NEWS

• Bingo gambling in Alabama
Bessemer: Two mayor's vetoes, two judges' rulings and a district attorney's warning have not deterred Bessemer City Council President Earl Cochran and several council members from attempting to legalize electronic bingo gambling in the area. In an action council member James Stephens calls an "illegal phone vote," Cochran, along with council members Louise Alexander, Jesse Matthews and Dorothy Davidson, passed a resolution to join the City of Fairfield in attempting to keep Jefferson County District Attorney for the Bessemer Cutoff Arthur Green from "condemning their charitable bingo operations."

• Essay contest seeking entries
Seeking to engage high school juniors and seniors in thinking critically about religious liberty and church-state separation, the Religious Liberty Council of the Baptist Joint Committee is hosting its fifth annual Religious Liberty Essay Scholarship Contest.

• Former Pastor Tampling dies
Andrew W. Tampling, a former pastor and the first executive director for the Alabama Baptist Retirement Centers from 1976 to 1984, died Oct. 30. He was 81.

• State's hip-hop awards show opens new avenue for gospel
The lights dimmed. More than 350 heads began to bounce to the beat of the shuttering speakers. Synchronized rhythm broke loose across the audience like a wave crashing upon the stage.

• 'Illegal lottery,' 'not bingo'
Two weeks ago, business boomed at dozens of electronic bingo gambling parlors in Walker and Jefferson counties. But two Oct. 26 circuit court rulings and a district attorney's warning forced the parlors to close after years of battling over the games they say are played on illegal "slot machines."

• 59 Baldwin churches take on partnership with Habitat
When Habitat for Humanity asked Brent Shaw to serve on its church relations committee, a chain of events began that led to a family receiving the help of all 59 Baldwin Baptist Association churches, and ultimately a much-needed new home.

• ALCAP splits ministry into two entities
For years, Alabama Citizens Action Program (ALCAP) has housed two distinct missions under one "roof", an education program for students and a lobbying arm to evoke change in the state Legislature.

• Bingo gambling in Alabama
Dog tracks: Alabama counties and municipalities are not alone in fighting courtroom battles over electronic bingo gambling. One of the state's dog tracks also is involved in litigation concerning its electronic bingo gambling business. But instead of focusing on the legality of electronic gambling, its fight deals with eliminating competition and the alleged rigging of electronic bingo gambling machines.

• Brundidge's Springfield Church celebrates sesquicentennial
Like a tree planted by a stream, Springfield Baptist Church, Brundidge, has flourished in the same place for 150 years.

• FBC Livingston celebrates 175 years
Neither the Civil War nor two church fires have prevented First Baptist Church, Livingston, from proclaiming the gospel for 175 years.

• Pleasant Grove's Bethel marks 50 years of service
Current and former church members gathered Oct. 4 at Bethel Baptist Church, Pleasant Grove, to celebrate half a century of ministry. It was exactly 50 years to the day that a group of local families decided to open its homes to host Sunday School classes, nursery and worship services. Since that time, the body of believers and its facilities have continued to grow.

• State disaster relief team trains National Guardsmen in chain saw
After disaster strikes, two things happen.