August 8, 2018 The Eclectic Observer

Dormineys awarded Yard of Month

College and career night for area students coming up soon

Elmore County sophomore joins US Ambassadors for baseball mission trip

LOCAL, Page 5

Eclectic Observer SPORTS, Page 10

ECLECTIC, Page 2

The

WEDNESDAY • AUGUST 8, 2018

TheWetumpkaHerald.com

Vol. 29, No. 32

BOE approves bid for safety fence project

By AMALIA KORTRIGHT Staff Writer

Elmore County Board of Education voted to award a bid for security fencing around certain schools during a special meeting Aug. 2.

ECS Superintendent Richard Dennis said the sixfoot fences will be erected around the rear perimeter of each of the county’s elementary and middle schools for safety reasons.

According to ECS Maintenance Supervisor Gary Gregory, a $203,504.58 bid was awarded to Wetumpka Fencing Company. Construction is expected to begin this month and be completed by

the end of the year. “We think we can probably get it done before then, but we’re looking at weather days and things like that,” Gregory said.

Dennis said the board is currently looking to cut costs on the project by purchasing its own building materials.

In the future, Dennis said the board will be looking to start a similar project at some of the system’s high schools in order to ensure all entrances are secure.

The board also voted to accept a bid of $39,182.00 from Terrell Enterprises of Greenville, for the ECS Child Nutrition Program for cafeteria signage at Millbrook Middle School. The signage is part of a current renovation process at MMS.

Superintendent Richard Dennis discusses the construction of safety fences around ECS elementary schools, as well as a similar future project for local high schools.

Amalia Kortright / The Observer

Who qualifies for reduced-price or free meals at ECS?

Sheriff’s office app available for download

By AMALIA KORTRIGHT Staff Writer

By AMALIA KORTRIGHT Staff Writer

The Elmore County Sheriff’s Office recently launched a new, multi-purpose smart phone app for civilian use. ECSO IT Director Cory Shaw said the app officially became available on July 27, and can be found on Elmoreso. com, iTunes and the Google Play store.

Shaw said the app and the ECSO’s website were built in conjunction by Brooks Jeffrey Marketing.

According to Shaw, the app provides the ECSO’s general contact information, allows users to submit crime tips with the option of staying anonymous or leaving a return email address, sends out updates and press releases and includes a “Most Wanted” list.

Shaw said the ECSO decided to develop the app as a way reach as many people as possible in a timely manner.

“We had some incidents occur and we had people who, via social media, were asking for information. We See APP • Page 2

Today’s

Weather

93 73 High

Submitted / The Observer

Sister Hazel is performing in Eclectic as part of its 2018 tour. The band will take the Lake Martin Amphitheater stage at 8:30 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 2.

Sister Hazel playing at Lake Martin Amp

By AMALIA KORTRIGHT Staff Writer

A

platinum-recording band is set to take the stage at the Lake Martin Amphitheater, located at Russell Lands on Lake Martin on Labor Day weekend.

Sister Hazel will be performing at the amphitheater at 8:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 2.

The gates will open to the public at 5 p.m. and Sister Hazel will be opened by the Bank

Walkers at 7 p.m.

“Fans can expect a high-energy show with some brand new Sister Hazel songs like ‘Small Town Living’ and ‘You Won’t See Me Again,’ as well as popular fan favorites like, ‘All For You,’” read a press release from Kaylor Girl Promotions.

According Russell Lands Director of Events Robert Gunn, Sister Hazel’s top hit, “All For You,” was recently ranked No. 9 in Billboard’s “Greatest of All Time Adult Pop Songs.” He said Sister Hazel was invited to play because See HAZEL • Page 2

On Aug. 1, Elmore County Schools announced its policies on free and reduced-price meals for the 2018-2019 academic year. According to a press release from ECS, the policies are in accordance with the guidelines of the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program.

Meals sold to students by the Elmore County Child Nutrition Program typically cost $1.50 for breakfast and $2.50 for lunch. Under the reduced lunch program, meals will cost 30 cents for breakfast and 40 cents for lunch.

Children in households that receive benefits from the Alabama Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations or the Alabama Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program are eligible for free meals. Children in households receiving WIC benefits may also be eligible for free or reduced meals.

Children under the legal responsibility of a foster care agency or court, children who participate in their school’s See MEALS • Page 2

‘Fore the Orsis’ benefit concert raises $10K for local family

By AMALIA KORTRIGHT Staff Writer

Low

THURS: HIGH 90 LOW 73

Hundreds of people gathered at Range 231 North in support of a family in need on Aug. 4.

According to co-owner Jessica Milton, 100 percent of the proceeds of the “Fore the Orsis” benefit concert went to the three surviving sisters of a recent murder-suicide that devastated a Wetumpka family, claiming the lives of Cadence Orsi, 12, and her mother, Charley Orsi.

Cadence’s triplet sisters were injured while their older sister escaped and ran to find help.

Milton and co-owner Brad Martin said the benefit came from a desire to rally the community around the family during a difficult time.

About $10,000 was raised through the event.

“There’s not a whole lot we can do, being a music-slash-bar venue, but we do what we can,” Milton said. “Of course, everybody’s initial reaction was not understanding, lots of whys, lots of disbelief that it could even happen. You think it happens far away, but not close to home.

“It’s just a really powerful thing. It’s southern See ORSIS • Page 3

Amalia Kortright / The Observer

Jeff and the Johnsons perform a cover of the Alice in Chains song, ‘Rooster,’ at the ‘Fore the Orsis’ benefit concert.

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PAGE 2 • AUGUST 8, 2018

TheWetumpkaHerald.com

Obituaries Horace Randel Melton (Randy) Horace Randel Melton (Randy), 53, of Tallassee, passed away August 6, 2018. He was born February 25, 1965 in New Albany, Mississippi.

He is survived by his wife, Leigh; children, Brandi (Scottie) Ledbetter, Eric Melton, Justin Melton, Courtney Melton, Cody Melton and Lea Melton; sisters, Dinna (Bobby) Gill, Tina (Mike) Melton Driver; and six grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his mother, Larell Rhynes and father, Horace Eugene Melton. He leaves to cherish several families and friends. Gone but never forgotten.

Visitation will be Wednesday, August 8, from 5 to 7 pm at Linville Memorial Funeral Home.

Funeral service will be Thursday, August 9, at 11:00 a.m. at Linville Memorial Funeral Home with Pastor Glenn Williams officiating. Burial will follow at Pleasant Grove Cemetery in Eclectic, Alabama, Linville Memorial Home directing.

Online condolences at www.linvillememorial. com.

Linville Memorial Funeral Home Eclectic, Alabama

THE ECLECTIC OBSERVER

App

continued from page 1

the app are sent to an ECSO email address, Shaw emphasized that the app is not intended for emergency purposes as the ECSO’s primary point of contact. “It’s not monitored 24/7,� Shaw said.

Anyone who is in need of immediate assistance should dial 911 or contact the ECSO by calling 554567-5441.

John or so-and-so’s saying at the corner store,� Amerson said.

In the future, Shaw said they are planning to have the Elmore County Jail’s roster available for public viewing on the app. He expected the app will help cut down on non-emergency calls made by civilians to the ECSO’s dispatch center.

Because messages sent through

really didn’t have what we thought at the time would be the best way to reach them, a website, an app or a Facebook,� Shaw said.

ECSO Maj. Jeremy Amerson said the app will also help to maintain accuracy, and dispel rumors that may start circulating after an incident. “They know it’s coming from the Sheriff’s Office, and not what

Hazel

continued from page 1

of the quality of their music and the wide variety of people they appeal to. “Their demographic is very diverse. They appeal to everyone from the youngest to the oldest,�

Gunn said. “Their music is still clean, and they put on a good show.�

Gunn said this is the sixth time that Sister Hazel has played at Lake Martin, and they have been positively received for the most part each time.

