Good morning West Alabama! It is Friday, October 18, 2024. It is "Squeeze the Big Orange" weekend.

Friday Morning Observations:

The Tuscaloosa Big Band was really cooking last night despite the cool weather at The Venue. The free concert provided music from Glenn Miller to Count Basie to Jim Croce, Chicago and more. The crowd ranged from the young to young at heart. If you missed it, you missed a treat. Keep on the lookout for future concerts, you will not be disappointed.

The Mercedes Benz Amp will be the place to be tonight with Dwight Yoakam in concert. Word is the country singer-songwriter, actor, and filmmaker puts on quite a show.

Since his debut single, "Honky Tonk Man" in 1986, Yoakam has released 46 singles, including two Billboard Hot Country Songs, number one singles, as well as 6 number ones in Canada.

Yoakam's show will be opened by The Mavericks and Drayton Farley. The show begins at 7:00 and there are tickets available.

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Weather:

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has released its 2024-25 winter outlook, highlighting a slowly developing” La Niña that could shape weather throughout the country from December through February. That means the south could be warmer and drier, extending our drought issues.

The greatest likelihood for drier-than-average conditions are in states bordering the Gulf of Mexico, including Alabama. The forecast calls for worsening drought conditions across portions of the Southwest and Gulf Coast.

The Forecast:

Today
Sunny, with a high near 74. East wind around 5 mph.
Tonight
Mostly clear, with a low around 44. East wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Saturday
Sunny, with a high near 76. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Saturday Night
Clear, with a low around 44. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Sunday
Sunny, with a high near 78. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Sunday Night
Clear, with a low around 47.
Next Week
Sunny days and clear nights. Highs will warm into the lower to mid 80s with overnight lows a bit warmer, into the mid 50s.

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Topping the News:

A vigil was held on Highway 78 in Walker County last night at the spot the body of 40-year-old Johnathan O’Neal Foster was found Monday. Initially it was thought Foster had been the victim of a hit and run but Walker County Sheriff Nick Smith told media, an autopsy produced another cause of death. That has led to the arrest of a 17-year-old on 1st Degree Murder charges.

No motive has been released by investigators. The youth has not been publicly identified due to his age.


 

Walt Maddox has officially announced his plan to run for a sixth term as Mayor of the City of Tuscaloosa. Maddox has been mayor since he succeeded Al Dupont in 2005.

The 36th mayor of the city says he will officially launch his campaign after the first of the year.

Read More: Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox Announces Re-election Bid for 6th Term


 

A fifth UA fraternity member has been arrested for hazing pledges at the Pi Kappa Phi house on campus during the first week of classes. It is unclear if 22-year-old Stefan Maksimovich is accused of participating in or witnessing the same events that led to the four earlier arrests.

Read More: 5th University of Alabama Student Arrested in Ongoing Hazing Probe


 

The iconic City Café in Northport has posted on social media that the long-time owner Joe Barger is making steps to his next chapter. The post also asks for prayers and support.


 

Because of the cooler temperatures deer are becoming more active, especially at night. The animals tend to move around a lot in the evening and early morning according to authorities. That poses a serious threat to motorists.

Triple A is reminding us that 2-million deer-related accidents happen annually many resulting in injury or death to drivers and their passengers. Several hundred of those deer/vehicle accidents occur in Alabama each year.


 

The Tuscaloosa County Sheriff's Office is seeking information as to the whereabouts of 16-year-old Natasha Lashay Ewing has been missing since Sunday, October 13th, when she was seen in the 4400 Block of 6th Street East in Holt.

Read More: TCSO Searching for Runaway 16-Year-Old Missing Since Sunday


 

Fire units responded to a fire reported in a mobile home across from Buhl Elementary School just before 7:00 this morning. Two occupants were able to get out of the home. The fire was extinguished by volunteer firefighters.


 

The Tuscaloosa Toys for Tots campaign for Christmas was shutdown less than 24 hours after beginning to seek applications from those needing assistance. It happened after receiving more than 6,000 applications. That is almost double the applications received last year and the organization is running far short of donations for this year.

Toys for Tots serves Tuscaloosa, Greene, Hale, Pickens, Lamar, Fayette, and Sumter Counties in West Alabama.


 

A longtime Birmingham peanut company has opened its doors in Tuscaloosa. The 117-year-old Alabama Peanut Company is now open in downtown Temerson Square.

The new Tuscaloosa location offers raw and roasted peanuts in all sizes up to 25-pound boxes, but also offers the new boiled peanuts in more than 100 rotating flavors like Buffalo Ranch, Dill Pickle, Collard Greens, Bourbon BBQ and dozens more.

Read More: 117-Year-Old Alabama Peanut Company Opens New Store in Tuscaloosa



 

Topping Sports News:

Friday Night High School Football Schedule:

  • Marengo travels to Sweetwater
  • Holy Spirit is on the road to Choctaw County
  • C. Hatch hosts Pickens Academy
  • University Charter is home to Francis Marion
  • Pickens County visits Berry
  • South Lamar hosts Brilliant
  • Aliceville travels to Lamar County
  • Tuscaloosa Academy is at Sulligent
  • Greensboro welcomes Thorsby
  • Hale County gets a visit from Sumter Central
  • Gordo host Phil Campbell
  • Oakman is home to Vinemont
  • Bibb County travels to Fairfield
  • American Christian visits Oak Grove
  • West Blocton is at Pleasant Grove
  • Holt is on the road at Tarrant
  • Fayette County welcomes Good Hope
  • Demopolis is home to Jemison
  • Sipsey Valley travels to Montevallo
  • Brookwood visits Hueytown
  • Paul Bryant is at McAdory
  • Northridge hosts Bessemer City
  • Jasper travels to Hartselle
  • Tuscaloosa County is on the road to Vestavia Hills

 

The University of Alabama Women's Basketball team, like the men, is on an upsurge lately. The Crimson Tide got a good deal of attention at the recently completed SEC Media days.

Read More: SEC Media Day: Returning Senior Guard’s Aaliyah Nye and Sarah Barker


 

The Alabama Football Team will need all-hands-on-deck if they are to beat Tennessee in Knoxville tomorrow afternoon. Bama has released a revised team injury report that has some promising information.

The Crimson Tide remains a 3-point favorite to smoke the "Victory Cigar" on Rocky Top late tomorrow afternoon. The over/under has been set at 57.5-points.

Read More: Alabama Makes Changes to Thursday Injury Report


 

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

Have a wonderful weekend and let's chip Rocky Top down to pebble size. ROLL TIDE!!