Tallassee Tribune July 5 2023

Traffic stop leads to drug seizure

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

A Macon County man was arrested on multiple illegal drugs offenses after a traffic stop in Tallassee on Thursday.

“It is one of the largest drug seizures from a traffic stop in Tallassee that I’m aware of,” Tallassee

Tallassee Police Department officers were patrolling the area of Delta Road and South Tallassee Drive in Tallapoosa County when they stopped Keone Cunningham of Tuskegee. Officers encountered 563 grams of marijuana, five grams of heroin, five grams of cocaine, four grams of crack cocaine and 12 grams of what is believed fentanyl.

STILL IN REPAIR

BY WILLAM MARLOW Multimedia Reporter

Tallassee drivers may have noticed work crews along the Benjamin Fitzpatrick Bridge in recent months. Mayor Sarah Hill said there is a good reason for their presence. In March, the Alabama

Department of Transportation initiated a maintenance project for the 83-year-old bridge, which includes repainting the 1,738-foot-long Tallassee landmark.

“They’re sandblasting it, repainting all of the metal pieces and the handrails,” she said.

First dedicated in December

1940, the two-lane bridge is one of the longest curved bridges in the country, according to the Encyclopedia of Alabama. However, the improvements reach further than the aesthetics, according to Hill. “They’re also doing some

“Looking at where we’re at in terms of construction expenses and interest rates, you know, things have slowed down a little bit, but we’re open to see some movement here shortly. Based on our numbers, I know there are certain things we don’t qualify for in terms of households, but anything that we can get in terms of food or an urgent care, that would be very helpful,” she said.

Mayor Sarah Hill

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Recruiting efforts continue for downtown retailers

BY WILLAM MARLOW Multimedia Reporter

At the June Tallassee City Council meeting, council members held an executive session with a retail business recruiter.

Mayor Sarah Hill said city leaders entered into an executive session to discuss potential economic development with Retail Strategies, which has

By ABIGAIL MURPHY Multimedia Reporter

SUBMITTED THE TRIBUNE

The pet tortoise, Ruby, bonds with Evie Quinn Cox, daughter of Nicolette and Brian Cox. Ruby has been in the cox family for years with the owner being Nicolette’s sister-in-law, Laura.

Tallasse Mayor Sarah Hill is hopeful

Obituaries

MARK ALAN WADE

Mark Alan Wade, 74, of Montgomery, Ala., died on June 23, 2023, after a prolonged illness.

Mark was born in East Tallassee, Ala., in October 1948. He was preceded in death by his father, James “Dick” Wade, of Tallassee, Ala. He is survived by his mother, Anita (nee Emfinger) Wade, of Tallassee; his children Tyler (Adam) McCollum, Jessica (Rushi) Wade, and Jonathan (Michelle) Wade; his wife, Carolyn Collier Williams, of Wetumpka, Ala., and her children, Rachel (Rich) Gaines and Ryan Williams; his brothers, Austin (Linda) Wade of Auburn,

LAURIE M. LEDBETTER

Laurie M. Ledbetter, a resident of Montgomery, Alabama, passed away Friday, June 23, 2023, at the age of 50. She was born February 8, 1973, in Montgomery, Alabama, to Jerry D. and Martha R. Ledbetter.

Laurie is survived by

WEIDA WORKMAN

Ala., and Stanley Wade of Eclectic, Ala.; and his uncle, Jimmie Emfinger of East Tallassee, Ala. Although Mark may no longer be with us physically, he lives on through the lives he has touched. Mark married the love of his life, Carolyn, in his final weeks after many years of happiness together. They enjoyed seeing the Wetumpka Depot Players perform and saw almost every production over the last 12 years. He instilled in his children a sense

her son, Landon Sean Ledbetter; parents, Jerry and Martha Ledbetter; uncle, Mike Roberts (Sherry); two cousins, Cody Roberts (Joanna) and Chase Roberts (Lauren).

of humor that resulted in decades of boisterous laughter. He was dedicated to his mother, Anita, as well as his two brothers. Mark also lives on in the countless families he helped in his 20 years as a social worker with the Elmore County Department of Human Resources, and in the friendships he made both there and at the First Presbyterian Church of Wetumpka.

Mark handled his illness with grace and humor, and he treasured the time he had with his family during those difficult months. He has left this world, but he will never leave our hearts.

Laurie was a graduate of Auburn University. Her favorite pastime was watching her son, Landon, play baseball. He was the light of her life.

She is preceded in death by her grandparents, Eluid and Mary Ledbetter and Floyd and Reba Roberts.

A Celebration of Life will be announced at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions

Mrs. Weida Workman, a resident of Tallassee, Alabama, passed away Friday, June 30, 2023, at the age of 75. She was born January 31, 1948, in Tallassee, Alabama to Joseph A. and Vera Lucille Wesson McNelley.

Mrs. Workman is survived by her husband, William A. Workman; son, Marshal Workman (Melissa); daugh-

HARRY CECIL

“PAWPAW” JONES

Mr. Harry Cecil “PawPaw” Jones, a resident of Tallassee, Alabama, passed away Monday, June 26, 2023 at the age of 79. He was born August 15, 1943 in DeFuniak Springs, Florida. Mr. Jones is survived by his daughters, Tracy Connell and Pam Wilson (Christopher); sons, Perry Jones (Cheryl) and David Lee Jones, Sr.; sister, Janice Wall (Jesse); grand-

Police Reports

TALLASSEE POLICE DEPARTMENT

JULY 3

may be made to Lake Martin Animal Sanctuary, Post Office Box 240006, Eclectic, Alabama 36024. Online condolences are available at: www.jeffcoatfuneralhome.com.

Jeffcoat Funeral Home Directing Tallassee, Alabama

ter, Angie Workman; brother, John McNelley (Carol); grandchildren, Ashlynne Stenroos, Aubree Workman, MJ Purcell, Marlani Purcell, Austin Purcell (Nioca); great grandchildren, Kaysen Workman, Ronee Sanders, Lily Serrato, Mason Purcell and Jasper Purcell; niece, Johna Golomb (Jamie) and two great nieces, Carli Chavez (Erik) and Natali McCord. She is preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Vera McNelley. There are no services planned at this time. Online condolences are available at www.jeffcoatfuneralhome.com.

children, Brittany Smith, Jonathan Wilson (Caroline), Morgan Wilson, Terry McQueen (Trish), Jarrod Jones, David Lee Jones, Jr., Dylan Jones and Katie Jones; great grandchildren, Camden Smith, Logan Griggs and several additional great grandchildren.

Jeffcoat Funeral Home Directing Tallassee, Alabama

He is preceded in death by his wife of 35 years, Carleta Jones; parents, Harry Cecil Jones, Sr. and Thelma Bell Jones; daughter, Sandra McQueen; sister, Judi Shields; brother, Todd Jones; granddaughter, Kayla Johnson and great grandson, Memphis Teal.

• A suspicious vehicle was reported on Friendship Road.

JULY 2

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

• A juvenile complaint was reported on Jordan Avenue.

• A white male was arrested on Barnett Boulevard.

• An animal complaint was reported on Gilmer Avenue.

• Harassment was reported on Peachtree Street.

• An animal complaint was reported on Gilmer Avenue.

• Assistance was given to a motorist on Highway 229.

• Theft was reported on Freeman Avenue.

• Debris was reported in the roadway on Central Boulevard.

• A tree was reported in the roadway on Rifle Range Road.

• A suspicious vehicle was reported on Gilmer Avenue.

