CLIFF WILLIAMS
Editor
GO REBELS
By ABIGAIL MURPHY Multimedia Reporter
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
Obituaries
JAMES COLEY FAUST
James Coley Faust, 89, of Tallassee, died Monday, September 30, 2024, at his home. Funeral services will be Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, at 2:00 pm at Corbitt’s Funeral Home in Tuskegee with Rev. Danny
SALLY REBECCA BURTON
Rodgers officiating. Burial will follow in Notasulga Memory Gardens. Visitation will be prior to the service beginning at 1:30 pm. Mr. Faust is survived by his wife Wanda Faust; his children Ricky (Melanie) Faust, Robert
Sally Rebecca Burton, 81, of Dadeville, died at her home October 5, 2024, surrounded by her family. Graveside services will be Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, at Beulah Baptist Church Cemetery at 12:00 pm with Rev. Danny Rodgers officiating. Pallbearers will be Ronald Taunton, Donald Taunton, Matthew Knox, Brad Davis, Lanier Burton and Bobby Brown. Please wear pink in
Police Reports
TALLASSEE POLICE
DEPARTMENT
OCT. 6
• A welfare check was conducted on Gilmer Avenue.
• A civil disturbance was reported on Friendship Road.
• A suspicious vehicle was reported on Twin Creeks Drive.
• Theft was reported on Jordan Avenue.
• Debris was reported in the roadway on Lower Tuskegee Road.
• A fight was reported on Third Avenue.
OCT. 5
• A vehicle pursuit was reported on Tallassee Highway.
• Gunfire was reported on James Street.
• A white male was arrested during a traffic stop on North Dubois Street.
• A noise complaint was reported on South Tallassee Drive.
• Criminal mischief was reported on Joy Street.
• Assistance was given to a motorist on Gilmer Avenue.
• Debris was reported in the roadway on Highway 229.
• Assistance was given to a citizen on Jordan Avenue.
• Reckless driving was reported on Seventh Street.
• A welfare check was conducted on Rec Center Road. OCT. 4
• Gunfire was reported on Gen. Chappy James Street.
• Assistance was given to a motorist on East Patton Street.
• A noise complaint was reported on Hillcrest Street.
• Harassment was reported on Gilmer Avenue.
• Assistance was given to a motorist on Gilmer Avenue.
• Assistance was given to a motorist on Jordan Avenue.
• A motor vehicle accident
(Nikki) Brennan, and Michael Brennan; eight grandchildren; nine great grandchildren; and his siblings Bruce Faust and Kay Tatum. He was preceded in death by his first wife Jane Hammock, and his daughter Cynthia Jane Hornsby.
honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Mrs. Burton is survived by her son Clark (April) Burton and her grandchildren Blair and Bo Burton. She is also survived by her sister Jan Ward, her brother Richard Phillips, Jr., and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Don Burton, her parents Richard Phillips, Sr., and Clarene W. Phillips.
He was well-loved, and he was a loving father, a hard-working man, and he loved his children. The family will receive family and friends at Ricky and Melanie’s house (1216 Auburn Rd.) after the burial.
She was a long time member of Beulah Baptist Church. She loved life especially her grandchildren. Mrs. Burton was a graduate of Reeltown High School and Massey Draughon Business College.
The family would like to extend a special thanks to her Enhabit Hospice team, caregivers, and Dr. Brandon Johnson. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Beulah Baptist Church parking lot fund.
with no injuries was reported on Gilmer Avenue.
• Assistance was given to a motorist on Gilmer Avenue.
• Debris was reported in the roadway on Friendship Road.
• Theft was reported on Riverknoll Road.
• A motor vehicle accident with no injuries was reported on Friendship Road.
• A juvenile complaint was reported on Redden Avenue.
• Assistance was given to a citizen on Macedonia Road.
• A white female was arrested during a trespassing call on Indian Trail.
• A road hazard was reported on East Patton Avenue.
• A domestic dispute was reported on Second Avenue.
OCT. 3
• A suspicious vehicle was reported on Hillcrest Street.
• A fight in progress was reported on Sims Avenue.
• Harassment was reported on Gen. Chappy James Street.
• Assistance was given to a motorist on Friendship Road.
• Assistance was given to another agency on East Patton Street.
• Harassment was reported on Gilmer Avenue.
• A white male was arrested on Barnett Boulevard.
• A white male was arrested during a traffic stop on South Ann Avenue.
• A Black male was arrested on Freeman Avenue.
• A motor vehicle accident with no injuries was reported on Friendship Road.
• Property damage was reported on Gen. Chappy James Street.
• A domestic incident was reported on Noble Road. OCT. 2
• Assistance was given to a motorist on Willow Street.
• A suspicious person was
reported on Rickey Lane.
• Theft was reported on Gilmer Avenue.
• Harassing communications was reported on Riley Road.
• An animal bite was reported on Ice Plant Road.
• A domestic dispute was reported on Adams Street.
• A juvenile complaint was reported on Burney Road. OCT. 1
• Harassment was reported on Sims Avenue.
• An abandoned vehicle was reported on Highway 229.
• A suspicious person was reported on Evergreen Street.
• Assistance was given to a motorist on Gilmer Avenue.
• A reckless driver was reported on Gilmer Avenue.
• Animal control was requested on Magnolia Street.
• A disorderly subject was reported on Ashurst Avenue.
• Animal control was requested on Main Street.
• Assistance was given to a citizen on Gilmer Avenue.
• Animal control was requested on Ashurst Avenue.
• A Black female was arrested on Barnett Boulevard.
• Animal control was requested on Main Street.
• Chemical endangerment of a child was reported on Sims Avenue.
• An animal complaint was reported on Main Street and Magnolia Street.
• Assistance was given to another agency on Highway 229.
• Assistance was given to a motorist on South Ann Avenue.
• A white female was arrested on U.S. Highway 231.
• Animal control was requested on Washington Street.
• A suspicious vehicle was reported on East Patton Street. SEPT. 30
• Gunfire was reported on Ashurst Bar Road.
• Assistance was given to another agency on Gilmer Avenue.
• Assistance was given to medics on Cliff Street.
• Trespassing was reported on Gilmer Avenue.
• Harassment was reported on West Patton Street.
• Assistance was given to a motorist on Gilmer Avenue.
• An abandoned vehicle was reported on Outer Drive.
