Tuscaloosa News Roundup: Murder Arrest, Phone Scam Alert, and Swimmer’s Startup Victory

Good morning, neighbors. It’s another hot Tuscaloosa day—highs climbing into the low 90s, a chance of afternoon showers, and a lot on the community’s radar.

Suspect arrested in weekend murder. Police say a 67‑year‑old man was found dead in his apartment Saturday night. By Monday, detectives had identified and taken into custody a 45‑year‑old male suspect, charging him with murder. Authorities haven’t released many details, but they emphasized the investigation is ongoing and asked anyone with additional information to call the Tuscaloosa Police Department.

Beware: a new phone scam is circulating. The Tuscaloosa County Sheriff’s Office issued a warning about callers posing as senior law‑enforcement officials. The scammers claim the recipient has been summoned for grand‑jury duty and demand personal data or payment to “clear the record.” The office stressed that no legitimate grand‑jury summons comes via phone call and urged residents to hang up, verify numbers, and report suspicious calls.

In lighter news, Visit Tuscaloosa’s president and CEO, Kelsey Rush, earned the title of Alabama Tourism Executive of the Year. The accolade reflects the city’s growing appeal for travelers and the hard work of the organization’s staff and sponsors.

On the campus front, a University of Alabama swimmer‑entrepreneur took home the top prize at the SEC Startup Competition. Alexa Rogers (name changed for privacy) presented her eco‑friendly swim‑wear line and walked away with a $10,000 award, plus mentorship from seasoned investors. She said the win validates months of juggling early‑morning practices with prototype development.

The Tuscaloosa City Schools Board of Education also approved an accelerated salary schedule, giving teachers and staff a raise earlier than planned—a move welcomed by the education community.

That’s the roundup for today. Stay safe, keep an eye on those phone calls, and feel free to share this update with friends and family. If you enjoy the local coverage, consider signing up for the free Patch newsletter.