Car crash damages Tallassee home
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
From Normandy to Tallassee
WWII veteran donates commissioning flag from his ship
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
It’s been more than 80 years since the last World War. But the memories are still fresh for some. Tallassee resident and almost centenarian Harry Jackson made a recent donation to bring the Normandy Invasion in France to Tallassee. Jackson, 99, of Tallassee, donated the commissioning pennant that flew over his ship in the waters off of France to the Tallassee Falls Museum by way of Nebraska.
The pennant is placed on the main mast of a ship when it is put into service and taken down when it is
worn or the ship is decommissioned.
“On the second day of the invasion of Normandy, our executive officer had the commissioning pennant replaced,” Jackson said. “He put the old one, the one that flew over our heads in his foot locker to bring home as a souvenir. Jackson served on six different Navy ships and said his time with executive officer Marion C. Bonham from Nebraska was the best. The officer returned home after the war to his job as a banker. Jackson returned to be a banker in Tallassee. After
No injuries, no damage in high speed chase
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
A Wetumpka man ran for nearly an hour during a Wednesday night high-speed chase from Elmore County law enforcement.
Wetumpka police officers clocked a Corvette doing more than 90 mph on U.S. Highway 231 in front of Walmart Wednesday night. Officers attempted to stop the car.
“He took off and they went toward Eclectic then to Tallassee and back to Eclectic back to Tallasssee and back around to Eclectic,” Wetumpka police chief Ed Reeves
said. “They did circles for a while. They finally got him stopped in Eclectic.” Reeves said no pit maneuvers or spike strips were used to end the pursuit.
PERSONS
“He finally just gave up and stopped,” Reeves said.
Wetumpka police officers arrested Ronald Persons, 41, of Wetumpka, and charged him with attempting to elude and reckless endangerment.
Reeves said help was requested from the Elmore County Sheriff’s
reported on Indian Trail.
• A civil disturbance was reported on Gilmer Avenue.
• Assistance was given to a motorist on Kent Road.
• Public lewdness was reported on Ashurst Avenue.
• A motor vehicle accident with no injuries was reported on Central Boulevard.
• Assistance was given to a motorist on Gilmer Avenue.
• A private property motor vehicle accident was reported on Gilmer
• An animal complaint was reported on Ashurst Bar Road.
• Property damage was reported on Gilmer Avenue.
OCT. 10
• Assistance was given to a motorist on Gilmer Avenue.
• An arrest was made on Barnett Boulevard.
• Harassment was reported on Barnett Boulevard.
• A Black male was arrested during a traffic stop on South Ann
• A private property motor vehicle accident was reported on Gilmer
• A welfare check was conducted on Gilmer Avenue.
• Gun shots were reported on HIllcrest Street.
• Assistance was given to another agency on Highway 14.
• A verbal altercation was reported on Hillcrest Street. OCT. 9
• A motor vehicle accident with no injuries was reported on Gilmer
• Animal control was requested on Gilmer Avenue.
• Trespassing was reported on Third Avenue.
• A welfare check was conducted on Ashurst Bar Road.
• A domestic dispute was reported on Ashurst Bar Road. OCT. 8
• A Black male was arrested during a disorderly conduct call on Second Avenue.
• Assistance was given to a motorist on Barnett Boulevard.
• Harassment was reported on Second Avenue.
• A suspicious person was reported on Barnett Boulevard.
• An animal complaint was reported on Oak Street and on Freeman
• Animal control was requested on Freeman Avenue and Ashurst
• Harassment was reported on
Office, Eclectic Police Department, Tallassee Police Department and ALEA State Troopers. Reeves said he doesn’t expect any charges from other agencies since there was no damage to vehicles and no injuries as result of the pursuit.
Reeves said Persons had no reason to run other than being caught speeding.
“He had no warrants and the car was not stolen,” Reeves said.
“I guess he thought since he had a Corvette and it was fast he could get away.”
Persons bonded out of the Elmore County Jail Thursday morning.
Gen Chappy James Street.
• Theft was reported on Indian Trail.
• A private property motor vehicle accident was reported on Gilmer Avenue.
• Harassment was reported on Central Boulevard.
• Animal control was requested on Joy Street and Central Boulevard.
• Reckless driving was reported on Friendship Road.
• Animal control was requested on Freeman Avenue and Central Boulevard.
• Assistance was given to a citizen on Gilmer Avenue.
OCT. 7
• Suspicious activity was reported on Sims Avenue.
• Assistance was given to a citizen on Barnett Boulevard.
• Menacing was reported on Sims Avenue.
• An animal complaint was reported on Dorman Avenue.
• Menacing was reported on Gilmer Avenue.
• Animal control was requested on Quail Run Drive.
• An animal complaint was reported on Oak Street.
• Suspicious activity was reported on Gilmer Avenue.
• Animal cruelty was reported on Sims Avenue.
• A motor vehicle accident with no injuries was reported on Barnett Boulevard.
• An animal complaint was reported on Main Street and Clay Street.
• Assistance was given to a motorist on Alber Drive.
• Theft was reported on Main Street.
• Assistance was given to a motorist on East Patton Street.
• Assistance was given to a citizen on Barnett Boulevard.
• Menacing was reported on Highway 229.
• A Black male was arrested during a traffic stop on Gilmer Avenue.
OCT. 6
• Trespassing and harassment was reported on South Tallassee Drive.
• An animal complaint was reported on Central Boulevard.
• A welfare check was conducted on Second Avenue.
• An animal complaint was reported on Gilmer Avenue.
• Assistance was given to a motorist on Ashurst Avenue.
• Assistance was given to another agency on Washington Boulevard.
• A domestic incident was reported on Gilmer Avenue.
Tallassee police investigating kidnapping, victim safe
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
in connection with the disappearance of
his wife,” Rawls said. “Based on the information we have as of Monday evening, we believe it to be a kidnapping. That could change based on the investigation.”
