West Alabama Wednesday Briefing

Good Wednesday morning West Alabama. It is September 11, 2024.

Today is a day of remembrance as we commemorate that day in 2011 when terrorists attacked the United States in New York City and Washington D.C., and Americans fought back aboard Flight 93, bringing an aircraft bound for crashing into the U.S. Capitol down in a field in Shanksville, PA.

Nearly 3,000 people lost their lives that fateful day in New York City's World Trade, the Pentagon in Alexandria, VA and aboard flight 93. Among them a group of heroes known as first responders who ran into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon to help rescue those inside. For many of them it was their final act of valor.

The events of 9/11, although briefly, united a divided nation. It was a time when we all saw value and meaning to being called an American.

This is a hallowed day, much like Pearl Harbor Day, when all Americans should vow to honor those who lost their lives with a renewed effort to seek unity and attempt to bridge the gaps in our society.

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Hurricane Francine is expected to make landfall later today and impact weather across West Alabama tomorrow.

Francine will lose power as it traverses Mississippi, but West Alabama will still feel the effects with wind gusts 35 to 40 mph, heavy rain and possible flash flooding along with quick spin-up, short lived tropical tornadoes Thursday.

There could be scattered power outages as high winds topple trees and power lines.

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Topping the News:

Numerous traffic crashes across the Tuscaloosa area this morning resulted in fatalities from two separate incidents. One involved a school bus in Fosters, the other at the I359 on-ramp from I20/59 inbound to downtown.

Another incident that backed up traffic occurred on I20/59 near the Covered Bridge Road exit when sheet metal fell of a truck, closing the highway.

There were at least three other less severe crashes during morning rush hour.

There is tragic news from Gordo today. The official Gordo High School Football account posted that Jack Plowman, a junior Green Wave football player, had passed away.

According to the Facebook Page, "Jack's Stronger than Sarcoma" Jack Plowman was 15 years old and battled Ewing's Sarcoma previously. 12 hours ago, it was posted that Jack had passed away.

40-year-old James Steven Cox was arrested Friday on public intoxication charges while on campus at Lloyd Wood Education Center. The teacher, who is now on administrative leave, remains in Tuscaloosa County Jail as authorities determine if probation from a 2023 domestic violence conviction should be revoked.

According to court document, the Friday arrest occurred when the school resource officer noticed the smell of alcohol on Cox's breath when he was "struggling" with a student in a hallway.

A probation revocation hearing is set for October 10th. The Tuscaloosa County District Attorney's Office claims Cox has violated terms of the probation from violent confrontation had with his now ex-wife.

Cottondale Republican State Senator Gerald Allen went to the Tuscaloosa City Council with a proposal last night to ask the state to purchase the Black Warrior Parkway toll bridge.

The state made a similar purchase of the toll bridge in Foley and immediately dropped all tolls.

Tuscaloosa Mayor Wal Maddox noted that Allen will get backing for his resolution to be sent to Governor Ivey.

The annual Transportation Summit, where community leaders and local, state, and federal officials will come together to discuss critical transportation issues affecting our region is upcoming on October 15th.

According to a release from the Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama, the event will provide valuable insights into current and future transportation projects, infrastructure development, and policy updates. Attendees will hear from Wallace McAdory of the Alabama Department of Transportation, Brendan Moore of the City of Tuscaloosa, Tera Tubbs of the City of Northport, and Tracy Criss of Tuscaloosa County.

The event will be 11:30am until 1:00pm at Tuscaloosa River Market.

Topping Sports News:

Alabama football will head to Camp Randall Stadium, the home of the student instigated "Jump Around" is Wisconsin Saturday morning. The Crimson Tide is a 16.5-point favorite in their first road trip of the season. The over/under is 50.5 total points.

The Hillcrest Patriots have moved up to the daunting 7A classification in Alabama High School Football. The tougher competition has not phased the Pats yet as they are ranked 15th in this week's On3's Alabama High School Football top 25 list

Stillman College's Emily Powell has been selected as Volleyball Defender of the Week for matches from September 2-8 as reported on hbcuac.org

Keep up with the latest West Alabama news, sports and weather by clicking on TuscaloosaThread.com throughout the day. Better yet, download the app.

Have a wonderful Wednesday and drive safe out there!! ROLL TIDE!!