Wetumpka Herald May 8 2024

INSIDE: Holtville Elementary hosts field day, B3

Holtville High School basketball coach arrested

By Cliff Williams Staff Writer

tim’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.”

Wetumpka votes to settle ‘Cat Ladies’ case

Wilson was released on a $6,000 bond 90 minutes after turning himself in according to the Elmore County Jail website.

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

A case that brought the City of Wetumpka lots of attention is no more.

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.

CELEBRATING ART

By Cliff Williams Staff Writer

The Wetumpka City Council voted to settle the “Cat Ladies” case for not more than $50,000.

Chamber holds luncheon welcoming members

FOR 25 YEARS AT WES

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

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

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

F“It is a very difficult case to defend,” Mayor Jerry Willis said after Monday’s city council meeting. “It would probably be expensive. This is in the best interest of the city to avoid the high costs of litigation.” The settlement vote by the council came after a 10 minute executive session to discuss ongoing litigation in Monday’s meeting. According to court records, both parties have been ordered by federal courts to report a potential settlement by May 17. In January Beverly Roberts and Mary Alston filed a federal lawsuit against the City of Wetumpka and others following their June

It is all celebrated at Art Under the Stars at the school.

“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

rom historical cave drawings from 40,000 years ago to today’s computer-generated art, art has evolved. At Wetumpka Elementary School, art has advanced from construction paper to animation over the last 25 years.

See CHAMBER, Page A3

“It was once at all the elementary schools across the county,” principal Gigi Hankins said. “We started before everyone else and we are still continuing to do it. It is one of our biggest events to bring in the parents.”

Teachers save all the

CLIFF WILLIAMS TPI

artwork students create throughout the year. Near the end of the school year, the halls of the school become a gallery, where students serve as docents for their parents.

“The kids love to explain to the parents what they did,” second grade teacher Taryn

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

TOP: Wetumpka Elementary School students pause to visit with faculty as they walk the halls with parents at Art Under the Stars. Each hall had a different theme but the all related to viewing the art under the light of stars.

ABOVE: Wetumpka Elementary students played the recorder in the music room at Art Under the Stars. The annual event attracts hundreds of parents and family to see what the students have done over they school year.

Lewis honors past with oath of office

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

The future lies ahead for Judge Bill Lewis after he was sworn into the Alabama Court of Civil Appeals on Thursday.

Staff Report

The Alabama Association of Secondary School Principals

Lewis acknowledged his past in his investiture service in front of the appellate courts of Alabama, including the state’s supreme court. Lewis is the fourth Black individual to serve as a judge in the appellate courts and first on the court of civil appeals.

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

“I have witnessed the development and growth of Judge Bill Lewis,” civil rights

CLIFF WILLIAMS | TPI Millbrook Mayor Al Kelley, right, signs up to speak at a local legislation committee hearing last week. He was surrounded by residents of the Rodgers View Court.

Police are still investigating the fatal shooting in the Wetumpka Walmart parking lot on Jan. 20.

Millbrook annexation

now in the senate

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

Police were dispatched to the parking lot around 10:45 p.m. for a “shots fired” call. Once there, they found Centell Winston, 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.

The Rodgers View Court neighborhood is one step closer to being in Millbrook.

“This was not random, not a random act,” said Benton. “We believe the victim and the perpetrator knew each other.”

The owners of all 12 homes on the dead end street bordering both Coosada and Millbrook corporate limits petitioned to be in Millbrook’s corporate limits. It is an effort by the residents to define where they live, but more importantly to identify who responds to the small neighborhood during an emergency.

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

seeking revenue and correct maps

“Kyle Futral is an exception al principal and is very proac tive and innovative in his think ing and approaches to managing his school,” Dennis said, As principal of Holtville High School, Futral has transformed

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

leadership style of listening, en couraging, supporting, organizing and challenging the staff and students, caused the school culture to

shift in a positive direction. The school experienced a 62 percent decrease in discipline referrals, 50 percent decrease in chronic absenteeism, 7 percent increase in the graduation rate, 33 percent increase in CCR rate and a 20 percent increase in ACT proficiency in the last five years.

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

Property owners in the police jurisdiction of the Town of Coosada are faced with a choice.

See PRINCIPAL, Page A3

Annex into the town, pay up to $750 per year for fire and police services or face a bill from Coosada for emergency services that could be $10,000 or more. There are also issues as to what the corporate limits are and what is the police jurisdiction and fire district of Coosada. Part of the problem stems from the Town

COOSADA, Page A7

WILSON

CLIFF WILLIAMS | TPI

Alabama Supreme Court associate justice William B. Sellers, administers the oath of office to Judge Bill Lewis as his wife Jenna, mother Dorothy and son Billy look on.

Police Reports

WETUMPKA POLICE DEPARTMENT

MAY 2

• Domestic violence was reported on Pemrose Lane.

May 1

• Domestic violence was reported on Government Street.

APRIL 29

• Harassment was reported on Tallassee Highway. April 28

• Harassment was reported on Chapel Road.

TALLASSEE POLICE DEPARTMENT

MAY 5

• Debris was reported in the roadway on Riverside Avenue.

• Assistance was given to a citizen on Barnett Boulevard.

• An animal bite was reported on Riverside Avenue.

• A disorderly subject was reported on Gilmer Avenue.

• A disorderly subject was reported on Gilmer Avenue.

• Suspicious activity was reported on Adams Street.

• Debris was reported in the roadway on Gilmer Avenue.

• A welfare check was conducted on Riverside Drive.

• A suspicious vehicle was reported on Laurel Street.

• Livestock was reported in the roadway on Cherokee Trail.

• An animal bite was reported on Third Street.

• A suspicious vehicle was reported on Gilmer Avenue.

• Assistance was given to a citizen on Gilmer Avenue.

• Property damage was reported on Central Boulevard.

• Property damage was reported on Gilmer Avenue.

MAY 4

• A Black male was arrested on Freeman Avenue.

• A welfare check was conducted on Hillcrest Street.

• A white female was arrested during a traffic stop on Central Boulevard.

• A fight was reported on Wall Street.

• Property damage was reported on Little Road.

• Assistance was given to a citizen on Barnett Boulevard.

• Livestock was reported in the roadway on Cherokee Trail.

• A suspicious person was reported on Washington Street.

• Assistance was given to a citizen on Freeman Avenue.

• A civil dispute was reported on Second Avenue.

• An animal complaint

was reported on Gilmer Avenue.

• A suspicious vehicle was reported on Gilmer Avenue. MAY 3

• Assistance was given to another agency on Kent Road.

• Theft was reported on Freeman Avenue.

• Debris was reported in the roadway on Gilmer Avenue.

• A fight was reported on First Avenue.

• Assistance was given to a citizen on Sims Avenue.

• A welfare check was conducted on Dolan Road.

• A motor vehicle accident with no injuries was reported on Friendship Road.

• A motor vehicle accident with injuries was reported on Gilmer Avenue.

• Assistance was given to a citizen on Powers Avenue.

• Assistance was given to a motorist on Gilmer Avenue.

• Assistance was given to a citizen on Gilmer Avenue.

• Assistance was given to a citizen on Barnett Boulevard.

• A white male was arrested on Industrial Parkway.

• Trespassing was reported on Gilmer Avenue.

• A Black male was arrested on U.S. Highway 231.

• A domestic dispute was arrested on Notasulga Road.

• Theft was reported on Third Street.

• A Black male was arrested on Freeman Avenue.

• Animal control was requested on Camellia Drive.

• A motor vehicle accident with no injuries was reported on Friendship Road.

• Animal control was requested on Quail Run Drive.

• Animal control was requested on Gilmer Avenue.

• Assistance was given to a citizen on Gilmer Avenue. MAY 2

• An arrest was made during a traffic stop on Gilmer Avenue.

• Reckless driving was reported on Gilmer Avenue.

• A suspicious person was reported on Redden Avenue.

• Animal control was requested on Gilmer Avenue.

• A suspicious vehicle was reported on Adams Street.

• A juvenile complaint was filed on Central Boulevard.

• Assistance was given to a citizen on Freeman Avenue.

• A fight in progress was reported on Freeman Avenue.

• An animal complaint was reported on Sims and Gilmer avenues and Barnett Boulevard.

• Reckless driving was reported on Gilmer Avenue.

• A white male was arrested on Barnett Boulevard.

• A white female was arrested on U.S. Highway 231.

• An animal complaint was reported on Central Boulevard.

• An animal complaint was reported on Joy Street.

• A white male was arrested on U.S. Highway 231.

• An animal complaint was reported on Joy Street.

• An animal complaint was reported on Gilmer Avenue.

• Menacing was reported on McNeal Street.

• A verbal altercation was reported on Hickory Street.

• Gunfire was reported on Poplar Street. MAY 1

• Theft was reported on Sims Street.

• Assistance was given during a medical call on Stroud Street.

• An arrest was made during a domestic incident on West James Street.

• Assistance was given to a motorist on Gilmer Avenue.

• A welfare check was conducted on Gilmer Avenue.

• A suspicious person was reported on Hillcrest Avenue.

• An animal complaint was reported on Joy Street.

• A welfare check was conducted on Third Street.

• An animal complaint was reported on Roberts Street.

• Menacing was reported on Hillcrest Street.

• Animal control was requested on Joy Street.

• Trespassing was reported on Barnett Boulevard.

• Animal control was requested on Duke Street.

• Assistance was given to a citizen on Gilmer Avenue.

• Animal control was requested on Marvin Avenue.

• A suspicious vehicle was reported on Hull Street.

• A welfare check was conducted on East Patton Street.

APRIL 30

• Assistance was given to a citizen on Sims Avenue.

• Harassment was reported on Redden Avenue.

• A white male was arrested on U.S. Highway 231.

• Debris was reported in the roadway on North Ann

Avenue.

• Harassment was reported on Sims Avenue.

• Property damage was reported on Joy Street.

• A Black male was arrested on U.S. Highway 231.

• An abandoned vehicle was reported on Highway 229.

• A domestic dispute was reported on McNeal Street.

• Assistance was given to a motorist on Gilmer Avenue.

• Assistance was given to a motorist on Highway 229.

• Criminal mischief was reported on Redden Avenue.

• Assistance was given to a motorist on Central Boulevard.

• A motor vehicle accident with no injuries was reported on Central Boulevard.

• A white male was arrested on U.S. Highway 231.

• Animal control was requested on Gilmer Avenue.

• Animal control was requested on Hillcrest Avenue.

• Animal control was requested on Riverside Avenue.

APRIL 29

• Assistance was given to a citizen on Ice Plant Road.

• Assistance was given to a citizen on Jefferson Street.

• Assistance was given to a motorist on Sims Avenue.

• Menacing was reported on Notasulga Road.

• Assistance was given to a citizen on Barnett Boulevard.

• A noise complaint was reported on Gilmer Avenue.

• Assistance was given to a motorist on Highway 229.

• A civil disturbance was reported on Washington Street.

• A motor vehicle accident was reported on Notasulga Road.

• Harassment was reported on Lower Tuskegee Road.

• Burglary was reported on Grimes Street.

• Harassment was reported on Barnett Boulevard.

