Wetumpka Herald July 31 2024

Juries convict 2 in relation to juvenile deaths

Holtville High School basketball coach arrested

By Cliff Williams Staff Writer

In Elmore County, two defendants were convicted in jury trials for two separate incidents involving children.

According to a press release

from 19th Judicial Circuit district

attorney CJ Robinson, a jury found Shirley Matthews guilty of aggravated child abuse which caused the

death of her two-month-old son, Karson. Aggravated child abuse is a Class A felony, which is punishable by 10 to 99 years in prison. Karson Matthews was born in July 2018, weighing 6 pounds, 2 ounces and in September 2018, he was taken unresponsive to Elmore Community Hospital, weighing 4 pounds, 13 ounces. An autopsy determined Karson’s cause of death to be negligence and the

manner of death to be homicide, the press release stated.

Dennis

In an interview with law enforcement, Shirley admitted to having never taken Karson to the doctor after being released from the hospital after his birth. She claimed to be feeding him regularly and thought he would eventually gain weight. However, the jury heard overwhelming medical testimony about the child’s mal-

“Once we hand it over, we know very little about what is going on,” Dennis said. “We cooperate with authorities if necessary.”

phone. Authorities collect ed Wilson’s phone as well. “You could see a conversa tion 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.”

nourished condition which led to his death. Karson’s father, Kristopher Mat-

Chamber holds luncheon welcoming members

By Cliff Williams Staff Writer

The Wetumpka Chamber of Commerce held its annual luncheon to install new officers and board members for the first time in a while Thursday.

‘THREAD MY

The COVID-19 pandemic put a hamper on gatherings but the chamber celebrated the successes of business in Wetumpka.

“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

See CHAMBER

Keeping traditions going one stitch at a time

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

Jacqueline Lacey and Martha Piner share a love of quilting.

thews, was indicted for the same charges as his wife Shirley and his case is still pending.

“It is never easy to try cases on behalf of innocent children who senselessly suffer because of the choices of the adults who are supposed to protect and love them,” Robinson said. “This week we sat with the families of three victims

HSEC on lockdown with canine influenza in the air

By LIZI ARBOGAST GWIN Managing Editor

Members of the Wetumpka Chamber of Commerce attend the chamber’s “A Taste of Our Home Town” luncheon. CLIFF WILLIAMS/ THE HERALD

After the COVID-19 pandemic, humans are used to hunkering down and going into quarantine. But dogs — not so much.

They are part of the founders of Thread My Needle Quilters in Wetumpka. But it might be the camaraderie surrounding the generations old tradition they love better.

The Alabama Association of Secondary School Principals

“We like to sit around and talk,” Lacey, 95, said. “We will pick up the needle and thread and share stories of the week as we quilt.”

(AASSP) named Holtville High School principal Kyle Futral the 2022 Alabama High School Principal of the Year.

CLIFF WILLIAMS | TPI

TOP: Martha Piner pushes a threaded needle through three layers in the quilting frame at the Elmore County Black History Museum. Piner is part of a group of about 10 that meet every Tuesday to quilt and chat.

ABOVE: Jacqueline Lacey, 95, chats with Martha Piner as they quilt at the Elmore County Black History Museum. Lacey and Piner are founding members of the Thread My Needle Quilting group that started in 1997 in Lacey’s home.

Lacey first welcomed a small group interested in quilting to her home in 1997. She and Piner were retired and searching for something to do.

That’s what the Humane Society of Elmore County is up against right now, though, as there has been an outbreak of the canine influenza virus.

“It’s a respiratory

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

“Ms. Lacey and I both love crafts,” Piner said. “We decided we would get together and she would teach me how to quilt. We started at her house.”

“Kyle Futral is an exceptional principal and is very proactive and innovative in his thinking and approaches to managing his school,” Dennis said, As principal of Holtville High School, Futral has transformed

The High School Principal of the Year award was presented to Futral on Friday, Jan. 28 during a schoolwide assembly at Holtville High School. Elmore County Superintendent Richard Dennis was in attendance for the presentation.

The group grew quickly and a year later in 1998 moved to the Elmore County Black History Museum. Since, the Thread

the school culture from that of a school struggling with low morale, achievement and attendance to a school that strives for excellence. By collaborating with staff, many of the school’s issues were identified and addressed. Futral’s leadership style of listening, encouraging, supporting, organizing and challenging the staff and students, caused the school culture to 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.

See PRINCIPAL, Page A3

Duplexes could be coming to the intersection of Main Street and Graff Road in Millbrook. Property owners of 3.88 acres are asking the Millbrook City Council to rezone the parcel from single family dwellings to multi-family designation. It

would allow the construction of proposed 12-single floor duplexes. The issue came up in last week’s Millbrook City Council meeting during a first reading of the ordinance.

“I wasn’t there to hear the public comments,” Mayor Al Kelley said. “I was at a conference.”

, Page A6

WILSON

Wetumpka

MATTHEWS ROBINSON

DEATHS,

SUBMITTED TPI

at the Humane Society of Elmore County are undergoing quarantine after an outbreak of the canine influenza virus.

Obituaries

ROBERT JONES (BOBBY) SANFORD

Robert Jones (Bobby) Sanford, a resident of Wetumpka, Alabama passed away Wednesday, July 24, 2024 at the age of 68.

The family will receive friends, Saturday, July 27, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Gassett Funeral Home. Funeral service will be held Sunday, July 28, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. at Gassett Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. John Brannon and Rev. Bill Coleman officiating.

Burial will follow at Antioch Baptist Church Cemetery with Gassett

CHARLES KENNETH BANKS

Charles Kenneth Banks, a resident of Wetumpka, Alabama passed away Friday, July 26, 2024 at the age of 93.

The family will receive friends, Monday, July 29, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. with the funeral service at 3:00 p.m. at Gassett Funeral Home Chapel

Funeral Home of Wetumpka directing. Bobby is preceded in death by his parents Thomas & Martha Sanford; brother Gary Sanford; and niece Jody Marie Sanford. He is survived by his wife Debra; son Cody; siblings Tommy Sanford (Nancy), Jerry Sanford (Janice), Ann Sanford Langley (Ed); nieces & nephews Stacey Bailey, Christy Dykes, Wendy Barnes, Rett Hawk, Wesley Langley, Jeremy Sanford; several great nieces & nephews. Pallbearers will be Wesley

with Dr. Rick Marshall officiating.

Burial will follow at Pine View Memorial Gardens with Gassett Funeral Home of Wetumpka directing. Mr. Banks is preceded in death by his wife Annette Banks; parents Willena Pruitt Banks & Andrew Joshua Banks. He is survived by

Langley, Jeremy Sanford, Joel Barnes, Keith Dykes, Dax Bailey, Ben Colley, Sean Blackburn, & Tyler Wilson. Honorary pallbearers will be David Colley, Ed Reeves, Darrin Knight, Randy Watson, A.R. Colley, Boshell family, & Employees of Central Alabama Electric Co-op. Flowers will be accepted, or memorial donations may be made to The Jody Marie Sanford Scholarship. Central Alabama Community Foundation, 114 Church Street, Montgomery, Alabama 36104.

his children Ken Banks (Debbie), Vickie Dudley, Leigh Massey; 4 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Eastern Hill Baptist Church Landscaping Fund, 3604 Pleasant Ridge Road, Montgomery, Alabama 36109.

Man granted parole in connection with Elmore County crimes

STAFF REPORT

TPI Staff

A man is out of jail after being granted parole in connection to drug-related crimes in Elmore and Autauga counties in 2011.

Last Tuesday, Randall Todd Simonton Jr., 40, of Union Springs, was in front of the Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles, which voted to grant parole with special conditions.

Special conditions of his parole include an approved home plan, mental health follow-up, GPS ankle monitor and a drug assessment upon release.

Simonton was found guilty and admitted to state prison in 2013 and ultimately sentenced in 2018 to 20 years for manufacturing a controlled substance. Also in Elmore County, Simonton was sentenced to 55 months for possession of a controlled substance to run concurrently to his manufacturing charge. Special conditions of his parole include an approved home plan, mental health follow-up,

GPS ankle monitor and a drug assessment upon release. No one spoke for or against his release, according to board minutes. Previously, Simonton served time for a distribution of a controlled substance charge in Elmore County, serving one year, one month and 10 days of a five-year sentence.

Nail salon theft suspect in custody

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

A suspect connected to burglaries and thefts across the state including crimes in Elmore County was arrested by the Wetumpka Police Department last week.

Domonique Childrey, 24, of Montgomery, was booked into the Elmore County Jail last Tuesday and charged with two counts of third-degree burglary, two counts of

Police Reports

CHILDREY

third-degree criminal mischief and one count of fourth-degree theft. It was just one day after two nail salons on U.S. Highway 231 and Village Loop in Wetumpka reported break-ins. At one business, cash was taken.

Childrey was devel-

WETUMPKA POLICE

DEPARTMENT

JULY 24

• An assault was reported on Jackson Trace Road. JULY 22

• Fraudulent use of a credit or debit card was

oped as a suspect using footage from multiple surveillance cameras in multiple locations.

“In talking to other agencies, we assume this suspect has committed these same types of business burglaries in Montgomery,” Wetumpka assistant police chief Nick Betts said. “Then he came north to Wetumpka and then north to Pelham and Cullman.”

Law enforcement in

Pelham assisted Wetumpka in the investigation.

“My understanding is Pelham is signing warrants,” Betts said. “If he bonds out here, he would go to Pelham.”

As of Monday morning, Childrey was in the Elmore County Jail with a $54,000 bond available to him. Court records do not indicate if Childrey has been served warrants related to similar burglaries in Montgomery, Pelham and Cullman.

reported on Country Club Loop.

JULY 21

• Burglary and theft were reported on Village Loop.

• Criminal mischief was reported on U.S. Highway 231.

Humane Society of Elmore County News

HSEC implements changes due to virus

By REA CORD HSEC Executive Director

Many are aware from our Facebook announcement last week but our shelter, and others in the region, are having to deal with canine influenza virus (H3N2) in our dogs. As a result we have had to make necessary changes to both intake and adoptions for dogs as we work to get our dogs back to full health.

1. Dog adoptions are suspended until we get our dogs back to health so they do not take this to family pets in the community.

2. To keep our dog population as low as possible while we treat sick dogs and work to prevent new dogs getting sick:

— Stray Dog Intake will be limited to only the most critical stray intakes. If you find a stray and are at all able to keep it, we will help you as much as possible to reunite it with an owner by posting to our social media pages and staying in touch with all who are caring for any found dogs/pups.

— We will not accept owner surrender dogs except in absolute dire circumstances.

— Cat intake and adoptions continue as normal as this does not affect our cats.

3. We cannot let the public walk through our Shelters just to look at our dogs/cats so as to not send Canine Flu out to the community/dogs in homes.

Our staff is working diligently to help our dogs get through this and keep new infections from happening, but the single most critical need is to keep our dog population as controlled as possible which is why we have to enact such strict rules on intake.

Canine influenza is a respiratory virus that spreads from dogs to dog (no danger to humans) via respiratory droplets (coughing, sneezing, barking or nuzzling) and through contaminated surfaces and clothing. The symptoms of canine influenza are cough, runny nose, eye discharge, fever, lethargy and poor appetite. The signs range in severity between no signs at all and severe illness resulting in death. People can also spread the virus to dogs via their clothing, equipment or hands which is why we have to limit public contact with

our dogs. Most dogs recover within two-tothree weeks, but some will develop secondary bacterial infections that can lead to more severe illness and we are monitoring our dogs carefully.

We do advise that you talk to your veterinarian about vaccinating your dog for canine influenza and if your dog is showing any symptoms of influenza, contact your veterinarian immediately for assessment and early supportive treatment. We do hope this will stay contained to our Shelters, but advise caution in allowing your dog(s) direct contact with other dogs to be safe.

Please keep our shelter staff in your good wishes as summers are hard enough, so adding canine influenza to the mix is a very heavy burden indeed. But our staff has rallied and adjusted, and we will get through this and back to finding homes for our dogs and helping area dogs in need. Your patience with our temporary changes is most appreciated.

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

Pet of the Week — Luna

Luna is a 2-year-old female gray tabby. She was found as a stray and very much wanted inside the finder’s house so we’re going to say she is an inside kitty. She is a bit timid at first but warms up quickly and is very loving.

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, micro -

chip, heartworm check for dogs, rabies vaccination if old enough and a free health exam with your participating veterinarian.

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

Set up students for success

t’s frightening to say but the first day of school is almost

It seems only yesterday we said goodbye to a school year and graduates. Now the next year is already here and with it comes hope of a better future.

Teachers and staff are ready. Schools are ready too.

Students have spent the summer relaxing. They might need a little help getting back into a routine to be successful at school.

Parents should go ahead and get their children on a schedule more conducive to a school schedule. Go ahead and encourage a sleeping pattern that fits with a school day. That includes getting up and going to bed at reasonable times.

The same goes for meals. Breakfast is important and shouldn’t be left out. Many of our schools have a breakfast option when students get there.

But the best way to set students up for success at school and beyond is to be supportive.

Students have far more challenges than when most parents went to school. The pace is faster in today’s school. Students have far more pressures on them today too.

Students are also pressured to pick a career often before they have stepped the first step in high school.

The pressure isn’t needed. It just causes students to pick a path they might come to hate later in life. Our schools are equipped with counselors, career tech centers and more to help gently guide students to lifelong success.

It’s simple parents. Just ask your students how you as a parent can help. It might just be a listening ear. It could be providing structure such as a schedule.

It doesn’t have to be shouting and a dictatorship.

It’s hard but the best thing parents can do is be supportive of their students in whatever path they choose.

What’s your

Opinion?

We’d like to share your thoughts and opinions with the community for free. You may submit one letter to the editor per month (300 words or less) and/or a guest column (500 words or less). Include name, address and phone number. We reserve the right to refuse any submissions. Mail: Your View, The Wetumpka Herald 127 Company Street, Wetumpka, AL 36092 E-mail: editorelmore@thewetumpkaherald.com

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The Wetumpka Herald is contract printed each Tuesday evening in Alexander City by Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. 256-234-4281

There’s good movies, there’s bad movies and then there’s good bad movies.

If you don’t know what I’m talking about, I urge you to watch the original Twister — the epitome of a good bad movie. Cheesy lines, predictability, decent but not great acting. “We got cows.”

It’s a classic.

It’s kind of like the horror movie Scream. You almost know to the T what’s going to happen next, yet you’re still somehow waiting on the edge of your seat in suspense. Scream is one of those really good bad movies that gives away its own ending, and you’re still surprised at the twist. “I’ll be right back.”

So when I went to see Twisters earlier this week, I was expecting yet another classic good bad movie. I wanted all the cheese and all the predictability. And I wasn’t disappointed per se. You definitely sort of knew what was going to happen just

The Wetumpka Word

a few minutes into the film, but what you might not have expected was the heroine to end up with the “bad guy.” Or the “good guy” to end up being a little sleazy. But there were a lot more twists and turns than a typical good bad movie.

The over-the-top special effects were incredible to watch, but again — trying too hard there. There were definitely some incredible nods to the original, like the twister ripping through the movie theater as it did a drivein in the first film. And there were definitely some unrealistic moments in the movie like the truck that just digs into the ground and can live through a tornado’s

inner workings. But there were some unrealistic moments in the original that were pretty jaw-drop ping too. Let us all remember when Jo and Bill tied themselves to a small pipe, were in the middle of a tornado and lived to tell the story. I also appreciated in Twisters the little journalist guy (I never did catch his name), because well, No. 1, I’m a journalist, and No. 2, I thought he was a good substitute for Bill’s new beau (whatever her name was). We needed someone who was deathly afraid of torna does, and the journalist guy did the trick.

