The University of Alabama’s Million Dollar Band has its first all-female drum major team
Al.com – Oct. 20
It’s game day in Bryant-Denny Stadium and the home of the Alabama Crimson Tide pulsates with the excited chatter of more than 100,000 fans ready for the first home game of the season. Suddenly the crowd grows eerily quiet as the menacing opening notes of “Unstoppable” by E.S. Posthumous build and echo through the stadium. The song, reaching its climax, blares through the loudspeakers and the crowd erupts as four students clad in grey band uniforms take the field from opposite end zones and sidelines before meeting at the script ‘A’ on the 50-yard line. Heads held down, they march in strong, calculated steps toward center field, until the music takes a turn and they sprint straight-legged with their backs erect and slanted back almost Matrix-style until they reach the middle. As the band takes the field, the four students retreat to their individual podiums and take off their shiny, silver shakos and plumes. As they do, four ponytails tumble from beneath their hats. For the first time in its 103-year history, the University of Alabama’s Million Dollar Band is being conducted by an all-female drum major team.
Annual “Halloween in Oz” to premiere Sunday
Tuscaloosa News – Oct. 19
Dorothy and her friends will guide people along the yellow brick road Sunday at the sixth annual ‘Halloween in Oz,’ hosted by the University of Alabama Community Music School. Jane Weigel, director of the Community Music School, considers this event both a fundraiser and a “friendrasier.” “We want to engage with the general public and show them what we offer here,” Weigel said. “We want them to feel good about coming to the UA campus, comfortable with this building, and also meeting some people and raising money for the scholarship program.” The Community Music School, according to its website, is a non-degree granting program for students of all ages and ability levels. Halloween in Oz will feature games, food and fun for all ages. The games are designed to be engaging for younger community members, Weigel said. “We have games such as fishing pond, pin the heart on the Tin Man and flying monkey bowling,” Weigel said.
AL outpacing 2014 traffic fatalities after week with 16 deaths
WAFF 48 (Huntsville) – Oct. 19
A particularly deadly, week-long stretch in October now has Alabama’s 2015 traffic fatality statistics outpacing the rate for the same time through the previous year. Alabama State Troopers confirmed 16 deaths between Oct 12 and 18 to bring the state figures to 413 deaths. By contrast, law enforcement had investigated only 398 fatalities by the same point in 2014, a difference of 15. (Editor’s Note: This story was updated following information on the Oct. 18 delayed death of a Bank’s man who was injured three days earlier.) State Troopers recapped the deadly week in a statement released to the media Monday. Of the 16 fatalities, seat belts were available in 13 cases (The other three cases involved bikes or motorcycles). Of the cases where seat belts were available, it’s known for certain that they were not in use for at least eight victims. Investigators have not released seat belt info on the other five cases … The University of Alabama’s Center for Advanced Public Safety keeps a running total on Alabama’s traffic crashes that are investigated by Alabama State Troopers. CAPS’ data indicates YTD troopers have investigated 24,653 crashes in 2015 compared to 22,776 up to the same point in 2014. That’s an eight percent increase.
ABC 9 (Columbus, Ga.) – Oct. 19
College news: Oct. 18
Tuscaloosa News – Oct 17
University of Alabama: Spikey Wiley Howard Jr. of Tuscaloosa has been recognized as a member of Sigma Alpha Lambda, National Leadership and Honors Organization. He is the son of Spikey and Deidre Howard of Northport and is a graduate of Holy Spirit Catholic High School; University of Alabama at Birmingham: Brittany J. Collins of Tuscaloosa has been recognized as a member of Sigma Alpha Lambda, National Leadership and Honors Organization. She is the daughter of Derrick and LaQuisha Collins of Tuscaloosa and is a 2014 graduate of Central High School.
Dothan September residential median sales prices up 14 percent over last year
Al.com – Oct. 19
September median sales prices for Dothan area homes rose 14.5 percent over the same period last year, according to the Dothan Multiple Listing Service, Inc. Check out total residential sales and other September stats by clicking here. The median sales price last September was $115,000, which rose to $132,000 last month. The median sales price did drop 3.3 percent from the previous month, which is consistent with historical data that indicates a dip of 10.7 percent typically occurs from August to September. For the full Dothan residential report, click here. (Bryan Davis is the Research/Media Coordinator for the Alabama Center for Real Estate housed within the Culverhouse College of Commerce at the University of Alabama. He can be reached at 205-348-5416 or at bkdavis@culverhouse.ua.edu.)