Maddox Eyes Easing Restrictions; Merrill Chides District 7 Drama

Good Morning Tuscaloosa!

In today's Daily, we have the mayor's plans for the city as coronavirus hospitalizations trend in a positive direction, along with Alabama's chief election official speaking plainly on a contested race in the city's municipal election. Plus: a look at all of the stories I am working on and following today.

First, today's weather:

WARM! Tuscaloosa can expect a mostly sunny day with a high near 82 degrees and a low around 56.

Here are the top 5 stories today in Tuscaloosa

1. Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox told Jason Morton of the Tuscaloosa News that if the coronavirus hospitalization situation continues to trend in a positive direction for DCh Health System over the next couple of weeks, he will ask the City Council to rescind his emergency resolution.

2. The Northport Farmers Market is set to open on March 27 and run through Dec. 18, according to Aaron Bonner's coverage of the latest farmers market board meeting earlier this month. This week's edition of the newspaper hit stands on Wednesday (Northport Gazette).

3. The Alabama Senate recently passed a bill that would ban hormone therapy and surgery for transgender youth, according to a report from Jacob Powell. The in-depth look at the bill, which was heard before a House committee Wednesday, says it would not only criminalize treatment for individuals under the age of 19, but would force school and medical personnel to disclose signs of gender dysphoria to a minor’s legal guardian (Crimson White).

4. Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill discussed the dispute over the results of the District 7 Tuscaloosa City Council race Wednesday morning on the Steve Shannon Morning Show, referring to the back-and-forth between Sonya McKinstry and Cassius Lanier as "pure political drama."

5. The Actor’s Charitable Theatre production of "School House Rock Live Jr." will be performed at Capitol Park Saturday, March 21 at 2 p.m. A $5 donation is asked for admission (ALT 101.7)

Today in Tuscaloosa

- Job fair at Hotel Indigo, hiring for all positions. From 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.

- Tuscaloosa County EMA will be set up at Winn Dixie on Highway 69 South today and Friday, providing registration for those eligible to receive the coronavirus vaccine. The pop-up registration event will be from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. and open Tuscaloosa County residents 65 and older.

- West Alabama Works’ Healthcare Cluster will hold its meeting today from 10:30 a.m. until 12 p.m., which will present a great opportunity for healthcare practitioners, human resources professionals, health science educators and other relevant service providers

- Bryant Bank will host a blood drive along with LifeSouth from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m.

- Live music with Soapy & Andrew at Hotel Indigo from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m.

Tuscaloosa Patch Notebook

- The Alabama Community College System announced tuition will not increase for the 2021-2022 academic year. The system also said it anticipates all community college campuses in the state will resume normal, on-campus operations for the fall 2021 semester.

- Tuscaloosa Academy got into the holiday spirit this week for its St. Patrick’s Day Shuffle. Click here to see TA students decked out in greenery and having fun.

- Matthew Roland of the Tuscaloosa County Sheriff's Office was promoted to sergeant this week, while TCSO also swore in two new deputies: Michael Gilliam and Dylan Hall. Click here to see the photos.

- The Tuscaloosa County School System says it has added five more social workers to its TCSS Social Work Team, which is made possible through funding from the Tuscaloosa County Commission and the system's partnership with Tuscaloosa’s One Place. Read our past coverage here.

- Tuscaloosa Fire Rescue received its new Engine 1 on Wednesday. Click here for a look at the new fire truck.

- Echols Middle School is asking for donations of bottles of water to give to students who come to school without water to drink.

- The City of Tuscaloosa's Historic Preservation Committee met for its regular meeting Wednesday. Click here to watch the full meeting.

- Tuscaloosa County High School announced it will hold its graduation May 22 at 10:30 a.m. in Wildcat Stadium. Each senior will receive eight guest tickets for the event.

- The Tuscaloosa Police Department is trying to identify a person seen in surveillance photos, who is suspected of picking up an ATV that did not belong to him from a local ATV dealership. TPD says he was accompanied by two teenage boy and was in a green Chevrolet Tahoe. Click here for photos of the suspect.

From the cheap seats ...

- Alabama Crimson Tide baseball (12-2, 0-0) defeated Jacksonville State 7-2 Wednesday night in Tuscaloosa.

- Cheerleaders from North River Christian competed in the CCA National Championship in Virginia, winning the 2021 Varsity National Championship. Individual awards include - Trio National Champs: Rebekah Seale (11th), Elizabeth Seale (9th) and Ramsi Kittrell (8th); Varsity Stunt Team National Champs: Rebekah Seale (11th), Elizabeth Seale (9th), Karley Sexton (9th), Ella Wiseman (9th) and Ramsi Kittrell (8th).

- The Echols Middle School softball team won an impressive victory Tuesday night. Down to the last out of the ballgame behind 7-4, the Wildcats exploded for four runs against Northridge to win on a Katie Noland RBI.

- Tuscaloosa County's Roberto Mendez and the TCHS boys tennis team won Tuesday night over Chilton County, with Mendez winning 3 singles and 2 doubles.

- Shelton State Community College Athletics Director Cara Crosslin was recently named to serve as a NJCAA Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Region Ambassador.

- West Alabama women's tennis defeated Mississippi College, 6-1 Wednesday in conference play, extending its winning streak to four matches.

- West Alabama volleyball won in straight sets over Mississippi University for Women Wednesday: 25-16, 25-12, 25-8.

Now you're all caught up to get your day started on an informed note. Don't miss out during the rest of the day, though! Be sure to follow me on Tuscaloosa Patch and its social media platforms for more.

I'll see you around!

- Ryan

About me: I grew up in Tuscaloosa, am a University of Alabama graduate and the founder of Tuscaloosa Patch. You can find me at public meetings, events in the local arts community and wherever live music is played!