TOY DRIVE, PAGE 11
SPORTS, PAGE 12
Tallasee basketball teams have a triumphant weekend over LAMP.
Tallassee Police and Fire Department deliver toys to more than 65 children.
OPINION
TOP 10 STORIES, PAGE 2 Reviewing The Tribunes’ best
WE TAKE SERVING OUR COMMUNITY SERIOUSLY
The Tallassee Tribune DEDICATED TO THE GROWTH AND PROSPERITY OF THE GREATER TALLASSEE AREA
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December 30, 2015
TALLASSEETRIBUNE.COM
VOL. 116, NO. 52
Rain has area on water watch
Current, past rainfall keeps flood concerns fluid
Progress continues on opening roads
By JOHN W. PEELER Managing Editor
With the rainfall over the Christmas holiday and the resultant flash flooding, officials of Elmore County are continuing to work on getting roads back open amidst the continuing rainfall. “What we’ve got is the roads that are close … the city crews and county crews have been assessing those, and checking other infrastructure to make sure we don’t have any other problems anywhere,” said Eric Jones, Emergency Management Agency director for Elmore County. “We are trying to get what we can reopened, but of course with this round of rain and severe weather, it’s slowed us down. The thing we have to watch now is flash flooding off of this band of rain as it moves through the county right now.” Jones said although the rain since Christmas caused problem flash floods in the area, reports of massive flooding causing businesses and residents to evacuate the area were not accurate. “They (news reports) were not accurate,” Jones said. See FLOODS• Page 7
By JOHN W. PEELER Managing Editor
Heavy rains hit on Christmas Eve, more rain ahead By COREY ARWOOD Staff Writer
It was a warm and stormy Christmas with temperatures that stopped just short of the 80s and rainfall that closed in at 10 inches for some parts of the Tallassee area. But even for the South, the weather was unusual. One meteorologist
called the nearly weeklong weather pattern in the area “unique.” “Typically we do get heavy rain events in the state but generally a lot of times it’s somewhat related to a tropical system,” said Jason Holmes Corey Arwood and Cliff Williams / The Tribune of the National Weather Service in Birmingham. A bridge on Hayes Mill Road was underwater, top, and motorists found driving difficult in Tallassee Monday afternoon See RAINS • Page 7 as 4-plus inches of rain prompted flooding around the state.
The outlook for opening up more of the roads closed due to the flash floods that swept across Elmore County Christmas Eve is positive, but there are still roads left to be assessed. “I think we are close to opening two of the three sites that are closed,” said Richie Beyer, Elmore County engineer. “County roads … Holley Mill Road will stay closed indefinitely … we’re still doing damage assessments and costs on that.” Holley Mill Road between Landers Swink Road and state Route 63 will remain closed indefinitely due to a portion of the road being completely gone. Old Rifle Range Road, once some of the water has receded and clean-up work done, will reopen at some point. “The little bit of closure we had over on Old Rifle Range Road was caused by the river swelling and backing up on the dirt road and we haven’t really had any problem with that,” Richie said. “Once the See ROADS• Page 2
Tallassee was filled with headlines in 2015 By WILLIE G. MOSELEY Tallassee Tribune
Once again, the perusal of the front pages of a year’s volume of the Tallassee Tribune indicates that the most interesting local stories from 2015 were a combination of important/“hard” news and upbeat/positive events. As has been the case in previous articles in previous years, several similar stories that occurred in 2015 have been combined into one citation on the list. The selections are listed in no particular order, except the first two: • CONRADS PLEAD GUILTY TO SEX CHARGES: Stephen and Brandy Conrad had been arrested in 2013 and were charged, respectively, with 105 counts and seven counts of child abuse and underage sex crimes. On Jan. 26, Brandy Conrad pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual abuse of a child less than 12 years old, and was later sentenced to ten years in prison.
Former Tallassee assistant Chief of Police and his wife Kelli Miles walk into the U.S. District - Middle Alabama in Montgomery, Alabama Tuesday where he Miles pleadd guilty to one count each of obstruction of justice, deprivation of rights and distribution of marijuana. Photo by Carmen Rodgers
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On Aug. 27. Stephen Conrad pleaded guilty to three counts of sex abuse with a child less than 12 years old and one count for first-degree sex abuse. He was later sentenced to 16 years in prison. • FORMER ASSISTANT POLICE CHIEF PLEADS GUILTY: The huge disparity between the number of original charges against Stephen Conrad and the four charges to which he pleaded guilty was due to the majority of the charges being dropped because of inappropriate interrogation of Conrad by then-Assistant Police Chief Chris Miles. Miles would later resign after being arrested on burglary and theft charges in Macon County, as well as theft of evidence from the Tallassee Police Department. He was also charged with two counts of obstruction of justice and deprivation of rights in the questioning of Conrad. See TOP • Page 2
Page 2 • December 30, 2015
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Top
THE TALLASSEE TRIBUNE
continued from page 1
On Nov. 17, Miles pleaded guilty in federal court to one count each of obstruction of justice, deprivation of rights, and distribution of marijuana. He is scheduled to be sentenced in late Feb. • DRUG ARRESTS ABOUND IN AREA: Numerous drug arrests were made during more than one investigation and operation during 2015 in Tallassee and surrounding area. The largest raid, resulting in the arrests of 20 persons, took place on Dec. 1 in the Wall Street area of southeast Tallassee, following an investigation requested by many residents of that area. • GIRLS ALL-STAR SOFTBALL TEAM WINS ANOTHER WORLD SERIES: The 10-and-Under Tallassee girls, representing Alabama, outscored opposing teams from five other Southern states 39-1 to win the 10-and-Under World Series in North Carolina. This is the second year in a row a Tallassee girls’ softball team has brought home a World Series trophy. • NEW BUSINESSES PROPOSED FOR NORTHWEST AREA: A Marvin’s building supply business and an urgent care medical clinic were both proposed for the northwest portion of Gilmer Avenue. The Marvin’s opportunity is now in limbo due to questions about providing incentives to that business. • VICTORYLAND TO RE-OPEN: Another nearby business that made news is Victoryland entertainment complex in nearby Shorter, which had
Roads
been closed for several years following a raid by state law authorities and subsequent court rulingsbut is planning to reopen. Numerous residents of Tallassee and surrounding area had been employed at that facility, which was gearing up to re-open as this year came to a close. • NEW SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT: In March, the Tallassee Board of Education declined to renew its contract with school superintendent Ken Varner. The board later named Wade Shipman, a longtime educator in Fayette County, as the new school superintendent. Varner was later selected as superintendent of the Brewton school system in Escambia County. Other changes in area agencies included the election of Joel Hart as new chief of the Friendship Volunteer Fire Department, and the appointment of John Stonaker as a new building inspector in Tallassee. Carmen Rodgers / The Tribune • LOCAL BANKING LEGEND Another nearby business that made news is the planned reopening of the Victoryland enDIES: Arnold Dopson, who was renowned for his decades of work with tertainment complex in nearby Shorter, which had been closed for several years following the Bank of Tallassee (now Trustmark a raid by state law authorities and subsequent court rulings. Bank), died in March at the age of 84. is pleased with the progress. playoffs yet again. O’Neal had left the He was honored posthumously by more Tallapoosa County school system in Suggested egalitarian “honorable than one business and organization. mentions” for this list included the 2014, but had coached one additional • O’NEAL RETIRES FROM 20th anniversary of the Talisi Historical year under contract. COACHING: Alabama Sports Hall • THEATER RENOVATION Preservation Society, the tenth anniof Fame member Jackie O’Neal, PICKS UP STEAM: Critical work has versary of the Learning Tree facility in head football coach at Reeltown High been ongoing at Tallassee’s Mt. Vernon downtown Tallassee, and a record-setSchool for almost 30 years, officialTheater, located on the edge of the ting collection effort in Tallassee for ly retired from coaching following downtown Historical District. The com- the Operation Christmas Child initiathe 2015 football season, which had mittee that has overseen the restoration tive. seen the Reeltown Rebels making the
Tallassee’s Top 10 stories continued
continued from page 1
water recedes, we will go in there and blade that to make sure the debris is out of the road.” Most of the damage, Richie said, was the result of flash flooding with the worst of the flash floods coming in the southeast corner of the county. “If you went diagonal across the country from the southeast corner to the northeast corner up toward Lake Martin, everything in the southeast corner of the county we witnessed most of the real flash flooding problems,” he said. “The
river is always an issue for us, especially when they start releasing more from (Lake) Martin and the Jordan Dam … it just backs water up.” Richie said the flash flooding and “high velocity water” is what took out the pipe at Holley Mill Road. “There is a large water line there that went over the top of our structure, so I don’t think that helped in any way,” he said. Richie said updates, as they become available, can be found by visiting www.elmorecoema.org.
