Wetumpka man arrested for child sex abuse
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
Holtville High School basketball coach arrested
By Cliff Williams Staff Writer
The Wetumpka Police Department started a child sex abuse investigation after a mother got a note from her daughter describing lewd acts.
A virtual teacher at Elmore County School’s Edge program has been arrested and charged with school employee distributing obscene material to a student.
Franco Salvador Perez, 36, of Wetumpka, was arrested Thursday and charged with first-degree rape, first-degree
Elmore County Sheriff Bill Franklin said Emmanuel Andre Wilson II, 32, of Montgomery turned himself into authorities Tuesday afternoon.
sodomy, sexual torture, incest and sex abuse of a child less than 12 years old.
In late September, the mother of a 9-year-old child contacted the police department after getting the letter from her daughter. The mother said she noticed her daughter had “had a significant change” in attitude over the last few months.
“[The mother] could tell
Wilson was the head basketball coach at Holtville High School and was placed on administrative leave Jan. 13 according to Elmore County Schools superintendent Richard Dennis. “We had a report,” Dennis said. “We had a preliminary
investigation and handed it off to the appropriate authorities. He was also placed on administrative leave at that time.”
Dennis said school officials follow the same procedure when administrators receive a report of allegations against school staff and employees.
something was wrong, but [the child] seemed scared to tell her what was wrong,” investigators said in court documents. “Approximately two weeks ago, [the child] wrote a letter and gave it to her mother.”
“Once we hand it over, we know very little about what is going on,” Dennis said. “We cooperate with authorities if necessary.”
Franklin said investigators with the Elmore County Sheriff’s Office have the alleged victim’s phone. Authorities collected Wilson’s phone as well. “You could see a conversation between the two,” Franklin said. “Mr. Wilson is going to contend someone had the security code to his phone and he was not responsible. There is other information we can’t disclose now but I don’t think it’s beneficial to Mr. Wilson.”
The letter said Perez had been forcing the child to remove her clothing and touching her private areas.
“The note explains that she has been hurt and is burning in those spots,” the report said. “[The child] writes that she is scared of Perez and is asking for help.”
Wilson was released on a $6,000 bond 90 minutes after turning himself in according to the Elmore County Jail website.
“The doctor advised that the burning appears to be consistent with a female not cleaning herself after sexual contact,” the document states.
The incident report in court documents said the mother took the child to the doctor for a “burning sensation.”
Chamber holds luncheon welcoming members
By Cliff Williams Staff Writer
ELMORE COUNTY
The Wetumpka Chamber of Commerce held its annual luncheon to install new officers and board members for the first time in a while Thursday.
SCHOOLS NAMED
The COVID-19 pandemic put a hamper on gatherings but the chamber celebrated the successes of business in Wetumpka.
ONE OF THE BEST
“We haven’t been able to do this for the last couple years,” chairperson Clay McConnell said. “Your attendance is an indication people want to get back together and have these opportunities to see each
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
Msuperintendent Richard Dennis gave Harrison all the credit.
See CHAMBER, Page A3
ountain Brook, Hoover and Auburn are often places in Alabama considered to have great K-12 schools. Elmore County now joins the group.
The Elmore County Public School System joined Auburn City Schools as the only two public school systems in Alabama to be recognized as Cognia’s System of Distinction.
“It is a big deal,” Elmore County director of elementary schools Amy Harrison said. “During the accreditation process, they only name a few out of it. They do accreditation all over the Southeast, the U.S. and world.”
Cognia is the accrediting body SACS and AdvanceEd merged into over the last few years. The organization has more than 36,000 schools across the world under its umbrella. Elmore County Schools
The Alabama Association of Secondary School Principals (AASSP) named Holtville High School principal Kyle Futral the
“She did a great job for us through this process,” Dennis said. “We started looking at this six years ago and going through the processes to make necessary changes.”
Former Elmore County superintendent Dr. Andre Harrison made the award presentation.
“I’m very honored to be back in Elmore County to bestow this distinctive award,” Dr. Harrison said.
The honor relies on observations of 30 standards in four key areas — culture, leadership, engagement in the classroom and growth in learning.
“A lot of systems struggled with the last category,” Dr. Harrison said. “But with you getting this award, hey you did something right.”
Harrison said the success didn’t come easy or quickly.
right direction. We did a lot with what we had. We put a lot of things in place for professional development, principles in terms of leadership and got very consistent with it. ”
Harrison said during the accreditation process Cognia gives an IEQ score.
“Anything over 300 is really good,” she said. “We got 360.”
Harrison said leadership teams continue to meet once a month or more to document and monitor progress for the next round of accreditation likely to occur in five to six years.
“We are in the process again,” Harrison said. “You have to learn to adapt to the environment and situations that you are faced with. We are going to have to make those changes to be competitive in today’s society.”
“We looked at the last Cognia visit,” Amy Harrison said. “We focused on moving in the
“Kyle Futral is an exceptional principal and is very proac-
Dr. Harrison and Cognia also recognized Coosada Elementary Schools for 25 years of continuous education accomplished this past year.
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
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
Members of the Wetumpka Chamber of Commerce attend the chamber’s “A Taste of Our Home Town” luncheon.
Dennis said Wilson also coached other sports at Holtville schools including being the head track coach and assistant football coach.
“[The child] has since told her mother that Perez has an unknown object in his trailer
Dennis said other staff would fill in for the duties of Wilson at Holtville while he is on administrative leave.
Man remains jailed on forged instrument charges, illegal urine
An August traffic stop on Rifle Range Road has opened up several issues for Tyler Jackson, 39, of Prattville.
Police continue investigation, man no longer suspected
“He was pouring sweat,”
An Elmore County deputy sheriff testified in a preliminary hearing before Elmore County District Court Judge Glen Googans Tuesday and said he saw Jackson take an unusual amount of time at a stop sign in August. The law enforcement officer said he smelled marijuana as he approached the vehicle.
CLIFF WILLIAMS/ THE HERALD
By Jake Arthur Chief Videographer
Police are still investigating the fatal shooting in the Wetumpka Walmart parking lot on Jan. 20.
Gwin places second in national writing contest
By MELODY RATHEL Staff Writer
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.
Tallapoosa Publishers was recognized on a national scale this week as managing editor Lizi Arbogast Gwin accepted second place in the Carmage Walls Commentary Prize, which is open to editorial writers all over the country.
According to Wetumpka police chief Greg Benton, this was not a random shooting.
“This was not random, not a random act,” said Benton. “We believe the victim and the perpetrator knew each other.”
This is the first homicide in Wetumpka in over three years. The last homicide in the city took place in 2018.
under 35,000, despite TPI’s subscription base across all four papers being right around 2,000. Gwin would not have received the recognition if it weren’t for the consistent encouragement from Tallapoosa Publishers general manager Tippy Hunter.
“I entered this contest at the urging of Tippy,” Gwin said. “At first, I didn’t think
“It’s not a good way to start out the new year,” said Benton.
Gwin’s second-place award was in the column writing for a circulation of
Benton didn’t want to speculate on the
See SHOOTING, Page A3
shift in a positive direction. The school experienced a 62 percent decrease in discipline referrals, 50 percent decrease in chronic absenteeism, 7 percent increase in the graduation rate, 33 percent increase in CCR rate and a 20 percent increase in ACT proficiency in the last five years.
Futral on Friday, Jan. 28 during a schoolwide assembly at Holtville High School. Elmore County Superintendent Richard Dennis was in attendance for the presentation.
See PRINCIPAL, Page A3
WILSON
AUDRA SPEARS THE HERALD
Tallapoosa Publishers managing editor Lizi Arbogast Gwin, right, placed second in the under 35,000 circulation bracket for column writing in the Carmage Walls Commentary Prize. She is presented the award by TPI general manager Tippy Hunter.
CLIFF WILLIAMS | THE HERALD
Cognia’s Dr. Andre Harrision and former Elmore County Board of Education superintendent speaks to the Elmore County Board of Education about its recognition as one of two systems in the state to be a System of Distinction.
Police Reports
WETUMPKA POLICE DEPARTMENT
OCT. 17
• Theft was reported on Ft. Toulouse Road.
OCT. 13
• Identity theft was reported on Margate Loop.
• Identity theft was reported on St. Thomas Avenue.
• Burglary and assault was reported on South Pine Street. OCT. 12
• Theft was reported on Ft. Toulouse Road.
• Unauthorized use of a vehicle was reported on Elmwood Court.
OCT. 11
• Theft was reported on Ft. Toulouse Road.
TALLASSEE POLICE DEPARTMENT
OCT. 22
• A domestic incident was reported on Gilmer Avenue.
• Assistance was given during a medical call on Friendship Road.
• A juvenile complaint was reported on Godwin Road.
• A fight was reported on Poplar Street.
• A fight was reported on First Avenue.
• Assistance was given to a citizen on Rickey Lane.
• Debris was reported in the roadway on the Fitzpatrick Bridge.
• A noise complaint was reported on Third Street.
• Assistance was given to a motorist on Lower Tuskegee Road.
• A domestic dispute was reported on Sims Avenue.
• A child custody dispute was reported on Riverside Avenue.
• Fraud was reported on Hillcrest Street.
• A suspicious vehicle was reported on Gilmer Avenue.
• Animal control was requested on South Wesson Street.
• Theft was reported on Cot-
ton Ridge Road.
• A domestic dispute was reported on Rickey Lane.
• A motor vehicle accident with injuries was reported on Wall Street.
• Assistance was given to a citizen on Courtland Drive.
• Assistance was given to a citizen on Hickory Street.
• Assistance was given to a citizen on Third Avenue.
• A motor vehicle accident with no injuries was reported on Cotton Ridge Road.
• Criminal mischief was reported on Poplar Street.
OCT. 21
• A noise complaint was reported on James Street.
• Disorderly conduct was reported on Indian Trail.
• Assistance was given to a citizen on Ashurst Avenue.
• Assistance was given to a citizen on Ashurst Avenue.
• Criminal mischief and theft was reported on Capstone Lane.
• Trespassing was reported on Gilmer Avenue.
• A hit and run accident was reported on Central Boulevard.
• A motor vehicle accident was reported on Friendship Road.
• A motor vehicle accident was reported on Ralph Bunche Street.
• Assistance was given during a medical call on Freeman Avenue.
OCT. 20
• Assistance was given during a medical call on Ashurst Avenue.
• Theft was reported on Capstone Lane.
• A domestic dispute was reported on South Tallassee Drive.
• Theft was reported on Fourth Street.
• Assistance was given during a medical call on Ashurst Avenue.
• A white female was arrested
on U.S. Highway 231.
