Friends and family remember Bradyn White
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
By Cliff Williams Staff Writer
Holtville High School’s Boykin-Chapman Field is only a
and
crash took
High School basketball coach
“I can’t believe what happened [Thursday],” Camden Williamson said. “I don’t know what I will do without him. It is kind of hard.”
The Gathering Place Pastor D.J. Stinard was there Friday
gathered at the football field to remember their friend. All were wondering what the future holds without the 14-year-old Holtville High School student.
morning as parents prayed in front of Holtville High School for their children. He was on the field Friday night as the community mourned and remembered White.
“We can not turn our heads to this,” Stinard said. “There are tons of emotions going on. There are a lot of crushed
Chamber holds luncheon welcoming members
By Cliff Williams Staff Writer
The Wetumpka Chamber of Commerce held its annual luncheon to install new officers and board members for the first time in a while Thursday.
The COVID-19 pandemic put a hamper on gatherings but the chamber celebrated the successes of business in Wetumpka.
“We haven’t been able to do this for the last couple years,” chairperson Clay McConnell said. “Your attendance is an indication people want to get back together and have these opportunities to see each
See CHAMBER, Page A3
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
Members of the Wetumpka Chamber of Commerce attend the chamber’s “A Taste of Our Home Town” luncheon. CLIFF WILLIAMS/ THE HERALD
The High School Principal of the Year award was presented to Futral on Friday, Jan. 28 during a
“Kyle Futral is an exceptional principal and is very proactive and innovative in his thinking and approaches to managing his school,” Dennis said, As principal of Holtville High School, Futral has transformed
lence. By collaborating with staff, many of the school’s issues were identified and addressed. Futral’s leadership style of listening, encouraging, supporting, organizing and challenging the staff and students, caused the school culture to
By Jake Arthur Chief Videographer
shift in a positive direction. The school experienced a 62 percent decrease in discipline referrals, 50 percent decrease in chronic absenteeism, 7 percent increase in the graduation rate, 33 percent increase in CCR rate and a 20 percent increase in ACT proficiency in the last five years.
See PRINCIPAL, Page A3
MICHAEL WAYNE REED
Michael Wayne Reed, a resident of Wetumpka, Alabama passed away Friday, December 1, 2023 at the age of 55.
A graveside service will be held Thursday, December 14, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. at Pine View Gardens Minister Jonathan Yarboro officiating. Gassett Funeral Home of Wetumpka directing. Mr. Reed is preceded in death by his parents Allen Reed Jr. and Ruby Loraine McGarr Reed; and his sister Barbara Wilkerson. He is survived by his brothers Robert Allen Reed, James Donald “Jimmy” Reed, and Donald Ray “Donnie” Reed.
Police Reports
WETUMPKA POLICE DEPARTMENT
DEC. 2
• Domestic violence was reported on West Tuskeena Street.
NOV. 30
• Harassment was reported on Welch Drive.
• Negotiating a worthless negotiable instrument was reported on Wilson Street.
TALLASSEE POLICE DEPARTMENT
DEC. 11
• A suspicious vehicle was reported on Herren Hill Road.
• Assistance was given to medics on Tallassee Highway.
DEC. 10
• Assistance was given to a citizen on Indian Trail.
• A white male was arrested during a traffic stop on Gilmer Avenue.
• A welfare check was conducted on Notasulga Road.
• A suspicious subject was reported on Freeman Avenue.
• A suspicious subject was reported on Central Boulevard.
• A private property accident was reported on Gilmer Avenue.
• Debris was reported in the roadway on Gilmer Avenue.
• Unauthorized use of a vehicle was reported on Birch Street.
• Harassment was reported on Gilmer Avenue.
DEC. 9
• A fight was reported on Carr Circle.
DEC. 8
• A noise complaint was reported
on Freeman Avenue.
• Animal control was requested on Gilmer Avenue.
• Assistance was given to medics on Tallassee Highway.
• Menacing was reported on Friendship Road.
• A welfare check was conducted on Cherokee Trail.
DEC. 7
• A mental subject was reported on Lower Tuskegee Road.
• Assistance was given to a motorist on Jordan Avenue.
• A juvenile complaint was reported on Gilmer Avenue.
DEC. 6
• Suspicious activity was reported on Lower Tuskegee Road.
• Harassment was reported on South Tallassee Drive.
• Assistance was given to another agency on Notasulga Road.
• Reckless driving was reported on Gilmer Avenue.
• Trespassing was reported on Benson Avenue.
• A motor vehicle accident was reported on Gilmer Avenue.
• Assistance was given to a motorist on Friendship Road.
• Assistance was given to a motorist on Clayton Road.
• Harassing communications was reported on Notasulga Road.
• Criminal mischief was reported on Alber Drive.
• A private property motor vehicle accident was reported on Gilmer Avenue.
• A white male was arrested on U.S. Highway 231.
• An abandoned vehicle was reported on Highway 229. DEC. 5
• Trespassing was reported on Lower Tuskegee Road.
• A fight was reported on First Avenue.
• Criminal trespassing was reported on Gilmer Avenue.
• Assistance was given to a motorist on Gilmer Avenue.
• Harassing communications was reported on North Ann Avenue.
• Assistance was given to another agency on Taylor Road.
• A suspicious subject was reported on Hillcrest Street. DEC. 4
• A suspicious vehicle was reported on Gilmer Avenue.
• Gunshots were reported on Gilmer Avenue.
• A domestic incident was reported on Second Avenue.
• A Black female was arrested during a traffic stop on South Tallassee Drive.
• An animal complaint was reported on John Street.
• Assistance was given to a citizen on Riverside Avenue.
• Animal control was requested on Freeman Avenue.
• Assistance was given to a motorist on John Street.
• Assistance was given to a motorist on Gilmer Avenue.
• A white female was arrested during a traffic stop on Gilmer Avenue.
• Livestock was reported in the roadway on Gammils Store Road.
Another ADOC officer charged with smuggling into prisons
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
A correctional security officer (CSO) at the Alabama Department of Corrections is in the Elmore County Jail after an attempt to smuggle drugs and contraband into Staton Correctional Facility. Stefan Harris, 45, of
HARRIS
Montgomery, was found with nearly 260 grams of marijuana,more than 17 grams of cocaine, three cell phones, USB cords, a smart watch and three bottles con-
taining ethanol at 10 p.m. Nov. 25 at the state prison. Harris told ADOC investigators he was getting a benefit from smuggling the items into the facility. “CSO Harris stated he was supposed to receive a $2,000 cash payment from Inmate ‘Curley’ and Inmate ‘Bruno’ for introducing the drugs into the correctional facility,” court documents state.
Harris was charged with possession of marijuana, Two counts of promoting prison contraband, unlawful possession with intent to distribute and use of position for personal gain. He was placed in the Elmore County Jail and has a $93,000 bond available to him.
Wetumpka police seeking helping in theft case
STAFF REPORT
TPI Staff
The Wetumpka Police Department is investigating a business burglary and felony theft and seeks the public’s help with identifying the two suspects.
www.mainstreetwetumpka.org
Investigators released a photo of two unknown suspects through Central Alabama CrimeStoppers wanted for a felony theft and burglary investigation. The theft is alleged to have occurred on Thanksgiving Day at a business in the 4000 block of U.S. Highway 231. “Investigators say the pictured
suspects, identified as white male and white female, drove onto the property in the pictured vehicle, used an unknown type of cutting tool to gain entry into multiple storage units,” CrimeStoppers said in a release. “The suspects stole over $20,000.00 in property and left the scene traveling north on U.S. Highway 231.”
CrimeStoppers said the suspects are wanted for first-degree theft of property, a Class B felony and third-degree burglary, a Class C felony. Central Alabama CrimeStoppers continues to take a stand against theft and is offering a cash reward for the identification of the suspects involved. Anyone with information regarding the identity of this suspect or his whereabouts is asked to call the Wetumpka Police Department at 334567-5321 or CrimeStoppers using its 24-hour tip line at 215-STOP (7867) or 1-833-AL1-STOP or download the P3-tips app. If anyone gives a tip, they are asked to make sure they receive a tip ID and password in order to dialog with investigators in case there is a follow-up question. A tip may lead to a cash reward.
Secretary of state visits Elmore County
STAFF REPORT
TPI Staff
Secretary of State Wes Allen gave remarks during the meeting of the Elmore County Republican Executive Committee last month.
During his remarks to the groups, which included elected officials, community leaders and republican voters, Allen discussed the establishment of the Alabama Voter Integrity Database (AVID).
“AVID is a four-prong system that my team and I have spent the last 9 months developing to help us maintain a clean and accurate registered voter list,” Allen said. “I appreciate the dedication of the staff here at the Secretary of State’s office who have worked incredibly hard to make AVID a reality.”
The four aspects of AVID include a cooperative interagency agreement with Alabama Law Enforcement
Agency, National Change of Address Database, cooperative agreements from other states and analysis of the Social Security Death Index. Voters can learn more about AVID by visiting www.sos.alabama.gov/ avid.
Allen also stressed the importance of protecting Alabama elections from ballot harvesting. Ballot harvesting happens when an individual or group seeks to profit from the absentee
voting process by acquiring an absentee ballot or absentee application other than their own.
“During the 2024 regular legislative session, Senate Bill 1 will be introduced by Sen. Garlan Gudger making it illegal to pay or receive payment to assist voters in completing an absentee ballot application or ballot,” Allen said. “The only thing we should be harvesting in Alabama is crops, not ballots.”
Humane Society of Elmore County News Shop at Tail’s End Thrift Store for Christmas
By REA CORD HSEC Executive Director
On Saturday, we hope you can stop by for our Christmas Open House from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at our Tail’s End Thrift Store and the shelter to say hi and enjoy some snacks and Christmas cheer.
The 75% off sale of all Christmas items in the Holiday Barn at the Thrift Store continues so that’s just another great reason to stop by.
Reminder our Tail’s End Thrift Store is open for shopping from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and accepts donations from 9 a.m. to noon those same
days. There are only two more weeks until Christmas and our store has something for everyone – clothes, furniture, art, books, collectibles, small appliances, jewelry, household items, holiday items, pet items and so much more. If it sells you can probably find it in our store.
While at our thrift store please thank our volunteers who work so hard receiving, sorting and selling all of the donated items on behalf of all the animals we all work so hard to help. There’s nothing more they would like than more volunteers to help so ask anyone there about volunteering. You
Pet of the Week - Igor
will join a very dedicated group and have fun to boot.
We are immensely grateful to all who have donated both dog and cat food lately. While we would never let our pets run out of food, the generosity of so many people to our requests is most humbling. We certainly know how the cost of pet food has increased so fully understand that donating large bags might be a bit challenging so please know all donations make a difference and are greatly appreciated. We are also receiving many most wonderful financial donations to the shelter and cannot thank
everyone enough for such tremendous support. We do get asked about donations of stock and the easiest way to do that is through our Humane Society of Elmore County Endowment with the Central Alabama Community Foundation. You can find all of their contact information on their website at https://cacfinfo.org/ or just get with us and we are happy to put you in touch with CACF to facilitate such generosity. Have questions about our Shelter? There’s a good chance our website has the answer so check it out at www.elmorehumane.org. But for any questions you can also
Igor is an 18-pound male Terrier/Beagle mix who is about 9 ½ years old. Igor is missing one eye but that does not slow him down at all. Igor is a simply wonderful dog with people and most dogs, but best with dogs bigger than him and not so good with cats. He is housetrained, loves being a lap dog, active but not crazy, good on a leash, loves being inside. He goes out to do his business then right back inside. He loves snuggling under the bed covers to sleep with you. Igor does need a well-fenced yard as if he gets out, he will take off. He is also not keen on being crated and really no need to because he is housetrained. So if you are looking for a wonderful older, smaller dog, get your application in for Igor!
