Tallassee Tribune Sept. 6 2023

Child rape suspect gets $350,000 bond

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

A Tuskegee man arrested by the Tallassee Police Department last month received a bond Thursday.

Gresham was originally held without bond following an arrest at his workplace in Tallassee for two counts of the Class A felony first-degree rape and five counts of the Class B felony sexual abuse of child under the age 12. Gresham was granted a $350,000 bond after a short hearing in front of Tallapoosa County District Judge Kim Taylor. The 19th

Circuit District Attorney’s Office didn’t oppose a bond being given to Gresham but did seek the amount ultimately given by Taylor. Gresham was present for the hearing by video conference and Taylor made sure the defendant knew if he made bond, the leash was short.

“There is to be no contact with the victim,” Taylor

explained. “No contact with family members or caretakers. Do not go around their jobs. If you commit another crime then there will be no bond.”

There was no testimony in the hearing. But Taylor verified Gresham understood the potential penalty if he was found guilty. Taylor said Gresham could serve up to life in prison for each of the two Class A felonies and up to 20 years for each of the five Class B felonies he is charged with.

TALLASSEE STUDENTS SING NATIONAL ANTHEM IN MONTGOMERY

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

Tallassee High School and the Montgomery Biscuits share a few things in common.

Both love baseball to start with. But now the connection is even deeper after Tallassee senior Sarah Jane Patterson and sophomore Gaines Nolin sang the national anthem before games in August.

“It’s always an honor to

be selected,” Patterson said. “It’s always an honor to be able to sing our national anthem.”

The students had practice singing the song in choir but never performed solo. The experience was a little bit different standing at home plate by themselves.

“It is a lot more nerve racking,” Nolin said. “It is just you and you don’t have the other people to hide your voice.” The process to sing on

SUBMITTED | THE TRIBUNE

the diamond in Montgomery started with encouragement of Tallassee music teacher and men’s choir instructor Michael Bird. He put the students in contact with the Biscuits organization.

Nolin submitted a video to apply while Patterson emailed about her interest, and both got responses. Finalates were settled and they had their solo perfor-

See SING, Page A2

a Montgomery

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

Gresham was arrested Aug. 24 by the Tallassee Police Department. According to court documents a protection from abuse motion was filed Aug. 18 by a woman and three children against Gresham

It looks like any automotive shop. A roll-up door revealing lifts and tools. There are even cars on the lifts in various states of repair. A few parked out front too. But what separates this automotive shop from others — everyone there is in high school. The only exception is Elmore County Technical Center automotive service technology instructor DJ Warren.

On any given day, dozens of students are not only getting instructions in a classroom on how to repair an automobile, they are getting their hands dirty under the hood.

“You can’t be scared to come in and work,” Warren said. “You can’t be scared to come in and get dirty. We have soap and they will wash up. But these kids will go back to school for the rest of the day with dirty hands. They will have oil and grease on them.”

Some of Warren’s students are already working on cars for money. Holtville High School senior Landon Thanem likes cars, especially sports cars.

“I like the ‘Fast and Furious’ cars,” Thanem said. “I like muscle cars too.”

Thanem’s current

GRESHAM

CLIFF WILLIAMS THE TRIBUNE

Tallassee senior Sarah Jane Patterson sings the national anthem at

Biscuits game. Patterson has grown up around music but it was her first time performing the song solo.

Police Reports

TALLASSEE POLICE

Avenue.

Harry Street.

DEPARTMENT

SEPT. 4

• A suspicious vehicle was reported on Gilmer Avenue.

SEPT. 3

• A noise complaint was reported on Third Street.

• A suspicious vehicle was reported on Lower Tuskegee Road.

• A fight in progress was reported on Rickey Lane.

• A stolen vehicle was reported on Magnolia Street.

• Reckless driving was reported on Herd Street.

• A white male and white female were arrested on Bent Oak Lane.

• Assistance was given to a motorist on Highway 229.

• Trespassing was reported on Hickory Street.

• Reckless driving was reported on Herd Street.

• Reckless driving was reported on Notasulga Road.

• A disorderly person was reported on Gilmer Avenue.

• Trespassing was reported on Mott Lane.

• A motor vehicle accident was reported on Notasulga Road.

• Debris was reported in the roadway on Gilmer Avenue.

• A welfare check was conducted on Second Avenue.

• A noise complaint was reported on Sims Avenue.

SEPT. 2

• Suspicious activity was reported on Second Avenue.

• Gunfire was reported on Second Avenue.

• A welfare check was conducted on Sims Avenue.

• A noise complaint was reported on Third Street.

• A domestic dispute was reported on Jordan

SING Continued from A1

• A motor vehicle accident with no injuries was reported on Gilmer Avenue.

• Assistance was given to a citizen on Burt Mill Road.

• A suicidal subject was reported on Ashurst Avenue.

• Assistance was given during a medical call on Upper River Road.

• Assistance was given to a citizen on Gilmer Avenue.

• Animal control was requested on Gilmer Avenue.

• Animal control was requested on Camellia Drive.

• Animal control was requested on Gilmer Avenue. SEPT. 1

• Assistance was given to a motorist on Laurel Street.

• Harassing communications was reported on Ashurst Bar Road.

• A noise complaint was reported on Third Avenue.

• A verbal altercation was reported on James Street.

• Assistance was given to a citizen on West James Street.

• Forgery was reported on Hickory Street.

• Assistance was given to a motorist on Highway 229.

• Assistance was given to a motorist on Clover Street.

• Breaking and entering a vehicle was reported on Gilmer Avenue.

