West Alabama Tuesday Briefing
It is Tuesday, September 26, 2023, and a lot of folks are celebrating the rain received yesterday and hoping for more. But the chances will be lower today and tomorrow and virtually non-existent into the first of next week.
The rain we received yesterday was not enough to end the Alabama Forestry’s statewide Fire Alert, but it did help our water starved plants and yards some. However, late September through October is the dry season for Alabama, so don't expect much precipitation aid after tomorrow. That is unless a tropical system comes ashore and moves inland. (Don't forget, the Hurricane Season runs through the end of November).
There is some good news. The heavy rains of the summer have assisted us, Tuscaloosa County has received 41.23 inches of rain so far, that is 1.36” above average to the point in the year.
The Forecast:
Today: 20% chance of showers and a few afternoon thunderstorms. Highs in the 80s.
Tonight: Lingering showers with decreasing coverage overnight. Lows in the 60s.
Wednesday: 30% chance of showers and a few afternoon thunderstorms. Highs in the 80s.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 65. East wind around 5 mph.
Remainder of the Week: Sunny days, partly cloudy nights with highs in the mid 80s and lows in the low to mid 60s.
Topping the News (Updated):
(Update) The Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) is suing the City of Tuscaloosa for allegedly discharging more than 41 million gallons of sewage into local waterways since 2018.
The complaint claims 111 tests since 2018 showed the city exceeded the maximum number of specific pollutants allowed, including more than 40 violations so far this year.
(Update) The House District 16 Special Election is taking place today with a runoff date of October 24th. The candidates to succeed Republican Kyle South who resigned to take over as the head of the Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama are:
Democrat: Big John Underwood
Republican: Bryan Brinyark, Brad Cox, Greg Fannin, Greg Lowrey, Floy "JR" Rodgers and Mike Simpson.
The district encompasses Fayette County and northeast Tuscaloosa County. Polls will be open until 7:00pm.
There is still no resolution between proponents of the Highway 43 widening project and the I65 improvement plan. But Tuscaloosa Rep. Chris England points out the Highway 43 project is vital to the economic health and growth of West Alabama. Widening the heavily used I65 from the Tennessee state line to Mobile is a priority of Republican Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth, who is expected to run for governor. Gov. Ivey is backing the widening of Highway 43.
(Updated to include today's court proceeding) The U.S. Supreme Court is allowing the drawing of a new Alabama congressional map with greater representation for Black voters to proceed.
The justices, without any noted dissent, rejected the state’s plea to retain Republican-drawn lines that were turned down by a lower court. The high court's action allows the opinion of a 3-judge federal panel to stand. It ruled Alabama lawmakers deliberately defied their directive to create a second district where Black voters could influence or determine the outcome.
Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall has vowed that the state will appeal the decision.
The deaths of 17-year-olds Elijah Clark & Mariyae Gulley in a single car crash over the weekend has prompted praise for the high school seniors from administrators, teachers and friends but also a deep sense of loss. Counselors will be on hand at Paul Bryant High today to help students, faculty and staff process their grief. Two other teens were injured in the crash but are expected to recover.
Sweetwater High School in Marengo County is the only West Alabama school to be listed as one of the top 25 “Best Public High Schools” in Alabama. Sweet water is 17th. The listing for best public middle schools will be released by Niche, a school information website later today.
The Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit continues to investigate the Sunday night death of 24-year-old Demetrius Damon Windham, Jr. in the 3900 block of Northwood Lakes Drive, West. VCU Commander Capt. Jack Kennedy told reporters it is being investigated as a homicide. They believe Windham was targeted. Since no arrests have yet been made, Kennedy was limited in what he could say about the specifics of the homicide.
More than 100,000 NASCAR fans will watch the Hillcrest High Pride of Patriot Parkway Band perform Saturday at the Talladega Superspeedway. They will perform at a pep rally type event for the Yellawood 500 race.
In Sports:
History of a weird sort was made by the Philadelphia Eagles and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Eagles 25-11 victory was the first time in history a final score has been recorded like that.
The Eagles delivered their most impressive win of the young season on a night where former Crimson Tide star quarterback Jalen Hurts was not feeling his best.
Area prep girls' volleyball has a big game on tap today. Sipsey Valley with a 9-4 record travels to Hale County with a 9-4-1 mark on the season.
Have a terrific Tuesday!!
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