Tallassee Tribune June 7 2023

Resident seeking help for shot dog

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

Tallassee resident Sunny Ward and Lake Martin Animal Sanctuary’s Jennie Zinn are scrambling to help a dog that was hit by gunfire Saturday night in Ward’s yard as she let her dogs out before going to work.

“Within five to 10 seconds of letting him out, this Black guy was walking next to the road behind my house,” Ward said. “I heard him yelling out at this pit and another neighborhood dog that likes to chase people.”

Ward gave chase to the animals in the Burnt Springs Mobile Home Park on Gilmer Avenue but heard four gunshots. She quickly turned around and went back inside.

“I told myself that I needed to go check on the dogs — I needed to see

who did this,” Ward said. “I saw a Black male run through my neighborhood.”

Ward said she didn’t know who the man running through the neighborhood was and she called 911. Officers with the Tallassee Police Department responded.

“They said there wasn’t anything they could do at this time and there was

ANOTHER GENERATION SWIMS AT THE TALLASSEE POOL

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

Brenda Fincher wouldn’t share her age, but the grandmother shared her childhood in East Tallassee on Monday.

‘Strongest

about a

ago and was shot three times Saturday night.

Family of Dadeville shooting survivor celebrates reunion

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

KD Heard moved across the Dadeville High School’s Tiger Stadium one final time last Thursday night, a familiar place for a football player like himself.

His family described the moment as a blessing as he nearly died just a month earlier. Heard was one of many gunshot wound victims from the April 15 mass shooting.

The 18-year-old graduated from high school Thursday and as he accepted his diploma, the chant “KD Strong”

echoed throughout the school’s stadium. His grandmother, Sharon Ware, described the mantra as appropriate given Heard’s release from the hospital less than a week prior.

Until May 20, Heard had been recovering in the hospital from gunshot injuries sustained during the Dadeville mass shooting. Ware has prayed for his homecoming every day since the tragedy. “It’s a blessing. It’s been a long and hard journey, but we are so happy for him to be home,” she

Fincher, now a Prattville resident, returned to the Tallassee Municipal Pool with her grandchildren as it opened to the public for the first time since 2019. It is a memory she shared with her grandparents when they lived in Carrville.

“I remember coming to this pool when I was a little girl,” Fincher said. “I had some cousins whose grandparents lived right down the road from here. We could walk. That was a long time ago.” Fincher brought along Collier

See POOL, Page A6

Fincher, now a Prattville resident, returned to the Tallassee Municipal Pool with her grandchildren as it opened to the public for the first time since 2019.

CLIFF WILLIAMS | THE TRIBUNE

a ball at the Tallassee pool Monday, the first day the pool has been open

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

It’s part of every version of the American dream — providing for yourself to live a better life. It often involves working for one’s self or giving up the stability of a steady paycheck

Collier Ashmore, 10, of Wetumpka throws

to the general public in almost four years.

Obituaries

BEN JIM NICHOLS

Ben Jim Nichols, 74, of Tallassee, passed away May 27, 2023. He was born February 2, 1949. Visitation will begin at 11 am with graveside service to follow at 12 noon at Rose Hill Cemetery on Thursday, June 1, 2023 with

SHERRY JANE RUFF

Sherry Jane Ruff, 75, of Tallassee, passed away May 28, 2023. She was born September 12,

Rev. Jay Woodall officiating. He is preceded in death by his parents, James and Annie Nichols; sons, James Pak Nichols and Ben Jim Nichols, Jr.; brother, Bobby Nichols; sister, Dicey F. Sargent and nephew, Doug Thompson.

1947. A graveside service will be held at 10 am, Friday, June 9, 2023 at Elam Baptist Church Cemetery with Rev.

BRANDON MARK DUNCAN

Brandon Mark Duncan, 47, of Tallassee, died Saturday, May 20, 2023. Graveside services will be Friday, June 9, 2023, at 2:00 P.M. in Rose

Police Reports

TALLASSEE POLICE DEPARTMENT

JUNE 5

• A domestic dispute was reported on Poplar Street.

• A suspicious vehicle was reported on Gilmer Avenue.

June 4

• Harassing communications was reported on Monroe Street.

• A domestic dispute was reported on Highway 229.

• Assistance was given to a motorist on Gilmer Avenue.

• Gunfire was reported on Wall Street.

• Gunfire was reported on Herd Street.

• Assistance was given to a motorist on Camellia Drive.

• A domestic dispute was reported on Carr Street.

• A vehicle accident was reported on Macedonia Road.

• A white female was arrested on Barnett Boulevard.

• An animal complaint was reported on Gilmer Avenue.

• A juvenile complaint was reported on Tallassee Highway.

• Trespassing was reported on Third Avenue.

• Gunfire was reported on Wall Street.

JUNE 3

• Reckless driving was reported on Highway 229.

• Assistance was given to a motorist on Paxton Drive.

• A welfare check was conducted on Third Avenue.

• A domestic incident was reported on Second Avenue.

• A suspicious vehicle was reported on Gilmer Avenue.

• Property damage was reported on Laurel Street.

JUNE 2

• Assistance was given to another agency on West James Street.

• A domestic dispute was reported on Notasulga Road.

• Reckless endangerment was reported on West James Street.

• A welfare check was conducted on Grimes Street.

• Assistance was given to a city employee on North Ann Avenue.

• An animal complaint was reported on Gilmer Avenue.

• Reckless driving was reported on Gilmer Avenue.

He is survived by his siblings, Diane Rich, James R. Nichols, Earl Nichols, Danny Nichols, Charles R. Nichols and Gloria Thompson. Online condolences may be posted at www.linvillememorial. com.

Kathy Fisher officiating. She is preceded in death by her parents, L. A. and Marie Ruff. She is survived by her brother,

Hill Cemetery with Rev. Jay Woodall officiating. He is survived by his parents Betty (Bill) Denning; his siblings Melissa Roberts, Chris Booth, and Ashleigh Ledbetter; his

ed on South Wesson Street.

• Animal control was requested on Hillcrest Street.

• An animal complaint was reported on Cliff Street.

• A motor vehicle accident with injuries was reported on Kent Road.

• A welfare check was conducted on Riverside Avenue.

• A welfare check was conducted on Grimes Street.

May 31

• A suicidal subject was reported on Freeman Avenue.

• Assistance was given during a medical call on Freeman Avenue.

• Suspicious activity was reported on Gilmer Avenue.

• A domestic complaint was reported on Honeysuckle Lane.

MAY 30

• A suspicious vehicle was reported on Industrial Parkway.

• Assistance was given to the Tallassee Fire Department on Jordan Avenue.

• Assistance was given to a citizen on Barnett Boulevard.

• Assistance was given during a medical call on Freeman Avenue.

• A juvenile complaint was reported on Golden Drive.

• Assistance was given to another agency on Hickory Street.

• Trespassing was reported on Sunset Drive.

• Theft was reported on Second Avenue.

• A Black male was arrested on Riley Road. MAY 29

• A domestic incident was reported on Third Street.

• A domestic incident was reported on Riverhills Drive.

• A white male was arrested on Barnett Boulevard.

• A Black male was arrested following a vehicle pursuit on Rifle Range Road.

• A Black male was arrested on Lower Tuskegee Road.

• Harassment was reported on Lower Tuskegee Road.

• Theft was reported on Grimes Street.

• Trespassing was reported on Sunset Drive.

• Assistance was given to a motorist on Highway 229.

Lane Ruff (Betty Ruff); two nieces and four nephews. Share memories and condolences online at www.linvillememorial.com.

aunts Nell (Charles) Kelly and Addie Rape; and lots of cousins. Brandon went to Tallassee High School. He was loved very much especially by his mother.

• Menacing was reported on Wall Street.

• A domestic dispute was reported on Wall Street.

• Assistance was given to a motorist on Kent Road.

• Debris was reported in the roadway on Gilmer Avenue.

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

• A Black male was arrested during a domestic dispute call on East Patton Street. MAY 27

• Gunfire was reported on Riley Road.

• A suspicious vehicle was reported on Washington Street.

• Harassing communications was reported on Ashurst Avenue.

• Gunfire was reported on Sims Avenue.

• A domestic incident was reported on Elm Street.

• A welfare check was conducted on Mott Lane.

• A suspicious person was reported on Grimes Street.

• Assistance was given to medics on East Patton Street.

• A domestic incident was reported on Third Avenue.

• A welfare check was conducted on Notasulga Road.

• A domestic dispute was reported on Gilmer Avenue.

• A Black male was arrested during a domestic dispute on Tallassee Highway.

• A suspicious vehicle was reported on Lily Avenue.

• A hit and run motor vehicle accident was reported on Gilmer Avenue.

• A noise complaint was reported on Freeman Avenue.

• Suspicious activity was reported on Venable Street.

• A suicidal subject was reported on Freeman Avenue. MAY 26

• A white female was arrested during a private property motor vehicle accident call on Gilmer Avenue.

• Reckless driving was reported on Highway 229.

• An animal complaint was reported on Gammils Store Road.

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

• A fight was reported on Riley Road.

• Assistance was given to medics on Mott Lane.

• Disorderly conduct was reported on Ashurst Bar Road.

• A domestic incident was reported on Grimes Street.

• A welfare check was conducted on Jordan Avenue.

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

• A domestic dispute was reported on Grimes Street.

• Theft was reported on Gilmer Avenue.

• Forgery was reported on Tallassee Highway.

• A motor vehicle accident with injury was reported on Tallassee Highway.

• A motor vehicle accident with no injuries was reported on North Ann Avenue. MAY 24

• A suspicious person was reported on East Roosevelt Street.

