Not Guilty
By Cliff Williams Staff Writer
Jury acquits Whitehurst for murder charge
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
Thomas Whitehurst saw
law enforcement pull behind him two years ago to arrest him for the murder of his ex-wife Starr Mulder.
Thursday and Friday, Whitehurst of Redland sat quietly as a jury deliberated his fate — coming back to 19th Circuit Court Judge Bill Lewis with a not guilty verdict.
circumstantial evidence tying Whitehurst to the death.
High School basketball coach
“I didn’t do anything to Starr,” Whitehurst told law enforcement in a 2016 interview.
And the jury agreed but not without disagreement in the murder trial with only
After nearly nine hours of deliberation the jury came to Lewis wanting lunch.
“We just need a break from each other,” a note to Lewis from the jury said.
After lunch Lewis acknowledged the jury was split on the decision of Whitehurst’s
members for the first time in a while Thursday.
The COVID-19 pandemic put a hamper on gatherings but the chamber celebrated the successes of business in Wetumpka.
disclose now but I don’t think it’s beneficial to Mr. Wilson.”
Chamber holds luncheon welcoming members
WHAT’S THE BUZZ?
New HGTV season will bring more attention to Wetumpka
“We haven’t been able to do this for the last couple years,” chairperson Clay McConnell said. “Your attendance is an indication people want to get back together and have these opportunities to see each
Members of the Wetumpka Chamber of Commerce attend the chamber’s “A Taste of Our Home Town” luncheon. CLIFF WILLIAMS/ THE HERALD
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
Ben and Erin Napier are getting ready host season two of Home Town Takeover and with it will come more attention to Wetumpka.
See CHAMBER, Page A3
The new season wasn’t filmed in Wetumpka or Alabama; instead it is highlighting Ft. Morgan, Colorado but will still likely bring more tourists to Wetumpka.
“I fully expect us to see more people come to town as
the new season prepares to start,” Wetumpka Area Chamber of Commerce executive director Shellie Whitfield said. “I would think there will be mentions of Wetumpka and
See HGTV, Page A6
The next season of HGTV’s Hometown Take Over will bring more attention to Wetumpka even though it is not filmed in We-
new show will likely have references to downtown Wetumpka.
Council extends entertainment district hours
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
The extension of hours for the Wetumpka Downtown Entertainment District was approved by the Wetumpka City Council at Monday’s council meeting in a 5-1 vote. District 5 Councilmember Joe Brown was the lone dissenting vote.
about the issue but Brown said afterwards his constituents were against the issue — especially extending hours into “church time.”
better received with some modifications.
“It was the Sunday morning part of it,” Brown said. “There wasn’t much issue with the rest of it.
also
said
Dennis said other staff would fill in for the duties of Wilson at Holtville while he is on administrative leave.
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
Elmore County EMA staff are working to determine the total damage from storms last Sunday and Monday after an EF1 tornado struck the Elmore County portion of Lake Martin, according to the National Weather Service (NWS). Damaged areas included Castaway Island and The Ridge.
“We don’t have any numbers on exactly what we have,” Elmore County EMA director Keith Barnett said. “We are still out in all those areas going door to door doing our damage assessment.”
Police continue investigation, man no longer suspected
Barnett said the Meadow Lane Drive neighborhood in Coosada was likely declared straight line winds by the NWS.
By Jake Arthur Chief Videographer
It is important for damage to be correctly assessed as it affects possible state and federal declarations to help with any assistance.
Police are still investigating the fatal shooting in the Wetumpka Walmart parking lot on Jan. 20.
“For public assistance you have to have $8.9 million in uninsured damages in the state from one event,” Barnett said. “For individual assistance they don’t set a hard number but they normally look for about 75 to 100 homes that have major damage or are destroyed with no insurance. If you have 75 homes destroyed and 30 don’t have insurance, you are not there. It makes it tough.”
Police were dispatched to the parking lot around 10:45 p.m. for a “shots fired” call. Once there, they found Centell Winston, 42 of Tallassee, dead of a gunshot wound in the driver seat of his vehicle. According to Wetumpka police chief Greg Benton, this was not a random shooting.
“This was not random, not a random act,” said Benton. “We believe the victim and the perpetrator knew each other.”
Currently, Barnett’s staff is going door-todoor to find out if there are any needs.
“We have homes with significant damage and some that are major, probably a handful that are destroyed,” Barnett said.
This is the first homicide in Wetumpka in over three years. The last homicide in the city took place in 2018.
Luckily, Barnett said there wasn’t any damage to public infrastructure.
“It’s not a good way to start out the new year,” said Benton.
From Sunday afternoon to Monday afternoon the Coosa River rose 16.5 feet in
Benton didn’t want to speculate on the
See SHOOTING, Page A3
Holtville’s Futral Alabama principal of the year
Staff Report
The Alabama Association of Secondary School Principals
(AASSP) named Holtville High School principal Kyle Futral the 2022 Alabama High School Principal of the Year.
Now from 10 a.m to 9 p.m. seven days a week, adults 21 or older can walk the streets with an approved cup from a downtown establishment with an alcoholic beverage.
There was no discussion among councilmembers during the meeting
The High School Principal of the Year award was presented to Futral on Friday, Jan. 28 during a schoolwide assembly at Holtville High School. Elmore County Superintendent Richard Dennis was in attendance for the presentation.
“I contacted over 100 people in my district,” Brown said. “They were disturbed that it was 10 a.m. on a Sunday.”
Brown said he rode around downtown on a Sunday and didn’t see any businesses open at 9 a.m. Only one place, a gym, opened at 11 a.m.
Had it been 12:30 p.m. or 1 p.m. it would have been better.”
Brown said his vote was not decided by his stance on alcohol.
“I don’t drink,” Brown said. “It doesn’t bother me that other people do. It is a personal choice.”
Before the council made a decision two residents spoke on the issue.
“I support the extension of the
“Kyle Futral is an exceptional principal and is very proactive and innovative in his thinking and approaches to managing his school,” Dennis said, As principal of Holtville High School, Futral has transformed the school culture from that of a school struggling with low morale, achievement and attendance to a school that strives for excellence. By collaborating with staff, many of the school’s issues were identified and addressed. Futral’s leadership style of listening, encouraging, supporting, organizing and challenging the staff and students, caused the school culture to shift in a positive direction. The school experienced a 62 percent decrease in discipline referrals, 50 percent decrease in chronic absenteeism, 7 percent increase in the graduation rate, 33 percent increase in CCR rate and a 20 per cent increase in ACT proficiency in the last five years.
Brown said residents in River Oaks, Meadowbrook and on U.S. Highway 231 don’t have an issue with the entertainment district but the extension of hours would have been
See COUNCIL, Page B3
See PRINCIPAL, Page A3
tumpka. Ft. Morgan, Colorado is getting the makeover and the
The show has resulted in nationwide interest in Wetumpka.
•
•
Police Reports
and
Tallassee Police Department APRIL 2
• A suspicious vehicle was reported on Marvin Avenue.
• Assistance was given during a medical call on Hillcrest Street.
• Assistance was given to a motorist on Jordan Avenue.
• Assistance was given to a motorist on Gilmer Avenue.
• Harassment was reported on Sylvan Lane.
• A motor vehicle accident was reported on Lower Tuskegee Road.
• Assistance was given to a motorist on Alber Drive.
• Fraudulent use of a credit or debit card was reported on Kent Road.
• A suspicious vehicle was reported on Barnett Boulevard.
• Debris was reported in the roadway on Gilmer Avenue.
• Assistance was given during a medical call on Hillcrest Street.
• Assistance was given to a motorist on Central Boulevard.
• A prowler was reported on Lower Tuskegee Road. APRIL 1
• Gunfire was reported on Gilmer Avenue.
• Assistance was given during a medical call on Hillcrest Street.
• A welfare check was conducted on Redden Avenue.
• A juvenile complaint was reported on Laurel Street.
• Reckless driving was reported on Ransom Drive.
• An animal complaint was reported on Gilmer Avenue.
• Gunfire was reported on Jordan Avenue.
• Harassment was reported on Hillcrest Street.
• A domestic dispute was reported on East Patton Street.
• A motor vehicle accident with no injuries was reported on Highway 229.
• Assistance was given to a citizen on Redden Avenue.
• Assistance was given to
a citizen on Redden Avenue.
• Disorderly conduct was reported on Friendship Road.
• Assistance was given during a medical call on HIllcrest Street. March 31
• Animal control was requested on Gilmer Avenue.
• A suspicious vehicle was reported on Freeman Avenue.
• A suspicious vehicle was reported on East Roosevelt Street.
• Harassment was reported on Jordan Avenue.
• Assistance was given during a medical call on Gilmer Avenue.
• A motor vehicle accident with no injuries was reported on Macedonia Road.
• Theft was reported on Thelma Drive.
• A motor vehicle accident with no injuries was reported on Central Boulevard.
• An animal complaint was reported on Lily Avenue.
• Assistance was given to a motorist on East Patton Street. MARCH 30
• A welfare check was conducted on Friendship Road.
• A suspicious vehicle was reported on South Tallassee Drive.
• Assistance was given to a motorist on Gilmer Avenue.
• An animal complaint was reported on Third Avenue.
• A motor vehicle accident with no injuries was reported on Gilmer Avenue.
• Assistance was given to a motorist on Barnett Boulevard.
• A domestic dispute was reported on Gilmer Avenue.
• Gunfire was reported on South Dubois Street. MARCH 29
• A suspicious person was reported on Notasulga Road.
• Assistance was given to another agency on Hicky Street.
• Suspicious activity was reported on Ira Street.
• A noise complaint was reported on Dorman Avenue.
• A juvenile complaint was reported on Hickory Street.
• A juvenile complaint was reported on Laurel Street.
• A domestic dispute was reported on Joy Street.
• Trespassing was reported on Main Street.
• A white male was arrested on Barnett Boulevard.
• Unauthorized use of a vehicle was reported on Second Street.
• Assistance was given to a motorist on Friendship Road.
• Assistance was given to a motorist on Indian Trail.
• A suspicious vehicle was reported on Herren Hill Road.
• A domestic incident was reported on West Gantts Mill Road.
• Trespassing was reported on Lower Tuskegee Road. MARCH 28
• A welfare check was conducted on Redden Avenue.
• A suspicious vehicle was reported on Gilmer Avenue.
• A domestic incident was reported on McKenzie Street.
• An arrest was made on Barnett Boulevard.
• An arrest was made on Riverhills Drive.
• An animal complaint was reported on Cliff Street.
• An animal complaint
was reported on Gilmer Avenue.
• An animal complaint was reported on Lily Avenue.
• A motor vehicle accident with no injuries was reported on Highway 229.
• A domestic incident was reported on Stewart Street. MARCH 27
• A welfare check was conducted in Tallassee.
• A motor vehicle accident with no injuries was reported on Taylor Road.
• An animal complaint was reported on Gilmer Avenue.
• Harassment was reported on Notasulga Road.
• Theft was reported on Adams Street.
• Harassment was reported on Kent Road.
• A suspicious person was reported on Gilmer Avenue.
• Debris was reported in the roadway on the Fitzpatrick Bridge.
• Debris was reported on Industrial Parkway.
• A vehicle accident was reported on Rifle Range Road.
• Assistance was given to a motorist on Gilmer Avenue.
