Former Wetumpka firefighter arrested on sex abuse charges
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
Holtville High School basketball coach arrested
By Cliff Williams Staff Writer
An Elmore resident and former City of Wetumpka firefighter is facing felony sex abuse charges.
John Carter, 31, of Elmore was arrested Thursday and charged with facilitating the
A virtual teacher at Elmore County School’s Edge program has been arrested and charged with school employee distributing obscene material to a student.
travel of a child, second-degree sexual abuse upgraded to a felony and transmitting obscene material to a child by a computer.
Wetumpka police chief Greg Benton said the case is in its infant stages and officials cannot release much information.
Elmore County Sheriff Bill Franklin said Emmanuel Andre Wilson II, 32, of Montgomery turned himself into authorities Tuesday afternoon.
Wilson was the head basketball coach at Holtville High School and was placed on administrative leave Jan. 13 according to Elmore County Schools superintendent Richard Dennis.
“The father of a child under 16 years old came in Tuesday and made a statement,” Benton said. “We started an investigation which resulted in the arrest of Mr. Carter.“
investigation and handed it off to the appropriate authorities. He was also placed on administrative leave at that time.”
Benton said the investigation revealed Carter used Snapchat to send messages to a child under the age of 16.
“We had a report,” Dennis said. “We had a preliminary
Dennis said school officials follow the same procedure when administrators receive a report of allegations against school staff and employees.
“I really can’t say anything else about this case,” Benton said. “Everything is still under investigation.”
“Once we hand it over, we know very little about what is going on,” Dennis said. “We cooperate with authorities if necessary.”
Franklin said investigators with the Elmore County Sheriff’s Office have the alleged victim’s phone. Authorities collected Wilson’s phone as well. “You could see a conversation between the two,” Franklin said. “Mr. Wilson is going to contend someone had the security code to his phone and he was not responsible. There is other information we can’t disclose now but I don’t think it’s beneficial to Mr. Wilson.” Wilson was released on a $6,000 bond 90 minutes af ter turning himself in accord ing to the Elmore County Jail website.
“We haven’t been able to do this for the last couple years,” chairperson Clay McConnell said. “Your attendance is an indication people want to get back together and have these opportunities to see each
See CHAMBER, Page A3
According to Elmore County Jail records Carter was taken to the Elmore County Jail on Thursday and was released 2 ½ hours later on a $105,000 bond.
City of Wetumpka officials said Carter resigned his full time position at the City of Wetumpka Fire Department earlier this week.
Chamber holds luncheon welcoming members
COOSA RIVER WHITEWATER FESTIVAL RETURNS WITH FUN
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
he Coosa River Whitewa-
Tter Festival returned to the Coosa River and Moccasin Gap this past weekend.
The COVID-19 pandemic may have stolen two years of the festival but not the fun.
County schools summer feeding programs have started
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
Elmore County children can get up to 10 meals per week free of charge this summer.
Members of the Wetumpka Chamber of Commerce attend the chamber’s “A Taste of Our Home Town” luncheon. CLIFF WILLIAMS/ THE HERALD
Breakfast and lunch is available for those 18 and under Monday through Friday at all 15 schools in the Elmore County School system and at some locations in the community.
“We went a little underground with it this year,” longtime Coosa River advocate and kayaker Lonnie Carden said. “COVID took away some of the sponsorships but we want to try and build it back up again. We said we were going to make this the gathering of paddle buddies.
ented local paddlers.
“The biggest rodeo in the country is going on in Vail right now,” Carden said from the island at Moccasin Gap on Saturday. “They have all kinds of levels of competition. For us, it takes the pros there because of the big money.”
The Vail, Colorado whitewater rodeo also attracted many of the youth who are trying to break into the kayaking ranks.
Whitewater. Carden said organizers have high expectations for 2025 and Saturday’s fun will help build momentum back.
“Unofficially it will be the 40th year,” Carden said. “We are planning to build it up to something similar as the first.”
Police continue investigation, man no longer suspected
By Jake Arthur Chief Videographer
This year will be the first time Elmore County Schools’ mobile kitchen will be used for the summer feeding program.
“We are partnering with other community
programs to help promote each other,” Elmore County Schools Child Nutrition Program director Cacyce Davis said. “At the libraries, anybody in any community can come to it. We are promoting it to the entire county.”
“The Hotspot” was a hit at Elmore County high schools this spring, and Davis hopes it will remain that way as meals are served in conjunction with programs at the public libraries in Millbrook and Wetumpka.
The mobile kitchen
This is formal fun.”
Staff Report
The Alabama Association of Secondary School Principals
Carden said although Saturday’s day on the water lacked the big names of today’s whitewater kayaking, it featured several highly tal-
(AASSP) named Holtville High School principal Kyle Futral the 2022 Alabama High School Principal of the Year.
“If they do good in the amateur competition, they will likely have someone come to them wanting to be a goodwill sponsor,” Carden said. “They get paddles or offers to try a new boat every year. For a young person that is big.”
Like previous festivals, a barge was floated to the island with scaffolding for judging, equipment for a sound system and the all important portable toilet.
“With the numbers that will be there, it is a necessity,” Carden said.
Holtville’s Futral Alabama principal of the year
The High School Principal of the Year award was presented to Futral on Friday, Jan. 28 during a schoolwide assembly at Holtville High School. Elmore County Superintendent Richard Dennis was in attendance for the presentation.
The festival started in 1985 and at one point it was one of 10 kayak rodeos across the United States recognized by
On Saturday more than 100 people gathered to either kayak or watch. Part of the fun for everyone was watching recreational kayakers dropped at Jordan
See RIVER, Page A6
“Kyle Futral is an exceptional principal and is very proactive and innovative in his thinking and approaches to managing his school,” Dennis said, As principal of Holtville High School, Futral has transformed the school culture from that of a school struggling with low morale, achievement and attendance to a school that strives for excellence. By collaborating with staff, many of the school’s issues were identified and addressed. Futral’s leadership style of listening, encouraging, supporting, organizing and challenging the staff and students, caused the school culture to shift in a positive direction. The school experienced a 62 percent decrease in discipline referrals, 50 percent decrease in chronic absenteeism, 7 percent increase in the graduation rate, 33 percent increase in CCR rate and a 20 percent increase in ACT proficiency in the last five years.
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
See PRINCIPAL, Page A3
WILSON
American
CLIFF WILLIAMS | THE HERALD
This year’s Coosa River Whitewater Festival was all about fun and relaxation, and there are plans in the works to build the festival back up to what it once was.
CARTER
Art keeps Wetumpka couple inspired
Police Reports
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.
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.
• 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 reported 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Assistance was given to medics on Mott Lane.
• Disorderly conduct was re-
ported 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.
• 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 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.
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 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
Pet of the Week - Greta
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 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
Greta is 7 months
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 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:
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.
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.”
TheWetumpkaHerald.com
Let’s go gator hunting
LIZI 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.
It 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
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.
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.
‘If 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.
Local business expands to new area
By ABIGAIL MURPHY Multimedia Reporter
Originally from Wetumpka, Scent Wizards opened its second location in the heart of downtown Alexander City.
Owners Tim and Charlie Hinkle said this is something they have been wanting to do for a while now.
They decided to bring the second Scent Wizards here after talking to the Alexander City Chamber of Commerce and Main Street Alexander City about the possible commercial properties in the area. “Our goal is to have
a chain of these stores, and this is the beginning of that chain,”
Charlie said. By May 17, Scent Wizards had its ribbon cutting ceremony with the chamber.
While Charlie focuses on the Alex City store, Tim is over in Wetumpka managing the original Scent Wizards. At both locations, Scent Wizards sells natural and organic products from soaps to bath bombs to lotions to 100% soy candles.
“We specialize in small mom and pop businesses,” Charlie said. “None of the products that we have
in here we actually make. What we do is find those small businesses who don’t have a brick-and-mortar store and we buy directly from them.”
Scent Wizards first started as a vendor selling Naked Bee products at flea markets around the state. Slowly, the Hinkles added more providers to their vendor, and by 2016 they had enough to open a store.
Tim said they made about $24 on their first day in Wetumpka, but all of that changed as the business’ popularity grew. With an emphasis on
quality over quantity, the owners test their products first before putting them on the shelves.
“Sometimes we think, ‘OK, it’s a good quality product; this candle is going to last you 70-80 hours,’” Tim said. “So, it’s good for you, bad for me. But we like doing this stuff.”
Charlie explained he also values helping creators improve their product and partnering with local providers.
When Miche lle’s Country Candles, a provider based out of Wetumpka, first came to them about her can -
dles they originally told her no. Charlie then asked her to critique her product and come back to them. After a couple years, Michelle’s Country Candles returned and Scent Wizard has been supplying them ever since.
Not only do they want to see the best for their providers and customers, but also downtown Alex City. Charlie said he wants to see downtown thriving again with more foot traffic as well as businesses having longer hours to accommodate those with full time jobs.
“That’s what Alex City needs and that’s my goal,” he said. “I plan on being here for the long haul.”
As Scent Wizards continues to develop, it will be adding windchimes to its inventory in the coming months. Then come Fourth of July, Scent Wizards plans to host a basket raffle for shoppers at the store.
Scent Wizards is open seven days a week at 15 Main Street. Its operation hours are from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.
ABIGAIL MURPHY | THE HERALD
Scent Wizards sells wax melts with Scentchips. With Scentchips, individuals can make their own fragrance by mixing and matching different chips.
ART Continued from A1
years,” Steve said. “I was perfectly happy with my life. I had my house with a pool and boat. I was just happy. I had just quit dating. I was at that point in my life, I thought I would do what I do.”
