Nov. 14, 2018 The Eclectic Observer

Elmore County girls ALABAMA’S BIGGEST basketball looking to H.S. FOOTBALL build on area titles

Kickin’ Chicken reopens in Eclectic after 5-week closure

Eclectic Observer Page 2

Page 9

The

EDITION INSIDE

WEDNESDAY • NOVEMBER 14, 2018

TheWetumpkaHerald.com

Vol. 29, No. 46

‘Addiction is not a choice’ Alabama, Elmore County facing meth, opioid crisis

By AMALIA KORTRIGHT Bureau Chief

Addiction is no stranger to Alabama, especially to the thousands of people who struggle with addictions to two of the state’s most common types of drugs: opioids and methamphetamines.

During a 2013-2014 study by the U.S. Substance

Abuse and Mental Health Services administration, more than 100,000 people over the age of 12 were reportedly abusing or depending on illicit drugs in Alabama.

But despite some common misconceptions, addiction is not a choice or the result of character weakness. Alabama Department of Mental Health See ADDICTION • Page 5

DID YOU KNOW? Alabama has the highest drug prescription rate in the country. It is almost twofold greater than the average U.S. rate of 79. See more addiction facts on Page 3.

A Nu Direction provides addiction recovery for Elmore County

By AMALIA KORTRIGHT Bureau Chief

Program Director Jasmine Bowman makes a point of telling every person who walks through the doors of A Nu Direction how proud she is of them.

Bowman said A Nu Direction, Elmore County’s only detoxification center, is one of the first steps for many people on their road to recovery.

Bowman said patients older than 18 typically stay for five days.

“Before you can go to treatment, you have to have detox,” Bowman said.

“Treatment starts from the five-day detox.

Then you go into a 21-day program. From there, you gradually go up. Some places are three months, some places are six months and some places are a year.”

During detox, A Nu Direction Program Director Melissa Thompson said patients are guided through withdrawal symptoms.

Oftentimes, Thompson See RECOVERY • Page 3

Today’s

Weather

51 37 High

Low

Veterans Are Heroes program draws dozens

By AMALIA KORTRIGHT Bureau Chief

THURSDAY: HIGH 44 LOW 32

Despite cool temperatures and pouring rain, dozens of people gathered inside the Eclectic Warehouse to honor local veterans Monday during the Veterans are Heroes program.

The event featured patriotic songs and poetry, as well as a presentation from Eclectic native and United States Air Force Master Sergeant Krystal Rankin.

During her speech, Rankin said those who serve in the military possess a special set of attributes.

“The service members we honor today came from all walks of life, but they share several fundamental qualities. They possess courage, pride, determination, selflessness, dedication to duty and integrity – all of the qualities needed to serve a cause greater than themselves.

See VETERANS • Page 5

Amalia Kortright / The Observer

Eclectic native and Air Force Master sergeant Krystal Rankin gives a presentation to the audience during the Veterans Are Heroes program.

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PAGE 2 • NOVEMBER 14, 2018

TheWetumpkaHerald.com

Obituaries Evie Nadean Holley HOLLEY, Evie Nadean, a resident of Eclectic, Alabama passed away Sunday, November 11, 2018 at the age of 104. Visitation will be held Wednesday, November 14, 2018 at 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Gassett Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held Thursday, November 15, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. at Gassett Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. John Wingard officiating. Burial will be at Mt. Gilead Cemetery with Gassett Funeral Home of Wetumpka directing. Mrs. Holley is preceded in death by her husband Clifton Holley; children Eleanor Collins, Clyde Holley, Charley Holley; and 3 grandchildren. She is survived by her son David (Penny) Holley; daughters Dean Abney, Joyce Thomas; 14 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; and 19 great-great-grandchildren. Pallbearers will be Randy Branch, Joey Holley, Ron Holley, Patrick Holley, Rick Collins, James Holley, Daniel Holley, and Michael Thomas. Online Guest Book available at www.gassettfuneralhome.net

THE ECLECTIC OBSERVER

Steppin’ up to the plate

Charles D. Reed, Jr. Charles D. Reed, Jr., 79, of Eclectic, Alabama, went home to be with the Lord on November 8, 2018. A memorial service will be held Sunday, November 18 at 1:30 p.m. CST at Jackson Lake Island located on Cypress Lane in Millbrook, Alabama. The family will receive guests after the service.

Charles was preceded in death by his father, Charles D. Reed, Sr.; mother, Mary Lammers; father, Edward Lammers; sister, Annette Keller; brothers, James, Michael, and Johnny Lammers; sons, Charles R. Reed (“Handy Randy”) and Jonathan C. Reed (Sherry).

Charles is survived by his children, Debriena (Debbie) Totty (Dan), Edward (Eddie) Reed, and Cynthia (Cindy) Burnette (Kenny); 14 grandchildren, 31 great-grandchildren, 2 great-great-grandchildren; siblings, Elizabeth Henley, Roger Lammers, Susan Towns, and Tim Lammers; and his loved companion, Scotty.

Charles was a Christian who loved his Lord and Savior. He enjoyed fishing, NASCAR, driving his own racecar, and listening to music, especially the guitar. He was a U.S. Army Veteran during the Vietnam War. He was a devoted family man and loved his children and grandchildren dearly.

His family would like to express their sincere gratitude for your thoughts and prayers. Special thanks to Kindred Home Health and Hospice. Please feel free to make donations to your favorite charity in memory of Pop. Arrangements handled by Alabama Funeral Homes & Cremation Centers of Camp Hill, Alabama.

Amalia Kortright / The Observer

The Kickin’ Chicken, which closed for five weeks, recently reopened. Phil and Gail Spears, who opened the restaurant six years ago, are currently in the process of transferring ownership to four Wetumpka residents.

Kickin’ Chicken reopens in Eclectic

By AMALIA KORTRIGHT Bureau Chief

A popular Eclectic restaurant that had been in danger of permanently closing recently reopened to the public.

Kickin’ Chicken, which is located at 1606 Kowaliga Road, reopened Thursday after its doors closed about five weeks ago.

The restaurant is currently owned by Phil and Gail Spear, who established it about six years ago. Phil Spear said they enjoyed running Kickin’ Chicken, but felt it was the right time to retire.

“It’ been a great business. The community has supported it,” Spear said. “It’s time to give the business to these folks. They’ll do extremely well, and I think they’re going to enjoy it.”

Currently, Spear said they are transferring ownership to Priscilla Bass, Norbert Bass, Joyce Smith

and Arthur Smith.

According to Arthur Smith, the Bass family originally had the idea to buy Kickin’ Chicken and approached him and Joyce Smith about partnering with them. So far, Smith said they have seen a large amount of gratitude from Eclectic locals.

“Obviously it’s a cornerstone here in Eclectic, as far as food is concerned,” Smith said. “People were coming back and saying they were upset when it closed and they are so happy that Gail and Phil opened it back and they are looking forward to us acquiring it.”

Had the Bass and Smith families not stepped up to the plate, Spear said Kickin’ Chicken could have closed indefinitely.

“We had two or three investors looking at the place, and those fell through,” Spear said. “We were just going to close and put a big ‘for sale’ sign out there. Within a

week of shutting it down, we had three or four people calling, wanting to invest in the place.”

Smith said they are planning to keep everything _ the restaurant’s name, menu, and employees _ the same as the Spears had it.

“We are learning from the best,” Smith said. “The thing that struck me was on Wednesday, when we prepped (for the reopening), all of the employees showed back up. They were hugging necks and stuff. It was such a family atmosphere, and that’s why it’s been a success.”

Smith, who is the pastor of St. James Family Worship in Wetumpka, said they hope to use their ownership of Kickin’ Chicken to minister to the community.

“Ministry is meeting people’s needs,” Smith said. “There’s a need for a restaurant in Eclectic, and we’re basically just filling that need.”

