🌱 4th Of July Fireworks + Pete Buttigieg Visits Birmingham + Closures

Hello, Birmingham! Like many of you, the Patch staff will be taking some time off to enjoy the holiday this weekend. Your next newsletter will be in your inbox on Tuesday morning. Now, here's everything you need to know about what's going on in town today.

First, today's weather:

A couple of t-storms; humid. High: 89 Low: 73.

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Here are the top three stories today in Birmingham:

1. Looking for places to watch fireworks this weekend? Check out this list of spots in and around Birmingham to catch the fireworks this fourth of July. See fireworks during the Birmingham Barons vs. Tennessee Smokies or at Thunder on The Mountain. (Bham Now)
2. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg visited Birmingham on Thursday to announce a $1 billion program. Buttigieg was joined by Congresswoman Terri Sewell (D-Alabama) to announce the U.S. Department of Transportation’s new Reconnecting Communities program, a $1 billion plan designed to restore community contact to transportation and increase economic opportunity. During his visit, he stressed the importance of unifying neighborhoods left detached from economic centers by poorly designed public transportation infrastructure. (Alabama Political Reporter)
3. Beginning today, Jul. 2, access to downtown Jefferson County Courthouse will be limited. Roads immediately surrounding the Jefferson County Courthouse, located at 716 Richard Arrington Jr., Blvd., will be blocked off for The World Games 2022 for security reasons — closures will last until Jul. 17. To make it easier for citizens to access during this time, Jefferson County has created a special webpage with links to online services and satellite locations. (WBRC)

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Today in Birmingham:

• Outdoor Pool Open Today, At Levite Jewish Community Center (All Day)
• Black Belt Field Trip: Autaugaville, At Alabama Audubon (7:00 AM)
• LEGO Building Event, At Homewood Chamber Of Commerce (1:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Greater Birmingham Humane Society shares some tips to keep your pet safe during the holiday weekend. Keep them inside away from fireworks, make sure each pet has an ID tag, collar, and is microchipped, keep harmful foods and alcohol away from your pets, and make a space where they can feel comfortable and stress-free. (Greater Birmingham Humane Society via Facebook)
• Spend the Fourth of July with the animals at the Birmingham Zoo! The Zoo will be open on Monday, Jul. 4, from 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. In honor of Independence Day, the Zoo will also be offering free admission to veterans, active, and retired military including their dependents (up to six) all weekend, Jul. 2- 4. (The Birmingham Zoo via Facebook)
• Here is the city of Birmingham's weekly look at year-to-date public safety stats, courtesy of the Birmingham Police Department. 28 firearms were recovered last week, 1,001 firearms recovered year-to-date in 2022, and 1,405 firearms recovered year-to-date in 2021. (City of Birmingham Government via Instagram)
• Attention Birmingham prospective homeowners! Check out these five new houses on the market. (Patch)

Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Saturday off right. I'll be back in your inbox on Tuesday with a new update!

— Miranda Fraraccio

About me: Miranda Fraraccio is a born and raised Rhode Islander, now living in New York. She works as a staff writer for content creation agency Lightning Media Partners and is a graduate of The University of Rhode Island, where she earned a degree in Writing & Rhetoric and Communication Studies. In her free time, you can find her traveling, drinking tea, or photographing her neighborhood as a street photographer.