April 24, 2019 Eclectic Observer

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LOCAL, 5

SPORTS, 9

NEWS, 7

Bonner served 20 years in Marines

Panthers continue to build

Tulotoma Art Trail returning Saturday

Eclectic Observer The

WEDNESDAY • APRIL 24, 2019

TheWetumpkaHerald.com

Vol. 30, No. 17

ECBOE extends capital plan By GABRIELLE JANSEN Staff Writer

Superintendent Richard Dennis brought up multiple plans for a capital outlay extension including moving Elmore County Technical Center programs to the former Wetumpka Junior High School building at the Elmore

County Board of Education meeting Monday. “We’ve been surveying each community to determine what are the critical needs of those things that we’ve got to address based on the growth we’re seeing,� Dennis said. Dennis said he wants to expand the technical center’s medical program and

program for seniors behind on credits to graduate, which will be moved into the closed Wetumpka Junior High School’s agriculture shop. Dennis said the building still has wings open for the local Head Start program. Dennis said the wing the board wants to use is being used as storage. “The cafeteria will be our hospital-

ity services program, which will be an ideal location for it,â€? Dennis said. “We don’t have to look at increasing power, those types of things, so right now we’re expanding in those areas just to make you aware to accommodate for the growth for next year. That frees up the dual enrollment which right now we See ECBOE • Page 3

County has state’s lowest jobless rate Elmore County’s 3.3-percent rate lower than state’s STAFF REPORT TPI Staff

Unemployment levels remained basically unchanged statewide and Elmore County’s unemployment rate is the lowest in the state, according to the Alabama Department of Labor. Alabama’s preliminary, seasonally adjusted March unemployment rate remained at a recordlow 3.7 percent from February to March is and well below March 2018’s rate of 4 percent. Elmore County’s unemployment rate tied for the lowest in the state with a quartet of other counties at 3.3 percent. “We’re seeing great growth in some of our high-wage sectors,â€? ADL Secretary Fitzgerald Washington said in a release. “Building construction employment has increased by nearly 11 percent over the year and aerospace parts and manufacturing is right behind it with more than 10-percent growth.â€? See JOBLESS • Page 2

FLOOD GATES Photos by Jimmy Wigfield / The Observer

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ater pours down the wall of the Martin Dam on Friday as a spillway gate was opened as part of Alabama Power’s flood control procedure. Later in the day a second gate was opened, according to dam superintendent Billy Bryan, and each gate can handle 3 million gallons of water per minute. The gates were opened because Lake Martin is near full pool at 491 feet and recent heavy rain triggered the procedure. As of Tuesday, the level had dropped to 490 feet, 4 inches and only two generators were running.

Local hunters to premiere new season of ‘DoeNation’ in August

Today’s

Weather

82 57 High

Low

By CARMEN RODGERS Staff Writer

THURS: HIGH 79 LOW 60

Submitted / The Observer

Brett Williams and Steven Caudle are an Elmore County pair that star on a reality hunting show. Season 3 is scheduled to premiere in August.

Elmore County’s Brett Williams and Steven Caudle are set to premiere Season 3 of the popular hunting show “DoeNation� in August. The hunters will appear on WBIHTV 29 in Selma and viewers will have the opportunity to see one of the cast member’s children take up the sport and much more. “DoeNation� is a reality hunting

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show featuring the two-man team that promotes bow hunting and couples it with the ministry of feeding the hungry. “We experienced a tremendous year with the ministry as we shattered the previous year’s total,â€? Williams said. “We ended this past season with 1,768 pounds of donated venison up from 1,321 pounds the previous year.â€? “DoeNationâ€? served Elmore, See HUNTERS • Page 2

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PAGE 2 • APRIL 24, 2019

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THE ECLECTIC OBSERVER

Hunters

Obituaries Anthony Dean Henry Anthony Dean Henry, 56, a resident of Eclectic, AL, passed away on April 16, 2019. He was born June 1, 1962. Funeral service will be Saturday, April 20, at 12 noon at Linville Memorial Funeral Home with Rev. John Sparks officiating. Visitation will be Saturday, April 20, from 10 am until service time at the funeral home. Mr. Henry was preceded in death by his stepfather, Nelson Blanton and brother, Tim Henry, both of Kentucky. He is survived by his wife, Rhonda Easterwood Henry (Eclectic, AL); mother, Clyde Leslie Blanton (KY); father, Woodrow Henry (SC); brothers, Joe Henry (KY) and Gene (Loretta) Blanton (PA); sister, Cindy McHone (KY); children, Ashley Henry (KY), Steven Thornton Jr. (Eclectic, AL), Michael (Tatum) Pierce (Eclectic, AL); stepchildren, Kevin and Christy (KY); grandchildren, Jason, Trever and Blake; and a host of family and friends. Online condolences at www. linvillememorial.com. Linville Memorial Funeral Home Eclectic, Alabama

Opelika man charged in fatal wreck that killed girl STAFF REPORT TPI Staff

An Opelika man has been charged with reckless murder and first-degree assault in connection with the death of a 2-year-old child during a two-vehicle crash April 13, according to the Alabama State Troopers. Tierra Leonard, 28, was booked into the Elmore County Jail on a total of $70,000 in bonds, according to Alabama State Trooper Cpl. Jess Thornton. The crash at 3:45 p.m. killed a 2-year-old girl who was not wearing a child restraint, Thornton said. The child was pronounced dead at Elmore Community Medical Center. Leonard was driving a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu which collided with a 2014 Chevrolet Silverado, Thornton said. Leonard and the driver of the Silverado were also injured. The crash occurred on Elmore County Road 73, Flat Rock Road, near the Friendship Community, approximately 5 miles west of Tallassee, Thornton said, and Alabama State Troopers are continuing to investigate.

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Tallapoosa and Lee counties last year and hopes to continue expanding. “Our goal remains to reach a new county in Alabama each year,” Williams said. “We are working hard to find participating processors in Montgomery and Macon counties for this new season.” Williams said the experience has been humbling and he and Caudle are looking forward to bringing in more viewers throughout the state and beyond. “We will be expanding the show to air in north Alabama and south Tennessee starting in August,” he said. “By adding this station our viewership range will increase to 1.8 million. We are confident this will ensure continued growth for the ministry.” “DoeNation” has been in contact with a deer processor in north Alabama to help deliver the meat to the hungry. “We already have one processor committed to help and working on more to support the northern market,” Williams said. “We could not do any of this without the processors and our sponsors who support us financially.” Season 3 will include Caudle’s oldest daughter, E.C., taking her first deer on episode 3 on Aug. 20. The show will air every Tuesday starting on Aug. 6 at 8 p.m. Williams said some of the upcoming episodes will spotlight members of the younger generation and focus on the importance of continuing the sport through them. “We had some successful hunts with our kids this year and that is always a blessing to get kids involved with the outdoors,” Williams said.

File / The Observer

The ministry of ‘DoeNation’ ended this season with 1,768 pounds of donated venison — an increase from 1,321 pounds the previous year.

“Hunting has continued a downward trend with interest from the younger generation falling off. Involving our kids and making it fun for them helps ensure that our hunting heritage will continue to be strong.” During the third season, Caudle and Williams hit the road and head north to hunt. They also plan on taking additional trips out of state during future seasons. “We took two big outof-state hunts this past year,” Williams said. “One was to Kentucky where Steven harvested a nice 8-point and another to Illinois where I had a great encounter with a young buck but no shot on that trip. We also hunted in Georgia and Tennessee. This year we have trips already planned to hunt Kansas and Oklahoma as well as Georgia and Tennessee again.” DoeNation’s participating processors from last season were A+ Deer Processing, The Skinning Shack, Bozeman’s Wild Game Processing, C&S

Deer Processing and The Sportsman’s Outpost. “They all continue to believe and support the ministry by donating their services by grinding and packaging the venison into one-pound ground meat packs,” Williams said. “We have found this is the simplest way to process and provide the meat to those individuals who are food insecure.” The cast has delivered thousands of pounds of venison to area food pantries and also gotten to know some of the families the pantries serve. “We dropped off 618 pounds of meat to the Elmore County Food Pantry only to have all of it given out the next day during their service time,” Williams said. “The clients refer to us as the ‘Doe Boys.’ Many times they ask the staff, ‘When will those Doe Boys be back with more deer meat?’ Many of the clients prefer the deer meat over the other available options.” Williams said he and Caudle are grateful for what the ministry has

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grown into. “It would be easy to take the credit for how the show and ministry have grown the last three years but that credit does not belong to us nor ours to take,” Williams said. “It is our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ that deserves it all and from our perspective will continue to get all the glory. He has opened so many doors and connected us with so many great folks that it truly is hard to explain. We have story after story of how He has provided and can’t be explained any other way.” Caudle and Williams speak about the ministry whenever the opportunity arises but it’s best not to schedule them during hunting season. “We are always open to individuals reaching out to us about speaking opportunities,” Williams said. “The best time to line those up is before hunting season because once that starts we will be in the woods hunting hard to harvest meat for the ministry.” To learn more about the organization, visit www. doenation.tv.