• Assistance was given to a citizen on Notasulga Road.
• Animal control was requested on Paxton Drive.
OCT. 19
• Gunshots were reported on First Avenue.
• Harassment was reported on Gilmer Avenue.
• A noise complaint was reported on Pinehurst Street.
• A fight in progress was reported on Softball Way.
• Animal control was requested on Whatley Drive.
• Animal control was requested on John Street.
• A fight in progress was reported on First Avenue.
• Animal control was requested on Freeman Avenue.
• Theft was reported on North Johnson Street.
• Animal control was requested on Redden Avenue.
• Forgery was reported on Twin Creeks Drive.
• Animal control was requested on Paxton Drive.
• Animal control was requested on Herd Street.
• A Black male was arrested on Barnett Boulevard.
Need morning
OCT. 18
• Harassment was reported on Sims Avenue.
• Reckless driving was reported on South Tallassee Drive.
• A civil disturbance was reported on Hickory Street.
• A domestic dispute was reported on Highway 229.
• A noise complaint was reported on Recreation Center Road.
• Animal control was requested on North McKenzie Street.
• A motor vehicle accident was reported on Gilmer Avenue.
OCT. 17
• Assistance was given to a motorist on Highway 229.
• Trespassing was reported on Second Avenue.
• Provided assistance to the Tallassee Fire Department on Gilmer Avenue.
• Theft was reported on Little Road.
• A Black female was arrested during a traffic stop on Gilmer Avenue.
• A child custody dispute was reported on South Tallassee Drive.
• A welfare check was conducted on Kent Road.
• A juvenile complaint was reported on North Johnson Street.
• A suspicious vehicle was reported on Hickory Street.
• Debris was reported in the roadway on Weldon Drive.
• A domestic dispute was reported on Second Avenue.
• Assistance was given to a motorist on Macedonia Road.
• A white male was arrested on Highway 229.
• Suspicious activity was reported on Little John Drive.
• A civil disturbance was reported on Friendship road.
• Gunfire was reported on North Ashurst Boulevard.
• Assistance was given to a citizen on East Patton Street.
• Theft of services was reported on Gilmer Avenue.
• A civil dispute was reported on Gilmer Avenue.
• Animal control was requested on West Butler Street.
• Harassment was reported on Ralph Bunche Street.
• Loitering was reported on Gilmer Avenue.
• Animal control was requested on Ashurst Avenue.
• A suspicious vehicle was reported on Taylor Road.
• Animal control was requested on Central Boulevard.
• Assistance was given during a medical call on Barnett Boulevard.
• Suspicious activity was reported on Hickory Street.
Commission passes Operation Green Light honoring veterans
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
The historic Elmore County Courthouse doesn’t have any green landscape lighting, but that doesn’t stop the Elmore County Commission from recognizing veterans in the area.
The Elmore County Commission has traditionally adopted a resolution recognizing Operation Green Light and veterans in Elmore County. It did so at Monday’s meeting.
“We still have yet to get a green light around the building but we are working on it,” Elmore County chief operations officer Richie Beyer said.”Individuals in the community are also encouraged to have a green light outside their home to recognize the service and sacrifice of our veterans.”
Operation Greenlight is the resulting project between the National Association of Counties (NACo) and the National Association of County Veterans Service Officers (NACVSO) to invite the nation’s 3,069 counties and parishes to show support for veterans by lighting public buildings green from Nov. 6-12.
also the struggles of veterans as they return home.
“It tries to highlight the transition period that veterans have from military service back to civilian life and the great things they bring to the workplace,” Mercer said.
The commission authorized land swap deeds for 17 Springs between the City of Millbrook, the Elmore County Commission and the Greater Montgomery YMCA. It is part of a memorandum of understanding between the entities. Beyer said the fields were essentially built on YMCA property and the commercial district is on city and county property. This action cleans up the documents and makes platting of the commercial district possible.
The commission approved the financing of five dump trucks through CB&S Bank. It was one of two banks to submit proposals to the commission.
Beyer made the recommendation so the trucks’ cost would not affect the county’s cash flow as much.
IN OTHER ACTION THE ELMORE COUNTY COMMISSION
of Sept. 29 to Oct. 13.
• Approved a 011 Lounge Retail Liquor Class II Package alcohol license for Lions Pride Wine and Spirit on Weoka Road after no public comment.
• Approved the vacation of a portion of Maverick Circle to adjoining landowners after no public comment.
• Approved the renewal of a governmental affairs consulting service contract for 2024 with Crosby Drinkard Group LLC.
• Authorized the commission chairman to execute a lease agreement for a public safety communications tower.
• Awarded the Region 4 Debris Monitoring Services contract to Tetra Tech Inc. through the Alabama County Commission Association’s bid program.
• Updated the Elmore County Flood Damage Prevention ordinance to comply with the National Insurance Plan.
• Authorized a three-year agreement with CIMS for GPS units for the county’s equipment.
• Approved the fiscal year 2024 ARP road projects.
• Approved minutes of the Oct. 10 meeting.
Commission chairman Bart Mercer said the project aims to show the value veterans can add to all communities but
• Approved a memorandum of warrants totaling $3,037,138.68 for the time period
The next meeting of the Elmore County Commission is scheduled for 5 p.m. Monday, Nov. 13.
Humane Society of Elmore County News
Some tips for safe pet trick-or-treating
By REA CORD HSEC Executive Director
Today is the last day to purchase your tickets at the shelter office for Food for Funds Shrimp Boil by the Wharf Casual Seafood Wetumpka. For $30, your ticket will get you a Red Bag Shrimp Boil (shrimp, corn, potatoes & sausagewill feed 1-2 people), you can pick up from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Wharf Wetumpka location. Our shelter will receive a portion of the ticket sales and we think this is just a scrumptious idea all the way around.
Because Halloween parties may fire up this coming weekend, we want
to remind folks of some dangers where our pets are concerned. Chocolate and the artificial sweetener
Xylitol, found in many candies, can be toxic to pets – not to mention the danger from swallowed candy wrappers and lollipop sticks.
Please keep all candies safely out of reach of your pets and don’t leave pets unattended with a big bowl of candy at the front door. Make sure your children are aware their Halloween candy should not be shared with pets. Perhaps make a special pet candy bowl with small doggy or kitty treats your children can safely share with them so they have their own treats.
Glow sticks and rings help our children be more visible but best kept out of reach of pets as the contents are very bitter and could cause distress to your pet if chewed.
Wild and fun costumes are part of the holiday, but our pets may not feel the same way and could become scared of, or even protective, so best to keep your pets safely apart from humans in odd and scary costumes.
Keeping them separate from party antics will also help protect them from being fed inappropriate food, treats and candy by kind, but uninformed party guests.
Some pets are fine wear-
ing a costume while others find it quite stressful. If you do dress up your pet, make sure the costume doesn’t constrict its movement, hearing or breathing. Never leave a pet wearing a costume unattended and also check to make sure there are no dangling pieces your pet could get caught in or chew on.
And if your pet seems distressed then please don’t force your pet to stay in a costume.
Please also keep your pets in another room or part of the house if you are opening your door for trick-or-treaters. It would be easy for a pet to escape and we certainly don’t want a pet to be freaked
Prison smuggle attempt could have been inside job
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
Preliminary hearings for two defendants accused of attempting to smuggle drugs into state prisons in Elmore County revealed a corrections officer may be involved.
Cameron Tyrek Ledbetter, 21, and Antonio Marcus Terry, 24, of Columbus, Mississippi were before Elmore County District Court Judge Glen Goggans this week to determine if there was enough evidence to present their cases to a grand jury. Ledbetter and Terry are facing four counts of drug trafficking following a September arrest about three miles south of Staton and Elmore Correctional Facilities.
Elmore County deputy sheriffs testified last week they were sent to the scene on Clay Lane by dispatch about cars in the roadway about 2:30 a.m.
“Two Challengers were parked nose to nose,” Deputy William Coffel said. “They were partially in the roadway.”
One of the deputies said he encountered what he believed to be the caller.
“She seemed upset,”
Coffel said. “She walked up aggressively.”
The deputy said the “young Black female” said the driver of a green Challenger was a “DOC corrections officer.”
The deputies approached the vehicle. They said they could smell marijuana and Terry freely handed over a small bag of the substance. They also noticed a larger backpack between Terry and Ledbetter.
As they started to search the suspects, two individuals ran. One was later identified as Jamarkus Hood, 21, of Columbus, Mississippi. He was apprehended in Mississippi earlier this month.
The deputies testified they did not know who the fifth person was or if the person was truly a corrections officer.
The arrest occurred on Clay Lane just off of Highway 14 south of the prisons.
At arrest, bond was set at $6 million for Ledbetter and Terry. The pair asked Goggans for a reduction in bond. Authorities said they had no record in Alabama. They also had no connection to Alabama.
“I want to see their
Pet of the Week - Waylon
records if they have any from Mississippi,” Goggans said.
The judge left bond at the $6 million mark.
Earlier in the month Hood was arrested. He has yet to have a preliminary hearing and his bond is set at $6,006,000. Lowe posted a $40,000 bond shortly after his arrest. Hood and Lowe have not had a preliminary hearing.
Law enforcement found 198.4 grams of ecstasy, three pounds of marijuana, 113.39 grams of meth and 56 grams of spice in the September search of the car.
They also found nine cell phones, six lighters, four headphones and scales.
Elmore County Sheriff Bill Franklin said the prepaid cell phones were packaged in Pringles cans with chargers to attempt to smuggle them into the nearby state prisons.
Hood is also facing an attempt to elude charge. He ran when deputies first approached the car.
“He was in the vehicle,” Elmore County Sheriff’s Office Capt. Ric Brouillard said. “We were able to obtain warrants for the
Waylon is a 5-year old Husky/Corgi mix who weighs about 45 pounds. He is too cute with his husky head and short stubby legs. Waylon is good with other dogs but brought to us for having a high prey drive where other types of animals are concerned – cats and livestock, for instance. For another dog let’s stick with dogs his size and larger to be safe. He is a happy fella, very strong and fast. He loves people!
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 334-5673377 and the website is www.elmorehumane.org.
out by scores of children in all manner of costumes resulting in either a lost pet or, worse, a bite. And make sure pets and candlelit Halloween decorations are not left alone to help prevent them being knocked over and an accidental fire.
same crimes as the other guys. With him being in Mississippi it took a little bit to coordinate and get him picked up.”
There is still one suspect who fled in September but Brouillard said investigators haven’t given up.
“We are still working on that,” he said. “It is still an ongoing investigation.”
Happy Halloween fun!
Rea Cord is the executive director of the Humane Society of Elmore County.
