Tallassee Tribune May 24 2023

Tallassee woman meets Trump

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

Dale Hilyer is no stranger to politics.

At 87 years old, the Tallassee native has had the opportunity to meet her share of famous people. The

is

Donald Txrump and the chance

meeting just made her birthday.

“I felt so honored,” Hilyer said. “I was so happy. That just made my year and everything.” Hilyer was visiting her sister Alice Hilyer Beam and other family near Nashville recently. The family knew Trump frequented a nearby country club and was trying to coax her to come without spilling the beans.

“They asked, ‘You are going with us to eat breakfast down at the country club, aren’t you?’”

Hilyer said. “I said, ‘No. I’m just going to sleep in and look at TV. I’m not going to get up, dressed and out that early’.”

The family decided to tell Hilyer the former president could be at the country club about the same time as they were planning to eat breakfast. Hilyer said as they were eating Trump and a Secret Service detail made their way to a private dining area. Staff had instructed Hilyer and other guests Trump was running behind and would not meet anyone or take photographs. But when Trump emerged, the plan changed.

Trump made his way to Hilyer.

“I heard him tell the Secret Service, ‘Y’all step over here. I’m going to take a picture with this lady in the red shirt,’” Hilyer said. Hilyer said she believes it was because she was wearing a

MAKING PROGRESS

Businesses working around Streetscape project

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

Things might look like a mess in downtown Tallassee as the TAP Streetscape project is underway, but a lot of work has already been done.

Through grants and matching funds, the City of Tallassee has already replaced decades old gas, water and sewer lines and as part of the streetscape project, contractors have installed storm drains.

“The work they recently did, at least the water doesn’t come up to my door now. It is not a river through here anymore,” said Michelle Peppers, of Peppers Prints and Events. “The little bit they have done has helped. We have been told for years it was happening. Now we want to see it

done to the finish.”

Tallassee Mayor Sarah Hill hopes the project will help businesses better utilize the buildings downtown.

“Some buildings were having issues with leaks through basement walls,” Hill said. “Hopefully this project will help with some of the issues.”

The Tallassee City Council accepted a bid for the streetscape and repaving in the amount of $1,884,752.40. The Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) provided $1.1 million in grant funding for the project. The city’s match for the grant totals $205,000 but the city is also funding the repaving of the streets.

“There are multiple subcontractors on this project,” Hill

said. “It is all being overseen by one general contractor and our construction management team at CDG.”

But there is still months of work to be done. The ALDOT TAP project contract allows for 150 working days.

“That means anytime it rains or threatens to rain they can’t work,” Hill said. “We are looking at an expected completion date sometime in November.”

Some area residents said they didn’t want to come downtown while construction work was ongoing. But Peppers has found a way to allow progress and allow her business to function.

“We worked out an agreement with most of our customers with See PROGRESS, Page A5

Tallassee FFA prepares to compete at state next month

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

Dr. Daniel Free is growing the already strong tradition of the Tallassee High School FFA program.

For decades its quartet has been recognized but other teams in aquaculture, floriculture, nursery landscape, small engines, construction and now See

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

Residents with Alzheimer’s and dementia can present issues for law enforcement. Some believe there is nothing wrong and will wander off. Others forget who their loved ones are.

Because of this issue, the Tallassee Police Department recently received training on how to handle it. “With the new Missing and Endangered

Obituaries

BILL WILSON KIRBY, JR

Bill Wilson Kirby, Jr aged 80, passed away on May 16th, 2023 after a short hospitalization at the East Alabama Medical Center in Opelika. For the last few years he had been a resident of the Summer Village, Magnolia Place in Auburn. He was born in Tallasssee, AL and proudly considered Tallassee his hometown, though the Jordanville part of town was where he lived with his mother, grandmother, and uncle. He was a Boy Scout, played Little League baseball, and loved cars like most boys of that time. He graduated from Tallassee High School in 1961, and paying his own way, Bill spent the first two years of his college education at Troy State University. 1965 was a momentous year for him: he transferred to Auburn University and also met Brenda Butler from Reeltown. Always a bit impetuous, he asked her to marry him after dating for two weeks. They married shortly after and set

up house in a single-wide mobile home parked across a dirt road from Brenda's parents in Reeltown. A daughter, Paula, followed and in 1968, Bill graduated from Auburn with a BS in Electrical Engineering. He accepted a job with General Electric, and the family moved to Rome, GA. He had always aspired to work for the Alabama Power Company, and in 1970 he accepted a position in industrial power sales that took him, Brenda, Paula, and Mark to Greenville, AL. After one year, Bill was promoted and the family moved to Selma, AL. During his 14 years in Selma, Bill enjoyed hunting, fishing, boating on the Alabama River, and giving back to the community through his involvement in the Selma Civitans Club, including serving as President in 1980. In 1986, he and Brenda moved to their dream home on Lake Martin. He continued his career with Alabama Power, commuting from the lake, first to Montgomery and then

WILLARD DANIEL

“DANNY” HARRISON

Willard Daniel “Danny” Harrison, age 69, a lifetime resident of Tallassee passed away on May 19, 2023 after an extended illness. He was born July 18, 1953. Left to mourn his loss and celebrate his life are his wife of 50 years Renee’; daughters Stephanie and Leah (Matt) and beloved niece Susan (Scotty) Wallace. He also leaves behind great nephew Andrew Bennett; grandsons Joseph Burdette, Luke Burdette and James Missildine; mother-in-law Lee Jane Brown; sisters-in-law Brenda (Jeff) Johnson, Debra (Ju -

Police Reports

TALLASSEE POLICE

DEPARTMENT

MAY 21

• A suspicious vehicle was reported on Rifle Range Road.

• Criminal mischief was reported on North Johnson Street.

• A Black male was arrested during a domestic dispute call on South Tallassee Drive.

• A white male was arrested on Redland Road.

• Debris was reported in the roadway on Gilmer Avenue.

• A domestic dispute was reported on Honey Suckle Lane.

• Assistance was given to a motorist on Bobwhite Court.

• A vehicle accident was reported on Oak Heights Road.

• A suspicious person was reported on Mott Lane. MAY 20

• A white male was arrested during a traffic stop on Highway 229.

• An animal complaint was reported on Jordan Avenue.

• A juvenile complaint was reported on Evergreen Street.

• Reckless driving was reported on Gilmer Avenue.

• Gunfire was reported on North McKenzie Street.

• Harassment was reported on Riley Road.

• A domestic dispute was reported on Freeman Avenue.

• Harassment was reported on Gilmer Avenue.

