Tallassee Tribune March 29 2023

Tallassee police officer involved in traffic collision

At approximately 7 p.m. Monday, a Tallassee police officer was involved in a traffic collision with a civilian motorist in the 800 block of Gilmer Avenue, according to a release from the Tallassee Police Department.

The road was temporarily closed while members of the Tallassee Fire Department and Haynes EMS quickly worked to free both the officer and the driver of the other vehicle and render medical aid on scene. According to the release, both occupants were transported to Baptist South Medical Center and treated for non-life-threatening injuries. The cause of the crash is unknown at this time, and The Tribune will update this story as necessary.

NEIGHBOR HELPING NEIGHBOR

Storms brings out the best of people in Coosada

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

No jail time in financial exploitation of the elderly case

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

A Tallassee man pleaded guilty to fourth-degree theft, a Class A misdemeanor, this week after being charged for financial exploitation of the elderly and seven counts of fraudulent use of a credit or debit card.

According to court records Justin Davis, 36, of Tallassee, agreed to a 12-month suspended jail sentence and two years of unsupervised probation in front of 19th Judicial Circuit Court Judge Amanda Baxley on Wednesday. That means if Davis’ probation is revoked he would serve 12 months in jail. Davis was also ordered to pay $500 fine and court costs.

If Davis was found guilty of financial exploitation of the elderly, which is a Class B felony, a circuit court judge could have sentenced him to two to 20 years in prison.

Davis was indicted in January by an Elmore County Grand Jury. The case started June 29, 2022 when Davis was arrested by the Tallassee Police Department.

“...Davis, without authorization, took the victim’s vehicle [and] caused extensive damage to the vehicle,” court documents state. “[Davis] returned the vehicle after wrecking

Local companies offering scholarships for 2-year programs

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

HDD Inc. and HDD

Broadband are awarding two scholarships to those seeking two-year technical degrees.

HDD’s Larry Rodgers said it is an effort to help those not following a path to advanced degrees while seeking work to support their families.

“I like to see young people learn trades and do things that don’t always take them down the path to college,” Rodgers said. “I don’t discourage college. I have been blessed working with my hands and I know a lot of young people don’t have the money or the years of interest for four years of college or further.”

It is the second year Rodgers and HDD have offered

two $5,000 scholarships to Tallassee graduating seniors who are interested in the training required to work at HDD.

“We set things up to try to give one scholarship from HDD Inc., our directional drilling company, and one from HDD Broadband, our internet company,” Rodgers said. “We want the kids who have more interest in tech programs like

IT and things of that nature to apply through HDD Broadband. The people who might have a little bit different interest in blue collar jobs like welding, diesel mechanics, we want them to apply for HDD Inc.”

The scholarships are currently available to only Tallassee students but Rodgers wants to expand to Reeltown soon.

“We are building our

broadband network over into Tallapoosa County now,” Rodgers said. “Last year we had not started that. We were all on the Elmore County side. Now we are moving out into the county on the Tallapoosa County side towards Reeltown. I want to give an opportunity for the kids we serve to maybe one day have

WILLIAMS THE TRIBUNE

Obituaries

NELL B. WATWOOD

Nell B. Watwood, 96, a resident of Cramerton, NC (formerly of Eclectic, AL) passed away Tuesday, March 21, 2023. She was born December 21, 1926. Visitation will be from 10 am till 11:45 am, Friday, March 24, 2023 at Linville Memorial Funeral Home. Graveside service will follow at 12 noon in Pleasant Grove Cemetery with Rev. Keith Ray officiating. She is preceded in death by her husband of 71 years, Lewis Watwood. She is survived by daughter, Erma Schlotzhauer (Marty); son, Tim Watwood (Pam); grandchildren, Kahdra

Police Reports

TALLASSEE POLICE

DEPARTMENT

MARCH 26

Emfinger Lambert (John David), Chad Watwood (Ashley), Lauren Harpe and Matthew Hall; and greatgrandchildren, Micah Emfinger, Brendan Emfinger, Caitlin Emfinger, Grace Harpe, Makenzie Hall, Dylann Watwood and Bishop Watwood. Online condolences may be posted at www.linvillememorial. com.

Linville Memorial Funeral Home and Crematory Eclectic, Alabama

• Advice was given during a citizen inquiry on Second Avenue.

MARCH 25

• A noise complaint was reported on Little Road.

• A suspicious vehicle was reported on Highway 229.

• A civil disturbance was reported on Second Avenue.

• A suspicious person was reported on Freeman Avenue.

• Reckless driving was reported on Gilmer Avenue.

• Suspicious activity was reported on Yates Dam Road.

• An intoxicated driver was reported on Clover Street.

• Assistance was given to a motorist on Taylor Road.

• Gunfire was reported on Claire Street.

MARCH 24

• A welfare check was conducted on Honeysuckle Lane.

• Assistance was given to a motorist on Gilmer Avenue.

• Animal control was requested on Wall Street.

• A welfare check was conducted on Honeysuckle Lane.

• Burglary and theft was reported on Ice Plant Road.

• A Black male was arrested during a domestic dispute call on Stewart Street.

• Unauthorized use of a vehicle was reported on Central Boulevard.

• Assistance was given to a motorist on Freeman Avenue.

• Assistance was given to a motorist on Barnett Boulevard.

• Assistance was given to a citizen on Barnett Boulevard.

• Assistance was given to a citizen on Cottage Hill Court.

• Animal control was requested on Gilmer Avenue.

• An animal complaint was filed on Notasulga Road.

• Animal control was requested on Sylvan lane.

• An animal complaint was reported on Sims Avenue.

NELLIE R. BENNETT

Mrs. Nellie R. Bennett, a resident of Dadeville, Alabama, passed away Saturday, March 25, 2023, at the age of 78. She was born July 29, 1944, in Tallassee, Alabama, to George Marvin and Hazel Brantley West.

Mrs. Bennett is survived by her son, Robert Bennett; daughter, Sharon Taylor; sister, Debbie West; brother, Nathan West (Jean); grandchildren, Andrew Bennett, Jeremiah Bennett and Amber Sampson; great granddaughter, Aubreigh Anthony; several nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Bobby Bennett; parents, Marvin and Hazel West and special com-

• A suspicious vehicle was reported on Central Boulevard.

• Suspicious activity was reported on Claire Street.

