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The main card action for UFC 301 starts at 10 p.m. ET on Saturday, May 4. The final two bouts are expected to be electric and could provide multiple upsets, which you can take a chance on if you sign up with today’s FanDuel promo code. The code lands new users $150 in bonus bets if their first $5 bet results in a win.
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UFC 301 Main Preview: Pantoja vs. Erceg, Martinez vs. Aldo odds; More FanDuel Promotions
Here is what to know for the two co-main events.
Alexandre Pantoja vs. Steve Erceg
Erceg’s last bout was as recent as March, which is drawing concerns from spectators about his endurance heading into the fight. That’s especially so given that Pantoja’s last two bouts have gone the distance and been put in the judges’ hands. Erceg has never gone the distance thanks to finding ways to put his opponents away early, usually via submission.
As of late, Pantoja has gravitated more toward his grappling game as well. There is a good chance a good portion of this battle will be on the ground, which makes the short stint between bouts for Erceg a fair cause for concern. Pantoja is a -200 favorite for the bout, and it’s hard to bet against that given that he is built to go the distance and has had nearly five months off to prepare.
Jonathan Martinez vs. Jose Aldo
Sparks flew at the faceoff between the two, which should make fans excited. Martinez’ odds for the fight are -166, which isn’t as high as expected given Aldo hasn’t seen action in the octagon in two years. However, he hasn’t been on the couch; instead, he has been in the boxing ring. That’s helpful, but Martinez’s leg striking ability is what makes him most dangerous, and Aldo hasn’t had much practice against that lately.
Aldo’s last bout in the octagon resulted in a loss to Merab Dvalishvilli in what was thought to be his last UFC fight. He has gone 3-4 in his last seven UFC bouts, but his vast experience still makes him a tough out. The oddsmakers have him as just a +130 underdog in the fight, which is a testament to his technical prowess.
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An updated report was issued from the National Weather Service on Saturday at 8:39 p.m. for strong thunderstorms until 9:15 p.m. for Houston County.
Residents can expect wind gusts of up to 40 mph.
“At 8:38 p.m., Doppler radar tracked a strong thunderstorm 7 miles northwest of Donalsonville, moving southeast at 20 mph,” says the weather service. “Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects.”
Locations impacted by the alert include Donalsonville, Columbia, Gordon, Iron City, Brinson, Jakin, Saffold, Howards Mill, Sigma, Davis Park, Lela, Killarney, Sharphagen, Donaldsonville A/P, Enterprise, Farley Nuclear Plant and Cedar Springs.
The weather service comments, “If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.”
Staying safe as lightning approaches: Expert advice
Each year, lightning strikes the United States approximately 25 million times, with the majority of these electrifying events occurring during the summer months. Unfortunately, lightning is responsible for claiming the lives of approximately 20 people annually, as reported by the weather service. The threat of lightning becomes more pronounced as thunderstorms draw nearer, peaking when the storm is directly overhead and gradually waning as it moves away.
To guarantee your safety in the midst of a thunderstorm, take into account the following recommendations:
1. Lightning safety plan:
When venturing outdoors, it’s vital to establish a clear plan for seeking shelter in case of lightning.
Monitor the sky for threatening signs and listen for the sound of thunder. If thunder is audible, it’s an indication that lightning is nearby.
Seek a safe place to shelter, preferably indoors.
2. Indoors safety measures:
Once you’re indoors, avoid using corded phones, electrical devices, plumbing fixtures, and stay away from windows and doors.
These precautions help reduce the risk of electrical surges, as lightning can follow conductive pathways.
3. Wait for the all-clear:
After the last lightning strike or thunderclap, wait at least 30 minutes before resuming outdoor activities.
Lightning can strike even when a storm has seemingly passed, so exercise caution.
When indoor shelter isn’t available:
If you find yourself outdoors with no access to indoor shelter during a thunderstorm, take these steps to maximize your safety:
Avoid open fields, hilltops, or ridge crests, which expose you to greater lightning risk.
Steer clear of tall, isolated trees and other prominent objects. In forested areas, stay close to lower stands of trees.
If you’re with a group, ensure individuals are spread out to prevent lightning current from transferring between people.
Camping in an open setting during a thunderstorm is strongly discouraged. If no alternative exists, set up camp in a valley, ravine, or other low-lying areas. Remember that a tent offers no protection against lightning.