Mr. Jones was a member of the East Tallassee Methodist Church and he was in charge of the church Flea Market. He loved his family unconditionally, especially his grandchildren. He also was a Veteran of the United States Army. Funeral Services will be Thursday, June 29,

2023, at 10:00AM at Jeffcoat Funeral Home Chapel. The family will receive friends from 9:00AM until service time. Burial will be in Mount Carmel United Methodist Church Cemetery, Letohatchee, Alabama. Online condolences are available at: www.jeffcoatfuneralhome.com.

Jeffcoat Funeral Home Directing Tallassee, Alabama

reported on John Street.

• A disorderly person was reported on Jordan Avenue.

• A white male was arrested on Highway 231.

• A civil dispute was reported on Redden Avenue.

• Animal control was requested on Gilmer Avenue.

• Assistance was given to a motorist on Highway 229.

• An animal complaint was reported on Carr Circle.

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

JUNE 29

• Assistance was given to a motorist on Jordan Avenue.

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

• A Black male was arrested during a traffic stop on Delta Road.

• Assistance was given to a motorist on Ralph Bunche Street.

• A domestic dispute was reported on Honeysuckle Lane.

• A white male was arrested on Barnett Boulevard.

• A Black male was arrested on Barnett Boulevard.

• Assistance was given to a citizen on Freeman Avenue.

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

• A vehicle accident was reported on Central Boulevard.

• A suspicious person was reported on Friendship Road.

• A noise complaint was reported on Third Avenue.

• A domestic incident was reported on Cotton Ridge Road.

• Assistance was given to a motorist on Ashurst Bar Road.

• Animal control was requested on Freeman Avenue.

• A verbal fight was reported on Cotton Ridge Road.

• Animal control was requested on Notasulga Road.

• Assistance was given to a road maintenance crew on Highway 229.

JULY 1

• A domestic complaint was reported on Quail Run.

• A domestic dispute was reported on Redden Avenue.

• Assistance was given to a motorist on Highway 229.

• A welfare check was conducted on Third Avenue.

• An abandoned vehicle was reported on Highway 229.

• A domestic incident was reported on Freeman Avenue.

JUNE 30

• A noise complaint was reported on Herd Street.

• A suspicious vehicle was reported on East Roosevelt Street.

• Trespassing was reported on Mooney Hollow Road.

• A white male was arrested on Barnett Road.

• Assistance was given to a motorist on Gilmer Avenue.

• An animal complaint was reported on Gilmer AVenue.

• An animal complaint was

• Assistance was given during a medical call on West Patton Street.

• An assault was reported on Friendship Road.

• Assistance was given to medics on Barnett Boulevard.

JUNE 28

• A suspicious vehicle was reported on East Roosevelt Street.

• A domestic complaint was reported on Hillcrest Street.

• A suicidal subject was reported on Peachtree Street.

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

• Animal control was requested on Worthington Circle.

• A stolen vehicle was reported on Hillcrest Street.

• A domestic dispute was reported on North Johnson Street. JUNE 27

• Panhandling was reported on Jordan Avenue.

• A child custody dispute was reported on North Ashurst Avenue.

• Animal control was requested on McArthur Street.

• Criminal trespassing was reported on East Patton Street.

• A welfare check was conducted on Dolan Road.

• A domestic dispute was reported on Ashurst Avenue.

• Trespassing was reported on Freeman Avenue.

• Assault was reported on Peachtree Street.

• A welfare check was conducted on Riverside Avenue.

• Harassment was reported on Riverside Avenue.

• Animal control was requested on Hillcrest Street.

• Assistance was given to a motorist on East Patton Street.

• Animal control was requested on First Avenue.

• Assistance was given to a motorist on Monroe Street.

See REPORTS, Page A3

WADE

Pet of the Week — Pugsley

Pugsley is a possible Shepherd/pit bull mix. He is about 2 years old and weighs between 40 and 45 pounds. He is a laidback boy that came to us as a stray who was never reclaimed. Pugsley is great with other dogs, revels in attention and loves to explore so he would be a great hiking/camping buddy.

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.

Humane Society of Elmore County News

What to do if you lose, find a pet

Many folks are off for a long weekend celebrating the Fourth of July, and we hope all who are pet owners have made preparations to keep their pets and livestock safe during all the festivities and fireworks. To reiterate, the best place for pets during fireworks is inside the home safe and sound. But if something happens and your efforts fail, here’s what do you do if your pet escapes and becomes lost.

First, don’t delay looking for your pet. Too many people call us days or even a week or more later stating, ‘They usually come home in a couple of days.” From experience we can tell you pet owners who immediately start searching exponentially increase the chances of finding their pet.

In this day and age of social media, we can advise pet owners use all social media at their disposal to let neighbors and people in the area know your pet is missing. Post photos and information about your lost pet on your personal page as well (make sure to make it public) as a finder might just go to your page to validate your ownership.

Make sure your posts say where (street/neighborhood, city, state) your pet is missing from and for how long so as to not confuse people when your post ends up shared in a different county or even a completely different state. Add a phone number on your posts so people with information can get in touch with you immediately; that means you have to then answer phone numbers you do not know.

Until your pet is found, update your post often to keep your pet’s information fresh in people’s minds. And if your pet is found, please also update so people won’t continue looking for a pet who is no longer missing.

Call your supporting shelter soonest if you lose or find a pet. For the Humane Society of Elmore County, call us at 334-567-3377 and leave a message if we are closed. On Facebook we diligently monitor the group “Lost & Found Pets in Elmore County, AL” so you can trust if you post there, we are seeing it. Most cities and counties

have their own Lost & Found Pet pages so make use of all in the area surrounding your lost pet’s last known location. You can also email information and pics to us at hselco@bellsouth.net as we do print all of those and keep in our Lost & Found files and will check email even on the days we are closed. For finders, given that so many of us don’t answer unknown phone numbers, if you think you have found someone’s missing pet, it may be best to text info and pics.

Don’t delay taking the found pet to most any veterinarian or shelter to be scanned for a microchip as increasing numbers of pets are microchipped these days. And please don’t jump to conclusions about a pet’s condition as you have no idea how long that pet may have been missing or if it spent the last two days in brambles and mud.

Finders do not have the legal right to refuse to give a pet back to its legal owner and if true neglect or cruelty is suspected then you must get law enforcement or animal control involved. It is also considered extortion (a crime) if you refuse to give a pet back to an owner unless they pay a fee (of course, owners, if you have offered a reward, please do pay up if your pet is found safe and sound).

Also for finders, that pet is not yours to rehome/giveaway/sell. Finders must make all reasonable efforts to help a pet be reunited with its owner and there are no legal number of days for private citizens like there is for bonafide shelters. If contested in a courtroom it will come down to if both the owner and the finder make all reasonable efforts to reunite the pet with its proper owner. This is one reason we often recommend the pet come to the shelter as we are in the business of verifying and reuniting pets and have decades of experience doing so.

Please keep ID (tags/microchips) on your pets and keep them safe at home so you will have no need to avail of all the above pointers.

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

4-H offers painting class with Jules Studio 915

By ABIGAIL MURPHY Multimedia Reporter

This summer 4-H has partnered with Jules Studio 915 — bringing painting classes to Tallapoosa County members.

The first painting class was in late June and the next is 9 to 11 a.m July 12. Jules Studio 915 owner Julie Brock sketches out the picture on each canvas beforehand. Then, during the class, Brock teaches attendees step by step on how to form his or her artwork.

However, each painting will still come out differently. Brock encourages people to find their own style and expression. The final product doesn’t need to look like her painting did.

“Painting is really just lights and darks and getting the shading,” she said. “That’s what gives it the depth.”

The June 22 class painted a farm scene, and the July 12 class will paint an ocean scene. While the studio is in Reeltown, Brock said members from Dadeville, New Site and Alexander City are encouraged to come as well.

