SPORTS: Wetumpka wins first Battle for the County tournament , B1 Deputy recovering after being shot in Claud standoff, B8
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2 locals struck during high-speed chase
Holtville High School basketball coach arrested
to be stolen, on Interstate 65 Ram struck a 2012 Hyundai Tucsouthbound at the 185 mile mark- son driven by Ashley L. Ofield, er in Autauga County. The driver 38, of Millbrook. By Williams was Ram the head basketWilson was released on a handed it off theFranklin said investigators OneCliff of two local drivers was ofWilson the Dodge attempted to investigation After theand second collision, Staff Writer with the Elmore County Sher- $6,000 bond 90 minutes afball at Holtville High ato the transported to a nearby hospital eludecoach Troopers and subsequently 2018appropriate Dodge Ramauthorities. eventually ran and was He off wasthe also placed on shoulder adminis- of iff’s Office have the alleged vic- ter turning himself in accordafter his vehicle was struck during School pursuit ensued. southbound A virtualchase teacher at Elmore placed at that time.” a high-speed Thursday, Duringontheadcourse of the pur- trative I-65leave and overturned at approxi-tim’s phone. Authorities collect- ing to the Elmore County Jail County School’s Edge program ministrative website. officials to ed according to an Alabama Law suit, the driver of the Dodge pick- Dennis matelysaid 2:38 school p.m., according theWilson’s phone as well. has been arrested charged leave “You could see a conversa13 identified as Isa-follow Dennis said Wilson also the same procedure Enforcement Agency and release. up, whoJan. has been release. a tion between the two,” Frank- coached other sports at Holtwith school employee distrib- according El-of Rowlett, Texas, when Law administrators At approximately 2:26 p.m., ias Garcia,to35, enforcementreceive said Garcia report allegations against uting obscene to a stu- more being troopers with thematerial ALEA Highway initiallyCounty struck a 2014 Dodge was of pronounced deceased at thelin said. “Mr. Wilson is going ville schoolsLIZIincluding ARBOGAST GWIN | THE HERALD school staff and employees. dent. to contend someone had the Schools superthe head track coach and assisPatrol Division initiated a traffic Ram pickup driven by David G. scene. A camper enjoys the new playground equipment that was put “Once we hand it over, we Elmore County Sheriff Bill security code to his phone and intendent Richtant football coach. in place with the help of a grant from RC&D. stop on a 2018 Dodge Ram 3500 Vaughn, 63, of Deatsville. After what is he was not responsible. There Franklin saidhas Emmanuel Andre ard Dennis said other staff would pickup, which been confirmed thatDennis. collision, the 2018 Dodge know very little about See CHASE, Page B3 WILSON going on,” Dennis said. “We is other information we can’t fill in for the duties of Wilson at Wilson II, 32, of Montgomery “We had a recooperate with authorities if disclose now but I don’t think Holtville while he is on adminturned himself into authorities port,” Dennis Tuesday afternoon. it’s beneficial to Mr. Wilson.” istrative leave. said. “We had a preliminary necessary.” STAFF REPORT TPI Staff
Chamber holds luncheon
New playground equipment unveiled at Crenshaw Park Police
continue investigation, man no longer suspected
By LIZI ARBOGAST GWIN Managing Editor
welcoming members
Crenshaw Park keeps getting better and better. Friday, a press conference was held to unveil new playground Membersequipment that was purof the chased in part through a grant from the AlaWetumpka RC&D Council, Chamberbama of which is funded by the Commerce attend the Alabama legislature.
By Cliff Williams Staff Writer The Wetumpka Chamber of Commerce held its annual luncheon to install new officers and board members for the first time in a while Thursday. The COVID-19 pandemic put a hamper on gatherings but the chamber celebrated the successes of business in Wetumpka. “We haven’t been able to do this for the last couple years,” chairperson Clay McConnell said. “Your attendance is an indication people want to get back together and have these opportunities to see each
chamber’s “A Taste of Our Home Town” luncheon.
CELEBRATE AMERICA
CLIFF WILLIAMS/
Because of that, even state Senator Will Barfoot came to celebrate the occasion. “This is a place where y’all can make memories,” Barfoot told a group of youth summer campers who were at the press conference. “When you become old like me, you’ll look back and remember being out See PARK, Page B3
By Jake Arthur Chief Videographer
THE HERALD
Police are still investigating the fatal shooting in the Wetumpka Walmart parking lot on Jan. 20. Police were dispatched to the parking lot 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. SUBMITTED | THE HERALD “This was not random, not a random Sean Kreauter, second fromBenton. left, is introduced as Holtville act,” said “We believe the vic-High School’s new principal during the Elmore County Board of Edtim and the perpetrator knew each other.” ucation meeting last week. This is the first homicide in Wetumpka in over three years. The last homicide in the city took place in 2018. “It’s not a good way to start out the new year,” said Benton. Benton didn’t want to speculate on the
See CHAMBER, Page A3
DALTON MIDDLETON | THE HERALD
The City of Wetumpka hosted its annual fireworks show at Gold Star Park on Saturday night. Despite rain prior to the event, the firework show went off without a hitch and parents and children alike were entertained.
Kreauter takes over at Holtville High
and I’ve never left.” See SHOOTING, Page A3 Kreauter has three children, each of whom Born and raised in attend a Holtville school, Holtville, Sean Kreauter and now he’ll be at had the perfect opportu- the head of the pack as nity fall into place when he was chosen by the the principal position at Elmore County Board shift in a positive direction. Holtville HighThe School of Education to take the school experienced a 62 percent came available. principal position. decrease in discipline referrals, “It means a lot since I Always wanting 50 percent decrease in chronic grew up in the communi- to serve, Kreauter absenteeism, 7 percent increase ty,” Kreauter said. “I’ve was actually in in the graduation rate, 33 percent lived here almost 40 law enforcement in increase in CCR rate and a 20 peryears; I went to Holtville Montgomery prior to cent increase in ACT proficiency schools from kindergarin the last five years. See HOLTVILLE, Page B3 ten through 12th grade, By LIZI ARBOGAST GWIN Managing Editor
Holtville’s Futral Alabama principal of the year Staff Report The Alabama Association of Secondary School Principals (AASSP) named Holtville High School principal Kyle Futral the 2022 Alabama High School Principal of the Year. The High School Principal of the Year award was presented to Futral on Friday, Jan. 28 during a
Today’s
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schoolwide assembly at Holtville High School. Elmore County Superintendent Richard Dennis was in attendance for the presentation. “Kyle Futral is an exceptional principal and is very proactive and innovative in his thinking and approaches to managing his school,” Dennis said, As principal of Holtville High School, Futral has transformed
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the school culture from that of a school struggling with low morale, achievement and attendance to a school that strives for excellence. By collaborating with staff, many of the school’s issues were identified and addressed. Futral’s leadership style of listening, encouraging, supporting, organizing and challenging the staff and students, caused the school culture to
See PRINCIPAL, Page A3
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