MARCH 23

• Reckless driving as reported on Riverknolle Road.

• An animal complaint was reported on Gilmer Avenue.

• An animal complaint was reported on Hillcrest Street.

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

• Criminal mischief was reported on Joy Street.

• A Black male was arrested during a suspicious person call on Gilmer Avenue.

• Assistance was given to the Tallassee Fire Department on Highway 229.

• Animal control was requested on Washington Street.

• Burglary and theft was reported on South Wesson Street.

• Suspicious activity was reported Joy Street.

• Identity theft was reported on Ladys Lane.

• Animal control was requested on Sylvan Lane.

• Animal control was requested on Notasulga Road. MARCH 22

• Gunfire was reported on East Roosevelt Street.

• A noise complaint was reported on Ashurst Avenue.

• A civil dispute was reported on Sims Avenue.

• Reckless driving was reported on Friendship Road.

• Identity theft was reported on Richard Street.

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

• Theft was reported on Gilmer Avenue.

• An animal complaint was reported on Sims Avenue.

• A welfare check was conducted on Gilmer Avenue.

• An animal complaint was reported on Second Avenue.

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

• Assistance was given to a motorist on Barnett Boulevard.

• Assistance was given to a citizen on Central Boulevard.

panion, Frazier Coan.

Mrs. Bennett was a member of “Red Hatters” and she enjoyed traveling immensely.

She was employed at The Tallassee Tribune for many years and Auburn University for several years.

The family will receive friends Wednesday, March 29, 2023, from 10:00AM until 11:00AM at Jeffcoat Funeral Home. Graveside services will follow at 2:00PM at Rose Hill Cemetery with Rev. Tim Davis officiating.

Online condolences are available at: www.jeffcoatfuneralhome.com.

Jeffcoat Funeral Home Directing Tallassee, Alabama

MARCH 21

• An animal complaint was reported on North Ashurst Avenue.

• Assistance was given to a citizen on Barnett Boulevard.

• Harassment was reported on Gilmer Avenue.

• Burglary was reported on Lower Tuskegee Road.

• A Black female was arrested on Charles CC Blalock Street.

• A white male was arrested on Barnett Boulevard.

• Harassment was reported on Riley Road.

• A child custody dispute was reported on Riley Road.

• A suspicious vehicle was reported on Notasulga Road.

MARCH 20

• A domestic dispute was reported on Central Boulevard.

• A white male was arrested during a traffic stop on Hanil Drive.

• Assistance was given to a motorist on Gilmer Avenue.

• A suspicious person was reported on Burt Mill Road.

• A white female was arrested during a disorderly subject call on Friendship Road.

• An animal complaint was reported on Washington Street.

• Trespassing was reported on South Wesson Street.

• A domestic dispute was reported on Wood Street.

• Assistance was given to a citizen on Cliff Street.

• Animal control was requested on Sylvan Lane.

Wetumpka Police Department MARCH 19

• Harassment was reported at Corn Creek Park. MARCH 17

• Theft was reported on U.S. Highway 231. MARCH 16

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

• Menacing was reported on Rivercrest Drive.

• Theft was reported on River Oaks Court.

• Harassing communications was reported on Hospital Drive.

WATWOOD

‘Do better’

Someone recently asked me, “If you had to choose between two dogs to take home and they are completely equal except one has three legs, which one would you choose?”

If you know me, you know my answer. Of course, I would choose the baby with only three legs.

Before we got married, we decided we’d wait until after our honeymoon to adopt our fourth dog, which we had been wanting for some time.

Well, about a month before our wedding, I saw a dog, Pebbles as I would later call him, on Pups on the Plains while on Facebook. One, she fit in with our naming scheme (Pebbles, Que, Raven, Stella and Toby the cat; can you figure it out?) but more importantly, she had been

LIZI GWIN Managing Editor

Obituaries:

(Herald, Observer, Tribune). Obituaries are only accepted via the funeral home in charge of arrangements. We do not accept obituaries from individuals.

Weddings, Engagements, Anniversaries, or Birth

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

Tallassee Talks

in foster care for more than six months. She had some behavioral issues as well as chronic eye problems and had to be given five different eye drops four times a day.

“Bring that baby home!” I thought. We did a meet and greet prior to the wedding and lucky enough, Pups on the Plains gave us a few weeks to consider before we adopted her because I hated the thought of leaving a new baby alone for a whole week while she was still getting adjusted.

family — warts and all.

who doesn’t have regular and chronic medical issues is Que — who, if you remember, just ran away for four months; no big deal.

every person has to adopt the saddest cases they can find. However, Alex City, Tallapoosa County, Elmore County — we all have to just do better.

of Bear this week around Alex City, get on Facebook and find him — the dog left on Hillabee Bridge, covered in scabs and scars, mange, and who knows what else all over his face and body. Looking at his photos was

See DOGS, Page A5

We will soon be wrapping up the season of Lent. This week is Palm Sunday, the beginning of Holy Week.

Soon, we’ll celebrate Easter — the resurrection of Jesus Christ, which changed everything, including the calendar.

Someone said recently that expected the Lord to come back on Easter 2020 because everyone was at home. I’ve never subscribed to the theory we can predict any of that; somewhere, it’s been said we won’t know the day nor the hour, so I suspect it’s foolish of us to even try and play a guessing game. And here we are, three years after the fact.

In John chapter 16, Jesus says, “In all truth I tell you, you will be weeping and wailing while the world will rejoice; you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn to joy.”

The miracle of Easter is repeated every year. For a moment, subtract the pretty dresses and hats, and forget about the Easter Bunny hopping around. One need look no further than scripture for a clearer understanding of the greatest miracle in human history.

MICHAEL BIRD Columnist

The fact that it was all foretold made this week all the more powerful as events unfolded 2,000 years ago.

I am no theologian or scholar, but the story of Holy Week should give us all pause as we reflect on the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

On Palm Sunday, Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey while Pontius Pilate entered with troops. The crowd shouted Hosanna at this unlikely king during the holiest of times, Passover.

Jesus preached in the temple for the next three days and called out the moneychangers, throwing them out as he said they had “turned it into a den of thieves.”

It was during this time Jesus spoke in parables and visited the Mount of Olives. He said one would betray him (Judas did for silver) and one would deny him three times (Peter did then realized it too late).

