Tallassee Tribune Feb. 1 2023

Council approves demolition of Hotel Talisi

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

The Hotel Talisi will be torn down soon.

The Tallassee City Council approved the demolition of the fire-gutted structure in downtown Tallassee at the council’s Tuesday meeting.

“We declared a state of emergency due to imminent threats,”

Mayor Sarah Hill said.

“With the possibility of storms and additional damage we feel it needs to come down.”

The approval of demolition occurred after CDG engineer Jeff Harrison said he was concerned about the safety and integrity of the

Sewage treatment project needs more funding

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

For the last several years the Tallassee City Council has been attempting to address issues and a consent decree with its sewage treatment lagoons. The city’s wastewater treatment program has been in a redesign for several years to rectify issues of chlorination and projected needs. Since bids were coming in nearly $15 million over budget, engineers at CDG have been working to come up with a cost effective solution — fix what is already there to stay within an approximate budget of $3.5 million.

structure. The council authorized Hill to gather quotes for taking the structure down. Hill said funding would come from the City of Tallassee property enhancement and local economic development funds.

“We hope to go ahead and get it down,” Hill

See HOTEL, Page A2

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

“The more, the better” — it’s a phrase normally used with money, friends, vacations or happiness.

But in the case of those needing a quick response to a medical emergency such as a heart attack, more is not better — unless it’s about the availability of someone to correctly respond to a medical emergency. Once a quarter the Elmore County EMA and partner Haynes Ambulance offers CPR/AED training and the classes are always full.

“That is a good thing and a bad thing,” Elmore County EMA’s Julie Lawerence said. “Good in that we will have that many more people out there trained and ready to assist

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

Obituaries

YVONNE SPANN

BOONE

Mrs. Yvonne Spann

Boone, a resident of Tallassee, Alabama, passed away peacefully, surrounded by loved ones, at her home of 50 years, January 21, 2023 at the age of 100. She was born June 13, 1922 in Nancy, France to Ransom and Martha Peters Spann.

She was a graduate of Duke University and earned her Master’s Degree at Auburn University.

While at Duke she met her husband, Dr. Alexander White Boone. They had four boys, Alan (deceased in Vietnam), David, Charles, and John. She is also survived by six grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.

Over the years of her life, she was proud of having worked with the OSI (predecessor of the CIA) and FBI during WWII; obtaining her pilot’s license for small aircraft and finally, being a large part of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR).

In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to Kate Duncan Smith, DAR School, 6077 Main Street, Grant, Alabama 35747.

The family will receive friends Friday, January 27, 2023 from 11:00 AM until 1:00 PM at Jeffcoat Funeral Home Chapel. Mrs. Boone will be laid to

HOTEL Continued from A1

rest in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.

She will be greatly missed by friends and family.

On line condolences are available at: www.jeffcoatfuneralhome.com.

DOROTHY ALEXANDER CHRISTY

Mrs. Dorothy Alexander Christy, a resident of Tallassee, Alabama passed away peacefully at home on January 26, 2023, at the age of 88. She was surrounded by her devoted family.

Dorothy Jean Alexander was born September 20, 1934 to James Melvin Alexander and Neva (McMillan) Alexander in Parsons, Kansas. She graduated from Parsons High School and went on to study at Kansas State.

Dorothy met her husband to be, Gene Robert “Bob” Christy in their hometown of Parsons, Kansas. Bob had just returned from Korea, after completing his military service. A whirlwind courtship led to Dorothy and Bob marrying on Oc-

said. “It’s not only from a safety standpoint but it will make the streetscape project easier.” Hill said the city was still waiting to hear from the Alabama Department of Transportation

Police Reports

TALLASSEE POLICE DEPARTMENT

JAN. 27

• A prowler was reported on Redden Avenue.

• A prowler was reported on Redden Avenue.

JAN. 26

• Trespassing was reported on Jacob Court.

• A juvenile complaint was reported on Rickey Lane.

• Harassment was reported on Hanil Drive.

• A domestic dispute was reported on Willow Street.

• A welfare check was conducted on Gammils Store Road.

• Assistance was given to a citizen on Friendship Road.

• A suspicious person was reported on Gilmer Avenue.

• Assistance was given to a citizen on Jacob Court.

• A domestic complaint was reported on Wall Street. JAN. 25

• A Black male was arrested during a traffic stop on Gilmer Avenue.

tober 9, 1955. This union lasted 64 years, and created what would be known today as a “Power Couple.”

Dorothy’s son, Steven Kent Christy, arrived on August 19, 1960. Her daughter, Laura Lynn Christy, was born on October 17, 1963. Dorothy was a loving Mother and devoted Wife. In 1966, Dorothy and Bob moved their young family to Huntsville, Alabama. They had decided that Bob would focus on a partnership with his brother, and Huntsville would be their home base. She and Bob brought their love for Big Band music, dancing and hosting neighborhood parties. They were both skilled and dynamic dancers, which added to the festivities of any event they hosted or attended.

Dorothy’s life was one of generosity. She shared all that she had with family, friends, charities and anyone she knew was in need. Seven years ago, Dorothy and Bob moved to beautiful Lake Martin, next door to their devoted daughter, Laura (Danny) Jennings, and their sons, Taylor and Payne. Dorothy was above all, a strong, loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She is preceded in death by her husband,

(ALDOT) about extra funding for the downtown streetscape project.

“The contractor with bid has agreed to maintain the bid for an additional 30 days,” Hill said At its Jan. 10 meeting the council accepted a bid in the amount of $1,884,752.40 for the downtown TAP streetscape project contingent on receiving more funds from ALDOT. The project

during a utility complaint on Poplar Street.

• Two white females were arrested on Barnett Boulevard.

• Reckless driving was reported on North Ashurst Avenue.

• A utility complaint was reported on Rifle Range Road.

• Assistance was given to a motorist on Gilmer Avenue.

• Breaking and entering a vehicle was reported on Central Boulevard.

• An abandoned vehicle was reported on Gilmer Avenue.

• An animal complaint was reported on Gilmer Avenue.

• Assistance was given to medics on a medical call on Ransom Drive.

JAN. 23

• Theft was reported on Carr Circle.

• An arrest was made on North Harper Street.

• Two Black males were arrested during a traffic stop on Central Boulevard.