Superior Gas, Inc. Wishes All
(Above) It was another great year in softball as the Tallassee Girls All-Star softball team won another World Series. (Below) Stephen and Brandy Conrad had been arrested in 2013 and were charged, respectively, with 105 counts and seven counts of child abuse and underage sex crimes.
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December 30, 2015 • Page 3
Tallassee’s Top ten stories continued
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THE TALLASSEE TRIBUNE
Our
Opinion
We take serving our community very seriously W
hile reports and headlines from news sources outside Elmore County screamed the dire straits our county found itself in, the truth of the matter is it wasn’t as bad as the “outside” reports. For Wetumpka, Tallassee, Eclectic and all areas of Elmore County, those outside the county must seem to believe we are incapable of handling problems and issues that face nearly every county in the U.S. Sure, there are times when everyone needs outside assistance, but media outlets outside the county don’t have a real perspective on what goes on, even in adjacent counties. No, businesses and residents weren’t evacuated during the recent stint of severe weather —
Elmore County officials and agencies handled the issues just fine. Although we are a media organization, we are Elmore County’s news organization. We are here every day and are more in tune to what goes on in the county. We are not here to cause panic or sensationalize the news. For us, reporting as quickly and accurately as possible is our goal and we will continue to do so in the New Year. It has been a privilege for us to serve you during 2015 and we look forward to continuing to do so in 2016. From all of us at the Elmore County newspapers, Happy New Year and may 2016 be a brighter, more successful New Year for everyone.
Tallassee High School wrestling 2015-16: Who'd a thunk it? W ith any sports team anywhere, there are always times when fans may not expect much regarding an upcoming season. Among the factors are graduating team members (or, in the case of college teams, athletes that opt to go pro), as well as reclassification according to school size (Tallassee has bounced between 4A and 5A more than once). That’s not to say that longtime fans will desert the team if their won-lost record goes south, of course. What really defines a true fan is whether or not he or she hangs in there, supporting a group of athletes whose fortunes are down. Ideally, one shouldn’t necessarily expect a fan to be “ultra-die-hard” concerning a professional sports team, since those team members are paid unimaginable salaries to play games. However, such rabid stereotypes exist. The point is, I’ve seen high school teams berated by so-called “supporters” in the stands during the middle of
games, and it’s hard to imagine anything more discouraging for a youngster. (Tangent: I’ve also seen some of the kids on the sidelines glaring at their tormentors, with a “if-looks-couldkill-you’re-the-walking-dead” expression on their faces.) Fortunately, such negative incidents aren’t seen too often in Tallassee. That said, how many people wondered about Tallassee High School’s prospects for this year’s wrestling season? Two years ago, THS brought home all the marbles from Huntsville, and all six of the Tallassee finalists won their weight class. It was a marvelous accomplishment that should have made every Tallassee resident proud … and then five of the six champions graduated that spring. Early this year, the one remaining champion from the previous season garnered gold again … but then he graduated as well. Moreover, Kennon Reese’s second gold medal was the only award brought home from the state meet. So, this season is the first
THE TALLASSEE TRIBUNE (533-160) is published weekly on Wednesday by Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc., 301 Gilmer Ave., Tallassee, AL 36078. Periodical postage paid at Tallassee, Alabama. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Tallassee Tribune, 301 Gilmer Avenue, Tallassee, AL 36078. ISSN # 2150-3982. We reserve the right to refuse to print any advertisement, news story, photograph or any other material submitted to us for any reason or no reason at all. •Obituaries - $0.25 per word with a $15 charge for a picture. Obituaries can only be accepted by the funeral home handling the arrangements. The Tallassee Tribune does not accept obituaries from individuals. •Weddings/Engagements/Birth Announcements - $0.25 per word with a $15 for a 2 column, color photo. • One year $25 (In Elmore County, Tallapoosa County and Notasulga) Elsewhere $38 The publisher reserves the right to change subscription rates during the term of subscription with a 30-day notice. The notice can be mailed to the subscriber, or by notice in the newspaper itself. To subscribe or if you missed your paper, call David Kendrick at The Alex City Outlook: 256-234-4281. © 2015 Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved and any reproduction of this issue is prohibited without the consent of the editor or publisher. Kenneth Boone, Publisher Mitch Sneed: Editor editor@tallasseetribune.com • 256-234-4281 John Peeler: Managing Editor john.peeler@tallasseetribune.com • 334-567-7811 Corey Arwood: Reporter corey.arwood@tallasseetribune.com • Ext. 102 Carmen Rodgers: Reporter carmen.rodgers@tallasseetribune.com • Ext. 101 The Tallassee Tribune is contract printed each Tuesday evening in Alexander City, Ala. by Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. 256-234-4281.
The SoCalled Column
By Willie G. Moseley in several years that the Tigers have had no returning state champions on the squad. The point needs to be made, however, that the 2015-16 campaign wasn’t approached with a sense of foreboding. Wrestling is the type of sport in which almost anyone can “step up” to a starting slot and perform well (and sometimes the “step up” term is overused). Moreover, “stepping up” may be easier to accomplish in wrestling than in some other sports because participation is more egalitarian; i.e., it includes weight classifications. Nevertheless, there’s a minimal amount of state tournament experience to be found in this year’s THS
squad — only four kids who went to last year’s event have returned this year. Accordingly, it ought to be a pleasant surprise to any casual observer that as this is being written, the season is a bit over halfway completed and the Tigers are sporting a 16-1 record (and their prospects look good for the Gulf Shores tournament, which will be in progress as this issue of the Tribune is being distributed). What’s been gratifying in the years I’ve covered local wrestling is to observe how the younger grapplers have been concentrating intensely on improving their skills. That type of dedication even applies to some of the wrestlers who have been on the team for perhaps more than one season, but haven’t gone to the state meet — yet. These kids focus on what their coaches tell them to do and they perform to the best of their ability. Simple as that. And although I shouldn’t single out someone on the team, it’s heartening to see
heavyweight Jake Baker’s comeback from a broken foot on the first day of practice last season, which put him out for the entire 2014-15 campaign. In this season’s solitary loss to a powerful 7A Smiths Station team (by a score of 39-36), Jake pinned his opponent in ten seconds. Following the match, I asked him if that was a school record, and he said that the previous week, he had pinned a Beauregard opponent in seven seconds. Uh … wow. So, in a season when some folks — even the pragmatists — might not have expected a banner year from the THS wrestling team, the record and dedication of the Tigers are compelling. And “dedication” — for both team members and fans — trumps any won-loss record, in any sport. … Which is the way it ought to be. Willie Moseley is a columnist for The Tribune.
