N EW YEAR’S SAVI NGS ! 2024
INSIDE: New Year’s Savings from across the region Deputy recovering after being shot in Claud standoff, B8
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2023 | VOL. 124, NO. 52 | $1.00
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2022 | VOL. 123, NO. 5 | $1.00 Driving safety program in the works for county schools
Holtville High School basketball coach arrested 2023 BER 2023 DECEMBER DECEM OK, OUTLOOK, CITY OUTLO NDER CITY ALEXANDER THE ALEXA TO THE NE EMENT TO TRIBUNE SUPPLEMENT SSEE TRIBU SPECIALL SUPPL TALLASSEE THE TALLA AA SPECIA AND THE D AND RECORD ILLE RECOR DADEVILLE THE DADEV D, THE HERALD, PKA HERAL WETUMPKA THE WETUM THE
to help and facilities as they said. “We have to emphasize mourned the deaths. But Dennis wearing seat belts.” wants to do more. Not all students in the system By Cliff Williams Franklin said investigators was are the tragic head basketWilson was released on a investigation and handed it off classes. Elmore County Public Schools Wilson “Those situations,” take driver’s education Writer the Elmore County Sher- $6,000 bond 90 minutes afcoachsaid. at Holtville to the appropriate areStaff trying to stop another trage- ballDennis “We haveHigh had some Dennis saidauthorities. between lawwith enforceiff’s Office and was placed on resource adminis- officers dy in the wake of the deaths of School law enforcement reach out toHe us was also ment, school and have the alleged vic- ter turning himself in accordvirtual County teacherstudents at Elmore phone. Authorities collect- ing to the Elmore County Jail on ad- do assemblies at trative at staff that time.” twoAElmore in placed to potentially the leave school materials andtim’s assemCounty School’s Edge program ministrative ed Wilson’s phone as well. website. saidatschool officials December. schools to emphasize the safetyDennisblies all high schools will be has been charged leave could see a conversa13 Dennis said Wilson also follow organized the same over procedure Twice in arrested less thanand a month that Jan. is necessary.” the second“You semeswith school employee distrib- according the two,” Frank- coached other sports at HoltEl- students who drive when administrators receive superintendent Richard Dennis’ Withtomany ter of the school year.a Hetion saidbetween the report of allegations against are utinghas obscene to athe stu- more lin still said. “Mr. Wilson is going ville schools including being County phone rang material delivering and given the nature of the coundetails of the programs SUBMITTED | THE HERALD school staff and employees. dent. to contend someone had the the head track coach Schools superand assisnews of a death of students in ty, Dennis said it’s easy for speeds evolving but they would center Elmore County Schools superintendent Richard Dennis said he “Once we hand it over, we Elmore County Sheriff Bill security code to his phone and intendent Richtant football coach. crashes where law enforcement to creep up on rural roads. around common driving safety is working on There a program to stresssaid the importance safe drivknow very little about what is he was not responsible. Franklin saidwere Emmanuel Andre Dennis other staff of would said seatbelts not worn. Eachard Dennis. “We got to realize and reinforce ing after the death of two students who were not wearing WILSON going on,” Dennis said.See “We Wilson II, 32, of students Montgomery is other information we can’t fill in for the duties of Wilson at seat had driving a re- habits,” time schools gave access “We proper Dennis SAFETY, Page A7 belts at the time of their car crashes. cooperate with authorities if disclose now but I don’t think Holtville while he is on adminturned himself into authorities port,” Dennis Tuesday afternoon. it’s beneficial to Mr. Wilson.” istrative leave. said. “We had a preliminary necessary.” By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
County schools pleased Police with report card, but room forcontinue improvement
Chamber holds luncheon
welcoming members
investigation, man no longer suspected
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
The Wetumpka Chamber of Commerce held its annual luncheon to install new officers and board members for the first time in a while Thursday. The COVID-19 pandemic put a hamper on gatherings but the chamber celebrated the successes of business in Wetumpka. “We haven’t been able to do this for the last couple years,” chairperson Clay McConnell said. “Your attendance is an indication people want to get back together and have these opportunities to see each
