“Veterans often face numerous challenges as they transition from soldier to civilian, and those seeking academic pursuits either as returning students or first-time enrollees often face even greater challenges,” according to a website for the program. “The purpose of the VETS program is to assist student veterans with their individual and unique transition from military to civilian student as they persist to graduation through innovative academic programs, mentorship opportunities, and other engagement activities.”

In other news across Alabama:

Spruce Pine teen charged with sexually abusing 3 children: A 17-year-old Spruce Pine boy faces first-degree sodomy and sexual abuse charges involving 3 children under age 12, Franklin County sheriff’s officials said. The male and female children were 5 and 6 years old when the alleged abuse is reported to have begun and it continued for several years.

ABC Board lets charity golf tourney continue in Tuscaloosa County: A charity golf tournament at Indian Hills Country Club can proceed in November despite the Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board having nixed a similar tournament at another club last weekend, an ABC spokesman told the Tuscaloosa News. The issue at hand involves whether private clubs with a club license can serve alcohol to the non-members who take part in the golf event.

Charles Lance Bowles: 42-year-old Gadsden, Alabama, man charged with theft of property.

Gadsden couple accused of stealing AC unit; suspect appears angry: Charles Lance Bowles, 42, and Dorothy Michelle Tucker, 35, both of Gadsden, were charged with  theft of property on Wednesday after they reportedly stole air conditioner from a home in the Gallant community, the TimesDaily newspaper reports. The unit was found in the couple’s SUV when it was stopped, authorities said.

Sardis man accused of abusing 4-year-old: Timothy Ryan Stone, 24, of Sardis, has  been charged with child abuse of a 4-year-old, according to a sheriff’s office news release. The charge stems from an alleged August incident at a Sardis residence.

Is Jacksonville-area smear mail linked to AEA? A direct mail advertisement that erroneously claims Rep. K.L. Brown voted for bills that made drunk driving easier in Alabama may have ties to the Alabama Education Association, the Anniston Star reports. The political advertisement was mailed to Jacksonville-area homes Wednesday and shows pictures of car crashes and an ambulance and claims Brown, who represents Alabama House District 40, supported two bills that make alcohol more available.

Christmas package treated as possible bomb turns out to be DVD player: The Jasper Police Department and several nearby buildings were evacuated and a portion of Airport Road was closed Thursday afternoon after an unruly man left a package wrapped with Christmas paper inside the Police Department, the Daily Mountain Eagle reports. After an X-ray and small explosive charge, the package was found to be a portable DVD player.

Anunez’s body was found Sunday evening near a drain pipe off County Road 4.

In other news across central and southern Alabama:

Auburn council approves bar’s illegal patio: The Auburn City Council on Tuesday votd to allow the SkyBar Cafe in downtown Auburn to continue using an outdoor patio area that was built last fall, apparently out of compliance with city zoning laws. The city had take the bar’s owners to court, but the case was dismissed, according to an Opelika-Auburn News report.

Dothan man gets life in prison in burglary case: Forty-four-year-old Willie Frank Wiliams of Dothan on Tuesday was sentenced to life in prison on a burglary conviction. Williams’ daughter was in tears as the judge handed down the sentence, which came as a result of Alabama’s “three strikes” law governing repeat offenders.

Ozark students suspended as officials investigate alleged sexual harassment: Four Carroll High School students remained suspended on Tuesday after an allegation Friday that they sexually harassed a female student on a school bus, the Dothan Eagle reports. Ozark City Schools Superintendent Mike Lenhart said video surveillance confirmed some physical contact, but that witness accounts differed.

Opp mayor says he’s not chicken, will jump: Opp Mayor H.D. Edgar said he’s not afraid to jump from an airplane as part of the airshow planned for the South Alabama Regional Airport in November. Edgar plans to make a tandem jump with a member of the U.S. Army Silver Wings Parachute Team during the air show planned for Nov. 13.

Developer asks Andalusia council for incentives: The Andalusia City Council was asked Tuesday to approve an incentive package that would allow developers to receive city sales tax revenue collected by retail businesses they bring to town. Westgate Developers Inc., which owns and leases space in the city, wants developers to receive 100 percent of the city sales taxes collected for the first 3 years a new business was in business, and half of the city sales taxes in the fourth through 10th years.

Bruce Hornsby plays at 250-seat Montgomery theater: Singer Bruce Hornsby on Tuesday gave a benefit performane at the 250-seat Cloverdale Playhouse stage.  Hornsby is a Grammy-winning singer/songwriter/pianist best known for the hit 1986 record “The Way It Is” with his band, the Range.

Herbert Wheeler, finance director for Huntsville City Schools, said that the latest proration will impact the district somewhere between $1.8 and $2.1 million dollars.
That impact may be largely padded by an $8 million loan the school board approved earlier this month, Wheeler said. The loan, which was initiated to ensure that employees get paid, was finalized on Wednesday.