Heavenly Missions drive lends help to Hurricane Michael survivors

By AMALIA KORTRIGHT Bureau Chief

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A local nonprofit recently spent the day gathering supplies for those who have been displaced by Hurricane Michael.

Heavenly Missions Outreach, which is based out of Alexander City and Elmore County, hosted a toiletry drive at the Fred’s in Eclectic from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. on Nov. 3.

Heavenly Missions Outreach founder and director Charmika Reynolds said they managed to gather hundreds of items to donate to Destin Memorial Outreach Village Baptist Church in Destin. All of the items were delivered Saturday.

Reynolds said she had a friend who is stationed in Destin, and went online to research churches in his area.

“Two churches popped up. I called the first one, and couldn’t get anybody. So, I called the second, and went from there,” Reynolds said.

“We’ve been corresponding ever since.”

Submitted / The Outlook

The donations were transported to Destin Memorial Outreach Village Baptist Church.

According to Reynolds the drive was initially slated to last 10 hours, but was cut short after the church informed her that Heavenly Missions had already raised enough supplies.

“I gave them the count we had at the time, and they told me that was good enough,” Reynolds said.

Typically, Reynolds said Heavenly Missions hosts several

supply drives each year during certain seasons. However, they decided to host an additional one in response to the crisis.

While many of the affected areas have not completely recovered, Reynolds said she hopes to help speed up the process.

“It’s getting better,” Reynolds said.

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THE ECLECTIC OBSERVER

TheWetumpkaHerald.com

NOVEMBER 14, 2018 • PAGE 3

LIFE AFTER ADDICTION Jennifer Bice shares story of overcoming substance abuse

By CARMEN RODGERS Staff Writer

Recently, it was a big day for Jennifer Bice. Her parental rights were reinstated through Alabama’s Department of Human Resources after her children were placed in a foster home due to her substance abuse.

“It’s been 19 months. It was supposed to be December but we don’t have to wait that long,” Bice said with a smile. “I’m so happy. I am also nervous, but I know God hasn’t brought me this far to let me go now.”

While this isn’t the first reunification for the family after a stay in foster care, Bice says it will be the last.

“This is the second time that I lost them. The first time was in 2016. Then in March of 2017, I lost the kids to DHR again. This time they are coming home for good.”

Bice’s children were lucky because when DHR stepped in they had extended family that who was willing to open their doors to them.

“Both times, thank God, my ex-brotherin-law _ I guess he felt it in his heart _ came and picked them up and he kept them,” she said.

Once Bice’s children were placed in the care of DHR, she was given a set of ultimatums that would prove difficult to follow.

“They gave me 30 days to enlist in a program,” she said. “I ended up going to Naomi’s House, in Lanett. I stayed for three days and left in the middle of the night walking, thinking ‘this is not for me.

I don’t have a drug problem.’ I was still in denial. The courts told me I had to go back or lose my rights and on that 29th day I decided I had to do it.”

Overcoming addiction has been a struggle for Bice but with the help and support of a local church she has made great progress. “I started attending Living

Water right before I went. A lot of people doubted me but I told them, ‘God’s got me and I am going to be able to overcome this.’”

Bice says her relationship with God and religion are what she has leaned on and continues to lean on for support. “Without God and that church, I may not have made it,” she said. “They laid their hands on me and I have never felt anything like that freedom. Ever since that day I have not even had an urge for anything. Something happened inside me. I was shaking and crying. I opened up and let Him have it. It was right after that that I entered the rehab program.”

Substance abuse began when Bice was an adolescent and throughout life it grew into a deadly addiction. “My addiction started when I was twelve and it progressed. I drank and smoked weed and that’s the gateway that leads to stronger things but meth is what got me. Looking back it felt like it happened overnight.

Looking ahead I know I can’t do that anymore. I remember going 21 days without eating or sleeping. Only by the grace of God am I still alive.”

Bice said she, like so many others, became addicted to meth after taking prescription pain pills. However, her drug of choice became too expensive to maintain so she shifted to using meth because it offers a more affordable high.

“The doctors stopping writing so many prescriptions and people who were prescribed them were selling them for $10-$15 or $20 a pill. About $20 of meth would last a week.”

Not only was meth cheaper than Bice’s drug of choice, it also was more readily available. “It was a lot easier to get.”

Throughout her addiction, Bice said she never physically harmed or abused her children but she regrets some of the choices she made while she was under the influence.

“I can’t say I didn’t neglect my kids

In 2013, providers in Alabama prescribed

141.1

opioid medications for every 100 persons. How many prescriptions is that? Approximately 6.8 million.

In 2015 an estimated

5.8 million

prescriptions were written, leading to an estimated

120 opioid prescriptions per 100 persons.

While an addiction to opioid medication often begins with a visit to a doctor, it can lead to an unassuming addict down a slippery slope into illegal drug use.

Illustration / Santana Wood

Years ago, drug addiction was not a common topic in the average U.S. household. Today, however, addiction affects almost every household in America either directly or indirectly. Because addiction often begins with a written prescription from a licensed doctor, anyone including parents, children, aunts, uncles and even grandparents are susceptible to substance abuse.

because emotionally I did,” she said. “I look back now and I see stuff, like the way I would talk to them. And I stayed in my room a lot.”

Meth has become a common drug in most towns and cities both big and small.

It can affect anyone from any background and often those around a user are not aware of the severity of the addiction. “I hid it well,” she said. So many people have said they never even knew.”

Drug addiction often masks other underlying problems; some seek relief from physical pain and others seek relief from emotional pain. “I think it differs from person to person,” Bice said. “For some people it’s recreation and for others, there is something that drives the addiction.”

Through rehab and regular involvement

with her church, Bice says he identified some of the underlying issues that drove her to use. “It was a bunch of things.

It was like a domino effect from being molested as a child to losing my mom.”

Now that Bice is able to better understand what was driving her addiction, she is able to control her reactions to stressful or emotional situations in a positive way, whereas in the past that same situation may have triggered her to use.

Bice has been through a lot to get her children back. She recently started college and is studying to be a nurse. She also recently bought a home of her own and while she has come a long way she says her and her children’s future will only get better.

“People tell me that they are proud of me, but I’m not even done yet,” she said.

Recovery said the process can be painful and require medical attention.

Currently, there are no inpatient or outpatient rehab centers in Elmore County after someone completes their stay at A Nu Direction. Bowman said she typically refers them to several rehabilitation clinics in Montgomery. Thompson said both inpatient and outpatient rehab clinics serve to teach patients how to live sober lives.

Primarily, Thompson said she sees people who are struggling with addiction to methamphetamine combined with another substance.

“Because (meth) is such a short-acting type of drug, there’s not a lot of withdrawal symptoms there. I don’t see a lot of just meth in the back. I see a lot of meth combined with alcohol or meth combined with opioids,” Thompson said. “One brings you up and the other brings you down.”

Thompson speculated that the prevalence of meth in Elmore County stems from its easy accessibility, compared to other drugs.

“Elmore County is a relatively rural county.

It’s not uncommon in more rural areas that meth is more prevalent.

It’s cheap, and in a rural area you might not have as high of a socioeconomic status,” Thompson said. “I think it’s all about supply and demand. Most people can scrounge up five bucks.”

Thompson said there is an ongoing initiative to educate primary care physicians on signs on drug abuse in patients.

Currently, Thompson said doctors are required to report the prescription drugs the prescribe.

However, several medical professionals in the Montgomery area have recently been arrested and charged with over-prescribing opioid

continued from page 1

Amalia Kortright / The Observer

Patients at A Nu Direction spend up to five days undergoing the detoxification process before entering inpatient or outpatient drug rehabilitation. Primarily, patients who check into A Nu Direction are addicted to a combination of meth and opioids or alcohol.

medication in a federal ‘pill mill’ investigation.