And just to be safe, make sure your pet is properly identified (microchip, collar and ID tag) in case it does escape through an open door while you’re distracted with trick-ortreaters.
Trick or Treat
Halloween is known as an evil day of ghosts, goblins, and serial killers. But, from this pagan festival came a holy day – and its story is among one of the most interesting developments in history.
The term Halloween is a contraction of the words that spelled out “All Hallows Eve,” the night before All Hallows Day (or All Saints Day in modern vernacular).
In the year 835, Pope Gregory III moved the Catholic Church’s holy days of All Saints Day to Nov. 1 and All Souls Day to Nov. 2, respectively.
“Hallow” is not a word to fear, incidentally: as defined by Merriam-Webster, it means “to make holy or set apart for holy use”. This explains its use in the Lord’s Prayer: “hallowed be Thy name”.
Europeans have tra-
Weddings,
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.
tions there.)
ditionally believed that this is a special time of the year when spirits can make contact with the physical world, and when magic is at its most powerful. The darkness that seems to envelop the universe on this scary evening, especially in horror movies, certainly has a legend unlike any other holy day on the calendar.
The Celtic people of England, Ireland and Scotland celebrated Samhain at this time of year. Samhain was a harvest festival in which the ancient pagans set bonfires to burn the bones of their slaughtered livestock and any damaged crops. As immigrants moved to the United
States in the 1800s, they brought these traditions with them.
During Samhain, the pagans ritually wore costumes and masks to keep evil spirits away. When the Romans took over Celtic territory, they incorporated the festival Feralia, symbolized by Pomona, the goddess of fruit. The bobbing-for-apples tradition began here, and to these people the word Halloween literally meant “to eat kids”.
Dennison Manufacturing Company (now Avery Dennison) was a major manufacturer of Halloween cards and supplies in the early decades of the twentieth century. They even distributed a Halloween merchandise catalog! (Interestingly, Dennison was located in Framingham, Massachusetts from 1897 until recently, when Avery Dennison closed opera-
The post-World War II era saw the rise in popularity of Halloween trick-or-treating as the quintessential autumn event. Particularly during the 1950s, Halloween costumes and the sale of Halloween candy became profitable enterprises for American companies.
Jack-o’-lanterns, scarecrows, pumpkins, witches, spiders, mummies, vampires, tombstones,and other characters of fall have been a part of the All Hallows tradition through the centuries.
Dressing up in costume isn’t only for children, however. Among adults, the most popular costumes continue to be witch, pirate, vampire, cat and clown, along with pop culture icons of the day.
The jack-o’-lantern is traced back to Stingy Jack, a greedy, gambling, hard drinking old Irish farmer who tricked the devil into climbing a
Clean Up Alabama is not protecting children, it’s hurting them
We fear things we don’t understand. We shackle the things that are uncontrollable.
Maybe this is why human sexuality is feared and monitored — and continues to be. I can’t speak to the history of sexuality since its conception, but I can speak to the history of sexuality in America.
The one thing that I am sick and tired of seeing is the demonization and continued oppression of LGBTQ+ identities, which is exactly what will continue if Clean Up Alabama gets its way.
Alabama public libraries are being met with increasing pressure to take away certain books from the children and youth sections and Clean Up Alabama is one of the main organizations driving that pressure.
The main pieces of literature Clean Up Alabama would like to see out of the children’s section are books related to sexuality and gender ideologies because advocates believe they are inappropriate (and sometimes referred to as pornographic.)
An official list for the Alabama Public Library Service to follow regarding inappropriate books has not been decided on as of yet
since this controversy first arose. However, Clean Up Alabama does have a sample of books they believe should be banned.
More than half of the books listed have queer identities from gay romance novels to a trans memoir. To say there’s not an agenda to target the LGBTQ+ community would be naive at best. While there is straight sexual content cited on the list, it’s a stark contrast from how queer literature is treated. For instance, “I Am A Rainbow” is a picture book with no nudity and no sexual activity. It is solely on the list because it has a LGBTQ+ character. Denying kids free access to books won’t stop kids from having LGBTQ+ identities, but they will have the privilege of bearing the weight of daily discrimination and systemic oppression even more.
The ongoing stigma around LGBTQ+ identities isn’t about protecting children, but about power and for heterosexual norms to remain within that place of power.
And if children are the future, they better know their place, right? They better know to marry someone of the opposite sex and not change their assigned gender — stay in line.
LGBTQ+ identities are not new. We have court records from the 1620s in Virginia of an individual named T. Hall who was gender nonconforming and intersex.
So, this current crusade against LGBTQ+ identities isn’t going to make the queer community go away. It will just cause more unnecessary harm to queer children, especially trans youth who are already facing many battles to receive gender affirming care.
From this year’s reports alone, the The Trevor Project found 41% of LGBTQ+ youth have considered attempting suicide. And this isn’t because being gay is wrong. It’s because our society continues to stigmatize and demonize LGBTQ+ identities and as such
MICHAEL BIRD Columnist
ABIGAIL MURPHY Multimedia Reporter
Wetumpka’s Grumpy Dog expands to Tallassee
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
Let’s get Grumpy.
Wil Lanum has made that phrase almost famous in Wetumpka. Now, Tallassee will have its chance to see how much it likes Grumpy Dog.
Lanum did his research before landing in Tallassee for his second location.
“I put out on Facebook asking where people would like to see us — Prattville, Tallassee, Montgomery,” Lanum said. “Everybody had an opinion.”
The Grumpy Dog himself decided to settle the argument over the second location.
“I started driving
around at places to rent or buy to establish another location,” Lanum said. “Tallassee had a great location and the people are awesome.”
Lanum picked the property behind the old Alabama Power building across Gilmer Avenue from J.E.
“Hot” O’Brien Stadium. He said it is a little bit different from the location in downtown Wetumpka. There is no dine in option but the new location has 24 parking spots. But it is not stopping Lanum.
“It will be great for us because the majority of people get us to go,” Lanum said. “More than 60% get theirs to go [in Wetumpka].”
Lanum said he hopes customers use the parking spots like a drive-in after getting their food. Everything else about the Tallassee location will be similar to Wetumpka, with some additions.
“We are going to have the same menu, but we will have salads and wraps on the menu every day instead of running them as a special,” Lanum said. “We will have a drink menu. We have a
slushy machine so we will have a specialty drink menu.” A grand opening is planned for Nov. 11 but Lanum hopes to have a soft opening prior to get new employees used to
Grumpy Dog and its menu.
“We are interviewing for positions currently,” Lanum said.
Lanum said he believes the location will be successful based on his interactions with Tallassee residents while prepping the new location.
“Everyone has been super nice and super supportive,” he said. “They see my Grumpy Dog t-shirt and ask when we are going to open. Lots of people have come in [the Wetumpka] asking when we are going to open over there. Everyone is excited about it. People are the biggest reason I picked Tallassee.”
Millbrook city employees could get raise with new budget
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
The Millbrook City Council is set to vote on a budget for fiscal year 2024 Tuesday.
The budget presented by Mayor Al Kelley to the council last week is the largest ever for the city and includes raises for all city employees.
“It is $24 million,” Kelley said. “I never ever thought I would see Millbrook with a $24 million budget. We have all the expenses accounted for.”
Kelley became mayor in 1996 and Millbrook had a budget of $2 million. It was $13 million in 2018. The mayor said city employees had worked hard on putting the budget together and especially on trying to improve pay.
“There is a whole bunch of things that go into this salary stuff,” Kelley said. “We have worked hard to try to take care
of everyone the best way we can.”
Kelley said employees in the street, parks and utilities departments will all now make at least $15 per hour.
“If you have a person not making $15, they started a year ago at $14, they are going to $15,” Kelley said. “If they are not making $15, they will be. This is a pretty good raise in a lot of cases.”
The pay increase for dispatchers now starts at $16 per hour. Starting pay for police officers is now $20 per hour.
“They are currently making $18,” Kelley said. “We know that some other cities in the county have raised their starting pay, we are right in there with them.”
Minimum pay in the fire department would be $18 per hour.
The budget includes up to a 5% pay raise for all employees.
The first 3% would be for the first payroll in November. Up to 2% comes at the employee’s evaluation or anniversary.
“As long as they are doing their job good, they will get the 2%,” Kelley said.
A one time longevity raise or payment is in the budget. It is designed for employees already employed as of Oct. 1, 2023 and will be paid in September 2024.
Employees who have been with the city for up to five years will receive a one time payment of $1,000. Those with five to 10 years of service will receive $2,000 and those with more than 10 years of service will receive $3,000. Part-time employees would receive half the payment of full time employees.
“The purpose of this is trying to keep people here,” Kelley said. “We are doing everything we can do. This
is probably the best setup we have ever done.” Kelley said the proposed budget includes a $2.3 million excess in revenue over expenses.
“Out of that is what comes police cars, tractors, equipment, trucks,” Kelley said. “We don’t budget those extra police cars unless we know we will have the money to pay it.”
Kelley said he and finance employees tried to take into account everything they could in the proposed budget.
“Everything is going good,” Kelley said. “We tried to be fair to the employees. When Publix opens it will improve more. We figured two to three months of Publix being open in this budget. It will open about July.”
The council approved the final documents for the issuance of $41,495,000 General Obligation Warrants. The city
received an AA- bond rating and the closing is Oct. 20.
Portions of the proceeds of the bond will help fund the 17 Springs project.
The council also approved project management services for Phase 2 of 17 Springs with costs to be split with Elmore County. The total is estimated to be $110,000 with Millbrook paying $55,000.
IN OTHER ACTION THE MILLBROOK CITY COUNCIL:
• Approved the minutes of the Sept. 26 meeting.
• Learned construction would soon start on the 104room TownPlace Suites. The new hotel has an estimated construction time of 12 months.
• Approved a gender reveal at Minnie Massey Park.
The next meeting of the Millbrook City Council is scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday.
Adopt, don’t shop. Shelter Pets
CLIFF WILLIAMS THE HERALD
The second location of Grumpy Dog in Elmore County is on Gilmer Avenue near J.E. ‘Hot’ O’Brien Stadium. The grand opening is scheduled for Nov. 11.
JAILED Continued from A1
investigator J.T. Evans said. “His jugular veins were very distinct. You could see his heartbeat through his clothing.”
During a search of Jackson’s vehicle, a bladder system for synthetic urine was found as well as checks from the same account but different names.
evidence and the hearing to continue. Images of 13 checks found at Jackson’s residence were produced to Goggans. The checks totaled $18,510. Five were made out to people. Five of the checks were made out to Jackson totaling $6,850.
