INSIDE: Albritton scholarship plants seed for the future, A5
Judd’s daughter to serve 60 days in jail
Holtville High School basketball coach arrested
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
By Cliff Williams Staff Writer
Grace Kelley is sleeping in the Elmore County Jail until June.
The 27-year-old daughter of Wynonna Judd pleaded guilty to obstructing government operations and public lewdness in Millbrook Municipal Court Thursday.
A virtual teacher at Elmore County School’s Edge program has been arrested and charged with school employee distributing obscene material to a student.
Kelley was sentenced to 60 days in jail and two years of proba-
Elmore County Sheriff Bill Franklin said Emmanuel Andre Wilson II, 32, of Montgomery turned himself into authorities Tuesday afternoon.
tion. Kelly was originally charged April 5 with indecent exposure, obstructing government operations and soliciting prostitution. Her plea agreement got the indecent exposure charged reduced to public lewdness and the soliciting prosti-
tution charge dismissed.
Wilson was the head basketball coach at Holtville High School and was placed on administrative leave Jan. 13 according to Elmore County Schools superintendent Richard Dennis.
“We had a report,” Dennis said. “We had a preliminary
Clanton man sentenced to 30 years for child sex abuse
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
Court records contain the incident report from Kelley’s arrest by the Millbrook Police Department.
investigation and handed it off to the appropriate authorities. He was also placed on administrative leave at that time.”
4 a Ride’ along with several homemade price stickers on the sign and her clothing,” the report states.
Officers responded to a call about Kelley who was reported to be asking for money near Walmart while wearing a pink bra, black skirt and pink panties.
Dennis said school officials follow the same procedure when administrators receive a report of allegations against school staff and employees.
“She also had a neon green sign with writing stating, ‘Ride
“Once we hand it over, we know very little about what is going on,” Dennis said. “We cooperate with authorities if necessary.”
Franklin said investigators with the Elmore County Sheriff’s Office have the alleged victim’s phone. Authorities collected Wilson’s phone as well. “You could see a conversation between the two,” Franklin said. “Mr. Wilson is going to contend someone had the security code to his phone and he was not responsible. There is other information we can’t disclose now but I don’t think it’s beneficial to Mr. Wilson.”
Kelley became agitated when officers spoke with her. About an hour later Millbrook police received a call a robbery occurred on Highway 14 with a victim described as the woman officers had just encountered.
Wilson was released on a $6,000 bond 90 minutes after turning himself in according to the Elmore County Jail website.
“[A] store clerk called and stated the female was causing issues in the store with other customers,” the report states. Kelley was located at the intersection of Highway 14 and Interstate 65 and when officers asked for her name she became agitated and started yelling at officers.
Chamber holds luncheon welcoming members
Douglas Sims Jr. will be 72 years old when he is released from prison.
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.
The COVID-19 pandemic put a hamper on gatherings but the chamber celebrated the successes of business in Wetumpka.
Sims, 42, of Clanton was sentenced Thursday by 19th Judicial Circuit Court Judge Joy Booth after pleaded guilty to three counts of second-degree sexual abuse of a 13-yearold in March. The sentence is 10 years in prison for each count to be served consecutively. The case stems from a February 2023 investigation by the Millbrook Police Department when law enforcement was alerted about the possible abuse
“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, Page A3
Law enforcement to get mental health help
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
Editor’s Note: This story contains information about suicide and may be triggering to some readers. If you are suicidal or having suicidal ideations, please call 988 immediately.
Many police departments, sheriff’s departments and even fire departments have a volunteer chaplain program. But sometimes those volunteers are unavailable to assist officers and victims in emergencies.
person as a chaplain.”
The Wetumpka City Council has already approved its portion of funding the position. Elmore County Sheriff Bill Franklin said the county’s portion will go through the budgeting process with the Elmore County Commission starting in June. Franklin has already had preliminary talks with county leaders about the need for such a position.
“She was dressed inappropriately, a short skirt cut up the
Dennis said Wilson also coached other sports at Holtville schools including being the head track coach and assistant football coach.
Dennis said other staff would fill in for the duties of Wilson at Holtville while he is on administrative leave.
Members of the Wetumpka Chamber of Commerce attend the chamber’s “A Taste of Our Home Town” luncheon.
AROUND THE WORLD AT WETUMPKA MIDDLE SCHOOL
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
Many years ago, Puerto Rico native Jessica Tapia depended on her son to help translate for her teachers. Now, she teaches Spanish at Wetumpka Middle School and has encouraged other English Second Language students to embrace their ethnicity through the school’s multicultural celebration.
“We began four years ago
By Jake Arthur Chief Videographer
with 13 countries,” Tapia said. “It has grown to 67 and now is more like a festival.” A walk around the school’s track Friday were students talking with each other. They’re Mexicans, Guatelmans, Greeks, Ukrainians and more. Hosted by the WMS Spanish Club, the multicultural day is open to everyone. Students did their own research and made displays about what they learned. Native students represented their own coun-
42 of Tallassee, dead of a gunshot wound in the driver seat of his vehicle. According to Wetumpka police chief Greg Benton, this was not a random shooting.
“This was not random, not a random act,” said Benton. “We believe the victim and the perpetrator knew each other.”
tries and welcomed the ESL and exchange students from Wetumpka High School as well. At each display, there was information about each country and often there was food or a snack that could be found there — in some cases cooked by parents. Band students also performed native music. Currently Elmore County Schools offers ESL programs to help students learn English.
This is the first homicide in Wetumpka in over three years. The last homicide in the city took place in 2018.
“It’s not a good way to start out the new year,” said Benton. Benton didn’t want to speculate on the
See SHOOTING, Page A3
Holtville’s Futral Alabama principal of the year
Staff Report
To help combat the problem, the Wetumpka Police Department and the Elmore County Sheriff’s Office are creating a shared position to aid first responders.
The Alabama Association of Secondary School Principals
“It is one of the main topics in developing our budget going forward,” Franklin said. “It will help our employees and will help Wetumpka and those in the surrounding area. It is something we will all benefit from.”
(AASSP) named Holtville High School principal Kyle Futral the 2022 Alabama High School Principal of the Year.
“This is a peer support program,” Wetumpka deputy police chief Ed Reeves said. “It will be coordinated by one
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 departments have a chaplain program, but leaders realized more needed to be done to help with possible
“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 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
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
Elmore County Schools is making sure it gets the most from the funding supplied by the federal government as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The extra funding has helped
replace HVAC units at many schools and create programs to help educate all students. It has even been used for programs that have been around for decades.
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.
(English Language Arts) kits and math enrichment kits so kids can progress and prepare for the next grade in August.”
Even after covering the cost of those, there was still some monies left from the pandemic funding that
See PRINCIPAL, Page A3
“It will pay full pay for summer school,” Elmore County Schools chief school finance officer Jason Mann said. “It will also provide
WILSON
CLIFF WILLIAMS/ THE HERALD
CLIFF WILLIAMS TPI
Jessica Tapia, right, dances for students at Wetumpka Middle School for multicultural day. Tapia started the program four years ago with 13 countries with displays and had 67 this year.
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Obituaries
ANGELA DAWN TURRENTINE
Angela Dawn Turrentine, age 41, of Wetumpka, Alabama passed away on Thursday, April 25, 2024. She is preceded in death by her Father, Solomon
Police Reports
WETUMPKA POLICE DEPARTMENT
APRIL 24
• Robbery and burglary was reported on Coosa River Parkway.
• Theft was reported on U.S. Highway 231.
APRIL 20
• Theft was reported on U.S. Highway 231.
• Theft was reported on U.S. Highway 231.
April 19
• Criminal trespass was reported on Nolen Lane. APRIL 18
• Theft was reported on U.S. Highway 231.
TALLASSEE POLICE DEPARTMENT
APRIL 28
• Assistance was given to a motorist on Tallassee Highway.
• Harassment was reported on Lower Tuskegee Road.
• A suspicious subject was reported on Gilmer Avenue.
• An assault was reported on Gilmer Avenue.
• A domestic dispute was reported on Gilmer Avenue.
• A missing person was reported on Notasulga Road.
• A domestic dispute was reported on Notasulga Road.
• Assistance was given to another agency on Coon Creek Landing Road.
• A motor vehicle accident with no injuries was reported on Highway 229.
• Assistance was given to another agency on South Dubois Street.
APRIL 27
• Assistance was given to a citizen on Evergreen Street.
• A missing person was reported on Jefferson Street.
• A noise complaint was reported on Herd Street.
• A domestic incident was reported on Notasulga Road.
• A motor vehicle accident was reported on Wall Street.
• A noise complaint was reported on Log Circle.
• A noise complaint was reported on Evergreen Street.
Smith Jr. She is survived by her sons, Anthony Turrentine, Kendall Turrentine ; Daughters, Alexandria Turrentine, Kaitlyn Turrentine, Allyssa Turren -
• Gunfire was reported on Third Avenue.
• Assistance was given to a citizen on Riverside Avenue.
• A domestic incident was reported on Washington Avenue.
• Assistance was given to a citizen on James Street.
• Theft was reported on Notasulga Road.
• A motor vehicle accident was reported on Friendship Road.
• Assistance was given to another agency.
• A suspicious vehicle was reported on Gilmer Avenue.
• Assistance was given to another agency on Darnell Road.
• A welfare check was conducted on Gilmer Avenue.
APRIL 26
• Criminal mischief was reported on Hickory Street.
• Disorderly conduct was reported on Ashurst Avenue.
• Assistance was given to a citizen on Riverside Avenue.
• A fight in progress was reported on West James Street.
• Assistance was given to a motorist on Kent Road.
• Animal control was requested on Gilmer Avenue.
• Harassment was reported on Dorman Avenue.
• Theft was reported on Kent Road.
• Animal control was requested on Ashurst Avenue.
• A Black male was arrested on U.S. Highway 231.
• A welfare check was conducted on Notasulga Road.
• Animal control was requested on Central Boulevard, Freeman Avenue and Riverside Avenue.
• Assistance was given during a medical call on Walnut Street.
• Animal control was requested on Riverside Avenue.
APRIL 25
• A juvenile complaint was reported on North Ann Avenue.
• A domestic incident was reported on Lakewa-
tine; Grandson, Zayden Turrentine; Mother, Barbara Smith; Brother, Solomon Smith (Stacy); Sister, Rosa Haskell (Victor), and a host of nieces and nephews.
ter Drive.
• A noise complaint was reported on Evergreen Street.
• An arrest was made on Barnett Boulevard.
• Assistance was given during a medical call on Hillcrest Street.
• A motor vehicle accident with no injuries was reported on Gilmer Avenue.
• Theft was reported on Macedonia Road.
• Animal control was requested on Softball Way.
• Theft was reported on Jordan Avenue.
• Assistance was given to a citizen on Central Boulevard.
• Assistance was given to a citizen on Third Avenue.
• Animal control was requested on Gilmer Avenue.
• Suspicious activity was reported on Gilmer Avenue.
• A noise complaint was reported on East Patton Street.
• A domestic incident was reported on Freeman Avenue.
APRIL 24
• Harassment was reported on Barnett Boulevard.
• Harassment was reported on Barnett Boulevard.
• Suspicious activity was reported on First Avenue.
• An animal complaint was reported on Riverside Avenue.
• Animal control was requested on Ashurst Avenue.
• Harassment was reported on Adams Street.
• Animal control was requested on First Avenue.
• Assistance was given to a citizen on Barnett Boulevard.
• Animal control was requested on Third Street and Freeman Avenue
• Animal control was requested on Gilmer Avenue.
APRIL 23
• Harassing communications was reported on North Ann Avenue.
• Harassing communications was reported on Herd Street.
• Assistance was given
TURRENTINE
to a citizen on Barnett Boulevard.
• Reckless driving was reported on McArthur Street.
• Harassing communications was reported on Barnett Boulevard.
• Suspicious activity was reported on Grimes Street.
• Assistance was given to a motorist on Ashley Lane.
• Debris was reported in the roadway on Central Boulevard.
• A Black female was arrested on Gilmer Avenue.
• Harassment was reported on Barnett Boulevard.
• Assistance was given to another agency on Potts Drive.
• Suspicious activity was reported on Notasulga Road.
APRIL 22
• A white male was arrested during a traffic stop on Highway 229.
• A Black male was arrested during a traffic stop on Highway 229.
• A domestic incident was reported on Sims Avenue.
• Assistance was given to another agency on Log Circle.
• Animal control was requested on South Ann Avenue.
• Theft was reported on Gilmer Avenue.
• Debris was reported in the roadway on Gilmer Avenue.
• A welfare check was conducted on McNeal Street.
• Assistance was given to a citizen on Gilmer Avenue.
• Animal control was requested on Gilmer Avenue.
• Suspicious activity was reported on Cricket Ridge.
APRIL 21
• Assistance was given to a motorist on Barnett Boulevard.
• A juvenile complaint was reported on James Street.
• A Black male was arrested during a traffic stop on Central Boulevard.
• Animal complaint was reported on Gilmer Avenue.
Humane Society of Elmore County News
Recognizing vets and pets
By REA CORD HSEC Executive Director
This past Saturday was World Veterinary Day, but we think that should be 365 days/year.
Because the vast majority of us were not visiting our vet on Saturday, please take a minute to send a note or make a call or just remember next time you are at your vet to thank them for all they do.
Veterinarians are pretty special medical experts when you think of it — they are general practitioners, surgeons, parasitologists, anesthesiologists, orthopedists, neurologists, behaviorists, oncologists, pharmacists, epidemiologists, gerontologists, dentists and so much more all wrapped up into one person. And, oh by the way, they have to have that knowledge for more than one species and about breeds of these species that may have very specific medical needs and challenges.
Please never short-change the medical knowledge and skills of your veterinarian as they are doctors who have made it through a very rigorous, competitive and demanding educational hurdle to attain the title of DVM. And for those who don’t have pets – you need to also be thankful for all those in the veterinary profession as they keep our food supply safe, see to the welfare of animals in our food production system, zoos, natural environments and further protect us from disease and issues affecting animals and humans together through research and hands-on work.
This Tuesday was also National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day!
We love this day to bring awareness of all the wonderful pets that are in Shelters locally and across our country.
Right here in the River Region we have three shelters that are housing a total
Pet of the Week — Finley
of approximately 800-900 pets in all of our shelters and foster homes. And that number will climb rapidly with the advent of kitten season and will easily top 1000 by summer. That is a lot of displaced pets in need of new and loving homes for one three-county region.
In this day and age you can easily check out pets looking for homes using the internet – the two oldest and most active sites are www. petfinder.com and www. adoptapet.com. Now will you see 800+ pets online between our three shelters?
No, as many are in the various stages of being held in hopes their owner will reclaim them, or under medical treatment, or too young for adoption, or being evaluated for any behavior issues, possibly being held for court actions, waiting spay/neuter appointments, etc. Shelter staff play a kind of animal Rubik’s cube all day long as new animals
Finley is an 8-month old male Great Pyrenees mix who weighs about 80 pounds. He was surrendered to us for escaping his 4-foot, 5-inch fence to go eat neighboring chickens so he needs a 6-foot fence to keep him home safely. We were told he was housetrained, good with children, other dogs and cats. He is a big goofy boy who loves head scratches and attention and is very easily distracted.
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
Traffic stop turns into additional charges, bond revocation
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
The Millbrook Police Department tried to stop a driver on Highway 14, but he took off and threw out plastic bags before stopping.
Police chief P.K. Johnson said an officer was trying to conduct a traffic stop on Wednesday on a vehicle for multiple traffic citations. The vehicle continued on Highway 14 West and turned on Interstate 65 North.
“Once on I-65, the vehicle’s driver was observed throwing plastic bags, believed to contain narcotics, out of the vehicle, as it continued to accelerate northbound,” Johnson said.
After a brief pursuit the car pulled over. Clay-
ton D. Stollenwerck, 43, of Montgomery was taken into custody and drug paraphernalia was found during a search of the car.
Stollenwerck was charged with attempting to elude, possession of drug paraphernalia and tampering with physical evidence. He was taken to the Elmore County Jail where a $4,000 bond is available to him.
The arrest is only the beginning of Stollenwerck’s legal issues.
“Stollenwerck was found to be wearing an ankle monitor, at which
time he disclosed to officers that he was currently on probation for a previous conviction on a criminal offense,” Jonson said. According to court records, Stollenwerck was out on bond for a
come in, medical issues are addressed, fosters step up, animals are readied for adoption, adoptions & transfers (to rescue partners) happen, and yes, euthanasia is determined to be necessary. What you will get when adopting from our area Shelters are pets that have been fully vaccinated, treated for internal and external parasites, spayed or neutered prior to (in our Shelter’s case) or as a condition of adoption and microchipped. Shelter staff also evaluate these pets and do their best to help potential adopters make a good adoption choice based on numerous factors that take into account the pet’s personality, activity level, breed propensities as well as the adopter’s lifestyle, living situation, personal preferences, etc. Since far too many of these pets have been discarded at least once, our goal is to help make a ‘good fit’ placement that will be successful for
choosing. This adoption fee covers the mandatory spay or neuter, basic immunizations, deworming, microchip, heartworm check for dogs, rabies vaccination if old enough and a free health exam with your participating veterinarian.
If you are interested in meeting Cola or any of the pets at HSEC, the first step is to fill out an adoption application online. Once approved, you will be contacted by someone from the humane society. HSEC is located at 255 Central Plank Road in Wetumpka. The phone number is 334-5673377 and the website is www. elmorehumane.org.
CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
TIt was beautiful until it wasn’t
he weather was great Saturday. There was plenty to do all around. The evening in Tallassee promised to be fun evening of music.
Wetumpka was busy. People were downtown walking by the hanging baskets as they visited shops.
