Elmore County to elect different congressional rep
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
By Cliff Williams Staff Writer
The primary ballot will look a little different for Republicans in Elmore County in March.
Congressman Barry Moore currently represents Elmore County in Washington D.C. Moore is seeking reelection in District 2 as a Republican, but Elmore County voters won’t be able to cast a vote for him.
Wilson
the federal courts imposed a new congressional district map on the state in October after the Alabama Legislature failed to satisfy the courts with two minority districts. Elmore County is now in District 6 and will share a representative with Autauga, Bibb, Chilton, Coosa, Shelby County and parts of Jefferson County. Republican Gary Palmer of Hoover is the incumbent. He was first elected to the
Dennis.
“We had a report,” Dennis said. “We had a preliminary
position in 2014.
investigation and handed it off to the appropriate authorities. He was also placed on administrative leave at that time.”
Qualifying for the Democrat and Republican parties ended last week. The Alabama Republican Party said Ken McFeeters and Gerrick Wilkins qualified for the Republican primary seeking the seat as well. According to the Alabama Democratic Party, Elizabeth Anderson qualified for the primary.
mary they will vote in; if there is a runoff, voters can’t vote in a different runoff election. Anderson will face the winner of the Republican primary in November 2024.
Dennis said school officials follow the same procedure when administrators receive a report of allegations against school staff and employees.
“Once we hand it over, we know very little about what is going on,” Dennis said. “We cooperate with authorities if necessary.”
Elmore County voters will have to select which party’s pri-
Franklin said investigators with the Elmore County Sheriff’s Office have the alleged victim’s phone. Authorities collected Wilson’s phone as well. “You could see a conversation between the two,” Franklin said. “Mr. Wilson is going to contend someone had the security code to his phone and he was not responsible. There is other information we can’t disclose now but I don’t think it’s beneficial to Mr. Wilson.”
Although the Democratic Party does not have anyone seeking a state office in Elmore County, the Republicans do.
Wilson was released on a $6,000 bond 90 minutes after turning himself in according to the Elmore County Jail website.
• Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals Place 2 Rich Anderson and Thomas Govan are qualified to be on the ballot in the Republican primary.
Dennis said Wilson also coached other sports at Holtville schools including being the head track coach and assistant football coach.
• Alabama Court of Civil Appeals Place2 Chad Hanson and Stephen Davis Parker are qualified to be on the ballot in the Republican primary.
• Alabama Public Service Commission President Robert L. McCollum and Twinkle Andress Cavanaugh are qualified to
Dennis said other staff would fill in for the duties of Wilson at Holtville while he is on administrative leave.
Chamber holds luncheon welcoming members
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
Members of the Wetumpka Chamber of Commerce attend the chamber’s “A Taste of Our Home Town” luncheon. CLIFF WILLIAMS/ THE HERALD
In September, Andrea Luna Gregory was arrested for trafficking fentanyl in the Tallapoosa County portion of Tallassee. Gregory, 39, posted a $20,000 bond set by Tallapoosa County District Court Judge Kim Clayton. Gregory, with multiple addresses in the last few months according to court records, reoffended.
Police continue investigation, man no longer suspected
By Jake Arthur Chief Videographer
According to court records, on Oct. 28 the Tallassee Police Department arrested her again in the Elmore County portion of the city for misdemeanor charges of conspiracy to commit a controlled substance
‘GRISWOLDS’
BRING CHRISTMAS VACATION TO DOWNTOWN WETUMPKA
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
Wynn and Tina Sanford intend to have a great Christmas, sharing the experience with family friends and Wetumpka.
corner of Main and Bridge streets at the foot of the Bibb Graves Bridge.
wold family came out.
Police are still investigating the fatal shooting in the Wetumpka Walmart parking lot on Jan. 20.
‘Hometown
Police were dispatched to the parking lot around 10:45 p.m. for a “shots fired” call. Once there, they found Centell Winston, 42 of Tallassee, dead of a gunshot wound in the driver seat of his vehicle.
According to Wetumpka police chief Greg Benton, this was not a random shooting.
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
“This was not random, not a random act,” said Benton. “We believe the victim and the perpetrator knew each other.”
The Sanfords and friends have been a hit ever since placing a mannequin in their River Oaks yard in 2017 near a storm drain turned a sewer filled with ‘magical gas.’
“People started to ask what nights we were going to be out there,” Wynn said. “The lights got a little closer together.”
“We just wanted to win the city’s contest,” Tina said.
“We were like, ‘That gained such attention. We need to grow it.’”
Staff Report
Much like Clark Griswold, Wynn, Tina and friends have created their own cult following. This Christmas the ‘Griswold’ vacation will be in the heart of downtown Wetumpka. More than 50,000 lights have been installed already, with more planned. ‘Clark’ has already had an accident hanging lights from the Sanfords’ business unplugged at the
Wynn and Tina became Clark and Ellen Griswold and neighbors and friends hopped on board too. All started to string lights on the River Oaks home and the night of judging, the Gris-
And the production has grown. The classic Griswold station wagon was created with the help of paint and body work man John Causey. It will soon be decorated with a Christmas tree dug up, just like the movie. There is the cop car and swimming pool as well.
Wetumpka will be under the national spotlight again as Hometown Takeover: Where are they now? airs at 7 p.m. Dec. 10.
This is the first homicide in Wetumpka in over three years. The last homicide in the city took place in 2018.
“It’s not a good way to start out the new year,” said Benton.
Benton didn’t want to speculate on the
HGTV said the show highlights how Wetumpka has kept momentum inspired by the 2021 show going and inspired innovative change in communities across the country. Wetumpka Area Chamber of Commerce executive director Shellie Whitfield said the one episode show will bring more attention
See SHOOTING, Page A3
Holtville’s Futral Alabama principal of the year
The Alabama Association of Secondary School Principals (AASSP) named Holtville High School principal Kyle Futral the 2022 Alabama High School Principal of the Year. The High School Principal of the Year award was presented to Futral on Friday, Jan. 28 during a schoolwide assembly at Holtville High School. Elmore County Superintendent Richard Dennis was in attendance for the presentation.
It became so popular it created a traffic jam in the River Oaks neighborhood
“Kyle Futral is an exceptional principal and is very proactive and innovative in his thinking and approaches to managing his school,” Dennis said, As principal of Holtville High School, Futral has transformed the school culture from that of a school struggling with low morale, achievement and attendance to a school that strives for excellence. By collaborating with staff, many of the school’s issues were identified and addressed. Futral’s leadership style of listening, encouraging, supporting, organizing and challenging the staff and students, caused the school culture to
PRINCIPAL
WILSON
CLIFF WILLIAMS THE HERALD
More than 50,000 lights have been installed on the Unplugged building in downtown Wetumpka with plans to install more. The decoration is an idea stared by the Sanfords more than five years ago. They have been joined by friends and neighbors to bring Griswolds Christmas Vacation to downtown Wetumpka.
Police Reports
WETUMPKA
POLICE DEPARTMENT
NOV. 14
• Identity theft was reported on Margate Loop.
• Unlawful breaking and entering a vehicle and theft was reported on Austin Street.
NOV. 13
• Theft was reported on
U.S. Highway 231.
• Theft was reported on U.S. Highway 231.
• Criminal trespass was reported on West Ft. Toulouse Road.
NOV. 9
• Unauthorized use of a vehicle was reported on River Oaks Drive.
• Burglary was reported on
Autumn Wood Village.
Tallassee Police Department
NOV. 20
• Assistance was given during a medical call on Third Avenue.
NOV. 19
• A suspicious vehicle was reported on Cotton Ridge Road.
• Assistance was given to a motorist on Gilmer Avenue.
• Assistance was given to a motorist on Central Boulevard.
• A white female was arrested on U.S. Highway 231.
• A welfare check was conducted on Hillcrest Street.
• A welfare check was conducted on Quail Run Drive.
• An abandoned vehicle was reported on Highway 229.
• Harassment was reported on Poplar Street.
• A domestic dispute was reported on Noble Extension.
• An animal complaint
was reported on Ashurst Avenue.
• A juvenile complaint was reported on Marvin Avenue.
• Assistance was given to a motorist on Central Boulevard.
NOV. 18
• A motor vehicle accident was reported on West Gantts Mill Road.
• Gun fire was reported on Third Avenue.
• A motor vehicle accident was reported on Kent Road.
• A suspicious vehicle was reported on Friendship Road.
• Assistance was given to a motorist on Friendship Road.
• A welfare check was conducted on East Patton Street.
• A suspicious vehicle was reported on Highway 229.
• A suspicious vehicle was reported on Freeman Avenue.
• A suspicious vehicle was reported on Gilmer Avenue.
• A suspicious vehicle was reported on Gilmer Avenue.
• A juvenile complaint was reported on Friendship Road.
• A domestic incident was reported on Washington Boulevard.
NOV. 17
• A welfare check was conducted on Whiteoak Lane.
• Suspicious activity was reported on Gilmer Avenue. Nov. 15
• A domestic incident was reported on Rickey Lane.
• Assistance was given to a citizen on Oak Heights Road.
NOV. 14
• Harassment was reported on East Patton Street.
• Harassment was reported on First Avenue.
• Loitering was reported on Gilmer Avenue.
• Assistance was given to another agency on Notasulga Road.
• A welfare check was conducted on Preer Street.
• A domestic dispute was reported on Gilmer Avenue.
• A Black male was arrested during a harassing communications call on Second Street.
• An abandoned vehicle was reported on Upper River Road.
• Assistance was given to a motorist on South Dubois Street.
• A suspicious person was reported on Gilmer Avenue.
• A suspicious person was reported on Notasulga Road.
• Theft was reported on South Ann Street.
• Assistance was given to a motorist on Upper River Road.
• An animal complaint was reported on Herd Street.
• Animal control was requested on Gene Street.
• An animal complaint was reported on Redden Avenue.
• Assistance was given during a medical call on Gilmer Avenue.
• Assistance was given to another agency on Gilmer Avenue.
• An animal complaint was reported on Gene Street.
• An animal complaint was reported on Gene Street.
• Assistance was given to a citizen on Barnett Boulevard.
• An animal complaint was reported on East Roosevelt Street.
• A domestic dispute was reported on Notasulga Road.
• Assistance was given to another agency on Barnett Boulevard.
