DeKALB COUNTY, Ala. - DeKalb County, Ala., authorities arrested nine people found at a Sunday house party on County Road 136 in the Painter community, where they found about 200 party-goers, many of them minors, according to a news release.
Law enforcement personnel had been watching the property for weeks after previous complaints, Sheriff Jimmy Harris said.
Zachery Dale Culpepper, 20; Taylor Lynn Bruce, 21; James Houston Strange, 20; and Sarah Caitlin Upton, 20, all were charged with unlawful possession of a controlled substance, drug paraphernalia, unlawful possession of marijuana and open house parties. Culpepper, Bruce and Strange are all from Crossville. Upton is from Albertville.
Isaac Klein Scroggins, 18, of Boaz; Levi Hunter Weems, 18, of Oneonta; and Dylan Leon Tucker, 19, of Boaz, were charged with minors in consumption. Amber Paige Malone, 23, of Rainsville, was arrested on an outstanding felony warrant. Christian Dagoberto Alvarado, 20, of Crossville, was arrested and charged with attempting to elude police.
Boy shot dead at birthday party
GREENSBORO, Ala. - A 7-year-old child was killed after being caught in the crossfire of a shootout between two men as the boy attended a birthday party in Greensboro, authorities said.
The Saturday night gunfight was apparently over a woman, Hale County District Attorney Michael Jackson said. He said JaPaul Williams and Lavares Jackson are being held without bond on charges of capital murder in the child's death and attempted murder in connection with the shootout.
Killed in the shooting was Decorrion Johnson, who was playing with other children in the yard when witnesses said the two men started shooting at each another.
"He was looking for me. He said, 'Mom, they shot me. Mom, they shot me,'" the child's mother, Deanna Johnson, said.
The district attorney said the child died while being taken by helicopter to a Birmingham hospital.
Parks expand options for dogs
MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Alabama's state parks are expanding the options for guests traveling with dogs.
State Parks Director Greg Lein said certain cabins, cottages and lodge rooms will be available at Guntersville, Joe Wheeler, Lakepoint and Gulf state parks starting Sept. 15.
Well-behaved dogs on leashes already were welcomed in designated day-use areas and in a limited variety of overnight accommodations, including all campgrounds at Alabama's 22 state parks.
Lein said the public has asked for more pet-friendly options.
He recommends visitors with dogs contact the park before their stays. An additional $15 fee is charged per dog for overnight accommodations, but service dogs are welcome at no additional charge.