West Alabama Wednesday Briefing
Good morning West Alabama! It is Wednesday, April 9, 2025. This is the 99th day of the year with 266 remaining.
Wednesday Morning Observations:
It is time for younger people to get involved with volunteer fire departments across West Alabama. Why? Because the number of volunteer firefighters in Alabama is declining, and the average age of volunteer firefighters that are currently responding to fire and medical calls is increasing.
Volunteer fire departments offer protection for 79% of Alabama's communities, and volunteers account for 65% of the firefighting force nationwide. Volunteers are not just our neighbors but also serve as the first line of defense for emergencies close to home. There are 165 volunteer fire departments in our state. That means nine of every 10 fire or medical call in Alabama is answered by a volunteer.
Despite their importance in saving lives, reducing property destruction and property insurance costs; the number of volunteers has reached a 35-year-low, meanwhile, call volume has more than tripled.
Few volunteer departments are fully staff meaning it takes longer for emergency dispatchers to get someone to be able to respond to a call.
Volunteer Fire Fighting was once a legacy passed down through generations. The grandfather was a firefighter, the father was a firefighter, and the son became a volunteer firefighter. Today, between long commutes for jobs, family commitments and sporting events there just isn't time for training and response to calls.
Being a volunteer firefighter, EMT or paramedic is all about helping your neighbors. You can not only be responsible for saving a life or property but also helping reduce ISO ratings that impact home insurance costs.
To become a volunteer firefighter in Alabama you must be 18 years old, possess a high school diploma or GED, pass a physical fitness exam and complete required certification training, including Hazardous Materials Awareness and Operations and emergency medical care. Click HERE for a link to information from the Alabama Fire College. Click HERE for information on the Alabama Department of Revenue Volunteer Emergency Responders Tax Credit.
Once accepted you will need to commit to attending regularly scheduled meetings, drills and training classes.
Contact a volunteer fire department near you to see how you can become a part of a genuine community service.
(Opinions expressed in Morning Observation are those of the author and not necessarily that of the ownership, management, staff or sponsors of Townsquare Media Tuscaloosa.)
Weather:
It dropped into the upper 30s across most of West Alabama this morning and temperatures will rebound into the upper 60s this afternoon. With the warming trend comes a Slight (2 in 5) Risk for strong to severe thunderstorms tomorrow afternoon.
Read More: Cold Front Brings Marginal Risks of Severe Weather to Alabama
The Forecast:
The City of Tuscaloosa's Public Safety Committee has approved a new agreement between the University of Alabama's Culverhouse School of Business and the West Alabama Human Trafficking Task Force Operations.
Under this agreement, the University of Alabama will provide data analytics to assist the department's trafficking unit in identifying sexual predators online.
"It's related to human trafficking and prostitution and then identifying also family trafficking with minors and things like that, child predation things like that online," the Tuscaloosa Police Department's Assistant Chief Heath Clark told news partner ABC3340.
Proposed University Beach Resort Gets Split Vote from Northport Commission
The proposed University Beach Resort, featuring a planned 10-acre lagoon, Water Park, hotel, retail, restaurants, and residential areas, continues to face significant opposition. During a rezoning request by developers at the Northport Planning and Zoning Commission last night several past and present Northport leaders and current candidates urged the commission to oppose the plan. A split vote resulted in no favorable recommendation.
The rezoning request will now go to a first reading by the city council on May 5.
Read More: Zoning Commission Rebukes New Proposal for Northport’s University Beach Lagoon Resort
Remains Found in Tuscaloosa County
Human remains investigators believe belong to a man who was last seen in May 2024 have been found in a rural area of Tuscaloosa County.
As reported in Tuscaloosa Thread this morning, Captain Jack Kennedy, the commander of the Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit, told local media that 47-year-old Marcus Skelton has been missing from the New Lexington Community in rural northern Tuscaloosa County for a very long time.
He said Skelton's family reported him missing in December 2024, but that he was last seen months before that, in May 2024.
Read More: Investigators Find Remains in Tuscaloosa County Likely of Man Missing Since Last May
Ground Broken on Pickleball Courts
The $1.37 million project will include eight new courts, a new parking lot, lighting and security features and a sidewalk extension to the courts.
The courts are expected to be completed this fall.
Mother and Grandfather Indicted in Missing Child Case
Wendy Bailey, the mother and John Bailey, the grandfather of missing Fayette County toddler, Kahleb Collins, have been indicted one day before they were scheduled for a preliminary hearing. The pair remain jailed without bond.
Wendy Bailey’s son, Kahleb, was last seen Sept. 9, but his whereabouts were not public knowledge until months later, when his father, Steven Bailey, and his 2-year-old sister, Ryleigh, were killed in a car accident in Fayette County on Dec. 9. Wendy was in the car as well and was taken to UAB Hospital.
John Bailey was arrested for failing to report the boy missing.
Sports Illustrated Resort Still Possible in Tuscaloosa
UA Doctoral Student Still Being Detained by ICE Without Charges
Sports:
Admission to A-Day will be free of charge to all fans. Free public parking will be available in select lots on a first come, first served basis starting at 7 a.m. Crimson Ride shuttles will begin running at 8 a.m.
Gates at Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium will open at 11 a.m. Attendees should utilize Gates 14-17, 21-24, 34 and 47-53 to enter. The University's clear bag policy along with the use of metal detectors will be utilized at the gates. The first 5,000 fans to come through the gates will also receive a limited-edition commemorative poster for the event.
Prior to A-Day, Alabama will host its annual TIDE PRIDE Breakfast at Coleman Coliseum. The event will feature head coach Kalen DeBoer along with Director for Athletics Greg Byrne. Doors will open at 8:30 a.m.
A-Day attendees will also be able to take advantage of the Champions Lane, which will kick off at 9 a.m. near the Tuksa statue. Champions Lane will feature a live DJ, autograph areas, a Crimson Tide NASCAR display vehicle and food trucks along with sponsorship activations.
Alabama's annual Walk of Fame ceremony at Denny Chimes will begin at 10 a.m. with head coach Kalen DeBoer joined by 2024 captains Tyler Booker, Deontae Lawson, Jalen Milroe and Malachi Moore. Following the ceremony, the entire 2025 roster will take part in the Walk of Champions leading into Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium at 11:35 a.m. The Crimson Tide will then take part in an hour-and-a-half practice beginning at 12 p.m.
Following the A-Day workout, Yea Alabama members will be granted exclusive access to an on-field autograph session with the Crimson Tide players and coaching staff.
Click Tide100.9 for the latest sports news.