This Week in History: Aug. 16, 2008
Published 9:54 am Wednesday, July 16, 2008
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
• The Blockbuster video rental store in Gardendale fell victim to an armed robber, who pointed a gun the clerk and demanded money. The clerk was unharmed. No customers were in the store during the robbery.
• Gardendale artist Ronnie Legg uses chalk drawings as his personal interpretations of Bible verses. He uses his art while teaching his Sunday school class.
• There is finally a way to stop the flood of annoying incoming calls from telemarketers. People can add their phone number to a do-not-call list that will stop those unwanted calls.
10 years ago
• Severe thunderstorms in the area produced lightning that struck the Gardendale High School football field press box and concession stand. The building was a total loss. Thousands of dollars worth of equipment was destroyed.
• After 32 years in education, Warrior High School principal Jimmy Jett is retiring. Jett also is a city councilman, president of the LIttle League, heads the parks and recreation board and is a Mason.
• If you think the world is no longer a nice place, just ask Carolyn McAlpine of Warrior. She was lucky enough o retrieve her lost purse and find a new friend when Charlie and Janice McDuff found the purse and returned it with all of the items still inside.
20 years ago
• Warrior’s City Council voted to adopt an ordinance regulating heavy truck operation and parking. The ordinance was drafted after representatives of Cain Creek Apartments requested that a law be passed to prohibit tractor-trailer parking on the street that serves the apartment complex.
• With a new Wal-Mart store expected to open in early August and other businesses in the Northgate Village Shopping Center to soon follow, officials are worried about the increased traffic generated at the new complex. Mayor G. William Noble said a traffic study showed that a traffic signal was warranted at Odom Road and New Fieldstown Road.
• Four juvenile suspects admitted to slashing tires in seven separate incidents the night of July 15 in the 100 Oaks Trailer Park in Fultondale.
30 years ago
• The North Jefferson Democratic Women’s Club is helping area constituents by bringing candidates to the Gardendale Civic Center Saturday night for a political rally.
• A contract was awarded by the U.S. Postal Service on August 1977 for a new post office in Gardendale, but the facility is still being housed in the old building. Mrs. L.H. Nunn, postmaster, admitted the situation was embarrassing.
• A Warrior man died Friday at 5 p.m. after he suffered a broken neck in an accident at Turkey Creek. The 48-year-old, Lawrence K. Ware, apparently dove into shallow water, according to rescue authorities.
