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LOCAL, PAGE 2 Find out what’s going on in the community in today’s calendar!
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The Tallassee Tribune DEDICATED TO THE GROWTH AND PROSPERITY OF THE GREATER TALLASSEE AREA
TALLASSEE, AL 36078
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February 24, 2016
TALLASSEETRIBUNE.COM
VOL. 117, NO. 8
Officials say be prepared for severe weather in the area By CARMEN RODGERS Staff Writer
Severe weather is always a possibility in Alabama. The heavy rains of December, the more than two inches that fell Monday and the storms that caused damage last night are proof of Mother Nature’s capabilities. That’s why it is important to have a severe weather readi-
ness plan in place. Furthermore, this plan should be practiced regularly in order to make certain you and your family are prepared should severe weather occur. “Here in Alabama we are at risk year round,” said Kimberly Trost, ALEM Program Coordinator & PIO Elmore County Emergency Management Agency. It is important to understand the difference between a See WEATHER • Page 3
Keys unaccounted for, roofing conditions a concern for the property
By CARMEN RODGERS Staff Writer File / The Tribune
By CARMEN RODGERS Staff Writer
New fencing will soon serve as a partition between pedestrians using the sidewalk next to the Tallassee Police Department and the large gorge that is just feet away.
The House of Seven Gables has been a local icon for years. In the special called city council meeting held on Feb. 11, cCuncilman Darrel Wilson brought up concerns about the condition of the roof on house as well as safety concerns over keys to the property. In recent years the house was used as the headquarters for the Tallassee Chamber of Commerce up until the chamber moved to the current location at 17 Sistrunk Street. The councilman noted that the Blount Foundation should help offset the cost
By CARMEN RODGERS Staff Writer
SAFETY FIRST Councilman addresses safety concerns in recent meetings Councilman Rob Rygiel brought up two safety issues in recent city council meetings. Rygiel would like to see a much-needed traffic light in front of Walmart and he has made arrangements to add fencing to the
sidewalk that runs from the police station to the Benjamin Fitzpatrick Bridge. Since the new Walmart opened in 2014, Rygiel said accidents have occurred on a regular basis in front of the building. The councilman believes this is due to the high volume of traffic that Walmart attracts. See SAFETY • Page 3
CONTACT US
By CARMEN RODGERS Staff Writer
334-283-6568 /
Saturday marked the annual Arbor Day tree giveaway in Tallassee. Whitney Hester, Alisha Tennyson, Susanna Fillingham, Laurie Rygiel, Penny Sorrell and John David Lambert of the Tallassee Chamber of Commerce were on hand giving out trees. The
Many a
been
small thing
has
made
group setup this year’s event behind the Chamber of Commerce office in downtown Tallassee. “The customary observance of Arbor Day is to plant a tree, so the Tallassee Chamber of Commerce handed out 100 tree saplings on Saturday for members of the community to celebrate,” said Whitney Hester with the Tallassee See ARBOR • Page 7
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Alisha Tennyson, Susanna Fillingham, Whitney Hester, Penny Sorrell, Laurie Rygiel and John David Lambert represent the Tallassee Chamber of Commerce during the annual Arbor Day celebration in downtown Tallassee.
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February is National Heart Month and to celebrate the Tallassee Recreation Center hosted the annual Heart Walk. The event kicked off at 7:30 Saturday morning. With over 20 walkers participating in the walk, the Recreation Center raised over $600 to split with the National Heart Association. “We had 21 walkers. We raised $625,” said Rick Golden with the Tallassee Recreation Center. This money will benefit both the National Heart Association and the Tallassee recreation center. “We always donate part of that to the American Heart Association,” he said. “The other portion we keep and we always put toward our weight room or our exercise room. In times See WALK • Page 3
TALLASSEE CELEBRATES ARBOR DAY
See GABLES • Page 7
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Kimberly Unick and her dog “Sappie” walk along with Kalli and Alyssa Gill in the 5th Annual Heart Walk held Saturday in downtown Tallassee behind the Chamber of Commerce.
More than 20 walkers participate in 5th Annual Heart Walk Saturday
Councilman asks city to address Seven Gables house
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