Plenty is happening in Elmore County
T
he next free Countywide Clean Up Day is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 9. The event, sponsored by the Elmore County Commission, is typically held on the second Saturday of every odd numbered month. Countywide Clean Up Days offer county residents 10 convenient locations across Elmore County at which to drop off household and lawn trash at no charge. Free Countywide Clean Up dropoff locations: • The old highway department in Kent • The old highway department shop in Holtville • Crenshaw Park • Sweeten School • Emerald Mountain Equestrian Center • County Jail/Judicial Complex parking lot (U.S. Highway 231 N. across from Tutwiler) • Titus Gas & Groceries (Hwy. 231 N. toward Titus on left at intersection of Hwy. 231 and Titus Rd.) • Old Central Transfer Station • Annex Building in the Town of Elmore • Parking lot at CEW&SA Redland Rd. Facility Additional Countywide Clean Up
The County Line Elmore County Commission dates, times and locations (including a map with directions and GPS coordinates) are listed on the Elmore County web page Calendar of Events at www.elmoreco.org. We hope all Elmore County residents will take advantage of this convenient opportunity to drop off household and yard trash free of charge. All tree limbs must be no longer than four feet and no more than six inches in diameter. Items that will not be accepted include appliances, batteries, paints or thinners, oils, gases, and tires. Sorry, no contractors; the Clean Up is for residents only. For more information, call Advanced Disposal at 334-252-0458. Please help “Keep the Wave of the Future Clean” by bagging and sealing all household trash for regular pick up. Bagging and closing trash bags prevents “blow out” garbage on the roadside.
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Talks THE TALLASSEE TRIBUNE
Steve Flowers
A
s we close the final page on the 2015 book, my yearend tradition is to reminisce about the passing away of significant players on the Alabama political stage. The first obituary is not a person but an entity. The Alabama Education Association is essentially dead as a political organization. The king is dead. When Paul Hubbert died the AEA died. It is as though it rose and fell with his life. He reigned as King of Goat Hill for over 30 years. In 1969, the AEA Flowers was nothing more than a professional organization run by the school superintendents. It had no political muscle or organization. There were no political action committees at that time. Then the AEA sought and got Hubbert. He quickly grasped the understanding of political power. In his first year he defeated Gov. George Wallace and quickly earned his spurs. By the mid 1970s he had built the AEA into a powerful political machine and by 1982 he and Wallace joined forces and AEA and Hubbert became the Kings of Goat Hill. Hubbert reigned from 1982-2012. He died in 2014. Today the AEA is back where it was in 1969. It is once again a toothless professional organization. The new Republican legislative majority that came to power in 2010 made it their mission to dismantle and destroy the once omnipotent AEA. The GOP legislature, along with our extremely partisan GOP Supreme Court, took away their dues check off, then continued to shovel dirt onto the grave. Over the past few years, they have cut teachers’ pay and this past year raided the Special Education Trust Fund to keep the General Fund afloat. They will probably raid it again next year because there is nobody to guard the hen house. The AEA was the last democratic based political organization to help elect Democrats. Therefore, with the death of the AEA there is a conjunctive death of the Democratic Party statewide in Alabama. The leadership of the Democratic Party, which is essentially Joe Reed and his allies, are content to control a fiefdom that is comprised of local political Democratic bastions of urban and Black Belt enclaves. They do not even field credible or serious candidates for statewide office. Sid McDonald was not only a player in Alabama politics, he was also an ultrasuccessful businessman. McDonald hailed from beautiful Marshall County. He represented his home area in both the House and Senate. He was state finance director and ran a good race for governor in 1978. He and Fob James both financed their own campaigns. Fob won the race. Bill Baxley finished second. Albert Brewer was third and McDonald ran fourth ahead of Lt. Gov. Jere Beasley. McDonald was one of Alabama’s outstanding businessmen. He was inducted into the Alabama Business Hall of Fame in 2010. McDonald served for 16 years on the Board of Trustees of this alma mater the University of Alabama. The University of Alabama system administrative building located on the university campus on University Boulevard in Tuscaloosa was named for McDonald in 2014. On May 15, 2015, McDonald died on a business trip in Colorado. He was 76. State Representative Lesley Vance of Phenix City died in November at age 76 from colon cancer. He had wrestled with the cancer for over a year. He was a great man and a good friend. Lesley was a true Horatio Alger story. He was one of 15 children who grew up poor in rural Alabama. He became financially successful as a funeral home director and owner. He had the largest funeral home in Phenix City and Columbus, Georgia. He as a civic leader in Russell County before he went to the legislature. He served in the state House of Representatives for more than 20 years. Although he was a Tennessean, Fred Thompson was born in northwest Alabama. Thompson was a U.S. Senator from Tennessee for 12 years. Prior to running for the U.S. Senate, he was a television and movie star. Best known for his role in Law and Order, he first became famous as a Watergate prosecutor in the 1970’s. Thompson died of lymphoma at age 73 at his home in Nashville. See you next week. Steve Flowers is Alabama’s leading political columnist. His weekly column appears in over 60 Alabama newspapers. He served 16 years in the state legislature. Steve may be reached at www.steveflowers. us.
December 30, 2015 • Page 5
Dear John
11th Annual Year in Review
Inside the Statehouse
Significant players lost in 2015
www.TallasseeTribune.com
This is the eleventh edition of the “Bird’s Eye View” review of what my cousin Rendell calls infotainment. I submit to you my top events of the year. BEST SINGLE: For once, the best-selling single of the year was also probably the best single of the year, period. Bruno Mars has a knack for creating ear candy, and he didn’t miss with “Uptown Funk,” the song of the summer. Yes, radio played it too much, but the Bruno Mars-Mark Ronson collaboration was one of those songs that transcended narrow genre playlists and blasted from car stereos and iPods belonging to folks aged 8 to 80. EARWORMS: It’s hard to deny the skills of two ladies who ruled the airwaves this year: Meghan Trainor and Taylor Swift. Both of these girls managed to compress boyfriendloathing into catchy twoand-a-half-minute records that were so tuneful, they couldn’t be denied. Trainor had “Lips Are Movin” and “Dear Future Husband;” Swift hit with “Shake it Off” and “Blank Space.” All four singles were earworms. Just typing the titles made me think of the songs again and now they won’t go away. TELEVISION SHOW STARRING SOMEONE I KNOW: Montgomery native Justice Leak has been in Hollywood for a long time now, but this year he settled into the villainous role of Hellgrammite on the
Abraham Lincoln, and othBird’s ers in his address. Then, he skipped out on a planned Eye View lunch with Nancy Pelosi and John Boehner (both By Michael Catholics) to go serve food to the homeless. He admonBird ished the legislators, “We, the people of this continent, CBS-TV series “Supergirl.” are not fearful of foreigners, It’s cool to know someone because most of us once from the old hometown and were foreigners.” see them on TV — even if BEST WITNESS, PART they are a bad guy. TWO: Like much of the HISTORICAL country, I was very affected MOMENT: For us Troy by the Charleston, South folks, it just didn’t get any Carolina, mass shooting bigger than the Reunion we this summer. The fact that planned to celebrate the 75th a young punk wrapped in a anniversary of the band pro- Rebel flag would sit through gram. When all was said and an hour long Bible study done, we had nearly 1000 with a gun in his hands, then people on the field performmassacre a bunch of octoing a halftime show — a genarian ladies was beyond historic accomplishment despicable — if anything, it that may never be repeated. was evidence that the devil Preparing and publishing is as hard at work as ever. the book that celebrated this But — the national media, milestone, as well as being eager to stir the pot, wanted fortunate enough to stand to portray marches and riots on the 50-yard line with my in Charleston that just never mentor, Dr. Johnny Long, as materialized. The members he was being honored were of the Emmanuel AME some big moments I’ll never Church were shown displayforget. ing the ultimate power of BEST WITNESS: It was forgiveness, as they openly amazing to watch the adora- forgave shooter Dylann Roof tion of the national media in a Charleston courtroom when Pope Francis visited and invited the national America in September. Over media to attend Sunday serand over again, he was a vices the next week. It was a messenger of the saving powerful moment when all power and love of Jesus the TV networks preempted Christ. He was asked to their Sunday morning shows speak to Congress, and to air a church service from shamed them for their snailCharleston, South Carolina. like pace in helping others Amen. but also reminded Americans Bird is a regular columof their own greatness, quot- nist for the Tribune. ing Martin Luther King,