• A suspicious person was reported on Riverside Avenue.

• Reckless driving was reported on Sims Avenue.

• A domestic disturbance was reported on Central Boulevard.

Bob Christy; son, Steve Christy; sister, Mary Dodds and her brother, Dale Alexander. She is survived by her daughter, Laura (Mark Daniel) “Danny” Jennings; daughter-in-law, Lisa Christy; grandsons, Chad and Shane Christy, Taylor Jennings, Payne (Mary Coleman) Jennings and her great granddaughter, Mary Emerson “Emmy”; sister, Lois Standridge Nibarger and Abby (her dog and faithful companion.)

The years at Lake Martin extended our family with Linnie, Marcia and Marylan. Dorothy felt extraordinarily close to these wonderful and supportive friends. This family is indeed grateful for the companionship, devotion and vigilant care each of them provided to both Dorothy and Bob. The family will receive friends Monday, January 30, 2023, from 10:00 AM until 11:00 AM at Jeffcoat Funeral Home. Graveside services will immediately follow at Rose Hill Cemetery with Rev. Jay Woodall officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Children’s Harbor, Chil dren’s Harbor, 1 Our Children’s Highway, Alexander City, AL 35010 or an animal shelter of your choice.

is more than $1 million over the 2017 estimate of $725,000 where the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) was giving the city a grant in the amount of $520,000 and the city would match $205,000 for streetscape such as sidewalks and lighting. The bid includes about $600,000 in paving for downtown streets.

• Theft was reported on Friendship Road.

• A domestic incident was reported on Burt Mill Road.

• Assistance was given to a motorist on Gilmer Avenue.

• A motor vehicle accident with no injuries was reported on Gilmer Avenue.

• A domestic dispute was reported on West Main Street.

• A domestic dispute was reported on Third Avenue.

• A domestic dispute was reported on Third Avenue.

• An animal bite was reported on Barnett Boulevard.

• A noise complaint was reported on Gladys Street. JAN. 21

• The roadway was reported blocked on East Patton Street.

• Assistance was given to a citizen on Barnett Boulevard.

• A white male was arrested on Barnett Boulevard.

• A welfare check was conducted on Friendship Road.

• Assistance was given during a medical call on Harris Street.

• A white male was arrested during a domestic dispute on Rickey Lane.

ported on Freeman Avenue.

• A noise complaint was reported on Lee Street.

• Assistance was given to another agency on Ashurst Bar Road.

• A noise complaint was reported on Second Avenue.

• A fight in progress was reported on Washington Street.

• A white female was arrested on U.S. Highway 231.

• Animal control was requested on South Ann Avenue.

• Assistance was given during a medical call on Ashurst Avenue.

• A domestic dispute was reported on Riley Road.

• Animal control was requested on Second Avenue.

• A white male was arrested on Barnett Boulevard.

WETUMPKA POLICE DEPARTMENT

JAN. 25

• A death investigation was conducted on West Oscelola Street.

JAN. 24

• Harassment was reported on Micanopy Street. JAN. 23

• A juvenile complaint was reported on Macedonia Road.

• A motor vehicle accident with no injuries was reported on Jordan Avenue.

• A Black male was arrested on Barnett Boulevard.

• A suspicious person was reported on James Street.

• A motor vehicle accident with no injuries was reported on Notasulga Road.

• Assistance was given to a motorist on Barnett Boulevard

• Assistance was given to a motorist on Barnett Boulevard.

JAN. 24

• Assistance was given to a citizen on Barnett Boulevard.

• Theft was reported on Gilmer Avenue.

• A Black female was arrested on Barnett Boulevard.

• An animal complaint was reported on Gilmer Avenue.

• Assistance was provided

• A suspicious person was reported on Central Boulevard.

• Criminal mischief was reported on Third Avenue.

• A suspicious person was reported on Main Street.

• A suspicious person was reported on Notasulga Road.

• Animal control was requested on Carr Circle.

• Theft was reported on Central Boulevard.

• Animal control was requested on Cemetery Circle.

• Assistance was given during a medical call on Little Road.

• A white male was arrested on Barnett Boulevard.

• A private property motor vehicle accident was reported on Quail Crossing. JAN. 22

• Property damage was reported on South Ashurst Avenue.

• A motor vehicle accident with no injuries was reported on Gilmer Avenue.

• A domestic dispute was reported on North Johnson Street.

• A domestic dispute was reported on Freeman Avenue. JAN. 20

• A person with a gun was reported on Freeman Avenue.

• A Black male was arrested during a domestic dispute on Hickory Street.

• A suspicious person was reported on Gilmer Avenue.

• A motor vehicle accident was reported on Gilmer Avenue.

• A juvenile complaint was reported on Gilmer Avenue.

• Assistance was given to the Tallassee Fire Department during a call on Ina Street.

• Assistance was given to a citizen on Gilmer Avenue.

• Animal control was requested on Riverside Avenue.

• Animal control was requested on Grimes Street. JAN. 19

• A suspicious vehicle was re-

• An assault was reported on Coosa River Parkway.

• Sexual misconduct was reported on U.S. Highway 231. JAN. 21

• Fraudulent use of a credit or debit card was reported on U.S. Highway 231.

• A natural death was reported on Hollowood Lane.

JAN. 20

• Robbery, assault and discharging a firearm into an occupied dwelling was reported on U.S. Highway 231.

• Interference with public safety communication was reported on Rivercrest Drive. JAN. 19

• Discharging a firearm into an occupied vehicle was reported on Richard Street. Criminal mischief was reported on Coosa River Parkway. JAN. 12

• Animals running at large was reported on Camelia Drive.

CHRISTY

At its Tuesday meeting the Tallassee City Council approved a bid to renovate the current sewage lagoons contingent on more funding from a state revolving fund (SRF).

“The bid came in for $4,554,500,” Tallassee Mayor Sarah Hill said.

“Our original EDA and SRF funding is $3,667,453.47.”

CDG’s Jeff Harrison told the council at its Tuesday meeting he had spoken with the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) about additional funding through SRF and he said it is willing to set aside up to $800,000 at 2.2 percent for the next 20 years for Tallassee. That leaves the city about $80,000 to fully fund the project. Hill is hopeful negotiations will leave the city without having to find that $80,000.