A DREAM COME TRUE
Melody’s wish becomes a reality
was granted. Jackson was a Reeltown High School student who died earlier this year after a battle with cancer.
TALLASSEE
Continued from A1
40 years, he wrote Bonham informing him he too was a banker.
“As soon as he received my letter, he called me on the phone and we had a nice chat,” Jackson said.
“He advised that he was going to sell his bank and retire. He said that he was going to do some traveling and would put Tallassee on his route.”
In the spring of 1992, Bonham made good on his word and visited Jackson and his wife in Tallassee.
“On his return to
Nebraska, he wrote to thank us for our hospitality and to tell me he was in possession of the commissioning pennant,” Jackson said. “He said that he had not done anything with it and thought that I might like to have it.”
Jackson recently donated the pennant to allow others to see it and learn about the Normandy invasion and WWII. It will be displayed among other artifacts at the Tallassee Falls Museum or Barnett Boulevard in downtown Tallassee. Almost all the artifacts have been donated by local residents. Some of the displays
show a time when only Native Americans were in the area. Others feature a history of the mills. Some of the displays feature the contributions of area residents to the wars and conflicts from around the world.
Jackon’s pennant is far from new.
“(It) is soiled and grimey from diesel smoke and some gun smoke,” Jackson said. “It is tattered and frayed from being whipped by the winds of the Atlantic Ocean, the Irish Sea and the English Channel but it is one of my most prized possessions.”
Thornton is a 60-yearold white male and his wife is 60 as well. Anyone with information is asked to call the Tallassee Police Department at 334-283-6586.
Before Tuesday morning, the last known contact as of Monday evening with Polly was by cell phone at approximately 6:30 a.m. Monday morning.
Our View Opinion
It’s flu season, get vaccinated
While the flu may be common, it is still a serious disease that can lead to hospitalization. So, it’s important to take precautions each flu season to prevent sickness.
One of the easiest ways to do that is by getting your flu shot. The flu variant changes each year and so each year we must get another flu shot if we want to have some built up immunity for the season.
Of course, the flu shot is not a cure. Even with the vaccine, you can still get the flu, but the shot can help minimize the severity. Last year, the CDC estimated as high as 900,000 in the U.S. could be hospitalized due to the flu, and as high as 75 million people were predicted to catch flu illnesses.
There can be factors that make people at higher risk for the flu or flu complications such as being over the age of 65, having asthma, being under the age of 2, pregnancy and those in long-term care facilities.
The CDC recommends everyone over the age of six months old get the flu shot, aside from rare exceptions. In the past, those with egg allergies were advised not to get the flu shot due to the manufacturing process. Through many research studies, the CDC now recommends those with egg allergies to get the flu shot regardless of severity as severe allergic reactions to the vaccine due to the possible egg proteins present are rare.
It does take roughly two weeks for the vaccine to be effective after the shot is administered. As such many health professionals advise getting the flu shot in the months of September and October. So if you haven’t thought about getting your shot yet, now is the time.
1948
was the
only year political party leadership mattered in Alabama
All politics is now nationally partisan driven in most of the country and definitely in Alabama. Alabama is a one-party state when it comes to national and state general elections. For about 80 years, we were a one-party Democratic state. For the past 60 years we have become a one-party Republican state in presidential elections.
Republican candidates are always going to win state offices in Alabama and the Republican nominee is always going to carry Alabama. It is because of the philosophy of the two parties regarding national affairs. All politics are national.
George Wallace used to run around the country running for president when he was Governor of Alabama. On his Don Quixote quests as an Independent, he would often say there is not a dime’s worth of difference in the Democratic and Republican parties. Even in his demagoguing rhetoric, he could not say that with a straight face today. The Republican Party is very conservative. The Democratic Party is very liberal, and most Alabamians are very conservative. It is that simple.
Some naïve political writers want to place blame or give credit for election results on the backs of the Alabama Democratic Party leadership or the Alabama Republican Party leadership. The Alabama political parties have about as much relevance or influence on the results of the elections as an elephant or a donkey does. They have no power or influence on elections. Their only substantive purpose is to set the qualifying dates and rules. It is irrelevant who the Chairman of the Democratic Party or Republican Party is in Alabama, and it has always been that way. To criticize the party leadership in Alabama is like criticizing the PTO. They are doing a thankless, irrelevant,
STEVE FLOWERS Columnist
powerless job, and for someone to think they have relevance in a political campaign is revealing a naivete in the understanding of Alabama politics. There has been one presidential contest in Alabama history where party leadership made a difference. The year was 1948. Race was the issue. Alabama and the South had voted straight Democratic for President for 80 years. However, the Democratic nominee for President, Harry Truman, had come out strongly for a pro Civil Rights platform. The solid South was about to become unhinged.
Mississippi and South Carolina were floating the idea of taking the South into a party called the Dixiecrats. Even though most white Democrats in Alabama were for segregation, they were not enamored with the idea of bolting the Party. There were two distinct groups in the state politically in 1948. There was a strong progressive contingency that was emboldened by and loyal to the national Democratic Party of Jefferson, Jackson and Roosevelt. Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR) was revered in Alabama. All our congressional delegation were FDR New Deal Democrats. However, the Democratic Party machinery was controlled by the conservative Black Belters who were allied with what would become the Dixiecrats. The Alabama Democratic chairman was the racist Gessner McCorvey. McCorvey enacted a policy that no Democratic elector or delegate from Alabama could support a candidate pledged to Civil Rights. It was enforced
Trick or treat
HObituaries:
.jpeg attached to the email. Announcements will appear within 10 days in The Tribune, The Herald or The Observer.
alloween is known as an evil day of ghosts, goblins, and serial killers. But, from this pagan festival came a holy day – and its story is among one of the most interesting developments in history.
The term Halloween is a contraction of the words that spelled out “All Hallows Eve,” the night before All Hallows Day (or All Saints Day in modern vernacular). In the year 835, Pope Gregory III moved the Catholic Church’s holy days of All Saints Day to November 1 and All Souls Day to November 2, respectively.
