West Alabama Wednesday Briefing
It is Wednesday November 22, 2023, Thanksgiving Eve. One thing we all should be thankful for is at 8:00 this morning, the Alabama Forestry Commission cleared all but several East Alabama counties from the "No Burn Order" of the last few weeks.
West Alabama received one to two inches of rainfall over the last few days to reduce the fire threat. There are three small wildfires, one each in Pickens, Lamar and Fayette counties here in West Alabama.
The Current U.S. Drought Monitor for Alabama released earlier this morning still slows Bibb, Pickens, Tuscaloosa and all counties northward under Extreme Drought. West Alabama counties roughly south of the I20/59 corridor continue to be designated as in Severe Drought.
The latest forecast doesn't offer a lot of hope of breaking the drought anytime soon as only small chances for scattered light showers are in the forecast the remainder of this week and on Sunday.
The Forecast:
Today: A 20 percent chance of showers before 9am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 56. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 36. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Thanksgiving Day: Patchy frost before 8am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 57. Calm wind.
Thursday Night: A chance of sprinkles with a slight chance of showers before midnight, then a chance of showers after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 43. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Black Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 61. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph.
High School Football Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 38.
Iron Bowl Saturday at Auburn: Mostly sunny, with a high near 63.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 40.
Sunday: A 20 percent chance of showers after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 60.
Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 41.
The New Work Week: Mostly sunny days with highs in the mid 50s. Mostl cloudy nights with lows in the mid 30s.
Topping the News:
With a record number of motorist hitting the road for Thanksgiving this week, ALEA Trooper Sgt. Reginal King reminds us that not buckling up is still the major killer in traffic crashes Inattention, speeding, impaired driving are the main causes of accidents.
King points out that while ALDOT work zones will not be staffed, the posted speed limit still will still be enforced for traffic safety.
ALEA Troopers will be out in force to keep roadways safe and hopefully reduce the number of crashes.
Over the next decade the now Tuscaloosa Amp, now named Mercedes-Benz Amphitheatre will get some major upgrades. Jamie Weir, the co-founder of WBA Architecture, told the city council's projects committee they wanted to maintain continuity of design in upgrades to VIP and artist experiences.
The upgrades will include a VIP club, a new green room and talent space backstage and a covered and larger VIP indoor/outdoor space above the existing seating.
come in three phases over the next 10 years.
The City of Tuscaloosa will no longer accept plastic film wrap to be recycled, meaning residents will need to begin throwing away grocery bags, dry-cleaning bags, cereal-box liners and more. The change is due to the city no longer being able to ship certain materials to China for processing, which made it significantly more difficult to "move" plastic film collected by recycling crews.
Chuck's Fish will serve their 14th Thanksgiving Feast to the community tomorrow. The restaurant will give free meals to the community from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Thanksgiving Day according to manager Erin Barfield is always special with more than 100 volunteers participating in the event.
Tuscaloosa Emergency services has received a $1-million grant from the Bezos Family Day 1 Fund to assist families in crisis situations. It is the largest ever donation to TES.
Alabama Hospital Association President and CEO Dr. Donald Williamson has verified to Townsquare Media Tuscaloosa that numbers from CDC earlier this week are correct. The state has seen a 10% increase in COVID19 hospital admissions since the first of the month but points out the numbers are no worse than a significant flu outbreak. Williamson is urging Alabamians to get the vaccine for both flu and COVID19.
A couple of years ago the University of Alabama Million Dollar Band made its inaugural appearance in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade in New York City. This year the Alabama A&M Maroon and White Band will lead the iconic parade tomorrow morning.
The Kiwanis Club of Tuscaloosa has named Forrest Wiggins, Jr. the 2023 Tuscaloosa County Farmer of the Year. Wiggins is a third-generation row crop farmer who grows corn, soybean, cotton, and more in Fosters.
It may be hard to believe for us old folks, but 60 years have now passed since the assassination of President John Fitzgerald Kennedy. The young president was riding in an open limousine when shots rang out at 12:30pm as his motorcade passed the Texas School Book Depository at Dealey Plaza.
The nation's chief executive was just 46 years old and had begun campaigning for a second term in office.
In Sports:
Alabama remains eighth in the new College Football Playoff Poll released last night. The top 10 are Georgia, Ohio State, Michigan, Washington, FSU, Oregon, Texas, Alabama, Missouri and Louisville.
Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox is backing up his Iron Bowl bet with Auburn Mayor Ron Anders with a prediction. If Bama wins Anders will donate $100 to Tuscaloosa’s Pre-K Initiative. If Auburn bests the Tide Maddox will donate $100 to the Exceptional Foundation of East Alabama.
High School Football Playoff action continues Friday night with a few area teams still in contention for a state title. Hillcrest will travel to Saraland in Class 6A. In 5A Demopolis will host Eufaula. In 2A TA is at Fyffe and in 1A Pickens County will entertain Wadley.
From UA Athletics: Alabama volleyball (10-17, 0-16 SEC) concludes its season with two matches this week, traveling to Auburn, Ala., to face the Tigers (19-8, 9-7 SEC) today, for a 6:30 p.m. Match before returning home for Senior Day on Saturday, Nov. 25 against Texas A&M (15-11, 7-9 SEC) at 12 p.m. in Foster Auditorium.
Thanksgiving is tomorrow, a time to be thankful for what we have not what we don't have or want. It should be a time of family, friends, food and football. However, we need to all remember there are those who will not huddle in a cozy home with loved ones for one reason or another. Remember them in prayer and action. Use this holiday to contribute or volunteer with organizations that attempt to make a difference.
Have a happy, blessed and safe holiday.
More From 95.3 The Bear
