The Tallassee Tribune 01-10-24 by Tallapoosa Publishers

ECLECTIC, PAGE B6

LOCAL, PAGE A2

SPORTS, PAGE B1

GOP outreach aims to bring allies in

LMRA looks to enhance organization

INSIDE:

SEE RECENT ARREST REPORTS, PAGE A2

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Tallassee, AL 36078

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JANUARY 10, 2024

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VOL. 126, NO. 2

Tallassee murderer sentenced to life in prison By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor The courtroom in the Elmore County Judicial Complex was full of emotions as Clifton Potts admitted to the March 2022 murder of his wife Britney. On March 18, 2022, less than 24 hours after Potts

was released from prison for drug distribution, he killed his wife at her place of employment in Tallassee. Monday, Potts was before Circuit Court Judge Amanda Baxley to plead to murder and receive a life sentence. “Two years ago, I could never imagine we would be sitting here,”

Potts said during his plea and sentencing hearing on Monday. “She didn’t deserve this. The family didn’t deserve this. My kids didn’t deserve this.” As part of a plea deal in 2021 for drug distribution, Potts was sentenced to 45 months in prison with 12 months to serve and the

remainder on probation. He was released March 17, 2022. A day later Britney was dead. Potts said at the time of his release from prison in 2022 he was on methamphetamines and fentanyl. Drugs he said he

FILE | THE TRIBUNE

Clifton Potts Jr. is called before Elmore County district court Judge Glenn Goggans for a first appearance hearing in 2022. He pleaded guilty to murder Monday in the death of his wife Britney Potts.

See PRISON, Page A6

Teacher of the Year finally followed his dream. Griggs sees decades Griggs himself teaching hadForthought of teaching. until ‘called home’ He spent 20 years in teleBy CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor It took him a little while, but Mark Griggs

communications before he pulled the trigger to teach. Six years after getting his first classroom, he has

See GRIGGS, Page A5

PREPARING FOR THE NEXT

STORM EVENT company installed 90 concrete shelters and steel safe rooms in the area — thankn recent years, there have fully too as another tornado been a rash of tornadoes struck the same area last affecting the East Central year. Alabama region, and Merry “It is amazing how some Hardy has taken this to heart. of the tornados come back to Through Lake Martin Storm the same areas,” Hardy said. Shelters, Hardy helps resiLake Martin Storm dent install their own storm Shelters installs Federal shelters. Emergency Management After an EF4 tornado Agency-approved shelters ripped through the Beauredesigned to withstand the gard community, killing 23 largest tornadoes. people in March 2019, the “FEMA used to say the By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

FILE | THE TRIBUNE

safest place to be was underground,” Hardy said. “They have changed their stance on that. Now is the safest place to be is a compliant shelter where you can get into the quickest without having to go out into the weather.” Lake Martin Storm Shelters manufactures all its above ground shelters in Alexander City. The concrete shelters are designed to be installed outside, oftentimes See STORM, Page A6

The Jan. 12, 2023 tornado traveled an estimated 14 miles in Elmore County just two miles north of a track from nine days earlier.The EF2 twister tracked across the state that day but there was only one minor injury reported in Elmore County.

SUBMITTED | THE TRIBUNE

Mark Griggs has found a second career as a teacher at Tallassee Elementary School. After five full years in the classroom he was selected as the school’s teach of the year this year.

RHS introduces visual arts course with an introduction to drawing. Students are then divided into groups Across Alabama, the focusing on photography, arts are not widely taught acrylic painting, charcoal in schools. However, at and colored pencils or Reeltown High School, pastels. the administration is The students will trying to change that nar- rotate to different media rative. throughout the semesGreg Shelton recently ter, which is meant to became the instructor maximize materials. of RHS’ newest visual arts class, which begins See ARTS, Page A6 By ABIGAIL MURPHY Multimedia Reporter

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Page A2 • Wednesday, January 10, 2024

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The Tallassee Tribune

Police Reports TALLASSEE POLICE DEPARTMENT JAN. 7 • A fight was reported on Cotton Ridge Road. • Assistance was given to a motorist on Gilmer Avenue. • A motor vehicle accident with no injuries was reported on Gilmer Avenue. • Assistance was given to a citizen on Corner Lane. • Harassment was reported on Gilmer Avenue. • An animal complaint was reported on Noble Road. • Animal control was requested on Whatley Drive. • Assistance was given to a motorist on Gilmer Avenue. • A noise complaint was reported on Gilmer Avenue. • Assistance was given to another agency on Notasulga Road. JAN. 6 • An animal bite was reported on Friendship Road. • A domestic incident was reported on Poplar Street.

JAN. 5 • Gunfire was reported on First Avenue. • Gunfire was reported on Truman Street. • A juvenile complaint was reported on Barnett Boulevard. • A suspicious person was reported on Gen. Chappy James Street. • Harassing communications was reported on Barnett Boulevard. • A domestic dispute was reported on Redden Avenue. • An animal complaint was reported on Whatley Drive. • A Black male was arrested on Cotton Ridge Road. • A hit and run motor vehicle accident was reported on Gilmer Avenue. • An animal complaint was reported on Gilmer Avenue. • Assistance was given to a motorist on Hillcrest Street. • Assistance was given to another agency on Highway 14. • A suspicious vehicle was reported on James Street. JAN. 3 • Assistance was given to another agency on West Butler Street.

• Assistance was given to a citizen on Gilmer Avenue. JAN. 2 • Assistance was given to a citizen on Lower Tuskegee Road. • Harassing communications was reported on Barnett Boulevard. • Assistance was given to a citizen on Gilmer Avenue. • A welfare check was conducted on Honeysuckle Lane. • A fight was reported on Hickory Street. • A suspicious vehicle was reported on Tallassee Highway. • A noise complaint was reported on Freeman Avenue. • Robbery was reported on Jordan Avenue. • Theft by deception was reported on Langley Street. • Leaving the scene of a vehicle accident was reported on Barnett Boulevard. • Assistance was given to a motorist on Gilmer Avenue. • Debris was reported in the roadway on Friendship Road. • Suspicious subjects were reported on Dixie Circle.

• Assistance was given to another agency on Gilmer Avenue. • Assistance was given to a citizen on Seventh Street. • A welfare check was conducted on Honeysuckle Lane. • An assault was reported on Friendship Road. • Harassment was reported on Evergreen Street. • Debris was reported in the roadway on Barnett Boulevard. WETUMPKA POLICE DEPARTMENT JAN. 1 • Domestic violence was reported on U.S. Highway 231. DEC. 31 • Domestic violence was reported on Chapel Lakes Loop. DEC. 28 • Theft was reported on Coosa River Parkway. • Domestic violence was reported on U.S. Highway 231. DEC. 26 • Criminal mischief was reported on First Street.

Community Christmas aids 210 kids in the area ing process personalized. Johnson said you always hear lower income children have to Community Christmas with grow up fast, but Christmas should LIFT Ministries had its biggest be the one time a year when they turnout this past Christmas season. can be a kid — even if the rest of Founder Hannah Johnson the time they don’t get to. of LIFT Ministries said this is “We cannot make this happen the seventh year of Communiwithout the community’s support,” ty Christmas and overall, the she said. program has helped over 900 Each child receives an outfit, a children. This year, Community pair of shoes, a pack of underwear, Christmas provided for 210 kids. a pack of socks and a minimum Community Christmas is a of three items on their wish list. virtual take on the Angel Tree. Johnson said she also encourages Individuals can take an angel those who take an angel to maybe through commenting on individmake it a group effort. For examual Facebook posts with the kids’ ple, if a kid wants a swing set that Christmas wish list. The wish lists could be a lot for one person to themselves remain completely give, but if there’s three people anonymous. going in on the swing set, it makes Before the wish list gets posted, it easier. parents or guardians fill out an “When we lived in Georgia, I application for Community Christ- had a sixth-grade student come mas with the child’s Christmas into school and he just put his list. This helps make the gift givhead on the desk and was crying By ABIGAIL MURPHY Multimedia Reporter

— he listened to other people with what Santa Claus had brought them,” Johnson said. “He had received nothing for Christmas. The teachers got together, and everyone pitched in to get him a tablet because that was what was on his list. To see him happy to receive that, that was all we could ask for.” LIFT Ministries is already gearing up for the 2024 Community Christmas and are accepting donations now if people would like to give to the fund. Johnson said the program has never had a child not get chosen. If a child is not chosen, she makes sure their needs and wants are met. “There’s no shame in needing help and asking for it and receiving it,” Johnson said. LIFT Ministries is a community women’s ministry that aims to help and support women in any way that is needed.

GOP outreach aims to bring allies into the party By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor Eclectic native Kenneth Paschal surprised a lot of voters in 2021 when he was the first Black Republican elected to the Alabama Legislature since the Reconstruction Era. Now a Pelham resident, Paschal is helping the Alabama Republican Party reach more voters through its Outreach Coalition. Paschal told members of the Elmore County Republican Party there are plenty of voters within reach of the party, and state party chair John Wahl tasked Paschal with reaching them. At a recent meet and greet, attendees got a chance to meet local officials and representatives including Paschal. “At the state and national level, our mission is to go to the Democratic communities and convert them,” Paschal said. “We have always done that, but how is that working out?” Paschal intends to reach out in those communities, but first wants Republicans to find those among them who

CLIFF WILLIAMS | THE TRIBUNE

Alabama State Rep. Kenneth Paschal of Pelham and native of Eclectic speaks to the Elmore County Republican Party about the GOP’s Outreach Coalition he chairs. Paschal was the first Black Republican elected to the Alabama legislature since Reconstruction.

share similar values of “God and country,” who vote in Republican primaries or are not politically active. “Let’s go in our own backyard and find the people who look like me, Asians, Hispanics and the young generation,” Paschal said. “We want to reach out to those who are already voting (with) our values.” Names of voters are readily available through voter lists, and Paschal’s goal is to reach voters in the last three Republican primaries, then two of the last three followed by

just one of the last three. “We just want to invite them to a local meet and greet,” Paschal said. “We have found they vote Republican but have never been invited. We want them to have a chance to plug in, especially locally.” The state party already has diverse groups such as Alabama Minority GOP, College Republican Federation of Alabama, Alabama Federation of Republican Women and the Young Republican Federation of Alabama. Those voters Paschal

hopes to reach might also be interested in such groups. As a Black Republican, Paschal has faced challenges but he said his journey also accomplishes part of the dream of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. “‘I look to the day when people will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the contents of their character,’” Paschal said, quoting King. He went on to say, “I’m honored to serve in the Republican Party. I’m living proof we are open to all.”

The Tallassee Tribune

www.TallasseeTribune.com

Wednesday, January 10, 2024 • Page A3

Humane Society of Elmore County News

Take your dog for a walk today

By REA CORD HSEC Executive Director January is Health Awareness Month as well as National Train Your Dog and Walk Your Pet Month. After all the indulgences of Thanksgiving and Christmas, no wonder January focuses on health and fitness and the same goes for our pets. Many dogs are surrendered to shelters because they are “too active.” This generally means they are simply in need of more exercise than they are getting. Another common thread is some of those dogs were often never taught decent leash manners, so a walk becomes sort of a battle between the owner and the dog leading to no walks and an increasingly frustrated pet and owner. So why not start the New Year off great for both yourself and your dog by doing some simple leash training and adding your dog into your new exercise program? It’ll be good for you and good for your dog. With just a little work your dog can happily be your walking/hiking/

jogging partner so you can both get in shape together. Bottom line is a tired dog is a more well-mannered dog too, so it is a win-win for both of you. Teaching your dog to walk or run with you on a leash, to not jump and just to have basic nice manners is not rocket science. But if owning a dog is new to you, then you might want to seek a professional trainer. Our dogs simply love making us happy so reward when they do what you want as they will quickly figure out what makes you happy. Some dogs are motivated by treats (use a treat they do not get at any other time and small so they don’t stop to chew), others are motivated by toys and others just by your praise. Dogs understand clear, concise commands and most owners simply talk too much so the dog is confused and has no idea what is being asked of it. This is why a professional trainer can take your dog from you and in five minutes likely have it responding to commands. A good trainer knows how to clearly communicate

with your dog. For your dog it is an “OH, THAT is what you want me to do” moment. In reality, training a dog is about 75% training the owner as to how to effectively communicate with their own pet. Of course, our dogs are as different as we are so some pick up on lessons quickly while others take a bit longer. Knowing your dog’s attention span is very important as one dog may work great for 15 minutes before losing interest and for another five minutes is all they can give you before they simply tune out. Some are quicker on the uptake than others and knowing what really makes your dog tick also makes a big difference. Does your dog respond to treats? Or toys? Or clicks or whistles? Every dog is different so finding what gets their undivided attention can greatly improve the chance of training success. One caution: Some folks think they can send their dog to a trainer and they will come back and be the perfect dog — not true. Remember, you, the

owner, are a huge part of the training process and you have to also learn how to communicate what you want so your dog will understand. You can send a dog to a trainer but part of that will also be you spending time with your dog and the trainer so the dog trainer can train you, the owner. Training of any kind takes patience and perseverance on everyone’s part, and it never really ends. Refresher training should honestly take place throughout your dog’s life – for both of you! A professional golfer isn’t successful playing golf only during tournaments. They practice, get coaches, research and practice more. True success entails dedication! So get out those comfy walking or running shoes, teach your dog first how to walk nicely on a leash, and start out 2024 with

daily nice long walks/ runs with your dog. The reward will be a tired and better behaved dog, and perhaps a more fit and more relaxed you as

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

Pet of the Week - Dream

We Touch the Lives of Best Nursing the People Home & Assisted Living You Love Dream is 7 months old as of early January and weighs about 40 to 45 pounds. She is an extremely loving girl. She is active so not a couch potato, and she is house-, leash- and cratetrained. Dream is great with children, dogs and cats. She knows sit, shake, stand and lay. She has stayed in a fence but is not a huge fan of car rides. 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 Cola 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.

Assisted Living & SCALF

Arrest made in Tuesday robbery By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor A Tallassee resident was arrested Friday night for a Tuesday robbery. The Tallassee Police Department asked for help with the identity of a robbery suspect Wednesday. Friday, law enforcement located Zyquarius Collins, 19, and booked him into the Elmore County Jail on first-degree robbery

charges. Tallassee police Lt. Jon Rawls said the suspect got away with an undisclosed amount of cash. “We were able to locate him on Wall Street and take him into custody without incident Friday night,” Tallassee police Lt. Jon Rawls said. “We got a couple of tips from the public.” Collins’ arrest stems from an alleged Tuesday robbery at the Marathon in Jordanville according

to Rawls. “The victims said a Black male (between the ages of 18 and 25) dressed in all black with a mask and backpack entered the store Tuesday afternoon,” Rawls said. “The suspect presented a handgun and threatened deadly force.” As of 11 a.m. Saturday, Collins was in the Elmore County Jail with a $60,000 bond available to him.