• Forgery was reported on Yesac Drive.

• A Black male was arrested on Freeman Avenue.

• Assistance was given to another agency on Rifle Range Road.

• Harassment was reported on Washington Street.

AUG. 31

• The roadway was reported blocked on

mances before the first pitch of a pair of baseball games in Montgomery.

But the students’ love for music has been in the making for years.

“I grew up around it,” Patterson said. “It has been my whole life since I was little. I don’t know anything else, but music.”

Patterson’s stepfather is Tallassee band director Dr. Robby Glasscock.

“My mom has worked here at the school forever,” Patterson said. “She does all the choreography for the show choirs. Music is all I have ever known.”

Nolin said he doesn’t have quite the immersion in music as Patterson but he still has a family history associated with it.

“I grew up in church singing,” Nolin said. “My sister was in choir and saw how it was. I tried it last year and here I am.”

Nolin plays the alto saxophone

• Animal control was requested on Sims Avenue.

• Animal control was requested on Seventh Avenue.

• A Black male was arrested after a vehicle pursuit on Ashurst Bar Road.

• Assistance was given to a citizen on Barnett Boulevard.

• Animal control was requested on Comer Lane.

• Trespassing was reported on Gilmer Avenue.

• Debris was reported in the roadway on Gilmer Avenue.

• Theft was reported on Third Avenue.

• A welfare check was conducted on Notasulga Road.

AUG. 30

• A civil disturbance was reported on Washington Street.

• A suspicious person was reported on Dorman Avenue.

• Gun fire was reported on Cannon Road.

• Theft was reported on Herd Street.

• A domestic incident was reported on Notasulga Road.

• Assistance was given to a motorist on Barnett Boulevard.

• Trespassing was reported on Washington Street.

• Forgery was reported on Yesac Drive.

• Harassing communications was reported on Notasulga Road.

• A disorderly person was reported on Notasulga Road.

• Animal control was requested on Comer Lane.

• A white male was arrested on South Tallassee Drive.

• Animal control was requested on Gilmer Avenue.

• A white female was arrested during a traffic stop on Lower Tuskegee Road.

while Patterson plays the trumpet and is also part of the danceline for marching season.

“I like to sing, but my real passion is dancing,” Patterson said. “It’s cool that people notice me for my singing.” Although Nolin’s plans post-graduation are a ways off, Patterson is headed to Troy University to dance after she graduates from Tallassee but isn’t giving up on her voice just yet.

“I would still like to maintain singing,” Patterson said. “They offer voice lessons and I will probably join the choir.”

Until then, both Nolin and Patterson now have their hopes set on a new goal — American Idol auditions in Tuskegee next month. They said the process starts with auditions over video calls and includes three songs.

“I’m sure they kind of weed out who they want and don’t want,” Patterson said. “It’s kind of a callback situation for the real thing if they like you.” If selected to audition in person,

• Criminal trespassing was reported on South Ann Avenue.

• Reckless driving was reported on Upper River Road. AUG. 29

• A welfare check was conducted on Little Road.

• Animal cruelty was reported on Little Road.

• Harassment was reported on Lakewater Drive.

• Assistance was given to another agency on Ashurst Bar Road.

• Assistance was given to a motorist on Gilmer Avenue.

• Identity theft was reported on Ashurst Bar Road.

• A white male was arrested on Gilmer Avenue.

• Theft was reported on Dixie Circle.

• Animal control was requested on First Avenue.

• Animal control was requested on Gilmer Avenue.

• A Black male was arrested on Barnett Boulevard.

• Assistance was given to a motorist on Hornsby Drive. AUG. 28

• Assistance was given to a motorist on Lily Avenue.

• A motor vehicle accident was reported on Burt Mill Road.

• Debris was reported in the roadway on Indian Trail.

• Debris was reported in the roadway on West Butler Street.

• A downed powerline was reported on West Butler Street.

• Animal control was requested on Weldons Drive.

• Trespassing was reported on Thelma Drive.

• Animal control was requested on Nobles Road.

• A suspicious person was reported on Recreation Center Road.

Nolin and Patterson don’t yet know what they will perform.

“I maybe have narrowed it down to two or three,” Patterson said.

But Nolin is already planning what he’ll share with producers about his story if he is selected.

“Music is my escape,” he said. “You can escape from everything else in the world with music.”

SUBMITTED THE TRIBUNE Tallassee sophomore Gaines Nolin sings the national anthem at a Montgomery Biscuits game last month.

Humane Society of Elmore County News

Two weeks left until annual Bark in the Park

By REA CORD HSEC Executive Director

There’s only two weeks until our 17th Annual Bark in the Park at Fort Toulouse from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 17 with a rain date for Sept. 24. We look forward to a huge crowd of both humans and dogs enjoying the afternoon at Fort Toulouse and there will be plenty of vendors, activities, microchip clinic, refreshments, demonstrations, Patriotic 2023 Bark in the Park T-Shirt (still $15) and a day of fun at the park. There will be plenty to do and see at Bark in the Park – vendors, food, demonstrations, Microchip Clinic, Blessing of the Pets, Pet Parade, Bark in the Park T-Shirts, Pet Picasso (your own pet’s paw print keepsake) and a great selection of pet and other great Silent

Auction items. Bring your appetite as we will be joined by Grumpy Dog, Crepe Magic and Venice Gelato with drinks by Buffalo Rock.

We will have numerous vendors with pet products, groups and information, crafts, sweets, local businesses and more. Vendors will be set up under the trees and around the Pavilion area and we can accept vendor apps/payment up until Sept. 14.

