The Wetumpka Herald 3-6-24

Elmore County decidedly votes for Trump

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News

“I

CLIFF WILLIAMS

CLIFF WILLIAMS

Murphy brother denied parole in Holman murder

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

A Wetumpka man will stay in prison after the Alabama Bureau of Pardons and Paroles denied his release from prison last week.

According to court records, Jared Murphy was sentenced to 28 years in prison for the 2003 killing of Ronnie Holman. Jared was 17 at the time and was present when his older brother Jason Murphy pulled the trigger. The two brothers entered Holman’s residence and stole money.

The brothers were charged with capital murder. Their trials were moved to Chilton County. After two mistrials, Jason was convicted of murder and sentenced to 35

years. Jared entered a guilty plea to murder and was sentenced to 28 years. According to hearing minutes from the Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles, Kathy Holman, the victim’s wife; Donna Bush, the victim’s sister; former Elmore County prosecutors; the attorney general’s office and a victim advocacy group spoke against Jared Murphy’s release. Murphy is housed at the Alabama Department of Corrections Easterling Correctional Center. The next time Murphy can be considered for parole is 2029.

Wetumpka

Obituaries

BETTY IRENE LINCOLN

Betty Irene Lincoln, nee Norris, died in the early morning of January 15, 2024, aged 86 years. She was born in Mountain Creek, AL, on August 14, 1937, to Cecil and Irene Norris. Her most recent husband, James, preceded her in death.

BELVIA JEAN (MITCHELL) LYLES

She is survived by the two children she gave birth to, Ed Foley (Bobbie) and Lachele Foley, grandchildren Sean Foley (Rebecca), Jaime Foley (Michelle) and John Foley (James), and four great-grandchildren. Having married several times, there are numerous

It is with a heavy heart we announce the passing of Belvia Jean (Mitchell) Lyles. She passed after a brief illness Thursday morning February 29, 2024. She had recently celebrated her 91st birthday having been born on Christmas Day 1932 in Eclectic, Alabama.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Stanley Lyles, mother, father, two brothers and a sister and many other dear family and friends.

She is survived by her son Richard Lyles and daughter-in-law Valerie Lyles; her two granddaughters, who affectionately called her Nana, Kaitlyn Lyles and husband Will Black; and

Police Reports

WETUMPKA POLICE DEPARTMENT FEB. 26

• Criminal trespass was reported in Autumnwood Village.

• Theft was reported on U.S. Highway 231.

• Criminal mischief was reported on River Oaks Boulevard. FEB. 24

• Domestic violence was reported on Highway 170. FEB. 21

• Theft was reported on U.S. Highway 231.

TALLASSEE POLICE DEPARTMENT MARCH 3

• A suspicious vehicle was reported on Main Street.

• Assistance was given to a motorist on Gilmer Avenue.

• A noise complaint was reported on Alber Drive.

• A domestic dispute was reported on Third Avenue.

• Assistance was given during a medical call on Derry Street.

• A suspicious vehicle was reported on Highway 229.

• A suspicious vehicle was reported on Highway 229.

• Debris was reported in the roadway on E.B. Payne Senior Drive. MARCH 2

• A motor vehicle accident

step children and their progeny, all of whom she loved. She also leaves a legacy of once-struggling, once-young adults who, at least for a while in their lives, called her “Mom”. She was vibrant, fiery and generous. She touched many lives.

Sarah Hatcher and husband Reggie Hatcher as well as her three great children Henry Hawkins Black, Isla Grace Hatcher and Hazel Jean Hatcher. Known as Aunt Jean by Patty, Penny and Pam she will be missed by her three nieces and their children and families. Additional surviving extended family includes her sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law and many more family members across the country.

The family would like to recognize Edna, her neighbor and special caring friend.

She was known to never turn down an opportunity to go fishing, enjoyed her daily cross word puzzle, reading

with no injuries was reported on Friendship Road.

• A domestic dispute was reported on Highway 229.

• Assistance was given to a citizen on Little Road.

• Assistance was given to a citizen on E.B. Payne Sr. Drive.

• Assistance was given to a motorist on Gilmer Avenue.

• Assistance was given to a motorist on Sunwood Court.

• Assistance was given to a citizen on Notasulga Road. MARCH 1

• A suspicious vehicle was reported on East Patton Street.

• Debris was reported in the roadway on Gilmer Avenue.

• A domestic incident was reported on Noble Road.

• A motor vehicle accident with no injuries was reported on Gilmer Avenue.

• Trespassing was reported on Notasulga Road.

• A domestic dispute was reported on North Johnson Street.

• A motor vehicle accident with no injuries was reported on Friendship Road.

• Animal control was requested on Gilmer Avenue.

• A welfare check was conducted on Grimes Street.

• A motor vehicle accident

a “good” romance novel or commenting on the quality of a platter of fried shrimp. Her family and friends will miss her lemon meringue pies and holiday cakes.

Family viewing will be held at Gassett Funeral Home, Wetumpka, Alabama Saturday, March 9, beginning at 1 PM. Friends are invited pay final respects at 1:30 PM. A graveside service will follow at 3 PM, Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Eclectic, Alabama. Flowers are welcome but contributions to American Cancer Society or Lymphoma Research Foundation are most appreciated.

with no injuries was reported on Gilmer Avenue.

• An animal complaint was reported on Magnolia Street.

• An animal complaint was reported on Gilmer Avenue.

• An animal complaint was reported on North Ashurst Avenue.

• Suspicious activity was reported on Jordan Avenue.

• Assistance was given to medics on Highway 229. FEB. 29

• A domestic dispute was reported on McNeal Street.

• Assistance was given to a motorist on Gilmer Avenue.

• A Black male was arrested on U.S. Highway 231.

• A Black male was arrested during a disorderly person call on Freeman Avenue.

• Animal control was requested on Magnolia Street.

• A Black male was arrested on U.S. Highway 231.

• Assistance was given during a medical call on Third Avenue.

• A domestic incident was reported on Rickey Lane. FEB. 28

• Suspicious activity was reported on Hilda Street.

• A domestic dispute was reported on Hillcrest Street.

• A suspicious person was reported on Friendship Road.

• A private property motor vehicle accident was reported on Friendship Road.

• Assistance was given to a motorist on Gilmer Avenue.

• Assistance was given to another agency on Kent Road.

• A Black male was arrested on Barnett Boulevard.

• Assistance was given to a motorist on Jordan Avenue. FEB. 27

• Domestic violence was reported on Gilmer Avenue.

• A white female was arrested during a traffic stop on South Dubois Street.

• A white male was arrested on Barnett Boulevard.

• A domestic dispute was reported on South Dubois Street.

• A welfare check was conducted on Rickey Lane.

• Debris was reported in the roadway on Gilmer Avenue.

• A Black male was arrested during a juvenile complaint call on Gilmer Avenue. FEB. 26

• Harassment was reported on Seventh Street.

Traffic stop turns into drug arrest in Tallassee

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

A Sunday afternoon traffic stop for speeding on Highway 229 in Tallassee uncovered more than expected.

“Officers located a large number of ecstasy pills and marijuana,” Tallassee police chief Todd Buce said. Officers seized 59 grams of marijuana and ecstasy and arrested Antonio Daniel, 28, of Montgomery. He was charged with trafficking amphetamines and first-degree possession of marijuana and placed

in the Elmore County Jail with a $1.5 million bond available to him. Daniel was previously arrested in April 2023 in Wetumpka. According to court documents, Wetumpka police officers noticed a strong odor of marijuana coming from a vehicle driven by Daniel as it drove by. Officers initiated a traffic stop and still noticed the smell of marijuana. Daniel was detained.

During his search by officers, he spit out a small bag containing marijuana and methamphetamine. More marijuana was found in the vehicle.

Daniel was taken to the Elmore County Jail and charged with possession of a controlled substance, second-degree possession of marijuana and tampering with physical evidence. He was released on a $9,000 bond. After his Sunday arrest in Tallassee, prosecutors have made motions to revoke Daniel’s bond in the Wetumpka case.

DANIEL

Burglary investigation leads to drug arrest

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

a backpack containing a glass pipe with residue, a digital scale, a bag containing approximately 2 grams of marijuana, six xanax pills and approximately 28 grams of methamphetamine. Smith was charged with trafficking methamphetamine, possession of a controlled substance, second-degree possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was booked into the Elmore County Jail and has a $1,508,000 bond available to him.

Millbrook woman arrested for identity theft

It

didn't take long for Millbrook police officers to figure out who stole two victims’ credit card information. Two separate victims reported identity theft on Feb. 20 and 23. “Each victim stated they had recently visited Taco Bell in Millbrook,” Millbrook police chief P.K. Johnson said. “During the course of the investigation, it was ascertained that the same employee was manning the business’ drive-thru window at the time of both

GEARRING

According to court records, the information from the credit or debit cards was used online for a $180.37 Doordash order from Outback, a $257.31 order from Shein and two

purchases from Beauty Forever US for $137.68 and $218.16.

Gearring was arrested at her workplace and charged with two counts of identity theft. She was transported to the Elmore County Jail and was released after posting a $10,000 bond.

Johnson thanked the Millbrook Police Department’s investigators for the work as well as management at Taco Bell.

“They cooperated fully with our investigation,” Johnson said. “While it’s unfortunate, we see cases like this from time to time, where clerks at a business

will take a picture of an unsuspecting customer's credit or debit card and utilize that information to purchase items from the internet.”

Cases are more easily solved when individuals and businesses keep up with their finances.

“We encourage our citizens to monitor their credit and debit card transactions and pay attention to people when submitting those cards for payment of goods and services,” Johnson said. “A lot of these crimes are committed through opportunity, with many being avoidable.”

Employee charged for taking cash from bank deposit

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

An assistant manager of a fastfood restaurant was arrested for stealing two cash deposits.

The Millbrook Police Department was called by the manager of Jack’s after being notified two deposits not being made over the weekend. Millbrook resident Kyle Simmons, 33, was arrested and charged with two counts of second-degree theft.

“When confronted by management about the funds not being

SIMMONS

deposited in the designated bank, as dictated by protocol, the alleged offender admitted that he’d taken the money to fuel his gambling addiction,” Millbrook police chief P.K. Johnson said.

According to court records, management reported $2,145.14 and $1,687.11 was not deposited Feb. 17 and 18, respectively. Simmons was taken to the Elmore

County Jail and posted a $7,000 bond to be released on Feb. 28. “Far too many people that occupy positions of trust, such as the alleged offender in this case, think they can borrow money from a business for whatever their motivation and that they’ll be able to replace the money without the business ever knowing that the money was ever missing,” Johnson said. “In most cases, they are unable to replace the money and the business discovers that a theft has occurred.”

Handyman accused of stealing from deceased victim

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

A Montgomery man is charged with burglary after entering the home of a recently deceased Millbrook resident.

