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Marbury slithers past Holtville in area opener. Sports, Page 12. Wetumpka, AL 36092

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SATURDAY-SUNDAY • MARCH 12-13, 2016

THEWETUMPKAHERALD.COM

VOL. 11, NO. 11

Updates on sports complex, MLK Center discussed at council meeting By COREY ARWOOD Staff Writer

Corey Arwood / The Herald

Coach Ron Dickerson and Tex Grier, public works director, illustrate what progress is being made on Wetumpka Sports Complex and the Martin Luther King Jr., Multicultural Center.

The Wetumpka City Council took a look at the city budget and got updates on the development of the Wetumpka Sports Complex and Martin Luther King Jr. Multicultural Center at a meeting earlier this week. Before the meeting Mayor Jerry Willis introduced a special guest Wetumpka resident, Bear Woods, who plays professional football in the Canadian Football League for the Montreal Alouettes. Bear Woods delivered the invocation to begin the meeting.

Pamela Morton, Mothers Against Drunk Driving’s state victims service coordinator, was among the speakers at Wetumpka High School for the “Under Age, Under Arrest” event, a program of the Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board designed to deter underage and binge drinking by students. Corey Arwood / The Herald

UNDER AGE, UNDER ARREST

Wetumpka High School students get life lesson from ABC Board By COREY ARWOOD Staff Writer

Just in time for spring break, Wetumpka High School students heard tragic and true stories about the real-life repercussions of underage drinking at a “Under Age, Under Arrest” presentation from the Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board. Members of the nonprofit advocacy group, Mothers Against Drunk Driving were there, along with an Elmore County district representative and a member of the anti-al-

cohol, “interdenominational ministry” group, Alabama Citizens Action Program. They spoke to the students who were crowded on the WHS gymnasium bleachers Friday morning. The story of Tisha Pate, whose 19-year-old daughter was a victim in a drunk driving crash, captured the attention of the students. Pate detailed her traumatic experience driving with her children and grandchildren when a drunk driver, whom

Afterwards Willis spoke about the city budget, which was supposed to be approved or disapproved at that meeting. However he said that it was going to be carried over for another two weeks. He spoke about the City of Wetumpka Budget 20152016 and asked if anyone wished to review or ask questions regarding the budget. No one responded and Willis said if anyone wished to review the budget it would be available for the next two weeks at the city finance office. “It will be voted on at the next city council meeting,” See COUNCIL • Page 5

Area sees overnight jump in gas prices Price jump corresponds with a hike in the nationwide average price By MITCH SNEED Editor

If you had to do a double take when you saw the prices at the pump as you stopped to fuel up, there is no need to have your eyes checked. Gas prices jumped almost 10 cents per gallon overnight to an average of $1.69. That price is about 21 cents a gallon higher than motorists were paying just two weeks ago. “I couldn’t believe they jumped that much overnight,” Miguel Bolia said Thursday morning as he filled up his tankn at Pace Car in Wetumpka. “I never have been able to figure out why they fluctuate like they do.” According to GasBuddy’s daily survey of 3,348 See GAS • Page 5

Residents experienced a .10 cent per gallon price increase for gas at area station this week.

See ABC • Page 3

Wetumpka celebrates Arbor Day and remembers noted residents By COREY ARWOOD Staff Writer

USPS 681-260

The City celebrated its annual Arbor Day event with a tree planting ceremony at Gold Star Park to commemorate four citizens who Mayor Jerry Willis called true “movers and shakers” of Wetumpka. The residents that were remembered passed away last year and were honored at the event through the planting of four trees, each tended to by friends and family members. Anne Robinson, Dianne Enslen, Marion Sanford and Watt Jones, Jr., were all honored on the breezy and fair-weathered Tuesday afternoon. “This list is four people that were truly movers and shakers in this community,” Willis said. It was the city’s 29th year as a member of the Arbor Day Foundation’s Tree City USA program, and is a project of the Wetumpka Pride and Tree City Committees. Chairman of the Wetumpka Tree City Committeee, Ron Hilyer, spoke at the event and said that the past community members they See ARBOR • Page 3

Corey Arwood / The Herald

Mayor Jerry Willis called the four residents being commemorated at the annual Arbor Day event, true “movers and shakers” of the community and four trees were planted in their honor during a ceremony at Gold Star Park on Tuesday, March 8.

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Page 2 • MARCH 12-13, 2016

TheWetumpkaHerald.com

ELMORE COUNTY WEEKEND

Area Calendar March 12

HERITAGE DAY: The Poarch Band of Creek Indians rich heritage will come to life on the grounds of the Museum Saturday, March 12, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. During this FREE event, Tribal Members will share aspects of their enriching history and legacy in fun and interactive ways for the entire family. The event will take place rain or shine.

March 14

COUNCIL MEETING: The city of Tallassee is having a council meeting at city hall at 6 p.m. Elmore County BOE Meeting When: March 14, 4:30 p.m. Where: Eclectic Elementary School ORIENTATION: Wetumpka Elementary School’s Kindergarten Orientation is on Monday, March 14. Registration begins at 3:30 p.m. and an Information Program is at 5:30 p.m. JOBS FOR LIFE: Jobs for Life (JfL) Tallassee will begin our spring classes on Monday, March 14. JfL are now accepting applications for the eight weeks, two nights a week course. There are no age limitations for students. Applicants must be able and willing to work. Applicants may be unemployed or underemployed. Classes are limited to ten students. Applicants will be selected though an interview process. The classes are held in the ACTS Building on Main Street in Tallassee. Should you or someone you know

be interested, please call Carl Stewart (334 4158398) for further information. Email:warsameagle@ ymail.com

March 15

CANCER SUPPORT: Tallassee’s Cancer Support Group Meeting will be at 6 p.m. in the Community Hospital classroom.

March 17

NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH: Tallassee Neighborhood Watch Group Meeting at City Hall beginning at 6 p.m.

March 18

TURF MEETING: The Alabama Cooperative Extension System will be conduction an athletic turf management meeting a the Elmore County Extension Service March 18 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Cost is $10 and you must pre-register at 334-567-6301. This meeting is for coaches or anyone from a school who manages athletic turf and for City Parks and Recreation employees that manage city fields. Topics to be discussed are mowing, aeration, topdressing, irrigation and drainage, overseeding and transition, and maintaining pitcher’s mounds. Dr. Dave han and Dr. Chip East will be conducting this meeting.

Featured singers will be the Dye Family from Alexander City and Forgiven Heart from Wetumpka! Pastor Gerald Wood will emcee! All proceeds go to the Jessica’s Cancer Busters Relay for Life team! please make checks payable to the American Cancer Society! For more information call Bubba Wood at (334) 300 - 2134! OPENING DAY: Boys Dixie Youth baseball Jamboree will be March 19 and opening ceremonies will be March 26.

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March 26

EGG HUNT: The city of Tallassee is having its Easter egg hunt at City Hall March 26 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

March 27

EASTER SERVICE: Church at the Brook will host an Easter service March 27 at 10:30 a.m.

March 20

SPAGHETTI LUNCHEON: First United Methodist Church of Wetumpka, will have their annual Relay for Life Spaghetti Luncheon following the 10:30 worship service on March 20th, 2016 located in the Family Life Center. During lunch, coloring contest and face painting will be available. After the luncheon, children birth - 6th grade, will have an Easter Egg Hunt. Come out and join them on this special day, celebrating Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem. Don’t forget to bring your Easter baskets and a friend! PALM SUNDAY: Church at the Brook is hosting Palm Sunday services from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at 2890 Highway 14 in Millbrook.

