West Alabama Tuesday Briefing
Good morning, West Alabama!! It is Tuesday August 20, 2024.
Nature can be a big tease sometimes. There was a nice ting of fall in the air early this morning but the upper 80s and lower 90s will return during the day and the 8-to14 Day Forecast issued by the NOAA's Climate Prediction Center forecasts a return of above normal temperatures.
Unfortunately, the precipitation forecast during that same 8–15-day time period is leaning toward being below normal. That will most likely mean a continued re-spreading of drought conditions over the area.
At least we can enjoy the lower humidity levels for now.
The Forecast:
Increases in Northport council, president and mayor pay are coming. The Northport City Council will soon receive an annual salary of $15,500, beginning in November 2025 following the next municipal election. The city council president will see a salary bump to $17,500, while the mayor’s paycheck will go to $22,000. It is the 1st pay hikes since 2021.
The second round of facade improvement incentives in the City of Northport is underway. The Northport Redevelopment Authority yesterday announced the 2025 Facade Improvement Grant Program which funded by Northport First funds.
Grants up to $100,000 will be award accepted applicants, with a 50% match required. Businesses along the Highway 69 corridor from the bridges to the Highway 82 intersection, and the Highway 82 corridor from the eastern city limits to the intersection with Highway 43 will receive bonus points.
Read More: Northport Offers to Match Up to $100,000 for 4 Private Facade Upgrade Projects
A 23-year-old woman was struck by a vehicle on McFarland Blvd. last night. The pedestrian was attempting to cross the busy roadway in the 2100 block around 8:40pm. The woman's condition has not been released.
The driver of the vehicle remained at the scene. The TPD Traffic Homicide Unit continues to investigate the incident that shutdown westbound traffic for about two-hours.
Read More: Tuscaloosa Woman Hospitalized After Being Struck by Car Monday Night
41-year-old Autum A. Hargett died in a one car crash in I-22 in Walker County Monday Afternoon. Her van struck an embankment and overturned. Troopers say she was not wearing a seatbelt.
Read More: Walker County Woman Killed in Monday Afternoon Crash Near Jasper
The proposed Dawkins Subdivision near Shelton State will go to the Tuscaloosa City Council without total backing from the city’s planning and zoning commission. Residents surrounding the development site showed up for a third time to voice opposition, despite concessions made by developer D.L. Horton to eliminate townhomes and reduce the number of lots.
High population density, heavy traffic and strain on city services are among the concerns residents in the area.
You may remember the letter the postal service sent to residents along Walker County’s High Hill Road. It informed them they will have to move the mailboxes to the end of the street unless improvements are made to the deteriorating road. Well yesterday road crews began work to make High Hill Road safer for the mail carrier and residents.
The county pulled some workers from other road projects to repair Hil Hill Road.
Shelton State student Maia Brasfield, who has been selected as a 2024 HBCU Scholar by the White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunities through Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
Alabama delegates to the Democratic National Convention in Chicago are reporting a renewed energy with President Biden's passing of the party leadership to Vice President Kamala Harris.
Last night's session was a lovefest inside the convention hall but outside, pro-Palestinian protestors tore down a security fence in an attempt to storm the convention hall. Officials there are more concerned about tonight as protestors plan to assemble at the Israeli Consulate in Chicago.
Theatre Tuscaloosa will hold open auditions for “The Addams Family” on August 23 at 6:00 p.m. and August 24 at 3:00 p.m. with callbacks tentatively scheduled on August 25 at 1:00 p.m. in the Wilson Carr Rehearsal Hall on the Martin Campus of Shelton State Community College.
The play is a musical comedy based on the television series of the same name.
Exhibitors are being invited to participate in the upcoming West AlabamaWorks! Worlds of Work event, which will be held on October 2-3 at Shelton State Community College, Martin Campus.
Participating organization to thousands of ninth grade students, educators, and community members who are eager to learn more about career paths in various industries.
Click HERE to register.
Topping Sports News:
The Alabama men's basketball team will partner with Memphis to compete in a charity exhibition game on Oct. 28 in Huntsville at the Von Braun Center Propst Arena in the "2024 Rocket City Classic". All proceeds from the contest will support the Huntsville Hospital Foundation.
Read More: Alabama Schedules Rocket City Exhibition
Alabama and its star GM Courtney Morgan have agreed to a new three-year deal that will average about $825,000 per year, sources tell @247sports/@CBSSports.
Read More: Courtney Morgan Earns Huge Payday
Alabama Head Football Coach Kalen DeBoer is continuing a Nick Saban tradition of bringing in special guest speakers to address the Crimson Tide. The most recent is JJ Watt, arguably one of the best defensive players ever and a three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
Click TuscaloosaThread.com throughout the day for the latest West Alabama news, sports and weather coverage. better yet, click on our app.
Have a terrific Tuesday!!
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