• Debris was reported in the roadway on Camelia Drive.
• A private property accident was reported on Gilmer Avenue.
• Assistance was given to another agency on Cherokee Trail.
• A suspicious person was reported on Cherokee Trail. MARCH 26
• A suspicious vehicle was reported on Kent Road.
• Gunfire was reported on Jordan Avenue.
• A motor vehicle accident was reported on Gilmer Avenue.
Pet of the Week – Katie
Katie is a 1-year-old female Pit looking mix, who weighs about 45 pounds. She is super sweet and great with both dogs and cats. Katie loves a tummy rub, is playful and loveable but not clingy, and happy to spend her own time checking out her domain.
The Humane Society of Elmore County’s adoption fees are $100 for dogs and $50 for cats under 1 year old. Cats over 1 can be adopted by approved adopters for a fee of their choosing. This adoption fee covers the mandatory spay or neuter, basic immunizations, deworming, microchip, heartworm check for dogs, rabies vaccination if old enough and a free health exam with your participating veterinarian.
If you are interested in meeting Cola or any of the pets at HSEC, the first step is to fill out an adoption application online. Once approved, you will be contacted by someone from the humane society. HSEC is located at 255 Central Plank Road in Wetumpka. The phone number is 334-567-3377 and the website is www.elmorehumane.org.
Divorced couple facing sex charges
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
A Wetumpka woman finds herself in the Autauga County Jail after she was charged with first-degree sodomy and sex abuse of a child under the age of 12. Her ex-husband Jason Hudson is wanted by the Autauga County Sheriff’s Office.
Farren Jill Hudson, 35, of Wetumpka, was arrested Monday by the Autauga County Sheriff’s Office and is being held in jail on no bond. Sodomy is a Class A felony while sex abuse of a child under the age of 12 is a Class B felony. Earlier this week
Farren Hudson’s now ex-husband
Jason Wade Hudson, of Deatsville, was charged with first-de -
gree rape, incest, sex abuse of a child under the age of 12 and production of child pornography.
The Autauga County Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Marshall’s Service arrested Jason Hudson Thursday, who was out of jail on a $600,000 bond stemming from previous charges.
Those charges include 75 counts of possession of obscene matter and sex abuse of a child under the age of 12 following an indictment by an Autauga County
Grand Jury in March 2022. He has a bond hearing scheduled for next week. He had previously been out on a $150,000 bond following a 2021 arrest in the case where he was charged with five counts of possession of obscene matter depicting a child under the age of 17.
While preparing for trial, Jason Hudson’s attorney hired an expert to look at 120 gigabytes of data found in the Hudsons’ Autauga County home. The attorney said the expert reported that the data was planted on his clients’ devices. Court proceedings were paused to look into the matter.
An investigation by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) earlier this
No real gun threat at Wetumpka Elementary this week
STAFF REPORT
TPI Staff
Elmore County Board of Educa -
tion Superintendent Richard Dennis released a statement on Thursday following an “unauthorized message” of a gun being on the campus of Wetumpka Elementary School (WES) responding to an incident on campus at Wetumpka Elementary School (WES).
Dennis said the threat was investigated by administrators after a comment was made by a 5-yearold kindergarten student to another employee and was reported to the school's administration. The comment was immediately evaluated for threat assessment purposes and determined to be insubstantial.
Dennis said the unauthorized message was sent by a WES employee to some parents which contained inaccurate information.
To clarify, Dennis says the school administration did not receive a report of a gun being
brought to the school this week.
“As Superintendent, the safety of our students and staff is always of the utmost concern,” Dennis stated in the press release. “The Central Office administration and school administrators take all threats of violence seriously and work tirelessly to establish student behavioral expectations, positive behavior interventions and supports, and crisis planning and preparedness.”
Dennis said the school board has procedures to handle such occurrences.
“Our District has safety policies and plans in place to evaluate and investigate, with the assistance of local law enforcement when necessary, whether any threat of violence is serious and credible,” Dennis said. “As always, our personnel remain diligent in maintaining a safe and welcoming educational environment for our students.”
Dennis said the incident will be looked into further.
Commission approves new pothole patching machine
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
A new one-man pothole patcher is already on order, but it will paid for in the Elmore County Commission fiscal year 2024 budget.
Similar to the trucks and motor graders the commission approved last year, the pothole patcher will take a while for delivery.
“We are expecting delivery between September and November if we put an order in now,” Elmore County chief operations officer Richie Beyer told the commission. “This is an item that is slated to be replaced in next year’s budget.”
Commissioner Henry Hines said a replacement for the machine is much needed.
“This has been a headache in our highway department’s side,” he said. “It is constantly breaking down.”
The commission also passed resolutions honoring county athletes and coaches
for recent achievements.
“It is an ongoing basis the county commission recognizes youth that have won state titles in individual and team sports,” county commission chair Bart Mercer said.
The commission honored Stanhope Elmore’s Alyssa Ward for being named the AHSAA Girls’ Bowler of the Year and coach Bridget Wilson, who was named AHSAA 6A-7A Girls Bowling Coach of the Year.
“It is so fitting to honor you during this being Women's history month,” commissioner Desirae Lewis Jackson said.
The commission also honored Elmore County High School’s Myles Eyerly for winning the 285-pound weight class AHSAA Class 5A Wrestling State Championship.
Hines said he wrestled in the lower weight classes in high school but would better fit in the heavier classes now.
year after allegations of planting of evidence led to this week’s arrest of Farren Hudson.
“ALEA did a re-analysis of the phone,” 19th Circuit District Attorney C.J. Robinson said. “There are fragmented files, encryptions and all kinds of other stuff. In the process, we uncovered new evidence. The new evidence brings her in. He has additional charges as well.”
ALEA’s new investigation of that data showed the Hudsons in sex acts with minors.
Documents from Jason Husdon’s original 2021 charges state images were found on his phone of various sex acts of adult men with juvenile females and an adult woman with a juvenile male.
Court documents state Farren Hudson filed for divorce after Jason Hudson was indicted by an Autau -
ga County Grand Jury in March 2022. Court documents state the couple married Feb. 29, 2020, separated March 18, 2022, did not have children together and was granted an uncontested divorce in 2022. Robinson said he anticipates a defense that Farren Hudson wasn’t involved.
“I don’t believe she was passive in this,” Robinson said. “She is charged as a principal actor in this.”
“I wouldn’t be able to go against you,” Hines said.
In other action the Elmore County Commission:
• Approved minutes of the March 13 meeting.
• Approved the memorandum of warrants for March 4-17 in the amount of $2,744,980.82.
• Approved the reappointment of Jacqueline J. Darnell and Ginger Henry to the Montgomery Area Mental Health Authority.
• Approved the reappointment of John Strickland to the Elmore County Economic Development Authority.
• Heard from Alabama Department of Public Health’s Tim Hatch who spoke about some of the services the department offers and the commission supports.
The next meeting of the Elmore County Commission is scheduled for 10 a.m. Thursday, April 13.
J. HUDSON
F. HUDSON
HGTV
Continued from A1
repairing of the first season featuring Wetumpka.” Whitfield’s home, The Big Fish House, was one of the projects in Season 1 and it attracts pedestrians almost daily. At the chamber, Whitfield believes she will see an
CHARGE Continued from A1
innocence or guilt and instructed members to give deliberation one more chance. It worked, allowing Whitehurst’s freedom with a not guilty verdict after five days in a courtroom facing a jury of his peers.
Whitehurst and Mulder divorced in 2013, but Mulder continued to live in Whitehurst’s home.
increase in foot traffic again. She has also been monitoring data that tracks cell phones and their paths.
“We normally see between 4,000 and 5,000 people per month who stop in front of the chamber office for at least five minutes, “ Whitfield said. “The months after the first season aired we saw more 20,000 people per month. I don’t think we will get to that level but I do think more people will come to Wetumpka.”
on the phone or Facebook was two days earlier. In the interview with Wilson, Whitehurst said that was unlike his ex-wife.
“She lived on the phone, according to Mr. Whitehurst,” Wilson testified. “When she wasn’t on the phone she was on Facebook.”
One noticeable connection between Wetumpka and Ft. Morgan is both towns have arched bridges as a prominent part of downtown. “Struggling small towns can do the hard work to become healthy again. It’s difficult, but nothing great is ever easy,” Erin Napier said in a release. “And while it is scary to take on a project of this scale, it helps so much to have a team to help carry the load.”
was proven to be Mulder’s in the back of Whitehurst’s vehicle.
Whitehurst also told investigators he had months earlier given Mulder a July 1, 2016 deadline to move out after she didn’t keep a job and continued to drink.
Wilson said he used his personal bloodhound to track Mulder near the Redland home but to no avail. Wilson again asked Whitehurst where Mulder might be.
Authorities said Mulder’s remains had been scattered somewhat over the years by animals and flooding but no weapon was recovered. A gunshot wound between the eyes was noticed in the skull. A mushroomed round fell from the skull as it was recovered. The round was identified as .25 caliber.
Another ex-wife of Whitehurst, Debora Eady, testified she had seen a .25 caliber handgun belonging to Whitehurst but couldn’t describe it.
“I was told I was crazy for letting her stay,” Whitehurst told investigators in a video interview. “I couldn’t do it in my heart, putting her out.”
Family had described Mulder as full of life and looking forward to a future, especially after she found out she was to be a grandmother.
The case started when Whitehurst reported Mulder missing at the urging of Mulder’s daughter who lived out of state.
Whitehurst told authorities the last time he saw her was June 11, 2016. Elmore County Sheriff’s Office investigator Bill Wilson said he spoke with Whitehurst about his then missing ex-wife Mulder. Wilson said the last time Mulder was
DAMAGE
Continued from A1
Whitehurst spoke with Wilson and other investigators three times before saying he wanted an attorney. Wilson initially wanted to believe Whitehurst but as investigators tried to prove his story, they couldn’t.
Whitehurst said on the morning of June, 11, 2016 he went to Wetumpka to get Mulder breakfast and to pick up prescription medication. Wilson said the medication was never picked up and they couldn’t find Whitehurst’s vehicle on a video camera leaving the neighborhood.
Whitehurst also used one of Mulder’s preloaded credit cards after the missing person’s report was filed.
The strongest evidence investigators had was Mulder’s phone turned on once nine days after she went missing near Whitehurst’s place of employment in Montgomery. Other strong evidence include blood that
Wetumpka to 37.55 feet according to the NWS. As of Wednesday afternoon the Coosa was at 33 feet and on its way down.
The highest the Coosa River has ever been in Wetumpka was 57.90 feet on April 8, 1938 when much of downtown Wetumpka was flooded.
The Tallapoosa River completely covered the spillways at Thurlow Dam last Monday afternoon. As of Wednesday afternoon the river was only on the main spillway. According to the NWS the
BUILT
Continued from A4
Flash forward to 2010.
“I don’t know where she went,” Whitehurst said in an interview with investigators. “She is not in Elmore County.
Fast forward to March 2020 when foresters found human remains in the Conecuh National Forest that were sent to the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences (DFS). A year later, March 21, 2021, Wilson got a call from investigators at the Conecuh Sheriff’s Department they had identified the remains as Mulder’s. Whitehurst was arrested the following day.
The location was significant according to Wilson because Mulder had no connection to the area but Whitehurst did. Whitehurst graduated from nearby Andalusia and still had family in Conecuh County.