“They always draw a crowd, they’re great to work with and they do a lot of good when they come here,� Gunn said.

Gunn said the concert is part of the amphitheater’s annual Labor Day concert. “It’s just kind of a basic, end-ofthe-season event at the amphitheater,� Gunn said.

Tickets cost $20 per person. Kids six and under will be admitted free.

A limited number of VIP tickets are

also currently available, and include access to a pre-show event with Sister Hazel, an extensive Q-and-A session with the band and limited-edition merchandise. “It’s very reasonable, as far as concert tickets go these days,�

Gunn said.

For more information about the Sister Hazel concert, visit Theamponlakemartin.com. For information about VIP tickets, visit Sisterhazelvip.com.

Meals

Submitted / The Observer

Dormineys awarded Yard of Month The Twilight Garden Club presented the Yard of the Month Award to Mike and Amy Dorminey of Eclectic. The yard was selected based on the aesthetic appeal of its flowers and trees. Pictured are Mike Dorminey and granddaughter Kayleigh. To nominate a Yard of the Month, contact a garden club member at 334-857-3822 or 224-857-3511.

Head Start program, children who are directly certified and children from households with incomes under Federal Income Eligibility Guidelines also qualify for free or reduced meals.

More information about Federal Income Eligibility Guidelines can be found online at Federalregister.com.

According to ECS, children in households with no permanent address, that live in a temporary housing arrangement, that relocate on a seasonal basis and have children that have elected to leave their prior family or household meet the definition of homeless, runaway or migrant, and are eligible for free meals.

continued from page 1

Guardians who believe their children meet these definitions, but have not been notified that their children will receive free meals are encouraged to contact ECBOE Homeless Liaison Sherry Spigener at 334-514-2810 or sherry.spigener@elmoreco.com.

Households are required to re-apply for each school year, and applications can be submitted at any time during the school year.

Information listed in the application will be verified in accordance with the program, and some households will be asked to provide income documentation. Household members do not have to be United States citizens to apply.

Guardians are not required to fill out an application for each child in their household, and can list them all on one form. They are also not required to apply if they have been previously notified by ECS that their child or children qualify.

Completed applications can be accepted in person at the CNP Office at 100 H.H. Robison Drive in Wetumpka, via mail to P.O. Box 817 in Wetumpka or online at Myschoolapps.com.

Anyone who disagrees with the ECBOE’s decision regarding their application is encouraged to contact ECBOE Human Resources Director Susanne Goodin by writing to P.O. Box 817, calling 334-567-1210 or

AlabamaPublicNotices.com Public notices from Alabama newspapers

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emailing susanne.goodin@elmoreco.com.

For more information about free and reduced lunches, or about the application process, call the ECS CNP Office at 334-567-1222.

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THE ECLECTIC OBSERVER

TheWetumpkaHerald.com

AUGUST 8, 2018 • PAGE 3

CAEC opens online broadband survey

By AMALIA KORTRIGHT Staff Writer

The Central Alabama Electric Cooperative recently opened an online survey in an effort to determine if there is a need or an interest in broadband from Elmore County residents, particularly those who live in rural areas.

As a not-for-profit organization, CAEC President and CEO Tom Stackhouse said the company’s consideration to install broadband is part of their mission to provide service in low-density areas that forprofit companies could not. “This project only looks to cover our costs and enough margins to

satisfy our lending organizations while providing a much-needed valuable service,� Stackhouse said.

Stackhouse referred to broadband as an important “technological resource,� and said it will grant multiple opportunities for residents in rural areas. “High-speed internet is something necessary in today’s world,�

Stackhouse said. “From economic development, education, medical services or simply enjoying the many conveniences it offers in everyday life, if it is something our members want and need, we are willing to do what we can to make that a reality.�

Because of the high cost of installing broadband, those who

complete the survey are asked to provide a $25 commitment to help ensure that participants are truly interested in receiving broadband.

If the CAEC makes the decision to install broadband, the $25 will stand in place of a “much higher� connection fee. If the project is not implemented, the $25 will be refunded.

CAEC Director of Information Systems Scott Lee said the broadband system they are looking to install will have speeds that exceed the requirements of the Federal Communications Commission. “Most average speeds would be 100 (to) 200 megabits per second, with up to one gigabit per second available at a

higher cost,� Lee said.

Vice president Julie Young said the survey is geared toward CAEC members, but everyone is welcome to participate. So far, Young said they have gathered over 1,200 results from the survey, which is expected to last until the end of the year. A decision on whether the broadband project will be approved will also be made at the end of the year.

To take the survey online, visit caecaccess.coop. For members who do not have Internet access, Young said survey instructions are included with billing information and the CAEC’s magazine. Customer service representatives can also assist anyone who calls the CAEC at 334-567-8855.

Orsis

continued from page 1

hospitality at its finest,� Martin said. “This is a drop in the bucket. This is the least we can do for them.�

The concert’s lineup included Jeff and the Johnsons, Ella Langley, Jarod Foster, Brandon Self, Dalton Bush Band, Blackberry Breeze, Joe Wright, Ben Norris, Boyd Causey and Anthony Oliver. After information about the event was first posted on social media, Martin said about a dozen local musicians reached out and offered to volunteer. “That’s $600-$700 dollars each out of their pockets,� Martin said.

Before the event started, Martin said the Orsis’ grandfather stopped by to express his appreciation. “He just wanted to stop by before everything got too crazy. He said, ‘son, I just wanted to tell you,’ and he stopped and we hugged for just a minute,� Martin said.

At the beginning of the event, the surviving members of the Orsi family, accompanied by their grandparents, briefly stopped by. Martin said they were invited so they could see how many people had come out in support of them. “I just hope that they can understand that everybody that’s here is here because they’re on their side. They’re supporting them,� Martin said. “In a community like this and a town like this, that’s what it’s all about.�

Several people who knew the family said they were grateful for an event like this to honor their deceased loved

One Spot.

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ones. “I think it’s a great benefit that the Wetumpka area has come together and is putting on to raise money for the family,� Charley Orsi’s best friend, Kitty Simpson, said. “You have her mom and dad from Sarasota (New York), and they’re all of a sudden parents now.�

Family friend Hayden Hudson said she was “more than impressed,� with the efforts of Range 231 North, as well as other members of the community, relatives and friends who stepped up to help. “Our whole lives changed on (July) 7. It was an event that we can’t turn back, but it’s an event that we have to move on from, and we’re grateful for (grandparents) Veronica and Al to be here. We’re grateful for Kitty. We’re grateful for the surrounding of our community support. We’re grateful for (Charley’s childhood best friend) Audrey, who is in New York,� Hudson said. “This is amazing, the outpouring of love and support that we have seen.�

Simpson described Charley, a

“I just hope they can understand that everybody that’s here is here because they’re on their side. They’re supporting them. In a community like this and a town like this, that’s what it’s all about.� — Brad Martin Range 231 North co-owner Redland Elementary School teacher, as “the strongest person you will ever meet,� and said she left a lasting impact on those who knew her. “It was her calling to be a teacher, and she was the best teacher ever,�

Simpson said. “She took those kids under her wing like they were own.

She was so compassionate towards them.�

Hudson said the road to recovery for

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Page 4 • AUGUST 8, 2018

Opinion

“Our liberty cannot be guarded but by the freedom of the press, nor that be limited without danger of losing it.”

