Elmore County High School student dies in Friday wreck
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
Holtville High School basketball coach
By Cliff Williams Staff Writer
Masen Goggins, an Elmore County High School student, died in a car crash just before noon Friday in Wetumpka.
A virtual teacher at Elmore County School’s Edge program has been arrested and charged with school employee distributing obscene material to a student.
Elmore County Sheriff Bill Franklin said Emmanuel Andre Wilson II, 32, of Montgomery turned himself into authorities Tuesday afternoon.
Wilson was the head basketball coach at Holtville High School and was placed on administrative leave Jan. 13 according to Elmore County Schools super
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 -
investigation
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.
Dennis said school officials follow
procedure when administrators receive a report of allegations against school staff and employees.
There was a vigil held in Goggins’ honor Monday night at Burt Haynie Field.
“Once we hand it over, we know very little about what is going on,” Dennis said. “We cooperate with authorities if necessary.”
It is the second Elmore County Public Schools student to die in an automobile crash 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.
Franklin said investigators with the Elmore County Sheriff’s Office have the alleged victim’s phone. Authorities collected Wilson’s phone as well. “You could see a conversation between the two,” Franklin said. “Mr. Wilson is going to contend someone had the security code to his phone and he was not responsible. There is other information we can’t disclose now but I don’t think it’s beneficial to Mr. Wilson.”
Wilson was released on a $6,000 bond 90 minutes af ter turning himself in accord ing to the Elmore County Jail website.
Dennis said Wilson also coached other sports at Holt ville schools including being the head track coach and assis tant football coach.
Troopers with ALEA are still investigating both crashes.
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.
Dennis said other staff would fill in for the duties of Wilson at Holtville while he is on administrative leave.
Administrators feel lucky to have Stringfellow
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
Just over two years ago, Airport Road Intermediate School had three openings for teachers. Deborah Stringfellow walked in the door and everyone felt a connection. Stringfellow brought decades of experience in the classroom and as an administrator. She was seeking a great place to work until retirement.
Members of the Wetumpka Chamber of Commerce attend the chamber’s “A Taste of Our Home Town” luncheon. CLIFF WILLIAMS/ THE HERALD
Friends and family remember Masen Goggins at vigil
“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
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
BSee CHAMBER, Page A3
y 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.
Holtville’s
“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
, Page A6
Rescheduled Downtown Dickens Christmas a success
a schoolwide assembly at Holtville High School. Elmore County Superintendent Richard Dennis was in attendance for the presentation.
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
“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 the school culture from that of a school struggling with low morale, achievement and attendance to a school that strives for excellence. 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
It almost didn’t happen.
The originally scheduled Downtown Dickens Christmas in Wetumpka was canceled due to the threat of severe weather. Instead, downtown business owners and Wetumpka residents banded together to pull off a last-minute scheduling miracle to turn the clock back centuries in downtown
is a ‘unicorn’ at Stanhope Elmore
According to Wetumpka police chief Greg Benton, this was not a random shooting.
“This was not random, not a random act,” said Benton. “We believe the victim and the perpetrator knew each other.”
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
This is the first homicide in Wetumpka in over three years. The last homicide in the city took place in 2018.
Stanhope Elmore High School has a five-star teacher. That may be an athletic description, but that’s the
“It’s not a good way to start out the new year,” said Benton.
Benton didn’t want to speculate on the
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 per cent increase in ACT proficiency in the last five years.
CHRISTMAS, Page A6
perfect fit for Stanhope Elmore teacher and coach Johanna Angelo, who was recently named the Elmore County Schools Secondary Teacher of the Year.
See SHOOTING, Page A3
See PRINCIPAL, Page A3
WILSON
Alabama High School Prin
of the Year.
High School Principal of the Year award was presented to Futral on Friday, Jan. 28 during
Masen Goggins
SUBMITTED THE HERALD
Airport Road Intermediate School teacher Deborah Stringfellow, center, poses with assistant principal, left, and principal Marcia Stephens after being named the Elmore County Schools Elementary Teacher of the Year.
SUBMITTED THE HERALD
Elmore County Schools secondary teacher of the year Johanna Angelo, center, of Stanhope Elmore poses with county superintendent Richard Dennis, left, and director of secondary schools Dr. Jamie McGowan.
See ANGELO, Page A7
See
CLIFF WILLIAMS THE HERALD
Children’s librarian Cathy Saylor with the Wetumpka Public Library helped with story hour at The Wetumpka Herald. She read the Night Before Christmas and helped children create a construction paper Christmas tree. See REMEMBER
Police Reports
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.
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.
• 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.
• Animal cruelty was reported on West Main 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.
• 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
ducted 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Harassment was reported on Third Avenue.
• A suspicious vehicle was reported on Thompson Avenue. DEC. 12
• A welfare check was con -
• 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.
Tech Center HVAC program creates new service techs
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
The Elmore County Technical Center HVAC program is helping to fill the need for technicians to service home and commercial air conditioning units.
Instructor Roger Willis left the field after a successful career. He helped build teams of technicians for Aire Serv across the country, even obtaining Service Professional of the Year for the multistate company in 2017. He slowed down to something he did for years — train technicians.
“In the past, I trained techs in the field,” Willis said. “I’m just doing it in a classroom setting now. I’m still teaching the same things and looking for the same skills to develop.”
The HVAC program at ECTC is a three-year program. By the end, students should understand what the parts of a HVAC system are, have an understanding how they work and be able to service units at residences.
“They can leave here and enter an apprenticeship program,” Willis said. “How long they do that is up to them.”
Some of the students come to Willis with basically zero knowledge.
“Some have never turned a wrench or drove a nail,” Willis said. “We start like all
the other construction programs with basic worksite safety.”
In the classroom, Willis used games to keep the students sharp on basic facts such as attaching a lanyard to hammers to avoid the tool falling to the floor. Other questions remind students of math and algebra.
“It’s all skills they will need,” Willis said.
This year’s students are still progressing into bigger projects. Last year, students disassembled a furnace and another class reassembled it.
“Ideally when they leave here, I want them to be able to walk into a job and be very familiar with a unit, have handson experience to braise and start climbing a career ladder,” Willis said.
Willis said successful students can make six figure salaries after a few years in the field.
“They have to work hard,” Willis said. “If they do, they can be successful.”
Willis works to get equipment for the students to work on. In his shop are multiple units that came from change outs. The students take the old units, study the parts and begin to dissect them.
Last week Willis had students in the shop working with copper pipe. The students first watched Willis make a cut. Then they did it themselves.
“Cutting copper, you want to sand it down before you start. It helps keep some of the particles out of the pipe,” Willis told the students. “Watch the
tubing cut ter. If you go too tight, you won’t be able to turn it. When it starts to get a little loose, tighten it a little more.”
The lesson is practical. Cutting the pipe leaves a ridge inside that ideally needs to be removed before connecting to a coupling or piece of equipment.
“We don’t want it in the pipe because it will disturbed the refrigerate in the line making it less efficient,” Willis said.
It is all practice for what the students might one day do in the field. At the same time Willis hopes he instills basic skills needed in every job.
“I want them to be goal oriented,” Willis said. “I work with them on motivating themselves.”
CLIFF WILLIAMS | THE HERALD
Roger Willis, right, tells students they first need to sand the copper pipe before cutting it. Doing so helps prevent particles from getting into the HVAC system.
Humane Society of Elmore County News
Make sure pets are comfy at the
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
Pet of the Week - Noel
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. Noth -
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.
Vets graves in Wetumpka draped with wreaths
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
For the second year in a row, wreaths were placed upon graves of veterans at the Wetumpka City Cemetery thanks to a program called Wreaths Across America.
The program, which began in Maine, was started decades ago when extra wreaths were shipped to Arlington National Cemetery for veterans’ graves. Wetumpka recently began participating in the national program when resident Paul Wolbeck attended a Wreaths Across America ceremony in Millbrook.
“We thought they only did it at National Cemeteries,” Wolback said. “As I was registering our group to go they asked for a zip code. Millbrook popped up and Dadeville popped up. We thought it was a shame we didn’t have it here. We need to honor our vets in Wetumpka.”
From there, Wolbeck got the ball rolling and in just two years, it has grown to honor more than 100 veterans. On Saturday, 140 veterans’ graves were marked with a wreath.
As part of the ceremony, each person placing a wreath was asked to do something special.
“As you lay a wreath, say their name,” Wol -
beck said. “It is a small gesture that really means a lot to the families. As long as we remember them, they are truly never forgotten.”
Some of those placing wreaths were Wetumpka native and Marine veteran Bill Bonner; Navy veteran and Holtville native Carl Edwards, 99; and a group of veterans for the Wounded Warrior Project. Millbrook’s Anthony Albert said he was injured in Iraq and his grandfather was a WWII veteran and a prison of war in the Korean War.
“It’s an honor for me to be here today,” Albert said. “I like
making sure veterans are recognized.”
Wolbeck is hopeful the program in Wetumpka will grow. Ultimately, he hopes to include everyone in the cemetery.
