Stringfellow followed family to state Teacher of the Year
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
By Cliff Williams Staff Writer
Like always, Nana made time for her granddaughter — even on the grandest stage as Alabama’s Teacher of the Year was announced last week.
Before the program began at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival, Libby Stringfellow walked up to her Nana and
gave her a bouquet of flowers with a hug. Grandmother, and Airport Road Intermediate School teacher, Deborah Stringfellow graciously accepted them before taking a seat on the stage to see who would be Alabama’s Teacher of the Year.
Two hours after the hug by Libby and Nana, state superintendent of education Dr. Eric Mackey called Stringfel-
low’s name. Everyone rushed the stage to congratulate the teacher with 40 years experience, but the first to give Stringfellow a second hug was Libby.
“It’s pretty exciting,” Libby said.
Stringfellow is a first generation high school and college graduate. She grew
Chamber holds luncheon welcoming members
By Cliff Williams Staff Writer
The Wetumpka Chamber of Commerce held its annual luncheon to install new officers and board members for the first time in a while Thursday.
The COVID-19 pandemic put a hamper on gatherings but the chamber celebrated the successes of business in Wetumpka.
“We haven’t been able to do this for the last couple years,” chairperson Clay McConnell said. “Your attendance is an indication people want to get back together and have these opportunities to see each
See CHAMBER, Page A3
MASON, MCELRATH TAKE TOP HONORS WITH SEWELL AWARD
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
TCLIFF WILLIAMS TPI Airport Road
Intermediate School teacher Deborah Stingfellow speaks at the Alabama Teacher of the Year ceremony last week.
‘Hose’ cut on
Wetumpka Fire Station No. 2
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
Members of the Wetumpka Chamber of Commerce attend the chamber’s “A Taste of Our Home Town” luncheon. CLIFF WILLIAMS/ THE HERALD
Better response times for fire calls are soon coming to west Wetumpka.
Police continue investigation, man no longer suspected
City officials cut the ‘hose’ on Wetumpka Fire Station No. 2 on Holtville Road. It will provide a better emergency response to those living on Millbrook side of the Coosa River.
allassee’s Brady Mason and Stanhope’s Lorin Elise McElrath go to school more than 30 miles apart but there is a common theme they attribute their success to — parents.
“We no longer have to worry about the condition of the bridges across the river or traffic on them,” Wetumpka fire chief Greg Willis said. “We can respond right from here. That is a huge advantage especially with some of
By Jake Arthur Chief Videographer
“This
Mason called his parents “cool” and “great.”
Staff Report
Mason and McElrath both honored their parents as they were named the Boy’s and Girls Overall winner of the 20th Annual Joe Sewell Memorial Award last week.
The Alabama Association of Secondary School Principals
(AASSP) named Holtville High School principal Kyle Futral the 2022 Alabama High School Principal of the Year.
“They gave me great morals,” Mason said. “This is greatly credited to my parents.” The award is named after Titus native Joe Sewell who still owns two Major League records for fewest single season strikeouts in 1930 and 1932 as well as the lifetime record for fewest strikeouts during his 14 year career.
chair Chas Worthy, the award recognizes high school senior athletes who have consistently represented the highest ideals of Christian leadership and emulate the character of Sewell.
McElrath recognized the other seniors on the stage with her.
“You all inspire me every day,” McElrath said. “I’m so happy I made friendships with the people (here).”
Called to teach Soon-to-be graduate has always wanted to teach
Holtville’s Futral Alabama principal of the year
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
“My mom and dad have been my biggest role models,” McElrath said. “They have always been there.”
The High School Principal of the Year award was presented to Futral on Friday, Jan. 28 during a schoolwide assembly at Holtville High School. Elmore County Superintendent Richard Dennis was in attendance for the presentation.
Mason also credited coach John Mask with help
According to Joe Sewell Memorial Award board
CLIFF WILLIAMS | TPI
Stanhope Elmore’s Lorin Elise McElrath, right, was announced as the girl’s overall winner at the 20th Annual Joe Sewell Memorial Award Banquet last week.
Olivia Giddens has known since her first day in preschool at the age of 3 what her career was going to be.
See PRINCIPAL, Page A3
“Kyle Futral is an exceptional principal and is very proactive and innovative in his thinking and approaches to managing his school,” Dennis said, As principal of Holtville High School, Futral has transformed the school culture from that of a school struggling with low morale, achievement and attendance to a school that strives for excellence. By collaborating with staff, many of the school’s issues were identified and addressed. Futral’s leadership style of listening, encouraging, supporting, organizing and challenging the staff and students, caused the school culture to 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.
“I came home and was like, ‘I’m going to be a teacher,’” Giddens said. “I guess I had a great day at preschool.”
The family was soon rearranging the house. The dining room set was removed and a stage was created by Giddens’ father to create a classroom.
“Ever since then I have been teaching my stuffed animals,” Giddens said.
WILSON
CLIFF WILLIAMS | TPI
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Obituaries
REVEREND STEPHEN COWLES GRUMAN
a proud member of the Woodlawn Warblers choral group. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree from UAB in Philosophy and English and a Masters of Divinity from the Seminary of the Southwest in Austin, Texas. He was ordained to the priesthood in 1991. He served for a year in a pastoral role at the Cathedral Church of the Advent in Birmingham before answering the call to become Rector at Trinity Episcopal Church in Wetumpka, Alabama. After nine years there he left to become Rector of St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church in Madison, AL where he served for another 16 years. He retired from full-time ministry in 2016 and continued to serve as a supply priest for several years after retirement. Before retirement Steve took a sabbatical to O’ahu and lived among the homeless for several months. During this time, he started writing a book/memoir about finding home, later published as Good Enough, A Priest’s Tale.
on his riding lawnmower several times a week.
Steve was most proud of his four wonderful children that he raised as a solo dad.
You could say that he was dedicated!! He spent 37 years chasing the love of his life, Trudie Fowler Gruman. His persistence paid off when she finally married him in 2006. Her children say that he was the best thing that ever happened to her.
Trudie’s two children fit in perfectly with Steve’s four children, and he loved them all as his own. Steve and Trudie went on to add 14 grandchildren to the mix and together became known as Grandpop and Honey.
remember the legendary Gruman Halloween parties. Steve also hosted a poker group that met on many Thursday evenings, meetings he called “spiritual reflection”— he hoped everyone would be reflecting on why they had lost money to their priest!
Company Street • Wetumpka, AL 334.567.7811 www.thewetumpkaherald.com
The Reverend Stephen Cowles Gruman, 74, of Madison, Alabama, passed away after a short illness on May 2, 2024 at home surrounded by family and friends. Steve was preceded in death by his parents, Shelton and Edna Gruman, and by his daughter-in-law, Diane Rolling Gruman. He leaves behind his older brother Harrison Langdon Gruman; his beloved wife Trudie Fowler Gruman; his six children Ariel Mandala Gruman, Nissa Ruth Gruman Warden, Andrew Raphael Philipe Gruman, Zachary Flynn Gruman, Sarah Darnall Silver Payne, and Shelton Goodwyn Patterson; and his fourteen grandchildren, Saydee Ella Warden, Simon James Gruman, Aidan Andrew Gruman, Leo Avery Warden, Henry Oliver Payne, Peyton Lynn Gruman, William David Payne, Sabrina Maeve Gruman, Lincoln Miles Warden, Callie Ann Gruman, Lucy Nicola Silver Payne, Gray Saxton Patterson, Blaise Raphael Gruman, and Judson Palmer Patterson. Steve was born on December 20, 1949 in Birmingham, Alabama to Shelton Cowles Gruman and Edna Hall Gruman. He and his brother Harrison had a wonderful childhood and many adventures together. Steve graduated from Woodlawn High School in 1967, where he was
SYLVIA FLORETTE
WOODALL LYLE
Steve had many hidden talents, one of which was gardening. He was a horticulturist and a member of the Professional Grounds Maintenance Society. Prior to seminary, he ran a successful landscaping business (P.S. Site Management) with longtime friend Pat McDonald. Many of their landscape installations continue to be standouts! In his retirement, he found much joy in his vegetable garden, and was obsessive about maintaining the lawn. He could be found him
LYLE, Sylvia Florette Woodall, a resident of Montgomery, Alabama passed away Monday, May 6, 2024 at the age of 87.
The family will receive friends, Monday, May 13, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Gassett Funeral Home. Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, May 14, 2024 at Seman Congregational Church with Pastors Neil Epler and Rhon Carlton
Police Reports
WETUMPKA POLICE DEPARTMENT MAY 8
Steve was a big guy with a big booming voice and a bigger than life personality. Most Sundays, you could hear him singing well above the choir. He was a wonderful storyteller with a long repertoire of stories and jokes. Steve had a true gift for making people feel welcomed and included. This proved especially true through his ministry. Father Steve would stand on the front porch of the church welcoming everyone in with a hug. He loved them and they knew it, partly because he always remembered their names and the names of their children. He had the ability to help people accept their imperfections and was often quoted as saying, “Life is messy.” Steve and Trudie had the gift of hospitality and loved hosting and welcoming everyone into their home. Anyone who knew them would
officiating. Burial will be in the Church cemetery with Gassett Funeral Home of Wetumpka directing.
Ms. Lyle is preceded in death by her mother Bonnie Reddish Woodall; father John Loyd Woodall; and second mother Tillie Woodall. She is survived by her daughters Sherrie Ballard (Lynn), Penny Holley (Bruce), Kimberly Henderson (Jimmy); sisters Priscilla Abrams (Johnny), Glenda Butler (James), Sarah Shoemaker
Theft was reported on U.S. Highway 231. • Domestic violence was
A self-proclaimed “golf whisperer,” Steve loved to golf. In his retirement, you could find him walking the golf course at least five days a week. He was an enthusiastic participant in the Episcopal/Anglican Clergy-only Cranmer Cup and Porter/Iron Man golfing competition for many years, playing in the US, Ireland, England, Scotland, and Canada. He loved the companionship and connection with old and new friends on the golf course.
Steve loved big, and he loved with his whole heart. He left a big impact in the world, and he will be missed deeply. He has a huge place in so many hearts.
Services will be held at St.Matthew’s Episcopal Church in Madison, Alabama on Friday, May 10 at 11am. The service will be live-streamed and on YouTube via the church website. There will be a Steve Gruman-sized party to follow on church grounds in celebration of a life well lived. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to St Matthew’s Episcopal Church, Memorial Columbarium Garden. Special thanks for the outstanding support from UAB Supportive and Palliative Care as well as Amedysis Hospice of Huntsville.
(Don), Dale Goolsby; grandchildren Layne Mackin (Russell), Jacob Ballard, Alex Norton (Randi), Lyla Norton, Colton Henderson, Casey Henderson (Anabeth); great-grandchildren Brett Mackin, Merritt Norton, and expecting twins, Charlie and Chandler Norton. Pallbearers will be the grandchildren.
Ms. Lyle will lie in state one hour prior to service time at Seman Congregational Church.
Humane Society of Elmore County News
Plan for pets for vacation
By REA CORD HSEC Executive Director
My how time flies – in two weeks most will be enjoying a three-day weekend for Memorial Day (Mon, 27 May). So if you are heading out of town for the Memorial Day weekend and cannot take your pet, we sure hope you have made plans for their care and safety. If you haven’t, best pick up the phone fast as most boarding facilities are booking up fast for the holiday. We highly recommend taking your pet(s) to a reputable boarding facility if you are going to be away from home for more than
a day. While this will cost you a small amount for each day of boarding, you are paying for your pet to be kept in a protected and safe environment. This is not only good for your pet, but good for your peace of mind while you are away. Just like finding a babysitter for your children, you should find a boarding facility that you are comfortable with and that has the capability of caring for all of your pet’s needs.
A good idea for your pet and for you is to get with the facility ahead of time and do a trial run with your pet. That way your pet has some familiarity with the surroundings and any issues
can be resolved before you go heading off on a multiday or week trip. Be aware – most boarding facilities will require proof of current vaccinations (ask them what vaccinations they require), so make sure your pet is up-to-date. They will also want emergency contact information and feel free to bring your pet’s special bedding, toys and even treats to make your pet as comfortable as possible. And while many a family member, friend and neighbor has done a super job at caring for someone else’s pet, at the shelter we hear far too many sad stories of gates left open, animals who weren’t cared for, and other
reasons for pets disappearing while someone else was supposed to be caring for them. If you simply do not want to or cannot take your pet to a boarding facility, check into a licensed and bonded Pet Sitter who can come to your home twothree times each day to check on your pet. When heading out for a well-deserved vacation, you want to feel confident that your pet-sitter feels as strongly about your pet’s health and well-being as you do. In the event your pet does get away from home, having a collar with the required Rabies Tag and perhaps an ID tag or your phone number written on
the collar can go a long way to getting your pet reunited with you (or your pet sitter). Since tags on collars and collars can come off, we highly recommend that you have your pet microchipped at your local Veterinarian.
Please make sure to ask if their fee is covering the cost of registering the chip and if they are indeed doing that right there at the time of your appointment. If not, make sure to take care of the registration as soon as you get back home. Most people today know to take a found pet to be scanned for a chip and that can make all the difference in the safety of your pet. But if the chip has not been registered, then
the finder/Shelter will be in limbo until the Veterinary Clinic reopens after the holiday so they can look up to see what pet they microchipped. If you have a pet taking any medications, also make sure you have enough to last well past the holiday, so yet another reason to get with your Veterinarian soonest. Our pets ask for so little from us – the least we can do is make sure they are well cared for in our absence. Taking care of arrangements now might mean the difference between enjoying your Memorial Day trip away, or having to stay at home with your pet (which they will love of course).
Rea Cord is the executive director of the Humane Society of Elmore County.
Six with convictions in Elmore County denied parole
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
Six men convicted of crimes in Elmore County will remain in prison after hearings before the Alabama
and
Hearings for possible parole from prison for the men were held between April 23 and May 1.
According to Alabama Department of Corrections records, Percy Manning has served 50 years of a life sentence following a 1974 conviction for murder and burglary in Jefferson County. He was convicted in 1981 of attempted rape in Elmore County and sentenced to 20 years in prison.
According to records from the Alabama Bureau of Pardons and Paroles, Manning was denied parole on April 23.
Richard Henley, 63, was denied parole on the same day. Henley was convicted of a Jefferson County murder in 1979 and sentenced to life in prison.
Henley was convicted in Elmore County in 1980 for two counts of robbery and one count of escape and sentenced to 30 years in prison.
According to parole
hearing minutes the victim's family, a victim’s advocacy group and the Alabama Attorney General’s Office spoke against Henley’s parole at the hearing.
Henley is currently incarcerated at Limestone Correctional Facility.
Kwesi Martez Allen, 35, was denied parole following an April 30 hearing.
According to court records, Allen has served 15 years of a life sentence following a 2010 conviction for murder in Bullock County. He was also sentenced to six years in prison following a second-degree assault conviction in Elmore County.
According to minutes from Allen’s parole hearing, family and friends spoke in favor of his release. The victim’s sister, a victims advocacy group and the Alabama Attorney General’s Office spoke against Allen’s release. Allen is currently incarcerated at the Red Eagle
Work Center.
William Herbert Watson Jr., 26, has served six years and five months of a 10 year sentence for a 2018 conviction in Elmore County for possession of obscene materials of a person under 17.
Watson’s family spoke in favor of his release at an April 30 parole hearing and a victim advocacy group and the Alabama Attorney General’s Office spoke against his release.
The parole board denied his release.
Watson is currently incarcerated at Elmore Correctional Facility.
Jackie Neal Armstrong, 37, was denied parole following a hearing on May 1.