CLIFF WILLIAMS/
See SCHOOLS, Page A7
Chief Videographer
THE HERALD
See CHAMBER, Page A3
SANTA, GRINCH & WILLIE THE GOAT
ENTERTAIN YOUNGSTERS Christmas and Jolly St. of Wetumpka’s favorite Nicholas was in for a surnon-humans by — Willie prise. the Goat. Santa took a look t was all work for Santa He might have been out and found a bench warmer as he stopped by The Gab staged at The Gab Salon’s for his reindeer. Salon for open house open house and customer “Of course I’m always and customer appreciation appreciation by the Grinch looking for different ones Thursday. and a goat. Staff Report schoolwide assembly at Holtville the school culture from that of a See ENTERTAIN, PagemoA7 It was just days before High School. Lynn Sides brought Elmore Countyone Su- school struggling with low The Alabama Association of perintendent Richard Dennis was rale, achievement and attendance Secondary School Principals in attendance for the presentation. to a school that strives for excel(AASSP) named Holtville High “Kyle Futral is an exception- lence. By collaborating with staff, School principal Kyle Futral the al principal and is very proac- many of the school’s issues were CLIFF WILLIAMS | THE HERALD 2022 Alabama High Schooland Prinin his celebrity think- Willie identified and addressed. The Grinch Santative poseand withinnovative local Wetumpka the Goat. Willie is Futral’s cipal of the Year. ing and approaches styleparade. of listening, enknown to frequent downtown and has beentoinmanaging the Christmasleadership on the Coosa The High School Principal of his school,” Dennis said, couraging, supporting, organizing the Year award was presented to As principal of Holtville High and challenging the staff and stuFutral on Friday, Jan. 28 during a School, Futral has transformed dents, caused the school culture to By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
In addition to other
Membersmeasures, Elmore Counof the ty Schools will focus on attendance to improve Wetumpka Chamber of Commerce attend the chamber’s “A Taste of Our Home Town” By Jake Arthur luncheon.
By Cliff Williams Staff Writer
its state report card. Overall the Elmore County Schools received an 85, a B, but superintendent Richard Dennis
Police are still investigating the fatal shooting in the Wetumpka Walmart parking lot on Jan. 20. Police were dispatched to the parking lot around 10:45 p.m. for a “shots fired” call. Once there, they found Centell Winston, CLIFF WILLIAMS | THE HERALD 42 of Tallassee, dead of aongunshot wound Michaela Bird gives directions to children singing ‘Have Yourin the driver of hisBird vehicle. self a Merry Christmas’ Fridayseat morning. and Brooke CarriAccording to at Wetumpka police chiefwith co are hosting a three day camp the Wetumpka Depot a production Saturday evening.this was not a random shootGreg Benton, ing. “This was not random, not a random act,” said Benton. “We believe the victim and the perpetrator knew each other.” This is the first homicide in Wetumpka in over three years. The last homicide in the city took place in 2018. “It’s not a good way to start out the new year,” said Benton. By CLIFF WILLIAMS High School choral Benton didn’t see want to speculate on the News Editor director Michael Bird. She is also the theater See SHOOTING, Page A3 Children looking to director at Sylacauga get away from parents High School. Carrico has Christmas shopping had been on the stage at the the perfect opportunity Depot since the age of 6 with A Broadway Holiday and is currently majoring theater and music camp. in marketing and music Veterans of children’s business at Nashville’s shift in a positive direction. The camp at the Wetumpka Belmont University. school experienced a 62 percent Depot returned for the “We started working decrease in discipline referrals, short holiday respite to together last summer with 50 percent decrease in chronic create a short Christthe summer Broadway absenteeism, 7 percent increase mas program. Michaela camp,” Bird said. “We in the graduation rate, 33 percent Bird and Brooke Carrico did two of those.” increase in CCR rate and a 20 perbeen around the The pair saw interests cent increasehave in ACT proficiency stage for years. Bird is in the last five years. the daughter of TallasSee MUSIC, Page A7 See PRINCIPAL, Page A3 FUTURAL
Bringing music to life Children experience music, theater at camp
I Holtville’s Futral Alabama principal of the year
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