BA loses state title game

Two fourth-quarter touchdowns by Pike Liberal were enough to overcome Bessemer Academy in the AISA Class 3A championship game today in Troy, 36-20.

The Rebels kept it close throughout the game, but did not have enough to land another state title.

—Tribune staff report

May II wanted to get story first

Ed May II is still representing the Bessemer City Council in a bingo court case, but it was apparent after this morning's Bingo Committee meeting that he will be replaced by another lawyer with significantly more experience in all matters bingo.

Kim Davidson advised the committee about new machines that are in compliance with a Supreme Court ruling.

Councilwoman Dorothy Davidson asked May II why he was at his father's presser on Thursday denouncing bingo. 

The younger May said he was curious to see what his father had to say and wanted to get it first.

No one mentioned anything about how May II rode in the back seat of his father's taxpayer-supplied SUV to the presser, or why he tried to hide his face from cameras.

—Tribune staff report

Bessemer jobless rate climbs in October

Bessemer's unemployment continued to edge upward in October, hitting 15.7 percent, up from September, according to figures released this morning.

This broke from the metro trend, which saw the unemployment rate move down to 9.9 percent, from 10.1 percent.

For the state, Alabama's jobless rate continued to climb, hitting 10.9 percent.

—Tribune staff report

Council to replace May II as attorney

The Bessemer City Council's Bingo Committee will meet Friday at 10 a.m. to replace its attorney — Ed May II.

The eldest son of Bessemer Mayor Ed May was spotted at his father's press conference this morning. The mayor is anti-bingo.

May II tried to shield his face from TV cameras, but the Tribune got a picture of him during an unguarded moment.

When council President Earl Cochran saw the picture he went through the roof.

—Tribune staff report

Surreal presser on electronic bingo

In one of the most surreal news conferences in history, Bessemer Mayor Ed May this morning went on the attack against any new electronic bingo halls, but at the same time made it clear that he would allow any parlor that has been operating since before Nov. 3 to continue.

The Circuit Court will determine the future of those operations in January.

The strangest part of the conference — other than the Tribune not being notified — was the appearance by Ed May II, who is supposedly representing the council, inside his father's car.

The younger May covered his face with a newspaper and after the conference disappeared into the police emergency command center where the presser was held.

—Tribune staff report

READ FULL STORY IN NEXT WEEK'S NEWSPAPER

New courthouse may open this year

In an incredible turn of events the new $39 million Bessemer courthouse could be opened before the end of the year.

Jefferson County Commission President Bettye Fine Collins said today it could happen because the cost of updating the old courthouse and annex is too expensive.

This is a complete change from what Collins has been saying.

Originally, judges were to move to the new courthouse and the family court would take over the fifth and sixth floors in the annex after extensive renovation.

—Tribune staff report

Home Depot opens McCalla warehouse

Home Depot this morning officially opened its huge distribution center in the JeffMet Business Park in McCalla.

Mark Holifield, the company's senior vice president of supply chain, and other members of his staff gave a tour of the facility.

Holifield said the company has already hired 197 employees and will increase the number to about 300 next year.

—Tribune staff report

READ FULL STORY IN NEXT WEEK'S NEWSPAPER

Cops finally nab bingo thief

Reacting to previous Tribune news stories and a word from Circuit Court Judge Dan King, Bessemer detectives finally arrested a woman who last month stole between $11,000 and $15,000 from a local bingo parlor.

The police refused to work the case even though the crime was caught on security cameras, showing the former employee stuffing money into her pants.

—Tribune staff report

City to fight schools

Bessemer's City Council met this morning in a closed-door session to prepare to fight a $6 million lawsuit by the Bessemer schools.

The council authorized fighting the school's attempt to collect money owed to them from their share of sales tax receipts.

The two sides are scheduled to be in Circuit Court on Dec. 2.

—Tribune staff report

ON NEWSSTANDS NOW

City's debt balloons to record high ... When good turns to murder ... And a couple of hot scoops from Bubba ...

Bessemer's debt balloons

Bessemer's overall debt has nearly doubled in the past three years, according to figures put together by The Western Tribune.

While sales tax collections have fallen dramatically the city continues to spend money that it doesn't have.

This is going to be a severe problem for Mayor Ed May to overcome.

—Tribune staff report

READ FULL STORY IN THIS WEEK'S NEWSPAPER