Tallassee Tribune July 19 2023

Litter becomes issue at river public access site

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

While walking to the Tallapoosa River along Stone Creek in Tallassee, from Lower Tuskegee Road just below Thurlow Dam, one thing is noticeable — litter.

Social media posts have noted the issue as well. Alabama Power has made both access points public recreation sites. Alabama Power spokesperson Jacki-Lyn Thacker Lowry said the area has been declared as a public access as Thurlow Tailrace East. It allows access to the water for fishing and canoeing. There is similar access on the west side of the river called Thurlow Tailrace West.

“At both recreation sites, we have posted informative signs with our trash policy of ‘Carry In Carry Out,’” Lowry said. “APC also does a monthly inspection at each site, but litter is an ongoing concern and issue.”

There is a gate to the east side, but Tallassee police chief Todd Buce said the gate is rarely closed and officers make frequent visits to the area.

NEW, SAFER HIGH SCHOOL ADDITION TO OPEN SOON

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

Anew Tallassee High School will soon open nearly 100 years after the old school was completed. A final inspec -

tion was completed Thursday and all that remains are punch list items before teachers can start making classrooms their own.

“We passed the big state inspection,” Tallassee City Schools

superintendent Dr. Brock Nolin said.

“There are just a few things to address and start working on the architect’s punch list. They are mainly cosmetic things. Hopefully late next week we can

start moving teachers in.” As the list of touching up sheetwork, trimwork and paint is completed in each room, Nolin said

See OPEN, Page A6

City extends auction on surplus vehicles

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

What happens to vehicles and equipment owned by a city when it’s no longer needed or beyond repair?

Because taxpayer funds were used, the vehicles can’t be given away and the city is required to seek the best possible price. It’s a process similar to bidding on a construction project. Currently, the City of Tallassee has 11 items, mainly auto-

mobiles no longer in use and is continuing to seek silent bids. They were slated to be sold by the last council meeting.

“We did not receive any bids,” Tallassee Mayor Sarah Hill said. “We will extend this

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

Tallassee fire chief

Eric Jones gave the Tallassee City Council a bit of good news at its meeting last week.

Jones speaks regularly with contractors painting the Fitzpatrick Bridge as one-lane traffic caused by the project impacts how the fire department responds to emergencies.

Jones informed the council bridge work could be completed well before the contract deadline of next summer.

“If the weather stays the way it is now, they will be done in two to three months,” Jones said. “Pray for good weather.”

Jones said contractors feel they have about 50% of the work completed and will continue to have employees under the bridge working. Current work requires the entire bridge to be one lane.

“They block off both ends now because they are working with several different contractors coming in and out,”

Jones said

Mayor Sarah Hill asked the council to approve a community development grant to administer work under

the city’s largest grant for cast iron gas line replacement in the Elmore County portion of Tallassee.

“It is part of the $9.7 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation,” Hill said. “This is finalizing the agreement to ensure all work is done correctly.”

Hill also sought the council’s permission to seek an identical grant for cast iron gas line replacement for the Tallapoosa County portion of Tallassee.

“We do not have final numbers yet but it is over $8 million,” Hill said. “This is to sign a letter of intent to apply for the grant.”

Hill said discussion of the city’s strategic plan set for completion by the end of the year will occur following the council’s July 25 meeting.

“We are inviting all the people who participated,” Hill said. “The plan is used when we apply for grants and other funding sources. It shows what we are doing and where we want to go.”

The council also

CLIFF WILLIAMS | THE TRIBUNE

The new Tallassee High School was designed and constructed to look like the old school.

Obituaries

JAMES RICHARD PERRY

Mr. James Richard Perry, Jr. ,81, of Franklin, AL, went to be with the Lord on Thursday, July 6, 2023. Mr. Perry was born on March 12, 1942, in Tuskegee, AL. to the late James R. Perry, Sr. and Margaret Woodall. He attended Tuskegee High School and graduated in 1960. He and Linda married in 1962 and welcomed four children into their family. Richard loved his farm animals, church family, and spending time with his children and grandchildren. His hobbies included hunting , farming, and gardening. Mr. Perry enjoyed watching westerns, listening to fifties music, and going to the beach in Panama City. He was an active member of Calvary Baptist Church where he served the Lord faithfully.

Police Reports

TALLASSEE POLICE DEPARTMENT

JULY 17

• A welfare check was conducted on Gilmer Avenue.

• A prowler was reported on Evergreen Street.

• A suspicious vehicle was reported on Gilmer Avenue.

JULY 16

• A suspicious vehicle was reported on Gilmer Avenue.

• Burglary was reported on Noble Road.

• A stolen vehicle was reported on Gilmer Avenue.

• A domestic disturbance was reported on Barnett Boulevard.

• A tree was reported in the roadway on South Wesson Street.

JULY 15

• A civil disturbance was reported on Rickey Lane.

• A parking violation was reported on First Avenue.

• A civil disturbance was reported on Rickey Lane.

• Theft by deception was reported on Little Road.

His family was most important to him and he loved and cared for them with all of his heart and soul. Those left to cherish his memory are his children Wendy G. Perry of Phenix City, AL, Beverly Jo (Jody) Bodiford of Franklin, AL, James R. Perry, III of Franklin, AL, and Michael D. (Kerri) Perry of Farmerville, LA; his grandchildren, Tori-Ruth(Caleb) Blackburn of Prattville, AL, Heidi Perry(Lucius) of Tallassee, AL, and Adam Perry of Franklin AL; his great grandchildren, Waylon and Noah Blackburn of Prattville, AL, Bo Alexander Ray of Tallassee, AL, and his sisters Peggy Mooneyham

vard.

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

• A suspicious vehicle was reported on Lower Tuskegee Road.

JULY 14

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

• A suspicious vehicle was reported on Gilmer Avenue.

• A noise complaint was reported on Kellys Place.

• A trespassing complaint was reported on Washington Street.

• An animal bite was reported on Little Road.

• Assistance was given to a citizen on Grimes Street.

• Assistance was given to medics on West Patton Street.

• A domestic incident was reported on Popular Street.

• Assistance was given to a motorist on Central Boulevard.

• Trespassing was reported on Washington Street.

• Assistance was given to another agency on Central Boulevard.

of Franklin, AL and Susan( Joe) DeSantis of Guntersville, AL. He was preceded in death by his wife Linda Gail Perry of 59 years, his brother Bob Perry, and his parents Richard, Sr. and Margaret Perry.

Friends may visit with family on Sunday, July 9, 2023 from 1:00 - 2:00pm at Pleasant Springs Baptist Church in Franklin, AL with funeral following with Pastor Jim Voss and Pastor Ronald Sumner officiating. Interment will follow in the Tuskegee Cemetery. Pallbearers will be members of the Sons of Confederate Veterans , Tallassee , AL chapter.

Flowers will be accepted but donations in Mr. Perry’s name may be made to the Tuskegee Cemetery Association, PO Box 830036, Tuskegee, AL 36083.

was reported on Highway 229.

• An animal complaint was reported on Greenwood Road.

JULY 12

• Trespassing was reported on Evergreen Street.

• A suspicious vehicle was reported on East Roosevelt Street.

• A welfare check was conducted on Friendship Road.

• Assistance was given to another agency on Notasulga Road.

• Assistance was given to a motorist on Gilmer Avenue.

• Theft was reported on Notasulga Road.

• A child custody dispute was reported on Macedonia Road.

• A suspicious vehicle was reported on Dorman Avenue.

• An animal complaint was reported on Riverside Avenue.

• Harassment was reported on Gilmer Avenue.

• Assistance was given to a motorist on Gilmer Avenue.

• A white male was arrested on Weldons Drive.

• A Black male was arrested on Barnett Boulevard.

• Domestic violence was reported on Hillcrest Street.

• A welfare check was conducted on Gilmer Avenue.

• An animal complaint was reported on Joy Street.

• A white male was arrested on Barnett Boulevard.

• Assistance was given during a medical call on Courtland Drive.

• A domestic incident was reported on Barnett Boulevard.

JULY 10

• Harassing communications was reported on Barnett Boulevard.