Law enforcement said the checks had forged signatures and the account belonged to a family member’s business that closed four years earlier. The checks were also from different business names despite having the same account number.
driver of the car Harris was riding in failed to signal a turn. Officers noticed a cigarette pack with an obscured label that turned out to be marijuana. On the driver’s side of the car a bag containing methamphetamine was found. Harris was charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute. She was in front of Googans last week for preliminary and bond hearings.
Wetumpka Police Department for using false identity to obstruct justice.
Jackson, who was representing himself, had previously filed motions to suppress much of the evidence as the charges before Goggans were 13 counts of possession of forged instruments found at Jackson’s residence. Jackson also claimed the traffic stop wasn’t valid and evidence obtained couldn’t be used.
But in December 2022, Jackson pled guilty to possession of a controlled substance and entered the community corrections program. Agreeing to the program is similar to probation allowing law enforcement to search a person, vehicle or resident as long as they are in the program. The synthetic urine could be used in an attempt to avert drug testing.
Goggans allowed the
CONTEST
Continued from A1
The family member said the business had closed and there was no money in the account.
Goggans bound the case over to an Elmore County Grand Jury.
Jackson has a $5,000 bond available to him on the 13 counts of possession of forged instruments. But there his community corrections program is in the process of being revoked on the synthetic urine charge meaning he would be held until he completes his three year sentence.
Other cases in district court last week include:
• Tia Harris, 30, of Selma was stopped by a patrol officer with the Wetumpka Police Department on Sept. 6 after the
much of it because the circulation bracket we would fall into was under 35,000. Even though I was hesitant, Tippy encouraged me to do it just to see what might come of it.”
Each year, America’s Newspapers presents the Carmage Walls Commentary Prize in honor of the founder of Southern Newspapers. Categories include editorial and column writing.
Hunter learned about this contest through an email from America’s Newspapers. She had been receiving the emails for several years but after the events of this year, it really stood out to her.
“As soon as I started seeing them, I began sending them to her,” Hunter said. “I figured the least she could do was at least enter the contest.”
When Gwin made the decision to enter this contest, she gathered three of her most thought-provoking and powerful pieces and submitted them to be reviewed.
Her column “Suicide can’t be taboo; we have to talk through this together” exhibits Gwin’s vulnerability with readers as she shares her experience with suicidal ideation to highlight the importance of talking about suicide.
Another one of her submissions titled “The shoes and the night I will never forget” provides a detailed account of the Dadeville mass shooting through the eyes of a local journalist and community member.
In her third column, “Sometimes losses rearrange the world,” Gwin
ABUSE Continued from A1
that he uses, with lubrication to stick inside
Goggans bound Harris’ case over to an Elmore County Grand Jury and left her bond at $46,000.
The driver of the car, Robert Ingram, 31, also of Selma posted a $46,000 bond two days after the pair’s arrest.
• William Boland, 37, of Elmore was arrested by the Millbrook Police Department on Sept. 7 and charged with sex abuse of a child under 12. Bond was set at $100,000 at his arrest. He requested a preliminary hearing and a bond reduction hearing.
Boland was in court with his attorney last week and withdrew both motions as his name was called.
As of Thursday afternoon Boland was still being held in the Elmore County Jail.
• A Georgia man was arrested Sept. 3 by the
lovingly honors her late brother-inlaw Dylan Gentry while reflecting on grief and its ability to change one’s perception of their reality.
“I chose to enter these specific stories because I felt like they were well-written, and they were the most important to me,” Gwin said. “I’ve worked really hard at my column writing over the past few years, so it really means a lot to be recognized for something I’ve taken so seriously.”
Gwin believes these stories were important to share because of their pertinence to recent events in her personal life as well as their importance to the community.
“These stories were very relevant to events that were happening within the community; in a matter of weeks, we had about five suicides in our tri-county area,” Gwin said. “The Dadeville shooting was such an important part of my life and my career, and raising awareness about suicide is something that has always been important to me.”
In a time where this community was facing a large amount of loss, Gwin reflects on the consequences of loss in her column “Sometimes losses rearrange the world.” Throughout the grief she has experienced in her own life, she figured she knew exactly how to handle it. After witnessing the effects of the mass shooting in Dadeville and losing her little brother-in-law, she realized that grief is not something that can be “figured out.”
“My brother-in-law and Phil Dowdell, a victim of the Dadeville shooting, were very similar,” Gwin
her. [The child] has also stated that Perez has used his mouth on her…” Butterfly Bridge Child Advocacy Center
Charles Hammond, 31, of Lithonia, Georgia waived his preliminary hearing to help get a bond reduction. He was stopped for improper lane usage on U.S. Highway 231. According to court documents, the officer smelled a strong odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle. The officer also noticed all eight occupants were acting nervous as if to hide something. It was determined Hammond was hiding from outstanding felony warrants in Georgia.
During the search of the vehicle, officers found 4.4 grams of marijuana, molly and a handgun.
Hammond’s bond was originally set at $15,000 cash. Goggans reduced it to $7,500.
The molly was found on Vonn Russell, 32, of McDonough, Georgia and was charged with possession of a controlled substance. Russell has a $16,000 bond available to him. He has also filed a motion to plead guilty to information meaning he will soon be sentenced.
Charles Dozier claimed the marijuana and handgun.
explained. “Both of them always had a smile on their face, were extremely skilled athletically and were just genuine, kind-hearted kids.”
Because these stories are so personal to Gwin, she felt honored to have received this award. She hopes that her vulnerability will make a difference in the lives of those who read her stories.
“This award means a lot because the columns I wrote were very personal. Sometimes when I write about topics like these, I feel like I overshare,” Gwin said. “To learn that I’m not oversharing and that I could be making a difference for someone is very meaningful to me.”
The judges of the Carmage Walls Commentary Prize contest described Gwin’s work as having a “powerful punch” and “memorable.” The judges conveyed their appreciation for Gwin’s courage to share these deeply personal accounts with her local audience.
When Hunter learned Gwin placed second in the national contest, she was not surprised; Hunter was confident that Gwin’s talent would not go unnoticed.
“I was extremely thrilled that she won, but I was even more proud that she entered the contest,” Hunter said. “It can be very difficult to put yourself out there, but I’m proud that she entered some of her personal stories in hopes of helping others.”
According to Hunter, Tallapoosa Publishers Inc. is proud to have Gwin as its managing editor. Her purposeful writing does not go unnoticed throughout the community — and beyond.
performed a forensic interview with the child. The court documents state the alleged abuse could have started in
June 2023. Perez was taken to the Elmore County Jail where he is being held without bond pending a hearing.
Continued from A4
tree, and trapped Ol’ Scratch by carving a Cross into the tree trunk. In revenge, the devil placed a curse on Jack which dooms him to forever wander the earth at night. (More realistically, a jack-of-the-lantern was an Irish name for a carved turnip or pumpkin with a candle inside,
Continued from A4 TREAT
roughly 1 in 3 LGBTQ+ individuals attribute their
placed on doorsteps and in window sills to light the night.)
Today, Halloween ranks only behind Christmas as the second most popular holiday for decorating in the United States. It also ranks high for profitability along with Valentine’s Day, Easter and Christmas. The next time you’re watching Michael Myers from Halloween, Leatherface from Texas Chainsaw Massacre or Jason
to the prevalence of anti-LGBTQ+ policies and legislation. LGBTQ+ youth are already at high risk of homelessness, assault and other hate crimes.
from Friday the 13th, consider that once upon a time, Halloween was a day to remember the faithful departed while celebrating hunters and gatherers. We will probably never view Halloween in such a way again; but as we do, let us recall how it all began. Trick or treat!
Michael Bird is a music teacher for Tallassee City Schools.
So why not add denying access to free books that create a sense of community and belonging? Protect the children, they say. But it seems LGBTQ+ children
aren’t considered children at all.
Abigail Murphy is the Dadeville beat writer for Tallapoosa Publishers Inc.
Wetumpka Kidz Page
We must keep walking with Jesus
e go through many phases in life from the helplessness of being a newborn babe, although love is abundant when a new life enters the world. We experience our school days of making new friends followed by the years of a happy-go-lucky teenager. Then it hits; “working nine to five and what a way to make a living.” Senior years creep upon us with many changes but our life does not end! We are in constant motion of transitions from the “cradle to the grave.”
Robert Lee Frost (1874 –
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.
to dream.
JACKIE WILBOURN Columnist
1963) was an American poet. Mr. Frost was known for his frequent writings depicting rural life. He is the only poet to receive four Pulitzer Prizes for Poetry. One of his most famous poems, “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening,” was read at President John Kennedy’s funeral. Many of Mr. Frost’s works employed the use of
symbolism and this particular writing contains special moments of remembrance.
Just as the poem reflects, “Stopping in the woods to enjoy the beauty of falling snow and as peaceful as he felt, he had to move along.”
Life is much like that. We cannot stop and question, “What if?”
If a pool of water stands still for a lengthy period of time, it will become stagnant. Life moves along, no matter how nice it may seem at the moment. There are promises we must keep, obligations we must fulfill, people who need us and there are dreams that we have yet
Church Briefs
Scripture teaches that our walk with Jesus will present many hurdles that must be jumped, many potholes to go around, but we must continue to walk with Him by our side. Many people have lost their jobs, many have lost loved ones, many obstacles have jumped in front of our journey of life but we must accept that we must not “stop in the woods and enjoy peace” but continue to walk on down the road.
Like the man in the poem, “I have promises to keep which I cannot fulfill if I stare too long into the beautiful woods.” I want to be a
part of the future because I made promises I must keep.
Another famous writer, the Apostle Paul, wrote, “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me Heavenward in Christ Jesus,” (Philippians 3:14).
Believe that your best miles are ahead of you, and I want to cover every one of them before I sit down. I don’t want to leave any mile un-run. “I have miles to go before I sleep.”
Jackie Wilbourn, member of Bethel Baptist Church, is a chaplain with Alabama Baptist Relief Team.
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-
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
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
HARMONY
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.
Proverbs 10:12 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. – John 3:17
EDITOR
FIVE IN A ROW
By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor
The dynasty continues to roll.
The Edgewood Academy volleyball team swept Lowndes Academy, 3-0 (25-19, 25-11, 25-18) in the AISA Class AA state championship Tuesday. The Wildcats finished the season with a 37-2 record and have now won five straight state championships and seven of the last eight titles.
“This is special,” Edgewood coach Brad Starks said. “People know this team is talented, but I would put their work ethic over everybody. To see them achieve this and see them play so well against a good Lowndes team is special. We knew we had to be good today and we were. This is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced.”