A Scarecrow of a Tailgate
Humane Society of Elmore County News Shelter is thankful for all its supporters
By REA CORD HSEC Executive Director
It seems we were all just lamenting the long hot summer and now here we are at Thanksgiving week. We hope everyone is able to spend some time this week with family and friends and reflect on all we have to be grateful for.
We ask that you please thank our extremely dedicated staff who are there 365 days per year caring for 300+ pets/ day and doing all they can to give them better and brighter futures.
Our volunteer board members give tirelessly of themselves to ensure the present and future of our shelter. Our Tail’s End Thrift Store is 100% volunteer run and we cannot thank them enough for their dedication and hard work as all of our store’s proceeds go to our shelter and the animals in our care. Of course, all who donate and shop at the Tail’s End Thrift Store contribute greatly, and we hope everyone continues their wonderful patronage.
We so appreciate all veterinarians and their staff for helping pets and educating their owners to help those pets live healthier and longer lives. And an often-unsung group that deserves our thanks are the animal control officers who work to protect the public and help animals in need.
We have a most wonderful group of dog exercisers who show up daily to help our dogs spend fun time out of their kennels for their physical and mental health. And to our foster families who open their hearts and homes to help us save even more lives we are incredibly grateful. So our pets can be posted online and be seen, we are indebted to our intrepid volunteer photographers and so appreciate their time and talent every week taking photos.
Of course, as a nonprofit we are
incredibly grateful to our donors and supporters as it certainly takes money, food, supplies and more to keep our doors open and care for 300 animals on any given day. We are indebted to all the individuals, businesses and civic groups who help us through donations, sponsorships and event support and we truly appreciate how your efforts help us be the best shelter we can be as we all work together to save lives.
Special thanks to our adopters for opening their homes and hearts to our shelter pets and giving them time to adapt to their new lives. We are indebted to the public who supports our mission directly and indirectly; your moral support for the welfare of animals is important to all of us in the sheltering community. For those we may never meet but who love and care for your pets, keep them safe at home, make sure they are a part of your family and cherish them, you have our utmost thanks as you are the homes we strive for every day as we do adoptions.
Our final and most heartfelt thanks go to all the wonderful animals that ask so little of us but give so much in return. Our pets enhance our human lives in so many ways and we are grateful for the selfless love, joy and companionship they bring to our homes and families.
We hope everyone has a family filled Thanksgiving. So our staff can also enjoy some time with family, the shelter will be closed Thursday and Friday but will be back on Saturday. Tail’s End Thrift Store, however, will be open for Black Friday sales so stop by for great deals throughout the store (remember all Christmas décor is half off this month).
We hope everyone has a happy Thanksgiving!
Rea Cord is the executive director of the Humane Society of Elmore County.
Pet
of the Week - Ryder
Ryder is an 11-monthold Catahoula/Husky mix who weighs about 50 pounds. He is a super dog and he does have lots of energy so he needs to go to an active family/ owner. Ryder is good with children. He loves playing fetch, knows sit and shake, and loves toys. We were told he was good with cats but his higher energy play might not be well-liked by many cats. Ryder would be an outstanding running/
NERDS keep replicating at Wetumpka High School
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
For some, the term “nerd” is derogatory but not at Wetumpka High School.
Members of the NERDS team at Wetumpka High have gone on to be police officers, firefighters, military officers and more. The nickname ‘NERDS’ came about as science teacher Dr. Virginia Vilardi was working with the Science Olympiad team.
“We always come with a crazy shirt,” Vilardi said. “One year we couldn’t come up with anything. I said we should just slap NERDS on the front. They liked it and came up with the back.”
The back ended up with ‘You might be a nerd if….’ The nickname stuck and ever since every science team member at the school is a team member of the NERDS. Those students are involved in Rockerty, Science Olympiad, GreenPower racing, robotics, science fairs, paper reading and Cyber Patroit to name a few.
“I’ve been here almost 30 years,” Vilardi said. “We do all these things. It takes a lot of time.”
Her chalkboard keeps up with all the activities, meetings, practices and competitions. It is as if it is a large corporate team is involved in many projects with deadlines constantly approaching. Currently the 40 or
so students involved in BEST Robotics are readying for the state competition next month. According to Vilardi, students realized they misinterpreted the rules at a recent competition and are currently redesigning parts of the project to score more points.
“It’s about them figuring it out more than anything,” Vilardi said.
“So many adults have an issue with allowing students to make decisions . But you have to let them do it. If they don’t do it is always a failure. If they do it, it doesn’t matter if they are in last place. They learned along the way.”
The BEST robot is basically built from scratch. Students are given motors and things to control along with some rules. Then they create a robot to do the tasks laid out in the rules.
“The playing field this year is a simulated body with heart valves, removing plaque,” Vilardi said.
But students are just thrown in the mix. They get their feet wet first in VEX. It is like a Lego set on steroids. The parts are standardized but there is code to be analyzed and manipulated. This year nine freshmen and two sophomores are being introduced to robotics through VEX.
“It gets us into what robotics is all about,” Vilardi said. “The programming is the tricker part. It teaches them the program. If you are a freshman and figure
it out, next year when you move up it makes it easier.”
Other teams, like the battery powered race cars in GreenPower, have about 20 students. They are hosting a race in February. The goals of each race change and the students must manage the projects to get finished.
The same is for rocketry: students build a rocket to comply with ever-changing rules and launch it with an egg. It is so complex there are few judges available for it.
But the students learn more than just the normal STEM issues. They learn to work together despite the various issues and personalities.
“You may not always like everyone you work with,” Vilardi said. “You have to learn to work even though you have differences and put them aside.”
The team environment of the NERDS and its sub teams help prepare students for real world issues of managing employees and the application process.
“There is an interview process run by the seniors,” Vilardi said. “They have to learn to do both sides of it — be the interviewee and the interviewer.”
Just because students get their diploma doesn’t mean they are no longer members of the NERDS.
“I have the ones in college come back and mentor the younger ones,” Vilardi said. “The
ones beyond college are the judges. They are still involved. Some come for science fairs. Some come for robots. They all help out. It’s payback.”
Vilardi said when she was in high school, there were few options for students wanting to participate in science related activities. She started the activities partly for her family but also for all of her students or those who might be interested.
“When my kids were in school they wanted to do it,” Vilardi said. “I’m now teaching grandkids. I currently have three in my various classes and next year will have four.”
The veteran teacher isn’t sure how many more years she will teach but hopes the programs continue to thrive.
“Most of the students who take part in these programs get scholarships and many of those stick with school getting their masters, some even PhDs,” Vilardi said.
hiking buddy. 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.
TheWetumpkaHerald.com
Preparing for a holiday without a loved one
Ia $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.
n a lot of ways, I consider myself lucky. I’m lucky because up until now, I’ve never fully understood the grief and loss of a very closed loved one. Of course there have been people I’ve mourned and people whose deaths have affected my life permanently.
But having to prepare for the first big holiday after the death of an immediate family member is a new kind of grief I’ve never known before.
I expect Christmas will hit harder because that’s “our” holiday as a family. Typically on Thanksgiving, my husband and I visit my family up north or spend it with my best friend’s family. But Christmas is the holiday Charles’ family celebrates together. We host Christmas Eve dinner and Dylan has stayed with us every Christmas since he left for the military.
I expect putting up his stocking will strike my heart in pain and setting his place at the table will bring an extra set of tears as well.
I only ever spent one Thanksgiving with Charles’ family; it was our first together. As a sports
LIZI GWIN Managing Editor
editor, it was always so hard to travel for Thanksgiving so my extended family’s dinner was put on the backburner for a few years. On that first Thanksgiving, Charles and I had been together for only about six months, and it was the first time meeting his extended family. I remember being so intimidated because at this point in our relationship, I knew he could be the one. I knew I had to make a good impression.
Luckily Charles has a slew of brothers and sisters plus his dad who I had all met before, so I had a few familiar faces going in. But I’ll always remember having to explain what my name actually was after Dylan introduced me as “Samantha,” and said that must be Charles’ other girlfriend, an inside joke between the three of us that made no sense to the older generation of course.
Dylan was always playing jokes on me, but somehow those jokes always made the situation more comfortable. It’s ironic how someone so young could be such the glue of holding a family together.
Since that first Thanksgiving, the family has gone its separate ways on the holiday - so to speak. Many of the siblings go to their in-laws, like we typically do. But this will be the first Thanksgiving at home in Alabama for me since that one with Charles’ family. This year, we’ll plan to have a small dinner at home and visit with as much family as we can. But the grief and sadness of knowing one of those visits will be to a gravesite is almost too unbearable. Someone said to me recently, “You don’t have to go on Thanksgiving.” And that’s true. Dylan would understand; everyone would understand if we didn’t. If it was just too much. But somehow not going makes his death feel even more real. Somehow has to be there to
Thanksgiving is truly a time of reflection
Schoolchildren all over the United States know the story. In September 1620, a small ship called the Mayflower set sail from Plymouth, England, with 102 passengers on board. These people were a mixed bunch of religious separatists who sought to freely practice their Protestant faith in what they called the New World. The New World also brought the promise of prosperity.
For 66 uncomfortable days, the voyagers crossed the Atlantic Ocean before dropping anchor at Plymouth Rock, near Massachusetts Bay. The Pilgrims of the fledgling colony associated themselves with friendly Native Americans of the Wampanoag tribe, in particular their chief Massasoit. One year later, when the Pilgrims wished to celebrate their first successful harvest, Governor William Bradford organized a celebratory feast and invited the Wampanoag Indians to celebrate with them –creating the “first Thanksgiving.”
This may not have been the first Thanksgiving, however.
In 1565, 60 years before Plymouth Rock, a Spanish fleet planted a cross on the beach and celebrated Mass at the settlement known as St. Augustine. 800 settlers shared a festive meal with the Timucuans, who were native to the area. Still, the Plymouth Rock story persists as the official start
MICHAEL BIRD Columnist
of this uniquely American holiday tradition.
Some other important dates of note: one happened in 1924, when department store R.H. Macy & Co. held a big Christmas parade on Thanksgiving Day to celebrate the expansion of its Herald Square superstore. Macy’s signed a contract with NBC to broadcast the parade, and this year is the 100th anniversary of that association.
