West Alabama Monday Briefing
It is Monday February 19, 2024, President's Day, or is it?
The name of the holiday today actually depends on where you live, kind of. The official national holiday is still Washington's Birthday, celebrating the birth of our nation's first president. But on the state and local level it depends on which state and city you reside in as to the title of the holiday.
In Alabama the celebration is officially "Washington and Jefferson's Birthday". Other states use a variety of monikers such as: President's Day, Presidents' Day, Presidents Day, Washington's Birthday/President's Day, Lincoln/Washington's Presidents Day, George Washington Day, Washington's Birthday, Washington-Lincoln Day, George Washington's Birthday and Daisy Bates Day (Arkansas only), the "Third Monday in February" for generic politically correct California. You get the idea; it is a holiday no matter what it is called.
The holiday used to be pretty much universally Washington's Birthday until civil rights activists complained that the nation should not honor a president who owned slaves. Thus, many legislatures, city councils and county commissions rushed to change names, either deleting Washington or adding other names and left us with a hodgepodge of observance labels.
Who celebrates the holiday also differs. Federal, state and most county offices and courts are closed, most banks are closed. However, many municipal and some county officers remain open. Most city and county schools are closed but most colleges and universities remain open. Also, most businesses remain open, many with holiday sales ongoing.
Tuscaloosa City and County Schools, federal and state offices and courts are closed for Presidents Day today. UA and most city governments in the area are open.
No matter how you celebrate today, the weather will be a tad cool but nice.
The Forecast:
Today: Sunny, with a high near 60. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph.
Tonight: Clear, with a low around 31. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph after midnight.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 65. South wind around 5 mph becoming southwest in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 39. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 71. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 50.
Remainder of the Week: Showers and maybe a thunderstorm or two are possible Thursday and Thursday night but sunny skies return Friday. Highs will be in the upper 60s and lows in the lower 40s.
The Weekend: It should be a perfect weekend for outdoor activities such as heading to the ballpark. Sunny days and clear nights should bring high temperatures in the upper 60s and lower 70s. Overnight lows should be in the lower 40s.
Topping the News:
The future of a major tourist and visitor attract for Northport may be on the line today. The Northport City Council is scheduled to meet today with University Beach LLC to discuss the proposed partnership between the developer and the city for an 80acre water theme park. The developer proposes to own and construct the multi-attraction theme park on landed deeded by the city and Northport City Attorney tells news partner ABC3340 that is a good deal. The council will meet at 5:30 today.
Tuscaloosa County High and county school system officials are prompting appropriate disciplinary action for a racist “promposal” posted on social media. On the site, a poster, decorated with a statement that references cotton picking and African Americans can be seen.
County High Principal Darrell Williams posted a statement on the county high website stating, “… there is absolutely no room for racially motivated language at Tuscaloosa County High School and in the Tuscaloosa County School System. It will not be tolerated.”
Tuscaloosa County Schools Superintendent Dr. Keri Johnson urged parents or students with concerns to reach her by phone at (205) 758-0411 or by email at kcjohnson@tcss.net.
Beginning today, high school students will have the opportunity to participate in the Alabama Department of Education Spring 2024 College Application Campaign.
Students can apply to multiple colleges in the state between today and Friday with no fees. Stillman, Shelton State, The University of Alabama, Bevill State, The University of West Alabama, and University of Montevallo are among the 59 participating colleges and universities.
This is an extension of the event that was held in October 2023 for thousands of high school seniors.
Students and parents can also get tips on college scholarships and much more at the Alabama Possible-Cash for College website.
National Transportation and Safety Board (NTSB) investigators continue to probe the crash of a single engine Cessna 172M Friday that killed a Tuscaloosa aerial photographer.
67-year-old Edward Todd, the founder and owner of Todd Media Inc., was flying back toward Tuscaloosa from Jefferson County after making several apparent photo runs near Hoover Friday morning. His aircraft struck a power line and crashed into a tributary of the Warrior River northeast of Bankhead Lock and Dam.
2017 to 2021 Bama basketball state John Petty was charged Saturday night with DUI, reckless driving, driving without a license and attempting to elude police over the weekend in Madison County. Petty was released early Sunday morning on bond.
A new Regional Traffic Management Center is now open on the University of Alabama campus. The center is managed by the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) with the intent of keeping traffic flowing, reducing accidents and monitoring for problem areas.
Personnel at the 24/7 center watch a bank of monitors transmitting signals from more than 200 traffic cameras across West Alabama. They also receive road situation information from a variety of other technological methods.
Information gathered is shared with media, law enforcement and travelers online at the agency's ALGO Traffic website.
Operators in the center can also send messages to motorists via LED signage.
The new center is an upgrade from a previous traffic manager located in another building on campus.
Terri Sewell will kick off her annual “Congress in Your Community” tour tomorrow. Each year, Rep. Sewell visits each of the 14 counties in her district to connect with her constituents and learn more about the issues impacting their lives.
Her first meeting will be in Homewood at Homewood Public Library 1721 Oxmoor Road, Homewood, AL 35209.
Topping Sports:
Rainy weather at Daytona forced postponement of the season opening NASCAR race at Daytona Sunday. The green flag will drop at 3:00pm Tuscaloosa Time with perfect weather in the forecast this afternoon.
It was a banner weekend for UA athletics: The No. 21 Alabama men's tennis team upset #5 Southern California Sunday…Bama baseball swept 3 games from Manhattan to open the season at the Joe…Tide Softball swept the Easton Bama bash over the weekend to run their record to 10-and-0…Bama Women’s Basketball knocked off Auburn 67-61 at Coleman Sunday...and of course Men’s Basketball blasted Texas A&M 100-75 Saturday.
Hope this is a great and blessed week for you!!
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