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Eclectic Observer Page 4
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THURSDAY • JUNE 30, 2016
TheWetumpkaHerald.com
Vol. 27, No. 26
Woman dies in Elmore county jail
By COREY ARWOOD Staff Writer
A woman died Wednesday morning in Elmore County Jail, and a sheriff’s office official said autopsy results are expected to determine the cause of her death, which was said to have occurred within a 15-minute time span. Diana Layne, 39, of Pell City, was placed in the jail Monday night, said Sheriff Bill Franklin. He said the tribal police of Wind Creek Casino apprehended Layne on possession of a controlled substance, which Franklin said were 22 opiate-based, morphine pills.
At 6:07 a.m. Wednesday, Franklin said morning supervisors were about to leave their shift and checked in with Layne. He said they asked if she was going to eat breakfast. At 6:22 a.m. he said they found her unresponsive, and called for help. He said there were nurses on duty who were familiar with Layne, however he said it was soon learned that she was deceased. At which time, he said they called on the forensic science department for an autopsy. Franklin said there was evidence of active drugs in her system, and that she had been administered a urinalysis due to the nature of her arrest.
Due to these factors, he said the nurses had been, to some extent, looking in on Layne. He said due to her condition she was being held in one of the air-conditioned holding cell portions of the jail. Franklin also mentioned another arrest which he said occurred near the casino on Tuesday. He said he was not sure if there was any relation between the two cases, but a man, Tyrone Woods, 36, of Selma, was arrested on drug trafficking charges in possession of over 100 of the same style of pills, which Layne possessed. Franklin said the Central Alabama Drug Task Force made the arrest.
Commission considers leasing Board of Education building
Law causes confusion in school board on raises By COREY ARWOOD Staff Writer
By WILLIAM CARROLL Managing Editor
Based on a recent Alabama bill pertaining to pay raises for education employees, the Elmore County School Board voted to raise the wages of employees across the board, giving a 4 percent raise to those making more than $75,000 by 4 percent, however holding the superintendent to a 2 percent raise. Monday’s school board meeting ran over two hours and was host to a number of issues of debate between board members, however, of those issues, the pay raise topic garnered some of the most contentious discussions. The debate arose around whether to grant the optional 4 percent increase to public
With that honor, Norris also receives a $1,600 scholarship award. The first runner up was Madison Hill of Holtville High School who won a $750 scholarship. Second runner up Sarah Ray of Wetumpka High School won $650.00. Other winners included:
County commissioners heard a proposal from Adullam House for the rental of the old Board of Education building located at the corner of E. Bridge and Hill streets. Adullam House Director Angie Spackman told the commissioners that her group has been looking for the last few months around downtown Wetumpka for office space for Adullam House, which is a home for children of incarcerated parents that has been in operation in Elmore County for over 20 years. “We have looked at several facilities,” Spackman said noting that this was a time for expansion at Adullam House as they have recently been asked to take care of children in orphanages in Eastern Europe. “We need to have a much more professional face to the operation.” Spackman noted that people in the community are very familiar with the thrift store in the WinnDixie shopping center on Highway 231, but that the organization also has its main office space and a facility for mothers called Mary’s Place.
See AWARD • Page 2
See COMMISSION • Page 3
See SCHOOLS • Page 3
Submitted / The Observer
Lauren Norris (center) a rising senior at Prattville Christian Academy was named 2017 Distinguished Young Woman of Elmore County. Sarah Ray (left) of Wetumpka High School was named second runner up and Madison Hill (right) was named first runner up during the competition.
Norris wins Distinguished Young Woman award By COREY ARWOOD Staff Writer
Incoming Prattville Christian Academy Senior Lauren Norris won the honor of being named 2017 Distinguished Young Woman of Elmore County at the competition held Saturday evening at Elmore County High School.
Power company suspends recreational flow to Coosa By COREY ARWOOD Staff Writer
Alabama Power issued a “lake conditions alert” in a recent press release, which stated that heat and dry conditions have affected water levels and as a result the company will soon cease recreational releases to the Coosa River from the Jordan Dam. According to the statement, the water flows will be suspended starting on the weekend of July 4. The owners of two local businesses that rely on the river have made varying statements in response to the release, however neither seem too concerned by the announcement. Lonnie Carden of Coosa Outdoor Center said it was too early to tell just what the result would be from the power See RIVER • Page 2
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Library ribbon cutting ceremony set for July 5 By COREY ARWOOD Staff Writer
File / The Observer
A competitor paddles through the rapids during last year’s Coosa River Whitewater Festival at Moccasin Gap.
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A ribbon cutting ceremony for the new addition to the Eclectic Public Library is scheduled for July 5. Mayor Gary Davenport said it was being held in part to recognize the businesses and individuals who helped complete the building. Several dignitaries, members of the Elmore County Commission, and County Board of Education, along with past legislative representatives were expected to be present at the ceremony, said Davenport. The event is set for 2:30 p.m. at the location of the new annex. He said the process of renovating what had been a municipal shop had taken over a year to complete. The ceremony was in part dedicated to those, he said, who had donated funding, materials and labor to the construction process. Betty Coker, the director of the library said, “It’s going to be a great addition to our library.”
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