• Attempting to elude was reported on Second Avenue.

• Harassment was reported on Friendship Road.

• Property damage was reported on Gilmer Avenue.

• A white male was arrested on Freeman Avenue.

• Assistance was given during a medical call on Herrin Hill Road.

• Assistance was given to a motorist on Gilmer Avenue.

• A welfare check was conducted on Gilmer Avenue.

• Animal control was requested on Notasulga Road.

• A private property accident was reported on Notasulga Road.

• Assistance was given to a motorist on Freeman Avenue.

• Criminal mischief was reported on Ashurst AVenue.

• Assistance was given during a medical call on South Dubois Street.

• A white male was arrested during a traffic stop on Central Boule-

• Suspicious activity was reported on Gilmer Avenue. JULY 13

• Assistance was given to medics on Kent Road.

• A noise complaint was reported on Jordan Avenue.

• A prowler was reported on Washington Street.

• A verbal altercation was reported on Gen. Chappy James Street.

• Theft was reported on East Patton Street.

• An assault was reported on Hillcrest Street.

• A vehicle fire was reported on Gilmer Avenue.

• A suspicious person

• A prowler was reported on East Patton Street.

JULY 11

• A noise complaint was reported on Thompson Avenue.

• A Black male was arrested on Jordan Avenue.

• Assistance was given to a citizen on Notasulga Road.

• A welfare check was conducted on Freeman Avenue.

• Gun fire was reported on Stewart Street.

• Criminal mischief was reported on Second Street./.

• Debris was reported in the roadway on Gilmer Avenue.

• Trespassing was reported on Notasulga Road.

WETUMPKA POLICE DEPARTMENT

JULY 9

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

• Domestic violence was reported on Pemrose Trail.

JULY 7

• Theft was reported on Cambridge Drive.

JULY 6

• Criminal mischief was reported on North Opothleohola Street.

JULY 5

• Identity theft was reported on South Main Street.

JUNE 18

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

Cola is a most wonderful lady who is 2 ½ years old and she weighs 40 pounds.

She came to us as a stray at the end of 2022, and we are sad this super sweet dog is still with us. She is incredibly loving, knows how to sit, loves tummy rubs, excels at playing fetch, is good with children, dogs and cats and has great leash manners. She will get all excited at first for attention but then settles down and simply craves attention.

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.

PERRY

Pet of the Week - Cola

Humane Society of Elmore County News

Volunteers make our thrift store, shelter run

By REA CORD HSEC Executive Director

As a nonprofit organization we have many supporters but also work quite hard to ensure income for our shelter.

Most important to us is our Tail’s End Thrift Store, co-located with our shelter at 255 Central Plank Road in Wetumpka. This 100% volunteer-run operation is absolutely vital to our non-profit Shelter as all of the proceeds generated by sales come to our humane shelter. Volunteering in our thrift store is a fantastic way to help our pets in a very big way. While the store is open for shopping from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, there are also volunteer opportunities Monday to Wednesday.

Community Calendar

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 21SUNDAY, 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 sup-

LITTER

Continued from A1

When the store is open for donations from 9 a.m. to noon Thursday through Saturday, we need volunteers to receive donations, help shoppers, move items ready for sale to the store, check people out at the front register and all the things any store needs done to keep customers happy and merchandise flowing.

On open and closed store days, there is plenty to do as received items have to be sorted, priced and tagged. Clothes have to be sorted and sized and hung to make it easier to move them to the store and for customers to find what they are looking for. Some items need cleanup or testing to ensure they actually work (small appliances, lamps, electronics, power tools, etc).

Price researching is sometimes necessary for unique or collectible

plies ($50 or less per item); and clothings and diapers ($100 or less per item).

SATURDAY, JULY 22

CHRISTMAS IN JULY: Main Street Wetumpka will host its annual Christmas in July celebration in conjunction with Alabama’s back-to-school sales tax holiday. In addition to a fun downtown shopping event, there will also be Summer Santa, a candy cane scavenger hunt.

SATURDAY, JULY 29

WATER COLORING: A basic water coloring class will be held by Anita Winter from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Tea Room at The Shoppes Downtown in Wetumpka on July 29. Winter is a self-taught artist who will teach you basic watercolor floral design along with learning the benefits of art and how it can be therapeutic to your mind, body and soul. Tickets are available online at cost $27.50.

THURSDAY, AUG. 3

TEAL TOWN: EXIT Realty Hometown is hoping to raise $10,000 for the Butterfly Bridge and is hosting a networking fundraising event, Teal Town, at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 3 at the Eclectic Warehouse. The event will feature live and silent auctions, a wine pull and raffles.

FRIDAY, AUG. 11

BINGO NIGHT: Eclectic the Beautiful will host its first annual Bingo Night fundraiser starting at 6 p.m. Aug. 11 at The Warehouse. The Wharf Casual Seafood and Pops BBQ food trucks will be set up. Bingo rounds will begin at 6:30 and 8 p.m. Each Bino 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

“All of our units patrol this at least two or three times a shift,” Buce said. “We have caught plenty of folks down there smoking drugs, hanging out. They patrol all of the places where people go to the water.”

Buce said the department has noticed the litter too but hasn’t determined who is responsible. Law enforcement has also caught people beyond the road leading to the water on the east side of the river.

“We have been down there for trespassing in the past,” Buce said. “There was

items, and items that have been sitting in the store for too long may need to be removed or marked down.

Basically, there are many, many ways you can volunteer in our Tail’s End Thrift Store. We have volunteers who do a little of everything, some who specialize in certain areas, some who come multiple times a week, others who come once a week and some who help as they can.

There is something for everyone and this is simply a great way to volunteer and help our shelter and all the pets in our care. And these volunteers run a first-class operation.

You will find our volunteers are a big family, happy to help customers and proud of what their hard work is accomplishing for our shelter. We are absolutely indebted

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.

SUNDAY, SEPT. 17

BARK IN THE PARK: The Humane Society of Elmore County will be hosting its 17th annual Bark in the Park from noon to 4 p.m. Sept. 17 at Fort Toulouse. Sept. 24 is a rain date. Featured will be vendors, activities, a microchip clinic, refreshments, demonstrations and more. Vendor spots are available.

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. 7

PADDLES FOR PAWS:

The Elmore County Humane Society will be hosting its first ever Paddles for Paws, a pickleball tournament at 17 Springs in Millbrook. The tournament will take place from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 7. There is a $35 registration fee, plus a $5 service fee, and that includes one event, a tournament T-shirt, snacks and drinks. The planned format is a round robin tournament.

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.

someone living in a burnt out Suburban.”

Once belonging to the Tallapoosa River, it is considered public for everyone. Buce said the City of Tallassee has an ordinance the police department enforces requiring life jackets for anyone on rocks in the river or in a kayak or canoe.

“It is from the dam to the boat ramp behind AES,” Buce said.

Buce said there have been several deaths in that stretch of water. He recalled young children and kayakers over the years.

“The water can change quickly due to generation,” Buce said. “The alarms will sound beforehand but the water comes quickly. Many of the rocks in the river get covered.”

to all the thrift store volunteers for the positive difference they make for our shelter!

For those not familiar with our thrift store, we carry clothing, furniture, collectibles, art, books, jewelry, toys, shoes, appliances, electronics, furniture and so much more. We are incredibly grateful to all who donate items; that is where this all starts and all donations are tax-deductible.

Please do not leave donations outside of the designated hours as items left outside are subject to theft and the weather. Please note we do not accept stained/ dirty/dry-rotted clothing, broken appliances/tools/ electronics/furniture, the old-style heavy televisions, old style large/ heavy computer monitors, stained mattresses and soiled or damaged furniture.

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 256794-0379 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.

THURSDAY, NOV. 9SATURDAY, NOV. 11

ARTS & CRAFTS

SHOW:Home for the Holidays is an arts and crafts show with more than 30 local artisans, crafts and creators of all things homemade, handcrafted, homegrown and more. Admission is $5 for anyone over 12. Tickets are sold at the door and valid all three days of the show. For more information, call 334224-9109.