An attorney representing the estate of the deceased reported the incident to the Millbrook Police Department in Jan-

SMOTHERMAN

uary. “Surveillance video captured from the residence revealed footage of the alleged offender with an unidentified accomplice make entry into the residence and

Designing for tomorrow

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

Drawings of buildings, bridges and roads used by contractors are precise. They describe in detail how various things are to be constructed.

A set of blueprints is where contractors go to get the needed information. They are filled with exact measurements and descriptions and everything is to scale. Looking at them it is as if they were drawn by someone with years of experience. But that is not necessarily the case. High school students are learning the idea of drafting and design in the pre-engineering program at Elmore County Technical Center. Students in Mark Wellander’s program learn AutoCad, Fusion, and Revit, which are industry standard software for architects, engineers and designers.

Many students in the program will go onto col-

leave with property,” police chief P.K. Johnson said.

Detectives identified Michael Smotherman, 49, of Montgomery, with the help of the family after he was captured on a door bell camera.

“He was previously employed as a handyman at the residence in question,” Johnson said.

Wetumpka

lege but not without some persuasive recruitment. “I know several architects that want to talk to them,” Wellander said. “Some of our students are currently working with architects.”

It’s a decision still up in the air for Wetumpka High School senior Blake Smith. “I’m going back and forth,” Smith said. “There is a school that offers a two-year program. I’m debating to start working

WILLIAMS TPI

or going into a two-year program.”

Smith has always been interested in drawing buildings. He was looking over class offerings with a counselor when Wellander’s program stuck out and he signed up.

“When I saw drafting, I looked it up to see what it was,” Smith said. “Since then I’ve just been interested in it. I think it is cool.”

All of the students start out the same. Wellander

“The alleged offender was aware that the residence was vacant, but contained valuables.”

Smotherman was detained by the Tallassee Police Department Feb. 27. Millbrook detectives arrested Smotherman and transported him to the Elmore County Jail. He posted a $15,000 bond on Feb. 28.

briefly introduces them to the old ways of a pencil, T-square and triangles but they quickly move to the computers.

“They are much faster,” Wellander said. “If you have to make a change in a near complete set of hand-drawn designs, you have to almost start over. The programs make it easier and faster.”

Wetumpka senior Alexandria Highland has always been interested in art and houses. She found Wellander’s program starting her junior year. She learned AutoCad and beginning her senior year started using the 3D program Revit. With a few hours a week, she has already created a large two-story house.

“I based it on a house that I saw,” Highland said. “I had to make everything myself. I started making the walls and floor and sketched everything else out.”

See DESIGNING, Page A5

It’s time for a mental health check

TFor too long we have ignored issues related to mental health. Data shows mental health is a growing issue.

The CDC reported that in 2022, 17.5% of respondents to a CDC survey reported having anxiety and or depression. In 2021, 48,183 died by suicide and more than 26,000 of those deaths involved a gun. Suicide was the 11th most common cause of death in the U.S. In 2021 nearly 2% of all emergency room visits were solely mental health related.

Something must be done.

No one should face shame and criticism for seeking help surrounding mental health. The stigma surrounding mental health needs to go away.

It seems too often lately we have seen lives lost unexpectedly when things on the outside seemed just fine. None of us know why or what they were fighting.

Did the stigma associated with asking for mental health help make the issues worse?

Some organizations are trying to meet the mental health needs of the area and need to be supported in their efforts.

This school year Tallassee City Schools presented a program on Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) to parents. It was an effort to give many a tool to begin to address suicide. The program doesn’t solve mental health issues but it does let those suffering know there are people there to support and guide them to help.

In the last month, the Elmore County Commission formed a mental health task force to identify what help is available in Elmore County, distribute the information to law enforcement, educators and more where help is available and to come up with future plans in dealing with the growing mental health crisis.

We believe they are on the right path. Not a single thing mentioned requires a person to have doctor’s training, just a willingness to help a friend in need.

It is to be commended. It needs to be expanded and supported to get help to those who need it.

All is right in the world

Iapologize if you were in the Eclectic Piggly Wiggly the other day when I was there. You likely heard a loud outburst of pure excitement and it was from me. I belted into a summertime favorite for kids of all ages.

I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream.

But it was for a good reason.

I found my favorite ice cream — Blue Bell’s Mocha Almond Fudge. I was devastated a few years ago when the creamery removed it from its lineup. It saddened me to finish up that last half-gallon tub of heaven-like delight, with a delicate mix of almonds in what I like to call a more coffee-flavored ice cream, and the all important fudge stripes.

To me, it is best when it is almost like soft-serve — just on the edge of becoming a milkshake.

Mmmmmm. Pardon me, I was daydreaming. There was little to replace it. But while my favorite was

MIA, I made do. I found delight in vanilla ice cream, but it had to be modified. When fresh strawberries were in season, I would slice a few, coating them in sugar, letting the concoction sit overnight in the refrigerator. The next day it was blissful over a good vanilla ice cream or pound cake for that matter. There was Blue Bell’s Tin Roof, Cookies and Cream and Salted Caramel Brownie too. I took a liking to Southern Blackberry Cobbler in the summer. But I never found a replacement for my Mocha Almond Fudge. My No. 2 became Pecan Pralines ‘n Cream and I settled for it, but I never stopped searching. I checked every grocery store from Slapout to Eclectic, Wetumpka to Tallas -

see, Dadeville to Alexander City — the North Pole and South Pole, it felt. Convenient stores, Dollar Generals — I’ve traveled countless miles looking for even just one tub. Then one night I walked into The Pig in Eclectic to the ice cream section, and there it was. A heavenly moment, I found my craving. There was only one issue — it wasn’t a half-gallon tub. Instead, I resorted to grabbing a few pints. I must have looked funny at the checkout with five or was it six pints of delight in my arms. I paid and hurried home. I didn’t fix supper. I didn’t change clothes. I had one mission in mind. I pulled the lid on just one pint and was in trouble already. I ate the whole thing.

Cliff Williams is the news editor of Tallapoosa Publishers Inc.’s Elmore County newspapers. He can be reached at cliff.williams@thewetumpkaherald.com.

Safeguarding workplace freedom

International automakers play a pivotal role in Alabama’s economy, contributing significantly to job creation, economic growth, and community development. These employers provide $72 billion annually in federal, state, and local tax revenue that helps pay for essential public services. These companies, like Hyundai provide good-paying jobs with benefits that on average cover 90% of health care premiums for workers without unions. The downstream effects of these quality jobs have contributed immeasurably to the River Region’s economic growth.

The UAW’s aggressive campaign to unionize Alabama’s international automaking workers poses a threat to the very essence of workplace freedom and economic prosperity that initially made Alabama such an attractive place to set up shop. Make no mistake. I support the hardearned right of every worker to decide if joining the union is right for them. But the UAW’s campaign impinges on that right in creative and cyni -

CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor WILL BARFOOT State Rep.

cal ways.

One of the most alarming aspects of the UAW’s strategy is its attempt to control the narrative around unionization. The push for card check, a process where workers publicly declare their stance on union representation, undermines the fundamental right to a secret ballot and privacy. This method exposes employees to undue pressure, coercion, and intimidation. By securing enough signatures through card checks, unions can potentially bypass a supervised secret ballot election, silencing the voices of dissenting workers. Efforts to legislatively mandate card checks have faltered, but recent decisions by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) threaten to undermine the sanctity of secret ballots. Furthermore, the UAW and

its political allies intend to restrict and police the flow of information to workers. “Neutrality agreements” are being coerced upon employers, preventing them from discussing the potential drawbacks of unionization with workers, effectively silencing employers’ First Amendment rights. Neutrality agreements leave workers with only the union’s perspective, inhibiting their ability to make informed decisions and compromising their privacy. This push to control information raises serious questions about the motives behind limiting employees’ exposure to diverse viewpoints.

Together, card checks and neutrality agreements limit worker freedom and restrict workers’ rights to control their future.

Alabama’s right-to-work law has protected worker freedom and helped Alabama attract big employers, but it faces limitations in fully protecting workers from overbearing unions. While these

See FREEDOM, Page B9

Trump, Rogers reign supreme in primaries

By MELODY RATHEL Multimedia Reporter

On Tuesday March 5, the primary elections marked the start of the 2024 election season.

In the state of Alabama, voters are not required to register as a democrat or republican; rather, they decide the day of voting what they

The results of the primary elections are used to determine who will be on the ballot come Nov.

Citizens of Tallapoosa County went to their nearest voting locations to cast their votes for the primary elections. Tallapoosa County citizens had the opportunity to vote at 28 different locations.

The first ballots to arrive at the Tallapoosa County Courthouse were absentee ballots. In Tallapoosa County, 107 people voted absentee. Donald Trump received the highest number of votes for the presidential candidates, with 61 total votes. Joe Biden followed with a total of 20 votes; 3 people were uncommitted for a democratic presidential candidate. Behind Biden was Vivek Ramaswamy with 14 votes, and Nikki Haley with 2 votes.

Of the absentee voters, 56 people voted for Mike Rogers, 9 for Barron Rae Bevels and 8 for Bryan K. Newell.

Eagle Creek Volunteer Fire Department received a total of 106 paper sheets on Tuesday. At

DESIGNING

Continued from A3

Smith said the program was complicated at first but soon figured out Revit’s advantages over the decades-old AutoCad.

this location, the only democratic presidential candidate who received votes was Biden with a total of 6 votes. For the republican candidates, Trump took the lead with 98 total votes, and Haley received only 2. Barron Rae Bevels

Voters of the Edward Bell Career Technical Center stood out from the rest with a lead of 111 votes for Biden as the presidential candidate of the Democratic Party, and 31 votes for Trump. There were 153 paper sheets turned in at this location. Rogers takes the lead for Third Congressional District with 67 votes. Trailing behind him was Newell with 15 votes,

“I think I like it better,” Smith said. “It gives you the option to have a 2D and 3D model all in one. In AutoCad you start in 2D and have to pull it up to 3D. In Revit, as you are working through it, automatically gets everything put in for

and Bevels with 13.

The Church of God’s Grace opened their doors to 125 voters, 25 of which voted for Biden, and 84 who voted for Trump. Haley followed with 13 total votes. Rogers led the race for Third Congressional with 67 total votes; Newell came next with 15 total votes, and Bevels right behind with 13.

Pearson’s Chapel saw a total of 92 voters. Trump took a majority of the vote (80), followed by Biden (7). Rogers leads in the vote for the Third Congressional (72), with Newell (2) and Bevels (7) far behind.

The Daviston Community Center received a total of 120

you.”

Revit is a program that opens doors for the students and the architects are asking if the students have experience in it.

“Engineers and architects struggle with Revit,” Wellander said.

Welcoming a new business

ballots. Trump leads the vote (96) with Haley following far behind (12). Chris Christie (2), Biden (8) and Dean Phillips were also on the ballot.

