Tallassee Tribune April 16 2025

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

The Thompson family gathered Sunday like it so often does. Children were running around. Good food was plentiful. But one person was missing — Michael Randall Thompson. It is the exact same spot the family last saw their husband, uncle, brother and cousin.

They came together this past Sunday to remember Thompson and pray. “I want to encourage the family to keep your heads up,” Living Word of God Church Pastor Johnie Bickley said. “Wherever Michael is, God is. God is everywhere.” Thompson, 61, left a family gathering at the Claud Fleahop Road home to go to his home in Tallassee a

High school juniors encouraged to serve at Government Day

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

The courtroom at the historic Elmore County Courthouse in Wetumpka was packed Thursday.

There was no judge holding court but more than 600 high school juniors from seven schools across Elmore County served as jurors as the Elmore County Commission hosted the 22nd annual Government Day.

“We hope you can see what county government does,” Elmore County Commission chair Bart Mercer told the students.

“We do so much more than fix pot holes and pickup garbage.”

Students got a chance to see a commission meeting, visit with county and state officials, demonstrations from the Elmore County Special Response group, hold weapons from the Elmore County Sheriff’s Office, put out a fire and the Wetumpka Fire Department cut doors off a vehicle. In 2007, current Elmore County Commissioner Desirae Lewis Jackson was a senior at Wetumpka High School. It was spring and she was sitting in the same benches the students were. Jackson visited with commissioners and other public officials learning

Obituaries

SAMUEL PAUL MULLENS

Samuel Paul Mullens, 74, of Tallassee, died Wednesday, April 9, 2025, at his home. A memorial service will be held Sunday, April 13, 2025, at 3:00 pm at East Tallassee Baptist Church with Rev. Brandon Fomby and Rev. Dan Rhodes officiating. Visitation will be at the church beginning at 2:00 pm.

Sam is survived by his wife of 47 years Debbie

Police Reports

TALLASSEE POLICE DEPARTMENT

APRIL 13

• An animal complaint was reported on Ashurst Avenue.

Mullens; his daughter Samantha Delane (Brad) Smith; his grandchildren Sydney (Sky) Webster, Michaela (Reed) Baker, Tatum Ingram, Braden Smith, Bryer Smith, and Bryce Smith; three great grandsons; his brothers James Mullens and John Mullens; his sister

• A disorderly subject was reported on Friendship Road.

• Debris was reported in the roadway on West Butler Street.

• An abandoned vehicle was reported on Gilmer Avenue and Barnett Boulevard.

APRIL 12

• A motor vehicle accident with no injuries was reported on Gilmer Avenue.

• A juvenile complaint was reported on Hornsby Drive.

• Gunfire was reported on Herd Street.

• Assistance was given to a citizen on Third Avenue.

• A missing person was reported on Freeman Avenue.

• Assistance was given to a citizen on Barnett Boulevard.

• Harassment was reported on Adams Street.

• Assistance was given to a motorist on Gilmer Avenue.

• A suspicious vehicle was reported on Gilmer Avenue.

APRIL 11

• Gunfire was reported on North Johnson Street.

• A suspicious person was report-

Helen (Ken) Bailey; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Roy and Luola Mullens, his step son Michael James Wheat, and his sister Mary Beth Mullens. Sam was a loving, hard-working and genuine man who loved his family, friends, and the community he lived in. He was active in his church East Tallassee Baptist when not away driving an eighteen

ed on Gilmer Avenue.

APRIL 10

• A welfare check was conducted on Gilmer Avenue.

• A domestic incident was reported on North Johnson Street.

APRIL 9

• A stolen vehicle was reported on Freeman Avenue.

• A motor vehicle accident with no injuries was reported on Jordan Avenue.

• A juvenile complaint was reported on West Butler Street.

• Assistance was given to a motorist on Central Boulevard and Gilmer Avenue.

• A juvenile complaint was reported on Friendship Avenue.

• A white male was arrested during a traffic stop on Friendship Road.

APRIL 8

• A motor vehicle accident with injuries was reported on West James Street.

• Harassment was reported on West James Street.

• Trespassing was reported on Evergreen Street.

• Assistance was given to a citizen on Barnett Boulevard.

• A motor vehicle accident with injuries was reported on Cherokee Trail.

• A noise complaint was reported on Riley Road.

wheeler for the company he started with his wife Debbie many years ago. He had the biggest heart with one side filled with the love of our Lord and Savior and the other side filled with the love of his family, friends, and Tennessee Volunteer football. Sam was the true meaning of a good and faithful servant of the Lord and there will never be another man like him. He will be missed by many.

• An animal complaint was reported on North Ashurst Avenue.

• Assistance was given to a motorist on Gilmer Avenue.

• A welfare check was conducted on Highway 229.

• A Black female was arrested during a welfare check on Notasulga Road.

APRIL 7

• A welfare check was conducted on Gilmer Avenue.

• Drug activity was reported on Hickory Street.

• A tree was reported in the roadway on Parker Street.

• Assistance was given to a motorist on Friendship Road.

• A welfare check was conducted on Jordan Avenue.

• Debris was reported in the roadway on E.B. Payne Sr. Drive.

• Assistance was given to another agency on Highway 229. APRIL 6

• Debris was reported in the roadway on Rifle Range Road.

• Assistance was given to a motorist on Gilmer Avenue.

• A domestic incident was reported on Upper River Road.

