LOCAL: Students learn about Autism. Page 3.
SPORTS:
INSIDE:
Two released in horse abuse case. Page 9.
Rebels turn to playoffs after loss to Hornets. Page B1.
THE RECORD Serving the Dadeville & Lake Martin area since 1897
WWW.THEDADEVILLERECORD.COM
VOL. 119, NO. 16
THURSDAY, APRIL 21, 2016
Emotions run high at meeting on Councill By DAVID GRANGER Staff Writer
Emotions ran high among parents and board members Wednesday at the second public meeting on the potential closing of Dadeville’s Councill Middle School, attended by approximately 50 people who packed the Tallapoosa County Board of Education boardroom in Dadeville. Tallapoosa County Schools Superintendent Joe Windle required those who wished to speak at the
meeting to sign in and said he would limit speakers to three minutes. Only one speaker signed up and she was held to her three-minute limit, yet the meeting lasted approximately 90 minutes. Dana Rickman, the sole speaker to sign up, did not attend the first meeting on Councill on April 6 and asked how the population of Dadeville High School would be impacted by the addition of seventh- and eighth-grade students and how that population compared to 7-12
populations at Reeltown and Horseshoe Bend Schools. Windle said Horseshoe Bend has somewhere between 425 and 435 and Reeltown somewhere between 405 and 450. After some collaboration with staff, he said the population at Dadeville High School if Councill closed would be about 545 next year. “Well, I would like to see our middle school stay open,” Rickman said. “The staff under Mrs. (Pam) Langford is on a
path of improvements. There are a lot of successes. The teachers are excellent. “I know there have been a lot of people going elsewhere, but I’m very impressed with the staff at Councill. I’ve seen teachers there help those that need help and even give help to those that are excelling. It’s just been an excellent experience for our family and I’ve talked with others who feel that way as well.” Windle explained that the idea of a
Hearing in McDaniel case moved to June 28
County sees property crimes increase in 2015 Crime solve rate also up and above national average By MITCH SNEED Editor
By MITCH SNEED Editor
Circuit Court Judge Kim Taylor has granted a motion by the defense team for accused killer Matthew Clate McDaniel to delay a preliminary hearing set for Wednesday until June 28. Taylor granted the motion for continuance Monday, which was filed earlier this month due to a large number of witnesses anticipated being called by the defense at the hearing. McDaniel, 33, of Dadeville is charged with murder in the Jan. 17 shooting death of Norman Dean Crayton. At a first call hearing Tuesday, Judge Kim Taylor set a preliminary hearing for April 20 at 1:30 p.m. McDaniel was arrested in the early morning hours of Jan. 17 after hunters found Crayton’s body in a wooded area off Barron’s Bridge Road south of Dadeville. A release from Tallapoosa County Sheriff Jimmy Abbett said the victim sustained multiple gunshot wounds. McDaniel was released from jail on Jan. 19 after a bond of $250,000 was posted. Records show that AAA Bonding secured the bond, which was signed by McDaniel. The only condition added to the bond documents was that McDaniel See MCDANIEL • Page 11
See COUNCILL • Page 12
Cliff Williams / The Record
Dadeville Healthcare Administrator Kim Russell, above, cuts the ribbon for the newly renovated facility that includes a 12 unit rehab wing. Below, Brantley Newton talks about how area residents will benefit from the facility.
GRAND OPENING
Dadeville Healthcare unveils new rehab wing By DAVID GRANGER Staff Writer
Patients ages 65 and older are now able to undergo short-term rehabilitation locally in Dadeville. Dadeville Healthcare Center, located at 385 East Lafayette Street, on Wednesday cut the ribbon on a new rehab wing that includes private rehab suties with private baths and a rehab gym. “We started on this renovation about a year ago,” said Brantley Newton, regional operations consultant for Prime Management, which operates Chapman Healthcare in Alexander City, Goodwater Healthcare Center See REHAB • Page 5
Property crimes – burglary, larceny and theft – saw a sharp increase in Tallapoosa County in 2015, but the rate at which those crimes were solved was also up and far above the national average. Tallapoosa County Sheriff Jimmy Abbett released crime stats for 2015 that are mandated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation for their annual Uniform Crime Statistics report. The numbers show that while property crimes were up, many violent crimes were down in Tallapoosa County. “Unfortunately we have crime in our county and the spike in burglaries is one that is hard not to notice,” Abbett said. “We had two separate groups who came from outside our county and were involved in several break-ins at properties in the lake community. The fortunate thing is that we were able to make arrests in those cases, which often times in burglaries doesn’t happen.” Burglaries saw the largest jump, going from 71 in 2014 to 105 in 2015. That represents a 32 percent increase, but as many as 30 of those were in two separate sprees by suspects that have been apprehended. See CRIME • Page 11
Reeltown’s 20-year reunion honors past and present By CARMEN RODGERS Staff Writer
People came from miles around Saturday as Reeltown High School graduates gathered in the original auditorium, which is now part of the Reeltown Elementary School to honor past students, faculty and staff enjoy good times and great company at the 2016 Reeltown 20-Year Reunion. The 2016 Reunion began with a meet and greet at 10 a.m. and the halls of RHS were quickly filled with happy voices renewing friendships of years past. “Assembly” met in the original auditorium at 11 a.m. with the pledge Carmen Rodgers / The Record to the American flag, prayer by Jimmie Benson, Class of 1962, followed by a Billy Dean Welch looks at the memory board during Saturday’s 20 year reunion. Welch is 1959 Reeltown High School graduate. moment of silence in memory of those
SOLD IT FAST IN THE CLASSIFIEDS Selling your stuơ is simple with a little help from the ClassiƤeds. Let us help you place an ad today, in print or online! Call the ClassiÀed Dept.
256.277.4219
Starting Friday:
Junglebook 3D – PG Barbershop 3 – PG-13 The Huntsman: Winter’s War – PG-13
who have passed. A memorial list was available and listed Betty Ledbetter Evers, a graduate of Reeltown, Tommy King and Pete Cottle. Administrators were also honored during the reunion. Tom Cochran, principal, Joe Windle, Tallapoosa County Superintendent of Education and a 1962 graduate of Reeltown High School, and the Bear Bryant of Reeltown, former Coach Duane Webster were recognized. The group was honored to be introduced to the new coach of the Reeltown Rebels, Matt Johnson, and welcome him to the family. Hannah Zimmer, who hit a home run playing with the RHS girls softball team See REELTOWN • Page 5
Weather
77 60 High
Low
Lake Martin
Lake Levels
490. 52 Reported on 04/20/16 @ 6 p.m.
LAKE AREA REALTY
“Selling
Rhonda Gaskins, Broker ® Lake Martin” Cell: (256) 749-3644 rhonda@lakearearealty.net 440 N. Broadnax Street Q Dadeville, AL