Wetumpka Herald Feb. 28 2024

Former firefighter gets 30 years in child sex abuse case

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

Holtville High School basketball coach

By Cliff Williams Staff Writer

A former Wetumpka firefighter will be 62 when he is released from prison.

John Cole Carter, 32, of Elmore, was sentenced Thursday by 19th Circuit Court Judge Joy Booth for transmitting obscene material, possession of child porngraphy, second-degree sex abuse, electronic solicitation of a child and enticing

A virtual teacher at Elmore County School’s Edge program has been arrested and charged with school employee distributing obscene material to a student.

Elmore County Sheriff Bill Franklin said Emmanuel Andre Wilson II, 32, of Montgomery turned himself into authorities Tuesday afternoon.

a child for immoral purposes. “There is no doubt what you did is despicable,” Booth said at sentencing. “You are 32 years old. You are a grown man. You have a huge ego and thought you could get away with it.”

Carter pleaded guilty last month

Wilson was the head basketball coach at Holtville High School and was placed on administrative leave Jan. 13 according to Elmore County Schools superintendent Richard Dennis.

“We had a report,” Dennis said. “We had a preliminary

More than 30 shots fired in Millbrook last month

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

By Cliff Williams Staff Writer

Three defendants allegedly involved in a Jan. 15 shooting on Highway 14 in Millbrook were in court this week.

Two arrested not long after the incident waived preliminary hearings and another was recently arrested by the Millbrook Police Department.

to sending inappropriate images and encouraging two teenage girls to perform explicit acts. One of the victim’s impact statements said there could be more victims, listing six names.

have forever screwed up mine and her lives.”

investigation and handed it off to the appropriate authorities. He was also placed on administrative leave at that time.”

“While you left [your wife] at home with your son, you were at the fire station staying up ‘til 3 in the morning talking to all of us like we were only good for our bodies,” the victim said. “You are not a good person for what you did to us. You

Dennis said school officials follow the same procedure when administrators receive a report of allegations against school staff and employees.

“Once we hand it over, we know very little about what is going on,” Dennis said. “We cooperate with authorities if necessary.”

The 13 year-old victim said she knew what they were doing was wrong.

The mother blocked Carter in the child’s phone but Carter still contacted the young teenage girl.

Franklin said investigators with the Elmore County Sheriff’s Office have the alleged victim’s phone. Authorities collected Wilson’s phone as well. “You could see a conversation between the two,” Franklin said. “Mr. Wilson is going to contend someone had the security code to his phone and he was not responsible. There is other information we can’t disclose now but I don’t think it’s beneficial to Mr. Wilson.”

“But you made me think you loved me and it was OK to do this,” the victim said. “You knew my mom [and your wife] was suspicious about how close and flirty our relationship started to seem. Once [your wife] said something to my mother we stopped hanging out.”

Wilson was released on a $6,000 bond 90 minutes after turning himself in according to the Elmore County Jail website.

“You were smart enough to find apps such as Pinterest and Notes and we could send pictures and videos,” the victim said. “You made me feel like I was special.”

Dennis said Wilson also coached other sports at Holtville schools including being the head track coach and assistant football coach.

Assistant district attorney Brittney Pinon said Carter groomed the first victim and it aided in grooming

Dennis said other staff would fill in for the duties of Wilson at Holtville while he is on administrative leave.

Chamber holds luncheon welcoming members

transported to a Montgomery hospital for further treatment of non-life threatening injuries.

The Wetumpka Chamber of Commerce held its annual luncheon to install new officers and board members for the first time in a while Thursday.

MAN VS. IMPOSSIBLE

Korde’z T. Ervin, 24, and Latrell R. White, 22, both of Selma were arrested in the moments after the incident. Gabriel Wade, 21, of Selma was arrested on Feb. 14.

Court documents reveal how dire the incident was.

A vehicle with one shooting victim inside “was struck approximately 32 times by gunfire.”

Another vehicle was struck at least three times. The victim sustained a gunshot wound to the left side of his body. He was treated on the scene and

The COVID-19 pandemic put a hamper on gatherings but the chamber celebrated the successes of business in Wetumpka.

“We haven’t been able to do this for the last couple years,” chairperson Clay McConnell said. “Your attendance is an indication people want to get back together and have these opportunities to see each

See CHAMBER, Page A3

Millbrook police chief P.K. Johnson believes luck played a role in the incident, after he took a look at the scene on Highway 14 in the area of Old Prattville Road — not only in the quick apprehension of suspects but also because of the large amounts of traffic at the time.

“We are extremely

Kirsch and pilot inspire Millbrook Middle School

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

Afew students were treated to a feat of strength last week.

Millbrook Middle School

students saw Mark Kirsch

‘Man vs Impossible’ pull a bus loaded with students. It was all to show the students a different career path and to highlight STEM careers and exhibits to be featured in the April Maxwell Gunter Air Show.

“I try to engage them,”

Kirsch said. “I gave them some homework for the next few weeks.”

Police continue investigation, man no longer suspected

By Jake Arthur Chief Videographer

The homework leads to trips to the STEM day on Friday before the air show begins where the Air Force will have displays highlighting various careers.

Police are still investigating the fatal shooting in the Wetumpka Walmart parking lot on Jan. 20.

The school visit is something Kirsch has been doing for two decades as he performs at air shows around the world. He mainly pulls large vehicles. Kirsch estimates he has pulled some 300 million pounds in that

Police were dispatched to the parking lot around 10:45 p.m. for a “shots fired” call. Once there, they found Centell Winston, 42 of Tallassee, dead of a gunshot wound in the driver seat of his vehicle.

According to Wetumpka police chief Greg Benton, this was not a random shooting.

time with the largest being a 500,000 pound C-17 aircraft. Kirsch visited area students to encourage them to look at all career paths. He said he created his after being a fourth outfielder for 172 Major League Baseball games and playing briefly with the Savannah Bananas. But Kirsh also gets something from visiting with students.

“I use them to inspire

“This was not random, not a random act,” said Benton. “We believe the victim and the perpetrator knew each other.”

This is the first homicide in Wetumpka in over three years. The last homicide in the city took place in 2018.

“It’s not a good way to start out the new year,” said Benton.

Benton didn’t want to speculate on the

See SHOOTING, Page A3

Holtville mourns former coach

Staff Report

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

The Alabama Association of Secondary School Principals

Build it and they will come.

Christopher Motes may have never won a state championship in baseball at Holtville but his fingerprints are all over the program and the field the team plays on. Coaches, friends and family gathered on the field built more than 20 years ago Sunday for a vigil to remember a life lost tragically and unexpectedly Friday. They shared stories

(AASSP) named Holtville High School principal Kyle Futral the 2022 Alabama High School Principal of the Year. 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 Su perintendent Richard Dennis was in attendance for the presentation.

“Kyle Futral is an exception al principal and is very proac tive and innovative in his think ing and approaches to managing his school,” Dennis said, As principal of Holtville High School, Futral has transformed and challenging the staff and students, caused the school culture to

Two

Holtville’s Futral Alabama principal of the year

housing developments in the works for Wetumpka

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.

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

Hundreds of new homes are possible in Wetumpka if development plans come through. Two parcels of property including more than 280 acres are under consideration for the City of Wetumpka to annex. Stone Martin Builders has initial plans for approximately 240 homes on

See PRINCIPAL, Page A3

WILSON

Members of the Wetumpka Chamber of Commerce attend the chamber’s “A Taste of Our Home Town” luncheon. CLIFF WILLIAMS/ THE HERALD

CLIFF WILLIAMS | TPI

Mark Kirsch pulls an Elmore County school bus at Millbrook Middle School last week.

SUBMITTED | TPI

Former Holtville baseball coach Chris Moats, center, huddles with his players in Holtville.The coach died unexpectedly Friday.

CARTER

You know what you are doing, but nobody else does. CALL US!

Meet the candidate: Vicki Bonner Ward

Editor’s Note: Each candidate running for political office is allowed one free questionnaire to be published in the newspaper. All other advertisements must be paid. These questionnaires are printed exactly as they are provided to Tallapoosa Publishers.

Name: Vicki Bonner Ward

Party: Republican Position Running For: Judge of Probate, Elmore County

Bio: Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology (AUM); paralegal certificate (Huntingdon); mediation training (Jones School of Law); Mental Health First Aide class. Current Vice Chair ECREC; Member at Large, ALGOP

BETTY IRENE LINCOLN

Betty Irene Lincoln, nee Norris, died in the early morning of January 15, 2024, aged 86 years. She was born in Mountain Creek, AL, on August 14, 1937, to Cecil and Irene Norris. Her most recent husband, James, preceded her

Police Reports

WETUMPKA POLICE

DEPARTMENT

FEB. 20

• Domestic violence was reported on Margate Loop. FEB. 19

• Burglary and theft was reported on U.S. Highway 231. FEB. 16

• Theft was reported on Elmore Road.

• Assault with bodily fluids was reported on U.S. Highway 231.

TALLASSEE POLICE

vulnerable situations.

Why are you interested in running for political office?

To help the citizens of Elmore County be able to come to the “kitchen table” and help talk them through the process of probate court. The Probate Judge oversees the probating of wills and the administration of estates. They also preside over adult involuntary commitments, power of attorneys, adoptions, marriage certificates, name changes and elections.

What are some of the biggest issues you believe your constituents face?

Making decisions on situations that may impact their lives.

How do you believe you can make a difference for your constituents?

What do you feel is the most important part of this office’s role?

Being present and being able to communicate. Helping citizens in

in death. She is survived by the two children she gave birth to, Ed Foley (Bobbie) and Lachele Foley, grandchildren Sean Foley (Rebecca), Jaime Foley (Michelle) and John Foley (James), and four great-grandchildren. Having married several times, there

given to a motorist on Highway 229.

• A white male was arrested during a traffic stop on Central Boulevard.

• Harassment was reported on Lower Tuskegee Road.

• A Black male was arrested during an investigation into a shots fired call.

• Harassment was reported on Lower Tuskegee Road.

• A juvenile complaint was reported on Central Boulevard.

By using my qualifications and experiences in working in the Elmore County Court System for the past sixteen years. Currently I am the Coordinator for the Judicial Volunteer Program as well as providing District Civil and Small Claims mediation. This allows me to communicate with individuals and help guide them to make the right choice or choices for their situation.

are numerous step children and their progeny, all of whom she loved. She also leaves a legacy of once-struggling, once-young adults who, at least for a while in their lives, called her “Mom”. She was vibrant, fiery and generous. She touched many lives.

given to a citizen on Gilmer Avenue.

• Animal control was requested on Notasulga Road.

• A motor vehicle accident with injuries was reported on Barnett Boulevard.

• A welfare check was conducted on Lakewater Drive. FEB. 22

• Debris was reported in the roadway on Gilmer Avenue.

• A welfare check was conducted on Lakewater Drive.

requested on Highway 229. FEB. 20

• Assistance was given to a citizen on South Tallassee Drive.

• A welfare check was conducted on East Patton Street.

• A hit and run motor vehicle accident was reported on Gilmer Avenue.

• Animal control was requested on Eighth Street.

• A Black male was arrested during a domestic dispute on Lower Tuskegee Road.

127 Company Street • Wetumpka, AL 334.567.7811 www.thewetumpkaherald.com

DEPARTMENT

FEB. 26

• Assistance was given to a citizen on Barnett Boulevard.

FEB. 25

• Assault was reported on Ashurst Bar Road.

• Assistance was given to a motorist on Campbell Hill Road.

• A domestic dispute was reported on Hillcrest Street.

• Assistance was given to another agency on Highway 229.

• Assistance was given to a motorist on Orchard Drive.

• A domestic dispute was reported on Carr Circle.

• A suspicious subject was reported on Gilmer Avenue.

• Assistance was given to a motorist on Notasulga Road.

• Two white males were arrested during a traffic stop on North Ashurst Avenue.

FEB. 24

• Theft was reported on Freeman Avenue.

• A child custody dispute was reported on Gilmer Avenue.

• A Black male was arrested on Highway 229.

• Assistance was

• A noise complaint was reported on North Ashurst Avenue. FEB. 23

• A welfare check was conducted on Ingram Street.

• Debris was reported in the roadway on Little Road.

• Assistance was given to another agency on Hicks Store Road.

• A welfare check was conducted on East Patton Street.

• A motor vehicle accident was reported on Gilmer Avenue.

• A Black male was arrested on U.S. Highway 231.

• A welfare check was conducted on Powers Extension.

• Forgery was reported on Gilmer Avenue.

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

• Assistance was given to a citizen on Gilmer Avenue.

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

• Animal control was requested on South Ann Avenue.

• A white female and white male were arrested during a traffic stop on Gilmer Avenue.

• Assistance was

• A domestic incident was reported on Gammils Store Road.

• An animal complaint was reported on Quail Run Drive.

• A suspicious package was reported on Notasulga Road.

• A domestic incident was reported on Washington Street.

• A downed utility line was reported on Floyd Lane.

• Trespassing was reported on South Dubois Street. FEB. 21

• Assistance was given to a motorist on Gilmer Avenue.

• Assistance was given to a motorist on Hanil Drive.

• An animal complaint was reported on Gilmer Avenue.

• Theft was reported on Hillcrest Street.

• Assistance was given to a motorist on Central Boulevard.

• Theft was reported on Barnett Boulevard.

• A suspicious person was reported on Orchard Drive.

• Animal control was requested on Herren Street.

• Animal control was requested on Herren Street.

• Animal control was

• Criminal mischief was reported on Lower Tuskegee Road.

• A welfare check was conducted on East Patton Street.

• An animal complaint was reported on Eighth Street.

• Assistance was given to a motorist on Main Street.

• Criminal mischief was reported on Gilmer Avenue.

• An animal complaint was reported on Herren Street. FEB. 19

• Assistance was given to a citizen on Lee Street.

• A fight was reported on Softball Way.

• A fight was reported on Notasulga Road.

• Assistance was given to another agency on Indian Trail.

• Reckless driving was reported on Parker Street.

• A motor vehicle accident was reported on Gilmer Avenue.

• Debris was reported in the roadway on Gilmer Avenue.

• Suspicious activity was reported on Highway 229.

• Theft was reported on Lower Tuskegee Road.

No parole for two Elmore County residents

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

A man convicted of first-degree rape and sexual abuse will remain in prison after the Alabama Bureau of Pardons and Paroles denied his early release.

Brian Dwayne Tolle, 50, was convicted in 2023 by an Elmore County jury. He was sentenced to 32 years in prison on the rape charge and eight years on the sexual abuse charge.

Tolle has finished serving his time in prison on the sexual abuse conviction but has another

11 years left on the first-degree rape conviction. According to minutes from Tolle’s parole hearing on Feb. 14, the board heard testimony from the victim, a victim advocacy group and the Alabama Attorney General’s Office, all against Tolle’s release. According to the Alabama Department of Corrections, Tolle is currently housed at Kilby Correctional Facility.

Randy Demetrius Martin, 38, is currently housed at Donaldson Correctional Facility. He pleaded guilty to murder in Elmore County in 2009 and was sentenced to 30 years in prison. He has been incarcerated now for 15 years.

At Martin’s parole hearing, the victim’s son and brother were joined by a victim’s advocacy group and the Alabama Attorney General’s Office speaking against his release. The parole denied Martin’s release. Both will be eligible for parole again in 2029.

TOLLE

Humane Society of Elmore County News Spay and neuter is a pro for everyone

By REA CORD HSEC Executive Director

February is Spay/ Neuter Awareness Month so a perfect topic to close out the month.

“Spaying and neutering dogs and cats provides pets and their families, as well as communities, with many benefits,” Best Friends Animal Society CEO Julie Castle said. “These routine procedures may prevent medical and behavioral problems from developing, allowing pets to lead a longer, healthier and happier life.”

