March 27, 2019 Eclectic Observer

LOCAL

SPORTS

INSIDE

Miss Majorette of Alabama names winners

Eclectic, Wetumpka split pair of games in 3 days

Special Doctors’ Day section inside

Eclectic Observer The

WEDNESDAY • MARCH 27, 2019

TheWetumpkaHerald.com

Vol. 30, No. 13

County OKs liquor license, public hearing public hearing is set for a business on Kowaliga Road applying for a license.

A public hearing was scheduled for Monday night’s meeting regarding liquor licenses for Lake Jordan Bait and Tackle but no individuals were present to speak either in favor of or against the application. During the regular business

By DONALD CAMPBELL Staff Writer

With the Elmore County Commission taking action on liquor licenses during Monday night’s meeting, a business on Lightwood Road in Deatsville will be able to sell beer and wine, and a

meeting of the commission, the applications were approved 5-0.

The commission also took action on a lounge retail liquor Class II license application submitted to the county

by GID Capital for Nails Liquor on Kowaliga Road. With a 5-0 vote, the commission approved holding a public

hearing on the matter during its April 8 meeting.

Looking to improve road safety, the commission approved a resolution to replace guardrails at bridges on Sewell Road, Baltzer Road and Peach Church Road. Commission chair Troy Stubbs See COMMISSION • Page 2

Titus resident prepares for annual Relay for Life event Wood has raised nearly $90K for organization in 30 years

By DONALD CAMPBELL Staff Writer

The Relay for Life organization has become one of the most recognizable groups to raise money for cancer patients and survivors.

Titus resident Bubba Wood said he enjoys taking part in the local Relay for Life event and he has been highly successful in raising money for the organization.

“This will be my 30th Relay for Life,” Wood said. “Since I started participating, I have raised nearly $90,000. Currently, I’m about $2,500 short of that.”

Wood’s involvement with the organization began when a friend invited him to take part in a Relay for Life event in the Birmingham area. Since then, he has enjoyed doing all he can with the group, including participating in the Tri-City Relay for Life, which brings together participants from the Millbrook, Wetumpka and Prattville areas.

In previous years, Wood joined with his fellow church members at Faith Baptist Church on a team in the Relay for Life walk but has participated for the past six years walking with his daughter on the team “Jessica’s Cancer Busters.”

Not only does Wood enjoy taking part in the Relay for Life but participating and raising See RELAY • Page 2

Today’s

Weather

70 41 High

Low

First responders look for evidence that might have come from a car at the boat ramp at Gold Star Park in Wetumpka Thursday night after the car eluded law enforcement and drove into the Coosa River.

Cliff Williams / The Observer

Child saved after vehicle drives into Coosa River Body pulled from river; 2 arrested after incident in Wetumpka

By DONALD CAMPBELL and CARMEN RODGERS Staff Writers

Two people have been arrested, another died and a 2-year-old child was rescued after a car plunged into the Coosa River at Gold Star Park in Wetumpka during a police chase Thursday night.

The body of a male was pulled from the river late Thursday night and eyewitnesses said law enforcement officials took two adults, one male and one female, into custody. Another eyewitness said an unidentified man dove into the water and saved the child.

See RIVER • Page 3

Unemployment falls in Elmore County State sets record low rate of 3.7 percent STAFF REPORT TPI Staff

THURS: HIGH 73 LOW 45

Alabama reached a new record low unemployment rate in February and Tallapoosa, Coosa and Elmore counties also saw their unemployment rates drop, according to the Alabama Department of Labor.

Alabama’s preliminary, seasonally adjusted February unemployment rate was 3.7 percent, down from January’s 3.8 and below February 2018’s rate of 4.0.

“We’ve shattered employment records for nine months in a row now,” ADL Secretary Fitzgerald Washington said in a release.

“People are continuing to join the labor force with the expectation that they will get a job

— and they’re getting jobs.

“More than 27,000 Alabamians are working now than a year ago and they’re bringing home more money in their paychecks, which is great news for our economy.”

Tallapoosa County’s unemployment rate fell from 4.6 percent in January to 4.3 percent in February, Coosa County’s fell from 4.6 to 4.1 and Elmore County’s dropped from 3.8 to 3.3.

In February 2018, Tallapoosa County’s unemployment rate was 4.6 percent, Coosa County’s was 4.7 and Elmore County’s was 4.0.

The numbers last month reflect 16,780 people employed in Tallapoosa County, 4,215 in Coosa County and 36,148 in

See UNEMPLOYMENT • Page 3

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Statewide, February’s rate represents 2.217 million employed persons compared to 2.123 million in January and 2.10 million in February 2018, representing yearly growth of 27,431.

The unemployed total fell to 82,304 — the second-lowest number ever recorded, compared to 83,398 in January and 87,534 in February 2018.

Total private average weekly earnings rose to $839.59 in February, representing an over-the-year increase of $33.54.

Wage and salary employment increased over the year by 34,700 with gains in the leisure and hospitality sector (+7,100); the trade, transportation and utilities sector (+6,300); and the professional and business services sector (+5,100), among others.

Wage and salary employment increased

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PAGE 2 • MARCH 27, 2019

TheWetumpkaHerald.com

THE ECLECTIC OBSERVER

Obituaries Mrs. Bobbie Jean Hammock Mrs. Bobbie Jean Hammock, of Tallassee, passed away on March 22, 2019. She was born January 30, 1938. Funeral service will be Tuesday, March 26, at 2 p.m., at Good Hope Baptist Church with Rev. Kenny Hill officiating. Burial will follow at Good Hope Cemetery, Linville Memorial Funeral Home directing.

The family will receive friends Tuesday, March 26, from 12:30 p.m. until service time at the church. She is preceded in death by her husband of 50 years, Julian Hammock, and her brother, Ralph Gandy.

She is survived by her special friend, James “Billy” Thornton; children, Deborah Hammock (Paul Sibley), Phillip Hammock (Reesie), Sheila Gates, Lee Gates and Eddie Hammock (Kimberly); brother, Jerry Gandy; grandchildren, Erin Daugherty (Eric), Clayton Hammock, Kyle Hammock (Alyssa), Sydney Hammock, Sonia Duncan (Willie); Whitney Bailey (Brian), Joshua Gates (Maggie) and Casey Ward (Matt); six great grandchildren; and sister-in-law, Teresa Gandy. Flowers accepted or donations may be made in her memory to Project Hope, % Good Hope Baptist Church or to Gideons International. Online condolences at www.linvillememorial.com.

Linville Memorial Funeral Home Eclectic, Alabama

Mr. Tom Jeffrey Miller Mr. Tom Jeffrey Miller, 54, of Birmingham, passed away on March 18, 2019. He was born August 7, 1964 in Chambers County. Funeral service will be Saturday, March 23, at 12 noon from Watson Chapel Congregational Church with Rev. Kenneth Keppel officiating. Burial will follow at Watson Chapel Cemetery, Linville Memorial Funeral Home directing. Visitation will be held at the church one hour prior to the funeral.

Tom was a loving son and brother. His passion was for music and staying involved with group counseling for the state. Although autistic, he enjoyed a friendly game of cards with friends and family. He is survived by his father, Tom D. Miller (Myrtle); mother, Annette Mann (Lee); siblings, Ray Miller (Bonnie), Patricia Green, Sherrie Petterson, Eric Miller (April) and Jennifer Belyeu (Bobby); four stepbrothers and seven step sisters. He is preceded in death by a brother, Stanley Matthew Miller. Online condolences at www. linvillememorial.com.

Linville Memorial Funeral Home Eclectic, Alabama

Mrs. Jean Freeman Mrs. Jean Freeman, 78, of Eclectic, passed away on March 24, 2019. She was born September 6, 1940. Funeral service will be Thursday, March 28, at 2 p.m., at Good Hope Baptist Church with Rev. Kenny Hill and Pastor Douglas McKinney officiating.

Burial will follow at Pleasant Grove Cemetery, Linville Memorial Funeral Home directing. The family will receive friends Thursday, March 28, from 12:30 p.m. until service time at the church. Jean is preceded in death by her husband, Jesse Freeman, Jr.; son, Jesse Freeman III; parents, Robert and Lois Segrest; brother, Bobby Segrest; and sister, Annie Lee. She is survived by daughters, Debbie (Ricky) Williams and Renee (Bruce) Holman of Tallassee, AL; sons, Tom (Vicki) Freeman and Doug Freeman of Chapel Hill, NC; sister, Faye (Richard) Garcia; sister-in-law, Maydean Segrest; nine grandchildren; fourteen great grandchildren and three great great grandchildren. Jean’s family wants to express their love and appreciation to her devoted sweetheart of thirteen years, Harrell Fulmer; and his family, Wes, Stephanie, Hayes and Hudson Fulmer; and Ben, Missy, Mallory and Morgan Nichols. She loved them as her own and they have been a major part of her life. Jean worked all her life in different occupations, most recently as a caregiver. She is loved and respected by many because of her kindness and compassion. She was an accomplished artist and feisty little lady who left a lasting impact on many friends. She will be greatly missed. Online condolences at www.linvillememorial.com.

Linville Memorial Funeral Home Eclectic, Alabama

Submitted / The Observer

Eclectic Elementary School has named its latest group of Students of the Month, with 25 students selected for the honor.

STUDENTS HONORED Eclectic Elementary names students of month

STAFF REPORT TPI Staff

Faculty and staff at Eclectic Elementary School have named the latest students of the month and they are as follows: Kindergarten: Khloe Williams and Goldie the service dog, Summer Duncan, Lyla Moore, Tre Harris, Isabelle Bridgman and Michael Maddaloni.

Commission

continued from Page 1

said these spots were classified as high-risk rural roads and thus are eligible for grant money through the High Risk Rural Roads program. County engineer Richie Beyer said the county applied for grant money with the Alabama Department of Transportation requiring a 10-percent match from the county. Beyer added passing this resolution will allow the county to let out bids on the work in the near future.

Beyer also recognized longtime Elmore County Highway Department employee Felton “Pep” Townsend, who for more than 40 years was a mainstay of the highway department. He began working with the department parttime during his senior year of high school, then joined the department full-time after graduation.

Townsend passed away earlier this year.

RODNEY GRIFFITH Relay Lake Martin Properties Serving Lake Martin, Tallassee and the Surrounding Area

RODNEY GRIFFITH BROKER CELL: 334-207-0666 WEB: www.rodneygrif¿th.com EMAIL: rodneygrif¿th@windstream.net LOTS IN RIVER HILLS SUBDIVISION – Good views of Lake Tallassee, underground utilities, sewage, walking distance to downtown, 9 lots remaining, priced from $20,000 to $32,000.

TALLASSEE LOT – Great commercial lot in Tallassee next to Dairy Queen, with 3 bd/2ba house. REDUCED TO $84,900.

NOBLE SUBDIVISION – 4.8 ACRE lot , sloping, great building site, this lot is not part of Noble Subdivision – $48,000.

5 ACRES on Highway 229 above Southside Middle School.

Road frontage on 229 and outer loop in front of the school.

Good location. $50,000.

511 RIVERSIDE AVE.– 4 bedrooms, 2 baths, brick home on 2 lots, heat pump, large den, big 30x20 shop, great location, $99,900.

WATERFRONT LOT ON LAKE TALLASSEE in Lake Tallassee Subdivision behind Alfa Insurance, 100 feet waterfront, almost an acre, easy to build on, good view, $45,000.

VERY GOOD 23 ACRES on Hwy. 229, 1 mile south of Kent, 1100 feet road frontage, flat. Some trees, easy to divide or build on, $125,000.

HOUSE ON 1.5 ACRE LOT on Hwy. 229, south of Kent, great level lot. Only $25,000.

14 ACRES Unrestricted (NOT IN THE CITY LIMITS) in Tallassee on Hillcrest St. Great sites for homes or mobile homes, $60,000.

First Grade: Hardy Moore, Kenzie Hearn, Emma Williams, Gabby Wilson and Alyson Brewer.

Second Grade: Jamie Lovelady, Bryce Allen, Baileigh Ames and Jada McBryde.

Third Grade: Jastaveion Smith, Gabe Payne, Alex Cabrera, Levi Reinert, Demarcus Rogers and Gabby Kendrick.

Fourth Grade: Baylee King, Parker Luster, Wyatt Bolt and Libby Powell.

Beyer said he wants the commission to pass a special resolution recognizing Townsend.

During the work session, commissioners recognized Elmore County Emergency Management Agency director Keith Barnett and local volunteer fire departments for their quick response and dedication to helping neighbors following the recent tornado in the Titus community.

The commission approved a pair of bids submitted for surplus scrap metal owned by the county.

Bowden Metal submitted a $380 bid and Robinson Recycling submitted a $300 bid.

Along with the upcoming countywide cleanup day on April 6, Stubbs said April 6 will also be the second annual Operation Spring Clean, encouraging everyone to get out and help make Elmore County a more beauti-

ful place. To further encourage younger residents of Elmore County, Stubbs said the county will participate in the social media campaign “#Trashtag” challenge, where participants will tag themselves in photos holding filled trash bags, along with photos of before and after shots of the area they helped clean up.

“Trash is something we get a lot of calls about,” Stubbs said.

The memorandum of warrants for the period of March 6-14 totaling $1,058,044.77 was approved.

The consent docket, including the travel memorandum and a sick leave donation of 40 hours from a county employee, was also approved.

The next meeting of the Elmore County Commission will be held at 5 p.m. on Monday, April 8 in the meeting room of the Elmore County Courthouse.

continued from Page 1

money for the organization has a personal significance to him. Wood was diagnosed with melanoma in the past and is currently a 13-year survivor.

“The fellowship, meeting new people and to know that you’re helping others, that’s what I enjoy,” Wood said.

Wood said raising nearly $90,000 since first participating in the Relay for Life is not a highly

common fundraising plateau for individuals to reach, especially in more rural areas.

“I just love it,” Wood said.

“I know most of the money we raise stays in the area to help pay for programs like wigs for cancer patients, helping volunteers who drive patients to their appointments pay for gas, the HOPE Lodge and things like that.”

! w o N g n i Happen Eclectic Public Library

SHOE DRIVE Do you have a closet full of gently used shoes you no longer wear? Time for Spring cleaning?

Please help us raise funds for our town library by donating your gently worn used or new shoes.

All kinds of shoes accepted. Pairs ONLY please.

The shoes will be cleaned, repaired, and recycled to developing nations through the help of a non-proÀt charitable organization.