Deb looked out over the crowd from the podium, recently divorced and not necessarily ready to date again.
“I looked out in the audience and was like, ‘Oh no,’” Deb said.
Steve had a career as an illustrator. Deb was a speech pathologist and doing photography and painting on the side.
Steve had long decided if he were to date again, some would be excluded from getting a chance.
“I would never date another artist because I know how crazy artists are,”
Steve said. “When I met her it was totally different.”
The couple dated. Steve and Deb shared their visions, especially in art. After many months of dating, Steve was helping Deb burn limbs and cleaning up the yard when the question came up.
“I proposed to him,” Deb said. “I said, ‘Well you know what? I think it’s about time that I change my last name.’ He said, ‘What are you going to change it to? Punskunski?’”
“Tornados have tried to tear it up,” Deb said. “Hurricanes have landed trees on our house. We were only 400 yards from the one in November. We are disastrously in love.”
Art provided the way for Steve and Deb’s paths to cross. But their art careers were well in progress before they met as art was always a part of their lives.
“I started at 3 years old,” Steve said. “It’s all I have ever done.”
It is the same for Deb.
“But my mother said I had to have a real job,” Deb said. “I was a speech pathologist in Birmingham.”
Deb exercised her artistic skills part time while working a full time job. She eventually settled in Wetumpka.
Steve went to Wetumpka High School. With the help of then Wetumpka High School Art teacher Bobby Carr, Steve was accepted to Ringling College of Art and Design in Sarasota, Florida specializing in illustrations and commercial design. He moved to West Palm Beach, Florida after school working for a high end furniture chain creating the black and white wash-type illustrations often found in large newspaper ads.
Steve then moved to Montgomery and worked for the Air Force as a civilian creating illustrations for publications before retiring after 37 years.
was getting recognized by regional and national art organizations. The travel was getting expensive and so were the taxes and necessary licenses.
“I said let’s look into doing two-person gallery shows,” Steve said.
Deb took the next opportunity at Heritage Hall in Talladega with the Watercolor Society of Alabama to ask.
“The next year we did our first two-person show,” Deb said. “We decided not to do the arts and crafts festivals anymore.”
Word of mouth now helps the Garsts get gallery shows. Sometimes it is as simple as a phone call and a meeting or two.
“I made the joke that maybe we should stop pursuing gallery shows and let them pursue us,” Steve said.
Deb posted the joke on social media and almost immediately the couple received a call about another gallery show.
“It just kind of snowballed,” Steve said.
The couple’s success in gallery shows is also reflected in their awards. They recently were honored in the 82nd Annual National Exhibition of the Watercolor Society of Alabama. Deb received first place in the Patron of Arts Award. Steve received his Signature Silver Member status just a couple of steps from being recognized as a master artist.
Steve was also accepted into the juried Southern Watercolor Society’s big show where Deb won last year.
Deb said she had another name in mind — “Garst.”
“He said, ‘That is not a bad idea,’” Deb said. “I said, ‘No down on your knee. You got to propose.’”
Steve said the environment was less than ideal for a proposal.
“We were so nasty,” Steve said. “We had been burning all day long. There were buzzards flying and I had to get on my knees and propose.”
The couple were married on the beach in 2004 the weekend after Hurricane Ivan had destroyed much of the Gulf Coast.
But the couple’s run-in with disasters still had decades to go. The couple moved into the Blue Ridge home and have renovated it along the way creating his and her art studios.
FEEDING
Continued from A1
will be at the Wetump-
Since meeting, Steve and Deb’s art careers have almost always been parallel.
Deb transitioned to abstract art after a friend got her to attend a class. It was the late 1990s and Deb was a freelance photographer and her paintings were more realistic.
“I just fell in love when I saw all the different techniques and how you could just expand your mind,” Deb said. “You can expand the painting from a pretty valley with flowers into something that made you think a whole lot.” Everything Steve did looked real, and Deb convinced Steve to give abstract a try.
“It looked like a second-grader did it,” Steve said.
The couple traveled the arts and crafts show circuit across the country trying to sell their art. Along the way the couple
“We take turns,” Deb said. “I was in it last year.”
The couple makes a few attempts to avoid going head-to head.
“I don’t want to compete against her,” Steve said.
They work together. Sometimes Deb will throw unwanted paintings through the double doors of her “front-backporch.”
Other times they get hosed down.
“Those oftentimes end up in collages,” Deb said.
The couple is also doing collaborative pieces where one will start a painting and the other will finish it.
“I tell everyone it’s amazing, we work in the same studio and we are still married,” Steve said. “I still have the desire to paint and be with Deb.”
ka Public Library from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the parking area behind the Wetumpka Depot. The library is hosting games and movies for students in seventh through 12th grades.
On Thursdays the mobile kitchen will be at the Millbrook Public Library from 10:30 a.m. to noon as the library finishes story hour that starts at 10 a.m.
Breakfast is not available from the mobile kitchen and adult meals are $7.
Davis said the program will deliver meals daily to the Autumnwood Village and Still Creek mobile home communities in Wetumpka and Millbrook as part of its “Energy Express.” The program is also adding a stop at Crenshaw Community Park.
“This is just like we have done in the past,” Davis said. “The stop at Crenshaw is in addition to the meals served there through its summer programming. This is a way that anyone can come get a meal even if they are not part of that program.”
The summer feeding program also handles the meals for nearly 600 children in the Grandview YMCA.
Davis said the summer feeding program is necessary to ensure proper nutrition for children in the county during the summer months. During the school year 50 to 60 percent of Elmore County students are part of the free and reduced lunch program.
Breakfast will be served from 8 to 9 a.m. and lunch will be served from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
No meals will be served June 19 in observance of Juneteenth or July 3 - 4 in observance of the Fourth of July.
A few changes will be noticeable with this year’s feeding program as COVID-19 pandemic programs have closed.
“The difference is the last two years they were able to pick up a week’s worth of meals at once,” Davis said. “Now they have to come to the locations for the meals.”
The traditional summer feeding program for anyone under 18 is available all across the county. Meals will be available at Elmore County, Holtville and Stanhope Elmore high schools and at Redland and Wetumpka middle schools.
RIVER
Continued from A1
Dam by Coosa River Adventures.
“It is great to see how first timers handle the water,” Carden said. “Sometimes there is carnage too but it’s never too dangerous.”
Whoever has control of the microphone called out instructions to paddlers. Common instructions were to paddle through the gap and lean forward. But one thing stuck with Carden — how many of the recreational kayakers didn’t wear the life preservers they were issued.
Carden gave up one of his waves in competition to help rescue one life-preserverless kayaker who hit the drink in Moccasin Gap.
“We are competitive but we are responsible first,” Carden said. “If you see someone in trou-
ble, you help. It doesn’t matter what is happening.”
The first festival was Carden’s idea after the City of Wetumpka asked him to organize a canoe race for the Fourth of July.
“At a city council meeting I said we could do a kayak rodeo at Moccasin Gap,” Carden said. “They didn’t know what a kayak rodeo was.”
In 1985 there were plenty of the small sit-in kayaks seen around whitewater but Carden said the sit-on-top kayak had not hit the market yet.
“They were mostly canoes,” Carden said. “It was fun to watch because we had bigger water.”
One canoe came through the Gap Saturday and Carden it’s experience was much like the canoes experienced nearly 40 years ago.
“They come through the third wave and they wouldn’t know it but the
boat is in a submarine state,” Carden said. “The water gets to the top of the gunnels. Some make it, many don’t but everybody has fun.”
Carden said the Coosa River has the whitewater professionals like but is forgiving enough for first time paddlers.
Carden believes the Coosa River has potential in attracting visitors to the area. He said many like to camp and some of the favorite campgrounds require reservations up to a year in advance. Plus the Coosa River has advantages over other whitewater areas.
“We are close to a lot of people in the Southeast who either like to paddle or want to learn,” Carden said. “As a retired whitewater instructor, this is one of the best teaching rivers in the country. It has good features, minimum consequences and warm water for a large part of the year.”
Wetumpka chamber welcomes new employee
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
HGTV Hometown
Takeover helped bring Ft. Morgan, Colorado
native Andrew Stieb to Wetumpka. Wetumpka Area
Chamber of Com -
merce executive direc -
tor Shellie Whitfield
met Steib in Ft. Morgan as she was speaking to members of the community about the HGTV effect prior to the airing of Season 2, which is based there.
Within moments Whitfield was planting seeds.
“I had probably been around him for an hour when I said, ‘Hey Andrew, do you want to move to Wetumpka, Ala -
bama?’” Whitfield said. “He laughed. I wasn’t kidding. That was in October.”
Whitfield knew she had found a diamond to help her and the chamber board restructure things.
“He is so sharp,” Whitfield said. “You rarely meet a young person that is that smart and great. I knew I had to have him.”
Whitfield waited until January 2023 and extended an invitation for Stieb to visit Wetumpka. Stieb left the cold of Colorado to visit the warm February celebration in Wetumpka.
“I came Presidents Day weekend while the Mardi Gras Cel -
to Slapout, Eclectic and Millbrook. I got to tour around, downtown popping into some of the businesses checking things out. I really got a feel for the land and area.”
Whitfield said he had no qualms about Stieb after his four day visit, “also known as an interview.”
Whitfield said Stieb’s background and skills are useful for the chamber.
ebration was going on and Arti Gras,” Stieb said. “Shellie took me just about
everywhere. I think we went to just about every little town in the county. We went
“He is young and great at social media,” Whitfield said. “He is great at marketing. He has a strong background in hospitality and event planning.”
Stieb is no stranger to a chamber of commerce. He served on the board of directors of the Ft. Morgan Chamber before transitioning to executive director two years ago rebuilding it.
