Wetumpka Herald Jan. 8 2025

By Cliff Williams Staff Writer

Illegal immigrant charged with attempted kidnapping in Slapout

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

deport

encounter in The Boys Store parking

on New Year’s Eve was soon reported to the Elmore County Sheriff’s Office by the mother of a 17-year-old juvenile.

“She was in the parking lot gathering a buggy when a Black Mitsubishi pulled up and the driver got out,” Elmore County Sheriff Bill Franklin said. “He approached the girl and

tried to get her to look at his cell phone. It said something along the lines of offering her $200 to get in the SUV.”

Franklin said the teen was trying to ease away from the situation when another vehicle pulled in.

“The girl was a little shaken and the scene didn’t make sense to the driver (of the vehicle),” Franklin said. “The driver approached the Hispan -

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.”

ic male who then got in the SUV and left.” Franklin said the owner of The Boys Store forwarded video footage of the parking lot to investigators, which showed the man, the SUV and its tag number. Franklin said the Texas tag was registered to a Hispanic female and the department issued a Be On the Look Out alert for the vehicle with a

Chamber holds luncheon welcoming members

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 See CHAMBER, Page A3

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

male Hispanic driver. The vehicle was stopped Friday afternoon in Clanton with Yordy Noe Centeno-Melchor, 31, was driving.

“The vehicle and the man matched the video and descriptions to a tee,” Franklin said. “He admitted to being in The Boys Store parking lot. He said he was there

Elmore County Schools working to improve report card

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

Officials at Elmore County Schools are looking at ways to improve the state card grades it received. They are looking for ways to improve absenteeism, graduation rates, college and career readiness and academic achievement and growth. But it is easier said than done.

By Jake Arthur Chief Videographer

Academic achievement and growth at the high school level is measured by the ACT. It is the same as the college entrance exam; however, it is administered two different ways.

“We take it electronically for the state report card and students take it on paper

LETTERS RETURNED TO MILLBROOK MIDDLE STUDENTS 25

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

The months leading up to Jan. 1, 2000 were stressful. Would computers still function? Would life continue? Were some of the questions of the day.

banks.”

The internet was in its infancy. Constant communication and touchscreen phones were things of dreams.

“I didn’t own a cell phone at the time,” Barnes said. “I was barely on AOL Instant Messaging.”

YEARS LATER

few months.

“I was like, ‘Let’s write a letter to your future self. We’ll bury it out behind the building,’” Barnes said. “The idea was to open the letters 25 years later.”

The letters never got buried and it’s lucky they didn’t.

The Alabama Association of Secondary School Principals

“Everyone was freaked out about the possibility of no power,” Millbrook Middle School sixth grade teacher Susan Barnes said. “People were worried about being able to get our money out of the

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

The world didn’t stop when the calendar rolled over from 1999 to 2000. Students returned to school on Jan. 3, 2000, and Barnes put a spin on a project she had students do at the beginning of each semester writing down goals for the next

“The area we were looking at is where they expanded the school’s library,” Barnes said.

Holtville’s Futral Alabama principal of the year

Instead Barnes placed the letters in a ziploc bag and placed them in her closet. They

CLIFF WILLIAMS TPI Millbrook Middle School sixth grade teacher Susan Barnes hands letters written by her students 25 years ago back to the students who wrote them.

“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 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.

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

Judge Ben Baxley has been around the courtroom for decades and has seen it all as a prosecutor. At the beginning of the summer Baxley swapped roles in the court system when he was appointed as Elmore County juvenile judge has three points of emphasis

See PRINCIPAL, Page A3

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Obituaries

BARBARA JEANETTE MARTIN KNIGHT

Barbara Jeanette Martin Knight, 86, of Wetumpka, Alabama, passed away peacefully at home on January 4, 2025. Born on September 21, 1938, in Wetumpka, she was the eldest of six children born to Jeanette Pickard and Neil Robbins Martin.

As the oldest sibling, Barbara set an inspiring example for her sisters and brother, pioneering many firsts in the Martin family, including attending elementary school, high school, and college.

Barbara faced profound loss at a young age when her mother and infant sister tragically passed away during her eighth-grade year. In the aftermath, Barbara took on a central role in helping her father and siblings manage their daily lives, displaying strength and selflessness far beyond her years.

After graduating from Wetumpka High School in 1956, Barbara attended Alabama College in Montevallo, Alabama. Despite her academic commitments there, she often returned home on weekends to support her family. Upon completing her degree, she began her teaching career in Montgomery, Alabama, teaching first grade at Flowers Elementary all while continuing to assist her father and younger siblings. Once her siblings left for college, Barbara remained in Wetumpka to live with her father and taught

CLYDE J. “SONNY” SMART

Clyde J. “Sonny”

Smart, a beloved educator, coach, and mentor whose passion for sports and dedication to his students and athletes shaped countless lives, passed away on January 4, 2025, at the age of 76.

Born on March 10, 1948, in Alabama, Sonny’s journey as a leader and coach began early. He graduated from Houston County High School in Alabama before continuing his athletic career as a center for the Samford Bulldogs. A proud graduate of Samford University, Sonny earned a Bachelor of Science in Education in 1970. He later earned his Master’s degree from Auburn University at Montgomery and his Educational Specialist degree from Troy University.

Sonny’s love for coaching led him to return to his high school alma mater, where he began his career. He quickly gained a reputation as a dedicated and skilled coach, and instilled a sense of discipline, teamwork, and sportsmanship in his athletes.

His coaching career took him to Holtville High School in Alabama, where he coached football and baseball, helping the Holtville baseball team secure a

Police Reports

WETUMPKA POLICE DEPARTMENT

JAN. 1

• Shirley Thomas III, 46, of Titus, was arrested for possession

KIDNAPPING

Continued from A1

first grade at Hohenberg Memorial Elementary School, where she devoted 37 years to nurturing and educating young minds. In retirement, Barbara became acquainted with Hilton Knight, a childhood classmate from grammar school. They married on February 14, 2005, and shared 20 happy years filled with love and mutual devotion. They especially cherished their beach vacations, which provided many treasured memories. For Barbara’s 81st birthday they traveled across the country to Yellowstone and Grand Tetons National Parks, a trip of a lifetime. Barbara’s life was a testament to generosity, love, and community. She was a source of unwavering support to her family, whether assisting her father on the farm, helping Hilton market his nursery plant business, or serving as a beloved “grandmother” figure to her nieces and nephews. Family gatherings during Christmas and summer vacations with “Barbara and Pop” became cherished family traditions. Her faith was a cornerstone of her life. As a devoted church member, Barbara taught children’s Sunday School for more than 50 years. Even in her later years, when physical attendance became difficult, her faith remained steadfast, providing spiritual comfort in her final days. Barbara’s loving spirit, unwavering faith, and lifelong dedication to her

state championship in 1982. Shortly after, he moved to Bainbridge High School in Georgia, where he served as the defensive coordinator and later as head football coach and athletic director from 1988 to 1995. During his tenure at Bainbridge, Sonny helped the Bearcats win their first state football 1-AAA championship in 1982 and guided them to several successful seasons, including playoff appearances in 1990, 1993, and 1994. Under his leadership, the Bearcats reached the state 1-AAAA semi-finals in 1993 and captured the Region 1-AAAA championship. Sonny earned both Region 1-AAAA Coach of the Year and Athletic Director of the Year honors in 1993.

In 1995 Sonny moved to Rabun County High School in Georgia, where he served as head football coach and athletic director until his retirement in 2005. During his tenure at Rabun County, he led the Wildcats to the playoffs in 1996 and set a school record by winning 11 games in 1998. He earned Region and Athletic Director of the Year honors three times and served as the Region President for four years.

Sonny’s influence extended beyond the local football field, as he

of marijuana, three counts of possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

DEC. 29

• Starr’tasia Eaton, 23, of Montgomery, was

to inquire about fireworks.”

Franklin said Centeno-Melchor was taken to the Elmore County jail Friday afternoon and placed on a 48-hour investigative hold.

While waiting for the arrest warrants for second-degree kidnapping, ECSO investigators contacted U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement where they learned a man by

family and community will never be forgotten. She is survived by her husband, Hilton Knight of Wetumpka, AL; three sisters, Rebecca (James) Harchanko of Huntsville, AL, Lela Melton of Black Mountain, NC, and Ruth (Bert) Curtis of Troy, AL; her brother, Neil “Rob” (Betty) Martin of Auburn, AL; plus many nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her mother, Jeanette P. Martin; father, Neil R. Martin, Sr.; and infant sister, Alice Lee Martin.

Friends are invited to pay their respects on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, from 12:00 noon to 1:00 pm at First Methodist Church of Wetumpka. A service celebrating Barbara’s life will follow at 1:00 pm, officiated by Rev. Matt Albritton and Rev. Ken Blackwood. Interment will take place at Wetumpka City Cemetery. Honorary pallbearers will be Barbara’s nephews. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to First Methodist Church of Wetumpka, Ivy Creek Hospice, or the John Martin Thornton Memorial Scholarship.

Arrangements are being handled by Martin Funeral Home. Online condolences may be shared on the guest registry at www.martinfuneralhomeinc.com .

coached both the Georgia North-South All-Star Game in 1990 and 1999 and the Georgia-Florida All-Star Game in 1997, showcasing his exceptional coaching talent on the state level.

In 2019 Sonny’s contributions to Georgia sports were recognized with his induction into the Decatur County Sports Hall of Fame. In 2023 the National Football Foundation recognized him with the Contribution to Amateur Football Award. Both are fitting tributes to a life spent uplifting athletes and fostering a love of the game.

After retiring from coaching, Sonny founded the Georgia Mountain Senior Golf (GAMSGolf) in 2013, serving as its director until 2024. Thus, he continued to impact the community, creating opportunities for seniors to stay active, engaged, and connected through the sport of golf.

Sonny is survived by his loving wife, Sharon Maxey Smart, with whom he shared 52 years. He is also survived by his children: Karl Patrick Smart (Halo), Kirby Paul Smart (Marybeth), and Kendall Smart Burrus (Josh); and his eight grandchildren: Jordan Devon Phillips, Weston Paul Smart, Julia Eliz -

arrested for possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia.

DEC. 28

• Menacing was reported on Chapel Road.

the same name and description has been deported five times from the U.S. since 2019.

“We are hoping to learn the circumstances surrounding those deportations,” Franklin said. “They will also verify who he says he is through fingerprints. We work well with ICE.”

Franklin said investigators have already used law enforcement databases to determine Centeno-Melchor has traveled several times between Texas and Elmore, Chilton and Shel -

abeth Smart, Brynna Raye Burrus, Brock Von Burrus, Clyde Joseph Smart, Andrew Foster Smart, and Isadora Frances Alice Smart. His legacy as a coach, educator, and friend lives on in the hearts of all who had the privilege of knowing him. His commitment to excellence, his unwavering dedication to his athletes, and his genuine care for everyone he encountered have left an indelible mark on the communities he served. He will be deeply missed.

Rest in peace, Sonny. A Christian Service in Witness to the Resurrection and a Celebration of Life will be held at the Rabun County High School Gymnasium on Saturday January 11, 2025, at 3:00. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Rabun Gap Presbyterian Church New Building Fund, P.O. Box 333, Rabun Gap, GA 30568. Beck Funeral Home, in Clayton, Georgia, is in charge of the arrangements and is honored to serve the family of Clyde J. “Sonny” Smart. If there are any questions, please call 706-7829599. An online Memorial Register Book is available at www.beckfuneralhome.com.

DEC. 27

• Robert Coley II, 38, of Opelika, was arrested for failure to appear.

