🌱 Huntsville Home Explodes + Oakwood Alum Featured On SNL

Hi there, Huntsville! I'm here in your inbox today to get you caught up on everything you need to know about what's going on around town. Hope you all have a great day.

Also, FYI: Patch is looking for a local writer and entrepreneur to take the helm of the Huntsville Patch newsletter and make it their own. We want to pass the torch to someone truly local and in-the-know to write about Huntsville 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, your local weather:

• Tuesday: Frost in the morning. High: 50 Low: 26.
• Wednesday: Frost in the morning. High: 58 Low: 33.

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Here are the top three stories today in Huntsville:

1. The City of Huntsville built over 3,700 new housing units in 2022 — the most in any single year in the city's recorded history. Already Alabama's largest city, Huntsville has seen an average population increase of nearly 3,500 annually since 2010. While much of the new construction has been concentrated in west Huntsville, growth has been seen all over the city. (AL.com)
2. A Huntsville home was destroyed in an explosion on Saturday afternoon after a contractor struck a gas line nearby. Amanda Garcia, the owner of the home, called Huntsville Utilities to report the leak; before officials could respond, however, an unknown entity sparked the explosion and caused a fire. Garcia expressed gratitude that her family was able to make it out of the house without injury. (WAFF)
3. Did you know that an Oakwood University alum was featured on Saturday Night Live? Jason Max Ferdinand and his vocal ensemble, the Jason Max Ferdinand Singers, accompanied musical guest Coldplay on the Feb. 3 episode of SNL. Ferdinand studied music at the historically Black institution in Huntsville, taking on the role of choral director for the school after he graduated. (Subscription: AL.com)

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Today in Huntsville:

• Spring Break Fun At Hays Nature Preserve (10:00 AM)
• Raptor Show At Huntsville Botanical Garden (11:00 AM)
• Huntsville Police Citizens Advisory Council Public Meeting At North Huntsville Library (5:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• Over 1,000 people headed to downtown Huntsville for the annual Ellen McAnelly St. Patrick's Day Parade this weekend. Event director Lisa Bollinger said the event was a "team effort" and shared how the city "really comes out and supports this parade." (WAAY)
• Key West and Las Vegas might have some competition. Huntsville has been ranked the No. 7 top emerging spring break destination, according to a recent analysis by Key Data. (AL.com)
• A freeze watch was issued last night into this morning in Huntsville, with temperatures as low as 27-29 degrees. Temperatures are expected to warm up through the rest of the week. (US National Weather Service Huntsville Alabama via Facebook)

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Thanks for following along and staying informed. I'll see you around!

— 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.