Thompson said the displaced patients associated with those physicians, both addicts and non-addicts alike, will have issues finding new doctors.

“When people call in with these new patient appointments, they look them up on a database to see what kind of patient they are,” Thompson said. “Those patients take an inordinate amount of time, because you might have to try and discuss with them why it isn’t correct to take eight Lortabs a day.”

Without access to opioid prescription medication, Thompson said many of them turn to harder drugs.

“We hate it when these pill mill docs are being shut down, not because we don’t think they should be out of practice, but because we know that patients are going to suffer,” Thompson said. “To my knowledge, there has not been a coordinated effort to take care of these patients.”

Despite the fact that there are more meth users in Elmore County,

Thompson said there are more local resources for those who are addicted to opioids.

“We know more about (opioids) because we know that a large part of prescription opioids.

We have good treatment

for that. What suboxone and methadone do is take the place of those opioids in your brain.

When you’re taking that on a regular basis, you don’t have withdrawal symptoms,” Thompson said. “We don’t have

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anything like that for meth that you can take pharmacologically that can help you with the cravings.”

Because there is no set medical solution for meth addiction, Thompson said recovery more difficult.

Recovery is not linear. Despite their best efforts, Thompson said many people relapse after completing drug treatment. Typically, Thompson said people who don’t have access to medical care or a strong support system.

“We have people who have come through the program, who we know will be here three or four times a year,” Thompson said. “But you don’t ever give up on them, because you never if this may be the time that they may be able to beat the addiction.”

However, Thompson and Bowman said all hope is not lost for residents who struggle with addiction.

“I know that people can learn to live with their addictions and have

fruitful lives, even after burning lots of bridges,” Thompson said.

Bowman said A Nu Direction partners closely with Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous, who regularly hold group sessions with the patients.

“They have one-hour group sessions with the patients to talk to them about their recovery, how they’re doing, how they’re maintaining sobriety,” Bowman said.

For many patients, Bowman said the knowledge that recovery is possible serves as encouragement.

“It feels good to know that someone like them is in the world,” Bowman said. “When they hear someone say, ‘I’m a recovering alcoholic. I go to work every day.

I am involved with my children. I am able to lead a normal life now that I am sober,’ it makes the patient feel good.

They know that, at the end of the tunnel, there is a light.”

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

Page 4 • NOVEMBER 14, 2018

Opinion

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Kay Ivey, our 55th governor

T

he legendary Alabama storyteller Kathryn Tucker Windham, used to say, “Alabama is like a big front porch.” She was right, I have found that to be the case my entire life. Even recently, as I’ve traversed the state, I am always amazed at how you can visit with someone in one part of the state who is kin to or were college roommates with someone in another corner of Alabama.

The Alabama that Kay Ivey and I grew up in was even more like a front porch. Ivey grew up in Wilcox County where her family had been for generations. Therefore, she knew most everybody in the county and Camden.

There were and still are less than 12,000 people in Wilcox County. There have always been more pine trees than people in the county.

She grew up with and has always been best friends with a trio of very accomplished people. As I sometimes say when I see someone who I’ve known all my life, I’ve never not known them. Ivey has never not known Jeff Sessions, Jo Bonner, and Judy Bonner. She was like a big sister to them growing up in Camden.

It’s truly amazing that a small South Alabama county just north of Mobile would spawn our U.S. Senator for 20 years, Jeff Sessions, Mobile Congressman Jo Bonner who served Mobile, Baldwin and southwest Alabama for more than a decade, and former University of Alabama President Judy Bonner, and now a Governor of Alabama, Kay Ivey. Even more amazing is that they grew up together and are contemporaries.

They all have impeccable southern manners and are

STEVE FLOWERS Columnist

all quick to say yes m’am, no m’am and thank you religiously. Some of you might think that Ivey’s Black Belt accent is accentuated.

It is real and unique and indicative of someone who has roots in that area of the state. You might notice that Sessions’ diction and accent is similar.

The most important thing that can be said about Ivey, Sessions, Jo Bonner and Judy Bonner is that you have never ever heard one comment or even one inkling of anything unethical or improper or taint of scandal about their public or personal lives. Folks, they were brought up right in Wilcox County.

Ivey was born to be a leader. She was president of everything in her high school. She went to Girl’s State and was a leader there.

By the way, she continues to go back to Girl’s State every year to counsel and help lead the organization.

She spent a short stint as a teacher, then banker in Mobile. Then politics beckoned and another Black Belt Speaker of the House Joe McCorquodale, made Ivey the reading clerk in the House of Representatives.

She parlayed that job into a job as legislative liaison for the Alabama Commission on Higher Education. I really got to know Ivey at this point. I was a legislator with a major university in my district. She was plain spoken, straight forward, and very honest.

Ivey has always been known for her integrity and upfront frankness and honesty. To use an old saying, her word is her bond. She will not lie and she will not cheat or steal. She was raised right.

Ivey then got into the arena. She was elected state treasurer twice where she served for eight years. Then she was elected lt. governor twice. She ascended to governor 20 months ago and has done an excellent job of steadying the ‘Ship of State.’

She seems keenly interested and driven by economic and industrial development. That will be her hallmark legacy.

The state is poised to grow economically and industrially over the next four years.

In the closing days of her very successful race to be Alabama’s 55th Governor, she revealed in an ad a letter from her days as a young girl visiting Governor Lurleen Wallace in the governor’s Office, a letter she had written about the governor’s desk. “This is the closest I’ll get.” However, deep down, I believe she dreamed that one day she would sit in that chair and now she does.

Ivey is the second female elected Governor of Alabama.

However, she is the first elected Republican female and the only female elected in her own right.

She will be a good governor. Probably the best we have had in a while.

See you next week.

Steve Flowers is Alabama’s leading political columnist.

His weekly column appears in over 60 Alabama newspapers.

He served 16 years in the state legislature. Steve may be reached at www.steveflowers. us.

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

Letter to the Editor

What happened to the caravan, Mr. Trump?

Dear Editor,

In the weeks leading up to the midterm election our Racist-in-Chief Donald Trump crossed the nation teaming up with his spineless Republican allies and the Fox News echo chamber to fear monger about the caravans of people coming from Central America to seek asylum.

During his rallies and in the press Trump and his allies demonized the approximately 7,000 migrants.

Trump, aided by conservative commentators and politicians, labeled the caravans “an invasion,” “a national emergency,” “an illegal alien mob,” “an attack on America” and a crisis with implications that are “critical to the future of our civilization.” While most of

the migrants are women and children, Trump claimed that “criminals and unknown Middle Easterners are mixed” into the caravans.

It’s unclear what “unknown Middle Easterners” Trump appears to be referring to since there have been no reports, in the press or publicly from intelligence agencies, to suggest there are “Middle Easterners” embedded in the caravans.

Some guests on Fox broadcasts even claimed that the migrants would bring in diseases such as smallpox and leprosy (a classic xenophobic move). The truth is there is no smallpox in circulation anymore. That’s been true since 1980, when a major global vaccine effort wiped the virus from the planet. The

risk of leprosy — now called Hansen’s disease — being imported from Latin America is similarly remote.

For all the fearmongering Trump and his lackeys did before the midterm election, suddenly, the caravan issue quickly disappeared from the national conversation.

On Wednesday’s edition of Fox and Friends it was mentioned just once and Trump didn’t want to talk about it during the press conference.

Trump knows how to play to the racial anxiety of white America. After years of stoking fears about the changing demographics of the United States, we will see his racist tactics again.

