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The
THURSDAY • SEPTEMBER 1, 2016
TheWetumpkaHerald.com
Vol. 27, No. 35
High-speed chase ends in fiery crash
By COREY ARWOOD Staff Writer
The Elmore County Sheriff’s Office has reported a cross-county high-speed chase that ended in an airborne fiery crash killing the 28-year-old female passenger of the vehicle, which was said to have been largely travelling over 90-miles per hour. The driver of the vehicle, Wesley Kyle Phelps, also 28, sustained exten-
sive injuries and was ultimately taken to UAB Hospital for treatment, an ECSO official said. However the victim, Melissa New, of McCalla, was pronounced dead on the scene, he said. The driver was said to have admitted to paramedics he had used heroin and cocaine. The chase began just before 4 a.m. Wednesday, Sheriff Bill Franklin said and he described what he called the
21-mile trek an ECSO deputy went on before having to pull the two from the fiery wreckage. Franklin said Phelps was fleeing from Alexander City police in what was later found to be a stolen 2014 black Ford Fusion with switched tags. The pursuit wound its way over Kowaliga Bridge, as Phelps preceded down State Route 63 and onto Old Georgia Road where he entered Wetumpka jurisdiction, Franklin said.
By WILLIAM CARROLL Managing Editor
By COREY ARWOOD Staff Writer
See INMATES • Page 3
See CHASE • Page 3
No changes in final results for town council
Elmore inmate dies in stabbing incident Another stabbing has occurred at the Elmore Correctional Facility after an “altercation” was said to have broken out between two inmates leaving one dead from multiple stab wounds, according to the Alabama Department of Corrections. An AL DOC press report said the incident occurred in the afternoon during an “altercation” between Davieon Cotez Williams, 24, and Jonathan Gladney, 41. Williams was pronounced dead by a prison doctor nearly 30-minutes later at roughly 5 p.m., according to the report, which stated that officers took his body to the infirmary. According to the report, Gladney was suspected of stabbing Williams and was detained. The prison however will remain on lockdown while a DOC investigation is underway.
Phelps passed the deputy at 92 miles per-hour where he was said to be waiting along the side of the road. A few miles later, he said, the chase continued onto SR-14, headed east toward Tallassee. Franklin said Phelps was driving on the wrong side of the road going into curves and over hills as the deputy followed.
Carmen Rodgers / The Observer
Della Neighbors spends much of her time knitting caps for the Elmore Baptist Association’s mission. She, along with several other women fashion goods using their talents so that the mission can help people in need.
ON A MISSION Elmore Baptist Association knitting for a cause By CARMEN RODGERS Staff Writer
Della Neighbors and the Elmore Baptist Association are on a mission to keep the world warm, one knitted hat at a time. The group meets on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month. The group consists of women who offer their time crocheting, knitting and sewing to create items for those who are in need of warmth. Neighbors joined the Tallassee Senior Center not long after her husband, James Neighbors, passed in 2006. Through the senior center, Neighbors connected with the Elmore Baptist Association seven years ago and she has been knitting for a cause since that time. Neighbors was born in Red Hill and has lived in Tallassee since 1947. She once worked
in the Mount Vernon Mill and this helped spark her interest in knitting. “I worked in the mill 36 and half years,” she said. “After I married I bought a book for $10, teaching how to knit and crochet. Well, I’d bring home some of the coarse yarn from the mill and I would sit down and make out a pattern. If it didn’t work out, I’d pull it out until it did,” she said. Since that time her interest in the hobby has continually developed. “I love to knit and crochet,” she said. “I have made baby clothes, doilies and all sorts of things. I love to see how it turns out and then I give it away.” According to Neighbors, she has knitted well near a thousand hats for the mission. See KNITTING • Page 3
The final election results are in and there were no changes in the town of Eclectic for mayor and the two contested council positions. Pursuant to Alabama law, the Town Council of Eclectic held its canvassing of the election results Tuesday at noon. According to City Clerk Deborah Rowe there were no changes in the results of the elections held last Tuesday. Rowe said that there were three provisional ballots, which had been submitted. One was thrown out and two were counted. The final vote tallies changed little. In the race for Eclectic mayor, incumbent Mayor Gary Davenport defeated challenger and current Place 5 council member Wanda Estes 169 votes to 122. In Place 2, Charlie Powell defeated Chrissy Calhoun 152 to 127, while Place 4 council member Linda Reed held onto her spot, defeating Stephanie Stepney 166 to 119. Rowe said there were no issues with the canvassing. For those not familiar with the process, Rowe said that envelopes with election results are sealed on the day of the election by elections officials. Envelopes are then opened by the council as part of its mandated authority in overseeing the election to ensure that the numbers all agree. Rowe said that the process proceeded smoothly Tuesday. See VOTES • Page 5
Area teachers recognized by Air Force Association By WILLIAM CARROLL Managing Editor
Two Elmore County middle school teachers were recognized recently by the Air Force Association’s Montgomery Chapter as Teachers of the Year. The winners were Wetumpka Middle School 6th grade math teacher Shayla Broadway and Holtville Middle School 5th grade science and social studies teacher Kelli Jo Wilson. According to information provided by Susan Mallett with the Civil Air Patrol and the Air Force Association, the AFA awards teacher of the year honors in its
200 chapters throughout the nation. The Montgomery chapter has identified “stellar” aerospace/STEM educators for this award for about three decades. According to Mallett, chapters select a teacher from grades K-8 and a teacher from grades 9-12 to honor each year for using the aerospace theme to integrate science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) subjects into the curriculum. Each teacher receives a $250 check along with a certificate and chapter TOY pin. Teachers also receive a complimentary Aerospace Education Membership in the Civil Air Patrol where a plethora of free CAP STEM products and programs are provided
the teachers to enhance their classroom environments. Some of these teachers move on to essentially compete for higher honors and awards. According to Mallett, the Montgomery chapter could not decide between two “outstanding” K-8 teachers and so they awarded both Broadway and Wilson with the honor. Mallett said that Broadway integrates robotics and hydraulic engineering into her classroom as well as what is known as the 21st century afterschool program. Wilson incorporates rocketry into her lessons. Both teachers integrate the AFA See TEACHERS • Page 3
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Montgomery Air Force Association recognized the 2016 Chapter Teachers of the Year, from the left: Susan Mallett, Chapter 102 VP/AE, with Kelli Jo Wilson, Holtville Middle School; Shayla Broadway, Wetumpka Middle School; and Mindy Walski, Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School, and AFA Chapter 102 Preident, Scott Key at Maxwell Air Force Base’s Officers Club.