🌱 District 1 Summer Landscaping Challenge + Make Music Day Events

Hey, everybody! It's Wednesday in Huntsville and I'm back in your inbox with everything that's fit to print about what's happening in town.

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Now, today's weather:

Cloudy with a thundershower. High: 78 Low: 66.

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Here are the top three stories in Huntsville today:

1. Residents in Huntsville's District One are eligible to compete in A Cut Above Summer Landscaping Challenge. This is the second installment of this annual event, following the first year's success. Residents can compete to win in three categories: Best Landscaping, Best Curb Appeal, and Most Captivating Floral Display. The competition began on Jun. 19 and runs through Jul. 31. Click here if you would like to submit your yard for consideration in the competition. (Rocket City Now)
2. A Huntsville man who was formerly the Chief Operating Officer for local IT company Simple Helix has been sentenced for wire fraud. Steve Ray Shickles, Jr. was sentenced to 63 months in federal prison after he accessed PayPal accounts associated with Simple Helix. Shickles made unauthorized transfers from Simple Helix accounts into his own personal accounts totaling over $1.5 million. Shickles is also alleged to have purchased vehicles, computer equipment, and other electronics in the company's name and stored those items in a warehouse. (WHNT)
3. Make Music Day is happening today, Jun. in Huntsville! There are venues set up at a variety of local businesses, such as Panera Bread, Honest Coffee, and the Huntsville Botanical Gardens, and all performances are free. The goal of the event is to provide a platform to all musicians, regardless of skill level, to connect with the community and share the benefits of music. (Alabama Public Radio)

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Today in Huntsville:

Wednesday, June 21

• Wednesday Open Art Journaling Studio At Studio 127 (1:00 PM)
• Cocktails At The View At Burritt On The Mountain (5:00 PM)
• Evening Weeding In The Pollinator Garden At Blevins Gap Nature Preserve - Blevins Gap Trailhead (5:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• The Huntsville Police Department has issued an alert for missing 18-year-old Charisma Turner. She was last seen on Pulaski Pike in Huntsville on Monday afternoon, and she may be driving a 2011 black Hyundai Sonata without a tag. Anyone with information is asked to call 256-924-1778. (Huntsville Police Department via Facebook)
• There are more than 70 miles of greenways and trails within the Huntsville city limits! An additional 44 miles have been budgeted for in 2023. Click here to see a full map of city trails. (City of Huntsville, Alabama - Government via Facebook)
• The Garden Rangers at the Madison Public Library harvested potatoes, watered plants, and pulled weeds at their recent meeting. The group will meet again on Jul. 18, and there is more information available here. (Huntsville Madison County Public Library)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured events:

• Social Security Seminar at South Huntsville Public Library (June 22)
• Breast Ultrasound Screening Coming Direct to You! (June 23)
• Add your event

Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Wednesday off right. See you all tomorrow morning for 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.