Tallassee Tribune Jan. 17 2024

2 shooting suspects plead not guilty

By LIZI ARBOGAST GWIN Managing Editor

Two of the six sus -

pects in custody in connection with the April 15 shooting in Dadeville have officially pleaded not guilty — and that

decision could still be coming from a third.

Late December, Wilson Lamar Hill Jr., 20, and Willie George Brown Jr., 20, both of Auburn, both entered pleas of not guilty, according to court docu -

ments, and waived their rights to an arraignment hearing.

As for Johnny Letron Brown, 20, of Tuskegee, he will soon appear in court for the third time in connection with the charges. Thursday, his

court-appointed attorney, David Dawson, filed a motion to set an arraignment date. That date has not been set yet. A fourth suspect, Sherman Peters III, 15,

HOW DEEP IS YOUR FAITH?

Tallassee remembers Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

It’s been a trying few weeks for Cynthia Martin. A few family members have died including her brother Dean Farrow on Jan. 10. She’s kin to Sedrick D. Brooks, who died in an automobile accident on Saturday in Macon County. Organizers of Monday’s King celebration in Tallassee asked Martin if she wanted to wait until next year to speak at the annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration in Tallassee. But Martin said she would continue. She asked everyone at

CLIFF WILLIAMS | TPI

Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church Monday one question — “How deep is your faith?”

Martin started by singing I’m a Living Testament before starting her speech.

“We’ve been through the stones,” Martin said.

See FAITH, Page A6

Marchers walk along Jordan Avenue Monday in Tallassee on the way to Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church for the annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. celebration.

By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor

It will be hard to find a high school wrestler in Alabama as accomplished as Tallassee senior Christian McCary. McCary, who has been a starter and state qual

ifier ever since his seventh-grade season in 2019, recently reached 200 career wins in his high school career. As a seventh grader in 2019, McCary won 52 matches and placed

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

EDITH MCCARY FOR TPI

Tallassee wrestler Christian McCary, left, celebrates his 200th career win with coach John Mask. McCary is eight pins away from being Tallassee’s All-Time pin leader.

All Lawn Maintenance

Police Reports

TALLASSEE

JAN. 14

• A fight was reported on North Ann Avenue.

• A suspicious person was reported on Jordan Avenue.

• Assistance was given to another agency on Washington Boulevard.

• A suspicious person was reported on Herren Street.

• A white male was arrested during a traffic stop on Thelma Drive.

• A domestic dispute was reported on Wall Street.

• A domestic dispute was reported on McNeal Street.

• A private property motor vehicle accident was reported on Gilmer Avenue.

• An animal complaint was reported on Joy Street.

• A welfare check was conducted on Ashurst Avenue.

• A motor vehicle accident was reported on Main Street.

• A civil disturbance was reported on Laurel Street.

• A domestic dispute was reported on Ice Plant Road.

JAN. 13

• Assistance was given to another agency on Lower River Road.

• An intoxicated person was reported on South Tallassee Drive.

• A suspicious vehicle was reported on Highway 229.

• A suspicious vehicle was reported on E.B. Payne Sr. Drive.

• A disorderly subject was reported on Delta Road.

• A suspicious vehicle was reported on Herren Hill Road.

• An intoxicated person was reported on Lee Street.

• A suspicious person was reported on Gilmer Avenue.

JAN. 12

• A fight was reported on Hickory Street.

• Panhandling was reported on Jordan Avenue.

• An animal complaint was reported on Hillcrest Street.

• A suspicious vehicle was reported on Riverhills Drive.

• An animal complaint was reported on Washington Street.

• A suspicious vehicle was reported on Riverhills Drive.

• An animal bite was reported on Friendship Road.

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

JAN. 11

• Panhandling was reported on Gilmer Avenue.

• A domestic incident was reported on Stroud Street.

• A welfare check was conducted on Macedonia Road.

• A welfare check was conducted on Seventh Street.

• Suspicious activity was reported on Central Boulevard.

• Reckless driving was reported on Poplar Street.

• Assistance was given to a citizen on Barnett Boulevard.

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

• An animal complaint was reported on Little John Drive.

• Assistance was given to a motorist on Gilmer Avenue.

• Assistance was given to a motorist on Gilmer Avenue.

• Assistance was given to a citizen on Riverhills Drive.

JAN. 10

• A Black male was arrested on Barnett Boulevard.

• A juvenile complaint

was reported on Little John Drive.

• Theft was reported on Adams Street.

• Harassment was reported on Highway 229.

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

• Assistance was given to another agency on Barnett Boulevard.

• Assistance was given to a motorist on Truman Street.

JAN. 9

• A domestic incident was reported on Third Street.

• Gunfire was reported on Oak Heights Road.

• A suspicious person was reported on Gilmer Avenue.

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

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

• A motor vehicle accident with no injuries was reported on Barnett Boulevard.

• Debris was reported in the roadway on First Avenue.

• Assistance was given to a motorist on Barnett Boulevard.

• Assistance was given to a motorist on James Street.

• Assistance was given to a motorist on Indian Trail.

• A domestic dispute was reported on Stroud Street.

• Animal control was requested on Kelly Place.

• An abandoned vehicle was reported on Ashurst Bar Road.

• A runaway juvenile was reported on E.B. Payne Sr. Drive.

• Trees in the roadway was reported on Lower Tuskegee Road.

JAN. 8

• Assistance was given to a motorist on Hillcrest Street.

• Assistance was given to a motorist on Gilmer Avenue.

• Assistance was given to a motorist on Jordan Avenue.

• A hit and run motor vehicle accident was reported on Barnett Boulevard.

• Assistance was given to a motorist on Gilmer Avenue.

• Assistance was given to a motorist on Friendship Road.

• A child custody dispute was reported on Davidson Street.

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

• Property damage was reported on Friendship Road.

• Criminal mischief was reported on North McKenzie Street.

• Debris was reported in the roadway on Barnett Boulevard.

• An animal complaint was reported on Third Avenue.

• A stolen vehicle was reported on Barnett Boulevard.

WETUMPKA POLICE DEPARTMENT

JAN. 8

• Forgery was reported on U.S. Highway 231.

JAN. 7

• Domestic violence was reported on Lee Street.

JAN. 6

• Theft was reported on U.S. Highway 231.

JAN. 5

• Theft was reported on U.S. Highway 231.

JAN. 4

• Reckless endangerment and discharging weapons inside the city limits was reported on U.S. Highway 231.

• Criminal trespass and disorderly conduct was reported on U.S. Highway 231.

Support Staff Person of the Year

Golden believes team deserves award, not her

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

It is not uncommon for students to tell Toni Golden they love her as they enter the office of Tallassee High School.

Golden sees many students every day in her role recording tardies and absences. So those remarks from students might be seen as bribes by some but co-workers don’t.

“She is a just great person,” Tallassee High School principal Drew Glass said. “She is awesome at everything she does. We wouldn’t do what we do without her.”

Golden also helps in classrooms, has been a senior sponsor in the past and helps former students get transcripts. It is all part of Golden’s role as an instructional aide. Her compassion and performance led her co-workers to select her as support staff person of the year at Tallassee High School.

It’s an honor she said she doesn’t deserve alone.

“At the high school we are a team and help each other,” Golden said. “It sounds cliche but we do. It should have been all of us.”

If it couldn’t be the entire staff, Golden wanted to give to someone else.

“I’m humbled but there are so many others that deserve it,” Golden said. “It’s the truth. It’s how I really feel. I’m just doing my job.”

Some of her co-workers heard her say others were more deserving and they were so quick to

Tallassee High School instructional aide Toni Golden is responsible for many things at the school. Recently her co-workers selected her as support staff person of the year.

respond.

“She is there for all of us,” secretary Christina Baker said. “She is always there doing a ton of things. She is a jack of all trades. She never seeks attention for what she does for us and the school.”

The Reeltown native sought a job at Tallassee High School 17 years ago.

“I have two boys. I wanted to be involved with them and know the school system they were going to,” Golden said. “I started out subbing when a part time position came open in PE.”

A year later she took a full time position in the media center.

“I worked in there for several years as a media assistant,” Golden

said. “I asked to come out to work in the classroom and other ways.”

Golden’s children have graduated, gone on, gotten married and started their own lives.

But she remains, helping answer the phone, breaking up the occasional argument between students, just doing her thing making sure students and staff are cared for.

But Golden sees it the other way around. She doesn’t know how long she will stay, but does because she enjoys it.

“I’ve been blessed,” Golden said. “It’s exciting because you never know what each will hold. We just do what we are asked to do. I love who I work for and who I work with. It makes it easy.”

