Jan 16 2016 Wetumpka Herald by Tallapoosa Publishers

Edgewood QB named AISA Back of the Year. See Sports, Page 8. Wetumpka, AL 36092

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SATURDAY-SUNDAY • JANUARY 16-17, 2016

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Wetumpka mother indicted on abuse charges

Stricter qualifications sought for sheriff candidates By KEVIN TAYLOR Copy Editor

In 1901, when the state’s constitution was established, the qualifications for a candidate for sheriff in Elmore County were simple: Be at least 18 years old and a resident of the county for at least a day. Those qualifications still stand today. Sheriff Bill Franklin proposed and asked the county commission’s blessing Monday to seek to have the qualifications changed before the next election cycle for sheriff. Franklin said he would like to see Franklin the minimum age be 25 years old, and require any candidates a U.S. citizen, not be convicted of a felony, be a resident of the county for at least one year, have a college degree related to criminal justice and have a minimum of three years of the power to arrest someone. “Right now if you have been convicted of a felony, you can still run for sheriff,” Franklin told the commission. “The only problem is the police academy won’t admit a

By KEVIN TAYLOR Copy Editor

Kevin Taylor / The Herald

Makeshift memorials still stand oﬀ Firetower Road in Elmore County where four people died in a head-on collision Nov. 23, 2014. Rep. Mike Holmes has prefiled a bill to make teens and their parents more aware of the graduated driver’s license law.

convicted felon.” After getting a vote of confidence from the commission, he plans to submit the proposed legislation to Rep. Mike Holmes (R-Wetumpka) to be filed in the upcoming legislative session. “There are other counties in the state which have upped their qualifications for candidates for sheriff,

MLK program set Sunday at civic center Program themed “What are you doing for others?” begins at 3 p.m. By KEVIN TAYLOR Copy Editor

It’s been a long-standing tradition in Elmore County since the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Each year since King’s assassination, a civic group or groups have honored his memory as a pioneer in the civil rights movement. This Sunday residents throughout the River Region are invited to join in celebrating King’s upcoming birthday as well as honor some of the county’s most talented students in the fields of academia and athletics at the Wetumpka Civic Center. The program, which is themed “What Are You Doing for Others?,” will begin at 3 p.m. Following the posting of the colors by the Wetumpka JROTC, various pastors and ministers from around the River Region will share their See MLK • Page 2

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VOL. 11, NO. 3

so we are following the trend,” Franklin said. Four other local items are already prefiled by Rep. Paul Beckman (R-Prattville) as well as Holmes. “Winston’s Law” Beckman has prefiled a bill in the House to make aggravated child See COMMISSION • Page 2

Millbrook man killed in Montgomery shooting

Former Tallassee assistant Chief of Police Miles plead guilty to one count each of obstruction of justice, deprivation of rights and distribution of marijuana. Carmen Rodgers / The Herald

Charges piling up for former Tallassee Assistant Police Chief By KEVIN TAYLOR Copy Editor

The charges keep on coming. After former Tallassee assistant police chief Chris Miles pleaded guilty in federal court to obstruction of justice, deprivation of

A Wetumpka mother, who allegedly beat her 4-year-old son so badly that doctors were surprised to see the boy survive, is now facing one count of aggravated child abuse and one count of chemical endangerment of a child. An Elmore County grand jury recently returned the indictment and charged Hallee McLeod in connection with the September abuse of her son. “I am pleased we can now begin the judicial process for the family of McLeod’s young victim, who suffered a horrible injustice at the hand of his own mother,” said Randall Houston, district attorney for the 19th judicial circuit. The little boy was found in back of her boyfriend’s McLeod vehicle unresponsive near the Bay County Courthouse. Emergency medical technicians said the boy had bruises all over his body and extreme bruising to the groin area. McLeod, 28, was arrested in Elmore County and initially charged with aggravated child abuse. She was later charged with chemical endangerment of a child when medical labs came back to reveal the boy had various prescription medications in his system. Police say the little boy did not have a prescription for those medications. McLeod is currently being held in the Elmore County Jail on a $300,000 bond.

rights as well as distribution of marijuana in November, he now faces additional charges on another matter. Randall Houston, district attorney for the 19th judicial circuit, confirmed that an Elmore County grand

By KEVIN TAYLOR Copy Editor

Montgomery police say they are conducting a homicide investigation related to the Monday night shooting death of a Millbrook man. Rafael Montiel-Perez, 39, of Millbrook was pronounced dead at a Montgomery hospital after having been in a two-vehicle accident. Police and medics responded to the 600 block of North Pass Drive around 9 p.m. after receiving a report someone had been shot. Detectives determined Montiel-Perez drove from the shooting scene and then collided with another vehicle. No arrests have been made yet in connection with his death. Anyone who has any information regarding the shooting is asked to call CrimeStoppers at 215-STOP or 334-262-4000 or 334-625-2831.

See MILES • Page 2

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Wetumpka TEA Party hosting candidate fair at civic center By KEVIN TAYLOR Copy Editor

Candidates or representatives from the top of the ballot to the grassroots of local government and education will be on hand Monday night for voters to gain more insight through the Wetumpka TEA Party’s River Region Candidate Fair. The candidate fair will begin at 6 p.m. at the Wetumpka Civic Center with candidates or their representatives stationed throughout the ballroom to interact with voters. “We want them to get to know these candidates, engage them and find out where they stand on issues connected to the office for which they are seeking election,” said Darlene Hutchinson Biehl, coordinator for the candidate fair. Those attending the fair will be representatives from the Ted Cruz and Donald Trump presidential campaigns and representatives from congressional candidates Martha Roby and Becky Gerritson. Biehl said U.S. Senate candidates Marcus Bowman, John Martin as well as Jonathan McConnell will be in attendance, but she was still uncertain if the incumbent Richard Shelby was going to attend.

