TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Identification of an alleged robber at Alabama CU and hold ups in two other states was made more difficult because the suspect had breast enlargement surgery and was a pre-operative transvestite, prosecutors testified at the opening day of the trial yesterday.

RENO, Nev. – Clearstar Financial CU, formerly known as Sierra Schools CU, said it has signed with Digital Dialogue for the company’s Total Member care call center services.

READING, Penn. – Pagoda FCU cooked up a hot deal for its members this summer.

ST. PAUL, Minn. – St. Thomas Employee FCU is offering its members a 1% reduction on loan rates for purchase of any new or used alternative fuel or hybrid vehicle that is eligible for a title at the department of motor vehicles.

RACINE, Wis. – Educators CU is building a $6 million “green” branch in Milwaukee that will feature a rooftop garden.

BASKING RIDGE, N.J. – Affinity FCU has introduced a new Home Equity Line of Credit that gives homeowners four repayment options.

RALEIGH, N.C. – State Employees CU yesterday rolled out a reverse mortgage designed to help senior members utilize the equity in their homes.

BOULDER, Colo. – Elevations CUs yesterday announced the hiring of Gerry Agnes, most recently president of Riverside, Calif.-based Altura CU, as its new president and CEO.

DENVER – An investigation of a drug operation led police to an identity theft ring the suspects allegedly used to finance purchases of methamphetamines.

LOMBARD, Ill. – Gary Raddon, founder of the well-known credit union and bank consultancy Raddon Financial Group, died last week.

MARLBOROUGH, Mass. – Digital FCU last week said it is opening a new branch in Franklin later this month, its first branch in Norfolk County and 14th overall in Massachusetts.

BELLINGHAM, Wash. – Whatcom Educational CU on Friday said it contributed $10,000 to non-profit organizations as part of its annual Social Responsibility grant program.

PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. – Members of UFirst FCU, located in this northern outpost on the Canadian border, are being offered 0% financing for loans to heat their homes this winter.

GURNEE, Ill. – One lucky member will drive easier this summer after winning a $750 gas card from Community Trust CU.

PHOENIX – Desert Schools FCU on Friday announced it is introducing a dental insurance plan to its members, one of the first credit unions in the country to do so.

NEW LONDON, Conn. – State Attorney General Richard Blumenthal last week called on NCUA to disclose more information about the closure of New London Security FCU, hours before its investment advisor plunged to his death in an apparent suicide.

RIVERDALE, Ill. – A 23-year-old woman, part of a self-described “Bonnie and Clyde” duo, on Friday was found guilty by a federal jury of the Jan. 19, 2006, armed robbery of more than $250,000 from Acme Continental CU.

FERNDALE, Mich. – The City Council of this enclave of 25,000 residents is exploring a move of the city hall into the second floor of Credit Union One’s offices, which would be the first credit union to house a city hall.

SPOKANE, Wash. – Local TV viewers and motorists scratching their heads in confusion for weeks finally were told last week who is behind a variety of advertisements around the city that proclaimed “It just works for me” – and nothing else.

BRIDGEWATER, N.J. - The rise of gasoline prices is inspiring many credit unions to explore new technology opportunities as a way to provide more at-home banking services for its members that may want to avoid driving to a branch.