🌱 Family Sought For Shooting Victim + COVID-19 Cases On The Rise

Happy Wednesday, neighbors! Here's everything you need to know to get this day started off right. First, the Jefferson County Coroner's Office is seeking family members for a man who was shot and killed on New Year's Day. Also, despite record numbers of new COVID-19 cases reported in Alabama the last two days, doctors have a reason to be at least "slightly" optimistic. See why below.

First, today's weather:

A thick cloud cover. High: 55 Low: 41.

Here are the top stories today in Birmingham:

1. Alabama reported a daily average of more than 6,000 COVID-19 cases Monday, but medical officials remain optimistic because hospitalizations in the state have not reached anywhere near the numbers seen in 2021. (Birmingham Patch)
2. The Jefferson County Coroner's Office is trying to find family members of Timothy Dean Pinson, who was shot and killed New Year's Day in Birmingham. (Birmingham Patch)
3. Former businessman and current president of King's Home Lew Burdette announced Tuesday he is running for governor of Alabama. (Hoover Patch)
4. A mother reflects on her experience with Birmingham judge Nakita Blocton, who was removed from bench for abusive behavior. (WIAT - CBS42.com)
5. Oak Mountain State Park has expanded 1644-acres, thanks to help from Forever Wild and EBSCO. (Bham Now)

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Today in Birmingham:

• Check out Sushi Wednesday at the Greenwise Market in Mountain Brook Village. (Details)
• Play Bingo at Cahaba Brewery to benefit the Cahaba Riverkeeper. (7:30 p.m.)
• Briarwood hosts Woodlawn in some Class 6A basketball. Should be a good game. (Details)

From my notebook:

• Birmingham Police Department has launched a missing person investigation for 17-year-old Micah Wilson. (Facebook)
• A new fitness studio is coming to Mercantile on Morris. (Bham Now)
• The Birmingham Zoo's emerald tree boa is here to provide your artistic inspiration for the day. This snake’s unique coil position allows them to stay still on a tree branch for long periods of time while they patiently wait for prey. (Facebook)
• Mayor Randall L. Woodfin has appointed two new board members to the Birmingham Sister Cities Commission. (Instagram)
• Ramsay scholars and staff recently received a visit from Birmingham City Schools superintendent Mark Sullivan during their intersession period. Dr. Sullivan encouraged students to continue working hard throughout the new year. (Facebook)

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Alrighty, you're all caught up for today. See you all tomorrow for another update!

— Michael Seale

About me: I am a lifelong Alabama resident with more than two decades of media under my belt. I have worked for a daily newspaper, a weekly newspaper, a monthly magazine, a television station and a couple of radio stations. I also tried my hand at marketing for a little while. But I love writing news. This opportunity to bring Patch to Birmingham is a chance for my hometown to benefit from a new - and better - way to read and receive news.