UA Mask Order + Northport Bond Rating + Tide Legends Lost

Rise and shine, Tuscaloosa! Let's get this Friday morning started off with all of the stories you need to get caught up on before the weekend.

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

• Northport bond rating update.
• Two Alabama football legends die.
• Updated coronavirus school data.

First, today's weather: Mostly sunny in Tuscaloosa. High: 89 | Low: 68

Patch Pick

Here's a first look at the new logo for the City of Northport that was unanimously approved by the City Council Thursday. Let us know what you think by emailing me at ryan.phillips@patch.com. In the meantime, check out these 5 things to know about it! (Tuscaloosa Patch)

Tired of paying too much for your prescriptions? GoodRx helps you locate the lowest prices for medications at local pharmacies. Works for pet medications, too! GoodRx also helps bring the Daily to Tuscaloosa. Support our sponsor and see how much you can save by going to GoodRx.com.

Here are the top 5 stories today in Tuscaloosa:

1. Keith McCants, a former All-American at linebacker for the University of Alabama, was found dead Thursday morning at his home in Florida. (Nick Kelly, Tuscaloosa News)
2. The University of Alabama has opted to extend its temporary mask mandate for those indoors until Oct. 1, as COVID-19 cases continue to rise on campus and in the surrounding community. (Jack Maurer, Crimson White)
3. New businesses operating as gastropubs in the City of Tuscaloosa will now have new full-service operating hours after an amendment to a city ordinance was adopted this week. After 10 p.m., gastropubs may only serve alcohol, and not food, until they close. (Jabaree Prewitt and Erin Patterson, WVUA 23)
4. The Northport City Council unanimously approved hero bonuses for all city employees on Thursday, in addition to one-time payouts for employees showing proof of completing their vaccination series. (Tuscaloosa Patch)
5. Crumbl Cookies — a gourmet cookie and dessert chain — has announced that it plans to open one of its three new southeastern locations in Tuscaloosa. (Meg Summers, Tuscaloosa Thread)

Today in Tuscaloosa

• BBQ For The Boot @ Druid City Brewing Co. (More)
• Heather Cass White book signing (More)
• Steel Panther @ Druid City Music Hall (More)
• Audience Choice Showcase at The Black Warrior Brewing Co. (More)

  ---

Other stories I'm reading today ...

• Tuscaloosa school conducts first COVID tests under free federal program (Annie Mapp, ABC 33/40)
• Nick Saban's charity, Habitat for Humanity dedicate new Tuscaloosa house to mother of two (WVTM 13)
• Alabama flies past January record for daily new COVID cases (Ramsey Archibald, AL.com)
• Families plead for changes to Alabama’s parole system (Eddie Burkhalter, Alabama Political Reporter)
• Constitution recompilation committee discusses racial language edits (Caroline Beck, Alabama Daily News)
• Where Alabama commits are playing this weekend (Hank South, BamaOnline)
• Hurricane King: How Alabama Can Stop Miami's Dual-Threat Quarterback (Joey Blackwell, Bama Central)
• Previously injured DL set to return for Alabama's season opener (Tony Tsoukalas, BamaInsider)

Saying Goodbye

Former Crimson Tide player and assistant coach Jim Fuller (left) stands with his mentor Paul "Bear" Bryant during his playing days at the Capstone. The former Jacksonville State head football coach and athletic director died at his home Wednesday from COVID-19 complications at the age of 76. (More)

---

Tuscaloosa Patch Notebook

The Northport City Council unanimously approved to spend $700,000 in Northport First funds to purchase 151 acres of land off of Rose Avenue that could become the home of a proposed aquatic center and youth sports tournament complex. (Tuscaloosa Patch)

DCH Health System declined to comment on unconfirmed reports of a rise in overdoses on ivermectin at the hospital, but stressed the risks in taking the livestock dewormer drug, which is only approved by the FDA to treat certain kinds of parasite. (Tuscaloosa Patch)

The City of Northport recently learned it has been awarded a AA Stable credit rating by both S&P Global and Fitch Ratings — representing an upgrade from the city’s previous rating of AA-. (More)

Northside High School reported 49 of its nearly 500 students are currently positive for COVID-19, coming out to a little more than 10% of the school's student population. The Tuscaloosa County School System on Thursday reported roughly 2% of its entire study body is out due to testing positive. TCSS does not require masks indoors. (Tuscaloosa Patch)

Tuscaloosa City Schools reported similar percentages to its counterparts at TCSS, saying 438 students were out after testing positive for COVID-19 or coming into close contact with a positive case. This comes despite a mask order in place since the beginning of the semester (Tuscaloosa Patch)

The Tuscaloosa Police Department has assigned officers to extra patrols on the Strip this weekend in an effort to combat loitering, overcrowding, open container and other violations reported over the past couple weekends. (Tuscaloosa Patch)

A GoFundMe campaign has raised $13,570 for the family of a Northport teenager seriously injured in a fatal car wreck in August. Carter Jones — the 15-year-old son of Donny and Carla Jones — is recovering from his injuries, with the fundraising drive's organizer hoping to help the family with medical and travel expenses during this time. Click here to donate.

The Alabama Department of Public Health reported on Thursday that 89,824 Tuscaloosa County residents have received at least one dose of the coronavirus vaccine, while 73,141 of those have completed their vaccination series. (More)

From the cheap seats ...

Holt High football coach Dustin Hyche won his first game at the helm for the Ironmen in a 32-20 victory over Wilcox Central at home Thursday night. Holt (1-2) will travel next to West Blocton (2-0) on Sept. 10.

High school football is set for tonight across west Alabama. Here's a look at all of the games we will be following! (Tuscaloosa Patch)

Alabama volleyball (3-1) failed to capitalize on a comeback Thursday night in a loss at home to Troy by set scores of 25-20, 16-25, 23-25 and 30-32. (More)

Alabama women's soccer (3-2-0) fell 1-0 to Samford Thursday night at home, with the only goal of the match coming in the 55th minute. (More)

Now you're officially in the loop for today. I'll see you soon! If you're enjoying these newsletters, consider bringing some more friends and neighbors into the fold. You can send them this link to subscribe.

Have a great weekend!

— RP

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.