—Thomas Jefferson

The

Observer

TheWetumpkaHerald.com

The Observer strives to report the news honestly, fairly and with integrity, to take a leadership role and act as a positive influence in our community, to promote business, to provide for the welfare of our employees, to strive for excellence in everything we do and, above all, to treat others as we would want to be treated ourselves.

YOUR VIEW We’d like to share your thoughts and opinions with the area. It’s free, and it only takes a few moments of your time to submit a letter to the editor.

You may submit one letter per month, limited to 300 words or less. You can mail your letter in to us, or email it.

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Eclectic Observer The

334-567-7811 • Fax 334-567-3284 email: news@thewetumpkaherald.com THE ECLECTIC OBSERVER (005-022) is published weekly on Wednesday by Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc., 548 Cherokee Road, Alexander City, AL 35010. Periodical postage paid at Wetumpka, Alabama. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Eclectic Observer, P.O. Box 99, Wetumpka, AL 36092-0099 ISSN # 1536-688X We reserve the right to refuse to print any advertisement, news story, photograph or any other material submitted to us for any reason or no reason at all.

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The Clinton campaign sought dirt on Trump from Russian officials. Where’s the outrage?

A

ll of Washington is waiting with bated breath to find out whether the Mueller investigation will provide evidence proving that the Trump campaign colluded with Russia. So far, “Exhibit A” against President Trump is the meeting Donald Trump Jr., Jared Kushner and Paul Manafort had with a group of Russians claiming to have dirt on Hillary Clinton. That meeting should never have happened.

When you get an email offering to provide “very high level and sensitive information” from the “Crown prosecutor of Russia” that could “incriminate Hillary” Clinton and is part of “Russia and its government’s support for Mr. Trump” you don’t reply by saying “I love it.” You call the FBI. The president claims he did not know about the meeting. His former lawyer, Michael Cohen, says he did. Whether he knew is beside the point. Senior officials of his campaign were willing to accept help from Vladimir Putin; they were saved only because the meeting was a bust.

The Russians didn’t end up providing any dirt.

But as bad as the Trump Tower meeting was, it took place at the request of the Russians. They were the ones who approached the Trump campaign, not the other way around.

By contrast, the Clinton campaign proactively sought dirt on Trump from Russian government sources. They did it through cutouts. In April 2016, Clinton campaign lawyer Marc Elias retained opposition research firm Fusion GPS to compile incriminating information on Trump. Fusion GPS in turn hired Christopher Steele, a former British MI6 operative with sources among Russian government officials.

The result was the salacious dossier, whose sources included “a senior Russian Foreign

MARC THIESSEN Columnist Ministry figure” and “a former top level intelligence officer still active in the Kremlin.”

Steele’s work was paid for by Clinton’s presidential campaign and the Democratic National Committee. That means a paid agent of the Clinton campaign approached Russian officials for damaging material on Trump.

Clinton claims she did not know about Steele’s work.

It doesn’t matter. Imagine if Michael Cohen, or another lawyer paid by the Trump campaign and Republican National Committee, had hired a former British spy with campaign money to collect dirt on Clinton from Russian intelligence and foreign ministry officials. Do you think that everyone in Washington would be saying: “There’s no evidence Trump knew, so no big deal — nothing to see here?” Of course not.

Moreover, Clinton officials have defended Steele’s actions.

Brian Fallon, Clinton’s campaign spokesman, has said he “would have volunteered to go to Europe and try to help” Steele and would happily have spread dirt obtained from the Russians. “Opposition research happens on every campaign,” he told The Post. He also said: “I am damn glad [Elias] pursued this on behalf of our campaign and only regret more of this material was not verified in time for the voters to learn it before the election.”

In other words, “I love it.”

We also know the Democrats covered up their involvement.

The dossier was published by BuzzFeed in January, but it was not until Oct. 24, 2017 — more than nine months later

— Americans learned it was the DNC and the Clinton campaign that paid for it. If it did nothing wrong, why did Team Clinton leave Americans in the dark about its involvement for so long?

Let’s be clear: None of this excuses the Trump campaign’s reprehensible behavior in accepting a meeting with Russians claiming to be government agents offering dirt on Clinton. Mueller’s investigation is not a witchhunt.

If Mueller finds that anyone on the Trump campaign entered into a criminal conspiracy with Russia, they should go to jail.

Furthermore, none of this calls into question the intelligence community’s assessment that the Russians wanted Trump to win — something Putin publicly confirmed in his Helsinki news conference with Trump. But the intelligence community assessment also found that the Kremlin expected Clinton to win. The Russians are not stupid. They were preparing for the prospect of a Clinton presidency, and they played both sides. That’s why millions of dollars in Russian cash were sloshing around Clinton World — including $500,000 Bill Clinton received for a Moscow speech from a Russian investment bank with links to the Kremlin.

Russia continues to pose a threat. Their goal, according to our intelligence community, was not just to help Trump but also to “undermine public faith in the US democratic process.”

They are playing a long game.

If we are to counter the Russian threat, we need to understand its complexities — and that means we have to look beyond Trump.

Marc A. Thiessen’s column is provided by The Washington Post News Service & Syndicate.

He can be reached on Twitter @ marcthiessen.

SUBSCRIPTION RATES (includes Wednesday) One Year in Elmore, Tallapoosa or Coosa County: $25 One Year Elsewhere: $38 The publisher reserves the right to change subscription rates during the term of subscription at any time. To subscribe or if you miss your paper, call 256-234-4281. © 2016 Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved and any reproduction of this issue is prohibited without the consent of the editor or publisher.

ADMINISTRATION Steve Baker, president and publisher publisher@thewetumpkaherald.com NEWS Amalia Kortright, bureau chief & staff writer amalia.kortright@thewetumpkaherald.com Santana Wood, design editor santana.wood@thewetumpkaherald.com SPORTS Lizi Arbogast, sports editor lizi.arbogast@thewetumpkaherald.com Caleb Turrentine, sports writer caleb.turrentine@thewetumpkaherald.com SALES Marilyn Hawkins, marketing consultant marilyn.hawkins@thewetumpkaherald.com

Letter to the Editor

Reader: Viewers can control fake media reports Dear Editor, There is a solution to the dishonest media problem and you, the consumer, controls it.

Unless you have been living under a rock for the past couple years, you are fully aware the majority of Americans distrust the mainstream media. Specifically, The Washington Post reports a study by the Pew Research Center documents 77 percent of Americans feel the media is biased toward a political viewpoint or party. This compares to just 53 percent in 1985.

Furthermore, Gallup and Rasmussen polls both confirm

more than 60 percent think the major media outright lies or embellishes major news stories to the extent of creating “fake” news.

Until Donald Trump was elected President, no one dared to address the issue. Not only has Trump confronted the media head on, he is making it a political issue — and apparently winning.

Do you think our major broadcast media is trustworthy and believable?

The time has come for we the consumer to assert ourselves and take control of what we see in daily news coverage. Personally, I have decided to act proactively by deleting CNN, MSNBC, CNBC and HLN

from the channel lineup on all our TVs. By doing this we are making it impossible for any family member to even accidentally be exposed to this “fake” garbage. The sad fact of the matter is during the “pre cable TV,” we trusted and listened to Cronkite, Huntley & Brinkley or Peter Jennings.

Please seriously consider making a decisive choice on what you family is exposed to in daily news.

Sources: The Washington Post; Washington Examiner; Pew Research Center Report; Gallup Poll, Rasmussen Poll.

James W. Anderson Talladega

THE ECLECTIC OBSERVER

TheWetumpkaHerald.com

AUGUST 8, 2018 • PAGE 5

Tech center adds aviation, HVAC programs

By AMALIA KORTRIGHT Staff Writer

The Elmore County Technical Center is recently added two new programs, aviation and HVAC, during the 2018-19 academic year.