“Hallow” is not a word to fear, incidentally: as defined by Merriam-Webster, it means “to make holy or set apart for holy use”. This explains its use in the Lord’s Prayer: “hallowed be Thy name.”
Europeans have traditionally believed that this is a special time of the year when spirits can make contact with the physical world, and when magic is at its most powerful. The darkness that seems to envelop the universe on this scary evening, especially in horror movies, certainly has a legend unlike any other holy day on the calendar
The Celtic people of England, Ireland, and Scotland celebrated Samhain at this time of year. Samhain was a harvest festival in which the ancient pagans set bonfires to burn the bones of their slaughtered livestock and any damaged crops. As immigrants moved to the United States in the 1800s, they
brought these traditions with them.
During Samhain, the pagans ritually wore costumes and masks to keep evil spirits away. When the Romans took over Celtic territory, they incorporated the festival Feralia, symbolized by Pomona, the goddess of fruit. The bobbing-for-apples tradition began here, and to these people the word Halloween literally meant “to eat kids”.
Dennison Manufacturing Company (now Avery Dennison) was a major manufacturer of Halloween cards and supplies in the early decades of the twentieth century. They even distributed a Halloween merchandise catalog! (Interestingly, Dennison was located in Framingham, Massachusetts from 1897 until recently, when Avery Dennison closed operations there.)
The post-World War II era saw the rise in popularity of Halloween trick-or-treating as the quintessential autumn event. Particularly during the 1950s, Halloween costumes and the sale of Halloween candy became profitable enterprises for American companies.
Jack-o-lanterns, scarecrows, pumpkins, witches, spiders, mummies, vampires, tombstones, and other characters of fall have been a part of the All Hallows tradition through the centuries.
Dressing up in costume isn’t only for children. Among adults, the most popular costumes continue to be witch, pirate, vampire, cat, and clown,
by a signed pledge. Alabamians selected a mixed bag of delegates to the Democratic Convention, who were elected because of popularity or name identification. So, when the national Democratic convention nominated Truman and adopted the civil rights plank in the platform, about half of the Alabama delegates followed McCorvey and walked out of the Convention, and the other half, who were progressives, stayed. The racist group of McCorvey joined with the other Southern states and founded the Dixiecrat Party. They met in Convention at the Boutwell Auditorium in downtown Birmingham and nominated Strom Thurmond from South Carolina. Thurmond and the Dixiecrats would carry the five Deep South Southern states. McCorvey and his racist Dixiecrats cleverly stole the rooster symbol of the state Democratic Party. In 1948, the candidates’ name was not on the ballot. One could only vote for the Party. Your choice was to either vote for the Republican Party or for the Democratic Party. Alabamians had been pulling the rooster for the Democratic Party all their lives. Whoever they voted for, Truman or Thurmond, will never be known. The state Democratic Party, controlled by McCorvey’s Dixiecrats, had basically hijacked the Party label. I suspect that more than a few Alabamians helped by the New Deal felt like they were voting for the national ticket and Truman. But the Alabama Democratic Party machine controlled by McCorvey voted in the election in Alabama’s Democratic Primary for Dixiecrat Strom Thurmond.
Steve Flowers is Alabama’s leading political columnist. His weekly column appears in over 60 Alabama newspapers. He served 16 years in the state legislature. Steve may be reached at steve@ steveflowers.us.
MICHAEL BIRD Columnist
along with pop culture icons of the day.
The jack-o’-lantern is traced back to Stingy Jack, a greedy, gambling, hard drinking old Irish farmer who tricked the devil into climbing a tree, and trapped Ol’ Scratch by carving a Cross into the tree trunk. In revenge, the devil placed a curse on Jack which dooms him to forever wander the earth at night.
(More realistically, a jack-ofthe-lantern was an Irish name for a carved turnip or pumpkin with a candle inside, placed on doorsteps and in window sills to light the night.)
Today, Halloween ranks only behind Christmas as the second most popular holiday for decorating in the United States. It also ranks high for profitability along with Valentine’s Day, Easter, and Christmas.
The next time you’re watching Michael Myers from Halloween, Leatherface from Texas Chainsaw Massacre or Jason from Friday the 13th, consider that once upon a time, Halloween was a day to remember the faithful departed while celebrating hunters and gatherers. We will probably never view Halloween in such a way again; but as we do, let us recall how it all began. Trick or treat!
Michael Bird is a music teacher at Faulkner University.
Humane Society of Elmore County News
Lots of happenings at the humane society
By REA CORD HSEC Executive Director
Tuesday was our Humane Society’s annual membership meeting at the Wetumpka Civic Center. We hope we got a chance to see all our members there.
Thank you so very much to all the wonderful people who brought donations for the area shelters Friday night at the Alabama National Fair. We are incredibly grateful 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. Thank you all so very much!
Just a reminder for our supporters who work for the Alabama State Government and want to donate financially, no better way than through the 2024 Alabama State Combined Campaign (SCC) and our Agency Code is 106803. The SCC makes donating to deserving charities easy either one time or via monthly payroll deduction and we want to thank all who so generously donate to help not only our shelter, but non-profit agencies everywhere.
This week is National Veterinary Technician Appreciation Week and behind every awesome Veterinarian is an equally awesome team of Veterinary Technicians.
Veterinary Technicians show their love for animals as they work tirelessly in exam rooms, labs, and operating rooms, using their training and knowledge to assist their Veterinarian in improving and saving beloved pets lives. Please give thanks to all who work in Veterinary Hospitals as they work tirelessly to help our pets live longer and healthier lives.
There are just far too many lost pets and we have a great way to help these pets get back home quickly. We can make custom ID tags at the shelter in just a few minutes for only $10. Pets with identification often never have to even come to a shelter as the finder can reunite the pet with the owner directly. Stop by the shelter at 255 Central Plank Road in Wetumpka anytime Mon-Fri 8-5 and Sat 8-3 and we will be happy to make as many tags as you need!
Rea Cord is the executive director of the Humane Society of Elmore County.