Drop Off Locations Throughout The Community: •Eclectic Public Library •Eclectic United Methodist Church •First Baptist Church of Eclectic •1st Community Bank in Eclectic •Municipal Building – Town of Eclectic

•Rushenville Baptist Church •Santuck Baptist Church •Central Baptist Church •Frazer United Methodist Church •Eclectic Senior Center •Eclectic Recycling Center

*2500 PAIRS ARE REQUIRED TO FULFILL THE CONTRACT GOAL

Downtown Eclectic For More Info Visit:

townofeclectic.com

For those interested in contributing to Wood’s fundraising efforts in preparation for the 2019 Tri-City Relay for Life event in April, he said people can go to his personal Facebook page, where they can find a link to his donation page. Donors can also mail checks made out to the American Cancer Association to Wood at 1271 Jackson Trace Rd., Titus, Alabama, 36080.

THE ECLECTIC OBSERVER

TheWetumpkaHerald.com

MARCH 27, 2019 • PAGE 3

Submitted / The Observer

Holtville High School students Ella Grace Downs and Grace White were awarded scholarships from the Poarch Band of Creek Indians for their involvement in Alabama’s livestock industry. From left, PBCI Tribal councilmember Keith Martin, PBCI Elder Billy Smith, White, Downs and Southeastern Livestock Exposition president Jimmy Holliman.

2 Holtville students receive ACA scholarships

By DONALD CAMPBELL Staff Writer

For their participation in Alabama’s livestock industry, Holtville High School students Ella Grace Downs and Grace White were awarded scholarships from the Poarch Band of Creek Indians during a luncheon on March 16.

The luncheon is held by the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association and the Southeastern Livestock Exposition in conjunction with the Alabama Junior Beef Expo and the SLE Rodeo in

Cliff Williams / The Observer

Divers surface at the boat ramp in Gold Star Park in Wetumpka on Thursday night after searching for a car that ran into the Coosa River while eluding law enforcement.

River

continued from Page 1

The Alabama Department of Corrections confirmed its officers were conducting a surveillance operation Thursday evening when the subjects fled, leading to a pursuit that ended when the vehicle drove into the river.

Arrested were Rufus Brown, 31, and Jonisha Jordan, 21, both of Montgomery, the ADOC said.

Agents of the ADOC observed the suspects parked on ADOC property and when they approached the car it sped away, according to the ADOC. The pursuit led to Wetumpka, where the suspects drove into the river.

Wetumpka police chief Greg Benton said his department got a call shortly after 8 p.m. and officers were dispatched to Gold Star Park.

“Three people were taken out of the river,” Benton said. “One of

those was a 2-year-old who was taken to Elmore Community Hospital.”

Eyewitness Jason Grindle said the car being pursued almost hit him during the incident.

After following the chase into the park, Grindle said he saw the vehicle as it sank into the river and heard shouts coming from the car’s occupants.

“The car almost hit me,” Grindle said. “I followed them and the cops into Gold Star and got there while the car was submerging. The guy was hollering he couldn’t swim and the female was hollering for someone to save her baby. They put a male and the female in custody. The fire department got there really quick and started looking for the car.”

Grindle said he didn’t see the woman swimming but figured she must have gotten herself into shallow water from where the car went under.

Unemployment in February by 15,300 with monthly gains in the professional and business services sector (+5,400); the government sector (+4,000); and the education and health services sector (+3,200), among others.

Sixty-six of 67 counties experienced drops in their unemployment rates this month and 64 of 67 counties saw equal or lower rates than in February 2018.

Counties with the

lowest unemployment rates are Shelby at 2.9 percent, Marshall, Madison, Elmore and Cullman at 3.3 and Tuscaloosa and Morgan at 3.4.

Counties with the highest unemployment rates are Wilcox at 9.8, Clarke at 7.6 and Dallas at 7.3.

Major cities with the lowest unemployment rates are Vestavia Hills, Northport and Homewood at 2.7, Alabaster at 2.8 and Hoover and Madison at

“She was standing knee deep in the water when she was hollering that the car was about 15-20 yards out in the water, so she had to have swam in,” Grindle said.

“The baby was floating in the water. I’m not sure if it was ejected or what. The (unidentified) guy found the child just south of where the car submerged. The car had been submerged for a minute or two when the child was saved. The guy was having some difficulty when swimming back in and was screaming for help himself but made it back in.

He was beating on the child’s back and it spit out a bunch of water. It appeared to be OK.” At approximately 10:15 p.m., Benton said dive teams were in the water looking for a potential fourth occupant of the vehicle. Dive teams pulled a body out of the water afterward.

Montgomery.

“The Poarch Band of Creek Indians are longtime sponsors of livestock events here in Alabama,” said Kayla Greer, the director of social media and communications for the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association.

According to a press release from the ACA, two students from each of Alabama’s 67 counties are awarded a scholarship annually from the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, aiding future participation in youth livestock events or further education.

Forestry commission urges caution in burning STAFF REPORT TPI Staff

The Alabama Forestry Commission is advising people to use extreme caution with all debris burning and outdoor fires.

After Monday, drier conditions are expected to return with no significant precipitation in the forecast. At this time of year with lower humidity and March winds, fires can quickly spread out of control, not only threatening lives but endangering homes and property and damaging Alabama’s forests.

Both the number and size of wildfire occurrences have already increased, according to AFC fire officials. Over the last three days, 89 wildfires have burned more than 1,265 acres of forestland across the state.

“The existence of drier conditions, combined with lower humidity and gusty winds, could potentially contribute to hazardous wildfire behavior,” state forester Rick Oates said in a release.

“Although no burn restrictions have been issued, the Forestry Commission encourages everyone to be very cautious with fire until conditions improve.”

It is Alabama state law to obtain a burn permit before burning any woodland, grassland, field or wood debris greater than one-quarter acre or within 25 feet of flammable material.

All necessary safety precautions should be exercised when doing any type burning. Be sure to clear down to mineral soil around the area to be burned. Have enough tools, equipment and manpower to safely control any fire.

Once started, stay with the fire until it is completely out.

To obtain a burn permit or for more information, call the Alabama Forestry Commission at 800-392-5679.

For more information about the fire situation in specific areas or any other forestry-related issues, contact the local Alabama Forestry Commission office or visit the AFC website at www.forestry. alabama.gov.

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Major cities with the highest unemployment rates are Selma at 8.5, Prichard at 6.8 and Mobile at 5.4.

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Steve Baker, Publisher Jimmy Wigfield, Managing Editor Opinions expressed in guest columns and letters to the editor do not necessarily reflect the viewpoint of the management of Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc.

Page 4 • MARCH 27, 2019

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New ‘road program’ hearkens back to old days

O

ne of the obvious political changes in Alabama government over the last few decades with the Republican takeover of the legislature has been the reluctance to raise new revenue to fund state government.

Many of the current Republican legislators came to Montgomery in 2010 with a no-new tax pledge. Voting for any kind of tax or fee increase was considered blasphemous.

In bygone days, powerful governors such as Big Jim Folsom and George Wallace would raise taxes at the drop of a hat, especially when it came to a gasoline tax to build roads.

It was perfunctory and almost mandatory for a governor to have a road program; that was their legacy and how they and their legislative allies made friends. It was expected that a governor would build roads and raising the gas tax was the only way to create a road program.

Folks didn’t seem to mind.

It looks like this current legislature may have realized it needs a road program.

One day, Gov. Wallace was having a benign news conference to talk politics and garner publicity. A young reporter out of the blue asked him a pointed question: “Governor, why do you give all the road-building contracts and permits to your cronies, contributors and legislative allies?” Wallace looked at him quizzically and replied, “Who do you think I ought to give them to? My enemies?”

In 1983 I was a young freshman legislator and Wallace was in his last term as governor

STEVE FLOWERS Columnistt and, as usual, he was going to have a road program. He wasn’t just interested in raising the gas tax, he was taxing just about everything that wasn’t nailed down. He had already asked us to pass eight or nine “revenueenhancement measures” before he came with the whopper gas tax for roads, highways and bridges.

I was actually Wallace’s representative since I represented his home county of Barbour. Therefore, I was dutifully voting with the governor because, believe me, our area was going to get more than our fair share with Wallace as governor.

To get his gas tax passed, he went to the wall and resorted to a tactic he had used in his past administrations. He would bring us down to his office, 10 to 15 at a time, and hot-box you and prod a commitment out of you. I was in a group with a particularly bad boy named W.F. “Noopie” Cosby from Selma. “Noopie” had voted against all of Wallace’s revenue-enhancement measures.

Wallace, besides being almost completely deaf, had also gotten prematurely senile because of the tremendous amount of painkillers he had to take every day to even survive because of the devastating gunshot wounds he suffered in a 1972 assassination

attempt while running for president. Wallace was very hazy this day and he called Cosby “Nudy.” He must have called him “Nudy” 20 times.

I could hardly contain my laughter. Several of us in the room laughed so hard we started crying. It was the most humorous dialogue I ever recall. ‘“Nudy’, you need you a road program,” Wallace said.

“When I was a legislator, I had a road program for Barbour County. ‘Nudy,’ you need a road program for Dallas County and ‘Nudy’ we need these taxes for our road programs, so ‘Nudy’ here’s the way it works here. ‘Nudy,’ if you vote for my taxes your road program will be part of my road program but ‘Nudy’ if you don’t vote for my taxes I’m afraid you won’t have a road program and your road program will go to Barbour County.”

Folsom had a road program.

He built farm-to-market roads in every corner of the state so Alabama small farmers who lived on dirt roads could get their crops to market. He made his legacy that way.

When I make a speech anywhere in the state, many times I will share Big Jim stories with my audiences.

Afterward, some old timer will invariably come up to me and say, “Flowers, if Big Jim was running for governor today, I’d vote for him. He paved my daddy’s road.”

Steve Flowers served 16 years in the Alabama Legislature and can be reached at www.steveflowers.us.

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Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. manages The Alexander City Outlook, The Dadeville Record, The Wetumpka Herald, The Tallassee Tribune, The Eclectic Observer, Lake Magazine, Lake Martin Living, Elmore County Living, Kenneth Boone Photography and a commercial web printing press. © 2016 Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved and any reproduction of this issue is prohibited without the consent of the editor or publisher.

Letter to the Editor

Is Common Core bill justified or just politics?

Dear Editor, This past week State Sen. Del Marsh (R-Anniston) made headlines when he introduced a bill that effectively removes Alabama schools from Common Core by 2021. Do you support or oppose this bill and what does Common Core mean to the average citizens?

The Common Core State Standards Initiative (Common Core) was a byproduct of President George Bush’s No Child Left Behind program. A broad consortium of educators, governors and business executives convened to allegedly address the concerns of the business world and postsecondary educational institutions that America’s schools were falling behind in teaching techniques and quality of education for today’s business and academic environment.

In 2004, this group adopted the Common Core State Standards Initiative and drastically changed not only the curriculum of mathematics and language arts but the method of testing and evaluating students. This agenda has not set well with all states although 45 have signed on to the program.

Opposition appears to be more focused toward methodology and implementation that actual changes to improve the quality of education. Much of the criticism has been centered around this being seen as an attempt to establish a national curriculum disseminated from Washington. Supporters of Common Core say no, yet the very philosophy of the project does not support their denials.

While some attempt has been made to tie mandatory compliance with Common Core to local federal funding for education, such action has been strictly prohibited with

the signing of the Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015.

Marsh’s bill would totally remove Alabama’s schools from Common Core by 2021. The state, to date, has only partially implemented Common Core standards. Alabama State Superintendent of Education Eric Mackey stated Marsh’s bill would create a nightmare within state education mandating systems be returned to the methods and procedures of the 1990s and triggering enormous costs.

Is Marsh’s Common Core Bill viable? Is it a necessary thing or possibly political posturing by a politician hoping to unseat U.S. Sen. Doug Jones (D-AL)? Are we as voters prepared to surrender further local control of our schools to Washington by opposing Marsh’s bill and embracing Common Core?

James W. Anderson Talladega

THE ECLECTIC OBSERVER

TheWetumpkaHerald.com

MARCH 27, 2019 • PAGE 5

Merrill announces new online filing tool for businesses STAFF REPORT TPI Staff

Alabama Secretary of State John H. Merrill recently announced a new online filing tool for businesses to submit incorporation documentation to his office and probate judge’s offices.

This project has been completed in collaboration with Elmore County

Probate Judge John Thornton.

This service is offered at no cost to Alabama’s 67 counties by the secretary of state’s office. As additional counties express interest, they will be added to the system. “This service will dramatically reduce the time it takes Alabamians to file corporation documents in Elmore County,� Merrill said in a press release. “It is time we joined the 21st

century and modernized the services the people of Alabama use each and every day, as long as we can ensure the integrity and the credibility of the process.�

When Merrill was campaigning, he learned state filings were delayed more than 30 weeks from the time of receipt. Since taking office, the efforts Merrill and his team have made have removed years of excessive red tape

which constricted the procedure.

The most significant change has been a new requirement that all checks must be deposited on the date received in the secretary of state’s office. These changes resulted in same-day processing on all business documents filed.

The process is currently available for citizens in Jackson, Baldwin and Montgomery counties.

Chamber celebrates 30 years during annual dinner

By DONALD CAMPBELL Staff Writer

Donald Campbell / The Observer

There were nearly 200 participants in Saturday’s Miss Majorette of Alabama pageant. Above, contestants warm up and show off their abilities in front of the judges.

Miss Majorette of Alabama names winners

By DONALD CAMPBELL Staff Writer

The Wetumpka High School gymnasium was a busy place Saturday as nearly 200 young women from across the state took part in the annual Miss Majorette of Alabama competition in hopes of moving to the national level. “Today has been a big success,� event organizer Shirley DeVenney said. “We have twirlers from all over the state here today and we have judges from Alabama, Tennessee and Mississippi.�

During the competition, all the participants

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were judged in the categories of strut, twirl and modeling. During the strut portion in the early afternoon, five judges watched competitors twirl their batons and perform a dance-like routine to music. “The girls are judged on their work, showmanship, smoothness, speed, continuity and presentation,� DeVenney said.

In addition to individuals, DeVenney said a handful of teams took part in the pageant, including dance studios from throughout the state and majorettes from Prattville and Beauregard high schools.

Winners in three divi-

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sions (beginner, intermediate and advanced) secured a spot at the national competition this summer at the University of Notre Dame.

DeVenney said the beginner division winners were Juliana Steed in the age 10-12 category, Caris Blake in 13-15 and Madison Chapman in 16-up.

Winners in the intermediate division included Sofie Hoch in 7-9, Madison Randall in 10-12, Sarah Hill in

13-15 and Alannah Harte in 16-up.

The advanced division winners were Susan Otts in 10-12, Sally Otts in 13-15 and Erin Smith in 16-up.