‘The

mirror stares you in the face’

Show choir revisits history at Tallassee and in the music

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

Three decades ago there was only a single choir class.

Today, there are more than 250 students involved in choral and music programs at Tallassee High School. Students have options for band and three different show choirs — Voltage, Divas and Gold Edition. The programs have come a long way from the cramped, dingy basement. There are new choral rooms with new mirrors to practice in front of next to the auditorium of the new Tallassee High School. Voltage even has new costumes for the upcoming season as they put on “Bringing on the Funk” with favorites from Earth, Wind and Fire; the

Commodores, Stevie Wonder and Sly and the Family Stone.

Choral director Kelley Hill said she and others in the music department are always looking for music. They keep ideas in the back of their minds.

“Once we get done with the season, we start thinking about what is next,” Hill said.

Last year was an 80s show. It was right up the alley of now senior Maria Lynn.

“It was my world,” Lynn said. “I revolved around it. It was the best.”

But the clock rolled back a decade to the 70s for her this year for “Bringing the Funk” and she is still just fine.

“I like it that we are going decades back instead of recent tunes,” Lynn said.

“I don’t like music from today.”

Lynn’s playlist in the car, at home and on the phone includes 90s rock, old country. But the senior isn’t in love with the current craze surrounding Taylor Swift.

“100% no,” Lynn said. “I don’t listen to no Swift.”

Some of the popstar’s costumes might inspire some. Some in the audience might see a Swift reference on stage with the Tallassee choirs but it is far from it. The new costumes for Voltage come straight from the disco era complete with flared legs.

“I’m in love with this,” Lynn said. “This is like, It’s a dream. Plus it is a bright color — a bright blue. I love bright colors.”

Voltage is also revisiting the past with choreographer Santana Houston. She was the first Black majorette at Tallassee High School. It was before

Humane Society of Elmore County News

the choral program really took off. Houston was part of the all girls group — Divas.

She leveraged the position to dance and now to a freelance choreographer. Houston has helped choreograph Auburn University’s Danceline and the Alabama State University Stingettes.

“This is a lot of fun,” Houston said. “It is a way for me to give back.”

It is something she has done for more than a decade. At Voltage rehearsal Thursday Houston worked on blocking but more important were the dance moves. She paused rehearsal pointing out things in the mirror to aid the team in straight arms, hand and even head placement to give the best impact to the audience.

Hill said Houston played a role in the new jumpsuits and costumes.

“We found some, she found the blue,” Hill said. “We did some costumes to go along with the theme of the show.”

It is the first time in several years the program has added new apparel for the stage. It goes along with the new building and this year’s new show. But some things remain classic.

“We have 30 years of old stuff,” Michael Bird said. “We have storage buildings full of racks of clothes we won’t throw away. The new costumes are out of necessity. The girls haven’t had anything new in a while. The guys will be in tuxedos. Those never go out of style.”

Pets need to be sheltered in the cold

By REA CORD HSEC Executive Director

While we have had cold weather for a month now, this week is bringing dangerous low temperatures for both man and animal. Starting Tuesday and for many nights in the near forecast, we will have temps well below 20 degrees. Don’t disregard these temps as unsheltered animals can die in these kinds of temperatures. This means bring your pets inside! Animals that are outside must have access to shelter with thick straw/bedding so they are protected from cold, wind and rain.

Wind chill affects animals just like it does us humans. A dog/cat house (meaning solid sides, top and floor) needs to be located so the wind doesn’t blast straight into it and also sized for the pet so they can build up body heat inside to

Pet

of the Week - Ava

keep warm. DRY bedding is essential. Straw (not hay) works well but no matter what kind of bedding, check it often to make sure it isn’t wet, or even missing. A wet blanket, or moldy pile of hay, or hard piece of plastic does nothing to help your pet deal with the cold so just don’t think because your dog has a plastic igloo, he or she can ‘handle’ this weather.

If you think that, we suggest you try spending the night in that igloo yourself. These igloos have no insulation so are just basically plastic boxes meaning cold in the winter and hot in the summer. 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 and dirt will also help your pet/livestock stay warm as a clean coat will provide better insulation against the weather.

Yes, there are breeds more acclimated to cold weather and they might be loving this weather but far more of our southern pets are not used to this weather and need appropriate protection from the cold.

Sadly we know of far too many pit bulls living lives tied to trees. These dogs have NO undercoat and are not super dogs that can withstand freezing temperatures. Like any other dog they need to be brought inside or given adequate shelter with bedding. Keeping fresh water for pets or livestock is essential but

they certainly cannot drink it if it is frozen. A log or milk jug full of water floating might at least help the surface of the water from freezing in the short term. Our best advice is to go to your local feed store, pet store or online 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 but make sure it is safe and cannot be chewed on or pulled out by pets/livestock), 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. Now the water source like the standpipe/faucet can freeze and there is heat tape or even heated hoses but here in our area, generally, if your pets/

Ava is a female Aussie/Spaniel looking mix. She is almost 3 years old and weighs 40 pounds. She is incredibly sweet and loving. She is best with male dogs, good with cats and loves everyone. She is playful and happy and loves attention and walks. Ava originally came to us as a stray with puppies who all found their homes, so now it is her turn. 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.

livestock have a large tank of water that is kept from freezing, the daytime higher temps and sun will thaw out the hose/pipe/faucet so it can refill. This can mean checking on your water before it gets dark to refill it for the next day. Hay for livestock is one of the best ways to help them keep up their body heat as a tummy full of digesting hay is like a furnace inside. With that hay, of course, make sure they have access to unfrozen water. 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/Law Enforcement so they can investigate.

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

CLIFF WILLIAMS TPI

Tallassee High School senior Maria Lynn, left, is a self-described old soul liking the new Voltage show featuring classics from the 1970s.

Tallassee Talks

Combs gives justice to a fantastic song

“MWeddings,

Announcements:

Include name and telephone number. The text for the announcement must be in the body of the email (not as an attachment) and photographs must be sent as a .jpeg attached to the email. Announcements will appear within 10 days in The Herald or The Tribune.

usic is a total constant. That’s why we have such a strong visceral connection to it, you know? Because a song can take you back instantly to a moment, or a place, or even a person. No matter what else has changed in your or the world, that one song says the same, just like that moment.”

This quote from Just Listen by Sarah Dessen perfectly explains why music is so important in my life. There are songs that immediately take me back to a certain place or time, no matter what’s happening in my life.

Glad You Exist by Dan + Shay was the song I sang to my husband at our wedding, and I can’t help but grin from ear to ear when that song comes on the radio.

For whatever reason, Dirt Road Anthem by Jason Aldean takes me back to a late car ride home from a playoff basketball game. I vividly remember jamming out while my co-worker Shawn was asleep in the passenger seat — until all of a sudden he comes out of the deepest sleep directly into the words of the tune.

Why Don’t We Just Dance by Josh Turner will always be the song I was listening to when I

Letter to the Editor

LIZI GWIN Managing Editor

found out my newest nephew was a boy. There are so many more of these examples, and I’ve also given careful consideration to that age-old question, “If you were on a deserted island with only five songs on repeat, what would they be?” For me, one of them would be “Fast Car,” and until recently, I would’ve easily told you that’s by Tracy Chapman — and it is. But the recent Luke Combs rendition is nothing short of spectacular, and it’s a fitting one to discuss this week. When Combs released his cover, it became the first song with a Black woman as the sole writer to top the Billboard country chart.

“What an awesome way to end the ride for ‘Fast Car’,” Combs tells Billboard. “It has been so cool to see everyone enjoying this song over the past few months, whether it was people who were hearing the song for the first time or people [for whom] it brought back memories of Tracy’s timeless recording. I’m

just glad this song got another life because it deserves to be around forever; it will always be one of my favorites. I’m glad we got to park Tracy’s song at the top of the Hot Country Songs chart, where it should be.”

What I loved most about Combs’ remake wasn’t the way his voice carried Chapman’s words or how the strum of the guitar was slightly slower than the original. It wasn’t the addition of drums or how passionate he sounded.

What I loved most about the remake was it gave justice to such an amazing song, and how he kept it so authentically what Chapman wanted it to be.

“You still ain’t got a job, so I work in the market as a checkout girl.”

Combs sang those words exactly, and he could’ve so easily changed it to “checkout boy.” But Combs’ remake wasn’t about him. Combs set out to create something equally as beautiful as the original, and he couldn’t have done a better job.

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.