The Humane Society of Elmore County’s adoption fees are $100 for dogs and $50 for cats under 1 year old. Cats over 1 can be adopted by approved adopters for a fee of their choosing. This adoption fee covers the mandatory spay or neuter, basic immunizations, deworming, microchip, heartworm check for dogs, rabies vaccination if old enough and a free health exam with your participating veterinarian.
If you are interested in meeting Cola or any of the pets at HSEC, the first step is to fill out an adoption application online. Once approved, you will be contacted by someone from the humane society. HSEC is located at 255 Central Plank Road in Wetumpka. The phone number is 334-567-3377 and the website is www.elmorehumane.org.
Mothers and daughters come together on the stage
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
It is often the mother who leaves their mark on their daughter. Sometimes it is the daughter who inspires the mother. Both are the case at the Wetumpka Players. For weeks the mother-daughter tandems of Meghan and Haley Ducote and Ginger and Elizabeth Whitby have been rehearsing “Once Upon Christmas.” Hours and hours later, they say they’re as good as ever.
“There is a lot of bonding. We are basically with each other 24/7,” said Elizabeth, a home-schooled 10th grader. “I love that we have a common interest. It leads to great discussion.”
Elizabeth’s mother Ginger works more behind the scenes.
“Every once in a while I make a small appearance,” Ginger said. “Mostly I stay backstage.”
But just because Ginger is backstage doesn’t mean she goes unnoticed. Megan calls her “Jane of All Trades.”
“She does everything from stage managing to everything,” Meghan said. “She keeps us together.”
Meghan’s daughter Haley is a sixth grader at Wetumpka Middle School and is following her mother’s footsteps for now. She started with a theater camp last summer at the depot.
“I just thought it would be cool,” Haley said. “I pretty much like it.”
Meghan got her degree in theater but is currently an account specialist with a logis-
tics company. Meghan has played many roles since 2004 but the role of Badger next to Haley as Weasel has made a mark in Meghan’s mind. She sees something in the future for Haley.
“She has been bitten by the theater bug,” Meghan said. “I’m doing a happy mother dance inside my heart because she is now wanting to do theater.”
Ginger got her start in theater because of her daughter Elizabeth about five years ago.
“I drug her into the theater,” the daughter said. “I started out doing church plays. We started doing theater camps at the Wetumpka Depot. It just spiraled from there.”
Ginger quipped,” We have been doing it ever since.”
Elizabeth just completed a double casting in “Once Upon Christmas” playing Toad and Mr. Otter. She swapped by and forth with Jean A. Webb the role of Toad.
“It is also double the fun because I get to be around more people, perform more,” Elizabeth said.
Haley has the permission of the school to be involved in the production. This time it required several days of school to be missed to perform for Elmore County students. But just because Haley has permission from school does not mean she gets a reprieve from her school work.
“The Depot writes letters for the students that are in school just to announce they are doing something in the community,” Meghan said. “Students are responsible for all their work and keeping up with classwork.”
In Elizabeth’s case school is more year around. The class schedule is adjusted to allow practices and performances.
“We start earlier in the summer so we don’t have as much of a load when the production comes,” Ginger said.
The Wetumpka Depot allows parents and everyone to interact beyond the mother-daughter relationship building.
“It is amazing how they will all come together, work together and make things work,” Ginger said.
call us at 334-567-3377, email hselco@bellsouth. net, or message us on our Shelter’s Facebook page. And just in case snail mail will work best – send correspondence to 255 Cen-
tral Plank Road, Wetumpka, AL 36092.
Rea Cord is the executive director of the Humane Society of Elmore County.
The Depot gives Elizabeth a chance to socialize and learn soft skills that are sometimes hard to master in a homeschool setting.
“It gives me a chance to get in front of people and develop skills for public speaking and more,” Elizabeth said. “I have made some of my best friends because of it.”
The theater has given Elizabeth an idea when she attends her preferred school — Montevallo.
“I want to major in it when I go to college,” Elizabeth said. “That is my dream, hopefully anyway.”
Meghan said it is still a little early for her to decide on college plans. Her mom is hopeful though. Even if Meghan choses something else she will always have theater for fun and the memories.
“We both understand the moments that can happen on stage,” Meghan said. “We now have inside jokes. We can look at each other watching a play and know why we are laughing together.”
CLIFF WILLIAMS | THE HERA:LD
Megan Ducote, center, plays the role of Badger in the Wetumpka Depot Players production of ‘Once Upon a Christmas.’ Ducote was joined by her daughter Haley in the production.
TheWetumpkaHerald.com
The legend of Sen. John Sparkman
IWeddings, Engagements, Anniversaries, or
Announcements: These significant family events or milestones are 35 cents per word and $25 for a photo and must be emailed to us at announcements@thewetumpkaherald.com. Include name and telephone number. The text for the announcement must be in the body of the email (not as an attachment) and photographs must be sent as a .jpeg attached to the email. Announcements will appear within 10 days in The Herald or The Tribune.
n my 2015 book, “Of Goats and Governors: Six Decades of Colorful Alabama Political Stories,” I have a chapter entitled “Alabama’s Three Greatest Senators.” I chronicle the lives and accomplishments of Richard Shelby, Lister Hill and John Sparkman. Last week we gave you the history of Hill. This week we will give you a brief story of the legacy of the great John Sparkman.
Hill and Sparkman served as a tandem in Washington for more than 20 years and were respected giants on Capitol Hill. Our Hill-Sparkman team was unsurpassed in power and prestige from 1946 to 1970. They were admired, not only in Alabama and the South, but throughout the nation. They were powerful and extremely effective for our state, but also portrayed a good image as erudite southern gentlemen.
Sparkman served an amazing 32 years in the United States Senate from 1946 through 1978. He served 12 years in the U.S. Congress from Huntsville and the Tennessee Valley, prior to being elected to the Senate. He made his presence known as Chairman of the Senate Banking Committee, which at the time oversaw housing for America. Furthermore, he was the Democratic nominee for Vice President in 1952.
Sparkman is the Father of the Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville. His legacy lives on today with the growth and aerospace prominence of our Rocket City. Our fastest growing and most economically prosperous metropolitan area began its presence in the 1960s because of John Sparkman. In fact, the city should probably be referred to as Sparkmanville rather than Huntsville.
Sparkman was not born into privilege like Hill. Sparkman was born and raised on an unpretentious tenant farm near Hartselle in Morgan County. He had 10 brothers and sisters. In 1917, by making a cotton crop and netting $75.00 he was able to enroll in the University of Alabama. At Alabama he was editor of the “Crimson and White” and like Hill, he was elected President of the Student Body at the Capstone. At the same time, he worked his way through school shoveling coal and feeding furnaces. After graduation from the University of Alabama School of Law, he practiced law in Huntsville for 12 years before being elected to Congress in 1936. Like Hill, he supported President Roosevelt’s New Deal. The passage of the Tennessee Valley Authority (“TVA”) Act was a tremendous boost for his North Alabama Tennessee Valley district. The TVA Act transformed North Alabama. In 1946, he had served his North Alabama congressional district well for over a decade and was elected to the U.S. Senate. Senator John Bankhead had died in office and Sparkman won the seat handily with strong backing of labor unions who were in their heyday in Alabama politics.
Sparkman rose to power and prominence in the Senate. He made his mark as the father of federal housing for the poor. He became chairman of the very powerful Senate Banking Committee, as well as its Housing Subcommittee. Sparkman was the author of practically every major housing bill since World War II, and is also known as the father of the Small Business Administration. He was also the ranking majority member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
For more than two decades, Sparkman and Hill served together as a team, the most powerful and respected tandem in Washington. While some Southern senators were making racist speeches on the floor of the U.S. Senate, Hill and Sparkman refused to race bait. They preferred to quietly bring home the bacon to Alabama with dignity. They had a team approach to helping Alabama and their voting records on major issues, which faced the nation, were identical. Both men served as president of the student body of the University of Alabama, and both were products of what is known as the political machine at the University of Alabama.
John Sparkman was a giant in the United States Senate and an icon in Alabama political history.
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.
Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown
ACharlie Brown Christmas first aired on CBS in 1965. In the years since, it has rightfully become a cultural icon.
A tradition on CBS from 1965 until 2000, it moved to ABC from 2001 until 2020 when AppleTV+ bought the rights to the Peanuts properties. To see A Charlie Brown Christmas today, one must purchase the DVD or subscribe to AppleTV+.
The “Peanuts” comic strip, created by Charles Schulz, had been around for a decade before he had the idea to move his characters to television.
Not described as light nor carefree, the “Peanuts” kids did have a certain darkness to them; they struggled with adult-sized themes in a child’s world.
The backstory of the making of the Charlie Brown Christmas special is fascinating. Schulz operated on a shoestring budget, which explains the choppy animation style and the (by today’s standards) poorly mixed sound. While not particularly religious, Schulz felt that a retelling of the Christmas story from Luke was a vital part of the narrative. Network bosses bristled at this, and asked him to cut
the Bible story from the show. He refused, saying, “if we don’t tell the true meaning of Christmas, who will?”
This cartoon was also missing a laugh track, characteristic of many of the animated productions of its day. The voices of real children were used, as opposed to seasoned professional voice actors. Perhaps most notably, the jazzy score by the Vince Guaraldi trio lent an elegiac quality to much of the action in the special. The background music we hear as Charlie Brown searches for a sincere Christmas is downbeat and, at times, heartbreaking. Charlie Brown is an Everyman character, a lovable loser who never stops trying, despite so-called friends who bully him. They call him “stupid” and “blockhead” continuously, especially when he fails to find the perfect Christmas tree for the school play he was chosen
to direct. In the midst of all of Charlie Brown’s drama, other characterizations shine with sincerity. Lucy the foulmouthed bully; Schroeder the classical pianist; Snoopy the notso-loyal beagle who saves the day; and Linus as the voice of reason, who takes center stage and recites the Gospel passage.
Animation has experienced a renaissance in recent years. The Simpsons, American Dad, South Park, Family Guy, Robot Chicken, BoJack Horseman, SpongeBob SquarePants, and many others are found at virtually any time of day on any channel. However, along with this expansion of offerings, the temptation to overload every frame with sarcasm and cynicism is prevalent. There is also a reliance on scatological humor for cheap laughs, even on the better shows.
A Charlie Brown Christmas stands alone as the only real example of simplicity and sincerity during the Christmas season. There are no fancy effects or celebrity voice-overs, just a search for the truth behind the holiday.
Michael Bird is a choral director for Tallassee City Schools.
MICHAEL BIRD Columnist
STEVE FLOWERS Columnist
CHRISTMAS IS IN THE AIR
CLIFF WILLIAMS THE HERALD Elmore County is officially in the Christmas spirit as Wetumpka, Holtville and Millbrook all celebrated with holiday events this weekend. Wetumpka held its annual Christmas on the Coosa and Holtville and Millbrook also had their parades.
n theology, the word glorification or the doctrine of glorification refers to the nature of believers after death and judgment, “the final step in the application of redemption.” A much clearer understanding is how believers will be resurrected or brought forth after death and given new bodies that have a degree of their continuity with their mortal or eternal selves, (Psalm 49:15, John 11:23-24, 1 Corinthian 15:20, Daniel 12:2).
