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Eclectic Observer ALABAMA’S BIGGEST WEEKLY HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL EDITION INSIDE TODAY
The
WEDNESDAY • SEPTEMBER 19, 2018
TheWetumpkaHerald.com
Vol. 29, No. 38
New tech programs receive $19K donation By AMALIA KORTRIGHT Bureau Chief
A $19,000 contribution from Rep. Mike Holmes came as a welcome surprise to the Elmore County Technical Center on Sept. 4, according to Director Jimmy Hull. “We were not expecting it. I think (Superintendent Richard) Dennis contacted me that morning and said,
‘We’ve got this going on, and the money’s going to come to you,” Hull said. “It was a great surprise, and we are much appreciative.” Hull said they received the funds on Sept. 4, and they will go toward the school’s two newest programs, HVAC and aviation, which started at the beginning of the academic year. Currently, he said roughly 25 students are enrolled in each program.
“Both of those programs have expensive startups, as far as equipment that we need for the kids to be able to use,” Hull said. Hull described the equipment the ECTC plans to buy as “once-in-a-longperiod-of-time kind of purchases that will give students real-world experience. “What we’d like to have is equipment that the students can use to train
in as authentic as possible, real world, real job type experiences,” Hull said. “If they do decide to pursue these programs as careers, they will come in with some background, some experience and some idea of what they’re supposed to do.” For the HVAC program, Hull said they plan to purchase air conditioning units that can be programmed by instructors to have faults in them. See DONATION • Page 2
Trial begins for manslaughter suspect By AMALIA KORTRIGHT Bureau Chief
The trial of a former Wetumpka police officer who is accused of recklessly causing the death of the wife of a former state trooper began Tuesday. Andrew Bass, 30, who lists an address on Lakeview Court in Wetumpka, was arrested in July 2017 and charged with manslaughter. Wetumpka resident Elaine Merritt, 52, was killed on Oct. 22, 2016 after her Honda Pilot was struck by Bass’ police cruiser near the intersection of Cambridge Drive on Highway 231. According to court documents, Bass had been driving at an “excessive speed,” and did not initiate the cruiser’s lights or sirens. Jury selection concluded Monday and testimony began Tuesday under presiding Circuit Court Judge Sibley Reynolds. Reynolds said about 25 witnesses are scheduled to testify. On the day she died, Elmore County Assistant District Attorney Josh Cochran said Merritt was working on a home improvement project with her husband when she dropped a brick on her foot and decided to go to the Wetumpka Urgent Care. Upon discovering that the Urgent Care had closed early, she left to return home, but never made it. Cochran said Merritt’s death was 100 percent preventable. He said Bass had been driving at almost 100 mph in response to a call from a gas station on Redland Road about an intoxicated driver, which was not an emergency situation. While Cochran said he respects See BASS • Page 2
Submitted / David Goodwin
Carey and George Smith get a dish of shrimp and grits from White Wings Catering during Eclectic the Beautiful’s annual Taste of Eclectic fundraiser.
Annual tradition Taste of Eclectic held for 20th consecutive year By AMALIA KORTRIGHT Bureau Chief
E
clectic the Beautiful hosted the 20th annual Taste of Eclectic Monday at Elmore County High School. At Taste of Eclectic, 25 restaurants and vendors from Elmore and Autauga counties were represented. Eclectic Town Council member
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Carmen Winslett said Taste of Eclectic gave area residents an opportunity to socialize while sampling some of what local businesses have to offer. Eclectic the Beautiful president Dean Williams said Taste of Eclectic is their primary annual fundraiser. Proceeds from the event help the group maintain and perpetuate its yearly community service projects. “Our latest project, which was last year, was snowmen around town at
Christmas,” Williams said “We do the flags that the city puts up on the Fourth of July, Memorial Day and Veterans Day.” Williams said Taste of Eclectic was only able to reach two decades through the ongoing involvement of local businesses and area residents. “We’ve had good vendors who have supported us all these years, and also our community members support us,” Williams said.
Nelsons awarded Yard of the Month STAFF REPORT TPI Staff
The Twilight Garden Club awarded the September Yard of the Month to Larry and Mie Nelson on Old Salem Road. The manicured lawn was filled with lovely Italian Cyprus trees, Crepe Myrtle trees, juniper, pine trees and many other shrubs. Also blooming were beautiful white roses. Congratulations to the Nelsons. If you would like to nominate a yard, please contact a Garden Club Member at 334-8573822 or 334-857-3511.
Larry and Mie Nelson were the recipients of the Twilight Garden Club’s September Yard of the Month award.
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Funeral Home & Crematory, LLC
Celebrating 40 Years of Service!
Submitted / The Observer
Joe Al All Allen len Gasse len G Gassett, assett tt, tt Founder 1942-2009
(334) 567-8433 www.gassettfuneralhome.net • 204 East Charles Avenue, Wetumpka, AL 36092