The benefits of spaying and neutering pets are as follows:

• Decreases the number of accidental litters, unwanted pets and reduces euthanasia in shelters.

• Reduces the risk of future medical problems and expenses including testicular cancer, uterine infections, ovarian and breast cancers and pyometra, a life-threatening condition in females.

• Reduces territorial marking tendencies, yowling/howling, escaping, and other

troublesome behaviors.

• Lowers the probability that pets will try to escape their home in search of a mate.

• Greatly impacts the number of dog bite incidents in a community. Most dog bites (60–80 percent) are caused by intact male dogs. Pregnant or nursing female dogs are more likely to bite as well.

• Reduces your pet’s likelihood of biting or fighting which may also help protect you from potential legal action. Spayed/neutered pets are less likely to engage in behaviors that could cause problems with neighbors. Less fighting also means less bites to humans, less emergency Vet visits and reduces disease transmission to humans and animals.

• Can also increase the longevity of your pet. Results from the Banfield Pet Hospital’s State of Pet Health 2013 Report, found a positive correlation between neutering dogs and cats and their life span. The study, which was carried out on around 2.5 million animals (2.2 million

dogs and 460,000 cats), indicated that neutered cats lived up to 39% longer and neutered dogs live 23% longer than their unneutered counterparts.

• Helps with housetraining as both males & female will be less inclined to “mark” their home and territory.

• Saves the owner money over the longterm in less unwanted litters to care for, less fighting/roaming and injuries that increasingly occur as a result, less medical problems as the pet ages.

• Can help save tax dollars or at least allow for better use of resources, as less roaming and problematic animals means less need for law enforcement responding to animal issues.

So please be part of the solution and spay or neuter your pet before it produces yet another unwanted litter or develops issues associated with not being “fixed.”

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

Pet of the Week - Echo

Echo is a 1 1/2-year-old male Pit mix found as a stray and never reclaimed. He is about 60 pounds and is goofy, funny and super loving. Echo is good with male and female dogs and scared of cats. He is very playful and wants to be a big lap dog. The Humane Society of Elmore County’s adoption fees are $100 for dogs and $50 for cats under 1 year old. Cats over 1 can be adopted by approved adopters for a fee of their choosing. This adoption fee covers the mandatory spay or neuter, basic

immunizations, deworming, microchip, heartworm check for dogs, rabies vaccination if old enough and a free health exam with your participating veterinarian. If you are interested in meeting Cola or any of the pets at HSEC, the first step is to fill out an adoption application online. Once approved, you will be contacted by someone from the humane society. HSEC is located at 255 Central Plank Road in Wetumpka. The phone number is 334-567-3377 and the website is www.elmorehumane.org.

Millbrook man gets 15 years for manslaughter

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

The four daughters of Kendrick T. Williams will never see their father again. He was gunned down in a Millbrook home almost four years ago. Thomas Killingsworth, was 19 at the time the crime was committed. He was sentenced to 15 years in prison last week by 19th Circuit Court Judge Joy

Booth. Killingsworth pleaded guilty to manslaughter last month.

Assistant district attorney Mandy Johnson said Killingsworth was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the shooting in his home. She said Williams had left after he

had an argument with Killingsworth and came back. On the return trip, another altercation ensued and Killingsworth shot Williams.

Williams’ children couldn’t be in court Thursday for Killingsworth’s sentencing, but Williams’ mother read a victim impact statement from a now 10-year old daughter who is on the honor roll and in the Beta Club.

“You didn’t have to take our daddy from us,” the daughter’s statement read. “Who is going to take us to the father/daughter dance? Whose shoulder are we going to cry on when we have our first breakup? Who is going to walk us down the aisle when we get married? You took that from us.”

Killingsworth addressed the court prior to sentencing.

“I apologize for my part

in the situation,” he said. “I hate this situation.”

The plea agreement was for a 15 year sentence.

Killingsworth’s attorney argued for a split sentence hoping his client would serve only three to five years in prison. But Booth didn’t consider it as an option.

“I cannot excuse a life was taken that was not yours to take,” Booth said.

New pregnancy options in downtown Wetumpka

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

For many parents a pregnancy is planned, but sometimes it’s not. It is especially difficult for those who are already struggling financially. But there is an option on Company Street in Wetumpka to help parents make a decision while promoting life.

“Our No. 1 goal is to reach those that are vulnerable to abortion,” First Choice Women’s Medical Center Elmore County center director Tisha Powell said. “We want to help with pregnancy options and talk about it. We don’t want to make the decision but make sure clients have all the information they need to make a decision.” Powell said the organization wants to walk along with parents as they make decisions

and be supportive in any choice they make.

First Choice merged with the nonprofit Elmore County Pregnancy Center at the start of the year. First Choice Women’s Medical Center Elmore County is still a nonprofit and programs are expanding at the Wetumpka location. The merger allows the center to become a medical center.

As soon as the state license is delivered, the center can perform ultrasounds.

First Choice offers a multitude of services all aimed at educating parents and helping acquire needed items for a newborn — and it’s all free.

Parents can attend classes both online and in person. Doing so earns credits that can be used in a baby store where new and gently used clothes and other necessities are

available to new and expecting parents.

At the same time

First Choice tries to pair clients with other resources.

“We refer to Elmore County Resource Center,” Powell said. “They also refer to us. It helps clients connect to other programs they may benefit from.”

The initial pregnancy test First Choice performs can be used as proof when applying for programs such as Medicaid and WIC.

First also offers group classes and a Father’s First program.

“We provide Christ centered medical, parenting and life skills services to extend help, offer hope and promote healing,” Powell said.

First Choice tries to connect clients with churches and groups who can offer support in many different ways.

“We are working on

community connections, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic,” Powell said.

First Choice is planning a low country boil for 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 29 at the Eclectic Warehouse.

“It does not cost to attend but there is an invitation to give,” Powell said. “We are hoping the fundraiser helps us cast our vision.”

A name change and merger offering better services

women and fathers in the area has happened.

en’s Medical Center is open on Company Street in

Monday through Thursday.

KILLINGSWORTH

CLIFF WILLIAMS TPI

to pregnant

First Choice Wom-

Wetumpka

A4 • Wednesday, February 28, 2024

TIPPY HUNTER General Manager

Someone started a kindness crusade in Alex City

By now you’ve probably read about Lavoy Hall and, for your own sake, let’s hope you’ve seen him in town. If you haven’t, you are missing out on a blessing. He’s such a blessing Mr. Hall should be given the keys to the city. Nowadays, there’s no shortage of naysayers, pessimists, party poopers and just all-around grumpy folks. Let’s be honest: there’s evil mixed in there too. Some are the harmless Eeyore types that do more harm to themselves than anyone else and some are the other extreme who wreak havoc everywhere they go but mostly from the comfort of their homes via keyboard. Facts are facts and if it is news, our staff has a civic responsibility to report, but it is incredibly hard to watch the gossip, speculation and sometimes pure hate put on display for everyone on the internet to see. So, how in the world does Lavoy Hall have anything to do with the naysayers, you ask? Because he’s starting a kindness crusade! I read about Mr. Hall over the weekend, and first thing Tuesday morning as I turned the corner I was greeted by the sweetest visitor in our office. She immediately smiled, told me good morning in the most upbeat way I’ll never be able to explain in writing and proceeded to tell me how beautiful my pink sweater was. It was genuine and it was uplifting and always the kind of thing you like to hear. Her name is Dorothy Heard, and if you ever cross paths, get ready because she’s going to lift your spirit. If you already know Mrs. Heard, lucky for you because I am well aware of how blessed you are.

Fast forward to Thursday and as I crossed the railroad tracks, a gentleman in a city truck smiled and

See KINDNESS, Page A9

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Opinion?

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The Wetumpka Herald is contract printed each Tuesday evening in Alexander City by Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. 256-234-4281

Yellow cars are everywhere

You learn something new every day. The age old adage is true, but it’s not every day you learn a new life lesson.

I got a chance recently when talking with one of our favorite TPI sources, Russell Medical CEO Jim Peace.

We were talking about Russell Medical’s 100th anniversary and what to expect in the next hundred. The new Benjamin Russell Center for Advanced Care will be the first step in that direction, which is helped along by the return of Dr. Robert Edwards.

“Oh, he’s definitely a yellow car,” Mr. Jim said with a chuckle.

“A yellow car?” I asked.

“Yeah, a yellow car. There are yellow cars everywhere, and he’s one of them.”

Still confused, I needed further explanation.

He said, “Let me ask you this. When’s the last time you saw a yellow car?”

Immediately, my eyes turned toward his giant windows and the stuffed Russell Medical parking lot.

LIZI GWIN Managing Editor

Nope, not a yellow car in sight.

“What is this man talking about?” I thought in my head.

And my face must’ve shown that because he continued.

Yellow cars, you see, are blessings, and they are everywhere. You just have to look for them.

Admittedly, since that day I’ve seen an absurd amount of yellow cars — or have I just been looking for them?

You see, Mr. Jim’s lesson was exactly that. You’ll see those little blessings throughout your day, if you’re looking hard enough.

As I walked back through the halls of the executive offices at Russell Medical and I peered in the suites, I noticed little model cars — yellow, of course — peppered throughout. Not only were these people blessings for Mr. Jim, but he let them know it.

There was something so comforting about the yellow car lesson that day, especially from a man on his own journey of recovery. That was about two months ago, and as I said, I’ve seen yellow cars all over the place. Usually when you think about yellow cars, you think about school buses or Yellow Punch Buggies, as I affectionately call them. But there are tons of yellow cars — trucks, Mustangs, old, new. But they’re yellow as can be. Now I’ve turned it into a challenge: Every time I see a yellow car, I have to think about a blessing in my life, big or small. Sometimes I think about the big blessings like my husband or my dogs, but sometimes I just think about the little blessings — I’m having a good hair day or I really enjoyed my lunch. It doesn’t matter the size or the shape; just look out for those yellow cars. They’re everywhere.

Lizi Arbogast Gwin is the managing editor of Tallapoosa Publishers Inc. She can be reached via email at lizi.gwin@alexcityoutlook.com or via phone at 434-962-9420.

What might have been

March 16, 1968, Robert F. Kennedy announced his candidacy for president of the United States.

That was 56 years ago. This year, his son is running for President as well – perhaps the only pro-life, anti-vaccine Democrat to be found these days running for office, but he’s out there.

Recently, Netflix re-added a documentary series called “Bobby Kennedy for President,” which was produced and aired in 2018 on the 50th anniversary of RFK’s assassination. It is a beautiful program in every way.

No matter where you stand politically, the Kennedy family’s role in American life is impossible to ignore. All these years later, the fact that we are still fascinated by their biographies is amazing.

This four-part documentary series first takes us inside the presidential campaign of 1960, in which John F. Kennedy is running against Richard M. Nixon, who had just wrapped up eight years as Vice President. Bobby Kennedy takes a leadership role in his brother’s campaign, then is appointed Attorney General for his brother’s administration. Vice President Lyndon Johnson bristled at the Kennedy dominance and the first episode illustrates a lot of that tension.

Bobby Kennedy’s four years as Attorney General were filled with struggles at home (Civil Rights) and abroad (Vietnam). Following his brother’s assassination and Johnson’s ascendance to the Presidency, RFK was replaced and moved on to run for U.S.

Senate. He was elected as the Senator from New York in 1964, and the second episode shows us his years in Congress. This was a really interesting episode because we do not often hear reminiscences of this time in RFK’s life. He was not yet building a presidential candidacy; rather, he was working on poverty relief, job creation, and other social issues.

The third episode is the 1968 campaign for President. Here is where we really get to see the RFK that might have been. The man seemed to make all the right moves and say all the right things. He seems in many ways to be a smart, principled politician in a way rarely seen. A great example is the night of April 4, 1968, when RFK is able to calm an African-American crowd filled with anger and grief at the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. To hear his improvised speech today, it is hard to imagine a written one being much better: RFK was exactly what was needed at the time.

And then, three months into this campaign, RFK wins the primary in California. He finishes a victory speech, shots are fired, and he’s gone.

The interview with Juan Romero, who held Bobby Kennedy after being shot at the

Ambassador Hotel, was gripping television. This man was only seventeen and a busboy at the hotel when he was thrust into the public eye as the man holding a dying RFK.

Romero said that he gave Kennedy a rosary and began praying. He said Kennedy asked, “is everyone okay?” As paramedics came to try and treat him, Romero said he heard Kennedy say, “don’t pick me up.”

The fourth and final installment covers the capture and trial of Sirhan Sirhan, who has long been viewed as the shooter. Paul Schrade, who was an adviser to Kennedy on labor affairs during the 1968 campaign, is featured prominently in the last episode because of his decades-long attempt to prove that a second shooter killed Kennedy. We also get to see the funeral train footage, as RFK’s body traveled by rail through small towns to his final resting place. The funeral Mass featured “Battle Hymn of the Republic” performed by television variety host Andy Williams, and a eulogy by the last surviving brother, Senator Edward “Ted” Kennedy, who was a year away from his own tragedy. This series is highly recommended for those who believe in hope, and that politicians might actually influence lives positively. No matter which political party you call home, “Bobby Kennedy for President” should be mandatory viewing.

Michael Bird is a music teacher for Tallassee City Schools.

MICHAEL BIRD Columnist

MOURNS

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of on-the-field antics, moments of coaching after dark and favorite memories but most importantly remembered the caring and giving person Motes was.

Former Bulldog coach Wendell Jackson was hired in 1998 to lead the Bulldogs on the diamond.

“I never put my name down as head coach,” Jackson said. “I put my name down as coach because Chris Motes and I coached together. Nobody was above the other.”

The field the vigil was on was a pipe dream. Jackson and Motes coached on the old field closer to the school. During football season they took a walk down the road — dreaming of a better field for the team.

“We heard a tractor going through here,” Jackson said. “We couldn’t see it. We played on it that season.”

Jackson left and Moates was head coach from 2003 to 2010 leading the team to a 23-13 record his final year at Holtville.

Motes never stopped. He was always at the field working on something.

At the same time he was teaching life lessons such as taking care of items. Gloves were never thrown. They were placed gently down to respect what they had.

The coach used every chance to mentor. Holtville Class of 2022 graduate

Todd Wilson grew up around the Motes household and was friends with his children.

“It didn’t matter what it was, coach Motes was going to be there for the boys, the girls, anybody,” Wilson said. “If you were a kid, coach Motes loved you. It didn’t matter what it was. He used it for a metaphor for life.”

Wilson recalled life wasn’t always baseball. He said he attended a birthday party for Motes’ son Brady. He built a wrestling ring for the party because Brady loved wrestling.

Wilson didn’t necessarily want to speak at the vigil on a field filled with memories and victories, but he felt called to do so. He wanted to share memories of a person he looked up to.

“It is hard because if he was here he would be pepping the guys up or yelling at an umpire,” Wilson said. “You didn’t want to miss a call with that as a coach.

a second victim who was in court in January when Carter pleaded guilty.

“When you looked at me in court, I could tell you had no remorse for the things you did to us,” said the victim in her impact statement. “At the age of 31 you decided to mess with 13-year-old girls while you were married and had a child. You are not a good person. You are sick in the head. I hope you get help in your time in prison.”

The first victim’s father said he

You didn’t want to miss a ground ball with that guy as a coach and you didn’t want to mess up with him as if he was your dad.”

Motes had moved to south Alabama but he still bled Holtville green.

Current Bulldog baseball coach Scott Tubbs remembers Motes reaching out to him before Tubbs ever coached a game in Holtville.

