WEST ALABAMA MONDAY BRIEFING
It is Monday, July 10, 2023, and we begin the new work week with a report from Townsquare Media Tuscaloosa Traffic Guy Capt'n Ray that he recorded over 3" of rainfall on his professional rain gage in Holt Sunday. There were some areas of temporary flooding reported on McFarland Blvd., Skyland Blvd. and on the UA campus as well as around West Alabama. An Areal Flood Advisory was in effect during yesterday's heavy rainfall.
Today's forecast calls for mostly cloudy conditions and a possible lingering shower in West Alabama. Clouds will decrease from the northwest by afternoon. Daytime high temperatures will be in the 80s.
Tonight, will be partly cloudy with a small chance of showers during the evening. Overnight low temperatures will be generally in the 60s.
The potential for showers tomorrow should be mainly south of the I20/59 corridor.
Topping the News:
A 9am town hall will be held in Carrollton tomorrow concerning the need to reopen the emergency room at the shuttered Pickens County Medical Center. A recent effort to reopen the entire hospital failed but State Rep. Ron Bolton told news partner ABC3340, he believes reopening the emergency room as a stand-alone facility is doable because the whole hospital will not have to be supported financially. Currently emergency cases must be transported to Northport, Tuscaloosa or Columbus MS when time is most critical.
Residents of the Perry County seat, Marion, have a new storm shelter. It can hold up to100 people and is rated to withstand an EF Tornado with winds upwards of 200mph. The FEMA certified shelter is located on Highway 14 near the Inez Barnett - Coretta Scott King Center. The shelter was purchased utilizing $90,000.00 from the Perry County Rescue Fund allotment.
A young girl is still recovering from injuries received Saturday afternoon when they were hurt by lightning striking a light pole at a softball field in Vance. A softball game was under way when a bolt of lightning struck a light pole at the ballpark. Alabama is one of the top five states for injuries and deaths from lightning strikes.
Kids hate to see it and probably a few teachers too but most likely not the parents. We are talking about the back-to-school sales now underway at most stores around the area. Tuscaloosa City and County schools will begin Wednesday, August 9th.
The Tuscaloosa Police Department is offering Popsicles in the Park this month as part of their community outreach. Thursday the program will be at Randall Family Park, on the 20th at River District Park and at Annette Shelby Park on the 27th. Outdoor activities will include bubbles, sidewalk chalk, hula-hooping, and a game of life-sized Connect Four.
Alabamians are again traveling across the state line to purchase lottery tickets. Tonight’s Powerball jackpot is up to 650-million dollars after Saturday night’s drawing failed to produce a winner. A Powerball ticket costs $2. Your ticket’s odds of winning are about 1 in 292 million.
Marine Corps Commandant Gen. David Berger is required by law to step down today due to completion of his 4 years as the corps leader. Because of Alabama U-S Senator Tommy Tuberville’s hold on flag rank military promotions, Berger’s replacement Marine Gen. Eric Smith will serve only on a temporary basis. Gen. Smith told his congressional confirmation hearing recently that having a temporary commandant will hurt Marine Corps readiness.
Tuberville’s hold on promotions began in February in protest of a Pentagon policy that offers troops travel expenses and leave if they have to go out of state to obtain an abortion.
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation is estimating almost 130,000 Alabamians will lose Medicaid coverage in Alabama in June 2024. Our state is one of 24 that allowed coverage to lapse after expiration of the COVID19 Federal Emergency last month. Despite support from both Republicans and Democrats, the Alabama Legislature has refused to expand Medicaid.
In Sports:
Individual game football tickets went on sale at UA this morning. A limited number of tickets are available for Middle Tennessee, Arkansas, and Chattanooga games only at Bryant-Denny Stadium. You can go to University of Alabama Athletics - Official Athletics Website (rolltide.com) to purchase tickets.
There was a flurry of Alabama Football commitments over the weekend. The 2024 recruits announcing were 4-star CB Zabie Brown from Mater Dei in California (the same school as Bryce Young) and 3-star German LB Native Justin Okoronkwo. The Tide’s 1st 2026 recruit is offensive lineman Zykie Helton from Georgia.
Alabama Baseball 1B/RHP commit Bryce Eldridge from Virginia was selected by the San Fransisco Giants in last night’s 2023 MLB Draft. He was the top recruit for new Tide Coach Rob Vaughn.
Tuscaloosa County High School's football stadium is getting a new Jumbotron for the upcoming season. School officials say installation will begin next week. It is expected to be ready in time for the Wildcats home opener against Bessemer City on Friday, September 1st.
Click back during the day for later local news, sports and weather updates.
Have a blessed work week?
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