Much like the two playoff matches Edgewood won 3-0 Monday over Pickens and Macon-East, the Wildcats started out on fire.
The teams traded points up until the 7-6 mark when Edgewood took a 12-7 lead on six straight points, five of which came off kills from Lindsey Brown, Avery White, Emerson Boddie and AC Kelley. The Wildcats carried that momentum into a six-point first set win then cruised into the second set with a dominant 25-11 win and 2-0 lead in the match.
In the third set, however, the game got interesting. Lowndes took an early lead and looked to be cruising as the Rebels led, 10-5, then 16-11 midway through the set. But Starks had enough, so he called a timeout down five points and his team came out as motivated as ever.
“I told them in that timeout that if you lose a set, it changes the team you’re playing against,” Starks said. “I told them we aren’t trying to mess around with them. We had to make the decision right then to get a pass up and get a good swing. We couldn’t
have written it any better because we instantly got a perfect pass and perfect swing and momentum.”
Out of the timeout, it was senior Madison Martin who dominated the match for the Wildcats. Martin, at 6-foot-2, was a height mismatch for anyone on Lowndes’ defense.
Down 16-11, Martin was fed a pass and she instantly killed it into the ground. She earned another kill on the next point to make it 16-13, then Martin blocked a potential kill directly into the ground and cut the lead to one point, 16-15.
Edgewood then tied the game on a service ace from Brown and never looked back in a 25-18 and 3-0 match win.
“I was trying to find open shots in their blocks and put the ball down,” Martin said. “At this point of the season, I’m just trying to do what’s best for my team. Today, my hitting was really on. I just kept swinging and I was going to swing until I missed.”
Local volleyball teams vying for state tournament
By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor
Three county volleyball teams begin postseason play today in Montgomery. Wetumpka, Stanhope Elmore and Elmore County will each play in their classification’s regional tournament today at the Cramton Bowl. The Top 16 teams from the south in each class are meet-
COUNTY Elmore County, which won the AHSAA Class 5A, Area 7 championship, will begin on the bottom of the bracket as a No. 1 seed. The Panthers enter the postseason with a 26-7 overall record and will face Eufaula at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday in the first round. Eufaula (18-9) has had a very successful season and finished area play as the No. 2 seed out of Area 5. The Tigers were runner-up to Beauregard and went 0-3 against them during the
By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor
Bear Woods and the Wetumpka football team are looking to rebound in a big way. The Indians (4-4, 3-2) are coming off their bye week and are playing in what Woods said is his team’s most important game of the season.
Wetumpka’s last game before the bye was a blowout loss to Montgomery Carver, and now Wetumpka hits the road back to Montgomery one last time this year.
Wetumpka is facing Sidney Lanier (5-3, 3-2) on Thursday in the Cramton Bowl. With both teams having a 3-2 record in AHSAA Class 6A, Region 2, the winner of the matchup will be the No. 3 seed in the playoffs while the loser will be No. 4.
Montgomery Carver and Pike Road have already secured home field advantage. “It’s going to be about finishing what we started,” Woods said. “We’re still on the ascension of a program in terms of a mindset change. With Thursday night being our last region opponent, we want to finish and the way we’re going to do that is with a great attitude and relentless effort. Those are the staples we preach here and our kids
have done a good job with that this year.”
In Wetumpka’s loss to Montgomery Carver two weeks ago, Woods was not happy with the mental mistakes his team made on the field, especially on the defensive side of the ball. In that game, Wetumpka had multiple broken plays in the secondary and it resulted in a big night for the Carver passing attack. That resulted in 277 Wetumpka
Elmore’s Zoie
Wetumpka claims area title, Stanhope runner-up
By HENRY ZIMMER Sports Writer
The Wetumpka Indi-
ans have claimed the school’s seventh straight area volleyball tournament title. With threeset sweeps over Sidney Lanier and Stanhope Elmore, the Indians are yet again headed to the regional tournament with plenty of momentum.
“I am just very honored to be a part of the seventh,” Wetumpka first-year coach KK Dismukes said. “We are keeping the streak alive.”
Stanhope will also be headed to regional play, after sweeping Carver and making it to the title game. Wetumpka started off the day putting the hammer down on Sidney Lanier, winning 25-7, 25-3, 25-7. In the second set, the Indians did not allow the Poets to score a single point on their own, instead hitting two balls long and one into the net.
Stanhope and Carver played a bit closer, but the Mustangs never wavered and won 25-15, 25-16, 25-15. Stanhope found itself down 4-1 at the start of the second set, but rattled off an 8-4 run behind solid service from Kenlee Henderson. In the third, Stanhope
in the championship game.
mounted a 9-1 lead and never looked back.
The title fight was a back and forth one, but ultimately Wetumpka
Elmore County’s Everson shines on both sides of the ball
By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor
There was no keeping Cade Everson out of the end zone last week.
Elmore County ended last week on the losing side of a Hail Mary pass in a 41-40 defeat to Valley, but that didn’t stop Everson from having a big night for the Panthers.
The senior wide receiver and running back was nearly unstoppable as Valley had no answer for him on the ground or through the air.
Everson recorded 175 total yards of offense and three touchdowns in the loss. He had 13 rushes for 87 yards and two touchdowns. He also had twoa catches for 88 yards and one touchdown. He scored the team’s second, third and last touchdown.
For his performance, Everson has been named this week’s Elmore County Player of the Week.
Everson scored a touchdown nearly once every five times he touched the ball.
Down 7-6 in the first quarter, Everson took the direct snap from the 13-yard line and went nearly untouched into the end zone after finding a hole on the right side of
FILE | THE HERALD
the defense.
After Valley scored again, Everson made his mark through the air.
He caught a screen pass behind the line of scrimmage, and with the help of a massive block on the outside by fellow receiver Jabari Murphy, he raced 75 yards up the left sideline untouched as he put Elmore County ahead.
Later in the game, with Elmore County leading 34-28, Everson took another direct snap and hit pay dirt from nine yards out.
Everson served as the team’s wildcat quarterback for much of the night. The senior handed the ball off twice in the red zone, with running back CJ Wilkes scoring once and then Murphy
finding the end zone once.
Regular quarterback Ryals McNealy scored the team’s other touchdown.
While Everson made his presence known on the offensive side of the ball, he also tried to keep his team in the game with a defensive showing as well.
Elmore County’s secondary faced a tough test in Valley’s dynamic passing attack filled with height and skill players, but Everson was able to keep them honest by grabbing an interception in the second half. He nearly returned the interception for a touchdown, but was tackled around midfield. That turnover led to another score for the Panthers.
caught too much steam late and the Mustangs could not come all the way back. Wetumpka won 25-22, 25-15, 25-19.
In the first set, Stanhope led 12-10, but Wetumpka finished the set on a 15-10 run to close things out. The second set was highlighted by strong play at the net from Wetumpka senior Star Angier, who was a force on the court for the entire tournament.
“She played fantastic,” Dismukes said. “All around. Her swings very faster, harder, better. She was moving. She was talking, she was keeping the team together. I am so proud of her.”
Stanhope mounted a small comeback in the waning minutes of the final frame, but never
could quite come back all the way.
Dismukes was proud of her team’s ability to fight through a much closer game against Stanhope than their game against Sidney Lanier.
“I am very proud of them for pushing through,” Dismukes said. “We started off a little slow in the first set, but I am proud of them for coming back and competing and playing how they know how to play.”
Both teams play the regional tournament from Oct. 25-27 at the Cramton Bowl in Montgomery.
Stanhope Elmore’s Gilbert named SEC Freshman of the Week
By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor
Former Stanhope Elmore graduate Josiah Gilbert is already making waves at the collegiate level.
Gilbert, a true freshman for the No. 1-ranked Auburn golf team, picked up a national honor this week for his play. Gilbert was named the Southeastern Conference’s Freshman of the Week after he shot a career-low -11 score at the MartinFed Invitational in Florence, Alabama.
In the process, he earned himself a third place finish and helped lead the Tigers’ “B” team to a second place finish in the event. This is the first honor for Gilbert in his college career.
Auburn’s fall season is nearly over as the Tigers will play their last match of the season this weekend in California. The Tigers have won three team titles this fall.
Gilbert, as an individual, has had a great first fall season with Auburn. Along with his weekly honor, Gil-
bert has earned two Top 20 finishes in three matches (9 total rounds) while finishing those nine rounds with a -6 total score. He finished 19th overall with a score of -3 in the Maui Jim Intercollegiate, 27th overall with a score of +8 in The Williams Cup, and then third overall last week in the MartinFed Invitational.
Holtville hosts cross-county rivalry
By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor
ELMORE COUNTY (6-2) AT HOLTVILLE (6-2) THE PLAYERS
Elmore County: ATH Cade Everson has recorded 780 total yards of offense, 14 TDs this season. … QB Ryals McNeely ahas completed 48-of-88 passes for 701 yards, 8 TDs, 5 INTs. … RB CJ Wilkes has See HOLTVILLE, Page B8
HENRY ZIMMER THE HERALD
Wetumpka’s volleyball team celebrates after winning its seventh-straight area championship. The Indians swept rival Stanhope Elmore, 3-0,
Elmore County’s Cade Everson runs past a Valley defender on Friday night. Everson had three touchdowns on offense and an interception on defense for the Panthers.
PLAYER OF THE WEEK
SUBMITTED THE HERALD Auburn’s Josiah Gilbert, a Stanhope Elmore graduate, was named the SEC Freshman of the Week for a Top 3 finish in the MartinFed Invitational.
FILE | THE HERALD Holtville’s Cedrick Croskey (13) intercepts a pass earlier this season. The Bulldogs are looking to rebound from last week’s loss against rival Elmore County.
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Public Notices
terest in the property described as: The N1/2 of SE1/4 of NE1/4 of Section 34 & The N1/2 of SW1/4 of NW1/2 of Section 35 all in T 20 R19 Elmore County, Alabama DEFENDANTS. Said complaint is to determine the rights and interest of the parties and to divide said property accordingly. CASE NO.: CV 2022900231.00
NOTICE OF PUBLICATION
The Defendants and all other persons claiming any present, future, contingent, remainder, reversion or other in said landtiff’s Complaint for Declaratory Judgment and to Quiet Title and other relief by the 20th day of counsel and the Circuit Clerk or thereafter, a judgment by Default may be rendered against all Defendants in Case No CV 2022-900231.00 in the Circuit Court of Elmore County, Alabama.