Pilate, in a power grab worthy of a reality show competition,

A love stronger than death

allowed his audience to vote on whose life would be spared.

Known as a guilty criminal, Barabbas was freed and Jesus was condemned. Pilate literally washed his hands of the issue.

Thursday, Jesus celebrated Passover with the disciples. Today, Christians call it Holy Thursday or Maundy Thursday, and there are foot washing rituals.

Overall, we recall the words Jesus spoke as he offered His body and blood: “Do this in memory of me.”

Condemned to death, Jesus spent Good Friday being ridiculed, spat upon, humiliated, beaten and tortured in violent and gruesome ways. A crown of thorns was weaved for him, and he was whipped and scourged. He took his place with two other criminals at Calvary after having to carry his own cross through town and was nailed to the cross. Above his head was the inscription I N R I, meaning “Hail, King of the Jews.”

This religious leader who had led and lived so humbly was now suffering a most brutal death surrounded by people who, through an outrageous scene of mob mentality, hated Him.

There are numerous quotes attributed to Jesus as he hung on the cross, but out of all of them the one that should speak directly to us as we realize His true gift as our Savior, is what he said to the dying thief.

“Today you will be with me in Paradise.”

Indeed – for all of us, God loved the world so much he sacrificed His only son. That love is what we should express, not that judgmental version of Christianity we sometimes see and hear.

That version of Christianity is what our culture criticizes and ridicules — and rightly so because it is a corrupted version.

The Jesus of the scriptures walked among the poor and at every stop preached forgiveness and mercy to all. He was the ultimate example of turning the other cheek. While He called out sinners, He also showed everyone is welcome to believe, no matter what they look like or where they live.

Even in cultures around the world that either don’t know about Christianity or choose another religion, their calendar is still moving in the time of anno domini — in the Year

Ag commissioner explains department’s role

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

The Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries oversees a lot of things — food safety, pesticides, gas pumps, chickens and more.

In his second term as Alabama Ag Commissioner, Rick Pate said his department is responsible for a lot but there are few things that fall outside the department’s responsibilities.

“We don’t do dogs, cats or shrimp,” Pate said. “We do cows and horses, sheep and poultry and catfish.”

Pate spoke recently to the Tallassee Lions club highlighting some of the responsibilities of his department, which has approximately 350 employees across the state. The Department of Agriculture and Industries has more than 10 laboratories across the state determining anything from the quality of seed to what is in fertilizer to a weights and measures lab with a “truth in advertising’

Continued from A4

testing.”

“We try to make sure people get what they are buying,” Pate said. “For fertilizer if it says 40-1-1, it needs to be 40-1-1.”

Pate said his department ensures customers do not get short changed at the gas pump. Regular inspections check to make sure for every gallon registered on the screen, at least a gallon is pumped.

“We find that often the customer is getting more than a gallon rather than the store shorting you,”

Pate said. “They are afraid to get too close to the gallon because of the fine if it’s below. We don’t fine them if they are giving you more than a gallon. They aren’t giving you a lot, but it’s some.”

Pate explained some of the issues of the poultry market right now especially with eggs. He said Alabama is No. 2 in the nation for producing broilers.

“We process 23 million chickens a week in Alabama,” Pate said. “That’s 23

away from because through all of his bloody and black scabs, you could see the true innocence of a pup who just wanted to be loved.

Luckily, we have angels in Alex City. Kendallyn Presley went straight to Hillabee Bridge, posting “Boots on the ground in 3 minutes.” She rescued Bear. Presley grabbing Bear was made possible by people like Tara Bramblett Newbury, who runs Black Dog Rescue, an organization you should spread the word about on Facebook.

Other angels include Crystal Pemberton and Joanne Hatchett, everyone at Lake Martin Animal Shelter and so many more. These are the people who looked day in and day out for my Que when he was missing; these are the people jumping in their cars as soon as they hear the word go. But again, we wouldn’t need these angels if people just do better.

of Our Lord. It is an amazing fact that the birth of Jesus is memorialized to this day by our very calendar. People who do not even know Him are still counting their days with a Gregorian calendar dedicated to Him. Easter marks the end of Lent, the 40 days of

million eggs being hatched. 23 million bitties taken out. 23 million one week old, two week old, three week old.

About five million people live in Alabama. That is roughly 4.5 chickens per person per week. It is a huge export market for the state of Alabama.”

On the other hand Pate said egg production is not a large industry in Alabama; instead the issue with eggs is high pathogen avian influenza.

“We have done a good job in Alabama and the broiler industry in particular at keeping it out,” Pate said. “Who hasn’t done a good job, in the midwest Iowa, Illinois and Ohio, they have a lot more turkey production up there and a lot more table egg production.”

Pate said while Alabama’s chicken broiler houses might have 200,000 chickens in them, the egg production houses will have between one and three million laying chickens. When avian influenza strikes, the

Dogs cannot take care of themselves. Some can survive out and about of course and dogs are resilient, but for the vast majority, they rely on their humans to live. These are living, breathing, real creatures who need food, water, shelter and warmth. If you look at the Facebook pages of those four ladies I mentioned, you’d be amazed to find not only the number of stray dogs in our area and even more so, the condition some of them are in. I don’t know how they keep doing what they are doing — as volunteers, no less. It would simply break my heart.

Designer dogs are beautiful (in many cases), and I know they are “valuable.” But why? For whom? Dogs aren’t meant to be sold and showcased and pranced around for money; they are meant to be snuggled and played with and loved on.

When I did training with Pebbles through RTN Dog Training (out of Notasulga, which I highly recommend), our trainers told us horror stories of people paying $1,000 or more for a designer dog then not putting in

fasting and abstinence that began with Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday) and Ash Wednesday. Easter is a moveable feast, meaning it is not fixed in relation to the regular calendar. It always occurs during the spring in March or April. Easter is linked to the Jewish Passover by much of its symbolism as well as by its position in the calendar. Passover and Easter are

whole chicken house must be dealt with.

“When they get it they have to wrap those houses real quick,” Pate said. “We pump CO2 and humanly depopulate them. Then there are portable incinerators to get rid of them.”

Pate said at one point some 22% of the nation’s egg laying chickens had been lost. That takes quite a while to replace.

“We don’t have the excess capacity to hatch a million or two chickens this week just because we might be getting the avian influenza,” Pate said. “It has taken them a while to backfill the demand.”