March 19

RELAY FOR LIFE SINGING: The 11th Annual Relay for Life Singing for the American Cancer Society! Saturday March 19, 2016 at 6:00pm at Faith Baptist Church, Wetumpka! Corner of Chapel Rd. and Coosa River Pkwy!

March 24

BASEBALL: Babe Ruth registration will be held March 24th and April 7th from 6-8 p.m. at the Football Field House. Tryouts will be April 9th at 9 a.m. Cost - $125

March 28

COUNCIL MEETING: The Tallassee City Council will meet March 28 at 6 p.m at City Hall

March 30

ESTATE PLANNING WORKSHOP: There will be a free estate planning and asset protection workshop at the Archibald Senior Center. Education workshop presented by local attorney Raley Wiggins. Topics include wills, trusts, powers of attorney, advance directives, living wills, long-term care, Medicaid qualification, and probate administration. Also, how to protect your assets from: divorce, remarriage, creditors, bankruptcy, and nursing homes. Registration is required. Call (334)-625-6774 or online at www.redoaklegalpc.com.

March 21

April 5

ID BOARD: The city of Tallassee ID Board will

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Randy Blankenship

BLANKENSHIP, J. Randy, age 72, passed away on Wednesday, March 9, 2016. Family will receive friends Sunday, March 13, 2016 from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. at Wetumpka Memorial Funeral Home Chapel. Funeral services will be held following visitation Sunday, March 13, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. from the Wetumpka Memorial Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Len Hurston officiating. Burial will follow in Union Congregation Cemetery. Mr. Blankenship is preceded in death by his father, Stathion Earl Blankenship and his mother, Frankie Allen. Survivors include his wife, Betty Blankenship of Marbury, AL; one son, Wiley Thomas Davis of Marbury, AL; four daughters, Dena McNaughton of Millbrook, AL; Kim Dunn of Delaplane, VA; Misty Likis of O’Fallon, MO; and Rachel Forrester of Headland, AL; two sisters, Earlene Johnson of Montgomery, AL; and Janice Elaine Jacks of Wetumpka, AL; one grandchild, Jacey Slaton of Millbrook, AL; and a number of nieces and nephews and great nieces and great nephews. Pallbearers will be Tony Davis, Stan Hurston, Blake Hurston, Gail Hurston, Jackson Hurston and Logan Hurston. Wetumpka Memorial Funeral Home directing.

March 28- April 1

SPRING BREAK: Tallassee City School’s Spring Break will be March 28 - April 1.

HISTORICAL SOCIETY: There will be a meeting of the historical society at the museum in downtown Tallassee March 21 at 6 p.m. Wetumpka City Council Meeting When: March 21, 6 p.m. Where: Wetumpka City Hall Details: A work session will begin at 6 p.m., followed by the regular meeting.

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Obituaries

Charles R. Perry

PERRY, Charles Robert, Jr.; a resident of Wetumpka, Alabama was born on October 25, 1963 in Selma, AL and passed away Sunday, March 6, 2016 at the age of 52. Robert is survived by his wife, Darlene Perry; mother, Frances Perry; several aunts and uncles; a host of in-laws; other family members and friends. He was preceded in death by his father, Charles Robert “Chuck” Perry, Sr.; brother, Wayne Perry; and sister, Cissy Perry. Robert worked as a machinist. He was a Mason and member of the Hampden Sidney Lodge # 67 in Millbrook. Online Guest Book available at www.gassettfuneralhome.net meet April 5 at 5:30 p.m. at 1 Twin Creek Drive.

April 9

5K RUN: The Roaring 5K Run is set for Saturday, April 9. Co-Sponsors are Tallassee Lion’s Club and Neptune Technology Group. Proceeds benefit the Lion’s Sight program. Registration begins at 7 a.m. and the race starts at 8 a.m. Early registration is on-line through the Tallassee Chamber of Commerce at tallasseechamber.com

April 16

CRATERFEST: Gold Star Park will be the site for Craterfest April 16 form 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. with music arts and crafts, kidzone, train pony rides and more. REELTOWN REUNION: The Sixth Reeltown High School Reunion of the Classes from 1950-1970 will hold its 20-Year Class Reunion on April 16 in the original Reeltown High School Auditorium. The Reunion begins at 10 a.m. for a time to meet, greet and tour the school. The “Assembly” will begin in the auditorium at 11 a.m. The RHS Jazz Band will be guest and play a few jazz tunes. Donations will be received for new Rebel Pride Marching Band uniforms. All donations greatly appreciated. Welcome, recognitions, etc., will follow. Please bring your “ole fashion brown bag/sack lunch” with a drink. No meal will be available. Classes will meet after assembly in the cafeteria for their sack lunch meal. Tours of the school and grounds will be available following the

assembly and lunch.

April 18-23

EARTH DAY CLEANUP 2016: Sign up a litter team to pick up around your neighborhood, business or call the Chamber of Commerce for a location. Advanced Disposal Sponsor providing a roll off container at City Hall from 8am-noon on Saturday the 23 for nonhazardous material and litter team debris disposal. Parker Tire & Auto will take used oil, tires and batteries all week from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Electronic Recycling drop off at Tallassee Recreation Center April 21 from 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. The city Shop will have a roll off container available for nonhazardous material disposal and appliances from Monday through Friday 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.

May 10

GOLF TOURNEY: Tallassee Chamber of Commerce Annual Golf Tournament will be held May 10 at Wynlakes Golf and Country Club Come join us for a fun day of lunch, golf and a chance to win bragging rights and CASH!

May 14

UNION REUNION: Union Academy, Dadeville, Class of 1974 is hosting a School Reunion BBQ: On Saturday, May 14th from 2 p.m. until at University Station RV, Hwy 14, Auburn. All students, faculty, their families and anyone associated with Union Academy are invited. Contact Eddie Hughes, 334-257-3826, hughesautoparts@centurytel. net; Priscilla Hammonds, 334-283-2233,steven505@ centurytel.net; Carolyn Hood, 334-319-3434, auburnhood@aol.com; or Genice Fuqua, 256-5081768, gfuquaret@gmail. com for more information. Assistance will be provided for those with mobility problems.

May 21

PADDLE FOR A PURPOSE: Children’s Harbor Lake Martin Campus is hosting Paddle for a Purpose May 21 at 8:30 a.m. Registration fees are $35 for the mile race and $45 for the 3 and 6 mile race. This event is part of the SUP the South race series. Non-racers are welcome to watch.

May 28-29

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ART ON THE LAKE: Children’s Harbor Lake Martin Campus is hosting Art on the Lake May 28 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and May 29 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Art on the Lake provides an opportunity for artists from all over the Southeast to showcase their art including canvas, jewelry, pottery and sculpture are available for purchase with a portion of the sale benefiting Children’s Harbor.

