July 9, 2016 Wetumpka Herald

Elmore County native falls short in U.S. Swim Trials

Sports, Page 8 Wetumpka, AL 36092

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SATURDAY-SUNDAY • JULY 9-10, 2016

THEWETUMPKAHERALD.COM

VOL. 11, NO. 26

Letters: Foshee offered money, sexual favors for player grades

By CORY DIAZ Sports Editor

Former Stanhope Elmore head football coach and athletic director Jeff Foshee allegedly offered a special education teacher money and “sexual favors” to ensure a football player passed his classes, according to letters obtained by The Wetumpka

Herald through Alabama’s Open Records Act. In a letter to the Alabama High School Athletic Association Central Board of Control dated June 21, SEHS principal Jamey McGowin self-reported a violation of AHSAA Rule V, Coaches, Section 3, Coaches Conduct made by Foshee when he

told Stanhope special education teacher Abby Butler if the student “passed his classes, he would give her $500.”

For the reported rules violations, AHSAA executive director Steve Savarese wrote in a response to McGowin, dated June 22, that See COACH • Page 8

Partial results available in inmate death

Stoddard’s bait shop to remain open

By COREY ARWOOD Staff Writer

Ongoing legal proceedings between the city and owners of a popular local bait shop have been resolved, and city officials said Tuesday the building would remain in its historic location and the building would be preserved amid repair efforts.

After the last city council meeting, the city’s public works director, Tex Grier, said construction bids for Company Street should be made public by the end of the week.

“We are not planning to remove the bait shop, we’re planning an alternate method,” said Grier.

By the end of the month, Grier said, they plan on actually having the equipment in place to begin construction and repairs to Company Street.

One of the main downtown thoroughfares, See BAIT • Page 7

William Carroll / The Herald

Former Stanhope Elmore head football coach and athletic director Jeff Foshee, above, is accused of offering money, sexual favors in exchange for passing athletes.

By COREY ARWOOD Staff Writer

William Carroll / The Herald

Several of the pieces on display at the Wetumpka Depot Players Theater as part of the 32nd Annual Elmore County Art Guild Show. In total 46 pieces are currently on display through July 30. A reception is set for Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Depot Theater building.

EXPRESS YOURSELF Elmore County Art Guild to host reception

By WILLIAM CARROLL Managing Editor

For the 32nd year the Elmore County Art Guild has been hosting its annual Guild Show at the Wetumpka Depot Players Theatre located at 300 South Main Street in Wetumpka since June 30. Sunday at 2 p.m. the Guild will be

hosting a reception at the Theatre to showcase the pieces and to recognize the winners of the show. Guild President Shirley Esco said that the show includes 46 pieces from artists mainly located in the tri-county area.

“We have several from members of See ART • Page 8

Preliminary results for the female inmate who died in Elmore County Jail in late June offer a potential cause of death, however final results might not be available for weeks, said an official with Elmore County Sheriff’s Office.

An autopsy was requested from the Alabama Department of Forensic Science, however full blood toxicology results are not yet available, said Sheriff Bill Franklin.

But, he said, a pathologist working with the results said at this point there was reason to believe Diana Layne, 39, of Pell City, died from acute bronchial pneumonia.

The specialist, Franklin said, concluded Layne had been sick for “a very long time.”

Franklin gave new details, which had come from the ECSO’s ongoing investigation into the matter.

According to earlier reports, Layne had been in jail for roughly 5 days, after tribal police of Wind Creek Casino brought her in on Friday, June 24.

However, Franklin said through their investigation they had spoken with a family member who offered that Layne had been staying at the casino for some time.

See INMATE • Page 7

Area women in business group to have kickoff event

By WILLIAM CARROLL Managing Editor

For area business women, future business women or women interested in the business community a new group is forming with the help of the Wetumpka Area Chamber of Commerce and will be hosting an informal informational session and reception at the Civic in Wetumpka on July 21 from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

The group called River Region Women in Business is the brainchild of Tallassee business woman Shea Irvine. Irvine currently works as a licensed life insurance agent in Tallassee and has been an active member in the business community for over 10 years. Irvine said that she has had a vision to start a similar group for some time.

“I have been wanting to start something like this for

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awhile,” she said. “There is not a lot of support in the area to help women juggle business life and traditional female roles. When I was first starting out I could have used a lot of support from other business women who had been through what I was experiencing.”

Irvine said she entered the business world because of medical issues her husband was experiencing at the time. She noted that when she was first starting out there really weren’t any groups like the kind she envisions.

