West Alabama Tuesday Briefing

Good morning West Alabama. It is Tuesday, December 3, 2024.

Tuesday Morning Observations:

We just observed Thanksgiving, but thanksgiving is more than a holiday, it is an attitude. We should live in constant thankfulness for what we have and who we are as a people. For all of our divisions in our society, we are still a people who are willing to drop everything and help those in need.

We build Habitat Houses, contribute to charities, volunteer our time and in many cases just be there for someone who needs someone to care.

Last night in northern Perry County dozens of first responders and volunteers searched the woods for two hunters who got lost. The called relatives around 6:30 and told them they could not find their truck and their cellphone battery was dying.

As temperatures began a plunging toward freezing dozens of men and women headed toward the woods to look for them. They were joined by a Tuscaloosa PD helicopter, but the forestry was too thick.

This morning more people from Bibb, Hale and Perry counties showed up to enlarge the search. For paid and volunteer searchers alike, their goal is to find the hunters and return them to their families safely. They were able to accomplish their mission so we should be thankful for the work of those who care.

(Opinions expressed in Morning Briefing are not necessarily those of the ownership, management or staff of Townsquare Media Tuscaloosa.)

Weather:

Sunny skies will warm to the mid 50s tomorrow and that warmer weather will usher in good chances for light rain tomorrow. Unfortunately, it will not be enough to have impact on the ongoing drought.

A more beneficial rain with possibly a thunderstorm or two will move across West Alabama Monday and Tuesday bringing 1" to 2" of badly needed moisture.

Read More: West Alabama Faces Excessive Cold Risk Later This Week

The Forecast:

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Topping the News:

Two hunters from Chilton County were lost in the woods of extreme northern Perry County overnight. Responders and volunteers searched through the night as temperatures dropped below freezing.

The men, one from Clanton and the other from Thorsby) had called relatives around 6:30 last night and told them they could not find their truck and their cellphone battery was dying.

A TPH helicopter was brought in to join the ground search, but the woodland tree canopy was too thick. With extra personnel from surrounding counties, the missing hunters were found safe at 8:30 this morning.

The hunters had been able to build a fire during the night and were able to keep warm. Their truck was located, and they have now returned home.

Due to continuing financial losses, Pickens County's last ambulance shutdown service to the county of 19,000 residents at midnight Sunday. An ambulance service from Lamar County has now stepped into the breech until Pickens County can find other options.

One option being explored is grant fund to provide two ambulances to eventually cover the county.

In the meantime, Pickens County Sheriff's Deputies will assist with emergency medical responses.

For some two years Greene County did not file financial statements with the state. Now the state examiner's office has announced an audit of the county.

The county did not file statements between October 2019 and September 2021 triggering the state audit.

The outcome of the investigation could impact Greene County's credit rating which would damage the county's ability to borrow money in the future.

The state has also filed notice of intent to audit in Pickens County.

Alan Willingham had lived in his home in the 8900 block of Skyview Drive in Cottondale for 40 years. That home went up in flames Monday.

Willingham told firefighters he was asleep around 1:00am when he heard what sounded like an explosion and then his home erupted in flames.

Willingham's home was not insured, and he has reached out to American Red Cross for assistance.

The Tuscaloosa Fire Marshall's office is investigating the cause of the blaze.

Incumbent Tuscaloosa City Councilman Matthew Wilson will have two challengers in next year's Tuscaloosa Municipal elections.

Community activist Que Chandler, who narrowly lost to Wilson four years ago is joined by former Shelton State Basketball Coach Joe Eatmon in attempting to unseat the first term councilman.

Read More: 2 Candidates to Challenge Incumbent Tuscaloosa City Councilman

The worst of the years of roadwork to upgrade McFarland Blvd. West of the Black warrior River is complete according to the Alabama Department of Transportation.

Up next will be constructing two new bridges across the river.

Read More: ALDOT Finishes First Expansion of McFarland Boulevard in Tuscaloosa & Northport

Tuscaloosa City Schools hosted their annual TCS "Apple Awards" yesterday at the Tuscaloosa Rivermarket. 21 of the systems top educators and 23 of the top support employees were honored.

LaDarien Rancher of Southview Elementary was selected Elementary teacher of the Year. Northridge High's Ashley Farmer was named Secondary Teacher of the Year.

The Christmas season officially kicks off in Northport tonight. It is time for the annual Dickens Downtown Victorian Holiday celebration.

Traditionally held on the first Tuesday in December, Dicens Downtown is a community supported gathering that celebrates the true spirit of Christmas.

Theater Tuscaloosa will perform scenes from the iconic "A Christmas Carol", local choirs will perform, the 5th Alabama Regimental will play period Christmas music, an authentic town crier and Father Christmas himself will make an appearance.

The event runs from 5:00pm until 8:00pm.

After meeting with President-Elect Trump's Secretary of Defense nominee Pete Hegseth, Alabama Republican U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville told reporters Hegseth would be "great" for the position.

On Sunday, the New Yorker published an investigation into Hegseth that alleged that "a trail of documents, corroborated by the accounts of former colleagues, indicates that Hegseth was forced to step down by both of the two nonprofit advocacy groups that he ran -- Veterans for Freedom and Concerned Veterans for America -- in the face of serious allegations of financial mismanagement, sexual impropriety, and personal misconduct."

Topping Sports News:

The SEC led all conferences with eight ranked teams in this week's Associated Press College men's Basketball Poll.

Oregon led the week’s six new teams after beating Alabama to win the Players Era Festival championship Saturday night.