According to Elmore County Schools Career Tech Director Jimmy Hull, ECS decided to add the two programs to the ECTC curriculum after recognizing the high demand for young workers in both fields.

“We look at certain industries, and if

we see a need, especially in the River Region, that’s a program we want to provide,” Hull said. “We don’t want to prepare them for something that’s not there.”

Hull said ECS chose to add aviation as the result of a conversation between the Elmore County Board of Education and Auburn University.

“We began to realize that a retirement boom is going to leave open positions in the aviation industry,” Hull said.

Aviation classes will be presided by instructor James Stough.

“We’re excited to have him,” Hull said. “He’s a first-year teacher in the program.”

While ECS is equally excited to have the HVAC program, Hull said they have been working to get it started for years.

“We were waiting to get the teacher unit to be able to do it,” he said.

As with aviation, Hull said there is also a high demand for employees in the HVAC field.

“There’s a big need for HVAC technicians in the private sector and in government jobs,” Hull said.

Through the ECTC HVAC program, Hull said students will be able to learn a little bit about construction, plumbing and electrical work.

“It gives them a wide scope of skills,” he said.

While he did not say the exact number of students currently enrolled in the aviation and HVAC programs, Hull said he is expecting enrollment to increase at ECTC this year, and they are already working to grow each program to have between 60-80 students per year.

EDGE program starts with Elmore County schools

By AMALIA KORTRIGHT Staff Writer

Elmore County’s Diverse Gateway to Education, also known as EDGE, recently began its first year as part of the Elmore County School system.

EDGE registrar Debbie Clark said the program is open to students between the 6th and 12th grades who attend school in Elmore, Autauga and Montgomery Counties.

Clark said the program offers students the opportunity to take classes from home and on their own schedule.

“The goal is to provide all students with the tools they need. We may have students that have chronic illnesses or things that make it really difficult that make it difficult to come to a brick-and-mortar school,” Clark

said.

Clark said ECS recognizes that there may be extenuating circumstances that stand in between a student and his or her education, which is what EDGE was intended to help with.

“Some of them may be younger girls that are expecting a baby or have had a baby that cannot keep up with it, sometimes they’ll drop out of school. Or, if we have a student that has a chronic illness, and they miss a lot of school, which in turn makes them lose instruction and they don’t do as well, here they’ll have a program where that instruction is available any time of the day,” Clark said. “Or, if we had a student that was interested in ballet, and wanted to make a career out of that and it took a lot of practice, if the parent couldn’t

afford a private tutor, that student may not be able to pursue that.”

Clark said EDGE also gives students the option to take some electives at the school and participate in extracurricular activities.

“If the school they’re zoned for has an opening in an elective that they’re interested in, like drama, then we can check with the school and the principal to see if that’s available, and they can attend that. They can attend the career tech school, which is great, because then they can get that certification,” Clark said. “They also can take dual enrollment classes, advanced placement classes.”

For many students involved with EDGE, Clark said the program can be used as a path to early graduation.

“We have some students that want to advance, maybe a junior that wants

to graduate early to get a head start on college, they can do that,” Clark said.

So far, Clark said dozens of students have applied, and they are currently working through those applications. Clark said registration is currently open, and will remain open until the end of 2018. Clark said those who have decided that EDGE is the best opportunity for them can apply and transfer at any point until then.

“Each student is considered individually because it is a program that takes a lot of dedication and parental support or guardianship support,” Clark said.

For more information about EDGE or registration, visit Elmoreco.com or contact Clark by calling 334-5143931 ext. 27002 or sending an email to debbie.clark@elmoreco.com.

College and Career Night set for Aug. 21

By CARMEN RODGERS Staff Writer

As the new school year begins many seniors and their parents have already begun to think about life after high school. Deciding on the right college can be difficult. To aid parents and students in selecting the bestsuited college, Flat Rock Missionary Baptist Church will host College and Career Night for students of all ages.

There will be college and university recruiters on hand to offer information about various programs and financial assistance options.

“This college and career event is for everyone from the seventh- through 12th- grade and beyond,” event coordinator Michelle Cole said. “If you need help getting into a school, this event is for you. Come and bring your resume, your transcript, know your ACT score. Let us help you. The recruiters are ready to answer all of your questions.”

This event will offer students an opportunity to see what these colleges and universities have to offer.

There will also be recruiters from various branches of the military on hand to explain opportunities available for students who may not seek the traditional route to college.

Recruiters from several technical colleges will also explain what their programs offer students.

File / The Observer

Students from the tri-county area are encouraged to attend College and Career Night at Flat Rock Missionary Church on August 21 from 6 to8:30 p.m. This event offers students and parents the opportunity to gain information about continuing education and funding to do so.

“We’ll have some people from the military there,” Cole said. “We realize that every student is not going to go straight to college. In the past, we have had the Marines, the Army and the National

Tallassee City Schools

850 Friendship Road | Tallassee, AL | 334.283.2760

FFA Sentinel: When It’s Time to Retire My Blue Jacket ReÀections of Two Senior FFA Of¿cers

By Andy Chamness & Dr. Daniel Free

I hope you enjoy the contributions from two retiring chapter officers of the Tallassee FFA Chapter.

I would especially like to thank these members and their advisor, Dr. Daniel Free, for sharing these reflections with me. Occasionally, you read something and it makes you proud. This is one of those times.

It is a testament to an organization and a teacher’s positive effect on students. Enjoy!

Four years ago, I was a 14-year-old who would become physically sick and leave a room in tears when a teacher had me get up in front of a small crowd of peers. However, today I can stand and speak with confidence to a large crowd, teach those around me and serve in ways I would have not thought possible. I give FFA, along with my advisor, the credit for conquering that fear.

Among the numerous skills I have obtained in my FFA career, I have gained strong soft skills such as public speaking, leadership and how to work as an effective team member. All in all, I have become a better, stronger version of myself.

Furthermore, FFA has provided me with the opportunity to find my passion in greenhouse management.

Despite the rapidly approaching FFA banquet, at which I will officially retire my blue corduroy jacket and pass my duties on to the next secretary, I will forever have the memories and the family I have made over the past four years. ~ Emily Stillwell, retiring Tallassee FFA Chapter Secretary

FFA is an organization that has enabled me to grow into the young man I am today. Over the years, it has been a constant source of encouragement and has pushed me in every way to prepare myself for the next stage of life.

My FFA advisor and fellow officers are far more than a group of people with common interests; we are a team and we are friends … but, most important, we are a close family.

It is through FFA that I have gained the mindset to prevail, refusing to give up or give in. My advisor has pushed me through obstacles I previously thought were impossible to overcome.

FFA is not just an organization, it is an extended family with innumerable possibilities for each and every person.

As I retire my blue corduroy jacket, I am fully aware that I am forever in the FFA family. ~ Gage Simmons, retiring Tallassee FFA Chapter Vice President As retiring officers graduate and move to the next phase of their life, I hope they place the words of these two FFA members in their hearts, continue to support FFA and share the positive message with all they meet.

Andy Chamness is the executive secretary for the Alabama FFA Association and Dr. Daniel Free is the FFA advisor at Tallassee High School.

Guard.”

While College and Career Night was designed for high school students, this event is open for all who are interested.

“We say 9th through 12th grades, but we have students

in the 7th grade come as well.

It’s for any student or parents who would like to gather scholarship information and find out about financial aid opportunities.”

Because Flat Rock

Missionary Baptist Church is hosting the event and is centrally located, this is an opportunity for students from Tallassee, Elmore County, Wetumpka, Dadeville, Notasulga and Tuskegee High Schools as well as surrounding private schools and home-schooled students to learn more about continuing education.

