July 11, 2018 The Wetumpka Herald

Granger: Let’s start to end domestic violence

PAGE A4

All-County Softball Team inside today

DCI returns to River Region Friday night

SPORTS, PAGE B1

LOCAL, PAGE A5

THE WETUMPKA HERALD Elmore County’s Oldest Newspaper - Established 1898

Wetumpka, AL 36092

50¢

WEDNESDAY • JULY 11, 2018

THEWETUMPKAHERALD.COM

VOL. 120, NO. 28

Redland tragedy stuns city Three dead after murder-suicide

Community reaches out to Orsi family

By DAVID GRANGER Managing Editor

By DAVID GRANGER Managing Editor

Richard Dennis lost an employee C. Orsi that he admits he’d met only briefly in the hallway at Redland Elementary School.

Still, the Elmore County Schools superintendent’s reaction to what took place at 135 Granite Way in the Stonegate subdivision in Redland was typical of how so many in the small close-knit town of Wetumpka reacted.

See MURDER • Page A3

Hayden Hudson sold Bob and Charlene Orsi their home at 135 Granite Way when they moved to the Redland area from Las Vegas in 2006.

Hudson got to know Charley Orsi still better when Hudson moved into Stonegate subdivision off Dozier Road herself.

“We became best friends because See COMMUNITY • Page A5

David Granger / The Herald

These charred remains are what’s left of the Orsi home at 135 Granite Way in the Stonegate subdivision in the Redland community, where Robert Orsi took the lives of his wife, one of his triplet daughters and himself Saturday night.

A LOT OF ‘LOVE’ Friends gather in remembrance of Rantavious Love

By DAVID GRANGER Managing Editor

Jimmy and Roberta Love, parents of Rantavious Love, listen as coach Tim Perry speaks before giving them the jersey Rantavious would have worn as a member of the WHS Indians varsity football team.

Commission approves site redesign

By DAVID GRANGER Managing Editor

The Elmore County Commission approved a redesign of the county’s website and awarded a bid for software management and software e-filing of probate court documents at its meeting Monday night at the Elmore County Administrative Complex.

The meeting was preceded by the Commission’s work session, where most of the discussion on the agenda items takes place.

The Commission approved a redesign of the county website

by Productive IT, a Montgomery firm.

Elmore County Chief Engineer and Operations See COMMISSION • Page A2

David Dav id Gra Grange Granger ngerr / The he H Herald erald

T

here was a lot of love in the room in the sanctuary of Wetumpka’s Calvary Baptist Church on Saturday night.

But there was one Love who was not.

But he was remembered.

About 150 persons gathered at the West Osceola Street worship place on Saturday for a vigil for 15-year-old Rantavious Love, who drowned in the Coosa River on June 27.

The crowd was a rainbow-like See LOVE • Page A3

Riki’s Ride to rumble to River Perk

By DAVID GRANGER Managing Editor

Riki Rachtman began riding on April 12.

On Thursday, Aug. 23, Rachtman, the former “Headbangers Ball” veejay, will make a stop at Wetumpka’s River Perk coffee shop as part of his ride to raise money for the charity Stop Soldier Suicide.

“He’ll be making the ride on an Indian motorcycle,” said Savannah Dart, the barista at River Perk. “Indian Motorcycles along

Courtesy / Riki’s Ride 2018

Riki Rachtman, whose ‘Riki’s Ride’ fundraiser will bring him to Wetumpka’s River Perk Aug. 23, was a popular veejay on MTV’s heavy metal rock show ‘Headbangers Ball.’

a k p m Wetu

with Death Wish Coffee and Hot Leathers are the sponsors. This year, he hopes to ride 18,000 miles.”

And River Perk hopes to have a big check waiting for Rachtman when he arrives in Wetumpka around noon on that August Thursday.

“People can bring in a jar of change to donate, if they want,” said Dart. “They can bring it in and put it to good use. If you want to write a check, you can make it out to River Perk and just put Riki’s See RIDE • Page A3

Weather

84 69 High

Low

THURSDAY: HIGH 84 LOW 68

CONTACT US 334-567-7811 Fax: 334-567-3284 USPS 681-260

Flea Market & Antiques 5266 U.S. Hwy. 231 • Wetumpka, AL (Winn Dixie Shopping Center • Behind KFC)

OVER 100 BOOTHS Booth space available starting at $118 per month for 6’ x 10’

334-567-2666

Where Superior Service is Standard

Gassett

Funerals On Site Cremations Pre-Needs • Monuments

Funeral Home & Crematory, LLC

Celebrating 40 Years of Service!

Today’s

Joe Al All Allen len Gasse len G Gassett, assett tt, tt Founder 1942-2009

(334) 567-8433 www.gassettfuneralhome.net • 204 East Charles Avenue, Wetumpka, AL 36092

PAGE A2 • JULY 11, 2018

TheWetumpkaHerald.com

THE WETUMPKA HERALD

Obituaries Thomas Stanley Ford

Charlene Wilson Gross

Mr. Robert James “Bob” Orsi

Mr. Terry Shelby

FORD, Thomas Stanley a resident of Atlanta, Georgia passed away Sunday, July 8, 2018 at the age of 97. Mr. Ford is a Retired US Air Force Colonel and was a Command Pilot in WWII. Visitation will be held Monday, July 16, 2018 at 9:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. at Gassett Funeral Home with the funeral service to follow at 10:30 a.m. at Trinity Episcopal Church with Father Bob Henderson officiating.

Burial will be at Pine View Memorial Gardens with Gassett Funeral Home of Wetumpka directing. Mr. Ford is preceded in death by his two wives Margery Ford and Florence Ford, daughter Bonnie Kraus, son Lanny Ford, and great-grandchild Drew Bradley. He is survived by his daughter Nancy Ford (Ted) Amon, grandchildren Penny Hill, Jenny Bradley, Kelly Amon Zahery, Nick Amon, great-grandchildren Chase Bradley, Thomas Avery Bradley, Moriah Bradley, Trent Hill, Liam Zahery, brother Dr. Daniel (Jacque) Ford. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Trinity Episcopal Church, Tom Ford Memorial, 5375 Hwy. 231 North, Wetumpka, Alabama 36092. Online Guest Book available at www.gassettfuneralhome.net

GROSS, Charlene Wilson a resident of Wetumpka, Alabama passed away Monday, July 9, 2018 at the age of 60. Visitation will be held Thursday, July 12, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. with the funeral services at 12:00 p.m. at Equality Methodist Church with Rev. David Jones officiating. Burial will be at the church cemetery with Gassett Funeral Home of Wetumpka directing. Mrs. Gross is survived by her children Ashley Adams (Hunter), Trey Gross (Alex), brothers, Jimmy Wilson, Chris Wilson (Pam), aunt Ann Skellie, grandchildren Baylor Adams, Baxlee Adams, and Lincoln Gross.

Pallbearers will be Jonathan Wilson, Oliver Faulkner, Evin Wood, Johnny Wood, Johnny Abrams, and James Butler. Online Guest Book available at www.gassettfuneralhome.net

Mr. Robert James “Bob” Orsi, a resident of Wetumpka, Alabama, passed away Saturday, July 07, 2018, at the age of 51. Mr. Orsi is survived by his three daughters, Adrianna Orsi, Katherine Orsi and Patricia Orsi; parents, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Orsi, Sr.; brother, James Paul Orsi; sister, Karen Lynn Orsi and niece, Laila Danica. Memorial Services will be held at a later date.

On line condolences are available at: www.jeffcoatfuneralhome.com

Mr. Terry Shelby, 68, of Tallassee, passed away July 3, 2018. He was born September 24, 1949. A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, July 10, at 11 am at First Baptist Church of Eclectic with Dr. Britt Green officiating. Casual attire is requested (no ties). Graveside service with military honors will be held on Friday, July 13, at 9:30 am at Alabama National Cemetery, Montevallo, AL. He is survived by his wife, Susan Shelby; son, Joe Shelby; brothers, Jerry Shelby (Barbara) and Rickey Shelby (Donna) and sister, Sheila Malone (Fletcher). In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Flags for Vets via online www.flagsforvets.us or to John and Jessie George, Missionaries for Ethnos360 via online www.ethnos360.org. Online condolences for the family may be posted at www.linvillememorial.com.

Jeffcoat Funeral Home Directing Tallassee, Alabama

Mr. James E. Matney Mr. James E. Matney, 69, of Wetumpka, passed away July 8, 2018. He was born September 2, 1948.

He is survived by his wife, Rose Matney; sons, Marc Ferrara (TJ) and Matt Matney (Kaila) and grandchildren, Haley and Ransom Matney. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 14, at 11 am, at Bethel Worship Center, 11117 US Hwy 231, Wetumpka, AL 36092 with Rev. Grady Russell officiating. Visitation will start at 10 am at the church prior to the service. Online condolences at www.linvillememorial.com.

Linville Memorial Funeral Home Eclectic, Alabama

Linville Memorial Funeral Home Eclectic, Alabama

Commission Officer Richie Beyer said the county’s current website was designed by Ingenuity. He said the county interviewed companies in Montgomery and he felt Productive IT was the best choice due to price and “serviceability.”

“They will charge us $6,950 to basically retool and bringing data that exists on our website over to the new website,” Beyer said.

Commissioner Bart Mercer asked Beyer if the Productive IT platform was proprietary.

Beyer said it was not.

Commissioner Kenny Holt asked Beyer why the county did not interview Elmore County information technology companies, specifically mentioning ITS and Pinnacle.

“We have done some work with ITS, but we just didn’t believe our website redesign would be something they would be interested in doing,” Beyer said, adding that one of the person’s involved with Productive IT, Hanan Wilson, was an Elmore County man.

“I just want to make sure that, where we can, we go with Elmore County people to do our work,” said Holt.

The commission approved the Productive IT proposal unanimously.

The commission also approved unanimously a proposal brought before it earlier by Probate Judge John Enslen for a county court

continued from page A1

management and e-filing system. According to Beyer, the system would be similar to the state’s system, known as Alacourt. The system would be paid for out of the probate judge’s discretionary funds.

The commission also approved unanimously setting a public hearing for July 23 on a transfer of off-premises-only alcohol licenses from the previous owner of Kim’s Korner 44 on Titus Road in Titus to the new owner.

In non-action items, the Commission discussed its progress in choosing opioid litigation representation from among a number of firms who have made proposals. County Attorney Jeff Cortney said he was “please with the progress” the county had made sifting through proposals and that it has some “good firms to choose from, but he said there was an “opportunity for more information-gathering” at the NACo Annual Conference, which begins July 12 and runs through July 17, in Nashville.

“I would suggest you gather that info, I can review that and we can go from there,” Cortney said.

Asked by Commission Chairman Troy Stubbs if he thought a final decision on whether to participate in the opioid litigation and, if so, who to choose to represent the county was possible at the

next Commission meeting on July 23, Cortney said, “I think that would be the case.”

