Tallassee Tribune Dec. 20 2023

Elmore County High School student dies in Friday wreck

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

Masen Goggins, an Elmore County High School student, died in a car crash just before noon Friday in Wetumpka.

As of Friday afternoon, troopers with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency were continuing to investigate. A release said the crash happened on Harrogate

Springs Road east of Wetumpka.

“The 17-year-old was fatally injured when the 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche the teen was driving left the roadway and overturned,” the release stated. “The teen was not using a seat belt at the time of the crash and was pronounced deceased at the scene.”

Elmore County Schools superintendent Richard Den -

nis said school officials are responding to help students and families close to the student. The gym at ECHS was open Friday for students to gather with counselors and area pastors.

There was a vigil held in Goggins’ honor Monday night at Burt Haynie Field.

It is the second Elmore County Public Schools student to die in an automobile crash

‘Let his light shine’

Friends and family remember Masen Goggins at vigil

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

By all accounts Masen Goggins always smiled and had a big heart.

The 17-year-old Elmore County High School student died in a car wreck Friday. Still in shock, friends, family members and school personnel shared what life with Goggins was like at a Monday prayer vigil.

“I have prayed. I cried. I cried for his family, his friends and our school since I learned what happened,” ECHS principal Jason Eason said. “Words sometimes just don’t matter. It is

more about being there and loving people. That is what Masen did.”

Eason recalled an encounter with Goggins just last week. No word words were spoken, but there it was — Goggins “infectious smile.”

“Masen’s light shined bright at Elmore County High School by the way he treated his teachers and friends,” Eason said. “Masen was a special kid. He will always be a part of Elmore County High School.”

Vessel Church pastor Adam Turner said Goggins was a great young person

and a model for others to emulate.

“He was a very respectful young man. He was kind. He was compassionate,” Turner said. “He had a big smile. He had a big heart. He was the greatest friend to so many. He loved this town. He loved this school. He loved the teachers. He loved Dr. Pepper. It has 23 flavors. It is funny how that happened.”

Goggins wore jersey No. 23 on the football field. It adorned the walls of the school’s gym for the vigil. ECHS football oach Kyle

this month. On Dec. 7, Bradyn White, 14, of Deatsville, died in a crash on Lightwood Road in the Holtville community. White was a student at Holtville High School. There, Elmore County officials offered counselors and help to students and opened the football stadium for a vigil.

Troopers with ALEA are still investigating both crashes.

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

Pay increase coming for Tallassee Police Department

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

The Tallassee City Council gave the city’s APOSTC certified police officers a Christmas present at its Tuesday meeting.

After months of research to make sure the city could sustain a pay increase following the Tallassee Police

Department’s budget presentation in August, the council approved an increase of $1.65 per hour for all 23 officers, not including the police chief. The increase brings the starting pay of a police officer in Tallassee to $19.50. The motion approved by the council also gives those

Masen Goggins

CLIFF WILLIAMS | THE TRIBUNE

Lighted phones were held up during Amazing Grace by those who attended the vigil for Masen Goggins who died in a crash Friday.

Police Reports

TALLASSEE POLICE DEPARTMENT

DEC. 18

• A welfare check was conducted on South Dubois Street.

DEC. 17

• Assistance was given to a citizen on Birch Street.

• A suspicious vehicle was reported on Gilmer Avenue.

Street.

• A domestic dispute was reported on Lower Tuskegee Road.

• A white male was arrested on Barnett Boulevard.

DEC. 15

• A noise complaint was reported on Cliff Street.

• A white female was arrested during a traffic stop on Notasulga Road.

• An abandoned vehicle was reported on Camellia Drive. DEC. 13

• A welfare check was conducted on Weldon Road.

• A noise complaint was reported on Herren Street.

• Fraudulent use of a credit card was reported on Second Avenue.

• A Black female was arrested on Barnett Boulevard.

• Assistance was given to a motorist on Gilmer Avenue.

• A disorderly subject was reported on Gilmer Avenue.

• Reckless driving was reported on First Avenue.

• Animal control was requested on Gilmer Avenue.

• Assistance was given to a motorist on Gilmer Avenue.

• Criminal mischief was reported on Maple Street.

• A motor vehicle accident was reported on Highway 229.

• Criminal mischief was reported on Paxton Drive.

• Assistance was given to a citizen on Barnett Boulevard.

• Theft was reported on Walter Place.

• A child custody dispute was reported on West Butler Street.

• A motor vehicle accident with no injuries was reported on Wall Street.

• Harassment was reported on Quail Run Drive.

DEC. 16

• Suspicious activity was reported on Hickory Street.

• Menacing was reported on South Tallassee Drive.

• A suspicious vehicle was reported on Gilmer Avenue.

• A suspicious person was reported on East Roosevelt Street.

• Debris was reported in the roadway on Gilmer Avenue.

• A suspicious vehicle was reported on Tallassee Highway.

• Animal cruelty was reported on West Main

• A runaway juvenile was reported on Hickort STreet.

• Assistance was given to a motorist on First Avenue.

• Animal control was requested on Friendship Road.

• Assistance was given to a motorist on Gilmer Avenue.

• A white female was arrested on North Ashurst Avenue.

• Animal control was requested on South Ashurst Avenue.

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

• A motor vehicle accident was reported on Gilmer Avenue.

• A suspicious person was reported on Cannon Road.

• A suspicious person was reported on King Street.

• A stolen vehicle was reported on East Patton Street.

• A motor vehicle accident was reported on Tallassee Highway.

DEC. 14

• An animal complaint was reported on East Patton Street.

• An animal complaint was reported on Upper River Road.

• A domestic incident was reported on Macedonia Road.

• Assistance was given to another agency on Lilly Avenue.

Elmore County Community Calendar

SUNDAY, DEC. 17 —

THURSDAY, DEC. 21

HOLIDAY DISH(ING):

The Wetumpka Depot Players will be putting on Holiday Dish(ing), a Christmas Comedy. Performances are 2 p.m. Dec. 17 and 7 p.m. Dec. 19 and Dec. 21. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased online.

THURSDAY, DEC. 21

MEET THE GRINCH:

The Gab Salon will be hosting a meet and greet with The Wetumpka Grinch and Kringle Klaus from 2 to 4 p.m. Dec. 21. The Gab Salon is located at 102 S. Main Street in Wetumpka.

SUNDAY, JAN. 14

MLK BANQUET: The Elmore County Civic Improvement League will be hosting the 2024 MLK Banquet to commemorate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The theme for this year’s banquet is “Living the Dream: It Starts With Me - Spreading Hope, Courage, and Unity.” Advance tickets are $40, or $50 at the door. The event will be held at the Wetumpka Civic Center.

SATURDAY, FEB. 3, 2024

GALENTINE’S: Main Street Wetumpka will host its third annual Galentine’s on Main event from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb 3. Downtown merchants will be offering deals and discounts for all to enjoy. More details will be coming.

• Harassment was reported on Third Avenue.

• A suspicious vehicle was reported on Thompson Avenue. DEC. 12

• A welfare check was conducted on Third Street.

• An abandoned vehicle was reported on King Street.

• An animal complaint was reported on West Butler Street.

• Assistance was given to a motorist on Jordan Avenue.