• Jaquintin Murphy, 28, of Wetumpka, was arrested for four counts of failure to appear.

by counties. Franklin said Centeno-Melchor said he was currently living in a trailer in Elmore County. Franklin said Elmore County doesn’t see many incidents like this.

“We don’t want to see it again,” Franklin said. “I hope we don’t see more. Everyone should be aware of their surroundings. In a parking lot, have your keys ready before you get to the car and get in immediately, especially females.”

Humane Society of Elmore County News

Pets need to be warm too

By REA CORD HSEC Executive Director

Mother Nature is giving us a real winter wakeup call this week, and we implore pet owners all over to please bring your pets inside and for those that must stay outside please make sure they have shelter and protection from the cold, wind and rain.

Your pets not only need shelter from wind & precipitation they need to be able to stay warm as well. A dog house (meaning sides, top and a floor) needs to be located so the wind doesn’t blast straight into it and also sized for the dog so that the dog’s body heat can build inside to keep your

pet even warmer. DRY bedding is essential so please check the bedding often to make sure it isn’t wet, or even missing. How would you like to sleep on a wet blanket, or moldy pile of hay, or a hard piece of plastic with no cushion? If you do not have bedding, make sure to use straw (better at repelling moisture), NOT hay – yes they are different!

Cold air is also very dry (just think of your chapped lips) and livestock and pets need more water than you think in the winter. If the water for your outside pets/ livestock is frozen that is easy to fix. Just go to your local feed store, pet store or on-line where you can get in-tank water heaters or heated

water buckets pretty inexpensively. They do need to be plugged in to an electrical source, work great and are quite safe. If you need to run a long outdoor extension cord, there are waterproof extension cord safety boxes to protect the connections from the weather. This can save your muscles from hauling water and your pets/ livestock will have clear fresh water no matter how low the temps go. Of course, if pipes are frozen you won’t be able to get water, so make sure to take measures to protect your faucets and pipes.

Please also take your pet’s age and health into account as young, healthy animals can handle inclement weather

a lot better than older animals. An older horse might need to be blanketed in cold weather and an older dog with arthritis may need much thicker bedding to cushion aching joints and tired muscles. More frequent brushing to remove dead hair & dirt will also help your pet stay warm as a clean coat will provide better insulation against the weather.

Please also check your vehicle motor before starting it, for any stray or feral cats that may have crawled up in it when the engine was still warm and stayed since they are sheltered under the hood.

We have more than 200 pets in our care and every one of them

Pet of the Week - Freddy

Freddy is a 7-month-old male Husky/Shepherd mix who weighs about 45 pounds. Freddy’s sister was adopted last weekend so now it’s time for Freddy to find his family. Freddy has learned a lot while with us like nice doggy manners and going for leash walks which he loves. Freddy will be best with older children and dogs his size or larger; no cats please. Freddy is just looking for a family to call his own. The Humane Society of Elmore County’s adoption fees are $100 for dogs and $50 for cats under 1 year old. Cats over 1 can be adopted by approved adopters for a fee of their choosing. This adoption fee covers the mandatory spay or neuter, basic immunizations, deworming, microchip, heartworm check for dogs, rabies vaccination if old enough and a free health exam with

your participating veterinarian. If you are interested in meeting Freddy or any of the pets at HSEC, the first step is to fill out an adoption application online. Once approved, you will be contacted by someone from the humane society. HSEC is located at 255 Central Plank Road in Wetumpka. The phone number is 334-567-3377 and the website is www.elmorehumane.org.

All Wetumpka fire fighters to have cancer insurance

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

Wetumpka fire fighters will soon have more health benefits. At Monday’s meeting of the Wetumpka City Council cancer insurance for all Wetumpka fire fighters was approved after the City of Wetumpka leaders discovered volunteers were not covered.

“There were a couple of things we needed to change to make the insurance comply with law,” fire chief Greg Willis told the council. “While doing this, we discovered the issue.”

The new policy is from Alabama First Responders Benefits Program.

The insurance provides both lump sum payments for cancer diagnoses and monthly benefits when disabled.

In other business, gas will soon be available at the City of Wetumpka’s River Town Center development on Highway 14 thanks to an approval by the council of a facilities extension agreement with Spire Alabama.

“This makes all the utilities available there now,” Mayor Jerry Willis said.

is sleeping on a blanket or comforter because of the wonderful generosity of so many pet loving people – thank you all so very much! We will need a continuous influx of ‘bedding’ as some dogs destroy their beds and some just reach a point of no return so thank you ahead to all who bring us their old comforters

and blankets to help our pets. And the doors are lowered and the heat is cranking during this cold snap to keep them all as comfortable as possible while in our care because we care.

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

IN OTHER ACTION THE WETUMPKA CITY COUNCIL:

• Approved minutes of the Dec. 16 meeting.

• Approved an annual service plan and warranty purchase for the generator at Fire Station 2.

• Approved the seasonal plantings for downtown, Gold Star Park, along the river walk and at main city entrances. The next meeting of the Wetumpka City Council is scheduled for 6 p.m. Monday, Jan. 20, where the council will vote on installing emergency lights from the Wetumpka business DCCI on three fire department trucks for a total of $17,373.50.

A4 • Wednesday, January 8, 2025

Red or blue, we lost a great man

Sunday, the U.S.’s 39th president died at 100 years of age.

Former president Jimmy Carter will leave behind a century-long legacy. While in office, he transferred the Panama Canal back to its home country, worked toward energy conservation, navigated a hostage crisis, put policies in place for anti-inflation and worked to bring peace between Israel and Egypt. Although later in his term, he faced setbacks in foreign affairs as the Cold War continued.

Not everyone was in favor of his policies. But whether you vote red or blue, one thing that can be agreed on is that Carter was a great man. After his presidency, he devoted his life to advocating for human rights and world peace. In 2002, he was presented with the Noble Peace Prize for his ongoing efforts and his peace negotiations while in office.

He was also a southerner, a veteran and a farmer. He was known for his soft-spoken nature, which perhaps caused others to overlook his inner strength. He also established The Carter Center in 1982 as a nonprofit focused on human rights and alleviating human suffering.

Shortly after hearing of Carter’s death, president-elect Donald Trump released the following:

“While I strongly disagreed with him philosophically and politically, I also realized that he truly loved and respected our Country, and all it stands for. He worked hard to make America a better place, and for that I give him my highest respect. He was a truly good man and, of course, will be greatly missed. He was also very consequential, far more than most Presidents, after he left the Oval Office. Warmest condolences from Melania and I to his wonderful family.”

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Richard Shelby FBI Headquarters comes to Alabama

On Friday, Oct. 4, 2024, the FBI Campus in Huntsville hosted a small audience for the dedication ceremony at the Richard Shelby Center for Innovation and Advanced Training.

The audience included retired U.S. Senator Richard Shelby (R-Ala.), FBI Director Christopher Wray, U.S. Senator Katie Boyd Britt (R-Ala.), current and former Members of Congress, four federal judges, business leaders from across the State, family and lifelong friends of Senator Shelby and dozens of former Shelby congressional staffers – which included five of his former Chiefs of Staff.

The dedication started with all audience members boarding buses to drive through the FBI’s north campus. While on the bus, the scope of the investment secured by Shelby soon became a reality.

The full campus is much like that of a large university. The visitors were only able to see the north part of the campus. Currently, the South Campus is being expanded. It will soon host hundreds of millions of dollars in additional investment, all of which was secured before Senator Shelby’s retirement.

The FBI’s Huntsville Campus, which provides innovation and advanced training for the entire agency workforce and the world, was characterized well by Wray, who said the campus is a “vital organ” to the entire agency.

The dedication ceremony started with remarks from Britt, who presided over the ceremony and did a fabulous job. You could tell by not only her

STEVE FLOWERS Columnist

words, but with her eyes, how much she admired her mentor, Shelby. She mentioned that during Shelby’s years in the U.S. Senate, he served as Chairman of four Committees –Select Committee on Intelligence, Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs, Committee on Rules and Administration and Senate Appropriations Committee. Being chairmen of four primary committees in the U.S. Senate has never been replicated in U.S. history. Britt also touched on Shelby’s ability to make a strong deal and work in a bipartisan manner to get things done. This led to his success securing the $3 billion investment for this project. It took 14 years to secure these funds, and the resulting facility will bring nearly 5,000 jobs to Huntsville with an additional 2,500 employees anticipated to travel for training on an annual basis. This will bring an annual payroll of over $500 million per year to Alabama and the Huntsville/Madison metropolitan area. To give you some comparison, this Richard Shelby FBI facility in Huntsville will have a payroll and economic impact of two to three times what the Mercedes plant near Tuscaloosa generates. During Wray’s remarks, he noted that none of this would have been pos-

sible without Shelby. Wray said with increasing and more sophisticated threats, the innovation and advanced training center situated at Redstone will ensure the FBI’s workforce is properly trained to continue to protect the American people. Shelby provided the closing remarks. Although he is retired from office and is 90 years old, Shelby spoke as strongly as he had when he represented the State of Alabama in the U.S. Capitol. Shelby noted he was humbled for the campus to bear his name, but said names go away but buildings and missions live on into the future. This FBI Alabama compound is appropriately named the Richard Shelby Center for Innovation and Advanced Training. He singlehandedly garnered the appropriation for this magnificent complex. As Chairman of the United States Senate Appropriations Committee his last six years in the Senate, he brought home more bacon than any Senator in U.S. history brought to their home state. We Alabamians will reap the benefits of Shelby’s prowess for generations to come. Shelby is unquestionably the greatest United States Senator in Alabama history.

See you next week.

Steve Flowers is Alabama’s leading political columnist. His weekly column appears in over 60 Alabama newspapers. He served 16 years in the state legislature. Steve may be reached at steve@steveflowers.us.

The year in info-tainment

2024 will be remembered for many things – two Presidential assassination attempts, a major political party replacing their own sitting President by running the Vice President at the top of the ticket, wars and rumors of wars all over the globe. A.I. and ChatGPT seemed to be taking over everything. Companies were either downsizing or upgrading, but either way the prices stayed high and wages stayed low. Locally, hearts were broken as we lost several dining establishments: Elmer’s Restaurant, Little Caesars, Grove Station, and the first version of Larry Melvyn’s (which reopened as Taste of Talisi a few weeks later). There were some endings in 2024, such as the 25th and final Fabulous Follies at Tallassee High School – a labor of love put together each year by Mrs. Pat Merrett. We in the music business lost one of our guiding lights with the passing of Mr. James Bush right at Christmastime. I don’t know what the personality of our community would be without Mr. Bush’s influence and his sweet, beautiful tenor voice. He was a grocery man first, then felt the call to pursue music and was the choral director and music teacher for many years in Tallassee before becoming our assistant principal and then, principal. Mr. Bush spent his retirement years continuing to make a difference in our lives making balloon animals, dressing up as a clown for parties, performing a ventriloquist act with his puppet Chester, or being seen taking care of his dear friend Carl Wayne Mullins . . . James Bush was one of a kind, and we were fortunate to have walked this Earth while he was around. But despite some of the sadness, there were improvements and good news all around. The downtown streetscape project was completed and is even more stunning in person than on the artist’s renditions. The Fitzpatrick Bridge renovation also finished in early ’24 and is safer and more up-to-date than ever. Businesses were opening all over the place, featuring everything from barbecue and ice cream to roofing and clothing. And how about those Reeltown Rebels and Tallassee Tigers? The

sports teams in our area were riding impressive winning streaks. A rising tide lifts all boats and 2025 looks to be an even better year for all of the schools in our area. The state report card came out and every single school showed yearto-year improvements, with gains in key areas such as reading test scores and better attendance. And now, with apologies to Cousin Rendell, the year in info-tainment.

