Common Core Repeal; Law Office Shooting: This Week In News

BIRMINGHAM, AL - A frightening incident at a Birmingham law firm this past week highlighted a bevy of big headlines in the Birmingham metro area for the week. A man was shot in the parking lot of the Sirote & Permutt office building on Highland Avenue, and the shooter remains at large.

Here are just a few of the news items that made headlines on patch during the week of March 17-22.

Alabama Senate Passes Bill To Repeal Common Core

In a move that was opposed by statewide business development advocates and state education leaders, the Alabama Senate voted Thursday to drop the Common Core curriculum from schools in Alabama. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Del Marsh, passed the Senate by a 23-7 margin.

Man Shot In Parking Deck At Birmingham Law Office

A man washing cars in the upper parking lot of the Sitote & Permutt law office in the Highland Park area of Birmingham was shot Thursday. The victim is the owner of Mobile Detailing and Pressure Washing. The shooter is still at large, according to police.

McCalla Teen Charged With Sex Crimes Involving Young Child

The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office has arrested an 18-year-old suspect from McCalla and charged him with multiple sexual offenses. Zachary Joseph Hogue was arrested March 1 and charged with Sodomy first degree and Sexual Abuse first degree.

Amazon Facility In Bessemer Delays Opening

his year was supposed to be a landmark year for Birmingham area business with the opening of a $325 million, 855,000-square-foot fulfillment center in Bessemer for online retail giant Amazon. However, that timeline has shifted, as Amazon announced Monday the 2019 opening of the facility would be moved to 2020.

Former BPD Officer Sentenced To 6 Months In Jail For Sexual Abuse

A former Birmingham police officer has been sentenced to serve six months in the Shelby County Jail after he pleaded guilty to one count of attempted sexual abuse of a child less than 12 years old and one count of first-degree rape.