🌱 Man Arrested For Drug Trafficking + One Dies In Car Accident

Hello all. It's me, Miranda Fraraccio, your host of the Birmingham Patch newsletter. Here are all the things you need to know about what's happening locally.

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:

Strong winds. High: 75 Low: 46.

Business owners and marketers in Birmingham: Do you want to build awareness with local customers? I have a limited number of sponsorships available to introduce our readers to local businesses they need to know. Click here to learn more.

Here are the top three stories in Birmingham today:

1. A Birmingham man was arrested on Monday in an alleged drug trafficking scheme. Waymon Lanar Robinson, 29, was arrested for trafficking quantities of fentanyl and a firearm in his car. The arrest occurred after complaints of drug activity in the area were made to authorities. (WIAT - CBS42.com)
2. Who's going to foot the bill? Birmingham authorities are exploring a variety of options for funding the Rainbow Bridge rebuild. The 100-year-old structure was closed to vehicular traffic over a year ago due to damage sustained by trucks. According to the transportation committee chair, the committee is actively lobbying federal legislators for project funding to cover the estimated $30 million cost. (WBRC)
3. A 46-year-old man was killed when his vehicle struck the concrete median on I-459 in Hoover. The man, identified as Bobby Lamar, was the driver and lone occupant of the only vehicle involved in the wreck. According to Hoover police, Lamar may have been experiencing a medical emergency that caused the accident. (AL.com)

Today in Birmingham:

• Free Tax Preparation At University Of Alabama At Birmingham (All Day)
• Friday Fellows: "Health Equity Focused: Research With People With Disabilities" At University Of Alabama At Birmingham, Boshell Building (8:00 AM)
• Always Write, Never Wrong At North Birmingham Regional Branch Library (9:00 AM)

From my notebook:

• "Hayyyyy!" The Birmingham Zoo shared photos of Sam the zebra on their Facebook. The zoo also wants everyone to know the answer to the age-old question: Zebras are black with white stripes, not white with black stripes! (The Birmingham Zoo via Facebook)
• The Greater Birmingham Humane Society is offering a special deal for adoptions this month. All puppies will be 50 percent off and all adult pit mixes will be $17 in honor of St. Pattick's Day! (Greater Birmingham Humane Society via Facebook)
• March is Membership Month at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens. For a limited time, anyone interested can get $10 off a new membership and will have priority access to the Spring Plant Sale beginning on Thursday, Apr. 13. (Birmingham Botanical Gardens via Facebook)

Alrighty, you're all good for today! See you all soon for your next 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.