Do not approach water bodies, wet objects, or metal items. While water and metal don’t attract lightning, they conduct electricity effectively and can pose significant risks.
In summary, when facing the threat of lightning, vigilance and preparedness are your best allies. By following these guidelines, you can significantly reduce the chances of lightning-related accidents and prioritize your safety.
Driving through downpours: Safety guidelines for wet roads
When heavy rain sets in, the risk of flooding and hazardous driving conditions rises. Whether it’s prolonged rainfall or rapid runoff, being prepared is essential. Here are some valuable safety tips from the weather service to ensure you stay safe in heavy rain:
Beware of rapid water flow:
During heavy rain, avoid parking or walking near culverts or drainage ditches, where swift-moving water can pose a serious risk.
Maintain safe driving distances:
Use the two-second rule to maintain a safe distance from the car in front of you and allow an extra two seconds in heavy rain.
Slow down and drive with care:
If it is raining and the roads are wet, slow down. Take your foot off the accelerator and let your speed drop gradually. Never use the brakes suddenly because this may cause the car to skid.
Choose your lane wisely:
Stick to the middle lanes on multi-lane roads to minimize the risk of hydroplaning, as water tends to accumulate in outer lanes.
Prioritize visibility
Enhance your visibility in heavy rain by activating your headlights. Be particularly vigilant for vehicles in blind spots, as rain-smeared windows can obscure them.
Watch out for slippery roads:
Be extra careful during the first half hour after rain begins. Grime and oil on the road surface mix with water to make the road slippery.
Keep a safe distance from large vehicles:
Large trucks and buses can reduce your visibility with tire spray. Avoid tailgating and pass them swiftly and safely.
Mind your windshield wipers:
Overloaded wiper blades can hinder visibility. If rain severely impairs your vision, pull over and wait for conditions to improve. Seek refuge at rest areas or sheltered spots.
If the roadside is your only option, pull off as far as possible, preferably past the end of a guard rail, and wait until the storm passes. Keep your headlights on and turn on emergency flashers to alert other drivers of your position.
In the face of heavy rain, these precautions can make a significant difference in ensuring your safety on the road. Remember to stay informed about weather conditions and heed guidance from local authorities for a secure journey.
Advance Local Weather Alerts is a service provided by United Robots, which uses machine learning to compile the latest data from the National Weather Service.
Back when Huntsville band Toy Shop was a trio, at their gigs sometimes you’d see people in the crowd nudge the person next to them and point at the stage. Like, “Hey, look at that.”
They’d noticed Andrew Sharpe was now playing bass with his left hand and keyboards with his right, simultaneously. Totally nonchalant.
He’d do it on songs like Toy Shop’s melodic alt-rocker “Fireman” and Phish cover “Bouncing Around The Room.” Wasn’t stagecraft. Just getting the song across live best he could.
“It wasn’t something I set out to do,” Sharpe says humbly. “It’s just that when we were a trio, I stood behind the keys while I was playing bass, so I would just play them when I could to fill out the sound. Probably played both [instruments] on more songs than not, at least on parts of the song. Was actually pretty fun.”
That’s Andrew Sharpe for you. A casually brilliant musician who backpedals from the spotlight, preferring to play off to the side onstage or back towards the drummer whenever he can. And he’s been integral to some of Huntsville’s best music for decades.
Toy Shop — Andrew’s band with guitarist Antony Sharpe, Andrew’s brother and co-vocalist in the group — were a strong local draw in their ‘90s and 2000s heyday.
Anderson says, “In the late ‘90s, all of a sudden, they [Toy Shop] had a new fanbase that was younger than all of us. And a fervent fanbase. I would go to the old Crossroads [now-defunct Huntsville venue] and it would be packed, and people knew all their songs. There are at least two generations that have Toy Shop in their DNA, memories in their formative young adult years Toy Shop was a big part of. I think that’s pretty incredible.”
Toy Shop recorded their sophomore album, 2009′s “Get Up Now,” with iconic producer Johnny Sandlin, known for his work with Allman Brothers and Widespread Panic. Top tracks included the Andrew written/sung “Emily.” Drawing from the likes of Peter Gabriel, Radiohead, Tom Waits and Neil Young, Toy Shop hit on a signature sound.
Antony says Andrew is, “capable of writing really involved songs. And he also can write some of the simplest things that cut straight through, just hit you where songs are supposed to. I think some of the stuff he does is really profound.”