In 1953, an employee at C.A. Swanson & Sons overestimated the public’s appetite for turkey and was left with 260 tons of extra frozen birds. The TV dinner was born when Swanson decided to order 5,000 aluminum trays and recruited an assembly line of workers to compile a turkey dinner complete with side dishes like mixed vegetables, mashed potatoes and fruit cobbler.
The tradition of sending a turkey to Washington goes back to the 1940s, when farmers would bring the president a turkey. Famously, only 10 days before his death in 1963, President John F. Kennedy was the first president to
pardon a turkey. So then it is appropriate Americans have been giving thanks at this time of year ever since, with a major push from President Abraham Lincoln declaring it a national holiday in 1863. President Franklin D. Roosevelt moved the holiday to the fourth Thursday in November in 1941, where it remains.
Sometimes it seems grace and gratitude are in short supply. May we thoughtfully consider what it means to be not only a Tallasseean, but an Alabamian; not only an Alabamian but an American; not only an American but a citizen of the world. And while one is thinking of others, be thankful for them, too – the ones who make you mad or the ones who hurt your feelings just as much as the ones who make you smile or the ones who are in your care.
This beautiful prayer was found online: “Father in Heaven, Creator of all and source of all goodness and love, please look kindly upon us and receive our heartfelt gratitude in this time of giving thanks. Thank you for all the graces and blessings. You have bestowed upon us, spiritual and temporal: our faith and religious heritage. Our food and shelter, our health, the loves we have
ECTC diesel program building tomorrow’s techs
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
The diesel technology program at Elmore County Technical Center just started this school year.
Even in its infancy the program is attracting employers and students.
William Nicholson walked on campus as the rookie instructor but years of experience as a diesel technician. Nicholson said the needs are far beyond just technicians to work on medium class trucks found in store parking lots and pulling campers.
“There is a need for diesel technicians,” Nicholson said. “It’s not just for medium duty trucks but heavy duty too. Peterbilt, Frieghtliner and a couple others are already wanting to recruit seniors.”
Nicholson said there is a pathway for students to graduate from high school and the diesel program. The work starts in his classroom.
“If they pay attention and do what they
are supposed to, they can pretty much get a job when they leave,” Nicholson said. “They will still need to enter an apprenticeship program.”
Students signed up for the program from the start. Many are already exposed to diesel engines from parents and their jobs.
Elmore County High School junior Braxton Roberson helps his father with a logging operation that stretches from Elmore County into Coosa and Macon counties.
“My dad works around diesel motors a lot,” Roberson said. “It made me want to do it.”
Nicholson said diesel motors are everywhere.
Last week students were repairing a skid steer tractor. Roberson noticed some differences between it and his father’s equipment.
“It’s a smaller engine, smaller parts and more cramped spaces,” Roberson said.
Roberson is hopeful he can learn from Nich-
olson and others in the ECTC diesel technology program.
“I want to learn how the overall diesel engine works,” Roberson said. “I can take it back to dad’s logging operation.”
Holtville sophomore Weston White has a family history with diesel and wants to continue it too.
“My grandad had a trucking company back in the 80s,” White said. “He has been a trucker all his life.”
White isn’t sure about being a trucker but already has his eyes on possible employment in a Montgomery diesel shop.
“I would like to work at Kenworth,” he said.
Nicholson was in the shop with the students last week repairing the skid steer. The goal in the short time frame was to replace a fuel cut off system but it was close to the coolant system. Trying to remove a bracket the coolant line was pushed. Students discovered it had been
pieced together.
“It is a good thing we figured that out now,” Nicholson said. “We need to find that part to fix the coolant system.”
Time in the shop is everyone’s favorite. Nicholson said ideally though the program will require 30% of the time in the classroom.
“Nobody wants to take a mechanics class and do book work, but we got to do some,” he said.
Nicholson said the program is currently moving shop time among bays in the automotive shop as the diesel program doesn’t have a shop. But it is in the planning stages. A grant application is underway through a newly created program in the lieutenant governor’s office. Part of the application includes floor plans and equipment needs.
“We hope the shop is adjacent to the automotive shop so it's in the school,” Nicholson said. “We are sharing the shop with automotive. We don’t have anywhere to put long term projects. If we want
Inaugural ‘Jingle Drive Through’ coming to the high school
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
What started as a contest last year to name a Christmas display at Wetumpka High School is coming to life this December as the inaugural Jingle Drive Through, put on by the school’s DECA club.
Wetumpka senior Cory Lawrence said businesses and other organizations are encouraged to work with the club to raise funds for Wetumpka DECA and promote their business.
“We are encouraging businesses, especially Wetumpka businesses to take part,” Lawrence said. “At the main parking lot of the high school they will set up displays or floats with holiday lights. We want kids to be able to come by and see it. It is advertising for any business that wants to
be a part of it.”
Wetumpka marketing teacher and DECA sponsor Brandy Vittore said the students are excited about the idea.
“We had a contest last year to name it,” Vittore said. “Senior Tabitha Messer won.”
Those businesses or organizations wishing to receive help designing or constructing a display can work with Vittore. Students in the school’s agribusiness program and art program will help.
“It’s a way to help those groups raise funds too,” Vittore said.
Lawrence said the Jingle Drive Through is a great investment. Displays are up from Dec. 9 to Jan. 1.
Spots are just $25 for non-electrical spots and $40 for electrical spots.
“More than 90% of everyone going
to the elementary school or middle school will go by it,” Lawrence said. “Every single kid that goes by there will be asking their parents if they can go by there that night. It will be there for a while. Everybody that goes to school here will see it.”
Those interested in taking part should email Vittore at brandy.vittore@elmoreco.com.
Lawrence said he is an officer with Wetumpka DECA. It helps students prepare for a future in business.
“My job in public relations is to help promote things or help when there are questions about us or what we are doing,” Lawrence said. “DECA prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality and management in high schools and colleges around the globe.”
celebrate Thanksgiving with Dylan; we wouldn’t have it any other way. There has been a lot of loss around Tallapoo -
THANKSGIVING
Continued from A4 HOLIDAY Continued from A4
sa County over the last several months. I keep thinking about poor Lexi Dowdell having to celebrate holidays without her brother, the families of all those victims. I think about Amanda Brewer and the rest of Kade Senn’s
family, knowing they’re in the same boat as us: It’s the first big one without them.
It’s impossible to know when the last holiday is going to be for any of us. Always remember to soak in as many positive memo -
for one another, our family and friends. Dear Father, in Your infinite generosity, please grant us continued graces and blessing throughout the coming year. This we ask in the Name of Jesus, Your Son and our Brother. Amen.”
And so, let us pause to be grateful to that all-powerful and ever-living God who has allowed us to live in such a beautiful place; who has granted us the grace to get by under sometimes difficult circumstances; and
ries as you can, and for those who are preparing for their first big holiday without a loved – or any holiday, really – my heart is with you.
Lizi Arbogast Gwin is the managing editor of Tallapoosa Publishers
whose Master Plan our lives are but a part.
Michael Bird is a music teacher for Tallassee City Schools and co-hosts the “Saturday Morning Show with Michael Bird and Scott Adcock” on WACQ-AM 580 and FM 98.5.
LEFT: Elmore County Technical Center diesel technology instructor William Nicholson, left, helps Holtville High School junior Cooper Oates with a fuel filter replacement for a skid steer in the shop last week.
RIGHT: Braxton Roberson, left, a junior at Elmore County High School and Holtville High School sophomore Weston White take a look at how to replace a fuel shut off for a skid steer in the Elmore County Technical Center Diesel technology program.
spilling out on U.S. Highway 231. Traffic backed up to Collier Ford in one direction and Huddle House the other.
The Griswolds have been making appearances at local restaurants, stores and parties with their vehicles. They
have been in the Christmas on the Coosa parade. The Sanfords have since sold the house and moved to the country. But decided it was too far for people to see the Griswolds.
“We realized we are right in the middle of downtown,”
Tina said. “Coming off the heels of HGTV and such, we said let’s have it at our store. We are going to be
spotlighting some of the businesses in downtown Wetumpka. We want to draw attention to them.”
The Griswolds are not coming to life until Dec. 2 after the Downtown Dickens Christmas.
The lights will come on and stay until Christmas when Wynn is planning something special but holding the idea close until then.
In the meantime Clark, Ellen, three cousin Eddies, Uncle Lewis, Aunt Bethany and more will be out from 6 to 8 p.m. every Saturday in
December.
Until then Wynn, Tina, Causey and friends will continue to construct the Griswolds Christmas Vacation set in downtown Wetumpka. Wynn wants to add more lights. Sometime during the Thanksgiving holiday the Sanfords and friends will gather without a saw to dig up a Christmas tree for the car.
The Sanfords said more ideas might come to life with the help of Causey.
Along the way the Griswolds will share the atten-
tion.
“We are going to be spotlighting some of the businesses in downtown Wetumpka,” Tina said. “We want to draw attention to them. We believe we are attracting people here. If they are coming to visit us, we want them to have something else to do.”
The Griswolds will also take part in the Christmas on the Coosa Parade like they have done the last few years. Wynn didn’t share much about the float but said it will be bigger and
better than last year with more snow and other surprises.
“We have a big float in process,” Wynn said. “We will have the car. We will put it back at the store afterwards.”
Tina said the production has turned into a year around process. The ‘Griswolds,’ hmmm, Sanfords and friends are already planning for next year.
“We are looking for a bus,” Tina said. “We are looking at going from vacation to touring.”
ARRESTED
crime, attempting to elude and reckless endangerment. As Tallassee Police were trying to get her bond revoked, Gregory is alleged to have continued her dealings with drugs.
Court records state Gregory’s bond was officially revoked Oct. 31, but she wasn’t in custody.
Local law enforcement knew of a warrant for her arrest related to the bond revocation.
TAKEOVER
Continued from A1
to Wetumpka.
According to court records on Nov. 8 the Elmore County Sheriff’s Office got information Gregory was attempting to sell tools on Rock Springs Road. When deputies arrived, Gregory was beside a car and started running despite orders from deputies to stop.
“[Gregory] ran down the wood line then turned and ran behind the residence,” an incident report stated.
Deputies caught up to her and she briefly struggled as handcuffs were
“It’s an hour long,” Whitfield said. “Half of it showcases Ft. Morgan from the second season of Hometown Takeover. The other half showcases Wetumpka.”
