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Jeffco to hold April 27th recovery meetings

Petelos: Distressed counties bill "dead"

Submitted by Alan Collins, Fox 6 News Reporter
Wednesday, May 16th, 2012, 6:54pm

MONTGOMERY, AL (WBRC)- A funding fix for Jefferson County is dead after the Alabama House of Representatives voted to pull the Distress Counties bill from a special order calendar.

This bill would have allowed any county facing bankruptcy to raise an occupational tax, a sales tax or a use tax.

Jefferson County manager Tony Petelos says he was disappointed with some in the Jefferson County legislative delegation not backing the bill to get the county out of its $40 million dollar shortfall.

"We are looking at efficiencies. But the bottom line it's getting difficult to provide basic services we can as a county," Petelos said.

There have been long lines at the Birmingham and Center Point satellite courthouses because county workers have been laid off. Some taxpayers want to see those workers back on the job.

"I believe we should have people employed to handled the volume of consumers coming into this office," Sandra Osborne said.

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Bo Bikes Bama holds online silent auction

Submitted by Melynda Sides, Digital Content Producer
Wednesday, May 16th, 2012, 4:08pm
Bo Bikes Bama holds online silent auction

Bo Jackson's fundraising efforts for tornado relief didn't end when he crossed the finish line of a 300 mile charity ride in Tuscaloosa. An online silent auction that continues through 9 p.m. is raising more money for the Alabama Governor's Emergency Relief Fund.

Bo Jackson's five-day charity ride took him from north Alabama at Lake Guntersville State Park through other tornado-ravaged areas of the state, including Cullman, Jasper and Bessemer before ending in Tuscaloosa.

The Bo Bikes Bama campaign had a goal of raising $1 million and is currently more than halfway to that mark with $503,813. The online silent auction offers all five of Bo's custom-made TREK bikes, signed sports memorabilia, vacation packages, artwork and more. So far, the highest bid is around $800 for a Bo Bikes Bama jersey signed and worn by Lance Armstrong.

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Coal plant reopens after April 27th destruction

Submitted by MyFoxAL Web Staff on Wednesday, May 16th, 1:36 pm

CONCORD, AL (WBRC)- A coal plant destroyed by the 2011 tornado outbreak reopens today.

The Concord Coal Prep Plant welcomes its new facility off Allison Bonnett Memorial Drive. The Oak Grove Mine continued to operate while the prep plant was under repair.

The company says it is a move that helped 500 workers keep their jobs.

Copyright 2012 WBRC. All rights reserved.

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Jeffco hoping for relief on last day of session

Submitted by MyFoxAL Web Staff on Wednesday, May 16th, 1:29 pm

JEFFERSON COUNTY, AL (WBRC)- Expect lots of news today from Montgomery. It is the final day of the regular legislative session and lawmakers must decide on the general budget and education budget.

Jefferson County has a lot riding on decisions lawmakers make or don't make today. With the last day of the session comes the final chance for Jefferson County commissioners to get a funding fix out of the state legislature.

The distressed counties bill will be in the Alabama House. It will allow the county to levy a new occupational tax or a sales tax to fill a $40-million hole. Many in the delegation oppose the plan without using some of the funds for Cooper Green Mercy Hospital from the indigent care fund. Some newly revealed financial problems may make lawmaker's approval of any additional funds for the county more uncertain.

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Vanilla Fudge guitarist to headline benefit concert for homeless veterans group

Submitted by Brianne Britzius, Fox 6 Community Web Producer
Wednesday, May 16th, 2012, 1:26pm
Vanilla Fudge guitarist to headline benefit concert for homeless veterans group

Vinny Martell, guitarist for the 60s rock band Vanilla Fudge, will headline a concert to benefit the Birmingham homeless vets group Three Hots and a Cot.

The concert is Friday, May 18 at WorkPlay. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the concert starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are $20 and attendees can also purchase "sponsor tables" which includes a table for four and a meet and greet with Martell.

For more information about the concert, visit workplay.com or call JD Simpson with Three Hots and a Cot at 205-202-5124.

Three Hots and a Cot not only provides shelter and meals to the estimated 800 homeless vets in Birmingham, but also works with other local organizations to identify and help vets in danger of becoming homeless. Visit cotsforvets.org to learn more about the group and how you can help.

 

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Jeffco to hold April 27th recovery meetings

Submitted by MyFoxAL Web Staff on Tuesday, May 15th, 1:55 pm

JEFFERSON COUNTY, AL (WBRC)- Jefferson County will hold the first in a series of community meetings related to the April 27th tornadoes. They will focus on disaster relief funds and who is eligible for that funding.

The county has nearly $8-million in disaster relief money and is in the process of making sure the money gets in the right places.

Tonight's meetings begin at 6 p.m. One is at Concord Elementary School; the other is at Warrior City Hall.

Copyright 2012 WBRC. All rights reserved.

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Jeffco Commission meeting gets heated over Cooper Green spending

Submitted by MyFoxAL Web Staff on Tuesday, May 15th, 12:47 pm

JEFFERSON COUNTY, AL (WBRC)- Jefferson County Commissioners exchanged heated words during the Tuesday morning meeting over the financial matters of Cooper Green Mercy Hospital.

Cooper Green is currently dealing with around $9 million in debt and $5.5 million past due, according to Jefferson County's Finance Director. The hospital's need for money causes many issues for a county that is dealing with massive money problems of its own.

While discussing the hospital's finances, some commissioners were surprised to find out about a discretionary checking account at Cooper Green holding around $300,000. Commissioner George Bowman told the others that the account had been audited yearly and asked why the other commissioners had not known about it.

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