Late basket caps comeback for Panthers SPORTS, Page 9
Looking for a church to attend? CHURCHES, Page 5
Meet Jack, Elmore County’s Pet of the Week HSEC NEWS, Page 8
Eclectic Observer The
WEDNESDAY • DECEMBER 5, 2018
TheWetumpkaHerald.com
Vol. 29, No. 49
Missing man found Authorities locate Eclectic man safe in Tennessee By AMALIA KORTRIGHT Bureau Chief
Eclectic authorities recently located a resident who had not been seen in the area in almost a month. An Eclectic Police Department representative said authorities were notified by the Gatlinburg Police Department on Nov. 30 that Michael Callihan Callihan was alive and unharmed. According to Eclectic police chief Robert Head, Jennifer Giddens — who identified herself as the mother of Callihan’s children — Callihan was last heard from on Nov. 2. Giddens said Callihan told their oldest daughter over Facebook he was searching for work in Gatlinburg.
‘Life goes on’ Local seeking to return photos lost in 2011 tornado
Severe weather threat cancels Elmore County Christmas events
By AMALIA KORTRIGHT Bureau Chief
A
n Eclectic woman is currently working to connect members of the community with photographs that were lost during a tragedy in 2011. Sheila Eller, who lost an aunt and cousin in a tornado that hit Eclectic on the night of April 27, 2011, is seeking the owners of numerous photos she salvaged. Eller’s aunt and cousin were two of the four people in the area who died during the storm. Eller recalled looking through the debris and finding each of the photos, many of which were old or depicted children. “It was the day after and my family was staying where my aunt had lived,” Eller said. “We were walking outside and it seemed like the destruction went on forever.” After returning to her former home in Santuck, Eller said See PHOTOS • Page 2
Today’s
Weather
50 28 High
By AMALIA KORTRIGHT Bureau Chief
Threats of severe weather on Saturday resulted in the cancellation of several holiday events in Elmore County. Early that morning, the National Weather Service headquarters in Calera announced Elmore County was marginally at risk for a brief tornado and quarter-sized hail. At around 9 a.m. Saturday, city officials announced the Millbrook Christmas Parade and Festival were canceled due to heavy rain.
Submitted / The Observer
Eclectic resident Sheila Eller is looking for the owners of almost 20 different photos she salvaged after the town was hit by a deadly tornado in 2011.
See CANCEL • Page 2
Members sworn in to county school board
New Elmore County Board of Education members David Jones, left, and Wendell Saxon participated in their first meeting after their induction on Nov. 28.
Low
THURS: HIGH 54 LOW 36
By AMALIA KORTRIGHT Bureau Chief
Two new members were sworn into the Elmore County Board of Education during a Nov. 28 meeting. The meeting was the first for recently elected members Wendell Saxon and David Jones. Elmore County Public Schools Superintendent Richard Dennis said he is excited to have both on the board. “We have a great board, and I think that both of these gentlemen will be a welcome addition to what we already have,” Dennis said. “I’ve had the opportunity to get to know David over the past six to eight months, and Mr. Saxon was a parent at Wetumpka High School See BOARD • Page 2
The Observer
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