ELMORE COUNTY WEEKEND

Arbor

TheWetumpkaHerald.com

continued from page 1

honored were very good friends of his. Hilyer has been the committee chairman for about 20 years and said that about that long ago a friend of his proposed planting trees as a memorialization. “So we’ve been planting trees all over city property for a lot of years now,” said Hilyer. He gave a brief history of Arbor Day, and the city’s involvement with the Arbor Day Foundation. “We’ve been doing this for a number of years, as a matter of fact this is the 29th year that the City of Wetumpka has been recognized,” Hilyer said. His committee is part of Wetumpka Pride, a citywide beautification effort made up of collection of civic-minded people, some of which Hilyer said were master gardeners, foresters and some

ABC

city officials. After the tree planting ceremony an Elmore County Forester with the Alabama Forestry Commission distributed free tree seedlings in the Gold Star Park pavilion. Brian Frederick, forester with the AFC, handed four types of trees: Blackgum, Silver Maple, Nuttall Oak and Yellow Poplars. After the event Mayor Jerry Willis commented on the event and said it was well attended. “It was a pleasure to be able to memorialize by planting trees for those four individuals that have given so much to our community over the years,” Willis said. “It’s a great addition to our park a great addition to our city, as we continue to plant trees to beautify our area.”

continued from page 1

Pate said was three-times the legal limit, struck them as they drove. Pate said her daughter was thrown out their vehicle and killed after having turned to tend to her own daughter, which Pate now cares for, who was in the back seat at the time. While Pate was giving her presentation, her granddaughter, Mariah, stood beside her, holding her hand. She said she has been involved with MADD for three years now. “I just feel like if I can save just one person’s life then I feel like I’ve done something to memorialize my daughter,” said Pate. Another MADD member, Pamela Morton, the group’s state victim services coordinator, asked for a show-ofhands from the WHS seniors. She then asked those who had drank alcohol before to stand and then when was the last time they had. In each question student after student sat down as Morton worked her way to which student had never drank alcohol and which planned never to. She lauded those still standing. Morton, who has been with MADD since 2008, said after the event, “Our

thoughts are that, if we are able to come to schools and help with these type programs hopefully we could prevent these students becoming possible victims of drunk driving crashes going forward.” Elmore County District Representative, Mike Holmes, spoke at the event as well. He said the message was important because the students were at a time in their lives where they were becoming more personally accountable and independent. “These kids are at a tipping point, most of them are at well above the 50 percent point now where they’re making more of (their own) decisions instead of their parents making them for them,” said Holmes. He said it was the time “to grab their attention,” and talk to them about, what Holmes called, the importance of their decisions. “I think it’s really important to get this kind of sobering, no pun intended, but sobering message to them to think about your life’s decisions,” Holmes said.

MARCH 12-13, 2016 • Page 3

Gas

continued from page 1

gas outlets in Alabama, the local increase is on par with the national average where prices jumped 15.8 cents per gallon over the last two weeks. Nationally, prices have increased 6.8 cents per gallon in the last week to $1.87 per gallon according to the website GasBuddy.com. While no one was excited about a price increase, the cost today is down 61.5 cents per gallon from last year’s average of $2.20. “This $1.69 is still better than $3 a gallon,” Bolia said. “Quite a bit better.” The national average has increased 7.6 cents per gallon during the last month and stands 64.4 cents per gallon lower than this day one year ago. The prices on this date over the last five years show some interesting trends: • $1.69 in 2016 • $2.20 in 2015

• $3.20 in 2014 • $3.56 in 2013 • $3.59 in 2012 • $3.41 in 2011 Experts say the increase may continue, but the hike will leave prices much lower than what were seen in recent years. “While most of the gasoline market was pricing in the premium associated with the transition to summer-blend gasoline, last week’s strength in crude futures prices provided no relief for the rising gas prices,” Will Speer, GasBuddy senior petroleum analyst said in a released statement. “Although crude oil production fell to the lowest since November 2014, crude and petroleum stocks remain the highest ever recorded in US history. This oversupply will provide a ceiling for gas prices over the next couple of months as spring refinery maintenance and the summer-blend gasoline transition puts upward pressure on prices.”

Wetumpka Fire Department Fills the Boot for MDA STAFF REPORT TPI Staff

The Wetumpka Fire Department is participating in the Fill-the-Boot Campaign to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association. The drive is an annual event for the local firefighters and the money raised goes to help local families and children with neuromuscular disease. “With the help of the Wetumpka Fire Department, MDA is able to provide flu shots, wheel chair assistance, clinic visits, physical therapy, and summer camp,” MDA Spokesperson

Jessica Hoagland said. “MDA is honored to have the opportunity to partner with the fine men and women of the Wetumpka Fire Department. “We appreciate the support and encouragement shown by the community each year during the Fill-the-Boot campaign.” Please help the Wetumpka Fire Department ‘Make A Muscle, Make A Difference’ today and meet their goal by filling the boots of these firefighters with your donations when you see them around town, including at Walmart and Winn-Dixie on March 18th and 19th.

Thank You! I am extremely humbled and appreciative of your vote of support in the county commission race. I would like to thank my precious family and the many volunteers who have worked so tirelessly for the past (4) months. I would personally like to take this opportunity thank Trey Taylor for his running a clean and respectful campaign. I would also ask that you please remember Trey and his family in your prayers, as his mother is going through some serious health issues. With God’s help and guidance, as your county commissioner, I pledge to work diligently to serve ALL of the people in District Two in an honest, ethical, transparent and ¿scally-responsible manner. Thank you, and God bless. Sincerely,

Mack Daugherty

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OPINION

Kenneth Boone, Publisher Mitch Sneed, Editor Opinions expressed in guest columns and letters to the editor do not necessarily reflect the viewpoint of the management of The Wetumpka Herald

Page 4 • MARCH 12-13, 2016

“Our liberty cannot be guarded but by the freedom of the press, nor that be limited without danger of losing it.” --Thomas Jefferson

TheWetumpkaHerald.com

ELMORE COUNTY WEEKEND

The Herald strives to report the news honestly, fairly and with integrity, to take a leadership role and act as a positive influence in our community, to promote business, to provide for the welfare of our employees, to strive for excellence in everything we do and, above all, to treat others as we would want to be treated ourselves.

Mitchell memorial event was a 'tribute' not a 'service'

he passing of Apollo 14 Lunar Module Pilot Edgar Mitchell was noted in this space three weeks ago. I was able to attend a memorial tribute to the legendary astronaut in West Palm Beach on Feb. 23. Obviously, it’s a long trip from Tallassee to that part of Florida, and I’d made that journey before (to interview Mitchell) in a single day in 2010. This time I decided to take things a bit easier, traveling as far as Orlando on the first day, then the remaining 160 miles on the Florida Turnpike the following morning. If an out-of-towner is looking for a particular venue, it’s always a good idea to find the site ahead of time, if said outof-towner arrives early enough. So about three hours before the memorial trib-