Irvine said that she is seeking, “a group of driven and determined businesswomen, whether business owners themselves or women seeking professional growth, to spread knowledge, to share ideas, and to encourage and support one another in their business ventures.” She said she hopes that this group will be See WOMEN • Page 3

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Shea Irvine (left) and assistant Meghan Fuller have been instrumental in organizing the River Region Women in Business’ upcoming meet and greet reception at the Wetumpka Civic Center July 21.

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TheWetumpkaHerald.com

Obituaries Richard Norman Williford Williford, Richard Norman, age 70, a resident of Wetumpka, Alabama, passed away on July 7, 2016, after an extended illness. Richard was born October 2, 1945, in Troy, AL, to Lewis Alexander and Norma Hill Griffin Williford.

He was a 1963 graduate of Charles Henderson High School, where he was a standout athlete, lettering in four sports. He was recruited by Auburn University to play football, but due to a severe knee injury, chose to stay home and attend Troy State University. Richard worked for 32 years with the Alabama Department of Transportation, retiring in 1999 as a Chief Construction Engineer.

He was a past member of First Presbyterian Church in Troy, a former deacon of New Home Baptist Church in Titus, and most recently an active member of First Baptist Church of Wetumpka. He enjoyed being a part of the E. L. Clark Sunday School class, where he traded tall tales and lively fellowship with all the guys. Richard was an avid outdoorsman, and he loved to hunt, fish, and spend time at “the cabin”. He made several hunting trips out West, and was a Life Member of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. One of his favorite pastimes was watching Alabama football, or basically any sport the Crimson Tide played. He also enjoyed watching the Edgewood Wildcats, and could frequently be heard saying, “That’s my grandson!” on Friday nights from 2008-2010. Richard was preceded in death by his parents; his siblings David Wade and Lewis Hill Williford, Betty Williford Carter, and Suzanne Williford Tinnea; beloved

nephew Kenneth Melton Carter; special brothersin-law Asa Melton Carter and Alan LeCroy Marsh; and companion Sam the Wonder Dachshund. He is survived by his wife and favorite hunting buddy, Deborah Marsh Williford; daughters Bethany Williford Elliott (Tim), Emily Hill Williford, and Ashley Williford Killen (Morgan); grandson Camron David Elliott; brother Hubert Williford (Pat); mother-inlaw Ruby LeCroy Marsh; honorary daughter Sara Case; grand-dogs Biscuit, Maddie, and Koda; nieces and nephew Sharon Lott (Calvin), Rebecca Davis (Herby), Deborah Beck (Douglas), Deedie Carter, Elizabeth Mitchell (John Wiley), Lewis Williford (Gemell), and Jennifer Holley (Chris); and a large extended family. Visitation will be held on Saturday, July 9th, from 10:00 – 11:30 a.m. at First Baptist Church, Wetumpka, with funeral service immediately following. Officiates will be Dr. James Troglen and Dr. John Brannon. Graveside service will be held at Green Hills Memorial Park in Troy at 4:00 p.m. Pall bearers will be Camron Elliott, Tim Elliott, Morgan Killen, Lewis Williford, Calvin Lott, Herby Davis, and Sonny Williford.

Honorary pallbearers will be the E. L. Clark Sunday School Class, Bob McGehee, Michael Amos, Douglas Beck, John Wiley Mitchell, Bill Powell, Curtis Jordan, Neil Lowery, Allen Donaldson, George Shumway, Welden Owen, Stan Baxter, and Wayne L. Bozeman, Sr. Flowers are appreciated, or donations may be made to the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Central Alabama Chapter, 166 Live Oaks Drive, Millbrook, AL 36054. Online Guest Book available at www.gassettfuneralhome.net

ELMORE COUNTY WEEKEND

Johnson enters mayoral race for Wetumpka STAFF REPORT TPI Staff

Emmitt Johnson, Jr. is officially registered as a mayoral candidate for the City of Wetumpka.

He’s lived in the community for 12 years, is Johnson the co-owner of Wetumpka Preschool & Periscope Child Development Center, current education director at StafetyNet BTC, pastor at Gateway Ministries in Millbrook and retired US Army Sergeant Major (E-9).

His campaign motto, “Work together ~ Grow together,” speaks to his efforts to bring community residents to the forefront to assist legislators in the progressive growth of the city. He previously spearheaded the city’s annual health fair, is a current motivational speaker at Tutwiler Prison, chairperson for the Changing Phases

Rehabilitation Program in Elmore County, life coach and instructor with Elmore County Extension office and operational and logistic liaison for Anointed Remnant Global Assemblies. He wants his voice to be your voice for the City of Wetumpka as we bridge the divides and collectively grow our city.

Johnson’s platform is a familiar, but difficult one to accomplish without a progressive synergistic team focused on Wetumpka’s growth. First, economic development is at the core of growth. Industry that complements our diverse population, coupled with mainstream business, distinctive restaurants, and cultural events and festivals that bring tourism to our city.