Of the 67 voters who stopped by Fellowship Baptist Church, Trump took the majority of the vote (58) leaving Biden with 5 votes.

Mary’s Cross Road saw 92 voters. Trump led with 52 votes, with Biden surprisingly close behind (30).

Like other locations, Rogers took the lead in the Third Congressional. All Tallapoosa County results can be viewed on The Outlook website.

Tallapoosa County Alexander City Housing Authority

• Presidential: Donald Trump, 138 votes; Joe Biden, 59; Dean Phillips, 4; Uncommitted, 1.

• Delegates to the Democratic National Convention: Jeremy Gray, 30; Pam Howard, 22; Kyle Pierce, 20; Ciara Smith, 24; John Squires, 7.

• Third Congressional: Mike Rogers, 119; Barron Rae Bevels, 14; Bryan K. Newell, 3. Cooper Community Center

• Presidential: Donald Trump, 138; Nikki Haley, 5; David Stuckenburg, 1; Ron DeSantis, 1; Joe Biden, 59; Dean Phillips, 4; Uncommitted, 1.

• Delegates to the Democratic National Convention: Jeremy Gray, 132; Pam Howard, 107; Kyle Pierce, 103; Ciara Smith, 24; John Squires, 1.

But before they get to Revit, students get well versed in AutoCad. Currently they are going back through study worksheets for certification in the program. Soon they will take a test consisting of 30 questions over a 50-minute span. Answers

ELECTION

Continued from A1

Hines garnered 1,977 votes to Mulder’s 1,303.

In the Elmore County Board of Education District 7 race, Jason Lett defeated Justin Pack 1,973 to 608 to 533.

In the 2022 General Election, more than 42% of registered voters cast ballots. The primary saw a trickle as rain started to fall in the afternoon.

Voter turnout was 25.6%. Of Elmore County’s 61,655 registered voters, 15,812 cast ballots Tuesday.

The Wetumpka Civic Center polling location saw 1,003 of 3,594 registered voters for a 27.9% turnout.

Elmore County residents cast a total of 149 absentee ballots. 24 were Democrat and 125 were Republican. 629 were cast in the 2022 General Election.

In the The race for 19th Judicial Circuit Place 4 is new and will see family court cases. In Emore County Dee Dee Calhoun received 4,959 votes, Jacquelyn Tomlinson 4,161 votes. Nicole Clark received 2,747 votes.

Result from Autagua and Chilton counties in the race are unknown at presstime.

will be derived from AutoCad files, so students must be well prepared to get certified. “It is a refresher for what they already know,” Wellander said. “They practice skills I know they will have to make sure they recall.”

Melody Rathel / TPI

Sonya Hendon receives ballots from voting locations throughout Tallapoosa County on Tuesday night.

Humane Society of Elmore County News A pet is a lifelong commitment

By REA CORD HSEC Executive Director

People obtain pets from many sources — pets being re-homed by family, neighbors and friends; puppies and kittens from unplanned litters; pet stores; farm auctions; flea markets; newspaper ads; fliers posted in public places and breeders.

While many pets obtained from any one of these sources end up living wonderful lives, far too many end up again needing new homes or, worse, living lives of neglect or misery with owners who were truly not prepared or who quickly lose interest in them.

Adding a living, breathing animal to your family should be a deliberate, well thought out process. Many people are quite surprised that we have an Adoption Application to adopt a pet. Every day we intake animals that were obtained ‘easily’ and then brought to us when ‘reality’ set in. Knowing this, our application process helps us help adopters find a pet that will be a good fit for both. Questions about lifestyles, the home environment, the adopter’s expectations and/or experience, children, the living situation, etc, help us match the right pet with the right family. Knowing local laws and checking with landlords is critical to make sure that pet is even allowed where the adopter lives. Just like there are good and perhaps not so good shelters/rescues, there are wonderful breeders who work to produce healthy and quality pets of that

breed and there are breeders who are only in it for money. Reputable breeders care about the homes they are placing their puppy or kitten (or horse, or bird, etc) in. Good breeders interview potential buyers thoroughly to ensure the new owner will be able to provide a good home for the pet for its entire lifetime. Good breeders do not just sell a puppy or kitten to the first person who can pay the purchase price but to those who they feel will commit to being a caring and responsible pet owner.

Dog and cats adopted from our shelter (and most reputable shelters) all leave us fully vaccinated based on their age (our puppies and kittens will have a minimum of two sets of vaccinations). Our puppies and kittens have to be a minimum of eight weeks old before we place them for adoption so as to allow them socialization from their littermates or kennel mates and to get those two sets of vaccinations complete. We say this as conscientious breeders will also ensure their babies are healthy, vaccinated and ready to leave mom and littermates, so they also often wait until they are 8-10 weeks old before sending to new families. No reputable breeder sells fourweek old puppies!

If you do turn to a breeder here are some hints to find a reputable breeder: a reputable breeder will not sell their puppies or kittens at a flea market, auctions or out of the trunk of their car in a parking lot. Reputable breeders will not have you meet them in some parking lot ‘because

their house is too hard to find.’ Reputable breeders will decline a sale if they don’t think it is in the best interest of the puppy or kitten. Reputable breeders care more about their animals than they do the almighty dollar. Reputable breeders help by becoming mentors to those who do purchase their puppies or kittens and stand by their pets. Truly reputable breeders are there for their puppies and kittens even years after the sale if the need arises. Reputable breeders are some of our best allies in terms of animal welfare as they work very hard to teach responsible pet ownership and have much expertise to offer. In all honesty – pets sold by truly reputable breeders seldom end up in shelters.

So the next time you are thinking of adding a new pet to your family, take your time. Do your homework, make sure you are ready, check with a shelter perhaps and if you do choose to purchase from a breeder, take the time to make sure they actually care about their pets and their future. One way to find a conscientious breeder is to ask area veterinarians since caring breeders will be good clients who work to ensure the best health of the parents and the babies they produce. Getting a pet is a serious commitment in terms of time and money so please make sure you are truly ready to commit to that pet for the next 15-20 years of its life.

Rea Cord is the executive director of the Humane Society of Elmore County.

Huggy is a 2-3 year old male Pit who weighs about 45 pounds. He was brought to us as a stray never reclaimed. His name suits him as he just wants to be in your lap and getting hugs and cuddles and would love to be a couch potato with a loving family. Huggy is good with other dogs, loves treats of course and will give slight attention to toys, then be content laying in the shade for a while.

The Humane Society of Elmore County’s adoption fees are $100 for dogs and $50 for cats under 1 year old. Cats over 1 can be adopted by approved adopters for a fee of their

AlabamaOne opens in Millbrook

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News

Elmore County residents have another banking option — AlabamaOne.

The credit union cut the ribbon on its 26th Alabama location Tuesday. But it has already been a part of the community, according to Millbrook Chamber of Commerce president and CEO Brenda Robertson Dennis.

“Before they came here, before we knew about this building, AlabamaOne was already at our chamber asking how they could get involved,” Dennis said. “They were one of the sponsors of our Women’s Conference even before they did the work here. They have definitely gotten into the community and made friends.”

It is all a part of the credit union’s idea of community involvement and it goes further than just sponsoring events.

“You will see our employees alongside your employees in the community, at church, at the ballfield,” senior director of retail operations Mike Brown said. “It is so much more than planting a flag in the community.”

Hal Hodge is AlabamaOne’s southeast Alabama area executive and proud the doors are opening up in Millbrook.

“I want to start serving the people of Millbrook,” Hodge said. “We look forward to a lasting relationship and being engaged in the community.” AlabamaOne has partnerships with electric cooperatives in the state such as Central Alabama Electric Cooperative and Dixie Electric Coopera -

tive. Those co-ops operate in Elmore and Autauga counties. “They are the real catalyst behind us coming to Millbrook to serve all their members and employees,” Hodge said. “Anyone that pays their bill to the electric cooperative can become a member of the credit union. We serve all their members and employees.”

AlabamaOne can also serve anyone living, working or worshiping in a county with a location.

Hodge said credit unions pride themselves on member services.

“It is the customer service and member service skills that you have, treating employees like they are one of your own,” Hodge said. “We want to know customers when they walk in the door.”

AlabamaOne purchased the building about a year ago and has been renovating it since. Inside there are teller stations for person-to-person banking. The credit union offers many of the services one might expect but there is also a mortgage suite. The financial institution also offers loans for small businesses and commercial and agricultural needs.

Outside the Highway 14 location in Millbrook is something Brown is proud of. “We have leveraged some really great technology to serve you outside — an ‘Anytime Teller,” Brown said. “It might look like an ATM but it acts differently with loan payments, deposit checks and transfers. You can do so much more than get cash.”

The school’s theater department and Family and Consumer Science programs are partnering for the fifth year for dinner theater. Stanhope theater director Brady Walker said it is a collaborative effort between theater students and FCCLA members.

Dinner theater returns to Stanhope

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

Goes and the menu will fit with the show.

choosing. This adoption fee covers the mandatory spay or neuter, basic immunizations, deworming, microchip, heartworm check for dogs, rabies vaccination if old enough and a free health exam with your participating veterinarian.

If you are interested in meeting Cola or any of the pets at HSEC, the first step is to fill out an adoption application online. Once approved, you will be contacted by someone from the humane society. HSEC is located at 255 Central Plank Road in Wetumpka. The phone number is 334-567-3377 and the website is www.elmorehumane.org.

Anyone looking for a date night just needs to look to Stanhope Elmore. The school’s theater department and Family and Consumer Science programs are partnering for the fifth year for dinner theater. Stanhope theater director Brady Walker said it is a collaborative effort between theater students and FCCLA members.

“FCCLA gets the room set up and organizes the event,” Walker said. “They handle the logistics, design such as the program and they actually cook the meal that is served.”

Walker credits FCCLA advisor

Michelle McCauley for a lot of the work behind the scenes.

“She is my partner in crime in this,” Walker said. “She has developed a well-oiled machine for this with her students. She is working to develop a menu that goes along with the show.”

This year’s show is Anything

“It is a farce on a cruise ship,” Walker said. “It is a bunch of mistaken identities on the S.S. America that is leaving New York headed to England. There are people who are falling out of love and falling in love, love triangles. It is a fun farce.”

Walker said theater students have been practicing since January but the dinner theater production is different for students in FCCLA.

“Theater is a marathon,” Walker said. “By the time the show starts, students will have rehearsed nearly three months. Whereas FCCLA, theirs is more of a sprint. They can do some prep work prior to, but the night of the show they are in the kitchen working hard, serving and making our guests feel welcomed.”

The dinner theater is at 6:30 p.m. March 14-16. Tickets must be purchased through gofan.co by Wednesday to aid in food preparation.

Lewis appointed to Alabama Court of Civil Appeals

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

There is now a vacancy for a judge in the 19th Judicial Circuit after the appointment of Judge Bill Lewis to the Alabama Court of Civil Appeals.

