Work Starts For MLK/Jack Warner Pkwy; Driver Rescued From Creek

Good Morning Tuscaloosa! Let's get this Thursday kicked off.

In today's Daily, we have the latest on a new infrastructure project in Tuscaloosa, some big area sports signings and all of the other stories I'm reading and following today.

First, today's weather:

Tuscaloosa can expect a cloudy start to the day, before becoming gradually more sunny, with a high near 87 degrees and a low around 63.

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Patch Pick: Tuscaloosa Academy seventh and eighth graders in the school's Design Thinking Class entered the 2021 Fluor Engineering Challenge, which involves building the tallest tower possible using 30 pieces of paper and a roll of tape.

Here are the top 5 stories today in Tuscaloosa

1. Work has officially started on the first phase of the $33 million Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Jack Warner Parkway improvement project. The project will include a four-lane roadway divided by a landscaped median, sidewalks on both sides from Stillman Boulevard to Greensboro Avenue and other features. (More)

2. Tuscaloosa County Park & Recreation Authority and the Tuscaloosa YMCA will collaborate to will hosts an opening day jamboree for PARA's newly-formed baseball league on Saturday.

3. A driver was rescued from Big Sandy Creek Wednesday morning after an accident on Highway 69 South, Meg Summers reports. (Townsquare Media)

4. Two former employees of a Birmingham Chick-fil-A were indicted Tuesday in federal court for allegedly conspiring to defraud their former employer. (More on Patch)

5. A convicted felon and gang member from Tuscaloosa — Devontay Jerrod Hutt, 25 — was sentenced to six years in prison after pleading guilty to federal gun charges. (More)

Tuscaloosa Patch Notebook

- District Attorney Andy Hamlin (Fayette, Lamar and Pickens counties) and Walker County District Attorney Bill Adair joined several DAs in an op-ed speaking out in opposition to proposed legislation expanding medical marijuana in Alabama.

- Parents Night Out at the Tumblebus Station will be held from 6 p.m. until 10 p.m. The cost is $15 per child and includes pizza and a drink. (More)

- The Brookwood High School FFA Plant Sale is going on this week and next from 8 a.m. until - 3 p.m., Monday through Friday on Highway 216 at Brookwood Elementary, across from Dollar General. (More)

- University of Alabama junior Ann Williams has received a Boren Scholarship for the study of languages in world regions critical to U.S. interests and underrepresented in study abroad. A Montgomery native, Williams plans to study Mandarin in Taiwan.

- Shelton State Community College is currently offering a dental assisting course on Tuesdays and Thursdays, June 22 through Aug. 17 from 6 p.m. until 9:30 p.m. (More)

- Shelton State is excited to add Asia Barclay to the Women’s Basketball Team! Asia is a 6’0 forward/center who played for the powerhouse Anniston High School Lady Bulldogs! She played in three 4A State Championship games, capturing the 2020 title! We are thrilled to have her!

- Kentuck's Gallery at Hotel Indigo will host a First Friday reception and Artist Talk for "Seascapes" by Chloe York, beginning at 6:30 p.m. Friday. (More)

- The University Of Alabama says old swipe Action Cards will be deactivated this summer (More on Patch)

- Northside High School's Brandon Fenimore signed with MUW in Columbus, Mississippi to play baseball for coach Matt Wolfenbarger — also a former Northside Ram baseball standout. (More)

- The Shelton State Lady Bucs basketball team has signed forward/center Asia Barclay from Anniston High School, where she played in three 4A state championship games and helped the Lady Bulldogs win the 2020 title. (More)

Now you're in the loop and ready to get this Thursday started. Don't miss out during the rest of the week, though! Be sure to follow me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for exclusive content every day of the week.

I'll see you around!

- Ryan

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