“If anyone knows of a veteran in the Wetumpka City Cemetery that didn’t get a wreath, let us know,” Wolbeck said.
For more information, visit Wreaths Across America, Wetumpka, Alabama on Facebook.
ing 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 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.
CLIFF WILLIAMS | THE HERALD
Wetumpka native and Marine Veteran Bill Bonner, 92, places a wreath in honor of the Marines at the Wetumpka City Cemetery Saturday. Bonner said the Wreaths Across America event at the cemetery was inspirational.
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
Gardner Cameron. Masen Goggins. Nate Jones. Bethany Walters. Bradyn White.
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.
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.
Family of eight surprised for Christmas
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
In the spring, Cassie Satterfield was happy with a small family of four. It was her, her husband Jesse and their two children.
Tragedy struck when her sister-like cousin Sara Knox died unexpectedly May 7, leaving behind four children. Cassie didn’t want the children to be separated, so she and her husband sprung into action.
“I went and got them that day and have had them since,” Satterfield said.
“I’ve been going through the courts to get custody and such.”
Overnight, the family of four doubled to eight, now with children ranging in age from 4 to 14.
“I just did what my heart told me to do,” Satterfield
Wetumpka Friday night.
said. “We knew she was sick, but we didn’t expect her to go that quick.”
Quickly, the Satterfields with the help of friends and strangers pulled together clothing and necessities for the family. As the holidays were approaching, Satterfield wondered what to do. She received a call from Frank Bertarelli who, with a few other business owners, started a local “Letters to Santa” program resulting in children receiving a “Golden Ticket” to visit with Santa and receive a gift or two from the list.
This year, Betarelli called Satterfield and said the family had a special benefactor for the holidays — Fraternal Order of Police Elmore County Lodge 55.
“He told me what they wanted to do,” Satterfield
“It was a little bit stressful,” Main Street Wetumpka executive director Haley Greene said. “We didn’t look at the weather at all. We were just like, ‘We are going with it.’ It took a lot of businesses, their owners and property owners to pull this together. It took us all together, teamwork, to pull off this magical event.”
It is the fifth time the streets of downtown Wetumpka were rolled back into a Charles Dickens novel. Ladies in hoop dresses, men in top hats and a horse drawn carriage moved through the streets recreating an 1800s Christmas setting.
“It is exactly what a small town Christmas should be,” Wetumpka Area Chamber of Commerce executive director Shellie Whitfield said.
The last-minute rush meant rescheduling Father Santa, vendors and working with the quilters and Wetumpka Public Library to make sure it had space for demonstrations and readings. The postponed event allowed the Redland Elementary School choir a chance to
Continued from A1
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 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
said. “It just touches my heart. I didn’t realize how many people were paying attention to what I was doing.”
Wetumpka Deputy Police Chief Ed Reeves said the lodge came back to life in the past year and wanted a family to spon-
perform on the steps of the historic Elmore County Courthouse.
In the end, Greene believed the rescheduled event met expectations set by past Dickens’ events in Wetumpka.
“I think everything went really well,” Greene said. “We went into the businesses and spoke with the merchants, they were all happy. I think it was a boost to the economy which is what we need around this time of year.”
Chamber membership and marketing director Andrew Stieb said events like Downtown Dickens Christmas are good for all.
“It’s all about supporting the businesses and creating a fun event for everyone,” he said. “When our businesses are thriving, the rest of the community will thrive.”
Greene said while the event helped encourage spending in Wetumpka businesses, the image created by the event left a lasting impression on her.
“I saw lots of smiling faces, which is my favorite part,” Greene said. “There were lots of families. We really enjoyed the choir on the steps of the courthouse. It was fabulous, we need to keep doing that.”
sor for Christmas.
“They have several small children ranging in age from 4-14,” Reeves said. “They needed some help. The lodge went together and bought toys, clothes, grocery gift cards and a few other things.”
The family arrived at
the annual program where Bertarelli and others were surprising children with Santa, the Grinch, elves and the queens of the Christmas on the Coosa who helped with a toy drive and presented the children with gifts.
Most of the Satterfields’ gifts will be held until Christmas morning but the day was special nonetheless.
“This means so much to us and the kids,” Satterfield said. “They got the letter in the mail. They got really excited when they saw the ‘Golden Ticket.’ They are all so happy. They got to come and see Santa Claus [Saturday]. It is really a big help.”
The Golden Ticket idea was meant to get area children excited about
Christmas. A mailbox was renovated to accept letters from local children to Santa Claus. Business owners become elves with the help of volunteers with toy drives. Children accepted into the program get a letter back from Santa with a ‘Golden Ticket’ for admission.
The program has grown since it was started in 2020 with about 40 kids. The next year saw more than 100 and the third more than 200.
Bertarelli smiled the entire morning as he saw joy on the faces of children and parents.
“It is just a way some of us give back,” Bertarelli said. “It’s great to see the kids have a time of enjoyment. It gives them something to look forward to.”
CLIFF WILLIAMS THE HERALD
Downtown Wetumpka was transformed into a Dickens Christmas on Friday night, thanks to the hard work of several organizations and businesses to make it happen despite a reschedule.
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 Goggins loved his family, friends and especially his “momma.” 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 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.”
CLIFF WILLIAMS | THE HERALD
ABOVE LEFT: 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 RIGHT: 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.
CLIFF WILLIAMS | THE HERALD Members of the Fraternal Order of Police pose with the queens of the Christmas on the Coosa, parents and Santa Claus at the Golden Ticket program Saturday.
‘She did it again’
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
Monica Velma has a thing for lights — stage lights, that is.
The Wetumpka High School senior almost didn’t make the stage at the school’s theater program 3 ½ years ago. But the last two years she has been awarded the Best Performance in a Lead Role at the Alabama Conference of Theaters’ Trumbauer competition.
After winning the award last year, Velma jokingly said she was going to do it again. It was a mark Wetumpka theater teacher
Jeff Glass thought was nearly impossible.
“I thought nobody had done that before,” Glass said. “When they called her name last week I was like, ‘She wasn’t kidding.’”
Velma was playing the role of Alice in a one act play largely played out in the head of Alice. It goes between Alice in Wonderland and WWII London. Velma said she wasn’t expecting the award. She didn’t receive it at the district competition this year like she did last year.
“At district, I thought I was doing everything I could with my character,” Velma said. “I guess (not getting it
ANGELO
Continued from A1
SUBMITTED | THE HERALD
at district) made me realize I had to make (Alice) seen in a different light to showcase my acting.”
In the weeks between district and state, Velma worked on making her character bigger.
“It is all in her memory,” Velma said. “She is surrounded by all these big characters. I just underplayed her. I realized if all these huge big personalities are in her mind, then she obviously herself has to have a huge big personality.”
Even if she didn’t hear name called for a second year in a row, Velma was pleased with her progress on the stage at Wetumpka High
“She is a home run,” SEHS principal Ewell Fuller said. “She is phenomenal. These types of teachers don’t come along very often. She is a unicorn.” Angelo, an English teacher, is humble and hard on herself as she is always striving to do better for her students. Last year, all her AP Literature students who took the exam received a qualifying score. It is a class she has been teaching for 10 years.
“That is stressful. How do you keep that up?” Angelo asked with a laugh. “I had a really good group of kids..”
She has been teaching AP Language for two years and the qualifying scores weren’t 100%.
“It wasn’t bad, but I’m not satisfied,” Angelo said. “When I saw that, I was like, ‘How can I make the other one look the same? What else can I do better?’”
That’s part of Angelo’s personality though as she is always looking at ways to improve not only herself but her students.
“She demands a lot of her students,” Fuller said. “She demanded a lot of her athletes when she coached soccer. She demands a lot of anyone
STRINGFELLOW
Continued from A1
Stringfellow interviewed with principal Marcia Stephens and assistant principal Sharon Earl.
“We offered her before she left the building,” Stephens said. “She told us she had several offers and wanted to think about it. We were shocked she chose us.”
Fast forward to now, and Stringfellow has been selected as the Elmore County Public Schools Elementary Teacher of the Year.
Stephens felt the connection when she walked into Airport Road Intermediate to leave her resume. She had previously taught first grade, seventh grade, had been a middle school assistant principal and beyond.
Stringfellow was a little hesitant to accept the offer on the spot. Her granddaughter was the reason for moving back to Alabama. She was in Autauga County Schools.
“I went home and prayed about it,” Stringfellow said. Stephens and Earl
School. Three and ½ years ago, Glass wasn’t sure if Velma was cut for the stage. She was shy and didn’t show much ability. But a judging panel urged Glass to give Velma a chance.
“Boy did she come out of her shell,” Glass said. “It is absolutely nuts.”
Velma credits a Wetumpka graduate who once performed on stage with her for breaking the shell — Brody Valdakis. Glass sent the pair to run lines as Velma was a freshman. But they didn’t run lines.
“He took me to the far side of the commons to a corner,” Velma said. “He said, ‘Yell at the corner.’ I
around her. She makes you want to strive to do things better.”
Angelo said she loves English, reading and sharing stories with her students.