ELMORE COUNTY WEEKEND

Miles

Tom Parker, who is presently sitting on the Alabama Supreme Court, will be attending, but Biehl said she had not heard if his opponent would be attending. “I still have a few candidates of whom I have not heard from just yet, so this is not a finalized list,” Biehl said. In addition to the candidates being in attendance, those attending will be encouraged to take part in a presidential straw poll. The attendees will be asked to submit their first choice and their second choice for president of the United States no matter what that person’s party affiliation may be. The candidate fair will also have strong showings from those running for local offices. Both candidates for district attorney will be there as well as all the candidates for Districts 2, 3 and 4 for the county commission. The two challengers in District 1 are confirmed, but Biehl said she had not received a definite from the incumbent. Both candidates for the only contested county school board seat will be on hand as well as the two candidates for schools superintendent. Biehl said there will also be cards available for those who may want to register to vote.

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jury returned indictments against Miles in connection to a burglary during August 2013 on West Butler Street in Tallassee. The grand jury charged Miles with one count each of second-degree burglary and second-degree theft of property. “Chris Miles is a prime example of someone who does not deserve to wear the badge of law enforcement,” Houston said. “He abused his power as an officer and abused the trust of the public, which he swore to protect and serve.” Houston said a federal grand jury

also has returned an indictment against Miles for crimes associated with this case. Miles already faces a maximum of 20 years in prison after pleading guilty for lying to federal agents about how he obtained information and his assault of a suspect in April 2013. Miles also pleaded guilty to selling approximately 16 pounds of marijuana to a known drug dealer in the area for $4,000. “These charges, coupled with the federal charges against him, should ensure he never has the opportunity to do it again,” Houston added.

MLK

continued from page 1

message to all attending. Then students from across the county will be honored for their hard work in the classroom and the sports field. “This really is the highlight of the event, in my opinion, to honor these young men and women in our community,” said Wetumpka City Councilman Percy Gill. “They are our future leaders, and I would invite everyone in the area to help us not only celebrate Dr. King’s birthday, but these young men and women.” The Wetumpka High School Choir will also be on hand as well as Elmore County Public Schools Superintendent

Dr. Andre Harrison to present the awards to the young men and women. Those being recognized will be Hanna Traylor and Neal Cook (Elmore County High), Shameka Zieglar and Alonzo Lucas (Holtville), Avery McCray and BJ Smith (Stanhope Elmore), Helen Ko and Irmon Kirk (Tallassee) and Amanda Duplain and Antonio George (Wetumpka). Following the program there will be time for fellowship and refreshments. The program is free and open to the public.

Commission abuse of a child 6 years old or younger a Class A felony. Sen. Clyde Chambliss (R-Prattville) has prefiled the same fill in the Senate. This bill called “Winston’s Law” comes on the heels of the case involving a Wetumpka 4-year-old boy who was allegedly severely abused by his mother and her boyfriend. Should the bill pass those convicted of aggravated child abuse of someone age 6 or younger could face a minimum of 10 years and a maximum of life in prison. “What better way to serve this vulnerable population, by seeking much needed change through new legislative efforts in Winston’s honor,” said the boy’s father Joey Crampton. “This ensures what Winston has endured will not be in vain.”

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“Deputy Hart Act” Holmes put this bill into football terms. “We were sitting on fourth-and-goal at the 3-yard line and we ran out of time,” he said about the bill that was introduced last year to put more teeth into the punishment for not obeying the graduated driver’s license law. Kicking off a new session, Holmes hopes to see the bill cross the goal line. The bill is named in honor of former Elmore County Sheriff’s Deputy Bart Hart whose life was taken Nov. 23, 2014, in an accident on Firetower Road in southern Elmore County. Inside the other vehicle, which hit Hart’s patrol car head-on, were three

continued from page 1

16-year-old boys. According to the graduated driver’s license law, there should not be a juvenile in a vehicle driven by a 16-year-old. Should this law be broken the privileges of the Stage II license will be revoked and that person will be given a Stage I learner’s permit for six months. Should a parent knowingly allow a juvenile to break this law, they would be subject to a fine up to $500. “I think this bill will get the parents’ and teen drivers’ attention,” Holmes said. “Alabama Heritage Preservation Act” Beckman has prefiled a bill to prohibit the relocation, removal, alteration or renaming of certain commemorative statues, monuments, memorials or plaques which are located on public property. This bill would also prevent the relocation of gravesites with historical significance. Tax Exempt Status Holmes also prefiled a bill to exempt the Association of Christians of Tallassee for Service from state, county and municipal sales and use tax. The Service is a food pantry located in Tallassee and services those who live within Tallassee’s city limits and as far as 10 miles outside of the city limits.

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JANUARY 16-17, 2016 • Page 3

John Peeler / The Herald

Members of the Wetumpka Fire Department were recognized Friday at the Wetumpka Fire Department for raising $14,197 during the annual Fill the Boot campaign in 2015. Pictured are (left to right) Ted Downey, Billy Spivey, Troy Aadson, Capt. Andrew McCullers, fundraising coordinator Jessica Hoagland, Lt. Stacey Grier, Lantz Kenney, Glyn Woodall, Cole Orozco and Jason Nixon.