SATURDAY, FEB. 10, 2024

MARDI GRAS

FESTIVAL: Wetumpka’s 11th annual Mardi Gras Festival and Parade presented by The Order of Cimarron is scheduled for Feb. 10, 2024. Vendors open at 9 a.m. with the parade beginning at 1 p.m. This is a rain or shine event. Visit www.wetumpkamardigras.com for more information.

ONGOING SUPPORT GROUP: The last Thursday of every month, Restoration 49 Coffee Shop plays host to a support group for parents who have lost a child. The meetings begin at 6 p.m. each month. For more information, please contact Heather Baker at hbakerjj@ aol.com.

To our shoppers/ donors/supporters – you will find super deals and high-quality items at our thrift store. Shoppers can feel confident in getting nice items when they come shop with us while also supporting what we think is a great cause. And many thanks to all who shop at our Tail’s End Thrift Store; we greatly appreciate your support. We hope you shop and adopt.

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

Tallassee Talks

Let’s be thankful for Russell’s safe return

UObituaries:

(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.

nless you were living in some sort of box last week, you likely heard about the mysterious disappearance of Carlee Russell, 25, of Hoover.

Russell, who has family in Alexander City, called police Thursday night in Hoover reporting a child walking alone along Interstate 459. Russell said she was near the Galleria. After speaking with dispatch, Russell checked on the child and called a family member.

The family member allegedly heard Russell scream then lost contact with her but the line remained open, according to Hoover police. When law enforcement arrived, they found Russell’s car, her purse, Apple watch and phone but no sign of her or the toddler she told dispatch about.

Fast forward about 48 hours and police received a call Russell had returned to the home she shares with her parents in Hoover. Law enforcement said she was alone,

GWIN Managing Editor

but other than that, very little details have emerged about her disappearance or where she was or who she was with for those two days.

Some people are demanding answers.

I challenge those who are quick to question to try to be a little less worried about what happened and instead be thankful for Russell’s safe return.

I recently saw a post on Facebook from digital creator Debbie Wright that said, “It was the public that was praying; It was the public that was searching; It was the public that was sharing; It was the public that was giving. Now you owe the public an explanation.”

I did a little digging on Wright’s Facebook page and other than a post about Russell missing,

it didn’t seem obvious Wright had put in a lot of effort searching for Russell. I don’t know Wright’s backstory so I can’t say for sure, but it got me thinking.

I’ve seen a lot of these similar sentiments from people who I know did little more than share a post about Russell missing, and I can’t help but think, “Are you really owed an explanation because you clicked a share button?”

Of course people who donated money to the reward fund should have their money returned. Obviously the police, who spent their time, money and resources on searching, need an explanation, and the family and friends who actually spent time with boots on the ground searching are owed some type of commentary.

However, what I’ve learned as a journalist is just because you don’t know something doesn’t mean law enforcement and those closest to the situation haven’t been made aware. For the

whole world to feel entitled to know all the answers immediately seems unnecessary and extreme. It also seems awfully judgemental.

Several theories are going around, and it seems many are jumping to a conclusion this was all just a hoax. Even if that were true, it seems very unlikely this entire extended family who was donating money, contacting newspapers and media outlets, searching and asking for help were all in on some giant conspiracy.

Regardless of what happened, those people had a loved one disappear and return safely. For them, their prayers were answered. In a world with so much going wrong, it seems like we should at least take a few days and be thankful for this young woman’s safety. All the answers will come out eventually.

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

Annual legislative session a success

The recently completed regular session of the Alabama legislature was a success. It began on a high note and ended positively. Why? There was plenty of money to spend. Both the general fund and education budgets had historic amounts of money.

Most of the focus of the session was on budgeting, as it should be, because that is the only constitutional mandate the legislature is tasked with in the 105-day regular session.

Gov. Kay Ivey laid out her agenda in her State of the State address then sent her proposed budget requests over to the legislature. The governor’s speech outlining her legislative agenda was about doing good things for education.

However, her desires were vague and her ask list was long and wishful, like a kid’s Christmas wish list. It called for the state to give away the store. It was as though she was running for reelection which everyone knows she cannot do. Therefore, the veteran Senate treats her politely but has relegated her to a lame duck status.

The legislature has taken total control of the budgeting process as it should under the Constitution. The governor proposes and the legislature disposes. The days of a strong armed, powerful, omnipotent governor that controls both the executive and legislative branches are over.

The King George Wallace era is

gone, probably forever.

The surplus in the education budget was enormous. How to spend this surplus became the focus of the entire session. There is a very accurate political assessment that it is much more difficult to deal with a surplus budget than a lean or deficit budget. Wallace told me about this same thing during his last term as governor when I was a freshman legislator.

Accolades go out to Sen. Arthur Orr (R-Decatur), chairman of the Senate Education Finance and Taxation Committee and Rep. Danny Garrett (R-Trussville), chairman of the House Education Ways and Means Committee.

These two gentlemen essentially, single handedly wrote the education budget and did a masterful job. They were cognizant that what goes up has to come down. Therefore, they created several savings accounts and rainy day funds for the rainy days ahead because they will come.

The education budget was an historic $11.5 billion. It gave increases for pre-kindergarten programs, school supplies, school nurses and a significant 2% cost of living salary

increase to teachers and support personnel.

All colleges and universities in the state received increased funding. Non-education entities were given money. There was $100 million for prison education.

The high profile aspects of the education budget windfall were a one-time rebate going back to taxpayers in November. Ivey had wished for a $400 per person and $800 per couple rebate. However, the final result is $150 per person and $300 per married couple. Most legislators preferred eliminating the grocery tax or long-term tax cuts to this one-time check back in November.

The surprise in the Christmas stocking from the Education Budget surplus is the reduction on the state sales tax on groceries. Eliminating or reducing the state tax on groceries has been championed by Democrats for years, as the tax is regressive and hurts the state’s lowest income earners the hardest. However, the measure garnered Republican bipartisan support this year after 20 years and passed with an overwhelming vote in both Chambers. It is, however, a gradual reduction. The grocery tax would decrease 2% in two steps, with the tax being reduced 1% this year and another 1% percent new year, if the funds are available. The state general fund had a good year as well. The $3 billion

STEVE FLOWERS Columnist

LIZI

Alabama legislature begins special session this week

By ABIGAIL MURPHY Multimedia Reporter

After a landmark court ruling declaring Alabama's congressional districts unconstitutional, state lawmakers are gathering in Montgomery on Monday to decide on the new map.

On June 8, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled the Alabama congressional districts violated Section II of the 1965 Voting Rights Act, specifically regarding voter discrimination based on race, color or membership in one of the language minority groups identified in Section IV.

Alabama is roughly 26.8% Black according to the 2020 Census. Alabama’s congressional districts had only one Black majority district out of seven. The Supreme Court has required Alabama legislators to redraw the map so there are two Black majority districts.

During the July 13 second public hearing, Committee co-chair Rep. Chris Pringle said the committee received an overwhelming number of proposed maps. At that time, not all of the maps had been processed and Pringle assured the committee they were processing the maps as quickly as possible.

The first public hearing on June

27 showcased two proposed maps. During the July 13 hearing, two more were discussed.

The VRA Plaintiffs Remedial Map, introduced in the first public hearing, moves Elmore County into District 3. The other counties included in this district are Coosa, Tallapoosa, Lee, Chambers, Randolph, Clay, Talladega, Cleburne, Calhoun, St. Clair and Cherokee counties.

The Hatcher Remedial Congress Plan 1 also moves Elmore County into District 3. This District 3 includes parts of Autauga, Chilton, Tallapoosa, Lee, parts of Russell,

See ALABAMA, Page A6

Students learn about accomplishing goals, staying drug free

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

One question all parents seem to have is, “Just how do you keep children on the right track and off drugs?”

The Council on Substance Abuse (COSA) tries to answer exactly that.

The last two weeks

COSA hosted “Pay Attention 2 My Prevention,” a summer day camp in Wetumpka to interact with teens.