Whitfield said the show will feature locations in town, many of which have come about since the first season of Hometown Takeover.
In August film crews were seen filming at The Kelly, the WOW
be on the ballot in the Republican primary.
• 19th Circuit Court
Judge Place 1 Bill Lewis is qualified to be on the ballot in the Republican primary.
• 19th Circuit Court
Judge Place 4 Dee Dee Calhoon, Nicole Clark and Jacquelyn Tomlinson are qualified to be on the ballot in the Republican primary.
• Elmore County Cir-
applied. Law enforcement noted a bulge in her jeans and asked Gregory about it. She admitted it was methamphetamine. In a bag on Gregory were multiple bags of methamphetamine. The total weight of the controlled substance was approximately 40 grams.
Law enforcement searched Gregory’s car and found a medicine bottle turned into a bong, a torch and digital scales with narcotic residue. The car also contained assorted bags full of tools. Gregory was booked
restaurant under construction, a Wetumpka High School football game and at Restoration Coffeehouse where a coffee drink is named ‘Hometown.’
“It is something people are not going to want to miss,” Whitfield said. “They should invite their friends and family to watch it. Wetumpka will once again shine on national television.”
Whitfield is hopeful the stars of the show will express their thoughts on Wetumpka and the surrounding community in the show.
“I hope Ben and Erin will talk
cuit Clerk Michael Dozier is qualified to be on the ballot in the Republican primary.
• Elmore County Probate Judge Jason Britt and Vicki Bonner Ward are qualified to be on the ballot in the Republican primary.
ELMORE COUNTY COMMISSION
DISTRICT 1
Henry Hines and Byron Mulder are qualified to be on the ballot in the Republican primary.
DISTRICT 2 Brad Davis, Brent
into the Elmore County Jail on charges of trafficking methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, attempting to elude and resisting arrest. Gregory has a $1,515,000 bond available to her. If she is able to post the bond in Elmore County, she would then be taken to the Tallapoosa County Jail on the bond revocation.
According to court records Gregory has more than a dozen drug related charges over the last three years.
about how much they miss being here,” Whitfield said. “I think Erin will swoon over how much she misses Wetumpka.”
Whitfield said she expects the Sunday night premiere of the show will draw a large viewership, likely to lead to more tourists coming as seen following the first season of Hometown Takeover.
“It is another thing to be proud of to be here in Wetumpka,” Whitfield said. “It should be a good pick me up for everyone who watches and for the community.”
Langley and Jennifer Bennett are qualified to be on the ballot in the Republican primary.
DISTRICT 3
Dennis Hill is qualified to be on the ballot in the Republican primary.
DISTRICT 4
Bart Mercer is qualified to be on the ballot in the Republican primary.
DISTRICT 5
Jacqueline Long Thomas is qualified to be on the ballot in the Democratic primary. Desirae Lewis Jackson is qualified to be on the ballot in the Republican primary.
ELMORE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION
DISTRICT 2
Wendell Howell Saxon is qualified to be on the ballot in the Democratic primary.
DISTRICT 3
David Jones is qualified to be on the ballot in the Republican primary.
DISTRICT 7
Jason Lett and Justin Pack are qualified to be on the ballot in the Republican primary. Primary elections will
be held on March 5. The deadline to register to vote is Feb. 16 if hand delivering, or postmarked by Feb. 17 if mailing. Feb. 19 is the last day to register to vote electronically. The absentee ballot deadlines for the primaries are Feb. 27 by mail and Feb. 29 in person. Absentee ballots must be hand delivered by March 4 or received by noon, March 5 if mailed. If necessary, primary elections will be held on April 16. The deadline to register to vote is April 1. April 9 is the last day to apply for an absentee ballot by mail and April 11 in person. The last day to hand-deliver absentee ballots is April 15 and absentee ballots mailed must be received by noon April 16. The General Election is Nov. 5. The deadline to register to vote is Oct. 21. The last day to apply for an absentee ballot by mail is Oct. 29. To apply for an absentee ballot in person, the deadline is Oct. 31. Nov. 4 is the last day to deliver an absentee ballot in person, and mailed absentee ballots must be received by noon Nov. 5.
CLIFF WILLIAMS | THE HERALD
Wynn Sanford climbs a ladder to get on top of a downtown Wetumpka building to install a falling ‘Clark Griswold’ created by John Causey. Causey put a motor in the body of ‘Clark’ to move the legs. It hangs facing Main Street.
The power of words
“ A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise commends knowledge but the mouth of the fool gushes folly,” (Proverbs 15:1).
Scripture goes on to reference our eyes, ears, hands, feet, heart and mind. All of this reminds me of a little song I learned in Sunday school many years ago.
“O be careful little tongue what you say, O be careful little tongue what you say. For the Father up above is looking down in love, so, be careful little tongue what you say.”
The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his or her life on fire and is itself set on fire by hell, but no man can tame the tongue. These are strong words as found in James, Chapter 3. With the tongue, we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the image and likeness
BETHLEHEM EAST
BAPTIST CHURCH
Bethlehem East Baptist Church will have all Sunday school classes beginning at 9:45 a.m. Sunday morning followed by regular service at 11 a.m. in the sanctuary. We will continue with Facebook Live Sunday School at 9:30 a.m. and Worship Service at 11 a.m.
CARRVILLE BAPTIST CHURCH
Regular hours of service are Sundays- 9 a.m. Sunday School and 10 a.m. Morning Worship.
Wednesday nights at 6:30 p.m. the church offers Children’s Gospel Project, Youth Bible Study and Adult Prayer Meeting. Regular office hours are Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
EAST TALLASSEE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
ETUMC’s Rivers Edge Flea Market is now closed. The church will start a new project called Rivers Edge Food Pantry. ETUMC will provide canned food, water, dry beans and rice, blan-
of God. We have blessings and cursing coming from the same mouth.
It has been said that what comes out of the mouth is usually an accurate index of the health of our heart. Jesus said, “For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.”
The wise man in Proverbs 15 teaches us, “The breath by which we express our deepest desires, instincts, and opinions may produce helpful and pleasing fruit.”
The great young Jonathan Edwards penned a number of Resolutions around the theme of the tongue. Resolved, never to say anything at all against
Church Briefs
kets, and jackets. If you want to donate or help with the cause, call Joan Wood at 334-312-4913.
EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF THE EPIPHANY
Please join us for Sunday services at 10:30 a.m. when the Rev. Lee Lowery will celebrate the Holy Eucharist. We are asking everyone please to wear a mask. The service will be live streamed on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ EpiphanyTallassee/ For more information, visit the
anybody. Resolved, in narrations never to speak anything but the pure and simple verity (truth). Resolved, never to speak evil of any.
A stain inflicted on a young person by a mature believer — a stain that might have proved impossible to wash out, is often imposed without thought. It has been asked, “How do you know whether a man is a Christian?”
The answer is that his mouth is “shut.” You do not begin to be a Christian until your mouth is shut, is stopped, and you are speechless and have nothing to say. (Exposition of Banner of Truth, 1970).
Oftentimes we do not think
church website at http:// epiphanytallassee.org/
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
First Presbyterian Church, located at 514 Central Blvd. will host a Veteran’s Day Celebration on Nov. 11 from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. for all veterans and first responders and their family members.
FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
“We are OPEN and everyone is WELCOME! Come worship with us in
Worship With Us
before we speak and many people have been turned away from God by “jabber” that has no significance. Recently, I found an acronym for training ourselves to think before we speak. THINK! T-Is it True? H-Is it Helpful? I-Is it Inspiring? N-Is it Necessary? K-Is it Kind? Always remember to ask, “Does it Glorify God?” The Father up above is looking down in love, so be careful little tongue what you say.
Jackie Wilbourn, member of Bethel Baptist Church, is a chaplain with the Alabama Baptist Disaster Team.
person Sunday mornings at 8:50 a.m. (contemporary) or 11 a.m. (traditional). Sunday School for all ages is offered Sunday mornings at 10 a.m., and a nursery is available for infants. CHILDREN & YOUTH: meet Sunday evenings from 5-6:30 p.m. and Wednesday evenings from 6-7:15 p.m.; supper is included both days! For more information about our church or the programs we offer, visit our website: fumctallassee.com or call us: 334-283-2195. FUMC
Tallassee - 1 Jordan Avenue.”
OUR LIFE’S JOURNEY Airs every Sunday at 8:30 a.m. on 580 WACQ, FM 98.5 & 101.1, on your smart speaker, your TuneIn app, or on our website www.wacqradio. com. Please share on social media. This set of programs features Msgr. Charles Troncale, Fr. Mateusz Rudzik, Fr. James Dean, Fr. David Carucci, Fr. Patrick Driscoll, and Deacon Jim Labadie.
HARMONY
JACKIE WILBOURN Columnist
Dalton MiDDleton SportS eDitor dalton.middleton@thewetumpkaherald.com
Stanhope Elmore’s Busbin signs with Southern Union golf
By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor
Stanhope Elmore senior Kara Busbin has achieved her dream of playing collegiate athletics.
Busbin, who has had a stellar golf career with the Mustangs, has signed her National Letter of Intent with Southern Union State Community College.
“I am very, very excited to go play at the next level,” Busbin said. “I’m excited to experience it at a different level than high school and make new friends and just have a good college experience because I get to play golf.”
When Busbin was being recruited, SUSCC actually did not have a women’s coach at the time. So she
was recruited by men’s coach Buddy Glidewell.
The two got in touch and she learned he was the men’s coach. They hit it off and they set up a visit. So she made the trip up, toured the school and she played golf with the team. Shortly after their match, she was offered a scholarship.
See BUSBIN, Page B2
CITY OF CHAMPIONS
Wetumpka youth teams bring home multiple championships
By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor
The city of Wetumpka welcomed home multiple state championship winning teams on Saturday afternoon.
The Wetumpka Youth Football and Cheerleading teams competing in the 8U and 10U divisions brought back championship trophies.
In cheerleading, the sophomore age division (8U) and junior age division (10U) both won first place in the East Alabama Youth Football League’s 2023 Cheer Competition. The two teams faced competition from Camp Hill, Dadeville, Eclectic, Macon County, Reeltown and Tallassee.
Along with the overall first place championships, the Wetumpka cheerleaders brought in multiple individual championships.
In 8U, Kennedy Lucy finished second place in the individual championship while in 10U, Rylie Chandler finished in first place and Paisley Gassman finished in second place.
