Tallassee Tribune Aug. 9 2023

YEARS IN THE MAKING

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

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Iand through the construction site of the new Tallassee High School. Nolin now gets to return to his normal duties as a husband, parent and the superintendent of Tallassee City Schools now that the construction of

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

way and Hughley were granted a split-sentence with five years to serve in prison and 15 on probation. This decision was made without a hearing or allowing the family of the victim to speak again by Fifth Judicial Circuit Sentence reduced for

Tallassee residents Ladrequez Holloway and Zan’guintavius Hughley were sentenced June 30 to 20 years in prison for the murder of Julio Mercado.

Seventeen days later, Hollo-

See MURDER, Page A5

Sheriff’s department makes child abuse arrest

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

An Elmore County man has been arrested for allegedly pointing a shotgun to the head of a 16-year-old.

Wesley Roger Weldon Sr., 42, of Tallassee, was arrested Tuesday and charged with aggravated child abuse by the Elmore

County Sheriff’s Office.

“He got irate and got a shotgun with two Double 00 buckshot shells, racked one in and pointed it to the 16-year-old boy’s head,” Elmore County sheriff Bill Franklin said. “He said something to the effect of telling them that, if you talk you will leave here in a body bag.” The incident report for Weldon’s arrest was filed with the Elmore County District Court. It said Weldon confronted the child.

See ARREST, Page

Obituaries

NELLIE LAVERNE BASS LEDBETTER

Nellie Laverne Bass Ledbetter, 94, of Dadeville, died Thursday, August 3, 2023, at her home in Lake Martin. Graveside services will be Sunday, August 6, 2023, at New Prospect Methodist Cemetery at 2:00 P.M. with Rev. Dan Rhodes officiating.

Mrs. Ledbetter was a loving wife of 64 years to her husband J.D. Ledbetter. She was also a great mother. She retired from Mt. Vernon Mills in

ANNIE SHIRLENE SPIVEY

Mrs. Annie Shirlene Spivey, a resident of Tallassee, Alabama, passed away Friday, August 4, 2023, at the age of 84. She was born November 8, 1938, in Columbus, Georgia.

Mrs. Spivey is survived by her children, Linda Edwards (Delmar), Sandra Stroud (Jerry), Frankie Spivey, Jr., Becky Boswell and Michelle Wallace (Jody); sister, Sue Cowart (Bobby); grandchildren, Christal Stroud, Deidra Thompson (Ashley), Roy Lee Stroud (Ashley), Caliste

Tallassee and was a lifelong member of New Prospect Methodist Church. She is survived by her son John Kenneth (Angela) Ledbetter of Lake Martin; her grandchildren Joshua Dallas (Nikki) Ledbetter and their children Sadie and Hadley Ledbetter; Kati (Curtis) Ledbetter Wallace and their children Piper, Ava, and Neely Wallace, and Jennifer O’Neal and her daughter Kaitlin (Ben) Murphy; her daughter Genice (Lee) Fuqua of Lake Martin; her grand-

Chong, Josh Boswell (Cheyenne), Callie Armstead (Austin), Joseph Wallace and Gracie Wallace; great grandchildren, Hannah Thompson, Christopher Thompson, Sarah Thompson, Matthew Thompson, Jameson Stroud, Judah Chong and Eli Chong; great great grandchild, Emberlyn Rose Keller. She is preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, Frankie L. Spivey and her father, James B. Tucker and her mother, Annie L. Godwin.

Mrs. Spivey was a lifelong mem-

children Michael Jason (Adriane) Reeves and their children Aiden, Avery and Addison; and her brothers Bennie Bass and Jim (Betty) Bass. She was preceded in death by her husband J.D. Ledbetter; her parents Curtis and Cordelia Bass; her sister Sarah Baker; and her brothers Barnie Bass, Sam Bass, and Billy Bass. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to New Prospect Methodist Church or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

ber of Liberty Baptist Church in Tallassee, Alabama. The family will receive friends Tuesday, August 8, 2023, from 5:00PM until 7:00PM at Jeffcoat Funeral Home and also Wednesday, August 9, 2023, from 10:00AM until service time at 11:00AM at Liberty Baptist Church. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Online condolences are available at: www.jeffcoatfuneralhome.com.

Jeffcoat Funeral Home Directing Tallassee, Alabama

Police Reports

TALLASSEE POLICE DEPARTMENT

AUG. 7

• Drug activity was reported on Lower Tuskegee Road.

AUG. 6

• Debris was reported in the roadway on Knox Street.

• Debris was reported in the roadway on Central Boulevard.

• Domestic violence was reported on Kent Road.

• A domestic dispute was reported on Kent Road.

• A motor vehicle accident was reported on E.B. Payne Sr. Drive.

• Assistance was given to another agency on Highway 229.

• A domestic dispute was reported on Ashurst Avenue.

• Burglary was reported on Zion Street.

• A welfare check was conducted on North Ann Avenue.

• Identity theft was reported on Joy Street.

• An animal complaint was reported on Gilmer Avenue.

AUG. 5

• A suspicious vehicle was reported on Lee Street.

• A Black male was arrested on Freeman Avenue.

• Three juveniles were arrested during a stolen vehicle call on Friendship Road.

• Assistance was given to another agency on Friendship Road.

• A welfare check was conducted on East Patton Street.

• Theft was reported on Grimes Street.

• A missing person was reported on Freeman Avenue.

• Harassment was reported on Hickory Street.

• Assistance was given to a citizen on Barnett Boulevard.

• Criminal mischief was reported on Capstone Lane.

• A motor vehicle accident with injuries was reported on Central Boulevard.

• A suspicious person was reported on Quail Run Drive.

• Animal control was requested on Gilmer Avenue.

• A domestic incident was reported on Friendship Road.

AUG. 4

• A welfare check was conducted on East Patton Street.

• Assistance was given to another agency on South Tallassee Drive.

• A juvenile complaint was reported on Gilmer Avenue.

• A suicidal subject was reported on Barnett Boulevard.

• A civil disturbance was reported on Thompson Avenue.

• Criminal mischief was reported on Hickory Street.

• Public lewdness was reported on Gilmer Avenue.

• Trespassing was reported on Thompson Avenue.

• A motor vehicle accident with no injuries was reported on Gilmer Avenue.

• Disorderly conduct was reported on Hickory Street.

• Assistance was given to a citizen on North

Ashurst Avenue.

• Harassment was reported on Mott Lane.

• Forgery was reported on Yesac Drive.

• Theft was reported on Lee Street.

• A suspicious vehicle was reported on Little Road.

• A Black male was arrested on Barnett Boulevard.

AUG. 3

• An assault was reported on North Ashurst Avenue.

• Criminal mischief was reported on Ashurst Avenue.

• Assistance was given to a citizen on Oak Heights Road.

• A motor vehicle accident with no injuries was reported on Gilmer Avenue.

• A hit and run accident was reported on Gilmer Avenue.

• A welfare check was conducted on South Tallassee Drive.

• A welfare check was conducted on Gilmer Avenue.

• Assistance was given to a citizen on East Patton Street.

• Assistance was given to a citizen on Barnett Boulevard.

• A welfare check was conducted on Gilmer Avenue.

• A juvenile complaint was reported on Rickey Lane.

AUG. 2

• Harassment was reported on Thompson Avenue.

• Assistance was given to a motorist on Central Boulevard.

• A welfare check was conducted on Comer Lane.

• Animal control was requested on Gilmer Avenue.

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

• A welfare check was conducted on Little Road.

• Harassing communications was reported on Thompson Avenue.

• A suspicious person was reported on Gilmer Avenue.

• A prowler was reported on East Patton Street. AUG. 1

• Trespassing was reported on Second Street.

• A Black male was arrested during a domestic incident on East Patton Street.

• Harassment was reported on Thompson Avenue.

• Harassing communications was reported on Powers Avenue.

• A motor vehicle accident with no injuries was reported on Weldon Road.

• Theft by deception was reported on Barnett Boulevard.

• Assistance was given to another agency on Gilmer Avenue.

• Chemical endangerment of a child was reported on Birch Street.

• Livestock was reported in the roadway on Laurel Street.

• A suspicious vehicle was reported on Rifle Range Road.

• Animal control was requested on Noble Road.

• A suspicious vehicle was reported on Gilmer Avenue.

JULY 31

• Assistance was given during a medical call on McNeal Street.

