Local lawmakers vowed Athens “will build back stronger” as damage assessments continued this week following the EF-1 tornado that hit last weekend. Speaking at a news conference in Athens City Hall, Mayor Ronnie Marks said the city was “very, very blessed” that the storm occurred late Saturday, rather than earlier, when businesses would have been open and people would have been downtown. The Limestone County Courthouse sustained damage to its roof, dome and weathervane, and a set of unused entry doors was destroyed. Collin Daly, the chairman of the Limestone County Commission tells AL.com court functions have not been interrupted, At least two buildings in downtown Athens have been declared total losses.
Huntsville Hospital’s ER entrance is moving temporarily. Officials announced Friday that the entrance will move from Madison Street to Gallatin Street beginning Jan. 11. Hospital officials advise visitors to also note St. Clair Avenue between Madison and Gallatin streets will be closed due to traffic. WAFF TV reports the reason for the move is because of a newly approved Madison Street tower expansion. The Madison Street entrance will remain closed for the majority of the project, which is currently planned to take about two years to complete.
Plans for a new Madison County courthouse will move ahead this month as commissioners are set to begin interviewing potential contractors. According to a post on the county’s website, the county commission has called five special work sessions in January “to discuss and interview professional service providers in anticipation of construction” of the new courthouse. AL.com reports the county has already hired Matheny (muh-THEE-nee) Goldmon Architecture and Interiors to prepare a feasibility study on the new courthouse construction that compares two options. They could either raze and rebuild the courthouse on the existing property in downtown Huntsville or split administrative and judicial functions between a new building to be built nearby and a new, smaller building on the square.
Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall said Tuesday that he won’t run for governor in 2026. The Republican attorney general said he made the decision last month after discussing it with his wife. Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey is in her final term in office. AL.com notes the end of her lengthy tenure is expected to draw a crowded field of candidates seeking the governor’s office in the 2026 election.
Almost 3,000 families applied for education savings accounts with the Alabama Department of Revenue on Thursday. That was the first day that they could apply for ESAs under a new state law. The CHOOSE Act allows parents to use up to $7,000 per child for private school tuition and other eligible education expenses, or $2,000 per child for home school (maximum $4,000 per family). Parents can apply through April 7. AL.com notes the first ESAs will be limited to specific groups of students. All students in the state will be eligible at the start of the 2027-28 school year. To apply for an education savings account, visit chooseact.alabama.gov.
The Huntsville Botanical Garden, Fern & Feast Bistro, and the Gift Shop are temporarily closed to the public through January 10. An email from the gardens says that during this time, they will be working on essential maintenance to prepare for the year ahead. The garden will reopen on January 11.