• Theft was reported on Ice Plant Road.

• Harassing communications was reported on Rosemere Drive.

• A suspicious person was reported on Gilmer Avenue.

• An animal complaint was reported on First Avenue.

• A Black male was arrested during a trespassing call on Birch Street.

• A downed powerline was reported on Gilmer Avenue.

• An animal complaint was reported on West Patton Street. MAY 23

• A domestic dispute was reported on Macedonia Road.

• A civil dispute was reported on Barnett Boulevard.

• Assistance was given to a motorist on Gilmer Avenue.

• A domestic dispute was reported on Macedonia Road.

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

• A motor vehicle accident was reported on Gilmer Avenue.

• A disorderly subject was reported on Elm Street.

• A domestic dispute was reported on Central Boulevard.

• Assistance was given to a citizen on Hunters Ridge.

• Assistance was given to another agency on Hillcrest Street.

• Mail tampering was reported on Gilmer Avenue.

• A motor vehicle accident with injury was reported on Friendship Road.

• A suspicious subject was reported on Hillcrest Street.

• A suspicious subject was reported on Hillcrest Street.

June 1

• Violation of a protection order was reported on Riverside Avenue.

• Harassing communications was reported on Cotton Ridge Road.

• An intoxicated driver was reported on Highway 229.

• A Black female was arrested on Barnett Boulevard.

• Theft was reported on Gilmer Avenue.

• Harassment was reported on Ashley Lane.

• A private property motor vehicle accident was report-

• Assistance was given to a motorist on Highway 229.

• A suspicious vehicle was reported on Notasulga Road. MAY 28

• A noise complaint was reported on First Avenue.

• A white male was arrested during a harassment call on John Street.

• A domestic complaint was reported on Darnell Road.

• Reckless driving was reported on Jordan Avenue.

• Theft was reported on Jordan Avenue.

• Theft was reported on Gilmer Avenue.

• A fight in progress was reported on Gilmer Avenue.

• Theft was reported on John Street.

• A private property motor vehicle accident was reported on Central Boulevard.

• Burglary was reported on Gilmer Avenue.

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

• An animal complaint was reported on South Ann Avenue.

• A white male was arrested on Barnett Boulevard.

• An animal complaint was reported on Gilmer Avenue.

• A motor vehicle accident was reported on Kent Road.

• A Black male was arrested during a domestic dispute call on Cotton Ridge Road.

• A Black male was arrested during a suspicious vehicle call on Central Boulevard. MAY 25

• Debris was reported in the roadway on East Patton Street.

• A domestic complainant was reported on Grimes Street.

• An animal complaint was reported on Central Boulevard.

• Assistance was given during a medical call on Second Avenue.

• Criminal mischief was reported on Ashurst Avenue.

• A juvenile complaint was reported on Adams Street.

• An animal complaint was reported on Dogwood Street.

• An animal complaint was reported on South Ann Avenue.

MAY 22

• Assistance was given during a medical on Main Street.

• Harassment was reported on Barnett Boulevard.

• An animal complaint was

Humane Society of Elmore County News

Rehoming your pet should be a careful process

By REA CORD HSEC Executive Director

June is Adopt a Cat month for very good reason.

Signs in yards, posts all over social media, friends and family asking most everyone — who wants a kitten?

We are now well in the middle of what shelters call “kitten season,” and there are simply kittens everywhere. We adore cats but there is no doubt kitten season is overwhelming for all of us. Perhaps you had a cat show up a couple of months ago then she disappeared and when you saw her next, surprise: She now has four, five or maybe eight eight or nine kittens in tow.

If you want to keep a new stray, you need to get it spayed or neutered without delay to prevent even more unwanted litters.

Now you have kittens, maybe puppies or perhaps need to rehome your own adult pet — what do you do?

Rehoming a pet is something that needs to be done deliberately and with great caution. We tend to cringe at “free to a good home.”

While owners trying to find new homes for pets may mean well and some free pets do end up in wonderful homes, we still strongly advise against this approach as “free” is all too often seen as “worthless.”

Studies show pets obtained for free are less likely to ever be taken to a veterinarian for basic immunizations and checkups and we can attest to that as easily 85% of surrendered pets to our shelter have never been to a vet and aren’t spayed or neutered.

Far too many of these free pets end up producing even more unwanted puppies and kittens which results in an exponential growth in even more unwanted pets with nowhere to go.

While this is not intended to scare or offend, there are some harsh realities of what has been known to happen to “free” pets. Free pets are more likely to be abused and/or discarded because “there are plenty more where that one came from.”

Be aware as soon as you give that pet away you have no control over what happens to it. We beg you to take care and do all you can to make sure the new owners will give your pet a safe, responsible and loving home.

What should you do if you need to re-home your pet?

If your pet came from a responsible breeder, call to see if he or she can take it back or assist with placement as a truly responsible breeder will be there for the animal.

You should consider

Pet of the Week - Greta

charging a fee that will not only “value” your pet but discourage resale of pets to others. Spay or neuter your pet to avoid attracting backyard breeders or puppy mill operators.

Interview potential new owners by asking for their identification, phone number, previous pet experience, current pets and children in the household, how the pet will be contained, and veterinarian reference. Keep the contact info, call the veterinarian for a reference and if at all possible, visit the home to see how and where your pet will live before you release it to the new owner.

For the puppies or kittens, or if you cannot afford to have your pet spayed or neutered, ask the new owner to pledge he or she will have the pet fixed by the time it is 6 months old, or immediately in the case of an adult pet.

If a potential adopter isn’t willing to give you his or her information or let you conduct a home visit, our advice is to politely send them away empty handed. You owe it to your pet to take the time and effort to make sure it goes to a good home.

If time is critical or you are simply not willing to screen potential owners, then please take your pet to a reputable public or private shelter rather than give it away free to someone you know nothing about. Each county in our

Greta is 7 months old as of late May and weighs only 30 pounds. She is not likely to be any bigger than 40 pounds when fully mature. She is a sweet girl who is a great with other dogs and is looking for a home to call her own.

The Humane Society of Elmore County’s adoption fees are $100 for dogs and $50 for cats under 1

POLICE

Continued from A1

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.

reported on South Ann Avenue.

• An animal complaint was reported on Central Boulevard.

• Fraudulent use of a debit or credit card was reported on Friendship Road.

• An animal complaint was reported on South Ann Avenue.

• Harassment was reported on Weldon Road.

• Animal control was requested on Gilmer Avenue.

• An animal complaint was reported on West Patton Street.

• An animal complaint was reported on Gilmer Avenue.

• Animal control was requested on Old Bridge Street.

tri-county area has an open-admission shelter and while none of us can guarantee placement due to overwhelming numbers, we will do our utmost to find adoptable pets loving and lifetime homes. We work to screen and educate adopters to make sure they are appropriate and

ready to take on a new pet and our adoption fees cover immunizations, deworming, microchip (including registration) and mandatory spay or neuter.

Plus, if you take home a new Shelter Pet from our shelter and it does not work out, we will always take

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 334567-3377 and the website is www.elmorehumane.org.

WETUMPKA POLICE DEPARTMENT

MAY 31

• Criminal mischief was reported on Hill Street.

• Theft was reported on Captain Crommelin Road.

• Theft was reported on U.S. Highway 231. MAY 25

• Theft was reported on U.S. Highway 231. MAY 20

• Domestic violence was reported on U.S. Highway 231.

• Domestic violence was reported on U.S. Highway 231. MAY 17

• Theft was reported on U.S. Highway 231. MAY 15

• Failure to pay for gasoline was reported on Holtville Road.

our adopted pet back. We committed to it once and will do the same if it is returned, armed with more information to help with a better placement.

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

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

Weddings, Engagements, Anniversaries, or Birth

Announcements: These significant family events or milestones are 35 cents per word and $25 for a photo and must be emailed to us at announcements@thewetumpkaherald.com. Include name and telephone number. The text for the announcement must be in the body of the email (not as an attachment) and photographs must be sent as a .jpeg attached to the email. Announcements will appear within 10 days in The Herald or The Tribune.

Tallassee Talks

Let’s go gator hunting

Ever since I read “Paper Lion,” by George Plimpton, I’ve been a hands-on type of journalist.

Plimpton was known for participatory journalism. He liked to get his hands dirty.

His best known book, “Paper Lion,” is all about being a backup quarterback for the Detroit Lions. He’s also been a hockey goalie for the Boston Bruins, a pitcher in the MLB and a boxer against Sugar Ray Robinson. When he wasn’t playing sports, he was acting or playing with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra. He was always getting into the thick of things and really experiencing what his sources were telling him.

I admire Plimpton. Not only because he just so happened to quarterback for my favorite team, but also because he’s never afraid of trying something.

A lot of times, being a journalist is about conquering your fears. You’re asked to go to a crime scene, or talk to someone you’ve never met, or enter a room of people who are completely different than you. It’s about being bold and not holding back, in the hopes of forming the best relationships, getting the best sources and telling the most interesting stories.

Plimpton never backed down. Over the years, I’ve tried to mimic him in a lot of ways. When I lived in Pennsylvania, my sports editor wanted me to do a story about a new golf course at the local club called “Learn to Golf in Five Hours.”

‘If

ILIZI GWIN Managing Editor

Sure, it could have been a runof-the-mill story, previewing the course. I could’ve talked with the instructor about what lessons would be learned and followed up with a participant to see how it went afterward. It may have been a fairly decent story. However, I didn’t want a decent story. I didn’t want run of the mill. Instead, I asked my boss if I could take the class — it was one hour per week for five hours — and write about it from that point of view. I knew nothing about golf or how to play it, and I am not exactly athletically inclined. But I wanted to give it a shot, and I thought, “This might be the best way to see if this works — actually teach me how to play in five hours.”