DeVenney said many of those who didn’t win Saturday will get a second chance to punch their tickets to Indiana in the upcoming weeks by taking part in a regional majorette competition against participants from Mississippi and Tennessee.

plant sale

Friends and members of the Wetumpka Area Chamber of Commerce filled the Wetumpka Civic Center Tuesday night for the chamber’s annual dinner and awards ceremony celebrating 30 years of promoting the area. “The chamber is very important to us,� Wetumpka Mayor Jerry Willis said. “They help meet the needs of this city.�

Willis said the city wants the organization to be a part of the discussion on how to best move Wetumpka forward and rebuild in the aftermath of the Jan. 19 tornado.

Following Willis’ comments, event emcee Dennis Fain recognized longtime chamber executive director Jan Wood for her service to the community and the organization. “We’re so proud to have Jan here tonight,� Fain said. “I interviewed her for that position while I was serving as the treasurer of the chamber board.

Following the interview, I could tell she was definitely the right person for the job.�

During the dinner, Fain and outgoing chamber president Eric Hyde presented awards to a number of local businesses in attendance, all of which are Challengers for the chamber.

According to Fain and Hyde, Challengers go above and beyond what standard chambers members give.

Challengers are broken down into three levels — the Chairman’s Circle are the top members, followed by Keystone Challengers and Catalyst Challengers.

Additional awards given during the dinner included Hyde presenting Fain with the Community Involvement Citation Award while Fain subsequently presented Hyde with the William F. Saley Award. “(Fain) is still actively involved in the community,� Hyde said. “He continues by serving on Main Street Wetumpka and with the Wetumpka Rotary Club.�

Fain said, “(The Saley Award) is given to someone with longstanding service, someone who exhibits character that demonstrates a passion for the community. (Hyde) serves the community in so many ways.�

Elmore County Probate Judge John Thornton swore in the newest chamber officials and board members. These included Tracy Hart as the new president, Scott Greer as first vice chair, Sarah Summerville as second vice chair and Ricky Roberts as treasurer. “I think this is truly a great board,� Thornton said.

Rounding out the night, Hart made remarks about the evening, her service with the chamber and her selection to serve as chamber president. “I first volunteered with the chamber in 2009,�

Hart said. “I’ve worked a lot of events and always had a good time. Exciting things are coming to the community. I look forward to working with all of you.�

Fain added, “I think this chamber is in good hands.�

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PAGE 6 • MARCH 27, 2019

TheWetumpkaHerald.com

THE ECLECTIC OBSERVER

ClassiÄeds

Lake & River Phone (256) 277-4219 Fax (205) 669-4217 The Alexander City Outlook

Employment

classiďŹ eds@alexcityoutlook.com public.notices@alexcityoutlook.com

Reaching more than 22,000 households in Tallapoosa and Elmore counties The Dadeville Record

Job Opportunities

classiďŹ eds@thewetumpkaherald.com public.notices@thewetumpkaherald.com

The Eclectic Observer

Job Opportunities

Part-time Sales Clerk Wetumpka Russell Do it Center is now accepting applications for a part-time sales clerk.

Retail experience helpful.

Applications accepted at Russell Do it Center, 7986 Hwy 231 Wetumpka, AL EOE

Warehouse – Driver Wetumpka Russell Do it Center Accepting applications for the position of warehouseman/ delivery person at the Wetumpka Do it Center.

Forklift and warehouse operations experience desired. )XOO WLPH SRVLWLRQ ZLWK EHQH¿WV Valid driver’s license and good driving history required.

Please apply in person at: Russell Do it Center 7986, Hwy 231 in Wetumpka, AL. Applications accepted Monday – Friday 7am-4pm.

Serious Inquiries Only.

EOE

NOW-HIRING!!!

CNA classes starting this month.

Come and join our team. ‡)8// 7,0( &1$œ6 30 $0

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Now Hiring for Full-Time Manufacturing Positions in the Alexander City Area.

All Shifts Available.

Overtime & some Saturdays may be required. Pay rates start at $9.00/hr & increase depending on the company.

Your choice of two Health Insurance Plans available.

Must pass drug screen & client background requirements.

Apply in person at: 207 South Central Avenue Alexander City, AL 35010 or Online at www.asapply-ag.com

$SSO\ ,Q 3HUVRQ $GDPV +HDOWK DQG 5HKDE +LOODEHH 6WUHHW Alexander City 5HEHFFD &ODUN

C&J Tech Alabama,Inc. Now Hiring-Production Area 2IIHUHG %HQH¿WV ‡0HGLFDO 'HQWDO 9LVLRQ ‡3DLG 9DFDWLRQ +ROLGD\V ‡/RQJ 6KRUW 7HUP 'LVDELOLW\ 3ODQV ‡ KU RU PRUH (based upon experience) $SSOLFDQWV DSSO\ DW C&J Tech.

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DRIVERS Hanna Truck Lines is seeking Professional Flatbed Drivers.

56 cpm-No surprises: Starting pay (all miles): 54cpm, 55cpm at 6 months, 56cpm at The Learning Tree, Inc. 1 year. 100% Outbound loads is Accepting Applications Pre-loaded & Tarped. 75% for 2nd, 3rd and Weekend Inbound No Tarp. Late Model shifts for Direct Care Peterbilt Trucks. AirRide Applications can Trailers. Home weekends. Low be picked up at: cost BCBS Health/Dental Ins. 101 S. Dubois Street 0DWFKLQJ . 4XDOL¿FDWLRQV Tallassee, AL 36078 18 months Class A CDL driving Or contact H[SHULHQFH ZLWK PRV ÀDWEHG Shatia Carr Applicants must meet all D.O.T. (334)252-0025 Ext. 101 requirements.

Email: Contact recruiting at Scarr@learning-tree.org 1-800-634-7315 RU FRPH E\ +7/ RIÂżFH DW 1700 Boone Blvd, Northport.

English Pool Company EOE +LULQJ IRU 2IĂ€FH :RUN -Basic bookkeeping knowledge -Customer-service oriented Experienced Salary dependent on Machinist Needed H[SHULHQFH *RRG EHQHÂżWV Manual Mill & Lathe Operator Send resume: Contact Brown Machine PO Box 210668 & Fabrication, Inc. Montgomery AL 36121 Alexander City, AL Monday - Thursday 256-234-7491 White Oak

We Are Looking to Fill the Following Positions: 1. RN/LPN Nursing Supervisor 2. Caregivers Provide appropriate care and supervision to Elderly and Disabled individuals.

Call us at 256-342-5222 or email: aohcs08@gmail.com

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EARN EXTRA CASH PART-TIME DRIVER NEEDED Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. seeks a Part-time Delivery Driver for the Tallapoosa & Elmore County areas.

0XVW EH DEOH WR ZRUN ÀH[LEOH KRXUV ([FHOOHQW GULYLQJ UHFRUG Ability to lift 35-45 lbs..

Apply in person: Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. &KHURNHH 5RDG $OH[DQGHU &LW\ $/ No Phone Calls Please 'UXJ )UHH :RUNSODFH TPI is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Transportation

is hiring CDL-A drivers in your area. Great Pay! ([FHOOHQW %HQHÂżWV Visit our website www.whiteoaktrans.com for more information EOE-M/F/D/V

Now Hiring Heavy Equipment Operators and CDL Drivers Competitive pay and EHQH¿WV 3UH HPSOR\PHQW GUXJ WHVW UHTXLUHG Equal Employment 2SSRUWXQLW\ (PSOR\Hr Call: 205-298-6799 or email us at: jtate@forestryenv.com Wetumpka Area Wood Pallet Operation Needs: ‡0DLQWHQDQFH 0LOOZULJKW Must have working knowledge of welding/ torching, hydraulics, pneumatics, and electrical systems. ‡3URGXFWLRQ 6XSHUYLVRU Report to Plant Manager and be hands on with people/equipment. Must be willing to operate equipment as needed. ‡0DFKLQH 2SHUDWRUV Operate wood sawing, stacking and nailing machinery.

Apply at Bass Lumber RU FDOO

Job Opportunities Bill Nichols State Veterans Home

Job Opportunities CDL Class B Driver Wetumpka Russell Do it Center Now accepting applications for the position of Class B CDL Driver/Warehouse worker.

Must have experience driving a forklift and delivery trucks with manual trans. Full-time position ZLWK EHQH¿WV 9DOLG GULYHUœV license with Class B CDL license and a good driving history required. Please apply in person at Russell Do it Center, 7986 Hwy 231, Wetumpka, AL Applications accepted Monday–Friday 7am-4pm.

Serious Inquiries Only.

EOE

The Tallassee Tribune

Now Hiring Experienced Mechanical/ Structural Draftsman SURÂżFLHQW LQ 'LPHQVLRQDO AutoCAD drafting.

Contact Brown Machine & Fabrication, Inc. Alexander City, AL 0RQGD\ 7KXUVGD\

SEEKING SALESMAN for Rubber & Plastic Items Call to apply: 205-243-6661

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Apply at: hmrveteranservices.com Contact:Brandy Holman 256-329-0868 ,I LQWHUHVWHG LQ WHDFKLQJ DUW FODVVHV RQ D YROXQWHHU EDVLV FRQWDFW 6KRQGD <RXQJ $'& 'LU RI 5HFUHDWLRQDO 6HUYLFHV ([W

Moco Transportation OTR Drivers Needed 25 yrs old, 2 yrs Exp. Hazmat Required.

Good MVR. NO LOCAL RUNS Call: 1-800-328-3209 Hiring CDL Drivers, Backhoe Operators, and Laborers Must be highly motivated and able to follow directions Must have own transportation Please call: 334-322-4432 NOW HIRING Â&#x2021;(PHUJHQF\ 5RRP )7 51 DP SP Â&#x2021;37 6XUJLFDO 6FUXE 7HFK Â&#x2021;)7 &513 :HWXPSND 3HGLDWULFV (PDLO UHVXPH OUD]LFN#LY\FUHHNKHDOWK FRP

The Wetumpka Herald

PUZZLES & HOROSCOPE ARIES (March 21-April 19) A boss or an authority Ă&#x201E;gure clearly likes how you handle yourself. You might need to make a major adjustment when you approach a new opportunity. Ultimately, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll Ă&#x201E;nd your choice much simpler. Your role will be clearer. Tonight: In the moment.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) Reach out for someone you care about. Despite the fact that this person is processing, he or she might be unusually verbal. Given time, you might gain a new perspective of this person. Tonight: Follow the music.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) You express yourself with innate precision, yet also with sensitivity. A partnership might be changing at this time. Stay mellow and direct in your conversations with a dear friend or loved one. Tonight: Munchies with a favorite person.

CANCER (June 21-July 22) You could be at a point where you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have a lot of choices. How you deal with a loved one could change because of your obligations elsewhere. Allow a family member or loved one to help handle what you cannot. Tonight: Listen to your inner voice.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) You might want to change gears and head in a diÉ&#x2C6;erent direction. The opportunity to reverse a decision is gone, but you might be able to deviate course somewhat. How you deal with a younger associate could change considerably. Tonight: Get a good nightâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sleep while you can.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Your precision comes out when youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re dealing with a child, a loved one or a creative project. You know what your priorities are, and you let others know in no uncertain terms.

You might need a midweek break. Be aware of your limitations. Tonight: As you might like.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)

Defer to a family member or roommate who seems to have more knowledge than you do about the matter at hand. You often retreat from this person, but now is the time to express your gratitude and caring.

You might be surprised by the change in his or her demeanor. Tonight: Make it easy.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) Hang back to come to an understanding about whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s happening.

Discussions seem to ramble, but they can reĂ&#x2026;ect where the other parties are coming from. In the future, you might want to avoid placing so much responsibility on one person. Tonight: Meeting up with friends.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) You might see changes heading in your direction. How you handle a personal matter could radically change because of a strong sense of both your Ă&#x201E;nances and your expectations from another person. Relax; choose to be easygoing. Tonight: You have the Ă&#x201E;nal word.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Touch base with a friend who has a lot of information to share. Work with this person, as your odds for success might be enhanced. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t allow anyone to persuade you to do something that you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to right now.

Tonight: A must appearance.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) You might be more aware of a situation than you realize. Listen; observe more. Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll probably gain even more insight. Your loyalty could be tested by discovering that someone might be holding back key information. Trust this person to have a good reason.

Tonight: As you like it.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20) Zero in on others; listen to what they ask. Clearly, if you have an opportunity to move on a key idea, you will. At present, if you decide to share more, you might gain more support. Tonight: Only where your pals can be found.