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First Place in General Excellence Best small daily newspaper in Alabama

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WEDNESDAY

First Place in SPORTS, PAGE PAGE A7 11 General Excellence Lighting Best small City daily Lightingthe theway wayfor forAlexander Alexander City&newspaper &Lake LakeMartin Martinsince since1892 1892 Taylor, Turner Alabama escapes in Alabama February 1,1,2023 December 2021 Vol. Vol.131, 129,No. No.1096 www.alexcityoutlook.com www.alexcityoutlook.com $1.00 $1.00 Auburn named after to all-star game 4 overtimes

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West namedcontinues new Russell Marine Maincharity Street director annual donation

THE WEDNESDAY Alex City resident wanted relation to high-speed chase Sportplex may beinnew BRHS location SUBMITTED

by Sandlin Jr. for a traffic violation. Detective Division is investigating THE OUTLOOK Easterwood said the car chase the incident, and, in addition to This photo began at approximately 11 a.m. arrest warrants in other jurisdicdepicts Alan Police are still searching for a Saturday and continued along U.S. tions, future criminal charges are Sandlin Jr., man who led officers on a highHighway 280 headed into Coosa also expected. who has been identified as speed chase throughout Alexander County. While attempting to elude The vehicle accident stema suspect in City and Coosa County over the law enforcement, Sandlin Jr. caused ming from Sandlin Jr. fleeing law connection weekend. a wreck with another vehicle. enforcement is now under investiwith a highThe Alexander City Police Sandlin Jr. then proceeded to flee gation as well by the Alabama Law speed chase Department has identified Alan into a wooded area as his vehicle Enforcement Agency. BY SIRI HEDREEN over the Sandlin of Alexander City, in came to a stop on Highway 280. According to a statement, the MultimediaJr., Reporter weekend. Police connection with a high-speed police According to Easterwood, sever- Coosa County Sheriff's Office conare still seeking The Alexander City Board of Education is "very, very pursuit that occurred Saturday. al local law enforcement agencies tinued the pursuit upon receiving a information close" to securing a location Benjamin Russell According to Alexander City for a were then called in to assist Alexcall stating that Sandlin Jr. was seen on his High School campus at the Charles E. Bailey Sportplex, Police Chief James Easterwood, ander City police units with the in a gas station. whereabouts. all but ensuring the abandonment of a new school on Sandlin Jr. of initially eluded police searchHighway for Sandlin As he left the gas station, the the corner U.S. Highway 280 and State 63. Jr., but he could after Alex CityCity policeSchools officers superintendent not be located. Alexander Dr. Keith attempted to stop a vehicle driven Easterwood said the ACPD’s See CHASE, Page A6 Lankford broke the news Tuesday at the chamber of commerce's annual State of Education luncheon, stating he was in talks with Mayor Woody Baird and parks and recreation director Sonny Wilson on placing the school within the city property. Lankford said he hopes to break ground on the building project in March. going to present to the city council as well as BY"We're SIRI HEDREEN the countyReporter commission so we can get this thing kicked Multimedia off," Lankford said. "We are close to making Benjamin The Alexander Citythe Board Education "very, very Russell High School, newofschool at theis Sportplex, close"toto securing a location for a Benjamin Russell come fruition." High Schoolnamed campustheat baseball the Charles E. Bailey Lankford fields as the Sportplex, proposed all but ensuring the abandonment of a new school At on location, with an entrance off Elkahatchee Road. the corner U.S. Highway and aState Highway 63. present, theofbaseball fields 280 border patch of forest Alexander Schools superintendent where Russell City Medical Center plans to buildDr. its Keith new Siri Hedreen / The Outlook Lankfordcenter. broke the news Tuesday at the chamber of geriatric commerce's annual State of Education luncheon, stating The Charles E. Bailey Sportplex baseball elds, where the Alexander City Board of Education now intends to build its new BenjaSee SPORTPLEX • Page A10 he was in talks with Mayor Woody Baird and parks and min Russell High School campus. recreation director Sonny Wilson on placing the school within the city property. Lankford said he hopes to break ground on the building project in March. "We're going to present to the city council as well as the county commission so we can get this thing kicked off," Lankford said. "We are close to making Benjamin at the Lake Martin Event Birmingham was going to real sure? I’m like in the Russell High School, the new school at the Sportplex, BY CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer Center. The meeting of buy that club and make concrete here,’” Hosey come to fruition." Lankford named the baseball fields as the proposed For two years Tina Lake Community Church it another club. Rudy got said. “God told me, ‘I’ve would grown you here and now location, with an entrance off Elkahatchee Road. At Hosey has felt the tug of and Hosey has the two on saved and said he ABIGAIL MURPHY | THE I’mOUTLOOK ready for you to do never make it a club again.” present, the baseball fields border a patch of forest the Lord leading her to a a new call for God. Alibi’s never became a ministry.’” Hosey has left a place of TOP RIGHT: The pieceswasn’t/ The Outlook where Russell Medical Center plans to build its new new church. Siri Hedreen Hosey sure God she was comfortable church but it didn’t return geriatric center. For two years the Lake donated wereofnow multiple where thebuild calling asof Education a place at just a few weeks ago and to its The Charles E.Church Bailey Sportplex Cityroots Board intendsdifferent to its newwould Benjahas baseball elds, where the Alexander See SPORTPLEX • Page A10 Community lead. Someone who has arrived at a new church entertainment. min Russell High School campus. BY CLIFF WILLIAMS mediums from acrylic to watercolor. been looking for a permaHosey was comfort- been attending Lake venue at the Rodeo Club Staff Writer nent home. LEFT: As aCommunity 501c nonprofit Church for the the congregation as it transforms to another able in TOP TPI Staff Their paths have now Sandra Fuller's efforts as Tallapoosa County last yeartohad area church —donations mission of community ser- of another organization, thebeen invitcrossed at the Rodeo Club tourism director have gotten the attention of Gov. ing Hosey. But it was at vice. It’s a transformation more than two decades. A familiar face has returned to Tallapoosa where patrons have been Kay Ivey. funeral where Hosey “I prayed shelter real hardare thattaxadeductible. of an establishment servPublishers. pulling stools up to the bar Fuller has been leading the efforts of the Tallapoosa was setoftothe sing and talked else ing alcohol that Hosey has God had something Lizi Arbogast Gwin,towho previously servednatural BELOW: Members for but not for much at the Lake Martin Event planned real the sure?mother I’m like in the was going BY years, CLIFF WILLIAMS County Commission promote the area’s of Malia for me,” Hoseyto with seen before in Tallapoosa Birmingham as sports editor for The Alexander Out-now help longer. concrete here,’” Staff Writer buy “God thatanimal club andstirring make Center. — Theat meeting of said. resources and activities to tourists City and will shelter staff cut the who ribbon Stariha, helps Hosey lead started County Alibi’s on look, has beencourse namedofthe new Ivey managing editorFuller For five decades the Lake Community Church init my said. “God told me, ‘I’ve another club. Rudy got guide a state study. appointed the Praise Team at Lake soul again a couple For two itsyears Tina Highway 49. for the grand opening ceremony. club has seen fair share of Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. grown you here and now saved and said he would and Hosey has the two on to the ‘Hospitality and Tourism Committee.’ The Community Church, when “God was trying to do years ago.” Hosey has felt the tug toof of dancing and more A born and raised Virginian, she describes I’m ready for you to make again.” a new callthing for God. committee is part of the Alabama State Department Hosey feltit aa club calling to prayers were answered. do the same he is doing never the Lord leading her to a tunes played by the likes herself as a sports fanatic and an avid WashAlibi’s neverand became Hosey has left a place of Education course of study review for career and the pews movea ministry.’” here, there,” Hosey said.of leave new church. of Mickey Gilley, Billy God she was comfortable forward Hosey wasn’t sure church in buther it service didn’t return See CHURCH • Page A10 ington Capitals and Detroiteducation. Lions fan. Gwin technical But Fuller’s with two years Lake “I sang there for like 10 to its roots RayForCyrus and the others. as a still placehadof where the calling would at just a few weeks ago and attended Virginiainput Commonwealth started moreUniversity than a year ago but Hosey Community Church has years. The gentleman who God, Hosey has even been one lead. Someone who has entertainment. arrivedit at new church BY CLIFF WILLIAMS through committees on the matter owned justa passed away, questions. See EDITOR, Page A6 of been looking for on a permaof the entertainers stage been attending Lake Hosey was comfortvenue at the Rodeo Club Staff Writer developing skills for the hospitality “I was like, ‘Are you Rudy Stewart. A man from nent home. as it transforms to another able in the congregation Community Church for the industry during formativeCounty years Their paths have now Sandra Fuller's efforts as the Tallapoosa mission of community ser- of another area church — last year had been invitof have education. crossed at the Rodeo Club tourism director gotten the attention of Gov. ing Hosey. But it was at vice. It’s a transformation more than two decades. “I’ve been speaking with educawhere patrons have been Kay Ivey. “I prayed real hard that a funeral where Hosey of an establishment servtion professionals area high pulling stools up to the bar Fuller has been leading the effortsatofour the Tallapoosa ing alcohol that Hosey has God had something else was set to sing and talked schools,toespecially witharea’s a hospitalfor years, but not for much Reported 11/30/21 of @ 5 Malia p.m. Fuller County Commission promote the natural with theonmother planned for me,” Hosey seen before in Tallapoosa ity curriculum about they help are longer. resources and activities to tourists andwhat will now County — at Alibi’s on said. “God started stirring Stariha, who helps lead doing,” said. “I’ve also been conversations For five decades the guide aFuller state course of study. Ivey in appointed Fuller in my soul again a couple the Praise Team at Lake Highway 49. BY WILLIAM MARLOW with those in the hospitality industry about the skills club has seen its fair share to the ‘Hospitality and Tourism Committee.’ The Community Church, when “God was trying to do years ago.” Multimedia they seek Reporter inisemployees.” of dancing and more to LACEY HOWELL committee part of the Alabama State Department answered. Hosey felt a calling to prayers were the same thing he is doing previously worked the for Lake Martin 256.307.2443 tunes played by the likes ofFuller Education course of study at review career and here, there,” Hosey said. leave the pews and move laceyshowell@gmail.com Area Economic Development Alliance. Fuller now of Mickey Gilley, Billy Federal agenciestechnical are currently assisting Tallapoosa See5295 CHURCH Page Highway 280,• Alex City,A10 AL education. But Fuller’s “I sang there for like 10 forward in her service with Ray Cyrus and others. recruits touristsafter to issuing thestarted area and previously helped County residents a disaster declaration input more than a year ago years. The gentleman who God, but Hosey still had Hosey has even been one recruit industry to the area but said the are simfor the region last week. through committees ontwo the matter of owned it just passed away, questions. of the entertainers on stage ilarThe in Federal their needs. Emergency Management Agency developing skills for the hospitality “I was like, ‘Are you Rudy Stewart. A man from “It’s all workforce development (FEMA) hasabout recognized Tallapoosa County as a regardless major years industry during the formative of whatarea segment will be working in,” Fuller disaster following a Jan. 12 long-track tornado ofthey education. said. that swept through the“I’ve countybeen and surrounding areas.educaspeaking with Mary of the governor’s FEMAKatherine representatives surveyed the county’s tionPittman professionals at ourstorm areaoffice high believes Fuller’s experience will bringa hospitalwisdom especially with damage thisschools, month, according to Tallapoosa Reported on 11/30/21 @ 5 p.m. Fuller earlier developed through experience toabout thedirector committee. ity curriculum what they are County Emergency Management Agency High Low “Our goal in the “I’ve governor’sbeen office conversations is to recruit doing,” Fuller Jason Moran, andsaid. based on thealso assessmentindetermined individuals who can provideindustry insight about into bridging with those in the hospitality the skills Tallapoosa County qualified for both public and indiour education system to the workforce and we they seek in employees.” vidual assistance. LACEY HOWELL believe [Fuller] can doworked just that,” said. Fuller previously at Pittman the Lake Martin 256.307.2443 FEMA representatives began the county Fuller’s appointment is visiting as Alliance. a representative of laceyshowell@gmail.com MORE ONLINE Area Economic Fuller now beginning Jan. 27 inDevelopment an attempt to provide aid to 5295 Highway 280, Alex City, AL Alabama’s Third Congressional to area thehelped comCliff Williams / The Outlook To check out a video from the Coosa County animal shelter’s grand opening, 6 54708 90050 8 recruits tourists to the area andDistrict previously mittee a yeartolong term but withsaid multiple visitShikoski us online atpart www.alexcityoutlook.com takes in a Lake Community Church service Sunday at the Lake Martin Event USPS Permit # 013-080 recruitfor industry the area the twomeetings are sim- Marge See DISASTER, Page A6 inilar Montgomery each month. Center and Rodeo Club. in their needs. “It’s all about workforce development regardless of what segment they will be working in,” Fuller said. Mary Katherine Pittman of the governor’s office and Your Loved Ones! believes Fuller’s experience will bring wisdom •Home-like Environment • Specialized Dementia Care Unit developed through experience to the committee. Call or Low or High Reported on 01/31/23 @ 2 p.m. •Physical,Call Occupational and Speech Therapy Services “Our goal in the governor’s office is to recruit go online go online individuals who can provide insight into bridging to browse, artin to browse, buy our education system to the workforce High buy orLow LLaakkee Mand we Livingsaid. sell! or sell! believe [Fuller] can do just that,” Pittman LACEY HOWELL Fuller’s appointment is as a representative of 256.307.2443 CLASSIFIEDS laceyshowell@gmail.com Alabama’s Third Congressional District to the comCliff Williams / The Outlook & Record The Outlook d Classiﬁ l 90050 ﬁeds d8 DAMS EALTH & EHAB 6 54708 5295 Highway 280, Alex City, AL Sharemeetings mittee for a year long term with multiple rden 1555 Htakes ILLABEE 329-0847 Marge Shikoski partSinTREET a Lake• (256) Community Church service Sunday at the Lake Martin Event USPS •Permit # 013-080 256.277.4219 the Ga WWW.ALEXCITYOUTLOOK.COM 256.277.4219 in Montgomery each month. Center and Rodeo Club. BY WILLIAM MARLOW Multimedia Reporter

Alex City Schools plan LOCAL, PAGEannounces 10

Page A4 • Wednesday, January 10, 2024

Our Mission

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SPORTS, PAGE 11

Russell Marine continues Alabama escapes to abandon build on US 280, cityLighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892 www.alexcityoutlook.com annual charity donation Auburn after 4 overtimes Tallassee T$1.00 ribune officials still need to approveDecember plan 1, 2021 Vol. 129, No. 96The

Sportplex may be new BRHS location

Stop using Artificial Intelligence

rtificial Intelligence is all the rage right now. Seemingly every time I’m on Facebook, I see a new AI photo from one of my friends or an advertisement for a new Artificial Intelligence app. Of course there are some great things about AI. One of which is Otter AI, which transcribes interviews — a true thing of beauty for a journalist. There’s the self-checkout lanes that make shopping easier. But in a lot of ways, AI is a dangerous game. I recently read an article about a service offering AI touch-ups for children’s yearbook photos. Let’s think about that for a second. Kids struggle with self-esteem and identity more than ever now. Because of social media, children are competing with each other for the best looks, most money, and the greatest pictures at an even younger age. Parents aren’t always helping the issue.

