🌱 Local Hospital Bed Capacities + Athens Teenagers Start Podcast

Hello, neighbors! Amy Young here with your brand-new edition of the Huntsville Daily. Today's Daily features info on:

• Local hospital bed capacity check
• A new podcast by Athens teenagers
• Limestone County Schools bus driver shortages

I also wanted to give a special shoutout to some of our Patch Supporters, Grant Thomson, Joy Jenkins, Mike Jackson, Victoria Clendenon and Wanda Whyte. Thanks for helping make local news happen in Huntsville! If you want to support local news in Huntsville, Click here to learn more about becoming a Patch Supporter.

First, today's weather:

Sunshine and some clouds. High: 53 Low: 31.

Shoutout to our premier local sponsors:

• Martinson & Beason, P.C. have been been providing trusted legal advice in Huntsville since 1937. Give your loved ones peace of mind with a comprehensive estate plan. Click here for more info.
• Women4Women OBGYN is Huntsville's most unique women's health center. They offer comprehensive medical care for women, by women. Visit them here to learn more.

Want to see your business featured in this spot? Click here to get started.

Here are the top stories today in Huntsville:

1. Hospital capacity is skyrocketing around the country, so we’ve pulled some numbers for hospitals around Huntsville. Huntsville Hospital is at almost 97% bed capacity with 14.5% of that being from COVID suspected and confirmed cases. Check out this list to see even more hospitals in the area. (Huntsville Patch)
2. Five Athens teenagers have started a podcast to talk about economic development and community involvement in Athens. It is called “All in with Athens” and currently has three episodes. (WZDX)
3. Limestone County Schools are seeing the effects of the bus driver shortage. At times, they’ve had their own mechanics driving buses to fill in all the gaps. Recruitment efforts will start soon, but they are currently hiring. (WAAY)

From our sponsor:

Hey Huntsville, are you looking to buy a house, refinance or just explore your options? Check out the new Patch Mortgage Center for all your home financing needs!

Today in Huntsville:

• Lee vs East Limestone - Basketball (4:30 PM)
• Columbia vs Grissom - Bowling (4:30 PM)
• City Council Meeting - City of Huntsville (5:30 PM)
• BOE - Citizen Comments - Huntsville Junior High School (5:30 PM)
• BOE - Work Session - Huntsville Junior High School (6:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• There aren’t many tickets left to see “Steel Magnolias” with Theatre Huntsville! (Details)

Loving the Huntsville Daily? Here are all the ways you can get more involved:

• Send a friend or neighbor this link so they can subscribe
• Become a supporter (there are perks!)
• Get your local business showcased in front of readers
• Send me a news tip or suggestion at huntsville@patch.com

Alrighty, you're all good for today. I'll see you back in your inbox tomorrow morning with a new update!

— Amy Young