STATE FINALIST
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
By ABIGAIL MURPHY Multimedia Reporter
After nearly a year in the making, Reeltown Elementary School unveiled its new playground for students with special needs. Paraprofessional Jadie Hood said she had a previous special needs student who couldn’t use the elementary school playground well. Hood wanted to find a way to help this student feel included and provide her with something she could play independently on. But also, for all special needs students to have a space to play now and in the future.
She hit a few roadblocks trying to figure out what to do but one day Hood decided to call and get others involved.
“We simply just said we are going to call and ask,” Hood said. “We live in the b est community in
PLAYGROUND, Page A6
Elmore County cracks down on school security
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
School threats have been an ongoing issue across
and Elmore County is cracking down on security and individuals. In just the last 10 days, multiple threats have landed students in juvenile detention across Elmore County.
“We actually had three individuals that were in detention due to threats on social media,”
Tallassee man arrested for theft from local business
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
A former employee of a Tallassee business finds himself charged with first-degree theft from the business.
Charles Weston Isbell, 60, of Tallassee, was arrested by the Tallassee Police Department Sept. 7 and charged with first-degree theft. Tallassee Police Department Det. Michael Anderson said the total taken from River Region Roofing is just shy of $33,500 and the theft started about September 2023. An investigation by the Tallassee Police Department started in June after the business contacted the department.
“It started with an internal audit,” Anderson said. “It’s alleged he was able to manipulate contract numbers to obtain a higher commission. He also didn’t make a cash deposit for one job and that was the largest part of it.” Anderson said the cash
transaction also forced the business to pay for materials and labor used on the job.
A former employee of the same company is facing a felony computer tampering charge.
Kassie Stewart, 37, of Birmingham was also arrested on Sept. 7.
“It is alleged she used the credentials of another employee to gain access to the company’s computer system,” Anderson said. “She used the access to obtain information about the company’s customers.”
Both were taken to the Elmore County Jail. Within hours Isbell posted a $30,000 bond and Stewart posted a $15,000 bond.
See NOLIN, Page A6 NOLIN
In just the last 10 days, multiple threats have landed students in juvenile detention across Elmore County.
SECURITY, Page A6
JACK MAURICE SMYLY
Jack Maurice Smyly, a resident of Eclectic, AL passed away on Friday, August 30, 2024. He was 93 years old. He proudly served in the United States Air Force.
Jack was preceded in death by his parents, David & Cazzie Cooper Smyly; three sisters, Imojean Bell,
TALLASSEE POLICE DEPARTMENT SEPT. 15
• Fraudulent use of a credit card was reported on Ashurst Bar Road.
• Debris was reported in the roadway on Alber Drive.
• Assistance was given to a citizen on Gilmer Avenue.
• Assistance was given to another agency on Hillcrest Street. SEPT. 14
• Assistance was given to a citizen on Barnett Boulevard.
• Trespassing was reported on Gilmer Avenue.
• A suspicious person was reported on Gilmer Avenue.
• Criminal mischief was reported on Noble Road.
• Assistance was given to a motorist on Godwin Road.
• Theft was reported on Pemberton Road.
• A white male was arrested on U.S. Highway 231.
• Fraudulent use of a credit or debit card was reported on Cotton Ridge Road.
• Suspicious activity was reported on Third Avenue.
SEPT. 13
• A domestic incident was reported on Gen. Colin Powell Street.
• An arrest was made during a domestic incident call on Adams Street.
• A motor vehicle accident with no injuries was reported on Central Boulevard.
• An assault was reported on West James Street.
• A Black male was arrested during a trespassing call on Jordan Avenue.
Patricia Taylor, Carolyn Norris and a son-in-law, Chris Krellwitz. He is survived by his loving wife of 70 years, Mary Jane Buck Smyly; two sons, David L. Smyly, Steven S. (Melissa) Smyly; two daughters, Connie L. (Kevin) Lear, Jeannine M. Krellwitz; one brother, Gary Smyly, one sister, India Goss; seven grandchildren and four
• Theft was reported on Jordan Avenue.
• Assistance was given to a motorist on Sherry Street.
• A Black male was arrested on South Ann Avenue.
• A noise complaint was reported on Second Avenue. SEPT. 12
• Assistance was given to medics on Sims Avenue.
• Debris was reported in the roadway on Little Road.
• A juvenile complaint was filed on Rickey Lane.
• Assistance was given to a motorist on Hudson Place.
• Theft was reported on Gilmer Avenue.
• A private property motor vehicle accident was reported on Gilmer Avenue.
• Assistance was given during a medical call on Friendship Road.
• Animal control was requested on Willow Street.
SEPT. 11
• A verbal altercation was reported on Second Avenue.
• A burglary was reported on Third Avenue.
• A noise complaint was reported on Third Avenue.
• Harassment was reported on South Dubois Street.
• Animal control was requested on Riverside Avenue.
• Assistance was given to a citizen on Gilmer Avenue.
• An animal complaint was reported on Ashurst Avenue.
• Assistance was given to a citizen on Barnett Boulevard.
• A civil disturbance was reported on Third Avenue.
great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at St. Paul Lutheran Church (in Montgomery) on Friday, September 6, 2024, at 12 noon. The family will receive friends at the church from 11:00 a.m. until 12:00. A private burial will be at Pine View Cemetery in Wetumpka, AL with Gassett Funeral Home Directing.
• Public lewdness was reported on Powers Avenue.
• Animal control was requested on Powers Avenue.
• A Black male was arrested on Barnett Boulevard.
• Animal control was requested on Sylvan Lane.
