Redland student expelled for bringing .44 Magnum handgun to campus
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
Holtville High School basketball coach arrested
By Cliff Williams Staff Writer
A potential disaster was averted Thursday morning after Redland Middle School staff seized a handgun brought to school.
Elmore County Sheriff Bill Franklin said a seventh grader brought the handgun to school.
“It is my understanding the principal received some information and I believe he did the proper thing,” Elmore County Sheriff Bill Franklin said. “He sought out and located the weapon.” The weapon found on the 13-year-old was a .44 Magnum handgun.
CAEC award Bright Ideas Grants
Launching into Newton’s Second Law, learning the trigonometric functions of the heart, understanding how to shop for and prepare nutritious meals and learning the ins and outs of electric vehicles are just some of the many opportunities offered to area students through projects funded by Central Alabama Electric Cooperative’s (CAEC) Bright Ideas Grant Program in 2023.
“There were six rounds and not actually in the weapon,” Franklin said. “They were set apart from the weapon in a bookbag.”
Franklin said law enforcement began to respond to make sure students and staff were safe but the actions taken before law enforcement arrived prevented a
allegations against school staff and employees.
“Once we hand it over, we know very little about what is
heavy response.
Franklin said investigators with the Elmore County Sheriff’s Office have the alleged victim’s phone. Authorities collected Wilson’s phone as well.
“It was not anything similar to an active shooter situation,” Franklin said. “What was good in this situation was the principal was able to put potential fire out by seizing the weapon. Everything was done by the time our deputies arrived.”
“You could see a conversation between the two,” Franklin said. “Mr. Wilson is going to contend someone had the security code to his phone and he was not responsible. There
Franklin said the student made an appearance in juvenile court Thursday.
Wilson was released on a $6,000 bond 90 minutes after turning himself in according to the Elmore County Jail website.
“He had a short hearing [Thursday] to just to let the judge know what was going on,” Franklin said. “Our deputies transported him to the juvenile detention center.”
Dennis said Wilson also coached other sports at Holtville schools including being the head track coach and assistant football coach.
Dennis said other staff would
Chamber holds luncheon welcoming members
By Cliff Williams Staff Writer
The Bright Ideas Grant Program was introduced more than 20 years ago with a goal of supporting innovative, interesting and effective initiatives that school funding does not usually cover. Grants help enhance teachers’ efforts and are awarded to individuals or teams in public, private and home schools within CAEC’s service area. Applications were reviewed by a panel of judges from local community associations. They awarded over $25,000 in grants to 30 projects across 24 different
The Wetumpka Chamber of Commerce held its annual luncheon to install new officers and board members for the first time in a while Thursday.
The COVID-19 pandemic put a hamper on gath erings but the chamber celebrated the successes of business in Wetumpka.
“We haven’t been able to do this for the last cou ple years,” chairperson Clay McConnell said. “Your attendance is an indication people want to get back together and have these opportunities to see each
See CHAMBER, Page A3
See GRANTS, Page A6
16 Tallassee police officers to be SWAT certified
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
Most officers with the Tallassee Police Department will soon be SWAT certified thanks to a $150,000 grant.
The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) is administering the grant from funds made available by the U.S. Department of Justice. The training, equipment and vehicle afforded by the grant will allow the Tallassee Police Department to more effectively respond to situations where it might have had to wait for help in the past.
LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL
Mardi Gras was celebrated with a bang in Wetumpka on Saturday as the Order of
The crowds lined downtown as floats made their way through the parade route.
its annual
Fitzpatrick Bridge rehab to take 16 months
Holtville’s Futral Alabama principal of the year
Staff Report
“Our response times should be cut way down,” Tallassee Police Chief Todd Buce said. “Having the vehicle, it will mainly be staged with entry tools and other special equipment. All the officers once they get certified will be able to respond immediately. There won’t be any waiting around for people on call or come in on an off day.”
The Alabama Association of Secondary School Principals (AASSP) named Holtville High School principal Kyle Futral the 2022 Alabama High School Principal of the Year.
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
The High School Principal of the Year award was presented to Futral on Friday, Jan. 28 during a schoolwide assembly at Holtville High School. Elmore County Superintendent Richard Dennis was in attendance for the presentation.
See POLICE, Page A5
Work to rehabilitate the Fitzpatrick Bridge in Tallassee will limit traffic to one lane across the Tallapoosa River for most of the next 16 months.
“Kyle Futral is an exceptional principal and is very proactive and innovative in his thinking and approaches to managing his school,” Dennis said, As principal of Holtville High School, Futral has transformed
There will be four hours per weekday when both lanes of the bridge will always be open.
“Lane closures will not be permitted Monday through Friday 6 - 8 a.m. or 3:30 - 5:30 p.m,” Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) spokesperson Brantley
the school culture from that of a school struggling with low morale, achievement and attendance to a school that strives for excellence. By collaborating with staff, many of the school’s issues were identified and addressed. Futral’s leadership style of listening, encouraging, supporting, organizing and challenging the staff and students, caused the school culture to
shift in a positive direction. The school experienced a 62 percent decrease in discipline referrals, 50 percent decrease in chronic absenteeism, 7 percent increase in the graduation rate, 33 percent increase in CCR rate and a 20 percent increase in ACT proficiency in the last five years.
See BRIDGE, Page A3
See PRINCIPAL, Page A3
“It’s not a good way to start out the new year,” said Benton. Benton didn’t want to speculate on the
CLIFF WILLIAMS THE HERALD
Fog covered the Tallapoosa River and the Fitzpatrick Bridge recently.The bridge will be closed to one lane for most of the next months as the Alabama Department of Transportation improves the driving surface and performs other maintenance to extend the life of the bridge.
MARILYN HAWKINS | THE HERALD
Cimmaron hosted
parade.
Obituaries
PATRICIA ANNE LOFLIN
Mrs. Patricia Anne Loflin, of Lake Jordan, Alabama, transitioned from life on this earth to her heavenly life on February 5, 2023 after a brief illness. She was preceded in death by her husband, Kleob Nicholas Loflin, Jr. of Lake Jordan, Alabama; and her parents, Nell and Harold
JAMES “JIM” BOONE
James Buford Boone, Jr. died February 13, 2023, at UAB-Highlands Hospital following a brief illness. He was 87. He was born in Macon, Ga., on November 25, 1935 to Mr. and Mrs. James Buford Boone, Sr. Boone, a lifelong newspaperman, succeeded his father, Buford Boone, as publisher of The Tuscaloosa [Ala.] News in 1968 and built over the following half-century a community media company that now owns or manages 91 newspapers and related print and digital products in Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia.
The company, which had operated as Boone Newspapers, Inc. since its founding, was renamed Boone Newsmedia, Inc. in 2022 to reflect its considerable progress in serving readers and advertisers both digitally and in print.
From 1968 through 1980, Boone served as president of Tuscaloosa Newspapers, Inc., the predecessor corporation of BNI and publisher of The Tuscaloosa (Ala.) News from 1968 through 1978.
Prior to joining his father at The Tuscaloosa News, Boone worked with his mentor Carmage Walls. Seven years were spent as publisher of the Suffolk (Va.) News-Herald, a daily newspaper. Prior to Suffolk, Boone was a business manager and a reporter for the Baytown (Texas) Sun and did group management work with other Walls-owned newspapers in that area. Before the Baytown work, he traveled for Mr. Walls in converting newspapers from hot metal/letterpress to cold type/ offset. Prior to 1958, Boone worked six years at The Tuscaloosa (Ala.) News, while a University of Alabama and high school student.
Boone was a 1958 graduate of the School of Commerce and Business Administration
Police Reports
WETUMPKA POLICE
DEPARTMENT
FEB. 12
FEB. 11
Armstrong of Greenville, Alabama. Mrs. Loflin attended and graduated from Greenville High School in Greenville, Alabama and studied at Troy University in Troy, Alabama. Among some of her many accomplishments, she was awarded the Butler County Maid of Cotton.
at the University of Alabama and an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters at the University of Alabama (1993). He served the university in many capacities, including positions on the President’s Cabinet, Board of Visitors of the College of Commerce and Business Administration, the Board of Visitors of the College of Communication and Information Sciences, and on the board of the 1831 Foundation.
Boone earned the Julia & Henry Tutwiler Award from the University of Alabama and earned admission to multiple Halls of Fame: the Communications Hall of Fame, College of Communication & Information Sciences at the University of Alabama; the Alabama Business Hall of Fame, College of Commerce & Business Administration, University of Alabama; the Civic Hall of Fame, West Alabama Chamber of Commerce (Tuscaloosa); and was named a Pillar of West Alabama by the Community Foundation of Tuscaloosa. Boone was a proud Eagle Scout (Boy Scouts of America).
He married Jane Carolyn Farrior, a native of Lowndes County, Ala., on February 14, 1987.
He was exceptionally proud to be the father of his five children: Kenneth Scholl Boone (Mary Lyman), age 62, owner of The Alexander City (Ala.) Outlook, Dadeville (Ala.) Record, weekly newspapers at Wetumpka and Tallassee, Ala., and LAKE Magazine and Lake Martin Living, each monthly magazines; J. Buford Boone, III, (Cindy), age 60, owner of Boone Ballistics, Tuscaloosa, Ala., conducts ballistics research and consulting, teaches SWAT team and sniper subjects, retired Supervisory Special Agent, FBI, Quantico, Virginia; Martha Frances Boone, Lady Cobbold (Henry), age 58, CEO of Knebworth Estate, Knebworth, England; Dr. Caroline Boone Rockefeller (Will), age 34, Little Rock, Ark., Doctorate of French Literature, Vanderbilt University; and Catherine Boone Hadaway (Harrison), age 30, Vicksburg, Miss.,
• Domestic violence was reported on James Street.
• Harassment was reported on Pemrose Lane.
She was also a member of the Montgomery Masters Garden Club and the Montgomery Bridge Club. After working several years at Troy University as the Administrative Assistant to the Provost she retired along with her husband to Lake Jordan, Alabama. One of Pat’s favorite hobbies was knitting of which she donated many baby blankets and prayer shawls to local hospitals. Left to cherish her memories are her daugh -
Publisher of The Vicksburg (Miss.) Post and group manager of The Natchez (Miss.) Democrat and The Brookhaven (Miss.) Daily Leader.
Boone earned multiple industry related awards including the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Alabama Press Association; the Casey Award from the University of Minnesota for leadership in the newspaper industry; and the Frank Mayborn Award from Southern Newspaper Publishers Association for leadership in the industry.
Boone served on the Board of Directors of Regions Financial Corporation and was chairman of the corporate governance committee and a member of the trust committee in Birmingham, Ala. He also served on the Board of Directors at Regions Bank, Tuscaloosa, retiring from both in 2004 after many years of service.
Boone has served on numerous boards, such as the Randall Publishing Company Board of Directors; the Southern Newspaper Publishers Association Board of Directors; American Press Institute Southeastern Advisory Board; West Alabama Chamber of Commerce (past president); Christ Episcopal Church Vestry; DCH Regional Medical Center Foundation (twice past president); Tuscaloosa Academy Board of Trustees (twice past president); The United Way of West Alabama (past director and president and twice drive chairman); YMCA of Tuscaloosa (past director and president); Salvation Army Advisory Board (past chairman); Tuscaloosa Park and Recreation Authority Board (three years as chairman); Journalism Foundation of Alabama Press Association (past president); and on the Board of Trustees of the Westervelt-Warner Museum of American Art in Tuscaloosa.
Boone was a founding member of St. Paul’s Anglican Church in Tuscaloosa.
Boone moved in 2022 from Tuscaloosa to Lowndesboro, Ala. and remained active in BNI and with its affiliate newspapers until his death, regularly meet -
• A noise complaint was reported on Fourth Street.
• A suspicious person was reported on Friendship Road.
• A suspicious vehicle was reported on East Roosevelt Street.
• Assistance was given during a medical call on Second Avenue.
• Harassment was reported on Gilmer Avenue.
• Theft was reported on Third Avenue.
• Animal control was requested on Peachtree Street.
ters, Rachel Loflin, Rebecca Finley (William), and son, Nick Loflin (Kerry). She also leaves behind a sister, Sunny Armstrong Donaldson (Ron), and two grandchildren, Nicholas and Kayla Loflin whom she dearly loved. Pat will be missed by all those that loved and cherished her. A Celebration of Life will be planned at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you please donate to The American Cancer Society.
ing with senior management, publishers and other staff members by video conference.
