SPORTS: Stanhope Elmore’s Andrews drafted by New England Patriots Deputy recovering after being shot in Claud standoff, B8
WEDNESDAY, MAY 3, 2023 | VOL. 124, NO. 18 | $1.00
Wetumpka looks to extend tourism beyond HGTV WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2022 | VOL. 123, NO. 5 | $1.00
Holtville High School basketball coach arrested
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
By Cliffwill Williams What be the next thing Writer to Staff attract guests and tourists to Wetumpka? HGTV’s Home TownatTakeover A virtual teacher Elmore brought loads of attention and visCounty School’s Edge program itors Wetumpka in and the months hastobeen arrested charged after theschool show aired but as distribSeason with employee uting obscene material to a student. Elmore County Sheriff Bill Franklin said Emmanuel Andre Wilson II, 32, of Montgomery turned himself into authorities Tuesday afternoon.
Two prepares to air featuring another part of a tourism package,” Wetumptown, city leaders want to prepare ka Mayor Jerry Willis said. “They for keeping the interest of tourists. will classify it. They give us a road The Wetumpka City Council map of where these things are and Franklin said investigators Wilson was the head basket- investigation and handed it off approved contracting with STAMP how and best to implement a plan. ball coach at Holtville High to the appropriate authorities. with the Elmore County Sherand Yellow House Publishing who Yellow House Publishing they operiff’s Office have the alleged vicSchool He was also placed onand adminishave and donewas numerous tourism projate [the plan] make it work.” phone. Authorities collectplaced on adtrative leave at that time.” ects for other municipalities for two The idea is STAMP willtim’s identify ed Wilson’s phone as well. ministrative Dennis said school officials purposes. resources in Wetumpka that could “You could see a conversaleave“They Jan. come 13 in and identify everyfollow the same procedure a tion between the two,” Frankaccording to we El-have that could bewhen administrators receive thing that a See TOURISM, Page B3 report of allegations against lin said. “Mr. Wilson is going more County school staff and employees. to contend someone had the Schools super“Once we hand it over, we security code to his phone and intendent Richknow very little about what is he was not responsible. There ard Dennis. WILSON going on,” Dennis said. “We is other information we can’t “We had a reCLIFF WILLIAMS | THE HERALD cooperate Tonya with Kennedy, authorities if plaques disclose now but I don’t think port,” Dennis left, gives to Elmore it’s beneficial said. “We had a preliminary necessary.”County deputies David Salum, center, and to Mr. Wilson.” Bill Wilson while the rest of the Kennedy family looks on.
Chamber holds luncheon
welcoming members By Cliff Williams Staff Writer
Members of the Wetumpka Chamber of Commerce attend the chamber’s “A Taste of Our Home Town” luncheon.
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
MIRACLE AFTER MIRACLE
CLIFF WILLIAMS/
Elmore County deputies save life of infant who stopped breathing By CLIFF WILLIAMS TPI Staff
V
THE HERALD
See CHAMBER, Page aA3Dale Earnhardt Jr. imilimit with
eralee 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
tater at the steering wheel. On April 16, Veralee was at home with her family, and everyone was keeping an eagle eye on the 3-month-old infant. After all she was born Jan. 4, 28 weeks into pregnancy, at Baptist South, weighing just 2 pounds, 2 ounces. Following nearly a three month stay in the NICU, the family had brought Veralee home on March
14 but Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) struck just a couple weeks later. Veralee was having breathing issues as doctors advised her mother Sabrina Kennedy to keep watch. Moments later, Veralee would change colors and stop breathing. “She started turning purple,” Sabrina said. “The first thing I did was flip her upside down and See MIRACLE, Page A5
‘Innovative’ Elmore County CNP director wins state award
CLIFF WILLIAMS THE HERLAD
The murals in downtown Wetumpka attract attention Wilson was released on aand $6,000 bond 90pedestrians. minutesThe af-foot trafficinofaccordtourists could ter turning himself result in increases ing to the Elmore County Jail in sales and lodging tax website. collections used to Dennis said Wilson also fund cityatservices. coached other sports 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.
