Council approves tax increase
By MELODY RATHEL Multimedia Reporter
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
CLIFF WILLIAMS TPI
Tallassee High School band director Dr. Roby Glasscock stands atop a new viewing platform at the Tallassee
WILLIAMS | TPI The Tallassee Police Department maintains a few kennels with runs for its animal control officer to use.
Police Reports
AUG. 18
• A white male was arrested during a domestic dispute call on Gilmer Avenue.
• A welfare check was conducted on Grimes Street.
• Debris was reported in the roadway on Gilmer Avenue. AUG. 17
• Harassing communications was reported on Central Boulevard.
• A fight in progress was reported on Second Avenue.
• Trespassing was reported on Second Avenue.
• A noise complaint was reported on First Avenue.
• Assistance was given to medics on Cliff Street.
• A fight in progress was reported on McNeal Street.
• A juvenile complaint was reported on Ashurt Avenue.
• Assistance was given during a medical call on Central Boulevard.
• A reckless driver was reported on White Oak Lane.
• Assistance was given to a citizen on Parker Street.
• A white male was arrested on Delta Road.
• Assistance was given to a citizen on Delta Road.
• A white male was arrested on U.S. Highway 231.
• A motor vehicle accident with no injuries was reported on Little Road.
• Theft was reported on Powers Avenue.
• A suspicious person was reported on Sims Avenue. AUG. 16
• Assistance was given to another agency on Notasulga Road.
tions was reported on Macedonia Road.
• An animal complaint was reported on Sunset Drive.
AUG. 15
• A domestic incident was reported on Friendship Road.
• Assistance was given to medics on Cliff Street.
• A child custody dispute was reported on Riley Road.
• Trespassing was reported on James Street.
• A domestic dispute was reported on Delta Road.
• Criminal mischief was reported on James Street.
• A juvenile complaint was reported on Powers Avenue.
• A white female was arrested on U.S. Highway 231.
• Assistance was given to a motorist on Gilmer Avenue.
• Harassment was reported on Macedonia Road.
• Animal control was requested on Freeman Avenue.
• A suspicious vehicle was reported on Little Road.
Your local community college offers classes in the summer that transfer.
BY OR
• Menacing was reported on Gilmer Avenue.
• A white male was arrested on Gilmer Avenue.
• Assistance was given during a medical call on Cliff Street.
• Assistance was given to a motorist on Gilmer Avenue.
• A welfare check was conducted on Rec Center Road.
• A white male was arrested on U.S. Highway 231.
• Harassing communica-
• A domestic incident was reported on James Street.
• A suspicious person was reported on Central Boulevard.
AUG. 14
• A noise complaint was reported on Third Avenue.
• Criminal mischief was reported on South Ashurst Avenue.
• An abandoned vehicle was reported on Taylor Road.
• A juvenile complaint was reported on James Street.
• An abandoned vehicle was reported on McKenzie Street.
• Animal control was requested on Gilmer Avenue.
• Assistance was given to a citizen on Hillcrest Street.
AUG. 13
• A white male was arrested on Orchard Drive.
• A noise complaint was reported on Third Avenue.
• A juvenile complaint was reported on Hall Farm Road.
• Assistance was given
to a motorist on Friendship Road.
• A white male was arrested during an intoxicated person call on Friendship Road.
• A welfare check was conducted on North Ann Avenue.
• Assistance was given to another agency on Macedonia Road.
• Assistance was given during a medical call on Barnett Boulevard.
• Animal control was requested on Bass Street and Ashurst Avenue.
• A white male was arrested during a suspicious person call on Main Street.
• A private property accident was reported on Rec Center Road.
• A white male was arrested on Washington Street.
• Animal control was requested on Ashurst Avenue.
• A white male was arrested during a traffic stop on Central Boulevard.
• Animal control was requested on Bass Street.
• Assistance was given to a citizen on Barnett Boulevard.
• Animal control was requested on Ashurst Avenue and Bass Street.
• An animal complaint was reported on West Main Street.
• Animal control was requested on West Butler Street.
• A welfare check was conducted on Gilmer Avenue.
• Assistance was given to a motorist on Friendship Road.
• Disorderly conduct was reported on Friendship Road.
• A white female was arrested on U.S. Highway 231.
• A suspicious vehicle was reported on Gilmer Avenue.
• Animal control was requested on Gilmer Avenue. AUG. 12
• Assistance was given to another agency Fleahop Road.
• Assistance was given to a citizen on Burnt Springs
Trailor Court.
• Animal control was requested on Bass Street and Ashurst Avenue.
• Assistance was given during a medical call on East Patton Street.
• Criminal mischief was reported on Azalea Street.
• Assistance was given to a citizen on Gilmer Street.
• An animal complaint was reported on Gilmer Avenue and Macedonia Road.
• Animal control was requested on Ashurst Avenue.
• Assistance was given to a citizen on Barnett Boulevard.
• Assistance was given to a motorist on Gilmer Avenue.
• Suspicious activity was reported on Main Street.
• Animal control was requested on Bass Street and Ashurst Avenue.
• Assistance was given to another agency on Friendship Road.
• Debris was reported in the roadway on Gilmer Avenue.
• Animal control was requested on Ashurst Avenue and Bass Street.
• Assistance was given to a citizen on Barnett Boulevard.
• A domestic dispute was reported on Quail Run Drive.
• A motor vehicle accident was reported on Venable Street.
• A white male was arrested during an animal complaint on Eubanks Street.
• A domestic incident was reported on Power Avenue. AUG. 11
• Suspicious activity was reported on Redden Avenue.
• Assistance was given to another agency on Lovelady Road.
• A welfare check was conducted on Central Boulevard.
• A domestic incident was reported on Riverside Avenue.
• Theft was reported on Adams Street.
• Assistance was given to another agency on Gilmer Avenue.
Our View Opinion
Time to show our support
The 2024-2025 sports season is officially upon us. There are no more scrimmages, 7-on-7s or early morning workouts.
From here on out, our teams are playing games.
This fall, football, volleyball, swim, cross country and now flag football will all take the field and play sanctioned games. The teams have been practicing and getting ready all summer long, and now it’s our turn to show up and support these players.
They’ve been spending countless hours in the summer getting up at the crack of dawn to make early morning weightlifting sessions, or to drive across the state for a camp or a 7-on-7 event with the team. And for the last three weeks, they’ve been practicing in that Alabama heat, sometimes twice a day.
Fan support was on full display last week at various scrimmages such as Ben Russell, Wetumpka and Tallassee. Benjamin Russell coach Smitty Grider even commented on the attendance, saying it might have been the biggest crowd he’s ever had at a scrimmage. Wetumpka fans also lined the stands for the scrimmage.
This Friday, as teams take the field for the first official games of the season, we need to show our support. The kids deserve the cheers, and they deserve for the stands to be packed.
Our reporters were out and about this summer in the heat a few times covering these events that the players were in. We saw what they were doing and stood in the heat they were doing it in. They did that nearly every day and never complained about it. They just tried to get better for when the season started.
As journalists, we are trained to be unbiased. While doing our work, we aren’t supposed to have opinions or feelings. We are supposed to be the word of reason.
Of course there are opinion pages reserved for just those things — and of course we are human; we are going to have emotions.
But as journalists, we are trained to not get involved, stay out of the way, be in the background.
But community journalism isn’t really the same. We are covering where we live, work and play. We are covering issues that matter to us every day.
