Dec 30, 2015 Wetumpka Herald by Tallapoosa Publishers

INSIDE TODAY

2015 year in review.

Marking successes in 2015 and the priorities for the new year.

SPORTS Page 12

Opinion Page 4

THE WETUMPKA HERALD Elmore County’s Oldest Newspaper - Established 1898

Wetumpka, AL 36092

50¢

WEDNESDAY • DECEMBER 30, 2015

THEWETUMPKAHERALD.COM

VOL. 118, NO.24

Elmore braces for more rain Current, past rainfall keeps flood concerns fluid

Progress continues on opening roads

By JOHN W. PEELER Managing Editor

With the recent rainfall and more rain expected, Alabama Emergency Management Director Art Faulkner will visit Wetumpka Wednesday to see the impact of the flash flooding that occurred over the Christmas holiday and meet Elmore County officials to talk about the current weather situation expected over the next few days. On Monday, Elmore County Emergency Management Agency Director Eric Jones said while the county is trying to get roads back open amidst the continuing and expected rainfall, the county is still assessing some of the problem areas. “What’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 See FLOODS• Page 5

Kevin Taylor / The Tribune

Playground equipment is submerged in the waters of the swollen Coosa River Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015.

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. See ROADS• Page 5

Revisiting the area’s best stories of 2015 STAFF REPORT Herald Staff

National and state news made an immediate impact in Elmore County during 2015. The county was one of the first counties open to issuing same-sex marriage licenses but that was only for a brief time before the probate judge reversed his decision until the final word came down from the U.S. Supreme Court. Before it did, Probate Judge John Enslen stopped all courthouse weddings. When it came to the state, the Poarch Band

USPS 681-260

of Creek Indians remained a hot topic statewide until the 11th U.S. Circuit of Appeals ruled the Indians are not bound by Alabama laws restricting gambling in the state. On a more local level, the cities of Millbrook and Wetumpka were finally allowed to sell draft beer and have Sunday alcohol sales after a near three-year wait. Crimes against children also topped the news in 2015 with the entering of guilty pleas by Brandy and Stephen Conrad Jr. as well as the guilty plea of former Tallassee Assistant Police Chief Chris Miles. See REVIEW • Page 2

File / The Herald

Former Wetumpka Police Chief Celia Dixon filed a civil lawsuit against the city citing age and sex discrimination in September.

Page 2 • DECEMBER 30, 2015

TheWetumpkaHerald.com

THE WETUMPKA HERALD

Review While justice was served in that case, another crime against a child has caught attention not just in Alabama but Florida regarding a 4-year-old boy who was allegedly beaten by his mother and her boyfriend.

In no particular order, here are some of the top 2015 stories in Elmore County:

U.S. Supreme Court legalizes same-sex marriages; probate judge discontinues courthouse weddings Before the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the ruling to pave the way for same-sex marriage

continued from page 1

in Alabama, Elmore County Probate Judge John Enslen announced Feb. 6, 2015, would be the last day to have a marriage ceremony in the courthouse. Enslen also made his stance perfectly clear regarding same-sex unions. “I will never perform a so-called same-sex marriage,” he said. “A federal court can sentence me to life in prison, and I will still never perform a so-called same-sex marriage.” Soon after Feb. 9, Enslen said his office would issue same-sex marriage licenses, and later said he would not issue same-sex licenses until the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling. In late June the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 5-4 to make same-sex marriages legal across the country. It was almost a month later before Elmore County’s probate office issued its first same-sex marriage license.

Conrads plead guilty to sexual abuse; former assistant police chief pleads guilty to obstruction of justice

Before we begin the celebration, we want to express our admiration to all the folks who have stopped by here. Best wishes to all for a Happy New Year!

