West Alabama Tuesday Briefing
It is Halloween, Tuesday, October 31, 2023, and there will be frost on the pumpkin. We begin the morning in the 40s today and it might now make it into the 60s for a high.
There are several alerts in effect this morning. A Red Flag Warning thru 7 tonight for a high fire danger from drought, low humidity and winds…A Freeze Warning is in effect for overnight tonight and a Freeze Watch for overnight tomorrow night.
The cold weather is not a rarity. The average first freeze is the first week of November.
Speaking of that high fire danger, from border to border, wildfires are burning across the state, 63 of them this morning. Seven of the blazes are here in West Alabama (Fayette 1, Greene 1, Perry 2, Sumter 1, Tuscaloosa 1, Walker 1). The largest in West Alabama being a 220-acre fire in northwest Perry County just off Cliff Osborn Road.
The Forecast:
Today: Mostly cloudy through mid-morning, then gradual clearing, with a high near 57. North wind 10 to 15 mph.
Trick or Treat Tuesday Night: Clear, with a low around 31. North wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 55. North wind 10 to 15 mph.
Wednesday Night: Widespread frost after 4am. Otherwise, clear, with a low around 30. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Thursday: Widespread frost before 8am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 62. East wind around 5 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.
Thursday Night: Areas of frost after 4am. Otherwise, clear, with a low around 34.
Remainder of the Week: A warmup will gradually move daytime highs back into the mid 70s and low 80 with sunny skies over the weekend. Overnight lows will be in the 40s with clear skies.
Topping the News:
Law enforcement has been on the scene of a fatal shooting of a man in the Ralph Community of Southwest Tuscaloosa County this morning. A large police presence is being reported in the area of Timbertop Lane just off U-S 11. The Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit is on the scene is reporting initial evidence appears to point to a homicide. Tuscaloosa Thread will have updates throughout the day.
Police arrested a dozen men on misdemeanor solicitation charges during a weekend prostitution sting in Northport, court records and law enforcement officials confirm.
According to court documents filed Monday, the West Alabama Human Trafficking Task Force ran an operation in Northport this past weekend and posted a commercial sex ad to draw in responses. When men arrived at an area hotel, they reportedly met an undercover officer posing as a prostitute, agreed on a price for services and exchanged money before other officers entered the room and arrested the alleged solicitors.
The Tuscaloosa Public Library has announced a series of cost-saving measures including the permanent closure of one of its branches as its leadership continues to face daunting financial challenges. One major cost cut comes with the elimination of the library's Overdrive/Libby electronic database, cutting access to more than 40,000 e-books and other offerings. There wis also a hiring freeze in place.
You may remember that mass shooting in Dadeville earlier this year that killed four and wounded 30 attending a birthday party. Circuit Judge William Whorton has denied youthful offender status for 20yo Wilson Lamar Hill Jr. and 19yoWillie George Brown Jr. There are four other suspects in the case.
The University of Alabama is expanding its Behavioral Health Services for rural youth in the state. A $3.7 million federal grant will be used to support the establishment and expansion of sustainable behavioral health care services for children and adolescents 5-to-17 in rural areas and also prevent substance abuse according to a release by the UA News Center.
In Sports:
Former Alabama running back Jamyre Gibbs had a breakout performance on Monday NFL Football. The 1st round draft pick carried the ball 26 times for 152 yards and had 5 catches for 37 yards and a touchdown as Detroit beat Las Vegas 26-14. The Lions are 6-and 2 on the season.
Happy 72nd birthday to Bama Head Football Coach Nick Saban. Hopefully he will get his requested present Saturday night. A win over LSU at Bryant-Denny. The Tide is a 3-point favorite.
Have a Happy and Safe Halloween!!
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