SPORTS, PAGE B1
All-County wrestling team announced
ECLECTIC, PAGE B6
INSIDE, PAGE A5
Pi Day earns a pie in the face
St. Patrick’s Day celebrated
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VOL. 126, NO.12
On Jan. 6, the victim reported the alleged robbery to the Tallassee Police Department. Another story has emerged in Investigators said the robbery a Jan. 3 Tallassee robbery. was during a transaction where In a preliminary hearing in the victim was attempting to front of Elmore County District purchase a gun. He was then Court Judge Glen Goggans, Vir- held at gunpoint and $700 taken gil Ford, an attorney for Nichfrom him. Police were aided in olas Zachariah Pattillo, quesidentifying Pattillo as a suspect tioned the motive of witnesses to by a witness and two anonya robbery in which Pattillo has mous phone calls. They said it been charged. was Pattillo.
Days after the alleged robbery, investigators searched the mobile home Pattillo had been squatting in and found dark colored coveralls. In the hearing, investigators said Pattillo PATTILLO was identified by the victim using an image of
MARCH 20, 2024
$1.00
Defense points finger another direction in Tallassee robbery By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
a masked person wearing dark coveralls taken from a music video posted on Pattillo’s Facebook page. The image was not shown in the hearing. Ford asked investigators on cross examination if two individuals were responsible for giving law enforcement Pattillo’s name. Which they had. Ford also asked if they knew there was an ongoing argument
between the brothers and Pattillo to which investigators said they did not. Testimony suggested no gun was found. Ford suggested the brothers were making up the story to get Pattillo in trouble. Goggans bound the case over to an Elmore County Grand Jury. He altered Pattillo’s bond to $250,000. It previously had a cash only option, but no more.
Fitzpatrick Bridge one lane for a week is just now being done because the temperatures needed to be warmer for Traffic will snarl for a this work. week as traffic on the Fitz“Even when contractors patrick Bridge is limited to are not there, it will be one one-lane through today. lane,” Buce said. “What The lane closure is 24/7 they are doing has to to allow the final work to cure before traffic can be be done to the actual driv- allowed on it.” ing surface of the bridge. Police officers will man “They are going to the temporary lights used reseal the deck,” Tallassee during work on the bridge Mayor Sarah Hill said. for the past year around “They will be pulling the clock. some of it up and putting “If there is an emernew down.” gency on either side of Tallassee police chief Todd Buce said the work See BRIDGE, Page A6 By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
CLIFF WILLIAMS | TPI
Dr. Steve Burak gets a hug from a family member after he was awarded the President’s Award at the Tallassee Chamber of Commerce Annual Awards Banquet.
TALLASSEE CELEBRATES ACCOMPLISHMENTS AT ANNUAL DINNER By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
T
he Tallassee Chamber of Commerce celebrated both the past and future at its annual award banquet Thursday. Champion supporters of Tallassee and the chamber were honored as well as celebrating possible good news of the future.
“I have had plenty of opportunities to move but I have chosen to stay here,” Chamber director Jerry Cunningham said. “It is such a good place to rear a family. There are plenty of good things going on in Tallassee.” A first for the awards banquet, members of several organizations were asked to give updates on what is happening in Tallassee. Rick Dor-
CLIFF WILLIAMS | TPI
ley has been on the Tallassee Industrial Development Board for 23 years. He is now the executive director. He noted the pace of good news for Tallassee will speed up in the next year. “There have been successes but nothing like the past year and right now,” Dorley said. “It is unprecedented that we are See DINNER, Page A6
BACKGROUND: Members of the Tallassee High School choral programs sang the National Anthem at the annual Tallassee Chamber of Commerce Awards at the National Guard Armory Thursday.
$20 million to be spent on public projects in Elmore County ty Commission, the Town of Eclectic, City of Tallassee, Elmore County Board Elmore County is grow- of Education, Tallassee ing. City Schools and the Businesses are opening. Elmore County Economic Schools are looking at Development Authority needing additional space. have announced the next The courts are adding two round of projects across judges. the county. The growth has led The commission has to the construction of 17 authorized the financSprings in Millbrook with ing with $20 million in the idea lodging taxes cash and more in in-kind could sustain quality of services for projects in life projects across the Eclectic, Holtville and county. And things are Tallassee. looking good. Now the Elmore CounSee PUBLIC, Page A6 By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
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