🌱 Broken Apartment Elevators Pose Safety Issues + New Golf Initiative

Good morning, everybody. It's me, Sean Peek, your host of the Huntsville Patch newsletter — here to impart all the most important things happening in town.

But first, today's weather:

Heavy thunderstorms. High: 70 Low: 59.

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Here are the top three stories in Huntsville today:

1. Broken elevators at Todd Towers Apartments are said to be posing safety and well-being concerns. Both elevators at the Huntsville apartment complex were inoperable for the entire weekend, leaving seniors and wheelchair-bound residents unable to leave. City Council Member Bill Kling says it’s a significant safety concern if there was a medical emergency or if they need to get out and get food. Currently, one elevator is in commission but Kling adds that just one operating elevator for the whole area will have very long wait times for people needing to go up or down. (WZDX)
2. The Huntsville City Council is expected to distribute $2.4 million from a national opioid lawsuit settlement to three local agencies. The funds will be distributed over a period of several years and must be spent on opioid issues such as buying Naloxone. First Stop Inc., Wellstone Inc., and the Huntsville Hospital Foundation will get the first distribution of funds. Last year more than 1,800 county residents enrolled in substance abuse treatments, and 105 people have died by opioid overdose in Madison County since 2021. (AL.com)
3. A new golf initiative kicked off with over 600 Huntsville City Schools (HCS) students from the Jemison High School feeder pattern. The program hopes to create a clear pathway to a college education through the game of golf and creates several touchpoints for students K-12. Hometown Lenders Championship has partnered with the schools through four phases and 20 percent of revenue collected through Champion Partner sponsorships will go toward the initiative. (Huntsville City Schools)

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Today in Huntsville:

• HomeTown Lenders Championship At The Ledges (6:00 AM)
• Healthworks Farmers Market At 101 Governors Drive (7:30 AM)
• Brews Cruise At Campus No. 805 (5:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Reminder: drive responsibly! Texting is the most common way people get distracted behind the wheel of a vehicle but it’s not the only issue! See Huntsville Police Department’s tips and reminders for responsible driving. (Huntsville Police Department via Facebook)
• What a show! The “Still Playing Possum: Music and Memories of George Jones” tribute concert sold out and Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle even presented a proclamation to Paula Deen. (City of Huntsville, Alabama - Government via Facebook)
• Curious if firefighting is the right career for you? Attend Huntsville Fire and Rescue's Meet and Greet on Thursday, May 4, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Meet recruiter Cory Green, tour the station, talk with leadership, and more! (Huntsville Fire and Rescue via Facebook)

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• Breast Ultrasound Screening Coming Direct to You! (April 28)
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Thanks for following along and staying informed. I'll catch up with you bright and early tomorrow morning with your next update!

— 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.