Since Thanksgiving, have you stood on the scales and watched as the numbers increase and felt your clothes fit a little snugger? Most of us wonder what our
BETHLEHEM EAST
BAPTIST CHURCH
Bethlehem East Baptist Church will have all Sunday school classes beginning at 9:45 a.m. Sunday morning followed by regular service at 11 a.m. in the sanctuary. We will continue with Facebook Live Sunday School at 9:30 a.m. and Worship Service at 11 a.m.
CARRVILLE BAPTIST CHURCH Regular hours of service are Sundays- 9 a.m. Sunday School and 10 a.m. Morning Worship.
JACKIE WILBOURN Columnist
body will be like in Heaven. Will we have the figure of a model? What about the armchair quarterback or Facebook quarterback, who knows exactly how a play should be executed; will he/ she be the “hero” player in Heaven? Think about all the physical battle scars we carry around or the blemishes left from teenage “zits” Noxzema never clears. The Corinthians might
Wednesday nights at 6:30 p.m. the church offers Children’s Gospel Project, Youth Bible Study and Adult Prayer Meeting.
Regular office hours are Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
EAST TALLASSEE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
ETUMC’s Rivers Edge Flea Market is now closed. The church will start a new project called Rivers Edge Food Pantry. ETUMC will provide canned food, water, dry beans and rice, blan-
have been thinking much the same as they asked the question, “How are the dead raised up and with what body do they enter Heaven?” The Apostle Paul referred to our “glorified bodies.” John, an eyewitness to the resurrected body of Christ himself, reminded us that “we shall be like Him”, (1 John 3:2).
Paul’s writing takes us a little deeper by saying flesh and blood and corruption cannot inherit the kingdom of God. It is truly a mystery knowing we will all be changed. The sting of death will be no more and our victory will be in our Lord Jesus Christ.
Church Briefs
kets, and jackets. If you want to donate or help with the cause, call Joan Wood at 334-312-4913.
EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF THE EPIPHANY
Please join us for Sunday services at 10:30 a.m. when the Rev. Lee Lowery will celebrate the Holy Eucharist. We are asking everyone please to wear a mask. The service will be live streamed on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ EpiphanyTallassee/ For more information, visit the
If you are not a Christian, I must agree that there are things in the scripture that seem unreal to the human eyes, ears, and heart. But we as Christians will gain victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. “Watch and stand fast in the faith!” Will we know each other in Heaven? Scripture indicates we will recognize each other. Again, Paul makes it clear, “now I know in part, then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.” I do not understand , although Jesus was transformed into His heavenly glory before the eyes of some of His disciples and “His face shone like the sun, and His clothes
church website at http:// epiphanytallassee.org/
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
First Presbyterian Church, located at 514 Central Blvd. will host a Veteran’s Day Celebration on Nov. 11 from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. for all veterans and first responders and their family members.
FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
“We are OPEN and everyone is WELCOME! Come worship with us in
became as white as the light (Matthew 17:2) but yet His disciples recognized Him”. Most likely, we will need to wait until God’s glory comes in the person of Christ at the end of time to fully grasp what our body will be like. But one thing is sure. If we have a body like that of Christ, we will not be disappointed. Our prayer is God will help us to anticipate with joy and thanksgiving our future hope of a resurrected, glorified body.
Jackie Wilbourn, member of Bethel Baptist Church, is a chaplain with Alabama Baptist Disaster Team.
person Sunday mornings at 8:50 a.m. (contemporary) or 11 a.m. (traditional). Sunday School for all ages is offered Sunday mornings at 10 a.m., and a nursery is available for infants. CHILDREN & YOUTH: meet Sunday evenings from 5-6:30 p.m. and Wednesday evenings from 6-7:15 p.m.; supper is included both days! For more information about our church or the programs we offer, visit our website: fumctallassee.com or call us: 334-283-2195. FUMC
Tallassee - 1 Jordan Avenue.”
OUR LIFE’S JOURNEY Airs every Sunday at 8:30 a.m. on 580 WACQ, FM 98.5 & 101.1, on your smart speaker, your TuneIn app, or on our website www.wacqradio. com. Please share on social media. This set of programs features Msgr. Charles Troncale, Fr. Mateusz Rudzik, Fr. James Dean, Fr. David Carucci, Fr. Patrick Driscoll, and Deacon Jim Labadie.
Dalton MiDDleton SportS eDitor dalton.middleton@thewetumpkaherald.com
Wetumpka places 8th in Swede Umbach with 9 wrestlers
By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor
Wetumpka’s wrestling team was impacted by the recent sickness, but that didn’t stop the Indians from having an impressive outing at the annual Swede Umbach Tournament held at Auburn High School.
Wetumpka only brought nine wrestlers from its team to the tournament, but still finished eighth against top teams from Alabama and Georgia. Three of the nine players placed in the event, as Willie Cox and Zach Crosthwait won their weight class and Christian Preston finished in third place.
“We only brought five or six guys who had ever wrestled here before, and we had two guys win. We almost had another guy place, but he got hurt, and the majority of our guys who didn’t place were only one match away. It was an impressive weekend.” Cox had one of the most impressive weekends for the
“I saw a lot of good things from our guys,” Wetumpka coach Josh Highland said.
WETUMPKA’S CROSTHWAIT REMAINS UNBEATEN WITH
BIG WIN
By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor
Zach Crosthwait is making his presence known in the 190-pound weight class.
Crosthwait, who wrestled at 154 last season, is showing what he can do since he bulked up nearly 40 pounds this offseason.
The junior is one of only a handful of undefeated wrestlers left in his weight class in Class 6A, and nobody had a better weekend than he did at the Swede Umbach Tournament at Auburn.
Crosthwait went 5-0 across the two-day tournament and claimed the championship match over the No. 2-ranked wrestler in Class 6A.
For his weekend’s efforts, Crosthwait is the Elmore County Player of the Week.
“I’m really, really impressed with Zach,” Wetumpka coach Josh Highland said. “He has a different mindset this year and is finally at a healthy weight for him. He’s bulked up and his body is healthy and he’s showing his true potential.”
Crosthwait’s tournament started with a bye in the first round. Then he faced Pike Road’s Joshua Melton in the second round of the championship bracket. He made quick work of Melton, pinning him only 45 seconds into the match.
That set up a quarterfinals match with Percy Julian’s George Hunter, who only lasted 21 seconds longer than Melton.
After two pins, Crosthwait sat firmly in the semifinals and faced Hewitt-Trussville’s Trip
Edgewood Academy girls win Tri-County tournament
By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor
The Edgewood Academy girls basketball team is starting to find its stride.
After the two-time defending AISA Class AA state champions started the season with a 2-2 record, they have since won seven-consecutive games. That included a tournament championship this weekend, as the
Wildcats hosted the Tri-County Tournament at home.
Edgewood won both of its games, beating Macon-East in the first round, 64-21, then taking down Lowndes in the championship, 48-36.
“In the first round on Friday night, we played really, really well offensively,” head coach Brad Starks said. “On Saturday, we
By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor
Holtville baseball coach Scott Tubbs is still picking up honors for last year’s championship run. Tubbs, who led Holtville to the AHSAA Class 5A state championship for the first time in 40 years, was named the Alabama Baseball Coaches Association Head Coach of the Year for Class 5A on Friday night. Holtville finished the 2023 baseball season with a 28-14 overall record and swept Sardis in the state title series, 2-0, with a 3-2 win in Game 1 and a 3-1 win in Game 2.
“This is a team award,” Tubbs said. “It’s a huge team honor. You don’t get these kinds of honors unless you have a great supporting staff of coaches, players, parents and coaches’ wives. That’s just an accumulation of what our season is. It has nothing to do with me. It has everything to do with our program and it says we did everything the right way.”
Holtville entered the 2023 season coming off a state championship loss the year prior. The Bulldogs took their lumps in the regular season, and traveled a rockier road than probably any team in the entire state.
After going 18-13 and losing their last two games of the regular season by a combined score of 18-2, it looked as if the Bulldogs were limping into the playoffs. In the first round, the team welcomed Mobile Christian into Slapout and Mobile Christian took Game 1, 11-0, after scoring five runs in the top of the first inning.
Game 2 of the doubleheader was when things turned around, as Holtville won 13-3. In the deciding Game 3, Holtville won 12-6 and set up a rivalry matchup with Elmore County in the second round.
“We didn’t play well the
nine wrestlers due to sickness amongst the team, finished in 8th out of 22 teams at the Swede Umbach tournament this weekend.
last two weeks going into the playoffs, but that Game 2 win over Mobile Christian was when we started finding our confidence again,” Tubbs said.
Holtville went 0-2 against Elmore County in the regular season, and that trend continued in the first game of the series as Elmore County won, 4-2. But much like the first series, the Bulldogs took Games 2 and 3 to advance.
Headland then came to town, and the story was the exact same. Headland jumped all over Holtville and took Game 1, but Holtville bounced back with a 4-2 win and 12-2 walk off in six innings.
Heading into the semifinals, Holtville had faced the most adversity of any team in the state. And it showed as the Bulldogs were ready for whatever was thrown at them.
They took down Demopolis in two games to punch their ticket to state then swept Sardis to claim the first state championship since 1983.
In the state championship series, Holtville was no-hit through the first five innings of Game 1 before the team battled back and took a 3-2 lead in the bottom of the sixth inning on some clutch hits from seniors Sam Silas and Tanner Potts, among others.
In Game 2, Silas hit the only home run of any player across all seven classifications as Drey Barrett pitched a complete game and allowed only one run.
“It was a very rewarding championship,” Tubbs said. “We went three games against three teams and we were very battle tested. We were resilient.
I’ve been fortunate enough to be part of several state championship teams, and I think this was the most special because it was the hardest. I’m super proud of the kids for buying into what we were trying to do and competing at a high level.”
FILE THE HERALD
Holtville head baseball coach Scott Tubbs, right, who led the Bulldogs to the AHSAA Class 5A State Championship this spring, was
Cole, who has 37 wins and 24 pins in his career.
Crosthwait didn’t get him pinned, but did earn a decisive 7-2 win over the talented wrestler. In the championship, he faced a daunting challenge in McAdory’s Erik Lessears, a wrestler who finished fourth at 195 last season in 6A and has 70 wins in his career.
The two went headto-head, with Lessears taking a 2-1 lead after the first period. Lessears then chose to start the second period on the bottom and Crosthwait was able to hold him down the entire period.
The third period, Crosthwait started on bottom and got out, then Lessears took him down before Crosthwait was able to record a reversal.
The game was tied and went to sudden victory overtime before Crosthwait was able to secure a game-winning take down.
“It was truly an insane match,” Crosthwait said. “We went into overtime and we got into a really crazy scramble with about 20 or 30 seconds left, and I got the two points. It’s crazy. You’re breathing really heavy and hard and there are a lot of thoughts going through your head, but I was just focused on getting those two points.”
The tournament win moves Crosthwait to an impressive 14-0 this season.
He’s also won two tournament championships after he won the Gulf Coast Clash in November. In solo matches, he owns an impressive win over Holtville’s Hunter Chavis, the No. 5-ranked wrestler in 190 in 5A.
He credits his start to feeling healthier now that he’s in 190 instead of 150, and he also gets a bit of knowledge from teammates Willie Cox (285) and Christian Preston (215), Wetumpka’s two defending state champions in the two heaviest divisions.
“The guys are slower I guess,” Crosthwait joked about his start.
“But this is really the best I’ve ever felt. It’s more comfortable up here for me. I’ve just been training hard, and it’s been nice to drill with Willie and Christian. Every practice I go live with them, I learn something new just from talking. They show me that there’s always room to improve.”