I also thought, “Good luck.”

was being held and what lessons would be learned.

more into participatory journal ism. I’ve worked at community newspapers my whole career, and it’s always been drilled into how important the relationship with your community is. Meeting peo ple on their levels seemed to build that. My coworker and I played a two-on-two basketball game with our players of the year one season, and we had a donut-eating contest with the wrestling all-stars. type of journalism to Tallapoo sa Publishers. I want our staff to know you, and I want you to know each of them — and this starts with alligator hunting.

Mitch Sneed knew this about me and encouraged me to find some one who would take me on a gator hunt. He suggested John McKel vey, so if you’re reading this, hol ler at me.

We learned about putting, the greens, chip shots, tees and more, and I did actually learn how to function at least on a golf course — it didn’t say it would teach me how to play golf well, after all.

But the stories were gold. I made so many mistakes, and recalling those for our readers was much more entertaining for them than an informational story would have been. It also served to answer the basic questions of where the class

this experience is all about. I recently traveled through Louisiana and am still craving those gator bites. Plus, I haven’t done any type of hunting since I’ve been in Alabama and I’m excited to tell the story of how you snatch a gator. Check out information on how to get a tag on Page B1, let me know if you win the lottery and let’s make it happen.

t may very well be the most famous recording studio on the planet.

Even the crosswalk in front of it is certainly well-known.

Recently, Abbey Road Studios in London celebrated its 90th birthday. And who better than Mary McCartney, daughter of Paul McCartney, to use her name and privileged access to make her debut as a documentary filmmaker on the subject?

“If These Walls Could Sing” is just a joy. The film spends an hour and a half with friends old and new, celebrating the most storied recording space in history.

Constructed by EMI in 1931 to house a symphony orchestra, Abbey Road Studios’ first official occupant was the London Symphony Orchestra. Recorded footage of composerconductor Edward Elgar with the LSO is featured in the documentary; seeing Elgar conduct his own composition “Pomp and Circumstance” (the song performed at graduation every year) was, for this viewer, breathtaking in that I never knew such footage existed.

Abbey Road Studios was never intended to be anything like what we think of when we, in our mind’s eye, imagine a recording studio: no small spaces, no producer behind a glass, no computers. Abbey Road features two giant cavernous spaces with the producer’s suite accessible by a flight of stairs; some compared it to a manager’s office above the workers on the factory floor.

Beyond the orchestral recordings, there were plenty of other EMI releases produced there including comedy albums, spoken-word recordings and some of the most well-known versions of classical and chamber music ever put on wax.

For example, included in the documentary is never-before-seen footage of Jacqueline du Pré recording the Elgar cello concerto, in rehearsal with Daniel Barenboim.

But the popular music of the 1960s and 1970s are the focus of

this documentary — and rightly so as some of the most well-known recordings ever made were produced during that era.

When the Beatles appeared at Abbey Road in 1962, comedy record producer George Martin was assigned to them. Little did he know along with the Fab Four, a golden age of popular music would begin as the Beatles moved from not-so-silly love songs to studio extravaganzas the likes of which have often been imitated but never duplicated.

The British Invasion of the 1960s the Beatles epitomized unleashed a wave of artists recording pop and rock music at Abbey Road. Studio musicians like Elton John and Jimmy Page are interviewed in the documentary — not about their own successes, but how they got their start playing with the greats at Abbey Road.

It’s kind of funny to see cocky young Jimmy Page in pre-guitar god mode, playing sessions at Abbey Road as a teenager, pr slightly pudgylooking Reginald Dwight, not yet known as Elton John, sitting at the piano for sessions by other artists.

These two played on a lot of wonderful tracks; mentioned in the documentary were the James Bond themes “Goldfinger” by Shirley Bassey and “Thunderball” by Tom Jones. It’s fascinating to think John and Page were in the room playing on sessions like those before anyone knew who they were.

Giles Martin, son of George Martin, provides some fantastic archival material.

On an old four-track mixing desk, the one his father used to record the Beatles, he plays the unadorned opening vocals of “A Day in the Life” by the Beatles from a giant reel-toreel tape deck. John Lennon’s voice singing, ‘I heard the news today, oh boy,’ is just as spellbinding today as it was over 50 years ago. Giles Martin goes on to describe

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

These Walls Could Sing’

the recording process of that song as his father led the Beatles into creative territory that was unimaginable just a few years earlier. This part of the documentary was so good I don’t have the words to describe it.

By the late 1970s, Abbey Road had fallen on hard times with few artists booking sessions. It was the era of the blockbuster motion picture that brought Abbey Road roaring back to life.

John Williams, who was interviewed in the documentary (and palling around with Ringo Starr, of all people), specifically chose Abbey Road because he wanted the London Symphony Orchestra to record his score for “Star Wars.”

Turned off by the Los Angeles and New York studios, Williams loved the fact Abbey Road is large enough to give the music its reverberant “bloom,” as he called it, but small enough to preserve articulation.

Again, the footage is revelatory. Williams, with George Lucas and Steven Spielberg in their early1980s prime, leads the LSO on the soundtrack to “Raiders of the Lost Ark” while a rough cut of the film plays on a giant screen. Seeing these geniuses at work was mind blowing and very entertaining.

Abbey Road today is as much a legend as the people who have recorded there.

It is still used for orchestral recordings, but many popular artists also like to make records at Abbey Road. Adele, Oasis and other modern artists choose these hallowed studios to make their artistic statement.

The final segment of the documentary features John Legend and Kanye West recording with a full orchestra, demonstrating Abbey Road Studios is the top choice for musicians from every genre and every age.

“If These Walls Could Sing” is a quote from Paul McCartney during the movie. This documentary is available on Disney+ and Hulu and I highly recommend it.

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

Dadeville mass shooters indicted on 145 charges

TPI STAFF Staff Report

On Monday, a Tallapoosa County grand jury indicted five suspects in connection with the Dadeville mass shooting.

5th Circuit District Attorney Mike Segrest announced Wednesday in a press release that the Tallapoosa County grand jury reconvened at his request by order of Isaac Whorton, the presiding circuit court judge of the 5th Judicial Circuit of Alabama.

A 145-count indictment was read in open

court regarding the shooting which occurred in Dadeville on April 15 at a 16-year-old's birthday party.

Six individuals were initially arrested and charged for the reckless murder for the four shooting fatalities, five of whom are being tried as adults including: Johnny Letron Brown, 20, and Willie George Brown Jr., 19 and Wilson LaMar Hill Jr., 20, of Auburn as well as two juveniles.

According to Segrest, a 15 year-old has been charged with the same additional charges and

a motion to transfer the person from juvenile court was filed. A hearing will take place in juvenile court on that motion.

Following Monday’s court proceeding, the suspects previously arrested have now been formally indicted for those charges as well as received new charges for the surviving individuals who were also shot.

Among them include reckless murder (a total of 20 counts) for the four fatalities which resulted from the shooting, 24 counts of

first-degree assault for the 24 individuals who suffered penetrating gunshot wounds (a total of 120 counts).

All five are also charged with one count of third-degree assault (a total of five counts) for a victim who suffered a superficial gunshot wound.

According to the press release, among the victims who were tragically shot and survived is 37-yearold Latonya Allen, who is the mother of both Philstavious “Phil” Dowdell, who was fatally injured

SURVIVOR

Continued from A1

said.

He initially attended Mahogany Masterpiece on April 15 as a guest for a Sweet 16 birthday party but left as a victim of a shooting.

He planned to leave the party when gunfire erupted, his grandmother said, and had nearly approached the dance studio’s door at the time of the shooting. He sustained two gunshot wounds in both his neck and arm, including one which burrowed into his side.

“He just said that he had a strange feeling,” Ware said. “He told me he was at the door, and that’s what hurts me so much because my baby was so close.”

Like many others, she is trying to understand the tragedy in Dadeville, which claimed four lives, including

those of Heard’s two classmates, KeKe Nicole Smith and Philstavious “Phil” Dowdell.

“This has been the longest month of my life,” Ware said. “We never thought this day would be here, and I really hurt in my heart for the families that weren’t able to take their babies home. Everyday when I walk in and look at my baby, it saddens me that they didn’t have that opportunity.”

In the aftermath, Heard has undergone surgeries on his spine, lungs and kidneys. The injuries, according to Heard’s stepfather Jesse Francis, impacted his ability to walk.

The Dadeville and Camp Hill communities remain committed to keeping his spirits high during his recovery, which culminated with his homecoming last Saturday.

Heard’s mother LaToya Ware as well as his aunt Sherica Giles and grandmother planned for weeks a parade in preparation for his eventual

homecoming. Residents from both communities rallied to join in support and lined Old 280 Road to welcome Heard home. Just some members of the parade included the Camp Hill fire and police departments as well as the Mahogany Masterpiece dance team.

Sharon Ware described her grandson’s reaction as well worth the wait.

“When he got here, you saw nothing but love pouring out for him,” she said. “He was so excited. He was overjoyed, and I just thank God for him coming home and being able to see all that love.”

The large parade turnout was one surprising joy for Giles.

“It was shocking to me and there was a good turnout,” she said. “It is a big relief knowing he is here with us.”

In months ahead, the family plans to support Heard in his college aspirations.

and 16 year-old Alexis Dowdell, whose birthday was being celebrated.

The 24 remaining victims range in age from 14 to 19 years old.

If found guilty, the press release states the

individuals charged face a possible sentence of 20 years to life in prison for each of the four fatalities and a minimum of 10 years with a maximum 20-year sentence on all 24 counts of first-degree assault.