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Building construction employment increased to 21,200 in March while aerospace products and parts manufacturing employment increased to 13,100. Construction sector

weekly earnings showed tremendous growth over the month, rising to a record high of $1,010.21, representing a $61.39 increase from February and marking the first time in history this sec-

tor’s average earnings exceeded $1,000. The number of people counted as employed in Alabama is at a record high, Washington said. “More people are working now than ever

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before in Alabama’s history,” he said. “Employers are continuing to post jobs, companies are moving operations and our existing businesses are expanding.” In March, 2.132 million people were counted as employed, up from 2.127 million in February and up 28,953 from 2.103 million in March 2018, the ADL said. March’s rate represents 82,368 unemployed persons compared to 82,247 in February and 88,723 in March 2018, the ADL said. According to the state: • Tallapoosa County’s unemployment rate in March was 4.1 percent, incrementally better than the 4.2-percent rate in February and in March 2018. • Coosa County’s unemployment rate decreased from 4 percent in February to 3.9 percent in March and is better than the 4.3-percent rate in March 2018. Statewide, wage and salary employment increased over the year by 33,200. Sectors showing the most over-theyear growth were leisure and hospitality (+5,900), professional and business services (+5,600) and manufacturing (+4,700). Monthly gains were seen in the leisure and hospitality sector (+3,400), the construction sector (+2,500) and the professional and business services sector. Counties with the lowest unemployment rates are Shelby (2.8), Marshall (3.2) and Morgan, Madison and Elmore (3.3). The highest unemployment rates are in Wilcox (8.4), Lowndes (7.6) and Clarke (6.5).

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TheWetumpkaHerald.com

Humane Society of Elmore County News

ECBOE

Pet of the Week: Levy

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evy is a 16-month old, female shepherd/retriever mix who weighs about 45 pounds. She is a very playful and loving gal who is good with dogs but might be a bit too much for some small or low-key dogs. Levy’s potential family does not need to have chickens, ducks or pet birds please. She loves toys, loves to chew and dig but she is still a young dog so just give her chew toys to keep your house intact when you are gone. She is housetrained and crate trained. Levy is not in our shelter but in a foster home, so please first contact us for our adoption application then we can arrange for a meeting. Shelter adoption fees are $100 for dogs and $50 for cats under 1 year old; cats over 1 year old can be adopted by approved adopters for a fee of their choosing. This adoption fee completely covers the mandatory spay or neuter, basic immunizations, de-worming, microchip, heartworm check for dogs, rabies vaccination if old enough, free health exam with a participating veterinarian. To meet Levy and all the other great pets at the shelter visit 255 Central Plank Rd. in Wetumpka. For more information, visit www. elmorehumane.org, email hselco@bellsouth. net or call 334-567-3377. The shelter is open for adoptions Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Animal control officers deserve recognition By REA CORD HSEC Executive Director

April is a month full of important recognition of issues important to animal caring people. Last week was National Animal Control Officer (ACO) Appreciation Week and since our ACOs deserve to be thanked every week of the year, we don’t think we are too late in recognizing their work. In Elmore County, each of our city and county ACOs are alone in his or her work to enforce state and local laws, help animals in need, protect the health and safety of people and resolve issues involving animals. We know our ACOs’ departments appreciate their contribution to public safety as they interact with people and animal alike, often in risky situations involving injured, scared or aggressive animals. ACOs today do far more than the old “dog catcher” term implies. They deal with animal bite/attack cases, mediate disputes between neighbors over animal issues, round up loose livestock

that have gotten out of pastures, investigate animal cruelty and neglect cases, help injured animals get to care, work with other law enforcement when animals are involved in larger criminal cases and more. All areas of Elmore County have a containment law for dogs and Wetumpka and Tallassee add to that with a “leash law” for cats. City noise ordinances and barking dogs are often at crossed paths and some towns have limits on the number of pets in city zoning ordinances. Some, but not all, of our cities restrict livestock within city limits. Our animal control officers are dedicated professionals who deserve respect from the public they serve — some have attended specialized animal control training at the state and national level to learn about things like safe capture techniques, animal identification, disease issues, legal issues, investigative techniques, court proceedings, rabies control, public education, wildlife and exotics and so much more. Animal

issues often put them in harm’s way from both animals and people and their call volume often means they have to triage cases to deal with the most serious, or potentially serious, the quickest. We greatly appreciate the ACOs we deal with daily and ask the public also thanks them for all they do to help animals and people throughout Elmore County. We are in the second week of “Paw it Forward” by Bluewater Broadcasting where animal lovers can drop off donations to help the three area humane shelters. Bluewater Broadcasting stations will be live from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at a different sponsor location every day to collect donations in their Sprinter van. Donations can also be dropped off anytime Monday through Saturday during business hours in the Bluewater collection barrels at the following Montgomery locations: Lewis Lawn Equipment Inc, 1135 North Eastern Blvd.; Montgomery Subaru, 3000 Eastern Blvd.; Montgomery Eye

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APRIL 24, 2019 • PAGE 3

Physicians, 2752 Zelda Rd.; Best Friends Pet Resort, 4320 Wetumpka Hwy.; Holley’s Home Furnishings, 3490 Wetumpka Hwy.; Acceptance Insurance, 428 Twain Curve. Puppy and kitten food (both dry and canned) is of high need as well as bedding and cleaning supplies like bleach, laundry detergent, dishwashing soap and all donations are greatly appreciated. Please thank Bluewater Broadcasting and all of the above listed participating businesses for stepping up like this to help shelters as we move into our highest intake months of the year.

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have over 100 students in dual enrollment signed up.” Dennis said the school system is also looking at a donation of 50 acres of land and is looking at cutting costs and including middle school students in the career technical programs. Dennis said the school system is also looking at whether to continue renovating Elmore County High School “It’s an 80-year-old facility,” Dennis said. “This is going to be a decision we’ve got to make. We’ve got limited funding we’re talking about.” Dennis said replacing the school would cost $3 million. Dennis said the school system is looking at the numbers for where it can pay for things. The school board voted 5-0 to approve the capital outlay extension to August of up to $1.5 million. School board member Michael Morgan abstained from the vote. School board member Dale Bain was not present at Monday’s meeting. In other action, the school board: • Heard from Stanhope Elmore High School teacher Lisa Acosta about barcoding plants for Alabama’s Bicentennial. Acosta said they collected plants. • Recognized the schools’ county wrestlers. • Heard about the Ability Games, which is a field day for special education students. • Voted unanimously to approve the sick leave bank committee. • Voted 5-1 to improve the Redland Elementary School walking track. School board member Leisa Finley voted against. • Voted 5-0 to approve the Elmore County High School cafeteria roof bid. • Went into executive session to discuss the payroll coordinator salary structure.

Steve Baker, Publisher Jimmy Wigfield, Managing Editor Opinions expressed in guest columns and letters to the editor do not necessarily reflect the viewpoint of the management of Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc.

Page 4 • APRIL 24, 2019

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USPS-005-022 ISSN: 1536-688X The Eclectic Observer is published weekly on Wednesday, by Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc., 548 Cherokee Road, Alexander City, AL 35010. Periodical postage paid at Wetumpka, Alabama. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Eclectic Observer, P. O. Box 99, Wetumpka, AL 36092-0099. Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. manages The Alexander City Outlook, The Dadeville Record, The Wetumpka Herald, The Tallassee Tribune, The Eclectic Observer, Lake Magazine, Lake Martin Living, Elmore County Living, Kenneth Boone Photography and a commercial web printing press. © 2016 Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved and any reproduction of this issue is prohibited without the consent of the editor or publisher.

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UNPLANNED PLAN Reasons why Alabama should pass pro-life bill

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hat keeps us from sharing our stories? The ones we should

tell? When it comes to the story I shared Wednesday morning with the Alabama House Health Committee regarding what would be the nation’s strongest pro-life law, it’s been fear. Fear of being misunderstood. Fear of future assumptions based on past mistakes. Most of all, fear of causing my oldest daughter any embarrassment or pain. This is her story too. But after long talks over the years and after recently watching the new movie “Unplanned” together, she said I must speak up. She is proud, not embarrassed, and said our story might strengthen one mother and might help save one life. My daughter’s maturity humbles me because her life began when I was the opposite — foolish. I graduated college after years of overachievement I hoped would lead to what I wanted more than anything: a successful career. Like many driven young women, I had given almost no thought to motherhood. Maybe one day I’d get married and have a family. I moved to Virginia for my first job as a television reporter and continued a successful side hustle as a model and commercial actress. Everything was going better than I had dreamed. My life was filled with hope and anticipation. But my life was also filled with loneliness and insecurity and with a gnawing desire to be loved and feel wanted. I believed in abstinence until marriage but my now-husband and I fell short. I found myself taking a pregnancy test. My heart shattered when I saw the results. The test said someone inside me had started to live but in a flash it felt like everything about me had started to die. Sometimes life requires us to fall on one side or the other of a fence we never noticed before. I was notionally pro-life but I had not engaged the argument because I had not thought about the argument. It was a topic for someone else, someplace else. But now it was me and the last thing I wanted was to be a mother. I did not receive Planned Parenthood counseling but I imagine it would have said everything already racing through my mind: I was only