Local connection to New Mexico history
W
hen I was in the Army back in the 1950s, I was stationed in New Mexico. I lived in Las Cruces and I wasn’t there long before I started checking out the area. About two miles from my house was a little cemetery. Some called it the Masonic Cemetery and another name it had was Odd Fellow Cemetery. Both mean about the same, as “odd fellows” was a branch of the Masons. In this graveyard was a simple lot where Pat Garrett was buried. This was 1958; Pat was killed in 1908, only 50 years before I was there. I was there to launch the Hercules missiles for the Army and 50 years earlier everyone in that area rode horses. I guess Pat Garrett is one of the most famous Westerners who ever lived—he was a lawman, saloon owner and rancher. When I was stationed there, I asked questions about Pat Garrett and found he wasn’t respected by many of the people who lived there. It thrilled me to know that he was born and raised not far from where we live. Most of you have been to Layfette, Alabama, it’s about a forty-five minute drive up Highway 50. Turn
The Coffee Breaker By Ronald Brantley on the Cusetta Road and you are about where he was born in 1850. As he grew up, he wanted to be a buffalo hunter, so he moved to Texas to hunt. He married a young woman, but she died giving birth to their child. A short time later he married her 17-year-old sister and over the years they had eight children. He became famous after killing Henry McCarty; better known as Billy the Kid. People out in New Mexico or at least a lot of them thought of Pat as a bushwhacker and could not be trusted. Isn’t it amazing that two of the most famous men in the world were born within just a few miles of each other? One is Joe Lewis the Heavyweight Boxing Champion of the world. The other was Pat Garrett the famous Westerner and lawman. Go to Lafayette, Alabama sometimes and on the courthouse lawn is a huge bronze statue of Joe Lewis. It’s a great likeness of the champ and was installed while State Representative
Dwayne Bridges of Chambers and Russell counties was in office. He was also responsible for the historic marker on I-85 in front of Bridges Boot Store, pointing in the direction of Pat Garrett’s home place. Alabama has a plentiful supply of historical markers and I stop to read as many as I can. So I’m advising you that if you go up I-85 past Opelika you will see Bridges Boot Store on the right. Stop and read the historical marker about Pat Garrett. Some of the things that are not on the historical marker include: His name was Patrick Floyd Jarvis Garrett, nickname “Pat.” He was murdered by some unknown killers left him on the road. They never found the killers. Pat’s son poured a big lump of cement where they found the body. The boy wrote his daddy’s name in the concrete. They tell me that since I was there, they have fixed up the burial place. He was not quite 58 years old when he was killed. Most of his family still lives in the New Mexico area, or did when I was there. Look around and read historical markers. There is a lot of history here. Brantley is a regular columnist for The Tribune.
By John W. Peeler
A time for reflection
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ith the end of each year many take the time to reflect on their lives, the decisions they’ve made and the twists and turns in the road that threw them off course. For many, the reflection is one of goals accomplished and leading a better life, but for some, life was like that of throwing a rock in the middle of a puddle of water and watching the ripples flow from the center to the outer banks only to cross other ripples on its way back to the center — tumultuous. It’s easy to reflect on what has went right during the past year, but it’s a little harder to look in the mirror when life hasn’t been the best it could have been. But, as it’s said, there is always a light at the end of the tunnel. Everyday I get up and look in the mirror. Sometimes I like what I see, other times, not so much. When I look in the mirror, what I see is a reflection of what I think about myself that day. But, it’s also a reflection of the accumulation of either good times, or bad. It takes effort to sometimes see the good in things, but what I have found is the extra effort is worth the positive reflection I see the next day in the mirror. You see, life isn’t a sprint, it’s a marathon. Every bad situation brings with it the opportunity to learn something about yourself. Sometimes it’s really hard to see it that way when you’re in the midst of turmoil, but where else can you find out who you really are? It’s how you handle difficult situations and what you learn from those situations that will ultimately lead you to having a good year in 2016 — as long as you learned something. Reflection is a funny thing — rarely do we reflect on life as we go, rather, we wait until things aren’t going well — or at the end of an old year, or beginning of a new year. I wonder how many lives would be changed, if, when we looked in the mirror every morning, we took a minute to truly reflect on our lives and make the needed changes every day. Letting issues simmer and inaction only leads to more distress — take a few minutes when you’re putting on your makeup or shaving and truly look at your life. Is it what you want it to be? Are you delaying the inevitable by not making a decision on something that bothers you? Is your life what you want it to be? Is there something you can do to change it, or is your pride or lack of self-confidence standing in the way? So many things to reflect on every day — you owe it to yourself to take the time to look deep down inside and find the happiness you seek in 2016. I’m not much for New Year’s resolutions. I’ve found most times resolutions are forgotten or not met simply because they’re unrealistic. I have one resolution every year — to be a better person than I was the year before. As I reflect on 2015, I see good and bad, but most of all I see memories. New Year’s Day, I will awake in a brand new year and when I look in the bathroom mirror I will take the time to reflect, but mostly to look forward to a year that hasn’t been written yet — and to the memories of 2015. I know it will be up to me to make sure I reflect periodically to keep myself on a path to new undiscovered happiness. I can already say I will be decisive and I will learn lessons and grow. How do I know that? Because I have already decided I will take time to reflect along the way rather than wait for something bad to happen or until this time next year. I will be a better person in 2016 and so should you. When darkness and self doubt creep in, take the time to reflect but most of all, find a way to shine. Happy New Year.
OBITUARIES/RELIGION
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www.TallasseeTribune.com THE TALLASSEE TRIBUNE
Mary Turner celebrates 96th birthday at Bethlehem East Baptist Church Mary Turner Dean celebrated her 96th birthday Aug. 24 at Bethlehem East Baptist Church, where she has been a faithful member for nearly 70 years. She was surrounded by her daughter, Linda Marvel, her son-in-law, Warren Aaron and her brother, D.L. Turner. Her sister-in-law, Kathleen Dean, was also a special part of her day. Mary’s Dean’s grandchildren, Sharon Dean, Norman Dean, Sherry Aaron, Alicia Blevins, Ashley Aaron, Matt Marvel and Mary Ellen Dickens, were there for their grandmother’s birthday celebration. Also there to show their love were Mary’s great grandchildren: Lauren Farris, Jackson and Colin Dean, Will and Thomas Aaron, Damon and Adalyn Marvel. Great-great grandchildren, Brooklyn and Caleb Farris, completed the party. Many nieces and
A
Now is the only time we have
s a rule I detest holidays dictating a sermon’s focus and content. Certainly, that does not apply to Christmas and Easter but it does to the others. It has always seemed so artificial to focus a sermon on a holiday not directly attached to our Lord. I enjoy holidays, but still have a difficulty letting them dictate Christian worship. Thus, I rarely preach a New Years sermon. New Years Day has probably the least meaning to me of any secular holiday we observe as Americans. I know I may be in a minority here, but so be it. However, this year I have been drawn more to the meaning of time. I have been drawn to meditate on time in our lives and have come up with a few observations. First, the past is not dead. We can’t get away from it and it is part and parcel of our very existence. The things that have happened to us, and the people who have done those things, good or bad, have made us who we are. A man or woman enslaved by substance abuse or a godly man or woman whose face shines bright with God’s grace got there over a period of time and those years are not dead. Yesterday is not dead no matter how many New Years come and go. Time past is not dead time. Second, the future is not ours. We mistakenly tell people, especially the young, “You have the future.” But not really. Certainly, we should
nephews and friends also came by to wish Mary a happy birthday. Brother Faron and Miss Nancy Golden surprised Mary by coming to see her on her special day.