Huntsville indie rock group Wanda Band’s Andrew Sharpe and Wanda Wesolowski. (Courtesy Andrea Belk)Andrea Belk
Around 2020 or so, Andrew also began playing bass for Wanda Band, a local indie-rock group fronted by Wanda Wesolowski, a talented singer, songwriter and guitarist in her 20s.
She’d met him back years ago at an open-mic Andrew hosted at Voodoo Lounge. As Wesolowski played her original songs on guitar and sang, he’d instantly follow along on bass and keyboards simultaneously, like he did in Toy Shop’s trio days. Even though he was hearing the songs for the first time as they were playing them.
“So that was my first impression of Andrew,” Wesolowski says. “This guy is musically insane.”
Adding to their backstory, the first date Wesolowski ever went on as a teenager was to a Toy Shop show at local arts center Lowe Mill. So being in a band with Andrew now has extra dimensions.
“On a personal level,” Wesolowski says, “he’s such a good friend. And in a musical sense, he takes everything very seriously. He keeps it lighthearted, but he’s always ready for everything in rehearsal. He knows when to play parts the same way every time and when to go crazy. He knows his place in a band – he’s there to back you up – but he also brings such a unique element to everything he plays on.”
Onstage at Wanda Band shows, Andrew stays back into the shadows. He wears a cap pulled down low, almost like he’s trying to hide underneath it.
“He’ll pull the hat down,” Wesolowski says, “and just bob along to the music. But if you listen to what he’s doing, it’s the busiest bass line you’ve ever heard anyone play. Effortlessly.”
Andrew’s best Wanda Band bass lines include “Talking To Yourself,” a sinuous standout off their 2020 debut album “One-Hit.” Also check out “Playing Fair,” a lounge-y groover off “Only Feeling,” Wanda Band’s 2023 sophomore LP that opens with a cover of “Maze,” an Andrew solo song from 1995, the year Wesolowski was born.
“I was like, ‘You were the age in 1995 that I am now,’” Wesolowski says. “And so it makes sense I relate to these lyrics in such a way because they’re speaking to the questions, confusion, the maze of being a 20-something. I told Andrew, ‘I was born to sing this song. When you wrote it, you willed me into existence!’”
Despite differences in age and musical experience, Sharpe treats her like an equal, Wesolowski says.
“He has no ego,” she says. “And he’s not like one of those older players that I’ll run into a lot that are like, ‘Let me tell you how it is, kiddo.’ He’s not trying to teach me lessons and put himself above me. From the moment we met, it was like there was no age gap.”
The first time Anderson heard Wanda Band’s version of “Maze,” he “knew it was an Andrew Sharpe song, immediately. That’s a pretty remarkable thing to have a recognizable style like that, because you can’t fake that. You either have it or you don’t.”
It’s true. You hear one of Andrew’s Toy Shop songs, either studio or live, you know it’s them. Smart yet spirited. Foreign yet of this place.
When you think about it, Toy Shop is kind of the perfect rock band for Huntsville. Like many Huntsville ‘80s kids, the U.K. born Sharpe brothers came here because their dad got an aerospace engineer job here.
Toy Shop have a strong visual image too. Andrew, a talented visual artist, created trippy banners for the band to play in front of at shows. He also did the artwork for Toy Shop’s albums, including their self-titled debut and 2013′s “Strangeland,” the most recent album the band released.
Of his brother’s creativity, Antony says, “I think his visual art and his music, they’re all the same thing — you can’t even separate them. He has such an imagination. He’s just a great soul.”
Andrew and older brother Antony were born in St. Albans, England. Both their mom and dad played piano. Around the age of four, Andrew started playing piano too, imitating the jazz and blues stuff his dad played.
“It wasn’t something I was told to do or anything like that,” Andrew recalls. “I think I just naturally gravitated towards it. I never really took it all that serious for a long time. I just knew how to play piano.”
Eventually, he started teaching himself Elton John songs on piano. Then, some Steely Dan. The Sharpe family lived in Canada for a bit before moving to Huntsville.
Andrew got really into the music of Eurythmics, the English duo known for ‘80s hits like “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This).” He also took up the acoustic guitar. Even though he’s known instrumentally for bass and keyboards, he says he’s written around 80 percent of his many Toy Shop songs on acoustic.
He didn’t take up the bass until well into his 20s. Within a few months he was already an ace.
Growing up, Andrew was a gymnast. He even competed on the college level at Syracuse University before an injury ended his career. Meanwhile, brother Antony attended University of Alabama in Huntsville on soccer scholarship.
