OPINION, PAGE 4
LOCAL, PAGE 3
Flowers: Many great men left us in 2018
Looking for New Year’s Eve plans? Head to Wetumpka
Eclectic Observer The
SPORTS, PAGE 9: 2018 ALL-COUNTY ALL C FOOTBALL TEAM TEE AM INSIDE INSIDE
WEDNESDAY • DECEMBER 26, 2018
TheWetumpkaHerald.com
Vol. 29, No. 52
Tragic deaths a blot on Eclectic’s 2018 By AMALIA KORTRIGHT Bureau Chief
A pair of tragic deaths, one in an automobile accident in which a mother was charged with reckless murder, and another in which murder charges were dropped against a teenage suspect, were among the top stories in Eclectic in 2018.
1. County blasted with snow, extreme cold
A blanket of snow covered Elmore County between Jan. 16 and 19. Jan. 16 started with temperatures in the 40s but flakes began falling by midnight that night. Throughout those three days, temperatures steadily decreased while police said car accidents increased. Elmore County chief deputy Ricky Lowery said the sheriff’s office responded to more than 50 calls concerning wrecks or stranded motorists.
Amalia Kortright / The Observer
The ‘Star of Elmore County,’ which was built by Bill Teague, greets motorists on their way into Eclectic. Eclectic Mayor Gary Davenport expressed hopes that the town will be able to grow its business community in 2019.
Aiming for prosperity
2. Eclectic third-grader killed in accident
Eclectic Elementary School third-grader Myah Bowden was killed on Jan. 11 after the vehicle she was traveling in crashed into the back of a garbage truck on Highway 63. State troopers said Myah was riding in her mother, Robyn House’s, 2004 Trailblazer and was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the accident. Elmore County High School principal Wes Rodgers said counselors were brought in to Eclectic schools to help students grieve Myah’s death. House was charged with the reckless murder of Bowden in August, and her trial is slated for Jan. 28.
Despite challenges, Eclectic mayor wants self-sufficiency By AMALIA KORTRIGHT Bureau Chief
Despite the town’s financial challenges, Mayor Gary Davenport said officials are determined to bring progress and prosperity to Eclectic in 2019. Davenport said officials are currently looking to provide and maintain the “bare necessities” by upgrading and maintaining the town’s infrastructure, recreational facilities and public safety equipment.
Additionally, Davenport said the town hopes it will can bring in more retail developments and restaurants in the coming year.
Q. Looking back at 2018, what are you proudest of accomplishing as a mayor and council?
A. We had probably one of our most successful cotton festivals. At the end of 2017 and beginning of 2018, we paid off one of
Q&A: Sitting down with local mayors, talking issues, challenges, plans
Despite the threat of rain, the Elmore County High School class of 2018 walked across the stage at Burt-Haynie Field and See TOP 10 • Page 5
See MAYOR • Page 3
Eclectic council allows cops to take cruisers home
Today’s
Weather
63 51 High
3. ECHS graduates dodge rain
Low
By AMALIA KORTRIGHT Bureau Chief THURS: HIGH 64 LOW 54
Amalia Kortright / The Observer
Eclectic police officers are now allowed to drive their cruisers home while working four-day shifts, with the stipulation that the vehicles remain within a 30-mile radius of town hall.
Where Superior Service is Standard
Gassett
Funerals On Site Cremations Pre-Needs • Monuments
Funeral Home & Crematory, LLC
Celebrating 40 Years of Service!
The Eclectic Town Council unanimously approved on Dec. 17 an ordinance to allow Eclectic police officers to use police vehicles to drive home while working a shift. According to Mayor Gary Davenport, members of the EPD work a four-day shift and are off three days. “We have officers that live strategically around the town, so now the whole town is covered,” Davenport said. “When
those police officers get a call and go on duty, we felt like there was a need for them to be safe by using a vehicle that had emergency lights and sirens, versus trying to get to a location to assist in their private vehicle.” Davenport said the council stipulated officers must keep the vehicles within 30 miles of town hall. “That was based on the fact that our sergeant, (Fred) Griffin, lives right at 30 miles away from here,” Davenport See CRUISERS • Page 2
Joe Al All Allen len Gasse len G Gassett, assett tt, tt Founder 1942-2009
(334) 567-8433 www.gassettfuneralhome.net • 204 East Charles Avenue, Wetumpka, AL 36092