Gov. Kay Ivey made the appointment Wednesday.

“Judge Lewis' distinguished record of jurisprudence ensures that he will serve on the Alabama Court of Civil Appeals with honor and integrity,” Ivey said in a release.

“Throughout his esteemed legal career, he has consistently demonstrated a devotion to justice and fairness under the law. I

siding judge for the last 17 years. “I’d like to thank Gov. Ivey and her staff for the confidence that they are placing in me. It is an honor to accept this appointment,” Lewis said. “Judge Thompson served this Court with distinction and integrity. I know I can’t replace him, but I hope to follow in his footsteps.”

look forward to his contributions on the Court.” Lewis will fill the vacancy left by long-time Judge William C. “Bill”

Thompson, who retired on February 1, 2024, after serving on the Court of Civil Appeals for 27 years, including as its pre-

Grants helping expand broadband in Coosa and Elmore counties

By TPI STAFF

in the state’s broadband expansion. “This has been a remarkable journey made possible by Gov. Ivey, the Alabama Legislature, the state’s internet service providers and so many other willing and eager participants,” ADECA director Kenneth Boswell said.

“Once completed, these projects announced today will provide access for thousands of Alabamians.”

THOSE AWARDED CAPITAL PROJECTS FUND GRANTS AND COVERAGE AREAS ARE:

“High-speed

its residents. Today is an exciting day as we announce these latest projects.” Central Access, the internet service provider owned by Central Alabama Electric Cooperative was awarded seven grants totaling $21.94 million to expand broadband services in areas of Autauga, Chilton, Coosa, Dallas and Elmore counties. The service area includes more than 6,000 potential households and businesses. Across the state, the “last mile” projects announced by Ivey will mean more than 5,000 miles of broadband infrastructure, and once in place, they will have the ability to provide access to almost 54,000 households, businesses and institutions like hospitals, schools and libraries.

These projects are supported by the American Rescue Plan Act funding from the U.S. Department of Treasury. The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) is administering the grants.

The announcement of these “last mile” projects comes on the heels of a Feb. 5 announcement by Ivey of $188 million in grants for the Alabama Anchor Institution/Middle Mile program. The middle-mile project is an essential precursor for internet service providers to complete the “last mile” projects in which access to service can be provided to homes, businesses and anchor institutions.

ADECA’s Alabama Digital Expansion Division has been instrumental

• AT&T Southeast Five grants totaling $6.97 million to expand broadband services in Franklin, Jefferson, Mobile, Morgan and Russell counties. The expansion has the potential to reach more than 1,871 households and businesses.

• Central Alabama Electric Cooperative — Seven grants totaling $21.94 million to expand broadband services in areas of Autauga, Chilton, Coosa, Dallas and Elmore counties. The service area includes more than 6,000 potential households and businesses.

• Connect Holding (Brightspeed) — Two grants totaling $388,061 to expand broadband services in Pickens and St. Clair counties. The projects have the potential to reach 479 households and businesses.

• Coosa Valley Technologies Inc. — Six grants totaling $12.57 million for expanded broadband services in Calhoun, Etowah, Shelby and Talladega counties. The service area includes more than 974 potential households and businesses.

Cullman Electric Cooperative — One grant totaling $4.1 million to provide broadband services in areas of Cullman and Winston counties. The expansion has the potential to reach 1,979 households and businesses.

• Farmers Telecommunications Corp. Two grants totaling $7.29 million to expand broadband services in DeKalb County with the potential to serve more than 1,600 households and businesses.

• Knology (WOW!)

One grant totaling $2.39 million to expand broadband services in parts of Henry and Houston counties. The expansion has the potential to reach about 970 households and businesses.

• Mediacom — Eight projects totaling $22.8 million to provide broadband services in parts of

Baldwin, Clarke, Conecuh, Escambia, Monroe and Mobile counties. The project areas include almost 8,000 households and businesses.

• Millry Telephone Co. Inc. — One grant totaling $3.6 million to expand broadband services in parts of Washington County. The expansion has the potential to reach 988 new households and businesses.

• Pea River Electric Cooperative — One grant totaling $5 million to expand broadband services in parts of Barbour and Henry counties. The expansion has the potential to reach 1,529 new households and businesses.

• Pine Belt Telephone Co. — Four grants totaling $3 million to provide additional broadband services in Clarke and Marengo counties with the potential to reach more than 480 new households and businesses.

• R.M. Greene Inc. — One grant totaling $2.85 million for broadband expansion in parts of Barbour and Russell counties that will reach more than 680 new households and businesses.

• Spectrum Southeast — 23 grants totaling $44.83 million to provide broadband services in parts of Bibb, Butler, Calhoun, Chambers, Cleburne, Coosa, Colbert, Cullman, Elmore, Etowah, Geneva, Greene, Houston, Jefferson, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Limestone, Marshall, Montgomery, Morgan, Pickens, St. Clair, Talladega, Tallapoosa and Tuscaloosa counties. The service areas include 22,000 potential households and businesses.

• Tombigbee Electric Cooperative — One grant totaling $2.78 million to provide broadband services in parts of Winston County. The service area includes 1,584 potential households and businesses.

• Troy Cablevision

(C Spire) — One grant totaling $1.65 million to expand broadband services in Dale and Houston counties. There are nearly 700 potential households and businesses in that service area.

• Yellowhammer Networks — Two grants totaling $5.13 million to provide broadband services in Bibb, Dallas, Greene, Hale, Lowndes, Marengo, Perry and Sumter counties. The project areas include almost 3,700 households and businesses.

circuit to have a circuit court judge. Judge Joy Booth is from Autauga County and Judge Amanda Baxley is from Chilton County. The presiding judge in the circuit is decided by a vote of the circuit court judges.

Lewis has been in the 19th Judicial Circuit since 2016 and is the current presiding judge.

Lewis’ appointment leaves a vacancy in the 19th Judicial Circuit that serves Elmore, Autauga and Chilton counties. It is a position to be filled by Ivey. The selection must come from Elmore County as state law requires each county in the 19th

Prior to becoming circuit judge, Lewis was the senior partner of the Lewis Law Firm, which he started in 2006. Lewis served as assistant district attorney for the 19th Judicial Circuit before going into private practice. He has also served as a crim-

inal defense attorney in criminal cases and practiced civil and family law. Judge Lewis received his undergraduate degrees in political science and economics from the University of the South and his law degree from the Cumberland School of Law.

“Serving as presiding judge of the 19th Judicial Circuit has been an honor and I’ve loved the people that I have worked with,” Lewis said. “It won’t be easy to leave the courthouse, but I’m very excited about this opportunity to serve the people of our state as a member of the Alabama Court of Civil Appeals.”

Creature Chronicles

Beekeepers showcase the honey harvesting process

By ABIGAIL MURPHY Multimedia Reporter

It’s springtime, and with the flowers blooming soon, bees will be going around to pollinate them.

While the bees are busy working, beekeepers don’t begin to harvest their honey until the summertime. David Whitman with Lake Martin Honey showed TPI staff last summer how beekeepers harvest honey from their hives. Whitman started Lake Martin Honey back in 2020 with just one hive. And it has grown ever since. Last May, Whitman bottled 50

pounds of honey with more honey harvested throughout the summer months.

During the harvesting process, Whitman showcases him removing supers from the hive boxes, testing the honey’s moisture content, cutting the honeycombs and extracting the honey.

However, the bee-

keeping process is a year around commitment with building up a colony, protecting the bees against other insects and ensuring the bees have access to nutrients. However, these beekeepers don’t always do it alone.

Whitman is also a part of the Tallapoosa Bee Association. The association is open to beekeepers of all levels whether you have been doing it for years or just starting out.

To see the honey harvesting process in action, scan the QR code for the video and stay tuned for next month’s Creature Chronicles.

Montgomery man jailed after police pursuit in Elmore County

the Camaro exited and fled on foot but was apprehended a short distance from the crash scene.”

rolet Camaro for speeding on Interstate 65 near the 180 mile marker in Elmore County. The Camaro failed to stop and a pursuit ensued.

“The pursuit continued onto Cobbs Ford Road inside the Prattville city limits where the Camaro eventually crashed,” an ALEA statement read. “The Camaro struck a Dodge Journey, but the driver of

Behind the pink door

The driver was identified as Mack Wilson, 35, of Montgomery. He was charged with felony attempting to elude, felony leaving the scene of a crash, certain person forbidden to possess firearm, possession of controlled substance, second-degree possession of marijuana and driving under the influence. He was transported to the Elmore County Jail.

Nothing further on the incident is available as troopers continue to investigate.

According to court records, Wilson has been arrested and pleaded guilty to drug possession charges in the past.

Behind the magic

Greetings from the corner of Bridge and Bridge! I pray the day is going well for everyone reading this column. Spring is springing in the city of natural beauty. Achoo and bless you!

I fell in love with Walt Disney as a small child. My family watched The Wonderful World of Disney most every Sunday night. We had a large picture book of Disney stories. Disney movies were among my most favorites.

My first trip to Disney World happened in 1983. I was seventeen years old, and my mother, father, sister, grandmother, and I drove to Orlando because Nannie wanted to go to Disney World. Epcot was still being phased in and had only been open for two years.

I remember vividly how incredible it was to see depictions of favorite stories in real life. The Swiss Family Robinson treehouse was an initial favorite, and Space Mountain was beyond anything I had ever seen at Six Flags. The laser light show above the Epcot lagoon was perhaps the most memorable aspect of that trip.

The thing that impressed me most was the collection of presentations about the vision and dream of Walt Disney himself. I was just beginning to experience the realities of the earthly kingdom, and Disney’s ideas of a utopian society seemed magical to me. I remember thinking how cool it could be to live, not in a community similar to what Walt Disney envisioned.

It would be twenty-five years

Wednesday nights at 6:30 p.m. the church offers

Children’s Gospel Project, Youth Bible Study and Adult Prayer Meeting. Regular office hours are Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

EAST TALLASSEE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

CHURCH

Regular hours of service are Sundays- 9 a.m. Sunday School and 10 a.m. Morning Worship.

ETUMC’s Rivers Edge Flea Market is now closed. The church will start a new project called Rivers Edge Food Pantry. ETUMC will provide canned food, water, dry beans and rice, blan-

before I returned to Disney World. The second time, I was there with my family celebrating Stanton’s fifth birthday. My in-laws have a love of Disney that is infectious, and we had a fabulous trip. We have had many more since.

The second time, I was overwhelmed by the commercialization of it all. The attractions were the same, but each one seemed to have its own attached gift shop. Each shop was filled to the brim with merchandise, all labeled with the declaration “Made in China for Disney, Inc.”

