Customers of Huntsville Utilities may soon see a 35 percent increase in their current water rates. Huntsville city council President John Meredith is inviting residents to weigh in on the proposed rate increase at a city council meeting on Thursday, Aug. 24, where officials from Huntsville Utilities will be present to explain the proposed changes. Huntsville Utilities Community Relations Director Joe Gehrdes says the rate increase is needed to account for inflation and rapid growth in the Huntsville area. AL.com reports that under the proposed change, the average customer that does not use sprinklers would see their bill increase by $6.34 each month.
Greyhound Lines Inc. will resume service to Huntsville beginning Monday, August 21, following the completion of a new transfer station. They ended all intercity bus services to Huntsville in September of 2022. The new Greyhound station is located on South Parkway near WalMart and Hobbs Road. Tickets will be available beginning on Aug. 21. WHNT TV reports the station is connected to a gas station, which will allow customers to buy food and drinks before boarding. It will also feature four new schedules per day and offer access to Nashville and Birmingham. Officials say it will soon feature a seating area and restrooms.
Huntsville is the best place for families to live in the United States. That’s according to the latest ratings from U.S. News and World Report. AL.com reports the ranking takes into account the cost of living and average annual salary, along with quality of high school education, average commute time, crime rates, health care access and other factors.
The state will grant nearly eight million dollars to two companies to provide broadband access in North Alabama. Spectrum Southeast and Brindlee Mountain will provide service for residents and businesses in Blount, Cullman, Marshall and Morgan counties. The Alabama Reflector reports the grant money will expand broadband access to more than 6,700 households and businesses, as well as other places such as schools, libraries, along with fire and police stations. The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs administers the Alabama Broadband Fund that provides the grants with money that the Alabama Legislature allocated for the projects.
Alabama Public Library Service is offering a free online program called Homework Alabama. It offers one-on-one help in subjects that are constantly updated with the latest curriculum. Alabama Public Library Service reference librarian Melinda Smith tells WFSA TV in Montgomery they have hundreds of tutors that offer help in over 60 subjects for all ages. Homework Alabama offers services ranging from live homework assistance to providing reviews for dropped off work to providing self-study resources. K-12 students can access Homework Alabama from anywhere that has internet access, with no sign-up necessary. The online program also offers career help for graduate students and adults pursuing careers. More information is at Homework Alabama dot org
The Scarecrow Trail is returning to the Huntsville Botanical Garden. You or your family, community group, business, or school are invited to build a scarecrow. There is an entry fee. The registration deadline is Thursday, August 24. More information is at hsvbg.org/festifall.