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Following a wild chain of events a Tallassee husband and wife are behind bars after pleading guilty to sexual abuse. Stephen Conrad Jr. was facing up to 105 counts of sexual abuse charges in 2014 until it was found Tallassee Assistant Police Chief Chris Miles beat a confession out of Conrad. All but five charges were thrown out and Conrad pleaded guilty in August to the sex abuse charges and was sentenced to 16 years. In February his wife Brandy Jean Conrad pleaded guilty to sex abuse charges and was sentenced to 10 years in prison. Shortly after the Conrads were sentenced, Miles was indicted by a federal grand jury and charged with obstruction of justice, deprivation of rights and distribution of marijuana. Miles pleaded guilty after it was discovered he lied to federal agents about hitting Stephen Conrad in the head with a packet of copy paper during his interview of the suspect. Miles also took marijuana from an evidence locker and sold it to a known drug dealer for $4,000. Miles will be sentenced Feb. 26.

Legislature OKs draft beer and Sunday alcohol sales in Millbrook, Wetumpka

After attempting to have draft beer and Sunday alcohol sales legalized three times prior in the cities of Millbrook and Wetumpka, the Legislature finally gave its blessing. After garnering the governor’s signature on the legislation, Millbrook’s city council immediately approved the measures, while the City of Wetumpka’s draft beer and Sunday sales ordinances did not go into effect until April 8. Previous attempts to have draft beer and Sunday sales approved in the Legislature either stalled in committee or just failed to reach both floors of the Legislature.

Appeals Court rules in favor of PCI

After numerous attempts to squelch casino gaming on tribal lands throughout the state, State Attorney General Luther Strange was given the answer he didn’t want to read: Poarch Creek Indians are entitled to sovereign immunity and not bound by the state’s laws against gambling. The legal battle between PCI and the state’s attorney general began in 2008 when former Gov. Bob Riley put an all out offensive on any gaming halls in the state and had them shut down. Gov. Robert Bentley then repealed Riley’s executive order Nov. 5, 2015, to disband the Governor’s Task Force on Illegal Gambling. He also ordered the attorney general to step aside as the “direct primary enforcement” of the state’s gambling laws and to leave it up to local law enforcement. Bentley said at least $9 million of the taxpayers’ money had been spent regarding the enforcement of the state’s antigambling laws.

Elmore County schools records compromised

Current and former leaders of the Elmore County School System confirmed there had been a records had been left unsecured and vulnerable for a breach sometime between 1994 and 2013. Records dating between 1994 and 2009 were found in more than a dozen boxes on a private property in Millbrook not owned by the Elmore County Public School System. Among some of the records found within the boxes were graduation exams from all of the high schools within the public school system from 2009. Other records included various names, addresses, social security numbers of students, as well as results from standardized tests. Records with the same information of various special needs students were also found with written documentation of their diagnosis and their prescribed medications. The records were found in a storage shed/barn of a Millbrook citizen who had never been employed by the Elmore County Public School System. The employee who placed the records in the shed was still employed by the school system at the time of the report in June. The Herald has learned that person is no longer an employee of the school system.

WHS Robotics Team goes to the White House

More than 40 Wetumpka High School robotics team members went to Washington D.C. in late March. Three members of the team were invited inside the White House to meet the president during his annual White House Science Fair.

Maze of Terror shut down

After 15 years of raising funds for the Titus Volunteer Fire Department the state fire marshal had the Maze of Terror shut down because the haunted attraction “put lives in danger.”

Probate judge says commission owes his office $880,000

In early May Elmore County Probate Judge John Enslen filed a claim, which is a legal prerequisite to the filing of a formal lawsuit, alleging the current members of the commission have been made aware of State Attorney General Luther Strange’s opinions regarding a $1 copy fee, which would be deposited into a specific account to pay for the “establishing and maintaining” of archival and indexing equipment in the probate office, and they have purposely not directed to have the money transferred out of the general fund into the account. Commission Chairman David Bowen said there are no merits to the claim the funds were misappropriated. The case has yet to be settled.

Former WPD chief suing city

Former Wetumpka Police Chief Celia Dixon filed a civil lawsuit against the City of Wetumpka citing age and sex discrimination in September. In the suit, it alleges Wetumpka Mayor Jerry Willis told a former member of the city council he did not want Dixon as chief of police because she was a woman and too old. The Wetumpka City Council voted Oct. 3, 2014, 4-2 to dismiss Dixon.