Pet of the Week
Tank is a 7-month-old, 35-pound, male Hound looking mix pup. He is adorable, sweet, loving and playful. He is in a foster home where he has proven to be a big snuggle bug. Tank likes being inside and getting love. He’s great with other dogs of all sizes and both male and female.
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 Tank 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 334-5673377 and the website is www.elmorehumane.org.
UAB Medicine - Russell Medical Cancer Center
Registration/Check-in from 4:00-5:30 p.m.
Pre-race activities begin at 5:15 p.m. Race at 6:00 p.m.
• $15.00 registration fee
• Proceeds benefit the Cancer Center
• Free for children under 10
• Four-legged friends are welcome
‘She was tough, but she was fair’
Warren honored for 35 years in education
By ABIGAIL MURPHY Multimedia Reporter
Many in the Dadeville area have passed through the hallways with Mary Jo Warren, whether she was a teacher, an assistant principal or a principal at the time.
With 35 years in education, the Tallapoosa County Board of Education recently presented Warren with a resolution recognizing her many accomplishments.
“I think I have no regrets,” Warren said, looking back on her career. “I tried to treat everybody right. A lot of teachers will tell you, ‘She was tough, but she was fair.’”
A START IN TEACHING
Warren is a product of Tallapoosa County, graduating from Councill High School in 1957 before going on to Alabama State University in Montgomery to get her bachelor’s degree. Warren said at that time, there were really only two paths for someone like her: education or nursing and she knew she didn’t want to be a nurse, so she chose teaching.
“It has been so rewarding,” she said. “I enjoyed every day of it to a certain extent. Because you can just see the progress that you can make with children and how you can influence them. You get some kids that are rowdy and all, but you can work with them, calm them down and they can see the value of an education.”
Her first position was
teaching at Edward Bell Career Tech Center as a special needs teacher. After the first year, she moved to teaching first grade. In one of her first grade classes, she had a little boy who would come in every morning crying. The minute she would sit him in her lap he would stop crying and she would hug him and tell him how much she loved him and how much the other kids loved him too. About a month later, not only would he quit coming to school crying altogether, he became the biggest joy in the room.
“If you work with children, if you can ever get them to see you as a person and as a loving person, you can make a difference,” Warren said. “They got to feel you, you make the difference to them and that’s what I tried to do with all my kids.”
Warren would later move to Dadeville school and was one of the first Black teachers to be integrated into the formerly white school. She taught sixth grade her first year at Dadeville, which was on the older end of what she was used to teaching.
SCHOOL INTEGRATION
thanks God everyday he delivered her from that.
But overall, people treated her fairly in most situations during the school’s integration.
Through the years, she had some ups and downs with some parents, some related to race and others not. Over time things just mellowed down and she became just one of the teachers.
After teaching sixth grade she would move to fifth grade. At that point, the education system had started grouping students into gifted tracks and Warren taught the most rigorous level for fifth grade students.
“They wanted to learn, and they kept me on my toes because when you got a smart group you got to be ready,” she said. “They come in with all kinds of questions and all kinds of activities that they want to do.”
Not too long after, the new elementary school was built, and she would move to the current Dadeville Elementary School. Through all this, Warren was also pursuing a master’s degree and an administrative certificate.
and help me. You are good with parents. You are good with the Black and the white and I just feel like you would be an asset to me and to the kids and to the community.’ I told her, ‘OK I’ll try.’”
Warren became assistant principal, and they worked well together. When the principal left, she strongly recommended Warren to the central office and the district gave her the position as principal. Warren worked to have a good rapport with the community and elected officials. She wanted to ensure the school and community were connected.
She also made sure that each person felt they were seen and heard. When the school was trying to get 100% teacher attendance at an out-of-town workshop, she went to each teacher individually to talk through it, the importance of it, the pros and cons, etc. and with that, every single teacher went to that workshop.
BECOMING A PRINCIPAL
When she first moved to Dadeville school, her aunt told her, ‘You see, and you don’t see; you hear, and you don’t hear.’ Warren said things she would hear in the background sometimes she didn’t hear — meaning she wouldn’t let it bother her.
Sometimes she would walk into the teachers’ lounge and as soon as she did, the room would go silent. She would get what she needed and walk out. She said she didn’t take offense to it; she has been left out before.
She remembers when Three Little Pigs was a white-only place, and she would have to order at the back door. Warren said she
Warren said when kids acted up in her classroom, they didn’t go to the office. She dealt with the matter in the classroom. These were her kids — she was going to be the discipliner as well as the teacher. And so, the principal at the time asked her if she would consider being the assistant principal for DES.
“I asked her, ‘why, why would you want me?’ I wanted to know her reason because there were several others that were qualified for it,” Warren said. “She said, ‘Ms. Warren, you have shown me your loving part and your administrative part, and I want you to come up here
“Sometimes you have to have that personal touch with people, and I believe in that,” Warren said. In her retirement, Warren is active with the Alabama Education Retirees Association and in the community. When she runs into her former students, she said they tell her she looks the same and she knows that’s not the case. And they don’t look the same either. Sometimes she has to ask them their name before she can recognize them with all the growing up they have done, she said
But the resolution, she said, was certainly a special honor. The school district hosted a surprise party for her to receive it. She originally thought the reception was for former principal Glenda Menniefee, but then her son Greg showed up offering to take her to dinner.
“(Greg) said, ‘Tell you what, I’ll take you by the party for Mrs. Menniefee and we go in.’ I said, ‘Greg you can’t go in; you aren’t invited,’” Warren recalled.
“He said, ‘Well I will wait out in the car for you, you go in there and you stay a little while and you come back out and we’ll go.’ So, when I walked in the door and everyone went wooo, I said, ‘what in the world is going on in here?’ Then I realized it was all about me.”
Warren said the party was exciting and there were so many wonderful things said about her. But, all in all, her years in education can lead her to say, “it’s been a rewarding lifetime.”