He was predeceased by his parents, James Buford Boone, Sr. and Frances Herin Boone; and Janette Boone Younkin, his sister. Jim is survived by his wife of 36 years, his five children, seven grandchildren, Christopher O’Brien Boone of Berlin, Germany; Riley Frances Boone Harris (John Wayne) of Virginia; Dr. James Kenneth Boone (Jenny) of Colorado; the Hon. Morwenna Gray Lytton Cobbold Bush (Phil) of London; the Hon. Edward Stucley Fromanteel Lytton Cobbold of Knebworth, England; Anne Winthrop Hargrove Rockefeller and Lillian Jane Rockefeller of Little Rock, Ark.; one great-grandchild, Dorothy Frances Harris of Virginia; Laura F. Younkin, his niece of Georgia; his nephews William E. Younkin, Sr. (Sharlotte) and William E. Younkin, Jr., Charles T. Blount and Samuel D. Blount of Cecil, Ala.; and his niece Michelle Y. Blount (Ronald) of Cecil, Ala. Services will be at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at the Lowndesboro Methodist Church, 198 S. Broad St., Lowndesboro, Ala., followed by a graveside service at Oakview Cemetery in Lowndesboro and a gathering at The Marengo House, 100 N. Broad St., Lowndesboro, Ala. Alabama Heritage Funeral Home is handling arrangements. Pallbearers will be Christopher O’Brien Boone, Dr. James Kenneth Boone, William Dickson Farrior IV, Charles T. Blount, Samuel D. Blount, and William E. Younkin, Jr. Honorary pallbearers are managers and publishers of Boone Newsmedia.
In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to the UAB Boone Optic Nerve and Retinal Research Support Fund, UAB Advancement, 1720 2nd Avenue S., AB 1230, Birmingham, Ala. 35294, or to Lowndesboro Landmarks Foundation, PO Box 34, Lowndesboro, Ala. 36752.
• A missing person was reported on Ashurst Avenue.
• An animal complaint was reported on Gilmer Avenue.
• Assistance was given to a citizen on Ashurst Avenue.
• An animal complaint was reported on Willow Street.
• Assistance was given to a motorist on Gilmer Avenue.
• Debris was reported in the roadway on South Tallassee Drive.
FEB. 10
• Harassing communications was reported on Jeanette Barrett Industrial Boulevard.
FEB. 8
• Burglary was reported on Wharf Street.
FEB. 1
• Domestic violence was reported on Barnes Court.
TALLASSEE POLICE
DEPARTMENT
FEB. 16
• A suspicious person was reported on Gilm-
er Avenue.
• Assistance was given to a citizen on East Patton Street.
FEB. 15
• Animal control was requested on Gilmer Avenue.
• A welfare check was conducted on Powers Avenue.
• Animal control was requested on Gilmer Avenue.
• A motor vehicle accident with no injuries was reported on Gilmer Avenue.
FEB. 14
• A noise complaint was reported on Gladys Street.
• Assistance was given to a citizen on Gladys Street.
• Suspicious activity was reported on South Tallassee Drive.
• A white female was arrested on Gilmer Avenue.
• A suspicious person was reported on Gilmer Avenue.
• Assistance was given to a citizen on Gilmer Avenue.
• Suspicious subjects were reported on Gilmer Avenue.
• Trespassing was reported on Peachtree Street.
• Theft was reported on Fourth Street.
• Burglary was reported on West Main Street.
• An animal complaint was reported on Main Street.
• An animal complaint was reported on Freeman Avenue.
• An animal complaint was reported on Freeman Avenue.
• A suspicious person was reported on Gilmer Avenue.
• A suspicious vehicle was reported on Gilmer Avenue.
FEB. 13
• An intoxicated drive was reported on Highway 229.
• A domestic dispute was reported on Ashurst Bar Road.
• A domestic dispute was reported on Clover Street.
• A Hispanic male was arrested during a traffic stop on Main Street.
• A Black male was arrested during a suspicious person call on South Tallassee Drive.
• Animal control was requested on Oak Heights Road.
LOFLIN
Black history museum to reopen next week
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
The public will soon be once again
walking the halls of the Elmore County Training Center that houses the Elmore County Black History Museum in Wetumpka.
A new museum board appointed by Wetumpka councilmember Cheryl Tucker voted to reopen after renova-
tions Tuesday, just in time to honor Black History month. “I am pleased to announce the ‘soft’ opening of the Elmore County Black History Museum,” Tucker said. “A grand opening is planned for later this year.”
The new board consists of seven members — president and chairman Winfred Wise; vice-president Pamela Williams; secretary Stephanie Stepney;
treasurer Michael Waters; Idell Gill; Elaine Lewis; and Yvonne Saxon. The board voted to reopen from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and the first and third Saturdays of each month.
“The museum is rich in Elmore County Black History, in addition to some national Black history,” Tucker said. “We encourage the community to come out and visit your museum.”
Chambliss pre-files election integrity bill
Sen. Clyde Chambliss (R-Prattville) has pre-filed two election integrity bills for consideration by the Alabama legislature when the regularly scheduled session begins March 7. Both pieces of legislation seek to place existing administrative rules into statute, meaning the election regulations could not be changed without legislative approval. SB9 would require that the state’s electronic voting counting system must require the use of a paper ballot that is marked and inspected by the voter prior to being cast and counted.
“All Alabama elections
currently use paper ballots,” Chambliss said. “This bill would codify the current process to ensure that Alabama’s voters will always use paper ballots and that they will always mark those ballots in order to cast a vote in any election held in this state. This bill protects the process that we have in place now.”
Chambliss also pre-filed SB 10 which prohibits the use of electronic vote counting systems that are capable of connecting to the Internet or cell phone networks or that possess modem technology.
“It is essential that voters have faith in the integrity of our elections process. This bill would ensure that no voter ever has to be
concerned about the internet connectivity of voting machines,” Chambliss said. “By banning any form of connective technology in our vote counting machines, we are ensuring that our elections remain free of any technological interference.”
Chambliss said Alabama is recognized as having the most secure elections in the country and he made a commitment to keep elections as safe and secure as possible.
“Every voter in every election in this state — municipal, county or state — should leave the polling place with the assurance that every vote is counted fairly and securely. These bills do just that,” he said.
Chambliss serves as the
residue while prepping and painting the bridge.”
Kirk said. “Lane closures are necessary for the safety of the people and the use of equipment needed to complete the project. Traffic will be directed utilizing temporary traffic signals with the possibility of flagmen.”
ALDOT’s bridge rehabilitation project includes painting and maintenance designed to extend the life of the bridge, including applying a layer of sealant to the concrete bridge deck.
“Other work will include a new fence, removing and repairing areas of concrete and performing minor repairs to steel, expansion joints and bearings,” Kirk said.
Work is expected to begin March 1. Signs and message boards announcing the work are currently being installed.
Evidence of work will be visible quickly.
“The contractor is placing a containment structure on the side and under the bridge,” Kirk said. “The enclosure will be in place to catch, collect and remove all
The Fitzpatrick Bridge allows Highway 14 traffic to flow between the two sides of the Tallapoosa River in Tallassee. Other bridges across the Tallapoosa River are limited. To the north is Highway 50 at Martin Dam just below Lake Martin. Down river is Highway 229 that will require travel on Interstate 85. Drivers will be allowed to cross the Fitzpatrick Bridge but delays and congestion are to be expected.
“Motorists are advised to plan accordingly for delays from lane closures and to be mindful of equipment and people working in the work zone,” Kirk said.
The council voted to close the intersection of E.B. Payne Drive at Highway 14 at the advice of ALDOT to aid in traffic flow during the project.
ALDOT awarded the project to Omega Coatings and Construction LLC, out of Tarpon Springs, Florida, who had the lowest bid that met project requirements, at a cost of approximately $3.5 million. All work is weather dependent and delays in schedule are possible.
Alabama Senate’s Majority Whip. He is currently serving his third term in the State Senate representing District 30 which covers Autauga, Elmore, Chilton, Coosa and Tallapoosa counties.
CLIFF WILLIAMS | THE HERALD
The Fitzgerald Bridge will be under construction and will be mostly one-way for the next 16 months.
Kenneth Boone, Chairman
Tippy Hunter, General Manager
Lizi Arbogast Gwin, Managing Editor
Opinions
Page A4 • Wednesday, February 22, 2023
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Opinion?
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Obituaries:
Lake Martin touches three counties — Tallapoosa, Elmore and Coosa counties.
Tallapoosa Publishers strive to cover all those areas, and if there’s one thing they all have in common, it’s potential.
But it’s not necessarily potential like you’d think. Of course it’s great we have the absolute gem of Lake Martin, which can bring in tourist dollars to all three counties in different ways. Absolutely it was amazing for Wetumpka to be featured on HGTV, which put a nationwide spotlight on our little area.
It’s more than just financial potential or taking advantage of things we have been blessed with. It’s the people who bring the potential.
I attended Alexander City Chamber of Commerce’s first Your Chamber Meeting — a networking luncheon series the chamber is hosting bi-monthly — and I sat in a room full of people gushing about Alex City. Of course we were there to support the chamber, but we also discussed things like the hospital’s 100th birthday, the Alex City arts council, a few new businesses heading our way, transplants who have made Tallapoosa County their
TheWetumpkaHerald.com
Potential is overflowing in and around Lake Martin
home, people who have returned after leaving for college or careers. There are so many people doing such great things, and they are who makes the potential possible.
When I was working at LMG Ad Agency, I attended my first Lake Martin Dadeville Area Chamber quarterly luncheon — and we all left feeling so refreshed, comfortable and excited about doing more work in Dadeville. It wasn’t a stuffy meeting, but a casual lunch where folks got to brag on their employees, inform people of upcoming events and sales, etc.
known for not taking credit — better yet, not caring who gets the credit. It doesn’t matter. I truly believe from the day of tornado on, things completely turned for Wetumpka and the people who have invested blood, sweat, tears, money, time and more are truly who make that potential.
Sometimes as a newspaper editor, three counties and four newspapers seems impossible to cover. But we live in a small area; we are closeknit and similar in a lot of ways. and Reeltown as those perfect Friday Night Lights towns — just hard-working families and a tight community, and you show up for high school football every night because it’s just what you’re supposed to do.
And in Wetumpka, I always loved the sports teams from afar as the sports editor headquartered in Alex City. But my gosh, when the tornado dropped in Wetumpka and our entire staff hopped in our cars and just went, that day was life-changing in a lot of ways. The devastation was unreal, but what was even more amazing was the comeback.
Then HGTV was the perfect cherry on top.
Imet a legendary man back in November who I had no idea I would ever cross paths with. It sounds corny but the more I knew of this man, the more star struck I became.
It started 11 years ago when I accepted a position with TPI. I can’t tell you what I was thinking when I started except I wasn’t moving to Bowling Green, Kentucky, and Kenneth Boone seemed nice in the interview. Sounds like a well thought out career move, right? Sometimes you take a leap of faith and, like throwing pasta at the wall, see what sticks.
In very short succession I started hearing about this man. He visited our office one day and we all stood to greet him when he entered the room. Were we told to stand? Absolutely not. We weren’t told anything for that matter, other than he was coming in for a visit. It was a natural reaction to someone walking into a room you had an innate desire to respect. I can’t explain it any other way.
Fast forward several years, and our parent company, Boone Newspapers, Inc., initiated a series of company-wide weekly training sessions for staff across 84 newspapers. For the last few years on our weekly Zoom calls, I’ve had the
whether it be a small change in one of your shopping habits or a huge commitment like serving on a board — do it for your community. There are great people out there doing awesome things, and we should all strive to be one of them.
Lizi Arbogast Gwin is the managing editor of Tallapoosa Publishers Inc.
The newspaper world — and
our family — lost a legend
TIPPY HUNTER General Manager
pleasure of hearing the most profound feedback from this man I believe I’ve ever had the opportunity to witness. At some later point I was lucky enough to be brought into a second management call which meant I now sat front row for a double dose of honest, genuine, thought-provoking advice each week. He never spoke very long but when he did it was always deeply meaningful. The entire team hung onto every word. Our interest was not for show. He spoke from the heart and always left us with something to think about to make our operations better than the day before. It was, again, that innate desire to listen and respect someone who spoke only words that mattered. As most of you know, a lot changed for me on Oct. 7, 2022 when I accepted the general manager position with TPI. What most people don’t know is prior to accepting the position I got a call saying this man had requested I ride down with Kenneth to his home in Lowndes County to chat. If you recall
the admiration I have for this person you understand the nervous energy in the car that day.
I somehow managed to keep my composure and will be forever grateful for the impromptu golf cart tour of the property that helped calm my nerves. Afterward, the three of us chatted for a couple hours about the future and how he envisioned my role. Knowing this wasn’t my background, he assured me he would be my advocate. Any hesitation I had before about stepping into the unknown was completely gone. If this man who had so much going on would take the time to mentor and advocate for me, how could I not accept? How am I so blessed to have someone of his caliber invite me to his home to tell me what he could do for me? How does that even happen? Today this man is in all of our thoughts. On Monday, Kenneth Boone’s dad, Mr. (Jim) Boone, passed away. I can’t imagine the void he leaves with his family if I feel this way in the short time I’ve gotten to know him. Mr. Boone was a legendary man in the media industry, and even more so in the people business.
Tippy Hunter is the general manager of Tallapoosa Publishers Inc.
