INSIDE: Still time for the Millbrook Farmers Market, A5
Mental, behavioral issues at forefront of teachers’ minds
ments, which is fantastic.”
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
Holtville High School basketball coach arrested
By Cliff Williams Staff Writer
For the third year in a row
the Elmore County Board of Education has heard from the teacher retention task force.
A virtual teacher at Elmore County School’s Edge program has been arrested and charged with school employee distributing obscene material to a student.
The task force reports to the board on issues teachers find relevant to retention and helping students succeed. It’s a group who had the board’s attention as they reported on
Elmore County Sheriff Bill Franklin said Emmanuel Andre Wilson II, 32, of Montgomery turned himself into authorities Tuesday afternoon.
issues such as student mental health, truancy and loads of paperwork. The taskforce also reported success in handling issues previously brought to the board — especially communication.
“Over the past couple years, that has come up over and over,” teacher and task force member Kacy Russell said.
“This year with our survey results, we have seen improve -
Wilson was the head basketball coach at Holtville High School and was placed on administrative leave Jan. 13 according to Elmore County Schools superintendent Richard Dennis. “We had a report,” Dennis said. “We had a preliminary
investigation and handed it off to the appropriate authorities. He was also placed on administrative leave at that time.”
The group made suggestions on making further improvements on communication and trust. The biggest was putting everything in writing especially when it comes from the central office.
Dennis said school officials follow the same procedure when administrators receive a report of allegations against school staff and employees.
“Sometimes things come verbally down the pipeline and get miscommunicated or turned in different ways,” Russell told the board.
“Once we hand it over, we know very little about what is going on,” Dennis said. “We cooperate with authorities if necessary.”
The task force said methods to address student behavior and mental health must be found. The teachers understand funding can be an issue but something must be done so students can be successful in the classroom.
focused on that, it takes away from learning from the other children.”
Wilson was released on a $6,000 bond 90 minutes after turning himself in according to the Elmore County Jail website.
The task force said some behavioral issues stem from special education classrooms.
“We feel there is a lack of consequences for those types of behaviors,” Russell said.
“Students with mental and behavior issues are creating problems in the classrooms,” Russell said.
Franklin said investigators with the Elmore County Sheriff’s Office have the alleged victim’s phone. Authorities collected Wilson’s phone as well. “You could see a conversation between the two,” Franklin said. “Mr. Wilson is going to contend someone had the security code to his phone and he was not responsible. There is other information we can’t disclose now but I don’t think it’s beneficial to Mr. Wilson.”
“Teachers are having to spend so much time
Chamber holds luncheon welcoming members
By Cliff Williams Staff Writer
The Wetumpka Chamber of Commerce held its annual luncheon to install new officers and board members for the first time in a while Thursday.
The COVID-19 pandemic put a hamper on gatherings but the chamber celebrated the successes of business in Wetumpka.
“We haven’t been able to do this for the last couple years,” chairperson Clay McConnell said. “Your attendance is an indication people want to get back together and have these opportunities to see each
See CHAMBER, Page A3
WETUMPKA ART LEGEND DON SAWYER DIES
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
Look anywhere in Wetumpka and there is Don Sawyer’s mark — the Hollywood Fish.
Almost always on a yellow background, the fish is wearing sunglasses and grinning to the world. Look close enough, and you’re likely to find a cross and a church in the painting. Those paintings will now stand as memories as Sawyer died Friday after a battle with cancer.
SUBMITTED TPI
Dennis said Wilson also coached other sports at Holtville schools including being the head track coach and assistant football coach.
“We thought it might help if teachers could participate in
Dennis said other staff would fill in for the duties of Wilson at Holtville while he is on administrative leave.
Shaping tomorrow’s leaders in Wetumpka
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
Teens from across the nation visited Wetumpka to learn about the past in hopes of making a better future.
Members of the Wetumpka Chamber of Commerce attend the chamber’s “A Taste of Our Home Town” luncheon. CLIFF WILLIAMS/ THE HERALD
Encampment for Citizenship has been working since the 1940s to build tomorrow’s leaders through learning and living in a diverse community. It’s all done through a three-week summer camp with lots of learning before and after the
believe the victim and the perpetrator knew each other.”
This is the first homicide in Wetumpka in over three years. The last homicide in the city took place in 2018.
Grant funds iPads at The Kelly
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
“It’s not a good way to start out the new year,” said Benton.
Benton didn’t want to speculate on the
See SHOOTING, Page A3
Art comes in many forms. There is watercolor, oil, sculpture and photography. The Kelly Fitzpatrick Center for the Arts is adding digital art into the mix in the children’s area thanks to more than $14,000 in grant
, Page A6
Holtville’s Futral Alabama principal of the year
Staff Report
Wetumpka Area Chamber of Commerce executive director Shellie Phelps took a painting class with Sawyer in the first months after moving to Wetumpka and the two were friends ever since. She noted when Sawyer was painting a Bible was always close by.
“Don understood that
TOP: Wetumpka artist Don Sawyer’s work is on display in downtown Wetumpka as part of the Downtown Artists Show. Sawyer is responsible for organizing the Downtown Artists and the show on Company Street. He believes Wetumpka is on the verge of being big on the regional art scene.
The Alabama Association of Secondary School Principals (AASSP) named Holtville High School principal Kyle Futral the 2022 Alabama High School Principal of the Year. The High School Principal of the Year award was presented to Futral on Friday, Jan. 28 during a schoolwide assembly at Holtville High School. Elmore County Superintendent Richard Dennis was in attendance for the presentation.
CLIFF WILLIAMS TPI
“Kyle Futral is an exceptional principal and is very proactive and innovative in his thinking and approaches to managing his school,” Dennis said, As principal of Holtville High School, Futral has transformed the school culture from that of a school struggling with low morale, achievement and attendance to a school that strives for excellence. By collaborating with staff, many of the school’s issues were identified and addressed. Futral’s leadership style of listening, encouraging, supporting, organizing and challenging the staff and students, caused the school culture to
certain people are creators,” Phelps said. “He believed that was Biblical and he was such
an encourager. He is responsible for so much in Wetumpka.”
ABOVE: Don Sawyer, left, and Robert Mullins pose for a photograph. Mullins was Sawyer’s pastor. Sawyer is well known in Wetumpka and beyond for his art and efforts to make Wetumpka an art city. See SAWYER, Page A6
shift in a positive direction. The school experienced a 62 percent decrease in discipline referrals, 50 percent decrease in chronic absenteeism, 7 percent increase in the graduation rate, 33 percent increase in CCR rate and a 20 per cent increase in ACT proficiency in the last five years.
See PRINCIPAL, Page A3
WILSON
CLIFF WILLIAMS TPI
Harrison Sutter, 2, of Birmingham, was visiting grandparents who brought him to The Kelly last week. Harrison took advantage of the children’s area.
CLIFF WILLIAMS TPI
The Encampment for Citizenship invited local teens to join teens from across the nation to visit the Elmore County Black History Museum. The visit fostered conversations to help teens understand the world better.
Obituaries
JEANNE HALL LYNCH
A graveside service will be held for Jeanne Hall Lynch at Providence Methodist Church Cemetery, Titus, Alabama on July 27, 2024. Gathering & visitation is at 10:30, service at 11:00.
Jeanne Lynch passed from this life to the next on May 23, 2024 in Ruston,LA. She was born Helen Jeanne Hall in Birmingham, Alabama on May 20, 1933, the second child to Clarence C. Hall and Helen Hitt Hall.
Surrounded by her extended family in the Titus community, her childhood was filled with music, academics and farm life. She was a graduate of Wetumpka High School, Auburn University (then Alabama Polytechnic Institute) with both a Bachelors in Elementary Education and a Masters in History, and LA Tech with a Masters in Child Development. During a long career as a Kindergarten teacher, Jeanne was a member of LACUS, Delta Kappa Gamma, P.E.O. (Philanthropic Educational Organization)), and DAR.
She married Wesley Otis (W.O.) Lynch, Jr. on September 1, 1951.
Police Reports
•
Following a brief employment at Alabama Polytechnic Institute(Auburn), W.O. accepted the call to ministry. Upon graduation from seminary, they embarked on 34 years of ministry together in the Methodist Church, serving appointments in Shongaloo, Cotton Valley, Minden, Ruston, Lafayette, Shreveport, and New Orleans. Jeanne is preceded in death by her husband Rev. W.O. Lynch, Jr., parents Clarence C. and Helen Hitt Hall, her brothers John C. Hall and Philip C. Hall and brother-inlaw Donald H. Moultrie. She is survived by her siblings Henry E. Hall (Jane)(H.E. Hall followed in death, June 9th) and Mary Elizabeth “Ibbie” Hall Moultrie (Don), her sisters-in-law Faye Hall (John) and Mary Hall (Philip), her 4 children and their spouses Wesley O. Lynch, III, DDS (Deborah), Libbi Lynch Ellis (Chaplin. Maj. Jeff, ret), Alicia Lynch, David C. Lynch (Cheryl Ph.D.), her 12 grandchildren and their spouses Wesley O Lynch, IV (Lori), Johnathan D. Lynch, Stephen A. Lynch (Cassidy), Emily Ellis, Olivia Ellis Sanders (Matthew), Adelai Lynch, Tabby
Self (Shane), Mindy Menard, and 8 great grandchildren Brynn Lynch, Nora Lynch, Vivienne Lynch, Dominic Self, Alex Self, Emily Self, Ian LeMarie-Menard and Piper LeMarie-Menard.
Jeanne and W.O., lovingly known as Meme and Papa, were devoted to their children and grandchildren, passing on their curiosity of adventure and instilling in them a sense of connection and belonging. In retirement, they were active in their church and with their church family. They enjoyed traveling throughout their married life. They were fond of camping in the US, including trips to Alaska. They also enjoyed international travel to Nova Scotia and Europe, often traveling with their siblings. They loved storytelling festivals, especially the annual International Storytelling Festival in Tennessee. Often taking their children and grandchildren with them, they impressed upon them the importance of telling their own story.
Jeanne lived a full and wonderful life and now she is whole again in our Lord’s arms and with loved ones.
Two prisoners connected to crimes in Elmore County denied parole
TPI STAFF Staff Report
Darius Ramon Merkerson and Alvin Keith Holloway will remain in prison after the Alabama Bureau of Pardons and Parole denied a chance for their release this week. According to Alabama Department of
Correction records, Merkerson, 38, is five months into a three-
year prison sentence for fraudulent use of a credit card. He is currently incarcerated at Kilby Correctional Facility. Merkerson’s next chance at a parole hearing is in February. He is scheduled for release from prison in March 2026.
Holloway, 33, has served 15 years of a
20-year prison sentence from a 2010 murder conviction in Monroe County. While in state prison in Elmore County, Holloway was convicted of second-degree assault in 2013 and sentenced to four years in prison.
He is currently incarcerated at Elmore Correctional Facility.
Kowaliga Retreat residents encouraged to boil water
TPI STAFF
Staff Report
A boil water notice has been issued by Central Elmore Water and Sewer Authority.
The utility authority was repairing a water leak Saturday when an improperly installed sewer lateral was damaged.
“ADEM was immediately notified,” CEWSA wrote in a social media post. “Out of caution once water service is back online, CEWSA will flush the mains then take a Bac-T sample Sunday morning.”
Those using water off of Castaway Island Road on 1st Retreat,
Test results from the Alabama Department of Public Health should be available Monday morning. Until then residents in the affected area are urged to boil water before use.
2nd Retreat, 3rd Retreat, 4th Retreat, 5th Retreat, 6th Retreat, 7th Retreat, 8th Retreat, Shoreline Drive, Hale Loop, Shoreline Court and Sweeney Drive are advised to boil water for least two minutes before using it. No other areas are impacted.
Test results from the Alabama Department of Public Health should be available Monday morning. Until then residents in the affected area are urged to boil water before use.
ADPH said on its website to ensure destruction of all harmful bacteria and other microbes, all tap water within the defined area used for drinking, food preparation and making ice should be boiled prior to consumption.
“Some of the effects of drinking contaminated water can be immediate,” ADPH said. “These include gastrointestinal illnesses such as nausea, vomiting, cramps and diarrhea.”
HOLLOWAY MERKERSON
CLIFF WILLIAMS TPI
Central Elmore Water and Sewer Authority had to flush the water lines near a development off of Castaway Road over the weekend after a possible sewage contamination.
Humane Society of Elmore County News
Don’t make excuses as a pet owner
By REA CORD HSEC Executive Director
Moving, too active, no time for, cannot afford, too big, digs, can’t find homes for the litter, chewing everything, new baby, allergic, too old, keeps running off, got a younger one, can’t take care of, don’t need any more, can’t control, scared of, getting aggressive, keeps breaking the chain, sheds too much, won’t housetrain, not using litter box, too many animals, new partner doesn’t like, kept her puppy/kitten instead, jumps on people, needs too much attention, neighbors complaining, wrong color, chasing livestock (especially free-roaming chickens), killed another animal, not protective enough, children not taking care of, simply don’t want.
All of the above are reasons we have been told by owners surrendering their pets.
For those unpredictable life changes or unavoidable situations where rehoming a pet is in the pet’s best interest or a true necessity for the owner we are glad our shelter is able to help both the pet and the owner. But our reality is that far too many pets are surrendered for lack of homework before getting the pet, or lack of a true lifetime commitment to that pet.
Responsible pet ownership means making sure you are not only ready to take on a pet when it is lit-
tle and cute, but you will commit to caring for that same pet throughout its entire life. That entails all the challenges of raising and training a puppy or kitten and then also dealing with it during adolescence when you are ready to throw in the towel until the pet matures and settles down.
It means committing to providing adequate food and fresh water, shelter, containment to keep the pet safe, bathing and grooming, exercise, vaccinations and necessary veterinary care, pooper scooper patrol, cage cleaning (for a smaller critter) and spaying or neutering to prevent unwanted offspring. And it means dealing with all of this for the entire 10-15-20 year lifespan of that pet, to include the infirmities that come with old age, even in our pets.
In this age of the internet, books, experts and TV, doing some homework before obtaining a pet is just too easy You might find out that either the pet you were thinking of just might not work for your family or situation, or you can confirm all the good things you were hoping for. And these resources can also help you learn how to best raise that pet so that it becomes a well-adjusted and loved member of the family.
All of the above is why we want to work with our adopters to help try and find the best match for their family, energy level,
personality and living situation. All puppies are cute, but if an adopter lives in a small apartment and works all day, then an active Labrador pup guaranteed to chew everything and that will eventually turn into a 70 lb adult just might not be a great fit. A reactive and nervous small dog might be risky in a home with a toddler, and a declawed kitty certainly cannot go to an adopter who wants an outdoor cat! So, bear with us as we ask questions about lifestyle and home and family as we truly do have not only our pet’s best interest at heart, but the adopter’s as well.
We ask prospective pet parents to please think before you obtain a pet, do some homework and take into account that any pet you get is completely dependent on YOU for its future. For those who find a stray and want to help – once you have done the due diligence to make sure there is no one missing the pet, please take it to a Veterinarian for a check-up, vaccinations AND make an appointment for spay or neuter surgery without delay Far too many preventable and unwanted litters are brought to us from strays a family kept but never had spayed. Please be a part of the solution to pet overpopulation instead of part of the cause.
Rea Cord is the executive director of the Humane Society of Elmore County.
Rebuild Alabama resurfaces county roads
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
Roads in Elmore County are getting resurfaced thanks to funds collected through Rebuild Alabama.
In fiscal year 2025, the Elmore County Commission has approved 15.61 miles of resurfacing and guardrail work spending about $2.5 million for the work. It is much more work than the county could do without the relatively new gas tax.
“If we did not have the gas tax, none of these projects would be possible,” Elmore County chief engineer Luke McGinty said. “We would not have a yearly resurfacing program without it.”
