SPORTS, PAGE B1: BLACKWELL WINS SECOND STATE WRESTLING TITLE
THE WETUMPKA HERALD Elmore County’s Oldest Newspaper Est. 1898 | thewetumpkaherald.com WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2021 | VOL. 123, NO. 8 | $1.00
Current gambling bill only allows current operators By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer
Cliff Williams / The Herald
Electronic bingo machines at Victoryland are used in September 2016 after the facility reopened.
Wetumpka police seek 3 in burglary of educational building Saturday
The Poarch Band of Creek Indians and the operators of Victoryland and Greenetrack would be the only groups allowed to operate full-gaming casinos and sports betting if proposed legislation is approved by legislators and voters. State Sen. Del Marsh (R-Anniston) stepped down from his role as president pro tem of the state senate this year but has
authored a state constitutional amendment authorizing charitable bingo, casinos and sports wagering to accompany a proposed state lottery. For gambling and betting operations, the bill lays out everything from the establishment of a state commission to taxing and licensing of bingo, gambling and sports betting. In all cases, only current gaming and track operators in Alabama would be allowed to operate slot machines, table games and other gambling.
Local hikers aim to Make a Wish for critically ill children
The Wetumpka Police Department is seeking the identity of multiple subjects suspected of burglarizing a local educational facility Saturday. At approximately 11:55 p.m. on Feb 20, three unidentified subjects were involved in a
By CARMEN RODGERS Tallassee Bureau Chief
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See BURGLARY • Page A2
District 5 residents clean up community By JACOB HOLMES News Editor
See PICKUP • Page A3
See GAMBLING • Page A3
Blazing the Trail
STAFF REPORT TPI Staff
The Elmore County Commission has put an emphasis on cleaning up the trash along county roadways and District 5 residents gathered to do their part Saturday.
The Poarch Band of Creek Indians operations in Atmore, Montgomery and Wetumpka are federally protected, but the legislation would allow the Poarch to continue to operate the Mobile Greyhound Park and add a casino and sports wagering. The legislation would allow the Poarch to open a casino in the Huntsville area. Victoryland in Macon County and the Birmingham Race Course
File / The Herald
Melissa Orr and Keri Watts are on a mission to grant wishes to children who have been diagnosed with a critical illness. The duo has set out to raise $10,000 for the Make a Wish Alabama’s Trailblazer Challenge.
iking is a great way to get outdoors and experience nature. It is a good way to exercise and experience new things, and in the case of two Elmore County women, it is a good way to support a good cause. Melissa Orr and Keri Watts are on a mission to grant wishes to children who have been diagnosed with a critical illness. The duo has set out to raise $10,000 for the Make a Wish Alabama’s Trailblazer Challenge. “It is the biggest fundraiser that Make a Wish Alabama has every year,” Orr said. “It’s a hike.” Along with hiking
26.3 miles in one day, Trailblazers commit to raising at least $2,500 for Make a Wish Alabama. The hike will take place in the Talladega National Forest. This will be the fifth annual Trailblazer Challenge. Orr is a previous participant in the Trailblazer Challenge, so she is considered alumna. As an alumna, she was offered a unique and challenging opportunity. “We were given the opportunity to become wish heroes,” Orr said. Wish Heroes must pledge to raise at least $5,000 and hike a total of 54.5 miles in two sessions. “One session will be here in Alabama, the other 28.2 miles will See WISH • Page A6
Black History Month celebrated with the unveiling of the W.B Doby Activity Center By CARMEN RODGERS Tallassee Bureau Chief
The official unveiling of the W.B. Doby Activity Center was held in honor of Black History Month at Wetumpka Elementary School on Saturday, Feb. 19. Wetumpka councilmember Cheryl Tucker was the Mistress of Ceremony for the event and Deacon Bobby Mays with St. James Worship Center opened the ceremony with an invocation. After the invocation, those in attendance said the Pledge of Allegiance and sang Lift Every Voice and Sing.
The ceremony began with a welcome from Mr. Wendell Saxon Elmore County Board of Education member. “Today as you sit here, in the W.B. Doby Activity Center and these hallowed grounds where you attended school, I extend to each of you a warm welcome,” Saxon said. Elmore County Commissioner Desirae Lewis also participated in Saturday’s celebration of Black history. “We are celebrating our Black history Carmen Rodgers / The Herald with this historical unveiling of the W.B. Bobby Pierson said the idea to name the activity center at WES after W.B. Doby came to See DOBY • Page A7 him in a dream that he had over the summer.
Today’s
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