Good morning West Alabama. It is Thursday June 13, 2024.

Today is a sad day for many area residents. We are losing another iconic local restaurant. After today Buddy's Rib and Steak will close its doors forever. The restaurant at 2701 Lurleen Wallace Blvd. in Northport has been open for breakfast, lunch and dinner since 1978.

Over the years, hunters and fishermen along with people heading to work have stopped by for a hearty breakfast, workers have grabbed a quick lunch and high school and college football fans have gathered after the game to celebrate wins or mourn losses with one of Buddy's great steaks over the years.

Owner Phillip Guy had hoped to find someone who would be willing to keep its name on the marquee and the spirit of the place Buddy Hall started as Smalley's Rib & Steak before he changed it to Buddy's. But he has been unsuccessful.

Decorated with Crimson Tide art and memorabilia, Buddy's has always been a uniquely local go-to place for great comfort food, visiting with friends and getting to know the friendly staff.

Buddy's Rib and Steak and everyone who works there will be missed. The community is losing a bit of itself. It will be difficult to drive by and not think of what you have meant to Northport and Tuscaloosa over the years.

Read More: Decades-Old Northport Restaurant Permanently Closing Soon 

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There are a couple of disturbances in the Gulf of Mexico, but they are not expected to be a problem for the Central Gulf States, heat will be the main issue here.

Read More: Watching the Gulf: Hurricane Season Starts Heating Up 

The Forecast:

Today
Sunny, with a high near 93. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph.
Tonight
Mostly clear, with a low around 67. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Friday
Sunny, with a high near 97. Calm wind.
Friday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 71. Calm wind.
Saturday
Sunny, with a high near 99. Calm wind.
Saturday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 74.
Sunday
A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Sunny, with a high near 97.
Sunday Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74.

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Topping the News:

An argument led to a shooting late last night at the Lofts at City Center Apartments on 13th Street. A woman was critically wounded and transported to DCH where she is listed in stable condition this morning.
The Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit has named Larry Jones, Jr. as the suspect in the case. He is charged with attempted murder and remains in the Tuscaloosa County Jail.
 The Lofts are largely a UA student complex.


With September 24th now set as the date for a referendum on an ad valorem tax increase to fund education in the city of Tuscaloosa, school officials are explaining the need. Tuscaloosa Schools Superintendent Dr. Mike Daria told news partner ABC3340 the additional funds are needed to cover the ever-increasing cost of providing a quality education. If approved property taxes, which have not been raised in the city since 1986, would increase 22%.


For three years legal and political wrangling have kept legislatively approved medical cannabis clinics from opening in Alabama and patient advocates are getting tired of the repeated delays. During a rally in Montgomery, they say patients who need the product are suffering because of the delays. Lawsuits between potential dispensing companies and problems with the state cannabis commission have delayed the program.


Work is already underway by a contractor to install new traffic signal equipment and concrete islands on the north and south sides of intersections of US Highway 82 and State Route 69 in Northport.

The work is part of the ongoing improvements to U.S. 82 and will close the right through-traffic lanes on Lurleen in each direction, but the highway's turn lanes will remain open. Motorists should expect possible delays and are encouraged to observe work-zone speed limits.
Read More: ALDOT Announces Project to Improve Major Northport Intersection 


Tuscaloosa's NAACP branch will sponsor its Juneteenth celebration this coming Saturday. The event will be at Palmore Park at 3701 Fosters Ferry Road.

The free event commemorates the day the final slaves in Texas found out they had been freed by the end of the Civil War.

Read More: Tuscaloosa’s NAACP Celebration of Freedom Returns to Palmore Park 


West AlabamaWorks! is conducting a hiring event for Marengo and surrounding counties today. The event runs from 9am-2pm at the Demopolis Civic Center, 501 N Commissioners Ave, Demopolis, Ala. 36732. Numerous companies will have representatives on hand.

The hiring event is a partnership between West AlabamaWorks! and the Alabama Career Center System will host companies such as Alabama Department of Corrections, Alabama Public Health Department, GD Copper, Premier Service Company, Skill Trades of West Alabama, West Alabama Mental Health Center, WestRock Eutaw and Whitfield Regional Hospital. Job seekers will have the opportunity to speak with company representatives and apply for open positions.

Anyone attending the free hiring event today is encouraged to preregister at www.westalabamajobs.com/MC.



Topping Sports News:

 The expansion of the College Football Playoffs could cost Tuscaloosa and Auburn visitor dollars because UA and AU have been forced to remove their stadiums from rotation for hosting the high school football championship. That is because the two schools might host and early college playoff home game.

The Alabama Men's Basketball Team will join seven other top notch college teams for the Players Era Festival Multi-Team Event for the 2024-2025 men's basketball season.

ESPN's Jay Bilas is reporting the Tide will face powerhouse Houston in the first round. Bama's other opponents are expected to be Rutgers, and Notre Dame.

Alabama is favored by most to be a main challenger for the national championship this coming season.

Read More: Alabama's First Opponent in Las Vegas MTE Revealed 


Make the most of your day!!

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