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Regions Wetumpka set up for artists dramatic gearing up final week for exhibit ALABAMA’S BIGGEST WEEKLY HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL EDITION INSIDE
THE WETUMPKA HERALD Elmore County’s Oldest Newspaper - Established 1898
Wetumpka, AL 36092
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WEDNESDAY • OCTOBER 17, 2018
THEWETUMPKAHERALD.COM
VOL. 120, NO. 42
City files appeal in utility suit
By AMALIA KORTRIGHT Bureau Chief
The city of Wetumpka recently filed an appeal with the Alabama Supreme Court concerning the dismissal of Alabama Power Company from a suit filed by the city against it, Bellsouth Telecommunications LLC and Charter Communications, Inc. The suit sought to have the three utility companies fund the relocation of utility poles in certain parts of the city in
the relocation of the poles would affect Alabama Power’s rates, which are exclusively under the domain of the Alabama Public Service Commission. Jordan said they have received notice of the appeal, and are currently working to finalize a reply before the end of October. Jordan said they support the circuit court’s decision. “We do agree with the ruling at the circuit court level that dismissed Alabama Power based on a lack of jurisdiction,” Jordan said.
of overhead wires and poles. “The legislature and the constitution of the state of Alabama basically placed in cities the authority to manage their internal affairs,” Robison said. “One of those affairs is how people are going to use our streets and our rights of way.” Shortly after the appeal was filed, the Alabama League of Municipalities and the city of Orange Beach filed briefs in Wetumpka’s favor. Alabama Power public information representative Mike Jordan said funding
accordance with a 2017 city ordinance. In May, Elmore County Circuit Judge Ben Fuller dismissed Alabama Power from the suit. “We’re basically saying that we think that was the wrong decision,” Wetumpka City Planning and Program Director David Robison said. “We want the supreme court to overturn that order, and rule on the jurisdiction.” Because the city is a police jurisdiction and a highway authority, Robison said they have the right to regulate the location
Commission establishes accounts for feeding inmates
The Oscillation Transia Film Fest is set to host a screening and solar energy workshop for the second consecutive year in Millbrook. Submitted / The Herald
Former WPD officer sentenced for negligent homicide
By AMALIA KORTRIGHT Bureau Chief
By AMALIA KORTRIGHT Bureau Chief
The Elmore County Commission unanimously voted to establish three bank accounts for funds that go toward feeding jail inmates and state prisoners in the county. According to Commission chair Troy Stubbs, the account will be opened with Primesouth Bank, and Elmore County Sheriff Bill Franklin will be authorized to oversee the funds. “The governor basically wants to make sure that money is not mingling with any other money, so when the state wants to come and audit, it’s very clear,” Stubbs said. During the commission’s work session, prior to the meeting, the item was added to the agenda at See INMATES • Page A2
A former Wetumpka police officer Andrew Bass was sentenced to serve one year in jail by presiding Judge Sibley Reynolds for causing the death of 52-year-old Elaine Merritt, the wife of a former state trooper. About 4 Bass p.m. on Oct. 22, 2016, Merritt was killed when Bass’ police cruiser hit her Honda Pilot near the intersection of Cambridge Drive on Highway 231. Evidence presented during the trial indicated that Bass’
Short film festival coming to ‘Big Fish’ movie set By AMALIA KORTRIGHT Bureau Chief
A traveling film festival is scheduled to make its way to Elmore County on Oct. 20. The Oscillation Transia Film Fest will take place at Spectre, the movie set of the fictional
town of the same name in “Big Fish,” which is located on Jackson Lake Island in Millbrook. The film festival is hosted by Oscillation Transia, a nonprofit organization that aims to promote environmental awareness and the See FILM • Page A2
See BASS • Page A2
Pink Carpet Gala raises funds, honors breast cancer survivors By AMALIA KORTRIGHT Bureau Chief
Dozens of people dressed up for a good cause during Breast and Body Health Inc.’s inaugural Pink Carpet Gala at the Wetumpka Civic Center Saturday. According to Breast and Body Health, Inc. program director Natacha Graham, proceeds from the event will go toward covering the medical and personal expenses of cancer patients, primarily those
fighting breast cancer, who are undergoing chemotherapy and other types of treatments. “One drug treatment is about $25,000, and it can go up to about $45,000, depending on if they need another drug. We have had ladies who decided to die because they couldn’t afford the drug and they didn’t want to put that financial burden on their families. It happens more often than you would think,” Graham said. “While they’re going See GALA • Page A2
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Dozens of people attended the inaugural Pink Carpet Gala at the Wetumpka Civic Center on Saturday. The gala raised more than $2,500 for cancer patients. Amalia Kortright / The Herald
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