During the ride home from one of those trips several years ago, our girls asked us how we were able to afford trips like that. Alicia and I explained that when we bought a house, we purchased one that was essentially half the

kets, and jackets. If you want to donate or help with the cause, call Joan Wood at 334-312-4913.

EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF THE EPIPHANY

Please join us for Sunday services at 10:30 a.m. when the Rev. Lee Lowery will celebrate the Holy Eucharist. We are asking everyone please to wear a mask. The service will be live streamed on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ EpiphanyTallassee/ For more information, visit the

mortgage amount we qualified for. We explained that having a lower house payment meant we could put money away for travel and special things.

I share that as an example of a teaching tool, not as a means of boasting. Our girls realized at an early age that Disney is expensive. They asked how we could afford it, and we explained it. We did not try to explain why it is so expensive. I did a little research after our most recent trip. It costs about six million dollars a day to run Disney World. Estimated daily income for Disney World is fifty million. Basically, Disney World makes around forty-four million dollars a day in profit.

I point this out for one simple reason. Walt Disney envisioned

church website at http:// epiphanytallassee.org/

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

First Presbyterian Church, located at 514 Central Blvd. will host a Veteran’s Day Celebration on Nov. 11 from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. for all veterans and first responders and their family members.

FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

“We are OPEN and everyone is WELCOME! Come worship with us in

JONATHAN YARBORO Columnist

a place where families of every variety could experience a little magic and catch a glimpse of what was possible as citizens of the earthly kingdom. That initial dream has, over the years, become capitalized. The magic is only available to those willing to pay for it. What would it look like if Disney World could be satisfied with doubling its investment each day instead of quadrupling it? Would prices go down? Would manufacturing of merchandise occur on the same continent and in the same economy as the park itself? Sounds almost magical, doesn’t it?

Rev. Jonathan Yarboro is the Pastor of First Presbyterian Church, Wetumpka

person Sunday mornings at 8:50 a.m. (contemporary) or 11 a.m. (traditional). Sunday School for all ages is offered Sunday mornings at 10 a.m., and a nursery is available for infants. CHILDREN & YOUTH: meet Sunday evenings from 5-6:30 p.m. and Wednesday evenings from 6-7:15 p.m.; supper is included both days! For more information about our church or the programs we offer, visit our website: fumctallassee.com or call us: 334-283-2195. FUMC

Tallassee - 1 Jordan Avenue.”

OUR LIFE’S JOURNEY Airs every Sunday at 8:30 a.m. on 580 WACQ, FM 98.5 & 101.1, on your smart speaker, your TuneIn app, or on our website www.wacqradio. com. Please share on social media. This set of programs features Msgr. Charles Troncale, Fr. Mateusz Rudzik, Fr. James Dean, Fr. David Carucci, Fr. Patrick Driscoll, and Deacon Jim Labadie.

2024 Elmore County Girls Player of the Year

Edgewood’s Brown wins 10th championship

By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor

Lindsey Brown had one goal going into her senior basketball season — fill the fingers. Brown had won nine state championships in her

high school career. She had five volleyball, two basketball and two softball championships. So she had a championship ring for nine of her 10 fingers. That was until February 9th when Brown and the Wildcats beat Sparta,

By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor

46-28, in the AISA Class AA state championship. With the win, Brown filled the fingers and won her 10th state championship.

Along the way, she averaged a county-best 23.2 points per game with 5.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 5 steals. For her dominance on the court, Brown has been named the 2023-2024 Elmore County Girls Basketball Player of the Year.

“This year was kind of special,” Brown said. “It was senior year and I had a lot of goals in mind. Our main goal was to work through the adversity we were given in terms of injuries that we dealt with through the year. We just wanted to work through the adversity and get the championship and that’s what we

See BROWN, Page B2

FILE TPI Edgewood’s Lindsey Brown averaged 23.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 5 steals per game this season. Brown singlehandedly outscored seven opponents by herself.

2024 ALL-ELMORE COUNTY GIRLS BASKETBALL TEAM

PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Lindsey Brown, Edgewood Academy senior Brown capped off a stellar career with her first Player of the Year honors in basketball. The Edgewood guard averaged a county-best 23.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 5 steals per game. She single-handedly outscored seven opposing teams and led Edgewood to its third-consecutive title.

FIRST TEAM

Ariel Gilchrist, Stanhope Elmore senior Gilchrist proved once again that she is one of the best defensive guards across the entire state of Alabama. The Coastal Alabama CC commit averaged 17 points, 6.2 rebounds and a county-best 7 steals per game. She shot 58% from the floor and became just the fourth Stanhope Elmore player to reach 1,000 points in her career.

Aaliyah Humphrey, Wetumpka eighth grader Humphrey did not play in a varsity game until after January 1, but she instantly made an impact for the Indians. She scored 14 points in her first varsity game then capped off her eighth grade season with a 36-point outing against Stanhope Elmore in the area tournament. She averaged 17 points per game this season.

Madison Martin, Edgewood Academy senior Martin, a Faulkner volleyball signee, capped off her senior season by leading Edgewood to its third-consecutive title. The 6-foot-2 center averaged 11.5 points to go along with her 9.5 rebounds per game. On defense, she averaged 2.2 steals per game and 1.7

blocks per game. She had a double-double in the championship game.

Emily Mason, Elmore County senior

The Elmore County sharpshooter continued her scoring abilities during her senior campaign. Mason averaged 12.9 points per game this year as she helped lead the Panthers back to the first round of the playoffs. She hit 28 3-point shots this season and finished her career with over 100 3-point makes.

Tamira Smalls, Stanhope Elmore senior There weren’t many teams that found success in the paint against Stanhope Elmore, and that was mostly because of Smalls. The senior center averaged 10.1 points per game, but it was her defensive ability that landed her on First Team. She averaged 16.3 rebounds and 3.4 blocks per game as Stanhope reached the first round of the playoffs.

SECOND TEAM

Jhakhia Anderson, Tallassee junior Ana Brown, Holtville junior

Kyasia Brown, Elmore County senior

ShaNiya Gray, Tallassee sophomore

Lexie Smith, Edgewood Academy freshman

HONORABLE MENTION Edgewood Academy: Avery White, Jr., Aubrey Newton, So.

Elmore County: Lalah Culpepper, Fr., Addi Stephenson, Fr.

Holtville: Summer Hutcheson, Sr., Ragen Roberts, Jr.

Stanhope Elmore: Jada McLeod, Sr., Aniya Burton, So.

Tallassee: Cheyann Easterling, Fr., Reese Gough, 8th.

Wetumpka: Shelby Ward, Sr., Emily Smith, Sr., Jordan Harris, Jr.

2024 Elmore County Girls Coach of the Year

By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor

Alfonzo Johnson’s first year as head coach of the Tallassee girls basketball team was one to remember. Johnson took over the team just before football season started and had a tough challenge in

front of him. The Tigers hadn’t won more than seven games in a season since 2018, and had a combined record of 10-68 the last four years combined. But that didn’t stop Johnson from taking a young team featuring multiple starters from eighth, ninth and tenth grade and turning them into competitors.

This season, Johnson’s Tallassee team went 16-11 and came just four points shy of clinching a playoff berth. It was Tallassee’s first winning record since 2018.

“This year was really a big learning experience for us,” Johnson said. “From what I

See JOHNSON, Page B2

Ariel Gilchrist Tamira Smalls

Aaliyah Humphrey

Emily Mason

Madison Martin

PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Edgewood’s Whitt finds power swing

By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor

A lot of baseballs got punished in Elmore last week.

Edgewood Academy sophomore Brock Whitt put on a show at the plate for the Wildcats as he knocked around extra base hit after extra base hit.

In five games last week, Whitt went a combined 9-for16 at the plate with three doubles, one triple, two home runs, 12 RBIs and nine runs scored.

For his performance, Whitt has been named the Elmore County Player of the Week.

“We got some big hits in big situations,” Wildcats coach Justin Jones “Brock is finally seeing the ball he should be seeing it. He’s hitting it to the middle-away gaps and staying behind the ball. He drove in 12 runs so he’s holding down the fort in the middle of the lineup for us.”

While the two home runs sparked Whitt’s week, he has been shining at the plate all season. Whitt is hitting right under

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JOHNSON

Continued from B1

could tell, the biggest thing that was different from years past was that this team cared more. They wanted to win so bad. There was never a day throughout the season where I felt like we didn’t care if we won or lost. We competed every single game.”

The biggest difference in terms of competing came in area play where Tallassee competes in AHSAA Class 5A, Area 7 against Valley and Beauregard.

The Tigers went 0-4 in the regular season in area play and lost in the first round of the area tournament, but it was a much different experience than a year ago.

Last season, Tallassee lost its area games by an average of 15 points, while losing two games by 20 and 34 points.

This year, four of the five losses to area opponents came by five points or less. Three of those losses came in overtime.

.500 this season, which ranks best on the team. He also has 11 extra base hits with a plethora of doubles to go with his two home runs and triple. He has more extra base hits this season than some players have regular hits. “He’s swinging it really well right now, and he’s a big threat when he comes up to bat,” Jones said. “Not even the long ball but just getting on base. He has one of the best on base percentages on the team.” Whitt driving in 12 runs in five games is no surprise to anyone. He hits in the fourhole and he’s built like a power hitter. But he isn’t just driving

in runs. Last week alone, he scored nine runs. He scored on seven of his nine hits, then added two more runs when he was walked twice in his two home run game.

That’s mostly due to the success the rest of Edgewood’s team is also having at the plate. As daunting as Whitt is, people are unable to pitch around him because the guys behind him are also playing well.

Jackson Hudson and Cooper Freeman are the two guys who mostly bat behind Whitt, and they certainly helped his case this week. The two combined for six doubles in Edgewood’s

five games with Hudson hitting four of them. “The guys in front of him and behind him are playing well so people are forced to throw it to him,” Jones said. “That’s what is really helping Brock. Both guys behind him are hitting over .300 so they can’t just walk him.”

Edgewood is out to an 8-6 overall record this year and started area play on Monday night. All six losses have come from three teams, none of which are in Class AA. They have lost two to Lowndes, both by one run, then lost to Bessemer Academy and Lee-Scott both twice.

Holtville’s Boone records 200th career hit

By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor

Bailea Boone is no stranger to hitting a softball.

The Holtville slap hitter, who has led the county in batting average two years in a row, recently recorded her 200th career hit just six games into her junior season. She entered the year with 188 hits and earned 12 more in the first six games. Her 200th hit came on a single, her third of the night, in a 10-0 win over Maplesville.

“It really means a lot to me, and it shows that all my hard work is coming together,” Boone said. “I spend day in and day out in the batting cages, and my team always has my back. It’s been a crazy start.”

Most high school players don’t get anywhere close to 200 hits, but Boone has done so and still has almost two full seasons left.

While it’s an impressive feat, Holtville coach Reese Claybrook isn’t surprised in the slightest. He sees the work Boone puts in every day. Boone hits the batting cages hard, but she keeps her time in the cages simple.

