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Newspaper
Decatur Daily
Location
Decatur, Alabama, United States of America
Date
Dec 31, 1960
Page
6
Offenses filed in City Court for the year total 6 128, with December adding 300 plus to reach about 3 600 for 1959. Red light violations top the list at 196 in August and 1 074 for the year overall. Parking violations rank second, followed by disorderly conduct. Other listed charges include no license, speeding, reckless driving, DWI, public drunkenness, and various parking offenses.
City officials record 15 more blocks paved in Decatur by end of 1960 than 1959. About 8 000 tons of gravel laid on alleys and streets. A 15 member full time crew operated water wagons sweepers and other gear to keep streets clean. Fall and winter extra staff handle leaves and snow. From a $237 000 budget the main costs cover equipment operation and a payroll around $60 000.
The Highway Patrol reports 1960 rural crashes in four counties Limestone Morg Morgan and Lawrence total 836 with 389 injuries and 33 deaths. Urban areas not counted. Across 1959 to 1960 fatalities show a decline while injuries rise. A severe wreck near Cullman killed three nuns and three others during a July rainstorm. A statewide crackdown launched in June curbed speeding and reckless driving, reducing fatalities and wrecks in northern Alabama.
The State Docks at Decatur opened July 1 1960 with 600 ton aluminum shipments from Olin Mathieson and more 600 ton consignments later that year. By year’s end two mooring cells were in use and rail siding plans progressed. Electric Autolite Co established temporary HQ and training use in the warehouse. Docks manager Newman spoke of future expansion and a larger industrial park behind the docks serving rail road natural gas water and electricity.
A record number of couples received marriage licenses from the probate judge in 1960, with 582 licenses issued by Tuesday, up from 569 in the same period in 1959. Divorces in 1959 totaled 174 compared to 166 in 1960, while 1958 had 160 and 1957 had 180. June faded to August for marriages in 1960, with 54 licenses in June and 69 in August, and September saw 61 licenses as cupid remained active.
Decatur Postmaster I E Self announced January 1961 drives alien registration at both local post offices. Residents must bring in address forms in person during office hours for mailing to authorities. Estimated registrants drop from 150 in 1960 to 115-120 this January.
The 1959 60 fiscal year ended September 30 1960 with all general fund obligations and prior commitments paid and a surplus of 523 90.12. For 1960 61 budget anticipated revenues 1362500 expenditures 1226250 with increased departmental appropriations. Major revenue sources include license taxes and gasoline tax while street and fire departments receive the largest allocations. Bond selling at below 3 5 percent supports ongoing improvements and the city attracts blue chip industries.
Morgan County data show 1960 births outpacing deaths with 514 total deaths (excluding December) versus 490 in 1959. Monthly breakdown lists deaths by month, while divorces reached 18 in April, marking a peak in dissolutions.
1960 births in Morgan County totalled 1429 for ten months with an estimated year end around 1590, up from 1959’s 1549. June 1960 saw 162 births, matching September 1959. Monthly figures show varying totals across 1960 and 1959 with July and December data incomplete in 1960.
Voters in Morgan Lawrence Limestone and Cullman counties approved school tax measures elected local officials and cast ballots in a presidential year. Primary and runoff results highlighted tax assessor and education posts while city elections shaped commissions and mayoral control.
Morgan county tax collector Price Bryant says 1960 will show total collections near $1.5 million, a record, with final 1959 at $1,227,309.58. Increase stems from district school taxes and Board of Equalization rises, plus natural growth. year-end payments from industries may boost figures. Real estate and personal property, motor vehicles lead receipts. poll tax about $8,000. Economic outlook remains positive.
Non agricultural wage and salary employment in the Decatur labor market area fell to 14 625 in November about 300 less than August Estimates. Morgan County civilian labor force was 22 705 in November versus 22 910 in November 1959 with unemployment at 1 395 compared to 1 465 last year. The report notes 5 961 new job applications and 1 988 openings with 3 291 referrals. 1 562 employed from referrals and predicts non farm employment may rise about 300 in early 1961 due to plant staffing shifts.
The library system reported total circulation of 135 104 for the year, up 44 001 from 1959. Wheeler Basin circulated 85 100 books and Decatur Public Library contributed remaining figures.
The Decatur Public Library system and Wheeler Basin branch show 1959 activity with 48,176 books circulated at the main library and 1,828 at Steers Library for Negroes. Total regional circulation reached 50,056 by year end. 9,388 volumes at Decatur. 15,952 in Wheeler Basin. 4,094 library card carriers at Decatur and 11,584 borrowers in Wheeler Basin.
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