Reader appreciates Christmas decorations

Dear Editor,

We offer a belated thank you to some who helped make the Christmas Season brighter in Tallassee. The city’s decorations were appreciated, as always. The Chamber of Commerce

certainly did its part in making the town festive. A special thanks to the Chamber members who donated their time and money and creativity in assembling the Christmas Tree Walk in Bell Park. We hope that can continue as an annual tradition. Likewise

for the folks in Noble, for the luminarias — thank you for being willing to expend such effort for the enjoyment of others. It was all appreciated! Don and Anne Bryant Tallassee, Alabama

I15 years

t was the last week of January, 2009. Barack Obama was inaugurated as the 44th president of the United States. Pilot Chesney “Sully” Sullenberger landed a U.S. Airways flight on an icy Hudson River, saving his passengers and becoming a hero in the process. In California, a woman gave birth to eight children and became known as the “Octomom.”

And in the brand new Montgomery Performing Arts Centre, Tallassee High School hosted its first Capital City Classic, a show choir competition.

Tallassee had distinguished itself in the music world for a long time. Between the accomplishments of the Long Blue

of the Capital City Classic

Line and later the Pride of Tallassee, the band program was noted around the region for its superior-rated performances and increasing participation during an era when many school bands were downsizing. Similarly, the choral side of the program had really taken off during the decade of the 2000s, as more and more students began participating in the award-winning, nationally recognized show

choirs at THS: New Image, Gold Edition, Voltage and Divas. By the 2008-09 school year, choral director Jerry Cunningham had planned to begin his own competition. After decades of attending contests hosted by other schools, Mr. C planned this one with a twist: Instead of hosting the competition at our school, we would rent the nicest auditorium in the tri-county area instead.

And the choral directors all over Alabama, Tennessee, Mississippi and Georgia began flocking to this event, which has become one of the greatest successes in our department.

As we host the 15th annual Capital City Clas-

sic from January 26-27 at MPAC, we invite you to come and enjoy the music of choral groups from Eufaula, Chelsea, Pell City, Helena, Oxford, Auburn, Enterprise, Oak Mountain, Homewood, Opelika, Pike Road, Jasper, Vestavia Hills, Hoover and others from within our state. We also have groups from other southeastern states, including Lakeside, Appling, Fitzgerald and Tift County (Georgia) performing in the competition. Additionally, we are very grateful to the sponsors who have helped make this festival possible. We hope to see you there.

Michael Bird is a music teacher for Tallassee City Schools.

The sun will rise tomorrow

It’s funny how everyone is in mourning over Nick Saban’s retirement.

Even a memorial has been created around his statue at Bryant-Denny Stadium as if he has passed away.

I’m a college football fan. I have been on the field for countless games across the SEC and country. I have shaken hands with many coaches.

Many of my favorite memories surround college sports.

I was there when Auburn great Pat Nix hugged his son Bo after defeating Alabama at Jordan-Hare.

I was there as Cadillac Williams, while still a player, split open an orange at Bryant-Denny hoping the Tigers would be selected for the BCS Championship. They weren’t.

But the sun still rose the next day and a few weeks later I photographed the same team taking over the ESPN Gameday set on the sidelines of the Sugar Bowl.

I have seen my fair share of handshakes between Saban and many

other coaches. I’ve photographed countless games in Jordan-Hare and Bryant-Denny.

But how important is Saban and college football to our daily lives?

While I respect the importance of high level coaches, many need to take a closer look at who they put so much stock in. What stands out about my memories surrounding college sports is not the coaches. It’s not the athletes. It’s what they have done to cement relationships in life. Many of my friends are photographers across the country. Many of those I have met on the sidelines of football, basketball, track and gymnastics events. There were many low country boils and barbecues shared

in parking lots across the country, many conversations held among photographers missing the shot or, in the case of my mentor Dave Martin, getting the shot.

But my favorite memories in college sports involve close family and friends.

I remember my father getting tickets to an Auburn-Georgia football game in the 1980s. It happened to be the same game Georgia fans stormed the field after the Dawgs won at Jordan-Hare. The water was turned on and I remember a fan chanting, “Nothing stinks like a wet Dawg.”

It is an inside joke with my dad every time we see a wet pet or smell that smell.

I remember my grandfather taking me to countless games, too. My grandmother was often knitting in the stands as she didn’t care too much about the game. I still have some of those projects.

MICHAEL BIRD Columnist

Coming home: Sisters to open bakery on Company Street

By ABIGAIL MURPHY Multimedia Reporter

While Tiers of Sweetness is a new business, owners Denice Pittman and Cherryl Knighten are no strangers to Wetumpka.

The two sisters have been operating their bakery out of Pittman’s home in Montgomery as a cottage food business. For the past 10 years, it’s been a dream to open a storefront.

The sisters are bringing the business to the Wetumpka area where their father, who is now 88, grew up. Pittman said they have always heard stories about their dad going to downtown Wetumpka along Company Street and Bridge Street. With $1, he could see a movie, get a hamburger and buy a Coke.

Sharing their business in the place where their dad grew up is something near and dear to their hearts. Pittman said family is important to the both of them, although they originally didn’t start Tiers of Sweetness together.

Pittman first got into baking when she took a cake decorating class in 2008 to make birthday cakes for her dogs. Pittman was a hairdresser at the time and said she never would have guessed she would be making food for people.

However, her passion grew from there and she started Tiers of Sweetness.

“God actually gave me the dream and the vision for having a storefront, which was nothing that

I was really looking for and it’s been a dream ever since then to have a storefront — where people can come here and have a place of community, hang out, relax and just have a good time,” Pittman said.

Knighten came on board to help her sister full time after her retirement. From doing dishes to baking cakes, she wanted to help her sister with the business in any way she could.

“My goal was to do all

the things I could do so that Denice could do what her vision, what her talent was that God had given her,” Knighten said. “Very quickly I loved it as well and now my car tag says, ‘Mighty Baker.’”

With the storefront going up, the sisters are managing current orders together while prepping to open on Company Street. Meanwhile, those in Wetumpka can spot the future Tiers of Sweetness with its bright pink door. Inside the future bakery, there will be seating with board games for people to play while they have their treats. With two floors, there will also be space for cake decorating classes and parties to be hosted.

The main color of the store is pink with an accent of lime green. The store will also have black and white damask print curtains to add a softness to the space.

Tiers of Sweetness will have a grab and go area with cake slices, cupcakes and its signature sandwich cookies. Through the back entrance the bakery will

Tallassee man denied parole, serving 60 years for murder

By MELODY RATHEL Multimedia Reporter

Michael Paul Woodall, 47, of Tallassee, was recently denied parole. Woodall is currently serving 60 years for a murder committed in 1997. Court records state he began his sentence on Dec. 29, 1997

be wheelchair accessible, where the sisters will provide to-go and custom orders.

“We just love what we get to do and we’re so excited,” Pittman said.

Not long after Tiers of Sweetness opens, the

sisters are going to bring their parents down from Prattville for their dad to see the space and tell them more tales of growing up in Wetumpka.

Tiers of Sweetness will open at 112 Company St. within about a month.

WOODALL

According to court documents, Woodall’s sentence was reconsidered after 16 years. In 2014, Woodall’s case was presented to the State of Alabama for reconsideration after Woodall successfully completed an anger management class and a violence

interruption program, according to court records. The argument presented in Woodall’s defense stated due to his young age and immature behavior at the time of the murder, his sentence should have been reconsidered. The request was denied. Woodall’s next parole date is Dec. 1, 2028.

Suspect identified in Tallassee business robbery

STAFF REPORT

TPI Staff

A man is in custody after the Tallassee Police Department successfully identified a suspect in relation to a business robbery that occurred Jan. 2, according to a press release. The suspect has been identified as Zyquarius Collins, 19.

Tallassee officers previously reached out to CrimeStoppers on Jan. 4 and were seeking the public’s help with identifying the suspect.

At that time, investiga-

tors released a photo of an unknown suspect for an incident at about 1:30 p.m. Jan. 2 at Marathon Gas Station located at 511 Jordan Ave. in Tallassee. Investigators say the pictured suspect, identified as a Black male, entered the business, produced an unknown type of handgun and demanded currency. Investigators

say the suspect took an assortment of U.S. currency and left the business in an unknown direction of travel. Collins was arrested on Jan. 5 and charged with first-degree robbery. According to the release, Collins is being held at the Elmore County Jail with a $6,000 bond available to him.

Emergency need for blood

STAFF REPORT

TPI Staff

LifeSouth Community Blood Centers has issued an emergency appeal for all blood types, especially O-negative and O-positive blood types. The appeal comes as January is observed as National Blood Donor Month to honor voluntary blood donors around the nation.