Growth can easily frighten people, which is why law enforcement and safety are paramount. Residents and business owners gain confidence when there are adequate patrols and community partnerships with our police department. It is Johnson’s goal to make sure

people understand the essentiality of law enforcers and the necessity of first responders. As an educator, Johnson understands education and the systems that foster the programs are vital to the growth of a city. Residents want to know their children are a part of a competitive education system and programs that support young adults and our seniors’ continuous need for development in a global economy. Finally, Johnson believes in community stability for every residence.

The stability of a community depends on those physical, economic or social features of a neighborhood that are associated with the preservation and potential increase in the value of a property-owner’s investment in a neighborhood. When our communities are stable, so is our city. Emmitt Johnson, Jr. believes these four tenets are the bedrock for sure and sustained growth.

He’d like to have your vote on Aug. 23 to become the new mayor of Wetumpka. If we “work together” we can “grow together.”

Depot Players to present ‘Calendar Girls’ STAFF REPORT TPI Staff

Sometimes the only thing to do in the blistering heat and humidity of central Alabama it to wear less clothes. The Wetumpka Depot Players are keeping cool for their production of Tim Firth’s comedy, “Calendar Girls.” Opening July 14 and running through July 30, the play is one of the most widely produced plays in the U.K. and is now making the rounds here in the U.S. after the great success of the film of the same title.

“The play is based on a true story of a group of middle-aged ladies who posed nude for a calendar,” said Kristy Meanor, Depot executive director. “This show is such a celebration of courage and love. It will be an absolute joy for

audiences to experience.

No worry, there is no nudity in the production, but the scene where the ladies pose for the calendar is perhaps one of the funniest scenes I have seen on stage in a long time.”

“This heartfelt comedy about love, loss and enduring friendships features a wonderfully, talented cast,’’” said Calendar Girls director Stephen Dubberley. “The cast features Eleanor Davis, Teri Sweeney, Brooke Killen, Hazel Jones, Cindy Smith, Marcella Willis, Gayle Sandlin, Bill Nowell, Lee Bridges. Tatum Pollock, Mariah Reilly, Katie Therkelson, and Jay Russell.”

In celebration of the Calendar Girl theme, the Depot Players will be taking orders for their own calendar which will feature the dates for the

Submitted / The Herald

The cast of the upcoming Wetumpka Depot Players play “Calendar Girls” The play will begin July 14 and continue until July 30.

2017 season as well as unique photos from past shows. The calendar will be in support of ongoing building and renovation needs to the River Region’s oldest community theatre. Preorders will be accepted at all showings of the production as well as by calling the box office.

The show plays July 14,15, 21-23, 28-30 7:30pm and Sunday July 17 an 24 at 2pm. Tickets are $12/$15 and can be purchased by calling the box office at 868.1440 or wetumpkadepot.com.

The Wetumpka Depot Theatre is located at 300 S Main in historic downtown Wetumpka.

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Tuesday, July 12, 2016 at 8:30 AM ECBOE Boardroom 100 H.H. Robison Drive, Wetumpka, AL 36092 Open to the Public. Families DO NOT have to be present for selection.

ELMORE COUNTY WEEKEND

TheWetumpkaHerald.com

JULY 9-10, 2016 • Page 3

New owner brings expanded hours, same quality to Coaches Corner

By WILLIAM CARROLL Managing Editor

Coaches Corner Bar and Grill in downtown Wetumpka may have a new owner, but the popular local restaurant promises the same great service with expanded dining options.

New owner Paul Norton is no stranger to the restaurant business or to Wetumpka, having worked at Wind Creek Casino and Hotel as a chef for eight years prior to taking over at Coaches. Norton said that in total he has over 30 years working in the business.

“I have been in kitchens since I was 14 and a half years old,” he said.

Norton said that his experience has taken him to North and South Carolina, Georgia, Mississippi and Alabama. He said he worked for a time in Charlotte, North Carolina, for private dining clubs and for the Charlotte Hornets basketball team.

Norton said that the arrangement between himself and former owner John Maddaloni was a fairly low-key deal worked out over several months.

Norton said prior to finalizing the deal he had been working in the kitchen of Coaches for around a month and a half. He explained that Maddaloni is still involved in the business as a silent partner of sorts, continuing to stand by the establishment he helped to create.

“He is basically in a support partnership role, but I am responsible for the day-to-day operations and decisions,” Norton said.

Norton explained that he would be making some tweaks to the hours and the menu, but that

much about Coaches would remain the same.

Specifically, the restaurant will now be serving breakfast Monday through Saturday from 6 to 9:30 a.m.

“I felt I wanted to give people more options for breakfast,” he said. “A place where they can come and sit and relax in the morning.”