• Assistance was given to a citizen on Central Boulevard.
• Animal control was requested on Bass Street, Riverside Avenue, Ashurst Avenue and Friendship Road.
• A fight was reported on Third Avenue.
• Harassing communications was reported on Azela Street. SEPT. 10
• Assistance was given to a citizen on Charles C.C. Blalock Street.
• A noise complaint was reported on Third Avenue.
• An abandoned vehicle was reported on South Tallassee Drive.
• Assistance was given to a citizen on First Avenue.
• Gunfire was reported on First Avenue.
• Assistance was given to a motorist on Rickey Lane.
• An abandoned vehicle was reported on Lower Tuskegee Road.
• A motor vehicle accident with no injuries was reported on Kent Road.
• A suspicious person was reported on Peachwood Drive.
• Suspicious activity was reported on Gilmer Avenue.
• Motor vehicle accident with entrapment was reported on Taylor Road.
• Livestock was reported in the roadway on Indian Trail.
• Forgery was reported on Twin Creeks Drive.
• Assistance was given to a citizen on Gilmer Avenue.
• Assistance was given to a motorist on E.B. Payne Sr. Drive.
• An abandoned vehicle was reported on North Ann Avenue.
• Assistance was given to a motorist on Highway 229.
• Debris was reported in the roadway on Central Boulevard.
SEPT. 9
• Suspicious activity was reported on Lower Tuskegee Road.
• Debris was reported in the roadway on Gilmer Avenue.
• A fight was reported on Rickey Lane.
• A Black female was arrested on U.S. Highway 231.
• Menacing was reported on McNeal Street.
• Assistance was given to a motorist on Gilmer Avenue.
• Assistance was given to a citizen on Macedonia Road.
• Debris was reported in the roadway on Lower Tuskegee Road.
• Assistance was given to a motorist on Rifle Range Road.
• A white female was arrested during a traffic stop on New Quarters Road.
SEPT. 8
• A juvenile complaint was filed on Rickey Lane.
• Assistance was given to a motorist on East Patton Street.
• A Black male was arrested during a traffic stop on First Avenue.
• Theft was reported on Gilmer Avenue.
• A juvenile complaint was filed on Third Avenue.
• Menacing was reported on Barnett Boulevard.
Our View Opinion
Nolin among elite company
It’s not often small schools and school systems get to compete with the larger ones. When they do, it is often the larger one coming out on top.
Recently Tallassee City Schools superintendent Dr. Brock Nolin was named a finalist for the School Superintendents of Alabama superintendent of the year for 2025 award.
It’s a recognition Nolin should be commended for.
He and eight others were selected by their peers during the nomination process to be finalists. Just by being named the finalist from District 4 puts ahead of superintendents from Auburn, Opelika and Lee County — even Elmore County Schools superintendent Richard Dennis. They are systems with far more students and funding.
It hasn’t been easy. Nolin came into the job just before the COVID-19 pandemic shut everything down. But he still navigated Tallassee City Schools through it. Before the pandemic he helped set in motion along with the Tallassee City Council the financing for the new Tallassee High School. Even though its new, the Class of 1974 was able to see itself walking down the halls of the old during a tour of the new school.
Even with all the accomplishments, Nolin gave credit to his team.
“I was very fortunate and still fortunate to have a great central office staff and great administrators,” Nolin said. “I couldn’t have done it without them.”
We are confident he will represent Tallassee well next month as he faces competition from school systems such as Piedmont City Schools and Houston County Schools.
Good luck Dr. Nolin.
Soaking up a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity
AOr does it?
once-in-a-lifetime opportunity doesn’t come around every day.
I seemed to have found myself in a lot of those situations over the course of the last few months. It all started when my husband and I embarked on a road trip for the ages earlier this year. We saw places I could’ve only dreamed about: the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the Louisville Slugger Museum, even Niagara Falls was on our itinerary.
But the whole trip itself was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I found equal joy in the littlest moments, like stopping in Buffalo, New York, just for some wings, or taking a walk in Cleveland to see the world’s biggest rubber stamp. Yes, that is a thing. Fast forward a few months, and I found myself in another unbelievable opportunity
LIZI GWIN Managing Editor
— seeing one of my favorite childhood bands in a club with a capacity of 6,000. Weezer is a band that changed my life. I was one of those kind of alternative kids in middle school and high school, and Weezer was one of those alternative rock bands of the 1990s that always really spoke to me. Along with the likes of Green Day, Nirvana and Blink 182, Weezer’s music shaped a lot of my childhood. Seeing them live in concert was truly an experience. Seeing them with my brother, who feels the same connection with the band as I do, made it that
much better. But seeing Weezer wasn’t the only once-in-a-lifetime experience I had. Much like the smaller moments on our road trip, I tried to soak in every moment of the short visit I had home. See, I don’t get many chances to return home anymore.
Busy with a family of my own now, I don’t get a chance to make my escape for a long weekend quite like I used to. So even the little moments like spending time with my niece and nephew or visiting with an old friend seem like the best possible moments. It’s important to take advantage of every day, every little moment. Soak every one of them up.
Lizi Arbogast Gwin is the managing editor of Tallapoosa Publishers Inc.
‘Hot
Time in the Old Town Tonight’
Around the turn of the 20th century, one of the most popular ragtime songs in America was a tune by Theodore Metz and Joe Hayden, “There’ll Be A Hot Time in the Old Town Tonight”.
or The Observer.
