Severe Weather Prompts Closures; County Shows Off New Toy

I hope you're staying weather-aware this Thursday morning!

In today's Daily, we have everything you need to know to prepare for the threat of storms today in Tuscaloosa, along with some pats on the back for people who deserve it and a quick roundup of local sports action on Wednesday.

First, today's weather:

Tuscaloosa can expect showers and thunderstorms, with some severe storms that have the potential to produce tornadoes, damaging wind and flash flood. The high today will be near 77 degrees and a low around 56.

Patch Pick: A big shoutout to the Tuscaloosa County Solid Waste Department and Public Works. They were honored for their service on Wednesday as the county rolls out its new initiative aimed at addressing litter and illegal dump sites. Here they are, pictured with elected officials (in their suits and ties) in front of the county's new solid waste truck.

Tuscaloosa Daily is made possible in part by Patch sponsor JamisonMoneyFarmer. To become a sponsor of Tuscaloosa Daily or the Tuscaloosa Patch website, email ryan.phillips@patch.com.

Here are the top 5 stories today in Tuscaloosa

1. Severe weather is expected throughout the day, which prompted both Tuscaloosa City Schools and the Tuscaloosa County School System to switch to remote learning for the day, while Shelton State Community College has closed its campus for Thursday. The University of Alabama has cautioned students about the severe weather threat, but has not officially canceled classes. Be sure to follow Tuscaloosa Patch and its severe weather updates page during the day.

2. A magical season came to a close Wednesday for Alabama women's basketball in a 100-64 loss against No. 2 seed Maryland in San Antonio during the second round of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament.

3. Authorities have identified an 18-year-old Aliceville High School student and football player named Lacurtiseous Peebles as one of the victims in a Tuesday night shooting, while the identity of a second person killed has not been released. Two others were also injured in the shooting and no suspect has been taken into custody as of the publication of this story. (ABC 33/40)

4. The Tuscaloosa Police Department told Stephen Dethrage that a teenager was shot in the knee after he was reportedly involved in a fight with four men while walking through Hay Court apartments on 21st Street around 5:45 p.m. Tuesday. No arrests have been made in the case (Tuscaloosa Thread)

5. Here's a fun guide from Annabelle Blomeley that breaks down the different radio shows and podcasts produced by the University of Alabama and its students. (Crimson White)

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Today in Tuscaloosa

- Karis & Warner will play live tonight at Hotel Indigo (6 p.m. until 9 p.m.)

- The Tuscaloosa County Wildcats softball team will honor Ginger Beasley today, the mother of a player was recently diagnosed with appendix cancer. To show support, the team has dedicated its March 25 game to Beasley.

Tuscaloosa Patch Notebook

- The Tuscaloosa County Commission on Wednesday approved $60,000 in District 3 discretionary funds to be put toward building supplies for renovations to the Hillcrest High football field house.

- Tuscaloosa County Sheriff Ron Abernathy recently swore in Deputy Andy McGee, the newest deputy on staff.

- Due to anticipated severe weather today, DCH Health System's remote vaccination site will be closed today. Those with appointments will be automatically rescheduled for the same time on Saturday, March 27.

- Tuscaloosa County EMA also it will adjust it plans and will only hold its pop-up vaccine registration site on Friday at Alberta Baptist Church due to the threat of severe weather.

- The Hillcrest High Patriots defeated the rival Tuscaloosa County Wildcats on Wednesday in high school baseball action 7-1, in part due to a 5-run 7th inning.

- In personal news, I will speak to the Tuscaloosa Exchange Club on May 6 and am grateful for the invitation to share what we're working on at Patch!

Here's your reminder to stay weather-aware today as the storms moving through are expected to have serious impacts for our area. Keep your NOAA weather radio handy and make sure your emergency action plan is in place.

If you see any storm damage or have any news worth reporting, email me at ryan.phillips@patch.com and I will include them in my running updates with credit given to the person providing the information.

Most importantly, stay safe and alert today.

- 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!