LifeSouth is celebrating by helping spread awareness toward the importance of giving blood and thanking blood donors. The annual observation honors the selfless blood donors and encourages first-time donors to give the gift of life in the new year.

This year’s celebration is especially important, as blood donors are needed

just gateways to memories with family and friends.

I remember seeing Shaq at Beard-Eaves Memorial Coliseum.

My grandfather took my sister and myself to see the giant on the court in Auburn. Granddad enjoyed being with his grandchildren as much, or more, than the games we went to.

I remember the first Iron Bowl in Jordan-Hare.

I sat next to my sister. So my favorite memories around college sports aren’t about the coach or the athlete. Those were

In some cases, we idolize the wrong things. Don’t get me wrong, Saban has done great things on the field. To me, he has used the position to do even better things off the field through Nick’s Kids and more. I’m sure the foundation will last for years to come and continue to do great things. Saban’s retirement now gives him a chance to make memories with his children and grandchildren. Those moments many fans seem to forget are more important than

to help offset blood shortages impacting the local community. LifeSouth supplies blood to our local hospitals. Blood donated with LifeSouth directly helps patients at these hospitals. Blood transfusions are needed every day to help patients suffering from traumas, blood loss during childbirth, cancer,

See NEED, Page A6

any coach or athletic endeavor.

The last few years I’ve created memories with my family, and especially my son, away from high level athletics.

I like sitting at the shed with my dad at the smoker for a BBQ. I like helping my mom in the kitchen. I like watching my son play soccer. I know little of the sport but love seeing him enjoy the game. I like watching my son’s eyes light up eating hotdogs at Chris’ in Montgomery and Gus’s in Birmingham. I love debating him on who has the better menu and food.

Yes, Saban is legendary and likely irreplaceable. It is hard to say as an Auburn fan. I certainly hope his retirement helps create more memories with his family like I have with mine.

For those fans either sulking in Saban’s retirement, cheering a transfer of power or contemplating other life issues, just remember what is truly important.

The sun will still rise tomorrow.

Cliff Williams is the news editor of Tallapoosa Publishers Inc.’s Elmore County newspapers.

SUBMITTED | TPI

Cherryl Knighten, left, and Denice Pittman are two sisters that went into business together.Their bakery,Tiers of Sweetness, is now opening in Wetumpka.

COLLINS

“We’ve been through the rain. We’ve been through some of the things that Job went through. But God still has us here.”

Things have been rough, but Martin said God has sent reminders He is there. A baby was born into the family on Jan. 11. Martin herself still has reasonable health.

“It is mighty good,” Martin said. “God may not come when you want him, but He is always on time.” Martin talked about times King questioned if he could continue on. She told a story of King receiving a call late at night in Montgomery and thinking it was time to give up his fight for equality.

Martin said the civil rights icon prayed and

found his strength again. Something Martin believes everyone should do.

She believes most Christians fall into three categories and challenged the audience to get deeper.

Ankle deep, “We can either come in or go out.”

Knee deep, “Slows you down a little more. You can run through it. We know some words. We know some religion, but it is still not much.”

Martin said the real believers are waist deep or deeper. It is often pastors, church officers and those who have been in the church for years fall in this category.

“They slowly wade through the water,” Martin said. “No matter who comes or goes, they are going to stay in the church.”

Martin has always

been in deep water in Tallassee. She graduated in 1972 after she was one of the first Black students to integrate Tallassee schools in 1965. Martin received several degrees and returned home serving again in the schools and churches along the way. She said trial and tribulation will come and we all have a choice to be happy or just trudge on.

Martin compared the process to the start of new year, where many make promises to do better or make life changes. But many fail and slide back into the habits of old.

“Everything in our life is not perfect,” Martin said. “We should all have one common goal. That is to have a closer relationship with God. I’m a living testament to letting Him do it.”

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Monday’s program was a hit. It has been a standing tradition in Tallassee since 2010. It took a break in 2021 and 2022 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The organizing committee worked hard to make this year’s celebration a success. They started planning months ahead.

Children from across Elmore County recited one of King’s speeches. Everyone sang Lift Every Voice.

The day started off with a march down Jordan Avenue.

Committee chair Kathy Paschal said everything just came together.

“This is the biggest crowd we have had in at least 10 years,” Paschal said.

MEETING KING IN OVERALLS

Charles Blalock proudly wore blue Liberty overalls as he emceed the annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration in Tallassee Monday.

He spent Monday morning making sure they were clean and

SUSPECTS

Continued from A1

pressed. It is a process he has followed since 2010, the beginning of the annual King celebration in Tallassee.

“I only put them on once a year, that is on this day,” Blalock said. “I dedicate this to him. I wear them once a year on this day because the last time I saw Dr. King, he was wearing overalls.”

Blalock graduated from Moton High School in Tallassee and attended Alabama State College in Montgomery. One day he skipped class for a meeting with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. It was the one and only time Blalock met King in person but the encounter left a lasting impression. It was six decades ago.

“From the results of those 15 minutes, I left with a great message,” Blalock said.

“His last words to me were, ‘Yes you can.’”

Blalock completed his English degree with a minor in physical education. He did his practice teaching at Jeff Davis High School when he encountered a Black

of Tuskegee, is also awaiting another court date; he has a youthful offender hearing scheduled Feb. 28.

Although the other two suspects are being tried as adults, their court records are sealed from the public until the verdict. Their names, TyReik McCullough, 17, and Travis McCullough, 16, both of Tuskegee, and their likeness were previously provided to media outlets by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency despite the two being juveniles when the crime was allegedly committed.

Alabama law includes the Alabama

STREETSCAPE

Continued from A1

“It will start at Tiger Paw and go down South Ann to where the barber shop is,” Mayor Sarah Hill said at Tuesday’s Tallassee City Council meeting. “It is $90,000.”

Five years ago, the gas tax was enacted and currently there’s a $106,000 balance. Hill is also hopeful the city will get a Rebuild Alabama grant to pave portions of South Ann Avenue down to Comer Street.

At the meeting, the council approved going forward to improve the water filter treatment plant. The project is being fast tracked because of an Alabama Department of Environmental Management grant using American Rescue Plan Act funding.

“It is required to be under contract by the end of the year,” Consultants. Designers. Guides. engineer Jeff Harrison said. “There are a lot of things that have to happen to

student who reminded Blalock of himself as a high school student and instructor Buster Davis his reason for becoming an educator.

“When I wouldn’t hush, when I wouldn’t sit down, he took an eraser and threw it at me,” Blalock said. “He knew it wouldn’t hurt me or cause physical pain, but he knew if it hit me in my face, I would be embarrassed because my girlfriend was in that class.”

Blalock said the student had a similar behavior as his a few years earlier. He proceeded to throw the eraser. It stopped the behavior.

Blalock isn’t sure if King would approve of throwing the eraser, but said he would approve of correcting the behavior. “I went back to class and back to teaching,” Blalock said.

Blalock later served 29 years on the Tallassee City Council.

“There is nobody in this space today as proud and happy as I am,” Blalock said.

Confidentiality Act, which states all juvenile suspects tried as adults remain anonymous unless and until they are convicted. The difference in Peters’ case is due to his age, he was initially charged as a juvenile whereas the other two were immediately tried as adults. Since the initial arrests, Peters has been in front of a judge, who ruled his case eligible for the adult court system therefore his court proceedings are public record despite the Confidentiality Act.

Because of this, Tallapoosa Publishers Inc. no longer has access to information about or photos of TyReik or Travis. The only known information is all six suspects are being held in custody with no bond available to them.

have that project prepared to bid in the next few months to meet that deadline.”

The grant requires a 50% match of just over $500,000 but gets the pipe gallery project underway that has been in discussions for about five years. The city funds come from a 2020 bond issue that was to be used for gas but has been directed to other utilities. It is thanks to a $9.7 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration for cast iron gas line replacement.

Harrison told the council the wastewater treatment renovation was basically complete. Current data of treated sewage show no deficiencies according to ADEM.

“It is ahead of the ADEM consent decree date,” Harrison said.

