West Alabama Thursday Briefing
Good morning West Alabama. It is Thursday August 29, 2024.
A HEAT ADVISORY is in effect for all of West Alabama until 9:00 this evening.
Read More: Hot Conditions Expected in West Alabama + Concerning Heat Indices
The new U.S. Drought Monitor released this morning reveals that dry conditions across West Alabama are spreading and intensifying.
The dry conditions will further exacerbate the wildfire threat in the state. There are currently 36 wildfires in the state according to the Alabama Forestry Commission. Seven of those fires in West Alabama. The biggest is 46 acres northwest of Fayette on Highway 16. All of the fires are considered contained.
The Forecast:
The long Labor Day holiday weekend is almost here and ALEA Trooper Corporal Reginal King warns the highways will be packed. He is urging motorist to leave in plenty of time, do not drink and drive, fasten seat belts and pay attention to the road, not your cellphone.
To help maneuver through the traffic jams, the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) will halt interstate lane closures throughout the state during the holiday weekend.
The Tuscaloosa County Sheriff’s Office is seeking a 16-year-old girl they describe as a runaway. Pharra Whaley was last seen almost a week ago in the area of Wesley Chapel Road on August 22nd.
If you have information as to her where about, contact the Tuscaloosa County Sheriff's Office at 205-752-0616.
Read More: Tuscaloosa County Sheriff’s Office Seeking Runaway Teen Missing 6 Days
Three prominent area residents have been selected as the newest inductees in the Tuscaloosa County Civic Hall of Fame.
The new inductees are:
- Dr. William Nathan Dansby was a graduate of Meharry Medical College in Nashville where he received his doctorate in dental surgery. The World War II veteran was a prominent member of numerous community organizations. He was 84 when he died in 2002.
- Robert "Bobby" Ingram, Jr. is an accomplished longtime Certified Public Accountant who has dedicated himself to serving the community through a variety of organizations.
- Marlin D. "Lin" Moore III is a native Tuscaloosan, UA graduate and has been recognized for his achievements in his career field as a Certified Insurance Counselor. He has been deeply involved in the Tuscaloosa community through membership and leadership of numerous organizations and boards.
The three will be inducted into the Tuscaloosa County Civic Hall of Fame at 2:00pm on October 17th at the Tuscaloosa River Market on Warner Parkway.
ADPH is advising they are seeing increases in cases of mosquito borne diseases in every area of Alabama. Assistant Health Officer Dr. Wes Stubblefield advises there are things you can do to mitigate your vulnerability, "Limit your time outdoors, wear long sleeves, use mosquito spray," are among them.
West Nile Virus and eastern equine encephalitis numbers are among those rising.
Hale County Commissioner Donald Anderson has been elected a district representative to the Alabama County Commissions Association (ACCA). The association represents all 67 Alabama counties on legislative issues that impact the counties.
ACCA Executive Director Sonny Brasfield, a Tuscaloosa native, expressed his confidence and enthusiasm toward the new leadership, stating: “We are looking forward to the vast array of expertise and experience this group of hard-working leaders will bring to enhance the quality of life for all Alabamians."
Republican U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt, who represents much of West Alabama, is blasting the revised indictment of President Trump just over 2-months until the election. In a social media post Aderholt calls the actions of Special Council Jack Smith an obvious effort to weaponize the judicial system in an attempt to influence the election.
The Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) is attempting to boost recycling efforts across the state. They $2.5 million grant will pass through the Alabama Recycling Fund (ARF).
The West Alabama Recycling Partnership (City of Tuscaloosa, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa County Parks and Recreation Authority and Shelton State Community College) will receive $72,683 while the City of Northport will get $47,780.
The grants are for fiscal year 2025.
Topping the Sports News:
Whether intentional or just inaccurate, a national report that the Alabama Athletic Department has shut down the "Walk of Champions" NIL Collective is misleading and inaccurate. "Yea Alabama", UA's official collective is still operating.
As we first reported last week, former Alabama QB John Parker Wilson started the Walk of Champions as a non-profit to assist Bama with raising NIL money. But IRS rules do not allow a non-profit to raise money to pay players. "Yea Alabama" is a for-profit fund raiser.
The story by Football Scoop made it sound like Alabama was shutting down its top collective. That brought a quick post from Athletics Director Greg Byrne on X (formerly known as twitter). "Come on, @FootballScoop! That headline makes it sound like we no longer have a collective." Byrne wrote, "@yea_ala has been and will continue to be our primary NIL partner and one of the best in the country.
Read More: Greg Byrne Kills NIL Shut Down Rumor
Nick Saban has made an appearance in the movie “Blind Side” and TV commercials with a duck, now the retired Bama Head Coach is back with funny commercials for the vacation rentals company Vrbo. It begins with a family of 4 arriving for a vacation with Saban as the overbearing host.
The commercial is one of several 60 sec. spots Saban will appear in this season.
Read More: Saban Featured in VRBO Commercial
The Southeastern Conference 2024 Football Season opens tonight with two games involving league schools.
Arkansas will be first up welcoming Arkansas - Pine Bluff at 7:30pm. Shortly afterward Missouri will host Murray State at 8:00pm.
Click TuscaloosaThread.com throughout the day for the latest in West Alabama news, sports and weather. It is free. Better yet, download the app.
Have a happy and blessed Thursday!
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