SPORTS: Area wrestlers win big at state championships Deputy recovering after being shot in Claud standoff, B8
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Redland student expelled for bringing .44 Magnum handgun to campus
Holtville High School basketball coach arrested
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor By Cliff Williams Staff Writer disaster was avertA potential ed Thursday morning after RedlandAMiddle staffatseized virtualSchool teacher Elmore a County handgunSchool’s brought to school. Edge program Elmore Sheriff has beenCounty arrested and Bill charged Franklin said a employee seventh grader with school distribbrought the handgun to school. uting obscene material to a student. Elmore County Sheriff Bill Franklin said Emmanuel Andre Wilson II, 32, of Montgomery turned himself into authorities Tuesday afternoon.
“It is my understanding the principal received some inforWilson the head basketmation andwas I believe he did the ball coach Holtville High proper thing,”atElmore County SchoolBill andFranklin was said. “He Sheriff sought andadlocated the weapplacedouton on.” ministrative The weapon found on the leave Jan. 13 13-year-old was according to El-a .44 Magnum handgun. more County Schools superintendent Richard Dennis. WILSON “We had a report,” Dennis said. “We had a preliminary
CAEC award Bright Ideas Grants
“There were six rounds and not actually in the weapon,” investigation handed it off Franklin said. and “They were set to thefrom appropriate authorities. apart the weapon in a bookHe was also placed on adminisbag.” Franklin law time.” enforcement trative leavesaid at that began to respond to make sure Dennis said school officials students and staff were safe but follow the same procedure the actions taken before law a when administrators receive enforcement arrived prevented report of allegations againsta school staff and employees. “Once we hand it over, we know very little about what is going on,” Dennis said. “We cooperate with authorities if necessary.”
heavy response. an appearance in juvenile court “It was not anything similar Thursday. Franklin investigators Wilson wasa short released on a to an activesaid shooter situation,” “He had hearing with the Elmore County bondto90justminutes Franklin said. “What was Shergood $6,000 [Thursday] to let theafjudge iff’s Office have the vic- terknow turning in accordin this situation wasalleged the principal whathimself was going on,” Frankwas phone. able toAuthorities put potentialcollectfire out inglintosaid. deputies transporttim’s the “Our Elmore County Jail seizing the weapon. Every- website. ed him to the juvenile detention edbyWilson’s phone as well. thing was done byathe time our center.” said Wilson also “You could see conversaDennis deputies arrived.” tion between the two,” Frank- coached other sports at HoltSTUDENT, Page A6 Franklin the student made ville schoolsSee lin said. “Mr.said Wilson is going including being to contend someone had the the head track coach and assissecurity code to his phone and tant football coach. he was not responsible. There Dennis said other staff would is other information we can’t fill in for the duties of Wilson at disclose now but I don’t think Holtville while he is on adminit’s beneficial to Mr. Wilson.” istrative leave.