“We’re going to have to manage it,” Wheeler said of the cuts. “We’re in shock and we’re saddened. We’re disappointed that we had to do this, but we will deal with it. We will make payroll.”

Gov. Bob Riley announced the cuts, which equal about $113 million statewide, because the state’s anticipated claim against BP for the Gulf oil spill will not be paid out as expected. That delay comes on the heels of a lawsuit Attorney General Troy King filed against the oil company.

In other news across Alabama:

Dothan trial begins for woman who claims Taser abuse: A federal court trial has begun in the civil case brought by Pamela Borton, who contends that a Dothan police officer used an electric stun device on her to punish her for being belligerent during a 2006 incident, even though she says she was suffering from bipolar disorder and was restrained face down on a hospital gurney. The officer claims he used the device, known as a Taser, because she posed a threat to herself and others.

Dothan school board passes budget: The Dothan City School Board on Monday passed a $56 million budget, or about $8.5 million less spending than the previous year. Most of the cuts reflected in the new budget were made earlier this year when the school system eliminated 108 positions, the Dothan Eagle reports.

Dothan man charged with having generators stolen from fire department: Houston County Sheriff’s deputies hav arrested 22-year-old Jason Scott Dean of Dothan on a charge he possessed 2 generators stolen July 12 from the Hodgesville Volunteer Fire Department. The generators are valued at a combined total of $1,976.52.

Covington County reaches agreement on ballfields: The Covington County Commission has approved an agreement negotiated by members of the Covington County Recreation Board, members of the commission and the city of Andalusia in which the county would have paid for the use of the soon-to-be renovated Johnson Park by the county baseball and softball leagues.

Andalusia has funding for physical education facility at Andalusia High School: The Andalusia City School system has funding in place for a new multi-purpose physical education facility at Andalusia High School, but has not finalized plans for the building, which is to be paid for with $2.5 million in Qualified School Construction Bonds the system will receive.

   Folsom, also a PACT Board member, got an opinion from the attorney general’s office that said any mail-outs from PACT, which is overseen by Ivey’s office, could include the website address for Save Alabama Pact.

   The statewide grassroots group was credited convincing the Legislature to appropriate nearly $548 million over the next 17 years go to keep the state’s promise to pay tuition for 44,000 students.

   Huckaby and Lambert were both leaders in the Save Alabama Pact movement before they were appointed to the PACT Board.

   Huckaby said today that Ivey had fought the group at every step in gaining access to communicate with PACT contract holders through the treasurer’s office.

   “We asked her many many many times,” he said. “She had her general counsel write us and tell us she could not provide private information (in mail-outs),” he said. “We asked to be included in mailings and were denied that.”

   Finally, Huckaby said Folsom asked for the opinion from King’s office, which gave approval for Save Alabama Pact to have a link on the PACT site and be listed on all PACT mailings.

   Chip Hill, a spokesman for Folsom, said the lieutenant governor twice made motions that were approved by the PACT Board to include Save Alabama Pact’s contact information in all future PACT mailings.

   “I think everyone was under the impression that the treasurer would abide by the decision of the board,” he said. “I don’t understand why she continues to antagonize these parents.”

   Ivey is the Republican nominee facing Folsom in the lieutenant governor’s race in November.

   Huckaby said a critical financial report on the status of PACT that was mailed earlier this year did not include the Save Alabama Pact information, nor did an Aug. 21 mail-out on “New PACT Rules.”

   “Nothing has changed,” he said. “How critical is that in this point in time I don’t think she (Ivey) is attuned to PACT holders needs this year. Kay Ivey just doesn’t want to follow the lead set down in a motion passed by the Board of Directors.”

   Ivey did not immediately return a phone call, but Deputy Treasurer Vickie Locke said the office opted for a postcard size mailing to save money, limiting space for information.

   While the postcard did not carry the Save Alabama Pact website address, it did carry the website address for the PACT program, she said.

    “When a PACT purchaser follows that link, they are immediately directed to a page that has the Save Alabama Pact address prominently featured,” Locke added.

   Huckaby said he continues to receive e-mails daily from PACT-holders who don’t understand the impact of the new legislation.

   He said many of those questions could be answered by Save Alabama Pact, which will be returning to lobby the Legislature again in 2011.

   Lambert said she was disappointed in the treasurer’s inaction.

   “We fought hard for that and they used every excuse in the world,” she said. “It’s just kind of heartbreaking to me. Just another thing . . .”

    Huckaby and Lambert predicted the legislative fix in 2010 would be short-lived, mainly because of continuing double-digit tuition increases at Auburn University and the University of Alabama. Sixty-five percent of PACT-holders attend those two schools.

   Huckaby said under current conditions, tuition is probably guaranteed only through the 2014 or 2015 school year unless the Legislature makes further revisions in the 2010 law.