• Assistance was given to a motorist on Barnett Boulevard.

• Assistance was given to a motorist on West James Street.

• An animal bite was reported on Orchard Drive.

• Assistance was given to a motorist on Gilmer Avenue.

• A welfare check was conducted on Central Boulevard.

• A stolen vehicle was reported on Central Boulevard. DEC. 11

• A suicidal subject was reported on South Tallssee Drive.

• A welfare check was conducted on Gilmer Avenue.

• A suspicious vehicle was reported on Wisener Lane.

• A verbal altercation was reported on Gilmer Avenue.

• Gunfire was reported on Stewart Street.

ONGOING

SUPPORT GROUP :

The last Thursday of every month, Restoration 49 Coffee Shop plays host to a support group for parents who have lost a child. The meetings begin at 6 p.m. each month. For more information, please contact Heather Baker at hbakerjj@aol.com.

PRESCHOOL

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

ECLECTIC TOWN

COUNCIL MEETINGS: Eclectic Town Council meetings are held on the third Monday of each month at Town Hall. Council meetings begin at 7 p.m. with work sessions taking place prior to the meeting at 6 p.m. Meetings are held in the Dr. M. L. Fielder Municipal Building, 145 Main Street.

NAACP MEETINGS: The Elmore County Branch No. 5026 of the NAACP meets at 6:30 p.m. every third Tuesday (executive committee) and every fourth Tuesday (full membership) at the Martin Luther King Center at 200 North Lancaster St. in Wetumpka. OPEN MIC: The Equality Performing Arts Center hosts an open mic jam session

from 7 to 9 p.m. every second Friday of the month at 560 Highway 9 in Equality. There is no charge but donations are welcome as they keep the center running. Bring a snack or finger food to share during the intermission.

RED HILL

COMMUNITY CLUB

MEETINGS: Red Hill Community Club Meetings are held every second Monday of the month. Join the Red Hill Historical Preservation Association in the auditorium of the Old Red Hill School, located off state Route 229 at 6:30 p.m. to discuss upcoming events.

MOUNT HEBRON

CHURCH OF CHRIST: Come join us at 4530 Mt. Hebron Road in Eclectic. Our Sunday school begins at 9 a.m. followed by worship service at 10:30. There is also a Wednesday night Bible study at 7 p.m. For more information call Pastor Edwin Walker at 334-541-2025

LUNCH AND LEARN: Lunch and learn Tuesdays with Kelly are scheduled at the Kelly Fitzpatrick Memorial Gallery at 124 Company Street in Wetumpka from noon to 1 p.m. on the third Tuesday of each month. For more information, visit www.thekelly.org.

CELEBRATE RECOVERY GRACE POINT: Celebrate Recovery meets at Grace Point Community Church at 78223 Tallassee Highway in Wetumpka each Tuesday at 6:15 p.m. All are welcome to the meetings which provide a safe and loving environment for individuals seeking to conquer their hurts, habits and hangups. For more information, visit www. Gracepoint.info or contact Gwin Greathouse at gwingreathouse@gmail. com.

• Assistance was given to a motorist on Juniper Street.

• Assistance was given to a citizen on Willow Street.

• An animal complaint was reported on Central Boulevard.

• Debris was reported in the roadway on Burt Mill Road.

• An animal complaint was reported on Barnett Boulevard.

• Forgery was reported on Herren Hill Road.

• A motor vehicle accident with injuries was reported on Tallassee Highway.

• Criminal mischief was reported on East Patton Street.

• Assistance was given to a motorist on Freeman Avenue.

• Assistance was given to a motorist on Little Road.

WETUMPKA POLICE DEPARTMENT DEC. 13

• Forgery was reported on Wilson Street.

• Harassment was reported on U.S. Highway 231.

• Harassing communications was reported on Coosa River Parkway. DEC. 12

• Forgery was reported on U.S. Highway 231. DEC. 11

• Criminal trespassing was reported on U.S. Highway 231.

CELEBRATE RECOVERY SANTUCK: Celebrate Recovery meets each Thursday at 6:15 p.m. at Santuck Baptist Church at 7250 Central Plank Rd. This is a Christ-centered, 12-step program for anyone struggling with hurts, habits, and hangups. Call 334-567-2364 for more information or contact jyates@santuckbaptist.org.

GAMBLERS ANONYMOUS: Gamblers Anonymous meets Saturdays at 6 p.m. at Cedarwood Community Church at 10286 U.S. Highway 231 in Wallsboro/Wetumpka. Call 334-567-0476 for more information. AA MEETING: Alcoholics Anonymous meetings are held Mondays at 7 p.m. located at 105 Tuskeena St. in Wetumpka. RED HILL SCHOOL: The Red Hill School on Highway 229 in the Red Hill Community in Tallassee is open Fridays from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. for local live music performances. No admission is charged but donations are welcomed to maintain the building and pay for refreshments.

MASTER GARDENER

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

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

By REA CORD HSEC Executive Director

We imagine this is a very busy week for a lot of folks as they make final preparations for Christmas only a week away.

If you are traveling for the holidays, please be careful as your pets want you back home safe and sound. If you have not yet made arrangements for your pet’s care while you are away, you may have difficulty finding boarding or a pet sitter so you should get on that today if need be.

If you have family or friends visiting with their own pets, make plans to introduce pets who have never met to make sure everyone gets along. Take extra precautions so a visiting pet does not escape because it will not know the surroundings and could easily become lost.

This time of year can exemplify the importance of crate training. Parties, lots of comings and goings from the house with shopping and decorating, visitors and more can put a lot of stress on your pet(s). So having some chill time

in their crate (or another room with the door closed) can not only keep them safe but keep them a bit calmer during hectic holiday prep.

With Christmas falling on a Monday, our shelter and the thrift Store will be open this week for our normal operating hours. We will be closed Christmas but be back open Dec. 26.

Just like at Thanksgiving please watch for too many treats or rich food that might make pet(s) sick. Christmas trees, presents, decorations, lots of food, family, friends and parties make

for a very busy time of year so try to take a quick look from your pet’s perspective to look for dangers so you won’t have to make any emergency veterinary visits this holiday season.

While many adoptions are wonderful at Christmas, it can also be a super busy time so it can be best to wait until after the holidays. Nothing worse than having a brand new pet come up missing right after adoption.

But we do have many wonderful pets hoping for a home sooner than later so if the timing is

Noel is almost 5 years old and weighs about 50 pounds. She is incredibly loving and sweet and came to us when her owner could no longer care for her. She is great with children, dogs, cats and even a rabbit. She had been used to living in the country but when moved in town, she did start escaping a chain-link fence. A good fence may be in order when not with her family. Noel could be a great hiking, running, camping gal. 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.

right, please do check out our adoptable pets at www.petfinder.com and put in Wetumpka, AL for the city. All of the information about our pets and how to adopt is written in their narrative

so please take a look to see if we might have the right pet for you.

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

Pet of the Week - Noel

Tallassee Talks

A Visit with the Last Santa Claus Montgomery Mall, Christmas Eve 2005

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the mall

One creature was stirring, yea elf came to stall:

“Come hither! Take pictures with good old St. Nick!”

I brought the BirdKids to the camera, and quick.

