First News at Eleven

UPDATE: One injured after explosion on Redstone Arsenal

Tue, 16 Oct 2012 08:52:26 -0500

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WAAY) - A contract employee at Redstone Arsenal is recovering after an explosion this morning.

The employee was handling a small explosive device when the accident happened, according to Aviation and Missile Research Development and Engineering Center director Eric Edwards. HEMSI took the man to Huntsville Hospital with non life-threatening injuries.

The incident was contained to a workbench in building 5400, Edwards said. The area was cleared off and sealed pending an investigation by AMRDEC safety workers and the Department of Emergency Services.

Pumpkin Mania around the Tennessee Valley

Thu, 27 Sep 2012 05:15:40 -0500

HUNTSVILLE, AL. (WAAY-31)- Pumpkins are out in full force taking over the Tennessee Valley in creative ways. Now there are dozens of ways to get you pumpkin fix.

Start your day at Olde Towne Coffee where pumpkin flavoring is spicing up lattes by the dozens. Milk is steamed, the espresso is pressed, add a little whip cream and a hint of ginger on top and you’ll be transported into autumn after one sip.

With your latte in hand, drive a few minutes to Shea’s Express and couple that coffee with something sweet. Aeriel Michelle, the pastry chef at Shea’s, has created enough pumpkin sweets to make you light up like a Jack-o'-lantern.

“We actually have a ton of things that we are doing right now for fall. It’s my favorite flavor profile, it’s my favorite season. It’s just good childhood memories by the spoonful,” Michelle said.

After you have indulged at Shea’s, take a short walk down the parking lot to Dominion Spa where you can be pampered in pumpkins.

Dominion Salon and Spa is offering a special pumpkin spice body treatment to celebrate the fall season.

“Pumpkin is full of vitamin A, C, and antioxidants so it’s skin smoothing and anti aging. First you are going to get exfoliated then wrapped in an organic pumpkin puree then you go shower that off then you get a massage with spiced oil,” said Patty McCarley, stylist and owner of Dominion.

Even your fingers and toes can rock a pumpkin hue! Many nail polish brands, like OPI, have orange colors like; Hot and Spicy, Mod-ern Girl, A Good Man-darin is Hard to Find and On the Same Paige. Dominion Salon and Spa also offers a pumpkin pedicure, complete with pumpkin puree and spiced oils.

If you are not pumpkined out after your spa treatment, on Tuesday’s and Thursday’s GiGi’s Cupcakes is featuring a limited time cupcake, Pumpkin White Chocolate.

It’s Pumpkin cake with white chocolate chips, white chocolate cream cheese frosting and dusted with pumpkin pie spice.

Know another way to love pumpkins this season? Leave a comment.

3rd Annual International Festival of North Alabama

Mon, 24 Sep 2012 11:17:50 -0500

(WAAY-31)- The International Society of Huntsville announced their third annual International Festival of North Alabama Monday morning. The goal of the festival is to bring diverse international citizens together for social interaction and cultural awareness.

The festival is this Saturday, September, 29, in Spragins Hall on the UAHuntsville campus.The event will include free food, a global fashion show, Irish dancing and more.

“I think it's important for us to learn about different cultures. When we learn about different cultures we are able to make better decisions because everything that happens in other countries impacts us one way or another,” said festival chair, Belinda Ong.

This year 34 counties will be represented. You can follow the International Society of Huntsville on Facebook.

Another purse snatching, still no suspects

Thu, 13 Sep 2012 09:18:46 -0500

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. - Police are investigating the latest in a series of purse snatchings in Huntsville. The eighth woman was victimized late Wednesday evening while she was walking to her car at Bridge Street Town Center.

Police say Patrica Kaplan was walking to her car at 6782 Old Madison Pike, near Bridge Street Town Centre, when a car pulled alongside her.

They say someone in the car grabbed Kaplan's purse and then sped off. Kaplan suffered minor injuries but did not seek medical attention.

No arrests have been made. According to police at least seven purse snatchings have happened since August 26 in the area, including one at Parkway Place Mall, two at the Madison Mall, four at Bridge Street and one in the Carl T. Jones area.

Amy Patterson's remains identified

Thu, 23 Aug 2012 10:16:19 -0500

LEE COUNTY, Fla. (WAAY) - Investigators in Lee County, Florida say a body recovered Wednesday has been positively identified through dental records as 41 year old Amy Patterson, a Huntsville native.

A cause of death is yet to be determined and will require further forensic analysis.

After being sentenced to life in prison on theft charges in Madison County Tuesday, Patterson's ex-husband, 45 year old Daniel Proctor, confessed to killing her and burying her body near her home in Bokeelia, Florida.

Proctor had been a suspect in Patterson's disappearance since September 2011, but was never charged in the case.

The investigation is ongoing.

WAAY to Grow: Perennial Hibiscus

Wed, 15 Aug 2012 16:52:00 -0500

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WAAY) - Harvey Cotten from the Huntsville Botanical Garden speaks on the topic of "perennial hibiscus" and gives some gardening tips and answers viewer questions.

Harvey tells us the perennial hibiscus grows all the way out to the mid-west and it is the first cousin to the cotton plant.

This is not a tropical plant; it's a plant that you can grow in your garden and it will return each year.

