🌱 MPD Attrition Doubles + Festival Centre Rapid Testing Reopens

Hello again, Mobile! Important update: You all, as readers, have made the Mobile Daily so successful that it is my honor to announce the next stage of the newsletter. Patch is looking for a local writer and entrepreneur to take the helm of the Mobile Daily. Although I have loved getting to know this community, we want to pass the torch to someone truly local to write about Mobile long term. So if you're interested in earning extra income while making this newsletter a more valuable resource for your neighbors, learn more and apply here.

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First, today's weather:

Plenty of sun. High: 60 Low: 39.

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Here are the top three stories today in Mobile:

1. The Mobile Police Department's attrition rate doubled from 2020 to 2021, with no signs of slowing down. According to Public Safety Director Lawrence Battiste, MPD normally loses about 50 officers annually but lost 110 last year; the department has also lost 28 officers so far in 2022. Battiste reports that some officers retire or quit law enforcement altogether, while others leave for a higher-paying department. (NBC 15 WPMI)
2. After pausing testing last month, the Mobile County Health Department will once again offer rapid testing at the Festival Centre. According to Dr. Rendi Murphree, the department has 2,000 rapid antigen tests available by appointment only. Though case numbers are going down nationwide, the health department urges Mardi Gras attendees to stay mindful as they celebrate. (FOX10 News)
3. Mobile police are investigating a hit-and-run that took place the morning of Feb. 16. When officers responded to an area near Halls Mill Road and Pollard Lane, they found a man lying on the side of the road next to his bicycle. He was taken to an area hospital and treated for non-life-threatening injuries. (WKRG News 5)

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Today in Mobile:

• Out of This World Virtual Book Club - Mobile Public Library (9:00 AM)

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From my notebook:

• Get ready for Mardi Gras! Find info and resources about parades throughout Mobile County. (Mobile Patch)
• The Alabama School of the Arts at the University of Mobile will celebrate its sixth anniversary as an All-Steinway School with a free concert on Thursday, Mar. 10. The program will include classical, romantic, and contemporary music performed by undergraduate and graduate students majoring in piano performance. (Mobile Patch)
• Learn about Onnie Lee Logan, the Mobile-area midwife who delivered hundreds of babies for more than 50 years. (WKRG News 5)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Saturday. See you all tomorrow for another update!

— Sean Peek

About me: Sean Peek is a writer and entrepreneur with a degree in English Literature from Weber State University. Over the years, he has worked as a copywriter, editor, SEO specialist, and marketing director for various digital media companies. He currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.