Foshee, Butler face certificate revocation
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SATURDAY-SUNDAY • SEPTEMBER 10-11, 2016
THEWETUMPKAHERALD.COM
VOL. 11, NO. 34
Hwy 14 widening project begins
By WILLIAM CARROLL Managing Editor
The Alabama Department of Transportation widening project of Alabama Highway 14 from the intersection of Coosada Parkway to the intersection of the unpaved portion of Lucky Town Road began Friday morning, as crews were busy working just off of the roadway.
According to a press release submitted by the Alabama Department of Transportation, work will be done off of the roadway for some period of time. As the project progresses, lane closures will be necessary, but will not occur between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. According to the release, the project is a continuation of the effort to make Hwy 14 a four-lane corridor from Millbrook to Wetumpka.
The project includes two bridge replacements at Mortar Creek and the CSX Railroad, as well as improvements to the intersection of Alabama Highway 14 and Alabama Highway 143. Construction was originally planned to start next year but through a cooperative effort with CSX Railroad, the project was advanced. ALDOT awarded the $16.9 million contract to W.S. See ROAD • Page 3
City claims actions were justified in Golden case
Veterans’ monument to get more names in ceremony
By COREY ARWOOD Staff Writer
In its legal response to a federal lawsuit it appeared city officials were sticking to claims the actions of local police were justified in the well-known filming incident involving the responses of an officer and police chief, which were accused of being First Amendment rights violations and retaliation. The response was issued by a Montgomery legal firm, Holtsford Gilliland Higgins Hitson & Howard, P.C., and seemed to spell out through its claims, and denials, the line that city officials have held to so far. In short, that the actions of local police, particularly one officer and the police chief, were acceptable in response to a man recording the WPD, and the phone calls to the station made by people from See LAWSUIT • Page 7
Today’s
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By COREY ARWOOD Staff Writer
William Carroll / The Herald
Wetumpka Area Chamber of Commerce Director Gerry Purcell (left) recognizes former Chamber Director Vanessa Lynch during the ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Chamber Business Innovation Center. Lynch was instrumental in helping to get the center set up during her term as chambr director. Also pictured is Chamber Board Chairman Joel Hunt of PrimeSouth Bank, who gave Lynch her honorary award.
Business innovation center officially open By WILLIAM CARROLL Managing Editor
After quite a bit of hard work from city leaders, area businesses and the Wetumpka Area Chamber of Commerce the Chamber’s Business Innovation Center officially opened with a ribbon cutting ceremony Thursday evening. The center is the newest project of the chamber, which seeks to attract and facilitate the growth of new businesses to the area. Chamber Director Gerry Purcell said previously that the new center would act as an incubator for start-up businesses
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CONTACT US 334-567-7811 • Fax: 334-567-3284
See BUSINESS • Page 3
Coosa River Craft House becomes new downtown tenant By WILLIAM CARROLL Managing Editor
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and newer companies seeking to gain a foothold in Wetumpka. Purcell outlined a three-phase strategy for businesses to follow to effectively “graduate” from the program and move into their own facilities. The first addition to the new center is Optimized Technical Solutions, which is an information technology management firm that provides a wide variety of technical solutions to area businesses. Purcell said that the center has been a long time coming. “This has really been a four year journey
A Wetumpka memorial for local veterans who served in the military since Sept. 11, 2001 will soon include a list with names of over 200 local residents who have been deployed from any branch up to August. The “re-dedication ceremony” of the 9-11 Memorial located at the front grounds of the historic Elmore County Courthouse is scheduled for Monday, Sept. 12. The organizer of the event, Chief Warrant Officer 4 Gardner Perdue, said around 230 names would be added to the monument. The Elmore County Commission announced the ceremony, which is set to begin at 4:30 p.m., Perdue said. The county commissioners would begin the dedication, he said, with some readings in memoriam, for “people that have stood up and met the call for service.” He said that nearly all, if not every, major military branch would be represented by an Elmore County veteran on the new panel. And the project he said will grow in See CEREMONY • Page 3
For those who like specialty and craft beers, Wetumpka will now be a destination location for beer lovers as a new business, the Coosa River Craft House, will be opening in December at 108 South Main Street in downtown Wetumpka. Owner John Stewart, himself a craft beer fan,.w is also the owner of Autauga Creek Craft House in downtown Prattville. “We wanted to provide a local place where people could gather to socialize and enjoy a good beer, and were excited about what Prattville was doing with their historic downtown,” he
said. “The response was tremendous and when we heard what Wetumpka was doing with its downtown, we were immediately interested in opening another location.” According to Wetumpka Mayor Jerry Willis, the location at South Main Street has housed a number of businesses. It was originally the first Ford dealership in Wetumpka and was most recently a church before Stewart decided to bring a new business to the location. Stewart said that his business is a family affair. “We build everything ourselves, from the tables to the bar, we like to give it a down home feel,” he said. See DOWNTOWN • Page 3
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William Carroll / The Herald
City of Wetumpka Events and Tourism Manager Tiffany Robinson, City Economic Development Director Lynn Weldon and Wetumpka Mayor Jerry Willis announce a new business moving into downtown.
Flea Market & Antiques
Booth Space Available Call for Information
334-567-2666
5266 U.S. Hwy. 231, Wetumpka Winn Dixie Shopping Center • Behind KFC
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& Healthcare Fair Tuesday, September 13, 2016 2:30-5:30pm
FREE
Wetumpka Civic Center
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Join the Chamber in the months of September or October and receive three free months of membership! 116 East Bridge Street Wetumpka, AL