Edgewood puts win streak up against Bessemer. Sports, Page 12.
Wetumpka, AL 36092
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“We’ve had a lot of weird things happen over the years in Elmore County, but I can’t recall a home invasion where someone was sexually assaulted, at least not in this manner” — Sheriff Bill Franklin
HOME INVASION
VOL. 11, NO. 9
Are criminals getting off too lightly? Law enforcement officials say new prison reform slights victims By MITCH SNEED Editor
Prison reform has been an issue in Alabama for decades, with the population in some facilities at more than 200 percent. While the Alabama Legislature introduced a plan that will address many of the issues, many local officials said the plan may help overcrowding at the expense of public safety. In talking with the men elected by the citizens of Elmore and Tallapoosa counties, they see more problems than fixes with the new plan – especially for the victims. Elmore County Sheriff Bill Franklin said that in effort to ease jail overcrowding, the criminals See REFORM • Page 5
Corey Arwood / The Herald
Mark Walter Crow is led into the courtroom for a bond hearing where bond was set at $305,000 after being charged with nine counts.
Bond set at $305,000 for 19-year-old Prattville man arrested in home invasion, sexual assault in Crenshaw By MITCH SNEED and COREY ARWOOD Staff Writers
A man accused of nine counts after he allegedly invaded the home of a Crenshaw man where he robbed and sodomized the victim remains in jail with a bond totaling of $305,000, $200,000 of that cash. In a case that Elmore County Sheriff Bill Franklin called one of the most unusual he has ever encountered, a 19-year-old Mark Walter Crow, 19, of Mt. Airy Road in Prattville remained in jail following a Friday bond hearing after his arrest in the Wednesday night
attack. Bond was set by Judge Glenn Goggans after District Attorney Randall Houston asked for the enhanced bond due to the nature of the case. “This is a unique and unusual case,” Houston said. “He is a danger to himself and the community. Crowe told law enforcement when he does Xanax and marijuana he wants to hurt people. I believe he is a flight risk.” ECSO / Special to the Herald The judge agreed in setting the These mug shots of Mark Walter Crow bond. Crow was officially charged show the 19-year-old before and after See ASSAULT • Page 6 his arrest Thursday morning.
Lynch leaving post as Chamber’s executive director March 14 STAFF REPORT TPI Staff
A woman who has been the face of the Wetumpka Area Chamber of Commerce and helped lead the organization through a time of growth and revitalization, is leaving to take a job with a local bank. The Wetumpka Area Chamber of Commerce issued a release Thursday announcing that Executive Director Vanessa Lynch will be leaving her post and that a search will begin immediately for Lynch a replacement. Lynch said she was honored to have served. “It has been a sincere honor to have served See DIRECTOR • Page 5
Local group opposes minimum wage bill cosponsored by local reps By COREY ARWOOD Staff Writer
Both members of the Alabama House of Representatives that represent Elmore County co-sponsored and voted to pass the bill that would restrict cities from raising wages or affecting job benefits, paid leave or union membership and in effect would establish
a state minimum wage law. The bill called the Alabama Uniform Minimum Wage and Right to Work Act, HB 174, recently passed through both the Alabama House of Representatives and Senate. A Montgomery- based legislative advocacy group for low-inSee WAGES • Page 6
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Corey Arwood / The Herald
David T. King Jr., a geologist with the Auburn University Department of Geosciences, spoke at the Wetumpka Civic Center Thursday. King has been involved with the Wetumpka Impact Crater Commission through his research at the site of the Wetumpka impact crater where he, along with his geology students, have made one unique find after another over many years. The commission is preparing for its annual one-day-only guided tour over the 3-to-4-mile area of crater dated to be around 85 million years old. King spoke about his most recent findings and presented a computer simulated model of the meteor striking the area.
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