McGinty was worried the county wouldn’t be able to do as much work as in years past because of escalating costs. In previous years, the county has resurfaced between 13 and 20 miles of county roads.
More than $6.5 million has been
Pet of the Week — Ralph
Ralph is 7-months old; he is possibly a lab type mix who weighs about 40 pounds. Ralph and his siblings were found dumped in the woods and luckily brought to us. He is a fun pup, great with other dogs, tail wags a mile a minute and is just looking for a family to call his own.
The Humane Society of Elmore County’s adoption fees are $100 for dogs and $50 for cats under 1 year old. Cats over 1 can be adopted by approved adopters for a fee of their choosing. This adoption fee covers the mandatory spay or neuter, basic
immunizations, deworming, microchip, heartworm check for dogs, rabies vaccination if old enough and a free health exam with your participating veterinarian.
If you are interested in meeting Cola or any of the pets at HSEC, the first step is to fill out an adoption application online. Once approved, you will be contacted by someone from the humane society. HSEC is located at 255 Central Plank Road in Wetumpka. The phone number is 334567-3377 and the website is www. elmorehumane.org.
spent on Elmore County roads since 2020 resurfacing on average about 15 miles per year. It sounds like a lot of work and it is, but it is small in comparison to the amount of roads
Elmore County maintains.
McGinty said there are about 1,000 miles Elmore County is responsible for. About 800 miles are paved. Prior to Rebuild Alabama the county had resurfacing projects only about every three years.
“We would have resurfacing programs about every three years where we had local funds,” McGinty said.
“This is about $1.6 million worth of work in a year instead of about $500,000 every three years.”
Even with more funds available, the county tries to stretch them as they can go by grouping the resurfacing projects. It saves on costs to move equipment when the county bids the paving projects.
CLIFF WILLIAMS TPI
Jug Factory Road will be surfaced thanks to funding from Rebuild Alabama in fiscal year 2025. Part of the funding comes from Elmore County’s allocation of gas taxes and the remainder comes from grant funding under Rebuild Alabama.
Kenneth Boone, Chairman
Manager
Tippy Hunter, General
Lizi Arbogast Gwin, Managing Editor
Page A4 • July 24, 2024
The art scene is thriving
The city of Wetumpka was shaken up late last week when the news of artist Don Sawyer passing away was made public knowledge.
Sawyer was a staple in Wetumpka with his signature Hollywood Fish gracing the walls of every business in downtown. His art was well known and was everywhere across town.
Sawyer cared about art and loved the Wetumpka art scene, and that scene is going to continue growing even in the wake of the tragic loss.
Just last week, the Kelly Fitzpatrick Center for the Arts had two big events. The first was adding digital art in the children’s area thanks to more than $14,000 in grant funding from Mid-South RC&D. That allows children to use their iPads to create digital art.
The Kelly then hosted its opening night for the Fantasy and Fiction exhibit. Aliens, fairies, Jeannies, pixies, pirates and sleuths are not the typical art you’d see around downtown, but it opens up an avenue for many creative people who enjoy fantasy aspects.
Just last month, there were over 50 booths lined down the street in Wetumpka’s downtown as the Downtown Wetumpka Artists Show.
It will take a long time for residents to get over the death of Sawyer, but Sawyer would be a happy man seeing art flourishing the way it is in Wetumpka right now.
He was the pillar that really started the art movement downtown, and he will continue to be at the forefront even in death. As Wetumpka continues to grow in art, so will Sawyer’s name.
And just take a look around town. It’s growing at a rate that nobody but Sawyer could have expected.
What’s
your
Opinion?
We’d like to share your thoughts and opinions with the community for free. You may submit one letter to the editor per month (300 words or less) and/or a guest column (500 words or less). Include name, address and phone number. We reserve the right to refuse any submissions. Mail: Your View, The Wetumpka Herald 127 Company Street, Wetumpka, AL 36092 E-mail: editorelmore@thewetumpkaherald.com
Obituaries: 35 cents per word with a $25 charge for picture per paper (Herald, Observer, Tribune). Obituaries are only accepted via the funeral home in charge of arrangements. We do not accept obituaries from individuals. Weddings, Engagements, Anniversaries, or Birth Announcements: These significant family events or milestones are 35 cents per word and $25 for a photo and must be emailed to us at announcements@thewetumpkaherald.com. Include name and telephone number. The text for the announcement must be in the body of the email (not as an attachment) and photographs must be sent as a .jpeg attached to the email. Announcements will appear within 10 days in The Herald or The Tribune.
We reserve the right to refuse to print any advertisement, news story, photograph or any other material submitted to us for any reason or no reason at all.
The publisher reserves the right to change subscription rates during the term of subscription with a 30-day notice. The notice can be mailed to the subscriber, or by notice in the newspaper itself. To subscribe or if you missed your paper, call Baily Terry or Linda Ewing at 256-234-4281.
The Wetumpka Herald is contract printed each Tuesday evening in Alexander City by Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. 256-234-4281
It’s OK to disagree respectfully
Our newspapers include a weekly column, such as the one you’re reading now. These are not news articles. They are opinions. I’ve written about my children, high school friends, sports tourism, why everyone should subscribe to the paper, etc. The ultimate goal of columns is to start a conversation and give readers information they may not have otherwise considered. These are not the same as editorial news written after research from credible sources.
My question today is, where is it written that if we disagree with one another we should respond with insults and accusations?
This won’t be my most popular column and if you disagree with me, I’m OK with that. I’m also OK with having a conversation so we can understand each other’s point of view or, better yet, grow from understanding each other. Let’s start with the fact that it is written absolutely nowhere we should agree on everything, and yet, insults and rudeness are plenty when it involves disagreeing with something written in a column. This is dangerous and there’s no room for personal growth.
I see two problems with this, and there are probably others. The first being what kind of a boring, bland world would it be if we all thought, acted, dreamed, believed and spoke the same thoughts. Think about this, when the idea of the World Wide Web was introduced, credible experts and the general population thought it was a fad. Lucky for us product development teams didn’t buy into the notion, right? What about that
TIPPY HUNTER General Manager
time someone suggested women be allowed to vote? What would have happened the day someone recommended replacing horse-drawn carriages with gasoline-powered automobiles if we all shared the same thoughts? The list goes on. We know now these ideas changed the trajectory of the world for the good, but they weren’t immediately embraced. My guess is through mature conversations these ideas were executed by those who were open to listening and understanding each other. What a cool thought! Another problem with shutting out different viewpoints is it leaves neither side room to grow. Let’s say you disagree with someone, and instead of having a well-intentioned conversation, you lash out. At that point you’d need a hearing aid sized for an elephant to be heard. If indeed you are right, oh well. You tuned out your audience. If you’re wrong or there’s a middle ground where you can both learn and grow, that’s lost too. I use the word conversation above. None of this addresses the popularity of insult posting. At a minimum if you wouldn’t say it to someone’s face, don’t type it with your fingers. And if you would say it to someone’s face and it rides a line of rudeness, consider the above elephant hearing aids. Attracting more flies with honey
is a common phrase, but the entire saying reads “You attract more flies with honey than with vinegar.”
Think about that the next time you consider naming a local business because their drinks aren’t as strong as they used to be (which is not true by the way), or you go so far as to recommend boycotting a local restaurant because of a Facebook post that is guaranteed to not be the whole story — you need your local media for the facts, not social media. And don’t get me started on anonymous posts.
It's OK we won't always agree. Let’s talk about it, sensibly and honestly. Through mutual respect, which I believe gets lost on social media, we learn from each other or agree to disagree. Write a letter to the editor
A gentleman reached out this week with a grievance, to which I suggested a letter to the editor. Although he disagreed with a recent column, he did it in a manner that encourages you to listen and understand another viewpoint.
If you’re still with me and open to my opinion, I’d like to ask you to think about this. If I allow our journalists to publish only what I believe, we are no better than the national media, which everyone claims only tells us what it wants us to hear. We would not be a credible source if you only hear from one person on our staff or if I vetted what could be published in a weekly column based on what I alone believe. That is one-sided media and TPI will never be OK with that.
Tippy Hunter is the general manager of Tallapoosa Publishers Inc.
Sawyer laid foundation
The best way to honor Don Sawyer is to carry on his vision — promote the arts and Wetumpka.
I’ve been reporting on Wetumpka for a few years now and Don was one of the first to welcome me to the community. He did it in his own way just like he did with everyone I talked to Friday after the news of Don’s death made its way through Wetumpka and the arts community. Don had a way of pulling anyone and everybody under his wing.
Shellie Phelps encountered Don in her first month and he encouraged her to continue creating. John Perdue credits almost his entire art career to Don. Robert Mullins was his pastor but they quickly became friends talking about art, blues music and of course the Bible.
“I never saw Don with a paint brush that there wasn’t a Bible next to him,” Phelps said. Don wasn’t a one hit wonder with his Hollywood Fish he first started painting while living at the beach working as a successful realtor.
Don’s first career was as a soldier in Vietnam after a high school football career in Dothan. He was a successful salesman.
“He could sell a snowball to an Eskimo,” Phelps said. Don was an artist as well.
Don’s brush strokes can be seen in his Hollywood Fish that adorns most every business in town. His work is on
the new Farmers Market. Don and the gang of artists he encouraged were part of the reason HGTV came to town.
Even before Ben and Erin came to town, Don was molding Wetumpka into an art town.
More importantly Don was an encourager.
Don didn’t just encourage artists to mimic his style of abstract expressionism he found in Van Gogh and others. He helped artists to find their own style. For John it was paper mache. For others it was copper and others it was stained glass. Others like Shelly found themselves using some of Don’s yellow and purple in paintings.
But the one constant was Wetumpka. Don partnered many artists with downtown Wetumpka businesses.
Don knew well before many others art attracted guests with money They would walk around and look at art, buy art and shop in the stores and eat in the restaurants it hung in.
Don was one of the driving forces behind the Wetumpka of today.
HGTV saw it.
I saw Don’s vision on the many
times I rode in his white pickup truck. We would circle the round about from his Company Street studio. Ride along the streets — Orline, Hill, Company and Main — the Wetumpka triangle and onto the Hill overlooking it all. Don shared stories. I always listened even when I didn’t have the time. Don knew what he was talking about. Don had a vision for downtown.
“It’s the perfect venue,” he said. “It’s small but great. We have a way to shut down the streets and allow people to walk and shop. It’s the arts that will bring them. We can add music on stages at the end of the streets.” Don walked the walk too. He did more than just share his vision. He went to the Wetumpka City Council meeting trying to shut down the streets for the Downtown Artists of Wetumpka shows. When that didn’t always work, he got buy-in from downtown businesses to close parking spots and moved the show to the edge of the street. On those quarterly Saturdays Don didn’t just sit at his studio. He walked. He rode a golf cart checking on his friends, the artists. It was people he had convinced of his vision of an arts town and more. It’s a vision that’s still in its infancy and still needs carried out.
Cliff Williams is the news editor of Tallapoosa Publishers Inc.’s Elmore County newspapers. He can be reached at cliff.williams@thewetumpkaherald.com.
CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
Coosada challenges recent Millbrook annexation attempt
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
Town of Coosda officials are contemplating what to do as the City of Millbrook attempts to annex unincorporated property at the request of the property owner.
At the center of the discussion is a single parcel on Chapman Road that is currently in neither corporate boundaries of Coosada or Millbrook but lies partially in the police jurisdiction of both towns.
“It lies mostly in the Town of Coosada’s (police) jurisdiction,” Coosada Mayor Jim Houston said. “In order to do 100% annexation it can’t lie in the corporate limits or police jurisdiction of another municipality.”
At its last meeting the City of Millbrook had a first reading of an ordinance to annex up to the current boundary of the city’s police jurisdiction. It is primed for three more ordinances to annex the entire property.
“I contacted (Millbrook) Mayor (Al) Kelley by email to cease the annexation,” Houston said.
Coosada officials said they believe recent legislation locked the police jurisdictions in place so they cannot be extended. It also required municipalities to file with the state taxes it collected in the police jurisdiction.
Coosada didn’t meet the deadline but it is still allowed to collect a fire fee as part of annual property tax collections. The town has also asked for public safety fees to supplement the loss of revenue due to the act.
“From my standpoint it is not a legal annexation if it goes through,” Houston said. “We may have to go to court to overturn it. It is not being done legally if it proceeds like this.”
Houston discussed the matter at a special called meeting last week where there was no quorum present.
Millbrook city clerk Lori Davis attended the Coosada meeting to answer the questions she could as she handles the majority of Millbrook's ordinances.
“There is legislation that says we can,” Davis said. “We just want a conversation. We are not trying to have any beef with Coosada in any way. These people are coming to us.”
Houston contends under current legislation Coosada would have to pass an ordinance giving up its police jurisdiction over the property for Millbrook to fully annex it.
Councilmembers Howard Goza and Anthony Powell said they wanted to know where the county commission was in the matter.
“Something is going on that our county commissioner knows about, Mayor Kelley knows about but we are being kept in the dark,” Powell said. “Where is our county commissioner for District 5? It has been brought to her attention. We need to get her involved.”
Communication may be limited with the Elmore County Commission as the town has filed suit for the county’s lack of road maintenance. Coosada has also filed suit against the Elmore County Fire Fighters Association over fire district maps and the collection of fire fees.
Goza also wants a new town attorney for the day-today matters the town deals with and with matters such as the annexation and map issues the town seems to keep having.
“We need to hire a good attorney to stop this mess for now on,” Goza said. “I don’t know who that attorney might be.”
Fantasy and Fiction draws crowd on opening night
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
Aliens, fairies, Jeannies, pixies, pirates and sleuths came out as The Kelly Fitzgerald Center of the Arts held a reception for its current exhibition Fantasy and Fiction.
The costumed-filled gallery served as the backdrop for a fun evening celebrating art of all kinds. Artist Dale Lewis has a sculpture piece titled Heartbreaker and Other Cliches welcoming everyone to the gallery. One person everyone knows as Cookie brought it to life for the opening.
“She is a mess,” Lewis said. “I didn’t know she was going to do that. Someone said a piece had been done copying my work. It was inspired by my sculpture. She is a character too.”
Lewis is from Oneonta, Alabama, and has been working in wood for 45 years. He has four
BOE member votes no on financial statements
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
The expenses surrounding a school system governed by the Elmore County Board of Education are expansive.
There are more than 1,200 employees and more than a dozen campuses. There numerous local, state and federally funded projects to be managed. It all must be approved by the board. Lots of the information is summarized in monthly financial reports the board is required by state law to approve monthly. Board member Leisa Finley believes the board should have more information to make the decision. She voted against a motion last week to approve June financials for the county school system. It is after she made a personal request for documents of the system.
“My reason is to make an educated decision on the items on the agenda for approval,” Finley said at the board meeting last week.
“Over a month has passed and I have not received the information requested.”
Finley said she will no longer be able to vote to approve the monthly financial statements as they are currently presented to the board.
“I’m not sure why it is such an issue to get the information,” Finley said. “There was a time it was on the system’s website.”
Finally made her records request on June 10 and got a response on July 8. In the meeting Finely said she requested a check register listing payment of expenses of the system and for credit card statements. Following the meeting she said her request was more expansive than that. It also included documentation for travel expenses for comp time earned and used for central office staff.
The request covered information from the last six months.
Board chair David Jones said the request would require a $250 deposit. It is a procedural request to avoid exuberant records requests.
“This has been an issue previously,” superintendent Richard Dennis said. “If it is going to take excessive time, like hours upon hours, there will be a cost. I have made staff aware no information is to be made available unless it comes through me.
Dennis explained after the meeting a previous request by a media outlet sought volumes of documents requiring dozens of hours to collate and redact. A member of the outlet looked through the records that were pulled, printed and redacted and only paid for the fraction they took.
Dennis said the request cost the school system legal fees for the redaction and cost staff multiple hours of work.
The board attorney responded to Finley and her records request.