Michael E. Waters Elmore

THE ECLECTIC OBSERVER

Addiction

TheWetumpkaHerald.com

continued from page 1

cheap, it’s more popDirector of Substance ADDICTION ular in the younger Abuse Treatment and crowd,” Thompson Development Nicole CRISIS said. “I think what is Walden described so enticing about meth addiction as a chronic An in-depth is that it does give you disease. look at meth, energy. It increases “People don’t start opioid addiction your focus, your conout intending to become in county centration. You can an addict. Addiction is get more things done not a choice,” Walden when you’re sped up.” said. “It gets to the point where you’re While meth is very easy to cook, not just taking it to get high or feel Thompson said statistics have indicated good, but you’re taking it just so you its use has gone down due to the heavy won’t feel bad.”

In addition to the devastation it caus- regulation of one of its main ingredients: pseudoephedrine. es on an individual level, Walden said “They’ve taken that one part out that crime rates increase, unemployment folks used to make so much, and now increases and the academic perforit’s just a little bit more difficult to do mance of students diminish in areas that,” Thompson said. “If you have a with a large amount of drug activity. cold and you want to get Sudafed from “Substance abuse affects everything Walmart, it’s behind the counter, and we do, every day,” Walden said. you have to show your driver’s license, According to the Alabama Opioid and you have to sign something and Addiction Council, the number of drug overdose deaths in the state climbed 82 you can only buy a certain quantity. It’s really restricted.” percent between 2006 and 2014. That Far too often, Thompson said she has trend continues unabated. In 2016, the seen those addictions paired with alconumber of overdose deaths in the state hol abuse. was reported at 741.

“Sometimes we forget about alcohol The medical director of the A when we’re talking about the opioid Nu Direction detox center, Melissa crisis. Alcohol use disorder is still alive Thompson, said that because many and well in Alabama,” Thompson said. overdose deaths go unreported, that Additionally, Walden said mental number is likely higher. illness can often go hand-in-hand with “Unless, on the death certificate it addiction. Some people use drugs to says ‘opioid overdose,’ or ‘death due alleviate the symptoms of their mental to amphetamines,’ it doesn’t fall out,” health issues, Walden said, while drug Thompson said. “I imagine it’s underaddiction can be the cause of mental reported because it’s not necessarily health issues in others. recorded correctly. If somebody dies of Thompson said about 50 percent an opioid overdose, then they’re going of the people who check into A Nu to die from respiratory failure. That’s Direction are struggling with alcoholwhat you’re going to put on there, unless you’re keyed to remember to put ism, 25 percent are addicted to stimulants and about 25 percent are addicted the opioid stuff first.” to opioids. Oftentimes, Thompson said Recently, Alabama officials have patients struggle with addiction to more been more focused on the growing than one substance. opioid crisis. In 2017, Gov. Kay Ivey “What I see is a lot of alcohol and established the Alabama Opioid and crack cocaine, and then there usually Addiction Council to combat the is quite a bit of alcohol and benzos,” growing threat of opioids. However, Thompson said.

Thompson said she is concerned that For the most part, Sheriff Bill many people do not truly know what an Franklin said the illegal drug that opioid is. plagues Elmore County the most is “Opioids are prescription medicines meth. like morphine, or the active ingredient Franklin recounted an incident earlier on Lortab or Percocet or OxyContin. this year when a deputy was hospitalThose are considered opioids, and so is ized after a then-unknown liquid subheroin. They’re all in the same family stance was spilled on his forearm from of our drugs and are metabolized in evidence he had confiscated during an your brain very similarly,” Thompson arrest. said. “And then there’s that third catInitially, Franklin said they thought egory of fentanyl or carfentanil. It’s the officer had come into contact with super potent and will kill you in a minan opioid-based substance, but tests ute.” later revealed that he had been exposed Most drugs are categorized as either to meth that had been dissolved in stimulants or depressants. What makes Mountain Dew. opioids unique, Thompson said, is that “The pathologist said it was not a they can act as either one, depending on far stretch for an amphetamine to be who is taking them. absorbed into the body in that manner,” “Their Lortab may give them a Franklin said. charge and they can get things done,” Elmore County Drug Task Force Sgt. Thompson said. “Other people are Luke Reaves speculated that the area’s maybe self-medicating for anxiety and low population might limit the traffickthey just want to get away from the ing of opioids. ECSO Investigator Chris world and shut down. If they take the Ogden said there have been drug-relatLortab, it just kind of chills them out.” ed deaths over the years, but not many.

The opioid crisis, Thompson said, A report released by the Alabama is heightened by the growing threat of Department of Public Health stated that fentanyl, which she said is incredibly there were 20 drug-related deaths and potent and dealers can lace other drugs 12 alcohol-related deaths in Elmore with it.

County between 2009 and 2011.

“It’s 100 times more potent that While many view the stereotypical morphine. It’s a powdered substance, drug addict as homeless, poor, uneduso people will shoot it or they’ll put it in something and smoke it.” Thompson cated or irresponsible, A Nu Direction Program Director Jasmine Bowman said. “You never know what’s in said addiction can take hold of anyone. (drugs). Drug dealers are not benevo“There are doctors, nurses, private lent people. They are not looking out investigators, police officers and teachfor you. They just want to pad their ers. A lot of people have a lot of probpockets with cash.”

Thompson said meth initially became lems, and it just depends on how they handle the problem and if they’re ready prevalent in the late 1990s or early 2000s. Typically, she said meth is more to get help,” Bowman said. “There are people that you see every single day, common in rural areas because of how cheap it is to manufacture and purchase. and you don’t know that they go home and drink three bottles of wine. It can “Most often, people smoke it, but affect anybody.” you can also use an IV. Because it’s

NOVEMBER 14, 2018 • PAGE 5

Veterans Rankin also reminded the audience to acknowledge the sacrifices made by many men and women in the name of freedom.

“Many of them didn’t ask to leave their homes to fight on distant battlegrounds. Many didn’t even volunteer,” Rankin said. “They didn’t go to war because they loved fighting. They were ordinary people who responded in extraordinary ways in extreme times. They rose to the nation’s call, because they wanted to protect the nation that has given them, and us, so much.”

Despite the recognition that many soldiers receive each year on

continued from page 1

Veterans Day, Rankin said no amount of accolades can make up for the lost lives of soldiers throughout the country’s history.

“Nothing can ever replace the hole left behind by one fallen service member, and no number of ribbons or medals can comfort the ones left behind.”

Rankin said.

Harold and Patty Dunson, who have been involved with the event since its inception, said it has reached its 20th year.

Initially, Patty Dunson said the Veterans Are Heroes program started as a celebration of the placement of

the Eclectic Veterans Memorial in the 1990s. It originally was hosted by Eclectic the Beautiful, but the Dunsons have since decided to host the events independently.

Due to current events throughout the world, Harold Dunson said many people are beginning to realize that conflicts may arise in the future and are gaining an interest in the military.

“I think we’re starting to realize, that with the world’s situation, we may have to go wherever to defend America.

Or someone may come here,” Dunson said. “I think there’s a renewed spirit of patriotism.”

FAST IN THE CLASSIFIEDS Let us help you place an ad today, Please Call 256.277.4219 in print or online!

I SOLD IT

— SM ALL CHANGE —

BIG

DIFFERENCE Follow these tips to lower your power bill.

Program your thermostat to 68° or lower.

Set ceiling fans to run clockwise in winter.

For more ways to save by making your home more energy efficient, visit AlabamaPower.com/tips.

© 2018 Alabama Power Company

Raise your blinds to let the sun help heat your home.