REPORTS Continued from A2

WETUMPKA POLICE DEPARTMENT JUNE 27

• Theft was reported on Cotton Lakes Boulevard.

• Theft was reported on Main Street. JUNE 26

• A missing person was reported on Cedar Court.

4-H foundation regional extension agent Trent Carboni said the organization likes to build partnerships like this as often as possible. It allows 4-H to offer more for

• Identity theft was reported on Cambridge Drive.

• Harassing communication was reported on Marshall Street.

• Theft was reported on Main Street. JUNE 24

• Domestic violence was reported on High Cotton Court. JUNE 22

• Domestic violence was reported on River Oaks Drive.

members than it otherwise could alone.

4-H targets a wide range of interests from agriculture to STEM to outdoor activity to cre-

• Theft was reported on Cedar Court.

• Unauthorized use of a vehicle was reported on U.S. Highway 231. JUNE 21

• Domestic violence was reported on Pemrose Trail. JUNE 20

• Public intoxication was reported in Autumnwood Village.

• Theft and criminal trespass was reported on U.S. Highway 231.

ativity to leadership skills to civic engagement. The organization also uses the Thriving Model through the analogy of a flower. Roots represent sparks of interest and, from

there, kids can grow that interest until it blossoms into a flower.

“We offer these classes for kids to try things. They might try art and say ‘I don’t enjoy it that much,’ or they might try it and that will be a spark for them,” Carboni said. “You work up the stem and the end is the flower — you have those long term outcomes. We might have a 4-Her who ends up being an artist or having their own art studio one day.”

4-H largely caters to ages 9 through 18. By fourth and sixth grades, the organization visits all the schools in the county as well as high schools.

This past school year, Tallapoosa County 4-H enrolled 1,450 more members with four high school 4-H members serving as state ambassadors. While the organization is active during the school year, Carboni said during the summer it likes to offer a few classes and opportunities to help members continue to grow.

The painting class at Jules Studio 915 costs $20 with all the supplies included. Registration is available online or by calling the 4-H office at 256-825-1050.

ABIGAIL MURPHY THE TRIBUNE

Jules Studio 915 partners with Tallapoosa County 4-H to bring a painting class this summer to members.The bottom painting was the scene for the June 22 class and the top painting is the scene for the July 12 class.

Tallassee Talks

Supreme Court is moving us decades backward

Over the last month culminating on Friday, the United States Supreme Court has been making some pretty milestone decisions.

The first was a landmark decision about Congressional voting lines, which came straight from a case in Alabama. In our state, the population is 27% Black; however, there is only one congressional district out of seven with a Black majority. With this new decision, the congressional lines must be redrawn so Alabama has at least two Black-majority districts. With the conservative leanings of the Supreme Court, I really considered this a win for Alabama and for the country.

However, this week, I am reconsidering any opinion that may have favored the Supreme Court.

First, it struck down affirmative action.

The college admissions process has long utilized affirmative action, which gives favor to “underrepresented minority groups” so long as it takes all other

factors evaluated into account. This was upheld by the court in 2003, when the Court decided affirmative action did not violate the Fourteenth Amendment’s Equal Protection Clause.

Two justices, Clarence Thomas and Sonia Sotomayor, have both said affirmative action played a role in their college admissions.

Then on Friday, a decision came in regards to a Colorado web designer who did not want to sell wedding websites to samesex couples due to her religious beliefs. This violated Colorado state law, but the Supreme Court upheld the web designer’s right to publish a disclaimer on her own website saying she would not design a website for a same-sex couple’s wedding.

Justice Neil Gorsuch, who penned the 6-3 majority decision, said it was based on the First Amendment and the protection of people to “think and speak as they wish.”

Sotomayor, a dissenting justice, said she worried about further discrimina-

tion against LGBT people — and even beyond that.

“Today, the Court, for the first time in its history, grants a business open to the public a constitutional right to refuse to serve members of a protected class,” she wrote.

It’s hard to wrap my mind around what this Court is thinking.

This is why the appointment of three judges to the Supreme Court by President Donald Trump was so important and controversial as he was headed out the door. Supreme Court justices are appointed for life, and they ultimately make some of the most important decisions. These are the types of decisions that will affect your day to day life.

It’s scary to see these types of decisions because all we’re doing is moving backward. Between last year’s overturning of Roe v. Wade, which was

first decided more than 50 years ago, and now striking down affirmative action — these were things I thought were discussions of the past, discriminations of decades ago.

It’s hard to believe it’s 2023, and there are still people who are willing to fall on the sword of discriminating against samesex couples. It’s even more unimaginable we no longer want to put importance on protecting racial minorities either.

What are these justices thinking?

For states that have outlawed affirmative action, it’s clear the trends of less and less Black students getting accepted into colleges. Racism is still real and thriving, unfortunately so, and now we’re getting rid of laws to protect people from it. It’s incomprehensible.

Pay attention to what’s going on, and make sure we’re doing better than our Supreme Court justices. Isn’t that sad to say?

Lizi Arbogast Gwin is the managing editor of Tallapoosa Publishers Inc.

Obituaries: 35 cents per word with a $25 charge for picture per paper (Herald, Observer, Tribune). Obituaries are only accepted via the funeral home in charge of arrangements. We do not accept obituaries from individuals.

Weddings, Engagements, Anniversaries, or Birth

Announcements: These significant family events or milestones are 35 cents per word and $25 for a photo and must be emailed to us at announcements@thewetumpkaherald.com. 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.

1973 — 50 years ago and still timeless

Author-humorist Willie G. Moseley, with whom I shared this page in The Tribune for several years, often says the period of popular music recorded and released between 1967-1973 is without peer. This fertile and creative period is remembered fondly for many reasons. It began with the Summer of Love and Sgt. Pepper, reached its zenith with Woodstock and Altamont and ended around the same time as the Vietnam War and Watergate. These years defined a generation of Baby Boomers, and vice versa.

As I began to type a list of era-defining records, I realized it would take up this entire space and then some. For this listener, rock and roll music reached its peak maturity during these years – and indeed, what was called “album-ori-

ented rock” or AOR radio formats rose and fell during this same timeframe. But using Mr. Moseley’s opinion as an end point, I would like to revisit 1973 as we are now 50 years past. Some of the all-time greatest records of the album era came out in ’73. Whose collection would be complete without Elton John’s masterpiece, “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road”?

John’s career would never have been the same if not for the wildly contrasting styles heard on this double LP. From the sublime (“Candle in the Wind”) to the nasty (“Dirty Little Girl”) to the just plain rocking (“Saturday Night’s Alright For Fighting”), this is by far his best work and an album I revisit often. It is of such importance to John that his current and final con-

cert series is called Farewell Yellow Brick Road.

“Quadrophenia,” by The Who, also stands out from the 1973 pack as a solid double LP — and, as concept records go, it is one of the best. Complete with a lengthy booklet explaining the entire odyssey, “Quadrophenia” is really the story of The Who themselves — from Mods to maximum R&B, in four sides. Some of the best Who music ever made is in the grooves: “The Real Me,” “5:15” and “Love Reign O’Er Me” are classics.

The Who invented the rock opera with “Tommy,” but “Quadrophenia” is just as important (and I actually like it better).

Pink Floyd’s “The Dark Side of the Moon” remained on the Billboard 200 album chart for an astonishing 741 weeks, and deservedly so.

The darkness and bitterness of Floyd’s usual subject matter (insanity, mistrust, fear and loathing) was leavened somewhat by the superior production by Alan Parsons and genre-defining, slick sound that tied all the tracks together and made the album a must-listen for millions.

As “Dark Side” celebrated its golden anniversary earlier this year, I listened all the way through once again and marveled at the emotional impact of this truly legendary album.