“I don’t think people realize how connected he was to the program even though he wasn’t here,” Tubbs said.

The old ball coach scouted teams Holtville might match up with in the playoffs. Motes gave Tubbs scouting reports on potential matchups.

“Even though he wasn’t here, he wanted us to be successful,” Tubbs said.

Tubbs led the Bulldogs to a state runner up in 2022. But it was good enough for Tubbs. It was Motes that helped Tubbs persevere.

“I was miserable. I wanted to crawl into a hole,” Tubbs said. “I had a lot of guys I wanted to see go out a champion. He called me several times and encouraged me. [He] told me to get out of that hole.”

The next year the Bull-

thought he knew and could trust Carter with his daughter.

“I looked at you the whole time you were manipulating my child,” the father said. “You were supposed to be a family friend who not only betrayed us but your own family.”

Pinon said the evidence was voluminous. One phone alone had more than 500 pieces of evidence including, video, images and audio of the two girls and Carter. Some of it was shown in court.

As Carter’s father held his son from behind in the courtroom, friends and family testified Carter graduated with a double major at Auburn University while serv-

dogs won the state championship. On the bus ride home to Holtville it was quiet.

“You could hear a mouse in a church,” Tubbs said. “After five weeks of grind and excitement, the guys were physically and mentally done.”

Motes called Tubbs on the ride home.

“He just wanted to say that there were a lot of coaches that wanted to get this done for this school,” Tubbs said. “He said he was super proud for me and for our guys. He was always a call away. He was always there to help me encourage the guys. I was super proud to call him a friend.”

After the call, the attitude on the bus changed. But it was a difficult phone call to take Friday when Tubbs got the news of Motes untimely death. He knew the connections to the team and community. He called assistant baseball coach Dan Shaw. They knew they had to talk to the team.

“My fear is it has happened a couple of times over the last few weeks, I don’t want my players to feel like that is the way out,” Tubbs said. “We had a big talk Friday and said I

ing as an EMT and firefighter in Auburn Fire Department. At the same time tears were shed by Carter’s family and friends in the courtroom. Carter is said to be caring, giving, hardworking and intelligent.

Pinon told Judge Booth the case has caused much strife in the community with misinformation.

“Since day one there has been so much twisting of what actually took place,” Pinon said. “There have been so many narratives told to the community that the defendant is a scapegoat or [district attorney’s office] somehow have a vendetta against this family.”

Pinon said the office just

CommunityCalendar

THURSDAY, FEB. 29

LOW-COUNTRY BOIL: The Elmore County Pregnancy Center and First Choice are hosting a low country boil benefit at 6 p.m. Feb. 29 at The Eclectic Warehouse in Eclectic. It is a free event but attendees need to register at https://bit.ly/47URxEn.

ing demonstrations of how people lived in the area as settlers began to arrive on Saturday, March 16.

ANNUAL CHAMBER MEETING: The Wetumpka Area Chamber of Commerce is hosting the 2024 Annual Meeting, ‘The Night A Star Fell,’ from 6 to 10 p.m.

don’t care if we hit a baseball, what I want to do is make sure these kids know they got to find somebody to talk to if things aren’t going their way.”

Tubbs encouraged everyone at the vigil to reach out if they feel in trouble.

“Find that one person to talk to,” Tubbs said. “That is what I tell my players, because I don’t want to sit here and do this again.”

Tubbs knows Motes isn’t far from the Bulldogs on the diamond. Holtville has been struggling at the plate the month of February — until the day after Motes’ death, that is.

“I don’t think we have had a hit since Moby Dick was a minnow,” Tubbs said. “We came out against Chilton County and scored five runs in the first inning [Saturday]. That was coach Motes’ number. The second inning five more runs. I knew who was watching over us. I appreciate him for doing that. I’m sure he will be with us the rest of the season.” Wilson is confident Motes influenced many on and off the field.

“He was more than a coach,” Wilson said. “He was one of the greatest role models I have ever known.”

followed the evidence. It was voluminous and defense attorney Richard White agreed. Because of attorney-client privilege, White said he didn’t tell the Carter family the complete truth. It was at the time of Carter’s second arrest, the information was put on the table for the parent’s at Carter’s request. White said it showed Carter was taking responsibility for what he did.

“It was what he wanted,” White said. “It was his ego. I think he thought he was going to beat this.”

That was at the time Carter’s family first hired White.

District attorney C.J. Robinson said he wanted the truth to come

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fortunate that no one else was injured or killed during this incident,” Johnson said in January. “There was a ridiculous amount of rounds fired during this incident, which would leave a reasonable person no doubt what the offenders intentions were.”

The investigation determined Ervin and White were observed around businesses in the area of Fairview Avenue and Old Farm Lane prior to being taken into custody.

Court records state three Glock firearms with an illegal conversion switch were found in a nearby dumpster.

The three defendants face the same charges: two counts of attempted murder and two counts of shooting into an occupied vehicle.

Ervin, Wade and White remain in the Elmore County Jail. The have a $360,000 cash bond available to them.

out in the case. It is what he, the rest of the district attorney’s office and law enforcement seek to find every time. “There were children in this case that were preyed upon,” Robinson said. “They were manipulated. He was a sexual predator and these two girls’ lives are changed forever. Now the person who did it has had to stand accountable and they are going to prison.”

Charges of facilitating travel for child sex, transmitting obscene material to a child, one count of electronic solicitation of a child and a count of enticing a child were dropped as part of a plea agreement.

its annual French and Indian War Encampment with demonstrations Saturday, April 20.

SATURDAY, MAY 11

FRIDAY, MARCH 1 ART EXHIBITION OPENING: The Prattuaga Art Guild is hosting The Art of Music Art Exhibition at the Creative Arts Center starting March 1. There is a reception on March 14.

SATURDAY, MARCH 2

THURSDAY, MARCH 21

KELLY ROAD TRIP: The Kelly Fitzpatrick Center for the Arts is hosting another Kelly Road Trip March 21. This visit will go to the Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald Museum in Montgomery. Those interested need to sign up at The Kelly and meet at 9:30 a.m. at The Kelly to carpool.

SPRING MARKET: Poppy Layne Farm Vintage will be hosting a Spring Barn Market starting at 10 a.m. May 11. Applications are currently available for interested vendors. Email poppylaynefarm@gmail.com for more information. Live music will be featured.

SATURDAY, MAY 18

LIVING HISTORY SATURDAY:

PANCAKE BREAKFAST: There is a Character Pancake Breakfast to benefit the American Cancer Society Relay for Life from 8 to 10 a.m. at the Millbrook Civic Center March 2. Tickets are $10 for anyone over 12 months.

THURSDAY, MARCH 7

COFFEE & CONNECTIONS:

FRIDAY, MARCH 22

BINGO: Paintball 111 in Wetumpka will host a Ladies Only Bingo Night from 6 to 9 p.m. March 22. Tickets are $20 and each bingo card is $1. Doors open at 6 p.m. and bingo begins at 7. Wine is complimentary for women ages 21 and older.

Ft. Toulouse-Ft. Jackson is hosting demonstrations of how people lived in the area as settlers began to arrive on Saturday, May 18.

ART SHOW: The Wetumpka Downtown Artists will host an art show on Company Street in downtown Wetumpka at 9 a.m. Saturday, May 18.

JUNE 1 - JUNE 28

NATIONAL EXHIBITION:

The Wetumpka Chamber of Commerce will host its Rise & Shine Coffee & Connections event at Homesouth Roofing. It will be held from 7:30 to 9 a.m. March 7 and is an opportunity for local professionals and community leaders to connect. Coffee will be provided.

SONGWRITERS FORUM: The Prattville Creative Arts Center is hosting a Words and Music Songwriters Forum March 7.

FRIDAY, MARCH 8

GIRL NIGHT: The Yellow Daffodil Boutique in Wetumpka will be hosting its annual Girl Gang Night from 4 to 8 p.m. March 8. There will be new arrivals, special sales, vendors, snacks and drinks and more.

MARCH 14-16

DINNER THEATER: The Stanhope Elmore High School theater program, FCCLA and Family Consumer Science Program are hosting a dinner theater fundraiser at 6:30 p.m. March 14-16. Ticket are available by contacting Brady Walker at brady.walker@elmoreco. com.

SATURDAY, MARCH 16

LIVING HISTORY SATURDAY: Ft. Toulouse-Ft. Jackson is host -

SATURDAY, APRIL 6

PICKETT FEST: The Wilson Pickett Music and Arts Festival is April 6 at Cooters Pond in Prattville. The annual event features music and art vendors.

THURSDAY, APRIL 11

MIXER & SILENT AUCTION: Paintball 111 in Wetumpka will be hosting a small business mixer and silent auction from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. April 11. The proceeds will benefit a charitable organization, and the night is an opportunity to network and unlock potential for business growth. Tickets are $10 per person plus one silent auction item per business. Tickets are for adults only and reserved for small businesses in the area.

THURSDAY, APRIL 18

COFFEE & CONNECTIONS: The Wetumpka Chamber of Commerce will host its Rise & Shine Coffee & Connections event at ASE Credit Union. It will be held from 7:30 to 9 a.m. April 18 and is an opportunity for local professionals and community leaders to connect. Coffee will be provided.

SATURDAY, APRIL 20

WAR ENCAMPMENT: Ft. Toulouse-Ft. Jackson is holding

The Kelly Fitzpatrick Center for the Arts in downtown Wetumpka is hosting the 83rd Annual Watercolor Society of Alabama national exhibition from June 1 to June 28. The juried watercolor competition will feature state and national artists.

SUNDAY, JULY 14

MEN’S CONFERENCE: Village Church of Wetumpka is hosting a men’s conference. The keynote speaker is Rick Burgess of Rick and Bubba.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 21

LIVING HISTORY SATURDAY:

Ft. Toulouse-Ft. Jackson is hosting demonstrations of how people lived in the area as settlers began to arrive on Saturday, Sept. 21.

SATURDAY, OCT. 19

LIVING HISTORY SATURDAY:

Ft. Toulouse-Ft. Jackson is hosting demonstrations of how people lived in the area as settlers began to arrive on Saturday, Oct. 19.

NOV. 6-9

ALABAMA FRONTIER DAYS : Ft. Toulouse-Ft. Jackson is holding its annual frontier days with demonstrations for school children and parents about life in Alabama as the area was settled Nov. 6-9.

‘Batman’ retires from the board of education

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

Retired Army Col.

Dale Bain has worked with all sorts over a 38 year career in the military. There were three and four star generals Congress and foot soldiers.

But his role the last 10 years on the Elmore County Board of Education has brought another title — superhero. Bain is now retiring from the role but not before a little roasting from his fellow board members.

Bain and board member Wendell Saxon were famous for their unannounced dropins at schools across the county. Both were always well dressed.

“I’ve never told anyone I labeled you Batman and I’m Robin,” Saxon said. “Now, Robin is not going to know what to do without Batman. I want you to keep the Batphone on and take my calls every time.”

Even with the joking, Bain said he greatly enjoyed his time on the board.

“I have never worked with a more professional group than you see sitting here,” Bain said. “We are a group of professionals.

They have shown that and that is where I like to belong.”

The reason for the professionalism was always the students.

“Our reason is to keep that string of kids going and being successful,” Bain said.

Bain is credited for the colorful pie charts the members use to help track finances.

Board member Joey Holley said Bain wanted an easy way to see where money was coming and going.

Any time things meetings got sidetracked the reason for being there returned things to the mission.

“‘For the kids,’ it always pulled us together,” Bain said.

Board member Leisa Finley didn’t want to let Bain leave. She joked about creating a position just for Bain.

“We are going to create a committee that he is going to lead,” Finley said.

Board chair David Jones said Bain was willing to give a word of advice but in a good way.

“When I first came on the board, you were the first one to pull me aside and said, ‘Hey, hang out with me for a little while and I will teach you a few

things,’” Jones said. “I learned he was always telling the truth.”

Bain showed Finely the ropes of how the board worked as well.

“We want to thank you for your dedication, for caring for all of us and mentoring me,” Finley said.

Board member Michael Morgan called Bain an invaluable resource on the board of education.

“He is a common sense get it done kind of guy,” Morgan said. “He brings wisdom and discernment to this role. You brought those qualities that were valuable in leadership in the military and that

sense of honor and duty that we all need.”

Jones credited Bain with giving money and more to students, programs and schools. But it didn’t stop there.

“You give me the most valuable commodity of all, that is time,” Jones said.

“There was never a time you didn’t pick up the phone, go to lunch or whatever.”

Saxon, who is almost always wearing a coat and tie, took one last jab before Bain could leave his last board meeting.

“I’m still trying to get my shirts to look like yours,” Saxon said.

Students raise funds, get new playground

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

Redland Elementary School students have been on a mission to replace dust with a playground.

It’s a mission everyone is aware of from the moment any adult walks on campus.

principal Cory Eckstein said he got the message when he first came to the school as an assistant principal.

“One of the first things kids would say when they ran up to me was not, ‘Hey how are you?’” Eckstein told the Elmore County Board of Education at its meeting last week. “It was instead, ‘When are we going to have a playground at the back of the school?’”

Eckstein explained there is a large track behind the school around nothing but a clear space. He said students were always communicating with him about their needs. Many of the students exercised the knowledge they learned and wrote essays about the need of the playground and the issues it could potentially solve.

“It included bullying and global warming,” Eckstein said. “I’m not kidding because of the dust

that gets kicked up in the back because there is no grass. If I can do anything to solve global warming, who am I to step in the way of that.”

Eckstein said he and the rest of the staff listen the most important stakeholder in the school, the students.

“This is their school, their community,” Eckstein said. “They have a dream and if they want something, we want to figure it out.”

Two years ago studen ts and staff set out to fundraising. There were festivals, T-shirt sales, donations from elected officials and even the students purchasing juice and snacks to go towards the efforts.

“They are asking about it every single day,” Eckstein said.

The students raised a little more than $60,000 for the playground.

“If kids work that hard, a playground, I feel that is something we should do for them,” Eckstein said.

The total cost of the playground is $69,874. The Elmore County Board of Education approved the installation and remaining portion of the costs.

The board meeting was at Stanhope Elmore High School

to honor retiring board member Col. Dale Bain. It was also a chance to honor the girls and boys bowling teams at the school — especially the girls who won a state championship.

The board received five letters of interest with resumes to replace Bain. The five candidates will be interviewed at 6 p.m. March 7. Each of the candidates will be asked the same questions and the current board will vote on the replacement. The new member will be sworn in at the start of the next March meeting.

The board closed out the meeting with a student expulsion hearing with just the board members, parents and student present. No action was taken when the board returned to a normal meeting. Art students at the school made name cards for the board members.

IN OTHER ACTION THE ELMORE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION:

• Approved minutes of the Jan. 23 meeting.

• Approved monthly financial statements for January.

• Approved facility use agreements for Holtville High School and Holtville Elementary School.

CLIFF WILLIAMS | TPI

Col. Dale Bain receives a plaque from Stanhope Elmore principal Ewell Fuller at a Elmore County Board of Education meeting at Stanhope Elmore. Bain is retiring from the board at the end of the month.

CLIFF WILLIAMS | TPI

The Elmore County Board of Education recognized the girls bowling team from Stanhope Elmore which won a state championship.

Primary elections are nearing,

here’s what you need

By ABIGAIL MURPHY Multimedia Reporter

Super Tuesday is coming up in less than two weeks on March 5. Now is the time to be applying for absentee ballots, figuring out your polling place and looking over the candidates.

What is a primary election

Unlike the general election, the primary election focuses on the candidates for individual parties to determine which candidate will represent their political party in the general election.

In the state of Alabama, voters do not register with a party but declare a party the day of.