PAGE 6 • NOVEMBER 14, 2018

TheWetumpkaHerald.com

THE ECLECTIC OBSERVER

ClassiÄeds

Lake & River Phone (256) 277-4219 Fax (205) 669-4217 The Alexander City Outlook

Reaching more than 22,000 households in Tallapoosa and Elmore counties The Dadeville Record

PUZZLES & HOROSCOPE ARIES (March 21-April 19) Touch base with a friend before you get too distracted by what’s going on. You are likely to enjoy your exchanges with this person, and you also could receive some helpful information. You might want to ask questions about what is happening. Tonight: Make some time for fun.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) Look beyond the obvious and consider alternatives. Reach out to several people in your life who could be sources of great ideas. A loved one expresses his or her concern over Änances, and wants to know that you’re on track. Tonight: Certainly not alone, no matter what you decide.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) Reach out to someone who might be mentally distant or closed off. Once you get this person’s attention, you can explore certain options. You might be amazed by how clearly this person can explain your situation and its possibilities.

Tonight: Say “yes� to a new opportunity.

CANCER (June 21-July 22) Reach out to someone you genuinely care about. The way you see a personal matter could change dramatically after a serious conversation. Emphasize effectiveness and precision. You will like the results of heading down a new path.

Tonight: Relax to a good movie.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) You can choose to be lazy and do nothing, if you’d like. In fact, the less you do today, the better. Have a long-overdue discussion, but only if the other party makes the Ärst move to initiate it. Others are likely to honor your ideas. Tonight: Sort through all the possibilities Ärst.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Get to the bottom of a problem. Discussions are animated. Each person seems to want to make his or her points dramatic and memorable. Getting through this charade could take talent. Just be present and listen carefully to what is shared.

Tonight: Soak away stress in a hot tub.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)

When facing a jumbled mess, you approach the problem from a position of sensitivity and no judgment. Maintain a sense of humor. People often conÄde in you and share their secrets with you.

Listen well, but be sure to keep these matters hush-hush. Tonight: Time for fun and games.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) You can push as hard as you want, but the other party still might not move away from his or her position. In fact, you might cause this person to take a more formidable stand than he or she normally would. A discussion needs to occur in an easy, relaxed manner. Tonight: Head home.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) Reach out to someone whose advice you trust. This person is in a similar situation and can easily identify with you.

Talks between you will reveal quite a few commonalities. Don’t fall for the ploy of someone you don’t trust. Others tend to agree with you. Tonight: At a favorite spot.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) You might want to review your budget before you make any more commitments, whether for the holidays or for necessity.

At this time of the year, you might be more prone to Änancial errors. Only you can determine the validity of someone else’s offer. Tonight: As you like it.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) You might notice that everyone seems to be reaching out to you, and somehow, even if you’re not involved, you could become the center of quite a few projects! Think before you say too much or give your opinions too easily. Tonight: Do something you’ve postponed for a while.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20) If you feel somewhat under the weather, slow down and take care of yourself.

Something might be bothering you that needs to be dealt with. You can’t always absorb hostility and say nothing. It’s how you say what you’re thinking that makes the difference. Tonight: Out late.

classiďŹ eds@alexcityoutlook.com public.notices@alexcityoutlook.com classiďŹ eds@thewetumpkaherald.com public.notices@thewetumpkaherald.com

The Eclectic Observer

Employment Job Opportunities

The Tallassee Tribune

Job Opportunities

The Wetumpka Herald

Job Opportunities

Call 256-277-4219 To Place Your &ODVVL¿HG $G 1RZ Hiring CDL Drivers, Backhoe Operators, and Laborers Must be highly motivated and able to follow directions Must have own transportation Please call: 334-322-4432 ‡51 /31 &KDUJH 1XUVH 0RQGD\ )ULGD\ SP SP ‡351 3RVLWLRQV )XOO WLPH SRVLWLRQV ZLWK H[FHOOHQW SD\ DQG EHQH¿WV (PDLO UHVXPH

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PREP COOK Five Star now hiring part-time, hourly/morning Prep Cook to support Lead Cook for breakfast/lunch. Basic culinary skills. Email resume/references: VHDQ#ÂżYHVWDUSUHVHUYH FRP EOE. No drop-ins/phone calls.

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The Learning Tree, Inc. is Accepting Applications for 2nd, 3rd and Weekend shifts for Direct Care Applications can be picked up at: 101 S. Dubois Street Tallassee, AL 36078 Or contact Shatia Carr (334)252-0025 Ext. 101 Email: Scarr@learning-tree.org

CARLISLE DRUG Taking applications for part-time positions Great for CAC or Southern Union Students Apply in person: 12 Main Street Alexander City 35010 No calls accepted!

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Now Hiring for Full-Time Manufacturing Positions in the Alexander City Area.

DRIVERS Hanna Truck Lines is seeking All Shifts Available.

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Holley Estate Sale 2675 Hwy 22 West Alexander City Nov. 14th 8am-6pm Nov. 15-16 9am-3pm Nov. 17th 8am-12pm Dining table/chairs/china cabinet, bookshelves, entertainment center, three antique sewing machines, rockers/chairs/ ottomans/sofas/side and end tables, secretary RIÂżFH GHVN H[HFXWLYH desk, roll top desk, three bedroom suites, cedar chest, lighted display cabinets, bell and tea pot collections, baskets, crystal stemware, English iron stone, china, fully stocked kitchen, stainless Ă&#x20AC;DWZDUH KROLGD\ GHFRU $XVWLQ ÂżJXULQHV %RVVRQ Heads, sad irons, outdoor furniture, microwave, upright freezer, grandfather clock, vintage windmaker and thermometer and fans, Cullman lanterns, and storage shelves and LOTS MORE!!!

ADM

THE ECLECTIC OBSERVER

TheWetumpkaHerald.com

NOVEMBER 14, 2018 â&#x20AC;˘ PAGE 7

Elmore County votes overwhelmingly red

By CARMEN RODGERS Staff Writer

While the House of Representatives may have shifted from red to blue Nov. 6, it is the Republicans that maintained control in Alabama. In Elmore County, Republicans had a two-thirds majority in almost every election.

In the governorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s race it was Kay Ivey who carried the majority here, with 21,743 votes from Elmore County.

Iveyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s opponent Walt Maddox, totaled 7,711 votes from Elmore County voters.

The Republican party also led the local vote in the lieutenant governorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s race with Will Ainsworth polling 21,967 over opponent Will Boydâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 7,388.

In the race for the U.S. House of

Representatives, it was incumbent Martha Roby with 21,009 local votes to Tabitha Isnerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 8,282. Steve Marshall carried 20,854 votes from Elmore County opposed to Joseph Siegelmanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 8,474.

In the race for Senate seat district 25, Republican Will Barfoot had 9,418 Elmore County votes compared to David Sadlerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 2,493. In the race for Senate seat district 88 Will Dismukes defeated Corey Creelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 1,675 votes with a 3,083 majority from Elmore County voters.

Tom Parker will remain the supreme justice of the Alabama Supreme Court after earning 20,841 votes to his opponent Bob Vanceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 8,412. In the race for Supreme Court place 4, Jay

Mitchell defeated Donna Smileyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 7,442 votes with 21,502 Elmore County votes.

In the race for Alabamaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Secretary of State, John Merrill defeated opponent Heather Milamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 7,444 votes with 21,725 from Elmore County.

Jim Zeigler will remain the Alabama State Auditor after defeating Miranda Josephâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 7,755 votes with 21,334 votes coming just from Elmore County.

There were two seats up for grabs in the Alabama Public Service Commission. The first place went to Jeremy Oden, who earned 21,386 Elmore County votes compared to his opponent Cara McClureâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 7,554. The second place on the commission went to Chris Beeker with 21,298 votes over Kari Powellâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 7,646.

ECBOE discusses end of fiscal year

By AMALIA KORTRIGHT Bureau Chief

The Elmore County Board of Education discussed financial reports from the end of the fiscal year during a special Thursday meeting.

Elmore County Public Schools Chief Financial Officer Jason Mann said the school systemâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s general fund has steadily increased since 2008. This yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s general fund balance totals more than $14

Merchandise

million. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve seen a nice increase with our fund balance due to some smart spending and saving in areas we could save,â&#x20AC;? Mann said.

