West Alabama Wednesday Briefing

Good morning West Alabama! It is Wednesday, February 12, 2025. This is the 43rd day of the year with 322 days remaining.

Wednesday Morning Observations:

Both Alabama and Auburn did what they needed to in order to make Saturday afternoon's clash between #1 and #2 the over-the-top basketball event it should be. The Tide overcame repeated unforced turnovers to waltz past Texas 103-80 in Austin last night. Shortly before the Tigers wrapped up a more contested road win over Vanderbilt 80-68.

As if the rivalry between Alabama and Auburn was not already intense, Saturday's contest will matchup two number ones and two number twos. Huh? What? Yep, Auburn is #1 and Alabama is #2 in the AP Poll. It is a flip flop in the Coaches Poll with the Tide #1 and Tigers #2.

The game is the first No. 1 vs. No. 2 game in Southeastern Conference history and it is drawing plenty of attention. ESPN's College Basketball GameDay will make its second appearance at Coleman Coliseum Saturday morning at 10:00. The program is hosted by Bama grad Rece Davis and a host of basketball experts like Jay Bilas, Andraya Carter, Seth Greenberg, and Jay Williams.

The game will matchup two of the best college basketball coaches in the country in Alabama's Nate Oats and Auburn's Bruce Pearl. Their records prove they are at the top of their game.

The "Iron Bowl on the Hardwood" is just the fifth time both squads have been ranked for a meeting. It may be hard to believe in football crazy Alabama but since 2017, UA and AU have combined for four SEC regular season titles, four SEC Tournament titles and two Final Fours. Uh, is Alabama a 'basketball state' now?

The importance of the game is confirmed by the fact that it is a sellout and the cost of tickets on the secondary market are through the roof. On Stub Hub they are running from $311.00 to $1,485.00. At Vivid Seats tickets are running from $289.00 to $2,252.00. Ticketmaster prices start at $367.00 and run upwards to $1, 414.00. On Seat Geek the prices begin at $262.00 and max out at $2,222.00. Now honestly, did anyone ever imagine tickets to an Auburn at Alabama basketball game to cost that much?

I can't afford to go but the atmosphere created by the game is exciting and bringing football type electricity to T-Town this week.

ROLL TIDE!

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

Weather:

Heavy rainfall through tonight has prompted a Flood Watch until 4 tomorrow morning. Rain accumulations of 2 to 3 inches with local amounts upwards of 4-inches are possible. There is also a threat for severe thunderstorms between 2:00 this afternoon and 6:00 tomorrow morning.

Another more significant Elevated (3 in 5) Risk for severe weather exists for Saturday night into Sunday morning this coming weekend.

A Flood Warning is in effect for the following rivers in West Alabama:

Tombigbee River at Bevill Lock and Dam affecting Sumter, Pickens and Greene Counties.
Black Warrior River at Selden Lock and Dam affecting Marengo, Greene and Hale Counties.

The Forecast:

Today

Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before noon, then showers between noon and 3pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 3pm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. High near 67. East wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.

Tonight

Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before midnight, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between midnight and 3am. Low around 45. South wind around 10 mph becoming northwest after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Thursday

Cloudy through mid-morning, then gradual clearing, with a high near 56. North wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Thursday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 31. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.

Friday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 60. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming east in the afternoon.

Friday Night

A 50 percent chance of showers. Increasing clouds, with a low around 49.

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Topping the News:

Tuscaloosa City Schools Facing Tough Financial Decisions

The Tuscaloosa City School System is seeking financial solutions. Failure of the proposed property tax increase for Tuscaloosa City Schools last year has placed the system in a financial bind. School system leaders determined at a meeting last night that there are about four months of reserve funds available and that is forcing some difficult decisions, such as not replacing personnel who resign or retire.

Superintendent Dr. Mike Daria believes a proposed new funding model being considered by the legislature could help. But the district has already been forced to cut some summer learning programs.