On the field, Wetumpka’s 10U football team took home its second-consecutive championship in their age range. The championship game was held in Macon County and featured the top two teams in No. 1 Wetumpka and No. 2 Reeltown.
Wetumpka came out on top by a score of 24-0 and finished the year with an undefeated 9-0 season including a 7-0 regular season.
“The success of the Wetumpka Youth Football League is a direct result of the countless volunteer hours and dedication that each coach and executive board member have put in
this season, hard work of the players and cheerleaders and continued support of the parents,” president James Conner said. “We’d also like to thank and recognize the city of Wetumpka Parks and Rec Department, the Wetumpka Middle School and the Wetumpka varsity cheerleaders under the direction of Alex Roberts for their support this season. Because of their continued support, the WYFCL continues to thrive and positively impact the lives of youth within our area.” Team rosters are as follows.
8U COMPETITIVE CHEER TEAM
Amber Homes, Head Coach; Meghan Jones, Assistant Coach; Taylor Adams; Kaia Blanton; Carson Branstetter; Selene
The Wetumpka 10U competitive cheerleading team won first place in the East Alabama Youth Football League’s 2023 Cheer Competition. They beat cheerleading teams from Dadeville, Camp Hill, Eclectic, Reeltown and more.
Holtville boys looking for success in the paint
By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor
The Greg Parker era is officially underway in Slapout. Parker, who took over the Holtville boys basketball program earlier this fall, is looking to find success in his first season leading the Bulldogs. Holtville’s boys had around a .500 record last year and missed the playoffs, but the Bulldogs return
the majority of their lineup and two All-County players in senior Caleb Blackmon and sophomore Jacquez Brown.
“When I first came in, I didn’t have any expectations but after having a few practices, I’m really enthused by what I’m seeing,” Parker said. “They’re doing a really good job of accepting what I want to do and they’re working hard. I’m expecting a good year. With the way we’re working as a team, I
think we’re going to get better and better as the year goes on.”
Blackmon was a first-year student for Holtville last year as he was home-schooled prior to his junior season. He immediately made an impact with the Bulldogs as he averaged 14 points and 11 rebounds per game playing in the forward position. At the guard position, Brown had
Edgewood’s football schedule was as tough as possible
Igot into a small debate last week with someone who was trying to tell me just how far Edgewood football has fallen. I tried to explain I understand this isn’t 2010 anymore, but the Edgewood team is still producing athletes and winning games and making playoffs.
I thought about it for a few days since then, and it really stood out to me just how tough Edgewood’s football schedule was this year. So we’ll take a look at it.
Edgewood went 4-7 and lost in the first round of the playoffs to ClarkePrep, 21-14.
The Wildcats’ season ended a few weeks ago, while the entire AISA season ended this past week.
The three champions were crowned Thursday at the Cramton Bowl, and now teams are looking towards the AISA All-Star Game and towards next season.
Lee-Scott won Class AAA, Chambers won AA and Lowndes won Class A.
Edgewood played all three of those teams. Edgewood also played the AA runner-up, Banks. That was where four of their seven losses came from this year.
All seven of their losses came to schools who reached at least the semifinals of the three divisions.
Those teams are LeeScott, Chambers, Lowndes, Banks, Clarke-Prep, Autauga Academy and Fort Dale Academy.
The combined record of those seven schools this year was 72-16. Out of those 16 losses, four came from Lee-Scott, four came from Glenwood (AAA runner-up), two came from Chambers and two came from Banks.
One came from Lowndes and one came from Fort Dale. So out of the 16 losses between the seven teams, 14 of those losses came from each other.
According to Max-
MIDDLETON Sports Editor
preps, Edgewood had the fourth-toughest strength of schedule of any team in the AISA.
I give major props to the teams who had tougher schedules, and they were all in AAA. They all played each other like Fort Dale, whose only three losses came to the two teams in the state championship.
I understand the argument that a 4-7 team certainly isn’t the same Edgewood team that went undefeated for five-straight seasons and was sending players to the NFL.
But I’d cut these guys some slack. They’re still good and if you look at the schedule, they beat the teams they were supposed to beat and were really, really close to actually being in the semifinals themselves.
In the game against Clarke-Prep, Edgewood had the go-ahead touchdown wiped out via penalty, and then fumbled the ball away as Clarke-Prep walked out of Elmore with the playoff win.
The 16-19 players who suited up for Edgewood each week depending on injuries or illnesses have no reason to hang their heads on this season and the 4-7 record.
You played the toughest schedule in your class, and the fourth toughest in the entire division of football. There were also a lot of young playmakers on the Edgewood team, including a sophomore quarterback. Regroup and get ready for next year. It could very well be the murderer’s row again on the schedule.
We’ll see when they release.
Dalton Middleton is the sports editor of The Wetumpka Herald.
DALTON MIDDLETON THE HERALD Stanhope Elmore’s Kara Busbin signed a National Letter of Intent to play collegiate golf at Southern Union Community College on Friday.
FILE THE HERALD
Holtville’s Erik Adkins (10) drives to the hoop against a Stanhope Elmore defender. Adkins will be one of a handful of Bulldogs playing in the paint this season.
a more than stellar year scoring for Holtville. He averaged 19 points, eight rebounds and three assists per game.
Both return with a year of varsity experience under their belt, and Parker is expecting big things out of the two.
“Both of them are standing out for us, but they aren’t the only guys we will have,” Parker said.
“Braxton Gaither is working really hard and Ark Turner has turned my head a little bit and showed he wants to take a big role. Both of them have shown me they’re ready to play.” Turner will play as one of the team’s main roles in the paint. Holtville did not have a big physical presence in the paint last year, but that looks to have changed.
Turner is a big body as he played defensive end on the football team, and he’s joined by some more height.
Blackmon is 6-foot-4, while Elijah Headley is 6-foot-5.
Erik Adkins, at 6-foot-2, will also play both roles as a guard and in the paint.
“We have a good core group of big guys and Ark has really shown a lot of want-to,” Parker said. “If you have somebody down there who grabs rebounds and likes to play physical, it sets the tone for your team. It can also help you get second-chance points and eliminates opposing teams from getting those. That is crucial to winning ball games.”
While Parker is excited, most of his team, including him, are getting a late start due to the success of the football team.
Parker served as the team’s offensive coordinator, while Adkins, Headley and Blackmon all started at receiver for the Bulldogs. Brown was one of the team’s running backs, and Turner played on the defensive line.
They’ve only gotten one week of basketball practice under their belts since the Bulldogs lost in the first round of the 5A playoffs after finishing 7-4.
Parker, coaching football and basketball dating back to his last three jobs, is used to that late start.
“There’s a lot of times in my career where we didn’t start practicing until Thanksgiving,” Parker said. “We’re probably not going to see some things I want to see starting out because we’ve only practiced a week, but I think when it comes down to it, right now is not the time to be good. The time to be good is in January when area play starts. That’s what our goal is.”
Holtville opens its season on Monday, Nov. 27 on the road at Shelby County. The Bulldogs’ first home game is Tuesday, Nov. 28 against Trinity.
Tallassee’s Thornton off to hot start
By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor
It’ll be hard to find someone who has had as good of a start to their season as Tallassee junior Rowen Thornton has.
Thornton, the Tigers’ top returner on the boys basketball team, has been nearly unstoppable as Tallassee is off to a 2-1 start to the season.
Thornton is averaging 24 points per game through his first three matchups, good for third across the entire state of Alabama after the first week of the year and first overall in Class 5A.
He scored a career-high 27
points in the season opening win over Marbury then added 17 points in a win over Booker T. Washington. In the team’s only loss, he one-upped his career-high with a 28-point performance. For his scoring prowess, Thornton is this week’s Elmore County Player of the Week. Thornton is one of the most experienced players on the Tallassee roster this season.
At 6-foot-4, the junior was a regular starter last season where he earned All-County honors for his play averaging 10 points and six rebounds per game. He scored in double digits
only nine times last season and scored a season-high 23 points late in the year. So he has already surpassed his career-high twice in the first three games, and he’s scoring nearly 2.5 times more than he scored last year. He’s also doing so at a productive rate.
Through three games, he currently has a 51% field goal percentage. After a 46% shooting night in the first night, he bounced back with two games over 60%. His first night was relatively effective, especially inside the paint, but he shot 1-of-9 from 3-point range. He cleaned that up and went 3-for-4 from deep in his last matchup.
week before hitting the court again on Monday, Nov. 27 in a home game against Lafayette.
She has since met the new women’s coach and maintained a good relationship with both coaches.
“I really like the coaching staff there,” Busbin said. “They’re all very nice. I also really loved their atmosphere around the entire college, and I like playing at their home course, the RTJ Golf Trail at Grand National in Opelika.”
Busbin has had plenty of success in her career since picking up the sport in eighth grade, and that accu -
CHAMPIONS
Continued from B1
Ebarb; Caroline Esco; Lily Esco; Sarah Catherine Hammock; Harlee Glenn; Emmie Holmes; Shyann Ingram; Savannah Lowe; Kennedy Lucy; Taraji Play-
mulated in a good season for Stanhope Elmore this past spring. In her junior year, she finished sixth overall in the sub-state tournament after shooting a career-best 76 in the tournament held in Prattville. She hopes to continue that late season success in her senior season this upcoming spring, and she wants to work on just maintaining more consistency. “I think my game right now is pretty good,” Busbin said. “I hope that being in the college atmosphere, I can get more consistent and improve on my mental game. I want to get
er; Adaline Sexton; Eva Stevens; Chloe Tennyson; Eri’Aunna Winston; Alyssa Wooten
10U COMPETITIVE CHEER TEAM
Kayla Smirnoff, Head Coach; Amanda Chandler, Assistant Coach; Brooklyn Brooks; Rylie Chandler;
stronger in a few areas but mainly my mental game.”
Following last season’s success, Busbin was invited to play in the AHSAA North-South All-Star Golf Event last summer. In the event, she played well as part of the South team and shot a score of 81 as the North team won its third event in the four years it has been played.
Busbin’s eyes are now turned back to Stanhope Elmore and making one more run with the Mustangs before she heads to college.