RACHEL BRYARS Columnist 22, way too young. I had everything to lose and nothing to gain. Why should one mistake define the rest of my life? Experts say cognitive dissonance is one of the most intolerable mental states — when we believe something is true, we’ll either act in harmony with that belief, change it or rationalize any deviation from it. I knew the growing baby inside of me was a human being. What else could she possibly be? There were also medical realities that overpowered rhetoric — a heartbeat I heard at my first appointment, fingers and eyes and ears and feet I could see at my second. I wish I could tell women in crisis pregnancies becoming a mother is pure bliss. But it was the hardest thing I’ve ever done. As my pregnancy progressed, I fell into what I can only describe as months of complete anguish, depression and despair. I left my job. I sleepwalked into a marriage I feared was another mistake. I berated myself, constantly asking, “How could you have been so stupid?” I withdrew from everyone and thought I’d never know happiness again. It’s hard to write those words knowing what I know now: My husband and my five precious children are my entire world. I wish I were a better writer because it’s impossible for me to adequately describe the all-consuming love I feel for them. Anything lost is a laughable pittance, barely worth mentioning compared to all I’ve gained. Looking now at my beautiful, artistic, strong, unique, nearly 14-year-old daughter, I can barely fathom how she might have been erased from existence if I’d followed our culture’s advice. Some abortion rights supporters believe my daughter was not a person until the moment she emerged from my body. Others believe she may have been at some point but claim we lack the knowledge of when. It seems a nightmarish hoax our society says during my pregnancy, even when my daughter was clearly alive, growing, able to smile, hear

music, feel pain, kick her legs, and even develop to where she could survive outside of me, her fate depended solely on whether I thought she should live or die. I think in the quiet of our souls, we know our absurd rationalizations about a “choice” are the only way we can bear the unthinkable truth — every day abortion doctors inject unborn human beings with poison, crush their skulls, tear them limb from limb and vacuum them into the trash. I went to college with Jessica Coleman, an Ohio woman who later went to prison when she confessed to stabbing her baby shortly after secretly giving birth when she was 15. I’ll never forget watching Oprah Winfrey interview the tearful, ashamed inmate who was once my soccer teammate. How do we make sense of our hypocrisy? If only Jessica had received an abortion that day. If only a doctor, not her, had stabbed her baby the moment before he was born she would not have gone to prison. Oprah would have commended her for her brave choice. It’s time to shake ourselves awake. To Alabama’s lawmakers: It is always better for people to choose what’s right on their own. But some actions are so heinous, so deeply wrong, we must create laws to prevent them. Pass this bill. To anyone who calls themselves pro-life but does not give money to crisis pregnancy centers, adoption services or anything related to supporting life, you are like a Pharisee, heaping heaving burdens on others but refusing to lift a finger yourself. Give. To men everywhere, the instinct to protect women and children is written onto your hearts. Rise up. This is not just a woman’s issue. You have every right to fight for the life of another human being, especially ones so defenseless. And to my sisters carrying an unplanned baby, my heart aches for you. Every life, yours and your baby’s, is valuable. Make the next right choice. It may be the hardest thing you ever do but it will be the best thing you ever do. Rachel Blackmon Bryars is a senior fellow at The Alabama Policy Institute. Connect with her at Rachel@alabamapolicy. org and on Instagram @rachelblackmonbryars.

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APRIL 24, 2019 • PAGE 5

‘Tricked’ into Marines, Bonner served 20 years By GABRIELLE JANSEN Staff Writer

W

hile Wetumpka native Bill Bonner served in the Department of the Navy, he didn’t choose to become a Marine. But when Bonner and his friend originally attempted to join the Navy, they got lost in the building and asked for help from a Marine Corps recruiting officer. “We got off on the wrong floor and asked a Marine Bonner recruiter where the Navy recruiting office was and he wouldn’t tell us,” Bonner said. “He put us in the Marine Corps.” Bonner graduated from Wetumpka High School and enlisted with the Marines in 1950, saying he decided to join the military because he wasn’t able to go to college. Bonner started in the infantry as a machine gunner and in January 1951 was deployed to Korea, where Bonner said it was so cold he got frostbite on his feet. “It was 20 below zero and we were out in mountains,”

Gabrielle Jansen / The Observer

Wetumpka native Bill Bonner looks though his old yearbook.

Bonner said. “We didn’t have any tents to live in. We lived just out in the weather.” Bonner was in Korea for nearly five months before he got shot in the leg. He was then sent to a U.S. Navy hospital in Yokosuka, Japan. Bonner was released from the hospital after two months and then spent a year

in Okinawa, Japan, before being transferred to Naval Air Station Pensacola. Bonner spent about seven years on and off as a Marine Corps recruiter and was also stationed in Montgomery; Columbia, South Carolina; and Hickory, North Carolina. From 1965-68, Bonner started the YMCA football program and

CACC Fine Arts Department to host community band concert and workshop By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer

Ivory Brock is grinning from ear to ear about an upcoming community band concert and workshop. In his two years as band director at Central Alabama Community College, Brock has made an effort to reach out and let CACC’s band programs serve the surrounding communities. For the second year in a row, the program is hosting a concert featuring students from CACC, local high school band directors and high school students. Brock is hoping next week’s concert appeals to many in the community. “I’ve selected a program to appeal to a large cross section of the community,” Brock said. “The theme is ‘An Evening to Remember.’ It includes ‘Salute to the Armed Forces,’ where we are going to recognize people who have served in each of the five services.” Another piece will feature Benjamin Russell student Valerie Toro on the piano playing with the band. “We are going to play a piece called ‘The Seal Lullaby,’” Brock said. Brock said he is blessed to have the community play in the band as it expands CACC’s band program and helps those in the community with an interest in music. Brock is especially proud to have high school band directors in the community band. “I’m very blessed they can come out and play. They get something out of it too,” Brock said. “Now they see how it is to be on the other side and not always understanding what the conductor wants. They also bring students with them to get more experience. Those students could be

Dixie Youth baseball program in Millbrook. “I’ve coached little league baseball, girls softball and football for a lot of years,” Bonner said. Bonner said he played football and basketball when he was in the Marine Corps. In his last year in the Marine Corps, Bonner was

transferred to Vietnam and spent five months there from 1968-69 as a first sergeant. “I was medivaced out because I had an ulcer that became active and they moved me out of Vietnam so I went back to Pensacola Naval Hospital again,” Bonner said. After getting out of the hospital, Bonner was transferred to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, for three months. Bonner retired as a first sergeant on Sept. 30, 1969. Bonner moved back to Montgomery after his retirement and started working at Lowe’s. The company sent him to Natchitoches, Louisiana, and he worked there for two years as a warehouse manager before starting his own industrial supply business in 1981. “I sold pipes and pipe fittings and vials and industrial supplies,” Bonner said. Bonner sold his business and moved back to Wetumpka eight years ago after his daughter, Vicki, convinced him to relocate. Bonner is a lifetime member of Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion and Disabled American Veterans. Bonner is also a member of the Montgomery Marine Corps League.

New chamber director wants to take Wetumpka to new level By JIMMY WIGFIELD Managing Editor

Shellie Whitfield was weary of living in Colorado but she didn’t open a map, close her eyes and land a finger on Wetumpka thinking she would one day lead the chamber of commerce. “We knew we wanted to leave Colorado,” she said. “We were tired of the cost of living and the schools were not good. For about a year I worked on a spreadsheet with all the things we were looking for — close to the beach, good schools, a small community, low crime rate. We were looking for a divine sign. So we started driving. By the third day we were discouraged. Then we came over the bridge into Wetumpka.” She and her husband wanted to see some commercial property and she said people from the city responded and spent an hour talking to them. “They put their hands out and said, ‘Welcome to Wetumpka,’” Whitfield said. “We decided to move here. We love it here.” That was nearly two years ago and Whitfield didn’t know it then but her organizational and marketing acumen would result in her getting one of the highest-profile jobs in the community. But first she and her family, including two South Korean adoptees who are 14 and 16, had to get accustomed to the heat of June in central Alabama. They bought the landmark Big Fish House in downtown Wetumpka and she remembered the toil of moving in. “It was hot,” Whitfield said. “I thought we would die unloading the truck and having to go up those stairs. It’s a lot of stairs just to get to the front door, then it’s two levels.” Now she wants to take Wetumpka to a new level using her more than two decades of experience in marketing and organizational management, including training and development, multi-level marketing, event coordinating and business networking. Whitfield, 52, got involved in Wetumpka long before being asked to consider applying for the chamber executive director’s position. She owns the Big Fish art studio downtown and built an art program in the Elmore County school district serving over 1,400 students. “Someone reached out to me and asked if

future band directors.” One of those high school band directors in the community band is Elmore County High School band director Anthony Vittore. “He plays the alto sax,” Brock said. “He is a dynamic player.” Brock is also excited about Dr. Quincy C. Hilliard serving as a guest conductor and the band will play two of his pieces at the concert Sunday, April 28 at 4 p.m. in the Betty Carol Graham Center. “He is someone who is a nationally known wind band composer and he is an educator,” Brock said. Brock said CACC Dean of Students Dr. Sherri Taylor is another guest conductor who will take the stand. She has a choral background but is stepping across the aisle to direct the band. “She has been working hard,” Brock said. “Choral pieces are directed differently than band pieces. It will be fun.” Brock said Hilliard will be conducting a workshop for band directors and will use the bands at Benjamin Russell and Horseshoe Bend School as demonstration bands for the workshop. Hilliard’s Friday workshop is aimed at high school band directors and is titled “Building good tone quality in your beginning, middle and high school band.” Band directors interested in the workshop with Hilliard can receive credit for professional development by signing up at pdweb.alsde. edu/pdweb with workshop code EARIC801. Call Barbara Lytle at 334-344-5028 with registration issues. The registration deadline is April 22. For further information contact Brock at lbrock@cacc.edu or 256-215-4396.