Nuts and bolts

Concluding 28 years of public school teaching this summer, we have been looking back at previous “Bird’s Eye View” columns that ran in The Tallassee Tribune. This one appeared in this space in 2011.

I was fortunate enough to attend the Nuts and Bolts Symposium for middle school educators last week in Destin, Florida. Educators from around the country convene at Destin Middle School and present informative, funny, exciting workshops for a very unique group of people: middle school teachers.

Dr. Bill McBride of textbook publisher Houghton Mifflin said that in the United States today, $1.7-$2.3 million per student is spent on those who drop out. That’s because dropouts may be the ones who end up on food stamps, in jail, or in other places that require government assistance. McBride also talked a lot about the brain, saying the internet grabs our attention only to scatter it.

Disney Teacher of the Year Rick Wormeli bears an uncanny resemblance to comedian Steve Martin. Wormeli said that students crave structure, clear limits, meaningful arts and athletic experiences, real competence experiences, relevance to school and community, and to belong. He also pointed out that teachers should “conduct ourselves in such a way where kids will not want to disappoint us.”

Nuts and Bolts owner Jack Berckemeyer is hilarious and engaging. He espouses a philosophy of “Our School – Our Team – Our Kids”. For example, if the school rule is to keep shirt tails tucked in, everyone needs to be on board with enforcement of that rule. He recommended lots of humor in the classroom. But one not-so-funny fact: 18% of 7-year-old American girls are starting puberty, and 20% of 10-year-old boys. Armed with those statistics, we must understand that our middle schoolers are being thrown into the hormonal soup several years earlier than previously thought.

Mississippi principal and motivational speaker Mark McLeod is one-of-a-kind. He presented lectures on many different topics, but told us about powerful classroom management strategies as we created a tool box for success. The following methods are ways of dealing with a classroom interruption. These tools included the evil eye, evil eye with signal, writing pad technique, proximity, proximity with touch or tap, proximity with sticky note, whisper technique, send on errand, and delayed referral. Finally, two of the lecturers who made the biggest impact on me this time were Ohio principal Tim Spinner and Texas principal Rita Pierson. Pierson [who died not long after giving a TED Talk similar to her speech at this conference] was plain-spoken

and pointed a humorous but accusatory finger at those of us who make excuses. She said that after 40 years in education, that kids have not changed. She said parents have not really changed, either – but the school’s response to parents has indeed changed. Spinner is a school security expert. His workshop began with a sobering 911 recording from Columbine High School in April, 1999. Spinner discussed the regular occurrence of fire and tornado drills in our schools. Since 1958, there have been 0 fatalities in a school fire. But since 1992, there have been 348 fatalities in school shootings. Spinner argued that our intruder procedures are behind the times and that teachers have not been empowered to make decisions based on their particular classroom emergency. And sadly, “it never happens to us until it does,” so all schools must take precautions for these violent acts. In summary, I am proud to be a middle school teacher, facing another year in the business and ready to start again. I am also grateful to our school system for allowing us to attend this conference.

Michael Bird is a music teacher at Faulkner University and radio host on WACQ-AM 580 & FM 98.5.

Kenneth Boone, Chairman

Tippy Hunter, General Manager Lizi Arbogast Gwin, Managing Editor

MICHAEL BIRD Columnist

Publix opens today in Wetumpka

TPI STAFF Staff Report

Publix fans can walk into the grocer company’s third Elmore County location. The store in Wetumpka opens today.

The Elmore County Economic Development Authority (ECEDA) has invited residents, community members, local officials, and business leaders to attend a 6:30 a.m. ribbon cutting and grand opening at the 5039 U.S. Highway 231 location in Wetumpka. Local officials are pleased with Publix’s choice to open another store

in Elmore County.

“The investment by Publix in Wetumpka represents the continued strength of our local economy and the appeal of Elmore County as a destination for development,” Elmore County Commission chair Bart Mercer said. “We are confident that Publix will quickly contribute to our area’s overall quality of life.” ECEDA executive director Lisa Van Wagner said the new location gives Elmore County residents another opportunity to shop locally

“This means increased

tax revenue, bringing with it new job opportunities and continued growth in the area,” Van Wagner said.

The Wetumpka store will be the 92nd location for Publix in Alabama and its third location in Elmore County, with stores already in Millbrook and Prattville.

Since 1930, Publix has grown from a single store into the largest employee-owned company in the United States with 1,377 stores in eight states and over 255,000 employees. The mission of Publix

Millbrook chamber celebrates 30 years

By LIZI ARBOGAST GWIN Managing Editor

It’s

to the

Last week, Millbook’s chamber celebrated its 30th year in existence.

“We’re very proud to be in our 30th year; we’ve come a long way,” chamber director Brenda Robinson Dennis said. “Our chamber has really developed and evolved over the years. When I got here, we sort of rebranded and took it in a new direction. We wanted

TWISTERS Continued from A4

to be equal with what’s going on in Millbrook because Millbrook is growing so much.”

Dennis has been a part of the Millbrook chamber for just over three years, and she said she was honored to be a part of the biggest accomplishment in the chamber’s 30-year history with the accreditation process.

That process involves having 38 supporting documents, such as having a strategic plan, a financial plan, a marketing plan and an operations and procedures policy. This accreditation process is an arduous one, but it shows the value and the seriousness of the chamber in Millbrook.

“There’s just a lot of hallmarks you have to hit for that,” Dennis explained. “We’ve done a lot of things

need a laugh or when you need a cry. I

to elevate our chamber and bring it to a place where our members can be proud, but we stand on the backs of all the people that came before us.”

When Millbrook’s chamber first began in 1994, it wasn’t called a chamber of commerce, Dennis said. Instead it was called a Merchants Association, but it was set up similarly to a chamber where the main mission was to serve its membership.

Over the years, Millbrook’s chamber has grown to support Dennis as the chamber’s first full-time employee, and she’s even gotten to the point now where she is ready to hire parttime help.

The chamber has also evolved to now host a well-working CRM, which stands for customer relation-

can’t rank it 10 stars because after all, it is by definition a bad movie. However, I give Twisters a 7/10. I’d watch it again, and those special effects are definitely thrilling, especially on a

ship management system. This allows members to communicate with the chamber and vice versa.

“It was a spreadsheet,” Dennis said. “We made the decision to get what chambers use, which is Growth Zone. That is the engine behind our website, but it’s also our CRM on our side. The newsletter comes out of there; you can pay your bills through there. Our members can have a login and put things on the calendar. It’s really changed the landscape of how we interact with our members and how they interact with us.”

Millbrook’s chamber serves nearly 400 members, most of which are located locally but some are as far as Dallas and New York that do business in Millbrook.

big screen. But it’s not going to be one of my favorite movies and I honestly probably won’t ever see it again. But it’s a good movie to be sure — just not a good bad movie, which is what I wanted.

CommunityCalendar

AUG. 3

BACK TO SCHOOL BASH: The Ranch Multiplex is hosting a Back To School Bash from 1 to 2 p.m. Aug. 3. There will be 100 free backpacks with school supplies. Children must be present.

BACK TO SCHOOL GIVEAWAY: Coosada councilman Roosevelt Watkins Jr. is sponsoring the fourth annual Back to School Backpack Giveaway at the Coosada Community Center from 10 a.m. to noon. There will be food, drinks, waterslides and more.

AUG. 16

is 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 28 in Titus. Performers will be announced soon.

OCT. 5 — OCT. 6

HORSEMANSHIP CLINIC: Heron Springs Farm in Eclectic will be hosting a two-day Robbie Potter Horsemanship Clinic, which will focus on furthering your horsemanship and your ability to build a solid relationship with your horse. For more information, contact Lee Ann Lutz at 336-926-5584 or via email at lalutz.ll@icloud.com.

OCT. 19

GOSPEL CONCERT: The McCraney-Cottle Arts Council is hosting its annual Southern Gospel Music Homecoming at 6 p.m. Aug. 3 at the Tallassee High School Auditorium. It will feature favorites such as the Tallassee High School FFA Quartet, Michael Bird, Mck Daugherty, Jerry Cunningham, Kelley Hill and more. Tickets are $15.

AUG. 4

BACK TO SCHOOL BASH: There is a Back to School Bash at Crenshaw Community Park on Crenshaw Road from 1 to 5 p.m. Aug. 4. There will be free food, inflatables, haircuts and bookbags.

AUG. 5

GROWN-UP BOOK FAIR: The Fizz Company is hosting a Grown-Up Book Fair to benefit the Elmore County Food Pantry from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Aug. 16 at 1629 Upper Kingston Road in Prattville. There will be a second hand book sale with cocktails, mocktails and a make your own bookmark bar. There will be sourdough bread and food from the Sweet Hook Up. Non-perishable goods will be accepted and proceeds go to the food pantry.

AUG. 17

CAR SHOW: Cars on the Coosa will be Aug. 17 at Gold Star Park in Wetumpka.

AUG. 24

WILDLIFE ARTS FESTIVAL: The Kelly Fitzpatrick Center for the Arts is hosting the Wetumpka Wildlife Arts Festival in downtown Wetumpka Oct. 19.

ONGOING

SUPPORT GROUP: The last Thursday of every month, Restoration 49 Coffee Shop plays host to a support group for parents who have lost a child. The meetings begin at 6 p.m. each month. For more information, please contact Heather Baker at hbakerjj@aol.com.

PRESCHOOL STORYTIME: Preschool Storytime takes place at 10 a.m. every Friday at Wetumpka Public Library.

OPEN HOUSE: Wetumpka Elementary School is holding open house for grades PreK through fourth grade from 1 to 7 p.m. Aug. 5 with a break from 3:30 to 4 p.m. Students must be registered by Aug. 1 to be placed in a class.

OPEN HOUSE: Tallassee Elementary School is holding open house from to 5 p.m. Aug. 5. Southside Middle School in Tallassee is holding open house for students from 3 to 6 p.m. Aug. 5. Students and parents get a chance to meet teachers, find classrooms and pay locker fees of $15.

Tallassee High School is holding open house from 4 to 7 p.m. with ninth grade orientation at 6 p.m.

AUG. 8-16

STAGE PRODUCTION: The Wetumpka Depot Players are producing Ten Minutes on a Bench Aug. 8-10 and 16 at 7 p.m. Tickets are available at wetumpkadepotplayers.com.

DOWNTOWN TAILGATE: Main Street Wetumpka his hosting the Downtown Wetumpka Tailgate Kickoff from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 24. Merchants will be celebrating the football season with a high school pep rally, tailgate treats, games and prizes.

SEPT. 5

LEADERSHIP SUMMIT: The Wetumpka Area Chamber of Commerce is hosting it’s Ignite Leadership Summit Sept. 5 at the Wetumpka Civic Center. Speakers include Jenna Keane, Jenny tubbs, Don Erwin and Annette Funderburk.

SEPT. 19 - OCT. 5

SILENT SKY: The Wetumpka Depot Players are producing Silent Sky Sept. 19 to Oct. 5. Tickets are available at wetumpkadepotplayers. com.

SEPT. 28

BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL: The 24th annual Titus Bluegrass Festival

ECLECTIC TOWN COUNCIL MEETINGS: Eclectic Town Council meetings are held on the third Monday of each month at Town Hall. Council meetings begin at 7 p.m. with work sessions taking place prior to the meeting at 6 p.m. Meetings are held in the Dr. M. L. Fielder Municipal Building, 145 Main Street. NAACP MEETINGS: The Elmore County Branch No. 5026 of the NAACP meets at 6:30 p.m. every third Tuesday (executive committee) and every fourth Tuesday (full membership) at the Martin Luther King Center at 200 North Lancaster St. in Wetumpka.

OPEN MIC: The Equality Performing Arts Center hosts an open mic jam session from 7 to 9 p.m. every second Friday of the month at 560 Highway 9 in Equality. There is no charge but donations are welcome as they keep the center running. Bring a snack or finger food to share during the intermission.

Publix on U.S. Highway 231 in Wetumpka will open this morning. It is the third location in Elmore County.

Redland Nutrition celebrates grand opening

By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor

Redland Nutrition has officially marked its territory in Wetumpka.

Owner Jeanine Faulkner hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony on Friday at their store located at 41 Emerald Mountain Expressway in Wetumpka.

The store also hosted a grand opening celebration on Saturday morning.

“It took us forever to get a sign,” Faulkner said. “We’ve been open since March, but we have really just entered into the community. It feels really great and I think things will pick up with the ribbon cutting and grand opening. We’re very excited to be here.”

Despite Redland Nutrition only being open for a few months, Faulkner is no stranger to the nutrition business.

She previously opened Pike Road Nutrition in January of 2023, but quickly knew she wanted to expand to the Emerald Mountain area.

Then she found the perfect location for her expansion.

“This was just an absolute ideal location,” Faulkner said. “We have a lot of friends and family over here and we knew this area needed a nutrition shop. There’s not another store within a 20-30 mile radius so we really thought it would be a great location.”

Redland Nutrition offers a plethora of drink options for customers.

The store offers 14 different shake flavors, including six gluten free options — banana pudding, blueberry cheesecake, fudgesicle and wedding cake are a few

to name.

Aside from shakes, Redland Nutrition also offers both iced and hot coffee as well as loaded, beauty and specialty teas with flavor options such as blackberry, lime, orange, pineapple, pom and tropical.

“Everything we have here is healthy for you,” Faulkner said. “It’s low in sugar or sugar free, but extremely good. We have loaded, specialty and beauty teas. We have meal replacements, protein shakes and coffees. We have a new decaffeinated option as a refresher. We have a lot to offer and there’s a lot of Herbalife products.”

Road vacation approved by commission

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

Portions of Brantley Road and an unnamed road are no longer public roads.

The Elmore County Commission approved the vacation of the public rights of way to adjacent property owners. The commission was petitioned to give up the roads and it approved the measure at its meeting last week.

Vacating roads means the county no longer spends funds or time main-

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taining the roads. Most often they are at the ends of roads or in subdivisions that are not built out.

The commission votes after meeting advertising requirements and holding a public hearing. For this action, no one spoke at the public hearing.

The commission set another public hearing for 5 p.m. Aug. 12 for a special events retail alcohol license application for The Black Jacket Symphony for an event at the Lake Martin Amphitheater on

who lost their lives (two were children) and all three deaths were completely avoidable. I am proud of the work of my prosecutors and staff who had to endure long days combing through medical evidence and horrific photos to seek justice for these families.”

In a separate trial in Elmore County, a jury convicted Tevin Robinson on two counts of second-degree assault, a Class C felony, punishable by a year and a day to 10 years, and two counts of criminally negligent homicide, a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year.

According to the release, Robinson was driving a child passenger in April 2022 when he crossed the centerline on U.S. Highway 231 and side-swiped a vehicle before colliding head-on into a car driven by Sheila Frost, of Titus. Both Frost and Robinson’s children passengers were killed in the crash.

“The number of those driving on our roads after drinking or smoking marijuana

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Several residents raised concerns about the possible project and required rezoning at the meeting. Due to schedules Kelley said he hasn’t gotten input from councilmembers about the possible rezoning. The mayor said rezoning is not a done deal.