The council approved rezoning of two lots on Notasulga Road and Gilmer Avenue to general business and a lot near Neptune for industrial

blood disorders and surgeries. National Blood Donor Month was first celebrated in January 1970, after President Richard Nixon issued a proclamation establishing the observance. Now in its 53rd year, the observance brings attention to the role that blood donors play in public health at a time when many blood centers around the nation experience a supply shortage. All blood donors in January receive a $20 e-gift card. If a donor gives a double red cell donation or a platelet donation, he or she will receive an additional $20 e-gift card. In addition to the e-gift card, blood donors also receive refreshments and a mini-physical including cholesterol, iron level, temperature and blood pressure.

use. The approval comes after a recommendation from the city’s planning commission. The Notasulga Road lot is being sold to locate an unnamed business. The Gilmer lot is for a daycare. The lot next to Neptune will be used for storage warehousing by the manufacturer.

IN OTHER ACTION THE TALLASSEE CITY COUNCIL:

• Approved minutes of the Dec. 12, 2023 meeting.

• Approved a resolution for the Elmore-Autauga Solid Waste Management Plan. It’s required by state law to be passed every 10 years for how counties and municipalities deal with solid waste.

• Approved fixing the roof at the Tallassee Fire Department.

The next meeting of the Tallassee City Council is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Jan. 23. Councilmembers Bill Hall and Fred Randall Hughey were absent from the meeting.

Those wishing to donate blood with Lifesouth locally can find a number of locations in Elmore County in the next few days.

• 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday at the Walmart in Millbrook.

• 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday at the Walmart in Wetumpka.

• 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday at Elmore Community Hospital and from

• 1:30 to 5 p.m. Thursday at the Walmart in Millbrook.

• 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday at the Walmart in Prattville

• 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Walmart in Wetumpka.

For additional information about donation or to find a blood drive near you, call LifeSouth toll-free at 888-795-2707, visit www.lifesouth.org or download the LifeSouth app. Appointments can also be made online.

Pardon from Jesus the ultimate hope

“No one ever cared for me like Jesus, there’s no other friend so kind as He; no one else could take the sin and darkness from me, oh, how much He cared for me.”

Words penned by Dr. Charles F. Weigle, Baptist evangelist and noted writer of more than 1,000 hymns.

Although Dr. Weigle treaded rocky paths, Jesus loved him. At age 12, in a small Methodist church in LaFayette, Indiana, Charles made a profession of faith. After his conversion, he gave the following testimony. Raised in a Christian home, young Charles had a bad temper and was a fighter. He was guilty of cutting his brother seriously with a knife, knocking a boy down with a baseball bat, and more. His parents severely punished him and warned him to stop the fighting lest he would be arrested and end his

JACKIE WILBOURN Columnist

life imprisoned; but he did not listen.

Then the day came when he was arrested and taken to court. The Judge asked if he had an attorney and young Charles said, “No sir, I haven’t got anybody.”

The judge appointed an attorney, who sat close to Charles and spoke with a tender voice of sympathy. Charles confessed to all the bad things that were known and even the things that had not been exposed. Witnesses came forward to confirm Charles’ bad behavior.

The young lawyer spoke to Charles saying, “Trust me –I’ll help you.”

At age 12, in a small Methodist church in LaFayette, Indiana, Charles made a profession of faith. After his conversion, he gave the following testimony. Raised in a Christian home, young Charles had a bad temper and was a fighter. He was guilty of cutting his brother seriously with a knife, knocking a boy down with a baseball bat, and more. His parents severely punished him and warned him to stop the fighting lest he would be arrested and end his life imprisoned; but he did not listen.

Finally, the prosecuting attorney rose to say, “your Honor, …the defendant is guilty of all charges … and we ask that he be placed in prison …”

Charles’ attorney arose to speak and addressed the Judge as “Father” saying, “Yes Charles has pled guilty to every charge but he asks for mercy and as his attorney, I plead for him. I believe that if the court will grant my plea, this young man will live a new and better life.”

Tallassee Churches

The Judge rose to his feet and with a look of love and kindness said to his Son, the defendant is guilty and according to the law, a penalty must be paid. The son, the lawyer, look at his dad, the judge, and said, “I will take care of that and suffer the penalty. “ In the love, as only a Godly Father would do, the judge pardoned and set at liberty any wrong doing with the understanding he show by his manner of life a due respect for the laws and kindness

toward his neighbors. Might I explain the courthouse was a little frame church where a revival was being preached. As Charles sat listening and realizing conviction and condemnation, he confessed his guilt to God. Multiple sins and guilt cover our hearts and our only hope is pardon from Jesus.

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

Surrounding Area Churches

Tallassee faces Gulf Shores in Final Four

By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor

If the Tallassee wrestling team is going to win the AHSAA Class 5A duals championship, it will have to go through Murderers’ Row to do so.

Tallassee has punched its ticket to the 5A duals Final Four, along with Jasper, Scottsboro and Gulf Shores. The four teams will hit the mats at 8:45 a.m. Friday at the Birmingham Crossplex.

HEADING TO STATE

By DALTON MIDDLETON

Sports Editor

Tallassee is headed back to Birmingham.

The Tallassee wrestling team beat Elberta, 64-12, in the AHSAA Class 5A duals quarterfinals on Thursday afternoon. The Tigers (30-0) advance to play in the 5A semifinals held at the Birmingham Crossplex.

Tallassee will wrestle Gulf Shores on Friday morning at 8:45 a.m. for a chance to play in the state championship.

“We’re excited to be in the Final Four,” Tallassee coach John Mask said. “This was the kids’ goal all along. We’re going to face some really

tough teams up there so we have to lock in next week and want it more. The kids are excited. They’ve wanted to make it back up there all year.”

Tallassee, which is the No. 2-ranked team in Class 5A entering the playoffs, was the clear favorite over Elberta entering the match and the Tigers showed exactly why that was.

A year after beating this same Elberta team in the quarterfinals, 57-11, Tallassee turned in an even more impressive win. Thursday’s match started at the 195-pound class and Nolan Addeo started the blowout with a bang. After taking a

10-0 lead following near falls in both of the first two periods, he finally flattened his opponent at the 5:44 mark.

At 215, Jude Rogers followed and pulled out a 7-4 decision to put Tallassee up, 9-0.

The heavyweight match didn’t go Tallassee’s way, but the Tigers kept the train rolling as the top of the lineup got on the mats.

Thomas Patterson, the No. 1-ranked wrestler in the 106 class, earned a pin at 3:05.

Mason Nelson (115) and Aiden Bridgman (128) each followed with pins, while

All four teams are currently ranked in the Top 4 in Class 5A by the Alabama Wrestling Coaches Association.

Gulf Shores is the No. 1-ranked team, while Tallassee (30-0) and Scottsboro are tied for No. 2. Jasper is the No. 4 team in the rankings.

On Friday, Gulf Shores and Tallassee will face off while Scottsboro and Jasper, the defending duals state champs, will wrestle for a spot in the finals.

“We’re excited,” Tallassee coach John Mask said. “The kid’s goal all along was to get back. Most of the wrestling experts have been saying all along that it’s going to be us four in the championship. I think all four teams are equal teams.”

There’s some history in duals for the Tallassee and Gulf Shores programs. The two teams have met in the playoffs the last two seasons

| TPI

DALTON MIDDLETON | TPI

Tallassee’s Nolan Addeo opened the match with Elberta off with a pin. Addeo was one of 10 Tallassee wrestlers to pin his opponent on Thursday.

Young Tallassee girls still finding their way

By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor

The Tallassee girls basketball team is still trying to get its first area win.

After leading for nearly 29 minutes Thursday night, Tallassee lost to area opponent Beauregard, 44-40, in overtime at home.

The Tigers are now 0-2 in AHSAA Class 5A, Area 7 after losing to both Valley and Beauregard by four points each. Despite the two losses, Tiger first-year

coach Alfonzo Johnson still likes where his team is at the midway point of area play.

“I think we’re in a good spot,” Johnson said. “So far in the area, we’ve lost both games by four points and Valley beat Beauregard by four points. I really think our area is anyone’s hands. I don’t think we’re out of it, but we have to fix a lot of things right now. We’re doing good things, but the little things are killing us right now.”

The Tigers looked to be firing

on all cylinders in the first half as they jumped out to a 10-point lead at the break. They knocked down seven 3-pointers, three from Sha’Niya Gray, and led 24-14.

All but one field goal from the first half was a 3-pointer as Reese Gough added a layup and Jhakhia Anderson added a free throw. While it seemed the Tigers couldn’t miss a 3-pointer in the first half, a flip switched in the

By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor

Rowen Thornton and the Tallassee Tigers earned their first area win of the season Thursday night.

Tallassee hosted and beat Beauregard, 61-49, in an AHSAA Class 5A, Area 7 matchup. The game was originally scheduled to be Senior Night on Friday, but weather moved the game up to Thursday.