“We want to make sure they understand the issues surrounding opioids and other illegal drugs,” COSA prevention specialist Leroy Barrow said. “We want them to understand the problems they are causing in society.”

The two-day camp for males in grades sixth through 12th was held this week and for the females last week.

“We are trying to meet them where they are,” Barrow said. “It is primarily drug prevention along with other things we put in. We are hoping to teach them coping

SUCCESS

general fund was record shattering. The largest in history.

skills, how to deal with triggers. Basically we want to give them tools to help be able to work through what teenagers are dealing with today.”

All of the students from the camps, which was held at the Martin Luther King Jr. Center, were from Elmore County. Students said information from the program is helpful.

“We are learning more about right and wrong and how to make better decisions in life,” rising

freshman Tymori Player said. Barrow believes students who attended the camp responded well. He had campers creating vision boards and brainstorming how to achieve goals.

“If we get them involved and have a stake in what we are doing then they are more than likely to retain and use the information we give them,” Barrow said. “They have responded very well.”

The chairmen, Sen. Greg Albritton (R-Escambia) and Rep. Rex Reynolds (R-Huntsville), oversaw a $159 million increase over the current year. The largest increases in the budget were in Medicaid by

Barrow told the campers they have to visualize themselves being successful and drug free. He asked the campers to give a deeper explanation of being successful.

“My success might not look the same as yours,” Barrow said.

Rising freshman Peyton Finch said the camp also taught the difference between words and actions. Finch said he wanted to be successful and Barrow asked him to take it further.

“I want to complete all of my goals,” Finch said.

“Some of them are going to college, getting into the NFL, starting my own family, paying off my mom’s student loans.”

Finch said he also wants to be hardworking and inspirational. Barrow said those are characteristics Finch needs to continue to strive for.

“You have to know that because that sets the foundation for what you allow yourself to become and surround yourself with,” Barrow said. “You got to know what kind of person you want to be.”

$69 million and Corrections by $59 million more. State employees will see a 2% increase in pay, which will go into effect as the new fiscal year begins Oct. 1. The legendary head of the Alabama

Exchange program a benefit for host families

By LIZI ARBOGAST GWIN Managing Editor

A foreign exchange program isn’t just about students getting to experience the United States, but it’s also really for American families who are wanting to learn about other cultures.

And now families can have that chance as the ASSE International Student Exchange Program is looking for hosts in the tri-county area.

“The family gets as much out of it, or more, than the student,” ASSE area coordinator Pamela Stafford said. “They learn not only about another culture but they learn about themselves and their own family. Exchange students take you places you never thought you’d go before. It opens up your current world.”

Stafford said ASSE works with several different exchange programs internationally but 60% of the students coming to this area are on the FLEX, or Future Leaders Exchange Program, which is for students from Europe and Eurasia. There is also the YES Student Exchange Program, which was established after Sept. 11 for students who are living in countries that are primarily Muslim. There are also students from German, Spanish and Taiwanese exchange programs.

According to Stafford, these exchange programs aren’t easy for the students and there can be several rounds of interviews, tests and more.

“It’s gotta be something they really, really want to do,” Stafford said. “They really have to work for the scholarships (to come here), so most of the time they are very appreciative when they get to the United States. Without that, many of them wouldn’t even be in America to begin with. They are typically not your wealthier students, so this would be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for a lot of them.”

Although there is no cost associated specifically with being a host family, Stafford said it is definitely a financial commitment to take on a student for an entire semester or year. The requirements are simple.

“The family must provide three meals per day plus snacks; transportation to and from school; and a bed for them to sleep in that is their own,” Stafford said. “The student has their own spending money, and they have an emergency medical plan.”

But families are also encouraged to include the students in all family activities and help introduce the student to American culture. Stafford said it’s always interesting to see how people from other countries view the United States.

“Not everyone has a positive image of America, which is interesting as we don’t see ourselves as enemies,” Stafford said. “It’s interesting to hear others’ perspectives. That’s what this is all about is building connections and sharing culture. We think this is a grassroots effort to building peace as Americans with other cultures.”

Stafford said anyone can be a host family, and volunteers range from single parents to newlyweds to empty nesters. Typically, it does not matter what school district a host family resides in and families must be willing to go through a screening process, which includes an in-home interview and visit.

Students are all ages 15 through 18 and reside in 66 countries, including Mexico and Canada. Stafford said it’s amazing how different the students are and the lessons they can teach host families.

State Employees Association, Mac McArthur, has quietly garnered state employees a cost of living raise, five out of the last six years.

Steve Flowers is Alabama’s

leading political commentator. His weekly column appears in over 60 Alabama newspapers. He served 16 years in the state legislature. Flowers may be reached at www.steveflowers. us.

CLIFF WILIAMS THE TRIBUNE

Rising freshman Peyton Finch, right, listens to Leroy Barrow talk about life goals and a process to achieve them including staying out of trouble.

DALTON MIDDLETON THE TRIBUNE

Starting on Monday, the Alabama state legislature went into a special session.This session is in regard to the redrawing of congressional lines.

City changing course on unkempt grass

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

The Tallassee City Council tabled issues surrounding grass cutting at its meeting last week.

Mayor Sarah Hill said more than 50 properties in the city limits had been cited, and she wants to use another provision in the ordinance surrounding the issue — using munici -

pal court.

“It allows our building officials to issue a summons to where they come to municipal court,” Hill said. “That is the smarter solution because there is a better paper trail. We sent an original letter then a certified letter but if they cut it at any point then it starts over the process.”

Just a week before the meeting, more than 30 properties had been issued letters. Then certified letters were sent to notify property owners they needed to come to the council to explain

the situation.

The Tallassee City Council passed an ordinance in 2021 to require property owners to keep their lawns in decent shape. Hill said unkept property relates to grass and weeds.

The ordinance defines a process to notify the property owner and give the owner a chance to Vehicle Title Problem? We have a Solution!

Unclaimed/Abandoned Vehicles, Mobile Homes & Surety Bonds JSE:Alabama's Vehicle Title Recovery Service! ! We can help with most Titled Vehicles in Alabama, including Cars, Trucks, Motorcycles, RV’s & Trailers. Stop in, by phone or online! Free Phone Consultation Call 1-205-267-5735 www.J SEAL .com

OPEN

Continued from A1

teachers would be notified when they could start setting up their new classrooms. But there isn’t much for the teachers to move.

Teachers and students will be greeted by new desks and furnishings. Before classes were finished in May, teachers packed up their personal items they had in the mobile classroom city behind the school for the past two years.

“Basically whatever hard, paper teaching materials they need to move out of the trailers is all that needs to be moved,” Nolin said. “There shouldn’t be too much to move.”

Many might think a new school also means bright new shiny technology. Nolin said technology related to computers and the ability to connect to the outside isn’t much different in the new building than the old 1929 building it replaces.

“It is not much different from the old building,” Nolin said. “Fortunately we are a technology rich system. Even our old buildings are equipped with the latest WiFi and other technologies.”

The network at the new school will have newer CAT 6 cabling that is faster than older CAT 5 in the old school but most of everything will be similar.

Nolin said the new school’s fiber connection to the outside world was being connected early

ALABAMA Continued from A5

Chambers, Randolph, Clay, Talladega, Cleburne, Calhoun and Cherokee counties. It also moves Coosa County to be a part of District 6.

The CLC Milligan Map 1 primarily keeps Elmore County in District 2 and adds Tallapoosa, Coosa, Lee, Chambers and Russell counties. The southwest portion of Elmore County becomes District 7 along with Montgomery, Macon, Bullock, Pike, Cren -

Continued from A1

another month and offer some additional advertising.”

The property has already been declared surplus and no longer needed by the Tallassee City Council.

The vehicles available through the auction are two 2011 Ford Crown Victoria, a 2007 Dodge Charger, a 2004 Dodge Ram 1500, a 1999 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, a 2003 Chevrolet Impala, a 1999 Jeep Cherokee, a 2003 Dodge Durango, a 1989 Ford Street Sweeper, a 1993 Ford F600 Dump Truck and a 1995 Ford F350 pickup.