“As I finish high school, I really want our team to go to state and win state in
Michelle Foster; Mikayla Gandy; Paisley Gassman; Heidi Hollon; Skylar Phillips; Lilliana Sciacchitano; Lauryn Smith; Kynslee Thornton; Kitti-Lynn VanOstrand
10U FOOTBALL TEAM Curtis King, Head
6A,” Busbin said. “That’s my biggest goal right now. Other than that, I just really want to enjoy the regular season tournaments and once we get to sectionals and sub-state, I want to do well and make it to state.”
Coach; Jamal Gunn, Assistant Coach; Trevon Spencer, Assistant Coach; Rashaan Cunningham, Assistant Coach; Ashton Acheson (#61); Joshua Adams (#12); Landon Barnett (#23); Mavery Beaufort (#13); Carter Blackburn (#9); Kaleb Bowman (#22); Ja’Corey Bozeman (#20); Sean Broadnax, Jr. (#8); Eli Conner (#74); Colton Daar (#88); Tyson Feggins (#45); Da’Sean Foster (#33); Lucas Gandy (#14); Tristain Golden (#4); Jamal Gunn, Jr. (#2); Logan Harris (#6); Noah Ingram (#65); Curtis King, Jr. (#0); Myles Lewis (#58); E’Mari Neely (#1); Nathan Payne (#34); Nolen Ross (#40); Bradley Smoke (#7); Trevon Spencer, Jr. (#3); Kristian Tucker-Johnson (#18); Bryton Wilhite (#83); Greyson Worley (#5); Jadarion Winston (#11); Kurdian Young (#10)
BUSBIN
HERALD
Kara Busbin golfs during the AHSAA North-South All-Star Golf event during the summer of her junior and senior year.
The Tigers are off this
Tallassee’s Rowen Thornton has earned Player of the Week honors after averaging 24
year with wins over Marbury and Booker T. Washington.
Dickens Christmas attracting attention
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
The holidays in downtown Wetumpka are special.
Events such as the Downtown Dickens Christmas and Christmas on the Coosa are attracting thousands to downtown. The special occasions have been noticed by those who organize tours.
It wasn’t too long ago Wetumpka Area Chamber of Commerce director Shellie Whitfield and other Wetumpka leaders visited with tour operators at a conference in south Alabama. Following the tour, many visited Wetumpka. There was a reception at The Kelly showcasing the art and view of the Coosa River. The operators turned tourists walked downtown the next day taking in all the shops. The effort was fruitful.
“Some of those tour operators are returning to see what Dickens Christmas in Wetumpka is all about,” Whitfield said. “They are flying in and driving in to see if it is something they might want to do a tour around. Many of them were excited about what was going on here.”
The tour operators create trips for guests to visit small towns, often pairing up multi-
ple stops. In late summer the tour operators left their conference and visited Wetumpka and Opelika before returning to Fairhope and home. Dickens Christmas is organized by the chamber. Whitfield is hopeful this year’s Dickens Christmas will be magical for not only the out
of state guests but locals as well. In year’s past the event has been over two days. This year’s event is just one day — 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1.
“We are becoming a Christmas destination for many,” Whitfield said.
“Word is getting out about this special event. We turn the beautiful
downtown into an old time
Christmas village similar to a setting described in many Ch arles Dickens’ novels.”
To pull off the magical transformation Whitfield encourages downtown businesses to decorate according to the theme. She said chamber staff, chamber
ambassadors and employees of businesses will dress the part too.
“We also want visitors to dress up as well,” Whitfield said. “It all goes to creating a magical moment everyone can enjoy.”
Downtown streets will be closed and cars should be moved to create an environment much like a scene from “A Tale of Two Cities.”
“We will have carriage rides,” Whitfield said.
“There will be vendors offering period appropriate wares on Court Street.”
The City of Wetumpka will light a Christmas tree on the lawn of the Historic Elmore County Courthouse at 6 p.m. and an orchestra will be playing on the steps. There will be a live nativity and the Elmore County Museum will open up with its large collection of nativity scenes.
The city has already started preparing for the event by installing Christmas decorations.
“It is already looking magical at night with all the lights,” Whitfield said. “I can’t wait to see how much better it gets when it looks like we traveled back in time for an old-time Christmas.”
Alabama’s first bourbon distillery to open in 2024
By JOSH BOUTWELL Troy Messenger
It’s been a long road but Alabama’s very first legal bourbon whiskey distillery attraction, Conecuh Ridge Distillery, is planning for a May 2024 opening as the complex in Troy nears completion.
Conecuh Ridge Distillery will produce the official state spirit of Alabama, Clyde May’s Alabama Style Whiskey. The moonshine whiskey was made famous by former moonshiner Clyde May, a native of Alabama.
After proudly serving his country in the Army’s 77th Infantry in World War II – earning a Bronze Star and Purple Heart – Clyde May returned home to Alabama and became known as one of the “most wanted” moonshiners in the state. His original still was set up close to Pike County in nearby Bullock County.
While Clyde May died in 1990, his son, Kenny May, launched th e legal Clyde May’s Alabama Style Whiskey in 2001 and it became the official state spirit of Alabama in 2004.
While Conecuh Ridge Distillery has bottled and produced its products outside of Clyde May’s home state of Alabama over the years, it will now return to Troy, Ala., when it opens in 2024.
Conecuh Ridge Distillery will produce numerous products, including Clyde May’s Alabama Style Whiskey, Clyde May’s Straight
Bourbon, Clyde May’s Cask Strength, Clyde May’s Straight Rye Whiskey and Clyde May’s Straight Bourbon Whiskey.
The facility will feature not only the distillery but also a bottling plant, a restaurant and bar, tasting rooms, a retail shop, and a barrelhouse to age barrels of whisky. All of that will be part of tours that will be featured at Conecuh Ridge Distillery.
The distillery will create approximately 50 new jobs in Pike County once its fully up to capacity.
Steve May (no relation to Clyde May) serves as vice president and general manager of the Conecuh Ridge Distillery. Prior to joining Conecuh Ridge, May served as director of marketing operations for the Jack Daniel’s Distillery in Tennessee.
During his tenure there, he oversaw significant growth in the distillery’s retail sales and annual guest count, which grew from 191,000 to over 300,000 annually. That growth also added to the economic growth of the area. During his tenure, the Jack Daniel’s Distillery invested more than $25 million in capital improvements at the site, as well.
“I was responsible for marketing operations for the Jack Daniel’s Distillery, one of the largest tourist attractions in Tennessee,” May said. “Before the pandemic, we had over 300,000 people a year taking tours there
and 190 employees just in marketing. It had an enormous economic impact on the area and it’s our hope that we can do similar things in Troy.”
The distillery will offer five different types of tours when it opens with prices ranging from $20 to $45.
Tours will begin at the Clyde 240, Clyde May’s original moonshine still, which was named so because it took $240 worth of copper to make the still. After learning the history of May and Conecuh Ridge Distill -
ery, tourists will get to tour the entire distillery facility and process.
“We will be very family friendly. If you bring your children you can take a tour that doesn’t include any alcohol,” May said.
“We have a little bit of everything going on here. We are not just a tourist attraction but a full-fledged distillery with a bottling plant that will produce Clyde May’s Whiskey and Conecuh Ridge Whiskey.
“We’ll be buying local grain grown in
Alabama. Our corn will come from farms right here in this area. We’ll sell our spent grain, which is very nutritious, to local cattle farmers.”
Troy Mayor Jason Reeves said he believed the distillery would bring a unique tourist experience to Troy.
“The Conecuh Ridge Distillery will provide a quality tourism destination and investment on the north side of Troy,” Reeves said. “It will be a unique opportunity for those traveling through Troy as well as those within a few hours who
would like to take a weekend or even a day trip to see our community and the Clyde May Brands’ process. I have no doubt it will be a distinctly fun experience.”
Steve May said the distillery is planning for a May 2024 opening, but weather and other issues may push that back. Regardless, Summer 2024 looks like it will see the opening of Alabama’s first whiskey distillery that will be located off Highway 231 where 3 million cars travel annually.
CLIFF WILLIAMS THE HERALD
The Wetumpka Area Chamber of Commerce Downtown Christmas Dickens returns for just one night this year, 5 to 8 p.m. Friday Dec. 1. The event closes the streets of downtown to allow thousands oto walk.
