Afternoon update: Bachus faces ethics investigation

Published 4:27 pm Friday, February 10, 2012

Here’s what’s happening as we head into the weekend on this Friday, February 10…

Bachus: Bring it. Rep. Spencer Bachus (R-Vestavia Hills) says he will cooperate with the Office of Congressional Ethics, which informed him this week that they are conducting an official investigaiton into his sotck and options trading during his tenure on the House Financial Services Committee, either as its chairman or the ranking minority member. The investigation stems from allegations in a book and subsequent report on “60 Minutes” that Bachus use inside information gained from his position to profit in his trades. Bachus’ opponents in the GOP primary, State Sen. Scott Beason of Gardendale and Judge David Standridge of Hayden, both commented on the investigation; Beason said in a statement on his web site, “The fact that Congressman Bachus is now apparently being investigated by the Office of Congresional Ethics should be troubling to the residents of District 6.” Standridge told The North Jefferson News late today, “I am concerned about this [investigation]. Even though there has been news about this for a while, the investigaiton takes it to a whole new level.”

Welcome. You got hacked. The loosely-organized group of online hackers that calls itself “Anonymous”  claims to have hacked its way into various state-run websites and computer systems, accessing personal informaiton on more than 46,000 residents of Alabama. The group says it got into the systems through a gateway at the Mobile Police Department, but does not plan to use the personal information for any purpose. “Anonymous” says it hacked the systems because of what it called “your recent racist legislation in an attempt to punish immigrants as criminals.” It also cited the lack of security by state government in keeping the information away from prying eyes.

Sports: Rocket girls win thriller in area tourney opener. Chelsey Deloney’s two free throws late in regulation tied it, and Gardendale went on to win 54-51 over Minor in the Class 6A Area 11 Tournament first round at Minor. Mallorie Corbin scored 12 points to lead the Rockets. Gardendale plays Minor Monday night at 6 for the area championship. Meanwhile, Mortimer Jordan and host Hayden, the top two seeds in the Class 5A Area 11 Girls Basketball Tournament, each coasted to easy wins in the first round Thursday night and will play each other for the area crown Saturday at 3 p.m. Jordan easily took care of Walker 52-27, with Haylie McCleney scoring 22 points, Alysa “Peanut” Amberson with 11 (6-6 FT), and Megan Snow with 10 blocks. Hayden dispatched Curry 49-27; Krista Stricklin had 21 points with three 3-pointers and was 4-for-4 at the foul line plus seven rebounds and five steals; Katie Parr added 10 points and seven rebounds. Fultondale lost to Vincent 42-40 in the Class 2A playoffs at Altamont, while Corner was ousted by Dora 41-31 in the 4A playoffs at Haleyville. Tonight: Boys action begins in the area tournaments, with Jordan and Corner hosting their playoffs, plus wrestling sectionals begin at four different sites with Gardendale hosting a 6A meet.

Weather: Brrrrr. A cold air mass moves into the state tonight, and there may be a few snow flurries north of I-59 Saturday morning, but mainly we’ll see showers tonight with a low dipping to 30. Highs Saturday won’t get above 40 and it will be windy, and Saturday night’s low may reach the teens. A slow warm-up begins Monday.