COUNCIL

Continued from A1

“With the growth, it gives snakes and other rodents a place to go and possibly present an issue with safety,” Hill said.

this week as is some newer equipment in the school's network rack.

“The building should be lit up for technology this week,” Nolin said.

The biggest advances in technology are in safety, especially in life safety measures concerning fire and storms.

Instead of heart pine timber construction, a more fireproof construction was used this time around — cement.

“You could put a match to the old building and it would go up faster than kindling would,” Nolin said. “This building is up to date, state of the art as far as fire suppression systems.”

Nolin said almost the entire building is made of concrete or other fire retardant materials, except the trusses in the roof.

Tallassee fire chief Eric Jones said the new construction changes how the fire department would approach a fire call at the school.

“It is basically a non-combustible building versus a heavy timber construction,” Jones said.

“The fire load at the high school is almost non-existent now. Now it’s heavily sprinkled. We will be able to go into the high school with a water canon and put it out.”

Jones said a fire at the old school would have been nearly impossible to fight considering the wood construction.

“It would go to the attic easily,” Jones said. “Once it did that, it would make it very difficult to fight.”

shaw, Butler and Conecuh counties.

The Singleton Congressional Plan 3 also keeps Elmore County in District 2 and adds part of Coosa, Tallapoosa, Chambers, Lee and Russell counties. It moves Macon, Bullock, Montgomery, parts of Crenshaw, Butler and Conecuh counties into District 7. It also moves most of Covington County into District 1. Alabama State Rep. Ed Oliver said last week he went through about 15 different proposed maps, but he knows there are more out there.

Tallassee city clerk Whitney Pitchford said the vehicles are either no longer needed by the city or no longer operable. The Alabama Municipal Insurance Corporation insures the City of Tallassee vehicles and equipment and has guidelines for what is required to be insured.

“AMIC explained to me that if the vehicle is not working and can not be moved, we don’t have to have it insured,” Pitchford said. “Because they are not able to be moved, we actually don’t have to have insurance on those. They don’t work. If they could be moved, we would have to keep insurance on them.”

Pitchford is respon -

approved $1,000 approptions each to the 8U softball team competing in the World Series in Oxford and to the 12U Babe Ruth baseball team competing in a regional in Arkansas. The

There is very little material beyond the furnishings that could potentially burn in the new building.

“The only wooden part of the entire building is the trusses of the roof. But there is fire suppression up there too,” Nolin said. “The main issue would be water damage from the suppression system rather than the fire issue. If the old building would have caught on fire there would have been no stopping it. It would have been basically a controlled burn.”

After seven students were killed in 2007 after a tornado struck Enterprise High School, Alabama has made it a priority to include storm shelters in new school constructions. The new Tallassee High School is no different. The band room and hallway side of the band choir complex serves as the school’s storm structure. It can house 850 people, large enough to hold all 600 or so students and staff. It has restrooms, and the walls and roof are designed to withstand tornadoes. Mechanical units such as HVAC units are contained in enclosed mezzanines in the band room instead of being on the roof or attic.

Nolin said he hopes t he school’s storm shelter or fire protection systems are never used but is thankful they are there if the need ever arises.

“You couldn’t ask for a safer building for storm protection or fire suppression and protection,” Nolin said. “It is the safest building in Elmore County.”

Going into the special session, Oliver is prioritizing for there to be two competitive districts. He wants to ensure the lines are not redrawn to a point that there are two Democrat-safe districts.

“The only thing that I really care about is that they are competitive, that they are near 50%” he said. “In other words, we are looking for fairness.”

On July 21, the congressional map is due to a three-judge federal district court. If the legislators cannot agree or what they decided on does not pass the federal court, a federal judge will appoint a “special master” to redraw the map for the state.

sible for ensuring the bidding process for the surplus vehicles is fair.

“We are doing a sealed bid auction,” Pitchford said. “Potential buyers can view the vehicles at the city shop. If still interested, they submit a sealed bid to be opened by the council.”

A bid must have a name, identifying information, contact information and what the buyer is willing to pay for a vehicle. It is then placed in a sealed envelope and given to Pitchford. She will store the sealed bids until the council opens them.

Currently a date to open the bids hasn’t been determined. The council was in agreement to extend the bid -

money will be used to help defray travel expenses for the teams.

In the past the city has granted teams traveling to in-state allstar tournaments $500 and those traveling out of state $1,000. Hill said the city had budgeted $3,500 this year for this purpose and would still have funds remaining if the Babe Ruth team

“If they do that, that jeopardizes the balance of power in Washington in the congress,” Oliver said. “The House of Representatives would be in danger. And the reason I say that is Georgia and Louisiana would probably follow suit.”

The plaintiffs in the litigation have until July 28 to file an objection regarding the map. On Aug. 14 there will be a hearing at the federal courthouse in Birmingham if there are any issues.

ding for another month to allow for more advertising. Pitchford said the deadline would not be extended much beyond a month. If no bids are received, the council may be forced to have a longer window for the process.

“When the council opens them, whoever has the highest bid wins,” Pitchford said.

The council is responsible for how the revenue from the auction is used.

“The council at that time will determine if the funds will go back to the department it came from,” Pitchford said. “For example if it was a police vehicle it might go back to the police department.”

progressed to the next tournament.

IN OTHER ACTION THE TALLASSEE CITY COUNCIL: • Approved minutes of the June 13 meeting.

The next meeting of the Tallassee City Council is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 25.

Your basket in the water

n evil Egyptian man came into power as Pharaoh. He decided to stop the growth and prosperity of the Hebrews or Israelites by making them servants. Pharaoh decreed that all male Israelites that are born to be thrown into the Nile River.

A baby boy was born to an Israelite family and the mother knew that this child would be a very special baby, so she kept him in her home for three months.

To prevent the child from being drowned, she made a basket and placed the baby boy in it and she and Miriam, the baby’s sister, set the basket afloat in the river.

The Pharaoh’s daughter, while bathing in the river, had her servant fetch the basket from the water, only to find a baby boy. Miriam had carefully been watch -

JACKIE WILBOURN Columnist

ing to see what happened to the baby. Although the Pharaoh’s daughter knew this to probably be an Israelite boy, she loved the child.

Miriam approached the daughter and asked if she wanted an Israelite to raise the child until it got older and the daughter replied yes. Immediately the baby, who had been named Moses, was taken back to the real mother and she was paid to raise the child. Later, the young lad returned to his adopted mother and moved back into Pharoah’s home. Moses grew and

There comes a time – many times, actually – in the lives of our children where we have to put the basket in the water. We have to let go and trust the plan of the Father. The world is a scary place – a place where we fear our children could drown. But we must remember that we have to let go so that God can draw them from the waters for His great purpose. He has called us to be their parent, but they were His first.

observed the evil Pharoah doing bad things against the Israelites. After Pharaoh ordered Moses to die, Moses escaped from Egypt, in the Book of Exodus.

There comes a time –many times, actually – in the lives of our children where we have to put the basket in the water. We have to let go and trust the plan of the Father. The

Tallassee Churches

world is a scary place – a place where we fear our children could drown. But we must remember that we have to let go so that God can draw them from the waters for His great purpose. He has called us to be their parent, but they were His first. My friend, whatever water you may be getting ready to put your basket

into, remember that you have to put them in the water for God to draw them out and place them into His perfect plan. Though you might not be physically present with your child as much during the next phase of life, you can always petition the heart of the Father on their behalf.

Teach and instruct your children with word and deed and “…provoke not your children to wrath; but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4). “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6).

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

Dalton MiDDleton SportS eDitor dalton.middleton@thewetumpkaherald.com

Tallassee 10U World Series run ended by weather

By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor

The Tallassee 10U All-Star baseball team saw its season come to an unexpected and abrupt end Sunday afternoon.

Competing in the USSSA 10U World Series in Gulfport, Mississippi, Tallas -

see’s season ended after rain suspended play in the loser’s bracket finals.

Tallassee, which was leading 5-1 in the third inning when the game was suspended, was given third place in the tournament while Newton was given the championship trophy and Huff -

man was named the runner up.

