Wetumpka Herald Feb. 19 2025

CLIFF WILLIAMS | TPI

PE

looks on.

‘Miracle’ at Redland Middle staff honored

Local lawyer arrested for harassment

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

A Prattville attorney who practices in Elmore County turned himself into the Millbrook Police Department on Friday after harassment warrants were obtained.

Trey Norman, 57, of Prattville, was detained and released Friday after posting bond.

The Feb. 14 arrest stems from November 2024 verbal alterca-

tion that turned physical. Security footage of the incident was posted on social media this year.

think it’s beneficial to Mr. Wilson.”

Chamber holds luncheon welcoming members

By Cliff Williams Staff Writer

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

“A complaint from a citizen, who filed a police report with this police department in November 2024, which alleged that a verbal altercation between the complainant and (Norman) turned physical when the alleged offender shoved him, causing him to fall to the ground,” Millbrook police chief P.K. Johnson said.

The victim declined to prosecute initially.

“(The victim) in December 2024 filed a complaint with Millbrook Municipal Court seeking a warrant of arrest against Mr. Norman,” Johnson said. Johnson said Norman was aware of the initial report of the

The Wetumpka Chamber of Commerce held its annual luncheon to install new officers and board members for the first time in a while Thursday.

Redland Middle School principal Chad Wall was bragging on his staff at Monday’s Elmore County Board of Education meeting. It was for good reason as Jayson Hall and Kristen Wright were part of a miracle in the school’s gym just over a month

The COVID-19 pandemic put a hamper on gatherings but the chamber celebrated the successes of business in Wetumpka.

ago. The board meeting was all full of hugs and smiles as seventh grader Colton Cramer hugged Hall and Wright. It was to celebrate the life saving moment.

“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

Members of the Wetumpka Chamber of Commerce attend the chamber’s “A Taste of Our Home Town” luncheon. CLIFF WILLIAMS/ THE HERALD

Police continue investigation, man no longer suspected

By Jake Arthur Chief Videographer

See CHAMBER, Page A3

Wall told the board in his 24 years he had seen numerous students have seizures, many of

SUBMITTED | TPI

Officials cut ribbon on Phase 2 of 17 Springs

Staff Report

The Alabama Association of Secondary School Principals

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

(AASSP) named Holtville High School principal Kyle Futral the 2022 Alabama High School Principal of the Year.

GROVE STATION

LANDS IN DOWNTOWN WETUMPKA

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

Grove Station has a new home.

Corrie Sid opened Grove Station in 2021 in Tallassee and quickly developed a loyal following known as the Grove Station Nation.

ny Street in downtown Wetumpka.

first homicide in Wetumpka in over three years. The last homicide in the city took place in 2018.

“I decided Tallassee wasn’t the right location for us,” Sid said. “We just needed to move.

“It’s not a good way to start out the new year,” said Benton.

Benton didn’t want to speculate on the

I started looking in Wetumpka as a second location even before I bought Our Place. I was also looking in Millbrook and Opelika.”

Holtville’s Futral Alabama principal of the year

It’s a project years in the making and now Phase 2 of 17 Springs is open.

Tuesday officials cut the ribbon to open the Fieldhouse, stadium and diamond fields at the more than 100-acre sports

Phase 2 of 17 Springs officially opened Tuesday.The second phase includes The Fieldhouse, stadium with a football field and track and diamond fields. See SPRINGS, Page A6 See MIRACLE, Page A6

See SHOOTING, Page A3

The High School Principal of the Year award was presented to Futral on Friday, Jan. 28 during a schoolwide assembly at Holtville High School. Elmore County Superintendent Richard Dennis was in attendance for the presentation.

Sid purchased Our Place in Wetumpka last year. Friday, Sid joined leaders from Wetumpka to announce Grove Station will relocate to Compa -

“Kyle Futral is an exceptional principal and is very proactive and innovative in his thinking and approaches to managing his school,” Dennis said, As principal of Holtville High School, Futral has transformed

Sid said the city and community have been great with lots of support.

“Wetumpka has been

so incredible, especially since I got Our Place,” Sid said. “I called the city to say I’m looking to relocate from Tallassee. They were so excited and eager to work with us. They have been great.” Sid asked for help locating a building and eventually the vacant Overton building on Company Street was found.

the school culture from that of a school struggling with low morale, achievement and attendance to a school that strives for excellence. By collaborating with staff, many of the school’s issues were identified and addressed. Futral’s leadership style of listening, encouraging, supporting, organizing and challenging the staff and students, caused the school culture to shift in a positive direction. The school experienced a 62 percent decrease in discipline referrals, 50 percent decrease in chronic absenteeism, 7 percent increase in the graduation rate, 33 percent increase in CCR rate and a 20 percent increase in ACT proficiency in the last five years.

“We helped connect

See GROVE, Page A6

See PRINCIPAL, Page A3

Police Reports

WETUMPKA POLICE DEPARTMENT

FEB. 11

• David Similton II, 22, of Selma, was arrested for three counts of failure to appear.

• Milon Moss, 28, of Montgomery, was arrested for attempting to elude, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

• Mary Dixon, 57, of Montgomery, was arrested for failure to appear.

• Bernard Wells, 64, of Wetumpka, was arrested for two counts of failure to appear. FEB. 9

• Ediberto Bartolon, 35, of Wetumpka, was arrested for public intoxication and disorderly conduct.

• Burglary was reported on West Tuskeena Street.

FEB. 8

• Robert Moore Jr., 47, of Montgomery, was arrested for failure to appear.

• Rodney Studrivant, 33, of Wetumpka, was arrested for driving under the influence.

• Keontay Cunningham, 20, of Wetumpka, was arrested for three counts of breaking and entering.

• James Crews, 19, of Wetumpka, was arrested

for three counts of breaking and entering.

• Discharging a firearm into an occupied dwelling on West Osceola Street was reported. FEB. 6

• George Barrett, 44, of Wetumpka, was arrested for two counts of failure to appear.

FEB. 5

• Theft by deception was reported on U.S. Highway 231.

Millbrook police arrest another for false reporting

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

Another person has been arrested for filing a false report with the Millbrook Police Department. It is the second arrest of its kind in as many weeks.

On Friday, Millbrook police arrested Colby L. Smith, 39, of Deatsville, for making a false report to law enforcement. The incident began Feb. 11 when Smith filed a report with the Millbrook Police Department for vehicle theft.

“(Smith) advised that he parked his 2008 Kia Optima at his landlord’s residence on Feb. 6 and that it had been missing for several days,” Millbrook P.K. Johnson said. “He further stated that there

were no liens against the vehicle, nor had he given anyone permission to use said vehicle.”

A first-degree theft report was completed, and the car’s information was imputed into a national law enforcement database as being stolen.

Investigators then received a tip the vehicle was at a Smith family residence in Hope Hull.

“They began to suspect insurance fraud,” Johnson said.

Officers went to Hope Hull and found the vehicle at a family member’s property and watched Smith leave the location. Investigators later spoke to

Smith over the phone, and he changed the story saying he allowed someone to drive the vehicle, but they didn’t return it at the appropriate time.

Also, while investigating the matter, Millbrook police discovered the Prattville Police Department attempted to stop Smith’s vehicle on Feb. 9 before it fled onto Interstate 65.

“Detectives developed probable cause that Smith filed a false report, claiming his vehicle was stolen in an apparent attempt to avoid prosecution by the Prattville Police Department for attempting to elude law enforcement and a warrant was obtained,” Johnson said. Smith was taken to Elmore County Jail.

Wetumpka businesses celebrated at luncheon

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

It was “Good as Gold” at the Wetumpka Area Chamber of Commerce annual luncheon as it honored businesses for their success.

Chamber executive director Shellie Phelps started working at the chamber six years ago and the annual luncheon has grown since then.

“We have more nominations for businesses of the year this year than we had signed up for our first luncheon,” Phelps said. “This is really amazing.”

Phelps noted it's the businesses and people that make the chamber successful.

“There are a number of wonderful businesses here,” Phelps said.

“There are businesses that have thrived and, in some instances, survived some tough times. I've been able to watch the members of this organization continue to thrive. I simply try to stay out of the way.”

The chamber gave out three awards mirroring the Alabama Chamber of Commerce Awards — emerging business for those businesses three years old or younger, businesses with five to 10 employees and businesses with between 10 and 50 employees.

Phelps said all the businesses who won got multiple nominations from the community.

First up was Tiers of Sweetness for the emerging business award. The sisters had been baking at home when one year ago they opened up a store front on Company Street to serve up sweet treats.

“It's truly an honor,” Cherryl Knighten said. “The community has welcomed us, and we just can't thank you enough. We'll be here for many, many more years.”

The GAB Salon was selected as business of the year in the small category. The salon is on Main Street in downtown and has been in business there for about 15 years.

“We have seen it come to life,” Paula Sargent said. “We have enjoyed being a part of downtown and the chamber.”

Zap Pest Control was selected as the business of the year with 10 to 50 employees.

“We felt like we should recognize them anyway,” Phelps said. “They got more nominations than any of the businesses at 27.”

Lil’ Farmhouse won the emerging business award last year.

Phelps didn’t stop there. She noted one business didn’t qualify for the awards because it won last year and wasn’t eligible — Lil’ Farmhouse Market.

New board members took an oath to serve the chamber. J.C. Webb was sworn in as the chamber’s new chairperson, taking the gavel from Marilyn Hawkins.

Millbrook buys 10 acres on Ingram Road

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

The City of Millbrook has purchased another 10 acres of property near its sewage treatment facility on Ingram Road.

At the Tuesday Millbrook City Council spending, it authorized the $100,000 purchase.

“It is for future growth,” Millbrook Mayor Al Kelley said.

The property adjacent to the recent 10 acre purchase will likely be used for storage of equipment until needed for other purposes such as expansion of the treatment plant, city buildings or used as a buffer for potential residences.