WILLIAM MARLOW THE TRIBUNE

KD Heard raised his arms in celebration as he returned home after several weeks in the hospital following the Dadeville shooting.

POOL

Continued from A1

Ashmore and Barrett Cook, both 10 and from Wetumpka. She was looking for activities for everyone as she enjoyed a day off work.

“The pool in Prattville is closed on Monday’s,” Fincher said. “I read where this was opening for the first time in a while so we decided to come over.”

Fincher and her grandchildren were some of the first to dip their toes in the cool water Monday after Tallassee Parks and Recreation Department lifeguards completed the first day of swim lessons. It was the first day of open swim at

Continued from A1

not a law on anyone shooting animals in Alabama,” Ward

the Tallassee pool since before the COVID-19 pandemic.

“They were lined up ready to come in,” Tallassee Parks and Recreation director Megan Miller said.

The boys were too busy jumping from the high dive and playing in the water to say much.

“It’s fun,” Barrett said.

“It’s all good,” Collier said.

Fincher did slow Barrett long enough to add more sunscreen.

Miller said there will be five lifeguards hired for the summer and will be on duty for open swim.

Miller said children as young as 4 can take the lessons and all skill levels are welcomed.

The cost for open swims is $3 for children and $5 for adults. Miller said all swimmers are required to

said. Sunday afternoon Tallassee police chief Todd Buce said his department was still looking into the incident.

Buce confirmed the details of a dog allegedly shot by an

wear an appropriate swimsuit.

“It can’t be cut off jeans and T-shirt,” she said.

Miller said Monday was the first day of swim lessons and they went well considering it was the first lessons in so long.

“We had 24 kids in here this morning, 12 in each class and broke off into groups,” Miller said. “Everything went well. We weren’t quite sure what to expect. All the kids had a good time. They listened.”

Miller said there were 72 openings for swim lessons when they opened registration. The first session is full with 24. There are only a couple openings for the June 19-29 session and about 10 openings for the July 10-21 session.

unknown Black male and no contact was made with the owners of the dog.

“The officers on scene were advised that the canine was going to be transported to Montgomery for care

by the owners,” Buce said.

“Apparently after the officers left the scene, the owners of the canine neglected to take the animal for treatment. A third party has contacted dispatch to ascertain the owner’s information.”

Buce said as of Sunday afternoon he didn’t have information on the owners but would look further into the matter when the shift came back to work Sunday night.

Ward started to care for the dog and its gunshot wounds Saturday night and sought help while comforting the dog.

“There is one shot behind the collar, one behind the ear and above his eyebrow that exited through the neck,” Ward said.

By Sunday morning Ward contacted Zinn and the pair are trying to contact the dog’s owner and work on treatment options. Ward learned through a social media contact the dog’s name is BamBam but the contact has stopped talking and the owner hasn’t contacted Ward or Zinn who want to treat BamBam.

“I’m trying to get this dog into my vet and raise money for his treatment then find him a home afterwards,” Zinn said. “We kind of have to have the owner tell us what to do or surrender the dog so we can treat the dog.”

Zinn said there could be issues if BamBam isn’t owner surrendered but she could still seek emergency treatment for the pet.

Ward said BamBam was wandering her neighborhood for at least a week prior to Saturday’s incident.

“I’m not sure where this dog came from,” Ward said. “He has been bouncing between my house and the neighbor’s. I have set water out for him.”

Ward said someone had driven through the neighborhood looking for a dog but didn’t leave any contact information.

Ward is still frightened after hearing gunshots very close to her home and seeing BamBam injured. Now BamBam is attaching himself to Ward.

“He doesn’t want to leave my side,” Ward said. “I don’t know if it’s because I was there right after he was shot or what. He has held it together for the both of us.”

Ward said she didn’t think BamBam would make it through Saturday night. Ward’s neighbor helped care for him through Saturday night. Sunday morning BamBam was showing his resilience, all while his gunshot injuries remain mostly untreated.

“He is eating and drinking,” Ward said. “He has been walking around and trying to play. He is so strong it is amazing.”

Ward is worried about BamBam’s future as she is uncertain about another pet in her home at the moment.

“For a couple of months now, I have been telling myself I don’t want to get another dog because my last dog was stolen,” Ward said. “I easily get attached to them. I would love to take him into my home.”

DOG

Memorial Day is also the Day of Pentecost

Greetings from the corner of Bridge and Bridge! It is a lovely day in the neighborhood as I write this week’s column. I do pray everyone was able to enjoy the Memorial Day holiday. Two Sundays ago was more than just the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend. On the Christian calendar, it was also the Day of Pentecost. Christians around the globe remembered what is perhaps the most prolific biblical event of the coming of the Holy Spirit. Of course, we know the Holy Spirit did not come into being on the Day of Pentecost. Most biblical scholars and theologians agree that the Holy Spirit was

REV. JONATHAN YARBORO Columnist

present at the time of creation. “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.”(Genesis 1:1-2 NIV)

What did happen on the Day of Pentecost was a mass outpouring of the Spirit of God. The crowd struggled to make sense of the cacophony taking place. People did not understand the words com -

ing from their own mouths, but all present heard the same distinct word from God in their native tongue. I love juxtapositions. As a Presbyterian, I am also a firm believer in divine providence. In other words, I do not find it coincidental that the word of God from the Sunday Lectionary was encountered on the eve of Memorial Day. The word of God never comes accidentally. We spent some time in Sunday school and worship yesterday playing out the possible connections between the two observances. A few central themes emerged as we considered the meanings of the Day of Pentecost and Memorial

Day. Allow me to share a few of those.

First, the measure of the Spirit given to each individual was intended for the good of all. No one received a larger measure than anyone else. There were no criteria established for receiving the gift. It was freely given by God to all.

The freedoms enjoyed as a result of the sacrifice of others come in the same manner. Those willing to give their lives in service to a greater good do not control who receives the freedoms they died for. The resulting freedoms come to all.

Second, the sacrifice is not martyrdom. Martyrs seek to die for a cause, using their life

Tallassee Churches

and death as a statement. Jesus did not seek to die. He gave his life so that others might live.

Those we remember on Memorial Day are not martyrs. None of them had the specific desire to die for their cause. They were willing to make the ultimate sacrifice, but I doubt any hoped their willing service would result in death.

Third, people questioned what they were experiencing. Many in the crowd on the Day of Pentecost had no idea what was happening. This is fascinating, since the text tells us that all heard the word of God in their native tongue. There was no reason for doubt, but doubt persisted.

Many in our nation have no understanding of the sacrifice sisters and brothers willingly make to preserve the greater good. Members of the military and first responders take an oath to serve the greater good. There is no reason to doubt that oath, yet doubters persist. Followers of Jesus Christ know God’s example of humble servanthood. Citizens of the United States of America know what service looks like. Doubt persists in the earthly kingdom, but it has no basis on fact. We know better. Why not act as if we do?

Rev. Jonathan Yarboro is the Pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Wetumpka.

Wetumpka’s Holt delivers on promise

By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor

Mya Holt gave herself a near-impossible task entering her junior season.

The junior pitcher and outfielder, who has been committed to Troy for nearly a calendar year, told herself she wanted to have a better season than she did as a sophomore in 2022.

Otwell leads Indians to 6A state championship

By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor

Wetumpka softball

coach Daryl Otwell had high expectations for his squad entering the 2023 season, but the Indians went above and beyond this year.

They finished the season with a statebest 54-6-1 record and claimed the AHSAA Class 6A state championship for the second time in program history and first time since 2015.

The Indians went 4-0 in the state tournament, claiming a 2-1 walk off victory over defending champion Athens in the championship.

For his team’s performance, Otwell has been named the 2023 Elmore County Softball Coach of the Year.

“We knew as a coaching staff that we had a pretty good team going in,” Otwell said. “We had big expectations, but then we got to 54 wins and three or four of our six losses were on walkoffs and could’ve gone either way. I’m proud of the girls and how consistent they were with their work.”

As Wetumpka kept winning, the target on its back got bigger.

The Indians won their first 24 games, including the Prattville, Glencoe and home tournaments.

With a 24-0 record and three trophies, Wetumpka earned some national recognition. The Indians were ranked as the No. 1 team in the state and No. 11 across the entire country. From then on,

there were no more surprises. Teams across the state knew Wetumpka was good.

“Our big message this year was to not get complacent and I think the girls bought into that,” Otwell said. “They worked hard and never really took days off. Just when you think you have it all figured out, things can quickly change for you too.”

Wetumpka suffered its first loss of the year shortly after the rankings came out, a 5-4 extra innings loss to Calera.

The Indians bounced back with another 12-game win streak then finished the regular season with a 44-4-1 overall record and a 4-0 record in area play.

Wetumpka hosted its area tournament and got its real first taste of adversity at home. At 2-0 in the area tournament, Wetumpka needed one more win to clinch the title or two losses to become the No. 2-seed in regionals.

Benjamin Russell then proceeded to beat Wetumpka, 1-0, to set up a winner-take-all championship game. It was the first time Wetumpka had been shut out all season. With its backs against the wall, Wetumpka bounced back with a 10-0 run-rule in the title game to win the area championship.

One game later, Wetumpka found itself on the brink of elimination.

To open the regional tournament down in Gulf Shores, Wetumpka

See LEADS, Page B2

SOFTBALL TEAM

By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor

he 2023 softball season has come to a close, and there was plenty of success spread across the six teams from Elmore County.

The Wetumpka Lady Indians, led by Coach of the Year Daryl Otwell and Player of the Year Mya Holt, had the best season in the state.