The song may be best remembered as the only song the Hooterville VFW Band knew how to play – albeit badly – on GREEN ACRES and PETTICOAT JUNCTION. It was briefly known as the fight song for two Big Ten colleges: the University of Wisconsin (where it is still performed at football games) and the University of Michigan. Now that we are about a third of the way into football season, which is also the season for marching bands, it is worth pointing out just how much work goes into the making of a band for public consumption.
Recently, someone at the college said to me, “y’all should be able to have at least a hundred band members on the field by the first game, right?” in reference to the $16,000 band scholarships Faulkner University is now giving. The new scholarship program really didn’t get going until this past summer, when high school seniors had already decided where they planned to go to school. So, for better or worse, we won’t see the results of the recruitment until next year.
The greater point is, people who have never played an instrument just don’t realize that it isn’t as easy as press -
ing buttons on a horn to make songs come out. You don’t just beat randomly on a drum and it be accurate, or even pleasant!
For those out of touch with what is expected of marching bands, there’s a whole lot they have to do – top priority is performing at pep rallies and football games during the fall, and occasionally they also participate in parades and other public performances. After a few weeks of football go by, high school bands from our area meet up from other school bands across the Southeast at marching band competitions. There, the bands are judged on the quality of musical arrangements and show concepts, the maneuvering of the feet, drill design, musical effect (pitch, rhythm, attacks and releases, intonation, dynamics, and tone, among other things), and the overall execution of the program. This is where many outside the band business do not understand the Catch 22: in order for a band to win contests, they have to perfect a single show. So, for most of the season, the band performs a variation of that same show for the Friday night or Saturday afternoon football crowd. As people who were in the band
from the beginning through the 1980s think to themselves, “a, ha – when I was in the band, we performed a different show every week!”
Yes, but times have changed. The students could still learn a different show every week, but it’s doubtful they could win contests because the contests are based around how much movement and how much “flash and dash” the band has. So a band has to decide: are we a Friday night show band, a competition band, or a hybrid of both? I would say that many of our area bands are hybrids. There are a few straight-out competition bands around, with some even ignoring Friday night football altogether (which defeats one of the main purposes of a marching band, but I digress). There are other bands in the River Region who perform a different show every week –but they do not participate in the marching band contests because they are a ‘show band’ and not a ‘corps style band’.
Another major point would be how many schools have marginalized the band altogether by playing videos on a scoreboard during the game – but that’s another topic for another day.
Please go out and support your local football team and cheerleaders, and know that the band will also be seeing you on those hot times in the old town every Friday night.
Michael Bird is a music teacher at Faulkner University in Montgomery.
MICHAEL BIRD Columnist
Humane Society of Elmore County News
Bark in the Park rescheduled to Sunday
By REA CORD HSEC Executive Director
ell, Hurricane Fran-
Wcine pulled up a lot of wet weather for our area this past weekend, so we made the call on Friday to go with our rain date for Bark in the Park 2024. So we’re rebooting for this coming Sunday starting at noon for our 18th Annual Bark in the Park at Fort Toulouse in Wetumpka. Let’s all have some fun with our dogs while enjoying what we hope is a nice, cool & dry afternoon in the park.
Last week we asked for
donations of canned sodas for our drink wagon and baked goods for our sales table. So if you were unable to get to us last week but can help this week it would be most appreciated. If you can help, please contact Charline Pope at 334202-1381 or bring by the Shelter this week. There will be plenty to do and see at Bark in the Park – vendors, food, Microchip Clinic, Blessing of the Pets, Pet Parade, Pet & Owner Contests, Paw Painting, Bark in the Park T-Shirts, some great raffle baskets, Pet Photo Booth and more!
We have numerous vendors set up under the trees and around the Pavilion area and now you have an extra week for even more Vendors to join us – check our Vendor App here: https://www.elmorehumane.org/ bark-in-the-park-2024-vendorapplication.html or email us at the Shelter at hselco@bellsouth.net.
Our Blessing of the Pets will happen approximately 2-2:15 pm followed by our always popular Parade of Pets as who doesn’t like showing off their beloved pet! The Pet Contests will be for Biggest, Smallest, Best Costume, Owner/Pet
look-a-like, Best Handmade/ Original Costume & Judge’s Choice. Winners will get a Gift Certificate for purchases at For Healthy Pets in downtown Wetumpka!
Make sure to get your tickets for some super cool Gift Baskets – Coffee Basket, Wine Basket, Dog Basket and Cat Basket!
The Microchip Clinic will be from 1 to 3 p.m. and for only $25 (which includes the registration we will do for you) thanks to the Tuskegee College of Veterinary Medicine.
Our bright, lime green, “Pets Make Life Better” 2024 Bark
CommunityCalendar
SEPT. 19
TUNES ON THE GREEN: The City of Millbrook is hosting Bekky and Doyle from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 19 as part of its Tunes on the Green at Village Green Park. The free event will feature music, food trucks and a kids play zone.
DUCK RACE: The West Elmore County Lions Club is hosting the annual Shana Faulkner Memorial Duck Race at 5:30 p.m. at Village Green Park. The first three ducks to cross the finish line win prizes. The fundraiser supports local charities.
SEPT. 22
OCT. 2
OCT. 7 - 30
in the Park T-Shirt can be purchased at the Shelter this week or at Bark in the Park for $15. Admission to Bark in the Park is $5/person 13 years old and older (having cash at the gate will help immensely please). ALL dogs coming to Bark in the Park must be good in public, meaning good around children, adults and other dogs in a very busy situation, AND they must have a current rabies tag/proof of rabies vaccination to come to the Park.
Rea Cord is the executive director of the Humane Society of Elmore County.
is also not formally housetrained but we are sure he can quickly learn as he loves being with his people.