Back in high school, Anderson and Antony would play Judas Priest and Alice Cooper covers together in the Sharpe family basement. After Andrew got home from gymnastics practice, he’d just nod and say hi on on the way to his room.
Anderson says back then he “had no idea he [Andrew] had any musical inklings at all. And in the late ‘80s, he and Ant started playing together [as an acoustic duo], and it was like, ‘Oh my God, where did this come from?’ I had a house gig at [since shuttered nightclub] The Vapors. After my gig I’d go down to The Corner [another defunct local music bar] where they [the Sharpe brothers] played. We’d jam till the joggers were outside in the morning.”
Eventually, the Sharpe brothers and Anderson would team up in the band Then Again. In addition to local shows, they played Louisville, Indianapolis, Tuscaloosa, Auburn and other markets. Drawing from influences ranging from Supertramp to John Hiatt to Pink Floyd, Then Again released a self-titled album before parting ways.
Andrew also plays bass with another long-running group, Dawn Osborne Band. Fronted by big-voiced Dawn Osbourne, that band mixes jazz, pop, indie, rock and R&B. Sharpe’s also worked a lot with Josh Allison, a soulful local rock singer.
With Toy Shop, Andrew’s vocals are emotive and ethereal. Maybe even a bit elfin. Andrew says, “I feel like there are singers that are like singers, and then there are singers that are just trying to get the feeling out and across. I wouldn’t even call myself necessarily a singer. I’m just somebody who sings.”
Regardless, Andrew’s singing is perfect for Toy Shop’s music. Especially when he and Ant sing together, creating that special sound only siblings can.
The Sharpe’s brotherly harmonies contrast. Andrew has a purer tone and wider range. There’s more rock and roll edge and energy in Antony’s vocals.
Anderson says, “Ant and Andrew’s voices couldn’t be any more different, but that sibling chemistry. It’s almost like how The Beatles harmonies and definitely classic Fleetwood Mac. Those harmonies wouldn’t have been those harmonies with one person overdubbing.”
Personality-wise, the Sharpe brothers contrast too. Ant’s gregarious and loud-funny. Andrew’s shy and quiet-funny.
In Toy Shop’s heyday, in addition to local gigs and recording they peppered in shows in Nashville, Birmingham and Oxford, Mississippi. They also performed at festivals like Huntsville’s Big Spring Jam and Montgomery’s Jubilee CityFest.
Huntsville rock band Toy Shop. From left, Newt Johnson, Antony Sharpe and Andrew Sharpe. (Courtesy of Sharpe family)Courtesy of Sharpe family
Like many bands that’ve been around a while, a few musicians have come and gone. For a while now though, the lineup’s been Andrew on vocals, bass and keys, Antony on vocals and guitar, Newt Johnson on keys/bass and Aaron Cox on drums.
Now 56, Andrew, who does tile work by day, says, “The funny thing is I do more construction now than music. But I love what I’m doing, and what’s nice about it is I only do gigs I want to do because I make a living off something else these days. I’ve always loved to play music. And I’ve gotten to meet some really, really cool people through it.”
When he’s not playing music or laying tile, Andrew likes to work on his home. He recently turned a porch into a laundry room. He also spends a lot of time with his nieces and nephew.
For the last two years, Andrew and Antony have been working with Antony’s daughter Haley Sharpe, a successful TikTok content creator, on her own music. In April, Haley’s debut single dropped. It’s an eight-minute, classic-rock-style track written by Andrew and titled “Spotless Soul.”
It’s a tribute to his ageless musicality Andrew can collaborate so well with his niece. Haley grew up going to Toy Shop’s non-bar gigs. Uncle Andrew taught her the first thing she ever learned how to play on piano, the John Lennon classic “Imagine.” Now in her early 20s, the Toy Shop album title “Get Up Now” is tattooed on Haley’s forearm.
The Sharpes’ sibling harmonies are being carried on too. Haley’s younger sister Julia Sharpe sings background vocals on “Spotless Soul.”
Haley says of Andrew, “I love his songwriting. He’s so talented, but also so underappreciated. But I also feel he likes being behind the scenes.”
Andrew agrees. “I’m happier there, honestly,” he says. “Even doing an interview like this isn’t my thing. You know, one of the things I like the most about bass is it doesn’t get noticed as much. But it’s a real pivotable pivotal instrument. You want someone who knows what they’re doing on bass.”