In national news media, it’s a bit easier to stay away from your sources and those you’re covering, but in smalltown journalism, you might run into those exact folks while you’re in your PJs at the Dollar General. These are your friends, your loved ones, your community. It’s hard to remain completely closed off.
That was especially apparent Sunday night, which marked
.jpeg attached to the email. Announcements will appear within 10 days in The Tribune, The Herald or The Observer.
one year since the death of Benjamin Russell senior Kade Senn, who died in a car wreck in 2023. Community members gathered for a balloon release, and Kade’s parents and family were there in droves.
Just a few months before Kade died, a mass shooting occurred in Dadeville. It took the lives of four young people and injured countless others, physically and emotionally.
balloon release on Sunday, and as hard as I tried to remain on the outskirts, to not let my feel ings show, I couldn’t help but allow the tears to come.
Kade was awarded his hon orary diploma by Central Ala bama Community College, and it was such a special moment to celebrate with a hundred of Kade’s closest family and friends. It was an honor I wish I could give to all the students and young people who were taken too soon in 2023, and any other year for that matter.
Only a few months after, another student, Elmore County’s Masen Goggins, was taken from us in a car crash as well.
All of this sandwiched, as many of you know, by the death of my youngest brother, Dylan Gentry. There were other deaths of young people, by suicide and car wrecks, during 2023, and to say the least, it was a tough year. All those young people came back to me during Kade’s
a senior this year at Elmore County, and his name remains on the roster of the Panthers’ football squad — as it should. good moments when grief is overtaking you, but there is so much to celebrate, even in death. As a journalist, I’m proud to be a part of those moments with my community.
managing editor of Tallapoo sa Publishers Inc. She can be reached at 434-962-9420 or via email at
Lord Voldemort drives a Toyota
Iknow, I know, it’s “He-WhoMust-Not-Be-Named.”
Before true Harry Potter fan Lizi Arbogast Gwin edits out the title of this week’s essay, I wanted to say that it is indeed true: Lord Voldemort, you-knowwho, drives a Toyota.
Maybe not the actor who plays him, Ralph Fiennes; in fact, according to a profile of the actor in GQ Magazine, he has a collection of vehicles that he doesn’t drive. I am talking about the guy sitting at the intersection of the Northern Bypass and Wares Ferry Road in Montgomery There he was at the traffic light. A face pale as chalk, snake-like slits for a nose, overall looking more like a skull than anything else. His tiny, beady eyes looked menacingly over at me and I had to look away from the evil. Plus, he was in a late-model Toyota Mirai, which has been named by automotive enthusiasts as the ugliest car Toyota has ever produced. That light couldn’t change fast enough for me. Every time I looked over at Lord Voldemort –you know, Tom Riddle – he was already looking at me. I was so scared! Over the summer, as I began to transition to a new life working for Faulkner University, my
travels have taken me all over the River Region and beyond as we spread the word about our music scholarship program.
My new job is quite different from the world of serving as a choral director the past few years. It is more like a salesman-type job working for the admissions office and music department at the University
For example, I have contacted over 200 students who might have clicked on the band page of the Faulkner website and shown the slightest bit of interest in attending. I have dug deep into applications, ACT scores, children of alumni, you name it.
What we are offering is over 70% off tuition if you participate in the band or choir at Faulkner
That’s a $16,000 scholarship – right off the top. And you can stack it with other scholarships and grants. A student could attend our college completely free, just for being in music.
This amazing opportunity came along and when the University
approached me about it, after 28 years of teaching public school – most of that at Tallassee – it was an interesting offer. I know it won’t last forever but the opportunity to build something like this was exciting, so here we go!
Along with contacting over 200 potential students, I’ve also visited nearly every band camp that was going on in the River Region and personally contacted 98 schools around the southeast. The school approved my design of a full-page advertisement and we purchased space in the state journal for music teachers. I’ve visited WSFA-TV 12 for interviews, spent countless hours writing press releases, and attended a dozen or so meetings with higher-ups at the college over the summer as we mapped out a strategy for building the band program.
In summary, while the pasty-looking Lord Voldemort is out driving his Toyota Mirai, I’m cruising through your town in a Ford Econoline spreading the good news about music scholarships. It may look like a church bus to you, but imagine a sign on the back that says, “Follow me to Faulkner.”
Michael Bird is an assistant professor of music at Faulkner University
County limited in controlling development
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
Some Redland community residents are upset the Elmore County Commission didn’t do enough to slow or alter a large residential development project off Redland Road near Willow Springs Road.
The commission recently approved the Phase I plat for Laurel Ridge allowing more than 100 homes to be built. It is the first of several phases where nearly 700 homes will be built. Commissioners said their hands were tied in the matter because of a lack of home rule.
“We don’t have any authority,” commissioner Dennis Hill said. “We don’t have home rule. For a lot of people that is great, for others it’s not.”
The authority residents were hoping the commission would exercise is zoning similar to what municipalities do. Elmore County chief operations officer Richie Beyer said the commission can control a few things in developments in unincorporated Elmore County such as the road system with the development if it will be deeded over to the county for maintenance. That also involves lot layout and drainage. If the developer meets those requirements, the commission is required by Alabama law to approve the plat. If it doesn’t, the county can be sued and held liable for attorney fees and more.
Nearby residents asked commissioners about traffic studies and making Redland Road four lanes to accommodate growth from the subdivision.
“The added traffic is a concern,” nearby resident William Piper said. “Adding an additional 1,500
vehicles on Redland Road will make it a bigger problem and bigger backup.”
Beyer said improvements have been made to Redland Road from U.S. Highway 231 to Rifle Range Road in recent years. But improving Redland Road’s entrance to U.S. Highway 231 is beyond the control of the commission. Any work there is subject to the approval of the Alabama Department of Transportation.
Hill said he had spoken with the developers of the residential development.
He was told all the homes will be between 2,100 and 3,000 square feet.
“(A home this size) won’t be low-income housing,” Hill said.
The idea of a development of the property near Willow Springs Road is nothing new. For decades it has been owned by ALFA. In the mid-2000s ALFA worked with a developer for a similar residential development.
County officials said it didn’t happen because of the recession.
The commission could have considered zoning issues raised by citizens if it had limited home rule. It is something the commission had briefly
from 2016 to 2018. A public referendum narrowly passed allowing the commission to deal with such matters. But in 2018 a petition with more than 4,000 signatures was brought to the commission to repeal the commission’s ability to home rule.
“It was repealed with 64% of the vote,” commission chairman Bart Mercer said.
Mercer said he was part of the town of Elmore’s incorporation in 2005 and 2006. He said it was a long and difficult process but could be done. More recently Pike Road and Pine Level have incorporated.
Each of the municipalities can now pass zoning laws.
Hill sees the growth. He is a retired law enforcement officer and in the last 35 years has seen Elmore County grow from about 48,000 residents to nearly 100,000. With the growth Hill said some changes will have to happen but can’t always be initiated by the commission.
“The adjustments will have come from the citizens,” Hill said. “They will have to tell us and grant us the authority.”
Reeltown Beta Club named School of Distinction
By ABIGAIL MURPHY Multimedia Reporter
The Rebels are getting nationwide recognition.
Reeltown High School was announced as a 20232024 National Beta School of Distinction. RHS Beta Club had to increase its membership by at least 10% to receive this award.