The high production of chicken broilers means all of the corn produced in Alabama stays in state but the state is still importing about 60% of the corn used, but it isn’t the only thing Alabama imports.

“We have to bring soybeans too because between chickens and catfish we have a tremendous demand,” Pate said. “The animal industry is a huge

the work a dog needs when it is little, and suddenly the designer dog doesn’t seem so attractive anymore. Then people look to drop these dogs — at breeders, shelters, etc.

At the beginning of this column, I said I wouldn’t suggest people look for only dogs with medical or behavioral issues, but what I will suggest is this: Think before you get a dog and consider adopting rather than shopping. Depending on the age, a dog can be a 15-plus-year commitment, and in a lot of cases, there’s nowhere for them to go if you no longer wish to commit. Make sure you’re getting the right dog for you and your family. I see so many people annoyed about a long application process, but that means a shelter or rescue center truly wants the best for the dogs in their care.

If you don’t want a beautiful, fulfilling life for your dog, you don’t deserve to have one.

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

interchangeable terms in many European languages, so the similarities are even greater for the early Christians who translated the Bible.

As the Passover lamb, Jesus was crucified at roughly the same time as the Passover lambs were being slain in the temple. To this day, 3 p.m. Good Friday is traditionally a time that is observed.

Every Friday during

economic engine in Alabama.”

Pate said just the poultry industry alone accounts for 12% of Alabama’s economy.

“You don’t think about like the big factories but because it’s spread and not as many employees at any one location,” Pate said. “You will see how much poultry there is when you go north in Alabama.”

Pate said the department actually does the inspections and testing for many

federal guidelines especially in food safety and pesticides. It is the federal government who handles recalls though.

“People don’t think anymore about it,” Pate said. “We do such a great job in this country of having a safe food supply system, it is not on anybody’s radar. Nobody thinks when they sit down at a restaurant that it might kill me if I eat that. We think about it every day.”

Lent, many Christians observe the Stations of the Cross. The Stations of the Cross are fourteen points on the via dolorosa in Jerusalem, from the Lions’ Gate to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. This is one of the most powerful Lenten traditions, even more so than fasting and abstinence.

Michael Bird is a music teacher at Tallassee City Schools.

DOGS

it.”

The seven counts of fraudulent use of a credit or debit card stemmed from purchases of alcohol over a two-week period of time in May and June 2022.

Court documents said Davis went to the Tallassee ABC store on Gilmer Avenue on seven different occasions where each purchase ws for $14.30.

“[Davis] confessed to using the victim’s card to purchase alcohol,” court documents state. “[Davis] stated that he only used the card on two occasions.”

The plea agreement does not reference any restitution to the victim.

something they could bring to our community.”

Rodgers said HDD is based in Tallassee, but he grew up in Reeltown so it’s something that’s close to his heart.

“Next year I want to be able to offer the same thing to Reeltown, hopefully two scholarships there,” Rodgers said.

The two HDD companies employ about 30 workers.

“We have had very good luck with employing people who have come out of trade schools,” Rodgers said. “Actually most didn’t go to college, but we do have some college graduates.”

HDD has experienced as much turnover with employees from the trade schools.

“Most of the ones who have stayed with us over the years and been good loyal dedicated employees have not gone to college,” Rodgers said. “If we can encourage young people to work in a trade and learn something that will help take their family and actually use it, I want to support that.”

Applications for the HDD Inc. and HDD Broadband scholarships are available by calling 334-430-0049.

there,” Cannon said. “They cook out. Thank God nobody was there. It took out pretty much that whole house.”

out and you couldn’t get in. Power lines were down. Trees were down.” Cannon said the worst of the storm passed in five minutes and soon after she waschecking on neighbors. But she wasn’t the only one outside following the storm event.

“It was all pouring rain,” Cannon said. “All the neighbors were out. Everyone was asking, ‘You OK? You OK? Yes, we’re good.’” The home next to Cannon’s was basically destroyed by two trees falling on it.

“On Sundays there are usually a bunch of (people) over

Cannon and neighbors went to check on Kristin Hand, whose home and car were closed off by fallen trees.

“She couldn’t get out,” Cannon said. “She had just had surgery. They got her out [Monday] morning.”

Cannon now has a trampoline in her backyard.

“It’s not ours,” Cannon said. “It’s the state bird of Alabama during a tornado.”

Just down the street Tanya Roberts Golden was taking cover with her family as the possible tornado struck.

“I never heard it, I was screaming,” Golden said. “I was getting everyone safe.”

Golden’s cat Meme was resting near an electrical outlet that had been ripped from the wall. In her yard was a carport from a few houses down the street.

“There is this dryer vent,” Golden said. “I’m not sure where it came from.”

Volunteers with the Elmore County EMA were in the neighborhood checking on residents and giving out tarps. Golden was thankful for the temporary covering.

“I called Allstate at 2 a.m.,” she said. “I just got turned down for emergency services. I have holes in [the storage shed], in the garage. They won’t assign me an adjuster. They say they have 24 to 48 hours.”

Like many in the neighborhood, Golden didn’t have

Adopt, don’t shop.

power Monday. “I have an electrician lined up,” Golden said. “He has to do work before they can hook the power back on. But I need insurance to say something.”

Golden is like most and understands it might take a while for things to return to normal.

“It’s going to be a long process but we will get it back,” Golden said. “I have been up for two days. Had I known this was coming I would have gone to bed earlier the night before.”

Central Alabama Electric Cooperative reported more than 6,000 customers without power at approximately 10 p.m. Sunday. As of 3 p.m. Monday the cooperative was reporting about 200 customers without power.

THE HUMANE SOCIETY OF ELMORE COUNTY

CLIFF WILLIAMS THE TRIBUNE

TOP: Along Meadow Lane Drive in Coosada on Sunday, there was lots of storm damage, including fallen trees, flying debris and more. ABOVE: A possible tornado created damage in Coosada Sunday night. Several area received damage but the heaviest was along Meadow Lane.

Easter is just around the corner

Spring has arrived! Trees are budding, flowers are blooming, and we just suffered one of our coldest nights and days of winter.

We have begun to think about Easter. This is one “movable” day each year that Christians celebrate.