THE ECLECTIC OBSERVER

TheWetumpkaHerald.com

MARCH 27, 2019 â&#x20AC;˘ PAGE 7

Area Churches AME ZION Mt. Zion Chapel AME Zion 2340 Crenshaw Rd., Wetumpka 567-4413 Rogers Chapel AME Zion 709 W. Bridge St., Wetumpka 5678144 Jackson Chapel AME Zion 4885 Coosada Rd., Coosada Jones Chapel AME Zion 2414 Ingram Rd. (Co. Rd. 3), Elmore ABUNDANT LIFE Abundant Life Church 9301 U.S. Hwy 231., Wetumpka 567-9143 ASSEMBLY OF GOD Agape Tabernacle Assembly of God 1076 Kowaliga Rd., Eclectic 5412006 Bethel Worship Center 11117 U.S. Hwy 231., Wetumpka 567-5754 Crossroads Assembly of God 2534 AL Hwy 14., Millbrook 285-5545 First Assembly of God 3511 Shirley Ln., Millbrook New Home Assembly of God 5620 Caesarville Rd., Wetumpka 569-2825 BAPTIST Abraham Baptist Church Millbrook Antioch Baptist Church 1115 Antioch Rd., Titus 567-2917 Beulah Baptist Church 2350 Grier Rd., Wetumpka 514-2881 Blue Ridge Baptist 4471 Jasmine Hill Rd., Wetumpka 567-4325 Brookwood Baptist Grandview Rd., Millbrook Calvary Baptist 504 W. Osceola St., Wetumpka 5674729 Central Baptist 3545 W. Central Rd., Wetumpka 541-2556 Coosada Baptist 20 Kennedy Ave., Coosada Deatsville Baptist 184 Church St., Deatsville Eclectic Baptist Church 203 Claud Rd., Eclectic 541-4444 Faith Baptist 64 Chapel Rd., Wetumpka 567-4417

Job Opportunities

First Baptist Church 205 W. Bridge St., Wetumpka 5675191 First Baptist of Elmore Hwy. 14 Co. Rd. 74, Elmore Galilee Baptist 95 Old Georgia Rd., Wetumpka 5674178 Good Hope Baptist 1766 S. Fleahop Rd., Eclectic Goodship Baptist 1554 Hwy. 143, Millbrook 285-0094 Grace Baptist Old Montgomery Hwy., Wetumpka 567-3255 Grandview Pines Baptist 346 Deatsville Hwy., Millbrook 2855125 Green Ridge Baptist 288 Turner Rd., Wetumpka 567-2486 Harvest Baptist 2990 Main St., Millbrook Hillside Baptist 405 Old Montgomery Hwy., Wetumpka Holtville Riverside Baptist 7121 Holtville Rd., Wetumpka 5145922 Lake Elam Baptist 4060 Gober Rd., Millbrook Liberty Hill Baptist 61 Crenshaw Rd., Wetumpka 5678750 Lighthouse Baptist 2281 Main St., Millbrook Living Water Baptist 1745 Grass Farm Rd. (Co. Rd. 80), Titus 514-7304 Millbrook Baptist 3431 Browns Road, Millbrook 2854731 Mitts Chapel Baptist 935 Cold Springs Rd., Deatsville 569-1952 Crossroads Community Church 150 Mt. Hebron Rd., Elmore 5674441 Mt. Herron East Baptist Church 4355 Mt. Herron Rd. Eclectic, Al 36024 334-857-3689 Mountain View Baptist 1025 Rifle Range Rd., Wetumpka 567-4458 New Harmony Baptist 3094 New Harmony Rd., Marbury 312-1878 New Home Baptist 1605 New Home Rd., Titus 567-0923

Notices

New Hope Baptist 6191 Lightwood Rd., Deatsville 5691267 New Lily Green Baptist 6504 Deatsville Hwy., Deatsville New Nazareth Baptist Hwy. 143, Deatsville Pleasant Hill Baptist Pleasant Hill Rd., Eclectic 541-3460 Prospect Baptist Prospect Rd., Eclectic 567-5837 Redland Baptist 1266 Dozier Rd., Wetumpka 5678649 Refuge Baptist Church 3098 Red Hill Road Tallassee 334-857-2638 Rehoberth Baptist 8110 Rifle Range Rd., Tallassee 567-9801 Rushenville Baptist 10098 Georgia Rd., Eclectic 5412418 Saint James Baptist 1005 Nobles Rd., Wetumpka 567-6209 Saint James Baptist 101 Gantt Rd., Deatsville 569-3006 Santuck Baptist 7250 Central Plank Rd., Wetumpka 567-2364 Seman Baptist Seman, Alabama Shoal Creek Baptist 13214 Holtville Rd., Deatsville 569-2482 Springfield Baptist Hwy. 7, Millbrook Thelma Baptist 810 Weoka Rd., Wetumpka 567-3665 Titus Baptist 6930 Titus Rd., Wetumpka 334-531-2120 Tunnell Chapel Baptist 210 Central Plank Rd., Wetumpka 567-2589 Victory Baptist 5481 Main St., Millbrook Wadsworth Baptist 2780 Hwy. 143, Deatsville 569-2851 BAPTIST - MISSIONARY Atkins Hill 565 Atkins Rd., Wetumpka 567-1141 Cathmagby Baptist 3074 Mitchell Creek Rd., Wetumpka 567-4787 First Missionary Baptist at Guilfield

Apartments

412 Company St., Wetumpka 5677455 Goodhope 1389 Willow Springs Rd. Wetumpka 567-7133 Lebanon 17877 U.S. Hwy. 231, Titus 514-1097 Mount Canaan 1125 Weoka Rd., Wetumpka 5672141 Mount Pisgah 16621 U.S. Hwy. 231, Titus 567-3668 Mt. Zion 371 AL Hwy. 14, Elmore, 567-2613 Mt. Zion #3 1813 Luke Paschal Rd., Eclectic New Home 5130 Elmore Rd., Wetumpka 5675966 Second Missionary 760 N. Bridge St., Wetumpka 5678601 Spring Chapel Jasmine Hill Rd., Wetumpka 5676493 Sweetwater 163 Michael Lane, Wetumpka 334538-9415 Tabernacle Baptist 1020 W. Tallassee St., Wetumpka 567-0620

3656 Wetumpka Church of Christ W. Bridge St. At W. Main St., Wetumpka 567-6561 CHURCH OF GOD Elmore Church of God 10675 Rucker Road, Elmore Gethsemane Church of God 705 Cotton St., Wetumpka 567-9886 Church at the Brook 2890 Hwy. 14, Millbrook Maranatha Church of God 2621 Holtville Rd., Wetumpka 5676786 Victory Tabernacle AOH Church of God 2080 Main Street, Millbrook Wetumpka Church of God Hwy. 9 N. Wetumpka 215-3091 CONGREGATIONAL CHRISTIAN Cedarwood Congregational Christian 10286 US Hwy 231 N, Wetumpka 567-0476 Seman Congregational Christian 15970 Central Plank Rd., Seman Union Congregational Christian 8188 Lightwood Rd., Marbury 569-2122 EPISCOPAL The Episcopal Church of the Epiphany 2602 Gilmer Ave., Tallassee 252-8618 Trinity Episcopal Church 5371 U.S. Hwy. 231, Wetumpka 5677534 St. Michael & All Angels Church 5941 Main St., Millbrook

BAPTIST - PRIMITIVE Bethel Old School 4625 Jackson Rd. (C.R. 103), Wetumpka Providence 4850 Chana Creek Rd., Wetumpka CATHOLIC Our Lady of Guadalupe 545 White Rd., Wetumpka 567-0311 CHURCH OF CHRIST Church of Christ of Elmore 470 Caesarville Rd., Wetumpka 567-6670 Church of Christ Grandview Pines 165 Deatsville Hwy., Millbrook Cold Springs Church of Christ 5920 Alabama Hwy. 143, Deatsville Georgia Road Church of Christ 4003 Georgia Rd., Wetumpka 5672804 Lightwood Church of Christ 251 New Harmony Rd., Deatsville 569-1510 Redland Road Church of Christ 2480 Redland Rd., Wetumpka 514-

Motorcycles & ATVâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

HOLINESS New Beginnings Holiness 865 Crenshaw Rd., Wetumpka 5679211 Summit Holiness 2050 Hwy. 14, Millbrook Temple of Deliverance Holiness 620 Alabama St., Wetumpka 514-3114 JEHOVAHâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S WITNESS Kingdom Hall of Jehovahâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Witnesses 9235 U.S. Hwy. 231, Wetumpka 5678100 LATTER DAY SAINTS Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints 1405 Chapel Rd., Wetumpka 567-8339

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Heating Season Assistance Starts December 15th, 8:00am for Chilton/Elmore/ Autauga & Shelby Counties.

Appointment Lines: Chilton/Elmore/Autauga: 205-287-0139 Shelby: 205-610-8916 Online: eaaoac.cascheduler.com 11th Area of Alabama O.A.C. Shoneys of Wetumpka Now Hiring Manager Trainees, Cooks and Servers Apply within during business hours Monday-Friday: 4700 US Highway 231 EOE

Auctions & Sales Estate Sales Estate Sale 351 Poplar Road, Alex City March 28, 29, 30 8am-3pm daily Furniture, clothing, tools, patio furniture, holiday decor, squaredance items, much more!

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PAGE 8 â&#x20AC;˘ MARCH 27, 2019

TheWetumpkaHerald.com

CommunityCalendar Saturday, March 30

â&#x20AC;˘ WETUMPKA UNITED: A night of laughs and music to bring the community together, the Wetumpka United concert will be held at Calvary Baptist Chruch at 504 West Osceola Street.

Doors open at 5 p.m. and the concert starts at 6. â&#x20AC;˘ BENEFIT DINNER: The Red Hill Community Club will be holding a fundraiser dinner at the former Red Hill School on Highway 229 in the Red Hill community. For $10 a ticket, guests can enjoy a dinner of spaghetti, salad, bread, dessert and a drink. Following the dinner from 4 to 6 p.m., the band Montgomery Junction will perform from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Proceeds go to help the group renovate the north wing of the school building.

Friday, April 5

â&#x20AC;˘ BENEFIT SINGING: Spoken For with special guest Barbara Kay Edwards will be holding a benefit singing for the Wetumpka Police Department at the Wetumpka Civic Center beginning at 7 p.m. Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s give back to those who give so much. There is no admission to the event, but a love offering will be taken up during the singing.

Saturday, April 6

â&#x20AC;˘ QUAIL FRY: The fourth annual Lake Martin Area United Way quail fry and baked good sale with auction will be held at The Stables at Russell Crossroads, located at 288 Stable Loop in Alexander City.

Running from 5 until 8 p.m., guests at the event will be able to enjoy fried quail, gumbo and a wide variety of sides. Tickets are $35 per person and are available at the United Way office at 17 Main Street in Alexander City Al or through a board member. We are also looking for baked goods donations for the auction and sale. For more information, contact the United Way at 256-329-

3600. â&#x20AC;˘ FAMILY FUN DAY: The Elmore County Family Resource Center is hosting a family fun day at Gold Star Park in Wetumpka. Join the center from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. as it kicks off Child Abuse Prevention Month in an inaugural county-wide event to bring resources and families together in one place.

Bring your family and connect to services that can empower you to take charge and lead a life of self-sufficiency and happiness you are meant to live. There will be free food, entertainment, games and prizes for children. Other sponsors include Butterfly Bridge and the Alabama Parent Education Center. For more information, call the center at 334-235-6091 or visit www.elmorecountyfrc.org

Tuesday, April 9

â&#x20AC;˘ LUNCH AND LEARN: The Central Alabama Master Gardeners Association will be hosting its monthly lunch and learn program at the extension center auditorium, located at 340 Queen Ann Road in Wetumpka from noon to 1 p.m. The subject this month will be â&#x20AC;&#x153;Native Plants for Our Area.â&#x20AC;?

Bring a sack lunch, and the association will provide drinks. The program is free to attend.

For more information on the monthly meetings, call the Elmore County Extension Office at 334567-6301.

Saturday, April 13

â&#x20AC;˘ TRADE DAYS: The town of Eclectic is hosting its regular Trade Days event from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 145 Main Street. The event will be held with booths and rental proceeds benefit Eclectic the Beautiful to support the work they do in our community. In addition, anyone wanting to have a yard sale at his or her home can call 334-201-0092 and your address will be shared.

Anyone wishing to donate items for sale, call 334-

201-0092 or email cwinslett6@yahoo.com. Thank you to everyone for your continued support of Eclectic Trade Days and Eclectic the Beautiful. â&#x20AC;˘ PREPAREDNESS FAIR: The Elmore County 10th annual Preparedness Fair will be held at Loweâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s on Highway 231 in Wetumpka from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event is sponsored by the Elmore County Emergency Management Agency in a special partnership with Loweâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s. There will be bounce houses for the kids, preparedness tips, information and interactive demonstrations of safety resources available to you in the community, as well as a showcase of emergency vehicles and more. Join our community of families, friends, schools, community organizations and our first responders to celebrate Elmore Countyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s resilience to protect those you love by getting ready to plan, practice and prepare together. For more information, call the Elmore County EMA at 334-5676451 or visit www.elmorecoema.com. â&#x20AC;˘ COOSAPALOOZA BREWFEST: The 2019 Coosapalooza Brewfest, hosted by Main Street Wetumpka will be held at 108 South Main Street in Wetumpka from 4 to 8 p.m. Join us for another brewfest along Merchants Alley and the River Walk in beautiful downtown Wetumpka. This yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s event will be bigger and better, with 40 Alabama craft breweries on tap for sampling.

Proceeds will go to Main Street Wetumpka to help its mission of downtown revitalization.

Friday, April 26

â&#x20AC;˘ RELAY FOR LIFE: The Tri-City Relay for Life event hosted by Relay for Life Tri-Cities will be held at Village Green Park in Millbrook beginning at 6 p.m. Gather your team and come help us celebrate our survivors and honor those fighting cancer. Our annual event

THE ECLECTIC OBSERVER

Submit calendar items: Participate in your Herald and Observer by calling 256-234-4281, faxing them to 256-234-6550, sending your event to the.editor@thewetumpkaherald.com or logging on to http://www.thewetumpkaherald.com/.

is held at the Village Green and everyone in the Tri-City (Millbrook, Wetumpka, Prattville) area is welcome to attend this fun, family friendly event.

Saturday, April 27

â&#x20AC;˘ ART TRAIL: The 2019 Tulotoma Art Snail Trail will be held in downtown Wetumpka Al between 1 and 5 p.m.

The Tulotoma Art Trail, an official event of the Tulotoma Snail Trail, is free to the public and will include art exhibits and competitions, studio demonstrations, live music and pop up shops. Local businesses will host open houses, as well as participating artists. This one of a kind annual event brings downtown Wetumpka to life through the celebration of community art and culture. If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re an artist interested in participating, email thekelly36092@gmail.com for more information. â&#x20AC;˘ HISTORICAL ENCAMPMENT: There will be a French and Indian War encampment on Saturday, April 27 and Sunday, April 28 at Fort Toulouse in Wetumpka.

The event will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. until 2 p.m.

Sunday. This special event focuses attention on the main protagonists of the French and Indian War â&#x20AC;&#x201D; France, Britain and their American Indian allies. Living history demonstrations of military, Indian, and civilian life will take place on Saturday and Sunday throughout the day. Re-enactors will be dressed and equipped as they appeared in North America during the middle of the 18th century. â&#x20AC;˘ EARTH DAY: The 2019 Wetumpka Pride Earth Day will take place at the Wetumpka Recycling Center from 9 until 11 a.m. Come out and take advantage of the following: free compost, plant swap, plant care advice, free T-shirts for the first 50 people. Drop off recyclables, including plastic

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milk jugs, coke bottles, newspapers, cardboard, magazines, books, printer cartridges and aluminum and steel cans. For more information contact vsmith@cityofwetumpka or 334-567-5147.

Ongoing events

â&#x20AC;˘ SHOE DRIVE: The Eclectic Public Library is currently holding a shoe drive fundraiser. Please help us raise funds for our town library by donating your gently worn or new shoes. â&#x20AC;˘ STORY TIME: The Wetumpka Public Library hosts a preschool story time every Tuesday and Friday at 10 a.m. throughout the year. It is our philosophy that an early introduction to reading and the library makes for well-rounded and eager readers. The Wetumpka Public Library is located at 212 South Main Street in Wetumpka.

For more information, call 334-567-1308. â&#x20AC;˘ STORY TIME: The Eclectic Public Library holds a story time for preschoolers at the library at 10:30 a.m. (now until April 13). Please come by and enjoy story time, with a new book each week.