Wetumpka went 54-6-1 this year and claimed the AHSAA Class 6A state championship, the second in program history. The Indians were led by Holt, a Troy commit, who put up record-breaking numbers en route to her second player of the year honor.

This year, the junior hit .512 with 83 hits, 20 doubles, 4 triples, 22 home runs, 96 RBIs, and walked 42 times. In the circle, she finished the year with a 37-4 record with a 0.74 earned run average with 223 strikeouts. Other teams across the

county also saw success. Elmore County finished third in the state in Class 5A, Tallassee and Holtville came just one game short of making statet, Edgewood Academy reached the AISA semifinals, and Stanhope Elmore qualified for the regional tournament for the first time in five years. Here is the 2023 All-Elmore County Softball Team.

FIRST TEAM

BAILEA BOONE, HOLTVILLE OF Holtville’s star sophomore took another big step at the top of the lineup this season. Boone led the entire county in batting average as she hit .560 with a .591 on-base percentage. She recorded 84 hits, nine doubles, two triples, two home runs, 27 RBIs, 54 runs, 47 stolen bases and struck out only 12 times on the year.

LINDSEY BROWN

EDGEWOOD ACADEMY C/INF Brown, a University of Alabama volleyball commit

who has become a mainstay on the various All-County teams, was the Wildcats’ leader on offense this season. The junior recorded a .441 batting average, a .547 OBP, 60 hits, 24 RBIs, 66 runs, 24 doubles, one triple, five home runs, 47 stolen bases and only eight strikeouts.

ASHLYNN CAMPBELL WETUMPKA INF Wetumpka’s star shortstop and only senior on the team had one of the best seasons across the entire state and country. The Purdue signee hit .534 with 102 hits, six doubles, three triples, two home runs, 48 RBIs, 90 runs, 28 walks, 78 stolen bases and only five strikeouts. She led the state in runs, hits and stolen bases.

LILY DAVENPORT, WETUMPKA INF One of the youngest starters See SOFTBALL, Page B2

COUNTY SOFTBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR

COUNTY SOFTBALL COACH OF THE YEAR

DALTON MIDDLETON | THE TRIBUNE

Wetumpka coach Daryl Otwell hugs one of his players after winning the AHSAA Class 6A state championship

Bailea Boone Lindsey Brown Ashlynn Campbell Jada McLeod Ashtyn Pannell Taylor Price

Tallassee’s Bell, Nelson qualify for Team Alabama

By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor

Two of the county’s best wrestlers will get the opportunity to showcase their talents on the national level.

Tallassee wrestlers Land Bell and Mason Nelson have both qualified for Team Alabama this summer and will wrestle in two prestigious events.

First is the 16U National Duals Tournament held in Loves Park, Illinois, which is going on now through Saturday. Bell and Nelson will be among 1,200 wrestlers from 26 different states. The event will feature two days of freestyle competition and two days of Greco-Roman competition. The second tournament will be the 2023 USA Wrestling Junior and 16U National Championships in July in Fargo, North Dakota.

Both wrestlers qualified by winning their respective weight classes at the qualifying event at Huntingdon College last month. Bell won the 132-pound freestyle championship while Nelson won the 113-pound Greco-Roman championship.

Bell had a stellar sophomore season where he won the AHSAA Class 5A state championship in the 132-pound weight class. He finished the year with a 43-3 overall record and won four different tournament championships.

Nelson also had a stellar season and finished the year No. 3 in Class 5A in the 113pound weight class. He had a 41-4 overall record and won the regional tournament championship and the Julian McPhillips tournament championship.

TOP: Tallassee’s Mason Nelson finished his sophomore season with a 41-4 record and ranked No. 3 in Class 5A in the 113-pound weight class.

BOTTOM: Tallassee’s Land Bell finished his sophomore season with a 43-3 record and won the Class 5A state title in the 132-pound weight class.

Pickleball tournament to benefit cancer society

The Tallassee Parks and Recreation Department is hosting a charity pickleball tournament at 10 a.m. Satur-

DELIVERS Continued from B1

RBIs and 42 walks. Her 22 home runs broke her previous single-season record at Wetumpka and her 96 RBIs led the entire country.

For her dominance, Holt has been named the 2023 Elmore County Softball Player of the Year for the second straight season.

“I always tell myself that I want to be better every year that I play and I really feel like I did that this year,” Holt said. “I put in a lot of work during the offseason and that’s really all there is to it. That hard work has shown and paid off for me.”

Holt’s season started as quickly as she could hope. The Indians played in two tournaments the first two weeks of the season, and Holt had career weekends in both.

In the opening tournament at Prattville, Wetumpka went 7-0 to

LEADS

Continued from B1

day at the Tallassee Recreation Center. The tournament will be a doubles tournament with all proceeds being donated to the American Cancer Society.

win the championship. Holt hit five home runs, three doubles, and had 13 RBIs. In the second tournament, Wetumpka went 5-0 and won the Glencoe Tournament championship with Holt scoring five more home runs and adding 10 RBIs.

In her first 13 games of the season, she already had 10 home runs.

“That was a really, really big confidence boost for me,” Holt said. “I really just thought, ‘If I can do all of this early in the season, I can do a lot more down the line.’

It’s always a great feeling when you’re hitting that well early in the year. I just kept doing exactly what I was doing because it was obviously working for me.”

Holt’s home run pace slowed as the season went along, but the junior slugger still hit six more bombs than she did a season ago. While she already owned the single-season record, she set the school’s career home run record early in the

lost to Baldwin County, 3-0. The Indians struck out 17 times and recorded only one hit in the game. But with their backs against the wall again, Wetumpka went on to win four-straight games and clinched a state tournament berth as the No. 2 seed in the south. In those four games, Wetumpka outscored opponents 34-4.

“One thing about this team throughout the entire season

The cost to participate is $20 per person. Anyone interested in participating can contact the parks and rec department. Additional information is available at 334283-4726 or 334-220-1684.

year as well.

But while the longball slowed down, her dominance in the circle was as strong in Game 60 as it was in Game 1.

Holt earned 37 wins in the circle this year, which was 10 more than a season ago.

She allowed only 23 earned runs in 215 innings this year. She pitched over 20 more innings than a year ago but allowed seven less runs.

“I credit my pitching to my defense,” Holt said. “They made plays behind me all year and they are the biggest contributors to me getting wins.”

Despite pitching over 20 more innings this season, Holt was as fresh as she was all season during the last two weeks.

Part of that is due to having a No. 2 pitcher in Ella Watson who can eat innings at an impressive rate. Watson, a First Team All-County pitcher, went 15-2 on the year and had a 1.4 ERA when she stepped in the circle.

She pitched more

is that we never lost backto-back games,” Otwell said.

“After every loss, this team always responded. After that Baldwin County loss, we just challenged the team and told them that it’s on them. They responded well.”

Wetumpka rode that fourgame regional win streak into Oxford and the state tournament. No player on Wetumpka’s roster had ever competed at state, as the Indians last trip was in 2015’s championship run. Despite the inexperience at the state tournament, Wetumpka did not let the

The department is still looking for more players, event volunteers, financial donations and food vendors. A speaker from the American Cancer Society will be at the event.

than 100 innings for the Indians, and she helped keep Holt’s arm healthy and rested for when she got back in the circle.

“Having Ella out there helps me so much,” Holt said. “Just knowing we have another pitcher feels great. We all know what she can do and we know she pitches really well when she gets in there.”

Holt pitched the majority of the team’s postseason games. Wetumpka played nine games in the regional and state tournaments, and Holt stepped in the circle in seven of them. She went 6-1 during that stretch and won her last six games of the season.

During those final six games, she pitched two shutouts, held two teams to one run and allowed only six earned runs in 41 innings while striking out 34 batters. In the state tournament, she went 4-0 and wouldn’t give up the ball. Wetumpka coach Daryl Otwell considered letting her

stage get too big. In the opening game, Wetumpka took down Oxford, 2-1 with a go-ahead hit in the sixth inning. The Indians then kept the momentum going with a 5-2 win over Hazel Green then took on Spanish Fort in the winner’s bracket final. After giving up a 7-0 lead, Wetumpka walked off the game in the bottom of the seventh to punch its ticket to the championship. In the title game, Wetumpka found itself down, 1-0, in the sixth inning. The Indians tied the game up on a wild pitch, 1-1, then walked off the

SOFTBALL

Continued from B1

for the Lady Indians, Davenport showed off her power at the plate this season. The star sophomore had a .425 batting average while recording 76 hits, 15 doubles, nine home runs, 58 RBIs, 49 runs and 12 walks as she helped lead the Indians to the 6A state championship.

JADA MCLEOD, STANHOPE ELMORE INF McLeod was a big reason for Stanhope Elmore getting back to the regional tournament for the first time in five seasons. The Mustangs’ star junior hit .426 this season with 52 hits, 15 doubles, 11 home runs, 46 RBIs, 40 runs, 13 walks and only 11 strikeouts.

ASHTYN PANNELL, ELMORE COUNTY OF Pannell, a Faulkner University signee, was the Panthers’ leading power hitter this season. The senior center fielder hit .381 with 69 hits, 19 doubles, eight triples, 12 home runs, 17 stolen bases, 65 RBIs and 47 runs scored.

TAYLOR PRICE, HOLTVILLE P As Holtville made a name for itself in the South Regional this year, Price was a big component of the Bulldogs’ success. Serving as the team’s ace, the junior went 18-3 this year with a 2.37 ERA in 135.2 innings. She had 107 strikeouts and added three saves. At the plate, she hit .328 with six doubles and four home runs.

