We dodged an ice bullet

Everyone in the Bessemer Cutoff dodged an ice bullet, according to authorities.

After the Big Scare by weather forecasters, the area only got a little bit of frozen precipe and the roads were spared.

Of  course, it remains cold and brutal low temperatures will continue until next week.

—Tribune staff report

Circuit Court clerk appointed

Bennie Watson today was appointed Bessemer Circuit Clerk to replace retiring Earl Carter.

—Tribune staff report

Utility companies prepare for severe weather

Crews from Bessemer Utilities and Alabama Power are standing by today to quickly handle any power outages caused by the expected extreme weather.

Meanwhile, Bessemer Water reports that it repaired 15 pipe breaks on Wednesday due to the cold temperatures.

—Tribune staff report

Bessemer opens warming center

Bessemer is opening the Civic Center starting tonight as an emergency warming center for people who may need help from the arctic air that has hit the area.

Councilwoman Dorothy Davidson says that if anyone needs a ride they can call her at 229-3475.

Davidson also put out a call for volunteers to help at the center.

The center will be open until the extreme cold conditions pass.

—Tribune staff report

Three wins for Robert White

Bessemer businessman Robert White was the big winner at last night City Council as three 4-3 votes helped him reopen one bingo hall, move another one and find a way to pay the city.

It took more than an hour of debate to get the three votes.

White said he plans to reopen the American Legion on Fourth Avenue today and move the highly successful Anchor Club into the old library on Ninth Avenue.

In the third vote, the council approved a method of doing the paperwork so that the city can collect the much-needed money.

None of this can easily, and after the votes were cast the council assailed Mayor Ed May and Police Chief Nathaniel Rutledge for allowing a new club run by former assistant mayor Don Baylor Jr. to open after a Nov. 5 deadline and remain open.

—Tribune staff report

READ FULL STORY IN NEXT WEEK'S EDITION

ON NEWSSTANDS NOW

It looks like you have to be a friend of Reverend Ed to run a bingo hall ... Powder keg situation in Hueytown and Bubba's got the scoop on what's really happening around town ...

'Reverend Ed' blows up bingo meeting

Mayor Ed May's antics today blew up a Bingo Committee meeting, but not before a new ordinance was approved to be sent to the full City Council at its Tuesday night meeting.

May got into violent arguments with both council President Earl Cochran and Councilwoman Dorothy Davidson.

Davidson was hopping made over a text message sent to her by the "Reverend Ed" wishing her happy holidays and asking her to get in step with the Lord in running the city.

"Can you believe this?" she said.

—Tribune staff report

Feel that new beat

About 2,000 people braved the cold and attended the opening ceremonies this afternoon for the new $52 million Bessemer City High School, which opens for students on Tuesday. The fully packed auditorium was serenaded by drummers from the school's band.

—Tribune staff report