Continued from B1
Indians. Wrestling in the heavyweight class, Cox went 5-0 on the week.
Due to being undefeated on the season and the defending Class 6A champion, Cox received a high seed, a first round bye and a win early. Cox started his second round with a matchup against Pike Road’s Kaeden Johnson, and he pinned his opponent a minute and a half into the match. His quarterfinals matchup was against McAdory’s Timothy Wilson, the No. 6-ranked
Holtville’s Hutcheson commits to CACC softball
By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor
The Holtville softball program is sending another player to the college ranks.
Senior outfielder Summer Hutcheson recently committed to play college softball at Central Alabama Community College.
She is the third Holtville player to sign or commit to a college program this fall, joining teammates Taylor Price and Bailea Boone.
Hutcheson has been eyeing CACC for two years, so it was a no-brainer when coach Greg Shivers offered her a scholarship.
“I love how close campus is to home,” Hutcheson said. “It’s about an hour away, so it’s not too far but it’s far enough that I’ll be able to have the freedom and responsibility to grow and grow up,
and I think coach Shivers is going to be able to make me a better athlete. I know he’s going to be hard on me and make me a better player. I want a coach that is going to make me earn it.”
Coach Shivers first reached out to Hutcheson back in the spring during the high school season. He asked her and a couple of her teammates to try and
Local football
STAFF REPORT By TPI
Staff
Three of the area’s best athletes will showcase their abilities on a football field for the last time in their high school careers.
The AHSAA North-South All-Star Football Classic and the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Football Classic take place this weekend.
The North-South Classic is at 2 p.m. Friday in Mobile and will feature two of the area’s top skill players in Elmore County’s Jabari Murphy and Reeltown’s Arthur Woods.
Murphy, rated a three-star receiver,
GIRLS Continued from B1
were up by close to 30 points before Lowndes was able to cut it down to 12 points late. Those games weren’t easy. To win both of them was a testament to our girls on how hard they’ve worked. It was a really good two days for us.”
The entire season hasn’t come easy for Edgewood.
The Wildcats began the season late after their fifth-consecutive volleyball state championship, and there were a few girls that had lingering injuries that contributed to the slow start. They lost their opener to Glenwood, by 27 points, then lost to Sparta seven days later by a score of 51-42. Since then, the team has gotten healthier and started playing more complete games. They won a close game over Class AAA Lee-Scott on the road, 36-35, and have been rolling
wrestler in 6A. Cox won, 3-2, and Wilson’s only two points scored were on escapes. Cox then faced back-to-back ranked wrestlers from Class 7A, as he defeated No. 6 Kyle Epperson with a pin and then beat No. 1 Zack Chatman with a 1-0 decision. Even more impressive is that Cox did not have a single point scored against him for takedowns. The only points his opponents scored were escapes. “Willie’s mat awareness is amazing,” Highland said. “He knows where he is on the mat at all times and he understands his opponents because of his preparation for each guy. In
“I told him of course,” Hutcheson said. “I was like ‘Oh my Goodness. It’s happening.’ This was the school I’ve been wanting to go to for two years. When I got to my tour, I loved the environment and how small of a campus it was. I’m excited about the small classrooms and becoming a better student with the ability to work 1-on-1 with my professors.”
Hutcheson will be able to have success at the college level.
set up something in the summer with the group of them, but plans fell through. That didn’t matter, however, as Hutcheson’s travel ball team ended up playing CACC during a summer scrimmage. Hutcheson played well, and there were no plans falling through after that.
Shivers talked to her after the game and asked to set up a tour.
She’s proven to be an efficient hitter at both the high school and travel ball level, and she has plenty of speed to make an impact.
Last year as a junior, she hit .340 with a .380 on base percentage with 18 hits, 18 runs scored and struck out only 10 times. She added 10 stolen bases when she got on the basepaths.
While already being
successful, she is now working with Boone to improve her slap hitting. Boone is one of the best slap hitters in the state and hit over .500 each of the last two seasons and hit a county-best .565 this past season. Hutcheson and Boone have been working on better knowing slap-hitting situations and how to approach the different situations in a game. She hopes that, along with her outfield skills, will help allow her to be successful at the college level.
“I’ll be playing outfield for them and just trying to find a way on base and making opposing defenses mess up,” Hutcheson said. “Working with Bailea will allow me to know what to do correctly, and that’s something I’ll be able to bring. That and my speed. My speed is up there and everyone always needs speed.”
stars to play in All-Star games
recently wrapped up an impressive career by helping Elmore County to a 8-3 record and a playoff appearance. For his senior season, he recorded 37 catches for 500 yards and five touchdowns. On the ground, he rushed 51 times for 363 yards and five touchdowns.
Woods had one of the best rushing seasons in all of Alabama as he helped Reeltown finish 13-1 overall and runner-up in Class 2A. In 14 games, he rushed 169 times for 2,241 yards and 33 touchdowns.
Both will be joined by their coaches, Elmore County’s Kyle Caldwell and Reeltown’s Matt Johnson. In his second year at ECHS, Caldwell is 15-7 with back-to-back playoff appearances. Johnson just wrapped
ever since.
The Lee-Scott win and the Lowndes win on Saturday are the only two games that have been decided by less than 26 points during the seven-game win streak.
“This team has gone through a lot of adversity and dealt with a lot of broken continuity,” Starks said. “I think we’re a little behind schedule from where I thought we would be, but we’re starting to figure things out. We want to play at a speed nobody else can match, and we look our best during those times.”
During the early struggles and now in the win streak, the Wildcats have been led by their older players.
Lindsey Brown and Madison Martin, both seniors, are the two most experienced players. Both players have been All-County players for multiple years and were huge pieces of the back-toback championship teams. In this weekend’s tournament,
the finals match, he’s wrestled that guy before and knew his strengths going in so he had a specific game plan to counter his strengths and it worked for Willie.”
Crosthwait also went 5-0 and knocked off an impressive wrestler in McAdory’s Erik Lessears, the No. 2-ranked wrestler in 6A. Crosthwait won, 7-5, in overtime with a takedown to remain unbeaten at 14-0 on the season.
Preston, who won the state championship last season in 215, was upset in the first round of the tournament by Hewitt-Trussville’s Mason Holloway. He then turned around
up his ninth season leading the Rebels and has a record of 68-28 with two state championship appearances. In the Alabama-Mississippi game, only one county player will represent among the state’s best 40 football players.
Wetumpka’s Clark Barker, an offensive lineman, was selected to play. He helped Wetumpka to consecutive playoff appearances and an impressive run game led by quarterback Nate Rogers.
Barker is the 11th player from Wetumpka to get selected for the honor and first since Avery Thomas in 2021.
The Alabama-Mississippi Classic will be held at noon Saturday in Hattiesburg.
Brown led the team in scoring both days. She scored a gamehigh 31 points against MaconEast, 10 points more than the entire Macon-East team.
Martin added in 19 points right behind her.
In Saturday’s championship game, Brown scored a gamehigh 22 points while Martin recorded a double-double with 10 points and 13 rebounds.
“We have two girls who have taken the big shots and played in the big games, and that has helped us a lot,” Starks said. “Lindsey is very comfortable in the style of basketball that we want to play. She’s okay with taking charge, and she’s in control. We try to play with a lot of freedom, and she responds well with that.”
Brown not only led the team in scoring in both games this weekend, she achieved quite the rare feat.
In Friday’s win over MaconEast, Brown recorded the first triple-double of her career. To
and won seven-consecutive games – five pins, one technical fall and one decision – to place third place in the tournament.
“It was really good to see Christian get back to himself after that first match,” Highland said. “He kind of slept on the first guy, but then kicked it back into gear and ended up running through the consolation bracket.”
Senior Noah Smith missed out on a placement due to injury, but was rolling before hurting his ankle. He was 3-0 on the day and had just beaten Beauregard’s Reese Thorn, 16-4, when he was hurt and had to forfeit his next two matches.
go along with her 31 points, she added 10 rebounds and an impressive 11 steals.
Triple-doubles are rare already, but triple-doubles with steals are even more scarce.
Edgewood runs a press defense across the entire court, and Brown capitalized on her teammates’ defensive skills.
As they press full court and put offensive players into bad positions, the opposing players will often try to force a pass to someone down the court who isn’t open.
Brown will then sit back and intercept passes, usually leading to easy offensive points for Edgewood.
“Our press is predicated on trapping and that allows Lindsey to be in a position to be a smart basketball player,” Starks said. “The girls in front of her are doing a good job of forcing other teams into making poor decisions, and she does a good job of taking advantage of it.”
Every single Wetumpka wrestler won at least one match on the weekend.
Barrett Adams (106) went 2-2 while Swayze Martin and Eli Walsh each went 3-2. Cameron Boling went 2-2 and Jathyn Reynolds went 1-2.
“It was impressive to see all of our younger guys battle the way they did for their first time being in this tournament and seeing this level of competition,” Highland said. “I believe in them. This was a huge weekend for us and winning matches against their opponents is only going to help us going forward. I’m proud of them.”
WETUMPKA
SUBMITTED | THE HERALD
Holtville’s Summer Hutcheson recently committed to play college softball at Central Alabama Community College. Hutcheson hit .340 with 10 stolen bases last year for the Bulldogs.
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PUBLIC NOTICE
MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE.
Default having been made in the payment of the indebtedness secured by that certain mortgage executed by Jerimiah Zeigler, a widower, originally in favor of Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc. solely as nominee for PennyMac Loan Services, LLC, on September 12, 2017, said mortthe Judge of Probate of Elmore County, Alabama, in RLPY Book 2017 Page 46792; the undersigned PennyMac Loan Services, LLC, as Mortgagee/ Transferee, under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in said mortgage, will sell at public outcry to the highest bidder for cash, in front of the main entrance of the Courthouse at Wetumpka, Elmore County, Alabama, on January 18, 2024, during the legal hours of sale, all of its rights, title, and interest
g in and to the following described real estate, situated in Elmore County, Alabama, to-wit: Lot 70, according to the map of the Valley Plat Number 1, as said map of the Judge of Probate of Elmore County, Alabama, in Plat Book 13, at Page 132. Property street address for informational purposes: 12 Wild Oak Ct , Wetumpka, AL 36093. THIS PROPERTY WILL BE SOLD ON AN “AS IS, WHERE IS” BASIS, WITHOUT WARRANTY OR RECOURSE, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED AS TO TITLE, USE AND/OR ENJOYMENT AND WILL BE SOLD SUBJECT TO THE RIGHT OF REDEMPTION OF ALL PARTIES ENTITLED THERETO. Alabama law gives some persons who have an interest in property the right to redeem the property under certain circumstances. Programs may also exist that help persons avoid or delay the foreclosure process. An attorney should be consulted to help you understand these rights and programs as a part of the foreclosure process. This sale is made for the purpose of paying the indebtedness secured by said mortgage, as well as the expenses of foreclosure. The successful bidder must tender a non-refundable deposit of Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00)
to Tiffany & Bosco, P.A. at the time and place of the sale. The balance of the purchase price plus any deed recording costs and transfer taxes must be paid next business day at the Law at the address indicated below. Tiffany & Bosco, P.A. reserves the right to award the bid to the next highest bidder should the highest bidder fail to timely tender the total amount due. The Mortgagee/Transferee reserves the right to bid for and purchase the real estate and to credit its purchase price against the expenses of sale and the indebtedness secured by the real estate. This sale is subject to postponement or cancellation. PennyMac Loan Services, LLC, (“Transferee”) Tiffany & Bosco, P.A., 2501 20th Place South, Suite 300, Homewood, AL 35223 www.tblaw.com TB File Number: 23-08501
Wetumpka Herald: Nov. 29, Dec. 6 and 13, 2023 23-02418
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PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE OF MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE
Default having been made in the payment of the indebtedness secured by that certain Mortgage executed by Marilyn Brown a/k/a Marilyn N. Brown, a single woman, to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc. (“MERS”) (solely as nominee for Lender, Flagship Mortgage of Alabama, LLC, and Lender’s successors and assigns), dated the 10th day of December, 2007, which Mortgage was recorded in the of Elmore County, Alabama, 85299; said Mortgage having been corrected and re-recorded -
86905; said Mortgage having been transferred and assigned by Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc. (solely as nominee for Lender, Flagship Mortgage of Alabama, LLC, and Lender’s successors and assigns) to Alabama Housing Finance Authority by virtue of that certain Assignment of Mortgage dated December 12, 2019 and 66480. The undersigned Alabama Housing Finance Authority, as Assignee of said Mortgage will, under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in said Mortgage, sell at auction to the highest bidder for cash before the main entrance of the Elmore County Courthouse in the City of Wetumpka, Alabama during the legal hours of sale property described in said Mortgage, which said description is hereby referred to and made a part hereof, said property being situated in Elmore County, Alabama, to-wit: Lot No. 6, of Block No. 6 according to maps and plat preRegistered Surveyor, on April 1, 1955, and revised on November 26, 1962, and recorded in the of Elmore County, Alabama, in Alabama law gives some persons who have an interest in property the right to redeem the property under certain circumexist that help persons avoid or delay the foreclosure process. An attorney should be consulted to help you understand these rights and programs as a part of the foreclosure process. This sale is made for the purpose of realizing the mortgage debt, together with all expenses of the sale, including a reasonable attorney’s fee.