• Assistance was given to a motorist on Gilmer Avenue.

• Debris was reported in the roadway on Bass Street.

Palmer speaks in Millbrook

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

U.S. Rep. Gary Palmer believes the country is in a race with China for technology, energy production and critical minerals both need.

Palmer’s district includes Coosa and Elmore counties as well as Autauga, Chilton and portions of Shelby and Jefferson counties, and he was in Elmore County on Friday visiting with area leaders and touring new facilities. He paused to speak at a breakfast hosted by the Millbrook Area Chamber of Commerce.

“We’re at a critical place in our country right now,” Palmer said.

“We’re in an arms race with China for artificial intelligence. Whoever wins this race to fully develop and utilize artificial intelligence combined with quantum computing will not be a superpower — they will be the superpower.”

Palmer said the U.S. is not positioned well to come out on top because of a lack of energy for datacenters.

“For a modern civilization to be successful, it has to have energy,” Palmer said. “Some of you may be whole hog renewable. That’s fine, but you cannot power a modern civilization economy with renewables.”

Palmer believes the closing of coal fired electrical power plants will stunt technological advances if it is not addressed very soon. He noted nearly 200 coal fired or natural gas generation plants had been shuttered.

“We’ve dismantled those plants, but the transmission lines are still there,” Palmer said. “They’re still intact.”

Palmer suggested using energy technologies from the U.S. Navy to aid in getting more power to the country’s electoral grid.

“Small modular nuclear reactors are what we want,” Palmer said. “They power our aircraft carriers. They power our nuclear submarines. Their maximum generation capacity is about 300 megawatts.”

The Congressman said multiple

units could easily be placed where previous generation plants have been closed.

“We need to be able to ramp up our power generation on a massive scale,” Palmer said. “It’s a big deal. We’re not producing the energy that we need to produce, to fund,to provide the energy for these data centers. They consume enormous amounts of power.”

Palmer said the economy has grown nearly 800% since 1980 while emissions have gone down 60% overall. Lead emissions are down 99%.

“We can have the power that we need,” Palmer said. “We can maintain the air quality, the water quality, the land quality that we want to have for ourselves and our kids and our grandkids and still be able to have an economy to grow.”

Palmer said critical minerals are crucial to the energy race as well. Graphite in Coosa County can potentially be used.

“It’s a critical mineral,” Palmer said. “It’s some of the purest in the country.”

The minerals are also needed in the manufacture of electronics such as cellphones, computers and many of the competents in automobiles and machinery.

Palmer said the interest in Green-

land is the result of needing critical minerals beyond what is currently available. He said many critical minerals that are needed for energy production and more are controlled by China.

“There’s not a single major refinery for rare earth elements in the Western Hemisphere, I didn’t say not one in America, not one in the Western Hemisphere,” Palmer said. “There’s only nine in the world. Eight are in China, the other ones in Malaysia. We’re really in a bad place.”

Palmer alliances with Central and South American countries are needed to aid in private investment to ramp up critical mineral mining and refining.

But electronics and energy production are not the only areas of concern.

“The White House really likes this idea of near-shoring our supply chain, not only for critical minerals, but for pharmaceutical ingredients for pharmaceuticals,” Palmer said. “80% of those come from China or India.”

Palmer noted in the 1980s China launched a large effort in power generation. It aided the growth of manufacturing and industry in the

Humane Society of Elmore County News

Thank an animal control officer

By REA CORD HSEC Executive Director

This is National Animal Control Officer Appreciation Week, and we ask everyone to thank and acknowledge the important job our ACOs do for our communities. Each of our towns and the county are lucky enough to have ACO’s dedicated to enforcing state and local animal related laws, helping animals in need, protecting the health and safety of people, and resolving issues

involving animals. We have counties near us with no animal control resources for their citizens and we can tell you that often places people in challenging situations. ACOs are important for public safety as they interact with people and animals alike, often in risky situations involving injured, scared or aggressive animals. Animal control officers respond to many different situations - animal bite/attack cases, mediating disputes between neighbors over

animal issues, rounding up loose livestock that have gotten out of pastures, investigating animal cruelty and neglect cases, helping injured animals get to care, working with other law enforcement when animals are involved in larger criminal cases, etc. City noise ordinances and barking dogs often present challenges and some towns have limits on the number of pets in city zoning ordinances. All areas of Elmore County have a containment law for

dogs and Wetumpka & Tallassee add to that with a “leash law” for cats. And some, but not all, of our cities restrict livestock within city limits.

Our animal control officers are dedicated professionals who deserve respect from the public they serve – some have attended specialized animal control training at the state and national level to learn about things like safe capture techniques, animal identification, disease issues, legal issues,

Olivia is a 2-year-old female Bulldog mix who weighs about 48 pounds. She came to us with her two puppies (adopted) and proved to be a fantastic mom. She was heartworm positive but has completed her treatment so she’s now ready to go to a loving home who will cherish her and always keep her on heartworm prevention. She is good with both male and female dogs and cats. Olivia is a very sweet lady indeed.

The Humane Society of Elmore County’s adoption fees are $100 for dogs and $50 for cats under 1 year old. Cats over 1 can be adopted by approved adopt-

ers for a fee of their choosing. This adoption fee covers the mandatory spay or neuter, basic immunizations, deworming, microchip, heartworm check for dogs, rabies vaccination if old enough and a free health exam with your participating veterinarian. If you are interested in meeting Olivia or any of the pets at HSEC, the first step is to fill out an adoption application online. Once approved, you will be contacted by someone from the humane society. HSEC is located at 255 Central Plank Road in Wetumpka. The phone number is 334-567-3377 and the website is www.elmorehumane.org.