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 Bear 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 334-567-3377 and the website is www.elmorehumane.org.
ART SHOW: The Elmore County Art Guild Fall Show will be from Oct. 7 to Oct. 30 at The Art Mill on Grandview Road in Millbrook.
OCT. 9
ART GUILD: The Elmore County Art Guild will meet Oct. 9 at The Art Mill on Grandview Road in Millbrook.
OCT. 10
BARK IN THE PARK: The Humane Society of Elmore County will be hosting its annual Bark in the Park starting at noon Sept. 15 at Ft. Toulouse in Wetumpka. The festivities will include giveaways, a microchip clinic and more.
SEPT. 19 - OCT. 5
SILENT SKY: The Wetumpka Depot Players are producing Silent Sky Sept. 19 to Oct. 5. Tickets are available at wetumpkadepotplayers.com.
SEPT. 26
MEET THE AUTHOR: The Tallassee Community Library is hosting Terah Shelton Harris at 11 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 26. Harris will speak about her latest novel Long After We are Gone at the free event.
SEPT. 28
BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL: The 24th annual Titus Bluegrass Festival is 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 28 in Titus. Scheduled to perform are Blue Heart, Iron Horse Bluegrass and Ancient Tones. There will be concessions and arts and crafts. Bring a lawn chair to enjoy the shade. Tickets are $10 and children under 12 are admitted free of charge.
OKTOBERFEST: Main Street
Wetumpka is hosting its annual Oktoberfest from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28 in downtown Wetumpka.
COPS and KIDS: The Millbrook Police Department and the City of Millbrook are hosting its annual Cops and Kids event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28 at Village Green Park.
WOMEN IN WEALTH: The Wetumpka Area Chamber of Commerce and Valley Bank are hosting Women in Wealth. It’s a business expo with breakfast, coffee, networking and presentations from Dr. Belle and Becca Stackhouse. It is from 9 to 11 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 2 at the Wetumpka Depot Players.
OCT. 5
MACDOWN: The Family Sunshine Center is hosting the second annual Cookin’ on the Coosa MacDown: Mac & Cheese Cook-off from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday Oct. 5 at the Wetumpka Farmers Market.
COOKIE DECORATING CLASS: Coosa River Cookie Company will be hosting a retro Halloween cookie decorating class from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Oct. 5. The cost is $26. For tickets, call 334391-4030.
OCT. 5
ANIMAL ADOPTION EVENT: The Cat Lady Rescue and Cait’s Critters Rescue are hosting an animal adoption event at Calvary Baptist Church from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Cats and dogs will be available for adoption and the event will also have music, activities and vendors. If you are interested in volunteering or vending, email catladyrescuewetu@ gmail.com for an application.
OCT. 5 — OCT. 6
HORSEMANSHIP CLINIC: Heron Springs Farm in Eclectic will be hosting a two-day Robbie Potter Horsemanship Clinic, which will focus on furthering your horsemanship and your ability to build a solid relationship with your horse. For more information, contact Lee Ann Lutz at 336-926-5584 or via email at lalutz. ll@icloud.com.
BROOMSTICKS & BREWS: Main Street Wetumpka is hosting a spooktacular sip, shop and stroll event, Broomsticks & Brews, from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 10. Downtown businesses will have themed merchandise, sips and more. Be sure to dress up.
OCT. 12
COTTON FESTIVAL: The 31st annual Cotton Festival will be from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12 in Eclectic.
OCT. 17
PINE NEEDLE BASKET
WEAVING: The Tallassee Community Library is hosting a free pine needle basket weaving workshop from 10 a.m. to noon Oct. 17 with Annette Jordan. Registration is required at checkitout. tclibrary@gmail.com or by calling 334283-2732.
OCT. 19
WILDLIFE ARTS FESTIVAL: The Kelly Fitzpatrick Center for the Arts is hosting the Wetumpka Wildlife Arts Festival in downtown Wetumpka Oct. 19.
FALL FARMERS MARKET: The City of Wetumpka will be hosting a Fall Farmers Market from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19.
ANGELFEST: St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church will be hosting an AngelFest arts & crafts festival from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 19 in Millbrook. There will be a bake sale, kids carnival, silent auction and more.
TRADE DAY: The Tallassee Chamber of Commerce is hosting the Tallassee Trade Day 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19 in downtown Tallassee. There will be merchandise vendors, food vendors, entertainment, children’s activities, hay bale maze, balloon artists, face painting and more.
PLAYGROUND
Continued from A1
the world. We called each and every one of these companies and each one of them gave. And that’s how it came about.”
Now fully complete, the playground section has a disk swing, which is not a full
sensory swing, but it doesn’t swing as high as other swings. There are also beehive climbers and a double bowl sensory table with sand and water
Along with the playground apparatuses, the playground has a concrete pad and path for wheelchair and walker users. Plus, the playground area has safety surfaces.
“I appreciate every single person who gave to this,” Hood said. “Not only did we have people give (donations) we had a lot of people in this school who helped me throughout the entire process. Every single person in this school has been a part of this. And I’m just so proud we are going to have something that is going to
SECURITY
Continued from A1
Elmore County Schools superintendent Richard Dennis said.
On Sunday, Sept. 8 a threat towards Millbrook area schools was posted on social media. Within 45 minutes of discovering the post, authorities were speaking with a 12-year-old student who commented on the post that she would join in a threat. The following day, with the help of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s Fusion Center, authorities found the location of the original post and found that another 12-year-old was responsible for the original post.