WFD raises more than $14k in Fill the Boot campaign STAFF REPORTS Herald Staff

Members of the Wetumpka Fire Department raised $14,197 during the annual Fill the Boot campaign in 2015 to help save and improve the lives of people fighting muscle disease in the Wetumpka area. Muscular dystrophy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and other related life-threatening diseases take away people’s ability to walk, move, smile, talk and even

breathe. On Friday, the MDA and Wetumpka Winn-Dixie worked in partnership to thank Wetumpka Fire Department for their campaign efforts with a lunch and certificate presentation. Wetumpka Winn-Dixie donated the meal and Wetumpka Mayor Jerry Willis joined in to show his support for the department, as well. “For six decades, fire fighters have fueled MDA’s mission to find treatments and cures for life-threatening muscle diseases,

and this year’s Wetumpka Fill the Boot results are a perfect example of the true dedication Wetumpka Fire Department has toward supporting the families we serve,” said fundraising coordinator, Jessica Hoagland. “We’re grateful for the support of these inspiring, selfless individuals who provide life-saving help that will fund research, advocate for children and adults affected by muscle disease, and rally our community to fight back.”

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The Tallassee Housing Authority is reopening its waiting list for Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV) Program on Tuesday, January 26th through Thursday, January 28th at the Tallassee Recreation Department located at 450 Gilmer Avenue. Only applications will be issued from 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. The HCV Program is a federally funded rental assistance program for low-income families/individuals, the elderly and disabled. The HCV Program provides eligible families an opportunity to rent from a private landlord of their choice within the Tallassee Area. Please call (334) 283-2801 for questions.

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OPINION

Kenneth Boone, Publisher John W. Peeler, Managing Editor Opinions expressed in guest columns and letters to the editor do not necessarily reflect the viewpoint of the management of The Wetumpka Herald

PAGE 4 • JANUARY 16-17, 2016

“Our liberty cannot be guarded but by the freedom of the press, nor that be limited without danger of losing it.” --Thomas Jefferson

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The Herald strives to report the news honestly, fairly and with integrity, to take a leadership role and act as a positive influence in our community, to promote business, to provide for the welfare of our employees, to strive for excellence in everything we do and, above all, to treat others as we would want to be treated ourselves.

How to avoid the twilight zone effect

ou’re walking down a path and come to a rickety bridge, but off in the distance you spot this beautiful golden tree that stands out from the rest of the scenery. You’ve made the rules and contingencies to cross the bridge and know there is no way you should step out onto the unsafe bridge, but you do. Suddenly, the darkness envelops you, and as you fall screaming to your doom, you wonder why you didn’t pay attention to the warning signs. You ignored your rules and find yourself mired in the middle of the twilight zone. Unfortunately, we all find ourselves in that same situation sometimes, but, I guess that is where we “live and learn.” The problem is, not everyone lives and learns. We may live, but some never learn, even when they recognize the warnings. I have always tried not to divulge personal stories, but in this case, I believe I should say, I too, have ignored warning signs before. And, just like the pitfalls of



Dear John By John W. Peeler walking out onto an unsafe bridge, it collapsed and I fell to my doom. My particular rules concerning relationships and love are simple ones. Unfortunately, love and relationships are one area where most of us are more prone to mistakes. Sometimes we charge ahead blindly and don’t listen to the warning signs or obey our own rules. I know most are saying there are no rules in having a relationship and loving someone, but before one gets to that point, the point of unconditional acceptance, there just have to be rules to evaluate your compatibility with someone prior to reaching that point of commitment. Rules like: Don’t date your best

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334-567-7811 • Fax 334-567-3284 e-mail: News@TheWetumpkaHerald.com THE WETUMPKA HERALD (681-260) is published twice weekly on Wednesday and Saturday by Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc., 548 Cherokee Road, Alexander City, AL 35010. Periodical postage paid at Wetumpka, Alabama. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Wetumpka Herald, P.O. Box 99, Wetumpka, AL 36092-0099. ISSN # 1536-688X. We reserve the right to refuse to print any advertisement, news story, photograph or any other material submitted to us for any reason or no reason at all. •Obituaries - $.25 per word per paper. Additional $15 charge for a photo per paper. (Herald, Weekend, Observer, Tribune). •Weddings/Engagements - $.25 per word per paper. $15 charge for 2-column photo. •Birth Announcements - $.25 per word per paper. $15 charge for a photo in each newspaper. SUBSCRIPTION RATES (includes Wednesday & Saturday) One Year in Elmore, Tallapoosa or Coosa County $50 One Year Elsewhere $75 The publisher reserves the right to change subscription rates during the term of subscription at any time. To subscribe or if you miss your paper, call 256-234-4281. © 2015 Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved and any reproduction of this issue is prohibited without the consent of the editor or publisher. NEWS John Peeler, managing editor John.Peeler@TheWetumpkaHerald.com. . . . . . . . . . . . Ext. 302 Cory Diaz, sports editor Cory.Diaz@TheWetumpkaHerald.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ext. 306 Kevin Taylor, copy editor Kevin.Taylor@TheWetumpkaHerald.com.. . . . . . . . . . . Ext. 312 SALES Jayne Carr, marketing consultant Jayne.Carr@TheWetumpkaHerald.com. . . . . . . . . . . . Ext. 313

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friend’s girlfriend or boyfriend — and although I would never have done something like that, I do have rules — I think everyone does. I won’t divulge my rules, but to make a long story short, I knew my rules and I made decisions that, in the long run, proved to me that I should have followed my time-tested rules on relationships. I paid attention to the glimmer out of the corner of my eye and thought I could navigate the “bridge” — I was wrong not to have trusted my own rules and instincts. But, unlike some, I learned my lesson. Do I hold a grudge or judge everyone from that particular instance? No, not at all. Am I jaded because of it? Absolutely not. It’s always important to remember that all people are not the same and because one person chooses not to value you, doesn’t mean someone else won’t, or that you don’t deserve to be valued. Everyone deserves to be treated with respect, honesty and openness, not secre-

tiveness to where trust becomes an issue. But, when your situation becomes untenable, then have the courage to walk away. There are so many clichés on the subject, but one of my favorite ones is by actor Will Smith that reads, “If I have to chase and fight for your attention, eventually I won’t want it anymore.” Another quote I read on 4uquotesru. com reads, “Fall in love with someone who deserves your heart. Not someone who plays with it.” Both quotes are typical examples of what can happen when you don’t follow your own rules or stay on the lookout for the early warning signs. There are several morals to my story: Look before you leap (or fall), all that glitters is not gold, and for goodness sake, pay attention to the signposts up ahead or you might find yourself falling to your doom somewhere in the darkness of the twilight zone. Stay alert, always know your worth and find a way to shine.

