Missing Woman Found; Chemical Spill At Water Works: Week In News

BIRMINGHAM, AL - The headlines in the Birmingham area this past week included a couple of potentially frightening events. Not only was a chemical spill reported at the Birmingham Water Works filtration plant on US 280 that shut down the highway for several hours, but a missing woman in Jefferson County caused a stir among local residents who feared the worst until she was eventually located safely.

Here are some of the stories that made Patch headlines during the week of Feb. 25-March 2:

Cara Yager, Missing Since Sunday, Has Been Located

Yager reportedly disappeared in the area of Grants Mill Road at the Cahaba River boar launch, where her car was found. She was located Wednesday around 7:30 p.m. and is with family, according to the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office.

Doug Jones Introduces Bill To Expand Medicaid

Alabama is one of 14 states that have yet to expand Medicaid, and Sen. Doug Jones is trying to change that. Jones introduced a bill this week that would ensure that states that chose to expand Medicaid after 2014 are eligible for the same level of federal matching funds as states that expanded Medicaid earlier.

Chemical Spill Reported At Birmingham Water Works

A chlorine spill Wednesday at the Birmingham Water Works Treatment Plant on US 280 has sent several people to area hospitals from the fumes. Authorities said two chemicals were mixed together that formed a toxic gas.

Alabama Has Four James Beard Award Semifinalists

Three chefs and one bar in Alabama are semifinalists for 2019 James Beard Awards. The regional semifinalists for the awards — sometimes referred to as the Oscars of the culinary world — were announced Wednesday.

Sheriff's Investigators Make Drug Trafficking Arrest

The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office made a drug arrest Tuesday, recovering large amounts of cocaine and other drugs. Jermaine Lamont Watford Jr., 26, was arrested and charged with multiple offenses.