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SATURDAY-SUNDAY • JULY 23-24, 2016
THEWETUMPKAHERALD.COM
VOL. 11, NO. 28
Elmore County judge responds to news story By WILLIAM CARROLL Managing Editor
A recent article by an area news agency has elicited a response from a local judge questioning the story’s veracity and motive and has embroiled a superintendent candidate in the process. Last week WSFA in Montgomery ran a story regarding documents it had obtained in a public records request involving current Elmore County Superintendent Andre Harrison’s removal from the
Republican ballot in the March primary. Specifically it cites contract documents obtained by the station and asserts in its online edition, “Two contracts tell a different story of what took Harrison off the primary ballot.” It then gives an account of two contracts, one dated Nov. 13, between Elmore County Probate Judge John Enslen and J. Brent Helms, chief clerk of the Probate Office of Elmore County and the second between the same two parties dated Jan. 4. The first contract tasks Helms with several jobs including: 1) verifying the statutory deadline by which
a certificate from the state superintendent of education must be filed; 2) whether such certificate was filed by Harrison; 3) whether Harrison’s name should appear on the ballot; 4) provide a memo to Enslen on the issues and 5) if necessary, draft a petition for a declaratory judgment. For this Helms was paid $2,000 in addition to his normal appointment salary of $44,900. The second contract tasks Helms with: 1) drafting a response to a letter written by Harrison dated Jan. 4; See JUDGE • Page 7
Parole hearing set for woman in ‘Baby Ashley’ case
Local salon joins effort to help sick PD dog By COREY ARWOOD Staff Writer
By COREY ARWOOD Staff Writer
A parole hearing for a Coosada woman charged with attempted murder of her daughter in 2002 by placing her in an oven, is set for next week, and a local DA said he would push for five more years. The district attorney’s office for Autauga, Chilton and Elmore counties sent out a statement regarding the case of Melissa Wright. According to the statement, Wright was convicted in 2003 after she put her infant, who was reported to be 14 months old at the time, in an oven set to broil. The hearing is scheduled for July 26 at 8 a.m. in Montgomery. District Attorney Randall Houston said he will be present for the hearing. Houston played an instrumental role in the case roughly 13 years ago. “Our ultimate goal will be to have the parole board keep her in for another five years,” said Houston. He said the girl was referred to at the time as “Baby Ashley.” However now, he said, Ashley Smith is 15 years old and will be at
Corey Arwood / The Herald
Above, Richard Wilson with Mr. Wilson’s Show and Party Horses of Montgomery gave brief riding lessons to the kids at the CJ Deputy Summer Program at the MLK Recreation Center. Below kids wait in line with frozen snacks to have their face painted by Thereisa Gilbert of Elmore County Partnership for Children on the last day of the CJ Deputy Summer Program.
Police sergeant leads summer program
See PAROLE • Page 2
By COREY ARWOOD Staff Writer
A program for local youth, directed by the efforts of a Wetumpka police sergeant, drew to a close last week on one last fun-filled day where upwards of 100 children gathered where they had played games, and had two meals in a safe setting since June. Sergeant Ella Roberts of the WPD has led the C.J. Deputy Summer Program over the last two years of the program’s being “back up and running” she said. See SUMMER • Page 2
The children of employees at a local salon went to work raising funds for a Wetumpka police dog whose story has been shared throughout the state drawing hundreds of donations and thousands of dollars to help with its medical costs. They set up a lemonade stand in front of the business where their parents work in downtown Wetumpka and sold lemonade to commuters on Thursday and Friday for WPD Officer Hunter Saint’s K9 counterpart, Keela. By the end of their first day, Paula Sagent, owner of The Gab, said they had raised about $300 for Keela, who was in between trips to a veterinary hospital at Auburn University for seizures, Saint said. Saint began an online fundraising attempt a little less than two weeks ago, which has garnered approximately 200 donations ranging See DONATIONS • Page 5
Area ladies participate in women in business meeting By WILLIAM CARROLL Managing Editor
The kickoff meeting of the River Region Women in Business group was held Thursday at the Civic in Wetumpka and around two-dozen ladies participated in the event. Group organizer Shea Irvine said that she had the idea for the group because there was not a similar group in the region and she wanted to create one. “I wanted a group that could focus on the struggles I and other business women face,” she said. “I needed this group because there wasn’t one.” Irvine then focused on some statistics
stating that women-owned businesses were becoming more prevalent and were responsible for $1.6 trillion in productivity. Irvine said that initial membership fees for those present at the meeting would be $25 and that all members also needed to be members of the Wetumpka Area Chamber of Commerce, which helped sponsor the event. Irvine said she anticipates the group would meet at least once a month starting in September and that the meetings would include not only networking opportunities for women but also roundtable discussion and mentoring opportunities. Jackson Thornton provided a $300 donation See WOMEN • Page 3
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Shea Irvine (standing) speaks to an assembled crowd of area businesswomen who came to participate in the kickoff of the River Region Women in Business group at the Civic Center in Wetumpka.
