🌱 Bham Film Production Levels Rising + Suspect In Jail For Shooting

Hello, everybody! It's me, Danielle Fallon-O'Leary, your host of the Patch newsletter. Let's get this Thursday started off right, with a quick review of the most important things going on around town.

But first, today's weather:

Mostly sunny and pleasant. High: 84 Low: 60.

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Here are the top three stories in Birmingham today:

1. Birmingham area film production levels are rising to pre-pandemic levels. Birmingham area is very desirable because it has a variety of locations that look like different time periods or landscapes of different states, allowing filmmakers to shoot a variety of scenes within 30 minutes of the city. The Rivals of Amaziah King, which stars Matthew McConaughey, will start filming in the area on Jun 12. (Alabama's News Leader)
2. It's been one year since UAB researcher David Wesbrook was fatally shot, but his killer has still not been found. Wesbrook was shot in his vehicle after backing out of a parking lot after taking his dog for a walk; authorities have found no motive for this deadly shooting. Anyone with information is asked to call the Birmingham Homicide Detectives, and Crime Stopper's reward of 20,000 for finding the killer is still in place. (AL.com)
3. A suspect has been put in jail after police found a man shot at a Jefferson County apartment complex. Investigators say the victim, Deandre Montray Hollice, and the suspect, Eslam Mohamed Zaki, were in an argument that became physical when Zaki fired one shot that hit Hollice. The victim was taken to the hospital where he was later pronounced dead. Zaki is being held without bond on a murder charge. (WVTM13 Birmingham)

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Today in Birmingham:

• Basketball Open Play at Levite Jewish Community Center (6:00 AM)
• Bib & Tucker Sew-Op: The March Quilts at Central Library Art Gallery (9:00 AM)
• Mahjong Open Play at Levite Jewish Community Center (11:00 AM)

From my notebook:

• The Birmingham Fire Department would like to introduce their new recruit class of 23-02 today. A total of 26 men and women have taken the first step to becoming firefighters and emergency medical response personnel. Over the next few months, they will train and learn all the necessary materials that will make them successful in their departments. (Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service Department via Facebook)
• The City of Birmingham has released the budget for 2024. The operating budget will include 15 million dollars to be allocated to street resurfacing, which is 3 million more than last year. (City of Birmingham Government via Facebook)
• The City of Birmingham wants to remind citizens that there are locations around the city for public dumping. Four locations around the city will allow you to dump mattresses, garbage, and yard waste Monday - Friday 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. (and any time on weekends). This program is all part of the initiative to keep Birmingham clean and stop illegal dumping. (City of Birmingham Government via Facebook)

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Alrighty, you're all good for today. I'll be back in your inbox tomorrow with your next update!

— Danielle Fallon-O'Leary

About me: Danielle Fallon-O’Leary is a content manager with content creation agency Lightning Media Partners and assists Patch.com with community newsletter curation. Danielle also holds a Master’s Degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders and works part-time as a pediatric speech therapist.