🌱 BWWB Approves $150K Donation To H20 + Chuck E Cheese's Shooting

Good morning Birmingham. Here’s something special to check out today — especially if you’re looking to pamper yourself this Valentine’s Day! We asked Laura Silsbee, a Mountain Brook native and wellness expert, to help us find the best events and special offers for anyone wanting to look and feel their best this winter. Check out her Birmingham Patch Wellness Guide for February here.

Also, FYI: I wanted to let you know that Patch is looking for a local writer and entrepreneur to take the helm of the Birmingham Patch newsletter and make it their own. We want to pass the torch to someone truly local and in-the-know to write about Birmingham long term. So if you’re interested in earning extra income while making this newsletter a more valuable resource for your neighbors, learn more and apply here.

But first, today's weather:

Breezy in the afternoon. High: 69 Low: 58.

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Here are the top three stories today in Birmingham:

1. The Birmingham Water Works Board (BWWB) approved annual funding of $150,000 to the Help 2 Others Foundation. The nonprofit was created about 10 years ago with the help of the BWWB to assist Birmingham Water Works customers with water and Jefferson County sewer bills and repair leaks. The annual donation amount is usually $100,000, but the board voted to increase it this year to ensure all applicants receive aid. (Subscription: AL.com)
2. A shooting during a family gathering at a Chuck E. Cheese restaurant has left one man injured and another detained. Shelby County deputies and Hoover police responded to the shooting on U.S. 280 in Inverness on Feb. 12. First responders took the victim to a Birmingham hospital, and police said both men knew each other. (WVTM13 Birmingham)
3. After seeing an uptick in domestic violence cases and situations, the Birmingham Police Department's special victims unit is forming partnerships to assist with advocacy for domestic violence victims. The city and organizations such as One Place Family Justice Center have resources available for victims. Legal help, personal advice, and detectives are working with the center to help individuals dealing with these situations. (WVTM13 Birmingham)

Today in Birmingham:

• Fire & Desire Valentine's Day Card Grab-N-Go At North Birmingham Regional Branch Library (9:00 AM)
• Will Downing, At Alys Robinson Stephens Performing Arts Center (7:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• The Birmingham Zoo Camp flash sale is coming up this week! Those who register for summer camp between Feb. 15-16 will receive 15 percent off registration. Click here for more information about the zoo's camp options and pricing. (The Birmingham Zoo via Facebook)
• Full- and part-time job opportunities are available in the Birmingham area. Available positions include administrative assistant, sales associate, office coordinator, account manager, property administrator, delivery driver, and more. More details about companies hiring in the area are available at the link. (Birmingham Patch)
• Are you looking for a new family member with four paws? Check out the list of adoption-ready pets in the Birmingham area at the link! (Birmingham Patch)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured events:

• Breast Ultrasound Screening Coming Direct to You! (February 16)
• Add your event

That's it for today! I'll see you around.

— 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.