Last year, RHS Beta Club had 109 members, 15 of whom graduated this past May. Beta Club sponsor Lisa Langford said receiving this distinction is an honor, especially as a small school.
“And for that many students to be eligible for Beta Club is just a wonderful blessing and it says a lot about our students and how much they care about the grades,” she said.
Only 22% of Beta Clubs received this award across the nation.
RHS Beta Club completes at least four service projects per year. Langford said the club does activities in nursing homes such as Dadeville Health Care and Tallassee Health and Rehab. The Beta Club also has a mentorship program with the elementary school called Reel Friends. The club also collects pop tops for the Ronald McDonald House, does campus cleanups and sponsors the home-
Day in honor of Dr.
coming bonfire.
“If there’s a special need in the community, we try to help address those, following our motto: ‘Lead by serving others,’” Langford said.
This year, the Beta Club is gearing up with electing officers. Langford said she is hoping to hit the ground running by September. Soon, induction for sixth graders will also begin, which occurs between October and February.
Langford said she has two main goals for Beta Club going into the new year. One is a long-term goal to go to convention regularly again. The second is to have more student-spearheaded projects. “I always love when they come up with or find a project on their own,”
Marching Rebels bringing in the light this season
By ABIGAIL MURPHY Multimedia Reporter
The Reeltown Marching Band is getting lit. This season the band is bringing audiences the show “Lit” for a show all about light. It features songs “This Little Light of Mine” with a New Orleans Dixieland sound, “Disco Inferno” by the Trammps, “Dancing in the Moonlight” by King Harvest, “All of the Lights” by Kanye West and “Light Em Up” by Fall Out Boy.
Reeltown band director Eric Thompson said they are hoping to have some LED lights on the drumline and incorporate fireworks on Senior Night.. But overall, he wanted the show to be something fun for the students.
“This is by far the strongest band I have had since I have been here,” Thompson said. He credits part of it to the seniors, the soloist and leadership team who are all strong performers and musicians. He added some of the members are already performing on a collegiate level, and in the show, you can hear it.
With band camp this year, the Rebels have taken advantage of their new room in the Reeltown gym, and Thompson said it has been a game changer. It was a lot easier for the band to cool off in breaks and they played better during practice because of it.
Reeltown has three weeks of band camp. The first week, July 8-12, was for rookies and new leaders. The next two weeks was
THEATER
Continued from A1
she said. “We are always looking for that, whether it’s something they invent or create themselves or actually find on the internet.”
Langford has been the Beta Club sponsor for the past 25 years. She also has two other sponsors including Hannah Brown, coming up on Year 2 as a sponsor, and Teresa Stewart, joining them for the first time. Langford said overall it’s been an honor and the students can feel that too.
“I know the greatest blessing of all is when you go out to serve others like in the nursing home, “ she said. “Most of the time you get the bigger blessing and that’s always a good thing to see. We’ll give God all the glory credit for that.”
band camp for all the members and they also had a mini camp on Aug. 3.
“It’s been fun — I don’t know if I have had fun in band camp in a long time,” Thompson said. “I think being able to be here in this facility and having a group of kids who really care about being there and wanting to put on a good show for people has made it really enjoyable for me. We are excited about it.”
Thompson said another goal for the band this season is to fulfill the wish of Melody Jackson, a Reeltown sophomore who died of cancer in February Through the MakeA-Wish Foundation, Jackson wished for the marching band to have new uniforms. Thompson said he is hoping to have the uniforms in time for the last home game of the season.
The first show of the season is an away game at the Cramton Bowl in Montgomery Thursday. Thompson said the band is especially excited for it — with the size of the stadium, plus the publicity of the game, he feels it’s going to help the students see what they have been working so hard toward.
“The first performance is always very eye opening for me as the director and for the kids because we start recording those performances from an aerial viewpoint,” Thompson said. “Every time we perform, we are recording it and the first thing we do in the first practice afterward is we watch it and then we just pick it apart.”
River from time to time to the Mt. Vernon.
“I’ve been to many a show there,” Patterson said. “Hank Williams used to come in and play on the stage before a movie.”
Other bands and performances were held on the stage of the theater.
“There are a lot of memories in the theater,” Patterson said.
Patterson recalls paying 10 cents for admission with drinks, candy and popcorn being just a nickel a piece.
“It was just a good time,” Patterson said. The new owners want to let the community help bring it back to life and make the theater more than just a building. They want it to be a community facility
“We want to have almost everything,” Patterson said. “We are going to open it for the community We have talked about weddings, concerts and movies, especially old movies. When we do that we will have the popcorn machine going and drinks like the good ole days. ”
Joey Wigington said the lobby will be renovated and their hope is to
That guides the director and leadership team for what the focus will be that week’s practice so each time they perform, it strategically gets better. Thompson said one of the main goals is effortlessness. When it comes to a performance, he said you don’t want to look like you are trying, you want to look and sound as if it’s instinctual. While the season is young, the band already has plans for its competitions. The first will be Sept. 28 with the Camellia Marching Festival at Marbury High School. The next one will be Oct. 12 at the Heart of Dixie Band Festival at Prattville High School. The band also will have a fall concert with a Halloween theme Oct. 29 and a Christmas concert Dec. 12. The student band leaders for this year are as follows: band captain Megan Giles, drum major Amelia Dillman, secretary Velva Durham, property officer Caleb Rush, uniform officer Jack Darnell, publicity officer Blake Parker, marching and maneuvering captain Christian Jackson, road crew captain Emma Nonales, bus captain Aidan Darnell, woodwind captain Jaxon Walker, high brass captain Will Cox, high brass assistant captain Jacob Fuller, low brass captain Dylan Darnell, low brass assistant captain Beckah Brumbeloe, percussion captain Jackson Rodgers, auxiliary captain Laura Carroll and assistant auxiliary captain Liliana Watkins.
someday replace the wooden seats.
The team also may install a digital marquee where block letters currently are placed advertising what’s inside.
“Down the road we are looking at a restaurant adjoining the theater,” Patterson said. “The restaurant will open six or seven days a week and be similar to what the Hotel Talisi was like in the good ole days. But that’s well down the road.”
Wigington and Patterson are working with a similar theater in Tennessee. The idea is to try to get a performer at one theater one night and the other the next night. They are also planning a Veterans Day program for this year. A grand opening is scheduled for Dec. 1. ”We will do Christmas movies all during the season,” Wigington said. “We have Santa coming at some date too. Christmas will be a big time here.”
Like Patterson, Wington sees it as an opportunity to make the theater a part of Tallassee history again. They are renaming the facility the Mt. Vernon Performing Arts Center to help encourage all arts and events.
“We truly want to make it that,” Wigington said. “We want to bring events that will give people something to do and areas to bring family and friends to.”
CLIFF WILLIAMS | TPI
Residents near Redland Road and Willow Springs Road are concerned a coming residential development will alter the availability of utilities.
The Reeltown Marching Band is gearing up for its show theme of light, featuring songs from ‘This Little Light of Mine’ to ‘Light
Beta Club members Madi Jinright, left, and Emileigh Williams read to Reeltown Elementary School classes during Read Across America
Seuss.
lecturing at Faulkner this year as he plans to retire from Tallassee at the end of the 2024-25 school year.
“I’m finishing out the school year at Tallassee,” Glasscock said. “If things work out, I will transition to Faulkner next year.”
