Underwood buys WaterMark Place

Used-car auto dealer Anthony Underwood has bought WaterMark Place Outlet, and says he will revitalize the struggling operation.

There is no word on how much Underwood paid for the center that cost $20 million to build nearly 10 years.

Underwood say will relocated his dealership from the Bessemer Super Highway to the property and add offices, restaurants and an events facility hosting birthday parties and wedding receptions.

The auto dealer also owns Westlake Mall on the highway and has turned it into a flea market.

—Tribune staff report

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City lawyers back on the job

UPDATE

After being off the job for a day, Bessemer city attorneys Aaron Killings and Denise Blue Poe are back on the job.

City Attorney Charlie Waldrep spend Friday morning in meetings behind closed doors and shortly after 12:30 the firing was amended.

The action to fire the two lawyers was taken on Wednesday.

No reason has been given for their dismissal.

—Tribune staff report

Clerk's key issue still unresolved

Another week has gone by and the Bessemer City Council has again failed to resolve the key to the city clerk's office.

The matter was brought up again last week by council President Earl Cochran, but it got nowhere.

Cochran said he will put the issue on the agenda of the Nov. 3 meeting.

The council last month approved a resolution to replace the lock at the clerk's office, but twice when a locksmith came in to do the job he was chased away after being threatened with arrest.

—Tribune staff report

ON NEWSSTANDS NOW

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DA Green orders bingo parlors to close

Bessemer Cutoff DA Arthur Green today ordered all electronic charity bingo operators to shut down and remove their machines by Nov. 5.

Green's order is expected to generate a lawsuit by bingo operators.

The move came after a similar order was issued for the rest of Jefferson County in the morning.

Bessemer itself now has two bingo ordinances on the books.

—Tribune staff report

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