Commission teams with ALDOT to resurface county roads

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

Two county roads in the Coosada and Millbrook communities will be resurfaced.

The Elmore County Commission voted at its Thursday meeting to partner with Alabama Department of Transportation for the project to be funded by $826,000 of federal monies. Portions of Rose Hill Road from Grandview Road to Coosada Road and

Airport Road from Coosada Road to Highway 14 will get the work.

“We started the design over a year ago,” Elmore County chief engineer Luke McGinty said.

“There are two schools on Airport Road, Coosada Elementary and Airport Road Intermediate School, and we wanted construction to happen while school is out.”

The commission also approved the extension of a contract to provide the

country. At the same time 25% of China’s population came out of poverty and into the middle class. It’s a population used to consuming American products.

At the same time, China’s population has become older because of its one child per family policy. Palmer said the Chinese government is now trying to balance it back out.

“They have a disproportionate number of male citizens versus female,” Palmer said. “They’re now trying to subsidize children in marriage. The demographic reports that I’ve seen indicate that they’re on a

county with backup internet access. The new threeyear contract with AT&T is from the state contract list.

In other business, Mallard Point Plat 9 was approved by the commission. The 58-lot development is off Atkin Hill Road near Lake Jordan.

An eight lot plat on Jug Factory Road was also approved.

IN OTHER ACTION THE ELMORE COUNTY COMMISSION:

• Approved minutes of

downward slide that they can’t turn around. Russia is kind of the same thing.”

Palmer said it will take a trade war to rectify the supply chain issues and to bring manufacturing closer to home.

“We’ve got to have the resolve to win it,” Palmer said. “China’s currency is being devalued, and it’s going to continue to do so as long as this goes on.”

According to Palmer, those that need Social Security or Medicare/ Medicare will not see cuts.

“They’re there for the people that need them,” Palmer said.

The Congressman said those who are dead should no longer receive benefits and those able to work should do so.

“We’re working to require

investigative techniques, court proceedings, rabies control, public education, wildlife and exotics, and so much more. Animal issues often put them in harm’s way from both animals and people and their call volume often means they have to triage cases to deal with the most serious, or potentially serious, the quickest. Please

understand that their call volume often greatly exceeds their ability to get to some calls immediately. So please help us thank all of our Animal Control Officers as they work to help animals and people alike.

Rea Cord is the executive director of the Humane Society of Elmore County.

the March 24 meeting.

• Approved warrants in the amount of $2,232,880.36 for March 15 to March 28.

• Approved proclamations for Child Abuse Prevenation Month, national Telecommunicator Week and Celebrating America’s 250th Anniversary.

The next meeting of the Elmore County Commission is scheduled for 5 p.m. Monday, April 28.

EGGSTATIC

CJ’s Adventure

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

Joanna Keeter is counting her blessings.

Her son, CJ, has autism and Down’s syndrome.

The Auburn fans traveled to see their favorite team in the Final Four. It was a last minute vacation. She found tickets and it was the biggest expense of the trip. They were staying with life-long friends in their home. The mother and son saw the Tigers lose in the semifinal game. They had tickets to the National Championship game. When they were getting ready to go to church the morning after the loss, CJ, 22, slipped out.

“We had people in different locations of the house,” Keeter said. “We had it covered. He found that one door. When he realized he was out, he decided to go on his own little adventure. The down side is even if he wanted to come back to the house, he probably would not have been able to once he got off the street. He knew nothing of the area.”

CJ was found nine hours later in downtown.

“He was just having himself a good time,” Keeter said. “To him, the memory isn’t negative.

He had a good day and had fun. He didn’t see the down side where we were.”

Keeter said his son is mostly non-verbal.

“It’s like talking to a toddler,” she said. “It sounds like babbling and then you can make out a

word.”

In Elmore County, the Keeters are far more equipped. The doorknobs to the home have alarms that alert family to doors opening. And CJ is a client with Project Lifesaver, which includes a wristband radio transmitter law enforcement can use to locate a missing person with dementia or Alzheimer’s or children with autism or Down’s syndrome.

The average time to find clients once a Project Lifesaver partner is on the scene is under 15 minutes when they are immediately notified.

The program covers all of Alabama. Locally, the Elmore County Sheriff’s Office is a partner. Keeter rests easy in Alabama because of the program.

“I’m scared, worried that he could walk away, yes,” Keeter said. “But I’m not overly concerned and stressed.”

CJ has been a client for almost five years.

“He wandered off and got into the woods by the neighborhood,” Keeter said. “They were able to use a dog team from the prison and help find him. It took about an hour to an hour and half.”

It’s the incident that got CJ into Project Lifesaver.

The program is free of cost to the clients. The local law enforcement agency has a receiver that works up to about a mile. About two years ago, CJ left home and was found within minutes using the program and quick response of the Elmore

Project Lifesaver helps find lost loved ones quickly

County Deputy Sheriff assigned to the Project Lifesaver. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Aviation Unit has equipment to pick up the signal up to about 10 miles away and can assist from the air in about half an hour.

The helicopter isn’t needed too often as lost clients are usually found in less than a half hour once the partner agency gets on the ground.