• Harassment was reported on Gilmer Avenue.

later to the Auburn office. Auburn football became a big part of their social life, and they enjoyed tailgating with friends in their RV, as well as traveling around the southeast. Bill also started a hobby, which became a small business, making old- fashioned glass minnow traps in the style used at Lake Martin when he was young. He later expanded the product line to include table lamps made from the minnow traps. Sadly, in 2004 Bill suffered a stroke triggered by meningitis which deprived him of most of his sight and much of his mobility, resulting in a medical disability retirement from his beloved Alabama Power Company. In declining health, and after Brenda’s passing in 2016, Bill had to leave his Lake Martin home for assisted living in Auburn. He was preceded in death by his mother Lula Holmes Plant, his dear grandmother Mary Laura Holmes Plant, his father Bill W. Kirby, Sr., uncles Louis Plant and

nior) Goodman and Connie (John) Watts; and a host of other family and friends. Danny was preceded in death by his parents Willard and Gladys Harrison; sister Sandra Harrison Kelley and infant nephew Jeffrey Paul Kelley. Danny’s loves included God, his family, and his homeplace. He was happiest when piddling in the barn or on his tractor. He loved nature and was affectionately known to his niece and daughters as “Professor Pinetree” He also dedicated 38 years to Neptune, during which time he met some of the finest people in his career. The family would like to thank Community Hospice Care,

• A domestic dispute was reported on Central Boulevard.

• A disorderly person was reported on Sims Avenue.

• A suspicious vehicle was reported on Notasulga Road.

• Assistance was given to a citizen on the Fitzpatrick Bridge. MAY 19

• Assistance was given to a motorist on Gilmer Avenue.

• Assistance was given to a citizen on Gilmer Avenue.

• An animal complaint was reported on South Ann Avenue.

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

• Harassment was reported on Riley Road.

• Assistance was given to a citizen on North McKenzie Street.

• Assistance was given during a fire alarm call on Jordan Avenue. MAY 18

• A domestic dispute was reported on Riley Road.

• A suspicious vehicle was reported on Friendship Road.

• A Black male was arrested on Barnett Boulevard.

• A domestic dispute was reported on North McKenzie Street.

• Harassing communications was reported on Rosemere Drive.

• A white male was arrested on Central Boulevard.

• A noise complaint was reported on North McKenzie Street.

• A white male was arrested during a traffic stop on Oak Heights

Raymond Plant, and his loving wife of 50 years Brenda Joan Butler Kirby. He is survived by his daughter Paula (Marshall) Norrell of Opelika, son Mark (Ann) Kirby of Gulf Breeze, FL, and brother Raymond (Nancy) Kirby of Lake Martin, along with his grandchildren Kirby Norrell, Walker Norrell, Erik Norrell, Aaron Norrell, Kyle Kirby, Drew Kirby, and Laura Kirby, and great-grandson Stone Hawkins Norrell. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Cemetery Committee of the Salem Macon Baptist Church, 4647 Tallapoosa Street, Notasulga, AL 36866. The family will receive friends and relatives on Saturday, May 20th at the Jeffcoat Funeral Home, 255 Friendship Road, Tallassee AL 36078 beginning at 1:00 PM, followed by a memorial service to celebrate Bill’s life at 2:00 PM in the Jeffcoat Chapel with family friend Benjamin C. Nichols presiding.

Herren Hill Pharmacy, and all his caregivers who so lovingly supported him and his family during his illness. Visitation will begin at 1:00 pm on Monday, May 22, 2023 at Linville Memorial Funeral Home with funeral service following at 2:00 pm with Pastor Weldon Greer officiating. Burial will follow in Claud Independent Methodist Church Cemetery. Flowers are welcome or expressions of sympathy may be memorial contributions to one’s charity or organization of choice. Share memories and condolences online at www.linvillememorial.com.

Road.

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

• Suspicious activity was reported on Tallassee Highway. MAY 17

• A motor vehicle accident with no injuries was reported on Cherokee Trail.

• Assistance was given to a motorist on Highway 229.

• Assistance was given to a motorist on Gilmer Avenue.

• A welfare check was conducted on Burt Mill Road.

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

• A burglary was reported on Cotton Ride Rod.

• Assistance was given to a citizen on Riverside Avenue.

• A Black female was arrested during a harassment call on Cherry Street.

• Assistance was given to a citizen on Barnett Boulevard.

• A juvenile complaint was filed on Laurel Street.

• An animal complaint was reported on Riverside Avenue.

• An animal complaint was reported on Benson Avenue.

• A welfare check was conducted on Herd Street. MAY 16

• Assistance was given to another agency on Gammils Store Road.

• Theft was reported on Riverside Avenue.

• Assistance was given to a motorist on Gilmer

Avenue.

• A juvenile complaint was reported on South Tallassee Drive.

• Assistance was given to a motorist on Gilmer Avenue.

• A juvenile complaint was reported on South Tallassee Drive.

• An animal complaint was reported on Lower River Road.

• Trespassing was reported on Barnett Boulevard.

• Criminal mischief was reported on Central Boulevard.

• Debris was reported in the roadway on Gilmer Avenue.

• A suspicious person was reported on Central Boulevard.

• A suspicious vehicle was reported on Tallassee Highway.

• A suspicious person was reported on Hillcrest Street.

• A suspicious vehicle was reported on Notasulga Road. MAY 15

• Reckless driving was reported on Highway 229.

• A motor vehicle accident was reported on Gilmer Avenue.

• Stalking was reported on Howard Street.

• Theft was reported on Notasulga Road.

• A suspicious vehicle was reported on Taylor Road.

WETUMPKA POLICE DEPARTMENT MAY 15

• Theft was reported on Hollowood Court. MAY 12

• Harassment was reported on U.S. Highway 231.

Mile Club encourages physical activity

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

Thirty-one Tallassee Elementary School second graders have joined a special club — The Mile Club.

The Mile Club is managed by P.E. teacher Terrell Brown to encourage healthy habits early in life. Every student at Tallassee Elementary School runs one mile every week, only a select few make it into the Mile Club.

“Mile Clubbers are a special group for us,” Brown said. “They run at least two to three miles per week. It is hard to get 40 miles in during a school year. I’m very proud of this group.”

The school has a quarter mile track to make the running possible. But running doesn’t happen every day at the school.

“It is not the easiest thing in the world to do at school during the school year, especially with the challenges of cold weather, rain and holidays,” Brown said. “It can’t be too cold or hot. If the heat index gets much above 90 degrees we are not going to do it.” Brown hopes the students will take the physical activity habits home. Not only does he want his students to play and run, but he wants the children to be the example for the parents.

“I think the kids can help their

parents,” Brown said. “They don’t have to run. Just get outside and throw a ball around and be there with their children. It will help you get more healthy and it will strengthen the bonds between parent and child.”

Brown also helps students with the Presidential Youth Fitness Program. The nationwide program has been around since 1966, but the

physical fitness test has changed over the years.