• Animal control was requested on Gilmer Avenue.

• Debris was reported in the roadway on Gilmer Avenue.

APRIL 28

• A motor vehicle accident with no injuries was reported on Lower Tuskegee Road.

• Gunfire was reported on Rickey Lane.

• Assistance was given to a citizen on Highway 14.

• Assistance was given to a citizen on Central Boulevard.

Millbrook investigating shots fired into homes

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

The Millbrook Police Department is asking for the public’s help in tracking down whomever is responsible for gunshots into two occupied homes on Sandtown Road Sunday.

There were no injuries but that isn’t stopping the investigation.

“This is a case of senseless gun violence, most probably resulting from perceived retaliation from a previous incident that occurred in the past,” Millbrook police chief P.K. Johnson said. “While we are extremely fortunate that no one was injured as a result of this senseless act, absolutely nothing justifies this.”

A 9-year-old child was in one of the homes at the time of the incident.

Investigators collected some evidence at the scene, and Johnson is hopeful it will be fruitful in leading to a suspect. He also hopes the public will aid in the investigation and prevent further shootings and possible injuries or worse from happening.

“I understand that there may be a witness or witnesses that have information pertinent to this case, but they are unwilling to cooperate with law enforcement due to fear of retaliation,” Johnson said.

He has also ordered more police attention in the area.

“They have orders to conduct enforcement details addressing any suspicious activity or criminal violations observed,” Johnson said. “In short, that area is about to receive a lot of attention for the foreseeable future.”

Humane Society of Elmore County News

Tips for being a good pet owner

By REA CORD HSEC Executive Director

This is Be Kind to Animals Week and National Pet Week as well — though we hope most live this way 52 weeks/year. But it is good to celebrate the special bonds between pets and their people. Our pets are loyal to us even when we are not the best to them, and we think they deserve a lifetime of our love and care.

Our pets provide companionship and uncon -

ditional love no matter what the circumstances. They bond to us, are there when we need some extra love, protect and help us while asking for so little in return. After all they do for us, this is the week to revisit how we can give back to them.

National Pet Week focuses on responsible pet ownership with suggestions below on how to be the best pet owner you can be: Commit

Pet of the Week —

Zeus & Hera

• Avoid impulsive decisions when selecting a pet.

• Select a pet that’s suited to your home and lifestyle.

• Keep only the type and number of pets for which you can provide appropriate food, water, shelter, health care and companionship.

• Commit to the relationship for the life of your pet(s).

• Provide appropriate exercise and mental stimulation.

• Properly socialize

and train your pet.

Invest

• Recognize that pet ownership requires an investment of time and money.

• Make sure your pet receives preventive health care (vaccinations, parasite prevention), as well as care for any illnesses or injuries.

• Budget for potential emergencies.

Obey

• Clean up after your pet.

• Obey all local ordinances, including licens -

Zeus is a 1 1/2 year old male Husky who weighs about 70 pounds. He was surrendered to us for being an escape artist (he needs a 6-foot fence and really prefers being outside) and chasing livestock. He loves to go for rides, is good with children and female dogs but not good with cats, chickens or livestock. Zeus reminds us of a naughty little boy who likes to instigate trouble so you will need to be able to stay ahead of his antics and other dogs will have to be of a temperament to tolerate his antics – which leads us to Hera. Hera is a 2-year old female Husky, smaller at 42 pounds. She is super sweet and loving, but be forewarned she does have that loud Husky voice and she likes to use it. Her preference is to be outside as well meaning she also needs a well-fenced yard. While we know this is a big ask, it would really be something if we could find a home for Zeus and Hera together. They did not come in together but while with us have become like a long-married couple & get along wonderfully. When Zeus just keeps up his antics, Hera talks back to him (the proverbial “enough already” and quite funny) but they actually get along famously, so wouldn’t it be fantastic to get them a home together?

The Humane Society of Elmore County’s adoption fees are $100 for dogs and $50 for cats under 1 year old. Cats over 1 can be adopted by approved adopters for a fee of their choosing. This adoption fee covers the mandatory spay or neuter, basic immunizations, deworming, 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 334-567-3377 and the website is www.elmorehumane.org.

Millbrook burglars caught in act

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

One call to 911 helped the Millbrook Police Department solve multiple cases.

Someone passing a business on Highway 14 early Tuesday morning heard someone entering a building and called police. When officers arrived, they noticed some had made a forcible entry and went inside.

“They encountered and detained the offender,” Millbrook police chief P.K. Johnson said.

Officers found Zacary Murray, 33, of Millbrook inside the business. He was arrested and charged with third-degree burglary

and second-degree criminal mischief.

“While conducting their investigation, detectives noted that Murray matched the description of a suspect wanted in connection with the burglary of a business committed the previous week,” Johnson said.

On Friday, April 26, a Main Street business in Millbrook was burglarized and after Murray’s arrest law enforcement obtained

a search warrant for Murray’s residence.

“Evidence was collected connecting Murray to the April 26 burglary,” Johnson said.

For that incident, Murray was charged with third-degree burglary and first-degree theft.

Murray was taken to the Elmore County Jail.

During the investigation, Millbrook police also connected Murray to another crime. Murray and Kate Lipscomb, 34, of Millbrook were identified from video surveillance entering a storage unit. They were observed loading $7,000 in goods into their vehicle.

Lipscomb was charged with third-degree burglary

and first-degree theft. She has a $45,000 bond available to her.

Prior, Murray was arrested March 29 and charged with possession of a controlled substance, second-degree possession of marijuana, possession of paraphernalia and tampering with physical evidence. He posted a $10,000 bond.

On the newest charges

Murray was granted a $114,000 bond but the the 19th Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office filed a motion to revoke Murray’s bond in the case.

Elmore County District Court Judge Glen Goggans granted the motion and Murray will remain in jail until a hearing.

Another prison smuggling attempt thwarted

STAFF REPORT

TPI Staff

Nearly three kilograms of marijuana and 30 cellphones were seized before they were introduced to state prisons over the weekend.

A K9 team from Staton Correctional Facility located Keante Jamal Shipp, 21, of Montgomery near neighboring Elmore Correctional Facility about 9:24 p.m. Saturday. “Once on the scene the team located and detained

SHIPP

the suspect,” an Alabama Department of Corrections release said.

“Tracking dogs were then deployed to backtrack the suspect’s tack and located multiple packages wrapped in duct tape.”

Court records state the packages contained 2,290 kilograms of marijuana, 99 grams of cathinone, 30

cellphones, 24 charging cords, 17 charging blocks and a digital scale.

Shipp was taken to the Elmore County Jail and charged with two counts of trafficking, two counts of promoting prison contraband and criminal trespassing.

Shipp posted a $3,036,000 bond Tuesday and was released from the Elmore County Jail.

ADOC said the incident is still under investigation and additional charges may be pending.

ing, leash requirements and noise control.

• Don’t allow your pet to stray or become feral. Identify

• Make sure your pet is properly identified (i.e., tags, microchips, or tattoos) and keep its registration up-to-date.

Limit

• Don’t contribute to our nation’s pet overpopulation problem: limit your pet’s reproduction through spay/neuter, containment or managed breeding.

Prepare

• Prepare for an emergency or disaster, including assembling an evacuation kit.

• Make alternate arrangements if you can no longer provide care for your pet.

• Recognize any decline in your pet’s quality of life and make timely decisions in consultation with a veterinarian.

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

MURRAY LIPSCOMB

Boone, Chairman

Kenneth

Tippy

General Manager Lizi Arbogast Gwin, Managing Editor

Page A4 • May 8, 2024

MICHAEL BIRD Columnist

ABlowout in Tuskegee

s my 28-year teaching career comes to a conclusion this year, I am revisiting some columns that ran in this space over the past 20 years that told stories from our music department at Tallassee High School. This is one of the most-requested tales from the road. This originally appeared in The Tallassee Tribune in 2008.

For the second year in a row, on my way to the press box to announce the “Pride of Tallassee” band at halftime, I have destroyed my pants on a broken fence on the home side of Eagles Stadium in Tuskegee. The fact that it happened once is bad enough, but now it has happened twice.

Talk about a Friday night “blow-out”.

It is embarrassing enough to walk through crowds when you are the visiting team. On some occasions, the crowd can be hostile to the announcer. You have to walk through the fans near the end of the 2nd quarter, usually a critical time in the game – and if you can imagine a fat boy hanging

his rear on a fence struggling to get loose, you can also imagine the hoots and hollers from the fans on the Tuskegee side.

One girl kept talking about it, laughing as loudly as she could. I heard her making fun of me, even as I announced the Tallassee band coming on the field. I tried not to notice, but it took me back to that day in seventh grade when I fell down the stairs at Goodwyn Jr. High School and landed directly between the science teacher’s legs. In my agony, the teacher couldn’t make much out of my moans and groans amongst all the laughter of my schoolmates. I just recall her leaning down above me and saying, “are you okay?” It all happened in slow-motion. Fat people fall down that way.

(Years later, when I worked at Robert E. Lee High School and had to visit Goodwyn, I used the same staircase to visit the upstairs bandroom – and experienced a bit of post-traumatic

See BLOWOUT, Page B3

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Motherhood

My husband and I have recently been contemplating the idea of fostering.

As I get older, the possibility of having children of our own seems less and less likely, but I’ve always wanted to be a mother. I have that innate need to take care of people, especially those who need it most.

I was talking to my therapist about this idea and told her I don’t want to live my entire life without being a mother, when she said, “Well, you have been a mother.”

It got me thinking: Mother is a lot of things to a lot of different people.

I never want to take anything away from “true moms,” those who have given birth and raised their children up from babies. But there are a lot of other mothers who should be celebrated as well.

Grandmothers play a crucial role in the upbringing of children. Stepmothers are another type of mom that deserve just as much praise. We have a saying in our family that we don’t say “step” or “in law.” When you hear me talking about my husband’s siblings, those are my brothers and sisters too. There’s no “in law” in our house, and being married to someone who was raised

The Wetumpka Word

LIZI GWIN Managing Editor

by a stepfather he calls Dad, there’s no “step” either. That being said, I was a mother once. I was engaged to a man back in Pennsylvania who had the two best kids you could ask for. We had full custody of his son Lucas, and I loved playing mom to him and his sister Ali. I remember creating a project where we had to make our own box of cereal out of arts and crafts; that was a hoot. Or when Ali came home and said she had to do a poster on what she wanted to be when she grew up and she picked my job, I was more than flattered. I loved taking them to town events or on vacation, and I did everything a mother would do — drove them to school and packed their lunches.

husband and I have always been drawn to dogs who are really in need. My first dog, Stella, has severe storm anxiety and takes daily medication every 12 hours, and when Charles and I first decid ed to adopt together, we picked Pebbles, who has chronic eye problems and also requires daily medication.

We have two more, Raven and Que, as well as two kittens we rescued from going to the shelter. Those animals are my life, and without my husband and I, who knows where they would be? That’s definitely parenthood, at least in some sense of the word. it, and there are lots of ways to be a great mom. We’ve been taking care of my nephew while my sister works overnights, and although we’re just the aunt and uncle, it still requires those same instincts. one who considers themselves a mom. You deserve it too.

