SPORTS: We look back on our favorite stories from 2022, B1 Deputy recovering after being shot in Claud standoff, B8
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Millbrook missing elderly Holtvillepolice High search Schoolforbasketball coachman arrested Staff Report TPI ByStaff Cliff Williams Staff Writer The Millbrook Police Department askingteacher for the at public’s A is virtual Elmore assistance in locating an Elmore County School’s Edge program man. has been arrested and charged with school employee distributing obscene material to a student. Elmore County Sheriff Bill Franklin said Emmanuel Andre Wilson II, 32, of Montgomery turned himself into authorities Tuesday afternoon.
In a release through the Alajudgment,” the release stated. with brown eyes and partially bama Law Enforcement Agency “He was last seen on Tuesday at graysaid hair. investigators Franklin Wilson was the head basket- investigation and handed it off Wilson was released on a police are hoping the public can approximately 8:45 a.m. in the Anyone who has any informaball coach at Holtville High to the appropriate authorities. with the Elmore County Sher- $6,000 bond 90 minutes afhelp find James Lewis Upchurch, area of Rives Road in Millbrook, tion regarding the whereabouts of School and was He was also placed on adminis- iff’s Office have the alleged vic- ter turning himself in accord74, a white male. Alabama.” Upchurch is asked to contact the tim’s phone. Authorities collect- ing to the Elmore County Jail placed on adtrative leave at that time.” “He may be living with a Upchurch is described as being Millbrook Police Department at ed Wilson’s phone as well. ministrative Dennis said officials condition that may impair his six feet tallschool weighing 218 pounds 334-285-6832 or call 911. website. “You could see a conversaleave Jan. 13 Dennis said Wilson also follow the same procedure according to Elwhen administrators receive a tion between the two,” Frank- coached other sports at Holtreport of allegations against lin said. “Mr. Wilson is going ville schools including being more County school staff and employees. to contend someone had the the head track coach and assisSchools super“Once we hand it over, we security code to his phone and tant football coach. intendent Richknow very little about what is he was not responsible. There ard Dennis. Dennis said other staff would WILSON going on,” Dennis said. “We is other information we can’t fill in for the duties of Wilson at “We had a recooperate with authorities if disclose now but I don’t think Holtville while he is on adminport,” Dennis it’s beneficial to Mr. Wilson.” istrative leave. said. “We had a preliminary necessary.”
ELMORE COUNTY IN THE NEWS Police
THE PAST YEAR welcoming members
Chamber holds luncheon fest and more brought crowds themselves. The Lofts at Bridge and Hill The Wetumpka Chamber Commerce held he attention is onofElmore willitsbe able to host those wantannual luncheon board County. to install new officers and ing to stay overnight downtown. members for thelook first time in apast while Thursday. Just at the A new Publix will be open in The COVID-19 pandemic put a hamper onabout gath- a year across from the year. From events in downtown erings but the chamber celebrated of Wetumpka drawing crowdsthe bysuccesses Wetumpka Police Department. business in Wetumpka. the thousands, to growth in busiAnother joint venture between “We haven’t been able to do in thisMillfor the lastthe couness and jobs. Growth Elmore County Commission, ple brook years,” with chairperson “Your County Board of EdustoresClay andMcConnell the joint said. Elmore attendance an indication want to getcation back and the City of Wetumpventureisbetween the people Elmore together and have these opportunities to see County Commission and City kaeach has brought the Wetumpka of Millbrook, things are looking Sports Complex and its recent See CHAMBER, Page A3 bright for the area. growth including the new track Christmas on the Coosa and football stadium and the brought more than 20,000 peotennis/pickleball courts. ple to downtown Wetumpka Skatezone has new owners while the annual Candy Crawl Gardner and Tina Perdue. The at Halloween brought another See NEWS, Page A2 7,000 plus. Galentines, Oktober-
WILLIAMS By By CliffCLIFF Williams StaffNews WriterEditor
T
Members of the Wetumpka Chamber of Commerce attend the chamber’s “A Taste of Our Home Town” luncheon. CLIFF WILLIAMS/ THE HERALD
continue investigation, man no longer suspected
By Jake Arthur Chief Videographer Police are still investigating the fatal shooting in the Wetumpka Walmart parking lot on Jan. 20. Police were dispatched to the parking lot around 10:45 p.m. for a “shots fired” call. Once there, they found Centell Winston, 42 of Tallassee, dead of a gunshot wound in the driver seat of his vehicle. According to Wetumpka police chief Greg Benton, this was not a random shooting. “This was not random, not a random act,” said Benton. “We believe the victim and the perpetrator knew each other.” This is the first homicide in Wetumpka in over three years. The last homicide in the city took place in 2018. “It’s not a good way to start out the new year,” said Benton. Benton didn’t want to speculate on the See SHOOTING, Page A3
Holtville’s Futral Alabama principal of the year schoolwide assembly at Holtville the school culture from that of a shift in a positive direction. The High School. Elmore County Su- school struggling with low mo- school experienced a 62 percent The Alabama Association of perintendent Richard Dennis was rale, achievement and attendance decrease in discipline referrals, Secondary School Principals in attendance for the presentation. to a school that strives for excel- 50 percent decrease in chronic CLIFF WILLIAMS | THE HERALD WILLIAMS | THE HERALD (AASSP) named Holtville High “Kyle Futral is an exception- CLIFFlence. By collaborating with staff,Skatezone absenteeism, 7 percent 2000 has been taken overincrease by the husband-wife team of Gardner and Tina Perdue. The Lofts at Bridge and Hill are open.The Wetumpka Area Chamber of Commerce a function to help School principal Kyle Futral the al principal and is very proac- many of the school’s issues wereTheyinwant thetograduation percentand Sherry Cole. build on therate, legacy33 of Charles introduce the new AirBnB property to the community. It features seven rooms and a restaurant space. 2022 Alabama High School Prin- tive and innovative in his think- identified and addressed. Futral’s increase in CCR rate and a 20 percipal of the Year. ing and approaches to managing leadership style of listening, en- cent increase in ACT proficiency The High School Principal of his school,” Dennis said, couraging, supporting, organizing in the last five years. the Year award was presented to As principal of Holtville High and challenging the staff and stuSee PRINCIPAL, Page A3 Futral on Friday, Jan. 28 during a School, Futral has transformed dents, caused the school culture to FUTURAL Staff Report
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