West Alabama Friday Briefing

It is Friday March 29, 2024. It is Good Friday, the Christian Holy Day observing the ultimate sacrifice of love, the crucifixion of Jesus and his death at Calvary. Without Good Friday there is no Easter Sunday.

The weather for the holiest weekend of the year will be near perfect with sunny warm days and comfortable night. It is Tuesday of next week that we need to watch out for. For Lamar, Fayette and Walker Counties northward there is a Slight (2 in 5) Risk for damaging winds to 60mph. For Pickens, Tuscaloosa and Northern Bibb there is a Marginal (1 in 5) Risk for damaging winds. The Storm Prediction Center is monitoring for any increased threat as we approach the first of next week.

The Forecast:

Today - Good Friday

Sunny, with a high near 73. South wind around 5 mph.

Tonight

Increasing clouds, with a low around 49. South wind around 5 mph.

Saturday

Sunny, with a high near 77. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.

Saturday Night

Partly cloudy, with a low around 56. South wind around 10 mph.

Easter Sunday

Partly sunny, with a high near 80. South wind 5 to 15 mph.

Sunday Night

Mostly cloudy, with a low around 63.

Next Week:

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Topping the News:

A man was shot in the leg at the Shell service station located at the McFarland Boulevard and Skyland Boulevard intersection in Tuscaloosa. The overnight shooting left the man with a minor wound.

This is the 3rd shooting of the week in Tuscaloosa to produce non-life-threatening wounds.

For 11 hours yesterday Tuscaloosa native Chris Smelley was missing in the Gulf of Mexico. Smelley was located in good condition by a Coast Guard helicopter crew around 7:30 last night off Grayton Beach.

The 37-year-old went fishing in his blue and black kayak around 8:30 am Thursday but did not return as he was schedule in an hour.

The former American Christian QB and Coach is now the head football coach at Sylacauga High School.

No other information has been released.

Three prospective candidates to replace resigned Northport Council President Jeff Hogg in his District 5 seat were interviewed by Human Resources Director Joseph Rose as members of the council observed.

Hogg resigned amid alleged threats against him and his family over the controversial $350 million University Beach Water Park Resort. All three men; Anwar Aiken, co-owner of The Grand Event; Danny Higdon, chief school financial officer for the Tuscaloosa County School System; and retired Tuscaloosa Police Captain Gary Leddo tabbed the resort as a key issue.

A selection is expected at the council's next meeting Monday.

The University of Alabama and other colleges and universities across the state are working to expedite transfers of students from the financially strapped Birmingham Souther College which will close in May.

A press release from the UA System office stated an expedited transfer process will be available at all UA System campuses.

The collision of that giant container ship with the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore could impact Alabamians.

The busy Baltimore Harbor is a major import point for pharmaceuticals from Europe. With the harbor expected to be closed for a year, pharmaceutical prices could spike, and availability could be reduced.

Federal authorities are studying how to spread out the shipping traffic among other U.S. ports, including the Port of Mobile.

Former TPD Officer Garret Crumby has been remembered for his death in the line of duty in Huntsville He was an officer with the Huntsville Police Department when he joined another HPD officer in responding to a domestic violence call. Crumby was killed and the other officer wounded.

At a time when most rural hospitals in Alabama are struggling to keep their doors open, Hale County Hospital has received a $1 million check from West Alabama Democrat Congresswoman Terri Sewell to grow.

Topping Sports News:

For the first time since 2004 the Alabama men's basketball team is moving on to the Elite 8 round of the NCAA Championship Tournament. The 4th Seeded Tide edged 1st seeded North Carolina 89-87 in Los Angeles.

Grant Nelson played arguably his best game in an Alabama uniform, as he finished with 24 points, 19 of which came in the second half, to go with 12 rebounds and five blocks in the contest. Rylan Griffen and Aaron Estrada each added 19 while Mark Sears added 18 points in the win.

The Crimson Tide (24-11) faces Clemson at 7:49 tomorrow night in the battle for one of the two teams to go to their first Final Four.

From UA Athletics: Alabama baseball clawed back from an early deficit for a 4-3 win over 10^th-ranked South Carolina on Thursday evening at Sewell-Thomas Stadium. With the victory, the 15^th-ranked Crimson Tide improves to 20-6 overall and 3-4 in Southeastern Conference play.

Game two is tonight at 6:00 at The Joe. Game three is Sunday at 1:00pm.

Down three runs in the top of the seventh inning, Alabama brought the potential tying run to the plate but the late comeback attempt ultimately fell short as Kentucky held on for the 6-3 win Thursday night to start the weekend series.

They play again tonight at 5:30 and Saturday at 1:00pm in Lexington.

Have a blessed Good Friday and celebrate the risen Christ on Easter Sunday!!