“House of the Holy,” by Led Zeppelin appropriately set the tone for

LIZI GWIN Managing Editor

MICHAEL BIRD Columnist

DRUG

Continued from A1

police Lt. Jon Rawls said. “The largest seizure I remember was during a controlled delivery, and that was 12 pounds of marijuana several years ago.”

Rawls said the narcotics will be taken to the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences for testing.

A Glock 22, a .40-caliber handgun, and $691 in cash was also seized.

Cunningham is being charged with trafficking a controlled substance, first degree unlawful possession of marijuana, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia and two counts of possession of a controlled substance. Rawls said other charges are possible.

According to court records, Cunningham pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled substance in 2011 in Tallapoosa County. Thursday, he was out of jail on bond from a November 2022 arrest for first-degree possession of marijuana.

RETAILERS

held a contract with the City of Tallassee for the last few years to help recruit retail businesses to town.

“They said they seem to be pretty positive on where Tallassee is now and where we are going forward in the future,” she said. “We are looking at whether or not to renew that contract and see if there’s a reason to continue that relationship.”

Hill emphasized recruiting national or regional retailers as one ongoing goal for downtown development.

“So obviously, they’ve brought in Taco Bell, which was great,” Hill said.

“They have been in discussions with a lot of other quick-service restaurants and some other potential options for us. They came in and gave us a report on their discussions from their (International Council of Shopping Centers) conference in Las Vegas a couple weeks ago.”

In the last year, the council has requested more frequent updates from the recruiter. With the COVID-19 pandemic, Hill said retail development slowed in 2020 and 2021 but the economic uncertainty appears to be waning.

“Looking at where we’re at in terms of construction expenses and interest rates, you know, things have slowed down a little bit, but we’re open to see some movement here shortly,” she said. “Based on our numbers, I know there are certain things we don’t qualify for in terms of households, but anything that we can get in terms of food or an urgent care, that would be very helpful,” she said.

Hill said recruiting retailers also brings many economic benefits.

Local parent who lost child starts support group

BY WILLIAM MARLOW Multimedia Reporter

Heather Baker experienced a tragedy 15 months ago when her daughter died following a cancer diagnosis.

In the immediate aftermath, she searched for a way to cope with the loss. She said through divine inspiration, she was led to helping fellow parents in the same situation. In February, she started a support group in Tallassee to guide others through the grieving process.

“It was just a revelation to me. God told me to do it,” she said. “I didn’t realize how many people I worked with or are around that have lost a child until I started this group.”

She soon saw a need for such a group in more than just her circle of peers, but instead a group for all of Tallassee. As

a nurse, Baker said she desired to bring her helpful nature to more than her profession.

“I want to help people and there are so many around our community who have experienced this type of tragedy, and I just wanted to give them someone else they could talk to and not feel alone,” she said.

So many people around the area and community have experienced this type of tragedy. Baker contacted Restoration 49’s owners about establishing a meeting area for parents to talk intimately about their experiences together.

“I just wanted them to feel like they had someone else they could talk to and not feel alone,” Baker said.

Each meeting, she discusses a topic related to the grief of losing a child. Most conversations circle around fear,

guilt, communication with others following a death and even how to manage holidays without a child.

With an average of 10 to 20 people in each group session, Baker advises parents to take a few key steps in the most immediate aftermath of a death.

“Reach out (to people),” she said. “Don’t bottle up how you feel. There’s nothing right or wrong about how you grieve.”

Ultimately, she hopes the group helps parents support each other.

“I think being able to just communicate with someone who’s experienced it, and being able to maybe better ways to deal with it when you listen to what somebody else has done, or how they handled it.

Those interested in joining the group can attend meetings, which occur on the last Thursday of each month at 6 p.m.

Continued from A1 ESCAPE

“We would like to see continued investment like with a national or regional retailer to help increase the sales tax revenue here, increase options for jobs and to take up some of our vacant storefronts,” she said.

REPAIR

Continued from A1

work to substructure to make it more structurally intact and add more structural integrity,” she said. “I then think the last piece is they’re gonna do some of the resurfacing on the top so there’s a lot going on.”

Hill said the ALDOT crews are currently in the painting stage, and she anticipates the maintenance to span several more months. In the meantime, traffic control will occur.

“Hopefully, they’re all finished by the end of the year, but I’m not quite sure,” Hill said.

She appreciates the state making investments in the bridge and described it as a crucial piece of infrastructure.

“It’s our only way across unless you want to go down to the interstate or Highway 50,” Hill said. “So it’s a pretty important economic driver to this town so we’re happy that ALDOT has felt the same way.”

TIMELESS

Continued from A4

the rest of 1970s rock. It was heavy, harsh and loud but it was beautiful. Check out the lyrical “Rain Song,” the piledriving “Song Remains the Same,” or the goofy “D’Yer Mak’er.” They are all classics.

Continued from A1

When it comes to Sulcata tortoises, it’s more likely for them to burrow under rather than climb over. Nicolette said she felt if Ruby started to burrow, she could be caught before actually escaping.

However, Ruby took an alternative route. Her current living quarters are an outdoor, constructed box made out of decking boards. The walls of the box are three decking boards high, which reach up to Nicolette’s calf. Ruby had managed to knock down the top two boards and climbed over the lowest board still standing. After discovering the escape, the Cox family looked all around the 10-acre farm. Nicolette then also made a Facebook post asking the Reeltown community to be

Strangely, however, the album cover remains censored in many countries. For lovers of horn bands, Chicago released one of the best albums of their career in 1973, “Chicago VI” With the appearance of a dollar bill on the album cover, many people saw the faceless band for the first time. The album contained some great tracks but especially the hits, “Just

on the lookout for Ruby. The post spread far and wide.

“We were the talk of the town,” she said. “It was the first night of Vacation Bible School; we went to drop our kids off. Everybody was worried about the tortoise and wanted to know if we found her.”

Luckily, she was found that afternoon. By about 3 p.m. Nicolette got a call from her neighbor telling her the tortoise had been spotted two streets down at another neighbor’s house. Nicolette said this was another surprise — Ruby crosses streets.

The family went over to the neighbor’s house and began to search, but it wasn’t easy.

“It had gotten so hot that afternoon that she had just laid down somewhere and was quiet,” Nicolette said. “She blends in with everything on the ground. So my husband had walked past where she was three times

You ‘N Me” and the pounding “Feelin’ Stronger Everyday,” my favorite Chicago tune. Finally, an artist who continues to inspire and impress released his most coherent work in 1973 and traveled to Muscle Shoals to make it happen: Paul Simon’s “There Goes Rhymin’ Simon.” This album featured some of his biggest hits, like “Kodachrome,” “Something So

and did not recognize that she was there.”

Fortunately the neighbor spotted her, and Nicolette’s husband, Brian, came back, loaded Ruby into the bed of his truck and returned home. Ruby had made it back from the day by around 4 p.m.

However, Nicolette explained she is really just Ruby’s caretaker; the owner is her sister-in-law, Laura, who got Ruby 13 years ago when Ruby fit into the palm of her hand.

Each year Ruby grew and each year she would get a new enclosure. Eventually Ruby grew to the point Laura could no longer keep her while renting a home in Atlanta.

So, Ruby went to live with Nicolette and Brian and the tortoise has become a beloved family member while also bonding with their daughter, who has an especially soft spot for Ruby.

“We have a 4-year-old lit-

Right,” and “Loves Me Like a Rock.” But my two favorites are “One Man’s Ceiling is Another Man’s Floor” and “Learn How to Fall” — two songs that were only B-sides but deserve to be remembered for how great they truly were. If an era was ending in 1973, a new one was beginning. The disco sounds of “Rock the Boat” by the Hues Corporation in 1974 began the

tle girl,” Nicolette said. “She goes out and feeds her with me. She loves her. We will sit there, and she will follow us because she knows we have food.”

