Lady Tigers knocks out ECHS in area tourney
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Eclectic Observer Page 4
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THURSDAY • MAY 12, 2016
TheWetumpkaHerald.com
Vol. 27, No. 19
Commission approves franchise agreement By WILLIAM CARROLL Managing Editor
The Elmore County Commission made quick work of its work session agenda Monday night. On the agenda were a couple of new items including approving a franchise agreement with Troy Cable. Jimmy Copeland and Pamela Parker
represented Troy at the meeting. Copeland said that Troy had recently been awarded a contract to bring a fiber network to Eclectic schools. Copeland explained to the commissioners that as part of the project to bring the fiber to the schools the company would also put in equipment for homes and businesses along the fiber line to connect them to the
Eclectic Middle School to honor teachers, staff
Superintendent Harrison recaps 2015-16 school year Talks advance placement courses, future goals By LIZ ELY Staff Writer
Superintendent of Elmore County Schools, Dr. Andre’ L. Harrison, is proud of what has been achieved over the past year and has few Harrison regrets. He has high hopes for the future of the school system, and as he plans for next year, he is steadfast in his goal to ensure the success of his students. “We’ve had a great school year. Students See RECAP • Page 3
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ment unanimously. The commission also voted to approve the 19th Judicial District Attorney’s domestic violence grant application. Beverly Stone was on-hand from the district attorney’s office and indicated to the commissioners that the Alabama Department of Economic and See COMMISSION • Page 2
fiber network. Copeland said that the initial project with the schools will involve a $480,000 investment, while phase two will bring an additional investment of $160,000 to $172,000. “This will ultimately provide up to 30 gigabits of connectivity,” Copeland said. During the commission’s regular meeting, the board approved the agree-
William Carroll / The Observer
Caroline McDonnell, 2, smiles after dropping off a bag of shoes to Eclectic Public Library Director Betty Coker as part of the library’s shoe donation program.
Soles for a cause Library looks to shoe drive to collect funds for bills
By WILLIAM CARROLL Managing Editor
Most libraries spend their time looking for donations of books, but the Eclectic Public Library has taken up a new request recently seeking 2,500 shoes for two worthwhile causes, funds for the library and shoes for impoverished people
throughout the world. Eclectic Public Library Director Betty Coker said that the idea was the brainchild of one of her board members, Paul Sexton, who pitched the idea to Coker as a way to raise funds for the library during the board’s April 12 meeting. The organization that Coker is working with on this See DONATIONS • Page 2
Public, family and friends invited to celebrate retiring educators By CARMEN RODGERS Staff Writer
The faculty and staff of Eclectic Middle School would like to invite the public to a reception on Sunday, May 15, from 2:30 p.m until 4:30 p.m. at the ECHS Auditorium in honor of three members of the EMS family who are retiring this year after a combined total of more than 60 years in education. During this time, these three incredible women have touched the lives of literally hundreds of students. Mrs. Dana Gunn has served as the Title I teacher at EMS for 15 years. In this capacity, she has helped children in a small group setting, working See CELEBRATE • Page 2
ADOC addresses Elmore prison strike By COREY ARWOOD Staff Writer
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About 300 prisoners at Elmore Correctional Facility refused to work for over a week, prompting a prison lockdown during inmate protests over living conditions and issues with payment for work, an official with the Alabama Department of Corrections said. The work stoppage was held in a coordinated effort with prisoners at William C. Holman Correctional Facility who also refused to work after their morning meal on Sunday, May 1. About 80 percent of the inmates at Elmore Correctional Facility had returned to work as of May 9, said ADOC public information manager Bob Horton, while he said the remaining 60 or so continue to hold out. The Holman stoppage continues, shuttering its sewing industry operations, while production at the plate plant has recently commenced after prisoners from Mobile were brought in to work. He said the inmates were communicating to media See STRIKE • Page 3
Woman commits suicide outside local business By COREY ARWOOD Staff Writer
Corey Arwood / The Observer
Prisoners and guards can be seen Tuesday afternoon at the Elmore County Correctional Center. A recent work stoppage involving prisoners at the center is nearly over, but nearly 60 holdouts remain.
Elmore County Sheriff’s Department reported a woman in her mid 60s committed suicide in front of Lake Martin Mini Mall on Monday. A Hayne’s Life Flight was dispatched to the scene, after a man discovered the woman but it was said the shot killed her nearly instantly. Sheriff Bill Franklin said he had multiple inquiries regarding the incident from people and media unclear as to what happened. A question was posted on an Elmore County-centered social See SUICIDE • Page 2
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