The City of Wetumpka was hosting an Earth Day Celebration at the farmers market. It was the largest crowd I have ever seen there. People had parked all the way up the hill to the city’s shop where they stage everything for landscaping downtown.
Just outside the fence is a fresh mound of some of the blackest topsoil I have ever seen.
I can only imagine the vegetables that could grow in the fertile dirt.
The crowd was large enough I parked on the hill next to the mound of dirt. I had followed a dark green Chevrolet Silverado up the driveway to the shop.
I was on my phone and didn’t think too much about the truck backing in with its tailgate to the pile of dirt. I thought it would be easier for the driver to leave when they were finished at the market.
But before I could finish my phone call, something shocking happened.
I saw the driver of the truck lower the tailgate, remove a shovel and yes, he started to load the top soil into the bed of the truck.
I walked down the hill to the market and reported it to city staff. They shook their heads in disbelief.
I went about my job talking to a few vendors and taking a few photographs of some of the beautiful items for sale for the paper
I thought surely the driver was only getting enough to fill a small bucket.
After a while I returned to my car. The truck had moved just down the hill as if the driver was trying to hide it.
What’s your
See UNTIL, Page A5
Opinion?
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Finding strength
One year. 365 days. 525,600 minutes.
That’s how much time has passed since my little brotherin-law died May 1, 2023.
One year feels like a lifetime and feels like a split second all at the same time. It’s hard to describe grief, and y’all know I’ve used this space enough to describe that conundrum.
Grief is all encompassing, even in the moments when it’s not as strong. Even in the happy moments, the grief is there. It’s like a cloud over everything — sometimes that cloud is dark and rainy, and other times the cloud shows the sun a little from behind it. But either way, it’s always there.
But it’s important to try to find strength in those small moments, the moments where the grief isn’t so bad and it feels more like a warm blanket to think about the memories of a lost loved one.
Recently, our staff remembered the one-year mark since the April 15 shooting in Dadeville, and on that day, I was pleased to see my
The Wetumpka Word
LIZI GWIN Managing Editor
timeline flooded with pictures of strength from the survivors. Shamiyah Laney was shot in the jaw, and she posted a few pictures of just how far she’s come since the shooting. She is a walking miracle.
Trinity Richards is another one who I developed a relationship with after interviewing her about her journey of survival. She was in a coma for three weeks, and when I asked what she’d accomplished she wasn’t supposed to, she said simply, “Well, I lived.”
Yes, girl. Yes you did. I find strength in these girls — girls I just hope I can be a little bit like.
When I reflect on my brother Dylan (we don’t use “in law” or “step” much around my family), all I think about is his strength.
He was a soldier in the U.S. Army, he was a great husband and he was on his way to being a father. I remember the last text I received from him before he died, and he was sending me words of strength after the mass shooting. He always had the right thing to say, even if it was just to make you laugh. And that laugh gives me strength — even just the memory of it.
sure, but in the grand scheme of things, it’s not that long. It’s enough time for a bit of healing, but it’s certainly not enough time to
V-E Day to the Embassy Rooftop
These days mark a couple of significant anniversaries in United States – make that world – history.
The world remembers May 8 as V-E Day, Victory in Europe. This week is the 79th anniversary of that historic day.
World War II had taken its toll in Europe. By the spring of 1945, the Allies had turned the tide of the war. The Axis Powers, led by Germany and Italy, were faced with surrender. Benito Mussolini, the Italian dictator, was executed on April 25. Days later, on April 30, Nazi leader Adolf Hitler committed suicide in his underground bunker. While Germany and its conquered territories hung on a few more days, the end was near.
V-E Day was declared on President Harry Truman’s 61st birthday. Celebrations were held all over the world, but in the U.S., especially Times Square. In President Truman’s address to the nation, he expressed his only regret was that President Franklin Roosevelt had not lived to see the historic occasion (he had died on April 12).
World War II is rightly remembered as a time of heroes, one of the few times in our history in which Americans were all on the same side. The entire globe was engulfed in a war against the worst evil humankind had ever seen.
This week, we also remember the 49th anniversary (April 30, 1975) of the official end to our involvement in Vietnam.
The Vietnam War had been going on a long time before the U.S. got involved in French Indochina in the late 1950s. America was in no mood for the expanse of Communism, particularly in those post-World War II years, and had been involved with the war in Korea during the interim. President John Kennedy came
in fighting Communism on nearly every front: the Bay of Pigs invasion, the Cuban Missile Crisis, the space race with the Soviet Union, to name a few. It was understandable, then, for the U.S. to get involved with South Vietnam.
As the years went by, following President Kennedy’s assassination and throughout all of President Lyndon Johnson’s term in office, the Vietnam War escalated at a frightening pace. Public opinion turned against the war effort by the late 1960s, and President Richard Nixon was elected thanks to his so-called “secret plan” to end the war.
The war continued through the Nixon years, and even expanded into other countries such as Cambodia and Laos. By 1973, the United States had decided to leave, and troops were withdrawn.
58,000 Americans were estimated to have been killed and 300,000 wounded during the war. It was one of the longest, bloodiest, and most divisive conflicts in American history.
So, in 1975, as the U.S. prepared to leave the embassy in Saigon, we watched helplessly as the last Americans out were doing all they could to help the South Vietnamese before the North took over. Helicopters loaded with refugees landed on aircraft carriers in the Pacific Ocean, then were pushed out to sea to make room for more. Desperate Vietnamese clung to ladders on the last choppers off the rooftop, but we left them behind as the North Vietnamese tanks stormed the gates of the presidential palace.
What is striking as we recall these anniversaries is that the country used to care about what was happening around the world. It has been replaced with a bitter cynicism that penetrates every corner of our society. On V-E Day, we celebrated the liberation of Europe and honored our veterans returning home. When Saigon fell, many disrespected the soldiers, sailors, and airmen who fought so valiantly. Today, while many of us are buried in our cell phones responding to social media posts about celebrities and politicians, the seeds are being planted for World War III.
Hamas viciously attacked Israel – a country created at the end of World War II – back in October. Iran recently sent drone attacks into Israel, as well. The far left and far right appear to be united in their anti-Israeli sentiment, while middleof-the-road politicians, including President Biden, are criticized for their unwavering support of Israel. College campuses are currently hotbeds of pro-Hamas, anti-Jewish protest. When did it become chic to hate the Jewish people?
For nearly two years, the people of Ukraine have been brutalized by Russia and thuggish leader Vladimir Putin. My sister-in-law, who is Ukrainian, reported that the building next door to her father’s workplace was bombed – the people who live in Ukraine are so accustomed to wartime, it has become a normalized part of their lives.
As we recall the anniversaries on this week in history, may we be prayerful that the United States always remains on the side of what is right as we do our best to support the cause of democracy around the globe.
Michael Bird is a music teacher for Tallassee City Schools.
MICHAEL BIRD Columnist
Employee arrest for theft from business
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
A Prattville man is accused of stealing cash deposits from his employer on Highway 14 in Millbrook.
In February, the Millbrook Police Department received a complaint from a store’s district manager about an internal investigation into suspected theft by a store manager. The district manager confronted Jauriesh Z. Johnson, 19, of Prattville.
“The employee admitted that he had engaged in a scheme to embezzle cash proceeds from the business over a period of time,” Millbrook police chief P.K. Johnson said.
Looking over financial records for the business showed cash deposits were not made to the business’ account between Jan. 25 and Feb. 19 which Johnson was responsible for.
“A financial review confirmed that the alleged offender engaged in a continuing scheme to embezzle in excess of $2,500.00 of cash proceeds from his employer,” Johnson said. With the assistance of the Prattville Police Department, Jauriesh Johnson was arrested April 26 and booked into the Elmore County Jail.
In the last few months, the Millbrook Police Department has seen several instances of employees taking cash from businesses. Chief Johnson said most often an employee gains the trust of an employer and then takes advantage. In this case Johnson said the suspect spoke freely with investigators about the case.
“The alleged offender not only admitted his actions to his former employers, but that he cooperated fully with our investigation, admitting to the embezzlement of the cash from his former place of employment,” Johnson said. “Maybe there’s hope for this young person. The first step towards redemption is the acknowledgement of one’s fault or actions. Now, unfortunately comes the consequences of those actions.”
Wetumpka resident arrested for being unclothed in Millbrook
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
The Millbrook Police Department found little clothing when officers responded to a call about a naked individual on Jackson Lake Road on Wednesday.
Auburn Montgomery.
Albritton’s scholarship plants seeds for the future
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
Dean Albritton died three and half years ago but everyone is still celebrating her legacy.
Albritton was a staple in the Wetumpka community and the First Methodist Church Wetumpka. She had a legacy 88 years in the making and is now celebrated through a memorial scholarship in her name. Albritton is likely best known for helping the New Walk of Life Church in Montgomery rise from perceived ashes.
“She is the Mother Bear,” New Walk pastor Rev. Ken Austin said. “She walked in when the building was dilapidated and before we had any hope. She encouraged us, walked beside us, brought her friends. She brought her community. She impacted
us greatly and caused us to be able to do all that we do today.”
Austin was at a Thursday dinner to help celebrate the fourth round of scholarships given out in Albritton’s memory. This year Billingsley High School’s Addison Spiegener and Wetumpka High School’s Gracie Hankins and Elijah Holden were awarded the scholarships. More importantly the Albritton family and Austin wanted to inspire the students as much as Dean did them.
“It is so important that we are plugging her life into young people,” Austin said. “We are hoping these young people will get her vision and help wherever in the world they may be planted. We hope good will come through them.”
Dean’s husband Walter hopes the students get more
from the scholarship than just funds.
“Our family is praying that you will catch a vision and maybe be inspired by Dean’s life to become a servant of Jesus in whatever you do,” Walter said.
Dean and Walter’s sons Matt, Mark, Tim and Steve were a part of creating the scholarship with their father.
“It did not matter who you were, if you had never heard of Jesus she was ready to share the hope that was her heart,” Matt said. At the same time the Albrittons celebrated their mother, they celebrated the students and their accomplishments.
“If you added the GPA of all four of us, the total might equal some of these GPAs,” Steve said. “Maybe we would be close. We are tickled with each of the winners. They all
can continue the legacy of my mother.”
The Dean Albritton Memorial Scholarship is given annually to graduating seniors from Autauga, Elmore or Montgomery counties with emphasis given to students from Austin’s church. Two letters of recommendation are required. This year 61 students applied from across the River Region. Matt Albritton was impressed not just with the academics of those who applied. He said any of them could have won, but something stood out about them all.
“They have to write an essay on why Christ is special to me and my life,” Matt said. “That is the first thing we look at. GPA, ACT is important but not as important as how Christ has affected their lives. That is really the thing we look at.”
Bringing ‘Daddy’s House’ home
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
First time book author Mildred Mills left Atlanta to speak about her book in her hometown of Wetumpka.
“The book is about resilience,” Mills said. “It is about a little girl who grew up picking cotton and soared to many, many places.”
“Calls for service involving naked individuals don’t usually end well,” Millbrook police chief P.K. Johnson said. “I’m sure that it was a beautiful day at Jackson Lake, with people boating, fishing and otherwise enjoying nature until this individual decided to take getting back to nature in the literal sense.”
The offender had been approached by a property owner concerned about the male subject’s behavior and removed a firearm.
When officers arrived they found a nude male subject in full view to anyone nearby. But being naked was only the beginning. Officers asked the subject to put on clothes.
“Officers noted that the subject was having difficulty maintaining his balance, as well as placing his shorts back on his person,” Johnson said. “Officers also detected an odor of alcoholic beverage about the individual's breath and person.”
The officers determined a subject later to be identified as Jaden Q. Bozeman, 25, of Wetumpka was intoxicated to the point he was a danger to himself and others. Bozeman was arrested and charged with public lewdness and public intoxication.
As officers transported Bozeman to the Elmore County Jail, he moved his handcuff hands from the rear to the front of his body in the back of the patrol car.
“[He] began striking the rear partition and windows of the vehicle,” Johnson said.
The officer stopped to secure Bozeman but he exited the vehicle and was taken to the ground and again handcuffed behind his back.
“Bozeman was able to manipulate his hands from the rear to the front several times during his transport to the Elmore County Jail, forcing officers to stop and restrain him multiple times,” Johnson said.
The actions in the patrol car resulted in Bozeman being charged with resisting arrest. He was placed in the Elmore County Jail with a 24-hour hold. According to Elmore County Jail records, Bozeman then posted a $2,000 bond Thursday afternoon.
Mills introduced everyone at the Friends of the Wetumpka Library Author Talk to her first novel — Daddy’s House, A Daughter's Memoir of Setback, Triumph and Rising Above Her Roots.
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mental health issues related to scenes and victims officers encounter.
Discussions sped up following the unexpected February death of Elmore County deputy sheriff Stephen Sims. The Fultondale Police Department called it a suicide and said Sims died of a self inflicted gunshot wound while attending law enforcement training on sex abuse cases.
“That event brought the idea of the need for a fulltime position to the front row,” Reeves said. “It will serve many purposes. The main one is for the officers to have a source to go to
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The book is almost autobiographical describing her time growing up and leaving home. It tells of women she has come across in her life including those when she volunteered in a women’s
See
if they have issues they need to talk about or need to decompress from scenes they have been to.”
The FBI reports suicide among law enforcement officers is not uncommon.
In 2022, 32 law enforcement officers died by suicide in the United States, according to FBI nine attempts were not successful.
The FBI said potential factors contribute to law enforcement suicide such as relationship problems, burnout, depression and PTSD.
The position will also aid officers in death notifications, and here are more ways the position will aid not only law enforcement but the public.
“Any time there is a crit-
I saw the truck was now squatted. I saw black dirt on the bumper.
My interest spiked and I walked closer to the truck and noticed something — the bed was now filled with the black dirt when just 30 minutes ago it was empty. It was dirt intended to make Wetumpka more beautiful. The driver was trying to save himself a few bucks, but at what cost?
ical incident with officers or deputies involved, they can assist the officers in working through issues so they don’t take it home or keep it bottled up,” Reeves said. In the past a scaled down program to help officers has been handled with the assistance of volunteer chaplains.
“This creates the position to make it a full time,” Reeves said. “It makes sure someone is always available. In a volunteer program, someone might not always be there.”
Sharing the position means no one agency is footing the costs of the position. The salary and benefits for the position will be split between the city and county.
The cost of the dirt is inexpensive. What the driver took might have cost less than $100. While there is no way to truly quantify the return on investment of $100 of top soil, I am willing to bet it makes ten fold the cost. But that is $100 of taxpayer money meant to beautify the town. It was an investment to make downtown and beyond more beautiful. An investment to get people to spend more time in town. An investment to encourage people to spend more money in town. I know the city will still go on.
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There are translators to help teachers communicate with parents about a variety of issues, which is a big improvement from when Tapia’s 5-year-old helped her communicate with teachers.
The Spanish teacher is pleased to see how the multicultural day has taken off.
“I just do it for the students,” Tapia said. “We want to spread culture around like knowledge. This is an event they are waiting for all year.”
The multicultural day opens the door to students about other countries and their cultures.
“This is a big world,” Tapia said. “There are so many different cultures in not only the U.S. but Alabama and it continues to grow. We can all learn from one another.”
I know city staff will still make things beautiful. And Saturday was a beautiful day until it wasn’t because of a driver taking advantage of a pile of dirt. Maybe karma will strike and the driver’s garden will not be as good this year as he took a shortcut to a fruitful harvest.
Cliff Williams is the news editor of Tallapoosa Publishers Inc.’s Elmore County newspapers. He can be reached at cliff.williams@thewetumpkaherald. com.
JOHNSON
BOZEMAN
CLIFF WILLIAMS | TPI
LEFT: Wetumpka senior Gracie Hankins, center, poses with Sarah Albritton, left, and Josh Albritton for a photograph after she was awarded a scholarship in memory of the Albrittons grandmother. RIGHT: Wetumpka senior Elijah Holden thanks the Dean Albritton Memorial Scholarship board for giving him a scholarship. He plans to attend
CLIFF WILLIAMS TPI Wetumpka native and first time novelist Mildred Mills, left, speaks with Wetumpka Mayor Jerry Willis Thursday before an author talk hosted by the Friends of the Wetumpka Library.
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Eclipse a reminder of God
An event occurred recently with millions of people driving cross country and spending thousands of dollars to view the total eclipse of the sun. Granted, for many, this was a once in a lifetime event. Many will not be living to see the next eclipse in 2044 with totality only occurring over North Dakota and Montana, plus northern Canada. The next total solar eclipse with a coastto-coast path spanning the lower forty-eight states will occur on August 12, 2045. If I made wagers, I would bet I will not be here to see it again! Looking toward the Heavens, it was quite a phenomenon as we witnessed the partial eclipse in Alabama. While gazing upward, thoughts of a familiar hymn written by Ray Palmer, 1808-1887, came to mind. Hebrews11:13-19 so aptly tells the story. “These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on earth.” My faith looked to the sky to see what only the hands of God could have planned for man to witness.
As darkness covered the land on Monday afternoon, the words of a very familiar hymn became more and more vivid,
JACKIE WILBOURN Columnist
“While life’s dark maze I tread, and griefs around me spread, be Thou my guide. Bid darkness turn to day, wipe sorrow’s tears away, not let me ever stray from Thee aside”.
“Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen”, (Hebrews 11:1). Sounds kind of cray! But that is how the heroes of faith lived. Abraham never witnessed
a resurrection, but he believed it possible. Even when God told him to offer his son Isaac as a sacrifice, he obeyed. He reasoned that God’s promise to bring a great nation through him could still happen … somehow. Thus, Abraham began the walk to the mountains along with his son and his knife! He did not act on what he did not know. He acted on what he did know; that God is Creator; that God guided him; rescued him; that God did not condone human sacrifice; that God had given him a miracle son once – from a dead womb – and could do it again. The heroes of the faith were sure of what they could not possibly know. That is the essence of faith. When one believes in God the Father, His resurrected Son Jesus, the indwelling Holy Spirit, and the truth of the Word, then faith is reasonable. Believing God, above all other, makes sense. Teach us through our relationship with You to rest on our confidence in You, that things unseen does exist and on that bright and cloudless morning, all the dead in Christ shall rise! Do you have the faith to believe?
