Allergies may boost severity of lung disease

Submitted by MyFoxAL Web Staff on Sunday, May 12th, 2:00 pm

(HealthDay News) -- Hay fever and similar allergies increase the frequency and severity of respiratory problems in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a new study shows.

COPD is a progressive lung disease that makes it difficult to breathe.

In this study, researchers looked at more than 1,400 patients with COPD, and found that those with allergies were much more likely than those without allergies to wheeze, to have chronic cough and chronic phlegm, to awake during the night because of cough, and to have a worsening of COPD symptoms that required antibiotics or a visit to the doctor.

The study by the Johns Hopkins University researchers was published online May 10 in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.

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Photo gallery: To Mom, with love

Submitted by Brianne Britzius, Fox 6 Digital Producer

Sunday, May 12th, 2013, 8:35am

Lauren Cotton

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Social media helps save animals still in shelters

Submitted by Karen Church, Fox 6 News Reporter

Saturday, May 11th, 2013, 2:00pm

Social media helps save animals still in shelters

Millions of dogs and cats are put to sleep in animal shelters across the United States each year.

But imagine if you could save some of them with just a couple clicks of your mouse? Thanks to social media, it's not as farfetched as you may think.

It's hard to believe a tail-wagging, yellow Lab named "Splash" was once on death row in an animal shelter.

With the clock ticking, the rescue group "Lucky Lab" posted his picture on its Facebook site in hopes of finding him a home ASAP. One thousand miles away, Peter Christmas and Janet Belsky fell in love with the lab.

"He was an older dog that's hard to adopt and we kinda figured that he was not going to have a very good shot at getting adopted," Christmas said.

Janet soon typed this response on the Facebook post: "With a name like Splash he belongs here on the lake. We would love to take him."

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Ideal Home Garden: Summer gardening guide

Submitted by MyFoxAL Web Staff on Saturday, May 11th, 9:00 am

By Coletta Teske | Content provided by Ideal Home Garden

Summer is one of the busiest times in the garden. During these warm months, a gardener will be kept busy mowing the lawn, planting vegetables, pruning shrubs and starting a host of new gardening projects. Summer is the time to freshen up the garden, pay careful attention to maintenance and enjoy the fruits of your labor.

Mulching, Composting and Watering

After the spring cleaning in the garden has been finished, it's time to give flowerbeds a fresh, new look. Start by trimming the edges of flowerbeds. If the flowerbeds are not lined with an edging, give the grass a sharp edge to help define the flowerbeds. If there is edging, trim the grass so that it is not growing up along the edging.

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Homebrewing legalized in Alabama

Submitted by Alan Collins, Fox 6 News Reporter

Friday, May 10th, 2013, 5:37pm

BIRMINGHAM, AL (WBRC)- Homebrewing is now legal in Alabama. The Alabama Homebrewing Association estimates there are 5,000 homebrewers in Alabama. One is Jeff Benedict who just moved to Alabama.

"I'm from Maryland. When I moved here I was kind of disappointed homebrewing was illegal. I brought most of my equipment with me but I've yet to brew here," Jeff Benedict said.

At the Hop City Wine and Beer company their phone has been constantly ringing. The company earlier offered homebrewing products and equipment until the Alabama Alcohol and Beverage Control agents seized them. The general manager said that will change starting next Tuesday.

"It's retailing verses the big brown truck dropping it off at your house. There are retail sales that gain taxes, there is benefits to that as well," Chris Reid said.

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Week in Review: May 10

Submitted by MyFoxAL Web Staff on Friday, May 10th, 12:14 pm

(RNN) - Authorities were shocked to discover that three missing Cleveland women were being held captive in the same house for almost a decade. Amanda Berry, Gina DeJesus and Michelle Knight were found alive after Berry escaped from the house with her 6-year-old daughter, who police believe was born in captivity. The suspect, Ariel Castro, is being held on $8 million bond.

Jurors convicted Jodi Arias of first-degree murder in Phoenix. Arias is accused of murdering her ex-boyfriend, Travis Alexander, in a jealous rage. Her sentencing, which could include the death penalty, is set for next week.

James Holmes, the suspect in the July 2012 Colorado theater shooting that killed 12 people, pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity.

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Oxford PD arrest man in 2-year-old's death

Submitted by Brianne Britzius, Fox 6 Digital Producer

Thursday, May 9th, 2013, 9:58pm

Bryan Butts. Source: Oxford Police Department

OXFORD, AL (WBRC)- Oxford Police confirm that they have arrested a man in the death of a 2-year-old boy last week.

Bryan Butts, 24, of Oxford was arrested Thursday on a capital murder warrant in the death of Cody Allen Rollins. Chief Bill Partridge confirms to FOX6 News that Rollins died from blunt force trauma.

Butts and the child's mother were dating, according to Butts' family.

Butts will appear in Talladega County court for his arraignment May 10. Police have not commented on any other details in the case.

Oxford EMTs were called to Rollins' home Friday, May 3 where they found the child unresponsive. Rollins was taken to Anniston Regional Medical Center where he later passed away.

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