🌱 Property Tax Vote Today + Former Tide Gymnast Makes History

Happy Valentine's Day, Tuscaloosa! Smooch your sweetheart and get all caught up with us before you get on with your day.

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

• Hillcrest walkout drama thickens.
• Property tax vote today.
• Tide hoops at No. 1

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But first, today's weather: Breezy in the afternoon. High: 72 | Low: 59. 💨

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I have a limited number of sponsorships available to introduce our readers to local businesses they need to know. If that's you, then I invite you to learn more and secure your spot now.

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🗣 Patch Shout Out 🗣

Our Shout Out for this Wednesday morning goes to former University of Alabama gymnast Aja Sims-Fletcher, who has been hired as the inaugural gymnastics coach at Talladega College, making her the second HBCU gymnastics coach ever. (More)

🗞 Here are the top 5 stories today in Tuscaloosa 🗞

1. The Tuscaloosa NAACP held a press conference Monday to speak out against administrators at Hillcrest High School and the Tuscaloosa County School System after a student-led walkout due to alleged censorship of a Black History Program. (Tuscaloosa Patch)
2. In related news, here's the response from TCSS Superintendent Keri Johnson following Monday's press conference on the steps of the TCSS Central Office. (Tuscaloosa Patch)
3. Before you head to the polls today for the property tax vote to provide additional funding to TCSS, please read our most complete and succinct look yet at the frequently asked questions we've received. (Tuscaloosa Patch)
4. For the first time since the 2002-2003 season, Alabama men's basketball (22-3, 12-0 SEC) has been ranked No. 1 in the Associated Press men's college basketball Top 25 poll. (Tuscaloosa Patch)
5. Shelton State Community College on Monday announced the results of a recent study showing that the school added $248.1 million in income to the SSCC service area in Tuscaloosa and Bibb counties for 2020-21. (Tuscaloosa Patch)

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🗓 Today in Tuscaloosa 🗓

• Terrific Tuesday @ Shelton State Community College (More)
• Tiny Scientist Storytime @ Tuscaloosa Public Library (More)
• Valentine's Day Dinner @ The Lookout Rooftop Bar (More)

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🏆 Winner of the Day 🏆

A big tip-of-the-cap to Stillman College junior forward Bailey Talley, who was named the Southern States Athletic Conference Player of the Week Monday for his performances the week of Feb. 6-12.

❤️ Our Media Partners ❤️

Tuscaloosa Patch is proud to be media partners with WVUA 23 News at the University of Alabama and Tuscaloosa Radio. Catch their great content and our headlines here and there on your cable provider, online and, for our radio partners, at the following stations: 92.1 The Possum, 102.1 WJRD, Rock 106.3, and 96.1 The Blessing.

5️⃣ Other Stories I'm Reading Today

1. Bright Spots: Bringing A Teacher Home (Chelsea Barton, WVUA 23)
2. Nate Oats: No. 1 ranking 'really doesn't mean anything,' can be 'rat poison' (Mike Rodak, AL.com)
3. After release of video, lawsuit claims Alabama man froze to death in police custody, was 'likely' placed in jail freezer (Lee Hedgepeth & Carly Laing, CBS 42 News)
4. What Alabama football's Nick Saban said about new coordinators Tommy Rees, Kevin Steele (Nick Kelly, Tuscaloosa News)
5. UA provides no update on investigation into antisemitic chalkings (Raelee Sents, Crimson White)

✏️ Worth Noting ✏️

State Rep. Chris England, a Democrat from Tuscaloosa, has pre-filed a bill ahead of the 2023 Alabama legislative session that would add a penalty in the state's new handgun law for those whose fail to inform law enforcement that they are in possession of a concealed pistol. (Tuscaloosa Patch)

🙏 Obituaries 🙏

Wyman H. Duckworth, 89, of Columbus, Mississippi (Memory Chapel)

Richard (Rick) Allen McClendon, Sr., 73, of Northport (Norwood-Wyatt Chapel)

Chelsea Norwood, 27, of Tuscaloosa (Rainey Mortuary)

David Kelly Purcell, 59, of Centreville (Rockco Funeral Home)

Johnnie Mae Rogers, 79, of Tuscaloosa (Wills' Funeral Service)

That's it for today! I'll catch up with you bright and early tomorrow morning with a new update.

— RP

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