By WVUA 23 News Student Reporter Nick Ballenger Little League organizations across the country are striking out when it comes to finding new umpires. According to the National Federation of State High School Associations, the number of umpires around the country has dropped by nearly 20,000 members since 2018. Part of the reason? A growing number of altercations with parents…
By WVUA 23 News Student Reporter MJ Miller If you’re frustrated by the ongoing construction on Jack Warner Parkway and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard in Tuscaloosa, know that city leaders are too. But there’s an end in sight for Phase 2 of this massive road project. According to the latest Mayor’s Minute newsletter sent by Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox…
Tuscaloosa’s District 7 residents had a chance to meet with their local representative and discuss what’s on their mind Thursday. District 7 City Council Member Cassius Lanier hosted the Town Hall meeting, addressing issues including new development, public safety and growing loitering problems. “I wanted to come in, update (residents) on what’s going on in the district as well as…
The Tuscaloosa County Sheriff’s Office needs your help locating some of Tuscaloosa’s Most Wanted. Demetrice Deon Fowler, 45, is last known to be living in the area of 22nd Street in Tuscaloosa. Fowler is wanted on an unlawful distribution of a controlled substance charge. Danny Thigpen, 54, is last known to be living in the area of Cold Springs Road…
Anxiety is a feeling we’ve all felt at some point, but if those feelings are getting overwhelming, it may be time to seek help. University Medical Center psychiatrist Dr. James Reeves said anxiety works on a spectrum. “Anxiety is a broad topic,” he said. “I kind of describe anxiety as a sense of uneasiness, maybe a fear or worries.”…
By WVUA-23 Sports Reporter Tyler White Northside High School softball has a big weekend, competing in the Class 4A State Softball Championship Tournament at Choccolocco Park in Oxford, Ala. The Rams first game is against Brooks High School on Friday morning at 10:45. “We set our goal at the very first practice that our goal is to win the whole…
The Hillcrest Patriots had mixed results, being sent to the consolation bracket but managing to avoid elimination on the first day of the Class 6A State Softball Championship Tournament. Hillcrest lost to Athens, 12-6 to open the day before defeating Pell City 4-2 in the Consolation Bracket. Hillcrest got off to a good start in its first game, against No….
A bill in the Alabama legislature proposed by Senator Gerald Allen has cleared the state Senate. It levies additional sale and use taxes in Tuscaloosa county. The amendment would also require public notices and public hearings for any referendum and stipulates it be added to the general election ballot as opposed to special elections. Tuscaloosa county voters have mixed opinions…
By WVUA 23 News Student Reporter MJ Miller Children who need a place to hang out this summer have a variety of options, but the Boys and Girls Clubs of West Alabama is hosting a Summer Food Service Program where any child can come get a quality, healthy breakfast and lunch at no charge. Beginning June 5 at Jaycee Park…
By WVUA 23 News Student Reporter Nick Ballenger The Gray Lady bar in downtown Tuscaloosa is helping ensure one of its beloved bartenders can focus on feeling better instead of stressing about upcoming bills. Employee Kevin Sparks was diagnosed with a chronic illness in December, and since then has spent more than 90 days in the hospital. Co-worker Kristen Owen…
The Tuscaloosa County man charged with a deadly DUI boat crash was sentenced for the crime. On July 4, 2018, then 29-year-old Ricky Latham caused a fatal boat crash on the Black Warrior River. Hale County Judge Marvin Wiggins gave Ricky Latham a 15-year split sentence. Latham will serve 28 months in prison, followed by five years of probation. If…
The Tuscaloosa Public Library has the final bit of funding it needs for some much-needed repairs after the Tuscaloosa County Commission approved handing over $1.13 million on Wednesday. This money is coming in alongside $378,000 from the city of Northport and $1.18 million from the city of Tuscaloosa. All told, TPL is getting about $2.7 million for repairs including a…