Adventures in stereotyping

isualize the participants in the following true occurrences: I was driving down U.S. Highway 231 South near Pine Level, in the middle of a cloudburst. When I attempted to pass a semi, my car began to hydroplane, and my left wheels went off the edge of the road. Unable to regain control, I held onto the steering wheel as my Dodge Dart rapidly and inexorably skidded into the middle of the wide median and became mired in its bottom. Almost immediately, two other vehicles stopped. One man got out of each vehicle, even though it was still pouring rain, and the three of us were able to push my auto onto enough solid ground that I was able to get some traction and drive out. This happened in the mid-‘70s. A business acquaintance of mine recounted that one time in his store, two customers approached the cash register at the same time, and he pointed his finger back and forth to each with a smiling-but-questioning look on his face, in an unspoken “which-oneof-you-goes-first” pantomime. One of the customers announced, “You mean you’re gonna wait on that (slur) before me?” One time I drove my car up to a walk-up ATM at the same time another vehicle arrived. I exited my auto at the same time an overweight woman got out of the other one (I suppose a politically-correct term these days would be to state that she was “weight-challenged”). When she saw me, she quickly ran — actually, “waddled” is a better description — to the ATM so she could process her transaction(s)

The SoCalled Column By Willie G. Moseley first. While I was off on active duty with the Air Force in 1970, I played guitar in a throw-together band at tech school in Illinois. The singer and I became friends; he was multi-racial. While standing in a line of passengers waiting to exit an airliner, I saw a guy in front of me reach down onto a seat in first class to grab a magazine in a clear plastic protective cover. He didn’t even break his stride as he sauntered off the plane with his ripped-off reading material (and whaddaya think the title of the magazine was)? Most motels have ice machines for guests, and such appliances usually have signs that say something like “Do not fill ice chests” (or some similar phrase), indicating that ice should be saved for other guests. The design of institutional ice machines has evolved to where ice is dispensed from a small opening under which a guest is supposed to place the plastic bowl for ice from his/her room. Sometimes, the dispensed amount of ice is calibrated — the amount that comes out when the button is pushed is only enough to fill the container from the room. However, that didn’t stop one woman in a Florida motel where I was staying. She was on her knees in front of

the machine, sticking her room container into the dispensing slot again and again, as she filled a huge ice chest that measured about three feet long and two feet wide. It had carrying handles on each end. A league-leading bowling team refused to sit with at least one of the other teams (if not more) in the same league when they were competing against each other. This happened in the early ‘80s. A new employee for a furniture store that still had “route salesmen” was informed by a rural church “leader” as to how he could be an asset to the new salesman on his route, telling the new guy: “I tell these (slur)s what to do.” One Halloween (on a weeknight/school night), we went to bed around 9 p.m., figuring we’d seen the last of the trick-or-treaters in our neighborhood. All the lights in our house were out, but the doorbell rang at 9:30. “You gotta be kiddin’,” I muttered, adding a choice obscenity as I stumbled out of bed. Turning on the front porch light and opening the door, I encountered five grade-schoolage children with bright, expectant smiles on their face. They weren’t wearing costumes, and they didn’t say a word. I looked around my front yard and out towards the street, and did not see an adult who might have been their chaperone. I’ve just about maxed out on the word count, and besides, that’s enough to, er, stimulate your visualization skills. But there are plenty of other examples where those came from…

Remember to bring pets indoors when cold

other Nature is giving us a real winter wakeup call and we implore pet owners all over to please bring your pets inside. For those that must stay outside please make sure they have shelter and protection from the cold, wind and rain. Cold air is also very dry (just think of your chapped lips) and livestock and pets need more water than you think in the winter. If the water for your outside pets/livestock is frozen that is easy to fix. Just go to your local feed store, pet store or on-line where you can get in-tank water heaters/ heated water buckets pretty inexpensively. They do need to be plugged in (can run a long outdoor extension cord if need be) work great and are quite safe. This can save your muscles from hauling water and your pets/livestock will have clear fresh water no matter how low the temps go. Your pets not only need shelter from wind & precipitation they need to be able to stay warm as well. A dog house (meaning sides, top and a floor) needs to be located so the wind doesn’t blast straight into it and also sized for the dog so that the dog’s body heat can