“I don’t yet have an opinion on the matter,” Kelley said.

Kelley said he will speak with those concerned about the possible project and take it all under con-

Sept. 1-2.

IN OTHER ACTION THE ELMORE COUNTY COMMISSION:

• Approved minutes of the July 8 meeting.

• Approved the memorandum of warrants for June 29 to July 12 in the amount of $1,871,197.28.

• Approved the reimbursement of excess funds from a tax sale of property

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

is shocking, and as long as that behavior continues people will keep getting hurt, and we will continue to do everything in our power to pursue justice for those victims,” Robinson said in the release. “As for the aggravated child abuse case, the infant starved to death, plain and simple. No rhyme, no reason, never taken to a doctor, no underlying medical condition. He was just simply neglected until he died.

“Evil is real. Society can attempt to sugar coat evil in a variety of ways, but there is no excuse or justification I am willing to accept for starving an infant to death and refusing to seek medical treatment as they wither away. We imagine these types of things happening in third-world countries when people have no resources and no avenues for help. But there is absolutely no reason this should happen in Elmore County today. Certainly, we expect a parent to do more for their child, but really for anyone... when it comes to just being a human, we are better than that.”

Matthews’ sentencing is set for Sept. 19, and Robinson will be sentenced on Sept. 5.

sideration before he makes a recommendation about rezoning to the council.

The property is owned by the Merritt family and they requested the zoning change. It is currently a vacant green field.

The plans submitted to the City of Millbrook for the project include a possible alignment of Graff Road with Shady Drive. Currently they do not meet directly on Main Street. Main Street is also Highway 143. When traveling south on Highway 143 from Highway 14, traffic would pass by several strip malls, the

entrance to Stanhope High School, City of Millbrook City Hall, Village Green Park and eventually make its way to Interstate 65 south of Cobbs Ford Road.

Any changes to the entrances on the state highway or possible traffic lights would have to be approved by the Alabama Department of Transportation. The City of Millbrook can only make requests for such of the state agency.

The second reading of the ordinance to rezone the parcel is set for a 10 a.m. Aug. 13 meeting of the Millbrook City Council.

DALTON MIDDLETON | TPI

Redland Nutrition cuts the ribbon on its business Friday.

STITCH Continued from A1

My Needle group has met almost every Tuesday except when the COVID-19 pandemic separated the group. It has slowly been rebounding, meeting a little less frequently as membership and health are slipping.

Quilting is a craft Lacey learned as a child picking up tips most often after walking home from school.

“I learned from my momma and grand ladies and momma’s friends,” Lacey said. “I had watched them so much I said I’m gonna do it.”

Lacey sat herself at the quilting frame as a child and learned the techniques of pushing the needle threaded with thread through three layers. The materials were whatever textile was available. The top layer was often patchwork where the small pieces of leftover fabric salvaged from here and

there were sewn together. Some patterns were more elaborate than others.

But the bottom layer the one less seen was often a flour sack, maybe a feed sack in really hard times.

Today the materials are most often purchased but the process remains the same. The hard part is in the continuity.

“We try to make all our stitches look the same or close to it,” Piner said. “Everyone has a slightly different stitch. The big thing is to make sure we don’t have loops under the quilt.”

It will take the group of about seven to ten sitting around the quilt a little more than a month to finish the quilt. Some days more gets done than others.

“It all depends on how many show up,” Piner said. “It also depends on if we decide to take a field trip. That

Continued from A1

usually means we are going somewhere to eat.”

Every meeting always starts with a devotional before the fingers start humming the needles. It provides the metronome for the conversation.

“We will talk and have a good time,” Piner said.

Lacey and the rest of the Thread My Needle group are worried about the quilting tradition.

Lacey has taught many to quilt. She has shared many quilts with family and more as they purchase a home or have a child. The group is aging and wanting to pass along the quilting tradition.

Lacey is 95, others are 92, 96 and one will be 101 later this year. Piner is confident

Lacey can teach the skill to anyone.

“When she gets through with you, you will know how to quilt,” Piner said.

disease in dogs and it’s been around for awhile,” HSEC director Rea Cord said. “There were challenges with it about three years ago, but we never got it. The greater Birmingham shelter had it back then, but we tested and tested and never had it, but this time, Montgomery got hit and we got hit. We have no idea where it came from, so now all we can do is work to get them well.”

That also means a suspension of all adoptions and taking in of strays, which is a huge challenge for any shelter.

“We can’t diagnose it per se in the shelter because of the testing,” Cord explained. “But Montgomery let me know that they got a positive test back, so that’s what started this. Shelters deal with respiratory type stuff a lot; it’s a part of our world. It’s a contained environment, but kennel cough is what we’re used to. But this is hitting our long-term adoptables that are already vaccinated.”

Cord said the vaccination against canine influenza is a lengthy process and can also be a pricey one, but she recommends any dog that regularly comes into contact with other dogs should be vaccinated against it. More and more, places like groomers and doggy daycares are requiring this type of vaccine, Cord said.

While Cord can’t diagnose all her dogs due to the expensive testing, she said she has seen symptoms and is treating upwards of 100 dogs.

That’s more than half the humane society’s population currently.

“It sucks, and you can quote me on that,” Cord said. “It sucks that we have wonderful dogs that can’t be adopted right now. We’re medicating 80, 90, 100 dogs, so that’s not fun. Stopping movement is the most critical piece though.”

Not only is the virus airborne and highly contagious, Cord said she can’t even allow people into the shelter because it can be brought home to other dogs on people’s clothing.

The Humane Society of Elmore County is set up to typically combat an outbreak like this. There are two buildings, one full of adoptables and one full of those dogs getting into an adoptable status — either still needing vaccinations or having other issues.

Typically when there’s been a small outbreak, the shelter staff has been able to adjust its population to house any dog with respiratory issues in the back building.

“But this is in both buildings now, so we can’t do that,” Cord said. “We’re asking if people find a stray and can hold onto it, we’ll help — and we’ve even reunited a few that way.”

Cord said she is still willing to do all she can to help stray dogs in the area and there are a few outdoor kennels that can be used as temporary holds, but she is very limited.

“We really appreciate everyone’s patience,” Cord said. “If you can help keep any new animals from coming into the shelter, that’s the biggest help.”

If your dog is exhibiting symptoms of canine influenza, which typically includes coughing and lethargy, Cord recommends to see a vet immediately.

HSEC

CLIFF WILLIAMS TPI

The Thread My Needle Quilting group gathers around a quilting frame at the Elmore County Black History Museum every Tuesday. The group shares their talents and stories with everyone.

Our doors are open!

Stop by our new store for delicious food and great deals. Friendly associates are ready to help you, and we have lots of ways to make it easy to get dinner on the table. Come see for yourself. We can’t wait to meet you.

5039USHwy231 Wetumpka,AL36092

Store: 7a.m.–9p.m.daily 334.478.6185

Pharmacy: Monday–Friday:9a.m.–9p.m. Saturday:9a.m.–7p.m. Sunday:11a.m.–6p.m. 334.478.6186

Your lack of faith is disturbing

He departed from there and came to his native place, accompanied by his disciples. When the sabbath came he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astonished. They said, “Where did this man get all this? What kind of wisdom has been given him? What mighty deeds are wrought by his hands! Is he not the carpenter, the son of Mary, and the brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his native place and among his own kin and in his own house.” So he

was not able to perform any mighty deed there, apart from curing a few sick people by laying his hands on them. He was amazed at their lack of faith. – Mark 6: 1-6

Aprophet is not without honor except in his native place. Jesus was amazed at their lack of faith. We have a choice: keep being amazed and in awe about God, or lose our faith and let Him be amazed at our lack of it.

It is easy to get used to how amazing our faith is and the love that God shares with us. When we get used to

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

ing Worship.

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-

FATHER MATT RUDZIK Columnist

things we take for granted, we don't appreciate them and we end up complaining about them.

So when you are getting ready to come to church every Sunday, are you excited about what will be happening?

Am I excited that God will feed me not only with His Holy Word but with his Divine presence in a very special way in the Eucharist?

Church Briefs

kets, and jackets. If you want to donate or help with the cause, call Joan Wood at 334-312-4913.

EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF THE EPIPHANY

Please join us for Sunday services at 10:30 a.m. when the Rev. Lee Lowery will celebrate the Holy Eucharist. We are asking everyone please to wear a mask. The service will be live streamed on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ EpiphanyTallassee/ For more information, visit the

Or maybe I drag my feet, thinking of all those other things I could be doing? I have to cut my grass, I need to catch up on work, I need to finish binge-watching Netflix. Or, I could spend one hour with Him as He has asked me to do.

Am I still amazed about the gift of reconciliation? That through His blood poured for me on the cross I can be reconciled and forgiven? Or do I complain that going to confession with my pastor is too difficult or embarrassing? We can go through a long list of examples from our daily lives. What matters is that we need to keep working hard on staying in awe with God, which is the better translation of the fear of the Lord. Each and every day, may we pray with gratitude and humility for the many miracles we witness. Every day, may we spend some time wondering about Life itself and how God in His mysterious ways works in everything for our benefit.

So I encourage you to not stop being in awe of God, or else he will be amazed at your lack of faith.

Matt

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 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

Father

Rudzik is the pastor of St. Vincent de Paul Church in Tallassee and St. Joseph Church in Tuskegee.

Cox named Greco All-American

By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor

Willie Cox wrapped up his high school wrestling career with one more prestigious honor. Cox, who has signed with the University of Montevallo to wrestle with the Falcons, hit the road with his wrestling club for the biggest tournament of the summer. The two-time Wetumpka state champion drove to Fargo, North Dakota to wrestle in the 2024 USMC/USAW 16U and Junior National Championships. In what was the biggest bracket Cox has ever participated in, with more than 120 wrestlers in the heavyweight class, he reached the Round of 16 in the

freestyle division before falling and eventually earning Greco All-American status after going 6-3 and finishing in eighth place in the Greco division.

“This tournament was great and probably my favorite tournament,” Cox said. “I was an All-American my first year in

By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor

Since the day he was born,

Hugh “Buzz” Phillips has had a ball in his hand.

Phillips, who graduated from Sidney Lanier and has been coaching across Alabama and Georgia since 1970, was recently named to the AISA Hall of Fame.

The current Edgewood Academy assistant coach has spent more than 20 years coaching multiple sports at the high school level and has been a coach and athletic director for nearly 30 combined years at Huntingdon and Troy at the college level.

He’s won over 10 championships in his career, including the 2001 National Small College National Championship with Huntingdon basketball, and has a career coaching record of 658-328.

“When I got that call from the AISA, it was just unbelievable,” Phillips said. “I’ll always cherish that honor Even when I was not working in the AISA and was at Huntingdon, I was in charge of the AISA hosting its state tournaments at Huntingdon. I prided myself on getting them the best venue and making the event the best that I possibly could. To be selected to the Hall of Fame is unbelievable.”

Phillips knew he wanted to be a coach since he was a teenager.

While playing football for Sidney Lanier in the 1960s, he asked his head coach, Bill Joiner, if Joiner enjoyed coaching. After Joiner told him he loved it, Phillips expressed his own interest.

Fast forward a few years and a college degree later, Phillips was starting his coaching career as an assistant at

Chambers Academy. He then spent the next 20 years coaching at the high school level.

Following a two-year stint at Chambers, he went on to work at Lee Academy, Coosa Valley Academy, Sylacauga High School, Riverview Academy in Georgia, and Southwest Georgia Academy.

After winning six state championships at Southwest Georgia – three football, two basketball and one baseball –he decided he wanted to give college athletics a try.

“The first part of my career, moving around with my wife and having us children, was like any other coach,” Phillips said. “You’re there one day and you don’t know if you’ll be there the next and stuff like that. I was lucky that I had a few years in each spot.”

While helping out at an Auburn baseball camp in 1991, Phillips ran into Huntingdon baseball coach Scott Patterson. The two teamed up with Butch Thompson, now Auburn’s head baseball coach, to form the Huntingdon baseball staff.

Phillips served in that role until 1996, when he was asked to restart the Huntingdon men’s basketball program after 17 years of not having a team.

He accepted that position, with his son Scott Phillips right beside him as an assistant, and welcomed 20 freshmen into the Huntingdon program.

“Every single one of those freshmen thought they were

as good as the next one,” Phillips said. “We played our schedule and took our lumps the first year, but we got better and better and better. A few years later, we won the national championship and I was named the National Coach of the Year.”

Phillips spent the next four years at Troy, serving as the director of marketing, director of football, basketball and baseball operations and as the athletic director of special events.

There, he received some of the biggest honors of his career.

He was given the Trojan Award, the Women’s Sports Foundation Joyce Sorrell Achievement Award, the Troy Alumni of the Year in 2003, and received the 2004 All-America Football Foundation Bill Wade Unsung Hero Award.

“I am as proud of my accomplishments at Troy as I am anything,” Phillips said. “I received some great awards, and was given the highest award in the athletic department, the Troy University Trojan award.”

In 2004, Phillips returned home to Huntingdon with Mike Turk and took over the athletic director role. He served as the athletic director from 2004 to 2013, and served as the women’s head coach from

Holtville 8U finishes runner-up in World Series

By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor

The Holtville 8U All-Star baseball team wrapped up a successful summer with a runner-up finish in the World Series.

Holtville traveled to play in the USSSA 8U World Series held in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Holtville’s team, which consists of Barrett Ward, Caleb Watkins, Easton Wylie, Ryder Hoots, Grady Grider, Lewis Smith, Zac Montgomery, Granger Strength, Asher Fullerton, Ryker Ingram, Fisher Allen and Cooper Smitherman, went 10-2 in the tournament and finished runner-up to Northport in the championship game.

“I was extremely proud of our kids,” Holtville coach Casey Wylie said.

“We fought through an extremely hard bracket that many kids couldn’t make it through. I think that speaks to how tough they are mentally. They really stayed in themselves and persevered. That says so much of their character.”

Holtville’s squad had one of the toughest routes to the championship imaginable. The team went 3-0 during pool play of the World Series, earning a No. 6 seed in the bracket portion.

During the first game of bracket play, Holtville lost to the Northport Americans, 8-7, to drop to the loser ’s bracket.

Now facing elimination, Holtville had to either win seven in a row to reach the championship or pack its

By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor

Wetumpka senior Ethan Bailey is the latest Indian to commit to play football at the Division I level.

Bailey, a defensive end, recently committed to play at the University of Louisiana Monroe. He picked the Warhawks over Marshall,

“It

said. “The last couple of months have been crazy with my

and

Wetumpka graduate and Montevallo signee Willie Cox wrestles in the North/South All-Star match. Cox recently was named a Greco All-American

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cleared to play football again after leg surgery. He suffered a stress fracture in his left leg. Doctors went in and put a rod in the leg and he is good to go for his senior season.

“I feel pretty good,” Bailey said. “I’m a little stiff and not as explosive right now, but I’m definitely getting back to full health.”

One of the deciding factors with Bailey’s decision to commit to ULM was the team’s unwavering support throughout the recovery process of his surgery.

The Warhawks’ coaching staff wanted him no matter what, and that made his decision easy.

“The belief they had in me, even after my surgery, really stuck with me,” Bailey said. “I also thought the campus and facilities were really cool when I went down there.”

At 6-foot-3 and 235 pounds, Bailey has already become a household name for teams on Wetumpka’s football schedule. During his junior campaign last year, he helped lead Wetumpka to a playoff appearance in Class 6A while recording nearly half of the Indians’ sack total.

