March 2, 2016 Tallassee Tribune by Tallapoosa Publishers

OPINION PAGE 4

LOCAL, PAGE 2 Find out what’s going on in the community in today’s calendar!

SPORTS, PAGE 11

Tallassee baseball works toward consistency

INSIDE

‘The reality of the electoral college and swing states.’

THE GRAND OLE OPRY REVISITED, PAGE 8.

The Tallassee Tribune DEDICATED TO THE GROWTH AND PROSPERITY OF THE GREATER TALLASSEE AREA

TALLASSEE, AL 36078

50¢

March 2, 2016

TALLASSEETRIBUNE.COM

VOL. 117, NO. 9

ELECTION RESULTS: Daugherty, Stubbs, Houston big winners STAFF REPORT TPI Staff

Voters in Elmore County elected two new county commissioners and gave overwhelming approval to District Attorney Randall Houston, Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton and Martha Roby. It was also a big night for 19th Circuit District Attorney Randall Houston who was a big winner over challenger Casey Biggs. Houston finished with a whopping 71 percent of the vote.

“I’m grateful to the voters of the 19th District for again giving me the opportunity to serve them as district attorney,” Houston said. It was the county commission where the big news was made. Challenger Kenny Holt beat out incumbent Mark Hragyil, but will head to a runoff with Shanna Chamblee in District 1. Hragyil had served for two terms. Holt had 1,570 votes and Chamblee had 196 in unofficial totals. Hragyil had posted 867 votes.

Former commissioner Mack Daugherty beat James “Trey” Taylor in District 2. The unofficial vote total was 966 for Daugherty to 770 for Taylor. Daugherty was relieved and grateful following Tuesday’s election. “I am very humbled and appreciative to the voters of District Two. I can assure them without any reservation that I won’t let them down,” he said. “I will serve all the people in the best way possible. “It is a relief,” Daugherty said. “I had

a lot of volunteers to work very hard over the last four months and I want to personally thank my precious wife and my family who have worked tirelessly. It wasn’t my victory; it was everyone’s victory that lives in District 2. …We’re very thankful, but more importantly we are very humbled that the people would entrust us with their vote.” County Commission Chairman David Bowen, who had been a bit of a lightning rod during his term, was upset by

Relay for life holds 2016 kickoff event

New fitness center holds opening event Former MLB player Klesko signed autographs at the pre-grand opening

By CARMEN RODGERS Staff Writer

Tallassee’s newest gym will be officially open this week after the gym kicked off with a pre-grand opening last weekend. To welcome people to the new establishment, the owners and management brought in former Atlanta Braves player Ryan Klesko. Klesko signed autographs for potential gym members. Klesko played in the major leagues for 15 years and was invited to Tallassee by a friend, Mark Cullars, who is from Tallassee. Cullars, a co-owner of T-Fit, now lives in Macon and currently owns gyms in Georgia, Florida and now in Alabama. During the pre-grand opening several people came out to see the new See GYM • Page 12

Carmen Rodger / The Tribune

Former Atlanta Braves player Ryan Klesko signs autographs at the pre-grand opening for T-Fit.

See ELECTION • Page 12

Carmen Rodger / The Tribune

Beth Nelson, RN, Swing Bed Coordinator, Jessica Dingler, RN, Swing Bed Manager and Melissa Dean, RN, Director of Nursing at Community Hospital, are excited about the addition of the Community Skilled Care and Rehab, which give patients in and around Tallassee an additional option for rehabilitation services.

REHAB WING OPENS Community Hospital now offering community skilled care and rehab By CARMEN RODGERS Editor

The newest addition to Community Hospital is the Community Skilled Care and Rehab program. The program is a partnership of Community Hospital and Crain Rehab. This new treatment program is designed to assist patents after hospitalization is no longer required. Unlike other rehab services, the Community Skilled Care and Rehab program allows the patient to stay in the same room. While the room does not change, the level of care does. The program offers a personalized inpatient rehabilitation program that is tailored for each patient. In this program the patient to doctor and patient to nurse ratio is much small-

er than those of traditional rehabilitation facilities. “What differentiates us from the skilled nursing care that you would receive at a nursing home is the fact that we have a 24-hour doctor on staff and our patient to nurse ratio is much smaller, it’s about 1-6 verses 1-30,” said RN, Swing Bed Coordinator Beth Nelson. This new Swing Bed Program is one of few in the region. With the nearest swing bed unit located miles away, this addition to Community Hospital will benefit Tallassee and surrounding areas. “I think the closest one to us is Troy Regional; they have a swing bed program,” said Nelson. Jessica Dingler is the manager of the See REHAB • Page 8

The 2016 Relay for Life kickoff event was held Thursday evening at Cozumel in Tallassee. The event began the yearly Relay for Life campaign. Members of the community who have been touched by cancer came out to show support. The group enjoyed bingo, conversation and good company. Many shared stories of how cancer touched their lives, both directly and indirectly. “I think it was great. We had a good turnout and I was very excited to see our survivors, caregivers and members of the community,” said Amber Voss with the American Cancer Society’s Relay for life. Furthermore, the program correspondingly showcased benefits from previous funds raised in the community, honored cancer survivors and caregivers and guests had the opportunity to register a team for the Relay. Now that the kickoff has begun, Relay for Life teams from previous years are gearing up for the upcoming campaign drive. The American Cancer Society is also looking for fresh faces to join new teams. “We’re looking for volunteers right now to be in our community,” Voss said. “Some of our committee members who have been See RELAY • Page 3

McCraney-Cottle Arts Council to finish season with Camp Band 1921 By CARMEN RODGERS Staff Writer

Journey back to the time of the Civil War as the camp band brings the sounds and songs of that era to life. The Camp 1921 String Band will perform on March 8 in the auditorium of Tallassee High School. Located in Tallassee, the Camp 1921 Band is one of the largest in the nation preserving

Appalachian music and cultural history of the Deep South. With few exceptions, the band plays music written in 1865 and before. The Camp 1921 String Band’s performance will cap the 2015-2016 McCraneyCottle Arts Council’s season. “Local Camp 1921 will be closing the season,” said Mona Mills with the McCraneySee BAND • Page 3

LINVILLE MEMORIAL

F U N E R A L

Camp 1921 String Band Live Music of the Old South will perform on March 8 in the auditorium of Tallassee High School at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students

H O M E

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334.639.4730 www.linvillememorial.com

Carmen Rodgers / The Tribune

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