SPORTS: Check out our All-County Wrestling Team, B1 Deputy recovering after being shot in Claud standoff, B8
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 15, 2023 | VOL. 124, NO. 11 | $1.00 WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2022 | VOL. 123, NO. 5 | $1.00
Stanhope principal responds following 2 student deaths
Holtville High School basketball coach arrested
STAFF REPORT students and we know the and yours during this difficult Representatives from Carastar, First Aid to learn warning continued help in reporting TPI Staff entire Millbrook community is time.” formerly Montgomery Area signs and how to talk about any concerns. We will heartbroken as well,” Stanhope With a highinvestigation focus on grief and Mental possible issues. He cited the to tell our students, By Cliff Williams Franklin said investigators Wilson was the head basketWilsoncontinue was released on a handedHealth it offAuthority, Within the last two weeks, principalball Ewellcoach Fuller at saidHoltville counseling, has have been providing griefthe Elmore National Suicide Prevention staff and90families that ifafthey Staff Writer with County SherHigh the $6,000 bond minutes toschool the appropriate authorities. Stanhope Elmore High in a letter to parents. been equippedHe with several and Autauga Hotline, which can hearhimself somethinginoraccordknow iff’s Office have the alleged vic-be reached School and“We was ter turning was also placedcounseling on adminisSchool has experienced understand the current hands on decktrative this week. Baptist Associationtim’s members by dialing 988. something say something.” A virtual teachertheat Elmore phone. Authorities collect- ing to the placed on events adElmoretoCounty Jail leave at that time.” unthinkable — two tragic and will impact our students, staff Community pastors, grief offered chaplaincy support. “Please know that the Fuller also provided a County School’s Edge program ministrative website. Dennis said school officials ed Wilson’s phone as well. unexpected of students. membersleave and their families. counselors, local schoolthe sameEven local law enforcement our main focus of potential questions has beendeaths arrested and charged “You couldstudents see a are conversaJan. 13 Dennislistsaid Wilson also follow procedure Immediately, community Questions will be asked and counselors and members of agencies have abeention available the suicides, with school employee distribbetween and thehighest two,” priority,” Frank- Fuller according to Elcoached surrounding other sports at Holtwhen administrators receive leaders come together to talk with others is the Montgomery Association for additional counseling. in the letter. “We would including how to cope, report of allegations againstgrieflin utinghave obscene materialtoto a the stu-needmore said. “Mr.said Wilson is going County ville schools including being provide We have superput together Council on Substance Abuseand employees. In the letter, Fuller like to remind that head learning the warning signs school staff dent.support and counseling expected. to also contend someone hadeveryone the the Schools track coach and assisfor other students. some resources that will be are stationed at the school this said the staff will be getting we have several resources in and what to do if you believe “Once we hand it over, we security code to his phone and tant football coach. Elmore County Sheriff Bill intendent Rich“Our hearts grieve for our helpful and available to you week for constant support. training with Mental Health place, and we ask for your someone is suicidal. know very little about what is he was not responsible. There Franklin said Emmanuel Andre ard Dennis. Dennis said other staff would WILSON going on,” Dennis said. “We is other information we can’t fill in for the duties of Wilson at Wilson II, 32, of Montgomery “We had a recooperate with authorities if disclose now but I don’t think Holtville while he is on adminturned himself into authorities port,” Dennis Tuesday afternoon. it’s beneficial to Mr. Wilson.” istrative leave. said. “We had a preliminary necessary.”
