🌱 Joran Van Der Sloot Fighting U.S. Transfer + City Council Updates

Hello again, neighbors. It's Thursday in Mountain Brook and I'm back in your inbox with everything you need to know about what's happening locally.

But first, your local weather:

• Thursday: A t-storm around in the p.m.. High: 84 Low: 60.
• Friday: Nice with plenty of sun. High: 86 Low: 59.

From our sponsor:

Today’s Mountain Brook Patch newsletter is brought to you in part by T-Mobile. T-Mobile has invested billions to light up their best network ever, covering 99% of people in America with LTE, which helps to keep communities like ours informed and connected. We thank T-Mobile for their support and for making today’s Mountain Brook Patch newsletter possible.

Here are the top three stories in Mountain Brook today:

1. Joran van der Sloot is being advised by Dutch officials to fight his planned extradition from Peru to the United States. Van der Sloot is the main suspect in the 2005 disappearance of Mountain Brook teenager Natalee Holloway, and he is currently facing federal charges in the United States relating to an alleged extortion scheme involving Holloway's mother. According to a Dutch news outlet, officials at the Dutch embassy in Peru are advising van der Sloot to resist his transfer, and his lawyer indicated that van der Sloot has not signed his emergency passport. (Yahoo! News)
2. Down the street in Birmingham, the city council held a town hall for residents to share concerns about predatory towing practices. City Councilman Darrell O’Quinn said that private tow companies are largely acting within the law, but are using loopholes to justify towing vehicles. O'Quinn described a common situation where a person pays for parking through the commonly-used Park Mobile app, but their vehicle gets towed since they haven't updated their car's license plate number in the app. He said this is a longstanding issue, and changes to the current city ordinances are crucial. (CBS 42)
3. The next Mountain Brook City Council special meeting will be held on Tuesday, Jun. 20 at 5:30 p.m. You can find the meeting agenda and other information for the meeting at the link. The next regular council meeting will be on Jun. 26. at 7:00 p.m., as per the agenda. (The City of Mountain Brook)

Are you a real estate agent in Mountain Brook struggling to get leads in the current housing market? It's tough out there, but there is a way to stand out from the crowd and attract new clients. Our exclusive sponsorship in the Mountain Brook newsletter can help you do just that. Click here to learn more and discover how you can take your business to the next level today.

Today and tomorrow in and around Mountain Brook:

Thursday, June 8

• All Together Storytime At O'Neal Library (9:30 AM)
• Mountain Brook Wine Night At Publix GreenWise Market At Lane Parke (5:30 PM)

Friday, June 9

• Free Friday Flicks: Drumline At Railroad Park, Birmingham (7:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• The Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce is seeking elementary-school-aged volunteers to assist with the creation of a video for social media. The video is to promote the chamber's "Village Venture" summer campaign. For more information, email Chamber@mtnbrookchamber.org or call (205) 871-3779. (Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce via Facebook)
• Athletic camps are underway for students at Mountain Brook Schools! Younger students are receiving instruction from coaches and high school students as they develop their skills. (Mountain Brook Schools via Facebook)
• Nearby in Birmingham, the Birmingham Animal Hospital and Resort is hosting a block party to celebrate its first anniversary! On Jun. 24 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., attendees can enjoy a bounce house, food trucks, vendors, and a chance to meet adoptable pets. (Birmingham Animal Hospital and Resort via Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured events:

• Father-Daughter Fun Day (June 10)
• T-Mobile Tuesdays: Get Free Stuff And Great Perks Every Week (June 13)
• Add your event

Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Thursday off right. I'll see you soon!

— 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.