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

• With interest rates lower than they have been in 45 years, home sales are soaring. Real estate sales in the Gardendale area are moving quickly, new construction as well as existing homes. Gary Travis, owner of Travis Realty in Gardendale, said home sales are “like a runaway freight train.”

• Gratitude, respect and pride filled the air in an emotional “Support Our Troops Rally” held at Mortimer Jordan High School Saturday. Organizers were Joyce Ballard, Lynn Keith and J.D. McAlpine.

• Jefferson County Board of Education members, community leaders, teachers and others celebrated the official groundbreaking ceremony of North Jefferson Middle School last Thursday as machines and tractors moved dirt nearby.



10 years ago

• A Fultondale man who was arrested and charged with murder on June 17 has been released on $30,000 bond. Ronald Burkett, 55, is charged in the murder of his stepson Kenneth Douglas Jones, 23.

• Scott Beason of Gardendale beat incumbent Representative Jim Townsend of Pinson for the Republican nomination for Alabama House of Representatives District 50. There is no democratic nominee so Beason is virtually assured of victory in November.

• Jefferson County Commissioner Bettye Fine Collins says she would like to see North Jefferson mayors become more united. That is just one of the ideas she has for improvement and growth in the North Jefferson area.



20 years ago

• A disaster was narrowly avoided last Wednesday when a car ran underneath a gasoline tanker in Mt. Olive, injuring a mother and her son and spilling approximately 180 gallons of gas. Mt. Olive volunteer firefighters had to divide their time and manpower between using foam to minimize the hazard and working to free the victims from the wreckage.

• Gardendale City Council adopted an ordinance that empowers the police department to write $25 parking citations to those who illegally park in handicap zones. While the zones have been around for several years, this was the c city’s first official action to enforce the parking restrictions by law.

• An ordinance that would restrict the operation and parking of tractor-trailer trucks on Warrior’s streets was presented for a first reading at Tuesday’s meeting of the city council. At the last meeting in June, a woman complained about 18-wheelers being parked on a residential street near the Cain Creek Apartment Center.



30 years ago

• A final public hearing on the Birmingham Regional Health Systems Agency’s Health Systems plan for 1979 was held with no adverse input to the plan, which includes a recommendation for construction of a primary health care center in Gardendale at an estimated cost of $600,000.

• Along with growth in North Jefferson are several new businesses in the Gardendale vicinity – Sophisticated Lady, Plants ’N Pots, Big Red Q Quickprint Center and Discount Sock Shop.

• The Family Practice Clinic in Warrior announced it was receiving a new doctor — Dr. Edward C. Ferguson. Dr. D.W. McCarn recently announced his intention to retire.