Bark in the Park is a great place for folks to be able to learn about your business, product or service. We welcome local businesses, clubs, civic groups, etc. Our Vendor fee is only $40 and you must bring your own tables/pop-up/ chairs. There is no electricity available so if you must bring a generator please let us know for

Pet of the Week - Pongo

site planning. You can do our Vendor Application/ payment at this link: https://www.elmorehumane.org/vendor_application-bip23.html . If you prefer us to email you the letter and forms in .pdf for printing, email us at hselco@bellsouth.net , or message us on our Shelter Facebook page.

Our Blessing of the Pets will be followed by our always popular Parade of Pets. After all, who doesn’t like showing off their beloved pet! During the Pet Parade secret judges will be scouting out dogs for fun prizes — biggest, smallest, most original costume, owner/pet look-alike and Judge’s choice. There will be a variety of silent auction items (pet and otherwise) in the pavilion so something for everyone. Look for photos of our Auction Items

Pongo is a 17-monthold, female lab and shepherd mix who weighs about 50 pounds. She is a wonderful dog, who is playful and loving, great with children, other dogs and cats and may be housetrained. Pongo says, “Get me outta here and into a loving home!”

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

on our website this week – www.elmorehumane. org. All auction items must be paid for and picked up at the end of the auction. If a person is the highest bidder but is not present when the auction ends, we will move to the next highest bidder present. We will be able to take payment via cash, check, credit or debit.

Microchips can be critical to reuniting lost pets and to help keep more pets safe, bring your dog to Fort Toulouse where it can be chipped. From 1 to 3 p.m. and for only $25, which includes the registration, you can get your pet microchipped thanks to the Tuskegee College of Veterinary Medicine. Make sure to stop near the pavilion at Fort Toulouse to purchase your 2023 Bark in the Park T-shirt for $15. We are most appreciative of the

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 334567-3377 and the website is www.elmorehumane. org.

FOUR DAUGHTERS VETERINARY SERVICES OPENS THIS WEEK

sponsors for our T-shirt and we love this year’s Ameri-Pets Patriotic theme. We always have some delectable baked goodies as well and who doesn’t like homemade sweets!

Admission to Bark in the Park is $5/person for those 13 and old. 13 years old and older. All dogs attending Bark in

the Park must be good in public, meaning good around children, adults and other dogs in a very busy situation and they must have a current rabies tag/proof of rabies vaccination.

Rea Cord is the executive director of the Humane Society of Elmore County.

Tallassee Talks

The price was right for Bob Barker

As eras go, there is no greater sign of an ending than when a legend passes.

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

Weddings, Engagements, Anniversaries, or Birth

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

Robert William Barker made it the closest to 100 without going over when he died last week at the age of 99.

In the history of television, there have been some fantastic hosts — Masters of Ceremony, or MCs — for game shows, talk shows, beauty pageants, variety shows and all the rest. But really, was there anyone better than Bob Barker?

Barker was born in 1923 and grew up on an Indian Reservation in Washington state. His father was a part-Sioux electrical lineman; his mother was a schoolteacher. Barker met his future wife, Dorothy, at an Ella Fitzgerald concert while he was attending high school. They began dating when he was 15 and they married while in college at Drury University. In his 20s, Bob served in the U.S. Navy during World War II.

Bob’s first job in media came at a radio station in Missouri. He later was a newsman and disc jockey at a radio station in Florida. Before long, he headed to California to pursue a career in network broadcasting and landed a job at a radio station. His first radio show lasted six years.

In 1956, Barker was tapped to replace Ralph Edwards as host of the NBC-TV game show, “Truth or Consequences.” Barker became the most well-known host of the program, staying with it until 1975 (though “Truth or Consequences” ran until 1988 with other hosts).

In 1972, Mark Goodson and Bill Todman proposed a modernized version of “The Price is Right” to networks, with Dennis James as the host. CBS-TV was interested, but only if Bob Barker could replace

James. Barker’s tenure with “The New Price is Right” began 51 years ago this week on September 4, 1972. The format of the show really hasn’t changed in the years since.

As an hour-long program, contestants are chosen randomly by the announcer to appear on Contestants Row and begin making bids on grocery products. The winning bid closest to the actual retail price wins that prize then gets to play a pricing game. In the first half-hour, there are three pricing games, and the midway point of the show features all three contestants spinning the big wheel to determine who will appear in the Showcase Showdown at the end of the program.

During the second half-hour, three more contestants are chosen in the same manner, before spinning that same wheel. The showcases are then presented, featuring huge prizes such as trips, cars, furniture, boats, and more. The winning bid — again, the person closest without going over the actual retail price — wins the showcase.

The games themselves are legendary! There’s Lucky Seven, Safe Crackers, Punch-a-Bunch, Shell Game, Hit Me, It’s in the Bag, Switcheroo, Cover Up, One Away, Hole in One, Bullseye, Squeeze Play, Temptation, Check Game and Hi-Lo. But two games are often mentioned as favorites: Cliff Hangers (the one with the yodeling

mountain climber) and Plinko (the one with the chips dropped on a peg board leading to different prize amounts).

Speaking of Plinko, that is a game that nearly got me kicked out of band once.

Dr. Johnny Long, my band director at Troy University, would have three- and four-hour rehearsals on Tuesday and Thursday nights for the symphony band, the premier concert band at Troy. And while it was an honor to be there, the trombone section didn’t have a lot to do when he was working on those extremely challenging woodwind parts with the flutes and clarinets.