By WVUA-23 Sports Reporter Juliet Brown Alabama’s ace pitcher Montana Fouts left last week’s SEC Tournament game vs. Arkansas game with an apparent leg injury. Crimson Tide fans speculated what this could mean for the team as it prepares for this weekend’s Tuscaloosa Regional Tournament. The Crimson Tide’s first game is against Long Island University on Friday. Alabama softball head…
Northside is gearing up for what it hopes is a two-day stay in Oxford. The Rams begin the Class 4A State Softball Championship Tournament on Friday morning against Brooks High School. The softball programs are well acquainted; Northside defeated Brooks, 3-2 in last years state softball championship tournament, eliminating the Lions. It was one of three one-run-games Northside was involved…
Gordo baseball is looking to bring home its first state title since 2017. The Greenwave take on Houston Academy in the Class 3A State baseball finals series, with Game 1 set for Wednesday at 4 p.m. at Choccolocco Park in Oxford. “We have tried to keep our kids grounded, we want to keep them focused with the task at hand,”…
Congratulations to Brookwood High School teacher Riley Balsmeyer, who’s WVUA 23 News’ latest Featured Teacher. In her nomination application, her nominator wrote: “I love Mrs. Balsmeyer, she is the most absolute sweetest. She goes above and beyond to care for her students and ensure they’re having a great day. If they aren’t she is always the one you can go…
Campbell is a 10-month-old thick, stocky boy weighing in at just under 50 pounds with the adorable face of a pint-sized Frenchie who’s available for adoption from the Humane Society of West Alabama. This sweet gentleman isn’t ready to go home with a family just yet as he’s having surgery soon to fix his cleft palate, but applications will surely…
There’s a big shortage of school bus drivers in Tuscaloosa County. And while we’re wrapping up one school year right now, the Tuscaloosa County School System is working toward hiring as many as 22 bus drivers for next year. Their latest new driver class begins June 13, but there are some things potential drivers should do before the class…
A West Alabama family is in mourning and looking for answers after one of their loved ones was gunned down inside his Greensboro home. Terrell Powell, 33, was killed around 3:30 a.m. Monday when someone shot into his and another mobile home on Parakeet Drive, said Greensboro Assistant Police Chief Willie Lewis. Investigators said his death could have been caused…
By BEATRICE DUPUY, Associated Press There are plenty of alligators in Alabama. But how many enjoy a day at the beach? One such unlikely critter was spotted riding the waves recently on Dauphin Island, bobbing calmly near the human beachgoers sunbathing and wading. Matt Harvill, a 27-year-old Mobile resident, came across the lengthy gator on May 7 while at the…
The Alabama men’s golf team heads into the final round of the 2023 Norman Golf Regionals in first place after the team scored 8-under par 280 on Tuesday. The Crimson Tide took the lead with a 36-hole team score of 15-under par. No. 9 Oklahoma trails by two strokes (-13) while No. 5 Texas is tied with Colorado for third…
By WVUA 23 Sports Reporter Sam Holley For the first time since 2018, Hillcrest High School is back in the AHSAA Softball State Championship Tournament. “Obviously each team is different,” said Hillcrest coach Ted Swinney. “You got to have good pitching, got to be able to hit, got to be able to field it. I think that’s something we try…
Gary Harris and Rodney Orr discuss Alabama football’s most recent commitments from the transfer portal. Also, the guys discuss Greg Byrne’s comments about Alabama Athletics and its association with sports gambling. The Crimson Tide will host the NCAA Softball Regional Friday, and we discuss the biggest question with Montana Fouts knee in question going into the NCAA Tournament. After a…
By WVUA 23 Sports Reporter Juliet Brown Maplesville native and Mississippi State football star Nathaniel Watson was arrested Sunday morning on suspicion of driving under the influence, according to Oktibbeha County Jail records. This is the second time Watson’s run into legal issues after getting a felony assault charge and traffic violations following an alleged drag racing incident in 2018,…