“It works best if you call them right away before they can get too far,” Keeter said. “Alabama is a 100% state. Anywhere in the state the program is there.”

In Elmore County, deputy sheriff Stephen Dudley manages the program. He has used it with his mother.

“It is a wonderful tool for caretakers,” Dudley said. “It provides a great safety net knowing how quickly it works.”

Locally, Dudley gets called out about three to four times a year and rarely is the ALEA helicopter called to aid in a search.

CJ is one of 11 and soon-to-be 12 clients in Elmore County with wristbands for the program.

“We would like more, but they are more than $350 a piece,” Dudley said. “We have some grants but are looking at more.”

The sheriff’s office provides the first and second wristband just in case the client cuts it off. After that it is up to the family to cover the cost.

Law enforcement in San Antonio is not a partner with Project Lifesaver.

In the first few hours of the search for CJ, his mother, law enforcement and others went the direction CJ was seen going on security footage. She was also practically trying to find a partner with Project Lifesaver to bring a handheld device to the scene. When she was able to locate one, the search was already hours old and CJ was now beyond the range of the equipment.

“Let’s be real, when I’m going through this I’m not thinking straight,” Keeter said. “I’m not breaking it down. You are not thinking of the things correctly. You are distraught, numb and can’t think straight.”

Keeter put a post on Facebook after five hours into the saga about CJ being missing.

“I debated posting because I was in San Antonio compared to home,” Keeter said. “I thought people were at home and can’t help. I decided to post because I wanted the prayers. We believe in prayer and the power of prayer. If the prayer could help, then at least let’s get that going.”

Soon the post was shared thousands of times. The post traveled from Alabama to San Antonio.

Before long CJ was spotted in downtown San Antonio almost six miles from the home he was staying in with his mother and completely the other direction from where the

searches were going on.

“At some point he went the opposite direction and it took him downtown,” Keeter said. “I’m sure once he got there he realized there was a lot of fun there. He was enjoying himself it seems.”

The mother and son were connected via phone until she could travel the 15 or so minutes to be there in person.

“That hug was a relief,” Keeter said. “I think through the majority of the day, there was so much numbness. You automatically take yourself to the worst case scenario and hope for the best.”

Along the route CJ took were buses going all over town. There was an interstate nearby to provide more means of

transportation and more safety issues.

“The prayers worked,” Keeter said. “In this case social media worked. I firmly believe it found my child. I will forever be thankful and grateful. It is because of the sharing and then everyone else sharing. It just kind of built and built.”

Keeter is thankful for family, friends and strangers sharing her post and helping find her son. But she is also convinced Project Lifesaver will provide a quicker result if it is ever needed again.

“I firmly believe if we had been at home, the search would not have been as lengthy as it was,” Keeter said. “We would have had a partner on scene quickly and a helicopter above if it was needed.”

City to resurface South Ann under Rebuild Alabama grant

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

The remaining portions of some downtown Tallassee streets will be resurfaced this summer.

Mayor Sarah Hill announced at Monday’s Tallassee City Council meeting the city had been awarded a Rebuild Alabama Act grant.

“We put this grant application in last year,” Hill said. “It will resurface the remaining portion of South Ann Street, Comer

I went and I thought, ‘Oh, gosh, what have I done?’”

Coker wanted to start an alumni group and the Hall of Pride. It took a few years to get things going and in 2015 the Tallassee High School Alumni Association inducted its first members into the Hall of Pride.

Wilson spoke of the inductees at Sunday’s ceremony.

COACH DENCIL

DUANE WEBSTER

Webster was a mem-

Street and Cliff Street.” The bid came in under estimates at $182,860.75 and will not cost the city a match. The project will be completed before the end of summer. The council surplused and gave Cooper Haven Builders four-hunderths of an acre in downtown for economic development. The property appraised for $1,600 and will allow the property owner to now put a dumpster on private property instead of asking to use city

ber of the Tallasse High School Class of 1949, but attended Reeltown High School from 1943 to 1948. He was orphaned when he was 12 years old, but arrangements were made for him to stay with family in the community.

Webster worked at Mt. Vernon Mills while attending Tallassee to save money for college. The school worked with him on his schedule. He also played football for legendary Tallassee coach

J.E. Hot O’Brien. Not long after graduation he joined the Air Force and was honorably discharged

property. “We don’t want to allow businesses to put dumpsters on city property,” city attorney John Smith advised the council.

In other business, Tallassee Chamber of Commerce president Michelle Wood asked the council to consider an extra apportion to the organization to help fund an increase in pay for the executive director’s position. The current pay for the part time position is $20,000 and the chamber hasn’t had any

in 1952, he returned home and used the GI Bill to attend Auburn University. He started teaching and coaching basketball at Union in Tallapoosa County after graduation in 1956. Webster turned the team around and was soon brought to Reeltown to coach basketball and football.

Webster turned the Reeltown team around. He returned to Tallassee before returning to Reeltown where he retired in 1987.

Jan Ledbetter was hired at the school as a home economics teacher and

luck attracting applicants for the position to replace the retiring Jerry Cunningham. The chamber asked the city for $5,000 to increase the pay to $25,000.

“Summer is the time the city starts to develop the budget,” Hill said. “We will see what we can come up with.”

The council also recognized the Tallassee High School wrestling team for its state championships. Coach John Mask and some members of the team were at the meeting. Other wrestlers

recalled how Webster taught her lessons about teaching, not only the subject matter but life.