For lunch there have been some changes as well.

“We’ve streamlined the lunch menu, but we’ve also added a meat and two and meat and three option,” he said noting that there were no changes currently to the dinner menu, but that there may eventually be “small changes.”

Norton said that the service and specials that customers have come to know and love will still be a part of the menu.

Norton, who officially became the owner on July 1, said he is enjoying his new role.

“I really like it, especially the people I work with,” he said, noting that he has 25 employees currently. “We have a great staff that know their jobs well and we all work well together.”

Norton noted that regular customers have provided very positive feedback about him taking over as the new owner.

“I like coming out and talking to the guests and regulars, and I like to know that they are getting to know me,” he said.

Coaches is open from Monday through Friday from 6:30 to 9 a.m. for breakfast, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for lunch and 4:30 to 9 p.m. for dinner. They are open Saturday 6 to 9:30 a.m. for breakfast and 11-9 for lunch and dinner. Coaches is located at 203 Orline St. in downtown Wetumpka and can be reached at 334-452-3830.

Women a forum in which women feel supported, encouraged, and inspired to discuss challenges, successes, and even failures. She also hopes that not only will women learn and gain insight from one another, motivate each other, and build each other up, but that the group will provide networking opportunities, mentorship, and connections for enduring support.

Irvine said that she envisions the group will have a significant mentorship role for its members.

“My goal is to incorporate everyone we can in Elmore County,” she said. “The idea is to start smaller and perhaps grow bigger. I don’t want the women involved to be another face in the crowd, I have envisioned it more as a mentorship type situation.”

In keeping with that theme, Irvine said that she didn’t want the group to necessarily be one that met a couple of times a year, but one that was active for its members.

“I feel like anyone who joins the group can share and learn from everyone else in the group,” she said. “Right now this is just the first step. The group is going to shape itself based upon what the needs of the group are.”

Irvine said that currently there is a Facebook page for the entity, but that nothing formal as far as an “official” group has been set up yet. The Facebook group is also called River Region Women in Business.

Irvine explained that she initially sought to gauge interest by creating the Facebook page.

“I didn’t know how much it was needed until I put it on Facebook,” she said.

“Within a few hours I was getting emails from women who wanted to be a part of it.

There was so much of a positive response that I realized this is definitely something that is needed here.”

Irvine said that she eventually contacted the Wetumpka Area Chamber of Commerce during its transition phase and didn’t hear anything back, but eventually was able to touch base with, at

WIlliam Carroll / The Herald

A packed house is a common sight at Coaches Corner Bar and Grill in downtown Wetumpka. New owner Paul Norton hopes to continue the tradition of offering high quality dining.

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the time, newly named Chamber Director Gerry Purcell.

“He was very interested in the idea,” she said noting that the Chamber has become a partner to the WIB group.

Purcell said he thought the idea was an excellent one.

“Shea has really been working to develop this group recently,” he said. “We used to have a pretty active group here in Wetumpka but it kind of fizzled out.

I would like to see us have an active women in business group again.”

Purcell noted that the Chamber currently has a significant number of female members and that he thought many of them would want to be part of the River Region group.

Irvine said the event on July 21 is open to all women who might be interested in the group. She said that the women did not necessarily have to be currently in the business field, but could include students and those interested in perhaps getting into business.

“The event will be very informal,” she said. “It will be a meet and greet with hors d’oeuvres and some-

thing to drink. I will speak briefly about the group and give an overview of what we are doing. It will kind of be like an after hours event. After that those interested in joining will be able to.”

Irvine noted that since the group is partnering with the Chamber, WIB members would need to also

be members of or join the Chamber.

Irvine said that not only is the group looking for participants at the July 21 event, it is also looking for sponsors.

For more information check out the group’s Facebook page @riverregionwomeninbusiness.

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Steve Baker, Publisher William Carroll, Managing Editor Opinions expressed in guest columns and letters to the editor do not necessarily reflect the viewpoint of the management of The Wetumpka Herald

Page 4 • JULY 9-10, 2016

OPINION

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

--Thomas Jefferson

TheWetumpkaHerald.com

ELMORE COUNTY WEEKEND

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.

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When will we realize that all lives matter?

I

’ve never been a big user of Twitter. In fact, I’ve only ever used it a couple of times and never could understand the fascination with it. I am not a fan of the rampant use of hashtags and brief memes meant to convey a complex message. For example, #blacklivesmatter, #bluelivesmatter are in our parlance now and of course are really meaningless concepts in the grand scheme of things because all lives matter.