“Your status as a board member does not give you greater access to this information than any other member of the public,” Finley said the statement read. “This request will be handled in accordance with the records request law that applies to all citizens.”
An Alabama Attorney General's Opinion states governmental bodies can charge for the costs of records requests.
Finley said she did not wish to go forward with the request because of the costs involved.
Ultimately the monthly financials were approved by the board with Finley voting against the measure and Wendell Saxon abstaining from the vote.
At the meeting, the board honored numerous students who did well at state and national competitions in SkillsUSA and FCCLA.
I N OTHER ACTION THE ELMORE
COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION:
• Approved the minutes of the June 25 meeting.
• Approved a bid from Jani-King for janitorial services in the amount of $1,156,899.
• Approved personnel actions.
• Approved a salary schedule. Finley abstained from the vote.
pieces in the Fantasy and Fiction Show.
“I have had people sort of be inspired by my work,” Lewis said. “Nobody has copied quite like that.”
Cookie’s real name is Martha Eileen. She is always volunteering around The Kelly and saw Lewis’ piece on Tuesday with Kelly just two days before the opening reception.
“They encouraged us to dress up,” Cookie said. “I said maybe I can emulate that. It wasn’t that hard to. I wasn’t going to do a mask but somebody said to me I had to. I added that.”
Cookie made a custom sweatshirt with a heart, hearts in gloved hands and a heart shaped mask. It mimicked Lewis’ wood sculpture. She stood with Lewis’ work as more than 100 guests arrived. Having fun in any situation is something she is accustomed to. It even led to her nickname.
The fun nickname came from her brothers as the siblings entertained themselves with the only things available — the radio and comic strips. Dagwood and Blondie were a favorite among the comic strips and there was a baby named Cookie. The brothers thought the name was appropriate for their sister and it stuck. Decades later nobody knows Cookie by any other name. At 82 she proudly greeted everyone and no one was surprised.
“It’s who she is,” The Kelly director Jennifer Eifert said. It all fit in fine with Lewis who likes to use his imagination too as he dressed as a Dracula character.
“It’s whatever comes to mind,” Lewis said. “It is sort of the way I do my work.” Fantasy and Fiction is up through Sept. 17. The Kelly is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday.
CLIFF WILLIAMS | TPI
Martha Eileen, better known as Cookie, imitated Dale Lewis’ artwork for The Kelly’s opening reception for Fantasy and Fiction. Guests were encouraged to dress in costume for the occasion.
PHOTOS
Still time for the Millbrook Farmers Market
GRANTS
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funding from Mid-South RC&D. Children will now be able to use iPads to create digital art and print it out.
“We are so excited about
the new space and activities we can offer,” The Kelly director Jennifer Eifert said.
First Community Bank of Central Alabama contributed greatly to creating the children’s space at The Kelly.
The RC&D grant funding cabinets, tables, stools, a printer and the iPads with cases and pens.
LEADERS
It’s small things RC&D likes to identify to support with state funding appropriated to it by the Alabama legislature.
“Mid-South RC&D does a great job getting projects across the finish line,” state representative Troy Stubbs
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residential part of the program.
“You can’t look into the future without knowing the past,” EFC program director Jesus Salcido said. “There are a lot of similarities between the Civil Rights movement and the time we are in today. The power is in their voice.”
This year’s encampment is headquartered at Alabama State University and last week they visited the Elmore County Black History Museum to get a more personal history lesson from museum curator Billie Rawls and others. The 17 campers from across the country also got a chance to interact with youth from the area.
“They will find a lot of the issues they feel are local here, also
SAWYER
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said. “We have a lot of great organizations throughout Elmore County that have great ideas but in many instances they lack a little bit of funding.” Stubbs said many organizations will get the majority of the project done and RC&D will help fill the gaps
translate to communities back home,” Salcido said.
The group has walked across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma and visited the Civil Rights sites in Montgomery along with the Equal Justice Initiative sites. While the museum in Wetumpka might be small, it is significant. It is one of fewer than a dozen Rosenwald schools still standing in Alabama and houses artifacts with personal connections to Elmore County. It also has presenters who lived through the Civil Rights movement who are not necessarily represented by name in bigger projects.
“There is something to be said for local history where they say this is my family member,” Salcido said. “This person lived down the street. It teaches them people in their commu -
Sawyer promoted the arts through his Company Street studio, hosting shows with his Downtown Wetumpka Artists friends and encouraging others to find their own passions within art.
One such person was paper mache artist John Perdue, who said Sawyer was a great friend and mentor.
“He got me started with my art career,” Perdue said. “He catapulted my art career. I wouldn’t be where I am today without him.”
Wetumpka’s entire art scene wouldn’t have been the same without Sawyer.
“He was a driving force for art in Wetumpka,” The Kelly executive director Jennifer Eifert said.
“He sent us so many artists.” Sawyer partnered with many people to promote the arts in Wetumpka, and found God along the way as he wandered into Crossroads Community Church in Elmore
“He showed up at church one night,” pastor Robert Mullins said. “The first time I met him he walked up to me and said I need you to send me to a website to teach me everything you know about God.”
Mullins challenged him to learn the books of the Bible and study the book of John. Mullins told Sawyer he could then join the church’s men’s group. The two became close friends and Sawyer started to offer painting classes at the church.
Mullins finally used his art
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“The more tonnage we can get in a smaller radius the better price we get on asphalt,” McGinty said. “We take that into account when we are fine tuning our final list.”
Notable roads on the upcoming lists are Central Road in the Eclectic community.
“It has a lot of truck traffic on it,” McGinty said. “I think everyone will be happy to see it improved.”
Jug Factory Road is being resurfaced using funds from Elmore
in local fundraising efforts.
“Oftentimes Mid-South RC&D identifies great projects such as this, supplement the funding and move the project forward across the finish line,” Stubbs said. “I like this project because it has to do with kids. That is our future.”
nity are history makers even if they don’t get the platform or national recognition. Both are important.”
The 17 campers come from different backgrounds. They are white, Black, Hispanic and more. In Wetumpka, they were hosted by area youth and museum curator Billie Rawls. She reached out to area churches and organizations to bring together a diverse youth group.
Wetumpka High School junior Rutledge Rodgers answered the call and learned something not only about the encampment but a different side to Elmore County.
“It is giving me a different view and perspective of our community,” Rodgers said.
The conversations experienced by youth at the encampment is exactly what Salcido and EFC are looking for. It leads to respect of
degree with the help of Sawyer, and Preacher Man Art began. The pair’s time began to extend beyond the church and into Sawyer’s personal studio at home.
“Every Wednesday morning I would spend about two to three hours with him,” Mullins said.
“We would paint. That went on for two years. We were talking about Jesus, listening to good blues music and painting for a long time together.”
Sawyer was also a rock in the church.
“He was an encourager of a lot of people,” Mullins said. “We disciple with everything in our life and teach people about God by all the things he put in our life. Art was one of those things for Don.”
Sawyer was a self-taught artist. He started when Guillain-Barre syndrome took away some of his mobility.
“During that period of time he was like, ‘What am I going to do?’” Mullins said. “Art is what he picked up. Don was the kind of person if he was going to do something, he was going to excel at it or he was going to quit.”
Very quickly Sawyer was studying Van Gogh, Picasso, Monet and other famous artists; however, Van Gogh was his favorite.
“He began to paint with a knife and took off in doing that,” Mullins said. “He would tell you he was an abstract expressionist and a colorist.”
Sawyer’s Hollywood Fish in Wetumpka came to life as he lived at the beach and worked as a realtor. It was something else Sawyer excelled at.
“He was basically one of the
County’s Rebuild Alabama allocation and from the grant program associated with Rebuild Alabama.
“It will allow the entire roadway to be paved,” McGinty said. “Jug Factory has always been a cut through road, even when it was a dirt road.”
Other Elmore County roads to be improved under Rebuild Alabama 2025 include portions of Marina Road, Circle Lane, Gladys Drive, Jordan Beach Road, Tankersley Road, Tankersley Lane, Rays Cove, Summit Drive, Summit Circle, Deer Track Road, Shawnee Drive,
differing backgrounds, ethnicities, political leanings and more.
“The idea is not to allow facism to rise again,” Salcido said. “We want to build communities with different people and different walks of life.”
EFC has been around since 1946. The encampment creates a diverse community where the youth create a government for the three weeks they are together in person. The experiment gives youth a chance to see how important respect in a democracy is.
“It is extremely important to get the message across to them,” Salcido said.
“They are the future change makers. Some are just about to be old enough to vote. It’s important because a lot of their time these days is spent on social media and on distractions.”
best realtors in the nation at one point in his 40s,” Mullins said. Mullins was with Sawyer as HGTV started to film Hometown Takeover. It was a vision Sawyer had years before to make Wetumpka an art town. Mullins said in the height of the COVID19 pandemic Sawyer invited a few of his artist friends to Company Street to sell art and paint. It was the beginning of The Village Artists. It is also the beginnings of the Downtown Artists Wetumpka.
A drone hovered overhead filming Sawyer and Mullins.
“Long story short, Don’s efforts were relentless and he kept going and kept going and kept going,” Mullins said. “Now Wetumpka is an art town.” Sawyer worked with businesses matching them to artists. Mullins was one of the first outside of Sawyer. Now shoppers would be hard pressed to find a store in downtown Wetumpka without art connected to Sawyer in some form for sale.
“He brought in people from out of town,” Phelps said. “He created the downtown art shows. He has created events where we can continue to elevate Wetumpka through the arts.”
It’s an image high school classmate and downtown Wetumpka art gallery owner Marcia Weber shares.
“He has done what a lot of people would not do,” Weber said. “He rolled up his sleeves and gave for the arts for the sake of art. The arts in Wetumpka will be much poorer without Don. We are going to really miss him. I don’t know who will fill the void.”
Cherokee Drive, Cherokee Circle, George Road, Perkins Street, Tide Drive and James Road.
Work will also be done on guard rails on Nobles Road, Ceaserville Road, Redland Road, Mt. Zion Road, Balm Road, Weoka Road, Friendship Road, Rifle Range Road and Jug Factory Road.
The guard rail work is another type of work the county groups together to get the most from the money available.
“That is something we can’t do in house,” McGinty said. “We have to get a contractor to come in. We bunch those together to get a number of repairs to a volume to make it worthwhile for a contractor.”
Another project garnering attention is a culvert replacement on Rifle Range Road. It is being done almost completely with county employees with supplies and materials purchased with ARPA funding. The work forced a section of the road to be closed for six weeks and it should be re-opening soon.
“We are on schedule,” McGinty said. “We should finish this week weather permitting.”
Something is still missing
Greetings from the corner of Bridge and Bridge! The dry heat of June and early July has given way to the steamy, stormy heat of late July. At least we don’t have to worry about the grass spontaneously catching fire!
I wish we could say the same for our current political state. I write this week’s column in the immediate wake of Joe Biden’s withdrawal from the 2024 Presidential race. For a very brief moment, national conversation involved words that should be commonplace in relation to politics. Words like respect, statesmanship, and dignity were heard and read.
I say brief for a reason. Those words disappeared as quickly as they emerged. The favorite words of the last decade came roaring back.
REV. JONATHAN YARBORO Columnist
Words like cowardice, weakness, futility, incompetence, and loser joined phrases like abandoning ship and deserting the troops. The one word that stands above all others is winner
Last week started with Donald Trump and J.D. Vance being confirmed as the Republican contenders for the White House and ended with Joe Biden planning his exit from it. This week will feature the Democratic response to Biden’s departure and Republican commentary on those
happenings. Something is missing , though.
I do not claim to know where anyone reading this column stands on any current issue facing our nation. I do know how the overwhelming majority of people I am in contact with feel in general about our current process. Many Americans are disgusted and in disbelief.
I have friends on both sides of the aisles in terms of party affiliation and issues facing our nation. Each party and respective candidate has a position on these issues. While positions differ from party to party, most of the issues are the same.
The economy, relationships with other nations, immigration and border issues, health care, and rising violence are all on everybody’s radar.
Church Briefs
Everyone except the major candidates for public office, that is. The 2024 Presidential election has little to do with issues and everything to do with winning. For months, all we have heard is commentary on who can beat whom or who cannot beat whom. The focus of our national political rhetoric has been winners and losers. It seems to have overlooked the fact that such a focus results in everyone losing, which apparently is the most likely outcome if something doesn’t change quickly. Let us all be clear about one thing. The change that needs to happen has little to do with the name of the candidate in the race. Changing that name from Trump or Biden to some other name will not change anything. Our
collective rhetoric and expectations must change.
Until the voting public demands conversation about matters of substance, such as the economy, international relationships, immigration challenges, health care, and a rising culture of violence, we will all be left with winners and losers. The sad part is that winning is an illusion.
We as a nation have lost sight of the concept of the greater good our country was built upon. It was far from perfect, but the concept was unique. Equality for all as the foundational goal of addressing issues has amazing potential. We the people keep missing it. Time for change.
in the sanctuary We will continue with Facebook Live Sunday School at 9:30 a.m. and Worship Service at 11 a.m.
CARRVILLE BAPTIST CHURCH
Regular hours of service are Sundays- 9 a.m. Sunday School and 10 a.m. Morning Worship.
Wednesday nights at 6:30 p.m. the church offers Children’s Gospel Project, Youth Bible Study and Adult Prayer Meeting. Regular office hours are Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
EAST TALLASSEE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
ETUMC’s Rivers Edge Flea Market is now closed. The church will start a new project called Rivers Edge Food Pantry. ETUMC will provide canned food, water, dry beans and rice, blan-
kets, and jackets. If you want to donate or help with the cause, call Joan Wood at 334-312-4913.
EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF THE EPIPHANY
Please join us for Sunday services at 10:30 a.m. when the Rev. Lee Lowery will celebrate the Holy Eucharist. We are asking everyone please to wear a mask. The service will be live streamed on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ EpiphanyTallassee/ For more information, visit the
church website at http:// epiphanytallassee.org/ FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
First Presbyterian Church, located at 514 Central Blvd. will host a Veteran’s Day Celebration on Nov. 11 from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. for all veterans and first responders and their family members.
FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
“We are OPEN and everyone is WELCOME!
Come worship with us in person Sunday mornings at 8:50 a.m. (contemporary) or 11 a.m. (traditional). Sunday School for all ages is offered Sunday mornings at 10 a.m., and a nursery is available for infants.
CHILDREN & YOUTH: meet Sunday evenings from 5-6:30 p.m. and Wednesday evenings from 6-7:15 p.m.; supper is included both days! For more information about our church or the programs we offer, visit our website: fumctallassee.com or call us: 334-283-2195.
FUMC Tallassee - 1 Jordan Avenue.”
OUR LIFE’S JOURNEY Airs every Sunday at 8:30 a.m. on 580 WACQ, FM 98.5 & 101.1, on your smart speaker, your TuneIn app, or on our website www.wacqradio. com. Please share on social media. This set of programs features Msgr. Charles Troncale, Fr. Mateusz Rudzik, Fr. James Dean, Fr. David Carucci, Fr. Patrick Driscoll, and Deacon Jim Labadie.
Rev. Jonathan Yarboro is the Pastor of First Presbyterian Church, Wetumpka.
Dalton MiDDleton SportS eDitor dalton.middleton@thewetumpkaherald.com
Stanhope’s Williams taken in MLB Draft
By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor
Chase Williams is betting on himself.
The former Stanhope Elmore baseball player Chase Williams was selected in the 2024 MLB Draft last Tuesday afternoon. He was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 20th round as the 580th overall pick. Despite the life-changing moment, Williams is turning down the opportunity to play professional baseball and is going to head to Tallahassee to play for Florida State.
“You get your name called on the TV and you have a bit of silence at first and then you’re just happy and filled with excitement.”
“It’s really one of those surreal moments,” Williams said of getting drafted.