“They are always the best part of the job,” Angelo said. “Things can go wrong real quick, but they keep you grounded. I just like being with them. They are awesome people.”
From a young age, Angelo knew she wanted to teach. And it wasn’t just schooling that showed her the way.
Angelo always kept a little secret from her mom: she used to break the sheetrock off the wall in her closet to use as chalk.
“You can use it on the walls of your closet to teach your stuffed animals things,” Angelo recalled. “I would save the workbooks at the end of the school year. I used them to teach class in my bedroom.”
Angelo was a one-time Elmore County Coach of the Year as the Stanhope boys soccer coach. And although she gave up coaching, she isn’t retiring from education.
“I was always a teacher first and coach second,” Angelo said. “I love soccer, but that is not why I’m here. It’s a passion but teaching is more important. I get to influence more kids.”
She will still be at the soccer field cheering on her students and even her
classroom.
couldn’t be happier. They wish every teacher could be like Stringfellow. The veteran teacher has decades of teaching experience in math and science, but is teaching English Language Arts to fourth graders.
“If you are a good teacher, it is more about the delivery and instruction that makes a good teacher,” Stringfellow said. “If you can teach, you can teach. I’ve been really successful the last two years to have the top classes with kids making their goals.”
In two years, the data speaks for itself in Accelerated Reading.
“Her students have an 85% average for the AR Program,” Stephens said.
“All the children work to maintain the goal because that is the expectation of them by Mrs. Stringfellow. Her data is amazing — 84% of her children improved. She has the magic touch. She has that old school magic. She is passionate about what she does.”
Stephens said Stringfellow’s teaching is non-stop and not confined to the
WHS senior selected as best actor in state for second year in a row
was like, ‘Ha, ha, ha.’ He was like why are you laughing. I was mortified.”
Valdakis didn’t give up on Velma that day.
“He sat there until I was comfortable yelling and hearing myself yelling at nothing,” Velma said. “As crazy as it sounds, it worked. I just needed to be pushed into the water and learn how to swim.”
Glass said last week he had no clue of the interaction between the two. But Velma thought it was the moment she found her stage presence.
“It was a breakthrough moment,” Velma said. “I feel like if that didn’t happen, I don’t think I would have been hindered, but I don’t think I would have grown as fast. It really helped with the confidence issue.”
Velma’s individual success this year almost didn’t happen. She was not selected for an award at the district competition. As a group, the Wetumpka High School Theater Guild had to depend on a wildcard selection to compete at the state level. The group sat at the University of North Alabama as the awards were called out. The announcer mispronounced Velma’s name but it was quickly corrected.
“When they called the
own children.
“I have three boys and they are still young,” Angelo said. “Amazingly it got harder the older they got. I started to have to run them to their practices and games. Soccer time will still be spent on a soccer field just in a different capacity. Though keeping my mouth shut will be challenging.”
Although Fuller now has to find a hard-to-replace soccer coach, he knows the freer schedule will allow Angelo to further excel in the halls of Stanhope.
“She is a mentor to the younger faculty and staff,” Fuller said. “She is also a mentor to the veteran teachers as well, even the adminstors. She is little in stature but a giant at what she does. She has a different type of strength that is unique. She is irreplaceable. ”
For nearly three decades, Fuller has been in the education field. In all that time though, Angelo stands out amongst the rest.
“She is a straight workhorse,” Fuller said. “I’ve been around some really good teachers, but that one right there is truly special. God gives certain people talents and abilities. She is meant to do what she is doing. You could give her teacher of the year every year and nobody would say a word. Everyone knows who she is and what a great teacher she is.”
“They could be walking down the hallway or in the cafeteria, she is always pointing out stuff and teaching,” Stephens said.
“It might be vocabulary. She will ask what it means. It is amazing how she teaches in the classroom but also outside the classroom.
The learning never stops.”
Not only is Stringfellow a teacher to the students but also to her fellow co-workers.
“She is giving (younger teachers) guidance, helping set up the classrooms, giving them pointers on lesson plans,” Stephens said. “She chooses to do that. If she sees somebody that needs help, she goes out there and helps.”
Stringfellow has a wealth of information that has led her to be a Top 10 Teacher of the Year finalist in Georgia and to be National Board Certified twice.
“She means everything to us,” Stephens said. “She is our role model. She has been in so many different positions, she can assist us with anything.”
first name, it wasn’t me,” Velma said. “I was like, ‘I need to calm down.’ Then they announced my name wrong. I was like it’s me. I went up there and the guild started cheering my name, ‘Moncia, Monica.’ I was like oh my. I was crying and cried all night.”
At state Velma grew her fanbase. Glass said she couldn’t walk 10 yards without being stopped, but Velma disagreed.
“There were people who were like, ‘You were Alice?’” Velma said. “It wasn’t like a flash mob. I
got stopped for a mini-microphone interview. It was funny.”
Glass said the judges loved Velma too.
“One of the judges of the festival, her notes I thought were hilarious,” Glass said. “Alice should be a professional right now. She has a bright future ahead of her.”
Velma is set on attending UAB to earn a bachelors of fine arts on the stage. While in school, she hopes to land roles at the Red Mountain Theater associated with the
Stringfellow believes teaching has no boundaries and encompasses many career paths.
“It’s part artist and part scientist. You are a performer. You are on a stage all day long,” Stringfellow said. “Then you have to think like a scientist. All the time you are analyzing what the kids are doing, what they are understanding and not. There is never a day that is exactly alike. If you want to be creative, there is an outlet. You can make as big a difference as you want.”
At 63, Stringfellow isn’t sure how much longer she will teach. She loves what she does but is waiting for God to point her in the right direction again. She and her husband have been to Bible college and she sees her teaching as mission work.
“I really think each day is a gift and will take them one at a time as they come,” Stringfellow said. “It is where I feel called to be. What is next is hard to know. But I see myself here.”
Monica Velma, center, played the role of Alice. It was a role that
landed her the best actor in a lead role at a state competition. It was the same competition the production was given a Best in Show. See BEST, Page B3
The light of the world
Greetings from the corner of Bridge and Bridge! I do hope everyone reading this column is awash in the glow of Advent. The coming light of Christ is almost upon us. Remember that God kept the promise of prophecy. “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.”(Isaiah 9:2a)
One of my favorite anthems / hymns is Jesus, the Light of the World. The chorus declares: We’ll walk in the light, beautiful light, come where the dew-drops of mercy shine bright. Shine all around us by day and by night, Jesus, the light of the world. We have a choral arrangement with a swing jazz feel to it that makes me smile every time we sing it! Each year during our Candle-
light Christmas Eve Service of Lessons and Carols, I have the privilege of reading the opening verses of the Gospel of John. The word of God became flesh and dwells among us. When we follow that reading with the lighting of each attendee’s candle, we easily visualize the spreading of the light of Christ. Before writing this week’s column, I wrote a daily devotion based on the most familiar words from the Gospel of John,
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
CARRVILLE
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-
John 3:16. The Gospel reading for the day was John 3: 16 – 21. I observed that the very familiar words of 3:16 are followed by words that empower the message loved by so many. God so loved the word that God provides opportunity for salvation for all.
The reading explains the purpose for the incarnation. The word of God became flesh so that all might have eternal life. Jesus Christ, God’s ultimate and final example for how to live in covenant relationship with God, came to redeem the world; not condemn it. God’s intentions could not be clearer.
The reading also explains humankind’s response to the word of God in the flesh. Children of God sometimes refuse
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
the light of God. We often prefer to remain lost in darkness. When Jesus was put on trial, a non-believing judge found him innocent. The Roman Empire did not sentence Jesus to death. The supposed people of God did.
Before anyone begins to think the ol’ preacher man is getting crass and cynical because of Christmas stress, think again. What I am asking all of us to do is to be honest about the ways of God and the ways of humankind.
Anyone claiming to follow Jesus Christ and / or spread gospel good news needs to keep a few things straight.
The light of God has already been given to the whole of the earthly kingdom. No one, regardless of any human label,
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
characteristic, or circumstance, has been or ever will be cut off from the light of redemption by God. The light is freely given and available to all, all the time. Similarly, although God separated light from darkness at the time of creation, God did not assign evil to the dark. Satan recognized the lure of darkness and chose it as the preferred medium for temptation. God in Jesus Christ makes it possible for any child of God to whistle in the dark, so to speak.
Finally, as Christmas approaches, accept the gift of divine truth. God gives light. God does not plunge people into darkness. The devil cannot make us do anything we don’t agree to. Walk in the light, the beautiful light of God! It is always shining. Why not shine with it?
Rev. Jonathan Yarboro is the Pastor of First Presbyterian Church, Wetumpka
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’s Barker helps lead Alabama All-Stars to win
By HENRY ZIMMER Sports Writer
The first time Wetumpka’s Clark Barker lined up along the Alabama All-Star offensive line, his team scored. Barker helped lead the Alabama All-Star football team to a 26-17 win over the Mississippi All-Stars in Hattiesburg on Saturday in the 37th Mississippi-Alabama
All-Star game.