BEST TV SHOW: “Only Murders in the Building” (ABC/Hulu) – Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez rolled into season four solving yet another mystery, and it may have been the most fulfilling season yet. In fact, one episode featuring a dialogue between Charles (Steve Martin) and Sazz (Jane Lynch) was some of the most powerful television I saw all year. This series has it all and every time I think it can’t get any more entertaining, they up their game. If you haven’t yet tuned in, start with season one and enjoy this show’s many pleasures.

SPEAKING OF STEVE-O:

“Steve! A Documentary in Two Pieces” (AppleTV+) -- Documentarian Morgan Neville, who gave us the Mister Rogers film “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?”, helmed this brilliant two-part documentary on the legendary comedian, musician, author, and actor Steve Martin. He began his career writing for “The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour” and playing banjo at Knott’s Berry Farm before launching a stand-up comedy career that blended old-fashioned humor with ridiculous and surreal ways of making people laugh. Steve Martin originally wanted to be a magician – and he still is! Martin reveals to the filmmaker that he obsesses over the empty seats in an audience, working hard to get their attention with memorable bits such as the arrow-through-the-head, air quotes, and the exclamation ‘excuuuusse me’.

THE KNOWING WHEN TO WALK AWAY AWARD: Who knows what is going on at CBS News, but Norah O’Donnell – who had done an admirable job in the anchor chair – avoided becoming the next Jeff Glor or Scott Pelley, who both found their desks cleaned out and their job descriptions changed overnight when they took a turn at the CBS Evening News. Norah asked to be moved over to 60 Minutes, so CBS tapped veteran newsmen John Dickerson and Maurice DuBois to co-anchor beginning in late January. For those who think the nightly news doesn’t matter anymore, be it noted that the top-rated program on any network, except for sports programming, is ABC World News Tonight with David Muir. IT MUST BE THE RATINGS: “Morning Joe” (MSNBC) hosts Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski, married in real life, were big pals with Donald Trump over the years. Joe was a Republican Congressman from Florida and gave Trump the candidate more airtime than any other show in 2015-16. Then, somewhere, things turned sour. President Trump blasted Joe & Mika on social media; Joe & Mika hammered Trump day after day for his entire term and the past four years. And then, suddenly, all was well again: Joe & Mika got invited to hang out at Mar-a-Lago and magically made peace with the once and future President. All was forgiven. Or was it all for show? We’ll never know, but a large part of their MSNBC audience was left disillusioned and cynical about Joe & Mika after they stopped attacking Trump, and their ratings – once the best on the network – drifted downward.

BEST CLASS REUNION: “Brats” (Hulu) -- It may be because I came of age during that era, but it seems the coming-of-age films created in the 1980s evoke nostalgia for people who weren’t even there. The actors who became branded as the Brat Pack after starring in movies such as “The Breakfast Club,” “St. Elmo’s Fire,” “Sixteen Candles,” and “Pretty in Pink” have had varying degrees

Elmore County District Court Judge. He has taken on the role as presiding juvenile court judge and quickly started looking at juvenile cases through three points of emphasis — action, attendance and accountability.

Action comes quickly in the juvenile courts under Baxley when it comes to delinquency and threats.

“I take those things seriously,” Baxley said.

In recent months, threats against Elmore County Schools have occurred. There have been weapons on school campuses at both Elmore County and Tallassee schools.

Juvenile court records are sealed and Baxley said he can’t publicly speak on cases. But he said he has been quick to detain juveniles as young as 10 when law enforcement and educators bring petitions to him.

Baxley said he is pro-Second Amendment but believes

YEAR Continued from A4

of success in the 40 years since, and this documentary serves as part anthropological exposition and part group therapy session. Actor Andrew McCarthy directed and produced this documentary, and he catches up with fellow Brat Pack members Emilio Estevez, Demi Moore, Ally Sheedy, Rob Lowe, and others as he attempts to put a period on the end of the sentence about the Brats, now in their late 50s or early 60s. It is interesting to hear the views of the actors in pretty unvarnished terms: Estevez resents ever being labeled and thrown in with the group, while Lowe looks upon the period fondly and is proud to have been a part of it. Brat Pack members Judd Nelson (who appears

the law provides appropriate supervision of juveniles with guns. He has a general rule of thumb with juveniles found to be in possession of guns both on and off school campuses.

“It’s a day in youth detention for every round of ammunition they have,” Baxley said.

Baxley is just as quick to sign off on detention for school threats.

The detentions start almost immediately from the time juveniles are found with the guns.

Baxley said the process starts when law enforcement detain and enquire with juvenile probation officers about what to do. They check to see if beds for juvenile detention are available and often go ahead and detain the juvenile.

“They have to have a hearing within 48 hours of their detention,” Baxley said. “It is similar to a probable cause hearing in the regular courts.”

Baxley has also dealt with truancy cases from the juvenile bench. Since May he has already ordered incarceration

offscreen from an ‘undisclosed location’) and Molly Ringwald do not participate, and their opinions are missed.

MOST INSPIRA-

TIONAL DOCUMEN-

TARY: “Jim Henson: Idea Man” (Disney+) -- This Ron Howard-directed documentary takes a look at puppeteer Jim Henson’s life, from the early years of his career to the creation of “Sesame Street” and “The Muppet Show” and beyond. There is also a focus on the creative and romantic partnership with his wife Jane Henson, as well as illuminating interviews with frequent collaborators such as Frank Oz. It was very interesting to see the large segment dedicated to the founding of Children’s Television Workshop with “Sesame Street” as its flagship production. Jim Henson

for three adults as the result of juveniles missing school with excessive unexcused absences.

With seven days of unexcused absences in schools, juveniles are considered truant.

“Often that is when parents and the child have their first encounter with juvenile courts on the matter,” Baxley said.

Baxley wants to make parents aware of the seriousness of the issue. He has started a new program working with the Elmore County Board of Education and juvenile probation officers. Parents are notified by phone after the first unexcused absence; by phone and letter on the second; and a meeting with school officials after the third for both Elmore County and Tallassee school systems.

At the fifth excused absence, Baxley now brings the parents and child to the juvenile court room for a Truancy Early Warning on the issue.

“It’s not a situation where anyone will be detained just yet,” Baxley said. “It is a class setting where we have between 10 and 50 families. We want to

was a once-in-a-generation kind of talent, and this warm documentary is well worth your time.

BEST DOCUMENTARY: “The Greatest Night in Pop” (Netflix) was already my choice for best documentary of the year – and then the man who put it together, Quincy Jones, passed away, making it even more meaningful on a rewatch. This is the story of how Quincy put together the charity record ‘We Are the World’ in a single recording session after an awards show. It’s a miracle it ever happened, and this documentary is a revealing look at the personalities within the music industry of that era.

BEST TRUE CRIME: Netflix piled on the true crime documentaries this year and they were all remarkably

make them aware of the seriousness of the issue.”

It has quickly grown from one meeting a month to two.

Baxley said the reason for his taking school attendance seriously is because he has noticed it was a root cause of lack of education in defendants.

“Without an education, they struggle to make a living,” Baxley said. “They didn’t attend school and classes.”

With all the meetings, Baxley wants to make sure everyone is held accountable.

“When kids make large mistakes, there has to be a cost,” Baxley said. “Most will get probation and work with the juvenile probation officers. They have programs to help them get back on track. They also help mitigate restitution when necessary. It is all done behind the cloak of juvenile court. It will not be shared with the public.”

Detaining juveniles when necessary has become a bigger issue because of the growth of Elmore County.

well-done: “Who Killed JonBenet Ramsey” left the viewer with more questions than answers as John Ramsey continues to try and clear his name 30 years later; “The Menendez Brothers” was more brutal than I was prepared for, but turned over every potential scenario in that case; and the one that really got to me was “Laci Peterson” – that poor girl and her baby deserved way better, and her cheating husband came off looking extremely guilty on this documentary.

BEST WESTERN: “Wyatt Earp and the Cowboy War” (Netflix) -- This six-part series, narrated to perfection by actor Ed Harris, is a dramatic recreation of the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral and its aftermath. You may have thought you’d seen and heard this story enough – it’s been

CommunityCalendar

SATURDAY, JAN. 25

ART SUMMIT: The Kelly Fitzpatrick Center for the Arts is hosting its second annual River Region Art Summit from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 25.

SATURDAY, FEB. 1

GALETINES: Main Street Wetumpka is hosting Galetines on Main from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 1. Downtown merchants will be offering deals and discounts.

SATURDAY, FEB. 2

MURDER ON THE MENU: Friends of the Wetumpka Public Library are hosting the Murder on the Menu author talk on Feb. 2.

North Lancaster St. in Wetumpka.

“There has to be a meaningful threat of detention,” Baxley said For the last 14 years, the county has had three juvenile detention beds through contracts in Montgomery. They are funded from the county and the state.

At the same time the population of Elmore County has grown from 79,000 to more t han 90,000.

Currently Autauga County with a population of 60,000 has four juvenile detention beds under contract. Talladega with a population of 81,000 has six beds available. Cullman County with a population of 92,000 has 11 beds available.

“Following those statistics, Elmore County should have seven beds,” Baxley said.

But Baxley isn’t wanting to go that far, not yet.

“The county has been great to help with the three beds we have had,” Baxley said. “We find ourselves needing more and hope the county can help.”

told in hundreds of films, books, and TV shows over the years. This series puts you right in the middle of the bloody action in Tombstone, Arizona, circa 1881. Earp brothers Wyatt, Virgil, and Morgan, along with Wyatt’s best friend Doc Holliday, confront Ike Clanton and his vicious Cowboy gang over and over in various settings. There’s more to tell about the story and the dramatization here, which is done in a very contemporary style, but you need to watch this series for yourself. If you love the stories of the Wild West, you do not want to miss this six-part program about one of the greatest legends of them all, Wyatt Earp.

SADDEST ON-SCREEN DEPAR-

TURE: Who didn’t love Bill Hayes? The legendary song-and-dance man had the #1 record of the

provide a safe and loving environment for individuals seeking to conquer their hurts, habits and hangups. For more information, visit www.Gracepoint.info or contact Gwin Greathouse at gwingreathouse@gmail.com.

CELEBRATE RECOVERY

1950s with “The Ballad of Davy Crockett,” but since 1970 most of us have known him as Doug Williams on Days of our Lives (NBC/Peacock). He was married to his co-star Susan Seaforth Hayes (Julie), and between his real-life widow and the writers of the show, Days aired perhaps the greatest tribute to any character in soap history when they brought back dozens of veteran actors and characters dating back to the beginning of the serial for Doug’s funeral episodes. For people who have watched this show for decades, Days got it right and gave the fans of the character – and of the actor – a send-off that will be long remembered in the annals of soap opera history.

Michael Bird is a music teacher for Faulkner University.

SATURDAY, FEB. 15

MARDI GRAS PARADE: The Millbrook Revelers Mardi Gras Parade and Festival is scheduled for Feb. 15 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. ONGOING

SUPPORT GROUP: The last Thursday of every month, Restoration 49 Coffee Shop plays host to a support group for parents who have lost a child. The meetings begin at 6 p.m. each month. For more information, please contact Heather Baker at hbakerjj@aol.com.

PRESCHOOL STORYTIME: Preschool Storytime takes place at 10 a.m. every Friday at Wetumpka Public Library.

ECLECTIC TOWN COUNCIL

MEETINGS: Eclectic Town Council meetings are held on the third Monday of each month at Town Hall. Council meetings begin at 7 p.m. with work sessions taking place prior to the meeting at 6 p.m. Meetings are held in the Dr. M. L. Fielder Municipal Building, 145 Main Street.