Williams and his mother, Tonya Williams, were actually riding out looking for some lunch on Tuesday when Williams got the
WETUMPKA’S DAVENPORT LEADS ALL-STARS TO WIN
By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor
Lily Davenport put on a show last Wednesday afternoon.
Davenport played in the AHSAA North/South AllStar Softball Game held at Lagoon Park in Montgomery. The Wetumpka first baseman was one of 36 rising seniors from across the state to get selected to the event and represented the South team.
Swapping in and out with another player each inning, she played seven innings at first base and helped lead the South team to a win and tie in the doubleheader.
“It’s been really great out here,” Davenport said. “I’ve gotten to meet so many cool people that I would have never met if it wasn’t for this event. I’ve gotten to practice with some of the best players in the state and that’s been really awesome and I enjoyed it.”
DALTON MIDDLETON TPI
TOP: Wetumpka senior Lily Davenport and head coach Daryl Otwell are introduced before the North/South All-Star Softball Game.
The two Indians helped the South team to a Game 1 win and Game 2 tie in the doubleheader.
ABOVE: Wetumpka’s Lily Davenport hits a single in the AHSAA North/South All-Star Softball Game. Davenport went 2-for-4 and scored two runs in the doubleheader.
Davenport and the South team won the first game of the doubleheader, 4-1, before storming back with a late game push in Game 2 that ended in an 11-11 tie. The Wetumpka star took advantage of her spot in the lineup and scored the first run of the game in Game 1. After not getting the opportunity to bat in the second in a bases loaded, two out situation, she instead led off the third inning. She got down to a twostrike count and fouled off three pitches before hitting
a line drive to center field. She advanced to second a batter later, then came around to score on a fielding error by the North team.
In her second at-bat, she fouled off four more pitches before the North pitcher got the better of her.
In Game 2, she also finished with one single and
Stanhope’s Jones runs in All-Star event
By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor
It hasn’t taken long for Tristen Jones to show he’s one of the best runners in the state. A rising senior at Stanhope Elmore, Jones raced in the AHSAA North-South All-Star Cross Country meet at Gateway Park in Montgomery last Tuesday morning.
Jones has run cross country for only a year and has seen immediate success in his young career.
Back in November, Jones placed 50th overall in the state championship a week after finishing first in the South State race. He was then selected as one of 20 rising seniors to race in the All-Star event and represented the South team.
“It’s pretty big for me to get selected,” Jones said. “For me to come out here and get the opportunity to run is just amazing. I’ve had so many people tell me that just being here is already a great accomplishment and opportunity. I’ve
had college advisors and recruiters come up to me and it’s just been great.” Jones and the South team were defeated in the race, 20-41. The North team had seven of the top 10 finishers in the race. Jones finished in 18th place out of 19 racers with an uncustomary time of 18:54.29.
In the state championship race in November, Jones set a personal-best time of 17:18.53. With the heat and humidity on Tuesday in the middle of the summer Gateway Park was a much more challenging race than usual.
“It was a really cool event,” Jones said. “The race itself was tough coming off the summer when everyone isn’t in their best shape. But my teammates and coaches were incredible and so supportive. They gave me some great advice, especially on the nasty hills. I loved the experience.”
As Jones was wrapping up his race, his
Moncus tabbed as Stanhope Elmore basketball coach
By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor
Austin Moncus and his fam -
ily knew they wanted to be at Stanhope Elmore. The Benjamin Russell and Faulkner University graduate was named the Stanhope Elmore boys basketball coach last week. He is replacing David Cochran, who was the varsity coach for the Mustangs
for the last four seasons. Moncus has spent the last five seasons as the head coach at Chilton County and led the Tigers to an 82-61 record and four playoff appearances.
“I’m excited about the opportunity,” Moncus said. “We’ve had a couple of practices so far and the kids are really bought in. They’ve worked hard. Coach Cochran laid a really good foundation for the program, so
I’m trying to build off what he did and keep things going the way they’ve been going.” When the job opened up, there was no question that Moncus was going to put his name in. Moncus has already been living in Millbrook, roughly five minutes away from the school. When discussing potential
CLIFF WILLIAMS TPI
Austin Moncus, middle, poses with Richard Dennis and Ewell Fuller after being named the head boys basketball coach at Stanhope Elmore. Moncus has a 82-61 record at Chilton County over five years.
new jobs, he and his wife Jessica always continuously mentioned that they wanted to live in the community where he coaches.
This also isn’t the first time he’s been part of the Stanhope Elmore program as he interned as a coach for the team in 2018 before he accepted the Chilton County job.
“We want to be in the community we coach in,” Moncus said. “We want to go to church there and have the kids over at the house and be involved in the community. Once I entered Millbrook, I knew it was a place I wanted to be. We felt like it was a great fit. They have a really good culture, school, administration and kids.”
Moncus has had plenty of success in his short head coaching career. In just five seasons, he has racked up 82 wins and has claimed backto-back 20 win seasons the last two years.
He took over a program in 2019 that won five games the year prior, and instantly improved wins each of his first three years.
He has recorded over 18 wins each of the last three years and has reached the AHSAA Class 6A Sweet 16. Now he hopes to bring that mentality and success to Millbrook. That starts with instilling a work ethic and teamwork that is second to none.
Moncus wants his team to be the first to lay out for a loose ball. He wants his team to be the first to help a fallen teammate get up off the ground. He believes if his team does things the right way, good things happen and the wins come together.
“We really preach two things to the kids,” Moncus said. “We want to play harder than the other team and be better teammates. If you do those two things, everything else takes care of itself. You really just need to win one game that you’re not supposed to win to get the kids believing in the program and moving in the right way. They start to believe and we build the culture up.”
Moncus is already familiar with the Stanhope team.
He has faced Stanhope eight times over the last four seasons, going 3-5 with a 1-1 split each of his first three years. Last season, Stanhope won both matchups over Chilton County.
Also being in the community, he’s gotten to know some of the kids outside of the court such as rising sophomore Kaleb Sanders or rising senior Judah Gilbert.
He has already hosted two practices with the team and everyone has shown up. He is holding a parent conference soon and he is planning to continue to hit the ground running.
“We’re late in the process in terms of practicing this summer, so we’re just full speed ahead,” Moncus said. “The kids have responded well. They work hard and have done everything I’ve asked of them so far. They’re good players and good kids. There’s a feeling in the gym that we can be successful.”
Basketball season doesn’t start for a few months, but Moncus will do whatever he can to help any program in Stanhope’s system.
Whether that is him driving the bus or standing on the football sidelines, he’ll do it all.
“I’m a program guy,” Moncus said. “If someone needs my help with their teams, I will help. I live here and I’m in the community. I’m going to be at the games. I’ll do whatever I can to help the school as a whole and hopefully we win some basketball games along the way.” COACH
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twin brother Dominic joined him on the final straightaway. Dominic
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Edgewood Academy sees new football region
By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor
There’s been a lot of changes in the AISA over the summer, and Edgewood Academy’s football season will be directly affected by those changes. The Wildcats, who reached the first round of the Class AA playoffs last year, will see a brand new region with some of the biggest schools in AISA.
The Wildcats will also face a plethora of good teams in the upcoming season. Of the 10 teams on Edgewood’s schedule, nine made the playoffs last year. Two of the 10 are defending state champions while another lost in the state championship.
Five teams had winning records; four of those won at least nine games and reached the semifinals.
On the other hand, five teams also had losing records while two — Bessemer Academy and Abbeville Christian Academy — were a combined 1-18.
Overall, Edgewood’s opponents had a record of 61-53 last season.
TRENDS
Edgewood Academy will open its season with three of its first four games at home. Those games come against Hooper (4-7), Lakeside (6-5) and Valiant Cross (0-9), all winnable games on paper. Edgewood has never faced Valiant Cross, but the Wildcats have dominated matchups with Hooper and Lakeside.
Edgewood has 14 consecutive wins over Lakeside dating back to 1985, and 10 straight over Hooper since 1997.
The first two road trips for Edgewood, however, are extremely tough. The Wildcats visit Chambers Academy in Week 4 and Lowndes Academy in Week 6. Both teams won the state championship last year in their divisions and combined to go 25-1.
Edgewood last beat Chambers in 2020 and Lowndes in 2019.
Three of the last four games of the season come on the road, including back-to-back region games. Those matchups are at Banks, Bessemer
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and Abbeville Christian. All three trips will be over 1 ½ hours.
GAMES TO WATCH
EDGEWOOD ACADEMY VS. HOOPER ACADEMY, AUG. 30
This matchup has turned into one of the biggest rivalries on each other’s schedules. There was plenty of smack talk on social media before last year’s matchup where Edgewood completely dominated, 20-2, right from the start. There will likely be plenty more, especially with it being the season opener, and it will be a good test for Edgewood early. The Wildcats have dominated this matchup, however, and only one game in the last 10 have been decided by less than three possessions.
EDGEWOOD ACADEMY VS. MACON EAST ACADEMY, OCT. 3
This game has seen more highlights in the last five years than most teams see in two decades. Since 2019, this game has been decided by one point twice. In 2019, Edgewood won 70-69 in double overtime. In 2022, Edgewood won 35-34 on a failed two-point conversion try. Last year’s game wasn’t nearly as close with Edgewood winning 35-6 as Macon East went 1-10, but it’s still a rivalry and both teams will show up to compete. This is Edgewood’s homecoming game and it’s on Thursday night, so the Wildcats are adding a little spice to the matchup.
EDGEWOOD ACADEMY VS. BESSEMER ACADEMY, OCT. 25
This matchup has been dominated by Bessemer in the past, with the Rebels winning 10 of the last 11 games. This year, the matchup has the opportunity to determine a team making the playoffs or sitting at home come November. This will be both team’s final region games, and it’s very possible both teams are sitting at either 2-2 or 3-1 in region play. It could very well determine a home seeding or even a winning record in region. Time will tell and anything can happen between now and then, but keep an eye on this matchup late in the year.
OPPOSING PLAYERS TO WATCH TYSEON SMITH, BESSEMER ACADEMY RECEIVER
Smith will likely be one of the most athletic and versatile players Edgewood will face this season. The 6-foot-1 athlete dominated the run and passing game last season. At receiver, he had 44 catches for 796 yards and nine touchdowns. On the ground, he had 41 rushes for 387 yards and 3 touchdowns. The Wildcats will have to keep him in check to have a chance to win.
LUKE TARVER, CHAMBERS
ACADEMY RUNNING BACK
Tarver made the most of his junior campaign a year ago as he ran circles around nearly every team he faced. En route to
his First Team All-State finish, Tarver rushed for 1,755 yards and 26 touchdowns. His backfield duo, Jacob Norgard, rushed for 1,044 yards and 17 touchdowns to complement the star.
ASHTON YELDER, LOWNDES ACADEMY OFFENSIVE LINEMAN Yelder is one of the top offensive lineman in the entire AISA, and certainly one of the largest. At 6-foot-4 and 230 pounds, he is a force that leads an impressive rushing attack from Lowndes. He was named First Team AllState last season for his championship run, and he is joined by teammate and also First Team selection Pierson Hill as returning starters up front.
SCHEDULE
Aug. 23 – BYE
Aug. 30 – Hooper Academy at Edgewood Sept. 6 – Lakeside School at Edgewood* Sept. 13 – Edgewood at Chambers Academy* Sept. 20 – Valiant Cross at Edgewood* Sept. 27 – Edgewood at Lowndes Academy Oct. 3 (Thurs.) – Macon East Academy at Edgewood Oct. 11 – Edgewood at Banks Academy* Oct. 18 – Edgewood at Bessemer Academy* Oct. 25 – Edgewood at Abbeville Christian Academy Nov. 1 – Fort Dale Academy at Edgewood * denotes region competition
happy that I was able to get two hits and come around and score both times.”
“I’m pretty happy with how I played,” Davenport said. “I think we all did really well and tried our hardest. I’m definitely
one run and helped spark the five-run comeback in the sixth and seventh innings. She hit a single through the left side of the infield and came around to score on a sacrifice fly She finished the night going 2-for-4 at the plate with two runs scored.
was waiting for Tristen to make the final turn then ran with him, pushing him to finish the race strong. Dominic is also a strong runner, and even
placed second to Tristen’s first in the South State race. He was just 0.2 seconds slower that day. Having Dominic there to support was
Davenport was able to take the field with her coach, Daryl Otwell, who was named the head coach for the South team. The two walked out on the field together during introductions and he coached third base.
special, but having him run beside Tristen allowed the runner to finish the way he wanted. “He always pushes me when he runs with
me,” Jones said. “I love when my brother runs with me and I’m sad he couldn’t run in the race with me. But I’m glad he was out here and supported me.
During her first scored run, he waved her around to home and the two shared a moment in Game 2 when she reached third base before eventually scoring her second run.
He always pushes me to run my hardest and honestly, I don’t think I would have broken 19 minutes if he wasn’t out there. It was a great time.”
phone call. He was called by a Dodgers scout who just congratulated him on getting picked.
“We were in shock for a couple of minutes,” Williams said. “Then we realized what happened and how big the moment was. It’s a blessing.”
“I’m still going to be repping the pinstripes,” Williams said.
The Dodgers have one of the most storied organizations in the MLB, but Williams grew up cheering for another team with quite a lot of World Series victories. Williams is a fan of the 27-time champion New York Yankees.
Williams had a stellar preps career at Stanhope Elmore. He earned multiple All-County honors as he hit 40 extrabase hits and stole 47 bases in his final two seasons.
He spent this past spring in the junior college ranks.
As a freshman at Northwest Florida State College, Williams helped lead the Raiders to a JUCO Division I championship appearance. In 198 at-bats, the switch-hitting outfielder finished with a .379 batting average and a .473 on-base percentage. He recorded 29 stolen bases in 36 attempts while scoring 71 runs in 55 games. He walked 31 times and hit two home runs, eight doubles, one triple and 32 RBIs. With just two errors and a .979 fielding percentage, he was named a Florida College System Activities Association Gold Glove winner. He also earned Second Team All-Conference honors.
FILE | TPI
The Edgewood Academy football team will face two defending state champions in the first five games of the season.
Holtville softball hosts joint practice with 6U team
STAFF REPORT
TPI Staff
The Holtville softball team welcomed some youth into one of its summer practices last week.
The Bulldogs hosted Holtville’s 6U All-Star softball team for a joint practice at the high school softball field.
The 6U All-Stars went through individual drills such as hitting off a tee, and they even lined up in their positions in the field with the high school player that plays that position.
After the practice, the teams enjoyed pizza while the 6U team was given gift baskets.
SUBMITTED TPI
Millbrook 11U
All-Stars win World Series
By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor
The Firehawks brought home some hardware.
The Millbrook Firehawks, an 11U All-Star baseball team, traveled down to Baton Rouge and claimed the USSSA 11U All-Star World Series last weekend.
The team, which consists of CJ Jackson, Jason Thomas, Justice Gadaingan, Karson Wilson, Shawn Compton, Christian Lewis, Chase Deaton, Carter Taylor, Cam Smith, Caden Southerland and Brantley Jackson, went 6-1 in the tournament and outscored opponents 57-21.
In bracket play, Millbrook played Sylacauga in the semifinals and won, 9-1, to punch its ticket to the championship. The two teams met again and Sylacauga won, 4-3, to force the teams to play a winner take all matchup.
Millbrook won that game behind a strong pitching performance from CJ Jackson, 4-3. Jackson was nominated by the parents to pitch the final game after closing out the game before.
“It was a pretty rough three game series,” head coach Christopher Jackson said. “We knew it would be about pitching. Both teams were good hitters and great defenders. It was all going to come down to who wanted it more. They held their ground and made plays, and we made plays and hit the ball.”
CJ Jackson may have thrown in the championship game, but the entire team proved its worth on the mound.
The team allowed just 21 runs in seven games, tied for the lowest number of runs allowed by any team in the tournament.