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ELMORE COUNTY WEEKEND
Obituaries Gay Mize Drake
DRAKE, Gay Mize, a resident of Wetumpka, AL; passed away Wednesday, July 20, 2016 at the age of 74. Funeral services will be held Sunday, July 24, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. at Gassett Funeral Home Chapel with Chaplain John Gallups officiating. Gassett Funeral Home of Wetumpka directing. Graveside services will be held Tuesday, July 26, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. at Oak Hill Cemetery in Jasper, AL. Mrs. Drake is preceded in death by her daughter, Mary Iola Drake and sister, Faye Phillips. She is survived by her husband, William “Bill” Drake, son, Terry Adkins, sister, Barbara Nell Mize, sister-in-law, Mary Davis Drake, 2 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. Mrs. Drake’s commitment to the community included 20 plus years of service to the Redland Volunteer Fire
Department. Visitation will be held Saturday, July 23, 2016 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Gassett Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the Redland Volunteer Fire Department, 4367 Redland Road, Wetumpka, Alabama 36093. Online Guest Book available at www.gassettfuneralhome.net
Frances Barnes
Mrs. Frances Louise Barnes, 98, of Tallassee, passed away July 20, 2016. She was born May 26, 1918. Funeral service will be Saturday, July 23 at 2:00 p.m. at Linville Memorial Funeral Home with Rev. Michael Smith officiating. Visitation is from 1:00 p.m. until time of service. Burial will follow at Good Hope Cemetery, Linville Memorial Funeral home directing. She is survived by her
son, Charles Lambrecht (Lois); sisters, Mary Nell Gravelin, Leila May Wadsworth (Jack) and Bertha Whetstone (Walton); grandchildren, Christine Drost (Duane), Tony Gardner (Jane) and Robert Lambrecht (Tracy); ten great grandchildren and one great great grandchild. She is preceded in death by her husbands, Frank Lambrecht Jr. and J. D. Barnes; and a daughter, Frances Gardner. Flowers accepted or donations may be made to United Methodist Children’s Home, 1712 Broad St, Selma, AL 36701. Online condolences at www.linvillememorial.com. Linville Memorial Funeral Home Eclectic, Alabama
Parole
continued from page 1
the hearing with Houston. “My goal is to keep Melissa in until Ashley is an adult,” Houston said. He said he would prefer Wright to serve the rest of her sentence, until 2025, and attributed her potential release to crowding in the Alabama prison system. “Melissa Wright of all people should not be released,” he said. Wright will not be at the hearing, Houston said. Representatives, however, he said, can come on Wright’s behalf and speak for her release. He said he planned on showing slides of the injuries the child had sustained, which he described as “pretty horrifying.” Reports at the time had come out about Wright’s mental state and medications she was said to have been
on. In an article from a now defunct Birmingham-based newspaper, alleged interviews with neighbors of Smith described a deteriorating mental condition and erratic behavior. “They tried to make that part of their defense where she was crazy. My position was that she wasn’t crazy she was just mean as hell,” Houston said. He talked about some of the extensive medical procedures Ashley was said to have gone through as a result of the third degree burns she sustained, and said some of the marks remain throughout the rehabilitative surgeries. “She’s a wonderful child, she’s well adjusted, she’s a survivor,” Houston said.
Summer
continued from page 1
For the past six weeks Roberts said local children gathered five days a week from 8 to 4 p.m. at Wetumpka’s Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Center. On Wednesday, the closing day, special activities were planned at the center. They included horse riding lessons, bounce houses, face painting and a lot of frozen treats to combat the heat. “The motivation was to give the kids something to do first of all to keep them off the street and out of trouble and basically to just kind of help bridge the gap between police officers and children and other citizens,” said Roberts. Roberts explained how the program began and said it was named after a Cpl. Chris Deputy who died in 2010. “Cpl. Chris Deputy was one of our police officers that got sick and passed away and he used to do it sev-
eral years ago,” said Roberts. At the last city council meeting Wetumpka Police Chief Danny Billingsley talked about the program, and applauded Roberts. “We went to MLK and took care of some 2,700 kids in the summer last year at no cost to the city. This year she (Roberts) said she wanted to do the same thing,” Billingsley said. He said they had a little difficulty with “the shape” of the MLK building, but Roberts, who set up the program entirely, took care of roughly 75 to 90 kids a day. The Elmore County Board of Education and the Summer Feeding Program, along with private contributions from residents, parents and businesses, donated the food for the program, Roberts said. She said they served the children breakfast in the mornings, lunch and before they went home in the evenings “they always had snack and juice,” said Roberts.
Donations
Corey Arwood / The Herald
Officer Hunter Saint of the Wetumpka Police Department stands with Keela at a lemonade booth set up by children of employees at the Gab in downtown Wetumpka.
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anywhere from $5 all the way to $1000, according to the GoFundMe page set up for Keela. The kids at The Gab drew attention from local broadcast television news and even a visit on Thursday from Saint and Keela, who posed for a few pictures. Sargent said they started around 10 a.m. on Thursday and within two hours they had raised $100. “One-hundred percent of the proceeds are going to help Keela’s medical expense(s),” said Sargent. And they were not deterred by late-July weather, but persisted in efforts amid the busy traffic and soaring temperatures, all under adult supervision, and watchful eyes from the window of the salon store front. “They were rockin’ and rollin’ right in the heat,” Sargent said. Saint talked about Keela’s condition and symptoms along with the status of her treatments. He said the 4-yearold German Shepherd seemed to be responding well to her medications, despite some sluggishness. And, he said she was able to return to work in a limited capacity.
continued from page 1
Saint said she gets to ride along with him for “a couple hours, here and there.” She’s not 100 percent just yet, Saint said, but he said her seizure symptoms appear to be better with the medicine. They are scheduled to go back to Auburn next week, he said. When asked what he thought about the flood of attention Saint said, “I don’t want to be famous I just want to help the dog.” So far he said upwards of $11,000 had been raised. In earlier talks he said any additional funds would be devoted to the WPD’s K9 Unit. The team’s story has even crossed state lines. Saint said he was working at last weekend’s Wetumpka River and Blues Music and Arts Festival when a woman approached him and said she had seen him on her local news in Alpharetta, Georgia. However his story remained, “Take her in good health over being a superstar any day,” Saint said. Saint said he had been with the WPD for roughly two years and Keela’s services were enlisted in 2015.
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ELMORE COUNTY WEEKEND
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Area Calendar July 30
BENEFIT SINGING: An evening of music a benefit concert for the Old Red Hill School Saturday, July 30, 2016 in the Red Hill School Auditorium on Alabama Highway 229 in Red Hill. Acts include Cecil Malone & Montgomery Junction at 3 p.m., Cowboy Bill and Company at 5 p.m., and The Kevin Adair Band at 7 p.m. Donations will be welcomed at the door to help replace the roof the old school building. Food, soft drinks, coffee and a family atmosphere will be offered.
July 31
BACK TO SCHOOL: Calvary Baptist Wetumpka will be hosting our Annual “Back -2- School Bash on July 31 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. For more information on this event, please contact the church office 334-567-4729 or visit our website www.calvarybaptistwetumpka.org
August 1-4
iPad Distribution Days 5:30 p.m. at Southside Middle School Aug 1st- 5th grade Aug 2nd- 6th grade Aug 3rd- 7th grade Aug 4th- 8th grade $50 technology fee per student/yr.
