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SCOTTSBORO, AL (WAFF) - The removal of the 150-year-old Scottsboro maple tree is on indefinite hold at the moment.

The Jackson County Courthouse Landscape Committee met Tuesday morning and there was a motion before the committee by Judge John Graham that a certified arborist be hired at the county's expense to provide a professional assessment of the tree and a recommendation.

A petition of approximately 150 names was also presented to the committee by committee member Mike Williamson requesting that the county not cut the tree down without a full assessment of the tree's condition.

"[The residents] just feel that an effort needs to be made to save the tree," Williamson explained, adding that the tree has provided generations with color, beauty and oxygen, withstanding years and decades of nature and urban development.

Commission chairman Matthew Hodges says he is in contact with a Huntsville arborist and will pass along the committee's recommendation to the full county commission when they meet Tuesday afternoon.

The Jackson County Commission is looking to cut down the only remaining maple tree on the square that's nearly 150 years old.

Commission Chairman Matthew Hodges said a limb fell a couple of weeks ago, the tree is dying, and they see it as a safety issue to residents who come to the courthouse.

However, tree specialist Dr. Olaf Ribiero wants to lend a hand to help save it. He believes there is a good possibility the tree can be saved and willing to determine that absolutely free to the county.

Ribiero said he would analyze samples of the tree free of charge.

"I would go on record as saying in front of everybody that whatever the recommendation of the arborist is, I say we go with it," said Landscape Committee Chairman Judge John Graham. "If it's to trim the tree and try to save it... if it's to cut the tree, I would be willing to defer to the expert."

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Removal of 150-year-old tree on indefinite hold

10/50 farce gives green light for clearing native vegetation
The 10/50 rule has created an atmosphere of unrestrained land clearing in Western Sydney.

By: Daniel Taylor

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Busch Gardens Williamsburg Construction Update Labor Day Weekend 2015 Coaster
An update on the construction from Busch Gardens on Labor Day weekend. A new roller coaster is scheduled to be built next to Apollo #39;s Chariot in 2015, and so in this video, you #39;ll get a glimpse...

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Busch Gardens Williamsburg Construction Update Labor Day Weekend 2015 Coaster - Video

By Ben Wedeman, and Susannah Cullinane CNN

updated 8:56 AM EDT, Tue September 2, 2014

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

(CNN) -- Israel came under fire Monday for claiming close to 1,000 acres of land in the Palestinian West Bank.

Israel announced Sunday that the land in and around the Wadi Fukin valley, would become "state land," clearing the way for the development of a new Israeli settlement. The affected land lies near Bethlehem and close to Bitar Ilit -- one of the biggest Israeli settlements in the West Bank.

Farmers in the area have 45 days to appeal Israel's decision to claim the land.

"The seizure of such a large swathe of land risks paving the way for further settlement activity, which -- as the United Nations has reiterated on many occasions -- is illegal under international law and runs totally counter to the pursuit of a two-state solution," United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said in a statement Monday.

UK Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond issued a similar statement, criticizing the move.

"This is a particularly ill-judged decision that comes at a time when the priority must be to build on the cease-fire in Gaza. It will do serious damage to Israel's standing in the international community," he said. "Our position on settlements is clear: they are illegal under international law, present an obstacle to peace and take us further away from a two state solution at a time when negotiations to achieve this objective urgently need to be resumed."

Hammond said efforts should be focused on securing a durable cease-fire in Gaza and lasting peace. "We strongly urge the government of Israel to reverse this decision," he said.

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Israel claims 1,000 acres in West Bank

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Lullwater Sisters is now at Hodge Podge Art, Antiques and Interiors! Located in Monroe, Georgia, the hottest spot in Georgia to find all you could hope for in traditional and trending vintage...

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ansari ameer ( vivacious interior designer )
we do 3d rendering , architectural and interior designing.

By: ansari ameer

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ansari ameer ( vivacious interior designer ) - Video

Finding a Balance between Motherhood Personal Interests
Part 3 of 4 Original Air Date: 9/1/2014 Former broadcast journalist interior designer Cristina Peczon-Rodriguez shares her experience in raising a young family, while maintaining her own...

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Interior designer Stuart Rattle on his rural property near Daylesford before he was killed by his partner of 16 years. Photo: Eamon Gallagher

The boyfriend of Stuart Rattle killed the interior designer and then maintained a charade of normality for five days before trying to conceal the murder in a fire, according to court documents.