“Instead of the shuttle run and pull ups, they switched over to pushups, crunches and the mile run,” Brown said. “The students have to make that mile in 14 minutes.”

Besides encouraging a healthy lifestyle, Brown wants to instill good habits and learn to set and achieve goals.

“I want them to set a goal that is bigger than themselves and go for it,” Brown said. “From there we figure out how to break it down into parts and chip away at the bigger goal.”

Brown used the Awards Day Program to give the new Mile Clubbers a bag with a T-shirt, trophy and more.

“Not all students who set the goal make it,” Brown said. “Hopefully they have seen the awards, they saw the prizes, sometimes they are rewards driven. I hope

they come back and try again next year.”

Second grader Jack Goodwin said running with Brown was fun. He especially liked how all of the awards for the school year were given at once.

“Can you believe I got two trophies?” Jack said. “It was hard to get the Mile Club.”

Goodwin was also proud of his Accelerated Reading (AR) trophy.

School Librarian Kaley Pugh recognized students who earned at least 100 AR Points during the school year. Goodwin was one of more than 20 second graders to get the AR Trophy.

“It is a tough mark to get,” Pugh said.

The school is honoring more than just the second graders. By the end of school, all kindergarten, first, third and fourth graders will also be honored for perfect attendance, honor roll, AR and Mile Club.

Find a boarder who is right for your pet

By REA CORD HSEC Executive Director

If you are a sale shopper, make sure to check out our Tail’s End Thrift Store where all women’s clothing will be 50% off this week — 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. And men, we have some great deals on shorts as well.

If you are heading out of town thisMemorial Day weekend and cannot take your pet, then we sure hope you have made plans for their care and safety.

We highly recommend taking your pet(s) to a reputable boarding facility if you are going to be away from home for more than a day. While this will cost you a small amount for each day of boarding, you are paying for your pet to be kept in a protected and safe environment.

This is not only good for your pet, but good for your peace of mind while you are away. Just like finding a babysitter for your children, you should find a boarding facility well ahead of time that you are comfortable with and that has the capability of caring for your pet’s

needs.

A good idea for your pet and for you is to get with the facility ahead of time and do a trial run with your pet. That way, your pet has some familiarity with the surroundings and any issues can be resolved before you go heading off on a multi-day or week trip.

And just like hotels many boarding places book up fast, especially for major holidays, so make your reservations well ahead of time.

Be aware: Most boarding facilities will require proof of current vaccinations, so make sure your pet is up-todate. They will also want emergency contact information and feel free to bring your pet’s special bedding, toys and even treats to make your pet as comfortable as possible.

And while many a family member, friend and neighbor has done a super job at caring for someone else’s pet, at the shelter we hear far too many sad stories of gates left open, animals who weren’t cared for and other reasons for pets disappearing while someone else was supposed to be caring for them.

If you simply do not want to or cannot take your pet to a boarding facility, check into a licensed and bonded Pet Sitter who can come to your home two-three times each day to check on your pet. When heading out for a well-deserved vacation, you want to feel confident your pet-sitter feels as strongly about your pet’s health and well-being as you do. In the event your pet does get away from home, having a collar with the required Rabies Tag and perhaps an ID tag or your phone number written on the collar can go a long way to getting your pet reunited with you (or your pet sitter).

Because tags on collars and collars can come off, we highly recommend you have your pet microchipped at your local veterinarian. Please make sure to ask if their fee is covering the cost of registering the chip and if they are indeed doing that right there at the time of your appointment. If not, make sure to take care of the registration as soon as you get back home.

Most people today know to take a found pet to be

Pet of the Week – Hank

Hank is a Lab/Catahola mix who is 2 ½ years old and weighs 75 pounds. Hank is an absolutely wonderful dog who came to us due to landlord issues. He is very laid back but also has the energy to be a great hiking buddy. Hank is great with other dogs and housetrained. No chickens though, as he thinks they are as tasty as we do. The Humane Society of Elmore County’s

adoption fees are $100 for dogs and $50 for cats under 1 year old. Cats over 1 can be adopted by approved adopters for a fee of their choosing. This adoption fee covers the mandatory spay or neuter, basic immunizations, deworming, microchip, heartworm check for dogs, rabies vaccination if old enough and a free health exam with your participating

veterinarian. If you are interested in meeting Cola or any of the pets at HSEC, the first step is to fill out an adoption application online. Once approved, you will be contacted by someone from the humane society. HSEC is located at 255 Central Plank Road in Wetumpka. The phone number is 334-567-3377 and the website is www.elmorehumane.org.

CLIFF WILLIAMS THE TRIBUNE

Tallassee P.E. teacher Terrell Brown recognizes 31 second graders to join the school’s ‘Mile Club’ at Awards Day on Friday.

Tallassee Talks

In praise of the Class of ‘23

As the Class of 2023 prepares to walk across the field at J.E. “Hot” O’Brien Stadium on Friday night and into history, one word comes to mind as a description of the students’ characters: Resilient.

The students who are leaving Tallassee High School are, for the most part, K-12 products of our school system. Some have moved in over the years and become as much Tallasseeans as anyone, making their own contributions to the successes of our school and community.

For the students who are graduating from our music department, their first musical performance, at least with me, was in fifth grade when we sang for the Veterans Day assembly.

Southside Middle School does the best salute to veterans of any school in our area, and a big feature of it is the fifth-grade choir performance every year. I recruited many of those students to give band a try in sixth grade, and some have stayed with us in choir and band all the way to the end.

From that time to this, we have observed the Class of ’23 dealing with construction, COVID-19, chaos, confusion and complaining. The students were forced to handle more loss than imaginable and the changes that come with it. This class has battled depression and disappointment without ever becoming despondent. Their freshman year was cut short by a pandemic, their sophomore year was on A-B rotation and filled with quarantines then they spent their junior and senior years in trailers surrounded by a construction zone.

If the Class of 2023 can handle all these things, they are prepared for anything the world can throw at them.

From 1938 until just a few years ago, “Dirty Digs” ran on

the front page of The Tallassee Tribune. The author of this weekly column was Harold “Pete” Cottle. Thirty-two years ago this week in The Tribune, Cottle wrote these words — and for the people who have always said Tallassee is a closed-off, cliquish community, I have found the opposite to be true as people like Cottle always made me feel like I belonged here as much as a native Tallasseean.

Enjoy the read.

Dirty Digs, by Harold “Pete” Cottle

Run Date: May 30, 1991

Seems like everywhere I go in town I see folks I don’t know. To help these new arrivals better assimilate and adapt to their new surroundings, we offer the following:

1. Tallassee is an old town with lots of old people and it’s a good town with lots of good people. Some people move here and fit in immediately; others move here and 20 years later they still don’t “fit in.” That probably tells you more about them than it does the town.