Seventy five percent of the time she’s in the cage, she’s hitting off a tee. She starts with soft slaps off the tee then moves to slapping the ball

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a defense,” Claybrook said. “In the last two years, I have never called a bunt or a swing for her. She reads the defense and understands what they’re trying to do. I have complete faith and trust in her at the plate. It’s hard not to have that trust when she already has 200 hits.” Her success is a direct translation to Holtville’s success. She’s been on base 21 times this year with 15 hits and six walks. She’s stolen eight bases and scored 14 runs. She’s averaging two runs every three times she’s on base.

While the end result was the same, it was a vastly different feel in area play.

“When it came to flipping those area games, I think it’s the hot start we got off to this season,” Johnson said. “We started winning early and got some confidence. When we got to area play, we had the confidence that we could win. We may not have won them, but we knew we had a chance and we played like it.”

Johnson and his team were living the dream to start the year. The Tigers entered Christmas break with an 11-4 overall record and were set to play in a holiday tournament at Montgomery Academy. The first game was a disaster for the Tigers as they lost by nearly 40 points to Montgomery Catholic.

The Tigers then fell to the silver bracket and went on to win the tournament. Tallassee beat the host team by two points, 41-39, then won the championship game against Calhoun by 12 points.

From then on, Johnson knew this team was different than years past. “We were able to beat Montgomery Academy for the second time and it was a major boost to our confidence,” Johnson said.

“It was a feeling of ‘Hey, we can actually compete. We are actually good at basketball.’ That went a long way for our season.”

did.” Brown has been one of, if not the most dominant, players in the AISA since she started her varsity career years ago. She’s been a multi-year All-County player and was one of three AISA finalists from across the state in last year’s player of the year honor.

But then she took her game to another level this year.

A season ago, she aver-

hard. When she gets done with the tee, she usually hits one bucket of softballs in a front toss drill. She keeps it simple, but she doesn’t keep it light. She hits and hits and hits, all while keeping her fundamentals down.

“You have to have your fundamentals if you want to be successful,” Boone said. “I think that’s the biggest thing, but also being in the right mindset. My mindset is that winning isn’t everything, and it’s the work that you put into the game that gets you your gratification.”

Boone has increased her number of hits every season since she joined the varsity squad in junior high. In sev-

aged 16.9 points to go with 4 rebounds, 3.9 steals and 1 assist. Not only did she increase her point total by over six points per game, she was better in every statistical category that she could improve on.

“I really focused on taking better shots this year,” Brown said. “I had to be smarter with the basketball and more efficient on offense. We also caused a lot of turnovers on defense and were able to turn that into easy layups. I just really locked in for my senior year and that helped.

enth and eighth grade, she had a combined 38 hits and was an honorable mention All-County player. As a freshman in 2022, she ended her season with 66 hits and a .545 batting average. She outdid herself last season as a sophomore and had a career-high 84 hits while she batted .560. This season, she’s already recorded 15 hits in seven games and is hitting .750 with a whopping 15-for-20 statline at the plate.

Boone credits her progressive success to getting older, while Claybrook credits her intelligence.

“What sets her over the edge is her ability to dissect

I focused on one game at a time.” There were quite a few teams who were on the losing end of some of Brown’s offensive outbursts this year.

In seven different games throughout the regular season, Brown single-handedly outscored the opposing team.

That started in the second game of the year against Chambers, when Brown scored 22 and Chambers put up 18. She then did that twice more against Chambers, out-scoring them 23-21 and 24-23 late in the year.

In Holtville’s two losses this season, one to Beauregard and one to Pike Road, Boone has scored only one run in each game. She also had just one hit in one of the losses, her lone game this season with less than two hits. In each of the team’s five wins, she’s scored between two and four runs and is a combined 12-for-15 at the plate with a .867 on base percentage.

“When she does well, we do well,” Claybrook said. “She is just an absolute sparkplug in our lineup. She can get up there and swing away and succeed as well as anyone on our team, but she accepts her role and causes chaos at the plate and on the bases.”

She outscored Lowndes, 32-20, Macon East 31-21, ACA 40-31, and Autauga 26-22. In one of her most impressive outings of the year, she tied Fort Dale, 37-37, by herself.

That trend nearly continued in the playoffs. As the Wildcats went 3-0 in the playoffs, the team’s defense allowed a combined 83 points. In those three games, she scored 68. No opposing team in the playoffs scored more than six points than she scored with a point total of

Johnson will still have a young team next year. The Tigers only had one senior on the roster and by the end of the year were starting two freshmen, an eighth grader and a sophomore.

Adding to that roster is a large and talented junior high class, and Johnson thinks his team is going to be able to possibly even have a junior varsity squad next year.

“The future is bright here,” Johnson said. “It’s going to be very special at Tallassee. We’re spending the offseason working on individual plans for each player and what they need to work on. We’re getting in the weight room and getting bigger, faster and stronger.”

21, 25 and 22 to cap off her career. That wasn’t something she noticed until it was pointed out to her by a parent or fan, and to her it just speaks about the level of competition that teams face in the AISA.

“A lot of people say AISA is nothing big, but I think it’s overlooked,” Brown said. “I think the fact that I can outscore an opposing team speaks to the level of competition that teams face in the AISA. If you want to play with us, come play with us. We’ll probably beat you.”

BROWN Continued from B1

TPI Edgewood Academy’s Brock Whitt went 9-for-16 at the plate with six total extra base hits and 12 runs batted in this week. He also scored nine runs.

Holtville junior Bailea Boone poses with her 200th career hit ball following Holtville’s 10-0 win over Maplesville. Boone had three hits in the win.

Small ball leads Tallassee baseball past Wetumpka

By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor

The Tallassee baseball team used a small ball approach to perfection Thursday night.

Tallassee knocked off in-county opponent Wetumpka, 6-5, in the cold and rain. The Tigers (6-2) had three bunt singles in the game, scored two runs on RBI groundouts and two on wild pitches and scored its final run on a ground ball turned error in the fifth inning.

“I’m very proud of them,” Tallassee coach John Goodman said. “We pitched well, got some timely hits, moved some runners over and did some things well. I didn’t think we played that well as a whole with a lot of errors in the field, but I’m very proud of them for getting the win.”

Tallassee fell behind in the top of the first inning when Wetumpka’s Jacob Smith singled in Mason Fuller with a ground ball to left field.

Wetumpka’s lead was short lived, however, as Tallassee led off the second inning with a single by Brody Wisener. Cash Gough then hit a bunt single to third base to put two on with no outs, and Bry Hatchcock then bunted into an error to load the bases with one out.

Pitcher Brady Mason then came through in the clutch and gave Tallassee the lead with a

Snowden leads Holtville softball past Chilton County

By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor

Kylie Snowden proved to be too much for Chilton County to handle Tuesday night.

Snowden led the Holtville softball team to a 6-2 win over Chilton County at home. In the win, Snowden pitched a complete game with only one earned run while also getting the job done at the plate.

She tied the game with an RBI triple in the bottom of the third inning then hit a game-winning tworun homer in the bottom of the fifth.

“She was a freaking competitor (Tuesday),” Bulldogs coach Reese Claybrook said. “Chilton County is a team that swings it well from top to bottom and she was able to locate her pitches and get some tough outs. At the plate, she was patient and put herself in good positions. I was really impressed with her tonight.”

Snowden’s entire approach at the plate was about patience. Down 1-0 in the third after an unearned run came across for Chilton County, she stepped up to the plate with a runner on third base and two outs. After taking two strikes and a ball, she ripped a line drive past Chilton County’s right fielder into the corner and hustled her way all the way to third base and tied the game.

Two innings later, the game was tied, 2-2, when Bailea Boone once again got on base and was standing on third when Snowden walked up to the plate with two outs. Snowden let the count get to 2-0 with two outside pitches, then fouled one straight back.

The next pitch was sent over the wall in left field to give Holtville a 4-2 lead and the Bulldogs never looked back.

“She waited for her pitch and put herself in a good position,” Claybrook said. “She played really smart softball tonight and I knew she was due for a home run. She hadn’t hit one yet this year and those who are familiar with her game know just what she’s capable of at the plate. She kept it simple and let the pitch come to her.”

As soon as that ball went over the fence, Snowden was visibly excited — and that translated directly to her performance in the circle. She allowed only two hits following her home run, a single in the sixth and a double in the seventh, but she was helped out with some good defense from her infield.

Shortstop Avery Goff and second baseman Holly Devaughn made multiple plays, including almost turning an inning-ending double play, and helped keep Chilton County from scratching any more runs across.

With the wind blowing rampant, Boone made two tough catches look routine and ended the game. Snowden finished the night with four strikeouts and allowed eight hits.

“My defense is great,” Snowden said. “I know I can trust my defense if opposing teams put the ball in play. I really trust them and I was getting some big energy from them today. It was a fun game and we were all up in good spirits.”

them into scoring position and then hopefully get a big hit. We did tonight.”

With a three-run lead, Mason held off Wetumpka enough for the win. The team’s ace went six full innings on 100 pitches. He allowed just one earned run on six hits and struck out eight Indians.

two-run single. Hathcock then scored on a wild pitch, and Thomas Lemmond drove pinch runner Mason Battles in on a groundout to put Tallassee up, 4-1.

“That’s just us doing what we have to do to win the game,” Goodman said. “It’s one of those things where it’s just the way we play. We have to move runners over and get

He left the game with a 6-4 lead in the top of the seventh inning. The only damage he allowed after the first inning single was a two-run home run by Smith and a RBI double by Logan Fawcett. Both runs that scored on the home run were unearned due to a two-out error.

“Brady was great,” Goodman said. “He’s doing exactly what we need him to do. We’ve got him on a long rotation and he gets his rest in and we keep him sharp. He’s our go-to guy and pitched a gem of a game for us.”

Mason exited the game in the top of the seventh and Chase

Webster came in for the save. Webster started his outing with back-to-back strikeouts before the top of Wetumpka’s lineup came up to bat.

On the second pitch to Wetumpka leadoff Mason Fuller, he got a ground out but it was booted for an error, Tallassee’s fourth of the game. Following a wild pitch, he came around to score on a RBI single to cut the lead to 6-5.

“That’s not us,” Goodman said. “We don’t make that mistake. These kids are still learning and that was just a little bit of pressure.”

Two pitches later, the game ended when Fawcett hit a ground ball to the right side of the infield and it bounced off the Wetumpka base runner.

“We needed this really badly, especially after Tuesday night’s loss,” Goodman said. “We needed to get back in there and the guys needed to see that they could do it. They needed to feel it and enjoy it.”

Wetumpka’s Preston added to North-South All-Stars

By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor

Wetumpka’s state championship trio will all compete in the second consecutive Alabama Wrestling Coaches Association North/South AllStar Duals Tournament on Saturday, March 9 at Huntingdon College.