Tallassee finished third place despite having the best record of any team left participating at 5-1. Newton was 4-1 and Huffman was 3-1, and both Newton and Huffman each earned a win via

TALLASSEE 13U BASEBALL TEAM WINS BABE RUTH

STATE TITLE

By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor

The Tallassee 13U All-Star baseball team will represent the entire state of Alabama this week.

Tallassee’s 13U team claimed the state championship in the Babe Ruth league last weekend. The team swept Sylacauga in a threegame series, 11-1 and 12-1, to advance to the Southeast Regional held in Camden, Arkansas.

Play begins Thursday and the winner of the regional tournament will advance to the World Series in Virginia next month.

“It’s been a really busy spring but it’s been fun and I’m really proud of these guys for bringing a state championship to town,” coach Tommy Burton said. “They accomplished a lot by doing that. I can’t remember the last time a state champion came through here in the Babe Ruth league.”

Tallassee’s team flexed its muscles against Sylacauga on its home field. Playing

at home, the two finalists played a best-of-three series to determine the league champion.

Both of Tallassee’s starting pitchers, Walker Boles and Hudson Timmerman, had stellar outings against Sylacauga. Boles allowed just one hit in three scoreless innings as he struck out seven batters.

Jaden Griggs then came in and pitched three innings.

In Game 2, Timmerman had a perfect game through three innings but eventually walked a few batters. Nonetheless, he pitched a no-hitter in the championship game and struck out eight Sylacauga batters.

The offense was rolling from the start, with key hits from Timmerman and Griggs along with Braylon Rigsby, Kaleb Gillespie, Kole Burton and Boles. While there were plenty of hits, most of the damage came via free bases.

Tallassee took advantage of 25 combined walks in two games and padded the score each in both games.

“They were focused and they put in a lot of work,”

Burton said. “They take this seriously, but they also know how to have fun while they do it. We didn’t know anything about Sylacauga going into it, and our guys came out on a mission to kick butt.”

With the championship win, Tallassee’s season continues on the road this week.

The team will make the trip to Camden to face off with the best teams out of the Southeast.

In the regional bracket will be Tallassee, the state champions from Mississippi, Arkansas and Louisiana, and two teams from Texas.

Those six are guaranteed and Burton said it’s possible a second team from Arkansas could also be invited.

“In the past, those Texas teams have always been really good,” Burton said. “We are probably going to see some pretty good competition. We’re excited about that. Maybe we’ll make a run and that’s the goal. Our goal is to make the World Series. We’re in this thing and want to keep playing.”

Tallassee’s 13U Babe Ruth baseball team won the state championship over Sylacauga last weekend. The squad will represent Alabama in the regional tournament starting Thursday.

hit .507 this year for the Rebels.

By HENRY ZIMMER Sports Writer

The Elmore County Auburn club held its annual Kickoff Fundraising Banquet on Monday, featuring Auburn baseball coach Butch Thompson. The group convened to raise money towards their scholarship fund, a fund that has raised more than $39,000 to date and was awarded to three students for this upcoming school year.

President JP Martin announced the club’s three recipients, including Taylor Boyle, Stanhope Elmore’s Mathew Gainey and Elmore County’s Annabelle Weldon.

Weldon was in attendance for the banquet and was beyond thankful for her scholarship. Through scholarships like the one given to her by the Auburn Club, she was able to enroll at Auburn. Without the help, her start into pre-nursing may have never happened.

“I don’t come from the wealthiest family, so anything I earned helps so much,” Weldon said. “It means the most to me because I didn’t know if I was going to

be able to go to Auburn. So, this money means everything to me to actually be able to go.”

Weldon will be joining a freshman class at Auburn that is the biggest to date.

Recently, Thompson spoke at Camp War Eagle to greet incoming freshmen who will be joining Weldon on the Plains in the fall.

Speaking to a much smaller group at the Wetumpka Civic Center, Thompson addressed all things Auburn and Auburn baseball.

“We have built a baseball program where we know we are a top20 program,” Thompson said. “We want to be a top-10 program and be champions.”

On Monday morning, Thompson said he was joined in his office by legendary Auburn coach Hal Baird.

The two got to talking about the current status at Auburn, and both agreed on the same idea.

“The alignment at Auburn University is better than it has been since I have been here,” the eighth-year Auburn coach said.

Reeltown’s Flurry signs with Chattahoochee Valley

By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor

It didn’t take long for Ashley Flurry to make her college decision.

Just nine days after receiving her official offer, Flurry signed a National Letter of Intent with the Chattahoochee Valley Community College softball program. It’s always been Flurry’s goal to play college softball, and she said she was the first in her family to sign to

play a sport at the college level.

“It was a really easy decision,” Flurry said. “It was almost automatic once I got my offer. They gave me a full ride, so that was a big part of my decision. But also their campus is very pretty. Their coach is all about his team and he puts his team first. I’m really looking forward to it.”

While the decision was made quickly, the recruiting process was a long one for Flurry. It began back in December when

she traveled to Phenix City for a tryout at CVCC. The team was looking for a middle infielder, and she impressed coaches with her skills. Despite that, the offer didn’t come at that time. So, Flurry showcased her skills once again during the Rebels’ season this spring. The star shortstop hit .507, good for second-best on the team, with 37 hits, 12 doubles, six Thompson speaks at

senior Ashley Flurry signed her

Letter of Intent with Chattahoochee Valley CC on Friday. The senior infielder

forfeit while Tallassee won all five of its games on the field.

“It was a pretty bad storm and when the rain stopped, we were told they were going to cancel the tournament,” coach Kevin O’Rear said. “We tried to call everyone we could and convince them that we could make it work with just a little field work. We were told we had to drive to Gulfport to talk to the tournament director and talk to him.”

When Tallassee parents and coaches arrived in Gulfport to talk to the tournament director, O’Rear said Newton was getting its championship rings and Huffman was collecting its second-place rings despite losing, 5-1, when the game was suspended.

He said the Tallassee coaches asked if they could continue games later that day when the rain finished or continue play on Monday, and they were told no by a field director. The tournament director in Gulfport whom the team traveled to speak with would not come out of his room and had a security guard come out and explain the tournament was canceled and the director “would not face the angry parents,” O’Rear said.

“It ended in someone basically making a decision on who finished first, second and third instead of a team earning their first, second or third place,” O’Rear said. “Everyone wanted to play and everyone wanted to make this happen. We were told that Monday was not an option and the director at the park just told us he couldn’t make the call.”

The rain was not a surprise to anyone. O’Rear, among others, was watching the radar all weekend. And despite him describing the storm as “pretty bad,” O’Rear said he believes the team could have continued playing.

USSSA director Matt Hamilton said the organization’s hands were tied and there was nothing he could do.

“The parks are actually the ones to cancel, not the USSSA or any other organization that would be running a tournament,” Hamilton said. “At the end of the day, if they can’t get their field ready, it’s out of our control. And that’s what happened in this case. The cities canceled their locations and said they couldn’t get their fields ready to continue. That’s just a bad scenario.” Despite the tournament ending before they wanted it to, the Tallassee all-stars had a very successful weekend in the World Series. The team was 5-1 and looked to be just a few innings away from punching its ticket to the championship game. In those six games and two extra innings, Tallassee outscored opponents, 70-26.

Reeltown takes on trio of teams at Holtville OTA

BY HENRY ZIMMER Sports Editor

Reeltown took to Holtville football’s Boykin Field on Wednesday to participate in a four team Organized Team Activity.

The Rebels practiced against host Holtville, Verbena and Montevallo to give each school a different look and new bodies to compete against.

The two-hour practice featured both lineman and skill position drills as every school got a chance to face its first team offense and defense against one another, while spending plenty of time rotating in their backup squads.

Reeltown coach Matt Johnson wanted to see how his team handled its developing playbook and stacked up against teams from varying sizes.

“The main thing is just competing,” Johnson said. “We wanted to see our guys compete and see how much knowledge our guys retained and see what adjustments we can make.”

All four participating teams at the OTA were from different state classifications. Verbena is in 1A, Reeltown 2A, Montevallo 4A and Holtville 5A. Each team brought something different to the table, like Verbena’s quarterbacking or Holtville’s size on the perimeter.

