% Off Your Tuition

Waste Away Commercial Dumpster Service

Helping Your Business Grow!

Status

Watch video

For Men of Distinction...

$20 Off Any Pair of Jeans

html body div.js_rand_homepage_sponsors-block_2 div.js_rand_0, html body div.js_rand_homepage_sponsors-block_2 div.js_rand_1, html body div.js_rand_homepage_sponsors-block_2 div.js_rand_2 { display:block !important; }

Vigil held for fallen officers of Madison County

Submitted by WAFF Web Staff

Thursday, May 9th, 2013, 7:23am

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.

View Comments | Post a Comment

WEATHER BLOG: Update on chance of rain Friday and Saturday

Submitted by Lonnie Liebner, Community Web Producer

Thursday, May 9th, 2013, 12:00am

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.

View Comments | Post a Comment

Construction worker hit by vehicle on Parkway

Submitted by WAFF Web Staff

Wednesday, May 8th, 2013, 11:43pm

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.

View Comments | Post a Comment

Shooter sought in Owens Cross Roads murder

Submitted by WAFF Web Staff

Wednesday, May 8th, 2013, 11:26pm

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.

View Comments | Post a Comment

BBB warns of text message phishing scam

Submitted by WAFF Web Staff

Wednesday, May 8th, 2013, 11:01pm

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.

View Comments | Post a Comment

Huntsville officially in race for drone testing site

Submitted by WAFF Web Staff

Wednesday, May 8th, 2013, 10:15pm

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.

View Comments | Post a Comment