Kelley asked the council to approve spending an additional $40,000 for liability insurance.

“It went up after we budgeted for it,” Kelley said.

IN OTHER ACTION THE MILLBROOK CITY COUNCIL:

• Approved minutes of the Jan. 28 meeting.

• Approved spending $30,800 for three lawnmowers and a trailer for the parks and recreation department.

• Approved a contract with Crosby Drinkard LLC for governmental services.

• Appointed the city clerk as the municipal absentee elections manager.

Reading builds spelling success

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

There are a number of discipline issues parents might encounter with teenagers. There is sneaking out, playing video games and talking back.

But Wetumpka Middle School eighth grader MaKenna Burton has something new that got her into trouble.

“The only thing I have ever gotten grounded for is reading,” MaKenna said. “I don’t get enough sleep because I read. I read a lot.”

MaKenna doesn’t hide under the blankets to read. She does it with the aid of a bedside lamp. Her parents often have to tell her to stop reading and sleep.

MaKenna is well known at the middle school library and the Wetumpka Public Library.

“They know me when I come in the door,” MaKenna said. “I’ve read almost all the books at the school library and get to the public library when I have time.”

MaKenna read more than 10 books a month outside of reading

required for school.

“I sometimes read in class when I get bored,” MaKenna said.

Her most recent novel to complete was Lynn Austin’s “Where We Belong” at nearly 500 pages. MaKenna credits reading with her vocabulary and spelling ability. The method has proven to work for Makenna as she has never placed worse than second in a school spelling bee since she started them in third grade.

“I was hooked from the start,” MaKenna said.

This year she won the Elmore County Schools county wide spelling bee for the second year in a row.

MaKenna doesn’t remember the words she won spelling bees with, only the words she lost with. The last time she missed a word was at the state spelling bee last year.

“It was a vocabulary round,”

MaKenna said. “I had to pick the definition of a word.”

Blandish was the word.

“I had to pick between ‘to flatter’ and ‘to spoil,’” MaKenna said.

“ I said to spoil. The correct answer

was to flatter. I didn’t really know.

I asked so many people after the fact, even my English teacher. Nobody knew the word. I felt slightly better about that.”

MaKenna said the vocabulary rounds are relatively new to spelling bees. She tries to look at the root of the word and begins to figure it out if she doesn’t know the word.

“In the vocabulary round we can’t ask for it to be used in a sentence,” MaKenna said. “We can’t ask for a definition. We have to go with what they have given us.”

Now that MaKenna has won the Elmore County Schools spelling bee she will again move on to the state spelling bee in March. MaKenna has more reading to do before then.

“All the spellers are given a packet that has all the words that they need to study,” MaKenna said. “There's also an app for the national spelling bee. It has all the words in it. It has different ways to study the spelling in the vocabulary and makes it a lot easier for me, because I can just study whatever.”

No injuries but trees down across Elmore County in storm

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

Elmore County officials spent Sunday morning assessing damage across the county following a straight-line wind event that passed through in the early morning hours.

Elmore County EMA director Keith Barnett said his office was up most of the night out assessing damage.

“We’ve got reports of trees and power lines pretty much from one end of the county to the other and north and south, the whole county,” Barnett said. “It looks like we did have a significant wind event come through, straight-line winds like the National Weather Service was talking about. There were some pretty strong gusts.”

Double Bridge Ferry Road in Eclectic was closed due to trees and powerlines in the road. Barnett said there was a short stretch with most of the downed trees.

“Initial report was between 10 to 30 trees in that short area,” Barnett said. “County crews with heavy equipment tried to remove them but the trees are also involved in power lines. They have to be real careful.”

This area is on the west edge of a line the NWS indicated as a tornado about 3 a.m. Sunday traveling along Highway 50 towards Walnut Hill and Camp Hill in Tallapoosa County.

As of 6:30 a.m. Double Bridge Ferry Road was the only road Barnett knew of that was still closed in the county.

Barnett said more than 60 calls for service came into Elmore County 911 overnight and into the morning related to the storm.

“We have at least 43 locations that had reports of trees down in the roadways,” Barnett said.

“Over 20 reports of powerlines down. In some cases, the power lines are involved in the trees down. The utility companies have been notified.”

Barnett cautions everyone to stay away from downed power lines and to report them.

“We have been reporting them to the utility companies as we are getting them,” Barnett said. “They are doing the best they can to get units out there.”

According to Alabama Central

Electric Cooperative, more than 1,500 customers in Elmore County were without power as of 7 a.m. Sunday. According to Alabama Power, more than 6,500 customers in Elmore County were without power as of 7 a.m. Sunday.

More than 165,000 Alabama Power customers across the state were affected just after the storm passed through and after.

Barnett said no injuries were reported because of the storm but six homes across the county have trees on them and another had an awning blown from it.

“There might be some more out there we don’t know about,” Barnett said. “We are out trying to assess those damages now.”

What else if not Enhance Elmore?

As families grow, so do expenses.

Couples get married and move into apartments or starter homes. They have mortgages and car payments. They have children.

With increasing needs for a larger home and more mouths to feed, they need more income to make it work. They figure out ways to save and to bring more money in.

Elmore County is no different. The county is growing — it has nearly doubled in population in 20 years.

People are living on roads built decades ago when no one ever thought one would live there, and buildings were constructed to accommodate a lower growth rate.

Residents have said they don’t want home rule where county officials can zone for growth.

Currently multiple subdivisions are in various stages of development. That goes with the numerous subdivisions constructed in the last two decades.

Just like parents who make ends meet for their children, county officials are met with a similar problem to handle growing pains for citizens in Elmore County.

From limited space in the county jail or court rooms to accommodate for growth to little funding to help fire departments keep ISO ratings low, the county must find ways to accommodate for the area’s growth.

The Elmore County Commission has recently announced a funding plan under Enhance Elmore where almost all contribute — including those going to jail and court.

The funding addresses many of the current and future needs of Elmore County.

No one likes to pay more taxes or fees; but, what other options do county officials have?

Do they allow the federal government to take over the Elmore County Jail and tell residents this is how to spend tax monies?

Instead, Enhance Elmore makes sure local decisions are made in Elmore County and not by some federal bureaucrats.

What’s your

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Court is not like what they show on TV

Irecently got through watch-

ing Your Honor on Netflix.

It was a fairly decent show; it definitely kept my attention, and Bryan Cranston is just a phenomenal actor.

But I’m here to tell y’all court is not like what they show on TV.

After sitting through the double murder trial against Derrick Hightower late last year, I’ve become a critic of these cops and courts shows. I find myself yelling at the TV, “That’s not how this works!”

To put it bluntly, court is boring.

Over the course of a several week murder trial, there were definitely a few edge-of-yourseat moments. But they were fair outweighed by the mundane-ness of what a trial is actually like.

“Did you receive this envelope in a signed and sealed condition?”

“Did you transport said envelope in its signed and sealed condition?”

“Did you retrieve the envelope from the evidence locker in a signed and sealed condition?”

And “Did you bring that envelope to court in its same signed and sealed condition?” Over and over, piece of evidence after piece of evidence.

LIZI GWIN Managing Editor

The same set of questions.

Over and over. Signed and sealed condition. Signed and sealed condition. Then onto the next person. “Did you receive this piece of evidence in a signed and sealed condition?”

Again and again. There’s very few “Gotcha!” moments like they show on TV. It’s mostly about signed and sealed conditions. But what’s really unrealistic about TV is how judges and lawyers insert themselves into cases. What was most frustrating about Your Honor was Cranston, who plays the judge, was basically a player in the case. There was one point where a 911 call was played for the jury — with no evidentiary hearing prior — and Cranston quite literally narrates the call.

Without giving too many spoilers away, Cranston describes what’s allegedly happening during the call without any evidence to support it. Ultimately, he’s trying to fix the

case — and it works.

I was screaming at my TV so loud in this moment. “This would never happen in real life! Judges don’t do that!” I also watch a lot of true crime documentaries — less so since I became a news editor, if I’m being honest. And even those shows don’t really depict what the ins and outs of a trial are really like. Of course, in a three-hour documentary or even a 10-episode long show, TV producers and directors want the most action on screen. If they spent as much time on the evidentiary stuff as happens in real life, it’d be a waste of someone’s time to watch. But I would highly encourage folks in the public to experience a real trial at some point in their lives. It’s an eye-opening experience to be sure. There are tons of very important cases coming up on the docket, especially in Tallapoosa County, and it’s important for the public to understand what the justice system is really like.

Lizi Arbogast Gwin is the managing editor of Tallapoosa Publishers Inc. She can be reached at 434-962-9420 or via email at lizi.gwin@alexcityoutlook.com.

Radio days, sort of

Afew weeks ago, it was National Disc Jockey Day. I’ve never thought of myself as being a real one – but for nearly 30 years, on Saturday mornings, I get to pretend to be one.

My parents set up two turntables, a microphone, and a tape deck for me when I was just a preschooler, which fed my lifelong passion.

I wanted to be a disc jockey when I grew up.

Music geek that I am, from earliest memory I was quoting facts and figures from Billboard and Rolling Stone. I could tell you the backup musicians, the track listing on sides A and B, the record company that released the album (or single), who wrote the songs, and what A&R man signed them.

Finally, a chance mid-1990s encounter with the brother of a PD (that’s Program Director, fellow babies) changed my life. This Program Director, Doc Kirby, gave me the opportunity to hone my craft after hours on WTBF-AM & FM in Troy, when the transmitter radiated all the power of a hair dryer.

Over the next decade, I worked all kinds of shifts and remotes, spun records, wrote and produced commercials, and worked on promotions in the after school and weekend work hours.

There are many stories to share, but a few stand out.

In 2002, we were promoting Paul McCartney’s new LP, “Driving Rain,” and did a couple of days of all-Paul playlists. I had the chance to see Sir Paul on his tour that year, and was excited to work out a deal with the local record store and Paul’s record label.

