INSIDE TODAY
Wrestling with legacy. Blackwell earns Collar Best Match Award.
Enslen recalls his very own Clemson encounter with Crimson Tide
SPORTS Page 12
Opinion Page 4
THE WETUMPKA HERALD Elmore County’s Oldest Newspaper - Established 1898
Wetumpka, AL 36092
50¢
WEDNESDAY • January 6, 2016
THEWETUMPKAHERALD.COM
VOL. 118, NO.24
Progress continues on opening roads and Alabama state Route 63 still closed indefinitely. Elmore County engineer, Richie Beyer, Nearly a week following the rainfall and said initial assessments have shown a lot of flash floods that took its toll on Elmore damage throughout the county. County roads, five roads are still closed with four closed until further notice and Holley See ROADS • Page 2 Mill Road between Landers Swink Road By JOHN W. PEELER Managing Editor
John Peeler / The Herald
Council declares state of emergency
Wetumpka man among those killed on highways over holiday
Vote approved unanimously to seek state and federal funding for repairs By KEVIN TAYLOR Copy Editor
By KEVIN TAYLOR Copy Editor
A Wetumpka man was one of the 25 deaths reported across the state over the 15-day holiday period by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency. Daryl Brad Kendrick, 46, was pronounced dead at the scene where the 1998 Toyota pickup he was driving collided with a 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe at 4:34 p.m. Saturday on Alabama Highway 170 near Williams Road just north of Wetumpka. The driver of the Tahoe was injured and transported to a nearby hospital for treatment. Kendrick’s fatal accident was one of three reported within four hours of each other on Saturday in the Montgomery area. Margaret Caudle, 76, of Montgomery was killed when her 2005 Toyota Camry she was driving was struck by a 2005 Toyota Tundra at the intersection of U.S. Highway 231 north and Anderson Road. This accident occurred at 2:27 p.m. Saturday. See ACCIDENTS • Page 11
CONTACT US 334-567-7811 • Fax: 334-567-3284
USPS 681-260
The water level at Gold Star Park remains high a week after the Christmas downpour in downtown Wetumpka. Officials say they don’t have a firm estimate on damage caused by the rain because the Coosa River is still over its banks.
Carmen Rodgers/ The Herald
Garner Purdue, Souct Master of the Boy Scout Troop 50, explains the significance the quartz meteor holds to the city of Wetumpka during the POW/MIA recognition at the old courthouse in downtown Wetumpka as those in attendance listen and learn.
RINGING IN THE NEW YEAR
Wetumpka brings in 2016 with ‘Meteor Strike’ By CARMEN RODGERS Staff Writer
Wetumpka’s New Years Eve Celebration got off to a slow start Thursday as many stayed home to watch Alabama play Michigan State. However, as Alabama gained control of the game people began coming out in droves. By 10 p.m. the parking lot behind the civic center began to fill with people. Boy Scout Troop 50 of Wetumpka put on the entire event. This year’s New Years Eve celebration was an Eagle Scout project and it was a successful one. Troop 50 held the POW/MIA recognition in front of the Old Elmore County Courthouse. During the event Gardner Purdue, Scout Master of Boy Scout Troop 50, explained the importance of remembering those who did not return home after their deployment and service to their country. These men made the ultimate sacrifice to their nation, he said. Shawn Singleton with DJG Entertainment pleased the crowd with music of all genres. The DJ played something for everyone. Kids and adults alike danced the night away as Singleton dished out hit after hit. Excitement was in the air as the crowd
The Wetumpka City Council unanimously approved Monday to declare a state of emergency following the torrential rains over the Christmas holiday to seek state and federal funding for necessary repairs to areas affected within the city. By also declaring a state of emergency, it allows the city to avoid a lengthy bid process to make the necessary repairs to Company Street so that it may be reopened, according to Public Works Director Tex
Grier. The 4 ½ inches of rain Wetumpka received from Christmas Eve until Christmas Day caused dangerous erosion to the west side of Company Street across from Stoddard’s Bait Shop. Because of the deep erosion, the city erred to the side of caution to close that portion of the street. “That is just part of the damage along that street. We have a few other areas along Company which will need to be addressed,” Grier said. Wetumpka Mayor Jerry See COUNCIL Page 2
New legislative session begins February 2nd By KEVIN TAYLOR Copy Editor
Wetumpka Rep. Mike Holmes said the state is stuck in neutral, and it will remain that way until there is a higher priority in fiscal responsibility and a “real” revenue stimulus package proposed. Months after it took two special sessions
to arrive at a workable General Fund Budget, area legislators are less than a month away from beginning another legislative session. And the consensus among this area’s legislators is the budget will remain a hot-button issue through much of the session, which begins Feb. 2. See LEGISLATIVE • Page 2
watched Alabama take Michigan State down with a 38-0 win over the Spartans on two big screen TVs. As the night went on, people enjoyed Domino’s Pizza, hot chocolate, good music, football and campfires were positioned around the venue to offer warmth and a little extra ambiance. As the clocked moved ever closer to midnight, the countdown began. First at the stroke of midnight, a meteor shaped globe struck the banks of See 2016 • Page 2
C &S
DEER PROCESSING –Whaley Family–
Ground Cover • MONDO Green, Dwarf & Black • LIRIOPE Variegated, 3 varieties of green • CREEPING FIG • ASIATIC JASMINE
88199 Tallassee Hwy. (1 Mile from the old Johnny G’s) HILTON KNIGHT
723 Alabama Hwy. 170 Wetumpka, AL (334) 728-1840
•Vacuum-seal
Available •Basic Cut . . . Starting at $ $5 $55 55
( 334) 283-2876 ( 334