Tallapoosa River at the Tallapoosa Water Plant rose from 11 feet last Sunday afternoon to a high of 33.59 feet Wednesday morning.
The highest recorded crest of the Tallapoosa River at the Tallapoosa Water Plant was recorded on March 18, 1990 at 42.13 feet.
“The Coosa is not anywhere close to flooding,” Barnett said last week. “It’s in action stage only. Tallapoosa got up to moderate stage. It has happened a couple of times in the last couple of years.”
Barnett said all the information is filed in reports passed on to the State of Alabama and FEMA.
“I hope to have final numbers
My middle school band was playing a piece composed by John Kinyon called “Astro Overture.” It was special because it was the first piece Mr. Williams had taught us for competition all those years ago. It’s kind of a salute to the Space Age as it was written in 1969, the year people from this state put us on the moon. We earned a Superior rating. Brimming with pride, I tracked down Tony Williams and emailed him a recording of my band performing it.
DFS’s Dr. Edward Reedy said the gunshot killed Mulder but couldn’t say whether it was homicide or self-inflicted. Her body had been in the Conecuh National Forest for years and even burned during a prescribed burn of the area.
Wilson speculated Mulder was likely shot during her sleep for the placement of the round.
In 2016 authorities searched Whitehurst’s home. In particular they searched Mulder’s bedroom. They found no evidence of blood. In the garage they found a small spot on the floor and also in Whitehurst’s vehicle. With the not guilty verdict, the criminal case against Whitehurst is now closed.
and degree of damage based on FEMA standards in the next few days,” Barnett said. “There is a lot that has to be done before a disaster declaration can be made. We have to meet standards and numbers.”
Property owners who haven’t yet reported damage from last weekend can do on the Elmore County EMA website at www.elmorecoema. com or through the Elmore County EMA app.
“Then we will verify everything,” Barnett said. “It is very convenient and very easy. If we don’t have it in our system we will come out and verify it.”
“I’m really proud of you for all you have accomplished,” Mr. Williams wrote in reply. “One of these days I’m going to have to order a hot cross bun at a bakery, just to see what all the fuss is about.”
We began to email and Facebook one another every few months until his untimely passing in 2020. Tony Williams may have worn different hats or had many different roles, and one was that his home in Nashville was used for Miranda Lambert’s music video, “The House That Built Me.” Somehow, that seems very appropriate.
Michael Bird is a music teacher for Tallassee City Schools.
The Blessing of Holy Week
the corner of Bridge and Bridge! We are in the midst of another mini monsoon as I write. Whatever happened to the days when we had normal rain?
This column runs on Wednesday of Holy Week, which is the time on the Christian Calendar leading up to Easter. It begins with Palm Sunday and concludes with Holy Saturday. Most Christian churches celebrate Palm Sunday by attending to one of the Gospel accounts of the day. Jesus entered the city of Jerusalem on the back of a donkey. People who had witnessed or heard of all Jesus had been doing and teaching lined the streets waving palm branches and shouting “Hosanna!
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord — the King of Israel!”
As Gospel accounts of the week proceed, we learn the religious authority of the day ramped up its
BETHLEHEM EAS
BAPTIST CHURCH
Bethlehem East Baptist Church will have all Sunday school classes beginning at 9:45 a.m. Sunday morning followed by regular service at 11 a.m. in the sanctuary. We will continue with Facebook
Live Sunday School at 9:30 a.m. and Worship Service at 11 a.m.
CARRVILLE BAPTIST CHURCH
Regular hours of service are Sundays- 9 a.m. Sunday School and 10 a.m. Morning
JONATHON YARBORO Columnist
opposition to Jesus. It sought ways to discredit and destroy the Son of God. His witness and teachings challenged the systems of authority and power.
Thursday, Jesus and his disciples were looking for a place to observe the Feast of Passover. That evening in an upper room, Jesus washed the feet of the disciples. The Son of God witnessed servant leadership in its finest fashion. Later during the meal, he shared a loaf of bread and a cup of wine, explaining the broken bread was the gift of his body broken and the cup was the cup of God’s new covenant of salvation,
Worship. Wednesday nights at 6:30 p.m. the church offers Children’s Gospel Project, Youth Bible Study and Adult Prayer Meeting. Regular office hours are Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
EAST TALLASSEE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
ETUMC’s Rivers Edge Flea Market is now closed. The church will start a new project called Rivers Edge Food Pantry. ETUMC will provide canned food, water,
sealed in Christ’s blood.
Following the meal, Jesus was betrayed by one of the disciples. Judas Iscariot handed Jesus over to temple authorities. Jesus was bound, beaten and taken away in exchange for a bag of silver. His betrayer had just received the same gifts as the rest of the disciples.
The events of Good Friday begin with the trial of Jesus. Pontius Pilate, Governor of the province of Judea, found no fault with the man Jesus. Pilate offered to free the innocent man, but the crowd demanded crucifixion. Pilate washed his hands of the fate of the Son of God.
The day proceeds with detailed account of the march to the hill of Golgotha. Jesus endured tremendous suffering and humiliation on that journey. He was hung on a cross on that hill between two thieves and mocked for his inability to save himself. Jesus Christ, Son of Man, Son of God, hung his head and died.
dry beans and rice, blankets, and jackets. If you want to donate or help with the cause, call Joan Wood at 334-3124913.
EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF THE EPIPHANY
Please join us for Sunday services at 10:30 a.m. when the Rev. Lee Lowery will celebrate the Holy Eucharist. We are asking everyone please to wear a mask. The service will be live streamed on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ EpiphanyTallassee/ For more
Holy Saturday marks the time following Jesus’ death and placement into a tomb. Followers wept at his horrible death. Some remembered prophetic speak of a resurrection in three days’ time. Some eagerly awaited it. Others were unable to believe it to be possible.
And that is where Holy Week ends. Of course, every child of God on the other side of Holy Saturday knows the rest of the story. Easter is the day to witness the resurrection of Christ and all it represents to the earthly kingdom.
Easter is indeed the grandest of all celebrations relating to the life, ministry and witness of Jesus Christ in the flesh. It is God’s ultimate truth. The things that do not come from God are powerless to defeat the things that come from God. Every child of God living in the earthly kingdom today, regardless of covenant relationship with God, should pay
information, visit the church website at http://epiphanytallassee.org/
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
First Presbyterian Church, located at 514 Central Blvd. will host a Veteran’s Day Celebration on Nov. 11 from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. for all veterans and first responders and their family members.
FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
“We are OPEN and everyone is WELCOME! Come
attention to all that Holy Week represents.
It clearly illustrates the limitations of the human condition. Our humanity makes it possible for us to move from shouts of “Hosanna” on Sunday to “Crucify!” On Friday, even though nothing about the subject of crucifixion warrants such a shift.
What is more important is to focus on the activity of God during Holy Week. God’s good news does not change. God’s messenger remains humble and faithful. Despite myriad justifications for altering God’s outcome, Jesus resisted every temptation to respond according to human limitation. This is God’s example for living fully and honestly in the earthly kingdom.
Rev. Jonathan Yarboro is the Pastor of First Presbyterian Church, Wetumpka.
worship with us in person Sunday mornings at 8:50 a.m. (contemporary) or 11 a.m. (traditional). Sunday School for all ages is offered Sunday mornings at 10 a.m., and a nursery is available for infants. CHILDREN & YOUTH: meet Sunday evenings from 5-6:30 p.m. and Wednesday evenings from 6-7:15 p.m.; supper is included both days! For more information about our church or the programs we offer, visit our website: fumctallassee.com or call us: 334-283-
2195.
OUR LIFE’S JOURNEY Airs every Sunday at 8:30 a.m. on 580 WACQ, FM 98.5 & 101.1, on your smart speaker, your TuneIn app, or on our website www. wacqradio.com. Please share on social media. This set of programs features Msgr. Charles Troncale, Fr. Mateusz Rudzik, Fr. James Dean, Fr. David Carucci, Fr. Patrick Driscoll, and Deacon Jim Labadie.
FUMC Tallassee - 1 Jordan Avenue.”
Dalton MiDDleton SportS eDitor dalton.middleton@thewetumpkaherald.com
STANHOPE ELMORE’S ANDREWS PREPARES FOR NFL DRAFT
By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor
When looking back at last year, Stanhope Elmore graduate Jake Andrews had no idea where his life would be right now.
Andrews, who was finishing up his redshirt junior season at Troy, didn’t know if he would be preparing for the NFL Draft or if he’d be playing one last football season with the Trojans.
But Andrews had a stellar 2022 season on the offensive line as Troy garnered national attention for its great season during which the Trojans finished 12-2 with a Top 25 ranking and a Cure Bowl win. Now he’s on the radar of NFL teams across the country.
He announced his decision to forego his final season of eligibility to enter the NFL Draft, and he’s since seen his draft stock continue to rise following the Senior Bowl, the NFL Draft Combine and Troy’s Pro Day. Ranked as one of the top centers, Andrews is projected to go anywhere from the fourth to the seventh round when the NFL Draft takes place on April 27-29.
“I really wasn’t sure what I would be doing this offseason, but I’m glad it ended up with me going this route,” Andrews said. “It’s really been a fun process and you only get to do it once. It’s an opportunity but you have to go seize it yourself when it presents itself to you. I’ve been having a lot of fun doing it.”
Andrews was initially projected as a late round pick but has gotten his draft stock to rise by showcasing his skills at the various outlets offered to him pre-draft.
He was first invited to the 2023 Reese’s Senior Bowl game in February, and the interior lineman shined in the All-Star game. He gathered NFL buzz, according to Senior Bowl executive director Matt Nagy. Following the Senior Bowl, he was one of the Top 10 projected centers in the draft according to ESPN analyst Mel Kiper. That led to an invite to the NFL Draft Combine, where he show-
cased his athleticism and strength.
Andrews isn’t the biggest offensive lineman in the draft, as he stands at only 6-foot-3 and 305 pounds. He has strength, but he also uses his speed and athleticism to succeed as an interior lineman.
That was on full display as he ran a 5.15 in the 40-yard dash and caught the attention of scouts. Twenty-nine scouts eventually came back to see him in Troy’s Pro Day at the end of March.
“I think I definitely helped myself out with each of the pre-draft showcases,” Andrews said. “I wasn’t on a whole lot of radars before the season. Coming out of the season, I was looked at being drafted in the sixth or seventh round. Now it’s looking a little better than that. I think I’ve helped myself out and I’ve had more people reaching out to try and get to know me better and talk to me.”
Andrews credits his rise in draft stock to the training he’s done. His agent sent him to train in Pensacola, Florida with 40 or 50 other college athletes also trying to achieve their dreams.
Andrews worked with the offensive line and tight ends, and had position, strength and performance coaches to help prepare each player for the combine speed drills such as the 40-yard dash, three-cone drill, 20-yard shuttle and
Jake Andrews calls out a play during a Troy
hope Elmore player could play either center or
others.
While he would rather be watching film, lifting heavy weights or hitting someone on the offensive line, Andrews is appreciative of the speed drills and athletic showcases as it allowed him to show off his speed.
