West Alabama Thursday Briefing
Good morning West Alabama! It is Thursday July 18, 2024.
Yesterday's scattered showers and thunderstorms helped knock down temperatures, eliminate the wildfires in West Alabama and improve drought conditions. We can expect another similar round of beneficial rain today. The most significant chances are between noon and midnight.
While not a total washout, the upcoming weekend will also see occasional showers and thunderstorms with times of sunshine. That is not expected to change into next week due to an unsettled weather pattern. Rain amounts could average between two and four inches across the area.
The rain has not improved drought conditions because they have been too widely scattered according to the National Weather Service. The new U.S. Drought Monitor released this morning reveals conditions have worsened across norther sections of West Alabama.
Much of Lamar, Fayette and Walker counties are now under Extreme Drought Conditions. That means further damage to crops cam take place along with cracks in the ground and roads, water mains can break, large-scale hay shortages can take place, river and lake levels are lower and even air quality can be impacted.
An enlarging strip across central Pickens and Northern Tuscaloosa counties are in Moderate Drought while counties south of there continue to be Abnormally Dry.
Forecasters believes rain over the next few days will keep drought conditions from further expanding. The National Climate Center map 6-10 Day Outlook forecasts slight above normal precipitation for our area. The good news is temperatures during the period are expected to remain slightly below normal.
The Forecast:
A person wounded during a shooting near Kaulton Park Wednesday continues to recover this morning. Four have been arrested, two adults and two juveniles. One person was apparently targeted outside the home according to investigators. Several houses in the area around Elm Street and Pine Street were also hit by gunfire.
19yo Johnny B. Hill Jr. was charged with Attempted Murder and several counts of Discharging into Occupied Dwellings and Vehicle. 20yo Ja’Michael William Bradley has been charged with Bond Revocation on a prior Assault 1st charge.
Retired Alabama Head Football Coach Nick Saban will be among the 2024 class to be inducted into the Alabama Business Hall of Fame. Besides Saban other inductees will be Rob O. Burton of Birmingham; Raymond J. Harbert of Birmingham; Thomas A. Harris of Hope Hull; Marnix E. Heersink of Dothan; Thomas H. Lowder of Birmingham; Claude B. Nielsen of Birmingham.
Saban is co-owner of Dream Motor Corp., which operates automotive dealerships.
Criteria for ABHOF entry is outstanding accomplishments in the business community and has brought recognition to the state of Alabama.
The inductee's list was released this morning by the UA News Center. The Culverhouse College of Business at The University of Alabama is the home of the Alabama Business Hall of Fame, located in Hewson Hall.
Road work on AL216 in Tuscaloosa County has been delayed according to ALDOT. Work to resurface the road, replace guardrails and new striping will not begin until July 29th due to the contracting still being tied up on another project in North Alabama.
The 11-plus mile project will cost about $5 million.
ALDOT says there will be no road closures during rush hour or Alabama home football game weekends.
A vending machine with access to library materials, including adult fiction and nonfiction, children’s fiction, picture books, and pre-K reading materials will be unveiled later this morning by the Tuscaloosa Public Library. The event at the Bobby Miller Activity Center on the city’s southside begins at 10am.
Alabama State Sen. Jabo Waggoner (R-Vestavia Hills) has attended every Republican National Convention. over the last 40 years. he is in Milwaukee this week for the RNC coronation of former president Donald Trump as the party's 2024 nominee.
Unlike most delegates, Waggoner has witnessed the evolution of the party. And at age 87, he says there’s something special about this week’s event.
“It’s getting better every night,” said Waggoner. “It’s electric out here.”
Trump officially address the convention tonight to accept the GOP nomination.
The Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama's annual State of the Community presentation is set for August 6th. It will be at the Bryant Conference Center on the UA campus beginning at 11:30am.
The panel of local government officials: Mayor Walt Maddox, City of Tuscaloosa; Mayor John Hinton, City of Northport; and Judge Rob Robertson, Tuscaloosa County Commission, who will provide a comprehensive update on the State of the Community.
You can go to the chamber website at 2024 Chamber in Session: State of the Community - Event Registration (westalabamachamber.com) to register.
Topping Sports News:
One of the big questions thrown at new Bama Head Football Coach Kalen DeBoer during yesterday’s SEC Media Days was about his relationship with now media analyst Nick Saban. The football legend keeps an office at Bryant-Denny Stadium, but DeBoer told reporters Saban has kept his distance to allow the new coaching staff to develop their identity and relationships with players.
DeBoer thanked Saban for always being available when he has questions or to just talk.
Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe was one of three representatives for Alabama football at SEC Media Days in Dallas yesterday, joining defensive back Malachi Moore and offensive lineman Tyler Booker.
Milroe was asked about his mindset going into the new season with a new head coach, new coaching staff and many new teammates.
" It is about being the best version of myself," he answered, "being the best quarterback in the country, learning, growing as a player, seeking all information from my coaching staff, being a student of the game.
I think it's all about going 1-0, and the grind doesn't stop. That cliche term, the grind and the stop. Each and every day that you have the opportunity to play the game of football, seize it. Try to do what's best for the football team in a sense."
Today's SEC Media Days schedule:
- Arkansas (9:35 a.m.) -- Sam Pittman | WR Andrew Armstrong, QB Taylen Green, DE Landon Jackson
- Texas A&M (11:25 p.m.) -- Mike Elko | DL Shemar Turner, LB Taurean York, OL Trey Zuhn III
- Auburn (1:05 p.m.) -- Hugh Freeze | QB Payton Thorne, LB Eugene Asante, DE Keldric Faulk,
- Kentucky (2:05 p.m.) -- Mark Stoops | OL Marques Cox, LB D'Eryk Jackson, DL Deone Walker.
Nick Saban is taking some heat from Alabama Football players and fans for not predicting Alabama to win the SEC. Saban predicted that Georgia and Texas will play in the SEC Championship Game.
That should serve as some good motivation.
Have a good Thursday. The 2024 football season is edging closer.
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