West Alabama Monday Briefing

Good morning West Alabama! It is Monday, April 14, 2025. The day before "Income Tax Day"! If your taxes are not done by now, the IRS advises you to file an extension.

This is the 104th day of the year with 261 days remaining.

Morning Observations:

This is Holy Week in the Christian Church, the culmination of the reason Jesus was born into this world. Every Christian sect, denomination, and church has developed its own practices and observances of this "High Holy Week".

This is the last week of Lent, a period of fasting and preparation for celebrating the resurrection of Jesus. It began yesterday with "Palm Sunday: That is the day that Western Christianity commemorates Jesus's triumphal entry into Jerusalem, an event mentioned in each of the four canonical Gospels.

Palm Sunday is celebrated by the blessing and distribution of palm branches, representing the palm branches that the crowd scattered before Christ as he rode into Jerusalem on a donkey. Many Biblical scholars believe it was this tumultuous welcome that scared the Sanhedrin and sparked their plans to have Jesus killed.

Today is "Holy Monday" or "Great and Holy Monday". This terminology is more used in Catholic and Orthodox churches. Many Christian denominations commemorate "Good Friday" and "Easter Sunday" only while others add "Maundy Thursday".

According to the gospels, on "Holy Monday", Jesus Christ cursed the fig tree (a symbol of judgement that will befall those who do not bring forth the fruits of repentance), cleansed the temple, and responded to the questioning of his authority.

Ways to observe "Holy Monday" are to read Matthew 21:12-27. Perhaps light a candle and sit in silence, reflecting on Jesus declaring that faith can move mountains.

(Opinions expressed in Morning Observations are those of the author and not necessarily those of the ownership, management, staff or sponsors of Townsquare Media Tuscaloosa.)

Weather:

Sunny and warm temperatures in the 80s today will give way to showers and possibly a thunderstorm during the day Tuesday north of a line from Vernon to Fayette to southern Walker County.

The remainder of the week will see a significant warming trend.

The Forecast:

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If enacted, the bill would allow injured teachers to continue receiving their salary for up to 90 days, and it would help cover medical expenses.

New Tuscaloosa Fire Station Planned in Council District 2

The Tuscaloosa City Council Public Safety Committee is scheduled tomorrow to discuss a new Fire Station #5 planned for Council District 2. The new station will be the answer to public requests for better fire protection due to railroad tracks block responses in that area according to acting Tuscaloosa Fire Chief Hollis Baughn.

Baughn says having a fire station on the south side of the tracks between stations 1 and 7 would "help facilitate and provide a lot better care and rapid response to those citizens that live in that area south of the railroad tracks."

The city plans to fund the project by selling a previously purchased property with the proceeds directed toward the construction of the new station.

Tuscaloosa Resolution Would End Skinner Transportation Business License

The Tuscaloosa City Council's Tuesday night meeting agenda includes a resolution that, if approved, would dissolve the business license of the much-maligned Skinner Transportation Service.

Pages 5 and 6 of the resolution lists a long series of public and official complaints involving the Northport located company.

The resolution alleges the city has received complaints from the public and responded to calls concerning Skinner Transportation Service, "...utilizing drivers without the proper chauffer license and vehicles without proper commercial insurance."

The resolution states the complaints against the company have become a public nuisance and are dangerous to public safety, health and welfare.

Panama City Claims It Can No Long Afford Spring Break Revellers

Panama City FL is a popular spring break location for West Alabama area college and high school students. But after 2 incidents of gunfire, numerous fights, traffic crashes and public intoxication arrests, City Officials there say it is not worth the cost and the violence.

In a Sunday night Facebook Post, Panama City Beach Police Chief J.R. Talamantez wrote, “To the future doctors, nurses, engineers, teachers, and leaders who came here for a break, you’re appreciated. You made memories, enjoyed the beach, and showed respect. Most of you went home without problems, and that’s exactly how it should be.”

He added, “If you came with guns, bad intentions, and no respect for this city, we saw you. You thought you could blend in and get away with it. You were wrong. Our officers were ready, and many of you ended up in handcuffs. Panama City Beach can no longer be a Spring Break town. That time is over. Every year we try to manage it, and every year it brings more challenges. I’m not willing to risk the safety of our city to hold onto something that no longer works.”

Talamantez plans to meet with city leaders to discuss the problems with spring break.

Alabama Man Jailed for Sexual Assault in Mississippi

Colby Bates, an Alabama man from Vina in Franklin County has been charged with sexual battery in Tupelo MS. Police there received a call from a victim who reported she had been physical and sexually assaulted. Bates was still on the scene when officers arrived and placed him in custody. Bates had previous warrants in Franklin and Lee counties. He remains in the Lee County MS Jail.

Springbrook Park Ribbon Cutting Set for Tomorrow

A ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Springbrook Park is scheduled for tomorrow at 10:00am. The event at 3101 Springbrook Circle will include Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox and District 7 City Councilman Cassius Lanier.

Click TuscaloosaThread.com for the latest West Alabama news, sports and weather. Better yet, download the app. 

Sports:

Bama Softball Gets Remarkable Win over Oklahoma

The 22nd ranked Alabama Softball team let a win get away from them late in Saturday's come from behind win by #2 Oklahoma at the Rhodes House. That was not a problem Sunday.

Tide pitcher Jocelyn Briski, who took the loss Saturday, came back with a masterful performance Sunday night enroute to a 7-1 win over the vaunted Sooners. Had she not given up a solo home, Briski would have been the first pitcher to shutout the 4-time defending Champions since 2019 (Alabama was the team with that shutout.

With a win tonight, Alabama can grab a rare series win against OU juggernaut. First pitch is set for 6:00pm at the Rhodes House.

Bama Baseball Drops Second Straight SEC Weekend Series

Alabama Baseball is now 8-7 in SEC games after losing two of three games to Mississippi State at "The Joe" over the past weekend. UA is now 19-6 at home and 29-8 overall. Alabama is now 8th in the SEC standings and sure to drop in this week's national poll.

The crimson Tide hosts UAB at 7:00p, Tuesday at "The Joe". Bama then travels to LSU for a three-game series this weekend.

Transfers Now a Problem in High School Sports

The Alabama High School Athletic Association will look to crack down on the issue of non-compliant transfer student-athletes statewide.

Former UMS-Wright head football coach and AHSAA Central Board President Terry Curtis announced plans to appoint a task force to study the growing problem.

At Thursday’s annual spring meeting, Alma Bryant head football coach Bart Sessions and Mountain Brook’s Chris Yeagar presented data compiled by a number of coaches in the association. The report showed strong disparities in number of transfer student-athletes to certain schools in Class 6A football statewide.

McIlroy Wins Career Grand Slam at Masters

Longtime professional golfer Rory McIlroy almost blew it but was able to put on the Masters Green Jacket Sunday.