“Because we had a sole bidder, we are negotiating with them to add value engineering so we can reduce that overall number,” Hill said.

“This is contingent upon additional SRF funding and value engineering.”

Harrison said engineers have been working with various state agencies to ensure the work would be approved. If so, the work would allow another 40 years of use of the city’s current sewage lagoon system where it is permitted to treat 1.4 million gallons per day but reaches only about 700,000 gallons per day currently.

“That leaves us half the capacity of the plant remaining,” Harrison said. “We will have plenty of availability in the plant once this project is completed.”

The revamping of the lagoons also can be done within the timelines of the consent decree.

TIME CLOCK AND PAYROLL

The council passed a new policy for how city employees will be paid for holiday pay. In the past employees could ‘bank’ the holiday and take it later in the year. This will no longer be allowed.

“Holiday time will either be used or paid during the time period the holiday occurs,” Hill said.

Hill and city clerk Whitney Pitchford will draft a policy regarding how employees’ corrected work times would be handled.

“Any missed punches will result in a delayed payment for those hours,” HIll said.

In other action, the Tallassee City Council:

• Approved the minutes of the Jan. 10 meeting.

• Authorized creating a bank account at Guardian for use by the Tallassee Police Department for its involvement in the DEA task force.

• Was informed the Little Road water main project had been let for bid.

• Was informed Hill will speak with ALDOT Friday about how traffic will be impacted by the Fitzpatrick Bridge project.

The next meeting of the Tallassee City Council is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 13.

The Capital City Classic was created by former Tallassee High music teacher Jerry Cunningham in 2009 after the Tigers were forced to travel throughout the Southeast for their show choirs to compete.

Tallassee High School has only about 500 students enrolled, but has more than 200 students involved in the school’s choral and music programs with students participating in

three show choirs, a chamber choir, a concert choir and both men’s and women’s choirs.

“We are one of the smallest schools that participate in show choir competitions,” Tallassee High School’s Michael Bird said. “Everywhere we go, we are up against the Homewoods and Hoovers and Vestavias of the world, schools with 2,000 or 3,000 students. It’s like Tallassee having to compete in class 7A against much larger schools with greater resources.”

The three show choirs at Tallassee are: • Voltage, which is a hand-selected group of 29 students who compete in the Mixed Show Choir division for choirs with boys and girls.

• Divas, which is an auditioned all-female group that competes in the Unisex Division.

• The unauditioned Gold Edition, the longest-running all-male show choir in the Southeast comprised of male students from all areas of the school.

CLIFF WILLIAMS THE TRIBUNE

Members of Tallassee High School’s Voltage Show Choir perform their show at the Capital City Classic.

CLIFF WILLIAMS THE TRIBUNE

One of two City of Tallassee sewage treatment lagoons at work Monday.The Tallassee City Council has decided to salvage the lagoons to avoid paying $17 million for a new wastewater treatment facility – $12 million over estimates.

Shelby’s last hurrah will benefit Alabamians for generations

Richard Shelby’s last week as our United States senator was poetically amazing.

The nation watched as he gave his farewell address to the Senate His speech was followed by a tribute from his longtime friend Sen. Patrick Leahey. Shelby and Leahey from Vermont are best friends and co-chaired the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee together for their final six-year terms, which ended January 3, 2023. They walked out together after a lasting three decade partnership.

The national media made note of the fact Leahey, a Democrat, and Shelby, a Republican, were the last vestiges of bipartisanship in Congress. They worked together congruently to get things done for the nation — primarily for the states they represented. Shelby, who served 36 years as our senator, retired at 88 last month.

Obituaries: 25 cents per word with a $15 charge for

Weddings,

To say he went out with a bang would be a dramatic understatement. As he was making his farewell speech, he and Leahey were crafting their final federal budget. The budget was passed the next day, two days before Christmas. When the experts discerned the 4,000 plus page document, it revealed Shelby had again played Santa Claus to the people of Alabama. He not only brought most of the money from Washington to Alabama, practically speaking he brought the entire North Pole and Rudolph and all of the reindeer to the Heart of Dixie as he was walking out the door of the U.S. Senate.

The national media dubbed Shelby the “Greatest King” of earmarked procured money for their state in history. Indeed, the amount of federal dollars Shelby brought home to our state as Chairman of the Senate

Appropriations Committee is historical. He probably surpassed the previous “King of Pork” for their state, the late Robert Byrd of West Virginia. In his last hurrah, Shelby appropriated a mind boggling $660 million of extra earmarked dollars to our state. Folks, that is quite an amazingly, unfathomable, incomprehensible Christmas gift for our state. As I was exchanging Christmas greetings with a state senator who is a close friend, I commented about Shelby’s departing $660 million Christmas gift to the state. He quietly commented, “Flowers, that is over 25 percent of our entire state General Fund Budget.” However, if you dig deeper into the federal budget that Shelby passed, his $660 million is also met with upgrades of funds Shelby allocated in previous years to amount to $4 billion. That is more than the entire State of Alabama’s annual budget. Every part of Alabama was showered with Shelby’s gifts, which will make generational changes to our state.

In Huntsville alone, Shelby has played a pivotal role in shaping the Tennessee Valley area into the science, space, and technology capital of the south, if not the nation. In his final hurrah, the Huntsville Redstone area received funds for Army research weaponry, a space launch system, nuclear thermal propulsion for the Marshall Space Flight Center, construction of a new FBI Headquarters, which Shelby moved from Washington to the Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville,

and several other new buildings at the Redstone Arsenal. Shelby earmarked a great deal of federal money for his home area of Tuscaloosa including millions for new buildings and education centers for the University of Alabama, funds for a new bridge, and millions for the Tuscaloosa airport.

He took care of the Montgomery/Wiregrass area, which is military laden for years to come. This area received multi-millions in new money for Ft. Rucker for flight training and Air Surface Missiles, along with millions for the Hellfire missiles made in Troy.

There is over a billion dollars going to UAB for biomedical research and new buildings. Shelby has been instrumental in transforming UAB into one of the most pronounced medical research institutions in the nation. He took care of Mobile for generations to come. There are millions of earmarked funds going to the Port City. In addition, Shelby completed his mission of building Alabama a new deeper and wider Port with a $200 million dollar appropriation for the Alabama State Port Authority.