By now most of you are aware or have heard about the tragedy in Dallas. As of this writing (Friday morning) five police officers have been brutally gunned down while another 6 were injured Thursday evening. The shootings occurred during a Black Lives Matter protest in the city as the result of two recent viral videos that depicted police officers in Louisiana and Minnesota shooting and killing two black men.

The incidents in both Minnesota and Louisiana are tragedies in

WILLIAM CARROLL Managing Editor

their own way, as the videos do not paint the officers involved in a necessarily positive light. Calls have gone out across the country to charge the officers involved in both incidents with murder in the deaths and protests have occurred in cities around the country. Louisiana interestingly enough recently passed a so called blue lives matter bill that makes crimes against police a form of hate crime.

The protest in Dallas was part of this reaction to the two killings in Minnesota and Louisiana. The problem with Black Lives Matter and Blue Lives Matter proponents is that all lives matter, black, white, blue, brown, yes even orange

(looking at you, Donald Trump).

The fact is we have to get to a point where we look at everyone as being entitled to the same rights and protections as everyone else.

We have to stop delineating people as white/black, Muslim/Christian, Republican/Democrat, etc. We have gotten to the point in this country where we are too focused on what makes people different from us and less on how they are similar. Until we stop focusing on our differences we will never achieve anything other than continued incidents of violence like those in Louisiana, Minnesota and Texas and the host of other similar crimes that have been committed over the last several years. We are all a part of this great human enterprise.

Perhaps we should all start acting more like a team and less like opponents.

Carroll is the managing editor of The Herald.

334-567-7811 • Fax 334-567-3284 email: news@thewetumpkaherald.com THE WETUMPKA HERALD (681-260) is published twice weekly on Wednesday and Saturday 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 360920099. ISSN # 1536-688X. We reserve the right to refuse to print any advertisement, news story, photograph or any other material submitted to us for any reason or no reason at all.

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ADMINISTRATION Steve Baker, publisher steve.baker@thewetumpkaherald.com William Carroll, managing editor william.carroll@thewetumpkaherald.com NEWS Corey Arwood, staff writer corey.arwood@thewetumpkaherald.com Carmen Rodgers, staff writer carmen.rodgers@thewetumpkaherald.com Cory Diaz, sports editor Cory.Diaz@TheWetumpkaHerald.com. . . . . . . . . Ext. 306 SALES Jayne Carr, marketing consultant Jayne.Carr@TheWetumpkaHerald.com. . . . . . . Ext. 313 Molly Brethauer, marketing consultant molly.brethaur@TheWetumpkaHerald.com. . . . . Ext. 305

I

Yes, America’s still great and here’s why. . .

got a little too close to the television on the night of July 4.

Some industrious television reporter, it seems, had the idea of going to the dog park at Montgomery’s Shakespeare Festival grounds to ask young adults – most, I’d say, in their late teens to early 20s – if America was a still a great country.

Duh! “America’s still a pretty good place to live, I guess,” said one wet-behind-the-ears interviewee. I immediately thought of the immortal words of Merle Haggard: “If you don’t love it, leave it,” – although that was probably a tad harsh.

Still, I couldn’t believe I was hearing talk of life in these United States that was painting such an iffy picture.

Yes, I know that we have seen tragedy recently. Yes, I know that we are in the midst of an election season filled with angst at both ends of the political spectrum. Yes, I know many of us are frustrated with our government at all levels, some of us are out of work and all these things have created a general malaise among Americans.

But you know what?

There is still no better, safer, more beautiful place to live – no place with more opportunity to better your lot in life - than the United States of America.

Frankly, I’m sick of hearing otherwise.

We have one presidential candidate running with the campaign slogan – it’s even emblazoned on his goofy-looking hat – “Make America Great Again.”

DAVID GRANGER Guest Columnist

Well, I guess I missed the announcement that we had given up our greatness. When did that happen? Last year? Earlier this year? In the 1990s?

Nope, we don’t have millions willing to immigrate to this country simply because they want to blow it up. The vast majority see the freedom and opportunity that we take for granted, that we see as being screwed up by lawmakers who are deeply in the pockets of special interests.

America is great for these reasons and far more basic ones, too.

We are the most diverse and inclusive country in the world. A melting pot. A rainbow. We have been that way since our founding and become more so every passing day. Contrary to popular belief, our diversity and inclusiveness is a good thing. It gives us a sort of “hybrid vigor” not seen in other societies.

Let us never get away from that.

We are also kind.

Despite what we’ve seen portrayed on television at recent political rallies, most Americans are willing to jump to the aid of a neighbor in need. Millions poured in to the families of the victims of the massacre at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, for example. In 2015, individual

Americans donated $268.3 billion to charity. Corporations gave only $18.5 billion.