Jesse C. Heifner
Attorney for the Plaintiff 1 Commerce St Ste 600 Montgomery, AL 36117 com
Wetumpka Hearld: Oct. 18, 25, Nov. 1 and 8, 2023 2022-900231.00
PUBLIC NOTICE MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE
Default having been made in the payment of the indebtedness secured by that certain mortgage executed on November 23, 2005 by Linda F Hurst, an unmarried woman, originally in favor of Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as nominee for Countrywide Home Loans, Inc., and recorded in RLPY Book 2005 at Page 93727 on December 15, 2005, Probate of Elmore County, Alabama, and secured indebtedness having been transferred to The Bank of New York Mellon as Trustee for CWABS, Inc. As2005-17. LOGS Legal Group LLP, as counsel for Mortgagee or Transferee and under and by virtue of power of sale contained in the said mortgage will, on November 30, 2023, sell at public outcry to the highest bidder at the main entrance of the Elmore County, Alabama, Courthouse in the City of Wetumpka, during the legal hours of sale, the following real estate situated in Elmore County, Alabama, to wit: Lot No. 1, of Broadmoor Estates Plat C Subdivision, as shown registered land surveyor No.
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Public Notices
Public Notices
PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA Ronald Russell v. Sheryl Boyd, Mellonie Russell, Sarah Ross, Mary Ambers, William Thrasher, Clyde Harris, Aaron Thrasher, Tyron Thrasher, Jermiah Harris, Lee Patrick Harris, Timothy Harris, and all Heirs of Eli Nolen, and any person or entities claiming any present, future, contingent, remainder, reversion, or other in-
Public Notices
PUBLIC NOTICE
MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE
Default having been made in the payment of the indebtedness secured by that certain mortgage executed on June 8, 2016 by Calvin A Lake, a married person, originally in favor of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., and recorded in RLPY 2016 at Page 26788 the Judge of Probate of Elmore County, Alabama. LOGS Legal Group LLP, as counsel for Mortgagee or Transferee and under and by virtue of power of sale contained in the said mortgage will, on November 20, 2023, sell at public outcry to the highest bidder at the main entrance of the Elmore County, Alabama, Courthouse in the City of Wetumpka, during the legal hours of sale, the following real estate situated in Elmore County, Alabama, to wit: Commence at an iron pipe marking the NE corner of Section 6, TI8N, RI8E, Elmore County, Alabama; thence S 14°02’52”W, for 2760.04 feet to an iron pin on the South ROW of a county paved road and the point of beginning of the parcel described herein; thence S 6°54’W, 238.69 feet to an iron pin; thence S 00°17E, for 438.39 feet to an iron pin; thence S 89°50’E, for 407.86 feet to an iron pin; thence S 00°12’E, for 571.04 feet to an iron pin; thence along an old fence S 87°49’W, for 427.24 feet; thence N 00°17’W, for 1026.84 feet to an iron pin; thence N 6°54’E, 238.69 feet to an iron pin on the South ROW of said road; thence along South ROW, N 89°43’E, for 20.0 feet to an iron pin and the point of beginning. Said parcel lying and being in the NE 1/4 of the SE 1/4 of Section 6, T18N, R18E, Elmore County, Alabama, and containing 6.00 acres, more or less. For informational purposes only, the property address is: 143 Wildberry Ln, Wetumpka, AL 36092. ANY PROPERTY ADDRESS PROVIDED IS NOT PART OF THE LEGAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPERTY SOLD HEREIN AND IN THE EVENT OF ANY DISCREPANCY, THE LEGAL DESCRIPTION REFERENCED HEREIN SHALL CONTROL
Public Notices
pgg vicing, by instrument recorded notice is hereby given that the undersigned NewRez LLC d/b/a Shellpoint Mortgage Servicing, 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 on the Front Steps of the Elmore County Courthouse, 100 East Conners Street, Wetumpka, AL 36092 in Wetumpka, Elmore County, Alabama, on December 7, 2023, during 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 5, ACCORDING TO THE MAP OF NEW QUARTERS PLACE PLAT #1, AS THE SAME APPEARS OF RECORD IN THE OFFICE OF THE JUDGE OF PROBATE OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA, IN PLAT BOOK 23, AT PAGE 19. Said legal description being controlling, however the property is more commonly known as 45 NEW QUARTERS RD, 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
Probate in the
uated. This
of
and
County, Alabama, in Plat Book 5, at Page 131. For informational purposes only, the property address is: ANY PROPERTY ADDRESS PROVIDED IS NOT PART OF THE LEGAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPERTY SOLD HEREIN AND IN THE EVENT OF ANY DISCREPANCY, THE LEGAL DESCRIPTION REFERENCED HEREIN SHALL CONTROL.
This sale is made for the purpose of paying the indebtedness secured by said mortgage, as well as the expenses of foreclosure. Furthermore, the property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance AS IS, WHERE IS. Neither the mortgagee, nor the employees, agents or authorized representative of the mortgagee make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property offered for sale. Any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition, including those suggested by expressly are disclaimed. This sale is subject to all prior liens and encumbrances and unpaid taxes and assessments including any transfer tax associated with the foreclosure. The successful bidder must tender a non-refundable deposit of Five Thousand Dollars and no/100 funds at the time and place of the sale. The balance of the purchase price must be paid inness on the next business day LOGS Legal Group LLP at the address indicated below. LOGS Legal Group LLP reserves the right to award the bid to the next highest bidder, or to reschedule the sale, should the highest bidder fail to timely tender the total amount due. Alabama law gives some persons who have an interest in property the right to redeem the property under certain circumstances. Programs may also exist that help persons avoid or delay the foreclosure process. An attorney should be consulted to help you understand these rights and programs as a part of the foreclosure process. The Bank of New York Mellon as Trustee for CWABS, Inc. As2005-17, and its successors and assigns Mortgagee or Transferee LOGS LEGAL GROUP LLP
Attorneys for Mortgagee or Transferee Wetumpka Herald: Oct. 18, 25 and Nov. 1, 2023 219341
This sale is made for the purpose of paying the indebtedness secured by said mortgage, as well as the expenses of foreclosure. Furthermore, the property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance AS IS, WHERE IS. Neither the mortgagee, nor the employees, agents or authorized representative of the mortgagee make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property offered for sale. Any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition, including those suggested by Code of Ala. (1975) § 35-4-271, expressly are disclaimed. This sale is subject to all prior liens and encumbrances and unpaid taxes and assessments including any transfer tax associated with the foreclosure. The successful bidder must tender a non-refundable deposit of Five Thousand Dollars and no/100 funds at the time and place of the sale. The balance of the purchase price must be paid inness on the next business day LOGS Legal Group LLP at the address indicated below. LOGS Legal Group LLP reserves the right to award the bid to the next highest bidder, or to reschedule the sale, should the highest bidder fail to timely tender the total amount due. Alabama law gives some persons who have an interest in property the right to redeem the property under certain circumstances. Programs may also exist that help persons avoid or delay the foreclosure process. An attorney should be consulted to help you understand these rights and programs as a part of the foreclosure process. Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., and its successors and assigns Mortgagee or Transferee LOGS LEGAL GROUP LLP 10130 Perimeter Parkway, Suite 400 Charlotte, NC 28216 704-333-8107/ 23-023134 Attorneys for Mortgagee or Transferee
Wetumpka Herald: Oct. 11, 18 and 25, 2023 218654 PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE UNDER POWER FORECLOSURE NOTICE WHEREAS, default has occurred in the performance of the covenants, terms and conditions of a mortgage from PHILLIP ELTON DAY AND MARIE L. DAY, A/K/A EMMA M. DAY, HUSBAND AND WIFE, FOR AND DURING THEIR JOINT LIVES AND UPON THE DEATH OF EITHER OF THEM, THEN TO THE SURVIVOR OF THEM to MORTGAGE ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION SYSTEMS INC. AS MORTGAGEE, AS NOMINEE FOR CLEARPATH LENDING, on the 19th day of September, 2017, said mortthe Judge of Probate of Elmore County, Alabama, on October 17, 2017, in Deed/Mortgage Book 2017, Page 51299, Elmore County, Alabama Records, said Mortgage having subsequently been transferred and assigned to NewRez LLC d/b/a Shellpoint Mortgage Ser-
where the
will
of
(including
is
es 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. NewRez LLC d/b/a Shellpoint Mortgage Servicing, 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. SHP-23-044841 rlselaw.com/property-listing
Wetumpka Herald: Oct. 18, 25 and Nov. 1, 2023 219505 PUBLIC NOTICE
MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE
Default having been made in the payment of the indebtedness secured by that certain mortgage executed on July 27, 2015 by Jodi Kitchens and Travis Kitchens, wife and husband, originally in favor of Mortgage Electronic Registra-Bank, and recorded in RLPY Book 2015 at Page 36616 on of the Judge of Probate of Elmore County, Alabama, and secured indebtedness having been transferred to Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. LOGS Legal Group LLP, as counsel for Mortgagee or Transferee and under and by virtue of power of sale contained in the said mortgage will, on December 13, 2023, sell at public outcry to the highest bidder at the main entrance of the Elmore County, Alabama, Courthouse in the City of Wetumpka, during the legal hours of sale, the following real estate situated in Elmore County, Alabama, to wit: Lot 8 of Savannah Place Plat No. 2, as said Plat appears of of Probate of Elmore County, Alabama in Plat Book 15 at Page 77. For informational purposes only, the property address is: 139 Abercorn
the same to the Court or the same will be barred.
KATIE MARTIN
ADMINISTRATOR OF THE ESTATE OF GAIL PRIESTER, DECEASED Name and Address of Attorney for Administrator: JOHN B. BRADLEY VOGEL LAW FIRM, LLC 41 CAMBRIDGE COURT WETUMPKA, ALABAMA 36093 334-409-0088
Wetumpka Herald: Oct. 18, 25 and Nov. 1, 2023
EST/PRIESTER, G. PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF LILLIE RANSAW, DECEASED CASE NO: 2023-224 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE
Letters Testamentary in the Estate of LILLIE RANSAW, deceased, having been granted to ALMA L. BRASWELL, formerly known as ALMA L. GREEN, on October 6, 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.
ALMA L. BRASWELL PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF LILLIE RANSAW, DECEASED Attorney of Record for Personal Representative: REGINA EDWARDS THE LAW FIRM OF EDWARDS & EDWARDS, P.C. 109 EAST BRIDGE STREET WETUMPKA, ALABAMA 36092 334-514-1011 Wetumpka Herald: Oct. 11, 18 and 25, 2023
EST/RANSAW, L. PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF ANNA GRACE ROBINSON, DECEASED CASE NO: 2023-249 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE
Letters of Administration over the Estate of ANNA GRACE ROBINSON, deceased, having been granted to KENNETH M. ROBINSON, JR. on October 2nd, 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.