During 7-on-7 periods against each school’s firstand second-team offense and defense, Johnson thought his team fared well. “We wanted to see if we maintained the knowledge of what we installed on both

See REELTOWN, Page B3

level.

Continued from B1

triples and five home runs. She added 32 RBIs while also stealing 22 bases. She led the team in slugging percentage, on-base percentage and OPS. She helped lead the Rebels to the regional tournament in Montgomery.

“It was a decently long wait after I tried out in December,” Flurry said. “When we went up there in December, I really loved it up there and I’m just glad he finally offered me.” Flurry primarily played shortstop for Reeltown in her career, but she also took stints at other positions across the infield such as third base.

She is most confident in the middle infield, but said she is willing to play anywhere on the field.

She will do whatever it takes to help the team and get at-bats as she feels most comfortable at the plate. Her near .500 batting average each of the last two seasons proves that, and she thinks she can carry that over to the college

“I think I can make an impact with my bat,” Flurry said. “But I’m also looking forward to playing in the field. I enjoy playing middle infield but I’m looking forward to coming up to bat. I’m really confident with my swing and motioning to the ball. I’m looking forward to hitting.”

Due to her bat, Flurry will have a chance to play instantly at CVCC. The Pirates are coming off a tough season where they went 11-37 and only 5-23 in conference play. The team hit .304 collectively, and they lost 13 of their last 15 games this season. During that span, the team didn’t score over five runs a single game.

FLURRY

HENRY ZIMMER | THE TRIBUNE

TOP: Wednesday’s OTA allowed Reeltown’s linemen to face some one-on-one drills against actual competition.

BOTTOM: A Reeltown player reels in a catch during Wednesday’s OTA at Holtville.

sides of the football,” Johnson said. “I was impressed. I thought we did really well. We threw a lot at them this summer.”

The Rebels opened their day with 7-on-7 competition against Holtville, while both school’s lines practiced blocking and one-onone drills. Reeltown was down about six linemen during the practice due to recovery time on varying injuries and illnesses.

With spots to fill, plenty of younger Rebels stepped up and gave everything they had against three sets of starting defensive lines.

“We had some offensive lineman right now that are banged up, but that gives some younger guys a lot of reps,” Johnson said. “That is a great thing. We have got to get some depth in some areas.”

A notable member of the makeshift offensive line was not a young guy, but rising senior Jay Jay Kendrick.

Part of Reeltown’s impressive track and field squad, Kendrick is more known for his skill on the track than his blocking acumen. While he plays both offensive and defensive line, his listed 5-foot-8 and 150-pound frame from last year is much smaller than that of starting left tackle Bowman Brumbeloe, who stands somewhere around 6-2 and 300 pounds.

Kendrick finished eighth at state in the 110-meter hurdles then turned around and got in a three-point stance for Reeltown’s line.

He even gathered the offensive line group together before the practice to encourage the unit and proceeded to put his hand in the dirt every chance he could.

When the season starts, Kendrick likely won’t be a starter

on the offensive line full time, but Johnson knows he has an athlete in Kendrick who can and will play anywhere.

“He has a motor and he can fly,” Johnson said. “He has a lot of speed and he is physical and strong. He is a sprinter in track and now he has his hand in the ground. He is going to give people some fits I hope.”

The 7-on-7 portion of things was likely where Johnson saw the majority of what he wanted to see. At full strength, Reeltown moved the ball effectively on offense and generated stops on defense against all three schools.

In the Rebels’ final pairing against Montevallo’s second team offense, ninth-grader Alijah Woods snagged back-to-back interceptions. Both a quarterback and defensive back, Woods got work all over the field.

“He is a young kid and man, what a high ceiling,” Johnson said. “We have some really talented young guys.”

Woods makes up just a small part of Reeltown’s blooming younger core of players. He and Traylon Roberts are just fresh -

men but are looking to make a solid rotational impact on both sides of the ball. Rising juniors Tae Martin and Baylor Clayton look to be a fearsome pair on offense and caught plenty of passes from quarterback Jake Hornsby.

According to Johnson, after seeing his team perform Wednesday, he thinks his receiving core might be considerably better than in previous years.

“We have a good receiving core,” Johnson said. “I think we are above where we have been in that area.”

As for who is getting them the ball, it will be elder statesman Hornsby.

Hornsby is part of a smaller senior class for Reeltown that recently added basketball and baseball star Blake Smith to both the offense and defense.

After shaking off some rust at the beginning of practice and adjusting to the hectic speed of having multiple games going on at once, Hornsby and the offense settled in.

“Early on, there were a couple reads I think he wished he had back,” Johnson said. “But that is why we are out here. Overall, I thought he made some really good reads and some really good throws. We just have to keep tweaking a few things and making the right reads, but overall I thought Jake did a really good job.”

Smith and Hornsby connected on a handful of passes, including a late touchdown catch against Montevallo’s starting defense.

“I saw some guys step up and really compete,” Johnson said. “I thought we did really well in the skills stuff.”

Reeltown’s 7-on-7 season is not over yet as the team will travel to Trinity on July 26.

The 3A Wildcats went 9-3 last season and made it to the second round of the state playoffs.

HENRY ZIMMER THE TRIBUNE

A Reeltown receiver stretches out to make a catch against Montevallo during an OTA at Holtville on Wednesday.

Thompson did note he plans to finish his career at Auburn, finishing off the program rebuild he started. Part of his rebuild includes the ren -

ovations to Plainsman Park, which begin July 24. The club also heard from football trainer Robbie Stewart who spoke on the status of Hugh Freeze’s team. Brett Whiteside from Auburn’s NIL collective On To Victory spoke as well, and laid out the three keys to Auburn’s NIL status thus far.

Whiteside said NIL is here to stay at Auburn, it’s being done the right way and On To Victory is making a tangible impact on Auburn athletics and its athletes. As Auburn grows in the ever blooming realm of name, image and likeness, so too does Auburn’s baseball stadium.

Thompson thanked the Elmore County Auburn Club and noted it is because of groups like these Auburn can move forward on projects like the $30 million renovation to the baseball stadium. “I thank God for you guys trying to make Auburn better,” Thompson said.

HENRY ZIMMER THE TRIBUNE Auburn baseball coach Butch Thompson signs autographs for donations at the Elmore County Auburn Club meeting on Monday.

THOMPSON

Back to School tax holiday starts Friday

By ABIGAIL MURPHY Multimedia Reporter

The first day of school is right around the corner and now is the time to shop.

For participating counties, select school supplies, computers, books and clothes will be both state sales tax and use tax free from 12:01 a.m. on Friday through midnight on Sunday. Wetumpka Area Chamber of Commerce executive director Shellie Whitfield said this is a great time for families to get their kids ready for school.

“It’s a gift from our government to our families,” she said.

“It’s an opportunity for people to take care of their kids with

some help. Not all communities do that. We are very blessed to live where we do.”

This Alabama tax-free holiday first began in 2006. In 2017, the holiday was moved from the first full weekend of August to the third full weekend of July. The Alabama Department of Revenue has a breakdown of what items are eligible for the tax holiday. For clothing, eligible items include apparel that is $100 or less per article of clothing. Some examples are belts, boots, diapers, dresses, gym suits, hosiery, neckties, pajamas, robes, school uniforms, shoes and underwear. Clothing accessories, protec-

tive equipment or sports equipment are not eligible. Some examples include handbags, helmets, goggles or cleated athletic shoes.

For eligible computers it must be a laptop, desktop or tower computer system with a central processing unit and display monitor, keyboard, mouse and speakers sold as a package for $750 or less. Individual computer parts or accessories will not be eligible.

However, some computer software is included in the taxfree holiday such as diskettes, compact disks, handheld electronic schedulers or personal digital assistants aside from cell phones, computer printers,

printer paper and printer ink.

As far as school supplies, eligible items must be $50 or less per item. It can include binders, composition books, glue, index cards, lunch boxes, pencils, pens, writing tablets, certain paints, drawing pads and reference maps or globes. Eligible books must be $30 or less per book.