“Those types of drills are definitely more for receivers and skill players, but it was still fun and a really good experience,” Andrews said. “For me and probably 9 out of 10 other lineman, we’d rather be lifting weights, pushing sleds or hitting someone instead of working on 40-yard dash stances. But either way, it was fun and it really serves as a transition from being a college athlete to functioning as a professional.”
While he is looked at as one of the top centers in the draft, he isn’t limited to just the one position. Andrews has played both guard and center at Troy.
In 2019 as a redshirt freshman, he played in all 12 games for the Trojans and played both left and right guard as well as earning a start at center. In 2020 and 2021, Andrews made 23 consecutive starts at right guard.
In those 23 starts, he allowed just two sacks, five hits and 19 pressures in 981 pass blocking attempts. He had more than a 98.5% pass blocking efficiency in both seasons, good for Top 25
Stanhope Elmore’s McLeod delivers big home runs
By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor
Stanhope Elmore infielder
Jada McLeod has been a consistent force at the plate all season, but she picked it up a notch last week.
McLeod, mainly a third baseman and shortstop, had a stellar week hitting. In three games against Elmore County, Carver and Prattville Christian, she finished 8-of-13 at the plate with three home runs, one triple, seven RBIs and 18 total bases.
For her play, she has been named the Elmore County Player of the Week.
“Jada has been consistently hitting all year,” Stanhope coach Keith Jones said. “Some weeks have been better than others and this last week was definitely her best so far. She’s hitting .477 on the year and definitely turning it on here in the second half of the season. She’s starting to be a little more aggressive early in
the count and it’s working to her favor. She’s bringing a lot to the team with timely big hits and great defense.”
Her biggest home run of the week came in the first game the Mustangs played. Stanhope Elmore hosted county foe Elmore County on Tuesday, and McLeod delivered in the biggest moment.
McLeod already had two hits then stepped up to the plate with the bases loaded
Edgewood’s Free takes administration job at Hooper
By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor
Darryl Free was ready to take on a new challenge.
Free, who has led the Edgewood Academy basketball teams to three state championships in the last four seasons, has accepted a role in administration.
Free was announced Friday as the new headmaster at Hooper Academy in Hope Hull, and he began the new job Monday morning. He will continue to coach boys basketball while he is there.
“Administration is always
something that I’ve thought about in the past,” Free said. “I began to explore the opportunity when someone reached out to gauge my interest. After doing some research and talking with my family, we decided to explore it.”
Free said while it sounds cliche, coaching to him is about the kids and growing something from scratch to be the best possible product it can be.
“Administration is a lot like coaching to me,” Free said.
“You take a school and put your twist on it and try to make it into the best place it can be. It’s
DALTON MIDDLETON THE HERALD Stanhope Elmore third baseman Jada McLeod had eight hits and three home runs this week as the Mustangs picked up two massive wins.
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Edgewood Academy coach Darryl Free coaches his girls against Lakeside in the AISA Class AA state championship this year. Free has joined Hooper Academy as the new headmaster. See JOB, Page B3
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TROY ATHLETICS THE HERALD
Troy center Jake Andrews, a Stanhope Elmore graduate, runs a drill during the 2023 Troy Trojans Pro Day. Andrews is currently projected to be drafted anywhere from the fourth to the seventh round of the NFL Draft.
Elmore County girls, Tallassee boys win big area matchups
By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor
The Elmore County and Tallassee soccer teams split a big area matchup last week.
Elmore County’s girls earned a big 7-0 win, while the Tallassee boys picked up their first area win in the nightcap, 7-2.
The Panthers wasted no time with their blowout of the Tallassee girls, who are in their first season as a program. Elmore County coach Leslie Hinds knew Tallassee stacked the box, so she decided to adjust the team’s gameplan going in.
The Panthers focused on kicking straight at the goal to try to give more opportunities to gain possession and get extra shots off. The Panthers ran that game plan to near perfection as they controlled possession on Tallassee’s side of the field for seemingly the entire game.
That also led to plenty of shots, and plenty of goals.
With Elmore County on Tallassee’s side of the field, defender Emilie Shaw got scoring opportunities and opened the game with her first career goal. Emily Spears and Kristina Elmore added
one goal each, while senior Raney Jones scored four goals.
“Raney is an exceptional player that gives 100% every time she steps on the field and touches the ball for every minute of the game,” Hines said. “She has a natural ability to move the ball up the field and take shots on goal from every angle on the field.”
Jones was nearly unstoppable in the game as she took shots from the middle, left and right side of the field. When she didn’t have the ball, she was chasing down Tallassee players who did and stole it from them.
She’s been the team’s leading scorer all season, and that was on full display against Tallassee. She currently has 14 goals and numerous assists on the year. In the boy’s matchup, there was no stopping Tallassee once the Tigers were able to run freely. The Tigers scored four times in the first 20 minutes. Jonathan Wright scored twice, once by outrunning everyone on the field and once on a header, while Will Blocker and Francisco Diego each scored once during that span. Wright ended up with
another goal in the second half to complete his hat trick, while Irvin Delfin scored twice in the blowout win.
“We played really well together tonight,” Tallassee coach Matt Tarpley said. “We were able to connect and trust our teammates. We relied on each other and that led to four early goals. From there, it was pretty much out of hand. They have a really good team and really good players, but playing from behind is hard. We put our foot on their neck and didn’t let up.”
Elmore County netted two goals, both off the foot of Tate McNeely. He scored once on a penalty kick and once on a header that came off the crossbar.
With the win, Tallassee moves to 1-2 in area play and has three games left. It will play all three games at home as it hopes to make a playoff push.
“This game was huge for us,” Tarpley said. “We knew we had dropped two area games to Brew Tech and Beauregard two weeks ago and we needed a win tonight to have a chance to stay in the area race. If we can win those three games we have left, we will win the area for the first time in the history of Tallassee soccer.”
Holtville’s Tubbs signs with Central Alabama CC baseball
By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor
Weston Tubbs just wanted a chance.
The Holtville senior baseball player never cared what school gave him the opportunity to play baseball at the next level; he just needed one to offer him.
His chance came, and he took full advantage of it. Tubbs recently signed his National Letter of Intent to play college baseball at Central Alabama Community College. He joins teammate Randy Davis as Bulldogs going to CACC.
“It means so much to me to be able to sign and go play college baseball,” Tubbs said. “I never cared where I ended up. But what stuck out about CACC is that I liked that they have great facilities and guys on their team. Coach (Larry) Thomas is awesome and I’m
super excited to be playing for him. The school is great and it’s not too far from home.”
Tubbs has been a stellar outfielder for the Holtville Bulldogs, and he helped lead them to a state championship appearance and school-record 35 wins a season ago.
During his junior season, he hit .352 with 19 hits. He showcased his speed and ability to leg out extra base hits by turning in seven doubles on the year. That speed also showed when he was got on base as he stole 12 bases, good for fourth best on the squad.
His speed was one of the key aspects of his recruiting process, which was fairly simple. CACC needed an outfielder, and he got a call. After talking things over, Tubbs took the opportunity as fast as he could.
“When I get to the next level, I’m taking my speed and
my ability to play really well defensively,” Tubbs said. “I understand the game at a very high level and I have the baseball knowledge to allow me to play at such a high level.”
CACC’s Thomas has the program trending in the right direction recently.
The Trojans are off to a great start in 2023 as they have a 20-13 (9-7) record. This season comes after finding moderate success the last two years with a combined 47 wins, 23 in conference.
Tubbs knows some of the current CACC players and has even played some summer ball with a few of them. He’s talked with them, and he’s confident he’s joining the right program.
“I know that CACC is a great program and is coached the right way,” Tubbs said.
“I’m ready to be a part of that. I know a few guys on the team so it’s nice being able to ask them questions and them being able to show me how things work around there.”
When Central Alabama called and offered, the first person Tubbs told was his teammate Davis.
Davis, a left-handed pitcher, will be joining the Trojans as well. One of Tubbs’ biggest concerns was going to a college where he doesn’t know anybody, and now he has one of his close friends joining him and continuing to play together.
“It feels great to be going with Randy,” Tubbs said. “It’s nice knowing I’ll have him as a brother for a little while longer. We have each other’s backs and are ready to play together next year at the next level.”
Continued from B1
and one out and her team trailing by one run. On a 1-1 pitch, she deposited a grand slam straight over the center field wall to give Stanhope its final lead of the game.
Up 8-5, Stanhope held the Panthers from making a comeback in the seventh and earned a massive non-area win.
“The grand slam was a huge hit in a close ballgame against a very talented pitcher,” Jones said. “We were down by one in the bottom of the sixth and for Jada to be in that moment and deliver that hit was huge for her and our girls. It was definitely a confidence booster to beat a very good Elmore County team.”
Her second and third home runs of the week came the very next night. The Mustangs traveled to Montgomery Carver for an area matchup and blew out the host Wolverines, 25-1. In that matchup, McLeod went 3-for-5 at the plate with two home runs, a triple and three RBIs. She totaled 11 bases in the matchup, five more than the next closest player.
McLeod then wrapped up her week with a 2-for-4 day in a loss to Prattville Christian.
SUBMITTED | THE HERALD
Holtville senior Weston Tubbs, pictured with parents Scott and Erin Tubbs, signed his National Letter of Intent to play college baseball with Central Alabama Community College.
MCLEOD
Summer camp returns to the Wetumpka Depot
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
Fun will be had on and off the stage at the Wetumpka Depot as it hosts its annual children’s theater camp.
According to Wetumpka Depot Players artist director Kristy Meanor the camp is a way to introduce children and families to the performing arts.
“Our youth program is so important to us because it helps us grow our future,” Meanor said.
“It gets kids excited about theater and the opportunities we provide here at the depot. It gets them excited about doing theater in their school setting. It brings families into our theater to experience what we do here.”
The camp runs from June 19-25 for children ages 8 to 15 of all backgrounds.
“They don’t necessarily have to be ‘theatre kids,’” Meanor said. “We have kids who attend our summer program who really just need childcare that
week or helping grandparents with activities to keep the children busy. We have kids who have done a good bit of theater and everything in between.”
The Wetumpka Depot has been holding the children’s camp almost every summer for its 43-year lifespan.
“Even during the pandemic we managed to do some virtual productions for our kids in the summer,” Meanor said. “This year promises to be a lot of fun with a theme for the camp that is based on the Magic Treehouse books.”
The children’s program aims to be not just fun but also beneficial.
“It’s structured so that we will be producing an entire play during camp,” Meanor said. “It culminates to three actual performances at the end of the week for friends and family to attend.”
Children will not just be on-stage acting. The camp will expose kids to all aspects of theater.
“They learn about the art of theater and making
props, costumes and set pieces for their production,” Meanor said. “We customize the program for kids that might not want to be on the stage. We have a couple of kids signed up that want to really explore the technical side of theater. We are going to provide them the opportunity to explore in that area.”
The non-theater skills learned will prove to be invaluable.
“They learn the ability to work together as a team to create something in a fast amount of time,” Meanor said. “They also learn confidence and public speaking skills.”
To register, visit the ticket page at wetumpkadepot.com. The cost is $175.
“We will get back with them and provide them with camp forms and information they need to be ready for the first day of camp,” Meanor said. “We are only accepting 30 students and we already have 20 registered. It is time to jump on in to get children registered.”
CoosaPalooza is back for fourth year
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
Main Street Wetumpka is once again hosting its largest fundraiser of the year, the CoosaPalooza Brewfest in Merchant’s Alley.