Armstrong has served 10 months of a 48 month sentence following a 2023 conviction of possession of a controlled substance.
He is currently incarcerated at Staton Correctional Facility.
Armstrong was sentenced to 12 months in jail for a Shelby County conviction for unlawful breaking and entering a vehicle and pos-
session of a controlled substance.
In 2013 Armstrong served 17 months of a seven year sentence for a Shelby County conviction of controlled substance and escape.
Armstrong was also convicted in 2010 in Jefferson county on four counts of breaking and entering a vehicle and one count of first-degree theft. He served 15 months of a five year sentence.
Larry Gaston, 68, is currently a 100 year sentence for a 1978 Montgomery County conviction for rape, two counts of robbery and two counts of burglary. In Elmore County he was convicted in 1981 for promoting prison contraband and sentenced to five years.
The board denied Gaston’s parole on May 1. He is incarcerated at Elmore Correctional Facility.
Ever wonder why we do what we do? Our lineworkers work around the clock to deliver the reliable power you depend on and to constantly strengthen our grid in new and innovative ways. It’s that dependable framework that keeps you up and running, so you can do whatever you set your mind to. Now that’s power for a better Alabama.
ALLEN ARMSTRONG GASTON HENLEY MANNING WATSON
Chairman
Kenneth Boone,
General Manager
Tippy Hunter,
Lizi Arbogast Gwin, Managing Editor
Page A4 • May 15, 2024
The sweetest sound I ever heard
As my 28 years in the public school classroom comes to a close, I am revisiting some tales of bands and choirs past. This column appeared in The Tallassee Tribune in 2010.
Ican’t recall exactly when I fell in love; it seemed meant to be from the start.
After years of not really fitting in anywhere, band, and later choir, gave me a home.
By the second semester of my last year in junior high school, I was so band-obsessed, so overboard in my devotion to band, that my parents actually moved to a different neighborhood so that I could attend a high school that I felt was my destiny: Robert E. Lee High School.
Our band director was Dennis Johnson. Mr. Johnson was only about 25 or 26 years old when he was my teacher.
Mr. Johnson was tough as nails. He had come out of the Auburn band and was a part of the Spirit of Atlanta drum and bugle corps. He was a percussion instructor with Southwind, the drum and bugle corps based in Montgomery. It’s hard to imagine now, but in the 1980s, the DCI activity was more than a movement; it was a way of life for many young musicians.
What was interesting to me was that Mr. Johnson was also a Lee graduate. Lee High School did a really good job of maintaining its traditions and history, mainly by moving up longtime employees into administrative positions and hiring from within. Lee High also loved to hire its own graduates once they finished college. So, for many years, even decades, Lee High
See SOUND, Page B3
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Democrat wins a House seat in Alabama
The national media has been keenly interested that a Democrat has been elected to an Alabama House of Representatives seat. I have had several inquiries from national news and political publications asking me to explain and analyze this phenomenon. They are particularly interested in the fact that women’s reproductive rights was a central focus of this special election in Huntsville.
Democrat Marilyn Lands indeed won a resounding victory in House District 10, a Madison County seat, in a special election last month. She made woman’s reproductive rights the primary issue of her campaign.
Alabama is without a doubt one of the most Republican states in America. Every statewide elected office is held by a Republican, and the Republican dominance in the Alabama Legislature is categorized as being a super-Republican majority. Therefore, the lines are drawn to favor Republican incumbents. However, I might add that Democratic incumbents are complicit, and very happily go along with Republicans when drawing heavily favored partisan districts because they entrench them in their seats also. This gerrymandering drawing of Alabama legislative seats is more to protect incumbents, than to help a party. When the dust settled after the last reapportionment, it was recognized and acknowledged that there were only two competitive, swing purple House seats in the state – one in Montgomery and the one in Huntsville, which Marilyn Lands won as a Democrat in last month’s special election.
This Huntsville district is really an anomaly. It is more reflective of the nation than Alabama. Huntsville itself is really like a different state. It
STEVE FLOWERS Columnist
is as though the people in the research triangle of North Carolina and the Silicon Valley of California, were plucked up and placed in North Alabama in the super high-tech aerospace City of Huntsville. Ms. Lands’ House District 10 seat sits in the center of the Redstone Arsenal and has the highest percentage of Ph.D.’s in the nation. In fact, a few years ago, I spoke to the Huntsville Rotary Club. It was the largest Rotary Club I had ever seen, probably 300. They met in the Von Braun Civic Center. As I was getting up to speak, my observation was that I was looking at one of the most intellectual and sophisticated Rotary Clubs I had ever seen. So, I posed this question to the group, as I began my talk, “How many of you have an advanced degree, master’s, or doctorate, in aerospace engineering?” Almost half raised their hand. When I began to regale them with past Alabama political stories and legends, they looked at me as though I was talking about politics on Mars. In short, Ms. Marilyn Lands’ district is truly a purple, nationally reflective district. In the 2020 Presidential Election, it split almost evenly between Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Joe Biden.
A special election also blurs the distinction between party labels. There are no heavyweight GOP standard bearers, like Trump and Governor Ivey, on top of the ticket to steer voters to simply voting a straight lever-pulling
party vote. It becomes a local vote for the person running the race, similar to a mayor’s race, which is nonpartisan. Marilyn Lands was a better candidate and campaigner than her Republican opponent. She was an experienced campaigner. She lost a narrow race to her GOP opponent in 2022. She outworked her opponent, significantly. She did run a one-issue campaign. She ran on women’s reproductive rights, and it worked and resonated.
So, in answer to the national media’s inquiry, “Is this a bad sign for the Republican Party, nationally, in this year’s election,” my answer is a resounding, “Yes.” The abortion issue is a losing issue for Republicans. It has been since Roe v. Wade was overturned almost two years ago in June 2022. The proof is in the pudding, Republicans have lost every election since then, when they should have won. That issue was defeated two to one by voters in the most conservative state in America – Kansas. Trump is wise enough to avoid this issue, it is an Achilles Heel to the Republican Party come November. Mainstream women voters, Democrats, Independents, and yes, Republican women want the right to make that choice when it comes to reproductive rights.
Marilyn Lands might have won this Special Election closely because she was a better candidate. However, she would not have won this purple swing national seat with a 62 to 38 landslide, if she had not run on the reproductive issue.
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 www.steve@steveflowers.us.
Predicting the future with natural events
Ithink I’m seeing and hearing warning signs but I’m just not sure what for.
Everywhere I look everyone is commenting about seeing the Northern Lights this past weekend.
It was Saturday night and I headed to a dark area. I saw many others there too. We all had conversations and befriended each other.
I saw the near solar eclipse from here in central Alabama.
I think like everyone else I have heard the deafening click of the two batches of cicadas. I definitely have seen them.
But I wonder just what does it mean?
I have seen movies like Jaws and Deliverance.
Do you remember the music from each? Banjos in one and a heavy bass drop speeding up in the other. Each gave hints and built up suspense as to what might happen next.
I don’t think there is a significant event that is being forecast with the natural events the last couple of months.
But who am I to say? We knew for decades about the solar eclipse even predicting what part of the world would best see it. We knew for centuries that the
CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
cicadas on the 13- and 17-year cycle would come out of the ground together this summer.
The Northern Lights are a common occurrence in the north.
But this far south?
Of the three natural events, the aurora borealis being seen in the South is about as close to a warning signal as it gets. It is sporadic and unpredictable beyond about three days, that is even in the North.
It is purely dependent on the sun throwing off energy and particles and those catching the right conditions here on Earth and reacting.
Maybe there is a higher power that saw our calendar of an eclipse and cicadas and decided to scare us more.
But I want to think it is different. I want to think that a higher power, God in my case, wanted us to get out from behind the screens and talk.
All of the conversations that I had were pleasant. We all talked about
how nice the weather was Saturday. We talked about how much we liked being outside.
The subjects were random, but it was as if God was reminding us so much is lost in translation reading words behind screens.
I have reacted unpleasantly to something sent to me via text or email. I’ve been guilty of it more than once. I will likely be guilty of it again in the future.
I hope others took notice of the coincidences of the last few weeks.
Do you think they are foreshadowing something like the music from Jaws? Or do you think it is another power wanting us to talk to each other?
Let me know what you think. Either way, I want to continue to have the conversations and pleasantries I experienced Saturday night. It gave me great hope that the divisive nature of many conversations, especially on the national level, are far from what you and I want to emulate.
Cliff Williams is the news editor of Tallapoosa Publishers Inc.’s Elmore County newspapers. He can be reached at cliff.williams@thewetumpkaherald.com.
MICHAEL BIRD Columnist
Wetumpka High to get new roof
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
Wetumpka High School has the largest roof by surface area of any building maintained by the Elmore County Board of Education. After a special-called board meeting Monday, it will be replaced.
Board members voted to accept a bid in the amount of $865,000 from Advance Roofing Solutions in Tuscaloosa to replace the roof.
The board also approved a contract to allow students and
Board members voted to accept a bid in the amount of $865,000 from Advance Roofing Solutions in Tuscaloosa to replace the roof.
staff to use online software by Explore Learning called Frax to aid in math instruction. It is designed for second through eighth graders.
“All teachers seem to love and use it,” Elmore County Schools director of elementary schools
Amy Harrison said. “It speaks specifically to fractions.”
Bids to replace carpeting in buildings across the system from Garner Flooring were accept -
ed. The bid awarded to Garner Flooring was broken down into square feet units to allow periodic projects. It includes removal and preparation of the floor to be replaced with luxury vinyl tile.
Board chair David Jones got board approval to begin working with an attorney as it begins to evaluate chief schools financial officer Jason Mann for a new contract. Mann’s current contract expires in June.
Gator struck and killed on 231
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
Travelers found a prehistoric find on U.S. Highway 231 in Wetumpka Wednesday night — an alligator. Drivers struck a 10-foot long alligator in the roadway near Jasmine Forest Drive.
“He was a pretty good one,” Wetumpka deputy police chief Ed Reeves said. “Apparently more than one car hit it.”
Kenny Thompson was traveling on U.S. Highway 231 Wednesday night when traffic stopped after striking the alligator.
“It stretched from the white line of the road to the edge,” Thompson said. “It was big.”
The Wetumpka Police Department called the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to collect the carcass of the alligator.
Thompson fishes the Coosa and Tallapoosa rivers. He has seen alligators below Gold Star Park on the Coosa. He wonders if the Wednesday alligator was
one he has encountered in the past near the River Oaks subdivision.
“There were big bubbles coming up from below,” Thompson said. “They were as big around as my hands put together.”
Thompson didn’t get a look at what was causing the bubbles but has seen smaller alligators create bubbles just not as large.
“I can only imagine how big he was,” Thompson said. “It would be troublesome if he started coming after my small boat.”
Reeves said alligators are not a major issue in Wetumpka but not uncommon.
“They are in the swamps along Ft. Toulouse Road,” Reeves said. “They are along the river. In my six years, I think we have had one call that someone saw one at Gold Star Park. They decided to call the police.”
According to the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources website, male alligators can grow to 19
feet in length and weigh up to 900 pounds. Females tend to be somewhat smaller on average. Its habitat is primarily freshwater swamps, marshes, rivers, lakes and streams. They prefer water sources that do not go dry in the summer months and that provide an abundance of food.
Alligators are carnivorous, feeding mostly on fish, birds, snakes, turtles and small mammals. They feed mostly at night. Their large teeth assist with catching their prey. Alligators are unable to chew their food so they must swallow it whole or in large chunks. They usually lie and wait for a meal to come by, then capture and drown it.
State law prohibits killing, harassing or possessing alligators.
Feeding an alligator is dangerous and illegal. When fed, alligators can overcome their natural wariness and learn to associate people with food. When this occurs these alligators typically must be euthanized due to future safety concerns.
CommunityCalendar
SATURDAY, MAY 18
Last week we showcased two dogs who would be good together and this week two kitties who have to stay together. Serena and Venus are tortoiseshell kitties and 1-year-old sisters, completely bonded so they need to stay together. They are sweet ladies but scared here in our noisy shelter so they would love a quieter inside living situation in a calm and loving home. 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.
LIVING HISTORY SATURDAY: Ft. Toulouse-Ft. Jackson is hosting demonstrations of how people lived in the area as settlers began to arrive on Saturday, May 18. ART SHOW: The Wetumpka Downtown Artists will host an art show on Company Street in downtown Wetumpka at 9 a.m. Saturday, May 18.
MILLBROOK MAYFEST: The Art Mill will be hosting the Millbrook Mayfest at the Village Green Park from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 18. There will be handmade items and crafts, food, fine arts, music, family-friendly activities and more. There is no cost to attend.
SUNDAY, JULY 14
Old Red Hill School, located off state Route 229 at 6:30 p.m. to discuss upcoming events. MOUNT HEBRON CHURCH OF CHRIST: Come join us at 4530 Mt. Hebron Road in Eclectic. Our Sunday school begins at 9 a.m. followed by worship service at 10:30. There is also a Wednesday night Bible study at 7 p.m. For more information call Pastor Edwin Walker at 334-541-2025
MUSIC FESTIVAL: The City of Wetumpka is hosting its annual River and Blues Music and Arts Festival from 4 to 10 p.m. May 18 behind the City Administration Building. There will be four bands, art vendors and kids’ zone.
FUN RUN: Lake Martin Animal
Sanctuary will be hosting the Tails on the Trails fun run at BTR at The Stockyard at 8 a.m. May 18. The address is 1428 Coosa County Rd. 2 in Equality. The registration is $35 for adults and $25 for those under 18, plus $7 per pet, which includes a T-shirt. Registration and sponsorship opportunities end May 12.
THURSDAY, MAY 30
MEN’S CONFERENCE: Village Church of Wetumpka is hosting a men’s conference. The keynote speaker is Rick Burgess of Rick and Bubba.
ONGOING
SUPPORT GROUP: The last Thursday of every month, Restoration 49 Coffee Shop plays host to a support group for parents who have lost a child. The meetings begin at 6 p.m. each month. For more information, please contact Heather Baker at hbakerjj@aol.com.
PRESCHOOL STORYTIME: Preschool Storytime takes place at 10 a.m. every Friday at Wetumpka Public Library.
ECLECTIC TOWN COUNCIL
LUNCH AND LEARN: Lunch and learn Tuesdays with Kelly are scheduled at the Kelly Fitzpatrick Memorial Gallery at 124 Company Street in Wetumpka from noon to 1 p.m. on the third Tuesday of each month. For more information, visit www.thekelly. org.
CELEBRATE RECOVERY GRACE POINT: Celebrate Recovery meets at Grace Point Community Church at 78223 Tallassee Highway in Wetumpka each Tuesday at 6:15 p.m. All are welcome to the meetings which provide a safe and loving environment for individuals seeking to conquer their hurts, habits and hangups. For more information, visit www.Gracepoint.info or contact Gwin Greathouse at gwingreathouse@ gmail.com.
IVY’S GALA: Ivy’s Closet will be hosting a gala from 6 to 8 p.m. May 30 at the Wetumpka Civic Center. There will be live music and a silent auction.
MAY 30-JUNE 1
HONK JR.: The Penguins at the Wetumpka Depot are performing Honk Jr. May 30 to June 1 at the Depot. It is a heartwarming celebration of being different. Tickets are $18 and available at wetumpkadepot.com.
JUNE 1 - JUNE 28
NATIONAL EXHIBITION: The Kelly Fitzpatrick Center for the Arts in downtown Wetumpka is hosting the 83rd Annual Watercolor Society of Alabama national exhibition from June 1 to June 28. The juried watercolor competition will feature state and national artists.
