Play for Peyton: Lady Indians dedicate season to fallen teammate. See Sports, Page 12. Wetumpka, AL 36092
50¢
SATURDAY-SUNDAY • FEBRUARY 13-14, 2016
THEWETUMPKAHERALD.COM
Captured
Suspected robber Duchawn Redden, 24, of Jacksons Gap, was apprehended approximately 15 minutes after running away from the scene of the robbery at the Wetumpka downtown branch of PNC Bank.
VOL. 11, NO. 7
Suspect in downtown Wetumpka PNC bank robbery apprehended
Wetumpka Civic Center. Wetumpka Police Chief Danny Billingsley said they saw the suspect, Duchawn Redden, 24, of Jacksons Gap, Alabama, running away from the scene of the robbery at the downtown branch of PNC Bank.
By COREY ARWOOD Staff Writer
A robbery suspect charged in Wednesday’s Wetumpka bank heist led a concerted team of city, county and state law enforcement on a short-lived chase that ended at the
YMCA to induct four into Hall of Fame
Elmore County graduation rates higher than state average
By JOHN W. PEELER Managing Editor
The Wetumpka YMCA will induct four members into the Hall of Fame March 3 at the Wetumpka Civic Center. Inductees span all the way back to 1970 when the Wetumpka YMCA was formed. Inductees are Earl Ryser, Edwin Sanford, Wendell Saxon and Sally Stevens. YMCA spokesperson Lois Pribulick said this year’s inductees were chosen for their involvement and contributions to the YMCA. She said nominations for induction are submitted, reviewed by the board and individuals that stand out for their accomplishments are selected. “Not all the nominations are selected,” she said. “We look at what they have done and what they have accomplished.” Ryser has served on the See YMCA • Page 2
“He ran down the river and all through the woods,” Billingsley said. “And wound back up at the civic center.” Wetumpka police, county sheriff’s department and a state trooper were on the scene and chased down See ROBBERY • Page 2
By COREY ARWOOD Staff Writer
of 2016, to reward those who served and to install new officers and board of director members for 2016. Elmore County Probate Judge John Enslen swore in Joel Hunt as the new director of the board; Lee Macon, first vice chairman; Michelle Walden, second vice chairman and Ricky Roberts, treasurer. Cody Williamson of the Wind Creek Casino and Hotel was recognized as the William F. Sahlie Volunteer of the Year. The award recognizes an individual for their
Elmore County School system scored 1 percent higher than the state standard in the 2012-2015 graduation rates released by the Department of Education through the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. Overall, Alabama had an 89 percent graduation rate according to the FERPA rates and Elmore County had a 90 percent rate over those four years. “We’re very pleased with it, our people have worked really hard here in our system with our children and were seeing the progress that we want to see and we’re very proud of it,” said Andre Harrison, Elmore County School System Superintendent. He said there was a benchmark set for the state this year with a goal of reaching an 86 percent graduation rate. And, at a state average of 89 percent, with ECSS surpassing that by a percent, Harrison said he was very proud of what the school system had done. Another aggregate released recently by the Alabama State Department of
See CHAMBER • Page 2
See GRADUATION • Page 2
Contributed by Barry Chrietzberg / The Herald
Keyesta Sherman, outgoing chairperson, passes the gavel to incoming chairperson Joel Hunt.
JUMPING BACK TO FUTURE Wetumpka Area Chamber of Commerce has annual meeting
By JOHN W. PEELER Managing Editor
It was back to the “Roaring ‘20s” Tuesday at the Wetumpka Civic Center as the Wetumpka Area Chamber of Commerce had its annual meeting and banquet. Although dressing in ‘20s style was optional, many took advantage of the occasion to travel back to the time of ‘Flapper’style clothing, feathered headbands and gangster suits. But, the purpose of the meeting was to take a look back at 2015 and to the future
Elmore County firefighters gather for extrication class By COREY ARWOOD Staff Writer
Corey Arwood / The Herald
Frank Bondra, of Holmatro Rescue Tools, displays the technique and tools of his trade to a group of Elmore County firefighters at their yearly extrication training where they learn how to chop into cars and remove wreck victims more effectively and safely.
GOT JUNK! One man’s trash is another man’s treasure. Sell your clutter in the Classifieds.
256.277.4219 pka m u t e W
Fire Fighters from all over Elmore County were gathered at the Elmore County Firefighters Association for a chance to learn about the latest techniques and tools used to remove a person from a mangled mess of a vehicle. They gathered outside at night in freezing temperatures around an older Ford Taurus and one by one took turns hacking away at the doorframes and hood. The hydraulic power tools of choice that night included a spreader, a cutter and a ram. The spreader, John Wilson, Chairman of the ECFA, said was designed to stick in and
“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!
Flea Market & Antiques
25,000 Sq. Ft. • Air Conditioned
114 DEALERS
334-567-2666
5266 U.S. Hwy. 231, Wetumpka Winn Dixie Shopping Center • Behind KFC
FREE ESTIMATES!
Hedging, Fall Cleanup, Leaf Removal, All Yard & Lawn Maintenance
(334) 309-4422 • (334) 580-7879
pop off a car door. The cutter was to cut through the post of the car and the ram was a jack-like tool to push heavy objects out the way. The whole set ran about $30,000 dollars Wilson said. 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 job they were working on. Andrew McCullers who had been in the Elmore County fire system for 17 years and joined when he was 16 said the suits kept them warm, a benefit, he assured, only during winter. He said that he had been to
CONTACT US 334-567-7811 • Fax: 334-567-3284
USPS 681-260
See FIREFIGHTERS • Page 2
Need Cash Fast? How Would You Like An
Interest Free $750 Advance *
To Hold You Over Until That Refund Comes In? ASK ONE OF OUR TAX PROFESSIONALS FOR DETAILS
LOCAL FINANCE LOANS & TAX 1661 E. Main Street•Prattville, AL
334.365.9678 *Some Restrictions May Apply
tax refund