So, whenever one of our trombone cup mutes would lose its bottom — and this happened often, so we’d have to tape or glue them back on — we would label them as Plinko chips and set up a miniPlinko game on music stands across the trombone section.

Until one night, Dr. Long saw us playing Plinko. I would say we lost the game that evening.

Back to Bob Barker, animal rights advocate: in 1982, he began concluding each episode with the words: “Help control the pet population. Have your pets spayed or neutered.”

He took his animal advocacy seriously. In 1987, after years of hosting the Miss USA beauty pageant, he requested the organizers remove fur prizes. When the producers refused, he quit. Later, in 1999, he testified before Congress about the mistreatment of circus animals, such as elephants.

While Barker had performed as an actor on episodic television

Going after ‘Woke’ could lead to going broke

t’s hard to believe late last year, Ron DeSantis looked like the strongest challenger to Donald Trump. Now the Florida Governor may be slipping even behind Vivek Ramaswamy and has dropped to third place in South Carolina. At the same time, Hurricane Idalia is headed toward his state, and the insurance market is in a lot of trouble. Between Hurricane Ian and Idalia, the state had a chance to solve the problem, but instead chose to “fight the woke.” Almost a year ago, I was interviewed about the Florida Governor’s response to Hurricane Ian. I gave DeSantis high marks for the relatively bipartisan tone of the event with President Joe Biden, or as much as professionalism across parties can be accomplished today. He handily won reelection in 2022, albeit against a tired candidate offered up by the Democrats. But he looked to be a candidate with a better record of success than Donald Trump, who several of his hand-picked candi-

dates went down to embarrassing defeats in 2022.

DeSantis then pursued Trump’s most die-hard supporters, instead of demonstrating a policy agenda that could appeal to a majority of the country. He basically made “fighting woke” the centerpiece of his primary run, and attacking businesses, colleges, schools and libraries, which signing social policies well outside the mainstream. A truly cringe-worthy curriculum defending slavery will be hard to run on in 2024, as well as another GOP candidate calling climate change agenda a hoax, when in fact 69% of Americans believe it, seeing the evidence for themselves. When I went to Ft. Myers to help

with the Hurricane Ian clean-up in the Spring of 2023 with our chaplain and students, I thought there wouldn’t be much left to do. Instead, for many, it looked like the hurricane hit the day before, not months before back in 2022. I heard horror stories about dropped insurance, folks out of money, gouged prices, and no ability to rebuild.

Indeed, we now know that in the state, inflation remains high though it’s come down in the rest of the country. Housing prices are skyrocketing. And insurers are leaving the market. Fed-up residents in Jacksonville elected a Democratic Mayor in this GOP bastion; she defeated a prominent local politician and DeSantis supporter, back in May. Rather than trying to help the residents of the Sunshine State by addressing the crisis, a member of Florida’s government decided to label Farmers Insurance “woke.” The CFO of Florida called them

MICHAEL BIRD Columnist

JOHN TURES Columnist

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We’re walking each other home

T his article is a condensed version of a recent post I shared on Facebook, and I hope it inspires you, too. Because our community has lost another teenager and a lady in her young 40s due to fatal accidents, I’m spilling my heart out early this morning. Life is much too precious and short, yes, short! None of us knows what this day will bring, and I boldly refuse to carry bitterness, hate, grudges, criticism and anything else that tarnishes my Christian character into this day and all my tomorrows. Period!

Only GOD knows how many tomorrows I have left, if any. Will I make poor choices again?

Absolutely! Have I made lots of wrong choices that hurt God and/or others?

Absolutely! Am I sorry?

Absolutely! I would bet

MELINDA BLAIR Columnist

money, if I was a betting girl, none of my petty issues were worth hanging onto when I get to Heaven.

Why is it we can easily apply Scripture to our own life but struggle to insert someone’s else’s name into a verse? I’ve been guilty of this many times, and human nature can get mighty smelly/ stinky sometimes.

About 30 minutes ago, I removed two trash bags from our trash bin to carry to the street, but the bin still smells like trash and harbors stuff the human eye cannot see. We all have a chapter we

Because our community has lost another teenager and a lady in her young 40s due to fatal accidents, I’m spilling my heart out early this morning. Life is much too precious and short, yes, short! None of us knows what this day will bring, and I boldly refuse to carry bitterness, hate, grudges, criticism and anything else that tarnishes my Christian character into this day and all my tomorrows. Period!

hope is never read out loud, so why are we sometimes quick to wanna read someone else’s secret chapter? Let’s rise above it and live out the words that are easier said than done.

“Love like Jesus!”

“Living to love” is a phrase God gave me one day, and what glory is there in loving those who love us? Anyone can do

Tallassee Churches

that! Luke 6:32-36

Sometimes people may think I’m pointing fingers in my posts, but that’s never true. I’m only sharing what Jesus has pointed out in my own life. It hurts me, but I needed it! Let’s live the life we portray when we are sitting in church. What if our hearts were see-through? Oh Lord! Help us, because

You see all and help me to be more of what You’d have me to be!

Let’s live out the rest of our days in love as we walk each other home. My heart is full, and I wanna do better, be better and love better!

Melinda Blair is a regular religion columnist for Tallapoosa Publishers Inc.

claiming abuse by Gresham against a child.

TRAINING

Continued from A1

vehicle is a Toyota

4Runner he has already rebuilt the front end.

After watching his father work on cars, Thanem developed his own hobby a few years ago. Now, he has had a part-time job as an automotive technician.

“He is not just a lub tech,” Warren said. “He is a full-blown mechanic. He is also a high school student. He got that job on his own. The gentleman who owns the shop reached out to me.”