HUMANE SOCIETY OF ELMORE COUNTY NEWS build inside to keep your pet even warmer. Dry bedding is essential so please check the bedding often to make sure it isn’t wet, or even missing. How would you like to sleep on a wet blanket, or moldy pile of hay, or a hard piece of plastic with no cushion? Please also take your pet’s age and health into account as young, healthy animals can handle inclement weather a lot better than older animals. An older horse might need to be blanketed in cold weather and an older dog with arthritis may need much thicker bedding to cushion aching joints and tired muscles. More frequent brushing to remove dead hair & dirt will also help your pet stay warm as a clean coat will provide better insulation against the weather. We have over 300 pets in our care and every one of them is sleeping on a blanket or comforter because of the wonderful generos-

ity of so many pet loving people — thank you all so very much. But we do need a continuous influx of “bedding” as some dogs destroy their beds and some just reach a point of no return so thank you ahead to all who bring us their old comforters and blankets to help our pets. And the doors are lowered and the heat is cranking during this cold snap to keep them all as comfortable as possible while in our care because we care. If you are worried about an animal that does not have appropriate shelter, is not being cared for, or seems to be a stray, please contact the appropriate Animal Control Officer so they can investigate. Those numbers listed for each town are for issues inside that city limits, all others are considered ‘county’ and must be called to the Elmore County Sheriff’s Office. Here are the numbers to call: •Wetumpka: 567-1327 •Millbrook: 285-6832 •Tallassee: 283-6571 •Eclectic: 541-2149 •Elmore Township: 514-5988 •Coosada: 285-3700 •Elmore County Sheriff: 5671426

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Holiday Inn Express experts: we are not experts on everything

didn’t watch the National Championship game. I never do, no matter who is playing. However, I was happy with Alabama’s victory and I am a Crimson tide fan — not fanatic — fan. I did see the last few minutes and then watched the postgame show. The critics and experts began to pick the game apart, such as the turning point for Alabama, when Clemson lost momentum, who really played the best game etc., ad nauseum. The very next day, I noticed on Facebook other experts commenting on the game, Holiday Inn Express experts. You know what I mean. Do you remember the commercials where a man is performing brain surgery and the patient asks how many surgeries he has done, and the doctor pulls down his mask and says, “Well, actually none, but I stayed at a Holiday Inn Express last night.” Supposedly, that made him an expert. Well, there they were, Tuesday morning all over the social media. It seems they had watched the postgame show and suddenly, like staying in a Holiday Inn

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Express, they knew what Bama had done wrong, how Clemson could have won, how Saban or Dabo could have done things much better. I am sure they had stayed in a Holiday Inn Express Monday night. Suddenly, they were experts on NCAA football and how to play a National Championship game. This is true of life as whole, now. We watch a home improvement show, a flip or flop program and suddenly we are real estate agents, homebuilders and interior decorators. By the way, that wouldn’t be so bad if they didn’t try to tell the rest of us what is wrong with our decorating scheme etc. Someone watches the new series Code Black and my goodness they now know how to treat a major illness or people run over by a train. Now don’t

misunderstand, I don’t mean we can’t have an opinion, I have them all the time, just ask my members. It doesn’t mean we won’t disagree with a play call or how something is done, but that is different than considering you are an expert in that field, just because you stayed in a Holiday Inn Express, figuratively of course. We watch Little House on the Prairie and the school marm and, right off, we know more than a dedicated teacher about teaching physics or algebra. We watch a gardening and landscaping show and are ready to go down to Bellingrath Gardens and redesign the place. I can disagree with a price for services done, not enlist that carpenter or mechanic, I can even ask for proof that I need a new engine. But while he is doing the repairs, he doesn’t need me watching over his shoulder with advice because I read the last issue of Popular Mechanics (Holiday Inn express). We are all an expert in something, whether it is baking a cake, operating on a kidney, repairing a bathroom sink, installing carpet, etc. But none of us are experts in everything.

Religion Calendar

Obituaries Suzanne Thrash Waites Suzanne Thrash Waites a resident of Wetumpka was born Aug. 11, 1953, and passed away Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2016, at the age of 62. The family will receive friends 10-11 a.m. Jan. 22 at Gassett Funeral Home. Memorial services will follow at 11 a.m. at Gassett Funeral Home Chapel with Johnny Wood officiating. Suzanne is survived by her mother, Irene Adams Thrash; son, Wesley A. Nelson; daughter, Amanda N. Mitchell (Ben); grandchildren, Quinn Mitchell and Clara Jane Mitchell; brother, Edwin “Ed” Thrash (Susan); sister, Janet “Jan” Folmar;

Part of America’s problem is we are loaded with Holiday Inn Express experts. Sure, I have questions and I am going to ask them, sure I may not understand or agree with what I am told. But I need to admit, more times than not, that someone else is more of an expert than I am. I need to listen more and talk less, then I may learn more about the subject. Then, I can speak a bit more authoritatively on the issue. My grandmother used to have a saying, “If I could buy him for what he’s worth and sell him for what he thinks he’s worth I could retire.” There is a lot of truth in that rather rude statement. Well, I have go, I have to redesign a nuclear reactor tomorrow, so I need to get a room in a Holiday Inn Express. “Likewise, you younger men, be subject to the elders. And all of you clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble” (1 Peter 5:5).

along with dear friends, Terry and Alisa Green. She was preceded in death by her father, Thomas “Tom” Thrash. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions are requested to the Dr. Dave Welch Foundation, 2525 Bell Road, Montgomery, AL 36117. Online guest book available at www.gassettfuneralhome. net .

D.C. Spivey D.C. (Doyle Curren) Spivey of Wetumpka, 98, passed away Friday, Jan. 15, 2016. Funeral arrangements will be announced by Gassett Funeral Home.

• Seman Congregational Christian Church on Alabama Highway 9 having a revival with Brother Scott Jordan Jan. 13. Service time is 7 p.m. All are welcome and encouraged to attend. • Wellspring Community Church in Millbrook will host The Underground at 7 p.m. Jan. 15 featuring surviving The Fall! Have free food and hang out afterward. Evening filled with rockin music, lights, and a great time with friends.

