West Alabama Wednesday Briefing

Good Wednesday Morning West Alabama! It is September 25, 2024.

If you are headed anywhere that will take you through the McFarland Blvd. and Highway 69 intersection today, heads up! It may take you awhile to get through.

Northport PD is blocking lanes from all directions as ALDOT does work on the street light islands and turn lanes at the intersection. Traffic is backed up considerably in all directions.

So, either find an alternate route or prepare for some slow moving today.

As for the weather, Helene is officially a Category 1 Hurricane. Winds 74 to 95 miles per hour are definers of this category. However, the storm continues to strengthen and is expected to be a Category 3, with winds 111 to 130 mph, at landfall in the Florida Big Bend area.

The bulk of Helene's effect on Alabama will be in the eastern and southeastern counties. Heavy rain and high wind gust could have major impacts.

The Alabama Emergency Management Agency has activated the State Emergency Operations Center. Field Operations Divisions in east and southeastern counties have also been activated.

West Alabama could see winds gust to near 30mph and up to an inch of rain with locally heavier amounts.

Get our free mobile app

Topping the News:

The property tax increase referendum for Tuscaloosa City Schools failed to pass in yesterday's special vote. The big story to come out of yesterday balloting is how few Tuscaloosans went to the polls

In a city of more than 100,000 residents, less than 11,000 bothered to vote on an issue as critical as funding a quality education system in the city. The proposed 1-mill increased lost by jus 609 votes.

Tuscaloosa School Superintendent Dr. Mike Daria told reporters the defeat will have a negative impact on schools but will not affect the mission of provide a quality education.

Four teenagers have been charged with first-degree assault after entering a Little Ceasar's Pizza on Highway 69 South Monday afternoon and shooting and employee there. The four were wearing masks when they entered the pizzeria. The victim received non-life-threatening wounds.

The pro-Palestinian protest took place late yesterday afternoon on the UA quad with little attention. Few protestors or counter-protestors showed up. But UA Police had a large contingent of officers of hand just in case.

Protestors had passed out flyers with several demands of UA associated with defense contractor Lockhead-Martin.

The group demands a ceasefire in the War in Gaza and calls the Israeli military offensive genocide.

City leaders in Tuscaloosa gathered in the Springbrook neighborhood Tuesday morning to break ground on upgrades to the already-under-construction public park there funded by the Elevate Tuscaloosa sales tax program.

Security preparations are ramping up in advance of former president and current GOP presidential nominee Donal Trump attending Saturday's Alabama football game against Georgia at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

Protestors and heavy media coverage of the former president's presence during a heated presidential campaign will add to the appearance of ESPN's "College Gameday" program at a game of major national sports significance.

Read More: Trump Returns To Tuscaloosa

A 52-year-old coal miner is dead after an incident at the Oak Grove Resources mine in Bessemer.

According to the United Mine Workers of America, Jose Lara died during an accident that is now under investigation by coalmine safety experts.

Lara leaves a wife and three children.

Former Walker County Corrections Officer Joshua Jones has entered a guilty plea in the death of an inmate. Jones has admitted to conspiracy to deprivation of rights in the death inmate Tony Mitchell in the Walker County Jail.

The plea was announced last month but became official Tuesday.

A second former corrections officer, Karen Kim Elsie Kelly, has also entered a guilty plea.

The Tuscaloosa Police Department will conduct a women's safety class on three different days next month. On Oct. 7, 14 and 21 at 6:00pm each night, the classes will be taught by TPD officers.

Contact Briana Freeman at (205) 733-3055 or email her at briana.freeman@tuscaloosa.com for more information.

Topping Sports News:

Just days before the much-ballyhooed matchup between Alabama and Georgia at Bryant-Denny Stadium, there has been a case of contagious mononucleosis on the Georgia team.

According to SI, wide receiver London Humphreys has contracted mononucleosis and is unlikely to play in the matchup

The line on the Georgia at Alabama game Saturday night will be a close one if you go by the betting in Las Vegas. Georgia opened as a15.5-point favorite. That is now down to a 2.5-point favorite as more money is wagered on the Tide.

Nate Oats and the Crimson Tide are trying to stay hot on the recruiting trail. Following two commitments in September, Alabama basketball has a massive recruiting weekend this weekend while the Crimson Tide football team takes on the Georgia Bulldogs.

The Atlanta Braves got quality pitching and timely hitting as the beat arch-nemesis New York Mets 5-1 last night, The victory brings Atlanta within a half game of the NL East Wildcat slot.

There are two more home games left with the Mets tonight and tomorrow night which could be impacted by Hurricane Helene.

Believe it or not, the Birmingham Barons beat the Montgomery Biscuits last night to win the Southern League Championship.

Click TuscaloosaThread.com to keep up with all the West Alabama news, sports and weather throughout the day. Better yet, download the app.

Have a wonderful "Hump Day".

Source: West Alabama Wednesday Briefing

Categories: News, Local News