🌱 Alligator In Jackson Bend + New Orion Amphitheater Parking Lot

Hey, everybody! It's me, Joyce Nash, your host of the Huntsville Patch newsletter. Here's what you need to know about what's happening in town today.

But first, your local weather:

• Saturday: Heavy thunderstorms. High: 86 Low: 72.
• Sunday: Times of clouds and sun. High: 91 Low: 68.

Here are the top three stories today in Huntsville:

1. Residents of south Huntsville's Jackson Bend neighborhood worry for the safety of children amid an alligator "behaving abnormally" and approaching homes without hesitation. The presence of ponds in the area makes it an ideal habitat for alligators; while the reptiles are typically shy, their presence can become problematic when they become accustomed to humans. City Administrator John Hamilton has advised residents to refrain from feeding the alligators. (AL.com)
2. Since being asked to reduce their water usage last month, Green Mountain residents have voiced concerns about overexpansion in the area. According to Huntsville Planning and Zoning Manager Thomas Nunez, the development has been handled responsibly and residents' concerns are being taken seriously. Nunez added that Green Mountain could see the creation of 70 new lots, though he did not rule out the possibility of construction being halted. (WAFF)
3. Huntsville city leaders approved an $8 million plan to build a four-story parking deck adjacent to the Orion Amphitheater, replacing the current building occupied by the Top of Alabama Regional Council of Governments (TARCOG). The parking deck will provide over 1,000 parking spaces, with two acres allocated to the deck and an additional acre reserved for future private retail or hospitality development to generate revenue. Following the design and construction of the new TARCOG headquarters, the city plans to break ground on the new parking deck. (WAFF)

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Today and tomorrow in Huntsville:

Saturday, July 15

• Butterfly Release At Huntsville Botanical Garden (10:00 AM)

Sunday, July 16

• Out Lou Huntsville Open Mic At Straight To Ale (6:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Monday nights are for Concerts in the Park! The next concert, held at Big Spring Park on Jul. 17, will feature The Tavern Preachers and 45 Surprise. (Arts Huntsville via Facebook)
• Merry wanderers of the night: you are invited to Shakespeare in the Garden, held at Huntsville Botanical Garden next month! "A Midsummer Night's Dream" will run on Aug. 11 and Aug. 19, with "Henry V" being presented on Aug. 12 and Aug. 18; performances begin at 7:30 p.m. (Huntsville Botanical Garden via Facebook)
• Huntsville Fire and Rescue has officially established its first-ever full-time Heavy Rescue Unit. The vision for the department has been in the works for the past 17 years. (Huntsville Fire and Rescue via Facebook)

You're all caught up for today. I'll catch up with you soon with another update!

— Joyce Nash

About me: Joyce is a freelance writer and poet whose work has appeared in the Hello Gloria newsletter and Nine Cloud Journal. Her background ranges from journalism to fitness instruction and spans the east coast to the West. In her free time, she enjoys reading, cooking, and spending time with her husband and two cats.