• Assistance was given to a motorist on Honeysuckle Lane.
• A white male was arrested on Barnett Boulevard.
• Assistance was given to a motorist on Jordan Avenue.
• Burglary was reported on Redden Avenue.
• Trespassing was reported on Hillcrest Street.
• Assistance was given to a motorist on Gilmer Avenue.
• A white male was arrested on U.S. Highway 231.
• Debris was reported in the roadway on Friendship Road.
• An intoxicated driver was reported on South Ann Avenue. SEPT. 29
• A fight in progress was reported on West James Street.
• A noise complaint was reported on South Ann Avenue.
• A verbal altercation was reported on West James Street.
• A noise complaint was reported on Third Avenue.
• A verbal altercation was reported on West James Street.
Tallassee man in jail for making terrorist threats
STAFF REPORT
TPI Staff
A Tallassee man is in the Tallapoosa County Jail after allegedly making terrorist threats.
Delbert Lee Tillery, 49, of Tallassee, has been charged with a probation violation and making terrorist threats toward a law enforcement
officer. The arrest stems from an incident on or about Sept. 17. According to court documents, Tillery accused the wife of Deputy Sheriff John Hammonds, with the Tallapoosa County Sheriff ’s Department, of interfering with issues with his ex-wife. Court documents state Tillery said, “If they didn’t keep his name out of their mouths, he knew where they lived and didn't care if Hammond (sic) was a deputy sheriff, that he would kill him before going back to prison.”
Tillery is currently at the Tallapoosa County Jail with a $10,000 bond available to him. He has a first-call hearing scheduled for 9 a.m. Oct. 22. TILLERY
Humane Society of Elmore County News
Skip the scraps during Pet Obesity Awareness Week
By REA CORD HSEC Executive Director
This coming Friday night, 11 October, at the Alabama National Fair is a tremendous opportunity to attend the Fair for half price OFF of regular admission if you bring a donation of dry or canned pet food, pet toys, blankets or towels with you. These donations will be shared by the three area shelters — Humane Society of Elmore County, Prattville-Autauga Humane Society and Montgomery Humane Society We are thankful to the Kiwanis Club of Montgomery members and Alabama National Fair for their hard work making the Alabama National Fair such a success and for helping our River Region Animal Shelters like this.
For our supporters who work for the Alabama State Government and want to donate financially, there is no better way than through the 2024 State Combined
Campaign (SCC) and our Agency Code is 106803.
The SCC is critical to Alabama non-profits and helps make donating to deserving charities easy either one time or via monthly payroll deduction. We want to thank all who so generously donate to help not only our shelter, but non-profit agencies everywhere.
For our members, our Humane Society’s annual membership meeting is at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Wetumpka Civic Center.
Hope to see you there.
This is National Pet Obesity Awareness week — something many of us pet owners need to consider before handing over that extra treat or dinner table scraps. Veterinary surveys indicate nearly 56% of dogs and 60% of cats are clinically overweight or obese yet there is no doubt many pet owners are in denial that their pet is, well, a bit too fluffy. And just like us humans, obesity leads to a large number of associated
Pet of the Week — Percy
health problems. Here are a few suggestions to help keep your precious pet’s weight in check:
1. Get with your veterinarian to determine your pet’s ideal weight considering their age, breed, and overall health. Track their weight routinely so you know if they are gaining or losing weight.
2. Avoid overfeeding by sticking to specific mealtimes, avoiding free-feeding (keeping their bowl full at all times), checking the labels on your pet’s food for appropriate serving size, use a food scale instead of a measuring cup for better accuracy. The use of interactive feeding toys makes your dog or cat work for their food, burning calories while consuming calories. They also force your pet to eat more slowly, allowing their brain to catch up with the fact that they’re eating and telling them they’re full sooner (remember your mom telling you to
eat slower).
3. Select the Right Food - Check with your veterinarian about the ideal food for your dog or cat based on its age, activity level, affordability, etc.
4. Keep Them Active – Just like us, pets need exercise and activity, not only for their weight and physical well-being but for their mental health. Daily walks, lots of ball throwing/playing fetch, toy playing inside the home, interactive games, climbing places for cats, even swimming.
5. Skip the Table Scraps – Of course our pets are now barking and meowing “No,” but too many table scraps can add up to a lot of extra calories. So, if you just cannot stand those begging faces, limit the scraps to just a tidbit taste or two or only every once in a while.
Rea Cord is the executive director of the Humane Society of Elmore County.
Percy is a 7 1/2-year-old Rottweiler/Coonhound boy whose owner loved him but due to circumstances was unable to keep him. Percy is a big chunk of boy; he weighs 140 pounds but also needs to lose some weight. He is housetrained, crate trained and great with other dogs, cats and children. Percy likes to sleep on the couch and loves attention. Percy is a giant lap dog and incredibly sweet. Percy is on Thyroid Medication; he takes 1 ½ tabs of 1.0 milligrams of thyroid medicine per day This is not an expensive med and tiny pills so super easy to give in food or a treat. Percy still has years of love to give so who will give this hunk of love a soft-landing spot for his remaining years.
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 Percy 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.
Tallassee Rotary continues dictionary donation tradition
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
For more than 10 years Tallassee third graders have been getting free dictionaries thanks to the Tallassee Rotary Club. For those who are
counting, the club has given out more than 1,500 dictionaries. “I have been here since 2012 and it started before that,” Tallassee Rotary president Stephanie Weldon said. “Every year we visit with the third graders and give them their dictionaries.” Last week, Weldon was joined by a few members of the club including Carmen Rodgers. “If there's a word you See ROTARY, Page A9
CLIFF WILLIAMS TPI
Tallassee Rotary’s Stephanie Weldon, left, and Carmen Rogers, right hand out dictionaries in a Tallassee Elementary School third grade classroom.The club has been donating dictionaries to the third grade class for at least 12 years.
Finding friends along the path of journalism
Some say a picture is worth a thousand words. But what about the camera that takes the photo? What about the pen used to write out the thousand word description?
For as long as I can remember I have had a camera in my hands.
It started with my grandfather who I remember using an old twin lens camera. He had many stories surrounding his photography, mainly families and a few weddings here and there. Occasionally, he’d snap a photo of someone he didn’t even know in a casket at a funeral.
