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Eclectic Observer Page 4
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The
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THURSDAY • FEBRUARY 4, 2016
TheWetumpkaHerald.com
Vol. 27, No. 5
Town Hall scheduled for Feb. 7 Comprehensive plan for long term development in Eclectic to be unveiled
developed so far and to add to the discussion. “We want to get as much public input as we can,” Davenport said. A town meeting is being called to discuss a The town surveyed residents about three months comprehensive plan for Eclectic that Mayor Gary ago and received about 250 responses, he said, but Davenport said would act as a living, breathing, game felt they needed what he called a bigger field of plan for long term city development. input. The meeting will be at The Warehouse in downHe said that the comprehensive plan included the town Elcectic at 7 p.m. Feb. 9. whole community on all aspects of the town and its The doors will open at 6:30 p.m. and the topic development such as recreation, business and public will be the town’s 20-year comprehensive plan that safety. Davenport said town officials had been working on It was “any aspect of town operations on a day-tofor about eight months now. day basis,” Davenport said. He said he wants residents to see what has been
By COREY ARWOOD Staff Writer
The town was almost due for another comprehensive plan meeting, Davenport said, per federal guidelines and also in order to receive state funding assistance. He said that the City of Wetumpka had such a meeting about four months ago and that was how they financed the redevelopment of their downtown. Davenport reemphasized he wanted as much town comment as possible. “When we approve the comprehensive plan it will be a working document that the council will use (to) hopefully make Eclectic a lot better town to live and stay,” Davenport said.
Winston’s Law taken up by Senate Judiciary Committee
EMS students explore options at Auburn’s Career Discovery
ByJOHN PEELER Managing Editor
By CARMEN RODGERS Staff Writer
Eighth graders at Eclectic Middle School went on a field trip Jan. 26 to take part in Career Discovery at the Auburn University’s Beard-Eaves Memorial Coliseum. Career Discovery is an initiative that brings together regional business and industry, non-profits and volunteers throughout the region to present an interactive, hands-on career exploration event for public, private and home-schooled eighth grade students. “From building a brick wall to checking blood pressure to announcing the weather, our students definitely left with more knowledge about the possibilities within different career fields. They got to imagine themselves in those roles, which is huge. “This is the age where many students either lose interest or become inspired by options and future possibilities. It was a great experience for them,” said Cynthia Collier, Eclectic Middle School’s counselor. The industry, business and career opportunities were divided into 11 career clusters, which include agriculture, architecture and construction, See EMS • Page2
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Air Force Master Sgt. Kristal Rankin reunites with her son Dominic for the first time in six months Friday at Eclectic Elementary. Carmen Rodgers / The Observer
A WARM WELCOME Air Force mom reunites with son after deployment By CARMEN RODGERS Staff Writer
After six months in Djibouti Africa, Air Force Master Sgt. Krystal Rankin, an Eclectic native, was reunited with her son, Dominic, Friday. This wasn’t just any reunion, however. Rankin was able to surprise Dominic
at school, which made it a little extra special because Dominic’s entire class was able to be a part of the celebration. Rankin is in the Airfield Management Branch of the United States Air Force. Rankin joined the service just after graduating from Elmore County High School and has
been on active duty for 14 years. During her time in the Air Force, Rankin has seen many different places. “I’ve been to Scott Air Force Base in Illinois, Charleston AFB in South Carolina, Keesler Air Force Base in Mississippi, Turkey and Africa,” she said. “I’ve See AIR FORCE • Page 2
The Alabama Judiciary Committee gave unanimous favorable consent Wednesday to the Aggravated Child Abuse bill, known as Winston’s Law. The bill is expected to be on the Senate Special Order Calendar Feb. 9. “I am so pleased this bill has made its way through the Senate Judiciary and will soon be up for a vote on the floor. With the momentum we have established and the interest shown by legislators, we could possibly see the bill passed into law by Thursday of next week,” Elmore County District Attorney Randall Houston wrote in a press release. Currently, aggravated child abuse is a Class B felony. Winston’s Law, if passed, would make aggravated child abuse a Class A felony for victims that are 6 years old or younger. See WINSTON • Page 2
Sleep disorder clinic opens in Elmore County By JOHN W. PEELER Managing Editor
Ivy Creek Health Care opened its Sleep Disorder Clinic Tuesday in a ribbon cutting ceremony at Elmore Community Hospital. The new clinic will be located inside the hospital in Wetumpka and will conduct sleep studies for patients that may have sleep disorders or other illnesses. There will also be a clinic at the Lake Martin Community Hospital in Dadeville, Alabama. Chief Executive Officer Mike Bruce opened the ceremony and talked about the sleep lab and the growth of the hospital. “We all know why we are here, but it’s really about
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more than that,” he said. “We are really starting a network of healthcare in Wetumpka and other surrounding areas. Some of the things we plan on doing in the future … if people haven’t heard, we’ve put a brand new surgery center in and some exciting new in the near future … we will really rival any place in the state.” David Moore, sleep disorder lab department coordinator, talked about the sleep lab, what it offered and spoke about different types of sleep disorders and issues. He said, anyone that wakes up frequently at night, has trouble falling asleep, snores, John Peeler / The Observer grasps for air or has jerky Mike Bruce, CEO of Elmore Community Hospital, Mayor Jerry Willis, Michael Ritzus, David movements should consult Moore, Wetumpka Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Vanessa Lynch and others join See SLEEP • Page 2 in Sleep Disorder Clinic ribbon cutting ceremony Tuesday at Elmore Community Hospital.
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