August 7
CHURCH ANNIVERSARY: The Wall Street AME Zion Church, 71 Zion Street of Tallassee, Alabama, will celebrate 136 years of ministry August 7. A homecoming program is being prepared to commemorate this joyous occasion. Members, former members, family, and friends are cordially invited to attend. The program will begin at 2:30 p.m. The speaker for the occasion will be LaBrian Stewart, the son of Dr. and Mrs. Keith Stewart. LaBrian is one of our own. He is an accomplished student athlete and professional educator and currently serves as Athletic Director and Head Football Coach at Northview High School, Dothan, Alabama.
August 8
Southside Middle School Open House
August 8
Tallassee Elementary will hold open house for Kindergarten beginning at 11 a.m. and 11:20 a.m. First grade Open House will be at 12:20 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. Second grade open house begins at 1:40 p.m. and 2:20 p.m.. Third grade open house begins at 3 p.m. Fourth grade open house begins at 4:20 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.
August 8
Open house for the 2016-2017 school year from 12:00 -7:00 p.m.
August 8
Freshman Orientation 6:00 p.m. at Tallassee High School.
8 (closed July 4) Third session will be July 11-22. Registration fee for Tiny Tots is $55 and Levels 1-6 will be $65. You may register at Recreation Department until Thursday, May 26 and after May 26 please register at pool. WATER AEROBICS: Water Aerobics classes will go thru July 28th. Classes will be each Tuesday and Thursday night at 7:00 pm at the City Pool. No need to register...just pay $3 each day you exercise. Lap swimming will also be available during that time if you do not want to participate in the aerobic class. SWIM LESSONS: First session of swim lessons for ages 4 and up (must be 4 by time of lesson) will run through June 24. Second session will be June 27 –July 8 (closed July 4) Third session will be July 11-22. Registration fee for Tiny Tots is $55 and Levels 1-6 will be $65. You may register at Recreation Department until Thursday, May 26 and after May 26 please register at pool. CHILD FIND: The Tallassee City School System is launching its annual campaign to assist children—birth to age 21—who have disabilities and may need special services. The campaign urges parents, service providers, and concerned citizens to contact Child Find, a program to locate, identify and evaluate children with disabilities or children who are believed to have disabilities. The Tallassee City School System wishes to notify you of the availability of special education services in our public schools. If you have questions regarding our programs, or if you wish to refer a student, please contact Lynell Carr at (334) 283-5675 or Child Find (Alabama Department of Education) at 1-800-548-2547.” ART EXHIBITION: There is a free exhibit of sixty-five works of art by the late Priscilla Crommelin featuring vibrant still life and floral paintings, portraits and landscapes at the Kelly Fitzpatrick Memorial Gallery Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Kelly Fitzpatrick Memorial Gallery. TENNIS LESSONS: Grassroots Tennis Association will be offering (8) Weeks of Free Tennis Lessons this Summer throughout the rural and inner city underprivileged communities. A player can become a recipient of Free Tennis Lessons by contacting this organization before (May 27th, 2016) by calling (334-439-8198). SUMMER READING PROGRAM: Readers of all age will explore all thing sports and fitness this summer as Wetumpka Public Library presents “On Your Mark, Get Set, Read” during their summer library program. The 2016 Summer Library Program is open to young people, preschool,
through young adult, with programs, prize drawings, story times and more. Preschool Story Time for infant through those entering kindergarten is on Tuesdays and Fridays at 10 a.m. this is a year round program. Summer program for those entering first through sixth grade will meet Tuesday afternoon from 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. at the Wetumpka Civic Center beginning June 14 – July 26. The Teen Program for those entering seventh and up will meet Thursday afternoons beginning June 16 – July 28 in the Library for movies. Registration begins May 2, 2016. You may download a registration form from our website: www.wetumpkalibrary.com or come in for a copy. For more information you may call 334-567-1308. Find us on Facebook. All programs are free. SATURDAY NIGHT JAMBOREE: Every second and fourth Saturday of the month is the Highway 231 Saturday Night Jamboree at the Alabama League of the South Cultural Center Building at 12814 Highway 231 North in Wetumpka. There will be country, gospel, and rock and roll music in a good atmosphere. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. with music from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. There will be line dancing, no alcohol, no smoking and no charge. Donations accepted for upkeep of the building. Contact Ray Funderburk at R&R Music and things at 334-991-4682 or 224-8509804 with questions. SANTUCK FLEA MARKET: First Saturday, March-December, dawn to 2 p.m in the area surrounding Santuck Baptist Church. An outdoor flea market with booths featuring arts, crafts, antiques, novelties, imports, food and more. Free admis-
Women sion to the public with free parking available. For info, call 334-567-7400. BLUEGRASS JAM: First Saturday, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Alabama River Region Arts Center, Wetumpka. All acoustic instruments welcome - guitar, banjo, mandolin, fiddle, bass, singers. Beginner, intermediate, advanced and listeners. For info, call 334578-9485. SIT AND SEW: First Saturday of each month, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Alabama River Region Arts Center, Wetumpka. All sewers and knitters welcome. Bring your own sewing machine or hand-sewing project. Assistance and encouragement to help you through your project. Ironing board and iron provided. Free. For info, call 334-578-9485 or visit www.arrac.org. POTTERY CLASS: Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.at Alabama River Region Arts Center, Wetumpka For age 16 and older. $80 for four classes or $20 per week. Taught every Saturday by Rick Bowman. Bring your own tools or use art center tools. Center provides other supplies. For info, call 334-3131646. CREATIVE WRITING WORKSHOP: Saturdays, 11 a.m. at the Alabama River Region Arts Center, Wetumpka. For ages 12 and older. $32 for four classes. Taught every Saturday by Cliff Wayne. For info, call 334-3009394. MASTER GARDENERS LUNCH AND LEARN: Second Tuesday of each month, 12 to 1 p.m. at the Elmore County Extension Office, Wetumpka. Hosted by the Central Alabama Master Gardeners Association. Free and open to the public. Bring a sack lunch, drinks provided. For info, call 334-567-6301 or visit www. aces.edu/counties/Elmore/.
