50 years ago this week
The school board was instituting new rules for Tuscaloosa Junior High School students. The new post office across from the school and its entire block were put off limits one hour before and after school. Rules prohibiting smoking on the school grounds would be strictly enforced, and students caught smoking faced a three-day suspension from school.
The Board of Revenue tightened its policy on culverts furnished and paid for by the county. One culvert not to exceed 21 feet in length as a turnout or entrance from existing public roads would be provided to all householders who request them as long as money is available for this service. If more than one was required, the home-owner must pay for it.
Nine people were injured in the fourth and worst tornado to hit Aliceville since 1938. The tornado damaged more than 50 homes and more than a dozen businesses and stores.
25 years ago this week
Three veteran law enforcement officers applied for the position of chief vacated when former Police Chief Jerry Fuller retired. Acting Chief Ken Swindle, Assistant Chief Billy Wilkins and Capt. Adolph South submitted applications for the job.
Ralph Burroughs, Tuscaloosa County’s longtime public defender, was sworn in as an assistant district attorney.
Severe storms pounded the county with more than 300 homes damaged by winds of 65 miles per hour or more. All available manpower in the roads and bridge department were called out to clear roads of fallen debris.
Bobby Miller, a four-term county commissioner, became the first to announce he would run for the Democratic nomination for sheriff in the June primary. Sheriff Beasor Walker announced that he would not seek re-election to the office he had held for
20 years. Gary L. House, a Vietnam veteran and former postal service employee, was the second candidate to launch a campaign for sheriff. He would run as a Republican.
10 years ago this week
Lynn Lang, the high school coach who accepted $150,000 from a University of Alabama booster to steer his standout football player to the Crimson Tide, was sentenced to two years probation and fined $2,500 after testifying against former UA booster Logan Young.
The county school board voted to replace the roof at Cottondale Elementary School and construct a 10-classroom addition at the school to eliminate eight portable classrooms.
A woman was shot and wounded, then left at Palmore Park.
The Lake View Town Council voted 4-2 for controversial rezoning proposals that could pave the way for new high-density housing development in the community.
The Crimson Tide basketball team had three players out with the flu as the team prepared to host Arkansas the following day.
Five years ago this week
Mayor Bobby Herndon said Northport planned to actively market itself to prospective developers because “the city’s financial future depends on it.” Herndon also planned to request a 90-day hiring and spending freeze after a 9 percent drop in sales tax revenue in December 2009.
The city of Tuscaloosa planned to spend about $600,000 to start bringing sidewalks into compliance with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act.
The Northport City Council revoked the business license of Archibald and Woodrow’s Bar-B-Que on U.S. Highway 43 North because of complaints from neighbors and alleged violations of city ordinances. Complaints alleged that the business was operating more as a lounge than a restaurant.
Deaths this week included attorney Asa Rountree, a descendant of Tuscaloosa’s Van de Graaff family.
One year ago this week
The Tuscaloosa City Council moved to oust the Bama Belle riverboat from its landing on the Black Warrior River for nonpayment of its lease for almost two years.
Homes and the former home to Temple Emanu-el in the 2600 block of University Boulevard were razed to make way for an extended-stay hotel. Temple Emanu-el was Tuscaloosa’s first permanent place of worship for the Jewish community. Built a century before, it was the second-oldest synagogue in Alabama.
A Tuscaloosa pooch won Best of Breed at the 138th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York. The 2½-year-old blue tick coonhound name Julep belonged to Brenna Potash.
Compiled by News librarian Betty Slowe.