JUNE 24-29
THEATRE CAMP: The Stanhope Elmore Mustang Players are hosting a theater camp for students in the Millbrook area from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. June 24-29 at Stanhope Elmore High School School and will close out with performances. The cost is $100.
MEETINGS: Eclectic Town Council meetings are held on the third Monday of each month at Town Hall. Council meetings begin at 7 p.m. with work sessions taking place prior to the meeting at 6 p.m. Meetings are held in the Dr. M. L. Fielder Municipal Building, 145 Main Street.
NAACP MEETINGS: The Elmore County Branch No. 5026 of the NAACP meets at 6:30 p.m. every third Tuesday (executive committee) and every fourth Tuesday (full membership) at the Martin Luther King Center at 200 North Lancaster St. in Wetumpka.
OPEN MIC: The Equality
Performing Arts Center hosts an open mic jam session from 7 to 9 p.m. every second Friday of the month at 560 Highway 9 in Equality. There is no charge but donations are welcome as they keep the center running. Bring a snack or finger food to share during the intermission.
RED HILL COMMUNITY CLUB
MEETINGS: Red Hill Community Club Meetings are held every second Monday of the month. Join the Red Hill Historical Preservation Association in the auditorium of the
CELEBRATE RECOVERY SANTUCK: Celebrate Recovery meets each Thursday at 6:15 p.m. at Santuck Baptist Church at 7250 Central Plank Rd. This is a Christcentered, 12-step program for anyone struggling with hurts, habits, and hangups. Call 334-567-2364 for more information or contact jyates@santuckbaptist.org.
GAMBLERS ANONYMOUS: Gamblers Anonymous meets Saturdays at 6 p.m. at Cedarwood Community Church at 10286 U.S. Highway 231 in Wallsboro/Wetumpka. Call 334-567-0476 for more information. AA MEETING: Alcoholics Anonymous meetings are held Mondays at 7 p.m. located at 105 Tuskeena St. in Wetumpka. RED HILL SCHOOL: The Red Hill School on Highway 229 in the Red Hill Community in Tallassee is open Fridays from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. for local live music performances. No admission is charged but donations are welcomed to maintain the building and pay for refreshments. MASTER GARDENER HELPLINE: If you have gardening questions you can call the Master Gardener Helpline at 1-877-252-4769. The helpline starts March 1 and ends in August.
Pet of the Week — Serena & Venus
along the way.
“History is my favorite subject,” Mason said. “I love coach Mask. He is my favorite teacher. I’m decent at math too.”
Mason’s plans to discover his career path at Huntingdon.
Like Sewell, Mason plays baseball and will
GRADUATE
continue at college.
McElrath is already on the path to her planned career in dermatology.
“I’m really passionate about skin care,”
McElrath said. “I want to create an inclusive environment for skin types of everyone.”
She will not continue her path as a cheerleader at Auburn University. Instead McElrath will concentrate on her studies — first four years of
Giddens knew she wanted to teach and watch those leading her in the classroom.
“All through elementary school, I have had great teachers,” Giddens said. “I have always wanted to be like my teachers and have that influence on a child like they had on me.”
Giddens’ learned of a new teaching program coming to Elmore County Technical Center her freshman year at Wetumpka High School. She started her sophomore year and has been there ever since.
“I thought it might give me some experience,” Giddens said.
The experience has paid off. The experience at ECTC and her church has helped guide her to success and recognition. Giddens’
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undergraduate classes, then four years of medical school and two to seven years in medical residency.
“Dermatologist is the hardest medical doctor to become besides a brain surgeon,” Stanhope principal Ewell Fuller said. “She is a very special student and left her mark on Stanhope.”
McElrath quickly helped faculty start
placed first last year at the state FCCLA convention in the Teach and Train STAR Event.
It was all in preparation to be a fourth grade math teacher or so Giddens thought of her future career plans. She started to work at the Redland Childhood Development Center this past September. She soon developed a love of little kids and has now changed her plans to go into early childhood education.
“I was like I love little kids and this is where I want to be,” Giddens said. At this year’s state FCCLA convention Giddens went for the more difficult Early Childhood STAR Event. It’s an event where Giddens had to create a box of teaching materials based on a theme — The Four Seasons. At competition she was given 20 minutes to develop a lesson using materials
up in southern Alabama. Along the way, Stringfellow helped her parents get GEDs, taught her siblings to read and has seen all of her children graduate from college.
Three years ago, Stringfellow retired from teaching in Georgia. She was a Top 10 finalist for Georgia Teacher of the Year there and national board certified twice over. She moved to Alabama to be closer to Libby. Stringfellow chose not to teach in the school of her granddaughter and followed an offer to teach at Airport Road. Administrators couldn’t be more pleased with Stringfellow’s decision.
“She is giving to other students beyond her granddaughter,” Airport Road principal Marcia Stephens said. “She has mentored other teachers. She helps in any capacity. She just takes it on and no one asks her to do it. She just volunteers her time with teachers and students. When the students are struggling, she stays after school to help them.”
Stringfellow still finds time to help Libby whenever the young student wants. Libby even has a bedroom in Nana’s house.
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the developments coming to the area.”
The fire department opened the new $6 million facility in style, cutting a hose with battery powered extrication equipment. It closely resembled firefighters following a new fire truck in the station on delivery.
The location not only makes access to Highway 14 and the schools easier during a possible emergency quicker, the Wetumpka Fire Department EMS data shows it will benefit the neighborhood it is in.
The large building will allow residents to knock on the door for consultation for low or high blood pressure or low or high blood sugar.
“We wanted to make sure they knew we could meet the needs if needed to respond but we will be out in the community
First Priority this school year to help students across campus cope with issues.
“In the events of last year with our suicides, being able to start up a Christian club and it have an impact on people is amazing,” McElrath said. “It was special because it brought us out after a dark year.”
Mason and McElrath were not the only
from her box and then teach a class.
“I know teachers that would not want to go do what she did,” ECTC teaching instructor Emily Ryan said.
But Giddens had prepared for anything and any subject thrown at her. The state competition didn’t really limit her so Giddens touched on almost everything for a kindergarten class.
“I did a shape tree,” Giddens said. “I had them counting sides, knowing the shape for shape identification, and also counting readiness for kindergarten. The craft I chose had them work on cutting skills which you need for kindergarten.”
Giddens received a 99 out of a possible 100 score. Second place scored an 88. Giddens is now an inspiration to Ryan.
“She went in there with
“There is little sleep,” Stringfellow said. “There is always room for Libby. It’s stop, drop and roll with her. The world revolves around her.”
Stringfellow was one of 16 district winners from across Alabama’s eight state school districts. She was one of four finalists. Screams were heard from coworkers when Mackey announced Stringfellow’s name.
“I think it means more to me because of the fact I have taught almost 40 years now and can still contribute in a classroom competing with the best,” Stringfellow said. “Teachers get up everyday and have a lot to face in the classroom. It’s an honor to be able to represent all the generations of teachers in the classroom.”
Winning the award means Stephens will have to be creative with Stringfellow’s schedule. She will travel the state and country speaking with other teachers presenting best practices in hopes of improving education. It’s an experience Dr. Phil Wilson saw when the music educator from Auburn City Schools was named Teacher of the Year in 2010.
“We think teaching is separate from everything else and everybody is in these little pockets,” Wilson said. “What I learned going out is
doing proactive things to try to increase the quality of life for people,” Willis said.
The Wetumpka Police Department will have a satellite office in the building as well.
“We had one on this side of the river, but the tornado got it in 2019,” Wetumpka Mayor Jerry Willis said. “We are back now and have a presence here.”
The fire department and Elmore County Technical Center already had a partnership with firefighters helping instruct high school students in the public safety program at ECTC.
ECTC is just behind the new fire station and becomes part of the neighborhood with the school.
“When the discussion came up for us to expand our career technical program in Elmore County, Chief Willis got involved,” Elmore County Schools superin -
seniors recognized. The Joe Sewell board honored other graduating seniors with category awards.
On the girls side, the leadership award went to Stanhope’s Aysia Simone Jackson, the academic award went to Tallassee’s Macey Belle Stewart, the church, community and character award went to Holtville’s Taylor Renee Price and the athletic
the confidence of a teacher,” Ryan said. “She has pushed me to be a better teacher and make this program better would be an understatement. She is an impressive one.”
Giddens will compete in FCCLA national competitions next month. She has a better idea of what to do for an unplanned lesson than getting her box of teaching materials there.
“I hope it fits in carryon,” Giddens said.
She will bring her love of teaching and new knowledge home. Giddens is going to Troy University in the fall to major in collaborative education. It will give Giddens certifications to teach early childhood and special education, a subject matter she is learning more about.
Giddens is used to rolling with the punches. She has struggled with mental health
that we all share the same experiences.”
While Stringfellow is sharing her best teaching practices with others, Wilson believes she will continue to learn and master her craft.
“I think she will find connections with other teachers,” Wilson said. “She will be bringing a lot of stuff back to her school and classroom.”
Stephens is still celebrating but at the same time wondering how to make the schedule work.
“It is going to be hard to let her go some for the next year,” Stephens said. “When we got her, we got a jewel for our school. I’m overjoyed with her being recognized.”
Stringfellow was humble even as her coworkers surrounded her with posters and cheers. Stringfellow believes her calling to the classroom involves a higher power. She called teaching a hard, but noble, profession.
“The rewards far outweigh the adversity you face each day,” Stringfellow said. “It is a mission field. You don’t need to leave the state or country to serve and help others. There are hungry people here. There are people who need love. Teaching is a place where you can give back to your community.”
tendent Richard Dennis said. “Our architects laid it out so our programs could be in close proximity. These guys spend a lot of time with our career tech students, especially in the public safety programs.”
Willis and Dennis are working to improve the relationship to allow more job shadowing and student visits to the station without creating field trips.
The new fire station includes bunks and a kitchen to allow a shift of firefighters to spend the entire shift. There is a large training room for firefighters but could also be used to aid in teaching community members CPR and first aid.
“The vision for the station is to make an impact in this part of our city and this part of our county,” the fire chief said.
The station’s landscaping honors two life-long firefighters —
Randy Payton and Sam Turner who served as firefighters in Elmore County for decades before their deaths. Two trees were planted in the memory of the firefighters.
The mayor said the new station is the result of partnerships decades in the making. Some are with education. Some are with other municipalities and county and state governments. But the Wetumpka Fire Department has one with the Poarch Band of Creek Indians.
“We formed a partnership that we would provide fire service,” Jerry Willis said. “They assist us in that. We would not be here today if it were not for them.”
The new station will service thousands of people for decades to come.
“It was a great opportunity to build this facility,” Willis said. “It is a true blessing to the City of Wetumpka.”
award went to Lindsey Ann Brown.
For the boys, the leadership award went to Trevor O’Neil Brown of Elmore County High School, academic award went to Tallasee’s Richard Bosch, the church, community and character award went to David Everett Pinkston of Wetumpka, and the athletic award went to Holtville’s Brandon Drey Barrett.
after the death of her father. School helped some but her introduction to a student at the nursery at her church has really helped. Giddens described Emma as a special needs child who was almost non-verbal, unable to walk on her own and not able to eat by herself.
“I basically ended up falling in love with her,” Giddens said. “She showed me that special education was not as hard as I thought. It’s definitely something I developed a passion for because of her.”
The pair have developed a connection. When Giddens isn’t at church, Emma is constantly saying ‘Oli’ to the other nursery volunteers. Their special bond has led Giddens to the conclusion she is destined to be a teacher.
“Every child needs a hero and a special few need an ‘Oli’” Giddens said.
Practicing the presence of God
Greetings from the corner of Bridge and Bridge! It is a very rainy Monday morning as I write this week’s column. For once, we actually have a day of rain with no threat of anything severe. Mother Nature is saving that threat for overnight!
The title of this column is taken from the final words of the book Following Jesus by the late Henri Nouwen. We started studying the book in one of our adult Sunday school classes at the beginning of Lent and just finished it on the final Sunday of Eastertide. The book features transcription of a series of lectures offered by Nouwen at Harvard Divinity School in 1985.
Henri Nouwen was a Dutch born Catholic priest who left a highly acclaimed academic career at Harvard Divinity
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.
REV. JONATHAN YARBORO Columnist
School to share his life with people with mental disabilities as a pastor in Canada. He wrote forty books during his lifetime and died in 1996. He is widely recognized as one of the most proflic theologians of the late twentieth century.
The subtitle of the book is Finding Our Way Home in an Age of Anxiety. The lectures contained in the book took place when Henri Nouwen was experiencing what many theologians refer to as a “dark night of the soul.” Simply put, Nouwen was a disciple without a cause.
How is it possible that a
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-
pastor and theologian known for prolific writing and incredible wisdom could feel so out of touch with God?
Prior to joining the faculty at Harvard, Nouwen had served as a missionary in Peru. He left that position due to feelings of loneliness and unease.
Most people in the western world would expect some sense of loneliness and unease from someone serving as a missionary in South America.
Most people in the western world would expect those feelings to fade quickly once a six-figure, prestigious job came into the picture. Most people in the western world would be wrong.
The lecture series talked about the steps for following Jesus. The process begins with an invitation from God in Jesus Christ to “Come and see”. Again, most people in the Christian world assume
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
that the invitation to discipleship begins with the words, “Come and follow me.” That is not the case for Nouwen. He explains that God in Jesus Christ invites children of God into relationship by saying, “Come and see what God has done and is doing.” The call to “Follow me” comes later. The process ends with the promise of God in Jesus Christ. “I will be with you always, even until the end of the age”(Matthew 28:20) is the promise of God in Jesus Christ recorded at the end of the Gospel of Matthew. Nouwen and other theologians point out that this has been God’s promise to the earthly kingdom since the dawn of creation.
Obviously, I cannot and will not try and explain the book in this column. I will encourage everyone reading it to read the book. Regardless
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
of the nature of your covenant relationship with God, I can assure you that the book is worth your while. What I will share is the teaching that caused me to choose the book as something to share in study at the church I serve. The book reminds the reader of the reality of God’s promise of presence. It explains that prayer and service are the only means necessary to gain awareness of divine presence. Above all else, it affirms that God is ever-present, especially in anxious times. A life committed to prayer and witnessing to gospel truth is the only means of recognizing that presence and remaining at peace during anxious times.
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.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
– John 3:17
– Proverbs 10:12
Rev. Jonathan Yarboro is the pastor of First Presbyterian Church, Wetumpka.
Dalton MiDDleton SPortS eDitor dalton.middleton@thewetumpkaherald.com
Wetumpka softball looks to defend its title
By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor
The Wetumpka softball team is looking to go back-to-back.
After winning its second Class 6A state championship in program history last season, the Indians are hitting the road once again for Oxford to compete in the state tournament. Wetumpka is one of just eight teams left in Class 6A. They open the tournament, weather permitting, at 9 a.m. on Tuesday against Hartselle at Choccolocco Park in Oxford.
and the
See WETUMPKA, Page B2
WATSON PUTS ON DEFENSIVE CLINIC
By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor
The ESPN SportsCenter
Daily Top 10 Plays seg-
ment could be renamed the Ella Watson Top 10 plays after Tuesday afternoon.
Watson, playing in centerfield, made three diving catches and a catch at the warning track in Wetumpka’s 7-6 win over Saraland in the AHSAA Class 6A South Regional Qualifier 2 game. Her first catch came in the third inning. With a runner on first and no outs with Wetumpka leading 5-0, Saraland’s Ashlynn Hayes hit a line drive to the right-center field gap. Watson, running from center, laid out completely and made the catch, saving a run
from coming across home.
“That first catch she made in the right-center gap might have been one of the best high school outfield plays that I’ve ever seen,” Wetumpka coach Daryl Otwell said. “That catch really stands out.”
