Benjamin Barnes YMCA

Community leaders who have dreamed of this day for years celebrated Thursday at a ceremonial ribbon-cutting for the new Benjamin Barnes YMCA in west Tuscaloosa.

The driver who received a DUI in a February car crash that later killed a Tuscaloosa coach was arrested and indicted on charges in his death.

The Kristen Amerson Youth Foundation received assistance from volunteers from Alabama Power to pack mental health bookbags that were distributed throughout Tuscaloosa beginning last week.

After almost two hours of heated debate, a divided city council voted to relocate west Tuscaloosa's Benjamin Barnes branch of the YMCA Monday.

Thursday evening, friends, family, and community members gathered for a balloon release in honor of fallen Benjamin Barnes YMCA coach Tracy Braggs Jr.