Two Shootings In Tuscaloosa; Major Groundbreaking For Airport

TGIF Tuscaloosa! Let's breeze through this day and get to the weekend.

In today's Daily, we have updates on a pair of Thursday-night shootings in Tuscaloosa, a big development for our local airport, area baseball and softball scores, and all of the other stories Tuscaloosa Patch is reading and working on to end the week.

First, today's weather:

Tuscaloosa can expect a 20% chance of showers after 1 p.m., with a high near 66 degrees and a low around 51.

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Patch Pick: A groundbreaking was held at the Tuscaloosa National Airport Thursday for its new runway rehabilitation project.

Here are the top 5 stories today in Tuscaloosa

1. I'm still following up on a Thursday night officer-involved shooting on Skyland Boulevard that resulted in one person being transported to DCH Regional Medical Center after being shot by a TPD officer. TPD says none of its officers were injured in the shooting. (More on Patch)

2. The Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit was also sent out to the scene of a shooting at Spring Hill Apartments Thursday night, Tim Reid reports. (CBS 42 News)

3. Here's an in-depth look back from Zach Johnson and Keely Brewer on how University of Alabama student journalists covered the devastating and deadly tornado on April 27, 2011. (Crimson White)

4. Alabama men's basketball junior guard Jaden Shackelford on Thursday announced he will enter the NBA draft without hiring an agent, Tony Tsoukalas reports. (BamaInsider)

5. Alabama baseball's Owen Diodati walked off an 8-7 win over Auburn Thursday night a walk off with a base hit down the right field line, Tyler Maines reports. (Town Square Media)

Coming up in Tuscaloosa

- Southern Comfort Band at VFW Post #6022 (Friday at 8 p.m.)

- Tuscaloosa Farmers Market (Saturday, 7 a.m. - noon)

- Northport Farmers Market (Saturday, 7 a.m. - noon)

- Celebrate Earth Day at Children's Hands-on Museum (Saturday, 9:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.)

- The University of Alabama football's A-Day Game (Saturday at noon)

- Want an up-close look at professional fishing? Check out the Pride of the South Elites Tour at Lake Tuscaloosa. (Saturday, 5 a.m. - 5 p.m.)

Tuscaloosa Patch Notebook

- Bama Bug Fest is set for April 22-24 and will include virtual experiences and in-person exhibits at the Alabama Museum of Natural History, Mildred Westervelt Warner Transportation Museum and Tuscaloosa Public Library. (More)

- Mark your calendars for Kentuck's next Art Night on May 6, featuring "Selections from Tim Whitten" in our Museum Gallery and live music by Debbie Bond. (More)

- Johnny Lynn Cordell, 53, pleaded guilty to first-degree robbery this week after admitting to robbing the Sulligent First National Bank in July 2019. He was sentenced to 20 years in prison.

- The Paul W. Bryant Stampede boys and girls soccer teams both defeated the Brookwood Panthers 3-0 Thursday.

- The Tuscaloosa County Commission announced it is sponsoring a clean-up day April 24, with three receptacles placed in each of the four commission districts (More on Patch)

- In case you missed it, here are the latest high school softball rankings from the Alabama Sports Writers Association. (More on Patch)

Area baseball scores

- Alabama 8, Auburn 7

- Shelton State 15, Bevill State 0

- Shelton State 6, Bevill State 1

- Tuscaloosa County 2, Thompson 5

- Tuscaloosa County 5, Thompson 6

- Northridge 3, Brookwood 0

- Central 7, Wenonah 8

- Tuscaloosa Academy 6, Autauga Academy 4

Stat line: Paul Reid threw a complete game shutout for the Northridge Jaguars Thursday, striking out five, walking two and surrendering only four hits.

Area softball scores

Shelton State 9, Bevill State 0

Shelton State 8, Bevill State 3

Northside 12, Sipsey Valley 0

North River Christian 11, Cornerstone Christian 0

North River Christian 8, Cornerstone Christian 0

Stat line: Ramsey Kittrel threw a one-hitter for the North River Christian Chargers Thursday in an 11-0 win, while Katelyn Rhodes also threw a complete game shutout in the doubleheader, striking out 10.

Now you're all caught up to burn through this Friday and get on to the weekend. But don't miss out during the rest of the time. Be sure to follow me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for exclusive content every day of the week!

I'll see you around!

- 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!