“That means that the person who's taking your ID has to know what party you are, if you want a partisan ballot, that throws a lot of people off,” Tallapoosa County probate judge Tal East explained.

For the primary election, if you ask for a Republican ballot, you will get all the Republican candidates who are running opposed and if you ask for a Democrat ballot, you will get all the Democrats candidates who are running opposed. You can ask for a nonpartisan ballot then you will receive a ballot with just the constitutional amendment.

Of course, come November voters will receive a ballot with all the parties on it and candidates who are running unopposed with an option to write in a candidate.

As for the constitutional amendment there is one that will be voted on during the primaries. The amendment will make it easier for local laws to be considered in the legislature by allowing for them to be viewed before the budget isolation resolution is passed.

How to vote

East said he would like to remind individuals to verify their polling locations, especially since for those in Alexander City the polling place will be different from where voters go for municipal elections.

The easiest way to find your polling location is by going to the Alabama Secretary of State website. There also is a copy of all the registered

to know

voters and their polling locations in the Feb. 14 edition of The Herald.

Polling locations are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Another important aspect to remember is to bring a valid state issued photo identification, such as a non-expired driver’s license.

In Alabama, voters will vote on paper ballots. There also are mechanisms in place to aid those with disabilities to cast their vote.

“We can have someone that can assist you — in filling out a normal ballot if you choose that person to be there, if you allow somebody to see your votes,” East said. “Or we have handicap accessible machines that have Braille and have an electronic assistant so that you can vote in that manner. It goes into the same machine and is counted in the same way.”

For those who are going the absentee ballot route, voters have until Tuesday to mail in their absentee ballot application to the county absentee election managers. Voters can also give their application back in person by Thursday.

If individuals are not currently registered to vote, the deadline to vote in the primaries has passed, but East said it is important to still go ahead and register so you are ready for the next election, especially the general election in November.

“It's important for people to participate in democracy and participate in their government,” East said. “I like to tell people, ‘Whether or not you're interested in your government, your government is interested in you.’ These are the people that are spending your money on different things and it's incredibly important for people to participate in that process. Don't think you have to have spent every waking moment of every day analyzing the issues to go vote. We all have lives. We all have jobs, we all have other things going on, but participate in the process. Let the people in power know that you care enough to go vote.”

For voter registration and more information, visit the Alabama Secretary of State website.

SAMPLE BALLOT

SAMPLE BALLOT

County authorizes new counselor to help with mental health

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

The Elmore County approved spending funds to help construct the commercial district of 17 Springs and to aid in mental health issues at its Monday meeting.

The funding for a mental health counselor is coming from opioid settlements and will give the Family Sunshine Center $80,000 per year for three years. The funds are for salaries, benefits and training to hire a mental health counselor to aid Elmore County resi -

dents. “I don’t think these funds could be used in a better way,” Elmore County commissioner Mack Daughtery said. “Mental health is a real issue.”

Commissioner Desirae Lewis Jackson is heading up the newly created Elmore County Mental Health Task Force. The organization has met once and includes representatives from the commission, law enforcement, corrections, DHR, education and more. Jackson said the group is aiming to

move fast in helping the community with mental health issues.

The commission awarded a $4.6 million bid to Dubose Construction to be split with the City of Millbrook for work in the commercial district of 17 Springs. The project will aid in the completion of the 17 Springs Marketplace. Funding is coming from the levelized lodging tax and from the future sale of lots co-owned by the county and Millbrook.

The commission authorized a memorandum of understanding

with the City of Prattville for quality of life projects at Cooter’s Pond and Legends Parkway. The county is spending just more than $200,000 to improve bathroom facilities, the parking and boat ramp at Cooter’s Pond while also providing safety improvements on the nearby roadway.

The funding comes from a special sales tax collected by the county in the area.

About $50,000 in Elmore County’s American Rescue Plan Allocation funding is being rerouted to the City of

Tallassee to help with a generator, upgrades to technology and security in the dispatch center in the police department.

The commission recognized the Stanhope Elmore High School Girls Bowling Team for winning the 2024 AHSAA 6A/7A State Championship and their 18-0 undefeated season.

IN OTHER ACTION THE ELMORE COUNTY COMMISSION:

• Approved the minutes of the Feb. 5 meeting.

• Approved the memorandum of warrants

totaling $5,83768.18 for the period of Jan. 27 to Feb. 16.

• Appointed El Wand Penn and Julie Dapprich to the Elmore County Department of Human Resources board.

• Approved budget amendments for fiscal years 2022, 2024 and 2024 related to the reappraisal budget.

• Awarded an annual bid for milling asphalt and parking lot striping. The next meeting of the Elmore County Commission is scheduled for 5 p.m. Monday, March 11.

Speed limits and dogs in Crommelin Park to be considered

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

Speed limits could change in Wetumpka at the next city council meeting.

At Tuesday’s council meeting members of the council heard potential ordinances to amend speed limits for North Bridge Street and within public

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me to do what I do,” Kirsch said.

“It is so valuable to me.”

parks. The proposed speed limit on North Bridge Street is 35 mph and 15 for parks. The council also heard a reading of a proposed amended ordinance allowing dogs on a leash to be permitted in Crommelin Park. The council previously approved work to convert old tennis courts to

Students shared with Kirsch a variety of talents and career paths they wished to pursue. One female student said she wanted to fly planes. At an assembly Lt. Col Kim Hoffman, call sign ‘Storm,’ spoke to the students too.

“I used to be in the back seat of an F15E Strike Eagle,” Hoffman said.

It was the plane used in the first Top Gun. She flew missions in Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria to name a few places. The experienced pilot said with hard work and studying any career is possible for any student.

“Nothing is off the table,” Hoffman said. “I started to fly general aviation when I was 15 years old.”

She also reinforced the Air Force’s STEM day event before the air show. Some of the planes will be on display and booths will help students learn about various careers in and out of the military related to STEM.

“The students can do anything they want to do,” Hoffman said.

waved as he drove the opposite direction. It was another one of those sincere, genuine waves, just like Mr. Hall. We didn’t know each other. He was just being kind.

Now, as I get ready to start the second part of the day I see social media has joined in on the crusade with a post on one of the Alexander City pages asking people to leave a

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pickleball courts at the park behind Trinity Episcopal Church.

It was the first time the full amendments were presented to the council and will be voted on at the next meeting.

The council approved the purchase of seasonal infield materials for the baseball and softball fields at the

Wetumpka Sports Complex.

“This is an annual thing we do to keep up the playing surfaces,” Mayor Jerry Willis said.

IN OTHER ACTION THE WETUMPKA CITY COUNCIL:

• Approved minutes of the Feb. 5 meeting.

• Granted a retail beer and table wine off premises alcohol license for Pure Gas on U.S. Highway 231 following a public hearing with no comment.

The next scheduled meeting of the Wetumpka City Council is 6 p.m. March 4.

• Entered an agreement with ALDOT to resurface and stripe portions of West Tallassee Street.

positive comment about a local business. As of press time there were more than 40 comments of sincere kindness posted about other businesses in town. What a nice surprise it will be for business owners to read about people singing their praises, especially considering that’s not what we’re accustomed to seeing on some of these social groups. Do I think Mr. Hall’s morning cheer is the only reason these things happened this week? Maybe not and probably

86.86 acres off of Highway 111. Glendale, Colorado Mayor Mike Dunafon hopes to develop three to five acre estate lots on a 194 acre parcel near Tutwiler Prison.

Dunafon’s group has already purchased 40 acres adjacent to the 194 acres they are seeking to be annexed into Wetumpka.

“We already own the Capouano property next to Cherokee Estates,” Dunafon said.

The new acquisition gives Dunafon and investors 233 acres to work with. It is all near Corn Creek between Highway 9 and the prison.

“Our plan is estate lot development preserving the old hardwords,”

so. Maybe not because Mrs. Heard has been in our office many times and has never been short on compliments and smiles. She is truly a blessing to our staff. Maybe the facebook post was going to happen anyway, as it should. But I do believe Mr. Hall started something that, I hope, will spread, even if it is organically. Would I have even noticed all three of these genuinely kind gestures if I hadn’t already been uplifted from reading about Mr. Hall?

Dunafon said. “It will be 3- to 5-acre lots. That is the vision.”

There is no fear of the project being near Tutwiler Prison.

“I don’t think anybody in Alabama is worried about a prison too much, especially as heavily armed as everyone is,” Dunafon said. “Y’all need to knock or you’re not coming in.”

The developer said the prison creates a buffer where nothing will be built between it and the proposed development.

Dunafon said not much construction wise will happen for at least a year.

“We want to fully understand the water in the area,” Dunafon said. “We will look at topo maps and [light and detection ranging] surveys as we go through the design phase.”

Dunafon’s project has nothing to do with his role as mayor in the Denver

Who knows. What I do know is when people extend kindness, it lifts spirits and makes you want to pay it forward. It makes you want to be more like them because who wants to be negative Nelly when there are people like Mr. Hall, Mrs. Heard and the city worker blessing our town? I, for one, wanted to wave at the next passing car after my encounter today. Everything won’t always be rosy. The honest news, the good and the bad, will always be critical to the health of commu-

metropolitan area. His work in the private sector brought him to Alabama and he took a liking to the state’s conservative people.

“Once I got to know the people, we loved it,” Dunafon said. “This is the place we want to raise our grand kids at.”

Dunafon’s son has already purchased a home in the Brookwood subdivision in Redland. It will serve as a home base as Dunafon travels back and forth to Colorado to manage Dunafon’s Colorado and Glendale business.

Wetumpka Mayor Jerry Willis said he has been working with Dunafon on the project for a few months now.

“We are happy you are choosing to come here all the way from Colorado to invest in the City of Wetumpka,” Willis said.

nities. But, if everyone would make an effort to be kind, share a wave here and there, encourage positivity and leave the judgement where it belongs, it would be a nice step toward honoring Mr. Hall, Mrs Heard and everyone else that’s already a part of the kindness crusade. Now, if we could just get Lake Martin boaters back to waving!

Tippy Hunter is the general manager of Tallapoosa Publishers Inc.

Willis has even been working with Dunafon on his dialect.

“We’re fixin’ to do this,” Dunafon said at the council meeting.

The proposed property for annexation is valued at $439,600 according to Elmore County tax records. The 40 acres currently owned by Dunafon’s group is valued at $115,000.

Stone Martin Builders is seeking to develop 86.86 acres knows as the Old School Farm off Highway 111. It is currently owned by Alfa. Plans are to build approximately 240 homes with at least 1,500 square feet of heated and cooled space.

“I think this is a product we really need,” Willis said. “We are looking forward to it.”

The city council will consider annexing the property at its next council meeting.

CLIFF WILLIAMS | TPI

Mark Kirsch signs autographs for students at Millbrook Middle School last week after pulling a school bus.

Don’t lose heart

This article was inspired by a photo a friend shared and the message God gave me when I saw it. The picture was of a tomato plant with several small tomatoes on it, and she posted it on Facebook, because it was so uncommon to see a tomato plant showing signs of life during a brutally cold winter. The photo was taken in January, and the plant was once again producing fruit and thriving, in spite of all it had gone through.

Telling someone not to

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

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.

lose heart is easier said than done, and becomes much more personal and challenging when something happens in our own lives. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 talks about not losing heart and it’s the theme of the message God provided when I first saw the tomato plant photo.

“Though our outer self is perishing, on the inside we are being renewed day by day.

For these momentary afflictions are preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison. For the things

Wednesday nights at 6:30 p.m. the church offers Children’s Gospel Project, Youth Bible Study and Adult Prayer Meeting. Regular office hours are Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

EAST TALLASSEE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

ETUMC’s Rivers Edge

Flea Market is now closed. The church will start a new project called Rivers Edge Food Pantry. ETUMC will provide canned food, water, dry beans and rice, blan-

that are seen are transient, but the things that are not seen are eternal. The tomatoes were continuing to thrive, because their source of life and living water were found deep inside the vine, even though it appeared to be withered. God is our true vine! The source of living water can only come from Him, and it flows down into the deepest parts of our being, our spirit and soul, and renews us! Thank You God for hope and restoration!”

Below are some of the

Church Briefs

kets, and jackets. If you want to donate or help with the cause, call Joan Wood at 334-312-4913.

EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF THE EPIPHANY

Please join us for Sunday services at 10:30 a.m. when the Rev. Lee Lowery will celebrate the Holy Eucharist. We are asking everyone please to wear a mask. The service will be live streamed on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ EpiphanyTallassee/ For more information, visit the

lyrics of the popular song, “Don’t Lose Heart”, by Stephen Curtis Chapman, and in an interview he said he wrote it as a passionate anthem of hope, inspired by his own journey through the dark valley of grief and loss that he and his family had traveled.

“Another sleepless night, praying hope comes in the morning light. Right now you’re feeling like you’ve lost the fight. And fear is screaming out your name. Let me walk you through this valley and tell you all that

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

Worship With Us

I’ve learned to be true. Don’t lose heart. Don’t you dare let go. I’ve been where you are.. You’re not alone. I know it gets dark. I know it gets hard, but we’re gonna make it home!”

Our afflictions are all going to turn to glory beyond comparison one day, so let’s cling to Jesus and strive to not lose heart.

Melinda Blair is a religion columnist for Tallapoosa Publishers Inc.

person Sunday mornings at 8:50 a.m. (contemporary) or 11 a.m. (traditional). Sunday School for all ages is offered Sunday mornings at 10 a.m., and a nursery is available for infants. CHILDREN & YOUTH: meet Sunday evenings from 5-6:30 p.m. and Wednesday evenings from 6-7:15 p.m.; supper is included both days! For more information about our church or the programs we offer, visit our website: fumctallassee.com or call us: 334-283-2195. FUMC

Tallassee - 1 Jordan Avenue.”

OUR LIFE’S JOURNEY Airs every Sunday at 8:30 a.m. on 580 WACQ, FM 98.5 & 101.1, on your smart speaker, your TuneIn app, or on our website www.wacqradio. com. Please share on social media. This set of programs features Msgr. Charles Troncale, Fr. Mateusz Rudzik, Fr. James Dean, Fr. David Carucci, Fr. Patrick Driscoll, and Deacon Jim Labadie.

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. – John 3:17

MELINDA BLAIR Columnist

Dalton MiDDleton SportS eDitor dalton.middleton@thewetumpkaherald.com

Young Indians prove too much for Mustangs

By GRIFFIN PRITCHARD For The Herald

Wetumpka’s youth didn’t stop the Indians from claiming another victory over their rival.

Wetumpka took down

Stanhope Elmore, 3-1, in AHSAA Class 6A, Area 3 girls soccer Friday night. The Indians, who have a handful of first-year starters and

junior high players, moved to 3-4 on the year and 1-0 in area play.

Stanhope Elmore, which avoided being shutout by scoring in the final 20 seconds of the match, fell to

0-10-1 on the year.

“I think they could have done better, but they did okay,” Indians coach Jessica Holbert said. “There were still some rookie mistakes.

My back line on defense is three seventh graders and a sophomore. I lost all of my backline last year, so these are new kids. My goalkeeper is new too. She’s been on the team but has not started and played consistently like she has now. We could have done some things better – passing, touching – fundamental type

NEW YEAR, SAME PLAYER

By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor

Mya Holt is back to doing Mya Holt things.

Two weeks into the softball season and the reigning Alabama Gatorade Player of the Year and twotime Elmore County Player of the Year is off to a hot start to her senior year.

After pitching a perfect game in the team’s opening weekend against Calera with 11 strikeouts, she bounced back this weekend and tossed a second one.

In a 10-0 win over Class 7A’s Smiths Station Thursday, Holt struck out 13 of

the 18 batters she faced in the six-inning mercy rule. She struck out at least two batters in five of the six innings and struck out the side twice.