Police Chamber holds luncheon continue investigation, man no longer LET THE GOOD TIMESsuspected ROLL
Staff Report TPI Staff
Launching into Newton’s Second Law, learning the trigonometric functions of the heart, understanding how to shop for and prepare nutritious meals and learning the ins and outs of electric vehicles are just some of the many opportunities offered to area students through projects funded by Central Alabama Electric Cooperative’s (CAEC) Bright Ideas Grant By Cliff Williams Members ProgramStaff in 2023. Writer of the The Bright Ideas Grant Program was Wetumpka introduced more than 20 years ago with a The Wetumpka Chamber of Commerce held its Chamber of goal of supporting innovative, interesting Commerce annual luncheon to install new officers and board and effective initiatives that school fundattend the members for the first time in a while Thursday. ing does not usually cover. Grants help chamber’s “A The COVID-19 pandemic put a hamper on gathenhance teachers’ efforts and are awarded Taste of Our erings but the chamber celebrated the successes of MARILYN HAWKINS | THE HERALD to individuals or teams in public, private Home Town” business in Wetumpka. Mardi Gras was celebrated with a bang in Wetumpka on Saturday as the Order of Cimmaron hosted its annual parade. and home schools within CAEC’s service By Jake Arthur luncheon. “We haven’t been able to do this for the last cou- The crowds lined downtown as floats made their way through the parade route. area. Chief Videographer CLIFF WILLIAMS/ ple years,” chairperson said. “Your Applications were reviewed Clay by a McConnell panel THE HERALD attendance is an indication people want to get back of judges from local community assoPolice are still investigating the fatal and have opportunities to see each ciations.together They awarded overthese $25,000 in shooting in the Wetumpka Walmart parkgrants to 30 projects across 24 different ing lot on Jan. 20. See CHAMBER, Page A3 Police were dispatched to the parking lot See GRANTS, Page A6 around 10:45 p.m. for a “shots fired” call. Once there, they found Centell Winston, 42 of Tallassee, dead of a gunshot wound in the driver seat of his vehicle. According to Wetumpka police chief Greg Benton, this was not a random shooting. “This was not random, not a random act,” said Benton. “We believe the victim and the perpetrator knew each other.” This is the first homicide in Wetumpka By CLIFF WILLIAMS in over three years. The last homicide in News Editor the city took place in 2018. “It’s not a good way to start out the new Most officers with the Tallassee Police year,” said Benton. Department will soon be SWAT certified Benton didn’t want to speculate on the thanks to a $150,000 grant. The Alabama Department of Economic See SHOOTING, Page A3 and Community Affairs (ADECA) is administering the grant from funds made available by the U.S. Department of Justice. The training, equipment and vehicle afforded by the grant will allow the Tallassee Police Department to more effectively respond to situations By CLIFF WILLIAMS where it might have had to wait for help in News Editor Staff schoolwide assembly at Holtville the school culture from that of a shift in a positive direction. The the past.Report “Our response times should be cut wayHigh School. Elmore Su- school strugglingBridge with low mo- school experienced a 62 percent WorkCounty to rehabilitate the Fitzpatrick in Tallassee down,” Police Chief Toddof Buceperintendent Richard The Tallassee Alabama Association Dennis was rale, achievement and attendance decrease in discipline referrals, will limit traffic to one lane across the Tallapoosa River for said. “Having the vehicle,Principals it will mainly be Secondary School in attendance for the presentation. to a school that strives for excel50 percent decrease in chronic most of the next 16 months. staged with entry toolsHoltville and otherHigh special “Kyle Futral isThere (AASSP) named an exceptionlence. per By collaborating with staff, will be four hours weekday when both lanes absenteeism, 7 percent increase equipment. All the officers once they School principal Kyle Futral theget al principal and is bridge very proacmany the school’s issues were in the graduation rate, 33 percent of the will always beof open. CLIFF WILLIAMS | THE HERALD certified will be able to respond immediately. 2022 Alabama High School Prin- tive and innovative in his think-willidentified and addressed. “Lane closures not be permitted MondayFutral’s through increase in CCR rate and a 20 perFog covered the Tallapoosa River and the Fitzpatrick Bridge recently.The There any waiting around for people cipalwon’t of thebeYear. ing and approaches to managing leadership style of listening, encent increase in ACT proficiency Friday 6 - 8 a.m. or 3:30 - 5:30 p.m,” Alabama Departbridge willyears. be closed to one lane for most of the next months as the Alon call comeSchool in on anPrincipal off day.” of his school,” Dennis TheorHigh said, organizing last five ment of Transportationcouraging, (ALDOT)supporting, spokesperson Brantley in theabama Department of Transportation improves the driving surface and the Year award was presented to As principal of Holtville High and challenging the staff and stuother maintenance of the bridge. See BRIDGE, Page A3 performs A5 See PRINCIPAL, Page A3to extend the lifeFUTURAL Futral on Friday, Jan.See 28POLICE, during aPage School, Futral has transformed dents, caused the school culture to
welcoming members
16 Tallassee police officers to be SWAT certified
Fitzpatrick Bridge rehab to take 16 months
Holtville’s Futral Alabama principal of the year
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