A full inclusive list of eligible school supplies for this year can be found on the Department of Revenue’s website.

Tallapoosa County does not participate in the sales tax holiday, so Tallassee shoppers will need to be mindful of county lines.

Lake Martin is No. 2 lake market in Alabama

STAFF

A new lake real estate report from the country’s largest lake-focused brokerage shows listing prices in Alabama are up over summer 2022.

According to a press release, Lake Homes Realty published the new Lake Real Estate Market Report, which shows Alabama’s total lake market at $1.46 billion, up for $1.20 billion last summer.

“The new quarterly lake real estate report from Lakehomes.com shows Lake Martin to be the second largest market in the state of Alabama,” Lake Homes Realty agent Tyler Whitten said. “The specialized website just showcases properties that are lakefront, have a lake view or lake access so we can help clients from across the country search for dream lake properties.”

As of June 16, 2023, Lake Martin has 297 lake area properties listed, ranging from a $6,000 lot to an $8.5 million lake home.

According to Whitten, 66 of those properties were listed at more than $1 million.

The report showed the average home price for listings around Lake Martin is $1.09 million. The average lot price is $293,246 for the 144 lake area lots currently listed.

“Boating is extremely popular on Lake Martin as are its related activities, waterskiing, tubing, and, in recent years, its fishing tournaments,” Whitten said. “With 44,000 acres of pristine water and 700 miles of shoreline, Lake Martin can be found between Birmingham, Montgomery, Columbus, and Atlanta.”

Lake Martin appeals to lake home searchers from across the country as it remains in the top five of Lake Home Realty’s annual Hot Lakes list. Among the hundreds of people searching the lake homes and lots on Lake Martin in May 2023, the top Metro area looking on LakeHomes.com was Atlanta followed by Chicago and Dallas.

“The national reach offered by LakeHomes.com works really well with my local expertise along Lake Martin and the surrounding area,” Whitten said.

from A6

rectify the issue. Hill said the task falls on the building inspector.

The ordinance requires a letter be sent to the property owner. If there is no response, then a certified letter is sent. If the issue is still not resolved the property owner will be sent a letter requesting his or her presence at a city council meeting.

Hill said the municipal court option hasn’t been used before.

“It never got put into the workflow when it was passed in 2021. It wasn’t during the growing season and we now have a different building inspector.”

Hill said the number of properties cited is concerning and in some cases the properties have been cited in past years. She is hopeful the court option allows for a quicker resolution and less work on city staff.

“We have got to let the ordinance help us streamline the process,” Hill said. “They have to keep an eye on their grass otherwise they get fined through the court system.”

This weekend the Back to School tax holiday will begin. A variety of school supplies will be sales and use tax free

on Friday.

Lake River & Classi eds

MUCH-NEEDED MAINTENANCE

ECHS GETTING NEW ROOF AND PARKING LINES OVER THE SUMMER

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

Rain shouldn’t come into Elmore County High School — not that it did.

The Elmore County Board of Education is installing a new 30-year architectural shingle roof on much of the school this summer at a cost of $360,000.

“It is the single largest project at ECHS this summer,” Elmore County BOE operations manager Mike Czerpak said. “That roof was 25 years old. It was pretty old. It was due for a replacement.”

The ag shop, the main building and the J building are all getting a new roof. The roof might have lasted a few years longer but it is unknown how it might hold up to a severe storm or hail. Hail can greatly damage a roof and its damage is more severe on aging roofs. Replacing it now prevents potential issues if rain gets by the roof.

Parts of ECHS are aging with hardwood floors nearly a century old. There are plaster walls. Water damage to those elements would create a situation difficult to repair if children were in school. Over the years, the old school has been modernized where it can. There is no longer heat provided by a boiler. Instead there is a gas furnace, electric cooling split units heating and

ABOVE: New striping and numbers in the parking lots of Elmore County High School will greet students this fall. The painting was part of ongoing maintenance to ensure the lines were visible.

BELOW: A new roof is installed on Elmore County High School.The roof is one of several projects being completed over the summer at the school.

cooling the building. There was a new entrance built in the last three years. It provides a secure entrance to the school. But the old bones are still there in places.

Czerpak said because the school is older, it requires more maintenance. “The auditorium is in

t he J building,” Czerpak said. “We are replacing the air conditioning units on that building. They probably aren’t going to be here until October or November.”

But the roof and air conditioning for the auditorium aren’t the only changes coming to ECHS. New paint has recently been installed in the school’s parking lots. Orderly parking is now

easier around the school. Fresh blue paint lines the handicap spots up front and white lines help guide drivers into regular spots.

“The parking lot is something we paint as needed,” ECHS principal Jason Eason said. “Our student parking lot is numbered for students to buy a reserved spot.”

Czerpak said a new well will soon be completed to irrigate the baseball field.

ECHS isn’t the only school to get a new roof.

“We have replaced the roofing at the Holtville Middle School,” Czerpak said. “We will be

reroofing Eclectic Middle School soon.”

Czerpak said the school system systematically looks at the school system’s facilities to determine what work needs to be done. He said system staff are constantly evaluating what is the next most needed project the Elmore County Board of Education has the funding for. Projects might include replacing roofs or replacing HVAC units.

“We sit down and pass around a spreadsheet,” Czerpak said. “We are now working out the larger 2024-25 construction projects.”

Teal Town to benefit Butterfly Bridge

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

EXIT Realty Hometown

is hosting a fundraiser to benefit Butterfly Bridge Children's Advocacy Center on Aug. 3.

Butterfly Bridge serves children of Elmore County who are going through tough times and EXIT owner Lori Lee said the realty company saw a chance to help out a good cause with the At a corporate level, EXIT Realty has created a charity fund with monies coming from every real estate transaction across the country to match monies raised for local charities. Lee said locally her office hopes to raise $10,000 through ticket sales, a silent auction and donations. Any amount

raised will be matched at the corporate level and donated to Butterfly Bridge.

Butterfly Bridge assistant director Emily Hutcheson said the organization is dependent on the generosity of others to serve children.

“Last year our agency saw a total of 304 children walk through our doors with allegations of abuse and neglect,” Hutcheson said. “We would not have been able to serve all those children and families if it weren’t for the amazing businesses, organizations, individuals and volunteers who help to support our mission each and every day.”

She said Butterfly Bridge offers a safe, child-friendly environment to children victimized by abuse or neglect as it carries out the mission

to provide restoration and justice in their lives. There are three locations — in Elmore, Autauga and Chilton counties.

“Every day children victimized by abuse come to Butterfly Bridge where they find caring professionals and community partners who dedicate themselves to helping them through the nightmare of abuse and neglect,” Hutcheson said. “The center provides a friendly environment where children can safely tell their story and receive the support they need.”

Hutcheson said Butterfly Bridge works closely with local law enforcement, child protective services, therapists, caseworkers, interns, nurses and volunteers.

“We form a strong team

able to handle the most difficult of situations,” Hutcheson said. “We work hand-in-hand with the district attorney’s office. Every day our team provides families security, support and the resources they need for restoration to some semblance of normal life.”

She said the Teal Town fundraiser is much appreciated.

“It is businesses like EXIT Realty Hometown who understand the need and reason why our agency exists and they will do anything they can to help give us to be the voice for those who need one the most,” Hutcheson said.

Lee said the Teal Town fundraiser is from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Aug. 3 at the Eclectic Warehouse. There

will be a catered dinner and DJ. Tickets can be purchased and more information found by texting TEALTOWN to 85377.

Hutcheson said Butterfly Bridge is also hosting its 6th Annual Clay for Kids fundraiser on Aug. 18 at the Lower Wetumpka Shotgun Sports. The morning shoot is already full but space remains for the afternoon shoot at 1:30 p.m.

“The money raised from this event will go right back to our offices in Prattville and Wetumpka,” Hutcheson said. “We are still in need of teams, sponsors and volunteers to help make this event a success.”

More information on Butterfly Bridge’s Clay Shoot can be found online at clay4kids.swell.gives.

CLIFF WILLIAMS THE OBSERVER