Alex City Schools announces plan to abandon build on US 280, city officials still need to approve plan

is a threat to their job security (and mine), but more importantLIZI ly, it’s a threat to decent writing. You’ll notice some AI-written GWIN articles on news sites now, and Managing it’s almost like a red flag wavEditor Decades long honky-tonk transforms ing, showing you no one was into a church actually covering whatever it is welcomes But now to addTPI Artificial you’re reading about. You may familiar face as Intelligence to the recipe makes or may not be getting correct managing editor it even more difficult. information. I mean, I get it. I have a solid Moreover, actors joined the Decades long honky-tonk transforms into a church four years of yearbook photos strike as AI can now use their CoosatoCounty opens a film withwith a bowl cut. If anyone need- likeness produce new animal shelter ed AI as an elementary school out them even in it most of the kid, it was me. time. Martin But there’s something beauThese are just a couple exam- LakeLakeLevels tiful about those embarrassing ples of the dangers of Artificial Disaster recovery center to photos too. Kids these days Intelligence, and there are many 483.05 open in Tallapoosa County deserve to have that too. more. Make sure when you Artificial Intelligence is takupload that picture to Facebook ing over, but it’s also going to you don’t have an extra finger Lake Martin start taking over people’s jobs or two. Today’s Lake Levels Weather — it already has. 483.05 The Writers Guild of AmeriLizi Arbogast is the managing 69 42 ca was recently on strike in the editor at Tallapoosa Publishfilm industry, and a big part of ers Inc. She can be reached via that was due to the use of AI email at lizi.gwin@alexcityoutToday’s in movies and TV shows. The look.com or via phone at 434Lake Martin Lake Martin’s Best Source for Weather Recycle Your Stuff for Snap Up a Deal We Care About You Today’s Lake Levels News and Information. screenwriters know AI writing 962-9420. eds Weather in the Classieds Cash in the Classiﬁ 69 42

County tourism director appointed to state committee

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and Your Loved Ones!

tay calm. Nothing (that we know of) is happening, but without a local newspaper source providing public accountability, this may not always be the case. DISCLAIMER: This is hypothetical and not a reflection of Tallapoosa, Elmore or Coosa counties. Let’s pretend we live in a small town with no newspaper presence and a government that doesn’t conduct business properly. It has no transparency, can’t afford oversight authority and faces political corruption, fraud, bribery and a high crime rate. Public servants are the spenders and keepers of taxpayer money and owe a high duty of care to the role but because of lack of oversight, they operate their agenda and no longer work for the people. Most citizens aren’t aware, and the ones that know don’t ask. Let’s face it, small communities have less pushback. Everyone knows everyone, which makes it difficult to question authority. In worst-case scenarios, those same close-knit relationships can amplify corruption as parties could be in partnership. Also, in our hypothetical community with no local newspaper

•Home-like Environment • Specialized Dementia Care Unit •Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapy Services

BEST TELEVISION SHOW - TED LASSO (APPLETV+): Without a doubt, one of the best series to ever come along ended its three-season run in 2023: “Ted Lasso.” Our main character, played to perfection by Jason Sudeikis, is asked by his wife for some space. Ted leaves the comfort of successfully coaching college football in the midwestern United States to take a job coaching British football, a.k.a. soccer. The team owner, Rebecca Welton, secretly

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Without accountability this can sometimes have catastrophic conThe Outlook & Recordd Classiﬁ l ﬁeds d A DAMS HEALTH & REHAB sequences, intentional or not. TIPPY Individual accountability is HUNTER another area that newspapers provide a level of security. With General the overall masses’ best interest Manager in mind, accountability for one’s actions outweighs the safety risk of source, with no one covering coun- no accountability. Crime is a public cil meetings and proposed plans, safety risk; therefore, keeping the it’s easier for municipalities to public informed is a civic responraise utility rates, award contracts sibility. It’s only in cases where to friends or slip last-minute agen- the public has a personal feeling da items into policy with citizens for the offender this touches a left in the dark. nerve. An ethical, unbiased paper, The same can be said for any however, will not pick and choose organization in our hypothetical coverage. If journalists are aware, community. If donated funds are they must investigate. Unknown earmarked for charity but are mis- criminal cases are not covered and handled, having no accountability I implore the public to understand may have exacerbated the problem. reporters simply cannot know It is an unfortunate fact small everything. If you are concerned communities can be more suscepabout a specific case, please call tible to corruption because they the TPI tip line or submit your tip have fewer employees and limited on our website. oversight. Through no fault of their Journalists promote own, they lack ethics commissions accountability on a fair, unbiased, and typical checks and balances. neutral platform. Knowledge is Smaller communities are more power and if you know certain likely to fly under the radar of state roads are under consideration for and U.S. authorities. Organizations paving with taxpayer money or and governments in small comutility rates may increase, you munities operate with the majority See CORRUPTION, Page B4 of power led by a few people. 1555 HILLABEE STREET • (256) 329-0847

2023 in infotainment L ast week, with apologies to Cousin Rendell at the University of Louisiana-Lafayette, we said Hail and Farewell to the people who left us in 2023. And locally, there are several more who have moved on lately who left a void in our lives and in our community. We will miss them all. As we look ahead to 2024, here is one more look back - Part II of our review of 2023.

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wants the team to fail as she inherited the team in a divorce settlement from her rich and ruthless ex-husband. What begins as a fish-out-ofwater comedy develops, over three seasons, into a beautiful display of kindness, caring, friendship, and understanding. I knew it was good when I realized I didn’t want the series to end.

DIDN’T SEE IT BUT HEARD IT WAS GOOD: Going to the movie theater dressed as Barbie or Ken and watching “Oppenheimer.” Or going dressed as J. Robert Oppenheimer and seeing the “Barbie” movie? I’m not sure. BEST DOCUMENTARY – WORLD WAR II FROM THE FRONTLINES (NETFLIX): This was brutal. Color footage, mixed with colorized film, shows World War II from all fronts. Eyewitness accounts of servicemen from all over the world give the viewer a small glimpse into the various battles of World

War II. Hearing stories of bravery, even from Japanese or German veterans, is fascinating. The story moves chronologically, which shows how quickly the conflict escalated. Highly recommended. WORST PERFORMANCE – SAM SMITH AT THE GRAMMYS (CBS): Maybe it was because this came right after the Stevie Wonder/Chris Stapleton performance, one of the best in Grammy show history. Or maybe it was because Madonna looked like a Bratz doll come to hideous life in her introduction. But I think it was because Sam Smith’s hell-themed performance of “Unholy,” complete with the singer dressed as the devil and a bunch of caged dancers writhing about him in the flames was meant to be provocative, and instead caused a lot of viewers to tune out in disgust. BEST VARIETY SPECIAL – “98 YEARS OF MAGIC” (CBS): In a year where NBC feted Carol Burnett

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MICHAEL BIRD Columnist for turning 90 and ABC celebrated Norman Lear for turning 100, the best of them all was for a man who turned 98 this year: Dick Van Dyke. The still-active performer was truly surprised by a cast of dozens of entertainment luminaries paying respect to one of the greatest to ever grace a stage or screen. It was good, old-fashioned singing, dancing, and clowning. It was just a charming way to spend two hours smiling in 2023. BEST SHOW THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN GIVEN ANOTHER CHANCE – “THE WONDER YEARS” (ABC): Saladin Patterson, a native of Montgomery, Alabama, did our city proud by rebooting the classic series “The Wonder Years” and making Montgomery the location for the show. Alabama looked good on See INFOTAINMENT, Page A5

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CORRUPTION Continued from A4

have a voice and can be a champion for change by asking questions. Local news is essential because no news is bad news. Citizens must know what’s going on around them. Bad things sometimes happen in quiet communities. The best way to make sure officials are working for you and your safety and well-being is to support your local newspaper. Investigative journalists are your watchdogs and have the experience to closely examine what’s going on. Journalists do an outstanding job of upholding accountability. Besides, people tend to act better when someone is watching, right? There are other reasons to join the newspaper club and getting the accurate story is a critical perk. In today’s social media society, people sometimes don’t realize when they share false information. Your local paper only reports accurate facts. When you reference your newspaper you don’t waste time following rabbit holes filled with what people “assume” they know. You also prevent yourself from becoming part of the problem by sharing false narratives. Equally as important, being an active reader means you have access to public and legal notices. For example (only), if a landfill is being considered for your area, wouldn’t you want to know? If a bid for a project your business specialized in were coming available, wouldn’t you want the option to apply? Local newspapers foster debate and connect the com-

INFOTAINMENT Continued from A4

television and the series never represented us as a backwards bunch of racists. The storylines were really getting interesting for Dean and his family, when ABC abruptly pulled the plug. Hopefully, someday Mr. Patterson can give us another series with the heart and humor he employed so well on this show. BEST FEEL-GOOD ENTERTAINMENT – “ALL CREATURES GREAT AND SMALL” (PBS): “All Creatures Great and Small” rolled on for an eventful third season and it was excellent. This series brings James Herriot’s adventures as a rural veterinarian in the

munity. They give citizens a voice and encourage civic engagement. Journalists are agents of change. If someone is passionate about an issue reported on by local media, the community feels the connection and inspiration to keep the dream alive. Without coverage, there is no connection. Subscribing to your local newspaper also allows you to know your community. It means following super-talented local athletes to the next level. It means you know who your local heroes are and how to celebrate them. It means you’re in the loop on progress. It means so much. An informed community is a smart community. Similar to being a voter, everyone should be a reader. Don’t you need to know? Don’t you want to know? Who wins in communities without a local newspaper? Those that operate in the dark. Who loses in communities without a local newspaper? Everyone. We can all agree we’d rather not lose so let’s come together and make sure we’re winners. Thomas Jefferson once said he’d prefer to have “newspapers without government” to “government without newspapers.” We at TPI care about this community, and making it a better place is central to our mission. To continue our mission, we need people to subscribe and advertise. Please call Sam at 256234-4281 to subscribe today. You’ll be doing yourself a huge favor!

Opioid settlement funding narcotics analyzers By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor Law enforcement is facing issues almost daily with the presence of illegal narcotics. The Elmore County Commission approved spending nearly $59,000 for two hand-held TruNarc Handheld Narcotics Analyzers at its Monday meeting. The analyzers will help officers identify narcotics, giving them a layer of protection in the process. “We are starting to see some of the settlement funds coming from the opioid lawsuits,” Elmore County chief operations officer Richie Beyer said. “This includes buying the units and the training to go along with them.”

Tippy Hunter is the general manager of Tallapoosa Publishers Inc.

1930’s Yorkshire Dales to heartwarming life. The show is so comforting, with its picturesque scenery and quiet plot happenings. Well done. The fourth season began January 7 on PBS, but the older episodes are occasionally shown as well. BEST RE-RELEASE OF THE BEST MUSIC FILM OF ALL TIME – “THE LAST WALTZ” (AMAZON PRIME): Robbie Robertson died in 2023, right around the time “The Last Waltz” sneaked back into theaters for a 45th anniversary release, which was also available for streaming. The Band were the greatest group of multi-talented musicians in one place that have ever been. Each of them could sing, play multiple instruments well, and compose music.

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proven to himself it was the correct move. Griggs was named the 20232024 Teacher of the Year at Tallassee Elementary School. “The journey has been interesting,” Griggs said. “Teaching has always been on my radar. I was leaning that way but never quite pulled the trigger. It got to the point where I realized I needed to do it. I just didn’t feel like I was making a difference.” Griggs started taking classes to start a new career path. At the same time he was substitute teaching in Tallassee City Schools. He had classes at Southside Middle School and Tallassee High School, but they didn’t tug on his heart quite like the younger students. “I was just really drawn to the elementary school,” Griggs said. “I learn something new from them everyday. One thing about starting later in life like this is kids keep you on your toes.” Six years in the classroom have taught Griggs a few things. He started in the first grade but now teaches fourth. He found out he likes to give homework. “I try to hide that it’s homework,” Griggs said. “You might be able to fool first graders but you can’t fool fourth graders. You can’t

Wednesday, January 10, 2024 • Page A5

School graduate Jamie Winborn for being named to the 2023 Southeastern Conference Legends Class. • Approved a proclamation naming January Human Trafficking Awareness Month. • Approved minutes of the Dec. 11 meeting. • Approved the memorandum of warrants for the period Dec. 2 to Dec. 22 in the amount of $7,831,493.23. • Approved the reappointment of Jerome Broughton to the Crenshaw Park Board.

IN OTHER ACTION THE ELMORE COUNTY COMMISSION: • Recognized Wallsboro native and Wetumpka High

The next meeting of the Elmore County Commission is scheduled for 5 p.m. Monday, Jan. 22.

ELMORE COUNTY COMMUNITY CALENDAR WEDNESDAY, JAN 10 ART GUILD: The Elmore County Art Guild membership meeting is at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 10 at Coaches Corner in downtown Wetumpka. Discussion will be about the upcoming winter show.ca THURSDAY, JAN. 11 EXTENSION MEETING: The 4-H Livestock Club will host its meeting at the Elmore County Extension Office at 5:30 p.m. Jan. 11. The poultry industry will be the subject matter. AUTHOR TALK: Maverick: A History of the Television Series co-author Linda Alexander will speak at the

Four men from Canada and one from Arkansas made some of the best American music ever recorded, and this final performance of the original lineup was caught on film for all posterity. Highly recommended for any fan of music. BEST BIOGRAPHICAL FILM – “ELVIS”: Technically, it was released in late 2022 but became widely available for streaming in 2023. The Baz Luhrmann-directed biographical picture may leave you dizzy, but one thing is certain: Austin Butler’s turn as the King is unforgettable. He looks, and sounds, just like Elvis Presley at the various stages of his life. The story is told by a dying Colonel Tom Parker, played by Tom Hanks. Good stuff, but depress-

bluff them either. They are going to know if you know what you are talking about.” Griggs isn’t the most veteran teacher at the school but it doesn’t make him less valuable, especially in the hallways. “Sometimes we will have a pest show up in the hallway,” Griggs said. “I’m usually the person who gets to catch the critters, hornets or wasps.” Tallassee Elementary School principal Shanikka Beacher said Griggs is always willing to help in the school. “The spirit of collaboration among the teachers at TES is exceptional and plays a vital role in creating a dynamic and effective learning environment. Mr. Griggs is a key component in this factor,” Beacher said. “He actively seeks opportunities to work with colleagues, sharing insights and resources. Mr. Griggs is a tremendous asset to Tallassee Elementary School.” A few years ago there was a need for substitute bus drivers. Griggs stepped up and got his CDL just to help out. Now some of the students on the bus recognize him, but in the capacity of a bus driver, he has one main focus. “The bus might be a classroom, but the No. 1 job is driving the bus,” Griggs said. Griggs still uses every opportunity he has to inspire his students

According to Thermo Fisher Scientific the analyzer enables officers to scan more than 530 suspected controlled substances in a single, definitive test. Beyer said Elmore County has already received about $600,000 in settlement funds and there are other pending lawsuits remaining. The commission approved the transfer of a retail beer and wine off premises only alcohol license for Revv Store on U.S. Highway 231 and the vacation an unnamed road off Gray’s Ferry Road in Titus.

Wetumpka Public Library about the book and show at 6 p.m. Jan. 11. FRIDAY, JAN. 12 GRAND OPENING: Scooter’s is hosting its grand opening from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Jan. 12 in Wetumpka. It will have a buy one, get one free deal when customers order from the mobile app. A free sticker will be given out with every order. Scooter’s will be located at 5331 U.S. Highway 231. SATURDAY, JAN. 13 SELF-DEFENSE COURSE: A Concealed Carry and Home Defense Fundamentals course will be held at 9 a.m. Jan. 13 in Tallassee. The

ing to see how people who claimed to love Elvis the most were the ones who used him up. THE GREAT MIDWESTERN ROAD TRIP OF 2023: My wife and I, along with a couple of BirdKids, traveled for eleven days in July through north Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky, Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, and Mississippi. Most of our time was spent following parts of Route 66 in Illinois and Missouri, with stops along the way, but a full visit to Iowa. People may say that Southerners have the market cornered on hospitality, but after several visits to the Midwest, I believe they have us beat. For those who asked where the other BirdKids were, they were at summer camps and such. We didn’t abandon anybody

and bus riders to be the best they can be. “We talk about making wise choices,” Griggs said. “I want them to get the importance of being a leader and not a follower.” Griggs said the award surprised him, as he likes being a member of a team. He likes working with the teachers and staff at the school. “It meant a lot knowing I had support from my teammates,” Griggs said. “I always loved being a part of a team. This is just a great family. I have been so blessed to be around them. Everyone is so supportive and eager to help.” Beacher said Griggs helps the staff of the school be better models for their students by demonstrating a commitment to academic and personal development of students. “He goes above and beyond the call of duty to create a positive and nurturing learning environment,” Beacher said. “His passion for education is evident in his countless efforts to ensure his students are prepared for success and fostering a love for learning among students.” Beacher should have Griggs around for a while. The teacher doesn’t see his classroom tenure ending soon. “I want to do this as long as the Lord will let me do it,” Griggs said. “I really love it. The kids keep you young. I want to keep doing it as long as I can.”

course is a complete guide to understanding the basics of firearms ownership, safety and nomenclature, and how it applies to home or self defense. The cost is $75 and includes the Concealed Carry and Home Defense Fundamentals book. For more information, visit usconcealedcarry.com. HEALTH FAIR: The Central Alabama Neighborhood Health Initiative is hosting a Health & Wellness City Fest from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Wetumpka Civic Center. There will be exercise demonstrations, free services, free food, live music and activities for children.