The other team, Huffman, played two less games than Millbrook. The Firehawks held every team except for two to three runs or
Higgs joins TPI staff as sports reporter
Samuel Higgs is the newest member of the Tallapoosa Publishers Inc. staff, taking up his post as the sports editor of The Alexander City Outlook and The Dadeville Record. He’ll also serve as a sports reporter for The Wetumpka Herald and The Tallassee Tribune.
Higgs is a graduate of the University of Georgia, having graduated in May with a degree in journalism. He has covered sports for the last two years, working for The Red & Black student newspaper. He was a sports contributor for UGA athletes in the PGA tour before becoming a basketball and football beat reporter.
“As the basketball beat reporter I covered almost every game where I saw both Auburn
and Alabama continuously beat up on Georgia,” Higgs said. “I met with coaches and players weekly to get their insight heading into each matchup. The football season is where it truly got to expand from the typical game coverage you see. I wrote features, profiles, media availabilities and was even a constant guest on the podcast our publication produced weekly. Football was the first sport I truly fell in love with and cannot wait for the season to begin.”
While this is Higgs’ first professional reporting job, he is excited about what he can bring to the table in the tri-county area. His favorite stories to write are profiles,
which include in-depth player features.
“I have gotten the opportunity to meet so many wonderful people who have amazing stories to tell and I can’t wait to do it for the coaches, athletes, families and fans of this community,” he said.
Higgs understands the importance of high school sports in Tallapoosa, Elmore and Coosa counties and is ready to tell meaningful stories.
“I’m very excited to get this next chapter of my life started in Alexander City. I’ve experienced high school football in Texas and Georgia, so I’m excited to see what Alabama brings to the table with the season right at our doorstep,” Higgs said. “I can’t wait to get started and see all the wonderful things that come with being the sports editor here.”
less and allowed just five runs and six runs one time each.
“All of our pitchers did their job,” Jackson said. “It didn’t matter who I put on the pitcher’s mound. They did what they had to do for us to keep on advancing and win.”
Millbrook entered the tournament more than ready to win the championship. In fact, it was actually the first time all season that Millbrook was playing on an equal playing field.
In region and state play, Millbrook was forced to play up an age division due to there not being enough 11U teams. So they played in 12U.
That didn’t stop Millbrook from claiming second place in the region and then winning the state championship, which allowed the team to qualify for the World Series.
“A lot of people were impressed,” Jackson said. “A lot of people told us they haven’t seen 11-year olds competing and keeping up with older kids and travel ball teams. They stepped up and played tremendously all summer.”
The majority of the Firehawks have been playing together for multiple years. This team finished runner-up in the 9U championship two years ago, then played together again last year but was forced to play up an age division.
This year, it all came to fruition and the team walked away with championship rings.
“This team always keeps me on my toes,” Jackson said. “They teach me a lot of new things each year but keeping them together is special. All the parents are motivated and have the kids’ backs. It’s been really good keeping them together. They’re like family because we play so much baseball, we see each other more than we see our real families.”
AHSAA moves regional basketball tournament back to Alabama State
STAFF REPORT
TPI Staff
The AHSAA’s South Regional Basketball tournament is heading back to Montgomery and Alabama State University.
An agreement has been signed with Alabama State University that will bring the Central and South Regional boys’ and girls’ tournament to the Capitol City for the next three years (2025, 2026 and 2027).
The Central Regional will be played at Alabama State University’s 7,400-seat Dunn-Oliver Acadome, and the South Regional will be played at Garrett Coliseum, announced AHSAA Executive Director Alvin Briggs.
“This is great news, especially for our schools qualifying for the regional from Southwest Alabama,” Briggs said. “No longer will those schools
ISSUES Continued from A1
have to drive past Montgomery, thus reducing travel and increasing the opportunity for more fans from those schools to attend. We are very appreciative of ASU and the City of Montgomery for stepping forward for our member schools.” ASU was a very popular host site for a regional for many years since the beginning of the format which was instituted in 1994. However, when the Covid pandemic spread across the state, ASU elected not to host a tourney. For the last two years, the Central Regional, which included a number of schools qualifying from Southwest Alabama, was played at the Birmingham CrossPlex Bill Harris Arena and the South Regional remained in Montgomery.
“We are excited to host the Regional AHSAA tournament on our campus. This a great opportunity
the code of conduct discussions where that is changed every year. Maybe teachers come up with behavior management forms with administration.”
Behavior needs to be addressed as young as kindergarten in order to make a difference, according to Russell.
Positive suppor
But the task force said that can be done in a positive way.
“There is a lack of positive behavior support for students who are making the right choices,” Russell said. “We would like to see that celebrated more on the campuses.”
Another suggestion was to add a member of the task force to the school calendar commit -
to expose the local and state community to our institution,” said Alabama State University Athletic Director Dr. Jason Cable. “I would like to thank Alvin Briggs for this opportunity and Crystal Moss and the OEM team for taking the lead on this project.”
Brandon Dean, former director of the Alabama High School Athletic Directors and Coaches Association (AHSADCA) who is now Director of Parks and Recreation for the City of Montgomery, said, “Bringing the Basketball Regionals back to Alabama State University and the City of Montgomery has been a goal of Alvin Briggs during his tenure. It was a pleasure to work with Mr. Briggs and ASU Athletic Director Dr. Jason Cable. This means at least 52 different fan bases and communities will be returning to the City of Montgomery and the campus of Ala -
tee. One complaint from teachers is parent report night is too early in the school year. They say it should be held after the first report card comes out, allowing teachers a better idea of each student’s needs.
Another issue is one the board doesn’t have much control over, according to the task force.
“There are a lot of things coming from the state department that require a tremendous amount of documentation on the teachers behalf,” Russell said. “We support instructional coaches as much as we can to remove that from the teachers.”
Courtney Terry said middle school teachers face many of the same challenges as elementary teachers. She said the task force suggested staffing to help with interventions due to
bama State University each year of the agreement.
The Northeast and Northwest Regional basketball tournaments are played at Jacksonville State University and Wallace-Hanceville Community College, respectively. Both sites have been hosts for 30 years – since the Regional Tourney format was introduced by the AHSAA in 1994.
The South and Central Regionals, while being in Montgomery most of that time, have also been played at various other sites from time to time including Bay Minette, Mobile, Troy and Dothan. The State Tournament semifinals and finals have been played at the BJCC Legacy Arena in Birmingham since 1994 – minus one year when the BJCC was undergoing renovations. It was played at UAB Bartow Arena and Bill Harris Arena that year.
lack of time.
“That is where we help catch up those kids who are falling behind,” Terry said. “We want them to be proficient.”
Teachers also want someone in each community school group to help with truancy. They believe students are absent from school due to issues at home and hope a social worker may help connect families with needed resources.
For high school teachers, another big issue is related to cell phone usage.
“Whatever the cell phone and dress code policy is, we want it enforced and backed by the administration,” Lyndee Antley said. “When it comes to the survey, most everyone feels we need a county wide cell phone policy.”
The Millbrook 11U Firehawks celebrate after winning the USSSA 11U World Series held in Baton Rouge. The Firehawks went 6-1 and beat Sylacauga in the championship game.
CLASSIFIEDS/PUBLIC NOTICES
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) In your job today or with any task that you choose to do, you might nd the work to be hard, a bit of a slog. Just keep persevering, because there is nothing you can do except change your attitude, which, of course, is easier said than done. Remember: This feeling is just for today. Tonight: Work.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) Children might be an increased responsibility today. Or perhaps social responsibilities, sports events or something to do with the arts and the entertainment world are overwhelming for you. You might feel that you’re not up for the task. This isn’t true; it’s just how you feel today. Tonight: Cope as best you can.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) This is a tough day for you, because optimism and outdoor activity are survival issues for you. And today, it’s tough to be optimistic. This is because the Moon is lined up with stern Saturn, which makes people depressed. Dealings with parents and older relatives might discourage you. Tonight: Relax.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Don’t fall into worry mode today. It’s counterproductive. Remember the saying: “Worry is like a rocking chair. It gives you something to do but gets you nowhere.” Nevertheless, negative thinking is here today, so be aware of this. Tomorrow will be a better day! Tonight: Stay positive.
AQUARIUS
stingy. That’s because it’s easy to look around you and be critical of almost everything today. Tonight: Challenging relationships.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20) Today the Moon is lined up with
Saturn in your sign, which will make
discouraged or depressed. But this is a temporary illusion. It’s a brief dark cloud on your horizon. By tomorrow, you will feel completely different! In fact, tomorrow is a lovely, romantic day! Tonight: Be strong.
Job Opportunities
The Learning Tree, Inc. is Accepting Applications for 2nd, 3rd and Weekend shifts for Direct Care Applications can be picked up at: 101 S. Dubois Street Tallassee, AL 36078 Or contact Angela Waites (334)252-0025 Ext. 101 Email: angela.waites@ learning-tree.org\
Job Opportunities
Now hiring for several openings in Manufacturing/assembly at Thrifty Portable Buildings in Tallassee Please come by our facility to fill out an application and set up for an interview. 104 Industrial Parkway 334-283-5271
Opening for deg’d & exp’d
Wetumpka attorney, Monica Gay Mann, was disbarred from the practice of law in the State of Alabama by the Supreme Court of Alabama, effective June 12, 2024. The Supreme Court entered its Order based upon the Disciplinary Board of the Alabama State Bar’s Order, which was based on Mann’s Consent to Disbarment. Mann’s Consent to Disbarment was based on allegations that she misappropriated client and/or third-party funds and submitted altered bank records in violation of the Alabama Rules of Professional Conduct
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Public Notices
Public Notices
PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA CASE NO. CV 2024-900014 MAX CREDIT UNION VS. MARY ELIZABETH LACY In this cause it is made to ap-davit of MAX CREDIT UNION, Plaintiff, that MARY ELIZABETH LACY, Defendant, is either a nonresident of the State of Alabama, whose residence is unknown and cannot be ascertained after reasonable effort, or if being a resident, either MARY ELIZABETH LACY’S residence is unknown and cannot be ascertained after reasonable effort or MARY ELIZABETH LACY has been absent from the State more than thirty days in this cause, or MARY ELIZABETH LACY has concealed her location so that the process can not be served upon MARY ELIZABETH LACY, and further, that the defendant is over the age of twenty-one years. It is therefore, ordered by the Court that publication be made in the Wetumpka Herald a newspaper published in the City of Wetumpka, County of Elmore and State of Alabama, for four consecutive weeks, and the said the issuance of said summons and complaint, and to be and appear MARY ELIZABETH LACY thinks it is proper to defend this suit at the present term of this Court, and within 30 days after this notice by publication is completed.
Wetumpka Herald: July 3, 10, 17 and 24, 2024 2024-900014
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Call 256.277.4219 to let others know about job opportunities at your business.
PUBLIC NOTICE
NOTICE OF PETITION FOR ADOPTION IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA AT CASE NUMBER: A2023-048
TO: MARCUS GRAHAM, WHOSE WHEREABOUTS ARE UNKNOWN, THE FATHER OF R.K.G. AND NOTICE TO ANY OTHER INTERESTED PARTY Take notice that a Petition for-
RUFF, as Petitioner, for the -
have the right to contest this intend to contest this adoption, -
Public Notices
PUBLIC NOTICE
MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE
Default having been made in the payment of the indebtedness secured by that certain mortgage executed by Joshua A. Kupfner an unmarrried man, originally in favor of Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc. as nominee for GTC Mortgage Company Inc. for use in Alabama by Guaranty Trust Company, on February 6, 2017, said mortgage recordof Probate of Elmore County, Alabama, in RLPY Book 2017tion agreement recorded July 20, 2021 in RLPY Book 2021 Page 61583; the undersigned PennyMac Loan Services, LLC, as Mortgagee/Transferee, under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in said mortgage, will sell at public outcry to the highest bidder for cash, in front of the main entrance of the Courthouse at Wetumpka, Elmore County, Alabama, on August 15, 2024, during the legal hours of sale, all of its rights, title, and interest in and to the following described real estate, situated in Elmore County, Alabama, to-wit: Commence at the Northwest corner of the Southeast 1/4 of the Southeast 1/4 of Section 14, Township 19 North, Range 17 East, Elmore County, Alabama; thence East 657.00 feet; thence South 00 degrees 14 minutes 00 seconds East 881.09 feet to an old 5/8 inch rebar; thence continue South 00
Public Notices
PUBLIC NOTICE
In accordance with Chapter 1, Title 39, Code of Alabama, 1975, as amended, notice is hereby given that Holley-Henley Builders, Inc. has completed the Contract for Construction of A New Facility For Wetumpka Fire Department, Architect’s Project No. AMGM210020, for City of Wetumpka Alabama; Owner, and have made requesttract. All persons having any claim for labor, materials, or otherwise in connection with this project should immediately notify GOODWYN, MILLS & CAWOOD, LLC, 2660 Eastchase Lane, Suite 200, Montgomery, Alabama 36117
Wetumpka Herald: July 24, 31, Aug. 7 and 14, 2024 COMPLETION
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Call 256.277.4219 to let others know about job opportunities at your business.
Township 19 North, Range 17 East, Elmore County, Alabama.. Property street address for informational purposes: 1448 Fern Rd , Wetumpka, AL 36092. THIS PROPERTY WILL BE SOLD ON AN “AS IS, WHERE IS” BASIS, WITHOUT WARRANTY OR RECOURSE, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED AS TO TITLE, USE AND/OR ENJOYMENT AND WILL BE SOLD SUBJECT TO THE RIGHT OF REDEMPTION OF ALL PARTIES ENTITLED THERETO. Alabama law gives some persons who have an interest in property the right to redeem the property under certain circumstances. Programs may also exist that help persons avoid or delay the foreclosure process. An attorney should be consulted to help you understand these rights and programs as a part of the foreclosure process. This sale is made for the purpose of paying the indebtedness secured by said mortgage, as well as the expenses of foreclosure. The successful bidder must tender a non-refundable deposit of Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) to Tiffany & Bosco, P.A. at the time and place of the sale. The balance of the purchase price plus any deed recording costs and transfer taxes must be paid next business day at the Law at the address indicated below. Tiffany & Bosco, P.A. reserves the right to award the bid to the next highest bidder should the highest bidder fail to timely tender the total amount due. The Mortgagee/Transferee reserves the right to bid for and purchase the real estate and to credit its purchase price against the expenses of sale and the indebtedness secured by the real estate. This sale is subject to postponement or cancellation. PennyMac Loan Services, LLC, (“Transferee”) Tiffany & Bosco, P.A., 2501 20th Place South, Suite 300, Homewood, AL 35223 www.tblaw.com TB File Number: 23-08339
Wetumpka Herald: July 17, 24 and 31, 2024 23-08339
PUBLIC NOTICE
Notice is hereby given that the undersigned will sell for cash, at an ONLINE public auction on 12th of August,, 2024, at 9:00am AT STORAGETREASURES.COM. Please note: THIS AUCTION IS NOT IN PERSON. PLEASE DO NOT SHOW UP TO OUR PHYSICAL LOCATION. ALL AUCTION PARTICIPANTS MUST SIGN UP AND BID ONLINE.
Southeast Storage 8416 US-231 Wetumpka, AL 36092
Court proceeding to consider such Petition without further no-
JOHN THORNTON
PROBATE JUDGE
JENNIFER JOYCE TOMPKINS
514:Chiquita McCall: 107 Old U.S HWY 231. Wetumpka, Al 36092
Contents: power wheel, mattress, treadmill, tv stand, ladder 2345:Jasmine Cain: 5002 Wisemen Blvd. San Antonio, Tx 78251 couch, mirror, washing machine Wetumpka Herald: July 24 and 31, 2024 AUCTION
A2023-048
CLASSIFIEDS/PUBLIC NOTICES
Public Notices
PUBLIC NOTICE
NOTICE OF MORTGAGE
FORECLOSURE SALE
STATE OF ALABAMA, COUNTY OF ELMORE
Default having been made in the payment of the indebtedness secured by that certain mortgage executed by Errer
B. Jackson and Gary L. Jackson, originally in favor of Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as nominee for IBERIABANK Mortgage Company, on May 22, 2015, said mortgage recorded in the Ofof Elmore County, Alabama, 22790; the undersigned Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB, as Trustee of Quercus Mortgage Investment Trust, as Mortgagee/Transferee, under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in said mortgage, will sell at public outcry to the highest bidder for cash, in front of the main entrance of the Courthouse at Elmore County, Alabama, on August 30, 2024, during the legal hours of sale, all of its rights, title, and interest in and to the following described real estate, situated in Elmore County, Alabama, to-wit: Lot 54, according to the Map of
40 & 41. Said legal description being controlling, however the property is more commonly known as: 163 Granite Way, Wetumpka, AL 36093.