Turner Everyone enjoyed the delicious food and just visiting with Mary and each other. It was a perfectly wonderful day for a wonderful birthday girl. Mary has been a true inspiration and blessing to everyone who knows her. She is a loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother, great-great grandmother, aunt and a true friend to many. We all pray for more birthdays and more memories with this precious lady who we all love so much!
JAMES TROGLEN First Baptist Church
plan for the future so we can make the best use of our time on earth. But the future is not guaranteed to any of us. You cannot count on tomorrow with absolute confidence. We are all mortal and death can arrive at any moment. We live in a sinful world, and can be touched by sinful people who can take our lives, scar our lives and stop all our plans for the future. However, now is the acceptable time. Now is the only time we have. We need to learn to live in the moment. We need to count each moment as precious and live each one. Don’t dwell in a past that cannot be changed. Don’t count on a future that may not occur. But you do have this moment to live, worship and love. Will Rogers was once asked “If you had only forty-eight hours to live how would you spend them?” He responded, “One at a time.” You can only accept time as it comes. Therefore, in a sense, now is the acceptable time. It is the present that you have and how are you spending it? The good news is God can heal that past “now.” The good news is God isn’t against you plan-
ning for a possible future as long as you live the time you have “now.” “Now” is the time to be with your kids or grandkids. “Now” is the time to love your wife. “Now” is the time to love your God. “Now” is the time to be with your friends. Now is the time to know forgiveness and wholeness in God’s service. Don’t live in your past failures, sorrows or victories. Don’t put all your eggs in the basket of the future. Live “now,” enjoy the “now,” and let God be real “now.” At First Baptist we have several souls that if God does not intervene, will not be with us very much longer. I am not saying anything that each of these have not already affirmed themselves. But, they have learned a great secret that seemingly only those close to death have learned. They fully understand how the past is still with them. They realize they have a very, very limited future, an uncertain future. But they see the present clearly. They live in the “now.” It is not a requirement to be near death to learn this life attitude, it just seems to happen that way. A new day dawns on us, so let us learn from our past as we carry it with us. Let us plan for the future to be the most effective we can be, but let us learn to live in the moment which is really the only time we can be certain of. Troglen is Pastor of First Baptist Church of Wetumpka.
Obituaries Joel Bass
Mr. Joel “Sam” Bass, 80, of Tallassee, passed away December 23, 2015. He was born March 21, 1935. Visitation will be Sunday, December 27, from 1:00-2:00 pm at Linville Memorial Funeral Home, followed by the funeral service at 2:00 pm with Rev. Tim Bass officiating. Burial will follow at Chana Creek Cemetery, Linville Memorial Funeral Home directing. He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Verta Bass; sons, Clarke McManus (Kim), David Bass (Kaycee) and Evan Bass (Marisa); grandchildren, Caroline McManus, Kate McManus, Audrey Bass, Laura Bass, Lydia Bass and Austin Bass; brothers, Benny Bass, Henderson Bass (Alice) and Jimmy Bass (Betty); sister, Nellie Ledbetter; sister-in-law, Margaret Bass and several nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, Curtis and Cordelia Bass; son, Mark Bass; brother, Barney Bass and sister, Sarah Frances Baker. Online condolences at www.linvillememorial.com.
Jan Ward
Ms. Jan Bea Ward, 54, of Eclectic, passed away December 25, 2015. She was born November 5, 1961. A memorial service will be held Thursday, December 31 at 11:00 am at Linville Memorial Funeral Home. She is survived by an aunt, Dorothy R. Burch; uncle, Charles Loyce Rowe; numerous loving cousins and friends, including Joel and Susan Gill and numerous people who cared for her. She is preceded in death by her parents, John Edward Ward and Betty Rowe Ward. Jan was a Master Schedule at Neptune Technology Group, where she has been employed over 30 years. She was a loyal employee and she will be greatly missed by her colleagues and friends at Neptune. Jan loved her animals, Ace, Chance, Murphy, Little Susie and Crimson. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to The Humane Society of Elmore County, 255 Central Plank Rd, Wetumpka, AL 36092. Online condolences at www.linvillememorial.com.
Julia Britt Reid
Julia Britt Reid, age 76, a resident of Jackson, AL passed away on December 25, 2015 at her home. Julia was born in Tallassee, AL on April 5, 1939 to George H. “Red” Britt and Ruby Storey. A graduate of Tallassee High School, she also attended Auburn University. Julia and her husband, Robert, enjoyed a lifetime of traveling the country in their RV. She was an excellent gardener. Preceding her in death were here parents. She is survived by her husband, Robert E. Reid of Jackson, AL; son, Tim C. (Charissa) Reid of Gardiner, MT; daughter, Lee Ann (Billy) Anderson of Palm Desert, CA; sister, Jan (Roy) Missner of Dunwoody, GA; 5 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild. Visitation will be held at Lathan Funeral Home on Wednesday, December 30, 2015 from 2:00PM until 2:45PM. A funeral service will held the same day beginning at 2:45PM. Cremation to follow. Flowers will not be accepted. Lathan Funeral Home, Jackson, Alabama directing.
ReligionBriefs •
Episcopal Church of the Epiphany
There will be NO Sunday School on Sunday, January 3. At 10:30 a.m., Father Wells Warren will celebrate a Festival Holy Eucharist to commemorate the Feast of the Epiphany. After the service there will be a potluck parish luncheon, followed by the annual All Member meeting and the election of vestry members. For more information, visit the church website: http://epiphanytallassee.org/
•
Salem Macon Baptist
Salem Macon is located on Hwy 14, 6 miles west of Notasulga and 9 miles east of Tallassee at 4647 Tallapoosa St., Notasulga. Rev. Mike Stephens is pastor. Thanks, Ann Owsley annowsley@aol.com 334 257 3565
•
Elam Baptist Church
WELCOME HOME! Elam Baptist Church, 4686 Notasulga Road, Tallassee, Alabama - Gene Bridgman, Pastor - Kevin Lanier, Worship Leader is a Welcome Home church. If you are seeking a church home, we encourage you to
consider the fellowship of Elam. Visitors are always welcome. Join in! God invites you here. WELCOME HOME!
• East Tallassee United Methodist Church:
The “River’s Edge Flea Market” is open every Saturday from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. All vendors are welcome: new items, old items, crafts, youth groups, ball teams, baked goods, produce and food. The flea market is sponsored by the East Tallassee UMC and is located across from City Hall. We will offer various priced booths. To reserve a space call Joan Wood at 334-312-4913. All proceeds raised by ETUMC will beused for church-sponsored programs.
