Vaccine Sweepstakes; AL National Merit Scholars: The Week In News

BIRMINGHAM, AL — This past week saw multiple stories hoit locally on the COVID-19 vaccine front. A federal vaccine site announced it is closing, and a Birmingham City Council member looks to boost vaccines in the city by proposing a "vaccine sweepstakes" of sorts.

Also in the news this past week, the most recent round of National Merit Scholarships included 85 students from Alabama.

Here are those and other stories that made headlines this past week on Patch:

Bessemer COVID-19 Vaccine Site Closing

The FEMA-funded COVID-19 vaccination site in Bessemer will close June 17. The Community Vaccination Center at the WaterMark Place opened April 21 with the goal of administering up to 1,000 vaccines per day.

National Merit Scholars From Alabama Announced

The next group of 2021 National Merit Scholarship winners includes 85 high school students from Alabama.

'Vaccine Sweepstakes' Proposed By Birmingham City Council President

Birmingham City Council President William Parker has a plan to possibly change the lagging numbers in Birmingham in regard to COVID-19 vaccinations.

Body Found In Jefferson County Creek Identified As Missing Bessemer Man

A body discovered Monday night in Valley Creek in the Oak Grove community of Jefferson County has been identified as a missing Bessemer man.

Birmingham Man Charged In Jan. 6 Capital Breach

A Birmingham man has been arrested and faces multiple charges relating to the Jan. 6 breach on the U.S. Capitol building.