🌱 Officer-Involved Shooting + Water Rate Increase + Paid Parking Woes

Good morning, everybody. It's Saturday in Huntsville and I'm back in your inbox to get you caught up on the most important things happening locally. Hope you all have a great day.

But first, today's weather:

Humid; a stray p.m. t-storm. High: 81 Low: 64.

From our partner:

Apple announced some big news at Tuesday's "Wonderlust" event! Click here for all the details.

Here are the top three stories in Huntsville today:

1. An officer-involved shooting in Downtown Huntsville on Thursday, Sep. 14 left one person injured. The Huntsville Police Department said that officers responded to a call on Monroe Street shortly after 6:00 p.m., and an officer fired their weapon while responding to the scene. According to HEMSI spokesperson Don Webster, one person was taken to a local hospital. Due to officer involvement, the investigation will be overseen by the Alabama State Bureau of Investigation. (WHNT)
2. Members of the Huntsville City Council unanimously voted to approve a water rate increase proposed by Huntsville Utilities. The council approved a water rate of $1.70 per the first 3,000 gallons, an increase from the previous rate of $1.33. The council also spent time discussing a proposed local amendment to the state's 'Hands Free Law' that would make it easier for police to pull over drivers who are texting. Mayor Tommy Battle also introduced the proposed budget for fiscal year 2024, which will be reviewed during the council's Sep. 21 work session. (WAAY)
3. Local residents are speaking out about the increase in downtown parking lots that charge fees. Huntsville resident Joshua Mills spoke with News 19 about a $45 ticket he received in the mail from a company called Bird Dog Parking. Mills parked in a downtown bank's parking lot after hours and didn't see signs to scan a QR code to pay, resulting in the citation. As Bird Dog Parking's presence has increased downtown, so has frustration as drivers struggle to find spaces to park or may not understand how to submit payment. (WHNT)

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Today in Huntsville:

Saturday, September 16

• Mamas & Minis Picnic In The Park At Big Spring Park (2:00 PM)
• Adult P.R.O.M. 2023 At Jackson Center (6:00 PM)
• Tony Rock At Stand Up Live Huntsville (6:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• The Huntsville Learning Center will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Monday, Sep. 18 to celebrate moving into its new space where it will continue with its mission of serving students with targeted afterschool programs. (WAFF)
• You can celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month this Sunday, Sep. 17 at the free CulturA Festival. The festival will take place at the Orion Amphitheater from 12:00-6:00 p.m. and will feature a variety of Hispanic food options, musical performances, and a marketplace showcasing Latino-owned businesses. (WAFF)
• In case you missed it, the Huntsville Museum of Art is honoring Pablo Picasso and the 50th anniversary of his death with an exhibit called "A Graphic Journey: Prints by Pablo Picasso from the Dr. Timothy Collins Collection,” which will be open through Oct. 15. (Huntsville Museum of Art via Facebook)

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Featured events:

• T-Mobile Tuesdays: Fresh Perks Every Week (September 19)
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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Saturday. See you all soon 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.