NAACP MEETINGS: The Elmore County Branch No. 5026 of the NAACP meets at 6:30 p.m. every third Tuesday (executive committee) and every fourth Tuesday (full membership) at the Martin Luther King Center at 200

OPEN MIC: The Equality Performing Arts Center hosts an open mic jam session from 7 to 9 p.m. every second Friday of the month at 560 Highway 9 in Equality. There is no charge but donations are welcome as they keep the center running. Bring a snack or finger food to share during the intermission.

RED HILL COMMUNITY CLUB

MEETINGS: Red Hill Community Club Meetings are held every second Monday of the month. Join the Red Hill Historical Preservation Association in the auditorium of the Old Red Hill School, located off state Route 229 at 6:30 p.m. to discuss upcoming events.

MOUNT HEBRON CHURCH

OF CHRIST : Come join us at 4530 Mt. Hebron Road in Eclectic. Our Sunday school begins at 9 a.m. followed by worship service at 10:30. There is also a Wednesday night Bible study at 7 p.m. For more information call Pastor Edwin Walker at 334-541-2025

LUNCH AND LEARN: Lunch and learn Tuesdays with Kelly are scheduled at the Kelly Fitzpatrick Memorial Gallery at 124 Company Street in Wetumpka from noon to 1 p.m. on the third Tuesday of each month. For more information, visit www.thekelly.org.

CELEBRATE RECOVERY

GRACE POINT: Celebrate Recovery meets at Grace Point Community Church at 78223 Tallassee Highway in Wetumpka each Tuesday at 6:15 p.m. All are welcome to the meetings which

SANTUCK: Celebrate Recovery meets each Thursday at 6:15 p.m. at Santuck Baptist Church at 7250 Central Plank Rd. This is a Christ-centered, 12-step program for anyone struggling with hurts, habits, and hangups. Call 334567-2364 for more information or contact jyates@santuckbaptist. org.

GAMBLERS ANONYMOUS: Gamblers Anonymous meets Saturdays at 6 p.m. at Cedarwood Community Church at 10286 U.S. Highway 231 in Wallsboro/ Wetumpka. Call 334-567-0476 for more information.

AA MEETING: Alcoholics Anonymous meetings are held Mondays at 7 p.m. located at 105 Tuskeena St. in Wetumpka.

RED HILL SCHOOL: The Red Hill School on Highway 229 in the Red Hill Community in Tallassee is open Fridays from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. for local live music performances. No admission is charged but donations are welcomed to maintain the building and pay for refreshments.

MASTER GARDENER

HELPLINE: If you have gardening questions you can call the Master Gardener Helpline at 1-877-2524769. The helpline starts March 1 and ends in August.

CHILDREN’S HARBOR: Children’s Harbor Treasures and Thrift Store Located on state route 63 just south of Lake Martin Amphitheater, the Children’s Harbor Thrift Store is open Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. proceeds are used to help fund the activities at the Lake Martin campus of children’s harbor and the Family Center at Children’s Hospital. Call 334-857-2008 for more information.

BEST OF THE BEST

WHS students prove once again their strength in robotics

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

There

The

up to specs and robots designed at schools across several states were operating far below expectations during practice. Organizers decided they needed help. They called on the Wetumpka High School NERDS to check the competition field.

“They had us check over the field for inconsistencies,” Wetumpka sophomore Joseph Lefevre said. “We found a ton like the solar array wasn’t screwed into the actual frame and the core samples were completely reversed on one side of the field.”

It meant the hours of practice teams like Wetumpka put in on the competition’s moon field constructed at home per the design were a waste. Lefevre had tons of experience on a field Wetumpka constructed in the class of Dr. Virginia Vilardi. The NERDS were able to bring the competition field in Huntsville back into the specifications of the rules.

The field simulated the moon and had hills and valleys for the robots the teams constructed to traverse and perform tasks such as moving objects around and placing them elsewhere in a specified order. The better the accuracy the higher the point total.

Other components of the BEST Robotics competition involved technology and marketing. WHS senior Wesley McCaslin led Wetumpka’s technology squad for BEST

for the college entrance exam,” director of secondary schools for the Elmore County Board of Education

Dr. Jamey McGowan said.

“We can’t take one and replace the other.”

For the last two years the school system has purchased a license to help tutor students for the ACT. Currently it is based on lessons using pencil and paper. It has

SUBMITTED | TPI

The Wetumpka High School NERDS compete in the Southeast BEST Robotics five state competion in Huntsville. The team placed second overall.

Robotics. As team lead he has tons of experience and knowledge in most of everything. Part of McCaslin’s responsibilities entail sharing that knowledge and growing tomorrow’s leaders in the NERDS.

“I was in charge of making sure that I had people working on programming for the robot,” McCaslin said. “I had people working on our website, making sure that everything related to technology with the robot was completed.”

McCaslin has to step in case something goes wrong or someone doesn’t complete a task on schedule. He spent last year learning all the ins and outs of BEST Robotics.

“I was one of the only seniors who knew what was going on in many areas,” McCaslin said.

Engineering notebooks kept up with the process the NERDS followed and even included failures and lessons learned.

Sophomore Domonic Vilardi was involved in many of the team’s tasks but on competition day. His role turned into being the mascot and working on the spirit aspect of the competition.

helped improve the entrance exam scores, but not the electronic version used for the state report card.

“It’s the same test,” superintendent Richard Dennis said. “You would think it would work.”

This school year Elmore County Schools scored a 68.88 in academic achievement. It is just better than last year’s 67.83. The system gained a little ground on academic growth with 98.10 last year to this year’s 98.20.

The graduation rate for

“It involves getting your whole team pumped up about the competition,” Vilardi said. “You’re going to be there for a while, so might as well have fun with it.”

Vilardi was also turned into the mascot for the dance off among the teams.

“It’s something because most of them can’t dance,” Vilardi said. “There were a couple who could throw a split, so then I had to set it off by doing a couple flips.”

By the end of the two-day competition, the Wetumpka NERDS placed second overall across the five state region, had the second place engineering notebook, second place spirit and sportsmanship award, first place founders award, second place most elegant, first place mascot and fifth best robot.

They were awards the NERDS have seen in the past.

“It has been a few years since we did that well overall,” Dr. Virginia Vilardi said. “We are always close and are always doing well. We are one of the teams everyone is always watching out for even the ones with large labs to work out of.”

the system was 86.21, below last year’s 87.05.

“We are losing some on students not graduating (with their class),” Dennis said. “They may be graduating within a year or two, but we are not able to count them.”

The students who graduated after an additional year of school or completing their GED do not contribute to the graduation rate score.

Overall the system scored an 84 for the 2023-24 report card, one point from last

Elmore County sees below freezing temperatures

By ABIGAIL MURPHY Multimedia Reporter

With the recent cold front, the whole southeast is looking at below average temperatures for this week and into next week.

According to the National Weather Service, Friday’s temperatures are the most concerning when it comes to possible winter weather and severe cold. Just a few degrees can drastically change the outlook for Friday and the following week.

That being said, many days this week and next will see lows of 20s and 30s and as such it is important to be weather aware. With the cold temperature, be prepared to dress with more layers than usual.

The National Weather Service recommends wearing two to three layers on top, one to two layers on bottom, warm hats, gloves, boots and for the outerwear to be water resistant.

Another important safety precaution is getting your house ready for the colder weather. With such low temperatures at night, many individuals will need to leave their faucets slowly dripping to prevent pipes from freezing.

Another method is to insulate any outdoor pipes and keep the temperature in the house on even when you aren’t there. Open up sink cabinets to expose pipes to the heated air, dis-

year’s 85.

McGowan said one of the areas the system is improving on is chronic attendance.

As a system the score was 20.15 for the current report card and 17.66 last year.

Chronic absenteeism is when students miss a certain number of school days during the academic year.

Some schools are doing better than others at combating the issue. Eclectic Middle School is using pajama and pizza parties at a class level to encourage attendance. It went from 34.45 to 25.95. At the same time the school’s overall score improved from a 75 to an 83.

“It is something we might want to look at doing elsewhere,” Dennis said. “It is a known fact that if students are in school, they do better on the tests.”

LETTERS Continued from A1

made the move three times around the school.

“Each time I would think it’s getting closer,” Barnes said.

Over Christmas break pulled the letters out again. It was time to bring the lettering writing project back to life.

Barnes shared a post on social media inviting the students back to the library to pick up the letters exactly 25 years to the day of when they were written.

Former sixth grader

connect hoses and turn off sprinklers. In the yards, cover plants before the extreme cold begins. If the county goes under a frost advisory this means temperatures are 33 to 36, which could cause frost to form. A freeze warning is for temperatures 32 degrees or colder and a hard freeze is temperatures below 28. It is also important to recognize the warning signs of hypothermia, which include confusion, shivering, difficulty speaking, sleepiness and stiff muscles. If someone is showing signs of hypothermia, it’s important to get them warm immediately. Some methods could be to bring them into a heated area, using blankets or a warm bath. It is important to minimize outdoor time and check on loved ones. Also keep pets indoors as much as possible and monitor their food and water so it does not freeze.

During these drops in temperatures, it is also important to drive carefully. Some tips from NWS with winter traveling are checking the forecast and road conditions, having a way to contact someone should you need assistance and packing an emergency supply kit.

This emergency kit can include jumper cables, spare tires, flares, kitty litter for icy conditions, blankets, flashlight, extra pair of mittens, boots and gloves, water, snacks, first aid kit and a cell phone charger.

Wetumpka Elementary School saw dramatic improvements across the board. Its overall score improved from 81 to 92 in one year. Chronic absenteeism dropped from 20.38 to 14.22. Academic achievement and growth also improved.

The report card has always been a little higher at Redland Elementary School.

“Once you get a high score, it takes a lot of work to get a little bit of improvement on the report card,” Redland Elementary School principal Cory Eckstein said. “Thanks to all the work of the staff, we have done better.”

Redland Elementary’s score improved from a 92 to a 94.

Stanhope Elmore High School’s overall score dropped from a 83 to a 76.

know what I said.”

Bush debated opening it. He held a few minutes longer then went to a corner of the library and carefully pried open the staples while looking at a school photograph Barnes attached to the letter.

He read quietly to himself at first.

“I’m having trouble reading what I wrote,” Bush said. “I wrote in cursive. I can’t even make out half the first paragraph.”

Bush kept his letter to himself, but he didn’t throw it away.

“I will put this in my safe,” he said.

It is likely a result related to chronic absenteeism as it increased to a 22.60 from a 18.38.

Wetumpka High School saw its score drop as well from an 86 to a 78 overall. Its academic achievement dropped from a 66.99 to 43.83 and chronic absenteeism increased from 14.14 to 16.41.

“Those are our largest and most diverse schools,” McGowan said.

He said staff are working hard to identify potential solutions to the problem.

Across the board chronic absenteeism might be helped by the court system. New Elmore County District Court Judge Ben Baxley understands how attendance affects education.

“He is on the same page as us,” Dennis said. “You have to be in school to learn and get an education.”

loaded up and took a bus down there.”

But the conversations quickly returned to the letters. Barnes said she has always done the twice per school year goal setting project with her student, but this was the only class she had write to their future selves.

“I think this is just the sweetest, coolest thing that a teacher could have possibly done,” Bush said. “It’s crazy that we did it and you kept it.”

Corey Bush was the first to walk into the school Friday to see what he had written. It was just steps away from where the letters were to be buried. Bush first hugged Barnes and clutched his letter, not wanting to open its contents just yet.

“Everybody hit me up on Facebook,” Bush said. “They want to know what my letter said. I don’t even

Others said they wrote about being married, being a police officer and other future plans.