WILLIE MOSELEY Guest Columnist

ute, I located the South Florida Science Center and Aquarium, nestled inside Dreher Park beside I-95. The museum was hosting a temporary exhibit of life-size dinosaur models (some of which had motion capability). Guarding the outside entrance was a Spinosaurus Aegyptiacus, the biggest carnivore ever discovered by paleontologists (so far), its huge crocodile-like snout opening and closing in a menacing manner. Sightseeing was a viable option to kill some time, so I puttered along Highways 1 and A1A

through downtown West Palm Beach and as far north as Jupiter until it was time to change clothes and return to the museum. A large, temporary outdoor tent had been erected outside, and its interior featured a stage displaying images of Mitchell and his crewmates, as well as appropriate decorations. Among the earliest persons to arrive was Apollo 17 Lunar Module Pilot Harrison “Jack” Schmitt, one of the last two people to walk on the moon. Not long afterwards, Apollo 13 Lunar Module Pilot Fred Haise was escorted to the tent; Haise was one of the scheduled speakers, but Schmitt’s attendance was a surprise to the delighted organizers. It was fascinating to watch the two lunar travelers converse; theirs is one of the most

exclusive clubs in history. As more guests arrived, the skies darkened and ultimately unleashed a cloudburst just before the scheduled starting time. After a delay of 45 minutes, the tribute began, as attendees huddled towards the center of the tent in an attempt to avoid the drenching rain and wind. Family members of the other two crew members of Apollo 14 (both also deceased) made the pilgrimage to the tribute. Laura Shepard Churchley, daughter of mission commander Alan Shepard, and Allen Roosa, son of Command Module Pilot Stu Roosa were introduced, as was Rick Armstrong (son of Neil Armstrong of Apollo 11), along with NASA dignitaries and elected government officials. And it needs to be pointed out that this event

was indeed a “memorial tribute” instead of a “memorial service.” Mitchell was agnostic, and no allusions to religion were heard as family members and friends recalled his unique life. There were three speakers, including Haise, who received a standing ovation when he strode to the podium to recall his close work with Mitchell in the development of the Lunar Module at the Grumman factory on Long Island. Six other family members and friends gave brief quotes by Mitchell, including a formidable and on-the-money indictment of politicians. Songs were presented by a choir known as the Young Singers. The rains finally ceased around the time the tribute finished. The guests migrated outside the tent to gaze upwards

to the overcast skies. After a few moments, four side-by-side jet fighters roared into view. One of the airplanes swooped upwards in the classic “Missing Man” maneuver and was quickly enveloped by the gray void. That’s the first Missing Man ceremony I’ve ever witnessed (and heard) in person. It was an incredibly powerful experience. To anyone who met him, Ed Mitchell was an unforgettable individual, for more than one reason. Most of the attendees at his memorial tribute would probably agree that the event was well done, befitting his distinct personality in an appropriate manner. But for me, it wasn’t just about remembering a person, it was about remembering history.

YOUR VIEW

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334-567-7811 • Fax 334-567-3284 email: news@thewetumpkaherald.com THE WETUMPKA HERALD (681-260) is published twice weekly on Wednesday and Saturday by Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc., 548 Cherokee Road, Alexander City, AL 35010. Periodical postage paid at Wetumpka, Alabama. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Wetumpka Herald, P.O. Box 99, Wetumpka, AL 36092-0099. ISSN # 1536-688X. We reserve the right to refuse to print any advertisement, news story, photograph or any other material submitted to us for any reason or no reason at all. •Obituaries - $.25 per word per paper. Additional $15 charge for a photo per paper. (Herald, Weekend, Observer, Tribune). •Weddings/Engagements - $.25 per word per paper. $15 charge for a 2-column photo. •Birth Announcements - $.25 per word per paper. $15 charge for a photo.

SUBSCRIPTION RATES (includes Wednesday & Saturday) One Year in Elmore, Tallapoosa or Coosa County: $50 One Year Elsewhere: $75 The publisher reserves the right to change subscription rates during the term of subscription at any time. To subscribe or if you miss your paper, call 256-234-4281. © 2016 Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved and any reproduction of this issue is prohibited without the consent of the editor or publisher. ADMINISTRATION Kenneth Boone, publisher kenneth.boone@thewetumpkaherald.com Mitch Sneed, editor mitch.sneed@thewetumpkaherald.com NEWS Corey Arwood, staff writer corey.arwood@thewetumpkaherald.com Carmen Rodgers, staff writer carmen.rodgers@thewetumpkaherald.com Cory Diaz, sports editor Cory.Diaz@TheWetumpkaHerald.com. . . . . . . . . . . Ext. 306 SALES Jayne Carr, marketing consultant Jayne.Carr@TheWetumpkaHerald.com. . . . . . . . .. .. Ext. 313 Molly Brethauer, marketing consultant molly.brethaur@TheWetumpkaHerald.com. . . . . . . . Ext. 305

The craziness hasn’t died in presidential race

eel The Bern? It’s emanating from Michigan, where, on Tuesday night, frumpy old Bernie Sanders, the self-declared democratic socialist senator from Vermont, caused a bit of a hitch in an entitled Hillary Clinton’s campaign giddy-up toward the Democratic nomination for the presidency. And it’s just the latest twist in what will likely go down as the oddest, most unlikely presidential campaign in modern electoral history. My personal recollection of presidential politics reaches back to 1968, when sitting Democratic President Lyndon Baines Johnson said, “I shall not seek, and I will not accept, the nomination of my party for another term as your president,” and let begin a campaign that saw the assassination of Robert Kennedy and the eventual nomination of Johnson’s vice president, Hubert Humphrey of Minnesota, who didn’t compete in a single Democratic primary. Humphrey and his running mate, Sen. Edmund Muskie of Maine, eventually managed to carry only 14 states in the general election loss to California’s Richard Nixon – who had served as vice president to President Dwight Eisenhower and lost the 1960 election to John F. Kennedy – and his running mate Spiro Agnew, who was serving as governor of Maryland when Nixon tapped him into vice presidential politics. The 1968 election also featured Alabama’s own George Wallace, who ran as the American Independent Party candidate with his running mate Gen. Curtis LeMay and carried Alabama,

DAVID GRANGER Staff Writer

Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana and Mississippi, plus garnering (somehow) one electoral vote from North Carolina. So, yeah, that was a weird year. But not as weird as 1972. The ’72 presidential race was sort of this year’s election in reverse. Fifteen different Democratic candidates received primary votes, including Wallace, who was on his way to becoming ‘72’s version of Donald Trump. The Alabamian may well have won the nomination had he not been rendered paraplegic by bullets from the gun of assassin Arthur Bremer in a Laurel, Maryland, parking lot. Later that night, Wallace would win the Michigan and Maryland primaries. But his paralysis ended his campaign in July. George McGovern eventually won the Democratic nomination over Humphrey, then carried only the District of Columbia and Massachusetts in the general election. The hapless Democrat failed to even carry his home state of South Dakota. We are 44 years removed from the craziness of 1972, yet, as we are learning in this election, crazy ain’t dead yet. Trump talks more about polls and the shortcomings – perceived or otherwise – of his opponents than any concrete plans he has for the country. Last week, we saw the immediate past Republican nominee (Mitt Romney) speak out against the

party’s current frontrunner, urging his destruction via hook, crook or brokered convention. Marco Rubio, once considered among the top – if not THE top – establishment candidate, has seen the strength of that candidacy diminish since he engaged Trump in a war of childish words and near-obscene insults. And the craziness isn’t limited to the Republicans. As mentioned earlier, one of the top Democratic candidates admits he’s a democratic socialist. The other goes about the day to day of her campaign while an investigation takes place into potentially classified emails that may have been routed to her personal server. An indictment – though highly unlikely – isn’t completely out of the question. The campaign of 2016 is truly one you couldn’t make up. If you took a screenplay based on this campaign to a Hollywood filmmaker, he or she would laugh you to their door before slamming it behind you and making a quick call to security to ensure you were banned from the lot. For life. So Bernie raising his white head and shocking Hillary in Michigan Tuesday night is – considered in the lens of this particular election – not all that unexpected. Or it’s just unexpected enough to rest comfortably among the many amazing political happenings that, in 2016, should be considered the New Normal. And perhaps a white-haired socialist harbinger of more craziness that lies ahead. Granger is a staff writer for The Herald.