Aside from this recent escape, Nicolette said Sulcata tortoises are very low-maintenance pets. Ruby eats fruits and vegetables from scraps and the Cox’s garden. That fresh food is also where Ruby gets her water source as well.

Since Ruby adventured off, Nicolette said the family have come up with a couple of ideas to help avoid this in the future. First, they ordered her an Apple AirTag to put on her shell. Second, they are going to add some features to Ruby’s enclosure to help her from getting bored.

“A zoo exhibit would have things for them, like holes for them to go down in,” she said. “So, I guess our next adventure is making a zoo exhibit for our pet tortoise.

American fascination with the four-on-the-floor dance beat of disco — and, one could argue, the sound of pop radio that persists to this day.

Michael Bird is a music teacher for Tallassee City Schools and co-hosts “The Saturday Morning Show with Michael Bird and Scott Adcock” on 580 WACQ and FM 98.5.

SUBMITTED THE TRIBUNE

Nicolette Cox’s sister-in-law, Laura, holds her pet tortoise over her head. This was five years ago and now the tortoise, Ruby, has grown to roughly 75 pounds.

SUBMITTED THE TRIBUNE

a $1,000 schol-

Reeltown’s Tubbs earns Alfa Foundation scholarship

STAFF REPORT

TPI Staff

Cameron Tubbs, a recent graduate of Reeltown, was recently selected as one of 100 recipients of the 2023-24 Alfa Foundation Scholarship Program. Tubbs, who will be a freshman at Southern Union State Community College in the fall, received $1,000 to use toward tuition, fees, books or supplies.

Since 2014, the Alfa Foundation has awarded $950,000 to deserving students through its scholarship program, which is administered by Kaleidoscope. This year’s recipients hail from 44 counties and will attend 23 institutions.

“We are proud to support this outstanding group of students as they further their education within the state of Alabama,” Alfa president Jimmy

Parnell said. “It’s important to us as an organization to invest in our young people, and we are happy to do so through the Alfa Foundation Scholarship Program.”

Scholarships were awarded based on grade point average, participation in school and community activities, honors, work experience and future goals.

To qualify, students must be enrolled or planning to enroll in a full-time accredited program at a two- or four-year college, university or vocational-technical school located in Alabama.

Since 1946, Alfa Insurance has proudly supported the community through various programs, investments and donations.

The Alfa Foundation seeks to promote education and support organizations that are making an impact in the communities Alfa serves.

Elmore County Community Calendar

NOW - MONDAY, JULY 31

TOY DRIVE: Main Street Wetumpka has partnered with Ivy’s Closet to host a toy drive during the month of July. New, unwrapped toys can be donated along with clothes, hygiene products, diapers and other essentials. There are five dropoff locations around Wetumpka including the Gab Salon, Coosa Cleaver, Stoddard’s Bait & Tackle, The Shoppes Downtown and Company Street Mercantile. For more information, please email ivysclosetelmore@gmail. com.

THURSDAY, JULY 6 - FRIDAY, JULY 7

TEEN WORKSHOP: Pay Attention to My Prevention, a teen workshop for girls grades six through 12, will be held at the Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Center from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. July 6 and 7. The workshop is for Elmore County residents only. Breakfast, lunch and snacks will be provided. For more information, contact Marlana at mbowling@cosancadd.org or 334-262-1629.

SATURDAY, JULY 8

FARMERS MARKET: Mehearg Farms Produce will be hosting a mini market featuring local vendors selling handmade items. The event is from 4 to 7:30 p,m. at the farms, located at 357 Bouldin Dam Road in Wetumpka. There will be ice cold watermelon and fresh flowers available to cut with the family.

TUESDAY, JULY 11WEDNESDAY, JULY 12

TEEN WORKSHOP: Pay Attention to My Prevention, a teen workshop for boys grades six through 12, will be held at the Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Center from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. July

6 and 7. The workshop is for Elmore County residents only. Breakfast, lunch and snacks will be provided. For more information, contact Leroy at lbarrow@ cosancadd.org or 334-262-1629.

SATURDAY, JULY 15

DOWNTOWN ARTISTS SHOW: Join the Downtown Artists for a summer show, which will be held on the same day as Wetumpka’s River and Blues Music & Arts Festival. The show will be hosted from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in downtown Wetumpka.

MONDAY, JULY 17

AUBURN CLUB KICKOFF: The Elmore County Auburn Club will host its kickoff fundraiser banquet at 5:30 p.m. July 17 at the Wetumpka Civic Center. Proceeds from the banquet will be used to fund scholarships for Elmore County students to attend Auburn. Guest speaker will be Tiger baseball coach Butch Thompson. Tickets are $28 and can be purchased online or at The Shoppes in Downtown.

THURSDAY, JULY 20

CANDLE MAKING; The Tea Room at The Shoppes Downtown in Wetumpka will be hosting a Let’s Get Lit Candle Making with Olga. It will be held at 1 p.m. and is open to anyone ages 12 and up. The cost is $24 per person and can be purchased online.

FRIDAY, JULY 21

COMMUNITY DANCE: Red Hill School House will host a Get Lost in the 1950s night from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. July 21. Montgomery Junction will be playing the oldies, and attendees are encouraged to wear their best ’50s attire. The public is welcome to attend. YOGA NIGHT: Harmony Yoga & Wellness Studio in Eclectic will be hosting its first ever Open Mat Night, which is open to both members and non-members, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. July 21. This is a fun and informal opportunity to come freestyle practice or learn something new. Props and mats will be provided. All three of the studio’s certified instructors will be on site to assist and answer any questions. The event is free to attend but limited to 12 people so registration is available on the studio’s Facebook page.

FRIDAY, JULY 21

FOOD TRUCK FESTIVAL: Millbrook Baptist Daycare will be hosting a food truck festival open to the public starting at 5 p.m. July 21. Parking is free, and

there will also be a bouncy house and games featured. The Millbrook Baptist Daycare is located at 3431 Browns Road.

FRIDAY, JULY 21 - SUNDAY, JULY 23 SALES TAX HOLIDAY: Alabama’s back-to-school statewide sales tax holiday will take place from July 21-23 this year. Items that are tax free include books ($30 or less); tables, computers, laptops and printers ($750 or less per item); school supplies ($50 or less per item); and clothings and diapers ($100 or less per item).

SATURDAY, JULY 22

CHRISTMAS

SATURDAY,

THURSDAY, AUG. 3 TEAL TOWN: EXIT Realty Hometown is hoping to raise $10,000

card is $5, and there will be plenty of gifts and prizes given each session

THURSDAY, AUG. 31

WOMEN’S SUMMIT: The Wetumpka Area Chamber of Commerce will host GRIT, a women’s summit with a lineup of inspirational speakers from all over the country. Tickets are $100 for the six-hour summit, which includes coffee and networking, a women’s business expo, a gourmet lunch, a theater performance and a grand finale including amazing music. It will be hosted from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 31 at the Wetumpka Civic Center. Tickets are available on the chamber’s webpage.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 30

OKTOBERFEST: Oktoberfest Wetumpka is hosted by the Oktoberfest Planning Committee in downtown starting at 10 a.m. Sept. 30. Featured will be a day of music, performances, vendors and food. For more information, email wetuoktoberfest@gmail.com.

SATURDAY, OCT. 14

COTTON FESTIVAL: The Town of Eclectic will host the 30th annual Alabama Cotton Festival from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 14. This is a family event held every year on the second Saturday in October featuring more than 250 vendors. Events and contests include the Dog Show, the Classic Car Show, the first annual cornhole tournament, the Alabama Wildlife Federation, the Bama Flying Dogs and so much more. For more information, contact 256-794-0379 or 334-541-3581.

