News Briefs for Jan. 20, 2010

The North Jefferson News

North Jefferson County — Driver held after crash

A truck driver who had reportedly been on a five-day methamphetamine binge crashed his truck into a guardrail on Interstate 65 south Monday afternoon, near the Fieldstown Road exit. The wreck snarled traffic on the southbound lane while officers worked the wreck. Lt. Chuck Denham did not release the driver’s name because the man had not been officially charged, pending a blood test and a psychological evaluation. The man told officers he was trying to commit suicide by crashing his truck.



Chamber banquet to be held Thursday

The Greater Gardendale Chamber of Commerce will host its annual banquet Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at the Gardendale Civic Center. A presentation will be given by Greg Powell, president and CEO of fi-Plan Partners.

Several Gardendale residents and business owners will also receive awards for their service to the chamber and the community at the banquet. Announced award winners include: Gina Childers, chamber member of the year; Sheldon Haygood, Gardendale citizen of the year; Grayson Phillps, Gardendale’s own award; Charlotte Reach, the Ava Grimmitt award; Catherine Davis, Gardendale Chamber appreciation award; and Jeff Dennis, chamber president’s award.

Tickets to the banquet are $18 each or $250 for a corporate table. Tickets can be reserved by calling 631-9195 or by visiting the chamber’s Web site at www.gardendalechamberofcommerce.com.

Ivey to speak locally

The North Jefferson Republican Club will meet Thursday at 6 p.m. at Jim ‘N Nick’s in Gardendale. The guest speaker will be Alabama State Treasurer and Republican gubernatorial candidate Kay Ivey. The North Jefferson Republican Club meets the third Thursday of each month at Jim ‘N Nick’s in Gardendale.



Departments receive money from drug bust

The Gardendale and Warrior police departments recently benefited from a nearly two-year-old drug bust.

Gardendale Police Chief Mike Walker announced last week that his department had received about $193,600 and two vehicles from the arrest of Hermilo Martinez-Santos in 2008. The bust was the culmination of a four-month investigation and yielded cash, guns and 32 pounds of marijuana.

Walker said the department also gave the Warrior Police Department $40,000 for assisting the Gardendale department in the investigation.

Walker said the money his department received from the arrest will be used to purchase fuel-efficient cars for detectives.

Warrior Police Chief Ray Horn said the money his department received will be used to possibly purchase a new vehicle for the narcotics unit or be used to fulfill the city’s matching portion of a bullet-proof vest grant. He said anything left would be used by the police department or narcotics unit as needed.



City joins ‘Rails’ group

The City of Gardendale recently became the latest area city to join the Five Mile Creek Capital Improvement Cooperative District.

The proposed district would unite six north Jefferson County cities in an effort to complete the ongoing Rails to Trails project, a major component of the ongoing Five Mile Creek Greenway regional recreation efforts.

The Gardendale City Council passed a resolution to join the district on Jan. 4 and also appointed Jack Sparks as a representative board member. The other cities in the district include Brookside, Fultondale, Tarrant, Center Point and Graysville.

In other news, the council:

• authorized an application to the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) for a $25,000 grant to be used to purchase law enforcement equipment



Department to apply for ADECA funds

The Kimberly Police Department is hoping to receive some state funds in order to purchase equipment.

During a special meeting Monday, the Kimberly Town Council voted to allow Police Chief James Belding to submit an application for a $25,000 grant through the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA).

Belding said the department would use the funds for computers and other equipment.



Fultondale City issues moratorium on apartments

There won’t be any apartment buildings built in the City of Fultondale any time soon.

On Jan. 11, the Fultondale CIty Council passed a resolution to place a moratorium on issuing permits for new apartment buildings.

Mayor Jim Lowery said the moratorium has more to do with school issues than with the buildings themselves.

“Our elementary school is busting at the seams,” he said last week. “Until we can address the overcrowding, we need to think about how that relates to the apartments.”

In other business, the council:

• authorized the mayor to enter into an agreement with the Fultondale Chamber of Commerce for assistance with event planning

The council meets again on Jan. 25 at 11:30 a.m.



Gardendale Masons sponsor benefit

A community fundraiser will be held next month to benefit the family of a Gardendale man who recently passed away.

The Mark Light Memorial Fund Boston Butt sale is being organized by the Gardendale Masonic Lodge No. 907. Boston Butts are $25 each and all proceeds go directly to the Mark Light Memorial Fund, benefitting Light’s children. To place an order, call John Cain at 590-4100. Orders can be picked up at the lodge on Feb. 4-5. Donations to the fund can also be made at People’s Bank in Gardendale.



Correction

The Gardendale Elementary School honor roll that ran in Saturday’s edition was from the first nine weeks, not the second nine weeks as printed. The North Jefferson News apologizes for the error. Look for honor rolls from the second nine weeks in upcoming editions of the North Jefferson News.

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