SPORTS: Holtville softball continues dominant early-season run, B1 Deputy recovering after being shot in Claud standoff, B8
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9, 2022 | VOL. 123, NO. 10 | $1.00
New trash service coming to Elmore County Holtville High School basketball coach arrested WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2022 | VOL. 123, NO. 5 | $1.00
By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer By Cliff Williams Staff Writer After months of complaints to the
Elmore County Commission, a conA virtual teacher at Elmore tract with Waste Management was County School’s Edge program defaulted in favor of seeking bids has been arrested and charged and accepting a contract with Arwith school employee distribrow Disposal at last week’sto county uting obscene material a stucommission meeting. dent. “As a county commission, we Elmore County Sheriff Bill joined with several of our municFranklin said Emmanuel Andre ipalities chose participate Wilsonwho II, 32, of to Montgomery with us to have a cooperative to turned himself into authorities have a bid for our trash disposal serTuesday afternoon. vices in Elmore County,” Elmore County Commission chair Troy Stubbs said.
Mergers, equipment issues and staffing caused issues for Waste Wilson was the head basketManagement. ball coach at Holtville High “We spent hours listening to our School and was residents about trash problems,” placed on adcommissioner Henry HInes said. ministrative “Waste Management went through leave Jan. 13 a tough time and they worked hard according to Eltomore accomplish, but many things County caused struggles including COVID. Schools superOur citizens asked us to default the intendent Richcontract and put it out for bids.” ard Dennis. Hines citizens WILSONusu“We acknowledged had a really only call the county when probport,” Dennis lems arise. said. “We had a preliminary “We didn’t hear about the great times they picked up all the trash but we heard all the complaints,”
Hines said. Three bids were received and one investigation and commission handed it off was a no bid. The apto the appropriate authorities. proved Arrow Disposal as the lowHe was also placed on adminisest responsible bidder. trative leave at that time.” Dennis said school officials NEW EMS CONTRACT follow the same procedure Haynes Ambulance will still be when administrators receive a the ambulance service foragainst most of report of allegations Elmore County after the Elmore school staff and employees. County 911 Board sought requests “Once we hand it over, we for proposals as theabout currentwhat contract know very little is with Haynes was coming to end. going on,” Dennis said. an “We Haynes Ambulance was once again cooperate with authorities if selected. Commissioners thanked necessary.” Haynes for its years of service to the citizens of Elmore County, not only in handling emergency situ-
ations but in working with the El• Authorized executing a contract more County Commission. with ADANI Systems for a x-ray Franklin investigators released a “When itsaid comes contract time, Wilson baggagewas machine for courton security. with the Elmore County Sher- $6,000 bond 90 minutes afthey have always been very accom• Authorized executing a contract iff’s Office have the alleged vic- ter turning himself in accordmodating for Elmore County,” com- with The Atlantic Group, LLC for tim’s phone. Authorities collect- ing to the Elmore County Jail missioner Mack Daughtery said. “I aerial photography for the revenue ed Wilson’s phone as well. website. appreciate that.” commissioner’s office. “You could see a conversaDennis said Wilson also In other action the Elmore County • Authorized a construction agreetion between the two,” Frank- coached other sports at HoltCommission: ment to install pavementbeing markers, lin said. “Mr. Wilson is going ville schools including • Approved minutes of the Feb. 7 guardrail and end anchors on Claud to contend someone had the the head track coach and assismeeting. Fleahop Road. security code to his phone and tant football coach. Approved warrants forThere Jan. 29 Dennis • Approved surplus he •was not responsible. said other staffvehicles would for to Feb. 18. the Elmore County Sheriff’s is other information we can’t fill in for the duties of Wilson at De• Authorized executing contract Holtville partment andhe toisbeonsold via JM while admindisclose now but I don’ta think with Pitney Bowes for a mailing Wood or GovDeals. it’s beneficial to Mr. Wilson.” istrative leave. system for the Elmore County HisThe next meeting of the Elmore torical Courthouse and Administra- County Commission is scheduled tive Complex. for 5 p.m. March 14.