Her next two diving catches came in the sixth and the seventh innings.
With Saraland leading, 6-5, Wetumpka was doing everything it could to hold the Spartans’ lead at only one run.
Watson was a big reason for the Indians achieving that as she robbed Hayes on another double in the gap. Almost as spectacularly as the first, she laid out in right-center and caught the ball as her body hit the ground in the sixth inning to keep Saraland off the
DALTON MIDDLETON | TPI
basepath.
In the seventh, she made a catch going the other way.
Gracie Dees hit a ball in shallow left-center field and Watson was able to track it down a few feet behind the infield dirt. She dove to her left this time, but that didn’t matter. The ball landed securely in her glove.
The next batter tested her as well, but Watson was able to stay on her feet as she caught a deep fly ball at the fence and sent Wetumpka to the bottom of the seventh inning.
“That second one was another diving catch almost in the same spot, then she gets another on a blooper,” Otwell said. “Those were some Top 10 ESPN plays. I wish we could get some
See WATSON, Page B2
Wetumpka’s Ella Watson screams as she rounds the bases on a grand slam against Pike Road.The senior center fielder and pitcher had three diving catches against Saraland in the Indians’ final game of the South Regional.
DALTON MIDDLETON TPI Wetumpka’s Maribeth Parette, throws across the diamond against Theodore. Parette and the Indians are looking to defend their Class 6A title this week in Oxford.
Holt’s walk-off blast leads Indians to state tournament
By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor
Mya Holt walked to the plate in the most important at-bat of her high school career. With Wetumpka trailing by one run, Holt looked over to Saraland’s dugout as she thought she was going to be intentionally walked. When she wasn’t, she stepped into the batter’s box with two outs and Bailey Carlisle standing on second base, representing the game-tying run. The first pitch Holt saw was a ball. The second was inside that she watched for strike one. The third pitch still hasn’t landed. Holt connected with the 1-1 pitch and sent a rocket over the fence in left-center field. Not even three steps out of the box and Holt already had her finger in the air pointing at the ball as her father, Steven Holt, screamed “Ballgame! Ballgame! Ballgame!” from behind the net at home plate.
The Wetumpka soft-
ball team raced to home plate to celebrate as the Indians clinched their ticket to the AHSAA Class 6A State Tournament with a 7-6 win over Saraland in the second regional qualifying game in the South bracket.
“I knew it was going out instantly,” Holt said. “I did a little point at it. She was trying to go back inside on me after I watched that pitch the last time. I threw my hands out at it. I told myself up there that I was winning the game or keeping it going. It wasn’t ending right there.” Holt and the Indians (47-5) didn’t have an easy route to making it back to the state tournament in Oxford. They lost their second game of the tournament on Monday, a 2-1 loss to eventual regional champion Baldwin County. Following that loss, Wetumpka entered Tuesday needing to win three-consecutive games to keep its season alive. That started with a game against
Edgewood falls in state final
By HENRY ZIMMER Sports Reporter
The Edgewood baseball team never got its momentum going in the AISA state final. In two games against Lakeside, Edgewood lost 10-0 and 14-9 to finish runner-up in Class AA. The pair of losses put the Wildcats (2615) just shy of clinching their first state title since 2015.
“It was not the way we wanted to end it, but we had a pretty good season all in all,” coach Justin Jones said.
In Game 1, Lakeside dominated from the jump. Chiefs’ pitcher Colton Sampson no-hit the Wildcats, striking out 12 batters. He walked just three batters all game while also going 2-4 with a pair of RBIs at the plate.
“He is a really good lefty,” Jones said. “He did his job.” Down a game, with their backs squarely against the wall, Edgewood needed to regroup. And regroup they did for about six full innings. In Game 2, Edgewood got down 2-0 after a frame. In the top of the second however, the Wildcat bats finally came alive for six full runs
DALTON MIDDLETON | TPI
Wetumpka’s Mya Holt celebrates with coach Daryl Otwell after hitting a home run in the Class 6A South Regional Tournament. Holt sent the Indians to the state tournament with a two-run walk off home run against Saraland in the final game.
HENRY ZIMMER | TPI
Edgewood starting pitcher Hampton Woodruff pitches during Game 1 against Lakeside.
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area opponent Benjamin Russell. And for the fifth time this season, Wetumpka sent the Wildcats home packing with a 13-3 mercy rule win. The Indians pounded out 14 hits and took advantage of six Ben Russell errors in the win.
In Game 2, Wetumpka had to face a red-hot Pike Road team that had just knocked off Spanish Fort. Ella Watson hit a grand slam to break the game open, Lily Davenport hit a double and a triple and the Indians held off a four-run comeback attempt in the final three innings.
That set up a final game with Saraland. In the game, Wetumpka jumped ahead 5-0 before slowly losing that lead, 6-5, in the fifth inning.
Holt’s walk off then gave the Indians their ticket to state.
“The girls fought all day long,” Wetumpka coach Daryl Otwell said. “Ben Russell has always been a thorn for us and that was a tough game because we had to bounce back from a loss. Then we had to face a good Pike Road team and after a long day, you get a Top 10, 40-win Saraland team with a chance to go to state. It came down to one pitch.”
In the Saraland game, Wetumpka scored its first five runs all in the first two innings. The Indians were then held scoreless
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Yellow Jackets vs. Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa Patriots
Game 3: Hartselle Tigers vs. Wetumpka Indians
Game 4: Helena Huskies vs. Gardendale Rockets
WETUMPKA (SOUTH QUALIFIER
2) Record: 47-5
Regional Path to Oxford: Beat Theodore, 10-1; Lost to Baldwin County, 2-1; Beat Benjamin Russell, 13-3; Beat Pike Road, 9-5; Beat Saraland, 7-6. Players to Watch: P/OF Mya Holt, Sr.; P/OF Ella Watson, Sr.; OF Riley Dismukes, Sr.; 3B Maribeth Parette, Sr.
HARTSELLE (NORTH QUALIFIER 1) Record: 34-13-1
Regional Path to Oxford: Beat Fort Payne, 6-0; Beat Hazel Green, 11-0; Beat Athens, 17-16.
Players to Watch: SS Kaelyn Jones, Sr.; CF Katie Gillott, Jr.; 3B Katie Norgard, So.
BALDWIN COUNTY (SOUTH QUALIFIER 1)
Record: 21-14
Regional Path to Oxford: Beat Pike Road, 4-1; Beat Wetumpka, 2-1; Beat Saraland, 1-0.
Players to Watch: P/1B Madilyn Byrd, Jr.; 2B Brooke McGowin, Fr.; OF Madisyn Williams, Fr.
ATHENS (NORTH QUALIFIER 2)
Record: 25-13
Regional Path to Oxford: Beat Mortimer Jordan, 10-4; Beat Buckhorn, 4-2; Lost to Hartselle, 17-16;
WATSON Continued from B1
from the third to the seventh inning. During that span, Saraland scored two runs in the fourth and then four in the fifth inning, which came off four singles and two infield errors.
As the outs dwindled down, Otwell just wanted one of his superstars to get a chance. For that to happen, one batter needed to get on in the seventh inning.
After the first batter struck out, Autumn Hollon pinch-hit for Carlisle with one out. She hit the first pitch she saw to the shortstop.
The hard-hit ball was too much to handle and Hollon ended up safe at first. Carlisle then re-entered the game to run bases and stole second. After a pop up resulted in the second out, Holt and Watson were due up.
Otwell was confident in either player, as Watson already had four hits including a grand slam, and Holt had two doubles and is the reigning Alabama Gatorade Player of the Year.
Instead of intentionally walking Holt like Otwell expected, Saraland pitched to her and quickly learned from its mistake.
“We had a 5-0 lead in this game and it dwindled down,” Otwell said. “We just couldn’t catch a break there for a while and I was just telling myself ‘Please get Mya Holt or Ella Watson another chance.’ I really thought she would walk Mya, but I’m sure glad she didn’t now.”
Beat Hazel Green, 14-2.
Players to Watch: SS Morgan Stiles, Sr.; P/3B Lily Lowery, Jr.; C Amaya Green, Jr.
OXFORD (EAST QUALIFIER 1)
Record: 23-18
Regional Path to Oxford: Beat Mountain Brook, 6-5; Beat Minor, 20-5; Beat Pell City, 9-8.
Players to Watch: P Berkley Mooney, Sr.; OF/P Kaelyn Crossley, Sr.; SS Ashlyn Burns, Sr.
HILLCREST-TUSCALOOSA
(CENTRAL QUALIFIER 2)
Record: 35-12-1
Regional Path to Oxford: Beat McAdory, 4-2; Lost to Calera, 2-1; Beat Stanhope Elmore, 9-1; Beat Pelham, 10-6; Beat Calera, 2-1.
Players to Watch: P/UTIL Jewel Brooks, Sr.; P/UTIL Mackenzie Harper, Sr.; C Marti McCluskey, Jr.
HELENA (CENTRAL QUALIFIER 1)
Record: 40-7
Regional Path to Oxford: Beat Stanhope Elmore, 12-1; Beat Brookwood, 2-0; Beat Calera, 6-3.
Players to Watch: P/SS Hayden Traywick, So.; 3B Emma Olive, Sr.; OF Presley Lively, Sr.
GARDENDALE (EAST QUALIFIER 2)
Record: 31-11-1
Regional Path to Oxford: Beat Parker, 15-0; Lost to Pell City, 1-0; Beat Mountain Brook, 10-0; Beat Homewood, 10-4; Beat Pell City, 11-9. Players to Watch: OF Miya Covington, Sr.; P/ UTIL Sophie Gant, Sr.; OF Anna Valentine, Jr.
videos of those and get them submitted. What a special day for her.”
Holtville softball ends season in regional finale
By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor
Holtville’s trip to Gulf Shores was a memorable one.
The Bulldogs (27-12) ended their softball season in the AHSAA Class 5A South Regional finale on Wednesday, losing 11-3 to Gulf Shores in the Qualifier 2 game. They went 2-2 in the tournament, beating Gulf Shores and St. Paul’s on Day 1 before losing to Rehobeth in the Qualifier 1 game and Gulf Shores in the Qualifier 2 game on the second day.
“We had some opportunities that we missed and we can look back and think of every play and every pitch, but that’s not going to change anything,” Holtville coach Reese Claybrook said. “We had so much success down here. They know what they’re capable of and I don’t want a scoreboard or a statistic to define them or the season they had.”
Holtville put on the most exciting show of the week in its first two games. Facing tournament favorite Gulf Shores in the opener, Holtville’s Kylie Snowden hit a grand slam in the top of the seventh inning to stun the Dolphins and win, 6-5.
After advancing into the winner’s bracket and facing St. Paul’s, the Bulldogs once again found themselves down 4-2 in the seventh inning. That didn’t matter, however, as Avery Goff played hero and walked off the game with a three-run blast to left field.
“A lot of the parents told me today that those games are fun,” Claybrook said. “I’m glad they
are for them because they’re stressful here. But it’s so exciting to see it happen. I love seeing these girls be successful. When you work hard like they do, good things happen.”
On Wednesday, Holtville opened the day with a 7-1 loss to Rehobeth in the first qualifier game. The game was tied, 1-1, before Rehobeth scored six runs in the bottom of the fourth.
In the second chance game against Gulf Shores, the Dolphins scored five runs in both the second and fourth innings and put the game away early, leaving Holtville no chance at more late-game heroics.
Senior Taylor Price tried to get the Bulldogs back into it with a pair of home runs but that was all the team could muster up on the scoreboard.
“It’s easy to look at what went wrong today, but a whole lot more has gone right for this team and this group of seniors the last four or five years,” Claybrook said. “I
understand they’re sad and I get that, but as much as I look forward to our softball games, I look forward to seeing these seniors grow as people.”
Holtville’s senior class consists of Taylor Price, Abbi Snider, Summer Hutcheson and Sara Grace Barrett. The four seniors have seen plenty of success at the varsity level, especially the last three seasons as the Bulldogs have racked up over 20 wins each year. During that span, Holtville has gone 77-41 and won at least two games in its regional tournament each season.
“I thank them for sticking with me, growing with me, learning with me and even teaching me,” Claybrook said. “It’s a great group. We’re going to miss them on the field, but we’re going to miss them even more in the locker room and in the hallways. It’s a bittersweet thing because I know what they’re going to go out and accomplish.”
Holtville’s Price hits two home runs in final game
By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor
Taylor Price will never forget her final high school softball game.
Playing in the AHSAA Class 5A South Regional held in Gulf Shores, Price and her Holtville softball team saw their season come to an end after a 2-2 week. While her team was eliminated and her senior season ended, there weren’t many players who had a better week of softball than Price. In four games, Price went 2-for-7 at the plate with two home runs and three RBIs. In the circle, she pitched a complete game win over St. Paul’s and added three innings of relief in another outing.
For her impressive performance, Price is this week’s Elmore County Player of the Week.
“Just knowing Taylor and who she is as a person, it was awesome to see her succeed,” Holtville coach Reese Claybrook said. “To watch her do that to end her career is awesome and I’m more than excited to see what she does at the next level.”
Price’s last game of her career was her best of the week. In the game against Gulf Shores, she hit a tworun home run in her first at-bat to put the Bulldogs up, 2-1, in the top of the second inning.
Her second home run was a solo shot in the top of the fifth inning. Both went to straight away center field with the wind blowing in.
See PRICE, Page B3
and the series was over.
Continued from B1
to give not only its first hits in the championship series but also its first runs.
Parker Shaw hit a sacrifice fly to score the first run, followed by Drew Allison and Landon Smith both walking in runs. Ethan Evans capped things off with a booming triple to score three. The attitude on the field, in the dugout and in the stadium immediately changed as Evans celebrated his triple. Suddenly, the Wildcats were in control.
“It shows what these guys
Watson wasn’t just impressive in the field. The Indians’ three-hole slugger showed off her power at the plate as well. In Wetumpka’s three wins on Tuesday, Watson went 4-for-11 at the plate with a
grand slam and five RBIs. With Wetumpka leading Pike Road 3-1 in the middle game, Watson broke it open with her home run.
Alyssa Brown was hit-bypitch, Bailey Carlisle singled
have been about all year,” Jones said of the rally. “They battle. We are down and never out. That is all you can ask for in a team.”
Edgewood further planted its lead in the fifth with a pair of runs scored. Brody Whitt and Cooper Freeman each hit RBIs and things were starting to get raucous. Then, disaster struck. The Wildcats allowed six runs in the fifth, then another half a dozen runs in the sixth. What was a 8-2 lead had dissipated entirely by the top of the seventh and Edgewood found itself in a 14-8 hole. In the final frame of the game, Evans scored with two outs. Then Shaw popped out
and Ava Farmer walked to load the bases. After Mya Holt grounded out, Watson stepped up to the plate with two outs and watched two pitches, one for a ball and one for a strike. She fouled off the third
Edgewood had three players ultimately make the All-Tournament team in Whitt, Evans and Allison. While Jones’ boys are not bringing home a trophy featuring a golden glove, they will be bringing home a glove of silver. That trophy will serve as a reminder of a season of accomplishments, but also as a reason for Edgewood baseball to work even harder in 2025 to reach the title game once again.
“We accomplished a lot, but this is not what we came here for,” Jones said. “You tip your hat to Lakeside. They came here and played great baseball.”
pitch then hit a grand slam to dead center to push the lead to 7-1. “We had so many girls step up and play such massive roles all day long for us,” Otwell said. “It was a special day.”