He had nine sacks to lead the team, and he had no issue just causing mayhem in opposing backfields.

To go along with his sack numbers, Bailey also recorded 13 tackles for loss and 11 quarterback pressures. He had 61 total tackles and forced three fumbles on the year.

His length helps with that, and it gives him two of his favorite moves that he thinks will translate to the next level well.

“I think I can definitely be successful rushing the passer,” Bailey said. “I am good with swipes and my long arm is definitely my favorite move. Those two are my favorite moves to do.”

In the meantime, Bailey and his teammates are preparing for the Indians’ season opener on Friday Aug. 23 at home against Beauregard.

Wetumpka is looking for its 12th-consecutive playoff appearance, and Bailey is looking to continue terrorizing the opposing offenses.

“I want to have 10 to 12 sacks this year and I really think I can get 15 tackles for loss,” Bailey said.

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bags. Holtville then went on a run, winning four straight Saturday to reach Sunday’s portion of the bracket.

Saturday, playing on turf fields that reached up to 120 degrees, Holtville beat Clay, Phenix City, Aledo and the Northport Americans team that beat it in the first round.

After advancing to Sunday, Holtville still needed

COX

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FAME Continued from B1

2006 to 2018 before he retired. He accumulated a 164-129 record as the women’s head coach and reached the GSAC Conference Championship in 2009 before being named GSAC Coach of the Year.

During his nine-year tenure as athletic director, Huntingdon’s athletic department expanded from 11 sports to 17.

“It went really well during that time period,” Phillips said. “I always felt like I was at home when I was at Huntingdon. I felt like I really earned my spot there and I felt like that was my place. For 27 years, that’s where I was.”

Phillips then retired, but that didn’t last long.

While sitting on the couch watching a game show, Phillips’ wife Nancy, asked him when he was going to find something to do.

That’s when he realized how much he missed coaching.

“I told her I was fixing to look,” Phillips said. “I made the decision right there on the couch that I may be retired but I was getting back into it. I had to be active.”

Since coming out of retirement, he has coached at both Hooper and Edgewood academies and has helped lead the Wildcats to four basketball championships – two girls and two boys – in the last two seasons.

Also since that time, he has been inducted into two Hall of Fames – AISA and Huntingdon’s – and has had the Huntingdon College Athletic Field House named after him.

Phillips currently has no plan to retire. He will never take another head coaching job, but winning four state championships in two years has lit another fire under him.

“I may have 1 or 2 years left that I want to do this, or I may be the oldest coach ever,” Phillips said. “It just depends on what the Good Lord has in store for me.”

He’s also currently an assistant coach for the team his son is the head coach of, and he’s enjoyed coaching with him again.

The two first coached together starting in 1996 with the Huntingdon basketball team, and they won the national championship together in 2001. For Phillips, winning that title with Scott was one of the proudest moments of his coaching career.

“Winning that national championship and seeing Scott up there cutting the net down right before I got up there and cut my piece of the net down, it’s something I’ll cherish forever,” Phillips said. “And then winning that title together last year was great. I wouldn’t trade last year for anything in the world.”

While the winning has been great, the impact Phillips has had on the kids he’s coached is even

to win three more to reach the championship and four straight to win it.

Holtville then beat the Pelicans and Ranburne back-to-back, then topped the Northport Nationals, 9-7, on a walkoff to clinch its spot in the championship. It was the Nationals’ first loss of the tournament.

The two teams met again in the winner-takeall championship and Northport claimed the 9-1 win.

“They never wavered

2021 and then haven’t touched the podium again the last two years. Now in my last high school tournament, I got back on the podium. I think that was the happiest I’ve ever seen my coach in the corner.”

The Greco-Roman rules are beneficial to Cox. In a normal freestyle match, there aren’t many rules outside of standard wrestling. Wrestlers can attack any part of the body and can use their legs, or an arm, to execute holds on a rival’s legs.

greater. Phillips has had a stellar rapport with kids everywhere he’s been, dating back to his teams at Huntingdon. There’s still kids he coached in the 1980s who wish him a happy birthday each year and check in on him.

Phillips can walk down any hall at Edgewood Academy on any day and get stopped to talk to multiple students just wanting to chat.

That’s because of his personable personality and the fact that he cares about each student and person he speaks with.

“I’ve always been fortunate enough for the kids to love me and I’ve used that to benefit the teams that I coached,” Phillips said. “I’ve always had that with the teams I’ve coached and it’s Year 47. I want to keep that forever. The day I lose that is the day I say it’s time for me to get on Old Silver and ride off into the sunset.”

Since the day he was born, Hugh “Buzz” Phillips has had a ball in his hand.

Phillips, who graduated from Sidney Lanier and has been coaching across Alabama and Georgia since 1970, was recently named to the AISA Hall of Fame.

The current Edgewood Academy assistant coach has spent more than 20 years coaching multiple sports at the high school level and has been a coach and athletic director for nearly 30 combined years at Huntingdon and Troy at the college level.

He’s won over 10 championships in his career, including the 2001 National Small College National Championship with Huntingdon basketball, and has a career coaching record of 658-328.

“When I got that call from the AISA, it was just unbelievable,” Phillips said. “I’ll always cherish that honor. Even when I was not working in the AISA and was at Huntingdon, I was in charge of the AISA hosting its state tournaments at Huntingdon. I prided myself on getting them the best venue and making the event the best that I possibly could. To be selected to the Hall of Fame is unbelievable.”

Phillips knew he wanted to be a coach since he was a teenager.

While playing football for Sidney Lanier in the 1960s, he asked his head coach, Bill Joiner, if Joiner enjoyed coaching. After Joiner told him he loved it, Phillips expressed his own interest.

Fast forward a few years and a college degree later, Phillips was starting his coaching career as an assistant at Chambers Academy. He then spent the next 20 years coaching at the high school level. Following a two-year stint at Chambers, he went on to work at Lee Academy, Coosa Valley Academy, Sylacauga High School, Riverview Academy in Georgia, and Southwest Georgia Academy.

After winning six state championships at Southwest Georgia – three football, two basketball and one baseball – he decided he wanted to give college athletics a try

and it takes mental strength to get through those brackets in that heat,” Wylie said. “It was extremely hard on them and I’m proud of them for fighting through that and never getting down.”

Overall this summer, Holtville went 19-3-1 and saw success at every level. In regional play, Holtville went 4-0-1 and won the regional title out of 14 teams. Holtville beat Phenix City South, Phenix City East, Central Alabama then Enterprise in

In Greco rules, wrestlers are allowed to hold their opponents only above the waist. That allows the wrestlers to stand upright since there are no surprise takedowns at the waist or lower.

It requires more precision and strength to earn takedowns, which is something Cox excels at. It also doesn’t hurt that Cox is on the shorter side. “I really like the Greco rules,” Cox said. “It’s a lot easier because they have to come to me. I’m already really short so it’s easier to get to my offense if they don’t come to me. If they do come to me, it helps me set up more moves.”

“The first part of my career, moving around with my wife and having us children, was like any other coach,” Phillips said. “You’re there one day and you don’t know if you’ll be there the next and stuff like that. I was lucky that I had a few years in each spot.”

While helping out at an Auburn baseball camp in 1991, Phillips ran into Huntingdon baseball coach Scott Patterson. The two teamed up with Butch Thompson, now Auburn’s head baseball coach, to form the Huntingdon baseball staff.

Phillips served in that role until 1996, when he was asked to restart the Huntingdon men’s basketball program after 17 years of not having a team. He accepted that position, with his son Scott Phillips right beside him as an assistant, and welcomed 20 freshmen into the Huntingdon program.

“Every single one of those freshmen thought they were as good as the next one,” Phillips said. “We played our schedule and took our lumps the first year, but we got better and better and better. A few years later, we won the national championship and I was named the National Coach of the Year.”

Phillips spent the next four years at Troy, serving as the director of marketing, director of football, basketball and baseball operations and as the athletic director of special events.

There, he received some of the biggest honors of his career

He was given the Trojan Award, the Women’s Sports Foundation Joyce Sorrell Achievement Award, the Troy Alumni of the Year in 2003, and received the 2004 All-America Football Foundation Bill Wade Unsung Hero Award.

“I am as proud of my accomplishments at Troy as I am anything,” Phillips said. “I received some great awards, and was given the highest award in the athletic department, the Troy University Trojan award.”

In 2004, Phillips returned home to Huntingdon with Mike Turk and took over the athletic director role. He served as the athletic director from 2004 to 2013, and served as the women’s head coach from 2006 to 2018 before he retired.

He accumulated a 164-129 record as the women’s head coach and reached the GSAC Conference Championship in 2009 before being named GSAC Coach of the Year.

During his nine-year tenure as athletic director, Huntingdon’s athletic department expanded from 11 sports to 17.

“It went really well during that time period,” Phillips said. “I always felt like I was at home when I was at Huntingdon. I felt like I really earned my spot there and I felt like that was my place. For 27 years, that’s where I was.” Phillips then retired, but that didn’t last long.

While sitting on the couch

a thrilling championship game.

That put the 8U AllStars in the gold bracket at state, where they went 5-1 and claimed the championship. They beat Morris, Rock Creek, Madison County North, SMP Hoover then Alexandria with a walk-off in the championship.

“It was a great ride this summer,” Wylie said. “We spent a lot of time practicing and worked really hard to make sure they were ready. That region-

Cox and his teammates were in Fargo for nine days. After driving up, the team practiced for two days as the girls tournament was first. On the third day of the event, Cox and his teammates weighed in then started wrestling on Day 4.

Cox wrestled three times on Days 4 and 5, then practiced for two more days before wrestling his final three matches as the end of his trip concluded.

“It was a long tournament and was probably my biggest bracket ever with over 120 kids,” Cox said. “I was prepared though. My training was a lot different and I put my whole summer into this.

watching a game show, Phillips’ wife Nancy, asked him when he was going to find something to do. That’s when he realized how much he missed coaching.

“I told her I was fixing to look,” Phillips said. “I made the decision right there on the couch that I may be retired but I was getting back into it. I had to be active.”

Since coming out of retirement, he has coached at both Hooper and Edgewood academies and has helped lead the Wildcats to four basketball championships – two girls and two boys – in the last two seasons.

Also since that time, he has been inducted into two Hall of Fames – AISA and Huntingdon’s – and has had the Huntingdon College Athletic Field House named after him.

Phillips currently has no plan to retire. He will never take another head coaching job, but winning four state championships in two years has lit another fire under him.

“I may have 1 or 2 years left that I want to do this, or I may be the oldest coach ever,” Phillips said. “It just depends on what the Good Lord has in store for me.”

He’s also currently an assistant coach for the team his son is the head coach of, and he’s enjoyed coaching with him again.

The two first coached together starting in 1996 with the Huntingdon basketball team, and they won the national championship together in 2001. For Phillips, winning that title with Scott was one of the proudest moments of his coaching career.

“Winning that national championship and seeing Scott up there cutting the net down right before I got up there and cut my piece of the net down, it’s something I’ll cherish forever,” Phillips said. “And then winning that title together last year was great. I wouldn’t trade last year for anything in the world.”

While the winning has been great, the impact Phillips has had on the kids he’s coached is even greater. Phillips has had a stellar rapport with kids everywhere he’s been, dating back to his teams at Huntingdon. There’s still kids he coached in the 1980s who wish him a happy birthday each year and check in on him.

Phillips can walk down any hall at Edgewood Academy on any day and get stopped to talk to multiple students just wanting to chat.

That’s because of his personable personality and the fact that he cares about each student and person he speaks with.

“I’ve always been fortunate enough for the kids to love me and I’ve used that to benefit the teams that I coached,” Phillips said. “I’ve always had that with the teams I’ve coached and it’s Year 47. I want to keep that forever. The day I lose that is the day I say it’s time for me to get on Old Silver and ride off into the sunset.”

al championship game against Enterprise was one of the toughest games our guys had to play all summer. At that point, the boys really believed how good they were and how good they could be.”

While baseball was at the forefront of the trip and the team played 12 games over their stay there in Baton Rouge, it wasn’t just baseball games.

The team spent plenty of time in the pool at the hotel, and they went and

We did two-a-days and I tried to go to every camp I could to prepare. I went to Daphne and Tennessee. I didn’t miss a practice and I hit the weight room a lot.” Cox was the No. 17-ranked wrestler in the event.

He started the event with two wins over unranked wrestlers before knocking off the No. 16 wrestler, Landon Morris from Michigan, in the Round of 32. In the next round, Cox fell to the No. 1 wrestler in Wisconsin’s Hunter Vander Heiden.

spent a day playing TopGolf. To cap the trip, the team made the trip to LSU and visited the Tigers’ baseball field.

“I think the kids loved the trip,” Wylie said. “The boys had a great time not just on the field. They bonded a lot at the hotel and swimming and they got to do so many cool things that they experienced together. They had never seen the LSU facilities and different environments and it was a good trip.”

Cox then went 3-2 in the consolation bracket with another ranked win. His final loss came to No. 12 Dean Bechtold from Pennsylvania.

One of the biggest wins he earned came over Jacob Henry from Texas. Henry, a University of Oklahoma commit, is the son of WWE superstar Mark Henry, who had a 25-year WWE career while he also was a weightlifter and strongman.

Now that the tournament is over and Cox is back in Alabama, he turns his sights to his college career and getting ready to hit the mats for Montevallo.

“I’m back in the practice room and I’m ready,” Cox said. “I think I’m going to be one of the best heavyweights we have and I’ll have a good chance to start.”

