By Melanie Patterson

The North Jefferson News



The following events were reported in The North Jefferson News during this week in 2003, 1998, 1988 and 1978.



Five years ago

• Gardendale officially creates a full-time Fire and Rescue Department.

• Gardendale City Council approves a huge paving project of 62 streets for $467,147.

• Mortimer Jordan High School dedicates a new baseball facility. On hand for the ceremony was 1937 graduate G.P. Garrett, 84. He was featured in Ripley’s Believe it or Not for pitching 20 innings and striking out 27 batters in a game against Corner in April 1936. The game was called due to darkness tied 4-4. It was finished a week later with the Blue Devils coming out on top.



10 years ago

• Former Gardendale Rockets quarterback Kevin Drake signs a professional football contract with the Arizona Cardinals. He had previously played three seasons at quarterback for UAB and one season as wide receiver.

• Gardendale Mayor Kenny Clemons asks the Gardendale School Support Committee to conduct a one-year study to determine the feasibility of creating an independent school system in Gardendale.

• A stray dog and her eight puppies find a home at Gardendale Nursing Home. They are welcomed and loved by the residents.



20 years ago

• The Fultondale City Council revises the city’s prostitution ordinance, setting a maximum penalty of $500 and/or 180 days in jail. It also made it illegal for people working in the lodging industry to engage in prostitution. The previous ordinance dated back to 1948 when the city was incorporated. It was described by officials as too vague and lacking effective penalties.

• The first distribution date for FoodShare Alabama was pronounced a success as more than 5,000 packages of food were passed out. There are eight sites in north Jefferson County.



30 years ago

• In Gardendale, City National Bank Branch in the Food World shopping area is robbed by a lone white male. The suspect escaped in a 1973 or 1974 gold four-door Chevrolet with no tag.

• Councilman Kenny Clemons asked the city clerk to prepare an ordinance to prohibit the use or sale of drug or marijuana paraphernalia. Chief Hoyatt McCain suggested the ordinance to fend off so-called “head shops” that sell water pipes, clips and other devices.

• The Village Green Bookstore, housing 50,000 to 60,000 books, opened for business in Gardendale this week.