“I witnessed how discipline, hard, work and integrity resulted in success,” Ledbetter said. “Coach Webster was always supportive of teachers, as he was one of our administrators. I can think of no one person that is a better example of fairness, success, leadership, courage, discipline and a great overall community leader and family man.”

were competing with other school sports’ teams.

IN OTHER ACTION THE TALLASSEE CITY COUNCIL:

• Approved minutes of the March 11 meeting.

• Amended the budget by shifting $8,750 to cover the cost of a Neptune 360 meter.

• Surplused wrecked and inoperable police vehicles.

The next meeting of the Tallassee City Council is scheduled for 6 p.m. April 28.

the Tallassee High School Class of 1990. She was the first Black Tallassee graduate to become a medical doctor.

Keith Tuck was an athlete at Tallassee High School when James-Peters was a cheerleader on the football field and basketball court. James-Peters was a teammate on the track team where her work at studying was seen by Tuck.

tee within the American Academy of Family Physicians for physician advocacy.

James-Peters died in 2023.

Tuck ran across James-Peters in his career in pharmaceuticals. Their friendship continued and the families spent family vacations together.

“It didn’t just start or end in high school,” Tuck said. “It lasted a long time and up until her death.”

Her husband Junius Peters is from Louisiana and a LSU fan.

Chad Abrams was a student of Webster’s at Reeltown High School.

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“He is the greatest example of what an educator, coach, family man, military service man and human being should be,” Abrams said. “He was a mentor and a great friend that I miss very much.”

Abrams told the story of how Webster came to help his son-in-law Brad Christian after he was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s disease. Brad and Webster’s daughter Bonita had two children. Brad’s condition meant he could no longer help get the children to school, ball practice and doctor appointments.

“Coach went above and beyond to take care of his family with every need they had,” Abrams said. “Coach filled in places where Brad could not go due to his condition, not replacing Brad, but merely supporting in his absence.”

DR. CATHERINE JAMES-PETERS Peters is a member of

MISSING

Continued from A1

home.

“She was always on the bus studying,” Tuck said. “You rarely see that.” The studying paid off and got James-Peters an academic scholarship to UAB. She was then awarded a scholarship to attend medical school at UAB. After residency in Tennessee, James-Peters, son Keytrio and husband Junius moved to Dothan where she opened her own clinic, Total Family Care.

James-Peters grew the practice and took on more responsibilities in the medical community.

In 2010 she took on the role as a medical director of a practice in rural Georgia. She not only took care of her patients but had to manage the financial operations of the practice. At the same time she pursued an MBA from Auburn University so that she would be better able to understand the complexities of running a medical organization.

James-Peters was very passionate and concerned not only about patient health and wellness, but health and wellness among physicians as well. She formed a commit-

“He doesn’t go anywhere without them,” sister Felicia Thompson said.

The family soon found blood at Michael’s home and his truck was found abandoned in a wooded area in Macon County between Franklin, Tuskegee and Tallassee. The area was searched by ground and air but Thompson was not found.

Tallassee police chief Todd Buce said his department is still investigating the case.

“It is still an open case for us,” Buce said. “It’s difficult because there is little evidence to follow. We are still looking at phone records.”

JUNIORS

Continued from A1

about government functions. Now the tables are turned.

“This day motivated me to run for an office in county government,” Jackson said.

She polled the students to see who might want to run for public office, be a firefighter or law enforcement officer.

“I want to encourage you to explore how you might be able to serve your community,” Jackson said.

Commissioner Dennis Hill encouraged the

“I had to endure her laughing at me as Alabama continued to beat LSU through the years,” Peters said.

He said the diploma for her MBA from Auburn had a special place.

“That diploma stayed under the bed,” Peters said. “She was appreciative of the education, but she was just an Alabama Crimson Tide girl.”

Peters said he misspoke when the couple first met.

“She told me she was from Tallassee,” Peters said. “And of course, I immediately said, Oh, Tallahassee.”

The THS grad quickly corrected Peters, who now can say “Tallassee” with ease and has learned much about the area through his wife.

“I’m so happy that I got an opportunity to visit Tallahassee early in our marriage,” Peters said. “You have a beautiful city, a beautiful high school. I just want to say thank you so, so much for this great honor on behalf of Katherine.”

The family shared a few memories of the last time they saw Michael Thompson. He was laughing and speaking with everyone. He was eating. One family member gave him some change as Michael didn’t have any small bills.

“We just want to find him,” Felicia said. “We’re still looking.”

The family released balloons Sunday, which is something they did from his home last year. This time a couple got hung up in a tree. The family hopes it’s a sign that Michael is still out there somewhere and this is his way of giving them a signal.

The family is still holding out hope to find Michael and reunite or get closure.

“He may be gone, but there is just that little thread he’s still around,” Felicia said. “We just want him home either way.”

student to especially study the opportunities to serve in elected positions.

“Do it while you’re young,” Hill said. “I wish I would have do it sooner.” Representatives from Elmore County Economic Development Authority, the Family Sunshine Center, Heart of Alabama Food Bank, Elmore County Food Pantry, W.E.L.C.O.M.E. Food Pantry, Elmore County Department of Human Resources, Butterfly Bridge Children’s Advocacy Center, Extension Service, Humane Society of Elmore Coun-

ty, First Choice Pregnancy Center and Family Resource Center.