Dennis said the Fusion Center allowed authorities to track the post through IP addresses and find the computer it was made from.
On Monday, Sept. 9 an Elmore County High School student made a threat during school hours and forced the campus into a temporary lockdown until the student was secured according to Dennis. On Friday, Sept. 6 a Wetumpka High School student was detained after making verbal threats within the school.
“(Administrators) secured the situation, and they never went into a lockdown situation,” Dennis said. “That individual was detained as well.”
Dennis said threats made via computer require much more help initially from law enforcement, whereas verbal threats are often dealt with direct intervention of the student
on campus.
last for many years to come.”
Those who contributed include JLD Enterprises, Reeltown Elementary School, King’s Greenhouse, Consolidated Pipe, Joe Windle, Commissioner JR Carleton, Corbitt’s Funeral Home, Coan’s Tree Service, Vickie Garner, Kristi Jordan, Reeltown PTO, Jeannie and Derona at CB&S Bank, Richdotcar Properties, Guardian Credit Union, Hudson Family Foundation, State representative Ed Oliver, Stacey and Dana Gunn at SGF Buildings and Jamie Brady and Matt Owens’ Cutting Edge Lawn Service. The ribbon cutting was 8:15 a.m. Monday.
“Once the threats are cleared, we move from lockdown to a lesser form of it,” Dennis said. “With our security procedures now, the perimeter doors are always locked to the outside.”
Such methods require visitors to enter the school through one entrance and only after they have been run through the system’s Raptor system. It provides a quick background check of visitors.
School security is being improved with almost every construction project.
The new Tallassee High School was built in such a way those from outside can’t see inside. It makes it tougher for would be shooters to fire a gun from the outside into the school. Elmore County Schools has been working to secure its schools. Most recently the Elmore County Board of Education accepted a bid to improve the security measures of the front entrance to Wetumpka Elementary School.
“Security for our perimeters is improving with every project,” Dennis said.
In the last two weeks, a ballgame between Tallassee and Elmore County High School was suspended. The response was immediate. County schools purchased metal detectors and they were in use within a week of the threat in Eclectic. Entrances to events were altered to allow more and better searches of people and their belongings. Tallassee City Schools along with county schools reinforced its policy of
clear bags for school events including football games.
Dennis said the school system uses Remind to communicate information with parents and more.
“It is important to us to share information in a timely manner and would like to be certain that all our stakeholders are receiving the information shared,” Dennis said. “We are sometimes unable to immediately share communications, but we share it as soon as possible so parents are informed.”
Dennis said the system will only share information after its been verified and won’t share rumors.
“That is when panic gets started,” Dennis said. “The world of social media is filled with so many rumors in these sorts of situations.”
Dennis said the systems IT department has systems in place to filter and tag posts, messages and other information that is threatening when it is made from networks owned by the school system. It depends on law enforcement, parents and others to help make them aware when the posts occur off school grounds.
Four years ago Stanhope Elmore instituted a cell phone ban during the school day on its campus. Principal Ewell Fuller said discipline issues have gone down as a result.
Wetumpka High School principal Kyle Futral said parents have access to similar tools the school systems use to keep track of what children are doing
Nolin said he was nominated for the finalist position by other superintendents in the district.
“I’m humbled by my selection,” Nolin said. “There is some good company in the district.”
Nolin and the other eight finalists will interview with a judging panel Oct. 15 at the SSA Fall conference in Florence where the winner will be announced on Oct. 16.
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“I’m proud that I was nominated,” Nolin said.
Nolin is beginning his fifth year as superintendent for Tallassee City Schools.
“I consider myself a COVID superintendent,” Nolin said. “There are a few of us that came in on the job during that time. The first year felt like 12. It doesn’t feel like it should be my fifth year either. ”
In five years, Nolin is proud to see the cooperation with the City of Tallassee to all the bonds to build the new high school and to see improvements in the arts and athletics.
But he said he didn’t do it alone.
“I was very fortunate and still fortunate to have a great central of fice staff and great administrators,” Nolin said. “I couldn’t have done it without them.”
Other finalist include: District 1, Mr. Chresal Threadgill from Mobile County Schools; District 2,
online because parents don’t expect their children to be involved in such activities.
“It is like no one really expects their kids to be doing those sorts of things on their phone,” Futral said. “There needs to be some oversight and monitoring.”
Recently, Futural and other administrators at Wetumpka shared tips with parents to monitor online activity of students. One of the services is Bark.
“ Bark monitors texts, social media, apps and more for potential dangers,” According to Bark’s website. “Even the photos and videos your child saves. If something concerning is found, we let you know ASAP.”
The app also provides parents with 24/7 GPS tracking of the device it’s loaded on. It also allows parents to set limits and parameters for use of other apps such as YouTube.
“As parents we need to know what our children are doing online,” Futral said.
It’s all aimed at keeping students safe — from the monitoring to the security at schools and events. Dennis said it should be taken seriously and that all threats will be dealt with seriously.
“These are not jokes,” Dennis said. “These are not trivial matters. If students or anyone else is found to be doing something to interrupt the school day through threats or harm, they will be dealt with immediately and harshly. It may mean some students also face consequences in the court system.”
Dr. Tim Thurman from Linden City Schools; District 3, Mr. Brandy White from Houston County Schools; District 5, Dr Walter Gonsoulin from Jefferson County Schools; District 6, Mr. Mike Hayes from Piedmont City Schools; District 7, Mr. Michael Ryans from Hale County Schools; District 8, Dr. Holly Sutherland from Haleyville City Schools; and District 9, Dr. Todd Haynie, from Boaz City Schools.