2. People here love high school sports. They have since a man named O’Brien came here and coached himself into a legend. To understand the psyche of Tallassee you have to know about O’Brien and The Streak. He did for this town in the ’40s what a man named Bryant did for this state in the ’60s. It runs a lot deeper than football.

3. People drive funny here. It’s kind of like they know when and where they’re going and they expect you to know when and where they’re going, too. Buckle

up and hang loose.

4. People here love college football. With some it’s a religion and that’s not good. Sooner or later you’ll have to choose –Auburn or Alabama. It’s best just to tell them you’re a hockey fan.

5. We have a whole bunch of beauty shops and churches. We’ve either got a lot of ugly sinners or pretty saints — or maybe it’s the other way around. You decide.

6. We have a weekly newspaper, a local TV show and two radio stations so there’s no excuse for not knowing who got caught doing what. The newspaper is probably best because you can also wrap fish in it.

7. We are probably the only town in the U.S. with an intersection where the traffic turning left has the right-of-way over opposing traffic turning right. This phenomenon occurs in front of the library.

8. This is mostly an industrial town, always has been. We make textile products, water meters, composite products, shipping packages, hammocks, electricity and other stuff I don’t even know about. Shoot, we even make water and sell it to other folks.

9. Like every other place in America, we gossip. It may seem worse here ’cause everybody knows everybody else. Some of it’s true, some is half-true and some is wishful thinking. But remember, if they’re talking about you, don’t worry about it. By next week, you’ll be old news and they’ll be talking about somebody else.

10. The surrounding areas don’t have exotic, flashy names like Peacock Ridge or Bubbling Brook but we do have Flea Hop, Red Hill and Flat Rock, to name a few. We also have Reeltown which is not a real town but is an area populated by mostly good people.

And that’s about it. Welcome.

There are lots of women in Alabama politics

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

Weddings, Engagements, Anniversaries, or Birth

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

t is hard to imagine it was only a little over 100 years ago women were given the right to vote in the United States. The 19th Amendment to the Constitution giving women full suffrage was finally ratified in 1920.

In recent decades, many folks have lamented there are very few women in elected office in Alabama, especially in the legislature. We do indeed have a low percentage of female legislators, most particularly in the Republican ranks. We have some high-profile female statewide officeholders. Gov. Kay Ivey, PSC President Twinkle Cavanaugh and Supreme Court justices Kelli Wise and Sarah Stewart, to name a few.

Some of the more progressive states have ridiculed our lack of female political participants. However, history will reveal we in Alabama were electing women to statewide offices many years before other so-called progressive states.

In fact, women dominated the offices of secretary of state, treasurer and auditor for several decades during the 1960s and 1970s. My first observations of Alabama politics were watching women swap out the state treasurer and secretary of state posts every four years. In fact, these constitutional offices were considered women offices.

In 1944, Gov. Chauncey Sparks appointed Sybil Pool as Secretary of State. Two years later, in 1946, Pool won the office, overwhelmingly, and became the first woman in Alabama history to be elected to a statewide office.

In that 1946 race, Pool carried 63 out of 67 counties. Four years later, in her victorious run for State Treasurer, she received the largest vote in state history. In 1954, she was elected to the first of four terms

on the Public Service Commission.

Prior to Pool’s first statewide victory, she had served in the legislature for two terms from her native Marengo County. She was only the second woman elected to the Alabama Legislature, in addition to being the first woman elected statewide.

All-in-all her political career included eight years as Secretary of State, four years as State Treasurer and 16 years on the Public Service Commission. Pool was way ahead of her time, and she opened the political door for women to walk through in Alabama.

Mary Texas Hurt Garner of Scottsboro was a lawyer by profession and an Assistant Attorney General before being elected Secretary of State in 1954. She then went on to become State Auditor in 1958 and Treasurer in 1962.

Annie Laura Gunter held several prominent cabinet positions in the Wallace Administration. Afterwards, Gunter was elected State Treasurer of Alabama in 1978 and served eight years in that important state office.

Melba Till Allen was one of 10 children who grew up modestly on an Alabama farm. She rose to be elected as State Auditor then State Treasurer for two terms.

Mabel Amos and Agnes Baggett were household names in Alabama for decades. Baggett was probably the most prominent and profiled female officeholder in state history

after Pool. She served as Secretary of State from 1951-1955. She was then elected State Auditor in 1955, State Treasurer in 1959 and returned to Secretary of State in 1963. In 1967, she was elected again as State Treasurer and served eight years in this post. She finished out her career as Secretary of State, thus capping a career that made history. She served 28 consecutive years as an elected statewide officeholder, making her one of the most celebrated elected officials in Alabama history. Amos was one of the most beloved and revered women in state politics. She had an amazing career as the recording secretary for six governors, including Frank Dixon, Chauncey Sparks, James Folsom, Gordon Persons, John Patterson, and George Wallace. There is no telling what secrets and political deals Mabel knew of during this unbelievable 30-year reign inside the governor’s office. She was elected Secretary of State in 1966, and served eight years in that office. She was a native of Conecuh County and never married. Therefore, she had no direct heirs. When she died, she had a sizable estate, primarily of family land. Because she had no children, the beloved lady left her estate with instructions that her money should be used for deserving Alabama female students, who otherwise would not be able to attend Alabama colleges.

Steve Flowers is Alabama’s leading political columnist. His weekly column appears in over 60 Alabama newspapers. He served 16 years in the state legislature. Flowers may be reached at www. steveflowers.us.

MICHAEL BIRD Columnist

STEVE FLOWERS Columnist

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all that is going on,” Peppers said. “If they can’t get here, email what you need and I will get it done and deliver it to you.”

Next for the project is sidewalks and street lighting and Peppers is preparing. The contractors are keeping her apprised of what is going on, and

Continued from A1

she understands the project could create a few more headaches before it is completed.

“They have told me there will be days I will probably have to shut down because we don’t have a back entrance,” Peppers said. “I have said that is OK, just let me know. I can plan accordingly and take what I need to the house to work on or we will just take a couple

meat evaluation have flourished too.

Free has been at Tallassee for 10 years and has enjoyed seeing the program grow.

“What I like about FFA is it is good fellowship with students,” Free said. “It is good team building, leadership skills. They are getting skills here they can’t get anywhere else.”

Tallassee FFA recently competed in the Central District competition bringing home the triangle blue banners. Several qualified for the state convention in June including the aquaculture, floriculture and nursery landscape teams. Free said a trip to Lake Martin and Jim Scott’s garden was a huge help for the squad.

“We did it to sharpen their identification skills,” Free said. “We also took the aquaculture team because it was by the lake. A couple of the forestry students went too because I knew they would like it.”

A classroom setting is still far from the real world and the visit to the unique garden was beneficial for everyone.