• Reckless driving was

Humane Society of Elmore County News

Little animal doesn’t mean little responsibility

While 98% of our intakes are dogs and cats, we do take in small pets like rabbits, guinea pigs, ferrets, hamsters, mice, rats, gerbils, birds and more.

In far too many cases these are brought to us by a parent when a child is tired of the pet or has quit taking care of it adequately. Because many of these pets were purchased to teach a child responsibility, we have to wonder what kind of lesson is being taught to these children when the solution is getting rid of that pet.

Of course, we would agree turning the pet into a shelter or re-homing it is a better solution than for the pet to be ignored, not cared for or discarded in an inhumane manner. Teaching responsibility is a good thing, but when a living thing is involved, parents have a moral obligation to ensure that creature is well cared for at all times. Sadly, far too many of these pets die before their time from mishandling or when a child loses interest and does not provide the proper care for that animal. While mice

and hamsters may live only a year or two, guinea pigs can live five to seven years and many birds can live 15-20 years or more.

Because these little critters live mostly in cages, they are completely dependent on their human caretaker for proper care and nutrition.

It is also important to do your homework before acquiring these pets.

Many of these animals are fairly cheap to purchase, but proper caging can be pricey and there will be continual expenses for their bedding and food requirements. Far too many small pets live in cages that are actually way too small for them which makes routine cleaning and free exercise much more critical. While many dietary needs can be met with commercial foods, some species require fresh vegetables or vitamin/mineral supplements to keep them healthy.

And knowing the sexes of the animals you purchase is especially important if you get more than one. They all tend to reproduce quite prolifically and you can quickly be overrun with babies none

Pet of the Week Hadley

of your neighbors will want and no store will buy back.

Doing a bit of homework prior to purchasing a pet can help you decide if you want to make the commitment it will take to keep that animal happy and healthy. Probably the easiest way to do some research is by using the power of the internet.

By simply typing in the animal species into a search engine like Google, you can find every bit of information you could possibly need to help you decide if a hamster or guinea pig, fish or bird, dog or cat, or even a horse or pot-bellied pig is the right pet for your family and your child.

Another idea is to have your child do the research and explain to you all he or she will have to do to care for that pet. Then you can assess your child’s willingness to be committed to that pet for the long haul.

Before getting the actual pet, try setting up a makeshift cage with a fake version of that pet and oversee your child’s care of it for a couple weeks. The fun usually wears off

Hadley is a 6-year-old female Lab mix who weighs about 60 pounds. She was adopted from the Humane Society of Elmore County and was very loved but came back when a family member developed allergies. Hadley is the perfect lady; she is good with children, dogs and cats. She is house- and crate-trained. She knows sit and down commands, is laid back and just wants to be with her family.

The Humane Society of Elmore County’s adoption fees are $100 for dogs and $50 for cats under 1 year old. Cats over 1 can be adopted by approved adopters for a fee of their choosing. This adoption

fee covers the mandatory spay or neuter, basic immunizations, deworming, microchip, heartworm check for dogs, rabies vaccination if old enough and a free health exam with your participating veterinarian.

If you are interested in meeting Cola or any of the pets at HSEC, the first step is to fill out an adoption application online. Once approved, you will be contacted by someone from the humane society. HSEC is located at 255 Central Plank Road in Wetumpka. The phone number is 334-567-3377 and the website is www. elmorehumane.org.

in just a few weeks, so it’s best to be able to not only save some money, but only have to throw away a cardboard box and fake pet rather than figuring out what to do with a live animal and all of its accessories.

Having these little pets can be quite interesting and rewarding, but please think ahead because they deserve to be loved and well-cared for their entire lives. And if you do decide to add one of these pets to your family, check with

your local shelter first as it might have some in need of loving and lifetime homes.

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

Tallassee Talks

‘The Sound of Freedom’ in Florida

IObituaries:

(Herald, Observer, Tribune). Obituaries are only accepted via the funeral home in charge of arrangements. We do not accept obituaries from individuals.

Weddings, Engagements, Anniversaries, or Birth

Announcements: These significant family events or milestones are 35 cents per word and $25 for a photo and must be emailed to us at announcements@thewetumpkaherald.com. Include name and telephone number. The text for the announcement must be in the body of the email (not as an attachment) and photographs must be sent as a .jpeg attached to the email. Announcements will appear within 10 days in The Herald or The Tribune.

n the hit movie “The Sound of Freedom,” former federal agent Tim Ballard was asked why he’s trying to rescue kids from human trafficking.

“‘Cause God’s children are not for sale,” Ballard replies.

It turns out child trafficking has gone on much further back in history, before Ballard’s time. It can even be traced back to the times before the Civil War. Yet some would have us believe there was some value to child trafficking (slavery) back in those days and how it is taught in school today, now a point of contention even in the 2024 presidential election.

Thankfully, modern-day children in Florida are taught child trafficking practices in the early to mid-1800s were generally a bad policy. But it turns out the middle school kids in the Sunshine State are about to get a new lesson on child trafficking of the past in the South.

“The controversial part is in this ‘benchmark clarification’ about slave labor: ‘Instruction includes how slaves developed skills which, in some instances, could be applied for their personal benefit,’” writes PolitiFact, published by the Poynter Institute.

I doubt any filmgoer watching that successful Christian film “The Sound of Freedom” would conclude that kids who were victims of child trafficking today could develop skills which, in some instances, could be applied for their personal benefit, any more than they would get from slavery in the 1800s.

Since slavery, as well as child trafficking, is typically for life, except for a lucky few who were freed or escaped, it is hard to think of how such skills would be of much personal benefit, especially due to the lack of compensation for one’s labors. And “the Tampa Bay Times found that some of the people listed by the working group were not enslaved when they developed these skills or were freed at a young age. For example, Booker T. Washington, who was enslaved until he was 9, worked in mines and as a houseboy before entering school and later becoming a teacher,” writes PolitiFact.

I doubt Booker T. Washington was the only child trafficking victim.

The issue of child trafficking in the past has even made its way into presidential politics in the 2024 election.

Several candidates for president as well as members of Congress have been critical of the practices of slavery back then, what we would call child trafficking today.

These include South Carolina GOP Senator Tim Scott, a presidential candidate, as well as former Congressman Will Hurd of Texas. You also have Byron Donalds, a MAGA Congressman for Florida and Rep. John James

of Michigan, all of whom slammed the educational curriculum that tries to note some possible benefits of such practices.

As Sen. Scott said “‘Slavery was really about separating families, about mutilating humans and even raping their wives. It was just devastating,’ he added. ‘Slavery has no redeeming benefit, no redeeming value. There’s no silver lining in slavery,’ he told the podcast. ‘The fact is very clear that what slavery was about was the antithetical to who we are as Americans. We founded this nation upon the notion of freedom. Slavery is the deprivation of freedom.’”

Yet he and other Republicans on this list were criticized for speaking out against such practices. You could say the same thing about child trafficking as you would about slavery. In fact, there’s evidence children were dragged away from their parents at slave auctions with families never to see each other again. Who knows what horrors and indignities they faced in those days of child trafficking. Let’s do our best to stop child trafficking today, and not make the same mistakes about it as we did in the past about slavery.

John A. Tures is a professor of political science at LaGrange College in LaGrange, Georgia. His views are his own. He can be reached at jtures@ lagrange.edu. His Twitter account is JohnTures2.

Last week, I outlined the first part of daughter Danielle’s graduation wish: a road trip to Iowa.

Southerners think we have the market cornered on hospitality. While it may be true we have sweet tea and the Yankees don’t, there is something really special about Midwesterners. They are nice.

In fact, while we were spending six days in Iowa City, we learned it’s called “Iowa Nice.”

When we left off in last week’s column, we had played in Peoria and worked our way over to Iowa City, home of the University of Iowa and Danielle’s friend from a church camp the year prior.

We visited the Stanley Museum of Art, which was one of the largest collections of artwork I’ve ever seen in person. We also went to the old Iowa State Capitol, which is now part of the University of Iowa campus. There were so many things I never knew about the area, particularly the history of the Native Americans who once inhabited that part of what is now the United States.

Our travels also took us to the Devonian Fossil Gorge, a true wonder of archaeology revealing the ancient remains of an ocean floor from 375 million years ago. Another stop was the Wilson Apple Orchard, set on 88 acres of a beautiful valley that looked like it should have been on a postcard.