“This was great,” Barker said. “This is something that only a few people can get into. I couldn’t have done it without God and my coaches.”
Playing in the Southern Mississippi football stadium alongside the best talent the state has to offer was a dream come true for the Wetumpka senior.
Helping lead block for J’marion Burnette on a 6-yard touchdown rush on his first snap of the day was even better.
“Oh, that felt great,” Barker said of the touchdown.
“That was probably the best play of the game. I was so excited for my O-line. It was blocked perfectly. No worries with anyone. We all
BEST
By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor
Wetumpka senior Willie Cox is sending a statement to the wrestlers of Alabama.
Coming off a junior season where Cox claimed the AHSAA Class 6A state championship in the Heavyweight division, Cox recently picked up his 100th win of his wrestling career.
The milestone is cool and all to Cox, but he got over it as quickly as he achieved it last Tuesday night. Now, Cox has his sights set on finishing out his senior season with a second state championship ring.
The 285-pound star is an impressive 15-1 this year and is undefeated against wrestlers from the state of Alabama. Including his championship season last spring, Cox is 58-3 in his last 61 matches with zero losses to in-state wrestlers. His three losses have come to wrestlers from Tennessee,
THE BEST
Georgia and Louisiana, one of which is the No. 8-ranked wrestler in the entire country.
“He’s definitely the top heavyweight in the state,” Wetumpka coach Josh Highland said. “That’s not me being biased. He’s proven it with the numbers. That question has been answered. He is the top guy, and he wrestles like it.”
To get to the top of the heavyweight mountain, Cox had to make some really hard decisions.
The biggest of which was to quit football.
Cox had played football all his life, and he was a big contributor to multiple Wetumpka football teams on the offensive and defensive line during his three years of varsity.
While he enjoyed the sport of football, and to this day misses the bright Friday night lights, he knew it was never his sport like wrestling is.
After his freshman year, he was named an All-American wrestler in the 2021 Junior
and 16U Nationals at Fargo, North Dakota. He realized then wrestling was his future, and he wanted to quit football.
But he let then-coach Tim Perry talk him into continuing to play and kept going when coach Bear Woods took over the program. It wasn’t until his state championship last spring he decided to truly quit playing and focus on one sport.
“Football started taking away from my offseason practices and you could see it in my wrestling,” Cox said. “I was getting gassed quicker, so I decided to quit and do more offseason training.
I think it paid off pretty well and it was worth quitting. I miss the Friday night lights sometimes, but two rings is way better than just one.”
Cox’s road to a second championship ring has been as tough as anyone across the state.
Just in the last month, he
Elmore County fishing reels in successful fall
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 tourna -
ment 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
By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor
On Monday morning, schools across the state were officially given their new football regions. Due to the bi-annual shake up of regions and classifications, all five area programs now have different regional opponents they will see throughout the next two athletic seasons.
In Class 6A, rivals Wetumpka and Stanhope Elmore will remain in Region 2 with the majority of the region in-tact.
Russell County, Pike Road and Park Crossing all remain, while two new additions replace Montgomery Carver and Sidney Lanier, which merged this year and are now in 7A.
In their place are Percy Julian and Rehobeth.
Percy Julian, formerly known as Robert E. Lee, is moving down to 6A from 7A. The Phoenix will be a tough matchup for both teams as they defeated both Sidney Lanier and Carver a year ago, both of which were playoff teams in the region.
Rehobeth, on the other hand, is moving up to 6A from 5A.
Rehobeth missed the playoffs last season with a 6-4 overall record. The challenge with Rehobeth will be travel. Located south of Dothan, there are no 6A teams in the surrounding area so the team will have to make a near three hour road trip at least four times a year.
Wetumpka and Stanhope will also have to make the trip at least once over the next two seasons.
In Class 5A, rivals Elmore County and Holtville are now back together in a region. The two teams are now in Region 4 together with Beauregard, Central Clay, Marbury, Sylacauga and Valley.
It is a mixture of Region 3 and Region 4 from this past season but largely stays the same. It will be a dogfight for the playoffs as six of the seven teams in this region made the playoffs last year in R3 and R4. Sylacauga was the lone team out.
The biggest change in this region is the departure of Tallassee, which moves down to Class 4A.
Tallassee is now in 4A, Region 3 with Bibb County, Booker T. Washington Tuskegee, Bullock County, Handley, St. James, Talladega and West Blocton.
VOLLEYBALL
The volleyball teams across the county will face a tougher path to the sub-regionals tournament over the next two years. In 6A, Stanhope and Wetumpka once again say goodbye to Carver and Lanier and welcome two tougher opponents into Area 4. Percy Julian joined the rivals while Montgomery Academy moved up to 6A due to competitive balance. Montgomery Academy won the Class 5A state championship last year with a 53-6 overall record.
In Class 5A, Elmore County moves away from its normal area and will now be in Area 5 with Beauregard and Valley. Holtville and Marbury, both of which were in the area with Elmore County, stay together in Area 6. They are joined by Montgomery Catholic, St. James and Trinity, so the path did not get any easier for the teams.
Tallassee will be in 4A, Area 5 and face BTW Tuskegee, LAMP and Prattville Christian. PCA moved up due to competitive balance and recently won the 3A state championship in 2022.
HENRY ZIMMER THE HERALD Clark Barker blocks a Mississippi defender in the first quarter of the MississippiAlabama All-Star game.
tion numbers on Monday. Wetumpka will remain in Class 6A, Region 2 with rival Stanhope Elmore. The region will see two new faces with Rehobeth and Percy Julian replacing Montgomery Carver and Sidney Lanier.
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 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 firstplace 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.
FOOTBALL
Continued from B1
FLAG FOOTBALL
There were three county teams listed in the flag football section of the reclassification numbers. Stanhope Elmore was listed in Class 6A, Region 3 with Auburn, Ben Russell, Central Phenix City, Opelika, Park Crossing, Prattville, Russell County and Smiths Station.
Athletic director Hunter Adams said the school is trying to field a team for the first time and is looking for a willing sponsor. If the school does not find one by March, they will withdraw their name again. Elmore County was listed in 5A, Region 4, but does not currently have plans to field a team.
BARKER
Continued from B1
trusted each other and we scored.”
Playing a position that requires arguably the most connection to one another, Barker said his unit gelled
Stanhope Elmore boys lose in overtime thriller
By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor
The Stanhope Elmore boys basketball team has seen a lot of growth in just a few weeks of play this season.
On Thursday night, Stanhope Elmore hosted Percy Julian and came up just short, 77-72, in overtime of the non-area game. With the loss, Stanhope Elmore fell to 5-7 and 0-2 against the Phoenix.
But this loss was not like the first one suffered against Percy Julian.
The first time these two teams met was on November 30, and Percy Julian walked away with a 20-point win after Stanhope turned the ball over 30-plus times in the game.
The team’s goal going into Thursday’s matchup was to cut that number in half. Head coach David Cochran’s team did exactly that, and his team was in the game until the final buzzer sounded in overtime.
Since that game, the Mustangs have played better basketball and won three of their five contests.
“It’s all about effort and want to,” Cochran said.
“We’ve had some up-anddown games this season. If we can turn that consistency button on and play like we did tonight, we will be in positions to win games. We took good care of the ball tonight.”
Stanhope’s overall record
is not indicative of the team’s skill level.
All seven of the losses are from teams in Class 7A.
Those have come from Percy Julian twice, Opelika twice while also taking losses from JAG, Spain Park and Prattville.
With a senior-heavy squad, Cochran made sure the schedule was tough so they could be ready come area play. The Mustangs have one of the toughest areas in the state with Montgomery Carver, Sidney Lanier and Wetumpka. He’s preparing his team for that gauntlet when it begins after the Christmas break.
“It’s been a tough test early,” Cochran said. “We’ve played some tough competition and we’re really trying to get tuned up for January. The teams in our area play the same style of basketball as
Percy Julian so it was a great test. It’s going to be tough but that’s what we wanted.”
His team looked mightily prepared for that gauntlet on Thursday.
The teams traded short leads back-and-forth for much of the game, and Stanhope Elmore tied the game, 67-67, on a putback layup by Tyrone Williams with less than a minute left in regulation.
The Phoenix held the ball to get a last minute shot off, but missed and sent the game in overtime.
To start the overtime period, Percy Julian knocked down back-to-back 3-pointers and Stanhope was unable to catch up. Overall, Percy Julian hit 12 3-pointers in the game, nine of which came in the second half and overtime. “They made an adjust-
ment in the second half and they made more plays in the second half to get out of here,” Stanhope coach David Cochran said. “I thought our kids played hard and they executed the game plan really well. Ultimately, we just shot ourselves in the foot down the stretch and they made their plays.”
As many treys as Percy Julian made in the second half, Stanhope was able to match them shot for shot.
The Mustangs also knocked down nine 3-pointers in the second half, most of which came from Judah Gilbert and Anthony Davis.
Davis scored a team-high 17 points, with four 3-pointers. Gilbert scored 16 points and also hit four 3-pointers. Three of his four long balls came in the second half. They combined for 20 points in the second half.
