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SPORTS, PAGE B1

LOCAL, PAGE A5

Rowen Thornton picking up offers

LOCAL, PAGE B7

HSEC goes into lockdown due to canine flu

ECHS hosts first day of football practice

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VOL. 126, NO. 31

JULY 31, 2024

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Juries convict 2 in relation to juvenile deaths STAFF REPORT TPI Staff In Elmore County, two defendants were convicted in jury trials for two separate incidents involving children. According to a press release from 19th Judicial Circuit district attorney CJ Robinson, a jury found Shirley Matthews guilty of aggravated child abuse

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

cause of death to be negligence and the manner of death to be homicide, the press release stated. In an interview with law enforcement, Shirley admitted to having never taken Karson to the doctor after being released from the hospital after his birth. She claimed to be feeding him regularly and thought he would eventually gain weight. Howev-

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er, the jury heard overwhelming medical testimony about the child’s malnourished condition

which led to his death. Karson’s father, Kristopher Matthews, was indicted for the same charges as his wife Shirley and his case is still pending. “It is never easy to try cases on behalf of innocent children who senselessly suffer because of the choices of the adults who are supposed to protect and love See DEATHS, Page A6

Council introduces amendment to license tax ordinance By MELODY RATHEL Multimedia Reporter

classifications. Last Tuesday, the Tallassee City Council introTallassee business own- duced an amendment to an ers approached the Tallas- ordinance affecting license see City Council with their tax prices for business concerns about proposed changes to business license See COUNCIL, Page A6

ROCK ’N ROLL Tallassee band preps Green Day show By LIZI ARBOGAST GWIN Managing Editor

hat one time at band camp… Tallassee learned to play Green Day for its upcoming halftime show. The Pride of Tallassee marching Tigers have officially begun band camp

and are prepping for their upcoming season. “For me it doesn’t feel like I ever left,” band director Dr. Robby Glasscock said. “But it’s nice to always have the kids come back. I mean, you spend the whole summer working on the drill, trying to get the music tweaked just

Grant funds needed equipment for fire department By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor The Tallassee Fire Department has received another Assistance to Firefighters Grant. The $282,390 grant will fund new safety equipment. It will purchase 45 breathing masks, 30

self-contained breathing apparatus packs and 60 air bottles. “We have already placed the order,” Tallassee fire chief Eric Jones said. “It has an anticipated ship date of Sept. 10.” The equipment is See GRANT, Page A6

right, and you’re waiting for the kids to get here to see how it’s all going to come together. So I’m just glad to have them back and I’m ready to go.” Glasscock and the Tigers are preparing a rock and roll show featuring See BAND, Page B3

SUBMITTED | TPI

LIZI ARBOGAST GWIN | TPI

Band camp has officially begun at Tallassee as the Pride of Tallassee marching band started working on drills last week.

Self-contained breathing apparatus packs and bottles used by the Tallassee Fire Department will be replaced by Assistance to Firefighters grant. The funding will allow old equipment to be replaced with minimal costs to the department and city.

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