Christian Preston was added to the North roster on March 1, replacing Jasper’s Cole Carter.

He will wrestle Spain Park’s Kyle Oliveira, the AHSAA Class 7A state champion in the 215-pound class.

Oliveira went a perfect 53-0 this season, and even more impressive is the fact

that he only gave up four points the entire season. He gave up one point in the regular season, then one in the semifinals before winning 7-2 in the championship match.

Preston is the back-to-back state champion in Class 6A and finished the year 43-3. He claimed the title with a 2-1 last-second decision over Hartselle’s Jameson Falciani in the title match. Preston joins teammates Willie Cox and Noah Smith, both of which won the state championship as well, in the All-Star event.

Cox is wrestling in the 285-pound class while Smith is in 132. Cox and Smith are both on the South team.

Holtville baseball rebounds with weekend sweep

By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor

After a tough loss to Valley on Thursday, the Holtville baseball team rebounded in a big way. The Bulldogs swept Beauregard in a doubleheader Saturday afternoon, 2-1 and 9-0 respectively.

The two teams were deadlocked in a 0-0 tie until the sixth inning of Game 1. The Hornets took a 1-0 lead after a two-out RBI single.

That lead was short-lived, however, as Holtville (6-4) led off the sixth inning with three singles. Drey Barrett beat out an infield single, then stole second base and came around to score on a Braxton Potts bunt single with the help of an error.

Tied 1-1, Markus Broderick came in as a pinch hitter and lined the game-winning RBI single to left field to give Holtville the win.

On the mound, Carson McCutchin capped off his complete-game win with a shutout inning. He allowed just five hits and struck out six batters in the game.

In Game 2, Holtville wasted no time taking a lead and never looking back. Broderick started and went 3-for-4 with a double and home run, the first for the Bulldogs this year. He added three RBIs.

On the mound, Madison Curry and Drew Connor combined for a complete game shutout with only four hits.

EDGEWOOD ACADEMY FINISHES RUNNER-UP AT LOWNDES TOURNAMENT

Playing around a rainy forecast, the Wildcats had an impressive outing at the Lowndes baseball tournament. Edgewood Academy

went 2-2 in the tourney with wins over Hooper and Autauga Academy while losing both games to Lowndes Academy, one of which was in the championship match at nearly midnight on Saturday.

Edgewood beat Hooper, 22-5, behind a two-home run and eight-RBI game from Brock Whitt and three doubles from Jackson Hudson.

After falling to Lowndes in the semifinals, 7-6, Edgewood bounced back with a 11-3 win over Autauga Academy. Ethan Evans hit a home run while Whitt added three doubles. Overall, Edgewood had eight RBIs against the Generals.

In the championship

game, Edgewood lost 2-1. After a single and an error gave Lowndes a runner at third base with one out in the bottom of the seventh inning, a ground ball to second base scored the game-winning run. Evans and Parker Shaw both doubled in the loss.

ELMORE COUNTY REMAINS UNDEFEATED

The Panthers from Eclectic continue to dominate the baseball diamond this year. Elmore County already has a win over the defending Class 5A champions in Holtville, and now the Panthers routed both Percy Julian and Montgomery Catholic last week.

Elmore County (5-0)

scored a combined 37 runs in the two wins.

In the wins, catcher Jackson Mann had a massive week with a 7-for-7 performance with a home run and 11 RBIs. Austin Davis also had a big week with a home run, triple and double with five RBIs in the win against Percy Julian.

STANHOPE ELMORE BEATS TRINITY

Stanhope Elmore earned its third win of the season in a close game Thursday night. The Mustangs beat Trinity, 3-1, in the teams’ second matchup of the season. Stanhope has won both games.

In the game, Greyson Jones, Luke Payne and Jordan Jones combined for a stellar outing on the mound. Greyson started and pitched 3 ⅔ innings with four hits and struck out three batters. Payne earned the win with 1 ⅓ innings of hitless ball, and Jones earned a two-inning save. At the plate, Ethan Walls had two hits and one RBI. He drove in the game-winning run on a sacrifice fly in the top of the fifth inning.

DALTON MIDDLETON | TPI

Tallassee’s Brady Mason pitched six innings and allowed just one earned run with eight strikeouts against Wetumpka.

DALTON

Kylie Snowden pitched a complete game and allowed only one earned run against Chilton County.

FILE TPI Wetumpka senior Christian Preston has been added to the ALWCA North/South All-Star Duals Tournament. He will wrestle in the 215-pound weight class for the North team against Spain Park’s Kyle Oliveira.

DALTON MIDDLETON | TPI Holtville’s Markus Broderick went 4-for-5 with a home run, double and game-winning single in a sweep over Beauregard on Saturday. He had four RBIs in the doubleheader.

Stanhope Elmore earns two weekend wins

By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor

After a tough start to open the season, the Stanhope Elmore softball team earned two big wins in the Wetumpka Tournament on Saturday. After the rain pushed the tournament back nearly 36 hours, the Mustangs took to the field and played three games.

Stanhope started its day with a 5-3 win over Bibb County. Stanhope scored all five runs in the first three innings. After a leadoff walk and single by Savannah Wyatt, Arielle Williams hit a two-run double to right field to go up, 2-0.

In the third inning, Jada McLeod hit an RBI single and Zoey Gipson hit a tworun single.

Wyatt started in the cir-

MIDDLETON | TPI

cle and pitched six innings and allowed just three earned runs on six hits with five strikeouts.

In the biggest win of the day, a 3-2 walk off over in-county rival Holtville, Stanhope proved it can come through in the clutch.

Down 2-0, Wyatt hit an RBI single in the third

inning to cut the lead to one run before the Mustangs tied the game in the fourth on an error.

In the bottom of the fifth inning, Kaylen Lovejoy led the inning off on a triple and came around to score on the walk off single by Wyatt.

Williams pitched all five

innings and struck out five Holtville batters.

WETUMPKA GOES UNDEFEATED IN TOURNEY

There was no champion due to the rain, but Wetumpka very easily could have claimed the title after going 4-0 in its own tournament Saturday.

The Indians opened their portion of the tournament on Thursday with a 6-5 win over Spain Park where Ella Watson pitched a complete game win and also added three RBIs at the plate.

On Saturday, she started the first game and beat Brookwood, 3-1. She allowed just two hits and one run in five innings of work. At the plate, Lily Davenport added a two-run double to give Wetumpka the lead.

Following Watson’s

Wetumpka soccer wins Wiregrass Cup

By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor

The Wetumpka soccer team just keeps winning.

Wetumpka hit the road to Dothan this weekend and played in the Wiregrass Cup Tournament. The Indians (9-4) went 3-0 on the weekend with wins over Central-Phenix City, Houston Academy and Providence Christian to claim the tournament championship.

Wetumpka outscored its three opponents, 9-3, across the three games.

“They played really well,” Indians coach Stephen Horn said. “Three wins in one weekend, especially when you have to drive two hours, is always good to see. Everyone played well for us, but Brody (Worrell) and Austin (Holley) specifically played super well.”

That comes as no surprise for Wetumpka fans.

Worrell and Holley have been the two spark plugs since the first game of the season. That was especially the case this weekend as the two scored

Wednesday,

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every single goal for the Indians. In the 2-0 win over Central, they each scored one before Worrell outscored Holley by one goal the rest of the weekend. Worrell ended the threegame stretch with five while Holley netted four. “I think one thing teams don’t realize about them before it’s too late is their speed,” Horn said. “Brody is the fastest kid on the field at any given time and Austin is super shifty. He’s not a straight line speed guy, but he can get around defenders and his shots are really good.”

On the defensive side of the field, goalkeeper Ashton Sipes put on a show defending the net.

The senior goalkeeper allowed just one goal per game and had one clean sheet in the 2-0 win over Central-Phenix.

In that game, he recorded 10 saves and didn’t allow a single ball to roll past him to get Wetumpka started on the

right foot in the tournament.

“Ashton has had some ups and downs this year, but he’s really kept us in some games,” Horn said. “That game against Central was pretty impressive. They’re a pretty good team and it was raining and he still racked up 10 saves.”

Wetumpka is hoping to turn the weekend’s wins into a longer win streak. The Indians are 3-0 in area play and have one game left against Stanhope, with the winner deciding which team is the No. 1 seed and the No. 2 seed in the playoffs.

Besides that game, a matchup with Helena and Mountain Brook, which is undefeated on the year, awaits the Indians in the next week.

“This next slew of games is super important,” Horn said. “If we take care of business against Helena and Stanhope, I think we can contend with anyone in the state. Then next week, the game against Mountain Brook will show us if we’re the real deal or if we’re just trying to make it in the playoffs and that’s it.”

Friday, March 08

High School Baseball

4 Saraland at Wetumpka, 5 p.m.

4 Holtville vs. Providence Christian (at Paterson), 4 p.m.

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Thursday,

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gem, Mya Holt led the Indians to a 3-0 win over Bibb County. She allowed just one hit and struck out six batters.

Cassidy Bowers, Bailey Carlisle and Ava Farmer all had RBI hits in the fourth inning.

Wetumpka capped the night off with an offensive explosion. The Indians beat Opelika, 13-2, behind eight extra base hits.

Riley Dismukes hit her third home run of the year while Maribeth Parette hit a home run and double. Holt, Watson and Farmer all doubled while Carlisle and Alyssa Brown each hit a triple.

Wetumpka is now 16-2 on the year.

EDGEWOOD’S TOURNAMENT HOPES GET RAINED OUT

The Wildcats were the

No. 1-seed in the Lowndes softball tournament and waiting for their semifinal opponent when the tournament got rained out Saturday. Edgewood went 2-0 on the weekend with a 4-3 win over Crenshaw and a 7-6 win over Lowndes.

Senior Katelynn Shaner singled in the game-winning run in the third inning of the Crenshaw victory, while Lily Stubbs held off the Cougars via time limit. In the 7-6 win over Lowndes, Edgewood (12-3) scored four runs in the final two innings to stun the Rebels. Ashley Burgess doubled and tripled, then came around to score the walk off run on a passed ball in the bottom of the fourth inning.

Signups for 41st Alabama State Games underway

Ninja Challenge we have an opportunity to interest and encourage nontraditional athletes. Merging the two types of sports - the high-interest traditional with the up-and-coming - we can reach a broader audience across the state and build a new family of participants to the growing Alabama State Games community.”

go for gold in debuting events eSports and powerlifting. Athletes who register for the 41st Alabama State Games and attend the State Farm Athlete Leadership Summit and the Opening Ceremony– both on June 7 inside Legacy Arena at the Birmingham Jefferson Civic Complex– are eligible for the scholarship drawings totaling $40,000 later that night.

