Edwards wins gold at Gold Standard Championships
Tales of Landslide Lyndon and corrupt elections of the past
God is always there, all you have to do is ask.
Eclectic Observer Page 4
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The
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THURSDAY • FEBRUARY 4, 2016
TheWetumpkaHerald.com
Vol. 27, No. 5
Town Hall scheduled for Feb. 7 Comprehensive plan for long term development in Eclectic to be unveiled
developed so far and to add to the discussion. “We want to get as much public input as we can,” Davenport said. A town meeting is being called to discuss a The town surveyed residents about three months comprehensive plan for Eclectic that Mayor Gary ago and received about 250 responses, he said, but Davenport said would act as a living, breathing, game felt they needed what he called a bigger field of plan for long term city development. input. The meeting will be at The Warehouse in downHe said that the comprehensive plan included the town Elcectic at 7 p.m. Feb. 9. whole community on all aspects of the town and its The doors will open at 6:30 p.m. and the topic development such as recreation, business and public will be the town’s 20-year comprehensive plan that safety. Davenport said town officials had been working on It was “any aspect of town operations on a day-tofor about eight months now. day basis,” Davenport said. He said he wants residents to see what has been
By COREY ARWOOD Staff Writer
The town was almost due for another comprehensive plan meeting, Davenport said, per federal guidelines and also in order to receive state funding assistance. He said that the City of Wetumpka had such a meeting about four months ago and that was how they financed the redevelopment of their downtown. Davenport reemphasized he wanted as much town comment as possible. “When we approve the comprehensive plan it will be a working document that the council will use (to) hopefully make Eclectic a lot better town to live and stay,” Davenport said.
Winston’s Law taken up by Senate Judiciary Committee
EMS students explore options at Auburn’s Career Discovery
ByJOHN PEELER Managing Editor
By CARMEN RODGERS Staff Writer
Eighth graders at Eclectic Middle School went on a field trip Jan. 26 to take part in Career Discovery at the Auburn University’s Beard-Eaves Memorial Coliseum. Career Discovery is an initiative that brings together regional business and industry, non-profits and volunteers throughout the region to present an interactive, hands-on career exploration event for public, private and home-schooled eighth grade students. “From building a brick wall to checking blood pressure to announcing the weather, our students definitely left with more knowledge about the possibilities within different career fields. They got to imagine themselves in those roles, which is huge. “This is the age where many students either lose interest or become inspired by options and future possibilities. It was a great experience for them,” said Cynthia Collier, Eclectic Middle School’s counselor. The industry, business and career opportunities were divided into 11 career clusters, which include agriculture, architecture and construction, See EMS • Page2
Today’s
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Air Force Master Sgt. Kristal Rankin reunites with her son Dominic for the first time in six months Friday at Eclectic Elementary. Carmen Rodgers / The Observer
A WARM WELCOME Air Force mom reunites with son after deployment By CARMEN RODGERS Staff Writer
After six months in Djibouti Africa, Air Force Master Sgt. Krystal Rankin, an Eclectic native, was reunited with her son, Dominic, Friday. This wasn’t just any reunion, however. Rankin was able to surprise Dominic
at school, which made it a little extra special because Dominic’s entire class was able to be a part of the celebration. Rankin is in the Airfield Management Branch of the United States Air Force. Rankin joined the service just after graduating from Elmore County High School and has
been on active duty for 14 years. During her time in the Air Force, Rankin has seen many different places. “I’ve been to Scott Air Force Base in Illinois, Charleston AFB in South Carolina, Keesler Air Force Base in Mississippi, Turkey and Africa,” she said. “I’ve See AIR FORCE • Page 2
The Alabama Judiciary Committee gave unanimous favorable consent Wednesday to the Aggravated Child Abuse bill, known as Winston’s Law. The bill is expected to be on the Senate Special Order Calendar Feb. 9. “I am so pleased this bill has made its way through the Senate Judiciary and will soon be up for a vote on the floor. With the momentum we have established and the interest shown by legislators, we could possibly see the bill passed into law by Thursday of next week,” Elmore County District Attorney Randall Houston wrote in a press release. Currently, aggravated child abuse is a Class B felony. Winston’s Law, if passed, would make aggravated child abuse a Class A felony for victims that are 6 years old or younger. See WINSTON • Page 2
Sleep disorder clinic opens in Elmore County By JOHN W. PEELER Managing Editor
Ivy Creek Health Care opened its Sleep Disorder Clinic Tuesday in a ribbon cutting ceremony at Elmore Community Hospital. The new clinic will be located inside the hospital in Wetumpka and will conduct sleep studies for patients that may have sleep disorders or other illnesses. There will also be a clinic at the Lake Martin Community Hospital in Dadeville, Alabama. Chief Executive Officer Mike Bruce opened the ceremony and talked about the sleep lab and the growth of the hospital. “We all know why we are here, but it’s really about
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more than that,” he said. “We are really starting a network of healthcare in Wetumpka and other surrounding areas. Some of the things we plan on doing in the future … if people haven’t heard, we’ve put a brand new surgery center in and some exciting new in the near future … we will really rival any place in the state.” David Moore, sleep disorder lab department coordinator, talked about the sleep lab, what it offered and spoke about different types of sleep disorders and issues. He said, anyone that wakes up frequently at night, has trouble falling asleep, snores, John Peeler / The Observer grasps for air or has jerky Mike Bruce, CEO of Elmore Community Hospital, Mayor Jerry Willis, Michael Ritzus, David movements should consult Moore, Wetumpka Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Vanessa Lynch and others join See SLEEP • Page 2 in Sleep Disorder Clinic ribbon cutting ceremony Tuesday at Elmore Community Hospital.
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PAGE 2 • FEBRUARY 4, 2016
TheWetumpkaHerald.com
THE ECLECTIC OBSERVER
Larry Teel seeks another term on Elmore County BOE Sleep STAFF REPORT TPI Staff
It has been my privilege to be elected to six terms on the Elmore County Board of Education from 1980-2016 (36 years) Teel by the citizens of Elmore County. It has been my pleasure to serve the 11,000-plus students, 1,300-plus employees and 70,000-plus citizens. I have been personally involved in provision of new and improved facilities across Elmore County to accommodate student growth from approximately 5,000 students in 1980 to the current 11,000-plus students. You have invested over $127 million in
EMS
facilities to serve our students. I have helped provide consistency and continuity of school board business during the tenure of eight superintendents. I have taken the time for many years to provide leadership as president of the board, which is selected by fellow BOE members. I am working diligently to complete many needed and long awaited capital improvements across the county on the BOE fiveyear capital plan. I have a renewed commitment to improve student achievement and to stop a slight decrease in scores evidenced on the second year ACT Aspire Assessment to meet the recently updated State Department of Education College and Career Ready Standards. I will continue to encourage our adminis-
tration to better utilize the millions of dollars of technology we have in place. I will encourage our administration to seek better and more professional staff development for our teachers in the use of this technology. I will encourage more programs and/or new personnel to improve student achievement. I have been married 51 years to Peggy Sanders Teel. I have two sons: Bart, married to Denise Terrell Teel and Troy, married to Celia Jackson Teel. We have eight wonderful grandchildren. I am a graduate of Elmore County High School in Eclectic and earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from Auburn University. Community involvement and activities include serving on the Alabama Baptist Disaster Relief Task Force since 1979, deacon at First
Baptist Church Wetumpka from 1976-present, Elmore County Board of Education member since 1980, Director Emeritus of First Community Bank of Central Alabama, Wetumpka YMCA Hall of Fame Inductee in 2007, Alabama School Board Association Master Level credentials, Business owner/manager from 1972-1999, and currently a HVAC commissioning agent on new construction across Alabama. If elected, I will continue to work for the students and teachers of Elmore County Public Schools to help provide a safe environment and quality facilities. I will continue to work relentlessly to help provide the best academic environment possible so that our students are prepared for their next academic level and/or work place. Your vote and support is appreciated.
continued from page 1
automotive manufacturing, communication and information technology, education and training, energy and utilities, healthcare, hospitality and tourism, manufacturing, public service, transportation, distribution and logistics. Each career cluster offered interactive, hands-on activities that allowed students to examine particular jobs, courses of study, and career fields.