I rode that mall’s carousel when I was a lad,

And visiting Montgomery Mall was a tradition I’d had.

My favorite stores were vanishing fast,

So I knew that this Christmas might be our last.

There were no customers, no jangle or jingle,

So it surprised me to see a forlorn Kris Kringle!

Lonesome and sad, with one elf for a friend

We saddled up for pictures once more, here at the end.

With awkward silence, we approached Santa’s chair

And noticed that we were the

MICHAEL BIRD Columnist

only ones there!

Only a few years ago, tons of shoppers were packed,

But the deck of time against this mall was stacked.

Santa sat lowly, speaking with nary a grin

As my one-year-old daughter tugged at whiskers on his chin;

“Take note of the reindeer,” he said, “the pretty little fawn, for this time next year, t’will be a Title Pawn.”

The elf set up shop, to the camera behind,

As Santa Claus held us so gentle and kind.

He asked what we wanted for him to bring,

But none of us asked for shiny

new things. “I remember you at Normandale,” to Santa I said, “the first mall in the state,” as his face turned red.

“Why must Montgomery Mall say goodbye, too?”

I asked him, as the Jolly One’s cheerfulness grew.

“Ho, ho, ho,” St. Nick said with a smile, “It’s not where you shop, or what you find in the aisle.

Christmas is about a special birthday,

That’s why we’re here taking pictures today.”

I paused for a moment and looked at my brood, Santa’s words putting me in a most Christmassy mood. I heard him exclaim as we walked out of sight, “Your photos were free, now to all a good night!”

Michael Bird is a music teacher at Tallassee City Schools.

Love more now

ardner Cameron. Masen

Obituaries:

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

Weddings, Engagements, Anniversaries, or Birth

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

GGoggins. Nate Jones. Bethany Walters. Bradyn White.

The names are etched forever in my memory. They are gone but not forgotten.

While I never met them in person, I know all these Elmore County teens were loved. There are likely more I left off and definitely more in Tallapoosa County.

Over the last 18 months, I reported on their deaths and in the process learned just how loving they all were. I was there as friends and family shared their stories and memories of their loved ones. They were grieving. They were sharing the love they could no longer share with a soul taken too early.

In some ways I felt like a vulture. I wanted to make sure everyone knew who the teens were.

Hopefully I did.

I wanted to share their stories in hopes of preventing the next teen death. In all cases, something simple likely could have prevented the deaths. But what I learned along the way is we wait too long to say three words: “I love you.”

It’s three words I always hear from retired pastor Wayne Cowhick when our conversations end.

I didn’t really notice them until the Monday after my late editor and friend Mitch Sneed died.

Bro. Wayne and Mitch didn’t

see eye to eye on much, but they both loved their community.

Bro. Wayne was one of the first in the office on Monday morning offering comfort when I and my coworkers were reporting Mitch’s death.

I have seen something similar in Eclectic and Holtville the last week and half. It’s been a pastor, a friend, a teacher, a principal and sometimes a stranger, all reaching out to those in the community grieving and mourning — just loving on them.

One thing has stood out in all of those interactions: Those who have left us too soon all loved us. The stories shared are funny and full of lessons, but many of those who have spoken up have spoken of not knowing what the future holds without their friend or classmate.

It has been 4 ½ years since Mitch died. A day doesn’t go by I don’t think about him. I learned so much from him. He set a bar I can never reach. He was a storyteller. He was superhuman. Mitch could do so much.

I look back at my time with Mitch and wonder. It was great, but how do I move on?

I have one regret. It is a lesson I’m still learning. You see Mitch, like Bro. Wayne and all the teenagers who have died, did one thing. They loved everyone and they let them know it. It is not a love like a husband and wife have.

CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

It is a love thy neighbor as you would have them love you. It is supporting one another in good times and bad. It is offering a helping hand or an ear to listen. It is simply being there. I think I have done most of this. I help out. I listen. OK, I sometimes listen in the case of my boss.

In hearing the stories of Gardner, Masen, Nate, Bethany and Bradyn, I’m sure they loved their friends and family in their own way and let them know it. Just like Bro. Wayne. I can hear them say ‘I love you’ just through the memories shared with me.

But there is one thing I have forgotten to do. I don’t do it with my parents as much as I should. I do it with my son, but still not enough. I never do it with my sister and never with my friends. I challenge you, just like I’m challenging myself to be vocal about loving our neighbors. Let’s be more like those taken from us too early. Let’s all say three words now and not after we are gone. Going forward, don’t be surprised if I finish a conversation with a handshake or hug and the words, “I love you, man.”

Cliff Williams is the Elmore County news editor for Tallapoosa Publishers Inc.

Tallassee band director recognized by national magazine

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

Dr. Robby Glasscock is humble. He doesn’t like recognition and quickly passes along any accolades to staff.

Tallassee High School

choral director Michael Bird stepped up. He nominated Glasscock as School Band & Orchestra (SBO+) recognized for the 24th year “50 Band Directors Who Make a Difference." It was a way to honor a teacher who has touched the lives of many at Tallassee High School.

“They chose one from every state,” Bird said. “I nominated him and they picked him for Alabama.”

The humble Glasscock nominated Bird for the recognition, but the choir director stepped in.

“I declined it,” Bird said. “It is supposed to be a band director. I’m not one. I used to be, but I’m not any more.”

Bird made a call to the editors at the magazine and promoted Glasscock. But Bird may have talked himself out of a recognition while doing so.

“This year SBO+ expands this feature to ‘50+’ with an educator from the District of Columbia and many

choral directors,” the magazine wrote. “If you want to feel better about the state of music education or are looking for inspiration for your own teaching, read on.”

Glasscock has been teaching music for 23 years and been director of bands at Tallassee High School for 19 years. SBO+ plus asked him what his proudest moment as a band director has been.

“In 2010 we were marching in the Magnificent Mile Lights Festi -

val Parade in Chicago,” Glasscock said. “When we turned onto East Oak Street to start the parade down Michigan Avenue, my students were in awe. I don’t think any of us had ever seen that many people in one place and that wasn’t even the start of the actual parade.”

Glasscock said the band stopped and had a pep rally for the block.

“...the crowd there was cheering for my students and it was

the best time of our lives,” Glasscock said. “We have had several moments like that since.”

He said he gets emotional when traveling with the students and hearing their comments while driving through big cities.

“Knowing I am giving some of these students the only opportunity they will ever get to go to these places, see the things we are seeing or do the activities we are doing

makes all the hard work to get there worth every minute,” Glasscock said.

But it is not without challenges. Sometimes Glasscock questions if the students are learning what he is teaching.

“I joke with the kids sometimes when I’m having a bad day, I rather be cutting grass because I can see the progress I’m making,” Glasscock said. “I can’t see the changes sometimes they are making. Sometimes they tell me

to cut grass.”

Glasscock said Bird made a bigger deal of the recognition than he would, but said it is still nice.

“Day in and day out you don’t see the changes in the student,” Glasscock said. “Sometimes you don’t feel like you are making a difference in their lives. It is nice to be recognized that people are seeing the fruits of your labor and the progress you are making.”