Part of our journey included visiting churches and cathedrals. We attended services at St. Wenceslas Catholic Church in Iowa City – yes, the good king Wenceslas of Christmas carol fame. We also attended the 160-yearold St. Mary’s Catholic Church, which was the home parish for Danielle’s friend and his family. Interestingly, in a sign of a completely different time in American history, the Irish citizens sat on the side of the building which featured St. Patrick’s statue, while the German people sat on the side featuring a statue of St. Boniface. This tradition did not seem to be in effect during our visit, however. I think the place that kept me learning and entertained the most had to have been the University of Iowa Museum of Natural History, located on campus. Open since 1858, it is the second oldest museum in the United States west of the Mississippi River. There were so many wonderful displays; I felt like our traveling party was moving too quickly – I wanted to read and study each display! This place is highly recommended if you ever travel to Iowa City.

As a family, we also spent some time with Danielle’s friend and his family, which was a really great experience as well. On our last day, we went out to the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum. It is set out on a beautiful rolling prairie that looked like it came out of … well, “Little House on the Prairie.” Admittedly, I knew little about President Hoover, especially compared to our Illinois travels to the Presidential Museum and Tomb of President Abraham Lincoln.

I was sure in for a pleasant surprise as we learned Hoover was more than just the president who presided over the beginning of the Great Depression. He was orphaned by the age of 10 and became a self-made man working as a miner. He worked his way up to owning his own prospecting and mining business, traveling the world and becoming one of the wealthiest men on the planet.

But when World War I broke out, he literally gave away his fortune to feed the hungry and homeless across Europe. His humanitarianism made him a celebrity and he was asked to be a part of not one, but two presidential cabinets during the 1920s. By 1928, he was ready to run for president himself and won.

However, he was in office only a few months before the stock

Tallassee constructing new strategic plan

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

It’s been a few years since the City of Tallassee had an updated strategic plan — 2014, in fact.

The strategic plan is often needed in the application process for grants according to city leaders and Dr. Joe Sumners, who is helping develop a new one. Sumners has already used data from two surveys to begin a draft. He said it is one of two methods to start the strategic plan process.

“The other way is through a series of community meetings but can be taxing on the community,” Sumners said.

“They both create charts of strengths and weaknesses.”

Sumners brought the results of the surveys and

MURDER

Continued from A1

how some of the data is beginning to flow to the July 25 council meeting. He compiled a potential vision statement based on responses.

“Tallassee, the ‘Treasure of the Tallapoosa,’ is a family-oriented welcoming and diverse community, with small-town charm, natural beauty, outstanding schools, balanced economic growth, engaged citizens and historic character,” the statement read.

Sumners said this would be the ideal vision of Tallassee to try and achieve.

“This is the Tallassee you are shooting for, the Tallassee you are dreaming of,” Sumners said.

“What you want to read here is ‘This is the Tallassee we want to see.”

Sumners said the sur-

Court Judge Kevin Hall. Hall was the judge who originally sentenced the defendants in June and was informed by attorneys for Holloway and Hughley of the intent to ask for a split-sentence.

Hall gave the attorneys 14 days to file applications for split-sentences but didn’t impose the same deadline on the Fifth Circuit District Attorney’s Office who prosecuted the case. Hughley’s application was filed July 10 and Holloway’s on July 14. Three days later the defendants received the split-sentence.

The district attorney’s office is now asking Hall to reconsider the issue through a motion a judge is not required to respond to or act on.

“The state was not afforded adequate time in which to file written responses setting forth objections and requesting that the matter be set for formal hearing before amending the sentences,” the state’s motion stated. “The state was not placed on notice that

ARREST

Continued from A1

“The victim and defendant got into a verbal altercation,” the arrest affidavit stated. “The defendant then started physically assaulting the victim with a closed fit.

The victim [was then] in the kitchen and the defendant came in and threw a jar of pickles at the victim. [Weldon] then threw [the victim] across the kitchen and held him to the floor and started hitting him.”

The child escaped Weldon but the incident continued as the shotgun was put to the child’s face.

Franklin said there were three other children in the home and an adult who gave very similar statements about the incident.

“Lots of times there are differences in [stories]

veys revealed nine areas the community cares about and ranked them: 1. Recreation, Sports and Entertainment; 2. Downtown, Retail and Riverfront Development; 3. Community Appearance and Aesthetics; 4. Infrastructure; 5. City Services and Revenues; Education and Workforce Development; 7. Healthcare and Housing; 8. Economic Development; and 9. Community Leadership.

Councilmembers said some of the priorities were already been addressed and at various stages of completion of projects councilmember Jeremy Taunton agreed with much of what Sumners said about priorities.

“I think these are good, but I just think they are

an application for split-sentence would be considered without further hearing on the matter.”

The motion argues the state should be given due process, the same as the defendant.

“The state is entitled to proper notice and opportunity to respond and present evidence.”

The state argues the sentence should be “pronounced in open court at sentencing hearing.” The state also argues the courts must explain the sentence to the defendants in open court.

Other requirements are also required, according to the motion.

“Victims have the right to be present throughout all criminal proceedings,” the motion stated.

Mercado’s family members spoke at the June 30 sentencing where the state asked for a sentence of 39 years in prison.

Mercado’s wife testified in the hearing.

“During the stress of the funeral, she had pregnancy complications which resulted in fetal demise,” the motion stated. “Not only did Mrs. Mercado lose the husband of her three children, she lost their unborn child.”

According to Alabama law,

but they are all saying the same thing,” Franklin said. “That is something to be reckoned with.”

Franklin said deputies had been to Weldon’s home previously for welfare checks.

“It has been in reference to calls and complaints we have received,” Franklin said.

Court documents state Elmore County deputies were conducting a welfare check in July and approached with caution.

“Due to the possibility of firearms and Weldon’s history, deputies knocked on the side of the residence instead of the door and announced sheriff’s office,” the record states.

“Weldon opened the door and immediately became hostile with deputies cussing them. He then stated, ‘Y’all are about to start something that y’all don’t want to.’”

Deputies asked about

not in the right order,” Taunton said.

Sumners said not to read as much into the ranking but rather into they are there. Councilmembers asked if it was possible to not rank the priorities in a finalized report, instead asking if bullet points could be used.

Sumners’ surveys also question the importance of priorities of strategies needed to accomplish the goals of the plan. No. 1 on the list was “Increase regulation and enforcement of landlords who do not maintain properties.” No. 2 was “Increase demolition of substandard housing.” No. 3 “Update and enforce zoning and building codes.” Some involved recruiting and maintaining younger

murder is a Class A felony and carries a prison sentence of 10 years to life. First-degree assault is a Class B felony and carries a prison sentence of two to 20 years.

As it sits currently, Holloway and Hughley will serve five years in prison then spend 15 years on probation.

Holloway and Hughley were found guilty of murder and first-degree assault following a week-long trial in June.

Former Tallassee police chief Matthew Higgins told The Tribune in 2019 what Tallassee police officers found when they responded to a call on North Johnson Street.

“Upon arrival, it was determined that a verbal altercation broke out at a family gathering that escalated into an exchange of gunfire,” Higgins said.

According to court documents, gunshots struck Mercado in the abdomen and another victim in the thigh. Higgins said both victims were transported to Baptist South where Mercado died.

Hughley was arrested the night of the incident and Holloway was arrested a few days later after fleeing Tallassee with the help of the U.S. Marshals Service.

the child and Weldon continued to curse at law enforcement. Weldon tried to return to his home and attempted to push a deputy out of the way.

“He was told he was under arrest for disorderly conduct,” the court record stated. “Weldon continued to resist by closing his hands and pulling them to his chest. Deputies assisted Weldon to the ground. He still refused to give his hands up.”

The record stated a Tazer was used and Weldon then complied.

“[The juvenile] then ran out the front door of the residence severely upset stating please don’t let him hurt me,” the record stated.

Franklin said the Elmore County Sheriff’s Office receives all sorts of calls on a daily basis but this call was significant.

“We don’t get many calls like that though,” Franklin said. “We get domestic violence calls every day. But we don’t get many domestic violence calls that are this aggravated.”

Franklin said Weldon had a first appearance hearing Thursday where Elmore County District Court Judge Glenn Goggans ordered Weldon held without bond until at least a future hearing.

