More On Northport Oil Spill; West Alabama Unemployment Numbers

Up and at 'em Tuscaloosa! Let's get this week started.

In today's Daily, we have a longtime high school hoops coach honored, the latest on my investigative work into an oil spill near a school in Northport and all of the other important stories I'm keeping up with and reading on this Monday.

First, today's weather:

Tuscaloosa can expect patchy fog before 8 a.m., followed by an otherwise sunny day, with a high near 82 degrees and a low around 57.

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Here are the top 5 stories today in Tuscaloosa

1. Tuscaloosa Patch Investigation: Here's the latest on a chemical spill from a Northport business that's prompted a federal investigation and has an entire neighborhood up in arms and demanding answers. (More on Patch)

2. The Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit has charged Raheem Abdule Davis, 25, with capital murder in the shooting death of Jamarqus Howard, 24, Saturday night at Branscomb Apartments on 60th Street. (More on Patch)

3. The University of Alabama System board of trustees recently approved agreements that will bring Texas-based Whataburger and Mobile-based Mediterranean Sandwich Co. to university-owned properties on The Strip in Tuscaloosa. (Tuscaloosa News)

4. Jacob Powell knocked one out of the park with this heartfelt story about longtime Crimson White delivery driver Johnnie Livingston, who passed away this month. (Crimson White)

5. Looking for a new house or property? We can help with our list of 5 New Homes For Sale In The Tuscaloosa Area. (More on Patch)

Patch Pick: Longtime Northside High School basketball coach Steve Deavours was honored on Sunday with the gymnasium at Northside Middle renamed after him. Deavours coached the Rams for 32 years, amassing a 465-340 career record.

Coming up this week

- Trivia and drink specials at Mellow Mushroom on Tuesday. (April 27, 6:30 p.m. - 8 p.m.)

- Southern Ale House will have patio music from 3's Co. on Thursday. (April 29, 6 p.m. - 9 p.m)

- Catch the latest trends and fashion at The Runway event Thursday to support local businesses as well as honor cancer survivors at the Tuscaloosa River Market. (April 29, 7 p.m. - 10 p.m.)

- CHOMICON is coming up Saturday at Children's Hands-on Museum, featuring A Superhero Meet and Greet, autographs, pictures and superhero goody bags for kids. (May 1, 10:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.)

West Alabama unemployment numbers

City unemployment numbers

- Data via Alabama Department of Labor

Tuscaloosa Patch Notebook

- The University of Alabama says its Class of 2021 will include 4,747 undergraduate degree applicants, 1,300 masters/EdS applicants and 111 doctoral degree applicants. (More)

- Fast Signs and state Rep. Rodney Sullivan recently aided in exterior renovations to W.G. Sullivan Field House at Tuscaloosa County High School. Check it out here! (More)

- Scott Johnson of the Marion County Journal Record reported on an announcement from Hackleburg Mayor Darryl Colburn, who said those in the community are invited to meet on Tuesday, April 27, at 3 p.m. to form a human cross in the middle of Highway 43, 10 years after a devastating tornado killed 25 in Marion County. (More)

- American Christian alumna and Shelton State softball product Haley Thorpe, along with Oakman native Kamree Lay will be honored with other seniors by the University of West Alabama softball program. (More)

- The Tuscaloosa Police Department saw a strong turnout Sunday when it held a Hispanic town hall as an outreach effort to the local Hispanic community. (More)

Area baseball scores

Alabama 0, Kentucky 11

Alabama 2, Kentucky 5

Tide baseball coach Brad Bohannon: "This was a tough day for us against a good Kentucky team. We didn't play very well offensively and obviously we didn't pitch very well. We need to regroup after this one and get it out of our system before we head to UAB on Tuesday."

Area softball scores

Alabama 5, Louisiana 1

West Alabama 7, Spring Hill 8

West Alabama 3, Spring Hill 13

Shelton State 3, Wallace Hanceville 15

Shelton State 1, Wallace Hanceville 9

Stat line: In the bottom of the third inning, the Crimson Tide's Savannah Woodard hit the eighth inside-the-park home run in program history after bouncing a fly ball off the centerfield wall. (More)

Now you're in the loop and ready to get this Monday started. Don't miss out during the rest of the week, though! Be sure to follow me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for exclusive content every day of the week.

Have a great Monday!

- Ryan

Have a news tip or suggestion on how I can improve Tuscaloosa Patch? Maybe you're interested in having your business become one of the latest sponsors for Tuscaloosa Patch? Email all inquiries to me at ryan.phillips@patch.com.