Tallassee Tribune April 24 2024

Arrests made in February for death of Tallassee teenager

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

Three individuals have been arrested and charged in the shooting death of 16-year-old

Jeffrey Thompson of Tallassee. More arrests are expected. Thompson was killed Feb. 16 in Tuskegee, Tuskegee police chief Jennifer Jordan and 5th Judicial Circuit District Attorney

Mike Segrest said in a statement. Jordan and Segrest did not release names of those arrested. According to court records, Takeo Malikque Potts, 19, of Tallassee was arrested Monday

in connection to the death of Thompson and charged with reckless murder. Court records do not indicate a bond amount. Names of the other two arrested could not yet be found in court records. “More warrants have been issued and more arrests are imminent,” Segrest said. “More information will be made available when appropriate.”

HALL OF PRIDE INDUCTEE NEVER LET OBSTACLES STOP HER

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

J-O-A-N

It is how you spell determination for anyone who knows Joan O’Daniel.

O’Daniel wasn’t given much of a chance but her grit, determination and belief in God was all she needed.

O’Daniel wasn’t expected to live long after birth. She beat

the odds as she was successful in school and became a librarian, inspiring others as she overcame challenge after challenge. Her biography was all that was needed for her to be selected as one of the Tallassee High School Alumni Association Hall of Pride Class of 2024 Inductees.

“I had many obstacles to overcome,” O’Daniel said.

“With the help of my family

CLIFF WILLIAMS TPI

and God I was able to overcome.”

At birth O’Daniel’s umbilical cord was wrapped around her neck seven times. Doctors didn’t give her much of a chance to even live, but she proved them wrong. Eventually, she was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, but even that didn’t stop her.

See INDUCTEE, Page A6

Joan O’Daniel, left, speaks to members of the crowd after she was inducted into the Tallassee High School Alumni Association Hall of Pride. O’Daniel was recognized for not giving up when she had every opportunity to.

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

Law enforcement hopes the public can aid in the search for a missing person.

The Tallassee Police Department is searching for Michael Randall Thompson, 60. According to Tallassee police chief Todd Buce, Thompson was last seen about 1 p.m. Sunday near Eclectic.

“On Wednesday, his wallet and possible blood

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

stains were located at his residence on Clover Lane,” Buce said. Over the weekend his red 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee, license plate A0B020T was found in Macon County unoccupied.

Thompson is about 5-foot-5 tall and weighs about 135 pounds.

Anyone with information about Thompson is asked to call the Tallassee Police Department at 334283-6586.

Quality of life projects to begin in fall

Work to install new artificial turf fields in Eclectic, Holtville and Tallassee will begin in earnest in October as part of the Phase 2 Quality of Life projects funded by the Elmore County Commission. All of the work is on property owned by the Elmore County Board of Education and Tallassee City Schools. Elmore County Tallassee police searching for a missing person

Michael Randall Thompson

Tallassee woman arrested for trafficking fentanyl

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

A traffic stop for law enforcement turned into a drug seizure and arrest in Tallassee.

During the stop, 6 grams of fentanyl, 1 gram of crack cocaine and 14 grams of marijuana was taken off the streets. Daphne Stokes, 48, of Tallassee was at the wheel of a Mazda Tribute when Alabama Drug Task Force officers noticed Stokes failed to signal

Police Reports

TALLASSEE POLICE DEPARTMENT

APRIL 21

• A juvenile complaint was reported on Third Avenue.

• Breaking and entering of a vehicle was reported on Gilmer Avenue.

• A juvenile complaint was on Cotton Ridge Road.

• Animal control was requested on Gilmer Avenue.

• Harassment was reported on South Tallassee Drive.

• A suspicious vehicle was reported on Highway 229.

• A suspicious vehicle was reported on Gilmer Avenue.

• Reckless driving was reported on Highway 229.

APRIL 20

• Assistance was given to a citizen on Gilmer Avenue.

• A welfare check was conducted on Highway 14.

• A welfare check was conducted on South Wesson Street.

• A noise complaint was reported on Evergreen Street.

• Reckless driving was reported on Caldwell Street.

• A Black male was arrested on Dark Corners Road.

• A Black female was arrested on Kent Road.

• A juvenile complaint was reported on Cotton Ridge Road.

on Gilmer Avenue in Tallassee. “Stokes was stammering, shaking and appeared to be looking around the vehicle,” court records state.

When Stokes’ identification was run through dispatch, it was discovered the license had been revoked. Stokes agreed to a search of the vehicle where a box was

• A juvenile complaint was reported on Dorman Avenue.

• A juvenile complaint was reported on Ransom Drive.

• Assistance was given to a citizen on Washington Street.

• A welfare check was conducted on Central Boulevard.

APRIL 19

• Theft was reported on Barnett Boulevard.

• Gunfire was reported on Hillcrest Street.

• Burglary was reported on Barnett Boulevard.

• Debris was reported in the roadway on Barnett Boulevard.

• Harassment was reported on Third Avenue.

• A domestic dispute was reported on Jefferson Street.

• An animal complaint was reported on Alber Drive.

• An animal complaint was reported on Gilmer Avenue.

• A suspicious vehicle was reported on Gilmer Avenue.

APRIL 18

• A noise complaint was reported on First Avenue.

• A private property motor vehicle accident was reported on Gilmer Avenue.

• A white female was arrested on U.S. Highway 231.

• Theft was reported on Indian Trail.

• A domestic dispute was reported on Sims Avenue.

• Harassing communications was reported on South

Tallassee Drive. APRIL 17

located in the back with the drugs. At the Tallassee Police Department, Stokes admitted to law enforcement she knew narcotics were in the box. Stokes was booked into the Elmore County Jail on April 11 for trafficking fentanyl, possession of a controlled substance and first-degree possession of marijuana. Martin has a $1,530,000 bond available to her. According to court records, Martin has filed a motion herself asking a judge to lower her bond.

• A domestic incident was reported on Floyd Lane.

• Property damage was reported on Friendship Road.

• A missing person was reported on Clover Street.

• A domestic dispute was reported on Weldon Road.

• Property damage was reported on Highway 229.

APRIL 16

• Harassment was reported on Third Avenue.

• Assistance was given to a motorist on Gilmer Avenue.

• A child custody dispute was reported on Hunters Ridge.

• A motor vehicle accident was reported on Gilmer Avenue.

• An abandoned vehicle was reported on Highway 229.

• Harassment was reported on Third Avenue.

• Assistance was given to a motorist on Highway 229.

• Assistance was given to another agency on South Ann Avenue.

• Animal control was requested on East Roosevelt Street.

• A Black male was arrested on U.S. Highway 231.

• Debris was reported in the roadway on Kent Road.

• Animal control was requested on Clay Street.

• Assistance was given during a medical call on

Sydney is an 18-pound male Terrier mix, who is not quite 9 years old. He’s black with distinguished gray features. He was found as a stray but the owner never responded. Sydney is good with children and good with other dogs though can be a bit bossy at times and we think he is housetrained. He was heartworm positive but completed his treatment earlier this month so is now ready to go. Like all dogs, he has to be kept on heartworm prevention without fail or he can get them all over again!

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

Fourth Street.

• Debris was reported in the roadway on Gilmer Avenue.

• Animal control was requested on Gilmer Avenue.

• Assistance was given to a motorist on Gilmer Avenue.

APRIL 15

• Disorderly conduct was reported on Gilmer Avenue.

• An animal complaint was reported on Orchard Drive.

• Animal control was requested on Orchard Drive and Seventh Street.

• A vehicle blocking the roadway was reported on Upper River Road.

• A domestic dispute was reported on Third Avenue.

• Property damage was reported on Friendship Road.

• A Black male was arrested on U.S. Highway 231.

• Assistance was given to a motorist on Gilmer Avenue.

• A disorderly subject was reported on Barnett Boulevard.

• A Black male was arrested on Barnett Boulevard.

• An abandoned vehicle was reported on Recreation Center Drive.

• A shooting was reported on Third Avenue.

• Debris was reported in the roadway on Gilmer

See REPORTS, Page A3

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 334567-3377 and the website is www.elmorehumane.org.

STOKES

Pet of the Week — Sydney

Humane Society of Elmore County News

Volunteers are the heart of the shelter

By REA CORD HSEC Executive Director

This week is National Volunteer Appreciation Week and we certainly want all of our volunteers to know how much we appreciate them. While our staff has animal care needs covered, our volunteers help in so many other areas that keep us going.

Our single largest income source is our Tail’s End Thrift Store which is run entirely by volunteers and we can never thank them enough. Our thrift store volunteers work incredibly hard receiving donations, processing and getting donations ready for sale, and/or manning the sales desk. It takes a lot of physical work and time to keep our thrift store

going and are indebted to each and every volunteer who make our thrift store possible.

Our board of directors are all volunteers who take on the responsibility of ensuring the financial health of and the future of our shelter and work tirelessly behind the scenes. We so appreciate their hard work and representation of our shelter throughout the community.

Volunteers who help us exercise the dogs at the shelter get lots of doggy kisses and muddy footprints and their dedication helps ensure the physical and mental health of our dogs - we are indebted to their willingness to get down and dirty by spending time with our dogs.

Fosters are also invaluable volunteers who save

lives by bringing young and old, scared and shy pets into their homes until they are ready to find those new and forever homes. Fostering is simultaneously heartwarming and heartbreaking work as all fosters fall in love with fostered pets and then cry happy tears when they go on to new lives with loving families. Our fosters are side by side partners with our staff as we all work to help pets to new and better second lives.

Our volunteer photographers help us get our adoptable pets seen by a virtually unlimited pool of candidates as their photos are posted and shared all over the internet. We can promise that our pet adoptions are hugely successful because of their talent and dedica-

tion to doing all it takes to get those adorable and eye-catching photos of sometimes less than cooperative clients. Volunteers also help us by helping at off-site adoption events, by helping with the setup and running of Shelter events and so much more. Reality is that as a non-profit organization, our Volunteers are simply invaluable to us. Please during this National Volunteer Appreciation Week know how much we appreciate everyone who volunteers their time to help not only our Shelter but any organization in need of help. Our hats are off to volunteers everywhere!

Rea Cord is the executive director of the Humane Society of Elmore County.

Marching Rebel Pride gears up for new season with Dillman

By ABIGAIL MURPHY Multimedia Reporter

The Reeltown High School Marching Band has recently selected its newest drum major.

Rising sophomore Amelia Dillman is stepping in as the new Marching Rebel Pride’s drum major to lead the band next year. She started in the band as a flutist and midway through the season was moved to cymbals for the stand tunes. This past year, she played the piano for the halftime show and was on bass drum in the stands.

Dillman said having experience with a variety of instruments helped her understand more about rhythm and how the other sections work from percussion to woodwind.

Although Dillman never expected the band to be her thing. She originally wanted to do ballet and dance, but with a knack for the arts her stepmother encouraged her to give the band a try. At first, she wasn’t sure but once she experienced the marching band side of things, she found a love for it.

“I’m so excited,” Dillman said of getting started. “Ever since I decided I wanted to try to pursue drum major, I would always watch the past drum major, Bethany (Kilpartick)’s techniques.”