The winner will be honored with a luncheon sponsored by Schneider Electric on March 4, 2025, held during SSA’s Legislative Conference in Montgomery. Schneider Electric will provide Alabama’s winner with a Superintendent of the Year ring and travel expenses to the AASA National Conference on Education, March 6-8, 2025, in New Orleans. At the National Conference, Alabama’s winner will receive a bronze medallion with the Superintendent of the Year emblem on it and a plaque from AASA.
548 Cherokee Road, Alexander City
NOLIN
Continued from A1
Yes and no
Greetings from the corner of Bridge and Bridge.
We are drying out after some much needed rain as I write. I don’t know about you, but sometimes I wish God would nourish the earth with a little more consistency. Drought or flood seems to be the way, unfortunately.
Jesus’ best-known sermon is the Sermon on the Mount. In this address, Jesus speaks to the disciples and a large crowd. The sermon begins with what has become known as the beatitudes; a series of blessing statements. It proceeds to unpack many of the teachings of covenant relationship with God.
Matthew records one of those teaching statements this way. “Let your yes mean yes and
your no mean no. Anything more than this comes from the evil one.”(Matthew 5:38 CEB) Jesus explains what the term concise means.
James repeats the teaching in the closing of his letter to the twelve tribes of Israel. “Most important, my brothers and sisters, never make a solemn pledge – neither by heaven nor earth, nor by anything else. Instead, speak with a simple “Yes” or “No”, or else you may fall under judgment.”(James 5:12 CEB) James fleshes out the teaching of Jesus.
I remember the first time I held each of our daughters. In that moment of myriad thought and emotion, I made each of them a promise. Speaking strictly daddy to daughter, I promised
that I would never tell them no without a reason. I have kept that promise.
What I meant by it is simple. I am a firm believer in saying yes if at all possible. I wanted my children to know that I do not need them to conform to any expectation I have for them. I want to empower them to figure out who God made them to be for themselves. As such, if they ask for something that may or not fit my expectation, my desire is to say yes above all else. The flipside of that desire means that the occasional no means just that. I did not want to water down my children’s understanding of the word no with my own garbage. They could expect to hear no infrequently, but that did not mean
Tallassee Churches
they would never hear it from me. I do not share this out of any desire to be lifted up as a model parent. I assure you that, in may ways, I am not. I lift it up because the word of God led me to take this approach to the life of faith. I wanted to try and teach that to my children.
Events of the past weeks have reminded me that, in many ways, our culture and society has forgotten the wisdom behind letting our yes be yes and our no be no. Headlines of every variety have captured this foolishness. We as a people have forgotten what yes and no mean.
Don’t get me wrong. I am in no way suggesting that the solution to mass shootings, threats of violence, and general expres-
REV. JONATHAN YARBORO Columnist
sions of hatred can be eliminated by a return to yes or no conversations. I am saying that the overall tone of life in the earthly kingdom for all would change for the better if we committed ourselves to yesses meaning yes and nos meaning no.
Whenever we witness or hear of activity or speech empowering others, we should say, “Yes!” If ever we encounter someone promoting violence or spewing hatred, our response should be “No.” The best means of navigating the turbulent waters of the earthly kingdom is to know what these two words mean according to God’s definition. God says “Yes” to everything that builds up and “No” to anything that tears down.
Rev. Jonathan Yarboro is the Pastor of First Presbyterian Church, Wetumpka.
Surrounding Area Churches
Elmore County faces tough Beauregard team on the road
By SAMUEL HIGGS Sports Reporter
Elmore County is off to an impressive start to the 2024 season, sitting at 3-0 heading into the team’s matchup against Beauregard.
However, the Hornets are not going to make it easy for the Panthers as they head into enemy territory for their second road game of the year. Coming off a homecoming win over Holtville, Elmore County knows it has to come out strong to continue the win streak.
“Being on the road against a good team, just not getting too high emotionally or too low emotionally early,” Elmore County coach Kyle Cald -
well said. “Getting in the rhythm of the game early, so we can just stay focused on our task ahead.”
Beauregard comes into the Class 5A Region 4 matchup on a win streak of its own. After falling to Wetumpka to start the season, the Hornets have put up three straight wins
TALLASSEE LOOKS TO BOUNCE BACK
By SAMUEL HIGGS Sports Reporter
BULLOCK COUNTY (2-2)
AT TALLASSEE (1-2-1)
THE PLAYERS
TALLASSEE: QB Trent Morris threw 2 TDs against BTW Tuskegee. …WR Jordan King caught both touchdowns. … RB Tiny Green ran for 1 TD against BTW Tuskegee.
FOUR DOWNS
Last week, Tallassee lost to BTW Tuskegee, 26-21; Bullock County beat Munford, 14-0. This is Tallassee’s first home game of the season. Bullock County is averaging just 10.5 points per game this season.
Tallassee beat Bullock County, 56-6, the last time they met in 2013; Tallassee holds a 5-0-1 series lead. NEXT UP: Both teams have a bye week next week.
ELMORE COUNTY (3-0-1) AT BEAUREGARD (3-1) THE PLAYERS
ELMORE COUNTY: RB Tyler Payton has 28 carries for 289 yards and 3 TDs. …QB/DL Caleb Spivey has completed 5 of his 9 passes for 31 yards; added 17 yards and 2 TDs on the ground; leads the team with 3 sacks. …DL Luke
Reinert has 18 total tackles and 10 tackles for loss.
BEAUREGARD: QB Cub Jones had completed 36 of 66 passes for 704 yards and 8 TDs.
