LOCAL, PAGE B8
LOCAL, PAGE A3
SPORTS, PAGE B1
TALLASSEE HOSTING AHSAA CLASS 5A, AREA 5 SOFTBALL TOURNAMENT
County Commission honors more State Champs
Elmore County boys soccer win playoff game
INSIDE:
SEE UPCOMING COMMUNITY EVENTS, PAGE B5
Tallassee, AL 36078
$1.00
MAY 3, 2023
TallasseeTribune.com
VOL. 125, NO. 18
Miracle After Miracle Elmore County deputies save life of infant who stopped breathing CLIFF WILLIAMS
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
THE TRIBUNE
Elmore County Deputy David Salum, left, holds Veralee Grace Wooten as Investigator Bill Wilson looks on. Salum and Wilson are the deputies credited with saving the life of Veralee recently.
Veralee Grace Wooten might grow up addicted to adrenaline — and with good reason and the blessings of God. In the nearly four months of her short lived life, the Titus infant has scared her parents, grandparents and doctors, tested a seasoned lifeguard and even broken the speed limit with a Dale Earnhardt Jr. imitater at the steering wheel. See MIRACLE, Page A6
CLIFF WILLIAMS | THE TRIBUNE
Tallassee Police Chief Todd Buce addresses the Tallassee City Council about the possibility of a grant to increase the number of certified police officers in Tallassee.
Tallassee seeking grant for more police officers By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
FROM ZERO TO
CHAOS
Brown was checking in with the 16 year old from Tallassee who was in Dadeville at a birtht was supposed to be a simple day party. phone call for Vicky Brown As Brown was preparing for to her daughter, Bre Hutchin- a good night’s sleep, she quickson. ly realized her life had changed It was 10:45 p.m. April 15. as Bre had been shot and the
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
I
CLIFF WILLIAMS | THE TRIBUNE
Dadeville shooting recalled by victim, mother and driver night turned into chaos. Brown and her daughter have returned home to Tallassee after nine days at UAB following the Dadeville mass shooting. The family recently See CHAOS, Page A5
Friends and family greeted 16 year old Bre Hutchinson, center, to her Tallasee home after more than a week’s stay at UAB following the Dadeville shooting. Hutchinson faces weeks of rehab as a bullet remains in her hip.
The Tallassee Police Department currently has 22 positions for certified police officers. Through a possible grant from the U.S. Department of Justice, the City of Tallassee and TPD are hoping to increase that number to 25. “It pays 75 percent of new officers’ salary and benefits for the first three years,” TPD chief Todd Buce said. “The city would then be responsible for keeping that position open for the next year. It’s only to add certified officers to a department.” The deadline to apply for the grant is May 1. “It won’t pay for the officers we currently have, but will pay for additional officers that would put more police officers on the street,” Buce said. “Animal control could be moved back to a [certified] position. It would allow him to work his own cases.” The council approved the increase in police officers, contingent on the grant. See POLICE, Page A5
Tallassee Chamber awards banquet next week By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor The Tallassee Chamber of Commerce is hosting its annual awards night May 4. It is the first time for the banquet to be in person since the COVID-19 pandemic. “We are looking forward to getting together in person to celebrate,” Tallassee Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Jerry Cunningham said. “We are happy we will be able to give out our community awards in person.” See AWARDS, Page A5
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