Merrill No Longer Seeking Office; TCSS Going Optional For Masks

Happy Thursday Tuscaloosa! Lots of news today, so let's get to it...

In today's Daily, I bring you the latest on a scandal involving Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill, how local schools will be impacted under a new amended coronavirus emergency order and some important updates from yesterday's Tuscaloosa County Commission meeting.

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First, today's weather:

Tuscaloosa can expect a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 10 a.m. The weather is expected to gradually become clear, with a high near 80.

Patch Pick: The Tuscaloosa County Commission on Wednesday presented athletic programs from Tuscaloosa County High School and Northside High with $40,000 each for improvements and equipment.

Here are the top 5 stories today in Tuscaloosa

1. Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill admitted to an extramarital affair he had denied just yesterday to the Tuscaloosa Patch. Merrill was confronted with evidence by our colleagues at AL.com on Wednesday and admitted to an inappropriate relationship after claiming to me that his accuser "harassed" him. (AL.com)

2. Merrill also announced on Wednesday that he will not seek elected office in 2022 ahead of his term ending on Jan. 1, 2023. He was eyed by many as a competitive name on the Republican ticket for the U.S. Senate seat soon to be vacated by U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby. (More)

3. A lumber truck lost its load in the northbound lanes of Lurleen Wallace Boulevard Thursday morning, causing major traffic delays, Meg Summers reports, as lumber was scattered across the bridge going over the Black Warrior River. (Tuscaloosa Thread)

4. The Tuscaloosa County School System will make face coverings optional for students, faculty, and staff while indoors when Gov. Kay Ivey's statewide mask mandate expires Friday. (More)

5. Family Dollar and Dollar Tree will soon open a 10,500-square-foot store in Brookwood, bringing what is sure to be a popular retail space located right across from the town park on Highway 216. (More)

Patch Shoutout: Play ball!

A tip of the hat to District 4 Commissioner Reginald Murray and the rest of the Tuscaloosa County Commission for approving $6,000 on Wednesday to be given to Tuscaloosa County Park & Recreation Authority (PARA) for its baseball league.

Coming up in Tuscaloosa

- 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.)

- 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.)

- Tuscaloosa StoryWalk Kickoff at Tuscaloosa River Walk. Take a walk along the river and stop along the way to read posted excerpts of children's books. (Saturday, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.)

- 'The Return' at Druid City Brewing Co. Outdoor, socially-distanced live rock n roll. (Saturday, 7 p.m.)

- Daisycutter performing at Copper Top (Saturday, 9:30 p.m.)

Tuscaloosa Patch Notebook

- The Tuscaloosa County Commission had a spirited debate Wednesday, but took no formal action concerning the county's participation in the federal Emergency Rental Assistance Program. Look out for more on this from me today.

- The AC Hotel by Marriott on Wednesday named Karen Steiger as the general manager. The new Tuscaloosa hotel is set to open later this spring. Darren Segura was named director of sales.

- Bama Blitz — the University of Alabama's online fundraising campaign — will kick off at noon on April 12 and last through 11:59 p.m. on April 15

- The Town of Woodstock is looking for vendors of all kinds for the fourth annual Woodstock Music Festival on May 8. (More)

- The Northport Police Department is mourning the death of Derrick Gardner — a longtime officer with the department who later served as the city's animal control officer. Gardner died Tuesday at the age of 47.

- Shelton State Community College said plans are in the works for in-person commencement events, with attendance guidelines to be announced in the coming weeks.

- The Brookwood High Panthers scored four runs in the first three innings and never lost its lead in a 4-1 win over the Hillcrest Patriots Wednesday in high school baseball action.

- Shelton State's women's basketball team defeated Wallace-Selma 107-33 Wednesday and will advance to the semifinal in the ACCC Women's Basketball Tournament, which is being hosted on the SSCC campus. The Lady Bucs will face Lawson State today at 2 p.m.

- The Stillman College Tigers split a baseball doubleheader with MUW Wednesday, winning the day game 9-5, while dropping the nightcap to the Owls 17-7.

Now that you're in the know for everything going on in Tuscaloosa, you're ready to grab this Thursday by the tail! Don't miss out during the rest of your day, though. Be sure to follow me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for exclusive content every 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!