FALLS
DALTON MIDDLETON TPI
Holtville’s softball team celebrates after beating Gulf Shores in Game 1 of the AHSAA Class 5A South Regional. The Bulldogs scored four runs in the top of the seventh to beat the No. 1 seed.
PLAYER OF THE WEEK
DALTON MIDDLETON | TPI
Holtville’s Taylor Price pitches against St. Paul’s in the Class 5A South Regional. Price pitched a complete game win over the Saints then hit two home runs against Gulf Shores.
School was insulated in a protective bubble on Ann Street in Montgomery. The Lee Band tradition was so important to Mr. Johnson, and to all of us, that we started band camp the week after graduation. I still have the paperwork from my rookie year: drums came back June 5-9. Then, beginning June 13, we had Tuesday and Thursday night rehearsals from 4:00-8:00 p.m. In July, we went Monday through Thursday, from 4-8 p.m., four nights a week! By August, we were ready for full-blown band camp. Two weeks of 8:00 in the morning until 8:00 at night, Monday through Friday. By the time school began, we were more than ready. But as enjoyable as marching band was, what I really loved was concert band. We had a magnificent set up at Lee. The top 40 players were in the Symphonic Band, which played the most difficult of the classic band literature. The other 90-100 players were in the Concert Band. We also had a Jazz Band that was by director’s invitation only.
I made the Symphonic Band on trombone my first year. And I still remember the hours and hours of rehearsal on those pieces: “Procession of Nobles” by Rimsky-Korsakov and “Variations on a Korean Folk Song” by John Barnes Chance were the hardest pieces of band literature I’d ever played. I can remember looking out the transom windows at the overcast February sky, with Lee High School almost seeming like one of those black-and-white pictures in my parents’ yearbooks.
Mr. Johnson was at the band room recently, and after all the times back in the day that he’d made fun of my geeked-out band recording habits, he had a request. He asked if I had any recordings of us. I walked into the storage closet and produced a box of tapes.
I put the cassette of our 1990 State Contest performance on the sound system in the band room. For a moment, we were transported back in time. To me, it sounded like those old recordings of the 1950sera Lee Band, back when Johnny Long was putting the school on the map, and the fidelity of the recordings was not so great.
Now, removed nearly 30 years from when these recordings were made, they are about as old as the original Lee Band recordings were when I first heard them in the 1980s.
But what fascinated me was not the recording of those great musical works, amazing as it was that we played such difficult music so well; it was what I saw in my mind as the musical notes drifted by. I saw Ann Street in black and white looking out of the transom windows in the Lee band room, and a young Mr. Johnson drilling us on some of the hardest music I’d ever played.
How could my teenage self have known that I would still get that thrill, just listening to the sweetest sounds I’ve ever heard.
Michael Bird is a soonto-be-retired music educator with Tallassee City Schools. SOUND
PRICE Continued from B2
Wetumpka’s Davenport named North/South All-Star
By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor
Lily Davenport will represent Wetumpka in the summer’s biggest softball games.
Davenport, a rising senior and Anderson University commit, was selected to participate in the AHSAA North/South All-Star Softball Game held at Lagoon Park.
She was one of 36 rising seniors to be selected to the 28th annual event. Wetumpka head coach Daryl Otwell was selected as the head coach of the South team.
“The announcement caught me really off guard, honestly, but this was my big goal for my junior season,” Davenport said.
“To be able to do this while also making it back to the state tournament is really cool.”
Davenport, after earning
Davenport said. “I think it will be cool to meet some of the other girls who were selected and just get to know the other players around the state.”
In the meantime, Davenport and her team are headed back to Oxford for the AHSAA Class 6A state tournament. The Indians are the defending 6A champions and open play at 9 a.m. Tuesday against Hartselle.
Wetumpka is the South’s No. 2 qualifier after Mya Holt hit a walkoff home run in the second qualifying game against Saraland last week in Gulf Shores.
First Team All-State honors as a sophomore last year, had big hopes coming back as a junior. She started the season slow but has really turned on the base hits the last few weeks. Through 51 games, she is
hitting .376 with 53 hits, 11 doubles and 3 triples. She is third on the team with 40 RBIs and 37 runs scored.
“I’m hoping to get to the All-Star game and hit well and show off my first base skills,”
“The regional was really fun, of course,” Davenport said. “I think the situation we were in the last game really fired us up some. We all expected to go to state so when our backs were against the wall, it showed us how much we really wanted.”
Edgewood athletes named AISA All-Stars
By TPI STAFF Staff Report
Seven Edgewood Academy athletes were selected to play in one final game this spring. The AISA hosted its annual softball and baseball All-Star events this week. For
Edgewood softball, senior Lindsey Brown and junior Lily Stubbs were picked to play in the event on May 10.
For the baseball team, seniors Drew Allison and Hamp Woodruff played in the senior game at Paterson Field on May 13.
Juniors Ethan Evans, Parker Shaw and Cooper Freeman were selected for the
Cleaning up the pieces
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
The most significant damage in the following multiple rounds of storms Thursday night and Friday morning was in downtown Tallassee.
As the first round of rain and wind was coming through around 10 p.m. Thursday, it peeled back the roof of a building on Sistrunk Street in Tallassee. In the process three businesses were left exposed to the elements and left all three plus Grove Station without power.
“I have to empty my coolers,” Grove Station owner Corrie Sid. “I have so much perishable food to throw out.”
Sid’s refrigerators were holding meats, cheeses and more as the power went out Thursday night. Friday morning power was still out and Sid was documenting the loss as the coolers had warmed up overnight.
Down Sistrunk at Sizemore and Sizemore, office manager Becky Peters looked at her desk and almost cried. Water had come through the ceiling covering her desk.
“I had the best view in all of
junior game.
Both teams are coming off state runner-up seasons. The softball team finished the year 43-9 and fell to Hooper Academy in extra innings of the state championship. The baseball team finished the year 26-15 and was swept by Lakeside in the 2A championship series last week.
Storm causes minor issues across Elmore County
downtown looking out over the river,” Peters said. Peters and others stayed until almost 3 a.m. Friday morning salvaging files and servers.
“We got the brains of the computer out,” Peters said.
The National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm warning for Elmore County about 9:15 p.m. giving everyone warning of potential issues related to wind and imminent hail.
Across social media, many residents from just west of Wetumpka to Tallassee back to Eclectic posted photographs and video of hail, rain and some trees down. It took power out for many and forced
Elmore County Schools in Eclectic to go virtual for the day as power was out at the schools.
Elmore County EMA director Keith Barnett said there were more than 50 reports of trees down with one on a home.
“We had one minor injury,” Barnett said. “On Rifle Range Road a driver was slightly injured by a tree when the tree either fell on the vehicle or the vehicle hit the tree as it was falling.”
On Highway 14 Friday morning between Tallassee and Wetumpka there were several crews with various utility companies trying to restore services. Along the way there
were fallen trees, but no significant damage.
At 11:30 p.m. Thursday Alabama Power Company reported 11,600 customers in Elmore County were without power and another 4,100 in Tallapoosa County.
By 6:30 a.m. Friday 9,000 Elmore County residents were without power and 3,400 in Tallapoosa County.
The electric utility reminded everyone that with the amount of tree and limb damage, the following are important safety reminders:
• Stay away from downed lines. Do not drive over lines or under low-hanging lines. Always assume power lines are energized.
• Keep children and pets away from downed lines.
• Stay clear of areas with fallen trees or limbs where downed lines may be hidden.
• Exercise caution near chain link fences. Dangerous lines may touch the metal.
• Avoid stepping in puddles and standing water after a storm as they may be touching hidden, downed power lines and be electrified.
Commission approves improvement district
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
The Elmore County Commission signed off on the Riverfell Improvement District in Prattville at its Monday meeting. The development is primarily in Elmore County with a sliver in Autauga County near the entrance to the Robert Trent Jones golf course. “It allows the developer to seek tax exempt bonds to finance infrastructure,” Elmore County chief operations officer Richie Beyer said. “This will allow them to build roads and conduct other infrastructure improvements.”
A similar improvement district exists
For Claybrook, it was no surprise to see her do that on the biggest stage. And it was the perfect way to cap her career. “To put a bookend on her career, my first game as a head coach and her first at-bat for me was a home run,” Claybrook said. “For her to come here her senior season and her last game
within The Ridge on Lake Martin.
The commission also recognized three different groups from Edgewood Academy for winning AISA state championships. Those were the boys and girls basketball teams and Barrett Brown for a state discus championship within the AISA State Track meet.
The commission also recognized recent graduates of the Teen Community Response Team (CERT).
IN THE ACTION THE ELMORE COUNTY COMMISSION:
• Approved minutes of the April 22 meeting.
• Approved the memorandum of warrants in the amount of $11,441,850.78
hit two out, it just shows the model of consistency with all the ups and downs in-between those two milestones.” While her final game at the plate was impressive, her complete game in the
for April 13 to May 3.
• Approved a special events retail alcohol license for The Black Jack Symphony by JROK at the Lake Martin amphitheater for July 20-21.
• Approved the annual report on Insolvents, Errors, Litigations and Unsold Tax Liens for 2023.
• Approved a proclamation declaring May as Foster Family Awareness Month.
• Approved a proclamation declaring May as Mental Health Awareness Month. The next meeting of the Elmore County Commission is scheduled for 5 p.m. Tuesday, May 28. Commissioner Henry Hines was absent from the meeting.
circle against St. Paul’s was just as important. Price sent the Bulldogs to the regional final with the win. She pitched seven innings and allowed just three earned runs and struck out five Saints.
When her seventh inning ended, the Bulldogs were down 4-2 and she was in line for the loss, but Avery Goff hit a walkoff three-run home run to keep the Bulldogs undefeated in the tournament.
DALTON MIDDLETON | TPI
Wetumpka’s Lily Davenport hits in the Class 6A South Regional. Davenport has been named an AHSAA North/South All-Star. She is one of 36 rising seniors across the state to be selected to the event.
CLIFF WILLIAMS | TPI
The roof of three downtown Tallassee businesses was peeled by winds Thursday night, part of which came to rest on this car.
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Notices PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE UNDER POWER FORECLOSURE NOTICE
WHEREAS, default has occurred in the performance of the covenants, terms and conditions of a mortgage from 3 FIVES, LLC A DELAWARE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY to MORTGAGE ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION SYSTEMS, INC., AS MORTGAGEE, AS NOMINEE, FOR LIMA ONE CAPITAL, LLC, on the 17th day of May, 2021, said mortthe Judge of Probate of Elmore County, Alabama, on May 21, 2021, in Deed/Mortgage Book 2021, Page 43985, Elmore County, Alabama Records, said Mortgage having subsequently been transferred and assigned to Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB, not in its individual capacity, but solely as Owner Trustee of MFA 2022-RTL1 Trust, by instrument recorded notice is hereby given that the undersigned Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB, not in its individual capacity, but solely as Owner Trustee of MFA 2022RTL1 Trust, as Mortgagee/ Transferee, under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in said mortgage, will sell at public outcry to the highest bidder for cash in front of the main entrance of the Courthouse in Wetumpka, Elmore County, Alabama, on June 12, 2024, during the legal hours of sale, all of its right, title, and interest in and to the following described real estate, situated in Elmore County, Alabama, to-wit: COMMENCE AT AN IRON PIN (1” CRIMP-TOP PIPE) AT THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF LOT 1, BLOCK 1, OF THE RESUBDIVISION OF RIVERVIEW ESTATES, AS RECORDED IN THE OFFICE OF THE JUDGE OF PROBATE OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA, IN PLAT BOOK 7, AT PAGE 97, SAID POINT BEING ON THE SOUTH RIGHT OF WAY OF RIVER DRIVE (FORMERLY WATER WORKS ROAD): THENCE SOUTH 89 DEG. 53 MIN 36 SEC. EAST, ALONG SAID RIGHT OF WAY, 136.52 FEET TO AN IRON PIN (1/2”” REBAR) ON THE WEST RIGHT OF WAY OF JACKSON TRACE ROAD (FORMERLY U.S. HIGHWAY 231), 60 FOOT RIGHT OFERLY, ALONG SAID RIGHT OF WAY, CHORD BEING NORTH 04 DEG. 58 MIN 00 SEC. WEST, 714.62 FEET, AT A CALCULATED POINT IN ELMER BRANCH, SAID POINT BEING
THENCE NORTH 87 DEG. 48 MIN. 42 SEC. WEST, ALONG SAID BRANCH, 210.00 FEET
THENCE LEAVING SAID BRANCH, NORTH 09 DEG. 02 MIN. 28 SEC. WEST, 210.00 FEET TO AN IRON PIN (2 INCH
DEG. 49 MIN. 41 SEC. EAST, 210.30 FEET TO AN IRON PIN (1 INCH OPEN-TOP PIPE) ON THE WEST RIGHT OF WAY
THENCE SOUTH 08 DEG. 57 MIN. 26 SEC. EAST, ALONG SAID RIGHT OF WAY, 210.00 FEET TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING. THE ABOVE-DESCRIBED
PROPERTY LIES IN THE NORTHWEST 1/4 OF THE SOUTHWEST 1/4 OF SECTION 8, T18N, R19E, ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA, AND CONTAINS 0.99 ACRES, MORE OR LESS. ACCORDING TO THE SURVEY OF RONALD BURKE, ALA. REG. #16670 DATED FEBRUARY 20, 2001. Said legal description being
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gpg controlling, however the property is more commonly known as 1003 JACKSON TRACE ROAD, WETUMPKA, AL 36092. Alabama law gives some persons who have an interest in property the right to redeem the property under certain circumstances. Programs may also exist that help persons avoid or delay the foreclosure process. An attorney should be consulted to help you understand these rights and programs as a part of the foreclosure process. This property will be sold on an “as is, where is” basis, subject to any easements, encumbrances, and exceptions those contained in the records Probate in the county where the above-described property is situated. This property will be sold subject to the right of redemption of all parties entitled thereto and subject to any outstanding ad valorem taxes (including taxes which are a lien, whether or
Public Notices not now due and payable). This sale is made for the purpose of paying the indebtedness secured by said mortgage, as well as the expenses of foreclosure. The Mortgagee/Transferee reserves the right to bid for and purchase the real estate and to credit its purchase price against the expenses of sale and the indebtedness secured by the real estate. This sale is subject to postponement or cancellation. Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB, not in its individual capacity, but solely as Owner Trustee of MFA 2022-RTL1 Trust, Mortgagee/Transferee THE BELOW LAW FIRM MAY BE HELD TO BE ACTING AS A DEBT COLLECTOR, UNDER FEDERAL LAW. IF SO, ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. Rubin Lublin, LLC, Attorney for Mortgagee/Transferee 3145 Avalon Ridge Place, Suite 100, Peachtree Corners, GA 30071
CLASSIFIEDS/PUBLIC NOTICES
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Telephone Number: (877) 8130992 Case No. LMA-23-048138 rlselaw.com/property-listing
Wetumpka Herald: May 15, 22 and 29, 2024 230946
PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE ELMORE COUNTY
Default having been made in the payment of the indebtedness secured by that certain mortgage executed by Jennie Smith, unmarried, originally in favor of Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as mortgagee, as nominee for American Advisors Group, its successors and assigns on May 17, 2013, said mortgage recordProbate of Elmore County, Alabama, at RLPY Book 2013, Page 36660; the undersigned U.S. Bank Trust National Association, not in its individual capacity but solely as owner trustee for VRMTG Asset Trust, as Mortgagee/Transferee, under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in said mortgage, will sell at public outcry to the highest bidder for cash the main entrance of the Courthouse at Elmore County, Alabama, on June 13, 2024, during the legal hours of sale, all of its right, title, and interest in and to the following described real estate, situated in Elmore County, Alabama, to-wit: COMMENCE AT THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF THE NE ¼ OF THE SW ¼ OF SEC. 8. T -17-N, R -17-E, CONTINUE THENCE S 89° 24’ 57” E, 815.82 FEET TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING. FROM SAID POINT OF BEGINNING. CONTINUE THENCE S 17° 26’ 59” E, 168.05 FEET; THENCE N 85° 48’ 04’ E, 195.03 FEET TO A FENCE. THENCE N 10° 05’ 15’ W, 146.72 FEET; THENCE N 89° 24’ 57’ W, 219.25 FEET TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING. SAID PARCEL OF LAND BEING NE ¼ OF THE SW ¼ OF SEC. 8, T -17-N, R -17-E AND CONTAINS 0.73 ACRES, MORE OR LESS. Subject to Ingress/Egress Easement at book 2000 page -
THIS CONVEYENCE IS MADE SUBJECT TO ALL RESTRICTIONS, RESERVATIONS, EASEMENTS, AND RIGHTS -OF -WAY OF RECORD AFFECTING THE TITLE TO THE ABOVE DESCRIBED PROPERTY. Being the same property conBook 230, Page 1136. 36054
029.008 Property street address for informational purposes:THIS PROPERTY WILL BE SOLD ON AN “AS IS, WHERE IS” 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, 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 tenpayable to Aldridge Pite, LLP at the time and place of the
Aldridge Pite, LLP reserves
to
the
to the
The
gagee/Transferee reserves the
to
for and purchase the
and to credit its
chase 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, not in its individual capacity but solely as owner trustee for VRMTG Asset Trust, Mortgagee/Transferee
ALDRIDGE PITE, LLP Six Piedmont Center 3525 Piedmont Road, N.E., Suite 700 Atlanta, GA 30305. Attorney for Mortgagee/Transferee. THIS OFFICE IS ACTING AS A DEBT COLLECTOR AND IS ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT. ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. Wetumpka Herald: May 15, 22 and 29, 2024 231736
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
J&J Towing will auction the following vehicles off on 6-19-24 334-558-1595
2010 Ford Taurus1FAHP2EW0AG142564
2020 Harley Davidson1HD1KBC10LB652963
Wetumpka Herald: May 15 and 22, 2024 AV/10 FORD PUBLIC NOTICE
NOTICE OF COMPLETION
In accordance with Chapter 1, Title 39, Code of Alabama, 1975, notice is hereby given that Schmidt Environmental Construction, Inc. has completed the Contract No. 2 Lagoon Upgrades for the City of Tallassee, a municipal corporation,nal settlement of said contract. All persons having any claims for labor, materials or otherwise in connection with this project should immediately notify the City of Tallassee, 3 Freeman Ave, Tallassee, AL 36078 (334)283-6571.
