Edgewood advances to championship series. Sports, Page 8. Wetumpka, AL 36092
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SATURDAY-SUNDAY • APRIL 30 - MAY 1, 2016
THEWETUMPKAHERALD.COM
VOL. 11, NO. 17
Fatal accident on Redland Road By COREY ARWOOD Staff Writer
A fatal single-vehicle wreck near Chubahatchee Creek bridge on Redland Road resulted in the death of a commuter late Wednesday night or early Thursday and is still under investigation. Alabama State
Troopers investigated the incident and said John Helmers Jr., 24, of Camden, was killed after his 2004 Ford F-150 ran off the road and struck a tree. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency statement indicated Helmers was not wearing a seatbelt and the wreck
happened overnight and was discovered April 28. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene about four miles outside of Wetumpka near Scholars Drive. The Wetumpka Fire Department was among the responding agencies to the scene. Lt. Phillip Hethcox
said the motorist, a white male, appeared to be travelling east toward Tallassee. He noted that the investigation was ongoing, but gave an account Corey Arwod / The Herald of what he thought could have led to the accident. A Camden man, who was thought to be travelling east toward Tallassee on Hethcox said it looked Redland Road, died in a single-vehicle crash after his truck ran into a tree See ACCIDENT • Page 3
just before Chubahatchee Creek Bridge, possibly some time in the early morning hours of April 28.
Kids fly for free today at Airport Appreciation Day
Local man charged with stealing funds from VFW By COREY ARWOOD Staff Writer
By COREY ARWOOD Staff Writer
Kids 8 through 17 years of age can fly the skies over Wetumpka for free Saturday at the 2016 Airport Appreciation Day, Young Eagle Event, sponsored by the Experimental Aircraft Association and the Wetumpka Municipal Airport. Pilots with Wetumpka’s Chapter 822 of the EAA are going to be taking as many kids as they can on individual 15-minute flights, all in the name of inspiring an interest in them for aviation, said Stan Tew, a retired state employee, who has flown in over 50 Young Eagle Events. Tew said they would fly a circuit toward Wetumpka and the Coosa River, and up to the Jordan Dam, then back over the prisons and return to the city’s airport. He said they would continue to fly until everyone registered had their turn, and he said registration would be from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. . Being a legitimate plane ride each passenger will be outfitted with a headset to communicate with the pilot and cut down on engine noise. Planes of different makes and models will be taken up Saturday, Tews said, the
Submitted / The Herald
Wetumpka High School STEAM Machine’s Golden Arrow competed in the final GreenPower Electric Car Race for the 2015/16 Season in Huntsville and placed third in the race. The team’s car was awarded Best Presentation and Best Design. This was the team’s first year competing in this event.
NEED FOR SPEED WHS STEAM Machine competes in GreenPower Car Race
See AIRPORT • Page 3
A Wetumpka man was arrested on charges of embezzling funds from the state VFW, after the national headquarters noticed “financial irregularities” at posts which he oversaw in his position at the state level of the organization. A spokesperson with Veterans of Foreign Wars, said Johnny Lee Waller, 45, was currently under investigation for theft of funds from Huntsville post 2702, and law enforcement from about three different agencies were looking into other posts that might have been affected throughout the state. Waller, J. So far there are two posts specifically with funds being examined, one in Huntsville and another that Randi Law, the VFW communications manager at its national headquarters, said she could not name because of the investigation. She said the national VFW uncovered a “larger issue,” and noticed something wrong after looking into financial irregularities in posts affected by Waller’s position as adjutant commander at the department level. She said at that point Veterans of Foreign Wars contacted law enforcement. As adjutant, Law said Waller oversaw the daily operations of the VFW departments at the state level, though it is not clear yet to what extent of the state group’s funds Waller had access to. She said the sum in question was See VFW • Page 3
Depot players to present ‘ I Hate Hamlet’ STAFF REPORT TPI Staff
The cast of The Depot Players ‘I Hate Hamlet’ pose for a preview picture. The show is set to open May 12. Submitted / The Herald
The Wetumpka Depot Players are thrusting into spring with the second show of their 36th season. Audiences are bound to love I Hate Hamlet, Paul Rudnick’s award wining comedy. Opening May 12, the play promises thrills, chills, and laugh-out-loud entertainment. Andrew Rally has it all: a starring role in a television series, a beautiful girlfriend, a devoted agent, and most important-
pka m u t e W
ly, the chance to play Hamlet in Central Park. Or does he? When everything goes awry, Andrew summons the ghost of John Barrymore and the fun begins! The laughs are nonstop as Andrew wrestles with his conscience, Barrymore and his sword in this delightful comedy. Written in 1991, I Hate Hamlet premiered on Broadway with huge success. It was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Actor, a Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actress and won two Theatre World Awards. Playwright Paul Rudnick was
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also nominated for a Drama Desk Award in 1993 for Outstanding New Play. The play is loosely based on Rudnick’s own personal history of moving into the apartment of the late Barrymore. “What a fun play,” said director Tom Salter. “And what a wonderful cast. There is a ghost…one of the theatre’s most famous actors…a sword fight… and guys in tights! There’s something for everyone in this very funny play.” The show features Stephen Dubberley as Barrymore and See DEPOT • Page 3