THE SELMA TIMES-JOURNAL

Six hours into the New Year police were busy working the first major crime of the year.

The Ramada of Selma was robbed at gunpoint.

A lone gunman entered the lobby of the 1710 Highland Ave. hotel confronted the front desk clerk. According to police reports he fled with an undetermined amount of cash.

Vinay Sharma, business analyst and general manager, declined to comment Wednesday on the robbery. He said he felt it was bad for business.

Detective Tory Neely, who worked New Year’s Eve, said they were busy answering calls of shots fired from residents alarmed by revelers welcoming 2008. Before his 12-hour shift ended police were looking for leads in their first robbery of the year.

There were no injuries during the incident.

Neely said Selma was fortunate there were no reported injuries from residents firing weapons celebrating the start of the New Year.

Montgomery had a youth to die in a reported accidental shooting.

A woman in Mobile remained critical Wednesday from a bullet that fell through the roof of a church where she brought the New Year in with prayer.