BAILEY

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Resumes may be mailed to: Judge Amanda Baxley, PO Box 2123, Clanton AL 35046 The Cotton Lakes Homeowner’s Association (CLHOA) is accepting proposals for a part time HOA Management Associate. If interested, please request the Statement of Work by sending an email to:

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MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE

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g the highest bidder fail to timely tender the total amount due. 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. PennyMac Loan Services, LLC, (“Transferee”) Tiffany & Bosco, P.A., 2501 20th Place South, Suite 300, Homewood, AL 35223 www.tblaw.com TB File Number: 23-08339

Wetumpka Herald: July 17, 24 and 31, 2024 23-08339

PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE UNDER POWER FORECLOSURE NOTICE

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Default having been made in the payment of the indebtedness secured by that certain mortgage executed by Joshua A.Kupfner an unmarrried man, originally in favor of Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc. as nominee for GTC Mortgage Company Inc. for use in Alabama by Guaranty Trust Company, on February 6, 2017, said mortgage recordof Probate of Elmore County, Alabama, in RLPY Book 2017tion agreement recorded July 20, 2021 in RLPY Book 2021 Page 61583; the undersigned PennyMac Loan Services, LLC, as Mortgagee/Transferee, under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in said mortgage, will sell at public outcry to the highest bidder for cash, in front of the main entrance of the Courthouse at Wetumpka, Elmore County, Alabama, on August 15, 2024, during the legal hours of sale, all of its rights, title, and interest in and to the following described real estate, situated in Elmore County, Alabama, to-wit: Commence at the Northwest corner of the Southeast 1/4 of the Southeast 1/4 of Section 14, Township 19 North, Range 17 East, Elmore County, Alabama; thence East 657.00 feet; thence South 00 degrees 14 minutes 00 seconds East 881.09 feet to an old 5/8 inch rebar; thence continue South 00 degrees 14 minutes 00 seconds East 18.90 feet to an old 5/8 inch rebar; thence South 3 degrees 20 minutes 48 seconds West 383.58 feet to a 5/8 inch rebar on the North right of way of Fern Road; thence along said North right of way South 88 degrees 06 minutes 03 seconds West 20.00 feet to a 5/8 inch rebar and the Point of Beginning; thence continue along said North right of way of Fern Road South 88 degrees 06 minutes 03 seconds West 115.00 feet to an old 5/8 inch rebar; thence North 2 degrees 54 minutes 43 seconds East 210.24 feet to a 5/8 inch rebar; thence South 88 degrees 18 minutes 58 seconds East 116.16 feet to a 5/8 inch rebar; thence South 3 degrees 20 minutes 48 seconds West 203.09 feet to the Point of Beginning, said parcel lying and being in the Southeast 1/4 of Southeast 1/4 of Section 14, Township 19 North, Range 17 East, Elmore County, Alabama.. Property street address for informational purposes: 1448 Fern Rd , Wetumpka, AL 36092. THIS PROPERTY WILL BE SOLD ON AN “AS IS, WHERE IS” BASIS, WITHOUT WARRANTY OR RECOURSE, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED AS TO TITLE, USE AND/OR ENJOYMENT AND WILL BE SOLD SUBJECT TO THE RIGHT OF REDEMPTION OF ALL PARTIES ENTITLED THERETO. 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 said mortgage, as well as the expenses of foreclosure. The successful bidder must tender a non-refundable deposit of Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) to Tiffany & Bosco, P.A. at the time and place of the sale. The balance of the purchase price plus any deed recording costs and transfer taxes must be paid next business day at the Law at the address indicated below. Tiffany & Bosco, P.A. reserves the right to award the bid to the next highest bidder should

WHEREAS, default has occurred in the performance of the covenants, terms and conditions of a mortgage from CEDRIC M MOORER AND SHANNON L MOORER HUSBAND AND WIFE to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as mortgagee, as nominee for TRUSTMARK NATIONAL BANK, on the 7th day of May, 2015, said mortgage Judge of Probate of Elmore County, Alabama, on May 13, 2015, in Deed/Mortgage Book 2015, Page 21010, Elmore County, Alabama Records, said Mortgage having subsequently been transferred and assigned to Lakeview Loan Servicing, LLC, by instrument recorded in notice is hereby given that the undersigned Lakeview Loan Servicing, LLC, 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 Commerce Street, Wetumpka, AL 36092 in Wetumpka, Elmore County, Alabama, on August 29, 2024 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 18 BLOCK C OF BROOKSADA SPRINGS SUBDIVISION, PLAT NO. 2, AS SHOWN BY PLAT RECORDED IN THE OFFICE OF THE JUDGE OF PROBATE OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA, IN PLAT BOOK 5, AT PAGE 60. Said legal description being controlling, however the property is more commonly known as 4931 AIRPORT RD, MILLBROOK, AL 36054. Alabama law gives some persons who have an interest in property the right to redeem the property under certain circumstances. Programs may also exist that help persons avoid or delay the foreclosure process. An attorney should be consulted to help you understand these rights and programs as a part of the foreclosure process. This property will be sold on an “as is, where is” basis, subject to any easements, encumbrances, and exceptions those contained in the records

Probate in the county where the above-described property is situated. This property will be sold subject to the right of redemption of all parties entitled thereto and subject to any outstanding ad valorem taxes (including taxes which are a lien, whether or not now due and payable). This sale is made for the purpose of paying the indebtedness secured by said mortgage, as well as the expenses of foreclosure. The Mortgagee/Transferee reserves the right to bid for and purchase the real estate and to credit its purchase price against the expenses of sale and the indebtedness secured by the real estate. This sale is subject to postponement or cancellation. Lakeview Loan Servicing, LLC, 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 3145 Avalon Ridge Place, Suite 100, Peachtree Corners, GA 30071 Telephone Number: (877) 8130992 Case No. FLB-20-0366728 rlselaw.com/property-listing Wetumpka Herald: July 31, Aug. 7 and 14, 2024 235819 PUBLIC NOTICE

Notice is hereby given that an application has been made to the Elmore County Commission for a 140 – Special Events Retail Alcohol License Application for The Black Jacket Symphony by JROK, Inc. at The Lake Martin Amphitheater, 8878 Kowaliga Road, Eclectic, AL 36024 for event on September 1, 2024 through September 2, 2024. The Public Hearing on said application is set before the County Commission at 5:00pm, Monday, August 12, 2024 in the Elmore County Courthouse Courtroom, 100 East Commerce Street, Wetumpka, Alabama. Anyone desiring to speak either for or against said application should appear in person at said time or may indicate their wishes in writing to: Elmore County Commission 100 East Commerce St., Suite 200 Wetumpka, AL 36092 wrbechd@elmoreco.org

Wetumpka Herald: July 31, 2024 APPLICATION

Default having been made in the payment of the indebtedness secured by that certain mortgage executed by Michael K. Holmes, a married man and Melissa D. Holmes, his wife, originally in favor of Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems Inc., as nominee for Guild Mortgage Company LLC, on January 7, 2021, said mortgage recorded in the OfElmore County, Alabama, in the undersigned Guild Mortgage Company, as Mortgagee/ Transferee, under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in said mortgage, will sell at public outcry to the highest bidder for cash, in front of the main entrance of the Courthouse atbama, on September 12, 2024, during the legal hours of sale, all of its rights, title, and interest in and to the following described real estate, situated in Elmore No. 1, as the same appears of -

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Notices

PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE OF MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE STATE OF ALABAMA, COUNTY OF ELMORE

Default having been made in the payment of the indebtedness secured by that certain mortgage executed by Errer B.Jackson and Gary L. Jackson, originally in favor of Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as nominee for IBERIABANK Mortgage Company, on May 22, 2015, said mortgage recorded in the Ofof Elmore County, Alabama, 22790; the undersigned Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB, as Trustee of Quercus Mortgage Investment Trust, as Mortgagee/Transferee, under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in said mortgage, will sell at public outcry to the highest bidder for cash, in front of the main entrance of the Courthouse at Elmore County, Alabama, on August 30, 2024, during the legal hours of sale, all of its rights, title, and interest in and to the following described real estate, situated in Elmore County, Alabama, to-wit: Lot 54, according to the Map of

40 & 41. Said legal description being controlling, however the property is more commonly known as: 163 Granite Way, Wetumpka, AL 36093.

SOLD ON AN “AS IS, WHERE IS” BASIS, WITHOUT WAR-

TIES ENTITLED THERETO. Al-

abama law gives some persons who have an interest in property the right to redeem the property under certain circumstances. 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 said mortgage, as well as the expenses of foreclosure. The successful bidder must tender a

time and place of the sale. The balance of the purchase price plus any deed recording costs and transfer taxes must be paid next business day at the Law the address indicated below. Tifright to award the bid to the next highest bidder should the highest bidder fail to timely tender the total amount due. 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. Guild Mortgage

24-01250

PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE OF PETITION FOR ADOPTION IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA AT CASE NUMBER: A2023-048

TO: MARCUS GRAHAM, WHOSE WHEREABOUTS ARE UNKNOWN, THE FATHER OF R.K.G. AND NOTICE TO ANY OTHER INTERESTED PARTY Take notice that a Petition for-

RUFF, as Petitioner, for thehave the right to contest this intend to contest this adoption, -

Court proceeding to consider such Petition without further no-

JOHN THORNTON

PROBATE JUDGE

JENNIFER JOYCE TOMPKINS

A2023-048

PUBLIC NOTICE

C&M Towing is having a auction @ 104 Caldwell St Tallassee Al 36078 August 27th @ 8:00 AM on a Silver 2004 F150 VIN # 1FTPX14504FA28289 Wetumpka Herald: July 31 and Aug. 7, 2024 AV/04 F150

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MENT AND WILL BE SOLD SUBJECT TO THE RIGHT OFTIES ENTITLED THERETO. Alabama law gives some persons who have an interest in property the right to redeem the property under certain circumexist 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 successful bidder must tender a non-refundable deposit of Three Thousand Dollars made payable to Bell Carrington and place of the sale. The balance of the purchase price plus any deed recording costs and transfer taxes must be over-

bia, SC 29201. Bell Carrington the right to award the bid to the next highest bidder should the highest bidder fail to timely tender the total amount due. 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. If the sale be entitled to only a return of any tendered purchase funds less any applicable fees and costs and shall have no other recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee, or the Mortgagee’s attorney. BE HELD TO BE ACTING AS A DEBT COLLECTOR, UNDERFORMATION OBTAINED WILL -

Suite 650, Homewood, AL, 35209. www.bellcarrington. com. File Number: 24-43334. Wetumpka Herald: July 17, 24 and 31, 2024 24-43334

PUBLIC NOTICE

MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE

Default having been made in the payment of the indebtedness secured by that certain mortgage executed by Nicholas Alton Phillips, originally in favor of Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems Inc., as nominee for CMG Mortgage, Inc. dba CMG Financial, on September 10, 2021, said mortgage recordProbate of Elmore County, Ala-

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If you are interested in becoming the heart of our communications strategy, visit https://caec.coop/about-caec/careers/ for the complete application instructions (Graphic designers are encouraged to apply). CAEC offers an excellent salary accommodations to the applications and/or interview process should notify Central Alabama Electric Cooperative’s Human Resources Department at hr@coop.caec.com.

Application Deadline is 08/11/2024. CAEC is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a Drug Free Workplace

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y said mortgage, as well as the expenses of foreclosure. The successful bidder must tender a non-refundable deposit of Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00)

to Tiffany & Bosco, P.A. at the time and place of the sale. The balance of the purchase price plus any deed recording costs and transfer taxes must be paid next business day at the Law the address indicated below. Tiffany & Bosco, P.A. reserves the right to award the bid to the next highest bidder should the highest bidder fail to timely tender the total amount due. 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. CMG Mortgage, Inc., (“Transferee”) Tiffany & Bosco, P.A., 2501 20th Place South, Suite 300, Homewood, AL 35223 www.tblaw.com TB File Number: 24-05869-CE-AL Wetumpka Herald: 24-05869-CE-AL

PUBLIC NOTICE

Notice is hereby given that the undersigned will sell for cash, at an ONLINE public auction on 12th of August,, 2024, at 9:00am 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 8416 US-231 Wetumpka, AL 36092

514:Chiquita McCall: 107 Old U.S HWY 231. Wetumpka, Al 36092 Contents: power wheel, mattress, treadmill, tv stand, ladder

2345:Jasmine Cain: 5002 Wisemen Blvd. San Antonio, Tx 78251

couch, mirror, washing machine

Wetumpka Herald: July 24 and 31, 2024 AUCTION

PUBLIC NOTICE

In accordance with Chapter 1, Title 39, Code of Alabama, 1975, as amended, notice is hereby given that Holley-Henley Builders, Inc. has completed the Contract for Construction of A New Facility For Wetumpka Fire Department, Architect’s Project No. AMGM210020, for City of Wetumpka Alabama; Owner, and have made requesttract. All persons having any claim for labor, materials, or otherwise in connection with this project should immediately notify GOODWYN, MILLS & CAWOOD, LLC, 2660 Eastchase Lane, Suite 200, Montgomery, Alabama 36117

Wetumpka Herald: July 24, 31, Aug. 7 and 14, 2024 COMPLETION PUBLIC NOTICE

Ameriseal of Ohio, Inc. gives notice of completion of the Taxilane Sealcoat Pavement Maintenance Project at the Wetumpka Municipal Airport. GMC Project No.: TMGM230035. Any and all claims against this Montgomery no later than Au10th, 17th, 24th, 31st. Wetumpka Herald: COMPLETION PUBLIC NOTICE

Wiregrass Construction Co, Inc hereby gives notice of completion of contract with The Alabama Department of Transportation, for construction of Project No: Project No. STPAA-STPMN- 2621(251) &STPMN-2621(253) Elmore County, On Marion Spillway Road from the Intersection of CR-3 (Ingram Road) to the Intersection ofSR-143 in Deatsville (Site l); and the PlanStripe on 1’1 Avenue from the Junction of SR-143 to the Intersection of Baltzer Road Northeast of Elmore (Site 2); and On Baltzer Road from the Intersection of 1st Avenue to the Junction of Flatwood Road Northeast of Elmore (Site 3). This notice will appear for four consecutive weeks beginning on 07/24/2024 and ending 08/14/2024. All claims Construction Co, 1342 Carmichael Way, Montgomery, Alabama 36106 during this period.

Aug. 7 and 14, 2024 COMPLETION PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE OF MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE STATE OF ALABAMA COUNTY OF ELMORE

Default having been made of the terms of the loan documents secured by that certain mortgage executed by Christian Young And Mary L Young Husband And Wife to Green Tree Financial Corp. - Alabama dated August 19, 1998; said mortgage being recorded on September 14, 1998, in Book 207, Page Probate of Elmore County, Alabama. Said Mortgage was last sold, assigned and transferred

Public Notices

g to Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, not in its individual or banking capacity, but solely as Trustee on behalf of the Lake Country Mortgage Loan Trust 2005-HE1 by assignment recorded in Deed Book 2020, County, ALABAMA. The undersigned, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, not in its individual or banking capacity, but solely as Trustee on behalf of the Lake Country Mortgage Loan Trust 2005HE1, under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in said mortgage, will sell at public outcry to the highest bidder for cash before the main entrance of the Court House in Elmore County, Alabama during the legal hours of sale (between 11am and 4pm), on the 23rd property, situated in Elmore County, Alabama, to-wit: FROM THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF THE NORTHEAST QUARTER OF SECTION 33, TOWNSHIP 19 NORTH, RANGE 18 EAST, ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA, RUN WEST ALONG THE QUARTER SECTION LINE 719.52 FEET; THENCE RUN NORTH PARALLEL TO THE EAST QUARTER SECTION LINE 210 FEET TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING; THENCE CONTINUE LAST NAMED COURSE 120 FEET TO THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF PROPERTY DESCRIBED IN DEED BOOK 156 AT PAGE 29; THENCE RUN WEST 980 FEET MORE OR LESS TO THE EAST RIGHT OF WAY OF CRENSHAW ROAD (60 FOOT RIGHT OF WAY) THENCE RUN SOUTHWESTERLY ALONG SAID RIGHT OF WAY 130 FEET MORE OR LESS TO THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF PROPERTY DESCRIBED IN DEED ROLL 63 FRAME 01923; THENCE RUN EASTERLY ALONG NORTH LINE THEREOF 301.5 FEET; THENCE RUN SOUTH 1 DEGREE 30 MINUTES EAST 70 FEET; THENCE RUN EAST 525 FEET AND ALONG THE NORTH LINE OF MILTON PROPERTY AND OTHERS 525 FEET TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING, CONTAINING 2 ACRES MORE OR LESS. Said property is commonly known as 1308 Crenshaw Rd, Wetumpka, AL 36092. the property address and the legal description the legal description will control. Said property will be sold subject to any outstanding ad valorem taxes (including taxes which are a lien, but not yet due and payable), the right of redemption of any taxing authority, all outstanding liens for public utilities which constitute liens upon the property, any matters which might be disclosed by an accurate survey and inspection of the property, any assessments, liens, encumbrances, easements, rights-of-way, zoning ordinances, restrictions, special assessments, covenants, the statutory right of redemption pursuant to Alabama law, and any matters of record including, but not limited to, those supeout above. Said property will be sold on an “as-is” basis without any representation, warranty or recourse against the abovenamed or the undersigned. The successful bidder must present the winning bid at the time and place of sale. 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 sale will be conducted subsale is not prohibited under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code and (2) of the status of the loan with the holder of the Mortgage. WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL OR BANKING CAPACITY, BUT SOLELY AS TRUSTEE ON BEHALF OF THE LAKE COUNTRY MORTGAGE LOAN TRUST 2005-HE1 as holder of said mortgage McCalla Raymer Leibert Pierce, LLC 505 20th Street North, Suite 1775 Birmingham, AL 35203 (205) 216-4238 FT21@mccalla.com File No. 9274720 www.foreclosurehotline.net Wetumpka Herald 06/19/2024,06/26/2024,07/03/2 024,07/31/2024 AMENDMENT TO NOTICE OF MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE

The sale date under the above mentioned Notice of Mortgage Foreclosure Sale has been postponed until August 9, 2024, and public notice thereof having been given, the above notice is hereby republished with this amendment. Wetumpka Herald: 9274720

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PUBLIC NOTICE

FRANK LEE

Public Notices

PUBLIC NOTICE LEGAL NOTICE IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA HARTFORD UNDERWRITERS INSURANCE COMPANY

V.TRIMMER UP TREE SERVICE, LLC CASE NO. CV-2023-900117

This cause of action is a civil lawsuit against Trimmer Up statement of account, open account, and breach of conof account, open account, and breach of contract claim has caused $77,803.00 in damages to the Plaintiff, plus cmui costs. In this case, it is made to appear c01msel for Plaintiff stating that Defendant is avoiding service and has concealed themselves so that the summons and complaint cannot be served upon them, and further, that said Defendant is over the age of twenty one (21) years. It is, therefore, ordered that publication be made in The Wetumpka Herald, a newspaper published in the County of Elmore and State of Alabama, for four (4) consecutive weeks, and the said Defendant is hereby summons and complaint, and to be and appear if they think proper to defend this action at the present term of this Court, and within thirty days after this notice by publication is completed. Witness in my hands this 13th day of June, 2024

Wetumpka Herald: July 31, Aug. 7, 14 and 21, 2024 29-CV-23-900117

PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF DOROTHY S. BOGGAN, DECEASED CASE NO: 2024-159 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE

Letters Testamentary in the Estate of DOROTHY S. BOGGAN, who is also known as DOROTHY BELL BOGGAN, deceased, having been granted to BRENDA M. BRUGH on July 8th, 2024 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.

BRENDA M. BRUGH PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF DOROTHY S. BOGGAN, DECEASED Attorney of Record for Personal Representative: 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: July 17, 24 and 31, 2024 EST/BOGGAN, D. PUBLIC NOTICE

IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF GEORGE PHILLIP BOISSEL, DECEASED CASE NO: 2024-166 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE

Letters Testamentary in the Estate of GEORGE PHILLIP BOISSEL, deceased, having been granted to SUSAN T.BOISSEL on July 8th 2024 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.

SUSAN T. BOISSEL

PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF GEORGE PHILLIP BOISSEL, DECEASED

Attorney of Record for Personal Representative: THOMAS A. RADNEY RADNEY, RADNEY & JACKSON, LLC PO BOX 819 ALEXANDER CITY, ALABAMA 35011 256-234-2547 thomas@radneylaw.com

Wetumpka Herald: July 17,24 and 31, 2024 EST/BOISSEL G. PUBLIC NOTICE

Public Notices

PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF SIDNEY LOUIS CULVER, DECEASED CASE NO. 2024-189 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE

Letters Testamentary on the Estate of said decedent having been granted to DENICE MICHELLE BURLESON as Executrix on the 19 th day of July 2024, by the Honorable John Thornton, Judge of Probate of said County in said State, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said Estate are required to present same within the time allowed by law or the same will be barred.

DENICE MICHELLE BURLESON EXECUTRIX OF THE ESTATE OF SIDNEY LOUIS CULVER, DECEASED.

Name and Address of Attorney: Regina B. Edwards, Esq. The Law Firm of Edwards & Edwards, P.C. 109 E. Bridge Street Wetumpka, AL 36092 Wetumpka Herald: July 24, 31 and Aug. 7, 2024 EST/CULVER, S.

PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE MATTER OF THE PETITION FOR CONSERVATORSHIP OVER THE PROPERTY OF JOSEPH EPHRIAM ENSLEN, AN ALLEGED INCAPACITATED PERSON. IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA CASE NO.: 2024-120 NOTICE OF HEARING TO: JOSEPH EPHRAIM ENSLEN, WHOSE WHEREABOUTS ARE UNKNOWN AND HAVING A LAST KNOWN ADDRESS OF: 95 Wilkerson Street Wetumpka, Alabama 36092

Pursuant to the Alabama Uniform Guardianship and Protective Proceedings Act, you are hereby given notice that a Petition to establish a Conservatorship over the Property of JOSEPH EPHRAIM ENSLEN Court of Elmore County, Alabama. A hearing of said Petilocated at 100 East Commerce Street, Wetumpka, Alabama 36092, on the 22nd day of August, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. before John Thornton, Probate Judge. You have the right to appear at such hearing and the right to be heard regarding such Petition.

JOHN THORNTON

JUDGE OF PROBATE ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA Name and address of Attorney for Petitioner: D.JASON BRITT STONE & BRITT, LLC ATTORNEYS & COUNSELORS AT LAW 1 14 S MAIN ST P O BOX 967 WETUMPKA, ALABAMA 36092 334-517-6520

Wetumpka Herald: July 24, 31 and Aug. 7, 2024 EST/ENSLEN, J.

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PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF DOUGLAS BARRY FELKER, DECEASED CASE NO. 2024-171 NOTICE OF FILING OF WILL FOR PROBATE TO: GLORIA KELLER, A NON-RESIDENT OF THE STATE OF ALABAMA AND NEXT OF KIN OF DOUGLAS BARRY FELKER; AND TO: ANY OTHER UNKNOWN NEXT OF KIN OF DOUGLAS BARRY FELKER, DECEASED AND TO: ANY OTHER INTERESTED PARTY YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that on July 1, 2024, a certain paper in writing purporting to be the Last Will and Testament of DOUGLAS BARRY FELKER,bate Court of Elmore County, Alabama by CHAD BRANTLEY, 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 DOUGLAS BARRY FELKER. Unless an objection to admission to Probate and Record of such Last Will and Testament is submitted by you in writing to this Court within ten (10) days oftice, the Court will proceed with considering such Petition without further notice to you.

Public Notices

PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF SAMUEL GRAVES, DECEASED CASE NO: 2024-182 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE

Letters Testamentary in the Estate of SAMUEL GRAVES, who is also known as SAMUEL LEE GRAVES, deceased, having been granted to LYCRECIA VANTEAL GRAVES on July 15, 2024 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. LYCRECIA VANTEAL GRAVES PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF SAMUEL GRAVES, DECEASED Attorney of Record for Personal Representative: ED PARISH, JR. THE PARISH LAW FIRM PO BOX 52 MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA 36101-0052 323 ADAMS AVE MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA 36104 334-263-0003

Wetumpka Herald: July 24, 31 and Aug. 7, 2024 EST/GRAVES, S. PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF STEVEN RANDOLPH HENDERSON, DECEASED CASE NO: 2024-170 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE

Letters of Administration with Will Annexed over the Estate of STEVEN RANDOLPH HENDERSON, deceased, having been granted to DEBRA HENDERSON on the 16th day of July 2024 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.

DEBRA HENDERSON ADMINISTRATOR OF THE ESTATE OF STEVEN RANDOLPH HENDERSON, 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: July 24, 31 and Aug. 7, 2024 EST/HENDERSON, S. PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF FRED MICHAEL HINSON, DECEASED CASE NO: 2024-143 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE

Letters Testamentary in the Estate of FRED MICHAEL HINSON, deceased, having been granted to CYNTHIA K. PAGE on July 16, 2024, 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.

CYNTHIA K. PAGE PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF FRED MICHAEL HINSON, DECEASED Attorney of Record for Personal Representative: RONALD A. HOLTSFORD ATTORNEY AT LAW 7956 VAUGHN RD #124 MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA 36116 334-220-3700

Wetumpka Herald: July 24, 31 and Aug. 7, 2024 EST/HINSON F. PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF JOHN GILBERT MARX, DECEASED CASE NO. 2024-075 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE

Letters Testamentary on the Estate of said decedent having been granted to SUSAN MARIE MARX as Personal Representative on the 19 th day of July 2024, by the Honorable JOHN THORNTON, Judge of Probate of said County in said State, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said Estate are required to present same within the time allowed by law or the same will be barred.

Public Notices

PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF FAYE GRAY LOTT, DECEASED CASE NO: 2024-156 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE

Letters Testamentary in the Estate of FAYE GRAY LOTT, deceased, having been granted to NANCY D. CARMAIN AND SHEILA G. ROWE on the 12th day of July 2024, 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.

NANCY D. CARMAIN AND SHEILA G. ROWE CO-PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ESTATE OF FAYE GRAY LOTT, DECEASED

Attorney of Record for Co-Personal Representatives:

JEFFREY J. COURTNEY ATTORNEY AT LAW PO BOX 100 WETUMPKA, ALABAMA 36092 334-567-2545

Wetumpka Herald: July 17, 24 and 31, 2024 EST/LOTT F.

PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF HENRY L. NEWTON, CASE NO: 2024-177 DECEASED NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE

Letters Testamentary in the Estate of HENRY L. NEWTON, deceased, having been granted to JEAN W. NEWTON on July 12, 2024 by Justin Edwards, Special 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.

JEAN W. NEWTON PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF HENRY L. NEWTON, DECEASED

Attorney of Record for Personal Representative: ROBERT J. MORRIS ATTORNEY AT LAW 10365 HOLTVILLE ROAD DEATSVILLE, ALABAMA 36022 334-569-1820

Wetumpka Herald: July 17, 24 and 31, 2024 EST/NEWTON, H. PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF RICHARD RAY ROGERS, CASE NO: 2024-160 DECEASED NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE

Letters Testamentary in the Estate of RICHARD RAY ROGERS, deceased, having been granted to VANESSA LYNN ROGERS on July 11, 2024 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.

VANESSA LYNN ROGERS PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF RICHARD RAY ROGERS, DECEASED

JULIA TUTWILER PUBLIC NOTICE

JOHN THORNTON JUDGE OF PROBATE ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA

Name and Address of Attorney for Petitioner: ROBERT B. RENEAU LAW FIRM OF EDWARDS & EDWARDS, P.C. 109 EAST BRIDGE STREET WETUMPKA, ALABAMA 36092 334-514-1011 Wetumpka Herald: July 17, 24 and 31, 2024 EST/FELKER, D.

SUSAN MARIE MARX PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF JOHN GILBERT MARX, DECEASED.

Name and Address of Attorney: Regina B. Edwards, Esq. The Law Firm of Edwards & Edwards, P.C. 109 E. Bridge Street Wetumpka, AL 36092 Wetumpka Herald: July 24, 31 and Aug. 7, 2024 EST/MARX, J.

Attorney of Record for Personal Representative: RODERICK B. PERDUE ATTORNEY AT LAW 2033 HOLTVILLE ROAD WETUMPKA, ALABAMA 36092 334-567-7373 Wetumpka Herald: July 17, 24 and 31, 2024 EST/ROGERS, R. PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF GARY ALAN ST. LAURENT, DECEASED CASE NO. 2024-172 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE Letters Testamentary on the Estate of said decedent having been granted to MICHELE DAWN ST. LAURENT as Personal Representative on the 9th day of July, 2024, by the Honorable JOHN THORNTON, Judge of Probate of said County in said State, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said Estate are required to present same within the time allowed by law or the same will be barred. MICHELE DAWN ST. LAURENT PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF GARY ALAN ST. LAURENT, DECEASED Name and Address of Attorney: Regina B Edwards, Esq. The Law Firm of Edwards & Edwards, P.C. 109 E. Bridge Street Wetumpka, AL 36092

Wetumpka Herald: July 17, 24 and 31, 2024 EST/ST. LAURENT, G.

NOTICE

CLASSIFIEDS/PUBLIC NOTICES

Public Notices

PUBLIC NOTICE

IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF EDWARD ERNEST SEAL, DECEASED CASE NO: 2024-144 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE

Letters Testamentary in the Estate of EDWARD ERNEST SEAL, deceased, having been granted to JOSEPH FRANKLIN DECKER, II on July 15, 2024 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.

JOSEPH FRANKLIN DECKER, II PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF EDWARD ERNEST SEAL, DECEASED

Attorney of Record for Personal Representative:

D.JASON BRITT STONE STONE & BRITT, LLC

ATTORNEYS & COUNSELORS AT LAW 114 S MAIN ST PO BOX 967 WETUMPKA, ALABAMA 36092 334-517-6520 Wetumpka Herald: July 24, 31 and Aug. 7, 2024 EST/SEAL, E. PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OFMILTON SEWELL, DECEASED CASE NO. 2024-196 NOTICE OF FILING OF WILL AND PETITION FOR PROBATE

TO: JOSHUA SAMUEL SEWELL AND ANY OTHER

HEIRS AND NEXT OF KIN OF MILTON SEWELL, DECEASED: YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that on the 24 th day of July 2024, a certain paper in writing purporting to be the Last Will and Testament of MILTON SEWELL, deceased, and abate Court of Elmore County, Alabama by Petitioner, MARTHA ANN SEWELL WARREN, requesting that such Last Will and Testament be admitted to Probate and that the Petitioner be named as Executor of such Estate. This Notice of Filing of Will for Probate is given to you as an heir at law and next of kin of MILTON SEWELL. Unless an objection to admission to Probate of such Last Will and Testament is submitted by you in writing to this Court withincation of this notice, the Court will proceed with considering such Petition.

JOHN THORNTON JUDGE OF PROBATE ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA Name and Address of Attorney for Petitioner: REGINA B. EDWARDS, ESQ. The Law Firm of Edwards & Edwards, PC 109 East Bridge Street Wetumpka, AL 36092 (334)514-1011 Wetumpka Herald: July 31, Aug. 7 and 14, 2024 EST/SEWELL, M. PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF PEGGY F. THOMPSON, CASE NO: 2024-146 DECEASED NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE

Letters Testamentary in the Estate of PEGGY F. THOMPSON, deceased, having been granted to JOHN MILTON THOMPSON on July 24, 2024 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.

JOHN MILTON THOMPSON PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF PEGGY F. THOMPSON, DECEASED

Attorney of Record for Personal Representative: JOHN E. “JED” CARTER CAPELL & HOWARD P. C. 150 SOUTH PERRY STREET MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA 36104 PO BOX 2069 MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA 361022069 334-241-8014

Jed.Carter@chlaw.com

Wetumpka Herald: July 31, Aug. 7 and 14, 2024

EST/THOMPSON, P. PUBLIC NOTICE-STATON PUBLIC NOTICE

IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF MINNIE BYRD TUCKER, DECEASED CASE NO: 2024-004 NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Public Notices

OF ESTATE

Letters of Administration over the Estate of MINNIE BYRD TUCKER, deceased, having been granted to JOHN TUCKER on July 11th, 2024 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.