SOLD ON AN “AS IS, WHERE IS” BASIS, WITHOUT WAR-
MENT AND WILL BE SOLD SUBJECT TO THE RIGHT OFTIES ENTITLED THERETO. Alabama law gives some persons who have an interest in property the right to redeem the property under certain circumexist that help persons avoid or delay the foreclosure process. An attorney should be consulted to help you understand these rights and programs as a part of the foreclosure process. The successful bidder must tender a non-refundable deposit of Three Thousand Dollars made payable to Bell Carrington and place of the sale. The balance of the purchase price plus any deed recording costs and transfer taxes must be over-
bia, SC 29201. Bell Carrington the right to award the bid to the next highest bidder should the highest bidder fail to timely tender the total amount due.
This sale is made for the purpose of paying the indebtedness secured by said mortgage, as well as the expenses of foreclosure. The Mortgagee/Transferee reserves the right to bid for and purchase the real estate and to credit its purchase price against the expenses of sale and the indebtedness secured by the real estate. This sale is subject to postponement or cancellation. If the sale be entitled to only a return of any tendered purchase funds less any applicable fees and costs and shall have no other recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee, or the Mortgagee’s attorney. BE HELD TO BE ACTING AS A DEBT COLLECTOR, UNDERFORMATION OBTAINED WILL -
Suite 650, Homewood, AL, 35209. www.bellcarrington. com. File Number: 24-43334. Wetumpka Herald: July 17, 24 and 31, 2024 24-43334 PUBLIC NOTICE
Wiregrass Construction Co, Inc hereby gives notice of completion of contract with The Alabama Department of Transportation, for construction of Project No: Project No. STPAA-STPMN- 2621(251) &STPMN-2621(253) Elmore County, On Marion Spillway Road from the Intersection of CR-3 (Ingram Road) to the Intersection ofSR-143 in Deatsville (Site l); and the PlanStripe on 1’1 Avenue from the Junction of SR-143 to the Intersection of Baltzer Road Northeast of Elmore (Site 2); and On Baltzer Road from the Intersection of 1st Avenue to the Junction of Flatwood Road Northeast of Elmore (Site 3). This notice will appear for four consecutive weeks beginning on 07/24/2024 and ending 08/14/2024. All claims Construction Co, 1342 Carmichael Way, Montgomery, Alabama 36106 during this period.
Aug. 7 and 14, 2024 COMPLETION PUBLIC NOTICE
The Water Works & Sewer Board of the City of Wetumpka is considering making application to the Alabama Department of Environmental Management for a Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) Program Loan. In order to inform the citizens of the City of Wetumpka of components of the program, a public
Public Notices
pgp hearing will be held on Thursday, August 1, 2024 at 5:15 at 2909 Elmore Road, Wetumpka, AL 36092. An Environmental Information Document will be available for public review at the Wetumpka Water Works & Sewhours. Citizens will be informed at such meeting regarding the nature and extent of proposed activities, amount of funding available and time frames for the program year. Further, The Water Works & Sewer Board of the City of Wetumpka will be accepting comments on the application for the Alabama Department of Environmental Management’s CWSRF Loan Fund for the purpose of the Sanitary Sewer System Improvements. Every citizen in attendance will be afforded the opportunity to express their views of the program and needs of the community. Citizens, who wish, may submit their comments in writing to:
Water Works &Sewer Board of the City of Wetumpka P.O. Box 69 Wetumpka, AL 36092 John Strickland, Chairman
All comments must be submitted prior to Tuesday, July 30, 2024. Any interested party that may require special assistance in attending the meeting, or the need for an interpreter, may contact The Water Works & Sewer Board of the City of Wetumpka at (334) 567-8404.
John Strickland, Chairman Wetumpka Herald: July 3, 10, 17 and 24, 2024 APPLICATION
PUBLIC NOTICE
In accordance with Chapter 1, Title 29, Code of Alabama, 1975, as amended, notice is hereby given that Page Properties and Construction LLC has completed the Contract forect at Eclectic Middle School at Eclectic, Alabama for the State of Alabama and the County of Elmore, Owners, and havement of said Contract. All persons having any claims for labor , materials, or otherwise in conimmediately notify McKee And Associates Page Properties and Constru2501 Gary Fitts Street Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
Wetumpka Herald: July 3, 10, 17 and 24, 2024
COMPLETION
PUBLIC NOTICE
Ameriseal of Ohio, Inc. gives notice of completion of the Taxilane Sealcoat Pavement Maintenance Project at the Wetumpka Municipal Airport. GMC Project No.: TMGM230035. Any and all claims against this
Montgomery no later than Au10th, 17th, 24th, 31st.
Wetumpka Herald: COMPLETION
PUBLIC NOTICE
IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF DOROTHY S. BOGGAN, DECEASED CASE NO: 2024-159 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE
Letters Testamentary in the Estate of DOROTHY S. BOGGAN, who is also known as DOROTHY BELL BOGGAN, deceased, having been granted to BRENDA M. BRUGH on July 8th, 2024 by John Thornton, Judge of Probate of Elmore County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons and parties having claims against said estate are required, within the time allowed by law, to present the same to the Court or the same will be barred. BRENDA M. BRUGH PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF DOROTHY S. BOGGAN, DECEASED Attorney of Record for Personal Representative: GERALD A. DANIEL, JR. LAW OFFICE OF G A DANIEL, JR. LLC PO BOX 638 MILLBROOK, ALABAMA 36054 334-285-9444 Jerry@GADanielLaw.com Wetumpka Herald: July 17, 24 and 31, 2024 EST/BOGGAN D. PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA THE CITY OF WETUMPKA, ALABAMA, A MUNICIPAL CORPORATION; PLAINTIFF, V. ESTATE OF HENRY JEROME GOODMAN, DECEASED; UNKNOWN HEIRS OF WILLIE T. GOODMAN, SR., DECEASED; AND ANY UNKNOWN HEIRS OF WILLIE T. GOODMAN, JR., DECEASED; AND WILLIE T. GOODMAN III, WINFRED WISE, KONIKWA ZEIGLER BURDEN, DERIUS D. ZEIGLER TWANDA TALLEY, TYRONE LASEAN GOODMAN, DAVID D. WISE, ROBERT J. ZEIGLER, KRESTON N. ZEIGLER, PERCY (DEE DEE) EDWARDS PERSONDRA EDWARDS, AND DARRELL GOODMAN AND HILLSIDE MORTUARY; JAMES MACK; LOUTELIA J. LYKES; SPRINT
Public Notices
; C/O DCM SERVICES, LLC BEING PERSONS OR ENTITIES WHO CLAIM AN INTEREST IN THE PROPERTY HEREIN DESCRIBED IN THIS PETITION PURSUANT TO CLAIMS MADE IN THE ESTATE OF HENRY JEROME GOODMAN, DECEASED; AND MIDLAND FUNDING, LLC, AND LEE MACON, ELMORE COUNTY REVENUE COMMISSIONER; DEFENDANTS CASE NO. 2024-117 PUBLICATION NOTICE OF PENDENCY OF A CONDEMNATION
TO: ESTATE OF HENRY JEROME GOODMAN, DECEASED; UNKNOWN HEIRS OF WILLIE T. GOODMAN, SR., DECEASED; AND ANY UNKNOWN HEIRS OF WILLIE T. GOODMAN, JR., DECEASED; WILLIE T. GOODMAN III, WINFRED WISE, KONIKWA ZEIGLER BURDEN, DERIUS D. ZEIGLER, TWANDA TALLEY, TYRONE LASEAN GOODMAN, DAVID D. WISE, ROBERT J. ZEIGLER, KRESTON N. ZEIGLER, PERCY (DEE DEE) EDWARDS, PERSONDRA EDWARDS, AND DARRELL GOODMAN, OR IF DECEASED THEIR HEIRS AND NEXT OF KIN, AND HILLSIDE MORTUARY; JAMES MACK; LOUTELIA J. LYKES; SPRINT
C/O DCM SERVICES, LLC, BEING PERSONS OR ENTITIES WHO CLAIM AN INTEREST IN THE PROPERTY HEREIN DESCRIBED IN THIS PETITION PURSUANT TO CLAIMS MADE IN THE ESTATE OF HENRY JEROME GOODMAN, DECEASED; AND MIDLAND FUNDING, LLC; AND TO ANY OTHER INTERESTED PARTIES AND TO ANY UNKNOWN PERSONS OR ENTITIES WITH AN INTEREST IN SUCH ACTION. YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that on the 24th day of April, 2024 a Complaint was named Defendants seeking to condemn certain real property located in Elmore County, AlaLOTS EIGHT (8) AND NINE (9) OF THE GADDIS SUBDIVISION AS SHOWN BY PLAT RECORDED IN THE OFFICE OF THE JUDGE OF PROBATE OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA, IN PLAT BOOK 2, PAGE 80. Being the 2022 Elmore County Ad Valorem Tax Parcel No. 16 01 12 4 001 008.001 for the uses and purposes set forth in the Complaint, and that Court of Elmore County, Alathat the hearing of said ComCourt for August 28, 2024 at 10:00AM, at which time you may appear and answer said thereto if you so desire. THE ABOVE-NAMED PARTIES SHALL FILE AN ANSWER IN THIS CAUSE WITHIN THIRTY (30) DAYS AFTER THE LAST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. JOHN THORNTON JUDGE OF PROBATE ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA Name and Address of Attorney for Petitioner: JUSTIN D. EDWARDS, ESQ.
The Law Firm of Edwards & Edwards, PC 109 East Bridge Street Wetumpka, AL 36092 (334) 514-1011
Wetumpka Herald: July 3, 10, 17 and 24, 2024 CASE NO. 2024-117
PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF GEORGE PHILLIP BOISSEL, DECEASED CASE NO: 2024-166 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE
Letters Testamentary in the Estate of GEORGE PHILLIP BOISSEL, deceased, having been granted to SUSAN T. BOISSEL on July 8th 2024 by John Thornton, Judge of Probate of Elmore County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons and parties having claims against said estate are required, within the time allowed by law, to present the same to the Court or the same will be barred.
SUSAN T. BOISSEL PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF GEORGE PHILLIP BOISSEL, DECEASED
Attorney of Record for Personal Representative: THOMAS A. RADNEY RADNEY, RADNEY & JACKSON, LLC PO BOX 819 ALEXANDER CITY, ALABAMA 35011 256-234-2547 thomas@radneylaw.com
Wetumpka Herald: July 17,24 and 31, 2024 EST/BOISSEL, G.
PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF SIDNEY LOUIS CULVER, DECEASED CASE NO. 2024-189 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE
Letters Testamentary on the Estate of said decedent having been granted to DENICE MICHELLE BURLESON as Executrix on the 19 th day of July 2024, by the Honorable John Thornton, Judge of Probate of said County in said State, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said
Public Notices gg Estate are required to present same within the time allowed by law or the same will be barred. DENICE MICHELLE BURLESON EXECUTRIX OF THE ESTATE OF SIDNEY LOUIS CULVER, DECEASED.
Name and Address of Attorney: Regina B. Edwards, Esq. The Law Firm of Edwards & Edwards, P.C. 109 E. Bridge Street Wetumpka, AL 36092
Wetumpka Herald: July 24, 31 and Aug. 7, 2024 EST/CULVER, S. PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN RE: THE ESTATE OF BRENDA JOYCE DUNN, DECEASED CASE NO. 2024-184 NOTICE OF FILING OF PETITION FOR SUMMARY DISTRIBUTION OF ESTATE TO ALL INTERESTED PARTIES: MADISON LYNN DRIS-
Public Notices
PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF DOUGLAS BARRY FELKER, DECEASED CASE NO. 2024-171 NOTICE OF FILING OF WILL FOR PROBATE
TO: GLORIA KELLER, A NON-RESIDENT OF THE STATE OF ALABAMA AND NEXT OF KIN OF DOUGLAS BARRY FELKER; AND TO: ANY OTHER UNKNOWN NEXT OF KIN OF DOUGLAS BARRY FELKER, DECEASED AND TO: ANY OTHER INTERESTED PARTY YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that on July 1, 2024, a certain paper in writing purporting to be the Last Will and Testament of DOUGLAS BARRY FELKER,bate Court of Elmore County, Alabama by CHAD BRANTLEY, Petitioner, requesting that such Last Will and Testament be admitted to Probate and Record and that the Petitioner be named as Personal Representative of such Estate. This notice of Filing of Will for Probate is given to you as a next-of-kin of DOUGLAS BARRY FELKER. Unless an objection to admission to Probate and Record of such Last Will and Testament is submitted by you in writing to this Court within ten (10) days oftice, the Court will proceed with considering such Petition without further notice to you.
JOHN THORNTON JUDGE OF PROBATE ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA Name and Address of Attorney for Petitioner: ROBERT B. RENEAU LAW FIRM OF EDWARDS & EDWARDS, P.C. 109 EAST BRIDGE STREET WETUMPKA, ALABAMA 36092 334-514-1011
JUDGE OF PROBATE
D. JASON BRITT
EST/KINNEY, R. PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF FAYE GRAY LOTT, DECEASED CASE NO: 2024-156 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE
EST/DUNN B. PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE MATTER OF THE PETITION FOR CONSERVATORSHIP OVER THE PROPERTY OF JOSEPH EPHRIAM ENSLEN, AN ALLEGED INCAPACITATED PERSON. IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA CASE NO.: 2024-120 NOTICE OF HEARING TO: JOSEPH EPHRAIM ENSLEN, WHOSE WHEREABOUTS ARE UNKNOWN AND HAVING A LAST KNOWN ADDRESS OF: 95 Wilkerson Street Wetumpka, Alabama 36092 Pursuant to the Alabama Uniform Guardianship and Protective Proceedings Act, you are hereby given notice that a Petition to establish a Conservatorship over the Property of JOSEPH EPHRAIM ENSLEN Court of Elmore County, Alabama. A hearing of said Peti-
located at 100 East Commerce Street, Wetumpka, Alabama 36092, on the 22nd day of August, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. before John Thornton, Probate Judge. You have the right to appear at such hearing and the right to be heard regarding such Petition. JOHN THORNTON JUDGE OF PROBATE ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA Name and address of Attorney for Petitioner: D. JASON BRITT STONE & BRITT, LLC ATTORNEYS & COUNSELORS AT LAW 1 14 S MAIN ST P O BOX 967 WETUMPKA, ALABAMA 36092 334-517-6520
Wetumpka Herald: July 24, 31 and Aug. 7, 2024 EST/ENSLEN, J. PUBLIC NOTICE
IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF STEVEN RANDOLPH HENDERSON, DECEASED CASE NO: 2024-170 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE
Letters of Administration with Will Annexed over the Estate of STEVEN RANDOLPH HENDERSON, deceased, having been granted to DEBRA HENDERSON on the 16th day of July 2024 by John Thornton, Judge of Probate of Elmore County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons and parties having claims against said estate are required, within the time allowed by law, to present the same to the Court or the same will be barred.