Corian Gilder, Williams and Charles Johnson all added 3-pointers late in the game, too.
“We always get effort and intensity out of both of those guys,” Cochran said of Gilbert and Davis. “They are both guys who are able to get us in the right positions that we need as well as Corian (Gilder) and Tyrone. Those four are able to put us in good situations in the game to be successful. Tonight, they knocked down shots and I was happy to see it.”
Burton, Gilchrist lead Stanhope Elmore girls to win
By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor
The Percy Julian girls basketball team had no answer for Stanhope Elmore’s suffocating defense Thursday night.
Stanhope Elmore beat the visiting Phoenix, 56-37, at home. The Mustangs (7-4) forced at least 10 turnovers in every quarter. They jumped out to a 23-4 lead in the first quarter and never looked back.
“We came out and needed to start fast,” Stanhope Elmore coach Kelvin Stokes said.
“At home, you always need a strong first quarter and then maintain that lead. We had to separate ourselves at the start to give ourselves a cushion.
I’m proud of the defensive effort. We hang our hat on that side of the ball.”
For the home team, it was the two-headed monster of senior Ariel Gilchrist and sophomore Aniya Burton who did most of the offensive damage.
Gilchrist scored seven points in the first quarter, while Burton added six.
Burton ended up leading the game with 22 total points, and scored at least four points in every quarter.
This was the most points she’s scored in a game this
THURSDAY, DEC. 21
HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING
season.
“Aniyah Burton has really come along for us,” Stokes said. “She played a full game tonight and was hitting her jump shot along with playing in the paint. She’s a breath of fresh air and brings us a lot of defense. Her hands are very active and her defense turns into offense and tonight she was hitting her shots.”
Gilchrist scored 16 points to be the only other Mustang in double digits, and none of her points were more import-
4 Wetumpka, Stanhope Elmore, Elmore County,Tallassee, Holtville at Indian Invitational (Wetumpka),TBD HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL 4 Tallassee, Wetumpka at Capital City Christmas Tournament (Trinity),TBD
WEDNESDAY, DEC. 27 HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL 4 Edgewood Academy at Border Wars Tournament (Glenwood),TBD
almost instantly. Going into the weekend, Barker only knew a single player on the front in center Carson Wheeler. But by the game’s end, Barker celebrated with his newfound teammates as if he had known them all his life.
“I had no clue who any of
ant than the six she scored in the third quarter.
Stanhope led, 32-11, at the break and Gilchrist subbed out to start the second half. In her absence, however, Percy Julian went on a 10-2 run and cut the lead to 34-21, the closest the game got the rest of the night.
With the lead down to only 13 points, Gilchrist subbed back in and instantly made an impact. After recording two steals, she turned her defense into offense with six-straight
THURSDAY, DEC. 28
SCHOOL BASKETBALL
Edgewood Academy at Border Wars Tournament (Glenwood), TBD
Holtville at Trinity, 1:30 p.m. 4 Stanhope Elmore at UMS Wright Christmas Tournament, TBD
FRIDAY, DEC. 29 HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING 4 Wetumpka at Hoover Invitational, TBD HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL
Edgewood Academy at Border
these people were,” Barker said. “I came in here and we all just started talking and having fun together. We all grew together and we all trust each other now.”
As for the game, Barker and his group of offensive linemen took turns on drives on offense. The Alabama
points.
With the lead back at 19, the Mustangs cruised comfortably to the win.
“Ariel is just total hustle and heart and determination,” Stokes said. “She brings an energy and toughness that you can’t teach. She’s the catalyst for us and what we’re trying to do. She’s our engine.”
It was an impressive win for Stanhope Elmore, which was without two starters and one of its key role players.
Jada McLeod and Kuraji Crosby, two of the team’s forwards, both missed the game. Skylar Jackson, the team’s 8th grade back-up center, also missed due to sickness.
In their absence, Burton’s big night was a huge positive but so was the play of junior guard Gabby Harris.
Not only did she play a silent defense stopping Percy Julian attackers all night, she bookended the game with two 3-pointers in the corner to help with the offense.
“When I say we only had 10 tonight, we really only played about six or seven,” Stokes said. “It’s big for us to have depth and it was big that our girls were able to be disciplined enough to not foul and play defense as well as they did.”
Wars Tournament (Glenwood), TBD 4 Stanhope Elmore at UMS Wright Christmas Tournament, TBD 4 Tallassee at Bullock County, 6 p.m.
SATURDAY, DEC. 30
HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING
4 Wetumpka at Hoover Invitational, TBD
HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL
4 Stanhope Elmore at UMS Wright Christmas Tournament, TBD
team rushed for 74 yards, but threw for 310. None of that could have been done without the guys up front. With the win, the Alabama team leads Mississippi 26-11 in the series. More important than the game for Barker was who was watching in the stands.
The lineman had a large contingency of fan support, with family and friends waving signs and cheering for him louder than any other player. “It feels really good, I have a bunch of supporters and I am so proud of that,” Barker said.
DALTON MIDDLETON | THE HERALD
Judah Gilbert (4) shoots over a Percy Julian defender. The Stanhope Elmore junior had 16 points for the Mustangs.
DALTON MIDDLETON THE HERALD
Stanhope Elmore’s Aniya Burton (10) scored a game-high 22 points against Percy Julian.
has faced top wrestlers from across the state and won every match.
He faced Bob Jones’ Gideon Roll, the No. 3-ranked wrestler in Class 7A. That ended in a 15-6 major decision for Cox. This weekend, however, there were nonstop tough matches at the Swede Umbach Invitational. He faced the Nos. 6- and 1-ranked wrestler in Class 7A, and he won both of those via fall 81 seconds into the match and a 1-0 decision, respectively.
His last match came against a Top 5 opponent in Class 6A, and he walked away with a 3-2 win in the championship match.
In the last two seasons, not only did he win the 6A title but he also beat Elmore County’s Myles Eyerly, the 5A champion, and he knocked off the 7A state runner-up from last season.
“I want to make a statement and show that I’m the best in Alabama,” Cox said. I want to show that if they took away classifications, I would still win. To prove that, you have to beat the top guys and make a statement. I want to be one of the most dominant heavyweights in Alabama. When people think about Alabama heavyweights, I want them to think about me.”
One of the biggest strengths to Cox’s skillset is the fact that he does not wrestle like a normal heavyweight.
While he will play that style if he needs to, he is not interested in standing with his arms wrapped up with his opponent spinning in a circle for two minutes each period.
He is not afraid to get on the ground and go for takedowns, and he will move like a wrestler in the 150-pound class if he needs to.
“He can do any move that any smaller wrestler can do,” Highland said. “A lot of big guys get left in the dust, but not him. I believe 100% that he’s completely in wrestling shape. He can go an entire six-minute match and it’s not a problem for him. He’s ready to go again right after.”
While Cox will spend time rolling around and throwing opponents to the ground, he does not get taken down very often. He is a master at defense, and he’s shown that time and time again.
His defense was on full display in last year’s state championship match, the match he claims is his most memorable and favorite match of his career.
In that match, he did not get taken down a single time, and last week in his three ranked wins, he did not get taken down a single time again. The only points he gave up were on escapes, and he quickly pinned the opponents he didn’t go to decision with.
When asked about his defense, it was a simple answer for Cox.
“I’m hard headed,” Cox said. “I don’t like to be taken down and I don’t like to lose. If you want to take me down on the mat, you have to earn it.”
Cox has the luxury of having some of the best training partners a high school wrestler can ask for. He is one of two state champions that are in the heavier weight classes.
Christian Preston, also a senior, claimed the 6A title in the 220 class last year. Preston is also off to a great start this year as he has a 15-2 overall record with one loss coming from the No. 1-ranked 7A wrestler in the state.
“I think Christian is the best training partner in the state,” Cox said. “Not many heavyweights have the partner I have to train with throughout the year. We both push each other to be better. Like the saying goes, iron sharpens iron.”
Cox will continue out his senior season in hopes of achieving his second state championship ring, and he will do so without the weight of worrying about recruiting.
He has already committed to wrestle at the University of Montevallo, and will join former teammate Chad Strickland and current senior and teammate Noah Smith on the Falcons’ team.
“I was probably going to Montevallo anyway, so it was an easy choice for me to make,” Cox said. “I really loved the campus and I got along well with the coaches.”
PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Tallassee’s Jones rebounds with five pins
By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor
Tallassee wrestler Ethan Jones rebounded in a big way last week.
Coming off his only loss of the season, a championship defeat in the Swede Umbach Tournament, Jones came back and won five-consecutive matches last week.
Jones defeated wrestlers from Beulah, Valley, Montgomery Catholic, St. James and Carver Montgomery, all by pins, to improve to 20-1 overall on the season.
For his rebound week, Jones is the Elmore County Player of the Week.
“I had to come back and get my redemption after losing,” Jones said. “Hopefully that will be my only loss of the season.”
Jones has been wrestling for the Tallassee program for six years now.