THURSDAY, OCT. 26

CANDY CRAWL: Main Street Wetumpka will host its Coosa Candy Crawl from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 26 in downtown Wetumpka. Dress in your favorite costume and trick-or-treat through local downtown businesses and table sponsors. Table registration is coming soon and will cost $20 per business or organization.

Reeltown High School graduate Cameron Tubbs, of Notasulga, recently received

arship from the Alfa Foundation. Tubbs will be a freshman at Southern Union State Community College in the fall.

Freedom comes with a cost

Happy 247th birthday to America!

“God Bless America, land that I love! Stand beside her and guide her through the night with a light from above.”

We are so blessed to live in America, but we must remember freedom comes with a price and a responsibility. Every time I see “Old Glory” blowing in the wind, I am brought to remembrance of the ones who fought and gave me the opportunity to live in the United States. I will never burn the symbol of my land; I will never take a knee to the national anthem. I will always show respect by placing my hand over my heart whenever and wherever the red, white and blue are presented.

Abraham Lincoln penned these beautiful words as part of the Gettysburg address by

JACKIE WILBOURN Columnist

saying, “That we here highly resolve these dead shall not have died in vain, that this nation under God shall have a new birth of freedom, and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”

Freedom was won by a down payment and installments have been made since the Republic was born. There is a price to be paid for our liberty.

Freedom is not the right to do as we please but as the opportunity to please do what is right. Every bit of the lib-

Abraham Lincoln penned these beautiful words as part of the Gettysburg address by saying, “That we here highly resolve these dead shall not have died in vain, that this nation under God shall have a new birth of freedom, and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”

erty we have is under God and cannot be found elsewhere.

Faith in America is not merely stamped on our coins but is engraved on our hearts and expressed in our lives.

John 8:36 tells us “only Christians know true freedom.”

The question is asked, what are we free to do and not do? Are we allowed to watch anything on TV? Are we free to

indulge ourselves with eating and drinking? Are we free to wear clothes that draw attention to our bodies? Are we free to spew any word we choose from our mouths? What about our recreational drugs? Are we free to break the speed limits of our land? Are we free to forsake the gathering of ourselves in the House of God?

In 1 Corinthians 10:23-24,

the apostle Paul gives us a practical illustration of Christian freedom: “Everything is permissible – but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible – but not everything is constructive. Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others.”

Our freedom in Christ must be balanced by a desire to build up and benefit others. When deciding how to exercise our Christian freedom we ought to seek the good of others before our own good. If our actions should cause another brother or sister to stumble in his or her faith, we are to refrain out of love. Freedom is costly!

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

Dalton MiDDleton SportS eDitor dalton.middleton@thewetumpkaherald.com

Tallassee’s Slay signs with Auburn track

By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor

Kayden Slay has been competing in track and field for less than a year, but the Tallassee graduate is already leaps above most of his competitors.

Slay, who recently won the AHSAA Class 5A state championship in the high jump and set a new state record with a height of 7-foot-0, signed a National Letter of Intent to join the Auburn track and field team on Wednesday.

“I never thought I would get the chance to do this,” Slay said.

“Auburn seemed to be the ones who took care of me the most and had the most benefits for me, and they seemed to have the most successful future for me.”

Six weeks ago, Slay never imagined he would be signing a scholarship for an SEC program.

He wasn’t getting many responses from colleges, but then the state championship came along.

Slay qualified for state in all four events he participated in — the high, long and triple jumps and the 110 meter hurdles.

He then placed in the state championship in the long and

SUBMITTED | THE TRIBUNE

The Elmore County football team will face six teams that had a losing record last season.The Panthers are looking to make the playoffs for a second-consecutive season.

Feast or famine for Elmore County football

By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor

The Elmore County football team made the playoffs for the first time in more than a decade last year, and now the Panthers look to reach the postseason in back-to-back seasons.

Led by second-year coach Kyle Caldwell, the schedule looks favorable, and last year’s combined record of opposing teams is 45-69.

Six of Elmore County’s opponents had a losing record last season, and two went winless. Out of the four teams that did have a winning record, one was in Class 1A while the three in 5A had a combined record of 26-5 and all reached the second round of the playoffs.

TRENDS

Elmore County opens the season this year against three straight opponents

triple jumps, but he shined his brightest in the high jump. He jumped 7-0, and became only the second person to ever jump 7-0 in AHSAA history. He beat the 5A record set in 1986 by 1 ½ inches.

After that jump, Slay said the calls started coming in.

“It’s been a bit chaotic,” Slay said. “In a span of six or seven weeks, I went from not knowing what my future held to getting a scholarship to a bigger school and the opportunity to make a bigger name for myself.”

See TRACK, Page B2

BATTLE IS HEATING UP

Tigers working through quarterback competition

By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor

For the first time in four seasons, the Tallassee football team is searching for a new starting quarterback. Four-year starter Tyler Ellis has graduated and moved on to the next level, and now Tallassee enters 2023 looking for a new offensive leader.

Wetumpka claims Battle of the County tournament championship

By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor

The Wetumpka football team defended its home turf on Thursday night.

Wetumpka claimed the first Battle for the County 7-on-7 tournament held at the Wetumpka Sports Complex. The Indians beat Elmore County, 32-0, in the championship round to claim the first trophy.

Wetumpka went 5-1 on the day and won both of its tournament round games by a combined score of 59-10 over Elmore County and Tallassee.

“The whole purpose of this tournament was to just get everybody reps,” Wetumpka coach Bear Woods said. “We wanted to get out here and get reps. All of our teams have guys who play both ways and we wanted to get them some action. I was proud of the way we finished the night. We finished strong.” Everything was clicking with Wetumpka’s skill players from the start. While the offense lit up the scoreboard nearly every

FEAST, Page B2 See WETUMPKA, Page B2

DALTON MIDDLETON THE TRIBUNE

ABOVE: Tallassee senior Cade Everson, one of the top returning players in the county, catches a pass over a Stanhope Elmore defender in the county 7-on-7 tournament.

BELOW: Tallassee junior Mason Battles is one of three Tigers taking reps at starting quarterback this season.This is the first time since 2019 that Tallassee has not returned its starting quarterback.

Tiger coach Mike Battles has a three-man quarterback competition fighting for the starting spot in juniors Mason Battles and Bryson Rigsby, and freshman Trent Morris. All three quarterbacks took snaps as Tallassee participated in the Battle for the County 7-on-7 tournament held at the Wetumpka Sports Complex on Thursday afternoon. All three will continue to rotate until coach Battles names a starter in fall camp.

“All three of our guys are getting better every day we’re out here,” he said.

“They’re all getting reps but we’re not going to make a decision anytime soon.”

Tallassee had a successful day at the county 7-on-7 tournament. The Tigers finished with a 2-3 overall record, earning wins over both Elmore County and Holtville in pool play. They entered single-elimination play with a 2-2 record and

See BATTLE, Page B2

SUBMITTED THE TRIBUNE

Kayden Slay, pictured with family and coaches, signed his National Letter of Intent with the Auburn track and field team on Wednesday.

DALTON MIDDLETON | THE TRIBUNE

A Tallassee receiver attempts to catch a pass in the endzone against Wetumpka last week. The Tigers went 2-3 and reached the semifinals of the 7-on-7 tournament.

game, the defense played lights out. Wetumpka’s defense allowed only six touchdowns on the night.

The one loss for Wetumpka came to rival Stanhope Elmore in a defensive showing. Both teams were getting stops on each other left and right, and it came down to a big defensive stop for the Mustangs to ultimate win the game.

