Fultondale

Suspicious package found near restaurant

The Fultondale Police Department investigated a report of a suspicious package near Whataburger on Walker Chapel Road Wednesday morning. City officials said a hazardous materials unit retrieved the package without incident. There was no information on the contents of the package as of press time.



Gardendale

Deadline for beautification contest is Dec. 8

The deadline to enter the Gardendale Beautification Commission’s Christmas decorating contest is Dec. 8. Judging will be Dec. 15. The contest is for businesses and homeowners in Gardendale city limits. Applications can be picked up at city hall, the public library and the Gardendale Civic Center. They can be returned to city hall or mailed to: Gardendale Beautification Commission, P.O. Box 1681, Gardendale, AL, 35071.



Montgomery

State jobless rate better than neighboring states

The monthly unemployment report released this week shows Alabama’s jobless rate is the lowest among neighboring southern states. Alabama’s unemployment rate for October is 5.6 percent, which is considerably lower than the national rate and the rate of Alabama’s neighbors. The national unemployment rate stands for October at 6.5 percent.