Last season, Jones reached the state tournament in the 138-pound 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.
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.
school.
“I’m hoping to get professional work,” Velma said. “Then like everyone, the goal is Broadway.”
The guild itself also did well. It received one of five Best in Show performances and placed third in the state — one spot
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 contempo-
“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 isn’t just winning by small decisions.
Jones is pinning nearly every wrestler he is getting on the mat with.
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.
Dynasties come, dynasties go
rary 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 PlayIn 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
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.”
HENRY ZIMMER Sports Writer
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.
New lights coming to city softball fields
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
The Wetumpka City Council approved the installation of new LED lights for softball fields at the Wetumpka Sports Complex at its Monday meeting.
The project will cost the city
$566,000 and will be financed for seven years with Musco. The lights include a 25 year parts and labor warranty. The softball batting cages will also get lighting in the process.
short of competing at the next level. It is the second time in four state festivals the Wetumpka program received the award. “That is a constituency especially with the limited resources we have,” Glass said. Two Wetumpka High School Theater Guild members were named to the All-State Cast — senior Sarah Wohlford and junior Charles Lawerence. Like Velma, Wohlford said
Main Street Wetumpka requested up to $35,000 from the city to help with water and drainage issues near what will be known as Overlook Park.
“This park has been in the planning for about a year,” Main Street Wetumpka executive director Haley Greene said. “We think it will turn an underutilized area into something usable.”
The park will be between The Kelly and Coach’s overlooking the Coosa River. Main Street has been selling pavers and has received grants totaling nearly $77,000. The small park will
theater brought her to life.
“Freshman year, I was like a mouse,” Wohlford said. “I sat in the back of the classroom. I tried to be the teacher’s pet. After I spent so much time with all these people, played all these different characters, I feel like I am not the same person I was. It has changed me for the better.”
She said she hopes to get into culinary arts but will always feel the connection to the stage.
feature signage to explain things seen in and near the river.
IN OTHER ACTION THE WETUMPKA CITY COUNCIL:
• Approved minutes of the Dec. 4 meeting.
• De-annexed 2.81 acres in the Blue Ridge neighborhood.
• Approved a professional services Seay, Seay & Litchfield, P.C for design services on South Main Street.
• Approved the installation of a 5-ton HVAC unit costing $7,750 at the concession stand at Hohenberg Field.
Lawrence sees himself continuing with theater but is undecided on his career path.
“I have always thought about doing theater as a hobby, maybe through community theater,” Lawrence said. “I have had thoughts of going into the military, special forces. I can also do the Army show which is traveling around performing for units. I’m not 100%. If I get a good scholarship to a theater
school and get some time and experience, that is something to really think about.”
Other students recognized at the state competition were: state champion Brandon McCullers in playwriting; state champion in the Jukebox Musical was Gracie Arnold; Josephine Yarboro finished second in the Jukebox Musical; and Velma was third in the solo dramatic musician.
Tallassee’s Ethan Jones, right, is 20-1 overall this season while wrestling in the 150-pound weight class. Jones went 5-0 last week with five pins to earn Player of the Week honors.
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Default having been made in the payment of the indebtedness secured by that certain mortgage executed on June 17, 2009 by Joanne B. Smith and Joe David Smith, wife and husband, originally in favor of Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc. as nominee for Quicken Loans Inc., and recorded in RLPY Book 2009 at Page 38579 on July 6, 2009, in the of Elmore County, Alabama, and secured indebtedness having been transferred to Nationstar Mortgage LLC. LOGS Legal Group LLP, as counsel for Mortgagee or Transferee and under and by virtue of power of sale contained in the said mortgage will, on February 1, 2024, sell at public outcry to the highest bidder at the main entrance of the Elmore County, Alabama, Courthouse in the City of Wetumpka, during the legal hours of sale, the following real estate situated in Elmore County, Alabama, to wit: Tax ID Number(s): 0506230000003.008 (ALSO COVERS OTHER LAND) Land situated in the County of Elmore in the State of AL COMMENCE AT A PINE KNOT AT THE NW CORNER OF THE NE 1/4 OF THE NE 1/4 OF SECTION 23, TOWN 20 NORTH RANGE 19 EAST, ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA; THENCE SOUTH 05 DEGREES 42 MINUTES 51 SECONDS WEST, ALONG 1/4 SECTION LINE, 2259.68 FEET TO AN IRON PIN, SAID POINT BEING THE POINT OF BEGINNING; THENCE SOUTH 80 DEGREES 00 MINUTES 14 SECONDS EAST, 286.68 FEET TO AN IRON PIN; THENCE SOUTH 09 DEGREES 15 MINUTES 23 SECONDS WEST, 457.48 FEET TO AN IRON PIN ON THE NORTH MARGIN OF MANN CIRCLE, COUNTY GRAVEL ROAD; THENCE NORTH 81 DEGREES 10 MINUTES 24 SECONDS WEST, ALONG SAID MARGIN OF ROAD, 258.00 FEET TO AN IRON PIN ON THE WEST LINE OF THE NE 1/4 OF THE SE 1/4 OF SECTION 23; THENCE LEAVING SAID ROAD, NORTH 05 DEGREES 42 MINUTES 51 SECONDS EAST, ALONG 1/4 SECTION LINE, 464.00 FEET TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING THE ABOVE DESCRIBED PROPERTY LIES IN THE SE 1/4 OF THE NE 1/4 AND THE NE 1/4 OF THE SE 1/4 OF SECTION 23, TOWN 20 NORTH, RANGE 19 EAST, ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA, AND CONTAINS 2.88 ACRES MORE OR LESS. Commonly known as: 160 Mann Circle, Wetumpka, AL 36092 For informational purposes only, the property address is: 160 Mann Cir, Wetumpka, AL 36092. ANY PROPERTY ADDRESS PROVIDED IS NOT PART OF THE LEGAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPERTY SOLD HEREIN AND IN THE EVENT OF ANY DISCREPANCY, THE LEGAL DESCRIPTION REFERENCED HEREIN SHALL CONTROL.
This sale is made for the purpose of paying the indebtedness secured by said mortgage, as well as the expenses of foreclosure. Furthermore, the property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance AS IS, WHERE IS. Neither the mortgagee, nor the employees, agents or authorized representative of the mortgagee make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property offered for sale. Any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition, including those suggested by Code of Ala. (1975) § 35-4-271, expressly are disclaimed. This sale is subject to all prior liens and encumbrances and unpaid taxes and assessments including any transfer tax associated with the foreclosure. The successful bidder must tender a non-refundable deposit of Five Thousand Dollars and no/100 funds at the time and place of the sale. The balance of the purchase price must be paid inness on the next business day
LOGS Legal Group LLP at the address indicated below. LOGS Legal Group LLP reserves the right to award the bid to the next highest bidder, or to reschedule the sale, should the highest bidder fail to timely tender the total amount due. 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.
Nationstar Mortgage LLC, and its successors and assigns
Mortgagee or Transferee LOGS LEGAL GROUP LLP 10130 Perimeter Parkway, Suite 400 Charlotte, NC 28216 (704) 333-8107/ 23-023407 Attorneys for Mortgagee or Transferee Wetumpka Herald: Dec. 20, 27, 2023dJ32024
WHEREAS, default has occurred in the performance of the covenants, terms and conditions of a mortgage from JOHN L. GILMORE, JR. AND MAXINE GILMORE, INDIVIDUALLY AND AS HUSBAND AND WIFE to MORTGAGE ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION SYSTEMS, INC., AS MORTGAGEE, AS NOMINEE FOR FIRST COMMUNITY MORTGAGE, A DIVISION OF FIRST COMMUNITY BANK OF CENTRAL ALABAMA, on the 8th day of November, 2011, said mortthe Judge of Probate of Elmore County, Alabama, on November 15, 2011, in Deed/Mortgage Book 2011, Page 48712, Elmore County, Alabama Records, said Mortgage having subsequently been transferred and assigned to Select Portfolio Servicing, Inc., by instrument recorded in notice is hereby given that the undersigned Select Portfolio Servicing, Inc., 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 on the Front Steps of the Elmore County Courthouse, 100 East Conners Street, Wetumpka, AL 36092 in Wetumpka, Elmore County, Alabama, on January 18, 2024, during the legal hours of sale, all of its right, title, and interest in and to the following described real estate, situated in Elmore County, Alabama, to-wit: LOT 27 AND 28 OF THE COUNTRY PLACE SUBDIVISION AS THE MAP THEREOF APPEARS OF RECORD IN THE OFFICE OF THE JUDGE OF PROBATE OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN PLAT BOOK 9, PAGE 57. Said legal description being controlling, however the property is more commonly known as 102 COUNTRY PL DR, DEATSVILLE, AL 36022. 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 property will be sold on an “as is, where is” basis, subject to any easements, encumbrances, and exceptions those contained in the records Probate in the county where the above-described property is situated. This property will be sold subject to the right of redemption of all parties entitled thereto and subject to any outstanding ad valorem taxes (including taxes which are a lien, whether or not now due and payable). This sale is made for the purpose of paying the indebtedness secured by said mortgage, as well as the expenses of foreclosure. 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. Select Portfolio Servicing, Inc., Mortgagee/Transferee THE BELOW LAW FIRM MAY BE HELD TO BE ACTING AS A DEBT COLLECTOR, UNDER FEDERAL LAW. IF SO, ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. Rubin Lublin, LLC, Attorney for Mortgagee/Transferee 11 N. Water Street, Suite 10290, Mobile, AL 36602 Telephone Number: (877) 8130992 Case No. SPS-23-056961 rlselaw.com/property-listing
Wetumpka Herald: Dec. 20, 27, 2023 and Jan. 3, 2024 223174
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
Assistant Quality Assurance Manager - Montgomery, AL. Req’d: Bach’s deg. in any major & 1 yr. managerial exp. in quality control or quality assurance in the automotive industry. Mail resumes to: DAS North America, Inc., 840 Industrial Park Blvd., Montgomery, AL 36117
Quality Manager - Montgomery, AL. Req’d: Bach’s deg. in any eng. major & 2 yrs. managerial exp. in quality control or quality assurance in the automotive industry. Mail resumes to: DAS North America, Inc., 840 Industrial Park Blvd., Montgomery, AL 36117
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.