Contributed / The Outlook
An eighth-grade student from Eclectic Middle School stands in front of meteorologist’s green screen as part of Career Discovery at the Auburn University’s Beard-Evans Memorial Coliseum.
their doctor. “What we are going to be doing here at Elmore Community Hospital is not only rule out, but diagnose and treat sleep disorders,” Moore said. Moore said there are several common forms of sleep disorders such as obstructive apnea, central sleep apnea, periodic limb movement disorder and narcolepsy. Following the ribbon cutting, attendees were give a tour of the new clinic.
Winston
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continued from page 1
The punishment for a Class B felony ranges from 2-20 years to life in prison. If the Law passes and aggravated child abuse becomes a Class A felony, the punishment range would be from 10-99 years to life in prison. Houston said the law, if passed would aid in severe cases of child abuse. “It means having an extra tool in our bag where to use in cases where we have a severe case of child abuse like we have in this case,” he said. Winston’s Law is named for a Wetumpka, then a 4 year old, who was the victim in a September aggravated child abuse case. Winston was found unresponsive in the back of a vehicle owned by Scott Hicks in Bay County, Florida, where Hicks was appearing on unrelated warrants. Hicks was charged with aggravated child abuse. “No child should ever have to suffer abuse at the hand of anybody,” Houston said. “We have laws in place to handle most of those situations and for most of those situations the laws are adequate; however, when you are talking about a child that’s from age infant up to age six, they are the least able to defend themselves and protect themselves. So, that’s what this law is for. We are doing it to protect the youngest and most vulnerable.” Winston’s mother, Halee McLeod, has been indicted in Elmore County on charges of aggravated child abuse and chemical endangerment of a child. Both Hicks and McLeod are Wetumpka residents and investigations have revealed the earlier child abuse occurred in Wetumpka. “The punishment for what happened to Winston appears to be inadequate compared to both the emotional and physical trauma he (Winston) he has probably sustained from it,” Houston said. McLeod remains in the Elmore County Jail under bonds totaling $300,000If passed, If passed, Winston’s Law will not be in effect for his case, since the arrests and charges against Hicks and McLeod occurred before the law was enacted. Winston, Houston said, is with his father and “doing fine.” “He’s a happy, active 5 year old now,” Houston said. “He still has some surgeries and medical stuff he has to go through, but he’s handling it like a trooper.” Rep. Paul Beckman and Sen. Clyde Chambliss are sponsoring the Winston’s Law bill in addition to being endorsed by The District Attorneys Association of Alabama.
Air Force
A GGolden olden Opportunity O i Is Knock Knockingg
continued from page 1
been deployed quite a few times.” This was Rankin’s fourth deployment and her stop in Eclectic is only temporary. She and Dominic will soon be leaving the United States to live overseas. “I’m heading back to Turkey,” Rankin said. “That’s where I’m permanently assigned.” Dominic has been living in Eclectic with Rankin’s family while she was stationed in Africa. Dominic had “no clue” his mom would walk through his classroom door, but when she did Dominic’s face lit up as he ran to embrace her. The two hugged and held each other tightly. After the long embrace,
continued from page 1
Dominic took his mom’s hat off of her head and placed it on his, smiled, put his arms around her neck and smiled from ear to ear. When asked how he felt at that moment, Dominic responded, “excited and super surprised.” While it has been six months since the two actually saw each other, the two stayed in constant contact. Technology made the distance between the two not so distant. “We used Skype on the tablet,” Dominic said. Rankin admits the communication between the two helped ease some of hardship of being away. “Even though we were far apart we had that opportunity (to Skype),” said Rankin. While Rankin was happy to be able to keep in contact with her son, she is thrilled to have him back in her arms. “I’m so happy and so excited. It’s been too long,” she said.
THE ECLECTIC OBSERVER
TheWetumpkaHerald.com
FEBRUARY 4, 2016 • PAGE 3
Area Calendar Community
Friday Night Jam Session Where: Old Red Hill School, Alabama Route 229 When: Every Friday at 6:30 p.m. Details: No admission, family friendly, Open stage for anyone wishing to play or sing. For more information, call 334-541-2474 New at the Wetumpka Library What: New Books: Fates and Furies by Lauren Groff; Where It Hurts by Reed Farrel Coleman; NYPD Red 4 by James Patterson; Staked by Kevin Hearne; Furiously Happy: (a funny book about horrible things) by Jenny Lawson and Aspergirls: Empowering Females with Asperger Syndrome by Rudy Simone. New Books for Youth: Pete the Cat: ScubaCat by James Dean; Going Where It’s Dark by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor; The Longest Day by Erin Hunter and Mother Bruce by Ryan T. Higgins. Preschool Story Time is at 10 a.m. Tuesday and Friday mornings. For more information, call 334-567-1308 or visit wetumpkalibrary.com and on Facebook. The Eclectic Boys Club When: Feb. 3, 10:30 a.m. Where: Kuntry Kitchen Restaurant in Eclectic Details: The Eclectic Boys Club winter meeting. If you are from or live in Eclectic or been thru Eclectic, you are welcome. Come and hear about a crime committed in Eclectic more than fifty years ago that made headlines in every newspaper in the United States and headlines around the world. Blood Drive When: Feb. 4, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Where: Walmart of Wetumpka Order of Cimarron Mardi Gras Celebration When: Feb. 6, 9 a.m. Where: Downtown Wetumpka Details: Vendors will be open at 9 a.m. in Gold Star Park. The parade, which runs from West Bridge Street down South Main Street will begin at 1 p.m. Blood Drive When: Feb. 6, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Where: Tallassee National Guard Blood Drive When: Feb. 6, 1-3 p.m. Where: Walmart of Tallassee Kathleen Madigan - The Mermaid Lady Tour When: Feb. 6, 7:30 p.m. Where: Montgomery Performing Arts Centre Details: Tickets start at $17. Purchase them at ticketmaster.com. FOWL present “Murder on the Menu” When: Feb. 7, Noon Where: Wetumpka Civic