Chamber holds luncheon
welcoming members
County commission recognizes Police Tallassee wrestler continue
investigation, man no longer suspected
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
Tallassee High School sophomore Land Bell is making the rounds in Elmore County after winning the AHSAA By Cliff Williams Members Class 5A state championship at 132 pounds. Staff Writer of the The Elmore County Commission recognized the wresWetumpka tler at its Monday meeting after the Tallassee City Council The Wetumpka Chamber of Commerce held its Chamber of recognized Bell and his team for a successful season earlier Commerce this month. annual luncheon to install new officers and board attend the members for the first time in a while Thursday. “The Elmore County Commission recognizes the chamber’s “Aachievements of our students in individual and team sports The COVID-19 pandemic put a hamper on gathTaste of Our when they win a championship,” Elmore County Commiserings but the chamber celebrated the successes of Home Town”sion chair Bart Mercer said. “Tonight we are recognizing business in Wetumpka. Byhis Jake Arthur luncheon. Land Bell for “We haven’t been able to do this for the last couaccomplishments.” Chief Videographer CLIFF WILLIAMS | THE HERALD CLIFF WILLIAMS/ Bell finished the season 43-3 with all three losses while ple years,” chairperson Clay McConnell said. “Your Redland resident is and Warpeople Veteranwant JohntoMiller was given a quilt by Quilts of Valor volunteer Karen Daniels in THE HERALDwrestling at higher weight classes. attendance anKorean indication get back Police are still investigating the fatal Miller’s home Thursday. Bell’s coach John Mask called Bell “dominant.” together and have these opportunities to see each shooting in the Wetumpka Walmart “At the state championship level, it is very rare parkto pin ing lot on Jan. See CHAMBER, Page A3 your opponent,” Mask said.20. “Much less everybody you Police werethe dispatched to the parking lot wrestle. He had probably most dominant performance 10:45 p.m. for a “shots call. at a finals I around have seen in my 23 years. He wasfired” undefeated Once there, they found Centell Winston, [the entire season] at 132.” 42 of Tallassee, dead gunshot wound Commissioner Henry Hines saidofhea also wrestled at in the driver seat of his vehicle. See WRESTLER, Page A2 According to Wetumpka police chief Greg Benton, this was not a random shooting. “This was not random, not a random act,” said Benton. “We believe the victim and the perpetrator knew each other.” By CLIFF WILLIAMS This is the first homicide in Wetumpka News Editor in over three years. The last homicide in the city took place in 2018. ohn Miller will feel a little warmer now. “It’s not a good way to start out the new By CLIFF WILLIAMS After it was given to him by Quilts of year,” said Benton. News Editor Valor, Miller can now seek warmth and Benton didn’t want to speculate on the comfort from a handmade quilt by Quilts of Couples, friends, mothers and daughters and even a Valor volunteer Karen Daniels of Newnan, SHOOTING, Page A3 grandmother and grandson are See flying with the Wetumpka Georgia. Area Chamber of Commerce to Italy for 10 days. “We make quilts to cover service memWhile Janice Whorton normally mans the phone at the bers and veterans who have been touched by chamber everyone is challenging her to break the mold and war to provide comfort, honor and gratitude just enjoy herself as she travels with her daughter Carol. for services and sacrifices,” Daniels said “I told [chamber director] Shellie [Whitfield] to begin while delivering the quilt to Miller at his with I couldn’t go unless I had a family member to go; they Redland home. on it,” Whorton said. “We are going to have a great StaffMiller Report assembly at Holtville the school culture from that of a shift in a positivegrabbed direction. The was nominated for receiving schoolwide the time.” a 62 percent quilt by his nephew Dennis Oaks who High saw School. Elmore County Su- school struggling with low mo- school experienced The referrals, perennial planner was still at work before the aThe ceremony for Quilts of Valor inof Warner Alabama Association perintendent Richard Dennis was rale, achievement and attendance decrease in discipline 35 travelers boarded a bus to catch a plane to Rome on Robins, Georgia. Secondary School Principals in attendance for the presentation. to a school that strives for excel- 50 percent decrease in chronic Wednesday; she was making sure everyone had arrived. “I didn’t know anything about it until (AASSP) named Holtville High “Kyle Futral is an exception- lence. By collaborating with staff, absenteeism, 7 percent increase Whorton’s co-travelers know her tendency to take charge about two or three weeks ago,” Miller said. School principal Kyle Futral the al principal and is very proac- many of the school’s issues were in the graduation rate, 33 percent and encouraged her to give the task to someone else. “I served but I’m no hero or anything like 2022 Alabama High School Prin- tive and innovative in his think- identified and addressed. Futral’s increase in CCR rate and a 20 per“She is going to not work; she is going to chill out,” that.”of the Year. cipal ing and approaches to managing leadership style of listening, en- cent increase in ACT proficiency traveler Carol Matthews told Whorton and others while TheHigh Quincy, Pennsylvania native The School Principal of might his school,” Dennis said, couraging, supporting, organizing inHERALD the last five years. CLIFF WILLIAMS | THE they were getting ready Wednesday. Redland Koreanand War Veteran John the Year award was presented to As principal of resident Holtvilleand High challenging theMiller staffwatches and stu-as his quilt See HONOR, Page A3 is unveiled. quilt was given by Quilts ofthe Valor volunteer Karen See ITALY, Page A3 Futral on Friday, Jan. 28 during a School, Futral has The transformed dents, caused school culture to Daniels. See PRINCIPAL, Page A3 FUTURAL
Quilts of Valor honor Redland resident
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Wetumpka Chamber takes off to Italy
Holtville’s Futral Alabama principal of the year
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