I was interested in nonprofit work,” she said. “I said, ‘I can’t volunteer for one more thing,’ and they said, ‘No, the chamber position is open.’ I have said no one loves Wetumpka more than me, not even the mayor. So I threw my name in the hat and I was surprised to be on the short list. You don’t know — I wasn’t from here, so I was pleasantly surprised to get the job. “I’m incredibly passionate and do everything with so much heart. I have gotten so involved in this community in such a short time. I’ve shown how much it matters to me.” Whitfield, who studied business management at the University of Maryland and earned a bachelor’s degree in special education from the University of Northern Colorado, said she was asked in her interview with the chamber to create a plan with three goals. “One, I want to strengthen the relationship between the chamber, the city and Main Street (Wetumpka),” she said. “Those three in a symbiotic relationship will change things. I feel because I’m really good at building relationships I can strengthen the relationships that are already there. “Two, I want to strengthen the relationships with the current members and create more value for them. Three, I want to use the relationship energy for current members to recruit new members and make it something people want to belong to.” Whitfield said the January tornado that destroyed parts of neighborhoods on the west side of the Coosa River will give Wetumpka a chance to redevelop but she agrees with Mayor Jerry Willis it should be done with thoughtful deliberation, especially along the riverfront. “I want to see the community continue to develop the way it is,” she said. “I like the way Wetumpka takes old buildings and revitalizes them. Wetumpka is on the upswing but I think everyone is still grieving. I look out my front door and see the damage every day. We need to clean up and collect our thoughts on what is best for Wetumpka. The mayor is correct — let’s see what Wetumpka needs and what Wetumpka wants there along the river. It’s a beautiful place and it sets us apart. Let’s clean up along the river and make it more visible.”

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• Domestic • Agriculture • Commercial • Propane • Tank Sales • Rental • Appliance Sales and Service

PAGE 6 • APRIL 24, 2019

TheWetumpkaHerald.com

THE ECLECTIC OBSERVER

ClassiÄeds

Lake & River Phone (256) 277-4219 Fax (205) 669-4217 The Alexander City Outlook

Employment

Reaching more than 22,000 households in Tallapoosa and Elmore counties The Dadeville Record

DRIVERS Hanna Truck Lines is seeking Professional Flatbed Drivers. 56 cpm-No surprises: Starting pay (all miles): 54cpm, 55cpm at 6 months, 56cpm at 1 year. 100% Outbound loads Pre-loaded & Tarped. 75% Inbound No Tarp. Late Model Peterbilt Trucks. AirRide Trailers. Home weekends. Low cost BCBS Health/Dental Ins. 0DWFKLQJ . 4XDOL¿FDWLRQV 18 months Class A CDL driving H[SHULHQFH ZLWK PRV ÀDWEHG Applicants must meet all D.O.T. requirements. Contact recruiting at 1-800-634-7315 RU FRPH E\ +7/ RI¿FH DW 1700 Boone Blvd, Northport. EOE CDL Class B Driver Wetumpka Russell Do it Center Now accepting applications for the position of Class B CDL Driver/Warehouse worker. Must have experience driving a forklift and delivery trucks with manual trans. Full-time position ZLWK EHQH¿WV 9DOLG GULYHUœV license with Class B CDL license and a good driving history required. Please apply in person at Russell Do it Center, 7986 Hwy 231, Wetumpka, AL Applications accepted Monday–Friday 7am-4pm. Serious Inquiries Only. EOE

Full-time sales clerk Wetumpka Russell Do it Center is now accepting applications for a full-time sales clerk. Retail experience helpful. Applications accepted at Russell Do it Center, 7986 Hwy 231 Wetumpka, AL EOE

Warehouse worker Wetumpka Russell Do it Center Accepting applications for the position of warehouseman at the Wetumpka Do it Center. Forklift and warehouse operations experience desired. Part-time position with EHQHÂżWV 3OHDVH DSSO\ LQ SHUVRQ at Russell Do it Center 7986, +Z\ LQ :HWXPSND $/ Applications accepted 0RQGD\ Âą )ULGD\ DP SP 6HULRXV ,QTXLULHV 2QO\ EOE

Now Hiring Heavy Equipment Operators and CDL Drivers Competitive pay DQG EHQHÂżWV Pre-employment drug test required Equal Employment Opportunity Employer Call: 205-298-6799 or email us at: MWDWH#IRUHVWU\HQY FRP

Full-Time Beautician ZLWK H[FHOOHQW EHQH¿WV ‡&XUUHQW FRVPHWRORJ\ OLFHQVH NHHS XSGDWHG %URZQ 1XUVLQJ DQG 5HKDE &RQWDFW &HFLO\ /HH $GPLQLVWUDWRU $SSO\ DW :DVKLQJWRQ 6WUHHW $OH[DQGHU &LW\ Need yard worker for 6 hours a week $12 an hour (334)567-0009 Experienced Machinist Needed Manual Mill & Lathe Operator Contact Brown Machine & Fabrication, Inc. Alexander City, AL Monday - Thursday 256-234-7491

classiďŹ eds@thewetumpkaherald.com public.notices@thewetumpkaherald.com

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Job Opportunities

Job Opportunities

Job Opportunities Wetumpka Area Wood Pallet Operation Needs:

Accepting applications for CNA classes!

Now Hiring Experienced Mechanical/ Structural Draftsman SURÂżFLHQW LQ 'LPHQVLRQDO AutoCAD drafting. Contact Brown Machine & Fabrication, Inc. Alexander City, AL 0RQGD\ 7KXUVGD\

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$OOHJLDQFH 6WDIÂżQJ LV DFFHSWLQJ DSSOLFDWLRQV IRU VHYHUDO RSHQ SRVLWLRQV We need dependable HPSOR\HHV ZKR ZDQW WR ZRUN ,I WKLV LV \RX FRPH VHH XV WRGD\ <RX PD\ DSSO\ LQ SHUVRQ DW 6RXWK &HQWUDO $YHQXH $OH[DQGHU &LW\ $/ RU \RX PD\ DSSO\ RQOLQH DW ZZZ DVDSSO\ DJ FRP :H ORRN IRUZDUG WR VHHLQJ \RX VRRQ

We Are Looking to Fill the Following Positions: 1. RN/LPN Nursing Supervisor 2. Caregivers Provide appropriate care and supervision to Elderly and Disabled individuals. Call us at 256-342-5222 or email: aohcs08@gmail.com

White Oak Transportation

is hiring CDL-A Drivers in your area Great Pay! ([FHOOHQW %HQHÂżWV Visit our website www.whiteoaktrans.com for more information EOE-M/F/D/V

C&J Tech Alabama,Inc. Now Hiring-Production Area 2IIHUHG %HQH¿WV ‡0HGLFDO 'HQWDO 9LVLRQ ‡3DLG 9DFDWLRQ +ROLGD\V ‡/RQJ 6KRUW 7HUP 'LVDELOLW\ 3ODQV ‡ KU RU PRUH (based upon experience) $SSOLFDQWV DSSO\ DW C&J Tech. 3ODQW 'U $OH[DQGHU &LW\ $/ 0RQGD\ )ULGD\ DP SP SEEKING SALESMAN for Rubber & Plastic Items Call to apply: 205-243-6661

The Learning Tree, Inc. is Accepting Applications for 2nd, 3rd and Weekend shifts for Direct Care Applications can be picked up at: 101 S. Dubois Street Tallassee, AL 36078 Or contact Shatia Carr (334)252-0025 Ext. 101 Email: Scarr@learning-tree.org

Hiring experienced carpenters Please apply in person at: 6400 Highway 63 S Alexander City, AL 35010 NOW HIRING ‡(PHUJHQF\ 5RRP )7 51 DP SP ‡37 6XUJLFDO 6FUXE 7HFK ‡)7 &513 :HWXPSND 3HGLDWULFV (PDLO UHVXPH OUD]LFN#LY\FUHHNKHDOWK FRP

‡0DLQWHQDQFH 0LOOZULJKW Must have working knowledge of welding/ torching, hydraulics, pneumatics, and electrical systems. ‡3URGXFWLRQ 6XSHUYLVRU Report to Plant Manager and be hands on with people/equipment. Must be willing to operate equipment as needed. ‡0DFKLQH 2SHUDWRUV Operate wood sawing, stacking and nailing machinery. Apply at Bass Lumber RU FDOO

‡&HUWL¿HG 1XUVLQJ $VVLVWDQWV DP SP SP SP SP DP VKLIWV ([FHOOHQW SD\ DQG EHQH¿WV $SSO\ LQ SHUVRQ DW :DVKLQJWRQ 6WUHHW $OH[DQGHU &LW\ Moco Transportation OTR Drivers Needed 25 yrs old, 2 yrs Exp. Hazmat Required. Good MVR. NO LOCAL RUNS Call: 1-800-328-3209 Do you have available jobs? Call 256.277.4219 to let others know about job opportunities at your business.