Toy Shop play PorchFest Five Points tonight 8 p.m. at “Porch #5,” address 1104 Pratt Avenue. More info including band schedules on the PorchFest Instagram. A map of porches local bands will be performing on tonight can be found here. PorchFest is free to attend. Dawn Osborne Band play 10:30 pm tonight as part of a PorchFest After Party show at St. Stephens Music Hall, located at Campus No. 805, address 2620 Clinton Avenue. There’s a $7 cover at St. Stephens.
Mystik Dan won the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby by a nose on Saturday at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky.
As the race swung down the stretch, a stampede of horses bumped and banged across the track. But Mystik Dan got loose by hugging the rail, running for the wire at 18-1.
Sierra Leone and Forever Young broke away from the pack as if glued together and made a run at the leader. But they didn’t quite get there.
Sierra Leone, who went off as the second favorite at 9-2, was the runner-up, while Forever Young, at 7-1 and bidding to become the first Japanese horse to win the Kentucky Derby, came in the narrowest of third-place runners.
Saturday’s finish was the 10th win by a nose in Kentucky Derby history and the first since Grindstone’s victory over Cavonnier in 1996.
Mystik Dan paid $39.22 to win, $16.32 to place and $10 to show.
Sierra Leone paid $6.54 to place and $4.64 to show.
Forever Young paid $5.58 to show.
The $2 exacta paid $258.56.
The $1 trifecta paid $1,113.84.
The $1 superfecta, with fourth-place finisher Catching Freedom joining the top three, paid $8,254.
Mystic Dan became this year’s candidate to become the 14th Triple Crown winner in the history of U.S. thoroughbred racing. The next race in the Triple Crown is the Preakness Stakes on May 18 at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore.
Mystik Dan had won $641,360 entering Saturday’s race, which paid $3.1 million to the winner.
Mystik Dan became a Kentucky Derby contender by winning the Grade 3 Southwest Stakes on Feb. 3 by 8 lengths over Just Steel. The colt’s final derby prep didn’t go as well as Mystik Dan finished 4.5 lengths behind Just Steel, which ran 2 lengths behind race winner Muth in the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby on March 30.
Mystik Dan’s victory was the first in the Kentucky Derby for trainer Kenny McPeek and jockey Brian Hernandez Jr.
Florida Derby winner Fierceness was the betting favorite at 7-2 and ran with the leaders until the top of the stretch, when the colt faded to a 15th-place finish.
The order of finish for the 150th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, was:
1. Mystik Dan
2. Sierra Leone
3. Forever Young
4. Catching Freedom
5. T O Password
6. Resilience
7. Stronghold
8. Honor Marie
9. Endlessly
10. Dornoch
11. Track Phantom
12. West Saratoga
13. Domestic Product
14. Epic Ride
15. Fierceness
16. Society Man
17. Just Steel
18. Grand Mo The First
19. Catalytic
20. Just A Touch
Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @AMarkG1.
The United Football League’s highest-scoring offense found the going tough against the Houston Roughnecks on Saturday. But when the St. Louis defense came up with two big plays, Battlehawks quarterback AJ McCarron responded with two big throws.
The resulting 22-8 victory for St. Louis set up a Week 7 showdown with the Birmingham Stallions in a homecoming game for McCarron.
The former Alabama All-American will lead the 5-1 Battlehawks against the 6-0 Stallions at 3 p.m. CDT Saturday at Protective Stadium in Birmingham.
St. Louis had a 6-0 lead on the strength of McCarron’s 17-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Hakeem Butler with 6:12 left in the first half when Battlehawks linebacker Mike Rose caused running back Mark Thompson to fumble on a reception, with nose tackle Tautala Pesefea Jr. recovering the football at the St. Louis 38-yard line.
Gaining possession with 50 seconds left in the first half, the Battlehawks moved 61 yards on four completions followed by a defensive pass interference penalty in the end zone to advance the football inside the Houston 1-yard line. But only four seconds remained in the half.
Instead of taking the field goal, St. Louis coach Anthony Becht played for the touchdown, and McCarron connected with wide receiver Steven Mitchell Jr. for six points as time ran out in the second quarter. A 2-point pass to tight end Jake Sutherland had the Battlehawks ahead 14-0 at halftime.