Commissioner Mack Daugherty then questioned why there had been so much attention paid to opioids when, in his view, alcohol was an equally large problem.

“I’m kind of puzzled about that when you’ve got more people dying from the alcohol crisis than you do from the opioid crisis,” Daugherty said.

Daugherty said there were 64,000 deaths a year on average from opioids and an average of 88,000 alcohol-related deaths annually.

About opioids, Daugherty said a doctor recently told him, “It appears that not only are we going to have insurance companies telling physicians how to practice, but we’re going to have some doctors that won’t prescribe opioids at all.”

Commissioner Earl Reeves asked Stubbs how many counties were participating in the opioid litigation, to which Stubbs replied, “We’ll learn a lot more this weekend (at the NACo Conference).”

The commission also heard from Sandra Jackson, a field representative for Sen. Doug Jones. Jackson’s remarks were largely introductory, but she told the Commission that she could help them keep aware of things that were

happening in Washington that might affect the counties, like current federal opioid legislation.

In other action, the commission approved a consent docket consisting of a travel memo, a declaration of

emergency illness request for Linda Rucker and a donation of 60 hours sick leave from Allyson Gibbons to Lisa Rucker. The commission was also notified of several promotions, hirings and transfers of county personnel.

Drive a Little, Save A Lot!

More and more parents are choosing natural chiropractic healthcare for their children!

SUN, SURF & SAVINGS Going on now @ Tallassee Automotive

Chiropractic is a drug free option for your family that focuses on creating and maintaining a healthy body from day one rather than waiting until the body is sick and treating symptoms.

Most of the children in our practice are completely medication and toxin free and that is something we are really excited about!

NEW & USED VEHICLES, SERVICE & PARTS

TALLASSEE

C H R Y S L E R

A U T O M O T I V E

315 Friendship Road Tallassee, AL

334-283-6838 1618 Gilmer Avenue 161 Tallassee, AL

JULY 17TH Runoff

+ + Vote

++

herringchiropractic.com

Drs. Randal & Caroline Herring

JULY 17 TH Runoff

MICHAEL DOZIER

• 69% of voters in the June primary that voted in the circuit clerk’s race voted for a change!

• I will be a FULL-TIME circuit clerk.

• Juries will be ordered within the time-frame prescribed by law and paid on time.

• I understand the importance of working with the judges, district attorney’s office, attorneys and all law enforcement offices in the county to make the clerk’s office effective and productive.

CIRCUIT CLERK ELMORE COUNTY Paid for by Michael Dozier Campaign • P.O. Box 613 • Wetumpka, AL 36092

THE WETUMPKA HERALD

TheWetumpkaHerald.com

Murder

continued from page A1

“It’s so shocking, such a tragedy,” Dennis said. “I don’t know what to say. When I look at Facebook … Unbelievable. It’s just crushing.

“I only met Ms. Orsi in the hall at Redland once, but I’ve heard everyone say she was always real positive, always had a big smile on her face. Over here in Redland, they’re just shellshocked, losing a teacher and a student.”

Three people were killed in Redland Saturday night. Fortyfour-year-old Charlene Orsi, known at the school as Charley, was the teacher of whom Dennis spoke. She died along with one of her 12-yearold triplet daughters, Cadence, and her estranged husband, Robert James Orsi, known as Bob, who took his own life after killing his wife and daughter and setting fire to the couple’s home, according to Elmore County Sheriff Bill Franklin.

The couple’s two surviving 12-year-old triplets, Katherine and Patricia, were transported to a Montgomery hospital with multiple gunshot wounds.

Franklin said Sunday morning that the injured girls were in stable condition and were alert and talking to grandparents. One of the two, he said, may need additional surgery due to a round having rested near her spine.

Franklin said the sheriff’s office received a 911 call from a neighbor at approximately 5 p.m. Saturday of gunshots. When deputies arrived they found the

adult female, later identified as Charley Orsi, lying dead in the front door of the home, which was fully engulfed in flames.

Soon after, Katherine and Patricia Orsi,both having suffered multiple gunshot wounds, appeared in the doorway of the home and the deputies helped them escape.

Later, Franklin said Charley’s husband, Bob, 51, was found dead from the fire or, Franklin said, “most likely from a selfinflicted gunshot wound.” He said Monday that the surviving triplet girls had told investigators their father had lined them up on the floor before shooting them.

Charley Orsi was a third-grade teacher at Redland Elementary School. Bob Orsi was retired from the U.S. Air Force.

Franklin said the couple’s oldest daughter, Adrianna, 13, was uninjured and escaped to a neighbor’s house.

Deputies were initially unable to locate Cadence Orsi, but found her dead when they were able to search the rubble.

Franklin said apparently Charley Orsi had filed for divorce from her husband.

Court records show Charley Orsi’s petition for divorce was filed by her attorney, Clyde Bailey, on June 28. In it, she sought sole custody of the couple’s four children, child support, alimony and an “equitable division” of the parties’ property.

On July 2, court records show,

Bob Orsi’s attorney, Dana Delk, filed an answer to Charlene Orsi’s divorce petition, denying her contention the couple had “such a complete incompatibility of temperament” that they could “no longer live together as husband and wife.” Bob Orsi’s answer also denied that there had been “an irretrievable breakdown” of the Orsis’ marriage and that “further attempts at reconciliation (were) futile and/or impractical.”

The couple would have been married 24 years in August.

Franklin said that sources had told sheriff’s investigators that Bob Orsi’s alleged use of illegal narcotics may have been a factor that led to the divorce proceedings.

Franklin said Sunday morning that his office must now wait on the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences.

“We are certain that the wife died from her gunshot wounds,” Franklin said. “We feel pretty sure that the husband killed his daughter and shot himself, but with the smoke and heat of a fire involved, we have to wait on Forensic Sciences to be certain.”

Franklin also said that Bob Orsi appeared to have shot himself with a large-caliber handgun. He said it did not appear that the girls’ wounds came from a gun that large and that Bob Orsi may have used two different weapons.

This is a developing story. The Herald will have further details as they become available.

JULY 11, 2018 • Page A3

Ride

continued from page A1

Ride on the memo line.”

Dart hopes – and believes – that Wetumpkans will help River Perk reach its goal of $5,000.

“We come from a really strong community, an awesome community and I think it’s a great cause,” Dart said. “Almost everyone here has some kind of connection to the military and this is a charity for veterans.”

Stop Solder Suicide is a 501(c)3 charity that provides mental health and PTSD referrals to veterans, provides them emergency financial aid, housing assistance and alternative therapies, such as art or equine therapy and more. SSS also sponsors retreats for military veterans and their families. The charity was founded and is led by veterans and does not accept any government funding.

Dart said that Rachtman will spend roughly two hours in Wetumpka and those who attend his arrival event will have the opportunity to meet him, have their photo taken with him and even share a coffee.

She said that Coaches Corner will have live music that day and that Zap Pest Control is also participating with owner Frank Bertarelli bringing his armored troop carrier downtown.

“This is a cause that I think everyone can get around,” said Dart, a military brat herself with a father, mom, uncles and “lots of cousins” in the armed forces. “I really do.

And it will be great for Wetumpka. Riki will be talking about Wetumpka and that will be great for our city and our downtown area.”

For more information on Riki’s Ride or to track him on his journey to Wetumpka, go to rikisride.com. For more information on Stop Soldier Suicide, go to stopsoldiersuicide.org.

To make a donation to the Wetumpka effort for Riki’s Ride, stop by River Perk in downtown Wetumpka. Donations are accepted in cash or by check and your contribution is tax-deductible.

Love

continued from page A1

drowned in the Coosa, they were heartbroken to find out it was Love, who was Jimmy Hines’ “buddy.”

Kathy Tracy, a mom from Redland, didn’t speak to the group, but caught up with a reporter afterward to make sure he knew that the people of Redland’s hearts were with the Loves, who had moved from Redland a few years ago.

Love’s name, she said, is on the wall at Redland

Elementary School as one of the original Redlanders.

“Redland has been praying for the Love family,” Tracy said.

Finally, Calvary pastor Anthony Rhodes closed the service after candles had been lit.

“My prayer tonight is that we let the beautiful light from Rantavious’ smile shine through each and every one of us,” Rhodes said.

David Granger / The Herald

A crowd of about 150 gathered for a vigil for and remembrance of Rantavious Love, who drowned in the Coosa River on June 27.

mixture of races and ages and it was mostly a comeas-you-are affair.

“This is going to be a celebration of (Love’s) life,” said Calvary’s Derek Blankenship. “And the things that he has done for us all – the moments he’s given us, the words he’s said to us and the love he’s provided for all of us.”

The celebration consisted of music from locals, messages from members of the Calvary staff and remembrances of Love from members of the audience who had known him.

Love’s parents, Jimmy and Roberta, were present and were even presented

a Wetumpka High School football jersey by Wetumpka head football coach Tim Perry, though Love didn’t play middle school football. According to some, he wanted to save his speed – which was often mentioned during the evening – for when he played with the Wetumpka varsity.

Also on hand to address the crowd was Tionetta Lewis, who lost her son to the Coosa in a drowning.

The son, Shalom Nowden, like Love, drowned in June four years ago. Like Love, Nowden was only 15.

Lewis addressed the crowd, but, in particular, Love’s parents.

“I was in this place with my own son what seems so many years ago,” said Lewis. “So I know what it’s like. People ask me, ‘How do you do it? You’re so strong.’ The answer is it’s not me, it’s my Almighty that’s kept me strong enough to go on.

Strong enough to live.”

Lewis wept openly as she spoke.

“I don’t think it’s a coincidence that his last name was Love,” she said of the young man authorities searched for two days before finding him about 200 yards south of the boat launch at Gold Star Park.

Shortly after Lewis

spoke, a parade of classmates, churchmates and friends began to make their way to speak at microphones placed throughout the sanctuary.

Sisters Paula Jones and Janasha Turpin spoke about how Love hung out often with their little brother (who was at camp and couldn’t be there Saturday night) even though their little brother was younger than Love.

Margaret Hines spoke about how Love was often in her neighborhood on his bike and how impressed she and her husband were with his kindness and care.

Hines said when they heard a Wetumpka child had

Cylinder Special!

Have YOUR Each 2 Wednesday Only! 0-Lb. C ylinders Filled for 12-5 PM $ 00 Throughout July

10

NE W

ders 20-Lb. C ylin For

$ 39 9 5 Plus Tax

SUPERIOR GAS, INC. 8561 8 56 61 US S Hig Highway h y 231 • Wetumpka, W Wetumpka ettumpk ka AL AL 24 Tallapoosa St. • Notasulga, AL

TALLASSEE CITY SCHOOLS 308 King Street • Tallassee, AL 334.283.6864

2018-2019 Calendar July 4................4th of July Holiday August 2-8....Teacher Inservice Day August 7......................Open House August 3............Teacher Institute August 9..............1st Day of School

Building the Future, One Student at a Time

Steve Baker, Publisher David Granger, Managing Editor Opinions expressed in guest columns and letters to the editor do not necessarily reflect the viewpoint of the management of Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc.

