INSIDE TODAY
244-7778
Lady Indians ready for hoops season to begin.
Catch some final thoughts on Frontier Days.
Sports, Page 11
Opinion, Page 4
THE WETUMPKA HERALD Elmore County’s Oldest Newspaper - Established 1898
Wetumpka, AL 36092
50¢
WEDNESDAY • NOVEMBER 9, 2016
THEWETUMPKAHERALD.COM
VOL. 118, NO.42
Dennis tops Harrison for superintendent
By WILLIAM CARROLL Manging Editor
Donald Trump took Elmore County in commanding fashion with 26,733 votes to Democrat Hillary Clinton’s 7,951 votes. As of midnight, all major television networks had not projected a winner in the presidential Republican Richard Shelby defeated race, but just as he did in Elmore County and in Alabama, Donald Trump had an edge in Democratic challenger Ron Crumpton popular votes and in the electoral college projections over Hilary Clinton. Check back to our in the county with 26,677 votes to website for final results as they become available. Crumpton’s 8,355. U.S. Representative for the 2nd For Elmore County Commission Congressional District Republican that prevented him from running in the Republican primary. According to the District 5, Earl Reeves appears to have Martha Roby defeated Democratic chalvoting tally provided by the Elmore defeated incumbent Stephanie Daniels lenger Nathan Mathis with 19,750 votes County Elections office there were also Smoke with 2,578 votes to 2,215. See ELECTION • Page 11 Republican presidential candidate 86 write in votes.
PRESIDENTIAL RACE UNDECIDED, BUT TRUMP WINS HERE
With some 1,500 absentee ballots and a small number of provisional ballots still to count as of press time, Republican challenger Richard Dennis has unseated Dr. Andre Harrison in the race for Elmore County School Superintendent. With all precincts reporting Dennis has 20,141 votes over Harrison’s 13,360. Harrison was running in the race as an independent due to an issue with filing his paperwork
Mayor, HAIL TO THE QUEEN Burn ban extended Council to entire sworn in state
By DAVID GRANGER Staff Writer
Monday night was election eve, but it was also swearing-in night at the Wetumpka City Council meeting in the council chambers at Wetumpka’s City Hall. Circuit Judge Bill W. Lewis of the 19th Judicial Circuit was on hand to swear in Mayor Jerry Willis and the five members of the council. After thanking his wife, Kathy, for supporting him through his four years on the council and his two previous terms as mayor, Willis, beginning his third may-
By DAVID GRANGER Staff Writer
See COUNCIL • Page 12
David Granger / The Herald
Circuit Judge Bill Lewis of the 19th Judicial Circuit swore in members of the Wetumpka City Council Monday as Mayor Jerry Willis looks on. Council members sworn in included from left to right: Kevin Robbins, Percy Gill, Steve Gantt, Rebecca Thornton and Greg Jones.
Photo courtesy of Chrietzberg Photography / The Herald
Miss Christmas on the Coosa Hannah Royal was crowned at the pageant held Saturday at the Wetumpka Civic Center. See page 5 inside today’s paper for m0re images from the pageant.
Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley approved State Forester Gary Cole’s formal statewide declaration of drought emergency conditions, placing a no-burn order over the entire state, effective at 3 p.m. Monday. “Although 46 counties in North Alabama were already under the no-burn order, it was necessary to add the remaining 21 counties in the southern part of the state because of alarming wildfire activity and continued lack of rainfall,” Bentley said. “The expansion of this no-burn order is critical to keeping our citizens safe from the threat of wildfires and reducing the chance of avoidable fires.” Since Oct. 1, a total of 1,421 wildfires have occurred in Alabama destroying approximately 15,409 acres of land. Last year during this same time frame, there were only 232 wildfires burning 1,846 acres across the state. On Monday, Alabama Forestry Commission wildland firefighters continued to battle See FIRE• Page 12
Gulf South Mobility provides a variety of services for the disabled By WILLIAM CARROLL Managing Editor
On Nov. 15, the Wetumpka Area Chamber of Commerce will feature several unique Wetumpka businesses, one of which, Gulf States Mobility, has been helping disabled individuals in the area for over 17 years. Gulf States, which is located at 1647 Coosa River Parkway in Wetumpka, has been in existence since 1999. Owner James
Today’s
Weather
71 42 High
Low
THURSDAY: HIGH 72 LOW 44
Garrett said that the idea behind the company started in the mid1980s when friends continued to ask him to start up a business geared towards vehicles and other assistance for those with disabilities. “In 1978 me and two other guys were working in a body shop together,” he said. “One of those guys was injured in a motorcycle wreck and I did some work for him,” Garrett said.
CONTACT US 334-567-7811 Fax: 334-567-3284
USPS 681-260
As time went on Garrett said he performed work for other individuals, mainly repairs and that eventually in 1999 he made the decision to create GSM. Garrett said the company quickly expanded from its original location into its current location. “We have been here (at the present location) since 2003,” he said. “We started construction in 2002.” See MOBILITY• Page 12
William Carroll / The Herald
One of the modified vehicles Gulf States Mobility has on its lot includes joystick modifications to assist with driving the car as well as joysticks which control the gas and brakes. All of these devices are connected to a computer unit which facilitates driving for disabled persons.