Jackie Wilbourn, member of Bethel Baptist Church, is a chaplain with Alabama Baptist Disaster Team.
BETHLEHEM EAST
BAPTIST CHURCH
Bethlehem East Baptist Church will have all Sunday school classes beginning at 9:45 a.m. Sunday morning followed by regular service at 11 a.m. in the sanctuary. We will continue with Facebook Live Sunday School at 9:30 a.m. and Worship Service at 11 a.m.
CARRVILLE BAPTIST CHURCH
Regular hours of service are Sundays- 9 a.m. Sunday School and 10 a.m. Morning Worship.
Wednesday nights at 6:30 p.m. the church offers Children’s Gospel Project, Youth Bible Study and Adult Prayer Meeting.
Regular office hours are Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
EAST TALLASSEE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
ETUMC’s Rivers Edge Flea Market is now closed. The church will start a new project called Rivers Edge Food Pantry. ETUMC will provide canned food, water, dry beans and rice, blan-
kets, and jackets. If you want to donate or help with the cause, call Joan Wood at 334-312-4913.
EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF THE EPIPHANY
Please join us for Sunday services at 10:30 a.m. when the Rev. Lee Lowery will celebrate the Holy Eucharist. We are asking everyone please to wear a mask. The service will be live streamed on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ EpiphanyTallassee/ For more information, visit the
church website at http:// epiphanytallassee.org/
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
First Presbyterian Church, located at 514 Central Blvd. will host a Veteran’s Day Celebration on Nov. 11 from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. for all veterans and first responders and their family members.
FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
“We are OPEN and everyone is WELCOME! Come worship with us in
person Sunday mornings at 8:50 a.m. (contemporary) or 11 a.m. (traditional). Sunday School for all ages is offered Sunday mornings at 10 a.m., and a nursery is available for infants. CHILDREN & YOUTH: meet Sunday evenings from 5-6:30 p.m. and Wednesday evenings from 6-7:15 p.m.; supper is included both days! For more information about our church or the programs we offer, visit our website: fumctallassee.com or call us: 334-283-2195. FUMC
Tallassee - 1 Jordan Avenue.”
OUR LIFE’S JOURNEY Airs every Sunday at 8:30 a.m. on 580 WACQ, FM 98.5 & 101.1, on your smart speaker, your TuneIn app, or on our website www.wacqradio. com. Please share on social media. This set of programs features Msgr. Charles Troncale, Fr. Mateusz Rudzik, Fr. James Dean, Fr. David Carucci, Fr. Patrick Driscoll, and Deacon Jim Labadie.
Dalton MiDDleton SportS eDitor dalton.middleton@thewetumpkaherald.com
Trio of home runs leads Wetumpka to area championship
By LIZI ARBOGAST GWIN Managing Editor
Any time a team hits three home runs in one game, it’s going to be tough to beat.
That’s exactly what the Wetumpka softball team proved on the softball diamond. The Indians (43-4) defeated Benjamin Russell, 5-1 and 12-2, to claim the AHSAA Class 6A, Area 4 championship.
It’s the fourth-consecutive area championship for Wetumpka.
The Indians spread 21 combined hits across the diamond in two games, including nine extra base hits. Mya Holt and Ella Watson each hit two home runs while Alyssa Brown added one.
“We’re very contagious (when we’re hitting),” Wetumpka coach Daryl Otwell said. “We’ve hit the bell well
Wetumpka girls fall to Pike Road
By HENRY ZIMMER Sports Reporter
From the onset, Wetumpka was playing on its heels.
In the opening round of the 6A soccer playoffs, Pike Road kept the Wetumpka girls in its defensive zone for almost the entire 80 minute game. By game’s end, the host Indians fell to the Patriots 5-1 to end their season.
Thursday’s game was the last time Wetumpka’s core seniors took the field altogether, but was not the last time they will be playing soccer altogether.
“For our seniors, I hate this for them,” coach Jessica Holbert said. “But for two of them (Jewliana Holton
and Morgan Sims), they are going to play college soccer and the other is still going to college. We just didn’t (play) as well as I wanted.”
Wetumpka and its defense kept a clean sheet for about 23 minutes of game time until Pike Road struck first. With about a minute before half, Pike Road made it 2-0.
The score was not insurmountable, and the game was easily in reach for the Indians despite the two goal hole. However, Pike Road’s offense picked up where it left off and scored less than a minute into the second half.
The Patriots tacked on two more goals in the 62nd and
Senior
Hat trick not enough to lift Wetumpka past Pike Road
By HENRY ZIMMER Sports Reporter
Brody Worrell had himself a game.
In Wetumpka’s 6A playoff pairing against Pike Road, Worrell scored all three of his team’s three goals, giving the senior a hat trick in his last playoff game as an Indian. However, Worrell and his team needed a few more chances to pull out a win, as the Indians fell 4-3 to the Patriots at home.
“They are a good team. They deserved to win and
they got it,” coach Stephen Horn said. “I felt like our team was uniquely prepared for the playoffs, but it just didn’t pan out.”
Pike Road took an early 1-0 lead which spiraled into a 2-0 lead early. A carbon copy of the girl’s game previously, the Wetumpka boys found themselves in the exact same two goal deficit.
Worrell then got his first of the night to make things 2-1 and the energy immediately shifted. Worrell followed his
throughout the year at times, but we still hadn’t really felt like top to bottom we’ve put it all together. I think that (second) game tonight, we started showing signs of kind of getting hot.” Early on in Game 2, Benjamin Russell was leading after a home run of its own when Lydia Montgomery hit a two-run dinger in the top of the second.
WETUMPKA WINS RUBBER MATCH AGAINST BENJAMIN RUSSELL
By HENRY ZIMMER Sports Reporter
The Wetumpka Indians have another week of baseball.
After a thrilling 6-5 win over Benjamin Russell in Game 3 of the second round series, the Indians will be advancing to the third round of the 6A playoffs.
Wetumpka won Game 1, 7-1, dropped Game 2, 11-4, but won the decisive series finale that went down to the very last Wildcat batter.
“It always feels good to get to play one more week,” Dismukes said. “(This was) a great series against a great Benjamin Russell team. I have the most respect for that program over there. I knew it was going to be a hard fought series coming in, and our guys responded.”
Although the score might indicate otherwise, Wetumpka managed just two hits all game, getting outhit by Benjamin Russell 13-2.
Benjamin Russell starter Gabe Benton went five innings, allowing only one hit and striking out six batters.
The Indians however got 11 total walks, six from Benton, that helped load the bases and get runners home.
“(Benton) really dealt early but we just kept plugging and keeping it close,” Dismukes said. “He is a heck of a pitcher.”
Wetumpka struck early on Benton, scoring two runs in the top of the first. Noah Golson scored a runner on a groundout followed by Mason Fuller taking home on a passed ball. The Indians then scored a single run in the second to take a 3-2 lead. BRHS tied things up in the bottom of the fourth before Wetumpka finally took the game over in the seventh.
After Benton was pulled, Benjamin Russell’s next two arms walked five batters.
Jacob Smith was walked with the bases loaded in the top of the seventh to score a run and
Golson hit an RBI-single to score a pair.
Garrett Myers, who pitched 2 ⅓ innings, gave up two runs in the bottom of the seventh, but struck out three batters to end the game. With Wildcat runners on first and second and two outs, Myers threw a four-pitch strikeout to send his team to the third round.
“We knew if we held them (early), we had a shot,” Dismukes said. “It was a great series and our guys fought until the end.” The shortstop Golson finished with a team-high three RBIs going 1-for-2 at the plate with two walks. James Browning got the team’s only other hit.
William Robertson earned the starting nod, going 4 ⅔ innings. He gave up 11 hits with Myers giving up two. Myers pitched ⅔ of an inning the night before, giving up one hit and punching out a
See WINS, Page B2
LIZI ARBOGAST GWIN TPI Wetumpka’s Mya Holt powers around the bases on a triple during Friday night’s win over Benjamin Russell.
HENRY ZIMMER | TPI
Morgan Sims battles with a Pike Road defender for positioning.
HENRY ZIMMER | TPI
Wetumpka third baseman Jacob Smith throws across the diamond against Ben Russell in Game 1 of the second round of the playoffs.
See TRIO, Page B2
See GIRLS, Page B2
HENRY ZIMMER | TPI
Brody Worrell lines up a penalty kick against Pike Road. In his final game as an Indian,Worrell scored three goals, further planting himself as the best Wetumpka soccer player in history.
See WETUMPKA, Page B2
But from there, it was all Wetumpka. A walk started the bottom of the third, and heavy hitter Mya Holt made the Wildcats pay with the first home run of the day for Wetumpka.
Lily Davenport scored on a sacrifice fly in the inning, but the Indians remained quiet for a little while. In the bottom of the fourth, Alyssa Brown got things started with a home run on the first at-bat of the frame. From there, it was all Wetumpka. After two walks, Ella Watson helped her own cause with a two-RBI double and Riley Dismukes added an RBI double of her own. Three Indians had run-scoring singles in the frame, and by the end of it all, Wetumpka was atop 11-2.
The Indians needed just one batter — and one more home run to cap off the victory in the bottom of the fifth.
“I was glad to see that momentum swing in the second game,” Otwell said. “We had some girls that had kinda been pressing, had really busted through yet finally got that big hit. That kind of takes some pressure off of them, and that’s what really jump started everything for us.”
Because there were only two teams competing in the area championship, both had already guaranteed their spot in regionals at Gulf Shores. Sidney Lanier, the third team in Area 4, was unable to participate in the area tournament after forfeiting a regular season area matchup.
With the win, Wetumpka will face the No. 2-seed out of Area 1, which features Saraland (37-11), Theodore (8-14), Murphy (3-13) and Blount (4-8).
Ben Russell will face the winner of the area. Regional play begins on Monday, May 6 for Class 6A. There’s still plenty of time between now and when regionals start, and both teams know there is work yet to be done.
Benjamin Russell will focus on its pitching more than anything else. The Wildcats know in order to make it in a long tournament, they have to shore up some issues in the circle.
“Our pitchers gotta hit their spots,” Wildcat coach Jessica Johnson said. “Raeleigh is doing better with it but she’s going to have some help, so when we pull people in, we can’t miss anything. We’ve gotta really work the edges of the plate.”
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72nd minutes to take a 5-0 lead.
Wetumpka netted its lone goal after the Pike Road keeper was assessed a yellow card and forced to sit. On a free kick, the senior Sims looped one up and in to break the shutout.
“We had some good pieces on the field, but we just couldn’t connect it all together,” Holbert said. “Experience will change a lot of that. These girls in the future will be really good.” Despite the loss, Holbert was happy her extremely young team at least got the playoff experience. With a first-year sophomore keeper and a back line made almost entirely of middle schoolers, there is only up for the Indians in the future.
“We have such a super young team,” Holbert said. “A lot of young kids on this team. A lot of our seventh graders do not look like seventh graders. I think they have a good future if they keep working hard and keep getting better.”
The final score lies a good bit when assessing how well keeper Reagan Christensen fared in the pipes. The sophomore was peppered all night but never wavered, making diving save after diving save. After her first playoff performance, it’s clear that Christensen will be the centerpiece of Holbert’s young team moving forward and for future playoff runs to come.
“There were lots of stops she had that were really, really good,” Holbert said. “She has grown tremendously. In a keeper position, you don’t get that experience until you are in the game, and she has done a tremendous job improving this season. She has been one of the most vocal keepers I have ever had.”
Golson delivers first and
f i nal blow to Ben Russell
By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor
Noah Golson wasn’t ready for his senior season to end.
The Wetumpka infielder turned No. 1 pitcher turned in a performance for the ages against Benjamin Russell in the second round of the Class 6A playoffs.
In the three-game series, a 2-1 series win for Wetumpka, Golson went 2-for-5 at the plate and reached base nine times. He drove in six RBIs and earned the win in Game 1 on the mound after pitching 6 ⅔ innings allowing zero earned runs.
His performance helped lead Wetumpka to the third round for the first time since 1992. Because of that, he is the Elmore County Player of the Week.
“Noah is playing with a lot of confidence,” Indians coach Michael Dismukes said. “He gives our team a spark of energy and gives us a chance to win every week. Right now, he’s the catalyst for what we’re doing. He’s a big part of how we play and he’s doing really well for our team to get started.”
Just four batters into Game 1, Golson let his presence known.
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After two walks and an error put runners at second and third, Golson drove in the first run of the series on a sacrifice fly.
With a 1-0 lead behind him, he stepped on the mound and delivered one of the best performances of his short pitching career. He scattered seven hits through 6 ⅔ innings and walked just two Wildcats. He struck out three batters and allowed one run, unearned, in the bottom of the third inning.
“He just throws strikes,” Dismukes said. “He challenges hitters and at the end of the day, he’s there to compete. You have to beat him off the mound. He won’t beat himself. He gives himself a chance to win every game he’s on the mound.”
To help himself out, he drove in his second run of the game
needed to be spent before the fall. Like most federal funding, there are restrictions on what it can be utilized for.
Elmore County’s director of elementary education Amy Harrison found a way to support every student in kindergarten through fourth grade.
“We want to encourage summer reading by building summer reading packs for all students,” Harrison said. “They will get about 13 books, a writing journal and a reading log.”
It is part of a three-phase summer reading program working with Scholastic.
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front, a pink bra with her bare breasts exposed,” the report states.
Kelley’s underwear were pulled in to resemble a thong exposing her private areas.
“[Kelley] sat down on the roadside edge and refused to cooperate any further,” the report states.
On the arrival of anoth-
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first goal with a looping free kick to tie the game.
Minutes before his third goal, Worrell attempted a free kick that he played off the turf instead of trying to pop the ball up towards the goal. On his next free kick, Horn told Worrell to do his normal routine and to attack the nylon. What followed was an even longer, high-arching shot that found the back of the net and gave Wetumpka its first lead of the night.
“That was impressive,” Horn said. “That is why he is the best
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over Ben Russell.
on an RBI single then was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded that put Wetumpka up, 6-1. In Game 2, an 11-4 win by Ben Russell, the Wildcats didn’t pitch to him. He got only one at-bat and finished 0-for-1 at the plate, but he walked three times and scored a run.
Ben Russell should have kept that strategy in Game 3. After walking in two of his first three at-bats, Golson stepped up to the plate with the bases loaded and Wetumpka leading, 4-3, in the top of the seventh. He then delivered a single into center field on a 3-1 pitch to drive in two runs. Mason Fuller, who was on second, came around to score and make the lead 6-3. That ended up being the decisive run as the Indians won, 6-5, and walked away with a series victory.
Before the end of the school year, there will be a kickoff with a visit from Clifford the Big Red Dog encouraging students to read over the summer.
“We will give literacy how to’s to all the parents who come as well as information on how to instill the love of reading,” Harrison said. “The reading packs will contain non-fiction and fiction at age-appropriate levels.”
Harrison is creating incentives for students.Clifford will return in the fall and visit with students who did the summer homework.
“There will be a party with pictures, ice cream and all that kind of stuff,” Harrison said.
There are provisions for new students in the fall and for students who
er officer, Kelley stood up and placed her hands behind her back.
Kelley provided a social security number to officers but no name. The SSN was used to identify Kelley and find out she had outstanding warrants Tennessee but no agency would extradite out of state.
Kelley should be released from the Elmore County Jail on or about June 4.
Wetumpka player ever. It is really nice to have that ability. It is going to suck not having him anymore.”
Wetumpka held the lead until the 65th minute, when Pike Road hit the equalizer. Then, in the 69th minute, Pike Road bounced a corner through traffic into the net. It was the final goal of the game and was ultimately the goal to send Wetumpka out of the playoffs.
“For the underclassmen, we will take this as a learning moment and try to learn from it,” Horn said. “For the seniors, just take this as a growing moment. Maturation as a man is a big part of understanding how to take
pair. It doesn’t have to be pretty on the final
“He came through in the clutch,” Dismukes said. “He walked or got a hit almost every single at-bat. For the series and year he’s had, it seemed fitting for him to get that big hit. I knew when he was up there that the ball would be put in play or he would walk and he delivered big in that spot.”
didn’t complete the tasks over the summer. They will be allowed to finish the work during the fall and have a party near winter break if they do..
“We are working on something similar for math for something we can do a match incentive program with a vendor,” Mann said.
Staff is also working on something many parents will appreciate — school supplies for every student in grades kindergarten through eighth grade free of charge.
“We have taken the input of our schools and grade level teachers,” Mann said. “It will be pre-packaged. Students arrive at the school and every kid is walking into their grade level supply kit.”
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of a child.
The investigation and prosecution of Sims brought the staff of the Alabama Department of Human Resources, Butterfly Bridge Children’s Advocacy Center and the 19th Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office.
“The overwhelming sad reality is one in four girls will experience some form of sexu-
defeat with grace. I think we did that for the most part.”
Until the final whistle, Wetumpka fought and clawed for every ball and every opportunity it gave itself. As the final whistle sounded, Wetumpka was preparing for one final corner kick to potentially even the game.
Though Horn’s team will lose a large chunk of production to graduation, those returning can build off the intensity and drive displayed on Thursday night.
“I haven’t seen them play with this much heart and competitiveness in a long time,” Horn said. “I was impressed with that.”