In my 2015 book, Of Goats and Governors: Six Decades of Alabama Political Stories, I have a chapter entitled “Alabama’s Three Greatest Senators, John Sparkman, Lister Hill and Richard Shelby.” If I were writing that book today, Shelby would be alone as Alabama’s greatest United States Senator by far.

See you next week.

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.

STEVE FLOWERS Columnist

The Bruised Angel

Upon his passing in January, Variety magazine referred to David Crosby as having the voice of a “bruised angel.”

Indeed.

MICHAEL BIRD Columnist

David Crosby, who passed away at the age of 81, left behind an incredible legacy of music – and more.

David Van Cortlandt Crosby entered the world as part of an already-successful family. His father was Academy Award-winning cinematographer Floyd Crosby, and a relative of the prominent Van Rensselaer family. His mother was the granddaughter of Bishop Cortlandt Whitehead and a member of the Van Cortlandt family. In other words, he could have stopped there and probably been just fine.

But the muse was strong. Crosby succeeded in music and drama and school, but not much else. He flunked out and started a musical career that, at first, seemed to go nowhere. Through Miriam Makeba, Crosby was introduced to multiinstrumentalist Roger McGuinn and songwriter Gene Clark, and along with Chris Hillman and Michael Clarke, they formed a group first known as the Beefeaters. Record producer Jim Dickson recorded this group in rehearsal and played back the tapes for the young musicians, a process Crosby later remembered as “acutely painful.”

However, Columbia Records – looking to, pardon the pun, beef up its roster of up-and-coming folk rockers – signed this new band, now rechristened The Byrds, and positioned them as “America’s Beatles.” However, their first successes were with songs by Bob Dylan, in particular “Mr. Tambourine Man.”

Crosby was so moved by Dylan’s lyric ‘to dance beneath the diamond sky with one hand waving free’ and felt compelled to record the song. The success of this single led to many more, with the band taking on songwriting responsibilities: “It Won’t Be Wrong,” “All I Really Want to Do,” “The World Turns All Around Her,” “Why,” “Mr. Spaceman,” “Turn! Turn! Turn!,” “Lady Friend,” and a Crosby-penned song that gained the band unintended notoriety, “Eight Miles High.”

What set the Byrds apart, other than great songs, was McGuinn’s ringing 12-string guitar (often called ‘jangle’ by admirers) and the distinctive, Gregorian chant-styled vocal blend of the principal singers in the band, who stacked chords in moving fourths, fifths, and octaves in the style of the madrigal singers of old.

After several years of hits, friction began to enter the band’s dynamic. Gene Clark left first, then in a squabble over the recording of the song “Triad” (I won’t tell you what it’s about, but the subject matter was quite scandalous at the time), Crosby quit or was fired, depending on whose side of the story you read. (He eventually made peace with the other Byrds, though on their first album without him, they replaced him with a horse on the cover photo.)

Crosby found himself unemployed, but not for long. He discovered Joni Mitchell and secured a record deal for her, then produced her first LP. One night at her Laurel Canyon home, another recently unemployed musician, Stephen Stills of Buffalo Springfield, started harmonizing with Croz and Graham Nash, who was still a member of the Hollies. Sensing magic in the air, they decided to form a new group.

Their second gig was Woodstock.

Crosby later remembered how intimidating it was, since all three had emerged from hugely successful groups and the audience was so large. From the stage, he said he tried to count. “One, two, three . . . many,” he recalled, noting that 500,000 people got to hear Crosby, Stills, and Nash on what was essentially their maiden voyage. To add to the pressure, pretty much everyone in the music business whom they admired was standing in the wings, witnessing the alchemy in real time.

The first CSN album contains songs that would eventually form the backbone of classic rock radio. However, the group truly came into their own with the addition of Neil Young on the album Déjà Vu. The reddish-brown faux-leather album jacket contained a near-perfect set of songs, and some of the best ever written by any of the members individually. There’s the title track, Stills’ “4+20,” Nash’s “Teach Your Children,” Young’s “Helpless,” and Crosby’s “Almost Cut My Hair,” among others. Along with the standalone single “Ohio,” these guys could do no wrong – they could rock, they could play country, and they mastered a harmonic blend unlike anyone else.

In the years that followed, Crosby faced his drug demons and eventually landed in prison. He also survived a liver transplant (paid for by Atlantic Records label mate Phil Collins), heart problems, and protracted dealings with diabetes and hepatitis-C. The fact that he was still living and creating new music all the way into his eighties – and with that angelic voice still intact – was simply astounding.

In his last decade on earth, Croz wrote an advice column for Rolling Stone magazine, developed his own CBD-related product line, and put out five solo albums while appearing on five more by other artists. He seemed to have creativity to burn, and his more recent works are as good – some would say better – than music made in his 20s and 30s.

In the 1980s, when David’s bad habits addictions were raging, he wrote one of his best songs, “Delta.” The lyrics below are the best farewell to David Crosby one can give.

Waking stream of consciousness on a sleeping street of dreams

Thoughts like scattered leaves slowed in mid-fall to the streams

Of fast running rivers of choice and chance

And time stops here on the delta while they dance

I love the child who steers this riverboat but lately he’s crazy for the deep

And the river seems dreamlike in the daytime

And someone keeps thinking in my sleep

Of fast running rivers of choice and chance

And it seems as if time stops here on the delta while they dance

Is It I, Or Is It AI?

Could You Tell Who Wrote This Column?

From colleges to the comic strip Doonesbury to just about any area focusing on composition, the subject of artificial intelligence and enhanced writing tools possibly replacing human input is causing nervousness. Could you tell which part of this column were written by me, and which parts are computergenerated? The answer is at the end of this essay.

The concerns in academic are very obvious. A.I. could help students cheat on papers by providing them with prewritten or pre-generated content for their assignments. This content can be generated through natural language processing techniques, such as text summarization or text generation, which can create essays, research papers, or other written work that is similar in style and content to the student’s own writing.

But others see the potential for artificial intelligence to be helpful when it comes to student assignments. AI can assist students in writing by providing feedback on grammar, sentence structure, and vocabulary. It can also assist in organizing and outlining a piece of writing, as well as providing suggestions for improving the overall quality of the writing.