Thanem’s job has already put him in the middle of the shop and not on the side looking in.

“I have gotten all the way down to pulling motors out,” Thanem

BARKER

Continued from A4

over the years, it was a role in the 1996 film “Happy Gilmore” that became his signature achievement. The avid

GOING

Continued from A4

“A child confided in her mother on Aug. 17 that [Gresham] touched her private parts,” the motion states. “He made [the child] live in fear if she told anyone about the abuse.”

said. “I have done other small things. One car, we broke the whole thing down. He needed gaskets, brakes and rotors. We needed to do motor mounts, that was a headache. I did the condenser and other freon stuff.”

Warren’s other students are working too.

“Some are working part-time in parts houses,” Warren said. “We have them in several places within the industry getting experience beyond here.”

Warren’s students were replacing air conditioning parts Thursday in the school shop and one was getting her hands a little dirtier than others.

Holtville junior Summer Eiland is following a love of working on cars learned from her father and grandfather.

Warren said Eiland and his other female students

golfer, playing himself, administers a severe beating to Happy Gilmore (played by Adam Sandler). In 2007, Bob Barker announced he would be retiring at the end of the 35th season of “The

“The Bud Light of the insurance industry,” hoping to tap into “conservative anger” over transgenderism to scare this insurer into coming back and losing billions more. In fact, the whole insurance industry has been losing billions, and hasn’t had a positive financial outcome since two years before DeSantis

Tallassee Police Department Lt. Jon Rawls said investigators worked with the Tri-County Child Advocacy Center and the Fifth Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office inves-

are treated no different.

“I find it is easiest just to let them get in there,” Warren said.

He said Eiland is just like all the other students — eager.

“She will knock them out of the way and get in there,” Warren said. “She is not scared to work at all.”

Eiland has always been around cars and working on them, so incorporating it into her curriculum seemed an obvious choice.

“I kind of grew up with it,” Eiland said. “I always thought it was cool. When I found out I could do this, I jumped on it. I like it a lot. I think it’s pretty cool.

I’m a hands-on learner.”

tigating allegations made by a child and obtained warrants. “We tried to take Mr. Gresham into custody at his place of employment,” Rawls said. “He fled on foot upon seeing

the patrol officer. After a short foot pursuit, Mr. Gresham was apprehended.”

As of 10 a.m. Friday, Gresham has not yet posted the bond.

Eiland has already enlisted in the Air Force. She will go to basic training prior to starting senior year, which she plans to finish a semester early. Then it’s all Air Force.

Price is Right,” and he would be replaced by actor-comedian Drew Carey. Barker returned for numerous guest-hosting occasions, the last one in 2015. During that retirement period, he also

was Florida’s Governor. Now they want to boycott insurance companies when Floridians need them the most. The audacity is incredible. The facts show that a number of other insurers stopped writing policies in the state, or went insolvent, and other insurers have cut back in the, including AAA. Farmers Insurance also stopped writing policies in areas of California prone to wildfires, which makes it harder to go

But Eiland still wants to keep her automotive service skills up — just in case.

“I was thinking of having a side job as a mechanic as in a shop,” Eiland said. “If the military doesn’t work out, I will turn to it if it doesn’t work out.”

guest-hosted other programs such as “Huckabee” and filled in as guest host on some other game shows.

When all the prizes have been won, what is the legacy of Bob Barker? It is an accomplish-

with the woke argument. For Florida, “its homeowners that are already paying the highest insurance premiums in the nation, with an average premium of $6,000 per year versus the U.S. average of $1,700 per year, according to Mark Friedlander, Florida-based director of corporate communications for the Insurance Information Institute. That’s 42% higher than the year prior, Frielander added,” according to Fortune Mag-

Not only do students get school credit, but they also can get an ASE certification upon completion of the program and even connections to real world experiences.

“I have several former students working in shops,” Warren said. “We do a good job placing students in jobs. There are jobs that pay six figures and not low six figures. If you are a hybrid guy or transmission guy, especially with the electric stuff that is coming — if you learn that you will be able to name your price in five years and go anywhere you want to go.”

ment we may never see again — 50-plus years of appearing on daily American television, most of that time hosting the No. 1 daytime program. Smiling, congenial, pleasant, professional

azine. The number of uninsured properties is double the national average, according to ABC News. You’ve heard the phrase “when the only tool in your box is a hammer, every problem looks like a nail.” It’s time for Republicans to find a problem solver whose solution to a crisis isn’t to call it “woke” or link it to Bud Light, or to have another GOP candidate call the Climate Change agenda “a hoax.” Sus-

— all that, and the man might even give you a new car or a fancy trip. Not a bad life; the price, after all, was right.

Michael Bird is a music teacher for Tallassee City Schools.

pending his campaign to deal with the hurricane is a good start, but helping the average Floridian find affordable insurance should have been the priority a long time ago. John A. Tures is a professor of political science at LaGrange College in LaGrange, Georgia. His views are his own. He can be reached at jtures@lagrange. edu. His Twitter account is JohnTures2.

Calling all artists! Lake Martin Living’s Art & Photo contest is taking submissions through September 8th. Submit your artwork for a chance to be featured in the October issue! Acceptable artworks include acrylics, oil, watercolor, pastels, photography and mixed media. 3D works are accepted as long as they can be hung on the wall. No free-standing sculptures. Entries must depict the beauty and lifestyle of Alabama. All entries must be ready to hang. Please make sure that the artist’s name, address and telephone number is on the back of each entry. Don’t miss out on the chance to win cash prizes!

