Joel Porter, WHNT

Joel Porter

WHNT

Huntsville, AL, United States

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Recent:
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Past:
  • WHNT

Past articles by Joel:

Cookout had a grease puddle, Poke needs a worker sick plan in this week’s Restaurant Ratings

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – Health inspectors caught a burger place with a grease puddle, and a Hawaiian eatery needs a workplace sick plan. Cookout on Sparkman Drive was inspected on February 25. The inspector says the drive-thru hand sink was being used as a dump sink. They found a wastewater solution of grease and degreaser pooled […] → Read More

Scam contractor behind bars, after years of theft charges

MADISON COUNTY, Ala.- A handyman in north Alabama is now behind bars for ripping people off. One business owner says Johnny Ray Jordan is giving other builders a bad name. Spring and summer is a busy time for Brian Snider. “There’s so much business in this community. I can’t build all of the decks. I […] → Read More

Cavalry Hill neighborhood fires now total 12

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – Police and firefighters are hoping someone can help them catch an arsonist. The fires have all been happening within two blocks. Charred furniture, melted siding, and fresh yellow tape are becoming a familiar story in this Huntsville neighborhood. “We’re very concerned about this,” Huntsville Fire and Rescue chief Howard McFarlen said at […] → Read More

Tornado relief arrives in Nashville suburb

MT. JULIET, Tenn. – After a devastating evening, help is arriving in Nashville neighborhoods slammed by an early morning tornado. Two faith leaders from Decatur will be spending the next few days volunteering in the Volunteer State. In Mt. Juliet east of Nashville, a neighborhood hit hard by Tuesday morning’s tornado, help is now […] → Read More

Little girl gets big hug from Tua in Huntsville

HUNTSVILLE, Ala.- A little girl got a big hug from Alabama football star Tua Tagovailoa last weekend. Abby Overstreet and her family got to meet Tua during an autograph signing and a photo of the hug is now getting thousands of shares. “The draft is coming up in April. And I’m really excited for that,” […] → Read More

Facing legal action, Clyde’s BBQ opts to change the name

MADISON, Ala. – A popular BBQ restaurant was recently told, ‘either change the name, or we’ll see you in court.’ So, the owner of Clyde’s BBQ says even though they know a good lawyer, they’re changing the name. Putting his smiling dog front and center, Stan Stinson opened his BBQ restaurant on County Line Road […] → Read More

Frustrations build over Highway 231 closure

MORGAN COUNTY, Ala. – Living along Highway 231 most of his life, Mark Kennemer said the area is dry and quiet. “It’s like tumbleweeds coming through here now,” he explained. Kennemer can’t remember the last time the busy highway was this silent. Douglas Chaney, who lives in Lacey’s Spring said the stillness is satisfactory. “We kind […] → Read More

Deputies arrest Somerville man after he admits to setting car on fire

MORGAN COUNTY, Ala. – A man is in the Morgan County Jail after admitting to setting fire to a car owned by his mother. The Morgan County Sheriff’s Office said deputies responded to a vehicle fire on Bluff City Road in the Somerville area on Sunday afternoon. The sheriff’s office said the fire was deemed […] → Read More

Wet winter stalls stadium parking construction

MADISON, Ala. – A sunny Friday was a welcomed sight at Toyota Field — the home of the Rocket City Trash Pandas. The recent rain-soaked winter has been tough on contractors. Workers are using days like today to catch up trying to finish the parking lot in time. “We got our certificate of occupancy on […] → Read More

Terranova’s has old dip, Moe’s need to chill out the chicken in this week’s Restaurant Ratings

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – Terranova’s Italian Restaurant on Paramount Place was inspected on February 7th. The inspector found residue in the ice machine, a dirty can opener on the prep table, raw chicken and lasagna in the cooler around 50 ºF. There was also week-old dated spinach dip, and during the inspection, a worker was seen […] → Read More

Scientists showcase lunar, Mars habitat proposals

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – In a few years, astronauts will return to the moon for the first time in decades. And NASA is asking some bright minds to build space travelers places to live on the moon and on Mars. And that doesn’t mean sending up a stack of lumber and a bucket of nails. On […] → Read More

Huntsville Fire and Rescue called to house fire on Properzi Way

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – Huntsville Fire and Rescue crews were called to a house fire on Properzi Way early Sunday morning. A Nixle alert sent at 3:15 a.m. said multiple crews were at the scene in the 200-block of Properzi Way. A WHNT News 19 reporter counted six fire trucks at the fire, along with Huntsville […] → Read More

After impeachment vote, energized GOP Senate candidates campaign in Huntsville

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. - Four Senate candidates were in Huntsville on Saturday afternoon to greet voters before next month's primary. But for some challengers, money is running short. Nearly 100 undecided men and women showed up to Life Church in Huntsville on Saturday. → Read More

Madison to buy old Three Springs site, Finley announces in State of City speech

MADISON, Ala. - Some new businesses are coming to town, a brand new elementary school is going up and opening day for the new baseball team is less than three months away. Madison Mayor Paul Finley had two more big announcements to share in his state of the city speech on Friday evening. → Read More

U.S. Space and Rocket Center taking precautions to prevent coronavirus

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. - Concerns about the coronavirus are leading some agencies around Huntsville to take precautions. Space Camp at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville offers future astronauts simulations and hands-on learning. → Read More

Dr. Celia Lloyd-Turney testifies in federal trial

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. - The federal trial for a doctor in Madison County could wrap up on Wednesday. Dr. Celia Lloyd-Turney is facing nearly a dozen charges in federal court that she over prescribed opioids to her patients. On Tuesday, Dr. Turney took the stand to explain herself. → Read More

Parking in demand during big event weekend in downtown Huntsville

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. - Thousands of people have their tickets for some entertainment downtown. For two straight nights, leaders at the Von Braun Center are expecting big crowds. And with nearby construction, parking spots may be a little harder to find. → Read More

Lightning hit a Madison home early Tuesday morning

MADISON, Ala. - It was certainly not the wake-up call Jeremy Shelley wanted. He says he and his family were home when lightning struck their house just before 5:00 a.m. Tuesday. "She says she saw a bright white flash that took up the entire bedroom and heard the boom instantly," Shelley said. → Read More

Police training center building contract approved

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. - Workers will soon begin building a new police training center in Huntsville. Thursday evening, the city council approved a $10.2 million contract with Fite Construction to build the center along Triana Boulevard. → Read More

City OKs multi-million dollar Hays Farms development agreement

City leaders said 'yes' to a multi-million dollar development in south Huntsville Thursday evening. → Read More