Hillcrest's New Football Coach; Violent Hit-And-Run In Temerson

TGIF Tuscaloosa! Let's breeze through this Friday.

In today's Daily, I bring you the latest on the high-profile coaching search at Hillcrest High School, an update on a hit-and-run in Temerson Square last night that left a pedestrian in serious condition, and all of the other stories I'm reading and working on today.

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First, today's weather:

Tuscaloosa can expect showers and thunderstorms later in the day, mainly after 11 p.m. The high will be around 80 degrees with a low around 64.

Patch Pick: Hot rods!

Car enthusiasts were welcome at the VFW Post #6022 Thursday night for its first Classic Car Cruise-In, with several classic custom cars available for viewing.

Here are the top 5 stories today in Tuscaloosa

1. The Tuscaloosa Police Department is investigating a Thursday night hit-and-run in Temerson Square that left a man with life-threatening injuries around 10:22 p.m. in the 2300 block of Fourth Street at 10:22 p.m. (More)

2. The hit-and-run occurred less than a week after a shooting outside of Roxy's Bar injured five people. It also came the night before Mayor Walt Maddox was expected to meet with business owners and landlords about violence in the area.

3. State Rep. Juandalynn Givan, D-Birmingham, is calling for a closer look into whether Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill used state resources in the commission of an extramarital affair that he admitted to Wednesday, after denying the allegations to Patch Tuesday night. (AL.com)

4. A new landmark is coming to Bryant-Denny Stadium. Ken Roberts reports Tuska, a 24-foot tall elephant statue, will soon be moved from the North River Yacht Club to a new location outside of the stadium. (Tuscaloosa News)

5. PrepsNet was the first to report that Shades Valley football coach Jamie Mitchell will be named the next head football coach for the Hillcrest High Patriots.

Today in Tuscaloosa

- Dance Alabama Film Festival — a collection of short dance films created and choreographed by students. Check it out at 115 Rowand Johnson Hall. (More)

- Kid's Night Out: an evening of games, crafts and fun. Jerry Tingle Center (Friday, 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.)

- Laine Hardy will perform at Druid City Music Hall (Friday, 8 p.m.)

- Birdfest: take a walk along the Black Warrior with local bird experts, to see who's flying through the area. Moundville Archaeological Park (Friday & Saturday, 9 a.m. - 11 a.m.)

Tuscaloosa Patch Notebook

- A vote on a new collective bargaining agreement by United Mineworkers of America is expected today that could end a brief strike by union miners employed at Brookwood-based Warrior Met Coal. (More)

- The Shelton State men's basketball team won a close one Thursday night 63-61 over Chattahoochee Valley to advance to the ACCC Men's Basketball Tournament finals. The Bucs will play Wallace Selma in the state championship game today at 6:30 p.m.

- The SSCC women's basketball team had an easier road to the ACCC finals, winning big 104-36 over Lawson State Thursday. The Lady Bucs will take on Chattahoochee Valley in the state final on today at 4 p.m.

- The Stillman College men's basketball team on Thursday was named the 2021 Black College Sports Network Small Schools Co-National Champion for HBCU programs. (More)

- Texas Tech men's basketball guard Nimari Burnett announced he will transfer to the Capstone to play for the Crimson Tide.

- The City of Tuscaloosa is accepting resumes for three positions on its Personnel Board, which advises on promotions for Tuscaloosa Fire Rescue and the Tuscaloosa Police Department.

- Northside High School FBLA and LaDonna Thomas Beck recently raised $4,787.15 through the March of Dimes.

- Lake View held its council meeting on Thursday. Watch it here.

- Tuscaloosa Academy's programming team recently placed 4th in the Team Programming Challenge Alabama 50. The school was represented by Dawson Bielstein, Lane Marshall, JB McAllister, and Haven Thompson. (More)

- The Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama will host its first in-person membership luncheon of 2021 on April 20. Guest speaker will Katie Boyd Britt, president and CEO of the Business Council of Alabama.

- Summer and fall registration begins today at Shelton State Community College.

Area baseball scores

Pike Liberal Arts 7, Tuscaloosa Academy 3

Northridge 24, Bryant 2

Hoover 11, Tuscaloosa County 6

Area softball scores

Northside 10, American Christian 5

Holy Spirit 4, Berry 1

Hillcrest 2, Northridge 0

Gordo 8, Tuscaloosa County 4

Now you're all caught up and ready to knock this Friday out! But don't miss out during the rest of the day. Be sure to follow me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for exclusive content throughout the day!

If you see me out and about, come say hi!

- 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!