INSIDE TODAY
Local teams send wrestlers to state tournament Sports Page B1
‘Republican hypocrisy on full display, again’
Opinion Page A4
THE WETUMPKA HERALD Elmore County’s Oldest Newspaper - Established 1898
Wetumpka, AL 36092
50¢
WEDNESDAY • FEBRUARY 17, 2016
THEWETUMPKAHERALD.COM
VOL. 118, NO.7
Woman seeks her ‘purse full of memories’ By CARMEN RODGERS Staff Writer
Jeanette Kempter of Wetumpka lost her purse Friday. Jeanette wrote an email to The Herald asking for help. After sharing the story, hundreds from the community have shared it in hopes of helping her.
Friday was an ordinary day for Jeanette Kempter until she realized her purse, which usually sat in the passenger seat next to her as she drove, was missing. At that moment, panic set in as she drove back to Chrietzberg Photography, the last stop on her list of errands. A Good Samaritan called in a report to the Wetumpka Police Department
of a purse in the road in the vicinity where Kempter last had her purse. “When I went back Mr. Chrietzberg was there and someone had already called the police and said they saw a purse on the road,” she said. “By the time the police got there it was gone.” The police responded and Kempter returned to Chrietzberg Photography, but only a few remnants of items inside the purse remained. “We went toward the street. I
File / The Herald
Former Herald Editor waves to the camera as she served as the Grand Marshal at the 2014 Christmas on the Coosa Parade. Her son Sean Blackburn serves as her driver for the event.
See PURSE • Page 2
Community mourns Blackburn’s passing
WES takes trip to Old Town Alabama By JOHN W. PEELER Managing Editor
Fourth-grade students from Wetumpka Elementary School recently attended Pioneer School at Old Alabama Town. Students participated in various hands-on activities during their visit and also took a guided walking tour of the other historic buildings at Old Alabama Town. The two and onehalf hour program offered students a chance to experience pioneer life during the time before Alabama became a state. WES students rotated to different stations and participated in many hands-on pioneer activities. In the kitchen station, students churned butter, dipped candles and learned to make starch from grated potatoes. In the tool station, students learned to chop trees for a log cabin, smooth wood with a drawknife, split wood for stakes and drill holes with See OLD TOWN • Page 3
Carmen Rodgers / The Herald
Troy State University graduate Talesa Harris, actress and entrepreneur, spoke to the “That’s My Sista” attendees about trusting God, dreaming big, working hard and remaining consistent. More than 50 attended “That’s My Sista” Feb. 11 in the Wetumpka Civic Room to hear guest speakers talk to girls ages 11-17 about various subjects.
‘THAT’S MY SISTA’ Program focuses on life for young teen girls By JOHN W. PEELER Managing Editor
More than 50 girls from ages 11-17 came from Montgomery, Milbrook, Prattville, Tallassee, Eclectic and as far away as Selma to meet at the Wetumpka Civic Room to hear advice Izerra Dumas and her panel of speakers had to give. Dumas said she graduated from Wetumpka High School and thinking back on her life, came up with the program name, “That’s My Sister.” “I thought about my life,” she said. “I thought about when I was a teen and how I didn’t have great role models and no one to really just look See SISTER • Page 2
Promposal pinfall: SEHS wrestling manager accepts prom invite By CORY DIAZ Sports Editor
Cory Diaz / The Herald
Tyler Cook, a sophomore, and cheerleader Stephanie Rines, a junior, pose with the sign Rines used to ask Cook to prom Saturday.
Tyler Cook loves wrestling. Whether it’s pulling for the WWE’s most popular superstar, John Cena, or cheering on his friends as the high school team’s manager, wrestling is the Stanhope Elmore sophomore’s favorite sport. It only made sense to Stanhope cheerleader Stephanie Rines to surprise Cook and ask him to prom while the Mustangs were competing at the AHSAA South Super Sectional Tournament Saturday at the Cramton Bowl Multiplex. See PROM • Page 2
Seafood & CatÀsh
8185 Central Plank • Santuck, AL
334.567.3156
Richard Thornton, Owner
THURSDAY - SATURDAY 5-9 PM
Interest Free $750 Advance *
To Hold You Over Until That Refund Comes In?
(334) 309-4422 • (334) 580-7879
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
Former editor of The Wetumpka Herald and Eclectic Observer, Peggy Jo Blackburn, passed away Feb. 13 following an extended illness. Blackburn worked for the Herald and Observer for more than 20 years and if you asked anyone who knew her, it would be hard to find someone who didn’t think she was the best in the industry — a committed journalist who always had the community she served in mind. In her career, Blackburn earned more than two dozen Alabama Press Association awards and lead news- Blackburn rooms that garnered twice that many. Tallapoosa Publishers Owner Kenneth Boone said that Blackburn was one of the best he had ever encountered in the newspaper business. “I got to work with Peggy the last few years of her career,” said Boone, publisher of The Herald. “She was a hard worker, dedicated to her community and an excellent editor. I don’t think I’ve ever worked with a more talented proofreader in my 30 years in the newspaper business.” She not only wrote about events important to readers, but she supported them and participated, as well. Those who knew her praised her for her tireless efforts in making sure readers knew what was going on in Elmore County. See BLACKBURN • Page 3
CONTACT US 334-567-7811 • Fax: 334-567-3284
Truman·s
How Would You Like An
Hedging, Fall Cleanup, Leaf Removal, All Yard & Lawn Maintenance
STAFF REPORT TPI Staff
“Hwy. 9 Since ’89”
Need Cash Fast? FREE ESTIMATES!
Longtime newspaper editor remembered for dedication, love of the community
tax refund
Serving a all your favorite Seafood... come taste our snow crab!
USPS 681-260