Worrell and eight other Wetumpka players will no longer
scoresheet for it to be a win though, and Dismukes’ team accomplished that Saturday night on the road. Next up for the black and gold is a trip to Spanish Fort. There will be a good bit of celebrating between Saturday and the start
al abuse by the time the reach the age of 16,” district attorney C.J. Robinson said. “The sexual abuse of a young girl is a violent act of exploitation and aggression, not affection.” Robinson said everyone must work together to stop the frequentness of child abuse.
“Parents need to educate their children on what behaviors are inappropriate, know who their friends are, ask where they are going, monitor their phones and sometimes tell them no,” Robinson said.
be suiting up for the Indians, as it is now time for the seniors to move on. Plenty of those seniors took their time to leave the field and their team for the last time. Horn sat on the bench with his boys for a while after the game, putting his arms around them and taking a moment postgame to relive how important each and every one of them have been to Wetumpka soccer.
“It is going to really stink not having all these seniors,” Horn said. “All these guys… Nine guys are leaving. It really sucks. It is more than just a team. This is a brotherhood. You can tell how much they mean to one another.”
of that series. “We have one more round to play and we have to take it one round at a time,” Dismukes said. “We can’t look ahead. Right now, we will enjoy this and then get ready next week.”
PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Wetumpka senior Noah Golson pitches against Benjamin Russell. The Indians’ ace got on base nine times, drove in six runs, and pitched 6 2/3 innings in Wetumpka’s second round win
GIRLS
Wildcats earn No. 1 seed in state tournament
By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor
Edgewood Academy knows its path to the state championship.
The Wildcats went undefeated this weekend in the AISA Class AA, Region 1 Tournament held at Lagoon Park. They beat Chambers Academy, 4-3, then beat Hooper Academy, 4-2, to claim the No. 1 seed in the state tournament this week.
Edgewood (38-7) opens the state tournament against No. 4 seed Jackson Academy at 10 a.m. on Thursday at Lagoon Park.
“We haven’t been the No. 1 seed in the last few years so our main goal going into the week was to go out there and get the top seed,” Wildcat coach Kim Brown said. “In theory, it makes things a little smoother but we still have to go out and play the games. But I was really proud of the girls for the way they competed in the regional tournament.”
Neither game came easy for Edgewood.
To open regional play, Edgewood was deadlocked with Chambers Academy in a 2-2 game in the fifth inning. Lexie Smith, who went 4-for-4 with four singles, stole third base then scored on a throwing error on the same play. Chambers tied it up, 3-3, the next inning. It came down to the bottom of the seventh inning when Lindsey Brown led off with a walk. After a Smith single, Ashley Burgess pushed Edgewood into the regional finals with a walkoff double.
“Those games put stress on me for sure,” Brown said. “I think we went into the Chambers game a little more relaxed than we should have. We went in a little
overconfident then figured out we had to play ball. They buckled down and got it going and started producing.”
Edgewood and Hooper traded one-run innings until they were tied, 2-2, in the fourth inning. Edgewood then took control of the game on a fielding error and never looked back. With runners at first and second, Edgewood’s Katelynn Shaner stole second and a throwing error occurred. That allowed Haylee Coleman to score from third base to go up, 3-2.
In the next inning, Channing McAnnally drove in Brown on an RBI groundout to pad the lead to two runs where it stood for the remainder of the game.
“Hooper is a great team,” Brown said. “We went back and forth with them for what seemed like the entire game before we stuck with our lead and held them down. They played so great this weekend and I was really proud of them.”
One of the keys to Edgewood’s success was getting production from the entire lineup. In the Chambers win, Edgewood got RBIs from eight-hole and ninehole hitters Evie Sullivan and Hayden Hudson. Avey Rambo, in the seven hole, also had a double. They led Edgewood to its first two runs in the game and turned the lineup over so the powerful hitters at the top of the lineup were able to walk it off in the final inning.
“That was really nice because it just helps with knowing you have productivity throughout the whole lineup and don’t have any gaps,” Brown said. “Yesterday, they played really well and we didn’t have that gap. It made it nice to compete and depend on them to perform.”
Final four
By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor
The Wildcats are four wins away from glory.
Edgewood Academy beat Jackson Academy, 10-0, in a five inning mercy rule in Game 3 of the AISA Class AA second round playoff series Friday afternoon. Edgewood (24-12) won the series, 2-1, after winning Game 2 by a score of 12-0 on Thursday.
The Wildcats lost Game 1, 4-3, but have now advanced to the state semifinals for the second-consecutive season.
“We challenged them after Game 1,” Wildcat coach Justin Jones said. “We wanted to come back
out and play to our standard. They responded well to that. I told this group all year that if we keep playing to our standard, we’re a tough team to beat. Hopefully we’re hitting our stride right now.”
Down 1-0 in the series, Edgewood turned to Ethan Evans on the mound for Game 2. Edgewood was playing as the visitor and spotted Evans five runs before he even stepped on the mound.
The Wildcats had five hits in the first inning. Drew Allison, Landon Smith and Evans all doubled back-to-back-to-back, then Jackson Hudson and Parker Shaw each drove in runs on hits. Evans then pitched
Four in a row
By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor
The players may change, but the story stays the same.
Holtville’s baseball team defeated Headland, 6-4, in the decisive Game 3 to advance to the third round of the AHSAA Class 5A playoffs Friday night.
The Bulldogs (2213) won the series, 2-1, after taking Game 1 by a score of 6-5 on Thursday. It was the fourth-consecutive season that Holtville has ended Headland’s season in the playoffs and the third-straight time at Smart-Collier Field.
“It’s big time when you can beat somebody four years in a row in the playoffs,” Holtville coach Scott Tubbs said. “It was a hard fought game. We both get after each other’s tails pretty well. They’ve beaten us a few games and we’ve beaten them. We answer their energy and it always makes for a fun series.”
The Bulldogs and Rams were tied in the series, 1-1, entering Friday. Holtville won Game 1 after storming back from down 4-0 in the fifth inning. Down 5-4 in the sixth, Carson McCutchin and Drew Connor worked back-toback bases loaded walks to take the lead. Connor then entered the game and earned a save after striking out two Headland batters, helping his
team to a 6-4 victory.
Headland took the middle game, 10-0, but Holtville liked where it stood going into Game 3.
The Bulldogs started Southern Miss signee Drey Barrett, their ace, in the final game. Barrett, who had won six-consecutive playoff starts dating back to last season, showed why he’s one of the Top 10 players across the entire state.
Barrett allowed just two earned runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out nine Headland batters on 114 pitches.
“Luckily we had Drey on the mound,” Tubbs said. “I believe in him and I gave him the option in the seventh inning about whether he wanted to back out or not. He said ‘Absolutely. Give me the ball.’ So we let him go out there and finish it and he did.”
The Bulldogs pushed themselves out to a 4-0 lead early. Connor worked a bases-loaded walk to drive in the first run, then Markus Broderick and Braxton Potts both had RBI singles in the second to push the lead to three runs.
To start the fourth inning, Bryce Watson singled then advanced all the way to third on an errant throw and passed ball. Barrett then helped himself out with a RBI single.
The Rams tied the game, 4-4, when Waylon
McGriff hit a two-run home run followed by two runs from Holtville errors. That tie was shortlived, however, as Watson delivered in the nine hole once again.
The Bulldogs had two runners in scoring position with two outs when Watson stepped up to bat. He worked himself into a 2-2 count and fouled off three-straight pitches before hitting a hard line drive to left field.
McGriff ran up to catch the line drive but the ball bounced out of his glove. Both runners were able to score, and Holtville led 6-4.
“Bryce battles,” Tubbs said of his centerfielder. “He saves us so many runs on defense for sure but he battles and competes at the plate. He had a great at-bat and ended up barreling the ball. That ended up being where they made the mistake and we scored a few runs. The game has a tendency to reward people who do things the right way.”
Headland was able to get two on base in the top of the sixth inning, but Barrett got Auburn commit Wade Shelley to line out to shortstop to end the threat.
In the seventh, Headland had two on base with one out but Barrett struck out Trey Scott and got Logan Ivey to ground out to shortstop to end the game.
just two innings with one strikeout. He earned the win.
After throwing only 22 pitches, Evans took the mound for the decisive Game 3 as well.
He was just as dominant and didn’t allow a hit until the third inning. He pitched four total innings on 64 pitches and allowed just four hits.
“This is the second time this year that Ethan has started a Game 2 and Game 3 in the same series,” Jones said.“He’s a bulldog when he’s on the mound. You know what you’re going to get from him. He’s not afraid to challenge hitters.”
The difference in the Game 1 loss and the
Game 2 and 3 victories was the top of the lineup.
In the opener, leadoff hitter Drew Allison and two-hole hitter Landon Smith went a combined 0-for-7.
In Game 2 and Game 3, they went a combined 8-for-10 with 10 runs scored, two triples, three doubles and five RBIs.
Smith was hitting in the bottom of the lineup for most of the season but was moved up a few weeks ago. The two sparked Edgewood’s offense this series and were instrumental in getting a first inning lead in both of the must win games.
“Landon is in the two-hole and he’s just
another leadoff hitter for us,” Jones said. “Drew has been great but having those two back-to-back where you can’t pitch around is a game changer. We told them and challenged them to start the game off hot and that’s
where our momentum comes from.”
Edgewood is home for Round 3. The Wildcats are hosting Chambers Academy on Wednesday at 3 p.m. for a doubleheader. Game 3, if needed, is at 3 p.m. on Thursday.
DALTON MIDDLETON | TPI
Edgewood Academy’s Ethan Evans celebrates after hitting a double against Jackson Academy in Game 2.
DALTON MIDDLETON | TPI
Holtville’s Bryce Watson screams in celebration after driving in the game-winning runs in Holtville’s 6-4 win over Headland in Game 3. Holtville
DALTON MIDDLETON | TPI
Edgewood’s Channing McAnnally slides into home plate for a run against Chambers Academy. The Wildcats are the No. 1 seed entering this week’s state tournament.
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Wetumpka Herald: Apr. 17, 24 and May 1, 2024 229572
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PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE UNDER POWER FORECLOSURE NOTICE
WHEREAS, default has occurred in the performance of the covenants, terms and conditions of a mortgage from 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 recordof 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 the 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 Conners Street, Wetumpka, AL 36092 in Wetumpka, Elmore County, Alabama, on May 9, 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 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
Default having been made in the payment of the indebtedness secured by that certain mortgage executed by Edward Robinson, Jr. a single man, originally in favor of Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., solely as nominee for Southwest Funding, LP, on November 6, 2020, said mortthe Judge of Probate of Elmore County, Alabama, in RLPY Book 2020 Page 83829; the undersigned PHH Mortgage Corporation, 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 May 23, 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 17 of Gaddis Beach Plat Number 1 as the same appears of record Probate of Elmore County, Alabama in Plat Book 4, at Page 26. The hereinabove described property being one and the same as described in mortgage recorded in Book 2020, Page 83829.. Property street address for informational purposes: 93 Gaddis Beach Drive , Titus, AL 36080. 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 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. PHH Mortgage Corporation, (“Transferee”) Tiffany & Bosco, P.A., 2501 20th Place South, Suite 300, Homewood, AL 35223 www.tblaw.com TB File Number: 24-02809-PH-AL
Wetumpka Herald: Apr. 17, 24 and May 1, 2024 24-00683
PUBLIC NOTICE
In accordance with Chapter 1, Title 39, Code of Alabama, 1975, notice is hereby given that Liberty Construction Co., LLC., Contractor, has completed the Contract for Wetumpka Elementary School Gymnasium Roof Upgrades for Elmore County Board of Education, Owner, and have made requesttract. All persons having any claim for labor, materials, or otherwise in connection with the project should immediately notify PH&J Architects, Inc., 807 S. McDonough Street, Montgomery, AL 36104 Liberty Construction Co., LLC, 791-A Anderson Road, Montgomery, AL 36110 (contractor)
Wetumpka Herald: Apr. 17, 24, and May 1, 2024
COMPLETION
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Wiregrass Construction Co, Inc hereby gives notice of completion of contract with The Alabama Department of Transportation, for construction of Project No: STPMN- 2623(250) Elmore County, 1.930 mi. Planon Willow Springs Road from the Junction of Jasmine Hill Road to the Junction of Redland Road Southeast of Wetumpka. In the County of Elmore, State of Alabama. This notice will appear for four consecutive Wednesdays beginning on 17 April 2024 and ending 08 May at: Wiregrass Construction Co, 1342 Carmichael Way, Montgomery, Alabama 36106 during this period.
Wetumpka Herald: Apr. 17, 24, May 1 and 8, 2024 COMPLETION
Sealed Bids for the construction of the Electrical Upgrades will be received by Central Elmore Water and Sewer Authority on or before 1:00 PM CDT, May 22nd, 2024 716 US-231, Wetumpka, AL 36093 at which time said bids will be publicly opened and read. The Project consists of the following major components: Installation and programming of VFDs for raw water pump station, and Madix booster pump station. Rebuild of control cabinet for the madix booster pump station Contract Documents may be obtained from Ardurra, 200 Clinton Avenue West, Suite 704, Huntsville, AL 35801, upon payment of $100.00 for each printed set or $20 for electronic. All deposits are non-refundable. Contract Documents can also be downloaded from the Ardurra website at: Ardurra - Projects (questcdn. com) or from www.questcdn. com for a fee of $22.00. Each Bid must be submitted on the prescribed form and accompanied by security submitted on the prescribed Bid Bond form (5%) percent of the amount bid but not more than $10,000.00. All Contractors are required toance with the E-Verify program per Alabama Act 2012-491. For information concerning the proposed Work, contact Shakil Amin P.E., Ardurra Group, 200 Clinton Avenue West, Suite 704, Huntsville, AL 35801, 256.203.9501. To obtain Planschelle Jeffery, 256.203.9501. Central Elmore Water and Sewer Authority
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gg LLC f/k/a Quicken Loans Inc., (“Transferee”) Tiffany & Bosco, P.A., 2501 20th Place South, Suite 300, Homewood, AL
Wetumpka Herald: 24-00779
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 Stevie F Shaw , Denise Shaw , Husband And Wife As Joint Tenants to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as mortgagee, as nominee for Countrwide Home Loans, Inc., its successors and assigns dated November 29, 2004; said mortgage being recorded on December 2, 2004, in Book 2004, Page of Probate of Elmore County, Alabama. Said Mortgage was last sold, assigned and transferred to NewRez LLC d/b/a Shellpoint Mortgage Servicing by assignment recorded in Deed Book of the Judge of Probate of Elmore County, ALABAMA. The undersigned, NewRez LLC d/b/a Shellpoint Mortgage Servicing, 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 day of May, 2024 the following property, situated in Elmore County, Alabama, to-wit: Lot No. 62 of the Bellview Heights Subdivision, as recorded in the Judge of Probate’s OfPlat Book 10, Page 14. Said property is commonly known as 95 Turkey Trail Dr, Deatsville, AL 36022. 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. NEWREZ LLC D/B/A SHELLPOINT MORTGAGE SERVICING as holder of said mortgage McCalla Raymer Leibert Pierce, LLC Two North Twentieth 2 20th Street North, Suite 1000 Birmingham, AL 35203 (205) 216-4238 FT21@mccalla.com File No. 24-05854AL www.foreclosurehotline.net
Wetumpka Herald: May 1, 8 and 15, 2024 24-05854AL
PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF IRVING FREEMAN AUSTIN, JR., DECEASED CASE NO: 2024-089 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE
Letters of Administration over the Estate of IRVING FREEMAN AUSTIN, JR., deceased, having been granted to STEPHEN CRAIG AUSTIN on April 25, 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.
STEPHEN CRAIG AUSTIN
ADMINISTRATOR OF THE ESTATE OF IRVING FREEMAN AUSTIN, JR., DECEASED Name and Address of Attorney for Administrator: JIM L. DEBARDELABEN ATTORNEY AT LAW PO BOX 1136 WETUMPKA, ALABAMA 36092 334-265-9206 Wetumpka Herald: May 1, 8 and 15, 2024 EST/AUSTIN, I.