American families shouldn’t be left with hard choices
This winter, prices for the main energy sources used to heat homes have continued to skyrocket. Families are forced to pay 45% more for heating oil, 25% more for natural gas, and 11% more for electricity. It is projected these price increases will only get worse as temperatures drop. This leaves some families with an unthinkable choice. More than 40% of the households in Alabama had to reduce or skip necessities such as food or medicine to keep the lights on. I don’t want Alabamians to be forced to choose between feeding their families or keeping their houses warm, but unfortunately this is the new reality brought on by the President Joe Biden administration’s war on American energy.
day in office, he canceled the Keystone XL pipeline, costing American jobs and telegraphing to the world American energy independence is no longer a priority. Biden’s cancellations didn’t end there, as he then delayed permits required to bring additional production online from offshore federal oil and gas leases in the Gulf of Mexico.
For the past two years, Biden slashed our energy production, emptied our petroleum reserves, and increased our reliance on foreign energy sources under the guise of a so-called “climate crisis.” On his first
POLICE
Continued from A1
Buce said all investigators and narcotics officers and the majority of the patrol officers will soon be SWAT certified.
“If they can get three or four officers together, that constitutes a team,” Buce said.
“They can handle business in many cases.”
Gov. Kay Ivey announced the grant to help the Tallassee Police Department create a team designed to respond to active shooter situations and other potentially dangerous situations in which someone is at high-risk that could result in injury or death. The
In addition to cutting domestic production, the Biden administration began aggressively draining our strategic petroleum reserve for political gain, bringing it to its lowest level since 1984 by releasing up to one million barrels per day — the largest release in history. If that wasn’t enough, President Biden willingly handed over nearly a million barrels of oil from our emergency stockpile to China. However, China was likely able to secure much more than a million barrels from America’s inventory as sales from the strategic petroleum reserve are unrestricted. Now, the reserves have around 372 million barrels—almost half of its 726.6-million-barrel storage capacity.
The strategic petroleum reserve was established to serve as a reliable source
specially trained team will be part of the Tallassee Police Department and will be able to respond to any situation at nearby schools, industrial plants, shopping centers, churches or dams.
“Having a team of trained officers ready to respond at a moment’s notice to dangerous situations can save many lives and protect the critical needs of communities,” Ivey said. “I commend the Tallassee Police Department for creating a team and a plan for increased community protection.”
The grant will help purchase medical equipment, ballistic vests, helmets, uniforms, firearms and body cameras. Buce said having 16
Elmore County Calendar
TUESDAY, FEB. 21
PANCAKE DINNER:The Knights of Columbus will be hosting a pancake and sausage breakfast from 5 to 8 p.m. at St. Vincent de Paul Church. The event is an annual tradition of a meal to serve on Mardi Gras. Pick up as many plates as you wish, but please make a donation to the Knights of Columbus. The church is located at 620 Gilmer Ave.
THURSDAY, 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.
SATURDAY, 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.
SATURDAY, 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.
SATURDAY, APRIL 15
COOSAPALOOZA: Main Street Wetumpka is hosting the 2023 CoosaPalooza Brewfest from 3 to 6 p.m. Saturday, April 15.
of energy in the event of a catastrophe, not to give our enemies like China a leg up. Depleting the strategic reserve is a dangerous short-term fix to a long-term problem. The real solution is to work with American oil and gas producers to increase domestic energy production.
Instead of undermining the domestic energy industry and emboldening foreign adversaries, we should unleash American energy to restore our energy independence and provide relief for Alabamians and families across the country.
I supported the Keystone XL pipeline as a commonsense approach to bolster American energy independence. The pipeline stood to transport more than 800,000 barrels of crude oil per day, which would drastically reduce our reliance on foreign adversaries such as Russia, Iran and Venezuela.
The Keystone XL pipeline would have also strengthened our economic security, providing up to 59,000 jobs and injecting an estimated $9.6 billion into the economy.
I also called for the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) to quickly end their de facto ban on new drilling
of 22 officers SWAT certified is a bit unusual.
“Getting the ADECA grant allowed us to do it,” Buce said. “There are not many departments that can go around and say they have 80 percent of their officers SWAT certified. I thought it was important for public safety to try and get all our people up and held to a higher standard and get them the best training I could.”
Buce hopes the added training has an internal benefit for the department as well.
“Hopefully it will help with retention by getting them quality training and quality equipment,” Buce said. “Hopefully by allowing
SATURDAY, 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
that rapidly diminished the share of royalties from the oil and gas leases in the Gulf of Mexico shared with Alabama via the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act (GOMESA). In order for domestic producers to be successful, we must roll back radical regulations and restrictions that stifle the production and transmission of oil and gas. These producers are the backbone of the world’s largest economy, but they have come under attack by politicized federal agencies like the Department of Interior (DOI) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). To restore energy independence and end the crusade on fossil fuels, we must ease regulatory burdens on companies, rescind the moratorium on gas leases, and bar restrictions that reduce American energy security. Climate fearmongers are disconnected from reality. Unaware or untroubled with the problems facing everyday Americans, green activists continue to pursue actions and implement regulations in response to a crisis yet to materialize. Alabamians are tired of paying for these games. It is time to unleash American energy to lower costs, create jobs
them to take part in advanced training it will give more of a team vibe to keep people here. They should have a sense of pride of having the accomplishment of making it through SWAT school. It is not just handed to you. It’s a rough week-long course to learn all the tactics.”
Buce said the new training is already underway and completed in some cases.
“We have already had four complete basic SWAT,” Buce said. “We have two that will learn to be instructors in the next few weeks.”
and strengthen our national security.
Senator Tommy Tuberville is an American politician and
retired college football coach serving as the senior United States senator from Alabama, a seat he has held since 2021.
TUBERVILLE
Humane Society of Elmore County News
Shelter opens thrift store to help with fundraising
By REA CORD HSEC Director
Like all non-profit organizations, raising funds is a daily exercise to ensure we can continue our mission to help Elmore County animals in need.
The Tail’s End Thrift Store co-located with oursShelter at 255 Central Plank Road in Wetumpka is our largest fundraising activity and 100% volunteer run.
All proceeds from our thrift store come to the shelter to ensure continuous operations and our future. There is no doubt the Tail’s End Thrift Store is a vital and major operation supporting our shelter.
volunteer-run organization please honor those donation days/times — there is a lot of work involved in receiving, sorting and marketing items that happens in those hours after donation times end. Volunteers are working very hard.
Please note we do not accept stained/dirty/dry-rotted clothing, old encyclopedia sets, broken items as we do not have repair capabilities, the old bulky style televisions, old style cumbersome computer monitors, stained mattresses and soiled or damaged furniture.
will be new treasures the very next week. With spring yard sales and house cleaning starting up we will be receiving even more donations so we are always needing volunteers. In addition to volunteer during normal hours of operation, volunteer opportunities are also available Monday through Wednesday with sorting, pricing and placing items so all new items are ready for sale by Thursday.
The store is open for shopping from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and open for donations from 9 a.m. to noon. There is something for everyone – furniture, clothes, collectibles, art, books, jewelry, appliances, electronics, tools, kitchenware, pet items and so much more. There is also a special holiday building so you can shop for all holiday items year round.
We are incredibly grateful to all who donate items and all donations are tax-deductible. There are volunteers collecting donations during the listed areas, so do not leave donations outside of these hours as items left outside are subject to theft and the weather. As a
Pet of the Week – Vinny
Vinny is a 2 year old male, Labrador/Heeler-looking mix; he weighs about 60 pounds. He originally came to us as a stray and has an awesome personality. He is very friendly and just loves attention and bonding with his human. He is great with other dogs, loves going for leash walks, and is also happy to just chill.
Our adoption fees are $100 for dogs and $50 for cats under 1 year old; cats over 1 can be adopted by approved adopters for a fee of their choosing. This adoption fee completely covers the mandatory spay or neuter, basic immunizations, de-worming, microchip, heartworm check for dogs, rabies vaccination if old enough, free health exam with your participating veterinarian.
If you are interested in meeting Vinny or any of our pets, our first step is our adoption application you fill out online. Once approved, volunteers will coordinate with you to set up an appointment to meet and adopt.
The Humane Society of Elmore County is located at 255 Central Plank Road in Wetumpka. It can be reached at 334-567-3377 or online at www.elmorehumane.org for more information.
Our thriftsStore’s success is 100% due to the hard work and dedication of a wonderful group of Volunteers who are there to receive/sort/price/place & sell donated items. We are indeed blessed with Volunteers who give of their time so all of the profit goes to our shelter to ensure we can continue helping sick, injured and homeless pets.
These volunteers are running a firstclass operation as they work to make sure clothing is in perfect condition, all electronics and appliances are checked out to the best of our ability, our store is clean and well stocked, and our shoppers have an enjoyable experience shopping in our store. Please spread the word as more shoppers mean quicker turnover of donated items which helps our shelter and also helps us put out newly donated items so there
While you are there, please also thank our volunteers for their endless hard work operating our thrift store as all proceeds go to our shelter to ensure we can be there for all the pets that come to us needing our help.
To our shoppers/donors/supporters, you will find super deals and highquality items at our Tail’s End Thrift Store. Our volunteers give 100% of themselves to be there for donors and shoppers alike.
Everything starts with donations, so we are incredibly grateful to all who donate items for us to resell. Our shoppers can feel confident in getting nice items at great prices and everyone’s support goes a long way to helping us improve our shelter and do all we can for our pets.
Rea Cord is the executive director of the Humane Society of Elmore County.
STUDENTS
schools, benefiting over 4,000 students within six counties in CAEC’s service area.
“I cannot express how truly thankful we are to have such dedicated individuals instructing and influencing the future leaders and workforce of our communities,” CAEC President and CEO Tom Stackhouse said. “We are honored to provide assistance to our educators who work persistently to impact all students by providing them the tools they need to be successful as well as instilling in them the desire for a lifetime of learning. You all are heroes, and we are incredibly thankful to be able to award these funds to you.”
This year’s Bright Ideas Grant Elmore County recipients were: Mary Ann Drost of Eclectic Ele-
mentary; Joanne Wells of Eclectic Middle School; Julie Powell of Elmore County High School; Michael Miller and Allen Meadows of Elmore County Technical Center; Carrie Courreges and Teresa Lawrence of Holtville Elementary School; Stephanie Harrison and Kelli Watkins of Holtville High School; Carrie Alvarenga and Emily Smith of Millbrook Middle School; Angela Bryant, Lisa Hardman and Cindy Peavy of Prattville Christian Academy; Shannon Hughes, Kelley Fuller and Kristy Shaw of Wetumpka Elementary; and Kristy Milam and Virginia Vilardi of Wetumpka High School. To date, CAEC has awarded $376,000 to local schools through the program, benefiting more than 130,000 students across all grade levels and content areas. The application process for 2024 Bright Ideas Grants will begin this September. GRANTS
Franklin said the seventh grader will remain at the juvenile detention center until the judge calls him back. Franklin also said the court proceedings would not be public.
“It won’t be handled in any way like a normal adult case even though it is a felony charge,” Franklin said.
The Elmore County Board of Education expelled the student in an emergency meeting Friday morning.
“The Board approved the superintendent’s recommendation for expulsion for a student who was determined to have brought a weapon on a school campus,” Elmore Board of Education said in a release. “The expulsion is for the remainder of the 2022-2023 school year and for the 2023-2024 school year.”
God created us differently for a reason
Bridge! I hope this Ash Wednesday edition of my column finds everyone reading it in good health and spirit. I pray we all find a renewed sense of our mortality and the blessing God intends it to be.
The season of Lent begins today. Lent is a period of forty days (it does not include Sundays) leading up to Easter. For followers of Jesus Christ, the season is intended to be a time of introspection and discernment of the things that separate us from the love of God. It is a time of preparation for witness to the resurrection.
The first day of Lent is Ash Wednesday. Believers gather in worship and receive the sign of the cross, which is marked by
ashes. The practice of donning ashes in the name of repentance is as old as the earthly kingdom. I have always understood Ash Wednesday as the beginning of a period of time when unhelpful things should be cast away. Again, there are numerous things in the earthly kingdom that separate all of God’s children, regardless of religious affiliation, from the love God has for the whole of humanity. Why not set those things aside? Last week’s Super Bowl serves as a tiny but specific
BETHLEHEM EAST BAPTIST CHURCH
Bethlehem East Baptist Church will have all Sunday school classes beginning at 9:45 a.m. Sunday morning followed by regular service at 11 a.m. in the sanctuary. We will continue with Facebook Live Sunday School at 9:30 a.m. and Worship Service at 11 a.m.
CARRVILLE BAPTIST CHURCH
Regular hours of service are Sundays- 9 a.m. Sunday School and 10 a.m. Morning Worship. Wednesday nights at 6:30 p.m. the church offers Children’s Gospel Project, Youth Bible Study and Adult Prayer Meeting. Regular office hours are Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
example of what needs to be set aside. The NFL and others responsible for putting together the pageantry of the event made some decisions. Those decisions were met with differing response.
The Marine Corps band presented the colors of our nation. Baby Face and Chris Stapleton were selected to sing national hymns before the game. Rihanna was selected to deliver the halftime show. That is a fairly diverse group of people sharing their gifts of music for millions of people.