Page A4 • JULY 11, 2018

Opinion

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

—Thomas Jefferson

The

Herald

TheWetumpkaHerald.com

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

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

You may submit one letter per month, limited to 300 words or less.

You can mail your letter in to us, or email it.

WRITE: Your View The Wetumpka Herald P.O. Box 99 Wetumpka, AL 36092

EMAIL: news@thewetumpkaherald.com Include your name, address and phone number. Only your name and city will be printed.

We reserve the right to edit or refuse to publish any submission.

Socialists battle middle class America

A

rticle II, section 2 of the Constitution grants the president power to appoint justices to the Supreme Court “by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate…” Now that Associate Justice Anthony Kennedy has resigned from the Court, President Trump has the opportunity to appoint a second justice. Of all the powers invested in a president, appointing judges may have the most enduring impact of any of a president’s powers.

Clarence Thomas is the longest serving justice, having been appointed by President H. W. Bush in 1991. The Senate approved Thomas by a vote of 52-48. Ruth Bader Ginsburg is the second longest serving justice, and was appointed by President Bill Clinton in 1993. The Senate approved Ginsburg by a vote of 96-3. In 1994, President Clinton appointed his second justice to the Court, Stephen Breyer who was approved by the Senate by a vote of 87-9.

Eleven years later, President George W. Bush appointed John Roberts Chief Justice in 2005.

The Senate Judiciary Committee reviewed Roberts’ record and approved his nomination with a 13-5 vote. Democratic Senators Ted Kennedy, Richard Durbin, Charles Schumer, Joe Biden and Dianne Feinstein voted in committee against Roberts. The Senate approved Roberts by a 78-22 vote.

Months later in January

DANIEL L. GARDNER Columnist 2006, President Bush nominated Samuel Alito to fill the vacancy left by Sandra Day O’Connor’s retirement. The Senate Judiciary Committee approved Alito’s nomination on a party-line vote of 10-8. The political left waged a huge campaign to thwart Alito’s approval by the Senate. Senator John Kerry failed in his attempt to filibuster the nomination, and the Senate confirmed Alito by a vote of 58-42.

Six years later in 2009, President Barack Obama nominated his first justice to the Court, Sonia Sotomayor, who was easily confirmed by the Senate by a vote of 68-31. The next year, 2010, President Obama nominated another woman to the Court, Elena Kagan, and the Senate easily confirmed her with a vote of 63-37.

President Donald Trump nominated the newest justice on the Court, Neil Gorsuch, in 2017, following the untimely death of Antonin Scalia, and failure of the Senate to consider Merrick Garland, President Obama’s nominee, before the end of Obama’s presidency.

Again, the political left waged a fierce campaign against Gorsuch.

The Senate Judiciary committee approved his nomination along a party-line vote of 11-9. This time Democrats were successful in using the filibuster to prevent a vote by the Senate. Nevertheless, Republican senators invoked the so-called “nuclear option,” first used by Democratic Senate Leader Harry Reid, to end the filibuster by a simple majority vote. April 7, 2017, the Senate approved Gorsuch by a 54-45 vote.

Monday night, July 9, President Trump is scheduled to announce his nominee to the Court. Without knowing whom Trump might nominate, the political left has announced they oppose and are already waging a political campaign against “anyone” nominated.

Opposition by the political left has nothing to do with jurisprudence or qualifications of any of the nominees Trump is considering. The left’s opposition is purely politically ideological.

Why is America so divided?

The extreme ideological left, aka socialists, have been waging a political war against the traditional middle class for decades to transform America into a socialist nation. Hopefully, the Senate will confirm Trump’s nominee, and America can resume her exceptional historic narrative.

Daniel L. Gardner is a syndicated columnist who lives in Starkville, MS. You may contact him at PJandMe2@gmail.com.

334-567-7811 • Fax 334-567-3284 email: news@thewetumpkaherald.com THE WETUMPKA HERALD (681-260) is published weekly on Wednesday by Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc., 548 Cherokee Road, Alexander City, AL 35010.

Periodical postage paid at Wetumpka, Alabama.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: The Wetumpka Herald, P.O. Box 99, Wetumpka, AL 36092-0099 ISSN # 1536-688X.

We reserve the right to refuse to print any advertisement, news story, photograph or any other material submitted to us for any reason or no reason at all.

•Obituaries - $.25 per word per paper. Additional $15 charge for a photo per paper. (Herald, Observer, Tribune).

•Weddings/Engagements - $.25 per word per paper. $15 charge for a 2-column photo.

•Birth Announcements - $.25 per word per paper. $15 charge for a photo.

SUBSCRIPTION RATES (includes Wednesday) One Year in Elmore, Tallapoosa or Coosa County: $50 One Year Elsewhere: $75 The publisher reserves the right to change subscription rates during the term of subscription at any time. To subscribe or if you miss your paper, call 256-234-4281. © 2016 Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved and any reproduction of this issue is prohibited without the consent of the editor or publisher.

ADMINISTRATION Steve Baker publisher@thewetumpkaherald.com David Granger, managing editor david.granger@thewetumpkaherald.com NEWS Carmen Rodgers, staff writer carmen.rodgers@thewetumpkaherald.com SALES Marilyn Hawkins, marketing consultant marilyn.hawkins@TheWetumpkaHerald.com Ext. 309

Let’s start to end domestic violence

S

aturday dawned a beautiful day.

The sun was shining. The heat didn’t feel quite as oppressive as it did the few days before.

But I knew it wouldn’t get better.

I had photos to take in the morning, then a funeral to attend and, finally – I thought – a vigil to cover for a young man taken by the Coosa River in the prime of his life.

I got my morning work done, then went home to change for the memorial.

The memorial was for my editor, Mitch Sneed. Though the event, in a sense, made the loss of Mitch – a great editor and a better man – more real, it wasn’t a particularly sad event. Mitch was a funny, fun-loving guy and it shone through in his memorial service.

There seemed far more laughter than tears, though there were tears aplenty, including those I shed.

When I left the memorial, I had to hurry to make the vigil for Rantavious Love, the 16-year-old Wetumpka boy who drowned in the Coosa River just less than two weeks prior to this writing. It, too, was filled with a mixture of love, laughter and sadness. It, too, must have had the young man smiling from above, but failed to take away the pain and sorrow of those friends and family he left behind.

So, at the end of a day when the tragedies that often befall us mortal humans were made so evident to me, I headed home.

I was watching television with my wife, something senseless to get my mind off the day, when I

DAVID GRANGER Managing Editor heard about something going on in Redland.

I immediately called Sheriff Bill Franklin, who said he had “a million things going on” and he would have to call me back.

Franklin, a man of his word, called back sooner than I expected and gave me the details on the tragedy that took place in Redland’s Stonegate subdivision Saturday night – three dead, including a school teacher and her daughter, shot by the teacher’s husband, who, authorities believe, then turned the gun on himself.

And in the midst of his rampage, Robert James “Bob” Orsi set a fire that destroyed his home.

I was stunned. And in the time since then, I’ve discovered the city where I work has been shaken to its core.

“This kind of thing doesn’t happen here,” I’ve heard so many say.

But it does.

It did.

In fact, this is the second time in the short span of three weeks that Elmore County has been the site of a violent episode of domestic violence. Both incidents – the one in Tallassee and the one in Redland – resulted in three deaths. Both incidents resulted in the perpetrator

of the violence, in each case an emotionally unstable husband, taking his own life.

Domestic violence is scary. If a perpetrator involved in a divorce or some other kind of unsettling situation wants to do harm to another person, it seems there is little anyone can do. That disturbed person can track someone down at a Walmart or take advantage of an estranged spouse’s visit to a home.

What’s more, some of these individuals who do these types of things show little or no signs of being prone to such violence.

With those people, it seems only to take the tiniest spark to ignite an explosion.

We must do a better job of being honest with each other, communicating openly and frankly with one another, showing understanding to each other, particularly in our homes.

That’s still not likely to stop the epidemic of domestic violence in our country, but it’s a start.

And if the events of this week have shown us anything, it is that a start, a tiny first step toward ending the violence, is needed.

We need it in our individual homes.

We need it in our society.

What we don’t need are more horrific episodes like Tallassee and Redland.

David Granger is the managing editor of Tallapoosa Publishers’ Elmore County newspapers. He can be reached at david.granger@ thewetumpkaherald.com

THE WETUMPKA HERALD

TheWetumpkaHerald.com

JULY 11, 2018 • Page A5

DCI returns to River Region Friday STAFF REPORT TPI Staff

If you’re ready for music and pageantry, then Stanhope Elmore High School in Millbrook is the place to be Friday, July 13, beginning at 7 p.m. Drums Across The River Region brings Drum Corps International back to the area that night with five drum and bugle corps from around the country competing for top honors.

But while the corps compete on the field, it’s the audience who wins with excitement and fun.

A drum and bugle corps is the pinnacle of marching music, with high school and collegeage performers from 14 to 21 practicing long, hard hours to put shows on the field. The level of physical demand and musicianship is high, challenging corps members from around the world.

While the World Championships take place in Indianapolis in August, Drums Across The River Region is a hot stop on DCI’s annual tour.

Sponsored by the Poarch Band of

Creek Indians and Stivers Ford, the event is hosted by Alabama’s own Southwind Drum & Bugle Corps. Originally founded in Montgomery in 1980 and now based in Mobile, Southwind continues to provide an exceptional music education while touring the country during the summer. “Last year, we had a great turnout for Drums Across the River Region,� said Corps Manager Dave Bryan. “The Montgomery area loves drum corps, and we hope everyone in the community will come out and support these hard-working young men and women once again.�

A total of five corps will take the field at Stanhope-Elmore High School on July 13 including: • Southern Knights – Birmingham, Alabama • Heat Wave – Cape Coral, Florida • Guardians - Houston, Texas • Louisiana Stars – Lafayette, Louisiana • Southwind – Mobile, Alabama The mission of Southwind Drum & Bugle Corps and its

parent organization, Empower Youth in the Performing Arts, Inc., is to provide members with life-changing educational and social experiences which help each individual member gain real-world skills, leadership development, musical training, and performance opportunities.

Southwind Drum & Bugle Corps is a non-profit organization recognized as tax-exempt under Internal Revenue Code section 501(c)(3). “It’s really the world’s greatest youth activity,� offered Lawrence LeClaire, Director of Southwind. “You learn about hard work, you gain top-notch musical skills, you see the country on tour, and you make friends for life. What could top that?�

Tickets are still available for the July 13 event. To order advanced tickets, visit southwind. ticketspice.com/darr. Reserved seating is available for $20; general admission tickets are $15.

Group ticketing is available by calling 844-792-6777. Tickets may also be purchased the day of the event at the gate.

