Sokol Park Improvements + TPD Shooting + Carbon Hill Escapee

Rise and shine, Tuscaloosa! Here's everything you need to know to get this Thursday morning started off right.

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

• Update on officer-involved shooting in Tuscaloosa.
• Improvements for Sokol Park.
• Longtime county employee honored.

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First, today's weather: A shower; colder in the p.m.. High: 69 | Low: 37.

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🌱 Patch Shout Out! 🌱

Our Shout Out for this Thursday morning goes to Tuscaloosa County Sheriff's Office Chief Deputy Byron Waid, who was honored Wednesday by the county for his 35 years of service. He first began as a guard at the County Jail in 1986 and rose through the ranks to become one of three chief deputies.

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🌱 Here are the top 5 stories today in Tuscaloosa 🌱

1. A 29-year-old man was seriously injured in an officer-involved shooting with Tuscaloosa Police early Wednesday morning at Bent Tree Apartments. The Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit told local media that the suspect aimed an AR-15 at officers who were responding to his residence. At present, eight TPD officers are on administrative leave (Tuscaloosa Patch)
2. The Carbon Hill Police Department says an inmate from its jail is on the run after escaping Wednesday evening during. safety-related evacuation. (Tuscaloosa Patch)
3. A McCalla man received a life sentence with the possibility of parole on Wednesday after being found guilty of the murder of 20-year-old Willoe Watkins in the summer of 2019. (Tuscaloosa Patch)
4. Here's a new, in-depth perspective on a violent and little-known clash in Tuscaloosa in 1964, known as Bloody Tuesday, which became ground zero in the city's struggle over civil rights. (Liz Ryan, Alabama Political Reporter)
5. Tuscaloosa County Park & Recreation Authority (PARA) is moving forward on new lighting for Sokol Park, after the County Commission authorized the agency to seek bids for the $1.3 million project. (Tuscaloosa Patch)

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🌱 Today in Tuscaloosa 🌱

- Hey Coach! Live at Baumhower's (More)

- Thursdays on the Rooftop at Hotel Indigo, feat. Jack Thomason (More)

- Live Trivia Weekly Game Nights at Decades Pub & Grub (More)

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🌱 Other stories I'm reading today 🌱

• UA Freshman Arrested For Saying He Planned To "Blow Up" Bryant-Denny Stadium Saturday (Stephen Dethrage, Tuscaloosa Thread)
• Henry Ruggs III ordered back into court after missing breath test (Mark Inabinett, AL.com)
• West Alabama Works training educators on what employers need (Michaela Redmond, WVUA 23)
• In the SEC, defense reigns again with Georgia, Bama on top (Associated Press)
• Prominent food brand eyes major project in Jefferson County (Tyler Patchen, Birmingham Business Journal)
• Iconic Quinlan Castle In 5 Points To Be Demolished (Michael Seale, Birmingham Patch)

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🌱 Tuscaloosa Patch Notebook 🌱

Alabama women's basketball improved to 2-1 overall for the 2021-22 campaign with a 86-54 win over Southern Miss in Foster Auditorium Wednesday night. (More)

The Tuscaloosa Academy Knights will travel to Montgomery Thursday to take on Pike Liberal Arts Academy at 7 p.m. for a chance at AISA State football title. Be sure to follow us here for updates! (More)

Stillman College men's basketball (4-0) is set to host Dalton State College Thursday night at 7:30 p.m. in Birthright Alumni Hall. (More)

Shelton State Community College's men's and women's basketball teams will host Coastal Alabama Community College Thursday night on the SSCC Martin Campus. The women will tip off at 5:30 p.m. and is available to watch on the SSCC Athletics YouTube channel for free. (More)

Alabama football's Evan Neal has been named a semifinalist for the Outland Trophy, which is presented each year to college football top offensive lineman. (More)

Alabama's swimming and diving men's and women's teams are set to begin their season at the Tennessee Invitational on Thursday in Knoxville. (More)

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Thanks for following along and staying informed. See you all tomorrow for another update! If you're feeling these newsletters, consider bringing some friends and neighbors along for the ride. You can send them this link to subscribe.

Have a great Thursday!

— RP

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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