I admit I am not a particular fan of each style of music represented. At the same time, I appreciated the efforts of those organizing the event to at least try and represent the great variety of musical offering
Church Briefs
EAST TALLASSEE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
ETUMC’s Rivers Edge Flea Market is now closed. The church will start a new project called Rivers Edge Food Pantry. ETUMC will provide canned food, water, dry beans and rice, blankets, and jackets. If you want to donate or help with the cause, call Joan Wood at 334312-4913.
EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF THE EPIPHANY
Please join us for Sunday services at 10:30 a.m. when the Rev. Lee Lowery will celebrate the Holy Eucharist. We are asking everyone please to wear a mask. The service will be live streamed on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ EpiphanyTallassee/ For more informa-
present in our national culture. Each performance was well done.
What amazed me in the aftermath of the game was the response from some who watched the event. Specific artists were exalted while others were crucified. One comment common to fans of specific offerings was “How could the NFL choose (insert name here) for this game?” In other words, many fans liked part of the musical offerings and detested others.
Our nation is incredibly diverse. Shouldn’t every American expect any entertainment event on the national scale to reflect that diversity? Apparently, some do not think so. Human beings have in
tion, visit the church website at http:// epiphanytallassee.org/
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
First Presbyterian Church, located at 514 Central Blvd. will host a Veteran’s Day Celebration on Nov. 11 from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. for all veterans and first responders and their family members.
FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
“We are OPEN and everyone is WELCOME! Come worship with us in person Sunday mornings at 8:50 a.m. (contemporary) or 11 a.m. (traditional). Sunday School for all ages is offered Sunday mornings at 10 a.m., and a nursery is available for infants.
CHILDREN & YOUTH: meet
inherent desire for homogeneity. In other words, we like the familiar. We have freedom as American citizens to make choices regarding where we live, how we worship, what style of music we enjoy, who we socialize with, etc. according to our likes.
Difficulties arise each and every time we forget God does not create in homogeneity. God creates in amazing diversity, and every human being is made in God’s image. God creates in this manner and calls it good. Shouldn’t we set aside our desire for the familiar and at least consider the possibility that God knows what God is doing?
Rev. Yarboro is the Pastor of First Presbyterian Church, Wetumpka
Sunday evenings from 5-6:30 p.m. and Wednesday evenings from 6-7:15 p.m.; supper is included both days! For more information about our church or the programs we offer, visit our website: fumctallassee. com or call us: 334-283-2195. FUMC Tallassee - 1 Jordan Avenue.”
OUR LIFE’S JOURNEY
Airs every Sunday at 8:30 a.m. on 580 WACQ, FM 98.5 & 101.1, on your smart speaker, your TuneIn app, or on our website www.wacqradio.com. Please share on social media. This set of programs features Msgr. Charles Troncale, Fr. Mateusz Rudzik, Fr. James Dean, Fr. David Carucci, Fr. Patrick Driscoll, and Deacon Jim Labadie.
Dalton MiDDleton SportS eDitor dalton.middleton@thewetumpkaherald.com
6-0
Indians cruise through season-opening tourney
By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor
The Wetumpka softball team showed no mercy to opponents in the Prattville Lions Classic this weekend.
Wetumpka, which claimed the tournament championship late Saturday night, went 7-0 and outscored its opponents a combined 78-5. The Lady Indians took at-bats in only 27 innings and scored an average of 2.9 runs per
Wetumpka bounces back from narrow loss
By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor
The Wetumpka Indians opened the 2023 season with one win and one loss. The team traveled to Pelham on opening night, and despite allowing only one hit, walked away with a 2-1 loss.
After tying the game 1-1, Pelham took a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the sixth with an RBI single, its only hit of the night. In the loss, Wetumpka struck out 16 Pelham batters. Ace Jaxon Shineflew was responsible for 13 of those.
The Indians immediately bounced back Saturday with a shutout 7-0 win of Shades Valley. Trent Harris started on the mound and shined, while the offense slugged out seven runs between the lefty bats of Ty Brooks, Jaxon Shineflew, Davis Wells and Caden Wooldridge.
“Our pitching went out and competed both nights,” Wetumpka coach Michael Dismukes said. “They gave us a chance to win. It all starts on the mound and the pitching staff has done a great job. We had some new guys pitching today and they really performed today.”
STANHOPE ELMORE EARNS 2-1 RECORD TO BEGIN
The Mustangs from Millbrook hit the road for the opening weekend and came back home with a 2-1 overall record. Stanhope faced Vestavia Hills in its opener, and led for most of the game before falling 11-4 in the final innings.
In the loss, Chase Williams led the team with two hits, both of which were doubles.
The team’s offense got going on Saturday against Spain Park and Hueytown, both wins.
In the 12-2 win over Spain Park, Williams added three more hits and another double, while Evan Duncan led the team both offensively and on the mound. He went 2-for-4 at the plate with a home run and double with five RBIs, and he pitched three innings and allowed only one hit in the win.
In the weekend finale, the team scattered 11 hits across the diamond. Colin Woodham had three hits, while Duncan and Colton Walls each added two singles.
BULLDOGS CAPTURE WALK-OFF VICTORY
Holtville, which is trying to make it back to the AHSAA Class 5A state championship this season, started the year off with some dramatics.
The Bulldogs opened the season against Trinity Presbyterian and led by two runs entering the top of the seventh. Instead of closing it out, however, the Bulldogs allowed Trinity to score two runs and tie it up.
The tie didn’t last long. With two outs and a runner at second in the bottom of the seventh, Holtville loaded the bases on an intentional walk and a Trinity fielding error. Ethan Alston then stepped up to the plate and won it for Holtville on a walk off hit-by-pitch, 6-5. On Saturday, Holtville wasted no time and run-ruled Handley at home. Handley scored all four of its runs in the first inning, but the Bulldogs’ offense was too much. Sam Silas had two hits, while seven other Bulldogs added one.
Braxton Potts had three RBIs, while Lane Talley, Randy Davis and Mason Broderick each drove in two runs in the win. The Bulldogs moved to 2-0 with the win.
inning.
Only two teams held Wetumpka to under 10 runs, but Wetumpka still won those games by five and six runs respectively.
In single elimination, Wetumpka beat Stanhope Elmore, Smiths Station, Rogers and Satsuma in the championship. The Indians scored 41 runs in those four games.
“They came out and were very eager to play,” Wetumpka coach Daryl Otwell said. “They’ve had a
good offseason and worked really hard in the weight room. To come out swinging the bats like we did was very impressive. We scored 78 runs and only gave up five. We couldn’t have started a better way offensively and our pitching staff did great.”
There was no doubt the Indians hit the weight room hard over the offseason. Players throughout the lineup were slugging home runs left and right, and the ones who weren’t were bouncing doubles
off the wall.
Wetumpka hit 32 extra base hits in the seven games. Fifteen of those were home runs. Last year’s Elmore County Player of the Year Mya Holt hit five across the weekend, while Lily Davenport added four and Ella Watson added three. Caylee Bowden, Mari Beth Parette and Ashlynn Campbell each added one. The team also
Five county wrestlers win
individual state championships
By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor
County athletes had several impressive showings in the AHSAA State Wrestling Championships this weekend.
Five individual wrestlers won state championships from across Elmore County.
In Class 6A, Wetumpka’s Christian Preston won the 220-pound state championship while Willie Cox won the heavyweight title. Stanhope Elmore’s Connor Russo earned arguably the biggest match of the day with a state championship at 170 pounds.
In Class 5A, Tallassee’s Land Bell won at 132 while Elmore County’s Myles Eyerly won the 285-pound champion-
ship. “I thought this was such a great representative for our county and the river region as a whole,” Stanhope Elmore coach Hunter Adams said.
“When you have a state champion from four out of our five schools, it shows that a lot of programs are doing good things. For a long time, it would be one every two or three years. Now we have five from one county. It was a great showing and it’s really demonstrative of the support for the sport and shows it’s not a cult sport anymore. It’s a sport that kids want to take part of around here.”
Wetumpka’s two-headed junior duo at the bottom of the weight classes continued its year-long dominance. Preston
went 4-0 on the weekend, finishing his season 10-8 with a sudden victory over Russell County’s Avery Boyette.
It was a rematch and repeat of last week’s sectional championship where Preston (36-4) beat him before. The sudden victory was the only match at state during which Preston did not pin his opponent.
“I think the motivation of getting over that hump helped Christian,” Wetumpka coach Josh Highland said. “The finals match was a little dramatic and he had to take it to overtime off a questionable call, but he won it in a fashionable way.”
In the heavyweight class, Cox earned a decisive 6-3 win
Holt already breaking records to start season
By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor
Following a sophomore season where Wetumpka’s Mya Holt shattered single-season records, her junior season is already off to a record-breaking start. Holt, who was the 2022 Elmore County Softball Player of the Year, helped lead the Lady Indians to a 7-0 start and a championship win in the 2023 Prattville Lions Classic this weekend. Across the weekend, Holt hit five home runs, drove in 13 RBIs and earned six wins in the circle. Because of her success, she has been named the Elmore County Player of the Week.
Vote for your Fans’ Choice Player of the Week online now!
I can honestly say I’m not surprised by the numbers she puts up every day on the field.” Holt ended last season with 16 home runs, which was a singleseason school record. As impressive as that was, her first home run of 2023 was also a record-breaker. With a home run in the bottom of the fourth inning against Spanish Fort, Holt reached 30 career home runs with Wetumpka. She is now in sole possession of that school record. She wasted no time adding to her
DALTON MIDDLETON THE HERALD Wetumpka’s Mya Holt pitches against Spanish Fort. The junior went
on the mound this weekend.
DALTON MIDDLETON THE HERALD
Wetumpka’s Ty Brooks records a hit against Shades Valley on Saturday afternoon.
Elmore County Player of the Week
SUBMITTED | THE HERALD
Wetumpka’s Willie Cox, left, and Christian Preston, right, pose with Wetumpka coach Josh Highland after winning wrestling state championships this weekend.
Holt hits a home run against Spanish Fort. She is now the team’s ca-
record, hitting four more home runs over the next six games to increase her total to 34.
“I joked with her the other day about how great of a sophomore season she had last year, but with as hard as she’s worked this offseason, I told her she’s about to really go off,” Otwell said. “This weekend, I’m not shocked. She’s a special player. She works so hard day in and day out.”
As impressive as her power was,
her consistency was equally as important. Holt ended the weekend with a .737 batting average after recording 14 hits in 19 at-bats. She had five home runs, three doubles and six singles. She drove in 13 RBIs and scored seven runs.
She was also the team’s leading pitcher, starting six of the seven games in the circle, and she finished 6-0. She pitched 17 innings over six games and allowed only 11 hits and two earned runs while striking out 24 batters. She walked one. Holt finished the weekend with a 0.824 earned run average.
WRESTLERS
Continued from B1
over his opponent from Gardendale. Cox, which had only lost two matches all season long, went 4-0 on the weekend. He won by decision in each match and won by at least two points in every single match played.
His closest match game in the semifinals when he won a 4-2 sudden-victory over an opponent from Robertsdale.
“The heavyweight is one of those weights that seem to get left behind,” Highland said. “People really look over it and most people are usually gone by the time they get to the heavyweight finals. But he showed all weekend long why he is the best heavyweight in 6A.”
In the 170-pound weight class, Stanhope Elmore’s Russo avenged his only loss of the season. Russo, who finished the season with a whopping 47-1 overall record, took down an undefeated Aiden Knight (84-1) from McAdory.
The two faced off last week in the sectionals, and despite never giving up a takedown, Russo lost due to stalling penalties. This week, he didn’t let the match come down to the
referees.
He earned a near-fall in the second period, which gave him a 3-2 lead. He then turned on the defense and never allowed another point and gave him a state championship.
“It was another great match and it didn’t play out like the one last week. They both wrestled differently this week. Knight played much more defensively and didn’t allow Connor to shoot at his legs and it came down to a lot more ‘on the mat’ wrestling. The near fall was the difference maker in the match and he wrestled very well on his feet the rest of the match to get the win.”
Eyerly, Elmore County’s heavyweight champion, doesn’t wrestle quite like a heavyweight. In a weight class that is often more
rare to see a pin, Eyerly knows how to take care of business.
He did that over and over again this weekend, earning pins in two of his three matches. He was able to pin both of his opponents in the quarterfinals and semifinals, then entered the championship against the same wrestler he lost to in the sectionals championship last weekend.
He was set to face off with Sam Schepker from Gulf Shores, but wasn’t going to let a repeat of last weekend happen. He changed his wrestling style and pulled out a decisive 7-2 win to claim the championship win.
He ended his season with a 38-6 overall record.
“He came in as the 2-seed, so we knew he was going to probably see the kid from Gulf Shores again in the finals,” Elmore County head coach Mason Thornton said. “He ended up with three big wins and almost three pins to win the championship. We’re super proud of him. We were a little too aggressive last week going for a trip, and went down big because of it. This week, we really worked on our throw defense and when Gulf Shores went to throw him, we ended up on top.”
At 132, Bell was one of the most dominant wrestlers of the entire weekend. He pinned every single one of his opponents over the weekend, securing victories over wrestlers from Elberta, Southside and Jasper.
