Published: October 09, 2008 06:34 pm         

News briefs for Oct. 8, 2008

Gardendale

Author Rick Bragg to speak Friday

Author Rick Bragg is scheduled to speak Friday at noon at the Gardendale Civic Center.

Bragg’s appearance is being sponsored by the Gardendale Public Library.

The author won a Pulitzer Prize for feature writing in 1996 for his work at The New York Times.

His books include “All Over But the Shoutin’,” “Ava’s Man” and “I Am a Soldier Too: The Jessica Lynch Story.”



Warrior

Council amends fire training regulations

The Warrior City Council on Monday amended the city code regarding fire training exercises and permit exemptions. Open burning may be conducted without a permit only if fires are set for the training of firefighting personnel, or fires are set at the direction of fire control agencies for the reduction of a fire hazard. In addition, the fire chief is to inventory personal items of donated structures to be burned and have ownership transferred to the city.



Gardendale

Investigation leads to theft arrest

A north Jefferson County woman was arrested last month after allegations arose that she had stolen from a Gardendale church.

Chief Mike Walker said this week that Vickie Burgin turned herself in on Sept. 26 after a first-degree theft warrant was sworn out against her. She was later released on $30,000 bond.

“It was a real short investigation,” Walker said. “There are still things we’re looking into, but a major part of it is complete.”

Walker said leaders at the church, located at 360 Tarrant Road, had contacted the police department and conveyed suspicions to them about the church’s finances. He said Burgin was reportedly acting as a bookkeeper for the church.

East Gardendale Baptist Church Pastor Allen Davis said he did not want to comment on her arrest.



Gardendale

Home to receive historic marker from county

A Gardendale home will be the site of a special honor on Saturday when it receives a Jefferson County Historical Commission marker.

The home, located at 369 Glenn Chapel Road, belongs to Chuck and Lyn Kukal and dates back to 1926. The home was built by Abdallah Joseph, a Lebanese immigrant and prominent Birmingham grocer.

The special event to erect the Joseph House marker will begin with a reception at 1 p.m. Members of the Joseph family and members from the county historical commission and Gardendale Historical Society will reportedly be on hand at the ceremony.



Brookside

Dangerous dog ordinance passed

The Town of Brookside passed an ordinance this week banning pit bulls and placing increased regulations on those who own the dogs.

Mayor Roger McCondichie said the ordinance is similar to one passed by Fultondale last month. He said the ordinance was proposed after a pit bull reportedly killed two cats and after complaints from residents utilizing the Five Mile Creek Greenway near the town’s athletic complex.

Owners of pit bulls or other dangerous dogs will be required to register the dogs with town hall. The ordinance also prohibits more than two pit bulls per household. Pit bull puppies must also be removed from town limits within six weeks of birth.



Clarification

An advertisement appearing on page 27 of the fall edition of The North Jefferson Vision magazine concerning reduced subscription rates applies to the month of October for new subscribers only. The North Jefferson News will not offer refunds or reimbursements to anyone who subscribed before Oct. 4 or after Oct. 31.