The Wetumpka Herald

PUZZLES & HOROSCOPE ARIES (March 21-April 19) Confusion surrounds the best-laid plans. Try to sort through who, when and where. ConĂ„rm appointments; you’ll feel a lot better as a result. A discussion might seem futile, but it isn’t. Be more aware of your image and how people respond to you as a result. Tonight: A force to behold. TAURUS (April 20-May 20) Refuse to be politely coaxed into seeing what’s going on. Your sense of humor emerges once more. You discover the value of having a lot to do and not getting caught up in problems that stem from someone’s mood. Tonight: Try a movie. GEMINI (May 21-June 20) You feel as though someone doesn’t get the diɈerence between you and another person. At the moment, you do best when relating on a oneon-one level, but you could still be confused after a discussion. Tonight: Spend a special few hours with a loved one. CANCER (June 21-July 22) Your emotional nature takes you down a new path. You could wonder what might be best. A partner or close friend could give you an earful. This person feels the need to communicate his or her opinions. Listen; you might gain some important insight. Tonight: Be yourself. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) You could be at the end of your line. No matter what you do or why, it somehow aɈects your daily life. You want to be eɉcient yet maintain the lightness that’s associated with your sign. Confusion surrounds the best of intentions. Tonight: Put your feet up. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) You could be in a situation you’d prefer not to be in. Tap into your creativity; you’ll Ă„nd the exit point. Don’t allow unnecessary stress to get in your way. Confusion will work itself through. Express your caring and

concerns. Tonight: As you like it. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) You have the ability to make a diɈerence as you rarely have. You don’t need to settle, but you do need to commit to a certain direction. Confusion is the earmark of the day. Make sure that everyone is on the same page. Tonight: Get some extra R and R. SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) You’re keen on letting others know what you think. However, how you state your case or express your opinions is often what deĂ„nes success. You know what’s needed. As other requests come in, do only what you have to. Tonight: As you like it. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) Tension could build over a Ă„nancial matter. You might not see eye to eye with someone else, but it might not be necessary. You could feel that others are refusing to be logical. Tonight: Make your own decisions. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) You have an opportunity presented to you. Confusion and a potential misunderstanding could cause you to look at this matter diɈerently or possibly not even hear the oɈer. Stay centered; you might hear what’s being discussed more clearly. Tonight: As you might like. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) Absorb information with care. Once you digest all that’s said, how you feel about what you’re hearing could change radically. Take your time before giving any responses or thoughts. You’ll have an unusual outlook. Tonight: A must appearance. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20) Zero in on an important meeting. Although many controversial ideas could be tossed out, some might have inlaid pearls of wisdom. Think about what’s being presented. You don’t need to comment unless you really want to. Tonight: Join friends.

THE ECLECTIC OBSERVER

TheWetumpkaHerald.com

APRIL 24, 2019 • PAGE 7

Tulotoma Art Trail to return Saturday Art Studio with Nick Nyberg. Other artists who are going to be at the Tulotoma Art Trail include Linda Lewis, Martha Colson, Libby Christensen, Brenda Davis, Jeanette Kempter, Jerry Peters, Nancy Cooper, Larry Stewart, Stephanie Harrison, Ray Bellew, Mit Fontaine, Teresa Wamble, the Wetumpka High School Art Club, Sandy Mann, Annie Bartol, Brittini Smith, Mary Hanby and Lawrence Carson. Hickman said artists

By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer

The second annual Tulotoma Art Trail returns to Wetumpka this weekend in an effort to bring guests downtown. “We simplified it from last year,� volunteer Carol Hickman said. “We are focusing on art and bringing people downtown to businesses and restaurants too.� Like last year with the history mural, organizers hope a live art event will bring crowds to downtown. “We have added a steam punk competition,� Hickman said. “I didn’t know what it was. It is where four guys take junk, weld and make something from it.� Hickman said they will not have days to create a piece of art from junk. “They will have four hours to make something,� she said. “Then people can vote on their favorite.� Hickman said the creations will be for sale but it will be a year before the new owners can take

possession of the creations as they will be on display. “That won’t stop them from taking commissions,� she said. “They will also have some other little things for sale. All of the artists will be open to commissions beyond what they have for sale.�

Hickman said the trail will feature some local artists including herself. “Nancy Cooper is from Elmore County,� Hickman said. “She is a retired teacher and she started painting after she stopped teaching. There is also Emily Roney. She does jewelry, basket

Job Opportunities

Job Opportunities

Business Opportunities

Shoneys of Wetumpka Now Hiring Manager Trainees, Cooks and Servers Apply within during business hours Monday-Friday: 4700 US Highway 231 EOE

BECOME A DENTAL ASSISTANT IN ONLY 7 WEEKS! Visit our website capstonedentalassisting.com or call 205-561-8118 to get your career started!

Alexander City (Lake Martin) File / The Observer

Saturday’s Tulotoma Art Trail will have a variety of artists. The trail is from 1 to 5 p.m.

Looking for motivated dependable team members who are thorough in cleaning ThermalMasters5-days/wk ASE Bank-3-days/wk Cleaning experience preferred but not required Contact: statrim@hotmail.com

Auctions & Sales

weaving and all sorts of other stuff. Dana Lanum will be at Grumpy Dog; that’s owned by her husband. Don Sawyer will be there too. There is Larry Stewart. He has the coolest, craziest chickens.� Shellie Whitfield will be at her Big Fish

Lake Property Rental

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Garage Sales

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Huge Family Yard Sale 207 12th Avenue North Alex City April 27 Camping supplies, boating supplies, pop-up canopies, building supplies, bike racks, baby items, household items, small size women’s clothes and shoes, Xbox & games RAIN OR SHINE

Sell your home in the classifieds call 256.277.4219.

Transportation

Pets & Livestock

Automobiles

Domestic Pets

1969 VW Karmann Ghia Yellow exterior. Project car, complete but does not run. Rare car, asking $1500 OBO. Call/text after 5 serious inquiries only. (256)596-0215

Australian Shepherd Puppies for Sale 256-825-4825

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Recreational Vehicles

State ClassiďŹ ed AlaScans

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Appliance Service

Apartments

• Speech Language Pathologist (PRN) • Respiratory Therapist (PRN) • Dietary Assistant (PRN) • Lab Assistant (PRN) • Physical Therapy Assistant (FT) • Front OfďŹ ce Supervisor/Cancer Center (FT) • Registration Clerk/ED (FT) 4p-4a

Fax: 256/329-7335 or Phone: 256/329-7345

Fencing

Bill Nichols State Veterans Home

and visitors will be able to hear music from Coosa Cleaver in the streets of downtown Wetumpka starting at 2 p.m. The trail is from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. and maps will be available. Activities start Thursday and Friday with plein air demonstrations where artists will set up in Gold Star Park. “It is a learned technique,� Hickman said. “Painting outside, it is my understanding you can see colors and shadows so much better.�

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Public Notices Public Notices PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE OF COMPLETION

Notice is hereby given that Pike Road Electric has completed the contracted work of Aaron Park Ball Field Lighting Improvements for the Town of Eclectic under LWCF Project No. 16-LW-1033. Any claims SERVICES WANT YOUR ad to be seen in held against the same shall be itemized, notarized and pre120 newspapers statewide? 3ODFH \RXU DG LQ RXU &ODVVLÂżHG sented to the Town of Eclectic, Network for just $210 per week! c/o Leslie York of Central Alabama Regional Planning and Make one call to this Development Commission at newspaper (a participating WKH RIÂżFH RI 6 &RXUW 6WUHHW ALA-SCAN member) or call WR ÂżQG RXW KRZ 0RQWJRPHU\ $/ $OO FODLPV VKDOO EH ÂżOHG ZLWKLQ easy it is to advertise GD\V RI WKH ÂżQDO SXEOLFDWLRQ RI statewide! this notice. INSURANCE AUTO INSURANCE Starting at (FOHFWLF 2EVHUYHU $SU May 1 and 8, 2019 $49/month! Call for your Free COMPLETION rate comparison to see how

PAGE 8 • APRIL 24, 2019

TheWetumpkaHerald.com

AME ZION Mt. Zion Chapel AME Zion 2340 Crenshaw Rd., Wetumpka 567-4413 Rogers Chapel AME Zion 709 W. Bridge St., Wetumpka 5678144 Jackson Chapel AME Zion 4885 Coosada Rd., Coosada Jones Chapel AME Zion 2414 Ingram Rd. (Co. Rd. 3), Elmore ABUNDANT LIFE Abundant Life Church 9301 U.S. Hwy 231., Wetumpka 567-9143 ASSEMBLY OF GOD Agape Tabernacle Assembly of God 1076 Kowaliga Rd., Eclectic 5412006 Bethel Worship Center 11117 U.S. Hwy 231., Wetumpka 567-5754 Crossroads Assembly of God 2534 AL Hwy 14., Millbrook 2855545 First Assembly of God 3511 Shirley Ln., Millbrook New Home Assembly of God 5620 Caesarville Rd., Wetumpka 569-2825 BAPTIST Abraham Baptist Church Millbrook Antioch Baptist Church 1115 Antioch Rd., Titus 567-2917 Beulah Baptist Church 2350 Grier Rd., Wetumpka 5142881 Blue Ridge Baptist 4471 Jasmine Hill Rd., Wetumpka 567-4325 Brookwood Baptist Grandview Rd., Millbrook Calvary Baptist 504 W. Osceola St., Wetumpka 567-4729 Central Baptist 3545 W. Central Rd., Wetumpka 541-2556 Coosada Baptist 20 Kennedy Ave., Coosada Deatsville Baptist 184 Church St., Deatsville Eclectic Baptist Church 203 Claud Rd., Eclectic 541-4444 Faith Baptist 64 Chapel Rd., Wetumpka 5674417 First Baptist Church 205 W. Bridge St., Wetumpka 5675191 First Baptist of Elmore Hwy. 14 Co. Rd. 74, Elmore Galilee Baptist 95 Old Georgia Rd., Wetumpka 567-4178 Good Hope Baptist 1766 S. Fleahop Rd., Eclectic Goodship Baptist 1554 Hwy. 143, Millbrook 285-0094 Grace Baptist Old Montgomery Hwy., Wetumpka 567-3255 Grandview Pines Baptist 346 Deatsville Hwy., Millbrook 285-5125 Green Ridge Baptist 288 Turner Rd., Wetumpka 5672486 Harvest Baptist 2990 Main St., Millbrook