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PUBLIC NOTICE MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE
Default having being made in the payment of the indebtedness secured by that certain mortgage dated July 28, 2004 executed by Mary Wright, a married woman joined by her husband, Daniel Wright, in favor of Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc. solely as nominee for Homecomings Financial Network, Inc., said Mortgage being recorded August 10, 2004, in RLPY Book of the Judge of Probate of Elmore County, Alabama; having later been assigned to Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB not in its individual capacity, but solely as Owner Trustee of CSMC 2022-RPL4 Trust by instrument recorded in RLPY Book 2024, Page 16982, in the of Elmore County, Alabama. Said default continues and notice is hereby given that the undersigned, Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB not in its individual capacity, but solely as Owner Trustee of CSMC 2022-RPL4 Trust, under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in said mortgage, will sell at public outcry to the highest bidder for cash at the main entrance to the County Courthouse, Elmore County, Alabama on 06/12/2024, during the legal hours of sale, the following described real estate situated in Elmore County, Alabama, to-wit: Lot 9, Block 213, according to the corrected plat of Grandview Pines Plat No. 3, as recorded Probate of Elmore County, Alabama, in Plat Book 7, at Page 142. For informational purposes only, the property address is: 118 Honeysuckle Dr, Millbrook, AL 36054. Any property address provided is not part of the legal description of the property sold herein and in the event of any discrepancy, the legal description referenced herein shall control. THIS PROPERTY WILL BE SOLD ON AN “AS-IS, WHEREIS” BASIS, SUBJECT TO ANY EASEMENTS, ENCUMBRANCES, AND EXCEPTIONS REFLECTED IN THE MORTGAGE AND THOSE CONTAINED IN THE RECORDS OF THE OFFICE OF THE JUDGE OF PROBATE OF THE COUNTY WHERE THE ABOVE-DESCRIBED PROPERTY IS SITUATED. THIS PROPERTY WILL BE SOLD WITHOUT WARRANTY OR RECOURSE, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED AS TO TITLE, USE AND/OR ENJOYMENT AND WILL BE SOLD SUBJECT TO THE RIGHT OF REDEMPTION OF ALL PARTIES ENTITLED THERETO. Alabama law gives some persons who have an interest in property the right to redeem the property under certain circumstances. Programs may also exist that help persons avoid or delay the foreclosure process. An attorney should be consulted to help you understand these rights and programs as a part of the foreclosure process. This sale is made for the purpose of paying the indebtedness secured by mortgage as well as the expenses of foreclosure, including a reasonable attorney’s fees and other purposes set out in said mortgage. Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB not in its individual capacity, but solely as Owner Trustee of CSMC 2022-RPL4 Trust Paul K. Lavelle, Esq. Attorney for Mortgagee Spina, & Lavelle, P.C. One Perimeter Park SouthSuite 400N Birmingham, Alabama 35243 (205) 298-1800 30-FC-24-01043
Wetumpka Herald: Apr. 24, May 1 and 8, 2024 30-FC-24-01043
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PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN RE: THE ESTATE OF KIMBERLY ADAMS, DECEASED CASE NO. 2024-115 NOTICE OF FILING OF PETITION FOR SUMMARY DISTRIBUTION OF ESTATE TO ALL INTERESTED PARTIES: BEVERLY ADAMS and KYNARD ADAMS, PETITION-
Public Notices
PUBLIC NOTICE ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS CITY OF WETUMPKA COOSA RIVER PARKWAY COMMERCIAL PLAT NO. 1 WETUMPKA, ALABAMA
The city clerk of the City of Wetumpka will receive bids for City of Wetumpka Coosa River Parkway Commercial Plat No. 1, Wetumpka, Alabama, until May 16, 2024, at 2:00 PM at which time and place bids will be publicly opened and read aloud at the City Council Chambers, City of Wetumpka, Alabama, 408 South Main Street, Wetumpka, Alabama. 5% of bid (maximum-$10,000) made payable to the City of Wetumpka must accompany each bid as evidence of good faith. The right to reject any or all bids is reserved.
cludes the following: Asphalt removal, new curb & gutter, 1,125 LF of Roadway Construction, sidewalk, 1,132 LF 10” Water Main, 1,660 LF 8” Sanitary Excavation, etc. and storm drain & inlet structures.
NOTE: All item bids are complete in place. The Contract documents consisting of the Advertisement foreral Conditions, Supplementaltice of Award, Notice to Proceed, Drawings, Plans, Specassociated documents may be at 535 Herron Street, Montgomthe City Engineer, City of Wetumpka. Copies of the Contract Documents may be obtained
535 Herron Street, Montgomery, Alabama upon payment of $ 150.00 for each set. Upon returning the Contract Documents promptly and in good condition following the bid, $ 75.00 will be
All bidders must comply with the requirements of the Contractor’s Licensing Law of the State the type of work for which a proposal is submitted.
that he must provide the information necessary to show evidence of license before an award is made.
The Contractor may include the following information with his bid: Name of Company, Address of Company, Telephone Number of Company, Company Contact Person, Contractor’sing Agency (State and Expira-The City of Wetumpka is re-son-Hammon Alabama Taxpayer and Citizen Protection Act, § 31-13-1 et seq. of Code of Alabama 1975 (Act No. 2011-535), subsequently all bidders are re-davit stating they are enrolled in the E-Verify Program with their sealed bid proposals (form will be included in the project spec-
No bidder may withdraw his bid within 30 days after the actual date of the opening thereof.
The successful bidder will be allowed 120 days to complete this project. The City of Wetumpka, in acCivil Rights Act of 1964, 78 Stat. 252.42 U.S.C.2000D to 2000D4 and Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, Department of Transportation, Subtitle A. OfNondiscrimination in Federally assisted programs of the Department of Transportation issued pursuant to such act, here-
contract entered into this advertisement, minority business enterprises will be afforded full opportunity to submit bids in response to this invitation and will not be discriminated against on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin in consideration for an award. The right to reject any or all bids is reserved.
Mayor Jerry Willis 408 South Main Street Wetumpka, AL 36092
Wetumpka Herald: May 1, 2024 BIDS PUBLIC NOTICE
ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS WETUMPKA WATER WORKS & SEWER BOARD WETUMPKA, ALABAMA 16 INCH POTABLE WATER TRANSMISSION MAIN (HWY. 14 TO MARION SPILLWAY ROAD)
Sealed bids for the 16 Inch Potable Water Transmission Main (HWY. 14 to Marion Spillway Road) CMGM210152 will be received at Wetumpka Water Works & Sewer Board
Public Notices
ding Documents is Goodwyn-
Public Notices
Public Notices
JUDGE OF PROBATE
EST/ADAMS K.
hursday, May 16, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. local time at which time the Bids received will be publicly opened and read.lowing Work: Approximately 30,000 LF of 16” PVC Potable Water Main with Booster Pump Station and Related Appurtenances. be found at the following designated website: www.gmcnetwork.com -
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spective Bidders may examine the Bidding Documents at through Friday between the and may obtain copies of the Bidding Documents from thelow. Copies of the Bidding Documents may be obtained from the one-time administrative fee for Said cost represents the cost of refund will be granted. Checks for Bidding Documents shall be of Bidding Documents will not be available from the Issuingneer will be responsible for full or partial sets of Bidding Doc-
Bid security shall be furnished in accordance with the Instructions to Bidders.
Thursday, May 2, 2024 at 2:00 at Wetumpka Water Works & -
dance at the pre-bid conference is encouraged but not required.
the contract to the best and -
having the same scope of work and approximate constructionquirements of the Contractor’s type of work on which the pro-
the Instructions to Bidders. exceeding that established by General Contractors must be licensed under the provisions
evidence of license before bidding or bid will not be received the Bidder shall show such evidence by clearly displaying the license number on the outside of the envelope in which the thereof.
Bidders will be fully responsible for the delivery of their bids in a the U.S. Mail or other carriers is the bidder’s risk. & Sewer Board
Wetumpka Herald: BIDS PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF C. H. BRIDGES, DECEASED CASE NO: 2024-108 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE Letters Testamentary in the Estate of C. H. BRIDGES, who is also known as CECIL HAROLD BRIDGES, deceased, having been granted to CECIL HAROLD BRIDGES, JR. on April 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.
CECIL HAROLD BRIDGES, JR. PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF C. H. BRIDGES, DECEASED
Attorney of Record for Personal Representative: RODERICK B. PERDUE ATTORNEY AT LAW 2033 HOLTVILLE ROAD WETUMPKA, ALABAMA 36092 334-567-7373
Wetumpka Herald May 1, 8 and 15, 2024 EST/BRIDGES C.
PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF TOMMY RAY CLARK, JR., DECEASED CASE NO: 2024-086 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE
Letters of Administration over the Estate of TOMMY RAY CLARK, JR., deceased, having been granted to JEFFERY SCOTT PURCELL on April 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.
JEFFERY SCOTT PURCELL ADMINISTRATOR OF THE ESTATE OF TOMMY RAY CLARK, JR., DECEASED
Name and Address of Attorney for Administrator: MICHAEL S. HARPER ATTORNEY AT LAW 213 BARNETT BLVD PO BOX 780608 TALLASSEE, ALABAMA 36078 334-283-6855
Wetumpka Herald: Apr. 17, 24 and May 1, 2024 EST/CLARK, T.
PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF MARGARET L. CRUMP, DECEASED CASE NO. 2024-098 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE
Letters Testamentary on the Estate of said decedent having been granted to JAMES DEAN CRUMP as Executor on the 12 th day of April, 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.
JAMES DEAN CRUMP EXECUTOR OF THE ESTATE OF MARGARET L. CRUMP, 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: Apr. 17, 24 and May 1, 2024 EST/CRUMP, M.
Selling your home? Advertise here and sell it faster. Call Classifieds at 256-277-4219.
PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF FAYE HIGHSMITH ELSTON, DECEASED. CASE NO. 2023-301 NOTICE OF FILING OF WILL FOR PROBATE TO: BLAKE D. ELSTON, A NON-RESIDENT OF THE STATE OF ALABAMA AND A NEXT OF KIN OF FAYE HIGHSMITH ELSTON; AND TO: ANY OTHER UNKNOWN NEXT OF KIN OF FAYE HIGHSMITH ELSTON, DECEASED, AND TO ANY OTHER INTERESTED PARTY
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that on December 29, 2023, a certain paper in writing purporting to be the Last Will and Testament of FAYE HIGHSMITH in the Probate Court of Elmore County, Alabama by CHERYL with the Court on April 23, 2024 has requested that such Last Will and Testament be admitted to Probate and Record and that she as 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 FAYE HIGHSMITH ELSTON. 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.
JOHN THORNTON JUDGE OF PROBATE ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA
Name and Address of Attorney for Petitioner: REID G. TOLAR ATTORNEY AT LAW 250 WINTON M. BLOUNT LOOP MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA 36117 334-303-2258 reid@reidtolarlaw.com
Wetumpka Herald: May 1, 8 and 15, 2024 EST/ELSTON, F. PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF WILLARD DANIEL HARRISON, DECEASED CASE NO: 2024-068 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE
Letters Testamentary in the Estate of WILLARD DANIEL HARRISON, deceased, having been granted to SYLVIA RENEE HARRISON on March 14, 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.
SYLVIA RENEE HARRISON PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF WILLARD DANIEL HARRISON, DECEASED
Attorney of Record for Personal Representative: ROBERT B. RENEAU LAW FIRM OF EDWARDS & EDWARDS, P.C. 109 EAST BRIDGE STREET WETUMPKA, ALABAMA 36092 334-514-1011
Wetumpka Herald: Apr. 17, 24 and May 1, 2024
EST/HARRISON W.
PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF SARA B. HODGE, DECEASED CASE NO: 2024-067
NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE
Letters Testamentary in the Estate of SARA B. HODGE, deceased, having been granted to WILLIAM HOWARD HODGE on April 17, 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.
WILLIAM HOWARD HODGE PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF SARA B. HODGE, DECEASED
Attorney of Record for Personal Representative: KELLY LEE ATTORNEY AT LAW 164 WEST 5 TH STREET PRATTVILLE. ALABAMA 36067 334-358-0685 kellylee@kellyleelaw.com
Wetumpka Herald: Apr. 24, May 1 and 8, 2024 EST/HODGE S.
PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF ANGELICA LEIGH LEAVINS, DECEASED CASE NO: 2024-057 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE
Letters of Administration over the Estate of ANGELICA LEIGH LEAVINS, deceased, having been granted to LEANNE ROBERSON on April 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.
LEANNE ROBERSON ADMINISTRATOR OF THE ESTATE OF ANGELICA LEIGH LEAVINS, DECEASED
Name and Address of Attorney for Administrator: CARSHALA T. YOUSE ATTORNEY AT LAW 400 SOUTH UNION STREET, SUITE 395 MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA 36104 334-676-3696 carshala@HARlegal.com
Wetumpka Herald: Apr. 17, 24 and May 1, 2024 EST/LEAVINS, A.
PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF GREGORY NEEL MATLOCK, DECEASED CASE NO: 2024-093 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE
Letters Testamentary in the Estate of GREGORY NEEL MATLOCK, deceased, having been granted to ALICE M. MATLOCK on April 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.
ALICE M. MATLOCK PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF GREGORY NEEL MATLOCK, 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: Apr. 17, 24 and May 1, 2024 EST/MATLOCK, G.
PUBLIC NOTICE
Notice is hereby given that the undersigned will sell for cash, at an ONLINE public auction on the 16th of May, 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
3152: Robert Cole: 53 Hayden Ln. Wetumpka, AL 36092 Contents: tv, dresser, baby swing, baby chair
824: Sam Campbell: 1352 Old U.S HWY 231. Wetumpka, Al 36092 Contents: nightstands, mattress, tv stand, totes, boxes, clothes
2406:17234 Central Plank Rd. Eclectic, AL 36024 Contents: piano, totes, boxes, computer, instrument cases Wetumpka Herald: May 1 and 8, 2024 STORAGE AUCTION
JAMES RAY PAIGE, DECEASED CASE NO: 2024-103 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE
Letters Testamentary in the Estate of JAMES RAY PAIGE, deceased, having been granted to MELISSA SUZANNE BICE, who is also known as SUZANNE PAIGE PORTER, on April 17, 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.
MELISSA SUZANNE BICE PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF JAMES RAY PAIGE, DECEASED
Attorney of Record for Personal Representative: ED PARISH, JR. THE PARISH LAW FIRM P O BOX 52 MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA 36101-0052 323 ADAMS AVE MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA 36104 334-263-0003 Wetumpka Herald: Apr. 24, May 1 and 8, 2024
EST/PAIGE J. PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF GERALDINE C. PERKINS, DECEASED CASE NO: 2024-090 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE
Letters Testamentary in the Es-
tate of GERALDINE C. PERKINS, deceased, having been granted to VIRGINIA P. MARCUS on April 10, 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.
VIRGINIA P. MARCUS PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF GERALDINE C. PERKINS, DECEASED
Attorney of Record for Personal Representative: ROBERT B. RENEAU LAW FIRM OF EDWARDS & EDWARDS, P.C. 109 EAST BRIDGE STREET WETUMPKA. ALABAMA 36092 334-514-1011
Wetumpka Herald: Apr. 17, 24 and May 1, 2024 EST/PERKINS, G. PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF GAILYA N. PHELPS, DECEASED CASE NO: 2024-099 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE
Letters Testamentary in the Estate of GAILYA N. PHELPS, deceased, having been granted to TERRELL DEAN PHELPS on April 19, 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.
TERRELL DEAN PHELPS PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF GAILYA N. PHELPS, DECEASED Attorney of Record for Personal Representative: CLAY C. COOK BUCKNER & COOK, LLC 1795 MAIN STREET PRATTVILLE. ALABAMA 36066 334-365-2111
Wetumpka Herald: Apr. 24, May 1 and 8, 2024
EST/ PHELPS, G. PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF WILLIAM J. PHELPS, DECEASED CASE NO: 2024-100 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE
Letters Testamentary in the Es-
tate of WILLIAM J. PHELPS, deceased, having been granted to TERRELL DEAN PHELPS on April 19, 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.
TERRELL DEAN PHELPS PERSONAL REPRESENTA-
TIVE OF THE ESTATE OFWIL-
LAIM J. PHELPS, DECEASED
Attorney of Record for Personal Representative: CLAY C. COOK
BUCKNER & COOK, LLC
1795 MAIN STREET PRATTVILLE. ALABAMA 36066 334-365-2111
Greenville Advocate: Apr. 24, May 1 and 8, 2024 EST/PHELPS, W.
Public Notices
PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF ANTHONY RODESKY, DECEASED CASE NO: 2024-087 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE
Letters Testamentary in the Estate of ANTHONY RODESKY, deceased, having been granted to NORMAN H. TODD on April 9th, 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.
NORMAN H. TODD PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF ANTHONY RODESKY, 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: Apr. 17, 21 and May 1, 2024 EST/RODESKY A. PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF JUDITH BOWMAN WARD, DECEASED CASE NO: 2024-094 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE
Letters Testamentary in the Estate of JUDITH BOWMAN WARD, deceased, having been granted to ROBERT TROY WARD on April 10, 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.
ROBERT TROY WARD PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF JUDITH BOWMAN WARD, DECEASED
Attorney of Record for Personal Representative: D. JASON BRITT STONE & BRITT, LLC
ATTORNEYS & COUNSELORS AT LAW 114 S MAIN ST PO BOX 967 WETUMPKA, ALABAMA 36092 334-517-6520
Wetumpka Herald: Apr. 17, 24 and May 1, 2024 EST/WARD, J. PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF DONALD W. WEATHERS, DECEASED CASE NO: 2024-085 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE
Letters Testamentary in the Estate of DONALD W. WEATHERS, deceased, having been granted to ETHEL THREATT WEATHERS on April April 9th 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.