Community we were neighbors,� said Hudson, a real estate agent with Builder New Homes Inc. “She had her triplets and then I ended up having twin boys in 2010.

So she had four girls and I have four boys. “(Charley) was supermom. She lived for those four girls. She could bake, she could sew. She was incredible.�

On Saturday, a nightmare took place in the home Hudson sold the Orsis. Authorities say Robert Orsi shot and killed his wife and one of his 12-year-old triplet daughters, left his other two daughters with multiple gunshot wounds, set fire to the house and then either died in the fire or turned the gun on himself.

In the wake of the tragedy, a grief-stricken Hudson is now working to see that the surviving Orsi girls have what they need after their home was destroyed by fire. “We took Adrianna shopping on Sunday and she got some things she needed, some things she wanted,� Hudson said. “We want them both to be able to pick out their own clothes.�

As a result, Hudson is leading a drive to collect gift cards to be used by the girls to replace the clothes lost in the Saturday night fire.

Hudson said that those interested in donating a gift card to help the girls buy clothes or school supplies could bring them by or mail them to Builder New Homes, 240 Peace Church Road in Wetumpka. The zip code is 36093.

Hudson said that Redland Elementary School requested that she and others working to help the two surviving Orsi girls assist them in making sure the girls have needed school supplies for the coming year.

Hudson is also looking

The 2018 Drums Across the River Region is set for Friday night, July 13, at Millbrook’s Stanhope Elmore High School. Gates open at 6 p.m. and the show starts at 7 p.m.

Submitted / The Herald

AlabamaPublicNotices.com continued from page A1

to find a house for Charlene Orsi’s parents, Al and Veronica Aurelio, in the Redland area. “They were in the process of moving here,�

Hudson said of the Aurelios. “They were going to build a house in the subdivision next door (The Village at Stonegate). Now, that’s not feasible, but we’re going to find them a house in the Redland area. “Those girls have lost so much and they don’t want to lose their friends and where they grew up.�

There are others in the community who are looking to help the Orsi girls, as well. • The Redland Parent Teacher Organization is accepting donations for the Orsis. They will accept cash or checks which will be deposited in a local bank. Checks should be

made payable to Orsi Fund. Donations may be mailed or dropped off at the Redland Elementary School Monday through Thursday between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. They are also accepting both gift cards and clothes. Both Patricia and Katherine Orsi – the two surviving triplets – wear size 4 shoes , 7/8 in tops or blouses and size 10 pants/shorts. Adrianna wears an adult medium top. • The Redland PTO is also ordering bracelets that read “#REDLANDSTRONG.â€?

They are seeking a minimum $2 donation for each of the bracelets with all the proceeds going to the Orsi family. The bracelets will be available to be picked up between 9 a.m. and noon on July 16-18. • A GoFundMe site for

RODNEY GRIFFITH Lake Martin Properties

Serving Lake Martin, Tallassee and the Surrounding Area

RODNEY GRIFFITH BROKER

CELL: 334-207-0666

the family has been set up at www.gofundme. com/8ryq5-loving-theorsis by Annette Smallwood, Charlene Orsi’s stepsister. “The money raised will be given to Charlene’s parents, Veronica and Al Aurelio, who will make sure the girls have what they need to rebuild and heal from this horrible tragedy,� according to the site.

AlabamaPublicNotices.com public notice affects you

Let us help you place an ad today, Please Call in print or online!

256.277.4219

FOOD OUTLET Everything Priced at Cost, Then Only 10% Added At Register.

Cost + 10%

Three Locations to Serve You:

Open Daily 7 am to 9 pm

3543 Highway 14 • Millbrook, AL 36054

We Accept Credit & Debit Cards, Food Stamps & WIC

439 Coliseum Blvd. • Montgomery, AL 36109

Savings for Your Family!

Prices Effective Wednesday, July 11 thru Tuesday, July 17, 2018.

Buy Big, Save Big! USDA

Ground Beef

1

¢

98 +10% At Register

Each

USDA

USDA

12-Oz. Pkg. Sliced

Quarter Loin Pork Chops

Cube Steak

Bryan Bacon

$

148

$

Lb.

297 2 $5 Lb.

+10% At Register

Vine Ripe

2-Ltr. Btls. All Flavors

RC Cola 7-Up Or A & W

Fresh Tomatoes

98¢

77¢

Each

For

5-Oz. Packed In Oil Or Water

Chunk Light Starkist Tuna Bar-S Bologna

¢ Each

75

Each

+10% At Register

20.25-Oz.

Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cereal

2

+10% At Register

Fanta Soda Pop

$

3

00

Libby’s Canned Vegetables

50¢

Each

+10% At Register

WE APPRECIATE YOUR BUSINESS!

Each

+10% At Register

+10% At Register

Assorted Varieties

Little Debbie Mini Muffins

$ 50

¢

15-Oz. Peas, Corn Or Green Beans

. 12-Pk. Assorted Flavors

Lb.

+10% At Register

+10% At Register

75

For

+10% At Register

+10% At Register

Each

Tallassee

Quaker Instant Grits

Lb.

$ 94

Community Hospital

11.2-12 Oz.

+10% At Register

MRI MRI & & CT Imaging CT Imaging

805 Friendship Road, Tallassee • 334-283-6541

Buy Big, Save Big!

$ 86

+10% At Register

Without the wait. wait.

Without the wait. wa

foodoutletgrocery.com

720 East Main St. • Prattville, AL 36067

12-Oz. Pkg.

Your Your time time is is valuable... valuable...

‡ $FFHVV SXEOLF QRWLFHV VWDWHZLGH ‡ )5(( PDQXDO VHDUFKHV ‡ 6HDUFK E\ NH\ZRUG FRXQW\ RU SDSHU ‡ 0XOWL FRXQW\ RU FURVV UHIHUHQFH VHDUFKHV

I SOLD IT FAST IN THE CLASSIFIEDS

WEB: www.rodneygrifÂżth.com EMAIL: rodneygrifÂżth@windstream.net

RUSTIC CABIN – 2 bd/1.5 ba., Highway 50 close to Walnut Hill, nice shop, $85,000.

LOTS IN RIVER HILLS SUBDIVISION – Good views of Lake Tallassee, underground utilities, sewage, walking distance to downtown, 9 lots remaining, priced from $20,000 to $32,000.

RED HILL – 3 bd/2 ba., brick, very nice and private, 1 acre, SOLD only $109,000.

LAKE MARTIN LOT with mobile home, 55-ft. waterfront, 3 bd/2 baths, south end of lake, close to Castaway and Kowaliga, only $225,000.

BEAUTIFUL BRICK HOUSE in Plantation Pines, 4 bd/3.5 baths, 1.6 acre lot very modern and pretty, REDUCED TO $279,000.

RED HILL- very nice brick home ,3 bedrooms, 2 baths, open den and kitchen, completely remodeled, super nice, new roof, 1 Acre lot, very private. REDUCED TO $112,000.

CASTAWAY ISLAND – Lake cabin , 3 bd/1 bath on a great lot, great view sandy beach, boat house and ramp. $410,000.

TALLASSEE LOT – Great commercial lot in Tallassee next to Dairy Queen, with 3 bd/2ba house. REDUCED TO $84,900.

117 DEAN CIRCLE – 4bd/3ba, very nice home on 9 ACRES. 3000 sq.ft., New paint inside and out, New carpet, Granite counters, 2 dens, Large wrap-around deck. $272,500.

Public notices from Alabama newspapers

Each

1

+10% At Register

32-Oz. All Flavors

Gatorade Sports Drink

86¢

Each

+10% At Register

15-Oz. Can Assorted

Hunt’s Manwich

88¢

Each

+10% At Register

4-Lb. Bag Granulated

Domino Sugar

$ 86

1

Each

+10% At Register

WE APPRECIATE YOUR BUSINESS!

PAGE A6 • JULY 11, 2018

TheWetumpkaHerald.com

THE WETUMPKA HERALD

Humane Society of Elmore County News

Steineker & Dillon drive was huge success

By REA CORD HSEC Executive Director

We want to give a shout out to the wonderful staff and clients at Steineker & Dillon Family & Cosmetic Dentistry in Montgomery for holding a pet supply drive for the three River Region shelters. We received a huge load of food, supplies and money and greatly appreciate how much they continue to support area shelters with these awesome supply drives.

Only three weeks until our 13th annual Wags & Whiskers Auction on Friday, July 27 at the Wind Creek Wetumpka Entertainment Center, 100 River Oaks Drive, Wetumpka.

There will be a huge cross-section of items up for auction, great food, cash bar, door prizes and more. All the proceeds go to our humane shelter to help ensure the hundreds of pets that come to us monthly in need of our help will get it.

This is both a silent and live auction, so there will be plenty of opportunities for everyone to find one or more treasures. The fun, food and silent auction bidding begins at 6 p.m. when we open the Entertainment Center doors. Wind Creek Wetumpka will ensure a great layout of food for everyone as well as a cash bar. The

live auction commences at 7 p.m. while the silent auction bidding will continue throughout and until the cowbell clangs and our many auction volunteers will then help everyone collect their items and do the final payment processing.

Parking for our auction will be in the lot across the road from the Entertainment Center and we do ask that you refrain from parking in the gas station/store area or behind the Center as your vehicle is subject to being towed.

We have closed out donations so that we can prepare the printed listings for auction night. Any item accepted now may be held for next year’s auction, or, if used this year, will not be listed on-line and may be in the program under the “too late to classify” section.

You can preview every item that will be in our auction by checking out our special auction website: www. elmorehumane.auction.

You can pre-purchase tickets for $25 person at our shelter (255 Central Plank Road, Wetumpka) or at the door.

We also have a few remaining tables seating 10 persons for $300 – come to the shelter at 255 Central Plank Road, Wetumpka or call us at 334-567-3377 to pay for your table before they are all gone.

Pet of the Week – Cody Cody is a six-month-old Hound mix boy who is just a happy-go-lucky teenager wanting a family to call his own. Cody and his sister and brother (Dottie & Bennett) should be in the 40-pound range when fully grown and are just playful, easy going pups that will be happy camping, going out on a lake, taking walks or just hanging out on the couch in the air-conditioning.

Our adoption fees are $100 for dogs and $50 for cats under one year old; cats over one year old can be adopted by approved adopters for a fee of their choosing. This adoption fee completely covers the manda-

tory spay or neuter, basic immunizations, de-worming, microchip, heartworm check for dogs, rabies vaccination (if old enough) and a free health exam with your participating veterinarian.

To meet all the great pets at our shelter come to 255 Central Plank Road in Wetumpka. For more information, go to our website at www.elmorehumane.org, email us at hselco@bellsouth.net or give us a call at 334-567-3377.

We are open for adoptions Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

HEALTHY TEENAGERS AND YOUNG ADULTS CAN GET BACTERIAL MENINGITIS. HERE IS HOW IT SPREADS:

Know that the people protecting your home are licensed by the State of Alabama.