Murder victim found burned in a county hayfield

The body of a Hayneville man, who was shot and killed in Montgomery a day before, was found burned in a hayfield off Dozier Road in the Redland Community in late July. Montgomery police identified the man as John Dubose, 31, of Hayneville. He had been shot and killed in Montgomery and the alleged murderer wanted to discard his body. Christopher Cearley, 32, of Montgomery was charged with murder.

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DECEMBER 30, 2015 â&#x20AC;˘ Page 3

Images that shaped the year 2015

File / The Herald

Before the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the ruling to pave the way for same-sex marriage in Alabama, Elmore County Probate Judge John Enslen, right, announced Feb. 6, would be the last day to have a marriage ceremony in the courthouse. Protesters, above, take a stance on the ruling legalizing same sex marriage in Alabama. Below, Millbrook and Wetumpka finally saw the approval of Sunday alcohol sales legalized. Bottom, Gov. Robert Bentley â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s executive order Nov. 5, 2015, disbanded the Governorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Task Force on Illegal Gambling.

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Kenneth Boone, Publisher John Peeler, Managing Editor Opinions expressed in guest columns and letters to the editor do not necessarily reflect the viewpoint of the management of Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc.

OPINION

Page 4 • DECEMBER 30, 2015

“Our liberty cannot be guarded but by the freedom of the press, nor that be limited without danger of losing it.” --Thomas Jefferson

TheWetumpkaHerald.com

THE WETUMPKA HERALD

The Herald strives to report the news honestly, fairly and with integrity, to take a leadership role and act as a positive influence in our community, to promote business, to provide for the welfare of our employees, to strive for excellence in everything we do and, above all, to treat others as we would want to be treated ourselves.

Our View

We are here for you now and in the new year

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.

Your View Silencing those outside the city limits would limit development Why is it such a problem for the citizens outside the city to voice their opinions at a council meeting. We pay taxes as well as anyone else. City officials use us on election days and after that we are no longer important. We are the ones that elect them to office and we should be allowed to express our concerns about the city we live in. The city council is not the ones that see the conditions that we live in. They are not out riding around. To silence the citizens outside the city limits would be a bad advertising for business development. Constance Bozeman Wetumpka

How much more damage can Obama do? President Obama has commuted the prison sentences of 95 incarcerated criminals. Seventeen of these people were incarcerated either solely on gun charges or on gun charges associated with other crimes. These were considered by Obama to be nonviolent criminals. Even if the use of a gun was not involved in the offence committed, the mere possession of a firearm by such individuals, in my opinion, renders them dangerous. Obama has been extremely vocal in his attempts to disarm Americans, yet he releases criminals who have gun related convictions. Commuting the sentences of these individuals is an insult to the law enforcement officers who worked to build cases against them and to the prosecutors and judges who convicted and sentenced them. In the limited time left in Obama’s term in office, I wonder how much more damage he can do to America.

It is worth the extra effort to see the good in things

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

JOHN PEELER Managing Editor

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

Marking successes in 2015, renewing priorities for 2016

s 2015 comes to a close, it offers us a chance to reflect on the work the past year and gain a sense of renewed priorities for the year to come. Legislative achievements can be scarce in the halls of Congress, but this year actually saw several successes on issues important to Alabama. Empowering States in Education Decisions: In a huge win for states’ authority in education, a bill to finally replace the flawed “No Child Left Behind” policy was passed by the House and Senate and signed into law. The strong “state authority” provisions I introduced and championed were included in the final bill and are now law. These provisions strictly prohibit the federal government from using funding grants or rule waivers to coerce states into adopting its preferred policies, like common core. Funding Our Nation’s Infrastructure: For the first time in a decade, we were able to get a long-term highway bill passed and signed into law. The legislation provides for our nation’s infrastructure for five years while deferring much of the planning and decision-making to states and local governments. It’s Congress’ respon-

MARTHA ROBY U.S Representative

sibility to fund transportation infrastructure and make sure the tax dollars you send to Washington come back to benefit you, so I was pleased to get this bill done. Bolstering National Security: Amid the terrorist threat, Congress took an important step to strengthen security protocols in our visa program. The Visa Waiver Program Improvement and Terrorist Travel Prevention Act closes gaps in our system to prevent terrorists from exploiting our relationships with other nations to gain entry into the United States. This is just one of many steps we need to take to beef up security and make sure authorities have the tools they need to protect Americans here at home. On several other important issues, we made progress but fell short of getting legislation passed. Among them: were:

Halting EPA Overreach: The House voted to put a stop to the Environmental Protection Agency’s aggressive attempt to expand its reach into private lands by seeking to make small ponds, puddles and ditches subject to strict federal regulations. Our bill still awaits Senate action, but, thankfully, the Judicial Branch stepped in to halt this action as it is reviewed for constitutionality. Defunding Planned Parenthood: I have fought to stop taxpayer dollars from going to the nation’s largest abortion provider since I first came to Congress, and this year I was the last one standing in a “last ditch” effort to cut off these dollars in a government funding bill. In the end, the Senate blocked our efforts. But, I believe highlighting the issue and not allowing the media to ignore it were important. Public funds are much better spent at Federally Qualified and Rural Health Centers that provide an array of services for low income women but do not perform abortions, and I’ll keep working to make that so. In the coming year, I’ll continue fighting to advance conservative legislation that puts the priorities of Alabamians first.

Alabama lost significant players lost in 2015

John Hazel Deatsvile

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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.

Member

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 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 Dr. Paul Hubbert. He quickly grasped the understanding of political power. In his first year he defeated Governor George Wallace and quickly earned his spurs. By the mid 1970’s 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. Paul Hubbert reigned from 19822012. 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.

STEVE FLOWERS Columnist

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 ultra-successful 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 Sid 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. Sid 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 Sid 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 over 20 years. Although he was a Tennessean, Fred Thompson was born in northwest Alabama. Fred 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.

THE WETUMPKA HERALD

TheWetumpkaHerald.com

Floods

continued from page 1

don’t have any other problems anywhere,” Jones said. “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 problems flash floods in the area, reports of massive flooding causing businesses and residents to evacuate the area were not accurate. “It (news reports) were not accurate,” Jones said. “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 collocated 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 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 – 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

Roads

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“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 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.

Happy New Year

WETUMPKA

The Humane Society of Elmore County 255 Central Plank Road (Hwy. 9) Wetumpka, AL

(334) 567-3377

Wishing you a year full of happiness DRUG

use is life abuse. Don’t start- Be Smart. Your Friend,

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Sheriff of Elmore County Pd. Pol Adv. By Bill Franklin 8955 US Hwy 231, Wetumpka, AL 36092

IRE

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Page 6 • 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

TheWetumpkaHerald.com

Area Calendar 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. Blood Drive When: Jan. 3, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Where: Walmart of Millbrook Details: Hosted by LifeSouth Community Blood Centers, Inc. 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 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 334-2834726. Eclectic Girls Club Meeting When: Jan. 13, 10:30 a.m. 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.

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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. 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. 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. 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. 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.

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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 334-567-4811 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. Tallassee City Council Meeting When: Jan. 11, 6 to 7:30 p.m. Where: Tallassee City Hall Elmore County BOE Meeting When: Jan. 19, 4:30 p.m. Where: Elmore County Board of Education board room, 100 H.H. Robison Drive, Wetumpka Details: Anyone wishing to be

placed on the regular board meeting agenda must make an official request to the superintendent’s office before 4 p.m.