Center Details: Spend the afternoon with 14 mystery authors from around the country at an annual fundraiser sponsored by the Friends of the Wetumpka Library. Registration is $40 per person and includes a catered lunch and goodie bag. Visit the library website for author line-up www.wetumpkalibrary. com Red Hill Community Club When: Feb.8, 6:30 p.m. Where: 3554 Red Hill Road, Tallassee The next Red Hill Community Club meeting will at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 8. You are invited to come early and share our covered dish supper prior to the meeting. On this night we will do a soup night with chili, vegetable soup, gumbo and trimmings. Dues are only $5 per year. If you are unable to attend our meetings, then enjoy our Friday night music festival time at 6:30 p.m. Being a dues paying limited participation member will be a help to us. A periodic newsletter is planned. Please send any contributions, which are tax-deductible, and dues payments to 3554 Red Hill Road, Tallassee AL 36078. For more information, email mcasby53@windstream. net or call 334-5412474. Elmore County Education Retirees Association When: Feb. 9, 10:30 a.m. Where: Coaches Corner Restaurant in Wetumpka Wetumpka Area Chamber of Commerce Membership Dinner When: Feb. 9, 5:30 p.m. Where: Wetumpka Civic Center Details: Annual meeting and reception Roaring 20s style. Call 334567-4811 for more information. Wetumpka Boy Scout Troop 13 annual Pancake Supper When: Feb. 9, 5:30 p.m. Where: First Presbyterian Church of Wetumpka, 100 West Bridge Street. Details: Meals include pancakes, sausage or bacon, butter and syrup, orange juice and coffee. There is no specific charge, but donations will be accepted and appreciated! The money raised will go toward the purchase of a new lightweight trailer that will be used by the troop for monthly camp-outs. Tallassee High School Town Hall Meeting When: Feb. 11, 6 p.m. Where: Media Center, Tallassee High School Tallassee High School will hold a town hall meeting to discuss the expansion of the Career Technical education programs at Tallassee High School. Tallassee High School’s faculty believes this endeavor is imperative for developing “College & Career
Ready” students, and provides students with challenging opportunities within the technical fields as well as provides a skilled workforce data, as well as evaluates needs from business and industry on a local level. This is an open meeting and the community is encouraged to attend. This town hall meeting will allow the opportunity to offer suggestions and recommendations for the career tech program. Wetumpka Depot Players present “Steel Magnolias” When: Feb. 11-14 and Feb. 18-21 Where: Wetumpka Depot Theatre Details: Purchase tickets by calling 334-8681440 or log on to www. wetumpkadepot.com Elmore County Relay for Life Committee and Team Camptain Meeting When: Feb. 11, 5:30 p.m. Where: Elmore County Firefighters Association (191 Red Eagle Drive), Wetumpka Artist reception at “The Kelly” When: Feb. 12, 5:30-7 p.m. Where: Kelley Fitzpatrick Memorial Gallery (408 S. Main St.), Wetumpka Details: Meet and greet the artists of “Abandoned Rural America” and “The Land: God’s Gift” and enjoy an RC Cola and Moon Pie as well as other Southern delicacies made and grown in rural Alabama. Valentine’s Day Blues Show When: Feb. 13, 7 p.m. Where: Garrett Coliseum, Montgomery Details: Show features Betty Wright, Willie Clayton, Wyndell “B,” J-Wonn and Vick Allen. Table seating is $45 and arena seating is $40. Tickets are available at www.ticketmaster.com Tuesdays with Kelly When: Feb. 16, Noon-1 p.m. Where: Kelley Fitzpatrick Memorial Gallery (408 S. Main St.), Wetumpka Details: Event includes lunch and a short educational program about rural Alabama. This event features “The Holtville Story,” which is a movie made in the 1940s about Holtville High School. Eat Healthy! Live Healthy! When: Feb. 16, 7 p.m. Where: Main Sanctuary of Shoal Creek Baptist Church, Deatsville Details: Registered dietitian Allan Higginbotham will be the special guest speaker at the free event sponsored by the church’s library team. Elmore County Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation’s 19th Annual Hunting Heritage Dinner When: Feb. 18, 6 p.m. Where: Wetumpka Civic Center Details: Single, couples, sponsor and corporate
You are invited to a
BIBLE CONFERENCE FEBRUARY 6-7 at the
WETUMPKA HIGH SCHOOL. Guest speaker, Dr. Gary Cockerill Dr. Gary Cockerill is the Academic Dean and Professor of Biblical Interpretation and Theology at Wesley Biblical Seminary in Jackson, MS.
Theme An invitation The Opportunity of a Lifetime: Meditations on the Gospel of Mark Schedule of Events - Saturday, February 6 7am Prayer Breakfast at Shoney’s, Wetumpka 10am - 12:15 First Session, Wetumpka High School 6pm-8:15pm Second Session, Wetumpka High School - Saturday, February 7 9:30am Sunday School, Claud Ind. Methodist Church 10:45am Worship, Claud Ind. Methodist Church 6:00pm Final Session, Wetumpka High School Hosted by the Claud Independent Methodist Church 81232 Tallassee Hwy, Eclectic, AL 36024 • 334-541-2552
table tickets available. A ticket includes an all “you can eat” ribs and chicken meal as well as a one-year NWTF membership. Other activities included with tickets: silent auction, live auction, raffles including a total of 19 guns to be given away. For other information and/or tickets, call Gene Calhoun 334-315-2636 or Phil Savage 334-8507997. Millbrook Players present “Li’l Abner” When: Feb. 18-21 & Feb. 25-28 Where: Millbrook Community Theatre Details: Based on the classic comic strip, Li’l Abner is packed with one show stopping dance after another - pure entertainment for the whole family! Tickets are $8 for children ages 6-12. Tickets are $12 for ages 12 and up. Visit www.millbrooktheatre. com or call 334782-7317 for more information. Tea Party at Seven Gables When: Feb. 20, 10 a.m. Where: Seven Gables, Tallassee Details: We’ll get dressed up and have some tea and hor d’oeuvres. Bring a friend. Special appearance from a princess. First child is $35 and additional siblings are $25 each. Call 334-283-2900 to reserve. Elmore County Humane Shelter presents: Getting Down with the Dawgs Drawdown When: Feb. 20, 5 p.m. Where: Wind Creek Wetumpka Entertainment Center Details: A $100 ticket gives you a 1 in 300 opportunity to win $10,000. Tickets include buffet dinner, chance to win door prizes. There will also be a cash bar. Tickets are now on sale. Call 334-567-3377 for more information.