“We had hardly any membership to start with,” Stieb said. “We didn’t have a lot of community support, really had to start from the ground up. We were starting from scratch.”
Stieb said two things stood out as he weighed his decision about moving across the country from his hometown to Wetumpka. One was Whitfield and the volunteers at the chamber.
“It is something I didn’t have,” Stieb said. “I was flying solo and just a staff of one. I’m excited to
have a team to work with.”
The other was Stieb is not restarting the chamber. He has been on the ground in Wetumpka for two weeks already working through logos and other marketing pieces for constituency,
“I don’t have to come in and think of what I have to fix,” Stieb said. “There is nothing that needs fixed. We already have a great foundation built on all that which is awesome.”
Stieb is responsible for the marketing and membership of the Wetumpka chamber. It’s the membership he especially likes. It was something Stieb did in Ft. Morgan.
“I made a lot of wonderful connections doing just that,” Stieb said. “I’m excited that it is a huge focus of my job.”
Stieb managed restaurants, vacation home properties, hotels and even a car wash before becoming the director in Ft. Morgan.
“It was the corporate sales side of things working with large scale businesses,” Stieb said. I was making pitches like, ‘Hey you should be staying at our hotels when you come to the area.’”
Stieb also worked in hospitality in the ski resort area of Gunnison, Colorado where he managed a boutique hotel and helped start the local tourism association.
“It was very touristy. It is what our business survived on,” Stieb said. “In skiing there is only really about two good weeks of ski season. We would get a massive migration for the skiing Christmas time.”
Stieb left his hometown of Ft. Morgan and a popcorn smelling apartment above a movie theater to move to Wetumpka. He agreed to move into a home sight unseen, thanks to the work of Whitfield.
Stieb said the experience proves to him Wetumpka has been on the right track for years and is set for the future.
“It highlights an aspect of how great this community is,” Stieb said. “Over the last five to six years it has really just started to skyrocket. It has been great. There has been growth, there has been businesses and further community development.” It is all laying a foundation for the future of the chamber, Wetumpka and Elmore County and Stieb is happy to be a part of the future.
“Economic development is something that doesn’t happen overnight,” Stieb said. “Business growth, you don’t just wake up and have a half a dozen businesses. It takes a lot of time to get that groundwork built up and I see that. That has already happened. The last few years you are seeing the fruit of that labor.”
CLIFF WILLIAMS | THE HERALD
Andrew Stieb is the newest full time employee of the Wetumpka Area Chamber of Commerce. Stieb comes from Ft. Morgan, Colorado, home of HGTV Home Town Takeover Season 2.
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
BAPTIST CHURCH
Bethlehem East Baptist Church will have all Sunday school classes beginning at 9:45 a.m. Sunday morning followed by regular service at 11 a.m. in the sanctuary. We will continue with Facebook Live Sunday School at 9:30 a.m. and Worship Service at 11 a.m.
CARRVILLE BAPTIST CHURCH
Regular hours of service are Sundays- 9 a.m. Sunday School and 10 a.m. Morning Worship.
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 -
Wednesday nights at 6:30 p.m. the church offers Children’s Gospel Project, Youth Bible Study and Adult Prayer Meeting. Regular office hours are Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
EAST TALLASSEE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH ETUMC’s Rivers Edge Flea Market is now closed. The church will start a new project called Rivers Edge Food Pantry. ETUMC will provide canned food, water, dry beans and rice, blankets,
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
Church Briefs
and jackets. If you want to donate or help with the cause, call Joan Wood at 334-312-4913.
EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF THE EPIPHANY
Please join us for Sunday services at 10:30 a.m. when the Rev. Lee Lowery will celebrate the Holy Eucharist. We are asking everyone please to wear a mask. The service will be live streamed on Facebook https://www. facebook.com/EpiphanyTallassee/ For more information, visit the church
website at http://epiphanytallassee.org/
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
First Presbyterian Church, located at 514 Central Blvd. will host a Veteran’s Day Celebration on Nov. 11 from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. for all veterans and first responders and their family members.
FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
“We are OPEN and everyone is WELCOME! Come worship with us in
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.
person Sunday mornings at 8:50 a.m. (contemporary) or 11 a.m. (traditional). Sunday School for all ages is offered Sunday mornings at 10 a.m., and a nursery is available for infants. CHILDREN & YOUTH: meet Sunday evenings from 5-6:30 p.m. and Wednesday evenings from 6-7:15 p.m.; supper is included both days! For more information about our church or the programs we offer, visit our website: fumctallassee.com or call us: 334-283-2195. FUMC
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.
Tallassee - 1 Jordan Avenue.”
OUR LIFE’S JOURNEY Airs every Sunday at 8:30 a.m. on 580 WACQ, FM 98.5 & 101.1, on your smart speaker, your TuneIn app, or on our website www.wacqradio. com. Please share on social media. This set of programs features Msgr. Charles Troncale, Fr. Mateusz Rudzik, Fr. James Dean, Fr. David Carucci, Fr. Patrick Driscoll, and Deacon Jim Labadie.
Wetumpka’s Holt delivers on promise
By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor
Mya Holt gave herself a near-impossible
The junior pitcher and outfielder, who has been com
mitted to
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
COUNTY SOFTBALL TEAM
By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor
The 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 HERALD
Wetumpka coach Daryl Otwell hugs one of his players after winning the AHSAA Class 6A state championship this
Bailea Boone Lindsey Brown Ashlynn Campbell
Jada McLeod
Ashtyn Pannell Taylor Price Brooke Royster
Davenport
17 Springs will help drive other projects across Elmore County
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
As 17 Springs comes online in Millbrook, other quality of life projects will follow in Elmore County.
The City of Millbrook, Elmore County Commission, Elmore County Economic Development Authority (ECEDA), the Elmore County Board of Education and Grandview YMCA have pooled resources to create a commercial and sports destination one mile east of Interstate 65.
When completed the nearly 100 acre development on Highway 14 will have fields for softball, soccer and football, a track, tennis and pickleball courts and a fieldhouse large enough so four basketball games can be played at once. It will also include nearly 28 acres for commercial development to help fund the project and others like it across Elmore County through the collection lodging and sales tax. The idea started coming to life in 2015 after the YMCA was donated property and wanted to create athletic fields for its growing programs.
“Three or four of us were sitting around a table and it just kind of developed,” Millbrook Mayor Al Kelley said. “We just started talking about master plans.”
Grandview YMCA executive director Bill Meyers said he and his staff started listening to the community and meeting with school and city officials.
“We listened to anybody that would talk to us,” Meyers said. “We asked, ‘What are the needs here in Millbrook and west Elmore County?’ We had a vision to build some recreational facilities that could serve everybody. It grew from there. We knew we couldn’t do it all.”
By 2019 a partnership had formed in Millbrook with five different entities. It is a partnership Elmore County Schools superintendent Richard Dennis is happy to be a part of.
“It provides our students opportunities and facilities that we otherwise would not have been able to afford,” Dennis said. “You have multiple groups working towards meeting the needs of everybody. It is a sharing of costs.”
It is a similar partnership Elmore County Schools has with the City of Wetumpka and
CLIFF WILLIAMS | THE HERALD Millbrook resident Vernon Moody plays pickleball on one of the 12 new courts at 17 Springs.
the commission for the Wetumpka Sports Complex and Hohenberg Field, creating a track, football field, tennis courts and soccer fields that are either complete or nearing completion.
The Elmore County Commission had been looking for ways to improve the quality of life for Elmore County citizens but wanted to find something that would generate funds to keep a cycle of economic development going.
“Our thoughts were that if we get these two projects online and focus on outdoor tourism, not only sports complexes but fish-
year as well.
ing tournaments and more, it would work to bring in lodging tax to help with economic development,” Elmore County Commission chair Bart Mercer said. “These are only the first projects we are looking at doing across the county. These are situations where we already had willing partners and the wheels were already turning. We are looking at Holtville, Eclectic and Tallassee in the future too.”
PHASE I AND PHASE 2 The first part of the project with four
See PROJECTS, Page B3
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.
Continued from B1
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 win the championship. Holt hit five home runs,
Continued from B1 DELIVERS
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 fourstraight 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 is that we never lost back-to-back
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.
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 stage get too big.
She pitched more 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 rest a game,
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 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.”
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
Wetumpka’s Holton named North-South All-Star
By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor
One of the best soccer players in the county recently picked up a statewide honor.
Wetumpka junior Jeweliana Holton, a center defensive midfielder for the Indians, was selected as one of 36 rising seniors across the state to play in the 27th annual AHSAA North-South All-Star Soccer game.
The game will be held Wednesday, July 19 at Emory Folmar Stadium near AUM.
The doubleheader, which begins with the girls game, will be live streamed by the NFHS Network and AHSAA TV Network.
The North has dominated both the boys and girls All-Star games. The North girls lead the series, 17-3-1, while the North boys lead, 14-4-1. The North swept last season, 5-0 and 6-3.
Holton is the only soccer player from Elmore County selected for the honor. The star junior shined for Wetumpka this year as she tallied five goals, 13 assists, and multiple steals and stops as the team’s defensive mid.
She was named one of the team’s Midfielders of the Year, and she was recently selected for the All-Elmore County Soccer Team.
PROJECTS
Continued from B2
artificial turf soccer fields, 12 tennis courts and 12 pickleball courts is nearing completion. But parts of Phase I are already in use.
Since March 2022 the Stanhope Elmore High School soccer team has been using a soccer field. The soccer fields were also used by the YMCA’s recreational teams this past spring.
The tennis courts have been used by the Mustang tennis team this past season and for AHSAA sectionals in the last month. The public has found the pickleball courts too.