The most memorable story was one family portrait. The family had not had a group photograph in years. Granddad was asked to take a photo at the funeral. Like so many other times, he thought it would be of the deceased in the casket — but this was something he had never seen before. The family had the undertaker take the deceased from the casket and two brothers held him up as a new family portrait was taken. He came home white as a sheet.
My father was also a photographer but his stories with a camera surround introducing me to the hobby and growing it — especially surrounding sports photography.
I can’t tell you how many times I have covered high school football on a Friday night and been at some Southeastern Conference school to photograph a college game from the field.
The hobby grew even more as I stepped into full-time work with newspapers.
The freelance clients are still there on occasion for
Ever since I was little, I knew I wanted to be a writer.
I was always telling stories and my dad always wrote in these little black journals. I wanted to be like my dad. Plus, I loved Harriet the Spy I used to pretend to be her; I’d have my little notebook and go around the neighborhood solving clues.
It didn’t take long for me to know I wanted to be a journalist.
I had a family friend Lauren who worked for the Associated Press, and Lauren always wanted a daughter. Instead, she had to settle with taking me on Take Your Daughter to Work Day.
I’ll never forget that day.
We went to her hustling and bustling newsroom. Back then, all the desks were full. This was before the gutting of newspapers began. There were people calling out across the newsroom, and everyone seemed to be in such a crunch. I loved it.
But what was really amazing was her assignment that day. We were headed to the International Spy Museum, which was getting ready to open in downtown Washington DC. The museum wasn’t open yet, but Associated Press wanted a behindthe-scenes look at how it was coming together. Lauren and I got to enter the museum before its opening — even better than a night at the museum, to be sure.
We got to crawl through the spy tunnel before anyone else and see the museum items before they went into their display cases. Lauren even gave me a chance to get in front of
the email. Announcements will appear within 10 days in The Tribune, The Herald or The Observer.
In this presidential election season, it is easy to get caught up in the partisan politics along with the rest of the world. Name-calling, mud-slinging, and sometimes even flat-out lying are all, sadly, a part of the process and show no signs of going away. It makes one ponder, why would anyone want to be President of the United States if this is how they have to get the job?
I set aside a few nights recently to reflect on some of our more memorable presidents of the past hundred years: Theodore and Franklin Roosevelt; Ronald Reagan; and Bill Clinton. Two Democrats, two Republicans. We have already covered the Roosevelts and the Clintons. And now, the Great Communicator .. the Gipper .. Ronald Reagan.
RONALD REAGAN: AN AMERICAN JOURNEY
(HISTORY CHANNEL; AMAZON PRIME)
This is not the 2024 film currently playing in theaters starring Dennis Quaid as the 40th President. The movie received a lot of negative reviews, but I still plan to see it eventually. What I am recommending here is what I consider to be the definitive feature-length biography on Ronald Reagan. It occasionally airs on the
the camera and do my very own standup.
At 12 years old, I felt like a superstar.
I never looked back.
I always considered myself lucky because I knew what I wanted to be when I grew up. I got the chance to take the proper steps to achieve my goal. I knew what college I wanted to go to and I knew what classes I wanted to take; I just had to get there.
Attending Virginia Commonwealth University, I majored in mass communications and knew from the get-go which classes to take and what electives I needed to make my resume stronger. It wasn’t until my junior year I took a class called Sports Media Through the Ages.
VCU didn’t have a sports journalism program specifically. It was just print journalism or broadcast jour nalism, but I had always been a huge sports fan and decided to see what this class was all about.
sports editor here at Tallapoosa Pub lishers Inc., which led me to where I am today
Mike encouraged us in ways I couldn’ fessor. We had to cover a game, and while most people elected to cover VCU sports, I asked if I could cover a W said, “Of course but with one condition.” I had to do it like a journalist. I had to find a way into the press box and sit with the pros.
What was I going to do?
I emailed the owner of the team, of course.
This was my first lesson in never meeting a stranger. Amazingly, the owner Ted Leonsis gave me a chance and allowed me to get a press pass. It wasn’t a great game; the Capitals won and I forgot to include the final score in my gamer.
There’s certain decisions that change the trajectory of your life, and this was one of them.
Mike Harris was my professor, and I credit him with most of my career’s success. If it weren’t for him, I wouldn’t have become the
it means to me to be a journalist. I’ve covered almost every sport you could think of — yes, even squash — and as my role changed into a managing editor, I’ve gotten the chance to tell so many amaz ing, heartbreaking, uplifting and soul-changing stories. But I wanted to tell my story, and give credit to the two people who made me who I am today. I am one lucky girl.
History Channel, but is currently streaming on Amazon Prime.
This documentary is notable for presenting just the facts, via newsreel footage and first-person accounts via interviews with the people who were there. We also see and hear archival recordings of President Reagan in various stages of his life.
One could not have written a more Hollywood story than what it became: Reagan emerges from modest beginnings and is born to lead. He is a scholar-athlete, and by all accounts gets along with everyone. He’s an earnest striver who accomplishes great things, particularly in his role as a lifeguard. Reagan set the record for number of lives saved that still holds today (his proudest achievement).
After a career in radio broadcasting, he heads to California and becomes an actor. Over time, Reagan appears in 53 motion pictures and spends a decade hosting
Lizi Arbogast Gwin is the manag ing editor of Tallapoosa Publishers Inc. She can be reached at 434-9629420 or via email at lizi.gwin@alexcityoutlook.com.
“General Electric Theater” on television. Alongside his acting career he becomes president of the Screen Actors Guild and gets his first taste of politics. Representing GE while hosting the anthology series, Reagan travels the country meeting people and gives speeches that begin to emphasize more and more of his personal politics. By 1966, Reagan’s acting career is done, and he’s elected Governor of California for two terms. What I noticed during this era is how stridently right-wing he appeared to be in news clips as he said many of the same things politicians such as George Wallace were saying at the time: get a haircut, get a job, rioters and looters will be locked up, etc. And yet, the Reagan charm is always there and he enjoys success as a governor. He uses this success to springboard onto the national scene, running for the GOP presidential nomination in 1976 against then- President Gerald Ford. However, Republicans back Ford at the last minute after some truly
HURRICANE
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the victims of Hurricane Helene.
“I just woke up one day last week, and it was just on my heart,” Wood said.