RODNEY GRIFFITH Lake Martin Properties Serving Lake Martin, Tallassee and the Surrounding Area
RODNEY GRIFFITH BROKER CELL: 334-207-0666 WEB: www.rodneygrif¿th.com EMAIL: rodneygrif¿th@windstream.net LAKE MARTIN VIEW – 260 South Lands End, 3 bd/2 ba, 1 acre, $135,000. TALLASSEE – McNEAL STREET, 2 bd/1 ba, close to national guard armory, $55,000. COMMERCIAL BUSINESS – Hwy. 229 in Red Hill (formerly Red Hill Cottage Restaurant), over 3000 sq. ft. on 3 ACRES, only $99,500. RIVER HILLS SUBDIVISION – 19 lots, great views of Lake Tallassee, underground utilities, sewage. Prices start at only $20,000. 4 SOLD – 19 remaining. W. PATTON – Brick, 3 bd/1 ba, new heat pump, hardwood floors, 2 lots, REDUCED $65,000. ECLECTIC – NEW MOBILE HOME on 1.2 ACRE lot, 3 bd/ 2 ba, flat yard, lg. deck, on Ga. Rd. close to Rushenville Church. $69,000. 2206 HWY. 120 – 2 miles from Reeltown School, brick, 3 bd/2 ba, heat pump, hardwood floors. Beautiful yards, new LD close to Kiwi Farm. 100% financing SOroof, for qualified buyer. REDUCED TO $99,500. BEAUTIFUL BRICK HOUSE in Plantation Pines, 4 bd/3.5 baths, 1.6 acre lot very modern and pretty, REDUCED TO $310,000. 3189 LITTLE ROAD – 4 bd/2ba., large lot, very modern, & pretty, only $215,000. 8 ACRES KENT RD – REDUCED TO $45,000. 27 ACRES CLAUDE RD. – $80,000. TALLASSEE GILMER AVE. – 3bd/2 ba next to DQ zoned commercial, REDUCED TO $110,000. TALLASSEE BRICK HOME – on 1 acre with a 2 acre fish pond, 3 bd, 2 ba , large den and kitchen, garage, large screened porch, heat pump, REDUCED FROM $159,000 TO $149,000. 8 more acres also adjacent to it. COMMERCIAL PROPERTY – 8 ACRES close to Walmart on Hwy 14, REDUCED $189,000. MULLINS STREET– Eclectic, 1991 Doublewide mobile home on flat acre lot 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, very private, $45,000. 548 PROSPECT ROAD ECLECTIC- Beautiful home on 4 ACRES, 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, Very modern and private, Very close to lake Martin.$279,000.
Mack Daugherty On March 1, 2016 elect a commissioner who has devoted a lifetime of volunteer service to his country, state, county and community. “Mack firmly believes that one of our primary responsibilities and opportunities, while on this earth, is to strive to make a positive difference in someone’s life. He would be extremely humbled and honored to have the opportunity to serve as your Elmore County District Two County Commissioner. Thank you for your vote on March 1st, and may God bless you and your families!” “Mack is a good man, a man of character and integrity, and I’m proud to call him my friend. There’s not many times you can vote for someone (rather than against), but Mack is someone you can.” Chief Justice Roy Moore – Alabama Supreme Court “I can’t think of anyone that I would rather have as my county commissioner than my long-time friend and fellow veteran, Mack Daugherty. I have known Mack for many years, and you won’t Ànd a more reputable, Christian man. I have no doubt that Mack will serve us well, and I whole heartedly support him. I am a 93 year old WWII veteran, and I have met many people in my lifetime, and I can certainly vouch for the character and capabilities of this man. We would do well to put him in ofÀce.” James Monroe Grif¿th – Eclectic, Alabama “ I am happy to offer my support to Mack Daugherty, for Elmore County Commissioner District Two. Mack is adamantly opposed to Home Rule (the granting of additional powers to the county commission to pass resolutions, pertaining to the citizens who choose to live in the unincorporated areas of the county, etc.) I have no doubt that Mack will vigorously protect our property rights against unneeded government regulations.” Jay Fomby – Kent, Alabama “I once heard it said that if you want to know the true character of a man, just ask his neighbors. I have been Mack Daugherty’s neighbor for almost (44) years, and I have known him even longer. Mack is a person of the highest moral character and integrity. In fact, I have so much conÀdence in Mack’s integrity and leadership ability, that if I had to pick someone to handle my personal Ànances and business affairs, I would not hesitate for a moment to pick Mack to do so. Mack has a servant’s heart, and he will listen to his constituents and will serve them well.” Thomas C. Ingram, Ret. – State of Alabama Dept. of Transportation “I have known Mack Daugherty for the past (25) years and have always found him to be a person of impeccable integrity and high moral values. Mack relates well to all people and has a genuine concern for the welfare of everyone. He is a gifted musician and an excellent leader. Mack is an authentic Christian gentleman.” Dr. John Ed Mathison – Montgomery, Alabama
“Mack would be humbled and honored to have your vote on March 1st for Elmore County Commissioner District Two!” – ACCEPTING NO CA MPA IGN DONATIONS – Paid for Mack Daugher t y Campaign | 7318 Kowaliga Rd., Eclectic, AL 36024
Kenneth Boone, Publisher John W. Peeler, Managing Editor Opinions expressed in guest columns and letters to the editor do not necessarily reflect the viewpoint of the management of Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc.
PAGE 4 • FEBRUARY 4, 2016
OPINION
“Our liberty cannot be guarded but by the freedom of the press, nor that be limited without danger of losing it.” --Thomas Jefferson THE ECLECTIC OBSERVER
The Observer strives to report the news honestly, fairly and with integrity, to take a leadership role and act as a positive influence in our community, to promote business, to provide for the welfare of our employees, to strive for excellence in everything we do and, above all, to treat others as we would want to be treated ourselves.
County expands on 'Countywide' Cleanup Days'
T
he Elmore County Commission is pleased to announce the expansion The County Line By the of Countywide Clean Elmore County Commission Up Days will continue this year. Clean up days will be provided at two locations in the county on the second Saturday of every even numbered month. The additional free clean up days are the result of an agreement reached between the County Commission and Advanced Disposal and are in addition to the ten clean up days that occur every odd numbered month. The next free Countywide Clean Up Day is scheduled from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Feb. 13. The two locations selected for this event are the Old Highway Department Shop in Holtville and the CEW&SA facility on Redland Road. Additional Countywide Clean Up dates, times and locations (including a map with directions and GPS coordinates) are listed on the Elmore County web page Calendar of Events at www.elmoreco.org. We hope all Elmore County residents will take advantage of this convenient opportunity to drop off household trash and yard trash free of charge. All tree limbs must be no longer than 4 feet and no more than 6 inches in diameter. Items that will not be accepted include appliances, batteries, paints or thinners, oils, gases and tires. Sorry, no contractors, as the cleanup is for residents only. For more information, call Advanced Disposal 334-252-0458. Please help “Keep the Wave of the Future Clean” by bagging and sealing all household trash for regular pick up. Bagging and closing trash bags prevents “blow out” garbage on the roadside.
M
If you're a bird... I'm a bird
ovies have a way of helping mold the way we think and feel about relationships and
love. Two lines that come to mind are, “I’ll never let go,” and “If you’re a bird, I’m a bird,” from the 1997 movie Titanic and The Notebook in 2004, respectively. There have been mixed reviews from those two movies, but I bring them up because in today’s age thoughts and feelings those two quotes suggest seem to be lost in relationships. If you notice, both of those movies were set in much earlier periods of the last century. Although I don’t date myself back to the time of either of those movies, my parents were brought up in at least one of those periods and those types of thoughts and feelings about relationships influenced me. After my father died in Vietnam in 1968, I always wondered why my mother didn’t try to find another husband or entertain another relationship, not that I am complaining. One day, I asked her why. Her response was, “Because I know I will never find another man as good as your dad.” I remember her saying it like it was yesterday. Like Rose in Titanic, she never let go … and she did go on. And, should my father have survived, I am sure it would have been just like it was in The Notebook.
