West Alabama Wednesday Briefing

Good morning West Alabama! It is Wednesday, April 16, 2025. This is the 106th day of the year with 259 days remaining.

Morning Observations:

Our daily review of the meaning of each day of "Holy Week" continues with terms for Wednesday that may be little known by most people, Spy or Betrayal Wednesday. This is the day that Judas, driven by greed and possibly disillusionment, reached his agreement with religious officials to sellout Jesus for just 30 silver coins. He fulfills a prophecy from Zechariah 11:12-13. He spies on Jesus' actions as part of his betrayal.

Church doctrine, especially Orthodox Christian Churches, proclaim this day as an opportunity to reflect on our own betrayals, both large and small, and to ask for forgiveness for the times we have failed to live up to our faith.

Also, according to John 12:1-8, on Wednesday of "Holy Week", Mary of Bethany anoints Jesus’ feet and then wipes them with her hair. This is a foreshadowing of Jesus’ actions at the Last Supper, when He washes the disciples’ feet. (John 13:1–20).

Tomorrow is "Maundy Thursday" as we enter the most solemn days leading up to the glory of Easter Sunday.

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

Weather:

We are getting into a more normal springtime weather pattern with warm days and coolish nights. Skies should remain mostly sunny during the day and mostly clear at night leading toward Easter week.

The Forecast:

Today

Sunny, with a high near 75. Calm wind.

Tonight

Mostly clear, with a low around 49. Calm wind.

Thursday

Sunny, with a high near 81. Light southeast wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the morning.

Thursday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 56. South wind around 5 mph.

Friday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 87. South wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Friday Night

Increasing clouds, with a low around 64.

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News:

BREAKING NEWS: One Person Confirmed Dead in Smith Lake Boating Crash

Cullman County EMA and the county coroner's office have confirmed one death from a boating accident on the popular Lewis Smith Lake in Cullman County.

The lake is hosting the three-day Major League Fishing Tournament which ends tomorrow but officials have not yet determined if the boats involved are associated with the tournament.

According to Cullman County EMA the incident involved multiple boats and took place near Burr's Island.

Out of respect for the tragedy on Smith Lake the Major League Fishing Network suspended their live coverage of the tournament.

This is a developing story that Tuscaloosa Thread will continue to follow and update as information becomes available.

Skinners Transportation Will Continue Tuscaloosa Operations

The Tuscaloosa City Council decided last night to withdraw a motion to revoke the business license of Skinners LLC Transportation, a local taxi service. Mayor Maddox told news partner ABC3340 the company has made an honest effort to improve.

The council was initially set to vote on voiding the company's business, which the city claimed was not adhering to regulations.

UA Students Ask Council to Tax Single Use Bags

Three UA Student Climate Change Activists have asked the Tuscaloosa City Council to introduce a 5¢ tax on single use plastic bags. Nathan Wallace led the presentation, pointing out that, "... a way to limit the further introduction of microplastics into waterways such as the Black Warrior River is a tax on disposable, single use plastic bags."

The students added that revenue produced by the proposed tax could be used for parks and recreation or donated to the Black Warrior Riverkeeper.

Tuscaloosa has been unable to recycle plastic bags since November 2023 due to processing regulations.

No immediate action was taken by the council.

Springbrook Park Ribbon Cut

Local officials turned out Tuesday for the ribbon cutting for the completion of Springbrook Park improvements. Located at 3101 Springbrook Circle, the enhancements include a new walking track, two playgrounds, and covered seating areas, along with improved lighting and security features. The upgrades were funded by Elevate Tuscaloosa.

Federal Judge Rejects Walker County Jailer Plea Deal

A federal judge has rejected a proposed 10-month sentence for former Walker County jailer Betty Jo Cooley, who previously pleaded guilty to falsifying records. The charges are connected to an incident where an inmate was pepper-sprayed in the face by another jailer. Instead of accepting the plea agreement, the judge delayed sentencing, allowing Cooley time to either go to trial or negotiate a new agreement.

No Injuries in Pickens County School Bus Crash

For the second time in just under a week, a school bus has been involved in a West Alabama traffic crash. The first was in Tuscaloosa County last week, the most recent yesterday in Pickens County.

No one was injured in yesterday's crash when a Pickens County school bus was involved in a traffic crash. School authorities reported one child, an adult and the bus driver were the only ones aboard the bus.

Work Zone Safety Week Set to Begin Monday

There are more than 300 active Alabama highway work zones and Stacey Glass, State Construction Engineer with ALDOT has announced at a press conference that "Work Zone Safety Week" begins next Monday.

Despite a 10-year low in work zone related crashes, there were still more than 2,000 work zone crashes with 15 fatalities and500-plus injuries.

With summer driving season approaching, ALEA Troopers or other law enforcement will be at most work zones to enforce laws in order to reduce the number of crashes.

Mercedes Employees Construct Habitat House

A volunteer team made mostly of employees from the Mercedes Benz U.S. International Plant are constructing their 12th Habitat for Humanity home.

The construction is in their Milestone Neighborhood for Tiffany Moore, a mother of two who works as support staff at Tuscaloosa's Central High School. Like all such homes, Moore is involved in its construction with what Habitat calls "Sweat Equity".

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

Sports:

Bama Baseball Wins Final Midweek Home Game

Two seventh-inning runs were enough to push No. 15 Alabama baseball to a 5-3 win over UAB on Tuesday night at Sewell-Thomas Stadium. The victory was the Crimson Tide's 11^th-consecutive victory in a midweek battle, improving Alabama to 30-8 on the spring.

The game was played in front of 3,883 fans.

Alabama will hit the road for a three-game set at No. 8 LSU, starting on with a 7:00pm game on Tide100.9 and ESPNU.

Read More: Crimson Tide Completes UAB Sweep with Tuesday Night Victory

Click Tide100.9 for the latest sports news.

Have a wonderful Wednesday! Enjoy the beautiful spring Day!