Friday, October 10, 2014

Hospital lawsuit sent to mediation

Judge dissolves restraining order, places Kernion and Johnson back on Regional Medical Center Board


ANNISTON - A day before arguments were to be heard in a lawsuit filed by the Regional Medical Center Board against the city, a consent order issued by a judge says disagreements should be resolved through mediation before a December court hearing.


Calhoun County Circuit Judge Brian Howell on Thursday dismissed challenges by RMCB that question the legality of Brian Johnson’s appointment to the hospital board. The judge also blocked an Oct. 1 council vote to remove Greg Kernion as chairman of the Regional Medical Center Board. Howell has ordered parties in the lawsuit to undergo mediation subject to Alabama Court Mediation Rules. Any unresolved issues will be handled at a hearing set for December.


Disagreements between city officials and hospital leadership fell into public view after The Anniston Star reported Johnson, who was hired as Anniston City Manager in 2013 and appointed to the board last month, was denied access to an RMCB meeting on Tuesday, September 30. The city council held a special vote to oust Kernion as chairman the following day and was quickly met with a lawsuit. According to the lawsuit filed on Friday, October 3, RMCB argued the council’s appointment of Johnson and removal of Kernion both violated state law.


The council on Monday approved legal defense against the lawsuit. Johnson on Tuesday said requests for information in connection to the board’s strategic plan dated back more than four months prior. He said failed attempts by the council to understand a potential merger under the plan as well as other recent actions taken by RMCB--including a transfer of beds from the Anniston hospital to RMC Jacksonville and a "for-profit arm" of the hospital--further raised concerns of city officials.


A message left this week for RMC requesting an interview regarding the lawsuit remains unanswered on Friday.

The lawsuit was originally assigned to Calhoun County Circuit Judge John Thomason but moved to Howell’s courtroom on Wednesday after the city requested a jury trial, according to The Anniston Star. Thursday’s consent order effectively cancels today’s scheduled hearing. The next court hearing has been set for Dec. 9 at 9 a.m.

Wednesday, October 8, 2014

Police say trio of recent robberies possibly connected

ANNISTON - Investigations continue regarding two armed robberies occurred at ATM machines and a third at an Anniston residence between Monday and Wednesday, according to a Wednesday statement from Anniston police Sgt. Clint Parris.

According to the statement, an unidentified man followed a woman to her residence on Monday and robbed her at gunpoint. Between Tuesday and Wednesday, police began investigating two armed robberies from ATM machines. One of the ATM robberies included gunfire, according to the statement.

Police are asking anyone with information about the crimes to call the Anniston Police Department's Investigative Division at 256-240-4000.


- MDS