•
Our regular Sunday Services are Sunday school at 9:15; Morning Worship at 10:30 a.m. and all Sunday evening activities are at 6 p.m. Our Wednesday night activities are at 6:30 p.m.
•
Beulah Baptist Church
Jan. 10, 2016 -Sunday- Church Planning meeting is
scheduled at 5: p.m. followed by a chili supper. Jan. 10, 2016- Valentine Banquet Planning meeting. All who have signed up to help please plan to attend at 4 p.m. Jan 17, 2016-Sunday-Baby shower for Beth Sexton at 2 p.m. Josh and Beth are expecting a baby girl. Enjoy LIfe...it has an expiration date.
Friendship Baptist Church:
Friendship Closet, a ministry of Friendship Baptist Church located next to the church, is open the first Tuesday of each month from 9 to 11:30 a.m. and from 6 to 8 p.m. If you have a need for clothes, shoes, etc. for women, men and children, come visit us. You will find the presence of God there!
• Carrville Baptist Church:
• St. John All Nations Pentecostal Foundation Church
3495 Hwy 14 Notasulga, AL 36866. Minister Alma Purter, Pastor. Welcome, welcome, welcome! We look forward to your presence. Program committee: Sis. Brenda Moss 334401-0706, Sis. Linda Pullium 334-209-3208 and Sis. Judy Moss.
Submit your church news to editor@tallasseetribune.com The deadline is FRIDAY at noon.
If you would like to be a sponsor of the Devotional Thoughts each week, please give us a call, 283-6568.
The Tallassee Tribune
THE TALLASSEE TRIBUNE
Rains Holmes referred to tropical storms or hurricanes that, as he said, were moving inland. “This is unique in the sense that it’s not associated with a tropical system, also it is more unique because, with this time of the year, December, typically we don’t get a lot of heavy rain and flooding events,” Holmes said. He said that the amount of rainfall from the storm varied widely throughout the area. The northern part of the county, Holmes said, had anywhere from 1 to 2 inches of rain, where the central portion had anywhere from 2-and-a-half to 5 inches. Holmes said that the southern half had the higher amounts with anywhere from 5 to 7 inches of rain. This rain affected the flow from both hydroelectric dams in Tallassee, which are normally operated to pass what comes from Martin Dam, said Alan Peeples, Reservoir Management Manager for Alabama Power. “However early on in the Christmas week rain event, both Yates and Thurlow went into spill operations just due to the amount of water that was coming into them below Martin Dam,” Peeples said. As the flows from the rain subsided, Peeples said, so did the amount of spill from Yates and Thurlow, which allowed them to begin releasing from Martin Dam. “While there is still some minimal amount of spill occurring there, it is not of the magnitude that occurred early in the event,” Peeples said. The scope and type of severe weather that has been in the area of late is generally reserved for spring, Holmes said. But Christmas of 2015 could have been confused for
Floods “Inaccurate information is worse than no information at all. … We were very close over the weekend in the downtown business district … with the river being up, but we did not get any water into the buildings to my knowledge,” Jones said. “And, I’ve talked to several of them (business owners) down there.” He said the overflow of the river mainly affected Gold Star Park and some of the areas along Bridge Street and Hill Street, although there were no businesses or homes that flooded. Jones said working in the new Emergency Operations Center worked well with the coordination of assets. “We worked four or five hours or so and things worked very well,” Jones said. “We had a very limited staffing activation and everything has worked very well. There are a lot of benefits we have realized being co-located with the dispatch office and we’ve noticed some capabilities we haven’t had in the past.” Jones said Christmas Eve night Wetumpka had some extremely dangerous conditions with the flash flooding and the amount of rain in such a short time frame along U.S. Highway 231, Alabama state Route 14 and a lot of the roads downtown on both sides of the bridge. “We were really inundated with very severe flash floods,” he said. Jones said the weather should ease up and should be more sporadic and lighter. “Once this band of rain gets though the county we will be in a position to have some more scattered much lighter rain,” he said. “But, we’ve got another round of rain coming Wednesday … we will definitely
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spring, as the temperatures for most of the last part of the week and weekend hovered in the upper 70s. Last year on Dec. 25 the average air temperature was around 45 degrees Fahrenheit, and for the year prior it stayed just below that in the low 40’s. In both 2012 and 2011 it was in the low 50s, while, 2010, the year before, the temperature dropped to the mid 30’s on Christmas day. Holmes said that there have not been a lot of, what he called, frontal passages this year and that was what happened with this year’s Christmas storm. “When we had all the severe weather on Wednesday (Dec. 23), a cold front tried to make it’s way through the state but simply could not; it stalled out across the southern half of the state,” Holmes said. However after last week’s storm fizzled, and the rain subsided, the high temperatures remained, which Holmes said, helped lead to this week’s stormy weather. He said that the Birmingham NWS was not expecting the current storm system to stall out like last week’s with winds that were too light to allow the front to make it through the state, he said. As for the current system Holmes said, “We’re hoping that one will be strong enough to get a cold front through the state and finally, hopefully, clear us out and dry us out for a bit.” Holmes said that the weather should clear by Thursday morning and from there, he added that the weekend looked nice, which could point to the right conditions for the beginning a much needed happy New Year for those affected by recent storms.
continued from page 1
have more rain, but should be out of here through the next week.” At press time, the following road closures are in effect: Elmore County – Jug Factory Road from 2721 to 2221 is closed. This area is just south of Owens Road on Jug Factory. It will be closed until further notice. Millbrook Area – River Forest Court off of Alabama River Parkway – First couple of hundred feet of road is under water. Road is closed until further notice Wetumpka – Willow Springs Road is closed at the bridge until further notice Wetumpka – Company Street between Mansion Street and Green Street is closed until further notice Wetumpka – 900 Block of Jackson Trace Road is closed until further notice Elmore County – Holley Mill Road between Landers Swink Road and Alabama state Route 63 – closed indefinitely Elmore County – Emerald Mountain Toll Bridge – Closed due to river flooding on the Montgomery County side of the river Elmore County – Old Rifle Range Road (the dirt section) – Closed due to river flooding along the Tallapoosa River Tallassee – Muscogee Trail, 100 yards off Alabama state Route 229. Road is open at each end
Tallassee Family Dentistry, P.C.
Dr. Charles McCartha • Dr. Shawn Keahey 1608-B Gilmer Ave., Tallassee, AL 36078
(334) 283-8115 www.tallasseefamilydestistrypc.com
December 30, 2015 • Page 7
Page 8 • December 30, 2015
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The Wetumpka Herald
Page 10 • December 30, 2015
Community Blood Drive When: Dec. 30, noon-5 p.m. Where: Walmart of Millbrook Details: Hosted by LifeSouth Community Blood Centers, Inc. City of Wetumpka New Year’s Eve Celebration When: Dec. 31 Where: Downtown Wetumpka Details: The evening’s activities will open with a POW/MIA observance and torch ceremony at 9 p.m. on the grounds of the Old Elmore County Courthouse. Other activities, ,including a DJ and concessions will begin at 9:30 p.m. in the lower parking lot behind the Wetumpka administrative building. The asteroid fall will be at midnight, followed by a fireworks grand finale. Attendees are welcome to bring tents, tables, chairs, blankets, fire pits, etc. This is a family event. Free. Camp Chandler New Year’s Bash When: Dec. 31-Jan. 1 Where: Camp Chandler Details: Children ages 5-14 are welcome. Activities will include fishing, archery, riflery, broom hockey, field games, pedal boats, canoes, putt putt, and more. Camp Chandler campers will bring in the new year with a party, fireworks and even a ball drop. YMCA members $40, non-members $50. For info, call 334-229-0035. Blood Drive When: Jan. 2, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Where: Walmart of Millbrook Details: Hosted by LifeSouth Community Blood Centers, Inc.