“I’m sure the Anaih’s Law will kick in at some point possibly,” Franklin said.

residents. “Support new entertainment options for young people such as movie theater, bowling alley or skating rink.”

Councilmember Linda Mosher said some of the things such as updating building codes has been done. But others the city cannot get too involved in because of it being a private business. Another issue is funding.

“A lot of this council would love to see

— parks, recreation,” Mosher said. “But it all depends on funding. If we had the money, we would have a lot of this already done.”

Sumners said the plan was in just the draft phase and not near a final version. Mayor Sarah Hill said she would work with Sumners. “I’m working with him on a final plan to present to the council later this year,” Hill said.

2023 CAEC Annual Meeting & Member Appreciation Day

Friday, August 11

Animal control officer can do only so much

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

Almost everyone loves

But what happens when someone doesn’t care for an animal? In some cases there is not much law enforcement can do. The Tallassee Police Department has a dedicated animal control officer who works within the city limits, but Lt. Brian Clayton said there is only so much that can be done.

“Every dog we pick up, whether it be an officer or animal control, (he or she) takes a photo and sends it to dispatch,” Buce said. “They put it up on our Facebook page.”

set by county and state governments. In Tallapoosa County the total fine is $292 and $282 in Elmore County.

Clayton said the burden is on the pet owner to keep control of his or her animal.

“If it is not on a leash, it needs to be in a fenced yard,” Clayton said.

4:00

4:30

“Owners of animals, if they would quit calling us because they don’t want their animal anymore,” Clayton said. “It isn’t our job to collect animals that they no longer want. We do not get funding for that. We don’t have the funding to spare for that.”

Clayton and Tallassee police chief Todd Buce both said the department has advised animal owners wishing to surrender their animals to call the Elmore County Animal Shelter or a rescue to make arrangements for those pets.

“We can’t be an Uber for an animal,” Clayton said. “You can take it to the shelter.”

The department picks up animals it thinks have gotten loose from owners. But it makes efforts to reunite animals with their humans.

Buce said the department has a couple of kennels to hold pets in for a couple days to keep from taking multiple trips to the animal shelter in Wetumpka every day. He said by holding the animals in Tallassee and posting on social media, many reunions have been made, saving the trip to the shelter.

“The pet owner gets home and realizes their animal got out,” Buce said.

“We will house them at the kennels at the city shop for a day or two. We have been able to return a bunch of animals that way.”

Clayton is a former animal control officer in Tallassee and technically he still is as he manages the department. He said one of the most common citations he wrote was animals running at large.

“It’s for a dog or cat,” Clayton said. “It’s any animal on property other than the owner’s property then they could be cited. It is a very expensive fine.”

Fines and court costs vary in Tallassee based on the county lines. Elmore and Tallapoosa counties have different court costs

market crashed, plunging the world into a Great Depression. Hoover was powerless to turn things around and carried the blame for the financial crises of the early 1930s. President Franklin D. Roosevelt replaced Hoover and was elected for four terms. An embittered Hoover

Clayton said there will be a new full-time animal control officer soon, advancing from a part-time position. He said that officer will also assist the jailer position, and he hopes to grow the animal control division one day to what it was when he was in the position — an Alabama Peace Officers Standards and Training Commission (APOSTC) position. Under this scenario, the animal control officer doesn’t have to depend on the rest of the department.

“He can do his own reports; he can do his own charges,” Clayton said.

“He doesn’t have to have an officer come out there.”

As an APOSTC position, the animal control officer can also help the rest of the department helping out when call volumes get high, staffing is low or a major event.

“They can respond to any situation and other things in the city,” Clayton said.

retreated from public life for a while but re-emerged during World War II when he was recruited by President Harry Truman to lead another global effort to feed the hungry.

As our time in Iowa City drew to a close, we made plans to travel the full state of Missouri from top to bottom – but more on that later.

Michael Bird is a music teacher at Tallassee High School.

Same old song and dance

makes its rounds. I pray everyone is able to find relief from the summer heat of August in central Alabama!

I am not much of a soapbox guy. Most people who know me know this to be true. I am typically easygoing. I credit the grace of God for that fact above anything else.

There is at least one thing that makes my blood boil, however. To me it is one of the most shining examples of what Tom Brokaw used to refer to as “The fleecing of America.” He offered that segment for several years when he was the anchor for NBC Nightly News.

Brokaw and NBC News used

REV.

JONATHAN YARBORO Columnist

the segment to draw attention to gross indiscretions in the economic world of these United States. The segment engaged in investigative reporting as it should be. It did not pander to ridiculousness like so much of today’s news media does. I am certain we have all noticed the steady increase in gas prices over the summer months. We are all accustomed to it. Regardless of where gas prices are at any spring, Americans know prices will go up during summer months.

The petroleum industry has offered the same justification for decades. Summer gas, which is a different refinery blend, costs more to produce than winter gas. The industry has claimed for years that price increases in summer months are a necessary reality of their industry.

Consumers have offered a different justification. Summer means vacations for more folks than usual. More miles are driven for leisure in summer months than any other. It makes good business sense to raise prices when demand is higher.

My nuclear family has four licensed drivers. We have all observed our respective budgets have been pinched by higher gas prices. As a pastor in our community, I know requests for financial assistance increase every time

gas prices go up.

This relationship makes sense. People have to work. People need to have down time. Mass transit in our part of the country is virtually nonexistent. Anyone needing or wanting to travel any distance will need to buy gas to do so.

None of these realities bother me. The laws of supply and demand are real. Public transportation, or the lack thereof, is a monumental issue to address. I get it. What does make my blood boil is the big three gasoline producers for the United States posted record profits in the second quarter of 2023 – $46.26 billion, to be more specific. That’s billion with a B. I have no issue with oil companies making a profit. That is all good and well in our

free-market capitalism society. I have serious issues with the degree of profit they are enjoying. Do oil companies not realize who is footing the bill for these ridiculous profit margins? Working folks are. Not only are gas prices fleecing working folk, higher gas prices mean higher costs for utilities, food, and basic resources needed for living across the board. When is the threshold for corporate profit going to be reasonable? When will it stop being the vehicle transporting a very few to massive wealth while driving everyone else to the poor house? When is enough enough?

Rev. Jonathan Yarboro is the pastor of First Presbyterian Church, Wetumpka.

Dalton MiDDleton SportS eDitor dalton.middleton@thewetumpkaherald.com

Next playoff run already on Reeltown’s mind

BY HENRY ZIMMER Sports Writer

Despite several OTAs under their belts this summer, the Reeltown Rebels still had plenty to work through on the first day of football practice Monday.

Reeltown coach Matt Johnson said his team made some mistakes throughout the day, but noted every mistake made was one too many. The Rebels had a bit of a condensed practice as storms and excessive heat made their way across the state. Even with the

heat, Johnson expected a bit more out of his squad.

“We still have some work to do,” Johnson said. “We have a lot that we have taken grasp of, but there are still some mistakes that we are making that are repetitive that we have got to clean up.”

As many first practices go, the Rebels were a little sluggish getting back into the everyday grind.

“That will all start getting cleaned up once we get pads on,” Johnson said. “I think the monotony is getting to them a little bit. Day 1 stuff, we can’t be messing up though.”

Panthers ready for another postseason run

By DALTON MIDDLETON

Sports Editor

Just like it has each of the last 13 seasons, Elmore County’s volleyball team has reloaded and is looking for its 14th consecutive area championship.

Elmore County lost 10 seniors, including seven who were named All-County at least once in their career, to graduation last season. Despite the loss of talent, ECHS coach Kim Moncrief is excited about this year’s team. The Panthers played play dates in Mobile and Montgomery, and they began practice Monday with the rest of the AHSAA.

Now they have three weeks to get ready for their first game, an Aug. 24 showdown at home against Benjamin Russell.

“We’re really excited

and ready to get started,” Moncrief said. “We’re counting down the days until that first game against Benjamin Russell. We’re getting ready to try and take care of business this year. I’ve been really impressed with who we have coming back this year, and I’m excited to see what they can do.”

While 10 seniors left the program, a lot of talented players are still on the roster. One of those players is rising senior Abbi Williams, who served mostly as a setter last year but was one of the most versatile players in the county.

She recorded 504 assists, 103 service aces, 252 digs, 168 kills and eight blocks. She had a 93.5 service percentage. Her play earned her All-County first-team

FILE | THE TRIBUNE

Elmore County’s Abbi Williams returns as one of the top players in the county this season. The versatile senior had 504 assists and 252 digs last season.