“When God puts something on your heart, you better listen. Instead of praying for myself I was praying for them people. I didn’t sleep for a couple of nights.”
Wood knew she couldn’t do it alone and reached out to her pastor who gave her the go ahead.
Word quickly spread around the church and Melanie Baker was soon involved. Following shortly after were Southside Middle School students. Principal
ARMOR Continued from A1
give us one for our K9.”
Brittany Spencer said sixthgrade science teacher Christy Nelson approached her about getting involved.
“I had been thinking about how we could help those impacted and completely agreed (with Nelson),” Spencer said.
Spencer ’s staff at SMS work around a motto of Progress Over Perfection on a daily basis — students are encouraged to be better than the day before in all areas.
“Part of that is seeking to help others each and every day,” Spencer said. “By participating and seeing our school support the hurricane victims in this way, our students are able to recognize the importance of realizing a need and helping to find solutions. Empowering stu-
Blek’s handler Hunter Sink and dispatch supervisor Heather Jones got everything together for the grant, saving city funds.
“It provides much needed protection for Blek,” Buce said.
Blek is often called on especially on traffic stops where officers believe there might be narcotics in the vehicle. Blek is brought to the suspect vehicle
could have chosen virtually anything, but she wanted to give back to her friends and community. Her courage and kindness are a testament to how we all possess the ability to make a difference and to make decisions that positively affect those around us.”
The high school band will take to the field for the first time in their new uniforms to present their halftime show.
FRIENDS
college assignments.
dents to make a difference in a real world opportunity is critical to showing them they can be the face of positive change.”
In her own life, Wood has followed this motto for years, and has continued the tradition through the church. She learned to help others from her father Wood said the church keeps a closet and pantry with clothing and food for those in need. The supplies are issued to those in need who contact the church. Wood and others work to make sure the closet is always stocked with donations.
The hurricane relief project is different but still meets the mission of serving others, especially those in
to do a quick walk around. He alerts when he detects illegal narcotics.
“He has been highly successful at it,” Buce said. “He has taken a large amount of illegal drugs off the streets.”
The Tallassee Police Department has submitted measurements of Blek to Vested Interest in K9s who administers the grant program.
Vested Interest in K9s was established in 2009 to provide protective vests and other assistance to dogs of law enforcement and related agencies in the U.S. The potentially lifesaving
Each band member has a special addition for their jackets — a pin to recognize Melody’s wish.
The pin features a symbol specially designed by her brother surrounded by the words, “Within Our Hearts There Will Always Ring A Melody.” Friday night’s crowd will also sport matching stickers to show their community pride and support for Melody. Before the show kicks off, Make-A-Wish Alabama plans to present Melody’s family with her band jacket
Along the way I added writing, especially when I returned home and to Tallapoosa Publishers Inc.
I’ve been to countless crime scenes, where I’ve woken in the middle night to go to shooting scenes and wrecks.
I’ve been there when a mother was told her son didn’t make it in a car wreck or the news of a shooting victim’s death was told to a spouse.
I’ve heard the gasps of family as a guilty verdict was announced by a jury.
What I have learned along the way was the camera broke the ice for me.
It allows me to be what my Algebra II teacher Mrs. Nancy Washburn described me as.
“You would rather know a little about a lot, than a lot about a little,” she said to me.
It has taken me a number of years to interpret what Mrs. Washburn told me.
Reagan!
When Reagan ran for president in 1980, one in ten Americans were out of work. 53 Americans were being held hostage in Iran. Inflation and a recession combined to create “stagflation,” the worst economic conditions possible. Reagan ran on the slogan, “are you better off than you were four years ago?” Reagan wins, but within three months of taking office he suffers an assassination attempt at the Hilton Hotel in Washington, D.C. The situation is quite serious. A story I’ve never heard is told here by Secret Service agent Jerry Parr, who saved Reagan’s life by sending the car to the hospital instead of the White House. Parr had wanted to be a Secret Service agent from an early age, having seen a movie called “The Code of the Secret Service,” starring … Ronald
need.
The church is collecting water, toiletries, paper products, cleaning supplies and clothing.
The donations the SMS students receive through will go to the efforts at the East Tallassee Methodist Church. Students can receive donations now through Oct. 25. Wood hopes to have volunteers from the church drive the donations to Georgia or North Carolina at the end of month.
“I can’t go because of my cancer,” Wood said. “We hope someone will be able to drive there. If we need to get a trailer because we have so much, we will. If we get so much we need an 18-wheeler, we will do that too.”
body armor for K9s will be custom fitted for Blek. Each vest costs approximately $1,800.
Vested Interest in K9s accepts tax-deductible contributions in any amount. A single donation of $985 sponsors one vest and each vest has a value of $1,800 and comes with a five year warranty. For more information about the program visit www.vik9s.org. The website provides more information about the organization, lists events and accepts donations to help protect other K9 officers.
and a plaque commemorating her legacy.
“Every wish we grant creates ripples,” said MakeA-Wish Alabama President and CEO Tracy Bennett Smith, “however, Melody’s wish far exceeds anything that we have seen before, and it will continue to touch the lives of others for years to come. We want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to our board of directors and supporters as well as DeMoulin Brothers & Company for
I have a craving for knowledge but don’t want to be stuck in any one place too long.
I never know what the day holds. Often my plans laid out the day before are trashed by the time lunch rolls around.
My work in photography and newspapers allows my textbook to change multiple times a day.
News dictates the frequent change of schedule and scenery. What keeps me motivated is the tiny stories I develop along the way. Most often they go unpublished.
It is seeing everyone interact. It’s almost like I can predict the results in some situations, which is great for photography because you have to be in the right place at the right time to capture the perfect shot.
Being there also proves great for finding stories.
Like me, most people like to chat in person; however, it sometimes gets me in trouble from a time standpoint.
And I’m most often there with a camera. It is my security blanket
Americans are charmed by Reagan’s humor during all of this. To his doctors in the operating room: “I hope you’re all Republicans.” To Nancy: “Honey, I forgot to duck.” Reagan’s address to Congress only weeks after the failed attempt on his life shows just how much everyone already loved the guy, even when they disagreed with him.
