🌱 Trash Pandas Season Update + Olympians Compete in Huntsville

Happy Thursday, friends! Here's everything you need to know about what's happening in town today, including:

• Trash Pandas season set to start on time
• Former Olympians set to compete in Huntsville this weekend
• Community Kite Festival this weekend

First, today's weather:

Warm with plenty of sun. High: 73 Low: 41.

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Here are the top stories today in Huntsville:

1. Despite the MLB having a lockout on players during a labor issue that has caused the first weeks of the season to be canceled, the Trash Pandas are ready to play ball! Minor League Baseball will not be affected by the lockout and the season is set to start on time! (AL.com)
2. The University of Alabama and Auburn University Gymnastics will be bringing former Olympians to the VBC this weekend along with Arkansas and Georgia! The Elevate the Stage gymnastics competition will be Sunday at the Propst Arena. (themadisonrecord.com)
3. Jamarion Willie-Hughes was chosen as the Boys & Girls Club Youth of the Year. The award comes with a $20,000 scholarship and he will move on to the regional competition. (WHNT)
4. The Tenth Annual Community Kite Festival with the AshaKiran Foundation is this Saturday at John Hunt Park! The event will be free and there will be kites for purchase, you can bring your own, or you can enjoy the free crafts and other fun things around the event. (WZDX)
5. Starting today, several school systems in the area will drop the mask mandate on school buses. Huntsville City Schools, Madison City, and Madison County Schools will all drop the mandate based on the latest from the CDC recommending COVID numbers in an area should dictate whether or not masks are mandatory. (WAAY)

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Today in Huntsville:

• Hampton Inn & Suites Downtown Mixer (5:00 PM)
• BOE Meeting - Madison County (5:30 PM)
• Madison Zoning Board of Adjustments and Appeals (5:30 PM)
• DAC Huntsville Feeder Pattern Meeting (6:00 PM)
• Gardening in Containers | Virtual class series (6:00 PM)
• JV Baseball vs. Madison County - Lee High School (6:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• The Botanical Garden is getting ready to celebrate Arbor Day with a 5K and a 3K April 30! (Details)
• You have until April 1 to get nominations in for the 2022 Best Places to Work awards! (Details)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Thursday off right! I'll see you soon.

— Amy Young