6+ hour, 37+ min ago (168+ words) MORGAN CO., Ala. (WAFF) - North Alabama Trails and Recreation is launching a major project to make Flint Creek easier to explore. Flint Creek is already known as a great paddling spot, but there aren't many places to get in and out of the water. The $270,000 plan will improve five sites along the creek, adding more access points and clearer guidance. Each site will get a new trailhead kiosk with instructions, and some will get brand-new kayak launches. Point Mallard Park will be the first test site for self-service kayak stations, and if there's enough traffic, they'll expand those stations to the other locations. "You can go into all kinds of different areas, and this is great for beginner paddlers, families together, or your more experienced ones looking for new experiences," North Alabama Trails and Recreation Executive Director Jared Carter said....

3+ hour, 55+ min ago (179+ words) GUNTERSVILLE, Ala. (WAFF) - Law enforcement officers shot and killed a man during an undercover child predator investigation in a Guntersville neighborhood over the weekend, leaving residents frightened and frustrated about their safety. Marshall County Sheriff's deputies shot and killed Jack Smiley, 27, of Muncie, Indiana, who officers say was there to meet a decoy posing as a child for sex. The shooting happened in the Warrenton Shores neighborhood late Saturday night. Sheriff Phil Sims said Smiley tried to run from officers and pulled out a weapon before he was shot. Residents said they are upset that law enforcement did not check on them after the shooting occurred. The suspect was shot just feet away from where neighbors often gather to watch football outside, according to residents. Allison said he was worried about the gunfire causing unintended tragedy. The undercover predator sting…...

1+ hour, 5+ min ago (231+ words) MADISON, Ala. (WAFF) - Madison residents could soon receive text alerts when trains block major downtown roads under a new program set for a city council vote. The city plans to install cameras that will send text notifications to residents when trains cross Sullivan and Main streets, where one of Norfolk Southern's most heavily traveled rail lines runs. Former councilman John Seifert donated $10,000 to fund the alert system. Seifert said his donation was motivated by citizen complaints and his own experiences navigating downtown traffic. "During my time on council and just hearing a lot of citizens' complaints and myself from trying to navigate the city and even being stuck downtown or stuck trying to get downtown," Seifert said. "I love this area, and I want to see it thrive and grow, and I want to help as much as I can....