IVEY SEES PROGRESS IN WETUMPKA, CHURCHES REGROUP AND TALLASSEE NEWS INSIDE
The Tallassee Tribune DEDICATED TO THE GROWTH AND PROSPERITY OF THE GREATER TALLASSEE AREA
TALLASSEE, AL 36078
50¢
January 23, 2019
TALLASSEETRIBUNE.COM
VOL. 120, NO. 3
Cliff Williams / The Tribune
An EF2 tornado struck Wetumpka on Saturday afternoon damaging everything in its path. Although many structures were destroyed and others heavily damaged, there were no casualties.
Picking up the pieces Willis: It’s time ‘to dream about Wetumpka’
#We2Strong: The true meaning of community
Y
ou cannot get used to seeing that kind of destruction — trees through windows, roads shut down, horrified looks on everyone’s face. This is not what CCALEB ALEB you want to see in your TURRENTINE community. Sports Writer I saw the same things in Tuscaloosa in 2011 and in Tupelo in 2014. I assisted in relief efforts at both of those places but Saturday’s tornado destruction was different. This is my town, my people, my community. See #WE2STRONG • Page A6
Today’s
Weather
64 37 High
Low
By DONALD CAMPBELL Staff Writer
Cliff Williams / The Tribune
First responders and volunteers were on the scene Saturday following the tornado in Wetumpka. While there is still work to be done, Wetumpka Mayor Jerry Willis said progress is being made as the city works to pick up the pieces.
Following the loss of the senior center and heavy damage at police department headquarters, the Wetumpka City Council Tuesday approved replacing some of the equipment lost in Saturday’s tornado. After receiving quotes on what it would take to replace the three computers lost at the senior center and 18 computers at the police department, the council approved a cap of $25,000 to replace the computers and purchase See WILLIS • Page A6
Wetumpka has many helping hands following tornado By CARMEN RODGERS and DONALD CAMPBELL Staff Writers
THURS: HIGH 50 LOW 31
CONTACT US 334-567-7811 Fax: 334-567-3284 USPS 681-260
A path of destruction was left behind in Wetumpka after Saturday’s twister but it didn’t take long for images of the devastation to make their way to social media, where they were shared by thousands. The next day, area residents and beyond were moved to action. Elmore County Emergency Management, with the assistance of a volunteer group, set up a registration station at the Elmore County Department of Human Resources building. Donald Campbell / The Tribune Coordinators opened the doors at 8 a.m. Jeneé Jones with River Perk Coffee watches the coffee and hot chocolate stand the coffee shop set up for See HELPING • Page A7 volunteers and first responders helping clean up after Saturday’s tornado.
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