Bell, who is only a sophomore, finished the year with a 43-3 overall record.
“That was probably one of the most dominant matches I’ve ever seen from a Tallassee wrestler in the finals,” Tallassee coach John Mask said.
“He had his guy on his back probably 30 seconds into the match and didn’t get the call. Then in the second period, we took him down and pinned him. It was just a dominating match, but that’s the kind of year Land has had. He’s been a dominant wrestler.” Those five were not the only wrestlers from the county to compete or place this weekend. Wetumpka’s Chad Strickland finished second while Ramon Lozada captured fourth and Roman McWilliams took 5th. Melvin Owens did not place.
Elmore County’s Tyler Payton finished fourth, while Stran Webb, Shawn Colvin, Clark Wood, and Carson Thomas did not place.
Holtville’s Brady Goodwin and Hunter Chavis both participated but did not place, along with Stanhope’s Kristian Seals. Tallassee, which sent 11 wrestlers, saw Rutland Phillips take second, Mason Nelson in third, and Caden Griffith finish fourth. Avery Brantley, Ethan Jones, Christian McCary, Tra’Mel McCoty, Joseph Hooks, Nolan Addeo and Corbin Grover all wrestled on the weekend.
Wetumpka’s Mya
reer home run leader.
HOLT Continued from B1
MARVIN GENTRY | AHSAA PHOTOS
Stanhope Elmore’s Connor Russo avenges his only loss with a victory over McAdory’s Aiden Knight in the 6A 170-pound championship at the state tournament in Huntsville.
Wetumpka boys soccer team off to a blazing start
By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor
Behind a strong senior class and the leg of sophomore Angel Martinez, the Wetumpka boys soccer team is off to a scorching start this season.
The Wetumpka boys have reeled off four straight victories to begin, and the Indians are outscoring opponents 20-4 in the process. Nine of those goals have come from the legs of Martinez, while the senior-heavy defense has held opponents to only one goal per game.
That defensive prowess starts with foreign exchange student Filipe Batistella, a senior from Brazil who has taken over the center back position. Ethan Ingram, a Faulkner signee, is also on defense.
Seniors Nate Ryan and Yair Lopez round out the four senior defenders who have two clean sheets already.
“Filipe is new and he’s really dominating defensively and anchoring our defense, but really it’s our entire senior class,” Wetumpka coach Stephen Horn said. “We have eight seniors, six of which start, and almost all of them play defense. We’ve scored 20 goals, but those guys back there have only conceded four.”
Playing such great defense has helped lead to success on offense. That comes mostly from Martinez, who is currently
second across the state in goals scored and eighth in assists.
He has scored nine goals in four games, good for 2.3 goals per game, and he’s also leading the team with 0.8 assists per game. He’s playing the center attacking midfielder position, so he’s facilitating the offense through the two strikers.
If the strikers can get a good look at the goal, they take the shot. If they can’t, they pass it back to Martinez who “always finds himself in the right spot,” Horn said.
“He’s really staying calm in the midst of the defenses scrambling for the ball,” Horn said. “He’s always calm and patient with the ball. He never seems to mess up his chances. When he takes a shot, most of the time it’s going to go in. Once he gets into the box, it’s pretty much a 100% chance of being a goal.”
While Martinez is facilitating the offense, the rest of the team is finding success as well. Austin Holley has scored four goals. Ingram, who has mostly been playing right back on the defense, has moved up with the offense. That’s led to two assists for him, while Nathan Johnson has added two goals.
The boys team participated in senior night Tuesday for their eight seniors, and the Indians take the field again next Friday at Stanhope Elmore.
Three Wetumpka football players sign to next level
By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor
Three Wetumpka football players signed to play at the next level on Thursday morning.
Wetumpka’s Dorion Jackson, Logan Weighall, and Desean Smoke all signed National Letters of Intent with their respective college programs. Smoke signed with Fountain City Prep, Jackson signed with Troy University, and Weighall signed with Georgia Tech. Smoke, who played both defensive line and linebacker for the Indians, was the first to sign his papers Thursday. Originally on the defensive line, Smoke told Wetumpka coach Bear Woods he wanted to try out linebacker. So the college signee worked and worked, and he eventually earned himself a starting linebacker spot midway through his senior season.
Labeled “Mr. Relentless” for his ability to go full speed and beyond on every play, Smoke disrupted plays left and right during his senior campaign. He recorded 48 total tackles, 10 tackles for loss, three sacks, four quarterback hurries, one forced fumble, and five pass break ups.
He had two offers, one from Fountain City Prep and another from New Mexico. He decided he’d rather stay at home than move across the country.
“It’s just crazy because I didn’t think I would get this far,” Smoke said.
“I’ve always had a tough time doubting myself, and it’s just crazy to me that I achieved all of this. I just kept working. I think I’ll stick to both positions in college. I feel like the man now. Anything is possible at this point.”
Weighall, who had already proven himself as one of
combined for 15 doubles and two triples.
“I think we hit 15 total home runs on the weekend,” Otwell said. “One thing I was impressed with was how we stayed back and hit the ball the other way. We were consistent with our swings. We have a lot of strong girls with really good swings and sometimes they want to do too much. Outside of one or two of those home runs, most were in the middle of the field. We didn’t pull too many. They were staying through the ball and driving it out to center field.”
In the circle, Holt pitched 17 of the team’s 31 innings and earned six wins. She allowed 11 hits and struck out 24. Watson pitched 13 innings, mostly in relief, and earned one win while striking out 17 batters.
ELMORE COUNTY RACKS UP 4
VICTORIES
The Lady Panthers from Eclectic also impressed during the Prattville Tournament. Elmore County went 4-2 across the weekend and finished No. 3 in the standings after falling in the semifinals.
While the new look offense took some time to get going, the pitching trio of Hailey O’Brien, Lalah Culpepper and Katie Capell looked promising all weekend. The trio allowed only 10 earned runs in six games and held five of their six opponents below five runs. The offense was mostly led by
he committed Feb. 6. After a slow start to his recruiting process, all four of his D-I offers came within eight days in January.
“It means a lot to me,”
the best kickers in the state, continued to show people his skills as a senior.
Weighall kicked field goals and punted and was the kickoff specialist in 2022 and he excelled at all three. He made six of his nine field goal attempts, with his longest being a school-record 49-yard field goal. He made 35 of 37 point-
center fielder Ashtyn Pannell. Pannell led the team in extra-base hits on the weekend. She hit both a triple and a home run in separate games, and she added five RBIs across the weekend to help score runs.
STANHOPE’S OFFENSE LEADS WAY TO 2 WINS
The Lady Mustangs were knocked out of the Prattville Tournament by rival Wetumpka in the second round, but that didn’t stop them from earning a few victories along the way.
Stanhope Elmore went 2-3 on the weekend, but earned big wins over Valley and Andalusia. Stanhope couldn’t get much offense going against Brew Tech in its opener but picked up the pace the rest of the weekend.
In the big win over Valley, Stanhope recorded 11 hits. Khloe Jones, Jada McLeod and Celeste Ragsdale each had two.
In the win over Andalusia, Jones shined again with three hits and three RBIs from the leadoff spot, including a triple, single and solo home run. She added another hit in the final game of the weekend, while McLeod hit a home run against Wetumpka to wrap up.
TALLASSEE GOES 2-3 IN TOURNEY
The new-look Tigers started off slow this weekend, losing both of their games Friday, 4-2 and 13-1. They bounced back in a big way on Saturday, however, by winning backto-back games before eventually being eliminated by Mobile Christian
after attempts, and he punted 46 times for an average of 40 yards per punt. He downed 21 punts inside the 20-yard line, and he kicked off 61 times. Of those 61 kickoff attempts, he had 35 touchbacks.
He will just punt at Georgia Tech, which was his fourth Division I offer. He was offered on Jan. 28, and
in the single-elimination tournament. Brooke Royster pitched four of five games for Tallassee, going 2-2 on the weekend. She was impressive nonetheless, allowing only seven earned runs across 18 innings of work.
At the plate, senior Jenna Manning had one of the most impressive weekends. She recorded five hits across the five games, including three doubles and six RBIs. She had a big three-hit game against Montgomery Catholic to open up play on Saturday.
HOLTVILLE FINISH STRONG IN CLASSIC
Holtville did not play in the Prattville Tournament, but the Lady Bulldogs instead impressed in the Central Alabama Classic in Alexander City. Holtville went 2-1-1 across the weekend, picking up some impressive performances against schools in higher classifications. To open the season, Holtville tied Auburn, 1-1, Friday night. In the win, Taylor Price pitched a complete game, allowing no earned runs, while Kylie Snowden hit a solo home run to tie the game. Holtville went 2-1 on Saturday, beating Dadeville and Opelika before eventually losing to Auburn to end their weekend.
Price pitched again in the 4-0 win over Opelika, and the Holtville ace allowed zero earned runs in 12 innings of work. On offense, Bailea Boone recorded six hits in four games while Avery Goff added two extra-base hits and seven RBIs.
Weighall said. “It’s a lot of hard work and a lot of time put in. I never would have guessed a year ago that this would have happened, but it did and I’m absolutely astonished by it. I took a few last minute visits and my visit to GT was amazing. They have amazing facilities and the academics are amazing. The degree you can get there is what attracted me the most.” Jackson has been committed for the longest of the three players that signed. Jackson originally committed to Troy back in October of 2022.
Jackson was originally a wide receiver, but switched over to the defensive side of the ball when Woods took over. This season,
he recorded 65 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, two interceptions, and five passes defended.
He first impressed the Troy football staff at a 7-on7 event where he grabbed an interception and caught two touchdown passes, and he received an offer shortly after. He knew he wanted to stay home and be at Troy, so he committed the same day.
He believes his range and his height and lankiness will be able to help him succeed at the next level.
“This really is just a dream come true,” Jackson said. “I’m just ready to go to the next level and dominate with my teammates. I’m glad I get to do it with people from around my town and I’m just ready to be a hometown hero. I just want to be at home and there’s nothing better. Sun Belt boys. Everybody is in the Sun Belt now. That’s the way to go.”
DALTON MIDDLETON THE HERALD
ABOVE: Stanhope Elmore’s Savannah Wyatt fields a ground ball and throws across the infield.
BELOW: Elmore County’s Lalah Culpepper pitches against Smiths Station this weekend in Prattville.
DALTON MIDDLETON THE HERALD
A trio of Wetumpka football players pose with coach Bear Woods, second from left, after signing their National Letters of Intent. Those Indians include, from left to right, Logan Weighall, Dorion Jackson and Desean Smoke.
SUBMITTED KELLEY FULLER
Wetumpka sophomore Angel Martinez is second in the state with nine goals this boys soccer season.
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FORECLOSURE SALE.