Once chosen, receiving an acceptance letter from that college or university is very exciting time for a student.

However, funding can be daunting. This is why FAFSA, Free Application for Federal Student Aid, representatives will be also available to assist any student who is ready to take that next step.

“If they have questions about the FAFSA, there will be someone at a booth that can go over it with them and they will go ahead and put the student’s information in,” Cole said. “In the past we have had students attend who had already graduated from high school and they were getting ready to go to college the next semester.”

FAFSA is the application students fill out in order to determine their financial aid eligibility. FAFSA needs to be filled out each academic year, often by parents.

For more information about the upcoming College and Career Night, contact Cole at 334-740-9863 or 334-3391475.

PAGE 6 • AUGUST 8, 2018

TheWetumpkaHerald.com

THE ECLECTIC OBSERVER

THE ECLECTIC OBSERVER

TheWetumpkaHerald.com

AUGUST 8, 2018 • PAGE 7

Georgeo’s Grill sees successful first months

By AMALIA KORTRIGHT Staff Writer

Amalia Kortright / The Observer

Georgeo’s Grill was recently established by Annie and Greg Williams in downtown Wetumpka as a take-out, soul food restaurant.

Georgeo’s Grill, located on 201 Company Street in Wetumpka, recently opened its doors to the public.

For Annie Williams, who owns Georgeo’s Grill with her husband, Greg, opening a restaurant has been a long-time dream of hers. “We love to eat, so we love good food.

That’s why we opened this restaurant,” Williams said.

In the two months they have been in business, Williams said they have fed many people who have walked through their doors. “It’s going pretty good,” Williams said.

Williams described Georgeo’s Grill as a takeout soul food restaurant that she was inspired to establish by her love of

cooking. Because she is a long-time Wetumpka resident, Williams said the city is familiar territory for her and her husband.

“We were born in raised in Wetumpka,” Williams said. “We wanted to find a place that was not too big, but something that we could start in. This (space) came available, and this is pretty much why we’re here.”

Williams said she chose to open a soul food restaurant because that’s the type of food that she knows best.

“In my family, my husband’s family, everybody cooks soul food. We were brought up like that,” Williams said.

“We like good greens and all of that good stuff.”

Williams said visitors typically enjoy their

chicken, and their signature burger, which comes with a fried egg on it.

While they have not invested in any form of paid advertisement, Williams said Georgeo’s Grill has established its reputation on social media. For the most part, Williams said the feedback has been positive. “We’ve gotten good reviews,” Williams said. “(People have said) the food was good, the food was tasty, ‘keep it coming.’”

While she does plan for Georgeo’s Grill to stay at its downtown Wetumpka location for a while, she hopes to grow the business in the future.

“I’m going to stay here for a while, but I do plan to expand the business to a sit-in restaurant,” Williams said.

PAGE 8 • AUGUST 8, 2018

TheWetumpkaHerald.com

THE ECLECTIC OBSERVER

Humane Society of Elmore County News

‘Putts Fore Paws’ coming up soon

By REA CORD HSEC Executive Director

Last week we noted how incredibly successful our Wags & Whiskers Auction was. One big reason for our success was an absolutely wonderful group of sponsors who came on board to further our fund-raising goal by sponsoring to help offset costs.

So please help us thank these area businesses and individuals who stepped up to make sure our 13th annual Wags & Whiskers Auction was the best auction ever: PrimeSouth Bank, Zap Pest Control, Riverside Chevrolet, First Community Bank, River Bank & Trust, Farmers Feed Service, Malessa Williams, Lee’s Auto Repair, Jackson Thornton, Guardian Credit Union, Earl Singleton, Valley National Bank, Lee Greer & Taylor Athletic Wear. Thank you all so very much for supporting our shelter and Auction as valuable and most appreciated sponsors!

If you came to our Shelter or Thrift Store on Saturday you might have been floored at the cars and people simply packing our parking lot! Thank you to everyone who came out to shop at our Tail’s End Thrift Store Summer Clothing Bag Sale!

We virtually emptied the sale building and that helps us get ready for the transition to fall and winter clothing shortly. We sold over 150 bags of clothes so we also hope this helped many a family. And please thank our Thrift Store Volunteers as there was a lot of preparation & hard work that had to be done a week or more in advance and the day of the sale. We are immensely grateful for our Volunteers who give so much of themselves to help our animals and ensure our shelter’s success!

And finally – the details are out! Only three weeks until our first ever Alabama News Network Putts Fore Paws Golf Tournament at the Emerald Mountain Golf Club in Wetumpka on Thursday, 23 August, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Entry fee is $300 per fourperson scramble and the team

fee includes green fees, golf carts, door prizes and more!

Registration will begin at 6:30 a.m. with a shotgun start at 8 a.m. For more information or to become an event sponsor, call 334-270-2834. Many thanks to Montgomery Subaru, Greenville Foot Care and Harriott II Riverboat for coming on board as sponsors already! To register, submit and fill out the On-Line Registration Form and all teams must be registered prior to the 23rd. We will also be out at Emerald Mountain with a few of our pets and sure hope to see a LOT of teams enjoying a morning of golf while also supporting our shelter and the hard work of the Montgomery CW! Most people know that our shelter was burglarized on Monday, 23 August and three individuals stole two of our shelter trucks. The good news is we recovered our trucks that night thanks to the Wetumpka and Montgomery Police Departments – special shout out to Detective Reid with the Wetumpka PD and Officers Patterson and Taylor with the Montgomery PD. We are also grateful to WSFA and other media outlets who got the word out, and a tip called in as a result of all the coverage.

Two individuals have been arrested while the third is still unknown. We greatly appreciate the quick response of Malone Construction who came to repair damage to the shelter and a very special thanks to Ryan Forbus of Keys4U, 4450 Wetumpka Hwy, Montgomery, AL 36110 for rekeying our two recovered trucks so we could put them back into service for shelter work. Thank you to everyone who showed such support and care – shows just what a great community we serve. If anyone may have information leading to the identity of the third individual or just to bolster the case against those involved, please call the Wetumpka Police Department at 334-567-5321 and ask to speak to Detective Reid.

Thank you!

Pet of the Week – Berlioz

M

eet Berlioz, the Humane Society of Elmore County’s Pet of the Week. She came to the shelter as a stray kitty way back in November and it’s sad this sweet girl is still with at the shelter without a home. She is about 2 and a half years old and is very sweet and loving – definitely a lap kitty. She gets along fine with other cats, dogs and children and is just a

Many a

been

small thing

very pretty black kitty in need of a loving home.

Shelter adoption fees are $100 for dogs & $50 for cats under 1 year old; cats over 1 year old can be adopted by approved adopters for a fee of their choosing. This adoption fee completely covers the mandatory spay or neuter, basic immunizations, de-worming, microchip, heartworm check for dogs, rabies vaccination if old enough, free health exam

with a participating veterinarian.

To meet Berlioz and the other pets at the shelter visit 255 Central Plank Road in Wetumpka. For more information, visit www. elmorehumane.org, hselco@ bellsouth.net or call 334567-3377.

The shelter is open for adoptions Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

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ASBESTOS LITIGATION If you began working in a Coughing & Sneezing

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Kissing

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Living in Close Quarters

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ABOUT 10% OF PEOPLE WITH BACTERIAL MENINGITIS WILL DIE, SOMETIMES WITHIN 24 HOURS. SURVIVORS MAY HAVE BRAIN DAMAGE, LOSS OF LIMBS, AND HEARING LOSS.