Snacks provided. Contact 334-639-4727 for more information. â&#x20AC;˘ UKULELE CLASSES: Beginner ukulele classes are held at the Eclectic Public Library Saturdays at 9:30 a.m. Please bring your own instrument. Contact 334-639-4727 for more information. â&#x20AC;˘ TUESDAYS WITH KELLY: The Tuesdays With Kelly â&#x20AC;&#x153;Lunch and Learnâ&#x20AC;? series has temporarily been moved to Trinity Episcopal Church on Highway 231 in Wetumpka. Programs are held every third Tuesday of the month from noon until 1 p.m. For more information, visit thekelly. org â&#x20AC;˘ NAACP: The Elmore County Branch #5026 of the NAACP meets at 6:30 p.m. every third Tuesday (the executive committee) and every fourth Tuesday (full membership) at the Martin Luther King Center at 200 North Lancaster Street in Wetumpka. â&#x20AC;˘ CELEBRATE RECOVERY: Celebrate Recovery meets at Grace Point Community Church

at 78223 Tallassee Highway in Wetumpka every Tuesday night at 6:15 p.m. All are welcome. These meetings are a safe and loving environment for individuals seeking to conquer their hurts, habits, and hang-ups. For more information, visit Gracepoint. info or contact Gwin Greathouse at gwingreathouse@gmail.com. â&#x20AC;˘ CELEBRATE RECOVERY: Celebrate Recovery meets every Thursday evening at 6:15 p.m. at Santuck Baptist Church in Wetumpka.

This is a Christ-centered 12 step program for anyone struggling with hurts, habits, and hangups. Call 334-567-2364 for more information or contact jyates@santuckbaptist.org â&#x20AC;˘ FRESH START: Fresh Start Recovery meets every Thursday from 6 until 8 p.m. at First United Methodist in Wetumpka. Fresh Start Motorcycle Ministry began when God laid it on the heart of a lifetime biker to minister to those with his background. All are welcome, and it is not a requirement to own or ride a motorcycle.

Format used is the Holy Bible. For information, contact ministry leader Paul Henderson at 334201-5428. â&#x20AC;˘ GAMBLERS ANONYMOUS: Gamblers Anonymous meets Saturdays at 6 p.m. at Cedarwood Community Church, located at 10286 Highway 231 in the Wallsboro/Wetumpka community. Call 334-5670476 for more information. â&#x20AC;˘ GRIEFSHARE: The Griefshare Ministry meets Saturday mornings at 10 a.m. at Calvary Baptist Church, located at 504 West Osceola Street in Wetumpka.

This ministry helps assist those who have lost loved ones. Contact the church office at 334567-4729 or Pamela Livingston 334-324-2211 or visit www.calvarybaptistwetumpka.org for more information. â&#x20AC;˘ ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS: AA meetings and separate Al-Anon meetings are held Monday nights at 7 p.m. at 105 Tuskeena Street in Wetumpka.

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1 OUT OF 10

ELDERLY PERSONS AND ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES ARE BEING:

Abused, Neglected or Exploited Know that the people protecting your home are licensed by the State of Alabama.

Licensedsecurity.org Do have a home security system?

If you suspect this is happening to someone you know, please report it to Adult Protective Services by contacting your local DHR office or calling the

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HELP STOP THE ABUSE

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;This project was supported by Subgrant #16-VA-VS-076 awarded by the Law Enforcement / Traffic Safety Division of ADECA and the U.S. Department of Justice.â&#x20AC;? The opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this publication/program/exhibition are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of Justice or grant-making component.â&#x20AC;?

5HEXLOG $ODEDPD 3ODQ A small cost for a safer and brighter future for Alabama.

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TheWetumpkaHerald.com

CALEB TURRENTINE Sports Writer

America’s pastime is coming back again this week

Y

ou may not realize it but the 2019 Major League Baseball season is already underway.

And I do not just mean the exhibition games in Florida and Arizona that get us excited every year.

There was actual meaningful, regular season baseball played last week in Japan between the Seattle Mariners and the Oakland A’s. After a few days of Ichiro’s farewell dominating the headlines (rightly so), the rest of the teams in the league are ready to take the field for the first time Thursday.

For non-baseball fans, this is the time of year where you say things like the baseball season just ended and 162 games is way too long. But for those of us that love the game, Opening Day is near the top of the list for best days of the season.

The first day of the regular season brings you back to caring about the results of your favorite team and giving you hope that this year is the year. The pitching matchups on Opening Day are some of the best you will see all season with every team’s top starter taking the mound.

Even with injuries holding out the likes of Clayton Kershaw and Luis Severino, there will be plenty of top talent on display Thursday. Jacob deGrom and Max Scherzer will get things started in the nation’s capital at noon Thursday.

Bryce Harper will make his regular season debut with the Phillies in front of what is sure to be an electric crowd in Philadelphia. Atlanta has high expectations as its young core continues to grow and Julio Teheran will take the mound against Philadelphia ace Aaron Nola.

The Tampa Bay Rays and the Houston Astros will open their seasons at possibly the worst stadium in baseball but that should not distract from the fact the top two pitchers in the American League in 2018 will be on the mound. Blake Snell and Justin Verlander finished first and second respectively in the AL Cy Young voting last season and will now face off on the first day of the season.

There are several other stars on the mound who are usually must-watch pitchers throughout the regular season.

With Severino out, Masahiro Tanaka will take over as the starter for the New York Yankees against the Baltimore Orioles.

Corey Kluber finished third in the Cy Young voting last season and will be the Opening Day starter for Cleveland for the fifth consecutive season. Luis Castillo is on the opposite end, making his first Opening Day start of his career for the Reds.

While the pitching might be on display on Opening Day, it’s the power at the plate which brings the casual fans to the game. For the first time since 2012, the top six players in the AL MVP vote hit at least 30 home runs last season.

Mike Trout playing baseball is always recommended viewing and somehow, he seems to be getting better. Boston brings back MVP winner Mookie Betts along with J.D. Martinez to provide one of the best one-two lineup punches in the game.

Cleveland brings back the top hitting middle infield in baseball with Jose Ramirez and Francisco Lindor leading the way for the AL Central division favorites. The Yankees are back after setting a record for home runs in a season and are hoping to knock off the Boston Red Sox this year behind the power of Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton and Gary Sanchez.

The National League brought several surprises last season, including Christian Yelich coming out of nowhere to lead the Milwaukee Brewers to a division title and win the league’s MVP award. The Atlanta Braves shocked the NL East by winning the division by eight games behind the debut of Ronald Acuna Jr. See TURRENTINE • Page 10

Sports

Visit our sister website: TallasseeTribune.com MARCH 27, 2019 • PAGE 9

The

Observer

INTRACOUNTY SPLIT Eclectic, Wetumpka split pair of games in 3 days STAFF REPORT TPI Staff

The Wetumpka and Elmore County softball teams each hosted the other for a game last week with the road team coming away with a win in both games.

Tuesday, Wetumpka traveled across the river to Eclectic for a non-area matchup with the Panthers.

The Indians jumped in front with two runs on two errors in the first inning before Elmore County began battling back.

The Panthers took their first lead of the game after Madison Britt hit a 2-run homer in the bottom of the third inning to put ECHS ahead 4-3. The Panthers extended that lead to 6-3 with back-to-back RBI doubles by Madelyn Becker and Kelina Daniels in the fourth inning.

Wetumpka quickly stormed back, scoring three runs in the fifth inning to tie the game. The Indians blew the game open in the sixth inning with five different players knocking in runs during the seven-run inning.

The Indians added another run in the seventh inning, scoring the final 11 runs of the game in a 14-6 victory.

Lily Gray led the way with three hits and three RBIs for the Indians. Savannah Shoemaker got the win in

File / The Observer

Elmore County’s Madison Britt, left, hit a two-run home run against Wetumpka last week.

the circle after pitching 1 1/3 innings of relief, while striking out three and allowing just one hit.

Elmore County got its

File / The Observer

Elmore County’s Austin Downey allowed eight runs to Handley and took his first loss of this season last week.

revenge two days later with a comeback victory of its own in Wetumpka. It was the first game this season Wetumpka hosted at its

on-campus field but the Panthers played spoiler.

Runs were limited in the opening innings with See SOFTBALL • Page 10

Panthers fall in shortened game vs. Stanhope Elmore

By GRIFFIN PRITCHARD For The Observer

Wins were tough to find at the first part of the season, but the Stanhope Elmore Mustangs piled them up heading into Spring Break and the Hoover Invitational. The Mustangs, who are winners of five straight, will compete against Briarwood Christian and Tennessee’s Farragut High School on Friday.

Through the first 14 games of the season, the Mustangs were their own worst enemy, compiling a 2-12 record. That changed after a road trip to Selma. The Mustangs ran roughshod over the Saints outscoring their blue and gold foes a combined 37-12.

The stampede continued at Furlow Field over the weekend as the Mustangs upended Fayetteville 4-0 then rallied

early to avenge a loss to Elmore County.

“We’ve made a couple of adjustments in the line-up, and we had an eighth-grader making his first start at short (during the losing streak),” Mustangs coach Wes Dunsieth said.

“And (on Saturday) he made several big plays for us.”

The eighth-grader in question, shortstop Zach Stevens, ended an Elmore County threat by fielding a sharply hit grounder and turning it into a double play to get the Mustangs out of the inning.

“That was unreal,” Dunsieth said.

“Everybody is just more comfortable now of where they are on the field and in the line-up. We are starting to see some of that chemistry develop and I’m really proud of them.”

The Mustangs scored two late to See BASEBALL • Page 10

ECHS track team racks up 6 wins in Selma STAFF REPORT TPI Staff

DJ Patrick grabbed wins in the long jump and triple jump to lead the Elmore County track team to a strong performance at the River Region Invitational in Selma last week. Patrick won the long jump with a distance of 21 feet, 5 inches before destroying the competition by more than five feet in the triple jump finals.

In the 200-meter dash, Patrick finished one one-hundredth of a second behind Wetumpka’s Terrance Thomas for his lone second-place finish of the day. Elmore County’s Reece Baker finished fourtenths of a second behind his teammate to finish fourth in the event.

Zefeniah Edwards grabbed his first win of the

season, running the 800 in 2:04.84. He finished more than two seconds ahead of Wetumpka’s Cory Anthony in the finals.

The Elmore County boys relay team won first place in both the 4x400 and the 4x8, winning both by just over six seconds.

Kwan Bickley won first place in the boys high jump after being the only participant to clear the bar at 5-10.00. Dalton Odom finished second in the javelin throw finals with a throw of 126 feet and 2 inches.

BASEBALL Panthers taken down in first area series

Elmore County saw its nine-game winning streak come to an end at the hands of an unlikely opponent.

The Panthers entered last week as No. 10 in Class 4A but the area opener at

Handley quickly brought the team back down to earth.

Austin Downey took the mound in the first game of the series but Handley got to the Panther ace quickly, scoring five runs in the first inning. Elmore County came storming back with five runs of its own in the second inning.

Downey contributed to his cause with an RBI single in the third inning to tie the game 6-6. However, Handley would get the final say, scoring two more runs of Downey in an 8-6 win over the Panthers.

Elmore County (12-4) responded well in the first game of the doubleheader in Eclectic two days later.

Landon Maynard was one of three Panthers with two hits and led the team with two runs batted in while pitching a complete game

on the mound.

Maynard struck out nine batters across seven innings while allowing just four hits and no earned runs in the 7-2 victory.

However, it was Handley who would walk away on top of the Area 5 standings after putting up 19 runs with the help of eight errors

by Elmore County in the series finale. The Panthers allowed 15 unearned runs and could not make up the difference at the plate, falling 19-7, in five innings.

Elmore County now sits in third place in the area but will have a chance to claw back into the playoff picture with a series against area leaders Holtville next week.

The Bulldogs are traveling to Eclectic on Tuesday starting at 4 p.m. followed by a doubleheader hosted

by Holtville on Thursday beginning at 4 p.m.

PAGE 10 • MARCH 27, 2019

TheWetumpkaHerald.com

THE ECLECTIC OBSERVER

Tallassee’s Chloe Baynes has eyes on record books despite streak ending

By CALEB TURRENTINE Sports Writer

With Tallassee hosting Auburn last week, fans witnessed something they had not seen for nearly two years.

Chloe Baynes was thrown out trying to steal third base, ending her streak of 115 consecutive stolen base attempts without being caught.

“Losing my streak really upset me and I had to try to deal with it throughout the game,” Baynes said. “I also wanted to stay up for my team but it was tough because that meant so much to me.”

The 115-base streak sits in third place for the most consecutive steals in a career, according to the AHSAA website. Baynes was 36 games shy of the state record which is held by Danville’s Kristy Roberts.

“We really started noticing it about midway through her seventh-grade year,” Tallassee coach Pat Love said. “She was 39 of 40 that year. It’s something you start paying attention to every game and keep that tally going. If she gets a single, it’s pretty much a double.”

It did not take long for Baynes to get redemption after being thrown out in the third inning of the win over Auburn.

She finished the game with a season-high four stolen bases in one game, stealing second two more times in the final

Turrentine

continued from Page 9

Two tiebreaker games were needed at the end of the season to determine the five teams in the postseason for the NL and there does not seem to be much separation again this season.

The Phillies made plenty of additions to compete in the NL East but the Braves, the Nationals and even the Mets will make it difficult.

The L.A. Dodgers are the favorites to make it back to the World Series and should ease to a title in the NL West but the Central is a different story.

The Chicago Cubs, Brewers, St. Louis Cardinals and Cincinnati Reds all have their eyes on a playoff spot to start the season and could still be pushing for the postseason into August.

There is plenty of storylines to watch and things to get excited for this season.

And everything gets started in full force Thursday.

Caleb Turrentine is a sports writer for The Observer.

Softball

continued from Page 9

Wetumpka’s Rebeka Cannon and Elmore County’s Maci Curlee exchanging scoreless frames through the first four innings.

Wetumpka struck first, taking the lead in the bottom of the fifth inning.

Anna Kate Norton gave the Indians a 2-0 lead after her first hit of the game brought home Mya Holt.

Markie Hicks added an RBI single in the sixth inning to put Wetumpka ahead 3-0 with Elmore County down to its final three outs at the plate.

Curlee and CJ Thornton got hits to put two runners in scoring position but Wetumpka got two outs before any runs scored.

The Panthers saw their next four batters reach base and took the lead after back to back two-run singles by Becker and Daniels. Curlee returned to the circle with a 5-3 lead and pitched a perfect inning in the bottom of the seventh to give Elmore County the win.

Caleb Turrentine / The Observer

Tallassee’s Chloe Baynes has reached base in 68.9 percent of her plate appearances this season.

three innings.