THE ECLECTIC OBSERVER

Area Churches

Hillside Baptist 405 Old Montgomery Hwy., Wetumpka Holtville Riverside Baptist 7121 Holtville Rd., Wetumpka 5145922 Lake Elam Baptist 4060 Gober Rd., Millbrook Liberty Hill Baptist 61 Crenshaw Rd., Wetumpka 5678750 Lighthouse Baptist 2281 Main St., Millbrook Living Water Baptist 1745 Grass Farm Rd. (Co. Rd. 80), Titus 514-7304 Millbrook Baptist 3431 Browns Road, Millbrook 2854731 Mitts Chapel Baptist 935 Cold Springs Rd., Deatsville 569-1952 Crossroads Community Church 150 Mt. Hebron Rd., Elmore 5674441 Mt. Herron East Baptist Church 4355 Mt. Herron Rd. Eclectic, Al 36024 334-857-3689 Mountain View Baptist 1025 Rifle Range Rd., Wetumpka 567-4458 New Harmony Baptist 3094 New Harmony Rd., Marbury 312-1878 New Home Baptist 1605 New Home Rd., Titus 5670923 New Hope Baptist 6191 Lightwood Rd., Deatsville 569-1267 New Lily Green Baptist 6504 Deatsville Hwy., Deatsville New Nazareth Baptist Hwy. 143, Deatsville Pleasant Hill Baptist Pleasant Hill Rd., Eclectic 5413460 Prospect Baptist Prospect Rd., Eclectic 567-5837 Redland Baptist 1266 Dozier Rd., Wetumpka 5678649 Refuge Baptist Church 3098 Red Hill Road Tallassee 334-857-2638 Rehoberth Baptist 8110 Rifle Range Rd., Tallassee 567-9801 Rushenville Baptist 10098 Georgia Rd., Eclectic 5412418 Saint James Baptist 1005 Nobles Rd., Wetumpka 567-6209 Saint James Baptist 101 Gantt Rd., Deatsville 569-3006 Santuck Baptist 7250 Central Plank Rd., Wetumpka 567-2364 Seman Baptist Seman, Alabama Shoal Creek Baptist 13214 Holtville Rd., Deatsville 569-2482 Springfield Baptist Hwy. 7, Millbrook Thelma Baptist 810 Weoka Rd., Wetumpka 5673665 Titus Baptist 6930 Titus Rd., Wetumpka 334-531-2120 Tunnell Chapel Baptist 210 Central Plank Rd., Wetumpka 567-2589

Victory Baptist 5481 Main St., Millbrook Wadsworth Baptist 2780 Hwy. 143, Deatsville 5692851

BAPTIST - MISSIONARY Atkins Hill 565 Atkins Rd., Wetumpka 5671141 Cathmagby Baptist 3074 Mitchell Creek Rd., Wetumpka 567-4787 First Missionary Baptist at Guilfield 412 Company St., Wetumpka 5677455 Goodhope 1389 Willow Springs Rd. Wetumpka 567-7133 Lebanon 17877 U.S. Hwy. 231, Titus 5141097 Mount Canaan 1125 Weoka Rd., Wetumpka 5672141 Mount Pisgah 16621 U.S. Hwy. 231, Titus 5673668 Mt. Zion 371 AL Hwy. 14, Elmore, 567-2613 Mt. Zion #3 1813 Luke Paschal Rd., Eclectic New Home 5130 Elmore Rd., Wetumpka 5675966 Second Missionary 760 N. Bridge St., Wetumpka 5678601 Spring Chapel Jasmine Hill Rd., Wetumpka 5676493 Sweetwater 163 Michael Lane, Wetumpka 334538-9415 Tabernacle Baptist 1020 W. Tallassee St., Wetumpka 567-0620

Elmore Church of God 10675 Rucker Road, Elmore Gethsemane Church of God 705 Cotton St., Wetumpka 5679886 Church at the Brook 2890 Hwy. 14, Millbrook Maranatha Church of God 2621 Holtville Rd., Wetumpka 5676786 Victory Tabernacle AOH Church of God 2080 Main Street, Millbrook Wetumpka Church of God Hwy. 9 N. Wetumpka 215-3091 CONGREGATIONAL CHRISTIAN Cedarwood Congregational Christian 10286 US Hwy 231 N, Wetumpka 567-0476 Seman Congregational Christian 15970 Central Plank Rd., Seman Union Congregational Christian 8188 Lightwood Rd., Marbury 5692122 EPISCOPAL The Episcopal Church of the Epiphany 2602 Gilmer Ave., Tallassee 2528618 Trinity Episcopal Church 5371 U.S. Hwy. 231, Wetumpka 567-7534 St. Michael & All Angels Church 5941 Main St., Millbrook HOLINESS New Beginnings Holiness 865 Crenshaw Rd., Wetumpka 5679211 Summit Holiness 2050 Hwy. 14, Millbrook Temple of Deliverance Holiness 620 Alabama St., Wetumpka 5143114 JEHOVAH’S WITNESS Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses 9235 U.S. Hwy. 231, Wetumpka 567-8100

BAPTIST - PRIMITIVE Bethel Old School 4625 Jackson Rd. (C.R. 103), Wetumpka Providence 4850 Chana Creek Rd., Wetumpka

LATTER DAY SAINTS Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints 1405 Chapel Rd., Wetumpka 5678339 Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Cobbs Ford Rd., Millbrook

CATHOLIC Our Lady of Guadalupe 545 White Rd., Wetumpka 5670311 CHURCH OF CHRIST Church of Christ of Elmore 470 Caesarville Rd., Wetumpka 567-6670 Church of Christ Grandview Pines 165 Deatsville Hwy., Millbrook Cold Springs Church of Christ 5920 Alabama Hwy. 143, Deatsville Georgia Road Church of Christ 4003 Georgia Rd., Wetumpka 567-2804 Lightwood Church of Christ 251 New Harmony Rd., Deatsville 569-1510 Redland Road Church of Christ 2480 Redland Rd., Wetumpka 514-3656 Wetumpka Church of Christ W. Bridge St. At W. Main St., Wetumpka 567-6561

LUTHERAN Christ Lutheran Church 2175 Cobbs Ford Rd., Prattville PRESBYTERIAN First Presbyterian Church 100 W. Bridge St., Wetumpka 567-8135 Millbrook Presbyterian Corner of Main St. & Coosada Rd. Valley View Presbyterian - PCA 4125 Rifle Range Rd. Wetumpka 386-2386 SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST First Elmore Seventh Day Adventist 210 Lucky Town Rd., Elmore 5141020

CHURCH OF GOD

INDEPENDENT METHODIST Claud Independent Methodist Church

81232 Tallassee Hwy, Eclectic 5412552 UNITED METHODIST Cain’s Chapel United Methodist 96 Lightwood Rd., Deatsville 5692375 Central United Methodist Church 11721 Central Plank Rd. Central Elmore United Methodist Church 40 Hatchet St., Elmore 567-8653 First United Methodist Church 306 W. Tuskeena St., Wetumpka 567-7865 First United Methodist Church 3350 Edgewood, Millbrook Harmony United Methodist Church 8000 Titus Rd., Titus Mulder Memorial United Methodist 3454 Fire Tower Rd., Wetumpka 567-4225 New Style United Methodist 64 Old Georgia Plank Spur, Wetumpka 567-9840 Oak Valley Station United Methodist 162 Parsonage Road, Tallassee 541-3924 Pierce Chapel United Methodist 1003 Pierce Chapel Rd., Santuck 265-6099 Providence United Methodist 1540 Providence Rd., Titus Robinson Springs Methodist Church 5980 Main St., Millbrook Trinity United Methodist 135 Little Weoka Creek Rd., Equality 567-9997 Union United Methodist 691 Central Rd. Eclectic Wallsboro United Methodist 11066 US Hwy. 231, Wetumpka CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE Millbrook Church of the Nazarene 3251 Browns Rd., Millbrook PENTECOSTAL Faith Deliverance Church 475 Jackson St., Elmore 567-9209 Victory Temple 1173 Old Montgomery Hwy., Wetumpka 567-7779 OTHER Central Bible Chapel 3630 Edgewood Rd., Millbrook Chapel of Praise Hwy. 14, Millbrook Cornerstone Full Gospel 9301 US Hwy. 231, Wetumpka 5679143 East Chapel MP Church Airport Rd., Millbrook Grace Bible Church 2251 Main St., Millbrook Gracepoint Community Church 78223 Tallassee Highway, Wetumpka 514-9292 New Life Church - Millbrook Sanctuary Worship Center 1688 Ceasarville Rd., Wetumpka Servant Fellowship Church P O Box 1423, Wetumpka 567-2190 servantfellowshipchurch@windstream.net The Worship Center 2705 Williams Rd., Wetumpka Time of Refreshing Fellowship 117 E. Bridge St., Wetumpka 5677750 Words of Life Church 105 Cousins Rd., Wetumpka 5142730

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TheWetumpkaHerald.com

Sports

ON THE RISE

MLB needs to take advice from its marketing team

A

Caleb Turrentine is a sports writer for The Observer.

