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LOCAL, PAGE B6

LOCAL, PAGE A5

SPORTS, PAGE B1 ARTHUR WOODS STARS AT NORTH-SOUTH GAME

Glasscock honored as top band director

Eclectic hosts annual Chritsmas parade

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SEE RECENT ARREST REPORTS, PAGE A2

Tallassee, AL 36078

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DECEMBER 20, 2023

TallasseeTribune.com

VOL. 125, NO. 49

Elmore County High School student dies in Friday wreck By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor Masen Goggins, an Elmore County High School student, died in a car crash just before noon Friday in Wetumpka. As of Friday afternoon, troopers with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency were continuing to investigate. A release said the crash happened on Harrogate

Springs Road east of Wetumpka. “The 17-year-old was fatally injured when the 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche the teen was driving left the roadway and overturned,” the release stated. “The teen was not using a seat belt at the time of the crash and was pronounced deceased at the scene.” Elmore County Schools superintendent Richard Den-

nis said school officials are responding to help students and families close to the student. The gym at ECHS was open Friday for students to gather with counselors and area pastors. There was a vigil held in Goggins’ honor Monday night at Burt Haynie Field. It is the second Elmore County Public Schools student to die in an automobile crash

this month. On Dec. 7, Bradyn White, 14, of Deatsville, died in a crash on Lightwood Road in the Holtville community. White was a student at Holtville High School. There, Elmore County officials offered counselors and help to students and opened the football stadium for a vigil. Troopers with ALEA are still investigating both crashes.

Masen Goggins

City schools get a ‘C’ on state report card By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor On paper Tallassee City Schools didn’t do as well as the state as the report card was released publicly last week.

On average public schools across the state received an 83 or a B. Tallassee City Schools received a 78 or a C. Elmore County Schools See REPORT, Page A6

‘Let his light shine’ Friends and family remember Masen Goggins at vigil By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

more about being there and loving people. That is what Masen did.” y all accounts Masen Eason recalled an Goggins always smiled encounter with Goggins just and had a big heart. last week. No word words The 17-year-old Elmore were spoken, but there it County High School student was — Goggins “infectious died in a car wreck Friday. smile.” Still in shock, friends, fam“Masen’s light shined ily members and school bright at Elmore County personnel shared what life High School by the way with Goggins was like at a he treated his teachers Monday prayer vigil. and friends,” Eason said. “I have prayed. I cried. “Masen was a special kid. I cried for his family, his He will always be a part friends and our school since of Elmore County High I learned what happened,” School.” ECHS principal Jason Vessel Church pastor Eason said. “Words someAdam Turner said Goggins times just don’t matter. It is was a great young person

CLIFF WILLIAMS | THE TRIBUNE

and a model for others to emulate. “He was a very respectful young man. He was kind. He was compassionate,” Turner said. “He had a big smile. He had a big heart. He was the greatest friend to so many. He loved this town. He loved this school. He loved the teachers. He loved Dr. Pepper. It has 23 flavors. It is funny how that happened.” Goggins wore jersey No. 23 on the football field. It adorned the walls of the school’s gym for the vigil. ECHS football oach Kyle See REMEMBER, Page A5

Lighted phones were held up during Amazing Grace by those who attended the vigil for Masen Goggins who died in a crash Friday.

CLIFF WILLIAMS | THE TRIBUNE

The new Tallassee High School is now open.The school received a D on the state’s report card but school officials said it doesn’t fully reflect all the good in the system.

Pay increase coming for Tallassee Police Department By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor The Tallassee City Council gave the city’s APOSTC certified police officers a Christmas present at its Tuesday meeting. After months of research to make sure the city could sustain a pay increase following the Tallassee Police

Department’s budget presentation in August, the council approved an increase of $1.65 per hour for all 23 officers, not including the police chief. The increase brings the starting pay of a police officer in Tallassee to $19.50. The motion approved by the council also gives those See POLICE, Page A6

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