Students heard about the mission of the agencies and how they work alongside county government.

“They are able to do many of the things on a day-to-day basis we want to do,” Hill said. “We are able to come alongside them and help them. They are able to do it better because of their special skills.”

After a day of learning about county government and services, the students were treated to lunch on the courthouse steps.

An argument for God’s existence from design within the universe

et

Lnarios to consider. In the first scenario you are walking down the road, and you find a variety of coins in a random mess of piles spilled all over the road. You are thinking to yourself, “Wow, someone must have dropped a lot of change!”

Or you might be thinking, “Wow, a Loomis (money truck!) must have collided with something to spill the coins all over the road!”

Indeed, that might be the case! In the second scenario let us suppose that you are walking down the road, and you find 25 quarters in 5 rows of 5, all on heads. Do you think to yourself, “Wow, I guess someone must have accidentally dropped their coins all over the road!”? Or do you think to yourself, “Wow, a Loomis truck must have collided with something to spill these coins in this particular pattern all over the road!”? No, of course not! You don’t think for one millisecond that the second

BILLY REINHARDT Pastor

scenario is any sort of accident at all. Why not? The reason for this is because there is order and precision. The coins are in lines (5 rows of 5), which equals precision. The coins are also in an order of sorts (all on heads). It looks like this scenario was planned and had intention behind it due to the order and precision. We know that accidents don’t create such order. Here is the question: How many times would you have to toss 25 quarters in the air before they all, randomly, without assistance, landed in 5 rows of 5, all on heads during the first toss (thus, picking up the 25 quarters and trying again if they fail to do so)? The chances are, likely,

Zero. While we could run the stats, I’m almost certain that it is impossible to throw 25 quarters up in the air and have them to land, on a single toss, in 5 rows of 5, all on heads. If it did happen, you would likely say, “This thing is rigged!”

While many see the logic behind the second scenario (that that type of precision and order does not happen without assistance and planning and intentionality), they fail to apply the same type of logic to the universe. Our universe is infused with design. Our universe is ordered in such a way that it is similar, even more so, with our second scenario of ordered quarters than the random coins spilled all over the road in the first scenario. In order to say that there is no God, no Designer, no Creator for our universe (and for ourselves, most of all) is like saying 25 quarters will randomly all in 5 perfect rows of 5, all on heads, in a single toss. We know that is impossible.

Tallassee Churches

How do we know the universe is designed? Let me give you a few scientific constants that we know of that show our universe is designed. Psalm 19:1 says, “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork.” What “handwork” can we see? If the gravitational force were altered by 0.000000 0000000000000000000000000 000001, then our sun would not exist and neither would we. If the neutron were not 1.001 times the mass of the proton, then life would not be possible for neutrons would decay into protons or vice versa. If the oxygen in our atmosphere were at 25%, then fires would erupt; if it were at 15%, then humans would suffocate. Instead, our oxygen level sits at a smooth 21%, making life sustainable on earth. Also, if the earth was tiled just slightly off from what is currently is, then surface temperatures would be too great for inhabitants.

Many of these scientific con-

stants have been identified as laws within nature that, were they altered slightly, would alter the universe, and our own existence. Indeed, the universe would not exist given the precision and order of many of these constants. As I look at the universe, it looks vastly more complex than 25 quarters landing perfectly in 25 rows of 5, all on heads. It sounds more like tossing 7 trillion quarters up, one time, all landing on heads, in perfect rows creating a perfect square. Only a mind and intelligence can do that, and only a mind and intelligence (God) could have ordered our universe as it is. The universe looks rigged indeed!

Billy Reinhardt is the pastor of Riverside Heights Baptist church in Tallassee. He lives in Tallassee with his wife, Jessica, and their four children. He blogs at www. billyreinhardt.com where he writes articles on matters of faith, family, and culture.

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‘Leave no stone unturned’

Tallassee gears up for playoff game against Munford

By SAMUEL HIGGS Sports Reporter

It’s only the beginning for the Tallassee baseball team

After concluding the regular season with a win over Wetumpka, the Tigers are gearing up for the playoffs. The first round of the Class 4A AHSAA baseball playoffs begins this Friday with Tallassee making the trek to Munford.

The Lions took the top spot in the Class 4A Area 8 region, going 15-8 on the year with a perfect area record to their resume. But Tallassee head coach John Goodman is still in the early process of his scouting report.

“I’ve been talking to as many people today as I could,” Goodman said. “I’ll continue that tomorrow. I got two coaches sitting up there watching them play right now. So we’re trying to, we’re trying to get as much as we can on them.”

Even so, knowing what Munford brings to the table is one thing, the other is knowing what you can bring.

“Tell you the truth, right now, we’re in a situation where we’re worried about us,” Goodman said. “We want us to do what we are supposed to do.”

This week for Tallassee will come down to fine-tuning every aspect of their game before its postseason debut. Against

Reeltown drops to Valley, Elmore County

STAFF REPORT

TPI Staff

It was tough sledding in the Reeltown baseball’s team last week of the regular season before the start of the playoffs. First up was a 4-3 loss to Valley on Friday, where the Rams’ early success proved to be beneficial. Valley had a two-run lead after one frame, but the Rebels responded with three runs in the fourth and fifth innings. Even so, the Rams also added runs in the fifth — holding onto that lead until the end.