I found myself on the telephone with a rep at Capitol Records – that

famous stack-of-records-shaped building at Hollywood and Vine, home of so many storied recording sessions. This person was my contact for free merchandise to give away in trivia contests, but decided to give me the contact number of Macca’s manager in New York City. Not knowing any better, I called him. As it turned out, he was in New York, all right – on his cell phone. I asked my idol’s manager for free T-shirts and records. He exploded when he found out that a girl in Hollywood had given me his private number, and before angrily hanging up on me, unleashed a profanity-laden rant and told me that the girl at Capitol was about to be fired. Who said dreams don’t come true? I got the giveaway merchandise anyway, and the promotion was a success for WTBF.

Also at WTBF a few years later, the Troy University Trojans appeared in the San Diego County Community Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl – or whatever the name of it was. All I knew was that Troy had been invited to a bowl game in California. I was selected to run the board during the broadcast, as it was Christmas week and many of the college students who normally worked were out of town.

From the beginning, the broadcast was plagued with one mishap after another. Qualcomm Stadium was deluged with rain. ESPN’s audio equipment malfunctioned, which disrupted their television transmission. Soon, without our knowledge, ESPN picked up our signal to use as their audio. Within an hour of kickoff, I was operating Master Control for the Troy University Radio Network – and ESPN.

One of my co-workers, the morning show sidekick (and perhaps the most popular disc jockey at the station), came by to pitch in at Master Control when he heard what we called “dead air,” where there is no sound. We were scrambling to stay on air.

I was filling all the spaces with songs like “It Never Rains in Southern California” and “Do You Know the Way to San Jose?” No one seemed to find the irony in either tune.

ESPN phoned and explained that we were the only audio they had, and we were now being carried nationally. I was so puffed up when thinking of my new coast-to-coast audience, I did not pay attention when the hotline would ring, my co-worker would answer it, then abruptly hang up. Finally, I asked him who was calling.

“Someone named Bristol,” he said. “They keep saying they can’t hear the game.” Bristol, I thought. Bristol, Connecticut – home base of ESPN – we were causing the national audio feed to go silent! No wonder they were calling. I got them back on line in a hurry. We made it through the evening, but by the time the game actually ended, it was way too late for listeners on this side of the country to still maintain an interest. But even with the passage of time, I’m still proud of my small role in the broadcast of Troy’s first-ever Division I bowl game.

Michael Bird is still making mistakes on the radio every Saturday morning on WACQ-AM 580 & FM 98.5.

Millbrook celebrates Mardi Gras

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

Elmore County is cele -

brating Mardi Gras in style, and it all started Saturday.

The county’s oldest Mardi Gras celebrations kicked off the season in Millbrook. The Millbrook Revelers took to Main Street with a parade for the 19th year.

The celebration was initially just a ball, but a parade was added the following year then a festival. The Millbrook celebration has been recognized by South -

Visit the tropics with the Wetumpka Depot

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

The Wetumpka Depot

Players are presenting a stage version of the book Escape to Margaritaville by Greg Garcia and Mike O’Malley. It features music and lyrics by Jimmy Buffett.

“The sun and the moon lined up for us to assemble a stellar cast and artistic team for the show,” Wetumpka Depot Players artist director Kristy Meanor said. “I’m thrilled that Kim Mason, accomplished Depot director and actor, is leading this project that features an incredible live band.”

It centers around a bartender and singer in the Caribbean at “Margaritaville” who falls for a career-minded tourist in a hilarious musical comedy. The show strings together Buffett classics, including Cheeseburger In Paradise, Margaritaville, It’s Five O’clock Somewhere, Fins, Volcano and other hits.

The show is part of the Wetumpka Depot Players 45th season.

Mason isn’t doing “Margaritaville” alone and has brought together musical director Davis Whitfield, choreographer Daniel Harms, stage manager Debbie Bozeman, scenic designer Dara Alldredge and lighting designer Brandon Vick to bring the Buffett tribute to life.

Cast members include Tony Davison as Tully, Caleb Beard as Brick, Taylor Finch as Marley, Jonathan Yarboro as JD, Maggie Rowe as Rachel, Kaitlyn Lawless as Tammy, Jeff Glass as Chadd and Steve Mitchell as Jamal. The ensemble cast includes: Gracie Arnold, Courtney Furlong, Gracie Grant, Mike Higgins, Jenifer Hollett, Charles Lawrence, Sarah Smith, Kennedy Taylor, Javon Ryerson and Bethany Warman.

“Passports aren’t necessary for this trip to the tropical Margarita Hotel and Bar,” Meanor said.

“This new musical is a love letter to the legendary singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett.”

The musical opens with

a soldout Thursday show with a fun group of community leaders.

Local celebrity waiters include Spencer Coleman, Michael Morgan, Dr. Eric Mackey, Shane Butler, Marilyn Hawkins, Paula Sargent, Desirae Lewis Jackson, Abbie Weldon, Tra Cosby, Jeff Langham, Mayor Jerry Willis and Frank Bertarelli.

They are bringing their friends together for a night of fun and signing.

Just because Thursday’s show is sold out already doesn’t mean others can’t get in on the fun.

The musical runs three weekends Feb. 20-21, Feb. 27-March 1 and March 6-8. Night performances begin at 7 p.m. while Sunday matinees start at 2 p.m.

The theater is located in downtown Wetumpka on South Main Street. Tickets are $20 and may be purchased at wetumpkadepot.com or in person at Company Street Mercantile. The theater sells concessions for all shows and will offer Margaritaville shirts for sale during all performances.

ern Living magazine as the best Mardi Gras celebration north of Mobile. During the parade, participants threw Moon Pies, beads and candy to the thou -

and

Continued from A1

whom were transported by ambulance for further medical care.

“I got that call that day that somebody had passed out in the gym,” Wall said.

“So I, you know, of course, start making my way down there. As soon as I got down there, I kind of looked around the corner and I looked through those glass doors. I could tell real quick that it was an emergency situation that I and nobody else in my building has ever dealt with.”

Continued from A1

Corrie with the building’s owners,” City of Wetumpka economic developer Lynn Weldon said. “From there we all went to work to make everything work.”

Sid’s mind quickly went to work on how Grove Station could be woven into the building. She shared her vision with city leaders and the building’s owners.

“I got that call that day that somebody had passed out in the gym,” Wall said. “So I, you know, of course, start making my way down there. As soon as I got down there, I kind of looked around the corner and I looked through those glass doors. I could tell real quick that it was an emergency situation that I and nobody else in my building has ever dealt with.”

Hall, the PE teacher, was performing CPR on Cramer. Wright, the school nurse, was operating the AED and telling others how to help.

Hall spoke with Elmore County Schools superintendent Richard Dennis by phone in the early

“They have been wonderful,” Sid said. “We have been working with them to create a great project. It’s been a great experience all around.”

Sid is bringing everything Grove Station had in Tallassee except the butcher shop.

“I’ve always been a proponent of small local business and because Wetumpka has a butcher shop, George’s, I really don’t want to compete with them,” Sid said. “The city asked me to tweak

moments of the incident.

“As soon as I heard his voice, I knew it was real,” Dennis said. “I was like, this is serious.”

Dennis and others from the central office sped to the school.

Hall kept CPR going for

my model to include some of the things that Provisions did like wine and cheese. We already have wine and beer. We will continue that and add things to create a market concept where you get a lot of to-go, already made things.”

Sid tried the to-go concept in Tallassee, but it didn’t work. She does believe Wetumpka is ready for the idea of prepackaged smoked salmon salad, Asian Station chicken salad or ready-to-go sandwiches.

WHAT’S MISSING

20 minutes. Wright shocked Cramer twice. Cramer was moved to an ambulance at the back of the school. Dennis arrived soon after.

“There’s a helicopter over on the football field,” Dennis said. “He’s in the ambulance and I’m like, ‘Why aren’t we getting that thing over there.’”

Soon Cramer was flown to Children’s Hospital. He woke up the next day.

“The hospital staff couldn’t believe it,” Dennis said. “They said it was a miracle.”

Cramer had surgery later in the week. Since, he has

“There are many workers around that don’t have a long lunch,” Sid said. “They are looking for a quick but healthier concept in the pick up and go.”

There will also be local fruits and vegetables available.

Sid estimates the build out to take between six and eight months but said the bakery is first priority.

“We will have a dedicated section for our bakery which is different than we had in Tallassee,” Sid said. “We will have a bakery, deli, wine and beer, little market and private dining room for those dining experiences.”

The Grove Station bakery supplies pastries to places such as Restoration Coffee. Currently Sid’s baker is using the ovens at Our Place.

LAWYER

Continued from A1

returned to school and been shy about the event but hugs Hall and Wright at every opportunity.

Monday, Dennis and the Elmore County Board of Education presented Hall and Wright with certificates and medallions honoring them for their heroic efforts.

“In situations of high stress and urgency, it is not easy to maintain composure and act effectively,” Dennis said. “Yet Jayson and Kristen demonstrated remarkable presence of mind and skill. Their prompt actions played a crucial role in managing the emergency and for that we are deeply grateful.”

“We will get the bakery up and running first and then be able to open the deli,” Sid said.

Weldon is confident Grove Station will succeed.

“Corrie’s dedication to improving and growing her businesses reflects her deep commitment to Wetumpka,” Weldon said. “Grove Station will be another exciting addition to the city’s flourishing business scene.”

Grove Station’s announcement means 90% of the buildings in downtown Wetumpka are occupied.

“It is definitely an improvement from 2019 when there were about 60% of the buildings occupied,” Main Street Wetumpka executive director Haley Greene said.

Main Street

incident and the victim had decided to prosecute.

Because of the time lapse between the incident and the signing of the warrant, a probable cause hearing was held to determine if there was sufficient probable cause present for the issuance of a warrant.