Of her 81 total pitches, 55 were strikes.

She now has a 6-1 record on the year with 1.33 earned run average and 50 strikeouts in 42 innings.

While she has impressed in the circle, she’s gotten the job done at the plate as well. She hit a home run in the perfect game she pitched, but her biggest home run came in the matchup against Spain Park.

Holt stepped up to the plate with two on base and one out in the bottom of the seventh inning and crushed a three-run walk off home run straight to center field to beat Spain Park, 4-2. In the process, she gave herself the win in the circle.

In 13 games this year, Holt is the team’s leading hitter. She is currently batting .459 with 17 hits, seven of which are extra base hits. She has 10 singles, two doubles and five home runs with a teamhigh 15 RBIs. She has a team-best .545 on base percentage with six walks as well.

Stanhope Elmore’s Ray signs with Faulkner football

By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor

Jermaine Ray never thought he would be playing college football. When he started ninth grade, Ray was 5-feet and weighed 90 pounds. But after a few growth spurts and hitting the weight room hard, he is now getting the opportunity he dreamed of since he was a little kid. Ray signed a National Letter of Intent to play college football with Faulkner University in Montgomery. He is heading to play cornerback for the Eagles.

“It actually means so much to me,” Ray said. “None of this would have been possible without God or my family. I’ve never been a big kid and didn’t think I’d make

Tallassee’s Delfin can’t stop scoring

By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor

Irvin Delfin is reminding teams why he was an AllState member last season.

Delfin, Tallassee’s star junior, scored nine goals in three games this week. He started his week with five goals against Holtville, then bounced back with two goals each in two wins over Charles Henderson.

While averaging a hat trick, he also assisted three goals for good measure.

For his week dominating the pitch, Delfin is the Elmore County Player of the Week.

“Irvin is averaging almost three goals a game, so that certainly helps your team out,” Tigers coach Matt Tarpley said. “He’s a special player and it never hurts to have him on your side.”

Delfin let Holtville know how the game was going to go in a hurry. Tallassee won the matchup, 10-0, and Delfin scored the first five goals of the game.

He did so without being assisted from anyone else on the team. He simply got the ball at his feet and raced past defenders and found the back of the net.

After scoring the five goals, he earned a relaxing second half of sitting on the bench.

“That game was quick and easy for him,” Tarpley said. “After that, we got him a little break and let the other guys pick up the pieces. His speed really showed there and is severely underrated. He can quickly find himself in open space if he’s 1-on-1 with a defender and he can finish with both feet. He’s very precise and clinical

with his shots.”

In the first matchup against Charles Henderson, a 6-2 win, he scored two goals and had one assist. Five days later, he had two goals and two assists in a 6-0 win over the Trojans.

His scoring outburst has come after he scored just two goals in the team’s first five games.

During that span, Tallassee had just a 1-3-1 record with the lone win coming against ACA.

Now, he’s found his footing and Tallassee has won three straight games while he averaged a hat trick.

For anyone who has watched Delfin, it’s no surprise. Delfin scored 30 goals and added 11 assists last year and was the first Tallassee soccer player to earn AllState honors in the process.

Tarpley knew that was likely to go down due to the team playing some tougher teams early this year, but he’s found his scoring burst quicker than expected.

“It’s just phenomenal to see him back in the same form he finished last year,” Tarpley said. “We knew this schedule would challenge him and I think it steeled his resolve. He wants to be one of the best players in the state of Alabama and now he’s going out there to do that.”

Wetumpka’s Emily Smith scored one goal in the Indians’ 3-1 victory over Stanhope Elmore. The win gave Wetumpka a 1-0

TPI

Tallassee junior Irvin Delfin scored nine goals as he helped lead the Tigers to a 3-0 record last week. He scored five goals in one half against Holtville before scoring

game-winning goal

Wetumpka’s Evans shocks Mustangs with game winner

By GRIFFIN PRITCHARD

For The Herald

Wetumpka freshman Mark Kasen Evans has already cemented himself in the Wetumpka-Stanhope Elmore rivalry.

The freshman found himself in the right place at the right time Friday night as he scored the game-winning goal to lead Wetumpka past Stanhope, 2-1, in double overtime of a boys soccer game. With just 1:33 left on the clock, Evans punched in a goal that deflected off a kick from Angel Gabriel and secured the win.

“This kid has gone through so much,” Indians coach Stephen Horn said. “Losing his dad in seventh grade to getting on the team and playing on varsity as an eighth grader – he makes varsity as a freshman and then faces more adversity. He comes back and earns a starting role for himself and redeems himself and vindicates all of it by scoring the winning goal against our most hated rival. That was just picture perfect.”

It didn’t take long for the match between county rivals to escalate from a friendly to a shootout. The Mustangs struck first, squaring up a shot that ricocheted off the top crossbar and sailed toward midfield. The Indians answered a few minutes later with a cross to an angling striker that doinked off the far post.

Thursday, Feb. 29

High School Softball

4 Wetumpka, Tallassee at Wetumpka Tournament, TBD

4 Stanhope Elmore at Elmore County, 6:30 p.m.

4 Edgewood Academy at Lowndes Varsity Tournament, TBD

High School Baseball

4 Edgewood Academy at Lowndes Varsity Tournament, TBD

4 Stanhope Elmore at Trinity, 2:30 p.m.

4 Elmore County at Montgomery Catholic, 4 p.m. Wetumpka at Tallassee, 6:30 p.m.

4 Valley at Holtville, 5 p.m. High School Soccer

4 Benjamin Russell at Tallassee, 6 p.m.

4 ACA at Stanhope Elmore, 5:30 p.m.

4 Elmore County at Sylacauga, 5:30 p.m.

Continued from B1

it this far. I came into high school at 90 pounds and now

I’m 6-foot and 180 pounds.

All I can say is I worked really hard to get here and I’m ready for the next chapter.” Ray wasn’t always going to play football at Faulkner. He sent his film out to schools like the rest of the graduating senior football players, but he didn’t have much luck.

So he set out on touring schools to try and decide where he felt he could get the best education. He liked the computer science program at Faulkner, and he set up a tour.

Wetumpka’s Smith, Cox named wrestling all-stars

By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor

Just two weeks after winning the AHSAA Class 6A state championship, Wetumpka’s Noah Smith and Willie Cox are back wrestling in the postseason.

Smith and Cox were both selected to wrestle in the second annual Alabama Wrestling Coaches Association North/ South All-Star Duals Tournament.

Both keepers, Trent Wineberg for the Mustangs and Ashton Stipes for the Tribe, were in top form diving and punching to defend their goals.

However, Alexis Cano put the Mustangs up with 2:02 left before intermission, scoring off a deflection that caught Stipes off balance.

Stanhope Elmore carried a 1-0 lead into the intermission.

The Indians answered midway through the second period when senior midfielder Brody Worrell pushed a free kick past Wineberg to even the tally at 1-1.

“I thought the first half we played well and dominated the game, but went down 1-0,” Horn said. “I thought this is going to happen again … we’re going to lose after dominating the game. But in the second half we scored a goal off an incredible free kick by Brody but it felt like the momentum shifted to their side because we couldn’t control the midfield. It was a very bizarre game, I thought.”

Despite two minutes of pressure from the Mustangs to end regulation, the Indians thwarted the onslaught and held on for the end-of-regulation tie.

“We get into regulation and we are just playing for penalty kicks,” Horn said. “We won in penalty kicks last year at their place. We’re thinking, let’s go to PKs again but then a freshman knocks it in and wins the game for us. It was just amazing.”

Friday, March 01

High School Softball

4 Wetumpka, Stanhope Elmore, Elmore County, Holtville, Tallassee at Wetumpka Tournament, TBD

4 Edgewood Academy at Lowndes Varsity Tournament, TBD High School Baseball

4 Edgewood Academy at Lowndes Varsity Tournament, TBD

4 Tallassee at BTW, 4 p.m.

4 Trinity at Wetumpka, 4:30 p.m.

High School Soccer

4 (B) Sidney Lanier at Stanhope Elmore, 5:30 p.m.

4 (G) Wetumpka vs. Montgomery Catholic (at Houston Academy), 6:30 p.m.

4 (B) Wetumpka vs. Central Phenix City (at Houston Academy), 6:30 p.m.

4 Beauregard at Holtville, 5:30 p.m.

On his tour, he was introduced to the football coaches and he was told they had watched his film and offered him on the spot. His decision was easy then.

“Computer science is what I wanted to major in so when I toured and was able to see that program, it was like I was at home,” Ray said. “Faulkner is everything that fits me and my personality. Especially with them being a Christian school.” Ray had a successful senior campaign in the Stanhope Elmore secondary this past fall. Starting in one of the cornerback spots, he recorded 19 tackles, two interceptions, four defended passes and

They will represent the South team and are two of 14 wrestlers who will wrestle against the North team on Saturday, March 9 at Huntingdon College in Montgomery.

Smith will wrestle Jasper’s Antonio Nash in the 132-pound weight class while Cox will wrestle Bob Jones’ Tafari Alcime in the 285-pound class.

Cox is coming off his second-consecutive state championship in the heavyweight division. He beat Mountain Brook’s Daniel Ellis with an 8-4 decision last Saturday in the 6A state championship.

He wrapped up his senior year with a 47-1 record with his only loss coming to the No. 8-ranked wrestler in the country,

have been

and

to wrestle in the second annual ALWCA

nament. Both wrestlers won the 6A state championship in their

class this season.

a wrestler from Louisiana. He went undefeated against wrestlers from the state of Alabama and has not lost to an in-state wrestler since he was a sophomore.

Alcime, his opponent, claimed the 7A state title last week and went 44-5 on the season. He beat Hewitt-Trussville’s Zack Chatman in the finals.

Smith also claimed the state championship last week in the 132-pound class and went 37-2 on the season. He knocked off

Homewood’s Moeen Almansoob by a 6-2 decision in the championship match. Smith ended his season by winning 29-consecutive matches. He will face Nash, who was the Class 5A runner-up for Jasper and went 43-8 this season.

Wetumpka’s Christian Preston, who won back-to-back state titles in the 215-pound weight class, was not selected for the event. Instead, Spain Park’s Kyle Oliviera will wrestle in his spot.

Edgewood softball starts season on fire

By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor

It’s been tough stopping Edgewood Academy’s softball team so far this spring. Edgewood is out to a 9-3 record to begin the 2024 season, and all three losses have come to AISA Class AAA Lee-Scott Academy. Against everyone else, Edgewood is 9-0 and has outscored opponents 81-21 in those games.

Saturday, March 02

High School Softball

4 Wetumpka, Stanhope Elmore, Elmore County, Holtville, Tallassee at Wetumpka Tournament, TBD

4 Edgewood Academy at Lowndes Varsity Tournament, TBD

High School Baseball

4 Edgewood Academy at Lowndes Varsity Tournament, TBD

4 McAdory at Wetumpka, 12 p.m.

4 Beauregard at Holtville, 11 a.m.

High School Soccer

4 (B) Wetumpka at Houston Academy, 9:30 a.m.

4 (G) Wetumpka vs Providence (at Houston Academy), 9:30 a.m.

4 (G) Wetumpka at Houston Academy, 12:30 p.m.

4 (B) Wetumpka vs Providence (at Houston Academy), 2 p.m.

even scored a touchdown.

One of the biggest moments of his senior season came when he intercepted a Russell County pass in the end zone in the fourth quarter of the Mustangs’ first region win. His interception clinched the win for Stanhope. Now he hopes to bring his ability to defend passes to Faulkner’s team.

“In high school, I feel like I wasn’t able to show my full talent because I was still getting used to all the things I could do,” Ray said. “Now I feel like I can do a whole lot more. I think I’ll intercept more passes and get a picksix or two.”

The Wildcats just wrapped up a runner-up finish in the Edgewood Invitational Tournament and are looking to make a big splash in Class AA this season. “I think they’re really playing well right now,” Wildcats coach Kim Brown said. “The bats are starting to come alive. With the basketball season running late, a lot of our girls don’t see live pitching until the season has already

Monday, March 04

High School Softball

4 Elmore County at Sylacauga, 6:30 p.m.

4 Hooper Academy at Edgewood Academy, 6 p.m.

High School Baseball

4 Hooper Academy at Edgewood Academy, 5:30 p.m.

4 Elmore County vs. Pike Road (at Paterson Field), 3 p.m.

4 Opelika at Wetumpka, 6:30 p.m.

High School Soccer

4 Tallassee at Elmore County, 6 p.m.

4 (B) Stanhope Elmore at Enterprise, 7:30 p.m.

4 (B) Wetumpka at Sidney Lanier, 5:30 p.m.

Tuesday, March 05

High School Softball

4 Elmore County at St. James, 5 p.m.

PROVE

Continued from B1

started. They’re really starting to wake up bats so that’s fun to see.” While the bats have been working, Edgewood’s pitchers have been able to keep teams away from the scoreboard. The Wildcats brought in a few pitchers from transfers and the pitching room looks much different than a year ago.

See SOFTBALL, Page B8

4 Chilton County at Wetumpka, 6:30 p.m.

4 Edgewood Academy at Hooper Academy, 3:30 p.m.

High School Baseball

4 Edgewood Academy at Hooper Academy, 4 p.m.

4 Stanhope Elmore vs. St. James (at Riverwalk Stadium), 2 p.m.

4 Elmore County vs. Trinity (at Paterson Field), 5 p.m.

4 Beauregard at Tallassee, 6:30 p.m.

High School Soccer

4 ACA at Tallassee, 5:30 p.m.

4 Helena at Wetumpka, 5:30 p.m. 4 Shelby County at Holtville, 5:30 p.m.

blasted a shot through the defense of the Mustangs’ keeper with 22 minutes remaining in the game.

things.” Despite her inexperience, the Indians’ keeper proved to be a brick wall, stalemating and frustrating the Mustangs’ attack for most of the game while goals were at a premium.

Wetumpka’s Lisa Lopez, however, put the Tribe on the path to victory right before the half. She netted the game’s first goal off a scrum for the ball with 1:31 left to play before intermission. Directly after the break, senior Emily Smith doubled the Indians’ score when she

“Our top line, which has two seniors and one sophomore, really helped with our aggressiveness,” Holbert said.

Wetumpka then had a chance to blow open the game with a barrage of shots that had Stanhope’s goalkeeper all but standing on her head to deflect them. Only one made it past her, however, when Keryanna Smith kicked in a deflection off a Morgan Sims shot. That goal with 4:26 left in the game secured the area victory for Wetumpka.

SPORTS CALENDAR

GRIFFIN PRITCHARD TPI

Wetumpka freshman Mark Kasen Evans (9) dribbles the ball down the field against a Stanhope Elmore defender. Evans scored the

with just under two minutes left in Friday’s match.