ETHEL THREATT WEATHERS PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF DONALD W. WEATHERS, DECEASED
Attorney of Record for Personal Representative: ROBERT J. RUSSELL, JR. ATTORNEY AT LAW 7515 HALCYON POINTE DRIVE MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA 36117 334-272-9880
Wetumpka Herald: Apr. 17, 24 and May 1, 2024
EST/WEATHERS D PUBLIC NOTICE FORECLOSURE NOTICE
Default having been made in the payment of the indebtedness described in and secured by that certain mortgage executed by CHARLES E. KELLEY and JERRI L. KELLEY, husband and wife, as Mortgagor(s) to AmSouth Bank, now REGIONS BANK successor by merger with AmSouth Bank, as Mortgagee, dated the 23rd day of November, 1999, and recorded in Roll 237, Frame 651, et seq. the Judge of Probate Court of Elmore County, Alabama; said default continuing, notice is hereby given that the undersigned will, under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in said mortgage sell at public outcry for cash to the highest bidder during legal hours of sale, on the 22nd day of May, 2024, in the city of Wetumpka, at the front door of the Court House of Elmore County, Alabama, the following described real property situated in the County of Elmore, State of Alabama, to-wit: All that 2.51 acre parcel of land lying in the Northeast Quarter of the Northeast Quarter of Section 18 and the Southeast Quarter of the Southeast Quarter of Section 7, Township 20 North, Range 20 East, Elmore County, Alabama, and being
Public Notices
yg more particularly described as follows: Commence at an iron pipe marking the intersection of the west line of the Northeast Quarter of the Northeast Quarter of Section 18, Township 20 North, Range 20 East with the northerly right of way of the Old Butler Mill Road (an abandoned road); thence North 2 deg. 21 min. 23 sec. West along said west line of Northeast Quarter
Public Notices
HomeBridge Financial Services, Inc. as Mortgagee, which said Mortgage is recorded inbate, Elmore County, Alabama,-
corded 6/22/2020, and subsequently assigned to Carrington Mortgage Services, LLC and -
having continued under the terms of said Mortgage, and by virtue of Alabama Code Secfollowing 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 06/26/2024. LOTS 10, 11, 12 AND 13, BROOKHAVEN SUBDIVISION,-
Public Notices
Public Notices
by Brad Nedervelt, Al. Reg. No. 9044, dated November 22, 1999. This property will be sold on an “as is, where is” basis, subject to any easements, encumbrances, reservations and exceptions or those contained in the reof Probate of the county where the above-described property is situated. This property will be sold without warranty or recourse, expressed or implied as 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. Said sale will be made for the purpose of paying said indebtedness and the expenses incident to this sale, including a reasonable attorney’s fee, and the other purposes set out in said mortgage. The sale will betion that the sale is not prohibited under the U.S. Bankruptcytion and audit of the status of the loan with the Mortgagee. REGIONS BANK successor by merger with AmSouth Bank Holder of said Mortgage Goodman G. Ledyard PIERCE LEDYARD JOHNSTON, P.C. Attorneys for MortMobile, Alabama 36616 (251) 338-1300
Wetumpka Herald: Apr. 17, 24 and May 1, 2024 FC/KELLEY
PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE JUVENILE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF: KA’VEON REESE CASE NO: JU-2013-177.07 NOTICE OF PETITION FOR TERMINATION OF PARENTAL RIGHTS TO: Keontra Mosely (Mother) and Matt Reese (Father) You are hereby given notice that Elmore County Department of Human Resources requesting that your parental rights be terminated to Ka’VEON REESE, born on August 02, 2010, at Baptist Medical Center South in Montgomery, Alabama. You are hereby given notice Answer with the Clerk of the Juvenile Court and with the Petitioner’s attorney, Ammar J. Phillips, Alabama State Department of Human Resources, Legal -
of the last publication of this notice or a default judgment can hearing has been set for June 5, Wetumpka, Alabama. You may appear and contest the same if you choose. ELMORE COUNTY JUVENILE CLERK
Wetumpka Herald: JU-2013-177.07
PUBLIC NOTICE
MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE NOTICE
Default having been made in the terms of that certain Mortgage, executed on 01/13/2020, by James Kevin Spears, married man and wife, Jennifer L. Spears a/k/a Jennifer Spears, as Mortgagor(s), to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as nominee for
ALABAMA. 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/TransMobile, AL 36602
Wetumpka Herald: FC/SPEARS
PUBLIC NOTICE LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE STATE OF ALABAMA COUNTY OF ELMORE THIS IS AN ATTEMPT TO COLLECT A DEBT. ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. Default having been made in the payment of the debt secured by that certain mortgage executed by Tasharra Thomas, Mortgagor(s), to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc. (“MERS”), as mortgagee, as nominee for Accredited Home Lenders, Inc., Mortgagee, on May 19, 2006, said mortgage being recorded on May 24,more County, Alabama in Book 2006, Page 38519, and later assigned to U.S. Bank Trust National Association, as Trustee of the Chalet Series IV Trust, by reason of such default, having declared all the indebtedness secured by said mortgage due and payable, and such default continuing, notice is hereby given that, acting under the power of sale contained in said mortgage, U.S. Bank Trust National Association, as Trustee of the Chalet Series IV Trust 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 May 22, 2024 the following described real estate situated in Elmore County, Alabama, to wit: Lot 31, Block F, according to the Map of Westlawn Estates as the the Judge of Probate of Elmore County, Alabama, in Plat Book 3, at Page 64. Commonly known as: 159 Queen Anne Road, Wetumpka, AL 36092 Parcel ID #: 16 06 14 0 003 001 001 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. Said sale will be made subject to any outstanding ad valorem taxes (including taxes which are a lien, whether or not now due and payable), any matters which might be disclosed by an accurate survey and inspection
yp of the property, any assessments, liens, encumbrances, zoning ordinances, restrictions, covenants, and matters of record superior to the mortgagetions of record in the Probatevey, and to any Federal or State Tax liens, if any, and/or special assessments, if any, which might adversely affect the title to the premises. Said sale will be made for the purpose of paying the indebtedness
Wetumpka track team heads to state
By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor
Julius Williams will be one of the busiest athletes in Gulf Shores this weekend.
Williams, a senior, qualified for four state championship events for this weekend’s AHSAA Class 6A state championship meet held at Gulf Shores.
Williams is four of 10 Wetumpka athletes/events to qualify. He placed in the Top 5 of all four events he participated in – the triple jump, high jump, 400 meter and 800 meter. He set a new personal or season best in all four events as well.
His worst event of the weekend was the 400 meter where he placed fifth with a time of 50.92 seconds. He placed third or higher in the other three events. In the 800 meter, he was third with a time of 2:01.59, a new season best.
In the high jump, he finished third with a personal best height of 6-00. His triple jump distance, which landed him second place, was 45-06.
Jada Walker also qualified for two individual events and a team event.
She finished third place in both the 100 and 200 meters. She finished with times of 12.93 in 100m and 26.41 in 200.
She was also part of the school record breaking 4x100 team that also featured Tremya Thomas, Jamiah Bandy and Briana Powell. Their time of 49.45 ranks best ever at Wetumpka.
Elisha Williams also qualified in the triple jump with Julius by reaching a distance of 43-08.50, good for fourth place. Thomas, part of the record breaking squad, also set a personal record in the javelin with a distance of 92-02. She finished in fifth place and qualified.
STANHOPE ELMORE QUALIFIES FOUR
DeKameron Jones put on a show in the high jump. Beating Wetumpka’s Julius Williams in a close race, Jones placed first in the high jump with a height of 6-02.00, a new personal record.
He had the only winning event for the Mustangs but three more qualified for the state championship.
On the girls side, Promise Cottrell qualified in two events – 200 meter and 400 meter. She finished in second place in the 400 meter with a personal-best time of 1:00.02. In the 200 meter, she finished fourth with a time of 26.88.
Stanhope’s final qualifier was Gemain Edwards with a time of 50.66 in the boys 400 meter, good for third place.
FIVE PANTHERS ADVANCE TO STATE
The Elmore County track team had five individual members qualify for Gulf Shores. Emily Mason and Lucas Drost were the first two to qualify on Day 1, earning 2nd place finishes in their events.
Mason finished second in the 400 meter with a time of 1:01.58, while Drost finished second in the 1600 meter with a time of 4:50.54.
On Day 2, Frankie Mann finished fourth in the 800 meter with a time of 2:05.39 while the Panthers advanced two in the javelin.
Both Ally Orr and Maddie Clark finished in the Top 5 of the javelin with three Beauregard athletes. Orr was second with a distance of 115-01 while Clark was fifth with a distance of 101-07.
HOLTVILLE’S THOMAS HEADS TO STATE Jesse Thomas will be the lone Bulldog heading down to Gulf Shores. Thomas finished in third place in 5A discus with a distance of 133-05. He was 11 feet shorter than the first place finisher but five feet further than the fourth place finisher.
Hickey named Alabama rowing Freshman of the Year
By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor
Caroline Hickey always believed in herself, but even she caught herself off guard with her accomplishments this year.
Hickey, a Holtville graduate, recently wrapped up her first season as a member of the University of Alabama rowing team. She joined the team in the fall after never having rowed before in her life, but she quickly took to the sport and excelled.
Following her first season in a shell, Hickey was named the team’s Freshman of the Year.
“If you would have told me at the beginning of the season that I was going to be Freshman of the Year, I would have laughed in your face,” Hickey said. “It means a lot to accomplish this. It’s not easy balancing academics and athletics. It doesn’t seem real, but at the same time all the effort I put in really pays off.”
When Hickey first joined the team, she was under the impression she would be on the novice team for her entire first season with the team. She was wrong, and she got the chance to get promoted after just one semester in Tuscaloosa.
Following Christmas break, Hickey was given the chance to take the team’s standards test. The test consists of reaching a specific time in two distance races and holding a plank for a specific amount of time. She had to row 6K, equivalent to 3.7 miles. She then had to run a 2K, equivalent to 1.25 miles.
Team members are given multiple
chances to pass the test, but Hickey needed only one.
“By the grace of God, I passed it on my first attempt,” Hickey said. “Once I passed that, I got my gear and my water privileges. Getting the opportunity to be on the water during practice was a cool opportunity and means a lot because you really have to earn it.”
Even with her water privileges, Hickey couldn’t do much with the team this season. Only upperclassmen travel with the team, so Hickey and her freshman teammates were left in Tuscaloosa for the majority of their races.
Alabama had only one home regatta Hickey raced in, and she made the most of it when she got her opportunity.
“I got to row at home and we actually placed first in both events,” Hickey said. “We got first in the 6K and the 2K race and that was a big accomplishment. It wasn’t just me though. It takes nine of us to row the boat and I was proud of all of us for doing that.”
Her path to Freshman of the Year hasn’t been an easy one. When she first got to campus in the fall, she realized she wasn’t even using the rowing workout machines, called ergs, correctly. She was quickly corrected but never missed a beat.
Being a star soccer player in high school helped her with her endurance, and she’s seen massive improvements in all areas of her rowing.
“I’ve gotten so much better with my techniques and just stronger,” Hickey said. “The weight room is a big part of rowing. I’ve gotten a lot stronger while my technique on the erg machines has improved. I needed a lot of critiques
early, but I’ve improved. They’ve done a great job of correcting me and getting me on the right course.”
Hickey and the rest of Alabama’s rowing team is done until next fall, and now she is focusing on her academics as the school year comes to an end. She is going into athletic training, and actually just landed two big opportunities to advance in that field as well.
After practices, Hickey has been attending clinicals and shadowing athletic trainers. After doing that for the majority of the year, she earned a position with Alabama’s athletic department during her sophomore year.
She will be assigned a team to work with at the end of the summer.
“It’s really cool that I get to play a Division I sport, but just being part of a college team really puts your toes in the water with athletic training,” Hickey said. “Whenever I came to school to do athletic training, I wasn’t sure what it really consisted of. But just being around the facilities and the weight room has helped prepare me some.”
In the meantime, she has landed a summer internship with Holtville athletic trainer Samantha Yates. The two are close, and Yates has been one of the biggest supporters of Hickey joining the rowing team.
“I don’t think I’d be able to do both rowing and athletic training at the same time without Sam,” Hickey said. “We talk every single day. She’s told me that she knows it’s hard to balance it all, but she’s proud of me and the experiences that I already have are what’s going to make it worth it. That’s what keeps me going.”
Stanhope’s Gilchrist, Smalls sign with Coastal basketball
By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor
Two of Millbrook’s best basketball players are headed to the next level.
Stanhope Elmore seniors Ariel Gilchrist and Tamira Smalls both signed National Letters of Intent to play college basketball at Coastal Alabama Community College Monday afternoon. The duo committed back in February, but just put pen to paper last week. Gilchrist and Smalls have both been staples in the Elmore County basketball scene the last few seasons. Gilchrist is a three-time All-County selection, including back-to-back First Team appearances as a junior and
senior. She is one of the best defensive players to come through Stanhope as she averaged seven steals per game during her senior year. She also averaged 17 points and 6.2 rebounds and became just the fourth player in program history to reach 1,000 career points. Smalls is a two-time All-County selection, earning Second Team as a junior and First Team as a senior. This season, she averaged 10.1 points per game but was the county’s best rebounder by a large margin. She tallied 16.3 rebounds and 3.4 blocks per game. In her three-year career, she totaled 763 rebounds and 190 blocks.
Holtville graduate Caroline Hickey has been named the Freshman of the Year for the Alabama rowing team.
Stanhope Elmore’s Tamira Smalls, left, and Ariel Gilchrist both signed
National Letters of Intent to play college basketball at Coastal Alabama Community College.
Wetumpka celebrates Earth Day
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
Crowds of people turned out for the City of Wetumpka Earth Day Celebration at the city’s Farmers Market Saturday.
The annual celebration has been combined with a farmers market the last three years and has proven successful.
“We have a lot more vendors for this celebration,” farmers market manager Dakota Steed said. “There has also been a nice crowd.”
The 52 vendors brought steak sandwiches, tomato
Ivey appoints Baxley to Elmore County District Court Judge
By TPI STAFF Staff Report
Gov. Kay Ivey appointed Ben Baxley as Elmore County District Court Judge on Wednesday.
Baxley replaces Judge Patrick Pinkston who was appointed to the 19th Circuit Court as a judge.
“A dedicated prosecutor and legal scholar, Ben Baxley possesses 35 years’ solid experience in both the state and federal judicial systems,” Ivey said in a release. “He brings to the bench integrity and great knowledge of our legal system. I have no doubt that he will serve the people of Elmore County with honor and professionalism.”
Pinkston was sworn in on April 5 as Circuit Judge, Place No. 1 on the 19th Judicial Circuit serving Autauga, Chilton and Elmore counties. Pinkston was appointed to the circuit judgeship position by Ivey on April 1 to fill a vacancy created by Ivey’s appointment of Judge Bill Lewis to the Alabama Court of Civil Appeals on Feb. 28.
“I am grateful and humbled to be selected for this position,” Baxley said. “Being chosen to serve the people of Elmore County as District Judge is one of the greatest honors of my life. The judges and staff of the 19th Judicial Circuit have already welcomed me with open arms, and I look forward to providing Elmore County with the same fair justice that they have come to expect from the Elmore County court system.”
Baxley began his legal career in 1990 as Assistant District Attorney in Tuscaloosa County where he handled drug prosecutions. In 1995, he became Chief Deputy District Attorney for DeKalb and Cherokee counties, where he prosecuted drug cases
Creature Chronicles
and major crimes of violence. There, he was instrumental in creating the Partnership for a Drug-Free DeKalb County. In 2007, he was appointed as prosecutor for the Alabama Attorney General’s Office handling public corruption and violent crimes throughout the state. In 2015, he assumed the position of Assistant United States Attorney for the Middle District of Alabama where he implemented the Smart on Crime initiative, served as the Re-entry Coordinator, District Elections Officer, Indian Country Liaison and finally, Deputy Criminal Chief. In 2020, Baxley returned to the Alabama Attorney General’s Office as Chief of the Opinions Division.
A Sylacauga native, Baxley graduated from B.B. Comer High School at the age of 16 before receiving his undergraduate degree with a double major in English and History from the University of Montevallo. He earned his law degree from The University of Alabama.
Baxley plans to begin serving on May 17. A formal investiture ceremony will be scheduled following May 17.
plants, cake pops and hot pepper jelly. There were also things like carpenter bee traps, boutique clothing and makeup.
Shoppers turned out.
Veterans of the Main Street Wetumpka Community Market, Andy and Erin Powell of Pow Peppers Plants and Products were at Saturday’s celebration.
“This has been a nice crowd,” Erin Powell said.
“We have been pleased with the turnout”
Steed said Saturday’s celebration is different from the true farmers market set to begin in May.
“We are able to bring in more vendors for this,” Steed said. “During the regular farmers market season we are sanctioned through the Department of Agriculture.”
Such sanctioning allows vendors to part in providing produce, vegetables and more at a lower cost through programs such as SNAP and the senior nutrition program.
“They want fruit and vegetables, home processed items such as jellies,” Steed said.
This year’s farmers market season in Wetumpka is 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursdays from May 23 to Aug. 29.
BTS Bash returns to Wetumpka
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
Silverware and china are no longer just for formal gatherings.
If the Beautiful Table Settings Bash proves anything, it's that the interest in “Grandma’s china and silver” has grown tremendously. Since 2019 Wetumpka’s May Eason has developed a cult following on Facebook through Beautiful Table Settings. The page now has nearly 250,000 followers and nearly 500 were in Wetumpka for the third annual BTS Bash.
A look through the parking lot at the Wetumpka Civic Center finds license plates from as far as Texas, New Mexico and North Carolina. It’s where attendees get to meet their online friends and discuss china and silverware patterns and how to place mismatched china. Eason couldn’t be more proud.
“I get a high from it. I get excited,” Eason said. “Everyone is saying the vendors are better.”
The vendors come from far away too. One unique vendor this year was Liberty Tabletop’s Greg Owens in
New York. He is the only manufacturer of stainless steel flatware in the United States, according to Eason.
Most of Liberty’s sales are online, but Owens is confident bringing silverware, dinnerware and drinkware to Wetumpka will be fruitful.
“This is a large group, especially online and we have now introduced our brand to the group,” Owens said. “I would anticipate overtime people will remember us and go online.”
Just a day and half into the fourday event Owens has helped people sign up for his company’s email newsletter and Facebook page.
The vendors are just part of the BTS Bash. The presenters are people behind some of the favorite posts on the page. They speak of how they set arrangements, to the history of pieces of silverware to using flowers. There are tables for salad plate swaps and china for the taking.
It’s the third bash in Wetumpka. Eason is still looking to the future with BTS and Wetumpka.
“It’s great. I’m not tired of it,” Eason said. “I just go day to day. I just plan and get it done.”
Peafowl, local Airbnb attracts visitors with a farm
By ABIGAIL MURPHY Multimedia Reporter
The Bella Luna Farm is an Airbnb outside of Tallassee off of I-85 in Shorter.
Owners Jason Price and Teresa Forbus-Price have peafowl, turkeys, chickens, chicks, cats, a dog, goats and alpacas all at Bella Luna.
