WEST ALABAMA TUESDAY BRIEFING

It is Tuesday, June 13, 2023, and hazardous weather potential is ramping up across West Alabama today through Thursday.

According to the Storm Prediction Center (SPC) there is a Slight (2 in 5) Risk for strong to severe weather today. Winds could gust to 60 mph and there could be egg-size hail. It won't rain all day but precipitation at times could be heavy. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible, mainly between 1pm and 4pm. There is no significant tornado threat today. High 82, low 68.

Wednesday will bring an Enhanced (3 in 5) Risk for severe weather. Winds could gust upwards of 70mph with baseball size hail. A tornado or two is possible. Showers and possibly a thunderstorm could occur before 1pm, then showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 4pm. High near 86 with a low of 68. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.

Thursday showers and thunderstorms are likely, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 85 and a low of 68. Thursday night brings a 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1am.

Rainfalls is in the forecast Friday - Monday. Total event rainfall could be as high as 5" in some spots.

Stay tuned to Operation Storm Watch and click on TuscaloosaThread.com for later updates and possible warnings.

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Topping the News:

The Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission voted to award 21 business licenses to select companies across the state. That’s out of 90 applications. The licenses will allow these companies to grow, sell, test and transport medical marijuana. A processor license went to Jasper Development Group, Inc. Greensboro State Senator Bobby Singleton is not surprised all the available licenses were not allocated but he believes they eventually will be. A patient must be certified by a doctor to receive medical cannabis.

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One of Tuscaloosa’s most colorful characters, former Tuscaloosa High and UA Basketball star, Harry Hammonds has died. In the 1960s Hammonds was a star for the Tuscaloosa High Black Bears then for Coach Hayde Riley at the University of Alabama. The 6'4" Hammonds was good enough to be invited to play in the then fledgling NBA but turned the offer down and opened the iconic Harry’s Bar which he told after 35 years of operations.

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Big Brothers Big Sisters of West Alabama is hosting a community fundraiser this today at Hotel Indigo. The event will run from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and is free to attend. In addition to the fundraising activities, guests can enjoy live music performed by local singer/songwriter Matt Jones.

Visitors can contribute to the organization in multiple ways, but primarily through the "Buy It Now" board. This board will feature gift cards from a variety of local businesses including Royal Cleaners, Avenue Pub, Hoo's Q, Chuck's Fish and several more.

Guests can claim these gift cards at a discounted value on a first-come, first-served basis.

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In Sports:

Former Tide Softball Pitcher Montana Fouts is a finalist for the Honda Cup Female Athlete of the year…Meanwhile, Alabama Baseball has a new head coach. Rob Vaughn won multiple Big10 coach of the year honors while coach at Maryland. Pitching Coach James Jackson will remain on the staff.

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Shelton State Community College has established the Shelton State Community College Athletic Hall of Fame (Hall of Fame). According to the school's website, "The Hall of Fame will serve as a means of recognizing and honoring athletes, coaches, teams, and individuals who have made significant contributions to the athletics programs at the College and who have set high standards for others to emulate."

Inaugural honorees were nominated from three categories and are at least five (5) years removed from enrollment or employment at Shelton State. The categories for nominees were athletes, coaches, and contributors, and those selected for recognition are listed below.

Steve King, Former SSCC Softball Coach
Susan Thomas Saylor, Former SSCC Softball Coach
Mark Cornelius, Former SSCC Men’s Basketball Coach
Jimmy Collins, Former SSCC Golf Coach
Jack Kubiszyn, Former Baseball Coach
Leo Sumner, Former SSCC President credited with establishing SSCC Athletics
Christa Sanford, Former SSCC Cheer Coach
Bruce Bizzoco, Former SSCC Fencing Coach
Drew Linn, SSCC Athletic Contributor
1999 National Championship Golf Team