Drew Dover

Alabama

Digital Journalist at WBRC-TV (Birmingham, AL)

Digital Journalist @WBRCnews. @UofAlabama Class of ‘04. RTR. Math nerd in a previous life. Computer geek forever. Future bald guy.

Articles

City of Birmingham gets more than $4 million for Real Time Crime Center

Aug 19, 2024 | wbrc.com | Drew Dover

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) - The City of Birmingham’s Real Time Crime Center (RTCC) was recently awarded $4.2 million in funding as part of the federal government’s Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024. U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, recommended the allocation for the city. The City of Birmingham says they will use the funds to purchase additional cameras and install them in high-crime areas.
Former Homewood finance director pleads guilty to embezzlement charges

Aug 16, 2024 | wbrc.com | Drew Dover

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) - According to officials with the US Attorney’s office and the FBI, 64-year-old Robert Winston Burgett has agreed to plead guilty to crimes related to the embezzlement of nearly $950,000 from the City of Homewood. In documents filed Friday in federal district court, Burgett was charged with three counts of wire fraud. At the same time, a plea agreement indicating Burgett would plead guilty to the charges was filed.
Former Alabama long snapper Carson Tinker announces his retirement from the NFL

Aug 12, 2024 | wbrc.com | Drew Dover

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) - Former Alabama football long snapper Carson Tinker has announced his retirement from the NFL. Tinker announced his retirement on X Sunday afternoon, August 11, 2024. Tinker was a member of the 2009 National Championship team and was the starting long snapper for the 2011 and 2012 national championship teams.
Norfolk Southern investing $200 million to increase rail capacity in Alabama

Aug 2, 2024 | wsfa.com | Drew Dover

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) - Norfolk Southern said they will be investigating more than $200 million to grow capacity on a key rail line in Alabama. The expansion will take place on their 3B Corridor, which connects northern and central Alabama to the Port of Mobile and beyond. Officials say the investment positions the rail line to accommodate expected growth.
Former Tuscaloosa church employee charged with wire fraud

Jul 19, 2024 | wbrc.com | Drew Dover

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (WBRC) - A former church employee in Tuscaloosa is facing wire fraud charges, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the FBI. 35-year-old Kristen Marie Battocletti is facing one count of wire fraud after authorities say she embezzled money from the St. Francis of Assisi University Parish in Tuscaloosa.
Datcher, Crum to face off in Jeff. Co. House District 52 race in October

Jul 16, 2024 | wbrc.com | Drew Dover

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) - Democrat Kelvin Datcher edged out Frank Woodson in Tuesday’s primary runoff election for Jefferson County’s House District 52 seat. Datcher and Woodson were the two Democratic candidates with the most votes back in the special primary election held on Tuesday, June 18. In the runoff between the two, Datcher received 55.18% (831) of the votes. Woodson received 44.82% (675) of the votes.
City of Leeds approves ‘transformation’ of Exit 140 off Interstate 20

Jul 15, 2024 | wbrc.com | Drew Dover

LEEDS, Ala. (WBRC) - The mayor of Leeds announced Monday that after the efforts of multiple partners and officials, the city has approved an agreement to transform the area around Exit 140 off of Interstate 20. Exit 140 is the Leeds exit where you’ll currently find The Shops of Grand River and Buc-ee’s.
$3.9M in grants awarded for road, bridge work in Ala.

Jul 11, 2024 | wbrc.com | Drew Dover

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) - Governor Kay Ivey announced $3.9 million in state funding for cities and counties for various road and bridge projects. The money for these projects comes from the Rebuild Alabama Act, which created the Annual Grant Program for this allocation. “Rebuild Alabama has brought record progress to every single county across this state, and I am proud that we continue delivering road and bridge projects today,” said Governor Ivey.
Fuel spill contained at Birmingham gas station

Jul 10, 2024 | wbrc.com | Drew Dover

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) - Birmingham Fire & Rescue crews responded to a fuel spill in Birmingham on Wednesday. Crews were called to the Circle K on Bankhead Highway late Wednesday afternoon to handle the spill. Authorities say the spill was the result of work being performed on the in-ground fuel tanks. They say about 100 gallons of fuel was spilled in the incident. BFRS contained the spill and prevented runoff into storm drains and water sheds.
Bessemer City Schools asked to make corrective measures

Jul 9, 2024 | wbrc.com | Taylor Pollock |Drew Dover

BESSEMER, Ala. (WBRC) - The Bessemer City Schools Board of Education held a special meeting Tuesday evening after receiving a letter from Alabama State Superintendent Dr. Eric Mackey outlining concerns that need addressing. If those concerns aren’t addressed, Dr. Mackey says he will recommend a state takeover of the system. For more than two hours Tuesday evening, board members reviewed the points in the letter from Dr. Mackey. At times, the discussion was heated.