In 2018, Mann said Elmore County has been able to maintain more than two months of financial reserve and is projected to maintain a similar amount in 2019. Mann said this has been one of his goals since he was hired. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s what I promised the board I would shoot for,â&#x20AC;? Mann

Apartments

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said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Now the goal is to keep it around that two months, so we always have that safety net to fall back on if we ever saw a depression again or something of that sort.â&#x20AC;?

Additionally, Mann said the extra reserve funds will allow the system to plan for instructional expenses. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have some expenditures to meet instructional needs that we have at this time,â&#x20AC;? Mann said.

See BOE â&#x20AC;˘ Page 8

Transportation Automobiles

Services Appliance Service

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Community Events

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PAGE 8 â&#x20AC;˘ NOVEMBER 14, 2018

TheWetumpkaHerald.com

THE ECLECTIC OBSERVER

Fire and Fur Festival benefits shelter, VFD Some instructions on how to keep pets safe during the holiday season travel plans, we certainly hope you have already made arrangements for your petâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s care, as most kennels and veterinarians are likely booking up for the holiday.

We bring this up, as we take far too many reports after holidays of missing pets while someone else was supposed to be caring for it.

In many instances, the owner was never even told and only found out upon their return. When you are entrusting your petâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s care to someone else, please make sure they not only care about your pet, but are reliable and can reach you in the event of an emergency.

To help keep your pet safe at home with a pet sitter, leave printed instructions for your petâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s care and emergency contact info for you or someone else, if you will be out of contact.

Ensure your pet sitter knows how to contact your veterinarian and that

By REA CORD Humane Society Executive Director

At the close of a fantastic 24-hour Tattoo-a-thon earlier this week the awesome crew at the Madd Tatter Tattoo Studio had completed 383 tattoos. We think it is easy to say that The Fire and Fur Festival was a huge success.

It appeared that the paw print tattoo was the overwhelming favorite, followed closely by the American flag, which is just so wonderful to have so many pet lovers show their love for our country.

Once the tattoo artists catch up on some sleep, they will be splitting the proceeds between our shelter and the Holtville Slapout Fire Department. We are most grateful they came up with this great event and stayed the course for 24 hours straight.

Thanksgiving is right around the corner so if you are a pet owner with

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you have worked out any potential emergency veterinary payment issues with your pet sitter or your vet.

Giving some written instructions to your veterinarian can also help immensely, in the event time is critical and you cannot be reached.

Having a rabies tag, custom ID tag (which can be made at our shelter in a few minutes) or microchip can get your pet reunited quickly and having a good photo of your pet(s) on your phone greatly helps if you need to post about a lost pet or show people proof that a found pet is yours.

Make sure gates are locked, as it is better for your pet sitter to have a bit of inconvenience going through the house or garage than not securely closing a gate. And do some â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;pet proofingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; of your house and yard for those things that may get a bored pet into trouble.

Of course, make sure you have plenty of pet food on hand and put extra, large water containers full of water inside and outside your house, just in case.

If your pet is on any medications, make sure to have enough on hand so they donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t run out in the middle of your vacation or beyond, as you never know

Pet of the Week â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Daisy Daisy is an eight-month old yellow Lab/Retriever mix girl, weighing about 50 pounds. She is a super sweet, playful and responsive young dog that is great with other dogs, children, cats and anyone she meets.

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

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

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

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In other business, the BOE unanimously voted to: â&#x20AC;˘ Purchase three Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD fourwheel drive trucks, each costing almost $29,000, from Riverside Chevrolet in Wetumpka. One of the trucks will be used in the systemâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s maintenance department, and the other two will be used in the transportation department. â&#x20AC;˘ Purchase three Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD twowheel drive trucks, each costing about $27,000, from Riverside Chevrolet in Wetumpka for the systemâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s maintenance department. â&#x20AC;˘ Purchase two Chevrolet Express cargo vans, each costing about $24,000, from Donohoo Chevrolet of Fort Payne for the maintenance department.

Jim L. Debardelaben No representation is made that the quality of the legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal service performed by other lawyers.

when a flight delay, or car trouble or illness might change your plans.

In the event your pet escapes while you are gone, impress on your pet sitter the importance of reporting the missing pet immediately.

If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re in Elmore County, call us at 334-567-3377, email us at hselco@ bellsouth.net and post pictures of your lost pet to the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Lost & Found PETS in Elmore County Alabamaâ&#x20AC;? Facebook page and on any number of lost and found pet Facebook pages for the tricounty area.

Make sure to post a phone number in your post, as it is very frustrating to have a lost or found pet and get no response.

Many lost pets have been brought to our shelter the same day it got out, yet the owner waited days or longer to contact us. There is nothing we love doing more than reuniting lost pets with their owners.

Taking extra care to find a reliable pet sitter and seeing to the details noted above will not only help keep your pet safe at home while you are gone, but will help you relax a bit more, since you wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be worried about your beloved pet(s).

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TheWetumpkaHerald.com

LIZI ARBOGAST Sports Editor

Eric Reid shouldn’t have been ejected for hit on Big Ben

Sports

Visit our sister website: TallasseeTribune.com PAGE 9 • NOVEMBER 14, 2018

The

Observer

ON A MISSION

D

on’t get me wrong — I’m all for protecting players’ safety.

There’s nothing more gutwrenching when covering a high school sporting event than seeing a kid laid out on the ground with an injury or writing a story about a senior who just had his season cut short because he was hurt while playing the game he loves.

That being said, there’s also something an intrinsic risk to playing sports. If you take on that risk, you pretty much know what you’re getting yourself into. And there’s really no avoiding it, regardless of the sport.

Some would say baseball players have a lower risk because it’s a noncontact sport, but I’ve seen some pretty nasty injuries at baseball games and countless pitchers have been plagued by elbow and shoulder ailments.

Most people these days are terrified of allowing their kids play football.

Concussions and head injuries are a scary thing, for sure, and I have no problem with league administration coming up with rules and strategies to try to cut down on those types of injuries.

But there’s trying to cut down and there’s taking it too far.

The rule about no hits on defenseless receivers makes perfect sense. A guy who has left his feet to make a catch should have unnecessary contact made against him.

In 2005, the NCAA made all helmet-to-helmet hits illegal, intentional or not. Think about that.

While a player is trained to tackle correctly and wrap up the waist rather than the shoulder, it’s almost impossible to entirely avoid all helmet-to-helmet contact. It’s football after all.

The reason I bring all this up is to take a look at Thursday night’s ejection of Carolina Panthers safety Eric Reid for a hit on Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.

I’ll admit I’m not a fan of Roethlisberger, but looking at this completely objectively, Roethlisberger elected to tuck and run. He did so knowing he’d be running straight up the middle — he wasn’t being chased out of bounds. When a quarterback decides to run, he becomes a running back, plain and simple.

Looking at this quickly and in the moment, it looks bad for Reid. While Roethlisberger was already in the middle of his slide, Reid lowers his shoulder into Big Ben’s helmet while he was going to go down anyway.

But in Reid’s defense, this all happened within literally a split second. All football plays happen so quickly, and players are trained to “see ball, get ball.” Also, it’s not like Roethlisberger was in midfield; the Steelers were in the red zone, and a defense’s job is to make sure the other team doesn’t score.

There was also pretty clearly no intent behind Reid’s hit. He didn’t make contact after Roethlisberger was already down; he also didn’t elongate contact.

Moreover, he distinctly apologized to Roethlisberger immediately following the incident.

I can understand a penalty for Reid, but an ejection seems unnecessary and over the top.

“It was a bang-bang play,” Reid told ESPN.com. “I was trying to do my job. I understand the NFL is trying to protect the quarterback, but when they run the ball, they’re a running back. There’s a guy running, so I’m doing my job. … I’m running full speed. I’m just trying to do my job.”

