WVAS Local

   Alabama State ended a six-year drought against Tuskegee in the Labor Day Classic Saturday, when they won a 26 to 20 overtime skirmish. It was also the first opener ASU has won in six years. The Hornets won in overtime when Ezra Gray took a handoff and ran it in from the left sideline, sending fans into a frenzy. Gray has been named SWAC Specialist of the Week for his efforts. More than 26-thousand people attended the game Saturday night. The Hornets return to action Saturday against Auburn. Kick is set for 6:30 p.m.

   She was considered a treasure in Montgomery. The capital city’s official historian, Mary Ann Neeley has passed away. The Landmarks Foundation, which she directed for many years, made the announcement yesterday. Neeley’s knowledge of Montgomery was vast and revered. She wrote several books on local history. She was 85. Funeral arrangements have not been announced.

   It is finally here. Labor Day Classic Week has begun at Alabama State University. A special added component this year is the inauguration of the school’s 15th president, Dr. Quinton Ross. A full slate of events for the week kicked off over the weekend with the First Family Luncheon at the John Garrick Hardy Student Center Ballroom Sunday. Tonight, in the Dunn-Oliver Acadome, ASU’s SGA President will be sworn in. A fun event taking place later this week is the National Alumni Association Labor Day Golf Classic. The inauguration of Dr.

   All of Alabama State University’s home football games will air on HBCU Gameday this season. The two entities have announced a partnership that will allow the network to broadcast the four games, starting with the Labor Day Classic against Tuskegee on September 1st. It’s the same network that aired the Black and Gold spring game in April. HBCU Gameday is available on Amazon Fire TV and on Facebook. Kickoff for the Labor Day Classic is set for 5pm. Season tickets and single game tickets are on sale now. For more ticket information call 334-229-4551 or visit Bama-State-Sports-dot-com.

   Work is in full swing to get Hayneville Road School ready to take in students from Booker T. Washington – which lost part of its campus to fire this weekend. Montgomery Public School Officials say BTW’s Building C was destroyed by fire Saturday morning. Fortunately no one was hurt, but the school’s more than 400 students will face a temporary re-location. Classes for those students have been cancelled this week so that preparations can be made to house the students at the previously closed Hayneville Road School. That campus is set to open August 27th.

   It’s been a deadly week on Central Alabama roadways. Three more people were killed over the last two days. On Wednesday, State Troopers say a pedestrian was hit by an SUV on U-S Highway 82 in Bullock County. It happened at around 11 pm approximately six miles east of Union Springs. The man was taken to a local hospital but died a short time later. He’s been identified as 39 year old Charles Demetrius Black of Union Springs. The driver of the vehicle was injured. State Troopers continue to investigate.

   For the first time, Montgomery’s proposed budget has reached 250 million dollars. That’s according to Mayor Todd Strange, who presented the budget, along with an address, at last night’s city council meeting. In discussing the 2019 general fund budget, the mayor trumpeted several accomplishments for Montgomery in the last year including the F-35 fighter jet coming to the city; tourism in the city setting new records; the Montgomery Internet Exchange’s continued growth; library improvements and employment gains.

   State Troopers are investigating a deadly accident on Highway 231 that occurred yesterday afternoon in Montgomery County.  The wreck is reported to have taken place around 1:30 pm near the 99 mile marker, close to the intersection with Chapel Gray Loop. Troopers say a car ran off the road and struck a tree, killing a 10 year old passenger. The resident of Georgia has not been identified. She is said to have been unbuckled in the vehicle and was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver and two other passengers were injured. A cause of the crash has not been made available.

   Looking at local races in yesterday's runoff election. There were four seats up for grabs in the Democratic Runoff for the Montgomery County Board of Education. In the most significant defeat incumbent Robert Porterfield, the chairman of the board, was ousted by challenger Claudia Mitchell in District 6. Over in District 5, Rhonda Oates came away with the victory. She will go on to combat Republican nominee Janna Bailey in November. In the closest of margins Marcus Vandiver took District One. He now looks to face incumbent Lisa Keith. District 2 went to Claire Weil.

   Alabama State University has lost one of its legends. Dr. Vivian DeShields passed away over the weekend. An obituary states

 that the veteran educator died yesterday. ASU President Dr. Quinton Ross released a statement grieving her loss. He wrote that she taught generations of Hornets in the College of Education. She was also an alumna of the University. Funeral arrangements have yet to be announced.