ELMORE COUNTY WEEKEND

TheWetumpkaHerald.com

MARCH 12-13, 2016 • Page 5

Wetumpka Area Chamber wishes a farewell to Vanessa Lynch There was a party for the outgoing director of the Wetumpka Area Chamber of Commerce, Vanessa Lynch, who has led the chamber for about five years. Lynch was giving tours of the Chamber’s expanded facilities, which includes a new business incubator area. Earlier Lynch said she is furthering her personal career at River Bank and Trust, but will still be involved with the Chamber.

Corey Arwood / The Herald

Council Willis said. Coach Ron Dickerson and Tex Grier, director of public works, spoke about the progress of construction on the Wetumpka Sports Complex and the Martin Luther King Jr. Multicultural Center. Dickerson said, within the past two months they had worked on what was the facility’s baseball field and basketball court to “open up the area.” Within upcoming weeks, he said water lines would be installed at the property and a patio area would be constructed outside of the recreation center. He mentioned conferring with city officials in Tuscaloosa, Ala., about what he called their “beautiful splash pad” area to see how it was operated. Grier, public works director, said by May 1 the reserve soil would be moved in conjunction with the county, and lighting poles at the grounds would be removed. Dickerson said they had been in talks with Gary Cobb the president and CEO of the region-

continued from page 1

al YMCA on moving the existing Wetumpka YMCA to the planned recreation area. Plans are for a feasibility study to be done within six weeks, Dickerson said, to determine whether the relocation and expansion was warranted. And an archery range would be developed within the next month on what was said to be the riverside of the land that the city owns, Dickerson said. Grier gave an update on the construction of the river walk and bridge, which he said extended from the Fain Center to the sports complex. It was behind schedule, Grier said, due to grant money procedures, but he said it should be resumed by the end of the month. Mayor Jerry Willis also mentioned the progress of the river-walk and bridge, which he said was planned to extend all the way from the US Highway 14 bypass to the ravine that separates what he said was the Indian property from the city’s property. “It’s going to be a pret-

ty long river walk,” Willis said. He said in the future they would pursue other grant funding for the projects. “Right now we’re bound a little tight with monies, and we’re trying to take the monies that we have to move on what we can do right now,” Willis said. He lauded recent baseball and softball tournaments held at the sports complex and what he said was a tremendous turnout of people. “Where we’re suffering right now is, we can’t sleep them,” Willis said. He said the hotel that had been planned to open in Wetumpka, was “on its way,” but not happening as quickly as they wanted. It would probably be

near September before it opened, he said. “Folks it just does not happen as quick as we’d like for it to happen,” Willis said. “I’ve seen things now that I was a part of in 2000 and here we are 16 years later just now getting it completed.” Also at the meeting, a resolution was approved to adopt an “All Hazards Mitigation Plan,” expanding on the “natural hazards,” plan in order to continue receiving federal funding for mitigation plans from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. And two new members, Sidney Combs and Carl Lawrence, were approved to fill vacancies on the City’s Board of Adjustment.

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ELMORE COUNTY WEEKEND

Area students shine at regional science fair Vilardi, Boardwine head to state competition STAFF REPORT TPI Staff

On Thursday March 3, seven students from Elmore County attended the Greater East Alabama Regional Junior Division Science and Engineering Fair (GEARSEF) at Auburn University in Auburn. These seven students (Julian Vilardi, Avery Thomas, Barrett Sexton, Tyler Thorne, Richie Hicks, Hannah Daniel, and Ali Boardwine) had qualified to compete by their outstanding performance at the Elmore County Science Fair. The students displayed their posters and went through a rigorous interview process. Eighty-four students from 11 different school systems competed in the fair. Two of the seven Elmore County students took top awards along with several special and category awards. Ali Boardwine from Elmore County Middle School placed Third in Best of Show, first in the Animal and Plant Science Category along with winning the Air Force Special Award and qualifying for the Broadcom Masters Award. Julian Vilardi from Wetumpka Middle School placed first in Best of Show, first in the Energy and Environmental Category along with the Geosciences Award, the Future Scientist Award, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Award and qualified for the Broadcom Masters Award. Ali and Julian will continue competition at the State Science and Engineering Fair March 31-April 2 at UAH in Huntsville.

Submitted / The Herald

Above, Avery Thomas, Julian Vilardi, Barrett Sexton, Tyler Thorne, Richie Hicks, Hannah Daniel and Ali Boardwine pose at Thursday’s competition at Auburn University. Right, Ali Boardwine and Julian Vilardi placed higly at the regional science fair Thursday in Auburn and will now advance to the state competition beginning later this month.

17 area high school students qualify for state

Submitted / The Herald

Above 11 of the 17 students who attended the Greater East Alabama Regional Senior Division Science and Engineering Fair pose for a photo with their winnings. Below, Hannah James placed first in Medicine and Health, third in Best of Show and won multiple special awards including the 100 Women Strong Certificate, Biological Science Award, Future Scientist Award, and Project Lead the Way Biomedical Award. STAFF REPORT TPI Staff

On Thursday March 10, 36 students from Elmore County attended the Greater East Alabama Regional Senior Division Science and Engineering Fair (GEARSEF) at Auburn University in Auburn. These students had qualified to compete by their outstanding performance at the Elmore County Science Fair. The students displayed their posters and went through a rigorous interview process. Over 60 students from 17 different counties competed in the fair. • In the Animal and Plant Science Category Clay Simonton (Wetumpka) won first Place, Devon Brigham & Eric Tran (Stanhope) Placed third. • In the Behavioral Science Category Max Adam (Wetumpka) placed third • In Chemistry Eleanor Cox and Gracie Beyer (Stanhope) won second place • In Cellular and Molecular E.J. Aloria and Emily Pinkston (Wetumpka) placed first. • In the category of Engineering Lucas Lynn (Wetumpka) placed third. • In Energy Sharee Riggs (Wetumpka) placed first, Austin Bush and Brendan O’Keefe (Stanhope)

placed second and Wells Hutsler placed third. • In Earth and Environmental Zena Banker (Wetumpka) placed second. • In Medicine and Health Hannah James (Wetumpka) placed first, Sydney Cox (Wetumpka) placed second and Julius Kurth (Wetumpka) placed third. These 17 students will continue competition at the State Science and Engineering Fair March 31-April 2nd at UAH in Huntsville. Hannah James also placed third Best of Show and won multiple special awards including the 100 Women Strong Certificate, Biological Science Award, Future Scientist Award, and Project Lead the Way Biomedical Award Zena Banker won the Geosciences Award, the Ricoh Sustainable Award, the Stockholm Junior Water Prize, and the U.S. Air Force Achievement Award. Lucas Lynn won the Mu Alpha Theta Award, U.S. Air Force Achievement Award, the • Naval Science Award, and the Project Lead the Way Engineering Award. The team of Emily Pinkston and E.J. Aloria won the Stockholm Junior Water Prize and the NASA Earth System Award.

