Panthers ‘back to basics’ on defense ahead of area tourney
‘Leaders lead by example’
Ashes to ashes, the meaning behind Lent
Eclectic Observer Page 4
Page 6
Page 12
The
THURSDAY • FEBRUARY 11, 2016
TheWetumpkaHerald.com
Vol. 27, No. 6
Ivy Creek breaks ground for urgent care By CARMEN RODGERS Staff Writer
It was announced in November that Tallassee and surrounding areas would soon have an additional option to medical care. The additional medical option is one step closer to fruition. Ivy Creek Healthcare, CEO Mike Bruce broke ground to the new Tallassee Urgent Care facility Wednesday. The new facility will open in 2016. The new facility will be adjacent to Walmart on Gilmer Avenue and will
provide urgent medical care to the local community. Urgent care facilities are staffed with doctors and nurse practitioners that can handle any minor emergency. “Urgent care facilities cut down on emergency room visits and provide medical care to the community when a patient can’t get in to see their primary care physician,” said Linda Lewis, with Ivy Creek Healthcare. Ivy Creek Healthcare operates several facilities in Southeast Alabama.
However, this newest location will be the facility closest to Eclectic. “Dadeville, Georgiana, and Wetumpka areas … Bruce currently maintains, Chilton Urgent Care and Wetumpka Urgent Care and three hospitals, family practices, pharmacies, home health and hospice services and pediatrics, and the Alabama Wellness and Prevention Centers,” she said. The facility will offer extended hours for those who made need medical care See URGENT CARE • Page 2
New florist opens just in time for Valentine’s Day
Prison reform, storm cleanup discussed at Commission By COREY ARWOOD Staff Writer
Prison reform sat at the top of the list of issues Monday at the Elmore County Commission Meeting, above lawsuits, letters and talk of elections. The upcoming election also got some prominent play. County Administrator Grace McDuffie was first to mention prison reform during her work session report. She said on Wed. Feb. 10 at the DOT Conference room, the Department of Pardons and Parole would have a meeting concerning Act 2015-185 on the statewide changes to the prison system, which passed as Senate Bill 67 in the 2015 legislative session. “Elmore County is a pilot program on this and we just kind of need to know what they expect of the county and the management of this program concerning the prison reform,” McDuffie said. Commission chairman David Bowen immediately See COMMISSION • Page 2
By CARMEN RODGERS Staff Writer Six-year-old Jordan Smith came out with his Papa Harold Lancaster to enjoy the firefighter’s appreciation dinner Thursday. Smith said he would like to grow up and be a firefighter, like his Papa. Carmen Rodger / The Observer
ECLECTIC SHOWS GRATITUDE
Town’s volunteer fire fighters get their fill of food, thanks By CARMEN RODGERS Staff Writer
The town of Eclectic showed its appreciation to the towns volunteer fire fighters Thursday. The men, women and some of their children were treated to hot dogs with all the fixings, baked beans, chips and dip and homemade brownies. There was plenty of food and fellowship in the firehouse as firefighters gathered to enjoy the food and company. Two city council members, Inez Gates and Linda Reed were on hand for the dinner. “These men work so hard and they don’t get anything out of it,” Gates said. “They do such a good job that we thought it would be
Weather HIGH
LOW
FRIDAY: HIGH 60 LOW 35
nice to treat them for a change.” Like Councilwoman Gates, Councilwoman Reed said she also appreciates the hard work and dedication these men show. “They are great,” Reed said. “We just love our volunteer fire department.” Andrew Wilkerson has been a member of the volunteer fire department for a little over a year, he said. Like most volunteer firefighters, Wilkerson said he believes in giving back to the town. He said he is also grateful for the camaraderie that has formed through joining the department. “I just love my community and I love See FIREFIGHTER • Page 2
A new gift shop has opened on Main Street in Eclectic. Fannie’s Flowers and Gifts is located at the intersection of Main St and Ann Street and has a wide variety of gifts to suit men, women and children. The gift shop offers a wide selection of live plants as well as artificial arrangements. The custom baskets are put together on site and offer something for everyone. The gift shop offers gift bags and gifts baskets of all sizes to fit any budget. “These are authentic coach bags that we put in the baskets,” Gilbert said. “We spend our own money to buy the things to go into the baskets.” While candy is a favorite Valentines See FLORIST • Page 2
Carmen Rodgers / The Observer
Fannie Gilbert, Alonzo Gilbert and Sonya Gilbert have a new gift shop that has opened on Main Street in Eclectic.
Elmore County firefighters gather for extraction classes
Today’s
59 36
Carmen Rodgers / The Observer
Mike Bruce, CEO Ivy Creek Healthcare, along with members of the community at the groundbreaking ceremony of the new Tallassee Urgent Care facility Wednesday Feb. The new facility will open in 2016.
A floodlight lit the car and the mix of steam and smoke from the breath of the fire fighters and the dust from the chop Fire Fighters from all over Elmore job they were working on. County were gathered at the Elmore Andrew McCullers who had been in County Firefighters Association for a the Elmore County fire system for 17 chance to learn about the latest techyears and joined when he was 16 said niques and tools used to remove a perthe suits kept them warm, a benefit, he son from a mangled mess of a vehicle. assured, only during winter. They gathered outside at night in He said that he had been to about 12 freezing temperatures around an older extrication classes over the years. Ford Taurus and one by one took turns Of the class McCullers said, “They’re hacking away at the doorframes and valuable, one, you learn the new techhood. niques and the new vehicles that are The hydraulic power tools of choice coming out.” that night included a spreader, a cutter Working with newer model vehicles and a ram. was a main point of the class that met The spreader, John Wilson, Chairman two times on Wednesday. of the ECFA, said was designed to stick Both the morning and night class in and pop off a car door. brought a large turnout of fire fighters The cutter was to cut through the post from the 20 or so county fire departof the car and the ram was a jack-like ments, said Wilson. tool to push heavy objects out the way. There were over 30 people gathered The whole set ran about 30,000 dolSee CLASS • Page 3 lars Wilson said. By COREY ARWOOD Staff Writer
“Hwy. 9 Since ’89”
Truman·s
Seafood & CatÀsh
8185 Central Plank • Santuck, AL
334.567.3156
Richard Thornton, Owner
THURSDAY - SATURDAY 5-9 PM
Serving a all your favorite Seafood... come taste our snow crab!
FREE ESTIMATES!
Hedging, Fall Cleanup, Leaf Removal, All Yard & Lawn Maintenance
(334) 309-4422 • (334) 580-7879
Corey Arwood / The Observer
Air National Guard Staff Sgt. Lauren Rosenhoover of Montgomery’s 187th Fighter Wing and the Alabama National Guard’s Medical CERFP, or Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and high-yield Explosive Enhanced Response Force Package recently joined the Wetumpka Fire Department and got hands-on experience with ‘extrication’ training.