Despite the weather, the blue and white had their regular schedule featuring individual and team drills. New coach LD Bell floated around practice, helping players mostly on the defensive side.

The squad ended the day by running up the hill near the team’s locker room multiple times before doing sprints.

Johnson applauded his players for their efforts to close out practice, noting most schools across the state don’t partake in such a drill. Leadership showed through

See PLAYOFF, Page B3

UP FOR GRABS

By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor

With less than three weeks before its first game, the Tallassee football team got on the practice field for the first official day of practice Monday afternoon.

The Tigers began fall camp on the practice field behind J.E. “Hot” O’Brien Stadium in the standard shorts and helmets. The heat index reached over 100 degrees, but coach Mike Battles and the Tigers braved the searing temperatures to get ready for the Friday night lights.

“It’s hot out here today,” Battles said. “We’re cutting down the practice time and told the kids if they need

DALTON MIDDLETON THE TRIBUNE

TOP: Tallassee quarterback Mason Battles hands the ball off to a running back.

ABOVE: Tallassee head coach Mike Battles enters his 12th season with the Tigers. He currently has 194 career coaching wins. battles heat in opening practice

water or feel bad, they need to stop right then. But this is the same old, same old. We’ve practiced probably 25 times this summer in just

Tallassee rec department opens pickleball league

By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor

The pickleball craze hasn’t slowed down in Tallassee, and parks and recreations director Jamelle Jelks is riding the wave of excitement.

Jelks, the pickleball program coordinator, is beginning a league in the parks and rec department. The league will be roughly six weeks long, and it will feature mens, womens and mixed doubles

teams. The league will be played Tuesdays and Thursdays each week at 6:30 p.m. at the recreational center, and the league will also host an “open play” session each week on Sundays when anyone can join.

“We’re just trying to hold on to the craze,” Jelks said. “It’s a magnificent sport and we’re just trying to put it out there for people to enjoy.”

Jelks has been on a mission to grow the sport since early summer.

At the beginning of June, Jelks began hosting regular pickleball days at the rec center. Only around eight people played on any given day, but now that number has more than tripled. Jelks said at a Sunday open session, he will host up to 30 players in the rec center trying to play. That is what led to wanting to start the league. “It’s grown tremendously over

helmets. So we’re going to try and get the basics down so when we do finally get in

See GRABS, Page B3

HENRY ZIMMER THE TRIBUNE

Reeltown is ironclad heading into season

By HENRY ZIMMER Sports Writer

Every year, the Reeltown Rebels partake in an Iron Man competition that tests the strength and speed of every player in blue and white.

Entering his seventh season at the helm of the Rebels, coach Matt Johnson has seen his fair share of freak athletes and big time lifters.

However, this summer’s Iron Man might have been the best yet.

“I think overall this is one of the most competitive we have had,” Johnson said. “In sheer numbers on the sheet, it was the closest race by the numbers we have had.”

Reeltown’s Iron Man program is a two-day gauntlet of tests to see how each and every player measures in both strength and speed.

The team is measured in the weight room by squat, bench and power clean while also tallying vertical leap and broad jump. In terms of field work, the players are scored on their 40- and 20-yard dashes along with an L drill and tire flip.

The top 10 Reeltown players are announced over the days following the Iron Man’s completion. This season’s list featured two freshmen, one sophomore, three juniors and four seniors.

According to Johnson, four or five players just missed the top 10, two players tied in the top 10 and only a single point separated the top two placements.

“Over the number of events, that has never happened before,” Johnson said. “We have never had a tie in the top-10 and we have never had someone separated by one point at Nos. 1 and 2.”

PANTHERS

Continued from B1

honors, and Moncrief said she will be used in a different way this season.

With exceptional skill on defense, she will mostly take on a role in the back line and headline a talented defense for Elmore County. She will still be used on the right side of the offense, but the defensive looks to be her home for the Panthers.

“We really want to utilize her strengths, but we also want her to complement some of the other strengths we have on the court,” Moncrief said.

“She’s so versatile and it’s awesome to have her as a

PICKLEBALL

Continued from B1

Last season, Johnson and the Rebels went to the third round of the playoffs, and it is clear his players want more. The team hosted a spring intrasquad scrimmage and has competed in OTAs against other schools over the summer.

There is a clear yearning and desire for winning football, and Johnson said the culture at Reeltown showed up in a big way during this year’s Iron Man.

“I think they are competing at a high level,” Johnson said. “That goes back to the culture of hardwork and them working hard all offseason. (Iron Man) is a chance to really just get after it and show what you got. The very first day was probably the most energy we have ever had in the weight room. It was almost like we had to bring it a notch down.”

The overall winner of the competition was junior athlete Demetrius Brown.

Brown plays all three phases for the Rebels, catching passes as a receiver and tight end, playing linebacker and also is the punter.

“Demetrius is extremely consistent in all his lifts in the weight room,” Johnson said. “He is big and he is strong. He has really matured physically and mentally.”

Brown beat out Arthur Woods by a single point, mostly because Brown is simply the larger person. Woods is known for his speed in the field and change of pace ability. At 5-foot-8 and 160 pounds, he is a solid 4 inches short and 40 pounds lighter than Brown.

Still, Woods more than excelled in the field work events and held more than his own in the weight room.

“Where Arthur dominates is

player on our team.”

Morgan Spear will also contribute to the team’s defense but mostly at the net. Spear played a big role last season and became one of the team’s top blockers in the process.

Moncrief said her team will be changing blocking schemes at the net, and Spear has been one of the ones to instantly adapt to the change this summer and become an outspoken leader. With her up front is Kaden Edwards, who is also a solid blocker.

One of the biggest returners for Elmore County actually didn’t even play last season.

Junior Ally Orr decided not to play for her sophomore season a year ago

here,” Jelks said. “Ever since June when we started playing, we have probably had at least 20 and up to 30 people here every single day. It’s

in the grass,” Johnson said. “His speed is explosive. For his size, he is above average strength. He gets enough points in the weight room and dominates outside and that is what puts him in the top-2.”

In the 40-yard dash, Brown kept up with Woods and was only about three-tenths of a second behind, along with being on Woods’ heels in the 20 and the L drill.

“He has just gotten a lot faster and a lot more explosive,” Johnson said of Brown. “He came out of nowhere.”

Brown’s showing in Iron Man is a precursor for what to expect from him this season, according to Johnson.

“This year he has a pretty big role on both sides of the football,” Johnson said. “And of course his punting. We know what he can do there. I am looking for a big year out of Demetrius.”

Placing fifth and sixth respectively was the freshman duo of Alijah Woods and Traylen Roberts.

“Those two freshmen are special,” Johnson said. “Both of them will play lots of quality reps on varsity. Alijah is one of our top players in OTAs this summer. Traylen split reps at running back in the spring. He is a load.”

In third place was the only other underclassman on the list in fullback/linebacker Devin Bragg.

“Having two freshmen and a sophomore up there in the top six is impressive,” Johnson said. “That is very difficult to do.”

In order, the top Iron Men were Brown, Arthur Woods, Devin Bragg, Tae Martin, Alijah Woods, Roberts, Xavier Thomas, Tyrese Fallin, JJ Kendrick and Harrison Renfroe.

but was an All-County player during her freshman season in 2021.

She had 152 kills as a freshman outside hitter, and Moncrief said she is returning at the perfect time.

“We lost two really good outside hitters, and Ally’s coming back at a good time,” Moncrief said. “She’s very versatile in the way she can play both outside hitter and in the middle, and she will play both depending on what role we need her in more. She’s just an athlete and understands the game, and it’s great to have her back out here.”

Elmore County has won 14 consecutive area championships under Moncrief and dominated

a big hit.” The league’s registration is over, and Jelks said the league will feature eight men’s teams, four mixed teams, and two women’s teams. Across what he hopes to be a six-week league, each team will play each other around three to four

last year’s area tournament.

In two games against Holtville and Marbury, Elmore County swept both matches, 3-0, and outscored the pair by a combined 150-54. No set score came closer than 25-13, and the Panthers are going to try and attempt to continue their run of dominance this season.

