Week In Review: Tuscaloosa's Top 10 Headlines From Aug. 9-14

TUSCALOOSA, AL — From institutions pivoting due to the coronavirus to Tuscaloosa securing two major sports tournaments, it was a busy week in T-Town. Here's a quick rundown to get you caught up on anything you might have missed during the week.

1. No Children Hospitalized At DCH Despite Statewide Worries: DCH reported 129 total coronavirus inpatients on Friday, which is more than double the number of hospitalizations on the same day two weeks ago. Of those patients, DCH says roughly 94% have not been vaccinated. Thankfully, no children have been hospitalized in the last 30 days at DCH.
2. Tuscaloosa Police Identify Pedestrian Killed On 15th Street: The Tuscaloosa Police Department has identified a pedestrian who died from his injuries Thursday morning as Tuscaloosa native Juan Lucas, 33. Lucas was struck by a vehicle on 15th Street Wednesday night in an apparent accident, as TPD says no criminal charges are expected.
3. UA Wheelchair Tennis, TTS To Host National Championships: The University of Alabama's wheelchair tennis program announced it will host the 2021 USTA Wheelchair Tennis Level 1 National Championships at Bowers Park in October.
4. Census: Tuscaloosa County Population Grew 16% Since 2010: The first round of data is in for the 2020 Census, showing Tuscaloosa County's population in 2020 had grown to 227,036, which is up 16.6% from the last Census in 2010.
5. Tuscaloosa's Tim Anderson Steals Show In 'Field Of Dreams' Game:Chicago White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson — a former Hillcrest High Patriot — hit a two-run homer to right field in the bottom of the ninth for the Sox to win 9-8 in the Field of Dreams Game. The nationally-televised game was played on the titular baseball diamond from the 1989 movie starring Kevin Costner and was the first MLB game played in Iowa.
6. TCHS Wildcats Show Off New Turf Football Field: Tuscaloosa County High School is set to begin the first season under a new head coach later this month and will do it on a new turf surface that it debuted this week.
7. Tuscaloosa Wins Bid For 2023 Dixie Youth Baseball World Series: Tuscaloosa County Park & Recreation Authority (PARA) and Tuscaloosa Tourism & Sports (TTS) on Thursday announced that the 2023 Dixie Youth Baseball (DYB) Division I and II World Series tournament will be hosted at Bowers Park Sports Complex in Tuscaloosa.
8. Tuscaloosa City School Board Approves Temporary Mask Order: Tuscaloosa City Schools will now require students and employees to wear masks while indoors, at least temporarily, following approval by the City Board of Education during its regular meeting Tuesday night. The temporary mask order will be in place through Sept. 10.
9. WATCH: Northport School Access Road Complete For 1st Day Of Class: Thursday marked the first day of school for the Tuscaloosa County School System as it officially opened the highly-anticipated Northport Intermediate School. This included the construction of a new access road to help ease congestion and promote safety.
10. Crimson Tide Grabs No. 1 Spot In USA TODAY Preseason Coaches Poll: The Alabama Crimson Tide will look to defend its 2020 College Football Playoff title from the top spot in the rankings after coming in at No. 1 in the USA TODAY AFCA preseason coaches poll that was released on Tuesday.

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