This is a major point that is made: Ronald Reagan and “Tip” O’Neill were not enemies in real life. In politics, yes. But that was an 8-to-5 job. After the fights were over, they would get together and have a drink. Reagan used this same charm offensive with world leaders to great success. There has not been a President in my lifetime that could transcend the office, or better inhabit the office, than Ronald Reagan. Barack Obama may be the best orator, and he was certainly inspiring. Bill Clinton had a charm and a knack for success. But Reagan
bringing Melody’s wish to life.”
Melody died Feb. 2, surrounded by her family and friends. She was just 16 years old. Prior to her death, Melody celebrated an early graduation ceremony, received a letterman’s jacket and was named honorary homecoming queen at Reeltown High School.
Last year, Make-A-Wish Alabama granted 215 wishes across the state. For more information about MakeA-Wish Alabama, visit alabama.wish.org.
for speaking. I used to hide behind the camera and capture moments worth a thousand words or more.
Now the camera is on the shoulder more and more, but I ask more and more questions to be able to write the story But what keeps me going in this crazy world of journalism remains the same whether I’m telling stories with photos or words.
I can’t wait to share what I have learned through my trusted textbooks, excuse me, sources along the way
And in many cases these sources have become friends. It’s those friendships that drive me to want to make sure the thousand words of a photograph or story I take or write are always accurate. I want to make sure my friends are informed with correct information.
Cliff Williams is the news editor of Tallapoosa Publishers Inc.’s Elmore County newspapers. He can be reached at cliff.williams@ thewetumpkaherald.com.
somehow touched people in their hearts as Americans in a way nobody else has. The man won forty-nine states in a landslide victory in 1984. That will never, ever happen again – at least not in our lifetime.
The best part of the documentary is perhaps how Reagan takes apart Communism, brick by brick. Reagan approves spending on the U.S. military to the point that no other country could keep up. He alternates between toughness and tenderness with Mikhail Gorbachev, who ends up being the final leader of the Soviet Union. Along with Pope John Paul II, Margaret Thatcher, and Mikhail Gorbachev, Ronald Reagan helped to hasten the end of what he had called the “Evil Empire” that had dominated global politics since the end of World War II.
There is very little of the familial dysfunction one may read about with the Reagan children. They are on this documentary, but speak in glowing terms
about their father.
In summary, I cannot imagine a better overview of the life and times of a true American icon who went from radio to movies to the White House and changed the world along the way. It couldn’t have happened anywhere else.
Michael Bird is a music teacher at Faulkner University.
Where can you find hope in the midst of trials?
aybe
Whatever it is you are going through, most likely it is something that was not expected and has, literally, “ambushed” your life. We are all bound to go through difficulties in our lives at various points. The question is, “Where do we find encouragement and hope during these trying times?” I want to offer you one source of encouragement and hope in your trials: “Dancing in the Dungeon” by Ron Ethridge, Jr. A few years back when I was going through a very rough patch in my life, I read through
a book called “Dancing in the Dungeon” by Ron Ethridge, Jr. While Ron’s specific difficulties outlined in the book are mostly ministry-related, he wrote the book for anyone going through any type of trial or suffering. What hope or encouragement have I found in Ron’s book? There are several lines I could mention here, but I want to mention one line of encouragement which is found in Ron’s individually-crafted
statement called his “theology of encouragement.” This is a statement based fully on Scripture. I would like to quote this statement in full here and I will insert Scripture, where Ron has inserted endnotes in the book, to help support his statement: “Every hurt, disappointment, and pain in life is placed there by a loving God who wills only the absolute best for His own, now and forever (Isaiah 46:910; Psalm 84:11; Romans 8:18, 31b-32, 37-39). God’s goal is not so much ease and comfort in this life as it is His glory (Isaiah 48:11) and the strength of His children’s faith (Luke 22:31-32). God never allows anything into His children’s
Tallassee Churches
lives that is anything but good in His all wise knowledge (Romans 8:28). God is so determined to make His children like HIs son that He does not leave it to chance, but wills it without any possibility of failure (Romans 8:29). Therefore, everything the Christian experiences is ultimately good, increases joy, lays up treasure in heaven, and is to be understood in these contexts (Romans 8:31-32)” (“Dancing in the Dungeon,” pg. 2, quoted with permission by Ron).
My encouragement to you is to read every line of this statement above, very carefully, and to look up the Scripture listed above and read that even more carefully. I believe that as you
meditate deeply on the Scriptures above that you will find, as I have found, a great source of hope in the midst of your difficulty.
The reason for this hope is the “God-centeredness” of the Scriptures mentioned. Sometimes when we are talking about trials we focus on ourselves too much, and on the situation too much, but Scripture beckons us to find our hope not in ourselves or certainly not in our situations, but in God alone.
Billy Reinhardt is the pastor of Riverside Heights Baptist Church in Tallassee. He lives in Tallassee with his wife, Jessica, and their four children.
BILLY REINHARDT Pastor
A8 • Wednesday, October 9, 2024
Tallassee looks to keep streak alive
By SAMUEL HIGGS Sports Reporter
TALLASSEE (3-2) VS HANDLEY (5-2)
THE PLAYERS
TALLASSEE: WR Jordan King has been the leader in the passing attack for the Tigers. … QB Trent Morris is an athletic quarterback that can use his legs and his arm. …RB Tiny Green has been a dominant back for the Tigers all season.
FOUR DOWNS
Last week, Tallassee beat Cleburne County, 35-7; Handley beat Bullock County, 38-21 Handley averages over 34 points per game on offense. Handley currently leads the all-time matchup by one game, the series is at 16-15-2. Handley and Tallassee are
both tied at 3-1 in region play.
NEXT UP: Tallassee hosts Saint James; Handley host Talladega.
WETUMPKA (3-3) VS PERCY JULIAN (3-3) THE PLAYERS
WETUMPKA: QB Tyler Johnson has completed 43 of 91 for 530 passing yards for 2 TDs and 4
TALLASSEE FRESHMAN
JAIDEN GORDON STEPPING UP ON DEFENSE
By SAMUEL HIGGS Sports Reporter
It was no short of a dominant showing last Friday night for the Tallassee defense in the clobbering it gave Class 4A Region 3 opponent Cleburne County. Freshman Jaiden Gordon made his impact as the weak side corner. In the battle between the Tigers, he accrued three tackles, one pass breakup and an interception he took to the house. Although he is the only freshman to see the field defensively he showcased his football IQ on the turnover
“He had given up a pass interference earlier in the game, and we just told him, ‘Just relax and just trust his technique,’” Tallassee coach Lawrence “L.A.” O’Neal said. “So on that play, the quarterback kind of broke contain, and he was sinking into the flats. He played in between the shallow route and the deep route, and the quarterback threw the ball,
it hit him right in the hands, and he cut across the grain and went across the formation and ended up taking it to the house.”