Reeltown logged three hits on the night coming from Reed Wood, JaMarkius Smith and Hagan Lewis. On the inverse, Valley racked up 10 hits on pitchers Wood and Brody Smith, who only cataloged three strikeouts on the day. Next up was a high-scoring affair against Elmore County, where Reeltown fell 12-7.

This game, the Rebels saw an uptick in the hits category with seven total on the day — Hutson Lewis, Smith and Slade Carleton each picking up two. However, it was early success from the opposition that proved costly.

The Panthers sat on an eight-run lead before the Rebels notched their first score of the day. Even while the Rebels were gaining some momentum in the third and fourth frames, scoring four runs, the Panthers responded by

scoring seven more runs in the final two frames.

Reeltown is still in the playoffs after capturing its fifth consecutive area title last week. In the first round of the AHSAA Class 2A baseball playoffs, Reeltown will host Isabella on Friday for a doubleheader.

REBELS HELD SCORELESS AGAINST BUELAH

The errors mounted up for the Reeltown softball team in its game against Beulah last week.

There was not a major discrepancy in the hitting category, the Tigers only finished with one more hit than the Rebels. But where the two teams differed were in errors; Reeltown ended with four while Beulah ended with none.

Lilli Johnston, Kellie Whitlow, Lainey Patillo, Maddie Stockdale and Blair Johnston accounted for the five hits that Reeltown had.

Crisdan Dunn and Caroline Sutherlin split duties in the circle with three innings each. Dunn allowed four hits and three runs while Sutherlin allowed two hits and one run while picking up three strikeouts.

Reeltown has two more games until the end of the season and the start of the area tournament against Handley and Valley, both on the road. However, Reeltown sits comfortably atop of Class 2A Area 6 with a perfect 4-0 record.

Wetumpka, Goodman used the pitch count to his advantage to make sure some of his best arms were well-rested, while others got valuable reps on the mound.

However, he still wants to make sure his team is taking quality at-bats while keeping fielding errors to a minimum.

“We’re gonna get after,” Goodman said. “I mean, we’re not slacking up at all. We’re gonna get after it. We’re gonna back down the hatches, cover every aspect of the game and leave no stone unturned.”

What will be crucial for the Tigers will be their pitching staff.

Chase Chumley, Jack Butler, Thomas Lemmond and Avery Brantley have seen the most time

on the mound, but regardless of who it is, they will need to keep Munford off the bases.

“It’s our pitching staff,” Goodman said on what will be crucial for the Tigers. “(I) just explained to our pitching staff, they’ve got to go out and they’ve got to keep us in ball games. They got to go out and do their job, throw strikes, keep us in the game, and let us do the work at the plate.”

Tallassee kicks off the

The Tigers came back and knotted the game at 6-6 in the fifth inning but it was BRHS who put the needed run on the board in extra innings.

WILDCATS PULL OUT EXTRA-INNINGS WIN OVER TALLASSEE

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

Hits were scattered around the game for both Benjamin Russell and Tallassee but it was the Wildcats who pulled out a 7-6 eight inning win Thursday night in Tallassee.

Early on it looked like the Tigers were going to run away with the game leading 4-0 after two frames. They got on the board in the first inning after Regan Easterwood hit a sacrifice fly, scoring one run. They extended their early lead with three runs in the bottom of the second thanks to RBI singles by Madison Raney and Cheyann Easterling.

But BRHS chipped away in the third before the flood gates opened briefly in the fourth finishing out the frame up 5-4. Henley Bice, Averee Vick, Cheyenne Fuller and Macie Knox aided in the flurry of runs with singles, walks and hitting into a fielder’s choice.

“We didn’t start out well,” BRHS coach Jessica Johnson said. “We’ve done this thing fighting teams for runs, but we didn’t quit. The team

stayed in it.”

The Tigers came back and knotted the game at 6-6 in the fifth inning but it was BRHS who put the needed run on the board in extra innings.

“We didn’t have our best stuff, like on the mound,” Tallassee coach Pat Love said. “We made some errors. We had a couple opportunities on offense that I thought we should have done a little better job on.”

Love gave credit to the Wildcat team on its performance.

“They’re a good team,” Love said. “That’s the fourth time this year they beat us. We have got to learn to put them away.”

Senior Tiger Alli Smith blocked up the plate and did

well swinging the bat. She went 3-for-3 with a double and two singles.

“Alli did good,” Love said. “She was a smart player for us today. She played good behind the plate and she had a couple good hits. We just didn’t get the timely hit to put us ahead.”

Easterling went 2-for-3 to join Smith in swinging the bat well against Ben Russell. Easterling also had two stolen bases. The Wildcats scattered 10 hits on the Tigers with Aubrey Chapman going 3-for-3. Arionna Ware, Fuller and Kyleigh Leonard had stolen bases against Tallassee. Next up Tallasse goes to PCA Tuesday and Ben Russell heads to Chilton County.

Tigers battle to victory, fall short of area title

STAFF REPORT

TPI Staff

The road for the Class 4A Area 5 title came down to the Tallassee baseball team’s doubleheader against Trinity Presbyterian. After the Wildcats snatched the first game, 9-6 on Thursday, the Tigers needed a win for a chance at taking the title. The two area foes met up on Saturday in a low scoring affair which saw the Tigers come out on top, 2-1. Hits were hard to come by for either team, combining for six total hits with Tallassee accounting for just one. The score

stayed stagnant at 1-1 through seven innings of play, resulting in the game going to extra innings. What played to Tallassee’s benefit, especially during crunch time, were miscues from the Trinity pitcher. An error put Bryson Rigsby on base, then a combination of walks and Tallasee players hit by pitches would bring him in just four batters later, cementing the win for the squad. However, in the following game the hitting woes continued. The Tigers finished with just two hits through seven innings while the Wildcats racked up seven. Despite some late game success,

the Tigers fell 7-3.