Default having been made in the payment of the indebtedness secured by that certain mortgage executed by William L. Jeffcoat and Linda L. Jeffcoat, husband and wife for and during their joint lives, originally in favor of Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc. solely as nominee for American Advisors Group, on March 25, 2014, said mortgage recorded Probate of Elmore County, Alabama, in RLPY Book 2014 Page 16450; the undersigned Reverse Mortgage Funding LLC, as Mortgagee/Transferee, under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in said
p mortgage, will sell at public outcry to the highest bidder for cash, in front of the main entrance of the Courthouse at Wetumpka, Elmore County, Alabama, on September 1, 2022, during the legal hours of sale, all of its rights, title, and interest in and to the following described real estate, situated in Elmore County, Alabama, to-wit: Commencing at the Northwest corner of Northeast 1/4 of the Northwest 1/4 of Section 29, Township 19 North, Range 20 East, thence North 88 degrees 00 minutes East 206.0 feet for the Point of Beginning. Thence continue North 88 degrees 00 minutes East 620 feet, thence South 2 degrees 00 minutes East 140 feet, thence South 88 degrees 00 minutes West 620 feet, thence North 2 degrees 00 minutes West 140 feet to the Point of Beginning. Said parcel of land lies in the Northeast 1/4 of the Northwest 1/4 of Section 29, Township 19 North, Range 20 East. Also, an easement for a 25 feet road in ingress and egress to the above described property, described as commencing at the Northwest corner of Northeast 1/4 of the Northwest 1/4 of Section 29, Township 19 North, Range 20 East, thence continue North 88 degrees 00 minutes East 826.0 feet for the Point of Beginning. Thence continue North 88 degrees 00 minutes East 888 feet to the West Right-of-Way line of a County paved road, thence go in a Southerly direction along said Right-of-Way line 25 feet, thence South 88 degrees 00 minutes West 888 feet, thence North 2 degrees 00 minutes West 25 feet to the Point of Beginning. Said parcel of land lies in the Northeast 1/4 of the Northwest 1/4 and the Northwest 1/4 of the Northeast 1/4 of Section 29, Township 19 North, Range 20 East. Said property is one and the same as property conveyed by Deed Card 13183 and encumbered by Mortgage recorded in RLPY Bk 2014 Page 16450.. Property street address for informational purposes: 1901 Pleasant Hill Road , Wetumpka, AL 36092. THIS PROPERTY WILL BE SOLD ON AN “AS IS, WHERE IS” BASIS, WITHOUT WARRANTY OR RECOURSE, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED AS TO TITLE, USE AND/OR ENJOYMENT AND WILL BE SOLD SUBJECT TO THE RIGHT OF REDEMPTION OF ALL PARTIES ENTITLED THERETO. Alabama law gives some persons who have an interest in property the right to redeem the property under certain circumstances. Programs may also exist that help persons avoid or delay the foreclosure process. An attorney should be consulted to help you understand these rights and programs as a part of the foreclosure process. This sale is made for the purpose of paying the indebtedness secured by said mortgage, as well as the expenses of foreclosure. The successful bidder must tender a non-refundable deposit of Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) to Tiffany & Bosco, P.A. at the time and place of the sale. The balance of the purchase price plus any deed recording costs and transfer taxes must be paid next business day at the Law at the address indicated below. Tiffany & Bosco, P.A. reserves the right to award the bid to the next highest bidder should the highest bidder fail to timely tender the total amount due. The Mortgagee/Transferee reserves the right to bid for and purchase the real estate and to credit its purchase price against the expenses of sale and the indebtedness secured by the real estate. This sale is subject to postponement or cancellation. The above mortgage foreclosure sale has been postponed from September 1, 2022 until October 4, 2022, during the legal hours of sale in front of the main entrance of the Courthouse at Wetumpka, Elmore County, Alabama. The above mortgage foreclosure sale has been postponed from October 4, 2022 until December 14, 2022, during the legal hours of sale in front of the main entrance of the Courthouse at Wetumpka, Elmore County, Alabama. The above mortgage foreclosure sale has been postponed from December 14, 2022 until February 15, 2023, during the legal hours of sale in front of the main entrance of the Courthouse at Wetumpka, Elmore County, Alabama. The above mortgage foreclosure sale has been postponed from February 15, 2023 until April 26, 2023, during the legal hours of sale in front of the main entrance of the Courthouse at Wetumpka, Elmore County, Alabama. Reverse Mortgage Funding LLC, (“Transferee”) Tiffany & Bosco, P.A., 2501 20th Place South, Suite 300, Homewood, AL 35223 www. tblaw.com TB File Number: 2204976 Wetumpka Herald: Feb. 22, 2023 22-01420
PUBLIC NOTICE
MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE
SALE.
Default having been made in the payment of the indebtedness secured by that certain mortgage executed by Jeremy Lydell Stokes, single man, originally in favor of Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., acting solely as nominee for InterLinc Mortgage Services, LLC, on August 15, 2019, said mortgage recorded
Probate of Elmore County, Alabama, in RLPY Book 2019 Page 43057; the undersigned AmeriHome Mortgage Company, LLC, as Mortgagee/ Transferee, under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in said mortgage, will sell at public outcry to the highest bidder for cash, in front of the main entrance of the Courthouse at Wetumpka, Elmore County, Alabama, on February 15, 2023, during the legal hours of sale, all of its rights, title, and interest in and to the following described real estate, situated in Elmore County, Alabama, to-wit: Lot 21 of Jacob’s Way Plat #1A as said Plat appears of record in the Elmore County, Alabama in Plat Book 18 at Page 11.. Property street address for informational purposes: 150 Chase Dr , Deatsville, AL 36022. THIS PROPERTY WILL BE SOLD ON AN “AS IS, WHERE IS” BASIS, WITHOUT WARRANTY OR RECOURSE, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED AS TO TITLE, USE AND/OR ENJOYMENT AND WILL BE SOLD SUBJECT TO THE RIGHT OF REDEMPTION OF ALL PARTIES ENTITLED THERETO. Alabama law gives some persons who have an interest in property the right to redeem the property under certain circumstances. Programs may also exist that help persons avoid or delay the foreclosure process. An attorney should be consulted to help you understand these rights and programs as a part of the foreclosure process. This sale is made for the purpose of paying the indebtedness secured by said mortgage, as well as the expenses of foreclosure. The successful bidder must tender a non-refundable deposit of Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) to Tiffany & Bosco, P.A. at the time and place of the sale. The balance of the purchase price plus any deed recording costs and transfer taxes must be paid next business day at the Law at the address indicated below. Tiffany & Bosco, P.A. reserves the right to award the bid to the next highest bidder should the highest bidder fail to timely tender the total amount due. The Mortgagee/Transferee reserves the right to bid for and purchase the real estate and to credit its purchase price against the expenses of sale and the indebtedness secured by the real estate. This sale is subject to postponement or cancellation. The above mortgage foreclosure sale has been postponed from February 15, 2023 until April 26, 2023, during the legal hours of sale in front of the main entrance of the Courthouse at Wetumpka, Elmore County, Alabama. AmeriHome Mortgage Company, LLC, (“Transferee”) Tiffany & Bosco, P.A., 2501 20th Place South, Suite 300, Homewood, AL 35223 www. tblaw.com TB File Number: 2209123
Wetumpka Herald: Feb. 22, 2023 22-02425
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In accordance with the Code of Alabama 39-1-1(f), notice is hereby given by Hotel & Restaurant Supply, that the Public Works contract for Proceed Order 2022-PW6-1, Jail Walk In Freezer/Cooler and Shelving has been completed.
Wetumpka Herald: Feb. 15, 22 and Mar. 1, 2023 COMPLETION
PUBLIC NOTICE LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF FILING OF PETITION FOR ADOPTION IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA AT CASE NUMBER: A2022-045
TO: DOUGLAS JAMES GRAY, WHOSE WHEREABOUTS ARE UNKNOWN, THE FATHER OF R. J. S., A MINOR AND NOTICE TO ANY OTHER INTERESTED PARTY Take notice that a Petition for -
as Petitioner, for the adoption of -
You have the right to contest this adoption. Be advised that ifsponse with the Probate Court notice. The Probate Court of
consider such Petition without JOHN THORNTON PROBATE JUDGE ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMACOLE CLARK
A2022-045
PUBLIC NOTICE MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE.
Default having been made in the payment of the indebtedness secured by that certain mortgage executed by Phillip Elton Day and Marie L. Day aka Emma M. Day, husband and wife, originally in favor of Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., acting solely as nominee for ClearPath Lending, on September 19, 2017, said mortgage recorded Probate of Elmore County, Alabama, in RLPY Book 2017 and Page 51299; the undersigned NewRez LLC d/b/a Shellpoint Mortgage Servicing, as Mortgagee/Transferee, under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in said mortgage, will sell at public outcry to the highest bidder for cash, in front of the main entrance of the Courthouse at Wetumpka, Elmore County, Alabama, on March 16, 2023, during the legal hours of sale, all of its rights, title, and interest in and to the following described real estate, situated in Elmore County, Alabama, to-wit: Lot 5, according to the map of New Quarters Place Plat Number 1,
as the same appears of record Probate of Elmore County, Alabama, in Plat Book 23, at Page 19.. Property street address for informational
THE
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CITY OF MILLBROOK
Al Kelley, Mayor City of Millbrook
BIDS/GOLF CART
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In accordance with Chapter 1, Title 39 Code of Alabama, 1975, as amended, notice is hereby given that W. S. Newell and Sons, Inc., Contractor, has completed the Sitework/Enabling Works Construction Agreement dated March 1, 2022, for site grading for the New Men’s Corrections Facility in Elmore County Alabama, DCM (BC) Project No. 2022038, with the Alabama Corrections Institution Finance Authority (ACIFA), as assignee of the Alabama Department of Corrections, and has made request for settlement of said Contract referenced as DCM (BC) Project No. 2022038. All persons having any claim for labor, materials, or otherwise in connection with this Contract should immediately contact Goodwyn Mills Cawood, LLC, 2660 EastChase Lane, Suite 200, Montgomery, AL 36117, 334-271-3200. This notice will appear for four consecutive weeks beginning on February 8, 2023 and ending on March 1, 2023. W. S. Newell and Sons, Inc.
P. O. Drawer 241327 Montgomery, AL 36124-1327 Wetumpka Herald: Feb. 8, 15, 22 and Mar. 1, 2023 COMPLETION PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF ONA JEAN ABBOTT, CASE NO: 2023-021 DECEASED NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE Letters Testamentary in the Estate of ONA JEAN ABBOTT, deceased, having been granted to LINDA B. BOWEN on February 2, 2023 by John Thornton, Judge of Probate of Elmore County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons and parties having claims against said estate are required, within the time allowed by law, to present the same to the Court or the same will be barred.
LINDA B. BOWEN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF ONA JEAN ABBOTT, DECEASED Attorney of Record for Personal Representative: GERALD A. DANIEL, JR. LAW OFFICE OF G A DANIEL, JR. LLC PO BOX 638 MILLBROOK, ALABAMA 36054 334-285-9444 Jerry@GADanielLaw.com
Wetumpka Herald: Feb. 8, 15 and 22, 2023 EST/ABBOTT, O. PUBLIC NOTICE
IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF YVONNE SPANN BOONE, DECEASED CASE NO: 2023-029 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE
Letters Testamentary in the Estate of YVONNE SPANN BOONE, deceased, having been granted to DAVID A. BOONE on February 9, 2023 by John Thornton, Judge of Probate of Elmore County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons and parties having claims against said estate are required, within the time allowed by law, to present the same to the Court or the same will be barred.
DAVID A. BOONE PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF YVONNE SPANN BOONE, DECEASED
Attorney of Record for
Personal Representative:
D. JASON BRITT
STONE, BRITT & WEBB, LLC
ATTORNEYS & COUNSELORS AT LAW
114 S MAIN ST PO BOX 967 WETUMPKA, ALABAMA 36092 334-517-6520
Wetumpka Herald: Feb. 15, 22 and Mar. 1, 2023 EST/BOONE Y. PUBLIC NOTICE
STATE OF ALABAMA COUNTY OF ELMORE NOTICE is hereby given that a bill substantially as follows will be introduced in the 2023 Regular Session of the Legislature of Alabama and application for its passage and enactment will be made: A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT
Public Notices
Relating to Elmore County; to levy a lodging tax and room fee and provide for the collection of the tax and the distribution of the proceeds from the tax; act is intended to be retroactive and curative; to provide that the levying and collecting of the taxes authorized by this act be August 1, 2020; to provide that the collection of taxes pursuant the extent any amount of taxes authorized by this act was paid by a person prior to the effective date of this act, such amount shall be deemed to be legally levied and paid and shall be deemed to be a credit against the amount of taxes levied pursuant to this act; and to repeal Sections 45-26-246 through 4526-246.04 and 45-26-246.06, and Section 45-26-246.05, Code of Alabama 1975, as last amended by Act 2022-49, which authorized the levy of a lodging tax in Elmore County. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA: Section 1. (a) In Elmore County, in addition to all other taxes imposed by law, there is levied a privilege or license tax in the amount prescribed in this section against every person within the county engaging in the business of renting or furnishing a room or rooms, lodging, or accommodations to any transient in any place in which rooms, lodgings, or accommodations are regularly furnished to transients for a consideration.
(b)(1) The amount of the tax shall be equal to a percent of the charge for the rooms, lodgings, or accommodations, including the charge for use of rental or personal property and services furnished in the room or rooms within Elmore County equal to a percent in the corporate limits of each municipality levying a lodging tax and a percent in the remainder of the county outside of the corporate limits of any municipality levying a lodging tax so that the total lodging tax levied in each municipality levying a lodging tax on January 1, 2020, and in the remainder of the county outside of the corporate limits of any municipality levying a lodging tax is equal to 15.5 percent, based on the lodging tax levied by any municipality on January 1, 2020; provided, however, in any municipality levying a lodging tax on January 1, 2020, equal to or exceeding 15.5 percent, no additional lodging tax shall be levied.
(2) In any municipality where the municipality levies both a lodging tax and a cooperative district assessment for lodging, the lodging tax and the cooperative district assessment fee on lodging at any lodging establishment shall be added together and the total tax and fees on lodging at the establishments shall not exceed the 15.5 percent considering the combined lodging tax and cooperative district assessment fee that was in effect as of January 1, 2020.
(3) In the event that a lodging tax and a cooperative district assessment fee on lodging is required to be added together, the county shall receive a minimum of two percent of the lodging tax levied by this act prior to distribution to a municipality as provided in this act.
(4) In addition, there is levied, in all areas of the county other than within the corporate limits of the City of Prattville, an additional room fee on the rental of a room subject to the lodging tax in the amount of two dollars ($2) in order to equalize the room fee in Elmore County with the rate in effect on the effective date of this act in the corporate limits of the City of Prattville. Section 2.(a) There are exempted from the provisions of the tax levied by this act and from the computation of the amount of the tax levied or payable both of the following:
(1) Charges for property sold or services furnished which are required to be included in the tax levied by the state sales tax act.
(2) Charges for the rental of rooms, lodgings, or accommodations to a person for a period of 30 continuous days or more pursuant to the exemption provision of Alabama’s Transient Occupancy Tax, Section 4026-1 of the Code of Alabama 1975. A subsequent amendment or change to the Alabama Transient Occupancy Tax shall also have the effect of similarly changing the exemption provision of this subdivision.