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TheWetumpkaHerald.com

MARCH 12-13, 2016 • Page 7

Elmore County Animal Shelter needs your help REA CORD Executive Director

The new Shelter Challenge began March 7, and our chance to win $1,000 for our pets if we finish in first place in Alabama! The best way for us to win is to leap out in first place today and stay there. Please go to www.shelterchallenge. com where you will be able to vote every day from work, home, school, smart phone, etc. Once there the easiest way to find us is to type in our zip of 36092 or Wetumpka, AL. Some web browsers do not work with this site, so if you have problems, please first try a different browser to

access the site. Thanks everyone for taking literally just a minute of your time every day to help us win big for our animals! Our shelter is lucky to have an awesome group on our side – the Predator’s Motorcycle Association (PMA)! The PMA and our shelter are looking forward to the upcoming 14th annual Cruisin ‘fer Critters on Saturday, May 7 at Papa T’s, 3420 Atlanta Highway, Montgomery. Registration starts at 11 a.m. with last bike out by 1 p.m. Each ‘hand’ is $15 for which you get an event patch, goodie bag, food, door prize ticket and more such as live music,

motorcycle games, bike/car wash and just a great day of fun. Best hand wins $250, 2nd best wins $100 and worst hand wins $50 (must be present to win). There is a $5 minimum if you don’t want to play a ‘hand.’ Sponsorships are available and start at $100 so please contact John West at 334-294-7154 or email us at the shelter at hselco@bellsouth. net if you would like to be a sponsor or for any questions. Spring is right around the corner and will bring us a huge influx of litters. If you find a mom and her litter or if you have a mom and litter you intend to bring to us we implore

you to wait until the babies are closer to 7-8 weeks old if at all possible. While we love and care for all our pets as best we can, there is simply not enough space in the shelter, nor enough foster homes, to raise litters for weeks and weeks until they are ready to be adopted. There are also a number of physiological and psychological reasons for puppies and kittens to stay with their moms and siblings until they are finished weaning. Besides the nutritional advantage of staying with mom long enough, puppies and kittens learn a lot of lessons from their mothers & siblings as they grow. Puppies & kittens

Meet Cubby - Pet of the week Cubby is 5 months old as of early March and is a too cute Catahoula/Lab mix boy. He loves to play, grabbing his toys and racing all around with them. He’s a loving boy who also wants to please. Right now he’s wondering why he’s the last of his litter to be adopted, so let’s find him that special family he’s waiting for. Our adoption fees are $100 for dogs and $50 for cats under 1 year old; cats over one year old can be adopted by approved adopters for a fee of their choosing. This adoption fee completely covers the mandatory spay or neuter,

basic immunizations, de-worming, microchip, heartworm check for dogs, rabies vaccination if old enough, 45 days of pet health insurance and a free health exam with your participating veterinarian. To meet all the great pets at our shelter come to 255 Central Plank Road, Wetumpka, AL, 36092, go to our website at www.elmorehumane.org for more information, email us at hselco@bellsouth.net or give us a call at 334567-3377. We are open for adoptions Monday– Friday 10-5 and Saturday 9-3.

weaned too early can develop potential health and behavior challenges down the road – some of which are cute, some irritating and some may result in that pet being given away, abandoned or taken to a shelter eventually. If you do have a litter of puppies or kittens you need to bring us we ask that you try to keep them until they are closer

to eight weeks old if at all possible since space is our limiting factor and being able to place them for adoption immediately truly helps them and the other animals also desperately looking for new homes. To contact the shelter for any questions please contact us at hselco@ bellsouth.net or call us at 334-567-3377.

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Page 10 • MARCH 12-13, 2016

ALL ABOUT THE SONGS

TheWetumpkaHerald.com

THE WETUMPKA HERALD

Singer-songwriter event attracts large crowd to Eclectic’s Warehouse By CARMEN RODGERS Staff Writer

It was standing room only Friday night at The Warehouse in downtown Eclectic.as people from all around the region attended the first of what may be many Singer Songwriter Nights. More than 300 people came out to enjoy an evening of entertainment for all ages. Jess Meuse, who competed in the 13th season of American Idol and placed fourth in the competition, hosted the first time event. Meuse is from Slapout and since her appearance on the hit reality show has become a nationally known artist. Meuse was excited about hosting the event and proud of the large turnout. “I had a blast. That was my first ever fullon hosting gig. For the first singer songwriter event at that venue I’m really proud of how it turned out. We had a lot of people there and it went really smoothly.” As a host, there was a lot of behind the scenes work that Meuse had to put into this production. “I put the whole program together and really proud of how smoothly it went, how laid back everyone was and everyone had fun, which is what music is all about,” she said.

Carmen Rodgers / The Observer Because Meuse is traditionally a performJess Meuse, who placed fourth in the 13th season of American Idol, took the stage during Friday’s singer songwriter event. After singing, er, hosting an event Meuse hosted the event as several local artist took the stage. Below, Local celebrity Russell Craig sings “Call Me the Rain” Friday night was something new to her. It was a learning during the singer songwriter event. experience for Meuse, an experience that she enjoyed. “It’s a huge difference, because when you’re singing and playing your instrument you have to interact a certain way when you’re performing. You’re music speaks for itself but when you’re a host, I think there is a little more to it. I was like a production manager as well. With being a host, I had to know what to say. I think it was a good educational experience that actually helped me. I think it turned out pretty dang good.” Muse values all the hard work and effort that the singers and songwriters put into the production of this event. “I appreciate people for their hard work. Warehouse having a for this,” said Ashly There is no doubt, from the Eclectic area Those singers and packed house, the local Moore, an Eclectic resthis event brought reveand performs locally songwriters are great restaurants were also ident. nue into the city. People on a regular basis sang people and to hear their packed due to the influx According to Aubrey from around the region “Call Me The Rain,” a stories from their hearts of people. One restauHornsby, this could attended the event. crowd favorite. is great. I’m a person rant in particular earned become a monthly “I loved the event. I Jessie Lynn, another just they are, I just hapa special shout out from event. Hornsby once think that something of local favorite, kicked pened to be on a TV Meuse. worked in Nashville this nature will be great off the event by singshow. I just appreciate “The people at El with professional singfor our small town. If ing “The National their pure talent and Gran Rodeo were so ers and songwriter s. it is a regular event, Anthem” on horseback being so genuine and nice to us. They have “It could be difficult I believe that more and followed that with real, that’s what makes always been so incredto have 300 people people will attend. We a moving duet with her a musician to me.” ibly kind to me every turnout for an event like have to drive at least grandmother. There was a long list time I’ve come to this in Nashville, so to 30 to 45 minutes away Some of the other of performers, 16 in all. Eclectic,” Meuse said. have something like to be able to hear great artist included Brandon Most were local singer this in Eclectic is truly music. I was excitSelf, Rexton Lee, Mike songwriters, such as special,” he said. Squires and Ben Myrick ed about only having Russell Craig who is In addition to the to drive 5 minutes and many more.