Just as the technology might be used by students, it could also be adopted by professors as well. A.I. could

JOHN TURES Columnist

be used to detect plagiarism by comparing a student’s work to existing content on the internet. However, it is important to note that cheating is unethical and can have serious consequences for students.

The concerns about the new directions of artificial intelligence go beyond colleges and universities. AI has the potential to automate certain writing tasks, such as generating news articles or creating social media posts. However, it is unlikely to fully replace human writers as it lacks the creativity and emotional intelligence that humans possess. Additionally, AI-generated content may not have the same level of nuance and personal perspective that a human writer can provide. It is more likely that AI will augment the work of human writers, helping them to be more efficient and productive, rather than replacing them entirely.

What could be done about AI? Should it be banned? Would that even be legal? This is not so different from our history, where new technologies challenged the current role that humans played in the economy. After all, the steamboat replaced the men who worked the

keel-boats, paddling their way across the river. But goods and passengers could be transported faster across longer distances. The humans had to adapt to changes, as they always have had to do. As for academics who are fearful that students may use a computer to write their essays, this is not a new problem. In the past, a friend or parent could write the paper for the student, who would turn it in with their own name on it. In recent years, the student could go on the Internet and purchase a paper written by a site that generates such papers for a price.

Constant vigilance is needed by teachers, whether AI tools exist or not. The solution should be to craft assignments and tasks in a way that would identify and even highlight or somehow value that individual contribution by humans, so that AI is more of a complement than a replacement of humanbased writing, and even thoughts.

In case you are curious about which parts of this were AI-generated, they came from paragraphs 2, 3, 4 and 5, after the first sentence prompt.

John A. Tures is a professor of political science at LaGrange College in LaGrange, Georgia. His views are his own. He can be reached at jtures@lagrange. edu. His Twitter account is JohnTures2.

Pet of the Week —

Delilah is a 1-year-old female bulldog mix, who is about 55 pounds. She came to us as a stray and sadly no one came looking for her. She is a chunky, super sweet dog, who loves everyone and is great with other dogs and cats. She has a laid back personality but also is playful and loves toys.

Our adoption fees are $100 for dogs & $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 completely 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 Delilah or any of our pets, our first step is our Adoption Application

weather conditions.

you can fill out online at https:// elmorehumane.org/adoptionapplication-online-form2.html. Once approved, we will coordinate with you to set up an appointment to meet and adopt. We are located at 255 Central Plank Rd., Wetumpka, AL, 36092, our phone number is 334-5673377 and our website is www. elmorehumane.org for more information.

By Rea Cord Executive Director

February is Responsible Pet Ownership.

Below are guidelines from the American Veterinary Medical Association (www.avma.org).

Owning a pet is a privilege and should result in a mutually beneficial relationship. The benefits of pet ownership come with responsibilities, which include:

• Lifelong care of the pet. This means committing to the relationship for your pet’s entire life.

• Selecting a pet that is suited to your home and lifestyle and avoiding impulsive decisions.

• Recognizing that owning a pet(s) requires an investment of time and money.

• Keeping only the type and number of pets for which you can provide an appropriate and safeenvironment. This includes appropriate food, water, shelter, healthcare and companionship.

• Animals that spend extended periods of time outside require habitats that protect their health, safety, and welfare. Outdoor confinement of an animal should include provisions to minimize distress or discomfort to the animal, and assure access to appropriate food, water, and shelter from extreme

• Ensuring pets are properly identified (i.e., tags, microchips, or tattoos) and their registration information in associated databases is kept up to date.

• Adhering to local ordinances, including licensing and leash requirements.

• Helping to manage overpopulation by controlling your pets’ reproduction through managed breeding, containment, or spay/neuter. Establishing and maintaining a veterinarian-client-patient relationship.

• Providing preventive (e.g., vaccinations, parasite control) and therapeutic healthcare for the life of your pet(s) in consultation with, and as recommended by, your veterinarian.

• Socialization and appropriate training for your pet(s) to facilitate their well-being and the well-being of other animals and people.

• Preventing your pet(s) from negatively impacting other people, animals and the environment. This includes proper waste disposal, noise control, and not allowing pet(s) to stray or become feral.

• Providing exercise and mental stimulation appropriate to your pets’ age, breed, and health status.

• Including your pets in your planning for an emergency or disaster, including assembling an evacuation kit.

• Making arrangements for the care of your pet when or if you are unable to do so.

• Recognizing declines in your pets’ quality of life and making decisions in consultation with your veterinarian regarding appropriate end-of-life care (e.g., palliative care, hospice, euthanasia).

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

Delilah

Humane Society of Elmore County News

Jesus provides travelers’ assurance

Children are often asked what they want to be when they grow up. Many times the answers will be policeman or doctor for the boy and nurse or teacher for the girl — honorable professions! As one grows older it becomes more appropriate to ask, “In what areas does your interest lie?” I have shared that I always wanted to be a coach and surpass the late great Pat Summit’s records, be a meteorologist so I could

be on television, or be a Marine because they had pretty uniforms. I suppose none of those interested me as much as being a wife, mom, and nurse.

In my retirement years, Biblical studies has been a fascinating and blessed learning experience.

I have always enjoyed driving — from bicycles and motorcycles, to cars and boats, and yes even planes. Have you ever driven in a large city like Atlanta, Chicago, or perhaps, Los Angeles? As the younger

generation says, I get “a high” from driving in the fast lane. Mind you, when driving there are two rules that must be followed: Radio off, no talking! Recently, while in Los Angeles, we rented a car and I had to prove to myself I could drive in this traffic. I can assure you it was a dangerous adventure with lane changes, toll booths, and careless drivers. All of this is going on at the same time I am trying to read street signs and know which way to go! It is frustrating to realize you are heading back in the direction you just left.

I know everyone has heard you must have insurance on

Tallassee Churches

your vehicle and oftentimes you must also have travelers’ insurance.

But how about Travelers’ Assurance? Let me assure you this cannot be purchased with a credit card but has to be purchased by the blood of Jesus. Be assured wherever you may journey in life God already knows where you are headed. In the words found in Job, “But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold” (Job 23:10).