In the meantime, Glasscock is full-time at Tallassee and teaches
from 3:40 to 5 p.m. three days a week at Faulkner. He will be with the Tallassee band at its performances and the Faulkner band when it has home performances Saturday.
Glasscock’s recruitment to Faulkner took many long conversations, but he had been looking at a retirement plan.
“In my conversations with them, I told them I can’t leave just yet,” Glasscock said. “But I sure would love to work with them.”
dle School.
Glasscock’s daughter Kinsley is a senior and in her second year as drum major at Tallassee.
“My son wants me to stay for him, but that would be another six years,” Glasscock said. “I was like, ‘I love you buddy, but I can’t do it.’”
Glasscock’s musical roots start in Elmore County. After graduating Holtville then Troy University, , he went to Albany, Georgia for six months. But home was calling and so was Tallassee’s Southside Mid-
“One of the band directors who had been at Tallassee called me and said, ‘We got a middle school position open up,’” Glasscock said. After four years at Southside, Glasscock had his classroom packed up. He thought he was heading to his high school alma mater but another plan came about.
job was mine. It just so happened the band director (at Tallassee) moved to another school. I couldn’t pass up the money. It was also a better situation.”
“All the lights would be on,” Glasscock said. “I just loved hearing the kids gasp knowing it might be the only chance some of them would ever have to do something like that.” GLASSCOCK Continued from A1
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we get the dogs back to the original owners,” Tallassee police chief Todd Buce said. “Another 5% are owner surrender.”
“I was ready to go to Holtville,” Glasscock said. “My high school band director was retiring and I thought the
The Tallassee Police Department employs an animal control officer to respond to calls of an animal running at large. If the animal is found and no one nearby claims it, the dog goes to the department’s kennel at the city shop and attempts to reunite the animal and pet owner.
The dog is placed in one of four air conditioned and heated kennels. There are also fans to keep the air circulating.
“We take photos and place them on our Facebook page so the owners can identify them or people who know the owners can get us in contact with
COUNCIL
Continued from A1
Glasscock has made many memories the last 20 years at Tallassee High School. He has shared his love of music with his children, and he has also seen students grow as the band took trips to perform in places like New York, Chicago, San Antonio and Fort Worth, Texas. Glasscock bonded
one another,” Buce said. Reunifications happen quickly. Some within a matter of hours. The longest animals are kept over the weekend.
All patrol officers have been trained to feed and water the animals during their shifts to aid in their care.
Because of the kennel and animal control officer, very few animals have to be taken to the Humane Society of Elmore County Animal Shelter.
A year ago the Tallassee City Council approved allowing the animal control officer to be a certified law enforcement officer. It allows the officer to
shall be collected in the same manner as the license tax. Per Alabama Code Section 11-51-194(a)(2), notwithstanding any other provision of law, the issuance fee for a business delivery license is $10.”
with students on the long trips. The one to the Big Apple was 24 hours each way in a charter bus with only three stops. The trips also afford Glasscock some of his best memories with students as they often traveled at night when passing through or getting into a large city.
write citations related to animal cases, and it frees up patrol officers.
“The officer can handle all that himself,” Buce said. “The only time he really needs a backup from another patrol officer is in the normal situations where a police officer needs a backup.”
The animal control officer is able to repay the favor to patrol officers who help care for the animals.
“When call volumes are high, he can assist in many ways,” Buce said. “He can backup officers. He can also act as a patrol officer when needed to cover patrol shifts.”
Section 2 states, “Section 23 of City of Tallassee Municipal Ordinance #2007tion 11-51-90.2(b).”
After holding a public hearing listening to local business owners’ thoughts on the matter, the council approved this amendment because the city has not increased rates since 2007. This increase could aid many areas of the city that are in recovery, which would then in turn encourage people to visit Tallassee and patronize the businesses in the area.
IN OTHER BUSINESS, THE TALLASSEE CITY COUNCIL:
• Approved minutes of a work session and regular meeting held on July 23.
• Discussed damages to Jordanville
• Discussed a grant from Alabama
ANIMAL
What does business mean to the church?
Greetings from the corner of Bridge and Bridge Street. I do hope this edition of the Wetumpka Herald finds all of its readers in good spirits and doing well. We are beginning a week of cooler weather as I write. The highs are only supposed to be around 90 — better get my parka. There is a commonly known expression in the earthly kingdom I wish to explore in this week’s column. The expression has two parts. The first is everyone needs to know what their actual business is. Once that is determined, the most important question, regardless of individuals’ answers, is, “How’s business?”
I cannot remember when I first encountered this way of thinking. When I apply it to my present vocation, this is what it looks like. I am in
REV. JONATHAN YARBORO Columnist
the church business. I am the spiritual, scriptural, pastoral guide for the decision makers and members of the church I serve. Our business is spreading the love of God exemplified by Jesus Christ. We do so in keeping with the structure of the Presbyterian Church (USA) denomination, but the church is not our business. Witnessing the gospel and good news in the example of Jesus Christ is. At least once a year, the elders of the church and I spend some time asking the question, “How’s business?”
We do not have to start those conversations by making sure we know what our business is. The Presbyterians in Wetumpka have been in agreement about that since 1836. What typically follows in this conversation is a listing of things that fit our agreed-upon business and occasionally things that do not. The simple truth is, no one can ever do too much in the name of witnessing gospel truth. There is always more that can be done.
As another election cycle ramps up, the business of politics has risen in importance in terms of the business of being a nation. A significant portion of the business of being a nation is participation in the processes of government, whatever that government may be.
In other words, the rising emphasis on the election process is warranted and neces -
Tallassee Churches
sary.
As that takes place, political rhetoric ramps us as well. For the last couple of months, I have been writing about some of that rhetoric.
I do so in the name of clarifying the business of our political structure. I ask myself and our nation as whole, what is the business of politics?
I don’t know about you, but I believe the answer varies depending upon who you ask.
That is to be expected, but I cannot help but wonder if we haven’t lost sight of that reality. It seems to me that many in our nation believe their definition of the business of politics is the only one that matters.
The business of politics is to provide occupants for the various seats of leadership. The political process results in elections and appointments of
local sheriffs, presidents and everything in between. Some interpret business as a series of contests to be won, and some of those believe further that victory must be secured at any cost. When we ask the question “How is the business of politics in the good ol’ USA?”, I am not sure anyone is truly pleased with the honest answer. The player with the most money wins. It doesn’t seem to matter where the money comes from or how it was made. The size of the war chest is apparently what makes the difference.
Is that good business for our nation or any other? History certainly says it isn’t. History cannot be rewritten if corrections are not made.
Rev. Yarboro is the Pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Wetumpka.
Surrounding Area Churches
Dalton MiDDleton SportS eDitor dalton.middleton@thewetumpkaherald.com
Rebels open the season in the Cramton Bowl
By SAMUEL HIGGS Sports Reporter
High school football is finally upon us.
The Reeltown Rebels will face the T.R. Miller Tigers on Thursday at 7 p.m. in the AHSAA Kickoff Classic at the Cramton Bowl in Montgomery.
The two teams are no strangers to success, both having winning seasons the year
By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor
BEAUREGARD (0-0) AT WETUMPKA (0-0) THE PLAYERS
WETUMPKA: WR Evan Dillard had 13 catches for 150 yards, 3 TDs. … RB Jimmy King had 116 carries for 1,011 yards, 7 TDs with Sidney Lanier. … DE Ethan Bailey recorded 61 tackles, 13 tackles for a loss, 9 sacks and 3 forced fumbles.