So in many ways, I was a mother for a time.

aging editor of Tallapoosa

I’ve also been a dog mom — still am, and always will be. Going back to helping those most in need, my

lishers Inc. She can be

As the end of 2023 was approaching, the U.S. Senate had ignored the custom to adjourn around Thanksgiving for a month-long Christmas break. Instead, they were working right up to Christmas. Our Senior Senator Tommy Tuberville was quietly and effectively maneuvering to get things accomplished with an adroitness exhibited by U.S. Senate veterans.

Alabama’s senior United States Senator has become an adept political operator during his three and a half years in the upper chamber of Congress. Political observers did not know what to expect when a man, who prefers the title “Coach” to “Senator” came to Washington, and he has surprised many with his ability to get his priorities accomplished.

A good example of the Coach’s savvy occurred in the days leading up to Christmas, as the Senate worked to craft an end-of-year nominations package. These packages often come together at the close of the year and approve multiple presidential nominees for senior executive branch positions in the final days of the congressional session. Leadership and the Senate’s most senior members control which nominations make it into the package. Sen. Tuberville collaborated with his colleagues on both sides of the aisle to make sure his friend and fellow Alabamian, former 11-term Congressman Spencer Bachus, was included in the package in the final hours of the 2023 session. The Senate operates on the rule of unanimous consent, meaning that a single Senator can throw a wrench into its operations and bring the entire body to a standstill. The Coach has established credibility in the Senate, and his colleagues have come to learn

that when he threatens to hold up a legislative package, they had better take him at his word. This credibility has given him the ability to get things done.

As a result of Sen. Tuberville’s efforts, Congressman Bachus was included in the yearend package and confirmed unanimously by the United States Senate for a second term on the Board of the Export-Import Bank of the United States.

Originally appointed by President Trump, Bachus’ senior leadership role at America’s leading Development finance bank has allowed him to provide financing to strategically important United State companies and industries to ensure the United States remains competitive with adversaries like China.

The COVID-19 pandemic revealed supply chain vulnerabilities in the United States, and the Export-Import Bank has played a key role in helping to fortify domestic supply lines for industries vital to national security. Thanks to Sen. Tuberville’s efforts, Alabama will continue to have a voice at this powerful federal agency in Spencer Bachus.

This yearend coup by Sen. Tuberville, to get the revered Jefferson County, former Congressman Spencer Bachus reappointed to the Export-Import Bank, was expedited with the assistance of Coach’s brilliant young assistant Emory Cox. Folks should not underestimate Coach Tuberville. He is used to

at 434-962-9420 or via email at lizi.

Senator ‘Coach’ Tuberville quietly effective

working in the trenches. Alabamians should also not underestimate how close Senator “Coach” Tuberville and former President Donald Trump are. If Trump is reelected, Tuberville will be Trump’s closest ally and friend in the U.S. Senate. Alabama will be in the catbird seat in a Trump administration because of Tuberville.

Former Congressman Spencer Bachus had a successful 22-year run as the 6th district’s congressman. However, his successor, Gary Palmer is doing a Yeoman’s job in this seat. The 6th congressional district is an affluent district, which includes the upscale suburbs of Jefferson County as well as burgeoning upscale Shelby County.

Congressman Gary Palmer is beginning his 11th year in the U.S. Congress. He disposed of two opponents in the just ended March GOP Primary and should have clear sailing for as long as he wants to stay in this 6th congressional district seat.

Palmer has become a player among the Republican congressional ranks. Prior to going to congress, he founded and ran the very conservative “think tank” – The Alabama Policy Institute. Therefore, he is viewed as an expert on policy issues. He is a leader in the GOP steering committee that sets policy and the agenda for the Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives. He also serves on the very important House Energy and Transportation Committee.

Steve Flowers is Alabama’s leading political columnist. His weekly column appears in over 60 Alabama newspapers. He served 16 years in the state legislature. Steve may be reached at steve@steveflowers.us.

Brodie said.

For students whose strengths lie in art, the gallery gives them an opportunity to highlight their achievements.

“We are able to celebrate all students,” Hankins said. “It is especially important to the students whose academics may not be the strongest. Art can be a very good outlet for them.”

Brodie looked at art as a way to help students decompress after stressful times at school.

“We studied Matisse who painted while sick in bed,” Brodie said. “He drew on the ceiling with chalk. After ACAP, my kids got to lay on the floor underneath their desks and do their own self portraits. They are not used to drawing like that.”

Second graders also ventured beyond what many consider art for elementary students when technology integration specialist Melissa Easley reached out to Brodie to use technology as part of the Art Under the Stars presentation.

Easley helped direct students through a drawing and then those were scanned and uploaded to a website.

“The students with Easley’s help were able to create animations,” Brodie said. “Some are dancing, like running across the screen.”

Brodie and Easley aided the students with creating QR codes to present their animations for Art Under the Stars. Parents and guests could then follow the QR code with their phones to the student’s animation.

The animation process involved even more art lessons.

“They talked about cartoons a long time ago (that) had to be created one picture at a time,” Brodie said. “Now the cartoons can use technology to create the animation.”

The animation was only available to second graders this year. But just like Art Under the Stars will continue, Brodie hopes the animation will too.

“We loved it,” Brodie said. “This is something we hope to have her come back and do again.” ART Continued from A1

Continued from A1

attorney Fred Gray said. “I serve without reservation, he is well qualified to serve in that position.”

Lewis and Gray share a history of respect and admiration. Lewis invited Gray to his investiture in 2016 as Lewis was elected to the bench as a circuit court judge in the 19th Judicial Circuit serving Elmore, Autauga and Chilton counties.

In 2018 Lewis introduced Gray at the Wetumpka Black History Program. Gray said Lewis may go on to bigger things from the court of civil appeals — higher courts and more.

Lewis was the valedictorian of Wetumpka in 1996. He gave credit for his academic success and more to his parents Dorthy and Bill Lewis while joking about possible legal ramifications.

“If I had known about DHR when she was pushing me to get that last math problem or read that book in not so nice ways, I would have called them and now be in Tennessee or somewhere else,” Lewis said. “I real-

Arbor Day planting honors Gill, Mitchell

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

It’s a Wetumpka tradition nearly three decades old — planting trees on Arbor Day.

On Friday Wetumpka officials joined the families of Percy Gill and Yancey Mitchell to plant trees near the Elmore County Black History Museum and the Percy Gill Splashpad, carrying the tradition of remembering community icons.

Ron Hilyer is a forester but has been the center of the Arbor Day tradition in Wetumpka since its beginning.

“I have made a living cutting down trees all my life,” Hilyer said. “I have always encouraged people to replant trees. When I see a tree being planted like these, in my mind it is not only perpetuating the memory of these two people but perpetuates life.”

Like many others planted

memory.

around Wetumpka, two Chinese pistache trees were selected for being slow growers and able to grow in environments near buildings and sidewalks.

“They will not get huge,” Wetumpka public works’ Chappell Brown said. “They kind of bush and don’t grow out large limbs.”

The trees should be around

for decades just like Gill and Mitchell were for Wetumpka and Elmore County.

“It’s a pleasure to be able to pay tribute to two fellows who made tremendous contributions to our city, to our county over the years,” Wetumpka Mayor Jerry Willis said.

Gill served as a Wetumpka City Council member and died

in March 2019.

“When I attended a meeting and Percy Gill was there, I always tried to sit as close to Percy as I could because he was smart,” Willis said. “I learned a lot from sitting next to him and communicating with him.”

Gill was influenced by Mitchell, whom Willis also had many conversations with over the years — not because of a political office he held but because he was respected in the community.

“I never could really understand everything he said, but we communicated and talked on a regular basis,” Willis said. “He’s been gone a little while and I miss him.”

The tradition of planting trees will continue even before Arbor Day next year. The next trees to be planted in Wetumpka will occur around the new Wetumpka Fire Department Station 2 on Holtville Road.

Wetumpka senior awarded 4-H scholarship

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

Lauren Clardy has been rewarded for her activeness in 4-H with an Alabama 4-H Foundation scholarship.

The soon-to-be Wetumpka graduate is no stranger to 4-H.

“She has been involved in Elmore county 4-H a great deal,” Elmore County extension coordinator Katrina Mitchell said. “She is an awesome young lady and has worked hard.”

For at least five years Clardy has been an active member of 4-H mainly working in dairy cattle. But she hasn’t stayed on the farm. Clardy is taking part in the Youth Leadership Elmore County program. She has served on the Elmore County 4-H Council and a state 4-H ambassador for the last four years.

“Her involvement and recognition just goes to show 4-H is on the rise in the county,” Mitchell said.

The scholarship will help Clardy with her studies at Auburn University at Montgomery.

A formal recognition is coming for Clardy at the 4-H Competitive Events Day in June.

The Alabama 4-H Foundation has awarded over $147,500 to 4-H’ers across the state since 2020. The scholarship can go towards enrollment at a four-year college, community college, trade school or a professional certificate.

Benton resigns as Wetumpka police chief

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

There will be a new police chief and possible new developments in Wetumpka.

Wetumpka police chief Greg Benton tendered his resignation effective June 1.

The Wetumpka City Council accepted the resignation at its Monday meeting. Mayor Jerry Willis paused for a moment to recognize the efforts of Benton.

“About six years ago this guy came our way and helped us through some very difficult times,” Willis said.

“I want to commend him for the job he has done. It’s been a pleasure working with you.”

Benton thanked everyone for giving him the opportunity to work in Wetumpka as chief.

“I work along some of the finest men and women in this state,” Benton said. “I think they have come a long way.”

ize the reason she pushed me was because she knew we had to fill all of our potential.”

Lewis attended the University of the South in Sewanee and went on to Cumberland School of Law in Birmingham. He came back to Wetumpka in August 2003 to work as a law clerk for 19th Judicial Circuit Court Court Judge John Bush. Lewis’ law career almost ended just as it started. He was running with Bush across the circuit learning everything he could on handling criminal, civil and domestic relations cases.

“We got to December and (the office of courts) told me I had to fire him because we couldn’t have law clerks anymore,” Bush said with emotion. “It was one of the most unpleasant things I have ever had to do in my life.”

But Lewis quickly landed in the district attorney’s office where now Elmore County District Court Judge Glen Goggans was working as an assistant DA. Goggans is also an ordained Baptist minister added to the slightly less formalness of the proceedings..

“I did a funeral (Wednesday), but this is special as I get to say something good about them

Benton recommended current deputy police chief Ed Reeves as his replacement.

Benton has been in law enforcement for 35 years, 11 as a police chief.

The council approved a professional services contract to retain Benton for police consulting for nine months.

Last summer the city purchased property across from the Wetumpka Sports Complex. At Monday’s meeting the council voted to accept bids for the first phase of Rivertown Center.

“We hope this will bring retail and maybe a hotel,” Willis said.

Redevelopment might be coming to South Main Street.

The council authorized Seay, Seay & Litchfield to develop conceptual designs for property around the Wetumpka Civic Center and the building just south known as Faith Rescue.

“It’s an area that will be very beneficial to the city,”

when they are alive,” Goggans said. “I think the world of him and his family.”

