Tuscaloosa Academy Star Breaks Record; TPD Investigating Shooting

Good Morning Tuscaloosa! I hope your Saturday morning is off to an easy start.

In today's Daily, we have an update on the newest business opening up shop on The Strip, a major retirement announcement and more to get you caught up for the weekend ahead!

First, today's weather:

Tuscaloosa can expect showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1 p.m., with a high near 78 degrees and a low around 52.

Tuscaloosa Daily is made possible in part by our local sponsors:

• Tuscaloosa Tourism & Sports and PRIDE of Tuscaloosa.

Support the sponsors who help keep you in the loop about what's happening in Tuscaloosa.

For sponsorship inquiries, email: ryan.phillips@patch.com.

Patch Pick: PJ's Coffee of New Orleans held its grand opening Friday at its new Tuscaloosa location on The Strip.

Here are the top 5 stories today in Tuscaloosa

1. A man reported being shot following a wreck shortly before 7:30 p.m. Friday at Oscar Baxter Drive and Highway 69 South. The Tuscaloosa Police Department told Patch the driver ran into another car and into a guard rail before exiting the vehicle and telling the other driver that he had been shot. He was transported to DCH Regional Medical Center with serious injuries.

2. The City of Northport says 277 residents signed up for the city's free curbside recycling program in the lead-up to Earth Day. The contest was promoted by Council President and District 5 Councilman Jeff Hogg, whose district won the overall competition. (More)

3. Nucor Corp. — which has a plant on the banks of the Blank Warrior River — reported a record-breaking first quarter for 2021, with net earnings of $942.4 million compared to $398.8 million for the fourth quarter of 2020. (More on Patch)

4. A total of 17,591 FAFSA completions were logged for Alabama as of March 26, compared to 20,579 completions at the same point last year. Find out here how some Tuscaloosa area schools did. (More on Patch)

5. Longtime Paul W. Bryant Museum Ken Gaddy has announced that he will retire, Chelsea Barton reports. He has served in the position since 1991. (WVUA 23 News)

Tuscaloosa Patch Notebook

- The District 2 Litter Cleanup Event scheduled for today has been postponed due to weather concerns. The new date will be announced soon.

- Write a letter to your mom, grandmother or other special mother figure in your life, and we'll feature it on the Tuscaloosa Patch for Mother's Day. (More on Patch)

- Retailers in Tuscaloosa reported a surge in business over A-Day weekend, Emily Enfinger reports. Check out what local business owners on The Strip had to say. (Tuscaloosa News)

- The University of Alabama System reported 39 new coronavirus cases among students on the Tuscaloosa campus identified over the last week of testing, but no new cases among faculty and staff. (More)

- Tuscaloosa City Schools was recently named a recipient of the US Department of Education Green Ribbon District Award. (More)

- 220 Tuscaloosa County employees received CPR training this week as the county begins implementing new AEDs in all county buildings and vehicles. (More)

A big Patch Shoutout is in order for Tuscaloosa Police Officer David Burkhalter, who retired Thursday after a 23-year career with the department. Thank you for your service!

- Shelton State Community College will host a special orientation for currently enrolled dual enrollment students on Thursday, May 20 at 5:30 p.m. (More)

- DCH Health System reported a total of 11 coronavirus hospitalizations on Friday, down from the previous high of 15 during the week. (More)

Record Breaker: A big Patch congratulations to Tuscaloosa Academy's Tyler McNeal, who set a new AISA JV State record for Triple Jump. The previous record was 38.25 feet, with Tyler setting the new record with a distance of 40.8.

Area baseball scores

Alabama 10, Kentucky 1

Hillcrest 2, Stanhope Elmore 1

Hillcrest 4, Stanhope Elmore 1

North River Christian 19, Restoration Academy 3

Northridge 0, Wetumpka 5

Northridge 7, Wetumpka 0

Tuscaloosa Academy 7, Monroe Academy 4

Stat line: North River Christian's Bryson Williams went 3-for-4 at the plate with 3 RBIs, while also tossing four full innings and striking out 10.

Area softball scores

Northside 7, Tallasee 4

Northside 6, Beech 6

Northside 6, Gardendale 3

Stat line: Bo Clark and Becca Leigh Chadwick both notched wins for the Rams on Friday during a three-game stretch.

Now go enjoy your weekend! I know I'm going to. But don't miss out on what I'm following! Be sure to keep up with me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to stay in the loop for what's going on in Tuscaloosa.

Have a great weekend!

- 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.