Since the December issue of SBO+ has come out, Glasscock said he doesn’t know any others recognized by the magazine. He has heard from those in the band director world who made connections between Glasscock and others after a Facebook post thanking Bird for the nomination

“My college directors and high school director from my time at Holtville all congratulated me. It was nice,” Glasscock said. “One of my professors at Alabama State tagged me in a post. The Alaska band director next to me in the story, she taught her she was making a big deal about both of us being on the same page and taught by her.”

Instructional aide wins RHS support staff of the year

By ABIGAIL MURPHY Multimedia Reporter

After substitute teaching at Reeltown High School for about six years, Tracey Rush recently joined full time as an instructional aide within the special education program.

Now, she has been awarded the distinction of RHS support staff of the year. Rush said when she first found out, she was overwhelmed and also felt a little undeserving. She said she just does what she feels is the right thing to do, and she tries to keep in the background with most things.

“I don’t want to say this is a job; a job is usually something you go to that you don’t enjoy,” Rush said. “I enjoy this. I look forward to getting up and coming here and being a part of this family that is here — between the kids and the staff.”

REMEMBER

Continued from A1

Rush, along with her husband, are both graduates of RHS. After high school, Rush worked for about eight years doing payroll at the hospital in Tallassee. Once she had kids, she decided to be a stay-at-home mom.

Rush said she had planned to go back to work once her kids started school, but at that time her father required full time care. It was after his death that she got involved with substitute teaching.

Rush said all of her students have big plans and she can’t wait to see what they do with their future.

“I love being with these kids,” she said. “They sometimes make you want to pull your hair out just because of the way we all are. We all have our bad days. But to see their faces when they finally get something or to see when they excel at something or when they have a great day, it brings joy.”

Meanwhile, the chal-

lenging part of being an instructional aide is continuously learning and relearning. She said there are some lessons you have

gins loved his family, friends and especially his “momma.”

Caldwell remembers meeting Goggins two years ago as he came to town.

“When I first met Masen, he was nothing but smiles and giggles,” Caldwell said. “I didn’t know him and he acted like I was his best friend.”

Coach Justin Weeks said he never met anyone quite like Goggins.

“He taught me just as much as I taught him,” Weeks said. “He had an infectious laugh. He had a personality that connected with everyone he met.”

Weeks shared a story of Goggins being the center of attention at a seven on seven camp at Alabama State University over the summer. He said players from ECHS were huddled up with another teaming during an extended break. Weeks went to investigate and found Goggins shadow boxing someone from the other team.

“Afterwards they hung out and got to know each other,” Weeks said. “That was the kind of energy Masen had. He connected people.”

But he never forgot where he came from. Eason said Gog-

Sister Miley Goggins said she couldn’t remember how times people referred to her as being Masen’s little sister.

“Now I hope I don’t get called anything else,” Miley said. “I will never forget how he made me feel included in everything. One of my favorite things is when I would call him when he was with his friends, I made sure to say, ‘I love you.’ He never hesitated to say it back no matter who he was with.”

Goggins’ friend group, known as MOB, was obvious at the vigil. Nearly two dozen dressed alike in sweatshirts with the letters.

Goggins was often with Tate McNeely. The pair met years ago and have been inseparable. McNeely recalled a time when their friendship and Goggins willingness to help his friends. McNeely said he was having difficulties on the pitching mound but Goggins made the play.

“He always had everyone’s back,” McNeely said McNeely and Goggins were on the golf course over the summer — a lot.

“He always found a way to

to go back to and relearn yourself before you can help your students.

Rush said through all the highs and lows, she

sweet talk somebody into driving us everywhere,” McNeely said. “He was fun to be around.”

Tony Ray recalled Thursday night, the day before Goggins’ death. The two were picking up Goggins’ parents and made a pitstop. Like always, Goggins had a way of getting Ray to pay; that night, it was Taco Bell.

When it came time to pay he said, ‘I got you next time,’” Ray said.

To close the vigil, Eason offered advice for teachers and staff gathered at the vigil.

“Let his light shine from your classrooms,” Eason said. “Be there for one another as our students will still need you in the months and years to come.”

Eason, fighting back tears, also offered advice to his students. He said he saw the students’ love of Goggins.

“I felt it which tells me the impact he had on you. I share your hurt,” Eason said. “The hurt you feel will take time to heal, if it ever does. But make sure you honor your friend by how you live. Be kind to one another. Be there for each other. Be respectful. Love your family and friends the way Masen did. Young people, I love you.”

deeply appreciates her coworkers for naming her support staff of the year. On top

Dr. Robby Glasscock looks over the Pride of Tallassee Marching band rehearsal in September. It is something he has been doing for the last 23 years.

of that, she is thankful her kids get to

also be a part of Reeltown schools as students and she hopes when they grow up, they find their work family like how she did.

ABIGAIL MURPHY | THE TRIBUNE

Instructional aide Tracey Rush wins Reeltown High School support staff of the year. Rush also was a substitute teacher at Reeltown for 6 years before becoming instructional aide.

CLIFF WILLIAMS | THE TRIBUNE

TOP: Miley Goggins, younger sister of Masen Goggins, speaks at a vigil for her brother Monday night. It was a service where family, friends and school personnel shared stories of the 17 year old.

ABOVE: A memorial for ECHS student Masen Goggins was created in the lobby of the school’s gym as it was used for a vigil service.

officers

Tallassee Mayor Sarah Hill said she wanted to make sure the city could afford the increase given the city’s past financial issues.

“About seven years ago, the city was unable to make payroll because of financial mismanagement,” Hill said. “Since 2016, every single payroll we have been able to make. A lot of that has to do with the former administration putting some financial rules into place and also the finance committee’s dedication to responsible and smart growth of the budget.”

Hill said in the past three years the council has approved a total of a 12% cost of living

adjustment for all city employees, a $1 per hour increase for dispatchers and additional raises for certifications in our water treatment plant and other places.

The starting pay for police officers had been $17 per hour.

The 5% cost of living pay approved in the 2024 fiscal year budget brought the starting pay to $17.85.

The Tallassee Police Department’s August data showed Elmore County deputy sheriffs’ starting pay is $24.50, with a take-home car.

The Millbrook City Council approved a starting pay of $20 per hour for certified police officers for fiscal year 2024. Millbrook officers were making $18 per hour prior to the increase.

“This will put us in comparison to the 13 agencies [the police department] gave us

information on, that will put us higher than nine of the other cities in our region,” councilmember Bill Godwin said. “It will put us within pennies of two other agencies. We will still be a little behind three of the agencies, two are county departments.”

Hill said she and members of the council wanted to make doubly sure the city could fund the increase without causing financial issues.

“This budget year we have bond payments, upcoming sewer lagoon loan payment and assorted other stuff,” Godwin said. “I wanted to make sure before we proposed any increase we had the money to pay for it, and that we would continue to have the money to pay for it. Raises are not like pieces of equipment. They are eternal unless someone leaves.”

At Tuesday’s meeting, Tallassee fire chief Eric Jones asked the council for permission to proceed with a proposal process to get a new wildland response truck. The estimated cost is $381,000 and thanks to an Assistance to Firefighters Grant and the Tallassee Volunteer Firefighters Association, there is no cost to the city.

“We have to run it through the council,” Jones said. “It is for a new vehicle that would be both a pumper and brush truck.” Jones said the truck will have four-wheel drive capabilities. He said the department plans to come back at a meeting in the near future with an actual bid for the council to approve.