“She is always going to have the green light,” Love said. “If she wants to steal, I’m going to let her do it. She was upset about it but we’re going to move on from there and she’s already started a new streak now.”

Baynes, a freshman center fielder, has now been thrown

out twice during her varsity career and is looking to set a new number for herself during her final three and a half high school seasons. She has her sights set on a specific name on the list ahead of her.

“Being in the record books is something that means a lot to me,” Baynes said. “Seeing my name right next to Haylie

McCleney, who was one of the greatest center fielders for Alabama, that amazes me so now I’m trying to get my name above hers.”

McCleney was a former standout at Mortimer Jordan and had a streak of 137 consecutive stolen base attempts without being thrown out.

Baynes is hoping to beat

McCleney’s number and take the same path to Tuscaloosa to play college softball.

Despite losing her streak, Baynes said she has not lost her confidence. The Tigers rely on Baynes on the top of the order and she delivers more often than not.

In her first 84 plate appearances this season, Baynes has reached base 70 times and has recorded 47 stolen bases. She leads Tallassee with a batting average of .692 and 42 runs scored.

“Whether she’s getting a hit or walking or reaching base by an error, it creates such havoc on the bases,” Love said.

“Every throw has to be perfect and they’re so busy worrying about her so it helps out at the plate.”

Baynes is a slap hitter from the left side of the plate but will lay down a bunt more often than not, giving the third baseman no chance at throwing her out at first. Once she reaches base, Baynes is going to score more often than not, thanks to Tallassee’s top sluggers Lexi Love and Belle Haynes.

Tallassee has started the season 21-3 and expects to compete for a state championship in Class 5A. With Baynes at the top of the lineup, it is going to take something special to knock off the Tigers — for this season and many years to come.

Baseball

continued from Page 9

upend Fayetteville and pick up the 4-0 win and carried that momentum over into the rematch with the Panthers.

Stanhope Elmore’s Alex Johnson singled to lead off the home half of the first. Chase Eddings and Connor Gregg were issued passes to load the bases. Nate Hodge emptied them with one swing, driving an Elmore County offering into the gap for a triple. DJ McGhee (running for Hodge) strolled home on a passed ball to put the hometown squad up 4-0 and the Panthers on their heels.

“I think we played well,” Dunsieth said. “We scored every inning except one and that helps a lot. It takes a lot of pressure off. They just kept going. When that happens, it makes my job easy.”

The offensive output continued in the second as Kerenski McGhee reached on an error and then scored on an Eddings sac fly.

The 5-0 lead turned blossomed to 7-0 in the third as the Mustangs brought two more ponies home.

Sully Stevens drew a walk and then scored on a scoring error as the Panthers’ catcher dropped strike three and allowed Bradley Dobbs to reach safely. The catcher’s toss was wide and into the outfield scoring Stevens and moving Dobbs to third.

File / The Observer

Landon Maynard got the win on the mound and added two hits at the plate during Elmore County’s first area win of the season.

Dobbs later scored on a wild pitch.

After being silenced in the fourth, the Mustangs put two more on the board in the fifth following an Elmore County call to the bullpen.

Cody Freeman and Parker Wagner drew walks to open the home half of the fifth frame. Freeman scored on a passed ball and Johnson sin-

gled to score Wagner.

The Panthers, whose offense could best be described as one appearing in fits and stalls, found a spark and pushed two runs home. Payne Watts and DeAngelo Splunge drew walks to open the sixth and later scored on a Jamie Singleton single.

A force out a third and then a toss to first ended the threat.

Stanhope Elmore ended the game in the bottom of the sixth by driving home four runs, securing the 12-2 victory.

Hodge led off the inning with a solo shot over the leftfield fence moving the mark to 10-2.

Two more runs were added to the book and the game was ended with the Mustangs up 12-2.

Help us with our award-winning sports coverage

Tallapoosa Publishers is looking for people with a love of sports and a passion for writing and/or photography to help us cover high school sports in Tallapoosa, Coosa & Elmore counties.

Interested? Email Lizi Arbogast lizi.arbogast@alexcityoutlook.com Please include name, number & writing samples, if possible.

NOT ALL HEROES WEAR CAPES

BUT ALL DOCTORS ARE HEROES Wishing all physicans a “WELL”

ONE DAY is not enough to THANK our DOCTORS for the OTHER 364 A Tallapoosa Publishers special supplement for The Wetumpka Herald, The Tallassee Tribune, and The Eclectic Observer March 27, 2019

Page 2

Wednesday, March 27, 2019

Doctors’ Day 2019

‘It’s a lot of work but it’s worth it’ Wetumpka High School seniors talk plans for futures in medicine Griffin and Foster said they have family members who work as nurses which helped reinforce the notion of pursuing a career in medicine. Both Many children dream of becoming also feel the desire to work with other a doctor when they get older and for two seniors at Wetumpka High School, people and improve their lives was key these dreams could soon become reality. in making this decision. Foster said he “I have wanted to be a doctor since I has tried to help his friends with some was a little girl,” Keyonna Griffin said. of their problems while Griffin’s inter“I want to end up being a physician so I est was further sparked when her grandmother died. can do a broad number of things.”

After finishing medical school, Aaron Foster said he’s always been Griffin said she first wants to work in a interested in the human brain.

“I plan to major in pre-med and psy- hospital setting and gain more experience as a doctor before eventually movchology to become a neuropsycholoing into private practice. gist,” he said.

By DONALD CAMPBELL Staff Writer

Foster plans to pursue a master’s degree and doctorate in psychology before taking a position in a medical lab to analyze scans of the brain and its activity to find ways to help those with psychological issues.

As Griffin and Foster prepare to pursue their medical careers, both said they have a vision for how they wanted to be remembered.

“I want people to remember me as a caring physician doing my best to help them,” Griffin said. “I hope when they remember me, they felt like I was a kind and warming embrace when they needed me.”

Foster added, “I want to leave behind the belief that, no matter what people may think, psychology isn’t a waste of time. By looking, assessing and helping others, I want to bring more people back and lead to a mentally healthier society.”

Both students offered advice to those who are thinking of following in their footsteps.

“Psychology is not a waste of time,” Foster said. “It is a strong form of medicine.”

Griffin said, “I want people interested to remember that it’s a lot of work but it’s worth it.”

To the doctors who have gotten me where I am today

O

File / Tallapoosa Publishers

Amanda Orr, left, and Cecilia Smith have owned and operated The Apothecary since 2012.

The Apothecary serving Tallassee since 1973

By CARMEN RODGERS Staff Writer

While doctors and nurses play vital roles in patient care, a pharmacy such as The Apothecary in Tallassee is also important.

The roots of The Apothecary Pharmacy go back to 1973 when Alphonso Davidson and Charles Funderburk opened the business on Gilmer Avenue. Several years later Elaine Bunn Thornton went to work with them.

Davidson was ready to retire in 1988 and Thornton, who was working for Harco Drugs at the time, decided to buy The Apothecary. In 1996 she purchased Pinehurst Plaza, renovated the building and relocated The Apothecary there. A few years later The Apothecary closed.

In 2006, Thornton reestablished The Apothecary at 1405 GilmerAve. and Amanda Emfinger Orr and Cecilia Daugherty Smith became staff pharmacists. They purchased The Apothecary in 2012 from Thornton and continue to offer the same customer care that has been the embodiment of The Apothecary since 1973.

The Apothecary is a full-service, independent pharmacy with a hometown feel.

It offers patient counseling on pre-

Submitted / Tallapoosa Publishers

Elaine Thornton, center, purchased The Apothecary in 1988. The pharmacy moved to Pinehurst Plaza in 1997 and closed in 1998.

Thornton reopened it in 2006. Orr and Smith worked with Thornton from 2006 until 2012 when they bought the pharmacy.

scriptions, free blood pressure screenings, state and local government wellness screenings and immunizations.

The Apothecary has a wide array of gift items, a full selection of over-thecounter medications and stock a variety of herbal products.

The Apothecary takes pride in supporting the local community through membership in the Tallassee Chamber of Commerce, sponsorship of numerous school groups and church activities, and local youth ball leagues.

To reach The Apothecary Pharmacy, call 334-283-3120.

there to look at my heart, do ver the course the normal tests and head of my 25 years back home. on this planet, However, the expression I have had on Dr. Israel’s face was clear my fair share this was not normal. After of encounters with doctors leaving the room and makacross the state of Alabama. ing a phone call, he returned Across 15 surgeries and to tell us I would need a numerous checkups, it is CALEB C ALEB put in as soon as easy to say several of them TURRENTINE pacemaker possible. have made a lasting impact Sportswriter Apparently, my heart rate on my life and my family. had declined gradually over I have never been shy approximately a four-month about sharing my stories span and was completely unrelated to about my heart problems and how my original heart condition. I know, I they have gotten me to where I am have the best luck. today. And my parents have always Dr. Israel shared tears with us and I told me to make sure those around me always look back wondering if it was know about my health issues so I am sure they will be thrilled in me publi- because he was scared of the surgery or if it was because he knew he’d be cizing this. losing the best patient of all time.

When I was born, the doctors told Clearly it is the latter. my parents I had a congenital heart Four days after my appointment, I defect called Tetralogy of Fallot. went into the operating room with my There was a hole in my heart and I heart rate below 30 beats per minute. needed to have my first open heart Dr. Yung Lau performed the surgery surgery when I was 7 months old. and made the recovery as simple as Obviously, I cannot recall much possible. from that one but I can only imagine I was 14 when I had that surgery what those moments were like for my and Dr. Lau has been my cardiologist family. I am sure there was plenty of doctors and nurses along the way try- ever since. He made the transition easy, showing how much he cared by ing to explain every detail and what always asking about my personal life was needed to make sure the surgery, and even pushing me to become a betrecovery and long-term health would ter journalist. go over smoothly.

Dr. Lau also prepared me for anothAlthough I have heard stories about er open-heart surgery in May 2017. the first surgeon, the only thing I This was a procedure we had been can really tell you is he was kind of expecting and got to plan around my a big deal. Dr. Albert Pacifico spent schedule to get it done. almost 40 years at UAB hospitals as With the right side of my heart a cardiac surgeon and the guy has his own Wikipedia page so you know he’s enlarged, I needed a valve replacement to make sure the heart would begin to important. shrink and start working as well as it The surgery went well and with should. Dr. David Mauchley did the some smaller follow-up procedures, everything turned out to be as normal procedure at UAB and helped me prepare for the recovery with every small as it could be. My parents moved us to Birmingham so I could be closer to detail I needed.

If it were not for each of these the care I needed. doctors and many more who are not The first pediatric cardiologist I remember having was Dr. Paul Israel. named here, I would not be where I Even as a kid, I remember looking for- am today. Sure, I did not like when I was told I could not play sports in ward to some of those appointments and over time, Dr. Israel was basically high school but that pushed me to pursue a career around my passion. a part of our family.

Doctors are seen for the treatment Over more than a decade of checkthey give to people and will someups and appointments, Dr. Israel times get the thanks when a patient showed how much he cared for his leaves their care. However, the lasting patients and their families and you could see his passion for his job. And impact they have made on my life and so many others shows it’s about more he showed that all the way until the than what happens inside the hospital. end when he had to break some news So, from everyone’s favorite partto my mom and me in the doctor’s cow, part-robot heart sportswriter to office. all the doctors pushing themselves to Less than 24 hours before leavmake our lives better, thank you. ing on a church trip to Gatlinburg, Tennessee, I had my annual appointCaleb Turrentine is a sportswriter ment with Dr. Israel. We did not expect anything to be wrong; we were for Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc.

Thank you 315 Friendship Road Tallassee, AL

334-283-6838

herringchiropractic.com

Happy Doctor’s Day

to our favorite Chiropractors, Dr. Randal Herring and Dr. Caroline Herring! Love, the Herring Chiropractic Clinic Team!

to all the doctors in the Elmore County area

You are appreciated

Wednesday, March 27, 2019

Doctors’ Day 2019

Page 3

Kent happy how career turned out incident which occurred when he was wrapping up his sixth-grade year.

“At the end of my sixth-grade year When a young doctor starts his or of school, my oldest brother was her journey through the medical world, involved in a major motor vehicle it is not always certain where life may accident,” Kent said. “A physician take them — a private practice, becom- met my parents and the ambulance at ing the senior member of a hospital Elmore County Hospital (now Elmore staff or heading in a completely differ- Community Hospital). He then had my ent direction. brother transferred to Jackson Hospital Among those who have followed ICU, where he spent three weeks with the many twists and turns of life is the life-threatening injuries. That set forth longest-serving doctor in the Ivy Creek my adventure into the medical field.”

Healthcare organization, Dr. Bruce Kent said one thing that surprised Kent, who serves as a doctor at River him about his career field is how his Region Family Medicine. patients have returned the love and care “No (I did not see myself taking the he provided them. Kent, a native of path I took) but I am much happier that Wetumpka, added he feels one of his things turned out as they have,” Kent greatest accomplishments as a physisaid. cian is giving back to the same commuKent has served his patients as a nity that helped raise and educate him. doctor for more than three decades Kent hopes his patients think of him and joined the Ivy Creek staff 12 years as someone who always did the best he ago. Since he became a member of the could to give them the proper care. medical community, Kent has dedicated “I would hope my patients have felt himself to doing what is best for each that they were individual people with of his patients and ensuring this dedica- their own set of problems and that I tion is his first priority every day. was willing to take the time to address Kent said it’s not easy to pinpoint all of their needs,” Kent said. “That what led him to pursue a career as a each of them are as important to me as doctor although one key factor was an the last.”

By DONALD CAMPBELL Staff Writer

Carmen Rodgers / Tallapoosa Publishers

Dr. Melvin Russell began practicing medicine in Tallassee in 1969, and in those 50 years he has seen a lot of change but one thing has remained the same — his dedication and care for his patients.

50 years of care: D

Russell still dedicated to Tallassee, patients

it and getting excited about the possibilities, it kind of rubbed off on me. I got kind of excited about it too.

Since I was taking the same courses r. Melvin Russell has that they were, it was just a mental seen a lot of change since he began practicing change, a shift in my desires, and it medicine in Tallassee 50 worked out.”

He was born in Lyndon, Kentucky, years ago but his dedication to his patients has been unwaver- and it was the military that landed him in the Tallassee area. ing.

“The U.S Air Force,” he said.

Russell graduated from the “When I finished my internship, I University of Louisville School of was drafted. Every doctor back then Medicine in 1966 and specializes in got drafted. They gave me a choice, family medicine. called the B.E.R.R.Y plan, and if I When Russell began practicing in went ahead and volunteered I was Tallassee, the Community Hospital able to pick my choice of services and included a labor and delivery ward location. I picked Air Force and the where Russell held many native Southeastern United States and they Tallasseans before their own mother and father. Those memories bring him sent me to Maxwell (Air Force Base in Montgomery).” joy and keep him practicing.

