West Alabama Wednesday Briefing

Today is Wednesday April 3, 2024.

West Alabama fortunately received minimal impact from that line of strong to severe storms that swept across the state last night. A tornado that may have stayed elevated as it tracked across Perry County apparently unroofed a house on Preacher Bell Road in Perry County, just south of Marion. Although it could have been strong straight-line winds that was the culprit. Perry County EMA has not had any reports of injuries.

That tornado that passed across Perry County left dame in the Verbena community in Chilton County where several homes were damaged.

A National Weather Service meteorological survey team will be in the field today to determine if there were tornado touchdowns or if the twisters remained at elevation. They will also identify storms tracks and strength.

There were just of 500 power outages reported across West Alabama, partly because the number of downed trees were minimal.

A cool start to this morning will lead to cool days and night as we head toward a warmup over the coming weekend.

The Forecast:

Today

Sunny, with a high near 65. West wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.

Tonight

Mostly clear, with a low around 43. West wind 10 to 15 mph.

Thursday

Sunny, with a high near 66. West wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.

Thursday Night

Clear, with a low around 39. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.

Friday

Sunny, with a high near 66. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.

Friday Night

Clear, with a low around 40.

The Weekend

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Topping the News:

Workers at the Vance Mercedes Benz plant are expected to file for a union vote. Reuters news service is citing three people who claim the paperwork will soon be filed with the national Labor Relations Board (NLRB) with a date for a vote to be set later.

The United Auto Workers (UAW) is declining to comment at this time about a timeframe for the vote.

The company and State of Alabama are fighting the attempt to organize some 6,000 employees at the non-union auto maker.

The Tuscaloosa City School System has been working on developing a plan to handle the loss of $45 million in Cares Act Funding in September. The system has been able to save $10 million to pad the transition.

A decision must be made by the end of the current school year on which personnel will revert to the general fund and which might be eliminated.

Tuscaloosa City Schools Chief School Financial Officer Jay Duke believes the transition will not be disrupting.

42-year-old Jacob Wayne Battle has been arrested and charged with first-degree assault after he allegedly shot and killed an endangered Canadian Goose last month and then fired a warning shot that stuck a resident on Ridge Road in Brookwood who confronted him.

Policed reports allege the warning shot fired by Battle ricocheted off the crowd and struck the victim in the leg. He was transported to hospital and Tuscaloosa County Sheriff's Deputies transported Battle to Tuscaloosa County Jail where he later posed bond and was released.

See: Alleged Poacher Charged with Shooting Brookwood Man Over Goose (tuscaloosathread.com)

Tuscaloosa's Stillman College has finalized a partnership with Birmingham Southern College to accept student transfers when the Methodist school closes its door in May.

In a press release, Stillman College President Yolanda W. Page said, "Stillman College stands ready to assist Birmingham-Southern College faculty, staff, and students during this difficult transition. BSC will have our support as friends and colleagues.” Page added the institution will participate in the BSC Student Teach-Out and Transfer College Fair this Friday for BSC students where they can learn more about the campus’ programs.

Boys & Girls Clubs of West Alabama has been honored with the prestigious Advocate for Youth Award by the national Boys & Girls Clubs of America, recognizing their outstanding efforts in advocating for the youth of Alabama.

Kim Turner, President and CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of West Alabama, emphasized the vital role that clubs like theirs play as community leaders in providing essential afterschool programs. These programs are instrumental in enabling young people to achieve brighter futures.

See: West Alabama Boys & Girls Club Receives An Advocacy Award (tuscaloosathread.com)

A $1 million bond has been set for 68-year-ol Versa Mae Simmons of Demopolis who was recently arrested and charged with an infant’s death.

Demopolis Police Chief Rex Flowers says first responders were called to Tender Years on Maria Avenue on the afternoon of March 25. He said CPR was administered to an unresponsive infant, who was then rushed to Whitfield Memorial Hospital. The resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful, and the infant was pronounced dead.

An autopsy determined the child's death was a homicide.

Simmons remains in the Marengo County Detention Center.

Lennox Square Apartments may have to be at least partially rebuilt after a fire Sunday substantially damaged it. The blaze resulted in a couple of injuries and several units heavily damaged leaving 26 residents seeking housing.

The Red Cross is assisting as requests are received.

West Alabama Democrat Congresswoman Terri Sewell will bring her annual “Congress in Your Community” tour to Greene County tomorrow. The meet and greet will take place at noon in the Forkland Town Hall (13327 US-43).

Sewell represents 14 7th Congressional District counties in West Alabama including a portion of Tuscaloosa County.

Topping Sports News:

The Alabama Men's Basketball Team flew to Phoenix AZ yesterday afternoon to begin on-site preparations for their Saturday night game with UConn in the NCAA Final Four.

It is the program's first appearance in the Final Four and the supposed college basketball experts are giving the Tide no chance of upsetting the defending national champions. ESPN gives the Huskies an 88% chance of easily defeating UA. The line shows UConn is an 11.5-point favorite.

From UA Athletics: Fans will have the opportunity to watch Alabama NCAA Final Four at Coleman Coliseum Saturday night. The viewing is open to the public with doors set to open at 7 p.m. (tip scheduled for 7:49 p.m.).Additional details for the event are:

Parking is available in the Coleman Coliseum lots and Capstone Deck
Admission is free
Fans can enter through both the North and East entrances
Metal detectors and clear bag policy are in effect
No outside food or beverages
Concession stands will be open
Merchandise will be available for sale on the concourse
DJ, giveaways and sponsor activations planned throughout the game.

The Alabama-Samford baseball game scheduled for yesterday has been moved to this afternoon at 3 p.m. in Birmingham. Yesterday's game was postponed due to the threat of severe weather.

The Alabama Softball Team's game at Jacksonville State was cancelled last night due to the severe weather threat.

Have a Wonderful Week. The countdown to the Final Four is on. ROLL TIDE!!