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 developer Dwayne Jeffreys purchases 76 acres of prime real estate fronting I-65 near the Fultondale exit. Mayor Jim Lowery said the property would be ideal for a mall, “a cross between The Summit and Brookwood Mall.”

• The mosquito war in Gardendale begins as the city uses a truck-mounted sprayer to combat the pests. Gardendale Mayor Kenny Clemons said the city is spraying strictly because of the West Nile virus threat.

• A modern-day pirate suspect is shipwrecked in Warrior when Warrior Police Department officer B.R. Cochran reported that the man was carrying an illegal cargo of 157 VHS tapes, 312 DVDs, and 1,081 music CDs that were illegally copied.



10 years ago

• Thanks to quick work by the Gardendale Police Department, an accused bank robber is locked behind bars. On Monday, Regions Bank in Gardendale was robbed by a lone gunman. The accused is a 39-year-old Tarrant man.

• A Jefferson County Commission proposal to build a jail by the Turkey Creek landfill has residents in Pinson, Morris and the surrounding area in panic mode. A group called Society To Advance Resources At Turkey Creek (START) was formed to fight the proposal.

• An account has been set up for the rebuilding of the Gardendale High School press box and concession stand.



20 years ago

• The new Gardendale Wal-Mart officially opens, after nearly a year of site preparation and construction. The store was one of 11 new Wal-Marts across the country to open today. There are now 1,188 Wal-Mart stores across the country.

• Fultondale officials have been instructed by the Alabama Ethics Commission to place former Mayor J.L. Arwood’s name back on the ballot for the Aug. 23 municipal election.

• A twice-delayed change in zoning to allow construction of 21 additional town homes in the Jamestown Manor town house development was approved at Monday’s meeting of the Gardendale City Council.



30 years ago

• The Fultondale Gas Board considers limiting the number of new customers because the board is penalized by Southern Natural Gas if the gas usage exceeds set limits.

• Morris recently hired Jimmy Wayne Joiner, 28, of Jasper to take over the duties of police chief after the resignation of Carroll Ray Holley.

• Warrior votes to remove controversial speedbreakers on Sixth Street and Hilltop Drive.

• Gardendale Police Department receives a new National Crime Identification Center computer, which allows the department to communicate with other law enforcement agencies on a 24-hour basis.