Area Calendar Where: Kountry Kitchen, Eclectic Details: All are invited. Make friends, meet old acquaintances, enjoy fun, food and fellowship. Lunch is $10. Call Penny Holley at 334-306-0929 for more information. The Black Jacket Symphony Presents “Journey - ESC4P3” When: Jan. 15, 8 p.m. Where: Montgomery Performing Arts Centre Details: Tickets start at $25. Purchase them at ticketmaster.com Tim Tebow “The Journey Continues...” When: Jan. 16, 7 p.m. Where: Montgomery Performing Arts Centre Details: Tickets start at $60. Purchase them at ticketmaster. com. Proceeds benefit the Cancer Wellness Foundation of Central Alabama. Taste of Elmore County When: Jan. 25, 6-8 p.m. Where: Wetumpka Civic Center Details: Tickets are $25 each and will benefit the Elmore County Food Pantry. Purchase tickets at the food pantry. McCraney-Cottle Arts Council presents “Alice in Wonderland” When: Jan. 16, 7 p.m. Where: Tallassee High School Auditorium Details: A Missoula Children’s Theatre production offers attendees on a whimsically madcap, fun-filled fantasy. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students. Call Mona Mills at 334-201-4892 for more information.
Blood Drive When: Jan. 3, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Where: Walmart of Millbrook Details: Hosted by LifeSouth Community Blood Centers, Inc.
MLK Celebration When: Jan. 17, 3 p.m. Where: Wetumpka Civic Center Details: Various pastors of area churches and other leaders will be on hand to speak during this MLK celebration.
Lewis Black -- The Emperor’s New Clothes: The Naked Truth Tour When: Jan. 7, 7:30 p.m. Where: Montgomery Performing Arts Centre Details: Tickets start at $25. Purchase them at ticketmaster.com
21st Annual MLK March When: Jan. 18, 10:30 a.m. Where: March will start at Rogers Chapel AME Zion Church at 209 W. Bridge St. Details: The march will continue from the church across the Bibb Graves Bridge.
Self-Defense Class When: Jan. 11 Where: Tallassee Recreation Center Details: Contact the recreation department if you are interested in a self-defense class. The class would consist of situational awareness, prevention, recognition of criminal behavior and some physical defense. Cost would be $55. Call 334-283-4726.
2016 Candidate Fair When: Jan. 18, 6-8 p.m. Where: Wetumpka Civic Center Details: Get a chance to meet the area candidates running in the March 1 primary.
Eclectic Girls Club Meeting When: Jan. 13, 10:30 a.m.
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Live in Concert: Boyz II Men When: Jan. 23, 8 p.m. Where: Wind Creek Entertainment Center, Wetumpka Details: The four-time Grammy Award winning group will perform for the first time in Wetumpka.
In addition to four Grammys, the group won nine American Music Awards and nine Sould Train Awards. Tickets are available on Ticketmaster.com Prattville Mardi Gras Celebration and Parade When: Jan. 23, 11 a.m. Where: Downtown Prattville Details: The celebration starts at 11 a.m. followed by the parade at 2 p.m. Taste of Elmore County When: Jan. 25, 6-8 p.m. Where: Wetumpka Civic Center Details: Tickets are $25 each and will benefit the Elmore County Food Pantry. Purchase tickets at the food pantry. Millbrook Revelers Mardi Gras Festival and Parade
When: Jan. 30, 9 a.m. Where: Village Green, downtown Millbrook Details: Festival grounds with various rides for children and vendors will open at 9 a.m. The parade will begin at noon. Kathleen Madigan - The Mermaid Lady Tour When: Feb. 6, 7:30 p.m. Where: Montgomery Performing Arts Centre Details: Tickets start at $17. Purchase them at ticketmaster.com. Wetumpka Area Chamber of Commerce Membership Dinner When: Feb. 9, 5:30 p.m. Where: Wetumpka Civic Center Details: Annual meeting and reception Roaring 20s style. Call 334567-4811 for more information.
Elmore County Humane Shelter presents: Getting Down with the Dawgs Drawdown When: Feb. 20, 5 p.m. Where: Wind Creek Wetumpka Entertainment Center Details: A $100 ticket gives you a 1 in 300 opportunity to win $10,000. Tickets include buffet dinner, chance to win door prizes. There will also be a cash bar. Tickets are now on sale. Call 334-567-3377 for more information.
Sports & Outdoors Wetumpka High School Football Banquet When: Jan. 7, 6:30 p.m. Where: Wetumpka High School Details: Tickets are $10 each. Tickets for the football players are paid for by the Wetumpka
Quarterback Club. Slapout Strikeout 5K Walk/Run and Kids 1 mile Home Plate Dash When: Jan. 16 Where: Holtville High School Details: Registration is $25 per person for 5K runners; Registration is 10 and Under Home Plate Dash runners is $15. Proceeds benefit the Holtville High Softball Team.
Government Elmore County Commission Meeting When: Jan. 11, 5 p.m. Where: Old Elmore County Courthouse Details: A work session will begin at 5 p.m. followed by the regular meeting.
THE TALLASSEE TRIBUNE
HUMANE SOCIETY OF ELMORE COUNTY NEWS REA CORD Executive Director
While the shelter will be closed at noon Dec. 31 and all day Jan. 1 for the New Year, we will be monitoring Facebook and our phones for Lost and Found pets Friday and the rest of the weekend. Why? Because the days after New Year’s Eve are always busy with calls from pet owners looking for their missing pets. A fact is —fireworks and pets are not a good mix and many pets run from them only to end up confused and lost, or worse, injured from running into the paths of autos. So how do you prevent a lost pet later this week? Just bring your dogs and cats inside before any fireworks start and keep them in until well after all of the flashes and bangs are finished for the evening. They may still be scared and hide in a quiet spot in the house, but at least they will be safe at home. If your pet cannot come in the house, then consider containing it in your garage or shop or barn but please make sure to put pet hazardous items out of their reach. Once the fireworks are done you should then be able to safely let your pet back outside but since there is a long weekend for many folks, be prepared to contain your pets again both Friday and Saturday nights — maybe even Sunday, as well. Since it gets dark so early this time of year, don’t delay bringing your pets inside as that first volley might cause your pet to panic and take off. And be aware — thinking your pet is OK because it is in a fenced yard does not always work. When dogs are petrified they can scale a fence or go under it in an instant to escape what is scaring them — please, bring them inside. Cats too. Making sure your pet has identification on their collar will go a long way toward getting them back home — current rabies tag, a personalized ID tag (remember, we can make these for you at our shelter) or writing your phone number on their collar in indelible ink can often get your pet back home without the shelter ever getting involved. Make an appointment with your veterinarian to have your pet microchipped, as that truly helps us get pets back home in the event they lose their collar. If your pet does become lost (or you find a pet), please call us at the shelter at 334-567-3377 as soon as possible so we can take a report; if we do not answer, please leave a message and your phone number. If you are a Facebook person, don’t delay posting pics and info (where, when lost, phone numbers to contact you) on any of a number of Lost/Found Pet sites — ours is “Lost & Found Pets in Elmore County” or you can post to our shelter page “Humane Society of Elmore County.” Or you can private message us on either of those pages if you don’t want to make a public post. Our Facebook admins can then post for you if necessary and will also start cross posting to other pet/community pages you might not even know about to maximize the number of people knowing your pet is lost (or found). You can also report a lost/found pet directly to us via email at hselco@bellsouth.net. Photos of your pets make a HUGE difference as we work to reunite pets and their families, so if you don’t have any, take them this week. Many families also have brand new pets in their families from Christmas, so please realize that these pets are still adjusting to their new surroundings. If new pets escape, they have no idea where they are or where to go for safety. To reemphasize, please, please, please keep your pets inside and make sure they have collars and tags on them. We wish everyone a safe and fun New Year’s Eve. The shelter and Tails End Thrift Store will be back open Jan. 2 to hopefully start 2016 with many adoptions in the shelter and lots of great sales in the thrift store.
