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Tallassee, AL 36078

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JUNE 21, 2023

TallasseeTribune.com

VOL. 125, NO. 26

Two Tallassee men found guilty of murder who are now 23, were identified as suspects in the death of Mercado, It has taken nearly four 34, of Florida. Holloyears for the family of way and Hughley were Julio Mercado to get jus- found guilty of murder tice for his death on July and first-degree assault 5, 2019. Friday following a weekTallassee residents long trial in the Fifth Ladrequez Holloway and Judicial Circuit Court. Zan’guintavius Hughley, Former Tallassee By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

police chief Matthew Higgins told The Tribune in 2019 what Tallassee police officers found when they responded to a call on North Johnson Street. “Upon arrival, it was determined that a verbal altercation broke out at a family gathering

that escalated into an exchange of gunfire,” Higgins said. According to court documents, gunshots struck Mercado in the abdomen and another victim in the thigh. Higgins said both victims were transported to Baptist South where Mercado

died. Hughley was arrested the night of the incident and Holloway was arrested a few days later after fleeing Tallassee with the help of the U.S. Marshals Service. Hughley and Holloway will be sentenced by Fifth Judicial Circuit

Court Judge Kevin Hall later this month. According to Alabama law, murder is a Class A felony and carries a prison sentence of 10 years to life. First-degree assault is a Class B felony and carries a prison sentence of two to 20 years.

More dilapidated structures to come down in Tallassee properties on the original list,” Tallassee Mayor Sarah Hill said. “Some of Gilmer Avenue will soon the structures have been have more space. removed from the list.” Tallassee code enforceThe city has taken ment officer Eric Jones down structures in the past gave the Tallassee City under the program. It has Council an update at $186,000 left to work with. Tuesday’s meeting about City officials originally a dilapidated structure planned for Phase 2 of the demolition program. The demolition project to be program is funded through the demolition of the Hotel an ADECA Community Talisi. But getting all the Development Block Grant necessary paperwork com(CDBG). pleted through all of the “There have been some changes in ownership of See STRUCTURES, Page A5 By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

GOOD OL’ TIMES Class of 1953 celebrates 70th reunion

gone on to do amazing things. Some fought in the Korean Conflict. Others lot has happened in stayed home and worked the last 70 years. and others went to school There was the first to teach others. moon landing in 1969. “You name it here Phones went from havin Tallassee and I have ing cords to wireless to worked there,” Class of being completely mobile. 1953 graduate Dot Chavis Slide rules are now artiBallard said. “It doesn’t facts. Polio was defeated. matter what, I have done DNA was cracked. Digital it.” watches were invented. Ballard and other Class Space stations have been of 1953 graduates gathered put in orbit. And the Tallast week to celebrate. lassee High School Class “We have lost 71,” of 1953 graduated. Ballard said. “We have Those 96 graduates have about three or four that By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

CLIFF WILLIASM | THE TRIBUNE

are unaccounted for. They are mostly girls and I think they got married and moved on after high school.” The class included Dr. Byron Nelson Jr. who was inducted into the Tallassee High School Alumni Association Hall of Pride in 2018. After Tallassee, Nelson went to the U.S. Naval Academy and transferred to Auburn University after a football injury. Nelson served in the Army after graduating from Auburn See TIMES, Page A3

Members of the Tallassee High School Class of 1953 met at Cozumel recently for the 70th class reunion. Dot Ballard said 18 classmates are still alive.

Dedication key to FFA success expect success. “These kids are dedicated,” Free said. “FloriculStudents in the Tallassee ture started practicing last FFA program are used to summer. Nursery landscape having their names called never stopped. They comat district and state compe- peted at district last April, titions. won state, practiced through This year is no different nationals in October and as three teams placed first at acquired a couple new state — floriculture, aquateammates for this year. culture and quartet — and They only took about a another placed second — month off to get ready for nursery landscape — at the district this year.” recent Alabama State FFA Floriculture is continuconvention. Tallassee FFA ing to practice this summer advisor Dr. Daniel Free said the students work hard and See FFA, Page A5 By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

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