– we think. LIFE CHANGES A-PLENTY: In late 2022, one daughter got married. That same one had our first grandbaby in 2023. The next daugh-

ter down got married in late 2023. Who knows what 2024 will hold? Michael Bird is a music teacher for Tal-

Page A6 • Wednesday, January 10, 2024

STORM

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adjacent to a home. The steel safe rooms are added in existing garages or during new construction. In all cases, the designs have been tested and approved by FEMA. “Our safe room went through a 250 mph wind tunnel,” Hardy said. “It mimics an EF5 tornado. Then there is a pressure test because there is so much pressure in a tornado. They put air in and suck it out. Nothing can come loose. It is very intense.” Lake Martin Storm Shelters installs shelters across Alabama and most recently has

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been performing local installs in Tallassee. That’s because storm shelters are becoming more and more popular, Hardy said. She said social media and storm trackers have increased curiosity and demand for shelters. “I think they have become more popular because we know more about weather,” Hardy said. “We track weather more and better.” Elmore County officials are constantly tweaking plans to respond to storms. But Elmore County Emergency Management Agency director Keith Barnett said it starts at home. He said residents need to do a few key things to be prepared

for the majority of situations to face Elmore County. On top of the list is a properly programmed weather radio. “They are fairly inexpensive,” Barnett said. “They can be purchased pretty much anywhere. You need one at home and your business.” Barnett said his agency can help with programming if needed, and having a secondary notification is also necessary. Those could include ones from the Elmore County EMA apps or Baron Saf-T-Net. Barnett said outdoor sirens should not be depended on because of old technology and difficulty hearing them inside homes and during storms. Having a small kit and

Pinon said Britney got into the vehicle with Potts. “She exited the vehicle and began running across used in prison. Potts the parking lot with Mr. said he was under the Potts chasing her,” Pinon influence of drugs as he said evidence would left prison and headed to show if the case went to Tallassee with Britney and trial. “He pulls a gun and other family members. He fires once striking Mrs. said the drugs helped him Potts. As she falls, Mr. cope with prison life. Potts then approaches “I wasn’t in my right the victim lying on the mind,” Potts said. “I went ground.” Pinon said Potts attempted to take his wife’s cell phone and she Unclaimed/Abandoned Vehicles, Mobile Homes & Surety Bonds put up a fight. “Mr. Potts fires a JSE:Alabama's Vehicle Title second shot striking her Recovery Service! in the face,” Pinon said. We can help with most Titled Vehicles in Alabama, including Cars, “She was pronounced Trucks, Motorcycles, RV’s & Trailers. Stop in, by phone or online! dead on the scene.” Potts said he was not of Continued from A1

through a lot in prison seeing murders, fearing for my life. I had to get on drugs to stay awake to keep from being killed in my sleep.” Potts said the drugs are the reason he killed his wife. The next day Potts drove to his wife’s workplace on Highway 229 in Tallassee. Assistant district attorney Brittney

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storm plan is a necessity, and it should include where in the home to shelter and where to meet after an event. The kit should at least include some water and basic first measures. “One of the most important things is something to wear on the head like a helmet and shoes,” Barnett said. “Most of the deaths in a storm come from being struck in the head. Many injuries happen to feet and legs as people try to leave the debris bath barefooted.” Elmore County has a safer places to shelter program it activates as a tornado watch is issued. Elmore County EMA has access to many public buildings and even private structures such as churches.

clear mind at the time of the shooting in 2022 and would never do something like if was clear headed. “I can’t believe I did that to you. I had no intention,” Potts said. “I loved my wife. I loved her. I can’t believe I did that to her.” Britney’s family said they took Potts in like he was their own and couldn’t understand why he did this. “We treated him like family,” Britney’s mother Lynn Denmark said. “That Thursday when we picked him up from prison, he came to our home like he was all good. He took my baby and didn’t consider his children.” Potts agreed.

Barnett said EMA checks with volunteers at private structures and publishes a list with addresses of available safer places to shelter on social media for each storm event. After a storm Barnett said many think government agencies, especially FEMA, will come to the rescue. He said state and federal agencies do help when overall damage meets certain guidelines, but there are limits on the help. “FEMA does not come in to make a property owner whole,” Barnett said. “If they meet all the requirements, they will help some. We encourage people not to depend on FEMA and have their own insurance.”

“They treated me more like family than my family did,” he said. Britney’s sister Tyreckia Pennington said Potts shattered more than just her world. “Not only mine but our entire family when he decided to selflessly take Britney from us, he took a mother, a daughter, a sister, aunt, niece and a friend,” Pennington said. “She was the glue of the family. Britney was loved by many. She always had a smile.” A plea agreement was reached before trial. Potts said he was guilty of murdering his wife in exchange for a prison life sentence. “We wanted you to

get the electric chair,” Britney’s uncle Flint McKenzie said. “We wanted you to fry. He was a coward. He wasn’t man enough to walk away from her and let her live to raise her kids.” Denmark said, “I feel no remorse. I hate him and want him to know because he took my baby’s life.” Potts said he understands why Britney’s family feels the way they do. “They are supposed to hate me for what I did. I still love them,” Potts said. “I’m not OK with what I done. I will never be OK. I blanked out. I miss her so much. I just want to say I’m sorry.”

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For example, there’s one camera and it’s a lot easier to share a camera with five people than 25. The rotation also helps students get exposed to multiple types of media. He said the idea for this art class really originated from the administration, which approached him about teaching the class. It’s partially funded through the Mildred Blount Foundation grant, based out of Tallassee. The school’s administration applied for and received the grant last year, which allowed Shelton to begin an art club. This year Reeltown was awarded the grant again to be used for the class. “Administration was pushing for this,” he said. “I was really pleased to find out that was a goal of theirs. If we didn’t have the grant money, it would be hard to do this. (The administration) knew about the art grant, they went to it immediately. There was no dragging of the feet.” On top of that, students are interested. The class is full with 25 students this semester. Plus, through his own art, Shelton had students showing him their works before Reeltown even had the art class. Since 1983, Shelton has taught and coached at various schools across the county, but he never thought he would teach art. But after seeing the work of a colored pencil artist, he was inspired. “I told my wife, ‘I’m headed to Micheal’s’ and she asked me, ‘Do you just want to sit in the parking lot?’ and I said, ‘No, I’m going in this time,’” Shelton recalled. “I bought pencils and a pad and a book that said, ‘How to Draw Anything in 15 Minutes’ and I just

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A former student of Greg Shelton’s creates visual art. Reeltown High School starts up a visual arts class.

haven’t stopped.” From his own experience, Shelton said he knows some students just need the opportunity to get exposed to art and it could be a love for life. Part of what he hopes the class provides is a space for the students to display their work publicly. Students’ artwork will be hung along hallways and in the cafeteria so the students can show off their talents. Shelton said he hopes the class

helps some students foster art into a possible career. There are art programs at universities students can get scholarships for and there are artistic career paths that can be viable. “A lot of what high school is about is kids trying to find out what they are interested in,” Shelton said. “It’s another offering that lets kids dip their toes in something different and see if they like it, see if they are adept at it.”

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The Tallassee Tribune

Resolutions

with God, and the Word was God, and REV. Whereas through the Word JONATHAN all things were made; there was nothing made without the YARBORO reetings from the participated in the presentaWord, and Columnist corner of Bridge and tion of a resolution? I am not Whereas the Word was life, Bridge! It is a beautitalking about the sharing of and that life was the light for ful, albeit slightly chilly, Mon- New Year’s resolutions. I am they err on the side of silly. In all of humankind, and the day morning as I write this speaking of the time-honored either case, the idea is that a darkness will never overcome week’s column. It is January practice of drafting a resoluseries of supporting statements it, and after all! tion in the name of honoring a are provided in the name of Whereas the Word became First and foremost, I pray person or situation. justifying a particular decflesh and made its dwelling that everyone reading this You know what I am talking laration. With that in mind, among us, so that all might week’s column had a meanabout. These documents are I would like to offer a New see the glory of God in perfecingful Christmas season. The also known as the “Whereas” Year’s resolution aimed at all tion and completeness, and holidays have the potential to documents. They typically of us. Whereas the God who creprovide time for reconnecting include a litany of “whereWhereas in the beginning ated all things issued a call to with family and friends and as” statements followed by God formed the earthly kingthe whole of the earthly kingtaking a break from all that a “therefore” statement. We dom out of a formless void, dom to listen to the Word, and “regular” days in the earthly most often encounter them at with the winds of the Holy Whereas the Word of God kingdom deliver. I pray the retirement celebrations, build- Spirit blowing everything into is the guide for every child of blessings God makes possible ing or business dedications, place, and God, regardless of any distinthrough the incarnation were and the like. Whereas the Word of God guishing characteristic of morrevealed in and through us all. Sometimes these resoluwas present in the beginning tal identity, and When was the last time you tions are serious. Sometimes with God, and the Word was Whereas every child of

BAPTIST Bethlehem East 7561 Upper River Road Calvary Baptist Church 293 N Wesson Street Word of Life 501 Sims Avenue Carrville Baptist Church 2436 Notasulga Road East Tallassee Baptist Church 314 Central Boulevard Elam Baptist Church 4686 Notasulga Road First Baptist Church 1279 Friendship Road Flatrock Missionary Baptist Church 1024 Flat Rock Road Friendship 4345 Friendship Road Liberty Baptist Church 574 Liberty Road

AME ZION Mt. Zion Chapel AME Zion 2340 Crenshaw Rd., Wetumpka Rogers Chapel AME Zion 709 W. Bridge St., Wetumpka Jackson Chapel AME Zion 4885 Coosada Rd., Coosada Jones Chapel AME Zion 2414 Ingram Rd., Elmore ABUNDANT LIFE Abundant Life Church 9301 U.S. Hwy 231, Wetumpka ASSEMBLY OF GOD Agape Tabernacle Assembly of God 1076 Kowaliga Rd., Eclectic Bethel Worship Center 11117 U.S. Hwy 231., Wetumpka Crossroads Church 504 Autauga St., Wetumpka First Assembly of God 3511 Shirley Ln., Millbrook New Home Assembly of God 5620 Caesarville Rd., Wetumpka BAPTIST Abraham Baptist Church 2520 Lynwood Dr., Millbrook Antioch Baptist Church 1115 Antioch Rd., Titus Beulah Baptist Church 2350 Grier Rd., Wetumpka Blue Ridge Baptist 4471 Jasmine Hill Rd., Wetumpka Brookwood Baptist 3111 Grandview Rd., Millbrook Calvary Baptist 504 W. Osceola St., Wetumpka Central Baptist 3545 W. Central Rd., Wetumpka Coosada Baptist 20 Kennedy Ave., Coosada Deatsville Baptist 184 Church St., Deatsville Eclectic Baptist Church 203 Claud Rd., Eclectic Faith Baptist 64 Chapel Rd., Wetumpka First Baptist Church 205 W. Bridge St., Wetumpka First Baptist of Elmore Hwy. 14 Co. Rd. 74, Elmore

Mount Zion Baptist Church 64 Log Circle Providence Primitive Baptist Church 4850 Chana Creek Road Refuge Baptist Church 3098 Red Hill Road Rehoberth Baptist 8110 Rie Range Road River Road 239 Lower Tuskegee Road Riverside Heights Hispanic Mission 495 Little Road Rock Springs 375 Rigsby Road Rock Springs Baptist Church 2810 Rock Springs Drive Tallassee First 1279 Friendship Road Tallaweka Baptist Church 1419 Gilmer Avenue Westside Baptist Church 1825 Gilmer Avenue

Galilee Baptist 95 Old Georgia Rd., Wetumpka Good Hope Baptist 1766 S. Fleahop Rd., Eclectic Goodship Baptist 1554 Hwy. 143, Millbrook Grace Baptist 304 Old Montgomery Hwy., Wetumpka Grandview Pines Baptist 346 Deatsville Hwy., Millbrook Green Ridge Baptist 288 Turner Rd., Wetumpka Harvest Baptist 2990 Main St., Millbrook Hillside Baptist 405 Old Montgomery Hwy., Wetumpka Holtville Riverside Baptist 7121 Holtville Rd., Wetumpka Lake Elam Baptist 4060 Gober Rd., Millbrook Liberty Hill Baptist 61 Crenshaw Rd., Wetumpka Lighthouse Baptist 2281 Main St., Millbrook Living Water Baptist 1745 Grass Farm Rd., Titus Millbrook Baptist Millbrook Mitts Chapel Baptist 935 Cold Springs Rd., Deatsville Mt. Hebron West Baptist 150 Mt. Hebron Rd., Elmore Mt. Herron East Baptist Church 4355 Mt. Herron Rd., Eclectic Mountain View Baptist 1025 Rie Range Rd., Wetumpka New Harmony Baptist 3094 New Harmony Rd., Marbury New Home Baptist 1605 New Home Rd., Titus New Hope Baptist 6191 Light-wood Rd., Deatsville New Lily Green Baptist 6504 Deatsville Hwy., Deatsville New Nazareth Baptist Hwy. 143, Deatsville Pleasant Hill Baptist Pleasant Hill Rd., Eclectic Prospect Baptist Prospect Rd., Eclectic

Tallassee Churches CATHOLIC St Vincent De Paul Parish 620 Gilmer Avenue CHRISTIAN/OTHER Apostolic Church of Jesus Christ 1072 Muskogee Trail East Tallassee Church of Christ 501 Central Boulevard First Presbyterian Church 514 Central Blvd Light of Jesus Outreach Ministries 140 Gin Street Macedonia Christian Church 2685 Macedonia Road Mount Olive Congregational Christian Church NACCC 492 Kent Road Oak Heights Church of Christ 74 Manning Circle Tallassee Church of Christ 209 Gilmer Avenue

Wind Rain & Fire Ministries International 1201 Gilmer Avenue Vessel Church 84632 Tallassee Hwy, Eclectic God’s Church, Campre Ministries 209 Barnett Bouelvard The Lord Our Righteousness Center, Inc. 4566 Claud Road Eclectic Tallassee First Assembly of God 185 Friendship Road EPISCOPAL Episcopal Church of the Epiphany 2602 Gilmer Avenue METHODIST East Tallassee United Methodist Church 101 Central Boulevard First United Methodist Church 1 Jordan Avenue New Zion 3523 Ashurst Bar Road Oak Valley United Methodist Church 3889 Burt Mill Road

Surrounding Area Churches Redland Baptist 1266 Dozier Rd., Wetumpka Rushenville Baptist 10098 Georgia Rd., Eclectic Saint James Baptist 1005 Nobles Rd., Wetumpka Saint James Baptist 101 Gantt Rd., Deatsville Santuck Baptist 7250 Central Plank Rd., Wetumpka Seman Baptist Seman, Alabama Shoal Creek Baptist 13214 Holtville Rd., Deatsville Springeld Baptist Hwy. 7, Millbrook Thelma Baptist 810 Weoka Rd., Wetumpka Titus Baptist 6930 Titus Rd., Wetumpka Tunnell Chapel Baptist 210 Central Plank Rd., Wetumpka Victory Baptist 5481 Main St., Millbrook Wadsworth Baptist 2780 Hwy. 143, Deatsville BAPTIST - MISSIONARY Atkins Hill 565 Atkins Rd., Wetumpka Cathmagby Baptist 3074 Mitchell Creek Rd., Wetumpka First Missionary Baptist at Guileld 412 Company St., Wetumpka Goodhope 1389 Willow Springs Rd. Wetumpka Lebanon 17877 U.S. Hwy. 231, Titus Mount Canaan 1125 Weoka Rd., Wetumpka Mount Pisgah 16621 U.S. Hwy. 231, Titus Mt. Zion 371 AL Hwy. 14, Elmore Mt. Zion #3 1813 Luke Paschal Rd., Eclectic New Home 5130 Elmore Rd., Wetumpka Second Missionary 760 N. Bridge St., Wetumpka Spring Chapel Jasmine Hill Rd., Wetumpka

Sweetwater 163 Michael Lane, Wetumpka Tabernacle Baptist 1020 W. Tallassee St., Wetumpka BAPTIST - PRIMITIVE Bethel Old School 4625 Jackson Rd., Wetumpka Providence 4850 Chana Creek Rd., Wetumpka CATHOLIC Our Lady of Guadalupe 545 White Rd., Wetumpka CHURCH OF CHRIST Church of Christ of Elmore 470 Caesarville Rd., Wetumpka 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 Lightwood Church of Christ 251 New Harmony Rd., Deatsville Redland Road Church of Christ 2480 Redland Rd., Wetumpka Wetumpka Church of Christ W. Bridge St. At W. Main St., Wetumpka CHURCH OF GOD Elmore Church of God 10675 Rucker Road, Elmore Gethsemane Church of God 705 Cotton St., Wetumpka Church at the Brook 2890 Hwy. 14, Millbrook Maranatha Church of God 2621 Holtville Rd., Wetumpka Victory Tabernacle AOH Church of God 2080 Main Street, Millbrook Wetumpka Church of God Hwy. 9 N. Wetumpka CONGREGATIONAL CHRISTIAN Cedarwood Congregational Christian 10286 US Hwy 231 N, Wetumpka Seman Congregational Christian 15970 Central Plank Rd., Seman Union Congregational Christian 8188 Lightwood Rd., Marbury EPISCOPAL The Episcopal Church of the Epiphany 2602 Gilmer Ave., Tallassee

