🌱 Hillcrest High Teacher Arrested + Community Mourns Death Of Former Legislator

TGIF, T-Town! It's a rare Friday Game Day for the Crimson Tide, so get all caught up with us on this sunny morning.

In today's Daily, we have these stories and more ...

• Hillcrest High faculty member arrested.
• Major gift boosts UA’s new School of Leadership and Policy
• Remember State Rep. Alan Harper.

First, a look at today's weather: Plenty of sunshine and cooler. High: 52 | Low: 31 🌞

🗣Patch Shout Out 🗣

Our Shout Out for this Friday morning goes to Northridge High baseball standout pitcher Barron Gatlin, who has signed with Itawamba Community College. Tuscaloosa City Schools said he is one of three pitchers from the NHS to sign a scholarship to play college baseball. (More)

👏 Thanks to our sponsors 👏

Our mission to bring quality, independent journalism to Tuscaloosa would not be possible without the support of our friends at DCH Health System, United Way of West Alabama, Strange Brew Coffeehouse, Right Space Commercial and BankFirst. Interested in becoming a local Tuscaloosa Patch sponsor? Please email me at ryan.phillips@patch.com.

🗞 Here are the top 5 stories today in Tuscaloosa

1. Hillcrest High Faculty Member Charged For Having Sexual Contact With Student: Families in Tuscaloosa are being notified that Hillcrest High School faculty member Tyler Armistad has been arrested on felony charges alleging sexual contact with a student. (Tuscaloosa Patch)
2. Longtime West Alabama Lawmaker Alan Harper Dead At 68: Tuscaloosa County residents are mourning the loss of former state Rep. Alan Harper, a longtime local leader who died Thursday after extended health issues. (Tuscaloosa Patch)
3. Culverhouse Gives $500K For UA's School Of Leadership And Policy's First Endowment: The University of Alabama is set to benefit from a $500,000 gift by Hugh F. Culverhouse Jr. to create the first endowed professorship in the new School of Leadership and Policy. (Tuscaloosa Patch)
4. Bodies Of Missing Woman, Child Found In Tombigbee River Believed To Be Result Of Suicide–Homicide: Authorities have confirmed that the deaths of a missing Mississippi woman and her 3-year-old child, whose bodies were recovered from the Tombigbee River in late September, were the result of drowning, with investigators ruling the case a suicide–homicide. (Tuscaloosa Patch)
5. TPD Gives Update on Crash That Injured Three, Including 7-Year-Old Girl: The Tuscaloosa Police Department (TPD) provided updates Thursday after a 7-year-old girl was seriously injured Wednesday evening in a two-vehicle crash on Skyland Boulevard. (Tuscaloosa Patch)

🎄 Giving Season 🎄

Families and residents in Tuscaloosa are being asked to donate restaurant gift cards so local DHR staff can quickly provide meals to foster children who must spend long hours at the Tuscaloosa County DHR office during transitions or emergencies. Here's how you can help. (Tuscaloosa Patch)

5️⃣ Other Stories I'm Reading Today

1. 3 things Alabama must do to beat Oklahoma in College Football Playoff (Nick Kelly, Al.com)
2. Former NFL player Henry Ruggs III earns bachelor’s degree while serving prison sentence, finishes with 4.0 GPA (WBRC Fox 6 News)
3. How a University of Alabama football prospect became the team’s driver (Avery Boyce, WBRC Fox 6 News)
4. Tide arrives in Oklahoma with game faces on (Jeff Speegle, ABC 33/40)
5. Attorneys for UA System students, professors file appeal in anti-DEI lawsuit (Andrea Tinker, Alabama Reflector)

🏈 Former Tide Star's New Gig 🏈

Former Alabama quarterback and three-time national champion AJ McCarron has been named the next head coach of the Birmingham Stallions of the United Football League. (Tuscaloosa Patch)

🕊 Obituaries 🕊

*Our obituary section is generously sponsored by our friends at Dorroh & Mills, P.C.

Samuel Alan Harper, 68, of Alabaster (Magnolia Chapel)

James Kemp-Franks, 61 of Fayette (Nelson Funeral Home)

Debra Buck, 62, of Vernon (Norwood-Wyatt Chapel)

Betty Boothe Wharton, 78, of Ethelsville (Skelton Funeral Home)

Deborah F. Smelley, 71, of Northport (Sunset Funeral Home)

June Haynes Arrowood, 79, of Tuscaloosa (Tuscaloosa Memorial Chapel)

Now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! And if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

- RP

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