Adult with Down syndrome realizes dream of homeownership
Tuscaloosa News – Jan. 24
A couple of days after his birthday, Cody Pope welcomed friends and family who came to celebrate the purchase of his first home. A sign in the front yard of Pope’s townhome marked the way for visitors who clustered in groups in the kitchen and living room around tables spread with food. A table inside with a guestbook was stacked with tea kettles, toothbrushes, floor mats and other gifts for life in the new home … Pope’s homeownership is a testament to possibilities. The 31-year-old, who has Down syndrome, plans to live in his home independently. “When you think about it, the mark of being an adult isn’t about becoming a certain age, it is about what you do after that age,” said Kagendo Mutua, director of CrossingPoints at the University of Alabama.
CBS 42 (Birmingham) – Jan. 23
WVUA (Tuscaloosa) – Jan. 23
Fox 6 (Birmingham) – Jan. 23
UA’s Army ROTC wins Brigade Ranger Challenge
Fox 6 (Birmingham) – Jan. 22
The University of Alabama’s Army ROTC is headed back to West Point after winning its second consecutive brigade ranger challenge Saturday. They won the overall competition and first place in hand grenade assault, call for fire and patrol lane, and the army physical fitness test, it’s something these cadets are proud to showcase at the Capstone.
WSFA-NBC (Montgomery) – Jan. 23
Free lecture at UA to focus on Betty Boop
Tuscaloosa News – Jan. 24
Betty Boop, an iconic animated character created in the 1930s, will be the subject of a Thursday multimedia lecture on the University of Alabama campus. Gregory Clark, an art history professor at Sewanee University, will present “Max and Dave Fleischer’s Betty Boop: A ’20s Flapper Marooned in the Depression-Era ’30s.” The lecture, which is free and open to the public, will be at 5 p.m. in Room 205 at Smith Hall.
UA to partner with AHEC to provide training opportunities for rural students
Fox 6 (Birmingham) – Jan. 23
People with the University of Alabama’s College of Continuing Health Sciences will work with AHECs, or Alabama Area Health Education Centers, to extend school and training opportunities to high school students in rural areas.
WVUA (Tuscaloosa) – Jan. 23
Tsunami threat on West Coast after earthquake in Alaska
WVUA (Tuscaloosa) – Jan. 23
A tsunami threat was issued for the West Coast earlier today after a 7.9 earthquake in the ocean near Alaska. While the earthquake was major, it’s not unusual for that area. The Pacific Coast is known for earthquakes because it’s a subduction zone interface. In other words, the Pacific Oceanic Plate is diving beneath the North American Plate. The result of those two plates grinding against each other causes a lot of earthquakes, but UA Geology professor Samantha Hansen says this one was a little different.
Shades Creek Greenway recognized as Birding Trail
Homewood Star – Jan. 24
It was announced this week that Shades Creek Greenway has been added to the Alabama Birding Trail list. The Birding Trails include more than 270 spots across Alabama for prime bird watching, including the Birmingham Botanical Gardens, Ruffner Mountain Nature Preserve, Lake Purdy and other Jefferson County sites … The trail is a partnership with the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, University of Alabama Center for Economic Development and Birmingham Audubon Society.
Free tax prep for working families
CBS 4 (Dothan) – Jan. 23
Wallace Community College, Wiregrass 2-1-1, and Impact Alabama are announcing that free tax preparation services for working families are now available at the Saliba Center for Families … The statewide campus collaboration helped these working families secure more than $15.6 million in tax refunds and save them over $3.6 million in commercial tax preparation fees. Impact Alabama, an AmeriCorps Program, is housed at the Center for Ethics & Social Responsibility at The University of Alabama.
As Toyota, Mazda build new Alabama plant, local officials start training workers
HR Drive – Jan. 23
An Alabama state agency offered to assist with recruiting, screening and training efforts for 4,000 employees as part of its successful effort to attract a Toyota-Mazda plant near Huntsville … The initiative will rely on partnerships with local community colleges and universities, including the University of Alabama, Huntsville, and Athens State University.
Excellence in Education
Meridian Star – Jan. 23
Morgan Ross of Meridian, Mississippi, a student in the Computer-Based Honors Program in the Honors College at The University of Alabama, presented the goals, outcomes and impact of research conducted in fall 2017 during “CBH Live 2017,” an interactive presentation. The title of the student’s project was “Rapid Ultra-High Temperature Testing of UHTCs.”