Lewis became Goggans’ boss of sorts when Lewis was appointed circuit court judge in 2016. In February 2017 Lewis made the trip to governor’s office in Montgomery to swear in Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall.

“I will always remember his smile as he walked into the governor’s office to greet me on a day that forever changed my life,” Marshall said. “It was an act of kindness and grace that I have not and will not forget.”

Marshall travels the state trying cases in front of numerous judges, all of whom admire his tenacity.

“He has praise across the state especially among fellow trial judges,” Marshall said. “He is trusted and respected by all. His decisions on the trial bench reflect bias to no party.”

Lewis is the first Black Republican to serve in Alabama’s appellate courts. Alabama political columnist Steve Flowers said Lewis has been a lifelong Republican.

“It was a brilliant appointment by Gov. (Kay) Ivey, not just officially because of his

Willis said. “Over the years it could be developed for a lot of different things. This is for a master plan for it.”

The council voted to help a neighbor out. With the ongoing construction at Stanley-Jensen Field in Prattville, the council voted to allow the Lions to use the Wetumpka Sports Complex stadium for five football games on Aug. 22, Sept. 13, Oct. 4, Oct. 17 and Nov. 1. Those are dates that do not interfere with Wetumpka High School football games. Wetumpka Parks and Recreation director Tiffany Chandler said negotiations started in January.

“We had to come to the council because it is catered specifically to Prattville,” Chandler said. “We went through steps to make sure needs were met on both sides.”

Most of the security will be provided by Prattville and will be coordinated with the Wetumpka Police Depart -

qualifications but it does show there is room for African Americans in the Republican Party,” Flowers said. “He is not Johnny come lately. I think it is a good day for Alabama. It shows promise for the Republican Party.”

Lewis showed what was most valuable to him just as his investiture started Thursday.

“To the extent you can judge a man by his raising, we saw that as he got his momma and family into the courtroom,” Marshall said.

Lewis asked Alabama Supreme Court Justice Tom Parker for a moment to help escort his mother who was being pushed in a wheelchair by his wife Jenna and son Billy. They took a seat beside Lewis and stood with him as he placed a hand on the Lewis family Bible with a candle lit beside a photograph of Lewis’ father Bill who died about 20 years ago.

Lewis is usually unfazed ruling from the bench, but emotion slowed him some as he took the oath of office from Alabama Supreme Court Justice William Sellers.

“As a lawyer I don’t get scared speaking in public, but

ment. Taking up tickets, the press box and parking will also be handled by Prattville. “Their administration is working all the games,” Chandler said.

It seemed small by many of the things on the council’s agenda but it approved Phase 2 of the Community Development Block Grant demolition program. The city has $62,000 in grant funding remaining. It will bring down about 11 structures.

Phase 1 of the program tore down 10 dilapidated structures.

IN OTHER ACTION THE WETUMPKA CITY COUNCIL:

• Approved minutes of the April 15 meeting.

• Adopted a pre-tax pension plan with Retirement Systems of Alabama.

The next meeting of the Wetumpka City Council is scheduled for 6 p.m. Monday, May 20.

I get nervous in front of you guys,” Lewis said. “It is humbling to see the turnout for this event.”

Lewis follows William Thompson to the bench on the court of civil appeals. Thompson served 27 years on the court, presiding for 17 years. Lewis will hear cases in a courtroom named for Thompson. Marshall called it the year of replacing legends in Alabama.

“I understand what (new Alabama football) coach (Kalen) DeBoer is going through,” Lewis said. “Those are some big shoes to fill. I’m not going to try to fill them. It is impossible to do. I will work to make sure I carry on the integrity and the pride of how he served.”

Most of the Elmore County Bar Association was in attendance of Lewis’ investiture. Lewis reminded the 19th Judicial Circuit “family” he still works for them. Lewis used the group to remind everyone he will not forget Elmore County and its neighbors.

“I may work in Montgomery but the 19th Circuit is home,” Lewis said. “They are family. I still work for you, just added 64 counties.”

LEWIS

CLIFF WILLIAMS TPI

Friends of Yancey Mitchell help plant a tree near the Elmore County Black History Museum in Mitchell’s

Continued from A1

of Coosada failing to turn in a report of what it collects in revenues from its police jurisdiction to the Alabama Department of Revenue. The report was a requirement of an Alabama law on police jurisdictions amended by the Alabama Legislature in 2021 also freezing the growth of the jurisdictions. It also limited the future growth of police jurisdictions to the corporate boundaries of a municipality. Coosada Mayor Jim Houston said letters were sent to residents in the police jurisdiction requesting the payment for services.

“We did that because we lost the revenue from the 2021 law not allowing collection of revenue we get in the jurisdiction,” Houston said. “I think there were more than 200 municipalities that lost the right because we didn’t turn in a report.”

Coosada asked for an exemption from the legislature allowing it to turn in the report late. The legislature has yet to grant any exemptions.

In the meantime, Coosada is seeking funding from those in its police jurisdiction but not in the town limits. It is requesting those with a residence to pay $350 per year, businesses

$750, $10,000 from gas plants and $5,000 from the City of Wetumpka for responses to the airport. Even those who own property with no

SENATE

Continued from A1

The Alabama Legislature was asked to grant the annexation. It is one of three ways property can be annexed — by a willing property owner whose property is contiguous to the corporate limits, by public referendum or by legislative act.

A local legislative committee held a rare public hearing at the request of the Town of Coosada on the matter last week before the local bill made it to the floor of the Alabama House of Representatives.

“We have the authority to annex bit by bit by bit,” Millbrook Mayor Al Kelley told the committee. “It will take approximately 20 meetings. This bill gets it done and helps the citizens who support annexation into Millbrook.”

Coosada Mayor Jim Houston argued much of the neighborhood is already in the police jurisdiction of Coosada and annexation into the jurisdiction by any other entity is not allowed under current laws.

“This will cross over into our jurisdiction where it has already been frozen,” Houston said. “It is not supposed to be extended anymore.”

State Rep. Reed Ingram is sponsoring the

SETTLE

Continued from A1

structures on them in the police jurisdiction have been requested to pay.

“The only reason we are doing it is to supplement fire fees,” Houston said. “I can’t ask citizens of Coosada to foot the bill to provide services in the police jurisdiction. We are asking people in the police jurisdiction to pay. We will still respond regardless.”

Fire fees are currently $50 per year for property owners in the corporate limits of Coosada.

The town was collecting the same fee for those in the police jurisdiction until failing to file the report. Houston said the new fee structure allows the services to continue without burdening property owners in the corporate limits.

“We (could) say we won’t provide services in the police jurisdiction but we decided not to,” Houston said.

The Town of Coosada has filed a lawsuit against the Elmore County Fire Fighters Association alleging the town is being shorted on its fire district thus losing fire fees.

Shortly after the town was incorporated, Coosada established its fire department in 1985 right after establishing its police jurisdiction.

Houston and police chief Leon Smith said the maps being used by Elmore County Revenue and Elmore County E911 are incorrect.

“We are getting maps from the Elmore County Fire Fighters Association where they set the district,” Houston said.

bill for the Millbrook annexation and told the committee it was the neighborhood’s destiny because all 12 property owners wanted it.

“I have petitions from every property owner involved,” Ingram said. “The heartburn is these people were in a police jurisdiction of a municipality they never asked to come in.”

Houston acknowledged the legislature can rearrange corporate boundaries. He said Coosada officials did not know anything about Millbrook’s attempt to annex the area until they read an article in The Wetumpka Herald. Houston said no one from the local delegation has contacted Coosada or returned messages on the matter.

“I have sent emails too,” Houston said. “I’m not getting any response, but they represent us too. A courtesy call would be nice but we just got an article.”

Part of the issue of no response lies in Coosada filing lawsuits last year against the Elmore County Fire Fighters Association over its declaration of fire districts and the Elmore County Commission over upkeep of roads in the corporate limits of Coosada.

Chris Wright is the president of the Rodgers View Court Home Owners Association. He said

“It doesn’t cover parts of our police jurisdiction.”

Houston said the town doesn’t have the funding to have its own GIS department for mapping; it depends on the Central Alabama Regional Planning and Development Commission for maps.

There are numerous issues with the corporate limits, which is one of the reasons for the lawsuit, according to Houston. He said the Chevron station on Highway 14 was left out of Coosada at the request of the owner. Portions of Coosada stretch over the northside of Highway 14.

“It took three years to get signs for the Town of Elmore removed from our corporate limits,” Houston said. “One was on Highway 14.”

According to state law, when property is annexed it is reported to the county’s probate office then the county’s revenue office uses the data for creating maps of corporate boundaries. Those maps are then used by E911 to create police jurisdictions and determine what agencies respond to a call to 911.

Houston said the town went to three meetings of the firefighters association seeking a resolution. When the issue wasn’t resolved, the town filed suit.

“Everywhere we go, the revenue department, E911, fire association, all the maps are different,” Houston said. “Mapping is all over the place.”

The fire fighters asso -

talks of annexation started in March 2023 when the Town of Coosada failed to report its police jurisdiction to the State of Alabama to continue to collect revenues in the area beyond its corporate boundaries. Coosada held a meeting to inform affected residents about the town’s loss of revenue and possible consequences.

“We did meet with the residents about coming into Coosada,” Coosada councilmember Roosevelt Watkins said. “At that point it was a go; everyone was on board to do it.”

Rodgers View Court residents met again in June 2023 and decided it was in their best interests to seek annexation into Millbrook.

“We approached the Town of Coosada at a town hall meeting and made a request to be able to annex into Millbrook,” Wright said.

The town and Houston denied the request even with the neighborhood outside the corporate limits of Coosada.

Various residents of Rodgers View Court, some who have lived there for 30 years, spoke in favor of annexing into Millbrook. They all said it would clear matters of which police, fire and EMS departments respond there. Currently the neighborhood is

“They violently handcuffed Ms. Roberts, an 86-year-old woman, and Ms. Alston, a 61-year-old woman, aggressively forced them into a police car and then unjustifiably jailed them,” the lawsuit stated.

“They did so under the color of state law, based on a patently absurd, obviously pretextual assertion that Ms. Roberts and Ms. Alston were ‘trespassing’ on public property.”

The ladies appealed the verdict to

ciation filed a counterclaim to Coosada’s lawsuit claiming there is no record of annexations since 1995. Issues with recorded police jurisdiction were not brought to the fire fighters association until 2023. It requested documentation of the when and how the annexations occurred.

“Aside from a kind of map with apparently hand-drawn lines reflecting what Coosada now claims to be its fire protection district, Coosada has failed or refused to comply with what would seem to be a simple and straightforward request to establish, precisely, the territory Coosada claims,” the counterclaim states.

According to records at the Elmore County Probate Office, the Town of Coosada has recorded 17 annexations in the last 10 years. Two of those occurred in 2022. The remaining 15 have been recorded since Jan. 1, 2024. The most recent annexation efforts started after the town notified those in the police jurisdiction of the new fire fees. All 17 were contiguous to the Town of Coosada’s corporate limits.