BEAUREGARD: LB Z.J.
prior. The Tigers finished 8-4 being eliminated in the second round of the Class 4A playoffs against Montgomery Catholic, while the Rebels finished 12-1 making it to the 2A state championship game before losing to Fyffe.
“We understand what’s in front of us, the guys do too,” Reeltown coach Matt Johnson said. “They know that we’re playing an extremely good
Grady recorded 75 tackles, 2 sacks and 1 forced fumble; he also had 37 carries for 251 yards, 3 TDs. … WR KaJaden Holloway had 22 catches for 272 yards, 1 TD. … RB Tae Foreman had 54 carries for 344 yards, 4 TDs. FOUR DOWNS Wetumpka and Beauregard have never played before.
Beauregard finished the
Mask speaks at AHSAA Media Day
STAFF REPORT
TPI Staff
Tallassee swim coach
John Mask was recently invited to speak to statewide media at the AHSAA’s Dan Washburn Auditorium.
The AHSAA hosted its annual Media Day on Tuesday morning, highlighting this week’s AHSAA Kickoff Classic held at Montgomery’s Cramton Bowl on Thursday and Friday.
The four teams and coaches of the football event – Reeltown’s Matt Johnson, T.R. Miller’s Brent Hubbert, Vestavia Hills’ Robert Evans and Montgomery-Carver’s Bobby Carr, a sev -
en-time state champion at Edgewood – all spoke about their teams and matchups. It wasn’t all football, however, as Mask spoke about swimming, Montgomery Academy coach Julie Gordon spoke about volleyball and Percy Julian’s Nancy Boyd spoke about flag football.
Mask, talking about his Tallassee swim team, noted that Tallassee has the most athletes it has ever had on the team with 24 swimmers. The downfall, however, is that Macey Stewart has graduated and started swimming at Auburn.
SUBMITTED TPI
opponent right out the gate and we know that we’re having to fill in a lot of spots from last year, so there’s some inexperience. But one thing, the number one thing, is we want to compete for four quarters.”
Reeltown has slowly been preparing for this matchup, introducing concepts and formations they expect to see on
INAUGURAL FLAG FOOTBALL SEASON
By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor
For the first time in school history, Tallassee’s flag football team is set to take the field.
Entering its inaugural season under coach Pat Love, Tallassee is scheduled to face Prattville at J.E. “Hot” O’Brien Stadium at 5 p.m. Thursday.
Prattville finished last season 14-6 and reached the Class 6A/7A semifinals before falling to eventual state champion Central Phenix City.
“It’s been interesting getting the girls together and we’ve been trying to get them on the same page with things like football that they’ve never had to do before,” Love said. “Thursday against Prattville is going to be very interesting.”
The team had its first taste of a game situation Friday night. At the ‘Tiger Night’ hosted at J.E. “Hot” O’Brien Stadium, the Tigers took to the field under the football stadium lights and played a scrimmage.
BEGINS
The team took turns rotating on offense and defense, but one constant remained the same — the quarterback.
Senior Regan Easterwood is the team’s starting QB and she found multiple skill players open in the end zone. Easterwood is one of the school’s top athletes as she starts in volleyball and softball already. Love has seen Easterwood showcase her arm from third base in softball, and she certainly showcased it on Friday night.
“Reagan has a great arm,” Love said. “And she’s accurate with it. We’re going to be able to stretch the field with her. We have some other great athletes too that we can do great things with.”
The team’s two biggest offensive threats on Friday night were Cheyann Easterling and London O’Neal.
Easterling played running back and showcased her speed as she ran for two 50-yard touchdowns in the scrimmage. O’Neal, head football coach
Lawrence O’Neal’s daughter, was the team’s main receiver and caught multiple passes. She was able to showcase her speed as well as she caught a pass and turned on the jets, running straight through the middle of the defense for a touchdown.
“We have some really good skill players, but we are going to expect all 13 players to contribute,” Love said. “ We have to have that if we’re going to be successful.”
The team’s top defensive performance of the night came from freshman Jordan Morris. Morris intercepted two of Easterwood’s passes, returning one for a defensive touchdown.
As the night went on, she switched to offense and ran a deep pass that Easterwood hit her in stride over the defense in the end zone.
“Jordan is just a freshman and she’s really, really fast,” Love said. “She’s going to be a good player today. She had two interceptions and a touchdown and showed off her speed.”
Reeltown quarterback Jamarkius Smith passes the ball against Thorsby last fall. Smith enters the 2024 season as the team’s starting quarterback.
TPI
Tallassee runs onto the field against Elmore County last season. Tallassee opens the 2024 season Friday on the road at Montgomery Academy.
Tallassee swim and wrestling coach John Mask speaks about swimming at the AHSAA Kickoff Classic Press Conference.
PICK’EMS
The best names I found on football rosters this year
Iwas sitting in the office on Tuesday when I saw a post come across my X (Twitter) account from the Troy football account. The post stated “QB1” followed by three geese emojis.
The graphic on the post was a picture of Troy’s newly named starting quarterback – Goose Crowder. I laughed, and turned around and told Cliff Williams what his name was.
We both laughed, then I noticed the post was sort of going viral.
Not only was Troy’s account picking up steam, but other accounts were posting all about “Goose” and talking about the best names in college football.
Someone then posted about Troy’s home game against the University of Louisiana Monroe on Sept. 28. That game will feature a quarterback battle between Troy’s Goose Crowder and ULM’s General Booty.
No, I’m not kidding.
That is a name matchup that will go down in history.
During this time, I was also typing up the rosters for all six Elmore County football teams for our annual Gridiron Guide. So what did I do?
Well I started looking to see what kind of names I could find on our local rosters.
Here are the names I found that stood out to me, whether that be because it was cool, odd or just made me think of a tv show/movie.
Some of these are going to be nicknames. I don’t care. I am going by what is listed on the official roster. Call my boss if you don’t like it. The first name that stuck out to me was from Slapout. Listed on the Holtville roster is sophomore defensive lineman wearing No. 72 –Camo Smith.
If I had to pick a name of the year, I think this one would win. If you were to stand in front of me and ask me what county school a kid named Camo would go to, I would definitely say Holtville. I don’t know why. It just makes sense. I hope this kid gets a scoop and score or an interception returned for a touchdown. I want to write an article about anything he does this year. On Tallassee’s team, there is Tiny Green. Tiny is a junior linebacker who transferred in from Dadeville this offseason. At 5-foot8 and 190 pounds, he’s really not that tiny. I don’t know how the nickname came about, but that’s the name that stuck out on Tallassee’s team. Over in Eclectic, Jett Tucker is going to be starting on the Pan-
thers’ offensive line. I don’t have much to say about this one. Jett is just a fun name.
Stanhope Elmore had the most names that stuck out to me. The first two were media related and completely stupid.
Arthur McQueen was the first name, and the only reason it stuck out to me is because he’s wearing red and his last name is McQueen. Last year, he rushed for 1,400 yards in seven games so we might as well call him Lightning McQueen.
If that’s already his nickname, just pretend you didn’t read this.
The other media-related name is Brandon Belcher. I hope he’s watched Bob’s Burgers before.
King Bell stuck out to me for obvious reasons. I think King is actually a shortened version of his real name, but I’d shorten it too. King is awesome.