www.TallasseeTribune.com
December 30, 2015 • Page 11
Police, fire departments distribute Christmas toys By WILLIE G. MOSELEY Tallassee Tribune
Making good on their promise, members of the Tallassee Police Department and the Tallassee Fire Department spent several hours delivering toys to some 65 needy children Dec. 22. The annual initiative has been ongoing for several years, and has gotten larger. “We refer to it as ‘Cops for Tots’,” said TPD chief Jimmy Rodgers, “but this year we branched out a bit in more of a ‘public safety’ idea and got the fire department to participate with us. We reached out to them because we felt like this is more than just a police function to give back to the community.” While Tallassee patrol officers furnish names of families deserving of Christmas toys, the police chief acknowledged assistance on the project from local church organizations, including the local ACTS ministry (Association of Christians
in Tallassee for Service), noting that there is coordination between his department and ACTS to prevent overlap of designated recipients. Rodgers also cited the help of Walmart regarding toy purchases. “Each year they provide a grant for us to purchase the toys,” he said, “and each year they’ve gotten more and more generous. This year, we bought toys for some 65 kids, and that total is increasing. Last year, it was about 35 or 40. We try not to focus on one particular area of town; (recipients) are on both sides of the river.” Rodgers said that his department and the fire department are already anticipating working on the same project next year, perhaps for even more recipients. “The more people we can help, the better,” the police chief said. “This is another example of us in law enforcement doing what we enjoy, which is giving back to the community.”
Willie G. Moseley / The Tribune
Tallassee police chief Jimmy Rodgers, left, and officer Brian Clayton, right, ready packages of toys for delivery to deserving Tallassee children.
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SPORTS December 30, 2015 • The Tallassee Tribune
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Lady Tigers trump LAMP, on to BTW after break By COREY ARWOOD Staff Writer
After their latest win, the Tallassee High School Lady Tigers are set to come back from the holidays to compete against what Coach Josh Taylor called a powerhouse competitor — Booker T. Washington. In an overtime win against Loveless Academic Magnet Program High in Montgomery Dec. 24, Taylor said the team won another “close one” at 61-58. The game was tied with less than a minute left to force overtime, Taylor said. During overtime the Tigers were down for the first three minutes, but Taylor said they fought back. “JaNashia Moore clinched it with a layup and was fouled on the play,” he said Moore made the free throw, and Taylor said it limited what LAMP could do offensively the remainder of the game. The leading scorers against LAMP, Taylor said were Zaesha Floyd with 31 points and Moore with 11 points. Taylor said it was Floyd’s most points in any game this season.
A season, he said, that is now 6-2, with four out of those six wins having been won in overtime. LAMP played well, Taylor said. The game started with the Tigers up 10-2, but Taylor said his team fought back and took the lead. Ultimately, he said LAMP’s fouls were what helped the Tigers get the win. “We were able to take advantage of that (fouls) and that’s what kind of helped us close out the game,” he said. Taylor said Booker T. Washington, one of the best teams in the area, would be a challenge in their next game. But, he said the Lady Tigers have something they did not have last year — resiliency. “They just keep finding different ways to win, which I mean that’s great, because we’re going to need that down the stretch when times get tough and they’re going to have experience in almost every situation,” Taylor said. “We played the majority, after we got that 10-2 lead and they came back, we played the rest of the game behind and there were times we were down 10, 15 points and they just kept fighting back.”
Contributed / TheTribune
The Tallassee High School girls basketball team poses for a photo with the Elmore County tournament First Place trophy. Pictured are (left to right) Diamond Love, Ashanti Thomas, Ciarra Sullen (grey shirt), Casen Patterson (grey shirt), Zytearia McKinnon, LA Parker, Tamanika Hooks (grey shirt), Alexis Hutchison (grey shirt), Hannah Linville, Janashia Moore, Aliyah Frazier and Zaesha Floyd.
Tallassee’s boys varsity basketball team takes LAMP in 82-77 win By CARMEN RODGERS Tallassee Tribune
Corey Arwood / The Tribune
Tallassee’s Rondarian Hooks takes one to the hoop for the Tigers. The varsity boys went on to defeat LAMP in Montgomery Dec. 22, 82-77.
Coach Cecil Hollinquest said he could not be more proud of his boy’s varsity team. After a tough loss to Wetumpka in the tournament held at Stanhope-Elmore the Tigers rebounded with a win against Loveless Academic Magnet Program High School. “We knew they would be well coached and disciplined,” Hollinquest said. “We tried to play to our strengths and get the ball inside to our big men and control the tempo of the game. I feel the guys did a very good job of following the game plan and it resulted in a win.” The Tigers managed to score consistently and ended the half leading 44 - 39.
“De’Ante Brown does a good job for us managing the game and reading the defenses. I may call an offensive play, but he knows how to adjust based on what the defense presents to us,” Hollinquest said. Brown led all scorers for the night with 24 points and added 7 rebounds and 3 assists. Teddy Brooks had a great night on the boards with 15 rebounds and nine points. Another key asset for the Tigers was Felix Kennebrew coming off the bench and contributing 17 points. “Felix is becoming a good shooter for us,” Hollinquest said. “He is learning to let the flow of the game come to him versus just shooting the ball. His past experience is going to help us down the road in area play. This road win will build our confidence.”
Tigers head to Gulf Shores for holiday tournament By WILLIE G. MOSELEY Tallassee Tribune
The current school holiday season will once again see the Tallassee High School wrestling team heading south to participate in a tournament on the Gulf Coast, but for the first time in recent years, they won’t be going to the “Beast on the Beach” tournament in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. Instead, THS is heading to a duals tournament in Gulf Shores. “First of all, we’re pretty young,” head coach John Mask explained last week, “and the ‘Beast at the Beach’ can be very ‘humbling,’ with a lot of the best teams in the Southeast. But a lot of schools in Baldwin County — Foley, Spanish Fort, Gulf Shores, Bay Minette, Daphne — have wrestling programs and we thought it would be good to support a tournament in Alabama.” The Tigers have already seen one team from that area in action, as Baldwin County High School of Bay Minette wrestled in the other pool from THS at last weekend’s Prattville Christian Academy tournament. “We’ll leave on the 29th after practice,” the head coach said, “and we’re prob-
ably going to stop on the way down and wrestle Baldwin County. The next day is the Gulf Shores tournament. We’ll get four or five matches and then come home on the 31st.” Not only will high school teams from Baldwin County be participating, wrestlers from Ocean Springs, Mississippi, are also committed, Mask said. “As it stands now, we’re the team that’s traveling the farthest to that tournament,” he said. Following the Gulf Shores tourney, the Tigers resume regular season action in a home tri-match against Stanhope-Elmore and Russell County on Jan. 7. However, the THS coach is already thinking a year ahead to the 2016 holiday season, when many wrestlers on his team will have had another year of experience. “Next year we may try to go to both Fort Walton and Gulf Shores, because they’re going to be on different dates,” Mask said.
Willie Moseley / The Tribune
(Top) Tallassee wrestler Alex Daar is shown in action at a recent tournament. (Above) Jake Baker tousles his opponent.