“Upon reviewing the facts of this case, Millbrook Municipal Court magistrates determined there was

SPRINGS

and retail complex on Highway 14 in Millbrook.

“It is going to perpetually serve and benefit us,” Elmore County Commission chair Bart Mercer said.

The growth in sales and lodging tax has enabled the commission to commit to funding another $20 million in quality of life projects across Elmore County. The projects across the county have varied partners depending on the location. Those include the City of Wetumpka, Town of Eclectic and the City of Tallassee.

The project in Millbrook involves five main partners — City of Millbrook, Grandview YMCA, Elmore County Commission, Elmore County Economic Development Authority and Elmore County Board of Education. It’s a partnership unlike any other in the state ,according to Mercer.

“What we have accomplished is not only Class A facility but it is how we have done that has gotten the attention,” Mercer said.

In this case, everyone brought something to the table to make the projects come together in each community.

Wetumpka said business and property owners within downtown spent more than $837,000 in 2024 to improve buildings. The City of Wetumpka invested more than $1.5 million in the downtown area through ALDOT grants to renovate the streetscape of South Main Street. It also replaced the deck in Gold Star Park overlooking the Coosa River. Greene credits the vision of business owners such as Paula Sargent, who opened The Shoppes at Market Place more than a decade ago.

“She and others like Johnny (Oates) at River Perk and The GAB took the risk early on,” Greene said. “They had a vision of a better downtown Wetumpka.”

sufficient probable cause present to issue a warrant for the arrest of the alleged offender,” Johnson said. “I am aware that the alleged offender, Mr. Norman, is a practicing attorney in our community and the surrounding area, which has absolutely no bearing in this case. When Mr. Norman learned that a warrant had been issued for his arrest, he promptly surrendered himself to the Millbrook Police Department and cooperated fully through the arrest process prior to his release upon satisfaction of bond requirements.”

At 17 Springs the YMCA had a donation of property with an idea to create athletic opportunities for area children.

“The property was a catalyst for a lot of this back in 2013,” Grandview YMCA director Bill Meyers said. “We had a very generous family to donate the property, and it allowed us to dream big.”

The original dream was much smaller. It included one field, but as partners came on board it grew.

Phase 1 of 17 Springs saw a tennis complex with 12 courts, 12 pickleball courts and four multipurpose fields. They have been used extensively since opening officially more than a year ago.

Diamond fields were part of the dream as well, but Millbrook Al Kelley grew the scope of 17 Springs even more as meetings went from the kitchen table to conference rooms.

“They wanted to do all fields — baseball, football, soccer, softball,” Kelley said. “I had this wild crazy idea. I woke up one night with a wild dream. ‘Why don’t we take part of that property and make The Fieldhouse?’”

Tuesday’s ribbon cutting surrounded The Fieldhouse and nearby diamond fields.

The Field House at

17 Springs is more than 80,000 square feet. It is large enough to house four basketball courts, eight volleyball courts or a dozen wrestling mats. There are ways to use the facility for conferences and training. The Field House at 17 Springs is more than 80,000 square feet. It is large enough to house four basketball courts, eight volleyball courts or a dozen wrestling mats. There are ways to use the facility for conferences and training.

The Fieldhouse contains lower level locker rooms to be used for the courts above them and for the adjacent stadium and track. The main floor of The Fieldhouse spills out onto a concourse overlooking the homestands of a stadium complex where soccer, football and track can occur. It is also being set up for outdoor concerts as well.

Officials believe the facility’s central location and quality surfaces and lighting will attract state and regional tournaments. Those guests will stay in nearby hotels and visit local restaurants and businesses. Those guests will pay lodging and sales taxes funding projects across the county for years to come.

“This is truly a generational project,” Mercer said.

The color purple

Greetings from the corner of Bridge and Bridge! Winter weather is reclaiming its place as I write this week’s column. The sun is shining but it is not warm. No need to worry. We will get to warm soon enough.

“My way or the highway” thinking continues to dominate the landscape of our national discourse. The loudest voices in that discourse continue to come from the margins. As a nation, we seem stuck in the struggle of Disney fairies. “Make it pink! Make it Blue!”

Anyone viewing a color-coded political ideology map in these United States from the last couple of decades can see it firsthand. We are a nation of red or blue states.

One color dominates the mar-

BETHLEHEM EAST

BAPTIST CHURCH

Bethlehem East Baptist Church will have all Sunday school classes beginning at 9:45 a.m. Sunday morning followed by regular service at 11 a.m. in the sanctuary. We will continue with Facebook Live Sunday School at 9:30 a.m. and Worship Service at 11 a.m.

CARRVILLE BAPTIST CHURCH

Regular hours of service are Sundays- 9 a.m. Sunday School and 10 a.m. Morning Worship. Wednesday nights at 6:30 p.m. the church offers Children’s Gospel Project, Youth Bible Study and Adult Prayer Meeting. Regular office hours

gins and the other dominates the middle. The red / blue divide is blatantly obvious. Domination is the name of the political game. Blue folks want to flip red states and vice versa. Sounds like an exercise in futility, doesn’t it? It certainly does. It certainly is. Any time any of us spends our time trying to alter the color of another, for any reason, we engage in “My way or the highway” thinking. Human history clearly demonstrates the folly of such an approach. Isn’t

are Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

EAST TALLASSEE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

ETUMC’s Rivers Edge Flea Market is now closed. The church will start a new project called Rivers Edge Food Pantry. ETUMC will provide canned food, water, dry beans and rice, blankets, and jackets. If you want to donate or help with the cause, call Joan Wood at 334-312-4913.

EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF THE EPIPHANY

Please join us for Sunday services at 10:30 a.m. when the Rev. Lee Lowery will celebrate the Holy Eucharist. We are asking everyone please to wear

there a better way? I am so glad you asked.

I warn everyone reading this column that you might not like what the old preacher man is about to say. There is a better way. It is God’s way, and contrary to popular belief, there is no trace of “My way or the highway” thinking present in it.

God’s way, in one sense, is an uplifting of the color purple. Purple, recognized as the color of royalty for centuries, is God’s way. It is a blending of two primary colors, red and blue, resulting in something either primary color is incapable of on its own.

As spring begins to make its arrival, God’s landscape becomes dominated by the color purple. It becomes present in a variety of hues. The human labels of weed or flower take a backseat to the

Church Briefs

a mask. The service will be live streamed on Facebook https:// www.facebook.com/EpiphanyTallassee/ For more information, visit the church website at http://epiphanytallassee.org/

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

First Presbyterian Church, located at 514 Central Blvd. will host a Veteran’s Day Celebration on Nov. 11 from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. for all veterans and first responders and their family members.

FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

color purple. Everyone sees it right before their very eyes. What if we don’t like purple? What if we see it as invasive or unwelcome? What if we prefer true reds and blues? Are we being unfaithful if we prefer a primary color?

Here is the best part. No, we are not. God’s gift of free will bestowed on the whole of humanity allows for preference of a primary color. That preference does not present a challenge on its own. Challenges arise whenever any child of God transforms that preference into the rule of law. Jesus challenges “My way of the highway thinking” in his series of “You have heard it said…but I say” teachings. I do believe purple may have been the only color Jesus ever actually wore. I, for

(traditional). Sunday School for all ages is offered Sunday mornings at 10 a.m., and a nursery is available for infants.

CHILDREN & YOUTH: meet Sunday evenings from 5-6:30 p.m. and Wednesday evenings from 6-7:15 p.m.; supper is included both days! For more information about our church or the programs we offer, visit our website: fumctallassee. com or call us: 334-283-2195. FUMC Tallassee - 1 Jordan Avenue.”

HILLSIDE BAPTIST CHURCH

one, am good with that. In order for purple to be formed, red and blue have to be transformed. Neither ceases to be red or blue. They simply come together in the name of creating something they cannot be alone. Sounds simple enough, doesn’t it?

The earthly kingdom God created is interdependent by design. Reds and blues are primary elements of that creation, but new things of beauty only emerge by blending the two. The earthly kingdom needs both to be true to self, but it needs a shared willingness to be transformed into something beyond self even more.

Rev. Jonathan Yarboro is the Pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Wetumpka.

p.m. We also offer a Sunday evening prayer gathering for those wishing to join together in prayer. If you need prayer or know someone who does, you may call 33-567-9695 and leave a voicemail prayer request or drop a prayer request by our prayer box located on our sanctuary porch. We will carry all requests to the Lord in our hour of prayer. Hillside is located at 405 Old Montgomery Highway in Wetumpka. If you have questions, please call us at 334567-9695.

HILLSIDE BAPTIST CHURCH

“We are OPEN and everyone is WELCOME! Come worship with us in person Sunday mornings at 8:50 a.m. (contemporary) or 11 a.m.

Invites you to join us each Sunday at 9:45 a.m. for Sunday School, followed immediately by our Worship Service at 11:00 a.m. Bible Study is Wednesday at 6:00

OUR LIFE’S JOURNEY Airs every Sunday at 8:30 a.m. on 580 WACQ, FM 98.5 & 101.1, on your smart speaker, your TuneIn app, or on our website www.wacqradio.com. Please share on social media. This set of programs features Msgr. Charles Troncale, Fr. Mateusz Rudzik, Fr. James Dean, Fr. David Carucci, Fr. Patrick Driscoll, and Deacon Jim Labadie. REV.

Angel’s Attic ministry provides clothing for all members of the family. The Attic is located at 210 Old Montgom-

ery Highway and is open each Wednesday afternoon between the hours of 3:30 - 5:00 p.m. If you wish to donate clothing items, please do so during the Wednesday hours of operation. This is a free service to the community. We look forward to seeing you soon!

Sager reigns supreme at state

coach David Adams said.

