Here’s a look at what we’re working on for the Saturday, Jan. 24, 2009, edition of The North Jefferson News. For complete stories, see the Saturday edition or visit our Web site on Monday for complete Web updates.



F’dale leaders upbeat on future



As the national recession continues to hit cities across Jefferson County, Fultondale has been seemingly lucky, according to city leaders.

In his annual State of the City address Thursday morning, Mayor Jim Lowery said the city would continue to be “prudent and conservative” in matters related to its $9 million budget expenditures.

Speaking before residents and members of the Fultondale Chamber of Commerce, which hosted the event, Lowery outlined strides the city made in 2008 while previewing plans for 2009. The theme of the mayor’s presentation was “Progress You Can Believe In.”



New organization formed to lobby for ‘green’ funding



Birmingham-area elected officials announced Thursday the formation of the Alabama Green Initiative (AGI), a non-profit organization created to assist municipalities in applying for and receiving green-only and stimulus grant monies from President Barack Obama’s upcoming stimulus package, according to a press release.

In Thursday’s State of the City address, Mayor Jim Lowery touched on the formation of the initiative and what it will mean for his city.

“We think the Green Initiative will do great things for Fultondale and Alabama,” Lowery said. “It will also bring more money into our city.”



Warrior wants land owners to pay for cleanup



In trying to recoup some revenue, the City of Warrior passed a resolution Tuesday to assess liens against six properties in the city.

The city paid more than $35,000 to have abandoned buildings demolished on the properties. The price also included cleaning the debris off of the sites.

If the owners pay up, it will bring in $35,616 to the cash-strapped city.

There were originally seven properties on the list that would have brought the total up to $41,081, but on the advice of the city attorney the council put off placing a lien on a property on Selma Street because of legal concerns about ownership.



Warrior mayor eyes $150,000 budget cut



Warrior City Council members on Tuesday held a second special-called meeting regarding the city’s financial crisis, but again took no action.

“It looks like we’re going to have to make a $150,000 cut” this year compared last year, said Mayor Rena Hudson during the meeting. “We’re going to have to have to come up with some way to reduce our spending. We’re not going to be able to adopt a budget until we do.”



In sports



Landon Robinson’s free throws with :00.9 left seals the win for Fultondale over Shades Mountain Christian, and Hayden wrestlers sweep a quad match over Mortimer Jordan, Corner and St. Clair County.