Hotel Construction and Extension of TPD Bonuses Approved by Council

Despite hotel/motel stays declining, the Tuscaloosa City Council has again approved a new 6-story hotel called The Element. The 101-room hotel will sit on property across the street from Jim & Nicks. Developers had to seek preapproval from the council because they missed the deadline for beginning construction after first being ok’d in 2020.

As expected, the council also approved an ordinance extending recruitment and retention bonuses for the Tuscaloosa Police Department until February 28, 2027. It had been set to expire at the end of this month.

New ALDI Store to Open Next Week

The second ALDI Northport location will open on Feb. 20 at 9 a.m. at 10 McFarland Boulevard, according to a company press release. ALDI bought all of the Winn Dixie stores in the Tuscaloosa/Northport area.

“The new Northport ALDI store will offer fresh, organic produce delivered daily, an unmatched selection of cheese and wine, and food for every taste and lifestyle (gluten-free, plant-based, whatever you need) in addition to convenient access to curbside pickup and grocery delivery options,” the release reads.

The first 100 customers will receive a gift bag filled with a sampling of ALDI Exclusive products and a gift card as part of the ALDI Golden Ticket giveaway program, according to the company.

Read More: Northport’s New ALDI to Open Next Week, First 100 Customers Get Gifts

Extradition Sought for Accused Tuscaloosa Murderer

50-year-old Cedric McClinton, Jr. has been charged with fatally shot Cornelius Terrell Smith, 37, at Forrester Gardens Apartments on James I. Harrison Parkway on December 11th of last year. He fled the area but has been caught in Washington State where he awaits extradition back to Tuscaloosa to stand trial.

Livingston State Representative Gets Amendment Added to Unemployment Bill

A bill increasing the number of potential employers a person has to contact to get unemployment benefits cleared the Alabama House yesterday. But Livingston Rep. A.J. McCampbell was able to add an amendment to exclude people living in rural counties where employers are much fewer in number. The bill now goes to the senate.

Tuscaloosa Store Not on J.C. Penny Closure List

Contrary to rumors floating around town, the University Mall location of J.C. Penny is not on the national chain's closure list. The long-standing company's current closing list has eight locations on it, which represents less than 2% of its 650-plus locations. No store in Alabama is on the list.

Texas-based JCPenney filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in May 2020 and has closed around 200 locations in bankruptcy. Last month JCPenney and retail store operator Sparc announced they were merging to form a U.S. retailing giant called Catalyst Brands.

Early Candidate for Northport Municipal Elections

Danny Higdon, the Chief Financial Officer of the Tuscaloosa County School System is slated to retire in April. He then will run for the District 5 seat on the Northport City Council which is currently held by Anwar Aiken.

Last year Higdon was selected as the recipient of the statewide Robert L. Morton Award which recognizes a school business official devoted to excellence in their profession and in serving their community.

Northport Municipal Elections are set for August.

Fighting the Pine Beetle Infestation

The Southern pine beetle caused significant damage to Alabama's forests last year. But the good news is that beetle outbreaks occur in cycles. If that tendency holds true, this year could be a much better year for landowners.

The battle against pine beetle infestations will be the main topic at the Annual Meeting of the Alabama Forest Owners’ Association in Tuscaloosa on April 23^rd.

Topping Sports News:

Bama Men Blast Texas

Sophomore Jarin Stevenson scored a career high 22 points to help No. 2/1 Alabama cruise past Texas 103-80 Tuesday night at the Moody Center in Austin. The Crimson Tide (21-3, 10-1 SEC) connected on a SEC season best 17 three-pointers while shooting 59 percent (17-of-29) from beyond the arc in the victory.

The Tide remains a potential #1 Seed in the coming NCAA Tournament, as does their next opponent, Auburn.

Next up is the battle for #1 with Auburn at 4:00 Saturday afternoon a Coleman Coliseum.

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

Have a happy 'Hump Day'!