The town also filed suit against the Elmore County Commission stating the commission is responsible for upkeep of any roads in the town prior to 1995. Houston said the town is without a street department and collects only approximately $25,000 per year in various gas tax funds including Rebuild Ala -

divided with responses from first responders from both municipalities. Houston made the argument other municipalities can’t cross another to gain access for annexation. The neighborhood borders both Coosada and Millbrook but access would be from Airport Road, portions of which are in Coosada.

According to maps from the Elmore County Revenue Office there are currently areas of Coosada that can be accessed only by crossing through Millbrook.

Millbrook town clerk Lori Davis said there are parts of Millbrook accessible only by going through other municipalities.

Ingram had the last word with the committee.

“It assures these residents they call on one municipality and that is Millbrook,” Ingram said. “The residents are not a party in the litigation.”

bama.

“We can’t afford to do it,” Houston said. “We go through the county to keep up the roads.”

According to documents recorded at the Elmore County Probate Office, the town has also collected 5-mills in property tax from properties inside its corpo -

rate limits since 2016. According to Houston the town collects revenue from business licenses, mainly from warehouses and from traffic citations. County leaders said they couldn’t comment on the pending litigation. Everyone now waits for potential court dates.

The local legislation committee gave the annexation bill a favorable report. The bill was passed by the house Thursday and as of Monday morning is pending action in a senate committee before reaching the senate floor. If the bill passes the senate and is signed by Gov. Kay Ivey, the neighborhood will then be in Millbrook and not unincorporated Elmore County.

circuit court. But before a jury trial, all the criminal charges against the ladies were dismissed by the city. The suit listed the city, Mayor Jerry Willis, police chief Greg Benton, assistant police chief Ed Reeves and police officers Kameron Ricks, Jason Crumpton and Brenden Foster both as city employees and personally as defendants. If the settlement is accepted, the federal courts will dismiss the case.

COOSADA

Blessed Assurance, Jesus Is Not Mine

reetings from the corner of Bridge and Bridge! Happy May Day to everyone! For the first time in a long time, it seems, we are actually enjoying actual spring weather here in the river region. It has been a pleasant departure from our typical cycle of winter – tornados – scorching summer heat.

One of the treasured hymns of the mainline church is Blessed Assurance, Jesus Is Mine. The words of the first verse make it easy to understand why.

Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine! O what a foretaste of glory divine! Heir of salvation, purchase of God, born of his Spirit, washed in his blood.

The repeated refrain provides a powerful statement of praise.

This is my story; this is my song, praising my Savior all the

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.

day long; Fanny Jane Crosby wrote the words to this beloved hymn in 1873. Her words capture the glory of accepting God’s gift of salvation. In the second and third verses, she speaks of perfect submission and perfect delight. It is impossible to sing the hymn without acknowledging the blessing of belonging to God.

Theologians of every variety have debated the concept of claiming belonging to God. On the one hand, the word of God consistently declares that all are children of God, which solidifies the fact that every human creation is claimed by God. On the other, the Bible also consistently reflects what happens when children of God try and take ownership of belonging to God.

Salvation is a gift, not a pos-

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-

REV.

JONATHAN YARBORO Columnist

session. It is given by God. It is not earned through any means of human activity. Recognition of that gift only comes through living in faith, but recognition and possession are not the same thing. Is it possible to truly embody God’s amazing gift of salvation without having to possess it? I don’t know about you, but I have always believed it to be completely possible. The determining factor, it seems, is the measure of control we have over it.

First, there must be aware-

Church Briefs

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

EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF THE EPIPHANY

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

ness that each and every child of God has complete control over acceptance of God’s grace and mercy. As the Apostle Paul wrote, “We are convinced that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Jesus Christ.”(Romans 8:39) Paul dismisses every vestige of human authority and power and renders them powerless over God’s gift of salvation.

Second, there must be awareness that no human being controls God’s grace and mercy. While we may want to determine who is worthy to receive it and who is not, we do not have that authority. Again, in keeping with the proclamation of Romans 8, no human being can separate another human being from the love of God in Jesus Christ.

When we stand and sing

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

Worship With Us

Blessed Assurance, Jesus Is Mine, what do we think that means? Are we celebrating being heirs of salvation? We certainly should be. Are we claiming Jesus as dying for our sins but not the sins of others? I hope not.

The inability to control God’s gift of salvation is a gift in and of itself. It means, among many things, that no child of God ever needs to wonder what to say to or pray for sisters and brothers in any setting or circumstance. Claiming blessed assurance in belonging to God in Jesus Christ is empowering. Proclaiming God’s universal offering of salvation to all is life changing.

Rev. Jonathan Yarboro is the Pastor of First Presbyterian Church, Wetumpka.

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

Wetumpka ends season in Elite Eight

By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor

All good runs must come to an end.

For Wetumpka’s baseball season, that run ended Friday night when the Indians were swept by Spanish Fort, 10-3 and 8-5, in the Class 6A quarterfinals.

The Indians, which reached the third round of the playoffs for the first time since 1992, finished the year with a 24-16 record.

“This team did everything they were asked to do and never quit on us,” Wetumpka coach Michael Dismukes said. “They could have folded when it wasn’t going their

way early in the season but they showed their grit and were hard to beat every game out. They played with confidence and fought to the very end. I can’t put into words what this team did this year.”

Wetumpka was tied with the Toros until the bottom of

WETUMPKA SOFTBALL FACING ELIMINATION IN REGIONAL TOURNAMENT

By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor

Editor’s Note: Wetump -

ka’s softball games on Tuesday did not meet the print deadline. You can find results for the games online at www.thewetumpkaherald.com.

Wetumpka has been in this exact position before.

The Indians fell to Baldwin County, 2-1, in the second round of the AHSAA Class 6A South Softball Regional Tournament on Monday afternoon. Wetumpka must now win three games in a row on Tuesday if it is to continue its season. A loss at any point ends the year, and the Indians hit the field at 10:45 a.m. on Tuesday morning against Benjamin Russell, beaten four times this sea -

TOP: Wetumpka’s softball team celebrates after a home run from Mya Holt in Game 1 of the regional tournament.

ABOVE: Wetumpka’s Maribeth Parette, right, throws across the diamond in Game 1 against Theodore. Parette led the Indians with two doubles against Baldwin County in Game 2.

The Indians faced this year when they also lost to Baldwin County in the first round. They then went

on to win four in a row to claim the second regional seed and went on to win the state championship.

Head coach Daryl Otwell will see if his 2024 bunch can follow the same script.

“It’s a tough road ahead for us,” Otwell said. “It’s not easy at all. It’s hot and it’s a long day. It’s going

Wetumpka excels in state track meet

By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor

The Wetumpka track and field team made its presence known in Gulf Shores. Participating in the Class 6A state championship meet, Wetumpka placed 20th overall in the women’s division and 32nd overall in the men’s division. The girls team was led by Jada Walker, who placed Top 8 in two individual events. Running in the 100-meter, she placed eighth with a time of 12.57. She then out-did herself in the 200-meter with a time of

25.91, good for sixth place. She also ran in the 4x100 and 4x400 relay teams, both of which placed. The 4x100 had the top finish of any participant or relay team for Wetumpka with a fourth place finish and a time of 48.93. The 4x400 finished 14th overall. Tremya Thomas was the only other girl to place as she finished 23rd in the javelin with a distance of 78-10. Overall, the Indians finished 20th out of 32 teams with nine points scored. On the boys side, Julius William was the only participant to score points for the Indians.

He participated in four events but placed Top 8 in only one of them. In the triple jump, he finished sixth with a distance of 44-03.00.

Teammates Elisha Williams placed 15th in the same event with a distance of 42-00.75. Williams finished in three other events. In the high jump, won by Ben Russell’s Malcolm Simmons, he had a height of 6-02.00 which was good for 12th place. In his two running events — the 400 meter and the 800 meter, he placed 12th and 19th.

Holtville shutout by Valley

By HENRY ZIMMER Sports Reporter

It was a battle of starting pitching between Valley and Holtville in the third round of the playoffs.

The defending 5A state champion Bulldogs traveled to Valley Thursday, but were unable to get their bats going against solid pitching, falling in back to back games 1-0 and 2-0.

Holtville ended its season 22-15, but more importantly, will part ways with many of the seniors that made the Bulldogs one of the best programs in the state.

Emotions were down after the two stunning losses, but coach Scott Tubbs didn’t want his team to feel as though they didn’t compete.

“You can’t let a loss like that define who you are,” Tubbs said. “We fought hard. We just came up short. Valley is a good team. They had some guys on the mound compete really well and make all the defensive plays. It is hard to beat guys playing like that.”

In the opener, Valley threw Auburn pitching commit Jackson Sanders against Holtville’s A.J. Carreon. Sanders, the state’s top left handed pitcher, went the distance and allowed just four hits while striking out 13.

Carreon to his credit hung right with Sanders, going the distance

as well and allowing just five hits. The only run allowed was a bases loaded walk.

In Game 2, Tubbs turned to Southern Miss commit Drey Barrett to bail his team out and force a third game. Barrett struck out seven over a full game of work, allowing five hits. Valley scored a run in the second and one in the sixth to take the win.

Holtville managed just three hits against a pair of pitchers from Valley.

“I thought A.J. did a good job. He gave us a chance,” Tubbs said. “We had a shot, we just had a hard time hitting. And Drey did his job too. It was just that miscues cost us and lack of timely hits.”

Getting on base was an uphill battle for the Bulldogs all game. While the box score may make it look like Holtville couldn’t connect with pitches, that wasn’t the case at all.

Plenty of Bulldogs, like Barrett, made connections all night but the ball simply never found the ground. Barrett went 1-5 combined with a walk over the two games, highlighting the struggles Holtville had at getting past a stout Valley defense.

“Nothing for them to hang their heads about,” Tubbs said. “They did everything they were

FILE TPI Wetumpka catcher Logan Fawcett hits against Reeltown earlier this season. The sophomore hit a two-run home run against Spanish Fort in the Class 6A Elite Eight.

HENRY ZIMMER TPI Holtville’s AJ Carreon runs the bases against Valley in the Class 5A quarterfinals. Holtville was held scoreless in two games as

were swept out of the playoffs.

to be a mental grind but this is what we’ve prepared for. We’ve tried to get them ready for this moment. I think we’re prepared for it. We’re going to give it all we can tomorrow.”

Wetumpka won Game 1 against Theodore, 10-1. The Indians pounded out 11 hits and five extra base hits. Riley Dismukes hit a home run and a triple, while Mya Holt also homered. Cassidy Bowers and Lily Davenport added doubles and RBIs.

Game 2, however, was a different story for Wetumpka’s offense.

Baldwin County’s Madilyn Byrd allowed just three hits from Wetumpka’s offense, two from Maribeth Parette and one from Davenport, as she struck out 16 Indians and held them to only one run.

A year ago, she struck out 17 Wetumpka batters.

Wetumpka never got comfortable at the plate. The umpire behind the plate had a tall strikezone, calling strikes high on a lot of Byrd’s riseball pitches.

In the bottom of the sixth inning, after calling back-to-back strikes against Holt on pitches at her neck, Otwell was ejected for arguing with the umpire.

“It’s tough when you face a riseball pitcher and balls are being called strikes up in the zone,” Otwell said. “It’s like when Mya gets strikes called down in the zone. Their pitcher had an umpire that was giving her her best stuff tonight. I think that rattled our hitters and I think we never got comfortable. That led to us guessing and we couldn’t establish what was a strike, which led to us taking pitches and striking out looking.”

