West Alabama Tuesday Briefing

It is Tuesday December 19, 2023. That Arctic cold front that moved through Alabama overnight is creating a short overnight freezing spell before temperatures begin to rebound across the state at midweek.

It didn't take long to become wide awake after you were hit in the face by frigid temperatures this morning. Lows across West Alabama overnight ranged from 27° in Jasper to 28° in Vernon, Centreville dropped to 29°, Aliceville, Demopolis & TCL 30°, and Greensboro all had lows of 31°. Freezing and subfreezing temperatures are expected tonight and Wednesday night before a warmup and rain for Christmas weekend.

The Forecast: 

Today: Sunny, with a high near 51. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.

Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 31. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight.

Wednesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 55. Southeast wind around 5 mph.

Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 29. East wind around 5 mph.

Thursday (The 1st Day of Winter): Partly sunny, with a high near 59. East wind around 5 mph.

Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 35.

Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 61.

Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 42.

Christmas Weekend: Partly sunny skies with a high near 61 Saturday will give way to rain chances all the way through Christmas Day with the highest rain chances beginning Christmas Eve through Christmas Day. Temperatures will be in the mid 60s with lows in the low 50s.

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It looks like Kentuck is headed to Tuscaloosa unless there is a last-minute change. It will be interesting to see if there is any discussion surrounding the vote tonight by the Tuscaloosa City Council on a proposed Memorandum of Understanding with Kentuck for a potential move of the arts center and nationally known arts festival from Northport to Tuscaloosa.

Kentuck officials declined a request by Northport Council President Jeff Hogg to meet today in an attempt to find a way to keep the lucrative festival in Northport. Hogg told the 95.3 The Bear Steve and DC Morning Show today that the door is still open to Kentuck.

Kentuck has been in Northport for more than a half century.

The Tuscaloosa Council is also expected to approve a request by the Tuscaloosa City School System to ask the legislature to allow a vote on a property tax increase in the city.

The only way schools are funded in the state of Alabama, besides various federal grants, is through property taxes.

35-year-old convicted felon Deandrea Darnelle Young has been sentenced to just over five years in prison for being a felon in possession of ammunition. He was sentenced by Chief U.S. District Court Judge L. Scott Coogler.

The sentence comes after Young fled a TPD traffic stop. During the search of the vehicle the officer found 10 rounds of 9mm ammunition underneath clothing belonging to Young. The officer did not find a firearm.

Caroline Ford has been named the new Full-Time Executive Director of the Tuscaloosa Children’s Theatre (TCT).

In a press release Ford is credited with bringing, "...a robust skill set encompassing Marketing, Community Engagement, Event Planning, Strategic Partnerships, and Fundraising. Her track record of community impact is evident in her various roles, showcasing her ability to lead a nonprofit organization while adeptly navigating operational, fundraising, and community dynamics".

Ford was previously at Tuscaloosa First Presbyterian Church as Executive Director of Community Development for College Ministry and UPerk LLC. She headed comprehensive marketing strategies, resulting in enhanced visibility and community engagement. She successfully managed marketing campaigns, developed strategic partnerships, and led fundraising efforts.

This marks the first time TCT has had a full-time executive director in its 37-year history.

Tuscaloosa’s Jimmy E. Warren has been named associate vice president for Alumni Affairs at The University of Alabama and executive director of the National Alumni Association. Warrant currently serves as president of TotalCom Marketing Communications.

Utility companies in Alabama are warning that scammers and hackers are attempting to gain your personal information by emailing and texting payment and personal information demands. Meanwhile, the U-S Postal Service, UPS and FedEx are warning about scammers using fake package trackers to gain your personal information.

Carl Bates of the Better Business Bureau tell news partner ABC3340, after collecting enough information, scammers are planning to steal your identity. Bates advises to never use an email or text reply to track your package, go to the company’s website instead.

Jaterrious Deshawn Hughes has been indicted in the murder of 33-year-old Flando Ledale Crowell. The victim was critically wounded and later died after he was shot at Water Oak Apartments on Hargrove Road East on August 24th of this year - the 16th of 19 homicides in the county so far in 2023.

Rick Plummer, a national leader in health care marketing, communications, and innovation, has joined DCH as the Vice President of Marketing and Communications.

Plummer will work with DCH leaders in developing and implementing marketing and communications strategies for the health system, including leading media relations, internal/external/executive communications, and digital strategy.

Most recently, he served as the Assistant Vice President of Marketing and Branding for Wellstar MCG Health in Georgia.  Prior to that, Plummer worked for Dignity Health in California where he coordinated brand development and created award-winning marketing strategies.

Plummer had a previous extensive career in broadcast journalism that included working as a TV news reporter for KEPR-TV in Pasco, Washington, and as a news producer for KLAS-TV in Las Vegas.

Plummer earned his bachelor’s degree in Broadcast Communications from Washington State University and a master’s degree in health care Innovation from Arizona State University.

In Sports: 

The Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) has completed its reclassification for high school sports teams. Below are the classifications and areas for high schools in Tuscaloosa County (Highlighted):

7A - Region 3:

• Hewitt-Trussville High School
• Hillcrest High School, Tuscaloosa
• Hoover High School
• Oak Mountain High School
• Prattville High School
• Thompson High School
• Tuscaloosa County High School
• Vestavia Hills High School

6A - Region 4:

• Bessemer City High School
• Brookwood High School
• Central High School, Tuscaloosa
• Hueytown High School
• McAdory High School
• Northridge High School
• Paul W. Bryant High School

5A - Region 4

• Bessemer City High School
• Brookwood High School
• Central High School, Tuscaloosa
• Hueytown High School
• McAdory High School
• Northridge High School
• Paul W. Bryant High School

2A - Region 5

• Aliceville High School
• Greene County High School
• Isabella High School
• Lamar County High School
• Sulligent High School
• Tuscaloosa Academy
• Vincent Middle High School

1A - Region 3

• Choctaw County High School
• Francis Marion School
• Holy Spirit Catholic School
• Linden High School
• Pickens Academy
• R.C. Hatch High School
• University Charter School

From UA Athletics: Alabama soccer's Felicia Knox was named to the United Soccer Coaches Scholar All-America third team, the organization announced.

Knox made her second consecutive appearance after earning the academic and athletic honor in 2022. Additionally, Knox is just the second UA athlete to earn the honor multiple years, joining Reyna Reyes who was named a recipient in 2021 and 2022.

Edge rusher Jayshawn Ross, a four-star from Missouri, is the latest addition to Alabama's 2024 class. Ross is the 13th four-star commitment in Alabama's class, joining Spanish Fort's Sterling Dixon in the 2024 edge room.

Have a great day and stay warm!