“People were hounding us about it,” Elmore County chief operations officer Richie Beyer said. “People were sneaking out here and playing. We were close enough with those two fields and these tennis and pickleball courts we could open up.
The building is operational as far as restrooms.”
Millbrook resident Vernon Woody found the pickleball courts and is already picking up the sport taking the nation by storm.
“It’s only my second time out here,” Woody said.
“It’s great. I like pickleball because it is easier on my knees. This is great. I love it.”
Kelley said the project has evolved since it was dreamed up around a kitchen table more than five years ago.
“They wanted to do all fields — baseball, football, soccer, softball,” Kelley said.
“I had this wild crazy idea. I woke up one night with a wild dream. ‘Why don’t we take part of that property and make The Fieldhouse?’”
The Fieldhouse is part of Phase 2 with an anticipated opening date of late 2024. It will be 85,000 square feet of indoor space capable of holding four basketball games or six volleyball matches at once. It can also be the site for weigh-ins for fishing tournaments, concerts and graduations. It will be built on a hill to spill onto a new track and football field with six softball fields nearby.
The Fieldhouse wasn’t the only thing to change along the way. Beyer said the original idea in 2019 called for only three pickleball courts. But studies before construction began showed interest nationally. Since 2019, many municipalities have constructed pickleball courts including
Auburn and Opelika.
The complex also features 18 acres of commercial property. The partners plan to allow retail businesses, restaurants and hotels purchase property soon to be platted. The City of Millbrook entered into a contract at its May 23 meeting to clear portions of the property.
“It is easier to show a developer or business owner what you have when the site is clear,” City of Millbrook Economic Development Director Ann Harper said. “We are working to get it ready. We are putting the finishing touches on the master concept for that project.”
Kelley and Harper said they have been receiving calls about the commercial property.
“We are already working with one restaurant that I can’t divulge yet,” Kelley said. “We have another that has come to me three different times wanting to save them a spot.”
Harper believes the location is ideal for another Millbrook hotel and more.
“We want to be able to accommodate a variety of restaurants, one or two hotels would be nice,” Harper said. “We are attracting tournaments which means the athletes will be in our community with their moms and dads for one to two days. We want them to stay in our community.”
Currently Millbrook has four hotels with a total of 265 rooms operating at 92 percent occupancy. TownePlace Suites by Marriott just announced it is constructing a 105 room hotel to open in 2024. Publix is constructing a store just up Highway 14 from 17 Springs and is set to open sometime in 2024.
THE NAME 17 SPRINGS
Meyers said the name comes from the property.
“Before there was a Grandview YMCA, it was Camp Grandview,” Meyers said. “It was a girls’ camp. There is a pond on the property that is supposedly fed by 17 springs.”
The county has done most of the site work of Phase I and will construct a retention pond soon near the tennis courts.
“The pond there will be fed by those 17 springs,” Meyers said. “Richie jokes when they were doing the sitework they found a few more springs.”
The other names of 17
Springs — The Marketplace, The Fieldhouse and The Fields are part of the marketing strategy. Part of the strategy is all of the outdoor playing surfaces will be artificial.
“That was a very big decision early on to make,” Landmark Engineering Project Manager Stuart Peters said. “Turf is expensive. You weigh that expense with long term maintenance, cutting grass and the ability to host games. You can literally have two to three inches of rain and be able to be right back on the turf.”
Meyers said the first Stanhope soccer game at the complex in March 2022 would have been canceled because of rain had it been played at the school. Even this month Meyers said a night of recreational soccer was played after a heavy downfall.
Beyer said the artificial turf will help in recruiting tournaments because of the ability to play quickly after heavy rains.
“You go to a tournament and have the threat of rain and worry about if the grass will hold up,” Beyer said. “A rain event can cancel your tournament and stop people from coming to town. Without lightening, you can keep playing.”
THE HIGHWAY 14 CORRIDOR
Beyer said the county worked with Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) to avoid numerous curb cuts from the five lane highway.
“We got a redlight to turn into The Marketplace at 17 Springs,” Beyer said. “The road will loop around from a traffic light on Highway 14 over to the fields and back to Highway 14.”
The 17 Springs project also includes 10 acres across from the current construction for future development. It is all along four miles of Highway 14 running through Millbrook that sees more than 35,000 cars per day traveling east and west.
“I have no doubt the 17 Springs project, once fully developed, will totally change the landscape of Highway 14,” Harper said. “17 Springs is going to be an economic engine. We hope to not only attract a very quality commercial retail space in front of 17 Springs but it will be a catalyst for developing the Highway 14 corridor. It will become a destination for our city.”
Police searching for suspect
Staff Report
The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) is being assisted by the Prattville and Millbrook police departments in searching for a suspect who ran last Thursday morning.
“A trooper with the ALEA’s Highway Patrol Division attempted to stop a 1989 Chevrolet C2500
for a traffic violation,” ALEA said in a release.
“A passenger in the vehicle fled into the woods, which resulted in a foot pursuit and subsequent search of the area.”
The incident occurred near Interstate 65 at Cobbs Ford Road in Prattville within Elmore County.
Nothing further is available as the situation is ongoing.
The driver, a 16-yearold juvenile, was arrested and charged with second-degree possession of marijuana and certain persons forbidden to possess a firearm and minor in possession of a pistol. Law enforcement will continue to search and monitor the area for the passenger, who was not captured.
Wetumpka council approves hotel study
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
Wetumpka officials are trying to lure another hotel to the city.
Efforts have been underway to recruit a hotel to provide rooms to visitors who are going elsewhere to stay, taking with them tax monies and more. Elmore County Economic Development director Lisa Van Wagner asked the Wetumpka City Council at its Monday night meeting to approve a study in hopes of recruiting another hotel for the city.
“We have a definite lack of hotel rooms in the city,” Van Wagner told the council. “For the level of tourism and activities we have year round, the growing population, all signs indicate we need more rooms.”
Van Wagner said Wetumpka is “leaking” rooms to Montgomery, Prattville and other surrounding areas everyday. ECEDA had already identified Cobblestone as a possible hotel. Van Wagner said the Wisconsin-based company is one of the country’s fastest growing chains.
“They target middle markets such as Wetumpka and Elmore County,” Van Wagner said. “They come into the community and develop a hotel from the ground up to meet our needs and demands.”
Cobblestone, like many hotel companies, requires data to make its decision.
Van Wagner said Cobblestone requires the study be done by Core Distinction Group at a cost of $15,000.
“They will study our community and not just in Wetumpka proper but the entire region,” Van Wagner said. “They generate a 200- to 300-page report that details the research, market data, the need for a hotel, what type of hotel, identify sites, costs for building.” The study reveals the size of the hotel up to approximately 100 rooms. The cost
is easily recovered through lodging and sales taxes.
Wetumpka Mayor Jerry Willis said the possible hotel could come with a restaurant or steakhouse.
“It is not just a hotel; we are looking for other things as well,” Willis said. “If we are going to grow, we are going to have to invest.”
The council approved paying $7,500 now to Core Distinction Group and the other half on delivery of the study.
WETUMPKA HIGH SOFTBALL HONORED
The council and Willis recognized the Wetumpka High School softball team for winning the AHSAA Class 6A State Championship.
“We are honored to have you here,” Willis said. “We are so very proud of you.”
Prior to Monday’s council meeting city officials cooked for the team.
“They can really eat,” Willis said. “They did a good job of that.”
IN OTHER ACTION THE WETUMPKA CITY COUNCIL:
• Approved minutes of the May 15 meeting.
• Approved a lease for 124 Company Street for the Wetumpka Crater Commission.
• Approved the purchase of $9,962 of plants for beautification.
• Surplused old lighting from ball fields and transferred to the City of Tallassee to be used on softball fields.
• Gave permission to the Family Guidance Center of Alabama to host a fall festival and duck race Oct. 14 at Gold Star Park.
The next meeting of the Wetumpka City Council is scheduled for 6 p.m. June 19.
Councilmember Kevin Robbins was absent from the meeting.
DALTON MIDDLETON | THE HERALD
Wetumpka midfielder Jeweliana Holton has been named an AHSAA All-Star after recording five goals, 13 assists, and multiple steals for the Lady Indians.
Lake River & Classi eds
CLASSIFIEDS/PUBLIC NOTICES
AlaScans
Public Notices
Public Notices
PUBLIC NOTICE
more,
Bank, and recorded in RLPY Book 2017 at Page 412 on January 4, 2017, in the OfElmore County, Alabama, and secured indebtedness having been transferred to Nationstar Mortgage LLC. LOGS Legal Group LLP, as counsel for Mortgagee or Transferee and under and by virtue of power of sale contained in the said mortgage will, on July 6, 2023, sell at public outcry to the highest bidder at the main entrance of the Elmore County, Alabama, Courthouse in the City of Wetumpka, during the legal hours of sale, the following real estate situated in Elmore County, Alabama, to wit: Lot 31 of Woodridge Subdivision according to the map and plat of said subdivision which the Judge of Probate of Elmore County, Alabama in Plat Book 13 pages 110 and 111. For informational purposes only, the property address is: 374 White Oak Lane, Tallassee, AL 36078. ANY PROPERTY ADDRESS PROVIDED IS NOT PART OF THE LEGAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPERTY SOLD HEREIN AND IN THE EVENT OF ANY DISCREPANCY, THE LEGAL DESCRIPTION REFERENCED HEREIN SHALL CONTROL. This sale is made for the purpose of paying the indebtedness secured by said mortgage, as well as the expenses of foreclosure. Furthermore, the property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance AS IS, WHERE IS. Neither the mortgagee, nor employees, agents or authorized representative of the mortgagee make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property offered for sale. Any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition, including those suggested by Code of Ala. (1975) § 35-4271, expressly are disclaimed. This sale is subject to all prior liens and encumbrances and unpaid taxes and assessments including any transfer tax associated with the foreclosure. The successful bidder must tender a non-refundable deposit of Five Thousand Dollars and no/100
funds at the time and place of the sale. The balance of the purchase price must be paid inness on the next business day
LOGS Legal Group LLP at the address indicated below. LOGS Legal Group LLP reserves the right to award the bid to the next highest bidder, or to reschedule the sale, should the highest bidder fail to timely tender the total amount due. Alabama law gives some persons who have an interest in property the right to redeem the property under certain circumstances. Programs may also exist that help persons avoid or delay the foreclosure process. An attorney should be consulted to help you understand these rights and programs as a part of the foreclosure process.