God, regardless of covenant relationship with God or even lack thereof, has the capacity to participate in the ongoing revelation of the Word of God, and Whereas every child of God is made in the image of God as a blessing to be shared with the whole of the earthly kingdom, and Whereas the word of God was sent in the flesh in order to redeem the earthly kingdom, not to condemn it, be it therefore resolved that: Every child of God should strive to follow God’s Word, the perfect and complete example for life in the earthly kingdom, in every time and place to the best of our ability. Rev. Jonathan Yarboro is the Pastor of First Presbyterian Church, Wetumpka

Oak Valley Station United Methodist 162 Parsonage Road St. Paul Tallassee 101 Herren Hill Road Wall Street 71 Zion Street INDEPENDENT Abundant Life Church 2634 Lower Tuskegee Road Saint Mark All Nationals Pentecostal Foundation Church 30 Stewart Street Tallassee Church of God 134 Adams Street Tallassee Holiness Church 194 Honeysuckle Lane God’s Congregation Holiness Church 508 Jordan Avenue Claud Independent Methodist Church 81232 Tallassee Highway in Eclectic

Trinity Episcopal Church 5371 U.S. Hwy. 231, Wetumpka St. Michael & All Angels Church 5941 Main St., Millbrook HOLINESS New Beginnings Holiness 865 Crenshaw Rd., Wetumpka Summit Holiness 2050 Hwy. 14, Millbrook Temple of Deliverance Holiness 620 Alabama St., Wetumpka JEHOVAH’S WITNESS Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses 9235 U.S. Hwy. 231, Wetumpka LATTER DAY SAINTS Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints 1405 Chapel Rd., Wetumpka 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 Millbrook Presbyterian Corner of Main St. & Coosada Rd. Valley View Presbyterian - PCA 4125 Rie Range Rd. Wetumpka SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST First Elmore Seventh Day Adventist 210 Lucky Town Rd., Elmore INDEPENDENT METHODIST Claud Independent Methodist Church 81232 Tallassee Hwy, Eclectic UNITED METHODIST Cain’s Chapel United Methodist 96 Lightwood Rd., Deatsville Central United Methodist Church 11721 Central Plank Rd. Central Elmore United Methodist Church 40 Hatchet St., Elmore First United Methodist Church 306 W. Tuskeena St., Wetumpka First United Methodist Church 3350 Edgewood, Millbrook Harmony United Methodist Church 8000 Titus Rd., Titus

Mulder Memorial United Methodist 3454 Fire Tower Rd., Wetumpka New Style United Methodist 64 Old Georgia Plank Spur, Wetumpka Pierce Chapel United Methodist 1003 Pierce Chapel Rd., Santuck Providence United Methodist 1540 Providence Rd., Titus Robinson Springs Methodist Church 5980 Main St., Millbrook Trinity United Methodist 135 Little Weoka Creek Rd., Equality 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 Victory Temple 1173 Old Montgomery Hwy., Wetumpka OTHER Central Bible Chapel 3630 Edgewood Rd., Millbrook Chapel of Praise Hwy. 14, Millbrook Cornerstone Full Gospel 9301 US Hwy. 231, Wetumpka East Chapel MP Church Airport Rd., Millbrook Grace Bible Church 2251 Main St., Millbrook Gracepoint Community Church 78223 Tallassee Highway, Wetumpka New Life Church - Millbrook Sanctuary Worship Center 1688 Ceasarville Rd., Wetumpka Servant Fellowship Church Wetumpka The Worship Center 2705 Williams Rd., Wetumpka Time of Refreshing Fellowship 117 E. Bridge St., Wetumpka Words of Life Church 105 Cousins Rd., Wetumpka

Dalton Middleton Sports Editor dalton.middleton@thewetumpkaherald.com

www.TallasseeTribune.com

Sports

Phone: 334-283-6568 Fax: 334-283-6569 www.TallasseeTribune.com

Wednesday, January 10, 2024 • Page B1

Tallassee boys starting the year strong weeks. But that didn’t stop Mixson’s group from starting the 2024 calenThe Tallassee boys basketball dar year with a 1-1 record against team is not at full strength, but some tough competition. coach Keiven Mixson likes where The Tigers dropped the first his team is. game of the new year to a very talAfter a strong first half of the ented Lafayette team before beating season, Tallassee entered 2024 with Class 5A Marbury last week. Monan 8-9 overall record and an 0-1 day’s game that was scheduled for record in Class 5A, Area 7 play. Class 6A’s Sidney Lanier, a playoff The Tigers dropped six of their last team from a year ago, was canceled DALTON MIDDLETON | THE TRIBUNE seven games to end 2023 and lost due to rain. Tallassee point guard Jaiden Gordon goes up for a layup starting point guard Jaiden Gordon “We’ve been trying to piece against Barbour County earlier this year. The Tigers are to a dislocated finger for a few some things together right now coming off a win over Marbury. By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor

TALLASSEE DOMINATES

while we’re not at full strength,” “That’s given us the chance to get young guys experience who are going to be able to help us over the next few years. We’ve played a solid schedule so far and we’ve played a lot of teams with winning records. I feel good about how competitive we are night in and night out.” Losing an eighth grader to injury doesn’t seem like it would hurt many teams too bad, but Gordon is not the typical eighth grader. See BOYS, Page B3

Player of the Week

REGION DUALS see trophy case. “We did well,” coach John Mask said. “The kids wrestled fter 29 duals matches, the well. There are great teams Tallassee Tigers are still here, a lot of talent. I was undefeated. impressed.” Taking to the mats at On Wednesday, TallasBeauregard for the 5A, see defeated Valley, Elmore Region 2 duals, the Tigers County and Beauregard headdefeated Carver-Birmingham ing into Thursday’s tournaand Shelby County to claim ment. the tournament’s top spot and The Tigers opened up another plaque for the Tallas- Thursday against Carver and By HENRY ZIMMER Sports Writer

won swiftly 75-6. Tallassee lost just one match against Carver, dropping the 285 class by way of a pin. The closest match between the two programs was in the 215 weight class, with Jude Rogers earning a 3-2 decision over his opponent. Every other match was a pin by the purple and gold. See DUALS, Page B2

SUBMITTED | THE TRIBUNE

Elmore County’s Myles Eyerly, posing with the Panther Pin Belt, went 7-0 with five pins and two decisions over the course of the AHSAA Class 5, Region 2 duals tournament and the Julian McPhillips Invitational.

Elmore County’s Eyerly remains unbeaten with big weekend In the final two matches, he took down two of the top heavyElmore County heavy- weights in the state weight wrestler Myles back-to-back. He beat Eyerly started his 2024 Holtville’s Tyson Ratoff with an impressive liff, 8-0, then took down week. Class 1A-4A’s No. Wrestling in the 1-ranked wrestler in AHSAA Class 5A, PCA’s Aidan Cockrell, Region 2 duals and 1-0. the Julian McPhillips For his performance, Tournament held at St. Eyerly is the Elmore James, Eyerly went 7-0 County Player of the with seven dominant Week. wins. “He had some The 5A defending really, really good state champion earned performances in our three pins over opporegion duals,” head nents from Tallassee, coach Mason Thornton Valley and Beauregard said. “Then he faced a in the region tournafew ranked wrestlers and ment, then opened up pulled out two really the weekend tournament great matches. It was a with a pin vs. Reeltown See EYERLY, Page B2 and Dothan. By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor

HENRY ZIMMER | THE TRIBUNE

Tallassee wrestler Mason Nelson holds Carver’s Javarious Dates down in the 5A Region 2 duals match on Thursday morning.

Reeltown wrestles in duals, McPhillips Invitational town won handily 57-24. The Rebels picked up wins by Justin Thomas (138 pounds), Over the past week, the Jackson Renfroe (144), Ethan Reeltown wrestling team com- Hill (150), Harrison Renfroe peted in both the Class 1-4A (157), Jacob Sessions (175), Region 2 Duals and the Julian Devin Bragg (215) and BenjaMcPhillips Invitational at St. min Ledbetter (106). James. Blake Hadden (113), Drake At the duals tournament, Wood (120) and Luke Cotten Reeltown picked up a win (132) all were awarded wins of Beulah and losses against by forfeit. Prattville Christian, MontgomReeltown’s win over Beulah ery Catholic and St. James. came on the heels of the team Against the Bobcats, Reelfinishing third in the PCA By HENRY ZIMMER Sports Writer

Duals on Dec. 16. The team’s third place finish was the best in program history. Facing Prattville Christian in the squad’s second match, Reeltown kept things close but ultimately lost 48-33. Wood, Thomas and Harrison Renfroe were the only three wrestlers to win their matches. Hadden picked up a second forfeit victory, while Bragg and Ledbetter picked up a combined 12 points through forfeits as well.

Against Montgomery Catholic, things were even tighter as Reeltown narrowly lost 46-36. Bragg kicked things off with a win in just 65 seconds, followed by wins from Ledbetter, Adam Ward, Wood, Thomas and Harrison Renfroe. The team’s final match of the duals tournament was a 54-30 loss to St. James as Ledbetter, Harrison Renfroe and Wood won their matches. Harrison Renfroe and Bragg

both went 4-0 during the duals competition, and Wood went 3-0. Competing in the 18-team McPhillips Invitational, Reeltown placed 10th overall with a final team score of 66 points. Tallassee won the tournament, running away with the title with a score of 291. The Rebels were again led by the combined efforts of Bragg and Wood who each See REELTOWN, Page B2

Page B2 • Wednesday, January 10, 2024

EYERLY

Continued from B1

www.TallasseeTribune.com

Post players helping to lead Reeltown The eighth grader O’Neal led her team in scoring with 15. Riley, a senior, finished Reeltown basketball’s with nine. two most important players With the duo’s high scorare an eighth grader and a ing, the team had put itself senior. in a position to win. HowWhat London O’Neal and ever, shots from anyone not Chizyiah Riley may lack under the basket simply were in age similarity, they are not falling. almost carbon copies of one Leenadra Hooks finished another under the basket. with just one made 3-pointer, During Friday’s loss to despite taking plenty of shots Horseshoe Bend, 50-34, the from deep all night. pair combined for 24 of the Once the team gets more team’s points. burn together, having only For Reeltown, their complayed in two games so far bined successes will be the this year, things should realmain focus of this season. ly start to look up. As they develop alongside “One thing that hurt is that one another, the Rebels only Leeandra took some good stand to get better and better. shots, but they rimmed out,” “I thought London and Solomon said. “She will hit Chizyiah played really well those shots, and once she on the offensive and the starts hitting those, I think defensive end,” head coach combined with Chizyiah and Will Solomon said. “We did London’s shots that will be a a really good job continuing big positive.” to get them the ball.” In the first half, O’Neal By HENRY ZIMMER Sports Writer

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great showing on his part all the way around.” In the win over Cockrell in the heavyweight championship, the two No. 1-ranked wrestlers went back-andforth early. The score remained 0-0 after the first period with neither wrestler able to do much, but Eyerly took a 1-0 lead on an escape early in the second period. After a reset, Eyerly started on top and held Cockrell down and didn’t allow an escape for the rest of the two minutes. The third period remained much of the same back-and-forth until the final quarter of the match. With around 25 seconds left, the two locked up and went flying off the map and crashed into the scorer’s table. Instead of the match being called, however, both wrestlers went back out and closed out the final 20 seconds and Eyerly finished with his 1-0 win. “It’s a difficult task holding down a heavyweight for two minutes, but he stepped up and held Cockrell down,” Thornton said. “It worked out in our favor and was a very exciting finish.” Eyerly likely doesn’t mind winning by decision, but he’s done the most of his work with pins this year. Out of his 21 wins, he has 16 wins by pins this season. He did much of the same during his state championship run last year as he pinned six of his last seven matches in super sectionals and the state tournament. “That shows his strength as a wrestler,” Thornton said. “His game has improved so much on top where he’s able to turn these guys and pin them. It’s difficult turning a heavyweight and some of these guys he faces are heavier than he is, and that’s a testament to his strength and the work he’s put in.” Eyerly entered the 2023-2024 season with a target on his back. He finished his junior campaign with the state title and a 40-6 record, but he wanted to be even better to finish out his high school career. So far as a senior, he’s done exactly that as he is unbeaten at 21-0. Included in those wins are ranked wins like he got this weekend. He’s also taken down the No. 5-ranked wrestler in Class 5A, St. Clair’s Michael Gomer, with a first period pin. With Elmore County not advancing in the duals postseason, Eyerly looks towards the individual state championship and is trying to repeat. “He knows that these kids are out there trying to beat him,” Thornton said. “He’s stepped up to the challenge. He just goes out there and takes care of business. He’s not a kid who goes out and thinks he’s so much better. He goes out there and fights and he wrestles well no matter who the opponent is.”

The Tallassee Tribune

and Riley combined for 11 of the team’s 16 total points. At the varsity level, O’Neal has scored in double-digits in both games for the Rebels. Against Holtville to open Reeltown’s shortened season, O’Neal put up a team-high 10 points while also grabbing 10 boards. Against the Generals, O’Neal boasted her second straight double-double, snagging another 10 rebounds. Riley finished with eight. Using the pair’s size, Reeltown was able to score second chance buckets down low. Shooting from the outside is where the team faltered. But much of that is to be expected when O’Neal is just a middle schooler and the team had to cancel almost 10 games to start the year. As for the team’s veterans, Riley and Hooks are the only seniors with big minutes.

“I think we can work the ball in and out no matter what defense we are facing,” Solomon said. “What hurts us is turning the ball over, and a lot of that is due to inexperience. I have a lot of young girls still adjusting.” The Rebels (0-2, 0-1) finished with 20 turnovers to just 11 made buckets. Solomon’s team picks up again on Tuesday with a game against LaFayette, then a matchup with Lanett on Friday. Both games are region tilts, and will be a huge litmus test for how impactful O’Neal and Riley can be moving forward. If Friday’s hardfought loss is any indication, the more games the team plays, the better they stand to become. “The effort was there,” Solomon said. “We gave ourselves a chance. I was really pleased with our effort.”

SPORTS CALENDAR Thursday, Jan. 11 High School Bowling 4 Stanhope Elmore at Pike Road/Lanier, 4:30 p.m. High School Basketball 4 Jemison at Holtville, 4:30 p.m. 4 Edgewood Academy at Evangel-Alabaster, 4 p.m.

High School Wrestling 4 Wetumpka/Valley at Elmore County, TBD Tallassee at Opelika, 5 p.m. 4 Pike Road at Stanhope Elmore, 5:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 12 High School

Basketball 4 Elmore County at Marbury, 5 p.m. 4 Beauregard at Tallassee, 6 p.m. 4 Stanhope Elmore at Wetumpka, 6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 13 High School Wrestling 4 Holtville at PCA,

TBD Tuesday, Jan. 16 High School Wrestling 4 St. James/Tallassee at Elmore County, TBD 4 Holtville at Stanhope Elmore, TBD 4 Montgomery Catholic/Beauregard/ Ben Russell at Stanhope

Elmore, 5:30 p.m. High School Basketball 4 Edgewood Academy at Autauga Academy, 4 p.m. 4 Holtville at Isabella, 4:30 p.m. 4 Wetumpka at Sidney Lanier, 6 p.m. 4 Stanhope Elmore at Carver, 6 p.m.

Tallassee’s Joseph Hooks wrestles with Carver’s Artez Jones. Hooks won the match via pin only 80 seconds into the first period.

