New court house will have to wait

Bessemer's new Jefferson County court house, which was scheduled to open earlier this month, probably won't be opened until after next year's elections.

This assessment comes from Commissioner Bobby Humphryes, who said it could be earlier in 2010 but he doubts it.

Commission President Bettye Fine Collins, who never wanted the court house in the first place, would be the one who would have to find the money to open the $40 million facility.

"I don't think it is likely this will happen," Humphryes said.

—Tribune staff report