“It is one thing to see it in the classroom but when you see the actual thing it is great,” Free said. “They see it perfectly landscaped. They see the clematis growing and see the mountain laurels, the lilies, and to see that in a design is amazing. The kids loved going there.”

Tallassee students have visited the garden twice in two years.

“Each time has been great,” Free said. “The get to see a real world application but what has been even more interesting is to see the discussion among the students about the various species of plants, debating whether or not they might be native or not.”

Students haven’t just been waiting for trips or classroom time to study. Free said members of the nursery landscape team spent part of spring break working on plant identification.

“This is a testimony to the kind of students we have,” Free said. “Even

MEETS

Continued from A1

Trump 2024 shirt and was the oldest in the room.

“I asked around,” Hilyer said. “One was 84, another 82. And I was right there where he came out.”

But Hilyer’s sister Alice missed the best photograph.

“I never thought about my sister who is 14 years younger getting nervous,” HIlyer said. “He said, ‘Will you take the picture?’ She got nervous. I was thinking, ‘What is taking so long?’ She is used to taking pictures all the time.”

Alice admitted to Hilyer

day vacation.”

Peppers moved her business downtown in October after her custom print shop outgrew her home. Even in the middle of the streetscape project, she is seriously considering expanding.

“We are working on expanding,” Peppers said. “We have run out of space again.”

Peppers said she is trying to purchase her build-

ing and those adjacent to it to help grow her business and maybe provide space for another small business.

Peppers said the downtown projects will make downtown Tallassee more presentable and help grow the area.

“The city needed to do this to help increase revenue,” Peppers said. “Increased revenue means more in tax collections to help with city services.”

during break we get together to study plants.”

Free said students are constantly studying and not just in FFA but in his agriculture classes students take for credit.

“I’m a plant nerd and I extend that to my kids,” Free said. “Even in my horticulture class, they have to learn. My goal was 500 plants to have them learn. They learned about 400 which is still extremely impressive.”

One of the oldest teams for Tallassee FFA is the quartet. It was won at state and performed at the National FFA Convention three times. Free is hopeful it will do well this year.

“This year’s quarter is special,” Free said. “The personalities of the kids this year, they are so good. They just blend in so well.”

The quartet was started almost 50 years ago when Jerry Cunningham moved to Tallassee from the Atlanta area. He was a ninth grader and the only male in the glee club.

“It was culture shock,” Cunningham said. “They put me in ag. I would have never taken that before, but I did.”

Cunningham started the Tallassee FFA quartet the next year and directed

and Trump she was nervous.

“I want to make a good picture because she knew I would die if she messed it up,” Hilyer said. “Well she did mess it up. She didn’t get me straight at her smiling. It took her so long to get it set right.”

Hilyer said her niece didn’t get to see the exchange because she had bolted to the area where Trump’s golf cart was, hoping to get a photograph there. At the end of the day, the family was pleased Hilyer got her moment.

“This little country girl had a good 87th birthday,” Hilyer said. “They had given me a party. It was a thrill to me because I have

it from there.

“I stayed in it all four years,” Cunningham said. “I was FFA president as a student. I loved every minute of it.”

While Quartet is one of the oldest teams for Tallassee FFA, Free is proud of the efforts of its newest team — meat evaluation.

“I’m learning it myself too,” Free said. “We don’t have any experience in this. It is a really big deal.”

Just for district competition the team learned to identify more than 70 cuts of beef, lamb and pork just by looking at photographs. Free said the team placed third at districts and is readying for a more vigorous state competition. Now the team of two freshmen and a sophomore is trying to figure out how to measure without the use of a measuring device to determine yield.

All teams are practicing two to three times per week, and Free believes the community should be proud of the FFA teams and cheer them on.

“We have special young men and women at Tallassee High School,” Free said. “They have worked so hard and these banners highlight their efforts.”

always been a Trump person.”

But Hilyer said she missed her moment in some ways as she had planned to tell a few things about herself and had joked around with Alice about it.

“If I got a chance I was gonna ask, ‘Can you believe I voted for John F. Kennedy, and I voted for George Wallace?’” Hilyer said.

Hilyer has had a chance to meet other Trump family members and other politicians through fundraising efforts at Faulkner University.

But the Trumps are not the first politicians Hilyer has been impressed by in

person. She made arrangements when she worked at the Tallassee Mt. Vernon Mills to go to rallies for George Wallace as he campaigned for governor and president.

“I was always making pictures,” Hilyer said. “I loved to hear him speak. I thought he was such a good person. I feel like if he hadn’t got shot, almost assassinated he would have been president. I love George Wallace.”

Now Hilyer has her sights set to meeting another politician — Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey.

“I would like to drive down to Montgomery,” Hilyer said. “I would love to be able to talk to her.”

SUBMITTED | THE TRIBUNE

Jim Scott’s Garden on Lake Martin was a great place for the Tallassee FFA team to get some real-world experience.

FFA

PROGRESS

CLIFF WILLIAMS | THE TRIBUNE

New gas, water and sewer lines have already been installed downtown as part of the TAP Streetscape project.

Court cases can take several years to try

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

Television shows have made many think a trial happens just days after a crime happens.

The 60 minute shows and even two hour movies are wrong. In fact it will likely take multiple years for a jury to hear most felony cases. Nineteenth

Judicial Circuit District Attorney C.J. Robinson has 11 attorneys working with him in Autauga, Chilton and Elmore counties. They will process 2,000 felony cases in the three counties every year. But that is just a fraction of what goes through the court system in the 19th circuit.

“There are a total of about 27,000 cases including everything — traffic

tickets, misdemeanor, child support,” Robinson said.

“Very rarely does the public hear about the traffic case. Sometimes they will hear about a misdemeanor if it is high profile. Ninety-nine percent of the time it is the felonies they hear about.”

Some felony offenses include murder, rape and larger drug possession cases and can take years if a defendant choses to go to trail. The felony case must first make its way through the county district court. There are first appearance hearings where a judge makes sure a defendant understands the charges and appoints an attorney if needed. Preliminary hearings happen at the request of the defendant to allow a judge to determine if there is enough evidence for a case to proceed. If allowed to proceed, Robinson might

have to wait to present the case to a grand jury.

“It is roughly a year from the time a crime happens until we can get to the grand jury,” Robinson said. “A couple of things can hang it up, if there is toxicology or if drugs need to be tested.

DNA takes a while — a minimum of a year.”

In the 19th circuit, Elmore County has four grand jury terms per year, Autauga and Chilton just two. Just because a grand jury might be meeting next week and an autopsy report comes in this week doesn't mean the case will be heard immediately.

“The entire grand jury docket for the next grand jury is set,” Robinson said. “When I get the case ready to present, it will have to sit out one term.”