However, there was more to Kilpartick’s drum major style than musical talent; she also made everyone feel welcome. Dillman said the student leaders have a great impact on the band season and the overall experience.

Kilpatrick was one to go out of her way to talk to everyone and make friends inside and outside the band. As drum major, Dillman said she hopes to continue the great leadership previous drum majors have displayed.

“Amelia is a wonderful student; she has a big heart and a passion for music and for her team,” Reeltown High School director of bands Eric Thompson said. “We are really excited to have her be the new drum major. She’s going to continue a long legacy of super great drum majors.”

The auditioning process for drum major is quite extensive. There’s clinics, which are basically crash courses on conducting and stu-

Continued from A2

dent leadership, then the applicant receives a score and conducts the piece as if they were conducting the band. The auditions are in front of the director of bands and two other judges such as the auxiliary director or past drum majors. There also is an interview process by both the student leaders and staff.

Dillman started preparing by watching videos online of how to conduct and eventually she found someone to teach her. She would practice in front of a mirror for hours making sure she was doing the patterns and cues properly.

Dillman hopes to one day pursue music, become a music major and ultimately teach music and become a band director herself. Although right now, the Marching Rebel Pride is where she belongs.

She said one of the great things is the community around the band. It’s a family-like atmosphere from band camp to competitions, you learn how to be there for one another. But there’s also great rapport between the band and the football players and cheerleaders. Dillman said it means a lot to them and it creates a lot of camaraderie for Friday nights.

Thompson echoed Dillman’s sentiments noting how lucky they are to also have coaches who support the band. The football coaches will drive the band students back and forth to the band room every day and coach Matt Johnson even drove the band to a competition one time because they needed a bus driver.

Thompson said this past band season has been a wonderful experi-

ence. Watching them perform at the state championship, he was almost on the verge of tears with how much the students had accomplished.

There’s been this dream of revitalizing the band program and it’s starting to come to life between Melody Jackson’s wish of getting them new uniforms and the central office giving them a new band room within the new gym.

Through the support of great students, parents and the legacy of past band directors, Thompson said the band program is going to be taking off. The program is blessed to have this much support and there’s still more to be done.

Band is an expensive outlet between instruments and travel cost. Thompson said he wants the band program to continue to grow, and maybe one day take the students on band trips across the country or even outside of the country.

He hopes to see the community’s continued support as the program works to provide the best it can for these talented students. He said everyday he’s thinking about how to do more for this program.

Going into next year with Dillman as the new drum major, Thompson feels it’s going to be a strong season. On top of that the instrument side has a lot of returning students, which gives them the opportunity to do even more fine tuning musically.

The theme for next year’s band show is still a secret and will be announced during the upcoming band banquet on May 9.

ABIGAIL MURPHY | TPI

Amelia Dillman practices her conducting. Dillman was announced as the new drum major for the Marching Rebel Pride’s upcoming season.

CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

Litter detracts from tourism

Clean up — just two simple words, but I’ve heard

since childhood. Sometimes I’ve been good at it, but other times — well, not so much.

Last weekend, I volunteered to pick up after others and what I found astounded me. Dirty diapers, tires, bottles, styrofoam littered the streets. In a matter of two hours, about 10 of us cleaned up 2 miles of roadway. Just a few days prior, the Elmore County Commission held its annual spring cleanup, and more than 30 groups similar to mine picked up litter throughout the county.

These types of cleanups are great, but they shouldn’t be necessary.

Why are we even finding these things on the roadside? Is it because it’s convenient to throw it out right then and there?

It’s too easy to find garbage cans these days; they are everywhere. Almost every parking lot I have been to has one — gas stations and restaurants, too. So why throw it out on the roads?

I think the answer lies somewhere between entitlement and laziness.

The worst trashy spots are almost always secluded, out of sight and out of mind. Laziness is at play here. No one wants to be bothered by carrying a small bag for a few minutes to their next stop to properly dispose.

You might ask how entitlement comes into play. Some of the litter comes from truck beds. I’m guilty of this myself. I don’t want the partially empty drink bottle to leak inside, so I place it in the back. On more than one occasion the bottle has gone missing.

But this is something we can do differently; we all have to do our parts to control litter on the roadside, and usually that means just a few simple measures.

See LITTER, Page A6

address and phone number. We reserve the right to refuse any submissions. Mail: Your View, The Tallassee Tribune 211 Barnett Blvd., Tallassee, AL 36078 Email: editorelmore@thewetumpkaherald.com

Obituaries: 35 cents per word with a

Making new friends as an adult is the pits. Try doing it completely sober and without the crutch of, “Let’s go grab a drink” you can easily pull out at any time.

When I moved to Alabama in 2017, I didn’t know a single soul. The only people I had even met were those I was going to be working with, so I certainly didn’t have any “friends.” And although I seem like an extrovert, I can be very shy when it comes to meeting new people.

That’s worn off a lot now that I’ve been in journalism so long, and you meet new people every day. But in the setting of trying to forge new friendships, I can turn into a blubbering idiot — or at least that’s how I feel.

But I quickly learned something about the South: it wasn’t going to be hard to find good people. The only issue in a small town is everyone knows everyone and everyone’s known everyone for forever, and you’re the new kid on the block.

One piece of advice I can give is get involved. Getting involved

LIZI GWIN Managing Editor

.jpeg attached to the email. Announcements will appear within 10 days in The Tribune, The Herald or The Observer.

with some groups and organizations in town has really helped me forge a friend group and people I can call on when I need them the most.

Lake Martin Young Professionals is a great group to get involved with if you’re looking for other like-minded people. I sit on the board for LMYP, and we host Strand Sessions throughout the summer as well as several other events during the year. Most of our events are free to attend, and we’re always looking for new members. Millbrook also has a young professionals organization.

Black Business Council and the Women’s Entrepreneur Alliance. place right now after the HGTV season a few years ago, and it just hosted its annual Coosapalooza, which was a beer tasting event.

with is the Lake Martin Area United Way, which is all about giving back to the community you live in. United Way partners with 26 agencies in the tri-county area, all of which have specific missions of giving back to local people in one way or another. strong as is Dadeville’s Kiwanis

The cover of TIME magazine said it all: “An American Tragedy,” superimposed over Orenthal James Simpson’s mugshot.

Last week, O.J. Simpson died at the age of 76. The streaming service Netflix has added a look back at Simpson’s life and career, from childhood to record-setting football career to life as a celebrity actor. And, of course, his infamous murder trial.

It’s a long way from his storied NFL years to a car chase through Los Angeles that became the most gripping Friday night of television in the 1990s, but this documentary shares the whole story – and it is, indeed, an American tragedy.

“O.J.: Made in America” is an Academy Award-winning feature directed by Ezra Edelman. It won the Oscar for Best Documentary film in 2017. And while some may be disgusted at the glamorization of Simpson in the first two episodes of the five-part series, it cannot be denied that the man possessed tremendous athletic ability as well as a disarming charisma that made him a media darling and a pop culture hero of the 1970s. Simpson will always be remembered as one of the greatest running backs of all time. He won the Heisman Trophy while playing college football at the University of Southern California. He became a first-round draft pick selected by the Buffalo Bills in 1969. He stayed with the Bills for nine seasons and led the NFL

LMYP is an offshoot of the Alexander City Chamber of Commerce, which is another organization that’s always looking for volunteers and ambassadors. The chamber hosts monthly events throughout the year and hosts many different groups like the

‘An American Tragedy’

in rushing yards four times. He also led the league in rushing touchdowns and points scored.

“The Juice” became the first NFL player to rush for 2,000 yards in a single season and holds the record for single season yardsper-game average at 143!

In archival footage as well as interviews with people who were there to witness it: O.J. was truly something else. His personality and smile lit up the television screen, while his amazing skills as a football player lit up the scoreboard. He was a hero to a generation or two of football fans, and was by far the face of the NFL in the ‘70s.

When he retired from the San Francisco 49ers in 1979, he was back in his home state and ready to conquer the world of media. He became a sportscaster and commentator, dabbled in acting, and was famously a pitchman for Hertz rental cars.

All of that goodwill came to an end on a Friday night in June, 1994. After Simpson ran away from police in his friend’s Ford Bronco, he was charged with, and arrested for, the murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman. The “trial of the century” began in January 1995 and ran through October of that year, all along exposing fissures in race relations.

O.J. was acquitted at the conclusion of the criminal trial but found liable for the murders in a civil suit two years later. The documentary does not shy away from the gore of the crime scene, nor the terrible details of what happened to Nicole and Ron. The media circus that surrounded Robert Kardashian, Kato Kaelin, Marsha Clark, F. Lee Bailey, Robert Shapiro, Johnnie Cochran, Judge Samuel Ito, and all the other characters is also featured. After a decade out of the spotlight, Simpson found himself in trouble again in 2008 when he was charged with armed robbery and kidnapping. He was convicted and sentenced to prison, where he served at Lovelock Correctional Facility in Nevada. The documentary shows footage of Simpson in a parole hearing, discussing how much he enjoyed coaching his fellow inmates on the prison football team and, in typical fashion, named certain players he credited with good ability and character.

The documentary series flashes back to times in O.J.’s past, in which the handsome, smiling sports hero charmed interviewers everywhere with his graceful behavior as he recognized his teammates for their successes.

In the end, it truly is – and was – an American tragedy.

“OJ: Made in America” is now the #1 rated streaming program on Netflix.

Michael Bird is a music teacher for Tallassee City Schools.

MICHAEL BIRD Columnist

Grease returns to Tallassee High

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

Grease the Musical returns to Tallassee High School.

Once again Adrian Bush is returning as director.

“This is the 10 year anniversary of doing Grease at Tallassee,” Bush said. “Before when we did Grease at Tallassee there hadn’t been a musical on that stage for like 30 years.”

The last musical theater production for Tallassee High School was in 2019.

The COVID-19 pandemic stopped the show

that year. Bush has been tasked with bringing it back to life.

“The kids have been busy rehearsing, singing and dancing, learning,”

Bush said. “We are going to have a really good production on our hands.”

Bush credits a lot of the talent available at Tallassee to current choral

teachers Michael Bird and Kelley Hill.

“They learn so quickly. They sound great,” Bush said. “We get to showcase their talents a little bit differently. They are great performers and have a lot of charisma. These kids pick up choreography so

fast. It’s wonderful.”

Musicals have been under the choral department since 2014. With the stop of the musicals, Bush has had to remind the students of a few basics along the way.

“For a lot of them, this is their first stage play,” Bush said. “We are covering a lot of the basics like you can’t turn your back on the audience. It has been great to come to a clean slate and work on theater skills. I love getting to work with the Tallassee kids.”

Bush was an actor and director in Los Angeles. She returned to the River

Region about 10 years ago and has been active on the community theater stages, most recently with Spamalot at the Wetumpka Depot.

For Bush, acting means learning her parts and performing. Directing at this level brings on challenges. Up until a week ago rehearsals were in the choral room. Now they are on the big stage in the auditorium.

“We are having to reblock some stuff because we have way more room,” Bush said. “We have to learn to take up space in this show. It is a larger than life show.

CommunityCalendar

The stage play is not what people tend to remember.”

The students had their first run through of the entire production on Thursday.

“It was dicey but we got through it,” Bush said. “I was nervous but we got through it. I’m proud of where we are.”