JACKIE WILBOURN Columnist

According to the Gregorian calendar, it is always observed between March 22 and April 25. Easter Sunday always occurs on the first Sunday following the first full moon after the spring equinox. It’s worth noting Christmas is fixed to a solar calendar and is always Dec. 25, whereas Easter is based on the lunar calendar — a lunar month has 29.9 days. The Christian church decided to simplify the process of calculating Easter’s date by always observing the spring equinox. Over time, date changes are actually getting earlier each year. Easter is one of, if not the holiest day on the Christian calendar representing the day Jesus Christ was resurrected

from the dead.

The resurrection represents the triumph of good over evil, sin over death and the physical body. Many think the word Easter came from the writing of the apostle Paul as recorded in 1 Corinthians 5:7, as he referred to “Christ as the Paschal lamb; hence, the Christian view of Christ as the spotless Lamb of God, who by his death freed mankind from the bonds of sins.”

Paschal can be translated as Easter in the Latin and Greek languages. There is no absolute as to where the origins of the word Easter originated although there are many ideas.

Tallassee Churches

One of the most beloved hymns sung during the Easter season is “ Up From the Grave He Arose.”

All of the lines in the hymn are based solely on scripture as written by Pastor Robert Lowry. This hymn emphasizes both the facts and the importance of the resurrection of Christ. Stanza 1 talks of how Christ lay in the tomb waiting for resurrection day. Stanza 2 tells how preparations were made to keep Christ’s body in the tomb. Stanza 3 declares the words of Christ triumphantly coming forth from the tomb to defeat death and the grave.

As spring has arrived and

Easter is around the corner, remember these words: “Up from the grave He arose, with a mighty triumph o’er His foes! He arose a Victor from the dark domain and He lives forever with His saints to reign. He arose! Hallelujah! Christ arose!”

The resurrection of Christ is recorded in scriptures and is an actual event. It is presented as the basis for our hope and we can rejoice and have hope because of the fact that Christ arose!

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

TOP OF THE LINE

By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor

There’s a new Tallassee record holder in the high jump.

Kayden Slay, a senior basketball and now track and field star for the first time, broke the school record in the high jump event in his most recent event.

In the River Region Invite at Wetumpka recently, Slay participated in the high jump event and jumped a height of 6-2, setting the new school record.

“It’s really neat because that’s not an event that we’ve done really well in in the past,” Tallassee coach Danny Worley said. “He’s come out and he’s just a natural talent. He’s a basketball player and he has what they call ‘the hops.’ He gets up there and does really well with it in practice. We’ve got him over there on a real competition track and he was able to do really well.”

This is Slay’s first time on the track team. The high-jumping star has focused his high school career on the basketball court and his athleticism was on full display every game for the Tigers.

Kayden

set

Slay was a First-Team All-Elmore County selection this year. After the basketball season came to an end, Slay and Worley picked up a previous conversation about Slay wanting to join the track team.

So he joined, instantly becoming a sensation in not only the high jump, but also the triple jump, long jump and 110-meter hurdles. In the event, he finished seventh overall and set a new personal record with a time of 18.10.

Worley said it usually takes his athletes a few years to become a two-, three- or four-event track star, but Slay has just taken right to them at a level Worley believes will allow him to score points at both the sectional and state meets.

“Honestly, he’s just been a complete natural since he has joined the team,” Worley said. “It’s been really neat to watch him. It’s really like he’s been doing this all his life. He’s come out and got right into all three jumps and actually started working on the hurdles too. He’s going to continue to be a fourevent guy for us and will actually have a really good shot of qualifying for all four of them for

year on the track and field team, is participating in four events for the

us at the state meet.”

The sectionals meet is still a month away as it’s scheduled for April 28 and 29 at Smiths Station.

Until then, Tallassee has three meets scheduled beginning on April 7 at Troy for its first meet since the River Region Invite. With three meets under their belts, the Tigers have started to figure out who is participating in which event and how they will perform.

With that information already in the back of Worley’s mind, he is just hoping his team can continue to pile up good times and performances as the Tigers prepare to try and qualify from a very tough sectional group.

“We kind of know where we are going to be and we know what sectionals are going to look like, so we’re going to spend the next few weeks to let everyone have three good meets to include their numbers and get ready for sectionals,” Worley said.

“We will have a very tough sectional this year. It’s going to be very competitive. If you make it to state out of this sectional, you’ve really done something because it’s going to be tough.”

Stanhope Elmore’s Walls refuses to get out

By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor

It was basically impossible to get

Stanhope Elmore’s Colton Walls out this week.

A Troy football and baseball signee, Walls has been a staple in the Mustang baseball lineup and pitching rotation for the last few years. He showed exactly why that was the case this weekend in Madison.

Stanhope played in the Spring Take Off Tournament held at Toyota Field and James Clemens High School. The Mustangs went 3-1 during the tournament and Walls was a big reason why.

In the four games, he went an impressive 9-for-10 at the plate with four doubles, four singles, one home run and 12 RBIs. On the mound,

he pitched a complete-game shutout allowing only four hits and striking out eight.

For his .900 batting average and ability to drive in runs, Walls is the Elmore County Player of the Week. “Colton has always put up great numbers because he’s a great hitter,” Stanhope Elmore coach Kaleb Shuman said. “We talked about what he’s been focusing

Rebels baseball wins 3 of its last 5

STAFF REPORT TPI Staff

The baseball season for Reeltown has been full speed ahead, with the blue and white playing a game almost every day.

In its last five outings, Reeltown won three, picking up victories over Highland Home, Dadeville and Appalachian and dropping a game to Marbury. Reeltown (9-10) got its week started in a major way, crushing Highland Home 17-2 behind four hits from Outlook Player of the Week candidate Blake Smith. Smith led the team with a 4-for-5 outing at the plate, collecting two RBIs. Jake Hornsby was second on the squad with a pair of hits and an RBI. Hagan Lewis got it done on the mound,

tossing five innings and striking out six. Smith came on in relief and gave up just one hit in two innings of work. Last Tuesday, Reeltown picked up a win against Dadeville, earning a 8-5 defeat of its rival. Hornsby led the Rebels in hits in that game, going 2-for-4, while Adam Burton struck out six on the mound.

In its closest win of the week, Reeltown took the nightcap over visiting Appalachian, 7-6.

This time, it was Smith who took the mound for five innings, striking out five. Lewis led the team at the plate with two hits in four at-bats.