THERE ARE 2 TYPES OF MENINGOCOCCAL VACCINES RECOMMENDED FOR PRETEENS AND TEENAGERS.

or any other industrial setting before 1980: You may have a claim against the asbestos manufacturers.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON BACTERIAL MENINGITIS AND THE MENINGOCOCCAL VACCINE, VISIT alabamapublichealth.gov/immunization or facebook.com/AlabamaImmunizationInfo.

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THE ECLECTIC OBSERVER

TheWetumpkaHerald.com

AUGUST 8, 2018 • PAGE 9

Avoid quarreling

R

emind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.

(Titus 3:1-2) I don’t mind being reminded.

Well, most of the time I don’t mind. I like to blame it on being busy, but the truth is sometimes I just forget. A timely, friendly reminder helps me avoid embarrassing myself and hurting other people.

Paul’s list of reminders he wanted Titus to pass along is quite challenging, isn’t it? These are basic principles of Christian behavior. I need to be reminded of them, quite often, really.

How about you? Please read the list again. Have you behaved or spoken in the last week as if you forgot about some of these

AME ZION Mt. Zion Chapel AME Zion 2340 Crenshaw Rd., Wetumpka 567-4413 Rogers Chapel AME Zion 709 W. Bridge St., Wetumpka 567-8144 Jackson Chapel AME Zion 4885 Coosada Rd., Coosada Jones Chapel AME Zion 2414 Ingram Rd. (Co. Rd. 3), Elmore ABUNDANT LIFE Abundant Life Church 9301 U.S. Hwy 231., Wetumpka 567-9143 ASSEMBLY OF GOD Agape Tabernacle Assembly of God 1076 Kowaliga Rd., Eclectic 5412006 Bethel Worship Center 11117 U.S. Hwy 231., Wetumpka 567-5754 Crossroads Assembly of God 2534 AL Hwy 14., Millbrook 2855545 First Assembly of God 3511 Shirley Ln., Millbrook New Home Assembly of God 5620 Caesarville Rd., Wetumpka 569-2825 BAPTIST Abraham Baptist Church Millbrook Antioch Baptist Church 1115 Antioch Rd., Titus 567-2917 Beulah Baptist Church 2350 Grier Rd., Wetumpka 5142881 Blue Ridge Baptist 4471 Jasmine Hill Rd., Wetumpka 567-4325 Brookwood Baptist Grandview Rd., Millbrook Calvary Baptist 504 W. Osceola St., Wetumpka 567-4729 Central Baptist 3545 W. Central Rd., Wetumpka 541-2556 Coosada Baptist 20 Kennedy Ave., Coosada Deatsville Baptist 184 Church St., Deatsville Eclectic Baptist Church 203 Claud Rd., Eclectic 541-4444 Faith Baptist 64 Chapel Rd., Wetumpka 5674417 First Baptist Church 205 W. Bridge St., Wetumpka 567-5191 First Baptist of Elmore Hwy. 14 Co. Rd. 74, Elmore Galilee Baptist 95 Old Georgia Rd., Wetumpka 567-4178 Good Hope Baptist 1766 S. Fleahop Rd., Eclectic Goodship Baptist 1554 Hwy. 143, Millbrook 285-0094 Grace Baptist

things? I’m not accusing; I’m just checking (and admitting).

Since the whole list may be a little overwhelming to us, and I’ve only got room for a few hundred words here, let’s focus on one reminder from the list: “Avoid quarreling.” Remember when Abraham told Lot they shouldn’t quarrel because they were family (Genesis 13:8)?

We all know how much sweeter life is at home and in the church when we’re not quarreling. We know God’s will is best. This may be a YBH? Moment. (Yes, But How?) So here are some practical strategies to avoid quarreling.

Talk to people, not about them. Jesus said, “tell him his fault, between you and him alone” (Matthew 18:15). Telling the person with whom you have the problem first will minimize the negative effects of conflict.

If your goal is repairing the

Old Montgomery Hwy., Wetumpka 567-3255 Grandview Pines Baptist 346 Deatsville Hwy., Millbrook 285-5125 Green Ridge Baptist 288 Turner Rd., Wetumpka 5672486 Harvest Baptist 2990 Main St., Millbrook Hillside Baptist 405 Old Montgomery Hwy., Wetumpka Holtville Riverside Baptist 7121 Holtville Rd., Wetumpka 514-5922 Lake Elam Baptist 4060 Gober Rd., Millbrook Liberty Hill Baptist 61 Crenshaw Rd., Wetumpka 567-8750 Lighthouse Baptist 2281 Main St., Millbrook Living Water Baptist 1745 Grass Farm Rd. (Co. Rd. 80), Titus 514-7304 Millbrook Baptist 3431 Browns Road, Millbrook 285-4731 Mitts Chapel Baptist 935 Cold Springs Rd., Deatsville 569-1952 Mt. Hebron West Baptist 150 Mt. Hebron Rd., Elmore 567-4441 Mt. Herron East Baptist Church 4355 Mt. Herron Rd. Eclectic, Al 36024 334-857-3689 Mountain View Baptist 1025 Rifle Range Rd., Wetumpka 567-4458 New Harmony Baptist 3094 New Harmony Rd., Marbury 312-1878 New Home Baptist 1605 New Home Rd., Titus 5670923 New Hope Baptist 6191 Lightwood Rd., Deatsville 569-1267 New Lily Green Baptist 6504 Deatsville Hwy., Deatsville New Nazareth Baptist Hwy. 143, Deatsville Pleasant Hill Baptist Pleasant Hill Rd., Eclectic 5413460 Prospect Baptist Prospect Rd., Eclectic 567-5837 Redland Baptist 1266 Dozier Rd., Wetumpka 5678649 Refuge Baptist Church 3098 Red Hill Road Tallassee 334-857-2638 Rehoberth Baptist 8110 Rifle Range Rd., Tallassee 567-9801 Rushenville Baptist 10098 Georgia Rd., Eclectic 5412418 Saint James Baptist 1005 Nobles Rd., Wetumpka 567-6209 Saint James Baptist

ON-THE-JOB TRAINING PROGRAM LETS YOU EARN WHILE YOU LEARN!

MIKE MCELROY East Tallasee Church of Christ relationship instead of reporting the offender, this is a logical first step.

Put yourself aside. As far as I know, none of us live at Burger King. That means you can’t always “Have It Your Way.” Paul said, “Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves” (Philippians 2:3).

Don’t live in the past. We’re too much like the clans up in the hills who’ve feuded so long that no one can remember what the original fuss was all about.

When we get mad and stay that way, nursing decades-old

grudges, we “let the sun go down” on our anger over and over again (Ephesians 4:26).

Jesus said, “Today’s trouble is enough for today” (Matthew 6:34, NLT). That’s good advice, not only about future worries, but also past quarrels.

Remember your own need of mercy. The story of the forgiven but unforgiving servant in Matthew 18 may be the most frightening of all Jesus’ parables. Our prayers for forgiveness are hindered by our unforgiving spirit (Matthew 6:14-15). I need mercy from others. I must be willing to show it myself. James warned, “For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment” (James 2:13).

Practice the Golden Rule.

Do you want to be treated with courtesy and consideration?