DUALS

Continued from B1

Against Shelby County, things were much the same as Tallassee lost just two matches and forfeited one. The Tigers won 60-15. Braden Arnold got revenge for his earlier 285 loss by way of a major decision, winning 16-2. Winning all but three matches may seem like a heavy handed sweep, however Mask pointed to a couple close matches that could have swung in the opposite direction. He was more than happy his team got tested at just about every turn, as the road only gets tougher as Tallassee marches along. “We know the other teams have a lot of talent and some great wrestlers,” Mask said. “There were some matches that could have gone either way. Most of the guys expect to win, so we never want to lose but we know as you advance and keep wrestling that there is so much talent

REELTOWN Continued from B1

finished the tournament in second place

in this state. You hope these great matches continue to grow.” Over the two days and five matches, Tallassee’s 15 points given up to Shelby County were its most. But if you are a team like Tallassee, two losses could be the difference later in the season between bringing home a state title or bringing home nothing at all. “You don’t want to make mistakes,” Mask said. “You don’t want to take bad shots and give the other team two points. You don’t want to try to throw somebody then go to your back. You have to wrestle smart.” Winning in the duals tournament was obviously the expectation for Tallassee, though wins and trophies are still great to build off of. As the team took turns posing with their newly earned hardware after the tournament, their coach took note of how special his team is. “They are great kids, they work hard,” Mask said.

in their respective weights. Wood earned his silver medal finish in the 122 class, falling in the title fight to

“They are all talented wrestlers. They want to win and push each other. Amongst themselves, they have a lot of pride.” The wins at Beauregard pushed plenty of Tallassee wrestlers into incredible season records. Land Bell is now 34-0 on the year, Ramon Lozada is 26-0 and Christian McCary is now over 200 wins for his career. In total, the Tigers have wrestlers in the Top-5 in 12 of the 14 total weights. “They all want to break records,” Mask said. “They are motivated individually and they work with each other and push each other. They all expect it and expect to win.”

TIGERS WIN JULIAN MCPHILLIPS INVITATIONAL

Taking a break from duals play, Tallassee made the short trek over to St. James and dominated the Julian McPhillips Invitational. The Tigers more than doubled the score from the next closest team as they

Ramon Lozada from Tallassee. Wood defeated wrestlers Elmore County, St. James and Tallassee to reach the

HENRY ZIMMER | THE TRIBUNE

racked up 291 total points. Second place PCA scored 145, while third place St. James scored 135 points. Thirteen total Tallassee wrestlers placed in the Top 4 of their weight classes during the event. Out of those 13, eight wrestlers walked away as champions. Thomas Patterson (108), Mason Nelson (115), Ramon Lozada (122), Land Bell (146), Ethan Jones (152), Christian McCary (167), Nolan Addeo (192) and Jude Rogers (217) all finished in first place. The other four placers were second place finishers Aiden Bridgman (128) and Marques Freeman (217), third place finishers Avery Brantley (140) and Joseph Hooks (177) and fourth place finisher Jacob Patterson (159). McCary, who recently earned his 200th career win, was named the Tournament’s MVP for going 4-0 with four first period pins. His longest match of the weekend was only 67 seconds long.

championship stage. In the 217 class, Bragg defeated wrestlers from Holtville, Percy Julian and Stanhope Elmore before

facing off against Jude Rogers from Tallassee. In the championship bout, Rogers just barely edged Bragg out by way of a 5-4 decision.

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Wednesday, January 10, 2024 • Page B3

Reeltown improves to 2-0 was trying a bit too hard and not playing to his natural strengths. Despite a shortened After half however, start to the season, the Henderson let loose and Reeltown Rebels are 2-0. no one on the Horseshoe After a 59-38 region Bend side could stop win over Horseshoe him. The sharpshootBend on Friday, the Reb- er connected on four els have started unde3-pointers in the game, feated despite having with three makes in the canceled seven games to second half. Under the start the year. basket, Henderson was Coach Jonathan Gard- one of an army of Rebner couldn’t remember els that dominated the the last time the program boards and generated had started a year this second chance opportunistrong, but didn’t want ties for his team. to get ahead of himself “I tell him that he has with only two games to get in a groove, he played. Still, Friday was can’t force it,” Gardan excellent start to the ner said of Henderson. back half of the sched“Sometimes he gets to ule. forcing it and he gets “This feels really frustrated. He found his good,” Gardner said. groove, though.” “We can’t get too high, Things were knotted we have a big one on up until the third quarter, Tuesday.” when Henderson started Reeltown hosts LaFay- to come alive. He wasn’t ette on Tuesday, for yet alone, as running mate another region game. If Dee Brown also had a their first region matchsolid showing. up was any indication Brown finished with however, the team is in a 12, but had 10 after halfgreat spot. time. Brown and HenderJunior Finn Henderson combined for 13 in son led all scorers with the third quarter, outscor24 points, collecting 16 ing the entire Generals’ after halftime. offensive output by nine Before the halftime points. break, it looked to GardIn the second half, ner like his star player Brown found himself

with a full head of steam driving to the basket on numerous possessions. He was fouled on almost all of his drives, much to the enjoyment of his coach. “He can do that every night,” Gardner said of Brown. “He rushes, but once he slows down, he can really go.” Tae Martin added eight of his own and five other Rebels also recorded buckets. So far this year, with wins over Holtville and Reeltown, the Rebels have held their opponents to under 40 points in each game. In both games offensively, the Rebels have scored in the 50s, but have done more than enough on both ends to earn two wins. LaFayette is on the horizon, sitting at 9-3 and coming off a win over Lanett. Gardner knows his next opponent is tough, and can’t celebrate being 2-0 for too long. But going into the weekend undefeated still has got to feel good. “We are not looking too far ahead, we just have to take this thing game by game,” Gardner said.

BOYS

Missoula brings children out of their shell in Tallassee — again

By HENRY ZIMMER Sports Writer

Continued from B1

Gordon is the No. 5-ranked player in the state in his class, and he has been a full-time starter since the beginning of his seventh-grade season. Already midway through his final middle school season, he’s started over 40 games at the varsity level. This year, he’s averaging 6.5 points per game, good for fourth on the team. But where his skills come in is taking the ball up the court. He and Jamarrion McCoy are both very skilled ball handlers, and teams aren’t really able to press when they’re both in the game. With him out, teams press more and can cause a few more issues than they normally can. That’s something that the Tigers have been working on improving in his absence. “I have a lot of guards on our team, but I don’t have a lot of point guards,” Mixson said. “When you lose him, it really changes the way teams press you and come after you. But we still have enough to still fly around and still press and that’s going to be our go-to. We thrive in chaos so we’re going to do a lot of that. I was happy with how we played against Marbury last week.” Tallassee’s next matchup is an area matchup with Beauregard on Friday night. The game will serve as Tallassee’s Senior Night and its second area game. The Tigers dropped their area opener to defending state champion Valley, 74-42, midway through December. Beauregard will not pose the same physical presence that Valley did, but Mixson is still impressed with the way the Hornets are playing this year. Beauregard is 7-2 this season and has lost two of its last four games. Those losses came to LaFayette by nearly 30 points and to Horseshoe Bend by nearly 20 points. “Beauregard is about like us,” Mixson said. “They look almost exactly like us as far as their size goes. They have a few football players out there who are big and stocky. I’ve watched them and they are not the same team they’ve been in the past. They are well coached and they have some good players. They’re doing things, like pressing, that they haven’t done in the past. It’s going to be a challenge.”

HENRY ZIMMER | THE TRIBUNE

ABOVE: Reeltown’s Finn Henderson (3) attempts to dribble past Horseshoe Bend’s Braxton Wilson on Friday night. BELOW: Reeltown’s Dee Brown (5) attacks the rim over Horseshoe Bend’s Hayden Harris on Friday night.

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor It is hard to imagine “Mistress Mary, quite contrary” and The Secret Garden can bring some children out of their shell. But for the Missoula Children's Theater , that is exactly what it does. Two staff members come with the week-long MCT production to hold auditions, practices and finally a production. Along the way children come to life and develop personalities, not only in character but as themselves. “We teach life lessons through the shows,” MCT’s Mandi Fielding said. “When bad things happen, you got to look to the good things in life.” Fielding credits MCT for getting her into acting and theater. MCT was her first experience on stage and she hasn’t left. “I did it from when I was little all the way to my senior year in high school,” Fielding said. “I’ve been back on the tour for a few years now.” This week MCT is using The Secret Garden to teach children about acting, how to work backstage and a few life lessons along the way. “It is a more serious topic than most Missoula shows,” MCT’s Eliza Brisban said. “Kids will

still identify with what happens.” Patrons and benefactors have helped bring MCT to Tallassee for more than 20 years and in recent years the McCraney Cottle Arts Council has helped. Donna Cunningham has served as the McCraney director for when MCT comes to town. She helps guide children and their parents through the mechanics of getting to rehearsals and necessary paperwork. Cunningham has seen what the program can do for students. Her daughter was part of one of the first MCT productions in Tallassee some 25 years ago. “They get to be a part of a musical,” Cunningham said. “It gives them a good introduction to performing arts. It gives them an avenue for theater and drama.” Parents like the program as it introduces their children to something new, but it also helps them overcome obstacles along the way. Ashley Mays said her son Andrew has now participated in five MCT productions in five years. She also has a daughter in the program for the first time this year. Mays believes it is good for children but not just for the things they learn on stage. “It brings Andrew out of his shyness I think,” Mays said. “It’s

his favorite thing to do. He’s not a sports person. It’s a good way to introduce kids to theater.” Southside Middle School eighth grader Evan Coburn is back on the stage again for the third time with MCT. He got his first experience in theater as a third grader at Tallassee Elementary School. He gave MCT a try and keeps coming back. “It just seemed fun,” Coburn said. “It has always been fun memories. I’ve gotten a lot of friends because of it.” Michael Bird teaches choir at Tallassee High School. This year he has a daughter in the MCT program. It is theater and not the show choir experience Bird teaches. “It is a tradition in this community for young people to come in and try their hand at acting and singing on stage,” Bird said. The MCT program concludes with a production at the Tallassee High School auditorium at 2 p.m. Saturday, but Bird believes MCT helps open the doors to performing arts for all who try it. “It builds them up for future opportunities at the high school,” Bird said. “They will feel more comfortable on stage and speaking. They start to come out of their shell. It really is a great tradition here in Tallassee.”

DALTON MIDDLETON | THE TRIBUNE

Tallassee’s Kam Tate passes the ball against Barbour County. The Tallassee girls, which are 0-1 in area play, host area opponent Beauregard on Friday night.

CLIFF WILLIAMS | THE TRIBUNE

MCT’s Mandi Fielding, left, and Eliza Brisban said it is interesting to see how children develop during the week before the Saturday production.

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WEDNESDAY • JANUARY 10, 2024

TheWetumpkaHerald.com

Vol. 33, No. 2

LMRA LOOKS TO ENHANCE ITS ORGANIZATION By ABIGAIL MURPHY Multimedia Reporter With Jodie McGirt wrapping up her first year as Lake Martin Resource Association president, the organization has hit multiple accomplishments and has more in store.

INITIATIVES

McGirt explained LMRA has three strategic initiatives: boater safety, advocacy and environmentalism. Boater safety includes the buoy management program, which takes up 60% of the budget. ALEA decides where the buoys go and LMRA’s volunteer team places the buoys out on the lake. One of LMRA’s upcoming events with buoy management is Lake Martin Young Professionals’ Polar Plunge on Jan. 13. The proceeds from the Polar Plunge go toward Light Up the Lake, which is an effort to place lights on the lake’s buoys. Another program is boater training. LMRA works with both Russell Marines and ALEA for the training. It not only helps people with getting boat licenses, but the training also provides hands-on experience. McGirt said going into next year she would like to expand on the training and add even more hands-on experience. LMRA also started working with Children’s Harbor to provide boater training for the camps. The other initiative is advocacy. McGirt said that largely has to do with ensuring Lake Martin keeps its water quality. She said it’s one of the cleanest lakes in the state and LMRA wants to help maintain that. The final initiative is envi-

FILE | THE OBSERVER

ABOVE: Don Clark, left, and Neal Butler remove a damaged buoy to install and repair some of the nearly 400 buoys on Lake Martin. Buoy management takes up 60% of LMRA’s budget. BELOW: One of Lake Martin Resource Assoication’s biggest clean up initiatives is Renew Our Rivers. Although the organization has many more programs throughout the year to aid the lake.

ronmentalism. The main environmental efforts are the trash clean ups. LMRA aids with Alexander City’s second Saturday cleanups and the organization also hosts clean ups around Kowaliga and the Red Hill community. The big clean is Renew Our Rivers, which is also a partnership with Alabama Power. This year’s LMRA had six to eight dumpsters around the lake, and McGirt said volunteers gathered a significant amount of trash. Some of the other programs the organization participates in is the Tallapoosa County Water Festival, and LMRA will soon be collecting undecorated, real Christmas trees to create fish habitats out of.

MOVING FORWARD

McGirt said as people can see through the initiatives

LMRA’s partnerships from Russell Lands to Alabama Power to Children’s Harbor are vital for the organization. Going into 2024, she said she wants to continue to enhance those relationships. On top of that, LMRA recently moved to an electronic customer management system in order to streamline communication with members and potential members. McGirt said she wants to find ways to better organize volunteers around the lake. With LMRA’s board of directors, the organization has three to four board members moving to emeritus status and there are six new board members coming on next year as well. McGirt said her vision is to carry on the heritage and the mission of LMRA and then expand upon it.

“Our goal this year is really to get better community engagement all the way around the lake — enlisting fire departments, enlisting other organizations that serve the community and figure out how we can partner a little bit better,” she said. “Our board members are going to take the lead on a lot of the committees

and then we are going to enlist a lot of volunteers and better manage our volunteers through the customer management system as well.” McGirt said she is continuing to work on tapping into key individuals around the lake, but overall, she is excited about what they have and what they have coming.

Elmore County football faces tough 2024 slate in 2024. In this region, Holtville (7-4), Beauregard Elmore County coach (6-5), Elmore County Kyle Caldwell will face (8-3), Valley (7-4), his former team in 2024. Central Clay (10-1) and The Panthers released Marbury (2-9) all made their 2024 football the postseason last seaschedule last week and son. Elmore County opens the The only team to upcoming season on the miss the playoffs was road against Chelsea. Sylacauga, which was Caldwell, who has eliminated on a 39-38 coached Elmore County loss to Beauregard.“It’s for the last two seasons, definitely a pretty tough was the offensive coordiregion,” Caldwell said. nator at Chelsea for four “I think every single seasons from 2018-2021. team lost key players This is the first-ever from their teams this meeting between Elmore year, even Clay Central, County and Chelsea. but they still have a “It’ll be a cool expelot of talent returning. rience for the kids,” Obviously they’re the Caldwell said. “That guys everybody in our FILE | THE OBSERVER Shelby County/Birming- Elmore County’s football team will be in a tough region as six of the seven teams made the playoffs last year. In non-region play, region is chasing. We ham-Metro area has have to have a great Elmore County will travel to Chelsea and Carroll-Ozark while hosting Chilton County and Tallassee. some really, really good offseason program to football. I’m trying to est region in football last year and was the No. 4 With about 370 stuneed each other. It’s put ourselves in a posiget our kids some more year, Chelsea went 2-8 seed in a tough region dents, Tallassee will good for the students tion to win the region. exposure to some difand missed the playoffs. before falling in the move down to Class 4A and the alumni. These We have to work harder ferent areas around the The four teams that did first round of playoffs. and will not be region kids grow up playing than everyone else.” state. I think it’ll be a make the playoffs out “Hopefully these opponents with the Pan- against each other and good experience. Coming of that region – Thompgames will prepare us thers anymore. since I’ve been here, 2024 FOOTBALL from 7A, they’ll have a son, Hewitt-Trussville, for the playoffs,” CaldDespite that, the two it’s been a really good, SCHEDULE good game speed.” Vestavia Hills and well said. “I feel like teams have played every clean rivalry. You Aug. 23 - at Chelsea Chelsea has moved Hoover – all advanced to we’re at the point after season since 1971 and always want to keep Aug. 30 - Tallassee down to Class 6A this at least the second round. two years where we that was not going to those.” Sept. 6 - at Carroll-Ozark year from 7A, but the Other non-region need to schedule a little change for this upcomWith Tallassee movSept. 13 - Holtville* school still has almost games for Elmore Coun- bit tougher of a scheding season. ing out, Elmore County Sept. 20 - at Beauregard* 600 more students in its ty will be Chilton Coun- ule. We need to play “It’s an important welcomed in Marbury Sept. 27 - BYE daily enrollment than ty, which is coming off some tougher teams to game for both commuand Holtville to the Oct. 4 - Central Clay Elmore County. a 4-6 record and missed prepare ourselves for nities,” Caldwell said. region, both of which County* Elmore County, at 385 the playoffs in Class 6A, the playoffs.” “Each community can’t the Panthers played Oct. 11 - at Valley* students, is the fourth Region 3, and against As for other games, really survive by them- regularly However, Oct. 18 - Marbury* smallest 5A school. Class 5A teams Carkeeping Tallassee on the selves as much as both it means six reigning Oct. 25 - at Sylacauga* Playing in what could roll-Ozark and Tallassee. schedule was a must for communities want to playoff teams will be Nov. 1 - Chilton County be argued was the toughCarroll went 4-7 last Caldwell. say they could. They fighting for four spots * - region game By DALTON MIDDLETON Spor ts Editor