Harvey's Tips of the Week:

* If summer annuals have grown leggy (impatiens are prone to this), cut them back half-way and fertilize with a liquid feed product.
* Prune and fertilize hybrid tea roses to get them ready for a big fall bloom.
* Watch out for magic lilies as the flower spikes jump out of the ground - the lawnmower and weed-eater can be a drag on flowering performance.

WAAY-31 First News at 4:00 / August 15, 2012

Wed, 15 Aug 2012 15:34:00 -0500

Today at 4:00…

Dr. Landon McLain with Blue Cosmetic Surgery joins us to talk about rhinoplasty (“nose jobs”) in young people. He will be answering the question; how young is too young? For more information call (256) 428-2339 or visit BlueCosmeticSurgery.com.

Stephanie Kelley with the Huntsville Museum of Art joins us to share information about the Wild@Art event. The fun starts Thursday, August 23 at 6:00p.m. Tickets are $85. Proceeds benefit the Huntsville Museum of Art and Alabama Wildlife Foundation. Call (256) 535-4350 to reserve your tickets. For more information visit www.hsvmuseum.org.

Ryan Turner joins us from Connor’s Steak House to help promote Huntsville's Inaugural Restaurant Week! The week of delicious food runs from August 17-26. Restaurant Week was launched to spotlight the Huntsville/Madison area as a premiere dining destination. Some of the participating restaurants include; Baumhower's Restaurant, Cantina Laredo, Clementine's, Commerce Kitchen, and many more. For a full list and more information, visit Huntsville.org/restaurantweek.

Caroline Kelly joins us from Burritt on the Mountain to discuss the upcoming production of “Smoke on the Mountain: Homecoming.” Tickets are on sale now for $20. Shows run in Burritt on the Mountain’s Old Country Church on August 17’th, 18’th, 23’rd, 24’th, 25’th, at 7:00pm. Matinees run August 19’th and 26’th at 2:30pm. For more information call (256) 536-2882.

See you are 4:00!

Focus on Faith: Fostering hope

Sun, 12 Aug 2012 21:22:17 -0500

Huntsville, AL -- Sean Haskell is a rising senior at Huntsville High School. He's also an aspiring Eagle Scout who decided to use his project to help the hundreds of children in Madison County's foster program. Haskell says, "essentially, when they're taken out of their homes, they're only given a trash bag to quickly put their belongings in. So, we're trying to help them out, to get hygiene kits and duffle bags to give to the children, so that this bad situation isn't necessarily made worse."

Haskell is asking the community to support the project with donations of soap, deodorant, shampoo, conditioner, combs, brushes, wash clothes, towels and feminine hygiene products. He'll be collecting the items on Thursday, August 16th at Five Guys restaurant on Carl T. Jones Drive in Huntsville from 10am to 10pm. If those who donate also buy a meal, the restaurant has agreed to donate ten percent of its proceeds.

Haskell is also accepting financial contributions to buy the duffle bags. He says, "it's pretty lofty aspirations, because we want to be able to get duffle bags for each one of these kids, and if the community turns out, then we can get duffle bags for kids who aren't even in the system yet and kind of keep it going for a little bit." If you can't make it to the collection drive Thursday but would still like to help, you can contact Haskell at sean.haskell7@gmail.com.

Space enthusiast witness history at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center

Mon, 06 Aug 2012 07:37:00 -0500

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WAAY-31)- The Mars rover, Curiosity, has safely landed on the red planet after 2.5 billion dollars and 8 months flying through space were invested.

Hundreds of curious kids and families spent the night at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center to witness the landing live in The Davidson Center.

With their lime green alien water bottles, plenty of caffeine, and overnight bags packed; the Cleckler family excitedly awaited the Mars rover landing.

"It’s a great experience! I think it will be wonderful,” Philip Cleckler said.

The Cleckler's were joined by roughly 130 other families. Some young children had trouble staying awake, but most were so excited about the much anticipated “Curiosity” landing that the thought of sleep is galaxies away.

“To be with other like minded people who are interested in the Curiosity Rover is just awesome. And this is a big feat for NASA and we are going to get to see it first hand,” said Heather Cleckler.

After the “seven minutes of terror” were over, the crowd erupted in applause.

With the rover safely on the surface of Mars, families were able to sleep soundly under the Saturn V rocket.

At 7:00am everyone woke to a celebratory pancake breakfast, where many were able to recap the events from their exciting night before.

Curiosity's mission is to explore the surface of Mars. It will send back photos and look for evidence of life.

WAAY to Grow : Ben Franklin Trees

Thu, 02 Aug 2012 09:04:27 -0500

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WAAY) - Harvey sat in with Meredith on August first to talk about the Ben Franklin tree.

The summer blooming shrub similar to the Camelia, Ben Franklin trees were first found in Georgia in the 1700s and taken back to Philadelphia, where Franklin lived.

It's no longer found in the wild in Georgia.

Harvey's Tips of the Week :
• Make sure an adequate mulch layer is in place to help conserve moisture and cool the root zone in your garden beds
• Sharpen lawn mower blades to insure that grass blades are cut and not torn, removing only one-third of the grass blade at any one time
• Spend time in the garden watching – you can spot bugs/diseases/drought problems before they get out of hand