By LIZI ARBOGAST GWIN Managing Editor

Sitting at just the No. 6 seed heading into the weekend’s AHSAA Class 6A Wrestling Championships, the expectations weren’t exactly high for Stanhope Elmore’s Dominic Sager.

Of course he wanted a spot on the podium, but he had to face wrestlers who were seeded higher than himself — and even one who had beat him the week previously at sectionals. However, Sager overcame all the odds to win the 285pound state championship on Saturday.

“Last year when I became head coach for the first time, I actually wrestled him a lot. I mean, I was beating him up left and right. Then this year, about halfway through the season, he started to beat me. I could see he was getting better. Then

“It was just an unbelievable feeling,” Stanhope Elmore

Wetumpka routs Alabama Christian in season opener

By KAMARRI DARRINGTON For TPI

Wetumpka baseball

coach Russ Brooks had a successful beginning to his second stint as head coach of the Indians. Brooks took over for Michael Dismukes, who now leads the baseball team at Elmore County. Brooks has also coached at Montgomery Academy and Robert E. Lee.

On a chilly night at Bazemore Field, Wetumpka used a seven-run sixth inning to finish off a 14-3 victory over Alabama Christian in the season opener Thursday.

Wetumpka (1-0) pounded out 13 hits in its first game since reaching the Class 6A quarterfinals last season.

Indians pitching duo Tyler Johnson and Colton Ashmore held the Eagles (0-1) to just four hits with Ashmore striking out seven batters — including the first he faced — through his three innings of relief.

“Tyler kept us in the game early, then Colton went in and won the game for us,” Brooks said. “(Colton) got us out of some bad spots and he cruised. It’s the best I’ve seen Colton pitch since he’s been here. He’s got some talent, and our bats finally woke up late.”

Johnson started the game on the mound, pitched three innings and allowed one run on three hits. Ashmore allowed two runs on two hits in the sixth.

ACA scored first on an RBI single by Alex Heilman in the second inning. Wetumpka responded in the bottom of the inning with RBI singles by Henry Evers and Peyton Dickey for a 2-1 lead.

The Indians added two runs in the fourth on wild pitches by Eagles starting pitcher Camden Sutton. Sutton pitched four innings and allowed five runs on six hits as the first of four Eagles to take the mound.

An early error in the fifth led to three more Wetumpka runs. Aiden Peake drove in a run on a fielder’s choice, Kyle Richardson drew a bases-loaded walk, and Evers hit an RBI groundout.

Wetumpka sent 10 batters to the plate in the game-ending sixth. Back-to-back singles by Connor Jacks and Lige Westbrook led to an RBI single by Logan Fawcett. After Johnson was hit by a pitch, Richardson hit an RBI single, Evers hit a sacrifice fly to left and Bo Bo Browing hit a triple. A base hit by Cooper Sanders resulted in three runs scoring on the final play of the game.

“We’ve got a good group of kids,” Brooks said. “We’re just trying to play hard and stay in the game. Maybe we win, maybe we don’t, but we try to be in the game by the seventh inning.”

One down, plenty to go.

Wetumpka broke a 32-year drought by reaching the quarterfinals despite going 24-16 last season, but this season is different and there’s plenty of time to tighten things up as the season continues.

“It’s just one game,” Brooks said. “We’re a long way from the playoffs. The draw is so important in the playoffs, too. At the end of the day, you don’t worry about that. It’s all about getting better right now.”

WETUMPKA’S SUCCESSFUL SEASON ENDS IN SWEET 16

By SAMUEL HIGGS Sports Reporter

It’s hard to win when the opposition is not missing shots.

That’s what Wetumpka faced in its Sweet 16 matchup against McGill-Toolen last Thursday, when it fell 49-35.

Things started well for both sides with either team exchanging points, but after the Yellow Jackets got their first lead, they did not look back. Despite a solid outing in the third quarter by the Indians, the Yellow Jackets came back in the fourth to extend their lead even further.

“McGill is a championship program, and our guys are able just to see that caliber at this level,” Wetumpka coach Steven Thomas said. “I thought we had energy and juice at the start, and then, I mean, just that championship pedigree that started to overtake a little bit. They were throwing punches, we were throwing them back, and they just ended up throwing more punches at the end that we ultimately couldn’t sustain.”

Tom Suddith led the way for Wetumpka with nine points on the day

while he added four rebounds and four blocks.

Nolan Fitch finished behind him with eight points and a team-high six rebounds also adding a pair of blocks.

Where the Indians did shine offensively was from the line, which was evident in the third quarter. They took a more aggressive approach coming out of the break by driving into the paint on almost every possession, which left the Yellow Jackets with the choice of giving up an easy basket or sending them to the line. In total, the Indians went 14-for-20 from the free throw line with Fitch going a perfect 4-for-4.

Wetumpka overall had an extremely successful season, which compiled two impressive winning streaks both at the beginning and end of the year. After a loss to Montevallo, Wetumpka won the next 10 straight. Then to end the season strung together four straight wins to snatch the area championship and reach the Sweet 16.

“This season, I mean, it was special,” Thomas said. “Just the guys coming into work over the summer, just putting all the blood,

sweat and tears into it, and then just our run. You had the whole Wetumpka com

munity behind it, and we told the guys in the locker room these things haven’t been done in 10-15 years. We just have the whole community behind you, and it was special.”

This season laid the groundwork for what is to be expected for years to come for the Indians. They will lose some valuable contributors in Justin Godwin, Logan Gaare, Jushon Fleming, Jayden Turner and Fitch. However, do retain a core of younger guys who now know what it takes to make it to the Sweet 16. Thomas’ expectation in the offseason is for his guys to stay hungry and aim to get better.

“Just take the next step, like you know what it takes, now are you gonna be satisfied with it or are you gonna come in the next day and know what you have to do?” Thomas said. “I mean you gotta get better every single day. The goal is, as a group, as a program to play for a state championship. You played against the state-caliber team. I mean you gotta come tomorrow and you gotta work.”

Wildcats stopped in Elite 8 but looking to next season

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

It was two different ballgames separated by halftime as the Edgewood boys took on Springwood in the AISA Elite 8 game in Montgomery.

The teams were feeling each other out, but Edgewood found a slight advantage with Brock Whitt in the middle and Thomas Justiss finding ways to shoot or get the ball inside.

The Wildcats in green had a 20-14 lead going into the locker at the half. Things were looking up for advancing to the final four.

“It was just a tale of two halves both defensively and offensively,” coach Scott Phillips said. “The second half, I thought there was a stretch of about three minutes in the third quarter, they wanted it more than we did. We had good energy but it just didn’t match the increase from Springwood.”

Phillips said his team had good energy, it just didn’t match the increase from Springwood.

Edgewood struggled coming back at halftime.

“We didn’t convert on some opportunities that we needed to,” Phillips said. “When we had a chance, even as long as it stayed a four point game, we had chances to convert. We just didn’t do it.”

The Wildcats lost the lead with two minutes left in the third quarter after only finding three points. They were behind 25-23. Phillips called a timeout and his team came out with a little more energy.

Thomas Justiss sank a 3-pointer to give Edgewood the lead again. Springwood came back but was slowed by Brock Whitt who at the offensive rebound and put back. It was enough to give Edgewood a 30-28 lead going into the fourth quarter.

But the Wildcats relinquished the lead with seven minutes to go in the game. Edgewood couldn’t come back.

Justiss and Whitt would drive the lane several times but Edgewood couldn’t find the net.

The score was 42-36 with 90 seconds remaining.

“A lot of the shots we have been hitting late in games all year just weren’t falling,” Phillips said. “They had some good blockers altering our shots.”

Phillips stopped his team from fouling and trying to get the ball back when he felt the game was out of reach. Edgewood walked off the court with a 47-37 defeat.

Edgewood lost a lot from last year’s state championship team. Phillips would have liked to have seen his team advance, especially the three seniors — Avery Haskew, Will Smith and Eric Sumrall.

Haskew finished the game with 11 points, Will Smith with 3 and Sumrall with 4 points.

They were joined by juniors Justiss with 5 points, Whitt with 8 points, Landon Smith with 2 points and Ja’Qub Anthony with 6 points.

Phillips knows the foundation has been laid for better years to come to return the team to the glory it has found in the past.

“We lose three good seniors,” Phillips said. “We’ve got a good core coming back.”

Continued from B1

watching him win it all, it just felt unbelievable. It felt very, very great to see all of his hard work, effort and dedication get shown off like that.”

Sager’s tournament journey started against the No. 3 seed, Malik Watts, out of Pell City. Adams said he and Sager

watched considerable film on Watts and Sager executed the game plan perfectly, picking up a 4-3 decision after holding Watts off in the third period. The next two matches for Sager weren’t as nail-biting. Next up was Mountain Brook’s Daniel Ellis, who had previously pinned Sager in the first period during sectionals. However, it was Sager’s turn to flip the script, flattening Ellis in a mere 1:45.

“He was definitely coming in as the big underdog again,” Adams said. “This guy was about 6-foot-4, and Dominic’s standing at like 5-foot-8, but Dominic goes out there and he surprises everybody.”

The win advanced Sager to the championship bout, where he faced Gardendale’s Gage Beyke. The two went toe-totoe for the first two periods, and it looked like Beyke was going to overcome Sager in

the third. But just as Sager was slipping to his back, he notched a reversal and pinned Beyke in 4:26.

“I’ll be honest, I still can’t believe he did it,” Adams said with a laugh. Now though, Sager will have all eyes on him. As just a sophomore winning a state championship, Sager is going to have high expectations through the final two years of his career. But the target just

got a lot bigger. “Since he has that title of state champion, there’s going to be a big target on his back coming up in the next season,” Adams said. “I’m really gonna emphasize that with him about how people are now going to be looking at you as the person to beat, and if they beat you, then they know they have a shot at winning state and taking your title from you.”