DEBRA HENDERSON
ADMINISTRATOR OF THE ES-
TATE OF STEVEN RANDOLPH HENDERSON, DECEASED Name and Address of Attorney for Administrator: JOHN B. BRADLEY VOGEL LAW FIRM, LLC 41 CAMBRIDGE COURT WETUMPKA, ALABAMA 36093 334-409-0088 Wetumpka Herald: July 24, 31 and Aug. 7, 2024 EST/HENDERSON S.
Wetumpka Herald: July 17, 24 and 31, 2024 EST/FELKER, D. PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF SAMUEL GRAVES, DECEASED CASE NO: 2024-182 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE
Letters Testamentary in the Estate of SAMUEL GRAVES, who is also known as SAMUEL LEE GRAVES, deceased, having been granted to LYCRECIA VANTEAL GRAVES on July 15, 2024 by John Thornton, Judge of Probate of Elmore County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons and parties having claims against said estate are required, within the time allowed by law, to present the same to the Court or the same will be barred.
LYCRECIA VANTEAL GRAVES PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF SAMUEL GRAVES, DECEASED Attorney of Record for Personal Representative: ED PARISH, JR. THE PARISH LAW FIRM PO BOX 52 MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA 36101-0052 323 ADAMS AVE MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA 36104 334-263-0003
Wetumpka Herald: July 24, 31 and Aug. 7, 2024 EST/GRAVES, S. PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF FRED MICHAEL HINSON, DECEASED CASE NO: 2024-143 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE Letters Testamentary in the Estate of FRED MICHAEL HINSON, deceased, having been granted to CYNTHIA K. PAGE on July 16, 2024, by John Thornton, Judge of Probate of Elmore County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons and parties having claims against said estate are required, within the time allowed by law, to present the same to the Court or the same will be barred.
CYNTHIA K. PAGE PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF FRED MICHAEL HINSON, DECEASED Attorney of Record for Personal Representative: RONALD A. HOLTSFORD ATTORNEY AT LAW 7956 VAUGHN RD #124 MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA 36116 334-220-3700
Wetumpka Herald: July 24, 31 and Aug. 7, 2024 EST/HINSON F. PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN RE: THE ESTATE OF RHONDA JONELL KINNEY, DECEASED CASE NO. 2024-193 NOTICE OF FILING OF PETITION FOR SUMMARY DISTRIBUTION OF ESTATE TO ALL INTERESTED PARTIES: GEORGE EDWARD KINNEY, JR., PETITIONER, -
Letters Testamentary in the Estate of FAYE GRAY LOTT, deceased, having been granted to NANCY D. CARMAIN AND SHEILA G. ROWE on the 12th day of July 2024, by John Thornton, Judge of Probate of Elmore County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons and parties having claims against said estate are required, within the time allowed by law, to present the same to the Court or the same will be barred. NANCY D. CARMAIN AND SHEILA G. ROWE CO-PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ESTATE OF FAYE GRAY LOTT, DECEASED
Attorney of Record for Co-Personal Representatives: JEFFREY J. COURTNEY ATTORNEY AT LAW PO BOX 100 WETUMPKA, ALABAMA 36092 334-567-2545
Wetumpka Herald: July 17, 24 and 31, 2024 EST/LOTT, F. PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF JOHN GILBERT MARX, DECEASED CASE NO. 2024-075 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE
Letters Testamentary on the Estate of said decedent having been granted to SUSAN MARIE MARX as Personal Representative on the 19 th day of July 2024, by the Honorable JOHN THORNTON, Judge of Probate of said County in said State, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said Estate are required to present same within the time allowed by law or the same will be barred.
SUSAN MARIE MARX PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF JOHN GILBERT MARX, DECEASED.
Name and Address of Attorney: Regina B. Edwards, Esq. The Law Firm of Edwards & Edwards, P.C. 109 E. Bridge Street Wetumpka, AL 36092 Wetumpka Herald: July 24, 31 and Aug. 7, 2024 EST/MARX, J. PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF HENRY L. NEWTON, CASE NO: 2024-177 DECEASED NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE
Letters Testamentary in the Estate of HENRY L. NEWTON, deceased, having been granted to JEAN W. NEWTON on July 12, 2024 by Justin Edwards, Special Judge of Probate of Elmore County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons and parties having claims against said estate are required, within the time allowed by law, to present the same to the Court or the same will be barred.
JEAN W. NEWTON PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF HENRY L. NEWTON, DECEASED
Attorney of Record for Personal Representative: ROBERT J. MORRIS ATTORNEY AT LAW 10365 HOLTVILLE ROAD DEATSVILLE, ALABAMA 36022 334-569-1820
Wetumpka Herald: July 17, 24 and 31, 2024 EST/NEWTON, H. PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF RICHARD RAY ROGERS, CASE NO: 2024-160 DECEASED NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE
Letters Testamentary in the Estate of RICHARD RAY ROGERS, deceased, having been granted to VANESSA LYNN
CLASSIFIEDS/PUBLIC NOTICES
Public Notices
g ROGERS on July 11, 2024 by John Thornton, Judge of Probate of Elmore County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons and parties having claims against said estate are required, within the time allowed by law, to present the same to the Court or the same will be barred.
VANESSA LYNN ROGERS PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF RICHARD RAY ROGERS, DECEASED Attorney of Record for Personal Representative: RODERICK B. PERDUE ATTORNEY AT LAW 2033 HOLTVILLE ROAD WETUMPKA, ALABAMA 36092 334-567-7373 Wetumpka Herald: July 17, 24 and 31, 2024 EST/ROGERS, R. PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF EDWARD ERNEST SEAL, DECEASED CASE NO: 2024-144 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE
Letters Testamentary in the Estate of EDWARD ERNEST SEAL, deceased, having been granted to JOSEPH FRANKLIN DECKER, II on July 15, 2024 by John Thornton, Judge of Probate of Elmore County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons and parties having claims against said estate are required, within the time allowed by law, to present the same to the Court or the same will be barred.
JOSEPH FRANKLIN DECKER, II PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF EDWARD ERNEST SEAL, DECEASED
Attorney of Record for Personal Representative:
D. JASON BRITT STONE STONE & BRITT, LLC
ATTORNEYS & COUNSELORS AT LAW 114 S MAIN ST PO BOX 967 WETUMPKA, ALABAMA 36092 334-517-6520
Wetumpka Herald: July 24, 31 and Aug. 7, 2024
EST/SEAL E. PUBLIC NOTICE
IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF GARY ALAN ST. LAURENT, DECEASED CASE NO. 2024-172 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE
Letters Testamentary on the Estate of said decedent having been granted to MICHELE DAWN ST. LAURENT as Personal Representative on the 9th day of July, 2024, by the Honorable JOHN THORNTON, Judge of Probate of said County in said State, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said Estate are required to present same within the time allowed by law or the same will be barred.
MICHELE DAWN ST. LAURENT PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF GARY ALAN ST. LAURENT, DECEASED
Name and Address of Attorney: Regina B Edwards, Esq. The Law Firm of Edwards & Edwards, P.C. 109 E. Bridge Street Wetumpka, AL 36092
Wetumpka Herald: July 17, 24 and 31, 2024
EST/ST. LAURENT, G. PUBLIC NOTICE
IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF MINNIE BYRD TUCKER, DECEASED CASE NO: 2024-004 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE
Letters of Administration over the Estate of MINNIE BYRD TUCKER, deceased, having been granted to JOHN TUCKER on July 11th, 2024 by John Thornton, Judge of Probate of Elmore County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons and parties having claims against said estate are required, within the time allowed by law, to present the same to the Court or the same will be barred.
JOHN TUCKER ADMINISTRATOR OF THE ESTATE OF MINNIE BYRD TUCKER, DECEASED
Name and Address of Attorney for Administrator:
JEFFREY J. COURTNEY COURTNEY & MANN, LLP PO BOX 100 WETUMPKA, ALABAMA 36092 334-567-2545
Wetumpka Herald: July 17, 24 and 31, 2024
EST/TUCKER M. PUBLIC NOTICE
IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF KAREN ANNICE WORTHINGTON, CASE NO: 2024-176 DECEASED NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE
Letters of Administration over
Public Notices
the Estate of KAREN ANNICE WORTHINGTON, deceased, having been granted to GERALD A. DANIEL, JR. on July 12, 2024 by John Thornton, Judge of Probate of Elmore County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons and parties having claims against said estate are required, within the time allowed by law, to present the same to the Court or the same will be barred.
GERALD A. DANIEL, JR. ADMINISTRATOR OF THE ESTATE OF KAREN ANNICE WORTHINGTON, DECEASED
Name and Address of Administrator:
GERALD A. DANIEL, JR. LAW OFFICE OF G A DANIEL, JR. LLC PO BOX 638 MILLBROOK, ALABAMA 36054 334-285-9444 Jerry@GADanielLaw.com
Wetumpka Herald: July 17, 24 and 31, 2024 EST/WORTHINGTON, K. PUBLIC NOTICE
MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE NOTICE
Default having been made in the terms of that certain Mortgage, executed on 11/01/2007, by Tamika R. Benson-Marshall, and Lee R. Marshall, wife and husband, as Mortgagor, to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as nominee for Countrywide Bank, FSB as Mortgagee, which said Mortgage is recorded in the OfElmore County, Alabama, in on 11/06/2007, and subsequently assigned to BankUnited N.A. and recorded in the Elmore County, Alabama on continued under the terms of said Mortgage, and by virtue
described real property will be sold at public outcry, for cash, to the highest bidder, in front of the Courthouse door of said County, during the legal hours of sale, on 9/12/2024.
BEING THE NORTHWEST
LEAVING SAID RIGHT OF 56 SEC. WEST, ALONG THE WEST LINE OF LOT 2 AND FEET TO AN EXISTING COR-WEST CORNER OF SAID
THENCE NORTH 00 DEG. 17
GINNING. THE ABOVE-DESCRIBEDNAL LOT NO. 144, WEST WEIN THE SOUTHWEST QUAR--
ABAMA. RONALD BURKE, ALA. REG.BER 12, 2000. Subject to all easements, restrictions and reservations appearing of record. Said sale will also be made subject to any Federal Tax Liens and/or Special Assessments of any nature, if any, which might adversely affect the title to the property. Alabama law gives some persons who have an interest in property the right to redeem the property under certain circumexist that help persons avoid or delay the foreclosure process. An attorney should be consulted to help you understand these rights and programs as a part of the foreclosure process. The property is being sold “as is, where is”. Said property is sold without warranty or recourse, expressed or implied as to title, use or enjoyment. This sale is made for the purpose of paying the indebtedness secured by said mortgage, as well as the expenses of foreclosure. This sale is subject to postponement or cancellation.
Counsel for Mortgagee/Transferee 126 Government Street
Wetumpka Herald: FC/MARSHALL PUBLIC NOTICE STATE OF ALABAMA ELMORE COUNTY FORECLOSURE NOTICE
WHEREAS, on January 25, 2011, Andrew Reid Smith, III, did execute and deliver to River Bank & Trust a mortgage on certain real estate hereinafter described, which mortgage apthe Judge of Probate of Elmore County, Alabama, at Real Property Book 2011, Page 6772, and, WHEREAS, default has been made in the payment of said Mortgage as provided therein, which default continues at this date making said Mortgage
Public Notices
g gg subject to foreclosure. NOW, THEREFORE, three weeks notice is hereby given that the undersigned will sell at public outcry for cash, to the highest bidder, in front of the courthouse doors, main entrance, in Wetumpka, Elmore County, Alabama, during the legal hours of sale on August 21, 2024, the real estate being more particularly described as lying and being situated in Elmore County, State of Alabama, to-wit: Boundary survey of a 106.35 acre tract of land located mostly in the West ½ of the SW 1/4 of section 28 and partly in the SE 1/4 of the SE 1/4 of section 29, all in T20N, R17E, Elmore County Alabama described as follows: Begin at a fence corner found near the SE corner of the West ½ of the SW 1/4 of said section 28; Thence S 88 deg. 54’ 17” W, 2665.41 Feet to a concrete monument found near the SW corner of the SE 1/4 of the SE 1/4 of said section 29; Thence N 0 deg 44’ 10” E, 1339.86 feet to a pipe found at a fence corner; Thence N 1 deg 09’ 04” E, 982.80 feet to an iron pin found; Thence N 90 deg 00’ 00” W, 413.67 feet to an iron pin found on the West edge of a gravel road; Thence N 90 deg 00’ 00” E, 526.51 feet to an iron pin found; Thence S 0 deg 49’ 37” W, 1870.90 feet to the point of beginning. Also, having an access easement along an existing gravel drive beginning at the North line of the SW 1/4 of said section 28 and running along drive to said tract of land. According to survey done by Wayne C. Bates Alabama Reg. #12929, dated October 15, 1997. Also, a survey of a 5.0 acre parcel of land located in the West ½ of the SW 1/4 of section 28, T20N, R17E, Elmore County, Alabama being described as follows: Commence at an iron pin found at a fence corner near the NE corner of the W ½ of the SW 1/4 of said section 28, thence S 0 deg 00 minutes East, 420.00 feet to an iron pin set at the P.O.B.; thence south 0 deg 00 minutes 00 seconds east, 413.67 feet to an iron pin set; thence south 90 deg 00 minutes 00 seconds West, 526.51 feet to an iron pin set; thence North 0 deg 00 minutes 00 seconds West, 413.67 feet to an iron pin set; thence North 90 deg 00 minutes 00 seconds east, 526.51 feet to the P.O.B.
Also, having and being subject to an access easement along an existing gravel drive beginning at the North line of the SW 1/4 of said section 28 and crossing said parcel.
All according to survey of W.C. Bates, Al. Reg. No. 12929, dated August 13, 1995. This conveyance is made subject to all restrictions, reservations, easements and right-ofway of record affecting the title to the above described property.
Said sale and conveyance will also be made subject to the legal rights of existing Federal Tax Liens, and/or Special Assessments, if any, which might adversely affect title to subject property.
Such sale will be made as provided in said mortgage for the purpose of paying the debt secured by said mortgage with interest thereon, any amounts required to be paid for taxes, insurance or other charges provided in said mortgage, and the expenses of foreclosure, including a reasonable attorney’s fee.
Said property will be sold on an “as is, where is” basis subject to any easements, encumbrances, and exceptions contained in said mortgage and those contained in the records of the where the above-described property is situated. Said property will be sold without warranty or recourse, expressed or implied as to title, use and/or enjoyment, and will be sold subject to the right of redemption of all parties entitled hereto.
Alabama law gives some persons who have an interest in property the right to redeem the property under certain circumstances. Programs may also exist that help persons avoid or delay the foreclosure process. An attorney should be consulted to help you understand these rights and programs as a part of the foreclosure process.
RIVER BANK & TRUST
PARNELL & PARNELL, P.A.
