🌱 President Recognizes Late Eula Battle + Paralympic Cycling Open

Morning, Huntsville! It's Thursday, so let's get you started with everything you need to know going on around Huntsville today.

• Eula Battle posthumously awarded Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award
• Port of Huntsville CEO retiring
• Paralympic Cycling Open is back this weekend

First, today's weather:

Cooler with clouds and sun. High: 60 Low: 42.

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Here are the top stories today in Huntsville:

1. Eula Battle, the late wife of Mayor Tommy Battle, was awarded posthumous Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award. She was well known for co-founding Free 2 Teach, which helps Madison teachers with supplies for their classrooms. (WAFF)
2. A junior at James Clemens, Pranav Somu, has designed a database that will help foster families in North Alabama. He developed the program after he started volunteering with the North Alabama Foster Closet and seeing the need. This program is currently being tested by some of the families the organization serves, and could eventually be used for other organizations. (AL.com)
3. Rick Tucker, the CEO of the Port of Huntsville, has announced his retirement at the end of this year. The Port of Huntsville includes the airport, Jetplex Industrial Park and the Intermodal Center. (WHNT)
4. The U.S. Paralympic Cycling is back this weekend! The races are free for the public to watch, and you need to be aware if you’re traveling near Big Spring Park Friday or Research Park Saturday and Sunday. (Theredstonerocket)
5. Blake Bottom Road is going to have some work done. A portion of the road will be widened to five lanes, and there will be space created for exercise as well. The widened area will stretch about two miles starting at the intersection of Blake Bottom road and Jeff Road to Highway 255. (WHNT)

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Today in Huntsville:

• Madison City Finance Committee Meeting (4:00 PM)
• Madison City School Board Meeting (5:00 PM)
• Madison County Board Meeting (5:30 PM)
• Madison Zoning Board of Adjustments and Appeals (5:30 PM)
• Lee vs Mae Jemison - Soccer (7:00 PM)
• Huntsville High vs Albertville High - Soccer (7:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• The Madison City Community Orchestra is getting ready for their recital April 24! Make sure to stay tuned for updates. (Details)
• The North Alabama Zoological Society (NALZS) is hosting their first annual kids festival this weekend at Monte Sano! (Details)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Thursday. See you all tomorrow morning for another update!

— Amy Young