BROOKE ROYSTER, TALLASSEE P/INF Royster was the Tigers’ do-itall player this season. The star senior hit .430 at the plate with a .541 OBP and added 55 hits, 19 doubles, six home runs, 58 RBIs and walked 30 times compared to 12 strikeouts. In the circle, she led the Tiger with a 2.22 ERA.

rest a game, but Holt told him she wanted the ball and said she would deliver. And deliver she did. She pitched all 29 innings at state and allowed only six earned runs. Four of those came in one game, and she held Oxford, Hazel Green and Athens to a combined two earned runs.

Athens, which Wetumpka beat 2-1 in extra innings in the state championship, was averaging more than 10 runs per game in the tournament. Holt held the defending champions to only three hits and no earned runs as the Golden Eagles’ only run came on an error in the outfield.

“I wanted that championship so bad,” Holt said. “It wasn’t me wanting to take anything away from my teammates, but I was feeling great and I really love being a pitcher and being in control. I told coach Otwell that I wanted it. I was ready to win a state title.”

game on sophomore Chloe Taylor’s single in the eighth inning.

The Indians were in a tie, or one-run game, in the fifth inning or later of every state tournament game. But the pressure didn’t matter as they came through each time to go 4-0 and swept their way to the 6A state championship.

“I was really shocked with how cool and calm our players were in Oxford,” Otwell said. “They always seemed to just play each pitch and they never really felt the pressure. They just showed up and played.”

ANNA CATHERINE SEGREST, ELMORE COUNTY INF Segrest, a Faulkner University signee, capped off her six-year varsity career with another great season at the plate for the Panthers. She hit .369 with a .425 OBP, 66 hits, 23 stolen bases, 32 RBIs, 46 runs, 11 doubles, six triples and one home run. She had a .940 fielding percentage at shortstop.

ELLA WATSON, WETUMPKA OF/P

Watson, who serves as one of Wetumpka’s duo of junior pitchers and center fielders, had a fantastic year both in the circle and at the plate. She hit .370 this year with a .482 OBP, 60 hits, 12 doubles, five triples, seven home runs, 47 RBIs, 40 runs and 20 stolen bases. In the circle, she finished 15-2 with a 1.42 ERA and 106 strikeouts and 18 walks in 118 innings.

SECOND TEAM

Abbie Davis, Tallassee OF Ava Farmer, Wetumpka UTIL

Avery Goff, Holtville INF Khloe Jones, Stanhope Elmore INF/C Hailey O’Brien, Elmore County P/INF McKenzie Owens, Elmore County OF Mari Beth Parette, Wetumpka INF Abbi Snider, Holtville INF Marlee Stewart, Tallassee INF Lily Stubbs, Edgewood Academy P Avery White, Edgewood Academy OF

HONORABLE MENTION

EDGEWOOD ACADEMY:

INF/C Jaylyn Strength, INF Madison Martin, INF Anna Guillot

ELMORE COUNTY: INF/P Katie Capell, INF Morgan Spear, P/INF Lalah

Culpepper

HOLTVILLE: DP/P Kylie Snowden, OF Reagan Thorn

STANHOPE ELMORE: INF Shak Washington

TALLASSEE: INF Jenna Manning, INF Cheyann Easterling

WETUMPKA: OF Chloe Taylor, OF Riley Dismukes, INF Caylee Bowden

FILE THE TRIBUNE

Kelley left a full-time job to make a full-time go of a side business he had been developing for the last three years — All Pro Heating and Air. He received his HVAC certification in 2019.

“I decided it was time to give All Pro a shot and go into business for myself full time, see what happens.” Kelley said. “I transitioned over to get a little more freedom and hopefully make a little more money.”

According to the United States Federal Reserve System, Kelley has joined 11% of Americans who are self-employed.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Kelley is now in a field traditionally filled with the most self-employed persons — construction. The Bureau of Labor Statistics said Alabama has the lowest percentage of workers who are self-employed at 7.5% while Montana was the highest at 16.1%. The number of self-employed is likely higher because many of the statistics do not take into account many self-employed who have incorporated.

“They are counted as wage and salary workers in the official statistics because, legally, they are employees of their own business,” the Bureau of Labor Statistics website reads.

Kelley said the perceived risks going into full-time self employment have held him back the last three years. But he saw sum -

mer approaching and more calls to his HVAC business.

“Having a full-time job and a check every week was nice,” Kelley said. “I just wanted to give it a shot and hope for the best.”

Currently Kelley is pretty much a one-man shop with help from time to time. He isn’t doing HVAC installs in new construction — yet.

“I’m not wanting to get too much into new construction because of manpower and time,” Kelley said. “I’m not saying I won’t but I’m really focusing on new changeouts and service.”

Kelley said new construction often requires installation of ductwork and more.

“If I’m working on a new house and getting hammered with service calls, I can’t just turn loose to take care of them,” Kelley said. “I don’t have the manpower to do both yet.”

Kelley currently has one person who helps him with jobs occasionally, but he has a plan to grow his infant business.

“I’m building my name through service and changeouts and seeing where things go,” Kelley said. “I started working with a mobile home company. When they sell a mobile home, I hook up the HVAC which only requires putting an indoor coil and setting the outdoor unit. I can do that by myself. It isn’t like a full install where you need to go up in attics and have to have help.”

Kelley has been using various forms of advertising to promote his business. He is taking

calls from Auburn, Opelika, Montgomery and Wetumpka too.

Kelley has a vision of adding employees as his company grows.

“I hope to get big enough to where I can put two or three trucks on the road,” Kelley said. “I got to be the one to get my name out there and build my business up to where I can get to that point one day. That is where I’m at right now.”

Kelley is like many who are self-employed.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, older Americans are more likely to be self-employed. In 2015 only 1.9% of Americans aged 16 to 24 were self-employed. At the same time 15.5% of workers 65 and older were self-employed. Also in 2015, 7.4% of men were self-employed compared to 5.2% of women.

But the COVID-19 pandemic created an environment where those numbers shifted.

“During 2020, women were more likely than men to permanently leave the labor force due to increased child care responsibilities, with over 2.65 million women leaving the workforce between March and September,” the Federal Reserve website reads. “While self-employment decreased for both men and women during the COVID-19 recession, which began in February 2020 and lasted until April 2020, the makeup of the self-employed workforce shifted toward women during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

NOW HIRING

SUDOKU

Public Notices

a newspaper of general circu/s/Clayton Kim Taylor, Judge Tallapoosa County Juvenile Court

Tallassee Tribune: 62JU2023-38.01

PUBLIC NOTICE

IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF JAMES A. HENDERSON, DECEASED CASE NO: 2023-113 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE

Letters Testamentary in the Estate of JAMES A. HENDERSON, deceased, having been granted to JAMES SCOTT HENDERSON on May 31, 2023 by John Thornton, Judge of Probate of Elmore County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons and parties having claims against said estate are required, within the time allowed by law, to present the same to the Court or the same will be barred.

JAMES SCOTT HENDERSON PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF JAMES A. HENDERSON, DECEASED

Public Notices

PUBLIC NOTICE

TO DO IF YOU SMELL GAS

That distinctive odor is the harmless chemical we add to natural gas so you can detect even the smallest amount that might escape. It smells bad... but that’s good! Natural gas has no odor on its own. Everyone should be able to recognize our built-in system safety signal. If you ever detect faint whiffs of this odor, INVESTIGATE If possible, “follow your nose” to the source. It may be only a pilot light that’s out, or a burner valve partially turned on. Something easily and safely corrected. If the source of the gas cannot be located or the odor persists, call Tallassee City Hall, 283-4298, during normal hours (7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.) Monday through Friday. At night or on weekends or for any emergency reporting of gas line breaks, call Tallassee Police Department 283-6586 Please give adequate directions as to the location of the leak.

Sarah Hill, Mayor City of Tallassee

Public Notices Public Notices

5/15/2019 Case No. 62JU2023-38.01 T.O. LEDBETTER, DOB 2/17/2012 Case No. 62JU2015-01.02 dependent children ORDER FOR SERVICE BY PUBLICATION

Attorney of Record for Personal Representative: JAMES R. BOWLES ATTORNEY AT LAW 2 SOUTH DUBOIS AVENUE PO BOX 780397 TALLASSEE, ALABAMA 36078 334-283-6548

Tallassee Tribune: Jun. 7, 14 and 21, 2023 EST/HENDERSON J. PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF JAMES A. HENDERSON, DECEASED CASE NO: 2023-113 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE

Letters Testamentary in the Estate of JAMES A. HENDERSON, deceased, having been granted to JAMES SCOTT HENDERSON on May 31, 2023 by John Thornton, Judge of Probate of Elmore County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons and parties having claims against said estate are required, within the time allowed by law, to present the same to the Court or the same will be barred.

The Petitioner having made a Motion for Service by Publicaof Faye Edmondson, Attorney for the Petitioner, stating that the current identity and whereabouts of a legal father of the minor children, cannot be ascertained; it is ORDERED AND ADJUDGED that the unidentithe Petition to Terminate Parenby the 22nd day of June, 2023, or thereafter a judgment by default may be rendered against further Ordered and Adjudged that the hearing on the Petition to Terminate Parental Rights is set for hearing before the Court on the 26th day of June, 2023 , at the TallapooBroadnax Street, Dadeville, Notice of Action be published once a week for four successive weeks in The Tallassee Tribune

JAMES SCOTT HENDERSON PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF JAMES A. HENDERSON, DECEASED

Attorney of Record for Personal Representative: JAMES R. BOWLES ATTORNEY AT LAW 2 SOUTH DUBOIS AVENUE PO BOX 780397 TALLASSEE, ALABAMA 36078 334-283-6548

Tallasse Tribune: Jun. 7, 14 and 21, 2023 EST/HENDERSON, J. PUBLIC NOTICE

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY

Proposed Flood Hazard Determinations for Elmore County, Alabama and Incorporated Areas The Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency has issued a preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM), and where applicable, Flood Insurance Study (FIS) report, hazard determinations within Elmore County, Alabama and Incorporated Areas. These may include the addition or depths, Special Flood Hazard Area boundaries or zone designations, or the regulatory or comments are solicited on determinations shown on the preliminary FIRM and/or FIS report for Elmore County, Alabama and Incorporated determinations are the basis measures that your community is required to either adopt or show evidence of being already in effect in order to qualify or

CLASSIFIEDS

AlaScans y professional installs. Senior & Military Discounts available. Call: 833-449-1307.