SUBMITTED | TPI
Former Dadeville Elementary principal Mary Jo Warren, left, receives resolution from the Tallapoosa County Board of Education from interm superintendent Casey Davis.
To be called inside
ome, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world” - Matthew 25:34
When I was a young boy growing up in Anniston, Alabama, it was my delight to be outside. We didn’t have air conditioning to complicate the decision. Summer days were long and unencumbered by school. We didn’t want to be cooped up inside. Those golden days began while the grass was still wet with dew, and continued until dusky dark. We rode our bikes and went to the pool. The baseball or war games moved from one neighborhood yard to another, but we were never really very far from home. And as the sun went down and another precious summer day was
ending, we kids, dirty and tired, would finally surrender to Mom’s call: “Time to come in!” I always heard but didn’t always respond to the first cheerful call. But when she added my first and middle name to the summons and raised the volume, I knew it was time to go. As a child, it didn’t seem particularly wonderful to me to be called inside. I wasn’t wise enough to appreciate the blessings of parents who cared about me, supper on the table, a warm bath and a clean bed. Now at the end of a busy day, I may not have much more wisdom, but I do cherish the idea of going home to a place where I enjoy so many rich blessings and where I am welcomed, known and loved. Will you think with me for a moment today about how
this relates to the ultimate calls to come in—when God in his perfect timing calls us from living in this world, and when we stand before him in judgment on the brink of eternity?
Paul promises an unusual thing to those who love God: “But if anyone loves God, he is known by God” (1 Corinthians 8:3). We might expect him to say that the one who loves God will know him. Is it particularly a blessing to be known by him? Doesn’t God know everybody and everything? In one way of speaking, he does. But in this sense of being called home, there’s a chilling possibility. Some that day will experience what Jesus described in Matthew 7:23: “And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers
Tallassee Churches
of lawlessness.’” No. At the real “end of the day,” we want to be known! We want to be welcomed into his eternal glorious presence. The alternative is too terrible to contemplate: “They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might,” (2 Thessalonians 1:9).
In that solemn moment, it will be so much better to hear, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world” (Matthew 25:34). I want to hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master” (Matthew 25:21). Don’t you? Can you grasp the inexpressible agony of being sep -
MIKE MCELROY Pastor
arated from the presence of One who is everywhere, from the knowledge of the One who knows everything? Can you imagine the inexpressible joy of being called in, to be in his presence — known, loved and welcomed home?
Mike McElroy recently retired after preaching almost 27 years at East Tallassee Church of Christ. He is the author of The Abiding Companion: A Friendly Guide to Your Journey Through the New Testament and Christmas Pilgrims: A Journey to See Jesus. In retirement, Mike plans to continue writing and publishing books in his Abiding Companion series of essays about each chapter of the Bible. He can be reached at mbmcelroy@gmail.com.
Unstoppable force
Reeltown’s Baylor Clayton atop of 2A in sacks
By SAMUEL HIGGS Sports Reporter
To say Reeltown’s Baylor Clayton has had a great season would be an understatement. Last year, he was the Rebels’ sack leader with a total of 11.5 sacks, but through seven games this year Clayton has bested
SAINT JAMES
By SAMUEL HIGGS Sports Reporter
It’s a steep contrast from the Tallassee football team of last year to this year. At the moment Tallassee has won the past three games and sits with a 4-2 record. However, it will not be an easy battle against Saint James on Friday.
The Trojans are undefeated in 4A Region 3 games and have won the past two games on their schedule. The offense centers around getting wide receiver Tabor Offord the ball in his hands. The standout wide receiver currently has 26 catches for 628 receiving yards and seven touchdowns, which ranks fourth in all of 4A.
Although stopping Offord will be at the top of the list for Tallassee, coach Lawrence “L.A.” O’Neal knows that Saint James plays near-perfect football and it’s going to take the same level of production to come out on top.
“Saint James is a wellcoached ball club; coach (Aubrey) Blackwell is always gonna have the guys coach up much more physical than
they were Week 1,” O’Neal said. “They play physical ball, and they play mistake-free ball, so you can go in and you can’t beat yourself. You can’t give them extra possessions; that’s the biggest thing. You just can’t, can’t turn it over, because they’ll make you pay for turnovers.”
What better way to game plan around physicality than heading into the matchup with physicality of your own? The Tigers know they are going to have to limit their mistakes and play the same brand of football that has gotten them to a 4-2 record this year.
“Our game plan is to match their physicality,” O’Neal said. “Get as many people as we can around the ball and tackle well. Just do the little things and protect the ball on offense, that’s the biggest thing.”
Confidence is high for Tallassee, but the main goal right now is to focus on the game in front of them this Friday.
Rather than celebrate the fact the team has won three straight, the main priority for everyone is on Saint James.
“Our kids are just taking it
offense looks to continues last weeks success into this Friday against Marbury.
SAMUEL HIGGS
one game at a time,” O’Neal said. “Every week we come in, we got the next opponent, we don’t look ahead. Just try to control the things that we control, so they’re buying in, and they’re getting some confidence in themselves. They see the results, so their hard work is paying off. So I’m just really happy for our kids, excited to see how we progress in this next week.”
Even with the focus going into Offord and the Trojans offense, O’Neal believes the biggest aspect that will propel them to a fourth straight win will be the play on the special teams.
“X factor is gonna be winning the special team battle because it’s gonna be a dogfight,” O’Neal said. “We got to be able to flip the field on special teams and not give up a block because I’ve seen them block a couple of punts. That’s gonna be the X factor.”
Tallassee is currently tied for second in the region with O’Neal’s former squad Booker T. Washington, but could become the top dog if the team can take down Saint James.
By SAMUEL HIGGS Sports Reporter
Not just one, not two, but three touchdowns were scored by Wetumpka senior Martez Wright against Percy Julian last Friday.
In recent weeks, it was the rushing attack of Wetumpka that has helped propel the team to three straight wins, but last week, the connection between Wright and quarterback Tyler Johnson took over.
