Massive Downtown Fire, SPLC Firing: The Week In News

BIRMINGHAM, AL - Headlines in and around Birmingham included multiple shootings, a death investigation in Hoover, a high school sports coaching legend dismissed and more. And that was just in one week.

The week of March 11-15 kept police and fire departments busy, and also included the termination of a legendary civil rights attorney. Here are some of the headlines from the previous week on Patch:

Massive Fire Breaks Out At Vacant Downtown Hotel

A 5-alarm fire broke out at the vacant Hospitality Inn in downtown Birmingham. By the time the nearly 60 firefighters contained the fire, the building and two neighboring buildings were a complete loss. Investigators determined the fire was started intentionally.

Southern Poverty Law Center Fires Co-Founder Morris Dees

The co-founder of the Southern Poverty Law Center in Montgomery, 82-year-old civil rights attorney Morris Dees, has been fired by the SPLC. The organization made the announcement Thursday.

Man Found Dead In Hoover Home Identified

A man found dead in his home on Hibiscus Drive in Hoover's Lake Crest community Wednesday has been identified. Police say the deceased is 46-year-old Matthew Earl Isbell.

Rush Propst Fired By Colquitt County High School

The coach who put Hoover High School football on the national map has been terminated by the Colquitt County Board of Education. The board voted unanimously to fire Rush Propst, the former Hoover coach who led the Bucs to five state champiosnhips, and Colquitt County to two.

Trendon Watford Named Gatorade Player Of The Year Again

Mountain Brook's Trendon Watford was named Alabama's 7A Gatorade Player of the Year for the second straight year. Watford led the Spartans to their third straight state title this year.