833-449-1307. BECOME

AlaScans

Public Notices

Public Notices

Public Notices

Public Notices

SUDOKU ANSWERS

BECOME A PUBLISHED AUTHOR! We edit, print and distribute your work internationally. We do the work… You reap the Rewards! Call for a FREE Author’s Submission Kit: 888-283-4780 LONG DISTANCE MOVING: Call today for a FREE QUOTE from America's Most Trusted Interstate Movers. Let us take the stress out of moving! Speak to a Relocation Specialist, call 844-925-3534

We edit, print and distribute your work internationally. We do the work… You reap the Rewards! Call for a FREE Author’s Submission Kit: 888-283-4780 LONG DISTANCE MOVING: Call today for a FREE QUOTE from America's Most Trusted Interstate Movers. Let us take the stress out of moving! Speak to a Relocation Specialist, call 844-925-3534

EDUCATION

EDUCATION

ATTENTION ACTIVE Duty & Military Veterans! Begin a new career and earn your Degree at CTI! Online Computer & Medical training available for Veterans & Families! To learn more, call 866-475-1014 (M-F 8am-6pm ET). HEALTH/BEAUTY ATTENTION OXYGEN THERAPY USERS! Inogen One G4 is capable of full 24/7 oxygen delivery. Only 2.8 pounds. FREE information kit. Call 844-322-9935.

ATTENTION ACTIVE Duty & Military Veterans! Begin a new career and earn your Degree at CTI! Online Computer & Medical training available for Veterans & Families! To learn more, call 866-475-1014 (M-F 8am-6pm ET). HEALTH/BEAUTY ATTENTION OXYGEN THERAPY USERS! Inogen One G4 is capable of full 24/7 oxygen delivery. Only 2.8 pounds. FREE information kit. Call 844-322-9935.

ATTENTION: VIAGRA and CIALIS USERS! A cheaper alternative to high drugstore prices! 50 Pill Special - $99 + FREE Shipping! 100% guaranteed. CALL NOW: 866-505-0828. FOR SALE

ATTENTION: VIAGRA and CIALIS USERS! A cheaper alternative to high drugstore prices! 50 Pill Special - $99 + FREE Shipping! 100% guaranteed. CALL NOW: 866-505-0828. FOR SALE

DirecTV Satellite TV Service Starting at $59.99/month! Free Installation! 160+ channels available. Call Now to Get the Most Sports & Entertainment on TV! 844-594-7108 NEED NEW Flooring? Call Empire Today to schedule a Free in-home estimate on Carpeting and Flooring. Call

DirecTV Satellite TV Service Starting at $59.99/month! Free Installation! 160+ channels available. Call Now to Get the Most Sports & Entertainment on TV! 844-594-7108 NEED NEW Flooring? Call Empire Today to schedule a Free in-home estimate on Carpeting and Flooring. Call

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

TALLASSEE

WHAT TO DO IF YOU SMELL GAS

That distinctive odor is the harmless chemical we add to natural gas so you can detect even the smallest amount that might escape. It smells bad... but that’s good! Natural gas has no odor on its own. Everyone should be able to recognize our built-in system safety signal. If you ever detect faint whiffs of this odor, INVESTIGATE If possible, “follow your nose” to the source. It may be only a pilot light that’s out, or a burner valve partially turned on. Something easily and safely corrected. If the source of the gas cannot be located or the odor persists, call Tallassee City Hall, 283-4298, during normal hours (7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.) Monday through Friday. At night or on weekends or for any emergency reporting of gas line breaks, call Tallassee Police Department 283-6586 Please give adequate directions as to the location of the leak.

That distinctive odor is the harmless chemical we add to natural gas so you can detect even the smallest amount that might escape. It smells bad... but that’s good! Natural gas has no odor on its own. Everyone should be able to recognize our built-in system safety signal. If you ever detect faint whiffs of this odor, INVESTIGATE If possible, “follow your nose” to the source. It may be only a pilot light that’s out, or a burner valve partially turned on. Something easily and safely corrected. If the source of the gas cannot be located or the odor persists, call Tallassee City Hall, 283-4298, during normal hours (7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.) Monday through Friday. At night or on weekends or for any emergency reporting of gas line breaks, call Tallassee Police Department 283-6586 Please give adequate directions as to the location of the leak.

Sarah Hill, Mayor City of Tallassee

Sarah Hill, Mayor City of Tallassee

pgg Today! 1-888-381-0916. UPDATE YOUR HOME with Beautiful New Blinds & Shades. FREE in-home estimates make it convenient to shop from home. Professional installation. Top quality - Made in the USA. Call for free consultation: 844-809-9165. Ask about our specials!

Eliminate gutter cleaning forever! LeafFilter, the most advanced debris-blocking gutter protection. Schedule a FREE LeafFilter estimate today. 20% off Entire Purchase. Plus 10% Senior & Military Discounts. Call 1-833-683-2005

GENERAC Standby Generators provide backup power during utility power outages, so your home and family stay safe and comfortable. Prepare now. Free 7-year extended warranty ($695 value!). Request a free quote today! Call for additional terms and conditions. 1-877-323-5516

AlaScans pgg Today! 1-888-381-0916. UPDATE YOUR HOME with Beautiful New Blinds & Shades. FREE in-home estimates make it convenient to shop from home. Professional installation. Top quality - Made in the USA. Call for free consultation: 844-809-9165. Ask about our specials! Eliminate gutter cleaning forever! LeafFilter, the most advanced debris-blocking gutter protection. Schedule a FREE LeafFilter estimate today. 20% off Entire Purchase. Plus 10% Senior & Military Discounts. Call 1-833-683-2005 GENERAC Standby Generators provide backup power during utility power outages, so your home and family stay safe and comfortable. Prepare now. Free 7-year extended warranty ($695 value!). Request a free quote today! Call for additional terms and conditions. 1-877-323-5516

AUTOMOTIVE

SUPPORT THE BLIND!

Donate a car to the American Council of the Blind. FAST FREE PICKUP. 24-hour response. Running or not. maximum tax deduction and no emission test required! Call 24/7: 844-601-1342.

AUTOMOTIVE SUPPORT THE BLIND! Donate a car to the American Council of the Blind. FAST FREE PICKUP. 24-hour response. Running or not. maximum tax deduction and no emission test required! Call 24/7: 844-601-1342.

AUTO INSURANCE from $29 month Free 2-minute Quote! We Compare all Insurance providers offers for you! Lowest Rates! Call Now 866-450-0943

AUTO INSURANCE from $29 month Free 2-minute Quote! We Compare all Insurance providers offers for you! Lowest Rates! Call Now 866-450-0943

Public Notices

Public Notices

Public Notices

Public Notices

PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE JUVENILE COURT OF TALLAPOOSA COUNTY, ALABAMA DADEVILLE DIVISION IN THE MATTER OF DEPENDENT CHILDREN W.C. LEDBETTER, DOB 5/15/2019 Case No. 62JU2023-38.01 T.O. LEDBETTER, DOB 2/17/2012 Case No. 62JU2015-01.02 dependent children ORDER FOR SERVICE BY PUBLICATION

PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE JUVENILE COURT OF TALLAPOOSA COUNTY, ALABAMA DADEVILLE DIVISION IN THE MATTER OF DEPENDENT CHILDREN W.C. LEDBETTER, DOB 5/15/2019 Case No. 62JU2023-38.01 T.O. LEDBETTER, DOB 2/17/2012 Case No. 62JU2015-01.02 dependent children ORDER FOR SERVICE BY PUBLICATION

The Petitioner having made a Motion for Service by Publicaof Faye Edmondson, Attorney for the Petitioner, stating that the current identity and whereabouts of a legal father of the minor children, cannot be ascertained; it is ORDERED AND ADJUDGED that the unidentithe Petition to Terminate Parenby the 22nd day of June, 2023, or thereafter a judgment by default may be rendered against further Ordered and Adjudged that the hearing on the Petition to Terminate Parental Rights is set for hearing before the Court on the 26th day of June, 2023 , at the TallapooBroadnax Street, Dadeville, Notice of Action be published once a week for four successive weeks in The Tallassee Tribune

The Petitioner having made a Motion for Service by Publicaof Faye Edmondson, Attorney for the Petitioner, stating that the current identity and whereabouts of a legal father of the minor children, cannot be ascertained; it is ORDERED AND ADJUDGED that the unidentithe Petition to Terminate Parenby the 22nd day of June, 2023, or thereafter a judgment by default may be rendered against further Ordered and Adjudged that the hearing on the Petition to Terminate Parental Rights is set for hearing before the Court on the 26th day of June, 2023 , at the TallapooBroadnax Street, Dadeville, Notice of Action be published once a week for four successive weeks in The Tallassee Tribune

a newspaper of general circu-

/s/Clayton Kim Taylor, Judge Tallapoosa County Juvenile Court

a newspaper of general circu/s/Clayton Kim Taylor, Judge Tallapoosa County Juvenile Court

Tallassee Tribune: 62JU2023-38.01

Tallassee Tribune: 62JU2023-38.01

PUBLIC NOTICE

IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF JAMES A. HENDERSON, DECEASED CASE NO: 2023-113 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE

PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF JAMES A. HENDERSON, DECEASED CASE NO: 2023-113 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE

Letters Testamentary in the Estate of JAMES A. HENDERSON, deceased, having been granted to JAMES SCOTT HENDERSON on May 31, 2023 by John Thornton, Judge of Probate of Elmore County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons and parties having claims against said estate are required, within the time allowed by law, to present the same to the Court or the same will be barred.

