Update On Contested Council Race; Weaver Wins GOP Senate Primary

Get on up Tuscaloosa!

In today's Daily, we have an update on the Senate race for voters in Bibb County, an Alabama-based manufacturer expanding in Tuscaloosa County and an update on a hotly-contested Tuscaloosa City Council race.

That and more in your five-minute guide to everything you need to know for today!

First, today's weather:

Tuscaloosa can expect showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 10 a.m., with an increased likelihood for thunderstorms thereafter. The temperature is also expected to fall to around 46 degrees by 5 p.m. Chance of rain is 100%.

Tuscaloosa Daily is made possible in part by Patch sponsor JamisonMoneyFarmer. To become a sponsor of Tuscaloosa Daily or the Tuscaloosa Patch website, email ryan.phillips@patch.com.

Patch Pick: Taking a look around the nightlife for downtown, Young Tuscaloosa held its March Social at the aptly-named Druid City Social Tuesday night, which was a well-attended event complete with libations, food and door prizes. Olga Bredikhina headed up the registration desk and greeted attendees.

Here are the top 5 stories today in Tuscaloosa

1. Jason Morton reports that a status conference has been set for Monday in the court challenge regarding the the hotly-contested Tuscaloosa City Council District 7 race between incumbent Sonya McKinstry and winner Cassius Lanier, with the current councilor arguing that Lanier can not hold office due to his past criminal record. (Tuscaloosa News)

2. Former state representative April Weaver ran away with a Republican primary victory for state Senate on Tuesday, claiming 92% of the vote to defeat Joseph Barlow and Donna Strong for a place on the Republican ticket to represent parts of Bibb, Chilton and Shelby counties.

3. Alabama-based SMP Automotive Systems will build a new $4.2 million facility in Cottondale that will add 100 new jobs to the area as part of the supply chain for the Mercedes Benz U.S. International plant in Vance. This will be the company's third location in Tuscaloosa County.

4. Annie Mapp tells the story of 82-year-old Margaret Fisher, a Perry County woman who lost her home during a devastating tornado that tore through the area last week. (ABC 33/40)

5. Mike Rodak reports that former Alabama quarterback Mac Jones participated in the school’s final pro day Tuesday and threw passes to Heisman Trophy winner DeVonta Smith. (AL.com)

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Tuscaloosa Patch Notebook

- Tuscaloosa County EMA Director Nick Lolley presented Specialist Jon Lambert, Deputy Director Tamara Croom, and Specialist Greg Fontaine, with certificates of appreciation for their service during the recent tornadoes that impacted Tuscaloosa and Hale counties over the last two weeks.

- The Tuscaloosa County Sheriff's Office is hosting firearms safety classes one Saturday a month, March through October. There is no fee to attend the class and lunch is provided.

- DCH Health System continues to report low numbers of inpatient coronavirus cases, logging 10 on Tuesday and five or fewer being treat in its intensive care units.

- Looking for a job in Tuscaloosa? Click here for a nifty list of local openings!

- The Tuscaloosa City Council held its regular meeting on Tuesday. Watch the live-stream of the meeting here:

- The Friends of Hurricane Creek’s annual cleanup is set for 9 a.m. Saturday, April 3 along with the Waterkeeper Alliance in Tuscaloosa County.

- The Shelton State Community College women's basketball team smothered Coastal Alabama on Tuesday 102-49, while the men's team won easily 93-71.

Area baseball scores:

Stillman 6, Miles 12

Stillman 6, Miles 9

Shelton State 11, Wallace-Selma 6

American Christian 11, Holt 0

American Christian 16, Holt 0

Hillcrest 2, Northridge 1

Tuscaloosa County 12, Demopolis 2

North River Christian 1, Coosa Valley Academy 10

North River Christian 17, Tuscaloosa Christian 5

Area softball scores:

Shelton State 7, Calhoun 4

Shelton State 2, Calhoun 1

Northside 7, Hamilton 4

Tuscaloosa County 1, Helena 11

Holy Spirit 3, South Lamar 2

Now you're all caught up to kick off this rainy Wednesday. Don't let the rain slow you down, though! Be sure to follow me throughout the day on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for more!

I'll see you around!

- Ryan

About me: I grew up in Tuscaloosa. I'm a graduate of the University of Alabama, an experienced journalist, editor and columnist and the founder of Tuscaloosa Patch. You can find me at baseball games, public meetings, events in the local arts community and wherever live music is played!