…WR Jermyan Fitch has 9 catches for 211 yards and 5 TDs. …LB Caleb Piner has 37 total tackles, averaging over 12 a game.
FOUR DOWNS
Last week, Elmore County beat Holtville, 28-9; Beauregard beat Sylacauga, 42-10. Elmore County beat Beauregard, 27-7, last season and holds a 10-8 series lead.
Elmore County’s defense has allowed just 9.25 points per game this season.
Both teams are undefeated in 5A Region 4 games. NEXT UP: Elmore County has a bye week; Beauregard hosts Andalusia.
REHOBETH (2-1) AT WETUMPKA (1-3) THE PLAYERS
WETUMPKA: QB Tyler Johnson completed 34 of 70 passes for 436 yards, 2 TDs and 2 INTs. …LB Logan Gaare leads the team with 33 total tackles. … DB Kleby Walker leads the team with 3 sacks and has 1 fumble recovery.
FOUR DOWNS
Last week, Wetumpka lost to Pike Road,17-12 ; Reho-
beth had a bye week.
Rehobeth and Wetumpka have never met in a game before.
Both teams are winless in Class 6A, Region 2 play.
Wetumpka’s offense is averaging just 15.5 points per game this season.
NEXT UP: Wetumpka at Eufaula; Rehobeth at Cottonwood.
VALIANT CROSS (0-3) AT EDGEWOOD ACADEMY (1-1) THE PLAYERS
EDGEWOOD ACADEMY: QB Brock Whitt has completed 3 of 9 passes for 53 yards, 1 TD in the first game; has rushed for 163 yards, 1 TD. … RB Parker Shaw has 12 carries for 80 yards, 1 TD in the first game. … LB Cooper Freeman has recorded 10 tackles against Hooper
FOUR DOWNS
Last week, Edgewood lost to Chambers, 37-7; Valiant Cross lost to Banks, 52-28. Edgewood and Valiant Cross have never met in a game before. Edgewood has already had two bye weeks this season. Valiant Cross has been outscored, 127-70, this year.
NEXT UP: Edgewood Academy at Lowndes; Valiant Cross at Southern Academy
Stanhope Elmore’s Arthur McQueen takes over against Park Crossing
By SAMUEL HIGGS Sports Reporter
Stanhope Elmore added a tick in the win column defeating Park Crossing last Friday due in large part to the success they had on the ground with standout running back Arthur McQueen.
In total, the Mustangs rushed for 476 yards against the Thunderbirds, with McQueen accounting for 227 yards and three touchdowns on his own. The game put him over the 800-yard rushing mark through just four games as he is averaging 210 yards per game.
“That performance is just consistent with what he does week to week,”
Stanhope coach Hunter Adams said. “Arthur is a tremendous running back. He’s a Division I running back. He’s a workhorse. If you told him, ‘Arthur, you’ve got to carry it 45 times for us to win a ballgame,’ he’d just smile and take every one of them and run as hard as he can.”
Although his rushing total shows how much of an impact player he is for Stanhope Elmore, his contribution also comes in other ways. McQueen garners so much attention from opposing defenses that it opens the door for first-year quarterback Zac Holcombe and receiver Jamari Coleman to make their mark on the game.
Holcombe and Coleman each crossed 100 rushing yards against Park Crossing on Friday as well, each averaging over 14 yards per carry.
“When teams have to focus on Arthur, it
opens things up for the other guys,” Adams said. “Our wide receiver, Jamari Coleman, had two carries for 132 yards Friday night because the defense stacked the box, and we were able to get him on the perimeter because they were so key on Arthur. Jamari is a great football player, Arthur’s presence just creates opportunity for the other guys.”
McQueen is only carrying his success from last year into the 2024 season, approaching his 2023 stat line already. The goal for the standout back is to finish the season with more than 2,000 rushing yards in his senior year, but it is not his play on the field that deserves all the praise.
“He’s consistent in the way that he works every day and goes about his business,” Adams said. “He’s a very high character kid, he’s a very selfless kid, Arthur’s never going to praise Arthur. He’s going to thank his offensive lineman for doing their job, and he’s going to run hard every time he touches the football.”
Stanhope heads into this Friday on a bye, giving the team ample amount of time to
FILE | TPI
Stanhope Elmore’s Arthur McQueen (4) rushed for more than 200 yards and three touchdown against Park Crossing last Friday.
GAME OF THE WEEK
PLAYER OF THE WEEK
See FACES, Page B3
Ball drop to benefit scholarship and fire department
two student scholarships,” Tallassee Rotary Club president Stephanie Weldon said. “We were also able to make a donation to the fire department.”
The ball drop is limited to 1,000 entries, so odds are good to win. A portion goes to the scholarship, a portion goes to the Tallassee Fire Department and the remainder to the winner. Numbered balls will be dropped Nov. 1 at the last Tallas -
SPORTS CALENDAR
see High School regular season home game. The one closest to or in the pin wins.
“We are very thankful of GKN’s generosity,” Weldon said. “Last year’s donation made it possible for us to help two students with scholarships. It is something we haven’t been able to do since before COVID.” Tickets are available to be purchased from any Tallassee Rotary Club member.
4Tallassee at Booker T. Washington Tuskegee, 4:30 p.m.
TUESDAY, SEPT. 24 HIGH SCHOOL VOLLEYBALL
4Montgomery Academy at Stanhope Elmore, 6 p.m.
4Elmore County at Valley, 5:30 p.m. 4Lakeside School at Edgewood Academy, 5 p.m. 4 Tallassee at Wetumpka, 5:30 p.m.
