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A&M Names New Band Director

 A&M Names New Band Director

HUNTSVILLE, AL - A 1986 Alabama A&M University music education graduate will return to his alma mater as director of bands.

Carlton J. Wright has distinguished himself as a band director at a number of schools, particularly in the metropolitan Birmingham, Ala., area.  For instance, he has served as band director at Minor High School in Adamsville, Ala.; Carver High School in Birmingham, Ala.; and Fairfield High Preparatory School in Fairfield, Ala. 

The band leader and Montgomery, Ala., native has led bands as an assistant director at Bottenfield Middle School, Adamsville, Ala.; Southlawn Middle School, and was assistant orchestra director and trumpeter at Sixteenth Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Ala.  Moreover, Wright has taught as an adjunct music instructor at Lawson State Community College.

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Tech company promotes next generation cyber security workforce

On a video conference, Superintendent Dr. Casey Wardynski and the Army Cyber Commander signed an agreement.

HUNTSVILLE, AL (WAFF)- Huntsville is already famous in space, but it's about to become more famous for work in cyber space.

Tuesday, Huntsville City Schools and the Army Cyber Command become partners in creating the next generation of a cyber security workforce.

On a video conference, Superintendent Dr. Casey Wardynski and the Army Cyber Commander signed an agreement to help students from middle to high school become educated for high-wage jobs in the field.

Wardynski said the younger generation is already computer savvy; why not turn it into a career?

"The young folks are digital natives. They know all about this, so let's give them some skills that they can put to work to make Huntsville the center for excellence and cyber security. Our firms here and the Arsenal are already engaged in cyber already and they are looking for young workers, and we can help create those young workers," Wardynski said.

Deadly respiratory illness in AL stumps CDC

HOUSTON COUNTY, AL (WAFF)- There is a mystery brewing in south Alabama. An illness has hospitalized several people, killing two of them.

It is something that leaves the patient struggling to breathe.

The Alabama Department of Public Health is putting everyone on notice about a mystery illness.  Epidemiologists are conferring with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention about a cluster of respiratory illnesses. 

The origin of the illness is unknown, but it is striking people in the Houston County area.  So far, seven people have been hospitalized with fever, cough, and shortness of breath.   Two of those patients have died.  

Lab specimens have been collected and are being studied.   For now, both the Public Health Department and the CDC are recommending hospitals use respiratory protocol when dealing someone with such an illness, meaning masks and gloves.  

Wreck on Parkway backs up traffic at University Drive

Traffic on Memorial Parkway was backed up as crews worked a wreck on the University Drive overpass.

HUNTSVILLE, AL (WAFF)- Traffic on Memorial Parkway was backed up as crews worked a wreck on the University Drive overpass.

The wreck happened in the southbound lane of the parkway around 1 p.m. on the overpass.

Huntsville Police and HEMSI responded to the scene.

Two women were taken to Huntsville Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Their names have not been released.

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Huntsville hockey and your tax dollars

HUNTSVILLE, AL (WAFF)- The Huntsville Havoc and the UAH Chargers have plenty in common on the ice. Both know how to win championships, both have passionate fan bases, and both appear to have bright futures.

"We have tons of hockey fans who come out and want to see the hockey and it's all about the hockey on the big nights, the big crowd is just people who just want to come out and have a good night," said Huntsville Havoc Owner Keith Jefferies. 

In 2013, UAH will make a move to the Western Collegiate Hockey Association; a move that they hope will propel the program to a higher level.

"When we were trying to get into the WCHA, I kept saying it would be like opening the gates of heaven. It's going to happen with season ticket sales, contributions, scheduling, recruiting, and fan interest," said UAH Athletics Director Dr. E.J. Brophy.

Both teams have another key similarity - the place where both programs call home, the Von Braun Center.

Judge approves Huntsville City Schools changes

Judge approves Huntsville City Schools changes

HUNTSVILLE, AL (WAFF)- A federal judge approved a plan for school changes submitted by Huntsville City Schools.

 

School officials are required to have plans that involve new school or consolidating schools approved by the feds because of a Department of Justice desegregation order handed down in the 1970's.

Those plans include a new building for Johnson High School. Once that is complete, Davis Hills and Ed White middle schools will merge and occupy a new building on the old Johnson site.

The goal for those moves is fall of 2016.

Meanwhile, a new Grissom High facility will be built on National Boulevard, near the South Parkway Sam's Club.

A new Whitesburg Elementary is also slated to open in 2015.

And a new elementary school is planned for west Huntsville - taking in students from Terry Heights and University Place. It is being built on the site of the old Terry Heights school.