EXCELS

Continued from B1

HOLTVILLE’S THOMAS FINISHES TOP 10

Holtville’s lone participant nearly got the Bulldogs some points this weekend. Jesse Thomas, participating in the 5A discus, placed ninth overall with a distance of 12608. He was just three feet short of placing Top 8 and earning points for the team.

STANHOPE ELMORE SENDS THREE TO STATE Stanhope Elmore’s trio all finished in the top 21 of their respective events this weekend. In the girls 400-meter, freshman Promise Cottrell finished 19th with a time of 1:03.20. In the same event on the boys side, Gemain Edwards had a time of 52.44, good for 21st. In the high jump, DeKamron Jones placed 20th with a height of 5-08.

HOLTVILLE

Continued from B1

supposed to do. We just didn’t come up with any timely hits.”

The play of the series came as Holtville was rounding the bases in the bottom of the fourth.

With runners on second and first and two outs on the board, Jayse Price stole third. Price then turned and rumbled for home, crossing the home plate bag and, for a moment, tying the game. Quite literally when the dust at home plate settled, the home umpire had singled that Price missed third base entirely and was out.

Without the run scored, Holtville never put any wind back in its sails.

In the bottom of the sixth, a 1-2-3 inning of outs for Holtville, the team further exacerbated its struggle to find bags. Two outs at first, which both featured heavy collisions with Valley’s Sanders, ran emotions high. Holtville’s last chance came with runners on first and second in the bottom of the seventh. No outs were on the board when Hudson Parsons came to the plate. On his fourth pitch, Parsons lined out into a triple play, ending the green and white’s season.

“Taking a run off the board hurts and kind of kills your spirits,” Tubbs said. “At this time of year, in order to win a state championship, you have to have things go your way. They didn’t go our way (Thursday).”

WETUMPKA

Continued from B1

Edgewood walks off Chambers, advances to state title

By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor

Edgewood Academy is playing for the state championship.

The Wildcats beat Chambers Academy, 11-1, in Game 3 of the AISA Class AA semifinals on Thursday afternoon. Edgewood Academy (26-13) won the series, 2-1, after winning Game 1 by walk off on Wednesday, 16-15.

Edgewood is looking for its first state title since 2015.

“It’s a very special moment for us and our team,” Edgewood coach Justin Jones said. “This group of seniors have been with me the entire time so I’m really pumped for them to have this experience and get the opportunity to play for it all.”

The two teams went back and forth in Game 1 and Game 2 on Wednesday in a doubleheader that featured eight total lead changes.

In Game 1, after Chambers tied the game 15-15 in the top of the seventh inning, the Wildcats were able to walk off the game. Brock Whitt singled and advanced to second before Parker Shaw hit a double to left field to win the game.

In Game 2, Edgewood took a late 8-7 lead when Shaw doubled in two runs in the top of the sixth inning. Chambers, the home team, then scored three runs in the bottom of the seventh and walked it off as well.

Thursday’s game was not

like the first two. Edgewood took the lead in the bottom of the first inning and never looked back.

Ethan Evans hit a tworun home run in the first after a leadoff double from Drew Allison. The Wildcats pushed their lead to 6-1 then mercy-ruled the Rebels with a five-run fifth inning that ended in a bases-clearing walk off triple from Landon Smith.

“We came out and I challenged the boys from the first inning to match the energy from yesterday,” Jones said. “We wanted to play clean baseball and play the way we know we can. That’s exactly what we did.”

After using the majority of his pitching staff in the doubleheader on Wednesday, Jones took a chance in Thursday’s matchup. He sent freshman center field-

er Colten Lashley to the mound for just his second career varsity start.

Lashley turned in an impressive performance as he pitched a complete game and allowed just one run on four hits and five walks. He pitched into a lot of groundouts, including two double plays to end innings and allowed the Wildcats to maintain their lead.

“He shut them down,” Jones said. “He threw it really well today. With Colten, he pitched a lot for our junior varsity. He has a lot of movement on his pitches, but we just have a lot of guys on varsity with more experience. But it was his turn to take the mound today and he did not disappoint.”

While Lashley held down the Rebels, Edgewood continued its hot streak at the plate. The

Wildcats recorded 10 hits in Game 3, their third straight game to have 10 or more hits. Overall in the series, they recorded 37 hits and 15 extra base hits.

Shaw hit six doubles, while Allison had a double, triple and home run. Evans had a double and home run, and Whitt hit a double and grand slam.

The Wildcats also had over five bunt singles in the series as they caused mayhem against the Chambers infield defense.

“I’ve told our guys all year that it makes it difficult to play us because we can play small ball or swing it as well as anyone,” Jones said. “In the first game, we bunted a lot and started moving them up and then we swung it and moved them back and then bunted again. It makes it difficult to play us.”

Edgewood softball falls to Hooper in championship

By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor

The Edgewood Academy softball team came up just short on Saturday afternoon.

Edgewood was defeated by Hooper Academy, 6-5, in the AISA Class AA state championship game held at Lagoon Park in Montgomery.

The Wildcats, which held the No. 1 ranking in AISA for most of the season, finished the year as the state runners up with a 43-9 overall record.

“It’s disappointing because we didn’t win, but I’m very proud of my girls for coming in second,”

Edgewood coach Kim Brown said. “I told them this morning to be proud that they’re here today. Not everyone gets to play for a championship. Only two teams are here so they should be proud of accomplishing that.”

It was an uncharacteristic two losses to Hooper for Edgewood.

Known for their stellar defense, Edgewood was plagued with errors in both its semifinals loss and championship loss to the Colts. The Wildcats made

five errors in both games, but the championship errors were much more costly.

Only two of the six runs pitcher Ashley Burgess gave up were earned because of the errors.

The first two runs Hooper scored were off a leadoff error in the bottom of the fourth. Following the error, a single and two fielder’s choices that resulted in no outs allowed two runs.

After Edgewood led, 3-2, in the fifth, another error allowed Hooper a leadoff base runner when a ball was dropped on a routine fly ball in the outfield.

To cap the game in the bottom of the eighth inning, Hooper started the inning with a runner on second base due to the international tiebreaker rule. Hooper bunted the ball and one final error allowed the runner to score all the way from second and Hooper walked off the game for its second-consecutive championship.

“It was not like our team,” Brown said. “It was really hard watching the errors. Hooper does a great job of putting the ball in play hard and forcing errors. We had more hits than they did, but we

had more errors than they did so that was the difference.”

Edgewood had a chance to score in the top of the eighth, but was unable to get the hit to score the runner from second.

Senior Katelynn Shaner bunted to move the runner over with one out, but back-to-back hitters failed to bunt safely and the inning ended with what would’ve been the go-ahead run at third base.

“We attempted to bunt with all three girls but just couldn’t get it down,” Brown said. “Victoria (Hagemann) is a great pitcher and spins the ball well. It’s really deceptive trying to bunt off her and we just couldn’t execute in that last inning.”

Edgewood finished the game with eight hits, five of which came from the top two hitters in the lineup. Lindsey Brown ended her storied Edgewood career with a 3-for-4 day at the plate with one RBI and one run scored. Freshman Lexie Smith went 2-for-3, while Burgess had a double and Avey Rambo and Channing McAnnally each added hits.

the fifth inning in Game 1. Logan Fawcett hit a two-run home run early and Noah Golson, the Indians’ defacto ace, held Spanish Fort off as long as he could. In the fifth inning, he gave up a solo home run and a sacrifice fly as Spanish Fort took a 4-2 lead. He went back out in the sixth, but the Toros busted the game open with a six-run inning to storm ahead, 10-2. “Noah really battled his butt off on the mound,” Dismukes said. “He pitched really well. It just didn’t go our way then it got a little out of hand late.”

The teams traded runs in the sixth and Wetumpka took a 5-5 tie into the seventh inning.

In Game 2, Spanish Fort carried its momentum into the fifth inning as it led, 4-1. The Indians weren’t done fighting, however. Mason Fuller drove in a run on a single, then Golson and Trent Parshall each added RBIs and tied the game, 4-4.

“We had a chance to take Game 2 and they just answered everything we threw at them,” Dismukes said. “We tied it up then had runners at second and third and couldn’t get the big hit. We had two real chances to take the lead late but couldn’t get the hit.”

Just two batters into the top of the seventh inning, Spanish Fort took its final lead. A leadoff walk scored on a double

from Caleb Chesser and then Lakelon Ray added two more runs on a double of his own later in the inning.

In the bottom of the seventh, Wetumpka loaded the bases with two outs but a lineout to second base ended the Indians’ season.

The Indians put on a run for the ages to reach the Elite Eight. After suffering through a nine-game losing streak in early March, Wetumpka picked it up when area play began and went on a tear.

The Indians claimed the area championship over rival Stanhope Elmore while beating Benjamin Russell and Brookwood in the playoffs. In the process, Wetumpka won 17 of its last 23 games.

“I’m so proud of this team and what they’ve done,” Dismukes said. “I mean they lost nine games in a row early and just turned it around and kept playing. They got better every time they went out and started playing with confidence. They had a great run.”

DALTON MIDDLETON | TPI

Edgewood Academy celebrates a walkoff win over Chambers Academy in Game 1 of the AISA Class AA semifinals. Edgewood won the series, 2-1, to clinch its spot in the state championship game.

FILE | TPI

Edgewood Academy’s Lindsey Brown slides into home plate safely against Hooper Academy. The Wildcats fell to Hooper, 6-5, in the state championship game.

FUN AND GAMES FOR ALL

PHOTOS BY CLIFF WILLIAMS | THE TPI Water, food and tug-of-war were just a few of the fun activities students at Holtville Elementary School participated in at their field day last week. Students and faculty are winding down the school year and celebrating. Teachers even joined in the fun anchoring the rope for tug-of-war and challenging students to games of Rock-Paper-Scissors during relay races. In the end, there were no losers and everyone smiled.

Edgewood’s Shaw comes through in the clutch

By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor

There wasn’t a bigger bat across the state than Parker Shaw last week.

Shaw, Edgewood Academy’s junior catcher, put on a show for the ages. In the Wildcats’ 2-1 series win over Chambers Academy in the AISA Class AA semifinals, Shaw hit double after double.

He finished the threegame series 7-for-8 at the plate with six doubles and eight RBIs. He hit a walkoff double in Game 1, a go-ahead two-run double in Game 2 and broke open the game with a two-run

double in Game 3. For his efforts at the plate, Shaw is the Elmore County Player of the Week.

“Parker is seeing the

4

4 Tallassee at 5A Central Regional (Lagoon Park), TBD 4 Holtville at 5A South Regional (Gulf Shores), TBD

FRIDAY, MAY 10

4 AHSAA Class 5A State Championship (Huntsville Soccer Complex)

4 Tallassee/Gulf Shores winner vs. Southside/Guntersville winner, 9 a.m.

TUESDAY, MAY 14 HIGH SCHOOL SOFTBALL

4Wetumpka (TBD) at 6A State Tournament (Oxford’s Choccolocco Park), TBD

ball really well right now,” Edgewood coach Justin Jones said. “He’s not chasing bad pitches and he’s putting a good swing

BLOWOUT

Continued from A4

stress disorder.)

on the ball almost every at-bat. He’s really pacing our lineup and they’re kind of doing the same thing he is.”