This production of Grease provides a few of the songs the movie version made famous but are not normally in the stage production.

Other challenges Bush has faced include managing a production in a small town.

“I’ve been on the phone getting the car ready to be delivered,” Bush said. “We have a stage car that is an actual car sized prop — Darla. I can’t wait for her to be in our space.” Bush has been working with others on hanging projectors to allow sets to be projected behind the actors as well.

“It is all coming together thanks to the work of so many,” Bush said. “I can’t wait to see the finished production.”

Tallassee High School’s production of Grease: The Musical is scheduled for 2 p.m. Sunday, May 5 and 7 p.m. Monday, May 6.

THURSDAY, APRIL 25

TALK: The Friends of the Wetumpka Public Library are hosting Mildred J. (Billups) Mills at 6 p.m. Thursday, April 25. Mills is a native of Wetumpka and 1969 graduate of Wetumpka High School. She will talk about her book Daddy’s House describing her upbringing in the area.

SATURDAY, APRIL 27

MUSIC FESTIVAL: The Tallassee and Friendship fire departments are hosting Sounds and Sirens, a downtown music festival Saturday, April 27. Brandon Jordan, Mother Moonpie and Jessie Wilson will perform. Gates will open in downtown Tallassee at 5 p.m. and tickets are $20. Children 12 and under are free.

SATURDAY, MAY 4

arrive on Saturday, May 18.

ART SHOW: The Wetumpka Downtown Artists will host an art show on Company Street in downtown Wetumpka at 9 a.m. Saturday, May 18.

High School School and will close out with performances. The cost is $100.

ONGOING SUPPORT GROUP: The last Thursday of every month, Restoration 49 Coffee Shop plays host to a support group for parents who have lost a child. The meetings begin at 6 p.m. each month. For more information, please contact Heather Baker at hbakerjj@aol.com.

PRESCHOOL STORYTIME: Preschool Storytime takes place at 10 a.m. every Friday at Wetumpka Public Library.

ECLECTIC TOWN COUNCIL

CEMETERY TOUR: The Elmore County Historical Society is hosting its annual Wetumpka Cemetery Tour starting at 5 p.m., Saturday, May 4. Tickets can be purchased for $5 at the Wetumpka Public Library and the Wetumpka City Administration Building.

SATURDAY, MAY 11

MILLBROOK MAYFEST: The Art Mill will be hosting the Millbrook Mayfest at the Village Green Park from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 18. There will be handmade items and crafts, food, fine arts, music, family-friendly activities and more. There is no cost to attend.

MEETINGS: Eclectic Town Council meetings are held on the third Monday of each month at Town Hall. Council meetings begin at 7 p.m. with work sessions taking place prior to the meeting at 6 p.m. Meetings are held in the Dr. M. L. Fielder Municipal Building, 145 Main Street.

SPRING MARKET: Poppy Layne Farm Vintage will be hosting a Spring Barn Market starting at 10 a.m. May 11. Applications are currently available for interested vendors. Email poppylaynefarm@gmail. com for more information. Live music will be featured.

JEEP, CAR & ATV SHOW: The Elmore County Food Pantry will be hosting a Jeep, ATV and Car show from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Wetumpka Sports Complex. The fee is $25 to show and $5 gate to enter. All proceeds will benefit the food pantry.

JOB FAIR: Tallassee City Hall will be hosting a job fair from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 11. More than 10 employers will be represented.

MAY 11-12

DRIVING MS DAISY: The Wetumpka Depot Players are performing Driving Ms. Daisy just in time for Mothers Day May 11-12. Tickets are $18 and available at wetumpkadepot.com

SATURDAY, MAY 18

LIVING HISTORY SATURDAY: Ft. Toulouse-Ft. Jackson is hosting demonstrations of how people lived in the area as settlers began to

MUSIC FESTIVAL: The City of Wetumpka is hosting its annual River and Blues Music and Arts Festival from 4 to 10 p.m. May 18 behind the City Administration Building. There will be four bands, art vendors and kids’ zone.

THURSDAY, MAY 30

IVY’S GALA: Ivy’s Closet will be hosting a gala from 6 to 8 p.m. May 30 at the Wetumpka Civic Center. There will be live music and a silent auction.

MAY 30-JUNE 1

HONK JR.: The Penguins at the Wetumpka Depot are performing Honk Jr. May 30 to June 1 at the Depot. It is a heartwarming celebration of being different. Tickets are $18 and available at wetumpkadepot.com.

JUNE 1 - JUNE 28

NATIONAL EXHIBITION: The Kelly Fitzpatrick Center for the Arts in downtown Wetumpka is hosting the 83rd Annual Watercolor Society of Alabama national exhibition from June 1 to June 28. The juried watercolor competition will feature state and national artists.

JUNE 24-29

THEATRE CAMP: The Stanhope Elmore Mustang Players are hosting a theater camp for students in the Millbrook area from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. June 24-29 at Stanhope Elmore

NAACP MEETINGS: The Elmore County Branch No. 5026 of the NAACP meets at 6:30 p.m. every third Tuesday (executive committee) and every fourth Tuesday (full membership) at the Martin Luther King Center at 200 North Lancaster St. in Wetumpka.

OPEN MIC: The Equality Performing Arts Center hosts an open mic jam session from 7 to 9 p.m. every second Friday of the month at 560 Highway 9 in Equality. There is no charge but donations are welcome as they keep the center running. Bring a snack or finger food to share during the intermission.

RED HILL COMMUNITY CLUB

MEETINGS: Red Hill Community Club Meetings are held every second Monday of the month. Join the Red Hill Historical Preservation Association in the auditorium of the Old Red Hill School, located off state Route 229 at 6:30 p.m. to discuss upcoming events. MOUNT HEBRON CHURCH OF CHRIST: Come join us at 4530 Mt. Hebron Road in Eclectic. Our Sunday school begins at 9 a.m. followed by worship service at 10:30. There is also a Wednesday night Bible study at 7 p.m. For more information call Pastor Edwin Walker at 334-541-2025

LUNCH AND LEARN: Lunch and learn Tuesdays with Kelly are scheduled at the Kelly Fitzpatrick Memorial Gallery at 124 Company Street in Wetumpka from noon to 1 p.m. on the third Tuesday of each month. For more information, visit www.thekelly.org.

Summer feeding to return to Elmore County Schools

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

The summer feeding program will continue after the Elmore County Board of Education approved bids at last week’s meeting.

The only issue is the USDA is changing requirements for reimbursement for both breakfast and lunch meals. Many of the food options are required to be individually packaged especially for curbside pickup.

“It is requiring more retail type packaging that we don’t have access to through our current bids, nor our current distributors,” Elmore County Child Nutrition Program (CNP) director Cacye Davis said. “We had to work with the distributors to get these.”

To prevent duplicate feeding, the USDA will no longer allow

curbside distribution and onsite feeding to happen at the same location.

For the curbside program, the system gets reimbursed $8.19 per child per day for a breakfast and lunch combination. Over a 10 day period the food costs are about $45. The remainder of the funding is used to cover labor and overhead. Any profits in the summer feeding program are shifted to other costs within CNP during the school year. The extra funds cover CNP costs the system would normally use general funds to cover. The school board also handled other items on the meeting agenda. Superintendent Richard Dennis asked the board to approve a one-time $1,000 supplement for a softball coach at Redland Middle School. Dennis explained schools sometimes raise funds for a

coach such as through a booster program. These supplements do not appear on the supplement schedule approved by the board.

Just seven years ago Elmore County Schools was paying about $500,000 in supplements. That has grown to nearly $1 million.

“Over the last few years the supplement list has grown to include not only the coaches and band directors but fine arts, coordinator groups such as grade level or department chair with extra assignments,” Dennis said. “Those come from general funds.”

Dennis said the system has to save money in other places. With CNP making a profit in summer feeding, that allows funds from the general fund to be used in supplements.

Maxwell Air Force Base liai -

Lions Club members honored

son Robert Richards informed the board that every school in the district is a Purple Star School, which means they have programs in place to help military students transition into the community.

Three parents and concerned citizens ask the board to reinstate Elmore County High School band director Zach Smith. Smith’s contract was not renewed by the board.

IN OTHER ACTION THE ELMORE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION:

• Approved minutes of the March 19 meeting.

• Approved the March monthly financial report.

• Approved facility use agreements at Redland Middle School, Holtville High School and Millbrook Middle School.

• Approved a pressure washing bid in the amount of $19,600.

was named the Arnold Dopson Lion of the Year for the last year. Moore was given the Chevron Award in recognition of longevity and dedication.

LITTER

Continued from A4

More and more people are coming to visit this area, and they are coming to visit our natural beauty. Out on Company Street

in Wetumpka, I have seen license plates from New Hampshire, Minnesota, Kansas, Oregon and Alaska in the lat week alone.

Tallassee’s Grove Station keeps a board marking where visitors are from, and around Lake Martin, I have tracked planes

superintendent Richard Dennis said there was a meeting of county and school officials last week to project a timeline for the work. Engineering and surveying work is currently underway to allow the bid process to be completed by the beginning of September.

“It would likely start with the diamond fields,” Dennis said.

“The work will start in October. After football season ends, they will start work on football fields at Eclectic and Holtville.”

In the case of Elmore County and Holtville high schools, the plan is to have the baseball and softball fields replaced in time for the 2025 season.

Replacing the football fields could interfere with the soccer season. Tallassee superintendent

coming into Alexander City from Vail, Colorado, Naples, Florida and more.

These guests are coming here because they find things attractive. They are spending money and paying sales taxes. They are helping the local economy.

Dr. Brock Nolin is already in the planning stages for not having a home field for the first part of the season at J.E. ‘Hot’ O’Brien Stadium.

“We are looking at reaching out to a community to use as a temporary home for home games,” Nolin said. Soccer teams at Holtville and Elmore County will be in similar situations. Nolin said the extra fields at 17 Springs, Hohenberg Field and the Wetumpka Sports Complex could all be options for the three schools to host games. Nolin isn’t worried about the scheduling.

“We just finished building a high school and having a temporary campus for two years,” Nolin said. “This will be easy.”

The Elmore County Commission has pledged $2.5 million to resurface the field in Tallassee as well as the adjacent practice field. The commission has

But what happens if the tourists start to become disheartened by the litter? They might leave and tell their friends, “Hey, it’s time to find another place to visit.”

Don’t let litter detract from the beauty that is the River Region; it could

pledged $4.5 million in Eclectic and also in Holtville to replace the football and baseball fields. None of this funding comes from education budgets. Another $7.5 million has been pledged by the commission to construct a new recreation center in Tallassee. The projects were identified through a survey process last year.

Dennis said he will go back to the board of education to get approval for smaller additional projects as the work was finalized.

“There is some work that needs to be done at the Eclectic baseball field in conjunction with the north end zone of the football field,” Dennis said. “The county will not fund the entire thing, but we are looking at pitching in some there to help finish out the project in Eclectic.”

Similar work will be involved in moving bleachers and demoli-

INDUCTEE

Continued from A1

She walked at 3 years old then entered public schools as she got older. She started school at Kent and attended high school at Tallassee, graduating in 1964. She went on to college, but there were still challenges as she was mostly in a wheelchair. After attending Snead State Community College, O’Daniel transferred to the University of Alabama.