Dear John By John W. Peeler But, for whatever reason, things are not the same today as they were then. Whether it’s economics, a change in the way we look at relationships, the days of “what’s in it for me,” the ease of getting divorced, genetics, income levels or even education levels, love and relationships have suffered — for most. Today’s divorce rates are high and marriages last about 8.8 years on average. In 2009 a survey was conducted to see what cities and states had the highest divorce rates. Florida had four (per 1,000 people) of the top-10 ranking No. 1, No. 6, No. 8 and No. 9, followed by Arizona at No. 2, West Virginia No. 3, Oregon No. 4, Nevada No. 5 and Colorado at No. 7 and No. 10. So, does any of that really matter? No. We have just lost our way and other things have become more important than finding true love. Love is not important to some — I don’t know how many people, men and women alike, I have heard say that — and maybe that’s fine for some. But, who wants to be alone in
their final days if you have the choice of being like the characters in The Notebook and sharing it with the one you love, the one you shared adversity with? Love and relationships are not business arrangements. Both are difficult. Both have to have constant work and nurturing. Love and relationships are not for the weak at heart or for those that only think of themselves. Love and relationships are about giving unselfishly, trust, sharing, respect, acceptance of differences, affection, affirmation … I could go on and on. The point to all of this — love is not dead, we just need to find where we put it away and find it again. Movies like the Titanic and The Notebook are modern-day movies, but their placement in time beckons from the last century. I can’t think of 10 movies that take place in modern times that follow the theme or purposeful thought of these two movies — everlasting love. How many can you count from today’s backdrop? I still see that kind of love through the eyes of my mother every time my dad is mentioned. Somewhere, true love still exists set aside in some dark corner just waiting to be rediscovered — you only need to find a way to shine — and you’ll find it.
Eclectic Observer The
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Tales of Landslide Lyndon, election corruption of the past
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here are a good many stories about elections of the 1940’s and 50’s where votes were bought and elections stolen. The most brazen and blatant stealing of an election occurred in the 1948 race for the U.S. Senate in Texas. The players were Coke Stevenson versus Lyndon B. Johnson. Therefore, it can also be classified as one of the most relevant robberies in American history because if Johnson had lost, as he was supposed to, it would have dramatically impacted U.S. history. Stevenson was a legendary Texas icon. He was the epitome of a Texas gentleman and revered. He was Texas’ Horatio Alger and Davy Crockett combined. He raised himself from age 12, built a ranching empire, was Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives, and a very popular Governor of Texas. Stevenson was above reproach. He would not lie, steal or cheat and Texans knew that about old Coke. On the other hand, Johnson had already earned the reputation in Texas that he would continue to earn in Washington, that is that he would do whatever it took to win. He was totally corrupt and ruthless, without any semblance of a conscience. Johnson had been a congressman from East Texas for six years. When the U.S. Senate seat came open in 1948, he made the decision to roll the dice and go for broke. Lyndon did not know that the legendary former
STEVE FLOWERS Guest Columnist
governor, Coke Stevenson, would enter the race. The initial poll had Stevenson about 68 percent to Johnson’s 18 percent. However, Stevenson had no idea to what limits Johnson would go to be a U.S. Senator. Johnson applied modern day politics to that era. He introduced polling and what it meant in detail. He even used a helicopter to fly from town to town and land on court squares to speak and shake hands, but mostly he used negative and false campaign mailings to destroy the stellar Stevenson’s reputation. Stevenson was from a different era. He refused to go negative and would not reply to any negative accusations no matter how maliciously false. Johnson was able to use this massive media blitz because he had more campaign funds than any candidate in Texas history. He had unlimited financial backing from the giant Brown and Root Company of Texas. They are now the Halliburton Corporation. They were then, as now, the recipients of gigantic government construction contracts. Johnson was their boy and would do their bidding as their senator so they poured money into the race
like water. Johnson out spent Stevenson 10-to-1, but it was not enough. When the votes were counted on election night, Stevenson had won by a narrow margin. However, the election was not over. Stevenson was about to be counted out. The Rio Grande Valley along the Texas and Mexican border was known as the region where votes could be bought. Most close elections were decided in these counties, which would come in days after the original count with just the right number of votes needed to win the election. This is how Johnson won by only 87 votes in a race where over one million votes were cast. Johnson became known as Landslide Lyndon in Washington because of this 87 vote victory. It was also an allusion to how he had stolen the seat. Some people think that Johnson’s title, Landslide Lyndon, stemmed from his landslide victory over Barry Goldwater in the 1964 Presidential Race, but it was actually from the 1948 Texas Senate Race. A legendary tale attributed to Johnson in this infamous race claims in the days following the election, while garnering enough votes for victory, Johnson and the political bosses of the valley counties were going through cemeteries and taking names of dead Mexicans off of tombstones to register as voters. They could not decipher one of the names and asked Lyndon what to do. Johnson quickly replied, give him a
name, he’s got as much right to vote as the rest of them in this cemetery do. Steve Flowers is Alabama’s leading political columnist. His weekly column appears in over 60 Alabama newspapers. He served 16 years in the state legislature. Steve may be reached at www.steveflowers.us.