Not only does God know the place where you are headed, He knows the way you take! Whether it is where you live,

the type of job you will have, the person you may marry, He won’t lose sight of you! Many times, on the highway of life, it is easy to get lost and wonder what to do next. How will I make my rent payment, car payment, insurance payment, on and on …. don’t fear – Someone has His sights fixed on you! Now that, my friend, is “TRUE” Traveler’s Assurance. Thank you Jesus for never slumbering but for caring about every detail of my life.

Jackie Wilbourn, member of Bethel Baptist Church, is a chaplain with Alabama Baptist Disaster Relief Team.

JACKIE WILBOURN Columnist

ELMORE COUNTY BASEBALL LOOKS TO RETURN TO PLAYOFFS

By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor

After barely missing the playoffs last season, Elmore County baseball coach Michael Byrd is confident his team will rebound in a big way in 2023. Elmore County, which missed the 2022 postseason by only one game, returns the majority of both its position players and its pitching staff for the 2023 season.

The Panthers also move to a new area this year, and Byrd is hoping his team can claim the team’s first area championship since 2005.

“We are trying to win the area,” Byrd said. “We’re in a new area and I think we have a good shot to win the first area championship since 2005. That’s the goal. You want to get in the playoffs and make a run. We made the schedule as hard as possible to try and create some adversity. We want to throw the guys in the fire and have them fight through it and develop from there.”

The Panthers lost its ace in Sean Darnell, the county’s Player of the Year in 2021. He went 7-2 on the mound last year, but the Panthers return a lot to the rubber.

The pitching staff will be led by

PEAK AT THE RIGHT TIME

By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor

The Tallassee boys basketball team is peaking at the right time.

Tallassee, which has already secured the No. 2 seed in the AHSAA Class 5A Area 7 tournament next week, has lost only two games in January. During that time, the Tigers are 7-2 and 2-1 in area play.

They’ve won six of their last seven games and currently sit with an 11-9 (2-2) record.

“I think our guys have been a little more consistent,” Tallassee coach Keiven Mixson said. “We had a few problems early with some suspensions and some minor things, and we haven’t really played much with all of our guys. This second half of the season, though, we’ve basically had most of our guys so we’ve been more consistent as a whole and exe-

cuting our defense better.”

The Tigers, despite having most of their roster for the first time this season, still don’t have everyone. Senior James Bender, the team’s top athlete and a three-sport star, suffered a season-ending leg injury earlier this month.

He underwent surgery on Jan. 14 and will not return this year. Bender was one of the team’s top scorers this season and has been missed since his injury.

Bender is one of eight seniors on the team, and the other seven have used his injury as a rallying point this year.

“When he went down that was a huge loss for us, but it’s kind of crazy how you play up and down when we had him, but now we’ve lost him and we’re playing pretty good,” Mixson said. “I think our team has rallied behind him and it made our team closer. That was really the turning point where we

started playing better. It would be better with him out there, but we’ve been very competitive.”

Two players who have stepped up the most in Bender’s absence are seniors Tim Washington and Kayden Slay.

Washington is one of the team’s best shooters and served as a catchand-shoot specialist early in the year. Since Bender went down, however, Mixson has asked more of Washington, such as stepping up on defense and taking over some roles when it comes to controlling possession of the ball.

For Slay, he is one of the most inexperienced players on the team, but he’s had one of the biggest impacts. Slay hadn’t played much basketball until he was in t10th grade, and he actually impressed Mixson during PE class at school.

After getting him on the team, he’s shown out and used his height advantage and jumping ability to

help the team. In a win over Elmore County earlier this month, he scored 24 points and set the school’s single-game record with 21 rebounds.

“Those are two of the guys who have been the most consistent for us this season,” Mixson said. “Kayden has grown as much as any player I’ve ever seen, and I’ve been around the game for 30 years. When it comes to Tim, we’ve asked him to step up. He’s always had all the skills, but we’re asking more of him now and need him to affect the game in more ways than just shooting.” In the Class 5A Area 7 tournament, Tallassee will be fighting for a sub-regional spot. Tigers are the No. 2 seed in the area and will face No. 3 Beauregard in the first round.

The winner advances to the playoffs and the area championship, while the loser’s season comes to an end. Tallassee is 2-0 against Beauregard this year.

See PLAYOFFS, Page B2

DALTON MIDDLETON THE TRIBUNE

Elmore County pitcher Cooper Rogers went 2-0 with a 2.86 earned run average in 2022.

DALTON MIDDLETON THE TRIBUNE

Tallassee’s James Bender suffered a season-ending leg injury earlier this month. The Tallassee boys have rallied around his injury late in the season.

Elmore County Community Calendar

FEB. 2-18

HOLLYWOOD, NEBRASKA: The Wetumpka Depot Players will be premiering HollYwood, Nebraska by Kenneth Jones Feb. 2-18.

FEB. 3

GALLENTINES: The businesses of downtown Eclectic are hosting Gallentines starting at 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 3. The businesses will have discounts, a raffle and refreshments.

FEB. 4

GALLENTINES: Main Street Wetumpka is hosting Gallentines in downtown Wetumpka from noon until 5 p.m. Feb. 4.

FEB. 16

COFFEE MEETING: The Wetumpka Area Chamber of Commerce is holding a Rise and Shine Coffee and Conversation at CB&S Bank from 7:30 to 9 a.m. Feb. 16. FEB. 18

MARDI GRAS: The Order of Cimarron is hosting the 2023 Wetumpka Mardi Gras and Festival. Vendors will be in Goldstar Park starting at 9 a.m. and the parade starts at 1 p.m. FEB. 23

CRATER TOUR: Auburn University professor of geology Dr. David T. King will give a lecture on the Wetumpka Crater at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 23 at the Wetumpka Civic Center.

FEB. 25

CRATER TOUR: Guided tours of the Wetumpka Meteor Crater are being hosted by the Wetumpka Impact Crater Commission Saturday, Feb. 25 at 8:25 a.m., 9:55 a.m., 11:45 a.m. and 1:15 p.m. Tickets are $25 for adults and $15 for children over 10. Payments can be sent to 408 S. Main Street Wetumpka and checks made out to the Wetumpka Crater Commission. The tour starts at Trinity Episcopal Church.