Michael Anthony O'Neill, 48, on Tuesday admitted to killing Mr Rattle, 53, in December 2013 and pleaded guilty to charges of murder and arson in Melbourne Magistrates Court.

"Yes, Your Honour, I am. I am guilty, Your Honour," O'Neill told magistrate Gerard Lethbridge when asked for a plea, as relatives of both men watched on.

Mr Rattle's body was found in the couple's burnt-out South Yarra home on December 8. But, according to a prosecution summary tendered to court, police believe O'Neill killed his partner of 16 years up to five days earlier.

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According to the summary, O'Neill took a saucepan from the kitchen about 6am on December 4 and returned to the bedroom and hit Mr Rattle over the head. He then strangled him with a nylon dog lead.

O'Neill then went through an "elaborate pretence" over the next five days to pretend everything was normal, according to the summary prepared by Chief Crown prosecutor Gavin Silbert, QC.

He maintained social and business appointments, used Mr Rattle's phone to pose as his partner and claim the designer was unwell and in bed, and visited the couple's Musk farm near Daylesford, Mr Silbert's summary says.

"The only change to his routine seems to be that he slept on the sofa rather than in the bed with the dead man," the summary says.

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Saucepan and dog lead used to murder interior designer Stuart Rattle, court hears

Interior designer Stuart Rattle on his rural property near Daylesford before he was killed by his partner of 16 years. Photo: Eamon Gallagher

The boyfriend of Stuart Rattle killed the interior designer and then maintained a charade of normality for five days before trying to conceal the murder in a fire, according to court documents.

Michael Anthony O'Neill, 48, on Tuesday admitted to killing Mr Rattle, 53, in December 2013 and pleaded guilty to charges of murder and arson in Melbourne Magistrates Court.

"Yes, Your Honour, I am. I am guilty, Your Honour," O'Neill told magistrate Gerard Lethbridge when asked for a plea, as relatives of both men watched on.

Mr Rattle's body was found in the couple's burnt-out South Yarra home on December 8. But, according to a prosecution summary tendered to court, police believe O'Neill killed his partner of 16 years up to five days earlier.

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According to the summary, O'Neill took a saucepan from the kitchen about 6am on December 4 and returned to the bedroom and hit Mr Rattle over the head. He then strangled him with a nylon dog lead.

O'Neill then went through an "elaborate pretence" over the next five days to pretend everything was normal, according to the summary prepared by Chief Crown prosecutor Gavin Silbert, QC.

He maintained social and business appointments, used Mr Rattle's phone to pose as his partner and claim the designer was unwell and in bed, and visited the couple's Musk farm near Daylesford, Mr Silbert's summary says.

"The only change to his routine seems to be that he slept on the sofa rather than in the bed with the dead man," the summary says.

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Saucepan and dog lead used to murder designer

Michael O'Neill (left) and Stuart Rattle. Photo: Supplied

A-list interior designer Stuart Rattle and Michael O'Neill were known as the "A Gays".

The handsome couple lived and worked together in Rattle's high-end interior design business. Sought after by the wealthy and connected, they circulated with the "A Gays", a good-looking and social clique from the worlds of art, design, fashion, hairdressing, food and wine.

They were surrounded by beautiful antiques and fabrics, they lived in South Yarra and had a prized getaway, Rattle's beloved Musk Farm, near Daylesford. They travelled in style in a Range Rover flew first-class. To some, they were the perfect, smiling couple.

Now O'Neill is staring at the prospect of bedding down in jail after pleading guilty to murdering Rattle and arson. O'Neill, 48, pleaded guilty to murdering Rattle, 53, by hitting him over the head with a saucepan and strangling him with a nylon dog lead on December 4. O'Neill also pleaded guilty to arson by setting fire to their South Yarra home four days later while Rattle lay dead in his bed.

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How did the lives of two men who loved each other and were partners for 16 years end in murder?

Those close to the duo have speculated about a business that was in disarray and the emotional state of O'Neill. While Rattle was the face of the business, O'Neill grew resentful of being the office boy and, from what friends say, an inept one who was out of his depth and a pathological liar about his background and most other things.

People called O'Neill "The Talented Mr Ripley" and he was an exasperating one because no one could tell if he was lying or telling the truth.

Bespoke furniture maker Kim Moir knew Rattle for 22 years and O'Neill for 16, saying: "Michael has always been staggeringly unusual and frustrating but their relationship was always very good."

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Stuart Rattle, Michael O'Neill and the story behind the perfect smiling couple