BY: Charles N. Parnell, III
Attorney for Mortgagee Montgomery, Alabama 36102 334/832-4200
Wetumpka Herald: July 17, 24 and 31, 2024
FC/SMITH
PUBLIC NOTICE STATE OF ALABAMA COUNTY OF ELMORE NOTICE OF MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE
Default having been made in the payment of the indebtedness secured by that certain mortgage and security agreement executed by SHAKILLIE LAJOYCE WATSON A/K/A
SHAKILLIE WATSON, an unmarried person, on the 6th day of March 2020, to 21ST MORTGAGE CORPORATION, as recorded in RLPY Book 2020, Probate Judge of Elmore County, Alabama; 21ST MORTGAGE CORPORATION, as Mortgagee, by reason of such default having declared all of the indebtedness secured by said mortgage and security agreement due and payable and such default continuing, notice is hereby given that, acting under the power of sale contained in said mortgage and security
Public Notices
gg y agreement, and as authorized by Section 7-9A-604(a)(2) of the Code of Alabama of 1975 as amended, 21ST MORTGAGE CORPORATION, as Mortgagee, will sell at public outcry, for cash to the highest bidder, in front of the Courthouse door, in the City of Wetumpka, Elmore County, Alabama, during the legal hours of sale on August 13, 2024, the following described real and personal property situated in Elmore County, Alabama, to-wit: Parcel No. 8, as shown on the “Map of Lands owned by L. Paige Cox and Michael D. Owens” prepared by Consulting Engineering Services, Inc., 1934 Walnut Street, Montgomery, Alabama, dated September 27, 1978, and more particularly described as follows: Commencing at a concrete monument, said point being the Southeast corner of the Southwest 1/4 of the Southeast 1/4 of Section 17, Township 17 North, Range 20 East, Elmore County, Alabama; thence N 32°09’52” W a distance of 41.00 feet to a point; thence S 86°21’00” W a distance of 1063.40 feet to a point; thence S 83°09’00” W a distance of 416.50 feet to a point; thence N 89°05’00” W a distance of 247.90 feet to a point; thence S 87°08’00” W a distance of 456.11 feet to a point, said point lying on the East boundary of a 50 foot road margin of a county maintained road; thence N 10°03’35” E along said road margin boundary a distance of 418.02 feet to a point; thence N 38°31’45” E along said road margin boundary a distance of 775.97 feet to a point, said point being the point of beginning. Thence continue N 38°31’45” E along said margin a distance of 249.49 feet to a point; thence N 7°30’45” E along said road margin to a point; thence N 90°00’00” E a distance of 749.30 feet to a point, said point lying in the center of Chubbahatchee Creek; thence S 2°07’26” E along said creek a distance of 58.61 feet to a point; thence S 14°21’32” W along said creek a distance of 175.07 feet to a point; thence S 71°21’34” W along said creek a distance of 51.75 feet to a point; thence S 90°00’00” W a distance of 434.42 feet to the point of beginning, said parcel lying in the South 1/2 of Section 17, Township 17 North, Range 20 East, Elmore County, Alabama. INCLUDING a security interest in one (1) 2020 Southern 32’ x 80’ manufactured home, Serial No. SAD025481ALAB; together with the hereditaments and appurtenances thereunto attached to and used in connection with the premises herein described. This property will be sold on an “as is, where is” basis, subject to any easements, encum-ed in the mortgage and those contained in the records of the the county where the above-described property is situated. This property will be sold without warranty or recourse, expressed or implied as to title, use and/or enjoyment and will be sold subject to the right of redemption of all parties entitled thereto. Alabama law gives some persons who have an interest in property the right to redeem the property under certain circumstances. Programs may also exist that help persons avoid or delay the foreclosure process. An attorney should be consulted to help you understand these rights and programs as a part of the foreclosure process. Said sale will be made subject to any existing Federal Tax Lien, if any, and/or Special Assessments, if any, which might adversely affect the title to the subject property. Said sale will be made for the purpose of paying the indebtedness secured by the above-described mortgage, and the pro-
Public Notices
ggp ceeds thereof will be applied as provided by the terms of the said mortgage. This sale is subject to postponement or cancellation; contact Margery Oglesby at the phone number shown below prior to attending the sale.
Kristofor D. Sodergren Attorney for 21st Mortgage Corporation ROSEN HARWOOD, P.A.
2200 Jack Warner Pkwy Ste 200 P.O. Box 2727
Tuscaloosa, AL 35403 (205) 344-5000
Wetumpka Herald: July 17, 24 and 31, 2024
FC/WATSON
PUBLIC NOTICE
NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS FEDERAL AID PROJECT NO.
STPMN-2624(251) ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA
Sealed bids will be received by the Director of Transportation
Public Notices
ny each bid as evidence of good
on the decision to award this
and are set forth in the adver
sponse to this invitation and will
The right to reject any or all bids
Transportation Director
STPMN-2624(251)
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NO ACTION FOLLOWING STATEMENT OF ECLECTIC
TOWN CLERK
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
It was supposed to be a meeting to discuss the fiscal year 2025 budget for the Eclectic Town Council.
Instead Monday’s council meeting turned into a two-hour executive session hearing accusations of misspending of town funds, a hostile work environment and slander. Mayor Gary Davenport said he and town clerk Shannon Duck have been discussing a situation for a week or so. The mayor felt the matter was important enough to delay the budget discussion to allow Duck to make a public statement before the council headed behind closed doors to hear from Duck, Eclectic police officers, town staff and Alexander City clerk Stephanie Southerland.
“This situation has gotten way out of hand,” Duck told the council. “The work environment fostered here has become one where you have to look over your shoulder because you don’t know who is baiting you or recording you as they set you up for something.”
Duck said the root cause is a lack of discipline and consequences for employees taking advantage of Davenport. Issues arose when misuse of Eclectic Police Department vehicles and spending by the police department without council approval were highlighted by Duck to Davenport and members of the council.
“In the past week taxpayer dollars have been spent paying wages whose whole motive has been to spread lies, threaten, bully and slander the name and good character of the appointed town clerk,” Duck said.
The clerk reported the new police vehicles leased by the town were outfitted with lights and other police equipment by another vendor after the first failed to come through. It cost the town an additional $19,000 but the extra expense was never put in front of the council.
“It’s nobody’s fault, just something that needed to be fixed,” Duck said. “I was protecting the town, the mayor, the chief and the money of this town.”
Duck explained reports to town hall of misuse of the police department vehicles have increased.
“Apparently it is becoming a regular issue,” Duck said. “Again it just falls back to lack of discipline and consequences for the action.”
Duck provided the Eclectic Town Council with documents and financial information about the spending. Instead of working to correct the problem, Duck said she was attacked by city employees.
“Instead this has somehow been turned around and I’m forced to defend my actions,” Duck said.
Duck takes her job as clerk seriously and works hard to ensure expenditures are approved by the council.
“If the minutes do not reflect the expenditures, then I have not done my job properly,” Duck said.
Thinking it might be an oversight, Duck approached police chief Robert Head so he was not blindsided by her reporting the issue to Davenport and the council. Instead she said the table was turned on her and her husband who is an officer in the Eclectic Police Department.
“The reaction was very defensive and he began criticizing my husband’s job
performance,” Duck said. “I told him that had nothing to do with me and the matter at hand. If he had issues with performance then he needed to address them with him as his direct supervisor.”
Duck left the meeting discouraged and feeling attacked, she said.
“I don’t understand how this has gotten turned into an employee slander situation against me,” Duck said. “I believe I’m the victim because I’m now targeted so as to deflect from the real issue at hand.”
Since Duck has brought the issue to light, she said she has been subjected to a hostile work environment and bullying on social media.
“I’m put in a position where I have to defend elementary accusations against me while the real problems are not being addressed,” Duck said. “I’m hurt and offended by the actions of my co-workers.”
Duck said it has all occurred without any discipline of those who have bullied and targeted her.
Duck asked for the council to approve an executive session for personnel matters to allow Duck to discuss in further detail her accusations.
Two hours later after hearing from Duck, police officers, Sutherland and others, the council returned to a regular meeting and took no action. Instead, Davenport made a statement.
“The council does not feel it is necessary (to act),” Davenport said.
“We have a picture of pretty much everything that is going on. I will do my job as mayor and meet with the department heads and any individuals that I need to. We will handle what needs to be handled.”
Coming home
ECHS alum returns to roots to lead Maroon Machine
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
Dallas Hammond has taken over the reins of the Elmore County High School Maroon Machine Marching Band. It’s Hammond’s first real job after college. But she is no stranger to ECHS as she is returning home to lead the band that gave her her musical start.
“It’s cool seeing everything from this side,” Hammond said. “It’s been very welcoming from everyone. It’s nice to be here because it is something I care about a lot. I like being able to come somewhere that already has a love for what I’m doing is fantastic.”
Hammond is accustomed to marching in and leading quality bands. Just a few years ago she was marching on Eddie Mann Field, the Maroon Machine’s practice area playing clarinet, tenor saxophone and trumpet. She was also a drum major of the Maroon Machine.
Hammond went to Troy University after ECHS where she marched the clarinet and mellophone for a year each in the Sound of the South. She was also a drum major for three years and graduate assistant for the 400-member band for two years.
It was all experience for the rookie high school band director.
“It prepared me for everything,” Hammond said. “The grad assistants at Troy are pretty much like assistant band directors. We would run the marching band essentially I set all the drill for pregame. I set all the drill for the marching show.”
Hammond also taught a concert band class.
It all prepared her for the return home, a place to grow young musicians.
“I have two years of teaching experience basically at the college level,” Hammond said. “This is coming back more to
bread and butter because they are more moldable.”
Hammond grew musically at ECHS under the tutelage of longtime ECHS band director Anthony Vittore. Hammond plans to keep many of the things Vittore did in place such as the overall organization. But she wants to add her own twists.
“I’m not trying to recreate the wheel,” Hammond said. “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. I am making it my own and just being myself. We just have different personalities.”
Hammond is keeping some of the theater in the halftime shows of the Maroon Machine, just not to the scale of Vittore.
“We are not having so much of the production as usual,” Hammond said. “We will however have a 30-foot Empire State building on the 50-yard line. It is still very much an Elmore County show, but there are not so many bells and whistles. We are getting back to focusing on marching technique, songs and playing ability.”
The music of Hammond’s first Maroon Machine halftime show is inspired by her Billy Joel playlist and her favorite television show Glee.
“I was listening to him one day and I listened to Moving Out,” Hammond said. “I thought it would be a good marching band song.”
Hammond also brought an idea in from Glee about how characters want to make it to the big stage in the Big Apple.
Two actors will be part of the show and the band’s auxiliaries will join in the acting as well from time to time.
“For our show, this person is going through the trials and tribulations of having a big dream and then not getting the dream,” Hammond said. “They then work really hard and come back to achieve it.”
last week.
Brooks picks up first D1 football offer
By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor
Justin Brooks is going to get a chance to play at the next level.
A rising junior at Elmore County, Brooks picked up his first Division I football offer last week. The 6-foot-4, 220-pound tight end was offered by North Alabama following the Lions’ camp held at the Wetumpka Sports Complex.
“Getting a Division I offer going into my senior year really made me realize my potential,” Brooks said. “Now I’m hoping we can get some more and keep improving my game. It was kind of shocking when it happened, but it’s exciting.”
Brooks has the God given size that college coaches dream of, but he really impressed the Lions’ staff at the camp. His quickness
surprised the coaches, and he was running routes against safeties and cornerbacks instead of the usual linebackers. He was still causing separation on his routes. When North Alabama found out he was only a junior, they were caught off guard and intrigued with the type of project he could be at the next level.
CLIFF WILLAIMS | TPI
The Elmore County High School Maroon Machine Marching Band works on its halftime show at band camp
FILE TPI
Elmore County rising junior Justin Brooks, right, poses with sister and homecoming Jayla Brooks last season. Brooks recently picked up his first Division I football offer from North Alabama.
CLIFF WILLIAMS | TPI
Eclectic town clerk Shannon Duck, back left, speaks to the Eclectic Town Council and Mayor Gary Davenport on Monday just before the council retreated to an executive session to discuss issues brought up by Duck.
Elmore County hosts youth basketball camp
By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor
The Elmore County basketball team helped teach future Panthers the sport of basketball last week. The Panthers hosted a four-day in the Elmore County gym from Monday through Thursday. The team welcomed 42 kids across the four days. The first two days were spent working on fundamentals such as footwork and ball handling, while the final two days of the camp were spent learning passing skills and shooting.
“We went over all the fundamentals and then even played some fun games like freeze tag and knockout,” head coach Nathan Taylor said. “At the end of each day, we let them line up and play four versus four, and that was what they enjoyed the most for sure. We were pretty excited about the turnout. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect because we haven’t had a youth camp here in a while. Forty-two is a really good turnout.”
Every member of Taylor’s varsity roster showed up each day to help serve as counselors. The current Panthers each got their own stations and group of kids and taught different skills.
“The best part of the entire camp was watching our guys teach the kids the same stuff we teach them every day,” Taylor said. “It was really enjoyable to sit back and watch them work with the kids.”
The camp has ended, but the varsity summer circuit has not. There are no more games in front of the Panthers, but that isn’t stopping the group from getting together.
The team is playing golf with each other soon, and then Taylor is setting up a video game tournament soon where the team will figure out who the best EA Sports College Football 25 player on the team is.
It’s hard to separate the current varsity players on the team, and Taylor loves every minute of that.
“They just enjoy being around each other,” Taylor said. “It lets me know they’ll compete for each other. It also helps me when I have to coach them hard. I know they’re not going to back away from it. They’ll take what I’m saying and put it to good use.”
Eclectic native opens Lake Martin Nutrition
By MELODY RATHEL Multimedia Reporter
A brand new tea store has made its home on Cherokee Road in Alexander City.
Eclectic native Kirstan Bishop recently opened the doors to Lake Martin Nutrition. As an avid lover of the Herbalife tea brand, she decided to embark on her own business endeavor with the product.
“I just fell in love with the product,” Bishop said. “I used to get four to five loaded teas a week, and I wanted to help spread nutritional awareness.”
Although she resides in Eclectic, Alexander City is like a second home to her. She said growing up, she and her family would visit Alexander City regularly for doctor s appointments and other necessities they couldn’t get in Eclectic.
After developing a vested interest in owning a loaded tea store, Bishop began searching surrounding areas for a location for her own shop.
“I was looking in small communities in surrounding areas, but everywhere already had (a store),” she said. “One day I was in Alex City, and I was driving around when I saw an empty building. I thought,
‘That’s it.’”
She immediately began looking into the space and successfully secured a lease. She wasted no time getting the location set up.
“I was working a fulltime job at the time, so
“He’s very physical and has a big body and is a strong kid,” Elmore County coach Kyle Caldwell said. “He can run really well for his size and has big strong hands.” With loads of talented skill players scattered across Elmore County’s roster last year, Brooks didn’t get the amount of targets he will likely get this year. He was still effective, recording four catches for 102 yards and a touchdown. But he was much more of a hand in the dirt type of tight end instead of running routes and catching touchdowns. With how quick he has
I was coming in on the weekends and after work sometimes,” Bishop said. “I had to order all the products, get them delivered to my house, pack it in my car and drive it up here. It took me about two months to
become and the mismatch he can create against any defender, that role looks to change in 2024. He will continue his blocking-first style of play, but he will also line up out wide and line up as a fullback in the backfield.
“We want to put him on an island by himself a little and see who a defense puts on him,”
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really get everything in and going.”
Although she got everything moved in, she had not yet set an opening date. As she was getting the final details squared away, she decided to open right away.
“Once I got my food permit, business license and all the documents I needed, I said, ‘You know what? I’m just going to open tomorrow and see how it goes,’” Bishop said.
She opened on July 9, and hasn’t looked back. So far, her favorite aspect of having her own business in Alex City is meeting new people and getting to know the community.
Her goal is to encourage healthy lifestyles throughout the community, and to offer a more nutritional caffeine and refreshment alternative. Currently, she has a menu of loaded, specialty and beauty teas and shakes. Over time, she plans to expand the menu with more tea options and additional sugar-free items like cake pops, coffee and non-caffeinated refreshers.
Lake Martin Nutrition is located at 1994 Cherokee Rd. The store is open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.
Caldwell said. “He is so special with his hand in the dirt, that old school tight end position. He’s a very physical blocker so he will certainly help us there.” While Brooks has seen his skills improve over the last calendar year, that’s not where he feels is the best improvement. That would be his leadership. Being one of the only returning starters to the Panthers’ offense, he is becoming the vocal leader that Caldwell needs to find success and put up points.
“I’ve had to step up for the team,” “I’ve been working in the gym and on the field, but I’m definitely most improved with my leadership. I’m excited for the season. The summer has been fun, but I can’t wait for that first Friday night.”
ABOVE: Elmore County basketball coach Nathan Taylor talks with campers at the Elmore County Youth Basketball Camp last week.
BELOW: A camper goes through drills at the Elmore County Youth Basketball Camp.
Kirstan Bishop has opened Lake Martin Nutrition on Cherokee Road in Alexander City.