Although a pick-six is worth as much praise as possible, it did not showcase one of the best plays of the game which came on Tallassee’s second defensive touchdown of the night.
“Jordan King came up and made a good hit on the kid, and the ball was bouncing out of bounds,” O’Neal said. “(Jaiden) dove and caught the ball in the air and threw it back in bounds so that we could have an opportunity to recover the fumble. Then Jordan picked it up and went about 50-60 yards for the scoop and score, right there.”
It was not only the effort but the intelligence to keep the ball in play that stood out to O’Neal who was proud of Gordon’s success on Friday night.
“It just showed that he’s really laid it all on the line for his teammates,” O’Neal
said. “He realized that he’s a freshman, he’s got more years to play, and we can have some seniors on the team who this might be the last year playing, so he’s just putting it all on the line for those guys. He pays attention in practice, and he’s just been blessed with the talent to do it. It doesn’t shock me what he’s doing, because I see the work he puts in day in and day out.”
The future is bright for the young player in the secondary, who has played a major role in turning the Tigers into a winning team at 3-2 after going 1-9 last year. O’Neal knows that he will be a dominant player for years to come as he continues to improve both throughout this season and the rest of his high school career
“I’m just expecting for him to keep getting better each and every week,” O’Neal said. “Keep growing, keep maturing, keep buying into what we’re doing. I expect for him to see a lot of results from his hard work.”
Stanhope, Pike Road face off in region matchup
By SAMUEL HIGGS Sports Reporter
of the ball. Stanhope coach Hunter Adams knows Pike Road is a talented
team on the offenside of the ball, but will construct a game plan to defend the RPO.
“It really comes down to making the right checks at the line pre-snap defensively, getting our eyes in the right place,” Adams said. “Us trying to dictate what
My
journey into journalism
Iknew from a very early age I wanted a career in sports. If you talked to a 12-yearold me, he would have told you he would be the greatest linebacker ever to exist, but when I found out I’d never cross the 6-foot mark I knew I’d have to go to plan B. I spent almost every waking minute consuming anything football; I quickly became an encyclopedia for anything NFL-related. I spent my mornings watching ESPN and the NFL Network thinking that the broadcasters on TV had the greatest job in the world. Once I knew that I had no chance of playing professional sports I pivoted to covering them.
I’d like to consider myself pretty lucky for knowing what I wanted to be from an early age and never wavered from making that dream a reality. When I went through the process of applying to schools I made sure wherever I looked had a journalism program and also gave me the chance to focus solely on sports. That’s when I found the University of Georgia, which was not only regarded as one of the better journalism programs in the nation but also had a certificate program that focused on every aspect surrounding sports media.
Once I stepped foot in Athens, Georgia, the goal I had for myself was to become a football beat writer for wherever would take me. I applied to be a contributor for the school’s newspaper, The Red & Black, where I was assigned my first beat — the UGA cross country team. I’ll admit I practically did not know how cross country worked, I knew you ran far and that was about it. However, it gave me the start I was looking for I quickly progressed into a paid position on staff with the newspaper covering the Georgia basketball team where I really got my first taste of journalism. I was allowed to attend games, be up close to the players and coach but
more importantly I got to tell the story of the athletes. After a season covering basketball, I finally accomplished the goal I had set for myself and became one of the football beat writers for the Red & Black. I covered the team closely en route to an SEC Championship appearance. Journalism is one of the best things I could have chosen as a career path, partially because of the free tickets and great seats you get at games, but it was the ability to express myself that really holds significance to me. Not only do I get to showcase my ability as a writer, but I’m tasked with telling a story of not just the team but the players as well. That cannot be more true than at the high school level. In such a short amount of time, I have been given the chance to meet some phenomenal athletes and tell their stories. Of course, we know about what they are capable of on the field, but getting the chance to build those relationships off the field is just as valuable.
I have already seen the impact of local journalism and how much of an impact the newspaper has on the community. Just last week two coaches told me they read the paper to see our weekly picks while others come into the office to grab copies of the appear just because their relative has an article written about them.
Writing for the newspaper is something I will cherish for the rest of my life and am so thankful I got this position fresh out of college to cover the amazing teams and people we have in the community.
Samuel Higgs is a sports editor for Tallapoosa Publishers Inc.
Continued from A8
phase of the RPO we want to get them to, depending on down and distance.
If it’s a third and seven, then we want to force you to run the ball inside, obviously. If it’s first and 10, then we want to make you try to throw the ball outside. Low percentage pass, things of that nature, so trying to work hard presnap to dictate where the RPO goes.”
In particular it is going to the play in the front seven that could ultimately dictate how much of the production they can eliminate.
“We’re down several starters this week because of an incident,” Adams said. “Up front, Dezmond Barnes at defensive tackle, and Tyler Barrett, that defensive end, have to have big games for us.
Inside linebacker Jacob Tharpe has got to continue to improve his play each week and step up and be really physical.”
Offensively Stanhope is dealing with a similar issue and might be without quarterback Zac Holcombe, who suffered a lower leg injury last Friday. However, the offense will continue to run through Arthur McQueen and other running backs like sophomore Dammarian Barnes to carry a load of the work.
“Our sophomore H-back and running back Dam-
STREAK
Continued from A8
marian Barnes is a really good football player as well,” Adams said. “He ran for 198 yards this past Friday night himself. He’s a really good complimentary piece to Arthur. He’s only a sophomore, we’ve seen him mature each week and become more capable of taking on more responsibility in the offense. As he does that, he makes us more multifaceted and a little more dynamic.”
In the game against Pike Road, Stanhope will have many players to fill in through the roster as it combats the absence of prominent players on both sides of the ball. Adams says he expects many underclassmen to contribute on Friday.
“We’re going to have to have some guys that haven’t played a lot because of injuries and other personnel issues step up and execute at a really high level,” Adams said. “As coaches, it’s our job to get them ready to do that from a schematic standpoint, from a training standpoint. There’s gonna be a lot of ninth and 10th graders on the field for us Friday night, those guys are going to have to play mature beyond their years.”
