SPORTS, PAGE B1
Tallassee baseball clinches playoff berth
INSIDE, PAGE A3
ECLECTIC, PAGE B6
Bill aims to improve mental health access
Culpepper fires softball no-hitter
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machine gun. According to court documents, Collins was the passenA man arrested in January ger in a 2012 Chevrolet Camaro for a Tallassee robbery has been on Front Beach Drive when arrested again in Florida. officers noticed Collins and the Zyquarius Collins, 19, of driver not wearing seat belts. Tallassee was arrested during “While speaking with them, a March 23 traffic stop in Pan- I detected an odor of burnt canama City and charged with nabis emitting from the vehicarrying a short-barreled rifle or cle,” the responding officer said
in his report. When the car was searched, two Glock firearms were found — one under the driver’s seat and the other under Collins seat. He also spoke of being out on bond with the officers. Collins was subsequently arrested and charged in Bay County. Previously Collins had been
APRIL 10, 2024
$1.00
Robbery suspect arrested again in Florida
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
charged with first-degree robbery for his alleged involvement in a January robbery at a Marathon in Tallassee where an undisclosed amount of cash was taken. He was released on a $30,000 bond in Elmore County. Upon Collins’ arrest in Florida, prosecutors sought and received from the court system
a bond revocation. On Wednesday, Collins was transported from the Bay County Florida Jail to the Elmore County Jail. Collins COLLINS currently has no bond available to him.
Reeltown fire awarded $13,000 grant equipment to go around, forcing those on the Macon County side to Reeltown Volunteer Fire come to Station 1 to get Department recently purtheir gear before reporting chased new equipment to to the call. Now, with 10 help better response time more sets of turnout gear, with the aid of Mid-South which includes helmets, RC&D Council. boots, gloves, pants and Volunteer fire chief coats, the department has Cade Cosby said Reeltown the necessary equipment at is in a unique position both stations. where it serves two counThe grant was provided ties — Tallapoosa and by Mid-South, which is a Macon counties. Due to nonprofit organization that this, the department has works to fill gaps in eduStation 1 in Tallapoosa cation, economic develCounty and Station 2 in opment and community Macon County. improvement throughout However, the department did not have enough See GRANT, Page A6 By ABIGAIL MURPHY Multimedia Reporter
MERRETT RETIRING AFTER DECADES OF VOLUNTEERING “I just got involved in the PTA and one thing led to another,” Merrett said. er work is everywhere, Merrett took a job as a especially when it comes special education aide helping to the Tallassee music teachers and staff keep up programs. with paperwork. A few years Pat Merrett has dedicated later a few band parents got much of her life to helping together to support the Tallocal organizations. There lassee High School Marching are the Follies, the Parade of Pride. Homes at Christmas and con“They didn’t have a band cession stands to name a few. boosters program,” Merrett Most were fundraisers where said. “My husband and I and she didn’t see a dime. another couple hauled ice Merrett’s efforts started in water, made Icees for them. 1972 when she moved back to They didn’t have bottled Tallassee. water so we got milk jugs full By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
H
of water and ice and gave it to them after halftime shows.” Merrett’s car served as a mobile food truck during band camp complete with everything needed to make an Icee. Merrett also worked and coordinated the recreation program at Stillwaters. There she created the Follies starring the residents in a fashion show. “Boy, they turned out,” Merrett said. “I thought these people like to see each other.” A few years later she recruited Don Bryant to be See MERRETT, Page A6
CLIFF WILLIAMS | TPI
Tallassee Chamber of Commerce president Michelle Cole, left, poses with Frances H. Wagnon Volunteer Award winner Pat Merrett and director Jerry Cunningham at the annual awards banquet. Merrett is known for helping the Tallassee High School music programs with fundraising including the Follies.
ABIGAIL MURPHY | TPI
Reeltown Volunteer Fire Department purchased 10 sets of turnout gear with a grant through Mid-South RC&D Council.
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