The point in all this is in order to keep football thriving, it’s important to try to maintain a level of safety for the players. But football is football, and it’s not an easy game to play.

Lizi Arbogast is the sports editor of The Observer.

File / The Observer

Elmore County’s Diamond Brown, left, is expecting to be the team’s top post player this season.

Panthers look to build off area titles

By CALEB TURRENTINE Sports Writer

Elmore County’s girls basketball team has won four consecutive area tournament championships but have been unable to go any further in the postseason. This year, the Panthers have set high expectations to not only remain area champions but make a run into the state

tournament.

“We’re just ready to get out on to the court and start playing games,” Elmore County coach Amy Rachel said. “Our first goal is always to win the area but our ultimate goal is to make it through regionals.”

After upsetting Tallassee to win the area tournament last season, the Panthers fell to Holt in the first round of the state tournament to

finish the season at 13-8.

Elmore County lost four seniors off last year’s team but still return four starters from last year’s team.

Senior Madison Traylor has been the team’s leading scorer for the last two seasons and will return to lead the offense again. Last season, Traylor averaged a career-high 15.9 points per game to go along with 7.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 4.3

steals. Rachel said she is one of the team’s leaders both on and off the court.

Mackenzie Lewis was the team’s best perimeter shooter last season, making 13 three pointers and averaging 9.0 points and 3.1 rebounds. Diamond Brown and Zee Ransaw round out the team’s loaded senior class which could be the difference in the team’s See PANTHERS • Page 10

Reece Baker represents ECHS at state meet

By CALEB TURRENTINE Sports Writer

E

lmore County had only one runner in Saturday’s state meet but the Panthers were still represented well. Freshman Reece Baker fought off a sickness and ran his best time of the year to finish 66th out of 169 runners in the Class 4A boys division.

“Reece shaved almost a minute off his time in the state meet,” ECHS coach Joseph Snelick said. “He could only run like two days all week. He performed well and it was a great experience for him.”

Baker ran the 5K course in 18:37.08, setting a new personal best for himself. He said he expected it to be difficult because of his lack of preparation and the cold weather. Baker said he was nervous to compete around a lot of good runners.

“I was pleasantly surprised,” Snelick said. “Maybe the rest was good for him. Maybe it was the good competition that was there and the good course helped him out… We just told him to go out for the experience — run your hardest and leave everything out there because it’s the last one of the season.”

After finishing 25th in sectionals, Baker improved his running time by 35 seconds. His time in the sectionals would have placed him 30 spots lower in the state meet.

The competition around Baker was the toughest he had seen during the season. He said that helped See BAKER • Page 10

Submitted / The Observer

Reece Baker of Elmore County finished 66th overall in the Class 4A state meet on Saturday.

Elmore County Player of the Week

Terrance Thomas shines in expanded role Entering the first round matchup with Daphne, junior Terrance Thomas had made plays in several aspects of Wetumpka had to find the game. He had scored a a quick solution to fill the rushing touchdown, a receiving defensive production left touchdown, a kickoff return for a because of the injury to outside touchdown and a blocked punt. linebacker Darren Nolen.

On Friday night, Thomas During the team’s bye week, was given a new responsibility the coaching staff searched for Thomas and he made the most of it. He a solution and it found one from was a part of the team’s dominant pass one of the team’s top playmakers.

By CALEB TURRENTINE Sports Writer

rush performance against the Trojans.

Terrance finished the night with two quarterback hurries and 1.5 sacks.

“He’s just so explosive,” Perry said.

“We did this last year with Kavosiey Smoke, bringing him in on third downs and bringing him off the edge, because he’s just so athletic and so explosive.

Terrance is too so we felt like he could cause some problems.”

Thomas said he enjoyed the See THOMAS • Page 10

NOVEMBER 14, 2018 • PAGE 10

TheWetumpkaHerald.com

THE ECLECTIC OBSERVER

AHSAA STATE FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS CLASS 1A First-round results Lanett 54, Florala 7 Marengo 58, Isabella 20 Georgiana 41, Notasulga 34 Maplesville 35, Sweet Water 12 Linden 55, Millry 14 Elba 54, Billingsley 19 St. Luke’s Episcopal 48, Francis Marion 16 Wadley 35, Brantley 24 Mars Hill Bible 55, Marion County 0 Donoho 59, Coosa Christian 14 South Lamar 41, Phillips 6 Winterboro 28, R.A. Hubbard 14 Falkville 35, Talladega County Central 6 Pickens County 57, Cherokee 0 Spring Garden 40, Decatur Heritage 7 Waterloo 20, Hubbertville 15 Second-round games Marengo (10-1) at Lanett (9-1) Maplesville (9-1) at Georgiana (10-1) Elba (8-2) at Linden (10-0) Wadley (8-2) at St Luke’s Episcopal (10-1), Mobile Donoho (9-2) at Mars Hill Bible (10-1), Florence South Lamar (11-0) at Winterboro (7-3) Pickens County (7-4) at Falkville (11-0) Waterloo (9-2) at Spring Garden (10-1) CLASS 2A First-round results Daleville 26, Reeltown 21 Leroy 42, New Brockton 14 Abbeville 56, Vincent 0 Luverne 14, Southern Choctaw 0 Highland Home 63, Chickasaw 28 LaFayette 40, Geneva County 6 Cottage Hill Christian 26, Goshen 0 Ariton 41, Thorsby 14 Fyffe 63, Cleveland 0 Colbert County 49, Tarrant 6

Ohatchee 47, Cedar Bluff 12 Red Bay 16, Winston County 14 (OT) Addison 56, Sulligent 6 Ranburne 32, North Sand Mountain 24 Aliceville 26, Sheffield 0 Collinsville 35, Westbrook Christian 21 Second-round games Leroy (8-3) at Daleville (6-4) Luverne (10-1) at Abbeville (10-1) Highland Home (10-1) at LaFayette (7-3) Cottage Hill Christian (10-1) at Ariton (8-3) Fyffe (11-0) at Colbert County (8-3), Leighton Red Bay (9-2) at Ohatchee (10-0) Ranburne (9-2) at Addison (9-2) Collinsville (10-1) at Aliceville (9-2) CLASS 3A First-round results Winfield 40, Houston Academy 3 Flomaton 40, Montgomery Academy 14 Oakman (5-5) at Pike County (8-2), Mon., Nov. 12, 2 p.m.

Thomasville 7, Beulah 0 Saint James 38, T.R. Miller 7 Providence Christian 31, Lamar County 6 Mobile Christian 42, Pike Road 14 Gordo 21, Wicksburg 0 Westminster Christian 42, Weaver 27 Midfield 32, Pisgah 14 Piedmont 41, Clements 0 J.B. Pennington 14, Susan Moore 7 Geraldine 29, Holly Pond 14 Randolph County 53, Lauderdale County 6 Fultondale 37, Plainview 6 Saks 56, Colbert Heights 0 Second-round games Flomaton (8-3) at Winfield (11-0) Pike County (9-2) at Thomasville (9-2) Providence Christian (10-1) at

Baker

Panthers

push him during the race at Oakville Indian Mounds Park on Saturday.

“I don’t like to come in last,” Baker said. “I like to sticking with the fast runners so when people start passing me, I know I have to turn it on.”

Snelick said he hopes the race can be a good experience for Baker as he continues his running career. He believes it will not only push him as a cross country runner but also help him during track season.

“It puts you in competition with the best runners,” Snelick said. “The more races you run, the more experience you get so the more races you run, the better you get.

He’s still got a lot left in the tank.”

The Panthers started the season with 12 runners on the cross country team but Baker was the only one to qualify for state. Snelick said the team had several players not make it to the end of the year but Baker would not give up.