Coughing & Sneezing

Licensedsecurity.org

Sharing Drinks & Utensils

Living in Close Quarters

Kissing

AlabamaWorks: Opportunity-Innovation-Accountability-Inclusion

Do have a home security system?

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

Are you licensed in Alabama?

THERE ARE 2 TYPES OF MENINGOCOCCAL VACCINES RECOMMENDED FOR PRETEENS AND TEENAGERS. FOR MORE INFORMATION ON BACTERIAL MENINGITIS AND THE MENINGOCOCCAL VACCINE, VISIT alabamapublichealth.gov/immunization or facebook.com/AlabamaImmunizationInfo.

Now there’s a way to recruit, train and empower, a highly skilled workforce driven by business and industry needs.

It’s your competitive advantage in Alabama.

#PreventMeningitis #GetVaccinated

It’s time to grow at: www.alabamaworks.com

Offer Valid Through July 31, 2018

Shopping for Appliances?

SHOP IN STORE

LEARN MORE

BUY WHIRLPOOL

Did you know that Alabama Power sells, services and finances appliances? We have 87 store locations and a variety of merchandise you may be looking for – like washers, dryers, refrigerators and dishwashers.

To learn more online about the variety of products we have to offer or to find an Alabama Power Appliance Sales Location near you, please visit www.SmartNeighbor.com.

Whether you need a home appliance to replace an older one, or a full set of household appliances for your kitchen, you’ll find reliable products that provide top-of-the-line care for your clothing, food and home.

$20*

month Original $599 Sale $499 Amana® 15 Cu. Ft. Chest Freezer with 2 Baskets Model#AZC31T15DW

$36*

month

$40*

Sale Price $989/Pair Original $499 Whirlpool® 3.5 Cu. Ft. Top Load Washer with Deep Water Wash Option Model#WTW4616FW

month

Original $599 Whirlpool® 7.0 Cu. Ft. Top Load Electric Dryer with Wrinkle Shield™ Model#WED4616FW

Original $1229 Sale $899 Amana® Side-by-side Refrigerator with Dairy Center Model#ASI2575FRW

$60*

month

Original $2299 Sale $2099 Whirlpool® 36-inch Wide French Door Refrigerator - 25 Cu. Ft. Fingerprint Resistant Stainless Steel

$27*

month Original $799 Sale $652 Whirlpool® 30-inch Wide Top Freezer Refrigerator - 18 Cu. Ft. Model#WRT318FMDW

Model#WRF555SDFZ

For professional appliance service or a sales location near you, visit SmartNeighbor.com/Stores or call 1-800-613-9333.

Financing available only with approved credit. Apply for financing at AlabamaPowerApplianceCenter.com. Monthly payments quoted in this ad are based on financing at 19.8% APR for 36 months* or 60 months**; assume no down payment and 8% sales tax; and do not include any delivery charge. Actual monthly payments may vary.

12-month interest-free financing also available with approved credit. See store for details. Products subject to availability from manufacturer. Alabama Power Appliance Sales & Service is not responsible for typographical or pricing errors in this ad. Cannot be combined with any other offer; does not apply to previous sales.

Please see a salesperson for details.

Valid Through July 31, 2018 ©2018 Alabama Power Company

THE WETUMPKA HERALD

TheWetumpkaHerald.com

JULY 11, 2018 • PAGE A7

Change the world with love

W

e are living in a time and in a culture when our society is rapidly becoming uglier, more vulgar, crass, rude, mean, hateful, cruel, violent, unfeeling and less compassionate.

Increasing greed is becoming a way of life. We want more money, bigger houses, cars, more “stuff.” Our greed extends to an increasing need to win or have our own way, often at any cost, no matter the consequences to those around us, those we love, those to whom we owe a responsibility.

We’re becoming more rigid in our thinking, unwilling to listen or consider opinions that don’t agree with our own and far more ready to dislike, hate, disparage, scorn or belittle those people who hold different opinions.

The list goes on.

If you doubt this, look at what is acceptable or normal behavior on television, social media, in the political realm.

Over and over, we hear newscasters, politicians, celebrities use absolutely vulgar names to characterize others and ridicule their appearance, bodies, speech or actions.

Murder is committed in the name of this cause or that – everything from abortion, to race, to religion.

Congress, legislatures, city councils are unwilling to

AME ZION Mt. Zion Chapel AME Zion 2340 Crenshaw Rd., Wetumpka 5674413 Rogers Chapel AME Zion 709 W. Bridge St., Wetumpka 5678144 Jackson Chapel AME Zion

compromise and get nothing done.

And, social media – we all know what social media has become.

Don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying that each and every individual in our society is this way, but this is what our society is becoming.

Despite the fact that I’m clergy, I’m no prude and generally pretty tolerant. But, a few weeks ago, I saw a post on Facebook that I thought was very inappropriate, past being vulgar, and reported it. About an hour later, I got a post back from Facebook saying that they had looked at the post, agreed, and had removed it. I was surprised.

Maybe this rising societal ugliness has always been with us.

No doubt, this kind of ugliness has always been a part of the human condition, but often this societal ugliness raises it head during times of radical social change.

It happened during the great immigrations of the 1800s, when the Irish, Germans, Asians, Italians and Jews flooded into the United States and threatened those already living in our country.

It happened in the South after the Civil War, as reconstruction began and attempted to change the society of the South.

It happened during the 1960s

REV. BOB HENDERSON Trinity Episcopal with peace, love, hippies and the Civil Rights movement.

In all those examples, the ugliness was part of a desperate effort to preserve society as it was, to preserve the status quo in the face of inevitable change.

It also seems that as ugliness and resistance to change increases, the harder and more desperately we fight it, the more radical and far reaching the change is when it finally comes.

One of the prayers in the Episcopal church says, in part: Grant that by your inspiration we may think those things that are right, and by your merciful guiding may do them.

Think and do the things that are right!

How do we know what is right so we can think and do them? Fact is, we, as humans, know what is right, most of the time. Think about the Civil Rights movement and the things we thought at the time were necessary and right. If we look back today, many of us will say: “I can’t believe I thought that,” “I can’t believe I said that” or “I

can’t believe I did that.”

We know what is right, but often we are so bound by our culture that even though we know down deep down inside what is and isn’t right, we do what isn’t right, approve what isn’t right and fight against what is right.

Paul tells us how to appropriate God’s inspiration so we can think and be guided to do what is right. Aging, health failing, writing to the Church in Corinth, Paul quotes Psalm 116, whose writer was also nearing death and suffering, but still had faith to say: “I believed, and so I spoke.”

Likewise, Paul has the same faith and speaks, saying, “I know that God who raised Jesus will raise me and all of you and gather us all into his presence.

Therefore, do not lose hope.

Believe and speak to the Jews and other Corinthians who are persecuting and discriminating against you. Look not to what you see, feel, fear, because that is transitory; look instead things that are unseen, because things that are unseen are eternal.” (2 Corinthians 14-18) Paul also told us what unseen, eternal things were: “Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think about such things.” (Philippians 4:8) These

Area Churches

4885 Coosada Rd., Coosada Jones Chapel AME Zion 2414 Ingram Rd. (Co. Rd. 3), Elmore

ABUNDANT LIFE Abundant Life Church 9301 U.S. Hwy 231., Wetumpka 5679143

ASSEMBLY OF GOD Agape Tabernacle Assembly of God 1076 Kowaliga Rd., Eclectic 541-2006 Bethel Worship Center 11117 U.S. Hwy 231., Wetumpka 567-5754 Crossroads Assembly of God

2534 AL Hwy 14., Millbrook 285-5545 First Assembly of God 3511 Shirley Ln., Millbrook New Home Assembly of God 5620 Caesarville Rd., Wetumpka 569-2825

11066 U.S. 231 • Wallsboro R Kim Rev. Webb, Pastor

8000 Titus Road Titus, AL

Ric R c Rickey Luster, Mu M Music Director

Sunday Services at 11a.m. ___

Sunday Sc Sunday Schoo School.........10:45 hool a.m.

Morning a.m. g Worship........9:30 p Children’s Church......9:30 C Chi hiildr ld en’ n’ss Chur C hurrch. ch. h ... .....9 ..99:30 :3 a.m.

Tuesday Bible Study.........Noon Tu T ueesd u day B ibl blle Stud b dy.. y..... .. ....Noon on n

Minister Dr. John Brannon

There is Harmony at Harmony United Methodist Church!

You Will Receive a Warm Welcome at This Friendly, Christ-centered Church.

NURSERY PROVIDED FOR ALL SERVICES

*Please Join Us*

205 W. Bridge Street • Wetumpka, AL (334) 567-5191 SUNDAY WEDNESDAY Sunday School...................8:45 am Fellowship Meal...............5:00 pm Kids’ Activities.................6:00 pm Worship Service..............10:00 am Youth Worship..................6:00 pm Evening Worship..............5:00 pm Prayer & Bible Study.......6:15 pm Visit us at fbcwetumpka.com

SANTUCK BAPTIST CHURCH

504 West Osceola Street 334-567-4729

7250 Central Plank Road “A Family of Families”

••••

Rev. Anthony Rhodes, Senior Pastor Sarah Swedenburg, Worship Ministries

B.R. Johnson, Senior Pastor Larry Gore, Adm. & Counseling Randy Godfrey, Education Matt Fallin, Worship

Derek Blankenship, Student Ministries

SUNDAY SERVICES Sunday School...........9:30 a.m.

Morning Worship.....10:30 a.m.

Small Group...............5:00 p.m.

WEDNESDAY SERVICES Prayer Meeting...........6:00 p.m.

Student Worship........6:00 p.m.

Calvary Kids...............6:00 p.m.

F rst

Cedarwood Community Church 10286 U.S. Hwy. 231 Wallsboro, AL (334) 567-0476 www.worshipcedarwood.org

© UNITED METHODIST

Matt Albritton, Pastor

www.firstwetumpka.com

SUNDAY

WEDNESDAY

8:15 AM..........................Chapel 9:20 AM.............Sunday School

3:00 PM............Children/Youth Program (Bus Pickup) 5:15 PM.........................Supper 5:45 PM........Youth Bible Study 6:00 PM....Adult Choir Practice 6:15 PM.........Adult Bible Study

10:30 AM..................Sanctuary 12 Noon.........Hispanic Service 5:30-7:00 PM....Youth Program

Abraham Baptist Church Millbrook Antioch Baptist Church 1115 Antioch Rd., Titus 567-2917 Beulah Baptist Church 2350 Grier Rd., Wetumpka 514-2881 Blue Ridge Baptist 4471 Jasmine Hill Rd., Wetumpka

ARMONY H United Methodist Church

Wallsboro United Methodist Church

WETUMPKA

BAPTIST

are the eternal things we pray that God will inspire us to think about and guide us to do.

Again, another difficulty. We can call anything good, true, noble, pure, lovely, admirable, praiseworthy. How do we know if it really is so or not?