All while sharing memories of their time with Barnes in the sixth grade. There were even brief recollections of spending nine days in Orlando on a class trip.

“We fundraised all year for that,” Barnes said. “We

Some classmates weren’t able to make it to the school Friday. Barnes mailed some of the letters to students. Two moms picked up their child’s letters. But one letter forwarding struck a cord with Barnes.

“There is one from a student who died about five years ago,” Barnes said. “I met up with the family to give them theirs. He had a child and they want to present it to her when she gets to the sixth grade.”

The best gift we can give anyone

Think for a moment about the best gift you could give anyone. Maybe $1 million? Maybe good health? Maybe someone is in need of a new car because they have been driving an unreliable vehicle for years?

There is a quote from a Scottish pastor named Robert Murray M’Cheyne (b.1813-1843) that helps to clarify what could be the best gift you could give anyone. Speaking of ministers, particularly, M’Cheyne writes: “It is not great talents God blesses so much as likeness to Jesus. A holy minister is an awe-ful weapon in the hand of God.”

This is at least true for a pastor as it is for anyone else. The best gift a pastor (or a group of pastors) can do for their wives, for their kids, for their family, for their neighbors, for their community, and, especially, for

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

BILLY REINHARDT Pastor

their congregation, is give them a holy life. The holy life to which M’Cheyne is referring is the holy life of the minister himself, which includes holy thoughts, holy words, and holy actions. The congregation, most of all, does not need a new smoke machine for the sanctuary, it does not need a newly constructed bathroom, and it does not even need new carpet for the sanctuary or for the foyer. The congregation needs a minister who offers them a holy life as much as a good sermon or a well-timed visit. The sacrifice of the minister

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

unto a life of holiness is the greatest gift he can offer his Lord, and the church. A holy life cures many ills. This concept applies to everyone, and not just a minister or a church. Think about what it means to go to work and be a “good worker” (or good employee). Based upon M’Cheyne’s argument, the best type of worker is a “holy” worker, not merely a “good” worker (a “good” worker is too low of a bar).

The reason for this is if a worker is striving for holiness before the Lord, then he won’t steal money from the company, he won’t steal time from the company, he will do what he says, he’ll be on time, and he will do his work well because he is doing his work “as unto the Lord” (Colossians 3:23-24).

The worker who pursues holiness before God will be the best

type of employee.

Also, the best thing a man can give his wife is a holy life (and vice versa). Holiness cures many marriage ills. The best thing a man can give his children is a holy life (and vice versa). The best thing you can give anyone is a holy life.

A holy life is a life that is seeking God and His glory in one’s own life through thoughts, words, and actions. We simply cannot improve our lives better than seeking to glorify God with our lives as expressed in a holy life. Therefore, we must keep an eye on our own hearts before God. Solomon, in Proverbs 4:23, says that we must guard our hearts because out of it the wellspring of life flows.

If we are cultivating unholy hearts, then unholiness will spew out of our hearts, leading to ruin and destruction in this

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

“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.

(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

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

life and the next. On the other hand, if we will, with God’s help, pursue Him with all of our might, and ask God to continually reveal sin in our hearts, and if we will obey Him to walk on His paths, then we will create a beautiful life before Him and before others.

We can only do this with His help since holiness comes from Him. Apart from Him we can do nothing (John 15), but with Him we can do all things (Philippians 4:13). May God help us to be holy as He is holy (1 Peter 1:16).

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

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

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!

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.

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. – John 3:17

2024 Sports in Review

By AUSTIN ELLIOTT Sports Editor

EDGEWOOD VOLLEYBALL WINS SIX

STRAIGHT STATE TITLES

“Close the lunch box. It’s time to get to work.”

It was a phrase Edgewood senior Avery White shared with her teammates via a group text before their AISA state championship with Hooper Academy.

It’s a phrase the Wildcats very much understand because of the work put in to get the sixth championship in as many years.

“Basically means break is over and it’s time to get serious,” White said. The worklike mentality was needed this season. The Wildcats lost four seniors, two to the college game. White played in their shadows as five straight state championships were racked up.

This year’s team is far different and the feeling after winning the sixth straight AISA Class AA State Championship is different too.

“It’s a feeling I can’t even describe,” Starks said. “It was hard trying to build people up and put people in the position, because we lost four phenomenal seniors last year. Seniors that did so much for the team and seniors that were irreplaceable.”

Coach Brad Starks knew his team had to grow from last year and White would be the leader.

“She was our leading returner as far as production goes,” Starks said. “I knew we had a lot of talent, but it was inexperienced.”

This year it was White’s time to lead.

“It’s like she managed to kind of push her way in the lineup last year,” Starks said.

“We just had other people in there more.”

Hooper was no stranger to Edgewood in the state championship. The Wildcats lost to them twice early in the season. The losses were learning experiences for Edgewood. This year White led the team.

MONCRIEF EARNS

KIM

300TH CAREER WIN

When Kim Moncrief assumed her position of now going on 17 years as the head volleyball coach of the Elmore County Panthers, she was in no way prepared for what was to follow.

Moncrief admits she was unsure of what the program could become, but 16 consecutive area championships later, the program has reached unprecedented new heights.

In addition to winning yet another area championship, Elmore County also helped Moncrief establish a milestone of her own: Capturing her 300th win as a head coach.

One thing that has remained constant throughout her career is the concept of putting the player’s experience at the forefront of everything she does.

“It’s honestly just trying to give them the best experience they can have,” Moncrief said. “At times we have had a bed of roses and other times there have been some thorns but my players have always known that this is about them. All I am here to do is really guide the way.”

While state classifications have changed over the years, Moncrief has found unique ways to keep the product she puts out on the court as sharp as it can be.

More than any championship or major win, Moncrief said the most rewarding thing for her is seeing her players take interests in the game beyond their four years at Elmore County. Having sent five players to play at the next level, she has also had a handful of former players enter the coaching world.

Moncrief has managed to accumulate 16 straight area championships and two state tournament appearances along with a sweet 16 appearance as a member of Class 5A.

TALLASSEE FOOTBALL

SEASON TURNAROUND

What coach Lawrence “L.A.” O’Neal did in his first season at Tallasssee was nothing short of incredible.

O’Neal inherited a football team that had only one win the previous season, and he turned it into a powerhouse that was feared by most of Class 4A.

“I am really just proud of the kids because we had a lot of adversity that we dealt with this year,” O’Neal said. “We lost a running back right there before the first game. The perception was that 1-9 was gonna be the best; they said we were going to be able to go 4-6. So to see the kids buy in and the hard work they put in in the summer, we knew that we could just put a couple of things together and we had the opportunity to do something special this year.”

O’Neal is a players coach. He has a unique blend of concept and application.

After a toss loss O’Neal thought the Tigers could’ve won, that’s when things really turned on for Tallassee. It went on a seven-game win streak this season.

“They got rid of a lot of the individual ball and started playing for each other,” O’Neal said. “And you could kind of see it every time a kid made a play man and celebrated with their teammates. Nobody worried about me, me, me, It was all about we, we, and it was just exciting to watch them kind of grow into young men.”

O’Neal has Tallassee poised for another explosive year, and will have some new amenities to boot. Tallassee is having turf installed over the offseason, which is adding to a level of excitement surrounding the program under O’Neal’s control.

TALLASSEE’S IRVIN DELFIN LEADING THE NATION WITH 65 GOALS

Irvin Delfin jumped onto the scene in 2023 as a sophomore. In 2024, he became a household name across high school soccer.

Delfin led the entire nation in scoring this season with Tallassee. He scored 65 goals and added a county-best 21 assists. His 65 goals was 13 higher than the next closest player from Mississippi and his total points (151) were 25 more than the second-place finisher.

His goal total set the school record for Tallassee and finished fourth in AHSAA single-season history.

“He certainly had an amazing season,” Tallassee coach Matt Tarpley said. “It was one that may not be replicated again anytime soon. He’s a supremely talented player, but he also works harder than probably anyone else on the team. Whether it was conditioning and fitness work in October or a freezing cold practice in January or the semifinal game in Huntsville in May, Irvin showed up and worked every day. That led to his success.”

After Delfin’s scoring abilities were discovered he was moved to striker instead of midfielder so he could take advantage of finding the back of the net.

With that, one would expect his goals to increase while his assists decrease.

But both categories doubled from his sophomore season.

“Irvin made a point this season to get his teammates involved,” Tarpley said. “He understood with the amount of goals he’s scoring, he’s going to draw a lot of attention. It will make his life easier if he shares the ball and gets his teammates involved so opposing teams can’t focus all their attention on him.”

KELBY

WALKER AND ETHAN BAILEY RECORDS BROKEN

Wetumpka’s football team has established an identity of toughness and relentlessness under coach Bear Woods. Two players who personified that moniker extensively this past season were seniors Kelby Walker and Ethan Bailey. Both did so by etching their names in the Indians history books, breaking school records this season. Walker shattered the school’s single-season tackle record, finishing with 164 total tackles — 98 of those being solo tackles. For Bailey, he tied the school’s sack record with 12 on the season.

“Kelby is just a driven kid who never took a day off,” Woods said. “On top of being a great defensive back for us, he also stepped up as a senior leader which was very big for our whole team.”

Walker provided several impressive elements to his game as a member of the Indians defense. Utilizing his uncanny athletic ability along with his instinctive ability to make plays was the recipe for success for Walker.

“Starting the season, summer workouts, I was playing a lot of free safety, switched it over late in the summer to linebacker, where I felt comfortable, because I felt my skill set was more linebacker oriented,” Walker said. “And I got put in the right spot by the coaches, and kind of just did what I knew how to do, and it showed that this is where I was supposed to be and what I was meant for on the football field.”

Bailey also made a transition this year, moving from linebacker to edge rusher. Needless to say, it was the right move for the Indians.

Bailey electrified the Indian front seven with his game changing ability to make plays. He amassed 101 total

Wetumpka crowned region champs

By SAMUEL HIGGS Sports Reporter

Intensity was high for the Wetumpka wrestling team at the Class 6A Region 2 dual meet over the weekend.

Other region opponents, Pike Road, Benjamin Russell, Stanhope Elmore, and Russell County, all made their way to Wetumpka, where the Indians reigned supreme. Against the four teams, the Indians took home a team victory over

each school. By going undefeated on Saturday, Wetumpka was crowned the Region 2 champions.

The biggest show of intensity came in Wetumpka’s first match of the day against Pike Road, a team it had fallen to earlier in the season. However this time, Wetumpka snatched a 40-32 victory. According to coach Josh Highland, the team came out hungry in hopes of redeeming itself from the last time it saw Pike Road.

“I’m so proud of how they wrestled,” Highland said. “Last time we wrestled Pike Road, they beat us pretty bad. Our kids, I think they felt that and understood that they had to come out to change the outcome, and they did. They put in the work. I mean adversity, resilience, they just wrestle great.”

The Indians snatched a 54-26 victory over the Wildcats, a 72-11 victory over the Mustangs and a 61-13 victory over the

Warriors to close out the regional duals.

“Just a lot of fight,” Highland said about his team after regionals. “We’re still young, and that’s what people don’t understand. We’ve got a lot of that, they hadn’t seen this part of it. They’re soaking it up like a sponge. They’re understanding their assignment and just wrestling hard. They’re getting better

Time on the mat proves crucial for Stanhope Elmore wrestling

By SAMUEL HIGGS Sports Reporter

Improvements still need to be made for the Stanhope Elmore wrestling team after competing in the Class 6A Region 2 Duals on Saturday.

The Mustangs as a whole were unable to snatch a win against region opponents Pike Road, Wetumpka, Russell County and Benjamin Russell. Despite this, coach David Adams was pleased with what he saw from his team.

