It’s a very welcome Friday…

Weather: Cooler. Partly cloudy skies today with highs in the upper 40s and nighttime lows in the upper 20s. A little warmer on Saturday with highs in the middle 50s and lows near 40, as clouds slowly increase. Rain is likely on Sunday, with highs in the lower 50s and lows in the upper 30s.

A different kind of gas-price drop. Customers of the Fultondale Gas Board, particularly those in Gardendale, could see a drop in their natural gas rates soon. Mayor Jim Lowery, who is also the superintendent of the gas board, said Thursday in a letter to customers and in comments to The North Jefferson News that the board hired a consultant who advised them on how they could drop rates. That same consultant, though, also advised the board against franchise agreements with other cities. Gardendale officials have contended the board is in violation of a franchise agreement that’s been in place for more than a decade.

Sports: Peaking at the right time. Clint Argo’s Pinson Valley boys basketball team has struggled for most of the season, but has now won two straight games heading into next week’s area tournaments. On Thursday they won a 58-33 blowout of visiting Walker. Donevan Waldrop led the way with 15 points, Jordan Walker scored 13 and Cordarius Reese 11 in the Senior Night win. Similar results for the Indians girls, who scored a 68-60 victory over the Vikings. Four Tribe players scored in double figures, led by Kaylin Hamby with 16 points. Locust Fork’s girls also easily dispensed with Cleveland by a 67-39 score; Kimberly Horton scored 19 points and Carissa Horton grabbed 10 rebounds. Elsewhere, Altamont swept Fultondale in a double header, with the Knights boys winning 55-51 and the girls ahead by a 34-27 score.