Nationstar Mortgage LLC, and its successors and assigns Mortgagee or Transferee LOGS LEGAL GROUP LLP 10130 Perimeter Parkway, Suite 400 Charlotte, NC 28216 704-333-8107/ 23-022696
Attorneys for Mortgagee or Transferee
Wetumpka Herald: May 24, 31 and Jun. 7, 2023 211177
PUBLIC NOTICE
MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE.
Default having been made in the payment of the indebtedness secured by that certain mortgage executed by Jacob Ford, husband and Bianca Ford, wife, originally in favor of PNC Bank, National Association (“PNC Bank, N.A”), on June 18, 2021, said mortgage recordProbate of Elmore County, Alabama, in RLPY Book 2021 and Page 57350; the undersigned PNC Bank, National Association, as Mortgagee/Transferee, under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in said mortgage, will sell at public outcry to the highest bidder for cash, in front of the main entrance of the Courthouse at Wetumpka, Elmore County, Alabama, on July 6, 2023, during the legal hours of sale, all of its rights, title, and interest in and to the following described real estate, situated in Elmore County, Alabama, to-wit: Commence at the Southwest corner of the Southwest quarter of the Northeast quarter of Section 15, Township 18, Range 17, and run thence East along the half section line 140 feet to the Point of Beginning; from said Point of Beginning continue East along said half section line 70 yards; thence North 70 yards; thence West 70 yards; thence South 70 yards to the Point of Beginning and containing One acre, more or less.. Property street address for informational purposes: 2230 Politic Rd , Elmore, AL 36025. THIS PROPERTY WILL BE SOLD ON AN “AS IS, WHERE IS” BASIS, WITHOUT WARRANTY OR RECOURSE, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED AS TO TITLE, USE AND/OR ENJOYMENT AND WILL BE SOLD SUBJECT TO THE RIGHT OF REDEMPTION OF ALL PARTIES ENTITLED THERETO. Alabama law gives some persons who have an interest in property the right to redeem the property under certain circumstances. Programs may also exist that help persons avoid or delay the foreclosure process. An attorney should be consulted to help you understand these rights and programs as a part of the foreclosure process. This sale is made for the purpose of paying the indebtedness secured by said mortgage, as well as the expenses of foreclosure. The successful bidder must tender a non-refundable deposit of Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) to Tiffany & Bosco, P.A. at the time and place of the sale. The balance of the purchase price plus any deed recording costs and transfer taxes must be paid next business day at the Law at the address indicated below. Tiffany & Bosco, P.A. reserves the right to award the bid to the next highest bidder should the highest bidder fail to timely tender the total amount due. The Mortgagee/Transferee reserves the right to bid for and purchase the real estate and to credit its purchase price against the expenses of sale and the indebtedness secured by the real estate. This sale is subject to postponement or cancellation. PNC Bank, National Association, (“Transferee”) Tiffany & Bosco, P.A., 2501 20th Place South, Suite 300, Homewood, AL 35223 www.tblaw.com TB File Number: 23-03112
Wetumpka Herald: May 31, Jun. 7 and 14, 2023 23-03112
PUBLIC NOTICE
THE FOLLOWING WILL BE AUCTIONED OFF BY J&J TOWING 3345581595 ON 7-14-23
1998 TOYOTA AVALON-4T1BF18B6WU261424
2012 MAZDA 2-JM1DE1LY6C0148779
2008 TOYOTA CAMRY-4T1BE46K98U790327
2007 TOYOTA AVALON-4T1BK36B77U248967
2017 Ford Fusion3FA60H75HR236944
Wetumpka Herald: Jun. 7 and 14, 2023 AV/98 TOYOTA
MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE.
Default having been made in the payment of the indebtedness secured by that certain mortgage executed by Jesse L. Graves Jr. and Jackie Graves, husband and wife, originally in favor of Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems Inc., acting solely as nominee for First Choice Loan Services, Inc., on November 26, 2012, said mortthe Judge of Probate of Elmore County, Alabama, in RLPY Book 2013 and Page 3927; the undersigned Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as Mortgagee/Transferee, under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in said mortgage, will sell at public outcry to the highest bidder for cash, in front of the main entrance of the Courthouse at Wetumpka, Elmore County, Alabama, on May 23, 2023, during the legal hours of sale, all of its rights, title, and interest in and to the following described real estate, situated in Elmore County, Alabama, to-wit: Commence at iron pin at the intersection of the West line of the Northeast quarter of the Northwest quarter of Section 4, Township 17 North, Range 17 East, Elmore County, Alabama, and the South right of way of Rose Hill Road; thence North 89 degrees 54 minutes 39 seconds East, along said right of way, 159.95 feet to an iron pin, said Point being the Point of Beginning; thence continue North 89 degrees 54 minutes 39 seconds East, along said right of way 159.95 feet to an iron pin; thence leaving said right of way, South 00 degrees 04 minutes 12 minutes East, 636.23 feet to an iron pin; thence South 89 degrees 54 minutes 39 seconds West, 158.86 feet to an iron pin; thence North 00 degrees 10 minutes 07 seconds West, 636.23 feet to the Point of Beginning. The above-described property lies in the West quarter of the Northeast quarter of the Northwest quarter of Section 4, Township 17 North, Range 17 East, Elmore County, Alabama, and contains 2.33 acres, more or less, and the West 15 feet is subject to ingress/egress easement. According to the survey of Ron Burke, Alabama Registered Land Surveyor No. 16670, dated the 3rd day of June,2004. Property street address for informational purposes: 3170 Rose Hill Road, Millbrook, AL 36054. THIS PROPERTY WILL BE SOLD ON AN “AS IS, WHERE IS” BASIS, WITHOUT WARRANTY OR RECOURSE, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED AS TO TITLE, USE AND/OR ENJOYMENT AND WILL BE SOLD SUBJECT TO THE RIGHT OF REDEMPTION OF ALL PARTIES ENTITLED THERETO. Alabama law gives some persons who have an interest in property the right to redeem the property under certain circumstances. Programs may also exist that help persons avoid or delay the foreclosure process. An attorney should be consulted to help you understand these rights and programs as a part of the foreclosure process. This sale is made for the purpose of paying the indebtedness secured by said mortgage, as well as the expenses of foreclosure. The successful bidder must tender a non-refundable deposit of Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) to Tiffany & Bosco, P.A. at the time and place of the sale. The balance of the purchase price plus any deed recording costs and transfer taxes must be paid next business day at the Law the address indicated below. Tiffany & Bosco, P.A. reserves the right to award the bid to the next highest bidder should the highest bidder fail to timely tender the total amount due. The Mortgagee/Transferee reserves the right to bid for and purchase the real estate and to credit its purchase price against the expenses of sale and the indebtedness secured by the real estate. This sale is subject to postponement or cancellation. The above mortgage foreclosure sale has been postponed from May 23, 2023 until July 6, 2023, during the legal hours of sale in front of the main entrance of the Courthouse at Wetumpka, Elmore County, Alabama. Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., (“Transferee”) Tiffany & Bosco, P.A., 2501 20th Place South, Suite 300, Homewood, AL 35223 www.tblaw. com TB File Number: 23-40095
Wetumpka Herald: Jun. 7, 2023 23-00594
PUBLIC NOTICE LEGAL NOTICE
ASPHALT CONTRACTORS, INC. HEREBY GIVES NOTICE OF COMPLETION OF CONTRACT WITH ELMORE COUNTY HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT FOR ELMORE COUNTY
PAVING OF VARIOUS ROADS
PROJECT 2023 PW2-1. ALL CLAIMS SHOULD BE FILED AT P.O. BOX 241447, MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA 36124
DURING THIS PERIOD. ASPHALT CONTRACTORS, INC.
Wetumpka Herald: May 31, Jun. 7, 14 and 21, 2023
COMPLETION
PUBLIC NOTICE
MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE.
Default having been made in the payment of the indebtedness secured by that certain mortgage executed by Robert T Mask and Pamela H Mask, husband and wife, originally in favor of Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc.