Schmidt Environmental Construction, Inc. P.O. Box 369 Auburn, AL 36831-0369 (334) 887-0334
Wetumpka Herald: May 15, 22, 29 and June 5, 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 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
Public Notices
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 degrees 11 minutes 45 seconds East, 383.00 feet to a concrete monument on the West Right of Way of Holley Mill Road, County Road Number 357, 80 foot Right of Way.; thence South 39 degrees 52 minutes 55 seconds East, along said Right of Way, 1052.63 feet to an iron pin on the South line of the Northwest Quarter of the Southeast Quarter of Section 19; thence leaving said Right of Way, North 89 degrees 01 minutes 37 seconds West, along Quarter Section line, 859.45 feet to the Point of Beginning. The above-described property lies in the 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.. Property street address for informational purposes: 396 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
ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS
Sealed Bids for the construction of the Electrical Upgrades will be received by Central Elmore Water and Sewer Authority on or before 1:00 PM CDT, May 22nd, 2024 716 US-231, Wetumpka, AL 36093 at which time said bids will be publicly opened and read.
The Project consists of the following major components: Installation and programming of VFDs for raw water pump station, and Madix booster pump station. Rebuild of control cabinet for the madix booster pump station Contract Documents may be obtained from Ardurra, 200 Clinton Avenue West, Suite 704, Huntsville, AL 35801, upon payment of $100.00 for each printed set or $20 for electronic. All deposits are non-refundable. Contract Documents can also be downloaded from the Ardurra website at: Ardurra - Projects (questcdn. com) or from www.questcdn. com for a fee of $22.00. Each Bid must be submitted on the prescribed form and accompanied by security submitted on the prescribed Bid Bond form (5%) percent of the amount bid but not more than $10,000.00. All Contractors are required toance with the E-Verify program per Alabama Act 2012-491. For information concerning the proposed Work, contact Shakil Amin P.E., Ardurra Group, 200 Clinton Avenue West, Suite 704, Huntsville, AL 35801, 256.203.9501. To obtain Planschelle Jeffery, 256.203.9501. Central Elmore Water and Sewer Authority 716 US-231 Wetumpka, AL 36093 April, 2024 Wetumpka Herald: BIDS
Public Notices
PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE OF MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE STATE OF ALABAMA COUNTY OF ELMORE
Default having been made of the terms of the loan documents secured by that certain mortgage executed by Stevie F Shaw , Denise Shaw , Husband And Wife As Joint Tenants to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as mortgagee, as nominee for Countrwide Home Loans, Inc., its successors and assigns dated November 29, 2004; said mortgage being recorded on December 2, 2004, in Book 2004, Page of Probate of Elmore County, Alabama. Said Mortgage was last sold, assigned and transferred to NewRez LLC d/b/a Shellpoint Mortgage Servicing by assignment recorded in Deed Book of the Judge of Probate of Elmore County, ALABAMA. The undersigned, NewRez LLC d/b/a Shellpoint Mortgage Servicing, under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in said mortgage, will sell at public outcry to the highest bidder for cash before the main entrance of the Court House in Elmore County, Alabama during the legal hours of sale (between 11am and 4pm), on the 23rd day of May, 2024 the following property, situated in Elmore County, Alabama, to-wit: Lot No. 62 of the Bellview Heights Subdivision, as recorded in the Judge of Probate’s OfPlat Book 10, Page 14. Said property is commonly known as 95 Turkey Trail Dr, Deatsville, AL 36022. the property address and the legal description the legal description will control. Said property will be sold subject to any outstanding ad valorem taxes (including taxes which are a lien, but not yet due and payable), the right of redemption of any taxing authority, all outstanding liens for public utilities which constitute liens upon the property, any matters which might be disclosed by an accurate survey and inspection of the property, any assessments, liens, encumbrances, easements, rights-of-way, zoning ordinances, restrictions, special assessments, covenants, the statutory right of redemption pursuant to Alabama law, and any matters of record including, but not limited to, those supeout above. Said property will be sold on an “as-is” basis without any representation, warranty or recourse against the abovenamed or the undersigned. The successful bidder must present the winning bid at the time and place of sale. Alabama law gives some persons who have an interest in property the right to redeem the property under certain circumstances. Programs may also exist that help persons avoid or delay the foreclosure process. An attorney should be consulted to help you understand these rights and programs as a part of the foreclosure process. The sale will be conducted subsale is not prohibited under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code and (2) of the status of the loan with the holder of the Mortgage.
NEWREZ LLC D/B/A SHELLPOINT MORTGAGE SERVICING as holder of said mortgage McCalla Raymer Leibert Pierce, LLC Two North Twentieth 2 20th Street North, Suite 1000 Birmingham, AL 35203 (205) 216-4238 FT21@mccalla.com File No. 24-05854AL www.foreclosurehotline.net
Wetumpka Herald: May 1, 8 and 15, 2024 24-05854AL
PUBLIC NOTICE PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE DISTRICT COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA CASE NO.: DV-2023-900375.00 WILLIAM HUNT VS. MELISSA HARROD, DEFENDANT. 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
ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS
Separate sealed bids for the demolition and clearance of unsafe structures in connection with CDBG Project No. LR-CEPF-17-031 will be received by the City of Wetumpka, AL in the City Administrative Building, 408 South Main Street, Wetumpka, Alabama, until 10:00 AM CST, May 30, 2024, and then at said
Public Notices
aloud. The Information for Bidders, Form of Bid, Form of Contract, Bond, Performance and Payment Bond, and other contract documents may be examined at the following location: Development Services Department City of Wetumpka Administration Building 408 South Main Street Wetumpka, AL 36092
Copies may be obtained upon payment of $50 for each specpayment represents the cost of printing, reproduction, handling and distribution, therefore, no refund will be issued. The owner reserves the right to waive any informalities or to reject any or all bids. Each bidder must deposit, with its bid, security in the amount of, form of and subject to the conditions provided in the Information for Bidders. This activity is funded in whole or in part with Community Development Block Grant funds pursuant to Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as amended. All applicable federal regulations shall be in full force and effect. Attention of bidders is particularly called to the requirements as to conditions of employment to be observed and minimum wage rates to be paid under the contract, Section 3, Segregated Facility, Section 109 and E.O. 11246. No bidder may withdraw its bid within thirty (30) days after the actual date of the opening thereof.
A Pre-Bid Meeting will be held at the City of Wetumpka Administration Building at 10:00 AM CST on May 21, 2024. Jerry Willis, Mayor City of Wetumpka Wetumpka Herald: May 15, 2024 BIDS
PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF IRVING FREEMAN AUSTIN, JR., DECEASED CASE NO: 2024-089 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE
Letters of Administration over the Estate of IRVING FREEMAN AUSTIN, JR., deceased, having been granted to STEPHEN CRAIG AUSTIN on April 25, 2024 by John Thornton, Judge of Probate of Elmore County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons and parties having claims against said estate are required, within the time allowed by law, to present the same to the Court or the same will be barred.
STEPHEN CRAIG AUSTIN ADMINISTRATOR OF THE ESTATE OF IRVING FREEMAN AUSTIN, JR., DECEASED
Name and Address of Attorney for Administrator: JIM L. DEBARDELABEN ATTORNEY AT LAW PO BOX 1136 WETUMPKA, ALABAMA 36092
334-265-9206
Wetumpka Herald: May 1, 8 and 15, 2024 EST/AUSTIN, I. PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF ANGELA C. BLALOCK, DECEASED CASE NO: 2024-082 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE
Letters of Administration over the Estate of ANGELA C. BLALOCK, deceased, having been granted to LORRAINE TUCKER on May 7th, 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.
LORRAINE TUCKER ADMINISTRATOR OF THE ESTATE OF ANGELA C. BLALOCK, DECEASED
Name and Address of Attorney for Administrator: KYLE C. SHIRLEY MCDOWELL, FAULK & SHIRLEY, LLC 145 WEST MAIN STREET PRATTVILLE, ALABAMA 36067 334-365-5924
Wetumpka Herald: May 15, 22 and 29, 2024 EST/BLALOCK, A.
PUBLIC NOTICE
ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS
Sealed proposals will be re-
2:00 PM, June 11, 2024 and the:
proposal. Performance and Payment Bonds and evidence the signing of the Contract.
for a one time administrativeof bid date. Other sets for genmay be obtained with the same to be the same as the deposit available. To expedite distribution of bid documents, deposit check(s) should be emailed and mailed to JMR+H
com. PRE-BID CONFERENCE on May 28, 2024Conference is highly recomProposal.
before bidding or bid will not be received or considered by the
side of the sealed envelope in which the proposal is delivered. The Owner reserves the right to best interests of the Owner will thereby be promoted.
BIDS PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF C. H. BRIDGES, DECEASED CASE NO: 2024-108 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE Letters Testamentary in the Estate of C. H. BRIDGES, who is also known as CECIL HAROLD BRIDGES, deceased, having been granted to CECIL HAROLD BRIDGES, JR. on April 23, 2024 by John Thornton, Judge of Probate of Elmore County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons and parties having claims against said estate are required, within the time allowed by law, to present the same to the Court or the same will be barred. CECIL HAROLD BRIDGES, JR. PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF C. H. BRIDGES, DECEASED Attorney of Record for Personal Representative: RODERICK B. PERDUE ATTORNEY AT LAW 2033 HOLTVILLE ROAD WETUMPKA, ALABAMA 36092 334-567-7373 Wetumpka Herald May 1, 8 and 15, 2024 EST/BRIDGES C. PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING PEDDLERS LICENSE APPLICATION
Notice
pad at the existing BTW soccer
ing connecting to the existing service. Chapel Renovation to cleaning of the exterior and -
and 22, 2024 HEARING
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.
CAROLYN ANN WALKER BROWN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF DAVID BRUCE BROWN, DECEASED Attorney of Record for Personal Representative: JOHN B. BRADLEY VOGEL LAW FIRM, LLC 41 CAMBRIDGE COURT WETUMPKA. ALABAMA 36093 334-409-0088 Wetumpka Herald: May 15, 22, and 29, 2024
EST/BROWN D. 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 VINCENT JOSEPH GYORKOS, DECEASED CASE NO: 2024-125 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE
Letters of Administration over the Estate of VINCENT JOSEPH GYORKOS, deceased, having been granted to ED PARISH, JR. on May 9th, 2024 by John Thornton, Judge of Probate of Elmore County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons and parties having claims against said estate are required, within the time allowed by law, to present the same to the court or the same will be barred.
ED PARISH, JR. ADMINISTRATOR OF THE ESTATE OF VINCENT JOSEPH GYORKOS, DECEASED
Name and Address of Adminis-
trator: 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: May 15, 22 and 29, 2024
EST/GYORKOS, V. PUBLIC NOTICE
IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF EMERY
GENE HELTON, DECEASED CASE NO: 2024-114 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE
Letters Testamentary in the Estate of EMERY GENE HEL-
Public Notices
TON, deceased, having been granted to EFFIE LOUISE HELTON on May 8, 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.
EFFIE LOUISE HELTON PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF EMERY GENE HELTON, 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 15, 22 and 29, 2024 EST/HELTON, E. 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
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 JAMES MICHAEL KORNOSKY, DECEASED CASE NO: 2024-095 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE
Letters of Administration over the Estate of JAMES MICHAEL KORNOSKY, deceased, having been granted to BRANDON KORNOSKY on May 6, 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.
BRANDON KORNOSKY ADMINISTRATOR OF THE ESTATE OF JAMES MICHAEL KORNOSKY, DECEASED
Name and Address of Attorney for Administrator: JOSEPH K. BAMBURG ATTORNEY AT LAW 4031 US HWY 231 WETUMPKA, ALABAMA 36093 334-478-3196
Wetumpka Herald: May 15, 22 and 29, 2024 EST/KORNOSKY, J. 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 PERSONAL 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 ROBERT DALE VANDERBILT, DECEASED CASE NO. 2024- 073 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE Letters Testamentary on the
Public Notices
y Estate of said decedent hav-
ing been granted to RUSSELL PARKER as Personal Representative on the 9th day of May, 2024, by the Honorable John Thornton, Judge of Probate of said County in said State, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said Estate are required to present same within the time allowed by law or the same will be barred.
RUSSELL PARKER PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF ROBERT DALE VANDERBILT, DECEASED.
Name and Address of Attorney:
Regina B. Edwards, Esq.
The Law Firm of Edwards & Edwards, P.C. 109 E. Bridge Street Wetumpka, AL 36092
Wetumpka Herald: May 15, 22 and 29, 2024 EST/VANDERBILT, R.
PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE JUVENILE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF: KA’VEON REESE CASE NO: JU-2013-177.07 NOTICE OF PETITION FOR TERMINATION OF PARENTAL RIGHTS
TO: Keontra Mosely (Mother) and Matt Reese (Father)
You are hereby given notice that Elmore County Department of Human Resources requesting that your parental rights be terminated to Ka’VEON REESE, born on August 02, 2010, at Baptist Medical Center South in Montgomery, Alabama. You are hereby given notice
Answer with the Clerk of the Juvenile Court and with the Petitioner’s attorney, Ammar J. Phillips, Alabama State Department of Human Resources, Legal -
of the last publication of this notice or a default judgment can hearing has been set for June 5, Wetumpka, Alabama. You may appear and contest the same if you choose. ELMORE COUNTY JUVENILE CLERK
Wetumpka Herald:
JU-2013-177.07
PUBLIC NOTICE
Notice is hereby given that the undersigned will sell for cash, at an ONLINE public auction on Thursday, May 30, 2024, at 11:00am AT STORAGETREASURES.COM.
Please note: THIS AUCTION IS NOT IN PERSON. PLEASE DO NOT SHOW UP TO OUR PHYSICAL LOCATION. ALL AUCTION PARTICIPANTS MUST SIGN UP AND BID ONLINE.
Southeast Storage 749 US-231 Wetumpka, AL 36093
845: Bobby Sexton. 1028 E Poplar Street, Prattville ,AL
36066 Contents: totes, boxes, bedding
865: Dawn Casto.87 Walnut Grove, Wetumpka ,AL 36092 Contents: totes, boxes, wall art, clothes
160: Kenneth Blackmon. 155 Pine Forest Drive, Wetumpka, AL 36093 Contents: totes, clothes, memorabilia, bed frame, chair
Wetumpka Herald: May 15 and 22, 2024 STORAGE AUCTION 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
Public Notices
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
Public Notices
Elmore County parts ways with baseball coach Michael Byrd
By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor
There will be a new high school baseball coach in Eclectic.
After seven years of leading the varsity program, Elmore County coach Michael Byrd was notified that the school is changing directions with the leadership of the program.
Byrd, who was hired in the fall of 2017, led the Panthers to a 125-64 overall record and three playoff appearances in six full seasons, excluding the COVID-19 shortened 2020 season. He brought the Panthers their first area championship since 2005 when the team claimed the Class 5A, Area 4 title in 2023.
“I was informed this morning that they want to go in a different direction,” Byrd said. “My years here have been the most successful in the history of the program. We’ve averaged 20 wins a season and went to the
playoffs three times. I’m pretty shocked to say the least.”
Elmore County Schools released the following statement: “School administration and the athletic department have decided to go in a different direction with the baseball program. We thank coach Byrd for his commitment to the program over his tenure as head baseball coach.”
The news comes off the cusp of Elmore County’s 19-11 record in 2024. The Panthers, who were ranked in the Top 10 for most of the season, started the year with an 18-3 record.
After winning the inaugural Slapout Wood Bat Classic in March, Elmore County’s season took a turn for the worse.
The Panthers went 1-8 in the month of April, losing two of three to Tallassee in the area championship before falling in the first round of the playoffs to defending state champion Holtville.
Despite the tough stretch to
end the season, Elmore County finished with at least 19 wins for the fifth consecutive year. Byrd and the Panthers had a winning record every season he was head coach except for his first season in 2018 when they went 13-14.
The two years prior to his hiring, Elmore County went a combined 10-44 overall.
“It’s been a good run and I
was proud of what we did,” Byrd said. “We were about to take the next step. We’re right on the doorstep to making that jump. I thought in the next two or three years, we could make a title run and get a ring, which is something that’s never been done here. We’ve been to the finals three times, all in the ‘70s, so I thought that was the next step. I’m just disappointed
I won’t get the chance to make it happen.”
Elmore County’s 2025 team will return the majority of its roster. The Panthers had only three senior starters in Brandon White, Ryals McNeely and Cade Everson.
Returning to the starting lineup will be Shea and Shelton Darnell, Austin and Gage Davis, Jaden Eason and Hayden Jones.
Elmore County is also getting a brand new, state of the art baseball field, along with a softball and football field, for the 2025 season. It will be a turf field.
“I felt really good about what we had coming back,” Byrd said. “I was really excited and we’ve worked hard for what we had. Our facilities have been really behind and now we are getting a new facility. I wanted a couple of years on the new field to grow this thing.” In the meantime, Byrd’s plan is to stay and continue teaching at Elmore County.
A LITTLE POMP AND CIRCUMSTANCE BEFORE THE BIG DAY
HOLTVILLE HIGH SCHOOL | EDGEWOOD ACADEMY
STANHOPE ELMORE HIGH SCHOOL
NEW LIFE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
WETUMPKA HIGH SCHOOL | THE EDGE
ELMORE COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL
May your education and experience lay the foundation for a bright future as you continue on your way.
May 15, 2024
Holtville High School Class of 2024
Holtville High School Class of 2024 Sophia Renae Adams, Erik Kha Lee Adkins, Dylan Mac Allen, Hailey Renae Barker, Brandon Drey Barrett, Sara Grace Barrett, Zadok Asaph Barton, Dusty Lee Bean, Kamora Leigh Bennett, Dallas Macie Betances, Aidan Hamilton Bishop, Kaden Alexander Bowden, George Randall Bridges, Sebastian Blake Britt, Ethan Zach Brock, Markus Gregory Broderick, Jack Phillip Carlisle, Antonio Jesus Carreon, Jabarion Bobby Carter, Michael Alexandria Chunn, Raymond Andrew Connor, Braxton Chase Davis, Carson Brian Davis, Jacob David Devaughn, Reagan Grace Devaughn, Damien Eric Dixon, Ella Grace Downs, Justin Nathaniel Driver, Madeline Virginia Emerson, Bailey Cameron Ennis, Joshua Paul Envik, Brett Sumpter Franklin, Cayden Hardy Gaither, Madison Gabrielle Graham, Bradley Keith Grier, Tylon Jamier Guary, Tristan James Gulledge, Mollie Dean Guthrie, Hannah Faye Guy, Ethan Powell Hall, Jordan Tyler Hall, Kennedy Madison Harrell, Haley Michelle Haskell, Hunter James Headley, Savannah Michelle Headley,
Madelyn Jo Henderson, Landin Alan Hewitt, Jack Wesley Hicks, JosephEdwards Higbe, Christopher Nathaniel Higgins, KatherineMarie Hilyer, Peyton Christian Hoggard, Paige Marie Hough, Keagan Michael Hunt, Summer Lee Hutcheson, Kaydey Ashlyn Jackson, Joshua Noah Jimenez, Lexie Rae Johnson, Natalie Hope Jones, Jenna Cheyenne Keller, Kinsley Alaine Kelley, Laura Katherine Kelly, Haley Jewel Kersey, Sarah Elizabeth King, Brianna Leigh Langford, Makayla Nicole Lanier, Taylor Wade Lewis, Michael James Little, Sherman Jeffrey Livings, Alexus Marie Luster, Kynterica Darbyonna Lykes, Kaylee Elizabeth Martin, Landen James Martin, Brody Allen Massey, Zoe Alyssa Mcewen, Valerie Leann Mcqueen, Warren Cade Mcqueen, Payton Nicole Mitchell, Zachary Lee Monfee, Bre Ann Morris, Eva Mckenzie Myers, Peyton Blake Nelson, Ellie Chandler Nixon, Alexia Jayde Obey, Christian Hunter Owens, Hudson Gage Parson, Joanna Modesta Pena, Aidan Joseph Perry, Hunter Ray Phelps, Braxton Ellis Potts, Jackson Bryer Powell, Taylor Renee Price, Dalton
Lane Redden, Carson Dale Reese, Kennedy Grace Rhodes, William Ellis Rhodes, Katie Elizabeth Rice, Jonathan Lane Sanders, Samuel Alexander Segarra, David Alexander Sexton, Nathan Kade Sides, Kaleigh Elizabeth Skipper, Preston Bailey Smith, Skyler Craig Smith, Victoria Skye Smith, Wyatt Henry Smith, Zachary John Smith, Abigail Grace Snider, Brandon Glenn Snowden, Samuel Joseph Spangler, Kaitlyn Jade Spears, Kenley Rae Spears, Kacie Dale Speigner, Tiffany Elyse Spigener, Kristen Lea Stauffer, Lauren Maye Stauffer, Jayson Kane Strength, Luke Dawson Strength, Xzandria Grace Strength, Caleb Lee Sutton, Landon Wade Thanem, Haley Nicole Walker, Paxson J. Ward, Bryce William Watson, Grace Ann Watson, Reese Anna Watson, Larry Eugene Weatherly, Chasen Reed Webster, Layton Bradley White, Bradley Noah Williams, Bryan Nolan Williams, Sariyah Brianne Williams, Adam Dale Wilson, Logan Randall Wilson, Emma Louise Wingard, Sabrina Jo Wright, Vanzee Gail Yarroch
Barry Chrietzberg / For TPI
Edgewood Academy Class of 2024 Jack Tyler Adams, Andrew Cole Allison, Prescott Owen Bonner, Lindsey Ann Brown, Ashley Nicole Burgess, Olivia Renee Carlin, Matthew Earl Cox, Katelyn Lee Crumly, Madilyn Riley Crumly, Cayton Michael Garmon, John Andrew Groves, Emmalee Grace Heffelfinger, Addison Laney Hisel, Gabriel Aidan LeMaster, Sherry Liu, Brandon Wade Lochte, Madison Grace Martin, Amiyah Kristen Morgan, Federico Agostino Ortu, Reed Hall Owen, Hudson Edward Peevy, Hunter Bryant Reaves, William Glenn Reeves, Katelynn Chacey Shaner, Evie Grace Sullivan, Tanner Wayne Trucks, Brody Michael Whitt, Hampton Cade Woodruff
Stanhope Elmore High School Class of 2024
Stanhope Elmore High School Class of 2024
Xiomara Sakai Agee, Breyonia Marie Anderson, Melainee Michelle Leanna Anthony-Loving, Daisyana Marie Armstrong, Donnie Marshall Arnold Jr., Ayah Amr Abdel Tawa Atwa, Graham Corbitt Baker, Michael Steven Barringer, Mariah Diamond Baynard, Caleb Tryill Bennett, Cody Ty’rese Bennett, Keylon Datris Jacole Bivens, Kaziya Denise Blake, Wynette Jamea Bowens, Taniya Lafaye Boyd, Isabella Grace Brown, Madison Jleah Brown, Donald Jerry Brownfield, Stephen Jacob Bryant, Josie Madelynn Burdick, Jordan Elizabeth Burkhart, Kara Lynn Busbin, Chazon Quintar John Buycks, Dashuan Marques Caffee, Alexiz Abimael Canon Antonio, James Aelxander Caylor, Bryan Chavez-Castillo, John Hebert Clark, Sedric Jerrell Clayton, Ivan Contreras Coloa, Layton Keith Cooper, Kaleb Hayden Cord, Diamond Kierra Cottrell, Gabrielle Tanae Crawford, John Michael Culpepper III, Karnovius Leneric Cunningham, Phoenix Aaron Dale, Jaycie Layne Daniel, Anthony Jerrelle Davis, Jonah Ezekiel Davis, Kilei Marea Davis, Lily Grace Davis, Tyler Jacob Davis, Dylan Gordon Dent, Dayni Anahi Diaz, Kadence Diane Driver, Micah Ayanna Dupree, Amari Jerome Duster, Ericks David Dzelzkalns, Karley Harrisann Earl, Gemain Level Edwards, Trinity Monet Edwards, Fatima Asana Elhammar, Alondra Estrada Pruneda, Omarion Lantrell Evans, Rodrick Seth Ferrell, Mikiah Jenai Foulks, Devondria Michelle Frazier, Michael Cash Freese, Amy Eliana Fuentes, Jade Sujey Fuentes Castillo, Jefferson Isai Gabriel Perez, Jercobi Neron Gibbons, Ariel K.