The last name for Stanhope is just a fantastic name – Dedrick Slaughter. If I was a kid on an opposing team and saw Slaughter on the back of someone’s jersey, you can guarantee I’d be on the sidelines telling someone about it during my next water break.
The same goes for Wetumpka’s Zaiveon Youngblood.
I hope those two names go on for generations to come in these communities.
The last name on my list is Wetumpka running back Tudrius Hetherington.
I’ll be completely honest. This name really stuck out to me because I had trouble reading it then had trouble typing it then had trouble saying it.
But I was told by Wetumpka coach Bear Woods he’s a very talented running back, so it looks like I may have to learn how to type it over and over again. These were the top names that stood out to me on this year ’s rosters.
Camo is my favorite, but nothing stands up to last year’s winner which was Stanhope’s Bunny Jackson, the 6-foot, 300 pound defensive lineman. Not many names will beat that one.
Dalton Middleton is the sports editor of Tallapoosa Publishers Inc.’s Elmore County newspapers. He can be reached at dalton.middleton@thewetumpkaherald.com.
Wetumpka hosts Beauregard for season opener
By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor
Wetumpka doesn’t have to wait any longer.
The 2024 high school football season begins this week, and Wetumpka will host Class 5A Beauregard in its season opener at 7 p.m. Friday at the Wetumpka Sports Complex.
The Hornets are coming off a 2023 season where they went 6-5 and reached the first round of the Class 5A playoffs before losing to eventual state champion Gulf Shores. Beauregard is led by fourthyear coach Justin Jones, who has a 20-13 overall record and a 2-1 record in season openers.
Wetumpka coach Bear Woods is entering his third year with the Indians. He has a 12-10 record and is coming off a 5-6 season and playoff appearance.
“You can tell their staff has been together for a few years,” Woods said. “They play very sound and very physical football. With how they play, they’re going to be a very tough challenge for our home opener.”
Many of Beauregard’s players are returning starters. Included in that is sophomore quarterback Cub Jones, who completed 60 of 102 passes for 638 yards, 7 touchdowns and 4 interceptions last year.
After a full offseason going into his second year of starting, Jones is a threat to throw the ball anywhere on the field.
“They have a young quarterback who is very good,” Woods said. “He has a good football IQ and throws a good deep ball. We saw them at 7-on-7 this summer and he
looked good. The entire team looked good. They had good skill players who had a lot of speed.”
Joining Jones in the backfield is a plethora of running backs who are tough to tackle. At 5-foot-9 and 207 pounds, Running back Tae Foreman rushed for 344 yards and 4 touchdowns on 54 carries, almost a 7 yards per carry average.
ZJ Grady, who is also one of the top linebackers in the entire state of Alabama, plays running back as well and rushed for 251 yards and 3 touchdowns, averaging 6.8 yards per carry.
“We have to tackle,” Woods said. “On film, you don’t see many guys running untouched for seven or eight yards. It’s mostly a missed tackle somewhere between 1 and 7 yards. We have to play sound defense. Our challenge is making tackles.”
Grady is a three-star linebacker who is currently one of the Top 50 players in the state of Alabama’s Class of 2025. Last season, Grady recorded 75 tackles, 5 tackles for loss and 2 sacks. His linebacking counterpart, Caleb Piner, had 127 tackles, 9 tackles for loss and 2 more sacks.
“Grady can do anything on the field and will be a challenge for anyone who plays Beauregard this year,” Woods said. “We have to line up in formations that will neutralize those linebackers, but this is the first game of the season. You have to stick with who you are and what you worked on all spring and summer. The teams who are most fundamental and sound, the ones who don’t have drive killing penalties and make tackles win in Week 1. That’s what we’re focused on this week. We have to play well ourselves.”
DALTON MIDDLETON TPI
TOP: Wetumpka’s Justin Godwin (5) returns a kickoff back for a touchdown in Friday’s scrimmage. Godwin and the Indians host Beauregard at the Wetumpka Sports Complex on Friday.
ABOVE: Wetumpka quarterback Tyler Johnson throws a pass during the Indians’ scrimmage last Friday. Wetumpka hosts Beauregard in the season opener Friday.
DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor
REBELS Continued from B1
the field since the start of fall practice. The only difference has been adjusting their schedule to play on a Thursday rather than a Friday.
“It’s a short week, it’s a different week than normal,” Johnson said.
“Because today’s (Monday’s) practice would be like a Tuesday practice. Then tomorrow is really our last work day before the walkthrough on Wednesday. Then it’s over, then it’s game time.”
Through their evaluation of the Tigers, the coaching staff has had to go off of what they see from last year’s film. Johnson mentioned the use of run-pass options as one of the focal points of the opposing offense.
“We know offensively, they’re
CAPSULES
Continued from B1
2023 season with a 6-5 record; Wetumpka finished 5-6.
Beauregard coach Justin Jones is 20-13 in three years with a 2-1 record in season openers. Wetumpka is 1-3 in its last four season openers and gave up 40 points in all three losses.
NEXT UP: Wetumpka at Chelsea; Beauregard at Anniston.
MARBURY (0-0) AT STANHOPE ELMORE (0-0)
THE PLAYERS
STANHOPE ELMORE: RB Arthur McQueen rushed for 1,420 yards, 13 TDs; added 285 receiving yards. … WR Jamari Coleman had 17 catches for 438 yards, 6 TDs; added 312 yards in the return game. … DE KamRan Anderson recorded 71 tackles, 9 tackles for a loss, 5.5 sacks and 8 quarterback pressures.
MARBURY: RB Jeremyah Williams had 20 carries for 159 yards, 0 TDs. … WR Jeremy Baileynemard had 6 catches for 171 yards, 2 TDs. … DL/OL Micah Wagner will serve as one of the team’s top players in the trenches.
FOUR DOWNS
Stanhope Elmore is 2-0 against Marbury all-time, outscoring the Bulldogs 101-14.
Marbury has lost 11 of its last 13 games and given up at least 35 points in 10 of those losses.
Stanhope Elmore has won 5 of its last 6 season openers.
Despite a 3-7 record last year, Stanhope Elmore was only outscored by 22 total points.
NEXT UP: Stanhope Elmore hosts Prattville; Marbury hosts Bayside
MASK Continued from B1
going to be pretty complicated,” Johnson said. “They may run the same play that looks exactly the same, three times in a row, but there’s different reads and checks off of it, and a different person may get the ball. Their offense is sophisticated enough to where we have to be extremely disciplined with our eyes and our keys and not try to do too much.”
Preparing for T.R. Miller’s defense has also presented a challenge as well. Throughout last season the team came out in multiple formations.
“They’ve shown four different defensive fronts over the course of the season,” Johnson said. “That part is just going to be where you just hit everything and stick to your rules.
A lot of that from their defensive perspective, is we’re going to have to depend on a lot of in-game adjustments.”
Academy.
ELMORE COUNTY (0-0) AT DADEVILLE (0-0) THE PLAYERS
ELMORE COUNTY: RB Parker Hobbs had 34 carries for 226 yards, 1 TD. … LB Jackson Mann recorded 65 tackles, 12 tackles for a loss and 2 forced fumbles. … DE Luke Reinert recorded 42 tackles, 13 tackles for a loss and 7 sacks.
DADEVILLE: QB Cam Heard passed for 213 yards, 1 TD; he added 140 rushing yards, 2 TDs. …
RB Brandez Eason rushed for 1,200 yards, 20 TDs. … LB Corde Jefferson recorded 98 tackles and 9 tackles for a loss; added 473 rushing yards, 5 TDs on offense.