KENNETH M. ROBINSON, JR. ADMINISTRATOR OF THE ESTATE OF ANNA GRACE ROBINSON, DECEASED Name and Address of Attorney for Administrator: RALEY L. WIGGINS CAPELL & HOWARD PO BOX 2069 MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA 36102 150 SOUTH PERRY STREET MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA 36104334-2418029 Raley.wiggins@chlaw. com
Wetumpka Herald: Oct. 11, 18 and 25, 2023 EST/ROBINSON, A. PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF DAVID GLENN SAFFOLD, CASE NO: 2023-274 DECEASED NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE
Letters Testamentary in the Estate of DAVID GLENN SAFFOLD, deceased, having been granted to CINDY SAFFOLD on October 20, 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.
CINDY SAFFOLD, PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF DAVID GLENN SAFFOLD, DECEASED
Attorney of Record for Personal Representative: ANGELA J. HILL ATTORNEY AT LAW
P O BOX 1945 ALEXANDER CITY. ALABAMA 35011 256-329-1441 angie@ajhill-law.com
Wetumpka Herald: Oct. 25, Nov. 1 and 8, 2023
EST/SAFFOLD D. PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF FRED P. STODDARD, DECEASED. CASE NO. 2023-264 NOTICE OF FILING OF WILL FOR PROBATE
TO: JENNIFER STODDARD, A NON-RESIDENT OF THE STATE OF ALABAMA AND A NEXT OF KIN OF FRED P. STODDARD; AND TO: LaVAUGHN P. STODDARD, FREDRICK DWAYNE STODDARD AND AMY STODDARD CLARK, NEXT OF KIN OF FRED P. STODDARD; AND
Public Notices
TO: ANY INTERESTED PARTY AND ANY OTHER UNKNOWN NEXT OF KIN OF FRED P. STODDARD, DECEASED YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that on October 11, 2023, a certain paper in writing purporting to be the Last Will and Testament of FRED P. STODthe Probate Court of Elmore County, Alabama by FELICIA ANN STODDARD, Petitioner, requesting that such Last Will and Testament be admitted to Probate and Record and that the Petitioner be named as Personal Representative of such Estate. This notice of Filing of Will for Probate is given to you as a next-of-kin of FRED P. STODDARD. -
ing on such Petition has been scheduled for December 5, 2023 at 9:00 a.m. at which time you may appear and contest such Petition. Such hearing will be held at the Probate Court located at 100 East Commerce Street, Wetumpka, Alabama at such date and time. JOHN THORNTON JUDGE OF PROBATE ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA Name and Address of Attorney for Petitioner: MICHAEL S. HARPER ATTORNEY AT LAW 213 BARNETT BLVD PO BOX 780608 TALLASSEE, ALABAMA 36078 334-283-6855
Wetumpka Herald: Oct. 25, Nov. 1 and 8, 2023 EST/STODDARD, F. PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF JOHN TERRY WADSWORTH, DECEASED CASE NO: 2023-258 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE
Letters of Administration over the Estate of JOHN TERRY WADSWORTH, deceased, having been granted to GERALD A. DANIEL, JR. on October 16, 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. GERALD A. DANIEL, JR. ADMINISTRATOR OF THE ESTATE OF JOHN TERRY WADSWORTH, DECEASED Name and Address of Attorney for Administrator: GERALD A. DANIEL, JR. LAW OFFICE OF G A DANIEL, JR. LLC PO BOX 638
MILLBROOK, ALABAMA 36054 334-285-9444
Jerry@GADanielLaw.com
Wetumpka Herald: Oct. 25, Nov. 1 and 8, 2023 EST/WADSWORTH, J. PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF JULIUS J. WRIGHT, DECEASED CASE NO: 2023-248 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE
Letters Testamentary in the Estate of JULIUS J. WRIGHT, deceased, having been granted to JULIUS WRIGHT, JR on October 3rd, 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.
JULIUS WRIGHT, JR PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF JULIUS J. WRIGHT, DECEASED Attorney of Record for Personal Representative: MATTHEW T. ELLIS CRUM, ELLIS & ASSOCIATES, PC PO BOX 1186 MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA 36101-1186 641 SOUTH LAWRENCE STREET MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA 36104 334-581-6600 334-603-8524 mellis@crumellis.com
Wetumpka Herald: Oct. 11, 18 and 25, 2023 EST/WRIGHT J. PUBLIC NOTICE
MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE
Default having being made in the payment of the indebtedness secured by that certain mortgage dated August 25, 2021 executed by Hope Amanda Babies and Eddie Denardo Babies, husband and wife, in favor of Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc. solely as nominee for Trustmark National Bank, said Mortgage being recorded August 25, 2021, in RLPY Book 2021, Page 72979, Probate of Elmore County, Alabama; having later been assigned to Trustmark National Bank by instrument recorded in RLPY Book 2023, Page 46196, Probate of Elmore County, Alabama. Said default continues and notice is hereby given that the undersigned, Trustmark National Bank, under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in said mortgage, will sell at public outcry to the highest bidder for cash at the main entrance to the County Courthouse, Elmore County, Alabama on 11/21/2023, during the
Public Notices
g legal hours of sale, the following described real estate situated in Elmore County, Alabama, to-wit: Lot 32, according to the Map of Grand Ridge Forest Plat No. 1, as said map appears of record
Probate of Elmore County, Alabama, in Plat Book 14, at Page 83. For informational purposes only, the property address is: 53 Forest Hill Rd, Wetumpka, AL 36093. Any property address provided is not part of the legal description of the property sold herein and in the event of any discrepancy, the legal description referenced herein shall control. THIS PROPERTY WILL BE SOLD ON AN “AS-IS, WHEREANY EASEMENTS, ENCUMBRANCES, AND EXCEPTIONS REFLECTED IN THE MORTGAGE AND THOSE CONTAINED IN THE RECORDS OF THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY WHERE THE ABOVE-DESCRIBED PROPERTY IS SITUATED. THIS PROPERTY WILL BE SOLD WITHOUT WARRANTY OR RECOURSE, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED AS TO TITLE, USE THE RIGHT OF REDEMPTION OF ALL PARTIES ENTITLED THERETO. Alabama law gives some persons who have an interest in property the right to redeem the property under certain circumstances. Programs may also exist that help persons avoid or delay the foreclosure process. An attorney should be consulted to help you understand these rights and programs as a part of the foreclosure process. This sale is made for the purpose of paying the indebtedness secured by mortgage as well as the expenses of foreclosure, including a reasonable attorney’s fees and other purposes set out in said mortgage. Trustmark National Bank Paul K. Lavelle, Esq. Attorney for Mortgagee Spina, & Lavelle, P.C. One Perimeter Park SouthSuite 400N Birmingham, Alabama 35243 (205) 298-1800 40-FC-23-01237
Wetumpka Herald: Oct. 18, 25 and Nov. 1, 2023
FC/BABIES
PUBLIC NOTICE
Notice is hereby given that the undersigned will sell for cash, at an ONLINE public auction on Monday, November 6th, 2023, at 11:00am AT STORAGETREASURES.COM. Please note: THIS AUCTION IS NOT IN PERSON. PLEASE DO NOT SHOW UP TO OUR PHYSICAL LOCATION. ALL AUCTION PARTICIPANTS MUST SIGN UP AND BID ONLINE. Southeast Storage 749 US-231 Wetumpka, AL 36093
548: Edgar Bliss. 544 Willow Springs Road, Wetumpka, AL 36093
Contents: Sofa, end table, box, hats 204: Lisa Machado. 744 Burbank Drive, Montgomery, AL 36117 Contents: totes, mattresses, bags, tv, boxes 736: Jeffrey Reynolds. 60 Pinebark Court, Wetumpka, AL 36093
Contents: treadmill, end table, lamp, pictures 507: Jarrett Ferguson. 6375 Ryans Way, Trussville, AL 35173
Contents: sofa, loveseat, bags 519: Oscar Melghem. 469 River Oaks Drive, Wetumpka, AL
36092
Contents: totes,boxes, rugs, dresser 714: Oscar Melghem. 469 River Oaks Drive, Wetumpka, AL
36092
Contents: boxes,totes 817: Oscar Melghem. 469 River Oaks Drive, Wetumpka, AL
36092
Contents: bucket, bags, boxes, totes, dolly, wood 782: Kayla Stewart. 589 Peace Church Road, Wetumpka, AL
36093
Contents: mattress, boxes, crockpot, chairs, pictures
Wetumpka Herald: Oct. 18 and 25, 2023
STORAGE AUCTION PUBLIC NOTICE
MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE
Default having being made in the payment of the indebtedness secured by that certain mortgage dated September 15, 2022 executed by Luke Clark Oliver an unmarried person, in favor of Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., solely as a nominee for Trustmark National Bank, said Mortgage being recorded September 20, 2022, in RLPY Book 2022, the Judge of Probate of Elmore County, Alabama; having later been assigned to Trustmark National Bank by instrument recorded in RLPY Book 2023, the Judge of Probate of Elmore County, Alabama. Said default continues and notice is hereby given that the undersigned, Trustmark National Bank , under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in said mortgage, will sell at public outcry to the highest bidder for cash at the main entrance to the County Courthouse, Elmore County, Alabama on 11/29/2023, during the legal hours of sale, the following described real estate situated in Elmore County, Alabama, to-wit:
A part of Lot 4, Block F, according to Picketts Survey of the
Public Notices
gy Town of Eclectic, July 21, 1912, and described as follows: Commencing in the center of Main Street and First Avenue and run South along center of First Avenue 318 feet to an iron stake as point of beginning; thence West to East boundary of Girdner Lot approximately 210 feet from center of the road; thence South along the line of the Girdner lot approximately 69 feet; thence East to the center of First Avenue; thence North along center of First Avenue to the point of beginning For informational purposes only, the property address is: 170 First Avenue, Eclectic, AL 36024. Any property address provided is not part of the legal description of the property sold herein and in the event of any discrepancy, the legal description referenced herein shall control.
THIS PROPERTY WILL BE SOLD ON AN “AS-IS, WHERE-
Public Notices IS” BASIS, SUBJECT TO ANY EASEMENTS, ENCUMBRANCES, AND EXCEPTIONS REFLECTED IN THE MORTGAGE AND THOSE CONTAINED IN THE RECORDS OF THE OFFICE OF THE JUDGE OF PROBATE OF THE COUNTY WHERE THE ABOVE-DESCRIBED PROPERTY IS SITUATED. THIS PROPERTY WILL BE SOLD WITHOUT WARRANTY OR RECOURSE, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED AS TO TITLE, USE AND/OR ENJOYMENT AND WILL BE SOLD SUBJECT TO THE RIGHT OF REDEMPTION OF ALL PARTIES ENTITLED THERETO.