Forbus-Price said they are both widowers and once they started getting more serious about their relationship they started talking about where they wanted
shelter after she left a corporate executive job. Mills grew up on a 60-acre family farm near the Bouldin dam. She arrived there in her mother’s womb. Mills was the third of 17 children and left home as her mother was pregnant with Mills’ youngest sibling. Mills is part of the Wetumpka Class of 1969 having
to live and what they envisioned for their lives. They both wanted space for some farm animals like maybe chickens, maybe a goat or even an alpaca. Then it grew from there.
Price said overall the goat care is fairly low maintenance. The goats get vaccinated, plenty of food and water and trim the hooves — the hooves trimming is the hardest part.
With both Price and Forbus-Price working full-time, they haven’t tried milking
left W.B. Doby High School in 1967 as integration moved through the Wetumpka schools. It was a positive experience for Mills and nothing like many of the horror stories some Black children faced at the time.
“I can’t complain about anything,” Mills said. “A couple of my classmates sent notes apologizing for anything they might have done. I didn’t have those issues.” Mills spent almost
the goats yet. Instead, they primarily breed goats for pet purposes. Some of the goat breeds they have are Anglo-Nubians and Nigerian Dwarf goats.
As for the other animals, the alpacas are the next most similar to the goats. They too are lower maintenance than most might think. The only thing that could get tricky is shearing, but Price and Forbus-Price know of a company that travels around shearing alpacas, so the company comes by every
every weekday working on the family farm. Just two weeks after graduating Mills left in the middle of the night with her father driving and her mother sobbing on the porch. Mills was heading to Columbus, Ohio to better herself at a technical school. It was June 1969.
“He gave me $100,” Mills said. “He said he would send more in the fall. He never sent more and I never asked for
once in a while.
The main Airbnb set up is within the alpaca enclosure in the form of a treehouse. The treehouse is 30 feet high and sleeps four guests. For-
more because I left 13 children younger than me at home. I had to figure out how to make some money while I was in school.”
Mills modeled and even won a beauty pageant.
She went on to become an IT professional making it to the executive suite before leaving the corporate world at the age of 50. She started to volunteer at a women’s shelter and saw where
bus-Price said they get quite a few visitors coming back from the beach or another destination, who are looking
many had been abused.
“I heard so many horrible stories,” Mills said.
Mills got into writing while taking an English class; she even wrote an essay that won the 2022 Estrucan Prize. From there, Mills wrote Daddy’s House, her first novel.
In Wetumpka Mills read the first chapter describing the night she left her white cinder block home contemplating staying but realizing
for a neat place to stop. With 17 acres and a range of animals, Bella Luna provides just that.
a better future for her and her family was to leave for school.
The farm is still in the family. Fifteen of her parents' children are still living and get together at least once a year. Some always get together on holidays.
“My parents raised adults,” Mills said.
“They said, ‘When you leave this house, you represent this family.’”Her book can be found on Amazon.
CLIFF WILLIAMS | TPI
Some of the traditional Wetumpka Farmers Market vendors were present at Saturday’s Earth Day Celebration and market. A fresh fruits but mainly plants and crafts could be found.
CLIFF WILLIAMS | TPI
More than 400 guests toured through 30 vendors at the third annual Beautiful Table Settings Bash at the Wetumpka Civic Center last week. The event features everything to do with fine china, flatware and setting a table anyone’s grandmother would be proud of.
BAXLEY
Kindergartners learn teddy bear healthcare at ECHS
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
One by one, kinder-
gartners brought in their favorite patients. Some had breaks and tears, others just needed checkups. It was all part of Wednesday’s first ever Elmore County High School Teddy Bear Clinic.
“We want to help them feel more comfortable going to the doctor, dentist or hospital,” HOSA sponsor Wanda Baker said. “It helps my students who are thinking about going into a medical career. They get to practice their skills, taking blood pressure and other vitals, talking to a patient through fun activities.”
Just like any visit to the hospital the “patients” were tagged by the older students with identification. Vital signs were taken by both the high schoolers and the kindergarten students. There was a waiting room with arts and crafts and a game — Operation of course.
Everyone had stops in
imaging with X-rays and MRIs, the emergency room and vaccinations. All students got involved in teddy bear surgery and a dental visit.
While it’s an effort to help the young students get more comfortable going to a medical appointment, it also exposes the members of HOSA to what a medical office might be like. In some ways, managing the mass of kindergarteners mimics the stress a medical professional might be under in a hospital or doctor’s office. The program also emphasized healthcare practices the youngest can do at home, such as brushing teeth.
“Mrs. Baker is great, all she wants to do is help kids,” ECHS junior Drew Knighton. “We are trying to help educate them on basic health items. It also lets them see some of what might happen if they go to the doctor or hospital.”
Knighton and the other members of HOSA who hosted the Teddy Bear
Clinic are students in Baker’s Foundations of Health Sciences and Sports Medicine. It is a class Knighton
Elmore County softball falls in area tournament
By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor
Elmore County’s season came to an unexpected end Monday afternoon.
The No. 1-ranked Panthers, hosting the AHSAA Class 5A, Area 5 tournament, lost to Tallassee, 2-1, in extra innings of the loser’s bracket.
The loss eliminated Elmore County and ended its season as Tallassee moved on in the tournament and clinched a berth in next week’s regional tournament.
Playing as the home team, Tallassee started the bottom of the eighth inning off with a single to left field from Reagan
Easterwood. After moving all the way to third base, Lila Kate Fulgham ended the game and Elmore County’s season on an RBI ground ball to third base.
Elmore County went 1-2 on its own field in the tournament. The Panthers started the tournament on Saturday with a 7-3 win over No. 4 Valley. Addi Stephenson pitched a complete game in the win, allowing three runs on five hits and striking out eight batters. The Panthers broke it open with a three-run fifth inning that featured three Valley errors. In the winner’s bracket against No. 2 Beauregard, Elmore County
fell 8-7 in extra innings as well. The Panthers, which led 4-3 most of the game, gave up four runs in the sixth and seventh inning before tying it up with two outs. Stephenson reached via error, then Addie Patterson hit a single to left field. Morgan Spear then drove both in on a double to tie the game, 7-7.
The Panthers got a runner on second base in the eighth inning, down one run, but back-toback strikeouts ended the game and sent Elmore County into the loser’s bracket to face rival Tallassee.
Under first year coach Tranum Blackwell, Elmore County went 15-11-1.
became interested in while playing three sports.
“I enjoy the health field,” Knighton said. “I
am looking at athletic training as a career path and thought this would be an option.”
Elmore County soccer falls in first round
By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor
Elmore County’s young soccer team had its heart broken on Monday night.
Hosting Marbury in the first round of the AHSAA Class 5A playoffs at Burt-Haynie Field, Elmore County lost to the Bulldogs, 3-2.
The Panthers (12-3) went up 2-0 in just the first seven minutes of the game before slowly giving up its lead.
Elmore County was on the attack from the very start. Just six minutes into the match, a deep pass from the defense was able to land behind Marbury’s defense where seventh grader Cadi Crews was able to dribble past defenders and
knock it into the goal.
The celebration quickly turned into a larger cheer as the Panthers found the back of the net again not even a minute later. Crews broke free down the left sideline and kicked it past the goalkeeper.
Teammate Caden Jordan and the goalkeeper raced to try and get to the ball but it found the back of the net before another Panther could reach it.
Up 2-0, Marbury went into attack mode. The Bulldogs started applying pressure on the Elmore County defensive line and the Panthers could only hold on for so long.
After a mess up resulted in a Marbury corner kick, the Bulldogs found paydirt.
The ball was rebound-
ed back and forth between defenders and offensive players before a small opening resulted in Marbury cutting the lead to 2-1 right before the half.
That lead stayed until 13 minutes left when Marbury tied the game on a laser beam of a shot down the middle. With three minutes left, Marbury ripped Elmore County’s heart out of its chest.
The Bulldogs knocked a header right past Elmore County’s Ansley Caudle’s outstretched hands and took the final lead of the night, 3-2.
Elmore County was unable to get back to the Marbury net as time ran out and its season came to an end.
CLIFF WILLIAMS TPI
Eclectic Elementary School students were treated to the Teddy Bear Clinic hosted by HOSA students at
Elmore County High School. Students of all ages got to practice various healthcare skills including monitoring breathing and cardiac rhythms.
DALTON MIDDLETON TPI
Elmore County’s Addi Stephenson pitches against Valley in the first round of the Area 5 Tournament.
DALTON MIDDLETON | TPI
Elmore County’s Ansley Caudle saves a goal in the first half of the Panthers’ first round playoff game. Marbury beat Elmore County, 3-2.
Arts & Entertainment
Brown named Kowaliga Idol winner
By MELODY RATHEL Multimedia Reporter
“If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.”
This famous line from Edward Hickson’s Moral Song reigns true in all aspects of life for Sarah Brown, especially when it comes to perfecting her craft. After
competing once before, Brown was recently named the winner of the 16th annual Kowaliga Idol. Brown first competed in Kowaliga Idol when she was 17 years old. The idea sparked from a simple conversation with her friends.
“I was singing while doing garage karaoke (with
Shake the Lake to return as three-day festival
By ABIGAIL MURPHY Multimedia Reporter
Memorial Day Weekend is becoming more than just a time to hit the lake, it’s also a weekend of live music.
Shake the Lake is a three-day music festival at Copper’s Grill at Stillwaters. While the band Blackberry Breeze has been playing at the venue for Memorial weekend since roughly 2016, Shake the Lake came into its own last year.
Trey Foshee with Blackberry Breeze said for last year’s performance, they invited multiple artists to perform and sold tickets with some of the proceeds going to the Caring for Dadeville Fund, benefiting those affected by the April 15 shooting.
“Every year we got
more and more people,”
Foshee said. “We decided if we sold tickets, it may cut down on the overall amount of people, but everyone will get served. It will be a more comfortable event.”
Now the event averages 800 attendees and last year they were able to donate $10,000 to Caring for Dadeville. This year, the proceeds will go toward a scholarship for a Dadeville High School senior who is a child of a veteran.
While Memorial Day is for those who died in active duty, Foshee said they still wanted to recognize living veterans and their families through this scholarship.
The weekend also incorporates Lake Martin Dadeville Area Chamber
National watercolor show coming to The Kelly
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
The husband and wife
duo of Steve and Debbie Garst are duking it out again. This time in the 83rd Annual National Exhibition of the Watercolor Society of Alabama as the national show comes to Wetumpka’s Kelly Fitzpatrick Center for the Arts.
The Garsts call neighboring Blue Ridge home and were excited to see the juried show in their backyard.
“We were like we have to get into this show,” Steve said. “It would be terrible if we didn’t because it is our hometown. We are thrilled we both made it.”
They join Anne Barero as the only artists from Elmore County to be selected for the show. All told 81 artists had pieces selected for the show. Some artists are from as far away as New Mexico, Minnesota, Ohio and New York.
“It is a big deal,” Steve said. “The quality of art in this show will be phenomenal and stunning. We recognized a lot of the names because they are great artists and we have seen their stuff around the country. Now we get to compete against them.”
There is one small problem for the Garsts but it’s nothing they haven’t
my friends),” Brown said. “Someone there knew about Kowaliga Idol, and they were like, ‘hey, I think you should do this.’ So I signed up not knowing much about it.”
Before Brown joined the competition, she had only sung to a large crowd three
LOCAL ARTIST WINS STATE PHOTO CONTEST
By MELODY RATHEL Multimedia Reporter
John Denney is a selftaught artist who discovered his passion for photography early in life. His talent recently earned him awards in a statewide photography contest.
Denney won first and second place in two categories of Outdoor Alabama’s photo contest. The contest is a joint project between the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the Alabama Tourism Department.
“Pulpit Rock at Cheaha State Park” got Denney the first place award in the contest’s State Parks category. He placed second in the Scenic category for his photo “Train Trestle over Lake Martin.”
“I enjoy different kinds of photography,” Denney said, “but I am known for wildlife and nature photos.”
Much of Denney’s work comes by chance. He took the photo at Cheaha State Park while on a camping trip with his girlfriend, who is the
subject of the picture. As soon as they arrived at their camping spot, Denney made a mental note of Pulpit Rock.
“When I’m there, I always pick out one spot to go out and shoot a sunset,” Denney said. “You never know what kind of sunset you’re going to get, but that one turned out fairly well.”
The photo of the train trestle caught Denney on a huge whim. He had spent the day riding his Waverunner on Lake Martin until a storm came across. To avoid the storm, he camped out at his brother’s house, which happens to be right beside the train trestle.
“Based on my years of experience on the lake, you always get a spectacular sunset after a storm,” Denney said. “Sure enough, the storm blew over, and the sun was setting. I knew there was
going to be a nice sunset.” He rode his Waverunner out to the train trestle and captured what would be the award winning photograph.
“I was lucky to get it,” Denney said. “When I do shows people ask me if there’s a story behind every photo. I tell them most of the photos I get are just lucky, I just happened to be there.”
Denney’s affinity for art began with painting, drawing and graphic design. Throughout his life, he spent lots of time in nature – the subjects of most of his artwork are wild animals or nature scenes. For the last 25 years, Denney has worked at perfecting his craft of capturing meaningful and aesthetically pleasing photos. He’s even had the opportunity to use his talents on a professional level
MELODY RATHEL TPI Sarah Brown is the winner of the 16th annual Kowaliga Idol.
FILE TPI
Shake the Lake is coming back this Memorial Day Weekend with a three day music festival. The event will be held at Copper’s Grill at Stillwaters.
SUBMITTED
TOP: “Pulpit Rock at Cheaha State Park” received first place in the State Parks category of the Outdoor Alabama Photo Contest.
ABOVE: “Train Trestle over Lake Martin” placed second in the Outdoor Alabama Photo Contest’s Scenic category.
The photo of the train trestle caught Denney on a huge whim. He had spent the day riding his Waverunner on Lake Martin until a storm came across. To avoid the storm, he camped out at his brother’s house, which happens to be right beside the train trestle.
KELLY Continued from E1
encountered before.
“The only problem I have is competing against her,” Steve said. “She beat me last year in a show.”
Debbie was quick to respond, “He beat me the year before.”
Steve created a painting called St. Andrews Blue.
Debbie’s is Summer Powered Down based on a blue heron she saw on the Gulf Coast last year. Debbie is known for her abstracts but always using a feather in her work. She used the feather this time but in a different way.
“I researched the blue heron and dissected it in a way,” Debbie said. “I used the breast feathers of the bird. It is a different feather design than I have ever done.”
Steve has learned watercolor from Debbie. She has taken a few watercolor classes.
They will have to wait to see who Iain Stewart determines is the better painter.
In the meantime Debbie has saved up for a special birthday gift for Steve. Stewart is hosting a watercolor workshop and Debbie is sending Steve.
“It’s his first watercolor workshop,” Debbie said. “He is always teaching them in other mediums.”
Stewart will settle the friendly husband-wife competition and Debbie is fine with whoever comes out first.
“Getting into the show itself is an award because not everybody gets in,” Debbie said. “You get juried twice most often before you get in the show. We both got in.”
The Garsts role is more than just artists. They are the most local artists in the society to the Kelly.
Most of the board of the Watercolor Society of Alabama lives in north Alabama and the Garsts have been designated to help unpack the paintings as the show is prepared to open with a reception on June 2.
“I walk around trying to think how in the world they did it,” Steve said.
The show will hang in The Kelly until June 28.
CONTEST
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both locally and nationally.
“I have always enjoyed photography since I was young,” Denney said. “I got more serious about it when I started working for several outdoor companies like Ducks Unlimited, Cabelas and Mossy Oak.”
He was scouted by Ducks Unlimited after his illustrations and designs from the Covey Rise magazine were recognized by the company. Since then, he has completed illustrations and designs for several large corporations.
Denney was proud to receive awards in not only one, but two categories. Although his work is seen on large scales through multiple outdoor companies, he is proud to be recognized alongside many talented photographers.
“It was an honor to receive these awards,” Denney said. “There are many great photographers in this contest every year, some of which I know personally. To be selected is truly special.”
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of Commerce’s ninth annual cornhole tournament. There will be two tournaments: a Blind Draw and Bring your Own Partner. The cash prizes to the Blind Draw will be paid out to multiple places and the Bring your Own Partner will be a winner takes all.
The weekend will kick off Friday night with Blane Rudd playing along with an opener. Saturday morning starting at 9 a.m. folks can return for the cornhole tournament. Saturday evening Charlie C and the Cuzamatics will be playing, and Sunday night will be Blackberry Breeze with two openers. Tickets are on sale now through shakethelake2024.eventbrite.com. The weekend festival pass for all three nights plus the cornhole tournament and a VIP experience for Sunday night is $180. General admission for Friday night is $15, Saturday night is $15 and Sunday night is $25. For Sunday night, there is a VIP experience ticket option with early entree, VIP seating, T-shirt, dinner, specialty drink and swag bag.
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times. She decided to take the risk and join the competition, not knowing where it would lead. Her talent took her to the final round of the 15th season, but she did not receive the winning title.
“I was so proud of myself,” Brown said. “I was such an anxious little thing. I would get on the stage shaking; I was so nervous.”
At the start of the second season, a year older and wiser, Brown was determined to return to the Kowaliga Idol stage despite not winning her first season. This time, she knew what to expect.
“I definitely practiced a lot more,” Brown said. “Stage presence and confidence are
Carib Kitchen A unique but fantastic taste
By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor, Elmore County
For this month’s food spotlight, I found myself in Alexander City with my co-workers trying something I had never had before. We ate at the famous Carib Kitchen, known for its southern take on Caribbean and Trinbago cuisine.
This was something I had never had before, and probably never really even thought about. I usually stick to what I’m used to, but I’m sure glad I didn’t in this case.
Carib features a buffet table and you really can just pick whatever you want. In my case, I got one of every single thing on the table. That featured carib fried rice, stir fry cabbage, red beans, and three types of chicken. There was stew chicken, jerk chicken and even fried chicken.