Chamber holds luncheon
Read Across welcoming members By Cliff Williams Staff Writer
America Week
Members of the Wetumpka The Wetumpka Chamber of Commerce held its Chamber of CLIFF WILLIAMS / THE HERALD Commerce annual luncheon to install new officers and board The students and staff of Wetumpka Elementary School celebrated Read Across America Week members for the first time in last a while Thursday. week. Friday was the big day with many students and staff dressed as their favorite attend book the chamber’s The COVID-19 pandemic put a hamper on gathcharacter and paraded the halls of the school for all to see. The National Education Association “A Taste erings but the chamber celebrated of Across America Day in 1998 to get children excited about reading. startedthe thesuccesses national Read Theof Our Home Town” business in Wetumpka. day happens every year on March 2, to honor Dr. Seuss’ birthday. luncheon. “We haven’t been able to do this for the last cou-
ple years,” chairperson Clay McConnell said. “Your attendance is an indication people want to get back together and have these opportunities to see each
CLIFF WILLIAMS/ THE HERALD
See CHAMBER, Page A3
Police continue investigation, man no longer suspected Hines hopes
FILE / THE HERALD
Elmore County Commissioner Henry Hines is working to get the word out about Elmore County’s annual spring cleanup April 22-24.
friendly rivalry will pick up litter By Jake Arthur Chief Videographer
Police are still investigating the fatal shooting in the Wetumpka Walmart parklot on Jan. 20. By ing CLIFF WILLIAMS Police were dispatched to the parking lot Staff Writer around 10:45 p.m. for a “shots fired” call. Once there, they found CentellHenry Winston, Elmore County Commissioner Hines 42 of Tallassee, dead of a gunshot wound despises litter. in the driver seat of his “We have a problem in vehicle. our county and it’s According to Wetumpka police chief called litter,” Hines said. Greg Benton, this was not a random Hines’ hatred of litter stems from theshootcontraing. of the message many see when crossing diction “This wasfrom not out random, notand a random into Alabama of state the reality act,” said Benton. “We believe the vicof our roadways. tim and the perpetrator knew each other.” “When you come in Alabama and see the This is the first homicide in Wetumpka sign, ‘Alabama, The Beautiful,’ and we as citin over three years. The last homicide in izens and residents tend to throw trash in the the city took place in 2018. back of our trucks,” Hines said. “It seems to “It’s not a good way to start out the new litter up our We look like a third world year,” saidroads. Benton. country on some of our roads.” Benton didn’t want to speculate on the See LITTER, Page A3 See SHOOTING, Page A3
Place settings bring hundreds to Wetumpka
Holtville’s Futral Alabama principal of the year
gether.” the world follow the page and from Eason and her friends pulled togeth- just about every state. Eason is from schoolwide assemblyTable at Holtville the school culture frombut thatnow of a lives shiftininWea positive direction. The er the Beautiful Settings Bash. Montgomery High School. Elmore County Su- school struggling with low mo- school experienced a 62 percent Plates have brought more than “People wanted to meet each other,” tumpka. The Alabama Association of perintendent Richard Dennis was rale, achievement and attendance decrease in discipline referrals, 115,000 followers together on a Face- Eason said. “We just started brain“Montgomery is my biggest city Secondary School Principals in attendance for the presentation. to a school that strives for excel- 50 percent decrease in chronic book page created by one Wetumpka storming and this came together.” with 1,600 [followers],” Eason said. (AASSP) named Holtville High “Kyle Futral is an exception- lence. By collaborating with staff, absenteeism, 7 percent increase resident. From a welcoming Thursday night “Wetumpka is No. 9.” School principal Kyle Futral the al principal and is very proac- many of the school’s issues were in the graduation rate, 33 percent May Eason created the page in Septo two days of plates, settings, silver, The page has helped grow business2022 Alabama High School Prin- tive and innovative in his think- identified and addressed. Futral’s increase in CCR rate and a 20 pertember 2019 and just over two years flowers and how to host parties was es that specialize in selling estate chi- in ACT proficiency cipal of the Year. ing and approaches to managing leadership style of listening, en- cent increase FILE / THE HERALD later, more than 400 followers spent talked about. na and silver. The High School Principal of his school,” Dennis said, couraging, supporting, organizing in the last five years. Herald Jonathan Wood presents ways to use Japanese techniques thetheweekend in Wetumpka. love it,”of Eason said. “It’s great. “One the vendor his business has Year award was presented to As “I principal Holtville High and challenging staff said and stuin floral arrangements as the Beautiful Table Settings Bash in “Everyone has gotten to be friends,” I’d hope it’s has a boost to the economy.” See PRINCIPAL, Page A3 Futral on Friday, Jan. 28 during a School, Futral transformed dents, caused the school culture to FUTURAL Wetumpka. See PLACE, Page A3 Eason said. “We wanted to get toEason said people from around By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer Staff Report
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