“Every year presents a new challenge with new players on the court and we don’t take anyone we play for granted,” Moncrief said. “We know that the competition is going to be there. We just have to come out and want it more than they do and not relax or get complacent.”

times. At the end of the season, a first, second and third place trophy will be given to teams while every team that participates will be given a medal. Jelks is hoping this year’s league will help the sport grow even more across the area and more leagues can be added going forward.

Al. Woods Ar. Woods Brown

Moms prep to hit the field at Elmore County

By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor

The Elmore County football team is giving its moms a chance to learn the sport.

ECHS is hosting a Mom’s Clinic for the first time; it’ll be from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Sunday at Burt-Haynie Field.

ECHS coach Kyle Caldwell initially got the idea from Montgomery Catholic coach Kirk Johnson, and he quickly liked the concept. During the one-hour clinic, the Panther moms will get acquainted with the sport and learn about the rules, plays, strategy and equipment in the process.

“Coach Johnson said his moms really enjoy it and have a great time,” Caldwell said. “We thought we would do something fun for our moms and let them have a small experience of what football is like.”

The moms that attend the clinic will have the chance to learn a lot. They will learn how to put on pads and helmets, and they will be able to wear them around. After that, Caldwell said they will show the moms some drills and show them what an actual Elmore County football practice looks like.

It’ll be a shortened version of practice, but they’ll get a glimpse of the experience. Each mom will learn a simplified version of all the positions and we’ll learn how to play their kid’s positions. Caldwell isn’t sure if he’s going to let there be any contact, but said there’s a possibility he’ll let the moms tackle their sons.

“We haven’t decided on all the details yet, but I’m sure they’ll enjoy that if we let them tackle their sons,” Caldwell said.

“Either way, it’s going to be a fun night and a new experience for both the moms and their sons.”

Continued from B1

for Reeltown during the hill running as many of the older players helped younger ones who were struggling to continue going up and down the steep slope. Veterans helped hold players up and sometimes even ran alongside players who were struggling.

After practice, Johnson met with his players and told them they will learn most of the team’s offensive and defensive schemes this week. By Johnson’s own admission, the Rebels aren’t going to try to trick anyone as they’ll do what they have for years under their coach. By the end of the first week of practice, the team will have learned all it will need — then it turns to execution.

“With what we have been preparing for, we have got a lot done,” Johnson

said. “We are in a good position to close out everything by the end of this week as far as install.”

Even with an established system, the Rebel coaching staff threw some wrinkles at the team.

“Today we did throw some new stuff at them that may have had something to do with some basic mistakes, but we are at a point now that a lot of that has to be second nature,” Johnson said. “I think they needed a little wake-up call.”

Less than three weeks now separate Reeltown from its season opener against rival Tallassee. Neither side in that game needs any additional motivation. Johnson’s team will take the Tallassee game and all the games following a week at a time — with a larger goal in mind.

“Our goal is to get in the playoffs and win that last game,” Johnson said.

pads, we can start playing football and we don’t have to teach them.”

Tallassee will have one of the shortest time periods from the first day of practice and its first game. Because they participated in spring football, the Tigers had to start practice a week later than other schools across the state.

They open Thursday, Aug. 24 which is one day before the majority of squads. Spending the first two days of practice in just helmets then a few days in shells, Tallassee will likely get only eight or nine days of practicing in pads before it travels to Reeltown for the rivalry game.

That doesn’t bother Battles. He was able to get in a full spring camp and his players have spent countless days practicing and lifting weights this summer.

“It’s the same for everybody,” Battles said. “The guys who started last

week, they didn’t go through spring so we got a few more days in the spring. I don’t think 10 days of pads will be the difference in the game. Reeltown starts today as well, so they’ll have the same exact amount of time to prepare as we do. It’ll just come down to who plays well that Thursday night.”

Tallassee looks to carry some momentum from last year’s season into 2023. The Tigers had the best finish of any team in the county with a 7-5 record while being the county’s only public school to reach the second round of the playoffs.

Tallassee won five of its last six games last year, including a blowout win over Selma on the road in the first round of the playoffs.

The Tigers lost a lot of starters from last year’s team, but there’s plenty of talent on the Tallassee roster as Battles enters his 12th season leading the Tigers. Battles also enters the season with 294 total career wins, which is the 14th most among active AHSAA coaches entering the season.

Elmore County coach Kyle Caldwell coaches one of his quarterbacks on the opening day of practice. Moms of football players will get a shortened version of practice this Sunday in the Panthers’ first Mom’s Clinic.

HENRY ZIMMER | THE TRIBUNE

ABOVE: Running back Arthur Woods sprints through a hole at Monday’s practice.

BELOW: Reeltown head coach Matt Johnson, left, and newly hired coach LD Bell talk during Monday’s practice.

DALTON MIDDLETON THE TRIBUNE

TOP: A Tallassee football player practices tackling the tackle wheel in Monday’s practice.

ABOVE: Tallassee linemen work on blocking drills in Monday’s practice.

School’s

session

Students and faculty return for first day of school

a new Tallassee High School is complete. But the process of a new Tallassee High School started well before Nolin took the reins.

“I moved here 22 years ago,” Nolin said. “It was in the works and discussions then with previous administrations. Back then the talk was how are we going to fund it. That discussion went on for years.”

Then everything started coming together. The Tallassee City Council passed a new sales tax for education. Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey also convinced the state legislature to sell bonds for education. Interest rates were also the lowest they had ever been.

“It all just came together,” Nolin said. “It was the perfect time to borrow money but it was the worst time to build a structure like this because of issues related to COVID.” Students and staff at Tallassee High School got a lesson in patience and frustration too. They saw their old school torn down and forced into small mobile classrooms for two years.

“When you are in a mobile unit and on top of each other, you don’t have space, you don’t have hallways,” Tallassee High School principal Drew Glass said. “Bad weather, you don’t have a place to put them so you got to make a decision, ‘Do we go virtual or try to chance it?’ There were all sorts of decisions made because of being in trailers. We were frustrated because we knew many of those decisions wouldn’t be necessary in the new building.”

After two years of learning in the “Tallassee High School trailer park,” student body president Allison Johnson now hopes the student body can come together again after being scattered across campus during construction.

“It is all in one,” Johnson said. “Now we are in the same spot, in the same hallways. It makes it feel more like a student body.”

In less than a year, Johnson will be a Tallassee High School alumnus. Her class will be the only class to have attended the school in three different school configurations — the century old school torn down for new construction, the mobile classrooms and the new building. Johnson said the new building was very much needed.

“People from the outside didn’t understand why we were tearing it down,” Johnson said. “From the inside, it wasn’t the best facility but we loved it so much. Watching it being torn down was so sad but this new building makes up for all that. It really is amazing to be in this new building.”

Tallassee City Board of Education president Don Bryant said he too heard the same sentiment regarding keeping the old building but even as an alumnus he believed a new school was necessary.

“That building has served us so well for all these years,” Bryant said. “If you were on the outside looking in, it was probably true. If you were inside looking out, you knew it was only partly true.

That building had served us well for many years, but not all those years.”

Bryant said the school board knew of the fire and safety hazards of a building a century old made entirely from wood. Space was an issue too. There was no room for the entire student body to gather as one, and the band couldn’t fit into the bandroom.

After the decision to build a new school was made, the school board made a crucial decision to design the exterior of the school to look like the old.

“The goal is to be able to put an old alum like me out front and they would know exactly where they were,” Bryant said. “But the same person inside would not know where they are.”

While the new building and old building maybe similar and both are learning centers, Bryant said school buildings are just buildings.

“A school building is not the school, it’s the people who learn and teach inside it,” Bryant said. “As good as the old building was, that was not Tallassee High School. As good as this [new] building is, it is not Tallassee High School.”

Ivey and Alabama state superintendent Dr. Eric Mackey joined

Nolin, Glass, Bryant, Johnson and more to cut the ribbon on the new building last week. Nolin credited Ivey and Mackey for helping make the new $21 million high school a reality.

“I want to thank Gov. Kay Ivey for the state bond issue she did to help close the gap on this project,” Nolin said.

Tallassee City Schools received $2.4 million of the state bond issue for the high school project. It allowed Nolin to not have to scrape by to get the new school.

“We were able to use it to help get all new furniture too,” Nolin said.

Ivey said she grew up in a small community much like Tallassee and the ribbon cutting unveiled more than new brick and mortar of a building.