APRIL 24, 2019 • PAGE 9

The

Observer

CALEB TURRENTINE Sports Writer

s the 2019 Major League Baseball season approached, a commercial was released with some of the biggest faces in the sport doing a press conference. Aaron Judge, Francisco Lindor and Ronald Acuna were among the players on the stand, answering questions about the upcoming season while smiling the whole time. The camera turned to focus on Mike Trout at the end of the piece with a reporter asking him if there was anything else he wanted to say. “Just let the kids play.” The league has been looking for more ways to grab ahold of a younger audience and the number of superstars in the league has grown that audience. These stars are not just recognizable but are very likeable athletes on and off the field. While the MLB marketing team continued to lean into that slogan, it appears the league itself should take some of those ad plans as advice. Last week, there was an incident in a Kansas City Royals-Chicago White Sox game which broke out a debate about how players should be allowed to react after a big play. White Sox shortstop and Tuscaloosa native Tim Anderson crushed a home run of pitcher Brad Keller before throwing his bat toward his own dugout in celebration. Keller and the Royals did not take kindly to the event and threw at Anderson, hitting him with a pitch and ensuing both benches to clear. It sparked a conversation from players around the league and former players on who was in the wrong. Some people feel like players should act like they have been there before when hitting a home run while others believe it adds excitement and fun to the game of baseball. Either way, the solution should never be to throw a baseball 90-plus miles per hour at another human being. It is amazing what a hitter does with their bat can be deemed more disrespectful than literally running circles around the guy you just hit a homer off of. It seems like a weird place to draw the line. Both players got suspended for their roles in the incident. Keller got six games, essentially one game for a starting pitcher, while Anderson got one game, essentially one game for a hitter. MLB decided it was worth suspending a player the same amount of time for celebrating a home run and for intentionally hitting someone with a pitch. One of those things is letting the kids play while the other is dangerous and unnecessary. Meanwhile, it was the league’s social media team being ahead of the curve already with a tweet supporting Anderson. “Keep doing your thing, @ TimAnderson7. #LetTheKidsPlay” Anderson said he plays to have fun and will continue to play his game while playing with a lot of energy. And that should not just be allowed for a hitter but for all players involved in the game. If a hitter wants to celebrate by tossing his bat and yelling at his own dugout, that should be allowed. If the other team responds with a home run of its own and a player mocks the bat flip, that should be allowed too. I love baseball and I do not want to see a ton of changes to the game. Some of those unwritten rules are worthy of being there but if the league is going to push this slogan, the rulings and reactions of the commissioner’s office should show that. Maybe it’s time to side with the players who are out here having fun and not the ones endangering the health of the league’s players. Just let the kids play.

Visit our sister website: TallasseeTribune.com

Panthers continue to build with 19-win season By CALEB TURRENTINE Sports Writer

Expectations were raised for the Elmore County baseball team entering this season. And despite missing the postseason for a sixth consecutive season, the Panthers showed huge strides on the field and improved their win total by nine games before finishing the season with a 19-7 record. “We took another big step in the building process,” ECHS coach Michael Byrd said. “We did a lot of things we haven’t done here in a while. Making the playoffs is that next step now.” In just two years at the helm of the program, Byrd has brought the Panthers a long way since their three-win season in 2017. Elmore County finished the regular season on a five-game winning streak and was ranked in the Alabama Sports Writers Association poll three times this season but fell victim to a three-way tiebreaker in Class 4A Area 5. “They understand how far we’ve come,” Byrd said. “There was hurt but two years ago, none of them would have thought the turnaround would be this good and this quick. That helped take the sting out a little bit.” Elmore County had 10 seniors on its roster this season and saw a large part of the team’s production come from that class. Byrd said those

File / The Observer

Top: Elmore County’s Chase Wilson was a part of a large senior class that saw its win total improve by 16 games over the last two seasons. Above: Elmore County coach Michael Byrd, left, led the Panthers to their first 19-win season since 2008.

seniors have shown major improvements in the last two years but showed an even bigger jump this season. “The development of talent has been the biggest thing for us,” Byrd said. “We had a lot of question marks entering the season but we had seniors step up. That’s a tribute to how hard they all worked to get better.” Seniors Chase Wilson and

Trey Brand spent most of the season at the top of the lineup and were key to the offense’s success all year. Taylor Henderson, Austin Downey and Jamie Singleton each recorded at least one four-RBI game this season from the middle of the order. Downey was the Panthers’ ace on the mound all season and thrived in his final

year before going off to Jacksonville State as Elmore County’s first ever Division I signee for baseball. However, Byrd said he was most impressed with how far Downey has come with his bat and as the team’s shortstop since last offseason. “He always competes and expects to win,” Byrd said. See BASEBALL • Page 10

Holtville clinches area title with sweep of ECHS By CALEB TURRENTINE Sports Writer Caleb Turrentine / The Observer

ECHS shortstop Ebone Pierson attempts to track down an infield popup during last week’s game at Holtville.

Over the course of her career at Holtville, KK Dismukes has shown off plenty of skill on the softball field and it takes something special to surprise the coaching staff. While her 15-strikeout performance in the circle was impressive enough, that special moment came when Dismukes hit a key two-run homer in a 6-0 win over Elmore County last Tuesday as the Bulldogs clinched the right to host the Class 4A Area 5 tournament. “I don’t know if I have ever seen a ball get out of this ballpark so fast and so far,” Holtville coach Darryl Otwell said. “I have no idea where that ball landed. She’s very selective and when she gets that pitch, she’s not going to miss.” Dismukes took the 2-0 pitch over the area championships sign in left-center field to double Holtville’s lead in the fifth inning and take the life out of the Panthers’ dugout. It was her 13th home run of the season and her seventh home run against Elmore County in her career. In the circle, Dismukes allowed just four Panther baserunners across seven innings. She struck out 15 batters while recording her ninth shutout of the season. “We have to play for every out in every inning,” ECHS coach Kim Moncrief said. “We’ve got girls that can hit it out and we See SOFTBALL • Page 10

PAGE 10 • APRIL 24, 2019

TheWetumpkaHerald.com

THE ECLECTIC OBSERVER

Elmore County Player of the Week

Bazzell leads Wildcats to first-round upset By CALEB TURRENTINE Sports Writer

Edgewood needed to find some special performances to pull off its first-round upset of Hooper last week. The Wildcats looked to Cade Bazzell on the mound and at the plate and he delivered to send the Wildcats into the quarterfinals. He is the Elmore County Player of the Week. Bazzell took the mound for Edgewood in Game 1 and shut down the opponents across six innings. He allowed only two hits and one earned run while striking

out nine during the Wildcats’ 14-1 win. “He’s been really impressive on the mound lately,” Edgewood coach Joey Potts said. “We were really confident in him getting that first game. That is something that has grown more and more with every outing.” While he controlled the game on the mound, Bazzell came through with his bat during some key moments to extend Edgewood’s lead. His first big hit of the series came in a six-run fourth inning when Bazzell’s two-run single put the Wildcats ahead 7-0. He added another two-

run single during a four-run sixth inning which helped close the game in six innings. “When he’s swinging the bat well, our team is at a different level,” Potts said. “When there are guys on base, we have that confidence in him to get things done.” Hooper took its first lead of the series in the top of the first inning of Game 2. However, Edgewood responded with three first inning runs, including another RBI single from Bazzell. Bazzell got his lone extra-base hit of the week during the sixth inning of Game 2 and added

Baseball continued from Page 9

Softball

“He made a giant improvement offensively and defensively. He improved so much from junior year to senior year.” During the season, Elmore County stopped a number of negative streaks the program had entering the season, including a couple of big wins over its top rivals. According to Byrd, the Panthers got a win at Tallassee for the first time since 2007 when Downey pitched a shutout for a 2-0 win March 4. Elmore County also got a win over Holtville, its first in the series since 2013 which was the same year the Panthers last had a winning season. “People are excited for the program,” Byrd said. “We’ve had great turnouts and we’ve been better at home because of our support. Winning is expected now and I think we’re set up to be really good for the next few years.”

know that can change the direction of the game for either team but you can’t win with zero on the board.” Elmore County (13-11, 2-2) was in the game early but could not capitalize on the limited opportunities with runners at the plate. The Panthers did not have a runner reach second base until the seventh inning. Maci Curlee was in the circle for the Panthers and got off to a hot start, allowing just four hits and one run across the first four innings. Holtville broke the game open in the fifth inning but Curlee had the Bulldogs off balance early in the night. “We had some good swings tonight but give Elmore County a lot of credit,” Otwell said. “They made the plays early and I give a lot of credit to any pitcher that can go through our lineup almost two times without giving up a run.” Holtville’s offense got things started in the third inning when leadoff batter Jordan

another RBI as the Wildcats added five more runs to win 11-1 in six innings. “He’s always been a good hitter,” Potts said. “It’s not about anything we’ve done for him or said to him. It’s about the confidence he has in himself and when you see that, he can step up when we need him.” Bazzell led the team with six RBIs during the series, four of them coming with two outs. All of his hits came in innings where the Wildcats scored multiple runs. “When you can extend an inning and add runs when you extend the inning, that’s huge,”

Potts said. “It can take away momentum from the other side and keep it in your own dugout.” Prior to the playoff series, Edgewood split in two high-scoring games against Glenwood and Ezekiel. The Wildcats averaged 12 runs per game during the week with Bazzell leading the way. Bazzell finished the week with five hits in 12 at bats, recording at least one RBI with each hit. His batting average with runners in scoring position was .714 during the week and he led the team with seven RBIs while striking out just once.

continued from Page 9 Cousins walked and stole second base with two outs. Brooke Cooper came through with an RBI single to put the Bulldogs ahead 1-0. “We always trust Cousins,” Otwell said. “She has above average speed but she just runs the bases so well. We don’t give her a lot of stealing opportunities because of the power in our lineup but she’s still perfect on stealing bases this year.” Cousins added another stolen base, her 12th of the season, in the fifth inning and Cooper got her third hit of the day to double the lead. Cooper finished a home run shy of the cycle and has recorded multiple hits in nine of 13 games since being moved to the 2-hole in the lineup. “She has always had those quality at bats,” Otwell said. “Since we made that move at Gulf Shores, Cooper has been on an absolute tear. She’s one of the main factors that is opening the door for Dismukes

to have those big hits.” Dismukes followed Cooper’s RBI triple with her big home run in the fifth inning. The Bulldogs extended their lead in the sixth inning with an RBI single from Haley Walker and a run scored by Reagan Thorn on a passed ball. Scoring any runs against Dismukes is a tough ask but Elmore County is not letting Tuesday’s game affect its mindset at the plate. Moncrief believes the Panthers can learn a lot from facing Dismukes leading up to next week’s area tournament. “We’re usually pretty confident in our hitting,” Moncrief said. “Seeing KK helps us the more we see her. That builds our confidence a little bit too and battling out a seven-inning game helps for the next time we see her.” Holtville has bigger goals for the remainder of its season but hosting the area tournament was always the first step.