Montgomery, Alabama 36104
Our File No.: 37591-3020 -
Wetumpka Herald: Dec. 6, 13 and 20, 2023 37591-3020
PUBLIC NOTICE
MORTGAGE
FORECLOSURE SALE
Default having been made in the payment of the indebtedness secured by that certain mortgage executed by Kathy G. Peoples, a single woman, originally in favor of Mortgage Corporation of the South, on April 9, 2001, said mortgage Judge of Probate of Elmore County, Alabama, in Book 2001 Page 17585; the undersigned MTGLQ Investors, L.P., as Mortgagee/Transferee, under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in said mortgage, will sell at public outcry to the highest bidder for cash, in front of the main entrance of the Courthouse at Wetumpka, Elmore County, Alabama, on January 18, 2024, during the legal hours of sale, all of its rights, title, and interest in and to the following described real estate, situated in Elmore County, Alabama, to-wit: Begin at the SE Corner of S 4, T18, R20; thence West along the South Section line a distance of 2104 feet to the point of beginning; thence N 11 deg. 33’W distance of 430.39’; thence S 83 deg. 06’W, a distance of 320.98’; thence N 77 deg. 36’W, a distance of 124.88’; thence N 74 deg. 13’W, a distance of 300.17’; thence S 10 deg. 15’E, a distance of 237.73’; thence S 25 deg. 14’E, a distance of 163.73’; thence S 40 deg. 10’E, a distance of 151.37’; thence N 89 deg. 25’E, a distance of 605.9’ back to the POB; thus describing a tract of land containing 6.7 acres and lying in the SW ¼ of the SE ¼ & the SE ¼ of the SW ¼ of Section 4, T 18, R 20. The above described property fronts on the Easterly ROW of the Ware Public Road. But Less and Except the following described parcel to wit: Begin at the SE Corner of Section 4, T 18, R 20; thence W along Section Line, a distance of 2104 feet; thence N 11 deg. 33’W, a distance of 430.39’; Thence S 83 deg. 06’W, a distance of 320.98’ to the POB of said excepted parcel. From said POB; thence N 77 deg. 36’W, a distance of 124.88’; thence N 74 deg. 13’W, a distance of 300.17’; thence S 10 deg. 15’E, a distance of 237.73’; thence S 76 deg. 43’E, a distance of 336.81’; thence N 12 deg. 24’E, a distance of 200.00’ back to the POB; thus describing a tract of land containing 1.7 acres and lying in the SW ¼ of the SE ¼ and the SE ¼ of the SW ¼ of Section 4, T18, R20, Elmore County, Alabama.. Property street address for informational purposes: 100 Old Field Road , Eclectic, AL 36024. THIS PROPERTY WILL BE SOLD ON AN “AS IS, WHERE IS” BASIS, WITHOUT WARRANTY OR RECOURSE, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED AS TO TITLE, USE AND/OR ENJOYMENT AND WILL BE SOLD SUBJECT TO THE RIGHT OF REDEMPTION OF ALL PARTIES ENTITLED THERETO. Alabama law gives some persons who have an interest in property the right to redeem the property under certain circumstances. Programs may also exist that help persons avoid or delay the foreclosure process. An attorney should be consulted to help you understand these rights and programs as a part of the foreclosure process. This sale is made for the purpose of paying the indebtedness secured by said mortgage, as well as the expenses of foreclosure. The successful bidder must tender a non-refundable deposit of Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) to Tiffany & Bosco, P.A. at the time and place of the sale. The balance of the purchase price plus any deed recording costs and transfer taxes must be paid next business day at the Law the address indicated below. Tiffany & Bosco, P.A. reserves the right to award the bid to the next highest bidder should the highest bidder fail to timely tender the total amount due. The Mortgagee/Transferee reserves the right to bid for and purchase the real estate and to credit its purchase price against the expenses of sale and the indebtedness secured by the real estate. This sale is subject to postponement or cancellation. MTGLQ Investors, L.P., (“Transferee”) Tiffany & Bosco, P.A., 2501 20th Place South, Suite 300, Homewood, AL 35223 www.tblaw.com TB File Number: 23-06228
Wetumpka Herald: Dec. 6, 13 and 20, 2023 23-02470
PUBLIC NOTICE
In accordance with Chapter 1, Title 39, code of Alabama 1975 notice is hereby given that Scout Sport Floors, LLC, Contractor, has completed the contract for NEW GYM FLOOR for HOLTVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL for the Elmore County Board of Education, Owner, settlement of said Contract. All persons having any claim for labor, materials or otherwise in connection with the project should immediately notify Elmore County Board of Education, 100 H. H. Robison Drive, Wetumpka, Alabama 36092 Scout Sport Floors LLC 2920 Commerce Square South Birmingham, AL 35210
Wetumpka Herald: Dec. 13, 20, 27, 2023 and Jan. 3, 2024 COMPLETION
PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE OF MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE
STATE OF ALABAMA COUNTY OF ELMORE
Default having been made of the terms of the loan documents secured by that certain mortgage executed by Michael Wallace A Married Man And David O Wallace And Carol T Wallace Husband And Wife to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as mortgagee, as nominee for Homeward Residential, Inc., its successors and assigns dated October 11, 2013; said mortgage being recorded on November 7, 2013, in Book 2013, Page 61039 in the of Elmore County, Alabama. Said Mortgage was last sold, assigned and transferred to Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, as Trustee for Seasoned Credit Risk Transfer Trust, Series 2022-1 by assignment recorded in Deed Bookmore County, ALABAMA. The undersigned, Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporaof the Freddie Mac Seasoned Credit Risk Transfer Trust, Series 2022-1under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in said mortgage, will sell at public outcry to the highest bidder for cash before the main entrance of the Court House in Elmore County, Alabama during the legal hours of sale (between 11am and 4pm), on the 5th day property, situated in Elmore County, Alabama, to-wit: THE FOLLOWING DESCRIBED REAL ESTATE, SITUATED IN THE COUNTY OF ELMORE AND THE STATE OF ALABAMA, TO-WIT: COMMENCE AT THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF THE NORTHEAST QUARTER OF THE SOUTHEAST QUARTER OF SECTION 13, TOWNSHIP 19 NORTH RANGE 19 EAST, ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA, AND RUN THENCE NORTH 0 DEG 35 MIN. EAST ALONG QUARTER- QUARTER SECTION LINE A DISTANCE OF 648.77 FEET TO THE EAST RIGHT OF WAY LINE OF VENABLE ROAD FOR THE POINT OF BEGINNING OF THE TRACT OF LAND HEREIN DESCRIBED; FROM SAID POINT OF BEGINNING RUN THENCE NORTH 39 DEG. 33 MIN. 32 SEC. EAST ALONG SAID EAST RIGHT OF WAY A DISTANCE OF 235.65 FEET; THENCE RUN SOUTH 38 DEG. 50 MIN. 25 SEC. EAST A DISTANCE OF 579.05 FEET; THENCE RUN SOUTH 51 DEG. 09 MIN. 35 SEC. WEST A DISTANCE OF 227.85 FEET; THENCE RUN NORTH 39 DEG. 09 MIN. 31 SEC. WEST A DISTANCE OF 531.65 FEET TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING. SAID TRACT BEING LOCATED IN THE NORTHEAST QUARTER OF THE SOUTHEAST QUARTER OF SECTION 13, TOWNSHIP 19 NORTH RANGE 19 EAST, ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA AND CONTAINS 3.0 ACRES, MORE OR LESS. Said property is commonly known as 1309 Venable Rd, Wetumpka, AL 36092. the property address and the legal description the legal description will control. Said property will be sold subject to any outstanding ad valorem taxes (including taxes which are a lien, but not yet due and payable), the right of redemption of any taxing authority, all outstanding liens for public utilities which constitute liens upon the property, any matters which might be disclosed by an accurate survey and inspection of the property, any assessments, liens, encumbrances, easements, rights-of-way, zoning ordinances, restrictions, special assessments, covenants, the statutory right of redemption pursuant to Alabama law, and any matters of record including, but not limited to, those supeout above. Said property will be sold on an “as-is” basis without any representation, warranty or recourse against the abovenamed or the undersigned. The successful bidder must present the winning bid at the time and place of sale. Alabama law gives some persons who have an interest in property the right to redeem the property under certain circumstances. Programs may also exist that help persons avoid or delay the foreclosure process. An attorney should be consulted to help you understand these rights and programs as a part of the foreclosure process. The sale will be conducted subsale is not prohibited under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code and (2) of the status of the loan with the holder of the Mortgage. FEDERAL HOME LOAN MORTGAGE CORPORATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE FREDDIE MAC SEASONED CREDIT RISK TRANSFER TRUST, SERIES 2022-1 as holder of said mortgage McCalla Raymer Leibert Pierce, LLC Two North Twentieth 2 20th Street North, Suite 1000 Birmingham, AL 35203 (205) 216-4238 FT21@mccalla.com File No. 23-05428AL www.foreclosurehotline.net Wetumpka Herald: Dec. 6, 13 and 20, 2023 23-05428AL
Sell your home in the classifieds call 256.277.4219
PUBLIC NOTICE ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL CAFETERIA FOR THE ELMORE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION WETUMPKA, AL MCKEE PROJECT NO: 23-343
Sealed proposals shall be received for this project by Mr. Richard Dennis, Superintendent, at the Elmore County Robison Drive, Wetumpka, Alabama, until 2:00 PM Local Time, Wednesday, December 20, 2023, then opened and read aloud. A Pre-Bid Walkthrough shall occur at 9:00 AM Local Time on Wednesday, December 13, 2023 the school. The project shall be bid excluding taxes. Bids must be submitted on proposal forms furnished
monitor,sites that provide documents. Addendums will be provided to entities that have CONFIRMED bidding for this particular project. The Architect retains ownership and copyrights of the documents. If bidders require printed sets, please submit request to the Architect at mckeeplans@gmail.com. Include name, address, phone number and the project name and number. Print sets are to be returned in reusable condition within ten days after bid opening. All RFIs and RFAs regarding the bid documents shall be sent and addressed through emails found on the RFI and RFA forms in the project manual. NOTE: ONLY THE RFI AND RFA FORMS IN THE PROJECT MANUAL WILL BE ACCEPTED. The Architect will not accept inquiries via telephone or fax. Completion Time: See scope of work in Project Manual. Supervision: Contractor to ensure proper supervision of all work. Owner: Mr. Richard Dennis, Superintendent, Elmore Countyson Drive, Wetumpka, Alabama Architect: McKee and Associ-9933
BIDS
Do you have available jobs? Call 256.277.4219 to let others know about job opportunities at your business.
PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF ELMORE, ALABAMA ERHUNMWUNSEE PAUL OVENSERI, Plaintiff, V. ERHUNMWUNSEE CAROLINE EWEMADE O, Defendant. Case No.: DR-2023-000109.00
Caroline Ewemade O. Erhunmwunsee, whose whereabouts are unknown, is required to answer the Complaint for Divorce and/or other relief requested by Paul Ovenseri Erhunmwunsee within THIRTY (30) DAYS, or thereafter, default judgment may be rendered against Caroline Ewemade O. Erhunmwunsee in case DR-2023-000109.00, Elmore County Circuit Court. DONE this 20th day of November 29, 2023, MICHAEL DOZIER, CIRCUIT COURT CLERK ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA ELMORE COUNTY JUDICIAL CENTER P.O. Box 310 WETUMPKA, AL, 36092 334-514-3116 /s/JUDGE: JOY PACE BOOTH CIRCUIT JUDGE Wetumpka Herald: Dec. 6, 13, 20 and 27, 2023 DR-2023-000109.00
DEMPSEY, deceased, having been granted to DAMEAUGHN DEAUGHN DEMPSEY on November 28, 2023 by John Thornton, Judge of Probate of Elmore County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons and parties having claims against said estate are required, within the time allowed by law, to present the same to the Court or the same will be barred.
DAMEAUGHN DEAUGHN DEMPSEY PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF WILLIAM JACK DEMPSEY, DECEASED Attorney of Record for Personal Representative: RODERICK B. PERDUE ATTORNEY AT LAW 2033 HOLTVILLE ROAD WETUMPKA, ALABAMA 36092 334-567-7373
Wetumpka Herald: Dec. 6, 13 and 20, 2023 EST/DEMPSEY W.
PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF RAY TREVOR STEELE, DECEASED CASE NO: 2023-260 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE
Letters Testamentary in the Estate of RAY TREVOR STEELE, deceased, having been granted to CORY MICHAEL PUCKETT December 7, 2023 by John Thornton, Judge of Probate of Elmore County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons and parties having claims against said estate are required, within the time allowed by law, to present the same to the Court or the same will be barred.
CORY MICHAEL PUCKETT PERSONAL REPRESENTA-
TIVE OF THE ESTATE OF RAY TREVOR STEELE, DECEASED Attorney of Record for Personal Representative:
BONITA J. CALDWELL ATTORNEY AT LAW 576 GILMER AVENUE
TALLASSEE, ALABAMA 36078
256-307-1865
Wetumpka Herald: Dec. 13, 20 and 27, 2023
EST/STEELE, R.
Public Notices
PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF ROY E. DURHAM, DECEASED. CASE NO. 2023-297 NOTICE OF FILING OF WILL FOR PROBATE
TO: JAMES WESLEY DURHAM AND RODNEY JAY DURHAM, NEXT OF KIN OF ROY E. DURHAM, DECEASED, WHOSE WHEREABOUTS ARE UNKNOWN AND WHO ARE POSSIBLY NON-RESIDENTS OF THE STATE OF ALABAMA. AND TO: ANY OTHER UNKNOWN NEXT OF KIN OF ROY E. DURHAM, DECEASED AND TO: ANY OTHER INTERESTED PARTY YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that on November 21, 2023, a certain paper in writing purporting to be the Last Will and Testament of ROY E. DURHAM,bate Court of Elmore County, Alabama by SABRINA NARJINARI DURHAM, Petitioner, requesting that such Last Will and Testament be admitted to Probate and Record and that the Petitioner be named as Personal Representative of such Estate. This notice of Filing of Will for Probate is given to you as a next-of-kin of ROY E. DURHAM or as an interested party. Unless an objection to admission to Probate and Record of such Last Will and Testament is submitted by you in writing to this Court within ten (10) days oftice, the Court will proceed with considering such Petition without further notice to you.
JOHN THORNTON JUDGE OF PROBATE ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA Name and Address of Attorney for Petitioner: DOUGLAS M. VOGEL VOGEL LAW FIRM, LLC 41 CAMBRIDGE COURT WETUMPKA, ALABAMA 36093 334-409-0088 Wetumpka Herald: Dec. 6, 13 and 20, 2023 EST/DURHAM R.
Public Notices
PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF ELIZABETH ANN EASTERLING, DECEASED CASE NO: 2023-288 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE
Letters Testamentary in the Estate of ELIZABETH ANN EASTERLING, deceased, having been granted to KELLY ELIZABETH BRYANT on November 20, 2023 by John Thornton, Judge of Probate of Elmore County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons and parties having claims against said estate are required, within the time allowed by law, to present the same to the Court or the same will be barred.
KELLY ELIZABETH BRYANT PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF ELIZABETH ANN EASTERLING, DECEASED Attorney of Record for Personal Representative: ANDREW ODOM THE CLEVELAND FIRM, LLC 707 MCQUEEN SMITH ROAD SOUTH PRATTVILLE, ALABAMA 36066 334-365-6266 andrew@clevelandgroup.legal Wetumpka Herald: Nov. 29, Dec. 6 and 13, 2023
EST/EASTERLING E.
PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF FAYE HIGHSMITH ELSTON, DECEASED. CASE NO. 2023-301 NOTICE OF FILING OF WILL FOR PROBATE TO: BLAKE D. ELSTON, A NON-RESIDENT OF THE STATE OF ALABAMA AND A NEXT OF KIN OF FAYE HIGHSMITH ELSTON; AND TO: ANY OTHER UNKNOWN NEXT OF KIN OF FAYE HIGHSMITH ELSTON, DE-
Public Notices
CEASED, AND TO ANY OTHER INTERESTED PARTY YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that on November 28, 2023, a certain paper in writing purporting to be the Last Will and Testament of FAYE HIGHSMITH in the Probate Court of Elmore County, Alabama by GEORGE W. ELSTON, III, Petitioner, requesting that such Last Will and Testament be admitted to Probate and Record and that the Petitioner be named as Personal Representative of such Estate. This notice of Filing of Will for Probate is given to you as a next-of-kin of FAYE HIGHSMITH ELSTON. Unless an objection to admission to Probate and Record of such Last Will and Testament is submitted by you in writing to this Court within ten (10) days oftice, the Court will proceed with considering such Petition without further notice to you.
JOHN THORNTON JUDGE OF PROBATE ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA
Name and Address of Attorney for Petitioner: JIM L. DEBARDELABEN ATTORNEY AT LAW PO BOX 1136
WETUMPKA, ALABAMA 36092 334-265-9206
Wetumpka Herald: Dec. 6, 13 and 20, 2023
EST/ELSTON, F. PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF SUSANNE HOLMAN, DECEASED CASE NO: 2023-296 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE
Letters of Administration over the Estate of SUSANNE HOLMAN, deceased, having been granted to ED PARISH, JR. on November 28, 2023 by John Thornton, Judge of Probate of Elmore County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that all per-
CLASSIFIEDS/PUBLIC NOTICES
Public Notices
yg p sons and parties having claims against said estate are required, within the time allowed by law, to present the same to the Court or the same will be barred.
ED PARISH, JR. ADMINISTRATOR OF THE ESTATE OF SUSANNE HOLMAN, DECEASED Name and Address of Administrator: ED PARISH, JR. THE PARISH LAW FIRM PO BOX 52 MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA 36101-0052 323 ADAMS AVE MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA 36104 334-263-0003
Wetumpka Herald: Dec. 6, 13 and 20, 2023 EST/HOLMAN, S. PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF BETTY JO ALLEN JACKSON, DECEASED CASE NO: 2023-291 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE
Letters Testamentary in the Estate of BETTY JO ALLEN JACKSON, deceased, having been granted to WANDA JACKSON SHOEMAKER AND ELIZABETH JACKSON PETTY on the 21st day of November 2023 by John Thornton, Judge of Probate of Elmore County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons and parties having claims against said estate are required, within the time allowed by law, to present the same to the Court or the same will be barred.
WANDA JACKSON SHOEMAKER AND ELIZABETH JACKSON PETTY CO-PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ESTATE OF BETTY JO ALLEN JACKSON, DECEASED Attorney of Record for Co-Personal Representatives: ED PARISH, JR. THE PARISH LAW FIRM PO BOX 52 MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA 36101-0052 323 ADAMS AVE MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA 36104 334-263-0003
Wetumpka Herald: Nov. 29, Dec. 6 and 13, 2023 EST/JACKSON B. PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF JAMES CECIL RAY, DECEASED CASE NO: 2023-294 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE
Letters Testamentary in the Estate of JAMES CECIL RAY, deceased, having been granted to DEBRA VARNER RAY on November 20, 2023 by John Thornton, Judge of Probate of Elmore County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons and parties having claims against said estate are required, within the time allowed by law, to present the same to the Court or the same will be barred.
DEBRA VARNER RAY PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF JAMES CECIL RAY, DECEASED Attorney of Record for Personal Representative: JACQUELINE E. AUSTIN ATTORNEY AT LAW P O BOX 908 108 COURT ST WETUMPKA, ALABAMA 36092 334-567-4874 jeaatty@aol.com Wetumpka Herald: Nov. 29, Dec. 6 and 13, 2023 EST/RAY, J. PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF JOHN HENRY ROBERTS, DECEASED CASE NO: 2023-287 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE
Letters of Administration over the Estate of JOHN HENRY ROBERTS, deceased, having been granted to LOIS ROBERTS on November 20, 2023 by John Thornton, Judge of Probate of Elmore County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons and parties having claims against said estate are required, within the time allowed by law, to present the same to the Court or the same will be barred. LOIS ROBERTS ADMINISTRATOR OF THE ESTATE OF JOHN HENRY ROBERTS, DECEASED Name and Address of Attorney for Administrator: JOSEPH K. BAMBURG ATTORNEY AT LAW 4031 US HWY 231 WETUMPKA, ALABAMA 36093 334-478-3196 joebamburglaw@gmail.com Wetumpka Herald: Nov. 29, Dec. 6 and 13, 2023
EST/ROBERTS J. PUBLIC NOTICE
NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE STATE OF ALABAMA COUNTY OF ELMORE CASE NO: 2023-264 IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF FRED P. STODDARD, DECEASED Letters Testamentary in the Estate of FRED P. STODDARD, deceased, having been granted to FELICIA ANN STODDARD
Public Notices
on the 5 day of December, 2023 by John Thornton, Judge of Probate of Elmore County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons and parties having claims against said estate are required, within the time allowed by law, to present the same to the Court or the same will be barred. FELICIA ANN STODDARD PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF FRED P. STODDARD, DECEASED Attorney of Record for such Personal Representative: MICHAEL S. HARPER ATTORNEY AT LAW 213 BARNETT BLVD PO BOX 780608 TALLASSEE, ALABAMA 36078 334-283-6855
Wetumpka Herald: Dec. 13, 20 and 27, 2023
EST/STODDARD, F. PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF DAVID J. WIGLEY, III, DECEASED CASE NO: 2023-293 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE
Letters Testamentary in the Estate of DAVID J. WIGLEY, III, who was also known as DAVID JEFFERSON WIGLEY, III, deceased, having been granted to MARY CASERTA-CHRISTY on November 17th 2023 by John Thornton, Judge of Probate of Elmore County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons and parties having claims against said estate are required, within the time allowed by law, to present the same to the Court or the same will be barred.