Seniors “Prime Time” activities at the Wetumpka Senior Center, held at the Fain Center, 120 Cotton Street for those 55 and older: Regularly Scheduled Activities Monday-Friday - Lunch, 11:30 a.m. Cost is $1.60 donation if possible. SilverSneakers Classic Exercise Class - M, W, F at 9:30 a.m. - total body toning and muscular strength SilverSneakers Circuit Exercise Class - Tuesdays at 9:30 a.m. cardio workout SilverSneakers Yoga Class Thursdays at 9:30 a.m. - deep breathing, stretching, muscle relaxation Bridge Club - Wednesdays, 12 to 3 p.m. Audio Book Club- second and fourth Monday of every month at 1 p.m. - enjoy listening to a book on tape while knitting, crocheting, sewing, etc. New Regularly Scheduled Activities DIY Classes - Every first and third Monday at 1 p.m. Do It Yourself Classes to learn to make things you can use around the house, including soap, lotions, crafts and decorations. Uno Wednesdays - 1 p.m. every Wednesday take part in a rousing game or two of Uno. Sock Sisters - 1 p.m. every Thursday come and make nonslip socks to give to nursing home residents. Volleyball - Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m. Join us for an intense game of volleyball, using a beach ball! Bridge - Wanted: Bridge players for afternoon Bridge Club. Meets Wednesday afternoons 12 to 3 p.m. Special Activities • Feb. 1-5, 2016: Motorcoach trip to Amelia Island, St. Augustine, and Jacksonville, Florida - Cost is $410 per person for double occupancy. Price includes four nights lodging and eight meals. For more information, or for a trip flyer, please call DeLane at 334567-1335. NOTE: For info on any Prime Time event, call 334-567-1335. The Eclectic Senior Center is open every weekday until noon. For more info, call Deborah Rowe at 334-541-3581.

FAITH

Phone 334-567-7811 Fax 334-567-3284 News@TheWetumpkaHerald.com TheWetumpkaHerald.com

THE WETUMPKA HERALD

TheWetumpkaHerald.com

DECEMBER 30, 2015 • Page 7

Obituaries

Religion Calendar • Wellspring Community Church in Millbrook will host The Underground featuring surviving The Fall! Have free food and hang out afterward. Evening filled with rockin music, lights, and a great time with friends. • GriefShare grief recovery seminar and support group will began meeting at Calvary Baptist Church in Wetumpka. The group will meet on Tuesdays from 10 a.m. until noon and on Thursdays from 7-9 p.m. There is a $25 registration fee to help cover cost of materials. The church is located at 504 West Osceola Street, Wetumpka. For more information, call the church office at 334-5674729. •Community Fellowshippers meet at Cain’s Chapel United Methodist Church AME ZION Mt. Zion Chapel AME Zion 2340 Crenshaw Rd., Wetumpka 567-4413 Rogers Chapel AME Zion 709 W. Bridge St., Wetumpka 567-8144 Jackson Chapel AME Zion 4885 Coosada Rd., Coosada Jones Chapel AME Zion 2414 Ingram Rd. (Co. Rd. 3), Elmore ABUNDANT LIFE Abundant Life Church 9301 U.S. Hwy 231., Wetumpka 567-9143 ASSEMBLY OF GOD Agape Tabernacle Assembly of God 1076 Kowaliga Rd., Eclectic 541-2006 Bethel Worship Center 11117 U.S. Hwy 231., Wetumpka

every third Wednesday at 11 a.m. The gathering includes devotion, program, prizes and covered dish luncheon. Local pastors and families encouraged to attend. • Calvary Baptist Church offers a Bible study “War Room” Mondays at 6:30 p.m. at Uncle Bob’s Doghouse in Wetumpka. Everyone is invited. Call the church office at 334-4521931 for more information. •Mulder Memorial United Methodist Church hosts a noon salad luncheon the third Thursday of each month from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Call 334-5674225 for more information. •First Presbyterian Church of Wetumpka holds a fellowship lunch every third Sunday after worship.

567-5754 Crossroads Assembly of God 2534 AL Hwy 14., Millbrook 285-5545 First Assembly of God 3511 Shirley Ln., Millbrook New Home Assembly of God 5620 Caesarville Rd., Wetumpka 569-2825 BAPTIST Abraham Baptist Church Millbrook Antioch Baptist Church 1115 Antioch Rd., Titus 567-2917 Beulah Baptist Church 2350 Grier Rd., Wetumpka 514-2881 Blue Ridge Baptist 4471 Jasmine Hill Rd., Wetumpka 567-4325 Brookwood Baptist Grandview Rd., Millbrook Calvary Baptist 504 W. Osceola St., Wetumpka

•Celebrate Recovery, which deals with life’s hurts, habits and hang-ups, holds meetings every Thursday at 6:15 p.m. at Santuck Baptist Church.

•Hope For Healing Grief Support Group meets the second Monday of each month at 6 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Tallassee.