“We have revealed an unwavering commitment to providing high quality education for our students and ushering in opportunities for countless minds,” Ivey said. “I’m proud to see this community is committed to providing a learning environment for their students. It is truly an exciting way to start the school year.”

When funding is available, Nolin said the next phase on the Tallassee High School campus is

to construct 14 new classrooms on the new building. It would allow for the demolition of the annex building to construct a new kitchen and cafeteria.

“You would then have everything under one roof,” Nolin said. “Then we would like to build a new gym to replace the 1941 model.” Nolin said education is a driver for economic development. The new school caught the attention of Mackey and Ivey years ago. Mackey even toured the old school as plans to demolish were being developed. Ivey said the school will help meet the future demands of Tallassee and beyond.

“We need all of our students well educated to meet the challenges of the future,” Ivey said. “We want them all to be able to get good paying jobs to be able to support their families and enjoy this great state.”

Nolin is sure the new building will meet the education needs of children of Tallassee and hopes its history will be much like its predecessor.

“I’m excited that new generations will get to enjoy this structure,” Nolin said. “The previous one lasted 100 years. I’m really excited to see what comes in the next 100 years.”

CLIFF WILLIAMS | THE TRIBUNE

PHOTOS BY CLIFF WILLIAMS AND LIZI GWIN | THE TRIBUNE

Students walked into Tallassee Elementary School after the summer off. Some escorted their parents to their new classroom. Others stopped and got breakfast as others arrived by bus. Eclectic Elementary School also welcomed students back from summer break Tuesday as well. At both elementary schools the first day was filled with learning routines and locations of the lunchroom, office, bathrooms and more.

New business opens for self care needs

By ABIGAIL MURPHY Multimedia Reporter

LaTasha Gaines started

Butta Bae as an online business and it has now grown into a brick-and-mortar store.

Gaines said as someone who suffers from very dry skin, she is always on the lookout for quality skin care products. Her passion for skin care products eventually led her to start making her own.

“About four years ago I was in D.C. my friend and I went to the Pentagon Mall,” Gaines said. “There was a lady up there and she was selling body butters. I got some and fell in love with them. So, I sent my friend back to try and get some more and she was gone. So at that point, I tried researching different body butters, different oils.”

Through her research and experimenting with body butters in her kitchen, Gaines eventually found her formula. Soon, her friends and family started asking for some. The requests kept coming in and she then started her online store.

Gaines said she never expected she would have a storefront for Butta Bae. However, the inventory got to be too much to keep in her house with multiple kids.

One day her husband was driving down Gilmer Avenue and spotted a space for Butta Bae. By June 10, Butta Bae had its grand opening.

The store has Gaines’ body butter, soaps, beard oils and it carries outside providers’ products such as facial steamers, sunscreen, perfume rollers and bath bombs. Gaines said she wants Butta Bae to be the place for self-care, and of course the top seller is body butters.

“When you are looking for a product to really moisturize your skin, but not leave you feeling super oily or really greasy, it’s the best product,” she said.

“About four years ago I was in D.C. my friend and I went to the Pentagon Mall. There was a lady up there and she was selling body butters. I got some and fell in love with them. So, I sent my friend back to try and get some more and she was gone. So at that point, I tried researching different body butters, different oils.”

— LaTasha Gaines

In the future, Gaines wants to expand her business by having mobile massage therapists and a lab space where people can learn how to make their own body butter, sugar scrubs and other skin care products.

Gaines said one of their current specialties is gift boxes. Butta Bae will help individuals put together gift

FRIDAY, AUG. 11

BINGO NIGHT: Eclectic the Beautiful will host its first annual Bingo Night fundraiser starting at 6 p.m. Aug. 11 at The Warehouse. The Wharf Casual Seafood and Pops BBQ food trucks will be set up. Bingo rounds will begin at 6:30 and 8 p.m. Each Bingo card is $5, and there will be plenty of gifts and prizes given each session.

WEDNESDAY, AUG. 23

PEP RALLY: Reeltown will play host to a community pep rally Aug. 23, the night before the football season kicks off at home against Tallassee. The pep rally begins at 7 p.m. at Nix Webster O’Neal Stadium.

SATURDAY, AUG. 26

LIFE & FAITH DAY: Crossroads Church will host at Life & Faith Day from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 26 at 504 Autauga St. in Wetumpka. There will be live music as well as games and inflatables for the kids. The festivities will also include a free hotdog lunch, popcorn, popsicles and more as well as prizes of free groceries, gas and more. There is a giveaway every 10 minutes with the grand prize of having your electric bill paid.

THURSDAY, AUG. 31

WOMEN’S SUMMIT: The Wetumpka Area Chamber of Commerce will host GRIT, a women’s summit with a lineup of inspirational speakers from all over the country. Tickets are $100 for the six-hour summit, which includes coffee and networking, a women’s business expo, a gourmet lunch, a theater performance and a grand finale including amazing music. It will be hosted from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 31 at the Wetumpka Civic Center. Tickets are available on the chamber’s webpage.

SUNDAY, SEPT. 17

BARK IN THE PARK : The Humane Society of Elmore County will be hosting its 17th

annual Bark in the Park from noon to 4 p.m. Sept. 17 at Fort Toulouse. Sept. 24 is a rain date. Featured will be vendors, activities, a microchip clinic, refreshments, demonstrations and more. Vendor spots are available.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 30

OKTOBERFEST: Oktoberfest Wetumpka is hosted by the Oktoberfest Planning Committee in downtown starting at 10 a.m. Sept. 30. Featured will be a day of music, performances, vendors and food. For more information, email wetuoktoberfest@gmail. com.

SATURDAY, OCT. 7

PADDLES FOR PAWS: The Elmore County Humane Society will be hosting its first ever Paddles for Paws, a pickleball tournament at 17 Springs in Millbrook. The tournament will take place from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 7. There is a $35 registration fee, plus a $5 service fee, and that includes one event, a tournament T-shirt, snacks and drinks. The planned format is a round robin tournament.

SATURDAY, OCT. 14

COTTON FESTIVAL: The Town of Eclectic will host the 30th annual Alabama Cotton Festival from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 14. This is a family event held every year on the second Saturday in October featuring more than 250 vendors. Events and contests include the Dog Show, the Classic Car Show, the first annual cornhole tournament, the Alabama Wildlife Federation, the Bama Flying Dogs and so much more. For more information, contact 256794-0379 or 334-541-3581.

THURSDAY, OCT. 26

CANDY CRAWL: Main Street Wetumpka will host its Coosa Candy Crawl from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 26 in downtown Wetumpka. Dress in your

boxes for birthdays, anniversaries, baby showers and a number of special occasions. Plus, if they don’t have some -

favorite costume and trick-ortreat through local downtown businesses and table sponsors. Table registration is coming soon and will cost $20 per business or organization.

THURSDAY, NOV. 9 -

SATURDAY, NOV. 11

ARTS & CRAFTS SHOW: Home for the Holidays is an arts and crafts show with more than 30 local artisans, crafts and creators of all things homemade, handcrafted, homegrown and more. Admission is $5 for anyone over 12. Tickets are sold at the door and valid all three days of the show. For more information, call 334-2249109.

SATURDAY, FEB. 10, 2024

MARDI GRAS FESTIVAL: Wetumpka’s 11th annual Mardi Gras Festival and Parade presented by The Order of Cimarron is scheduled for Feb. 10, 2024. Vendors open at 9 a.m. with the parade beginning at 1 p.m. This is a rain or shine event. Visit www.wetumpkamardigras.com for more information.

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:

After more than a year long hiatus, Preschool Storytime has resumed at the Wetumpka Public Library. The first story time was held on Friday, May 14, and will take place every Friday at the library at 10 a.m.

ECLECTIC TOWN COUNCIL

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.

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.

CELEBRATE RECOVERY

GRACE POINT: Celebrate Recovery meets at Grace Point Community Church at 78223 Tallassee Highway in Wetumpka each Tuesday at 6:15 p.m. All are welcome to the meetings which provide a safe and loving environment for individuals seeking to conquer

their hurts, habits and hangups. For more information, visit www.Gracepoint.info or contact Gwin Greathouse at gwingreathouse@gmail.com.

CELEBRATE RECOVERY

SANTUCK : Celebrate Recovery meets each Thursday at 6:15 p.m. at Santuck Baptist Church at 7250 Central Plank Rd. This is a Christ-centered, 12-step program for anyone struggling with hurts, habits, and hangups. Call 334-5672364 for more information or contact jyates@santuckbaptist. org.