The two losses were fairly lopsided, losing to Appalachian, 16-8, and Marbury, 14-5.

THE TRIBUNE

Stanhope Elmore’s Colton Walls has been named the Elmore County Player of the Week after going 9-for-10 at the plate with five extra base hits and 12 RBIs. He added to his case with a complete-game shutout on the mound.

Tallassee’s Slay sets school record in high jump PLAYER

‘Divine intervention’

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

Tallassee native Ray Bellew has been scouring the rubble of the East Tallassee mill site.

He’s not looking for scrap but rather inspiration and metal to use in his next sculpture, which will be installed on the site. Bellew’s art is on display around Tallassee and in Wetumpka but a chance meeting has led to Bellew’s biggest project ever.

“It was like a divine intervention,” Ray’s wife Libby said. “It started at Restoration 49.”

Ray’s agent Marcia Weber was at the Bellew house measuring and photographing some of Ray's metal sculptures when the pair went to Restoration 49 to look at Ray’s angel that has been in the coffeeshop for a year.

“They were measuring and [Weber] took a picture of Ray beside the angel,” Libby said. “This guy walks up and asks, ‘Who made that?’” Ray turned to the man and said he made the lifesize piece. Ray and Libby said the man was the foreman of the mill cleanup project and the construction happening there soon.

Just one day later, Weber received a call the next day from the owner of the mill project who inquired about Bellew creating a large piece for the mill site. A deal was struck, some money was forwarded to Bellew and the project was underway.

“It is just blessing after blessing coming,” Bellew said. “It is so strong, something is happening every day as far as the work.”

Now Bellew has access to the mill site anytime he wants.

“The foreman gave me a key,” he said. “He stopped work in an area so I could get some things.”

The project is Bellew’s largest commission piece to date and will be complete in eight weeks.

“I’m making this piece to be really special; I’m taking my time,” he said. “I’m not saying I didn’t take my time on other things but I can see things in the art I built where I wasn’t making it for a certain person. I wasn’t taking the extra effort.”

Bellew has already made alterations to the mill sculpture changing out one piece three times already.

“When I’m building it for someone else, they are expecting the best and I’m going to give them the best,” Bellew said.

The extra effort is for

on at the plate and he told me he’s just trying to stay simple and keep his head still. We told him whatever he’s doing, keep doing it.”

On the mound, Walls’ complete-game performance does not come as a surprise to anyone who has watched him pitch this season.

Walls has had a stellar senior season so far and that has been especially true in his last four performances. Thursday, he pitched his complete game on only 63 pitches. He threw 48 pitches for a strike and averaged just three pitches per batter.

He didn’t walk any and allowed only four hits, which is the most he’s given up in the last month.

In fact, he’s been nearly flawless in his last four appear -

Tallassee native creating art for mill project

good reason and not just the money. “It’s his legacy,” Libby said. “It will be there many years after he is gone.”

For Ray’s part, he feels especially connected to his work in progress and especially the mill site.

“This is a dream come true for and for it to be at the mill is amazing,” Bellew said. “It is somewhere I worked while in high school, somewhere my granddaddy worked, somewhere where my other granddaddy worked, somewhere where my mommy worked, my daddy worked, my step daddy worked, my uncle worked there. I was probably the last one to work there. It is so awesome to me.”

At the mill, Bellew started as a high school student, painting and cleaning. He then held jobs as cutting grass, hauling pulpwood, at a fabrication shop, manufacturing and moving mobile homes. Although he certainly didn’t like seeing the burned mill site, Bellew now sees new inspiration in it.

“I told [Libby] God just moved a whole mill for me to put this artwork there,” he said. “He can move mountains. I have to give God all the credit. That’s what I believe. If He hadn’t done it,

ances. Walls is 4-0 in his four starts and has allowed only eight hits in his last 24 innings pitched. During that span, he’s allowed only one earned run and struck out 29 batters.

On the year, he’s allowed only two earned runs in 28 innings. He has struck out 33 batters and walked just six.

“As eye-popping as his offensive numbers are this week, his pitching numbers have been that good all year,” Shuman said. “His fastball is really heavy and he throws strikes. He works ahead of hitters and makes them earn everything off of him. With stuff as good as his, not allowing free bases make him very difficult to handle for opposing batters and a lot of fun to watch from our dugout.”

Walls and the Mustangs returned from spring nreak happy and now turn their sights towards area play. Stanhope (14-4),

it wouldn’t have got done.”

Weber said Bellew’s inspiration and talent put him in a unique category.

“He is a visionary, ”Weber said. “He fits into this art field of self taught art like Howard Finster.

When he described the vision he started to create from and continues to have visions telling him what to do. We can’t explain it. It’s a God given gift and not everybody has it.”

Weber has been with Bellew for only a few years, but he’s been welding and creating his sculptures for much longer. And he can really see the progression in his work.

“I have been doing this step by step since I was 25 years old,” Bellew said. “I figured out each step meant something. It was teaching me something, but it was God teaching me. He knew that this is what you got to do to get to this certain point.”

Weber has represented artists for more than three decades holding shows in New York, Chicago and Los Angeles for artists.

“Right now he is virtually unknown,” Weber said. “I think he should be a major player. He is about to be famous with this project. He completely deserves it.”

which won the area last season, is looking for a repeat.

It opened area play last Tuesday at home against Sidney Lanier then played the second matchup of the area series Thursday.

The Mustangs are playing well as of late and are riding a three-game win streak into area play. They’ve won seven of their last nine games with their only losses coming to Collierville (Tenn.) and Class 7A James Clemens.

“Our team has been improving all year,” Shuman said. “We have been stressing to the team for the last four years to try to be a little better every day. We’ve definitely been doing that, but we still have a lot of things we could clean up and get better. With area play starting, we want to be playing good baseball right now, but we’re hoping we keep improving and end up playing our best baseball in a month or so.”

County teams ranked in latest ASWA softball, baseball polls

The area softball and baseball teams continue to be recognized across the state for their play this season.

Four county softball squads and one baseball team have earned statewide rankings in the most recent Alabama Sports Writers Association poll released last Thursday. In softball, Wetumpka remained atop Class 6A while Elmore County, Tallassee and Edgewood Academy each rose in their respective classes.