Gospel Meeting August 14-19, 2016
Georgia Road Church of Christ Located on Hwy. 170 • Wetumpka, Alabama
Alan Watkins, Preacher Time of Services:
Sunday: 9AM, 10 AM & 1PM Noon Meal in the Annex: 11AM -1PM Monday - Friday: 7PM Ed Smith, Song Leader Georgia Road Church of Christ
August 13
Beulah Baptist Church will hold the Annual Teachers Luncheon on August 13 at 1 p.m. In order to honor the Reeltown School Teachers and Aides and some other teachers from surrounding school systems.
August 26-27
The Tallassee High School Class of 1981 is planning its class reunion, to be held August 26 and 27 in Tallassee. If you are a member of the class and have not been contacted by a classmate, please call Suzy Solomon Wilson at 334-283- 8172.
ONGOING EVENTS POOL SEASON: The Tallassee Pool season for 2016 will end Saturday, July 30. Hours of operation will be Monday-Saturday from 1pm-5pm. Daily pass is $3 per day and individual pass is $45, family pass for up to 4 in same household is $60 and 5 or more $75 for season. First session of swim lessons for ages 4 and up (must be 4 by time of lesson) will begin June 13-June 24, Second session will be June 27 –July
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JULY 23-24, 2016 • Page 3
continued from page 1
to help get the group going, which was announced by Chamber Director Gerry Purcell. Purcell touted his wife as being an inspiration to him as a modern business woman and said he was excited about being part of the new program. While the first meeting was held at the Civic Center, Irvine said she would like to see the group meet at area businesses and at the Chamber in the future. “The Chamber has offered to allow us to use space at their building in the future,” she said. Those seeking more information can check out the group’s Facebook page River Region Women in Business.
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RODNEY GRIFFITH BROKER CELL: 334-207-0666 WEB: www.rodneygrif¿th.com EMAIL: rodneygrif¿th@windstream.net BEAUTIFUL HISTORIC HOME on Little Rd., Tallassee – 1.5 acres, completely remodeled. Very nice, 5 bd/5.5 baths, $239,000. 78 ACRES off Lower Tuskegee Hwy., on Cleghorn Road, great hunting only, $135,000. RIVER HILLS SUBDIVISION – 19 lots, great views of Lake Tallassee, underground utilities, sewage. Prices start at only $20,000. 4 SOLD – 19 remaining. ECLECTIC – 5 acre lot on lake point road in Eclectic, off highway 80 close to Lake Martin, modular home SOLDor double wides are OK if newer. Only $29,000. BEAUTIFUL BRICK HOUSE in Plantation Pines, 4 bd/3.5 baths, 1.6 acre lot very modern and pretty, REDUCED TO $310,000. 3189 LITTLE ROAD – 4 bd/2ba., large lot, very modern, & pretty, only $215,000. 8 ACRES – KENT ROAD – UNRESTRICTED, REDUCED TO $45,000. TALLASSEE GILMER AVE. – 3bd/2 ba next to DQ, zoned commercial, REDUCED TO $99,000. TALLASSEE BRICK HOME – on 1 acre with a 2 acre fish pond, 3 bd, 2 ba , large den and kitchen, garage, G screened porch, heat pump, ENDINlarge REDUCED FROM $159,000PTO $149,000. 8 more acres also adjacent to it. COMMERCIAL PROPERTY – 8 ACRES G close to Walmart on Hwy. 14, REDUCED $189,000. PENDIN 548 PROSPECT ROAD, ECLECTIC – Beautiful home on 4 ACRES, 3 bd/ 2.5 baths, very modern and private, very close to Lake Martin. Reduced to $259,000. TALLASSEE 854 E. PATTON – 3 bedrooms, 2 baths with 3 acres of land, $125,000.
Call Classifieds 256.277.4219
Steve Baker, Publisher William Carroll, Managing Editor Opinions expressed in guest columns and letters to the editor do not necessarily reflect the viewpoint of the management of The Wetumpka Herald
Page 4 • JULY 23-24, 2016
OPINION
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ELMORE COUNTY WEEKEND
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334-567-7811 • Fax 334-567-3284 email: news@thewetumpkaherald.com THE WETUMPKA HERALD (681-260) is published twice weekly on Wednesday and Saturday by Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc., 548 Cherokee Road, Alexander City, AL 35010. Periodical postage paid at Wetumpka, Alabama. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Wetumpka Herald, P.O. Box 99, Wetumpka, AL 360920099. ISSN # 1536-688X. We reserve the right to refuse to print any advertisement, news story, photograph or any other material submitted to us for any reason or no reason at all. •Obituaries - $.25 per word per paper. Additional $15 charge for a photo per paper. (Herald, Weekend, Observer, Tribune). •Weddings/Engagements - $.25 per word per paper. $15 charge for a 2-column photo. •Birth Announcements - $.25 per word per paper. $15 charge for a photo. SUBSCRIPTION RATES (includes Wednesday & Saturday) One Year in Elmore, Tallapoosa or Coosa County: $50 One Year Elsewhere: $75 The publisher reserves the right to change subscription rates during the term of subscription at any time. To subscribe or if you miss your paper, call 256-234-4281. © 2016 Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved and any reproduction of this issue is prohibited without the consent of the editor or publisher. ADMINISTRATION Steve Baker, publisher steve.baker@thewetumpkaherald.com William Carroll, managing editor william.carroll@thewetumpkaherald.com NEWS Corey Arwood, staff writer corey.arwood@thewetumpkaherald.com Carmen Rodgers, staff writer carmen.rodgers@thewetumpkaherald.com Cory Diaz, sports editor Cory.Diaz@TheWetumpkaHerald.com. . . . . . . . . Ext. 306 SALES Jayne Carr, marketing consultant Jayne.Carr@TheWetumpkaHerald.com. . . . . . . Ext. 313 Molly Brethauer, marketing consultant molly.brethaur@TheWetumpkaHerald.com. . . . . Ext. 305
W
ait, what might you be saying? Aren’t I a member of the media? Well yes I am, but I don’t consider myself a typical member of the media. As I have mentioned in previous pieces, I was once an attorney, until I decided I really didn’t enjoy doing that. Actually, one of the reasons I got into this field is because I always had an interest in journalism and felt like it was really being done well. This week I was again reminded what bad journalism actually is. On our front page today you will see the story I wrote about the odd “battle” between Elmore County Probate Judge John Enslen and Elmore County Superintendent Andre Harrison. The issue of course revolves around one whether or not Harrison filed a document in the appropriate amount of time to be on the Republican ballot in March. Harrison, on his own website, admits he didn’t file the document and yet there are continual stories that seem to assert he was “cheated” somehow. In fact the current purveyor of such stories is none other than Montgomery news station WSFA and reporter Jennifer Horton. The story reported by WSFA is effectively based on two contracts, one of which appears to show a date of Nov. 13 for beginning work on research into whether Harrison followed the law instead of the Dec. 10 date stated in court by Enslen. The story seems to try to assert, without saying it, that the “different story” was some kind of attempt to keep Harrison off the ballot. Here is the problem with that logic from an elementary school-level concept. Even if Enslen knew of the issue on Nov. 13 (all facts point to the contrary) it would still be after the Nov. 6 date that Harrison would have needed to file his paperwork. So regardless, Harrison is effectively toast on the issue of whether he qualified to run in the primary.