FOUR DOWNS
Elmore County coach Kyle Caldwell graduated from Dadeville in 2011.
Elmore County is 19-36 against Dadeville all-time, last losing 47-7 in 2021.
Elmore County is coming off back-to-back winning seasons for the first time since 2007-2008.
Dadeville went 4-5 last season while Elmore County went 8-3. Both teams lost in the first round.
NEXT UP: Elmore County hosts Tallassee; Dadeville hosts Handley.
TALLASSEE (0-0) AT MONTGOMERY ACADEMY (0-0) THE PLAYERS
TALLASSEE: RB Josh Griffin had 165 carries for 1,824 yards, 25 TDs at Montgomery Catholic. … WR Jordan King had 60 catches for 1,090 yards, 10 TDs at Pike Road; he added 43 tackles, 3 INTs on defense. … QB Trent Morris started 7 games last year as a freshman. He led Tallassee to its six best offensive performances in the process.
but
Even though there is the added difficulty of playing in a big stadium for an anticipated matchup, the Rebels have not been phased.
“That hasn’t changed anything as far as our preparation,” Johnson said. “We know where we’re going, and are familiar with Montgomery. Nothing’s really changed there, as far as the preparation leading into that.”
Reeltown has returning starters from last year across the offensive and defensive lines. According to Johnson, that group’s performance will be key for them to come out victorious on Thursday.
“The biggest thing we have to do is be able to somewhat control the line of scrimmage on both sides of the football,” Johnson said. “We’re going to have to lean on where we’re experienced the most and right now, that’s up front.”
MONTGOMERY ACADEMY:
WR D.J. Vinson had 60 catches for 1,381 yards, 14 TDs. … WR Jarrett Friendly, at 6-foot-6, had 3 TDs last season. … ATH
David Whisenhunt had 3 INTs on defense; he looks to take the QB role on offense this year.
FOUR DOWNS
Tallassee and Montgomery Academy have never played before.
Both teams are coming off program-worst seasons on defense; Montgomery Academy gave up 39.5 points per game while Tallassee gave up 39.7 points per game.
Montgomery Academy has moved down to Class 3A while Tallassee has moved down to 4A.
Tallassee has not had back-to-back losing seasons since 2002-2003.
NEXT UP: Tallassee at Elmore County; Montgomery Academy hosts St. James.
TRINITY (0-0) AT HOLTVILLE (0-0) THE PLAYERS
HOLTVILLE: RB Hunter
Chavis had 135 carries for 614 yards, 4 TDs. … WR Elijah Headley had 18 catches for 254 yards, 5 TDs. … DE Anthony Chunn recorded 45 tackles, 9 tackles for a loss, 7.5 sacks and 15 quarterback hurries.
TRINITY: QB Thompson Mcnees completed 34 of 42 passes for 464 yards, 8 TDs, 1 INT. … WR Xavier Boswell had 33 catches for 485 yards, 6 TDs; added 57 tackles, 7 INTs on defense. … DB Luke Hall recorded 60 tackles, 8 tackles for a loss.
FOUR DOWNS
Trinity is 4-0 against Holtville all-time, last winning 42-0 in 1999.
Trinity has won nine or more games in four-con-
secutive seasons. Holtville has won six-consecutive season openers dating back to 2018. This is Holtville coach Cory Lee’s first game as a head coach; This is Trinity coach Brian Seymore’s 205th.
NEXT UP: Holtville at Shelby County; Trinity hosts Reeltown.
REELTOWN (0-0)
VS. T.R. MILLER (0-0) THE PLAYERS
Reeltown: WR/DB
Tae Martin had 92 offensive touches for 1,374 yards, 20 TDs; added 120 tackles, 9 tackles for a loss and 6 INTs. … DE Baylor Clayton recorded 74 tackles, 18 tackles for a loss and 11.5 sacks. … RB Traylen Roberts had 67 carries for 616 yards, 8 TDs;
T.R. MILLER: LB/DE Myles Johnson is a fourstar pass rusher who is currently committed to play at the University of Florida. … QB Nathan Commander completed 100 of 159 passes for 1,187 yards, 16 TDs; added 2 rushing TDs. … OL/DL John Robert Jernigan stands at 6-foot4, 240 pounds and plays both sides of the ball.
FOUR DOWNS
Reeltown and T.R. Miller have never played before.
T.R. Miller, at 727 alltime wins, is tied for the most in AHSAA history with Oneonta.
Reeltown is coming off a Class 2A state title game appearance and a 13-1 record.
The game is being held at Montgomery’s Cramton Bowl as part of the AHSAA Kickoff Classic on Thursday, Aug. 22. NEXT UP: Reeltown at Trinity; T.R. Miller hosts Straughn.
to be in the Olympics one day. That is every swimmer’s dream, and Paige has done that. I think that she has shown our high school swimmers it is possible to reach that dream. This year the state meet is going to Huntsville. The Huntsville Sports Commission does a phenomenal job. The swimming coaches across the state are excited to be going to Huntsville. There are a lot of phenomenal swimmers in the AHSAA this year. It is going to be an exciting season.”
23-Oct. 22) If you can help a co-worker today, you will want to do so. Alternatively, you might be the person asking for a co-worker to help you. This is all well and good; however, make sure you don’t regret a spontaneous decision. Think things through rst. Tonight: Be cooperative.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) If you can help children today, by all means do so. However, think twice before making a spontaneous decision that involves an expensive social outing. This could be a vacation, or you might spend too much on lunch. Don’t do anything you will regret later. Be smart. Tonight: Work.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) A decision to help a family member might suddenly take place today. If the need is sudden, this explains your fast response. However, a sudden decision also might be an impulsive idea. Make sure that what you do gets the results you want. Think before you act. Tonight: Socialize.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Today
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) Be careful about impulse spending and sudden decisions about buying beautiful things for yourself and others. If your decision is wise, you’ll have no regrets later. That’s the key. Will you later regret how you spend your money today? Tonight: Conversations.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20) Today the Moon is in your sign lined up with your ruler Neptune, which makes you feel sympathetic toward others. You want to be helpful if your help is needed. However, there is a quality of impulsiveness that is also present today. Keep your eyes open. Tonight: Check your belongings.
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:
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PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF NADINE P. TOTTY, DECEASED CASE NO: 2024-194 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE
Letters Testamentary in the Estate of NADINE P. TOTTY, deceased, having been granted to JOHN MATTHEW TOTTY on July 31, 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 MATTHEW TOTTY
PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF NADINE P. TOTTY, DECEASED Attorney of Record for Personal Representative: JAMES R. BOWLES
ATTORNEY AT LAW 2 SOUTH DUBOIS AVENUE PO BOX 780397
TALLASSEE, ALABAMA 36078 334-283-6548
Tallassee Tribune: Aug. 7, 14 and 21, 2024
EST/TOTTY N.
FORD
NOTICE
Notice In accordance with Chapter 1, Title 39, Code of Alabama, 1975, notice is hereby given that First Team Construction Co., Inc., Contractor, has completed the Reeltown High School Gym at 4085 AL-120 Notasulga, AL 36866, for Tallapoosa County Board of Education, Owners, settlement of said Contract. All persons having any claim for labor, materials, or otherwise in connection with this project should immediately contact McKee & Associates, 631 South Hull St., Montgomery, AL 36104. First Team Construction Co., Inc. 475 North Dean Road Auburn, AL 36830
Tallassee Tribune: Aug. 21, 28, Sept. 4 and 11, 2024 COMPLETION
Eclectic officials working through new budget
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
It’s a process every municipality goes through each year — a budget.