GAMBLERS ANONYMOUS : Gamblers Anonymous meets Saturdays at 6 p.m. at Cedarwood Community Church at 10286 U.S. Highway 231 in Wallsboro/Wetumpka. Call 334567-0476 for more information.

AA MEETING: Alcoholics Anonymous meetings are held Mondays at 7 p.m. located at 105 Tuskeena St. in Wetumpka.

RED HILL SCHOOL: The Red Hill School on Highway 229 in the Red Hill Community in Tallassee is open Fridays from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. for local live music performances. No admission is charged but donations are welcomed to maintain the building and pay for refreshments.

MASTER GARDENER

HELPLINE: If you have gardening questions you can call the Master Gardener Helpline at 1-877-252-4769. The helpline starts March 1 and ends in August.

CHILDREN’S HARBOR: Children’s Harbor Treasures and Thrift Store Located on state route 63 just south of Lake Martin Amphitheater, the Children’s Harbor Thrift Store is open Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. proceeds are used to help fund the activities at the Lake Martin campus of children’s harbor and the Family Center at Children’s Hospital. Call 334-857-2008 for more information.

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ABIGAIL MURPHY | THE TRIBUNE

TOP: Butta Bae opened in Tallassee last month with a focus on skin care products and luxurious body treats.

ABOVE: LaTasha Gaines started making body butter in her kitchen. Now she has grown her business from an online store to a storefront in Tallassee.

Elmore County Community Calendar

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Castaway Animal Clinic expands emergency care

BY CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

Adding new staff has allowed a local veterinary clinic to expand emergency services to seven days a week.

Castaway Animal Clinic owner and veterinarian Dr. Randall Plaisance has been slowly expanding the service in the 13 years the practice has been in Red Hill.

“We have been doing that since we began but it was just me, but there were large gaps in coverage related to my family, church and travel,” Plaisance said. “We added an additional veterinarian a couple years ago and recently added two more.”

Plaisance said with four veterinarians in the clinic, it is now offering on-call veterinary services seven days a week.

“It is a structured, on-call service meaning you need to call ahead first,” Plaisance said. “We will stay with animals all night if needed, but we don’t start new cases after 9 p.m.”

Plaisance said the emergency service has its own phone number for animal owners to call before coming to the clinic. Most of the time, on weeknights staff is already there until 6 p.m. with what Plaisance calls urgent care.

Plaisance said the clinic has always been both a large and small animal clinic and also offers mobile services to farms and homes.

“We do large and small animal services,” Plaisance said. “We have our clinic which has the normal small animal medicine and surgeries. We have an equine haul-in facility. We have a bovine haul-in facility.”

Plaisance said he is confident in the staff, especially the two newest veterinarians, at handling any emergency that might happen.

“They are new graduates we have had a long relationships with,” Plaisance said. “Our focus in hiring them was to ensure they were able to handle all of the species we work on an emergency basis. They have been involved in our practice during their time in vet school. We knew them really well. They knew us really well. They knew what they were getting into and we knew pretty well what we were getting.”

Plaisance said the most common things dog and cat owners seek emergency care for are upset stomachs with vomiting and diarrhea, being hit by a car, snake bites and respiratory problems. For horses the most common are colic, trauma or lacerations and eye issues. Cattle emergencies usually involve calving issues or respiratory problems.

Plaisance believes many veterinarians try to take care of their own patients’ emergencies just like he did on a part-time basis. He saw a need for expanding emergency hours to allow animal owners an option for local treatment. After-hours treatment options were greatly limited to the 24/7 animal hospitals at Auburn University and Carriage Hills in Montgomery where Plaisance sometimes worked shifts.

“We weren’t trying to steal that niche because another level of staffing and expertise is required,” Plaisance said. “We are not trying to do anything super special, super unique or complex.”

Plaisance said Castaway Animal Clinic wants to “do the common things exceptionally well.”

“We are wanting to take care of those common cases on the weekend and at night and keep people from having to go to these other facilities where there could be significant wait times and fee structure at least twice as high,” Plaisance said. “We triage, treat if we can. If it is something that goes beyond what we are capable of effectively serving, we refer to one of the 24 hour facilities in our area.”

week.

RIDGE SUFFERS DAMAGE TO SLIP WALKWAY

By LIZI ARBOGAST GWIN Managing Editor

Crews at The Ridge Marina were already working hard Friday morning to clean up damage suffered from high winds on Thursday evening.

Around 5:30 p.m., The Ridge was hit with gusts of wind that hit the docks and the wet slips, causing major damage to the walkway that connects the wet slip strips to land.

“Half of it is in the water,” Ridge manager Chase Maynard said. “Last night, we all got back to the marina by about 6 o’clock, and Lake Martin Dock Company was already out there putting out temporary anchors just to stabilize everything.”

Crews were once again working Friday as divers from TowBoatUS Lake Martin were attaching massive floats to the walkway in an attempt to pull it out of the water. There also is no longer power to the wet slips, so Maynard said he had electricians come out first thing Friday to assess the damage.

“A lot of the boats out there are cabin cruisers, so they are hooked up to shore power with air conditioning and the refrigerator run-

Cotton Corner

ning constantly, so all that is off,” Maynard said. “Most of them have generators so they can still run, but one of our top priorities is to get the power back as soon as possible for (those boat owners).”

The walkway connects the marina to four large covered wet slip strips that house at least 100 boats. Luckily, Maynard said, no boats were damaged.

“To my knowledge none of the boats were damaged and our guys did a really thorough check,” Maynard said. “We had boats on the docks and just the regular courtesy boats, and it’s just amaz-

ing none were damaged really.”

Maynard said there was not a timeframe for the walkway to be fixed but the marina was offering a courtesy shuttle boat to all boats stored in one of the wet slips. He also said all owners have been notified.

The walkway wasn’t the only place that suffered damage as two crews were out Friday afternoon cleaning up trees and other debris from the Thursday storm.

A power line was also downed across Campground Road between Alexander City and Hackneyville on Thursday night.

Cotton grows into a festival of 12,000

By ABIGAIL MURPHY Multimedia Reporter

As a town centered on the cotton industry, the Alabama Cotton Festival bloomed out of Eclectic.

Mayor Gary Davenport explained when Eclectic first began in 1907, it was a cotton hub with two cotton gins — one in town limits and one just outside its limits.

Nowadays farmers do their own harvesting. They bring the cotton into town to store in warehouses. Eclectic remains part of the industry with warehouses such as Fuller Warehouse.

Connecting with the town’s roots, the cotton festival began in 1993.

“To me the importance is, it gives us a foundation and plateau we can build from,” Davenport said. “It’s something that separates us out — just like Dothan is the peanut festival and you got the saltwater festival down in the Mobile area. It’s something to have fun with and it keeps that

Last year it was estimated 12,000 people attended the Alabama Cotton Festival in Eclectic. Mayor Gary Davenport discusses the importance of the festival for the town.

history going.”

Roughly eight years ago, the town filled out the paperwork for the festival to be state recognized, titling it the Alabama Cotton Festival. The attendance has continued to grow each year with last year bringing in an estimated 12,000 people.

“Our attendance has basically doubled over twice in the last eight years,” Davenport said. At one point, the part-time assistant clerk would primarily organize the festival. Now, the festival has become so

big the town event coordinator and a committee largely head it.

With such a large festival, there are four blocks of Main Street and three blocks of 1st Avenue blocked off.At one point, there was also a weeklong rook tournament with the winner being announced at the festival. Now, the rook tournament has gone away, and the cotton queen is more of the focus.

Davenport said the festival also feeds into the town. With vendors coming in, sometimes it reveals new business-

es that the community wants or needs. He said the festival is how Eclectic was able to get some of its clothing stores.

However, the town also gets a say in the festival. At the cotton festival, there are suggestion forms available and when the committee meets back up about 45-60 days after the festival, members discuss what needs to be changed.

Davenport said one of things he is most looking forward to is the new cornhole tournament, which came out of a suggestion.

CLIFF

LIZI ARBOGAST GWIN | THE OBSERVER

TOP: Crews from Lake Martin Dock Company and TowBoatUS Lake Martin work to try to lift The Ridge’s slip walkway from out of the water.

ABOVE: Crews were working around The Ridge to pick up trees and other debris from a storm Thursday night.