Edgewood girls leave all on the court in Elite 8

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

Avery White wanted to follow in the footsteps of past Edgewood girls basketball teams with a state championship. But the Wildcats ran into a buzzsaw from Springwood in a AISA Class AA Elite 8 matchup.

“That’s the best team in the state,”

Edgewood coach Brad Starks said. “They showed why they are No.1.”

Even in a 65-30 loss, White, a senior, wanted to leave it all on the court. She constantly tried to get steals and take shots when she could. But she gave everyone a scare when she challenged Springwood’s Tori Patillo for a loose ball. The two girls ran at the ball, Patillo getting there a split second ahead.

White leaped to avoid a collision but landed on her head and chest. It caused the entire arena to stop for a moment.

Starks checked on his senior and returned to the bench to get White a towel. A few moments later they walked by to the Edgewood bench, White with a slight limp.

White took a few moments to collect herself and no one would have said a word had she stay there. But she looked at Starks. She wanted to go back in the game.

“She’s tough. She’s not gonna just go down without a fight,” Starks said. “She wanted to be on the court the last minute or two.”

White took a few shots and went out on her own terms.

Like she has done many times this season, she then donned a cheerleaders uniform to cheer on the Edgewood boys team.

White finished the game with two points. Lexie Smith got seven points, Aubrey Newton scored eight, and Emerson Boddie led the way with 12.

Springwood controlled the game from the start leading after the first quarter 20-4. Edgewood did mount a little more defense in the second period but still fell behind offensively.

Edgewood came out after halftime down 33-14 and was never really in the game. Starks said youth played a role but it did all season.

Against Springwood, Smith kept pushing the ball inside to teammates but the Springwood defense was able to alter the shot after the pass.

“Our shots didn’t fall,” Starks said. Springwood also pressed Edgewood the majority of the game creating turnovers from stepping into passing lanes and forcing errors.

“We talked about what we couldn’t do, and we did it over and over in the first quarter,” Starks said. “We just put ourselves in a bad spot. We would have had to play a pretty perfect game to be in it. I don’t even know if our best game could have beat them.”

ABOVE: Edgewood’s Emerson Boddie fights for a loose ball against Springwood. BELOW: Edgewood’s Lexie Smith drives against Springwood.

Back-to-back

Payton wins second straight state title

Tyler Payton has reigned supreme — again.

For the second straight year, the Elmore County wrestler stood atop the podium at the AHSAA Class 5A Wrestling Championships, winning the 157-pound title.

To start his tournament run, Payton faced off against Holtville’s Brock Godwin, flattening him just 23 seconds into the second period.

In the semifinals, he absolutely dominated Springville’s Callen Hettich, finishing off a 17-1 tech fall in 2:41. Payton then went on to defend his title, taking down Comer’s Bryson Millwood in an 8-5 decision.

“Tyler holds himself to a very high standard to do that again,” ECHS coach Mason Thorton said in a previous interview. “It was business as usual for him.”

Another placewinner for Elmore County was Casey Crumpton at 106 pounds; he placed third overall.

Crumpton also took down a Holtville opponent to start the state championship tournament before falling in the semifinals to Elliott Harris, of Leeds, in a tiebreaker. Crumpton then battled his way back through the consolation

Elmore County’s Tyler Payton wins his second straight wrestling championship.

semifinals, defeating Springville’s Fisher Lundberg in a 15-8 decision. That placed Crumpton back in the third-place match, which he ultimately won by an 11-6 decision.

Elmore County off to strong start with back-to-back wins

By SAMUEL HIGGS Sports Reporter

Elmore County opened the 2025 season out on the right foot with back-to-back wins over Tallassee, showcasing their prowess on offense.

The Panthers opened with an 11-1 victory on Friday and followed it up with a 4-1 win on Saturday, but found itself fighting from behind. The Tigers jumped out in front with a home run in the first inning thanks to Brue Milner while pitcher Chase Chumley provided the Panthers with its fair share of fits.

However, Elmore County found its rhythm in the fifth inning thanks to a sacrifice fly from Evan Spence that brought in Bryson Rigsby and Gage Davis to get in the driver’s seat. Spence and Davis later each scored a run in the top of the seventh to help secure the win.

“That was a well-pitched game on both sides,” Elmore County coach Michael Dismukes said. “Their starter (Chumley) really filled the strike zone up, gave us some fits. Now, we swung some balls he dealt early, but we just didn’t lose our composure and kept going, and it busted open for us.” What has played in Elmore County’s favor is the impact the senior class is having at the beginning of the season. Even when things are not going in the Panthers’ favor, similar to what Elmore County saw on Saturday, the seniors found a way to adjust.

“The biggest thing is we’re focused,” Dismukes said. “We’re senior led, we got experience, which in adversity, it helps that they’ve been through

the trenches before. Right now, we haven’t been able to get too big or too low, and they just tried to stay consistent. So early, that’s hard to do sometimes.” Consistency is the main thing Dismukes wants to see from his guys, especially at the plate.

He knows if they are consistent with their approach, it could result in more hits and more runs for Elmore County.

“Just try to have the same at-bat over and over and over, and be consistent,” Dismukes said. “It gives you a chance to be successful at the plate.”

Although the Panthers have had an early stretch of success, improvements still need to be made. Dismukes wants to see his guy swing a little bit more to avoid being in a position where they were on Saturday.

“Swing at more strikes,” Dismukes said. “Don’t chase out the zone and get something that they can really handle. And once they do that, we’re a pretty good lineup.” Next up for Elmore County was a doubleheader against Bibbs County and Fayette County before hosting Benjamin Russell on Thursday.

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Public Notices

Public Notices

March 4, 2025, during the legal hours of sale, all of its right, title, and interest in and to the following described real estate, situated in Elmore County, Alabama, to-wit: LOT 15 JORDAN TRACE PLAT 1 AS THE SAME IS RECORDED IN THE OFFICE OF THE JUDGE OF PROBATE OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA, IN PLAT BOOK 16, AT PAGE 65 AND 66 Property street address for informational purposes: 271 Curlee Way Wetumpka, AL 36092 THIS PROPERTY WILL BE SOLD ON AN “AS IS, WHERE ANY EASEMENTS, ENCUMBRANCES, AND EXCEPTIONS REFLECTED IN THE MORTGAGE AND THOSE CONTAINED IN THE RECORDS OF THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY WHERE THE ABOVE-DESCRIBED PROPERTY IS SITUATED. THIS PROPERTY WILL BE SOLD WITHOUT WARRANTY OR RECOURSE, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED AS TO TITLE, USE THE RIGHT OF REDEMPTION OF ALL PARTIES ENTITLED THERETO. Alabama law gives some persons who have an interest in property the right to redeem the property under certain circumstances. Programs may also exist that help persons avoid or delay the foreclosure process. An attorney should be consulted to help you understand these rights and programs as a part of the foreclosure process. This sale is made for the purpose of paying the indebtedness secured by said mortgage, as well as the expenses of foreclosure. The successful bidder must made payable to Aldridge Pite, LLP at the time and place of the sale. If sale is voided, Mortgagee/Transferee shall return the bid amount to the successful purchaser. The Mortgagee/ Transferee and Aldridge Pite, LLP shall not be liable to the purchaser for any damages. If the sale is set aside for any reason, the purchaser at the sale shall be only entitled to a return of the bid amount. The Mortgagee/Transferee reserves the right to bid for and purchase the real estate and to credit its purchase price against the expenses of sale and the indebtedness secured by the real estate. This sale is subject to postponement or cancellation. Wintrust Mortgage, a division of Barrington Bank & Trust Company, N.A., Mortgagee/Transferee ALDRIDGE PITE, LLP Six Piedmont Center 3525 Piedmont Road, N.E., Suite 700 Atlanta, GA 30305. Attorney for Mortgagee/Transferee. THIS OFFICE IS ACTING AS A DEBT COLLECTOR AND IS ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT. ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE.

Wetumpka Herald: Feb. 5, 12 and 19, 2025 245959 PUBLIC NOTICE LEGAL NOTICE

ASPHALT CONTRACTORS, INC. HEREBY GIVES NOTICE OF COMPLETION OF CONTRACT WITH ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FOR ELMORE COUNTY PROJECT STPMN-2624(250). ALL CLAIMS SHOULD BE FILED AT P.O. BOX 241447, MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA 36124 DURING THIS PERIOD.

ASPHALT CONTRACTORS, INC.

Wetumpka Herald: Feb. 5, 12, 19 and 26, 2025 COMPLETION PUBLIC NOTICE

Notice is hereby given that application has been made to the Council of the City of Wetumpka for approval of a 020-Restaurant Retail Liquor license. Name of Applicant: El Encanto LLC

Trade Name: El Encanto Mexican Restaurant Address: 2215 US Highway 231, Wetumpka, AL 36093 Public Hearing on said application has been scheduled for March 3, 2025 at 6:00 PM, before the Wetumpka City Council at the City of Wetumpka Council Chambers at 408 S. Main St., Wetumpka, AL. Anyone desiring to be heard either for or against said application may appear at said time or may indicate their wishes in writing by communication addressed to the City Council, 408 South Main Street, Wetumpka, AL 36092. Persons with disabilities who may need special assistance should contact the City Clerk’s call (334) 567-1306 at least two business days in advance of the meeting. The meeting facilities are wheelchair accessible. Tiffany Robinson, City Clerk Wetumpka Herald: Feb. 19 and 26, 2025 EL ENCANTO LLC

PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE UNDER POWER FORECLOSURE NOTICE WHEREAS, default has occurred in the performance of the covenants, terms and conditions of a mortgage from LLOYD RAY CUTHRELL JR. UNMARRIED to DITECH FINANCIAL LLC, on the 15th day of March, 2019, said mortgage recorded in the May 10, 2019, in Deed/Mort-cords, said Mortgage having not in its individual capacity,ment recorded in the aforesaid given that the undersigned Citias Mortgagee/Transferee, unof sale contained in said mortthe main entrance to the Elmore county courthouse located at 100 E Commerce Street, We-March 11, 2025, during the legal hours of sale, all of its right, title, and interest in and to the situated in Elmore County, AlaFROM

CLASSIFIEDS/PUBLIC NOTICES

Public Notices

BRINA GRAY BALLARD, deceased, having been granted to TOMMY LEE BALLARD, JR. on February 12, 2025 by D. JA-

SON BRITT, Judge of Probate of Elmore County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons and parties having claims against said estate are required, within the time allowed by law, to present the same to the Court or the same will be barred.