The change in dates certainly didn’t bother Thornton.

The junior sharpshooter scored 30 points and knocked down four 3-pointers and eight free throws as the Tigers moved to 1-1 in area play.

The Hornets fought back and took a one-point at the break, but Mixson’s defense quickly gave his team back the lead in the third quarter as the Tigers raced ahead and never looked back.

After pressing for the entirety of the first half, Mixson wasn’t pleased with how his defense was missing rotations. So in

“Rowen is a streaky shooter for us right now,” Tallassee coach Keiven Mixson said. “We’re trying to get him to be a pure shooter. But when he gets hot, he’s really hard to guard. Right now, we’re trying to focus on him getting to the basket more and shooting free throws because he’s a really good free throw shooter.” Thornton started the game hot and put the Tigers up early. While four other players netted two points in the quarter, Thornton knocked down five of his free throws and two 3-pointers for 11 points. Tallassee led, 19-14.

SUBMITTED

Tallassee’s Rowen Thornton knocked down four 3-pointers for a game-high 30 points against Beauregard.

DALTON MIDDLETON | TPI

Tallassee’s Land Bell, the No. 1-ranked wrestler in the 144 pound weight class, will try to lead Tallassee to a duals state championship on Friday.

Tallassee wrestling tops Elberta in 5A duals quarterfinals

The Tallassee Tribune

Reeltown to open 2024 season in AHSAA Kickoff Classic

By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor

Four of the state’s most storied programs will be showcased by the AHSAA to open the 2024 football season.

Reeltown, the Class 2A state runner-up, will face Class 3A T.R. Miller in the 19th annual Kickoff Classic on Thursday night, August 22 at Montgomery’s Cramton Bowl to officially open the 2024 high school football year.

Vestavia Hills and Carver-Montgomery will also join the two smaller schools and play on Friday, August 23 in the second game of the annual classic.

Both games will be played at 7 p.m. and will be televised over the AHSAA TV Network and live streamed over the NFHS Network. The AHSAA Radio Network will also broadcast both contests over its statewide radio network.

“We are thrilled to have these two matchups involving four great programs stepped in tradition,” AHSADCA director Brandon Dean said in a press release. “We appreciate the administration and coaches of each school for allowing us to highlight their programs here in Montgomery.”

While Reeltown and T.R. Miller will play in the “small-school” matchup; the two programs have no shortage of talent in their programs.

Reeltown went 13-1 last season and reached the Class 2A state championship game

Thursday, Jan. 18

High School

Wrestling

4 Elmore County at Beauregard, TBD

4 Wetumpka at McAdory, TBD

4 Stanhope Elmore at St. James, TBD High School

Basketball

4 Marbury at Elmore County, 5 p.m.

STATE Continued from B1

Karter Armstrong (122) earned a 7-1 decision.

Armstrong was wrestling in place of senior Ramon Lozada, who was out this week.

In junior Roman McWilliams’ place at the 132 class, Dylan

THORNTON

Continued from B1

before falling to Fyffe. Reeltown lost a few of its stars to graduation, such as All-State running back Arthur Woods and linebacker and quarterback Jake Hornsby.

Woods rushed for 2,241 yards and 33 touchdowns while Hornsby recorded 104 tackles and 11 tackles for loss to lead the defense.

While those two losses are big, the Rebels return a plethora of talent with four members from the All-State team coming back in 2024.

Leading that pack is receiver and defensive back Tae Martin, who had 1,372 offensive yards and 20 touchdowns, 505 return yards and one touchdown and 120 tackles and six interceptions on defense.

Defensive lineman Finn Henderson returns after recording 84 tackles, 17 tackles for loss and 6 sacks, as well as offensive lineman Bow -

4 Evangel-Alabaster at Edgewood Academy, 4 p.m.

4 Ellwood Christian at Tallassee, 6 p.m.

4 Wetumpka at Carver, 6 p.m.

Friday, Jan. 19 High School Basketball

4 Holtville at Elmore County, 4:30 p.m.

Price was pinned in the second set.

“We had a lot of good guys wrestle today and we had some young men step up when their numbers were called and wrestle well,” Mask said. “They stepped up and got a few victories for our team and that’s always exciting.”

Following the second

the third quarter, Tallassee switched to a 2-3 zone and caught Beauregard off guard. That allowed the Tigers to outscore the Hornets, 22-7, in the period.

Continued from B1

second half. Tallassee only made one 3-pointer and six total field goals in the second half and overtime as they were outscored, 30-16.

“I think the biggest

man Brumbeloe with 94 pancake blocks and Demetrius Brown who averaged 39.9 yards per punt.

T.R. Miller also returns one All-State player in offensive lineman J.R. Jernigan. The Tigers went 8-4 last season and have one of the state’s best programs of all time.

T.R. Miller enters the 2024 season with 726 total wins, tied with Oneonta for the most in AHSAA history.

They have a state playoff record of 95-37 in 43 appearances, second most in AHSAA history behind Hoover’s 107 playoff wins.

Under coach Brent Hubbert, T.R. Miller has reached the playoffs in both Class 3A and 4A in five-consecutive seasons. Between the two schools, they have 49 region or area titles. Both coaches in the game were seemingly destined to coach high school football. Reeltown head coach

SPORTS CALENDAR

4 Edgewood Academy at Evangel, 4 p.m.

4 Tallassee at Barbour County, 6 p.m.

4 Stanhope Elmore at Sidney Lanier, 6 p.m.

Monday, Jan. 22 High School Basketball

4 Dadeville at Elmore County, 4:30 p.m.

4 Shelby County at

and final loss for Tallassee in the 132 pound class, the Tigers led 30-12 and went on to win the final six matches. In those six matches, Tallassee pinned five of its opponents.

Matt Johnson grew up in Reeltown and played for Hall-ofFame Coach Jackie O’Neal. He returned to Reeltown after college and became an assistant on O’Neal’s staff. When he retired after the 2015 season, Johnson moved up to head coach and has compiled a 68-28 record over the last eight seasons with two trips to the state finals (2019 and 2023). Johnson played on Reeltown’s 2001 state championship team. O’Neal replaced Hall-of-Fame coach Duane Webster in 1988. Like Johnson, O’Neal played for Webster and then returned to coach with him until his retirement. O’Neal had a 241-110 career head-coaching record at Reeltown and Webster posted 208 of his 218 coaching wins with the Rebels and closed his career with a 218-93-9 slate. Hubbert also spent his high school career

playing for a Hallof-Fame coach – his dad Jim Hubbert – at Maplesville. Brent coached with his dad before taking the head-coaching job at nearby Jemison in Chilton County. Jim Hubbert (171-51) stepped down three years later after 11 seasons, 113 victories and one state title. Brent (229-58) stepped in three years later after the Red Devils fell on hard times and finished 1-8. Over the next 15 seasons, however, Maplesville enjoyed its winningest stretch ever going 166-26 with unbeaten regular seasons in 2006, 2007, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2016 and 2017. The Red Devils finished state runner-up in 2013, then won three straight Class 1A state titles in 2014, 2015 and 2016. He moved to T.R. Miller in 2019 and has compiled a 46-17 record including last season’s 8-4 mark over the last five seasons.

Holtville, 4:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Jan. 23 High School

Wrestling

4 Holtville/Reeltown at Elmore County, 5:30 p.m.

4 Wetumpka at Auburn, TBD

4 Opelika/St. James/ Carver at Stanhope Elmore, 5:30 p.m.

The five pins came from Avery Brantley (140), Land Bell (146), Tra’Mel McCoy (159), Christian McCary (167) and Joseph Hooks (177). While Ethan Jones did not pin his opponent at 152, his win was almost as dominant.

“I thought the 2-3 zone gave them fits,” Mixson said. “They’re scrappy and they fly around and don’t really have a lot of shooters so we decided to go to the 2-3 and that caused them some problems and helped speed the game up

thing was that Beauregard just started closing out on us,” Johnson said. “They were in a 1-2-2 defense and were leaving us open on the perimeter. Once they realized we were hitting shots, they widened out on us and we just didn’t make the adjustments.

High School Basketball

4 Elmore County at Holtville, 4:30 p.m.

4 Hooper at Edgewood Academy, 4 p.m.

4 Tallassee at Valley, 6 p.m. Carver at Wetumpka, 6 p.m.

4 Sidney Lanier at Stanhope Elmore, 6 p.m.

Jones took an early 7-1 lead after a takedown and near fall, then did the same in the second set as he led 12-1 going into the final period. He held on for the 14-2 win and a fourpoint addition to the team score.

for us. It played to our advantage.”