After a year, O’Daniel inquired about student teaching. Her advisor told her she would not be allowed to student teach due to her physical limitations.

“She could have given up and gone home but she didn’t,” Tallassee High School alumni association’s Suzannah Wilson said. “She found strength from within to pursue her dream of becoming a teacher.”

O’Daniel transferred to Auburn University and found a home in the library. She graduated in 1969 with a double major in social science and library sciences. She also earned her master’s degree in education media.

Her first job in the fall of 1969 was at Stanhope Elmore where she taught library skills for 12 years. She also worked in the Millbrook Middle School library for eight years. O’Daniel was involved not only in her community in Millbrook but also worked to help others who were handicapped. She held offices in several handicap advocacy organizations.

After retirement O’Daniel returned to Tallassee and volunteered at the Tallassee Community Library.

“Joan was an overcomer and an overachiever,” Wilson said. “She is an excellent example of what a person can do with their life if motivated to do it. This lady is a fine example of moving forward regardless of limitations and pain.”

cost us more than just some trash on the roads.

Cliff Williams is the news editor of Tallapoosa Publishers Inc.’s Elmore County newspapers. He can be reached at cliff. williams@thewetumpkaherald.com.

tion of a wall at the football field at Holtville.

As the current surveying and design is ongoing, Elmore County Schools will also look at projects further down the road that could be impacted.

“If it would make things more suitable for us long term, we will come back to the board with that,” Dennis said. Nolin sees the field replacement as a savings instrument for Tallassee city Schools as the fields will require less maintenance than grass and allow more play. In Tallassee the varsity, JV and middle school football and soccer teams use the fields. The Tallassee Youth Football League uses the fields as well.

“We don’t have to worry about the field being a mud pit after soccer season or football season,” Nolin said. “We don’t have to irrigate it. It will lower a lot of the cost.”

Letters of recommendation that accompanied O’Daniel’s application called her honest, trustworthy, truthful and someone of the highest moral character.

“Her integrity is beyond reproach,” Wilson said. “Despite the trials and tribulations that most of us may never face, she is happy and pleases everyone with her spellbinding stories.”

O’Daniel said she has a few favorite nicknames she has heard of the years. Her family calls her Joany Maloney — others Joany Bologna and Joany Macaroni and Cheese.

“That is some of the nice names I had,” O’Daniel said. “I won’t tell you the others.”

O’Daniel took it all in after the ceremony in the library of the new Tallassee High School. It was little different than in 1964.

“It was just an old typical library,” O’Daniel said. “I see computers. They didn’t start coming into the library until I retired. This is wonderful.”

CLIFF WILLIAMS | TPI

Tallassee Lions Club members Marilyn Speake, left, and Albert Moore, right, were recognized by club president Laurie Rygiel, center. Speake

2024 JOE SEWELL AWARD FINALISTS

plans to major in exercise science. He was a ninth-grade Joe Sewell Certificate winner. He is the son of Brandon and Valerie Barrett.

Brown is a volleyball, basketball, track and field and softball player at Edgewood. She is a member of Heritage Baptist Church and is involved with the nursery, volleyball camp, small group and Operation Christmas Child. Brown also was on the volleyball state championship team, and she earned multiple Player of the Year and All-Star awards. She was also an AAU national champion, and she is a school record holder on the basketball team, where she also won a state championship. She was named Player of the Year in basketball also. She is involved with the National Honor Society, SGA and serves as Class President. Brown plans to attend University of Alabama playing volleyball and is the Competitive Admissions Scholarship, Presidential National Housing Scholarship and Prestige Scholarship recipient. Daughter of Shane and Kim Brown, Brown was a ninth-grade Joe Sewell Certificate Winner and aspires to be a physical therapist.

Holden is a member of the cross country team and track. He also is a cross country state meet participant, Team Captain and Indoor and Outdoor State Track Meet participant. Holden attends Mulder Church where he is a Vacation Bible School Leader, Elmore County Cleanup Participant, involved with Operation Christmas Child, Muscle Monday, Praise Team Guitarist and Youth Group Activities, Strength to Stand and has been involved with Mission Trips. Holden also is a part of Beta Club, Mu Alpha Theta, FCA and First Priority Small Group Leader. Son of DJ Mara Holden, he will be attending Auburn University at Montgomery for Exercise Science, is committed to the Cross Country and Track team and is a Vice Principal Scholarship recipient.

The son of Richard and Rebecca Bosch, Bosch plays soccer and wrestles for Tallassee. He is a member of the Whitfield Memorial United Methodist Church, where he helps with the Easter Meditation event and other church fundraisers. A ninth-grade Joe Sewell winner, Bosch is a member of the Beta Club, Mu Alpha Theta, Robotics Club and Scholar’s Bowl. He is the treasurer of the National Honor Society and attended Boys State. He is a Tallassee Chamber Ambassador and attended the U.S. Naval Academy’s summer program. He is a presidential scholarship recipient at UAB and is enlisted in the Alabama National Guard.

The son of Felicia Brown, Brown plays football, basketball and track. He was named All Region, All County and 2022 Comeback Football Player of the Year. Brown also attends Vessel Church, where he serves as a Youth Group Leader. Brown is involved with Beta Club, serves on the Executive Board, is Student Council Class Representative, is a part of National English Honor Society and National Society of High School Scholars. Brown has been a Four-Year Class President and Prom King. Brown plans to attend Central Alabama Community College to pursue an Education degree and was a ninth-grade Joe Sewell Certificate Winner.

Daughter of Lester and Ayena Jackson, Jackson is a part of the cheer team as co-captain and attends Goodship Missionary Baptist Church where she’s involved with the Praise Dance, Hospitality, Usher, Media, Charity Ministries and Youth Choir. Jackson was named UCA All-American and received the Pin It Forward Award. She also is part of the National English, Science (VP), and Spanish (VP) Honor Societies, Mu Alpha Theta (VP), Elmore County DYW Scholastic Scholarship recipient, Girls State director, FCCLA treasurer, Class President, STARR Coalition President and Junior Civitan. Jackson is involved with Youth Leadership Elmore County, Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership and is a Millbrook Chamber Ambassador. She plans to attend University of Alabama for nursing with the Prestige Scholarship, Alabama Girls State Scholarship and Presidential National Housing Scholarship. Jackson was a ninth-grade Joe Sewell Certificate Winner as well.

LeMaster is on the football, basketball, track and field and baseball teams. He was awarded The Wetumpka Herald Two Way Football Player of the Year, All State, Metro, and County, tied for most interceptions in Elmore County in 2022 and most interceptions in Elmore County in 2023, AISA All Star and part of the state championship basketball team. LeMaster attends Centerpoint Fellowship Church and is involved with National Honor Society, Beta Club, Academic Top 10% Award, Scholars Bowl and Math Team. He has been a volunteer with Community Cleanup, Pee Wee game, Football and Basketball Youth Camp. The son of Kreg and Stacy LeMaster, he was a ninth-grade Joe Sewell Certificate Winner. LeMaster is enlisted in the Military Space Force focused on cyberwarfare.

Mason is on the basketball and track & field teams. She is the daughter of Tracey and James Mason. She attends Grace Baptist Church where she has volunteered for vacation Bible School, Operation Christmas Child, Strength to Stand Conferences, Bible Trivia Night and Women’s Painting Ministry. In sports, Mason has been selected to the all county basketball team and all tournament basketball team. She was also a state track qualifier. Mason is the Beta Club treasurer, National English Honor Society vice president, Mu Alpha Theta vice president and a Panther Ambassador. She was a member of Youth Leadership Elmore County, Elmore County Republican Committee Scholarship recipient and a Central Alabama Electric Cooperative Youth Tour member. Mason was awarded the Auburn University at Montgomery, Outstanding Scholars Award for Biology.

Morris is a member of Shoal Creek Baptist Church where she helps with Winter Weekend/Passion Camps, vacation Bible School, See You at the Pole and Bible studies at School. She is a cheerleader and Morris has been selected as a UCA All-American, UCA Pin It Forward Award, Honorary Cheer Camp Captain, Izell Brown Award-highest GPA for female athlete and received an UCA Staff tryout invitation. Morris is a member of the National Honor Society, Beta Club and University of Alabama Early College. She is on the Director’s List and Peer Panelist, Mu Alpha Theta, Outstanding Forestry and French Student of the Year, senior class president, Junior Civitan vice president, Future Health Professionals vice president and Leaders of the Pack secretary. Morris received the University of Alabama, Prestige Scholarship, Nursing and is the daughter of Leeann Chavers and the late Brad Morris.

The son of Brad and Deborah Mason, Mason plays baseball and runs cross country. He attends First Baptist Church Tallassee where he is involved with FUGE Camps, Strength to Stand Conference, bible study, VBS leader and is a nursery/children’s activities volunteer. Mason was awarded the Baseball Academic, Attitude, and Pitching Awards and was a State Cross Country Qualifier. He is involved with the National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, Spanish Honor Society, Key Club Vice-President, Leo Club Secretary, Boys State and Scholars Bowl. He also is a Association of Christians in Tallassee for Service Volunteer, participates in blood drives, Nursing Home and Manna Ministry. Mason is a ninth-grade Joe Sewell Certificate Winner. He is committed to playing baseball at Huntingdon College where he is a James W. Wilson, Jr. Scholarship recipient and will study physical therapy.

McElrath is the daughter of Frederick and Temeyra McElrath. She attends Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church where she is the Youth Sunday School secretary. At church McElrath is part of the media, youth, usher, praise and dance ministries. At Stanhope she is a cheerleader where she has served as captain and co-captain and named UCA All American. McElrath is a member of the National Science, English and Spanish Honor Societies and Mu Alpha Theta, National. She is a Science Foundation Outstanding Student, National Society of High School Scholar, Girls State officer, First Priority vice president, Student 2 Student president and SGA secretary. She was selected as a member of Youth Leadership Elmore County. McElrath was a Black History Essay Winner and Millbrook Chamber Ambassador. She attended the Hugh O’Brien Leadership Conference. McElrath was awarded the Auburn University, Spirit of Auburn Scholarship for Bio-Medical/Pre-Medicine. She was also a ninth grade Joe Sewell Certificate Winner.

Mullino is a cheerleader at Wetumpka High School where she serves her team as captain. She was named Best All-Around Cheerleader by the Universal Cheerleaders Association, and received the All-American title. She is a member of First Baptist Church Wetumpka, and serves as an adult and youth praise team member, a youth leadership team member, youth group member, care leader, Light of Village volunteer, VBS volunteer, Serve Day volunteer and a member of Strength to Stand. Mullino is a member of the Beta Club, National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta where she serves as historian, theatre guild, Diamond Dolls and Distributive Education Clubs of America. She serves her class as vice-president. She is involved with Youth City League Cheer, Read Across America and volunteers for the local food pantry. In 9th grade, Mullino was awarded the Joe Sewell certificate. She is a recipient of the Spirit of Auburn Scholarship, and will attend Auburn University to study nursing. She is the daughter of Ray and Vicki Mullino.