First Place in General Excellence Best small daily newspaper in Alabama

THE

WEDNESDAY

LOCAL, PAGE10 A3 LOCAL, PAGE West namedcontinues new Russell Marine Maincharity Street director annual donation

Arts & Entertainment

THE WEDNESDAY Alex City resident wanted relation to high-speed chase Sportplex may beinnew BRHS location SUBMITTED

by Sandlin Jr. for a traffic violation. Detective Division is investigating THE OUTLOOK Easterwood said the car chase the incident, and, in addition to This photo began at approximately 11 a.m. arrest warrants in other jurisdicdepicts Alan Police are still searching for a Saturday and continued along U.S. tions, future criminal charges are Sandlin Jr., man who led officers on a highHighway 280 headed into Coosa also expected. who has been identified as speed chase throughout Alexander County. While attempting to elude The vehicle accident stema suspect in City and Coosa County over the law enforcement, Sandlin Jr. caused ming from Sandlin Jr. fleeing law connection weekend. a wreck with another vehicle. enforcement is now under investiwith a highThe Alexander City Police Sandlin Jr. then proceeded to flee gation as well by the Alabama Law speed chase Department has identified Alan into a wooded area as his vehicle Enforcement Agency. BY SIRI HEDREEN over the Sandlin of Alexander City, in came to a stop on Highway 280. According to a statement, the MultimediaJr., Reporter weekend. Police connection with a high-speed police According to Easterwood, sever- Coosa County Sheriff's Office conare still seeking The Alexander City Board of Education is "very, very pursuit that occurred Saturday. al local law enforcement agencies tinued the pursuit upon receiving a information close" to securing a location Benjamin Russell According to Alexander City for a were then called in to assist Alexcall stating that Sandlin Jr. was seen on his High School campus at the Charles E. Bailey Sportplex, Police Chief James Easterwood, ander City police units with the in a gas station. whereabouts. all but ensuring the abandonment of a new school on Sandlin Jr. of initially eluded police searchHighway for Sandlin As he left the gas station, the the corner U.S. Highway 280 and State 63. Jr., but he could after Alex City police officers not be located. Alexander City Schools superintendent Dr. Keith attempted to stop a vehicle driven Easterwood said the ACPD’s See CHASE, Page A6 Lankford broke the news Tuesday at the chamber of commerce's annual State of Education luncheon, stating he was in talks with Mayor Woody Baird and parks and recreation director Sonny Wilson on placing the school within the city property. Lankford said he hopes to break ground on the building project in March. going to present to the city council as well as BY"We're SIRI HEDREEN the countyReporter commission so we can get this thing kicked Multimedia off," Lankford said. "We are close to making Benjamin The Alexander Citythe Board Education "very, very Russell High School, newofschool at theis Sportplex, close"toto securing a location for a Benjamin Russell come fruition." High Schoolnamed campustheat baseball the Charles E. Bailey Lankford fields as the Sportplex, proposed all but ensuring the abandonment of a new school At on location, with an entrance off Elkahatchee Road. the corner U.S. Highway and aState Highway 63. present, theofbaseball fields 280 border patch of forest Alexander Schools superintendent where Russell City Medical Center plans to buildDr. its Keith new Siri Hedreen / The Outlook Lankfordcenter. broke the news Tuesday at the chamber of geriatric commerce's annual State of Education luncheon, stating The Charles E. Bailey Sportplex baseball elds, where the Alexander City Board of Education now intends to build its new BenjaSee SPORTPLEX • Page A10 he was in talks with Mayor Woody Baird and parks and min Russell High School campus. recreation director Sonny Wilson on placing the school within the city property. Lankford said he hopes to break ground on the building project in March. "We're going to present to the city council as well as the county commission so we can get this thing kicked off," Lankford said. "We are close to making Benjamin at the Lake Martin Event Birmingham was going to real sure? I’m like in the Russell High School, the new school at the Sportplex, BY CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer Center. The meeting of buy that club and make concrete here,’” Hosey come to fruition." Lankford named the baseball fields as the proposed For two years Tina Lake Community Church it another club. Rudy got said. “God told me, ‘I’ve would grown you here and now location, with an entrance off Elkahatchee Road. At Hosey has felt the tug of and Hosey has the two on saved and said he ABIGAIL MURPHY | THE I’mOUTLOOK ready for you to do never make it a club again.” present, the baseball fields border a patch of forest the Lord leading her to a a new call for God. Alibi’s never became a ministry.’” Hosey has left a place of TOP RIGHT: The pieceswasn’t/ The Outlook where Russell Medical Center plans to build its new new church. Siri Hedreen Hosey sure God she was comfortable church but it didn’t return geriatric center. For two years the Lake donated wereofnow multiple where thebuild calling as a place at just a few weeks ago and to its The Charles E.Church Bailey Sportplex Cityroots Board of Education intendsdifferent to its newwould Benjahas baseball elds, where the Alexander See SPORTPLEX • Page A10 Community lead. Someone who has arrived at a new church entertainment. min Russell High School campus. BY CLIFF WILLIAMS mediums from acrylic to watercolor. been looking for a permabeen attending Lake Hosey was comfortvenue at the Rodeo Club Staff Writer nent home. LEFT: As aCommunity 501c nonprofit Church for the the congregation as it transforms to another able in TOP TPI Staff Their paths have now Sandra Fuller's efforts as Tallapoosa County last yeartohad area church —donations mission of community ser- of another organization, thebeen invitcrossed at the Rodeo Club tourism director have gotten the attention of Gov. ing Hosey. But it was at vice. It’s a transformation more than two decades. A familiar face has returned to Tallapoosa where patrons have been Kay Ivey. funeral where Hosey “I prayed shelter real hardare thattaxadeductible. of an establishment servPublishers. pulling stools up to the bar Fuller has been leading the efforts of the Tallapoosa was setoftothe sing and talked else ing alcohol that Hosey has God had something Lizi Arbogast Gwin,towho previously servednatural BELOW: Members for but not for much at the Lake Martin Event planned real the sure?mother I’m like in the was going BY years, CLIFF WILLIAMS County Commission promote the area’s of Malia for me,” Hoseyto with seen before in Tallapoosa Birmingham as sports editor for The Alexander Out-now help longer. concrete here,’” Staff Writer buy that club and make Center. The meeting of resources and activities to tourists City and will animal shelter staff cut the who ribbon Stariha, helps Hosey lead County — at Alibi’s on said. “God started stirring look, has beencourse namedofthe new Ivey managing editorFuller For five decades the Lake Community Church init my said. “God told me, ‘I’ve another club. Rudy got guide a state study. appointed the Praise Team at Lake soul again a couple For two itsyears Tina Highway 49. for the grand opening ceremony. club has seen fair share of Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. grown you here and now saved and said he would and Hosey has the two on to the ‘Hospitality and Tourism Committee.’ The Community Church, when “God was trying to do years ago.” Hosey has felt the tug of of dancing and more to A born and raised she State describes I’m ready you to do make again.” a new callthing for God. committee is part of Virginian, the Alabama Department werefor answered. Hosey feltit aa club calling to prayers the same he is doing never the Lord leading her to a tunes played by the likes herself as a sports fanatic and an avid WashAlibi’s neverand became Hosey has left a place of Education course of study review for career and the pews movea ministry.’” here, there,” Hosey said.of leave new church. of Mickey Gilley, Billy God she was comfortable forward Hosey wasn’t sure church in buther it service didn’t return See CHURCH • Page A10 ington Capitals and Detroiteducation. Lions fan. Gwin technical But Fuller’s with two years Lake “I sang there for like 10 to its roots RayForCyrus and the others. as a still placehadof where the calling would at just a few weeks ago and attended Virginiainput Commonwealth started moreUniversity than a year ago but Hosey Community Church has years. The gentleman who God, Hosey has even been one lead. Someone who has entertainment. arrivedit at new church BY CLIFF WILLIAMS through committees on the matter owned justa passed away, questions. See EDITOR, Page A6 of been looking for on a permaof the entertainers stage been attending Lake Hosey was comfortvenue at the Rodeo Club Staff Writer developing skills for the hospitality “I was like, ‘Are you Rudy Stewart. A man from nent home. as it transforms to another able in the congregation Community Church for the industry during formativeCounty years Their paths have now Sandra Fuller's efforts as the Tallapoosa mission of community ser- of another area church — last year had been invitof have education. crossed at the Rodeo Club tourism director gotten the attention of Gov. ing Hosey. But it was at vice. It’s a transformation more than two decades. “I’ve been speaking with educawhere patrons have been Kay Ivey. “I prayed real hard that a funeral where Hosey of an establishment servtion professionals area high pulling stools up to the bar Fuller has been leading the effortsatofour the Tallapoosa ing alcohol that Hosey has God had something else was set to sing and talked schools,toespecially witharea’s a hospitalfor years, but not for much Reported 11/30/21 of @ 5 Malia p.m. Fuller County Commission promote the natural with theonmother planned for me,” Hosey seen before in Tallapoosa ity curriculum about they help are longer. resources and activities to tourists andwhat will now County — at Alibi’s on said. “God started stirring Stariha, who helps lead doing,” said. “I’ve also been conversations For five decades the guide aFuller state course of study. Ivey in appointed Fuller in my soul again a couple the Praise Team at Lake Highway 49. BY WILLIAM MARLOW with those in the hospitality industry about the skills club has seen its fair share to the ‘Hospitality and Tourism Committee.’ The Community Church, when “God was trying to do years ago.” Multimedia they seek Reporter inisemployees.” of dancing and more to LACEY HOWELL committee part of the Alabama State Department answered. Hosey felt a calling to prayers were the same thing he is doing previously worked the for Lake Martin 256.307.2443 tunes played by the likes ofFuller Education course of study at review career and here, there,” Hosey said. leave the pews and move laceyshowell@gmail.com Area Economic Development Alliance. Fuller now of Mickey Gilley, Billy Federal agenciestechnical are currently assisting Tallapoosa See5295 CHURCH Page Highway 280,• Alex City,A10 AL education. But Fuller’s forward in her service with “I sang there for like 10 Ray Cyrus and others. recruits touristsafter to the area and previously helped County residents issuing a disaster declaration input started more than a year ago years. The gentleman who God, but Hosey still had Hosey has even been one recruit industry to the area but said the are simfor the region last week. through committees ontwo the matter of owned it just passed away, questions. of the entertainers on stage ilarThe in Federal their needs. Emergency Management Agency developing skills for the hospitality “I was like, ‘Are you Rudy Stewart. A man from “It’s all workforce development (FEMA) hasabout recognized Tallapoosa County as a regardless major years industry during the formative of whatarea segment will be working in,” Fuller disaster following a Jan. 12 long-track tornado ofthey education. said. that swept through the“I’ve countybeen and surrounding areas. speaking with educaMary of the governor’s FEMAKatherine representatives surveyed the county’s tionPittman professionals at ourstorm areaoffice high believes Fuller’s experience will bringa hospitalwisdom especially with damage thisschools, month, according to Tallapoosa Reported on 11/30/21 @ 5 p.m. Fuller earlier developed through experience toabout thedirector committee. ity curriculum what they are County Emergency Management Agency High Low “Our goal in the “I’ve governor’sbeen office conversations is to recruit doing,” Fuller Jason Moran, andsaid. based on thealso assessmentindetermined individuals who can provide insight into bridging with thoseCounty in thequalified hospitality industry the skills Tallapoosa for both publicabout and indiour system to the workforce and we theyeducation seek in employees.” vidual assistance. LACEY HOWELL believe [Fuller] can do just that,” Pittman said. Fullerrepresentatives previously began worked at the Lake Martin 256.307.2443 FEMA the county Fuller’s appointment is visiting as Alliance. a representative of laceyshowell@gmail.com MORE ONLINE Area Economic Fuller now beginning Jan. 27 inDevelopment an attempt to provide aid to 5295 Highway 280, Alex City, AL Alabama’s Third Congressional to area thehelped comCliff Williams / The Outlook To check out a video from the Coosa County animal shelter’s grand opening, 6 54708 90050 8 recruits tourists to the area andDistrict previously mittee a yeartolong term but withsaid multiple visitShikoski us online atpart www.alexcityoutlook.com takes in a Lake Community Church service Sunday at the Lake Martin Event USPS Permit # 013-080 recruitfor industry the area the twomeetings are sim- Marge See DISASTER, Page A6 inilar Montgomery each month. Center and Rodeo Club. in their needs. “It’s all about workforce development regardless of what segment they will be working in,” Fuller said. Mary Katherine Pittman of the governor’s office and Your Loved Ones! believes Fuller’s experience will bring wisdom •Home-like Environment • Specialized Dementia Care Unit developed through experience to the committee. Call or Low or High Reported on 01/31/23 @ 2 p.m. •Physical,Call Occupational and Speech Therapy Services “Our goal in the governor’s office is to recruit go online go online individuals who can provide insight into bridging to browse, artin e Mand to browse, buy our education system to the workforce we High buy orLow LLaaivikkeng L sell! or sell! believe [Fuller] can do just that,” Pittman said. LACEY HOWELL Fuller’s appointment is as a representative of 256.307.2443 CLASSIFIEDS laceyshowell@gmail.com Alabama’s Third Congressional District to the comCliff Williams / The Outlook & Record The Outlook d Classiﬁ l 90050 ﬁeds d8 DAMS EALTH & EHAB 6 54708 5295 Highway 280, Alex City, AL Sharemeetings mittee for a year long term with multiple rden 1555 Htakes ILLABEE 329-0847 Marge Shikoski partSinTREET a Lake• (256) Community Church service Sunday at the Lake Martin Event USPS •Permit # 013-080 256.277.4219 the Ga WWW.ALEXCITYOUTLOOK.COM 256.277.4219 in Montgomery each month. Center and Rodeo Club. BY WILLIAM MARLOW Multimedia Reporter

Alex City Schools plan LOCAL, PAGEannounces 10

SPORTS, PAGE 11

Russell Marine continues Alabama escapes to abandon build on US 280, cityLighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892 annual charity donation officials still need to approveDecember plan 1, 2021 Vol. 129, No. 96 www.alexcityoutlook.com $1.00 Auburn after 4 overtimes

Page C4

LIZI GWIN

Managing Editor

Sportplex may be new BRHS location

Wednesday, January 10, 2024

www.alexcityoutlook.com

Alex City Schools announces plan to abandon build on US 280, city officials still need to approve plan

County tourism Decades long honky-tonk transforms into a church director appointed TPI welcomes face as to familiar state committee

HELP

Tallapoosa County tourism ON THE WAY Publishers is director appointed to state committee getting hip managing editor

Decades long honky-tonk transforms into a church Coosa County opens new animal shelter