And when we don’t give money, we give time. We give time as volunteers for a plethora of causes ranging from animal advocacy groups to hospitals. We give time as mentors to young people. We give time informally, by listening to the thoughts, opinions and woes of others, sympathizing with them and, often, helping in more concrete ways.

Americas is great because we are strong militarily, but we are also strong-willed. We have been challenged by war, space, human rights and civil rights and have always managed to deal with those issues and challenges forthrightly and with the right goal in mind. More times than not, we have reached our goal.

So this malaise, this mistaken feeling among some that America isn’t great anymore?

It’s just our next challenge.

Back in 1776, the British considered the colonies’ stab at independence as little more than an ill-advised experiment, destined to fail. Two-hundred and forty years later, we’re still in democracy’s lab, working not on what will make us great again, but what will make us believe, know that we are great, that we are envied and that those are among the reasons that people abroad both seek to become a part of us and attack us.

Yes, America is still great.

Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.

Granger is a staff writer for The Herald.

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The Wetumpka Herald

ELMORE COUNTY WEEKEND

TheWetumpkaHerald.com

Inmate While there, it was said that a paramedic was called to the property on the Wednesday prior to her arrest for possession of a controlled substance; about 22 morphine pills, Franklin said.

Her sister was said to have told the ECSO she thought Layne had refused medical treatment from a paramedic.

In an attempt to verify the account, Franklin said they were trying to find out why the ambulance had been called to the casino.

In an earlier report, Franklin gave a timeline of Layne’s death.

It was said to have occurred within a 15-minute time span, early morning, while she was being served breakfast.

Bait Company Street has been closed for nearly four months after a sinkhole appeared around midMarch.

City officials have maintained that its formation was the result of extreme weather and flooding events, which occurred late last year.

It was thought that the flooding overwhelmed inadequate and outdated drainage systems and prevention measures.

Ultimately this was said to have washed out an area under the road where the water emptied into downhill piping systems, causing a pipe to rupture, quickening the erosion, and ending in a 10 by 12 foot cavity, which has since been filled.

The city’s initial plans were to acquire the bait shop property from its owners Chris and Therese Carter.

However, after the offer was rejected condemnation court proceedings were set to begin to determine the building’s fate.

“I’m excited because I think it’s an important icon for the city,” said Therese Carter.

Carter, who is a co-owner of Stoddard’s Bait and Tackle as well as Coosa River Adventures, along with her husband Chris Carter, said legal action had been dropped upon learning of the city’s new plans.

“We were kind of in a holding pattern. You know we didn’t accept their offer, we didn’t hear anything back from them. It was like, you know, kind of waiting on them to make the next move and they didn’t make any moves,” said Carter.

Grier said the engineer had finished evaluating the locations on Tuesday.

He said the new plan would not be much more complicated than the previous one to carry out.

“It’ll actually be just moving the cross train a few feet north,” Grier said. “We have property that belongs to another resident that we’ve acquired and we’re going to use that property to cross.”

In earlier reports, Grier said the project would

JULY 9-10, 2016 • Page 7

continued from page 1

At 6:07 a.m. Wednesday, Franklin said, morning supervisors were about to leave their shift and checked in with Layne.

He said they asked if she was going to eat her food.

At 6:22 a.m. he said they found her unresponsive, and called for help.

He said there were nurses on duty who were familiar with Layne.

However he said it was soon learned that she was deceased.

He said due to her condition she was being held in one of the air-conditioned holding cell portions of the jail.

Franklin also mentioned another arrest which he said

continued from page 1

Corey Arwood / The Herald

The owners and manager of Stoddard Bait and Tackle watch the work done by city utility and water works employees after having found the beginnings of a sinkhole which later led to the discovery of a broken sewer pipe earlier this year.

require the replacement of a cross drain which runs about 17 feet deep, and he said it would require the removal of about 80 to 120 feet of linear street.

Public opinion, as well as a change of engineers, Carter said she felt might have shaped the city’s decision.

“I think that there was a lot of people that were really upset with tearing the building down just because it has been there forever. It is the only place to get live bait,” Carter said.

The married business team had guessed at the new developments some time ago, she said, after seeing where marks had been made on the roadway that appeared to work around the shop.

“It was kind of exciting that I can look out my little kitchen window and still see the bait shop sitting there,” Carter said.

occurred near the casino on Tuesday prior to Layne’s arrest.

He said he was not sure if there was any relation between the two cases, but a man, Tyrone Woods, 36, of Selma, was arrested on drug trafficking charges in possession of over 518 pills, and 132 of the same type Layne possessed.

Franklin said the Central Alabama Drug Task Force made the arrest.