Public Notices
gy solely as nominee for Sun West Mortgage Company, Inc., on October 27, 2017, said mortthe Judge of Probate of Elmore County, Alabama, in RLPY Book 2017 Page 54024 and Page 72532; the undersigned MidFirst Bank, as Mortgagee/ Transferee, under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in said mortgage, will sell at public outcry to the highest bidder for cash, in front of the main entrance of the Courthouse at Wetumpka, Elmore County, Alabama, on July 20, 2023, during the legal hours of sale, all of its rights, title, and interest in and to the following described real estate, situated in Elmore County, Alabama, to-wit: All that certain property situated in the County of Elmore, and State of Alabama, being described as follows Commence at an iron pin at the NW corner of the East 1/2 of the NE 1/4 of the NE 1/4 of Section 26, Township 19 North, Range 20 East, Elmore County, Alabama, thence South 00 degrees 06 minutes 55 seconds East 492.63 feet to an iron pin, said point being the Point of Beginning, thence South 88 degrees 10 minutes 50 seconds East 624.69 feet to an iron pin, thence South 03 degrees 00 minutes 24 seconds West, 414.11 feet to an iron pin, thence South 89 degrees 45 minutes 55 seconds East 1277.84 feet to an iron pin on the West right of way of South Ann Street (County Rd. No. 73) 60 foot R.O.W. , thence along said right of way South 11 degrees 03 minutes 56 seconds East 30.31 feet to an Iron pin, thence leaving said right of way North 89 degrees 46 minutes 38 seconds West 1285.64 feet to an iron pin, thence South 02 degrees 52 minutes 11 seconds West 381.98 feet to an iron pin, thence North 88 degrees 10 minutes 50 seconds West 580.17 feet to an iron pin, thence North 00 degrees 06 minutes 55 seconds West 826.44 feet to the point of beginning The above described property lies In the East 1/2 of the NE 1/4 of the NE 1/4 of Section 26 and the NW 1/4 of the NW 1/4 of Section 25 all in Township 19 North, Range 20 East, Elmore County, Alabama, and contains 12.30 acres, more or less, according to survey of Ronald Burke, Ala. Reg. No. 16670, dated June 26, 2001.. Property street address for informational purposes: 2412 South Ann Street , Eclectic, AL 360246111. THIS PROPERTY WILL BE SOLD ON AN “AS IS, WHERE IS” BASIS, WITHOUT WARRANTY OR RECOURSE, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED AS TO TITLE, USE AND/OR ENJOYMENT AND WILL BE SOLD SUBJECT TO THE RIGHT OF REDEMPTION OF ALL PARTIES ENTITLED THERETO. Alabama law gives some persons who have an interest in property the right to redeem the property under certain circumstances. Programs may also exist that help persons avoid or delay the foreclosure process. An attorney should be consulted to help you understand these rights and programs as a part of the foreclosure process. This sale is made for the purpose of paying the indebtedness secured by said mortgage, as well as the expenses of foreclosure. The successful bidder must tender a non-refundable deposit of Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) to Tiffany & Bosco, P.A. at the time and place of the sale. The balance of the purchase price plus any deed recording costs and transfer taxes must be paid next business day at the Law the address indicated below. Tiffany & Bosco, P.A. reserves the right to award the bid to the next highest bidder should the highest bidder fail to timely tender the total amount due. The Mortgagee/Transferee reserves the right to bid for and purchase the real estate and to credit its purchase price against the expenses of sale and the indebtedness secured by the real estate. This sale is subject to postponement or cancellation. MidFirst Bank, (“Transferee”) Tiffany & Bosco, P.A., 2501 20th Place South, Suite 300, Homewood, AL 35223 www.tblaw.com TB File Number: 23-03956
Wetumpka Herald: Jun. 7, 14 and 21, 2023 23-01029
PUBLIC NOTICE
LEGAL NOTICE
MURPHREE BRIDGE CORPORATION hereby gives notice of completion of contract with the Alabama Dept. of Transportation for the construction of Project Number(s) STPMN-2615(262) & STPMN-2615(250) Elmore County, 1.031 mi. Bridge Replacement on CR-8 over Harwell Mill Creek & Intersection Improvements on CR-8 at CR4, Northeast of Montgomery. This notice will appear for four consecutive weeks beginning on May 17, 2023 and ending on June 7, 2023. All claims should 1627 COUNTY ROAD 1149, TROY, ALABAMA 36079 during this period.
MURPHREE BRIDGE CORPORATION
Wetumpka Herald: May 17, 24, 31 and Jun. 7, 2023
COMPLETION
PUBLIC NOTICE
INVITATION TO BID
General Grass Cutting 2023
The City of Wetumpka will accept sealed bids for Grass Cutting designated locations within the corporate city limits. To be
Public Notices
py eligible to bid, bidder must provide three (3) references for contracts with a minimum of 100 acres within the past three (3) years. Bids will be received by the City Clerk of the City of Wetumpka, Alabama, until 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, July 12, 2023, at 408 South Main Street at the Wetumpka City Administration Building, then publicly opened and read aloud. A mandatory pre-bid conference will be held on Wednesday, June 21, 2023, at 10:00 a.m., at the Wetumpka City Administration Building, 408 South Main St., Wetumpka, AL. Mowing specdistributed at the pre-bid conference. For more information contact Chappell Brown at the City of Wetumpka Department of Public Works, 334-567-1328. The right is reserved as the interest of the City may require, to reject any and all bids. No adallowed after bids are opened. Envelopes containing bids must be sealed, marked, and addressed as follows and delivered or mailed to Tiffany Robinson, City Clerk, City of WetumpSouth Main Street, Wetumpka, Alabama 36092. Envelopes must be clearly marked “Bid for Grass Cutting designated locations within the corporate city limits.” Tiffany Robinson, City Clerk Wetumpka Herald: Jun. 7 and 14, 2023 BIDS/GRASS CUTTING PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA KIMBERLY GIDDENS Plaintiff, v. Jeffrey Merritt, and if deceased, his heirs and assigns, and Fictitious Parties “A”, “B”, “C”, being any and/or all persons, or entities, which may hold or claim any right, title or Interest in the herein describe real estate located in Elmore County, Alabama; And Lot 20, BLock 4, Unit 3, Kowliga Bay Estates, as the same is recorded of probate of Elmore County, Alabama in Plat 3, Page 169. Defendants. CASE NO. CV-2023-900101 NOTICE OF FILING OF COMPLAINT AND ORDER DIRECTING FILING OF APPEARANCE AND ANSWER OF DEFENDANTS
TO: Jeffrey Merritt, and if deceased, his respective heirs and assigns, and anyone else claiming an ownership interest in, claims to hold a lien on, or anyone who claims any interest whatsoever in the subject of property of this action YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that on the 3rd day of May, -
All persons having an interest in the above described property, or any portion thereof, claiming any title thereto or any encumbrance or lien thereon, are hereby directed to appear, answer, demur or otherwise respond to the allegations con-plaint within thirty (30) days in the event said Defendants fail to so appear and answer, a Default Judgment may be entered Said lands which are more par-WITNESS my hand and seal, /s/Michael Dozier -
CV-2023-900101 PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA THE TOWN OF ECLECTIC, ALABAMA, Petitioner, v. CIVIL ACTION NO.: CV-2023-900027.00 THE TAXPAYERS AND CITIZENS OF THE TOWN OF ECLECTIC, ALABAMA, Defendants. LEGAL NOTICE TO THE TAXPAYERS AND CITIZENS OF THE TOWN OF ECLECTIC, ALABAMA Notice is hereby given to you that a
the Town proposes to pay to
no other purpose; Town Assis-
Public Notices
Public Notices
yg 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.
LEIA DANIELLE SIDES
PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF CURTIS LAMONT BOZEMAN, DECEASED
Attorney of Record for Personal Representative: ED PARISH, JR. THE PARISH LAW FIRM PO BOX 52 MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA 36101-0052 323 ADAMS AVE MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA 36104 334-263-0003
NO: 2023-133 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE
Letters Testamentary in the Estate of JEAN M. BASS, deceased, having been granted to TAMMIE R. BAKER on May 24, 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.
TAMMIE R. BAKER PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF JEAN M. BASS. DECEASED
Attorney of Record for Personal
Representative: MICHAEL S. HARPER
ATTORNEY AT LAW 213 BARNETT BLVD P O BOX 780608 TALLASSEE, ALABAMA 36078 334-283-6855
Wetumpka Herald: May 31, Jun. 7 and 14, 2023
EST/BASS J. PUBLIC NOTICE
IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF CURTIS LAMONT BOZEMAN, DECEASED CASE NO: 2023-094 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE
Letters Testamentary in the Estate of CURTIS LAMONT, BOZEMAN, deceased, having been granted to LEIA DANIELLE SIDES on May 23rd, 2023 by John Thornton, Judge
Wetumpka Herald: May 31, Jun. 7 and 14, 2023 EST/BOZEMAN, C. PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF BERTHA CHRYSTINE BROWN, DECEASED CASE NO: 2021-190 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE
Letters of Administration over the Estate of BERTHA CHRYSTINE BROWN, deceased, having been granted to ELOYSE SEAMON on May 24th 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.
ELOYSE SEAMON ADMINISTRATOR OF THE ESTATE OF BERTHA CHRYSTINE BROWN, DECEASED Name and Address of Attorney for Administrator: JAMES E. WILSON, JR. ATTORNEY AT LAW 732 CARTER HILL RD MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA 36106 334-834-9899
Wetumpka Herald: May 31, Jun. 7 and 14, 2023
EST/BROWN B. PUBLIC NOTICE
IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF WINFORD H. COLLIER, DECEASED CASE NO: 2023-137 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE
Letters Testamentary in the Es-
Public Notices
y tate of WINFORD H. COLLIER, deceased, having been granted to CYNTHIA ANN COLLIER on May 18, 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.
CYNTHIA ANN COLLIER
PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF WINFORD H. COLLIER, DECEASED
Attorney of Record for
Personal Representative:
ROBERT J. MORRIS
ATTORNEY AT LAW 10365 HOLTVILLE ROAD DEATSVILLE, ALABAMA 36022 334-569-1820
Wetumpka Herald: May 24, 31 and Jun. 7, 2023 EST/COLLIER, W. PUBLIC NOTICE
IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF HELEN H. COOPER, DECEASED CASE NO: 2023-134 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE
Letters Testamentary in the Estate of HELEN H. COOPER, deceased, having been granted to ALESIA C. HAMM on May 17, 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.