SUBMITTED | TPI
Tallassee Rotary Club president Stephanie Weldon, center, poses with GKN’s Clay Hornsby, left, and Jeff Mask as the company donates $5,000 to the club’s 2024 Ball Drop fundraiser.
PICK’EMS
over Anniston, Marbury and Sylacauga. But Elmore County is one of the toughest opponents the team has faced this early into the season.
“We’re definitely going to have to play our best game of the year,” Caldwell said. “A four-quarter game, not just the second half. We got to take advantage of any opportunities we may get with turnovers or special teams, or just any kind of situations that we might get. We got to take advantage of it because it’s going to take 48 minutes to beat them because they’re a really good team.” The Hornets come in with a decent amount of size across their fronts, which has resulted in such an impressive passing game. Quarterback Cub Jones has thrown for more than 700 yards and eight touchdowns through four games with Aundray Vann being his top target down the field. The Panthers are going to lean on their front to disrupt the sophomore quarterback from continuing his success down the field while keeping their rushing attack with Kajaden Holloway in check.
“They’re a really big, big team up front,” Caldwell said. “On both sides of the ball, they want to control the lot of scrimmage, so that’s gonna be a challenge for us, just like it has been in the past couple years. They’ve been a lot bigger, imposing team than we have just size-wise. So that’ll be a big, big challenge for us. They’re really big and really strong up front.”
On the offensive side, Elmore County will look to control the line of scrimmage from their side of things. The team has been dominant on the ground, resulting in over 800 yards rushing and 12 touchdowns
through four games. Sophomore Tyler Payton currently leads the charge with 366 yards and four touchdowns but also has Eli Thames and Parker Hobbs behind him to help. Both teams will look to extend their win streak one more game, especially with the implication of it being a region matchup. The fronts of both teams will try to set the tone of the game to add another tick to the win column.
“The offensive line and the defensive line, they’re going to have to play their best game for us to be victorious on Friday,” Caldwell said.
Continued from B1
recover before they face off against Smith Station in Week 5. However, McQueen will continue to be a standout back for the team going forward as they look to add another win to their record before four straight 6A Region 2 matchups to carry out the season.
“He took the reins, became a go-to guy, became a bell cow back,” Adams said. “He worked extremely hard all offseason to improve his body composition and his long speed. He just works hard to make himself and the team better every single day.”
CROSSING
FACES
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NO WEATHER ISSUES FOR HOMECOMING PARADE
Getting a head start
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
All it took was a quick note to Elmore County High School students. Now there are a record number of students serving as aides in the classrooms of Eclectic Elementary School.
In previous years between four and five high school students made the short journey to aid in kindergarten classrooms.
“I sent out a Remind message that said, ‘Hey, if you're interested in aiding at the elementary school, let me know,’” ECHS instructional coach Julie Powell said. “The response was crazy, more than I ever thought.”
More than 20 ECHS students are part of the program, but being an aide at the elementary school is quite different than at the high school.
“It's not a free period, like when they aide at the high school,” Powell said. “They work closely with a teacher at the elementary school. This time almost all of them are in kindergarten classes.” Powell said many students at ECHS are interested in teaching careers. Some are part of Future Teachers of Alabama. It gives students an opportunity to figure out
High school aides learn ropes of teaching in Eclectic Elementary School
if teaching is for them, and many aides from the past have come from this organization.
“In the past they wanted to go and assist a favorite elementary teacher,” Powell said. With the amount of interest, Powell wanted to see if the program could do some -
thing more substantial. This year, a total of 14 students are helping in the kindergarten classrooms. The numbers work well on the block schedule as it means a high school student is in a kindergarten class daily.
“It really allows the high school students a chance to see what the classroom is
like,” Powell said. “They get to experience almost all aspects of teaching this way. It also encourages the elementary students to do well in school and builds relationships between everyone.”
The elementary school aide program has been there for several years.
“This is the first time
we've had a more structured program,” Powell said.
She knew some of the students would be interested but some surprised her.
Powell had no idea junior Hayden Griffith was interested. Griffith didn’t know about the program either until Powell’s message seeking aides. Griffith had already been working with young children in the nursery at church. She was beginning to wonder about a career in teaching.
“I sort of realized I want to be a teacher,” Griffith said. “I figured going to aid at the elementary school would give me a good chance to just see what things are like as a teacher and just try to put myself in that setting to figure it out.”
Griffith likes observing the teachers whether they are in front of the class or preparing lessons for their students.
“It just gives me sort of an inside look to what it's gonna be like to be teachers,” she said.
It’s still early but Griffith sees herself in early education, teaching at an elementary school someday.
“This has actually probably solidified it a little more,” Griffith said. “It is making me realize I really do want to be a teacher.”
SUBMITTED | TPI
Elmore County High School student Ansley Caudle, left, poses with Eclectic Elementary School teacher Jessica Kelley. Caudle is an aide in Kelley’s classroom this year and is joined by 19 other high school students working in the elementary school.
PHOTOS BY CLIFF WILLIAMS TPI
Hurricane Francine may have brought rains to the area but it didn’t dampen the spirit in Eclectic. Elmore County High School modified a few of its homecoming activities. The parade marched off from the school as it always does, just a few minutes early to avoid some rain. The Maroon Machine Marching Band stepped off behind the school’s color guard to march up town. They were followed by seniors on the football team, the Eclectic Middle School football team and members of the homecoming court. Some lining the streets of Eclectic for the parade were lucky enough to get a piece or two of candy. Fire trucks and ambulances from the Eclectic Fire Department finished out the parade.