“It says that he’s willing to put in the work to stick to things and do what it takes to do better,” Snelick said. “I knew he had speed on him but I didn’t know he could hold on for 3 miles.”

Baker said he enjoyed the experience and was happy with his results but now he wants to improve.

“I want to push myself to do better and rank higher,” Baker said. “I want to be first so I have to work harder.”

postseason run.

Elmore County has added two transfers from private schools this season. Junior Kendall Downey and freshman C.K. Bolton are expected to play in contributing roles for the Panthers.

“They’re very coachable,” Rachel said. “They have been working hard. They came in and were ready to find their place in the team.”

Rachel said the team’s rotation will run deep this season and could include all 15 players on the varsity roster. The Panthers will look to play fast and want to keep their players fresh.

Elmore County was affected by this year’s realignment and will have new competition in the area this season. Handley, which also won an area tournament last season, will be Elmore County’s

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Saint James (10-1), Montgomery Gordo (9-2) at Mobile Christian (9-1) Midfield (9-1) at Westminster Christian (10-0), Huntsville Piedmont (9-2) at J.B. Pennington (6-5), Blountsville Randolph County (10-1) at Geraldine (9-2) Fultondale (9-1) at Saks (9-1), Anniston CLASS 4A First-round results Alabama Christian 18, Lincoln 14 Hillcrest-Evergreen 35, Sipsey Valley 0 Headland 13, Talladega 12 Andalusia 28, Montevallo 8 American Christian 15, Williamson 14 Montgomery Catholic 41, Holtville 13 UMS-Wright 43, West Blocton 8 Trinity Presbyterian 14, Handley 7 Oneonta 43, Brooks 34 DAR 36, Northside 30 Jacksonville 39, Rogers 21 Good Hope 62, St. John Paul II Catholic 28 North Jackson 47, Curry 6 Hokes Bluff 38, Central-Florence 14 Fayette County 26, Randolph 8 Deshler 21, Anniston 7 Second-round games Hillcrest-Evergreen (7-4) at Alabama Christian (4-7), Montgomery Headland (10-1) at Andalusia (7-4) Montgomery Catholic (8-3) at American Christian (11-0), Tuscaloosa UMS-Wright (10-0) at Trinity Presbyterian (5-6), Montgomery Oneonta (8-3) at DAR (8-3), Grant Jacksonville (11-0) at Good Hope (10-1) Hokes Bluff (10-1) at North Jackson (11-0), Stevenson Deshler (6-5) at Fayette County

(9-2), Fayette CLASS 5A First-round results Ramsay 36, Charles Henderson 7 Jackson 21, Chilton County 14 Greenville 44, Fairfield 12 Bibb County 21, Citronelle 13 Demopolis 41, Faith Academy 13 Pleasant Grove 42, Beauregard 21 Vigor 45, Central-Tuscaloosa 8 Briarwood Christian 42, Valley 28 Madison Academy 18, Alexandria 15 Central-Clay County 34, Corner 8 Etowah 33, Guntersville 0 Center Point 22, Russellville 8 Jasper 34, Sylacauga 20 Southside-Gadsden 15, Brewer 9 Mortimer Jordan 17, Dora 3 East Limestone 53, Boaz 33 Second-round games Jackson (8-3) at Ramsay (10-1), Birmingham, Lawson Field Bibb County (8-3) at Greenville (9-2) Demopolis (9-2) at Pleasant Grove (9-2) Briarwood Christian (9-2) at Vigor (10-1), Prichard Memorial Stadium Central-Clay County (8-3) at Madison Academy (9-1) Etowah (11-0) at Center Point (6-5) Southside-Gadsden (7-4) at Jasper (10-1) East Limestone (9-2) at Mortimer Jordan (10-1), Kimberly CLASS 6A First-round results Hueytown 38, Eufaula 17 Saraland 42, Stanhope Elmore 14 Bessemer City 21, Park Crossing 13 Opelika 38, St. Paul’s Episcopal 20 Wetumpka 49, Daphne 21 Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa 10, Sidney Lanier 3

CLASS 7A First-round results Lee-Montgomery 13, Theodore 7 Auburn 34, Fairhope 23 Central-Phenix City 46, Davidson 0 McGill-Toolen Catholic 17, Prattville 13 Hoover 26, Bob Jones 18 Mountain Brook 31, Austin 0 Hewitt-Trussville 43, James Clemens 41 Thompson 45, Florence 14 Quarterfinal games Lee-Montgomery (7-4) at Auburn (10-1) McGill-Toolen Catholic (9-2) at Central-Phenix City (11-0) Mountain Brook (9-2) at Hoover (8-3) Hewitt-Trussville (8-3) at Thompson (9-1), Alabaster

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top competition while Booker T. Washington also joins. Crosscounty rival Holtville rounds out the area.

Elmore County will begin its season Friday night when it hosts Horseshoe Bend. Rachel is not expecting to be perfect in the first few weeks of the season and is hoping to use the early games as teaching moments before beginning area play.

“We won’t have everything together before Friday night but we need to jump in and see where we are,” Rachel said. “It will be good to see what we need to work on so we can get it fixed as the season goes on.”

File / The Observer

Madison Traylor returns as Elmore County’s leading scorer from last season. She averaged a career-high 15.9 points per game last year.

FIGHTING FOR THE TOP SPOT Photos by Lizi Arbogast / The Observer The 7- and 8-year old Elmore County Panthers faced off against Tallassee in their league championship on Saturday in Alexander City. The Panthers defeated the Tigers to win the sophomore division of the East Alabama Youth Football League.

Thomas opportunity to play on defense.

After the game, he said the feeling after his sack was better than the feeling of scoring a touchdown because he likes the contact.

Wetumpka already got enough production from Thomas on the defensive side of the ball but he returned to his original role in the second half.

Spanish Fort 38, Benjamin Russell 0 McAdory 17, Carver-Montgomery 0 Gardendale 21, Fort Payne 14 Homewood 24, Athens 14 Pinson Valley 47, Albertville 0 Muscle Shoals 10, Minor 7 Hartselle 35, Pelham 7 Clay-Chalkville 45, Mae Jemison 6 Decatur 35, Jackson-Olin 32 Oxford 42, Hazel Green 14 Second-round games Saraland (10-1) at Hueytown (9-2) Opelika (6-4) at Bessemer City (7-4) Wetumpka (9-2) at HillcrestTuscaloosa (6-5) McAdory (10-1) at Spanish Fort (10-1) Homewood (9-2) at Gardendale (6-5) Muscle Shoals (9-2) at Pinson Valley (9-1) Clay-Chalkville (10-1) at Hartselle (11-0) Decatur (7-4) at Oxford (9-2)

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After rushing for 43 yards in the first two quarters, Thomas sprung into life to help lead the rushing attack. Thomas scored two touchdowns in a seven-minute span to help put the game away and send Wetumpka into the second round of the playoffs.

His first touchdown run of the game capped an eight-play, 80-yard drive. The 42-yard

touchdown run gave Wetumpka a 35-7 lead with 4:57 to go in the third quarter.

Thomas only got two more rushing attempts during the game but they helped finish off Daphne in the fourth quarter.

After the Trojans returned a kickoff for a touchdown, Thomas used two carries to go 56 yards. His 38-yard touchdown run was the team’s

final score, putting Wetumpka up 49-14 with 10:09 to go in the game.

“I saw an opportunity and took it,” Thomas said. “You never know if there will be a next time so you have to take the opportunity.”

Thomas finished the night with 153 rushing yards on just nine carries. He will continued to be used on both sides of the

ball as long as Wetumpka is in the playoffs. Thomas hopes being on the field will keep him fresh and he can use the momentum from the first round to bigger performances in the postseason.

“We have a week to prepare now and we have time to fix anything,” Thomas said. “We have great bonding on our team so that can take us a long way.”