West Alabama Wednesday Briefing
Good morning West Alabama. It is Wednesday August 7, 2024.
A Heat Advisory is in effect for all of West Alabama through this evening. The National Weather Service in Birmingham is forecasting heat indices upwards of 105 degrees.
You are urged to limit your time outdoors, stay hydrated and DO NOT leave people or pets in unattended vehicles.
There is an Excessive Heat Risk for all of West Alabama through 7:00 tomorrow morning. But as we move toward the weekend high humidity is expected to backoff a bit with a more seasonable feel to the heat of the "dog days" of summer.
Read More: Heat Advisory Alert: Alabamians Should Prepare for Hot Conditions
The Forecast:
One of the victims of a double homicide in Tuscaloosa late last night is said to have made the call to 9-1-1 to report the shooting. 25-year-old Keaundra Lee Hawkins has been charged with Capital Murder in the fatal shootings of his 62-year-old mother Antionette Hawkins and her 63-year-old boyfriend McRan James Montgomery. The incident happened in the 3700 block of 25th Place around 10:20pm.
Read More: Man Accused of Murdering Mother & Her Boyfriend in West Tuscaloosa Tuesday
The group of black customers who had a racial slur used to describe them by the white husband of the owner of Nick’s Original Filet House last month were told by the city council there is not much they can legally do to punish the iconic restaurant.
Council President told them he was horrified by the words and that, "You can't fix stupid and you can't fix ignorance and that is what I saw when I saw that video."
District 7 Council member Cassius Lanier told the family involved he did not believe Jack Moltz’ apology was sincere.
Read More: Tuscaloosa Condemns But Can’t Punish Nick’s In the Sticks For Racist Incident
Construction could begin as soon as this month on the controversial $350 million Lagoon Resort in Northport. The development of an adventure park also planned for the project has been indefinitely delayed.
The information was revealed by Northport Mayor John Hinton during the Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama's annual State of the Community program.
Read More: Northport Ball Park Coming Soon, Work to Begin on Lagoon Resort, Adventure Park Shelved
Read More: Heads of Tuscaloosa Area Governments Gather for State of the Community Panel
A Tuscaloosa resident who is a longtime supporter of Governor Kay Ivey has been appointed to the Executive Committee of the new Alabama Workforce Board. Cathy Randall has been selected by the governor to be the vice chair.
According to a release from Ivey’s office, “The Ivey Administration, empowered by the Alabama Workforce Transformation Act, is merging Alabama’s two existing state workforce boards, the Alabama Workforce Council and the State Workforce Development Board, to form the Alabama Workforce Board, and is creating the Executive Committee of the Alabama Workforce Board. The Board and its Executive Committee will place members of business and industry at the forefront of decisions related to Alabama’s public workforce.”
The Executive Committee of the Alabama Workforce Board will provide a strategic vision and plans for all of Alabama’s workforce development programs, including those funded with state and federal sources.
Today is the first day of school in the Tuscaloosa School System. Some 11,000 students are back in classes in 21 city schools this morning.
The Tuscaloosa County Schools System opens its door to more than 19,000 students in 35 schools tomorrow morning.
There has been an explosion of elder financial abuse in Alabama, and it is leaving many seniors financially wiped out. In one of the recent cases, 63-year-old Gina Cook Gilbert plead guilty to financial exploitation. The Etowah County woman was accused of stealing $2.5 million from her elderly mother. There have been at least 9 other such cases reported in the state since the first of the year.
A chase in Pickens County led to the arrest of three men on various charges. Terrence Stepp was booked into Pickens County Jail on charges of attempting to elude Develle Henderson was charged with 3rd Degree Burglary, two counts of 3rd Degree Theft of Property, Possession of a Controlled Substance and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Justin Henderson is charged with two counts of 3rd Degree Burglary and two counts of 3rd Degree Theft of Property. Justin Henderson also has other outstanding warrants.
Stepp was granted a $500.00 bond while bond was withheld from the two Hendersons.
Topping the Sports News:
Current 2023 Paris Olympics Medal Count:
- United States, 86 (24 Gold, 31 Silver, 31 Bronze)
- Communist China, 60 (22 Gold, 22 Silve, 16 Bronze)
- France, 48 (13 Gold, 16 Silver, 19 Bronze)
- Great Britain, 46 (12 Gold, 15 Silver, 19 Bronze)
- Australia, 37 (15 Gold, 12 Silver, 10 Bronze)
Tuscaloosa County's Hillcrest Patriots begin the coming 2024 high school football season ranked 10th in the Class 7A Alabama Sports Writers Association pre-season poll. The Pats were 12-1 in 2023. Central Phenix City is ranked first in the poll.
In Class 5A, Demopolis is 10th. They finished with a 10-3 record last season. Ramsey is rated at first.
In Class 4A, Bibb County is 4th. Last season the Choctaws went 10-2. The only other West Alabama team to receive a vote in 4A is American Christian which finished 8-3 last year. Jackson is ranked #1.
In Class 3A, perineal powerhouse Gordo is 4th after finishing 10-2 in the 2023 season.
In Class 2A, Tuscaloosa Academy was voted 4th after completing a 10- 3 last year. Another West Alabama team, Sulligent is 10th after compiling a 10-3 record last season. Pisgah is first in the poll.
In Class 1A, Sweetwater is 4th after coming off a 9-3 2023 season. Fifth is Hackleburg which put up an 11-2 mark last year. Pickens County is 10th after completing a 10-4 2023 record. Elba is #1.
Season opener/AHSAA Kickoff Classic games will take place August 22-23rd.
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Have a happy "Hump Day" !!