IN OTHER ACTION THE TALLASSEE CITY COUNCIL:

• Approved minutes of

the Nov. 14 meeting.

• Reappointed Margaret Miller to the library board.

• Approved minor changes to the sewer and water rate ordinance to cleanup language.

• Learned most of the work to cover exposed gas and water lines on Friendship Road is almost finished.

• Entered an executive session to discuss economic development. The council returned to a regular meeting after 12 minutes and took no action.

Councilmember Terrell Brown was absent from the meeting. The next meeting of the Tallassee City Council is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 9.

received a 85 or a B. Tallapoosa County Schools received a 83 or a B. But superintendent Dr. Brock Nolin said the Tallassee system is doing far better than what the report indicates.

“This is mainly based on a data point from one test on one day,” Nolin said. “If the kids show up and decide to do well, we do well. If they don’t, we don’t do well.”

Elementary school

students take the ACAP in March. High school students take the preACT and ACT. The scores on the day of the test give the marks for achievement and improvement is based on a yearly increase or decrease in the score. Then the scores are weighted.

Nolin said he and other administrators had a chance to look through the scores for a few weeks before they were made public. He said making significant improvements are difficult because the next testing cycle is just two and half months after Christmas break.

“A lot of this water under the bridge but you still have to deal with it,” Nolin said. “It is hard to make academic adjustments when you are late getting data. Everybody is in the same boat.”

Tallassee High School received a 66 or a D overall. It received a 64.16 out of 100 on achievement, or how a student scored on test day. Faculty meetings have already begun trying to develop plans to improve the scores.

Scores were slightly higher at the elementary and middle school with academic growth maxing out at the elementary school at 100.

Chronic absenteeism is when a student misses 18 or more days of school during a year.

“When a student is absent, they are not learning in most cases,” Nolin said. “It also hurts us on this report card.”

Tallassee received a 27.31; Elmore County a 17.66 and Tallapoosa County a 16.88.

Nolin said attendance at the elementary and middle schools is primarily a parent issue.

“They get the kids to school or the bus,” Nolin said.

High school is a different story. Yes the parents help but it is not solely on them.

“It is a lot of engaging the kids,” Nolin said. “We have to come up with ways for them to take ownership in their education.”

Nolin said the system has already been working to improve attendance with Family Engagement Nights.

a B. But superintendent Dr. Brock Nolin said the Tallassee system is doing far better than what the report indicates.

“This is mainly based on a data point from one test on one day,” Nolin said. “If the kids show up and decide to do well, we do well. If they don’t, we don’t do well.”

Elementary school students take the ACAP in March. High school students take the preACT and ACT. The scores on the day of the test give the marks for achievement and improvement is based on a yearly increase or decrease in the score. Then the scores are weighted.

Nolin said he and other administrators had a chance to look through the scores for a few weeks before they were made public. He said making significant improvements are difficult because the next testing cycle is just two and half months after Christmas break.

count against the graduation rate. He said there are seven indicators in the college and career readiness mark.

“If a student gets an Advanced Placement credit, dual enrollment credit, completes a career technical education program, enlists in the military,” Nolin said. “There are multiple things to do to get this piece of the pie.”

Scores were slightly higher at the elementary and middle school with academic growth maxing out at the elementary school at 100. Chronic absenteeism is when a student misses 18 or more days of school during a year.

“When a student is absent, they are not learning in most cases,” Nolin said. “It also hurts us on this report card.”

Tallassee received a 27.31; Elmore County a 17.66 and Tallapoosa County a 16.88.

Nolin said attendance at the elementary and middle schools is primarily a parent issue.

“They get the kids to school or the bus,” Nolin said.

“We want to come up with strategies to helping our students do better on this single assessment,” Nolin said. “I have never been a big proponent of teaching a test or how to take a test, but looking at our data, we need to work on that. They seem to struggle with timed assessments.”

The high school is also measured by graduation rate — 80.85 and college and career readiness — 80.14. Nolin said students dropping out and taking the GED count against the graduation rate. He said there are seven indicators in the college and career readiness mark.

“If a student gets an Advanced Placement credit, dual enrollment credit, completes a career technical education program, enlists in the military,” Nolin said. “There are multiple things to do to get this piece of the pie.”

“It is the brainchild of Dr. Williams,” Nolin said. “We had a great turnout the other night at Southside.”

Nolin said teachers and staff will work hard to improve the scores, but doesn’t want the system to be judged solely off one score.

“Everybody is judged by the same metric whether you agree with ACT being a metric we should be judged by or not,” Nolin said. “Our grade is what it is. We are going to be making some adjustments going forward.”

On paper Tallassee City Schools didn’t do as well as the state as the report card was released publicly last week.

On average public schools across the state received an 83 or a B. Tallassee City Schools received a 78 or a C. Elmore County Schools received a 85 or a B. Tallapoosa County Schools received a 83 or

“A lot of this water under the bridge but you still have to deal with it,” Nolin said. “It is hard to make academic adjustments when you are late getting data. Everybody is in the same boat.”

Tallassee High School received a 66 or a D overall. It received a 64.16 out of 100 on achievement, or how a student scored on test day. Faculty meetings have already begun trying to develop plans to improve the scores.

“We want to come up with strategies to helping our students do better on this single assessment,” Nolin said. “I have never been a big proponent of teaching a test or how to take a test, but looking at our data, we need to work on that. They seem to struggle with timed assessments.”

The high school is also measured by graduation rate — 80.85 and college and career readiness — 80.14. Nolin said students dropping out and taking the GED

High school is a different story. Yes the parents help but it is not solely on them.

“It is a lot of engaging the kids,” Nolin said. “We have to come up with ways for them to take ownership in their education.”

Nolin said the system has already been working to improve attendance with Family Engagement Nights.

“It is the brainchild of Dr. Williams,” Nolin said. “We had a great turnout the other night at Southside.”

Nolin said teachers and staff will work hard to improve the scores, but doesn’t want the system to be judged solely off one score.

“Everybody is judged by the same metric whether you agree with ACT being a metric we should be judged by or not,” Nolin said. “Our grade is what it is. We are going to be making some adjustments going forward.”

or over a week, I’ve been waiting for God to choose a topic for this article and as always, He was faithful!

We’re quite familiar with the story of Mary, Joseph, and the soon to be born Baby Jesus and how there was no room in the Inn. Luke 2:1-20

For several days, God’s been adding the following questions to this article.

Do we make room Inn our everyday lives for Jesus? Do we make room Inn our workplaces? Do we have room Inn our social life, social media, conversations with others, activities, running errands, and so on?

Over the past few months, I’ve been keeping tabs on

my weekly report on my phone, and every Sunday morning, I receive a notification that shows how much time I’ve spent that week on my Facebook, Chrome and Message Apps. The Holy Spirit brought this to my attention, “How much time am I spending with Jesus? Is Facebook and other screen time receiving more time than He is?” I certainly hope not!

Do I truly put Jesus first?

Even though I fail sometimes, I try hard to keep Him first, and those who know me personally know that I really enjoy sharing His joy, hope, love, and peace and the messages He gives me. BUT, a few years ago when I was driving to Auburn, the Holy Spirit whispered something to my heart that I’ll never forget.