It’s very simple: look for and do the loving thing.

Yes, so simple to say, so difficult, to know and do in particular circumstances.

Look for the loving thing.

We can study the Bible for days and years, we can understand what the Bible says, we can go to church whenever the doors open, but unless we hear, clearly, “love one another,” believe and do it, all the rest is noise.

It may be that learning how to love one another is not the only sermon that needs or should be preached, it may be that loving one another is the only thing we, as Christians, need or should be doing.

The entire Bible is directed to telling us to love one another, how to love one another, how to change ourselves so we can and will love one another, everyone, all the time, every time.

And maybe, if we hear that message, think about it and do it, we’ll redeem ourselves, our churches, our communities and change the world.

306 W. Tuskeena Street •(334) 567-7865

Sunday Bible Study...9:00 AM Sunday Worship......10:00 AM We are a Congregational Christian Church which, in the name of Jesus, invites all to worship with us.

Nursery ____

Check out our Facebook page

SUNDAY Sunday School........9 & 10:30 a.m.

Worship...................9 & 10:30 a.m.

Evening Celebration...........5 p.m.

www.centeringlives.com

WEDNESDAY/FAMILY NIGHT Programs for every age 6:15 - 7:30 p.m.

1025 RiÀe Range Road • Wetumpka 334.567.4458 www.mvbaptistchurch.info

Dr. Tim Thompson - Pastor Angie Gallups - Worship Leader Sunday Morning Worship............10:30 Sunday School..................9:15 Evening Worship..............6:00 AWANA (Aug.-May).......5:25 Wednesday Activities 6:00 Adults......Prayer and Message Youth/College......Bible Study Children’s..........GA’s & RA’s

Spring & Fall Soccer Seasons K4-6th Grade

Send your church news and happenings to: news@TheWetumpkaHerald.com ____________

Call Marilyn Hawkins 334.567.7811 to advertise your church’s services in this space

PAGE A8 • JULY 11, 2018

TheWetumpkaHerald.com

THE WETUMPKA HERALD

WHAT ARE NATURAL DISASTERS?

A natural disaster is an event that occurs as a force of nature not caused by humans that has FDWDVWURSKLF FRQVHTXHQFHV VXFK DV SURSHUW\ GDPDJH DQG ORVV RI OLIH 7KHUH DUH PDQ\ GLá&#x201A;&#x2021;HUHQW types of natural disasters, and many occur each year on Earth. Natural disasters include earthTXDNHV Ă&#x20AC;RRGV GURXJKWV DYDODQFKHV KXUULFDQHV WRUQDGRHV WVXQDPLV ZLOGÂżUHV YROFDQLF HUXStions, landslides, typhoons, cyclones, and strong storms. When these events occur, they damB age manmade properties, homes, and natural ecosystems. They cannot be prevented, but you FDQ SUHSDUH IRU VRPH RI WKHP 7KH EHVW ZD\ WR VWD\ VDIH GXULQJ D QDWXUDO GLVDVWHU LV WR KHHG WKH ZDUQLQJV RI \RXU ORFDO ODZ HQIRUFHPHQW Rá&#x201A;&#x2C6;FHUV 0DQ\ RI WKHVH HYHQWV FDQ EH SUHGLFWHG +XPDQ OLIH FDQ EH VSDUHG E\ HYDFXDWLRQV DQG E\ IROORZLQJ VDIHW\ SURFHGXUHV :KHQ QDWXUDO GLVDVWHUV GR Dá&#x201A;&#x2021;HFW XV PDQ\ LPSRUWDQW RUJDQL]DWLRQV DUH WKHUH WR KHOS VXFK DV WKH 5HG &URVV RU )(0$ 7KHVH JURXSV KDYH SURYLGHG UHOLHI DLG WR YLFWLPV ZKR ORVW WKHLU KRPHV DQG ZRUNSODFHV 6RPH RI WKH PRVW ZHOO NQRZQ QDWXUDO GLVDVWHUV LQ UHFHQW PHPRU\ DUH +XUULFDQH .DWULQD LQ WKH -DSDQHVH (DUWKTXDNH DQG 7VXQDPL RI WKH 0RXQW 6DLQW +HOHQV YROFDQLF HUXSWLRQ LQ WKH ,QGLDQ 2FHDQ 7VXQDPL RI WKH <HOORZ 5LYHU Ă&#x20AC;RRGV RI &KLQD LQ LQ DQG WKH $PHULFDQ D 'XVW %RZO GURXJKW RI WKH ÂśV $OO RI WKHVH HYHQWV FKDQJHG WKH FRXUVH RI KLVWRU\ ÂśV $OO RI WKHVH HYHQWV FKDQJHG WKH FRXUVH RI KLVWRU\

A

C

NATURAL DISASTER WORD FIND Hidden Words: VOLCANIC ERUPTION Avalanche Drought MAZE GAME Earthquake Emergency Eruption Evacuation FEMA First Aid Flood Hurricane Landslide Lightning Safety Thunderstorm Tornado Tsunami Typhoon Volcano Warning :LOGÂżUH

+HOS WKH )LUVW 5HVSRQGHUV ÂżQG WKHLU ZD\ IURP WKH WRS of the volcano to the bottom.

'LVDVWHU $QV $ +XUULFDQH % /LJKWQLQJ & 7VXQDPL ' )ORRG ( (DUWKTXDNH ) :LOGÂżUH * 9ROFDQR + 'URXJKW ,

Tornado

IDENTIFY THE DISASTER

MAKE YOUR OWN TORNADO IN A BOTTLE

2QH D VHSDUDWH VKHHW RI SDSHU QXPEHU OLQHV $ , 6WDUWLQJ ZLWK WKH pictures labeled A-D at the top of the page and then moving to the ones ODEHOHG EHORZ ( , QDPH ZKLFK 1DWXUDO 'LVDVWHU LV VKRZQ LQ WKH SLFWXUH 8VH WKH KLGGHQ ZRUGV OLVW RQ WKH :RUG )LQG WR ÂżQG \RXU DQVZHUV E

<RX ZLOO QHHG HPSW\ OLWHU VRGD ERWWOHV IRRG FRORULQJ ZDVKHU GXFW WDSH ZDWHU +RZ 7R 0DNH <RXU 7RUQDGR 6WHS 2QH 7DNH ERWK WZR OLWHU ERWWOHV DQG ULQVH WKHP RXW WKRURXJKO\ )LOO RQH ERWWOH RI WKH ZD\ IXOO $GG DERXW GURSV RI a food coloring of your choice.

6WHS 7ZR :LWK WKH FDSV UHPDLQLQJ Rá&#x201A;&#x2021; SODFH D ZDVKHU RQ WRS RI WKH ERWWOH ZLWK ZDWHU LQ LW 3ODFH WKH HPSW\ ERWWOH RQ WRS RI WKH RWKHU ERWWOH ZLWK WKH ZDVKHU LQEHWZHHQ WKHP 0DNH VXUH they are evenly lined up.

6WHS 7KUHH :LWK WKH WZR ERWWOHV VHFXUHO\ LQ SODFH ZLWK WKH ZDVKHU EHWZHHQ WKHP WDNH WKH GXFW WDSH DQG WLJKWO\ ZUDS LW around the bottle necks. Be sure the seal is tight.

6WHS )RXU Once the bottles are securely together, it is time to make the tornado. In order to start the tornado, you must Ă&#x20AC;LS WKH ERWWOHV RYHU VR WKDW WKH IXOO ERWWOH LV RQ WRS $V VRRQ DV WKH\ DUH Ă&#x20AC;LSSHG URWDWH WKH WRS ERWWOH LQ D FLUFXODU PRWLRQ IRU D IHZ VHFRQGV ZLWKRXW UHDOO\ WLOWLQJ WKHP :DWFK DV WKHUH LV D tornado inside the soda bottle!

G

F H

I

A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO ALL OUR SPONSORS!

RANDALL V. HOUSTON DISTRICT ATTORNEY Clanton: (205)755-4242 â&#x20AC;˘ Prattville: (334) 365-5715 Wetumpka: (334) 567-2237

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Supporting Education!â&#x20AC;?

CITY COLLISION, LLC 89077 Tallassee Hwy. Tallassee, Alabama 334-391-7345

Alabama Foot Care Center

2304-B Gateway Drive (Hwy. 280) Opelika, AL Feet Hurt at All? Call Dr. Paul!

334-741-7600

www.alfootcare.com

www.pricepaintandbody.com 827 US Hwy. 231 â&#x20AC;˘ Wetumpka, AL (334) 478-4975

2425 Dozier Road Wetumpka, AL

(334) 478-4938

334-567-5136

917 Company Street | Wetumpka, AL OWNER: ROGER JONES Serving the Local Area for 44 Years 24/7 (334) 567-7108

334-365-5085 w w w. p r a t t v i l l e r v. c o m

355 QUEEN ANN ROAD WETUMPKA, AL

(334) 567-4321

334-265-1208

Southeast Storage

4 Locations in Elmore County 334.567.3000 334.567.4000 www.southeaststorage.com

ELMORE COUNTY

740 Memorial Drive â&#x20AC;˘ Prattville, AL

74 Commerce Street â&#x20AC;˘ Montgomery, AL

(334) 567-4567

334-834-6640

www.arrowpestcontrol.net

www.aldridgeborden.com ALIGNMENTS

TIRES/BRAKES

Singletonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Alignment And MufďŹ&#x201A;er Service, LLC

Alfa Insurance

220 Company Street â&#x20AC;˘ Wetumpka, AL

ÂŽ

www.alfainsurance.com

Call Alfa. The best agents in the business. ÂŽ

EXHAUST

334-567-6760 OIL CHANGES

MONTGOMERY CHILDRENâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S S P E C I A LT Y

C E N T E R

A 54-bed pediatric nursing center that accepts kids ages 18 & under 2853 Forbes Drive â&#x20AC;˘ Montgomery, AL 36110 (334 ) 261-3445 w w w. m o n t g o m e r y c h i l d r e n s c a r e . c o m

4400 Wetumpka Hwy. Montgomery, AL 36110

334-517-6157

Visit our website for our current inventory!

www.riverviewautosales231.com

Sheriff Bill Franklin 334.567.5441 Emergency: 911

J. Alan Taunton & Company, LLC

CertiÂżed Public Accountants

200 Executive Park Drive Tallassee, AL 334.283.2567 alantaunton@tauntoncpa.com

Everything Rotates Around You!

WETUMPKA TOULOUSE

KEITH CANNON, Owner

Autoâ&#x20AC;˘Homeâ&#x20AC;˘Life

Riverview Auto Sales GUARANTEED FINANCING!