GRIFFIN PRITCHARD FOR TPI

Wetumpka’s Noah Smith, left,

Willie Cox

selected

North/South All-Star Duals Tour-

weight

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Public Notices

Public Notices

PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE UNDER POWER FORECLOSURE NOTICE WHEREAS, default has occurred in the performance of the covenants, terms and conditions of a mortgage from BRIANNA LYNN MEACHAM, UNMARRIED WOMAN to MORTGAGE ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION SYSTEMS INC. AS MORTGAGEE, AS NOMINEE FOR VANDERBILT MORTGAGE AND FINANCE, INC. DBA SILVERTON MORTGAGE, on the 12th day of May, 2021, said mortgage recordof Probate of Elmore County, Alabama, on May 12, 2021, in Deed/Mortgage Book 2021, Page 41638, Elmore County, Alabama Records, said Mortgage having subsequently been transferred and assigned to NewRez LLC d/b/a Shellpoint Mortgage Servicing, by instrument recorded in the aforesaidby given that 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 at the main entrance to the Elmore county courthouse located at 100 E Commerce Street, Wetumpka, AL 36092 in Wetumpka, Elmore County, Alabama, on March 12, 2024, during the legal hours of sale, all of its right, title, and interest in and to the following described real estate, situated in Elmore County, Alabama, to-wit: Commence at an iron pin located at the intersection on the north right of way of Tuskeena Street (66` R.O.W.) and the east right of way of North Opothleohola Street (66` R.O.W.), said point being the SW corner of Original Lot 102, West Wetumpdegrees 57 minutes 15 seconds West, along the east right of way of said North Opothleohola Street, 114.94 feet to an iron pin, said point being the POINT 00 degrees 00 minutes 00 seconds East, along said right of thence leaving said right of way, South 89 degrees 29 minutes 56 seconds East, 99.19 feet to degrees 57 minutes 15 seconds East, 49.73 feet to an iron 22 minutes 59 seconds West, 100.05 feet to the point of beginning, containing 0.12 acres, more or less. Said legal description being controlling, however the property is more commonly known as 202 N OPOTHLEOHOLA ST, WETUMPKA, AL 36092. Alabama law gives some persons who have an interest in property the right to redeem the property under certain circumstances. Programs may also exist that help persons avoid or delay the foreclosure process. An attorney should be consulted to help you understand these rights and programs as a part of the foreclosure process. This property will be sold on an “as is, where is” basis, subject to any easements, encumbrances, and exceptions those contained in the records

Probate in the county where the

y above-described property is situated. This property will be sold subject to the right of redemption of all parties entitled thereto and subject to any outstanding ad valorem taxes (including taxes which are a lien, whether or not now due and payable). This sale is made for the purpose of paying the indebtedness secured by said mortgage, as well as the expenses of foreclosure. The Mortgagee/Transferee reserves the right to bid for and purchase the real estate and to credit its purchase price against the expenses of sale and the indebtedness secured by the real estate. This sale is subject to postponement or cancellation. NewRez LLC d/b/a Shellpoint Mortgage Servicing, Mortgagee/Transferee THE BELOW LAW FIRM MAY BE HELD TO BE ACTING AS A DEBT COLLECTOR, UNDER FEDERAL LAW. IF SO, ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. Rubin Lublin, LLC, Attorney for Mortgagee/Transferee 11 N. Water Street, Suite 10290, Mobile, AL 36602 Telephone Number: (877) 8130992 Case No. SHP-24-002161 rlselaw.com/property-listing

Wetumpka Herald: Feb. 14, 21, 28, 2024 226095

PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE OF MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE STATE OF ALABAMA COUNTY OF ELMORE

Default having been made of the terms of the loan documents secured by that certain mortgage executed by Judy C Reese And Julius Jackson Individually And As Husband And Wifegage being recorded on Juneabama. Said Mortgage was last -

assignment recorded in Deed outcry to the

An attorney should be consult-

of the status of the loan with the holder of the Mortgage.

as holder of said mortgage

www.foreclosurehotline.net

23-04750AL

PUBLIC NOTICE

MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE

Default having been made in the payment of the indebtedness secured by that certain mortgage executed by Chris J. Johnson, a married man, Crystal L. Johnson, a married woman, originally in favor of Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., acting solely as nominee for First Mortgage Group, on August 25, 2005, said mortgage recorded in the of Elmore County, Alabama, in the undersigned Wells FarTransferee, under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in said mortgage, will sell at public outcry to the highest bidder for cash, in front of the main entrance of the Courthouse atabama, on February 15, 2024, during the legal hours of sale, all of its rights, title, and interest in and to the following described real estate, situated in Elmore County, Alabama, to-wit: Lot 23, according to the plat of Country

and appurtenances thereunto attached to and used in connection with the premises herein described. Said property shall be sold subject to any outstanding ad valorem taxes (including taxes which are a lien, but not yet due and payable), the right of redemption of any taxing authority, all outstanding liens for public utilities which constitute liens upon the property, any matters which might be disclosed by an accurate survey and inspection of the property, any assessments, liens, encumbrances, easements,

sold on an “as-is” basis

abama law gives some persons who have an interest in property the right to redeem the property under certain circumstances.

help persons avoid or delay the foreclosure process. An attorney should be consulted to help you understand these rights and programs as a part of the foreclosure process. This sale is made for the purpose of paying the indebtedness secured by said mortgage, as well as the expenses of foreclosure. The successful bidder must tender a non-refundable deposit of Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00)

time and place of the sale. The balance of the purchase price plus any deed recording costs and transfer taxes must be paid next business day at the Law at the address indicated below. the right to award the bid to the next highest bidder should the highest bidder fail to timely tender the total amount due.serves 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, 2024 until April 25, 2024, during the legal hours of sale in front of the main entrance of the Courthouse at

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. Said sale will be made for the purpose of paying the indebt¬edness secured by the above described mortgage, and the proceeds thereof will be applied as provided by the terms of said mortgage. U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association as Trustee of Velocity Commercial Capital Loan Trust 2023-3, by McCalla Raymer Leibert Pierce, LLC Attorneys for Mortgagee 2 North 20th Street, Suite 1000 Birmingham, Alabama 35203 Phone: 678-281-6503 Lisa.Frank@mccalla.com G.Alicia.Jett@mccalla.com

Wetumpka Herald: Feb. 14, 21 and 28, 2024 23-05530AL

PUBLIC NOTICE

MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE

23-02566

PUBLIC NOTICE STATE OF ALABAMA COUNTY OF ELMORE NOTICE OF MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE

Default having been made in the payment of indebtedness secured by that certain mortgage executed by LHI MANAGEMENT, LLC on the 28th day of June, 2023 to Velocity Commercial Capital, LLC which said mortgage is recorded in County, Alabama, in Book 2023, Page 28937 and by reason of such default, U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association as Trustee of Velocity Commercial Capital Loan Trust 2023-3, as assignee of Velocity Commercial Capital, LLC by virtue of that Assignment of Commercial Mortgage, recorded November 14, 2023 in Book of the Judge of Probate of Elmore County, Alabama, having declared all of the indebtedness secured by said mortgage due

Default having been made in the payment of the indebtedness secured by that certain mortgage executed by Jason Rawlinson and Pamela Joy Rawlinson, husband and wife, originally in favor of Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as nominee for Everett Financial, Inc., d/b/a Supreme Lending, on February 12, 2016, said mortgage recordof Probate of Elmore County, Alabama, in RLPY Book 2016 Page 5879; the undersigned Lakeview Loan Servicing, 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 April 10, 2024, during the legal hours of sale, all of its rights, title, and interest in and to the following described real estate, situated in Elmore County, Alabama, towit: Lots 11 and 12 of the Hickory Hollow Subdivision Plat No. 1 as shown by the Plat recordedbate Elmore County, Alabama Plat 8, at Page 78.. Property street address for informational purposes: 628 Creamer Rd , Wetumpka, AL 36093. 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

CLASSIFIEDS/PUBLIC NOTICES

Public Notices

y 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. Lakeview Loan Servicing, LLC, (“Transferee”) Tiffany & Bosco, P.A., 2501 20th Place South, Suite 300, Homewood, AL 35223 www.tblaw.com TB File Number: 24-00290-MT-AL Wetumpka Herald: Feb. 21, 28 and Mar. 6, 2024 24-00318 PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE

Default having been made in the payment of the indebtedness secured by that certain mortgage executed by Frankie Evon Armstrong, surviving spouse of James Robert Armstrong, to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as Mortgagee, as nominee for Freedom Mortgage Corporation, its successors and assigns, on April 23, 2021, said mortgage being recorded in the of Elmore County, Alabama, Mortgage Corporation, the current holder, 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 Elmore County Courthouse, in Wetumpka, Alabama, on April 24, 2024, during the legal hours of sale, the following described real estate, situated in Elmore County, Alabama, to-wit: Begin at a point where the Weoka Road crosses the East section line of Section 34, T20, R Southeast corner of the North Half of the Southeast Quarter of the Northeast Quarter of Section along the North side of said North 210 feet along county along section line 210 feet back

Also described as: Begin at the intersection of the Creek Road and East side of the SE 1/4 of the NE 1/4 of SecCounty, Alabama for herein dealong said North R.O.W. N

pin and point of beginning. Conand lying in and being a part of the SE 1/4 of the NE 1/4 of SecCounty, Alabama. According to that certain survey dated September 14, 2015 performed by Gregory M. Gillian AL Reg. No.

More commonly known as: 243 Laurel Creek Rd, Titus, AL

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.

help persons avoid or delay the foreclosure process. An attorney should be consulted to help you understand these rights and programs as part of the foreclosure process. This sale is made for the purpose of paying the indebtedness secured by said mortgage, as well as the expense of foreclosure. The successful bidder must tender

form of a wire transfer, bank or reserves the right to award the bid to the next highest bidder should the highest bidder fail to timely tender the total amount due. If sale is voided, Mortgagee/Transferee shall return the bid amount to the successful purchaser and the Mortgagee/ Transferee shall not be liable to the purchase for any damages. If the sale is set aside for any reason, the purchaser at the sale shall be only entitled to a return of the deposit and bid amount, if paid. The Mortgagee/ Transferee reserves the right to bid for and purchase the real estate and to credit is purchase price against the expenses of sale and indebtedness secured by the real estate. This sale is subject to postponement or cancellation. Freedom Mortgage Corporation

244 Inverness Center Drive Birmingham, AL 35242

Wetumpka Herald: AL22372

Public Notices

PUBLIC NOTICE STATE OF ALABAMA PROCLAMATION BY THE GOVERNOR

WHEREAS the Alabama Legislature at its 2023 Second Special Session enacted Act No. 2023-562 (SB3), proposing an amendment to the Constitution of Alabama of 2022; WHEREAS, in conformity with Section 284 of the Constitution of Alabama of 2022, as amended, the Legislature has orderedtors of the state upon such proposed amendment; and WHEREAS notice of this election, together with the proposed amendment, is required by law to be given by proclamation of the Governor, which shall be published once a week for at least four successive weeks immediately preceding the day appointed for the election; NOW, THEREFORE, I, Kay Ivey, as Governor of the State of Alabama, do hereby give notice, direct, and proclaim that on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, an election will be held in the State of Alabama in the manner and form provided by law upon the following proposed amendment to the Constitution of 2022 of the State of Alabama: AMENDMENT PROPOSED BY ACT NO. 2023-562

“Section 71.01

(A) The following words and phrases, whenever used in this amendment, shall have the following respective meanings:

“Basic Appropriations” means, with respect to any regular session of the legislature, such appropriations as the legislature may deem appropriate for the expenditures by the state during the ensuing budget period for the ordinary expenses of the executive, legislative and judicial departments branches of the state, for payment of the public debt, and for education (excluding, however, any item within the scope of the foregoing that is at the time provided for by a continuing appropriation or otherwise).

year of the state or such period the period with respect to which state budgets are prepared and state appropriations are made.

(B) On or before the second legislative day of each regular session of the legislature, session after January 1, 1983 the governor shall transmit to the legislature for its consideration a proposed budget for the then next ensuing budget period.

(C) The duty of the legislature at any regular session to make the basic appropriations for any budget period that will of any succeeding regular session shall be paramount; and, accordingly, beginning with the January 1, 1983, no bill (other than a bill making any of the basic appropriations) shall be signed by either the presiding and transmitted to the other house until bills making the basic appropriations for the then ensuing budget period shall have been signed by the presidlegislature in accordance with Section 66 of this Constitution and presented to the governor in accordance with Section 125 of this Constitution; provided, that this paragraph (C) shall not affect the passage of local laws or local constitutional amendments, the adoption of resolutions, or the conduct of any other legislative functions that do not require a third reading; and provided further, that following adoption, by vote of either house of not less than of a resolution declaring that the provisions of this paragraph (C) shall not be applicable in that house to a particular bill, whichlution by number and title, the

(D) Upon the signing and presentation to the governor in accordance with the said Sections 66 and 125 of bills making the basic appropriations, the provisions of the foregoing parapassage of bills in the house and senate (other than bills making any part of the basic appropriations) shall cease to be effective and shall not be revived or become again effective as a result of (i) the subsequent legislative history of any bill so signed and presented, including any veto, return with executive amendment, or any other action, or failure to act, by either the governor or the legislature under the provisions of the said Section 125; or (ii) a determination, by either judicial decree or opinion of the justices of the Alabama Supreme Court, that any bill so signed and presented is wholly or in part invalid.

(E) The legislature may, by statute or rule, make such further provisions for the timely passage of bills making the basic appropriations as are not inconsistent with the provisions of this Constitution.

(F) Nothing contained herein shall be construed as requiring the legislature to make any appropriation not otherwise required by this Constitution to be made.

(G) Notwithstanding any provision of this amendment, any resolution authorizing the consideration of a bill proposing a local law adopted before November 8, 2016 March 5, 2024 that conformed to the rules of either body of the Legislature at the time it was adopted, is ratof any such resolution is effective from the date of original adoption.”

Public Notices

p FURTHER, I proclaim and di-

rect that this proclamation shall be published once a week for the four successive weeks immediately preceding Tuesday, March 5, 2024, in every county as required by law.

Wetumpka Herald: Feb. 7, 14, 21 and 28, 2024 AMENDMENT

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PUBLIC NOTICE

ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS

WELCOME FOOD PANTRY EQUIPMENT

City of Millbrook – CDBG Project# CV-NC-20-074

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City of Millbrook shall receive and open sealed bids at 3:00 PM CST, Wednesday, March 20, 2024, at Millbrook City Hall located at 3160 Main Street Millbrook, AL 36054 for the purchase of the following equipment:

• (1) Refrigerator Box Truck with Alternate • (1) Cardboard Baler

• (1) Forklift • Walk-in Cooler/Freezer Com-

• (1) Backup Generator (as

Obtaining Bid Documents The project is generally described as but not limited to the purchase of the above mentioned equipment as described in the bid invitation. The bid invitation and other associated documents may be examined and/or requested by contacting City Clerk Lori Davis at 334-285-6428 or lori.davis@ cityofmillbrook-al.gov. All bidders must comply with the requirements of the Contractor’s Licensing Law of the State the type of work for which a proposal is submitted. Award will be made only to competent and responsible bidders as mandated by Title 39 of the Code of Alabama. All bidders must be licensed under Title 34 of the Code of Alabama. This CDBG Grant Public Assistance project utilizes federal funding and as such requires all bidders be registered and in good standing with the U.S. Government via www.sam.gov. The City of Millbrook, Alabama,

in any contract entered into this advertisement, women and minority business enterprises will be afforded full opportunity to submit bids in response to this invitation and will not be discriminated against on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin in consideration for an award. The City reserves the right to reject any or all proposals and to waive technical errors if, in their judgment, the best interests of the City will thereby be promoted.

CITY OF MILLBROOK

Al Kelley, Mayor

City of Millbrook P.O. Box 630 Millbrook, AL 36054 Phone: 334-285-6428

Fax: 334-285-6460

ATTN: City Clerk

Wetumpka Herald: Feb. 28, and Mar. 6, 2024 BIDS PUBLIC NOTICE

ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS

RESILIENT FLOORING BID FOR UP 60,000 SQUARE FEET FOR THE ELMORE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION WETUMPKA, AL BID NO: 24-008

Sealed proposals shall be received for this project by Mr. Richard Dennis, Superintendent, at the Elmore County Robison Drive, Wetumpka, Alabama, on Thursday, April Time, then opened and read aloud.