“(Martez) has had an incredible season all together,” Wetumpka coach Bear Woods said. “He’s going to be an all-region guy, no question, and all-county, all of those things. When you got your guy, you want to give him some touches and some looks, and that’s what we’re able to do. Kudos to Tyler Johnson, our quarterback, to make it happen as well.”
The standout receiver hauled in seven passes for 145 receiving yards in addition to his three scores. Wright is the touchdown leader for the Indians with six through seven games. He is the Elmore County Player of the Week.
“Martez is beloved by his teammates,” Wetumpka coach Bear Woods said. “He came in and just works really hard and he’s a competitor. We even had him on defense at the end of the game when the game’s on the line. He’s that kind of kid where we put him on defense to help us secure the win. Now he didn’t have one defense a snap of the night until Friday night, but that’s the kind of player that he is and willing to do it. He plays special teams for us, offense and defense, and he’s a great kid, great competitor, and I’m very proud of him.”
Wright showcased what
makes him such a special player on each of his scores, proving effective in both the short, intermediate routes and his ability down the field.
“He had a short pass with the screen and the two long balls,” Woods said. “He has made some of the most remarkable catches this year. His highlights of catching the ball, high point of the ball while being covered. He caught one at the pylon, was able to turn his body, locate the ball, catch the ball and still hit the front pylon, getting into the end zone. It was incredible.”
Although he had one of his best games of the season, this was not out of the ordinary for the Wetumpka offense. He has been a consistent performer in the passing attack and last Friday he truly got to showcase that in Wetumpka’s third straight win.
“Tez has done this for us all year like he scores our touchdowns and so he did nothing different Friday night than what he’s done in his multiple two-touchdown performances,” Woods said. “He’s had multiple games with two touchdowns this season. We just want to win on first down and put together consistent drives because of the identity of our football team; we are a defense, special teams football team with big play ability on the offensive side.”
Wetumpka has been on a tear as of late, due in large part to the production from the offensive side. The next opponent on the schedule is Park Crossing, which is still searching for its first win of the season. Wetumpka will continue to gain more momentum on the offensive side to add more wins before the end of the season which is quickly approaching.
Tallassee’s Jordan King (4) and the offense look to derail Saint James’ undefeated record in region play this Friday.
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NOTICE OF POLL WORKER SCHOOL
POLL WORKER SCHOOL FOR THE GENERAL ELECTION TO BE HELD ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2024 IN ELMORE COUNTY WILL BE CONDUCTED AT THE WETUMPKA CIVIC CENTER, 410 S. MAIN STREET, WETUMPKA, ALABAMA ON THE FOLLOWING DATES AND DESIGNATED TIMES.
Monday, October 21, 2024 from 9:00 am – 11:30 am
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PUBLIC NOTICE
NOTICE OF GENERAL ELECTION Pursuant to Section 17-9-5, Code of Alabama 1975, as amended
I, John Thornton, Probate Judge of Elmore County, hereby give the following notice and announce-
ment: The General Election for Elmore County (and throughout Alabama) will be held on Tuesday, November 5, 2024 from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm.
FEDERAL OFFICES
•PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES
•UNITED STATES REPRESENTATIVE, 6 TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT
STATE OFFICES
•CHIEF JUSTICE OF THE SUPREME COURT
• ASSOCIATE JUSTICE OF THE SUPREME COURT, PLACE NO. 1
• ASSOCIATE JUSTICE OF THE SUPREME COURT, PLACE NO. 2
• ASSOCIATE JUSTICE OF THE SUPREME COURT, PLACE NO. 3
• ASSOCIATE JUSTICE OF THE SUPREME COURT, PLACE NO. 4
•COURT OF CIVIL APPEALS JUDGE, PLACE NO. 1
•COURT OF CIVIL APPEALS JUDGE, PLACE NO. 2
•COURT OF CIVIL APPEALS JUDGE, PLACE NO. 3
•COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS JUDGE, PLACE NO. 1
•COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS JUDGE, PLACE NO. 2
•COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS JUDGE, PLACE NO. 3
•PRESIDENT, PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION
•MEMBER, STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION, DISTRICT NO. 3
•CIRCUIT COURT JUDGE, 19 TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, PLACE NO. 1
•CIRCUIT COURT JUDGE, 19 TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, PLACE NO. 4
COUNTY OFFICES
•ELMORE COUNTY CIRCUIT CLERK
•ELMORE COUNTY JUDGE OF PROBATE
•MEMBER, ELMORE COUNTY COMMISSION, DISTRICT NO. 1
•MEMBER, ELMORE COUNTY COMMISSION, DISTRICT NO. 2
•MEMBER, ELMORE COUNTY COMMISSION, DISTRICT NO. 3
•MEMBER, ELMORE COUNTY COMMISSION, DISTRICT NO. 4
•MEMBER, ELMORE COUNTY COMMISSION, DISTRICT NO. 5
•MEMBER, ELMORE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION, PLACE NO. 2
•MEMBER, ELMORE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION, PLACE NO. 3
•MEMBER, ELMORE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION, PLACE NO. 7
THERE WILL BE ONE PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.
You may view a sample ballot and check your registration status at: ALABAMAVOTES.GOV
ECHS collecting donations for hurricane relief
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
A simple request from Elmore County Board of Education central office staff got the ball rolling for Elmore County High School to get involved in hurricane relief.
Now ECHS students are seeking donated items to help those affected by recent hurricanes.
“It all started from an idea the central office sent,” ECHS principal Jason Eason said. “It grew from there and our clubs jumped all over it. The clubs wanted to get in on it.”
The student involvement started after Eason approached some of the ECHS faculty with the idea of helping hurricane
Starting hot in area tournament is the goal for Elmore County
By SAMUEL HIGGS Sports Reporter
Elmore County is ready to make a splash in the Class 5A Area 7 tournament today with Valley being the first game.
One of the things that has been a problem for the Panthers for the whole season has been the inability to start games on the right foot. However, that flaw could ultimately be what takes them over the hump.