The COVID-19 pandemic put a pause on the event for two years but it was revived in 2022.
“It was food, beer and fun along the beautiful Coosa River going to a good cause,” Main Street Wetumpka executive director Haley Greene said. “Last year it was our largest event after COVID. It was full blown and people loved it.” Greene said this year is lining up to be even better with more vendors.
“There will be 40-plus craft beer vendors that will have tents setup along the river,” Greene said. “Attendees will get a 4-ounce tasting glass.
They will get 2-ounce pours to taste different craft beers.”
Makers of craft beer will line Merchant’s Alley and stretch under the Bibb Graves Bridge.
“It goes into Gold Star Park a little bit,” Greene said. “That is where the food trucks will be.”
The event, which began in 2018, is 3 to 6 p.m. April 15.
General admission tickets are $45 and VIP tickets are $85. Those with VIP tickets get in an hour early, receive a t-shirt and have access to the VIP tent with food and specialty beers.
The 2023 CoosaPalooza Brewfest is an event for people 21 or older and is a rain or shine event with no refunds. Chairs, blankets and small bags are allowed. No outside food or beverages will be permitted.
up. He still watched the NFL, and he rooted for the Green Bay Packers while his father rooted for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Cash reward offered in Millbrook theft case
dise without paying and exited the business. The suspects were last seen entering a silver Dodge Charger and leaving in an unknown direction.
The Millbrook Police Department is investigating a second-degree theft of property case and seeks the public’s help in identifying the suspects. Millbrook investigators released a photo through CrimeStoppers of two unknown subjects wanted for a felony retail theft.
“The offense occurred, Friday, March 17 at Walmart [in], Millbrook,” according to a press release from CrimeStoppers. “Investigators say the suspects, an adult male and an adult female, entered the business, broke the glass on a display case and took four VR headsets, one gaming headset and one suitcase.”
The suspects left with the merchan-
Continued from A1
hours of the entertainment district,” Don Sawyer said.
Wetumpka resident Frances Skelton Jr. said enforcing the new hours will create a burden on the city and businesses.
“Under the right circumstances governance will become impossible in a seven-day-a-week situation,” Skelton said. “You concentrate [police] when you have a big event, but when nothing is going on, the governance becomes difficult to maintain.”
Skelton said the carrying of alcoholic beverages doesn’t create a good image for Wetumpka.
“I don’t think this is the direction we want to go in for having a place of family tourism,” Skelton said. “As people come to visit us, I don’t
both years.
To start the 2022 season, Troy moved from a spread to a pro offense and instilled a huddle before each play. Andrews moved from guard to starting center, and he had control over the offense.
While he was used to playing center and being the team’s swing center, he had to learn how to identify defenses and call out to his line, quarterback and running backs. He was the main guy communicating, and that was the biggest change and challenge for him.
Having experience at both positions gives him more versatility at the next level, and he’s had teams talk to him about playing just center and others talk to him about playing both for them.
“I think it really just depends on what team picks me,” Andrews said. “One of the keys about the NFL is you have to be versatile. I’ll never play offensive tackle because of my size, but guard and center is where I’m going to make my money. I think most of them want me to play both, but it’s just dependent on how I fit with them and their roster situation. I’m comfortable playing both positions.”
Andrews doesn’t have a preference for which team drafts him. He didn’t grow up as a massive NFL fan. He preferred college football.
As a University of Alabama fan, college football had a stranglehold on Andrews going
While he would love to play at Lambeau Field, either at home or on the road, he isn’t holding his breath on any specific teams.
He said he has about 10 teams who are very interested in him and have communicated with him and his agent a fair amount of times.
He could either end up close to home or as far as the west coast, and he knows anything can happen come draft day. Until that phone call comes and he’s told he’s joining an NFL team, there’s no relaxing in Andrews’ plans.
He’s going to continue working on getting in shape and plans to hit a rookie mini-camp as soon as he can. He’s getting back into football and offensive line shape.
While he would love to have his surreal “Welcome to the NFL” moment, it’s business as usual until he gets drafted. He’s treated every aspect of the pre-draft journey with a business-like mentality, and that’s why he’s risen across draft boards around the country. With only a few weeks until draft day, he’s maintaining that approach.
“I think it’ll hit when I get the phone call and I figure out where I’m going,” Andrews said. “It’ll get real when I step on the field as part of a 53-man roster and take reps as a starter. When that happens, I’ll finally have that ‘Welcome to the NFL’ type of moment. I have a long way to go for that, but that’s one of the things I’m looking forward to the most.”
“The suspects are wanted for second-degree theft of property, a Class C Felony,” CrimeStoppers said. “There is no other information available currently.”
Anyone with information regarding the identity of this suspect or his whereabouts is asked to call Police or CrimeStoppers using its 24-hour tip line at 334-215-STOP (7867) or 1-833-AL1STOP or download the P3-tips app. If anyone gives a tip, they are asked to make sure they receive a tip ID and password in order to dialog with investigators in case there is a follow-up question. A tip may lead to a cash reward.
think having an open drinking area is a good idea. I believe in the future we will want to expand it even more.” Sawyer had another request — to close Company Street during the April 22 Downtown Artists Art Show. Sawyer said he had signatures of all the downtown merchants on his petition supporting the effort.
“This show will have about 4,000 all on Company Street,” Sawyer said. “Foot traffic is everything to retail. It makes merchants money. It is safer for pedestrians. There will be a lot of children.”
There was no vote or discussion by the council on whether to close the street or not; there is one more meeting prior to the event.
IN OTHER ACTION THE WETUMPKA CITY COUNCIL:
• Approved minutes of
on a bigger scale than coaching, but the competitor and the coach in me just really wants to take this opportunity and run with it and see how far we can take Hooper.”
The decision to leave Edgewood Academy didn’t come easy for Free and his family.
Free began his time at Edgewood in 2017, when he was hired as the athletic director as well as coaching duties for football, boys and girls basketball, and softball. He served in that role for three years before taking a job at W.S. Neal.
From 2017-2020, Free helped lead the football team to 17 wins across his last two seasons while also leading the boys basketball team to a state championship in 2019.
He then returned in the 2021-2022 school year and took over the boys basketball position before taking over both the girls and boys teams this past year. This year, Free helped lead both teams to AISA Class AA state championships.
Serving in four different roles over the last six years and spending countless hours with the Edgewood students made the decision tough to make.
the March 20 meeting.
• Approved repairing a grapple truck.
• Approved a contract with YellowHouse Publishing for tourism services.
• Approved a contract with STAMP for an In-Market Action Plan Development for tourism.
• Approved a non-profit tax-exempt license for CoosaPalooza Brewfest.
• Approved two retail beer and wine off premises licenses for Shri Ganesh 21 Inc. at 602 U.S. Highway 231 and 779 U.S. Highway 231.
• Approved spending $6,420 to install concrete around the SplashPad.
• Renewed a contract with Axon Enterprise for $5,483 for the Wetumpka Police Department for maintenance and storage of video and of the department’s body cameras.
“It was a very tough decision,” Free said. “Edgewood is a great place with great people. The kids are fantastic and I’ve known all of these kids since they were in middle school or even younger. It’s a very hard choice. Meeting with them was a very hard thing to do, but that’s one side of it. On the other side, I see the possibilities over here and it was an opportunity that we decided to pursue.”
Free considers his coaching style to be one of a “builder” and that’s exactly what he’ll have to do at Hooper Academy as he gets started. The Colts went 5-14 last season and lost to Free’s Edgewood team twice in the regular season, once by 33 points and once by nine points. They reached the playoffs but were put out by Chambers Academy before they could reach the Elite Eight. Free said he is excited to build Hooper’s program from the ground up.
“I do like to take something and build it up,” Free said. “That’s a challenge that I’m excited about. I’m excited to watch them under a new system. It’s worked in the past, so I have no doubt that it’ll work here. This school has some great athletes and students and I’m excited to see them buy in to the program and see how far we can take Hooper Academy.”
The Millbrook Police Department is seeking the identity of two theft suspects.
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The CoosaPalooza Brewfest will feature more than 40 craft breweries who will host tastings in Merchants Alley. The event is the largest fundraiser for Main Street Wetumpka.
COUNCIL
Lake River & Classi eds
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The Greenville Advocate, located in beautiful and historic Greenville, Alabama, has an opening for a general assignment reporter to assist in covering a variety of news topics. Applicants must have experience in producing community journalism or experience in a candidate must be organized, have an optimistic personality, enjoy meeting new people, and understand what makes a community newspaper important to its readers. They must also enjoy small town life, getting involved in the community they serve while practicing true community journalism. Known as “Alabama’s Mayberry,” Greenville is centrally located in Alabama along Interstate 65, where residents enjoy small town living with easy access to larger cities like Montgomery, Birmingham, and the Alabama Gulf Coast. It’s also home to Cambrian Ridge, one of the stops on Alabama’s Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail. The position offers an excellent income, with health, dental, and vision insurance, 401K, and vacation. There’s also advancement opportunities within our parent company, Boone Newsmedia, Inc., which publishes more than 90 newspapers in 12 states. Applicants should contact Dennis Palmer, Publisher, at dennis.palmer@greenvilleadvocate.com or by calling 334-410-1712 for more information
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Elmore County, Alabama. Said Mortgage was last sold, assigned and transferred to Guild Mortgage Company LLC by assignment recorded in Deed Book 2022, Page 67878 in the of Elmore County, Alabama. The undersigned, Guild Mortgage Company LLC, under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in said mortgage, will sell at public outcry to the highest bidder for cash before the main entrance of the Court House in Elmore County, Alabama during the legal hours of sale (between 11am and 4pm), on the 16th day of March, 2023 the following property, situated in Elmore County, Alabama, to-wit: Lot 10, according to the as recorded in the Probate Ofin Plat Book 14, Page 28. Said property is commonly known as 23 Suncrest Ct, Deatsville, AL between the property address and the legal description the legal description will control. Said property will be sold subject to any outstanding ad valorem taxes (including taxes which are a lien, but not yet due and payable), the right of redemption of any taxing authority, all outstanding liens for public utilities which constitute liens upon the property, any matters which might be disclosed by an accurate survey and inspection of the property, any assessments, liens, encumbrances, easements, rights-of-way, zoning ordinances, restrictions, special assessments, covenants, the statutory right of redemption pursuant to Alabama law, and any matters of record including, but not limited to, those supeout above. Said property will be sold on an “as-is” basis without any representation, warranty or recourse against the abovenamed or the undersigned. The successful bidder must present of the winning bid at the time and place of sale. Alabama law gives some persons who have an interest in property the right to redeem the property under certain circumstances. Programs may also exist that help persons avoid or delay the foreclosure process. An attorney should be consulted to help you understand these rights and programs as a part of the foreclosure process. The sale will be conducted subject (1) to prohibited under the U.S. Bank-of the loan with the holder of the Mortgage. GUILD MORTGAGE COMPANY LLC as holder of said mortgage McCalla Raymer Leibert Pierce, LLC Two North Twentieth 2 20th Street North, Suite 1000 Birmingham, AL 35203 (800) 275-7171 FT21@mccalla.com File No. 22-03977AL
www.foreclosurehotline.net
AMENDMENT TO NOTICE OF MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE
The sale date under the above mentioned Notice of Mortgage Foreclosure Sale has been postponed until April 27, 2023, and public notice thereof having been given, the above notice is hereby republished with this amendment.
