Assignment #3

#1 News
25 people hurt in truck accident
According to Sergeant John Jones yesterday around 6 pm, twenty-five people got hurt in McFarland
Blvd. after a truck driver by the name of Jeff Johnson who was transporting chickens made an illegal
left turn causing the truck to turn on its side.
Jones also said that the 45 year old truck driver and father of three children was transported to the
hospital soon after the incident with bruises and a possible broken ankle. He also informed us that a 63
year old local retired kindergarten teacher by the name of Sarah Bernell, who was one of the victims
involved, was also taken to the hospital. Clarence DiMotta who is the hospitals spokesperson said that
Jeff is in good condition and that the teacher suffered a slight concussion but is in good condition as
well. Jones also noted that in the other 23 involved the injuries were only bruises. He then described the
incident by saying It was the biggest piled-up Ive ever seen. Lots and lots of smashed bumpers but
the worst part was the scream of the chickens. Those things sure do make a lot of noise, you know.
Over 300 hundred chickens suffered and at least 30 of them are dead, while 40 are at large. Several
eggs were found in the wreckage of the truck. It was so hot out there I though we might have fried
eggs for dinner Jones added in a humorous way. The animals are property of the chicken company,
Alabama Poultry, Inc. and were on the way to one of their new farms near Gadsen, according to a
police report. Carlton Fitzsimmons the chicken companys president, which provides IGA stores across
the south , reported that the dead and missing chickens are worth over 700 dollars, they were insured
for 10 dollars each.
#2 News
Low coal demand, closes Prospers mine
The United Coal Company announced yesterday that the mine known locally as Hellpit in Prosper,
Crocker County will close in two weeks for an indefinite period, due to a severe setback in demand for
coal caused by a shutdown in manufacturing nationwide according to the company president Wilson
Standridge.
Since 1980 when Prosper was incorporated and was eligible for coal tax revenue, its budget had risen
from $40,000 to $300,000 ($125,000 in coal severance tax monies, $125,000 in federal matching
money for capital improvements). Most of the money went into building projects according to
Councilman Ed Barnes will stating that all of the projects are already paid and there is no debt at the
moment. Mayor Lester Jenkins said With the mine closed, our revenue is just about gone. The town
council will talk about a new budget at its meeting tomorrow night.
Wilma Foster the city clerk foresees a cutback for the fiscal year, which starts in 30 days, of $60,000,
which will cover all the essentials services like police protection and supplies for the new town hall and
ball park. Wilson Standridge said We hope to see an increase in demand, but until we do, the mine will
remain sealed. Currently the mine employed 1000 people and the shaft is a quarter mile deep being the

deepest in the state. It has provided a major source of employment since 1901 and in the last 18 years
has brought more than 800 people from other towns to work.