Do you want people to be kind

Area Churches

101 Gantt Rd., Deatsville 569-3006 Santuck Baptist 7250 Central Plank Rd., Wetumpka 567-2364 Seman Baptist Seman, Alabama Shoal Creek Baptist 13214 Holtville Rd., Deatsville 569-2482 Springfield Baptist Hwy. 7, Millbrook Thelma Baptist 810 Weoka Rd., Wetumpka 5673665 Titus Baptist 6930 Titus Rd., Wetumpka 334-531-2120 Tunnell Chapel Baptist 210 Central Plank Rd., Wetumpka 567-2589 Victory Baptist 5481 Main St., Millbrook Wadsworth Baptist 2780 Hwy. 143, Deatsville 5692851 BAPTIST - MISSIONARY Atkins Hill 565 Atkins Rd., Wetumpka 5671141 Cathmagby Baptist 3074 Mitchell Creek Rd., Wetumpka 567-4787 First Missionary Baptist at Guilfield 412 Company St., Wetumpka 567-7455 Goodhope 1389 Willow Springs Rd. Wetumpka 567-7133 Lebanon 17877 U.S. Hwy. 231, Titus 5141097 Mount Canaan 1125 Weoka Rd., Wetumpka 567-2141 Mount Pisgah 16621 U.S. Hwy. 231, Titus 5673668 Mt. Zion 371 AL Hwy. 14, Elmore, 567-2613 Mt. Zion #3 1813 Luke Paschal Rd., Eclectic New Home 5130 Elmore Rd., Wetumpka 567-5966 Second Missionary 760 N. Bridge St., Wetumpka 567-8601 Spring Chapel Jasmine Hill Rd., Wetumpka 5676493 Sweetwater 163 Michael Lane, Wetumpka 334538-9415 Tabernacle Baptist 1020 W. Tallassee St., Wetumpka

567-0620

BAPTIST - PRIMITIVE Bethel Old School 4625 Jackson Rd. (C.R. 103), Wetumpka Providence 4850 Chana Creek Rd., Wetumpka CATHOLIC Our Lady of Guadalupe 545 White Rd., Wetumpka 5670311 CHURCH OF CHRIST Church of Christ of Elmore 470 Caesarville Rd., Wetumpka 567-6670 Church of Christ Grandview Pines 165 Deatsville Hwy., Millbrook Cold Springs Church of Christ 5920 Alabama Hwy. 143, Deatsville Georgia Road Church of Christ 4003 Georgia Rd., Wetumpka 567-2804 Lightwood Church of Christ 251 New Harmony Rd., Deatsville 569-1510 Redland Road Church of Christ 2480 Redland Rd., Wetumpka 514-3656 Wetumpka Church of Christ W. Bridge St. At W. Main St., Wetumpka 567-6561 CHURCH OF GOD Elmore Church of God 10675 Rucker Road, Elmore Gethsemane Church of God 705 Cotton St., Wetumpka 5679886 Church at the Brook 2890 Hwy. 14, Millbrook Maranatha Church of God 2621 Holtville Rd., Wetumpka 567-6786 Victory Tabernacle AOH Church of God 2080 Main Street, Millbrook Wetumpka Church of God Hwy. 9 N. Wetumpka 215-3091 CONGREGATIONAL CHRISTIAN Cedarwood Congregational Christian 10286 US Hwy 231 N, Wetumpka 567-0476 Seman Congregational Christian 15970 Central Plank Rd., Seman Union Congregational Christian 8188 Lightwood Rd., Marbury 5692122 EPISCOPAL The Episcopal Church of the Epiphany 2602 Gilmer Ave., Tallassee 2528618

to you? Do you enjoy harsh criticism? “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 7:12).

Resist getting even. Our flesh wants vengeance. That’s wanting others to suffer as we suffered. That’s not very attractive, is it? Instead, “Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, For it is written, “‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord’” (Romans 12:19). You can’t really pay back the people who offend you. Too many quarrels are fueled by a desire to retaliate.

Resist the urge to strike back.

When we seek vengeance, we only spread the misery.

I need to remember these anti-quarreling strategies today.

How about you? May God grant us grace to avoid quarreling.

Trinity Episcopal Church 5371 U.S. Hwy. 231, Wetumpka 567-7534 St. Michael & All Angels Church 5941 Main St., Millbrook HOLINESS New Beginnings Holiness 865 Crenshaw Rd., Wetumpka 567-9211 Summit Holiness 2050 Hwy. 14, Millbrook Temple of Deliverance Holiness 620 Alabama St., Wetumpka 5143114 JEHOVAH’S WITNESS Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses 9235 U.S. Hwy. 231, Wetumpka 567-8100 LATTER DAY SAINTS Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints 1405 Chapel Rd., Wetumpka 5678339 Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Cobbs Ford Rd., Millbrook LUTHERAN Christ Lutheran Church 2175 Cobbs Ford Rd., Prattville PRESBYTERIAN First Presbyterian Church 100 W. Bridge St., Wetumpka 567-8135 Millbrook Presbyterian Corner of Main St. & Coosada Rd. Valley View Presbyterian - PCA 4125 Rifle Range Rd. Wetumpka 386-2386 SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST First Elmore Seventh Day Adventist 210 Lucky Town Rd., Elmore 5141020 INDEPENDENT METHODIST Claud Independent Methodist Church 81232 Tallassee Hwy, Eclectic 541-2552 UNITED METHODIST Cain’s Chapel United Methodist 96 Lightwood Rd., Deatsville 5692375 Central United Methodist Church 11721 Central Plank Rd. Central Elmore United Methodist Church 40 Hatchet St., Elmore 567-8653 First United Methodist Church 306 W. Tuskeena St., Wetumpka 567-7865 First United Methodist Church

3350 Edgewood, Millbrook Harmony United Methodist Church 8000 Titus Rd., Titus Mulder Memorial United Methodist 3454 Fire Tower Rd., Wetumpka 567-4225 New Style United Methodist 64 Old Georgia Plank Spur, Wetumpka 567-9840 Oak Valley Station United Methodist 162 Parsonage Road, Tallassee 541-3924 Pierce Chapel United Methodist 1003 Pierce Chapel Rd., Santuck 265-6099 Providence United Methodist 1540 Providence Rd., Titus Robinson Springs Methodist Church 5980 Main St., Millbrook Trinity United Methodist 135 Little Weoka Creek Rd., Equality 567-9997 Union United Methodist 691 Central Rd. Eclectic Wallsboro United Methodist 11066 US Hwy. 231, Wetumpka CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE Millbrook Church of the Nazarene 3251 Browns Rd., Millbrook PENTECOSTAL Faith Deliverance Church 475 Jackson St., Elmore 567-9209 Victory Temple 1173 Old Montgomery Hwy., Wetumpka 567-7779 OTHER Central Bible Chapel 3630 Edgewood Rd., Millbrook Chapel of Praise Hwy. 14, Millbrook Cornerstone Full Gospel 9301 US Hwy. 231, Wetumpka 567-9143 East Chapel MP Church Airport Rd., Millbrook Grace Bible Church 2251 Main St., Millbrook Gracepoint Community Church 78223 Tallassee Highway, Wetumpka 514-9292 New Life Church - Millbrook Sanctuary Worship Center 1688 Ceasarville Rd., Wetumpka Servant Fellowship Church P O Box 1423, Wetumpka 567-2190 The Worship Center 2705 Williams Rd., Wetumpka Time of Refreshing Fellowship 117 E. Bridge St., Wetumpka 567-7750 Words of Life Church 105 Cousins Rd., Wetumpka 514-2730

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15

DAYS UNTIL FOOTBALL PAGE 10 • AUGUST 8, 2018

CALEB TURRENTINE Sports Writer

We should value character over results in sports

H

ow long will it take for people to figure this out?

Headlines of domestic abuse have once again dominated the sports world for the last two weeks. Coach Urban Meyer is dealing with it at Ohio State during his offseason while the former World Series champion Houston Astros are dealing with it in the middle of their season.

