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Birmingham council deadlocks again on empty council seat

Source: City of Birmingham

BIRMINGHAM, AL (WBRC)- Another Birmingham City Council meeting came and went Tuesdsay with no resolution to the empty District 6 seat.

In a repeat of the standoff over the seat from last week, the council deadlocked 4-4 twice Tuesday on the nomination of Sheila Tyson. The council then split 4-4 on two other nominees that other councilors brought forward after they Tyson vote.

Council President Royal tried to keep the process going but that didn't progress very far.

The council will vote on a new District 6 representative next week. The seat has been open since January, when former councilor Carole Smitherman left office to become a municipal judge.

Copyright 2013 WBRC. All rights reserved.

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East Lake Blvd. reopened after suspicious package cleared

Birmingham police closed East Lake Blvd. at 43rd Street to investigate a suspicious package at the Coca-Cola plant. Source: Arielle Clay

BIRMINGHAM, AL (WBRC)- East Lake Blvd. has reopened after officials investigated a report of a suspicious package at the Coca-Cola plant.

Birmingham Fire and Rescue crews and the Birmingham Police Department responded to the Coca-Cola plant, which is close to the Birmingham Shuttlesworth International Airport.

Around 4:40 p.m. authorities determined there was no threat and reopened the road.

Copyright 2013 WBRC. All rights reserved.

Birmingham councilman calls for re-evaluation of police policies

Roderick Royal. Source: WBRC video

BIRMINGHAM, AL (WBRC)- Two recent murders have caught the attention of several city council members
Tuesday.

Over the last week, a young mother was shot and killed by a stray bullet
while holding her newborn boy, and a police officer's father was shot at killed
while working his job as a landscaper.

Council President Roderick Royal called for a re-evaluation of the police
department's policies.

"We don't need tough talk, we need a police strategy. That's what we
need. That's coming from a former police officer. And I know you can't be
everywhere, and the chief knows it as well. But there are some strategies we
need to evaluate, and re-evaluate, and put them in place," Royal said.

Royal went on to say that if the police department needs more officers or
equipment he wants to discuss that before the city develops its next budget
this summer.

Tipping guide: Who, when, how much?

Tipping guide: Who, when, how much?

BIRMINGHAM, AL (WBRC)- It's been around since the 17th century, so why is it that so many of us are still lost when it comes to tipping? Who gets one, when and how much?

"People that tip really well, that's one thing people should know, it changes that waiters day," waiter Stuart Bond said.

But just because tips make people in the service industry feel good and for some are what they depend on does not mean they will always see one.

"I look at tipping as you're in Vegas rolling dice. It's a crap shoot. I've had some tips when it's just 0," waiter Tony Taylor said.

In today's fast-paced world where there are more and more services offered at our fingertips, knowing when, who and how much to tip can be daunting.

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Actor Michael O'Neill helps build Habitat home in Birmingham

Habitat for Humanity volunteers are building Keitha Burpo a new home in Birmingham. Source: WBRC video

BIRMINGHAM, AL (WBRC)- Alabama native, Auburn grad and actor Michael O'Neill pitched in to help build a Habitat for Humanity home.

O'Neill is part of a big team who's helping build Keitha Burpo's dream home. It's on the same block where even more Habitat homes are nearing completion in Birmingham.

Burpo left her medical assistant job to care for her disabled mother. She also has three children, and she tells us that her kids can't wait to get the keys to their new home on Thursday.

"They're really excited and my Mom is too, she's overjoyed, I mean words cannot express how it feels," Keitha Burpo said.

"I've heard about Habitat for years, you know that they make decent affordable housing for people, you know that need a little help, and you know, it's not a hand out, it's a hand up," O'Neill said.

Court document: Young mother wasn't intended target in fatal shooting

Sherri Williams leaves behind three young children. Source: WBRC video

BIRMINGHAM, AL (WBRC)- An affadavit obtained by FOX6 News confirms police's belief that a young mother shot and killed while holding her newborn was
an innocent bystander.

According to the document, the intended target
was 24-year-old Sherri Williams' brother, Torey Williams.

Police say that Williams was standing in the doorway of her apartment a week ago, holding her newborn boy, when she was shot in the chest.

Neighbors told officers that two girls were fighting in front of a store across the street and Torey tried to break it up. That's when alleged shooter, 20-year-old Corderious McLellan, drove up and began shooting while Torey ran in the direction of his sister's apartment.

McLellan has been charged with capital murder and is being held on no bond at the Jefferson County Jail.

Copyright 2013 WBRC. All rights reserved.

Weather blog: Hail-funnel cloud reported in N. Alabama

Weather blog: Hail-funnel cloud reported in N. Alabama

Originally posted on the Fox6 Weather blog

The slow moving upper level low over Alabama will keep our area cold, cloudy, and damp today. As expected the colder air aloft has produced some impressive hail. Yesterday we had lots of of hail in Blount County. We also had some hail reports from the Talladega Super Speedway.

There was also a report of a funnel cloud near New Market in North Alabama. Cold air funnels are not that uncommon when it comes to these types of upper atmospheric storm systems. The low should finally move out tomorrow, with temperatures rising into the low 70s.