Reed Hall Owen, Edgewood Academy

Son of Brad and Bron Owen, Owen is an upcoming student at Auburn University where he will use his Fearless and True scholarship to pursue a degree in engineering. He is involved in the Beta Club, National Honor Society, Scholars Bowl Team, Math Competition Team and he tutors students in physics and calculus. Outside of academics, Owen has volunteered for the local food pantry, fall festival, animal shelter and Operation Christmas Child. He is an active member of Mulder Church. Owen is a member of the AISA State Basketball Championship team, and he serves the third-place AISA State Chamption Track Team as captain. Along with track and basketball, Owens is also a member of the football team.

Perry will attend Troy University where he will study accounting. He is the recipient of the Troy University Chancellor’s and Troy Legacy Scholarship. He is involved in the Beta Club, National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, National Society of High School Scholars, Leaders of the Pack and Bulldog Ambassadors. He is a recipient of the James Chrietzberg Award, and received the Joe Sewell Certificate when he was in ninth grade. Perry is a member of the baseball, football and wrestling teams. He is a member of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church where he serves as an altar server, cross bearer and greeter. Within his church he is involved in youth group, Faith Formation, bible study, youth camps, trunk or treat and parish picnics. He is the son of John and April Perry.

Price is a member of the softball and volleyball teams. She is the recipient of All State and All County softball awards, and a Softball Leadership Award. She was named Pitcher of the Year and Volleyball Defensive Player of the Year. She will continue her softball career at Lurleen B. Wallace Community College on an athletic scholarship.

Price plans to study secondary science education. She is involved in Mu Alpha Theta, National Honor Society and Junior Civitan where she served as president and treasurer. She was the president of FCA and FTA. Her other leadership roles include serving Leader of the Pack as president, her class as treasurer, and First Priority Secretary.

Price is a member of Wetumpka Church of Christ where she has provided food for shut-ins, widows and church leaders. She teaches Bible Class, VBS, devotional and youth activities. She is the recipient of the Top 10% award, and the 9th Grade Joe Sewell Certificate. She is the

Patterson is a member of First United Church Tallassee where he serves as a church acolyte, church ambassador and a member of the Teach Team. He teaches vacation bible school and volunteers for the fall festival. Patterson is a member of the baseball, cross country and wrestling teams. He is a state track qualifier, and a wrestling state runner-up. He is a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, National Honor Society and Spanish National Honor Society, and represented his school at Boy’s State. He is the treasurer of Leo and Key Clubs. Patterson is an ambassador of the Tallassee Chamber, and coaches Tallassee Youth League Softball. He will attend Troy University where he will study sports management under the Trojan Leadership Scholarship. In 9th grade, Patterson won the Joe Sewell certificate. He is the son of Kyle Patterson and Amanda Glasscock.

Emilie Grace Shaw, Elmore County High School

Shaw is a talented athlete and academic for Elmore County. On the field, Shaw plays soccer and was picked for the All-County soccer team along with being a team captain.

Competing in the classroom, Shaw is a National Honor Society member, part of Mu Alpha Theta, a Panther Ambassador, on the Beta Club Executive Board, the FFA President and Secretary, the vice-president of the Drama Club and a Maroon Machine member. She is also involved in First Priority, Key Club, Field Day, Santa Workshop, Community Clean-up and is a volunteer with the Daddy/Daughter dance. She has received a Chancellor’s Scholarship from Troy University to study psychology. She is active in Vessel Church and is the daughter of Cory and April Shaw.

Jackson Thomas Wade, Stanhope Elmore High School

Wade, a dual-sport student athlete for Stanhope Elmore, will be attending Auburn University next year to study law and justice.

The son of Jeremy and Amy Wade competed in wrestling and cross country. On the mat, Wade earned All-County honors, Most Improved Wrestler and was installed as a permanent team captain. He medaled at the Otis Weatherly Memorial, the Julian McPhilips tournament and the Hornet Slam 8. He also qualified for the state tournament in cross country along with winning a sectional championship. A member of Glynwood Baptist Church, Wade volunteers with VBS and mission trips and is an Autauga Interfaith Care Center volunteer as well. He is involved with the Lottie Moon/Annie Armstrong Offering Drive. He spends time helping the River Region Pregnancy Center and is a member of the Alabama Army National Guard. At school, he is in Beta Club, National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, a Junior Civitan. He was awarded Academic Excellence Awards and was a part of the Senior Senate.

Grace Williams, Elmore County High School

Williams is a member of the volleyball team, receiving Power Serving and Defensive awards for her athletic skills. She is also a member of the All County Volleyball Team where she received the highest kill percentage and was named Tournament MVP and a Central Alabama Scoreboard Top Ten Player. Williams has volunteered for Operation Christmas Child and went on mission trips through Thelma Baptist Church. Within her church, she is also a VBS volunteer, youth group member and is involved with senior adult bible school. She is also involved in Extreme Outdoor Ministries. Williams is president of Beta Club and National English Honor Society. She is a member of Mu Alpha Theta, SGA, FCA and Panther Ambassadors. She serves her graduating class as secretary. She has received the Scholars of Distinction Trustee Award from Blue Mountain Christian College, where she will major in psychology/ criminal justice. Williams is the daughter of Lee and Amanda Williams.

Son of Patrick and Georgia Pinkston, Pinkston is a member of the cross country team and captain of the soccer team, both his school team and club team. He is a state cross country qualifier, and received Man of the Match Honors. Pinkston is a member of National Honor Society, and president of Mu Alpha Theta. He is a recipient of multiple science fair awards, the Stockholm Regional Water Prize Award of Excellence, Gathering of Eagles Scholarship and the 9th grade Joe Sewell certificate. He is the manager of the Robotics Marketing Team, and is a pickleball rules/regulations officer. Pinkston is an Eagle Scout and a member of the Natural Disaster Relief Team. He has volunteered for the food pantry and participated in the Wetumpka Wildlife Arts Festival. He is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints where he serves as SS president and is involved with the Youth Scripture Study Class. He plans to further his education at Southern Virginia University where he will major in business/marketing and play soccer. Pinkston received both academic scholarships from SVU.

Shaner is a multi-sport student-athlete for Edgewood, competing in volleyball, cheer and softball. In volleyball, she was an AISA All-Star, a state champion and an All-State Honorable Mention.

As a cheerleader, Shaner was a team captain, a state cheer champion squad member, an AISA All-Star and a UCA All-American. In the classroom, Shaner is a part of the National Honor Society, a yearbook staff leader, the SGA vice-president and a President’s Award for Academic excellence winner along with a Top 10% winner. She has received the Freshman Supplemental Scholarship from the University of Alabama to study mechanical engineering. Outside of class, she is involved with Cain’s Chapel and its VBS and nurseries, along with being a Fall Festival Volunteer. She is the daughter of Mark and Lacey Shaner.

Stewart is a highly decorated athlete and scholar for the Tigers.

Using her talents as a swimmer, Stewart was a swim team captain, a Player of the Week honoree and the freestyle and backstroke state champion. She holds the state backstroke record. She will be going to the University of Alabama to Swim on a Presidential Scholarship. She has also received the Mildred Blount Endowed Scholarship, the Prestige Scholarship and a Presidential Housing Scholarship to study accounting. In ninth grade, she was a Joe Sewell Certificate winner. Out of school, she participates in First Baptist Church of Tallassee, is a small group leader, a nursery volunteer, a church choir singer and part of Operation Christmas Child. In school, she was a FUGE/Strength to Stand Conference participant, a National Honor Society Historian, a Mu Alpha Theta member and a Top 10% award winner. She is also active in FCA, is the Spanish Club President, in Key Club and Leo Club and is the Student Council Class President. She is the daughter of Joe and Joely Stewart.

Wasden plays soccer for the Indians, winning a Coach’s Award, an area championship, Player of the Match honors on the pitch. For her efforts in the class and in sports, Wasden was a Bryant-Jordan Student-Athlete Scholarship Regional Nominee. Wasden is involved in Mulder Church and is a Youth/Adult Worship Leader. She has been a church camp chaperone along with participating in Strength to Stand and the Fall Festival. She is a National Honor Society member and part of Phi Theta Kappa as a CACC Dual Enrollment student. She is involved with Tribal Council, Girls State, First Priority, FCA and the Media Team. She is the SGA President and was the vice president. She earned the Elmore NWTF scholarship and will attend Troy University on a Legacy Scholars Award and Girls State Scholarship as well. She will study athletic training. The daughter of Justin and Nikki Wasden, she was a 9th grade Joe Sewell Certificate Winner. She is a Salvation Army bellringer, part of Samaritan’s Purse and an Alabama/Washington DC Youth Tour attendant.

Wilson is an upcoming nursing major at the University of Alabama where she will attend on the Competitive Admissions Scholarship. She is a member of the bowling team, receiving regional, All-State and state championship titles. Wilson is a cheerleader, and has been named UCA All-American. She plays volleyball, and is a member of the all county volleyball team. She is a member of Millbrook First United Methodist Church where she is involved in Jesus and Me and Christ Community Café. She is a children/nursery volunteer as well. Wilson is treasurer and reporter of Beta Club, parliamentarian of National Honor Society, Junior Civitan president, treasurer of FCCLA and member of National English/ Science Honor Society and Mu Alpha Theta. She is involved in Youth Leadership of Elmore County, Field of Dreams and Alabama Air National Guard. She is also a Millbrook Chamber Ambassador. She received the Joe Sewell certificate when

Wilson is the daughter of Kenny and Bridget Wilson.

Aidan Joseph Perry, Holtville High School

Taylor Renee Price, Holtville High School

Abigail

Jacob Patterson, Tallassee High School

David Everett Pinkston, Wetumpka High School

Katelynn Chacey Shaner, Edgewood Academy

Macey Belle Stewart, Tallassee High School

Emma Nichole Wasden, Wetumpka High School

Samantha Chapel Wilson, Stanhope Elmore High School

daughter of Shane and Leah Price.

4Baylie Kate Barrett, Edgewood Academy

Katie Farthing, Edgewood Academy

A stroll down memory lane

Sometimes life just takes us back in time as our mind strolls down “memory lane.” It seems the older we get, the more “walks” we take down the lane. The definition of memory lane is an imaginary path through the nostalgically remembered past. Today just happened to be one of those days!

The Sunday morning alarm sounded early enough not be rushed getting dressed for church. Flipping through the hymn book looking for today’s music portion of the service, the songs of old seemed to jump off the pages. “Jesus Loves Me” was the very first hymn that was selected for today’s worship. Yes, Jesus loves me for the Bible tells me so!

A favorite of my grandparents and parents led me to begin

humming, “When the Saints Go Marching In” as memory took me back to my granddad and dad, what a soldier they had been! I could also envision my grandmother and mom with their robes of white around them. The church rafters would ring back then as they did today as we sang, full of the Spirit of Jesus!

A visiting preacher filled the pulpit on this Sunday morning, cleanly dressed in his overalls and plaid shirt, as he read from the Holy Bible. Years ago, he had pastored our church and he shared some fond memories of days gone by. As he prayed, I recalled the first time I was ever asked to pray aloud in church. It was during Vacation Bible School and I was asked to bless our cookies and Kool-Aid. All I knew to say

JACKIE WILBOURN Columnist

was “God is great, God is good, let us thank Him for our food.”