TOMMY LEE BALLARD, JR.

ADMINISTRATOR OF THE ESTATE OF ANGELA SABRINA GRAY BALLARD, DECEASED

Name and Address of Attorney for Administrator: BEN KELLY ATTORNEY AT LAW PO BOX 188 JACKSON, ALABAMA 36545 251-246-4440

Wetumpka Herald: Feb. 19, 26 and Mar. 5, 2025 EST/BALLARD, A. PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE STATE OF ALABAMA COUNTY OF ELMORE CASE NO: 2025-019 IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF WILLIAM WADSWORTH BALTZELL, DECEASED

Letters Testamentary in the Estate of WILLIAM WADSWORTH BALTZELL, deceased, having been granted to RUSSELL W. BALTZELL on the 5th day of February, 2025 by D. JASON BRITT, Judge of Probate of Elmore County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons and parties having claims against said estate are required, within the time allowed by law, to present the same to the Court or the same will be barred.

RUSSELL W. BALTZELL PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF WILLIAM WADSWORTH BALTZELL, DECEASED

Attorney of Record for such Personal Representative: GERALD A. DANIEL, JR. LAW OFFICE OF GA DANIEL, JR. LLC PO BOX 638 MILLBROOK, ALABAMA 36054 334-285-9444 Jerry@GADanielLaw.com

Wetumpka Herald:

Feb. 12, 19 and 26, 2025 EST/BALTZELL W. PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF GORDON D. BENNETT, DECEASED CASE NO: 2025-028 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE

Letters Testamentary in the Estate of GORDON D. BENNETT, deceased, having been granted to SUNDAE S. RAGLAND on February 4, 2025 by D. JASON BRITT, Judge of Probate of Elmore County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons and parties having claims against said estate are required, within the time allowed by law, to present the same to the Court or the same will be barred.

SUNDAE S. RAGLAND PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF GORDON D. BENNETT, DECEASED

Attorney of Record for Personal Representative: JOHN B. BRADLEY OF COUNSEL: VOGEL LAW FIRM, LLC 41 CAMBRIDGE COURT WETUMPKA, ALABAMA 36093 334-409-0088

Wetumpka Herald: Feb. 12, 19 and 26, 2025 EST/BENNETT, G. PUBLIC NOTICE

IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF WALTER MERRITT BULLOCK, JR., DECEASED CASE NO: 2025-014 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE

Letters of Administration over the Estate of WALTER MERRITT BULLOCK, JR., deceased, having been granted to NADA HEAD BULLOCK on January 27, 2025 by D. JASON BRITT, Judge of Probate of Elmore County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons and parties having claims against said estate are required, within the time allowed by law, to present the same to the Court or the same will be barred.

NADA HEAD BULLOCK ADMINISTRATOR OF THE ESTATE OF WALTER MERRITT BULLOCK, JR., DECEASED

Name and Address of Attorney for Administrator:

JIM T. NORMAN, III LAW OFFICES OF JIM T. NORMAN, III, LLC PO BOX 680670 PRATTVILLE, ALABAMA 36068 334-365-9955

Wetumpka Herald: Feb. 5, 12 and 19, 2025

EST/BULLOCK, W. JR. PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF VONCILE S. GARDNER, DECEASED CASE NO: 2024-037 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE

Public Notices

Letters Testamentary in the Estate of VONCILE S. GARDNER, deceased, having been granted to KENNETH M. GARDNER on February 13, 2025 by D. JASON BRITT, Judge of Probate of Elmore County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons and parties having claims against said estate are required, within the time allowed by law, to present the same to the Court or the same will be barred. KENNETH M. GARDNER PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF VONCILE S. GARDNER, DECEASED

Attorney of Record for Personal Representative:

LEE M. RUSSELL, JR. CAPELL & HOWARD, P.C. 150 SOUTH PERRY ST MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA 36104 PO BOX 2069 MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA 36102-2069 334-241-8000

Wetumpka Herald: Feb. 19, 26 and Mar. 5, 2025

EST/GARDNER, V. PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF RONALD CLIFFORD GUTHRIE, DECEASED CASE NO: 2025-011 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE Letters Testamentary in the Estate of RONALD CLIFFORD GUTHRIE, deceased, having been granted to EUGENE BASS GUTHRIE ARTHUR, who is also known as EUGENA BASS GUTHRIE ARTHUR, on January 31, 2025 by D. Jason Britt, Judge of Probate of Elmore County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons and parties having claims against said estate are required, within the time allowed by law, to present the same to the Court or the same will be barred.

EUGENE BASS GUTHRIE ARTHUR, who is also known as EUGENA BASS GUTHRIE ARTHUR PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF RONALD CLIFFORD GUTHRIE, DECEASED

Attorney of Record for Personal Representative: MATTHEW T. ELLIS CRUM, ELLIS & ASSOCIATES, PC PO BOX 1186 MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA 36101-1186 641 SOUTH LAWRENCE STREET MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA 36104 334-581-6600 334-603-8524 mellis@crumellis.com

Wetumpka Herald: Feb. 12, 19 and 26, 2025 EST/GUTHRIE, R. PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF ARTHUR P. HOLLADAY, JR., DECEASED CASE NO: 2025-015 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE

Letters Testamentary in the Estate of ARTHUR P. HOLLADAY, JR., deceased, having been granted to MARIE HOLLADAY on January 27, 2025 by D. JASON BRITT, Judge of Probate of Elmore County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons and parties having claims against said estate are required, within the time allowed by law, to present the same to the Court or the same will be barred.

MARIE HOLLADAY PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF ARTHUR P. HOLLADAY, JR., DECEASED

Attorney of Record for Personal Representative: JIM T. NORMAN, III LAW OFFICES OF JIM T. NORMAN, III, LLC PO BOX 680670 PRATTVILLE, ALABAMA 36068 334-365-9955 Wetumpka Herald: Feb. 5, 12 and 19, 2025 EST/HOLLADAY A. JR. PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF WILLIE JAMES ZEIGLER, DECEASED CASE NO. 2025-030 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE

Letters Testamentary on the Estate of said decedent having been granted to BRENDA GILES as Executrix on the 4th day of February 2025, by the Honorable D. JASON BRITT, Judge of Probate of said County in said State, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said Estate are required to present same within the time allowed by law or the same will be barred.

BRENDA GILES EXECUTRIX OF THE ESTATE OF WILLIE JAMES ZEIGLER, DECEASED.

Name and Address of Attorney: Regina B. Edwards, Esq. The Law Firm of Edwards & Edwards, P.C. 109 E. Bridge Street Wetumpka, AL 36092

Wetumpka Herald: Feb. 12, 19 and 26, 2025 EST/ZEIGLER, W.

Public Notices

PUBLIC NOTICE

IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF JAMES JACKSON, DECEASED CASE NO: 2024-186

NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE

Letters Testamentary in the Estate of JAMES JACKSON, deceased, having been granted to ERNEST JACKSON on February 4th 2025 by D. Jason Britt, Judge of Probate of Elmore County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons and parties having claims against said estate are required, within the time allowed by law, to present the same to the Court or the same will be barred.

ERNEST JACKSON PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF JAMES JACKSON, DECEASED Attorney of Record for Personal Representative: GERALD A. DANIEL, JR. LAW OFFICE OF G A DANIEL, JR. LLC PO BOX 638 MILLBROOK, ALABAMA 36054 334-285-9444

Jerry@GADanielLaw.com

Wetumpka Herald: Feb. 12, 19 and 26, 2025 EST/JACKSON J.

PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF MELVIN EDWARD JONES, DECEASED CASE NO. 2025-016 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE

Letters Testamentary on the Estate of said decedent having been granted to BRIAN K. JONES as Personal Representative on the 3rd day of February 2025, by the Honorable D. JASON BRITT, Judge of Probate of said County in said State, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said Estate are required to present same within the time allowed by law or the same will be barred.

BRIAN K. JONES

PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF MELVIN EDWARD JONES, DECEASED.

Name and Address of Attorney: Regina B. Edwards, Esq.

The Law Firm of Edwards & Edwards, P.C. 109 E. Bridge Street Wetumpka, AL 36092

Wetumpka Herald: Feb. 12, 19 and 26, 2025

EST/JONES, M.

PUBLIC NOTICE

IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF GARY LEE KRUEGER, DECEASED CASE NO. 2025-041 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE

Letters Testamentary on the Estate of said decedent having been granted to MELISSA K. SPEARS as Personal Representative on the 13th day of February 2025, by the Honorable D. JASON BRITT, Judge of Probate of said County in said State, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said Estate are required to present same within the time allowed by law or the same will be barred.

MELISSA K. SPEARS

PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF GARY LEE KRUEGER, DECEASED.

Name and Address of Attorney: Regina B. Edwards, Esq. The Law Firm of Edwards & Edwards, P.C. 109 E. Bridge Street

Wetumpka, AL 36092

Wetumpka Herald: Feb. 19, 26 and Mar. 5, 2025 EST/KRUEGER G. PUBLIC NOTICE

IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF PHILLIP WAYNE MAYHAN, DECEASED CASE NO: 2025-012 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE

Letters Testamentary in the Estate of PHILLIP WAYNE MAYHAN, deceased, having been granted to JASON WAYNE MAYHAN on January 27, 2025 by D. JASON BRITT, Judge of Probate of Elmore County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons and parties having claims against said estate are required, within the time allowed by law, to present the same to the Court or the same will be barred.