“We did fairly well,” Adams said. “We got some stuff that we need to work on. Overall this dual meet was pretty good. All the teams showed up. Everybody did what they were supposed to do. Some of the teams did a little bit better than the others, but that’s to be expected.

REVIEW

Continued from B1

tackles, averaging almost 10 tackles a game, and finished with an astonishing 28 tackles for a loss on the season.

ARTHUR MCQUEEN SINGLE GAME RUSHING YARDS RECORDS

Stanhope Elmore’s Arthurs McQueen’s state spoke for themselves. Against Rehobeth, McQueen rushed for 420 yards on the ground against the Rehobeth Rebels. However, not only did he set a new school record; he did it in only two and half quarters. The state of Alabama’s fifth-leading rusher has amassed 1,791 yards through eight games. That means McQueen accumulated 23.5% of his season’s rushing total in one night. His full stat line included 20 carries, 420 yards, and 5 touchdowns. McQueen’s effort catapulted him into the record books.

McQueen was actually a stalwart all season long. Beyond the Rehobeth game, here were his rushing totals for each game so far this season: 270 yards and 3 touchdowns (Marbury), 142 yards and 1 touchdown (Prattville), 182 yards and 2 touchdowns (Percey Julian), 227 yards and 3 touchdowns (Park Crossing), 185 yards and 2 touchdowns (Smiths Station), 203 yards and 3 touchdowns (Russell County), and 142 yards and 2 touchdowns (Pike Road). Averaging 223 rushing yards per game this season.

There is no doubt Mya

CHAMPS

Continued from B1

Stanhope’s Dominic Sager (285 pounds) had himself a day. He wrestled in all four matches and came away with a victory in each one. Eventually coming away with an All-Region not for the heavyweight class and also escaping with Most Outstanding Wrestler.

Other wrestlers who were able to snatch some individual victories were Braylon Hansby (150), Caleb Allen (126), Aaron Lunas (106), Isaiah Bowman (138) and Cody Tyus (144).

As far as what Adams wanted to see his team improve upon was their leg defense, but he saw they were not the only team to struggle with the concept.

“(We have to) maintain good leg defense,” Adams said. “We have

See WRESTLING, Page B3

Wetumpka High School.

Holt, a current Troy University softball player, wrapped up the best softball career of any player in program history.

Holt is the record holder for 20 Wetumpka softball records. She has eight single-season records and 20 career records. She also is the only player in school history to ever win the Gatorade Player of the Year, which she won as a junior in 2023.

During her senior season, Holt put together another stellar campaign. She hit .481 with 74 hits, 15 doubles, 6 triples, 19 home runs, 54 RBIs and 53 runs scored. In the circle, she went 27-5 with a 1.205 earned run average and 208 strikeouts in 174 ⅓ innings.

“This year, I just came in wanting to perform as well as I did last year,” Holt said. “I knew that would be hard to beat, but I didn’t want to downgrade. I knew this was my last year playing so I wanted to go out with a bang and make the most of it while having fun with everyone.”

The majority of Holt’s records are hitting categories.

She holds the program record for career home runs (70), RBIs (312), hits (310), doubles (74), slugging percentage (.845%) and OPS (1.385).

In the circle, she holds the record for wins (118), ERA (1.48), strikeouts (757) and batting average against (.195).

She also holds the record for the most games played (263) and most team wins (212).

“I knew I had a few records but I didn’t know it was 20,” Holt said.

“That means so much to me. It feels good knowing that my hard work and dedication has paid off in many ways. I’ve put a lot of hours into this sport. All the hours have paid off.”

HOLTVILLE

The

every day.” Essentially every wrestler for Wetumpka snatched themselves an individual win at the meet, but a few finished their days perfect on the mat. Barrett

Scott Tubbs and members of the community. The 8U All-Stars wrapped up a successful summer in the USSSA World Series.

Holtville went 19-3-1 this summer and claimed the Region 7 Gold Bracket Championship with a win over Enterprise, then advanced to the state tournament and claimed the Gold Bracket Championship with a walkoff win over Alexandria.

“It was a great ride this summer,” coach Casey Wylie said after the World Series run. “We spent a lot of time practicing and worked really hard to make sure they were ready. That regional championship game against Enterprise was one of the toughest games our guys had to play all summer. At that point, the boys really believed how good they were and how good they could be.”

The Millbrook Firehawks, an 11U All-Star baseball team, traveled down to Baton Rouge and claimed the USSSA 11U All-Star World Series last weekend. The team, which consists of CJ Jackson, Jason Thomas, Justice Gadaingan, Karson Wilson, Shawn Compton, Christian Lewis, Chase Deaton, Carter Taylor, Cam Smith, Caden Southerland and Brantley Jackson, went 6-1 in the tournament and outscored opponents 57-21.

In bracket play, Millbrook played Sylacauga in the semifinals and won, 9-1, to punch its ticket to the championship. The two teams met again and Sylacauga won, 4-3, to force the teams to play a winner take all matchup.

“A lot of people were impressed,” Jackson said. “A lot of people told us they haven’t seen 11-year olds competing and keeping up with older kids and travel ball teams. They stepped up and played tremendously all summer.”

HUGH PHILLIPS AND JACK WOOD NAMED HALL OF FAME

Hugh “Buzz” Phillips, who graduated from Sidney Lanier and has been coaching across Alabama and Georgia since 1970, was

Adams (106 pounds), Cameron Boling (126), Swayze Martin (132), Brantley Woodall (157) and Owen Adams (215) all won every match they participated in. Next for the Indians will be another regional dual where they will face off against the Class 6A Region 1 runner-up.

named to the AISA Hall of Fame.

He’s won over 10 championships in his career, including the 2001 National Small College National Championship with Huntingdon basketball, and has a career coaching record of 658-328.

“When I got that call from the AISA, it was just unbelievable,” Phillips said. “I’ll always cherish that honor. Even when I was not working in the AISA and was at Huntingdon, I was in charge of the AISA hosting its state tournaments at Huntingdon. I prided myself on getting them the best venue and making the event the best that I possibly could. To be selected to the Hall of Fame is unbelievable.”

Jack Wood was inducted into the National High School Athletics Coaches Association (NHSACA) Hall of Fame on June 25 in Bismarck, North Dakota. He was recognized for excellence during his decadeslong coaching career.

Wood spent almost 30 years as a football coach for two Alabama high schools and turned the Hewitt-Trussville program into a statewide powerhouse that garnered four regional titles and had 14 of his 19 teams reach the state playoffs.

“At the end of the day it’s not the awards,” Wood said. “It’s what they thought of you then, what they think of you now. And that they know you cared about them.”

WRESTLING STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS

Sophomore wrestler Land Bell etched his name into Tallassee history.

Bell claimed the AHSAA Class 5A wrestling championship in the 132-pound weight class. Bell finished his sophomore season with a 43-3 record, including three straight pins at state.

He flattened his opponent, a senior from Jasper with a 47-5 record, in the championship bout in the second period en route to his first state title.

Mason Nelson captured third place at 113 pounds. After falling in the semifinals, he pinned his opponent from Gulf Shores in the

Highland and his team know the season is not over, although grateful for being named region champs, he does not want his team to be content with where they are now.

“Just don’t become complacent,” Highland said. “After big wins (Saturday) a lot of times that can take the wind

third-place match. He finished the year with a 41-4 record.

Caden Griffith (180 pounds) went 1-2 in the tournament and finished in fourth place in his weight class. After a quarterfinals win, he lost both the semifinals match and the thirdplace match by decision by two points. He finished his season with a 47-6 record.

Despite entering as the No. 2 seed, Elmore County’s Myles Eyerly dominated his weight class with a pair of pins and a decisive championship win.

Eyerly doesn’t wrestle quite like a heavyweight. In a weight class where pins are rarer, he knows how to take care of business. He pinned both of his opponents in the quarter and semifinals, then entered the championship against the same wrestler he lost to sectionals.

Facing off with Sam Schepker from Gulf Shores, Eyerly wasn’t going to let a repeat happen. He changed his wrestling style and pulled out a decisive 7-2 win to claim the championship.

He ended his season with a 38-6 overall record.

TALLASSEE FLAG FOOTBALL ADVANCES TO THIRD ROUND

Tallassee isn’t just making a name for itself. It’s cementing itself in AHSAA flag football history. With a 26-0 shutout of Marbury, the Tigers went to the Class 1A/5A semifinals. Where their season ended against Montgomery Catholic in the AHSSA Flag Football semi-finals.

The Tigers’ defense stood strong and got a stop to give the ball back to the offense. The second offensive possession saw Cheyann Easterling cap off a dominant drive with a rushing touchdown to give Tallassee a 6-0 lead at the end of the first.

Marbury’s offense struggled to get anything going against the stingy Tallassee defense.

The Tigers offense was primed for another strong drive following the score, but a tipped ball found its way into the hands of a Bulldog defender, giving Marbury’s offense another possession.

Easterling thwarted any

out of you. We just can’t get complacent. We just got to keep wrestling hard and we got to get better every day.”

potential Bulldog attack, coming up with a key interception and returning the ball back to midfield.

Quarterback Regan Easterwood connected with wideout Kam Tate for a big gain of 40 yards before the end of the first half.

Leading only 6-0 at halftime, the Tigers — in usual fashion — came out with a plan.

Marlee Osborne got the ball back into the hands of the offense with an interception on the very first play of the third quarter, and Tallassee capitalized.

Easterwood rushed for a score, putting the Tigers up 13-0 to advance.

MASEN GOGGINS HONORED AT ELMORE COUNTY

Masen Goggins’ legacy is still carrying strong.

The Elmore County football team is planning to honor Goggins before Friday’s annual rivalry game against Tallassee. Goggins, who would have been a senior football player this season, died in a car wreck last December.

To honor him, Elmore County has a few plans for Friday night.

The Panthers are going to carry Goggins’ No. 23 jersey to midfield for the coin toss. They did so in Week 0 and did the same every week of the season.

The team also has had a flag made to honor him, and the team will carry it out when the Panthers run through their sign onto the field.

Head coach Kyle Caldwell has also had a plaque made, which will be featured on a large rock, but he is unsure if the plaque will be delivered in time for Friday’s game.

“We want to continue honoring him every way we can,” Caldwell said. “It’s about the love and the brotherhood that you create, especially in small towns. It’s undefeated. They’ll always have a place in their hearts for Masen and they’ll always be able to look back and say ‘Even if I do this or do that, I know Mason loved me and his parents loved me.’ Just being able to honor that and honor his family is special.”

After the day was complete, each school got together to name the region team where Wetumpka almost had a clean sweep of the weight classes. Adams (106), Eli Walsh (120), Boling (126), Martin (132), and Woodall (157) were all named to the All-Region wrestling team. There is still much of the season left for Wetumpka, but after Saturday’s match, the team will be in good standings to end the rest of the season on a high note.

Smith proves a star in the making

By AUSTIN ELLIOTT Sports Editor

A new star has emerged for Edgewood Academy in the form of sophomore Lexie Smith. Despite only being a sophomore, Smith has been a vital piece for the girls basketball team.

The sophomore sensation has scored 149 points in her last five games, with 25 steals. Smith is averaging 29.8 points a game to pair with her fivesteals average.

She set the stat sheet on fire against Macon East Academy when she scored a career high of 46 points. The same can be said when she faced Sparta Academy and Chambers Academy scoring 35 and 30, respectively.

“Our offense runs through her, and when she kind of realized that she had to take the reins on the offensive end, it gave her the confidence to say, like, going to do my thing,” Edgewood coach Brad Starks said. “It’s made our offense a lot smoother to go through her, and she just has confidence about herself. Once she’s kind of opened up and given that freedom, she’s thrived.”