Wetumpka Herald: April 5, 2023 22-03977AL PUBLIC NOTICE
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gy
Inc., acting solely as nominee for First Choice Loan Services, Inc., on November 26, 2012, said mortgage recorded in the of Elmore County, Alabama,
Mortgagee/Transferee, under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in said mortgage, will sell at public outcry to the highest bidder for cash, in front of the main entrance of the Courthouse at Wetumpka, Elmore County, Alabama, on hours of sale, all of its rights, title, and interest in and to the following described real estate, situated in Elmore County, Alabama, to-wit: Commence at iron pin at the intersection of the West line of the Northeast quarter of the Northwest quarter Alabama, and the South right of seconds East, along said right
seconds East, along said right thence leaving said right of way, South 00 degrees 04 minutes
described property lies in the West quarter of the Northeast quarter of the Northwest quarter County, Alabama, and contains to ingress/egress
Rose Hill Road , Millbrook,
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p made for the purpose of
the
by said
of
as well as the
The
a non-refundable deposit of
time and place of the sale. The balance of the purchase price plus any deed recording costs and transfer taxes must be paid next business day at the Law at the address indicated below. the right to award the bid to the next highest bidder should the highest bidder fail to timely tender the total amount due. The Mortgagee/Transferee reserves the right to bid for and purchase the real estate and to credit its purchase price against the expenses of sale and the indebtedness secured by the real estate. This sale
Wetumpka Herald: 23-00594
PUBLIC NOTICE
In accordance with Chapter 1, Title 39, Code of Alabama, 1975, notice is hereby
Public Notices
ARE UNKNOWN, OF G.O.G. AND NOTICE TO ANY OTHER INTERESTED PARTY Take notice that a Petition for Adoption
TOPHER CHARLES NIEL AND CHRISTEN HARRISON NIEL, as Petitioners, for the adoptionGA SHANDRIA GOLSTON on right to contest this adoption.-
JOHN THORNTON PROBATE JUDGE ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA ROBERT M. ECHOLS, JR. 4 OFFICE PARK CIRCLE, BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA
A2023-008
OMEGA SHANDRIA GOLSTON, WHOSE WHEREABOUTS ARE UNKNOWN, THE MOTHER OF G.O.G. AND NOTICE TO THE FATHER, WHOSE IDENTITY AND WHEREABOUTS
PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF RONALD SYDNEY BRODERICK, DECEASED CASE NO. 2023-083 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE Letters Testamentary on the Estate of said decedent having been granted to PATRICIA N. LAWRENCE as Executrix on the 24th day of March, 2023, by the Honorable John Thornton, Judge of Probate of said County in said State, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said Estate are required to present same within the time allowed by law or the same will be barred. PATRICIA N. LAWRENCE EXECUTRIX OF THE ESTATE OF RONALD SYDNEY BRODERICK, DECEASED. Name and Address of Attorney: Regina B. Edwards, Esq. The Law Firm of Edwards & Edwards, P.C. 109 E. Bridge Street Wetumpka, AL 36092 Wetumpka Herald: Mar. 29, Apr. 5 and 12, 2023 EST/BRODERICK, R.
Tillman Infrastructure, LLC proposes to build a 330-foot Guyed Communications Tower at the approx. vicinity of 3017 Gray’s Ferry Road, Titus, Elmore County, Alabama, 36080. Public comments regarding potential effects from this site on historic properties may be submitted within 30 days from the date of this publication to: Trileaf Corp, Meagan Henderson, m.henderson@ trileaf.com, 1395 South Marietta Parkway, Building 400 Suite 209, Marietta, Georgia 30067 –(678) 653-8673
Wetumpka Herald: Apr. 5, 2023 70420 PUBLIC NOTICE
MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE.
Default having been made in the payment of the indebtedness secured by that certain mortgage executed by Jesse L. Graves Jr. and Jackie Graves, husband and wife, originally in favor of Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems
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must accompany the bidder’s proposal. Performance and Payment Bonds and evidence of insurance required in the bid documents will be required at the signing of the Contract. Bid Documents may be obtained digitally by submitting the Bid Documentation Request Form to the Architect. Partial sets of Bidding Documents will not be available from the Architect. Neither Owner or Architect will be responsible for full or partial sets of Bidding Documents, including Addenda if any, obtained from sources other the Architect. Bid Document Request Form can be acquired digitally by contacting the Architect at jstaples@sslarch. com. All other questions related to this bid should be directed to this same email address. Bids must be submitted on proposal forms furnished by the Architect or copies thereof. All bidders bidding in amounts exceeding that established by the State Licensing Board for General Contractors must be licensed under the provisions of Title 34, Chapter 8, Code of Alabama, evidence by clearly displaying his or her current license number on the outside of the sealed envelope in which the proposal is delivered. The Owner reserves the right to accept or reject any or all proposals and to waive technical errors if, in the Owner’s judgement, the best interests of the Owner will thereby be promoted. All bidders are advised to carefully read the Instructions to Bidders contained in the Contract Documents, which provisions and requirements are adopted herein by reference. Attendance at the MANDATORY PreBid Conference IS required for this Project: The Pre-Bid Conference will be held in the Elmore County Courthouse Courtroom at 100 E Commerce Street, Wetumpka, AL on Thursday, April 6 th , 2023 at 10:00 AM local time. An optional site visit will be held after the Pre-Bid Conference concludes.
Wetumpka Herald: BIDS/PHASE II PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF CLARENCE BOZEMAN, SR., DECEASED CASE NO: 2023-026 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF THE ESTATE
required under Phase II of the 17 Springs Multi Sport Complex, Bid Inquiry 2023-PW9 at which time and place they will be publicly opened and read. This bid is intended to comply with the Alabama Code Title 39, the Alabama Public Works Law. Bidders shall be required to comply with the provisions of Title 39 of the Alabama Code regardless if the requirement is explicitly detailed in the bid proposal or not. A cashier’s check or bid bond payable to Elmore County Commission Alabama and City of Millbrook, Alabama in an amount not the amount of the bid, but in no more than $10,000,
Letters of Administration over the Estate of CLARENCE BOZEMAN, SR., deceased, having been granted to CLARIANETTA BOZEMAN DAVIS on March 15, 2023 by John Thornton, Judge of Probate of Elmore County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons and parties having claims against said estate are required, within the time allowed by law, to present the same to the Court or the same will be barred.
CLARIANETTA BOZEMAN DAVIS ADMINISTRATOR OF THE ESTATE OF CLARENCE BOZEMAN, SR., DECEASED Name and Address of Attorney
Public Notices
y for Administrator: JACQUELINE E. AUSTIN ATTORNEY AT LAW P.O. BOX 908 108 COURT ST WETUMPKA, ALABAMA 36092 334-567-4874 jeaatty@aol.com
Wetumpka Herald: Mar. 22, 29 and Apr. 5, 2023
EST/BOZEMAN, SR. PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF WILLIAM HEPBURN BRASH, DECEASED CASE NO: 2023-031 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE
Letters Testamentary in the Estate of WILLIAM HEPBURN BRASH, deceased, having been granted to KATHERINE A. CARATZOLA on March 27, 2023 by John Thornton, Judge of Probate of Elmore County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons and parties having claims against said estate are required, within the time allowed by law, to present the same to the Court or the same will be barred.
KATHERINE A. CARATZOLA PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF WILLIAM HEPBURN BRASH, DECEASED Attorney of Record for Personal Representative: GERALD A. DANIEL, JR. LAW OFFICE OF G A DANIEL, JR. LLC P O BOX 638 MILLBROOK, ALABAMA 36054 334-285-9444 Jerry@GADanielLaw.com
Wetumpka Herald: Apr. 5, 12 and 19, 2023
EST/BRASH W. PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF CALLIE BARBER CROSBY, DECEASED CASE NO: 2022-170 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE
Letters of Administration with Will Annexed over the Estate of CALLIE BARBER CROSBY, deceased, having been granted to DAPHNE CROSBY on the 15th day of March 2023 by John Thornton, Judge of Probate of Elmore County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons and parties having claims against said estate are required, within the time allowed by law, to present the same to the Court or the same will be barred.
DAPHNE CROSBY ADMINISTRATOR OF THE ESTATE OF CALLIE BARBER CROSBY, DECEASED
Name and Address of Attorney for Administrator: RODERICK B. PERDUE ATTORNEY AT LAW 2033 HOLTVILLE ROAD
WETUMPKA, ALABAMA 36092
334-567-7373
Wetumpka Herald: Mar. 22, 29 and Apr. 5, 2023
EST/CROSBY, C.
PUBLIC NOTICE
IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF GEORGE FARRELL, JR., DECEASED CASE NO: 2022-330 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE
Letters Testamentary in the Estate of GEORGE FARRELL, JR., deceased, having been granted to LAURA LANGSTON on March 23, 2023 by John Thornton, Judge of Probate of Elmore County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons and parties having claims against said estate are required, within the time allowed by law, to present the same to the Court or the same will be barred.
LAURA LANGSTON PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF GEORGE FARRELL, JR., DECEASED
Public Notices
Attorney of Record for Personal Representative: D. JASON BRITT STONE, BRITT & WEBB, LLC ATTORNEYS & COUNSELORS AT LAW 114 S MAIN ST PO BOX 967 WETUMPKA, ALABAMA 36092 334-517-6520
Wetumpka Herald: Mar. 29, Apr. 5 and 12, 2023
EST/FARRELL, G.
PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF GARY CORNELIUS GEER, DECEASED. CASE NO. 2023-072 NOTICE OF FILING OF WILL FOR PROBATE TO: TANYA GEER WRIGHT JAMES and THOMAS GEER NON-RESIDENTS OF THE STATE OF ALABAMA AND NEXT OF KIN OF GARY CORNELIUS GEER; AND TO: ANY OTHER UNKNOWN NEXT OF KIN OF GARY CORNELIUS GEER, DECEASED AND TO: ANY OTHER INTERESTED PARTY YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that on March 10, 2023, a certain paper in writing purporting to be the Last Will and Testament of GARY CORNELIUS the Probate Court of Elmore County, Alabama by JERRY GEER, Petitioner, requesting that such Last Will and Testament be admitted to Probate and Record and that the Petitioner be named as Personal Representative of such Estate. This notice of Filing of Will for Probate is given to you as a next-of-kin of GARY CORNELIUS GEER or as an interested party. Unless an objection to admission to Probate and Record of such Last Will and Testament is submitted by you in writing to this Court within ten (10) days oftice, the Court will proceed with considering such Petition without further notice to you.
Name and Address of Attorney for Petitioner:
JEFFREY J. COURTNEY COURTNEY & MANN, LLP PO BOX 100 WETUMPKA, ALABAMA 36092 334-567-2545
JOHN THORNTON
JUDGE OF PROBATE ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA
Wetumpka Herald: Mar. 22, 29 and Apr. 5, 2023
EST/GEER, G. PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF RANDALL KYLE HUDSON, DECEASED CASE NO: 2023-082 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE
Letters of Administration over the Estate of Randall Kyle Hudson, deceased,, having been granted to VICKY HUDSON on March, 27, 2023 by John Thornton, Judge of Probate of Elmore County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons and parties having claims against said estate are required, within the time allowed by law, to present the same to the Court or the same will be barred.