SPORTS

PAGE 8 • JULY 9-10, 2016

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TheWetumpkaHerald.com

ELMORE COUNTY WEEKEND

Ballard ‘excited’ after competing at U.S. Trials

By CORY DIAZ Sports Editor

Contributed / The Herald

Eclectic native and Elmore County High graduate Foster Ballard puts his goggles in place before a race at the 2016 U.S. Swimming Olympic Trials in Omaha last weekend.

Foster Ballard crossed one dream off his list, and the race to achieve his ultimate goal pushes on.

At 19, the 2015 Elmore County High graduate jumped off the blocks and hit the water with an opportunity to swim at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games, competing at the U.S. Swimming Olympic Trials in Omaha this past weekend.

Ballard placed 110th overall in the men’s 100meter butterfly at 55.5, swam in the men’s 200meter individual medley and posted a personal best 2:06.35 in the 200meter butterfly, amidst battling 18-time Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps and five-time gold medalists Ryan Lochte, among others.

“It was great to be there with the best of the

best; it reminded me that this was the Kentucky Derby of swimming – all the hot shots come down to compete,” Ballard, a freshman swimmer at Auburn University, said.

“To be there, racing guys like Phelps and Lochte, knowing they’re on the wall next to you waiting to push off, that was different.

“Going in, I was a little nervous. But I got there and I had one best time for one of my races and the other two, I was right at my best times. When I was done with my last event, I wasn’t disappointed, but excited to make it that far.

I can mark one dream off the list, but I get to keep chasing goals.”

Ballard’s mom, Tonya, along with his grandparents, Joan and Bruce Christian, two sisters, Brantley and Rebecca, and his girlfriend, Ashton Hughes, made the trek to watch him compete at the Trials and were among the 20,000

spectators – the largest crowd he’s ever seen for a meet.

“It actually made it more enjoyable. Standing on the block, seeing all those people, you just have to get your shoulders loose and get ready,” he said.

One of the things Ballard said he learned from competing against the professionals and being in that environment was focus and self-preparation.

“When you come into a meet, you need to be very prepared within yourself, focused and keep your energy under control. I’m more of a guy that likes to stay calm up to the racing point,” Ballard said. “Yeah, swimming is awesome, but I like to keep some perspective: if I do great today, life will go on; if I don’t do great today, life will go on. I try to undermine what I’m doing, so I can keep myself intact and not get too nervous.”

Watching his fellow American swimmers miss

out on the Olympic team by hundredths of a second, Ballard said he realized what it’d take to mark off the next dream on his list.

“Some of the guys that were making finals, their coach would say they could count on one hand how many practices they’ve missed in the last few years. It’s about the choices you make every day,” he said. “Do you want to eat some pie or will you choose to eat vegetables? Would you rather work or hang out with friends?

“It’s about long term commitment, getting on your game and focus for the next four years.

That’s what makes the difference in being one of the guys that makes it on the team. Guys invest wholeheartedly in it, and you can see it in their reactions after the race.

The guys that missed the team by that little, they are destroyed.”

Central Alabama Tribe takes runner-up at World Series

By CORY DIAZ Sports Editor

Central Alabama Tribe 11U travel baseball team’s remarkable season came to an end Saturday with a runner-up finish in the USSSA Global World Series 11U Tournament in Orange Beach.

After winning 50 games this travel season, including the first seven contests in the World Series, the Tribe ran out of steam in the championship, falling to the Baytown, Texas-based RBI Baseball 11U, 10-7.

“It was pretty remarkable to say the least,” team manager Louie Bell said.

“We went down there, faced a bunch of teams from all over the Southeast and fared well. The boys fought hard, as hard as I’ve seen anybody play, any team that I’ve coached, and they played their hearts out.”

The Tribe’s “one game at a time” mantra worked, as they got off to a blazing start to the tournament – a start that was delayed three-and-a-half hours.

The Wetumpka-based squad went undefeated through pool play and bracket play leading up to the title game, including a 9-1 win over RBI Baseball in the winner’s bracket quarterfinals.

The Tribe won three one-run games, including a walk-off, 6-5, over Troup-R AAA, out of Lagrange, Georgia in the semifinals.

In the World Series championship

matchup, the top-seeded Tribe scored five runs in the bottom of the first and held a 5-2 advantage going to the fourth.

“The first three innings started well for our guys. At the fourth inning, we lost our composure,” Bell said. “I think our boys got tired and complacent, and the other team, they were a great team.

They fought back, never got down.

“We got the last at-bat, but we unable to capitalize on our lead. With the championship game being what it is, it ended up being the two best teams, and they got the better of us at that time.”

Christian Hill led the Tribe in the title game with two RBIs, and T.J. Lambert collected three hits.

For the tourney, Lambert and D.J. Tolliver had five RBIs and Hill, Dorion Jackson and Matt Middleton each collected four RBIs. While the team couldn’t punctuate their remarkable run with a World Series championship, the Tribe left a lasting impression, not only with itself but also with its competitors.