Smith has had to fill in for former standout Lindsey Brown, who was the centerpiece of Edgewood’s team last year. She is now the motor of this Wildcats team and has flourished in her role this year.

“I’ve always liked to win; I never liked to lose, and I’m really just a competitive player,” Smith said. “I know nobody likes losing, and so I take it seriously, and when we lose, I know we have to come back in the gym and be serious and take it for what it is.”

Starks is very aware of the talent his team possesses and knows just how to maximize opportunity.

“With how young we are, I want to teach them how to play the game rather than how to run plays,” Starks said. “We’re not just running in place, like we’re teaching them how to play the game, and so there’s a lot of things that I think that are lost and now that the game is moving more towards that, like wide open, stretching the core vertically and horizontally, like and so we want to do that. We want to run the floor space with our playmakers like Lexie.”

Dominic Sager wins Most Outstanding Wrestler at Region 2 Duals

By AUSTIN ELLIOTT Sports Editor

Dominic Sager has been on a mission this year to put the wrestling world on notice, and that is exactly what he has done.

Sager and the Mustangs wrestled in the Class 6A Region 2 Duals at Wetumpka on Saturday where Sager was

WEDNESDAY, JAN. 8

HIGH SCHOOL BOWLING

crowned with the Most Outstanding Wrestler honor after a 4-0 performance. The Mustangs heavyweight defeated Pike Road’s Braidon Watkins, Benjamin Russell’s Chresten Johnson, Russell County’s Justice Rogers and Wetumpka’s Jack Robertson on his path to collecting the award.

“Over the course of

4 Park Crossing at Stanhope Elmore, 3 p.m.

HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING

4 Elmore County, Stanhope Elmore at Wetumpka, 5 p.m.

THURSDAY, JAN. 9

HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL

4 Marbury at Wetumpka, 5:30 p.m.

WRESTLING

Continued from B2

to make sure we keep our legs safe. That’s and that’s something I saw with a lot of teams too, so we’re not the only ones. But hand

the year, he’s just been fantastic, he is a hard worker, and he’s been doing a lot in the practice room to get better,” Stanhope coach David Adams said. “He’ll talk with me about different moves and trying to learn new things, and put himself in uncomfortable positions in order to improve his game.”

Sager has been a dom-

4 Montgomery Catholic at Tallassee, 5:30 p.m.

4 Elmore County at Valley, 5:30 p.m.

Wetumpka at Holtville, 5 p.m.

Wetumpka at Prattville, 6 p.m. 4 Reeltown,Tallassee at Elmore County, 5:30 p.m.

inant force throughout the season with a 23-5 record, which was on full display during the region duals with all of his four wins coming via pin or tech fall.

“This Saturday was just him doing this same old, same old, and going out there being a leader for his team and getting the wins that we know that he should get,”

SPORTS CALENDAR

FRIDAY, JAN. 10 HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL

4 Holtville at Marbury, 5:30 p.m.

4 Build-Up Academy at Edgewood, 5 p.m.

4 Wetumpka at Stanhope Elmore, 5:30 p.m.

SCHOOL WRESTLING

4 Class 5A Region 2 Duals at Holtville, 4:30 p.m.

4 Class 4A Region Duals at TBA, 5:30 p.m.

fighting, hand control, proper mat returns, stuff like that, just simple stuff, we get back to the basics.”

Despite having to work on some of the basics, Adams was proud of how the team was able to perform whether they were on

the top or bottom. He saw their transitions between moves be one of their strong points.

“(Our) transitioning from one move to the next, especially transitioning from a breakdown into a pinhole, not rushing your pinhole,

Adams said. “Wrestling the tough matches and coming out on top showing how much hard work he puts in and how it rewards him through his results that he gets.”

Stanhope Elmore’s Sager has certainly added his mark to the program.

“He’s a valuable part of our team and us as a coaching staff and his other peers and all that

SATURDAY, JAN. 11

Edgewood at Southern, 5 p.m.

WRESTLING 4 Tallassee, Holtville at PCA Invitational, 9 a.m.

MONDAY, JAN. 13

SCHOOL BASKETBALL 4 Tallassee at Marbury, 5:30 p.m.

Wetumpka at Prattville Chris-

actually working it in just properly,” Adams said.

However, the best thing for Stanhope was getting more time on the mat which could in turn help them as it approaches state qualifying matches.

“Given the fact that a

we all love him and love seeing the progress he’s making,” Adams said. “I think it just shows that what we’re doing is working for him, and so we’re going to continue on the right track, because our ultimate goal is to see him qualify for state again and hopefully place this year, hopefully to win it. That’s the main goal.”

tian, 5:45 p.m.

TUESDAY, JAN. 14

SCHOOL BASKETBALL 4 Holtville at BTW Magnet, 4:30 p.m. 4 Tallasse at LAMP, 5:30 p.m. 4 Edgewood at Bessemer, 5 p.m.

4 Percy Julian at Stanhope Elmore, 5:30 p.m.

SCHOOL WRESTLING

4 Tallassee, Valley at Beulah, 5 p.m.

lot of these teams don’t see the northern teams this year, this is paramount,” Adams said. “This is paramount because it helps with seeding at sectionals. Then sectionals the better you do then obviously the better you are seeded at state.”

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Public Notices

Public Notices

PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF DEE ANN HINTON-CARTER, DECEASED CASE NO: 2024-074 NOTICE OF PETITION AND HEARING TO SELL REAL PROPERTY

TO: NOTICE TO: CHAD KELLY, WHOSE WHEREABOUTS ARE UNKNOWN, A NEXT OF KIN OF DEE ANN HINTON-CARTER AND TO: ANY OTHER INTERESTED PARTY YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that a PETITION FOR LEAVE TO SELL REAL PROPERTY along with a Supplement to such

ministrator of the Estate of DEE ANN HINTON- CARTER. Such Petition has been set for hearing before this Court on the 30th a.m. property subject to such Petition

Elmore County, Alabama.

You may appear at such hear-

ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA for Petitioner:

ATTORNEY AT LAW WETUMPKA, ALABAMA 36093

2024-074

Do you have available jobs? Call 256.277.4219 to let others know about job opportunities at your business.

PUBLIC NOTICE

IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF CAROL JEAN COOLEY, DECEASED CASE NO: 2024-317 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE

Letters Testamentary in the Estate of CAROL JEAN COOLEY, deceased, having been granted to SUSAN SIKICH on the 16th day of December, 2024 by John Thornton, 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.

SUSAN SIKICH PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF CAROL JEAN COOLEY, DECEASED

Attorney of Record for Personal Representative: SCARLETT TRAVIS ATTORNEY AT LAW

GARY S. MCANNALLY, LLC 50 WISTERIA PLACE MILLBROOK, ALABAMA 36054 334-285-1976 scarlett@gmacclosings.com

Wetumpka Herald: Dec. 25, 2024, Jan. 1 and 8, 2025 EST/COOLEY C.

described real estate, situated in Elmore County, Alabama, to-wit: Lot 28B, Block B,ing a replat of Lots 27 and 28corded in Plat Book 14, at Page of Probate of Elmore County, Alabama. The herein above described property being one and the same property as described in mortgage recorded in RLPY Book 2019 Page 64043 and deed recorded in RLPY Book 2019 Page 64039.. Property street address for informational , Millbrook, AL 36054. THIS

Public Notices

PROPERTY WILL BE SOLD ON AN “AS IS, WHERE IS” BASIS, WITHOUT WARRANTY OR RECOURSE, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED AS TO TITLE, TO 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 tender a non-refundable deposit of Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) to Tiffany & Bosco, P.A. at the time and place of the sale. The balance of the purchase price plus any deed recording costs and transfer taxes must be paid next business day at the Law at the address indicated below. Tiffany & Bosco, P.A. reserves the right to award the bid to the next highest bidder should the highest bidder fail to timely tender the total amount due. The Mortgagee/Transferee reserves the right to bid for and purchase the real estate and to

Public Notices

p 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. PNC Bank, National Association, (“Transferee”) Tiffany & Bosco, P.A., 2501 20th Place South, Suite 300, Homewood, AL 35223 www.tblaw.com TB File Number: 24-01662-PN-AL Wetumpka Herald: 24-01662-PN-AL PUBLIC NOTICE MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE

Default having been made in the payment of the indebtedness secured by that certain mortgage executed by Edward Robinson, Jr., a single man, originally in favor of Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc. as nominee for Southwest Funding, LP, on November 6, 2020, said mortgage recorded in the of Elmore County, Alabama, in RLPY Book 2020 Page 83829; the undersigned PHH Mortgage Corporation, as Mortgagee/ Transferee, under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in said mortgage, will sell at public outcry to the highest bidder for cash, in front of the main entrance of the Courthouse at Wetumpka, Elmore County, Alabama, on February 13, 2025, during the legal hours of sale, all of its rights, title, and interest in and to the following described real estate, situated in Elmore County, Alabama, to-wit: Lot 17 of Gaddis Beach Plat Number 1 as the same appears of recordmore County, Alabama in Plat Book 4, at Page 26.. Property street address for informational purposes: 93 Gaddis Beach Drive , Titus, AL 36080. THIS PROPERTY WILL BE SOLD ON AN “AS IS, WHERE IS” BASIS, WITHOUT WARRANTY OR RECOURSE, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED AS TO TITLE, USE AND/OR ENJOYMENT AND WILL BE SOLD SUBJECT TO 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 tender a non-refundable deposit of Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00)

to Tiffany & Bosco, P.A. at the time and place of the sale. The balance of the purchase price plus any deed recording costs and transfer taxes must be paid next business day at the Law at the address indicated below. Tiffany & Bosco, P.A. reserves the right to award the bid to the next highest bidder should the highest bidder fail to timely tender the total amount due. 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.

PHH Mortgage Corporation, (“Transferee”) Tiffany & Bosco, P.A., 2501 20th Place South, Suite 300, Homewood, AL 35223 www.tblaw.com TB File Number: 24-04656-PH-AL

Wetumpka Herald: Jan. 8, 15 and 22, 2025 24-04656-PH-AL

PUBLIC NOTICE

Public Notices

y gg as nominee for Homecomings Financial Network, Inc., its successors and assigns, on July 15, 2005, said mortgage being Judge of Probate of Elmore County, Alabama, on July 29, 2005 at RLPY Book 2005, at Page 54405. Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as Trustee for Residential Accredit Loans, Inc., Mortgage Asset-Backed Pass-Through the current holder, under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in said mortgage, will sell at public outcry to the highest bidder for cash, in front of the main entrance of the Elmore County Courthouse, in Wetumpka, Alabama, on February 13, 2025, during the legal hours of sale, the following described real estate, situated in Elmore County, Alabama, to-wit: Commence at the 2” iron pipe marking the NE corner of the NW 1/4 of Section 34, T18N, R21E; thence North 88 DEG 05 min 06 sec West a distance of 1754.42 feet to a 1/2” rebar capped S.D. Martin, 11726 at the intersection of the Southwest right of way of Elmore County Road 110 and the West right of way of Ben Taylor Drive said point being the point of beginning; thence South 02 DEG 32 min 56 sec West along the West right of way of Ben Taylor Drive a distance of 221.89 feet thence leaving said right of way North 87 DEG 22 min 40 sec West a distance of 129.84 to thence continue North 87 DEG 22 min 40 Sec West a distance of 123.65 to a 1/2” rebar capped Martin; thence North 01 DEG 32 min 43 sec East a distance of 353.49 to a 1/2” rebar capped Martin on the Southwest right of way of Elmore County Road 110; thence along said right of way South 58 DEG 41 min 11 sec East a distance of 123.64 feet to a 1/2” rebar capped Martin; thence continue along said right of way South 56 DEG 42 min 53 sec East a distance of 24.96 feet to a 1/2” rebar capped Martin; thence continue along said right of way South 62 DEG 47 min 18 sec East a distance of 142.87 feet to the point of beginning, said parcel containing 1.67 acres more or less and lying in and being a portion of the NW 1/4 of the NW 1/4 of Section 34 and the SW 1/4 of the SW 1/4 of Section 27, all in T18N, R21E. Elmore County, Alabama. More commonly known as: 14 Ben Taylor Drive, Tallassee, AL 36078 This Property will be sold on as “as is, where is” basis, without warranty or recourse, expressed or implied as to title, use and/or enjoyment and will be sold subject to 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 part of the foreclosure process. This sale is made for the purpose of paying the indebtedness secured by said mortgage, as well as the expense of foreclosure. The successful bidder must tender