PUBLIC NOTICE STATE OF ALABAMA COUNTY OF ELMORE
NOTICE is hereby given that a bill substantially as follows will be introduced in the 2024 Regular Session of the Legislature of Alabama and application for its passage and enactment will be made: A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT
Relating to Elmore County; to repeal Section 45-26-240, Code of Alabama 1975, relating to the board of equalization. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA:
Section 1. Section 45-26-240, Code of Alabama 1975, relating to compensation of the members of the Elmore County Board of Equalization, is repealed. Section 2. This act shall become effective immediately. Wetumpka Herald: Dec. 20, 27, 2023, Jan. 3 and 10, 2024 BILL
CLASSIFIEDS/PUBLIC NOTICES
Public Notices
y gy as nominee for First Mortgage Group, on August 25, 2005, said mortgage recorded in the of Elmore County, Alabama, in the undersigned Wells FarTransferee, 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 atabama, on February 15, 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: Lot 23, according to the plat of Country
Public Notices
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 Book
abama law gives some persons who have an interest in property the right to redeem the property under certain circumstances. 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) 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. Tifright to award the bid to the next highest bidder should the highest bidder fail to timely tender the total amount due. The Mortright 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. Wells Fargo-
wood, AL 35223 www.tblaw.
2023 and Jan. 3, 2024 23-02566
PUBLIC NOTICE ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS
Sealed proposals will be received by Montgomery Public Schools at 117 Marshall Street, Montgomery, Alabama 36104, until 2:00 PM CST, Tuesday, January 16, 2024, at which time and place they will be publicly opened and read, for: HVAC RENOVATIONS FOR MONTGOMERY BOE OPERATIONS BUILDING MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA DCM No: 2023828 ME No: 22-097
A Mandatory Pre-Bid Meeting will be held at 2:00 PM CST, Tuesday, January 9, 2024, at the Montgomery Public Schools at 117 Marshall Street, Montgomery, Alabama 36104, All bidders must attend this meeting. A cashier’s check or bid bond payable to Montgomery Public Schools in an amount not the amount of the bid, but in no event more than $10,000, must accompany the bidder’s proposal. Performance and Payment Bonds and evidence of insurance required in the bid documents will be required at the signing of the Contract.
of Morris Engineering LLC, 903 South Perry Street, Montgomery, Alabama 36104. PDF electronic bid documents may be obtained from the Engineer upon receipt of check for the amount of $25.00. Bids must be submitted on proposal forms furnished by the Engineer or copies thereof. All bidders bidding in amounts exceeding the established by the State Licensing Board for General Contractors must be licensed under the provisions of Title 34, Chapter 8, Code of evidence of license before bidding or bid will not be received or considered by the Engineer; the bidder shall show such evidence clearly displaying his or her current license number on the outside of the seal envelope in which the proposal is delivered. The Owner reserves the right to reject any or all proposals and to waive technical errors if, in the Owner’s judgment, the best interests of the Owner will thereby by promoted.
Montgomery Public Schools
Morris Engineering LLC 903 South Perry Street Montgomery, Alabama 36104 Wetumpka Herald: Dec. 20, 2023 BIDS
Public Notices
PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE OF MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE
Public Notices
pp
Public Notices
Public Notices
more 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
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-recorded86905; 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 pre-
Registered 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
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 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
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 re-
ceived 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 by the Architect or copies thereof. No bid may be withdrawn after scheduled closing for receipt days. The Owner reserves the right to reject any or all proposals and to waive technical errors if, in the Owners judgment, the best interests of the Owner will thereby be promoted. payable to Elmore County School District in an amount of the amount of the bid, but in must accompany the bidder’s proposal. Performance and statutory labor and material payment bonds will be required at the signing of the Contract. All bidders bidding in amounts exceeding that established by the State Licensing Board for General Contractors must be licensed under the provisions of Title 34, Chapter 8, Code of evidence of license before bidding or bid will not be received or considered by the Architect. All bidders shall show such evidence by clearly displaying their current license number on the outside of the sealed envelope in which the proposal is delivered. PDFs of the project can be reviewed by going to the McKee website @ www.mckeeassoc. com and selecting “Project Bid List”. Also, if you are not receiving NOTIFICATIONS from us, please register on our website, “Project Bid List” by selecting The documents may be viewed on-line and printed by General Contractors, Sub Contractors and Suppliers. Documents published through this procedure are the only documents endorsed by the Architect. The Architect is unable to 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
PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF WILLIAM JACK DEMPSEY, DECEASED CASE NO: 2023-118 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE
Letters Testamentary in the Estate of WILLIAM JACK 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
ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS
Sealed proposals will be received by Elmore County Board of Education at 100 H.H. Robison Drive, Wetumpka, Alabama 36092, until 10:00 AM CST, Tuesday, January 16, 2024, at which time and place they will be publicly opened and read, for:
HVAC RENOVATIONS FOR ECLECTIC ELEMENTARY
SCHOOL ECLECTIC, ALABAMA DCM No: 2023822 ME No: 21-136
A Mandatory Pre-Bid Meeting will be held at 10:00 AM CST, Tuesday, January 9, 2024, at the Elmore County Board of Education at 100 H.H. Robison Drive, Wetumpka, Alabama 36092. All bidders must attend this meeting. A cashier’s check or bid bond payable to Elmore County Board of Education in an percent of the amount of the bid, but in no event more than $10,000, must accompany the bidder’s proposal. Performance and Payment Bonds and evidence of insurance required in the bid documents will be required at the signing of the Contract.
of Morris Engineering LLC, 903 South Perry Street, Montgomery, Alabama 36104. PDF electronic bid documents may be obtained from the Engineer upon receipt of check for the amount of $25.00. Bids must be submitted on proposal forms furnished by the Engineer or copies thereof. All bidders bidding in amounts exceeding the established by the State Licensing Board for General Contractors must be licensed under the provisions of Title 34, Chapter 8, Code of evidence of license before bidding or bid will not be received or considered by the Engineer; the bidder shall show such evidence clearly displaying his or her current license number on the outside of the seal envelope in which the proposal is delivered. The Owner reserves the right to reject any or all proposals and to waive technical errors if, in the Owner’s judgment, the best interests of the Owner will thereby by promoted.
Elmore County Board of Education Morris Engineering LLC 903 South Perry Street Montgomery, Alabama 36104
Wetumpka Herald: Dec. 20, 2023 BIDS 2 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 NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF ADELLA H. ESCO, DECEASED CASE NO. 2023. 310 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE
Letters Testamentary on the Estate of said decedent having been granted to DANNY A. ESCO and MELODY E. SEMSEY as Co-Personal Representatives on the 11th day of December 2023, by the Honorable JOHN THORNTON, Judge of Probate of said County in said State, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said Estate are required to present same within the time allowed by law or the same will be barred. Name and Address of Attorney: Regina B. Edwards, Esq. The Law Firm of Edwards & Edwards, P.C. 109 E. Bridge Street Wetumpka, AL 36092
Wetumpka Herald: Dec. 20, 27, 2023 and Jan. 3, 2024 EST/ESCO A.
