Longtime Tuscaloosa Deputy Retires; Tornado Anniversary Stories

Tuscaloosa AL

28 April, 2021

12:03 AM

Description

Good Morning Tuscaloosa! Here's everything you need to know to get your Wednesday started. In today's Daily, we have all as many beautiful and well-sourced stories about the April 27, 2011 tornado as we could fit into this email, along with all of the other stories we're watching and working on today. First, today's weather: Tuscaloosa can expect a mostly cloudy day, with a high near 87 degrees and a low around 64. Tuscaloosa Daily is made possible in part by our local sponsors: Tuscaloosa Tourism & Sports and PRIDE of Tuscaloosa. Support the sponsors who help keep you in the loop about what's happening in Tuscaloosa. For sponsorship inquiries, email: [email protected]. Here are the top 5 stories today in Tuscaloosa 1. There were more amazing stories on the anniversary of the April 27, 2011 tornado than I could possibly include, so here's a quick non-ranked list of some of my favorites. - Ten years after the storm, Habitat for Humanity helped transform Tuscaloosa's crime hotspot by Gary Cosby Jr. (Tuscaloosa News) - WVUA 23 Chief Meteorologist Lost His Home, Not His Drive in Tornado (WVUA 23 News) - Saban Became Part of the Tuscaloosa Community After 2011 Tornado by Joe Gaither (Tuscaloosa Thread) - 10 years later: James Spann reflects on the deadly tornado outbreak of April 27, 2011 by Jack Helean (ABC 33/40) - Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox gave a few brief comments at Mary Harmon Park Tuesday afternoon as part of the city's memorial ceremonies. Watch it here. (More on Patch) 2. Northport officials held a press conference Tuesday afternoon to field questions concerning an oil spill near Huntington Place Elementary and two neighborhoods. Watch it here (More on Patch) 3. A Tuscaloosa Patch investigation found at least one prior reported oil spill in 2014 at the exact same site that is currently the focus of a criminal investigation by the Environmental Protection Agency. (More on Patch) 4. A big Patch congratulations to Tuscaloosa County Sheriff's Office Captain John Barker, who will retire this Friday after nearly three decades with the county. Read more about him here. (More on Patch) 5. An undercover operation by the West Alabama Human Trafficking Task Force over the last weekend resulted in 20 arrests on a wide range of charges. (More on Patch) Tuscaloosa Patch Notebook - A ribbon cutting will be held for a new pre-K playground at Brookwood High School on Friday, which will also include a dedication of a time capsule. - Share your favorite mother-son or mother-daughter photo and sentiments, and we'll feature it on the Tuscaloosa Patch. (More on Patch) - The University of Alabama on Friday will host a panel of experts, government officials and industry leaders to address key local issues rooted in the real estate sector, with a dedicated discussion of the evolution of Tuscaloosa's overall residential market since the tornado outbreak in April 2011. (More) - A press conference will be held Thursday in Tuscaloosa to discuss C Spire Fiber's plans to provide fiber-based internet access and related services for consumer and business customers in Northport and Tuscaloosa. Company executives will discuss service plans in the two cities, as well as plans for other areas of the state. Local elected officials and business leaders are also expected to attend. - The Tuscaloosa County Child Nutrition Network reported on Tuesday that the USDA extended waivers for the 2021-2022 school year so that all meals are at no charge to students. - Kentuck's Gallery at Hotel Indigo will host a reception and artist talk Friday at 6:30 p.m., featuring "Seascapes" by Chloe York. Area baseball scores Alabama 9, UAB 3 West Alabama 13, Alabama Huntsville 14 Area softball scores Northside 8, Hillcrest 3 Tuscaloosa County 3, Hewitt-Trussville 14 Brookwood 10, Holy Spirit 9 Gordo 15, Sipsey Valley 6 Now you're in the loop and ready to get this Wednesday started. Don't miss out during the rest of the week, though! Be sure to follow me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for exclusive content every day of the week. I'll see you around! - Ryan Have a news tip or suggestion on how I can improve Tuscaloosa Patch? Maybe you're interested in having your business become one of the latest sponsors for Tuscaloosa Patch? Email all inquiries to me at [email protected].