Wetumpka Area Chamber of Commerce Downtown
day Dec. 1. The event closes the streets of downtown to allow thousands
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IN THE JUVENILE COURT OF SEVIER COUNTY, TENNESSEE STATE OF TENNESSEE DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN’S SERVICES, Petitioner, v. REGINA GAMACHE, Mother Address unknown Respondent. No. 2023-JT-14 IN THE MATTER OF: MADILYN GRACE MACON DOB 5/18/2018
CHILDREN UNDER EIGHTEEN (18) YEARS OF AGE ORDER FOR SERVICE BY PUBLICATION
It appearing to the Court from the allegations of the Petition for Temporary Legal Custody, and that the whereabouts of the Respondent, REGINA GAMACHE
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therefore, the ordinary proupon REGINA GAMACHE. It is -
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2023-JT-14
PUBLIC NOTICE
PUBLIC NOTICE FOR SALE OF PROPERTY LOCATED AT 335 HARDEN STREET ECLECTIC, AL. 36024 FOR THE ELMORE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION BID NUMBER #24-004
Sealed proposals will be received in the Maintenance Conference Room located at the Elmore County Board of Education on 100 H. H. Robison Drive Wetumpka, Alabama 36092 and read out loud on Thursday, December 7th at 2:00 PM. The bids must be submitted in a sealed envelope with the company (buyers) name and bid number on the outside of the envelope. **This is required for the bid to be accepted and opened** No bid shall be withdrawn after the scheduled closing for bids for a period of sixty (60) days. The owner reserves the right to reject any or all proposals and to waive technical errors if, in the Owners judgement the best interests of the Owner will thereby be promoted. Once the bid is awarded, the winner has 48 hours to issue payment to the ECBOE in the form of cash or a cashier check ONLY. The property will be sold “AS IS”. The minimum bid for this sale is $150,000.00. Please contact Mike Czerpak at 334-391-3029 to tour the property. Questions may be directed to Mike Czerpak at 334-391-3029 or mike.czerpak@elmoreco. com or Jason Mann 334-5671200 ext. 22006, or jason. mann@elmoreco.com. Please see the RFP located on the ECBOE website under the “BIDS” tab. www.elmoreco. com
Wetumpka Herald: Nov. 22 and 29, 2023 BID NUMBER #24-004
WHEREAS, default has occurred in the performance of the covenants, terms and conditions of a mortgage from WEAVER INVESTMENT PROPERTIES LLC to MORTGAGE ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION SYSTEMS, INC., AS MORTGAGEE, AS NOMINEE, FOR LIMA ONE CAPITAL, LLC, on the 14th day of September, 2021, said mortgage recorded Probate of Elmore County, Alabama, on September 22, 2021, in Deed/Mortgage Book 2021, Page 80408, Elmore County, Alabama Records, said Mortgage having subsequently been transferred and assigned to Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB, not in its individual capacity, but solely as Owner Trustee of MFA 2022-RTL1 Trust, by instrument recorded notice is hereby given that the undersigned Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB, not in its individual capacity, but solely as Owner Trustee of MFA 2022RTL1 Trust, as Mortgagee/ Transferee, under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in said mortgage, will sell at public outcry to the highest bidder for cash in front of the main entrance of the Courthouse in Wetumpka, Elmore County, Alduring the legal hours of sale, all of its right, title, and interest in and to the following described real estate, situated in Elmore County, Alabama, to-wit: LOT NO. 551, BLOCK 50, ON PLAT NO. 2, ACCORDING TO MAP AND PLAT PREPARED BY WILLIAM R. SIZEMORE, SURVEYOR, OF PROPERTY KNOWN AS TALLASSEE MILLS, WEST TALLASSEE SUBDIVISION, DATED MARCH 31, 1951, AND RECORDED IN THE OFFICE OFMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN PLAT BOOK 3, PAGE 126. Said legal description being controlling, however the property is more commonly known as 105 GILMER AVENUE, TALLASSEE, AL 36078 Alabama law gives some persons who have an interest in property the right to redeem the property under certain circumstances. Programs may also exist that help persons avoid or delay the foreclosure process. An attorney should be consulted to help you understand these rights and programs as a part of the foreclosure process. This property will be sold on an “as is, where is” basis, subject to any easements, encumbrances, and exceptions those contained in the records Probate in the county where the above-described property is situated. This property will be sold subject to the right of redemption of all parties entitled thereto and subject to any outstanding ad valorem taxes (including taxes which are a lien, whether or not now due and payable). This sale is made for the purpose of paying the indebtedness secured by said mortgage, as well as the expenses of foreclosure. The Mortgagee/Transferee reserves the right to bid for and purchase the real estate and to credit its purchase price against the expenses of sale and the indebtedness secured by the real estate. This sale is subject to postponement or cancellation. Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB, not in its individual capacity, but solely as Owner Trustee of MFA 2022-RTL1 Trust, Mortgagee/Transferee THE BELOW LAW FIRM MAY BE HELD TO BE ACTING AS A DEBT COLLECTOR, UNDER FEDERAL LAW. IF SO, ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE.
Rubin Lublin, LLC, Attorney for Mortgagee/Transferee 11 N. Water Street, Suite 10290, Mobile, AL 36602 Telephone Number: (877) 8130992 Case No. LMA-23-048231 rlselaw.com/property-listing Wetumpka Herald: Nov. 22, 29 and Dec. 6, 2023 221184 PUBLIC NOTICE LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE STATE OF ALABAMA COUNTY OF ELMORE
THIS IS AN ATTEMPT TO COLLECT A DEBT. ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE.
Default having been made in the payment of the debt secured by that certain mortgage executed by Justin M. Freeman and Heather R. Brown-Freeman, Mortgagor(s), to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc. as a nominee for R.H. Lending, Inc., Mortgagee, on September 14, 2012, said mortgage being recorded on October 4,more County, Alabama in Book 2012, Page 50534, and later assigned to U.S. Bank National Association, not in its individual capacity but solely as trustee for RMTP Trust, Series 2021 Cottage-TT-V, by reason of such default, having declared all the indebtedness secured by said mortgage due and payable, and such default continuing, notice is hereby given that, acting under the power of sale contained in said mortgage, U.S. Bank National Association, not in its individual capacity but solely as trustee for RMTP Trust, Series 2021 Cottage-TT-V will sell at public outcry, for cash, to the
py highest bidder, in front of the Courthouse door in the City of Wetumpka, Elmore County, Alabama during the legal hours of sale on December 20, 2023 the following described real estate situated in Elmore County, Alabama, to wit: The following described real estate situated in Elmore County, Alabama: Commence at an iron pin at the SE corner of the SW 1/4 of Section 30, T19N, R20E, Elmore County, Alabama; thence North 02 degrees 13 minutes 18 seconds East, along 1/2 section line, 2327.19 feet to an iron pin on the South right of way of Old Salem Road, 60’ R.O.W; thence Northwesterly, along said right of way and curve to the right, having a radius of 2190.67 feet, 133.11 feet, chord being North 53 degrees 20 minutes 08 seconds West, 133.09 feet to an iron pin, said point being the point of beginning; thence leaving said right of way, South 23 degrees 13 minutes 53 seconds West, 210.00 feet to an iron pin; thence North 56 degrees 55 minutes 28 seconds West, 215.00 feet to an iron pin; thence North 28 degrees 25 minutes 52 seconds East, 235.00 feet to an iron pin on the South right of way of the aforementioned road; thence South 47 degrees 21 minutes 31 seconds East, along said right of way, 38.09 feet to the “PC” of a curve to the left, having a radius of 2190.67 feet; thence continue Southeasterly, along said right of way and curve, 161.97 feet, chord being South 49 degrees 28 minutes 36 seconds East, 161.93 feet to the point of beginning. The above-described property lies in the NE 1/4 of the SW 1/4 of Section 30, T19N, R20E, Elmore County, Alabama, and contains 1.03 acres, more or less. All according to a survey by Ronald Burke, AL. Reg. No. 16670, dated April 23, 2008. Together with a mobile/manufactured home, 2011 Clayton Homes 16x80, Model BSE I G803A, Serial Number and forms part of the real property described hereinabove. Being the same property conveyed to Justin M. Freeman by Deed from Jessica Gradwell recorded 06/16/2008 in Deed Book 2008 Page 35291, in themore County, Alabama. Together with all improvements on the property including, but without limitation, that certain manufactured home
Public Notices located on the property: BSE I G803A, 2011, Clayton Homes, CS2012894TN. Which borrower intends and agrees is a part of the property and deemed to be realty, and all easements, now or hereafter a part of the property. Commonly known as: 4525 Old Salem Road, Wetumpka, AL 36092 Tax ID #: 11-09-30-0-000009.002 THIS PROPERTY WILL BE SOLD ON AN “AS IS, WHERE IS” BASIS, WITHOUT WARRANTY OR RECOURSE, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED AS TO TITLE, USE AND/OR ENJOYMENT AND WILL BE SOLD SUBJECT TO THE RIGHT OF REDEMPTION OF ALL PARTIES ENTITLED THERETO. Said sale will be made subject to any outstanding ad valorem taxes (including taxes which are a lien, whether or not now due and payable), any matters which might be disclosed by an accurate survey and inspection of the property, any assessments, liens, encumbrances, zoning ordinances,
Sales Manager - Montgomery, AL. Req’d: Bach’s deg. in any major & 2 yrs. exp. as Sales Manager in the automotive industry. Mail resumes to: DAS North America, Inc., 840 Industrial Park Blvd., Montgomery, AL 36117
Product Engineer – Montgomery, AL. Req’d: Master’s deg. in Mechanical Eng. Mail resumes to: Seungsan Pack America Corp., 3480 Lower Wetumpka Rd., Montgomery, AL 36110
SJA, INC. DADEVILLE, AL ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR THE FOLLOWING POSITIONS: HR Manager [Full-Time, On-Site] Req’d: Bach’s Deg. Pref: Major in HR Mgmt. or Business Admin. Job Duties: Personnel Mgmt, Employee Compensation and Benefits Mgmt.
Manufacturing Supervisor [Full-Time, On-Site]
Pref: Min. of 3 yrs previous supervisory exp. in the Automotive or Mfg. industry.
Manufacturing Team Leader [Full-Time, On-Site]
Pref: Min. of 2 yrs previous supervisory exp. in the Automotive or Mfg. industry.
Mail Resume to 274 Thweatt Industrial Blvd, Dadeville, AL 36853 or email to sjahr@sejinamerica.com SJA, INC is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
CLASSIFIEDS/PUBLIC NOTICES
Public Notices
PUBLIC NOTICE Notice to Contractors Federal Aid Project No. NH-I065(542)
ELMORE AND AUTAUGA COUNTIES, ALABAMA
OF THE ESTATE OF VONCILLE WALKER LANKFORD, DECEASED CASE NO: 2023-282 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE
Letters Testamentary in the Estate of VONCILLE WALKER LANKFORD, deceased, having been granted to WILLIAM ROBERT RAGAN, III on November 9, 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.
WILLIAM ROBERT RAGAN, III PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF VONCILLE WALKER LANKFORD, DECEASED Attorney of Record for Personal Representative: RODERICK B. PERDUE ATTORNEY AT LAW 2033 HOLTVILLE ROAD WETUMPKA, ALABAMA 36092 334-567-7373 Wetumpka Herald: Nov. 15, 22 and 29, 2023 EST/LANKFORD V.
Sell
PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF HAROLD EDWARD LUTZ, DECEASED CASE NO: 2023-290 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE
Letters Testamentary in the Estate of HAROLD EDWARD LUTZ, deceased, having been granted to WILLIAM EDWARD LUTZ and LEE ANN LUTZ on the 14th day of November 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.