(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, the tax shall not apply to the rental of living accommodations which are intended primarily for rental to persons as their principal or permanent place of residence.
Section 3.(a) The tax levied by this act, except as otherwise provided, shall be due and payable to Elmore County on or before the 20th day of the month next succeeding the month in which the tax accrues. On or before the 20th day of each month, every person on whom the tax is levied by this act shall render to the county on a form prescribed by the department a true and correct statement showing the gross proceeds of the business subject to the tax for the then preceding month together with other information as the county requires. At the time of making the monthly report, the taxpayer shall compute and pay to the county the amount of tax shown due. A person subject to the tax who conducts business on a credit basis may defer reporting and paying the tax until after the person has received payment of the items, articles, or accommodations furnished. In the event the taxpayer defers reporting and paying the taxes, he or she shall thereafter include in each monthly report all credit col-
Public Notices
yp lections made during the then preceding month and shall pay the amount of taxes computed report.
(b) It shall be the duty of every person engaged or continuing in a business subject to the tax levied by this act to keep and preserve suitable records of the gross proceeds of the business and other books or accounts necessary to determine the amount of tax for which he or she is liable. The records shall be kept and preserved for a period of two years and shall be open for examination at all times by the county or by a duly authorized agent, deputy, or employee of the county.
(c) A person who fails to pay the tax levied by this act within the time required by this section shall pay, in addition to the tax, a penalty of 10 percent of the amount of tax due together with interest from the date on which the tax became due and payable at the rate due and payable on the state lodging tax. The penalty and interest shall be assessed and collected as a part of the tax. The county, if good may waive or remit the penalty or a portion of the penalty.
Section 4. (a) All of the following shall apply to the levied tax:
(1) All provisions of the state lodging tax statutes with respect to payment, assessment, and collection of the state lodging tax.
(2) Making of reports and keeping and preserving records, interest after due date of tax, or otherwise.
(3) The adoption of rules with respect to the state lodging tax.
(4) The administration and enforcement of the state lodging tax statutes, which are not inconsistent with this act when applied to the levied tax.
(b) The county shall have and exercise the same powers, duties, and obligations with respect to the district taxes levied as imposed on the Commissioner of the Department of Revenue and the department, respectively, by the state lodging tax statutes. All provisions of the state lodging tax statutes that are made applicable to this act, to the taxes levied, and to the administration of this act are incorporated herein by reference and made a part as if fully set forth.
Section 5. The county may contract with an agent for collection of the tax and the agent may deduct from the proceeds of the tax levied an amount equal to the contracted amount for the collections, provided the percent of the total amount of tax collected. Following that deduction, the agent shall pay the remainder of the tax proceeds to the county.
Section 6. (a) Except as otherwise provided in this act, the balance of the proceeds from the tax levied by this act shall be deposited into the Elmore County Lodging Fund. The net proceeds from the tax collected outside of the municipalities shall be used by the county for economic development purposes. Sixty-seven percent of the remaining funds in the Lodging Fund shall be used by the county for economic development purposes. Thirty-three percent of the remaining funds in the Lodging Fund shall be distributed to the municipalities on an equal basis where the lodging tax was collected to be used by the municipality for economic development purposes pursuant to an agreement with Elmore County. Except as provided in subsection (b), if Elmore County and any municipality fail to agree on the use of the funds by the municipality, that portion shall revert to the Lodging Fund for appropriation by the county for economic development purposes. All of the net proceeds from any room fees shall be deposited in the Elmore County Lodging Fund to be used by the county for economic development purposes. All funds in the lodging fund shall be used for economic development purposes as determined by the Elmore County Commission. (b) Notwithstanding subsection (a), the portion to be distributed to the City of Prattville of the 33 percent of the net proceeds described in subsection (a) shall be remitted to the City of Prattville by the Elmore County Commission for economic development purposes no later than March 31, 2022.
Section 7. It is the intent of the Legislature that this act be construed as retroactive and curative, and the levying and collection of taxes pursuant to Act 2020-178 are hereby ratiany amount of taxes authorized by this act was paid by a person and collected by the county prior to the effective date of this act, such amount shall be deemed to be legally levied and paid and shall be deemed to be a credit against the amount of taxes levied pursuant to this act.
Section 8. Sections 45-26246 through 45-26-246.04 and 45-26-246.06, and Section 4526-246.05, Code of Alabama 1975, as last amended by Act 2022-49, authorizing the levy of a lodging tax in Elmore County, are repealed. Section 9. This act shall become effective immediately following its passage and approval by the Governor, or its otherwise becoming law.
Wetumpka Herald: Feb. 1, 8, 15 and 22, 2023 DRAFT BILL
Do you have available jobs? Call 256.414.4250 to let others know about job opportunities at your business.
Public Notices
PUBLIC NOTICE
STATE OF ALABAMA COUNTY OF ELMORE
NOTICE is hereby given that a bill substantially as follows will be introduced in the 2023 Regular Session of the Legislature of Alabama and application for its passage and enactment will be made: A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT
Relating to Elmore County; to amend Section 45-26-101, Code of Alabama 1975; to provide for the appointment of the county superintendent of education; and to repeal Act 258 of the 1931 Regular Session (Local Acts 1031, p. 117).
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEG-
ISLATURE OF ALABAMA:
Section 1. Section 45-26-101 of the Code of Alabama 1975, is amended to read as follows: Ҥ45-26-101
(a) Commencing with the of the Elmore County Superintendent of Education holding the act amending this section, the Elmore County Board of Education shall appoint the Superintendent of Education of Elmore County pursuant to the general law of the state. The county superintendent of education shall possess all the county superintendent of education by the general law, shall possess all the powers granted by the general law, and shall perform and discharge all the duties of a county superintendent of education prescribed by the general law. The county Superintendent of Education of Elmore County shall devote his or her entire time to the public school business of the county and shall receive as compensation a per annum salary in an amount set by the county board of education. The board shall have discretion to grant expenses from time to time during the term of the superintendent. The compensation shall be payable from the public school funds of the county and shall be the total compensation.
(b) The Elmore County Superintendent of Education serving on the effective date of the act amending this section shall continue to serve as an appointed superintendent of education without following the posting and selection procedures required under Section 16-9-11 by entering into a contract with the board. The contract may be executed at any time duringed superintendent of education, but not later than September 1, 2023.” Section 2. Act 258 of the 1931 Regular Session (Local Acts 1931, p. 117), is repealed. Section 3. This act shall become effective immediately following its passage and approval by the Governor, or its otherwise becoming law.
Wetumpka Herald: Feb. 1, 8, 15 and 22, 2023 DRAFT BILL
PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF GEORGE FARRELL, JR., DECEASED. CASE NO. 2022-330 NOTICE OF FILING OF WILL FOR PROBATE TO: GEORGE FARRELL, III, WHOSE LAST KNOWN ADDRESS WAS IN ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA, AN HEIR AT LAW AND NEXT OF KIN OF GEORGE FARRELL, JR. YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that on October 25, 2022, a certain paper in writing purporting to be the Last Will and Testament of GEORGE FARRELL, Probate Court of Elmore County, Alabama by Petitioner, LAURA LANGSTON, requesting that such Last Will and Testament be admitted to Probate and that the Petitioner, be named as Personal Representative of such Estate. This notice of Filing of Will for Probate is given to you as an heir at law and next-of-kin of GEORGE FARRELL, JR. Unless an objection to admission to Probate of such Last Will and Testament is submitted by you in writing to this Court withincation of this notice, the Court will proceed with considering such Petition without further notice to you.
JOHN THORNTON JUDGE OF PROBATE ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA
Name and Address of Attorney for Petitioner:
D. JASON BRITT STONE, BRITT & WEBB, LLC
ATTORNEYS & COUNSELORS AT LAW
114 S MAIN ST PO BOX 967
WETUMPKA, ALABAMA 36092
334-517-6520
Wetumpka Herald: Feb. 22, Mar. 1 and 8, 2023 EST/FARRELL G.
Public Notices
PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF WILLIAM HEPBURN BRASH, DECEASED CASE NO. 2023-031 NOTICE OF FILING OF WILL FOR PROBATE
TO: MARY BRASH AND WILLIAM H. BRASH, IV, WHOSE WHEREABOUTS ARE UNKNOWN AND WHO ARE BELIEVED TO BE NON-RESIDENTS OF THE STATE OF ALABAMA, AS NEXT OF KIN OF WILLIAM HEPBURN BRASH; AND TO: DANIELLE L BRASH, A NON-RESIDENT OF THE STATE OF ALABAMA, AS NEXT OF KIN OF WILLIAM HEPBURN BRASH; AND TO: ANY OTHER UNKNOWN NEXT OF KIN OF WILLIAM HEPBURN BRASH; AND TO: ANY OTHER INTERESTED PARTY YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that on the February 9, 2023, a certain paper in writing purporting to be the Last Will and Testament of WILLIAM HEPBURN BRASH, who was also known as WILLIAM HEPBURN BRASH, III, deceased,
Petitioner, requesting that such Last Will and Testament be admitted to Probate and Record and that the Petitioner be named as Personal Representative of such Estate. This notice of Filing of Will for Probate is given to you as a next-of-kin of WILLIAM HEPBURN BRASH or as an interested party. Unless an objection to admission to Probate and Record of such Last Will and Testament is submitted by you in writing to thissidering such Petition without further notice to you. JOHN THORNTON JUDGE OF PROBATE Name and Address of Attorney for Petitioner: GERALD A. DANIEL, JR.
Jerry@GADanielLaw.com
Wetumpka Herald: EST/BRASH, W. PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF BETTY HOLLAND FOSTER, DECEASED CASE NO: 2023-022 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE Letters Testamentary in the Estate of BETTY HOLLAND FOSTER, deceased, having been granted to CAROL FOSTER REYNOLDS on January, 31, 2023 by John Thornton, Judge of Probate of Elmore County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons and parties having claims against said estate are required, within the time allowed by law, to present the same to the Court or the same will be barred CAROL FOSTER REYNOLDS PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF BETTY HOLLAND FOSTER, DECEASED Attorney of Record for Personal Representative: J. CLIFF HEARD BENKWITH & HEARD, P.C. 4001 CARMICHAEL ROAD, SUITE 200 MONTGOMERY, AL 36106 334-395-9899
Wetumpka Herald: Feb. 8, 15 and 22, 2023 EST/FOSTER, B.
PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF BETTY JO HILL, DECEASED CASE NO: 2023-041 IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE
Letters Testamentary in the Estate of BETTY JO HILL, deceased, having been granted to BRENDA JO GOREE on February 17, 2023 by John Thornton, Judge of Probate of Elmore County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons and parties having claims against said estate are required, within the time allowed by law, to present the same to the Court or the same will be barred.
BRENDA JO GOREE PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF BETTY JO HILL, DECEASED Attorney of Record for Personal Representative: D. JASON BRITT STONE, BRITT & WEBB, LLC ATTORNEYS & COUNSELORS AT LAW 114 S MAIN ST P O BOX 967 WETUMPKA. ALABAMA 36092 334-517-6520 Wetumpka Herald: Feb. 22, Mar. 1 and 8, 2023 EST/HILL B.
PUBLIC NOTICE
IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF JACQUELYN L. KEEBLER, DECEASED CASE NO. 2023-028 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE
Public Notices
Letters Testamentary on the Estate of said decedent having been granted to SHARON LEE ADAMS as Personal Representative on the 8th day of February 2023, by the Honorable John Thornton, Judge of Probate of said County in said State, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said Estate are required to present same within the time allowed by law or the same will be barred.
SHARON LEE ADAMS PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF JACQUELYN L. KEEBLER, DECEASED.
Name and Address of Attorney: Regina B. Edwards, Esq. The Law Firm of Edwards & Edwards, P.C. 109 E. Bridge Street Wetumpka, AL 36092 Wetumpka Herald: Feb. 15, 22 and Mar. 1, 2023 EST/KEEBLER, J. PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF DORIS VIRGINIA KINSAUL, DECEASED CASE NO: 2023-037 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE
Letters of Administration over the Estate of DORIS VIRGINIA KINSAUL, deceased, having been granted to DIANE KINSAUL REID on February, 15, 2023 by John Thornton, Judge of Probate of Elmore County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons and parties having claims against said estate are required, within the time allowed by law, to present the same to the Court or the same will be barred.
