West Alabama Thursday Briefing
Good morning West Alabama. It is Thursday, October 31, 2024. It is Halloween!
Thursday Morning Observations:
It is the annual day to celebrate ghosts, ghouls and goblins. 'Trick or Treating' for candy and other goodies may be on the mind of the kids but it is the big money that rings the cash registers of candy makers, grocery stores and retailers that makes the day big for our nation's economy. Halloween trails only Christmas in consumer spending according to analysts.
The National Retail Federation's annual Halloween consumer survey conducted by Prosper Insights & Analytics revealed that total Halloween spending in 2024 is expected to reach $11.6 billion. That dollar amount marked a slight downturn compared to 2023’s record $12.2 billion. This is the first year to see a decline since the survey began in 2005 and experts blame the shaky national economy for the drop.
Breaking down thus year's survey we find that 72% of Americans will spend an average of $104.00 each to purchase candy to handout, decorate their house, buy a costume, pay for a pumpkin to carve or display, send a spooky greeting card or throw/attend a Halloween party.
There is a downside to the spooky unofficial holiday. Halloween, more than any other day of the year, results in large numbers of children being hit by cars and dying from those injuries. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta, children are 4 times more likely to be struck by cars on Halloween than on other night.
Parents are urged to walk with their little ghosts and goblins and keep them from darting across the street. Also, make sure they are wearing brightly colored, reflective costumes. Motorists are cautioned to slow down when driving in neighborhoods.
Parents are also advised to the goodies collected by their kids. There are still those who would stick harmful objects in candies and fruits. Make sure the candy is wrapped and that the wrapper has not been tampered with.
Practicing Halloween safety can keep the day one for spooky fun instead of becoming a horror-filled tragedy.
Weather:
A line of showers and thunderstorms moving toward Alabama is expected to begin dissipating before entering our state. However, areas of West Alabama could receive anywhere from a tenth for a quarter inch of rainfall later today through around midnight.
Trick-or-treaters tonight might should carry a raincoat or umbrella just in case.
Read More: West Alabama Halloween Weather & Temp Guide: Frights or Delights?
The Forecast
Topping the News:
The Fire Danger Advisory has now been expanded to cover the entire state by the Alabama Forestry Commission. The advisory does not mean outdoor burning cannot be done but it does advise anyone planning to burn to watch their fire closely and have water available to extinguish any blaze than begins to get out of hand.
Tuscaloosa Fire/Rescue Chief Randy Smith has announced his retirement next month. Smith has been chief in Tuscaloosa for six years after serving with the Mobile Fire-Rescue Service.
$2.7 million in federal dollars is coming to Alabama to help fight homelessness. Tuscaloosa will receive $220,000 of the funds from the Emergency Solutions Grant to provide housing and related services to residents facing homelessness, including domestic violence victims.
20 people, including Walker County Sheriff Nick Smith, corrections officers and medical staff are now part of an amended Federal lawsuit. The suit alleges cruel and inhumane treatment of Tony Mitchell in the two weeks he was incarcerated in the Walker County Jail before freezing to death while in custody.
The amended lawsuit names two additional defendants including Nurse Patricia Hammonds and Nurse Practitioner Daniel Wyers.
Police agencies in Tuscaloosa continue to search for the driver of a stolen vehicle that crashed after a pursuit on Interstate 20/59 Wednesday afternoon.
TPD says the driver of the stolen car fled from a traffic stop initiated by a sheriff's deputy in the area of 7th Avenue and Willow Chase just after 2 p.m. After a chase the driver bailed out of the car and fled when law enforcement pushed the driver onto I-20/59 North, and the driver crashed near Mile Marker 86 in Tuscaloosa County.
Read More: Driver Crashes Stolen Car on Interstate in Tuscaloosa, Police Search for Suspect
Topping Sports News:
The Los Angeles Dodgers utilized some pretty shoddy defense by the New York Yankees last night to overcome a 4-0 early deficit to win 7-6. The victory gives LA their eighth World Series title in franchise history.
Former Atlanta Braves Freddie Freeman took home the series Most Valuable Player Trophy for his play.
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Have a HAPPY AND SAFE HALLOWEEN!!