MARCH 11

SPRING FESTIVAL: The Tallassee Chamber of Commerce is holding its annual spring festival March 11 on the grounds of Tallassee City Hall.

MARCH 20-25

BEAUTIFUL TABLE SETTINGS: May Eason is bringing back the Beautiful Table Settings Bash March 20-25 at the Wetumpka Civic Center in two different sessions.

APRIL 15

COOSAPALOOZA: Main Street Wetumpka is hosting the 2023 CoosaPalooza Brewfest from 3 to 6 p.m. Saturday, April 15.

APRIL 22

DOWNTOWN ART SHOW: Don Sawyer is hosting a Downtown Artists Art Show in downtown Wetumpka Saturday, April 22.

ONGOING

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

ECLECTIC TOWN

COUNCIL MEETINGS:

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

NAACP MEETINGS:

The Elmore County Branch No. 5026 of the NAACP meets at 6:30 p.m. every third Tuesday (executive committee) and every fourth Tuesday (full membership) at the Martin Luther King Center at 200 North Lancaster St. in Wetumpka.

LIVING WORD: You belong here. You and your family are always welcome here. We are located at 1826 Kowaliga Road Eclectic, across from the Dollar General. Call 334-492-0777 for more information.

OPEN MIC: The Equality

Performing Arts Center hosts an open mic jam session from 7 to 9 p.m. every second Friday of

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

RED HILL COMMUNITY

CLUB MEETINGS: Red Hill

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

MOUNT HEBRON

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

LUNCH AND LEARN:

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

CELEBRATE RECOVERY

GRACE POINT: Celebrate Recovery meets at Grace Point Community Church at 78223 Tallassee Highway in Wetumpka each Tuesday at

6:15 p.m. All are welcome to the meetings which provide a safe and loving environment for individuals seeking to conquer their hurts, habits and hangups. For more information, visit www.Gracepoint.info or contact Gwin Greathouse at gwingreathouse@gmail.com.

CELEBRATE RECOVERY

SANTUCK: Celebrate Recovery meets each Thursday at 6:15 p.m. at Santuck Baptist Church at 7250 Central Plank Rd. This is a Christ-centered, 12-step program for anyone struggling with hurts, habits, and hangups. Call 334-5672364 for more information or contact jyates@santuckbaptist. org.

GAMBLERS

ANONYMOUS: Gamblers Anonymous meets Saturdays at 6 p.m. at Cedarwood Community Church at 10286 U.S. Highway 231 in Wallsboro/Wetumpka. Call 334567-0476 for more information.

AA MEETING: Alcoholics Anonymous meetings are held Mondays at 7 p.m. located at 105 Tuskeena St. in Wetumpka. RED HILL SCHOOL: The Red Hill School on Highway 229 in the Red Hill Community in Tallassee is open Fridays from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. for local live music performances. No admission is charged but donations are welcomed to maintain the building and pay for refreshments.

PLAYOFFS

Continued from B1

Cooper Rogers, who is expected to be the team’s ace. Rogers has primarily served as a relief pitcher the last few seasons but will be starting this year. The lefty went 2-0 with a 2.86 ERA and had two saves in 29 innings.

Payton Hall will also pitch a lot of innings and is one of the most experienced pitchers. He suffered only one loss on the mound last season as he finished the year with a 4-1 record.

“We’ve got three guys who have pitched a lot of games and we have some younger guys who we have to get developed early,” Byrd said. “The last couple of years, Cooper has been out of the bullpen and thrived on that. But he’ll be a starter now and he’s a guy who can get us five or six innings every time.” In the field, the Panthers return the majority of their starting lineup. Hall batted .351 for the team last season. He was one of five Panthers who finished over .300 on the team last year.

Montevallo commit Payton Stephenson batted .414 with 10 doubles, 26 RBIs and 15 stolen bases. He will make the move to shortstop this season after playing all over the infield last year.

Brock Herring, who started in the outfield, batted .358 with 20 runs scored in 27 games. Clark Wood, another outfielder, finished with a .343 batting average. with a .495 on base percentage. They’ll both be back as starters in the outfield, along with Garrett Allen, who returns after playing half of last season. In the infield, Shea Darnell returns after a solid freshman season in 2022, where he was .323 at the plate with 28 RBIs, 29 runs scored and 13 stolen bases.

The team is currently trying to work out the catcher position as Jackson Mann is set to miss at least part of the season, possibly the entire year, with an arm injury.

Elmore County begins its season Thursday, Feb. 16 with a home matchup with Beauregard.

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Relief is on the way for those who need assistance after the Jan. 12 tornado

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

Not only did FEMA send a team of 10 representatives to assist at the relief center at the Elmore County Courthouse, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the State of Alabama also have representatives ready and willing to help. Those seeking assistance can also fill out an application online or on the app or by calling 1-800-621-3362.

Preferably, those looking for assistance can now visit the courthouse to talk directly to someone directly at a disaster relief center (DRC).

FEMA external affairs specialist Darrell Habisch said some still prefer sitting across the table from someone.

“It is so difficult in these situations because you are emotionally upset,” Habisch said. “Many people don’t like doing it online or on the phone. They much prefer to come in and sit down one on one to talk about their situation.”

Residents who have already started the application process can also check for status updates at the DRC. Habisch said

having the center at the courthouse has its advantages.

“If you have lost your documentation you can find it here,” Habisch said.

Documentation that can be found at the courthouse can relate to property ownership. Residents will need an ID, Social Security number, insurance information and photographs of damage.

The initial FEMA application is for Individual Assistance (IA).

“We can help with immediate needs,” Habisch said. “If you need a roof over your head, we can help with a hotel. We can help with food.”

“The vast majority of money for recovery comes from SBA,” Habisch said.

“They are authorized to issue low interest long term loans under the FEMA declaration.”

SBA Public Affairs Specialist Leroy Frazier said individuals must start the process with FEMA before being referred to SBA. Then the SBA can offer qualified applicants low-interest long-term loans.

For homeowners, up to $200,000 is available as low as 2.323 percent for rebuilding homes. Current home loans can be above

5 percent. Homeowners and renters can also apply for up to a $40,000 loan to help replace personal property. Similar loans at different rates are available for businesses and non-profit organizations.

“There is zero interest for the first 12 months,” Frazier said. “They don’t have to make their first payment until 12 months after receiving the funds.”

