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Holtville High School basketball coach arrested By Cliff Williams Staff Writer A virtual teacher at Elmore County School’s Edge program has been arrested and charged with school employee distributing obscene material to a student. Elmore County Sheriff Bill Franklin said Emmanuel Andre Wilson II, 32, of Montgomery turned himself into authorities Tuesday afternoon.
Wilson was the head basketball coach at Holtville High School and was placed on administrative leave Jan. 13 according to Elmore County Schools superintendent Richard Dennis. WILSON “We had a report,” Dennis said. “We had a preliminary
investigation and handed it off to the appropriate authorities. He was also placed on administrative leave at that time.” Dennis said school officials follow the same procedure when administrators receive a report of allegations against school staff and employees. “Once we hand it over, we know very little about what is going on,” Dennis said. “We cooperate with authorities if necessary.”
Franklin said investigators with the Elmore County Sheriff’s Office have the alleged victim’s phone. Authorities collected Wilson’s phone as well. “You could see a conversation between the two,” Franklin said. “Mr. Wilson is going to contend someone had the security code to his phone and he was not responsible. There is other information we can’t disclose now but I don’t think it’s beneficial to Mr. Wilson.”
Wilson was released on a $6,000 bond 90 minutes after turning himself in according to the Elmore County Jail website. Dennis said Wilson also coached other sports at Holtville schools including being the head track coach and assistant football coach. Dennis said other staff would fill in for the duties of Wilson at Holtville while he is on administrative leave.
Murphy brother Police denied parole in Chamber holds luncheon continue Holman murder investigation, man no longer suspected
welcoming members
years. Jared entered a guilty plea to murder Members A Wetumpka man will and was senof the stay in prison after the Alabama Bureau of Partenced to 28 Wetumpka years. Chamberdons of and Paroles denied his release from prison last AccordCommerce JARED MURPHY week. ing to hearattend the According to court ing minutes chamber’s “A Jared Murphy was from the Alabama Board Taste of records, Our sentenced to 28 years in of Pardons and Paroles, Home Town” Jake Arthur Kathy Holman, the vic2003 killing luncheon.prison for the By Chief Videographer CLIFF WILLIAMS/ of Ronnie Holman. Jared tim’s wife; Donna Bush, THE HERALD was 17 at the time and was the victim’s sister; former investigating the fatal present when hisPolice older are stillElmore County prosecushooting in the Wetumpka Walmart parkbrother Jason Murphy tors; the attorney general’s ing lot on Jan. 20. pulled the trigger. The two office and a victim advoPolice were dispatched to the parking lot brothers entered Holman’s cacy group spoke against around 10:45 p.m. for a “shots fired” call. residence and stole money. Jared Murphy’s release. Once there, they found Centell Winston, The brothers42were Murphy is housed at of Tallassee, dead of a gunshot wound charged with capital the Alabama Department in the driver seat of his vehicle. murder. Their trials were to of Corrections Easterling According Wetumpka police chief moved to Chilton County. Correctional Center. Greg Benton, this was not a random shootAfter two mistrials, The next time Murphy ing. Jason was convicted of murcan be considered for “This was not random, not a random der and sentenced 35 Benton. parole 2029. the vicact,”tosaid “Weis believe tim and the perpetrator knew each other.” 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 By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
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
CREATING TOMORROW’S
MUSIC LOVERS See CHAMBER, Page A3
eron Flener has taken on another mission — educating youth. The classroom any adults in the area is a little different though. have seen the cover It includes speakers and band Velcro Pyga light show, and it’s all mies. associated with a concert The group is known for through Reach and Teach. playing in clubs and private Flener and others work functions across the South- with faculty and students east. But front man Camcreating a large education By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
M
component. Last week it was Stanhope Elmore High School. “The whole concept is to take a small business and condense it into a nine- to 13-week span,” Flener said. “You can’t do that with a hamburger stand or pizza See MUSIC, Page B9
Wetumpka council annexes 281 acres for two developments See SHOOTING, Page A3
CLIFF WILLIAMS | TPI
The lights in the gym were turned out showing off the entire stage and light show for Jimmy Mowery and the Scratch Band.
Holtville’s Futral Alabama principal of the year
The 194.30 acres is an adjacent property to 40 acres already owned Staff Report schoolwide assembly at Holtville the school culture from that of a shift in a positive direction. More homesThe will be by developers headed High School. Elmore County Su- school struggling with low mo- school experienced a 62 percent built inside the city limits by Mike Dunafon. They The Alabama Association of perintendent Richard Dennis was rale, achievement and attendance decrease in discipline referrals, of Wetumpka. hope to create 3 to 5 acre Secondary School Principals in attendance for the presentation. to a school that strives for excel- 50 percent decrease in chronic At its Monday meetestate lots and plan to named Holtville High and “Kyle Futral reports. is an exceptionBy collaborating with staff, absenteeism, 7 percent increase By(AASSP) CLIFF WILLIAMS television But Elmorelence. cators. ing the Wetumpka City be under construction in School principal Kyle Futral the al principal and is very proac- many of the school’s issues were in the graduation rate, 33 percent News Editor County officials said the crises are “Adequate mental health care Council approved ordiabout a year. Dunafon 2022 Alabama High School Prin- tive and innovative in his think- identified and addressed. Futral’s increase in CCR rate and a 20 perhappening in homes, businesses, is something that affects many nances to annex 194.30 was at the last council cipal of the Year. ing and approaches to managing leadership style of listening, en- cent increase in ACT proficiency Mental health crises are seen schools and the Elmore County people on a daily basis,” Elmore acres near Tutwiler Prismeeting and said they The High School Principal of his school,” Dennis said, couraging, supporting, organizing in the last five years. everywhere, every day. Jail. Issues are seen almost daily County Commission chair Bart on and 86.86 acres off had no fear building the Year award was presented to As principal of Holtville High and challenging the staff and stuSome think the issues are far by law enforcement, corrections Holtville Road into the See PRINCIPAL, Page A3 Futral on Friday, Jan. 28 during a School, Futral has transformed dents, caused the school culture to FUTURAL See HEALTH, Page B9 away and only seen through news officers, court officers and eduSee COUNCIL, Page B9 city. By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
Mental health task force formed in Elmore County Today’s
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