While the details of the Ohio State scandal are not fully known, it seems clear Meyer knew exactly the kind of man former assistant coach Zach Smith was. Smith has had a history working with Meyer that dates back to 2007. Smith also has a long history of reported domestic abuse against his now ex-wife that dates back to 2009, possibly earlier.

Meyer is just one of many head coaches to know the wrongdoings of his assistants but did not do anything about it. Whether the Ohio State head coach reported it to the right people or not, he continued to put this man on his coaching staffs year after year.

While many people do not know the perfect way to handle a situation, doing nothing is pretty far down the list on what you should do.

The longtime college football head coach is likely still on his way to the College Football Hall of Fame and his results hold up. However, with this situation arising, it is clear Meyer always cared more about the results than anything else.

Because in sports, if you’re good enough to win, nothing else matters.

And that’s why Smith was on so many coaching staffs with Meyer. He was the coach for the team’s wide receivers and the Buckeyes have had six wide receivers drafted to the NFL since Smith was hired. He knew how to coach and he was a part of one of the winningest programs in college football.

It’s no different across most of the sports world. That’s why the front office of the Houston Astros decided their “zero tolerance” policy against domestic violence went out the window when they had the opportunity to make an upgrade to the team’s bullpen.

Roberto Osuna was an all-star in 2017 and was likely on his way to being named one again before he was suspended 75 games for violating the league’s domestic violence policy.

Meanwhile, Houston closer Ken Giles was struggling to perform this season, allowing more runs in 2018 than he did in twice as many innings last season.

The Astros traded the underperforming pitcher for the “better” pitcher. The management said the domestic violence did not happen while he was a member of the Houston organization so the circumstances were different.

OK, sure.

Smith was fired from his job this summer but after almost a decade of abuse reports. Osuna will complete his suspension shortly and will likely find himself playing a major role in the playoffs for the Astros this season.

Why is it so difficult for people to hold each other accountable in the sports world?

If results matter more than character, we will continue seeing these violent acts among athletes and coaches.

It should not have to be repeated but here we are once again, having to state the obvious about something everyone should learn at a young age.

Value character over results.

If we can, the sports world will be a much better place.

Caleb Turrentine is a sports writer for The Observer.

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Observer

BATTING AROUND THE WORLD Elmore County sophomore joins US Ambassadors for baseball mission trip Submitted / Atomics Baseball

Zach Jones walks off the field during one of the team’s games in Europe.

By LIZI ARBOGAST Sports Editor

People say there is no offseason when you are an athlete but Elmore County’s Zach Jones chose to spend his time away from the high school team in a unique way this summer. The sophomore baseball player found himself in Europe for almost two weeks playing and teaching the game he loves.

Jones was a part of a mission trip that put together a baseball team to play at the Atomic Baseball Classic in Germany at the end of July. The 15-year-old has played baseball most of his life and this was an opportunity that could not be passed up.

“Somebody from our church had a father-in-law that was a coach for the team,” Jones said. “He reached out to my dad to see if I would be interested in going so I said yeah because it seemed like a lot of fun.”

The team works through the International Exchange Organization (IXO) to help put together the mission trip. The team used half its time on the field for practices and games but spent the rest of the week putting together baseball camps for young players in the city.

The event is hosted by Neuenburg International Church in Germany.

Teams from Germany, France and Switzerland joined the United States in the tournament.

Joel Allen, who is the head coach for the team from the United States, has been a part of this trip since its creation in 2011. It is called the US Ambassadors and the roster is often filled with players into their 20s. At 15, Jones became the youngest player ever to join the international team.

“He was a great addition to the team and pulled his weight with the older players,” said Stephen Spanjer, an organizer of the event.

Even as the youngest player, Jones made an impact for the team both on and off the field. Allen said he could put Jones at any position on the field to help give the older players some rest. The sophomore’s versatility is something that has stood out during his time at Elmore County High School as well.

“He’s just athletic so he can be a versatile player on the field,” Elmore County coach Michael Byrd said. “You don’t find many kids that can play up the middle at catcher, second base and centerfield.”

Jones played seven different positions in just six games during the trip. It was a different game compared to high school baseball, including the use of a wooden baseball bat instead of a metal bat.

However, Jones said he still performed a little better than he expected to against the talent of the other teams.

“Each team had their good players,” Jones said. “The Atomics (from Germany) had nothing but solid baseball

players.”

The Ambassadors came away with the trophy after going 6-1 during the week, defeating the Atomics in the championship game. However, the results on the field are not what stays on the mind of Jones.

“You get to go teach kids about the sport that you love to play,” he said. “It is cool when you tell a kid to keep his elbow up when throwing the ball and at the end of the day, you see him throwing on his own with his elbow up. You get that feeling like ‘hey, I taught that kid how to throw properly.’”

Jones was fully involved with the camps and it did not go unnoticed by the coaches. Allen said his energy always kept things on a high note.

“He was just exceptional with the kids,” Allen said. “He loved teaching them and they loved him.”

Jones is already planning to return to Europe with the team next summer but his focus now shifts to baseball at home. He will be beginning work with the junior varsity team at Elmore County in January. His goal is to make it to the varsity team by the end of the season but he does not want to stop there.

“I definitely want to be able to have a career in baseball,” Jones said about his future.

Whether it is on the field in Eclectic or on another trip across the world, it seems likely this will not be the last time we hear about Zach Jones.

Fall practice begins for area football teams

By CALEB TURRENTINE Sports Writer

The start of August always comes with a sense of the return of Friday night lights but now it is official. It’s football season.

The Alabama High School Sports Association marked Monday as the first day of practice for the 2018 season and the schools around Elmore County were ready to go.

“The guys have been ready to transition into fall practice pretty much since last season ended,” Wetumpka coach Tim Perry said. “We expect some excitement and energy because this is what all that hard work in the offseason was all about.”

The Indians are coming off a 13-2 season and were ranked second in the ASWA preseason poll. The team was welcomed back to the field with scorching weather Monday. The heat index reached 109 degrees when the players hit the field.

“Our staff is prepared for the heat,” Perry said. “We’ll keep an eye on (the players) but heat is just something you

Caleb Turrentine / The Observer

Tallassee’s Kalvin Levett, left, gets ready for a snap during the first day of practice Monday.

have to deal with because Friday nights are going to be hot here.”

Wetumpka trainer Cody Arant was in charge of keeping the players hydrated on the first day. The team took frequent water breaks while the student trainers carried around bottles constantly filled with cold water.

While hydration is nothing new, Tallassee had their own way of dealing with the heat.

The Tigers got on the field at

Acapulco Mexican Grill

12:01 a.m. Monday morning and ran through a full practice before many teams even woke up. Coach Mike Battles and the team got back to work later that day with another practice at 5 p.m.

While a first practice is sure to have mistakes, expectations are still high for teams to perform in the opening week.

“I’m looking for hard work,” Elmore County senior DJ Patrick said. “Just looking for everyone to be running,

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busting their tail from station to station and everybody going full speed.”

Patrick was not the only person from Elmore County looking forward to the first day. First-year coach Jordan Cantrell said Monday felt like a big step in the season.

“We’re super excited,” Cantrell said. “I know I didn’t get to sleep much last night but everybody is ready to get started.”

While the excitement of the first practice is on everyone’s mind, the main focus for the coaches is still preparing for the first game. With just three weeks of practice before Week Zero, players will need to make sure to stay focused but keep their level of energy high.

“Can they bring the same level of excitement on Day 12 as they did on Day 1?”

Holtville coach Jason Franklin said. “If they do that, then as a team, you’re in good shape.”

The AHSAA season will kick off Aug. 23 with teams playing in Week Zero; Wetumpka, Stanhope Elmore and Tallassee all open their seasons Aug. 24.

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