JOHN TUCKER ADMINISTRATOR OF THE ESTATE OF MINNIE BYRD TUCKER, DECEASED

Name and Address of Attorney for Administrator: JEFFREY J. COURTNEY COURTNEY & MANN, LLP PO BOX 100 WETUMPKA, ALABAMA 36092 334-567-2545

Wetumpka Herald: July 17, 24 and 31, 2024 EST/TUCKER, M. PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF HISAKO WASHAM, DECEASED CASE NO: 2024-190 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE

Letters Testamentary in the Estate of HISAKO WASHAM, deceased, having been granted to RICHARD ALAN MARTIN on July 23, 2024 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.

RICHARD ALAN MARTIN PERSONAL REPRESENATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF HISAKO WASHAM, DECEASED

Attorney of Record for Personal Representative: RALEY L. WIGGINS CAPELL & HOWARD PO BOX 2069 MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA 36102 150 SOUTH PERRY STREET MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA 36104 334-241-8029 Raley.Wiggins@chlaw.com

Wetumpka Herald: July 31, Aug. 7 and 14, 2024 EST/WASHAM H.

PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF KAREN ANNICE WORTHINGTON, CASE NO: 2024-176 DECEASED NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE

Letters of Administration over the Estate of KAREN ANNICE WORTHINGTON, deceased, having been granted to GERALD A. DANIEL, JR. on July 12, 2024 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 KAREN ANNICE WORTHINGTON, DECEASED Name and Address of 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: July 17, 24 and 31, 2024 EST/WORTHINGTON K. PUBLIC NOTICE

Notice is hereby given that the undersigned will sell for cash, at an ONLINE public auction on Thursday, August 8th, 2024, 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

678:Jamie Ambrose. 630 Company Street, Wetumpka, AL

36092

Contents: piano, chest, boxes, couch, books

714: Oscar Melghem. 469 River Oaks Drive, Wetumpka, AL

36092

Contents: boxes, totes, clothes, books

817: Oscar Melghem. 469 River Oaks Drive, Wetumpka, AL

36092

Contents: boxes, old stuff, dolly, bags

519: Oscar Melghem. 469 Rover Oaks Drive, Wetumpka, AL

36092 Contents: totes, boxes, rugs, dresser

Wetumpka Herald: July 31 and Aug.7, 2024

STORAGE AUCTION

Public Notices

PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE

Default having been made in the payment of the indebtedness secured by that certain mortgage dated July 14, 2022, executed by Anita G. Jones, a single woman, to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., solely as nominee for Rocket Mortgage, LLC FKA Quicken Loans, LLC, which mortgage was recorded on July 19, 2022, in RLPY Book 2022, Page 44594, of the mortgage Judge of Probate of Elmore County, Alabama, and which mortgage was duly transferred and assigned to Rocket Mortgage, LLC FKA Quicken Loans, LLC, notice is hereby given that pursuant to law and the power of sale contained in said mortgage, the undersigned will sell at public outcry, to the highest bidder for cash, in front of the Main entrance to the Elmore County Courthouse at Wetumpka, Alabama, during the legal hours of sale on September 12, 2024, the following described real estate, situated in Elmore County, Alabama, to-wit: Land situated in the County of Elmore in the State of AL Lot 16, according to the Map of Forest Trail Plat No. 1, as said Plat appears of record in the of Elmore County, Alabama, in Plat Book 14, at Page 8. This sale is made for the purpose of paying the indebtedness secured by said mortgage as well as expenses of foreclosure. This property will be sold on an “as is, where is” basis, subject to any easements, encumbrances, and exceptions those contained in the records

Probate of the County where the above-described property is situated. This property will be sold without warranty or recourse, expressed or implied as to condition, 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 rights and programs as a part of the foreclosure process. The successful bidder must tender full funds at the conclusion of the sale in the form of a or endorsed to Padgett Law Group. No personal checks will be accepted. To this end you outbid the lender and any other not be accepted. Amounts received in excess of the winning bid will be refunded. Padgett Law Group reserves the right to award the bid to the next highest bidders should the highest bidder fail to timely tender the total amount due.

Rocket Mortgage, LLC f/k/a Quicken Loans, LLC

Transferee Robert J. Wermuth/jmm Padgett Law Group 4245 Balmoral Drive SW, Suite 101 Huntsville, AL 35801 Attorney for Mortgagee

Wetumpka Herald: July 31, Aug. 7 and 14, 2024 FC/JONES

PUBLIC NOTICE

MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE NOTICE

Default having been made in the terms of that certain Mortgage, executed on 11/01/2007, by Tamika R. Benson-Marshall, and Lee R. Marshall, wife and husband, as Mortgagor, to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as nominee for Countrywide Bank, FSB as Mortgagee, which said Mortgage is recorded in the OfElmore County, Alabama, in on 11/06/2007, and subsequently assigned to BankUnited N.A. and recorded in the Elmore County, Alabama on continued under the terms of said Mortgage, and by virtue

described real property will be sold at public outcry, for cash, to the highest bidder, in front of the Courthouse door of said County, during the legal hours of sale, on 9/12/2024.

BEING THE NORTHWEST

LEAVING SAID RIGHT OF 56 SEC. WEST, ALONG THE WEST LINE OF LOT 2 AND FEET TO AN EXISTING COR-WEST CORNER OF SAID

THENCE NORTH 00 DEG. 17

Public Notices

IN THE SOUTHWEST QUAR-ABAMA.

RONALD BURKE, ALA. REG.BER 12, 2000. Subject to all easements, restrictions and reservations appearing of record. Said sale will also be made subject to any Federal Tax Liens and/or Special Assessments of any nature, if any, which might adversely affect the title to the property. Alabama law gives some persons who have an interest in property the right to redeem the property under certain circumexist 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 property is being sold “as is, where is”. Said property is sold without warranty or recourse, expressed or implied as to title, use or enjoyment. This sale is made for the purpose of paying the indebtedness secured by said mortgage, as well as the expenses of foreclosure. This sale is subject to postponement or cancellation.

Counsel for Mortgagee/Transferee 126 Government Street

Wetumpka Herald:

FC/MARSHALL

PUBLIC NOTICE

STATE OF ALABAMA ELMORE COUNTY FORECLOSURE NOTICE

WHEREAS, on January 25, 2011, Andrew Reid Smith, III, did execute and deliver to River Bank & Trust a mortgage on certain real estate hereinafter described, which mortgage apthe Judge of Probate of Elmore County, Alabama, at Real Property Book 2011, Page 6772, and, WHEREAS, default has been made in the payment of said Mortgage as provided therein, which default continues at this date making said Mortgage subject to foreclosure. NOW, THEREFORE, three weeks notice is hereby given that the undersigned will sell at public outcry for cash, to the highest bidder, in front of the courthouse doors, main entrance, in Wetumpka, Elmore County, Alabama, during the legal hours of sale on August 21, 2024, the real estate being more particularly described as lying and being situated in Elmore County, State of Alabama, to-wit: Boundary survey of a 106.35 acre tract of land located mostly in the West ½ of the SW 1/4 of section 28 and partly in the SE 1/4 of the SE 1/4 of section 29, all in T20N, R17E, Elmore County Alabama described as follows: Begin at a fence corner found near the SE corner of the West ½ of the SW 1/4 of said section 28; Thence S 88 deg. 54’ 17” W, 2665.41 Feet to a concrete monument found near the SW corner of the SE 1/4 of the SE 1/4 of said section 29; Thence N 0 deg 44’ 10” E, 1339.86 feet to a pipe found at a fence corner; Thence N 1 deg 09’ 04” E, 982.80 feet to an iron pin found; Thence N 90 deg 00’ 00” W, 413.67 feet to an iron pin found on the West edge of a gravel road; Thence N 90 deg 00’ 00” E, 526.51 feet to an iron pin found; Thence S 0 deg 49’ 37” W, 1870.90 feet to the point of beginning.

Also, having an access easement along an existing gravel drive beginning at the North line of the SW 1/4 of said section 28 and running along drive to said tract of land. According to survey done by Wayne C. Bates Alabama Reg. #12929, dated October 15, 1997.

Also, a survey of a 5.0 acre parcel of land located in the West ½ of the SW 1/4 of section 28, T20N, R17E, Elmore County, Alabama being described as follows: Commence at an iron pin found at a fence corner near the NE corner of the W ½ of the SW 1/4 of said section 28, thence S 0 deg 00 minutes East, 420.00 feet to an iron pin set at the P.O.B.; thence south 0 deg 00 minutes 00 seconds east, 413.67 feet to an iron pin set; thence south 90 deg 00 minutes 00 seconds West, 526.51 feet to an iron pin set; thence North 0 deg 00 minutes 00 seconds West, 413.67 feet to an iron pin set; thence North 90 deg 00 minutes 00 seconds east, 526.51 feet to the P.O.B.

Public Notices

y required to be paid for taxes, insurance or other charges provided in said mortgage, and the expenses of foreclosure, including a reasonable attorney’s fee. Said property will be sold on an “as is, where is” basis subject to any easements, encumbrances, and exceptions contained in said mortgage and those contained in the records of the where the above-described property is situated. Said property will be sold without warranty or recourse, expressed or implied as to title, use and/or enjoyment, and will be sold subject to the right of redemption of all parties entitled hereto. 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.

RIVER BANK & TRUST PARNELL & PARNELL, P.A. BY: Charles N. Parnell, III Attorney for Mortgagee Montgomery, Alabama 36102 334/832-4200

Wetumpka Herald: July 17, 24 and 31, 2024 FC/SMITH PUBLIC NOTICE STATE OF ALABAMA COUNTY OF ELMORE NOTICE OF MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE

Public Notices

ppyg 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. Said sale will be made subject to any existing Federal Tax Lien, if any, and/or Special Assessments, if any, which might adversely affect the title to the subject property. Said sale will be made for the purpose of paying the indebtedness secured by the above-described mortgage, and the proceeds thereof will be applied as provided by the terms of the said mortgage. This sale is subject to postponement or cancellation; contact Margery Oglesby at the phone number shown below prior to attending the sale. Kristofor D. Sodergren Attorney for 21st Mortgage Corporation ROSEN HARWOOD, P.A. 2200 Jack Warner Pkwy Ste 200 P.O. Box 2727 Tuscaloosa, AL 35403 (205)344-5000 Wetumpka Herald: July 17, 24 and 31, 2024 FC/WATSON PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE OF RESOLUTION VACATING A PORTION OF BRANTLEY ROAD AND AN UNNAMED

GINNING. THE ABOVE-DESCRIBEDNAL LOT NO. 144, WEST WE-

Also, having and being subject to an access easement along an existing gravel drive beginning at the North line of the SW 1/4 of said section 28 and crossing said parcel. All according to survey of W.C. Bates, Al. Reg. No. 12929, dated August 13, 1995. This conveyance is made subject to all restrictions, reservations, easements and right-ofway of record affecting the title to the above described property. Said sale and conveyance will also be made subject to the legal rights of existing Federal Tax Liens, and/or Special Assessments, if any, which might adversely affect title to subject property. Such sale will be made as provided in said mortgage for the purpose of paying the debt secured by said mortgage with interest thereon, any amounts

Default having been made in the payment of the indebtedness secured by that certain mortgage and security agreement executed by SHAKILLIE LAJOYCE WATSON A/K/A SHAKILLIE WATSON, an unmarried person, on the 6th day of March 2020, to 21ST MORTGAGE CORPORATION, as recorded in RLPY Book 2020, Probate Judge of Elmore County, Alabama; 21ST MORTGAGE CORPORATION, as Mortgagee, by reason of such default having declared all of the indebtedness secured by said mortgage and security agreement due and payable and such default continuing, notice is hereby given that, acting under the power of sale contained in said mortgage and security agreement, and as authorized by Section 7-9A-604(a)(2) of the Code of Alabama of 1975 as amended, 21ST MORTGAGE CORPORATION, as Mortgagee, will sell at public outcry, for cash to the highest bidder, in front of the Courthouse door, in the City of Wetumpka, Elmore County, Alabama, during the legal hours of sale on August 13, 2024, the following described real and personal property situated in Elmore County, Alabama, to-wit: Parcel No. 8, as shown on the “Map of Lands owned by L.Paige Cox and Michael D. Owens” prepared by Consulting Engineering Services, Inc., 1934 Walnut Street, Montgomery, Alabama, dated September 27, 1978, and more particularly described as follows: Commencing at a concrete monument, said point being the Southeast corner of the Southwest 1/4 of the Southeast 1/4 of Section 17, Township 17 North, Range 20 East, Elmore County, Alabama; thence N 32°09’52” W a distance of 41.00 feet to a point; thence S 86°21’00” W a distance of 1063.40 feet to a point; thence S 83°09’00” W a distance of 416.50 feet to a point; thence N 89°05’00” W a distance of 247.90 feet to a point; thence S 87°08’00” W a distance of 456.11 feet to a point, said point lying on the East boundary of a 50 foot road margin of a county maintained road; thence N 10°03’35” E along said road margin boundary a distance of 418.02 feet to a point; thence N 38°31’45” E along said road margin boundary a distance of 775.97 feet to a point, said point being the point of beginning. Thence continue N 38°31’45” E along said margin a distance of 249.49 feet to a point; thence N 7°30’45” E along said road margin to a point; thence N 90°00’00” E a distance of 749.30 feet to a point, said point lying in the center of Chubbahatchee Creek; thence S 2°07’26” E along said creek a distance of 58.61 feet to a point; thence S 14°21’32” W along said creek a distance of 175.07 feet to a point; thence S 71°21’34” W along said creek a distance of 51.75 feet to a point; thence S 90°00’00” W a distance of 434.42 feet to the point of beginning, said parcel lying in the South 1/2 of Section 17, Township 17 North, Range 20 East, Elmore County, Alabama. INCLUDING a security interest in one (1) 2020 Southern 32’ x 80’ manufactured home, Serial No. SAD025481ALAB; together with the hereditaments and appurtenances thereunto attached to and used in connection with the premises herein described. This property will be sold on an “as is, where is” basis, subject to any easements, encum-ed in the mortgage and those contained in the records of the the county where the above-described property is situated. This property will be sold without warranty or recourse, expressed or implied as to title, use and/or enjoyment and will be sold subject to the right of redemption of all parties entitled thereto. Alabama law gives some persons who have an interest in property the right to redeem the

and A portion of Brantley Road (Elmore County Road # 133) (80’ R.O.W.) located in the East 1/2 of the East 1/2 of Section 13, Township 17 North, Range 20 East, Elmore as Elmore County Revenue Commissioner parcel # 23-0613-0-000-001.000. A portion of Brantley Road (Elmore County Road # 133) (80’ R.O.W.) located in the East 1/2 of the East 1/2 of Section 13, Township 17 North, Range 20 East, Elmore as Elmore County Revenue Commissioner parcel # 23-0613-0-000-001.001; and A portion of Brantley Road (Elmore County Road # 133) (80’ R.O.W.) located in the East 1/2 of the East 1/2 of Section 13, Township 17 North, Range 20 East, Elmore as Elmore County Revenue Commissioner parcel # 23-0613-0-000-002.000; and A portion of Brantley Road (Elmore County Road # 133) (80’ R.O.W.)

WEDNESDAY

Elmore County begins fall camp

By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor

It’s officially football season in Eclectic.

The Elmore County football team hit the practice field Monday for the first time this fall. The official start date for the AHSAA is Monday, Aug. 5, but the Panthers didn’t have a spring season so were able to begin a week earlier.

“We limit ourselves with time during the summer, so this is the first time today that we’ve extended ourselves,” head coach Kyle Caldwell said. “We worked on special teams early and worked on different situations. It’s new but it’s not new. We’re excited and the kids have busted their tails this summer.” After running through warm-ups, the Panthers split

up into different groups. The offensive line worked through schemes and pulling against other players without pads, while special teams players worked through punts.

