June 15, 2016 Wetumpka Herald by Tallapoosa Publishers

INSIDE TODAY

Community Events

Inside, Page A2

Area trio makes All-State Team.

‘It’s never too late to forgive.’

Sports, Page A12

Opinion, Page A4

THE WETUMPKA HERALD Elmore County’s Oldest Newspaper - Established 1898

Wetumpka, AL 36092

50¢

WEDNESDAY • JUNE 15, 2016

THEWETUMPKAHERALD.COM

VOL. 118, NO.21

Teens plead guilty to murder

By COREY ARWOOD Staff Writer

In what the Elmore County DA’s office called a last minute deal, two teens pleaded guilty to murder in the Wetumpka area shooting that occurred last year during what appeared to be a drug deal and robbery. Assistant District Attorney C.J. Robinson said Donald Zeigler, 19, and Martavious Jennings, 19, entered their guilty plea sometime shortly before their

scheduled Monday morning trial. “Both defendants decided they did not want to roll the bones in the trial,” said Robinson. Zeigler was sentenced to 30 years for shooting and killing John Oiler, who was also a juvenile at the time, Robinson said. It was said to have taken place during the course of a robbery in which Zeigler, and Martavious, took what Robinson said was about $20 from the victims, as well as narcotics.

Another unnamed juvenile was said to be present. Robinson said the account was that the juvenile called the police after Zeigler shot Oiler, the bullet passing through his back and out Jennings his chest. Robinson said the juvenile took the cell phone off of Oiler and called the

police after the incident. After police searched the phone, Robinson said it was apparent they were setting up a drug transaction where the shooting and robbery occurred. The shooting was said Ziegler to have taken place in the Lucky Town community just outside See GUILTY • Page 3

Commission tables renewal of jail health care contract

JAKES event draws kids of all ages

By WILLIAM CARROLL Managing Editor

The annual JAKES event hosted by the Elmore County Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation drew kids of all ages including a number of kids at heart to Fort Toulouse State Park Saturday. According to event organizer and Chapter President Gene Calhoun, the event drew some 130 youngsters, which while down from previous years was a good turnout. “We normally have between 175 and 225,” he said. “Overall I am pleased, we had a pretty good event.” More than a dozen different stations See JAKES • Page 5

The Elmore County Commission voted to table a measure which would have renewed the Elmore County Jail’s inmate health care contract with Quality Correctional Health Care until its next meeting on June 27. Elmore County Sheriff Bill Franklin said that the county originally signed an agreement with Quality in 2012, which was set as a three-year contract. The contract has now entered a yearly renewal phase and last year’s extension was done as a flat, or no additional charge, renewal.

William Carroll / The Herald

Scenes from the Elmore County Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation’s Annual JAKES event held Saturday at Fort Toulouse State Park.

See COMMISSION • Page 3

Area auctioneers win top prize at AAA event By WILLIAM CARROLL Managing Editor

Two auctioneers affiliated with Wetumpka business High as the Sky Auction Company took home titles from the recent Alabama Auctioneers Association Annual Convention. Business owner Scott Williams took home the top prize, winning AAA’s Grand Champion Auctioneer Prize, while Chad Williams (no relation) and a protégé of Scott Williams took home the Rookie of the Year honor. Scott Williams said the award, which consists of competing against the best auctioneers in the state, was a huge shock. “The best of the best compete in this competition,” Williams said. “All of the guys have 15 to See AUCTIONEERS • Page 3

Submitted / The Herald

Auctioneers Chad Williams (left) and Scott Williams (right) took home the titles of Alabama Auctioneers Association Rookie of the Year and Grand Champion Auctioneer respectively during the AAA’s recent annual convention.

Weather High

USPS 681-260

By COREY ARWOOD Staff Writer

Today’s

89 62 Low

THURS: HIGH 92 LOW 66

Bait shop owners to fight city in condemnation court The owners of a local bait shop that was affected by a nearly three-month downtown street closure have rejected the city’s offer to acquire their property and have said they are now preparing for the legal proceedings of condemnation court. City council members voted in the last meeting to make the offer of $73,500 to the owners of Stoddard’s Bait and Tackle. However, owner Chris Carter said he and his wife and business partner, Therese Carter, have done their “judicial See BAIT SHOP • Page 5

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