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ECLECTIC, PAGE B8

Lake Martin Mini Mall to start market

SPORTS, PAGE B1 TALLASSEE TO BUILD ON LAST YEAR’S SUCCESS

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TIGERS COMPETE IN CAPITAL CITY CLASSIC, PAGE B7

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January 31, 2024

TallasseeTribune.com

VOL. 126, NO. 5

Jordanville Park officially opens

“It’s wonderful for our children to have the opportunity to walk and to be able to enjoy themselves in a safe, Officials from around Elmore clean environment,” Tallassee Mayor County and beyond held a Sarah Hill said. “We have protective ribbon cutting at Jordanville Park fencing. We have all the updated Wednesday, Tallassee’s new green equipment. It means that they can space. gather together and meet each other, The park has been in the works and learn about each other.” for just over a year. The playground According to Hill, a space to equipment, tables and chairs have gather and create strong community been in place for weeks, and children bonds is a driving force behind this and adults alike have already begun project. to frequent the park. “When I grew up, that’s what By CARMEN RODGERS For The Tribune

we had available, so to have that as an opportunity for all of our Jordanville residents and for the City of Tallassee, it’s great,” she said. The new park is on the corner of C.C. Blalock and Cherry streets, and God’s Congregational Holiness Church donated to the lot, where only a few years ago an abandoned house sat. It was Bishop Adolphus Gauntt who first envisioned a park for the community where he serves See PARK, Page A5

CARMEN RODGERS | FOR TPI

Community members, and representatives for Mid-South RC&D Council, along with city, county, and state representatives held a ribbon cutting at Jordanville Park. Pictured, from left, are Nina Gauntt, Pastor Adolphus Gauntt, Eric Phillips, State Sen.Will Barfoot, Elmore County Commissioners Mack Daugherty and Desirae Lewis Jackson,Tallassee Mayor Sarah Hill and City councilmembers Damian Carr and Linda Mosher.

A story of survival Richards opens up about post-shooting journey Watch as Melody receives her Class of 2026 cap and gown online now.

REBEL FAMILY

By LIZI ARBOGAST GWIN Managing Editor The last thing Trinity Richards remembers is a lightswitch. She remembers hearing

an announcement about guns. She remembers telling her friends she wanted to leave after that song. She remembers retrieving See SURVIVAL, Page A6

Jackson receives senior year memorabilia

ABIGAIL MURPHY | TPI

Reeltown sophomore Melody Jackson has been facing terminal cancer since Aug. 2023 and upon receiving the diagnosis, she was told she would only have a few months left to live.The Reeltown community has come together to support her and her family. Last Tuesday, Jackson was presented with her letterman jacket, class ring and cap and gown. She then took her Class of 2026 photos surrounded by family and friends.

SUBMITTED | TPI

Trinity Richards says the hardest part following the shooting has been reintegrating back into normal teenage life.

First responders honored for heroism By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor Brody Goodman is barely a firefighter. He’s 18 and doesn’t yet have any certifications. Before Dec. 31, he had been on the scene of only two working fires in two months with the Tallassee Fire Department.

The rookie firefighter is remembered as a hero alongside three other firefighters with nearly seven decades of experience between them and two Tallassee police officers after their recent efforts attempting to save a fire victim. See HEROISM, Page A6

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THURS: HIGH 59 LOW 35

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