VICKY HUDSON ADMINISTRATOR OF THE ESTATE OF RANDALL KYLE HUDSON, DECEASED Name and Address of Attorney for Administrator: NICOLAS A. GUITIERREZ ATTORNEY AT LAW 2131 MAGNOLIA AVENUE, SUITE 20 BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA 35205 205-328-2200
Wetumpka Herald: Apr. 5, 12 and 19, 2023
EST/HUDSON, R.
PUBLIC NOTICE
Public Notices
LOGAN, deceased, having been granted to BECKY LOGAN MURCHISON on March 24, 2023 by John Thornton, Judge of Probate of Elmore County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons and parties having claims against said estate are required, within the time allowed by law, to present the same to the Court or the same will be barred.
BECKY LOGAN MURCHISON ADMINISTRATOR OF THE ESTATE OF BRENDA JOYCE LOGAN, DECEASED Name and Address of Attorney for Administrator: D. JASON BRITT STONE, BRITT & WEBB, LLC ATTORNEYS & COUNSELORS AT LAW 114 S MAIN ST P O BOX 967 WETUMPKA, ALABAMA 36092 334-517-6520
Wetumpka Herald: Mar. 29, Apr. 5 and 12, 2023 EST/LOGAN, B.
PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF MICHAEL SHANE LUSTER, DECEASED CASE NO: 2023-073 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE
Letters of Administration over the Estate of MICHAEL SHANE LUSTER, deceased, having been granted to ANDRA JEAN LUSTER on March 15, 2023 by John Thornton, Judge of Probate of Elmore County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons and parties having claims against said estate are required, within the time allowed by law, to present the same to the Court or the same will be barred.
ANDRA JEAN LUSTER
ADMINISTRATOR OF THE ESTATE OF MICHAEL SHANE LUSTER, DECEASED
Name and Address of Attorney for Administrator: D. JASON BRITT STONE, BRITT & WEBB, LLC
ATTORNEYS & COUNSELORS AT LAW 114 S MAIN ST PO BOX 967 WETUMPKA, ALABAMA 36092 334-517-6520
Wetumpka Herald: Mar. 22, 29 and Apr. 5, 2023
EST/LUSTER, M. PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF BETTY C. MANN, DECEASED CASE NO. 2023-080 NOTICE OF FILING OF WILL AND PETITION FOR PROBATE
TO: ALL HEIRS AND NEXT OF KIN OF BETTY C. MANN, DECEASED: YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that on the 16th day of March 2023, a certain paper in writing purporting to be the Last Will and Testament of BETTY C. MANN, deceased, andbate Court of Elmore County, Alabama by Petitioner, DIANN HARRIS, requesting that such Last Will and Testament be admitted to Probate and that the Petitioner be named as Personal Representative of such Estate. This Notice of Filing of Will for Probate is given to you as an heir at law and next of kin of BETTY C. MANN Unless an objection to admission to Probate of such Last Will and Testament is submitted by you in writing to this Court within ten (10] days oftice, the Court will proceed with considering such Petition.
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PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF MALCOLM AUGUSTA SMITH, JR., DECEASED CASE NO: 2023-030 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE
Letters Testamentary in the Estate of MALCOLM AUGUSTA SMITH, JR., deceased, having been granted to JESSIE SMITH McMILLION on March 29, 2023 by John Thornton, Judge of Probate of Elmore County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons and parties having claims against said estate are required, within the time allowed by law, to present the same to the Court or the same will be barred. JESSIE SMITH McMILLION PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF MALCOLM AUGUSTA SMITH, JR., DECEASED Attorney of Record for Personal Representative: REGINA EDWARDS LAW OFFICES OF EDWARDS & EDWARDS. P.C. 109 EAST BRIDGE STREET WETUMPKA, ALABAMA 36092 334-514-1011 Wetumpka Herald: Apr. 5, 12 and 19, 2023 EST/SMITH JR. PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF MARY GARNETT TRANTHAM, DECEASED. CASE NO. 2023071 NOTICE OF FILING OF WILL FOR PROBATE TO: MITSI BOYD JAMES (RIVES), A NON-RESIDENT OF THE STATE OF ALABAMA AND A NEXT OF KIN OF MARY GARNETT TRANTHAM; AND TO: ANY OTHER UNKNOWN NEXT OF KIN OF MARY GARNETT TRANTHAM, DECEASED YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that on March 10, 2023, a certain paper in writing purporting to be the Last Will and Testament of MARY GARNETT TRANTHAM, deceased, of Elmore County, Alabama bytitioner, requesting that such Last Will and Testament betative of such Estate. This nogiven to you as a next-of-kin of MARY GARNETT TRANTHAM. Unless an objection to admissuch Last Will and Testament is submitted by you in writing to this Court within ten (10) days notice, the Court will proceed without further notice to you. JOHN THORNTON ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA Name and Address of Attorney FRANK E. BANKSTON, JR. ATTORNEY AT LAW MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA
Wetumpka Herald: EST/TRANTHAM, M. PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF KAREN CANNON WARD, DECEASED CASE NO: 2023-035 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE
IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF SANDRA SUE JOHNSTON, DECEASED CASE NO. 2023- 079 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE
Letters Testamentary on the Estate of said decedent having been granted to KELLY GENE JOHNSTON as Executor on the 22 nd day of March 2023, by the Honorable JOHN THORNTON, Judge of Probate of said County in said State, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said Estate are required to present same within the time allowed by law or the same will be barred.
KELLY GENE JOHNSTON EXECUTOR OF THE ESTATE OF SANDRA SUE JOHNSTON, DECEASED. Name and Address of Attorney: Regina B. Edwards, Esq. The Law Firm of Edwards & Edwards, P.C. 109 E. Bridge Street
Wetumpka, AL 36092
JOHN THORNTON JUDGE OF PROBATE ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA Name and Address of Attorney for Petitioner: REGINA B. EDWARDS, ESQ. The Law Firm of Edwards & Edwards, PC 109 East Bridge Street Wetumpka, AL 36092 (334) 514-1011 Wetumpka Herald: Mar. 22, 29 and Apr. 5, 2023 EST/MANN, B. PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF LEMOYNE ROBINSON, DECEASED CASE NO: 2023-090 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE
Letters Testamentary in the Estate of KAREN CANNON WARD, deceased, having been granted to JENNIFER WARD LAMMON on March 16, 2023 by John Thornton, Judge of Probate of Elmore County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons and parties having claims against said estate are required, within the time allowed by law, to present the same to the Court or the same will be barred.
JENNIFER WARD LAMMON PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF KAREN CANNON WARD, DECEASED Attorney of Record for Personal Representative: THOMAS C TANKERSLEY ATTORNEY AT LAW PO BOX 11386 MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA 36111 334-819-7890
Wetumpka Herald: Mar. 22, 29 and Apr. 5, 2023
Wetumpka Herald: Mar. 29, Apr. 5 and 12, 2023
EST/JOHNSTON S.
PUBLIC NOTICE
IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF BRENDA JOYCE LOGAN, DECEASED CASE NO: 2023-087 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE
Letters of Administration over the Estate of BRENDA JOYCE
Letters Testamentary in the Estate of LEMOYNE ROBINSON, deceased, having been granted to LAMAR ROBINSON on March 29, 2023 by John Thornton, Judge of Probate of Elmore County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons and parties having claims against said estate are required, within the time allowed by law, to present the same to the Court or the same will be barred.
LAMAR ROBINSON PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF LEMOYNE ROBINSON, DECEASED Attorney of Record for Personal Representative: RODERICK B. PERDUE ATTORNEY AT LAW 2033 HOLTVILLE ROAD WETUMPKA, ALABAMA 36092 334-567-7373 Wetumpka Herald: Apr. 5, 12 and 19, 2023 EST/ROBINSON, L.
EST/WARD, K. PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF CURTIS JEROME WASHINGTON, SR., DECEASED CASE NO: 2023-027 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE
Letters of Administration over the Estate of CURTIS JEROME WASHINGTON, SR., deceased, having been granted to PHYLLIS K. WASHINGTON on March, 14, 2023 by John Thornton, Judge of Probate of Elmore County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons and parties having claims against said estate are required, within the time allowed by law, to present the same to the Court
ROAD WETUMPKA, ALABAMA 36092 334-567-7373
Wetumpka Herald:
Mar. 22, 29 and Apr. 5, 2023
EST/WASHINGTON, C. PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF JULIA MAE WOODFIN, CASE NO: 2023-047 DECEASED NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE
Letters Testamentary in the Estate of JULIA MAE WOODFIN, deceased, having been granted to LORETTA J. WOODFIN and BEVERLY WOODFIN PUGH on the 24 th day of March, 2023 by John Thornton, Judge of Probate of Elmore County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons and parties having claims against said estate are required, within the time allowed by law, to present the same to the Court or the same will be barred.
LORETTA J. WOODFIN and BEVERLY WOODFIN PUGH CO-PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ESTATE OF JULIA MAE WOODFIN, DECEASED Attorney of Record for such Co-Personal Representatives:
REGINA EDWARDS LAW OFFICES OF EDWARDS & EDWARDS P.C. 109 EAST BRIDGE STREET WETUMPKA, ALABAMA 36092 334-514-1011 Wetumpka Herald:
Mar. 29, Apr. 5 and 12, 2023
EST/WOODFIN J. PUBLIC NOTICE PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE MILLBROOK, ALABAMA CITY COUNCIL
In accordance with the recompiled Constitution of the State of Alabama, Section 94.01, notice is hereby given of a public hearing of the Millbrook, Alabama, City Council to be held at 3900 Grandview Road, Millbrook, Alabama 36054, at 6:00 o’clock pm on Tuesday, April 11, 2023. The purpose of the hearing is to receive public comments on a Resolution to Approve Section 94.01(a)(3) Distributions. The City of Millbrook proposes to make Section 94.01(a)(3) distributions to support economic and/or industrial development with the objective of promoting public health, safety, morals,
Public Notices
py security, prosperity, contentment, and the general welfare of the community. Said distributions are proposed to The W.E.L.C.O.M.E Center, The City of Millbrook proposes to lend its credit or grant public funds or thing of value to the aforementioned entity and/or agency to serve a public purpose.