Following both groups of punt teams getting their reps in, the teams turned to 11-on11 and worked on specific play calls, formations and

YOUNG SONGWRITER

RECEIVES SCHOLARSHIP TO JEFFREY STEELE ACADEMY

By ABIGAIL MURPHY Multimedia Reporter

Five songwriters from across the southeast gathered for Lake Martin Songwriters Festival’s 20 and under competition.

For the first time, the winner of the competition would receive a scholarship to the Jeffrey Steele Academy Bootcamp, which was funded through the festival’s t-shirt sales. Taking to the stage Friday night at Russell Crossroads were Ava Connell, Kaitlyn Croker, Jasmine Humphries, Jackson Kane and Leah Slaughter.

After the performances judges Kurtis John and Casey Le’Vasseur announced Connell as the winner of the 20 and under competition. Connell later performed her new single, “One for the Road,” Saturday night at Prime Steakhouse.

Ava Connell Connell is from Marietta, Georgia, and this is her first competition. She said she had never been in front of a

panel of judges before like this, so she was both nervous and excited. Since the age of 12, Connell has been creating and performing music.

“I liked writing in general, writing poems with my grandmother,” Connell said. “Once I started to learn guitar I started to put them together.”

On the Russell Crossroads stage, Connell also sang her first single “One for the Road,” debuting Aug 16, for the first time live.

Kaitlyn Croker

Originally from Maryland, Croker started songwriting full time three years ago when she first moved to Nashville. However, she started singing when she was four years old.

“I was a little girl into my Disney princess movies and my love and passion (for music) just evolved from there,” Croker said. “It just started like any other girl wanting to sing with the Disney princesses.” She started performing when she was 9 years old

and now performs all around the Nashville music scene.

Jasmine Humphries Humphries goes by the stage name Jazzy Mae and is from Union, South Carolina. She started music at about 5 years old and got her passion for music through church.

Once she got to ninth grade, Humphries got a guitar and started writing songs during her high school years.

“It was a good way to get a lot of emotions out,” she said. “You are growing and changing and feeling all kinds of different things.”

For Humphries, music is also just a part of the family.

Her grandfather sang in a quartet when she was young, and she grew up listening to her parents’ music as well.

Jackson Kane Kane is one of the few locals of the festival from Dadeville and was one of the youngest of the songwriters at 16 years old.

However, Kane started early in music by learning

See SONGWRITER, Page B8

Elmore County defense to lead early

By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor

Kyle Caldwell knows what his team’s identity will be early. The Elmore County football team made its way to Opelika on Tuesday afternoon to participate in the Fox Sports High School Media Day held at the Bottling Plant Event Center. Caldwell brought three players – linebacker Jackson Mann, linebacker Connor Pike and defensive lineman Luke Reinert – to the podium to field questions from the media. The three stars headline a defense that returns six starters from a year ago. On the flip side, Elmore County’s offense

Panthers ready for 2024 volleyball season

By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor

The faces may change, but Elmore County’s expectations stay the same. Elmore County’s volleyball team enters the 2024 season with a handful of new faces taking the court. The Panthers graduated four starters from last year’s team, but coach Kim Moncrief’s new team knows what is expected of them.

Elmore County has won 14-consecutive area championships and won 27 games last season. With that standard in mind, the Panthers took on six play dates this summer including a gauntlet of a playdate in Mobile that featured Elite Eight, Final Four and state finalists.

In Mobile, Elmore County faced off with St. Luke’s Episcopal twice, then faced St. Paul’s, UMS Wright and Alma Bryant.

“I think that play date was our best as far as improving from one level to another, almost literally overnight,” Moncrief said. “We were trying to find our identity down there and I think we did that. After a rough first day, we made massive improvements towards the end and it’s really good for the girls to see that progress.”

The team’s leading returner from a year ago is senior Ally Orr. As an outside hitter last year, Orr recorded 181 kills, good for 2 kills per set, to go along with 12 blocks, 149 digs, 13 assists and 16 service aces.

This year, she will serve a versatile and leadership role.

“I feel like we really have strong leadership with Ally,” Moncrief said. “She’s been a leader the last few years, but there’s a lot of leadership this year. She’s stepping into a dominant hitting position for us but will also be one of our best all-around players.”

Elizabeth Lyons and Isabella Fuller will also help on

the left side with Orr. Fuller will likely be prominently on the left side while Lyons will play on both sides of the court.

The team will be transitioning back to a 6-2 rotation on the court featuring two setters at all times.

Addison Hicks, Kennedy Robinson, Addie Stephenson and Addie Patterson all look to play in that role, but who is on the floor with each other has not been decided yet.

“I really think they’re going to do a fantastic job of stepping into those shoes of that position,” Moncrief said. “We just have to figure out who works best together.”

On defense, Avery Hull looks to be one of the top defensive players on the team along with Addilyn Tierce, Sydney Boardwine and Libby Powell.

“Identity wise, we found out this summer that we are stronger on defense than we thought we might be,” Moncrief said. “I feel like we’ve stepped it up tremendously on defense.”

Kayden Edwards and Robbie Grace Bolton look to step into roles in the middle of the court, and sophomore Lalah Culpepper has impressed with her ability up front at the net.

The team will be in a new area this season after losing Marbury and Holtville in the realignment. Instead, Elmore County will face Valley and Beauregard in area matchups. The distance to each opponent is longer, and Moncrief knows her team will have to bring their best against both teams each night they play.

“We’ll have to get the girls’ minds right on the bus after the longer travels,” Moncrief said. “It can be hard sometimes to keep the intensity and excitement up after being on the bus for a while, but we can handle it. Both teams are going to be very competitive.”

DALTON MIDDLETON TPI

An Elmore County receiver catches a pass during the Panthers’ first practice. Elmore County returns only eight total catches from its receiving corps from a year ago.

See CAMP, Page B8

DALTON MIDDLETON TPI

Elmore County linebacker Jackson Mann focuses on the Panthers’ offense during the first day of practice. Mann, a now four-year starter, has 287 career tackles.

Wildcats hit the practice field for fall camp

By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor

The Edgewood Academy football team is ready for 2024.

The Wildcats took to the practice field for the first day of fall camp Monday. Despite graduating eight seniors last season, Edgewood had 21 players, an increase from last season, on the field at 7:30 a.m. for the first day of practice.

“It’s always fun to just get back out here and do what we love to do,” head coach Chad Michael said. “We love playing and we love coaching so that’s why we’re in this sport. The summer can get long and

boring so this is the fun part. We get back out here and we see the end of the tunnel. We’re working towards that first game coming up.”

Edgewood went through its basic drills early in the practice before running through its skill positions. The No. 1s and No. 2s each took reps playing against the opposing defenses, making sure the correct routes were being run while trying to work through the various formations Edgewood will use this fall.

Following that, Edgewood hit the trenches. Without pads, the offensive line got down against the four defensive linemen and three linebackers. The team

made sure each player’s blocks were made and the correct read was being made.

The team continued doing drills before practice was called.

For the first week, Edgewood is doing two-a-days with a second practice scheduled in the afternoon.

“It’s a lot more fun and exciting out here,” Michael said. “Our expectations are high going into the year and they will stay high. Our guys know what we can do and how we prepare. We’re going to take it day-byday and see how it goes.”

There are a lot of returners on Edgewood’s roster.

On offense, quarterback

Brock Whitt is back with receivers Landon Smith and Ethan Evans along with some new faces. Parker Shaw is back at running back, while Cooper Freeman is back as well. On the offensive line, Zayne Talley, Jackson Hudson and Owen Mercer return.

All of those players also play on the defensive side, so there is plenty of experience set to take the field.

Nearly every player also plays other sports together, so the team has a built in chemistry already installed.

“Most of our team also plays baseball and we’re always around each other,” Evans said.

“We will have a connection and that makes us better as a team off and on the field.”

Edgewood will see a new region this season. With the AISA shrinking, Edgewood is now in the largest division in Class AAA. The Wildcats will face Banks Academy, Bessemer Academy, Valiant Cross, Chambers Academy and Lakeside School.

Chambers Academy is the defending state champion.

“Our region is really tough and if we can get in the playoffs, I think we’ll be able to make some noise,” Michael said. All six teams in our region can be playoff teams.”

AHSAA announces playoff region matchups

STAFF REPORT

TPI Staff

Teams in Elmore County now have a better understanding of their potential playoff opponents.

The AHSAA released its annual Sports Books for each sport this season. In the books, playoff brackets were announced with which regions matchup in the first round.

Here’s a look at the fall sports playoff matchups.

FOOTBALL

In Class 6A, Stanhope and Wetumpka are both in Region 2 and will avoid the Mobile area in the first round. The Indians and Mustangs match up with Region 4 this season, which consists of Hueytown, McAdory, Brookwood, Bessemer City, Tuscaloosa Central, Northridge and Paul W. Bryant.

Elmore County and Holtville are both in Class 5A, Region 4 this season which

also avoids the coast, but Region 2 is no slouch by any means. Region 2 features Andalusia, Carroll-Ozark, Charles Henderson, Eufaula, Headland, Catholic and Greenville.

With Tallassee moving down to Class 4A, the Tigers will see all kinds of new opponents in the playoffs. They are in Region 3, which matches up with Mobile schools. The Tigers’ potential playoff opponents are Escambia County, Jackson, Mobile Christian, Orange Beach, Satsuma, St. Michael Catholic and W.S. Neal.

VOLLEYBALL

Wetumpka and Stanhope will remain together in volleyball as well as the two rivals are part of a four-team Area 4 in Class 6A. They have two new area opponents, however, in Percy Julian and Montgomery Academy.

If either team makes the trip to the Cramton Bowl for regionals, they will face off

lost its starting quarterback, its four leading rushers, its top two receivers and four starting offensive linemen.

“Our staple early in the year is going to be to hang out hats on the defense,” Caldwell said. “These three up here with me are all starters on the defense and the saying is ‘Defense wins championships.’ If we can find our offensive identity early, hopefully by that break in the season we can get our offense some firepower and make a run towards the playoffs.”

The top returning skill player on offense is Parker Hobbs, who rushed for 226 yards and one touchdown on 34 carries. Caleb Spivey had three rushing touchdowns out

SONGWRITER

Continued from B7

with Area 5 which features Benjamin Russell, Calera and Chilton County.

Elmore County and Holtville were split up this season, with Holtville being moved to Area 6 alongside Marbury, St. James, Montgomery Catholic and Trinity. The Bulldogs’ area matches up with Area 3, which is Andalusia, Greenville, Charles Henderson and Brewbaker Tech.

Elmore County is in Area 7 with Beauregard and Valley. Area 7 matches up with Area 2 in the regional tournament. Area 2 features Citronelle, Faith Academy, LeFlore and Vigor.

In Class 4A, Tallassee is part of Area 5 with LAMP, PCA and BTW Tuskegee. The Tigers match up with Area 4 in regionals, which is New Brockton, Opp, Pike County and Straughn.

CROSS COUNTRY

All five Elmore County teams are in Section 2 of their respective classifications.

of the wildcat, and Tyler Payton added 78 yards.

The Panthers also add Eli Thames from Wetumpka who will split carries.

“We’ve been trying to figure out our identity this summer, especially in our OTAs,” Caldwell said. “How can we get our best players the ball and in the best position to succeed?

We have some guys we need to equal out touches like last year with Cade (Everson) and Jabari (Murphy). We have some running backs who can tote the ball, and our region knows you have to run the ball well to win games.”

Elmore County has increased its win total in each of the last two seasons under Caldwell. The Panthers went 0-10 in 2021, then 7-4 and 8-3 each of the last two seasons. They have reached the playoffs in backto-back seasons. Players like Mann and Reinert

Each team is part of at least a 10-team sectional, and dates and locations for the sectionals race have been announced.

Both Class 4A and 6A, Section 2 will be held together. Wetumpka, Stanhope and Tallassee will all travel east to Kiesel Park in Auburn on Oct. 31.

Elmore County and Holtville, in Class 5A, will be traveling to Central Clay County on Oct. 31.

FLAG FOOTBALL

The only county team with a flag football squad in 2024 is Tallassee, which will compete in Class 1A-5A, Region 3 alongside BTW, Lafayette, Lee-Scott, Loachapoka and Valley.

The Tigers match up with Region 1 in the playoffs, a Mobile region. The opponents in Region 1 are B.C. Rain, Citronelle, Elberta, LeFlore, Mobile Christian, Satsuma and Vigor. The playoffs begin the first week of November.

have been contributors to all three of those teams in their careers.

Mann has been starting middle linebacker since he was a freshman. He’s been part of a team that couldn’t win a game, and he’s now been part of two back-to-back playoff teams. The difference, he says, is just the team’s mentality.

Elmore County has a different mentality than it had three seasons ago, and Mann and the class of 2025 looks to put a bow on that culture change with a third-straight playoff appearance.

“We got after it freshman season, but things didn’t really click for us,” Mann said. “Coach Caldwell came in and helped us out and kind of changed momentum. We changed the narrative. Our group and our class has done a good job of that and we’ve changed how people on the outside look at us now.”

CAMP

Continued from B7 the piano at 3 years old, the bass at 12 and the drums at 14 as well as the guitar during elementary school.

and I got my music taste from him and my dad,” he said. “Then when I was seven years old my grandad got me a guitar and from there it was just exponential growth.”

Now for the past year, Kane has begun his songwriting journey.

“When I was really little, I listened to my granddad play the guitar

instances.

Leah Slaughter Slaughter recently moved to Auburn for school but grew up in Columbiana, Alabama.

offensive line.

“We’re working on third down play calls and what to do in the red zone,” Caldwell said. “It’s new in terms of this fall, but it isn’t new for the kids. It may not be new, but it’s different from what we’ve done all summer and the energy is a little bit higher today.”

Elmore County will feature a lot of new faces on the field this fall, especially on the offensive side of the ball. The team lost quarterback Ryals McNeely, running back CJ Wilkes, receivers Jabari Murphy and Cade Everson and the majority of its

She has been songwriting since she could write.

She started musically when she got a ukulele at 7 years old then around 8, she got a guitar.

“I loved it; I took guitar lessons my parents got for me and then my uncle played guitar and I would sing,” she said.

So this summer, guys like Tate McNeely and Jacob Baker have stepped into those new roles on the outside. Parker Hobbs is a returner at running back, and Gage Davis and Caleb Spivey threw passes at quarterback. Those guys have been playing all summer in 7-on-7s and various OTAs, and they no longer look like newcomers in Caldwell’s eyes. “I thought our young guys really stepped up the last few months, especially at receiver,” Caldwell said. “We’re excited about their growth because we’re going to need them to continue stepping up and produce.”

“We would play gigs at restaurants when I was 10 years old.” Now at 18, Slaughter plays gigs herself in the Birmingham area and she hopes to start playing in the Auburn area as well.

The receiving corps was hit the hardest of any group. Returning to the team this season is only eight varsity catches. That was split up between five players, with four of the catches coming from tight end Justin Brooks.

Guys like Baker, however, are excited for their chance to show what they’re made of.

“I think our receiving corps is going to be solid,” Baker said. “We may have lost some guys, but we have a good group of underclassmen that are looking good. We’re pumped to be out here. Now we’re pumped. Now we’re just ready to put on pads and get to hitting each other. We want to work on being physical this year.