WILLIAM CARROLL Managing Editor
The thing is, though, the assertions are based simply on these documents. The reporter apparently attempted to contact Enslen, who refused to participate due to the fact he felt WSFA was going to stage some sort of “gotcha” moment where none existed, but she never even attempted, it appears, to contact J. Brent Helms – Chief clerk of Probate for Elmore County. During my interview with Helms, the story became abundantly clear that there was no motive to exclude Harrison. In fact it appears as though every effort was made to try to keep him on the ballot to allow the voters all of the opportunities of a full and fair election and yet Harrison was kept off merely by his own failure to file a form. So it isn’t clear what the “different story” is that WSFA is referring to. If you are going to write a story where you effectively accuse a sitting judge of lying under oath, you had better actually interview someone. Not just use your own insufficient knowledge to come to a conclusion. Failure to actually check your facts leads to lawsuits down the road of life and ruined careers. Here is the thing, I am not on Enslen’s side or Harrison’s side. I don’t think there really is a side to be on. I don’t think media should take sides, other than being on the side of the citizens. Our job isn’t to support a court or an elected official’s view of issues but to support citizens in their knowledge of issues. The story also seems to insinuate that legal research was done on issues relating to whether the form was filed and whether Harrison fit
into the “sore loser” law. In both instances declaratory judgment actions were filed. A declaratory judgment is exactly what the language says it is, a request to have a court make a declaration about an issue. If Enslen wanted Harrison off the ballot, why not just keep him off? Why go to the trouble of having a higher court review the matter and make a legal decision on the law? The reason is simple, because there was no grand conspiracy to keep anyone off the ballot. During my interview with Brent Helms he made it clear that every effort was made initially to keep Harrison on the ballot, but that the decision of the higher court kept him off. From the set of facts, it appears that is what happened, but sadly people will believe what they want to believe. I suppose I shouldn’t be shocked. I have been very underwhelmed with media in this area, not just because they are our competition, but because they just aren’t very good. When we don’t have half-baked stories where the “reporters” failed to actually interview anyone and yet come to mind-numbing conclusions we have news sources that are nothing more than glorified press release regurgitators, who take what government agencies feed them and simply lap it up without actually challenging anyone on the facts. No wonder there is so much corruption in Alabama. You tend to have more corruption when your media is complacent or part of the problem and not the solution. Speaking on behalf of all the media outlets in the area let me say I am sorry to you our citizens. My hope is our Elmore County papers will do a better job speaking truth to power than the other current news agencies do. You as free citizens are entitled to know what your officials are doing in your name. Too bad very few reporters here know how to do that.
Summarizing news stories I didn’t get to write about
1
. The historical musical Hamilton continues to win awards, including eleven Tonys. In fact, Hamilton has collected more Tonys in the NY area than Snookie from “Jersey Shore.” The cast of Hamilton has also teamed up with Hillary to raise money for her campaign, which is ironic since the title character carried a gun to duel, started the N.Y. Stock Exchange, and set the country on the path of free-market capitalism. In fact, the only way liberals in New York can handle watching such inconvenient truths is knowing there is a bar in the lobby. 2. Hillary Clinton was fired for dishonesty from her role in the Watergate investigation, but she learned a lot about the importance of destroying evidence. During the Watergate investigation, Richard Nixon gave his iconic “I am not a crook” speech. (By Clinton standards he wasn’t.) Once again, Hillary “Houdini” Clinton has escaped consequences, somehow even getting the FBI agents investigating her email crimes to sign non-disclosure statements. This is unheard of. Hillary was so pleased that she asked her staff to schedule her for five minutes of gloating. 3. Bill Clinton said he was playing golf at age 70 in the 108-degree Arizona heat. It was so hot in Phoenix then, and with Bill Clinton in the area, a warning had to go out to locals about the risks to the elderly in the heat. His jet just happened to be near Attorney General Loretta Lynch’s at the Phoenix airport, so they chatted about grandchildren (they say, but probably they chatted about grand juries). Bill and Hillary just had their second grandchild, and they had a focus group name it. They wanted to name it “Loretta Lynch-Comey.”
