SPECIAL TREAT: Local students tell us how they would cook a turkey and what they are thankful for.
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The Tallassee Tribune DEDICATED TO THE GROWTH AND PROSPERITY OF THE GREATER TALLASSEE AREA
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November 23, 2016
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VOL. 117, NO. 45
Suspect arrested for BB&T bank robbery By CARMEN RODGERS Staff Writer
An early Monday morning carjacking in Elmore County lead to the arrest of Joseph Mark Colley, 33 of Goodwater, for the robbery of the BB&T Bank on Gilmer Ave in Tallassee. Colley and another suspect, Christopher Adam Horsley, 32 of Tennessee, were arrested Monday after an early morning carjacking of a van traveling North on Highway 111 in Elmore County. The strange sequence of events that
led to Colley’s arrest began with a couple from Birmingham who were leaving Wind Creek Casino in Wetumpka in their van. The vehicle was bumped from behind and they stopped to assess the damage to their vehicle. That’s when they were robbed by the two suspects. The suspects made off with a purse, a cell phone and an undisclosed amount of cash. After leaving the scene of the carjacking Elmore County Sheriff’s Department apprehended the suspects around the Mike Marker 5 on Highway 111.
Once in custody, investigators noticed similarities between Colley and the BB&T Bank robbery suspect. “We picked him on the carjacking,” said Elmore County Sheriff Bill Franklin. “When we brought him in, we noticed that there were certain traits and characteristics that matched the MO of the crime that took place at the bank in Tallassee.” Tallassee Police Department investigators had been searching for a suspect since the robbery just before noon on Nov. 7.
On that day, Tallassee Police officers responded to BB&T Bank located on Gilmer Avenue due to reported robbery. Upon arrival it was determined that an unidentified white male entered the business, wearing a dark hooded sweatshirt, cam- Colley ouflage pants or overalls and dark gloves.
Kiwanis Club ornament features former First Baptist Church
Commissioners talk future plans for county By WILLIAM CARROLL Managing Editor
Four Elmore County Commissioners took their seats on Wednesday of last week. Monday the Herald interviewed each of the four commissioners about their goals for the county and their plans for the future. Each of the commissioners were asked the same five questions. Their answers are presented here and have been edited for length and clarity. Tell me your plans for the next four years. Do you have any specific goals that you would like to accomplish during your term in office? District 1 Commissioner Kenny Holt said that he had several goals for his term in office. “One of the things I would like to do is review the employee classifications,” See COMMISSION • Page 3
William Carroll / The Tribune
Four new Elmore County Commissioners were sworn in last week during a special ceremony prior to the commission’s first meeting of the new term. They are (from left to right) District 5 Commissioner Earl Reeves, District 3 Commissioner Troy Stubbs, District 2 Commissioner Cecil “Mack” Daugherty and District 1 Commissioner Kenny Holt.
By CARMEN RODGERS Staff Writer
Carmen Rodgers / The Tribune
Nellie Ruth Cullars celebrated her 100th birthday Saturday with friends and family, such as her 2 year-old great-nieces, McKenzie and McKynlee Holleman.
BETTER WITH TIME Nellie Ruth Cullars celebrates 100 years of life
By CARMEN RODGERS Staff Writer
Anyone traveling on Hwy 14 near Liberty City Saturday probably noticed all the vehicles parked along the roadside and neatly arranged in the driveway surrounding the picturesque white house just before Herring Crossroads. There were cars from Florida, Georgia and North Carolina. All the occupants traveled to see one lady, Nellie Ruth Cullars. Cullars celebrated her 100th birthday Saturday with several friends and family. Among those in attendance was Vivian Lucille Anderson, Nellie Ruth’s sister, who made the trip from Pensacola, FL along with her immediate family to celebrate her sister’s century mark. The sisters were born just outside of Tallassee, in Friendship, and were two of five children of the late Irving Clinton McCain and Mattie Isabel Oliver.
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Cullars married at young age. She married “Doc” Cullars, but their marriage was cut short after Doc passed away in 1958. It was after her husband passed that Cullars decided to dedicate her life to teaching children. She became third grade math at Reeltown Elementary School and went on teach for 28 years. “She still remembers many of her students,” said Dianne Wright, of Tallassee. Wright is a caretaker to Cullars, but she says the bond between the two goes much deeper. Many love Nellie Ruth, which was apparent Saturday. However, she seems to touch the heart of everyone she meets. “I love Ms. Nellie,” she said. “I spend a lot of time with her. She is so sweet.” Nellie Ruth was also known for her antiques. For years she ran the self-titled, Nellie’s Antique’s, a long-running antique store in the heart of downtown Tallassee.
LINVILLE MEMORIAL
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The annual Kiwanis Club Christmas ornaments are now available for purchase. This year the club’s ornament features the former First Baptist Church building on James Street in Tallassee. Proceeds benefit scholarships for Tallassee and Reeltown students. “We try to do an ornament every year to fund scholarships for Tallassee and Reeltown high schools,” said Abe Rigsby, with the Tallassee Kiwanis Club. “The scholarships go to the Key Club students at those two schools.” The Kiwanis Club began creating these hanging tributes years ago. Local landmarks such as the Mills and the House of Seven Gables have been ornaments of Christmas’ past. “Each year we get together as a club and think about buildings and structures in Tallassee that have been around for a long time.” According to Rigsby, this idea has been brewing for a while and the club decided this was year to bring the ornament to fruition. “This is one that has been on our list for a while and we decided to try to put it together,” See ORNAMENT • Page 7
Flea Market a k p m Wetu & Antiques 2016 Open House • Saturday, Nov. 26 • 9AM - 6PM
$200 Gift Certificates Every 2 Hours! FOOD AND DRINKS PROVIDED • 10-60% OFF
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