SPORTS, PAGE B1: FORNEY BRINGS BULLDOG MINDSET TO HOLTVILLE FOOTBALL
THE WETUMPKA HERALD
Elmore County’s Oldest Newspaper Est. 1898 | thewetumpkaherald.com WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 2021 | VOL. 123, NO. 26 | $1.00
Road improvements begin in Redland By BRIANA WILSON Bureau Chief
Motorists traveling through the Redland community can expect delays for the next several months as
road construction projects are now in progress in the area. The construction of a roundabout began on July 21 at the Redland Road and Firetower Road/Dozier Road intersection.
During construction, the road will remain open, but motorist should expect changes in traffic patterns as work crews try to minimize interruptions in traffic flow. This project is expected to take about six
months to complete. Another project in the Redland area includes widening and replacing the bridge between U.S. 231 and Rifle See ROADWORK • Page A2
Back-to-school tax free weekend begins July 16 By BRIANA WILSON Bureau Chief
Get ready, because Alabama’s 16th Back-To-School Sales Tax Holiday is right around the corner. The sales tax holiday begins at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, July 16, and ends at midnight the following Sunday, July 18. Shoppers will not have to pay the state’s four percent sales or use tax. Alabama municipalities can also opt to waive their sales taxes. Local municipalities that have elected to waive their taxes include Elmore County, Millbrook, Eclectic, Wetumpka, Tallassee and Elmore. This sales tax holiday applies to most back-toschool-related items. Exempt items include clothing with a price of $100 or less per item (excluding certain accessories and protective and sports equipment); computer equipment and supplies costing $750 or less per item or computer See TAX HOLIDAY • Page A2
File / The Herald
Singer and songwriter Jessica Meuse is set to perform at the Coosa River Art Expo on July 9.
Briana Wilson / The Herald
Above: Recent Wetumpka High graduate Kamryn Stinson received the Saxon HBCU Scholarship sponsored by Wendell and Yvonne Saxon. Left: Students Lindsay Thomas and Nicholas Thomas performed two songs during the event.
Coosa River Art Expo set for July 9 By BRIANA WILSON Bureau Chief
The inaugural Coosa River Art Expo is set for Friday, July 9, from 4-7 p.m. at Wetumpka’s Memorial Park. Founder and organizer Rhonda Sims said the event serves as an opportunity for artists in the region to sell and showcase their work, and even to demonstrate how they create their artwork. Sims said she was initially looking for a way to showcase her own art and the Coosa River Art Expo emerged from that. The event will include several different types of art including paintings, woodwork, jewelry making, photography, live music and homemade baked goods, jams and jellies. Sims said about 20 artists have already See ART EXPO • Page A2
Today’s
Weather
91 71 High
CONTACT US 334-567-7811 Fax: 334-567-3284
Low
USPS 681-260
THURSDAY: HIGH 90 LOW 71
Emanon Group honors local students By BRIANA WILSON Bureau Chief
Wetumpka’s the Emanon Group recognized several students from throughout Elmore County for their academic achievements on Saturday, June 26, at the 18th Annual Academic Honors Tea. The Emanon Group is a nonprofit educational advocacy group that supports students and teachers throughout Elmore
County. Held at Wetumpka Elementary’s W.B. Doby Activity Center, the event honored students in elementary all the way to high school graduates. Younger students were recognized for their academic success while some recent high school graduates received college scholarships. The Emanon Group also held a drawing for laptops for three lucky students and awarded the Extra
Mile Award to those students who went above and beyond to help others. Wendy Birmingham, a Wetumpka native and Wetumpka High School graduate, served as the keynote speaker. Birmingham is a licensed professional counselor who serve as the deputy director of the Lee County Youth Development Center. She has See EMANON • Page A3