WILLIAM EDWARD LUTZ and LEE ANN LUTZ CO-PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ESTATE OF HAROLD EDWARD LUTZ, DECEASED
Attorney of Record for Co-Personal Representatives: ANGELA J. HILL ATTORNEY AT LAW PO BOX 1945 Alexander City, Alabama 35011 256-329-1441 angie@ajhill-law.com
Wetumpka Herald: Nov. 22, 29 and Dec. 6, 2023 EST/LUTZ, H. PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF SYLVIA A. MULDER, DECEASED CASE NO: 2023-182 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE
Letters of Administration over the Estate of SYLVIA A. MULDER, deceased, having been granted to JULIE MULDER GOLDEN on November 1, 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. JULIE MULDER GOLDEN ADMINISTRATOR OF THE ESTATE OF SYLVIA A. MULDER, DECEASED Name and Address of Attorney for Administrator: LINDA BENSON ATTORNEY AT LAW PO BOX 780818 TALLASSEE, ALABAMA 36078 334-283-5800
Wetumpka Herald: Nov. 8, 15 and 22, 2023 EST/MULDER S. PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF CRAIG HUGH ROWE, DECEASED CASE NO. 2023- 285 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE
Letters Testamentary on the Estate of said decedent having been granted to EDWARD TAYLOR ROWE as Personal Representative on the 8th day of November 2023, by the Honorable JOHN THORNTON, Judge of Probate of said County in said State,
Sealed bids will be received by the Director of Transportation
licly opened for constructing Extension) on I-65 at the SR-14 Interchange (Exit 181) for 2400’
pleted work under contract to a -
The Entire Project Shall Be-
Plans and Proposals are avail-
Public Notices g
The Secretary, Part 21, nondisTransportation issued pursuant insure that in any contract entered into pursuant to this adenterprises will be afforded fullsponse to this invitation and will the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin in The right to reject any or all bids
Transportation Director
NH-I065(542)
Do you have available jobs?
Call 256.277.4219 to let others know about job
PUBLIC NOTICE
PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE MILLBROOK, ALABAMA CITY COUNCIL
project have been pre-deterand are set forth in the adveris subject to the contract work hours and Safety Standards -
Cashier’s check or bid bond
ny each bid as evidence of good
The bracket range is shown
used in preparing a bid, nor will this bracket have any bearing on the decision to award this
The proposed work shall be rules and regulations for carry-
In accordance with the rules proposals will be issued only to authorized representatives,vious to the day of opening of -
Transportation, in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights
In accordance with the recompiled Constitution of the State of Alabama, Section 94.01, notice is hereby given of a public hearing of the Millbrook, Alabama City Council to be held at 3900 Grandview Road, Millbrook, Alabama 36054, at 6:00 o’clock pm on Tuesday, November 28, 2023. The purpose of the hearing is to receive public comments on a Resolution to Approve Section 94.01(a)(3) Distributions. The City of Millbrook proposes to make Section 94.01(a)(3) distributions to support economic and/or industrial development with the objective of promoting public health, safety, morals, security, prosperity, contentment, and the general welfare of the community. Said distributions are proposed to various entities and/or agencies, namely the following: Alabama Wildlife Federation, Alabama Cooperative Extension System, ButterCenter, Central Alabama Crime Stoppers, Elmore County Economic Development Authority, Family Sunshine Center, Humane Society of Elmore County, Montgomery Area Mental Health Authority, American Red Cross, RSVP, The W.E.L.C.O.M.E. Center, Grandview YMCA, Community Improvement Association, Community Action Partnership, Wreaths Across America, and the Millbrook Area Chamber of Commerce.
The City of Millbrook proposes to lend its credit or grant public funds or thing of value to each of the aforementioned entities and/or agencies for each to serve a public purpose.
City of Millbrook, Alabama c/o Brent Helms, City Attorney 3160 Main Street Millbrook, AL 36054 Wetumpka Herald: Nov. 22, 2023 PUBLIC HEARING
Public Notices
PUBLIC NOTICE
THE STATE OF ALABAMA ELMORE COUNTY NOTICE OF SHERIFF’S SALE
By virtue of an execution on a judgment issued out of the District Court of Elmore County, Alabama in Case No.: DV-2023900038.00 on or about July 25, 2023 for a total of $9,883.11 including interest and costs as of the said date in which Bowen-Wilson, Inc. dba Servpro of Montgomery is the Plaintiff and Jane Elliott is the Defendant, I, Bill Franklin as Sheriff of Elmore County, Alabama will sell at public auction for cash between the legal hours of sale, on Monday the 11th day of December 2023, at approximately 1pm in front of the Elmore County Judicial Complex located at 8935 U. S. Highway 231, North, whatever equity the Defendant(s) may possess in and to the following described realty, to wit: Commence at an iron pin, 1,168.75 feet East of NW comer of the NE 1/4 of the NW 1/4 of Section 10, Township 17 North, Range 17 East, being the Point of Beginning of the property herein described, thence continue East along the section line a distance of 105 feet to West R.O.W. line of Sandtown Road; thence S 03 degrees 40 minutes E along said R.O.W. line a distance of 192.32 feet to an iron pin on the North R.O.W. line of the Millbrook to Sandtown Road, thence N 70 degrees 50 minutes W along said R.O.W. line a distance of 160.10 feet to an iron pin, said pin being the centerline of a 10- foot Alabama Power Company easement; thence N 13 degrees 41 minutes E along said easement a distance of 143.44 feet to the Point of Beginning of the property herein described. Said Property lying in the N 1/2 of the NE 1/4 of the NW 1/4 of Section 10, Township 17 North, Range 17 East, Elmore County, Alabama, and containing 0.49 acres more or less. The Draftsman of this document acts as scrivener only. No title search has been made nor title opinion rendered. Said property will be sold “as is” and subject to all matters of record and all matters which would be revealed by a visible inspection of the premises, as well as applicable real estate records. Title searches and verlegal descriptions, are at all times the sole and exclusive responsibility of the Purchaser. Bill Franklin, Sheriff Elmore County, Alabama Wetumpka Herald: Nov. 22, 29 and Dec. 6, 2023
SHERIFF’S SALE
PUBLIC NOTICE
THE STATE OF ALABAMA
ELMORE COUNTY NOTICE OF SHERIFF’S SALE
By virtue of an execution on a judgment issued out of the Circuit Court of Elmore County, Alabama in Case No.: CV-2022900058.00 on or about April 28, 2022 for a total of $108,858.44 plus interest in which Henry T. Golden, et al is the Plaintiff and Joshua Lane Cullars, et al is the Defendant, I, Bill Franklin as Sheriff
Public Notices
of Elmore County, Alabama will sell at public auction for cash between the legal hours of sale, on Monday the 11 day of December 2023, at approximately 1pm in front of the Elmore County Judicial Complex located at 8935 U. S. Highway 231, North, whatever equity the Defendant(s) may possess in and to the following described realty, to wit: Lot No. 1084, according to map and plat by William R. Sizemore, Surveyor, of property known as Mt. Vernon Woodberry Mills, Sunset Hills Subdivision dated December 31, 1954 and recorded in land records of Elmore County, Alabama in Plat Book 3, Pages Judge of Probate of Elmore County, Alabama. DEED REFERENCE: Rlpy 2012 2529, Judge of Probate, Elmore County, Alabama Subject to any and all restrictions, encumbrances, mortgages, reservations, rights of way, covenants, easements, setback lines, mineral and mining rights of record which affect the subject property. The Draftsman of this document acts as scrivener only. No title search has been made nor title opinion rendered. Said property will be sold “as is” and subject to all matters of record and all matters which would be revealed by a visible inspection of the premises and the real estate records in the apCounty, Alabama. Title searchincluding legal descriptions, are at all times the sole and exclusive responsibility of the Purchaser. Bill Franklin, Sheriff Elmore County, Alabama Wetumpka Herald: Nov. 22, 29 and Dec. 6, 2023 SHERIFF’S SALE PUBLIC NOTICE
Notice to Contractors Federal Aid Project No. STPMN-2623(251) ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA
Sealed bids will be received by the Director of Transportation
and are set forth in the adver-
ny each bid as evidence of good on the decision to award this
Micanopy Street (Site 1) and
sponse to this invitation and will
Transportation Director STPMN-2623(251)
Do you have available jobs?
Plans and Proposals are avail-
Call 256.277.4219 to let others know about job opportunities at your business.
C.
By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor
The Elmore County girls basketball team is looking to get back into the postseason, and it’s looking to its senior duo of guard Kyasia Brown and forward Emily Mason to get it there. Brown and Mason are both returning to the Panthers after All-County seasons last year. Mason was named to the Second Team after averaging 13.8 points per game while Brown was an honorable mention selection averaging 5.5 points and 3 assists per game.
“They bring an experience that is invaluable for a team,” first-year head coach Kyle Caldwell said. “They’ve played against tough pressure and good competition and that’s very
helpful for the entire team. They’ve been there before so we can trust them more than you can with a firstyear player.” Brown and Mason won’t be the only players playing big roles on the team.
Cherish Foye is a sophomore who is starting at a guard position opposite of Brown, while Addison Hicks and Kaden Edwards will both play big minutes inside the paint. In the season opening win over Horseshoe Bend on Friday night, Hicks recorded one of the better stat lines for the Panthers as she led the team in rebounds, both offensive and defense, and she had a handful of steals.
Avery Hull will also play big minutes, while Caldwell is expecting Addy Peadon to step up on the court as
well.
“We are just trying to get everybody familiar with their role and attacking that responsibility at practice,” Caldwell said. “We just want them to get better.”
The Panthers missed the playoffs last year after going winless in area play and only getting three wins in the entire season. With Caldwell now leading the team, he is hoping they can turn the program back around and right the ship.
Area play will not be as tough as Holtville graduated and lost some key players that helped the Bulldogs reach the playoffs for the first time in school history, and Marbury lost two of its top three scorers from a year ago and two of its top four rebounders.
Both teams had great seasons a year ago as Marbury
reached the third round of the playoffs and Holtville lost in the first round.
With key players out on both teams, Elmore County will have a chance to reach the postseason again with some consistent play.
“We just have to take good care of the basketball and limit mistakes,” Caldwell said. “Sometimes being slower is good in basketball so we will slow down the pace and limit the turnovers. Obviously we have to shoot better than we did at the free throw line, and we have to get more deflections a nd turnovers on defense.”
Area play doesn’t get started until Jan. 12, and in the meantime, Elmore County will face a grueling schedule.
In non-region play, the Panthers have two match -
ups against Wetumpka and matchups with Stanhope Elmore and Chilton County, all Class 6A teams. They will also face Trinity, St. James and ACA which are always solid programs out of Montgomery.
The Panthers started their season last week with a big win over Horseshoe Bend to start the year.
“The expectations are to just compete for 32 minutes,” Caldwell said. “I want the girls to give everything they have. We have some girls with a lot of experience and we sprinkle that in with some young girls. They’ll play some different roles and we have to get them comfortable and familiar with the tempo we want before area play begins.”