If a defendant is indicted, the case moves to circuit

court. The 19th Circuit Court Judges are Bill Lewis, Joy Booth and Amanda Baxley.

“Once it gets indicted you're looking at least another year to two years,” Robinson said. “You are looking at least 36 months easy if a defendant demands a trial from the time a door is kicked and stuff is stolen.”

Some felony cases can take longer.

“When you start talking murders and getting autopsy reports and preliminary hearings and crime scene inspections, that three years can stretch out to five years,” Robinson said

But the vast majority of the cases in the 19th circuit move much faster. A traffic ticket could be in front of a judge in 30 days. Many misdemeanor cases take less than three months to be heard by a judge. Robinson said drug

cases have started to catch back up after the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences had delayed test results, in some cases a year or more.

Waiting for evidence to be processed by the appropriate personnel isn’t the only thing to slow the pace of court. The COVID19 pandemic stopped the system, but the 19th circuit was quickly back at work after about 4 ½ months with precautions in place lessening the delays.

“We were one of the first circuits to resume jury trials after COVID,” Robinson said. “We were only shut down until the Monday after Labor Day. There are other places in the state, I think they didn’t go back to the courthouse for almost a year. I can not imagine in other places across the state what the timeframe looks like.”

Commission reallocates ARP funds

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

American Rescue Plan (ARP) spending is slowing down for the Elmore County Commission.

With two allotments totaling more than $15 million, the commission has made several projects come to fruition.

The commission amended the budget at its Monday meeting to balance the accounting books as the emergency status from the federal government has changed.

“This plan has seen a couple changes,” Elmore County Chief Operations Officer Richie Byer said. “We hope this will be the last.”

Beyer said the approved changes to the plan allowed

the pothole patching machine to be purchased a year earlier than planned. It will also allow $100,000 to be allocated to work at Crenshaw Park.

State Champions honored The commission honored Elmore County athletes who won state championships at its meeting.

The following were honored: Tallassee’s Kayden Slay (high jump); the Holtville baseball team; and the Wetumpka softball team.

IN OTHER ACTION THE ELMORE COUNTY COMMISSION:

• Approved minutes of the May 8 meeting.

• Approved warrants and purchase orders in the amount of $4,243,943.74 for April 29 to May 12.

• Was reminded the Administrative Complex is closed May 29 in observance of Memorial Day and June 19 in observance of Juneteenth.

• Authorized the revenue commissioner to execute a three-year contract with ESRI Small Government Enterprise for mapping software.

• Approved the transfer of a retail beer and wine off premises alcohol license after a public hearing from Emerald Mountain Country Store at 45 Emerald Mountain Expressway to ARS 1704.

• Approved the surplus of equipment from public works and the IT department.

The next meeting of the Elmore County Commission is scheduled for 5 p.m., Monday, June 12.

Dogs are truly one of ‘God’s blessings

All

the time, that is an accurate statement.

How many times do our fur babies protect us by telling us loudly someone or something is outside our door? How many times have they wagged that little tail, just to say I love you?

A dog is more faithful than most other animals – and more faithful than many people.

In 1786, King Frederic II of Prussia coined the phrase just before his death, “The only, true, absolute and best friend

JACKIE WILBOURN Columnist

a man has, in this selfish world, the only one that will not betray or deny him, is his dog.”

Can you believe that dogs were domesticated about 15,000 years ago, evolving from wolves? Dogs are a friend that follows you everywhere. If you feel like you can’t take a step in the house without your dog at your heels, consider yourself loved.

Dogs really do love us unconditionally and cling to us for more than just security.

As I sit at my desk this Tuesday morning writing this column, I am dropping tears on the keyboard as my 15-year-old canine friend can no longer hear, sees poorly, and this morning could not stand. With all these infirmities, she could love and let me know she was my best friend. In a few hours, her eyes will close on this earth. What a companion Ruby, our border collie, has been! I don’t know if our pets go to Heaven or not, but I do know God has blessed our hearts here on

Tallassee Churches

Thank you to God for sharing Ruby, my good friend! Amen.

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

earth with a dear friend. Providing Jesus does not return to rapture His God, we will all face death. Do I look forward to it? No. (God has blessed me with work to do; I don’t need to stop) Am I scared of what lies ahead after death? No. There is no fear when you know Jesus as your Lord and Savior. “Blessed are they that do His commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life and may enter in through the gates into the city.” Revelation 22:14. The Apostle Paul speaks several times about death. The mystery that surrounds death becomes a truth, “in a split second” of time. After death is abolished forever, Christians who were living, and those who were raised from the dead, will be immortal and never die. Death, as you and I know it, invokes pain, sadness and sorrow. After death ceases to exist, it ceases to have any power to “sting” the heart and Christians will fear death no more!

Dalton MiDDleton SportS eDitor dalton.middleton@thewetumpkaherald.com

City pool to reopen after 4-year hiatus

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

It has been almost four years since the general public cooled off in the water of the Tallassee City Pool.

It all changes June 5 as the Tallassee Parks and Recreation Department has planned open swim hours for the general pub-

lic this summer. “It has not been available for open swims since 2019, prior to COVID,” Tallassee Parks and Recreation director Megan Miller said. “I hope everyone who has been talking about it shows up.”

Between the COVID-19 pandemic and leaks, only the TigerSharks swim team has been swimming.

Tallassee’s Delfin earns All-State honors

By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor

Tallassee’s soccer program isn’t done making history this season. Coming off a historic season during which the Tigers set several school records, they are now getting individual recognition for one of its best players.

Irvin Delfin, the team’s star sophomore midfielder, was selected to the AHSAA Coaches’ AllState team after scoring 30 goals and 11 assists and helping Tallassee to a 15-4 overall record. With the season Delfin had, Tiger coach Matt Tarpley was confident he would be named to the Class 5A team. But to be named to the all-state team of every classification is special for the sophomore.

“Irvin was a quality player when I got to Tallassee, but now he has learned ‘how’ to play,” Tarpley said. “He worked tirelessly and strove to get his teammates involved this year which led to more chances for himself. To be selected as one of the best midfielders in the entire state is truly remarkable.”

Delfin is the first Tallassee soccer player to be named all-state in the history of the program.

The Tigers had a historic season and set many program records such as winning a program-best 15 games, scoring 126 goals and allowing only 22 goals. While those are all great accomplishments, Tallassee missed the playoffs by one

game this season despite beating area champion Elmore County twice.

When Delfin returns to the pitch next fall as a junior, he has his sights set on the postseason.

“I want to go to the Final Four in Huntsville next year,” Delfin said.

“After seeing Elmore County get there this year after we smashed them twice just serves as motivation for me. It reminds me that every game counts and we have to be ready for anyone and everyone.”

