🌱 Lawsuit Against Youth Residential Facility + New Birmingham Clinic

Hello, everybody. I'm Sean Peek, and I'm filling in for your usual curator Miranda today. Now, here are all the most important things to know about what's happening locally.

But first, today's weather:

Low clouds. High: 48 Low: 28.

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Here are the top three stories today in Birmingham:

1. A lawsuit was filed on Wednesday alleging that an 11-year-old was injured from abuse at a Birmingham youth residential facility. The lawsuit was filed in Jefferson County against Alabama Clinical Schools, Universal Health Services (UHS), and the Alabama Clinical Schools’ Director of Residential Services. Information obtained from a press release states that the boy was allegedly assaulted at least four times by employees. According to Alabama attorney Tommy James, who represents the child’s grandmother — the victim’s legal guardian — state officials are aware of these facilities’ mistreatment towards residents. (WBRC)
2. Birmingham's Graymont Avenue will be repaved without costing the city a dime. The entirety of Graymont Ave. will soon be repaved using funding from ALDOT’s Rebuild Alabama Act — up to $250,000. Council approved the decision on Tuesday. However, no date has been set for when work can begin. (WBRC)
3. The new Comprehensive Smell and Taste Clinic at the University of Alabama at Birmingham is now open. The clinic aims to care for patients with smell and taste loss due to COVID-19 or other illnesses. The clinic is projected to be the first in Alabama to specialize in olfactory dysfunction. (Alabama NewsCenter)

Today in Birmingham:

• Basketball Open Play At Levite Jewish Community Center (6:00 AM)
• Birmingham Restaurant Week At Participating Restaurants At The Link (9:00 AM)
• 2023 New Year's Lantern At Birmingham Public Library (9:00 AM)
• Safe First Tax Services At Birmingham Public Library (10:00 AM)

From my notebook:

• Numerous new businesses have opened up in Birmingham, and more are on the way! At the link, learn about the new businesses — including MELT and Ono Poké. (Bham Now)
• The Kiwanis Club of Birmingham has announced its 2023 Emerging Leaders class. (Bham Now)
• Some Birmingham area Chick-fil-A restaurants are now offering a free five-count Chick-fil-A Nuggets entrée via the Chick-fil-A app through Saturday, Jan. 28. (WBRC)
• Are you in the market for a new home? These five Birmingham area properties are hosting open houses soon. Click the link for open house details and to learn more about each property. (Birmingham Patch)

Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Thursday! I'll see you soon.

— Sean Peek

About me: Sean Peek is a writer and entrepreneur with a degree in English Literature from Weber State University. Over the years, he has worked as a copywriter, editor, SEO specialist, and marketing director for various digital media companies. He currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.