Businesses and nonprofits can apply for economic injury even without any physical damage. But it must be connected to the Jan. 12 tornado. The economic injury has to be due to loss revenue from the disaster.

Frazier the loans are available for uninsured and uncompensated losses. Even if someone doesn’t want the loan Frazier

TRAINING

Continued from A1

should the need arise.”

Those medical needs can come anywhere. At Thursday’s class were school teachers, corrections officers and first responders either learning how to properly perform CPR or get recertified. The classes are limited in size, with about 15 people, to allow more hands-on training with Haynes trainer Patti Brown.

“She likes to keep it about that size,” Lawrence said. “It allows one-on-one instruction as she needs

to while showing actual compressions on test models of adults and children.”

Students learned the ratio of compressions to breaths for CPR and where and how to use an AED (automated external defibrillator).

Although classes are scheduled for April 27, July 27, and Oct. 26, there is a priority list for who is selected. But this is a great opportunity for the public to become certified.

“We have a waiting list already for the next class,” Lawrence said. “We send out notices of the class to our partner agencies. We try to get our first responders, schools,

nursing homes, places like that that might have new staff that need certification or existing staff that needs recertification. If we don’t fill spaces up with our partner agencies then we open it up to the public for them to come in.”

At many, if not all, public events and at schools, AEDs are placed for use in case of a medical emergency.

“You are finding those out in the public more, especially at schools and public events,” Lawrence said. “While the instructions with the AEDs are pretty clear, having the training on how to place the electrical pads and under what situations can be a great help.”

said tornado victims should still fill out the applications.

“We encourage them to apply for the low-interest loan but they don’t have to accept that,” Frazier said. “For further reconsideration by FEMA beyond IA, they are required to apply for the SBA loan.”

FEMA’s team at the Elmore County Courthouse has come in from Texas, West Virginia, North Carolina and Washington D.C. The DRC will be open for the next 60 days from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week.

FEMA also has field teams to help those residents from Dallas, Autauga, Coosa and Tallapoosa counties who need help with recovery.

Tallassee man killed in Redland Road accident

Staff Report TPI Staff

A Friday night two-vehicle accident left Reymundo Teyes Brindis, 32, of Tallassee, dead.

According to a release from the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA), Brindis was fatally injured when the 1997 Toyota Tacoma he was driving at about 10:03 p.m. Jan. 27 struck a 2022 Chrysler 300 driven by Caleb Ian Nathannael Langford, 41, of Mont-

gomery.

“As a result of the crash, the Tacoma driven by Brindis left the roadway and overturned,” an ALEA release said.. “Brindis, who was not using a seat belt at the time, was ejected and pronounced deceased at the scene.”

The crash occurred on Redland Road, approximately 15 miles west of Tallassee. Nothing further is available as Troopers with the ALEA’s Highway Patrol Division continue to investigate.

CLIFF WILLIAMS THE TRIBUNE

Patti Brown answers a question about the placement of pads for an AED during a class at the Elmore County EMA.

CLIFF WILLIAMS | THE TRIBUNE FEMA has opened a Disaster Recovery Center on the second floor of the Elmore County Historical Courthouse.

Family pet shot by hunters on family property

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

Brianna Smith is heartbroken because the family dog Buddy was shot, but she’s even more thankful he will live.

Buddy was shot with a gun Sunday afternoon and in surgery the next day to close wounds after the bullet entered him twice. That wasn’t Buddy’s only injury and Smith is trying to come up with money to pay the vet.

“They have given him antibiotics for his shattered knee,” Smith said. “They are not sure what will come of the shattered knee. There was nothing they could do about the knee.”

Smith said Buddy will live to spend the rest of his days with her husband and children.

“They said he is good to go,” Smith said. “His oxygen levels are good. His heart rate is good. He is ready to come home.”

Smith is hopeful of picking up Buddy before the weekend. The only question mark is what will happen to the leg with the severely damaged knee.

“We are certain he is going to live,” Smith said. “He might end up being a three legged dog. He might end up with a leg he can use. He might have a leg he never uses and doesn’t cause pain and have to get it amputated.”

Buddy was shot Sunday afternoon and soon spotted on Smith’s 10 acres in Claud. Family heard the gunshot then the family spotted Buddy.

Smith’s property.

“He just kept showing up at our house,” Smith said. “He would run up to us every time we pulled up in our yard. I kind of felt bad for him. We started feeding him. My kids started calling him names. He has been called like six different names and now we are stuck on two. Some of us call him Buddy and some of us call him Big Boy. Buddy is the one we are leaning towards.”

Almost immediately, Smith said, everyone noticed Buddy was special.

“We noticed right away he wouldn’t eat human food,” Smith said. “He would look at it, lean his head sideways and wag his tail like he wanted some. We would sit on the ground to eat sometimes and he wouldn’t touch it unless we told him he could. You tell him no and he would just sit.”

A few months ago Buddy made the move into the house with Smith, her husband and children.

“He has moved off the floor and into the bed with the kids,” Smith said.

“I’m like wow, never thought I would let that size of dog in the house, much less in bed.”

There were only children at the shed when Buddy was found, according to Smith, so when the kids noticed trespassers, they didn’t do anything.

“We still don’t know exactly who, but the kids did see two people on our property wearing orange hats after Buddy had been shot,” Smith said.

“They saw him running, squealing and yapping,” Smith said. “They started following him and tracking the blood. They found Buddy in the shed out back. He had been shot.”

“They didn’t approach them or anything.”

Smith said Buddy was taken to the vet Sunday evening and the decision to go ahead with surgery was easy despite the expense.

“This happened and I felt really moved not to give up on him because he is such a good dog,” Smith said. It was a decision a year in the making. Buddy was a stray wandering

Buddy pleaded his case with Smith Sunday as she was making the decision for surgery.

“He was wagging his tail while on a stretcher,” Smith said. “He is such a good dog. He grew on my heart. I felt moved not to give up on him especially since no organs were hit and he had a living chance.”

The family has set up a Gofundme at https://bit.ly/3XXXAn4 to help with the surgery expenses.

SUBMITTED THE OBSERVER

Brianna Smith’s dog Buddy was shot earlier this week. Buddy has undergone surgery and will survive.