But … that was enough, God heard me!

The teens of yesteryear always got in trouble for ringing of the church bell which is still chiming today. Sunday meeting times were times of remembrance! Looking toward the ceiling, I reminisced about the old pot belly stove that kept all of us children warm and the black smut that once covered where the stove pipe exited.

The old saints taught me what it is to testify to the faithfulness of God. Both of our children and a precious granddaughter was brought up in the old country church. It was at this church that I told my dad and mom goodbye and the brethren gathered round me and I knew I was not walking alone.

The old saints taught me what it is to testify to the faithfulness of God. Both of our children and a precious granddaughter was brought up in the old country church. It was at this church that I told my dad and mom goodbye and the brethren gathered round me and I knew I was not walking alone. I am so thankful to be at that meeting house each Sunday morning and stroll down memory lane knowing that God’s Word taught me “not to forget the assembling of ourselves together and building each other up because the Day is approaching fast”, Hebrews 10:25.

Tallassee Churches

Surrounding Area Churches

Jackie Wilbourn, member of Bethel Baptist Church, is a chaplain with Alabama Baptist Disaster Team.

Dalton MiDDleton SportS eDitor dalton.middleton@thewetumpkaherald.com

HISTORY

By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor

History has been made at

J.E. “Hot” O’Brien Stadium.

The Tallassee boys soccer team beat rival Elmore County, 7-1, Thursday to claim the AHSAA Class 5A, Area 3 championship. It’s the second area championship in program history and just the third time the Tigers have reached the playoffs.

Sports

Tallassee wins area title with unbeaten record

For the first time, however, Tallassee is undefeated at 8-0 in area play.

“This is a huge accomplishment for the school and the community,” Tigers coach Matt Tarpley said. “It’s a testament to how hard these kids have worked over the last three years. This didn’t come out of the blue. It’s a culmination of a couple of years of hard work and commitment to the process.”

Reeltown advances to second round

By HENRY ZIMMER Sports Reporter

The proverbial monkey is off the back of Reeltown baseball.

After a pair of wins over St Luke’s Episcopal, 10-0 and 14-7, the Rebels have advanced to the second round of the 2A playoffs.

Freshman phenom Jamarkius Smith led the Rebels in Game 1, tossing a five-inning shutout and striking out 11 batters. In Game 2, the Rebels took a 12-0 lead into the bottom of the fifth before allowing a handful of late runs.

Last year, Reeltown couldn’t win on its home turf against eventual 2A state champion Ariton.

This year, the Rebels are moving on.

“This is a huge monkey off our backs,” Reeltown coach Matt Johnson said.

“It has been a while. I am proud of our guys. We competed and played well enough to win two games. That is where you want to be.” Smith secured the Rebels their first win in dominating fashion, allowing just a single hit in the

mercy rule win. At the plate, he went 1-for-4 but notched three RBIs off a single and some throwing errors by the Wildcats.

Smith has double-digit strikeout outings in three of his last four games and has allowed just 18 hits all year over the course of 40 total innings.

“He is extremely talented,” Johnson said. “His last couple outings have been extremely good. He commands his fast ball and has some other pitches. He is phenomenal out there.”

In the first game Reeltown got nine hits, Blake Smith and Slade Carleton each collecting two. In the second game, Reeltown outhit St Luke’s 11-10 and saw multiple hits from three different batters.

Blake Smith went 3-4 with two RBIs, Adam Burton went 2-for-3 with two RBIs and Smith went 2 of 4 with three RBIs.

Blake Smith hit a tworun homer in the top of the sixth, but most impressively, Carleton hit a single in the first game that he took all the way around the

Thursday’s matchup with rival Elmore County went much differently than the first game. Playing at Elmore County in the first of the two games, Tallassee, down a man due to a red card, stunned the Panthers with three goals in the final 14 minutes of the game to win, 3-2.

In Thursday’s rematch at home, the Tigers quickly

See HISTORY, Page B2

ONTO THE NEXT

Tigers take advantage of great pitching, timely hitting

By LIZI ARBOGAST GWIN Managing Editor

In the top of the sixth inning of a decisive Game 3, Tallassee watched its two-run lead slip away on one pitch.

But the Tigers were thwarted by a tie. In fact, it was like a whole new game, and they were ready to take advantage.

Chase Webster led off with a single and moved into scoring position on a sacrifice bunt. And it was a single Marbury error that was all she wrote for the Bulldogs, as Cash Gough hit a hard ball toward third base. The ball was bobbled, giving Gough time to reach first base and Webster time to put on the motors. Full steam ahead, Webster

wasn’t stopping for anything. Marbury’s third baseman finally got a hold of the ball, and everyone held their breath as he threw it home. But Webster’s slide was too much for the Bulldogs to handle as he dove in for the ultimate game winner.

“That was amazing running,” Tiger coach John Goodman said.

Tallasee’s pitching and defense held on for the 3-2 win in the AHSAA Class 5A playoffs, advancing to the second round where the Tigers will host Gulf Shores.

Although Tallasse knocked around seven hits, including a two-run homer from Brue Milner in the third inning, it was really the defense and pitching

that did most of the work. Walker Wells and Webster combined for a three-hitter. Wells was nearly untouchable through five innings. Although he walked four, he gave up only one hit up to that point while striking out five. Ultimately, he allowed a tworun homer of his own that also put Webster on the mound, but he did more than enough for the win.

“We had to have four (innings) out of our starting pitcher, that’s what we wanted,” Goodman said. “But he comes in there and gives us five strong. He made one mistake, and he paid for it, but that was just an outstanding effort.”

Tallassee’s Brody Wisener makes a throw from third base during the playoff series against Marbury last week.

Holtville sweeps Elmore County in first round

By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor

The road to the Class 5A state championship still runs through Slapout. The Holtville baseball team swept rival Elmore County, 14-4 and 11-0, in the first round of the playoffs at Smart-Collier Field on Friday night. Holtville will now face Headland in the second round for the fourth consecutive season. The defending Class 5A

champions gave up four runs to the Panthers in the top of the first inning but never gave up another run in the remaining 11 innings of work as they worked a five-inning run rule in Game 1. “The one thing we’ve been really good at the last four years is that if you give us time to prepare for somebody, we’re usually locked in,” Holtville coach Scott Tubbs said. “We were pretty confident going into today.” Holtville pitched sophomore Gage Nelson in Game 1 instead of normal Game 1 starter junior Carson McCutchin. Nelson was welcomed to the game quickly as the first three Elmore County hitters all reached base on hits. His first pitch of the game was a misplay in the outfield that resulted in a double, then two singles and a groundout gave Elmore County a 2-0 lead. That lead was

HENRY ZIMMER TPI

The Tallassee soccer team celebrates after beating Elmore County earlier in the season.The Tigers beat Elmore County, 7-1, last Thursday to clinch the program’s second area championship.

HENRY ZIMMER | TPI

Reeltown pitcher Jamarkius Smith tosses a ball in Game 1 against St. Luke’s. Smith struck out 11 and allowed just one hit.

TOP Continued from B1

Holtville found itself down, 4-0, facing Panther ace Brandon White on the mound.

White entered the game with a 0.95 earned run average, but he gave up a run in the first and Holtville had no issue hitting him all night.

Markus Broderick roped an RBI single to score Drey Barrett, who led the inning off with a double.

In the third inning, Holtville plated 12 runs. Nelson tied the game with an RBI single and AJ Carreon gave the Bulldogs a 5-4 lead; that was all the runs Nelson needed.

He retired 12 of the last 16 batters he faced, allowing just two hits and two walks after the fourrun first inning.

“That first inning was our fault to start with,” Tubbs said. “We felt like we were going to be able to hit Brandon (White). He beat us pretty bad early in the year and struck us out 15 times but that was in February. I thought we had a great game plan against him and our kids executed.” Barrett then quickly busted the game open two batters after Carreon gave the team the lead. With the bases loaded and two outs, Barrett worked a full count then sent a fastball over the centerfield wall for a grand slam and gave Holtville a 9-5 lead.

“That whole moment was a blur, but that was crazy,” Barrett said. “That is a special one that I’m going to remember forever. My senior year and hitting a grand slam against my rival in the playoffs, that’s a memory I’ll get to keep. That was special.”

Elmore County then brought in a new pitcher and Holtville kept the momentum as the Bulldogs rallied off four more runs in the inning. The Bulldogs sent 17 batters to the plate that inning.

In Game 2, Holtville went ahead and tossed Barrett on the mound. The Bulldogs plated two runs in the first inning after a Braxton Potts RBI single and that was all Barrett needed. He allowed just three hits and struck out nine batters in six innings of work. After reaching 102 pitches, Drew Connor came in and retired the side on four pitches to send Holtville to the second round.

Holtville, playing as the visitor, increased its lead to 3-0 in the fourth then scored two, two and four runs in the final three innings to secure the win.

“To be honest, we were throwing off in Game 1 just in case Brandon was great for Elmore County,” Tubbs said. “I was saving Drey (Barrett) and Carson (McCutchin) but once Gage went out there and took care of business in that first game, we just went ahead and put Drey up there for the second and closed it out.”

Holtville’s Nelson delivers against rival

By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor

After some strategic planning, Holtville coach Scott Tubbs decided to “throw off” in Game 1 of the Bulldogs’ first round playoff matchup against Elmore County.

Facing Elmore County’s Brandon White, who entered the postseason with a 0.95 earned run average and only one loss, Tubbs held usual No. 1 and No. 2 pitchers Carson McCutchin and Drey Barrett for Game 2 and Game 3.

That put sophomore Gage Nelson on the mound, and Nelson didn’t care that his start was a “throw off” game. Nelson went and pitched a complete game against the Panthers, pitching five innings and allowing just three earned runs on seven hits with five strikeouts.

Holtville won his start, 14-4,

NEXT Continued from B1

Webster ultimately got the win, throwing 1 ⅔ hitless innings. He struck out the final batter.

HISTORY Continued from B1

and went on to sweep the first round series. For his performance, Nelson has been named the Elmore County Player of the Week.

“Gage went out there and took care of business,” Holtville coach Scott Tubbs said. “Gage has thrown well against some really good teams this year. He stayed in the moment and didn’t try to do more than he could. After the first inning, he did a great job. He gave us a chance. He did everything we asked of him and I’m proud of him.”

Every run that Nelson allowed came in the first inning.

The Panthers got to him early and on the first pitch of the game, Elmore County’s Shelton Darnell doubled to left field on a misplayed ball. Three singles later, the Panthers were up 3-0 and still threatening.

Another run came across, but

The defense had highlight worthy play over and over again, backing up the men on the mound.

“Brody (Wisener) at third base made several plays throughout the series that made a dif-

controlled the game. Irvin Delfin scored three of his 47 goals this season, while Yuren Rodriguez added two himself. Lewis Mosley and Francisco Diego each added a goal in the blowout win.

“I think we went into the first game a little overconfident,” Tarpley said. “Last night, they were very focused and locked in on the job at hand. They wanted to wrap up the area and win the area championship at home in front of our fans. Beating their rival was just icing on the cake.”

The first Elmore County game

ADVANCES Continued from B1

horn for an inside the park homer.

