FLOWERS, A4: INAUGURATIONS GIVE STATE A FRESH START Bridal Extravaganza returning to Wetumpka on Jan. 20
Top 10 sports stories from 2018 inside today
NEWS, A3
SPORTS, B1
THE WETUMPKA HERALD Elmore County’s Oldest Newspaper - Established 1898
Wetumpka, AL 36092
50¢
WEDNESDAY • JANUARY 2, 2019
THEWETUMPKAHERALD.COM
VOL. 121, NO. 1
Jobless rate low
Famed illusionists coming to Wetumpka
County among state’s lowest unemployment rates at 3 percent
By AMALIA KORTRIGHT Bureau Chief
T
By AMALIA KORTRIGHT Bureau Chief
he Wetumpka High Theatre Guild is inviting the community to a night of magic and comedy featuring two nationally recognized illusionists on Jan. 11. David Ferman and Jenny Hymeri, who received the spotlight on Season Eight of “America’s Got Talent,” are slated to perform from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the Wetumpka High School auditorium. Theatre guild director Jeff Glass said Ferman and Hymeri typically reach out to local schools and organizations as a way to give back while traveling. “I think we lucked out. They were going from one spot to another on tour and this looked like a good stopping point to them,” Glass said. “Between doing trade and international shows, they’ll do fundraisers for certain groups.” When they first contacted him, Glass said he was in disbelief. “They called the school and got the library for some reason. (The librarian) thought it sounded more like a theatre thing, so she forwarded the call to me,” Glass said. “When I first got the call, I didn’t know if I was being catfished or not. I was shocked that someone of that caliber would reach out to us.” If students reach their goal for ticket sales, Glass said 50 percent of the proceeds will benefit the theatre See ILLUSIONISTS • Page A2
Over the course of 2018, Elmore County has consistently been listed among counties with the lowest unemployment rates in the state. According to the Alabama Department of Labor, Elmore County tied with Morgan and Limestone counties in November for the thirdlowest unemployment rates, each at 3 percent. Elmore County Commission Chairman Troy Stubbs said he was delighted to see the county’s unemployment steadily declining and attributed the county’s low unemployment to a strong business community and a well-prepared workforce. “We have large industries in the county but we also have a strong support for local businesses from the community,” Stubbs said. “We also have a qualified workforce from our local schools.” The county also came in third for the lowest unemployment rate in October, September, May, April, February and January, often tying with several counties in north Alabama. Elmore County also came in second in June, fourth in March and fifth in May. According to ADL statistics, 1,124 Elmore County residents were counted as unemployed in November, yielding the 3 percent unemployment rate.
Submitted / The Herald
Illusionists David Ferman and Jenny Hymeri, who performed on ‘America’s Got Talent,’ are set to pay a visit to the stage of the Wetumpka High School auditorium.
See UNEMPLOYMENT • Page A2
Wetumpka teen charged with rape
Reroofing project starting at Stanhope Elmore High School
By AMALIA KORTRIGHT Bureau Chief
By AMALIA KORTRIGHT Bureau Chief
A Wetumpka teenager was recently taken into custody after he was accused of rape. Court documents indicate Sean Patrick Douglass, 18, who lists an address on Trotters Trail, was arrested by the Wetumpka Police Department and Douglass charged with firstdegree rape on Dec. 18. See DOUGLASS • Page A2
The Elmore County Board of Education unanimously approved awarding a bid to reroof parts of Stanhope Elmore High School during a special-called meeting on Dec. 20. A bid was awarded to MidState Construction LLC of Lawley for $169,400 to reroof the administration and media center areas of SEHS. Superintendent Richard Dennis said the school board’s goal is begin the project as soon as
Today’s
Weather
56 44 High
Low
File / The Herald
The Elmore County school board recently awarded a bid on a project that involves reroofing the Stanhope Elmore High School media center and administrative areas.
CONTACT US 334-567-7811 Fax: 334-567-3284
a k p m Wetu
Flea Market & Antiques 5266 U.S. Hwy. 231 • Wetumpka, AL (Winn Dixie Shopping Center • Behind KFC)
OVER 100 BOOTHS
THURSDAY: HIGH 55 LOW 35
USPS 681-260
Booth space available starting at $118 per month for 6’ x 10’
334-567-2666
Where Superior Service is Standard
Gassett
Funerals On Site Cremations Pre-Needs • Monuments
Funeral Home & Crematory, LLC
Celebrating 40 Years of Service!
possible and coordinate it with other construction projects on the SEHS campus. “We want to tie it in to existing construction, so that it’s finished along with everything else,” Dennis said. According to Dennis, the roof over those areas is more than 20 years old and needs to be replaced. “The roof is 23 years old,” Dennis said. “We’re in the process of doing that construction and the people working out there asked, ‘Are y’all going to See REROOFING • Page A2
Joe Al All Allen len Gasse len G Gassett, assett tt, tt Founder 1942-2009
(334) 567-8433 www.gassettfuneralhome.net • 204 East Charles Avenue, Wetumpka, AL 36092