RON HART Columnist
4. GOP and business leaders are starting to warm up to Donald Trump. Brilliant businessman Bernie Marcus and his Home Depot co-founder, Ken Langone, were two of the first to endorse Trump. But to be fair, their company colors are orange and white, so it seemed like a natural. 5. The GOP convention began in Cleveland, where LeBron James recently made history – by returning to Cleveland. He’s the first person ever to do so willingly and not under extradition. The left maligned Melania Trump’s speech and found trite the lines all our parents told us, like “Work hard for what you want in life.” The media said she plagiarized it. Yet in her 2012 convention speech, Michelle Obama stole the Vince Lombardi line without attribution when she said, “Being president doesn’t change who you are, it reveals who you are,” with nary a peep from the media. She could have said “Fourscore and seveån years ago,” and the media would have applauded her. 6. Hillary, whose main campaign theme is that she is a woman, has been struggling to rewrite the history surrounding her defense of Bill’s womanizing. She has also lashed out against countries where she and Bill collected fat fees giving speeches. But then she singled out Qatar, Kuwait and the Saudi empire for supporting terrorism and not helping enough to fight it. This can only mean one thing: those countries’ checks to the
Clinton Foundation must have bounced. 7. The water wars continue in drought-stricken California. Texas, which has plenty of rivers to provide desperately needed water to Southern California via a proposed pipeline, has found that idea blocked by liberal Democrat regulators in D.C. They say it is an environmental issue because the pipeline might adversely affect the migratory flow of young Democrats from Mexico. 8. Internet security remains a problem, but it really matters when it affects football. The NFL’s Twitter account was hacked. The attackers posted that NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell had died, but real followers of pro football knew this was a fraud. They knew if someone had actually killed the NFL commish, he would have to face the certain and immediate punishment of a two-game suspension. 9. With his one-sided defense, unsupported by facts, of blacks shot by police, Obama and fellow liberals have ushered in a hunting season against cops. After every shooting, Obama gives whatever the opposite of a pep talk is to police and then calls America racist. Black Lives Matter’s Ferguson shooting-based mantra, “Hands Up, Don’t Shoot” is a lie. It never happened. Even a black Harvard professor’s study concluded that there is no racial bias in police shootings. But race-obsessed politicians say, “The struggle continues.” Apparently, their struggle is to understand the facts. A libertarian op-ed humorist and award-winning author, Ron’s a frequent guest on CNN. He can be contacted at Ron@RonaldHart.com or @ RonaldHart on Twitter.
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ELMORE COUNTY WEEKEND
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JULY 23-24, 2016 • Page 7
Judge 2) research whether or not Harrison may be a legal independent candidate or whether he is subject to the provisions of Ala. Code section 17-9-3(b) the “sore loser” provision of Alabama law; 3) draft a petition for declaratory judgment. Helms was again paid $2,000 for this work. The story states that the first contract date does not match Enslen’s testimony during a hearing on the matter held on Dec. 16, wherein Enslen stated he first learned of the issue on Dec. 10. In response to the allegations made by WSFA, Enslen prepared a letter to Harrison. The opening paragraph of which states: “On July 14, 2016, WSFA.com published an online article claiming that the work-commencement date, November 13, 2015, as written in a legal research contract between attorney Brent Helms and myself, proves that I was originally aware of the issues raised by your negligent failure to file a required certification almost one month earlier than the first-awareness date to which I had testified in court. The date of November 13, 2015, as contained in the legal services contract, served as the sole evidentiary basis for WSFA’s story which (1) supposedly exposed me as an outright liar; and (2) supposedly provided evidence of either (a) a conspiracy theory that I had colluded with your opponent Richard Dennis to derail your political ambitions as a Republican, or (b) my personal desire to sabotage your political quest as apparently motivated by my own racial prejudices, or both. “After the WSFA article was published and the story aired on local television, instead of your contacting me and simply asking for an explanation for the discrepancy between the contract’s effective date and my testimony, you instead (1) publicly expressed disappointment in my dishonesty; (2) quickly shared on your campaign Facebook page a link to the online article; and then (3) sermonized last Sunday morning on your campaign Facebook page about the upset and disappointment you suffered from WSFA’s revelation of my dishonesty. Your actions have now
continued from page 1
resulted in hundreds of combined comments and shares regarding conspiracies against you and my being a liar and manipulator.” The public comments Enslen is referring to were found on Harrison’s superintendent campaign page. Harrison has given the Herald permission to use his comments from that page. In the first paragraph Harrison states: “After WSFA released their update regarding our campaign efforts and the issues we faced in months past, I received many calls, emails, and Facebook messages. I truly appreciate all of the positive support I received. I am human. I’ll admit it: when I learned of the information that was revealed, I was upset and disappointed. When I thought back over the stress I suffered along with my family and supporters this past winter, I was very upset. I was not just angry but hurt. I then realized I had a choice to make: I could stay mad or I could use this as a teachable moment.” The comment further states: “During this campaign, I have made an effort to keep a positive message, even on the days when it was difficult. Even if circumstances were manipulated, the fact remains that I made the unintentional mistake of not filing a form. While I had hoped that the court would forgive the mistake as a harmless error, I chose not to drag the community through an appeal. I did what I hope my child and our students would do if they make a mistake: Accept responsibility and move forward. None of us are perfect, including me.” Harrison also provided a link to the WSFA story on his page. Enslen’s letter also challenges WSFA’s recitation of facts: “When I testified in court that I first received on December 10, 2015, documents relating to your negligent failure to file the required certification and its possible legal consequences, and that I was unaware of the issue prior to that time, I was telling the truth. It was the truth then, and it is the truth now because the truth never changes.” Enslen goes on to state in his letter that
Bob Morris, attorney for Richard Dennis, Harrison’s opponent in the Republican primary and in the upcoming general election, brought in a package of documents which first called the matter to Enslen’s attention. Enslen said that he was unaware of the situation on Nov. 13 and stated that the reason for the discrepancy in the contract date was due to the fact that the original agreement between Enslen and Helms was verbal and was later reduced to writing and Helms used the wrong date on the agreement. Helms also issued a letter to Harrison wherein he agrees with the recitation of facts and Enslen’s letter and takes full responsibility for the mistake. Helms letter states: “Human beings sometimes make mistakes and in many instances corrections may be made without adverse consequences. Unfortunately, I made a mistake and I want to correct the resultant adverse consequences. “In its recent story published on July 14, 2016, regarding Judge Enslen and you, WSFA reported that Judge Enslen, pursuant to a contract between him and myself, was aware of your failure to file a certificate as early as November 13, 2015, and that he directed me to commence legal research into the matter on that date. Therein lies the mistake. And as the one who drafted the document, I apologize for my mistake.” The letter goes on to state that Helms first met with Morris on Dec. 9 when he was provided with a packet of information regarding Harrison’s failure to file the required documentation. Helms then provided the information to Enslen, which was the first time the judge became aware of the situation. The letter further states: “We looked to see if there was an exception for incumbents that could save you, but we found none. We found no other cases dealing with incumbents and felt that any precedent in that area should issue from a court of record. Consequently, we filed the declaratory judgment action.” During the Wetumpka Herald’s interview with