“The past couple of weeks we have been really hitting the ball well,” Johnson said. “A lot of it hasn’t shown up in the books. We were finally able to show out hitting on the scoreboard today. It was good. The guys squared the ball up and were aggressive and it all paid off.” With the win, Reeltown will play the winner of Luverne and Washington County.

Nelson was able to get out of the inning with a lineout and strikeout. Holtville then cut the lead to 4-1 with one run in the first inning, and Nelson kept the Bulldogs within reach.

Outside of a two-out single, he allowed nothing in the second inning and then struck out two batters in the third inning.

“I just knew I had to dial in so we could get the win,” Nelson said of his performance. “If I could hold them under five, we would have a good chance at putting up some runs as the game went on. I knew it would be a good game.”

In the bottom of the third inning, Holtville turned a 4-1 deficit into a 13-4 lead. The Bulldogs scored nine runs, capped off by a Drey Barrett grand slam, and never looked back.

Nelson then retired six of the last eight batters he faced in the

ference,” Goodman said. “Brue (Milner) at the plate, they tried to run and he throws out the first two and puts them down. Everyone was solid. There was a catch Bryson Rigsby made in foul territory.”

was the start of what is now a 10-game win streak for the Tigers. Tallassee has not lost a game since February 27, a 3-2 loss to St. James.

Since that loss, Tarpley’s squad is 10-0-3 with the three ties coming to Class 6A Ben Russell, Class 6A Chilton County and Class 7A Opelika.

During that span, Tallassee has also defeated multiple playoff-bound teams such as Wetumpka, Stanhope Elmore and Brewbaker Tech twice.

“We’ve spent a lot of time trying to develop the team concept and the boys have bought into that,” Tarpley said. “They’re comfortable with one another. They like each other and they

fourth and fifth innings. He struck out one batter in each inning and allowed just a walk and single in the fifth. The Panthers had first and third that inning attempting to extend the game, but Nelson struck out Austin Davis and got Gage Davis to ground out to shortstop to end the game.

“I was just hoping we could make some plays and get some strikeouts.,” Nelson said.

The strong defensive effort went hand in hand with the pitching for Tallassee.

“You put all that together and it makes a pitcher be able to throw because he knows he can trust his back,” Good-

rely on one another. They have a team atmosphere within our program and they’re all friends. That strong family atmosphere has benefited us on the field. They want to win for each other.”

The program’s second area title didn’t just happen over the last few months. The team has been building for this moment since 2020.

The Tigers went just 0-5 that season before COVID-19 shut down the year. The next season, they won only one game with a 1-9 record.

In 2022, Tallassee went 8-8 and missed the playoffs by finishing third in the area. Last year, the Tigers went a pro-

man said. “When he’s throwing strikes, these guys are going to play better and they’re going to be on their toes. All in all, it was a great team win and we’re thankful to be going to the next round.”

gram-best 16-4 but still missed the playoffs by finishing just one game out of the second playoff spot.

Wanting to build off that, Tallassee loaded the early portion of its schedule with playoff opponents and got ready for area play.

That’s paid off fruitfully, and Tallassee will now host a playoff soccer game Monday against Demopolis.

“They wanted to do something special at Tallassee this year and were willing to put in the work to accomplish that,” Tarpley said. “They’re excited to play and they love the game of soccer. They’re happy to go out there and compete for each other. This is a special group of kids.”

against St. Luke’s.

HENRY ZIMMER TPI Reeltown’s Hutson Lewis flips a ball to first base for an out to help close out Game 2

Holtville’s Gage Nelson pitched a complete-game win over rival Elmore County in the first round of the AHSAA Class 5A playoffs. Nelson allowed just three earned runs in five innings of work.

PLAYER

Vote for your Fans’ Choice Player of the Week now!

Smith signs with Hawks

Friday, April 26 High School Baseball AHSAA

Shores at Tallassee (DH), 5

Wetumpka at Benjamin Russell (DH), 4:30 p.m.

Headland at Holtville (if needed), 4:30 p.m.

baseball playoffs

Jackson Academy at Edgewood Academy (if needed), 2 p.m. High School Softball

4

5:30 p.m. 4 (B) Stanhope Elmore at Montgomery Academy, 7:30 p.m.

4 (G) Pike Road at Wetumpka, 5:30 p.m.

4 (B) Pike Road at Wetumpka, 7:30 p.m.

AHSAA Class 6A, Area 5 Tournament (at Calera)

4 No. 1 Calera vs. No. 4 Carver, 11 a.m.

4 No. 2 Chilton County vs. No. 3 Stanhope Elmore, 1 p.m.

4 Loser G1 vs. Loser G2, 3 p.m.

4 Winner G1 vs. Winner G2, 5 p.m.

AHSAA Class 6A, Area 4

Tournament (at Wetumpka)

4 No. 1 Wetumpka vs. No. 2 Benjamin Russell, 3 p.m.

4 Wetumpka vs. Benjamin Russell (Championship), 5 p.m.

4 Wetumpka vs. Benjamin Russell (if needed), 7 p.m.

High School Track & Field

AHSAA Class 5A, Section 2 Meet (at Smiths Station)

4 Elmore County, Holtville,Tallassee at Sectional Meet,TBD

AHSAA Class 6A, Section 1 Meet (at Wetumpka) 4 Wetumpka, Stanhope at Sectional Meet,TBD

Saturday, April 27

High School Baseball

AHSAA baseball playoffs

4 Wetumpka at Benjamin Russell (if needed), 5 p.m.

4 Gulf Shores at Tallassee (if needed), 1 p.m.

High School Softball

AHSAA Class 5A, Area 5

Tournament (at Elmore County)

4 No. 1 Elmore County vs. No. 4

10 a.m. 4 No. 2 Beauregard vs. No. 3 Tallassee, 12 p.m. 4 Winner G1 vs. Winner G2, 2 p.m. 4 Loser G1 vs. Loser G2, 4 p.m. High School Track & Field

AHSAA Class 5A, Section 2 Meet (at Smiths Station)

4 Elmore County, Holtville,Tallassee at Sectional Meet,TBD

AHSAA Class 6A, Section 1 Meet (at Wetumpka) 4 Wetumpka, Stanhope at Sectional Meet,TBD

Monday, April 29

High School Softball

AHSAA Class 6A, Area 5 Tournament (at Calera) 4 Game 5 (Loser’s bracket), 2 p.m. 4 Game 6 (Championship),

HENRY

The second of two Reeltown Rebels made his college decision

Woods by signing with Huntingdon. Smith and Woods

over St. Luke’s Episcopal.

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Public Notices

Public Notices

PUBLIC NOTICE

In accordance with Chapter 1, Title 39, Code of Alabama, 1975, notice is hereby given that Liberty Construction Co., LLC., Contractor, has completed the Contract for Toilet Renovations to Southside Middle School for Tallassee City Board of Education, Owner, and havement of said Contract. All persons having any claim for labor, materials, or otherwise in connection with the project should immediately notify McKee & Associates, 631 S. Hull Street, Montgomery, AL 36104 Liberty Construction Co., LLC, 791-A Anderson Road, Montgomery, AL 36110 (contractor)

Tallassee Tribune: Apr. 17, 24 and May 1, 2024

COMPLETION

PUBLIC NOTICE

ORDINANCE NO. 2024-691 TO REGULATE OVERGROWN VEGETATION, GRASS, PLANTS, SHRUBS, AND/OR WEEDS

WHEREAS, this Ordinance complies with Alabama Code §§ 6-5-120 through -122, 11-47117 and -118, 11-40-31, 11-53A1, 11-53A-6, 11-53B-1, 11-53B2, 1153B-6, 32-8-2, 32-8-84, 32-13-1, 32-13-2, 32-8-34, 1147-131 through -140, 11-6760 through -67, and 11-67-20 through -28.

WHEREAS, overgrown vegetation, grass, plants, shrubs, and weeds within the city limits of Tallassee, Alabama are injurious to the general welfare through being a dangerous public menace and an eyesore, and providing breeding grounds and shelter for rats, mice, snakes, mosquitoes, crickets, and other vermin, insects, and pests; and attaining heights and dryness that constitute a serious wingy or downy seeds, when mature that cause the spread of weeds and when breathed are irritating to the throat, lungs, and eyes of the public; and hiding debris such as broken glass on a person going upon the property, or being unsightly and constituting a usual blight.

WHEREAS, municipalities may bring an action to abate a nuisance, and under § 6-5-122, “all municipalities in the State of Alabama may commence an action in the name of the city to abate or enjoin any public nuisance to the health, morals, comfort or welfare of the community or any portion thereof.”

WHEREAS, the abatement, enjoinment, removal and clearance of an overgrown vegetation, grass, plants, shrubs, and/ or weeds nuisance described herein must be accomplished for the overall good and protection of the public as a whole.

WHEREAS, each case of alleged nuisance must be decided upon its own facts on a caseby-case basis.

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TALLASSEE, AS FOLLOWS: SECTION I

A. Abatement – to stop, halt, end or terminate; fully and complete repair, rehabilitate, demolish and/or remove any nuisance

B. City – the City of Tallassee, Alabama and its police jurisdiction, city council, mayor, clerk, employees and/or any autho-

C. Building Inspector – the building inspector of the City of Tallassee, Alabama.

D. Owner – a person who is the legal title holder, lessee or occupant of property, or who is otherwise in possession or control of the property. This also includes any agent, guardian, executor, administrator, oper-

Public Notices

y and located in the City;

b. Fail to comply with an order or notice given pursuant to this Ordinance;

c. Obstruct or interfere in any way with the enforcement of this Ordinance; and/or

d. Mutilate, destroy, tamper with, or remove a notice posted pursuant to this Ordinance.

E. Person – any individual, corporation, partnership, assolessee, manager, operator, occupant, executor, executrix, administrator, guardian, trustee or any other person in charge, care, possession or control of any property.

F. Property – any real property, whether commercial or residential, or personal property, within the City which is not a roadway. If the property faces a roadway, the property extends to the roadway. If the property faces an alley, the property extends to the center line of the alley. If the property is commercial property, the property includes, but is not limited to, all premises, parking lots, and loading/unloading areas.

G. Roadway – the entire width between the boundary lines of every way publicly maintained that any part thereof is open to the use of the public for purincludes, but is not limited to, any public road, street, avenue, highway, alley, thoroughfare or other public right-of-way. SECTION II

etation, grass, plants, shrubs and/or weeds on any property in the City that could be injurious to the public health, safety and general welfare because the same:

1. Have grown to a height of twelve (12) inches or more;

2.Provide breeding grounds and shelter for rats, mice, snakes, mosquitos, crickets, and other vermin, insects and pests;

3. Have attained such heights and dryness that constitutes a

4. Bear wingy or downed seed that could cause the spread of weeds or, when breathed, could cause irritation to the throat, lungs, and eyes of the public;

5. Hide debris, such as broken injury on a person going upon the property;

6. Appear so unsightly as to be offensive to the public; and/or

7. Interfere with any roadway, roadway or interferes with visibility of such roadway, roadway signs or intersections thereof to any person or persons lawfully using such roadways.

