🌱 New Businesses Opening + Birmingham Water Works Injunction Granted

Hello, neighbors! It's me, Miranda Fraraccio, your host of the Birmingham Patch newsletter — here to impart all the most important things 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:

Cool with plenty of sunshine. High: 54 Low: 30.

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Here are the top three stories in Birmingham today:

1. Birmingham residents can look forward to four new businesses opening soon, including a Korean BBQ spot. Honey Baked Ham is reopening in Crestwood on Mar. 25, while Stone Age KBBQ will be opening in Hoover at an unknown date, offering all-you-can-eat lunch and chicken, pork, seafood, and beef dinner options. The Standard, known for their great burgers, has opened its second location in Vestavia City Center and Homewood Gourmet will be moving to a new location near the Valley Hotel early in the spring of 2023. (Bham Now)
2. Between Friday and Sunday, eight people died in traffic accidents in Jefferson County. The victims included two pedestrians who were killed in hit-and-runs and two people who died after being struck while outside their disabled vehicles. Most of the victims have been identified, and investigations are ongoing into the circumstances of each crash. The victims who have been identified so far are William Joseph Miller IV, Bryan Gary Wood, 41, James Lee Brown Jr., 53, Enrique Aguilar Camilo, 25, Carolyn Marie Palmer, 71, and Ryan Alexander Childers, 30. (AL.com)
3. Birmingham Water Works has successfully prevented a move aimed at taking over the utility, after Jefferson County Circuit Judge Pat Ballard granted a permanent injunction on Friday which stops the verification of a petition to restructure leadership. The petition, started by Fred Randall, David Russell, and James King, had intended to prompt the Birmingham City Council to take over the utility, but the injunction prevents Jefferson County Probate Judge James Naftel from verifying the petition, as required by Alabama’s Mayor-Council Act of 1955. Court records show that Birmingham Water Works had filed a temporary restraining order against Naftel earlier in the year to prevent him from verifying the petition, and now the injunction permanently prevents Naftel from pursuing any further action with the petition. (Subscription: AL.com)

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Today in and around Birmingham:

• Free Tax Preparation, At the University of Alabama at Birmingham (All Day; By Appointment)
• Basketball Open Play, At Levite Jewish Community Center (6:00 AM)
• Embrace Your Inner Rosie the Riveter: How to Start Your Small Business, At Homewood Public Library - Room 101 in Homewood (10:00 AM)

From my notebook:

• On Mar. 16 and 18, Birmingham will be hosting the first and second rounds of the NCAA March Madness division men's basketball championship at the Legacy Arena. Click the link to view the schedule. (IN Birmingham | Birmingham, AL via Instagram)
• The Birmingham Promise is holding a video contest for students that have applied for its scholarship program. The contest runs through Apr. 15. Click the link to view the flyer and learn more information. (Birmingham City Schools via Facebook)
• Two Birmingham natives won big at the 95th Academy Awards for Everything Everywhere All at Once, a film with local ties! (Bham Now)

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• Homebuyer Blueprint Live Webinar (March 16)
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Alrighty, you're all good for today. See you all tomorrow for another 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.