The project shall be bid excluding taxes. Sealed Bids must be submitted on Company letterhead. No bid may be withdrawn after scheduled closing for receipt of bids for a period reserves the right to reject any or all proposals and to waive technical errors if, in the Owners judgment, the best interests of the Owner will thereby be promoted. payable to Elmore County School District in an amount of the amount of the bid, but in must accompany the bidder’s proposal. Performance and statutory labor and material payment bonds will be required at the signing of the Contract. All bidders bidding in amounts exceeding that established by General Contractors must be licensed under the provisions of Title 34, Chapter 8, Code of evidence of license before bidding or bid will not be received or considered by the Architect. All bidders shall show such evidence by clearly displaying current license number on the outside of the sealed envelope in which the proposal is delivered. All RFIs regarding the bid documents shall be sent and addressed through emails only. of work in Project Manual. Su-

Public Notices

j proper supervision of all work. Superintendent, Elmore Countyson Drive, Wetumpka, Alabama

For questions and to obtain a bid package contact Mike Czerpak at 334-567-1420 or mike.czerpak@elmoreco. com.

BIDS PUBLIC NOTICE STATE OF ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE COLLECTION SERVICES DIVISION INVITATION FOR BIDS FOR THE SALE OF PROPERTY LOCATED IN ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA

Notice is hereby given pursuant to Section 40-29-23(b), Code of Alabama 1975, that the Alabama Department of Revenue is accepting sealed bids for the sale of the following real properties described below, acquired as a result of a Sheriff’s Sale. Sealed bids shall be submitted online at: https://www.ebuy. alabama.gov, until the closing date and time of 11:59 p.m., Friday, March 15, 2024 at which time all bids will be opened and read in the Collection Services Division. Bids will not be accepted after the above stated date and time. Description of property offered: BEGIN AT AN IRON PIN AT THE NW CORNER OF THE E ½ OF THE NE 1/4 OF THE SW 1/4 OF SECTION 21, T20N, R17E, ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA; THENCE S 88 DEG. 48’ 57” E, ALONG ¼ SECTION LINE. 1321.16 FEET TO AN IRON PIN; THENCE S 00 DEG. 05’ 58” E, 1320.64 FEET TO A FENCE CORNER POST; THENCE N 88 DEG. 48’ 57” W, ALONG 1/4 SECTION LINE, 1337.61 FEET TO AN IRON PIN; THENCE N 00 DEG. 36’ 50” E, 446.92 FEET TO AN IRON PIN; THENCE S 89 DEG. 23’ 10” E, 210.00 FEET TO AN IRON PIN; THENCE N 00 DEG. 36’ 50” E, 210.00 FEET TO AN IRON PIN; THENCE N 89 DEG. 23’ 10” W, 210.00 FEET TO AN IRON PIN; THENCE N 00 DEG. 36’ 50” E, 663.46 FEET TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING. THE ABOVE-DESCRIBED PROPERTY LIES IN THE E ½ OF THE NE 1/4·OF THE SW 1/4 OF THE NW ¼ OF THE SE 1/4 OF SECTION 21, T20N, R17E, ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA, AND CONTAINS 39.28 ACRES, MORE OR LESS. LESS AND EXCEPT: COMMENCE AT THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF THE EAST HALF OF THE NE 1/4 OF THE SW 1/4 OF SEC. 21, T20N, R17E, AND CONTINUE THENCE S 00 DEG. 36’ 50” 2, 873.46 FEET TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING. FROM SAID POINT OF BEGINNING, CONTINUE THENCE S 89 DEG. 23’ 10” E, 210.0 FEET, THENCE S 00 DEG. 36’ 50” W 17.0 FEET, THENCE S 89 DEG. 23’ 10” W 210.0 FEET, THENCE N 00 DEG. 36’ 50” E, 17.0 FEET TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING. SAID PARCEL OF LAND BEING IN THE E 1/4 OF THE NE 1/4 OF THE SW 1/4 OF SECTION 21, T20N, R17E, AND CONTAINS 0.08 ACRES, MORE OR LESS. SUBJECT TO ANY AND ALL RESTRICTIONS, RESERVATIONS, RIGHT OF WAY, COVENANTS, EASEMENTS, SETBACK LINES, RIGHTS OF WAY, MORTGAGES, ENCUBRANCES OF ANY KIND, MINERAL AND MINING RIGHTS OF RECORD WHICH AFFECT THE SUBJECT PROPERTY. The property is located at or near 326 Tanner Lane, Deatsville, AL 36022; 03-05-21-0-000-014.000; as described in Sheriff’s Deed Real Property Book 2022, Page 30825-30826. The parcels are being offered “as is” and “where is” without recourse against the State of Alabama Department of Revenue. It is the responsibility of the bidder to inspect the property conditions before submitting a bid by drive-by only, without trespassing on the property in any manner. Bidders must agree to all terms listed online before submitting a bid. If you wish to bid on this property, please complete the Sealed Bid Form online. The minimum bid for this parcel is $26,000. EACH bid submitted online must be accompanied by an EFT bid deposit payment of ten percent (10%) of the total amount of the bid. Any bid submitted without payment of the bid deposit will not be considered. The deposits of unsuccessful bidders will be returned following the bid closing date. NO BID SHALL BE RECEIVED FOR ANY REASON ANY TIME AFTER THE ADVERTISED DEADLINE. IT SHALL BE THE SOLE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE BIDDER TO ENSURE ACTUAL RECEIPT OF THE BID BY THE COLLECTION SERVICES DIVISION PRIOR TO THE ADVERTISED DEADLINE. The Alabama Department of Revenue reserves the right to withdraw the property from sale at any time and the right to reject any or all bids. For more information about the sale contact: Alabama Department of Revenue Collection Services Division-Sealed Bid Sale P. O. Box 327820 Montgomery, AL 36132-7820 Telephone: (334) 242-1229

Wetumpka Herald: Feb. 14, 21 and 28, 2024 BIDS

Public Notices

PUBLIC NOTICE

LEGAL NOTICE

ASPHALT CONTRACTORS, INC. HEREBY GIVES NOTICE OF COMPLETION OF CONTRACT WITH ELMORE COUNTY HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT FOR ELMORE COUNTY PROJECT 2023

PW2-2 VARIOUS ROADS. ALL CLAIMS SHOULD BE FILED AT P.O. BOX 241447, MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA 36124 DURING THIS PERIOD.

ASPHALT CONTRACTORS, INC.

Wetumpka Herald: Feb. 14, 21, 28 and Mar. 6, 2024 COMPLETION

PUBLIC NOTICE

LEGAL NOTICE

Wiregrass Construction Co, Inc hereby gives notice of completion of contract with The Alabama Department of Transportation, for construction of Project No. CRSAMN-2621(252) Widening and Resurfacing on Chapman Road and Chapman Road / Airport Road Intersection Elmore County. This notice will appear for four consecutive weeks beginning on 02/07/24 and ending 02/28/2024. Allgrass Construction Co, 1342 Carmichael Way, Montgomery, Alabama 36106 during this period.

Feb. 7, 14, 21 and 28, 2024 COMPLETION

PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA BOULDER BROOK, LLC, Plaintiff, v. A TRACT OF LAND: Lot No. 49 of the Kingswood Subdivision located in Section 4, Township 17 North, Range 17 East, situated and being in Elmore County, Alabama and, Fictitious Defendants A, B, C, D…through Z are individuals, corporations, companies, partnerships, and/or other legal entities claiming or that may claim any future, reversionary, remainder, or other interest therein, who may claim any future, reversionary, remainder, or other interest therein, who may claim any interest in the above described property, Defendants. CASE NO.: CV-2023-900148.00 ORDER OF NOTICE BY PUBLICATION

in the Circuit Court of Elmore County, Alabama, on or about June 20, 2023, averring that

unknown to the Plaintiff which

Public Notices

whereabouts are unknown, is required to answer the Complaint for Divorce and/or other relief requested by STEPHEN W. HORN within THIRTY (30) DAYS, or thereafter default judgment may be rendered against NANCY LYNN HORN in case DR-2023-900275.00 Elmore County Circuit Court. DONE this 9th day of February, 2024.

/s/ BILL W. LEWIS CIRCUIT JUDGE

Wetumpka Herald: Feb. 21, 28, Mar. 6 and 13, 2024 DR-2023-900275.00 PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF JACKIE LEE ANTHONY, DECEASED CASE NO: 2024-016 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE Letters Testamentary in the Estate of JACKIE LEE ANTHONY deceased, having been granted to ILA JANE DURHAM ANTHONY on February 6, 2024 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.

ILA JANE DURHAM ANTHONY PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF JACKIE LEE ANTHONY, DECEASED

Attorney of Record for Personal Representative: DONALD R. HARRISON, JR. ATTORNEY AT LAW PO BOX 157 DADEVILLE, ALABAMA 36853 256-825-7393

Wetumpka Herald: Feb. 14, 21 and 28, 2024 EST/ANTHONY, J. PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF THOMAS LEE BERREY, DECEASED CASE NO. 2024-038 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE

Letters Testamentary on the Estate of said decedent having been granted to CAROL RICHEY as Personal Representative on the 15 th Day of February, 2024, 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.

CAROL RICHEY PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF THOMAS LEE BERREY, 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. 21, 28 and Mar. 6, 2024 EST/BERREY, T. PUBLIC NOTICE

Lot No. 49 of the Kingswood Subdivision as shown by plat made by Ralph H. Hays, Registered Land Surveyor, dated November 5, 1971, and Judge of Probate of Elmore County, Alabama in Plat Book 7, Page 37.

CV-2023-900148.00

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PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA HORN STEPHEN W, Plaintiff, V. Case No.: DR-2023-900275.00 HORN NANCY LYNNE, Defendant. Order on Service by Publication It is hereby ORDERED as fol-

lows:

1. That the Plaintiff shall have the below notice published for four (4) consecutive weeks in the Wetumpka Herald or a similarly situated publication of general circulation in Elmore County, Alabama.

2. That the Plaintiff shall be taxed with the cost of such publication.

3. That it is the responsibility of the Plaintiff to submit this Order of Publication to be run in the Wetumpka Herald or similarly situated publication of general circulation in Elmore County, Alabama.

4. That AFTER THE LAST PUBLICATION, the publisher or pubfacts of publication with a certi-shall constitute proof of service. “NANCY LYNN HORN, whose

NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE STATE OF ALABAMA COUNTY OF ELMORE CASE NO: 2023-297 IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF ROY E. DURHAM, DECEASED

Letters Testamentary in the Estate of ROY E. DURHAM, deceased, having been granted to SABRINA NARJINARI DURHAM on the 9th day of February, 2024 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. SABRINA NARJINARI DURHAM, PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF ROY E. DURHAM, DECEASED

Attorney of Record for such Personal Representative: DOUGLAS M. VOGEL VOGEL LAW FIRM, LLC 41 CAMBRIDGE COURT WETUMPKA, ALABAMA 36093 334-409-0088 Wetumpka Herald: Feb. 14, 21 and 28, 2024 EST/DURHAM, R. PUBLIC NOTICE

IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF SHANA LEE FAULKNER, DECEASED CASE NO: 2024-031 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE

Letters Testamentary in the Estate of SHANA LEE FAULKNER, deceased, having been granted to ARTHUR WOODROW FAULKNER on February 21, 2024 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. ARTHUR WOODROW FAULKNER, PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE

CLASSIFIEDS/PUBLIC NOTICES

Public Notices

OF SHANA LEE FAULKNER, DECEASED

Attorney of Record for Personal Representative: ROBERT J. MORRIS ATTORNEY AT LAW 10365 HOLTVILLE ROAD DEATSVILLE,ALABAMA 36022 334-569-1820

Wetumpka Herald: Feb. 28, Mar. 6 and 13, 2024

EST/FAULKNER, S. PUBLIC NOTICE LEGAL NOTICE

ASPHALT CONTRACTORS, INC. HEREBY GIVES NOTICE OF COMPLETION OF CONTRACT WITH ELMORE COUNTY HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT FOR ELMORE COUNTY PROJECT 2024

PW2-1 VARIOUS ROADS. ALL CLAIMS SHOULD BE FILED AT P.O. BOX 241447, MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA 36124 DURING THIS PERIOD.

ASPHALT CONTRACTORS, INC.

Wetumpka Herald: Feb. 14, 21, 28 and Mar. 6, 2024

COMPLETION PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF WILLIAM W. GRANBERRY, SR., DECEASED CASE NO: 2024-032 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE

Letters Testamentary in the Estate of WILLIAM W. GRANBERRY, SR., who is also known as WILLIAM WAYNE GRANBERRY, deceased, having been granted to EUGENIA D. GRANBERRY on February 14, 2024 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.

EUGENIA D. GRANBERRY PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF WILLIAM W. GRANBERRY, SR., DECEASED

Attorney of Record for Personal Representative: G. DAVID JOHNSTON JOHNSTON HINESLEY PC 291 NORTH OATES STREET DOTHAN, ALABAMA 36303 PO BOX 2246 DOTHAN, ALABAMA 36302 334-793-1115

Wetumpka Herald:

Feb. 21, 28 and Mar. 6, 2024 EST/GRANBERRY, SR. PUBLIC NOTICE

IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF GEORGE RICKEY HOVEY, DECEASED CASE NO: 2024-009 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE

Letters of Administration over the Estate of GEORGE RICKEY HOVEY, deceased, having been granted to DONNA HOVEY on February 9th, 2024 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.

DONNA HOVEY ADMINISTRATOR OF THE ESTATE OF GEORGE RICKEY HOVEY, DECEASED

Name and Address of Attorney for Administrator: WILLIAM D. AZAR ATTORNEY AT LAW 800 S MCDONOUGH ST SUITE 105 MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA 36104 334-2699700

Wetumpka Herald: Feb. 14, 21 and 28, 2024 EST/HOVEY, G. PUBLIC NOTICE

IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF DEAN A. MACK, DECEASED CASE NO: 2024-028 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE

Letters Testamentary in the Estate of DEAN A. MACK, deceased, having been granted to BEVERLY T. MACK on February 21, 2024 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.

BEVERLY T. MACK PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF DEAN A. MACK, DECEASED

Attorney of Record for Personal Representative: ED PARISH, JR. THE PARISH LAW FIRM P O BOX 52 MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA 36101-0052

323 ADAMS AVE MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA 36104 334263-0003

Wetumpka Herald: Feb. 28, Mar. 6 and 13, 2024

EST/MACK D.

Public Notices

PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF MICHIKO K. JOHNSON, CASE NO: 2024-042 DECEASED NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE

Letters of Administration over the Estate of MICHIKO K. JOHNSON, deceased, having been granted to BILLY JOHNSON on February 22, 2024 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.

BILLY JOHNSON ADMINISTRATOR OF THE ESTATE OF MICHIKO K. JOHNSON, DECEASED

Name and Address of Attorney for Administrator: DAVID B. HUGHES CAPELL & HOWARD. PC 150 SOUTH PERRY STREET MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA 36104 P O BOX 2069 MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA 361022069 334-241-8000

Wetumpka Herald: Feb. 28, Mar. 6 and 13, 2024 EST/JOHNSON, M PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF BILLY JACK MCPHERSON, DECEASED CASE NO: 2024-022 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE

Letters Testamentary in the Estate of BILLY JACK MCPHERSON. deceased. having been granted to SUSAN M. JONES on February 1, 2024 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. Attorney of Record for SUSAN M. JONES PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF BILLY JACK MCPHERSON, DECEASED

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. 14, 21 and 28, 2024 EST/MCPHERSON, B. PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF SARAH EMMA MITCHELL, DECEASED CASE NO: 2024-024 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE

Letters of Administration over the Estate of SARAH EMMA MITCHELL, deceased, having been granted to DANIEL RAY MITCHELL on February 6, 2024 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.