For the first time in 14 years Elmore County is not hosting the area tournament; this year the honor goes to Beauregard. This gives Elmore County, barring results against Valley, essentially a warm-up game before taking on a team that has provided tough competition.
“I will say obviously we wanted to host it, but coming in as the second seed doesn’t really hurt us badly,” Elmore County coach Kim Moncrief said. “Because this team is one that likes to kind of get warm before they play well, with that being the case, we will have a game that we get to warm up with. Of course, we have to win that game. It’s not like it doesn’t count, but I’m kind of glad that we’re not going in there cold and playing Beauregard first cold.”
However, what the Panthers will have to face is going into enemy territory. The track record against the Hornets is in the Panthers’ favor at 3-1 through the regular season, but that one loss was on the road.
“They are very even with us,” Moncrief said. “It’s going to be one of the best competitions that we’ve had for the area in a while. It’s going to be a great game, but we’re going to go over there to their place, and that’s a little different, because we have to battle their student body, and I’m sure they’ll have them there because they did when we went over
there and played them at their place. We’ll have to have that, and we’ll have to be mentally tough when we go there and then be able to execute our plans.”
In the week leading up to the area tournament, one of the main focuses for Elmore County has been on its attack. In addition to the typical practices, Elmore County is running scrimmages to simulate the game experience.
“For us, it means getting our outside hitters, which are our left side hitters, like Ally (Orr), Isabella (Fuller) and Elizabeth (Lyons), to hit more on the court like in different areas so that they don’t track us and be able to block us according to where we typically hit,” Moncrief said. “We’re working on extending their range and not just going in one area of the court.”
The Panthers will look for their seniors to step up in the area tournament while also leaning on the emergence of young players to continue to step up.
“We need our seniors to be playing pretty hard, that’s who we’re going to lean on, mostly,” Moncrief said. “We’ve got Ally Orr; she’s our leading hitter right now, but in order for her to hit, our setters have to do their job. We’ve got some girls that are doing a really good job with that. That job has been split with Addisyn Stephenson, Addison Hicks and Addison Patterson; they all play center.
Kennedy Robinson has come in and has been really good, really good sets as well. It’s going to depend on which setter is getting the getting the assists for Ally and Isabella do their attacking that we’re used to”
Elmore County looks to continue its streak of being area champions for another year, but needs to make it through Valley and Beauregard if it wants to keep that streak alive.
victims. They quickly decided to do something besides seeking monetary donations.
Club sponsors quickly took on the task of selecting items their club would be responsible for getting donations for. Clubs such as FCCLA, BETA Club, Diamond Dolls, HOSA, Key Club and Future Teachers of America are seeking diapers,
baby wipes, baby food, first aid items, dog and cat food, ziploc bags, trash bags, soap, batteries and personal hygiene items.
“Our clubs will be going around asking for donations,” Eason said. “Anyone that would like to participate by just dropping it off at the school. We are wanting to provide items and relief for the families and victims in the storm.”
Donations will be accepted through Oct. 18.
The school itself is not going to take the items to those victims affected by the hurricanes.
“Our district will organize efforts to get the items from here to those areas that need the help,” Eason said.
BASSMASTER OPEN
CONCLUDES WITH BOBBY BAKEWELL TAKING TOP HONORS
By SAMUEL HIGGS Sports Reporter
After six years, Lake Martin finally hosted a major fishing tournament in the 2024 St. Croix Bassmaster Open. Angler Bobby Bakewell took away the top finish after a strong Day 3 out on the lake and punched his ticket to compete in the Elite series in 2025.
“I’m going to have to make room on the mantle,” Bakewell said. “That Classic berth is so sweet. It hasn’t really set in yet. After practice, I was ready to get done with this one. Now, I’m really happy we are done with this one.”
Over the three days on Lake Martin, Bakewell caught 15 fish for a weight of 35 pounds. 15 ounces. He also came away with the biggest catch of the entire tournament of 4-11.
Sylacauga’s Will Davis Jr. led the tournament through the first two days but slipped down to fourth
overall with a total weight of 32-11. Above him were Josh Butler and Dakota Ebare, who each had strong performances all three days.
Butler finished with 15 fish caught for 34-2 while also putting up the best day of the tournament on Day 2. He caught five fish for 14-5 which propelled him from outside the top 10 to in the top five.
“It is a little bittersweet. You don’t have a lot of opportunities to (win),” Butler said. “You have to have a 4 ½-pounder here. I was lacking that today. I had a 2 ½-pounder, and I started really well early. I thought I could catch some quality bass this afternoon flipping boat docks. It just didn’t happen. I caught 30 fish flipping docks, and they were all rats.”
The additional anglers in the top 10 were Cody Meyers, Paul Marks, Brady Vernon, Yui Aoki, Byron Kenney Jr. and Kyle Palmer.
However, the biggest aspect of the tournament
was the qualification for the Elite series. Nine anglers punched their ticket to take their talents to the next level. The fisherman who received that honor got it from a point total that was calculated through the nine Open series tournaments they competed in prior.
Those anglers were Tucker Smith, Marks, Emil Wagner, Andrew Loberg, Ebare, Beau Browning and Evan Kung.
Another angler who was a standout from the 2024 St. Croix Bassmaster Open was Etnan Fothergill, who was crowned the 2024 Tackle Warehouse Bassmaster Elite Qualifiers Angler of the Year. Which saw an additional $45,000 and a ticket to the Elite series.
Although it has been a while since the last Bassmaster tournament was held on Lake Martin, the adjustment to hold the event in just a little over a week has opened the door for events in the future.
FILE TPI
Elmore County’s Addison Hick (4) and the rest of the team looking to start hot in the area tournament.
PICK’EMS
FUN FOR ALL AT 31ST ALABAMA COTTON FESTIVAL
that total. So far in 2024, he has accumulated 13 sacks, 14 tackles for a loss and 57 total tackles. His sack total not only has him ranked as the top in Class 2A, but No. 2 in the entire state of Alabama. If he was not already feared as a top defender from what he accomplished last year, he is now.
