Ben Pockstaller
The Anniston Star
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Past articles by Ben:
Alabama’s civil-rights-era ‘Peace Commission’ spied on people who opposed segregation, had ‘leftist’ views
Like other Southern states, Alabama in the 1960s formed a Sovereignty Commission to keep an eye on civil rights activists. The Peace Commission, a cousin of the Sovereignty Commission, was → Read More
Alabama’s civil-rights-era ‘Peace Commission’ spied on people who opposed segregation, had ‘leftist’ views
Like other Southern states, Alabama in the 1960s formed a Sovereignty Commission to keep an eye on civil rights activists. The Peace Commission, a cousin of the Sovereignty Commission, was → Read More
James Spann to speak at combined church service
Churchgoers don’t typically expect to hear weather safety tips in a Sunday sermon — unless James Spann is standing behind the pulpit. → Read More
Joiner: Cost of inmate medical care a 'serious problem'
Calhoun County's administrator said he expects that by the end of September, the county will have spent $300,000 more than its $450,000 budget for inmate health care this year. → Read More
Police academy serves volunteers alcohol as part of training
The drinking session took place as part of the Standardized Field Sobriety Test DUI Instructor Development Course, a program designed to teach law enforcement officers how to train new recruits → Read More
Health bill’s failure eases schools officials’ fears for now
School officials earlier this week said they had concerns about the health bill’s planned reductions to future funding for Medicaid — a program that covered $43 million in costs for → Read More
Were you wed in a barn? Local family farms are being turned into trendy event venues
You may not have been raised in a barn, but you can say “I do” in one. → Read More
Lowe’s employees help local Boys & Girls Club
The whine of power drills and the clatter of hammers filled the morning air outside the Charles A. Hamilton Boys & Girls Club of East Central Alabama in Anniston on → Read More
Golf pros ‘optimistic’ on sport’s future as courses prepare for Sunny King tournament
As local golfers prepare for the Sunny King Charity Classic golf tournament, local golf professionals say they’re hopeful about the sport’s future after its popularity declined following the 2008 recession. → Read More
Rain possible, not likely, for Independence Day celebrations
A chance of showers and thunderstorms will likely decrease in time for tonight’s fireworks at Jax-Fest in Jacksonville, according to the National Weather Service’s office in Calera. Weather may play → Read More
New committee to tackle broadband access as a factor in poverty
A new committee of state lawmakers plans to combat poverty in Alabama with faster internet speeds and other infrastructure improvements, according to one lawmaker. → Read More
Cities announce fireworks plans
Want to celebrate America’s 241st birthday with a bang? Several area fireworks shows and festivals can ensure that local families have a fun-filled Independence Day weekend. → Read More
Alexandria man charged with drug trafficking
Calhoun County deputies arrested an Alexandria man on a charge of trafficking methamphetamine and other drug-related crimes. → Read More
Two stopped at rural law roadblocks charged with drug possession
The Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office arrested two men on drug-related charges at public safety checkpoints in the last several days, according to Sheriff Matthew Wade. → Read More
New Alabama law sets up emergency information system between schools, education department
A new law requires all Alabama public school districts to use to a state-run electronic notification system to report emergency information to the Alabama State Department of Education. → Read More
Jacksonville’s Legacy Village hosts fish outing for residents to celebrate Father’s Day
Several residents of Legacy Village Assisted Living and Memory Care facility in Jacksonville attended the facility’s third annual Father’s Day fishing event on Thursday at Penny Creek Farm in Heflin. → Read More
Vets: Keep pets cool in summer heat
Staff members at local veterinary clinics and animal shelters have some tips on how to keep to keep dogs and cats cool when they must be left outside. → Read More
Hoping for bigger class, JSU orients incoming freshmen
The hopes for an increase in freshmen come two years after JSU’s enrollment experienced a 15-year low in 2015, with 8,314 students enrolled in the fall of that year. → Read More
Calhoun County police skeptical of ‘most dangerous city’ claim
Anniston and surrounding cities constitute the “most dangerous” metropolitan area in the state, a widely read website claimed last month — but local law enforcement officials have their doubts about → Read More
Anniston ceremony honors veterans who stormed ashore on D-Day
Several World War II veterans attended a ceremony Tuesday honoring the 73rd anniversary of D-Day at the Berman Museum of World History in Anniston. → Read More