Alabama law gives some persons who have an interest in property the right to redeem the property under certain circumstances. Programs may also exist that help persons avoid or delay the foreclosure process. An attorney should be consulted to help you understand these
Public Notices
py rights and programs as a part of the foreclosure process.
This sale is made for the purpose of paying the indebtedness secured by mortgage as well as the expenses of foreclosure, including a reasonable attorney’s fees and other purposes set out in said mortgage.
Trustmark National Bank Paul K. Lavelle, Esq. Attorney for Mortgagee Spina, & Lavelle, P.C. One Perimeter Park SouthSuite 400N Birmingham, Alabama 35243 (205) 298-1800 40-FC-23-01261
Wetumpka Herald: Oct. 25, Nov. 1 and 8, 2023 FC/OLIVER
Do you have available jobs? Call 256.277.4219 to let others know about job opportunities at your business.
UNSTOPPABLE Elmore County wins 14th straight area title
By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor
The Elmore County volleyball team continued its 14 year stretch of area dominance last Tuesday night.
Elmore County beat Tallassee, 3-0 (25-10, 25-11, 25-15) and Marbury, 3-0 (25-14, 25-19, 25-15) in back-to-back games to claim the AHSAA Class 5A, Area 7 championship in its home gym.
It is the 14th consecutive area championship for the Panthers, who are now an impressive 26-7 on the season.
Elmore County is now the No. 1 seed out of Area 7 and will play the No. 2 seed out of Area 5 (Beauregard, Eufaula and Valley) Wednesday in the first round of the South Regional Tournament held at the Cramton Bowl in Montgomery.
“It’s incredible because these
HOLTVILLE
Continued from B2
rushed 67 times for 454 yards, 7 TDs.
Holtville: QB Keiland Baker has completed 82-of-148 passes for 1,189 yards, 10 TDs, 6 INTs; has scored 8 rushing TDs. …
RB Hunter Chavis has rushed
102 times for 468 yards, 3 TDs.
… WR Erik Adkins has 28 catches for 391 yards, 4 TDs.
FOUR DOWNS
Last week, Elmore County
girls just keep carrying on our tradition,” ECHS coach Kim Moncrief said. “I told the girls in the locker room that I’m very blessed because every year we seem to get girls who want to carry that tradition and continue to win. It’s them. They’re the hardest working girls I know. I’m just blessed that they work as hard as they do.”
Elmore County made quick work of Tallassee in the first round of the tournament before taking a small break while No. 2 seed Marbury faced No. 3 seed Holtville.
The two of them went backand-forth for much of their three sets, but Marbury pulled out a 3-0 (25-18, 25-18, 25-20) win over the Bulldogs from Slapout.
Following that match, the Panthers hit the court against Marbury in the championship and wasted no time setting the tone in the match.
Marbury scored the first
lost to Valley, 41-40; Holtville lost to Demopolis, 32-2. Elmore County beat Holtville last season in a shootout, 63-48. Holtville already has three more wins than it did all of last season (3).
Elmore County’s defense gave up 370 passing yards and 5 TDs last week.
NEXT UP: Elmore County hosts Jemison; Holtville at Tallassee.
LEE-SCOTT ACADEMY (8-1) AT EDGEWOOD ACADEMY (4-5) THE PLAYERS
Edgewood Academy: QB Brock Whitt has scored 4
point off of an Elmore County error, but that was it for the Bulldogs. The Panthers raced ahead on a 12-2 run and led, 12-3, then 15-4 before Marbury was able to get any momentum back.
It was too late, however, as Elmore County cruised to its first set win, 25-14, and took a 1-0 lead in the championship match.
“All credit to Marbury,” Moncrief said. “They played well and came back in the second and third sets, but it’s good to set the tone and prove to the girls that we need to go ahead and finish the game under our own terms.”
The second set was closer, but Elmore County held a fouror five-point lead most of the match and never let Marbury get too close before stretching the lead back out. The Panthers took a 25-19 set win and a 2-0 lead, and played a back-and-
TDs in his last 4 games. …
WR/DB Gabe LeMaster intercepted two passes and had 89 rushing yards last week. … LB/RB Parker Shaw was held out of the end zone last week, but still recorded 30 rushing yards and added 11 tackles.
Lee-Scott: QB Pelzer Reaves has completed 97-of-133 passes for 1,907 yards, 21 TDs, 5 INTs. … RB Jonathan Meyers has rushed 89 times for 564 yards, 10 TDs. … WR Jake Whitt has 70 catches for 1,276 yards, 12 TDs.
Elmore County’s Morgan Spear (1) looks to block a shot against Marbury in the area championship on Tuesday. Spear and the Panthers won their 14th-straight area title.
forth affair for much of the third set.
In fact, Marbury actually led the third set at the midway point, 13-12, but Elmore County clicked back into business mode and “These girls are extremely athletic and some of the most athletic girls we have had,” Moncrief said. “Sometimes they have to slack off a little
FOUR DOWNS
Last week, Edgewood beat Lakeside, 7-6; LeeScott beat Fort Dale, 42-10.
Lee-Scott, the defending Class AAA champs, beat Edgewood 55-0 last season.
Edgewood has won three-straight games and allowed only 14 points during that span.
Lee-Scott has not allowed over 12 points in a game since Sept. 15.
NEXT UP: Edgewood hosts Clarke Prep in the first round of playoffs; Lee-Scott has a bye.
REBOUND
Continued from B1
While Elmore County’s offense scattered kills all across the Marbury back line, it was Elmore County’s defense that stood out against a talented group of outside hitters from Marbury.
The Bulldogs were knocking down kill after kill against Holtville in the first round, but those shots weren’t falling as the Panthers racked up saves all over the court.
bit and regroup and catch their breath, but they’re always coming back and closing out our games. We’ve allowed teams to take a few points and come back. We’ve talked about how that’s not a good strategy going into playoffs, but our girls are fighters and they’re going to come back and do the things they’ve done all year to be successful.”
PARK CROSSING (3-6, 0-5) AT STANHOPE ELMORE (2-6, 1-4) THE PLAYERS Stanhope Elmore: RB Arthur McQueen was held under 100 yards last week for the first time all season.
… WR Jamari Coleman had 110 receiving yards and two TDs last week. … QB Jacob Bryant was 12-of-25 passing for 169 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT last week.
Park Crossing: QB Brayden Graham has completed 24-of-56 passes for 283 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT. … RB Solomon Beebe has rushed 78 times for 457 yards, 2 TDs. … DE Ani-
Those players on the back end are looking forward to removing that sour taste out of their mouth from that game and those mental errors.”
“One of our focus points this year has been our defense and our blocking, and tonight that played into our game plan,” Moncrief said. “Our defense has worked extremely hard to get touches on swings and to play tips and coverage very well. I think that helped us knowing we had to defend a good outside hitter like Marbury has. We knew they would be pushed tonight and that fell into what we’ve worked on in practice.”
colas Hardy has recorded 35 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks.
FOUR DOWNS
Last week, Stanhope lost to Pike Road, 52-14; Park Crossing lost to Russell County, 25-10. Both teams have already been eliminated from playoff contention.
Park Crossing has scored over 14 points only one time this season.
Stanhope Elmore has lost five-straight games entering the week.
NEXT UP: Stanhope Elmore hosts Minor; Park Crossing’s season is over.
passing yards and four touchdowns with no interceptions for the Wolverines, whose lead was too much for Wetumpka to try and overcome.
Since then, Wetumpka has had two weeks to learn from those mental mistakes and try to fix the issues before their last game to determine playoff seeding.
Much like in the Carver game, Wetumpka will have its hands full with some really talented skill players in a high-powered Lanier offense.
are plenty of talented players at receiver. Jamarcus Howard leads the pack with 37 catches for 667 yards and 11 touchdowns, as he is the main threat near the end zone. But Keondre Grant and Cordez Arrington each have over 20 catches on the season as well.
“Their skill players are tremendous,” Woods said.
The Poets are averaging 30 points per game this season, but have actually scored 31 or more points in six of their last seven games after being shut out in their opener. They average over 400 yards of offense per game.
“We have taken ownership of those mistakes,” Woods said. “Being a former player, I get it. But it’s hard to watch mental errors take place repeatedly in big time games like that. We had the bye week at a great time. We got some great reps and talked about situations and techniques. We stayed at work and are trusting the process.
TEAMS Continued from B1
course of the season.
Quarterback Jacques Thompson has passed for 1,354 yards and 13 touchdowns compared to only three interceptions, and he’s added three more scores on the ground.
Running backs Trey Berry and Jimmy King are both averaging over 100 yards each on the ground, and there
Elmore County and Eufaula did not play this year, but the Panthers did play Beauregard once. Elmore County won that matchup, 2-0.
If the Panthers get past Eufaula, they’ll match up with the winner of Rehobeth (18-8) and Elberta (12-23).
Wetumpka
The Indians claimed their area title with an impressive 3-0 sweep over Stanhope Elmore in the area championship last week. Now the Indians turn their sights to Murphy out of Mobile. The Panthers (7-10) enter as the No. 2 seed out of Area 1.
Wetumpka finished the regular season with a 15-8 record and winners of four-straight matches including the two wins in the area tournament.
Wetumpka and Murphy will begin play at 3:30 p.m., with the winner advancing to face
“They look like copy and paste from Carver. Their quarterback is arguably a top 2 quarterback in our region. When I look at what they have offensively, they have a lot of guys they can spread the ball out to. They are that good.”
Sidney Lanier is also coming off a loss to Montgomery Carver. The Poets lost in their annual rivalry game, 39-21, last Friday night. Before that game, however, Lanier had won four straight games.
the winner of Chilton County and McAdory at 6:30 p.m.
Stanhope Elmore
The Mustangs have the toughest draw of any of the three county teams, and that’s mostly due to being the No. 2 seed entering the tournament. Stanhope Elmore (15-10) will take on No. 1 seed and one of the Class 6A favorites to win the whole tournament, Saraland, at 2 p.m.
The winner of the matchup will advance to play the winner of Calera and Brookwood at 6:30 p.m.
Saraland enters the tournament with one of the best records in all of AHSAA. The Spartans are 33-7 overall but actually enter on a slight cold streak. Saraland has lost four of its last eight matches after winning 26 of their first 28 games.
On the other hand, Saraland has won threestraight games and has not given up a set in those three matches. The Spartans swept both Blount and Murphy, 3-0, in their area tournament.
DALTON MIDDLETON | THE OBSERVER