MARY CASERTA-CHRISTY PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF DAVID J. WIGLEY, III, DECEASED Address of Personal Representative: MARY CASERTA-CHRISTY 106 DUNBAR DRIVE SAINT MARY’S, GEORGIA 31558
912-227-2520
Wetumpka Herald: Nov. 29, Dec. 6 and 13, 2023 EST/WIGLEY D. PUBLIC NOTICE
MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE
Default having been made in the payment of the indebtedness secured by that certain mortgage executed by Steven M. Hayden, a married man, on March 13, 2008, to Western Steel, Inc. successor in interest to Regions Bank, which mortgage is recorded in Book 2008, Page 19246, in the OfElmore County, Alabama, the undersigned, as Mortgagee or Transferee, under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in the said mortgage will sell at public outcry to the highest bidder for cash in front of the main entrance of the Elmore County Courthouse in Wetumpka, Alabama, on January 11, 2024 during the legal hours of sale the following real estate situated in Elmore County, Alabama,
Public Notices
y to wit: Commence at an iron pin at the Southwest corner of the Northeast Quarter of Section 10, Township 18 North, Range 19 East, Elmore County, Alabama, thence South 87 deg. 09 min. 19 sec. East, along onehalf section line, 295.15 feet to an iron pin, said point being the point of beginning; thence North 38 deg. 08 min. 59 sec. East, 299.20 feet to an iron pin; then South 53 deg. 11 min. 36 sec. East, 532.67 feet to an iron pin on the north right of way of Alabama Highway No. 14, Tallassee Highway, 80’ R.O.W.; thence southwesterly, along said right of way and curve to the right, having a radius of 2683.62 feet, 229.84 feet, chord being South 70 deg. 07 min. 06 sec. West, 229.77 feet to an iron pin; thence leaving said right of way, North 17 deg. 43 min. 53 sec. West, 99.77 feet to an iron pin; thence North 57 deg. 30 min. 16 sec. West, 98.56 feet to an iron pin on the south line of the Northeast Quarter of Section 10, thence North 87 deg. 09 min. 19 sec. West, along onehalf section line, 282.06 feet to the point of beginning.
Public Notices
pgg The above described property lies in the Southwest Quarter of the Northeast Quarter and the Northwest Quarter of the Southeast Quarter of Section 10, Township 18 North, Range 19 East, Elmore County, Alabama and contains 2.06 acres more or less. The address of the property is: 76297 Tallassee Highway, Wetumpka, AL 36092. Together with the hereditaments and appurtenances thereunto belonging. Said property will be sold on an “AS IS, WHERE IS” basis subject to the right of way easements and restrictions of Elmore County, Alabama, and will be subject to existing special assessments, if any, which might adversely affect the title to the subject property. This sale is made for the purpose of paying the indebtedness secured by said mortgage, as well as the expenses of foreclosure. This Mortgage Foreclosure 11, 2024, at the Elmore County Courthouse in Wetumpka, Alabama. Alabama law gives some persons who have an interest in
SJA, INC. DADEVILLE, AL ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR THE FOLLOWING POSITIONS:
HR Manager [Full-Time, On-Site]
Req’d: Bach’s Deg. Pref: Major in HR Mgmt. or Business Admin.
Job Duties: Personnel Mgmt, Employee Compensation and Benefits Mgmt. and other HR Role and Responsibilities.
---------------------------------------------------------Manufacturing Supervisor [Full-Time, On-Site]
Pref: Min. of 3 yrs previous supervisory exp. in the Automotive or Mfg. industry.
Manufacturing Team Leader [Full-Time, On-Site]
Pref: Min. of 2 yrs previous supervisory exp. in the Automotive or Mfg. industry.
Mail Resume to 274 Thweatt Industrial Blvd, Dadeville, AL 36853 or email to sjahr@sejinamerica.com
SJA, INC is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
SUDOKU ANSWERS
Public Notices
property the right to redeem the property under certain circumstances. Programs may also exist that help persons avoid or delay the foreclosure process. An attorney should be consulted to help you understand these rights and programs as a part of the foreclosure process.
WESTERN STEEL, INC. AS SUCCESSOR IN INTERST TO REGIONS BANK Mortgagee or Transferee
This Instrument Prepared By: Burt W. Newsome P.O. Box 382753
Public Notices
Birmingham, AL 35238
Attorney for Mortgagee or Transferee
Wetumpka Herald: Dec. 13, 20 and 27, 2023
FC/HAYDEN, S.
Do you have available jobs?
Call 256.277.4219 to let others know about job opportunities at your business.
PUBLIC NOTICE:
Beginning with the March 2024 Primary, the temporary Election Polling Location at Hackneyville Fire Dept. will revert back to the Hackneyville Community Center. Also, Election Polling Location Sardis Church will move to Church of God’s Grace located at 8245 Highway 50, Dadeville, Alabama.
If you need to know where to vote, contact the Board of Registrars at 256-825-1081.
STATE OF ALABAMA ELMORE COUNTY PUBLIC NOTICE TO CITIZENS OF ELMORE COUNTY
Notice is hereby given that a Primary Election will be held at all affected Elmore
to
pm. Pursuant to the provisions of § 21-4-23, Code of Alabama (1975), notice is hereby given as follows: 1. Instructions, printed in large type, will be conspicuously displayed at each voter registration site and polling place, impaired individuals with adequate information as to how and where
2.
3. Absentee ballots are
to
or elderly individual who, because of disability or age, is unable to travel to their assigned polling place to vote on Election Day. The deadlines for requesting and submitting an absentee ballot are the same as for other persons seeking to vote by absentee ballot.
4. Any handicapped or elderly individual who, because of handicap or age, requires assistance in casting a vote, may select a person of his or her choice to accompany such individual into the polling place to assist in the casting of the vote. Additionally, Alabama Law as set out in Section 17-9-13(a), Code of Alabama (1975) provides:
Parents pray for their children at Holtville
B y CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
The Holtville softball program is sending another player to the college ranks.
Senior outfielder Summer Hutcheson recently committed to play college softball at Central Alabama Community College.
She is the third Holtville player to sign or commit to a college program this fall, joining teammates Taylor Price and Bailea Boone.
Hutcheson has been eyeing CACC for two years, so it was a no-brainer when coach Greg Shivers offered her a scholarship.
“I love how close campus is to home,” Hutcheson said. “It’s
a car crash the day before. Four other teenagers were injured.
about an hour away, so it’s not too far but it’s far enough that I’ll be able to have the freedom and responsibility to grow and grow up, and I think coach Shivers is going to be able to make me a better athlete. I know he’s going to be hard on
spirits here. It is OK to cry. It is OK to talk to each other about it. It is OK to love on each other.” Williamson said he and White were pretty much inseparable no matter what was going on.
“As soon as he came out of the womb, we were like two peas in a pod,” Williamson said. “We did everything together. We
me and make me a better player. I want a coach that is going to make me earn it.”
Coach Shivers first reached out to Hutcheson back in the spring during the high school season. He asked her and a couple of her teammates to
got in so much trouble together. We were always flipping the four wheelers or sinking something. We were like brothers.”
Cousin Abby Blackwell said White was always himself but always supportive of others.
“He was always there when you needed a shoulder to cry on,” Blackwell said. “He never judged people. He was always there for me.”
Isabella Hams called White a great friend and said he never met a stranger.
try and set up something in the summer with the group of them, but plans fell through.
That didn’t matter, however, as Hutcheson’s travel ball team ended up playing CACC during a summer scrimmage. Hutcheson played well, and there were no plans falling through after that.
Shivers talked to her after the game and asked to set up a tour.
“I told him of course,” Hutcheson said. “I was like ‘Oh my Goodness. It’s happening.’ This was the school I’ve been wanting to go to for two years. When I got to my tour, I loved the environment and how small of a campus it was. I’m excited about the small classrooms
“He made the room light up when he walked in,” Hams said. “He was the life of the party. He was always there for me. I have so many memories with him. He would make you laugh til you cried.”
Others recalled how he would make deals to cut grass trying to put a “$20” in his pocket. Some remembered White’s dirt bike racing.
“He had a lot of friends,” Williamson said. “Everybody loved him. He was a really
and becoming a better student with the ability to work 1-on-1 with my professors.”
Hutcheson will be able to have success at the college level.
She’s proven to be an efficient hitter at both the high school and travel ball level, and she has plenty of speed to make an impact.
Last year as a junior, she hit .340 with a .380 on base percentage with 18 hits, 18 runs scored and struck out only 10 times. She added 10 stolen bases when she got on the basepaths.
While already being successful, she is now working with Boone to improve her slap hitting.
Boone is one of the best slap hitters in the state and hit over .500 each
funny person. I can not tell you one time when the boy was not joking.” Blackwell remembers their inside joke.
“I’ll never forget the time I saw Brayden and he was like, ‘Caleb is my favorite cousin.’ That is my little brother,” Blackwell said. “I would always mess with him and be like that’s ‘OK, [you’re] my least favorite cousin.’ I will miss saying that to him because he was a really good person.”
Youth Leadership visits commission
B y CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
For 20 years the Elmore Coun -
ty Extension Service has been hosting county students for Youth Leadership Elmore County. For as many years they have visited with the Elmore County Commission.
County extension agent
Katrina Mitchell said this year’s group was special.
“It is the biggest class we have ever had,” Mitchell told the commission at its Monday meeting.
“Even though this group is large, about one third are out tonight because they are studying for exams or are sick.”
The students visit with the commission to see how the county government operates. Each one was given a chance to intro -
Continued from A1
it was given a School of Excellence award — one of 10 high schools across the state to receive the distinction.
“It is a cool recognition,” Wetumpka principal Kyle Futural said.” We knew we had good scores but this gives some validity to it.”
The award is based on one year goals under a grant program with A+ College Ready to increase AP participation and increase the number of high school graduates who are college ready.
“They have a grant program where they will train teachers for like three years and give incentives
WRECK Continued from A1
message Thursday evening.
duce themselves to the commission.
Commissioner Desirae Lewis Jackson said she remembered sitting in the same seats as a student. Mitchell reminded the students they too could grow up to be public servants like Jackson.
The commission honored Tallassee High School senior swimmer Macey Stewart for her recent AHSAA Swimming State Championships in the 100-yard freestyle and backstroke. The two titles give her nine state championships in her high school career.
IN OTHER BUSINESS THE
ELMORE COUNTY COMMISSION:
• Approved a lounge retail liquor Class II Package Alcohol License Transfer for Redland Package Store following a public hearing without any comments.
to teachers to get the training,” Futral said. “They give incentives to students to pass exams, monetary incentives too.”
Wetumpka High School went from 105 students taking 216 AP exams and 69 scoring three or better in 2022 to 146 students taking 297 exams and 96 scoring three or better in 2023.
Wetumpka Middle School is entering its third year of the grant starting a year before Wetumpka High School. It has helped middle school students learn about AP programs and what is expected in those classes.
