Jobless rate drops in November

Bessemer's unemployment rate dropped to 14.1 percent from 15.7 percent in the month of December, according to the latest state figures.

The reason for the big decrease was that local factories began calling  back workers and returning shifts.

It's the largest one-month drop in the jobless rate in 18 months.

—Tribune staff report

Council may collect bingo fees

Bessemer's Bingo Committee is preparing to amend the electronic bingo ordinance so that the city can start collecting revenue from the bingo halls.

Attorney Kim Davidson outlined ways for the council to circumvent Mayor Ed May and begin collecting money.

—Tribune staff report

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Here comes Santa...

Bessemer Councilman Earl Cochran is greeted by senior at the High Rise today as he bought both breakfast and lunch for the residents. Cochran thought it was his duty to bring some cheer.

—Tribune staff report

Mental health division opens in Bessemer Probate Court

A new mental health division will open Dec. 21 at the Bessemer Probate Court, it was announced today.

Probate Judge Alan L. King said, "We are pleased to be able to provide families in Bessemer with easier access to these vital services."

The new division will be staffed with two Jefferson-Blount-St. Clair (JBS) Mental Health Authority case managers to assist family members, mental health professionals, law enforcement agencies and anyone else in need of filing a petition of involuntary commitment in the Bessemer Cutoff.

The office will be open from 8 a.m.-4:45 p.m. Monday through Friday.

—Tribune staff report

Paving snarls downtown traffic

Traffic in downtown Bessemer today is a mess as paving crews are working during the day rather than at night as city officials had promised.

Parts of 18th and 19th streets were blocked off at various times, changing parking habits and irritating merchants.

Crews have nearly finished 20th Street and they have exposed the old brick at the crosswalks, which most people think is a nice touch.

—Tribune staff report

Mayor forced to sign agreement

Bessemer Mayor Ed May this morning was forced to sign a subordination agreement with Regions Bank in order to refinance the bond note for the Industrial Development Board.

May did not want to let the IDB operate independently.

In fact, at a recent IDB board meeting he spoke out loud about capturing all the revenue coming into the organization and putting in the city's account.

—Tribune staff report

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