PUBLIC NOTICE STATE OF ALABAMA COUNTY OF ELMORE
NOTICE is hereby given that a bill substantially as follows will be introduced in the 2024 Regular Session of the Legislature of Alabama and application for its passage and enactment will be made: A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT Relating to Elmore County; to amend Sections 45-2681.01, 45-26-230.01, and 4526-242.01, Code of Alabama 1975; to further provide for the compensation of the judge of probate, sheriff, and revenue commissioner; and to repeal Section 45-26-81, Code of Alabama 1975, relating to the salary of the judge of probate. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA: Section 1. Sections 45-2681.01, 45-26-230.01, and 45-26-242.01, Code of Alabama 1975, are amended to read as follows: Ҥ45-26-81.01 (a) Effective on July 1, 2020, the The base annual salary of the Judge of Probate of Elmore County shall be ninety-eight thousand dollars ($98,000) one hundred twenty thousand dollars ($120,000) per year, payable in equal monthly installments from the general fund the same manner and at the same time as other employees of the county. The salary provided by this section shall supersede any salary, expense allowance, or other compensation provided to the judge of probate prior to July 1, 2020 (b) Notwithstanding any other law, in addition to any other compensation provided to the judge of probate, the judge of
1,
Ҥ45-26-242.01 (a) Effective
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, DECEASED, 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 MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF SANDRA SANFORD GRAY, DECEASED CASE NO: 2023-309 IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE
Letters Testamentary in the Estate of SANDRA SANFORD GRAY, deceased, having been granted to DEBRA SIMMONS BROOKS on December 14, 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 SIMMONS BROOKS PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF SANDRA SANFORD GRAY, DECEASED Attorney of Record for Personal Representative: ROBERT O. BURTON ATTORNEY AT LAW PMB #208 103 NORTH MEMORIAL DRIVE PRATTVILLE, ALABAMA 36067 334-538-5404
Wetumpka Herald: Dec. 20, 27, 2023 and Jan. 3, 2024 EST/GRAY, S. PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF NORMA L. GRIGGS, DECEASED CASE NO. 2023-311 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE
Letters Testamentary on the Estate of said decedent having been granted to WILLIAM M. GRIGGS and PAULA JO WALLACE as Co-Executors on the 14TH day of December, 2023 by the Honorable JOHN THORNTON, Judge of Probate of said County in said State, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said Estate are required to present same within the time allowed by law or the same will be barred. WILLIAM M. GRIGGS AND PAULA JO WALLACE CO-EXECUTORS OF THE ESTATE OF NORMA L. GRIGGS, DECEASED. Name and Address of Attorney: Justin D. Edwards, Esq. The Law Firm of Edwards & Edwards, P.C. 109 E. Bridge Street Wetumpka, AL 36092 Wetumpka Herald: Dec. 20, 27, 2023 and Jan. 3, 2024 EST/GRIGGS N. 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 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.
Public Notices
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 DELL HUDSON, DECEASED CASE NO: 2023-246 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE
Letters Testamentary in the Estate of DELL HUDSON, deceased, having been granted to JOHN WILLIAMS on December 15, 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. JOHN WILLIAMS PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF DELL HUDSON, DECEASED Attorney of Record for Personal Representative: BURT NEWSOME NEWSOME LAW LLC 194 NARROWS DRIVE SUITE 103 PO BOX 382753 (35238) BIRMINGHAM. ALABAMA 35242 205-747-1970 burt@newsomelawllc.com
Wetumpka Herald: Dec. 20, 27, 2023 and Jan. 3, 2024 EST/HUDSON D. PUBLIC NOTICE
IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF ALICE I. JARMAN, DECEASED CASE NO. 2023-280 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE
Letters Testamentary on the Estate of said decedent having been granted to BARNEY LEE MCCORMICK and HELON IREAN BENNETT as Co-Executors on the 14th day of December 2023, by the Honorable JOHN THORNTON, Judge of Probate of said County in said State, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said Estate are required to present same within the time allowed by law or the same will be barred. BARNEY LEE MCCORMICK AND HELON IREAN BENNETT, CO-EXECUTORS OF THE ESTATE OF ALICE I. JARMAN, DECEASED. Name and Address of Attorney: Regina B. Edwards, Esq. The Law Firm of Edwards & Edwards, P.C. 109 E. Bridge Street Wetumpka, AL 36092
Wetumpka Herald: Dec. 20, 27, 2023 and Jan. 3, 2024
EST/JARMAN, A. 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 REPRESENTATIVE 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 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 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, DE-
Public Notices
CEASED Attorney of Record for such Per-
sonal 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 LEE E. WILLIS, CASE NO: 2023-317 DECEASED NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE
Letters Testamentary in the Estate of LEE E. WILLIS, deceased, having been granted to GUY RODNEY WILLIS on December 15, 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.
GUY RODNEY WILLIS
PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF LEE E. WILLIS, DECEASED
Attorney of Record for
Personal Representative: D. JASON BRITT STONE & BRITT, LLC
ATTORNEYS & COUNSELORS AT LAW 114 S MAIN ST P O BOX 967 WETUMPKA, ALABAMA 36092 334-517-6520
Wetumpka Herald: Dec. 20, 27, 2023, and Jan. 3, 2024 EST/WILLIS L.
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, 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. 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 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
Public Notices
This Instrument Prepared By: Burt W. Newsome P.O. Box 382753 Birmingham, AL 35238
Attorney for Mortgagee or Transferee
Wetumpka Herald: Dec. 13, 20 and 27, 2023
FC/HAYDEN, S.
PUBLIC NOTICE
MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE
Default having been made in the payment of the indebtedness secured by that certain mortgage executed by STEVEN PAUL McPHERSON, AN UMARRIED MAN, to GUARDIAN CREDIT UNION on FEBRUARY 11, 2016,said mortgage of the Judge of Probate of ELMORE County, Alabama, at RPLY 2016 PAGE 5720, the undersigned GUARDIAN CREDIT UNION, as mortgagee (or 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, at the entrance of the Courthouse of ELMORE County, Alabama, on JANUARY 17, 2024, between the legal hours of sale, the following described real estate situated in ELMORE County, Alabama, to wit: COMMENCE AT THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF THE SOUTHEAST QUARTER OF THE NORTHEAST QUARTER OF SECTION 14, TOWNSHIP 18 NORTH, RANGE 17 EAST, AND CONTINUE THENCE NORTH 03 DEGREES 00 MINUTES WEST, 606.29 FEET TO A POINT ON THE FENCE LINE AND THE POINT OF BEGINNING. FROM SAID POINT OF BEGINNING, CONTINUE THENCE NORTH 03 DEGREES 22 MINUTES WEST AND ALONG SAID FENCE LINE, 452.13 FEET; THENCE NORTH 87 DEGREES 17 MINUTES EAST AND ALONG A FENCE LINE, 150.0 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 03 DEGREES 22 MINUTES EAST, 452.13 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 87 DEGREES 17 MINUTES WEST, 150.0AFEET TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING. SAID PARCEL OF LAND BEING IN THE SOUTHEAST QUARTER OF THE NORTHEAST QUARTER OF SECTION 14, TOWNSHIP 18 NORTH, RANGE 17 EAST. TOGETHER WITH THE FOLLOWING DESCRIBED EASEMENT FOR INGRESS AND EGRESS AND UTILITIES: SAID EASEMENT TO BE 30
Public Notices
FEET IN WIDTH AND TO BE ALONG AN EXISTING EASEMENT WHICH IS DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS: COMMENCE AT THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF THE SOUTHEAST QUARTER OF THE NORTHEAST QUARTER OF SECTION 14, TOWNSHIP 18 NORTH, RANGE 17 EAST AND CONTINUE THENCE NORTH 03 DEGREES 00 MINUTES WEST, 606.29 FEET; THENCE NORTH 87 DEGREES 17 MINUTES EAST, 253.44 FEET TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING; FROM SAID POINT OF BEGINNING, CONTINUE THENCE NORTH 87 DEGREES 17 MINUTES EAST, 491.60 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 01 DEGREES 00 MINUTES WEST, 591.36 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 86 DEGREES 30 MINUTES WEST, 30.06 FEET; THENCE NORTH 01 DEGREES 00 MINUTES EAST, 561.87 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 87 DEGREES 17 MINUTES WEST, 461.60 FEET; THENCE NORTH 02 DEGREES 43 MINUTES WEST, 30.0 FEET; TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING. SAID EASEMENT BEING IN THE SOUTHEAST QUARTER OF THE NORTHEAST QUARTER OF SECTION 14, TOWNSHIP 18 NORTH, RANGE 17 EAST. ALONG WITH THE FOLLOWING EASEMENT DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS: COMMENCE AT THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF THE SOUTHEAST QUARTER OF THE NORTHEAST QUARTER OF SECTION 14, TOWNSHIP 18 NORTH, RANGE 17 EAST AND CONTINUE THENCE NORTH 03 DEGREES 00 MINUTES WEST, 576.29 FEET TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING. FROM SAID POINT OF BEGINNING, CONTINUE THENCE NORTH 03 DEGREES 00 MINUTES WEST, 30.0 FEET; THENCE NORTH 87 DEGREES 17 MINUTES, EAST 253.44 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 02 DEGREES 43 MINUTES EAST, 30.0 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 87 DEGREES 17 MINUTES WEST, 253.21 FEET TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING. SAID EASEMENT BEING IN THE SOUTHEAST QUARTER OF THE NORTHEAST QUARTER OF SECTION 14, TOWNSHIP 18 NORTH, RANGE 17 EAST. Subject to all zoning, easements, restrictions, restrictive covenants and reservations appearing of record. Said sale will also be made subject to any Federal Tax Liens, Ad Valorem Real Estate
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.