West Alabama Tuesday Briefing
It is Tuesday, October 3, 2023. While weather this week is almost perfect with sunny days of temperatures in the mid 80 and clear nights in the mid 60s, dry conditions continue to spark concern for wildfires.
Open burning continues to be discouraged due to a combination of dry conditions, breezy winds, and low humidity. Please heed the statewide Fire Alert issued by the Alabama Forestry Commission.
12 wildfires are currently burning across the state. The largest is 114 acres located near Abbeville in the Wiregrass Region on SE Alabama. The second largest is 95 acres in the NW corner of Walker County.
There have also been reports of small woods fires in Tuscaloosa County.
A cold front moving through the area at week's end will bring more seasonable temperatures but will not produce enough rain the end the dry conditions statewide.
The Forecast:
Today: Mostly sunny with highs in the mid to upper 80s.
Tonight: Mostly clear skies with lows ranging from the upper 50s to low 60s.
Wednesday: Partly cloudy with highs in the mid to upper 80s.
Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 65. East wind around 5 mph.
Thursday and Thursday Night will be much the same forecast.
Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 84.
High School Football Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 54.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 72.
Crimson Tide Football Forecast for College Station, TX: A 20 percent chance of showers before 1pm. Otherwise, partly sunny, with a high near 74.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 47.
Topping the News:
As promised, the Black Warrior Riverkeeper and Friends of Hurricane Creek have joined a lawsuit claiming the City of Tuscaloosa has for years allowed raw sewage to overflow into the river and other tributaries. Hurricane Creek Keeper John Wathan told Townsquare Media Tuscaloosa’s West Alabama on Point public affairs program that city officials have ignored multiple attempts to resolve the issue without a suit. The plaintiffs claim nearly 42 million gallons of sewage has been spilled since 2018.
Northport Mayor John Hinton gave a report on the status of the city at the midway point of the current council’s term in office. He said the city is in good shape financially and is growing, approaching 30,000 residents. Hinton also told the council the comprehensive plan for the city’s future is near completion.
Hinton called the council progressive, contemplative and conservative and said that is the reason for their success.
The council also approve incentives to bring the Livingston based Diamond Jim’s and Mrs. Donna’s Steaking hour to town.
Republican State Reps. Rep. Bill Lamb of Tuscaloosa and Matt Woods of Jasper and Democrat Curtis Travis, who represents Tuscaloosa, Greene, Hale, and Bibb Counties have been selected to serve on an ad hoc committee to study causes for the state’s low work participation rate. The state’s unemployment rate is at a record low 2.1% yet work force participation is only 57%.
The study commission will hold its first meeting Thursday at 10 a.m. at the Alabama State House.
Greensboro Democrat State Senator Bobby Singleton is mulling the possibility of running for congress once a new congressional district map for the state is finalized by a special master. Singleton has formed an exploratory committee to determine support in the 7th Congressional District. That would put him in a run against longtime incumbent Terri Sewell.
Stillman College will host National Night Out on campus tonight. The free event community event will run from 4 to 8pm. The event is one of 36 such events statewide to bring community members and first responders together. Food, drinks and entertainment will be provided along with emergency response gear displays.
The 35th annual Moundville Native American Festival begins its 4-day run in Moundville at 9 tomorrow morning. The event celebrates one of the world’s oldest civilizations with Native American artisans, traditional dances, stories and music, and it supports local and Native American businesses. Admission at the Moundville Archeological Park is $10 for adults, students, and seniors. Children 5-years-old and under are free. Tickets are only available for purchase at the event.
The burn facility on the eastside of McFarland Mall will be on fire next Tuesday. Tuscaloosa Fire Rescue is bringing The Fire Expo to the grounds at University Mall. It is an opportunity to teach young people about fire safety and the danger of fire. The expo will be held on Tuesday, October 10 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
In Sports:
Texas A&M WR Ainias Smith's brother Maurice had a very public battle with Tide Coach Nick Saban when Saban and UA attempted to block him from transferring from Bama to Georgia.
Ainias told reporters at Monday's Alabama game press conference that he still holds hard feelings toward Saban. “I feel like this game is always more personal, every time I play them,” he remarked, “I know what Nick Saban wants, and we’re gonna mess that up.”
Bama is a four-point favorite in College Station.
Alabama cross country's Doris Lemngole was named the Division I National Women's Athlete of the Week by the United States Track & Field and Cross-Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA), the organization announced Monday.
Lemngole, the reigning Southeastern Conference Women's Freshman of the Week recipient, earned the national honor after winning the prestigious Joe Piane Invitational in South Bend, Ind., last weekend.
Alabama golfer Nick Dunlap carded a record-setting round of 12-under par 60 in Monday's second round to help lead the Crimson Tide to a 36-hole clubhouse lead at the Hamptons Intercollegiate. The Tide entered today's final round of the event with a four-stroke advantage at 19-under par 557 (285-272).
Have a terrific Tuesday and enjoy the last days of summer-like weather.
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