Tuscaloosa Man Missing + A Heartwarming Animal Shelter Tale

Hello, neighbors! Let's get this weekend started by getting you all caught up on everything you need to know on this Saturday morning.

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

• Another local policymaker leaving the Legislature.
• An update on the response to flood damage in Northport.
• An extensive history of lynchings in Tuscaloosa County.

First, today's weather: Rain in the afternoon and evening. High: 84° | Low: 70°

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Patch Pick

Check out this 9-year-old entrepreneur! Lillian Mitchell regularly sets up her lemonade stand in Clear Creek in Northport, offering everyone from joggers to landscape workers a cold cup of lemonade on a hot day.

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Here are the top 5 stories today in Tuscaloosa:

1. Tuscaloosa Police are working to locate Gregory Ogu, 28, who was last seen in the area of InTown Suites at 1650 Veterans Memorial Parkway late Tuesday night. (More on Patch)
2. ICYMI: Here's my exhaustive look at the history of racially-motivated lynchings in Tuscaloosa County as officials hope to promote the area's history to become a destination for cultural tourism. History buffs won't want to miss this one. (More on Patch)
3. I caught up with Northport officials this week amid the wreckage of Willowbrook Trailer Park as City Hall tries to get a grip on the scope of destruction caused by severe flooding on June 19 that left dozens homeless (More on Patch)
4. Another local policymaker is stepping down from the Legislature following the announcement that State Rep. Bill Poole, R-Tuscaloosa, had been appointed state finance director. This also comes following news that fellow representative Rodney Sullivan would not seek another term in the House. (More on Patch)
5. The City of Tuscaloosa on Friday reminded residents of their eligibility for the county's Emergency Rental Assistance Program. Click here for everything you need to know about the program. (More on Patch)

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3 things to do today

1. Around the Campfire at CHOM! (More)
2. The MissionHeirs at Pastor's Coffee and Gift Shop (More)
3. Tab & The Mojo Back at Coppertop (More)

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Other stories I'm reading today ...

• Uniquely Alabama: Who Is On The State's Mount Rushmore? (Michael Seale, Birmingham Patch)
• Tuscaloosa candidates for City Council District 7 are speaking out (Tim Reid, CBS 42)
• Tuscaloosa City Council approves emergency funding for flood damages (WVUA 23)
• Alabama lands latest highly-rated offensive line recruit (Mike Rodak, AL.com)
• A Little Something Extra Ice Cream To Serve At UA Gamedays (Noah Lueker, Tuscaloosa Thread)

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Tuscaloosa Patch Notebook

- Check out the list of 2021 summer graduates from the University of Alabama (More on Patch)

- Shelton State will be offering coding and data engineering bootcamps to help fill positions and enhance the tech workforce in Alabama. (More on Patch)

- The Tuscaloosa County Sheriff's Office swore in four new deputies Friday: James Adams, Tim Boler, Aaron Scroggins, and Daniel Metcalf. (More)

- Tuscaloosa StoryWalk will be set up at Jaycee Park on Saturday, June 24. (More)

- The Tuscaloosa Metro Animal Shelter shared a heartwarming story Friday about Cinderella — a dog who had been at the shelter for over 500 days — finally getting out to a foster home! (More)

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Now you're officially in the loop for today and ready to get your weekend started. See you all tomorrow for your next update. If you're loving these newsletters, consider inviting some of your friends and neighbors to read along. You can send them this link to subscribe.

Have a great Saturday!

— Ryan Phillips

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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.