Gardendale

Fire alarm activated in Wal-Mart restaurant

An activated fire alarm in the Wal-Mart McDonald’s on Tuesday afternoon sent some customers scrambling for the door. Gardendale Fire Marshal Rick Smith said the alarm was caused by an accidental discharge of a hood system covering a cooking area. He said there wasn’t any smoke reported, but a chemical smell may have been noticed by customers. He said there was no store evacuation and no reported injuries.



Gardendale

City council names appointments, promotions

The following items were on the agenda at the Gardendale City Council meeting for Feb. 4. At the meeting, the council:

• appointed Jonathan Dunagan to the industrial development board

• promoted Jeff Kennedy to heavy equipment operator in the public works department

• authorized a public safety software subscription agreement with Information Technologies, Inc.

• authorized two additional street lights at the intersection of Fieldstown Road and Shady Grove Road

• promoted Jeanie Taylor to administrative assistant in the administrative department.

The council will meet again on Feb. 18 at 6 p.m.



Montgomery

Riley wants rebate bill passed this week

Gov. Bob Riley said he wants the Legislature to pass a bill this week that eliminates state income taxes on the federal tax rebates that Alabamians will begin receiving in May, according to a press release. “The Legislature can pass it and they should do it this week,” Riley said.

President Bush is expected to sign an economic stimulus package into law today. As a result, most taxpayers can expect to receive tax rebates of $600 to $1,200. But unless legislation is passed, Alabamians will have to pay a state income tax on those rebates. Governor Riley supports legislation that has been introduced to keep state income taxes from being levied on the federal rebates.