The Indians, who are 32-1 this season, have been the No. 1-ranked 6A team for the last few weeks. They have 15 more wins than the next

closest 6A opponent, and they’ve won four tournament championships this season. Since their first loss, they’ve rebounded by winning eight straight games and outscoring opponents, 65-11, in that span.

Elmore County, which is ranked No. 3 in Class 5A, is 16-9-1 on the season and 3-0 in area play up to this point. The Panthers went 4-2-1 this week at the Gulf Shores Classic, losing only to 5A’s No. 2 Brewbaker Tech and 7A’s No. 2 Fairhope.

Tallassee is also ranked this week and comes in at No. 6 in Class 5A. The Tigers are 11-10 but have dominated their last two opponents before a week off for spring break.

Edgewood Acad -

emy had the largest jump this week; the Wildcats are now ranked No. 5 in AISA with a 20-11 record. The Wildcats were ranked No. 10 last week but beat the then-ranked Nos. 3, 4 and 1 teams during a tournament over the weekend. On the baseball side of the world, Stanhope Elmore continues to bring in statewide attention. The Mustangs, whi0 are 11-3 this season, are ranked No. 5 in Class 6A. Wetumpka, which is 10-7, was nominated but did not receive enough votes to crack the Top 10. In Class 5A, Elmore County (9-5) and defending state runner-up Holtville (9-6) were both nominated but did not receive a ranking.

WALLS

FILE THE TRIBUNE

Tallassee native Ray Bellew has commissioned pieces throughout Elmore County, including these horses just outside the Wetumpka Chamber of Commerce.

FILE THE TRIBUNE

Tallassee native Ray Bellew poses with his angel in Restoration 49. Bellew has been commissioned to create a metal sculpture for the East Tallassee mile site.

2nd Annual Downtown Artists Art Show coming next month

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

Don Sawyer sees the art scene growing in Wetumpka.

To help with Sawyer’s vision, he is again helping organize another art show, which will be held April 22 on the sidewalks of Company Street.

“It is going to be a fantastic show,” Sawyer said. “We got all of our great local artists who keep getting better and better every year. We got some big names coming. Right now we have 45 artists.”

Sawyer said out-oftown artists include Opelika’s Mary Ann Casey and Birmingham’s Dirk Walker.

“Each artist will have extra large spaces,” Sawyer said. “They have plenty of room to work and display. There will be

thousands of pieces of art here. Really from folk art to mixed media to fine, fine photo realism to impressionism, expressionism, symbolism, it will all be here.”

Sawyer believes everyone will be pleased with the quality of art and artists at the Downtown Artists Art Show.

“I research them; I look at their work,” Sawyer said. “I want to know about the artist. The result is this is a team of artists that are dedicated to two things — helping us make Wetumpka the arts center for this part of the South. There is no reason we can’t do it. I’m not talking about just for a show every now and then.”

Sawyer will be demonstrating his techniques and expects some of the other artists too. But Sawyer

said there will be even more for those attending.

“We have two super musicians,” Sawyer said. “David Jones will be on the horn and Dwayne Parker who is a recording star out of Nashville. He is making a comeback with his band, the Country Hound Dogs.”

There have been variations of an Art Walk but Sawyer has been directly involved in organizing the Downtown Artists Art Show.

“It will be the second year we have focused solely on Company Street,” Sawyer said.

Due to the attendance of recent events and last year’s art show, Sawyer believes there will be 4,000 people in downtown Wetumpka. He believes the attendance shows how Wetumpka is progress -

ing in the art scene and not just locally.

“We are looking for big things out of Wetumpka,” Sawyer said. “I was recently talking to an artist in Cincinnati. He’s heard all about what we are doing. We are getting this reputation and this name of an art town. I’m loving that. That is the whole objective. Wetumpka is set up perfectly for an art and entertainment community.”

Sawyer said the configuration of downtown creates an environment that is appealing.

“You got a town with a triangle,” he said. said. “There are eight intersections and all of them lead to one place. With East Bridge, Hill Street, Company Street, you got a great venue. It’s a dramatic venue with the river, casino and the views.”

Dog’s birthday to benefit animal shelter

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

Almost a year ago a 1-day-old

Shih Tzu-beagle mix puppy was near death. It had a deformity — “chicken wing for a leg.”

But instead Becky Yourman and her family took in Guppy Hanson from an “oopsy litter” and is using her first birthday to seek food donations for the Elmore County Humane Society.

Yourman didn’t intend to take on the small puppy forever but Guppy grew on the Yourman farm.

“All I was doing was bringing it home for my shift of feeding her,” Yourman said. “As soon as I brought her home, my daughter saw her.”

The family had just days prior seen a small chihuahua on Facebook named Guppy.

“My daughter said she was, ‘So cute,’” Yourman said. “She had wanted to name the next family animal Guppy. She says, ‘Look, it’s Guppy. Just what we need.’”

The second name came quickly as well.

“She saw the leg and said that is just like the character from Scary Movie 2 — ‘Take my strong hand,’” Yourman said. “That is where Hanson came in.”

Three days later the Yourmans

created a Facebook page for Guppy Hanson to share her story.

“She became our dog,” Yourman said. “Suddenly people were like, ‘Can I send her a present?’ We started doing a wish list.”

Even the mailman noticed the extra family member at the Yourmans’ house in Wetumpka.

“He was like, ‘Who is Guppy Hanson? You guys are getting all sorts of packages,’” Yourman said. “She has gotten toys, stuffed animals, chewies, stroller, a splash pad, a dog car seat, tons of clothes. It’s been a lot of fun.”

Yourman said despite the deformity and being deaf Guppy has quite the personality. Guppy even gets into the posts on her Facebook page Guppy Hanson. With the recent storms Guppy “barked” back at Yourman with a post.

“...it was time to go back in when the sprinkles started again,” Guppy “said” in the post. “Gotta stay dry, or she will try to make me have another bath. No, thank you!”

And Guppy doesn’t let her challenges stop her.

“I may fall down, but I get up again,” Guppy “said” in another Facebook post. “Ain’t nothing gonna keep me down! Hehehe, I bet you sang that last part!”

Guppy’s first birthday is April

27 and the family wants to celebrate by “Paying it forward.”

“Everyone has been so supportive of Guppy,” Yourman said. “People love her so much because she is three-legged and just a goofy looking creature with a personality. We can take care of our animals. We want to celebrate by holding a food fundraiser in Guppy’s honor.”