That will certainly be the case as Tarpley has scheduled a much harder schedule for the Tallassee program next winter. Some of the teams added to the schedule next year are St. James, Opelika, Stanhope Elmore, Pike Road, and Russell County.

“I wanted to challenge the boys a bit more in 2024 aso they will be ready for Huntsville when we get there,” Tarpley said. “I am excited, the boys are excited, and we can’t wait to get back started.”

In the meantime, Delfin will continue playing club soccer this summer and in the fall. He will play for the Auburn Soccer Club on their 2006 team. Delfin has been playing soccer for 10 years, starting as a child playing in the yard with his dad and uncles.

He will try to keep improving on his game during the offseason and hopefully lead the Tigers to the postseason in 2024.

Since summer 2019 the pool has been resealed and repainted twice. Employees from parks and recreation and other city employees have spent the last few weeks preparing for the open swims. Locker rooms with curtained areas for changing are available as well.

See POOL, Page B2

ELMORE COUNTY SOFTBALL ENDS SEASON IN STATE TOURNAMENT

By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor

The Elmore County softball team ended an impressive season on Thursday afternoon.

Elmore County, playing in the AHSAA Class 5A State Softball Tournament, lost to Brewbaker Tech, 9-4, in the losers bracket finals.

The Panthers (35-19-3) finished the year as the No. 3-ranked team in Class 5A and came just one game short of playing for the state championship.

Elmore County went 2-2 at state with wins over Jasper and Brewbaker Tech. The Panthers’ two losses came from Brewbaker Tech and Ardmore, both of whom played for the state title.

“I’m extremely proud of this team,” ECHS coach Mark Segrest said. “If you had told me we’d be here on the last day and finishing in the Top 3 teams, I don’t know if I would put money on that or not. I couldn’t be prouder of the effort. We just kind of ran out of steam today. This is a special group.”

Elmore County had a run for the ages the last two weeks.

After getting the No. 2 seed in the area tournament due to a coin flip, the Panthers nearly didn’t even make regionals. They were one out away from being eliminated when they walked off Beauregard in the area tournament semifinals.

They finished runner-up to Tallassee then entered the regional tournament as a No. 2 seed and went 3-0 in the regionals and claimed the first qualifying spot in the central region. They turned that into two wins on Day 1 of state before falling to Ardmore in extra innings in the winners bracket finals.

This year is the third consecutive season Elmore County has made the state tournament. The Panthers were also ranked as the No. 1 team in Class 5A when the season ended during the 2020 COVID season.

“These girls have completely turned around this program,” Segrest said.

“They have 34 wins the three years prior and now over 130

wins in the last three years and one month. They’ve established themselves as one of the top teams in 5A.”

When Segrest took over during the COVID-shortened season, he had a group of freshmen who all just ended their high school careers on Thursday. That includes his daughter, Anna Catherine Segrest, but it’s not limited to her.

Segrest, Ashtyn Pannell, McKenzie Owens, Hailey O’Brien, and Katie Capell were all senior starters for Elmore County this season.

While most are going to play college softball at some level, Mark Segrest is thankful for what they gave to his program.

“Most of that group transferred in to play for me and that means a lot to me,” Segrest said. “Every one of those seniors did a great job and they were a key part of our success this year and the last four years. They’ll hold a special place in my heart because I’ve been with them for so long. With my daughter being a senior, it makes it even more special.”

DALTON MIDDLETON THE TRIBUNE

Tallassee’s Irvin Delfin dribbles the ball down the field against Elmore County.

DALTON MIDDLETON THE TRIBUNE

TOP: The Elmore County softball team celebrates after hitting a walk-off single against Brewbaker Tech in the winners bracket of the AHSAA Class 5A state tournament last week.

ABOVE: Elmore County’s Ashtyn Pannell slides into home plate against Brewbaker Tech in the AHSAA Class 5A state tournament. The Panthers went 2-2 and finished third overall.

“We have been doing all this work,” Miller said. “I really hope they come to use it. It was a task. It took us all week. We have been pressure washing the concrete around it. We reprinted all new signs with pool rules and safety notes.”

Open swims are scheduled for 1 to 5 p.m. on Mondays and Fridays. Swim lessons are available in three sessions June 5-16,

June 19-29 and July 10-21. Miller said children as young as 4 can take the lessons and all skill levels are welcomed.

“The first class we assess who is afraid of the water and who is not,” Miller said. “We will break them into groups. We will have some lifeguards working with the ones not comfortable with the water and next door lifeguards will be teaching them how to swim.”

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

Lifesaver is a popular program to help track at risk persons through a bracelet with monitoring access by local law enforcement. It is in use in Tallapoosa County and portions of Tallassee.

“It can’t be cut off jeans and T-shirt,” she said. Miller said all of the lifeguards are Red Cross certified and some are Tiger Sharks themselves.

“We have five lifeguards this summer,” Miller said. “Four out of five are on the swim team.”

Water aerobics will also be held at 5 p.m. on Thursdays. It is $5 per class and free for those with memberships to the department’s gym.

But the pool isn’t the only thing the Tallassee Parks and Recreation Department has this summer. Miller said many

“Right now we have five that have been issued the transmitters,” Tallapoosa County Sheriff Jimmy Abbett said. “It has to be a commitment from the caregiver.” According to the Proj-

youth come to the rec department on Gilmer Avenue.

“There are lots of middle school kids who come in here to play basketball,” Miller said. “They walk up from the area neighborhoods.” Miller said children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Recreation center hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Fridays.

June begins registration for co-ed softball, which will begin its games in July.

“All of the fields are being used for all-stars between practices and some games,”

ect Lifesaver website the bracelet relies on radio technology and search and rescue teams. If a person wearing a Project Lifesaver bracelet goes missing, the caregiver notifies his or her local

Miller said. “We have a 6U Boys All Star team. We have never done that before. They will have some summer tournaments.”

July begins registration for Happy Feet soccer for 2 and 3 year olds. Children will come to the recreation department gym on Mondays in August.

“We had 26 slots available last year and it sold out in two days,” Miller said. “It was chaos but it was fun with all the little kids running around with soccer balls.”

For more information about Tallassee’s parks and rec programs, call 334-283-4726.

Project Lifesaver agency.

First responders use the client’s individualized frequency to locate the individual.

Buce said there are things a caregiver can do to help mitigate things

should a loved one with dementia or Alzheimer’s wander off. Many are simple such as sewing contact information into clothing. Current photographs are also suggested as many photos of alerts of missing people have only a driver’s license photo.

“Take photos with your phone and put it in a folder,” Buce said. “It needs to be readily accessible.”

Encounters between law enforcement and mentally challenged residents can be difficult.

But there are ways caregivers can aid law enforcement before an incident may occur. Buce said the Tallassee Police Department has CAD software to go along with call information.