“They are feeding seventh and eighth grade students into us,” Wetumpka High School instructional coach and AP coordinator Allison Britt said. “If they
“It is with a heavy heart that I share the heartbreaking news of a student’s passing [Thursday],” Kreauter said in a Facebook post.
“Our deepest condolences go out to the family and friends affected by this profound loss.”
ALEA issued a release Thursday
• Approved a retail beer and table alcohol license transfer for Dollar General on Holtville Road after a public hearing without any comments.
• Approved minutes of the Nov. 27 meeting.
• Approved memorandum of warrants totaling $2,018,302.60 for the period of Nov. 18 to Dec. 1.
• Set a public hearing for 5 p.m. Jan. 8 for the proposed vacation of an unnamed road off Gray’s Ferry Road in Titus.
• Set a public hearing for 5 p.m. Jan. 8 for an off premises retail beer and retail wine license transfer for Revv Store on U.S. Highway 231.
The next meeting of the Elmore County Commission is scheduled for 5 p.m. Jan. 8.
are getting the rigor down there, that is helping prepare them for what is expected.”
Futral said AP staff at the high and middle schools will be meeting soon to work on vertical alignment to make student transitions easier.
Britt said the A+ grant that provides training and incentives is partly responsible for the growth and success of the AP programs.
“Not only are teachers wanting to continue but they are wanting to add additional AP courses,” Britt said. “It is firing up our teachers.”
Britt said Wetumpka High School currently has 12 AP classes having added psychology, seminar and research and music theory this year. There is the possi-
evening stating a wreck claimed the life of a Deatsville juvenile in a single vehicle crash.
“The 14-year-old was fatally injured when the 2011 Chevrolet Silverado pick-up, the teen was a passenger in, left the roadway and collided with a tree,” ALEA said.
“The teen was pronounced deceased at the scene.”
ALEA said all four teens including the 16-year-old driver of Deatsville were transported to a local
bility of statistics and world history being added next year.
Britt and Futral are looking into the future. This year Geneva High School was the only secondary school to receive A+’s School of Distinction. It means the school met A+’s goals for two years in a row.
The administrators know the students and staff at Wetumpka High School can do it but the goal’s will be higher than this past year’s marks.
“We have exceeded the state goal in every subject area we offer for qualifying scores,” Britt said. “All but two of AP classes had at least 50% of the students with qualifying scores. It was awesome.”
hospital for treatment.
School staff said family and students to be remembered at this time and help is available.
“We need our amazing community to rally around them and support them,” Kreauter said. “[Friday] morning, dedicated counselors will be available to provide support and a listening ear for any students who may need it.”
ALEA said the crash was still under investigation.
of the last two seasons and hit a county-best .565 this past season.
Hutcheson and Boone have been working on better knowing slap-hitting situations and how to approach the different situations in a game.
She hopes that, along with her outfield skills, will help allow her to be successful at the college level.
“I’ll be playing outfield for them and just trying to find a way on base and making opposing defenses mess up,” Hutcheson said.
“Working with Bailea will allow me to know what to do correctly, and that’s something I’ll be able to bring. That and my speed. My speed is up there and everyone always needs speed.”
Holtville High School Quarterback Club president Kevin Chavis said everyone might not have known White but he was Holtville through and through. Chavis said he, like everyone else in Holtville, will help the family.
“He is one of our kids,” Chavis said. “We have all suffered a loss in the community. We all grieve with the parents, family and friends. Everybody here tonight is carrying the burden with you all.”
CLIFF WILLIAMS | THE HERALD
Parents gather in front of Holtville High School to prayer for all students and the family of Bradyn White who died in
An Eclectic Christmas
Still bringing the story of Jesus to life
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
For 16 years Rita Falk and a team of hundreds of volunteers have brought the “real story of Jesus” to life in Eclectic.
It is a mission Falk feels called to do and has deep roots in her family and she wants to continue it.
“I don’t think there is any place that really depicts the story of Jesus anymore,” Falk said. “I think there are few opportunities for that.”
“An Eclectic Christmas” always starts Dec. 1. The people playing the characters change but the story remains the same. A Christian family is on a pilgrimage to see baby Jesus. Along the way Roman soldiers on horseback attempt to scare the “family away.”
Soldiers again visit a home where the family sought warmth. They see the message from the angel and the three wise men. The “family” encounters thieves and tax collectors. Even the innkeeper who didn’t have room for Mary. Falk said it takes about
300 volunteers just during the time it opens to the public.
“There are probably about 500 volunteers when you count the work throughout the year,” Falk said. “There are electricians, plumbers, builders. It takes a lot of people.”
Those volunteers create homes, tents, trails, a village and a barn with a manger. Every night between 175 and 200 help pull the production together.
“It is a lot of work and takes a lot of people,” Falk said. “Every year it is overwhelming and you think there is no way to be able to do this again. Every year we are able to pull it off thanks to volunteers.”
Volunteers come from throughout the tri-county area. Some from out of state.
“We have one lady who moved here from Nebraska,” Falks said. “She got involved. She moved away but still comes back to help when she can.”
Falk said volunteers get to see what all is involved in pulling the entire production together.
“Once you get involved you see how deep it goes,” Falk said. “You love it or don’t. We have a lot of people who are really committed. Some can do it for three or four years and because of family, age or other things have to take a break. They come back.”
Experienced volunteers become team captains. There are about 30 of them. There is one for each scene. There is one for just the field of angels. Others head up registra-
Mason, Brown lead Elmore County girls to win
By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor
When the Elmore County girls basketball team needed a basket Friday night, it turned to seniors Emily Mason and Kyasia Brown.
Elmore County beat Thorsby, 45-40, behind 29 combined points from the Panthers’ two most experienced players. Mason scored a team-high 15 points while Brown scored 14, but none were bigger than their free throws in the fourth quarter.
Elmore County was holding onto a three-point lead, 41-38, after Thorsby went on a 13-0 run that lasted half of the fourth quarter. The two seniors then took all the momentum that the Lady Rebels had and squashed it at the free throw line.
With 2:20 left in the game, Brown stepped up and made back-to-back shots after she was fouled on a layup. That gave Elmore County a 43-38 lead. On the next possession, Mason drove down and was fouled with 1:47 left. She made one of her two shots, but it was enough to stretch the lead to six points, too much for Thorsby to overcome.
“That was huge for us,” ECHS coach Kyle Caldwell said. “You can practice those clutch moments all you want, but until you do it in the game, that’s valuable experience. We had three ninth graders on the floor a lot in the fourth quarter, and they’re getting invaluable game experience with those two seniors hitting those shots and
coming through in the clutch. I’m really proud of our effort.”
Mason and Brown made the clutch free throws when they needed to, but the two were firing on all cylinders the entire night.
Thorsby was able to hit a few shots and took an 8-2 lead early, but that was before Mason started hitting from deep. She hit back-to-back shots to tie the game up at eight, then Brown hit a layup. The two were the only two players to score in the first quarter as Brown had 11 points, including three 3-pointers, while Brown had five points with a successful three-point play.
“They just bring that game experience to the court,” Caldwell said. “They don’t get too high or too low at the moment and they just keep playing basketball whether good or bad things are happening. I know our young girls are learning from that and building on that.”
While the two seniors led the scoring attack, they weren’t the only ones to hit big shots. Cherish Foye added five points, all of which came in the second half, while Kayden Edwards scored six points in the second half.
Addie Patterson hit one of the biggest shots of the night as she knocked down a 3-pointer to give Elmore County its 16-point lead, just before the 13-0 run by Thorsby late.
“We had six or seven girls who scored tonight,” Caldwell said. “Anytime you can have that happen, it’s really good for your team.”
tion, food, hospitality and golf carts.
One person is in charge of registration. One person in charge of food. One person in charge of hospitality. One person in charge of golf carts. One person in charge of the angel field.
“A lot of people want to volunteer for only one day and that is OK,” Falk said. “We can’t do more guests without more volunteers.”
Falk estimates about 6,000 guests will see the
story of Jesus at “An Eclectic Christmas” this year.
“An Eclectic Christmas” has roots deeper than the location on Highway 63. It dates back more than 30 years to Mt. Hebron Road.
“It was at the Beardons’ property on Mt. Hebron Road,” Faulk said. “They called it, ‘Bethlehem Revisited.’ It was a much smaller operation. It was behind their house.”
Falk was there for the first time on the Beardons property.
“That was 32 years ago,” Falk said. “The reason I know is because I was Mary that year and my son Tanner was baby Jesus in the manger. He is 32 now.”
Just last year Falk’s grandbaby was in the manger for “An Eclectic Christmas.”
“The tradition continues,” Falk said. “We hope to keep doing it.”
Elmore County earns first victory on Murphy’s game-winner
By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor
Elmore County’s first win of the season couldn’t have come in a bigger way.
The Panthers beat visiting Thorsby, 48-45, on a game-winning shot with 2.9 seconds left in the game. Thorsby had the ball, tied 45-45, with the clock winding down.
The Rebels tried to pass the ball to the outside, but Jabari Murphy jumped up and hit the ball in mid air with 10 seconds left.
The ball fell in front of him, and he picked it up, and raced down the right side of the court.
Murphy then cut in front of two Thorsby defenders and laid the ball up while being fouled.
His shot went in, and he knocked in the And-1 free throw to put the Panthers up, 48-45.
After Jaden Eason picked off an inbounds pass, Elmore County earned its first win of the season.
“My wife makes me eat off aluminum foil and napkins when we don’t win, so I’m probably going to be able to eat off the good plates tonight,” head coach Nathan Taylor joked after the win. “This was really big for us. Nothing comes easy and winning is hard. We’ve only had seven practices and seven games. It’s been a grind.”
While Murphy’s final shot was the biggest of the night, and possibly his career, it wasn’t his only
basket of the game.
Murphy ended the night with a team-leading 13 points.
His points were spread pretty evenly across the four quarters, except for two big baskets in the second quarter right before the half. Ryals McNeely gave the team the lead with a basket after being tied, 16-16, then Murphy made back-to-back layups in the final minute of the first half to give Elmore County a six-point lead at the break.
“When Jabari wants to be the best player in the county, he is the best player in the county,” Taylor said. The shots weren’t falling early for the Panthers, but they came in clutch time.
Eason knocked down two 3-pointers in the third and fourth quarter, while McNeely hit a big 3-pointer in the second quarter.
Gage Davis and Drew Knighton each hit one as well.
The 3-pointers were big, but Cam Brown’s free throws were the biggest shots of the night. Before Murphy’s heroics, it was Brown who kept the Panthers in the game. Down 41-40 in the fourth quarter, Brown drove to the basket and was fouled. He was 1-for-6 from the free throw line entering his two shots, and he drained both of them and hit nothing but net. On the next possession, he recorded a steal and was driving to the basket once more. He was fouled again, but this time he made the shot. His And-1 free throw was also nothing but net, and Elmore County led by four points.
“Those shots he made were huge,” Taylor said.
“Rebounding, taking care of the basketball and free throws wins you the game. Anytime you make free throws down the stretch it is big, and his shots were big for us tonight.”
CLIFF WILLIAMS | THE OBSERVER
An Eclectic Christmas created a village using volunteers acting the parts of various trades. There was even the inn keeper who turned the family away like Jesus.
DALTON MIDDLETON | THE OBSERVER Elmore County’s Jabari Murphy (1) drives to the basket against Thorsby’s A. Seely (3). Murphy hit the game-winning layup with 2.9 seconds left to give Elmore County its first win.
DALTON MIDDLETON | THE OBSERVER
Elmore County senior Emily Mason scored a team-high 15 points, including three 3-pointers, to lead the Panthers past Thorsby on Friday night.