A reception will be held September 28 from 5:30 - 7:30 pm at the Dadeville Performing Arts Center. (Tickets $15)

This event will benefit the Dadeville Performing Arts Center. Please let us know if you would like to become a sponsor. Call Betsy Iler at 256-234-4281for more information.

CLIFF WILLIAMS THE TRIBUNE

Students in D.J. Warren’s Automotive Service Technology class at the Elmore County Technical Center work to install a new air conditioning compressor on a car Thursday. Students can get ASE certified and be able to get a job in any automotive shop.

Phone: 334-283-6568

Fax: 334-283-6569

Dalton MiDDleton SportS eDitor dalton.middleton@thewetumpkaherald.com

www.TallasseeTribune.com www.TallasseeTribune.com

September 6, 2023 • Page A10

Tallassee faces uphill battle vs. Clay Central

By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor

Coming into the 2023 football season, the quarterback position was the biggest question mark for the Elmore County Panthers.

Elmore County graduated a three-year starter from last year’s team and had four guys rotating at the position for much of the summer.

Senior Ryals McNeely, however, pulled away in fall camp and his play the last two weeks has shown why. After scoring three touchdowns in the season opener at Marbury, he showcased his abilities last week in front of the home crowd.

In a 62-0 win over Autaguaville, McNeely finished the game 6-of-8 for 130 yards and two touchdowns. He added seven carries for 44 yards and another touchdown. For his second consecutive three-touchdown game, McNeely has been named the Elmore County Player of the Week.

“He’s made all of the right decisions,” EHCS coach Kyle Caldwell said. “He’s still preparing every week like he has to win the job and he’s earning the respect of the offense. He’s done a good job so far with attention to detail. Quarterback is not easy to play, but it’s easier when you have the players we have on our offense.”

In two games, McNeely has been extremely efficient with the football. He has a 73% completion per-

centage with 251 yards and four touchdowns passes with no interceptions. He has thrown three touchdowns to three-star receiver Jabari Murphy, who leads the county in receiving through two weeks.

While he’s completing ¾ of the passes he’s thrown, he’s also the leading rusher on an Elmore County team that is well equipped to run the ball.

McNeely has rushed only 13 times, but he has 97 rushing yards and two touchdowns - one in each game. He is averaging 7.5 yards per rush and his total and average both lead the Panthers’ offense.

“He’s very athletic,” Caldwell said. “He’s just like Payton (Stephenson) was last year but he’s a little quicker and has a little more speed on the edge. He’s really quick and shifty and he’s a hard kid to bring down to the ground in a 1-on-1 situation.”

Elmore County is now 2-0 for the second-consecutive year and hits the road for its first area game of the season against Sylacauga. Kickoff is at 7 p.m. Thursday.

By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor

TALLASSEE (0-2) AT CENTRAL CLAY COUNTY (1-0)

THE PLAYERS

Tallassee: RB/LB

Christian McCary has scored Tallassee’s only two touchdowns. … QB Mason Battles is making his third start at quarterback. … OL

Braden Arnold will lead the Tigers rushing attack up front. Central Clay: RB Ladamion Boyd scored two TDs last week. … QB Darren Harris scored two TDs last week. … Central Clay’s defense recorded two interceptions. FOUR DOWNS Last week, Tallassee lost Booker T. Wash-

ington, 44-0; Central Clay beat Ben Russell, 30-13. Central Clay beat Tallassee last year, 21-6.

Tallassee was shut out last week for the first time since 2021.

Tallassee has not started a season 0-3 since 2020.

NEXT UP: Tallassee hosts Beauregard;

Central Clay at Elmore County. THURSDAY, SEPT. 7

ELMORE COUNTY (2-0) AT SYLACAUGA (0-2)

THE PLAYERS

Elmore County: QB Ryals McNeely has completed 17-of-23 passes for 251 yards, 4 TDs; has 13 carries for 97 yards, 2 TDs. … WR Jabari Murphy

REELTOWN VOLLEYBALL SURVIVES COOSA COMEBACK

By HENRY ZIMMER Sports Writer

It took every last bump, set and spike for Tammy Merrett to get her first win in front of her home crowd. On Thursday, Coosa traveled to Reeltown for a non-region matchup that lasted almost three hours. In the end, Reeltown survived a furious Coosa comeback, and won in five set fashion, 3-2 (25-18, 26-24, 18-25, 21-25, 15-5), giving Merrett her first home win as Reeltown’s coach.

“That was insane,” Merrett said, still receiving hugs and praise from players and fans on the court postgame. “We played all night. We dominated, Coosa came back, but we came back too.” Starting off, things were going smoothly for the home team. The Rebels and the Cougars were tied through most of the beginning stages of the first set, before Reeltown took a 15-11 lead. From there, Merrett’s squad kept Coosa at arm’s length and took the win.

Reeltown was able to win balls at the net and put balls deep into Coosa’s backline, which forced the Cougars into clearly uncomfortable situations. Set two is where things began to sway. Even though Reeltown won the second, the Rebels had to come from behind to do so. Coosa popped out to a 5-2 lead early, and maintained a lead into the back half of the set, up 18-16.

Holtville hosts Shelby County in first home game

By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor

After traveling over 10 combined hours in the first two weeks of the football season, Holtville is set to finally play its first home game. Holtville plays host to Shelby County at 7 p.m. Friday in a Class 5A, Area 3 matchup. The Bulldogs are 1-1 after traveling to Fultondale and Alma Bryant, while Shelby County is 0-2 with losses to West Blocton and Montevallo.