• Healing Waters Church of God in Eclectic will host a Youth Rally at 5 p.m. Jan. 16. Free pizza, games and prizes to follow. Praise and worship by Trend Setters Youth Praise Band from Beacon of Hope and its drama team with the word being brought by Matt Parker. All are encouraged to attend. • Living Word Church in Wetumpka will host Movie Night at 7 p.m. Jan. 16. “Courageous” will be the family-friendly movie shown. Pop-

corn and drinks will be served. There is no admission fee. Call 334399-1486 for more information. • Living Word Church in Wetumpka will host a night of Youth #takeover at 6 p.m. Jan. 24. There will be a worship band, a powerful youth-focused message with pizza and drinks to follow. It is all FREE! Call 334-498-4646 for more information. • New Home Baptist Church in Wetumpka will host SALT (Serving

and Learing Together) Conference Feb. 4-5. To register and arrange lodging, contact Eric Sutton no later than Jan. 28. Call 334-5675966 or 334-398-5697. • Shoal Creek Baptist Church will host “Eat Healthy! Live Healthy!” at 7 p.m. Feb. 16 in the main sanctuary. Registered dietitian Allan Higgenbotham will be the speical guest speaker. This is a free program sponsored by the Library Team of the church. It is open to the public.

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AME ZION Mt. Zion Chapel AME Zion 2340 Crenshaw Rd., Wetumpka 567-4413 Rogers Chapel AME Zion 709 W. Bridge St., Wetumpka 567-8144 Jackson Chapel AME Zion 4885 Coosada Rd., Coosada Jones Chapel AME Zion 2414 Ingram Rd. (Co. Rd. 3), Elmore ABUNDANT LIFE Abundant Life Church 9301 U.S. Hwy 231., Wetumpka 567-9143 ASSEMBLY OF GOD Agape Tabernacle Assembly of God 1076 Kowaliga Rd., Eclectic 541-2006 Bethel Worship Center 11117 U.S. Hwy 231., Wetumpka 567-5754 Crossroads Assembly of God 2534 AL Hwy 14., Millbrook 285-5545 First Assembly of God 3511 Shirley Ln., Millbrook New Home Assembly of God 5620 Caesarville Rd., Wetumpka 569-2825 BAPTIST Abraham Baptist Church Millbrook Antioch Baptist Church 1115 Antioch Rd., Titus 567-2917 Beulah Baptist Church 2350 Grier Rd., Wetumpka 514-2881 Blue Ridge Baptist 4471 Jasmine Hill Rd., Wetumpka 567-4325 Brookwood Baptist Grandview Rd., Millbrook Calvary Baptist 504 W. Osceola St., Wetumpka 567-4729 Central Baptist 3545 W. Central Rd., Wetumpka 541-2556 Coosada Baptist 20 Kennedy Ave., Coosada Deatsville Baptist 184 Church St., Deatsville Eclectic Baptist Church 203 Claud Rd., Eclectic 541-4444 Faith Baptist 64 Chapel Rd., Wetumpka 567-4417 First Baptist Church 205 W. Bridge St., Wetumpka 567-5191 First Baptist of Elmore Hwy. 14 Co. Rd. 74, Elmore Galilee Baptist 95 Old Georgia Rd., Wetumpka 567-4178 Good Hope Baptist 1766 S. Fleahop Rd., Eclectic Goodship Baptist Hwy. 143, Millbrook Grace Baptist Old Montgomery Hwy., Wetumpka 567-3255 Grandview Pines Baptist Deatsville Hwy., Deatsville Green Ridge Baptist

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288 Turner Rd., Wetumpka 567-2486 Harvest Baptist 2990 Main St., Millbrook Hillside Baptist 405 Old Montgomery Hwy., Wetumpka Holtville Riverside Baptist 7121 Holtville Rd., Wetumpka 514-5922 Lake Elam Baptist 4060 Gober Rd., Millbrook Liberty Hill Baptist 61 Crenshaw Rd., Wetumpka 567-8750 Lighthouse Baptist 2281 Main St., Millbrook Living Water Baptist 1745 Grass Farm Rd. (Co. Rd. 80), Weoka Millbrook Baptist Millbrook 285-4731 Mitts Chapel Baptist 935 Cold Springs Rd., Deatsville 569-1952 Mt. Hebron West Baptist 150 Mt. Hebron Rd., Elmore 567-4441 Mountain View Baptist 1025 Rifle Range Rd., Wetumpka 567-4458 New Harmony Baptist 3094 New Harmony Rd., Marbury 312-1878 New Home Baptist 1605 New Home Rd., Titus 567-0923 New Hope Baptist 6191 Lightwood Rd., Deatsville 569-1267 New Lily Green Baptist 6504 Deatsville Hwy., Deatsville New Nazareth Baptist Hwy. 143, Deatsville Pleasant Hill Baptist Pleasant Hill Rd., Eclectic 541-3460 Prospect Baptist Prospect Rd., Eclectic 567-5837 Redland Baptist 1266 Dozier Rd., Wetumpka 567-8649 Rehoberth Baptist 8110 Rifle Range Rd., Tallassee 567-9801 Rushenville Baptist 10098 Georgia Rd., Eclectic 541-2418 Saint James Baptist 1005 Nobles Rd., Wetumpka 567-6209 Saint James Baptist 101 Gantt Rd., Deatsville 569-3006 Santuck Baptist 7250 Central Plank Rd., Wetumpka 567-2364 Seman Baptist Seman, Alabama Shoal Creek Baptist 13214 Holtville Rd., Deatsville 569-2482 Springfield Baptist Hwy. 7, Millbrook Thelma Baptist 810 Weoka Rd., Wetumpka 567-3665 Titus Baptist 6930 Titus Rd., Wetumpka 334-531-2120 Tunnell Chapel Baptist