Helms he was very adamant that he and Judge Enslen made every effort to ensure Harrison would be able to appear on the ballot. Helms also made it clear that he was the reason for the mistaken dates and that he had offered his letter as an apology of sorts for the error. “The judge (Enslen) and I wanted to err on the side of caution,” Helms said. “We spent the entire day researching the issue to determine the law on the matter. The problem is there was some question as to whether an incumbent needed to file the form and initially the judge had agreed to let him be on the ballot. The judge felt he needed to administer the election in the fairest way he could.” Helms said that Enslen, though, wanted a higher court to make the decision due to the fact that the circuit court would ultimately be the arbiter of the decision if it was challenged. “We needed a court of record to make the decision,” Helms stated. Helms stated the purpose of the declaratory judgment was to provide guidance to the probate judge on how to proceed. Ultimately, the decision was not made by Enslen, but by Circuit Judge Sibley Reynolds. Helms said that the motion for declaratory judgment was filed on Dec. 14 and heard on Dec. 16, at which time Enslen was instructed that Harrison would not appear on the ballot. Enslen made it clear he had nothing to do with the final decision. “Judge Reynolds made the decisions in this case,” Enslen said. “Actually, they conducted the hearing in my absence. I had no influence at all on the outcome.” Enslen’s letter to Harrison goes on to state: “Contrary to her implied assertion in the article, reporter Jennifer Horton never mentioned to me or communicated to me in any manner the two-date discrepancy she had discovered or the fact that she wanted to interview me about the twodate discrepancy. In fact, she never mentioned any specific subject whatsoever she wanted to discuss.” Enslen, in fact, states that the reporter involved in the story never spoke with any of the other par-
ties with knowledge of the story including Brent Helms or Bob Morris. During our interview with Enslen, he stated that he was unaware of any contact that had been made by WSFA to either of the other individuals involved in the matter. Enslen also stated he wasn’t certain why the WSFA story attempted to assert that he had anything against Harrison. “I don’t know where it is coming from,” he said. “I guess someone is convincing WSFA that I need to be exposed.” Helms stated that no one from WSFA had attempted to contact him regarding the story. Enslen reiterated he had nothing against Harrison and that he was simply attempting to ascertain the legality of Harrison’s lack of filing the appropriate document. Enslen said the purpose of the declaratory judgment actions filed in this matter were simply to have a higher court make a determination as to who should appear on the ballot. Enslen again reiterated with the Herald that he only became aware of the situation on Dec. 10, when Helms made him aware of the information provided by Morris. He said the date of Nov. 13 was merely a clerical error. Helms and Enslen both said they were under a tight time limitation as state law required ballots be certified by Dec. 16. “We worked practically all day on this issue to try to come to a conclusion,” Helms said. Enslen also stated he informed Harrison of the issue after he became aware of it via email. The email, which was sent on Dec. 11 at 10:49 a.m., states the following:
“Below are the statutes and AG opinions that I mentioned to you on the phone a few minutes ago. If I can provide any additional information to you or your attorney, I would be glad to do so. My personal cell number is ----------. I am taking under consideration your position that an incumbent should not be subject to the referenced requirement, and I will likely seek direction from the Circuit Court of Elmore County. As soon as you are able, please provide me with the name and contact information for your attorney. Best wishes, Judge John E. Enslen Probate Judge of Elmore County As a condition precedent to qualifying as a candidate for nomination of a political party for the office of county superintendent, the law requires that a certificate of administration and supervision signed by the State Superintendent of Education be filed in the probate office. In response to a request from the Herald for input, Harrison provided the following written statement: “I received the letter from Judge Enslen yesterday. The documents at issue speak for themselves and I’m confident the voters of Elmore County can look at them and determine what they mean. My message today remains the same as it’s always been. My main focus now is getting school ready for our kids in 17 short days.” He declined to answer any questions or provide any further comment. Morris could not be reached for comment in this matter.
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PAGE 8 • JULY 23-24, 2016
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ELMORE COUNTY WEEKEND
Edgewood football moves forward By CORY DIAZ Sports Editor
Edgewood Academy will field a football team for the 2016 season despite recent speculation that the school would suspend the program. During an informal parent meeting Thursday afternoon in the school’s cafeteria, headmaster Clint Welch, newly hired head football coach Eric Folmar and athletic director Chris George confirmed that “at this time” the program will continue, dispelling rumors of Edgewood not having enough kids to play. Since the June 14 resignation of longtime successful coach Bobby Carr, 29 student-athletes – mostly last year’s juniors and seniors – have withdrawn from the school. As of Thursday, the Wildcat football team has 15 kids, grades 9 through 12, and 29 players including eighth-graders, according the Welch. “I talked with coach Folmar and the other coaches, and we are going to have a football team this year,” Welch told the parents Thursday. “And why would we not? We’ve got enough bodies and boys out there to play. We may sputter, but we’ll not quit. We’re not going to fold up this thing up. There’s no perfect solution or answer.
“This is Edgewood, we’re not accustomed to this.” Hired a week after Carr resigned, Folmar said after the meeting Thursday that the decision to move forward was based on the fact that the players wanted to play. “It’s been a really tough situation overall. From the get-go, we lost a couple of kids since I’ve gotten here, but the kids that are here are all-in,” Folmar said. “They’re all-in and they want to play and they want to have a season. Our five seniors have been great throughout this whole process and never wavered. “This situation is unique to Edgewood, but it’s not a unique situation in the AISA with schools like us. It’s just something we’re going to have to go through. We’ve got a good group of kids, we’ve got a capable group of kids. We’re going to have to play some young guys and take some lumps. The future is bright, our kids will take some lumps now, but it’ll really be worth it in the long run because two or three years from now when those kids are juniors and seniors and they’ve been through all this, then experienced some varsity football on a high level, we’re going to be in a much better place.” With one parent voicing concerns about player safety, Welch and Folmar told the group that with the program’s current numbers, the coaches, for the time
being, would decide whether to forfeit a game or not on a week-to-week basis. The AISA implemented new procedure this year, giving schools autonomy in filling its own schedule and each football game is entered on a contractual basis. According to the AISA Athletic Handbook on page 9, “if a (football game) contract is broken, a forfeiture fee of $2,500 must be paid. If the football season is cancelled within seven (7) days of the first practice date, according to the AISA Calendar of Events, schools will not have to forfeit or pay forfeiture fines.” Folmar said the decision to drop a game during the upcoming season would be based on his players and team. “That decision would be made more based on us than whoever our opponent is. It’ll be one of things we’ll have to approach very delicately, but we’ll make sure we have our kids’ best interest at heart,” Folmar said. “I want a football team more than anybody. We’re going to live with what it is. We’re coming to take it week-to-week, if there are weeks where we have to forfeit, so be it. We’re hoping for a good season. Nothing’s written in stone.”