Edgewood beat Chambers, 16-15, in Game 1. In that game, Shaw was a perfect 4-for-4 at the plate with four doubles and four RBIs.

No hit was bigger, however, than his last one. With the game tied, 15-15, in the bottom of the seventh, Shaw stepped to the plate with runners on first and second and one out.

Chambers fans yelled to their left fielder to back up, but he did not listen. On the first pitch of the at-bat,

The pants-ripping last Friday evening reminded me of some funny stories announcing for the band over the years. Way back in the Frisco City days, we were once the visiting team at a school in west Alabama. Coach Rodney Dollar (who later came to Tallassee) was furious that the band performed at all – we got the Whippets penalized 15 yards every time we played a note. The officials seemed to be picking on us the whole night; they stopped the band on first downs, time-outs, anything – every time we tried to do our job of supporting the team, we were shut down by the officials and our team received another penalty. I mean, our band was pretty terrible, but so many penalties! Memorably, the concession stand only served soul food choices like mus-

Shaw belted a double over his out-stretched hand going nearly straight backwards and Brock Whitt scored from second for the walkoff win.

In a back-and-forth affair in Game 2, Shaw gave Edgewood its final lead of the game. Trailing 7-6, Shaw stepped to the plate in the sixth inning and hit a double to center field to score two runs, putting Edgewood up 8-7.

The Wildcats eventually lost by a run, but he did his job in the game. In Game 3, he was held to only one hit as the Rebels tried not to pitch to him. When they did throw to him, he made them pay. Edgewood was leading 3-1 in the third inning when Shaw stepped up again with two runners on base. This time he hit a ground ball to centerfield and both runners came around to score as he ended up on second base. His hit put Edgewood up, 5-1, and the Wildcats then raced to an 11-1 mercy rule win.

tard greens, pickled pigs feet, chicken wings, and hot peppers. There wasn’t a hamburger nor hot dog in sight. On my way to the press box, the announcer saw me coming through the crowd and hurled an insult in my direction. Fat shaming might be the right description! Some in the crowd started laughing at me – but, with a stiff upper lip, I approached the press box at the top of their home stands prepared to bring all the excitement and passion to halftime announcing that I possibly could. Once inside the press box, the announcer seemed friendly enough. I noticed there was a barrel-shaped cooler behind the chairs. I opened it, thinking maybe I could plunder a bottle of water. The cooler was filled with ice-cold cans of beer and malt liquor. I didn’t take anything from the cooler. It was now time for the band to perform, and I grabbed the microphone to

Shaw and the Wildcats are now playing in the state championship at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Patterson Field in Montgomery. They will face Lakeside Academy in a best-of-three series.

work my magic.

Just as I uttered the phrase, “Ladies and Gentlemen,” the press box started shimmying and shaking with the loudest bass notes I’ve heard or felt, ever. Upstairs, the announcer was holding a private halftime gathering and they had a sound system booming out hip-hop. Their music was so loud, it came through the microphone and out the speakers as I announced the Mighty Band from Whippet Land, the Big Red Machine. All these years later, it stands out as one of the most embarrassing moments of Friday night halftimes.

Except for these past two years at Tuskegee. Last year, I left the press box and sat on the bus the rest of the game. This year, I drove myself home instead. Why? There was less of a draft in my car than on the bus.

Michael Bird is a music teacher for Tallassee City Schools.

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Application Deadline is 05/17/2024. CAEC is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a Drug Free Workplace

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Public Notices

Public Notices

pp delay the foreclosure process.

Public Notices

Public Notices

by Christopher

Sanders And Keisha Sanders Husband And Wife to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as mortgagee, as nominee for Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation, its successors and assigns dated September 18, 2019; said mortgage being recorded on September 19, 2019, in Book 2019, Judge of Probate of Elmore County, Alabama. Said Mortgage was last sold, assigned and transferred to Lakeview Loan Servicing, LLC by assignment recorded in Deed Book of the Judge of Probate of Elmore County, ALABAMA. The undersigned, Lakeview Loan Servicing, LLC, 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 28th day of February, 2024 the following property, situated in Elmore County, Alabama, to-wit: COMMENCE AT THE SW CORNER OF THE SE 1/4 OF SECTION 4, T19N, R18E, ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA;

THENCE NORTH 88 DEG. 06 MIN. 32 SEC. EAST, 1506.72 FEET TO A POINT; THENCE NORTH 27 DEG. 07 MIN. 43 SEC. EAST, 200.00 FEET TO A 1/2” CAPPED REBAR ON THE EAST RIGHT-OF-WAY OF THORNTON ROAD (80’ R.O.W.) AND THE POINT OF BEGINNING; THENCE ALONG SAID RIGHT-OF-WAY OF SAID ROAD, NORTH 27 DEG. 10 MIN. 35 SEC. EAST, 152.79 FEET TO A CONCRETE MONUMENT; THENCE ALONG SAID RIGHT-OF-WAY OF SAID ROAD, NORTH 28 DEG. 01 MIN. 09 SEC. EAST, 45.60 FEET TO A 1/2” CAPPED REBAR; THENCE LEAVING SAID RIGHT-OF-WAY OF SAID ROAD, NORTH 89 DEG. 27 MIN. 04 SEC. EAST, 388.77 FEET TO A 1/2” CAPPED REBAR; THENCE SOUTH 01 DEG. 53 MIN. 58 SEC. EAST, 50.05 FEET TO A 1/2” CAPPED REBAR; THENCE SOUTH 01 DEG. 54 MIN. 01 SEC. EAST, 100.00 FEET TO A 1/2” REBAR CAPPED MARTIN CA-563-LS; THENCE SOUTH 86 DEG. 28 MIN. 06 SEC. WEST, 485.85 FEET TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING. SAID PARCEL CONTAINING 1.62 ACRES, MORE OR LESS, AND LYING IN THE SE 1/4 OF SECTION 4, T19N, R18E, ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA, ACCORDING TO THE SURVEY OF NEIL MARTIN, ALA. LICENSE NO. 31574, DATED SEPTEMBER 9, 2019. Said property is commonly known as 1255 Thornton Road, Titus, AL 36080. 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

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.

LAKEVIEW LOAN SERVICING, LLC 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. 22-03174AL

www.foreclosurehotline.net

Wetumpka Herald

02/07/2024,02/14/2024,02/21/2 024,03/27/2024,05/08/2024

AMENDMENT TO NOTICE OF MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE

The sale date under the above mentioned Notice of Mortgage Foreclosure Sale has been postponed until April 11, 2024, and public notice thereof having been given, the above notice is hereby republished with this amendment.

Wetumpka Herald, March 27, 2024

AMENDMENT TO NOTICE OF MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE

The sale date under the above mentioned Notice of Mortgage Foreclosure Sale has been postponed until May 23, 2024, and public notice thereof having been given, the above notice is hereby republished with this amendment.

Wetumpka Herald: May 8, 2024 22-03174AL

PUBLIC NOTICE

MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE

Default having been made in the payment of the indebtedness secured by that certain mortgage executed by Chris J. Johnson, a married man, Crystal L. Johnson, a married woman, originally in favor of Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., acting solely as nominee for First Mortgage Group, on August 25, 2005, said mortgage recorded in the of Elmore County, Alabama, in the undersigned Wells FarTransferee, 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 atabama, on February 15, 2024, during the legal hours of sale, all of its rights, title, and interest in and to the following described real estate, situated in Elmore County, Alabama, to-wit: Lot 23, according to the plat of Country

abama law gives some persons who have an interest in property the right to redeem the property under certain circumstances.

Public Notices

PUBLIC NOTICE

MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE

Default having been made in the payment of the indebtedness secured by that certain mortgage executed by Gayle M. Magill, an unmarried woman, originally in favor of Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., solely as nominee for Quicken Loans Inc., on April 25, 2013, said mortgage recordof Probate of Elmore County, Alabama, in Book 2013 Page 27106; the undersigned Rocket Mortgage, LLC f/k/a Quicken Loans, LLC f/k/a Quicken Loans Inc., 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 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 9 of Brittany Place, Plat No. 1, as recorded Probate of Elmore County, Ala95.. Property street address for informational purposes: 90 Brittany Dr S , Elmore, AL 36025. THIS PROPERTY WILL BE SOLD ON AN “AS IS, WHERE IS” BASIS, WITHOUT WARRANTY OR RECOURSE, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED AS TOMENT AND WILL BE SOLD -

TIES 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 Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) to Tiffany & Bosco, P.A. at the time and place of the sale. The balance of the purchase price plus any deed recording costs and transfer taxes must be paid next business day at the Law the address indicated below. Tiffany & Bosco, P.A. reserves the right to award the bid to the next highest bidder should the highest bidder fail to timely tender the total amount due. The Mortgagee/Transferee reserves the right to bid for and purchase the real estate and to credit its purchase price against the expenses of sale and the indebtedness secured by the real estate. This sale is subject to postponement or cancellation. Rocket Mortgage, LLC f/k/a Quicken Loans, 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

Public Notices and wife, originally in favor of Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as nominee for Everett Financial, Inc. d/b/a Supreme Lending, on November 30, 2016, said mortgage reof Probate of Elmore County, Alabama, in Book 2016 Page 59649; the undersigned Matrix Financial Services 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 June 6, 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, towit: Commence at an iron pin at the Southwest Corner of the Northeast Quarter of the Southwest Quarter of Section 19, Township 20 North, Range 21 East, Elmore County, Alabama; thence South 89 degrees 01 minutes 37 seconds East, along Quarter Section line, 964.32 feet to an iron pin, said point being the Point of Beginning; thence leaving Quarter Section line, North 11 degrees 20 minutes 15 seconds West, 558.88 feet to an iron pin; thence North 50

Public Notices

ments 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,

Northeast Quarter of the Southwest Quarter and the Northwest Quarter of the Southeast Quarter of Section 19, Township 20 North, Range 21 East, Elmore County, Alabama..

address for

purposes:

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

Notice is hereby given that an application has been made to the Elmore County Commission for a 140 – Special Events Retail Alcohol License Application for The Black Jacket Symphony by JROK Inc. at The Lake Martin Amphitheater, 8878 Kowaliga Rd., Eclectic, AL 36024 for event on July 20, 2024 through July 21, 2024. The Public Hearing on said application is set before the County Commission at 5:00pm, Monday, May 13, 2024 in the Elmore County Courthouse Courtroom, 100 East Commerce Street, Wetumpka, Alabama. Anyone desiring to speak either for or against said application should appear in person at said time or may indicate their wishes in writing to: Elmore County Commission 100 East Commerce St., Suite 200 Wetumpka, AL 36092 wrbechd@elmoreco.org

Holley Mill Rd , Eclectic, AL 36024. 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. Matrix Financial Services Corporation, (“Transferee”) Tiffany & Bosco, P.A., 2501 20th Place South, Suite 300, Homewood, AL 35223 www.tblaw.com TB File Number: 23-07008

Wetumpka Herald: May 8, 15 and 22, 2024 24-00846

PUBLIC NOTICE

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

Wetumpka Herald: May 8, 2024 APPLICATION

PUBLIC NOTICE

LEGAL NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE DISTRICT COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA CASE NO.: DV-2023-900375.00 WILLIAM HUNT VS. MELISSA HARROD, DEFENDANT.