210 Central Plank Rd., Wetumpka 567-2589 Victory Baptist 5481 Main St., Millbrook Wadsworth Baptist 2780 Hwy. 143, Deatsville 569-2851 BAPTIST - MISSIONARY Atkins Hill 565 Atkins Rd., Wetumpka 567-1141 Cathmagby Baptist 3074 Mitchell Creek Rd., Wetumpka 567-4787 First Missionary Baptist at Guilfield 412 Company St., Wetumpka 567-7455 Goodhope 1389 Willow Springs Rd. Wetumpka 567-7133 Lebanon 17877 U.S. Hwy. 231, Titus 514-1097 Mount Canaan 1125 Weoka Rd., Wetumpka 567-2141 Mount Pisgah 16621 U.S. Hwy. 231, Titus 567-3668 Mt. Zion 371 AL Hwy. 14, Elmore, 567-2613 Mt. Zion #3 1813 Luke Paschal Rd., Eclectic New Home 5130 Elmore Rd., Wetumpka 567-5966 Second Missionary 760 N. Bridge St., Wetumpka 567-8601 Spring Chapel Jasmine Hill Rd., Wetumpka 567-6493 Sweetwater 163 Michael Lane, Wetumpka 334-538-9415 Tabernacle Baptist 1020 W. Tallassee St., Wetumpka 567-0620 BAPTIST - PRIMITIVE Bethel Old School 4625 Jackson Rd. (C.R. 103), Wetumpka Providence 4850 Chana Creek Rd., Wetumpka CATHOLIC Our Lady of Guadalupe 545 White Rd., Wetumpka 567-0311 CHURCH OF CHRIST Church of Christ of Elmore 470 Caesarville Rd., Wetumpka 567-6670 Church of Christ Grandview Pines 165 Deatsville Hwy., Millbrook Cold Springs Church of Christ 5920 Alabama Hwy. 143, Deatsville Georgia Road Church of Christ 4003 Georgia Rd., Wetumpka 567-2804 Lightwood Church of Christ 251 New Harmony Rd., Deatsville 569-1510 Redland Road Church of Christ 2480 Redland Rd., Wetumpka 514-3656 Wetumpka Church of Christ W. Bridge St. At W. Main St., Wetumpka 567-6561 CHURCH OF GOD Elmore Church of God 10675 Rucker Road, Elmore

Gethsemane Church of God 705 Cotton St., Wetumpka 567-9886 Church at the Brook 2890 Hwy. 14, Millbrook Maranatha Church of God 2621 Holtville Rd., Wetumpka 567-6786 Victory Tabernacle AOH Church of God Hwy 143, Millbrook Wetumpka Church of God Hwy. 9 N. Wetumpka 215-3091 CONGREGATIONAL CHRISTIAN Cedarwood Congregational Christian 10286 US Hwy 231 N, Wetumpka 567-0476 Seman Congregational Christian 15970 Central Plank Rd., Seman Union Congregational Christian 8188 Lightwood Rd., Marbury 569-2122 EPISCOPAL The Episcopal Church of the Epiphany 2602 Gilmer Ave., Tallassee 252-8618 Trinity Episcopal Church 5371 U.S. Hwy. 231, Wetumpka 567-7534 St. Michael & All Angels Church 5941 Main St., Millbrook HOLINESS New Beginnings Holiness 865 Crenshaw Rd., Wetumpka 567-9211 Summit Holiness 2050 Hwy. 14, Millbrook Temple of Deliverance Holiness 620 Alabama St., Wetumpka 514-3114 JEHOVAH’S WITNESS Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses 9235 U.S. Hwy. 231, Wetumpka 567-8100 LATTER DAY SAINTS Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints 1405 Chapel Rd., Wetumpka 567-8339 Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Cobbs Ford Rd., Millbrook LUTHERAN Christ Lutheran Church 2175 Cobbs Ford Rd., Prattville PRESBYTERIAN First Presbyterian Church 100 W. Bridge St., Wetumpka 567-8135 Millbrook Presbyterian Corner of Main St. & Coosada Rd. Valley View Presbyterian - PCA 4125 Rifle Range Rd. Wetumpka 386-2386 SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST First Elmore Seventh Day Adventist 210 Lucky Town Rd., Elmore 514-1020 INDEPENDENT METHODIST Claud Independent Methodist Church 81232 Tallassee Hwy, Eclectic 541-2552 UNITED METHODIST Cain’s Chapel United Methodist 96 Lightwood Rd., Deatsville 569-2375 Central United Methodist Church 11721 Central Plank Rd. Central

Submit your church calendar items and events to: kevin.taylor@thewetumpkaherald.com

Elmore United Methodist Church 40 Hatchet St., Elmore 567-8653 First United Methodist Church 306 W. Tuskeena St., Wetumpka 567-7865 First United Methodist Church 3350 Edgewood, Millbrook Harmony United Methodist Church 8000 Titus Rd., Titus Mulder Memorial United Methodist 3454 Fire Tower Rd., Wetumpka 567-4225 New Style United Methodist 64 Old Georgia Plank Spur, Wetumpka 567-9840 Oak Valley Station United Methodist 162 Parsonage Road, Tallassee 541-3924 Pierce Chapel United Methodist 1003 Pierce Chapel Rd., Santuck 265-6099 Providence United Methodist 1540 Providence Rd., Titus Robinson Springs Methodist Church 5980 Main St., Millbrook Trinity United Methodist 135 Little Weoka Creek Rd., Equality 567-9997 Union United Methodist 691 Central Rd. Eclectic Wallsboro United Methodist 11066 US Hwy. 231, Wetumpka CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE Millbrook Church of the Nazarene 3251 Browns Rd., Millbrook PENTECOSTAL Faith Deliverance Church 475 Jackson St., Elmore 567-9209 OTHER Central Bible Chapel 3630 Edgewood Rd., Millbrook Chapel of Praise Hwy. 14, Millbrook Cornerstone Full Gospel 9301 US Hwy. 231, Wetumpka 567-9143 East Chapel MP Church Airport Rd., Millbrook Grace Bible Church 2251 Main St., Millbrook Gracepoint Community Church 78223 Tallassee Highway, Wetumpka 514-9292 New Life Church - Millbrook Sanctuary Worship Center 1688 Ceasarville Rd., Wetumpka Servant Fellowship Church P O Box 1423, Wetumpka 567-2190 servantfellowshipchurch@windstream.net The Worship Center 2705 Williams Rd., Wetumpka Time of Refreshing Fellowship 117 E. Bridge St., Wetumpka 567-7750 Victory Temple (Pentecostal church) 1173 Old Montgomery Hwy., Wetumpka 567-7779 Words of Life Church 105 Cousins Rd., Wetumpka 514-2730