By forcing a turnover on downs for the Wetumpka offense, Stanhope Elmore earned two points to break a 17-17 tie and give the Mustangs the 19-17 win.

“We were in a defensive battle with them in that loss,” Woods said. “It’s usually whoever has the ball last is who wins a ball game. With those two defenses, it was whoever’s defense was out there last. But we built off that loss and we had a lot of fun today.”

Stanhope Elmore finished pool play with a 4-0 record and earned the No. 1 seed in the tournament rounds, but the Mustangs fell just short against Elmore County in the final seconds of the semifinals.

After turning the ball over, Stanhope Elmore gave Elmore County the ball back with around 20 seconds left. The Panthers then connected on a deep pass to set up a short-and-goal, and they walked off the game with a 15-14 win.

Stanhope finished with a 4-1 record. With the win over Stanhope, Elmore County advanced to the championship before losing to Wetumpka. They finished the night with a 3-4 record. They went 1-3 in pool play before taking down Holtville and Stanhope in the tournament rounds.

Tallassee went 2-3 on the night and reached the semifinals. Holtville went 0-5.

the No. 3 seed. In the semifinals, they lost, 27-10, against Wetumpka, which went on to win the championship.

The Tigers’ three losses came to Class 6A Wetumpka twice and Stanhope Elmore once. Despite the losses, Tallassee kept each game within a two-possession swing.

In the two wins against Elmore County and Holtville, Tallassee outscored its rivals by a combined score of 45-20.

“Everybody on our team is getting better,” Battles said. “You can’t tell a whole lot in 7-on-7 because there’s no rush and people are throwing little routes across the middle that aren’t there in a real game, but we’re glad we came because it gave our defensive backs some good work.”

While all three quarterbacks rotated between drives, Tallassee also got some reps from plenty of receivers throughout the day.

Rising senior Cade Everson was the biggest constant for the Tigers on the day as he grabbed multiple touchdown catches over defenders.

Everson is the top player returning on Tallassee’s offense after he recorded 13 catches for 203 yards and three touchdowns. He was also used more in the run game last season with 55 rushes for 463 yards and five touchdowns.

While he will likely touch the ball the most of any skill players this season, Battles knows he will need new faces to step up if his team will have the chance to be a balanced offensive attack.

“We have four or five guys who are going to have to play and succeed this year if we are going to be able to do the things we want to do,” Battles said.

Basketball has always been Slay’s dream, and he thought it would be possible this season after going viral for his high-flying dunks throughout the Tigers’ season. But the college interest never came following the social media posts, and Slay’s senior basketball season ended.

After following the advice from a few coaches and students, he decided to join the track and field team because he didn’t want to regret not doing it later in his life.

He instantly made a huge impact, and coach Danny Worley knew he had the talent to win multiple medals at the end of the year.

“I was already known for being a high jumper in basketball, so coach Worley put me in every category he could that had me jumping,” Slay said. “Then I went to state in all four of the ones I did. It’s just been pretty crazy overall, especially now with all of this recruiting happening at the end of it.”

Slay has signed with Auburn spe -

five against Jemison and has won nine of the last 12 games against the Holtville Bulldogs.

they beat last year by a combined score of 124-38. The Panthers will once again have the chance to start 3-0 but then they face Clay Central to open area play in Week 4.

Elmore County has gone 0-5 against Clay Central. The Panthers have also not found much success against rival Tallassee in recent years as they’ve lost seven straight and 10 of their last 11 matchups. Against Beauregard, Elmore County has also lost five in a row and has not won since 2007.

On the flip side, Elmore County has won four of its last

GAMES TO WATCH While Tallassee has dominated this matchup in recent history, winning 10 of the last 11, last year’s game was an absolute thriller. It was the first time the game has been decided by one touchdown or less since 2015. This year, both teams return stars on both sides of the ball and it could come down to the last play again. Valley and Elmore County battled it out last season for the final playoff spot in the region with the Panthers narrowly winning by four. With the game once again slated for the last week of region play, this game could very well decide which

“I was already known for being a high jumper in basketball, so coach Worley put me in every category he could that had me jumping. Then I went to state in all four of the ones I did. It’s just been pretty crazy overall, especially now with all of this recruiting happening at the end of it.”

— Kayden Slay

cifically for the high jump, but his new coaches aren’t going to limit him to just one event if they believe he can compete at the others. He is excited about the opportunity to do each event and believes he can improve now that he will have a professional coach.

Most of Slay’s learning came from watching Youtube videos in the backyard, and he would go outside and practice his form without jumping and landing.

That combined with the jumping workouts he did in basketball and natural talent made it possible for him to reach the college level.

“I really had to train myself on how to do it,” Slay said. “I’ve never really practiced any of the types of jumpers with someone who is a professional, so I can possibly do

team makes the playoffs and which team doesn’t.

Holtville and Elmore County had a shootout for the ages last season with the Panthers winning, 63-48, and the game setting both school’s records for the most combined points in a game. Four of the last six matchups have been decided by two touchdowns or less.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

JACORI TARVER, BEAUREGARD RUNNING BACK

Tarver showed off his skills last year against Elmore County, and he’s made quite the name for himself in the last year. As he rushed for 1,209 yards and 14 touchdowns as a junior, he also picked up Division I offers like Alabama State among others. The Hornets graduated two

all of the events if I prove myself at them.”

Slay was more than happy for Auburn to be the school he signed with. He grew up a Tigers fan, but then became an Alabama fan as he got older. But living 40 minutes away from Auburn has him still loving the blue and orange, and he can live at home.

He said he is a homebody, so being able to stay at home was a big deal for him. Plus, it saves on the cost of living on campus.

“They were able to work with me and I got special permission to stay home,” Slay said. “I’ll be the first track and field athlete to do that. I really think they’re going to treat me well. They made me really comfortable with the way they’ve talked to and treated me.”

running backs and their starting quarterback, so look for them to ride the back of Tarver.

JAY HARPER, VALLEY CORNERBACK

Harper is ranked as one of the top players in Alabama’s Class of 2024, and the Wisconsin commit proved why with a stellar junior year. He broke up play after play last season and recorded 48 tackles with three interceptions, which led the Rams.

CARSYN COBB, MARBURY RUNNING BACK

Cobb has made a big impact the last few years in the Bulldogs’ backfield, and he looks to continue that role leading into his senior year. Despite losing to Elmore County last season, Cobb had a great game where he rushed for 158 yards and one touchdown on

a 9.9 yards per carry average.

SCHEDULE Aug. 25 – Elmore County at Marbury Sept. 1 – Autaugaville at Elmore County Sept. 08 – Elmore County at Sylacauga Sept. 15 – Central Clay County at Elmore County Sept. 22 – BYE Sept. 29 – St. Clair County at Elmore County Oct. 06 – Elmore County at Tallassee Oct. 13 – Elmore County at Beauregard Oct. 20 – Valley at Elmore County Oct. 27 – Elmore County at Holtville Nov. 3 – Jemison at Elmore County

MARVIN GENTRY | AHSAA

Tallassee’s Kaden Slay won the AHSAA Class 5A state championship in the high jump this season.

By HENRY ZIMMER Sports Editor

Nastasia Rogers had to swallow some pride when she took over Reeltown’s cheerleading program.

A 2008 graduate of Tallassee, Rogers had to make the tough call of trading in her yellow and purple for blue and white. It took her a minute to get used to saying, “Go Rebels.”

But after becoming the head coach in March, Rogers has Reeltown’s cheerleading program ready to make a significant jump in 2023.

“Being a head coach is always something I have wanted to do,” Rogers said. “The environment and how the community is in Reeltown made it very easy for me to transition and be all in.”

