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ELMORE COUNTY TAKES 3RD IN STATE

Tallassee and Reeltown Graduates

Court cases take longer than expected

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Tallassee, AL 36078

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MAY 24, 2023

TallasseeTribune.com

VOL. 125, NO. 21

Tallassee woman meets Trump

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor Dale Hilyer is no stranger to politics. At 87 years old, the Tallassee native has had the opportunity to meet her share of famous people. The latest is former President Donald Txrump and the chance

meeting just made her birthday. “I felt so honored,” Hilyer said. “I was so happy. That just made my year and everything.” Hilyer was visiting her sister Alice Hilyer Beam and other family near Nashville recently. The family knew Trump frequented a nearby country club and was trying to coax her to come without

spilling the beans. “They asked, ‘You are going with us to eat breakfast down at the country club, aren’t you?’” Hilyer said. “I said, ‘No. I’m just going to sleep in and look at TV. I’m not going to get up, dressed and out that early’.” The family decided to tell Hilyer the former president could be

at the country club about the same time as they were planning to eat breakfast. Hilyer said as they were eating Trump and a Secret Service detail made their way to a private dining area. Staff had instructed Hilyer and other guests Trump was running behind and would not meet anyone or take photographs. But when Trump

emerged, the plan changed. Trump made his way to Hilyer. “I heard him tell the Secret Service, ‘Y’all step over here. I’m going to take a picture with this lady in the red shirt,’” Hilyer said. Hilyer said she believes it was because she was wearing a See MEETS, Page A5

MAKING PROGRESS Businesses working around Streetscape project

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

hings might look like a mess in downtown Tallassee as the TAP Streetscape project is underway, but a lot of work has already been done. Through grants and matching funds, the City of Tallassee has already replaced decades old gas, water and sewer lines and as part of the streetscape project, contractors have installed storm drains. “The work they recently did, at least the water doesn’t come up to my door now. It is not a river through here anymore,” said Michelle Peppers, of Peppers Prints and Events. “The little bit they have done has helped. We have been told for years it was happening. Now we want to see it

done to the finish.” Tallassee Mayor Sarah Hill hopes the project will help businesses better utilize the buildings downtown. “Some buildings were having issues with leaks through basement walls,” Hill said. “Hopefully this project will help with some of the issues.” The Tallassee City Council accepted a bid for the streetscape and repaving in the amount of $1,884,752.40. The Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) provided $1.1 million in grant funding for the project. The city’s match for the grant totals $205,000 but the city is also funding the repaving of the streets. “There are multiple subcontractors on this project,” Hill

said. “It is all being overseen by one general contractor and our construction management team at CDG.” But there is still months of work to be done. The ALDOT TAP project contract allows for 150 working days. “That means anytime it rains or threatens to rain they can’t work,” Hill said. “We are looking at an expected completion date sometime in November.” Some area residents said they didn’t want to come downtown while construction work was ongoing. But Peppers has found a way to allow progress and allow her business to function. “We worked out an agreement with most of our customers with See PROGRESS, Page A5

SUBMITTED | THE TRIBUNE

Members of the Tallassee High School FFA recently visited Jim Scott’s Garden on Lake Martin. The students and advisor Dr. Daniel Free used the visit as a chance to train for upcoming state competitions.

Tallassee FFA prepares to compete at state next month By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor Dr. Daniel Free is growing the already strong tradition of the Tallassee High School FFA program.

For decades its quartet has been recognized but other teams in aquaculture, floriculture, nursery landscape, small engines, construction and now See FFA, Page A5

Training to aid in response to dementia By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

CLIFF WILLIAMS | THE HERA:LD

Although downtown looks a bit of a mess, many businesses have figured out a way to keep their doors open during the Streetscape project.

Residents with Alzheimer’s and dementia can present issues for law enforcement. Some believe there is nothing wrong and will wander off. Others forget who their loved ones are. Because of this issue, the Tallassee Police Department recently received training on how

to handle it. “With the new Missing and Endangered Person Alert, we can put it out for any of those that go missing where the family or caregiver know they have dementia or Alzheimer’s,” Tallassee Police Chief Todd Buce said. “It is no longer the old days where you had to wait 24 hours for an See DEMENTIA, Page B2

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