West Alabama Wednesday Briefing

Good morning West Alabama. It is Wednesday, December 18, 2024.

Wednesday Morning Observations:

Christmas Day is a week from today. For many of us the week in between will be busy going work or school, shopping for just the right presents, mailing last minute Christmas cards, grocery shopping and planning the family Christmas Day dinner. But among all the hustle and bustle I urge you to slow down and remember the "reason for the season".

God sent his son into this world for us, to save us from ourselves and to teach us to have compassion for others, At this important time of the year let us look outward for a bit at those in need.

There are numerous organizations collect funds, food and gifts for our neighbors who, through no fault of their own, are in need. One of those organizations in the Salvation Army.

Last year, the organization provided more than 51,465 meals to those experiencing chronic hunger and provided 17,710 nights of shelter while serving thousands more through various programs and services.

The Tuscaloosa Salvation Army’s goal is to raise $80,000 this holiday season. They are short of that goal at this moment. So, take some time and look for a Salvation Army "Red Kettle" and bellringer. Drop in what you can spare or if you can't get to a kettle go online and give virtually, it is what the season is all about.

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

Weather:

Increasing cloudiness is expected this afternoon with a line of showers moving across Central Alabama during the afternoon to evening hours. A few thunderstorms are possible, but they are not expected to reach severe levels.

The Forecast:

Today

Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm, mainly after 3pm. Areas of fog before 10am. Otherwise, increasing clouds, with a high near 72. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Tonight

A 30 percent chance of showers before 9pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 41. North wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Thursday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 56. North wind around 5 mph.

Thursday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 36. Calm wind.

Friday

Sunny, with a high near 53. Light northwest wind increasing to 10 to 15 mph in the morning.

Friday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 29.

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Topping the News:

A car crash over the weekend in Fayette County continues to perplex law enforcement. While investigators continue to search for a missing one-year-old boy, more information surrounding the car crash that killed his father and two-year-old sister and critically injured his mother has been revealed.

The Alabama Uniform Traffic Crash Report states driver Steven Collins was going an estimated 92 miles per hour which is more than twice the posted speed limit of 45 miles per hour on CR-73 in Fayette County. He lost control of his Toyota Tacoma exited the road and struck a tree. None of the vehicle occupants were restrained.

A search for one-year-old Kahleb Collins turned up, then family members told authorities the child may have disappeared months ago.

ALEA has issued an emergency missing child alert but revealed no further information.

Read More: Alabama Police Say Baby Missing After Deadly Crash Was Last Seen Months Ago

66-year-old James Gorman Houston III has charged with electronic solicitation of a child and traveling to meet a minor for a sex act according to the West Alabama Human Trafficking Task Force.

The Tuscaloosa residents is a former United Methodist Church pastor who served at churches in south Alabama and at 1st UMC Tuscaloosa. His arrest was part of an undercover operation conducted Tuesday.

He is the son of the late Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Gorman Houston.

In 2010 Houston resigned from the Dauphin Way UMC and the clergy amid allegations that he violated ethical standards, The church as that time noted that the violations were of church standards, not public law.

Read More: Tuscaloosa Man Arrested for Soliciting Minor After Undercover Operation

A $1 million Cybersecurity Scholarship Grant has been made by Google to Stillman College. The contribution honors the memory of Kevin Lamar Harris who served as executive director of the HBCU Cybersecurity Clinic at Stillman College. He passed away on Oct. 5 at the age of 50.

A Stillman release says the gift from Google will strengthen the cybersecurity programs Harris helped establish at the college in West End.

Staff, students and neighbors of Shelton State Community College's C.A. Fredd Campus got a treat yesterday and it was part of final exams. The annual “Chef’s Table Showcase” highlighted what students have been learning about food preparations and presentation and it was free.

More than 7,000 children will have a merrier Christmas in West Alabama due to "Toys for Tots". During the two-day distribution, each child will receive three age-appropriate gifts and three stocking stuffers.

During their spring session, Alabama lawmakers raised the income limit for women to receive benefits through the Woman, Infants, and Children (WIC) program.

WIC is now open to people whose incomes are at 185% of the poverty level.

The lowest threshold for a family of two to receive benefits through WIC is 728 dollars.

WIC is open to pregnant women, women who had a baby within the past six months, breastfeeding moms, and children under five.

Under WIC, each child who qualifies can receive $26 a month to help pay for food.

Topping Sports News:

Tonight's Alabama at North Dakota game is a homecoming of sorts for Tide Forward Grant Nelson. His hometown of Devils Lake is just a couple of hours from the arena. For that reason, Nelson told media he has been swamped with tickets requests from family and friends.

Nelson probably will not get a great welcome because he played for NDU's main rival North Dakota State before transferring to Alabama.

A Winter Storm Watch is in effect for the Grand Forks, ND area through tomorrow. Total snow accumulations between 2 and 7 inches are possible. Winds could gust as high as 35 mph. The high today there is forecast at 9-degrees with a low of 3-degrees and a wind chill of -12-degrees. Grant advised his teammates to bring their overcoat.

The 6th ranked Crimson Tide (8-20 is coming off a big win against Creighton this past Saturday while the Fighting Hawks are 4-8 and enters the matchup on a three-game losing streak.

Tipoff is set for 8:00 tonight on the CBS Sports Network on TV and the Crimson Tide Sports Network on radio.

Tide football stars Tyler Booker and Malachi Moore continue to pile on the All-American accolades this season, with Booker being named an All-American by the FWAA, Associated Press, American Football Coaches Association, and the Walter Camp Football Foundation. Moore was named an All-American by the Associated Press and the AFCA.

Both players were named to Sporting News Second Team All American.

Former Florida EDGE Rusher Kelby Collins has Committed to Alabama according to various reports. Collins originally considered Alabama out of Gardendale High School.

The every game starter totaled 29 Tackles, 3 Sacks, 1 FF, 15 QB hurries, & 2 QB Hits in his time at UF.

Click TuscaloosaThread.com for the latest West Alabama news, sports and weather. Better yet, download the app.

Have a Happy Hump Day! Christmas is just a week away!