In that pivotal third quarter, Thornton had 12 points and knocked down two more 3-pointers in transition. He was limited to only one free throw in the fourth quarter, but he was helped by teammate

We kept trying to shoot 3s when we should’ve been driving to the basket.” It wasn’t just the 3-pointers not falling for Tallassee.

Even after giving up the lead midway through the fourth quarter, Tallassee had plenty of chances

Out of Tallassee’s 12 wins on the mat, the team racked up 10 pins, one major decision and one regular decision.

“They showed a lot of energy and effort (Thursday) and I’m really proud of the way they wrestled,” Mask said.

Isaiah Hughley. Hughley, who had two points entering the fourth period, had three layups and two came from offensive rebounds. He ended the game with eight points, tied for second-most on the team with Roderius Glover.

to tie the game or take the lead on free throws. Instead, the Tigers struggled from the charity stripe and missed 15 total free throws. The Tigers were 4-for-19 and a whopping 3-for-17 in the fourth quarter and overtime alone. With the chance to

and have split. In 2022, Gulf Shores beat Tallassee handily, 60-9, and ended the Tigers’ duals season. Last season, in the 5A semifinals, Tallassee beat Gulf Shores by a score of 32-29 and ended the Dolphins’ season.

“When we beat them last year, we had some guys step up in big positions for us,” Mask said. “We’re going to need that again on Friday. Gulf Shores is very loaded and very good, but we are too. It’s going to be two equal teams and it will come down to who makes the fewest mistakes.”

As far as individual rankings go, all four teams are littered in talent.

That’s especially the case for Tallassee and Gulf Shores.

Out of the 14 possible weight classes, both teams have at least 10 wrestlers ranked in the Top 6 in their class. Gulf Shores has 10 while Tallassee has 11 wrestlers ranked. In those 11 Tallassee has ranked, eight are ranked in the Top 3 in their class while three are ranked No. 1 in Class 5A.

The three ranked No. 1 are Thomas Patterson (106), Ramon Lozada (120) and Land Bell (144).

For Gulf Shores, four of the Dolphins’ 10 wrestlers are ranked in the Top 3.

Those three wrestlers are No. 2 Abel Brantley (106), No. 2 Noah Guthrie (138) and No. 3 Taylor Cheek (144).

Based on rankings, Tallassee would be favored in 10 of the 13 weight classes that one of the teams have a wrestler ranked in. The only class without a wrestler from either team is 126.

Despite what the rankings say, the matches aren’t decided on paper. And neither are matchups. Either team can move wrestlers up and down the roster depending on what the wrestler weigh on that day and what gives them a better chance at winning.

“Gulf Shores is very talented and very good,” Mask said. “We’ve got to lock in this week and get better. We have to want it more. All year, our kids have been wanting to make it back up there and try to win.” On the other side of the bracket, Scottsboro and Jasper also have plenty of talent in their lineups.

Seven of Jasper’s 14 wrestlers are ranked in the Top 6 of their class with five of them in the Top 3, while Scottsboro has 10 wrestlers ranked. Out of those 10, four are No. 1 in their class and six are in the Top 3.

“It’s nice to get an area win,” Mixson said. “We’ve had a rough stretch. Our starting point guard is hurt and we’re small, but hopefully we can get healthy and get ready for the postseason. We’re going to need everybody ready to play.”

take a two-point lead in the final 40 seconds of regulation, Tallassee missed four of six attempts. In overtime, Tallassee missed all four free throws it attempted. “It was really bad tonight, but we’ve had this free throw problem for a few games now,” Johnson said. “We have to find a way to fix it. I think we’ll have a better shot. This was very uncharacteristic for us. We missed 14 shots in the fourth quarter. We can’t have that happen and expect to win games. But we’ll be good.”

Reeltown, coming off a 13-1 season, will play T.R. Miller, 8-4, on August 22 to open its 2024 football season.

MCCARY

Continued from A1

fifth in the state championship bracket. Now five years later, he is currently at 33 wins and counting in his senior season.

“This milestone has taken a long time and it’s been a long time coming,” McCary said. “This has been a big goal of mine and it should be a goal for everyone involved in this program. The pin record is next for me.”

McCary currently has 120 pins in his career. He is eight away from setting the Tallassee record for pins in a career.

The 165-pound wrestler has always been able to pin his opponents. During a stellar junior season last year, McCary earned 28 pins and was a state qualifier in the 152-pound class.

Now at 165, he’s even deadlier on the mats.

With a 33-1 record, McCary has 22 pins this season. Eight of his wins, however, have come via forfeit. Only three of the matches he has actually wrestled in and won this year have not been won by a pin by McCary.

“When he gets guys on their back, he pins them,” Tallassee coach John Mask said. “A lot of kids don’t do that. We have a phrase here that says ‘If you let a guy live and get up, he’s liable to pin you. When you get him on his back, you need to be patient and pin.’ Christian is very patient and he understands leverage and how to use his body weight.”

Even more impressive about McCary’s milestone and nearly reaching the pin record is the fact he has done it while basically missing an entire season.

The team wrestled in only around 15 matches during his eighth-grade year due to COVID-19. With him winning 52 matches the year before, it’s possible he could have done around the same and added even more wins and pins to his already impressive resume.

“He has his goals and he’s working hard to achieve them,” Mask said. “If it wasn’t for the COVID year, he would hold all of our records already. We haven’t had many kids come into our program and start in the seventh grade, so that tells you everything you want to know about how talented he is and how hard working he is.”

Setting the school pin record is only one part of McCary’s goal as he rounds out his senior campaign.

In the process of hopefully getting eight more pins and becoming Tallassee’s all-time leader, McCary wants to end his career with two or more state championships.

First up is the duals championships this weekend in Birmingham. No. 2-ranked Tallassee is wrestling in the Class 5A semifinals against No. 1 Gulf Shores on Friday at 8:45 a.m. with the winner advancing to the state championship.

No matter what happens on Friday, McCary will have more matches to wrestle in.

He and the rest of the Tigers will all compete individually in the traditional tournament.

McCary will have a good shot of winning the individual state title this season.

He is currently undefeated against wrestlers in the state of Alabama.

He is also ranked the No. 2 wrestler in 165, behind Scottsboro’s Ansel Goggans, who is currently 27-1 this year.

“This season has been a lot of excitement,” McCary said. “I’m amped up for state. I want to win the team title then turn around and win the individual title. I feel pretty good about my chances. I think I’m Top 2 in the state right now and I’m going to give it my all to win it.”

Elmore County boys playing better ball in 2024

By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor

The Elmore County boys basketball record doesn’t look great, but first-year coach Nathan Taylor knows his record isn’t indicative of the team the Panthers are putting on the court.

Elmore County currently has a 1-12 overall record and is 0-1 in AHSAA Class 5A, Area 6 play. As the season goes along, however, the Panthers are playing in closer and closer games. The Panthers have five games that have been decided by three points or less, including this past Friday’s area matchup against Marbury.

The wins haven’t started adding up, but the losses are looking better than the 20- and 30-point losses the team was suffering earlier this year.

“We’re finally starting to play better,” Taylor said. “Early this season, we couldn’t guard a parked car if we tried. It was just a lot of effort-based stuff. But right now, we’re starting to hit our stride at the right time with area play beginning.”

On Friday, Elmore County hit the road for the first area matchup against Marbury. It was a rough shooting night for the Panthers despite only losing, 48-45. In the game, Elmore County shot 0 of 11 from 3-point range while also hitting only 40% from the free-throw line. While shooting woes plagued the Panthers, they added a cherry on top by missing six layups.

After all that was said done, Elmore County was cut a once 11-point deficit to two

points late in the game before ultimately falling.

“We just let opportunities slip away in that one,” Taylor said. “That one was our game to take but we didn’t make enough plays down the stretch. We fought hard but we missed a couple of opportunities.”

Shooting woes have hurt Elmore County all season. In the close losses, the outcome could have been changed by just one or two 3-pointers hitting. Instead, Taylor has seen his team’s shots

Player of the Week

bounce out of the rim over and over again this season.

Now, the Panthers are trying to run the offense more along the inside with Jabari Murphy who hit the game-winning layup in Elmore County’s only win of the season up to this point.

“We haven’t shot the ball well, so we’re trying to get the ball inside more to Jabari,” Taylor said. “That has been working for us. We’re starting to figure it out on offense some. With that being said, we’re

handling hard better. When things get hard, we’re finding ways to get out of it. We’ve been able to grit our teeths and get back in games.”