AHSAA 2019 BASEBALL PLAYOFFS CLASS 1A First round scores Falkville 5-13, Covenant Christian 4-5; Falkville (14-8) advances Spring Garden 8-14, Lynn 0-1; Spring Garden (20-4) advances Heritage Christian 2-9, Ragland 0-0; Heritage Christian (12-10) advances Waterloo 22-7, Gaylesville 3-5; Waterloo (12-8) advances Donoho 5-5, Marion County 3-0; Donoho (14-7) advances Victory Christian 13-5, Appalachian 1-0; Victory Christian (19-4) advances Mars Hill Bible22-16, Valley Head 0-0; Mars Hill Bible (26-6) advances Billingsley 8-6, Isabella 1-3; Billingsley (9-15) advances Brantley 12-10, Ellwood Christian 0-0; Brantley (22-6) advances Millry 9-14, Pleasant Home 0-0; Millry (26-4) advances South Lamar 5-11, Wadley 1-4; South Lamar (11-11) advances Maplesville 2-13, Verbena 0-0; Maplesville (10-13) advances Sweet Water 24-23, Florala 2-0; Sweet Water (18-9) advances Red Level 3-7-16, St. Luke’s Episcopal 14-5-15; Red Level (13-7) advances Holy Spirit Catholic 20-14, Lanett 0-0; Holy Spirit Catholic (13-3) advances Athens Bible 10-16, Hackleburg 0-0; Athens Bible (20-6) advances CLASS 2A First round scores Cedar Bluff 15-16, Sheffield 1-3; Cedar Bluff (16-8) advances Sumiton Christian 5-9, Ohatchee 3-3; Sumiton Christian (15-10) advances Sulligent 3-13, Cold Springs 2-0; Sulligent (10-11) advances Cottage Hill Christian 3-8, Washington County 2-4; (Cottage Hill Christian (21-7) advances Thorsby 10-6, Horseshoe Bend 0-0; Thorsby (26-5) advances Luverne 15-22, Central-Hayneville 0-0; Luverne (19-8) advances New Brockton 10-6, Highland Home 5-3; New Brockton (14-10) advances G.W. Long 23-12, Samson 4-0; G.W. Long (26-5) advances

Leroy 5-4, J.U. Blacksher 4-1; Leroy (1810) advances Southeastern 4-1-9, Addison 1-2-1; Southeastern (18-5) advances Decatur Heritage 11-11, Fyfee 6-1; Decatur Heritage (18-5) advances Red Bay 10-23, Collinsville 3-8; Red Bay (18-8) advances Westbrook Christian 19-13, Vincent 0-0; Westbrook Christian (17-12) advances Ariton 1-12-17, Cottonwood 3-4-2; Ariton (21-14) advances Ranburne 8-11, Fayetteville 7-0; Ranburne (17-8) advances First round pairings Hatton 12-4, Section 4-24; (Game 3, Tuesday, 4:30 p.m.)

Hanceville 0-8, Glencoe 10-3 (Game 3, Tuesday, 4:30 p.m.) CLASS 4A First round scores Haleyville 4-12, Fairview 3-3; Haleyville (21-6) advances Cherokee County 11-8, Lincoln 4-6; Cherokee County (12-14) advances Brooks 10-17, Deshler 1-7; Brooks (19-6) advances North Jackson 11-10, Danville 1-0; North Jackson (22-4) advances Wilson 10-11, West Limestone 0-0; Wilson (16-11-1) advances Trinity Presbyterian 6-3, Headland 2-0; Trinity Presbyterian (24-7) advances Mobile Christian 13-15, Clarke County 2-3; Mobile Christian (18-9) advances American Christian 10-6, Montevallo 0-0; CLASS 3A American Christian (21-10) advances First round scores Holtville 10-5, Dallas County 0-1; Holtville Westminster Christian 6-14, East (19-9) advances Lawrence 0-1; Westminster Christian (14- LAMP 12-9, Dale County 0-1; LAMP (2216) advances 8) advances Winfield 4-19, Weaver 2-6; Winfield (31-6) Andalusia 9-5, W.S. Neal 5-2; Andalusia advances (22-8) advances Sylvania 12-6, Lexington 11-2; Sylvania Fayette County 3-3-3, Oneonta 7-2-2; (12-9) advances Fayette County (16-15) advances Saint James 7-11, Randolph County 0-0; Hokes Bluff 12-6, Cleburne County 4-0; Saint James (21-7) advances Hokes Bluff (21-3) advances Opp 4-3, Wicksburg 3-1; Opp (17-7) Handley 28-14, Greensboro 0-0; Handley advances (17-10) advances Bayside Academy 1-7, Thomasville 0-6; Sipsey Valley 1-13-12, Oak Grove 5-11-4; Bayside Academy (19-9) advances Sipsey Valley (12-13) advances Gordo 14-16, Fultondale 4-2; Gordo (25First round pairings 5) advances DAR 5-5, Priceville 6-1 (Game 3, Montgomery Academy 11-1-3, Dadeville Tuesday, 3 p.m.) 0-3-0; Montgomery Academy (13-10) advances CLASS 5A Providence Christian 11-13, Geneva 1-2; First round scores Providence Christian (22-8) advances Moody 12-8, Parker 3-2; Moody (13-14) T.R. Miller 5-9, Flomaton 2-3; T.R. Miller advances (20-5) advances Springville 24-25, Pleasant Grove 1-2; Piedmont 16-11, Lamar County 6-1; Springville (24-7) advances Piedmont (29-7) advances) Charles Henderson 9-12, Valley 7-7; Lauderdale County 4-3-21, Geraldine 1-4- Charles Henderson (28-6) advances 5; Lauderdale County (15-14) advances St. Paul’s Episcopal 12-12, Jackson 10-3; Phil Campbelll 11-13, New Hope 1-0; Phil St. Paul’s Episcopal (24-4) advances Campbell (27-6) advances Sylacauga 5-17, Ramsay 0-0; Sylacauga Hale County 0-7-8, Oakman 10-6-4; Hale (19-6) advances County (16-7) advances Chilton County 8-1, Demopolis 1-0; First round pairings Chilton County (23-8) advances J.B. Pennington 15-3, Vinemont 3-5 Beauregard 5-9, Rehobeth 1-4; (Game 3, Tuesday, 3 p.m.) Beauregard (18-12) advances

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“This project was supported by Subgrant #16-VA-VS-076 awarded by the Law Enforcement / Traffic Safety Division of ADECA and the U.S. Department of Justice.” The opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this publication/program/exhibition are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of Justice or grant-making component.”

UMS-Wright 17-10, Citronelle 1-0; UMSWright (17-10) advances Briarwood Christian 11-14, Munford 1-0; Briarwood Christian (12-13) advances Boaz 9-10, Lawrence County 4-5; Boaz (16-11) advances Etowah 2-1-6, Jasper 0-2-0; Etowah (2611) advances Madison Academy 1-3-7, Scottsboro 3-06; Madison Academy (16-23) advances Russellville 5-20, Sardis 2-3; Russellville (16-15) advances Southside-Gadsden 5-0-8, Corner 4-2-6; Southside Gadsden (23-13) advances Bibb County 1-4-6, Marbury 2-1-4; Bibb County (21-11) advances First round pairings Arab 6-2, East Limestone 3-5 (Game 3, Tuesday, 6 p.m.) CLASS 6A First round scores Benjamin Russell 3-7-8, Wetumpka 7-6-4; Benjamin Russell (23-11) advances Northview 8-13, Sidney Lanier 0-1; Northview (19-11) advances Saraland 14-6, Baldwin County 0-0; Saraland (24-11) advances Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa 8-15, Helena 3-3; Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa (26-4) advances Russell County 9-18, Stanhope Elmore 0-3; Russell County (34-3) advances Dothan 12-14, Park Crossing 8-5; Dothan (14-12) advances Faith Academy 10-6, Spanish Fort 2-3; Faith Academy (22-6) advances Chelsea 4-7, Northridge 0-2; Chelsea (1911) advances Hartselle 4-1-10, Oxford 14-0-1; Hartselle (18-21) advances Gardendale 15-5, Pinson Valley 7-4; Gardendale (20-7) advances Hueytown 3-8, Shades Valley 0-7; Hueytown (30-9) advances Buckhorn 18-14, Muscle Shoals 4-4; Buckhorn (21-12) advances Cullman 4-6, Albertville 3-1; Cullman (2111) advances Pell City 12-12, Minor 1-4; Pell City (2210) advances Homewood 13-15, McAdory 0-1; Homewood (20-8) advances Hazel Green 11-8, Athens 1-1; Hazel Green (24-14) advances

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