‘Something must be done’ to stop gun violence
Police continue investigation, man no longer suspected
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
Community leaders and officials agree violence, especially gun violence, has become a problem in today’s society. The NAACP Elmore County Branch hosted a Stop the Gun Violence program Saturday. There may have been some differences, but all agreed the problem with youth and guns is an issue that needs to be addressed. But how? NAACP Elmore County Branch President Bobby Mays said a mindset of all must change to address the issue of guns and young people. “In too many communities, both Black and white, there is this ‘See nothing, know nothing’ mentality,” Mays said. By Jake Arthur “We have got to get away from that. Chief Videographer There is too much going on in our communities and there is nobody talking Police are got still neighbors investigating fatal about it. We nextthe door sellshooting in the Wetumpka Walmart parking drugs, we ain’t talking about it. We ing neighbors lot on Jan. 20. got next door selling guns, we Police were about dispatched ain’t talking it.” to the parking lot around for a “shots fired”comes call. Mays10:45 said p.m. he believes the idea from onethey wanting be considered Once no there, foundtoCentell Winston,a “snitch.” 42 of Tallassee, dead of a gunshot wound areseat tooofmany closed mouthed in “There the driver his vehicle. people in ourtocommunities, Black chief and According Wetumpka police white,” Mays said. Greg Benton, this was not a random shoot“If you see something wrong, you ing. ought say not something. being “Thistowas random,That not aain’t random aact,” snitch. can’t “We go around saidYou Benton. believenot thesaying vicsomething you know tim and the when perpetrator knew something each other.”is wrong.” This is the first homicide in Wetumpka in over three years. The last homicide in A5 See VIOLENCE, Page 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 See SHOOTING, Page A3
changes have improved student participation and improved the quality of The “forward thinking” food served from Elmore Elmore County Schools County Schools’ lunchChild Nutrition Program rooms. Staff Report schoolwide assembly at Holtville the school culture from that ofBut a Davis shift won’t in a positive direction. The High School. Elmore County Su- Director school Cacyce struggling withtake lowany moschool experienced a 62 percent (CNP) credit. In fact, The Alabama Association of perintendent Richard Dennis washasrale, and she attendance decrease and in discipline referrals, Davis beenachievement named took 19 managers Secondary School Principals in attendance for the presentation. a school that strivesassistant for excel50 percent Alabama to School Nutrition managers to the decrease in chronic (AASSP) named Holtville High “Kyle Futral is an exceptionlence.(ASNA) By collaboratingannual with staff, Association’s ASNAabsenteeism, conference at7 percent increase CLIFF WILLIAMS | THE HERLAD School principal Kyle Futral the al principal and is very proacmany the school’s issues were in the graduation rate, 33 percent Director of the of Year. the Birmingham-Jefferson NAACP Elmore County Branch President BobSUBMITTED | THE HERLAD 2022 Alabama High School Prin- tive and innovative in his thinkidentified and addressed. Futral’s Davis has led several Civic Center. increase in CCR rate and a 20 perby Mays helped plan and host a Stop the Gun Elmore County Schools CNP Director Cacyce second from cipal of the Year. ing andDavis, approaches to managing leadership style of listening, encent increase in ACT proficiency changes for the child nutri“I really don’t like attenViolence forum hosted by the Elmore County right, wasHigh awarded thePrincipal Alabama School The School of hisNutrition school,”Association’s Dennis said, tion program couraging, supporting,tion organizing in the last at Elmore on me,” Davis said.five years. Branch of the NAACP Saturday. Mays said he (ASNA) Director of the Year recently. Davis will be the president of the Year award was presented to As principal of Holtville High and challenging the staff and stuhoped open the dialogue about the association in two years.The state association helps CNP pro- County Schools over the See PRINCIPAL, Page A3 the forum wouldFUTURAL Futral on Friday, 28 during a in public School, Futral has transformed dents, caused the school cultureSee to AWARD, Page B3 last several years. Those guns and children in the community. grams improve food Jan. and participation school lunchrooms. By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
Holtville’s Futral Alabama principal of the year
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