111 Eastdale Rd. South|Montgomery, AL 36117|Phone: 334.272.5656 5859FindUS AL â&#x20AC;˘ 334-478-3360 www.eastmontanimal.com us onHwy. Facebook 231 â&#x20AC;˘ Wetumpka,

SHERIFF

5268 U.S. Hwy. 231â&#x20AC;˘ Wetumpka

JONES AUTO & AUTO & RV REPAIR CENTER, LLC WRECKER SERVICE

1259-C South Memorial Drive â&#x20AC;˘ Prattville, AL

Slapout Wetumpka Clanton Tallassee 334-569-3325 334-567-8833 334-755-2739 334-283-2795

Elmore Co. Farmerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Co-Op

2530 East 5th Street Montgomery, AL

James Hamner 26 Cambridge Dr. Wetumpka, AL 36092 (334) 567-5156 jhamner@alfains.com

PRATTVILLE

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Honest Labor â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Fair Pricesâ&#x20AC;?

We Offer Mobile Service!

2198 Kent Road â&#x20AC;˘ Tallassee, AL (334) 546-0425 license #07069 www.keepyoucomfy.com

PEAVY PLUMBING

Commercial & Residential Byron Peavy, Licensed Plumber 4144 Central Plank Rd. â&#x20AC;˘ Wetumpka, AL 334-567-9941 or 334-324-0884 peavyplumbing@yahoo.com

HOURS: Monday - Friday 7:30 AM ____ until 5:30 PM Saturday 7:30 AM until Noon

AMBULANCE

Wee Oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Preschool & Beyond â&#x20AC;&#x153;Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Proverbs 22:6 Offering Before/After School & Full/Part Time

APPLIANCE PROPANE

Wetumpka Tire Pros 1745 U.S. Hwy. 231 â&#x20AC;˘ Wetumpka, AL 36093

334-514-0455

Toulouse Tire Pros 5376 U.S. Hwy. 231 â&#x20AC;˘ Toulouse, AL 36092

334-567-0012

www.wetumpkatirepros.com

2461 MAIN STREET MILLBROOK, AL

334-285-5540 INDOOR AND OUTDOOR SEATING UPSCALE AND BBQ CATERING www.Smokehousebbqmillbrook.com

450 Hackel Drive Montgomery, AL

(334) 273.1119 or (800) 253.6619

BarďŹ eldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Heating and Air BOBBY BARFIELD, Owner

Residential, Light Commercial Sales - Service â&#x20AC;˘ Installation Commercial & Industrial 105 Haggerty Circle â&#x20AC;˘ Wetumpka, AL

(334) 514-9678

TheWetumpkaHerald.com

Sports

Visit our sister website: TallasseeTribune.com JULY 11, 2018 • PAGE B1

The

Herald

2018 All-Area Softball Team Player of the Year Coach of the Year Dismukes is ‘best pitcher to come through Holtville’

By GRIFFIN PRITCHARD For The Herald

Coaches across Elmore County know Holtville’s Kaylyn Dismukes by name and have stories of their team’s outings against her. But for the junior Auburn University commitment, her teammates talk about her humility and how humble she is.

Following a game against rival Tallassee, teammate and All-County selection Bella Farmer said, “(Dismukes) is the one out there working her butt off. She’s the best pitcher to come through Holtville. We’ve played together for about three years and she keeps getting better.”

Such high praise from teammates speaks volumes about the impact a player has on her surroundings, and also helped her earn the title of Elmore Couty Softball

Love guides Tigers to successful season

By GRIFFIN PRITCHARD For The Herald

Player of the Year.

She was a Class 4A First Team All-State selection by the Alabama Sports Writer Association.

She just missed out on being the All-Metro 4A Player of the Year. But that doesn’t lessen the impact she had as the key cog in the Holtville softball machine.

Bulldogs coach Daryl

Otwell couldn’t come up with just one thing to say about his ace.

“That’s tough,” he said while sitting in the stands at a Georgia ballpark watching Dismukes pitch for a travel softball squad.

“There’s so much I could say about her.”

While he thinks, ponder over her stats.

See PLAYER • Page B2

For Tallassee’s softball team to have the kind of success it had this season, in coach Pat Love’s eyes, it came down to the Tigers buying into their coach’s philosophy. Once that happened, Tallassee posted 32 wins and went off to one of its best seasons, leading Love to the title of Elmore County Softball Coach of the Year.

“We had a great season,” Love said. “We started out slow that first week, but we picked

up and had some great players. We had great senior leadership and they worked really hard and the team bought into what we were trying to do.

They went out every day and worked to get better and competed against each other to get better.”

Love, who coached the JV Tigers before taking over the varsity job, complimented the leadership of Haylee Osborne, Taylor Boatwright and Lizzy Stillwell as one of the keys to success.

“I thinking coaching them in junior varsity

helps to a certain degree,” Love said. “But if you can get the seniors to buy in, that’s when you start seeing success. And winning helps.”

The Tigers battled rival Holtville for the area championship and advanced to the regional tournament in 2018. And while this season was a success — the first in many years — Love can see even bigger things to come. Although Tallassee has graduated Osborne, it returns Jordan Walters (1.952 ERA with 71 strikeouts), Chloe Baynes See COACH • Page B2

First Team Maris Stinchcomb Stanhope Elmore outfielder Coach Virginia Barber sums Stinchcomb up like this: “She’s a stud athlete.”

The Marion Military Institute signee posted a .504 batting average, setting a Mustangs softball record, and was a part of their 26 wins this season. Maris Stinchcomb accounted for 57 hits, including 16 extra-base hits, and drove in 21 runs.

“She’s a triple-threat,” Barber said. “She can hit for power, slap for hits and lay down a bunt.” Barber added the most impressive thing about Stinchcomb’s senior season was she suffered a midseason injury and returned to maintain a record-setting performance level.

Alexis Austin Wetumpka shortstop Batting leadoff for the 22-win Wetumpka Indians, Alexis Austin proved to be one of the toughest outs in Elmore County and her .562 on-base percentage (66 hits out of 137 appearances) backs up that assessment. According to coach Randy Belyeu, Austin possesses Division I talent, which makes her signing with Shelton State Community College a great get for the Buccaneers’ program. The senior shortstop was a Class 6A All-State honorable mention and was named the All-Metro Player of the Year for 5A-7A. “She set the tone,” Belyeu said. She batted .482 with a .562 slugging and accounted for 54 Indians runs with 23 RBI.

Haylee Osborne

Raven Hudson

Tallassee pitcher

Stanhope Elmore utility

Tiger coach Pat Love said, “She commanded the zone. She commanded four pitches very well and kept batters off balance.”

Her stats reflect his words. Through 113 innings, Haylee Osborne — who was clocked throwing in the upper 50s — accounted for 87 strikeouts en route to 14 wins (24 appearances). The University of Mobile signee parlayed her senior season play into spots on the ASWA All-State list and an All-Metro selection. Offensively, she rattled off a .443 slugging percentage with 29 total hits and a .330 average.

Madison Britt ECHS first baseman Proof that age is nothing but a number, Madison Britt stood toe-to-toe with her elders and earned a spot on the Class 4A All-State second team. The freshman Panther posted a .479 average with a .554 on-base and a .649 slugging. She drove in 39 runs and scored 21 for a squad where offense and wins came at a premium. According to coach Kim Moncrief, Britt’s got a tremendous upside for seasons to come. “(She) is a hardworking young lady who takes everything she does on the field seriously,” Moncrief said. “She has a lot of strength and natural ability, and she constantly works to fine tune and improve.”

Chloe Baynes Tallassee outfielder The youngest softballer on the list, Chloe Baynes comes from a bloodline laced with high expectations and she delivered as an eighth-grader playing on the varsity level. The soon-to-be freshman has stolen a combined 100 bases over two seasons (a perfect 60-for-60 this season) and went on to score 58 Tiger runs while posting a .518 batting average and a .564 on-base percentage. “She’s fast,” said Love. “She can cover left field to right field. And she’s done everything against really good pitching.” Love added Baynes will be one of the key weapons in the Tigers arsenal when it takes the field for the 2019 season.

Bella Farmer Holtville shortstop Praise from a coach is one thing, but praise from a teammate is something different. Bella Farmer falls into that category: “I’m really proud of my shortstop,” Bulldog pitcher Kaylyn Dismukes said. “She works every day to get better and it shows.” The Bulldog sophomore posted a .396 average and rattled off 11 home runs with 18 extra base hits. She also scored 41 runs and drove in 56 and capped the 41-win campaign with a slugging percentage just shy of .800. Not too shabby for an offense that averaged batting .347 on the year.

“She’s a very solid player, hits with great power to all fields and is fundamentally sound on the defensive end of things,” Holtville coach Daryl Otwell said.

The sophomore slugger who earned a Class 6A AllState honorable mention paced the Mustangs offense with a .422 average (49 hits in 116 at-bats) and drove home 40 runs. She also scored 41 of the squad’s 306 total during the 2018 campaign that saw Stanhope Elmore advance to the regional tournament. Raven Hudson belted eight home runs and had 13 total extrabase hits to make a .784 slugging percentage.

Haylee Brown Edgewood Academy utility One of two freshmen to be chosen for All-County, Haylee Brown chose the best weekend of the season to have her best day. The AUM commit rattled off a quartet of dingers — three in one game — to help power the Wildcats to the AISA Class AAA crown.

“She was one of our top two most consistent players all year,” Wildcats coach Mark Segrest said. “She could hit for power, hit for average.”

Her season stats reflect her plate prowess. The freshman posted a .381 average with seven home runs, 21 doubles and 30-plus singles. She drove in 43 runs and scored 67. Her on-base percentage (.469) is second only to Stinchcomb on this list.

Honorable Mention: Wetumpka: Anna Kate Norton, Amari McCreary; Stanhope Elmore: Kayla Wright, Taylor Roland; Tallassee: Belle Haynes, Jordan Walters, Sally Shipman, Sinclair Cole; Holtville: Jordan Cousins, Cyndi Thornton; Elmore County: Ella Watts, Maci Curlee; Edgewood: Peyton Rodie, Grayson Landy, Kallie Johnson

PAGE B2 • JULY 11, 2018

LIZI ARBOGAST Sports Editor

Special Olympics should inspire everyone

S

ometimes the odds seem to be against you — especially in a world where everything is divided by the haves and the have nots.

Maybe your socioeconomic status isn’t the greatest or you have racial or religious biases working against you. Maybe you have a physical or mental disability that makes everyone look at you differently.

But, especially in the world of sports, there have been countless examples of athletes rising above their circumstances and coming out on top. There have been so many athletes, even local guys like Justin Tuck and Adalius Thomas, who competed for the never-heard-of-before Central Coosa, who became superstars.

Circumstances shouldn’t decide outcomes, and sports can be an outlet for that.

This week’s Special Olympics USA Games have been an obvious example of that. If you haven’t seen the interview with Victoria Smith on ESPN.com after she won the gold medal in the 100-meter freestyle, I encourage you to go watch it.

“No matter what your disability is, you can compete,” Smith said. “If you train as hard as you have, you can compete and you can win gold just like I have.”

