LOCAL, PAGE A2
Another prison smuggling attempt thwarted
SPORTS, PAGE A7
LOCAL, PAGE A12
Tallassee heading to first Final Four
Ally Orr wins second in state javelin
Dedicated to the Growth and Prosperity of the Greater Tallassee Area
TALLASSEETRIBUNE.COM
VOL. 126, NO. 19
‘Everybody knows him’
MAY 8, 2024
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Family shares who missing Tallassee man is
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor It has been two and half weeks since the family of Michael Randall Thompson has seen him, and
it has them worried. Thompson, 60, of Tallassee, is never far from home and never out of contact with family for more than a few hours. “He doesn’t stay away from
home like that,” sister Felicia Thompson said. “He will be home. If he was out somewhere he would call no matter what.” See MISSING, Page A3
SUBMITTED | TPI
Michael Randall Thompson has been missing since April 21.
Lewis honors past with oath of office By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
1982 GRADUATE SWORN INTO THE TALLASSEE
HALL OF PRIDE of the world better in whatever way I could in trying to spotlight other people in Alabama who usan Schonberger Swagler were doing amazing things,” got her first taste of the Swagler said. “That’s what I love library and writing in Tallas- to do.” see. The skills she learned there Swagler spent her time at Talhave served her well since gradu- lassee not only as a student but ating in 1982 as an accomplished as a cheerleader, a member of the writer and humanitarian. National Honor Society and on Swagler was honored last the staff of the yearbook and stumonth by being inducted into the dent newspaper. She developed Tallassee High School Alumni a love of words and libraries in Association Hall of Pride. Tallassee. “I have spent most of my adult “I’m thankful to the librarlife trying to make my little part ians,” Swagler said. “For the By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
S
librarians and for the English teachers who taught me the importance of words and who showed me that I could make a living with words.” She graduated from Auburn University Montgomery with a degree in English. Her first job out of college was at the Montgomery Journal. Swagler went to the Tampa Tribune only to return to Alabama and the Birmingham News in 1996. She wrote about food and books.
The future lies ahead for Judge Bill Lewis after he was sworn into the Alabama Court of Civil Appeals on Thursday. Lewis acknowledged his past in his investiture service in front of the appellate courts of Alabama, including the state’s supreme court. Lewis is the fourth Black individual to serve as a judge in the appellate courts and first on the court of civil appeals. “I have witnessed the development and growth of Judge Bill Lewis,” civil rights attorney Fred Gray said. “I serve without reservation, he is well qualified to serve in that position.” Lewis and Gray share a history of respect and admiration. Lewis invited
Gray to his investiture in 2016 as Lewis was elected to the bench as a circuit court judge in the 19th Judicial Circuit serving Elmore, Autauga and Chilton counties. In 2018 Lewis introduced Gray at the Wetumpka Black History Program. Gray said Lewis may go on to bigger things from the court of civil appeals — higher courts and more. Lewis was the valedictorian of Wetumpka in 1996. He gave credit for his academic success and more to his parents Dorthy and Bill Lewis while joking about possible legal ramifications. “If I had known about DHR when she was pushing me to get that last math problem or read that book in not so nice ways, I would have called them See LEWIS, Page A3
See PRIDE, Page A8
CLIFF WILLIAMS | TPI
Susan Schönberger Swagler, left, a 1982 graduate of Tallassee High School was recently inducted in the alumni association’s Hall of Pride. Swagler left Tallassee and was a reporter for several newspapers across the Southeast. She is currently a food and lifestyle contributor to WBRC in Birmingham.
CLIFF WILLIAMS | TPI
Alabama Supreme Court associate justice William B. Sellers, administers the oath of office to Judge Bill Lewis as his wife Jenna, mother Dorothy and son Billy look on.
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