“Playing at home is going to be a plus for us,” Holtville head coach Jason Franklin said. “It’s going to be so awesome to not have to get on a school bus or charter bus and travel for two to four hours. It’s going to be really nice.”

In Shelby County’s two losses, the Wildcats have allowed only 38 total points. They lost last week to Montevallo, 13-10. Shelby County features a strong defense

FILE THE TRIBUNE

Elmore County quarterback Ryals McNeely has scored three touchdowns in each of his first two starts.

HENRY ZIMMER THE TRIBUNE

Reeltown’s Crystal Smith goes up for a ball against Coosa on Thursday.

Continued from A10

has 10 catches for 136 yards, 3 TDs; has 4 carries for 76 yards, 1 TD. … DE Brandon White has recorded 4 tackles and 3 sacks.

FOUR DOWNS

Last week, Elmore County beat Autaugaville, 62-0; Sylacauga lost to Moody, 31-17. Elmore County beat Sylacauga last year, 48-21. Elmore County has outscored its opponents 118-28 in two games this season. Elmore County’s defense allowed -119 rushing yards and forced 8 fumbles last week.

NEXT UP: Elmore County hosts

SURVIVES

Continued from A10

Reeltown took control 21-20, but allowed Coosa to tie things at 24.

The Rebels eked out two straight points to win the set, but things had taken a turn.

Coosa head coach Chris Elliot must have seen how the game was swaying in his team’s favor, and lit a match under his squad, as Coosa came into the third almost unrecognizable.

Reeltown jumped out early, but Coosa eliminated errors that had plagued the team in the first two periods and commanded a 20-17 lead, before rattling off a 5-1 run to win the third.

In the fourth, things turned Coosa’s way even further.

After erasing a 6-2 Reeltown lead, Coosa got up 13-10 and slammed the door on the Rebels.

GAME

Continued from A10

and Franklin is expecting a defensive slugfest.

Holtville’s defense has been really good to start the year. After allowing 24 points in the first half of its opener, the Bulldogs have given up only two touchdowns in their last six quarters, and both of those came to Class 7A Alma Bryant last week. The Bulldogs have not

Central Clay County; Sylacauga at Valley.

FRIDAY, SEPT. 8 PIKE ROAD (0-2) AT WETUMPKA (0-2)

THE PLAYERS Wetumpka: QB Nate Rogers has over 250 rushing yards and 4 TDs. … DL Ethan Bailey has 2 sacks. … WRs Malik Owens and Evan Dillard each have one receiving touchdown. Pike Road: QB Cason Myers has completed 31-of-47 passes for 347 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT; RB Mike Jones has 21 carries for 82 yards, 1 TD. … WR Jordan King has 13 catches for 265 yards, 2 TDs.

FOUR DOWNS Last week, Wetumpka lost to Baker, 33-17; Pike Road lost to

It was Coosa’s turn to keep the game at arm’s length, winning 25-21. Elliot said he has one player– who he chose not to name in an effort to keep undue pressure off of her– that was the catalyst for his team’s comeback.

“We have one player who is really our spark plug,” Elliot said. “When she is on, the whole team is on. And she was like that tonight. If she is up, the whole team is up.” In the do-or-die fifth, both coaches were seen giving impassioned speeches about winning and staying together.

Reeltown’s senior leaders Sandrea Coleman and Leeandra Hooks both spoke to their teammates alongside Merrett, likely urging them on about how they could still win.

Elliot, joined by former Reeltown coach Kelli Hilyer on the bench for this season, likely spoke about how the momen-

been missing tackles and have been limiting the big plays, which is exactly what they will be needing to do this week against a pass-happy Shelby County team.

In the rain last week, Shelby County passed the ball 31 times.

“We have to sure up our secondary and make sure we’re handling business on the back end,” Franklin said. “Even though we lost, our defense played extremely well last week. We did a

Hillcrest, 30-6. Pike Road beat Wetumpka last year, 35-33. Wetumpka has lost four straight games dating back to last season. Wetumpka has not started the season 0-2 since 2015.

NEXT UP: Wetumpka at Park Crossing; Pike Road hosts Sidney Lanier.

STANHOPE ELMORE (1-1) AT RUSSELL COUNTY (0-1)

THE PLAYERS

Stanhope Elmore: QB Jacob Bryant has completed 15-of-24 passes for 251 yards, 1 TD; has scored 1 rushing TD. … RB Arthur McQueen rushed 20 times for 151 yards, 3 TDs last week. … DL Donnie Arnold has 3.5 sacks and a blocked punt this

tum was in their corner and all the team needed to do was cut down on errors that hurt them at the start of the game.

However, those costly errors that hurt Coosa early reared their ugly head again, and the final frame was all Reeltown and then some.

Behind quality serves from Hooks, who had been lights out all night in both service and setting, Reeltown went up 8-0.

The closest Coosa got the game was 10-4, before falling 15-5.

“The fifth set, we went in with momentum,” Elliot said. “But we kept making the same mistakes in the fifth set as we did in the first two.”

The final huddles for both teams postgame were about as far apart in emotion as one could get.

Merrett’s final words to her team were about how proud she was that her team stuck together through adversity.

good job of making them drive and didn’t give up any big plays.”

Holtville’s offense, on the other hand, will be looking to rebound after a disappointing showing last week. The Bulldogs were shut out by Alma Bryant despite a few red zone trips, but Franklin knows the game made his offense better.

Alma Bryant’s defensive line featured three players who will eventually play college football and possibly at the Divi-

season. Russell County: QB Robert Calhoun has completed 17-of-28 passes for 139 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT; has 7 carries for 51 yards. … RB Devin Brown has 4 carries for 81 yards, 1 TD. … LB Devin Presley has recorded 11 tackles.

