🌱 Fiddle Fest Returning + Psychiatric Services For County Jail

Get on up, T-Town! We're one day closer to the weekend, so let's get this Thursday morning started with everything you need to know.

In today's Daily, we have these stories and more ...

• Students honored.
• Fiddle Fest returns.
• Tuscaloosa band releases album.

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But first, today's weather: Clouds giving way to some sun. High: 50 | Low: 28 🌥

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🗣 Patch Shout Out 🗣

Our Shout Out for this morning goes to Tuscaloosa-based rock band Wheelers, who released their debut EP "Run for Shelter" on Jan. 20. Click here to learn more about these rockers and hear some of their music! (Tuscaloosa Patch)

🗞 Here are the top 5 stories today in Tuscaloosa 🗞

1. It was a heart-stopper, but No. 2 Alabama basketball managed to pull off a 66-63 win in Coleman Coliseum over Mississippi State Wednesday night. (ESPN)
2. Former American Christian Academy football standout and head football coach Chris Smelley has been hired by Sylacauga High School as its next head football coach. (Tuscaloosa Patch)
3. Shelton State Community College on Wednesday announced that Fiddle Fest and the Southeastern Fiddle Championship will return to the college on Saturday, Feb. 25 on its Martin Campus. (Tuscaloosa Patch)
4. The Tuscaloosa County Commission on Wednesday approved a $150,000 contract extension with Capstone Health Services that will expand psychiatric services at the Tuscaloosa County Jail. (Tuscaloosa Patch)
5. Researchers at the University of Alabama predict myriad factors will cause the state's economy to shrink in 2023. (Tuscaloosa Patch)

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🗓 Today in Tuscaloosa 🗓

• Alabama ADHD Conference (More)
• A Celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Through Song, Dance, and Spoken Word @ Moody Music Hall (More)
• Grand Reopening/Ribbon Cutting @ Captain D's (More)
• Artist Lecture: Pete Schulte (More)
• Karaoke @ Copper Top (More)
• Riff Johnson @ The Lookout Rooftop Bar (More)

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📸 Around T-Town 📸

These Tuscaloosa County School System students were honored with a proclamation on Wednesday as the County Commission observed Career & Technical Education Month.

🏃‍♀️On The Move 🏃‍♀️

After retiring from the Alabama Bureau of Pardons & Parole, Tuscaloosa County native Kelli Wolfe has been named the West Alabama field representative for U.S. Senator Katie Britt (Tuscaloosa Patch)

5️⃣ Other Stories I'm Reading Today

1. Three takeaways from Alabama's win against Miss State (James Benedetto, Tide Illustrated)
2. Northern Tuscaloosa County Has New, Much-Needed Storm Shelter (Gracie Fusco, WVUA 23)
3. Alabama lawmakers file 'divisive concepts', parental rights bills ahead of session (Trisha Powell Crain, AL.com)
4. Tuscaloosa bar owners concerned about safety following fatal shooting (Tim Reid, CBS 42)
5. Alabama hosting elite PF for official visit this week (Hank South, BamaOnline)

🙏 Obituaries 🙏

Joseph Martin Butts, 73, of Tuscaloosa (Memory Chapel)

Charles McGahey, 97, of Fayette (Nelson Funeral Home)

Martha Ann Eans of Tuscaloosa (Rollins Mortuary)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Thursday off right! See you all tomorrow for your next update.

— RP

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Tuscaloosa Daily? Contact me at ryan.phillips@patch.com