It was the first time Carib had ever made fried chicken for customers. For me, the carib fried rice was the star of the show. I tried it both with and without the homemade hot sauce, and it was good either way. The
hot sauce, however, was a game changer. It turned my meal from a 7/10 to a 9/10. It was perfectly hot – I like spicy – and unlike some hot sauces, it actually added flavor to the meal. I enjoy cabbage, and theirs was good. At the end of the day, it was cabbage. If you don’t like it normally, you likely won’t like it here either. The red beans were cooked well and seasoned great. They were the perfect amount of softness
and were not too mushy. The chicken was good. I put hot sauce on all three of my pieces of chicken and they were great. I especially enjoyed the jerk chicken, and it lived up to its name. It was spicy and flavorful, and it was even spicier once I added the sauce. It was some of the best chicken I’ve had in a while.
The fried chicken was just fried chicken. It was their first time selling it, and for me, I wouldn’t
get it again if I was to go back. I thought it was fine, but nothing special in comparison to other chickens they had. All in all, this was one of the better restaurants I’ve done a food spotlight at. It was cheap at just under $15 for an all you can eat buffet, and everyone inside the restaurant was extremely nice. I don’t know how often I’ll get a craving for Caribbean food, but if I do, I know where I’m going.
Chuck’s is where the fun happens
By HENRY ZIMMER Sports Editor, Tallapoosa County
Beyond a couple winding roads, on a small peninsula outside of Dadeville sits Chuck’s Marina.
You might not ever drive down this road if you didn’t know where you are going, but once you do, you might just find your new favorite spot.
The first time I ever went to Chuck’s was last July last year on a whim. My friends and I wanted to do something different and had heard that Chuck’s might just be the place to be.
Once you arrive at Chuck’s, you get the feel that you are transported to a bit of an island oasis. You get in line for food immediately upon entry, and are greeted with an outstanding assortment of options, notably pizza.
There are options from wings to burgers, but my friends and I always split a big 16-inch pizza.
The Chimney Rock option is the way we usually lean, going for lots of meaty toppings with some onions and peppers involved as well. The Chuckwalla’s Gourmet pies are indeed worth the price, running a group about $30 for the 16-incher. I have not had the Key Lime Pie yet, but there isn’t a doubt in my mind that a desert would be a good addition to any trip to Chuck’s.
The venue itself is tiered, with multiple seating areas outside on the ground floor and up on the top deck looking over the water. Up
probably what changed and made the difference for me.
Last year, I could barely hold a microphone without shaking.
This year, I was able to move around the stage and entertain a little more.”
And entertain she did. She sang nine of her favorite songs, including “He Stopped Loving Her Today” by George Jones and “Standing Room Only” By Barbara Mandrell.
“He Stopped Loving Her Today” was given to Brown by the judges, but it was still a special experience for her after her close friend passed away in September.
“It was hard to get through,” Brown said, “but it was special.”
The rest of the songs she chose to sing reminded her of singing them in the car with her mother while growing up.
top you will find communal, long tables to sit and enjoy your extra large pizzas, and likely make some new friends along the way.
As any waterside bar and grill might have, there is a huge live music presence at Chuck’s on the main stage. While pizza and live music are half the draw, the other part for me is the seemingly endless list of cold adult beverage options to enjoy.
When I go, I always find myself taking down a few 32 ounce draft beers. Somewhere along the way, I found myself a big fan of Mango Cart beer, and of course Chuck’s has it on draft.
The bar itself serves quite literally anything under the sun. If you can drink it, they have it.
You really cannot get much better than a beer the size of your forearm, a ginormous pizza and
Despite her improved confidence this season, Brown had many ups and downs throughout the season.
“There were definitely weekends where I felt more nervous,” Brown said. “One weekend I was sick. I had three ulcers in my mouth, so I couldn’t even talk; it was awful.”
She was blown away at the talent in this year’s competition. While watching her friends perform, she felt certain another contestant would win.
“I was already picking out what songs I was going to sing next year,” Brown said with a laugh. “Everyone was so good.”
She did not let her doubts bring her down, however. Her passion for music is reflected in the sacrifices needed to be on stage every weekend.
“I had to skip my prom to
make it to the finals,” Brown said. “I’m more into jeans and boots, and prom is more dresses and heels, so it worked out in the end.”
On April 6, Brown and the other finalists took the Kowaliga Idol stage for the last time. When it came time to announce the winner, Brown had no idea she would hear her name.
She clung tightly to her friend and co-contestant Ramsey Whitney as they anticipated hearing who won.
“When they announced fifth place, I thought it would be me,” Brown said. “Then fourth, and so on. When they announced me (as the winner) I was in disbelief.”
Music has played a large role in Brown’s life. Since she can remember, she has always loved to sing. She likes to write her own lyrics; however, she never
live music on the lake. Though I personally don’t own a boat, Chuck’s is a marina afterall, so you can pull your vessel right on up to the dock to finish off a great day on the water. The marina does offer boat services and gas, so the place truly is a one stop shop for everything you may need.
I have yet to ever leave Chuck’s without a smile on my face or with an empty stomach, and don’t plan on ever doing so anytime soon.
Chuck’s Marina and Chuckwalla’s Pizza is open on Saturdays and Sundays opening at 11 a.m. If you need an excuse to go, May 4th at Chuck’s will feature Opelika Extreme Power Sports for Seadoo De Mayo. There are fun times to be almost everywhere around the lake. But at Chuck’s, the fun is just that much better.
had the means to put music to her words. Now, she’s working on perfecting new musical abilities.
“I’ve been singing since I could talk,” Brown said. “I picked up guitar last September; I’ve been taking lessons at Martin’s Music. I feel like learning to play an instrument gives you more knowledge of music, and I can write my own stuff to it.” Brown is a senior at Benjamin Russell High School, and will graduate in May. Although she will pursue a pre-law major, she has no plans of leaving music behind.
“I’m hoping I can get to the point with my guitar that I can start doing gigs and stuff,” Brown said. “I want to try to pursue a music career, and a big part of that is putting yourself out there.”
LAKE
DALTON MIDDLETON | TPI
Alexander City’s Carib Kitchen’s fried chicken, stew chicken, red beans, stir fry cabbage and carib fried rice.
FILE | TPI
Chuck’s Marina is the perfect place for families to gather on the weekend, enjoy the water and some fresh food.
River Fest to bring community together
By LIZI ARBOGAST GWIN Managing Editor
For three years now, paddlers from across the Southeast have been embarking on a journey down the Tallapoosa River for the annual River Fest. But this year, it’ll be that much more exciting as Explore Lake Martin has partnered with the Town of New Site to add a festival to the day.
“We were trying to get a community to partner with and put a festival on,” Explore Lake Martin director Sandra Fuller said. “We brought it to New Site’s attention and this year they really stepped up and said, ‘Hey, let’s do this.’ That’s where the festival comes in. We have festivals in Alex City and Dadeville, and this was just another target area to host a festival.”
There will be about 100 paddlers on the river and groups of 15 boats will leave at a time to paddle at their leisure from Horseshoe Bend to Jaybird, one of the prettiest stretches of the river especially with the Cahaba lilies in bloom.
“The lilies will be in full bloom, so it’ll be beautiful,” Fuller said. “It’s just a really great time to get out on the river and see that. There’s only a handful of places that have those lilies blooming and we get to be one of them.”
Before or after embarking, paddlers as well as the public will get to the experience the festival, which will be reminiscent of the old trade days in New Site. Joey Lain is heading up the vendor coordination and expects more than 25 vendors and food trucks to be in attendance.
“It’s important to me because I want to bring the community together,” Lain said. “I want everybody to come in as one and bring back the old traditional things that New Site used to have to offer. This is one way to bring people together.”
Lain has paid careful attention to the uniqueness of vendors, ensuring he doesn’t have more than one person selling the same item. A vendor himself, Lain said this is the perfect way to ensure every vendor can make some money and it also offers a great experience for the guests.
In addition to arts and crafts, there will be tumblers, jewelry, live bait, candles, woodcrafts and more. The festival will also have a kids’ area with a building workshop by Home Depot and bouncy houses.
“Years ago, we had what was called New Site Trade Days and that was a huge event for the community,” New Site town clerk Sheila Fuller said. “Like many things, it just kinda faded out and we wanted to bring that type of event or festival back to the community to some degree. It’ll be a time where the community can come together and visitors can come into our community, that’s a big part of it as well.”
With already 75 participants signed up for the paddle, about 85% are from out of town. Sandra Fuller the paddle and festival will be a great experience for those from out of town and those local to Tallapoosa County.
There will also be a cornhole tournament benefiting the New Site Fire Department. The cornhole tournament begins at 11 a.m. at the old gymnasium.
The Landing opens second location
By ABIGAIL MURPHY Multimedia Reporter
With The Landing being at Parker Creek for nearly 10 years, owner
Herb Winches has decided to open up a second location at Lake Martin.
Now, The Landing will not only be in the Real Island area, but also at Harbor Pointe near Stillwaters.
“I have had so many people over the years say, ‘Golly it’s such a long boat ride. Herb, have you ever thought about doing something on the other side of the lake?’” Winches said.
When the opportunity came, he decided to take it up. Winches said the Harbor Pointe location will have the same great food and service as the original location. With Harbor Pointe being a higher density
area, this second location will have extended hours.
The open season will go through the end of September for part of football season. It also will be open Wednesday and Thursday 4 to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Winches said The Landing is well-known for its specials so there will be dinner specials Wednesday-Friday at Harbor Pointe before the weekend rush.
“We are very excited about this opportunity,” he said. “It’s a different concept. I did (Parker Creek’s location) with shipping containers and (Harbor Pointe) is an actual building. It has a big kitchen, which is something we needed. We will have seating underneath a big pergola that goes from the kitchen out
to the bar, and it will be covered. Then we will have all kinds of tables and chairs outside around the property because it’s a beautiful view.”
The Landing at Harbor Pointe will also have soft music over the speakers rather than live music to keep down the noise. With the original Landing being known for its Bushwacker, the Harbor Pointe location will have its liquor license and Winches said they will do it with respect. Both of The Landings are family establishments designed for good, clean fun.
Similar to the original, Harbor Pointe will be accessible by boat and car as well as golf cart to accommodate Stillwaters residents.
The Landing at Harbor Pointe will tentatively open May 15.
Lots of fun in Wetumpka May 18
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
There’s no reason to drive anywhere but downtown Wetumpka on the third Saturday in May.
Art will fill the streets and music will fill air as the Downtown Artists hold an art show and River and Blues returns. For almost a decade the City of Wetumpka has hosted River and Blues, a free blues style concert behind the City Administration Building at the edge of Gold Star Park. Only thing is changing this year. It is moving from July to May 18.
“We are trying to beat the heat,” City of Wetumpka’s Nicole Dodd said.
“We are excited more people can come out because of the better weather.”
Nathan & The Zydeco
Cha Chas are headlining the event. Piper and The Hardtimes are coming in from Nashville to take the
River and Blues is behind the City Administration Building on South
stage. For the second year in a row, Greensprings and The Fabulous Fliptones will perform.
Music starts at 4 p.m. and coolers and chairs are welcome.
There will be bounce houses and face painting for the children along with some hand-crafted art vendors and food vendors.
“It is a totally free family friendly event,” Dodd
said.
Even before the music starts the fun begins on Company Street with the Downtown Wetumpka Artists. In conjunction with the River and Blues Music Festival. More than 50 artists will line Company and Bridge streets from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The artist event will include something for those with a sweet tooth.
“There will be about six vendors who are home -
made candy makers,” Downtown Artists’ Don Sawyer said. “They will be scattered among the artists.”
The sweet treats aren’t there to distract from the artists. Sawyer said many of the artists have been showing in downtown for years.
“The quality is there,” Sawyer said.
The arts scene has been growing in downtown Wetumpka and shows like the Downtown Artists are partly responsible for the revitalization of downtown.
“I am excited about the growth of the Downtown Artists and the impact that we can have on the town,” Sawyer said. “We are all doing this for Wetumpka. The exciting thing is we are going to have a big art show, certainly the largest Wetumpka has ever had.”
The Wetumpka Impact Crater Discovery and Visitor Center will also be open.
Harris to debut in Downtown Artists Show
By LIZI ARBOGAST GWIN Managing Editor
From New Orleans to Panama City to Costa Rica to Wetumpka, Dow Harris is a true traveler at heart, and his art has evolved with his travels. Harris really started getting into the arts while a student at Savannah College of Art & Design. Initially, he was involved in the theater program but that morphed into more design projects and film, and that’s when his art truly started to take off.
In 2008, Harris left Savannah and embarked on a journey to
Panama City, Panama. He traveled to New Orleans then Austin, Texas, before selling his van in Brownsville, Texas. “I literally hiked into Mexico with my dog and a backpack,” Harris said. “I went all the way down to the Panama Canal, hitchhiked and rode buses.”
Ultimately, Harris ran out of money and ended up in Costa Rica, where set up shop for two years working on digital design projects such as websites.
But it was in Costa Rica where his current art really took off.
The Landing is getting ready for a second
CLIFF WILLIAMS | TPI
Wetumpka’s
Main Street bordered by Gold Star Park.
LIZI ARBOGAST GWIN TPI
Dow Harris’ art focuses on magical realism. See HARRIS, Page E4
OLD 280 BOOGIE A HIT
The one where they play trivia
AU Chamber Choir and Singers rock the new THS auditorium
By CARMEN RODGERS For TPI
The Auburn University Chamber Choir, and Singers, along with the Tallassee High School Chamber Choir put on a fantastic show inside the new high school facility recently.
The THS Chamber Choir opened with African Psalm, Shenandoah, Bach (Again) Come Sweet Death, and Wind Nights.
The AU Chamber Choir performed Lobet den Herren alle Heiden, The Sweetheart of the Sun, Signs of Judgement, Even When He is Silent, Didn’t My Lord Deliver Daniel?, and Unclouded Day.
The AU Singers performed Don’t Stop Me Now, Bridge Over Troubled Water, Build Me Up Buttercup, Old Time Rock and Roll, Nella Fantasia, Sing, Sing, Sing, At This Table, and Be the Hero.
HARRIS
Continued from E3
Because THS has long boasted a highly enriched music program, the school’s auditorium was designed for performances such as the one community members attended Tuesday evening.
Hosting the AU Chamber Choir and Singers sets an example that THS students can aim for.
“To have Auburn University come into our new facility, to show off our new facility with a collegiate means a lot. It shows our students
what they can strive to achieve, and I love that,” Tallassee principal Drew Glass said.
There were two THS grads in the AU Choir, Margaret Ann Burnham and Samuel Gantt. This performance was special because while they performed many times in the former high school, this was their first time performing in the school’s new facility.
“When you have two alumni performing here, because they didn’t have
“There was a point where my computer started not working as well,” Harris said. “I’m in the jungle and I was frustrated creatively, and I was just like, ‘All right, I’m going to start drawing with whatever I can find.’ I began to develop a new style with what you would describe as an oil crayon.” He started to develop a body of work and even debuted in his first show. Harris’ style is what he describes as magical realism. “The idea is that the figures or the settings are realistic, but then there’s elements that are
this when they were students here, for them to perform in this new auditorium is awesome,” Glass said. “I thank the professors for bringing the students, and the students for putting on a great show. That’s an amazing show. Any time there is a choir, or of the arts, in Tallassee, the community backs it. They are well supported by the community.”
This event was brought to Tallassee courtesy of the
kind of outlandish or imaginative and not of this world or time,” Harris said. After developing some work and gaining some traction, Harris left Costa Rica and went to try to make a name for himself on the west coast of the United States, ultimately landing in Santa Barbara. There, he got involved with
McCraney-Cottle Arts Council. Jerry and Donna Cunningham are now the directors of the MCAC, and Jerry was the director of the THS music program for many years. Their son Jordan is also very involved in the arts programs in Tallassee.
“The Cunninghams have built it up, and Dr. Glasscock, Mr. Bird, and Mrs. Hill are now continuing the legacy that Mr. Cunningham set,” Glass said. “And Jordan, his son, he’s still
involved everywhere.” Gantt, who graduated in 2020, was among the AU Choir performers. This was his first time inside the newly constructed high school’s auditorium.
“It’s amazing,” Gantt said. “I haven’t been in this new facility yet, so it is just amazing to see what it has become,” MCAC has worked to bring the arts to the Tallassee community for 60 years.
Alvin McCraney was a local educator, a well-known vocalist, and performer. He was also a member of the Tallassee Glee Club and Choir Director. After he died in 1963, Dr. John Cottle helped found the McCraney Arts Council. Cottle was also a local musician, choral director, and vocal coach.
In 1994 the council agreed to add Cottle’s name, making it the McCraney-Cottle Arts Council.
a weekly art walk on the beach and even became a judge of sorts. Ultimately, Harris returned to Alabama to take care of family and landed a job at Tallapoosa Publishers Inc. in advertising. That helped him connect with the Wetumpka community, where he will debut his art in the Downtown Artists Show on May 18.
Harris’ current series of art is on black cardstock with vivid pastels. All of his work is freehand; he doesn’t trace anything. “I switched to black paper because I found that the color seems to pop off the black in a way that it doesn’t do with the white,” Dow said. “I liked that.”
CARMEN RODGERS | TPI
Auburn University Singers perform at Tallassee High School.
PHOTOS BY BEN SMITH | TPI
The Standard Deluxe in Waverly played host to the annual Old 280 Boogie recently. The weekend kicked off with the Wand Band, then Billy Allen + The Pollies closed out Friday night with an energetic set.
PHOTOS BY SAMANTHA HIMES | TPI
The Local at 41 Main in Alexander City recently hosted a Friends trivia night and has been hosting weekly pop culture nights every Thursday.