DIANE KINSAUL REID ADMINISTRATOR OF THE ESTATE OF DORIS VIRGINIA KINSAUL, DECEASED Name and Address of Attorney for Administrator: REGINA EDWARDS LAW OFFICES OF EDWARDS & EDWARDS, P.C. 109 EAST BRIDGE STREET WETUMPKA, ALABAMA 36092 334-514-1011
Wetumpka Herald: Feb. 22, Mar. 1 and 8, 2023
EST/KINSAUL, D. PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF BRENDA GAIL KNOTT, DECEASED CASE NO: 2023-004 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE
Letters of Administration over the Estate of BRENDA GAIL KNOTT, decease, having been granted to WILLIAM DAVID KNOTT February 10, 2023 by John Thornton, Judge of Probate of Elmore County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons and parties having claims against said estate are required, within the time allowed by law, to present the same to the Court or the same will be barred. WILLIAM DAVID KNOTT ADMINISTRATOR OF THE ESTATE OF BRENDA GAIL KNOTT, DECEASED Name and Address of Attorney for Administrator: JIM T. NORMAN, III LAW OFFICES OF JIM T. NORMAN, III, LLC PO BOX 680670 PRATTVILLE, ALABAMA 36068 334-365-9955
Wetumpka Herald: Feb. 15, 22 and Mar. 1, 2023 EST/KNOTT, B. PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF JASPER BEROUJON ROBERTS SR., DECEASED CASE NO: 2023-025 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE Letters Testamentary in the Estate of JASPER BEROUJON ROBERTS, SR., deceased, having been granted to JASPER BEROUJON ROBERTS, JR. AND FOSTER BRETT ROBERTS on the 8th February, 2023 by John Thornton, Judge of Probate of Elmore County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons and parties having claims against said estate are required, within the time allowed by law, to present the same to the Court or the same will be barred.
JASPER BEROUJON ROBERTS, JR. AND FOSTER BRETT ROBERTS CO-PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ESTATE OF JASPER BEROUJON ROBERTS, SR., DECEASED Address of Co-Personal Representatives: 3107 PINEHURST DRIVE MONTGOMERY. ALABAMA 36111 334-233-7074
Wetumpka Herald: Feb. 15, 22 and Mar. 1, 2023
EST/ROBERTS J. PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF MALCOLM AUGUSTA SMITH, JR., DECEASED CASE NO. 2023-030 NOTICE OF FILING OF WILL FOR PROBATE
CLASSIFIEDS/PUBLIC NOTICES
Public Notices
Public Notices
PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE STATE OF ALABAMA COUNTY OF ELMORE CASE NO: 2022-260 IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF GAYLE HERRINGTON TOTH, DECEASED
and-
tative of such Estate. This Nois given to you as an heir at law and next of kin of MALCOLM AUGUSTA SMITH, JR. Unless an objection to admisand Testament is submitted by you in writing to this Court withincation of this notice, the Court will proceed with considering JOHN THORNTONMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA Name and Address of Attorney
REGINA B. EDWARDS, ESQ. The Law Firm of Edwards & Ed109 East Bridge Street Wetumpka, AL 36092 (334) 514-1011
Wetumpka Herald: Feb. 15, 22 and Mar. 1, 2023
EST/SMITH, M. PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF LARRY TAYLOR, DECEASED CASE NO. 2022-378
NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE
Letters Testamentary on the Estate of said decedent having been granted to RICHARD D. KING as Personal Representative on the 2nd day of February 2023, by the Honorable John Thornton, Judge of Probate of said County in said State, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said Estate are required to present same within the time allowed by law or the same will be barred.
RICHARD D. KING PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF LARRY TAYLOR, DECEASED.
Name and Address of Attorney:
Justin D. Edwards, Esq.
The Law Firm of Edwards & Edwards, P.C. 109 E. Bridge Street Wetumpka, AL 36092
Wetumpka Herald: Feb. 8, 15 and 22, 2023
EST/TAYLOR, L.
Letters Testamentary in the Estate of GAYLE HERRINGTON TOTH, deceased, having been granted to SHARON WADE on the 1st day of February, 2023 by John Thornton, Judge of Probate of Elmore County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons and parties having claims against said estate are required, within the time allowed by law, to present the same to the Court or the same will be barred.
SHARON WADE PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF GAYLE HERRINGTON TOTH, DECEASED
Attorney of Record for such Personal Representative: JONATHAN D. WYNN II THE CLEVELAND FIRM, LLC 707 MCQUEEN SMITH ROAD SOUTH PRATTVILLE, ALABAMA 36066 334-365-6266 jonathan@clevelandgroup.legal
Wetumpka Herald: Feb. 8, 15 and 22, 2023 EST/TOTH, G. PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF LOIS FIX WALLACE, DECEASED CASE NO: 2023-034 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE
Letters Testamentary in the Estate of LOIS FIX WALLACE, deceased, having been granted to GLORIA F. DAVIS and KAYE KEEL on the 17th day of February 2023 by John Thornton, Judge of Probate of Elmore County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons and parties having claims against said estate are required, within the time allowed by law, to present the same to the Court or the same will be barred.
GLORIA F. DAVIS and KAYE KEEL CO-PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ESTATE OF LOIS FIX WALLACE, DECEASED Attorney of Record for such Co-Personal Representatives: HUGH C. HENDERSON ATTORNEY AT LAW 3414 OLD COLUMBIANA ROAD BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA 35226 205-979-2281
Wetumpka Herald: Feb. 22, Mar. 1 and 8, 2023 EST/WALLACE, L.
Public Notices
PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF JESSIE DEAN VARNER, DECEASED CASE NO. 2023-036 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF THE ESTATE
Letters Testamentary in the Estate of JESSIE DEAN VARNER, deceased, having been granted to JAMES FRANK LANIER on February, 13, 2023 by John Thornton, Judge of Probate of Elmore County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons and parties having claims against said estate are require within the time allowed by law, to present the same to the Court or the same will be barred. John Thornton JAMES FRANK LANIER PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF JESSIE DEAN VARNER, DECEASED Attorney of Record for Personal Representative: MICHAEL F. BRAUN 5016 CENTENNIAL BLVD, STE 200 NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE 37209 615-378-8942
Wetumpka Herald: Feb. 22, Mar. 1 and 8, 2023
EST/VARNER
PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF MARY KATHERYN WELDON, DECEASED CASE NO. 2023- 023 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE
Letters Testamentary on the Estate of said decedent having been granted to SARA DIANE WELDON LOCKE as Personal Representative on the 7th day of February, 2023, by the Honorable John Thornton, Judge of Probate of said County in said State, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said Estate are required to present same within the time allowed by law or the same will be barred. SARA DIANE WELDON LOCKE PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF MARY KATHERYN WELDON, DECEASED. Name and Address of Attorney: Regina B. Edwards, Esq.
The Law Firm of Edwards & Edwards, P.C. 109 E. Bridge Street Wetumpka, AL 36092
Wetumpka Herald: Feb. 15, 22 and Mar. 1, 2023
EST/WELDON, M.
Public Notices
PUBLIC NOTICE Notice is hereby given that We-
tumpka Self Storage, 4057 US Hwy 231, Wetumpka, AL 36093 334-567-5000, will sell or dispose of the misc household goods in the following units on Thursday, March 2, 2023 beginning at 8:00 am located at: Wetumpka Self Storage: 935 Ft Toulouse Rd, Wetumpka, AL 36093
Unit: 3023: Darrell Adair, 103 Cotton St, Wetumpka, AL 36092
Unit 3052: Elizabeth Law, 503 Micanopy St, Wetumpka Al 36092
Auction will then proceed to: Wetumpka Self Storage: 4041 US Hwy 231, Wetumpka, AL 36093
Unit 41: Randy Martin, 2553 Lower Wetumpka Rd #37, Montgomery, AL 36110
To satisfy liens in accordance with the Self Storage Act of 1981 and lease agreement. Tenant may pay off lien with CASH prior to auction to reclaim their goods.
Wetumpka Herald: Feb. 15 and 22, 2023
STORAGE AUCTION
PUBLIC NOTICE
FORECLOSURE NOTICE
Default having been made in the payment of the indebtedness described in and secured by that certain mortgage executed by ROY R. DUNCAN and BRENDA B. DUNCAN, as Mortgagor(s) to Union Bank & Trust Company, now known as Regions Bank, as Mortgagee, dated the 22nd day of December, 1993, and recorded in Roll 145, Page Frame 000429, et of the Judge of Probate Court of Elmore County, Alabama; said default continuing, notice is hereby given that the undersigned will, under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in said mortgage sell at public outcry for cash to the highest bidder during legal hours of sale, on the 29th day of March, 2023, in the city of Wetumpka, at the front door of the Court House of Elmore County, Alabama, the following described real property situated in the County of Elmore, State of Alabama, to-wit: Commence at the Northeast Corner of the Northeast Quarter of the Northwest Quarter of Section 34, Township 18 North, Range 19 East, and run thence South 00 deg. 58 min. 50 sec. East 321.77 feet
Public Notices
Public Notices
delay the foreclosure process. An attorney should be consulted to help you understand these rights and programs as a part of the foreclosure process. Said sale will be made for the purpose of paying said indebtedness and the expenses incident to this sale, including a reasonable attorney’s fee, and the other purposes set out in said mortgage. The sale will betion that the sale is not prohibited under the U.S. Bankruptcytion and audit of the status of the loan with the Mortgagee. REGIONS BANK Holder of said Mortgage Goodman G. Ledyard PIERCE LEDYARD, P.C. Attorneys for Mortgagee Mobile, Alabama 36616 (251) 338-1300
Wetumpka Herald: Feb. 22, Mar. 1, 8 and 15, 2023 FC/DUNCAN PUBLIC NOTICE STATE OF ALABAMA COUNTY OF ELMORE FORECLOSURE NOTICE
FC/WALTON Need
Default having been made in the payment of the indebtedness secured by that certain mortgage executed by Kingsley Walton, to Sensible Loans, Inc., on the 6 th day of June, 2011, said mortgage recorded in the of Elmore County, Alabama,
Sutherland Memorial Fund ride coming next month
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
Jimmy and Stephanie Sutherland created the Trooper J.R. Southerland III Memorial Scholarship after his death in 2020 to continue their son’s legacy of public service. Today the Southerlands are promoting the Trooper J.R. Southerland III Memorial Scholarship Fund Ride to help continue to fund the scholarship.
“We want to continue his legacy of serving others,” Stephanie Sutherland said. “That was how he lived his life as a public servant.” Sutherland said since a student at Elmore County High School her son wanted to go into law enforcement.
“His whole life focused on law enforcement,” Sutherland said.
“He graduated early from Elmore County High School in December 2009. He walked in May 2010. When he graduated in December he immediately in January went into law enforcement.”
Sutherland started as a cadet at the Prattville Police Department and stayed there for seven years. Sutherland then achieved his ultimate goal of becoming an
Alabama State Trooper, serving in the Marine Patrol Division on Lake Martin. Sutherland died due to injuries from a motorcycle accident in August 2020.
“That was his whole life — public servant — he loved it, lived it,” Sutherland said. “We want to always memorialize him. We hope having this scholarship fund will help aid somebody else with the same life goals he had and enter into criminal justice.”
The Southerlands fund ride is at 11 a.m. March 25. It starts at Elmore County High School in Eclectic with registration starting at 9:30 a.m. The ride will be about 10 miles and the event will feature T-shirt sales, a silent auction and BBQ.
The scholarship is managed by the Central Alabama Community Foundation. The requirements of the scholarship are for the applicant to be a graduating senior or graduate of Elmore County High School and majoring in criminal justice. Sutherland said the scholarship was awarded in 2021 but not used and had no qualified applicant in 2022. The deadline is March 1 for applying this year. Additional criteria and an application for the scholarship can be found online at cacfinfo.org.
FILE | THE OBSERVER
Trooper J.R. Southerland was a graduate of Elmore County High School and served in the Marine Patrol Division on Lake Martin until his death in 2020. There will be a benefit ride to raise funds for a scholarship in his name.
Elmore County’s White shines in season opener
By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor
Elmore County’s Brandon White was ready for his junior season to begin.
In a 12-6 win over Reeltown in the Panthers’ season opener Saturday, White started as well as any player could. He led the team over Reeltown with a 4-for-4 day at the plate with one home run, two doubles, four RBIs and three runs scored. He also pitched in relief and got the Panthers out of a bases-loaded jam in the third inning before throwing the fourth as well. He allowed one earned run on one hit with one strikeout.
“He’s had potential,” Elmore County coach Michael Byrd said. “He’s finally a junior so he’s matured a little bit. He’s finally got a little approach to him instead of just swinging as hard as he can. Seeing some maturity from him and he got himself into some good counts today and then hit the ball hard every time.”
Payton Hall was the team’s best pitcher Saturday; he fired two scoreless innings and allowed no hits with three strikeouts.
At the plate, Austin Davis and Payton Stephenson each recorded two hits and combined for three runs.
“We started swinging the bats in the end,” Byrd said. “We struggled a little early because it’s Game 1 and we had some guys not really see the field much because of other sports, but once we swung the bats we settled down and got going. Overall in Game 1, all you want is a win.”
For Reeltown, Jake Hornsby pitched two innings of relief and allowed zero runs and only one hit. At the plate, Blake Smith had two hits including a triple to lead the Rebels offense. Hornsby and Adam Burton each added a double.
DALTON MIDDLETON THE OBSERVER
ABOVE: Elmore County’s Brandon White rounds the bases after hitting a first-inning home run against Reeltown.
RIGHT: Reeltown’s Adam Burton pitches against Elmore County in the season opener.