After the Roughnecks had scored a touchdown on their first possession of the fourth quarter, Houston had a fourth-and-6 snap at the St. Louis 38 with 5:04 to play. Roughnecks QB Reid Sinnett completed the pass, but Battlehawks safety Kameron Kelly snatched down wide receiver Justin Hall just short of the necessary yardage for a first down.
McCarron had one second-half completion at that point, but St. Louis did not try to take time off the clock. The Battlehawks ran once in four snaps, and McCarron had completions of 7, 21 and 36 yards. The longest went to Butler behind the defense for a touchdown with 3:06 to play. A 2-point conversion pass to running back Jacob Saylors set the score at 22-6.
St. Louis yielded an intentional safety on a fourth-down snap to run out the final seconds on the clock.
McCarron completed 24-of-37 passes for 255 yards with three touchdowns and one interception, which came in the end zone in the first quarter.
Butler had six receptions for 134 yards and two touchdowns.
While St. Louis won its fifth game in a row, Houston dropped to 1-5 this season.
Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.
An updated report from the National Weather Service was issued on Saturday at 6:14 p.m. for strong thunderstorms until 7 p.m. for Houston County.
Wind gusts of up to 40 mph and pea-sized hail (0.25 inches) are expected.
“At 6:14 p.m., Doppler radar tracked a strong thunderstorm near Donalsonville, moving southeast at 25 mph,” according to the weather service. “Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is possible.”
Locations impacted by the alert include Colquitt, Bainbridge, Donalsonville, Blakely, West Bainbridge, Centerville, Gordon, Iron City, Climax, Damascus, Brinson, Jakin, Hanover, Saffold, Ausmac, Babcock, Little Hope, Mayhaw, Decatur Co A/P and Rock Hill.
The weather service comments, “If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.”
Preparing for approaching lightning: Expert safety advice
Each year, lightning strikes the United States approximately 25 million times, with the majority of these electrifying events occurring during the summer months. Unfortunately, lightning is responsible for claiming the lives of approximately 20 people annually, as reported by the weather service. The threat of lightning becomes more pronounced as thunderstorms draw nearer, peaking when the storm is directly overhead and gradually waning as it moves away.
To protect yourself during a thunderstorm, take these recommendations into consideration:
1. Lightning safety plan:
When venturing outdoors, it’s crucial to have a lightning safety plan in place.
Stay vigilant by monitoring the sky for ominous signs and listening for the telltale sound of thunder. If thunder is audible, it’s a clear indication of nearby lightning.
Seek a safe place to shelter, preferably indoors.
2. Indoors safety measures:
Once you’re indoors, avoid using corded phones, electrical devices, plumbing fixtures, and stay away from windows and doors.
Lightning can follow conductive pathways, and these precautions reduce the risk of electrical surges.
3. Wait for the all-clear:
After the last lightning strike or thunderclap, wait at least 30 minutes before resuming outdoor activities.
It’s important to remember that lightning can strike even when a storm seems to have passed, so exercise caution.
When indoor shelter isn’t available:
If you find yourself outdoors without access to indoor shelter during a thunderstorm, take these steps to maximize your safety:
Avoid open fields, hilltops, or ridge crests, which expose you to greater lightning risk.
Steer clear of tall, isolated trees and other prominent objects. In wooded areas, stay close to lower stands of trees.
If you’re in a group, ensure that individuals are spaced out to prevent lightning current from transferring between people.
Camping in an open setting during a thunderstorm is strongly discouraged. If you have no alternative, set up camp in a valley, ravine, or other low-lying areas. It’s crucial to note that a tent provides no protection against lightning.
Do not approach water bodies, wet objects, or metal items. While water and metal don’t attract lightning, they conduct electricity effectively and can pose significant risks.
In summary, when facing the threat of lightning, preparedness and vigilance are your best allies. By following these guidelines, you can significantly reduce the likelihood of lightning-related incidents and prioritize your safety.
Navigating heavy rain: Essential safety measures for wet roads
When heavy rain pours, the risk of flooding and treacherous roads rises. Here’s your guide from the weather service to staying safe during downpours:
Beware of swollen waterways:
Avoid parking or walking in close proximity to culverts or drainage ditches, as the swiftly moving water during heavy rain can potentially carry you away.
Maintain safe driving distances:
The two-second rule for following distance is your ally in heavy rain. Extend it to four seconds to ensure safe spacing in adverse conditions.
Slow down and drive with care:
On wet roads, reducing your speed is crucial. Ease off the gas pedal gradually and avoid abrupt braking to prevent skidding.