JASON WAYNE MAYHAN

PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF PHILLIP WAYNE MAYHAN, DECEASED

Attorney of Record for

Personal Representative: GEORGE S. HABUREY, IV THE CLEVELAND FIRM, LLC

707 MCQUEEN SMITH ROAD

SOUTH. PRATTVILLE, ALABAMA 36066 334-365-6266 george@clevelandgroup.legal Wetumpka Herald: Feb. 5, 12 and 19, 2025 EST/MAYHAN P.

Public Notices

PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF KENNETH R. MADDOX, JR., DECEASED CASE NO: 2025-032 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE

Letters Testamentary in the Estate of KENNETH R. MADDOX, JR., deceased, having been granted to JEAN A. MADDOX on February 11, 2025 by D. JASON BRITT, Judge of Probate of Elmore County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons and parties having claims against said estate are required, within the time allowed by law, to present the same to the Court or the same will be barred.

JEAN A. MADDOX

PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF KENNETH R. MADDOX, JR., DECEASED

Attorney of Record for Personal Representative: ROBERT E. L. GILPIN GILPIN GIVHAN, PC LAKEVIEW CENTER, SUITE 300 2660 EASTCHASE LANE MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA 36117 PO DRAWER 4540 MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA 36103-4540 334-244-1111

Wetumpka Herald: Feb. 19, 26 and Mar. 5, 2025 EST/MADDOX K. JR. PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF KENNETH R. MCCROAN, SR., DECEASED CASE NO. 2025-029 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE

Letters Testamentary on the Estate of said decedent having been granted to KEITH D. MCCROAN and KEVIN L. MCCROAN as Co-Personal Representatives on the 11th day of February, 2025, by the Honorable D. JASON BRITT, Judge of Probate of said County in said State, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said Estate are required to present same within the time allowed by law or the same will be barred.

KEITH D. MCCROAN KEVIN L. MCCROAN CO-PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ESTATE OF OF KENNETH R. MCCROAN, SR., DECEASED.

Name and Address of Attorney: Regina B. Edwards, Esq. The Law Firm of Edwards & Edwards, P.C. 109 E. Bridge Street Wetumpka, AL 36092 Wetumpka Herald: Feb. 19, 26 and Mar. 5, 2025 EST/MCCROAN, K. SR. PUBLIC NOTICE

IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF ANDREW J. MIZZELL, DECEASED CASE NO: 2024-300 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE

Letters Testamentary in the Estate of ANDREW J. MIZZELL, deceased, having been granted to SHARON MIZZELL BRUGH on February 10, 2025 by D. JASON BRITT, Judge of Probate of Elmore County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons and parties having claims against said estate are required, within the time allowed by law, to present the same to the Court or the same will be barred.

SHARON MIZZELL BRUGH PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF ANDREW J. MIZZELL, DECEASED

Attorney of Record for Personal Representative: MATTHEW T. ELLIS CRUM, ELLIS & ASSOCIATES, PC PO BOX 1186

MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA 36101-1186 641 SOUTH LAWRENCE STREET MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA 36104 334-581-6600

Wetumpka Herald: Feb. 19, 26 and Mar. 5, 2025 EST/MIZZELL A.

PUBLIC NOTICE

Notice is hereby given that the undersigned will sell for cash, at an ONLINE public auction on Thursday, February 20th, 2025, at 11:00am AT STORAGETREASURES.COM. Please note: THIS AUCTION IS NOT IN PERSON. PLEASE DO NOT SHOW UP TO OUR PHYSICAL LOCATION. ALL AUCTION PARTICIPANTS MUST SIGN UP AND BID ONLINE.

Flex Storage 749 US-231 Wetumpka, AL 36093

208: Barbara Rigsby. 661 Stone Gate Trail, Wetumpka, AL

36093 Contents: tv stand, boxes, bed frame

73: John Moore.1013 Jackson Trace Road, Wetumpka, AL 36092 Contents: Fencing, concrete, generator, fans, poles Wetumpka Herald: Feb. 12 and 19, 2025 STORAGE AUCTION

Public Notices

PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF BETTY H. SAMMONS, DECEASED CASE NO: 2025-003 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE

Letters Testamentary in the Estate of BETTY H. SAMMONS, deceased, having been granted to LISA S. LOVVORN on February 5, 2025 by D. JASON BRITT, Judge of Probate of Elmore County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons and parties having claims against said estate are required, within the time allowed by law, to present the same to the Court or the same will be barred.

LISA S. LOVVORN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF BETTY H. SAMMONS, DECEASED Attorney of Record for Personal Representative: JOHN B. BRADLEY VOGEL LAW FIRM, LLC 41 CAMBRIDGE COURT WETUMPKA, ALABAMA 36093 334-409-0088

Wetumpka Herald: Feb. 12, 19 and 26, 2025 EST/SAMMONS B. PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE JUVENILE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF: MICHAEL EDWARD HILL, JR. CASE NO. JU-2015-229.04 NOTICE OF PETITION FOR TERMINATION OF PARENTAL RIGHTS

TO: STEPHANIE ALLEN (Mother) You are hereby given notice that

You are hereby given notice

titioner’s attorney, Synetria J. -

March 12, 2025, at 9:15 A.M. at the Elmore County Judicial Complex in Wetumpka, Alabama.

JU-2015-229.04

PUBLIC NOTICE

LEGAL NOTICE OF PROPOSED VACATION OF A PORTION OF MAVERICK CIRCLE IN ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA

Pursuant to the proposal of the Elmore County Commission to vacate a portion of Maverick Circle in Elmore County, Alabama, the Elmore County Commission will consider the said vacation of a portion of Maverick Circle, which is more particularly and accurately described as follows: ALL OF THAT PORTION OF MAVERICK CIRCLE THAT HAS NOT PREVIOUSLY BEEN VACATED BY THE ELMORE COUNTY COMMISSION, COMMENCING AT THE BEGINNING OF THE NORTHERN MOST POINT OF MAVERICK CIRCLE THAT IS DIRECTLY ACROSS FROM THE NORTHERN MOST POINT OF PARCEL NUMBER 24 01 02 0 000 006.002 (120 MAVERICK CIRCLE, WETUMPKA, ALABAMA 36093) THEN CONTINUES AND CONCLUDES AT THE SOUTHERN MOST POINT OF MAVERICK CIRCLE THAT ABUTS DOZIER ROAD AND IS DIRECTLY ACROSS FROM PARCEL NUMBER 24 01 02 0 000 007.000 (2119 MAVERICK CIRCLE; WETUMPKA, ALABAMA 36093). said petition, the Elmore County Commission will conduct a public hearing on the proposed vacation. This public hearing shall be held at the regularly scheduled meeting of the Elmore County Commission set for 5:00 p.m. on the 10th day of March, 2025, at the Elmore County Courthouse, 100 E. Commerce Street, in Wetumpka, Alabama. Any citizen alleging to be affected by the proposed vacation may submit a written objection to the Elmore County Commission or may request an opportunity to be heard at the public hearing. Jeffrey J. Courtney Attorney for the Elmore County Commission

Wetumpka Herald: Feb. 5, 12, 19 and 26, 2025 MAVERICK CIRCLE PUBLIC NOTICE

ADVERTISEMENT FOR PROPOSALS Millbrook Restaurant 3253 Main StreetMillbrook, AL Request For Proposal (RFP)Design Build Services The City Clerk of the City of Millbrook on behalf of the Millbrook Redevelopment Authority will receive proposals for a Big Mike’s Steakhouse Restaurant, until Thursday, February 27, 2025 at 2:00 PM-CST, at which time and place proposals will be publicly opened at Millbrook City Hall - 3160 Main Street,

Public Notices

y Millbrook, Alabama. The Project is generally described as but not limited to; A redevelopment of an

of Alabama and be cerwhich a proposal is submitted Award will be mad only to competent and responsible bidders as mandated by Title 39 of the Code of Alabama. All bidders must be licensed under Title 34 of the Code of Alabama. that they must provide the information necessary

Fax:

ATTN: City

Wetumpka Herald: Feb. 19, 2025 PROPOSALS PUBLIC NOTICE LAKE JORDAN STORAGE, LLC 1955 TITUS ROAD TITUS, AL 36080 334-312-2645

NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE AND/OR AUCTION LAKE JORDAN STORAGE, LLC PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF THE ALABAMA SELF STORAGE ACT (CODE OF ALA, 1975 8-15-30) HEREBY GIVES NOTICE OF SALE UNDER SAID ACT TO WIT:

DATE: March 1, 2025 TIME: 10:00 AM LOCATION: LAKE JORDAN STORAGE, LLC 1955 TITUS ROAD TITUS, AL 36080

LESSOR WILL CONDUCT A PUBLIC SALE FOR CASH REIMBURSEMENT OF STORAGE DUES FOR THE FOLLOWING CONTENTS OF THE FOLLOWING UNITS:

NAME: Kenneth Jefferson ADDRESS: 41 W Campbellton Street Fairburn, GA 30213 UNIT: Storage Units 9 & 43

NAME: Lisa Palmer c/o Meagan Daly ADDRESS: 3440 McEntire Close Montgomery, AL 36106 UNIT: Storage Unit 72

NAME: Bob Henderson ADDRESS: 4008 Westwood Lane Apex, NC 27539 UNIT: Storage Unit 71 THE OCCUPANT HAS THE RIGHT TO REDEEM THE CONTENTS ANYTIME PRIOR TO THE SALE. THIS SALE IS BEING HELD TO SATISFY A STATUTORY LESSOR’S LIEN. CASH ONLY

Wetumpka Herald: Feb. 19 and 26, 2025 STORAGE AUCTION

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