Lake Martin

Lake Levels

483.05

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’ve always considered myself kinda open in Tallapoosa County cool and kinda not. I try to keep up with the trends of the times, and I’ve always been fairly tech savvy at work. But when it comes down to it, I’m really just a nerd at heart. And there’s nothing wrong with that. For the record, I also kinda hate technology — I didn’t even have Venmo until like six months ago. As I get older, I feel even more of for Lake Martin’s Bestout Source NewsTallapoosa and Information. touch. With young guns like Publishers’ staff, I’ve got to keep with the changing times. So what’s cool in the tri-county area Tallapoosa Publishers covers? Well, I’ll tell you: A lot. When the brain child behind our new Arts & Entertainment section Samantha Himes, our audience development director, approached me about this, I had the most fleeting thought, “Would we have enough to cover?” Boy, was I wrong about that. There is so much going on in Tallapoosa, Elmore and Coosa counties, and we never want anyone to have the excuse of saying, “There’s nothing to do in this town.” And that brings us to our Arts & Entertainment section. From venue spotlights to artist features, from food and drink reviews to a full calendar of upcoming events, these pages are going to be filled with all there is to do in the arts and entertainment world of our tri-county area. These pages are for one person and one person only, and that’s you: the reader. If you want to see something on these pages, let’s talk. I’m always wanting to talk about new venues, musicians who are doing big things, upcoming art shows, professional workshops. Whatever it is, I want to hear about it. In just one short month, the staff has put together these pages and we’re excited to learn we’ll have no problem with having enough to cover. If anything, there’s too much to do around here. Plus, when you tack on the food and drink reviews, there are plenty of places around our counties you’re going to want to tour soon. In another effort to “be cool,” as they say, Tallapoosa Publishers is always stepping up its game on social media. You may have noticed an uptick in our Instagram posts as we bring you daily updates from our staff, and we look forward to branching into the wide world of TikTok more in 2024. This is all about a new Outlook for a new year, and it starts by bringing this community one place to go for all things live music, art shows, foodie news and events geared more toward adults. Our pages will still be filled with kid-friendly stories, and our calendar will still be chock full of community events — some may even overlap on these pages. But once a month, you can expect an Arts & Entertainment section to grace these pages and we want to know what you’re looking for. Drop us a line. People,

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KOWALIGA IDOL

RETURNS THANKS TO NEW PARTNERSHIPS By LIZI ARBOGAST GWIN

soul-searching and decided to continue,” Kennedy said. Modeled after the national t almost didn’t happen. American Idol competition, Kowaliga Idol was set to Kowaliga Idol starts with the end after its 15th year due to Golden Ticket rounds. Those are losing its main venue with the anywhere from 20 to 25 karaoke closing of the Rodeo Club in try-out nights. Judges then award Dadeville. the “Golden Ticket” to anyone However, thanks to a few they believe should advance. new partnerships and some very From there, there are differencouraging fans and particient rounds of karaoke and even pants, Kowaliga Idol is back for some original music opportuniNo. 16. ties. Some nights singers have to “In truth, we were thinking choose from a list of songs and last year would be the last year,” other rounds, they’ll have to sing said John Kennedy, owner of certain genres or bands. Lake Broadcasting, which runs “The big thing that made it the contest. “To go a little deeper really cool last year was they had to the reason why was because to perform a track live to a band we didn’t have the Rodeo Club at Lil Bit of Texas,” Kennedy but we wanted to finish out and said. “They actually sang with do our 15th season. Going into the band in the finals and that it, we didn’t know how it would will continue this year. That was go. Coming out of it, there was a big difference because it can be so much success we had to do it a lot harder singing with a band again.” than to a (karaoke) track.” Partnerships with Martin’s at So far, Kennedy said there are Lake Martin and Lil Bit of Texas 17 Golden Ticket nights booked in Wetumpka have been the key with the first ones beginning in to that success. mid-January. The competition is “Due to the high success over the course of several weeks. with those two partners and the Some of the Golden Tickets all-time participation rate with already booked include venues our most singers, we did some like JR’s Sports Bar and FermenManaging Editor

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

FILE | TALLAPOOSA PUBLISHERS INC.

Alexander City’s Baylie Kizziah was one of the past winners of Kowaliga Idol.

‘I play other people’s misery’ By CLIFF WILLIAMS

Stevens’ blood for years. As a teenager Stevens’ favorites were AC/DC Led Zeppelin and Pink Listening to music in Allan Floyd. A few decades later, the Stevens’ car can be quite the list has changed, but mainly adventure. through additions. “If I put my iPhone on shuffle, “I still really like AC/DC, Led there is no telling what will come Zeppelin and Pink Floyd,” Steout,” Stevens said. “It could vens said. “The stuff you listen be something from the Muppet to when you are younger tends Movie. It might be Beethoven or to be the same stuff you listen to it could be some old EPMD from as you get older. But I broadened the 80s. Maybe old hip hop.” my horizons. I listen to a lot of Music has been in Allan Allman Brothers, love the GrateNews Editor

ter’s on the Green in Alexander City, Copper’s Grill at Stillwaters, Martin’s in Dadeville and even Fermenter’s in Sylacauga. “We’re looking forward to going to The Funky Goat and some other newer venues,” Kennedy said. “We’re adding Castellucio’s on the Lake and having a special night there.” One of the things Kennedy prides himself and the competition on is the level and number of venues. The competition has expanded and due to the success of some past winners, Kowaliga Idol attracts singers from around East Central Alabama. Kennedy expects singers from Phenix City, Auburn, Lake Harding, Lake Martin, Wetumpka, Prattville and Montgomery in addition to the Tallapoosa County locals. “The biggest part of Kowaliga Idol that makes it work is we give amateur singers to intermediate singers an opportunity to get on a bigger stage with better sound than they’d normally get, then challenge them to get outside their bubble,” Kennedy said. “We want them to get outside of the regular songs they’d sing at a different karaoke.”

Millbrook musician has a love of all music

ful Dead, Men at Work from the 80s, Willie Nelson.” There have been many concerts and live shows too. Stevens’ love of music turned into playing as a teenager. He first picked up the drums and fiddled with the guitar. Stevens settled in the River Region in the late 1990s and started playing music again while working as an X-Ray SUBMITTED | TALLAPOOSA PUBLISHERS INC. technician. Allan Stevens is a Millbrook resident who has a love for music. “You can’t play drums around He plays covers at all the local places but if you ride with him, See MUSICIAN, Page C2 there is no telling what might come from his playlist.

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MUSICIAN

Continued from C1

here and hope to make money,” Stevens said. “There are a couple of really good players. They are that good.” Instead, Stevens picked up the guitar again and worked some on his vocals. He got good enough to join up with a few other local musicians to form Wishbone more than a decade ago. “I was a utility player,” Stevens said. “I would play some drums from time to time —bass, guitar. I quickly realized that I wasn’t going to make money playing the drums. I can sing OK and pass playing guitar.” Stevens left Wishbone with another musician and is now on his own. He plays at the Coosa River Craft House, the Autauga Creek Craft House and Common Bond Brewers in Montgomery among other local venues. “I love playing Rex in Millbrook because it is close to the house,” Stevens said. “Basically I love to play anywhere nearby.” Stevens hosts an open mic night at the Coosa River Craft House every other Monday. But don’t ask him to play anything original; Stevens only plays covers. “I’ve been asked if I write anything, the answer is always no,” Stevens said. “No good art comes from having a great life. I have a great life, a wife of 27 years, children. I play other people’s misery. All good art comes from it.”

Plungers will run into Lake Martin during a recent polar plunge in support of Lake Martin Resource Association.

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Annual Polar Plunge to benefit LMRA

By MELODY RATHEL Multimedia Writer

The eighth annual Polar Plunge will be held Saturday at Kowaliga Restaurant. Every year, Lake Martin Young Professionals hosts this event to raise money to support the Lake Martin Resource Association and its efforts to make regular improvements around the lake. Tickets are on sale for $20 for plungers, and $25 for dockers who prefer to stay dry while they support the cause. Tickets include access to food trucks and live music, and will benefit LMRA. Doors will open at 10 a.m., and The Plunge will take place at noon Food trucks and live music from Jonathan Bloom will be available until 4 p.m. when the event ends.

After the initial plunge, another shotgun will go off to indicate the star t of the Dash for the Cash. In this contest, par ticipants will run back into the lake and swim around a designated buoy. There will be an item placed near the buoy, and the first person to grab it and return it to the shore will receive $100. Big Mike’s, Chick-fil-A and LJ Concessions will have food trucks set up. In addition to food trucks, Kowaliga’s bars will be open and ready to serve beverages. To indicate the start of The Plunge, a shotgun will go off, and plungers will run into Lake Martin. Those who choose to plunge in this event will arrive at Kowaliga restaurant in whatever attire they choose to wear. There will be a costume contest with a prize of $100, so attendees are encouraged to wear costumes for a chance to win.

Creating connections for artists By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor The inaugural River Region Art Summit is coming to The Kelly Fitzpatrick Center for the Arts. It is a great chance for artists and organizations to come together to connect. The summit started small and grew exponentially. “We talked to a couple of organizations and they wanted to meet with our artists,” The Kelly executive director Jennifer Eifert said. “We would love to get our artists in touch with other organizations. Then we got in touch with a few

more organizations and were like this is more than a meeting. We made it a summit.” Eifert said The Kelly’s artist associate’s program is full at 50 with a waiting list. But the event is from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Jan. 27. “We wanted to show all the artists in the area all the opportunities, not just through us, but other organizations too,” Eifert said. “We are bringing together the organizations and artists so they can meet each other, find out about all the opportunities.” Eifert said The Kelly and other organizations are open to exhibits

Alexander City Chamber of Commerce vice president Liz Holland advises plungers to wear swimsuits during The Plunge before changing into any costumes. “My pro tip for any plunger would be to plunge in a swimsuit, then have a bathrobe ready as soon as you get out,” Holland said. Changing tents will be available for plungers to dry off and change as soon as they finish their plunge. Towels will not be provided, so plungers must bring their own towels for this event. After the initial plunge,

from artists not in their associate programs. “The summit is a great way for everyone to connect,” she said. The art summit is open to all artists young and old. “It is for artists of all levels,” Eifert said. “We want to see artists, art organizations and people who want to become artists. There will be information on classes and things like that.” The summit already has Alabama State Council of the Arts, Alabama Arts Alliance, Montgomery Art Center, King’s Canvas, The Millbrook Arts Center and the Wetumpka Crater and Visitor Center on board with many others planning to be there. Eifert said the arts coun-

another shotgun will go off to indicate the start of the Dash for the Cash. In this contest, participants will run back into the lake and swim around a designated buoy. There will be an item placed near the buoy, and the first person to grab it and return it to the shore will receive $100. In the past years, Polar Plunge has been successful when raising money for LMRA. This year, Holland and the rest of the chamber hopes for another successful Polar Plunge. “Every year, we strive to beat our goal. It’s all about supporting Lake Martin through LMRA,” Holland said. “Though it is a good time, and everyone is laughing and jumping in the water, it’s all about raising money for a good cause. It helps keep our lake safe and clean.”

cil will have a presentation in the morning and the arts alliance in the afternoon. “Everyone else will have tables set up with information about their programs and their exhibits,” Eifert said. “It is really just an opportunity for artists and art programs to come together to see what everyone has to offer.” The two presentations are the only things scheduled for the summit at The Kelly. The arts council presentation will center around its fellowship program and the benefits it can offer artists. Eifert said it is open to the public. “People can come for half the day, the whole day,” Eifert said. “It is up to the attendee.”

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The Main Street Mule: A minty treat By HENRY ZIMMER Sports Editor If you are ever thirsty and in the mood for some mint, head on down to The Local. With a classic, traditional cocktail in mind The Main Street Mule might just be the

drink for you. This drink, set inside of a hefty size copper mug, is a delight in every sip. The ingredients for a mule are simple: vodka, ginger beer and lime juice. With the size of the mug the Local serves the drink in, you get plenty of bang for your buck with a

price tag of only $10. This libation can be served with your choice of vodkas, and I chose Opelika’s own John Emerald vodka. You can even spruce up your drink a bit by changing up the flavor to either blueberry or cran-apple.

The Local is also a relaxing place to enjoy live music or watch a sporting event with friends. Look around the bar and you will likely see many other patrons sipping on their own mules. It is hard to go wrong with this drink. On a blisteringly hot or

chillingly cold day, the iciness of a mule in general is enough to soothe. But the Main Street Mule takes it up a notch with a solid price tag and sizable portion. Before you know it, you might be three or four deep and feeling like singing with the band yourself.

BRIEFS TPI STAFF Staff Report ELKS LODGE TO HOST CHILI COOKOFF The Alexander City Elks Lodge will host a chili cookoff on Feb. 10. The public is invited to attend and participate in the competition. Tickets are $20. Those who would like to compete must pay a $25 entry fee. First-, secondand third-place awards will be trophies will be awarded as well as a people’s choice trophy. Registration to compete is due by Feb. 2. The Elks Lodge hopes to recruit new members through this event. Proceeds will help the local Elks Lodge to raise money to disperse to local charities when needed. POKER RUN COMING TO MAIN STREET Main Street Alexander City will be hosting a poker run on Wednesday throughout downtown. The poker run begins at 5 p.m. Scorecards are $5, or five for $20, and can be purchased at the Jeep CruiseIn in the Court Square parking lot. The rules are only one scorecard can be played at a time and must be presented before the playing card is drawn. Participants must draw an additional card if an identical card is drawn. The checkpoint personnel will write the card on the scorecard. An additional card can be purchased for $5, and your best five cards can be played to win. Scorecards must be turned in by 6:30 p.m. at Lake Martin Brewery, where the winner will be announced at 6:45 p.m. Payout is 50% of scorecard sales.

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The Lake Martin Songwriters Festival hosts its last songwriters round at Copper’s Grill at Stillwaters from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. on July 29, 2023.

Songwriters Festival set to bring more music to the area By ABIGAIL MURPHY Multimedia Reporter

The Lake Martin Songwriters Festival will be back again in July, but first the festival board must sort through what artists will be featured in the lineup. Since December, songwriters’ applications have been pouring in; the board has received roughly 65 applications as of Jan. 2. Vice president Vivian Autry, who also owns The Mitchell House, said generally there are around 150 applications and she is expecting more over the next couple of weeks. Submissions close Jan. 12 then the board will move on to the selection process. The board members listen to each of the artists then vote on their top favorites and decide

who is a good fit to create a well-rounded festival. “The reason I love the festival so much is I love to hear the stories behind the songs — how they decided to write those songs and why,” Autry said. By mid-February, the artist will know if he or she has made it into the lineup. Last year, the songwriter’s festival had 22 artists, which is the goal again this year. The aim is to have a mix of returning and new artists. Two special events from last year’s festival were the 20-and-under competition and the local’s stage. There are plans in the works to bring those events back. Autry said the special thing about the Lake Martin Songwriters Festival is it is sponsor-funded, meaning attendees don’t have to pay

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for a ticket to any of the shows. Fellow board member Robert Gunn with Russell Lands added the free attendance is even more impressive considering the festival is in its fourth year. Gunn has been involved in Lake Martin’s music scene since the early 2000s. When he first got started there were very few venues for live music. “The talent pool in the area has really grown as have the outlets for the talent to perform,” Gunn said. “Over the past several years, it's been a great impact for live music almost anywhere on the lake and off the lake.” On top of that, the festival is getting attention beyond the Lake Martin region. Autry said when she went to a music event in Nashville, artists told her their plans to

apply. Autry said another appeal of the songwriters’ festival is it brings a certain level of hospitality for the artists that other music festivals might not. The artists get to spend time on the lake, are toured around the area and taken to different restaurants around Lake Martin. “As the festival continues to grow, we bring in more artists, more venues are opened to allow these artists to come play and expose our community to some really talented people,” Gunn said. “I think it’s a win for everybody — for those of us who live here, for those who visit here and for those who come to play and sing.” The Lake Martin Songwriters Festival will return in full swing July 24-28.

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NEW YEAR’S EVE PHOTOS BY SAMANTHA HIMES, MELODY RATHEL & LIZI ARBOGAST GWIN TALLAPOOSA PUBLISHERS INC.

New Year’s Eve was a big hit around Elmore and Tallapoosa counties with several parties and celebrations throughout the area. Lake Martin Pizza hosted a trio of bands while Lil Bit of Texas partied with a champagne toast at midnight. Fermenter’s on the Green in Alexander City joined in on the fun, and Alabama Breeze hosted a Little Black Dress party.Warehouse 231 in Wetumpka also hosted live music, and Martin’s on Lake Martin in Dadeville celebrated a bit early with a New Year’s bash and steak dinner on Dec. 29.