The team concluded a threeday private camp at Reeltown this week where the girls honed in on new and old skills ahead of the upcoming season.

With a new coach and only two seniors, it could be expected a three-day standalone camp may not be enough to get everyone on board. However, that was not the case.

The Rebels looked sharp and in sync under the guidance of an instructor from Universal Cheerleaders Association, and Rogers said their hard work has impressed her at every step since becoming coach.

“I think it all went great,” Rogers said. “The girls had to dig deep and do some skills that they were not used to doing.

Rogers

They worked really hard.”

As a new coach, Rogers has had to rely on her two oldest members to help her along the way.

Kendal Cleveland and Jackie Dorn have been Rogers’ go-tos in terms of helping mold not only her team for the upcoming season but mentoring the Reeltown cheerleaders of the future.

“I speak to them a lot about leadership and being an example,” Rogers said. “When they eventually leave, I will need the

younger ones to step up and be leaders for the next group.”

In the not-so-distant future, Reeltown cheer will be competing in broader competitions for the first time since before the COVID-19 pandemic. Come November, the cheer squad will get to showcase its skills on a larger stage, something Rogers thinks helps her team get through long summer workouts and camps.

“They are excited that we are going to competitions this year,”

Rogers said. “They have something to look forward to. They are all working hard to get to November.”

Reeltown does not have any further camps planned for the summer but does have camps lined up with the Reeltown Youth Football League in August. The team will also be showcasing its skills in the community pep rally Aug. 23. By August, Rogers hopes the team can add some new members. Right now, it has nine girls.

“The overall goal is to get more girls, even if we just added six more girls,” Rogers said.

As has been tradition, Reeltown’s football will open on a Thursday night — this year against Rogers’ alma mater Tallassee.

By that point Aug. 24, Rogers wants to have a team that not only loves what it is doing but loves the sport altogether.

“I am just wanting them to bond,” Rogers said. “And I want them to love to cheer together.”

Reeltown’s cheerleading program held a three day private camp for its nine girl team this week.

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TAKING FLIGHT IN ECLECTIC

Raptor Ridge provides to learn about raptors up close

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

Valerie Castanza didn’t imagine she would be working with raptors when she started to volunteer at the Montgomery Zoo almost two decades ago.

Instead, Castanza thought she would be far from the claws of hawks and feeding raw food to vultures and more.

“When I started volunteering at the zoo 15 to 16 years in the education department, I thought I would like the cute and cuddly but gravitated towards raptors,” Castanza said. “I love these guys. I love their power and presence.” She also volunteered at the Auburn University Raptor Center. Fast forward to today and

Castanza has six raptors — a red-tailed hawk, a screech owl, a barred owl, two great horned owls and a black vulture as part of her Raptor Ridge Wildlife Education. The idea of the education program started as she and her husband Anthony were looking for property to buy. They lived in Montgomery but were wanting to move out of town. Nine years ago the Castanzas found property in Eclectic.

“When I saw it, I knew what it could be,” Castanza said. The couple moved to Eclectic full time in March 2022.

“We sold our house in Montgomery,” Castanza said. “I wouldn’t go back there if I didn’t work there. I have a full time job.”

Raptor Ridge and its volunteers do educational programs in the

area. Castanza does as many as she can but during the week can be challenging with schedules.

In addition to education, Castan za likes to help any bird, especially raptors, but she can’t care for the initial treatment of the injuries.

“I will help with transport,” Castanza said. “I guess I do rescue but not the rehab. I do volunteer work with Auburn raptor center on the rehab.”

Castanza said it is nearly impossible to get injured raptors help currently because of the bird flu.

Anthony is trying to do his part behind the scenes by building some of the enclosures for the raptors. Those enclosures include special perches for each of her different birds. For instance, the redtail hawk’s perches are lower to the

ground because of the amputated wing.

“He can hop up but he can’t fly,” Valerie Castanza said.

Castanza hopes to do more in the future especially after she retires from work in about seven years.

“The goal is when I retire, this

will be my thing to keep me busy,” Castanza said.

Until then Castanza will keep going to as many library programs as she can to share her two loves.

“My goal is to foster a love for reading and at same time develop an appreciation for wildlife,” Castanza said.

Songwriters Corner

Songwriters Festival announces this year’s schedule

By ABIGAIL MURPHY Multimedia Reporter

The much-anticipated Lake Martin Songwriters Festival released the 2023 schedule last week.

Kicking things off is Niffer’s Place at Lake Martin on Wednesday, July 26. Beginning at 5:30 p.m., Dillon Dixon, Goldpine and Kyle Wilson will bring music to the lake until 7:30 p.m.

Then that same night at Lake Martin Pizza in Dadeville, artists Kensie Coppin, Chancie Neal, Brian White and Karyn Williams will be playing from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

For the second night of the festival, July 27, there will be six venues jamming out. From 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., artists Charlie Argo and Keith Stegall will be at Fermenter’s Market on the Green; Harper Grace and Kyndal Inskeep will be at The Square Downtown; and Zazu’s Verandah will host Dillon Dixon, Casey

LeVasseur, Brian White and Karyn Williams. That same Thursday night from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Terri Jo Box and CJ Fields will be at The Local on 41 Main, Clare Cunningham and Goldpine will be at Ocie & Belle’s and Martin’s at Lake Martin will be bringing in Kensie Coppin, Bridgette Tatum and Emma Zinck. Come Friday night the songwriters will make their way to the Eclectic side of the lake starting off with The Social at Lake Martin. The Social will host Coppin, William Michael Morgan and Wilson from 5 to 7 p.m. Then The Funky Goat will have Fields, Kelly and D Vincent Williams performing from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Plus, Russell Crossroads will be the site of two music specials that same night. From 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Crossroads will host the 20 and Under Songwriters Competition. Next, Russell Crossroads will

have Dixon, Goldpine, Brian White, Karyn Williams, Harper Grace, Kyndal Inskeep, Bridgette Tatum, Zinck, Clare Cunningham, LaVasseur, Chancie Neal and Jeffrey Steele as the headliner from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.

With the next festival day being Saturday, it is kicking off early at Bay Pines Marina with

Terri Jo Box, Morgan and Trick Savage from noon to 2 p.m. Plus, The Social at Lake Martin will have performances by Clare Cunningham, Neal and Zinck from noon to 2 p.m.

For an afternoon of music, Charlie Argo, Marla Cannon-Goodman, Kelly and Zinck will be at Chuck’s from 2 to 4

p.m. Next, Bluff’s Daiquiri Bar at Harbor Pointe Marina will have Coppin, Grace and Inskeep playing from 4 to 6 p.m.

Finishing off the night, Copper’s Grill at Stillwaters will have performances by Box, Fields, Kelly, Trick Savage, Marla Cannon-Goodman, Stegall, D Vincent Williams, Argo, Coppin, Morgan, Kyle Wilson and headliner Adam Hood and Band from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m.

On Sunday the July 30, the festival will finish off with two events. Copper’s Grill will have performances by Cannon-Goodman, Trick Savage, Stegall and D Vincent Williams from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The last performance will be the festival’s newest event, the Local’s Stage. At Chuck’s, the Locals Stage will bring Kevin Adair, Brown Barnes Duo, Haley Hawkins, Sid Phelps and Josiah Rodda for performances from 4 to 6 p.m.

CLIFF WILLIAMS THE TRIBUNE

Valerie Castanza holds a barred owl at the Eclectic Library Summer Reading program. Castanza is with Raptor Ridge Wildlife Education in Eclectic.

Valerie Castanza with Raptor Ridge Wildlife Education in Eclectic presents a reading program on raptors at the Eclectic Public Library summer reading program.