Russell served at Maxwell dur“The look on a mother and father’s ing the day and began traveling to face when you hold up a little girl or Tallassee after sundown to work at little boy and they see their child for the Community Hospital. The rest was the first time, that is truly amazing,” history.

Russell said. “A lot of patients come “I started coming up here and in and say, ‘You delivered me 49 years ago.’ I will treat them, their kids working at night,” he said. “Once I was out of the military I stayed and their grandkids.” because I liked it here.”

Tallassee Community Hospital Russell said he still has patients to closed the labor and delivery ward see and has no intentions of retiring in 1977 but Russell said he receives anytime soon. great gratification watching genera“I am going to hang in there until tions evolve.

I physically can’t anymore,” he said.

“It’s a great feeling,” he said.

“I am only working three days a week “There’s a lot of satisfaction and I now and I have two nurse practitioguess the best thing is I see the kids, I see the grandkids, I take care of the ners that work with me to help lighten the load.” parents as they get older. It’s amazJohnny Aldridge and Lori Woodley ing.” are the two CRNPs who work closely Russell did not always want to be with Russell. Aldridge has served the a doctor but once he was exposed to a taste of the medical field he quickly community for six years and Woodley has been practicing in Tallassee for realized that was his future. two years.

“When I went to college I had no When Russell isn’t seeing patients, idea what I wanted to do,” he said. he has some hobbies.

“I thought I wanted to teach because “I do a lot of woodworking and I that’s what everyone did back then. have old cars that I keep polished and I took the same courses as pre-med shined up,” he said. students. As they were talking about

By CARMEN RODGERS Staff Writer

Veterinarian provides pets with loving care

By DONALD CAMPBELL Staff Writer

While a multitude of doctors ensure human patients receive the care they need, other doctors stand ready to help when pets get sick.

Among the veterinarians who have set up practice in Elmore County is Dr. Ashley Watkins Ward, the current owner of the Bryson Veterinary Clinic in Wetumpka.

“I’ve been a veterinarian for nine years now,” Ward said. “My brother and I bought the clinic about a year ago.”

Ward, who grew up on a farm, was always around animals and has an uncle who is a veterinarian, said she wanted to be a vet since she was young.

Ward’s first experience in veterinary science came shortly after finishing high school when she worked as a veterinary assistant at Bryson. This time proved valuable for Ward, helping her better understand everything she might

have to deal with as a vet.

“We see a variety of things here every day,” Ward said. “Each day is different for us. We have to learn to take each day at a time.”

Now that she has established herself at Bryson, Ward said her goal is to continue serving at the clinic, helping people throughout Elmore County keep their pets happy and healthy.

“I enjoy helping the community and their pets,” Ward said. “I love what I do. I love caring for animals.”

As she continues to serve residents and their furry friends, Ward said she wants people to remember how she does her best every day and works hard to keep her clients’ pets as healthy as possible. She also has advice for those interested in becoming vets.

“I try to be as compassionate as I can for my patients,” Ward said. “I strive to do the very best I possibly can. Anybody looking into the veterinary field, I encourage them to get experience in ways like being a veterinary assistant.”

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Wednesday, March 27, 2019

Doctors’ Day 2019

Page 4 Dr. Gabriel Hester, left, examines patient Andrew Brock.

Ron Colquitt / For Tallapoosa Publishers

Rural doctors face challenges but the reward is in patients’ smiles

By RON COLQUITT For Tallapoosa Publishers

National Doctors’ Day is celebrated on March 30 and physicians and healthcare facilities across the nation have evolved to meet the demographic and economic needs of their patients.

Russell Medical Health Partners of Goodwater mainly treats patients who rely on Medicaid, Ivy Creek Urgent Care of Tallassee takes care of walk-in patients and Eclectic Family Care LLC is a primary care facility that operates the old-fashioned, personal way.

Doctors’ Day honors physicians for the work they do for their patients, the communities they work in and for society as a whole.

Dr. John Adams and nurse practitioner Lisa Steele see young and old patients at the Russell facility at Goodwater in northeast Coosa County.

Because of financial restrictions, Coosa is the only one of 67 counties in Adams Alabama that doesn’t have a state-run health department. The Goodwater clinic is the only healthcare facility in the county.

Adams, 33, avoided the word “poor” in describing the majority of his patients.

“I would probably use the term underserved,” he said.

“In Coosa County, we are the only practitioner out here, so the access to healthcare is a big issue out here. And I think that’s why Russell chose to put this clinic here.”

Adams, who is from Calera in Shelby County, said he felt a calling to became a doctor.

People who rely on the clinic range in age from 12 to their 90s, Adams said. Most rely on Medicaid but some pay cash.

“Out here, you feel like you make more of an impact because there are less providers out here,” he said. “You see people who haven’t been to a doctor in so long. It’s something easy you can do. You can simply put them on blood pressure medicine, you can do it today and save them from a really bad outcome 15, 20 years down the road. And it’s the same thing with diabetes and controlling their blood sugar.”

Adams said he has worked at the clinic since 2017 and has treated patients with some disturbing physical and mental health issues.

“The most distressing thing we’ve seen is some people who come out here are suicidal, hallucinating,” he said. “They just have a mental illness, so that’s always a challenge.”

A woman who had been injured in a vehicle crash came to the clinic complaining about severe pain in her shoulder,

Adams said.

“She was in a really bad car wreck and five days prior had gone to a hospital in Alabama,” Adams said. “She came back and said, ‘My shoulder is hurting,’ and I saw gravel in her wound. You could see her tendons and all the way to the bone.

“And a lot of times you see people who haven’t been to the doctor in 10 to 15 years and you see some things you are not expecting to see. I saw a guy two weeks ago, a 70-year-old man, 130 pounds, and he had a spot on the side of his shoulder the size of a cantaloupe, a big ball, I mean it was huge.”

Annie Birts, 72, came to the clinic after suffering a dizzy spell.

“They treated me very good, it just made me feel really good,” she said. “They checked everything to find out what caused the dizziness.”

Birts said having the clinic nearby is more convenient when a health issue arises.

“I have transportation but if I did not have transportation that would be great for me right here in Goodwater,” she said. “I’m not just speaking of myself but speaking for the other people, the older people, they don’t have the transportation, the younger person, they don’t have the transportation.

So this is a good place that they would be able to come to.”

Adams said he is content helping underserved people and feels financially secure at the small facility because it’s owned by Russell Medical.

“I am Alabama born and have no desire to leave Alabama,” he said. “I like working for Russell. I have three young kids and hopefully I will stay here as long as they will have me.”

The Ivy Creek urgent care facility in Tallassee was mainly created to handle walk-in patients who are pressed for time but it has evolved into a primary care facility. It employs doctors and nurse practitioners.

Dr. Gabriel Hester said the company is affiliated with Elmore County Community Hospital and he stays busy.

“I’ve been here about six months,” Hester said. “We’ve started primary care at this location so we will have walkin and primary care options available.”

Hester, 39, said he grew up in Fayette and was studying chemical engineering but switched to medicine after the company he had planned to work for was bought out.

“I took some classes and fell in love with it,” Hester said.

“I’m trained as an internal medicine doctor, which is for adults. However, in an urgent care setting, I will see kids as well.”

During the cold and flu season, about 95 percent of the patients come in complaining of

sore throats, runny noses, fever and coughs.

“The rest of the year it’s anything,” Hester said. “We see a spectrum of stuff from rashes to chest pains, just acute things where they maybe can’t get in to see their regular doctor. They have an issue that has come up right then and they don’t want to go to the ER.” If a person comes in with a severe injury, they are sent directly to the nearest emergency room, Hester said.

“A man came in and he was holding his hands over the left side of his jaw,” Hester said.

“He was doing some work with a chain saw in his yard and it had bounced off a log. I could see his jaw bone. He was probably in his 40s. We just sent him to the ER. In that case, we called for an ambulance.”

Heather Brock brought her 13-year-old son Andrew to Ivy Creek when he developed a bad cough and congestion.

“It’s closest to where we live,” said Brock, 42, who lives in nearby Kent. “They are pretty good about getting people in and out quickly.”

The doctor she normally takes her son to has an office in Montgomery.

“It’s a long drive,” she said, “and it takes months to get an appointment to see him.”

Dr. Gary McCulloch, 69, is an oddity in this day and age because he owns his practice, Eclectic Family Care LLC, which has been in Eclectic for 24 years.

“We receive no outside funding, we are not affiliated with hospitals or government agencies,” he said. “It’s a private practice which is a dwindling oddity nowadays. ... Unless you’ve been in a place and established a practice, it’s difficult to survive nowadays.”

McCulloch said the increase in urgent care facilities hasn’t hurt his business.

“There is not another facility within 25 miles of here,” he said. “We are kind of equidistant between Alex City and Tallassee and Wetumpka. We are used sometimes as the emergency room, everything

Ron Colquitt / For Tallapoosa Publishers

Top: Dr. John Adams, far right, poses for a photo with his staff of, from left, LPN Ashley Doss, CRNP Lisa Steele and secretary Becky Adams. Above: Dr. Gary McCulloch, left, talks with patient Kenneth Abrams.

from heart attacks to strokes to rattlesnake bites. We try to get folks patched up, stabilized and get them on to where they need to be. This is a practice where I see my patients in the grocery store, at Walmart in Wetumpka.

I see them everywhere. I can’t go anywhere that I don’t bump into them. I see them at church.

I enjoy that. I mean, if you don’t enjoy people, you don’t need to be in family practice.”

McCulloch, a former Army Airborne Ranger, said he became a doctor to serve people.

“It was something I had in my head for a number of years and I decided to go ahead and pull the trigger on it,” he said.

“I was the oldest person in my medical school class. I was 31 when I started medical school.”

One of his patients, Kenneth Abrams, 79, said he retired as a Dallas banker and decided to move back home to Kent, not far from Eclectic.

“I’ve been coming to Dr. McCulloch since about the time he arrived here, about the same time I retired,” Abrams said.

“He is very nice. That was the initial reason I came because he was a local, community doctor.

“When I was a kid, I always came to the doctor here, Dr. Will Owsley. At that time, the doctor might be the only person in the entire community who owned a vehicle. There weren’t too many people who owned cars until the late 30s.

After World War II, people got around by horse and wagon; it was a long way. Doctors had cars and they came out to see you easier than you could go to see them.”

McCulloch said he has no plans to quit although the future for old-fashioned doctors is not bright.

“The hours are longer and the pay is less, so you’ve got to be motivated by something other than money,” he said.

Wednesday, March 27, 2019

Page 5

Doctors’ Day 2019

Dr. R. Lee England IV serves the Wetumpka community as an emergency room doctor at Elmore Community Hospital.

Submitted / Tallapoosa Publishers

Irregular sleep could have negative impact on heart health STAFF REPORT TPI Staff

England sees educating patients as key for doctors for doctors to dispel these myths so patients can receive proper treatment.

England believes his training as a The emergency room is one of the general surgeon is beneficial to being most important aspects of any hospian effective ER doctor. tal, as doctors serving in the ER must “I feel I am very well prepared handle a wide range of issues. to handle the things that can typiWhile there is no telling what may cally cause stress to some providers,” take place in an emergency room on England said. “The one thing the ER any given day, Dr. R. Lee England doc has to do is to have a very broad IV does the best he can to give knowledge base. We are by no means patients coming into the ER at Elmore experts in every field but have to be Community Hospital the best care he able to identify problems, make potencan provide. tially life-saving decisions and ultiEngland, a general surgeon who mately direct patients to someone who also treats patients in the emergency can provide definitive care.” room, was inspired to become a doctor England said there is no such thing after a childhood incident. as a typical or average day in the “I spent a month in Vanderbilt emergency room.

Children’s Hospital for a viral illness “Most of the time things are pretty when I was 12 and saw the passion routine but there are always excepand dedication of the interns and tions and you have to stay diligent,” residents and knew at that time that I England said. “You have to be prewanted to make a difference in peopared for anything and everything.” ple’s lives,” England said.

England said he hopes his patients Since becoming a doctor 25 years realize how hard he works to treat ago and joining the Ivy Creek famtheir conditions and help them leave ily nearly two decades ago, England the ER knowing they have received believes having access to good inforthe best care possible. mation and educating patients on “I want them to remember that I correct and incorrect information is provided the medical care that was important to being a doctor. With so necessary and proved a clear justificamany health-related myths floating tion and explanation of that care,” he around, England feels it is crucial said.

By DONALD CAMPBELL Staff Writer

According to American Heart Association News, a lack of sleep isn’t the only thing that can put the heart at risk. Getting to bed on time may also matter, new research suggests.

The new study took the unique approach of looking at how much night-to-night difference a person had in sleep duration and what time he or she fell asleep. People with irregular sleep patterns had a higher risk for a cardiovascular event, including stroke, congestive heart failure and coronary heart disease, the study found.

“Sleep regularity is an understudied area with critical relevance to everyone,” said Tianyi Huang, the lead author of the study. “Understanding its relationship with cardiovascular disease has important public health implications and may identify novel strategies for cardiovascular disease prevention.”

Researchers looked at data from nearly 2,000 people without cardiovascular disease at the start of the study. Participants wore sleep-monitoring wrist devices for seven-day periods from 2010 to 2013 and were followed for an average of four years.

During that time, 95 people experienced or died from a stroke, heart failure or heart disease.

After adjusting for various factors, researchers found people whose night-to-night sleep length during a seven-day period varied by more than two hours on average were 2.2 times more likely to have a cardiovascular event than people whose sleep length varied by an hour or less.

The time they fell asleep each night had a similar impact. Compared to people who went to bed within the same 30-minute window each night, those with a bedtime that varied by more than 90 minutes had double the risk of a cardiovascular event.

Digital distraction may be making the problem worse. Spending a lot of time staring at smartphones, tablets and other glowing screens could be messing with our sleep regularity, said Huang, an associate epidemiologist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and

Harvard Medical School.

“If our results are confirmed, the general public — particularly those at high risk for cardiovascular disease — needs to pay more attention to their sleep schedules,” he said. “People should be encouraged to reduce use of mobile devices or TV viewing before sleep to improve sleep regularity and maximize cardiometabolic benefits.”

Huang said the study is the first of its kind and called for larger studies with longer follow-ups, especially those that explore gender and age differences. He said studies are needed to focus on how irregular sleep is related to specific cardiovascular outcomes.