B. Exceptions from Ordinance: other ornamental plants under proper care and cultivation;

2. Any property which is in its natural condition, which is uncultivated and unseeded land or land that is still in a state of nature. Any land that has been cleared or plowed is not in its natural condition even though it has not been planted or cultivated;

3. Any property which is located outside an improved subdivision and is located more than one hundred (100) feet from any boundary of any property which any dwelling or commercial enterprise is located; and/or

4. Cultivated row crops and garden plants in their respective growing seasons. This applies only to growing crops and garden plants and shall not be construed to permit any crops or gardens to become overgrown with weeds. SECTION III

A. Generally.

1. It shall be the duty of the owner of the property located within the City to ensure the property is maintained in a manner consistent with this Ordinance.

2. The Building Inspector may inspect any nuisance on any property reported to the City byuation brought to the attention of the Building Inspector in any other manner.

3. Whenever the Building Inspector has reasonable cause to believe that a condition prohibited by the Ordinance exists, the same shall have the right to enter the private property in question to inspect the property.

4. Whenever the Building In-hibited by this Ordinance to exist, the same may initiate civil abatement proceedings and/or criminal proceedings.

5. Neither the initiation of prosecution for violations of this Ordinance nor the imposition of a penalty relieves a person of the duty to abate the nuisance.

B. Rights-of-Way.

1. The duties and obligations of the owner extend to and include any property situated within a dedicated right-of-way or easement burdening the property.

2. Such right-of-way or easement must be maintained by the owner in a manner consistent with the maintenance of the owner’s remaining property and within the requirements of this Ordinance, except to the extent it may be impracticable to do so because of public facilities located thereon.

3. The City does not cut grass, weeds, and other growth upon a dedicated right-of-way or easement, except to the extent necessary to maintain the public facility and to maintain safety.

C. Acts Declared Unlawful.

1. It shall be unlawful for any person or entity to: a. Permit or maintain the existence of any overgrown vegetation, grass, plants, shrubs and/ or weeds nuisance on any property under his, her, or its control

Public Notices

D. Procedure for the Civil Abatement of a Nuisance related to Overgrown Vegetation, Grass, Plants, Shrubs, and/or Weeds.

1. Notice.

a. Whenever a condition prohibited by this Ordinance is found to exist on property within the City, the Building Inspector shall declare the condition a nuisance and cause written nomail to the owner of the property upon which the nuisance exists. If the property is vacant, written notice will be mailed by the property as the information the tax assessor.

b. In addition, a sign entitled “Notice to Abate Nuisance” shall be conspicuously posted on the property where the nuisance exists notifying the owner that a nuisance exists and that the City will take action to abate said nuisance if the nuisance is not abated within the (10) days.

c. The Notice shall contain the following:

(i). A description of the property, by street address or otherwise, on which the nuisance exists; (ii). A direction to abate the nuisance within ten (10) days from the date of the notice; (iii). A description of the nuisance; (iv). A statement that unless the nuisance is abated, the City will abate the nuisance and the cost of abatement may be assessed against the property; (v). The date of the next regularly scheduled City Council meeting in which a hearing may be held if timely requested in writing and/or a resolution as to the assessment of costs may be passed; (vi). A statement regarding the hearing to object to the abatement of the nuisance and assessment of the cost of abatement against said property; (vii). A statement that in addition to the actual expenses incurred, an administrative fee of $150.00 also shall be assessed upon the property if the nuisance is not abated within ten (10) days of the notice to the owner; and (viii). A statement that a failure to abate the nuisance within ten (10) days from the date of the notice may, in addition to the remedies provided herein, result in criminal prosecution and shall, in the case of a habitual, repeat offender of this Ordinance, result in criminal prosecution.

2. Hearing. a. The owner of said properdeclaration by the Building Inspector that the condition constitutes a nuisance and request a hearing by notifying in writing the City Clerk or the Building Indays of the notice.

b. If a hearing is timely requested, the City Council shall hear and consider all evidence, objections and protests regarding whether or not the condition constitutes a nuisance and whether the same should be ordered abated or removed.

c. Upon the conclusion of the hearing, the City Council shall decide whether a nuisance exists and, if so, shall order it to be abated or removed.

d. The decision of the City and conclusive.

e. If a timely objection and in writing with the City Clerk or Building Inspector, abatement of the nuisance will proceed.

3. Abatement.

a. If the owner neglects to or refuses to abate the condition after notice to do so, the Building Inspector or other duly auoffending condition to be abated.

b. Those persons so designated by the City to abate a nuisance declared upon a property within the City are hereby au-erty for the purposes of abating or removing said nuisance.

c. If the designated persons encounter obstructions to the removal of said nuisances, the obstructions may be removed.

d. Those persons designated by the City to abate said nuisances shall have fourteen (14) days to abate the nuisance and submit the bill to the City Clerk or the Building Inspector.

e. The Building Inspector has the authority to remove anyone designated to abate a nuisance for non-performance.

f. Any owner of property shall have the right to have any nuisance removed at his or her own expense provided the removal is done prior to the commencing of the work by the person so designated by the City to perform the work.

4. Costs.

a. Determination and Notice of Costs.

(i). Upon completion of the abatement work performed, the Building Inspector shall compute the actual expenses including, but not limited to, total wages paid, value of the use of equipment, advertising expenses, postage, materials purchased, legal expenses, recording costs and administrative costs, which were incurred as a result of abating or removing a nuisance.

the owner of the property upon which the nuisance exists. If

the property is vacant, written mail to the owner of the property as the information is listed assessor. (iii). The administrative fee of $150.00 may be assessed against the owner of the property even if the nuisance is not ultimately abated by the City agents. The City may collect said fee through court action or any other lawful means; however, no lien may be placed against the property solely to recover administrative costs.

(iv). This notice shall be sent at -

cil to consider the assessment of the costs against the property.

b. Resolution by the City Council. and considering the statement of costs, the City Council shall hear the statement, together with any objections which may be raised by the owner of the property, and thereupon make as deemed necessary.

(ii). After which, a resolution to be assessed against the property.

c. Nuisance Lien.

(i). The amounts of the costs for abating the nuisance, including the administrative costs, shall constitute a “nuisance lien” against the property for the amount of the abatement of said nuisance.ports, a copy may be given to charged with the collection of taxes or assessments. It shall the nuisance lien to the next regular bills for taxes levied against the property. The costs shall be collected at the same time and in the same manner as ordinary municipal ad valorem taxes are collected and shall be subject to the same penalties and procedure under foreclosure and sale in case of delinquency.

(iii). The City Clerk shall cause assessing the cost of abateand shall forward a copy to the appropriate Revenue Commissioner.

(iv). The City may assess the against a property purchased by the State or any purchaser at any sale for the nonpayment of taxes.

(v). A subsequent redemption of a property by a person authoby the State, shall not operate to discharge or in any manner affect the nuisance lien and any person redeeming the property or purchasing the property at a sale by the State, shall take the same subject to the assessment.

E. Procedure for Criminal Prosecution of a Nuisance related to Overgrown Vegetation, Grass, Plants, Shrubs, and/or Weeds.

1. Generally. a. It shall be the duty of the owner of the property located within the City to ensure the property is maintained in a manner consistent with this Ordinance, and the failure to do so shall be unlawful.

b. A person with a duty to abate any nuisance is liable for separate and distinct offenses for each day the nuisance is allowed to remain beyond the time given by the Building Inspector to abate the nuisance.

c. The duty to abate a nuisance arises after notice to abate the same has been given by the Building Inspector.

d. If the owner fails, neglects or refuses to comply with the notice to abate the nuisance, the Building Inspector may proceed to prosecute such person for a violation of the provisions of this Ordinance.

e. The institution of criminal proceedings in no way precludes the initiation of subsequent or simultaneous civil

Public Notices q proceedings and vice versa, provided the criminal proceedings are not used to collect any outstanding civil assessments against the subject property.

2. Warrant or Summons Issued. a. The Building Inspector will make a complaint to the magistrate

‘BOOT CAMP’ FIELD DAY PROVIDES FUN FOR STUDENTS

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

Eclectic Elementary students celebrated friends and themselves at field day last week.

Through fun activities such as tug of war, Eat It to Beat It and sprints, students were encouraged to recognize the importance of staying fit, good sportsmanship and working as a team. It also allowed the students to have fun and relieve stress accumulated over the course of the school year.

Field day was labeled ‘Boot Camp’ and aligned with the theme for preparing for ACAP testing where staff worked with students to hopefully improve test scores. Those scores will be reflected in the fall in report cards issued by the Alabama State Department of Education.

Field day was hosted by teachers, staff, PTO and volunteers from the Elmore County High School Key Club.

Elmore County softball to host area tournament

By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor

Elmore County is hitting its stride.

The Panthers entered the month of April with a 4-5 overall record and a 1-1 record in AHSAA Class 5A, Area 5 play. They were coming off back-to-back losses to Wetumpka and a 3-0 loss to Beauregard in area play.

But then the switch flipped. Since April 1, Elmore County’s softball team has gone 9-4-1 and has won seven of its last eight games. That includes two wins against rival Tallassee and a big 7-6 win over Beauregard. That win put the Panthers in a tie-breaker with the Hornets for first place, and Elmore County was given the No. 1-seed and the host site.

The tournament begins Saturday morning with Elmore County facing No. 4 Valley at 10 a.m.

“This has shown that we can compete at a higher level as long as we just keep doing the little things right,” Panther coach Tranum Blackwell said of earning the No. 1 seed.

“Now if we want to win the area and clinch a No. 1 seed in regionals, we have to keep playing disciplined defense, execute on offense and stay focused throughout the game. We must limit our mistakes

both mentally and physically.”

In the win over Beauregard that ultimately decided which team was regular season champs, Elmore County jumped out to a 5-2 lead early.

Addi Stephenson got the scoring started with an infield single that scored Addie Patterson, then Raevyn Barris came around to score on an error on the same play.

Lalah Culpepper then singled in Stephenson to make it 3-0. In the next inning, Patterson clubbed a two-run home run to center field to score the fourth and fifth runs.

In extra innings, Patterson doubled in another two runs which eventually gave Elmore County the win. She finished the game 2-for-4 with a double, home run and four RBIs.

“In the first matchup against Beauregard, our offense struggled a little bit,” Blackwell said. “We just couldn’t put any hits together to score runs. However, in the second matchup, we were able to get more runners on and move them around the bases more effectively.”

Following that win, Elmore County spent the next two days beating up on area opponents Tallassee and Valley. The Panthers beat Tallassee, 17-2, then beat Valley 10-0. Over the weekend, Elmore County beat Opelika 4-0 and

County’s Addi

their last nine games and are

Dadeville 7-0 before falling in the final regular season game of the year, 4-2, to Benjamin Russell.

“In the second half of our year, our team is finding its

rhythm,” Blackwell said.

“We’ve been more confident at the plate, executing our plays more efficiently and playing with a lot of energy and determination. One thing

about his team is they don’t believe they are ever out of the fight. It’s been a combination of hard work, dedication and teamwork that’s been clicking for us.”

Elmore

Stephenson (3) pitches against Wetumpka earlier this season.The Panthers have won eight of

set to host the

CLIFF WILLIAMS TPI

Students at Eclectic Elementary School were treated to the annual field day last week. This year’s theme was Boot Camp and was similar to the theme for programs to help students prepare for ACAP testing.