“We came into the tournament kind of unknown, and we left as one of the most talked-about teams. We ended the season with 50 wins, that’s a pretty remarkable thing,” Bell said. “No matter that we came in second, we were extremely proud of them. They fought as hard as they could fight, and in the

Coach Stanhope would be assessed a $300 fine and be placed on probation for one year.

Section 3 Coaches Conduct states: “A coach or non-faculty coach found guilty of immoral or unsportsmanlike conduct may be disqualified by the Central Board of Control.

Any school using a disqualified coach or non-faculty coach shall be subjected to suspension from the AHSAA.” Foshee said Friday via text message that the situation has been “tough” and that he couldn’t address the allegations at the moment. When asked if he and his attorney would consider any counter suits, he said, “all I can say is that I have a lawyer.”

Butler, who according to the letter holds the student’s academic folder, called McGowin on Saturday, May 28, to inform him that approximately one month prior, the former coach offered her money. Butler has been placed on administrative leave, pending the findings of an investigation by the Alabama State Department of Education as both teaching certificates have been flagged for alleged academic misconduct. As of Friday afternoon, Erica Pippins, a spokesperson with ALSDE, said there were no updates on the department’s inquiry.

McGowin, Elmore County Public Schools Superintendent Andre Harrison, Interim Assistant Superintendent for Secondary Education Steve McKenzie and Personnel Coordinator Celeste Tilley began looking into the allegations Tuesday, May 31, and in the first meeting, Foshee said in a writ-

Submitted / The Observer

The Central Alabama Tribe 11U finished runner-up in the USSSA Global World Series 11U Tournament this past week in Orange Beach. The team is (back row, left to right): Eyan Eason, Cooper Rogers, DJ Tolliver, Dorion Jackson, Jamar Greene, Matt Middleton, TJ Lambert, Damonte Mitchell; (front row, left to right) Christian Hill, Caleb Jackson, Gabe Jackson, Ethan Beard and Paxton Wingard; and (sitting) Camden Bell.

end, we faced a good team and they got us on that day.”

Central Alabama Tribe will be mov-

continued from page 1

ten statement, “I did not offer her money to change grades or (do) anything wrong. I offered her money to stay on top of his grades and basically do her best as his special education teacher.”

After a nine-day investigation, the longtime Mustangs coach resigned June 9 during an emergency special-called Elmore County Board of Education meeting, citing health issues and wanting to spend more time with family. During the investigation, two final grades for the student-athlete were found to be “suspect.” McGowin ruled the student ineligible, and said the student could regain eligibility by either passing one or both tests or pass summer school, according to the letter.

Harrison told The Herald Thursday that he couldn’t comment on the allegations on advice from legal counsel.

A synopsis of events, allegedly provided

by Butler, outlined that “a couple of weeks” after the initial solicitation, Foshee told her “he could only give her $250, but he would replace the rest with sexual favors.”

On Thursday, May 26, at a restaurant where 10 to 12 teachers went after the last school day for teachers, Foshee walked in and dropped $300 in Butler’s lap, and told her he would get the rest to her later. In the letter, she said two of the teachers definitely saw this.

Butler returned part of the money to Foshee on May 27 and the rest the next day – the same day she called McGowin.

ing up to 12U in August as well as starting a 9U team.

Art the Montgomery guild and the Prattville guild,” she said noting that the show and reception help inform the public about local artists. “I would love to everybody come and appreciate the talent in our area. When people come to our shows they are really blown away by the level of our local art.”

Esco said that the exhibit features art in several different mediums including oils, acrylics, pastels and some photography. She added that five area businesses have also paid $300 a piece to select certain pieces from the show for purchase.

“A lot of our area businesses support the guild,” she said.

“We have businesses that regularly buy pieces in our exhibits and display them in their offices.”

Esco noted that soon the Wetumpka Area Chamber of Commerce would also be exhibiting some of the artwork from area artists.

“We try to exhibit in a variety of locations,” she said.

Esco was specifically thank-

continued from page 1

ful for the Depot Players Theatre offering up space for the show.

Theatre Executive Director Kristy Meanor said that the theatre is honored to have the Art Guild’s show.

“The Depot players are a community-based organization and we love to collaborate with other community groups,” Meanor said. “We see this as a win, win for us. People can come here and see local actors as well as local artists shine through their work.”

The reception Sunday will be from 2 to 4 p.m. and is open to the public. The show is open now through July 30. Esco said that members of the guild will also be on hand at the Depot July 16 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. during the River and Blues Festival as will several area artists.

“We have several artists who will have prints and other small items to sell,” she said.

“Both events are open to the public.”