City of Millbrook, Alabama c/o Kelly Lee, City Attorney 3160 Main Street Millbrook, AL 36054
Wetumpka Herald: Apr. 5, 2023
HEARING PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE JUVENILE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF: Neveah Hall CASE No. JU-2020-137.04
NOTICE OF PETITION FOR TERMINATION OF PARENTAL RIGHTS
TO: Madison Thompson (Mother)and Edward M. Hall (Father)
You are hereby given notice that Elmore County Department of Human Resources requesting that your parental rights be terminated to NEVEAH N. HALL, born on March 26, 2017, at Baptist Medical Center East in Montgomery, Alabama. You are hereby given notice that you are the Clerk of the Juvenile Court and with the Petitioner’s attorney, Alan H. Polson, Alabama State Department of Human Box 304000, Montgomery, Alabama 36130, within fourteen (14) days of the date of the last publication of this notice or a default judgment can be entered been set for May 17, 2023, at 1:30 P.M. at the Elmore County Judicial Complex in Wetumpka, Alabama. You may appear and contest the same if you choose. ELMORE COUNTY DISTRICT CLERK
Wetumpka Herald: Mar. 22, 29, Apr. 5 and 12, 2023
JU-2020-137.04 PUBLIC NOTICE ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS RE-ROOFING HOLTVILLE MIDDLE SCHOOL FOR THE ELMORE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION WETUMPKA, AL Project No: 23-147
The sealed proposal shall be received by Mr. Richard Dennis, Superintendent, at the Elmore County Public Schools
Wetumpka, Alabama, Phone: 2:00 PM Central Time, Tuesday, April 11, 2023, then opened and read aloud for the above referenced project. A Pre-Bid Walkthrough shall occur at 10:00 AM Central Time on Wednesday, March 29, 2023
Public Notices
y,
school. All General Contractors bidding these projects shall be required to visit the site(s) and examine all existing conditions prior to submitting their proposal, prior to visit. The project shall be bid excluding taxes. Bids must be submitted on proposal forms furnished by the Architect or copies thereof. No bid may be withdrawn after scheduled closing for receipt of bids for The Owner reserves the right to reject any or all proposals and to waive technical errors if, in the Owners judgment, the best interests of the Owner will thereby be promoted. A payable to Elmore County School District in an amount of the amount of the bid, but in must accompany the bidder’s proposal. Performance and statutory labor and material payment bonds will be required at the signing of the Contract. All bidders bidding in amounts exceeding that established by the State Licensing Board for General Contractors must be licensed under the provisions of Title 34, Chapter 8, Code show evidence of license before bidding or bid will not be received or considered by the Architect. All bidders shall show such evidence by clearly displaying current license number on the outside of the sealed envelope in which the proposal is delivered. PDFs of the project can be reviewed by going to the McKee website @ www.mckeeassoc. com and selecting “Project Bid List”. Also, if you are not receiving NOTIFICATIONS from us, please register on our website, “Project Bid List” by selecting manage your bid may be viewed on-line and printed by General Contractors, SubContractors and Suppliers. Documents published through this procedure are the only documents endorsed by the Architect. The Architect is
Public Notices
and maintain other websites that provide documents. Addendums will be provided to entities that have CONFIRMED bidding for this particular project. The Architect retains ownership and copyrights of the documents. If bidders require printed sets, please submit request to the Architect at mckeeplans@gmail.com . company name, address, phone number and the project name and number. Print sets are to be returned in reusable condition within ten days after bid opening. All RFIs and RFAs regarding the bid documents shall be sent and addressed through emails found on the RFI and RFA forms in the project manual. NOTE: ONLY THE RFI AND RFA FORMS IN THE PROJECT MANUAL WILL BE ACCEPTED. The Architect will not accept inquiries via telephone or fax. Completion Time: See scope of work in Project Manual. Supervision: Contractor to ensure proper supervision for all work.
Owner: Mr. Richard Dennis, Superintendent, Elmore County Robison Drive, Wetumpka, Phone Architect: McKee and 834-9933
PROJECT 23-147
PUBLIC NOTICE
ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS GYMNASIUM FLOOR REPLACEMENT AT HOLTVILLE HIGH SCHOOL FOR THE ELMORE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION WETUMPKA, AL Project No: 23-157
The sealed proposal shall be received by Mr. Richard Dennis, Superintendent, at the Elmore County Public Schools
Public Notices
y Wetumpka, Alabama, Phone: 2:00 PM Central Time, Tuesday, April 11, 2023, then opened and read aloud for the above referenced project. A Pre-Bid Walkthrough shall occur at 9:00 AM Central Time on Wednesday, March 29, 2023. the school. All General Contractors bidding these projects shall be required to visit the site(s) and examine all existing conditions prior to submitting their proposal, prior to visit. The project shall be bid excluding taxes. Bids must be submitted on proposal forms furnished by the Architect or copies thereof. No bid may be withdrawn after scheduled closing for receipt days. The Owner reserves the right to reject
Public Notices
Elmore County baseball clinches playoff berth
By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor
The Elmore County baseball team is headed back to the playoffs.
After missing last year’s postseason, Elmore County returns for the first time since 2021 and only the second time since 2013.
The Panthers swept Brewbaker Tech, 12-4, 9-1 and 11-1 last week in Class 5A Area 4 action. With Area 4 being only a threeteam region, Elmore County holds the tiebreaker, which means it’s guaranteed a spot in the playoffs.
“It really just takes the pressure off the guys when you know you’re in,” ECHS coach Michael Byrd said. “The goal all along was to win the area and host and make a run.
Once you know you’re in, a little pressure comes off. We know what we need to work on and we have some time to do it before the postseason.”
Elmore County (14-6, 3-0) lost its last two games of Spring Break before turning its sights towards the area series with Brew Tech. Those two losses lingered over into the first game, and Elmore County found itself tied with Brew Tech, 4-4, after three unearned runs in four innings in Game 1.
The bats then woke up and Elmore County walked away with a 12-4 win and a 1-0 lead in the series. In a doubleheader Thursday, the Panthers wasted no time, scoring seven runs in the first two innings.
Following the hot start, they went on to outscore Brew Tech 20-2 on the day.
“I thought we came out a little flat early in the first game,” Byrd said of the series. “We came out and tried to do a little too much and played with them. Then about the fourth or fifth inning, we changed strat -
egies and started playing well. We started rolling and got a little confidence. In the last two games, I thought we played well all day. Just getting a win changes our minds a little bit and makes us feel a little better about ourselves.”
While the offense scored 34 runs in the series, it was the pitching that really impressed Byrd.
The Elmore County skipper was confident in his main three starting pitchers entering the season, and all of the “Big 3” performed at the level they can this week.
Payton Hall took the mound in Game 1, allowing only one earned run (three unearned) as he struck out 13 batters and gave up four hits in 6 ⅔ innings.
Cooper Hall followed that performance with a complete game, allowing only two hits and one earned run while striking out eight batters in Game 2. In Game 3, Brandon White also tossed a complete game, fanning 12 of the 15 batters he got out and not allowing an earned run. It was the best threegame stretch for Byrd’s starting pitchers all season.
“It was good to see them pitch well,” Byrd said. “Brandon has dominating stuff and he believes in himself and he pitched with confidence in his game. That was really nice to see. The big thing is they all threw with confidence. Our defense is really good and they pitch knowing that. We’re eventually going to score some runs so just throwing strikes is the key to us.”
Elmore County now gets a week off from area play while Tallassee and Brew Tech play their area series. The Panthers will play some non-area games before hosting Tallassee on Tuesday.
Songwriter’s Festival becoming a real hit
By ABIGAIL MURPHY Multimedia reporter
The summer long days will soon bring music-filled nights with the Lake Martin Songwriter’s Festival.
GETTING READY
While the festival won’t be here until July, the committee members already start planning in January. Although according to Tallapoosa County Tourism director Sandra Fuller, they probably never stopped.
“When we get finished at the end of July, we're already trying to recruit songwriters and figure out what we need to do differently before we even start meeting,” Fuller said.
The first year of the festival, Fuller said there were about 12 applicants, the second year about 70 and this year there were 120 applications sent in, but only 20 or so slots are available.
“You're reading every bit of their bios, you're listening to their music, you listen to how they sing, to how they perform — and everybody on board is doing that,” Fuller said. “Then we're all getting together and we're going, ‘OK, now we got to pick 20 or 25 people.’ For me, the hardest part is replying back to all the ones that you didn’t pick, especially when there are some amazing artists.”
While they are going through the applications, committee members also are recruiting the headliners for the festival. However, once they figure out who all is performing they then have to set up lodging for the artists and plan out the venues.
This year, the festival has 12 venues around the lake including Bluff’s Daiquiri Bar at Harbor Point, Chuck’s, Copper’s Grill at Stillwaters, The Destination Southwind Stage, Lake Martin Pizza, Lakeside at Bay Pines, The Local at 41 Main, Niffer’s at Lake Martin, Russell Crossroads, The Social at Lake Martin, Wind Creek State Park and Zazu’s Verandah.
Fuller explained each songwriter will play at three different venues throughout the week. The venues also act as sponsors, or partners, because rather than the venue paying the songwriter directly, it goes to Tallapoosa Tourism, which then pays the songwriter the agreed upon fee.
Another part of the agreement is a radius clause, where the songwriter cannot play within a 100-mile radius 60 days before the event. Fuller said this is done so
when the artist plays for the festival it is a special occasion. Unfortunately, this does deter local songwriters from participating.
So, this year there will be a local’s stage added, which Fuller said is something she has been wanting to include ever since the festival first started. The local’s application is currently open for any artist in a 50-mile radius of the Tallapoosa County Courthouse.
FROM GRASSROOTS TO WIDELY KNOWN
The idea of the songwriter’s festival came from one night listening to music at The Mitchell House as a part of a songwriter’s retreat.
Mitchell House owner Vivian Autry said she and Fuller were just listening to the music and they started talking about how cool it would be to have a songwriter’s festival like 30A or Key West.
Six months later, Fuller was pitching the idea to the Tallapoosa County Commissioners, Autry was recruiting people to be on the committee and before they knew it the Lake Martin Songwriters Festival was coming to life.
“We've gone from zero to 60 in three years and it's just a testament to how well our board works together,” Autry said. “We're taking everybody's strengths and using those strengths and making something really big — that not just Dadeville, not just Alex city (but) all of Lake Martin can be proud of.”
For 2023, the committee members of the Lake Martin Songwriter’s board is made up of seven individuals: Autry, Robert Gunn with Russell Lands; Steven Pace with The Pace Place; Trey
Fuller said on her end, the songwriter’s festival was part of the key she had been looking for. She said some places have cotton festivals, others have peanut festivals, but what was this area’s thing — turns out it was music.
“Last year, we figured out that we had roughly, going to venues, between 2,500 and 3,000 (attendees). We definitely hope that increases. Honestly, I probably couldn't even put a number on it but I will say that every venue was full,” Fuller said. “My goal always is also to bring in people that are not from here to spend their week here and let that be the vacation they pick.”
Fuller said the committee also sent out a survey in 2022 and estimated 12% of attendees responded to the survey. Of that 12%, more than half of the attendees were not from the Lake Martin area.
Fuller explained this helps drive the local economy because visitors are not just listening to music; they are staying in hotels, eating at restaurants and shopping in the area.
“The one thing that we wanted out of the Lake Martin Songwriter’s Festival is that it wasn't a one location event,” Fuller said. “It happened across the county and the Lake Martin area.”
This year’s songwriter’s festival is set for July 26 - 30. Some of the artists announced so far include Keith Stegall, William Michael Morgan, Marla Cannon-Goodman and Kyle Wilson.
DALTON MIDDLETON | THE HERALD
TOP: Elmore County shortstop makes a play to get a Brewbaker Tech base runner out. The star shortstop had three hits and scored five runs in the series.
ABOVE: Elmore County’s Cooper Rogers pitches against Brewbaker Tech. The senior southpaw pitched a complete game and struck out eight batters in the matchup.
Foshee with Blackberry Breeze; Stacey Jeffcoat with The Local; Keith Hiett with Copper’s Grill; and Skip Courtney with The Destination.
FILE | THE HERALD Singers and songwriters from around the South have already applied to be a part of this year’s Lake Martin Songwriter’s Festival.