LOCAL, PAGE 2
SPORTS, PAGE 12
Tallassee’s Varsity Basketball team remains hopeful despite 0-4 record.
Santa’s Shop! TES opens Santa shop with a variety of holiday finds!
OPINION
COMMUNITY, PAGE 10
Pet of the Week, inside.
THE OPTIONS AND OBLIGATIONS OF ‘JR.’
The Tallassee Tribune DEDICATED TO THE GROWTH AND PROSPERITY OF THE GREATER TALLASSEE AREA
TALLASSEE, AL 36078
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December 9, 2015
TALLASSEETRIBUNE.COM
VOL. 116, NO. 45
20 arrested in Wall Street drug sweep By WILLIE G. MOSELEY News Editor
Following complaints from dozens of residents of the Wall Street area of Tallassee, area law enforcement agencies combined forces in an investigation that culminated in a large drug raid Dec. 1 resulting in 20 arrests as well as the confiscation of $1500 in cash, four firearms, marijuana, crystal methedrine, and cocaine. All were taken to the Tallapoosa County Jail. Tallassee Chief of Police Jimmy Rodgers said the highly focused inves-
tigation began in October following a meeting with concerned citizens of that area in southwest Tallassee. “At that that point, the Tallassee Police Department and the Tallapoosa County Narcotics Task Force began a joint activity into the drug activity in that area,” Rodgers said. The local police department has two agents assigned to the Tallapoosa County group. Narcotics agents in the joint investigation perused the area for approximately two and a half months and six search warrants were issued prior to the Dec. 1 raids, Rodgers said.
In addition to the Tallassee Police Department and its Tactical Operations Team and the Tallapoosa County Narcotics Task Force, agencies involved in the Tuesday action included the U.S. Marshal Gulf Coast Fugitive Task Force, Alexander City Housing Authority, Alexander City Police Department Special Response Group and K-9 Unit, Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Tactical Team from Montgomery and the Tallapoosa County Sheriff’s Department. Authorities emphasized in spite of the large number of arrests and involvement of multiple agencies from multiple juris-
dictions, the investigation is continuing. “This is another step in an ongoing investigation,” said Sgt. Fred White of Tallapoosa County. “It was a cooperative effort of several agencies.” See BUST • Page 7
Erica’s Hair and Tan annual tradition
By CARMEN RODGERS Staff Writer
See MENTOR • Page 11
Two suspects were also arrested on drug charges in the Jordanville Community. See page 8 inside for more.
Local salon gives back with free holiday haircuts
Tutoring, mentoring program planned for THS Tallassee High School plans to implement a student to student tutoring and mentor program. The program will involve older high school students who will assist younger students in the elementary and middle schools with academics. “I think most systems and most schools have always had some type of tutoring programs and have students helping each other,” said Matt Coker, principal at Tallassee High School. “Our plan is to have more of a structured tutoring and mentor program. What we’ve done is, I have worked with Dr. Reyes at the elementary and coach Dean at the Southside Middle School to determine what their needs are. At the elementary school, Dr. Reyes would like
AUTHORITIES MAKE BUST IN JORDANVILLE
By CARMEN RODGERS Staff Writer
Tallassee Church of Christ and ran through east Tallassee, across the Fitzpatrick Bridge and terminated at Tallassee High School on Barnett Boulevard. Units included the Tallassee High School and Reeltown High School marching bands, gag vehicles from the
Erica Hopkins, owner of Erica’s Hair and Tan, is continuing an annual tradition by offering free haircuts right before Christmas. On Dec. 12 she, and her staff, will be offering free services from noon until 3 p.m. “This is my fifth year doing it,” Hopkins said. “It’s a way to give back to the community. It’s for people who normally could not afford to have their hair cut.” Hopkins said she Erica Hopkins wants everyone to feel good when they see friends and family during the holiday season. “Some families and parents only have enough to buy their kids Christmas,” she said. “Some parents don’t have enough money leftover for themselves. Everybody wants to look decent when they go see family and friends at Christmas.” While Christmas is a time for children to receive gifts, Hopkins said her gift would be to
See PARADE • Page 11
See HAIRCUT • Page 11
Grand Marshals for this year’s Tallassee Christmas Parade were Dale and Betty Segrest. Willie G. Moseley / The Tribune
HIP, HIP! PARADE! Tallassee celebrates Christmas season with annual parade By WILLIE G. MOSELEY News Editor
Perfect late fall weather greeted the attendees at Tallassee’s annual Christmas parade Saturday, as a bright sun, a cool temperature and cloudless skies made the event enjoyable for participants and parade fans. The parade route began at East
Tallassee City Library has new assistant librarian By CARMEN RODGERS Staff Writer
Tallassee’s new assistant librarian, Mary Baker (left), along with the new director, Margret Lumpkin (right), stand in front of the library’s Christmas tree. Carmen Rodgers / The Tribune
CONTACT US 334-283-6568 / FAX: 334-283-6569 Follow us on
Tallassee City Library has a new assistant librarian. Mary Baker, may be new to the area, but her connection isn’t. She met her husband Robert Baker, who is from Tallassee, in South Carolina. Both have backgrounds in the Air Force and after the two married, her husband retired and the two moved back to Tallassee where she would go on to become Tallassee’s newest assistant librarian. “I just moved here in the mid-
dle of July form Charleston, South Carolina,” said Baker. “My husband retired from the Air Force and I separated from the Air Force. He’s from Tallassee so we came back home.” Mary Baker did not completely leave the military field. She continues to serve her country while also serving as assistant librarian. “I’m in the Air National Guard now, out of Birmingham (Alabama), ” Baker said. She said she is looking forward to the opportunity to work at the library.
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“I’m excited to get more knowledge and experience and maybe bring some ideas to the community,” she said. “I was thinking about setting up an after school tutoring program, since we are right down from the high school. I think what I look forward to most is getting more involved with the children’s program. Seeing them come in and reading to them.” She said she hopes to make a few subtle changes to the way things were done in the past. See LIBRARY • Page 10
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