It helps guide councilmembers, mayor and other officials through revenues and expenditures for the next fiscal year. It’s done department by department. It is no different in Eclectic where the town council and staff are about two-thirds through the process.
Mayor Gary Davenport said the town is seeking some input and help as it works through its budget.
The town faces decisions concerning the recycling program and senior center.
“We have been crunching numbers,” Davenport said.
“We are losing about $3,000 to $5,000 per year having the recycle center open. We are wanting to gauge the interest of the residents about it.
What are their feelings about it if we had to close it?”
Based on market conditions over the past few years, Eclectic’s recycling center takes only aluminum, scrap and cardboard.
There is one employee who visits a few locations across town to collect cardboard.
“They call when they have cardboard stacked up,” Davenport said. “The school is one the biggest contributors of cardboard.”
At the center the cardboard is bundled to allow easier transport to recyclers. Paper and cans are also packaged for the same purpose.
“The issue is the efforts are not paying for themselves,” Davenport said. “It’s not just us either. Prices for recyclables are not there to
cover the funding.”
Davenport hopes the public will reach out to town officials with their thoughts on the recycling program.
He also hopes the public will encourage those eligible to enroll in programs at the Eclectic Senior Center.
It even includes a hot meal five days a week that is funded by the state. The center is currently averaging about 17 to 20 meals per day with about eight to 10 of those being delivered to homebound residents.
The town provides the staffing and the facility. Volunteers help and donations have added refrigerators, coolers and cooking utensils.
But some of the state funding is at risk and the town may be forced to help more. It is the reason town officials are delaying major discussions on the senior center.
“They cut us last year about five meals per day,”
Davenport said. “We are afraid they are going to cut us back again.”
Over the last couple of years the senior center has lost some members due to moving to long-term facilities or deaths.
“The funding for the meals is based on attendance,” Davenport said.
Town officials are hoping to get a better understanding of future attendance to also help with a decision about the center’s van.
“The current van is old and going to have to be replaced,” Davenport said.
“Because of the expenses and the number of seniors we will likely get a 15-passenger van instead of the big van we currently have. It will help us with the budget.”
CALDWELL FACES ALMA MATER TO OPEN
2024 SEASON
BY DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor
Kyle Caldwell is headed home Friday night. The third-year Elmore County football coach is opening the 2024 football season by coaching against his alma mater for the first time in his football coaching career.
The Panthers hit the road to face Dadeville at 7 p.m. Friday. When they do, Caldwell will face his former squad, where familiar faces will be in the stands and on the Dadeville coaching staff. Caldwell, who also coaches girls basketball, faced Dadeville and his mom, Dadeville girls coach Brownie Caldwell, once last winter.
But this will be his first matchup on the gridiron.
“It’s been an interesting preseason leading up to it to say the least,” Caldwell said. “Of course my sister (Addie) still goes to school there and she’s a junior. There’s been some trash talk back and forth between us two, but at the end of the day I just want my kids to play really hard and do what they have to do to win the game. It doesn’t matter what team we are facing.”
The game was not on either team’s original schedule.
When schedules were announced in the spring, Dadeville was originally slated to travel to Georgia
in what was a brutal non-region schedule with Handley, Reeltown and Valley also on tap.
When Chad McKelvey took over the program this offseason from Roger McDonald, that game was nixed and Dadeville was looking for a new opponent.
Elmore County was originally slated to travel to Chelsea during Week 0. But when Dadeville came calling, it was a game Caldwell couldn’t pass up, especially when it comes to the financial benefits.
“Dadeville’s non-region schedule was just brutal,” Caldwell said. “Being geographically close, it makes perfect sense to play each other. The schools have played each other in the past, and it’s 30 minutes away so it should be great fan support both years.”
Caldwell is no stranger to this rivalry. As a four-year starter as Dadeville’s quarterback from 2007-2010, he played Elmore County twice — as a freshman and as a senior.
He went 1-1 against the Panthers, losing 41-14 as a freshman and winning 31-27 as a senior.
After an illustrious and record-setting career as a quarterback at West Alabama, Caldwell began his coaching career. During his second and third years in the coaching business, he was Dadeville’s offensive coordinator in 2016 and 2017.
Caldwell faced Elmore County both seasons he was the offensive coordinator. Dadeville won both games, 42-14 and 35-21. Since he has been at Elmore County, the teams have not met.
Caldwell is also not a stranger to the new Dadeville coach.
McKelvey was Caldwell’s offensive coordinator when he was in high school. Under McKelvey, Caldwell recorded a 33-14 overall record and three seasons with 10 wins or more.
“McKelvey was there for my entire high school career,” Caldwell said. “I think he transitioned out of that role two years after I graduated. I know he’s coming into the program again but he’s done a great job already of creating some buzz around the program.”
Dadeville is coming off a 4-5 record where the Tigers lost in the first round of the Class 3A playoffs to Thomasville, 28-0.
Elmore County, which went 0-10 the year before Caldwell was hired, was 8-3 last year with a first-round loss to Faith Academy in the Class 5A playoffs.
Caldwell and the Panthers are heading to Dadeville for a win, and he will leave celebrating with the family until after the game.
“There’s going to be a lot of family and friends there to watch,” Caldwell said. “It’s going to be a special night after the game.”
Lake Martin Reflections set to open Saturday
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
Lake Martin is always relaxing.
The lake and its shorelines provide a chance to soak up the rays and let the stress of life melt away Those seeking to relax will have another way to relax at Lake Martin Reflections with its cosmetology, aestheticist and massage services.
“There is nothing like this in the area,” Lake Martin Reflections owner Amanda Hooks said. “We have a population of people who drive outside Eclectic for services.”
The new salon will have cosmetologists for hair cuts, styles and
coloring, estheticians for facials, waxing, permanent eyebrows and body polishes and a massage therapist for 30 minute and one hour massages.
“She will also have a massage chair or you can get just a foot and neck massage,” Hooks said. “I’m looking for a nail person to add to the list of services we provide.”
Hooks is no stranger to Eclectic or salons having worked in them in the area for the last 19 years.
“I have been at Cut N’ Up Salon in Kowaliga for the past 16 years,” Hooks said. I was in Eclectic three years prior to that.” Hooks’ experience leads her to believe Lake
Martin Reflections will be successful.
“We have the customers to support this,” Hooks said. “I think
CLIFF WILLIAMS TPI
ABOVE: The Eclectic Recycle Center just behind the Eclec-
tic Fire Department takes aluminum cans, paper and cardboard.
BELOW: The Eclectic Town Council is seeking public comment about the town’s recycling center.The council is in the budgeting process and trying to determine if the extra costs associated with the center are worthwhile.
CLIFF WILLIAMS TPI
Lake Martin Reflections Salon and Spa is holding a grand opening and ribbon cutting Saturday. Eclectic stylist Amanda Hooks is bringing in other stylists, a massage therapist and esthecians to the location on Highway 63 in Eclectic.
Elmore County Kyle Caldwell, a Dadeville native, returns home to coach against his alma mater for the first time as a football coach.