OPINION:
LOCAL
SPORTS, PAGE 12
Meet Everitt and Tobias - Humane Society Pets of the week
TIGERS HAVE GOOD WEEK OF AREA PLAY
PAGE 5 Pit bulls get a bad rap
PAGE 7 INSIDE:
LOCAL FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS, PAGE 2.
The Tallassee Tribune DEDICATED TO THE GROWTH AND PROSPERITY OF THE GREATER TALLASSEE AREA
TALLASSEE, AL 36078
50¢
April 5, 2017
TALLASSEETRIBUNE.COM
VOL. 118, NO.14
Manufacturing bid could create 750 jobs ment in the T-100 project’s buildings, infrastructure and equipment will exceed $200 million. “Leonardo’s project will have a massive economic impact in Macon County and across the region through the creation of high-paying jobs,” Bentley said. “Moreover, these T-100 training aircraft — built at the site where the legendary Tuskegee Airmen trained during World War II — will prepare a new generation of fighter pilots whose mission is to
cials, Tuskegee Mayor Tony Haygood and community leaders joined executives of Leonardo at a ceremony at Gov. Robert Bentley announced today the airfield to announce plans for the Alabama manufacturing center. Moton that Leonardo, a global aerospace and Field, located off Exit 38 on Interstate defense firm, will create 750 jobs at an advanced assembly center at Tuskegee’s 85, is home to the Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site. Moton Field if the company’s T-100 The Leonardo project in Tuskegee jet trainer wins a U.S. Air Force comcalls for the creation of 750 high-wage, petition for a next-generation training full-time jobs over a 10-year ramp-up aircraft. period, beginning in 2019. Total investBentley, Tuskegee University offiSTAFF REPORT TPI Staff
Type O negative and AB donors needed
By DAVID GRANGER Managing Editor
See EMERGENCY • Page A3
Today’s
Weather
80 53 High
See JOBS • Page A3
Red Cross calls for blood donations
Fair will use fun, info to stress emergency preparedness The Elmore County Emergency Management Agency is joining forces with the Elmore County Board of Education and a host of others to present the 2017 Elmore County Preparedness Fair on Saturday, April 8, beginning at 10 a.m at Wetumpka High School. “Really, we want to stress preparedness for any type of emergency-related event, whether it be some kind weather-related event like a tornado, flooding, extreme heat or cold or if it’s a man-made situation, like a rail or vehicle accident that causes a spill of some hazardous material or even an active-shooter,” said Eric Jones, director of the Elmore County Emergency
keep our country safe.” To establish its operation, Leonardo will lease a new facility to be built at Moton Field by a public-private partnership formed in Macon County. The Alabama workforce will perform structural sub-assembly, integration, final assembly and conduct research and testing at the site. Aircraft deliveries will also take place there. “Building the T-100 aircraft in
STAFF REPORT TPI Staff
Carmen Rodgers / The Tribune
Tallassee Fire Department will soon receive new communication devices. According to Mayor Hammock, these devices are needed in order to better protect the men and women who serve the TFD.
PROTECTING THE PROTECTORS Tallassee police and fire departments to get upgrades By CARMEN RODGERS Staff Writer
During last week’s city council meeting, the council approved a motion that will allow the city to purchase communication devices for the Tallassee Fire Department. According to Mayor Johnny Hammock,
these devices are needed in order to better protect the men and women who severe in these positions. Hammock says the communications radios that are currently in use are outdated and unreliable. “I was on scene with the fire department last week and one of the firefighters had a radio that was not working properly,” See UPGRADES • Page A3
The American Red Cross is issuing a call for type O negative and AB blood donors to make appointments to give after severe winter weather in some parts of the country caused about 250 Red Cross blood drives to cancel in March, resulting in more than 8,500 uncollected blood donations. Type O negative blood and type AB plasma are two of the most in-demand blood products by hospitals. Those who give can help patients locally or across the country as the Red Cross has the ability to move blood products where and when they are needed most. “All blood types are needed to meet the constant need of patients, and there is a significant need now for type O negative and AB donations to help some of the most vulnerable patients,” said Alyson Barraza, communications program director for Connecticut Red Cross Blood Services. “We ask that See RED CROSS • Page A2
Benefit to raise funds for 91-year-old school set for April 8
Low
By DAVID GRANGER Managing Editor
THURS: HIGH 65 LOW 43
CONTACT US 334-567-7811 Fax: 334-567-3284 USPS 681-260
Red Hill School is 91 years old this year and to those who either attended the school before it closed in 1966 or live in the community, it remains a treasure. According to Paula Castleberry, president of the Red Hill Community Club, which uses the stately building for its meetings and other functions, the school opened its doors to its first classes in 1926. Forty years later, the last school bell rang, marking the end of the last class that would be held in the school. Sue Mulder, who lived in Kent, was the teacher that day in 1966.
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But the building has seen more life than just school days. Hank Williams once performed there. Minnie Pearl, too. And countless other less-well-known acts that have been part of the community club’s Friday night country music jam sessions, which have been going on for 12 years now. “We have an open stage on Friday nights where anyone is welcome to come play and sing or just play,” Castleberry said. “It’s a family atmosphere. Line dancing is very popular as well as other dancing. There’s always free coffee and snacks. We don’t charge any admisFile / The Tribune sion, but donations are welcomed.” Historic Red Hill School has seen 40 years of classes, performances by Now, the members of the Hank Williams and Minnie Pearl and 12 years of Friday night jams. Now See RED HILL • Page A2 it needs a new roof.
LINVILLE MEMORIAL
FUNERAL HOME
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