🌱 AL Hibbett Sports Lost $41K + 5% Raise Proposed For City Workers

Hi all. It's me, Miranda Fraraccio, your host of the Daily. Here's all the local news you need to know right now.

But first, today's weather:

Heavy rain and a t-storm. High: 67 Low: 39.

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Here are the top three stories today in Birmingham:

1. A Birmingham Hibbett Sports location lost more than $41,000 because of an email in October that claimed there needed to be an update to a payment owed to Worldwide Retail Solutions, one of their vendors. Worldwide received a notice of payment but there were no funds provided, thus revealing there was a scam. In the lawsuit, Hibbett and Worldwide asked the court for relief including damages and attorney costs. (WIAT - CBS42.com)
2. Birmingham mayor Randall Woodfin proposed another five percent raise for city workers in order "to make sure we're making the necessary investments in our employees." According to the mayor's office, the total costs of the pay increase would be about $13.5 million, and in addition the mayor plans on hiring 37 new individuals to the Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service. Later this month, Woodfin's proposal will be presented to the Birmingham City Council. (AL.com)
3. A partnership between the city of Birmingham and Jefferson County Agencies has been created in an effort to stop violence among city youth. The RESTORE Program will focus on 16- to 19-year-olds, and it will help streamline and integrate services and support for young people who are brought through family court and their families. Once the council approves the $225,000 budget, the program entities can begin selecting families next month. (WBRC)

Today in Birmingham:

• Anime-nia, At Smithfield Branch Library (3:30 PM)
• Cahaba Chess Night, At Cahaba Brewing Company (5:00 PM)
• The State Ballet Theatre Of Ukraine's Sleeping Beauty, At Alabama Theatre (6:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• Each year the Superb Owl Awards take place – originating from Super Bowl viewers' misspelling when Googling – and Birmingham's own Chili, the Eastern Screech Owl, has a chance at winning. Voting for the Superb Owl Awards is taking place on BonusFinder, and the winner will receive $5,000 to help support and funding for their zoo/sanctuary. (The Birmingham Zoo via Facebook)
• The 2023 Birmingham Botanical Gardens' Member Celebration and Inaugural John A. Floyd Jr. Lecture on Jan. 31 will feature landscape architect Thomas Rainer, a Birmingham native who is helping guide current enhancements in the Kaul Wildflower Garden. Light refreshments and a book signing will also be part of the event; Space is limited, so be sure to register online. (Birmingham Botanical Gardens via Facebook)
• The Birmingham Public Library revealed the new bookmobile at the Central Library in downtown Birmingham. The vehicle offers library services and programs on the road, as well as having books and DVDs for patrons to take advantage of. (Birmingham Public Library via Facebook)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Thursday off right. I'll be in your inbox tomorrow morning with a new update!

— Miranda Fraraccio

About me: Miranda Fraraccio is a staff writer for content creation agency Lightning Media Partners. She is a graduate of the University of Rhode Island, where she earned degrees in Writing & Rhetoric and Communication Studies. In her free time, you can find her traveling, drinking tea, or practicing film photography.