🌱 Resident Challenging Mayors Pledge + Victim Identified In Shooting

Hi all. I'm back in your inbox this morning with your new copy of the Birmingham Patch newsletter. Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about what's going on in town these days.

But first, today's weather:

A thundershower in spots. High: 85 Low: 67.

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Here are the top three stories in Birmingham today:

1. Birmingham resident Albert Hardy is challenging Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin’s pledge to "eliminate overgrown lots and dilapidated houses," claiming that even after asking for the city’s help, there are properties in his neighborhood that have gone without attention for months. The city is said to receive 400 complaints every month, with 6,600 cases total in the system, but did confirm that the properties Hardy has called about have been inspected and are scheduled to go before the council for approval to be cleaned up. (CBS 42)
2. In nearby Tarrant, Mayor Wayman Newton announced that a judge has issued a restraining order that prevents the hiring of John C. Brown as a city manager. This role has been established to oversee the financial matters of the city in response to the Tarrant City Council's concerns about Mayor Newton's reliability. Councilwoman Tracie Threadford expressed that Mayor Newton failed to provide regular updates on the city's finances and neglected to make timely payments. (WVTM 13)
3. Tadarrien Griffin, 22, of Birmingham, has been identified as the victim who was fatally shot around 5:30 p.m. Wednesday afternoon on the 100 block of 71st Street North. A person of interest is being held in the Jefferson County Jail under a 48-hour Felony Extension for Murder. The police are asking that if you have any information that could help with their investigation, please call the BPD at 205-254-1764. If you wish to remain anonymous, contact CrimeStoppers at 205-254-7777. (WBRC)

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Today in Birmingham:

Friday, June 23

• Always Write, Never Wrong At North Birmingham Regional Branch Library (9:00 AM)
• Shabbat Service: Honor Our Parents At Levite Jewish Community Center (11:00 AM)
• Sneaker Prom At The Greenhouse (7:00 PM)
• Grease Sing-Along At Alabama Theater (7:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Down the road, Hoover City Administrator Allan Rice is retiring effective Aug. 1. Hoover City would like to thank Allan for his service to the city and wishes him the best of luck in all future endeavors. (AL.com)
• The Red Mountain Expressway project should be complete by mid-July, which means commuting to and from Birmingham should be easier. ALDOT is currently paving portions of the northbound lanes and should soon begin paving the southbound lanes as early as next week. The project has taken eight years to complete, with added lanes and bridge repairs currently underway. (WBRC)
• Birmingham City Schools would like to send its sincere condolences to the family, staff, and students of Ms. Monique Bibbs. Bibbs, a staff member at Green Acres Middle School, made a huge impact on many students in Bessemer, Jefferson County, and Birmingham schools. Bibbs sadly passed away on Jun. 15. (Birmingham City Schools via Facebook)

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• T-Mobile Tuesdays: Get Delighted Every Week (June 27)

Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Friday. See you all tomorrow morning for another 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.