Government

Ouch! Pain at the Garbage Bin Comes to Residents of Unincorporated Jefferson County

Pain at the pump will be felt at the garbage bin for residents of unincorporated Jefferson County. The Jefferson County Commission on Tuesday approved an emergency contract amendment with AmWaste, the franchise holder for residential garbage pickup in unincorporated parts of the county. The amendment allows the company to establish its rates based on fuel costs, which are based on the Alabama Department of Transportation Fuel Index, and the consumer price index. For instance, residential customers with regular trash pickup will see an increase of about $30 on their quarterly bills – $39 if they also have yard waste pickup. Read more.

by Solomon Crenshaw Jr.

JeffCo Puts Beavers at Top of Most Wanted List on Accusations of Abetting Flood Waters

Beavers do what beavers do, so Jefferson County has to do what it has to do. During its committee meeting today, the Jefferson County Commission moved to its agenda a resolution to award a contract to Nuisance Wildlife Control for the removal of beavers from designated zones in the county as needed and directed by the county sheriff. “It's been an ongoing issue,” said Heather Carter, director of the county’s roads and transportation department. “Obviously, we have lots of areas of habitat and the little critters are industrious. Especially in the areas where we have more floodplain, they tend to get in there and dam things up.” Read more.

by Solomon Crenshaw Jr.

Should Taxi Fares Be Increased Because of Rising Gas Prices? Birmingham Sets Public Hearing to Decide

The Birmingham City Council will hold a public hearing on June 21 to discuss raising maximum taxicab fares in response to rising fuel costs. District 5 Councilor Darrell O’Quinn, chair of the council’s transportation committee, said the council had been approached several times by local taxicab companies — mostly zTrip — expressing concerns over rising gas prices. “Those are costs that are borne by the drivers, so they have requested that we revisit the ordinance that sets the taxicab fare and have specifically requested consideration of a temporary surcharge to address the increased fuel costs,” he said. Read more.

by Sam Prickett

Scott Thurmond Named Birmingham Police Chief

Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin announced Thurmond’s appointment as police chief Thursday. Thurmond succeeds Patrick Smith, who announced his resignation as police chief in January. Read more.

by Cody Short, WBHM

New Face Moves Into Jefferson County Deputy County Manager’s Office

County Manager Cal Markert has moved into the office of his former boss. Now he has someone to move in next door, in the office where he worked as deputy county manager. Jefferson County has hired Dave Strahl to fill Markert’s former post. Strahl comes from Illinois, where he served as interim village manager of Schiller Park. He has more than 30 years of experience working with municipal governments of all sizes. Markert said being short-handed has made things pretty difficult because there are vacancies in some director positions, including human resources. Read more.

by Solomon Crenshaw Jr.

Complete Election Results from Tuesday’s Primaries

Gov. Kay Ivey has won the Republican nomination for governor without a runoff, despite having eight opponents. In the other most-followed race in the state, the Republican nomination to the U.S. Senate is going to a runoff between Katie Britt and Mo Brooks. But there were far more nominations than those decided Tuesday, including several high-profile Jefferson County races in addition to races for the statewide constitutional offices. See complete election results.

by BirminghamWatch

REPUBLICAN PRIMARY RESULTS

 Unofficial results with about 98% of precincts reporting Governor Lindy Blanchard — 19.35% Lew Burdette — 6.09% Stacy Lee George — 0.41% Kay Ivey — 55.04% Tim James — 15.83% Donald Trent Jones — 0.61% Dean Odle — 1.82% Dave Thomas — 0.46% Dean Young — 0.38%   U.S. Senate Lillie Boddie — 0.77% Katie

by Anne Ruisi

DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY RESULTS

Unofficial results with about 98% of precincts reporting Governor Yolanda Rochelle Flowers — 31.1% Malika Sanders Fortier — 32.88% Patricia Salter Jamieson — 11.47% Arthur Kennedy — 9.46% Chad “Chig” Martin — 5.76% Doug “New Blue” Smith — 7.33%   U.S. Senate Will Boyd — 63.96% Brandaun Dean — 19.09% Lanny Jackson — 16.95%  

by Anne Ruisi

Tyson Handily Wins Reelection to Jefferson County Commission

A jubilant Sheila Tyson celebrated with supporters Tuesday night after she won a second term representing District 2 on the Jefferson County Commission. As the DJ at L.I.T on 8th played McFadden and Whitehead’s “Ain’t No Stopping Us Now,” the former Birmingham City Council member declared that she had defeated the Rev. Steve Small Jr. “With 55 percent of the boxes in, I am at 86 percent of the vote,” Tyson declared. “Our goal was 52 percent of the vote.” At the end of the night, Tyson had held onto that lead, logging 86.5 percent of the vote with 98 percent of precincts reporting. Read more.

by Solomon Crenshaw Jr.

Sheriff Mark Pettway Cruises to Victory in Democratic Primary; Likely Second Term in Fall

Incumbent Mark Pettway, who made history four years ago when he was elected Jefferson County’s first Black sheriff, on Tuesday won the 2022 Democratic primary for the office and likely reelection to a second term in November. According to unofficial results with 98 percent of the precincts reporting, Pettway received 35,368 votes or 76 percent, against three challengers — Felicia Rucker-Sumerlin, a former sheriff’s office deputy of 30 years; Kareem Easley, a Birmingham Police Department sergeant and Wilson Hale, Alabama State Trooper and former U.S. Army First Sergeant. Read more.

by Barnett Wright and Ryan Michaels, The Birmingham Times