“If the caregiver will call us on a non-emergency line, they can give us the appropriate information about a person at their residence with dementia or Alzheimer’s,” Buce said. “We would have that knowledge prior to ever receiving a call from that location.”

Buce said the Tallassee Police Department’s CAD system works with the dispatch center in Wetumpka as well. It can relay the same information to first responders.

“The earlier they can detect something and put the countermeasures into effect the better,” Buce said. “The more we know about a person and person’s history and their condition, the better prepared we can be for our response.”

Buce said common calls involving those with dementia or Alzheimer’s often involve a domestic dispute or burglary where those affected don’t recognize a family member. Buce said sometimes caregivers are in denial their loved one is affected but also in the early stages of diseases when symptoms are mild.

Buce explained many calls involving dementia and Alzheimer’s residents involve confusion. They might not recognize a husband or wife.

“It could make them aggressive to their loved one and make it a criminal offense but at the same time, is that something you want to charge this person with?” Buce said.

Caregivers giving dispatch appropriate information such as name, description, vehicles and addresses can prove valuable on other types of calls too.

“They will go to a store or gas station and swear they have purchased something,” Buce said. “When the clerk or management will see them walk out with it. It is a criminal case but it is also a medical issue. The person doesn’t intentionally try to steal.”

Buce said sometimes the confused party feels they are being harassed when confronted.

“It becomes more volatile,” Buce said. “Having the information in the CAD system available for officers is vital to help in the response.”

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

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

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Letters Testamentary in the Estate of JOANN J. MITCHELL, deceased, having been granted to MICHAEL C. MITCHELL on May 10th, 2023 by John Thornton, Judge of Probate of Elmore County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons and parties having claims against said estate are required, within the time allowed by law, to present the same to the Court or the same will be barred. MICHAEL C. MITCHELL PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF JOANN J. MITCHELL, DECEASED Attorney of Record for Personal Representative: JAMES R. BOWLES

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

Tallassee Tribune: May 17, 24 and 31, 2023 EST/MITCHELL, J. PUBLIC NOTICE ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS TOILET RENOVATIONS AT SOUTHSIDE MIDDLE SCHOOL FOR THE TALLASSEE CITY BOARD OF EDUCATION TALLASSEE, ALABAMA MCKEE PROJECT NO. 23-175

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Amended Notice of Sale of Abandoned Vehicles

Pursuant to Section 32-13-1, Code of Alabama (1975), notice is hereby given to owners, lienholders and other interested parties that the following abandoned vehicle(s) and trailer(s) will be sold at a sealed bid auction to the highest bidder at 8 a.m. on June 14, 2023 at 1414 Gilmer Avenue (intersection of Gilmer Avenue and Littlejohn Drive), Tallassee, Elmore County, Alabama: 1995 Ford pickup VIN 1FTHX25GOSEA53321

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The City of Tallassee Planning Commission will have a Public Hearing/Meeting on Monday, June 5, 2023 @ 6:00 pm at City Hall This meeting is to change Zoning from R1 (Residential) and R2 (Residential) to Conditional use of a Home Day Care at 216 Orchard Drive. This meeting is to change Zoning at Institutional to (HC) Highway Commercial-Rich’s Car Wash.

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Chickens teach valuable lessons in the classroom

B y CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

Eggs might have been the goal, but chickens are serving up life lessons at Elmore County High School.

What started as a farmto-table project for Family and Consumer Sciences (FACS) teacher Natasha McMillan turned into a life development study too.

“We did child development as a course of study,” McMillan said. “I know the chickens are not child development but there are a lot of lessons there in watching the chicks grow into chickens. You could see the stages of development.”

McMillan said her students were not sure of her farm-to-table project. After all it was McMillan’s first time with live chickens.

“I had never touched them before,” McMillan said. “I hadn’t done this before. I’m learning as we go.”

McMillan first ordered several different eggs and allowed them to incubate for 21 days.

“You have to keep the eggs under the light and they thought this woman was crazy,” McMillan said. “‘These aren’t going to hatch.’ Then they hatched and they were excited.”

Only four of the seven hatched chickens survived initially. Just like with newborn humans, everyone took interest in the chickens.

“We had lots of fun when they were just chicks and cute,” McMillan said. “Everybody wanted them then. We were attached to them. They were babies and we took pictures of them, all that stuff.”

Students helped care for the growing chicks and soon learned chickens have bodily functions.

“When they were little they used to yell at us — Chirp, chirp,” tenth-grade student Caitlin Jackson said. “They would poop on us.” McMillan said the students walked the chickens to put them to sleep.

“It was pretty amazing,” she said. “They are more pets than chickens.”

Spring break and the absence of students brought major changes in the chickens’ development.

“I came back and they were twice the size,” Caitlin said. “I was not picking them up anymore. They were like teens. You could not work with them.”

Jackson’s classmate Shania Robinson said the experience mimics being a parent.

“They are babies for real,” Shania said. “They take a lot of work.”

Students soon developed close relationships with the chickens. Shania’s favorite is Fuzzy.

“Certain students have attachments to certain chickens,” McMillan said. “Everybody loved Hay Hay. She is still thriving but she is now mean.”

Art projects took shape. Shania got the idea to put ink on the chickens’ feet and let them walk across paper. The artwork now hangs in McMillan’s classroom.

The growing chickens were inside the classroom in a box. McMillan and the students constructed a coop in early May outside of the classroom for the chickens to continue to grow. As life would have it, disaster struck that first night.

“Some of my students called and said (the coop) was destroyed and the chickens are out, but we got the chickens back in,” McMillan said. “They are so accustomed to the classroom, that when the coop was damaged, they were pecking at the door when the boys came to save them. They were like, ‘Let us in.’” McMillan was at an Elmore County High School soccer game and believes the wind damaged the coop. She didn’t know one of four chickens — Oreo — was missing until she checked on them.

“We had two roosters and two hens,” McMillan said. “Now we have one rooster and two hens.” McMillan believes something might have frightened the chickens too. They may have scattered and Oreo went to the nearby woodline.

McMillan and the students have searched for Oreo and even posted on social media he was missing. But McMillan thinks she knows what happened to the rooster.

“I think a fox may have gotten him,” McMillan said. “There has been one hanging around here. He was on the porch here [Thursday] morning.”

McMillan has given up on finding Oreo and so has Caitlin. But everyone believes they are all getting a lesson in life.

“My favorite was Oreo and Butter but unfortunately both have died,” Caitlin said. “It is just my luck; my favorite ones died.”

Major Milestone

Elmore County grads celebrate Friday night

WILLIAM MARLOW | THE OBSERVER

Elmore County High School hosted its graduation Friday night at the football field.

CLIFF WILLIAMS | THE OBSERVER