Even though I fail sometimes, I try hard to keep Him first, and those who know me personally know that I really enjoy sharing His joy, hope, love, and peace and the messages He gives me. BUT, a few years ago when I was driving to Auburn, the Holy Spirit whispered something to my heart that I’ll never forget. It was, “Lately you’ve been spending much more

Tallassee Churches

time talking about Me than with Me!” I sincerely replied, “You’re right, and I’m so sorry!” I remember placing my hand palm side up on the passenger seat and asking Him to hold hands with me for a while. What if we frequently talked about our wonderful children, but rarely ever talked with them or took time for them. I actually shared this with a local

pastor friend later that week, and he responded with, “That’ll preach!” We get caught up in our daily life and it’s sometimes more difficult to make time, or should I say, “Take time?” Lord, help us to always have a place (Inn) our lives for You, no matter what we’re doing! Baby Jesus was born with enough room in His heart for every single person in the world! Merry CHRISTmas everyone, and let’s not leave Him out of our celebrations.

After all, we are the Innkeepers of our hearts!

Melinda Blair is a regular religion columnist for Tallapoosa Publishers Inc.

MELINDA BLAIR Columnist

Tallassee’s Jones rebounds

By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor

for the Tallassee program for six years now. Last season, Jones reached the state tournament in the 138-pound

REELTOWN’S WOODS PLAYS IN NORTH-SOUTH GAME

By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor

eeltown football star

RArthur Woods had one last football game to play before he finished his high school career.

Woods, who helped lead Reeltown to the AHSAA Class 2A state championship game last week, was selected to and played in the AHSAA North-South All-Star Football Classic held at South Alabama’s Hancock-Whitney Stadium on Saturday.

The Rebels’ star running back played defensive back for the South Team and helped lead the South to a 31-28 win in the annual matchup.

“It felt amazing to come out here with all of these good players,” Woods said.

“I’m just blessed to come out here and play my last high school game.” Woods was selected to the

team to play running back, and deservedly so. In 14 games this season, he rushed 169 times for 2,241 yards and 33 touchdowns. He averaged 13.2 yards per rush while scoring a touchdown once every five times he carried the ball.

He rushed for 160 yards per game for the Rebels (131). Unfortunately for Woods, he did not end up playing running back in the game. He began the week of practice in the back field, but as the week went on, the defensive secondary got thinner and thinner with guys getting banged up.

The South coaches needed a player to move from offense to defense, and Woods’ number was called.

While he didn’t like it at first, he ended up getting used to the move and played well with the short notice.

While playing in cover-

age, he did not get targeted a single time. The offense ran the ball at him once, and he helped push the ball carrier back inside for a tackle.

“Arthur is a great kid and an unbelievable athlete,” Reeltown coach Matt Johnson said. “He came in and did an unbelievable job at defensive back. Him moving over and doing a great job is a testament to his athletic ability. He didn’t get any highlight plays because he did what he was supposed to do and caused them not to throw at him.”

The North-South Game capped off what was a monumental career for Woods at Reeltown. Woods has been a multi-year starter for the Rebels and named to multiple All-Outlook football teams. While rushing for 200-plus yards over-andover again, he’s also gotten used to winning, winning

See WOODS, Page B2

By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor

Tallassee will have some fresh faces on its sports schedules the next two seasons. The AHSAA released its bi-annual reclassification for member schools across the state, and Tallassee was one of the schools that will change classifications this year. For the 2024-2025 and 20252026 school years, Tallassee sports will participate in Class 4A instead of Class 5A.

Reeltown’s

Johnson named ALFCA 2A Coach of the Year

By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor

It’s been a hectic last week of football for Reeltown head football coach Matt Johnson. Last Friday, Johnson coached his Rebels in the AHSAA Class 2A state championship game against Fyffe. Eight days later, he helped coach the South Team to a 31-28 win over the North in the North-South All-Star Football Classic held at South Alabama’s Hancock-Whitney Stadium in Mobile.

In the middle of coaching those two games, he earned a statewide honor from the Alabama Football Coaches Association. Johnson was named the 2A Coach of the Year for leading the Rebels to a 13-1 overall record and a runner-up finish in the championship game. He will be honored at the ALFCA Coach of the Year Luncheon on Saturday, January 27 in Montgomery. There, he will receive a CoTY plaque as well as a CoTY ring provided by Balfour.

“It is a great honor to win that,” Johnson said. “I wish it was a staff thing, instead of an individual award because the staff we have at Reeltown is second to none. It’s an honor just to represent those guys. I’m very appreciative of it, but those guys put in nonstop work. If it was a one-man show, it wouldn’t work. It’s about them and the kids we have. The kids are the ones who go out there and play each week. It’s an honor that needs to recognize more than just one person.”

Just a few days after getting home from the state championship games in Tuscaloosa,

DALTON MIDDLETON | THE TRIBUNE

Reeltown’s Matt Johnson, who led the Rebels to a 13-1 record and a berth in the AHSAA Class 2A state championship, was selected to coach in the North-South AllStar Classic.

DALTON MIDDLETON THE TRIBUNE

Reeltown’s Arthur Woods, right, was selected to the AHSAA North-South All-Star Football Classic after helping lead the Rebels to the Class 2A state championship this season. Woods played as a defensive back on Saturday.

TALLASSEE

Continued from B1

Only the fall sports regions and areas were released on Monday.

In football, Tallassee will be in Class 4A, Region 3 with Bibb County, Booker T. Washington Tuskegee, Bullock County, Handley, St. James, Talladega and West Blocton.

“I think we got put into a good region moving down to 4A,” Principal Drew Glass said. “It’s more competitive from top to bottom. I’m excited about it.”

While the region will feature seven brand new faces that Tallassee has not faced the past few years, it will make the Tigers travel further than normal.

Tallassee will feature three close opponents in BTW Tuskegee (17 miles), St. James (29 miles) and Bullock County (37 miles), but will also have some long road trips.

The four longest drives for Tallassee will be Handley (67 miles), Talladega (73 miles), Bibb County (103 miles) and West Blocton (114 miles).

“It’s going to add a little bit of travel for us because we will range from Bibb County to Macon County all the way north to Handley,” Glass said. “It makes for a little travel but it will be nice to have some new fresh competition that we haven’t had in a while. We’ll see what goes on.”

With seven region games already set in stone, now Glass and company turn to setting dates for those games and picking the Tigers’ non-region opponents.

There should be three non-region games on the Tigers’ schedule, and none of those games have been decided on yet.

“We’ve been on the phone all morning trying to work out some games,” Glass said. “We have some penciled in but nothing in fine ink yet. We are waiting to hear back from some.”

In volleyball, Tallassee will face just as tough of a region in 4A as it did in 5A.

The Tigers are in 4A, Area 5 and will face BTW Tuskegee, LAMP and Prattville Christian in volleyball.

LAMP and PCA will both be tough matchups for the Tigers as PCA won the Class 3A state championship in 2022 and was a state tournament team last year. They were moved up due to competitive balance.

LAMP went 17-13 last season and beat Elmore County, 2-0, in the one matchup between the two schools.