Gilchrist, Corian Tigen Gilder, JaNiya Nichole Gill, Andrew Tate Glover, Selenca Gabrielle Golden, Elijah Sloan Granata, Shun Myrick Greenwood, Colleen Elizabeth Griffin, Litzy Guevara, Jordan Tyrese Hall, Tyler Jacorey Hall, Camden Thomas Harper, Asia Mariah Harris, Tristan Dyaus
Demaj Harris, Jamarcus Latrell Hatcher, Brookelan Michele Heck, Elizabeth Rene Hicks, Demarcus Avreyon Hood, Sidney Jerome Hopkins, James Russell Howell, Kierra Nicole Howell, Haedon Douglas Hughes, Aysia Simone Jackson, Bunny Burt Jackson, Contravious Jamari Jackson, Kneikao KL Jackson, Sydney Ava Jackson, Aaron Excaliber Jacobs, Brandon Tonais Jeter, Natali Sophia Jimenez, Nicholas McCabe Jockisch, Kayla Lee Johns, Alana Grace Renea Johnson, Dejuan Marquez Johnson, Shaniya Kidst Johnson, Jaylen Nathaniel Johnson, Charles Henry Johnson III, Cameron Blake Jones, De’Kamron
Jaylen Jones, Jazalyn Grace Jones, Jazmyne Denise Jones, Christian Isaiah Julian, Charles Wilburn Keeter, Jolee
Elizabeth Kent, Jamichael Dewayne Kirk, Aiden Paul Klinger, Jayden Xavier Knox, Aiden Bryant Lachance, Jahzara Fabiana Leashore, Alissa Michelle Lee, Jamaria A. Levins, William B. Lincoln, Terry Orlando Long, Bradley Nahum Lopez, Christian Juel Love, Christian Juel Love, Christian Robert Lunsford, Jadyn Jerome Parker Marshall, Jayla Alysse Martin, Orenthal Rodrigues Martin, Randria Treny’ce Martin, Trinity Mercedes Matmanivong, Calvin Terrell McCaskill, Skylar Narisse McClendon, Lorin Elise McElrath, Alexander Raymond McGraw, Destiny
Celine McGraw, Trinity Jade McGraw, Jada Renee McLeod, Clarence mcMillian, Tyson Lamar Meadows, Caleb Jaquan Meadows, Mia MeChelle Merino, Elijah Jacob Meyer, Yasmine Tialiyah Milton, Cameron Deon Montgomery, Janiyah Zmeria Moore, Rileyanne Lillian Marie Moore, Ortez Delontae Morris Jr., Morgan Kinsley Moss, Hailey Noelle Murray, Jayden Tyelr Ocmand, Taylyn Avery Nicole Ocmand, Jasperina Roviana Malinda Operton, Jamaine Parker, Jackson Lee Pate, Shiv Nitesh Patel, Joan Ruth Patton, Gioia Dijiona Niaomi Kari Pepe, Juliana Marie Peralta, Alexander Humberto Perez Vasquez, Destiny Aliyah Pernell, Caleb Ariel Peterson, Zavion Javier Pettway, Antionio Bernard Pickett, Destiny Jakayla Pickett, Jacaria Denise Pierce, Jayron Kyler Pomeroy, Ashton Jamal Potts, Ke’Arra Jermise Powers, Parker Thomas Presley, Unique Unise Quintero, Alexandra Ramos Aolt, Jermaine Levi Ray, Taylor Fayeth La’Raye Reynolds, Aaliyah Shakira Rhodes, Kameron Keundre Rieves, Aamiyah Alicia Rogers, Collin Bernard Ross, Jayden William Rye, Crystal Anahi Sanchez Orozoco, Ashton Allen Shroeder, Jordan Scott, Kristian Malique Seals, Erica
Renee Sexton, Layla Shaniya Sharpe, Logan Reed SiFuentez, Sequoia S. Slaton, Tamira Marie Smalls, Alexander Bryce Smith, James Foster Smith, Mea Adrian Smith, Zaria Ni’Kevia Smith, Olivia Nichole Stephens, Samantha Elaisia Stephens, Jason Michael Swanson, Serenity Carmisetta-Java Tarver, Zakyhia Alexis Tarver, Hope Rena Taylor, Julian Carnell Taylor, Kenyatta Marchelle Taylor, Eison Jeremy Tetzoyotl Hernandez, Anthony Allen Thomas, D’Aisha Nakyah Thomas, Marcus Ezekiel Thomason, Alayna Geralyn Tullier, Alison Michelle Velasquez Casales, Jackson Thomas Wade, Alyssa Faith Ward, Peyton Kayeleigh Warner, Alphonsa Cartavious Deshawn Washington, David Ardell White, Emily Michele White, William Alan Whitman, Trinity Nicole Whitten, Arielle Carmella Williams, Jerome Antjuan Williams, Loghann Seymone Williams, Savannah Minnah Williams, Thomas Williams, Tyrone Williams, Emily Mae Wilson, Micaiah Andreas Wilson, Samantha Chapel Wilson, Xavier Deon Wilson, Deandre Bernice Wise, Chastity Alise Wright, Laven Nadae Wyatt, Arnelia Faith Yell, Jaylon John Young, John Anthonty Alapaki Zumo
Barry Chrietzberg / For TPI
Wetumpka High School Class of 2024
Wetumpka High School Class of 2024 Allyah Tamara Allen,Kendarius Dashawn Allen, Nahomy Breyetthe Alvarado Fuentes, Star Isabelle Angier, Aubrey Rose Ashmen, Jason Michael Bailey, Cameron Austin Edward Baker, Tremaine Caison Baldwin Jr. James Douglas Ball Jr., Joseph Kenneth Barfield, John Patrick Barfoot, Clark Brenton Barker, Janecia Ta’Paris-MeGale Bartee, Braylee Olene Bates, Nereyda Bautista Garcia, Davis Matthew Bell, Jayden Dashawn Bennett, Greta Isabella Beumer, Joshua Carter Blackwell, Ethan Jae Blake, Audrie Leigh Blakeley, Jada Patrice Bowens, Cassidy Susan Bowers, Jerome Gregory Bozeman, Ty’Kirra LaNiece Bozeman, Destiny Omari Bracy, Kaitlyn Marie Bradley, Nolan Thomas Lamont Bradley, Kieres Faith Brewer, Ashley Lauren Britt, Gregory Allen Brown II, John Wayne Brunson Jr., Rebecca LeAnn Burke, Mackenzie Louise Burton, Jacob Robert Cagle, Haylie Marie Campbell, Sage Robin Chandler, Caleb Aiden Chappelle, Ke’Asia Lanice Chillous, Lauren Michelle Clardy, Jacob Logan Cohen, Claude Lee Collins III, Logan Alexander Conaway, Kaden Lebron Cook, Willie Lee Cox III, Jamaree Rashon Cunigan, Jamal Daren Davis Jr., Jayden Terron Davis, Antonio Estevan Delarosa, Charles Wade Dennis Jr., Isaac Reed Devine, Kyla Kennedy Dewhart, Michael Anthony Dillard II, Riley Claire Dismukes, Kaiya Gabrielle Dixon, Brooke Marie Douglass, Cavan Tyler Dudley, Mariana Kay Easterling, Ava Laneice Edwards, Rebecca Marie Ertley, Mason Alexander Evans, Caleb Holloway Faulkner, Zoe Nicole Felder, Emma Sophia Ferrari, Naomi Annabelle Fletcher, Nathan Armstrong Fletcher, Kayden Lillith
Fowler, Nina Elizabeth Frye, Ashley Dee Fulmer, Faith Marie Garrison, Kaitlyn Michelle Gearreald, Kanyia Cornellia Gibbs, William Turner Gibson, Olivia Jo Giddens, Terrance A’Morris Givan, Jon Adien Glass, Lillian Sabrie Gober, Noah Reese Golson, Victor Manuel Gonzalez Zacarias, Tyson Javon Grays, Dalton Keith Grier, Angel Gabriel Guerra Chiquin, Samuel Hamir Guerra, Kamiyah Li Hale, Shania Nicole Handy, Reagan Grace Hankins, Kylee Shaelyn Hanley, Ja’Nyla ShaKenya Hart, Dorian Josiah Heffner, Chance Taylor Henegar, Joshua Jose Herrera, Brantley Owen Hicks, Devin Michael Highfill, Alexandria Jaden Highland, Ava Danielle Hill, Caylee Alyssa Hill, Makenzy Belle Hines, Atticus Carter Hinton, Jacob Daniel Hodo, Megan Bailey Hogan, Elijah James Holden, Caleb O’Brien Hollenquest, Austin Thomas Holley, Clarke Marcus Holloway, Mya Olivia Holt, Jeweliana Ruth Holton, Logan Leander Howell, Joshua Brody Huffaker, Ana Alejandra Iriarte Lopez, Gabrielle Denaye Jackson, Gavyn Dwight Jackson, Aiden Jasso, Ma’Ryanna Jenee Jefferson, Nathan Curtis Jenkins, De’Monica Re’Nette Jerido, Maria Janelle Jimenez-Plascencia, Christian Sean Johnson, Amaris Daniel Jones-Alicea, Anna Grace Jones, Caden Skyler Jones, Christian Michael Kelley, Tradarius Darnell Kemp, Kade Van Pebworth Key, Hudson Sawyer Knight, Brooke Kaylynn Knuckles, William Turner Landers, Maggie Elizabeth Landry, Cory Allen Lawrence, Davin Ellis Lee, Mary Canelle Lee, Taliyah Destiny Desiree Lee, Jameria Renee Lewis, Zayden Lacorya Lewis, Tanner Jesse Little Thunder, Gabriel Lionel Lopez McElrath, Christopher Fredrick Jr Lucas Henderson,
Bra’Naja Andreka Lucas Means, Isabelle Marie Lynch, Kennedy Michael Martin, Madison Lynn Martin, Brandon Kyle McCullers, Jamie Angelina McCune, Joe Colton McEachern, Joshua Logan McFaddin, Anthony John Michael McGalliard, Tyler Shurron McIntyre, Parker Gaines McKee, Dashia Lakeia McKnight, Campbell Paige Mead, Tamaury Minguel Means, Nathaniel Adrian Medley, Victor Mendez Mendoza, Tabitha Marie Messer, Nellie Faith Millergren, William Isaac Mills Jr., Lee Glen Milton, Jasmine Mariah Mitchell, Kennedy A’Mya Mitchell, La’Myah Denae Mitchell, Mikhaila Dyanna Mitchell, Jonathan Ivan Moncrief, Martha Caroline Mracek, Tristan Avery Mulcahy, Abigail Trudie Mullino, Zy’Keria Denise Mullins, Emily Elizabeth Munro, Reginald Gabriel Myrick, Lakyn Wiley Nobles, Laura Morgan Oakley, Katherine Marie Orsi, Patricia Lynne Orsi, Landon Joshua Oswald, Asher Lelin Owens, Malik Randell Owens, Maribeth Alise Parette, Trenton James Parshall, Keiyosef Be’Kwan Patterson, Rachel Campbell Payne, Demarion Montez Peake, Ja’Derius Laquan Pettway, Olin Earl Phillips, Zachary Paul Pierce, David Everett Pinkston, Christian Mosiah Preston, Lucas Gabriel Price, Alexandria Renee Ragland, Gerardo Gabriel Ramirez Ambrocio, Sorayda Estefani Ramirez-Tomas, Noah William Rask, D’Mya Nychelle Rawls, Sophia Abigail Rawls, Jaylan O’Neil Reeves, Harley Aliza Richardson, Zay’Veun Auh’Key Roberts, William Hardey Robertson, Kaleb Antonie Robinson, Malik Rehad Robinson, Sawyer James Robinson, Jackson Garrett Rodriguez, Magaly Rodriguez Alday, Joshua Greer Rogers, Nathan Alexander Rogers, Timothy
Jason Rogers, Brianna Paola Rosales, Kimberly Ruby Rosales Morales, Jamya Renise Rudolph, Jasmine Jean Rudolph, Kanethia Shantell Rudolph, Zoe Jadyn Sales, Arabella Lilly Schulte, Kurtis Dean Schuyler, Riley Sean Scott, Jody Dane Segrest, Avery Chase Sharp, Whitley Royce Shull, Morgan Elise Sims, Blake Patrick Smith, Emily Grace Smith, Jacob Lloyd Smith, Parker Louis Smith, Noah Charles Smith-Gaines, Takiyah Marie Smith-Marable, Delandus Tradell Smoke, Isabella Andrea Snyder, Finn Callahan Southwick, William Wyatt Spivey, Gracelyn Marie Spradlin, Andrew Michael Stanfield, Ziah Jaliyah Starks, Charles Davis Stokes, Alyssa Brooke Tanner, Demitrius Alexander Taylor, Summer Nicole Taylor, Chloe Anne Tharpe, Jamarion Kadarius Thrasher, Jaidaeliz Makayla Tyus, Ray Jing Xia Unger, Maggie Mahailey Vaught, Monica Lisa Velma, Matthew Luke Wadkins, Dabney Reese Walden, Abigail Elizabeth Walker, Shelby Lea Ward, Skylar Lea Ward, Emma Nichole Wasden, Ella Makenzie Watson, Alexander Manuel Weaver, Madeline Stacy Webster, Joseph Grant Wells, Dalton Alan Wessel, Addison Grace Westmoreland, Cooper Scott Wheat, Elisha Moses Williams, Julius Lamont Williams III, Faye Anne Willis, Miracle Imari Wilson, Kaylee Bell Winfree, Kylie Danyell Winfree, Preston James Witherington, Sarah Christine Wohlford, Elly Bene Womack, Kaleigh Grace Womack, Austin Seth Wood, Judson Miller Wood, William Chase Wood, Caden Philip Wooldridge, Brody Hughes Worrell, Josephine Kapp Yarboro, Julia Annmarie Zamora, Jocelyn Elise Ziglar, Abigail Grace Zwickl
Elmore County High School Class of 2024
Elmore County High School Class of 2024 Lidia Isabel Aguilar, Michael Joseph Atchison Jr., Johnnie Lane Shaner Bates, Brodie James Becker, Matthew Keith Bennett, Ophelia Rose Bentley, Madison Marie Blakely, William Donald Bolton III, Jayla Marie Brooks, Camron D’Sean Brown, Ky’Aisa Danyella Brown, Trevor O’Neil Brown, Paola Cabrera Cordoba, Dylan Scott Carter, Madelyn Leigh Clark, Hunter Lee Collins Jr., William Elias Collins, Shawn Donavan Colvin Jr., Mia Jaden Coursey, Tommie Austin Cruise, Haleigh Leigh Dalton, Geoffrey Alton Dark, Madison Marie Daugherty, Bethany Janene Davis, Alexis Marie Downey, Christian Cade Everson, Christopher Myles Eyerly, Dalton Michael Fuller, Wesley Hayes Fulmer, La’Niya Nichena Gill, Taz Matthew Girdner, Gabriel Alexander Givan, Kiley Kay Graham, Mary Louise Lee Griffin, Selena Shani Hardin, Aleeyah Michelle
Hernandez, Christopher Harvey Holt, Megan Joy Houts, Kaden Thomas Hragyil, Payton McKenzie Jackson, Andrew Paul Jones, Caden Leigh Jordan, Jacob Weil Kilpatrick, Kasey Jefferson Kilpatrick, Brayden Michelle Lambert, Carsyn Anne Langley, Hayley Grace Ledbetter, Taylor Laine Ledbetter, Alexis Nicole Lett, Colten Adler Lowe, Joshua Lucas Luster, Emily Ruth Mason, Chloe Marie Mayfield, Abigayle Anna McAllister, Jonathan Ryals McNeely, Lea Clair Melton, SaraMarin Belle Moon, Ja’Kiya Nicole Moore, Kylie Lynn Mosher, Hunner Landen Mulder, Tucker Dylan Mulder, Jabari Dujuan Murphy, Bryan Lee Myers, Karley Jean Navarre, Spence Edward Neeley, Chase Dale Newcombe, Lily Addison Noble, Mary Joe Jean Nobles, Anabelle Kate Orr, Taylor Ashlyn Patterson, David James Quinn, Michael James Ray Jr., Victoria Elizabeth Grace Redden, William Cash
Reese, William Branson Robertson, Isabella Alora Self, Emilie Grace Shaw, Autumn Sarah Malyn Shockley, Jadarius Jamal Smith, Paul Rhett Smith II, Morgan Leigh Spear, Taylor Marie Spear, Emily Marie Spears, Grace Catherine Maria Stever, Sidney Bryant Strouse, Peyton Grace Stubbs, Jonathan Taylor Thames Jr., Landen Gabriel Thomas, Sarah Evette Thrasher, Trinity Dalelynn Thurmond, Ethan Alexander Vetter, Madison Olivia Waters, William Matthew Weathers, Brandon Joseph Wayne White Jr., Hailey Grace Wiggins, Ca’Zayvious Ja’Christian Wilkes-Foster, Abigail Grace Williams, Noah Gannon Wilmeth, James Bryant Wilson, Hanna Taylor Winn, Katherine Ruth Winter, Taylor Leigh Woodfin, Lauren Paige Woodruff, Skyler Ann Worden, Landon Scott Yawakia
New Life Chrisitan Academy Class of 2024 Dalton Mason, Erica Perry, Joshua Thomas
The EDGE Class of 2024 Mallory Noel Allen, Tyler Lee, Arrington, Serenity Hope Isabel Beckwith, Ryan Taylor Biernesser, Tyler John Blackburn, Kenyona Amari Brown, Logan James Bull, Brandi Lynne Cmeron, Bryanna Nichole Cameron, Emily Catherine Crowell, Brock Alan Darnell, Ellie Nicole Demas, Stedman, Kindell Dennis, Patience Denise Drain, Katilyn Louise Durbin, Kaitlyn Harley Michelle Dutton, Elizabeth lane Frederick, James Issac Glenn, Jessie Lynn Griffin, Chole Alexix Harper, Alona Taliyah Hill, Ciara Marie Hines, Allison Kathleen Hooper, Blake Edwin Hudgens, Megan Elizabeth Huff,
Grace Maline Jones, Madison TaLeah Jones, Haley Jeanne Kennedy, Zayiah Elaine-Marie Kjelstrom, Carson Renee Labencki, Talan Leo Beckham Lanier, Natalie Paige Lawson, StephanieLyn Elizabeth Lussier, Mason Lee Mann, Bernardo Cain Maya, Mia Denise McDaniel, Destiny Alana Mitchell, Makhi Cervantez Moore, Megan Elizabeth Moore, Jaliyah Shantia Murphy, Richard James Nobles, Jackson McHugh Norton, Garrett Lee Ogletree, Jonathan Seaborn Olm, Brayden Lee Owens, Heidi Rania Perry, Casey Pollock, McKenna Jean Price, Amari Jha’Kyra Rankins, Peyton Jace Rea, David Joseph Reeves, Clara
Renne Rogers, Haliey Rachelle Royal, Brooklyn Denice Self, Victoria Brooke Shrode, Olivia Anne Simmons, Holly Marie Smith, Keyonna Shaniyah Smith, Lilly Caroline Smith, maggie Shane Smith, Hannah Michelle Snider, Radley Stone Spivey, Aniya Tanae Stewart, Gavin Kyle Stockdale, Emma Alexandria Strickland, Triston Logan Sullivan, Kadi Lynn Sumner, Joey Allison Sumpter, Brieanna Jonelle Thompson, William Dale Traylor, Kaelyn Elizabeth Wetergard, Chandler Riley Williams, Katherine Anne Wright, Chole Alexis Nichole Wright
