SPORTS: Wetumpka softball headed to state, B1 Deputy recovering after being shot in Claud standoff, B8 INSIDE: Congrats to the Class of 2024 WEDNESDAY, MAY 15, 2024 | VOL. 125, NO. 20 | $1.00
Stringfellow followed family to state Teacher of the Year WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2022 | VOL. 123, NO. 5 | $1.00
Holtville High School basketball coach arrested
By CLIFF WILLIAMS gave her a bouquet of flowers low’s name. Everyone rushed News Editor with a hug. Grandmother, the stage to congratulate the and Airport Road Intermeteacher with 40 years expeBy Cliff Williams Wilson was the head basketinvestigation and handed it off Like always, Nana made diate School teacher, Deborience, but the first to giveauthorities. Staff Writer ball coach at Holtville High to the appropriate time for her granddaughter rah Stringfellow graciously Stringfellow second hugon adminisSchool and was He wasaalso placed — even on the grandest stage accepted them before taking was Libby. A virtual teacher at Elmore placed on adtrative leave at that time.” asCounty Alabama’s Teacher of program the a seat on the stage to see who “It’s Dennis pretty exciting,” School’s Edge ministrative said school officials Year was announced last would be Alabama’s Teacher Libby said. has been arrested and charged leave Jan. 13 follow the same procedure week. Year. to ElStringfellow is a first with school employee distrib-of the according when administrators receive a reporthigh of school allegations uting obscene material to a stu- Two more County Before the program began hours after the hug by generation and against school staffShe andgrew employees. Schools superat dent. the Alabama Shakespeare Libby and Nana, state super- college graduate. “Once we hand it over, we Elmore County Sheriff Billintendent intendent Rich- Dr. Festival, Libby Stringfellow of education know very little Page aboutA7what is Franklin said Dennis. See TEACHER, walked up to herEmmanuel Nana and AndreEricard Mackey called StringfelWILSON going on,” Dennis said. “We Wilson II, 32, of Montgomery “We had a recooperate with authorities if turned himself into authorities port,” Dennis Tuesday afternoon. said. “We had a preliminary necessary.”
CLIFF WILLIAMS | TPI
Franklin said investigators with the Elmore County Sheriff’s Office have the alleged victim’s phone. Authorities collected Wilson’s phone as well. “You could see a conversation between the two,” Franklin said. “Mr. Wilson is going to contend someone had the security code to his phone and he was not responsible. There is other information we can’t disclose now but I don’t think it’s beneficial to Mr. Wilson.”
Airport Road Intermediate Schoolon teacher Wilson was released a Deborahaf$6,000 bond 90 minutes ter turning himself Stingfellow in accordspeaks atJail ing to the Elmore County the Alabama website. Teacheralso of the Dennis said Wilson Yearatceremony coached other sports Holtlast week. ville schools including being the head track coach and assistant football coach. Dennis said other staff would fill in for the duties of Wilson at Holtville while he is on administrative leave.
‘Hose’ cut on Police Fire Chamber holds luncheonWetumpka continue Station No. 2 investigation, welcoming members man no longer suspected
side of the Coosa River. “We no longer have to worry about the condition Members Better response times of the bridges across the of the for fire calls are soon com- river or traffic on them,” Wetumpka Wetumpka fire chief Chambering of to west Wetumpka. Greg Willis said. “We can Commerce City officials cut the attend the ‘hose’ on Wetumpka Fire respond right from here. chamber’s “A Station No. 2 on Holtville That is a huge advantage Taste of Road. Our It will provide a bet- especially with some of Home Town” ter emergency response to Jake Arthur luncheon.those living onByMillbrook See FIRE, Page A7 Chief Videographer CLIFF WILLIAMS/ By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
By Cliff Williams Staff Writer The Wetumpka Chamber of Commerce held its annual luncheon to install new officers and board members for the first time in a while Thursday. The COVID-19 pandemic put a hamper on gatherings but the chamber celebrated the successes of business in Wetumpka. “We haven’t been able to do this for the last couple years,” chairperson Clay McConnell said. “Your attendance is an indication people want to get back together and have these opportunities to see each
THE HERALD
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. CLIFF WILLIAMS | TPI “This was not random, random Officials used extrication equipment to cut anot fireahose instead said “We believe the vicof scissors and act,” ribbon to Benton. open Wetumpka Fire Department Station 2. tim 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 CHAMBER, Page A3
MASON, MCELRATH TAKE TOP HONORS WITH
SEWELL AWARD
els,” McElrath said. “They chair Chas Worthy, the have always been there.” award recognizes high Mason called his parents school senior athletes who allassee’s Brady “cool” and “great.” have consistently repreMason and Stanhope’s “They gave me great sented the highest ideals Lorin Elise McElrath morals,” Mason said. of Christian leadership and go to school more than “This is greatly credited to emulate the character of 30 miles apart but there my parents.” Sewell. is a common theme they The award is named McElrath recognized the attribute their success to after Titus native Joe other seniors on the stage — parents. Sewell who still owns with her. Mason and McElrath two Major League records “You all inspire me both honored their parents for fewest single season every day,” McElrath said. as they were named the strikeouts in 1930 and “I’m so happy I made Boy’s and Girls Overall 1932 as well as the lifefriendships with the people winner of the 20th Annu- schoolwide time record for fewest (here).” Staff Report assembly at Holtville the school culture from that of a al Joe Sewell Memorial High strikeouts duringCounty his 14Su- school Mason also credited School. Elmore struggling with low molastAssociation week. year career. coach John Mask help The Award Alabama of perintendent Richard Dennis was rale, achievement andwith attendance “MySchool mom and dad havein attendance According Joe Sewell to a school that strives for excelSecondary Principals for thetopresentation. See AWARD, Page A7 beennamed my biggest role mod- “Kyle Memorial board (AASSP) Holtville High Futral Award is an exceptionlence. By collaborating with staff, School principal Kyle Futral the al principal and is very proac- many of the school’s issues were 2022 Alabama High School Prin- tive and innovative in his think- identified and addressed. Futral’s cipal of the Year. ing and approaches to managing leadership style of listening, enThe High School Principal of his school,”CLIFF Dennis said, couraging, supporting, organizing WILLIAMS | TPI the Year award was presented to As principal of Holtville High andaschallenging the staff and stuStanhope Elmore’s Lorin Elise McElrath, right, was announced the girl’s overall Futral on Friday, Jan.winner 28 during School, hasMemorial transformed dents, caused the school culture to at thea 20th Annual Futral Joe Sewell Award Banquet last week. By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
T
Called to teach
Soon-to-be graduate has always wanted to teach See SHOOTING, Page A3
Holtville’s Futral Alabama principal of the year
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By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor shift in a positive direction. The school experienced a 62Giddens percent has Olivia decrease in discipline referrals, known since her first 50 percent decrease in chronicat the day in preschool absenteeism,age 7 percent increase of 3 what her career in the graduation rate, 33 percent was going to be. increase in CCR“I rate and ahome 20 per-and came cent increase in ACT proficiency was like, ‘I’m going to in the last five years. be a teacher,’” Giddens “I guess had a See said. PRINCIPAL, PageI A3 great day at preschool.”
The family was soon rearranging the house. The dining room set was removed and a stage was created by Giddens’ father to create a classroom. “Ever since then I have been teaching my stuffed animals,” Giddens said. FUTURAL See GRADUATE, Page A7
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