Letters Testamentary in the Estate of JAMES A. HENDERSON, deceased, having been granted to JAMES SCOTT HENDERSON on May 31, 2023 by John Thornton, Judge of Probate of Elmore County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons and parties having claims against said estate are required, within the time allowed by law, to present the same to the Court or the same will be barred.

JAMES SCOTT HENDERSON PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF JAMES A. HENDERSON, DECEASED

JAMES SCOTT HENDERSON PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF JAMES A. HENDERSON, DECEASED

Attorney of Record for Personal Representative: JAMES R. BOWLES ATTORNEY AT LAW 2 SOUTH DUBOIS AVENUE PO BOX 780397 TALLASSEE, ALABAMA 36078 334-283-6548

Attorney of Record for Personal Representative: JAMES R. BOWLES ATTORNEY AT LAW 2 SOUTH DUBOIS AVENUE PO BOX 780397 TALLASSEE, ALABAMA 36078 334-283-6548

Tallassee Tribune: Jun. 7, 14 and 21, 2023

EST/HENDERSON J. PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF JAMES A. HENDERSON, DECEASED CASE NO: 2023-113 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE

Tallassee Tribune: Jun. 7, 14 and 21, 2023 EST/HENDERSON J. PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF JAMES A. HENDERSON, DECEASED CASE NO: 2023-113 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE

Letters Testamentary in the Estate of JAMES A. HENDERSON, deceased, having been granted to JAMES SCOTT HENDERSON on May 31, 2023 by John Thornton, Judge of Probate of Elmore County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons and parties having claims against said estate are required, within the time allowed by law, to present the same to the Court or the same will be barred.

Letters Testamentary in the Estate of JAMES A. HENDERSON, deceased, having been granted to JAMES SCOTT HENDERSON on May 31, 2023 by John Thornton, Judge of Probate of Elmore County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons and parties having claims against said estate are required, within the time allowed by law, to present the same to the Court or the same will be barred.

JAMES SCOTT HENDERSON PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF JAMES A. HENDERSON, DECEASED

JAMES SCOTT HENDERSON PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF JAMES A. HENDERSON, DECEASED

Attorney of Record for Personal Representative: JAMES R. BOWLES

ATTORNEY AT LAW 2 SOUTH DUBOIS AVENUE PO BOX 780397 TALLASSEE, ALABAMA 36078 334-283-6548

Attorney of Record for Personal Representative: JAMES R. BOWLES ATTORNEY AT LAW 2 SOUTH DUBOIS AVENUE PO BOX 780397 TALLASSEE, ALABAMA 36078

334-283-6548

Tallasse Tribune: Jun. 7, 14 and 21, 2023 EST/HENDERSON, J. PUBLIC NOTICE

Tallasse Tribune: Jun. 7, 14 and 21, 2023 EST/HENDERSON, J. PUBLIC NOTICE

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY

Proposed Flood Hazard Determinations for Elmore County, Alabama and Incorporated Areas The Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency has issued a preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM), and where applicable, Flood Insurance Study (FIS) report, hazard determinations within Elmore County, Alabama and Incorporated Areas. These may include the addition or depths, Special Flood Hazard Area boundaries or zone designations, or the regulatory or comments are solicited on determinations shown on the preliminary FIRM and/or FIS report for Elmore County, Alabama and Incorporated determinations are the basis measures that your community is required to either adopt or show evidence of being already in effect in order to qualify or

Proposed Flood Hazard Determinations for Elmore County, Alabama and Incorporated Areas The Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency has issued a preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM), and where applicable, Flood Insurance Study (FIS) report, hazard determinations within Elmore County, Alabama and Incorporated Areas. These may include the addition or depths, Special Flood Hazard Area boundaries or zone designations, or the regulatory or comments are solicited on determinations shown on the preliminary FIRM and/or FIS report for Elmore County, Alabama and Incorporated determinations are the basis measures that your community is required to either adopt or show evidence of being already in effect in order to qualify or

qy in the National Flood Insurance Program. However, before these determinations are effective purposes, you will be provided an opportunity to appeal the

qy in the National Flood Insurance Program. However, before these determinations are effective purposes, you will be provided an opportunity to appeal the proposed information. For information on the statutory 90-day period provided for appeals, as well as a complete listing of the communities affected and the locations where copies of the FIRM are available for review, please visit FEMA’s website

LET’S GET FUNKY

Alex City tunes in for Jazz Fest

By ABIGAIL MURPHY Multimedia Reporter

Next weekend will kick off the 33rd annual Jazz Fest for Alex City. Alexander City Chamber of Commerce president and CEO Jacob Meacham said this event is all about community engagement and bringing more musicians to Alex City.

“For over 30 years, Jazz Fest has drawn some superb talent to Alexander City and the Lake Martin area,” he said. “The bands and musicians this year will no doubt continue that legacy.” The lineup for this year starts off with Blackbird Pickers, which first came to the area for the 2021 Strand Sessions. The group will return to Strand Park for Jazz Fest at 6

p.m. Friday. Following the Blackbird Pickers is the Adam Ezra Group. Starting at 7:30 p.m., the group will fill the park with sounds of folk intimacy, rock energy, soul power and pop charm. The headliner Eddie 9V will take the stage at 9 p.m. finishing off the first night. Eddie 9V is an oldsoul artist who’s part of the roots and blues club circuit in his native city of Atlanta.

Saturday night’s show will kick things off at The AMP on Lake Martin with Certainly So starting at 6 p.m. Then at 7:30 p.m., Of Good Nature will bring a blend of rock, soul, alternative, reggae and pop.

Lastly, Big Something will round off the last night of Jazz Fest as the headliner. The band

emerged out of the Southeast as musicians known for fusing elements of rock, pop, funk and improvisation.

As someone from Alex City, Meacham is excited for this year’s Jazz Fest. Growing up, he remembers walking from his friend’s house downtown to Jazz Fest. Even moving outside of Alex City, it was still an event he marked on his calendar and came back home.

“If you like great music, you do not want to miss this,” he said.

Russell Lands on Lake Martin is the presenting sponsor for the 33rd Jazz Fest with Russell Medical Center as the Friday stage sponsor and Lake Martin Dock Company Inc. as the gold sponsor. Both shows are free to attend.

New playground under construction at Panther Palace

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

A new playground and more is on the way to Panther Palace thanks to the Town of Eclectic and Hercules Inc.

Panther Palace is just a block from downtown Eclectic, Eclectic Elementary School and Elmore County High School. It has been a gathering spot for children for more than two decades with its playground and walking trail. But time took its toll on the wooden structure.

“It was starting to splinter and needed lots of maintenance,” Eclectic Mayor Gary Davenport said. “For safety reasons we decided to replace it.”

Eclectic leaders didn’t want to just install some random playground equipment. They sought partners such as local playground manufacturer Hercules Outdoor Amenities to create a playground for the current and next generation of children in Eclectic. They also involved the public.

“We had a 90-day period where we went to the community,” Davenport said. “We sought community feedback as to the type of playground equipment they wanted on the park property.”

The information received during the various listening sessions was developed into three different playground concepts.

“We then allowed three weeks to let the public vote on the style of playground they wanted,” Davenport said.

“The style that received the most votes from the schools and public is the one we went with.”

Davenport said the town worked with Hercules to create a playground for everyone and to create a showpiece for the community.

“It is great to have a partner like Hercules here to help,” Davenport said.

“The playground equipment we are installing is designed to be handicap accessible. We will have a ramp in two locations. It sits up off the ground and will have rubber like pellets underneath it.”

With Hercules being a hometown company, there is little to zero shipping involved, which allowed more funds to be used on the playground.

“They wanted us to have one of the nicer bigger playgrounds around,” Davenport said. “They will also be able to use it as a show place. The one we are putting in is going to fill up the whole area the old playground had. It is huge.”

But a new playground isn’t all that is being done at Panther Palace. More than two decades ago the area was constructed with field lines installed to drain water from the area. Over the years sand and silt has filled those lines. Before the installation of new playground equipment, crews have replaced the field lines to improve drainage.

But there is still a lot of work to be completed.

“We still have at least another 60 days of work to do there,” Davenport said. “The playground equipment should be completely installed in about three weeks.”

Once the playground is installed the drainage project will be completed. As that work progresses, renovations to the restroom building are underway.

“We are putting in new vanities and sinks and upgrading the bathroom facilities,” Davenport said. “We will be painting it. We are also in the process of getting bids to put in a security system because the one we had there got damaged.”

Eclectic officials are also planning to complete Gardner Cameron’s Eagle Scout project.

Cameron was in the planning stages to spruce up the area around the flagpole at Panther Palace when he was involved in a 2022 automobile accident.

“Because he unfortunately died in that accident, the town is going to finish that job for him,” Davenport said. “We are going to clean the area up, build flower beds and dedicate the flagpole and flower bed arrangement in his honor.”