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FEBRUARY 4, 2016 • PAGE 5
God is there and all we have to do is ask
uke 4:14-21 is the story of Jesus in the synagogue at Nazareth. He reads from Isaiah: He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives, and goes on to say, today in your hearing, this scripture has been fulfilled. Many commentators say that this is Jesus’ first public proclamation of his divinity, using Isaiah’s words and prophecy to claim and announce that he is the Messiah. So, what does it mean us? Orson Scott Card, author of the modern science fiction classic Ender’s Game, tells a story about two brothers. When the younger brother was two years old, he was playing in the upstairs closet. His mother called, “Come out,” but in the manner of the terrible twos, he didn’t. His mother called again, and when he didn’t come out, she screamed, “Stay in there then,” and closed the door. And there he stayed for six years. During that time, the older brother was made to take him his food, but not allowed to let him out. When he was 13, the older brother couldn’t stand it any more and let his brother out of the closet. For me, the most poignant image in the story was that as the younger brother reached the stairs, instead of running down them, he sat down and scooted, his bottom bumping on every step, the way babies do. Locked in the closet, he never learned how to walk down stairs. The story ends with the conclusion that both brothers were victims, both were captives – the brother in the closet and the brother forced to keep him there, feed him, take care of him. In fact, all three were captives, both
always mess up?” Yes, whatever it is, all of us are bound by something. In Nazareth, Jesus said: God has sent me to proclaim release to the captives. BOB HENDERSON Trinity Episcopal Church
brothers and their mother – the brother locked in the closet, the brother forced to keep him there, and the mother, captive to whatever it was in her past, in her life, her mind that made her keep her son in a closet and force her other son to keep him there. It is a terrible story, made even more terrible by the footnote that the essential facts were true, taken from the reported details of an actual child abuse case. As terrible as this story is, as awful as it might make us feel, the fact is that almost all of us are in bondage to something. It may be greed for things or power; it may be pride at our station in life, our name; it may be anger or hatred of another; it may be fear for ourselves, our children, our loved ones; it may be sorrow at things, dreams and people lost over the years; It may be the belief that we committed a terrible, horrible act or failed to prevent one; it may be the guilt from what we have done or not done, or our perception of our wrong I am bound by my father, who to this day stands right behind me, every second, whispering in my ear: “Why couldn’t you do it better?”; “Why didn’t you do it this way?”; “Why do you
What’s really interesting about this passage are the Greek words here translated as release and captives. The Greek word for release, [aphesis], in general Greek usage, means to release from an office, an obligation, debt or penalty. In other places in the New Testament, aphesis is used in relation to forgiveness from sin. Here and only here is it used in relation to “captives” – to release captives, not sin. The Greek word used by Luke for “captives,” [aichmalotos] means just that, people who are captured, in bondage, without freedom. This is the only time this Greek word is used in the New Testament. Biblical scholars look for unique word usages like these because they have found that such usages are significant, they mean something important. These words are important here because they define part of the task of the messiah, a unique part of the messiah’s job. What Jesus is saying to the people in the synagogue at Nazareth is: God has sent me to release you, today, now. God has sent me to take away the anger, the fear, the hatred, the bitterness, the pride, the sorrow, the greed, the guilt that imprisons you, that binds you, that has captured you. I am here to release you from whatever it is in your life that makes you a captive. Jesus is saying the same thing to us
today. God in Jesus is here to release us, to take away whatever binds and imprisons us, whatever holds us captive. All we have to do is give it up. All we have to pray is: God (Jesus), I am bound by _________________; I am a captive to _________________; release me, take ________________ away from me, now, today. Set me free in your mercy. AMEN And, God will do it. Naw, you say, that’s crazy, that’s too easy. That’ll never happen. It can. It will. If we ask, God will release us. We don’t need to stay locked up in the cell, in the prison of bondage or in the chains of captivity. We can be free, today, if we just ask. Of course, that doesn’t mean that we won’t imprison ourselves again, sometimes almost immediately. But if we keep working at it, if we keep prayerfully asking, not only will God release us from our captivity, God will open the door of our closets and let us out, and down the steps, even if it is only by bumping our bottoms on each step. God can and will open the door of our prisons, and let us out, free from bondage, free from what keeps us imprisoned in fear, guilt, sadness, sorrow. All we have to do is ask. Today, right now, wouldn’t be a bad time to ask. There’s nothing to lose, and freedom to gain, if we just ask.
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Area Church Services Agapé Assembly of God Hwy. 63 North Sunday School 9:30 a.m. Sunday Worship 10:30 a.m. Sunday Evening Worship 6 p.m. Wednesday Night Service 7 p.m. Balm of Gilead Sunday School 10 a.m. Worship Service 11 a.m. Bethlehem East Baptist Church Sunday School 9:45 a.m. Morning Worship 11 a.m. Discipleship Training 5 p.m. Evening Worship 6 p.m. Wednesday Evening 7 p.m. Beulah Missionary Baptist Church P.O. Box 130, Eclectic 36024 Sunday School 9:45 a.m. Worship Services 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. Wednesday Services 6 p.m. Friday Services 6 p.m. Prayer Meeting and Bible Class 1st Tuesday Prayer Meeting 6 p.m. Central Baptist Church Sunday School 10 a.m. Worship Service 11 a.m. Adult Choir Practice 5 p.m. Evening Worship Service 6 p.m. Wednesday: Children, Youth and Adult Bible Study/Prayer Meeting 6:30 p.m. Central United Methodist Church Sunday Morning 9:30 a.m.
Chaney Creek Primitive Baptist Church Every Sunday except 2nd Sunday 10:30 a.m. Saturday before 2nd Sunday 10:30 a.m. Chapel United Methodist Church Services 2nd and 4th Sunday 9:45 a.m. Sunday School 2nd and 4th 9:15 a.m. Sunday School 1st, 3rd and 5th 10 a.m. Claud Independent Methodist Church 81232 Tallassee Hwy Sunday School 9:15 a.m. Worship Service 10:30 a.m. Evening Worship 6 p.m. Wednesday Prayer and Bible Study 7 p.m. Eclectic First Baptist Church Sunday School 9:30 a.m. Worship Service 10:45 a.m. Discipleship Training 5 p.m. Wednesday: Meal 5:30 p.m. Youth, Children and Adult Studies and Activities 6:15 p.m. Eclectic United Methodist Church 1035 Main Street Morning Service 10:50 a.m. Evening Service 6 p.m. Wednesday: Meal 5:30 p.m. Service 6:30 p.m.
Georgia Road Church of Christ 4003 Georgia Road Sunday: Morning Bible Study 9 a.m. Morning Worship 10 a.m. Evening Worship 5 p.m. Wednesday: Mid-Week Bible Study 7 p.m. Good Hope Baptist Church 1766 S. Fleahop Road Sunday School 9:15 a.m. Morning Worship 10:30 a.m. Discipleship Training 5 p.m. Evening Worship 6 p.m. Wednesday: Prayer Service 7 p.m. TeamKID and “R.U.S.H” Youth Celebration 6:30 p.m. Healing Waters Church of God 1639 Kowaliga Road Sunday School 9:30 a.m. Morning Worship 10:30 a.m. Evening Worship 6 p.m. Wednesday: Family Training Hour 7 p.m. Kendrick Memorial Baptist Church Hwy. 9 Nixburg Sunday School 10 a.m. Worship Service 11 a.m. Mt. Hebron Church of Christ 4530 Mt. Hebron Road Sunday: Morning Bible Study 10 a.m. Morning Worship 11 a.m. Evening Worship 6 p.m. Wednesday:
Mid-Week Bible Study 7 p.m. Mt. Hebron East Baptist Church Sunday School 10 a.m. Sunday Worship 11 a.m. Wednesday: Children in Action 6:30 p.m. Bible Study and Prayer Meeting 6:30 p.m. First Wednesday of Month Potluck supper, Bible study and prayer meeting, 6 p.m. Pleasant Hill Baptist Church Sunday: Sunday School 9:30 a.m. Worship Service 10:30 a.m. Evening Worship 5:30 p.m. Wednesday: Bible Study and Prayer Meeting 6:30 p.m. Adult Choir Practice 6:30 p.m. Prospect Baptist Church Sunday School 9:45 a.m. Worship Service 11 a.m. Discipleship Training 6 p.m. Worship Service 7 p.m. Wednesday: Bible Study and Teen Kid 6:30 p.m. Refuge Baptist Church 3098 Red Hill Road Sunday School 9:15 a.m. Worship Service 10:30 a.m. Rock Springs Baptist Church 375 Rigsby Rd, Tallassee AL 334-283-1156
Submit your church calendar items and events to: john.peeler@thewetumpkaherald.com
Rushenville Baptist Church 10098 Georgia Road Sunday School 9:45 a.m. Morning Worship 11 a.m. Children’s Choir 5 p.m. Bible Study 6 p.m. GA’s, RA’s 6 p.m. Adult Choir Practice 6:45 p.m. Wednesday: Bible Study and Prayer Meeting 6 p.m. Salem Road Baptist Church 12 Old Salem Road Sunday School 10 a.m. Worship Service 11 a.m. Sunday Night Services 6 p.m. Wednesday Evening Prayer 7 p.m. Providence Primitive Baptist Church 4850 Chana Creek Road Bible Study 9:45 a.m. Morning Worship 10:45 a.m. Evening Worship 5:30 p.m. Wednesday Prayer and Praise 7 p.m. Union No. 2 Missionary Baptist Church PO Box 240452 Eclectic, AL 36024 Sunday School - 10 a.m. Morning Worship - 11:15 Tuesday Bible Study - 6 p.m. Watson Chapel Congregation 2223 East Cotton Road Sunday School 10 a.m. Morning Worship 11 a.m.