In other fall sports, Tallassee will be one of 14 teams in Section 2 in cross country while the swim team remains mostly the same in Section 2 since it is classified as 1A-5A.

Tallassee is also listed in Region 3 for women’s flag football, joining Valley, Loachapoka, Lafayette and BTW Tuskegee.

Glass confirmed that the Tigers are starting a flag football team, but they have not hired a coach yet.

“Flag football is an exciting sport that we are adding at Tallassee,” Glass said. “We had a group of girls who came to me and said they would like to do it. With them adding it as a sanctioned sport, it was time to get in. We have some very athletic girls who want to play.”

WOODS

Continued from B1

Tallassee’s Jaiden Gordon (2) drives to the basket.

Tallassee hoops drop area opener

STAFF REPORT By TPI Staff

The Tallassee boys and girls basketball teams opened area play with a loss last week. Tallassee played host to Valley in the AHSAA Class 5A, Area 7 opener. The Tallassee girls lost a close matchup, 52-48, while the boys were beaten 74-42.

Valley’s boys are the defending Class 5A state champions and went undefeated last season. The win over Tallassee last week was the Rams 41st win in a row as they have not lost since the 2021-2022 basketball season. The Rams returned two All-State players in Brandon Thomas and Cam’Ron Dooley and are the favorites to win Class

5A yet again. In the loss, Tallassee was led by Rowen Thornton’s 14 points. The Tigers (7-6) have now lost three in a row after falling to Bullock County by one point, 49-48, and ACA, 54-43. On the girls side, Tallassee fell by four points in what was only their fourth loss of the season. Now at

Elmore County fishing reels

By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor

The Elmore County fishing team saw quite the successful fall season.

Competing in five events across the Three-River Throwdown Tournament, Elmore County finished in second place. The Panthers finished in the top three in every tournament except for one, and finished runner-up to Benjamin Russell in the final standings.

“We did really well,” coach Mark Davis said. “The team competed really well in all five events that we fished in this fall. Several of our anglers finished in the top 10 in what seemed like every single tournament we fished in.”

Consistency was the name of the game for Elmore County this fall.

The Three-River Throwdown takes the scores from the teams’ best four events out of the five they participated in. In Elmore County’s four best events, the Panthers were within three points in three of them.

After a low score of 848 in the first Lake Martin event where they finished in fourth

12-4, Tallassee has already more than doubled its win total from last season (5).

The Tigers rebounded from the loss with a 20-point win over Bullock County, 53-33, and a win over ACA by a score of 65-53.

The next area games for either team are January 12 at home against Beauregard.

in successful fall

SUBMITTED | THE TRIBUNE

Elmore County’s fishing team poses with its second place trophy in the Three-River Throw Down Tournament. The Panthers finished in the Top 3 in four of their five events this fall.

place, they bounced back with a score of 868 at Lake Jordan, 870 at Lay Lake and a 867 in the second event at Lake Martin.

Elmore County’s total score ended at 3,453, which was 21 points higher than ACA and just over 100 points lower than first-place Ben Russell.

“We were actually pretty consistent just like this last fall too,” Davis said. “We put up pretty consistent numbers especially on our local lakes like Martin and Jordan. It’s really a kind of overall team deal where several of our boats placed in the Top 10 in each

race. It was always different guys and that helps throughout the year.”

In the last event of the fall, Elmore County placed three boats in the Top 20 to claim its third place finish.

The top boat of the day came from Eli Williams and Tony Mask, who had four fish and weighed in at 8.86 pounds. Mask brought in the second largest fish of the tournament with a fish that weighed 4.07 pounds.

Brothers Abe and Eli Mcghee placed 12th with a weight of 8.02 across five fish, while Mathew Bennett

and Aiden Futral finished 20th with a weight of 7.38.

“Abe and Eli were both very consistent this entire fall,” Davis said. “They fished well in every single tournament. Mathew and Aiden both had good falls, and we had a lot of younger anglers come in and step up. Tony’s catch in the last tournament allowed them to finish fourth and he did a really good job helping out there at the end.”

Now that the fall has wrapped up so successfully, Davis and his anglers will get a small break before turning into the spring season.

The Panthers have 28 athletes on the fishing team this year, and they will enjoy Christmas break before coming back and having a meeting in January.

There, the team will discuss the goals they want to achieve and how to best accomplish them. Following that, they will turn into their three qualifying tournaments before the state tournament in May.

“The ultimate goal is to finish first at the state tournament and just really, really compete when we get there,” Davis said.

Woods has never had a losing season in his four high school years, and he has helped the Rebels win 10 or more games each of the last two seasons.

Woods has a few offers from colleges and will get his chance to be a college athlete, whether on the gridiron or on the track, but he was happy to end his high school career with one final win.

“It just felt great to come out here and get my last win,” Woods said. “It’s kind of emotional for me. It felt really good and it’s just been such a great final year of football for me. I really don’t even know how to explain it.”

JOHNSON

Continued from B1 and more winning.

JONES Continued from B1

class before falling in the quarterfinals. This year, Jones weighs around 142 but he has been moving around the lineup.

He’s mostly been wrestling at 150, but goes where head coach John Mask tells him to go.

“When the team needs him, he steps up,” Mask said. “We bumped him up in the duals championship last year and he never complained. He just goes out there and competes. He is the ultimate team player. When you need a victory, you can count on Ethan.”

Wrestling higher weights isn’t the only setback Jones has faced this season.

John son and senior Arthur Woods packed their bags and headed to Mobile for the North-South All-Star Classic. After a few days of practicing with and coaching some of the best players across the state, Johnson was able to earn one final win to wrap up his 2023

Shortly before the season started, Jones suffered a broken nose. With how many wrestlers hit their face and heads on the mat, Jones has had to wear a protective mask and headgear to try and prevent any more injuries to his nose and face.

Mask calls him their “Masked Man” and while it impacted him early in the season, Jones has gotten used to the mask and the limitations it imposes, such as peripheral vision.

“That mask, it really does suck,” Jones said. “It’s a big setback but I’m fighting through it. It’s honestly like wearing a football helmet out there. It gets really, really hot and it hurts your vision. But I’ve started to get the feel for it now.”

Despite the mask and wrestling up in weight, Jones keeps winning. And he keeps winning at a dominant level. He

coaching season. The South beat the North, 31-28, on a game-winning 33-yard field goal by Charles Henderson’s Nick Peerson with just over a minute left. Following the South’s

isn’t just winning by small decisions. Jones is pinning nearly every wrestler he is getting on the mat with.

Out of his 20 wins, he has four forfeit wins.

Of the 16 times he actually hit the mat and was named a victor, he pinned his opponent 14 times. He has two decisions, a 6-4 win and a 16-6 win, while he has pinned every other wrestlers. 12 of those 14 pins have come in the first or second period as he makes quick work of his opponents.

“I don’t want to give away his secrets, but he has several unique pinning combinations,” Mask said. “He’s a pinner. Some kids win by points, but he pins. If you make a mistake, he will make you pay. He’s been really good at that for years.”

lead, Woods trotted out with the defense and held the North offense to a turnover on downs at midfield as the South won its second-consecutive game in the series.

“This is the stuff that we love to do,” Johnson said.