Trinity came out the gates swinging, soaring to a 7-1 lead by the conclusion of the third inning. Although progressing on the defensive side, Tallassee could not replicate similar success. It would score two runs in the top of the seventh, but the

Trinity lead was just too much to overcome. Tallassee finished the regular season as the No. 2 seed in the area, punching its ticket to the playoffs. In the AHSAA Class 4A baseball playoff, Tallassee will travel to take on Munford which posts a 15-8 record.

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PUBLIC NOTICE ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS

FLOORING REPLACEMENT AT TALLASSEE HIGH SCHOOL MCKEE PROJECT NO. 25-159 AND FLOORING REPLACEMENT AT TALLASSEE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AND SOUTHSIDE MIDDLE SCHOOL MCKEE PROJECT NO. 25-151

FOR TALLASSEE CITY SCHOOLS

TALLASSEE, ALABAMA

Separate sealed proposals for these projects shall be received by Dr. Brock Nolin at Tallassee City Board of Education, 308 King Street, Tallassee, AL 36078; Phone: 334-283-6864, until 2:00 PM Central Time, Thursday, April 24, 2025, then opened and read aloud. All General Contractors bidding on these projects shall be required to visit the site and examine all existing conditions prior to submitting their proposal. All Bidders shall have general liability and workman’s compensation insurance. These projects shall be bid excluding taxes. Bids must be submitted on proposal forms furnished by the Architect or copies thereof. The Owner reserves the right to reject any or all proposals and to waive technical errors if, in the Owners judgment, the best interests of the Owner will thereby be promoted.

Bid Bonds payable to Tallassee City Schools in an amount of the amount of the bid, but in no event more than $10,000.00 must accompany the bidder’s sealed proposals. Performance and statutory labor and material payment bonds will be required at the signing of the Contract. All bidders bidding in amounts exceeding that established by the State Licensing Board for General Contractors must be licensed under the provisions of Title 34, Chapter 8, Code of evidence of license before bidding or bid will not be received or considered by the Architect. All bidders shall show such evidence by clearly displaying their current license number on the outside of the sealed envelope in which the proposal is delivered. PDFs of the projects can be reviewed by going to the McKee website at www.mckeeassoc. com and selecting “Project Bid List”.

MOMS ENJOY GLOW PARTY WITH CHILDREN IN ECLECTIC

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

Mom Prom came to Eclectic once again. This time it was a glow party complete with neon lights and razzle dazzle.

“It’s just a night out for moms and their children,” organizer Carissa George said. “They get to dress up and get to enjoy themselves.”

Dozens of moms walked into the Eclectic Warehouse Friday escorted by their children. Many dressed up and ate out, but all had smiles on their faces for an accessory.

A committee came together two years ago to organize the Mom Prom. Area businesses and the Town of Eclectic have contributed to create a fun environment with snacks, games, art and of course dancing.

“We are just trying to create something for families and children to do in Eclectic,” Stephanie Stepney said.

Panthers

pounce

at the perfect time as postseason looms

By SAMUEL HIGGS Sports Reporter

The Elmore County softball team is hitting its stride at the right time.

Last Tuesday, the Panther marched out to a resounding 14-1 win over the Dadeville Tigers, but it was not all sunshine and rainbows to start.

Both teams struggled to get anything going through the first two innings, ending the first two frames scoreless. However, when the third inning began, it was all Elmore County from that point on.

The Panthers scored four runs to soar into the lead and put up scores in each inning until the game reached its conclusion in the sixth. Their biggest scoring output came in that final frame where they scored seven runs, capped off with an Addy Peadan home run.

In total, Elmore County finished the night with 15 hits with Addi Stephenson picking up three of her own. Kayden Edwards, Brooklyn Berry, Addie Patterson and Baileigh Ames chipped in with two apiece.

“I thought we did really well,” Elmore County coach Meghan Harris said. “We were disciplined at the plate, finally started hitting the ball. I thought the girls really stepped up and did good on the offensive side.”

The success on the offensive side translated into how the Panthers approached defense. Pitchers Lalah Culpepper and Bailey Kennedy gave the Tigers fits at the plate. Each of them allowed two hits each against opposing batters, striking out three batters in total with only one run earned.

“Both of our pitchers did a really great job throwing today,” Harris said. “(They were) hitting their spots and throwing what we needed to have our defense back

Elmore County’s Raevyn Barris fires a throw to first base against Dadeville.

them up as well.”

Since Elmore County’s win over Dadeville, it has won three of its last four games — scoring 10 or more runs in all three wins. Now the next challenge is to carry that momentum into the area tourna-

ment. Having already captured the area title over Beauregard, the Panthers acquired home-field advantage for the tournament. Much of what Harris saw against Dadeville she wants to replicate going forward.

“I think offensively, we got to keep

hitting the ball and seeing the ball backing up our pitcher on defense,” Harris said. “I think our pitching staff has done really well this year. If we keep hitting the ball like we have been the past couple of weeks, I think we could go far.”