Week In Review: Bars Close, UA Students Moved, Budget Presented

TUSCALOOSA, AL. — Here's a look at the last week in headlines.

Tuscaloosa Closes Bars, Limits Alcohol Sales For Restaurants: Bars in the city of Tuscaloosa were ordered to close for 14 days beginning at 5 p.m. Monday night and restaurants are prohibited from making alcohol sales via bar service following an executive order issued Monday morning by Mayor Walt Maddox. The decision came following recommendations by the University of Alabama's virus response team as 531 new cases were identified on the Tuscaloosa campus.

UA Moving Students Out Of Burke West To Expand Isolation Space: The University of Alabama notified certain students on Monday that they will be moved to new housing to consolidate space and make rooms available in Burke West for expanded COVID-19 isolation facilities. Patch previously reported the university had secured quarantine space at two on-campus apartments — Bryce Lawn and the Highlands.

Attempt To Reinstate Police Funeral Escorts Fails In Committee: A renewed push to reinstate police funeral escorts failed Tuesday after not receiving the necessary support to move forward during the Tuscaloosa City Council's Public Safety Committee meeting. The Tuscaloosa Police Department has long been opposed to motorcycle escorts for funerals, with the current law prompted by the death of TPD Officer Trevor Phillips in 2011.

Tuscaloosa Mayor Rolls Out FY21 Budget Recommendations: In total, the operating budget for the upcoming fiscal year sits at a proposed $226 million, roughly $10 million less than last year's budget passed by the Tuscaloosa City Council. Mayor Walt Maddox and city leaders will also be faced with general fund revenue that is predicted to be substantially lower than last year's $164 million, coming in at $154 million for the coming fiscal year.

Tuscaloosa Bar Owners Express Frustrations After Abrupt Closures: Patch caught up with several Tuscaloosa bar owners to hear their concerns following the mayor's executive order on Monday closing all bars and prohibiting bar service in restaurants.

City Works Toward Plan To Help Tuscaloosa Bar Owners: Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox hopes a plan to help the 29 bars affected by the emergency shutdown will provide the funding to mitigate any burden on the establishments. The city's finance team projects the city forgoing $28,000 in sales tax, while businesses would lose out on in between $337,000 - $466,000 in alcohol sales over the 14-day period.

UA Says No Fall Break, Finals To Be Given Remotely: The University of Alabama announced on Wednesday that it will not observe Fall Break for students and final exams will be given remotely, along with a range of other changes to the academic calendar for the year to come.

DCH Reports Sustained Improvement For Inpatient COVID-19 Cases: DCH Health System on Thursday reported a total of 58 inpatient COVID-19 cases, marking a substantial improvement from when the hospital hit triple digits in July.

Archibald's Owner Reflects On Election Win, Talks Plans: Patch caught up with Woodrow Washington, owner of Archibald's BBQ, to hear about his plans following his 19-vote win in the District 2 City Council race in Northport.

Tuscaloosa Swift Water Rescue Team Will Not Deploy To Louisiana: An 18-member Swift Water Rescue team from Tuscaloosa Fire & Rescue will not deploy to Louisiana for Hurricane Laura relief after all. TFR Spokeswoman Holly Whigham said Thursday night saw the state of Louisiana issue a stand down on all additional requested out of state resources.

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