Columbus Police Department Mourns the Passing of Former Police Chief Jim Wetherington
The Columbus Police Department is deeply saddened to announce the passing of former Police Chief Jim Wetherington, who passed away
Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey has pledged support for victims of domestic violence through the state’s Domestic Violence Trust Fund.
Fourteen domestic violence shelters, including Domestic Violence Intervention Center in Lee County, will be the recipients of trust fund revenues which are generated through a marriage recording fee.
The trust fund, distributed on a quarterly basis, was created by the Alabama Legislature in 2015 and endorsed by then Lt. Gov. Ivey, who continues to support the program and its assistance to domestic violence victims.
Ivey also awarded $105,757 through the trust fund to the Alabama Coalition Against Domestic Violence which monitors and assist regional domestic violence agencies, and $80,000 to the state Office of Prosecution Services, which investigates and prosecutes domestic violence cases.
“These funds are key to helping provide safe havens for domestic violence victims and innocent family members who must escape abusive situations,” Ivey said. “I commend those agencies and their staff members who are committed to helping people escape volatile situations and rebuild their lives.”
Appropriations to each agency are determined by several factors, including service area population and the number of domestic violence occurrences within those service areas.
The trust fund is managed by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs.
“Gov. Ivey has continually demonstrated her concern for domestic violence victims and family members by backing measures like the Domestic Violence Trust Fund,” ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell said. “ADECA joins the governor in her support of these organizations and the work they do.”
In the first three quarters of 2024, a total of $1.1 million was distributed to domestic violence agencies to assist victims. Funding for the regional agencies is based directly on the amount of marriage recording fees collected.
ADECA administers a wide range of programs that support law enforcement, victim programs, economic development, water resource management, energy conservation and recreation.