Here’s a look at what we’re working on for the Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2009, edition of The North Jefferson News. For complete stories, please see Wednesday’s paper or visit our Web site Wednesday afternoon.



F’dale hosts meth meeting



Fultondale residents and public safety workers from across Jefferson County got a crash course Monday night on the drug methamphetamine.

The purpose of the informational meeting was to address the rising problem of meth manufacturing and use across the county while teaching residents what to do in case they encounter a working meth lab or find volatile equipment or ingredients.

About 80 residents and public safety officials attended the meeting, held at Fultondale City Hall.

On Jan. 5, emergency workers in Fultondale responded to a small fire caused by combustible meth ingredients left inside a soft drink bottle that had been discarded. A hazardous materials team from Birmingham was needed to properly dispose of the container.



Warrior mayor presents layoff strategy



On Monday night, the Warrior city council chamber was filled to standing-room-only with city employees and residents.

The crowd was most likely there for one reason – to find out if the city was going to lay off employees.

It did not. But Mayor Rena Hudson said it likely is only a matter of time.

Hudson proposed lay-offs that would save the city $145,149. But even that would not not make up for the anticipated $358,000 decline in sales tax revenue for this year.



‘Doctors’ dole out prescriptions for academic success



There were doctors swarming Fultondale High School recently, but it was no medical emergency.

In an exercise called Catch the Wildcat Fever, staff and faculty were scrubbed in and treating a serious condition — failed graduation exams.

For the second year in a row, Fultondale High School has set aside time for several weeks in order to remediate students who have failed all or part of the graduation exam.

Last year there was a football theme. This year’s medical theme consists of physicians (teachers) doling out prescriptions of math, reading, language, science and social studies.



Pastor pens first book



A man with Gardendale roots is celebrating his 70th birthday by publishing his first book.

Ronald Travis Sr. has written “The Synergistic Life Style: How to Set Goals and Live a Balanced and Abundant Life,” book covering nine areas in which people should set goals.

The areas are: Spiritual, mental, emotional, physical, marriage, children, support group, financial and work.

The book, dedicated to Travis’ wife June, is about their adventures as they move toward one of their goals to reach their golden wedding anniversary together in 2011.

The couple has taught senior high-school students and beginning couples in church classes and seminars during the past 40 years.



In sports



Play ball! Gardendale and Mortimer Jordan opened their baseball seasons Monday with twin-bill sweeps, and Fultondale falls to Ohatchee in boys basketball sub-regional action.