ALESIA C. HAMM
PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF HELEN H. COOPER, DECEASED
Attorney of Record for Personal Representative: GERALD A. DANIEL, JR.
LAW OFFICE OF G A DANIEL, JR. LLC PO BOX 638
MILLBROOK, ALABAMA 36054
334-285-9444
Jerry@GADanielLaw.com
Wetumpka Herald: May 24, 31 and Jun. 7, 2023
EST/COOPER H. PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF FRANK H. COUPLAND, III, DECEASED CASE NO: 2023-141 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE
Public Notices
Letters Testamentary in the Es-
tate of FRANK H. COUPLAND, III, deceased, having been granted to JANET C. McCLENDON on May 25, 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.
JANET C. McCLENDON
PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF FRANK H. COUPLAND, III, DECEASED
Attorney of Record for Personal Representative: CLAUD E. McCOY, JR. ATTORNEY AT LAW 117 NORTH LANIER AVENUE STE 201 LANETT, ALABAMA 36863
334-644-1171
Wetumpka Herald: May 31, Jun. 7 and 14, 2023 EST/COUPLAND, F. PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF LESTER A. DAVIS, DECEASED CASE NO: 2023-142 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE
Letters Testamentary in the Estate of LESTER A. DAVIS, deceased, having been granted to KARON D. GILES on May 31, 2023 by John R. 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.
KARON D. GILES
EXECUTRIX OF THE ESTATE OF LESTER A. DAVIS, DECEASED
Attorney of Record for Execu-
trix: ROBERT B. RENEAU
LAW OFFICES OF EDWARDS & EDWARDS, P.C. 109 EAST BRIDGE STREET WETUMPKA, ALABAMA 36092 334-514-1011
Wetumpka Herald: Jun. 7, 14 and 24, 2023 EST/DAVIS, L.
PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF MARY ELIZABETH DESHON, DECEASED CASE NO. 2023-126
Public Notices
NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE
Letters of Administration over the Estate of MARY ELIZABETH DESHON, deceased, having been granted to JAMES GILROY DESHON, JR., on the 16th day of May 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 GILROY DESHON, JR., ADMINISTRATOR OF THE ESTATE OF MARY ELIZABETH DESHON
Regina B. Edwards, Esq. The Law Firm of Edwards & Edwards, P.C. Attorney for Administrator 109 E. Bridge Street Wetumpka, AL 36092 (334) 514-1011
Wetumpka Herald: May 24, 31 and Jun. 7, 2023
EST/DESHON, M. PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF PERCY W. FILYAW, DECEASED CASE NO: 2023-143 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE
Letters Testamentary in the Estate of PERCY W. FILYAW, deceased, having been granted to SHANNON REBECCA FILYAW 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. SHANNON REBECCA FILYAW PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF PERCY W. FILYAW, DECEASED Attorney of Record for Personal Representative: ROBERT B. RENEAU LAW OFFICES OF EDWARDS & EDWARDS, P.C. 109 EAST BRIDGE STREET WETUMPKA, ALABAMA 36092 334-514-1011
Wetumpka Herald: Jun. 7, 14 and 21, 2023 EST/FILYAW, P. PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF WILLIAM HENRY FULLER, SR., DECEASED. CASE NO. 2023-144
Public Notices
NOTICE OF FILING OF WILL FOR PROBATE TO: JORDAN STRECKER and JONAS FULLER NON-RESIDENTS OF THE STATE OF ALABAMA AND NEXT OF KIN OF WILLIAM HENRY FULLER, SR.; AND TO: ANY OTHER UNKNOWN NEXT OF KIN OF WILLIAM HENRY FULLER, SR., DECEASED AND TO: ANY OTHER INTERESTED PARTY YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that on May 26, 2023, a certain paper in writing purporting to be the Last Will and Testament of WILLIAM HENRY FULLER, the Probate Court of Elmore County, Alabama by WILLIAM H. FULLER, JR., Petitioner, requesting that such Last Will and Testament be admitted to Probate and Record and that the Petitioner be named as Personal Representative of such Estate. This notice of Filing of Will for Probate is given to you as a next-of-kin of WILLIAM HENRY FULLER, SR. or as an interested party. Unless an objection to admission to Probate and Record of such Last Will and Testament is submitted by you in writing to this Court within ten (10) days oftice, the Court will proceed with considering such Petition without further notice to you. JOHN THORNTON JUDGE OF PROBATE ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA Address of Petitioner: 9164 Eastchase Parkway #102 Montgomery, Alabama 36117 Wetumpka Herald: Jun. 7, 14 and 21, 2023 EST/FULLER, W. PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF HAL MARK FULMER, DECEASED CASE NO. 2023-115 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE Letters of Administration over the Estate of HAL MARK FULMER, deceased, having been granted to VIRGINIA LYNN CATRETT, on the 22nd day of May 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.
VIRGINIA LYNN CATRETT, ADMINISTRATOR OF THE ESTATE OF HAL MARK FULMER Regina B. Edwards, Esq.
CLASSIFIEDS/PUBLIC NOTICES
Public Notices
Wetumpka Herald: May 31, Jun. 7 and 14, 2023
EST/FULMER, H. PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF JOEL POWELL GIDDENS, DECEASED CASE NO: 2023-098 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE
Letters of Administration over the Estate of JOEL POWELL GIDDENS, deceased, having been granted to JACQUELINE B. KLINER on May 15, 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.
JACQUELINE B. KLINER
ADMINISTRATOR OF THE ESTATE OF JOEL POWELL GIDDENS, DECEASED
Address of Administrator: 4419 RIDGEWOOD ROAD TUSCALOOSA, ALABAMA 35404 334-399-3949
Wetumpka Herald: May 24, 31 and Jun. 7, 2023 EST/GIDDENS, J. PUBLIC NOTICE
IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF JAMES T. LASKEY, DECEASED CASE NO. 2023-132 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE
Letters Testamentary on the Estate of said decedent having been granted to CARL G. LASKEY as Executor on the 15th day of May 2023, by the Honorable John Thornton, Judge of Probate of said County in said State, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said Estate are required to present same within the time allowed by law or the same will be barred.
CARL G. LASKEY
EXECUTOR OF THE ESTATE OF JAMES T. LASKEY, DECEASED.
Name and Address of Attorney: Regina B. Edwards, Esq. The Law Firm of Edwards & Edwards, P.C. 109 E. Bridge Street Wetumpka, AL 36092
Wetumpka Herald: May 24, 31 and Jun. 7, 2023
EST/LASKEY, J.
PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN RE: THE ESTATE OF CHEA-PATRICK ALEXANDER REDDOCH, DECEASED CASE NO. 2023-129 NOTICE OF FILING OF PETITION FOR SUMMARY DISTRIBUTION OF ESTATE TO ALL INTERESTED PARTIES: ERIN CAMP, PETITION-
CHEA-PATRICK ALEXANDER
PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF MARY GARNETT TRANTHAM, DECEASED CASE NO: 2023-071 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE
Letters Testamentary in the Estate of MARY GARNETT TRANTHAM, deceased, having been granted to IAN ALEXANDER BOYD on May 18, 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.
IAN ALEXANDER BOYD PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF MARY GARNETT TRANTHAM, DECEASED
Attorney of Record for Personal Representative: FRANK E. BANKSTON, JR. ATTORNEY AT LAW PO BOX 239 MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA 36101-0239 334-264-9472
Wetumpka Herald: May 24, 31 and Jun. 7, 2023
EST/TRANTHAM M. PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE JUVENILE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF Case No.: JU-2017-000012.05 BROWN JONATHAN WAYNE II PUBLICATION ORDER
In this cause it is made to appear to the Court on Motion For Service By Publication by the Cleveland, Esq., Attorney for Petitioner, that the whereabouts of the above-named child’s mother, Catherine P. Brown, are unknown and cannot be ascertained with reasonable diligence. It further appears that the underlying petition requests that the mother’s parental rights be terminated and that permanent custody of the child be vested in the father. It is, therefore, ORDERED that pursuant to Rule 4.3, Ala. R. Civ. Proc., service by publication be made upon Mother by Petitioner in The Wetumpka Herald, a newspaper of general circulation published in the City of Wetumpka, Alabama, County of Elmore, and any other newspaper as may be required under Ala. Code § 12-15-318 (1975), for four (4) consecutive weeks notifying Catherine P. Brown to plead to, answer, and demur to the petition in the this matter in accordance with Rule 1(B), Ala. R. Juv. Proc. after the last hearing on September 7, 2023 at 9:00 a.m., Elmore County Judicial Complex, 8935 U.S. Highway 231 North, Wetumpka, Alabama. DONE this 30th day of May, 2023. /s/ PATRICK D PINKSTON JUVENILE JUDGE
Wetumpka Herald: Jun. 7, 14, 21 and 28, 2023
JU-2017-12.05
PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE JUVENILE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF: ABIGAIL CALLIS CASE No. JU-2021-145.02
NOTICE OF PETITION FOR TERMINATION OF PARENTAL RIGHTS TO: ELIZABETH SMITH (Mother) You are hereby given notice that -
ABIGAIL CALLIS
hereby given notice that you are
JOHN THORNTON
JUDGE OF PROBATE ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA
ATTORNEY AT LAW
ALABAMA
August 30, 2023, at 1:30 P.M. at the Elmore County Judicial Complex in Wetumpka, Alabama
JU-2021-145.02
PUBLIC NOTICE
Notice of Mortgage Foreclosure Sale State of Alabama, County of Elmore
Default having been made in the payment of the indebtedness secured by that certain mortgage executed by Lucas Valerian Gilbert, originally in favor of Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as nominee for Mortgage Lenders of America, LLC, on September 6, 2018, said mortgage recordProbate of Elmore County, Alabama, in Mortgage Book 2018, Page 48818; the undersigned Lakeview Loan Servicing, LLC, as Mortgagee/Transferee, under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in said mortgage, will sell at public outcry to
Public Notices
gg py the highest bidder for cash, in front of the main entrance of the Courthouse at Elmore Counduring the legal hours of sale, all of its rights, title, and interest in and to the following described real estate, situated in Elmore County, Alabama, to-wit: Commence at the Southeast corner of Section 8, Township 18 North, Range 19 East, and run thence North 15 degrees West 764 feet to the Point of Beginning; said point being on the North right of way line of Alabama State Highway No. 14; from said Point of Beginning run thence South 72 degrees 15 minutes West along said degrees 11 minutes East 164.5 feet; thence South 18 degrees 02 minutes East 268.7 feet to said right of way line; thence South 72 degrees 15 minutes West along said right of way line 6 feet to the Point of Beginning. Said parcel of land lies in the Southwest Quarter of the Southwest Quarter of Section 9, and the Southeast Quarter of the Southeast Quarter of Section 8, Township 18 North, Range 19 East. Title to the above described Gilbert and Freda Marlene Gilbert, as joint tenants, with rights Gilbert and Freda Marlene Gilbert by Warranty Deed dated 18196 or Instrument No. N/A. Said legal description being controlling, however the property is more commonly known as: 74585 Tallassee Hwy, WetumpTHIS PROPERTY WILL BE SOLD ON AN “AS IS, WHERE IS” BASIS, WITHOUT WARRANTY OR RECOURSE, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED AS TOMENT AND WILL BE SOLD REDEMPTION OF ALL PARTIES ENTITLED THERETO.