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FEBRUARY 4, 2016 • PAGE 7
Religion Briefs •Emerald Mountain Christian School announces the opening of registration for new families for the 20162017 school year. The school is an inter-denominational Christian School with teaching based on a biblical world and life view as found in the infallible Word of God. We are located at 4125 Rifle Range Rd, Wetumpka, AL, 36093. EMCS offer a college preparatory curriculum for students in kindergarten through 12th grade. The school is celebrating its 50th year of operation, having been founded in Marion, AL in 1965. We offer football, basketball, baseball and golf for boys. We also offer cheerleading and golf for girls and plan to add basketball, volleyball, and softball next year. Students are also afforded opportunities to travel as well as taking classes in foreign language and computer. We are central to Wetumpka, Eclectic, Tallassee, and Montgomery. For more information, call Headmaster David Ames at 334-567-0555 for more information or visit www.emcspatriots.org. •Wallsboro United Methodist Church in Wetumpka has changed the evening Wednesday service to Thursday at 6 p.m. For more information, call 334-5670121. •Carrville Baptist Church will host a Marriage Seminar with guest speakers, Larry and Charleen Gore from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Feb. 6. Larry Gore has a Biblical Counseling Degree from Philadelphia Baptist Institute. He has served at Santuck Baptist Church for more than 15 years as the Associate Pastor of Administration and Biblical Counseling. The cost for the seminar is $20 per couple or $10 per person; this includes a light breakfast and lunch. If you are interested in attending call the church office at 283-2221, from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Thursday to sign up. Our regular Sunday Services are Sunday School at 9:15 a.m., Morning Worship 10:30 a.m. and all Sunday Evening Activities are at 6 p.m. Our Wednesday Night Activities are at 6:30 p.m. •Claud Independent Methodist Church will host a Bible Conference at Wetumpka High School Feb. 6-7 beginning with a Prayer Breakfast at 7 a.m. Feb.
6 at Shoney’s in Wetumpka. The first session of the conference will be from 10 a.m.-12:15 p.m. at Wetumpka High School with the second session from 6 p.m.-8:15 p.m., also at Wetumpka High School. Sunday School and worship service will begin at 9:30 a.m. Feb. 7 followed by the worship service at 10:45 at Claud IMC. The final session of the conference begins at 6 p.m. Feb. 7 at Wetumpka High School. Speaker of the event will be Dr. Gareth (Gary) Cockerill. He is the academic dean and professor of Biblical Interpretation and Theology at Wesley Biblical Seminary in Jackson, Mississippi.
encouraged to attend.
•Shoal Creek Baptist Church will host “Eat Healthy! Live Healthy!” at 7 p.m. Feb. 16 in the main sanctuary. Registered dietitian Allan Higgenbotham will be the speical guest speaker. This is a free program sponsored by the Library Team of the church. It is open to the public.
•First Presbyterian Church of Wetumpka holds a fellowship lunch every third Sunday after worship.
•Open Arms International Outreach Ministry and Minister Charlotte Crawford will present the Prophetic Prayer and Healing Summit 2016 at 3 p.m. March 5 at Jeanette Barrett Civic Room 27 (directly behind Depot Players off Main Street). The event is free and open to the public. •Newsboys - We Believe, God’s Not Dead Tour will perform at 7 p.m. March 31 at Garrett Colisuem in Montgomery. Tickets start at $25. They may be purchased at ticketmaster.com or call 334-356-6866 for more information. •GriefShare grief recovery seminar and support group will began meeting at Calvary Baptist Church in Wetumpka. The group will meet on Tuesdays from 10 a.m. until noon and on Thursdays from 7-9 p.m. There is a $25 registration fee to help cover cost of materials. The church is located at 504 West Osceola Street, Wetumpka. For more information, call the church office at 334-567-4729. •Community Fellowshippers meet at Cain’s Chapel United Methodist Church every third Wednesday at 11 a.m. The gathering includes devotion, program, prizes and covered dish luncheon. Local pastors and families
•Calvary Baptist Church offers a Bible study “War Room” Mondays at 6:30 p.m. at Uncle Bob’s Doghouse in Wetumpka. Everyone is invited. Call the church office at 334-452-1931 for more information. •Mulder Memorial United Methodist Church hosts a noon salad luncheon the third Thursday of each month from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Call 334-567-4225 for more information.
•Celebrate Recovery, which deals with life’s hurts, habits and hang-ups, holds meetings every Thursday at 6:15 p.m. at Santuck Baptist Church. •Christians of all denominations are invited to participate in a cooperative Bible Study held each Tuesday 1-2 p.m. at 103 West Tuskeena St. in Wetumpka The group is self-led and selects a book of the Bible to read through and study together. All are welcome. •Friendship Closet, a ministry of Friendship Baptist Church, is open the first Tuesday of each month from 9 to 11:30 a.m. and from 6 to 8 p.m. Those who need clothes, shoes, etc. for women, men and children, may visit. •Hope For Healing Grief Support Group meets the second Monday of each month at 6 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Tallassee. •River’s Edge Flea Market is open every Saturday from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. at East Tallassee United Methodist Church. All vendors welcome – new items, old items, crafts, youth groups, ball teams, baked goods, produce and food. Various booth costs available. For info, call Joan Wood at 334-313-4913 or Melanie Baker at 334415-8314. All proceeds are used for church-sponsored programs.
SPORTS
Cory Diaz Sports Editor Phone 334-567-7811 sports@thewetumpkaherald.com
PAGE 8 • FEBRUARY 4, 2016
Edwards wins gold
Ryals signs to play volleyball at Huntington
By CORY DIAZ Sports Editor
Cory Diaz / The Observer
Elmore County eighth-grader Zefeniah Edwards earned a first-place finish last Thursday at the Birmingham Middle School Indoor Gold Standard Championships at the Birmingham CrossPlex. In a tight race, Edwards, the lone Panther to run at the Gold Standard Championships, edged Bumpus Middle School’s Jonathan David Martin in the boys 800-meter event by 1.3 seconds. Edwards ran a 2:14.55 to Martin’s 2:15.82. Ethan Strand of Pizitz, Colby Humphrey of J.H. Phillips Academy and Ian Harper of Liberty Park rounded out the top five times.
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Being a part of a playoff team every season, Abbie Ryals never thought she’d be the first to commit to play volleyball on the collegiate level. But the Elmore County senior setter defied the odds Friday, pledging to play volleyball at Huntingdon College during a ceremony in the ECHS library. “(This is) what I’ve always wanted to do since the eighth-grade,” Ryals said. “As I started to move forward, I mean I played softball since I was little, but I just had more of a connection with volleyball. “Being the first one, I hope it leads to more girls going, they can actually accept it. It’s just an honor to be coach (Kimberly) Moncrief’s first because she’s had a lot better teams. I mean, we were really good this year, but she’s had better teams that have made it all the way to state.” The opportunity for Ryals to play at Huntingdon arose this past season. Hawks’ coach Latonia Allen came to watch her play during the first round of the area tournament, and came away impressed although Ryals thought she didn’t play well.
