Inmates moved to Birmingham

Sixty of the 190 inmates at the Jefferson County Jail this morning were moved to downtown Birmingham.

Sgt. Randy Christian, spokesman for the Sheriff's Department, said the only inmates that will be left in Bessemer have hearings in Bessemer next week.

The facility, which recently underwent expansion, will only be used for prisoners that have court dates in Bessemer.

The move to shut the jail comes after the County Commission cut Sheriff Mike Hale's budget by $10 million.

—Tribune staff report

Closing of Bessemer jail will hurt businesses

Downtown Bessemer businesses will be hurt when Sheriff Mike Hale closes the county jail next week, according to a survey of merchants.

Hale yesterday said because the Jefferson County Commission pulled $4 million out of his budget he will shut the Bessemer jail and remove all deputies from security work on the courthouse.

The reduction could mean that most downtown businesses will see their revenue cut by about 10 percent.

The new county courthouse will be ready for occupancy but there is no date for opening because of the financial constraints on the county's budget.

—Tribune staff report

Council to set mayor 'straight'

Fed up with Bessemer Mayor Ed May, the Bessemer City Council has called a special meeting for Sept. 30 to, as council President Earl Cochran says, "set him straight."

The mayor has failed to act on four resolutions approved by the council, locked council members out of the city clerk's office and moved their mail boxes and not told them where they are.

Only Councilman Jimmy Stephens — who is the only member supporting the mayor — said he would not attend.

Cochran said when May asked him what was on the agenda, "I told him he didn't need to know. Just show up."

The feud has been building for months, ever since May stopped paying attention to resolutions that by law he is obligated to fulfill.

The council is considering the firing of its attorney, Greg Harris, who comes up from Mobile.

—Tribune staff report

Lu-Lu takes on a new attorney

URGENT

Bessemer Councilwoman Louise Alexander is changing attorneys in her state felony trial for the third time.

Ralph "Buddy" Armstrong, who successfully defended Betty Woods — then a council member — five years ago — is replacing U.W. Clemon, the former U.S. district judge.

—Tribune staff report

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Lies, sex and oh my ... renegade preacher invades peaceful neighborhood ... Council and the mayor are at it again as he locks them out and opens their mail ... Jobless woes will continue for some time ... and a lot more