New Area Code Approved; Prostitution Sting: Week In News

BIRMINGHAM, AL - The week of February 11-15 included some major arrests - most notably a charge of capital murder for the Jan. 13 shooting death of Birmingham police Sgt. Wytasha Carter - and the approval of a new area code for the Birmingham metro, which will go into effect this year.

Here are some of the stories that made headlines locally in the Birmingham area:

New Area Code Approved For Birmingham Area

Beginning April 13, people in the Birmingham area will have to adjust to some changes in the way they make phone calls. AT&T announced Monday that a new area code - 659 - has been approved for the area, and to complete local calls, the new dialing procedure requires callers to dial area code plus the telephone number.

Prostitution Sting In Homewood Nets 7 Arrests And Rescue Of Minor

A prostitution sting in Homewood resulted in seven arrests and the rescue of a juvenile who may have been the victim of human trafficking. The Homewood Police Department's Vice and Narcotics Unit carried out an operation targeting prostitution in the city with help from Vestavia Hills police and the FBI.

Mountain Brook Could Raise Property Tax By 10 Percent

One of the most expensive cities in the state in which to live could become even more expensive. The Mountain Brook City Council this week voted to request the state legislature call for a referendum on raising property taxes for schools by 10 percent - an extra 10 mills.

Suspect Charged In Shooting Death Of Birmingham Police Officer

Authorities have formally charged 31-year-old Jeremy Elwin Owens with capital murder in the shooting death of Birmingham police Sgt. Wytasha Carter. Carter was shot and killed outside a Birmingham night club Jan. 13.

Alabama Man Arrested After San Diego Restaurant Shooting

A man who was charged in 2005 with capital murder of a 14-year-old girl has been accused of opening fire in a San Diego restaurant this week. Stefano Markell Parker, 29, is being held in the San Diego County Jail on nine counts of attempted murder and other gun-related crimes following the Tuesday-night shooting.

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