The Special Olympics is full of stories proving you can do anything if you put your mind to it — from Andrew Peterson, who was born with fetal alcohol syndrome, needed nearly a decade of physical therapy just to learn how to walk and talk functionally and now is a marathon runner; to Seth Hanchey, who cannot speak after a traumatic brain injury in 2011 but competed this week as a powerlifter; to Tyler Lagasse, who is autistic but wrote he has learned to excel in many aspects of his life due to competing as a Special Olympic golfer.

And it’s more than just the Special Olympics that are giving student-athlete chances.

There’s all kinds of outlets in the world of sports for people who struggle with physical disabilities to compete, and there’s plenty of stories showing no matter what, you can do it.

Last summer, I had the pleasure of writing a story about Ranley Clayton, a New Site native who was paralyzed from the waist down after an ATV accident. But she didn’t let that squander her competitive spirit; instead, she found wheelchair basketball.

There are plenty of adaptive sports, and people around the Lake Martin community are doing things to bring awareness to this need. Camp ASCCA holds an annual camp for the physically disabled in conjunction with its Teen Week; several groups have been raising money for a Dream Field — a multi-use field designed for athletes with disabilities — in Alexander City; and even the folks at Dixie Sailing Club have looked into purchasing an adaptive sail boat.

The point is, don’t let anything hold you back. There’s that old saying about getting back on the horse and trying again. If you set your mind to something and you’re willing to put in the hard work, you can achieve it — regardless of any preconceived notions of what people think you should and shouldn’t be able to do.

Lizi Arbogast is the sports editor of The Herald.

TheWetumpkaHerald.com

THE WETUMPKA HERALD

Indians’ Lucas says he’ll be a Rebel

By DAVID GRANGER Managing Editor

There may have been a few more Ole Miss Rebels yelling “Hotty toddy!” on Monday than on the average July afternoon.

After saying all the appropriate things – thanking God and his parents, thanking the Wetumpka football program for accepting him and the Prattville football program, which he left to transfer to Wetumpka after last season, for helping him get to where he is – Patrick Lucas turned around, the gathering’s view blocked by his huge 6-foot-3, 290-pound body and his mother and father, who flanked him, and slipped on a windshirt.

With that, he turned back to the crowd, having swapped his black and gold Wetumpka T-shirt for the blue windshirt with a familiar red script logo on the chest.

“And now I’m an Ole Miss Rebel,” Lucas said to the applause of the crowd in the lobby of the Wetumpka gym.

Lucas, a defensive tackle, is ranked the 19th best college football prospect in Alabama, so his verbal commitment, though not binding, is not insignificant.

As a junior at Prattville, Lucas had 58 tackles, including eight for losses and five sacks for the Lions.

David Granger / The Herald

Patrick Lucas and his mom are all smiles Monday afternoon after the 6-3, 290-pound defensive tackle verbally committed to the Ole Miss Rebels.

He caused 15 quarterback hurries. He was a secondteam Class 7A all-state selection by the Alabama Sports Writers Association.

Lucas said University of Mississippi coach Matt Luke passed on seeing his son at Vacation Bible School to stay on the Ole Miss campus and spend time with him, which won the day for him. He said the sense of family he felt from Luke pulled him toward the Rebels over his other two top choices, Vanderbilt and

Memphis.

“It was their honesty,” Lucas said. “They preach family and a lot of schools preach family, but they don’t really show it. That was a big sign for me. (Luke) could have gone to VBS with his son. But he saw that I was visiting and he stayed and talked to me for a really long time. That meant a lot.”

Even though he is committed to Ole Miss, Lucas said he would “probably” still visit the Commodores and the

Tigers.

“But right now my heart is with Ole Miss.”

Lucas is ranked a three-star prospect by 247sports. He is ranked by the same service as the 38th best defensive tackle prospect in the nation.

“He does everything you need him to do,” Wetumpka coach Tim Perry said. “Today wasn’t a workout day, but he was here this morning. He’s a smart kid who pays attention to his academics and he’s a talented football player.”

Rusty Mason resigns as Edgewood coach

By LIZI ARBOGAST Sports Editor

Carmen Rodgers / The Herald

Sharron Johnson and Fran Brown listen to Jodie McGirt during the Friday evening meet-and-greet at Lake Martin Machine Gun for A Girl and A Gun Women’s Shooting League.

New women-only shooting league in area

By CARMEN RODGERS Staff Writer

Are you a girl who owns a gun and is interested in meeting like-minded women who share the same likes and interests? If so, A Girl and A Gun women’s shooting league may be just what you are looking for.

AG&AG women’s shooting league is a femaleonly organization founded by female shooters for women pistol, rifle and shotgun shooters. The league is designed to take beginners to whatever skill level they wish to achieve and provide experienced shooters with more opportunities.

“This is for every skill level and every age group,” said Jodie McGirt, certified National Rifle Association range safety officer and facilitator of the Lake Martin Chapter of A Girl and A Gun Women’s Shooting League. “We want to introduce women to firearms, firearm safety, the community, camaraderie and developing relationships through that.”

McGirt was introduced to the league during a trip to a three-gun match in Phenix City that was part of the league’s annual Fall Fest. It was the friendship offered from the women in the local chapter of AG&AG shooting league that most appealed to McGirt.

Player The junior pitcher accounted for 31 wins and 13 home runs. She batted just shy of .500 while striking out 314. To put it in perspective, as a team, Bulldogs pitchers struck out a combined 384 batters. She held opposing offenses to an ERA of 1.52 and an anemic .186 batting average.

Otwell found his answer: “She’s the complete player. She’s a great student,

“I didn’t have all my gear, but I had one lady who let me use her shotgun,” McGirt said.

“She gave it to me for the whole weekend.”

The closest chapter of AG&AG is located in Rainbow City, which is more than 100 miles away. However, with the creation of the Lake Martin Chapter of AG&AG, women from Lake Martin and surrounding areas now have an opportunity to be a part of this nationallyrecognized shooting league designed specifically for women.

According to McGirt, this league was created to introduce like-minded women to others who share the same interest.

“It’s more than just shooting,” she said. “We do a lot of women’s empowerment, sisterhood, building each other up and supporting each other, not only with this but with life in general. We also do a lot of leadership development.”

A Girl and A Gun Shooting League also meets regularly, away from the range.

“We have girl’s night out, tea time and breakfast and bullets,” she said.

“There are a lot of social aspects to the league.”

This women’s league is meant to help ladies feel more comfortable when talking to instructors and handling a firearm.

continued from page B1

athlete, kid — a coach’s dream player.”

And, from the stats and the praise, Dismukes brought her best effort night in and night out.

“She’s the type of player that all coaches hope to have on their team,” Otwell said.

“She’s humble and hard working. She’s a great teammate. She’s the complete package.”

“A lot of women will not shoot because of their environment. They are nervous and often afraid to ask questions,” McGirt said.

Not only does this newly formed league offer women in the area an opportunity to come together in a social environment and learn more about firearms and firearm safety, it’s also about self improvement and it’s just plain fun.

“It is a lot of fun,” said McGirt. “It’s about bettering everybody.”

McGirt expanded her scope of shooting in 2016 from one of shooting for fun to include NRA certification as a pistol instructor and range safety officer as well as being an active member of AG&AG national events and a threegun competitive shooter.

AG&AG will meet primarily at Lake Martin Machine Gun Range on Alabama Highway 229 in Eclectic on the second Thursday of each month and hosts several membersonly events and clinics throughout the year.

Chapter members are also encouraged to pursue training opportunities and many are certified NRA Range Safety Officers who help with chapter events.

To learn more about A Girl and A Gun Lake Martin, join the group on Facebook at AGAGLakeMartinAL.

Coach (batting over .510 with 100-plus stolen bases in two seasons) and Sinclair Cole (batted .357 with 36 RBIs).

“I feel really good about where we are going,” Love said. “We are returning seven hitters that hit .350 and up. We are going to be very strong. Chloe is going to be the best centerfielder we’ll face. Belle Haynes (shortstop) is a table

Just six weeks after taking up his position at the helm of Edgewood Academy’s football team, Rusty Mason has resigned.

According to a letter sent out by Edgewood Head of School Clint Welch, Mason’s plan to move his family from Corpus Christi, Texas, to Elmore County did not work out.

“Coach Mason stated that the contributing factors that led to his resignation were his wife being unable to find a job, the inability to sell their house in Texas and the possibility of their son not attending Faulkner,” the letter read.

Taking over for Mason as the interim head football coach will be Darryl Free, who also serves as the Wildcats’ athletic director and boys basketball coach. Due to time constraints with practice starting in just over two weeks and the season beginning Aug. 17, Welsh felt it was best to hire in house.

“Basically the time constraint is what put us in a bind,” Welsh said. “To spend time advertising the job, then searching for a coach, it would’ve been a slower process and there would have been a lot of uncertainty for the boys. We have four or five very qualified football coaches here at Edgewood, and I’m very confident in their ability.”

Free will be assisted by Michael Norris, Jack Weldon and Mike Bowdoin.

“Basically I’m excited to be able to serve our school in any way I can,” Free said. “We have a great group of kids who deserve the opportunity to have a successful football season. They know me, and I know them. Hopefully each one of them knows that I care about each one of them and I have their best interests at mind and heart. That’s what this is all about — serving the school and to help these kids in any way I possibly can, both on and off the field.”

Welsh said he and Free had a meeting with Edgewood players to announce the news to them, and he feels confident they’ll overcome this adversity.

“They were disappointed for sure because coach Mason was doing a great job,” Welsh said. “The workouts were going great, so when I explained coach Mason’s decision, I saw they were a little bit disappointed. But our boys have fought through a lot. Our kids have matured through the last couple years for a lot of different reasons. They’re resilient.”

Mason was also supposed to serve as Edgewood’s baseball coach.

continued from page B1

setter and one of the best shortstops we’ll see.

“Lexi (Love) is the best catcher we faced this year and she’s on our team.

That’s going to make us strong up the middle. And then we return Sally Shipman (OF) and have some young girls coming up. I really like where we are headed.”

THE WETUMPKA HERALD

TheWetumpkaHerald.com

JULY 11, 2018 â&#x20AC;¢ Page B3

PAGE B4 â&#x20AC;¢ JULY 11, 2018

TheWetumpkaHerald.com

THE WETUMPKA HERALD

THE WETUMPKA HERALD

TheWetumpkaHerald.com

JULY 11, 2018 â&#x20AC;¢ Page B5

PAGE B6 â&#x20AC;¢ JULY 11, 2018

TheWetumpkaHerald.com

THE WETUMPKA HERALD

WHY ADVERTISE IN THE TALLASSEE TRIBUNE?

YOUR BUSINESS IS OPEN. YOUR LIGHTS ARE ON

INVITE PEOPLE IN. TO ADVERTISE IN THE MOST POWERFUL MEDIA AVAILABLE, CALL US AT 334.567.7811

THE WETUMPKA HERALD