Yourman is using Guppy’s Facebook page to hold the food drive.

“I put a little Amazon wish list on there that has where the shelter requested Pedigree,” Yourman said. “Several people have already bought.”

Guppy has already collected more than 150 pounds of dog food, 28 pounds of kitten found and cash donated via Cashapp and Venmo to be used to purchase even more food.

Yourman plans to let Guppy make the trip to the shelter on or around her birthday to make the donation official.

“I see pictures where people document their fundraising efforts,” Yourman said. “I think it would be fun to Guppy do it.” Inside today’s Herald are ads sponsored by local businesses to help get animals from the Elmore County Humane Society adopted.

FILE THE TRIBUNE

David Jones plays in downtown Wetumpka last year for Art Walk. Jones returns to Company Street this year as Don Sawyer is organizing the Downtown Artists Art Show on April 22.

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Elmore County softball shines in Gulf Coast Tourney

By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor

Elmore County softball coach Mark Segrest was pleased with the way his team performed over spring break.

Elmore County, the No. 3-ranked team in Class 5A, traveled to take part in the Gulf Shores Classic II Tournament. The Panthers finished tied for fifth place in the tournament, going 4-2-1. Their only two losses came to Fairhope, Class 7A’s No. 2 team, and Brewbaker Tech, No. 2 in 5A.

“I’m really proud of the girls,” Segrest said. “I told the girls after we finished that our goal was twofold. We wanted to come down here and enjoy the beach, but we also wanted to improve and get better for the final stretch of the season. I think we did that. We played well and I really liked the attitude and effort from my team.”

The Panthers (169-1) showed off a multitude of pitchers in the circle. With Segrest trying to keep arms healthy for postseason play, all three of Elmore County’s pitchers did work over the three days. None of them allowed over three runs in a single game, and the trio held four of its opponents to less than two runs.

Hailey O’Brien, who has taken over the team’s ace role and has a 2.5 earned-run average this season, pitched 20 innings in four games. She allowed 16 hits and seven earned runs while striking out 16 batters.

Lalah Culpepper pitched the second most as she allowed 13 hits and six earned runs across 11 innings of work. She struck out 12. Capell, who Segrest said is doing great with

No injuries, major damage at Castaway Island

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

Lisa and Joey Davidson were on the couch of a Castaway Road home when the storms came through Sunday.

The Davidsons didn’t realize how close the storms were when a tree fell on their roof and deck outside the window.

“It happened so fast you didn’t know what happened,” Lisa said. “We were just sitting there. You didn’t realize the tree had fallen. We knew there was some damage as a little water started coming in.”

Joey Davidson has seen and heard a few things in his 20-year career as firefighter, but it was the first time for a possible tornado.

“I haven’t had a fire that scared me that much,” he said. “It was pretty rough.”

Monday morning Joey Davidson was putting some of his firefighting skills to use, tying knots to help pull partially downed trees away from the lakeshore home.

The Davidsons weren’t the only ones who suffered damage to their home.

struck Castaway Island. Monday, Seale was waiting on a contractor to come tarp the roof to protect her belongings.

“It’s not fun but you have to look at things and be thankful no one was hurt,” Seale said. “It might ruin our summer plans but we will figure out how to make it work.”

the limited pitching she has done this season, threw six innings and allowed only one earned run on four hits with seven strikeouts.

“I’ve been really pleased with our pitching which was a concern coming into the year,” Segrest said. “If we can keep getting that from our three girls, I think we have a really good shot at advancing in the playoffs.”

The offense was up-and-down depending on the level of pitching it faced, but the Panthers scored 54 runs in their seven games. They were held under three runs only twice, but also crossed home plate more than 13 times in three games.

The middle of the order — Anna Catherine Segrest, Ashtyn Pannell, Morgan Spear and Culpepper — shined like it usually does. The biggest highlight for the Panthers this weekend was in the leadoff spot.

ECHS right fielder

McKenzie Owens had a stellar week at the plate and on the base paths.

Owens recorded 14 hits across seven games and was held hitless only once. She recorded multiple hits in five games and even turned out a four-hit game in pool play. Her 14 hits resulted in her scoring 10 times, and she even drove in five runs despite hitting leadoff.

“She has really turned it on over the last two or three weeks,” Segrest said.

“She’s doing everything right that you want your leadoff to do. She’s just getting on base. She’s putting the ball on the ground and is able to drive the ball into the outfield.

She’s been really, really critical to our success this week as she was on base almost the entire time.”

“A tree came down and tore up the front and busted the glass,” Scott Ruper said. “It ripped my deck off. It knocked my boathouse over and made a mess.”

Like other Castaway residents, Ruper was cleaning Monday and trying to protect damaged homes.

“I got some friends bringing plywood to cover the windows,” Ruper said.

Jennifer Seale was in Montgomery when the possible tornado

Not far away from Castaway Island Alabama Power has repairs to lines crossing Lake Martin. Overnight, Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) Marine Patrol reported low hanging lines “just above the water’s surface between the Ridge Marina and Martin Dam in Elmore County.

“The repair time for the power lines is currently undetermined and all boaters are asked to avoid the area,” ALEA said in a release Monday morning. “Troopers with ALEA’s Marine Patrol Division are currently on scene marking the area and will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates accordingly.”

Alabama Power reported as many as 12,000 customers were without power at some point Sunday night into Monday. Most outages were in Elmore, Tallapoosa and Autauga counties. As of 2 p.m. 950 customers were without power in Elmore County, 700 in Tallapoosa County, 250 in Autauga County and 140 in Wilcox County. Alabama Power also opened the floodgates at Martin Dam and water could be seen topping the banks of the Tallapoosa River at Highway 50.

CLEANING UP OUR MESS

treated to breakfast and promptly

DALTON MIDDLETON | THE TRIBUNE

Elmore County’s Katie Capell allowed only one earned run on four hits with seven strikeouts in two games this week.

CLIFF WILLIAMS THE TRIBUNE

Volunteers came out for the Reuben Thornton Memorial Cleanup in the Red Hill community Saturday. Everyone was

issued vests, bags and trash pickers before picking litter along the roadways.This is one of many community cleanups through Tallapoosa and Elmore counties each year.

CLIFF WILLIAMS THE TRIBUNE

A possible tornado created damage on Castaway Island Sunday night. No one was injured.