Eclectic’s long-term town development plan to be decided next week By COREY ARWOOD Staff Writer

The city council will vote to either approve or reject the Town of Eclectic Comprehensive Plan that would map a 20-year trajectory of town development, next Tuesday March 15. The special meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. in the town courtroom. Mayor Gary Davenport said there would be a presentation of the final draft of the comprehensive plan that was recently opened for public consideration in a town meeting last month. “Basically the folks that conducted the com-

prehensive plan they came in and took all that information and put it in a concise form,” Davenport said referring to the Central Alabama Regional Planning and Development Committee. A version of the plan is viewable on the city’s website. Davenport is also the chairman of the city’s planning and zoning committee, and he said it was not a requirement that the plan be approved by the city council. However, he said they made a special provision that the council also approves of the plan. If it is adopted Tuesday will be the end of the

preliminary planning phase and the city’s planning commission will be responsible for implementing the citywide changes set out in the final draft. Davenport said that public concern centered on developing more recreation sites, maintaining infrastructure, public safety and creating more family based residences for rent while keeping a small town status. Another topic, Davenport said, was developing greater signage for downtown and shopping locations.

THE WETUMPKA HERALD

TheWetumpkaHerald.com

MARCH 12-13, 2016 • Page 11

Aaron Park sparks hot topic at town council By CARMEN RODGERS Staff Writer

Monday’s town hall meeting became a little heated as Patrick Burkett, with the Eclectic Youth Ball League organization, expressed concerns over conditions at Aaron Park. With opening day on April 2, there is not much time do the necessary repairs to the facility. The need for repair begins with parking issues. With an upcoming tournament, Burkett is concerned about the lack of parking, as well as the condition of the current parking lot. “We’re looking at 19 teams, plus 12 teams from out of town coming in so we’re looking at almost 40 teams and we have nowhere for them to park,” said Burkett. “The parking lot is an embarrassment to the city. According to Burkett, the city, which owns Aaron Park and leases it to the EYBO, has done nothing to help maintain the ballpark. With limited funding the EYBO seems to be in a tough situation with limited options. “The city puts no effort into the ballpark,” he said. “We have a price to put in a back parking lot, but we can’t afford to do any major upgrades. We keep the fields up, we put the batting cages in, we’re keeping the concession stand up, we’re replacing rotten wood at our cost, and we’ve replaced the toilets at our cost.” This has been brought to Mayor Davenport’s attention on numerous occasions, yet Aaron Park remains in disrepair. “I’ve had several meetings with the mayor about a lighting grant but he came back and said Alabama Power said we didn’t have enough kids on free lunches to get the lighting grant,” Burkett

said. “The light poles are in terrible shape. I mean there is one that is about to fall. It’s going to fall at anytime.” If these needed repairs are not done quickly, by the first of April, EYBO could possibly be in a situation where the organization can no longer host tournaments. “We can’t have tournaments if there is no place to park. We can’t make money and progress the ballpark if we have nowhere for parking. We tried to extend the handicap parking about two weeks ago and the response I got back was that it wasn’t a priority to extend it,” he said. As funds dwindle, the EYBO believes the city should step-up and make the needed repairs to the facility, which it owns. “We’re fighting a losing battle,” he said. “We have to pay 25 percent of the light bill but it’s a city park. The league is running out of money fast. We can’t just keep on with no help from the city at all… we have no help, none. We poured concrete for batting cages. We paid for the concrete but we had to pay the city $600 to pour it for us, with city employees. Instead of the city doing it themselves.” Councilwoman Wanda Estes helped the league with cleaning over the weekend and after seeing the condition of the park agrees with Burkett. “I spent my weekend up there helping them clean,” she said. “And I don’t know why the town employees have not been out there to see what’s been worn up and broken.” Another main concern is the condition of the concession stand. “The concession stand is falling in,” said Burkett. “It’s been there for 35 years.” When asked, Mayor Davenport knew exactly

how much money was in the bank for funding the ballpark. “For recreations and parks, the city has $1,009.72 in the bank,” Davenport said. “That’s what that type of maintenance would come out of. That’s probably about the same money that’s been in there for the past year.” Davenport pointed out that Panther Palace was in desperate need of repair as well and was frustrated with the work of vandals who continuously deface the park. “Basically, as it stands, this would come out of general funds. We need to put a line item budget in for maintenance. As bad as Aaron Park is, Panther Palace is just as bad. Every time we spend money over there it gets damaged or torn up.” By the end of the discussion, the mayor agreed to meet Burkett at Aaron Park to see what repairs need to be done immediately so that the park can hold the upcoming tournament in April.

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THE WETUMPKA HERALD

WHS survives showdown with area rival SEHS By CORY DIAZ Sports Editor

Wetumpka emerged victorious in a shootout with rival Stanhope Elmore, 12-9, in both teams’ Class 6A, Area 5 opener Wednesday at WHS. The county and area rivals combined for 29 hits, as the Lady Indians’ bats sprayed 18 to extend the home team’s longest win streak of the season to three games. Sophomore leadoff Alexis Austin and juniors MiKayla Holt and Sydney McKissick each collected three hits for Wetumpka (8-11, 1-0), while senior Riley Greene and juniors Kelsie Cornelius and Mary Beth Slater each batted in two runs. Austin and Holt had an RBI and McKissick scored two runs while senior first baseman Mariss Campbell went 1-for-3 with RBI and senior rightfielder Laken Watson went 1-for-4 with

an RBI. Senior Katelyn Carswell scored a run and had two hits. The Lady Tribe poured on its highest offensive production off Lady Mustang senior pitchers D’Maria Matthews, who started and took the loss, and Kerstie Reynolds, who came in and threw 3.2 innings. Reynolds led Stanhope offensively with two RBIs. In the circle for WHS, Slater (5-5) outlasted her rival counterparts to earn her second win in a row, giving up nine runs on 11 hits while striking out three in the complete-game effort. WHS continues play in the Prattville Christian Academy Classic Tournament today while SEHS travels to CarverMontgomery Monday.

Holtville senior keeper Haylee Ellis grabs the ball between two attacking Marbury players during Tuesday night’s area match at Boykin Field. Cory Diaz / The Herald

Marbury slithers past Holtville in area opener By CORY DIAZ Sports Editor

Four goals weren’t enough for Holtville to win its first match, slipping, 5-4, to Marbury in a rollercoaster Class 4A-5A, Area 5 opener Tuesday at Boykin Field. The Lady Bulldogs (0-4, 0-1) grabbed a resounding early advantage, but Marbury stormed back with three straight goals to take a 3-2 lead into halftime behind the stellar play of senior center midfielder and Samford University signee Erin Bonner, who ended the night with four of her team’s five goals. Freshman forward Hannah Westbrook started the ride for Holtville, scoring in the third minute off an assist from fellow senior forward Breelyn Buck, who followed up with a score of her own in the fourth, putting HHS ahead, 2-0. “Before the last match, I moved some people around and I moved Hannah and Bree forward,” first year Holtville girls soccer coach Robert Austin said. “They’ve got chemistry together up front and the mids played well behind them. Hannah, with her talent, and Bree, she’s a four-year player with a lot of speed. I wanted to try to use their talent to be able to score and it’s working.”