Public Notices

sions and restroom building, new grilling station canopy, visitors entry canopy, alterations and exterior painting of existingwork, hardscape, landscaping, site electrical, and installation of owner furnished contractor installed bleacher seating, seating. A non-mandatory Pre-Bid Conference will be held at the Elmore County Courthouse (Conference Room) at 100 E Commerce Street, Wetumpka, AL on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, at 10:00 AM CST. An optional visit to the project site will be held after the Pre-Bid Conference concludes. A cashier’s check or bid bond payable to the Elmore County Commission in an amount of the amount of the bid, but in no event more than $10,000, must accompany the bidder’s proposal. Performance and Payment Bonds, evidence of insurance, and DCM Permit Fee required in the bid documents will be required at the signing of the Contract.

of the Architect; Dodge, Data & Analytics; and Construct Connect. Electronic Files of the bid documents may be viewed and downloaded online for a deposit of $0.00 through the Architect’s online planroom at www.sslarch.com by accessing the Info Exchange Login. Questions pertaining to accessing the website should be directed to Seay, Seay & These documents may be used only for the purposes of bidding and constructing this project. Anyone logging into the site through the website will be e-mail. The Architect retains all copyrights and ownership of the documents. Bids must be submitted on proposal forms furnished by the Architect or copies thereof. All bidders bidding in amounts exceeding that established by the State Licensing Board for General Contractors must be licensed under the provisions evidence of license before bidding or bid will not be received or considered by the Architect; the bidder shall show such evidence by clearly displaying his or her current license number on the outside of the sealed envelope in which the proposal is delivered. The Owner reserves the right to reject any or all proposals and to waive technical errors if, in the Owner’s judgement, the best interests of the Owner will thereby be promoted. All bidders are advised to carefully read the instructions to Bidders and Additional Instructions to Bidders contained in the Bid Documents.

Owner: Elmore County Commission 100 E Commerce Steet

Architect:

Public Notices

y same will be barred. JANET WALKER EXECUTRIX OF THE ESTATE OF CATHERINE HOWARD, 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: Dec. 25, 2024, Jan. 1 and 8, 2025 EST/HOWARD, C. 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 OF FILING OF WILL FOR PROBATE TO: TIMOTHY MIZZELL and MICHAEL SHANE COMPTON NON-RESIDENTS OF THE STATE OF ALABAMA AND NEXT OF KIN OF ANDREW J. MIZZELL: AND TO: ANY OTHER UNKNOWN NEXT OF KIN OF ANDREW J. MIZZELL, DECEASED AND TO: ANY OTHER INTERESTED PARTY YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that on November 8, 2024, a certain paper in writing purporting to be the Last Will and Testament of ANDREW J. MIZthe Probate Court of Elmore County, Alabama by SHARON MIZZELL BRUGH, Petitioner, requesting that such Last Will and Testament be admitted to Probate and Record and that the Petitioner be named as Personal Representative of such Estate. This notice of Filing of Will for Probate is given to you as a next-of-kin of ANDREW J. MIZZELL or as an interested party. Unless an objection to admission to Probate and Record of such Last Will and Testament is submitted by you in writing to this Court within ten (10) days oftice, the Court will proceed with considering such Petition without further notice to you. JOHN THORNTON JUDGE OF PROBATE ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA Name and Address of Attorney for Petitioner: 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

IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF JESSE O’NEAL DARDEN, DECEASED CASE NO: 2024-316 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE

Letters Testamentary in the Estate of JESSE O’NEAL DARDEN, deceased, having been granted to MICHAEL O’NEAL DARDEN on December 18, 2024 by John Thornton, 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.

MICHAEL O’NEAL DARDEN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF JESSE O’NEAL DARDEN, DECEASED

Attorney of Record for Personal Representative: ROBERT J. MORRIS ATTORNEY AT LAW 10365 HOLTVILLE ROAD DEATSVILLE, ALABAMA 36022 334-569-1820

Wetumpka Herald: Dec. 25, 2024, Jan. 1 and 8, 2025

EST/DARDEN J.

PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE

Default having been made in the payment of the indebtedness secured by that certain mortgage executed by Chad A. Vance and Heather W. Vance, husband and wife, to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as Mortgagee,

Halliday, Watkins & Mann, P.C. form of a wire transfer, bank or credit union’s cashier’s check, Halliday, Watkins & Mann, P.C. Halliday, Watkins & Mann, P.C. reserves the right to award the bid to the next highest bidder should the highest bidder fail to timely tender the total amount due. If sale is voided, Mortgagee/Transferee shall return the bid amount to the successful purchaser and the Mortgagee/ Transferee shall not be liable to the purchase 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 deposit and bid amount, if paid. 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 indebtedness secured by the real estate. This sale is subject to postponement or cancellation. Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as Trustee for Residential Accredit Loans, Inc., Mortgage Asset-Backed Pass-

(“Transferee”)

Halliday, Watkins & Mann, P.C. 244 Inverness Center Drive Birmingham, AL 35242 Phone: (801) 355-2886

Wetumpka Herald: Jan. 8, 15 and 22, 2025 AL21389

PUBLIC NOTICE

ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS

Sealed proposals will be received by the Elmore County Commission at the Elmore County Courthouse (Conference Room) at 100 E Commerce Street, Wetumpka, AL until 2:00 PM CST on Thursday, January 30, 2025, for Improvements to Elmore County High School Athletic Plaza at which time and place they will be publicly opened and read. INQUIRY 2025-PW9 IMPROVEMENTS TO ELMORE COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC PLAZA

The scope of work required by the Bid Documents consists of, but is not limited to, the following: Building demolition, selective demolition of building elements and site elements, new conces-

Wetumpka Herald: BIDS PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF LARRY CLIFTON DOOLEY, DECEASED CASE NO: 2024-324 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE

Letters of Administration over the Estate of LARRY CLIFTON DOOLEY, deceased, having been granted to ED PARISH, JR. on December 26, 2024 by John Thornton, 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.

ED PARISH, JR. ADMINISTRATOR OF THE ESTATE OF LARRY CLIFTON DOOLEY, DECEASED

Name and Address of Adminis-

trator: ED PARISH, JR. THE PARISH LAW FIRM PO BOX 52 MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA 36101-0052 323 ADAMS AVE MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA 36104 334-263-0003

Wetumpka Herald: Jan. 1, 8 and 15, 2025 EST/DOOLEY L.

PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF CATHERINE HOWARD, DECEASED CASE NO. 2024-322 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE

Letters Testamentary on the Estate of said decedent having been granted to JANET WALKER as Executrix on the 19th day of December 2024, by the Honorable JOHN THORNTON, 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

Wetumpka Herald: Jan. 8, 15 and 22, 2025 EST/MIZZELL, A. PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF RANDALL S. WALLACE, DECEASED CASE NO. 2024-326 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE Letters Testamentary on the Estate of said decedent having been granted to SUSAN K. WALLACE as Executrix on the 31st day of December 2024, by the Honorable JOHN THORNTON, 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.

SUSAN K. WALLACE

EXECUTRIX OF THE ESTATE OF RANDALL S. WALLACE, DECEASED.

Name and Address of Attorney: Justin D. Edwards, Esq. The Law Firm of Edwards & Edwards, P.C. 109 E. Bridge Street Wetumpka, AL 36092 Wetumpka Herald: Jan. 8, 15 and 22, 2025 EST/WALLACE R. PUBLIC NOTICE

Notice is hereby given that the undersigned will sell for cash, at an ONLINE public auction on Thursday, January 23rd, 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

642: Sharon Taylor. 411 1st Avenue, Tallassee, AL 36078 Contents: mattress, boxes, totes,chairs, table, suitcases 126: Summer Worthington.194 Grove Park Loop, Wetumpka, AL 36093 Contents: boxes, clothes,totes,bags, mattress

Wetumpka Herald: Dec. 8 and 15, 2025 STORAGE AUCTION

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one of most Eclectic unique town names in U.S.

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

Unalaska, Alaska; Snowflake, Arizona; Hell, Michigan; Paradise, Kansas; Truth or Consequences, New Mexico; Lizard Lick, North Carolina; and Eclectic, Alabama.

Those are some of the most unique town names in the United States according to Preply citing data from a recent study.

In general Alabama ranks 27th among the states of towns with the most unique names. Hawaii ranks No. 1. Current Eclectic Mayor Gary Davenport said a small town atmosphere and appeal makes the town unique.

“It is a family oriented community where the majority of the residents know each other,” Davenport said.

According to the Encyclopedia of Alabama, Eclectic got its start in 1877 when resident M. L. Fielder bought 122 acres on the western border of Pleasant Grove and offered 1-acre lots to settlers for free, provided that they built a house or established a business. Fielder then established a post office in his home, naming the new settlement Eclectic, after the school of alternative medicine in which he had trained.

“They know their family history and its roots in the area. They watch out and care for each other.”

Davenport said the community and just beyond has many things residents enjoy.

“The school for the area is here in town,” Davenport said. “We have easy access to recreation such as the lake for boating and fishing. We have city parks, a library and several small businesses that provide for many of the needs of residents.”

It is the same things that attract visitors and future residents. Daven-

port said growth for the next decade is expected to be manageable.

“We have a low population, but are growing slowly,” Davenport said. “In 10 years we are estimating the population in the town limits to be between 2,000 and 2,500. That still keeps us as a small town.”

According to the Encyclopedia of Alabama, Eclectic got its start in 1877 when resident M. L. Fielder bought 122 acres on the western border of Pleasant Grove and offered 1-acre lots to settlers for free, pro-

vided that they built a house or established a business. Fielder then established a post office in his home, naming the new settlement Eclectic, after the school of alternative medicine in which he had trained. As more people settled in the area, both communities began to be referred to as Eclectic and within a few years the name Pleasant Grove had passed out of general usage. In 1907, the town was officially incorporated as Eclectic.

Preply listed other facts about town names

across the U.S. The report states there are 28 Franklins in the United States leading all names. Madison is found 23 times including the capital of Wisconsin.

A town named Clinton can be found 19 different times along with Marion, Monroe, Oxford, Springfield and Washington. Followed closely by with 18 recurrences of Jackson, Manchester, Milford, Richmond, Salem and Troy.

Preply described the methodology behind its study.

The study also looked at recurring town names and used ChatGPT to determine which town names stand out the most by state.

“We used the same prompt for each list of town names and asked ChatGPT to consider how someone who is not from the state would view the list of names and pull the top 5 most interesting or strange,” the website said. “We then analyzed the list and selected one interesting town name from each state to highlight.”

“We set out to determine which U.S. states have the most unique town names,” Preply said on its website. “To do this, we collected all the municipalities by state and analyzed them for recurrence within the state as well as within other states. We then found the total number of town names by state that are unique to that state and divided the number by the total number of cities to calculate the unique percentage by state.”