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THURSDAY • OCTOBER 13, 2016
TheWetumpkaHerald.com
Vol. 27, No. 41
McLeod sentenced to 20 years By COREY ARWOOD Staff Writer
The mother in the infamous Winston’s Law child abuse case received the full sentence from an Elmore County district judge who had strong words for the sobbing defendant that maintained the abuse came from the boyfriend. “I’m not just this monster that people have portrayed me to be. I was not aware of all the abuse that was going on,” said
Hallee McLeod, 29, of Wetumpka. The case is widely known and the physical details of the alleged abuse suffered by the then 4-year-old son of Mcleod and Joey Crampton have circulated across the nation in the high profile case. At her sentencing, District Judge Ben Fuller showed pictures of the physical injuries “Winston” was said to have suffered.
The images were gruesome, and Fuller held them to a choking tearfilled McLeod immediately after her impassioned plea for a reduction in her sentence. “You are evil,” said Fuller. “You are a evil creature that would allow this to happen to a 4-year-old child.” McLeod’s mother, Dot Faust, was at her side at the judge’s bench. The child’s father, Joey Crampton,
stood at a distance behind McLeod and Faust to their left. “Your honor I did not do that,” McLeod said referring to the pictures of what was referenced as the badly bruised and swollen groin area of her son. She attested that the abuse came from her then-boyfriend Scott Hicks, of Wetumpka. As of September, Hicks has remained See WINSTONS LAW • Page 9
County placed under fire advisory
Commission hears proposal for Thames Building
By COREY ARWOOD Staff Writer
is providing the drinks and we have Jessie Lynn for our entertainment.” This annual event was created to bring families closer by bringing them together for quality time with each other. “We like to take this day to enjoy our residents and their families,” McGee said. “It gives them a day to socialize with each other and spend a day relaxing.” Jessie Lynn will be providing the entertainment for the day. Lynn is known for her “country with a twist” style of music. She also incorporates her horses into her show.
Elmore County was one of 46 counties recently upgraded from fire danger warning to fire alert status by The Alabama Forestry Commission and a county forester advised residents to avoid burning altogether until wetter conditions arise. According to the AFC report, the status will remain in effect until the State Forester deems conditions have changed and lessened the likelihood of wildfires. The report was issued on Monday and stated nearly 4,000 acres had burned over the last seven days due to approximately 307 different wildfires across the state. An Elmore County Forester Brian Frederick said the county was not under a “no burn order” at this time. That would take an order from the governor, Frederick said in an email. However, that would be the next step if current conditions do not improve, he said.
See EVENT • Page 5
See FIRE • Page 3
By WILLIAM CARROLL Managing Editor
Officials from the city of Wetumpka were on hand at Tuesday’s Elmore County Commission meeting to present their proposal to acquire the Thames building downtown, but the commission took no action on the proposal. Several months ago, the Adullam House had originally made a pitch to the commission to take over responsibility for the structure. At the earlier meeting, the Adullam House, represented by Angie Spackman, suggested their willingness to take over the building on a long-term lease and put some $150,000 into the renovation of the former Elmore County Board of Education offices. According to county officials, the building has significant electrical and asbestos issues that will need to be addressed. The city’s proposal was presented by Wetumpka Planning and Program Director David Robison, who was See COMMISSION • Page 3
Carmen Rodgers / The Tribune
Jessie Lynn will be providing the entertainment for Family Day at Tallassee Health and Rehab this Saturday from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. Lynn is known for her “country with a twist” style of music.
Family and Friends
Tallassee Health and Rehab hosts annual event Saturday By CARMEN RODGERS Staff Writer
Tallassee Health and Rehab will host the annual Family Day on the grounds Saturday from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. Saturday. “We have the residents’ families come out and have a day of pure enjoyment with the resident,” said Tammy McGee, administrator for Tallassee Health and Rehab. In order to make the day more enjoyable, food and drinks will be served at no charge. “Haynes Ambulance will be grilling hotdogs for us,” McGee said. “Buffalo Rock
Annual Christmas on the Coosa pageant accepting applications By COREY ARWOOD Staff Writer
The Christmas on the Coosa pageant is less than a month away and the deadline is even sooner to enter the contest for a scholarship, title, crown and a place in the city’s annual holiday parade. Pageant director Tiffany Robinson said she saw the event not just as a beauty pageant but a time for the K-12 grade contestants to show how well-rounded they were on a number of topics and issues. The top prize in the Nov. 5 contest to go to the girl named Miss Christmas on the Coosa is $1,500 in scholarship money, the crown and a sash according to the pageant’s application and contract. This year Robinson said the pageant was open to all girls living in Elmore County and not just to those who
attended an Elmore County school. The deadline for registration is listed as Oct. 29, and rehearsals are scheduled for Nov. 1. Robinson said she started working on the event roughly three years ago and it was going on the 10th or so year the city has held the pageant. Robinson said it is one of the “traditions” of Christmas on the Coosa. A segment of the city-prepared guidelines reads, “Our mission is to select individuals to serve as ambassadors for The City of Wetumpka and Christmas on the Coosa events and activities,” and goes on to say: “The pageant program provides an opportunity for girls to develop knowledge and skills in a fun and memorable manner that will help build character and develop leadership abilities.” Robinson emphasized this aspect of the pageant. See PAGEANT • Page 3
Submitted / The Observer
Contestants from the 2015 Miss Christmas on the Coosa Pageant. This year’s winner will receive a $1,500 scholarship as well as other honors.
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