“I think it’s important for doctors to ask their patients about their sleep habits beyond the number of hours of sleep they get at night,” sleep and nutrition researcher Marie-Pierre St-Onge said. “Questions like, ‘How stable is your sleep?’ and ‘Do you have wide swings in the duration of sleep?’ would help to identify areas for improvement.”

St-Onge, an associate professor of nutritional medicine at Columbia University in New York City, was not involved in the new research and said the study seems to confirm people with poor sleep habits can’t simply “catch up” on sleep.

“You can make an analogy between sleep and physical activity where you have weekend warriors who are absolutely sedentary during the week and then they hammer out two hours of physical activity in one day and think they’ll be fine,” St-Onge said. “That’s not what we recommend and it’s the same with sleep. For optimal health, there has to be regularity to these behaviors and that includes sleep.”

Big changes in sleep timing can lead to a state of jetlag — referred to as “social jetlag” — without people realizing it.

“People might not have outward signs — they might not even feel sleepy or yawn, just like people don’t feel it if they have high blood pressure or high cholesterol levels,” St-Onge said. “But the risk factor is still there. People need to pay more attention and be more aware of the adverse impact poor sleep is having.”

CELEBRATING N AT I O N A L

DOCTORS’ DAY with a healthy dose of

Rebecca Buckalew, CRNP Tallassee Internal Medicine Tallassee Internal Medicine welcomes Rebecca Buckalew, CRNP to the staff.

Rebecca looks forward to continuing the high quality, compassionate healthcare that our patients have always received. Rebecca is located at the Community Medical Plaza.

THANKS

Please call today for an appointment

334.283.3844 HOURS: Monday - Thursday 8 am - 5 pm Friday 8 am - 12 noon

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Wednesday, March 27, 2019

Doctors’ Day 2019

Page 6

Routine checkup led to much-needed diagnosis

Y

ou never know what might happen at a regular doctors checkup.

In October 2017, I was at a routine checkup at Dr. Katharine Cooper’s office in Alex City when the staff detected my resting heart rate was abnormally rapid. The nurse couldn’t get the automated blood pressure cuff to work, and that’s when she felt my pulse racing. Dr. Cooper then manually counted my resting heart rate, and indeed, it was 182 beats per minute. I was just sitting there, y’all — calm, cool and collected — and my heart was doing what yours would do after running 5 miles.

I was new to the area and didn’t have a team of local doctors yet. It was my first visit with Dr. Cooper, and she learned about my plethora of health issues I unfortunately have at only 24 years old. She wanted to be sure to refer me to Alex City physician Dr. Robert Edwards so I’d have a primary doctor to take care of me. But her first priority was getting me to a cardiologist that day.

She sent me straight to Dr. Kevin Sublett, a cardiologist in Alex City, who hooked me up with all kinds of wires and sticky things; this was all new to me and, to be honest, it was kind of scary. In-office testing showed my heart rate was not irregular but it was abnormally fast. Dr. Sublett then prescribed I wear a 24-hour heart holter monitor. Oh joy, more wires to be hooked up to but this time for a whole day.

What fun for a 20-somethingyear-old.

Results from that showed the same thing, then I had to do a stress test, which is basically just walking and running on a treadmill for about 20 minutes. The nurses told me I’d be on the treadmill for either 20 minutes or until my heart rate reached 120 bpm.

I kind of laughed because as they were checking my vitals and telling me this, they realized my heart rate was already at 120 just sitting there.

“Oh well, we’ll get you on the treadmill anyway and see what happens,” one of the nurses said.

So, I obliged and started the test. I walked for two minutes and my heart rate reached 210 bpm. Remember how the test was supposed to be 20 minutes or 120 bpm? Yeah. Needless to say, they let me stop after those two minutes.

I ended up being referred to something called a dysautonomia clinic in Birmingham.

I had no idea what that was or what to expect, but I knew I’d be getting a tilt table test (again, no idea what to expect there). I had to lie flat on this table, get strapped up then a nurse raised the table slowly to be at 90 degrees. The nurse monitored me and checked my blood pressure and heart rate throughout the test, which lasted about 20 minutes. The nurse told me I might pass out during the test and the thought of that terrified me. Once the test was complete and I didn’t pass out, I thought that meant I “passed.” Surely I didn’t have whatever they were testing me for.

My mama and I waited in a small waiting room until the

SANTANA WOOD Design Editor cardiologist, D Dr. P Paula Moore, l M brought us into a room to share us the results.

“Have you ever heard of POTS?” Dr. Moore asked us.

My mom had heard of it because she has a friend who has the syndrome, but I really didn’t know what it was.

“Well, you have it,” Dr. Moore said.

We sat there speechless.

I couldn’t really believe it. You see, the backstory of all this is I have had extreme fatigue and other symptoms since I was about 14 years old.

I went from doctor to doctor, specialist to specialist and had test after test. I had sleep studies, extensive blood work, B-12 injections, trial and error with multiple medications, a prediabetic scare where I had to prick my finger every day multiple times a day for months — not an ideal teenage experience, let me tell you.

But none of that ever led me to a diagnosis. I was still searching for what in the world could be wrong with me.

So, to be sitting in a doctors’ office and be actually diagnosed with something — I had no words.

Dr. Moore started to go over what she called “POTS Protocol” and tell me about this syndrome I’d never heard of, and you probably haven’t either.

It’s Postural Orthostatic

Tachycardia Syndrome and the classic symptom of it is the heart rate immediately rising at least 30 bpm or reaching 120 bpm after going from sitting to standing and blood pressure dropping as well. So, it takes me three times the amount of energy to stand as it does for you. My heart feels like I’ve ran a marathon, but all I’ve done is stand up. Because of this, I have poor blood circulation meaning all of my blood stays at my heart. This causes problems like brain fog, dizziness, vision issues, digestion issues, body temperature regulation issues and more. If my heart rate gets too high and my blood pressure gets too low, I could faint.

POTS is a form of dysautonomia, which means autonomic dysfunction. If you’re anything like me, you just read that and said “autonom… do what now?” Basically, your autonomic nervous system can be thought of as your “automatic” nervous system and it includes what you can’t control, such as your heart, brain, digestion, breathing, vision, etc. Everything you do without thinking about it, your autonomic nervous system is automatically doing that for you.

So, normal things like breathing and digestion are very hard for me because of POTS. There are a lot of things I have to do to help my body cope with this illness, including drink a ton of water and eat a ton of salt. Weird I know, but it’s true.

I would probably still be undiagnosed and suffering had I not went to that routine checkup with Dr. Cooper. I had

Singleton loves volunteering in Heart of Hospice program tions specialist Laura Leigh Peters, volunteers such as Singleton are vital to the organization.

The Heart of Hospice volunteer “It really strengthens and solidifies program that works with patients and the quality that we are able to offer our families in the home setting is a vital patients and our staff because we have part of the Community Hospice Care such great volunteers,” Peters said. team.

“Our volunteers, whether working in Volunteers take on various roles the office or working in the field with in the organization. Some visit with our patients and families, are carrying patients and sometimes read, play orders from local physicians and they games or just enjoy fellowship. make sure patients’ needs are met.”

Some volunteers, including Millie Singleton said she is happy to help Singleton, 75, work in the office patients, nurses and doctors. answering phones, copying, filing and “I love the fact that if I am helping assisting with events and activities. them, it allows them more time to help Singleton, who lives in Red Hill, their patients,” she said. has been a volunteer for Tallassee’s When Singleton isn’t busy at the Home Health and Hospice for nine volunteer program, she enjoys watchmonths and said it is a rewarding ing TV, spending time with friends and experience. social media.

“I am so happy to be here because “I love to watch old Westerns, these are the most loving, caring anything with John Wayne in it,” she people that I have ever been around,” said. “I like to piddle in the yard. Most she said. of my friends are in Montgomery Singleton answers phones, files because that’s where I worked. I love paperwork, makes copies, fills out meeting them and getting on Facebook paperwork, stocks supplies and more. and talking to them, things like that. I “Every patient gets a birthday card also have a cat, a big baby.” and at Christmastime they get a little Singleton has a message for anyone gift and I put the ribbons and little tags who is considering volunteering time on them,” she said. “Whatever they to the organization. need, I will do.”

“Think about how much good you Singleton volunteers three hours on can do for someone else,” Singleton Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. said. “When you do it, it gives you a According to Community Home feeling of satisfaction to know that I Health and Hospice community relaam helping someone.”

By DONALD CAMPBELL Staff Writer

Carmen Rodgers / Tallapoosa Publishers

Millie Singleton is one of the volunteers at Community Home Health and Hospice’s Heart of Hospice volunteer program. She works with patients and families in the home setting and is a vital part of the care team.

Community Home Health and Hospice, an affiliate of Community Hospice Care, is the only locally owned and operated nonprofit home care and hospice agency serving Tallassee, Eclectic, Reeltown, Wetumpka and surrounding communities. It is located on Gilmer Ave. in Tallassee.

For more information, call Community Home Health at 334-2834522 or Community Hospice Care at 334-283-4250.

Being ‘tox-sick’ causes our dysfunction in body mon baby shampoo and it contained three endocrine disrupters. Endocrine disrupters are chemicals that negaDid you know the average human tively affect the way your hormones has 700 verified toxins in their bodies? function, and we certainly don’t need That sounds like a lot, but do these them in baby shampoos. toxins in your body really matter?

Items applied on the skin will show Considering neurological disorders up in the bloodstream in less than a are 600 times more common than they minute. Many of these toxins have were 20 years ago and your chances well-known names and people know for cancer have climbed to 1 in 2 for to avoid them. Health-conscious conmen and 1 in 3 for women, I’d say sumers know to look to cleaner and yes. purer makeups, shampoos and deodorThe links are there; the research ants. We choose fresh organic foods is in. Toxins are negatively affecting that avoid fungicides, pesticides and us. Even undiagnosed people can suf- insecticides. However, not all toxins fer from many symptoms including can be avoided no matter how many very low sex drives, fatigue, forgetful labels one reads, where one buys food moments and joint pains. In just two or how cautious one is. generations testosterone is down 60 So how can we help rid our bodpercent due to toxins in our bodies ies of these toxins? First, drink more and endocrine disruption. Attention water. It is one of the simplest steps Deficient Disorder, anxiety and toward good health and helping detoxdepression all have become common- ify the body. Consider taking chlorella place. daily to bind up toxins. There are also Sadly, items we use every day con- medical breakthroughs that can help tain the very toxins that are causing the process of detoxification. Saunas, our bodies to slow down and wear out. especially the HOCATT, are great Out of curiosity, I looked up a comways to help the body expel harmful

Santana Wood is design editor at Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc.

Lyons believes career future is bright

By CARMEN RODGERS Staff Writer

By DR. RYAN MCWHORTER Alabama Functional Medicine

noticed my heart racing before and my boyfriend had brought it up to me multiple times, but I really didn’t connect it to being the cause of my symptoms. But it was. And a routine checkup is what led me to getting the treatment and answers I so desperately needed.

I suffer daily with this illness, although you wouldn’t know it by looking at me. I look like a normal 24-yearold, but I’m so far from it. I’m lucky to have a team of doctors taking care of me and trying to find the best treatment for me, including Alex City’s own Dr. Edwards who is very educated and familiar with dysautonomia. I travel to Birmingham to see Dr. Moore, who has specialized in POTS for more than 20 years, and is one of only three dysautonomia specialists in Alabama and one of only about 100 in the United States.

Invisible illnesses are so very real. If you are having any type of symptoms or just don’t feel right, get checked out.

Don’t give up if doctors don’t find anything at your first visit because one day, a doctor will notice something about your body that’s off and it could lead you to some answers.

Go to your doctors’ appointments. If you’re not one who usually goes to the doctor, start going. You need to get a checkup at least once a year with a general physician and other specialized doctors. It’s important, and one visit could end up changing your life like it did mine.

pollutants. Our HOCATT (short for Hyperthermic Ozone and Carbonic Acid Transdermal Technology) stimulates the body’s immune system, boosts energy and detoxes the body down to the cellular level.

The HOCATT is a bio-chamber that has 10 modalities for optimizing your health in a single device. A HOCATT session lasts for 45 minutes, is extremely relaxing, and it is not painful. Most people will see changes early in the course of a series of treatments.

The HOCATT has been very helpful in particular when paired with IASIS for chronic depression and anxiety.

Even severe cases are responding.

Other patients have seen a return of hormones, resolution of chronic vaginal infections, increase in energy, better sleep patterns, a restoration of sex drive, as well as much smoother skin.

Consider the HOCATT before attempting to get pregnant to enhance fertility.

We find the HOCATT dramatically supports cancer patients. In short, so many of today’s problems are related to toxicity and it is wise to make efforts to protect our body from them.

Once a doctor has completed medical school and is ready to begin practicing, the future is a blank canvas, full of opportunities and potential. Among those following their passion is Dr. Martin A. “Rocky” Lyons Jr., the newest physician serving the River Region as part of the Ivy Creek organization.

Lyons said he began studying at the UAB School of Medicine in 2005, got his medical degree in 2009 and completed his residency three years later at Baptist Health in Montgomery. Seven years ago, Lyons joined the Ivy Creek Healthcare family and currently serves as an M.D. at River Region Family Medicine.

Like many other doctors, Lyons said he was inspired to enter the medical field at a young age, thanks in part to an experience he had when he Lyons was 5 and the work of his father, Marty Lyons, a former University of Alabama football star.

“I grew up in a rural part of Alabama, near Demopolis,” Lyons said. “When I was 5, my mother and I had a traumatic car accident.

Our family physician, Dr. (Reese) Holifield, was called in from home to perform hours of surgery to save my mother’s life. Another contributing factor of inspiration is my father’s foundation for terminally ill children, The Marty Lyons Foundation. This foundation allowed insight into pediatric diseases and cancers, which also sparked my interest.”

Lyons feels one thing that makes his job so important is having the special ability to empathize with patients when they come to him with their ailments and afflictions.

As Ivy Creek works to establish its new clinical facility on U.S. Highway 231 in Wetumpka, Lyons feels being a part of the center is part of his future.

“I see myself working with multiple specialists in a new state-of-the-art facility here in Wetumpka,” Lyons said. “This will improve the availability of healthcare options for the rural community. I see this being a model for future underserved areas and I hope it revitalizes community hospitals.”

Since becoming part of the Wetumpka community, Lyons said one thing that surprised him was how close he has become to his patients, essentially becoming part of their families.

With so much of his career still in front of him, Lyons has determined what he hopes he will be remembered for as a physician working with members of the community.

“I would like to be able to hand off a large, healthy and loving patient population to the next young inspiring family physician,” Lyons said.