FOUR DOWNS Last week, Stanhope Elmore lost to Eufaula, 27-23; Russell County did not play. Stanhope Elmore beat Eufaula last year, 45-21. Stanhope Elmore has never lost to Russell County and has a 15-0 all-time record. Stanhope Elmore has not lost its area opener since 2017.

NEXT UP: Stanhope Elmore has a bye week; Russell County hosts Carver Montgomery.

“We played as a team,” Merrett said. “We worked together, communicated. All of those things.”

Merrett said a key to her squad’s success in the end was that her team never thought they were out.

Even after taking a 2-0 lead, and letting things get to a fifth, she never felt her girls throw in the towel.

“They have so much drive, so much heart,” Merrett said. “I think heart goes a long way.”

Leading by example and by word, Merrett’s seniors are not only key for the varsity team, but for JV too. Coleman and Hooks both helped coach the JV squad before playing almost the entire varsity game.

“They are such leaders,” Merrett said of her two seniors. “Not only are they leading this team, they are coaching JV.”

As for Elliot, he too was proud of his team, but knew Thursday was a winnable

sion I level.

“We had chances the other night and just didn’t execute,” Franklin said. “If we can establish the run and hit some shots, we have a really good chance this week. We saw three of the best guys we’re going to see all year, last week. We’re a better team after seeing them. That’s why you play a 7A team.” Shelby County will be coming into the game with a little bit of revenge on its mind. The Wildcats

EDGEWOOD ACADEMY (0-3, 0-1) AT ABBEVILLE CHRISTIAN (0-3, 0-1)

THE PLAYERS

Edgewood Academy: QB Ethan Evans has scored a touchdown in back-to-back weeks. … TE Brock Whitt scored his first touchdown of the season last week. … LB/RB Parker Shaw recorded 11 tackles last week.

FOUR DOWNS

Last week, Edgewood lost to Chambers, 36-6; Abbeville lost to Hooper, 34-14.

Edgewood beat Abbeville last season, 40-0. This is Edgewood’s third road game in the first four weeks. Edgewood has not started 0-3 since the 2015 season.

NEXT UP: Edgewood hosts Lowndes Academy; Abbeville does not play.

affair.

“I told the team we had too many mistakes and too many unforced errors,” Elliot said. “We gave that game away. We fought hard through four sets.”

The veteran coach tipped his hat to Reeltown, knowing the Rebels earned a solid win.

“Reeltown is a good team,” Elliot said. “I give them credit for playing hard, they are not going to give it to you. You are going to have to fight for every point you get. They earned the win. They beat us. They outplayed us, for three sets.”

Next up, Coosa travels to Fayetteville on Saturday for a tournament, while Reeltown awaits Lanett on Tuesday.

If the Rebels are to win their second straight, Merrett said her team will have to channel themselves from the Coosa game against the Panthers.

“We just have to keep on doing the same, that is all we can do,” Merrett said.

lost last season’s matchup between the two teams, 34-13, before finishing the season one game out of the playoffs while Holtville claimed the No. 4 seed in the area with the win.

BATTLE

Undefeated Panthers begin area play on the road

By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor

The only undefeated team in the county has a chance to continue its hot start.

Elmore County, sitting at 2-0 with two very dominant wins this year, hits the road to begin Class 5A, Area 4 play against Sylacauga this Thursday at 7 p.m.

The Panthers have beaten Marbury and Autaugaville by a combined score of 118-28 while Sylacauga is 0-2 with losses to Moody and Wenonah.

“We feel confident but we know that it doesn’t matter what you do before area play,” head coach Kyle Caldwell said. “We’re staying focused and we know Sylacauga is a good opponent even though their record may not

reflect that. They’ve played two very good teams and they’re a lot better than what their record suggests.”

Sylacauga features a run-first offense that hasn’t found much success this season. The Aggies have scored only three times in two games, and Elmore County has the defense to hold Sylacauga in check.

The Panthers, in their 62-0 win over Autaugaville last week, allowed -119 yards and forced eight fumbles in the blowout win. The Panthers had four sacks and 12 tackles for loss while holding Autaugaville to only one first down in the game.

The pass defense has been impressive this season as well with two interceptions in two games.

“Sylacauga wants to

run the ball, but they also threw three deep balls for touchdowns in the rain last week.” Caldwell said. “They can throw the ball. They have a lot of older skill players on the field.”

Defensively, Sylacauga likes to base out of a four-man front and bring a lot of pressure. Elmore County’s offense has the ability to block that with success. All five of Elmore County’s offensive linemen have more than a year of starting experience, and the Panthers have skill players all over the field.

And unlike last week, the entire offense is back healthy for Elmore County.

Starting running back CJ Wilkes, who rushed for 1,300 yards last season, hurt his ankle in the first week of the season after rushing only five times for 31 yards

and a touchdown. In his absence, Cade Everson, Parker Hobbs, Jabari Murphy and quarterback Ryals McNeely have been carrying the ball for an average of 205 rushing yards per game.

Each one of those four players have scored at least one touchdown while Everson has four rushing touchdowns on eight carries.

Wilkes sat out of the big win last week, but is back and ready to go for Week 3.

“It’s all hands on deck,” Caldwell said.

“CJ will be prepared to play on Thursday and if he feels he’s good to go, we’re going to let him go. We’ll leave it in his hands because he is going to put the team first. He’s not going to do anything to hurt the team.

Other than that, everyone is ready to go.”