The 3-point loss to Marbury is just the beginning of a twoweek stretch of area games for Elmore County.

On Thursday this week, Elmore County will host Marbury for their second matchup before hosting Holtville on Friday night.

Next Tuesday, Elmore County hits the road to Holtville to

wrap up area play.

Marbury currently has a 2-0 record in area play while Holtville and Elmore County are each 0-1.

To have a chance to host the area tournament and automatically clinch a playoff berth, Taylor’s team must win all three games ahead of them. “We want to send it to a coin flip now,” Taylor said. “We have to beat Marbury on Thursday and beat Holtville twice. Then we hope to win a coin flip so we can host the area tournament.”

Holtville’s Segarra wins PCA Panther Invitational

By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor

Holtville wrestler Sam

Segarra is starting to find his stride.

The Holtville senior, wrestling in the middle weights at 146 and 152, has had a stellar start to his 2024 half of the season.

Segarra has only lost once since coming back from Christmas break, and he had an undefeated week in his last three events.

In two tri-matches last week, he won matches against Reeltown, St. James and two against Brewbaker Tech. Three of his four wins came via pin, then he went on to win four more matches in the PCA Panther Invitational over the weekend.

After receiving a bye in the opening round, he went on to pin his next three opponents to claim the championship in the 150-pound class. For his 8-0 week and his tournament championship, Segarra has been named the Elmore County Player of the Week.

“He’s gotten better and better as the year has gone on,” head coach David Lovering said. “He’s gotten really good and he’s not just barely beating kids. He’s beaten some really good, state qualified kids in a dominant way.”

Segarra currently has a 25-6 overall record for the Bulldogs, which ranks best

on the team. Over half of his wins have come since the Christmas break where he has a 13-1 overall record. He placed third in the Julian McPhillips Invitational right after the break.

In that tournament, he lost his opening match to Conner Johnston of St. James. He took down Johnston twice in the match, but Johnston was able to turn it around and pin Segarra.

But Johnston’s victory was short-lived.

Segarra then pinned his next three opponents, all in the first period, to set up a rematch in the consolation semifinals with Johnston. Not to be outdone, he pinned Johnston at the 2:33 mark.

He then went on to pin his opponent from PCA in the championship.

“He’s only lost one match since Christmas and he turned around and pinned the kid later that day,” Lov -

ering said. “Most of the time he wrestles, he’s giving us six points because he pins the majority of his opponents. It doesn’t matter what weight class he’s in either. He’s going to win his match.”

It hasn’t always come this easy for Segarra. After starting wrestling in the eighth grade, he missed his ninth grade season because of COVID-19. But then he bounced back in the last two seasons and took his lumps, but kept on being what Lovering calls the hardest worker he’s ever coached.

He’s done that while also playing soccer and running cross country, and the wins finally started coming last year and this year. Last season, he just barely

missed qualifying for the state tournament by one match. This year, he’s been a top placer at multiple tournaments and is hoping to make a good run at state. He took fourth place in Wetumpka’s Indians Invitational, then took third place in a tournament at Hewitt Trussville. He followed that up with third place at the Julian McPhillips tourney and now first place at PCA.

“For some kids in wrestling, they put in the hard work and it takes a few years to really get going,” Lovering said. “But when that switch is flipped, it’s flipped. For Sam, it just flipped this year and he’s beaten some really good kids.”

Elmore County’s Gage Davis (12) scored a team-high 21 points in Elmore County’s loss to Marbury last week.

SUBMITTED | TPI Holtville wrestler Sam Segarra won the PCA Panther Invitational this weekend in the 150-pound class. Segarra went 8-0 on the week.

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ECLECTIC LEASES NEW POLICE VEHICLES

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

Police vehicles get used — a lot.

They are almost constantly running, sometimes in pursuit of suspects. After a couple years maintenance costs increase; motor and transmission repairs can cost $5,000 or more.

In the past most small town police departments have financed police vehicles for three to five years.

But the Town of Eclectic has found a way to keep newer police vehicles and basically eliminate maintenance costs beyond oil changes and tires, saving money without ever owning the cars.

Eclectic Mayor Gary Davenport said town staff and police chief Robert Head had been researching various options for the last year, resulting in leasing four Chevrolet Tahoes and two Chevrolet pickups.

“It is a one-year lease program with an option to continue,” Davenport said.

“The overall expense works out to be a lot less. You don’t have any major maintenance. Everything is covered under warranty.”

After a year, the depart-

ment exchanges the vehicles for new ones. The town purchases and installs equipment for lights, radios and the cage in the back for transporting suspects. That equipment will be moved to new vehicles when it arrives.

The payments are $6,000 per truck and $6,500 per Tahoe, or a total lease of

Polar Plunge a chilly success

By HENRY ZIMMER Sports Reporter

Diving into Lake Martin when temperatures are in the 40s is likely no one’s idea of fun. When doing so supports a good cause, people seem to forget about the weather.

Saturday, the Lake Marin Young Professionals hosted their annual Polar Plunge at the beach by Kowaliga Restaurant. With over 60 signups and well over 100 people in attendance, the plunge was a resounding success in terms of raising money for Lake Martin Resource Association and overall attendance.

“We had better weather than we anticipated, which is always better for our plungers,” group president Liz Holland said. “The turnout was really good.”

As the clock struck noon Saturday, plungers dove into the frigid waters of Lake Martin to christen the new year. Many believe it’s good luck if you go all the way under the water, many do it for the fun times that ensue afterwards. Food trucks, s’mores vendors, drinks and food were plentiful on the restaurant lawn as plungers tried to warm up by fires.

The plunge featured two waves, as the first were allowed to jump in and jump out while the second wave competed for a cash prize for swimming to a buoy and back the fastest.

The first round of plungers were also encouraged to dress up in costumes. A group of women got together to dress as vintage beers, complete with decorated inner tubes.

One plunger wore a polar bear inspired outfit.

“We had a great amount of people participate in the costume contest as groups, and that is amazing,” Holland

said. “We had a lot of good costumes and groups.”

The winner of the costume contest was Steven Robinson and his family, who all dressed up as the members of Snow White’s Seven Dwarves.

Robinson and his son were the ringleaders of their five younger grandchildren, who even managed to get down the Whistle While We Work tune to stay focused.

“We had three generations,” Robinson said. “We have been planning this for months.”

Last year, Robinson and his son only had one grandchild in tow, and put together a Biblically inspired group costume. The crew was John the Baptist and David.

After winning the grand prize this year, which Robinson swifty donated back to the Young Professionals, the ideas began flowing for how to do even better next time around.

“We are already talking about what we can do next year,” Robinson said. “We want to engage as many people as possible.”

For hours at Kowaliga Restaurant, people draped in towels or their warmest winter jackets enjoyed the company of each other. Holland said yearly people have to be asked to leave when the live music and festivities are over.

Holland saw plenty of new faces on Saturday, which are always a welcome sight. As with Robinson’s family costumes, she is always thinking of how to make the Polar Plunge even bigger and better.

“We love every year that we see new people participating in both the event and plunge for the first time,” Holland said.

$38,000 per year, which is similar in cost to what the town was paying for a purchased vehicle. But the difference is this agreement provides new vehicles each year, eliminating many maintenance issues.

Davenport said the cost was between $10,000 and $20,000 per year on maintenance for police vehicles

beyond oil changes and tires.

“We are saving money all the way around, especially when you figure the maintenance in,” Davenport said.

“When they lease them, they get them with the police package.”

The police package includes extra coolers for the transmission and oil and

a larger radiator.

Last week the vehicles arrived at the Eclectic Police Department. Now, they’ll be fitted with department decals, security film on the windows and proper equipment.

“We can do more than 90% of the installation ourselves,” Davenport said.

“Everything is set up as a plug and play with adjustments. There are a few bolts and screws to back out and reattach.”

A few parts are still needed before the vehicles can be put into service. As for the older cars, they’ll likely be surplused. The current truck used by Head and one of the current Tahoes will be retained by the town. The Tahoe will likely be given to the Eclectic Fire Department.

Davenport said Eclectic is one of the first municipalities in the county to lease police vehicles but the idea of no longer owning them is growing.

“The company we are using has contracts with others in the area,” Davenport said. “I think a lot of law enforcement agencies that have smaller departments will go to this.”

CLIFF WILLIAMS TPI

BETSY ILER TPI

ABOVE: Jumpers run into Lake Martin during the annual Polar Plunge benefitting Lake Martin Resource Association.

BOTTOM: Alexander City resident Lola Popov enjoys the water during the Lake Martin Young Professionals Polar Plunge on Saturday.