Adventech cuts ribbon in Florence to build motor-generators
A manufacturer of electric motor-generators held a ribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday to open its new facility in northwestern Alabama. Adventech’s plant in Florence will initially produce the MaxEff complex motor-generator, which the company said is primarily used in pump drives, cooling tower fan drives, and other industrial applications. Thirty employees will initially staff the facility, but the 55,000 square-foot complex expects to expand to 200 in two years. – ThomasNet
Brace yourself, it’s time for the 700-mile-long garage sale
A nearly 700-mile yard sale is about to span several states from Alabama to Michigan for its 32nd straight year. The Gadsden Times reports the 4-day event known as 127 Yard Sale returns Thursday. It runs from Noccalula Falls Park in Gadsden, Alabama, through Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky and Ohio before winding down in Addison, Michigan. The event’s website says the yard sale was founded in 1987 by a man who wanted travelers to bypass interstate highways in favor of scenic routes that took them through rural communities. – AP
Airbus has successful test of new flickering wing tips
Airbus engineers have developed a new aircraft concept that could be the first to flap its wings. Well, not the entire wing, just the tip. The team created AlbatrossOne, a scale-model prototype that has been under development for the past 20 months at the Airbus Filton facility in the UK. The new wing design features what Airbus is calling a “semi-aeroelastic hinge.” The tip of the wing flickers to fend off turbulence and wind gusts while also reducing drag and overall wing weight. – ThomasNet
How do Alabama’s utility bills compare to other states?
Alabama utilities might best be described by a tale of two townhouses. In response to an AL.com survey on how much residents are paying for power, Don Shipp of Hoover said the most he had ever paid in one month for electricity was $282, about nine years ago. Living in a 1,600-square-foot townhouse, Shipp, an Alabama Power customer, said his home uses air conditioning in summer, and a gas furnace in winter. Contrast that with another Alabama Power customer in Northport, Eric Rickman, who paid $420 for electricity just in the last month – AL.com
Owner of truck driving school in Lee County accused of bribing examiners
An Alabama truck driving school owner has been charged with bribing a license examiner to show favoritism toward his students. News outlets report 72-year-old James Welburn was indicted and arrested Thursday. He’s charged with conspiracy, bribery and wire fraud offenses. Welburn owns American Truck Driving Academy in Lee County. – AP