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) time and place of the sale. The balance of the purchase price plus any deed recording costs and transfer taxes must be paid next business day at the Law the address indicated below. Tifright to award the bid to the next highest bidder should the highest bidder fail to timely tender the total amount due. The Mortright 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. The above mortgage foreclosure sale has been postponed from February 15, 2024 until April 25, 2024, during the legal hours of sale in front of the main entrance of Elmore County, Alabama. The above mortgage foreclosure sale has been postponed from April 25, 2024 until July 5, 2024, during the legal hours of sale in front of the main entrance of Elmore County, Alabama. Wells -

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

PUBLIC NOTICE

MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE

Default having been made in the payment of the indebtedness secured by that certain mortgage executed by James M. Penn and Nicole Penn husband

NOTICE OF SERVICE BY PUBLICATION TO: MELISSA HARROD, whose whereabouts are unknown; and, Take notice against you in the District Court of Elmore County, Alabama, in case styled, WILLIAM HUNT vs. MELISSA HARROD, Case No., DV-2023-900375.00. You mustplaint on or before thirty (30) days from the date of the last publication of this Notice or a default judgment will be taken against you. Your answer

County Circuit Clerk, LaKeshia C. Parks, Esq., and Stewart E. Vance, Esq., Attorney for Plaintiffs, 7079 University Court, Montgomery, Alabama 36117. Dated this 1st day of May 2024. Michael Dozier, Circuit Court Clerk, Elmore County, AL

The Wetumpka Herald: May 8, 15, 22 and 29,2024 DV-2023-900375.00

PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE OF MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE STATE OF ALABAMA COUNTY OF ELMORE Default having been made of the terms of the loan docu-

CLASSIFIEDS/PUBLIC NOTICES

Public Notices

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 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 ES-

TATE 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. 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,

Public Notices

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 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 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 MARGUERITE JENKINS, DECEASED CASE NO: 2024-119 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE

Letters Testamentary in the Estate of MARGUERITE JENKINS, deceased, having been granted to TINA ANNETTE HARRISON SCHETTINA on April 29, 2024 by John Thornton, Judge of Probate of Elmore County, Alabama, notices 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.

TINA ANNETTE HARRISON SCHETTINA PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF MARGUERITE JENKINS, DECEASED

Public Notices

Attorney of Record for Personal Representative: MICHAEL S. HARPER ATTORNEY AT LAW 213 BARNETT BLVD PO BOX 780608 TALLASSEE, ALABAMA 36078 334-283-6855

Wetumpka Herald: May 8, 15 and 22, 2024

EST/JENKINS, M. PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF MONTEZ LUMPKIN, DECEASED CASE NO: 2024-121 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE

Letters Testamentary in the Estate of MONTEZ LUMPKIN, deceased, having been granted to PAMELA GRIGSBY on May 3rd, 2024 by Roderick B. Perdue, Special Judge of Probate of Elmore County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons and parties having claims against said estate are required, within the time allowed by law, to present the same to the Court or the same will be barred.

PAMELA GRIGSBY PERSON-

AL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF MONTEZ LUMPKIN, 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: May 8, 15 and 22, 2024

EST/LUMPKIN M. PUBLIC NOTICE

IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF 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 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 Estate 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 REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OFWILLAIM J. PHELPS, DECEASED

Public Notices

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 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 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 secured by the above described mortgage to U.S. Bank Trust National Association, as Trustee of the Chalet Series IV Trust, Mortgagee, and the proceeds thereof will be applied as provided for in the terms of said mortgage. Alabama law gives some persons who have an interest in property the right to redeem the property under certain circumstances. Programs may also exist that help persons avoid or delay the foreclosure process. An attorney should be consulted to help you understand these rights and programs as a part of the foreclosure process. The successful bidder must tender a non-refundable deposit of Five Thousand Dollars made payable to McMichael Taylor Gray LLC at the time and place of the sale. The balance of the purchase price must be the next business day to McMichael Taylor Gray LLC at 3550 Engineering Drive, Suite 260, Peachtree Corners, GA 30092. McMichael Taylor Gray, LLC 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.

U.S. Bank Trust National Association, as Trustee of the Chalet Series IV Trust AS ATTORNEY IN FACT FOR Tasharra Thomas TONI B. SMOKE, Attorney for Mortgagee McMichael Taylor Gray, LLC 3550 Engineering Drive, Suite 260 Peachtree Corners, GA 30092 404-474-7149 MTG File No.: AL2024-00208

Wetumpka Herald: May 1, 8 and 15, 2024

FC/THOMAS

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

Public Notices

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

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

PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE OF APPLICATION ACCEPTED FOR FILING AND SOLICITING COMMENTS, MOTIONS TO INTERVENE, AND PROTESTS (APRIL 24, 2024)

Take notice that the following hydroelectric application has and is available for public inspection. a. Application Type:ervoir Elevation b. Project No.: 2407-179 c. Date Filed: February 15, 2024 d. Applicant: Yates and Thurlow Project f. Location: The Yates and Thurlow Project is locat-

g. Filed Pursuant to: (a)-825(r)

David K. Anderson, Hydro Licensing Specialist, 600 North 18th Street, Hydro SerAL 35203, (205) 257-1398, Greg Morris, (202) 502-8116,

is inviting federal, state, local, and Tribal agencies with jurisdiction and/or special expertise issues affected by the proposal, that wish to cooperate in the

Public Notices

are not considered part of the Practice and Procedure require

project. Further, if an intervenor of a particular resource agency, agency.

proposing to lower the Thurlow feet for four weeks in 2024. operate the Thurlow develop-down does not exceed one foot below a pool elevation of 282.7 purpose of the proposed drawdown is twofold. First, a group

structures. Because the Thur-a drawdown of six feet will allow line. Second, the drawdown will allow the applicant to perpotential repairs within the draftthe Project license.

www.ferc.gov using the “eLibrary” link. Enter the docket

suances related to this or other pending projects. For assistance, call 1-866-208-3676 or ferc.gov, for TTY, call (202) 502copies of the application directly n. Individuals desiring to be by writing to the Secretary of thetervene, or Protests: Anyonein accordance with the require.211, .214, respectively. In deconsider all protests or othera party to the proceeding. Any

plication.

(2) set forth in the heading the

tions to intervene, or protests

nied by proof of service on all persons listed in the service list this proceeding, in accordance

sion’s policy that agencies that cooperate in the preparation of cannot also intervene. See 94-

to intervene, and protests using at http://www.ferc.gov/docsto 6,000 characters, without prior registration, using the www.ferc.gov/doc-sfiling/

assistance, please contact (866) 208-3676 (toll free), or (202) 502-8659 (TTY). In lieu of sent via the U.S. Postal Service

addressed to: Debbie-Anne

lic, including landowners, envi-

processes. For public inquiries-ing, the public is encouraged to Acting Secretary.

May 8, 2024 P-2407-179

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Elmore County’s Orr finishes second in javelin

By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor

Ally Orr has only been throwing a javelin for three months.

But nobody in Gulf Shores would believe that.

Orr, a junior, claimed second place in the Class 5A girls javelin throw in the AHSAA State Championships held at Gulf Shores. She tossed a personal record distance of 124-11, nine feet further than her previous record.

She finished runner-up to Beauregard senior Katie Wilkerson with a distance of 13711.

“It was pretty awesome to see her do that,” Elmore County coach Joe Snelick said. “What’s crazy about the whole thing is she’s only been training for three months. I convinced her to come out and throw and coach (Nathan) Taylor has really been training her hard. She’s long and strong and worked really hard this year. It’s really awesome.”

The last few weeks for Orr have been really impressive.

Last week at the sectional meet at Smiths Station, she had already set a personal record with a distance of 115 feet. She’s improved every single time she’s thrown the javelin, and now Snelick wishes his team had another meet to participate in to see if she could get even further.

“She just rose up and was super clutch for us,” Snelick said. “Nothing’s really changed for her. She’s just gotten stronger and started figuring it out more. She’s only had a few meets. The more reps she gets, the better she gets.”

While Orr stole the spotlight, she wasn’t the only Panther to participate in the state meet.

Maddie Clark also participated in the javelin and finished seventh with a distance of 110-07.

The other three participants were all runners. Emily Mason

finished 20th in the 400 meter with a time of 1:03.80. On the boys side, Frankie Mann ran the 800 while Lucas Drost ran the 1600. Mann finished 6th with a time of 2:00.25 while Drost finished 21st with a time of

5:04.29.

“They’ve worked hard all year and I’m glad they got rewarded for it,” Snelick said. “It’s good to see the hard work pay off. It’s a good time down there.”

Most of the state qualifiers

return for more seasons with the track team as Mason and Clark are the only seniors. With how successful the teams were, both placing in the Top 30 overall, Snelick hopes to get more participants next season.

“I hope this gets other folks' attention at the school,” Snelick said. “If they see we can do damage and we get people to take it seriously, we can build this program up some more. That would be awesome.”

Darnell named North/South All-Star

By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor

Shea Darnell was picked for quite the prestigious event.

Darnell was selected to participate in the AHSAA North/South All-Star baseball game. He will represent the South team alongside the best rising seniors across the entire state.

The Alabama High School Athletic Directors & Coaches Association, which operates under the auspices of the AHSAA will also host all-star games in basketball, tennis, softball, volleyball, boys’ and girls’ soccer, cross country and golf during the All-Star Week, July 15-19.

“This is such a great recognition and great exposure for Shea,” Elmore County coach Michael Byrd said.

“All of the guys there are going to be highly recruited and are the top players in the state. He’s an elite player and this is going to allow him to get more eyes on him and the program as well. It’s a really big deal for him.”

Darnell will be one of the most versatile players in the event. The junior mostly plays

catcher and shortstop for Elmore County during the season, but he can also be found at third base, second base or any of the outfield spots when called on.

No matter where he plays in the field, he separates himself at the plate. Darnell hit .522 this season with a team-high 48 hits, 10 more than the next closest hitter. He led the team with 23 stolen bases as well but his vision at the plate is what really defined his season. In 92 at-bats, he didn’t strike out a single time.

“Shea is a dominant player,” Byrd said. “His versatility and his competitiveness separates him from other players. I’ve talked with a lot of coaches around the state and they always say they have trouble getting kids excited to play. He’s the opposite. He’s one that you have to reign back sometimes. He likes to compete and bring energy every day.”

Darnell and the Panthers recently wrapped up a 19-11 record and the second-consecutive playoff appearance. During the last two seasons, Darnell has a combined .495 batting average.

Elmore County’s Shea Darnell runs the bases against Opelika. Darnell led the Panthers with 23 stolen bases this season.

SUBMITTED | THE TPI

Elmore County’s Ally Orr placed second in the Class 5A girls javelin championship. Orr has only been throwing the javelin for three months.