•Christians of all denominations are invited to participate in a cooperative Bible Study held each Tuesday 1-2 p.m. at 103 West Tuskeena St. in Wetumpka The group is self-led and selects a book of the Bible to read through and study together. All are welcome.

•River’s Edge Flea Market is open every Saturday from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. at East Tallassee United Methodist Church. All vendors welcome – new items, old items, crafts, youth groups, ball teams, baked goods, produce and food. Various booth costs available. For info, call Joan Wood at 334-313-4913 or Melanie Baker at 334-415-8314. All proceeds are used for church-sponsored programs.

•Friendship Closet, a ministry of Friendship Baptist Church, is open the first Tuesday of each month from 9 to 11:30 a.m. and from 6 to 8 p.m. Those who need clothes, shoes, etc. for women, men and children, may visit.

567-4729 Central Baptist 3545 W. Central Rd., Wetumpka 541-2556 Coosada Baptist 20 Kennedy Ave., Coosada Deatsville Baptist 184 Church St., Deatsville Eclectic Baptist Church 203 Claud Rd., Eclectic 541-4444 Faith Baptist 64 Chapel Rd., Wetumpka 567-4417 First Baptist Church 205 W. Bridge St., Wetumpka 567-5191 First Baptist of Elmore Hwy. 14 Co. Rd. 74, Elmore Galilee Baptist 95 Old Georgia Rd., Wetumpka 567-4178 Good Hope Baptist 1766 S. Fleahop Rd., Eclectic

Wetumpka Church of Christ 408 West Bridge Street

Jason Chesser Minister Sunday Prayer and Fellowship.......8:30 a.m. Bible Study.............9 a.m. Worship service...10 a.m. Wednesday Bible Study........7 p.m.

Visitors Welcome At All Services

Goodship Baptist Hwy. 143, Millbrook Grace Baptist Old Montgomery Hwy., Wetumpka 567-3255 Grandview Pines Baptist Deatsville Hwy., Deatsville Green Ridge Baptist 288 Turner Rd., Wetumpka 567-2486 Harvest Baptist 2990 Main St., Millbrook Hillside Baptist 405 Old Montgomery Hwy., Wetumpka Holtville Riverside Baptist 7121 Holtville Rd., Wetumpka 514-5922 Lake Elam Baptist 4060 Gober Rd., Millbrook Liberty Hill Baptist 61 Crenshaw Rd., Wetumpka 567-8750

Lighthouse Baptist 2281 Main St., Millbrook Living Water Baptist 1745 Grass Farm Rd. (Co. Rd. 80), Weoka Millbrook Baptist Millbrook 285-4731 Mitts Chapel Baptist 935 Cold Springs Rd., Deatsville 569-1952 Mt. Hebron West Baptist 150 Mt. Hebron Rd., Elmore 567-4441 Mountain View Baptist 1025 Rifle Range Rd., Wetumpka 567-4458 New Harmony Baptist 3094 New Harmony Rd., Marbury 312-1878 New Home Baptist 1605 New Home Rd., Titus 567-0923 New Hope Baptist

8000 Titus Road Titus, Ala.

Pastor

Sunday School..........10:45 a.m. Morning Worship........9:30 a.m. Children’s Church.......9:30 a.m. Wed. Night Service.....6:30 p.m. You will receive a warm welcome at this friendly, Christ-centered Church. NURSERY PROVIDED FOR ALL SERVICES

Thelma Farmer Nelson a resident of Deatsville passed away Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2015, at the age of 101. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Dec. 31 at New Hope Baptist Church with the Rev. Jimmy Simpler officiating. Burial will be at New Hope Baptist Cemetery with Gassett Funeral Home of Wetumpka directing. Mrs. Nelson is survived by 16 grandchildren, 27 great grandchildren and seven great-great grandchildren. Pallbearers will be Brady Hilyer, Rhett Hilyer, Chester Sanders, Tanner Nelson, Bill Milton and Josh Milton. Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. until service time Dec. 31 at New Hope Baptist Church. Online guest book available at www.gassettfuneralhome. net