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THE WETUMPKA HERALD

Reclassification: AHSAA announcement expected Wednesday By CORY DIAZ The Wetumpka Herald

Two years after the debut of a seventh classification, the Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) is expected to approve and announce the new realignment Wednesday.

The AHSAA takes enrollment and geography into consideration when aligning schools into areas or regions. Previously counting just 10th through 12th graders, ninth-grade hold backs will count in the AHSAA’s reclass for-

mula for the first time. After months of speculation and rumors, local coaches still don’t know what to expect as they await to find out who they’ll be paired with and what their travel expenses for the next two years will look like. “We really don’t know what to expect based off what I’ve heard after the state championship games and until as recently as this week,” Wetumpka head football coach Tim Perry said. “All that will be put to rest when the new classification is released.” Rumor surrounding Wetumpka and Stanhope Elmore’s football region, Class 6A Region 2, from the last two years has Northview and Park Crossing moving up to 7A while Carroll-Ozark is expected to move down to 5A, leaving Carver-Montgomery, Dothan and Russell County. It’s possible that

region could rotate to pick up any combination of Chilton County, Benjamin Russell, Opelika or Valley – which was Region 3, or some schools from the Birmingham metro or Tuscaloosa areas. In Class 4A, Elmore County and Holtville have played in one of the toughest regions with reigning state champion Leeds, Dadeville, Handley and Munford that last two seasons. The Bulldogs, who didn’t win a game in that stretch, are hopeful for a shakeup. “I’m excited and looking forward to any change whatsoever,” HHS head coach Hunter Adams said. “Our region, really the last four years, has been so incredibly deep and stacked. Teams like Elmore County that could be 7-, 8-, 9-win teams, but they didn’t make the playoffs in our region.” Many anticipate Alabama Christian Academy, in Montgomery, to be

bumped down from 5A to 4A, opening up the door for Elmore County and Holtville to make its way back into the Capitol city for region games. The AHSAA is expected to work up from 1A to 7A in this year’s realignment. Adams said, dependent on what time the new classes are released, he’ll be anxiously waiting. “Anytime you get a fresh look at something, like a new alignment with new teams, it’s a fun thing.” Perry said whatever the outcome of Wednesday’s announcement, he just wants what’s best for the Wetumpka program. “(The AHSAA) is not going to make everybody happy. We want the chance to be able to compete in a region we feel like we can be competitive in.”

Edgewood QB named AISA Back of the Year By CORY DIAZ Sports Editor

Nathan Rourke felt like he put a nice bow on his final prep season Wednesday. Two months ago after helping lead Edgewood Academy to an undefeated season and an unprecedented sixth straight AISA state championship, the senior quarterback was named the AISA Back of the Year, announced by the Alabama Sports Writers Association at the Player of the Year Awards luncheon in Montgomery. Rourke made it two years in a row a Wildcat player won the honor, joining former running back Josh Crawford, who now plays at Vanderbilt. Edgewood set the Alabama high school record for consecutive state titles and extended its winning streak to 71 games, the country’s longest active mark, as Rourke put up an historic campaign. The 6-foot-2, 205-pounder threw for 59 touchdowns, tying American Christian Academy Chris Smelley’s single-season total, while completing 75 percent of his passes for 3,768 yards with only three interceptions. The quarterback transferred to Edgewood from Oakville, Ontario, Canada back in April to bolster his chances of playing college football, and Rourke, who

only has one offer from Alabama A&M thus far, said being named the AISA’s top back, coupled with his numbers, hopefully will turn more coaches’ heads. “It means a lot. I’m very honored and blessed to be here,” Rourke said. “Every accolade that I have hopefully builds a resume and people start to talk about me a little bit more. That’s not a selfish reason or anything, I just need to fulfill the whole process. “I hope it just draws a little more attention in my recruitment. I think this publicity is good publicity and I can benefit from that. It’s an honor for that, and it’s a great overall experience and a great way to end the year.” For Back of the Year, Rourke beat out Escambia Academy’s Kris Brown and, in a rare occurrence, his teammtate Jackson Tate, whom the signal caller said he had no doubts he would make it back to the banquet next season. In a room filled with some of the best high school football players from across the state, Rourke said having two players up for the same honor lends credibility to the Wildcats’ program. “I don’t think there was anyone that had quite the year that we did, so I think you got to give some credit there. I think you got to look back to the program, what the coaches have built, you have to tip your hat,” he said. “I think that’s what having two players up for the

Corey Diaz / The Herald

Nathan Rourke receives his AISA Back of the Year plaque announced by the Alabama Sports Writers Association

same category does for Edgewood and I’m just got to be a part of that.”