Why The Sky Was Hazy In T-Town; McKinstry Still Fighting Results

Good Morning Tuscaloosa!

In today's Daily, we have an update on the status of a challenge to results in a Tuscaloosa City Council election, an explanation for why the sky was so hazy around the county Tuesday and an in-depth look at the stories I am keeping an eye on.

First, today's weather:

Mostly sunny in Tuscaloosa, with a high near 77 degrees and a low around 52.

Here are the top 5 stories today in Tuscaloosa

1. A controlled burn in the Talladega National Forrest caused a noticeable haze over the northern part of Tuscaloosa County on Tuesday, with the smog more prominent in the afternoon hours.

2. Protests were held outside of Tuscaloosa City Hall on Tuesday by supporters of Sonya McKinstry, the incumbent District 7 councilwoman who was defeated by a narrow margin in the March 2 election by Cassius Lanier. McKinstry has asked a court to overturn the results, which were certified Tuesday, due to Lanier's felony record.

HAPPENING NOW: District7 Sonya MKinstry supporters are outside of the Tuscaloosa City Hall asking people to “Stand with Sonya.” Mkinstry has filed a complaint stating Cassius Lanier was never eligible to run for office. @abc3340 pic.twitter.com/nS5naLt6zT
— Annie Mapp (@AnnieMapp_) March" class="redactor-linkify-object">https://twitter.com/AnnieMapp_... 9, 2021

3. Tuscaloosa Academy graduate Emma Caroline Warren (Class of 2013) appeared Monday on "The Voice" and has advanced on the show, Mark Hughes Cobb reports. She will perform next in the upcoming battle rounds by singing a duet. (Tuscaloosa News)

4. A man charged with murder in a 2019 shooting was stabbed with a makeshift knife in the Tuscaloosa County Jail by his cellmate last week, Stephen Dethrage reports. The victim, who was not named in the story, suffered "superficial puncture wounds" in the attack. (Tuscaloosa Thread)

5. The ever-colorful Bo Hicks of Druid City Brewing Co. recently spoke about his experiences during the coronavirus pandemic as the focus of a quirky and well-written feature, told through the witty voice of Ben Flanagan (AL.com)

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Today in Tuscaloosa

- Several food trucks will be at the Alabama Fire College on the Shelton State Community College campus from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m.

- A ribbon-cutting will be held today for Cravings Tuscaloosa at 11 a.m. by the Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama to celebrate the opening of the grocery, beer and wine store.

- Tommy Wilcox will host the 4th annual Turkey Day at Peach Outdoor on Highway 82, which will feature several noteworthy turkey callers and other offerings.

- Tuscaloosa County Park & Recreation Authority (PARA) will host a soccer demo and introduction to local sports at the McDonald-Hughes Activity Center from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m.

- Alabama baseball takes on Jacksonville State in Tuscaloosa at 6 p.m.

Tuscaloosa Patch Notebook

- DCH Health System reported a total of 27 coronavirus hospitalizations Tuesday, adding nine new patients, while five or less patients are currently on ventilators.

- Several area students recently took home top honors from the UAB Central Alabama Science and Engineering Fair, including: Sophie Boxmeyer (Tuscaloosa Magnet Middle School); Sophia Guo (Northridge Middle School); Sera Stone (The Capitol School); John William Duffy & Michael Constantine (Tuscaloosa Academy); Jacob Shankman & Josiah Whatley (The Capitol School); Maddie Tilford (Alberta School of Performing Arts); Nathan Lee (Northridge Middle School). Watch all of the local entry videos here.

- Tuscaloosa County Park & Recreation Authority (PARA) will host a kids night out event at the Tingle Center on Friday, March 12. The event will feature three hours of activities, with pizza, juice and dessert for each child, beginning at 5:30 p.m.

- The University of Alabama on Tuesday announced it has added Adirondack chairs to certain locations across campus to promote safe outdoor gathers, along with mood lighting, small tables, fire pits and concrete corn hole boards in places like the Quad, the Ferguson Center lawn and Shelby Quad to name a few.

- Tuscaloosa County EMA held a pop-up registration event in Brookwood on Tuesday to sign up locals who are eligible to receive a coronavirus vaccination through DCH Health System. The pop-up events are part of a wider push to increase the number of locals vaccinated.

- Stillman College President Cynthia Warrick was honored at Samford University Tuesday morning during "A Morning of Empowerment," spotlighting women who serve as HBCU presidents in Alabama.

- Children's Hands-On Museum will host Shamrock Saturday on March 13 to commemorate St. Patrick's Day. Attendees will be able to make a shamrock guitar, listen to Irish music and hunt for shamrocks.

From the cheap seats ...

- Alabama sophomore outfielder Owen Diodati launched a walk-off grand slam in the bottom of the ninth inning to secure an 11-8 victory over the South Alabama Jaguars in Tuscaloosa Tuesday night.

- Northridge High School fullback Simeon Houston signed his letter of intent this week to play football at Huntingdon College, where he plans to major in Business Administration. He is the son of former Alabama Crimson Tide fullback Martin Houston, who was a member of the 1992 national championship team.

- Shelton State Community College made easy work of the Stillman Tigers in college baseball action Tuesday, winning 14-0.

- The SSCC Buccaneers basketball teams also saw success Tuesday night, with the men defeating Snead State 75-64, while the women also pulled out a 92-43 win.

- Shelton State Community College men's basketball coach Joe Eatmon was chosen this week as the winner of HoopDirt.com’s Coach of the Week. The Buccaneers remain undefeated for the season, winning all but one game by double digits.

- The Echols Middle School Archery Team won first place at its regional tournament last wee, with Lola Smith logging the highest score for the boys’ and girls’ middle school divisions, and 2nd highest score in the all-girls divisions with a 270.

- Former Central High Lady Falcons basketball star Sakyia White — now at the University of North Alabama- was named the ASUN Freshman of the Year this week.

Now you're all caught up to get your day started on an informed note. Don't miss out during the rest of the day, though! Be sure to follow me on Tuscaloosa Patch and its social media platforms for more.

I'll see you around!

- Ryan

About me: I grew up in Tuscaloosa, am a University of Alabama graduate and the founder of Tuscaloosa Patch. You can find me at public meetings, events in the local arts community and wherever live music is played!