Alabama law gives some persons who have an interest in property the right to redeem the property under certain circumstances. Programs may also exist that help persons avoid or delay the foreclosure process. An attorney should be consulted to help you understand these rights and programs as a part of the foreclosure process. The successful bidder must tender a non-refundable deposit of Three Thousand Dollars made payable to Bell Carrington Price & Gregg, LLC at the time and place of the sale. The balance of the purchase price plus any deed recording costs and transfer taxes must be paid next business day at the Law & Gregg, LLC at the address indicated below. Bell Carrington Price & Gregg, LLC reserves the right to award the bid to the next highest bidder should the highest bidder fail to timely tender the total amount due. This sale is made for the purpose of paying the indebtedness secured by said mortgage, as well as the expenses of foreclosure. The Mortgagee/Transferee reserves the right to bid for and purchase the real estate and to credit its purchase price against the expenses of sale and the indebtedness secured by the real estate. This sale is subject to postponement or cancellation.
If the sale is set aside, the Purchaser may be entitled to only a return of any tendered purchase funds less any applicable fees and costs and shall have no other recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee, or the Mortgagee’s attorney. THE BELOW LAW FIRM MAY BE HELD TO BE ACTING AS A DEBT COLLECTOR, UNDER FEDERAL LAW. IF SO, ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE.
Bell Carrington Price & Gregg, LLC. 2100 Southbridge Pkwy, Suite 650, Homewood, AL, Wetumpka Herald: FC/GILBERT PUBLIC NOTICE LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, pursuant to Amendment No. 772 of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, as amended, that at the regular public meeting of the City Council (the “City Council”) of the City of Wetumpka, Alabama (the “City”), scheduled to be held at the City Administration Building, 408 South Main Street, on June 20, 2023 after the work session starting at noon., Central Time, the City Council will consider adoption of a resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute for and on behalf of the City a project development agreement (the “Project Development Agreement”) between the City and WOW Restaurant & Catering, (the “Company”), pursuant to which, in order to promote economic development within the City, create new jobs within the City, and enhance the overall economic and tax base within the City, the Company will agree to develop, establish, and operate a WOW Restaurant & Catering within the City (the “Project”) and bear the costs of all infrastructure required for the project and in consideration therefor, the City will, upon completion of the buildout of the restaurant and during the Operational Period, pay to the Company as reimbursement of the infrastructure costs, an
Public Notices
amount equal to one half of the local four (4) cents sales tax collected and received by the City and derived from the Project (the “City Assistance”) up to a maximum amount of Ninety Six Thousand and No/100 Dollars ($96,000.00), but not to exceed Twenty Four Thousand Dollars ($24,000.00) in any given year, until such maximum amount is paid in full. The execution and delivery of the Project Development Agreement by the City is intended to induce the Company to develop, construct and operate the Project within the City.
Wetumpka Herald: Jun. 7, 2023
MEETING
PUBLIC NOTICE
THE STATE OF ALABAMA
ELMORE COUNTY NOTICE OF SHERIFF’S SALE
By virtue of an execution on a judgment issued out of the Circuit Court of Jefferson County, Alabama in Case No. Case No.: CV-2012-000209.00 on or about August 20, 2013, for a total of $222,315.01 plus interest which has accrued since that date, plus costs in which William B. Cashion, et. al. is the Plaintiff and Steven Mark Hayden, et.al. is the Defendant, as well as the Final Judgment in Elmore County Case Number CV-2017900189.00 on or about January 22, 2022 wherein certain deeds and subsequent deeds were declared to be void I, Bill Franklin as Sheriff of Elmore County, Alabama will sell at public auction for cash between the legal hours of sale, on Monday, the 10 day of July, 2023 at approximately 1pm in front of the Elmore County Judicial Complex located at 8935 U. S. Highway 231, North, whatever equity the Defendant(s) may possess in and to the following described realty, to wit: Parcel: Commence at an iron pin at the Southwest corner of the Northeast Quarter of Section 10, Township 18 North, Range 19 East, Elmore County, Alabama; thence South 87°09’19” East, along onehalf section line, 295.15 ft to an iron pin, said point being the point of beginning; thence North 38°08’59” East, 299.20 ft to an iron pin; thence South 53°11’36” East, 532.67 ft to an iron pin on the north right of way of Alabama Highway No. 14, Tallassee Highway, 80’ R.O.W.; thence southwesterly, along said right of way and curve to the right, having a radius of 2683.62 ft, 299.84 ft, chord being South 70°07’06” West, 229.77 ft to an iron pin; thence leaving said right of way, North 17°43’53” West, 99.77 ft to an iron pin; thence North 57°30’16” West, 98.56 ft to an iron pin on the south line of the Northeast Quarter of Section 10, thence North 87°09’19” West, along onehalf section line, 282.06 ft to the point of beginning. Parcel ID: 17-02-10-0-000-002.001
Property address: 76297 Tallassee Hwy, Wetumpka, AL 36092
Any and all properties described above are subject to any and all restrictions, encumbrances, mortgages, reservations, rights of way, covenants, easements, setback lines, mineral and mining rights of record which affect the subject property. The Draftsman of this document acts as scrivener only. No title search has been made nor title opinion rendered, nor has one been requested. Purchasers are solely and exclusively responsible for their own title history searches and accuracy of legal descriptions and the consequences thereof. Said property will be sold “as is” and subject to all matters of record and all matters which would be revealed by a visible inspection of the premises.
/s/B. Franklin Bill Franklin, Sheriff Elmore County, Alabama Wetumpka Herald: Jun. 7, 14 and 21, 2023
SHERIFF SALE
PUBLIC NOTICE
ADVERTISEMENT FOR PREQUALIFICATION OF CONTRACTORS AND FOR BIDS FROM BIDDERS THAT ARE PREQUALIFIED
from General Contractors shall be submitted one (1) hard copy/ one (1) electronic, and will be received on behalf of the Owner by Goodwyn Mills & Cawood, Montgomery, Alabama; UNTIL 12:00 PM LOCAL TIME; ON FRIDAY, JUNE 9, 2023, for: GENERATOR UPGRADES FOR THE ALABAMA DEPT. OF CORRECTIONS WETUMPKA, AL; CLIO, AL; DECATUR, AL and thereafter delivered to the Owner for consideration of approval to bid this project. Prein writing ON MONDAY, JUNE , but no later than theuments will be available to bidders, currently anticipated to be on or aboutquirements may be obtained from the Architect, by written request on the Contractor’s company letterhead. The Owner reserves the right to reject any or all proposals, to waive technical errors, and/or abandon this process if, in their judgment, the best interests of the Owner will thereby be promoted.by the Alabama Department of
Public Notices
yp Corrections; at AT 2:00 PM LOCAL TIME ON THURSDAY, JULY 20, 2023, at which time and place they will be publicly opened and read. The Work of the project includes, but is not limited to, selective demolition, replacing existing generators with new systems at Wetumpka Complex and Easterling Correctional Facilities and installing a new emergency generator system at North Alabama CWC Dorm indicated on the Drawings; coordination and supervision of the entire project; and all relatand Contract Documents.
A cashier’s check or bid bond payable to Alabama Department of Corrections in an percent of the amount of the bid, but in no event more than bidder’s proposal. Performance and statutory Labor and Material Paymenttion of E-Verify enrollment (also with Proposals), will be required at the signing of the Contract. of the Architect; and digital Plan Rooms of: Dodge SCAN and Construct Connect.tained from the Architect by digfor a one time administrative separate check), and/or on CD (PDF format) for a one timeable; separate check), and/or (separate check), which will be return of documents in good and reusable condition withiner sets for general contractors, and sets for subs and dealers, may be obtained with the same deposit, which will be
Public Notices
Conference
CORRECTIONS ENGINEERING DIVISION Elmore, Alabama John Q. Hamm, Commissioner GOODWYN, MILLS CAWOOD, INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS
Wetumpka Herald: VMGM210021
Looking for a home? Look in our classifieds section and learn of great deals for you and your family.
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.”
