West Alabama Wednesday Briefing
Good morning West Alabama. It is Wednesday June 19, 2024.
It is Juneteenth, the day that the last slaves found out they had been freed by the end of the civil war two months earlier. It is a day to celebrate freedom. It is also a day to remember all of those who were unfairly and inhumanely sold and treated as property instead of as a human being, one of God's children.
Juneteenth is an official federal holiday which means most banks will be closed and there will be no mail delivery today.
Gov. Ivey has issued an executive order declaring today a state holiday, although it is not an official one because the legislature failed to pass a bill that would have created a permanent state holiday for the observance. State offices and courts are closed today.
Most municipal governments are also closed today.
Let us use today to remind ourselves that color does not define a person's heart or character. We are all Americans.
Weather should not impact today's special celebration
The Forecast:
Yesterday's death of baseball legend Willie Mays has had a major impact on tomorrow night's major league game at Rickwood Field in Birmingham. The game between St. Louis and San Francisco at Rickwood was intended to honor the Negro Leagues, but it has become a reflection on the life and career of the Alabama native. The former New York/San Francisco Giant legend died yesterday at the age of 93.
The center fielder was baseball’s oldest living Hall of Famer. His over-the-shoulder catch of a long drive in the 1954 World Series is baseball’s most celebrated defensive feat. The Westfield, AL native played one year with the Birmingham Black barons before beginning his legendary major league career.
Developer D.L. Horton Company has agreed to meet with the Waterford Place Homeowners Association to discuss their opposition to a new neighborhood.
Residents of the South Tuscaloosa neighborhood are concerned about additional density being added to the area between Waterford Place and Shelton State. they turned out in mass at the Monday Tuscaloosa Planning & Zoning Commission to voice their concerns.
The commission continued a final recommendation on the planned neighborhood until next month's meeting.
Samory Pruitt, vice president for community affairs at UA, will be presented as the 2024 NAACP Living Legend, at a noon luncheon at the Shelton State Martin Campus, 9500 Old Greensboro Road. Tickets are $25, through www.eventbrite.com/e/the-tuscaloosa-county-branch-naacp-2024-juneteenth-living-legend-luncheon-tickets-909784448777.
Tuscaloosa native Justin Ross Harris was convicted of leaving his son to die in a hot car in Georgia in 2014. Yesterday Harris was released from a Georgia State Prison after the state Supreme Court there ruled his conviction was prejudiced by prosecutors. Harris is not free through. He is now in Cobb County Jail serving out the remainder of a sentence for lewd activities with a minor.
Two area healthcare professionals have received statewide recognition. Luke Standeffer, senior vice president/administrator of DCH Regional Medical Center and Northport Medical Center, was recently honored by the Alabama Hospital Association with one of its highest awards, the Distinguished Service Award for significant achievement in the field of hospital administration.
Llevelyn Rhone, a businessman and a community advocate from Hale County, was also recognized with a Special Citation for his work in ensuring access to quality care in Black Belt Counties.
Both received their recognitions at the Association’s recent annual meeting.
Two couples involved in wrongful death lawsuits that led to the Alabama Supreme Court equating frozen embryos to unborn children and allowing the lawsuits to move forward. They have filed a motion challenging the constitutionality of a new law giving Invitro fertilization providers civil and criminal immunity.
Alabama House Minority Leader Anthony Daniels (D-Huntsville) believes challenges will continue until the legislature defines unborn children.
The Sweet Trails Alabama master plan focuses on connectivity, health and wellness, economic development, and conservation. It includes proposed new trails, improvements to existing trails, and initiatives to make trails more accessible and enjoyable for all users. The organization is seeking Alabamians input on the plan.
Residents can contribute their ideas and opinions online or in person.
- Public Survey: Click here to participate in our online survey.
- Master Plan Draft: Click here to see the draft master plan.
- Executive Summary: Click here to read the executive summary.
For more information about the master plan and to get involved, visit sweettrailsalabama.org.
Governor Kay Ivey announced Tuesday that Innovate Alabama will receive nearly $98 million to continue its support of small businesses in the state. The governor's office said funding was made possible based on Act 2024-74, a piece of legislation passed through the Alabama State Legislature earlier this month and signed into law by Governor Ivey.
Topping Sports News:
Weather in the Omaha area turned bad yesterday and forced the night game to be postponed until this morning. That gives fans of the NCAA College Baseball World Series three games to follow today.
Florida State sent North Carolina home yesterday, leaving only one ACC team remaining, Florida State.
Today's action:
- The game between Kentucky & Florida was postponed to this morning at 10 a.m. CT.
- The Tennessee vs Florida State game will take place approximately at 2 p.m. CT.
- Texas A&M vs the Kentucky/Florida winner will take place approximately at 6 p.m. CT.
According to Hayes Fawcett of On3 Sports, Alabama has earned a commitment from four-star offensive tackle Jackson Lloyd.
The 6’7 285 OT from Carmel, CA chose the Crimson Tide over Ohio State & USC. He is ranked as a Top 30 Recruit in ‘25 (per On3)
Read More: Alabama Earns Third OL Commitment
Have a wonderful Wednesday!!
More From 95.3 The Bear