John Sebron Oliver Retired U.S. Army Sgt. Maj. John Sebron Oliver, 96, a Wetumpka resident died Monday, Dec. 28, 2015. Visitation will be held 5-7 p.m. Dec. 30 at Leak Memory Chapel. His funeral service will be at 1:30 p.m. Dec. 31 at Leak Memory Chapel with the Revs. Rick Marshall, Larry Armstrong and Jim Oliver officiating. Entombment will follow in Greenwood Cemetery. John was preceded in death by his wife, Martha B. Oliver, and siblings, J.C. Oliver, LeMerle Moore, Mary Driggers and Nell Hornsby. He is survived by his daughter, Helen Jane Nobles (Carl); grandchildren, Sarah Moore (Chris) and Emily Wells (Lee); great grandchildren, Karlie Grace Wells and Georgia Kate Wells; several nieces and nephews. Pallbearers will be Steve Fuller, Dan Oliver, Tommy Paulk, Hank Golden, Roland Fletcher and Robert Barnes. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Eastern Hills Baptist Church Carpenters for Christ. Special thanks to Danny Robbins, Crystal and Angela of Hospice Advantage and special caregiver Gale. Condolences may be offered at www.leak-mc.com.

100 W. Bridge St.

Sunday Services at 11 a.m.

Rev. Jonathan Yarboro

Minister Dr. John Brannon

Sunday School..9:45 am Morning Worship..11 am

There is Harmony at Harmony United Methodist Church!

567-8135 “In the name of the Lord Jesus – Welcome.”

Please join us.

Mountain View Baptist Church

11066 U.S. 231, Wallsboro

Rickey Luster, Music Director

Thelma Farmer Nelson

First Presbyterian Church

Harmony United Methodist Church

Wallsboro United Methodist Church Rev. Ryan Johnson

Visit our sister website: TallasseeTribune.com

567-4458 1025 Rifle Range Rd.

504 West Osceola St. 334-567-4729

Anthony B. Counts, Pastor Angie Gallups, Worship Leader Billy Reinhardt, Min. of Students

Rev. Anthony Rhodes Senior Pastor

SUNDAY Morning Worship.......10:30 Sunday School.............9:15 Youth Choir ..................5:00 Evening Worship..........6:00 WEDNESDAY Fellowship Meal............5:45 Preschool/Children’s Choirs.........................6:00 House of Prayer............6:30 Preschool/Children’s Missions........................6:30 Youth Bible Study.........6:30

Tammy Driver: Children's Director

SUNDAY SERVICES Sunday School........9:30 a.m. Morning Worship...10:30 a.m. Evening Worship.....6:00 p.m. WEDNESDAY SERVICES Supper.....................5:30 p.m. Prayer Meeting........6:15 p.m. Choir Practice..........7:00 p.m.

CEDARWOOD COMMUNITY CHURCH 10286 U.S. Hwy. 231 Wallsboro 567-0476 www.worshipcedarwood.org

Roger Olsen, Pastor Sunday Bible Study..........9:00 AM Sunday Worship.............10:00 AM We are a Congregational Christian Church which, in the name of Jesus, invites all to worship with us. Nursery Check out our Facebook page

Santuck Baptist Church

7250 Central Plank Road

“A Family of Families”

B.R. Johnson, Senior Pastor Larry Gore, Adm. & Counseling Randy Godfrey, Education Amy Pugh, Director of Children & Preschool Chad Middlebrooks, Students SUNDAY Sunday School............9 & 10:30 a.m. Worship........................9 & 10:30 a.m. Evening Celebration.................6 p.m. WEDNESDAY/FAMILY NIGHT Programs for every age 6:15 - 7:30 p.m.

Send your church news and happenings to: news@The Wetumpka Herald.com _________ Call Jayne or Shannon at 567-7811 to advertise your church’s services in this space

Page 8 • DECEMBER 30, 2015

TheWetumpkaHerald.com

THE WETUMPKA HERALD

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The Wetumpka Herald

THE WETUMPKA HERALD

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

TheWetumpkaHerald.com 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 and will also start cross posting to other pet/community pages you might not even know

DECEMBER 30, 2015 • Page 11 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.

Happy New Year!

334-567-8444 5156 U.S. Highway 231 Wetumpka Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Saturday 9 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

www.collierford.com

Page 12 • DECEMBER 30, 2015

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