Holtville got another flurry of goals eight minutes into the second half. Senior wing Jacey Porter retied the match, bouncing a wide shot in off the right post, before Westbrook notched her second score of the match seconds later, stealing the ball and driving through three Marbury defenders, regaining the lead, 4-3, for HHS in the 48th. But Bonner took over again, ripping a shot in from 35 yards out in the 64th, tying things back up, 4-4. The senior broke through from distance again in the 76th, left-footed from 25 yards, lifting Marbury ahead for good. While his team reclaimed the advantage, Austin said with Bonner out there, he knew it would have to take another goal or two to win, a feat of which the Lady Bulldogs fell just short. “We struggled to contain (Bonner), and I knew those two weren’t going to be enough to win. I was confident one more goal would give us the win,” he said. “I feel like we left a couple out there, and at the end, I think we might have ran out of gas a little bit. “But I was very proud of the way they played. Other than (Bonner), I think we outplayed them.” HHS played at Prattville Christian Academy Thursday and travels to Wetumpka today at 11:30 a.m.

WHS splits with Spain Park in doubleheader By CORY DIAZ Sports Editor

Submitted / The Herald

Wetumpka junior keeper Alee Theriot catches a corner kick between two Park Crossing players during Thursday’s Class 6A, Area 4 match at Hohenberg Field.

Theriot saves Lady Indians in area shootout By CORY DIAZ Sports Editor

Just like practice for Alee Theriot. The junior keeper stopped all three shots on target of four shootout shots, lifting Wetumpka over Park Crossing, 3-2, in the Class 6A, Area 4 match Thursday at Hohenberg Field. “During practice, my teammate Erica (Bush) – even before games – we just practice those, just in case it comes down to that,” Theriot said. “Of course, we don’t want it to. So it’s just trying to help me practice for those when it’s an area game and it comes down to that sort of situation.” Theriot blocked PCHS’s first attempt from Michelle Pinel and teammate Arrie Slauson’s shot was saved as both teams were knotted at 0-0 after the first round. After Simone Craft pulled her shot wide, Wetumpka seventh-grader Marley Candelaria put the Lady Tribe ahead, and sophomore striker Danielle Rogers, who scored both of WHS’s regulation goals, made her shootout attempt, as Theriot next save gave the Indians (5-7-2, 1-1) the area victory. “It’s kind of like when you get into that moment, it’s kind of like you can’t hear anything and everything around you. It’s just you and the ball,” Theriot said. “I was calm, and of course, the cheers in the stands helped you.” Park Crossing opened the game with possession, but Rogers struck twice in the first 40, giving Wetumpka momentum and belief, Theriot said. “Starting off, it was a little slow for our defense. They came down there a few times and it was discouraging at first,” the keeper said. “But once we kept going on offense, and when we got those two back-to-back goals, that helped the momentum get going. It made us realize that we’re here to play, and we’re going to win.” The Lady Thunderbirds eventually got both goals back, one in each half, setting up overtime, where neither side was able to located a shot on target, and sent the match to penalty kicks. “We need to work on our communication, passing and maybe finishing the ball. We had some pretty crosses and pass-throughs, but we got to be finishing it,” she said. “And just continuing to play hard and work as a team.” WHS hosts Holtville today at 11:30 a.m.

Wetumpka’s doubleheader split with Spain Park Thursday at Bazemore Field featured plenty of late-game dramatics. In game 1, the Indians (5-9), down three runs entering the bottom of the seventh, strung together a walk, a couple of hits and walked off on a bunt to take the contest, 5-4. After being held scoreless through the first six frames of the nightcap, the Tribe scored three in the seventh, but Spain Park (11-8) shut the door to hold on, 5-3, for the split. “We kept putting the ball in play,” Wetumpka head baseball coach Mark Davis said. “That’s one thing about this team, we do put the ball in play. “That’s encouraging for our guys to not give up, even when we’re down. We’re putting things together right now, and that’s what we need getting ready for area play next week.” Sophomore Hayden Shepherd gave the Indians the early lead in game 1 with a sacrifice fly, scoring senior Cody Herring, in the first. In the top of the second, the Jaguars loaded the bases with no outs, but only managed to plate two runs off sacrifices. Tribe starting pitcher sophomore Jon Holbert minimized the damage all game, keeping WHS in it, giving up one run in the third and fifth, pitching out of a 1-out bases loaded jam in the fourth without allowing a run as Spain Park had just six hits in five innings. Sophomore Trey McCreary, who earned the win on the mound throwing three scoreless innings, started off the rally in the seventh with a walk and eventually scored after two passed balls. After a base hit from senior Elijah Hughes and a walk from Herring, Holbert tied the game with a two-run single. Ryan Crockett, the next batter, laid down a bunt and a throwing error from pitcher Hayden Freeman allowed pinch-runner Jacob McClellan to give

Wetumpka the walk-off. McClellan and Hughes reached base in the seventh of game 2, before Herring hit an inside-the-park home run with two away, pulling the Indians within two, 5-3. But Wetumpka couldn’t pull off another dramatic win as Holbert got out to end the threat. Despite the offense being shut out through six, WHS pitcher Collin Smith kept Spain Park within striking distance, allowing just four runs off six hits in four innings. “We changed speeds on them and kept them out front. When you can do that and mess up the timing of the hitter, we’re pretty good,” Davis said of his pitching staff’s performance. “I’m very proud of our success on the mound against a good-hitting team in Spain Park.” WHS plays in Elmore County High’s Day of Baseball today and kicks off area play Tuesday, hosting rival Stanhope Elmore.

Cory Diaz / The Herald

Wetumpka’s Cody Herring (8), Trey McCreary (1) and Payton Mixson come out of the dugout to celebrate its walk-off victory over Spain Park during a doubleheader Thursday at Bazemore Field.

WHS’s Jackson inks deal with Southern Union By CORY DIAZ Sports Editor

Before her senior season, Monijah Jackson already proved to herself she could beat any obstacle,. Garnering scholarship offers was just the outstretched tape at the finish line. The Wetumpka senior hitter signed a letter-of-intent Thursday to play volleyball at Southern Union State Community College after overcoming ACL tears in both knees – her right knee her sophomore year and her left knee soon after being cleared forcing her to miss most of her junior year. “Whenever I did hurt my leg (my sophomore season) and I couldn’t play, I really wanted to be out there,” Jackson said. “I came back and I hurt myself again, my other leg. It was hard, and me being me, I’m so hard-headed, I just kept play-

ing and I kind of made my injury worse. But I just had to put in my work at rehab and come back to get a scholarship, and I did. It was hard though because I don’t like to sit out, I like to be on the court. “When I came back I wanted to play really hard. I had to prove to myself that I can still do everything everybody else was doing. So, I just had to work harder.” Jackson didn’t miss a game her senior season at Wetumpka and finished with 70 kills, 25 aces and a team-high 15 blocks, earning First-Team All-Area honors on top of offers from Southern Union and Wallace Community College in Selma, where her older sister and former Wetumpka teammate Tadajah Jackson currently plays. The idea of playing with her sister again intrigued Monijah, but she always knew she would sign with Southern Union, which will pit the

sisters against each other this fall. “I’m going to be trash talking so hard. We actually talked about it,” Jackson said. “(Tadajah) said ‘yeah, it’s going to be a good game.’ She was like, ‘while we’re on the court, there’s no sister thing, you just got to play your game.’ She’s excited though, she said she’s going to beat me, but I don’t think so. My team is going to be great.” Jackson said she couldn’t describe the emotion she felt seeing the tough journey end by signing with the Bison. “I can’t. This is great. I’m excited to play at the next level and get better as I go on. I’m just glad I get to keep playing because this is what I love to do. “I’m hoping that I can contribute a lot to this new team I’m going to be a part of. I’m going to bring everything I have to the table and just win.”