The Mustangs look to add another tick to the win column on Friday night and derail the Patriots’ undefeated region record. They will have the advantage as the Patriots will be the away team fighting through the enemy crowd. MATCHUP
Percy Julian. NEXT UP: Wetumpka hosts Park Crossing; Percy Julian has a bye.
New attorney at local law firm
TPI STAFF Staff Report
There is a new title for a familiar face at The Griggs Law Firm in Tallassee. Ashleigh Hughes is now an attorney for the firm.
Hughes has been a paralegal at the firm for about 15 years. She started law school in 2021 and graduated first in her class in 2024.
Hughes sat for and passed the Alabama State Bar in July and is now accepting new clients.
The firm will continue to practice in family law, civil litigation, criminal defense and estate planning.
ROTARY
Continued from A3
don't understand and you want to know what it is, look it up in the dictionary,” Rodgers told Tallassee Elementary School third graders. “It'll tell you exactly what that word means.”
Members of the club presented every third grader with a new dictionary. Each student was encouraged to put their name in the dictionary and take it home to use with homework.
“They are most impressionable at this age,” Weldon said. “We want to help encourage a love of reading with them.”
Teachers like the timing of the donation as they were working on parts of speech with the third graders. The timing of the donation works in other ways as well.
ing 3-0. Valley has scored 137 points total and has allowed 137 points total.
Elementary School third graders were encouraged to look up words they didn’t know in new dictionaries.The
“This gets the dictionaries in their hands early enough in the school year the students can learn to use them,” Weldon said. “Hopefully they take them home and use them there as well. It would be great if the students use them during the summer to help learn words they are reading.” The donation also fits in with Rotary’s goal to help students. The club also raises funds to help students further their education after high school.
INTs. … RB Jimmy King has 97 carries for 712 rushing yards and 4 TDs. …DL Ethan Bailey leads the team in sacks with 8 through six games.
PERCY JULIAN: QB Bryson McGrew has completed 64 of 133 pass attempts for 1,093 yards and 10 TDs. … RB Antwan Barnes has 63 carries for 428 rushing yards and 4 TDs. …LB Elijah Tarver leads the team with 40 tackles on the season.
FOUR DOWNS
Last week, Wetumpka had a bye week; Percy Julian beat Rehobeth.
Percy Julian averages 26.2 points per game while allowing 31.8 per game.
Wetumpka averages nearly 200 rushing yards per game.
Wetumpka leads in alltime matchups at 7-3 against
ELMORE COUNTY (3-2) VS VALLEY (3-3) THE PLAYERS
ELMORE COUNTY: QB Gabe Davis has completed 31 of 53 pass attempts for 342 yards and 3 TDs. …RB Tyler Payton has 42 carries for 383 rushing yards for 4 TDs. … LB Jackson Mann leads the team with 32 total tackles.
VALLEY: RB Tilyn Carrell has 83 carries for 590 rushing yards and 7 TDs. …DB Zan Woody currently has 38 total tackles on the year. …DL Christian Boyd is tied for first on the team with 6 sacks.
FOUR DOWNS
Last week, Elmore County lost to Clay Central, 29-7; Valley beat Sylacauga, 26-7. Elmore County has dropped the past two games after start-
Valley leads in all-time matchups at 4-3 against Elmore County. NEXT UP: Elmore County hosts Marbury; Valley at Holtville.
STANHOPE (3-3) VS PIKE ROAD (4-3) THE PLAYERS
STANHOPE ELMORE: RB Arthur McQueen has 157 carries for 1,229 yards and 14 TDs. …Rb Damarrian Barnes has 43 carries for 319 yards and 1 TDs. …Dl Dezmond Barnes has 4 sacks on the season.
FOUR DOWN: Last week, Stanhope lost to Russell County, 42-28; Pike Road beat Park Crossing, 54-28. Pike Road averages over 30 points per game on offense. Stanhope Elmore averages 344 rushing yards per game.
The all-time series is tied at 1-1. NEXT UP: Stanhope Elmore at Rehobeth; Pike Road hosts Russell County.
Holtville (2-4) vs Clay Central (7-0) THE PLAYERS
Holtville: Last week, RB Hunter Chavis rushed for 83 yards against Beauregard. … LB Connor Aplin led the team with 10 tackles and a forced fumble. … WR Elijah Headley led the team with 52 receiving yards.
FOUR DOWNS Last week, Holtville lost to Beauregard, 21-0; Clay Central beat Elmore County, 29-7. Clay Central’s coach Danny Horn is the all-time winningest coach in Alabama high school football history. Clay Central averages over 38 points per game on offense. Holtville has been outscored 121 to 103 this season.
NEXT UP: Holtville hosts Valley; Clay Central at Beauregard.
EDGEWOOD (2-3) VS BANKS ACADEMY (2-3) THE PLAYERS
EDGEWOOD: Last week, QB Brock Whitt passed for over 200 yards and added an additional 41 yards on the ground. …WR Landon Smith caught five passes for 139 receiving yards. …WR Avery Haskew is the team’s top receiver.
FOUR DOWNS Last week, Edgewood beat Crenshaw Academy, 27-21; Banks lost to Fort Dale, 22-18. Edgewood allowed only 7 rushing yards last week to Crenshaw Academy. Banks Academy averages 24.6 points per game on offense.
Edgewood leads 3-2 in the all-time series against Banks.
NEXT UP: Edgewood at Bessemer Academy; Banks at Chambers Academy
SUBMITTED | TPI
Ashleigh Hughes stands with Michael Griggs at The Griggs Law Firm in Tallassee. Hughes is a long time paralegal at the firm and recently passed the Alabama State Bar. She is now an attorney with Griggs.
CLIFF WILLIAMS TPI
Tallassee
books were donated to the students to take home by the Tallassee Rotary Club.
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From Lake Hartwell to Lake Martin
2024 St. Croix Bassmaster Open coming next week
TPI Staff Staff Report
Approximately 200 anglers had their sights set on South Carolina’s Lake Hartwell for the final St. Croix Bassmaster Open presented by SEVIIN tournament of 2024. Unfortunately for those in the Anderson, South Carolina area, Hurricane Helene paid a visit as well.