“We love to coach these kids and to just extend the season one more week and have that opportunity, it’s special. It’s a great experience. We’ve had a great trip but I’m excited to sleep in my own bed.”

DALTON MIDDLETON | THE TRIBUNE

Dynasties come, dynasties go

There is a reason hardly anyone remembers former NFL player John Roper.

Roper was a second round pick out of Texas A&M in 1989. He was harmlessly traded to the Dallas Cowboys in 1993. While mainly a special teamer, Roper was set to be a part of the Cowboys’ dynasty that went on to win three titles in the ’90s. Roper won only one.

During a team meeting, Roper fell asleep and was promptly cut by coach Jimmy Johnson.

Johnson made an example of Roper (though later said he wouldn’t of Troy Aikman) to instill the idea the individual is not greater than the whole.

The NBA is doing the same exercise with superstar Draymond Green.

Like Roper, Green was a second-round pick. Green was an overweight forward from Michigan State, taken in the backend of the draft due. Part of that was due to playing for Tom Izzo. If Green worked out,

great. If not, second rounders hardly do anyway. What no one could have foreseen was Green was going to turn himself into arguably the greatest role player the NBA has ever seen.

Green’s only real contemporary comparison is the equally tantalizing and erratic Dennis Rodman, who won six rings with the Chicago Bulls in the ‘90s. Like Rodman, it now stands to reason Green’s lasting legacy on the league will not be for his pure passing prowess, his undeniable ability to rebound or his part in four titles, but for his laundry list of suspensions.

Growing up in Chicago in the late ’90s and early 2000s, I spent many of my formative years watching the Bulls try and recapture the former glory they just recently had. Soon, kids in the Bay will be doing the same.

Steph Curry is 35, Klay Thompson is 33 and has suffered his fair share of leg injuries. Green is also 33. Like the

Bulls tried to do with Jay Williams, the Warriors have failed to find their future replacements.

James Wiseman has already been shipped off, Jon Kuminga is good but no superstar. Free agent signing Andrew Wiggins could maybe lead an average team, but average is not what the Warriors are looking for.

The first guy the Warriors drafted to try and replace the old guard was Jordan Poole, who Green punched in the face last summer. Poole was later traded, and Green was rewarded with a $100 million contract.

Punching Poole got Green suspended, as did stomping on Domantas Sabonis last postseason, choking Rudy Gobert a month ago and now punching Jusuf Nurkić.

Green has been suspended indefinitely by the NBA, which clearly marked the day the Warriors dynasty started its final chapter.

After punching Nurkić, Green was ejected and his

team promptly lost a game they led at halftime in. They then fell to the Clippers the next night and are sitting at 12-14 on the season.

At least with the Bulls, while the dynasty ended somewhat suddenly, they went out with one final ring. This Warriors team might struggle to make the Play-In Tournament.

The Warriors have done little to ever show they have any reins on Green, who is the clear team leader and voice in the locker room. Thompson and Curry have kept silent mostly on Green’s behavior.

The Splash Brothers era of basketball brought the league to heights it had not seen in years. As good things do, it now has come to its final resting place.

Curry and Thompson are Hall of Famers. Green should be too but that honor will certainly be debated due to his laundry list of in-game altercations.

The dynastic Bulls ended in 1998, as the entire team

simply split apart and went out like one last puff of Michael Jordan’s cigars. We are likely seeing that with the Golden State Warriors. Age plays a part in this conversation, so does the team’s lack of restraint on its second best player. Green’s own inability to realize choking a player or punching another will be equally as crippling.

As Green waits in NBA purgatory, watching his team try to play without the most important role player in modern basketball history, all he can do is watch as the new era of the NBA begins to wash his team away.

For his sake, and for the last bit of hope I have for the Warriors to reclaim their former magic, I hope he at least stays awake.

Henry Zimmer is a sports writer for Tallapoosa Publishers Inc.

HENRY ZIMMER Sports Writer

Lake River & Classi eds

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CHRISTMAS IS HERE

Elmore

County’s Caldwell coaches in North-South

By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor

Just 12 years after playing in the event as a senior, Elmore County football coach Kyle Caldwell helped the South to another win in the AHSAA North-South All-Star Football Classic. Caldwell, who has coached Elmore County to 15 wins and back-toback Class 5A playoff appearances the last two seasons, was selected as one of the coaches in the All-Star event.

He, along with Reeltown’s Matt Johnson, helped coach the South to a 31-28 victory over the North on Saturday afternoon at South Alabama’s Hancock Whitney Stadium in Mobile.

Elmore County senior Jabari Murphy was selected to play in the game, but could not attend due to a family emergency.

“It’s an awesome experience,” Caldwell said. “These kids, a lot of them know each other and have played with each other before they get here. That makes it even more special for them to play one more game again. Some of them may never get the chance to play football again. They all seemed to have a great time and it’s an experience they’ll remember for the rest of their lives.”

In his two years as Elmore County’s head coach, Caldwell has been blessed to coach some of Central Alabama’s best athletes in Eclectic.

But this past week, he was able to coach 37 of the best athletes from across the state. That featured players who were committed to SEC programs such as Baker’s Josh Flowers and Headland’s Caleb Dozier, and kids committed to

ACC programs like Gulf Shores’ Ronnie Royal who is going to NC State.

The team also featured countless players that participated in the AHSAA Super 7 state championship games the week prior, such as South quarterback Caleb McCreary who led Montgomery Catholic to the 4A title and led the South to the win on Saturday.

“It’s very humbling coaching these guys when you come from a small town,” Caldwell said. “You get to come out here and watch some of the best guys in the state. Some of these guys will be playing in the league on Sundays when they get done in college. To know them and get to meet them as high schoolers is special. Us coaches take that for granted sometimes, so it’s been a blessing.”

Caldwell knows better

than anyone what it takes to win the North-South Classic. Playing as the quarterback and kicker in 2011, Caldwell was named MVP by finishing with 460 yards of offense and finished 23 of 38 passing for 393 yards and five touchdowns, including the game-winning touchdown with 25

seconds left.

In that game, he threw two touchdown passes in the final minute, kicked two PATs and kicked an onside kick that allowed the South Team to put together its game-winning drive.

While no players had 460 yards and five touchdowns in Satur-

Classic

day’s game, the South did have to put together a comeback for the win. Down 21-14, Booker T. Washington’s EJ Hall scored touchdowns on back-to-back drives, hooked together by a successful onside kick, and the South led 28-21. After the North tied the game at 28 apiece in the fourth quarter, the South put together a successful game-winning drive that was capped off by a 33-yard field goal from Charles Henderson’s Nick Peerson.

“Winning a football game is always hard, no matter the level,” Caldwell said. “But it’s especially hard at the All-Star level. There’s kids here that are going to the SEC, ACC and Power Five conferences. For them to figure this out and put it together and learn in three days, it’s pretty special.”

DALTON MIDDLETON THE OBSERVER

Elmore County’s Kyle Caldwell was selected to coach in the AHSAA North-South All-Star Football Classic on Saturday afternoon.

PHOTOS BY LIZI ARBOGAST GWIN THE OBSERVER

Eclectic hosted its annual Christmas parade last Monday night complete with floats from around the area, businesses, elected officials and of course, Santa Claus. The parade marched down Main Street and featured several performances as well.