<p><a href="http://www.andalusiastarnews.com/2017/06/17/apd-officers-now-have-tasers/" target="_blank">Andalusia Star News</a><br /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.andalusiastarnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/0617-taser-622x293.jpg" alt="alt" /><br /><br /><br /></p>
<p>Officers in the Andalusia Police Department are now equipped with tasers.</p>
<p>APD Chief Paul Hudson said all uniformed officers received policy and procedure training, as well as equipment training and received certification to use the conducted electrical weapons from certified taser instructors before they began carrying the weapons on Friday.</p>
<p>Officers who have been authorized to carry the tasers were exposed to the device and tested on their knowledge of handling the device before they received certification, he said. Additionally, Hudson said he has implemented a detailed, ADECA-approved departmental policy that will be followed by police department employees.</p>
<p>“The decision to add this tool to the officer’s duty belt was not made lightly,” Hudson said. “All area departments carry tasers. Andalusia was the only local law enforcement agency who was not equipped with them. Thankfully, we deal with very few incidents that would require the use of the taser. However, I want my officers to be prepared, trained, and equipped for when and if those times do arise. With the addition of this equipment, I feel that our officers will be able to perform their jobs to the best of their abilities.”</p>
<p>The purchase of the equipment was made possible by a grant awarded by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs in May 2017 and donations from local businesses.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.andalusiastarnews.com/2017/06/17/apd-officers-now-have-tasers/" target="_blank">Andalusia Star News</a></p>
Emery Johnson and Jackson and William Grimes focus in on painting their paper mache dogs this week at the LAAC’s Summer Art Camp.
Andalusia Star News
Houston Weant and Row Thorn work hard on their paintings at the first day of Art Camp at the Lower Alabama Art Coalition on Monday afternoon. The kids will work on different art works throughout the week and then they will have a showcase on Friday from 12-2 p.m., to display their work.
Andalusia Star News
The 8U Andalusia All-Stars had their bats going on Thursday night as they topped Zion Chapel 15-0 in the opening round of the 8U district tournament at Johnson Park.
Zion Chapel got a hard hit to second base in the top of the first, but Grover Wells fielded the ball cleanly and fired to Brayden Ware at first for the final out of the frame.
Andalusia got the lead in the bottom of the first inning when Landen Butler drove in Asher Bentley for the first run of the game.
Ware and Bentley drove in a three runs in the bottom of the second to put Andalusia up 6-0.
In the top of the third inning, Zion Chapel had runners on the corners, but a pop up was snagged by William Grimes at third. Grimes than rushed back to third for an inning ending double play.
Andalusia continued to add runs in the bottom of the third inning.
Ashton Summers got a rip to drive in Brayden Gunter for a 7-0 advantage.
A few batters later, Grimes sent a line drive down the first base line to put Andalusia on top 8-0.
The Andalusia defense remained strong and kept Zion Chapel off of the scoreboard for the fourth consecutive inning.
Ware put Andalusia on top 10-0 when he ripped a two-RBI triple to fence in left field.
The bats continued to swing well for Andalusia as they added another five runs in the inning.
Andalusia would go on to win by mercy rule in the bottom of the fourth.
Andalusia will play again at tonight against the winner between Luverne and Greenville.
Andalusia Star News
Forty-four students and five guest dancers have spent the past week studying with acclaimed dancers Amanda McKerrow and John Gardner at the Andalusia Ballet’s Summer Intensive.
McKerrow and Gardner are a husband-and-wife team who spent most of their stage careers with American Ballet Theatre in New York City. McKerrow joined ABT under the direction of Mikhail Baryshnikov in 1982, and became a principal dancer in 1987.
Gardner joined ABT in 1978, and was promoted to soloist in 1984. Read More>
Andalusia Star News