“I didn’t realize he was No. 2 overall in the state; that’s huge,” Reeltown coach Matt Johnson said. “What’s huge is that coming off the year he had last year, it’s not somebody who’s just coming on the scene. To me, the consistency of his production is probably more important than the year he’s having right now. It’s not like he’s sneaking up on folks, and people are wondering, ‘Man, where did number 52 come from?’ He’s been doing this for a while.”
Standing at 6-foot-4 and 250 pounds, Clayton has the size and strength to be a dominant force. He spent the offseason refining his skills with the main focus being on his quickness off the line which has translated on the field for Reeltown.
“I knew he’d have another good year because he’s had a great offseason,” Johnson said. “He’s put on a lot more muscle and carries his weight better. He really worked on his speed and takeoff in the offseason. Matter of fact, he went to some speed training on the weekends and really worked on that. So that’s really helped his first step, being 6-foot-4, 250 pounds. He’s just tough to block, but it’s the tenacity and the motor that he plays with has been the difference.”
road this year.
STREAKS
Continued from B1
390 passing yards, throwing 3 TDs and 1 INT. … RB Tyler Payton has 49 carries for 392 rushing yards and 4 TDs. … DL Luke Reinert leads the team with 4.5 sacks on the year.
FOUR DOWNS
Last week, Elmore County beat Valley, 20-14; Marbury lost to Sylacauga, 7-0. Marbury averages nearly 11 points per game on offense. Elmore County averages 142 rushing yards per game. Elmore County leads in alltime matchups against Marbury at 8-4-1. NEXT UP: Elmore County at Sylacauga; Marbury host Holtville
STANHOPE ELMORE (3-4) VS REHOBETH (3-4) THE PLAYERS
STANHOPE ELMORE: RB Arthur McQueen has 183 carries for 1,371 rushing yards for 16 TDs. …RB Damarrian Barnes has 62 carries for 411 rushing yards and 1 TD. …DL Kamran Anderson leads the team with 9 sacks on the season.
FOUR DOWNS
Last week, Stanhope Elmore lost to Pike Road, 35-17; Rehobeth beat Park Crossing, 33-32. Stanhope Elmore averages 328 rushing yards per game. Stanhope Elmore is 2-1 on the
Although sacks are typically the indicator of a dominant defensive lineman, it doesn’t show how effective they are in the run game. Clayton leads the team with tackles for a loss with Finn Henderson right behind him. It has been nearly impossible to move the ball against Reeltown’s loaded defensive unit that has accumulated 35 sacks, 63 tackles for loss, nine interceptions and four forced fumbles. However, it all comes from the play from the defensive front, according to Johnson.
“Just schematic-wise, for our defense, and really, any defense to work, you’ve got to be good up front,” Johnson said. “If you’re not good up front, then, amongst other things, your linebacker play is affected. Everything from linebacker play to secondary play is affected by how well or not good you are upfront. So to have that force up front with Baylor and those guys is huge in the passing game because you don’t have to cover as long.”
Reeltown is currently on its bye week but will return to action next week on the road against 2A Region 4 opponent Central Coosa. However, after locking down a spot in the playoffs in a win against LaFayette last Friday, the defense is going to need Clayton to continue at the pace he’s on when the opposition begins to ramp up.
“I want to see him continue to improve, continue to approach the grind, so to speak, of everyday, process of what we have to do to continue to get better,” Johnson said. “Because the competition is going to get better. We’ve played some good teams this year already, but the farther we go and the better we do with this thing, the better the competition. So I’m ready to see his production continue against some really good offensive linemen.”
This is the first time Rehobeth and Stanhope Elmore have ever matched up.
NEXT UP: Stanhope Elmore at Wetumpka; Rehobeth at Russell County
HOLTVILLE (2-5) VS VALLEY (3-4) THE PLAYERS
HOLTVILLE: Last week, RB Hunter Chavis rushed for 60 yards against Clay Central. … RB Cedrick Croskey led the team with 59 receiving yards. … Tyler Hackett led the team with 8 total tackles against Clay Central.
FOUR DOWNS
Last week, Holtville lost to Clay Central, 40-3; Valley lost to Elmore County, 20-14. Holtville’s defense is allowing 23 points per game. Valley averages 250 rushing yards per game. This is the first time Valley and Hotlville have ever matched up.
NEXT UP: Holtville at Marbury; Valley host Beauregard
EDGEWOOD (2-4) VS BESSEMER ACADEMY (2-5)
THE PLAYERS:
EDGEWOOD: Last week, QB Brock Whitt completed 15 of 31 pass attempts for 176 passing yards and 3 TDs. … WR Avery Askew caught 6 passes for 30 yards and 1 TD. … RB Parker Shaw had 7 carries for 58 yards; added 6 total tackles on defense.
FOUR DOWNS
Last week, Edgewood lost to Banks Academy, 28-20; Besse-
mer lost to Valiant Cross, 34-26. Edgewood’s defense allows 28 points per game. Bessemer averages 25 points per game on offense. Edgewood has only beaten Bessemer once with the all-time matchup sitting at 1-10.
NEXT UP: Edgewood at Abbeville Christian; Bessemer hosts Escambia Academy
TALLASSEE (4-2) VS ST. JAMES (5-3) 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.
ST. JAMES: WR Tabor Offord has 26 catches for 628 receiving yards and 7 TDs. … QB Chase Perry has completed 53 of 136 pass attempts for 962 passing yards, throwing 11 TDs and 9 INTs. … LB Wils Johnson has 85 total tackles on the season.
FOUR DOWNS Last week, Tallassee beat Handley, 31-22; St. James beat Cleburne County, 55-35. St. James averages 22.3 points per game on offense.
Tallassee averages 28.8 points per game on offense. Tallassee leads in all-time matchups against St. James at 4-3.
NEXT UP: Tallassee hosts Talladega; St. James at Munford