DANIEL RAY MITCHELL ADMINISTRATOR OF THE ESTATE OF SARAH EMMA MITCHELL, DECEASED

Name and Address of Attorney for Administrator: ROBERT H. PETTEY SAMFORD & DENSON, LLP PO BOX 2345 OPELIKA, ALABAMA 36803-2345 334-7453504

Wetumpka Herald: Feb. 14, 21 and 28, 2024 EST/MITCHELL S. PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF ELIZABETH A. PHILLIPS, DECEASED CASE NO. 2024- 035 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE

Letters Testamentary on the Estate of said decedent having been granted to TRESSA LYNN RAWLINSON as Personal Representative on the 15th day of February 2024, 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.

TRESSA LYNN RAWLINSON PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF ELIZABETH A. PHILLIPS, 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. 21, 28 and Mar. 6, 2024 EST/PHILLIPS E.

Public Notices

PUBLIC NOTICE

IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF PATTI SUZANNE

PHILLIPS, DECEASED CASE NO: 2024-044 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE

Letters of Administration over the Estate of PATTI SUZANNE PHILLIPS, deceased, having been granted to NATHAN PHILLIPS on February 21, 2024 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.

NATHAN PHILLIPS

ADMINISTRATOR OF THE ESTATE OF PATTI SUZANNE PHILLIPS, DECEASED

Name and Address of Attorney for Administrator: D. JASON BRITT STONE & BRITT, LLC

ATTORNEYS & COUNSELORS AT LAW

Wetumpka Herald: Feb. 28, Mar. 6 and 13, 2024

EST/PHILLIPS, P.

PUBLIC NOTICE

IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN RE: THE ESTATE OF WILLIAM JOSEPH SCANLAN JR., DECEASED CASE NO. 2024-048 NOTICE OF FILING OF PETITION FOR SUMMARY DISTRIBUTION OF ESTATE TO ALL INTERESTED PARTIES: CHARLOTTE SCANLAN,

Public Notices y law or the same will be barred. ANGELIA WILSON PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF THOMAS C. THORNELL, 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. 21, 28 and Mar. 6, 2024 EST/THORNELL, T. PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF GEORGE DOUGLAS VANSANDT, DECEASED CASE NO: 2024-036 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE

Letters Testamentary in the Estate of GEORGE DOUGLAS VANSANDT, deceased, having been granted to MARK D. VANSANDT on February, 21, 2024 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.

MARK D. VANSANDT PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF GEORGE DOUGLAS VANSANDT, DECEASED

Attorney of Record for Personal Representative: GERALD A. DANIEL, JR. LAW OFFICE OF G A DANIEL, JR. LLC P O BOX 638 MILLBROOK, ALABAMA 36054 334-285-9444 Jerrv@GADanielLaw.com

Wetumpka Herald: Feb. 28, Mar. 6 and 13, 2024 EST/VANSANDT, G. PUBLIC NOTICE STATE OF ALABAMA COUNTY OF ELMORE FORECLOSURE NOTICE

Public Notices

ppy be sold 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 hereto. Mortgagee reserves the right to bid 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. Protek, LLC, an Alabama limited liability company, “Mortgagee” Attorney for Protek, LLC E. Nicole Bean, Esq. Garry S. McAnnally, LLC 50 Wisteria Place Millbrook, AL 36054 (334) 285-1976 File No. 92576A

Wetumpka Herald: Feb. 14, 21 and 28, 2024 FC/MORGAN

PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF JESSE HENRY WISENER, DECEASED CASE NO: 2024-033 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE

Letters Testamentary in the Estate of JESSE HENRY WISENER, deceased, having been granted to STANLEY JEROME WISENER and MARVIN CARY WISENER on the 20th day February 2024 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.

STANLEY JEROME WISENER and MARVIN CARY WISENER CO-PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ESTATE OF JESSE HENRY WISENER, DECEASED

Attorney of Record for Co-Personal Representatives: JAMES R. BOWLES ATTORNEY AT LAW

EST/SCANLAN, W.

PUBLIC NOTICE

IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF MARION FLOYD SIMPSON, SR., DECEASED CASE NO: 2024-021 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE

Letters of Administration over the Estate of MARION FLOYD SIMPSON, SR., deceased, having been granted to AMANDA LYNN SIMPSON on February 6th, 2024 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.

AMANDA LYNN SIMPSON ADMINISTRATOR OF THE ESTATE OF MARION FLOYD SIMPSON, SR., DECEASED Name and Address of Attorney for Administrator: JOSEPH MITCHELL MCGUIRE MCGUIRE & ASSOCIATES, LLC 31 CLAYTON STREET MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA 36104 334-517-1000 jmcguire@mandabusinesslaw. com

Wetumpka Herald: Feb. 14, 21 and 28, 2024 EST/SIMPSON M.

PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF THOMAS C. THORNELL, DECEASED CASE NO. 2024-002 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE

Letters Testamentary on the Estate of said decedent having been granted to DIANE HARRIS as Personal Representative on the 15th day of February, 2024, 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

WHEREAS, on August 14, 2023, Brandon Morgan did execute in favor of Protek, LLC, an Alabama limited liability company a Mortgage on certain real estate hereinafter described the Judge of Probate for Elmore County, Alabama, at RLPY Book 2023 at Page 36619. WHEREAS, default has been made in the payment of said Mortgage as provided therein, which default continues at this date and said Mortgage is subject to foreclosure. NOW, THEREFORE, three weeks’ notice is hereby given that the undersigned, will sell at public outcry for cash, to the highest bidder, in front of the courthouse doors, main entrance, in Wetumpka, Elmore County, Alabama, during the legal hours of sale on 03/07/2024, the real estate being situated in Elmore County, Alabama, and more particularly described, towit: Commence at an iron pin at the Southeast Corner of Section 2, T18N, R19E, Elmore County, Alabama; thence North 05 deg. 07 min. 26 sec. West, 432.33 feet to an iron pin on the South Right of Way of Alabama Highway No. 14, Tallassee Highway, 80 feet Right of Way; thence South 49 deg. 24 min. 10 sec. West, 28.50 feet along said Right of Way to an iron pin, said point being the Point of Beginning; thence leaving said Right of Way, South 03 deg. 14 min. 44 sec. East, 217.61 feet to an iron pin; thence Southeasterly and Northwesterly along an existing fence the following six calls (6) calls: 1) South 61 deg. 22 min. 14 sec. West, 46.14 feet to an iron pin; 2) South 74 deg. 36 min. 24 sec. West, 22.71 feet to an iron pin; 3) North 85 deg. 57 min. 39 sec. West, 45.18 feet to an iron pin; 4) North 60 deg. 50 min. 21 sec. West, 35.93 feet to an iron pin; 5) South 59 deg. 30 min. 28 sec. West, 57.65 feet to an iron pin; 6) North 57 deg. 58 min. 47 sec. West, 81.91 feet to an iron pin on the South Right of Way of Alabama Highway No. 14, Tallassee Highway, 80 feet Right of Way; thence North 49 deg. 24 min. 10 sec. East, 323.52 feet along said Right of Way to the Point of Beginning. The above-described property lies in the Southeast 1/4 of the Southeast 1/4 of Section 2, and the Northeast 1/4 of Section 11, all in T18N, R19E, Elmore County, Alabama, and contains 0.77 acres, more or less. the point of beginning. As the same appears in the Elmore County, Alabama. Subject to easements, restrictions, and reservations appearing of record. Said sale and conveyance will also be made subject to the legal rights of existing Federal Tax Liens, and/or Special Assessments, if any, which might adversely affect title to subject property. Such sale will be made as provided in said Mortgage for the purpose of paying the debt secured by said Mortgage with interest thereon, any amounts required to be paid for taxes, insurance or other charges provided in said Mortgage, and the expenses of foreclosure, including a reasonable attorney’s fee. Said property will be sold on an “as is, where is” basis subject to any easements, encumbrances and exceptions contained in said Mortgage and those contained the Judge of Probate where the above described property is situated. Said property will

Wetumpka Herald: Feb. 28, Mar. 6, and 13, 2024 EST/WISENER, J. PUBLIC NOTICE MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE NOTICE

Default having been made in the terms of that certain Mortgage, executed on 04/21/2006, by Gena L. Norris, an unmarried woman, and Mary F. Norris, an unmarried woman, as Mortgagors, to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc. as nominee for Countrywide Home Loans, Inc. as Mortgagee, which said Mortgage is recorded inbate, Elmore County, Alabama, attached as Exhibit “A” under Consent Order entered in the Circuit Court CA# 29-CV-2020Carrington Mortgage Services, LLC under Consent Order in the Circuit Court CA# 29-CV-2020and recorded on 5/18/2021 in in Elmore County, Alabama and default having continued under the terms of said Mortgage, and by virtue of Alabama Code Secfollowing described real property will be sold at public outcry, for cash, to the highest bidder, in front of the Courthouse door of said County, during the legal

DIVISION AS RECORDED

JR., DECEASED CASE NO. 2024-048 NOTICE OF FILING OF PETITION FOR SUMMARY DISTRIBUTION OF ESTATE TO ALL INTERESTED PARTIES: CHARLOTTE SCANLAN,

GINNING.

Subject to all easements, restrictions and reservations appearing of record. Said sale will also be made subject to anycial Assessments of any nature, if any, which might adversely affect the title to the property. Alabama law gives some persons who have an interest in property the right to redeem the property under certain circumexist that help persons avoid or delay the foreclosure process. An attorney should be consulted to help you understand these rights and programs as a part of the foreclosure process. is, where is”. Said property is sold without warranty or recourse, expressed or implied as to title, use or enjoyment.

EST/SCANLAN, JR. PUBLIC NOTICE

Notice is hereby given that the undersigned will sell for cash, at an ONLINE public auction on Friday ,March the 15th 2023, at 9:00am AT STORAGETREASURES.COM. Please note: THIS AUCTION IS NOT IN PERSON. PLEASE DO NOT SHOW UP TO OUR PHYSICAL LOCATION. ALL AUCTION PARTICIPANTS MUST SIGN UP AND BID ONLINE.

Southeast Storage 8416 US-231 Wetumpka, AL 36092

2433:Amanda Burgans, 64 Alexis Dr,Elmore, Al 36025 :Contents: dresser,garden hose,, box and workout equipment Wetumpka Herald: Feb. 28 and Apr. 6, 2024 STORAGE AUCTION PUBLIC NOTICE

Notice is hereby given that the undersigned will sell for cash, at an ONLINE public auction on Thursday, March 7thh, 2024, at 11:00am AT STORAGETREASURES.COM. Please note: THIS AUCTION IS NOT IN PERSON. PLEASE DO NOT SHOW UP TO OUR PHYSICAL LOCATION. ALL AUCTION PARTICIPANTS MUST SIGN UP AND BID ONLINE.

Southeast Storage 749 US-231 Wetumpka, AL 36093

519: Oscar Melghem. 469 River Oaks Drive, Wetumpka ,AL 36092 Contents: totes,boxes, rugs, dresser Wetumpka Herald: Feb. 21 and 28, 2024 STORAGE AUCTION

Pitching leads ECHS over rival Holtville

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

Game 1 of the heated rivalry between Elmore County and Holtville went to Brandon White and the Panthers.

White allowed just one hit over five innings of work and struck out 11 Bulldogs as Elmore County beat Holtville, 3-2, in a pitcher’s duel at home Thursday night.

White started on the mound and faced off with Holtville’s Carson McCutchin who allowed three runs and took the loss in 5 ⅓ innings of work. He struck out one batter and allowed six hits.

White earned the no-decision for Elmore County but helped teammate Hayden Jones, his reliever, out with some offense.

In the bottom of the sixth inning, White singled to left field with one out and advanced to second base on a Jaden Eason walk. After a fielder’s choice gave Elmore County runners at first and third with two outs, White stole home and gave Elmore County the 3-2 lead.

“This was a good ballgame, Elmore County coach Michael Byrd said. “Regardless of what side you were on, that was a great ballgame.”

White was dominant in his start as he struck out the first batter he saw before striking out the side in both the third and fourth innings. After a leadoff walk and wild pitch to lead off the fifth, Holtville scratched the first run across on a Drew Connor single that scored Aiden Perry.

White then battled back with two more strikeouts before his

day ended on the mound.

“Their pitcher did a great job,” Holtville coach Scott Tubbs said. “He pitched well. He was just blowing it by us.”

Elmore County took its first lead after Austin Davis and Gage Davis both reached base and came around to score on a double from Cade Everson. Holtville tied the game, 2-2, on a fielder’s choice by McCutchin that scored Drey Barrett but was unable to tie it up again in the top of the sev-

enth.

Holtville loaded the bases with an intentional walk to Barrett, a Southern Miss signee, but Braxton Potts and Randy Bridges both struck out to end the game.

““It’s February,” Tubbs said. “Pitching and defense are always ahead of hitting. We struggled at the plate. We left too many guys in scoring positions and didn’t come up with timely hits.”

Elmore County advanced to 3-0 on the season with the win

and has now beaten Reeltown, Valley and Holtville, which is the defending Class 5A champs. After a long basketball season that included multiple starters, Byrd is happy with where his team is currently.

“That’s a big win because they’re a rival and they’re the defending state champs,” Byrd said. “It is a very good quality opponent early in the season. We will see them again in the first round or the semifinals depending on if we both do what we are supposed to do.”

For Tubbs, he said it was a familiar scene as Holtville also lost a one-run game to Pike Road in nine innings last week. In that match, Holtville also had two runners in scoring position with a chance to tie it and came up short.

“All of that is going to come,” Tubbs said. “The good thing is the playoffs are not in February. They are in May. You have to get all that out of your system.”

a .600 batting average through 10 games. She has a team-best 15 hits, 5

and 12

In the circle, she is 2-1 with 18 innings pitched.

Last year, it was Lily Stubbs and Katelyn Mercer who did the majority of the pitching. Mercer graduated and now Stubbs is sharing the circle with Wetumpka transfer Ashley Burgess, Savannah Wood and Emmah Clement.

All four pitchers have pitched at least seven innings this year, and three of the four have earned run averages under 3.00.

Stubbs is still the leader with a 2-2 record and 2.33 era in 18 innings, but Burgess (18 innings) is eating up a lot of innings while Wood and Clement are a combined 4-0.

“All four pitchers are

really doing great right now,” Brown said. “Having four makes a big difference because we can have someone come in for relief easier or just come in a new game and keep arms fresh. It also keeps opposing teams on their toes. Last year, if Lily came out, everyone knew who we were going to. Now they don’t because all four girls throw at different speeds and have different best pitches.”

At the plate, seven of Edgewood’s nine starters are currently hitting over .300, while three are hitting over .400.

The biggest bat on the team up to this point has been Burgess, who actually came over to pitch but has been a major utility player so far. She is currently hitting .607

and is 17-for-28 at the plate.

She has 11 doubles, five doubles, one triple and a team-high 14 RBIs. She’s only struck out one time and she has four stolen bases when she has gotten on base.

In the field, she plays first base, second base and left field when she isn’t in the circle.

“Ashley’s bat is on fire and she’s so fun because she is so versatile on defense when she isn’t pitching,” Brown said. “She’s a great teammate to be able to move around and she’s willing to go anywhere and just play. She’s very selfless. She’s great in the lineup and seeing the ball well and putting it in play. I’m super excited she came over this year.”

CLIFF WILLIAMS TPI

Elmore County’s Brandon White slides into home for the Panthers’ game-winning run in the sixth inning.

DALTON MIDDLETON TPI

Edgewood Academy’s Ashley Burgess, a Gadsden State CC signee, is leading the Wildcats with

doubles

RBIs.