Choose your lane wisely:
Stick to the middle lanes on multi-lane roads to minimize the risk of hydroplaning, as water tends to accumulate in outer lanes.
Prioritize visibility
Enhance your visibility in heavy rain by activating your headlights. Be particularly vigilant for vehicles in blind spots, as rain-smeared windows can obscure them.
Watch out for slippery roads:
The first half-hour of rain is when roads are slickest due to a mix of rain, grime, and oil. Exercise heightened caution during this period.
Keep a safe distance from large vehicles:
Don’t follow large trucks or buses too closely. The spray created by their large tires reduces your vision. Take care when passing them as well; if you must pass, do so quickly and safely.
Mind your windshield wipers:
Overloaded wiper blades can hinder visibility. If rain severely limits your sight, pull over and wait for conditions to improve. Seek refuge at rest areas or protected spots.
When stopping by the roadside is your only option, position your vehicle as far off the road as possible, ideally beyond guardrails. Keep your headlights on and activate emergency flashers to alert other drivers of your position.
By following these safety measures, you can significantly reduce risks and ensure your well-being when heavy rain pours down. Stay informed about weather conditions and heed advice from local authorities to make your journey safe and sound.
Advance Local Weather Alerts is a service provided by United Robots, which uses machine learning to compile the latest data from the National Weather Service.
A fight in Tuscaloosa left a teen boy with a gunshot wound to the chest, and two other teens under arrest.
Tuscaloosa police responded at 11:29 a.m. Saturday to a report of a shooting at Rosedale Court.
When officers arrived, they found a 16-year-old boy shot in the chest. He was taken to the hospital in critical condition.
Authorities said investigators learned two teen boys got into a fight. During the altercation, a teen girl pulled a gun and shot the victim.
The victim was not able to speak with detectives, but witnesses and the suspect provided details about the incident, said Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit Capt. Marty Sellers.
The teen girl, 15, is charged with attempted murder and certain persons forbidden to possess a firearm. The16-year-boy with whom the victim was fighting is charged with certain persons forbidden to possess a firearm.
Both teen suspects are in Juvenile Detention.
Sellers said the victim stable.
Because of the ages of all involved, Sellers said, no additional information is being released.
A weather alert was issued by the National Weather Service on Saturday at 4:58 p.m. for strong thunderstorms until 5:45 p.m. for Washington and Mobile counties.
The storms are expected to bring wind gusts of up to 50 mph and pea-sized hail (0.25 inches).
“At 4:58 p.m., Doppler radar tracked a strong thunderstorm 5 miles east of Citronelle, moving east at 10 mph,” according to the weather service. “Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is possible.”
Locations impacted by the alert include Citronelle, Gulfcrest, Mount Vernon, Calvert and Movico.
The weather service comments, “If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.”
When lightning looms: Expert safety tips for thunderstorms
Lightning strikes the United States approximately 25 million times each year, with the bulk of these electrical discharges occurring during the summer months. Tragically, lightning claims the lives of about 20 individuals annually, as reported by the weather service. The risk of lightning-related incidents escalates as thunderstorms draw near, reaching its peak when the storm directly looms overhead. However, it gradually recedes as the tempest moves away.
To ensure your safety during a thunderstorm, consider the following recommendations:
1. Lightning safety plan:
When venturing outdoors, it’s vital to establish a clear plan for seeking shelter in case of lightning.
Stay vigilant by monitoring the sky for ominous signs and listening for the telltale sound of thunder. If thunder is audible, it’s a clear indication of nearby lightning.
Seek a safe place to shelter, preferably indoors.
2. Indoors safety measures:
Once you’ve found shelter indoors, abstain from using corded phones, electrical appliances, or plumbing fixtures, and refrain from approaching windows and doors.
Lightning can follow conductive pathways, and these precautions reduce the risk of electrical surges.
3. Wait for the all-clear:
After the last lightning strike or thunderclap, wait at least 30 minutes before resuming outdoor activities.
It’s important to remember that lightning can strike even when a storm seems to have passed, so exercise caution.
When indoor shelter isn’t available:
If you find yourself outdoors with no access to indoor shelter during a thunderstorm, take these steps to maximize your safety:
Avoid open fields, hilltops, or ridge crests, which expose you to greater lightning risk.
Steer clear of tall, isolated trees and other prominent objects. In forested areas, stay close to lower stands of trees.