Area pair competes with state’s best in All-Star games By CORY DIAZ Sports Editor
Cory Diaz / The Herald
Above, Holtville rising senior Jack Broom (30) battles a North defender for an air ball during the annual North-South All-Star boys soccer match Tuesday at the Emory Folmar Soccer Complex at AUM. Wetumpka rising senior catcher Kelsie Cornelius rips a line drive during Tuesday’s North-South All-Star Softball Game at Lagoon Park in Montgomery.
North defeats South in rain-shortened All-Star game By CORY DIAZ Sports Editor
MONTGOMERY – Elmore County’s Kell Floyd and Wetumpka pair Ty Humphrey and Rod Thrasher didn’t get a chance to play for the South in the North’s rain-shorten 14-0 victory Thursday in the AHSAA NorthSouth All Star Football Game at Cramton Bowl. The 57th annual playing of the showcase was called at 8:16 mark in the second quarter due to lightning and heavy rains. Quarterback Zach Cupps of Gardendale was 5-of-6 passing for 96 yards and a 51-yard touchdown pass to Sheffield wide receiver Aaron Pride to earn MVP honors for head coach Frank Tucker’s North squad. The score came at 5:19 of the first quarter and just 3:30 minutes after Minor’s David Mitchell’s 14-yard TD run. It was Mitchell’s only run of the night. Morgan Coston of Leeds kicked both extra points. Mitchell’s score capped a sixplay, 40-yard march the North’s first possession of the game. The South, head-coached by Theodore’s Eric Collier, drove to the North 29-yard line on its
second possession of the game but McGill-Toolen quarterback Parish Chambers was sacked for a 6-yard loss back to the 35 by Leeds defensive lineman Josephus Smith. The South turned the ball over on downs at the 31. The North finished with eight first downs, 49 yards rushing on 12 carries and 163 yards passing for 212 total yards. Cupps also rushed for 10 yards on one carry and finished with 106 total yards. Edwards was 3-of-5 passing for 67 yards. Leeds’ Smith had four tackles, including two for losses, to lead the North defense. Justin Little of Tuscaloosa County added two tackles and Blake Stidham of Hamilton was in on three stops. The South had three first downs, had a net of zero yards on six rush attempts and completed 7-of-12 passes for 75 yards. Chambers was 3-of-6 passing for 52 yards, and Montgomery-Lee quarterback Shaquille Johnson was 4-of-6 for 23 yards. Kahlil Traywick of UMS-Wright, the South MVP, had four tackles and two assists and Quantravis Kelly of Lee had two tackles and three assists for the South defense.
A pair of area athletes played among some of the state’s best this week. Holtville’s Jack Broom and Wetumpka’s Kelsie Cornelius suited up for the South boys soccer and softball team, respectively, Tuesday night in losing efforts. The North defeated the South, 4-2, in the boys AllStar soccer match at the Emory Folmar Soccer Complex at AUM, and the North swept the South, 12-4 and 4-1, in the softball doubleheader at Lagoon Park in Montgomery as part of the AHSAA’s 20th annual All-Star Sports Week. Cornelius, the Lady Indians’ rising senior catcher, started both games for the South team and went 0-for-4, striking out twice and reaching base once on a fielder’s choice in the first contest.
Kiara Akles, of Cleburne County, was named North MVP, going a combined 2-for3 with an RBI and earned the victory in Game 2, pitching three innings, giving up one run and striking out three. Marbury’s Layton Murphy picked up South MVP honors, striking out nine batters and surrendering one run in five combined innings over both games. In the boys soccer game, Tanner’s Jose Moreno scored two goals on six shots to lead the North to the 4-2 win, and garnered MVP honors. Brantton Green, of Alma Bryant, was named the MVP of the South squad, who outshot the North 18 to 13. Broom, the first Holtville soccer player selected for the North-South game, earned 34 minutes of playing time at left wing, and picked up a shot-ongoal in his first three minutes on the pitch.
EA Lady Wildcats capture AISA cheerleading crown By CORY DIAZ Sports Editor
The loudest cheer came from Edgewood Academy this week at the Alabama Independent School Association East Cheer Camp at Huntingdon College. Collecting first-place finishes in four separate categories and five girls earning Universal Cheerleading Association AllAmerican status over the course of the four-day event, the Lady Wildcats captured the crown of AISA Small School Camp Champions and won the camp Tradition award for the first time Thursday. “This year the division was really large and we are very excited and proud to have done so well,” Edgewood cheerleading coach Jody Lee said. “The girls worked really hard at camp and even before we got there. We’ve spent the whole summer working, having practice and working on things getting ready for it. It was the icing on the cake.” Senior Co-Captain Caity Jo Lee, along with junior Erika Guthrie and sophomores Hannah Grace McDavid, Chloe Lemaster and Ansley Drummonds were selected UCA All-Americans, leading EA to the top prize in Overall Game Day Performance, Cheer, Home Pom Routine and Sideline Cheer. Lee also earned a pin from a UCA staff member and was named an AISA cheerleading All-Star with her senior co-captain Avery Johnston, putting a nice bow on their final time at AISA cheer camp.
Cory Diaz / The Herald
Edgewood Academy cheerleading squad works through their sideline cheers Thursday during competition at the AISA East Cheer Camp at Huntingdon College.
“It was a sweet ending, those two have been together from day one; they have been roommates from the beginning. I was so glad to see them have that success,” Jody Lee said of her daughter, Caity Jo and Johnston. “Really humble, the both of them are and they are ones that like to be a part of a squad and see success as a team. Selfless, I describe them as that. It’s an emotional thing for me because my daughter is a senior and I couldn’t have asked for a better outcome.” Edgewood placed second in the Extreme Performance category and had two camp dance-off champions.