The massive Category 4 storm made landfall in Florida’s Big Bend area but ravaged states as far north as West Virginia as it made its destructive romp up the east coast. In the end, dozens of lives were lost and untold billions in damages were incurred.
And though it was on the edge of Helene, Green Pond Landing at Lake Hartwell — where takeoff and weigh-ins for this year’s final Open tournament were to be held — wasn’t without damage. Given the circumstances, as well as the difficulty with finding key resources such as fuel and electricity throughout the southeastern U.S., B.A.S.S. made the decision to move the tournament.
In an effort to respect the resources and be sensitive to the difficulties storms have created in the Lake Hartwell area, the pros are now headed to Alabama where they’ll close the Opens season Oct. 10-12 at the St. Croix Bassmaster Open at Lake Martin presented by SEVIIN.
Lake Martin is a 44,000-acre reservoir of the Tallapoosa River
that’s not dissimilar from Lake Hartwell. Anglers can find healthy populations of both largemouth and spotted bass in both, and there’s forage to chase — primarily blueback herring and some threadfin shad. There are ample docks and brushpiles for bass to cluster around as well, giving competitors ready-made habitat to search for the best bites.
Bassmaster Elite Series pro Will Davis, Jr., who lives in Sylacauga, had been looking forward to fishing at Lake Hartwell again after successfully defending his B.A.S.S. Nation title last season on Lake Hartwell to become the first-ever back-to-back B.A.S.S. Nation champion. However, the Alabama pro is just as comfortable at Lake Martin. His family had a cabin on Lake Martin when he was a teenager, and he spent many afternoons chasing bass on the lake. He fishes Lake Martin only a couple of times a year now, though, so he doesn’t consider himself as much a home-water expert as some others in the field.
He noted the similarities between the two fisheries but said the lakes do fish differently, at least in his experience.
“Bass fishing at Lake Martin will challenge the best of the best,” Davis said. “You can pattern the fish there, but finding the pattern can be hard to find. You’ll have to do a lot of different deals. It could be bass on the docks one day, then on brushpiles tomorrow. Or you could be in 8
i nches of water one day and fishing rocks the next day. The trick really is lucking out and catching a good one.”
That could make the Open at Lake Martin a power-fishing game, which plays to the runand-gun style. Davis, 32, is perfectly fine with that — it’s what he does just about every place he fishes, anyway.
“I like the way it’s set up right now,” he said.
“And I have a history there. Still, you have to catch ’em. The place can burn you if you’re not careful. It’s a very random place. I mean, you can catch them up the
lake, down the lake, anywhere in between. You just don’t know until you see what it’s like when we get there.”
About 200 pros and 130 co-anglers were expected to compete at Lake Hartwell, though that number dipped due to the widespread destruction Helene brought to the heart of America’s bass-fishing communities in the southeastern U.S. Total registration figures at Lake Martin were not available at the time of this writing.
Regardless of how many anglers are able to make Lake Martin, nine
Tackle Warehouse Bassmaster Elite Qualifiers competitors are guaranteed to earn invites to the 2025 Elite Series following the derby. The Top 9 in the points standings will be announced after the Lake Martin Open.
The EQ Angler of the Year will win $45,000 — the same amount as entry fees into the 2025 Elite Series. The next nine in the points race also will split $65,000 in additional EQ prize money.
The winner at Lake Martin could earn as much as $50,000 cash, depending upon the number of pros that compete. A cash prize of up to
$17,000 will go to the top co-angler.
The tournament will begin at 6:30 a.m. CT with weigh-ins scheduled for 2:30 p.m., both at Wind Creek State Park. Live coverage will air on FS1 from 7 a.m. through noon Thursday and Friday and from 7 to 10 a.m. on Saturday. Additional stories, photos and analyses can be found throughout the tournament on Bassmaster com.
Lake Martin-Tallapoosa County Tourism and the City of Alexander City are hosting the event.
Elmore County preparing for area tournament
By SAMUEL HIGGS Sports Reporter
The Elmore County volleyball team faced intense competition throughout the weekend, but it did not back down from the challenge.
The Panthers kept themselves busy over the weekend, competing in a tournament where they showcased what they could bring in area play in the coming weeks.
One of the matches they competed in was against Trinity Presbyterian, one of the top teams in all of 5A. Although it was a tough match, coach Kim Moncrief was pleased with the performance of her team as they compiled wins over Opelika and Beauregard while reaching the championship games against Glenwood in the silver bracket.
“We had Trinity, who is currently the number one in 5A right now. We played them, and we lost to them, but we battled with them pretty well,” Moncrief said. “...We ended up going into the silver bracket, and we beat Beauregard in the silver bracket, and played Glenwood to end in the championship game in the silver bracket.”
The Panthers saw many of their girls contribute throughout the tournament with the offen-
sive firepower being one of the biggest standouts. “I think we came in there ready to play,” Moncrief said.
“Our offense was doing really well. Ally Orr did a fantastic job with hitting and Isabella Fuller
did also a really good job. They both had some good offensive plays, and our setting was led by Addie Stephenson and Addison Hicks.” It was not just the offense that made plays over the weekend
either. Moncrief commended Kayden Edwards and Robbie Grace Bolton for their plays in the blocking game. The tournament right before the end of the season provided the Panthers more opportunities
to grow before they reach the last week of the regular season.
“I think it’s imperative for us to do that in order to be able to keep making a run at regionals and to keep being competitive,” Moncrief said. I think that’s one thing we’ve done over the last few years that has just really upped our play. When the more you play, the more schemes that you see, the better you’re going to compete against teams that you don’t know much about, like you will in regionals.”
Elmore County will end the regular season with Valley, Horseshoe Bend and Stanhope Elmore before the area tournament starts. All three opponents will provide Elmore County additional competition as they try to add a few more wins to its record.
“I’m really glad we’re ending the way that we are,” Moncrief said. “…You have to always be ready to play. So I’m glad we’re ending with how we are with teams that we enjoy playing and get good competition from it.” However, the Panthers will come into the area tournament with some extra motivation behind them after they found out they will not be hosting it. The Panthers will look to right their wrongs in the matches against Beauregard and Marbury.
Will Davis Jr., of Sylacauga, is preparing to fish on Lake Martin as part of the 2024 St. Croix Bassmaster Open next week.
SAMUEL HIGGS | TPI
Elmore County’s Addison Patterson was a top performer during the weekend tournament the team competed in.