If you’re with a group, ensure individuals are spread out to prevent lightning current from transferring between people.
Camping in an open setting during a thunderstorm is strongly discouraged. If you have no alternative, set up camp in a valley, ravine, or other low-lying areas. It’s crucial to note that a tent provides no protection against lightning.
Do not approach water bodies, wet objects, or metal items. Although water and metal do not attract lightning, they conduct electricity effectively and can pose significant risks.
In summary, when facing the threat of lightning, preparedness and vigilance are your best allies. By following these guidelines, you can significantly reduce the likelihood of lightning-related incidents and prioritize your safety.
Navigating heavy rain: Essential safety measures for wet roads
Heavy rainfall may lead to flooding if prolonged or if there is excessive runoff. Excessive runoff can be a result of saturated ground and/or rainfall intensity. Follow these recommendations from the weather service to stay safe in heavy rain:
Beware of swollen waterways:
During heavy rain, avoid parking or walking near culverts or drainage ditches, where swift-moving water can pose a serious risk.
Maintain safe driving distances:
Adhere to the two-second rule for maintaining a safe following distance behind the vehicle in front of you. In heavy rain, allow an additional two seconds of distance to compensate for reduced traction and braking effectiveness.
Slow down and drive with care:
On wet roads, slowing down is paramount. Gradually ease off the accelerator and avoid abrupt braking to prevent skidding.
Choose your lane wisely:
Stick to the middle lanes to minimize the risk of hydroplaning. Outer lanes are more prone to accumulating water.
Prioritize visibility
Enhance your visibility in heavy rain by turning on your headlights. Watch out for vehicles in blind spots, as rain-smeared windows can obscure them.
Watch out for slippery roads:
The initial half-hour of rain is when roads are slickest due to a mixture of rain, grime, and oil. Exercise heightened caution during this period.
Keep a safe distance from large vehicles:
Large trucks and buses can reduce your visibility with tire spray. Avoid tailgating and pass them swiftly and safely.
Mind your windshield wipers:
Heavy rain can overload the wiper blades. When visibility is so limited that the edges of the road or other vehicles cannot be seen at a safe distance, it is time to pull over and wait for the rain to ease up. It is best to stop at rest areas or other protected areas.
When stopping by the roadside is your only option, position your vehicle as far off the road as possible, ideally beyond guardrails. Keep your headlights on and activate emergency flashers to alert other drivers of your position.
By following these safety measures, you can significantly reduce risks and ensure your well-being when heavy rain pours down. Stay informed about weather conditions and heed advice from local authorities to make your journey safe and sound.
Advance Local Weather Alerts is a service provided by United Robots, which uses machine learning to compile the latest data from the National Weather Service.
The Toronto Maple Leafs play against the Boston Bruins in game 7 of their first round series tonight at 7 p.m. CT on ABC. Fans can watch the highly anticipated matchup for free by using the free trials offered by DirecTV Stream or Fubo TV. If both of those free trials have already been used, then fans can get a discounted Sling subscription to watch all the action. These three options will also allow fans to watch tomorrow’s NHL playoff action between the Carolina Hurricanes and the New York Rangers.
The Boston Bruins held a 3-1 series lead over the Toronto Maple Leafs earlier this week, but they have lost the past two games by 2-1 scorelines. The Bruins were nearly shutout in Toronto during game 6 on Thursday, but they scored an inconsequential goal during the final second of the match to deny it.
Heading into game 7 in Boston tonight, the Maple Leafs have secured all the momentum through their back-to-back wins. Additionally, the Bruins are feeling a lot of pressure to win tonight because they already choked a 3-1 series lead during the NHL playoffs last season. So, there is a lot of anticipation to see whether the Maple Leafs can win three straight games and advance to the next round. If the Bruins lose tonight, then they will have been eliminated in the first round of the NHL playoffs for three straight seasons. With that being said, the Bruins still have one more chance to win the series.
The Maple Leafs have won the past two games because they have held the Bruins to one goal in each game. Even though the Maple Leafs have only been able to score twice in each game, their incredible defense has allowed them to tie the series 3-3. In order for the Bruins to avoid elimination, they will have to find a way to score some goals in front of their home crowd.
With so much anticipation surrounding the first game 7 of this year’s NHL playoffs, fans can watch all the action for free by using the free trials offered by DirecTV Stream and Fubo TV. Alternatively, getting a discounted Sling subscription will also allow fans to watch the game live.