“I didn’t know she was coming that day, so I look over and I see coach Allen, I was like, ‘oh gosh, I messed up so much that game. She’s not going to want me,’” Ryals recalled. “Afterwards, I didn’t know what I was doing, just doing my normal thing playing setter, and she said ‘you’re doing things out there that our senior setter can’t even do.’” After the offer, Ryals toured the campus and committed to the Hawks this same day in October. With what Allen saw, Ryals said she could earn a spot on Huntingdon’s varsity club as a freshman. But to make the varsity team, Elmore County High’s first prospective collegiate volleyball player said she’s got more work to do. “I definitely have to work on my ball handling skills, because I’m good at getting there – I have to work on that, too, getting there faster and being able to set my feet there before I set it. At the beginning of the season I had a lot of them, so that kind of discouraged me,” she said, “Towards the end of the season, I pushed myself and pushed myself. Practicing everyday at home. I’m getting there.”
ECHS’s Traylor named to AHSAA Student Leadership Conference By CORY DIAZ Sports Editor
Elmore County junior Hannah Traylor was selected to the Alabama High School Athletic Association Student Leadership Conference last week. The two-sport student-athlete will join fellow ECHS representative Elissa Brown, who was picked in 2015, and the 44 others chosen the last two years to make up the Student Leadership Team at the conference that will be held April 4-5 at the Embassy Suites Hotel in downtown Montgomery. Traylor said Monday she was surprised she was selected. “I was really excited and grateful because I was the only one selected from all the 4A schools in the state,” Traylor said. “That’s a really big opportunity, and it’s a great honor to be selected for that. “It let’s me know that I’m held to high standards and I have great expectations on me so that’s a good accountability for me from my teachers and school.” At the conference, the student-athletes will learn and develop leadership skills, identify leadership traits and will be tasked with taking the information back to their respective school. Traylor believes her capability to juggle school, volleyball, where she earned First-Team All-Area honors this past season, and basketball led to her appointment, and she hopes to become a better leader with her teams and in her school being a member of the Student Leadership Team. “I hope to meet new people and broaden my horizons in that aspect. To gain new leadership skills and be able to work with others and see where things take me,” she said. “I’m a pretty good student, I’ve never really gotten wrote up or anything, I make good grades. So I’m good in and out of the classroom and I’m involved in athletics, I’m a good leadership on the athletic teams like
as a captain. I don’t really miss much school or practice; I’m pretty reliable and accountable. “(My classmates) might see (me being a two-sport student-athlete) as, ‘hey, she’s out here always at practice every afternoon, she never really has an offseason.’ It’s really hard to keep grades up and do extracurricular activities and be involved in your community. Some people can see that as a good thing.”
Elmore County senior setter Abbie Ryals signed Friday to play college volleyball at Huntingdon College. Cory Diaz / The Observer
ECHS senior signs with Lenoir-Rhyne University By COREY ARWOOD Outlook Staff Writer
Cory Diaz / The Observer
Elmore County junior Hannah Traylor (6), shown here sending ball over against Dadeville this past volleyball season, was named to the AHSAA Student Leadership Conference last week.
Volleyball is Traylor’s favorite sport, but she said she’s unsure if playing at the collegiate level is what she wants to do. Auburn and medical school are also on the table. “I haven’t figured it out 100 percent, but I thought about going to Auburn and going into the medical field. If I go into the medical field, I’ll probably go to a school that has a good medical program,” Traylor said. “But I’ve always said I wanted to go to Auburn, so I may end up there.”
An Elmore County High School senior was signed to a university out of North Carolina Wednesday during the national signing day for college football. Kell Floyd and his family gathered in the library of ECHS for the ceremony in front of teammates, friends, faculty and staff as ECHS principal Wes Rodgers spoke about Floyd’s accomplishments and future. “The important thing is he’ll have an opportunity to go on and get an education so we say this to everybody who signs this is a big day, it’s important, but five years from now I want to run into you with a degree,” Rodgers said. “So, remember when you’re off in Hickory, North Carolina you’re representing your mom your brothers and ECHS.” After Rodgers’ speech, Floyd signed the paperwork and turned and hugged his mom and thanked everyone who had supported him and said he would be proud to represent ECHS. “It’s a great feeling to showcase my talents and support all my family and friends and just put in a big name for Elmore County,” Floyd said. As a running back, Floyd totaled 1,036 yards with 12 touchdowns and 145 carries. He closed the season with two straight 200-yard games, 202 versus Childersburg
Corey Arwood / The Outlook
Kell Floyd, an ECHS senior, was signed to Lenoir-Rhyne University of North Carolina Wednesday during the national signing day for college football. Floyd was accompanied by his family for the signing.
and 258 against rival Tallassee. Receiving, Floyd had 28 catches, a total of 558 yards and 6 touchdowns. While on defense, as a safety he led the team with 61 tackles with one interception, two fumble recoveries and one of those he returned for a touchdown. His overall totals last season were 1,636 yards on offense and 18 touchdowns. Asked why he signed with LenoirRhyne, Floyd said. “They have a great facility they have been very good the past couple of years and it’s away from home.” He said he is considering a major in biology and the medical field. As of now, Floyd said he was not sure what he would specifically be doing at the university but ideally he would be playing football.
Panthers lug 4-match losing skid into sectionals By COREY DIAZ Staff Writer
The Elmore County wrestling team slides into the postseason on a four-dual losing skid, closing out the regular season with two losses to county rivals Holtville and Wetumpka last Thursday at a tri-meet at WHS. Wetumpka opened the tri-meet with a 54-24 victory over the Panthers and Holtville shutout ECHS, 68 to -1. In a rare event against the Bulldogs, the Panthers ended up with negative team points after the Bulldogs won each match and as heavyweight Nathan Smith won by fall in the third
period in the final contest, ECHS’s Michael Guionnaud was hit with an unsportsmanlike 1-point deduction, relegating Elmore County to -1 for the dual. Elmore County faired much better versus the host Indians, picking up three match victories as a team. Guionnaud started his night off better than it ended, with a fall over WHS’s J.J. Cannon in the first period. Senior David Wood (132pound) pinned Clay Spivey, while junior Nathan Whorton picked up the Panthers other win, defeating Wetumpka’s Zane Mason in the second period by
fall in their 160-pound bout. The Tribe’s Cole Blackwell started out the dual, earning a fall victory against Fischer Wall in the 120-pound contest. After Wood’s win, WHS senior Jaret Gallops got his team back on track, eking out a pin over ECHS’s Jeb Ballard in the last five seconds of their 152pound match. Indian senior Trevor Leonard pinned Trey Fulmer in nine seconds to round out the dual. Elmore County will compete in the AHSAA Class 1A-5A Super South Sectional Cory Diaz / The Observer Tournament next weekend at the Elmore County’s Jeb Ballard tangles with Holtville’s Peyton Cramton Bowl Multiplex. Johnson during their 152-pound match at last week’s tri-meet at Wetumpka High.