“After 40 years of the Alabama State Games, we strive to find a mixture of exciting, Olympic-styled events in which people want to compete from year to year and new sports that have a growing audience,” said Laura Creel Burt, executive director of the Alabama State Games. “The slate of sports we have for the 41st Alabama State Games will be a lot of fun. There is always an interest in the more traditional sports, baseball, swimming, track and field, and soccer and we are bringing back softball for the first time in several years. By including emerging sports like eSports, flag football and the Atomic

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Saturday,

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Registration information can be found at ALAGAMES.com and will be posted on the Alabama State Games Facebook and Instagram pages in the coming weeks. The Alabama State Games were founded as a nonprofit organization in 1982 at the request of the United States Olympic Committee.

Sports are the vehicle used by the Alabama State Games to promote academic success, healthy lifestyles and good citizenship. The ASF Foundation, the parent organization of the Alabama State Games, began a scholarship initiative that has since awarded $363,000 in academic scholarships to State Games participants.

Sports at the State Games range from archery, to equestrian, to judo to ultimate frisbee “We had 3,300 athletes for the 40th Anniversary Alabama State Games in 2023,” Burt said. “I’m excited to see that number grow and all 67 counties represented during our Parade of Athletes at our Opening Ceremony. From our first year to 41st, we intentionally strive to keep registration fees low to make the Alabama State Games accessible to athletes of all ages from all socioeconomic backgrounds.”

4 Autauga Academy at Edgewood Academy (DH), 4 p.m.

High School Softball

4 Stanhope Elmore at Wetumpka, 6 p.m.

4 PCA at Tallassee, 5 p.m.

4 Valley at Elmore County, 4:30 p.m.

4 Autauga Academy at Edgewood Academy (DH), 4 p.m.

High School Soccer

4 Valley at Elmore County, 5:30 p.m.

4 Childersburg at Holtville, 5:30 p.m.

4 Stanhope Elmore at LAMP, 5:30 p.m.

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4 (G) Horseshoe Bend at Tallassee, 5:30

DALTON

Stanhope Elmore’s Arielle Williams pitches a complete game win over Holtville in the Wetumpka softball tournament on Saturday.

SUBMITTED TPI

The Wetumpka boys soccer team celebrates with its trophy after winning the Wiregrass Cup held in Dothan. The Indians went 3-0 on the weekend to win the tournament.

River Region Auto Sales offers used cars for Wetumpka

By ABIGAIL MURPHY

“The way we sell is to not sell,” he said. “I don’t want (a customer) to feel like they are being pounced on. These are big financial decisions. A car or a house for anyone of any income is a big decision.”

Lackey said he wants people to find the right fit for them above all else and so what he and his staff try to do the most is listen. Listen to what the customer’s wants and needs are.

Over the past year and a half, Lackey has heard a lot of positive feedback about the no-pressure sales style, the cleanliness of the vehicles and even the fresh smell of them.

Lackey’s lot has grown to 25 cars, which is right around where he plans to keep it. He doesn’t want to get too big and risk losing the personal touch to River Region Auto Sales.

“You want (customers) to

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Mercer said. “There is a lack of access to effective mental healthcare.”

Mercer and the Elmore County Commission are doing more than just announcing a mental health issue. They are developing a plan to combat mental health issues through the newly formed Elmore County Mental Health Task Force. It is chaired by commissioner Desirae Lewis Jackson who is an attorney representing clients in courts around the state.

“This is very near and dear to my heart,” Jackson said. “We see it in the courtroom — criminal court, youth in juvenile court. You sit there and look at individuals who are dealing with a mental health crisis. You have no idea how you can help that individual with whatever it is they may be facing.”

The task force is made up of officials from corrections, education, the courts and agencies already trying to help the cause.

“We want to make sure we hear from people that deal with this every day,” Mercer said. “It will take us some time to get through all of what we have presently in the county. We just need to pull these together and build upon and take advantage of them.”

Jackson is proud to be assisting in addressing the issue of lack of mental healthcare in the area.

“Mental health doesn’t affect you until it is actually you or a loved one,” Jackson said. “That is when it becomes important to whoever it is that is going through a situation. They want and need answers and a lot of people don’t know what to do.”

The task force has already met once and many didn’t know a simple way to help. Jackson said the mental health crisis number 988 was unknown to several EVEN on the task force.

“It immediately goes to a line where someone will answer,” Jackson said. “It will help a lot with our sheriff’s deputies having to respond. The last place these individuals need to go is to our Elmore County Jail. A jail is not a mental health crisis center.”

come back for their daughter’s car,” he said of the importance of staying true to your client base.

While now he has a foundation, getting the business off the ground wasn’t always easy.

Lackey’s previous career was as a salesman and later area manager for Coca-Cola. He said he learned a lot of business practices, effective communication and the value of making sure your product not only is good but also looks good.

But like with many starting businesses, there have been some financial hits during the process. It isn’t the type of business where you make a sale everyday or every week; it can take weeks, and bills still have to be paid. In short, Lackey said this isn’t for the faint of heart. But he kept at it because he wanted to be a long-standing used car dealer for Wetumpka.

Wetumpka is a new love for Lackey. He originally is from Montgomery and has strong family ties there with his grandfather being the police chief back in the 60s.

He first started looking for a place in Montgomery, but decided the city was too big for what he was looking for. So, he looked into Prattville and Millbrook, then driving down Highway 231 he saw the for-lease sign and knew that was it.

The task force’s intention is to see what services are currently available through the agencies in Elmore County then decide what else is needed to aid overall mental healthcare.

“We want to put together a plan that has multiple action items that we can work to improve mental healthcare services in our county within the capacity the county has,” Mercer said. “We want to analyze the things we can do that will affect positive change and put those action items in place.”

Some plans will require funding from outside sources such as the Alabama Legislature. Those will take longer.

Jackson wants to see multiple types of training made available for many and immediately. Some are basic intervention such as Question, Persuade, Refer — commonly referred to as QPR and used to help prevent suicides. She believes almost every county employee and law enforcement officer could use the training.

But there is more. Jackson said there is a local instructor of Mental First Aid, an eight-hour class to allow even more intervention when necessary. She wants to see some county employees get it. “We want to offer it to our crisis intervention team,” Jackson said. “It will teach our law enforcement how to deal with different mental health situations.”

Even though the task force doesn’t have concrete plans Jackson said everyone needs to address mental healthcare quickly and hard. She also wants to expand the scope to include the youngest of residents.

“This is something that is very important,” Jackson said. “We want to partner with others such as our local boards of education. Our babies, our children suffer from mental health issues. It is not just an adult thing. It is a universal thing. It is all around.”

Mercer believes the task force is needed in Elmore County bringing together many. “It is going to take a lot of work and pull all these things together,” Mercer said. “Mental healthcare is something we have determined in the last few months is very complex.”

| TPI

River Region Auto Sales has a lot of 25 used cars in Wetumpka and has been in business for the past year and a half.

River Region Auto Sales is one of the few used car dealers in Wetumpka. However, there are plenty of competitors in the greater river region, and he tries to focus on low-mileage used cars, quality products with affordable prices.

“Cars are almost more valuable, in ways, to people than their own home,” he said.

Lackey encourages people to look around the lot even if they

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laws grant individual workers the choice not to join or pay union dues, unions still maintain exclusive bargaining rights, restricting direct communication between workers and management. This undermines the principle of workplace freedom, as employees

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homes near a state prison.

don’t buy anything. He said as a car lover himself, he knows people are passionate about their vehicles and he knows buying a car isn’t a one and done process. On top of running the business, Lackey is working on getting more connected with the Wetumpka community. Soon you might start seeing River Region Auto Sales in community parades, events or festivals.

find their autonomy constrained by union contracts, irrespective of their personal choices.

Safeguarding workplace freedom requires vigilance against the tactics employed by unions like the UAW. Protecting the right to a secret ballot and ensuring transparent information dissemination are crucial steps toward preserving the economic pros -

The other parcel is Old School Farm and is currently owned by Alfa. Stone Martin Builders is planning to build approximately 240 homes with at least 1,500 square feet of heated and cooled space.

The council approved the purchase of four new Ford Explorers as patrol vehicles for the Wetumpka Police Department. Two will be purchased and outfitted through state bids at a cost of $105,884. The other two will replace two totaled by insurance. The city will only have to fund $36,078.02

The council approved allowing dogs in Crommelin Park. The amended ordinance was needed as the council had previously prohibited dogs from city parks. The city is finishing a new dog park in the small city park behind Trinity Episcopal Church.

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joint but you can with a concert because there is a beginning, middle and end.”

Students are involved in planning the event and the production. But just because the stage was pulled from the floor of the new gym doesn’t mean the lesson is over.

“They will look at the success or failure of their event,” Flener said. “What the engagement was like? How much merchandise they sold. What would they change if they did it the next year?”

Flener and Reach and Teach worked with career tech teachers Marissa Kane, Emma Constant and Michelle McCauley to get the program into the hands of students such as senior Olivia Stephens. She is a student in Kane’s sports and entertainment marketing class. Stephens was also selected as the student tour manager for the Jimmy Mowery and the Scratch Band concert at the school.

“I wanted to take sports and entertainment marketing to

“I think I got in at the right time and I can grow with Wetumpka so to speak,” he said. River Region Auto Sales is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The location is 3662 US-231. For more information, individuals can visit riverregionautosales.com or its Facebook, Instagram or TikTok page.

perity driven by international automakers. Policymakers, employers, and workers must collaborate to create an environment that fosters genuine workplace freedom and individual choice.

Will Barfoot represents District 25 which includes Crenshaw, Elmore & Montgomery counties in the Alabama Senate.

IN OTHER ACTION THE WETUMPKA CITY COUNCIL:

• Approved minutes of the Feb. 20 meeting.

• Set the speed limit of North Bridge Street at 35 MPH.

• Set the speed limit of public parks and sport complexes in Wetumpka at 15 MPH.

• Approved the installation of a propane tank at Hohenberg Field.

• Gave permission to establish a pre-trial diversion program for the City of Wetumpka Municipal Court.

• Gave permission to the Simple Men Social Saving Club to host a car show in Gold Star Park on either May 4 or June 1.

• Gave permission to the Elmore County Civic and Improvement League to host Juneteenth Fest in Gold Star Park on June 22.

• Gave permission to Main Street Wetumpka to host Coosapalooza Brewfest in Merchants Alley and Gold Star Park on April 20. The next meeting of the Wetumpka City Council is scheduled for 6 p.m. Monday, March 18.

see what’s behind the scenes of events,” Stephens said. “For this we had to make tickets, banners, posters all for the concert. I didn’t realize there was this much work.”

There were surprises along the way getting sponsorships and trying to work within a budget.

“It was hard to call companies and businesses,” Stephens said. “Some didn’t answer and some did. We learned it is better to meet face-to-face.”

The Reach and Teach program did more than work with a few students on how to pull together a big e vent. Prior to the Stanhope concert it hosted Imagine Ex where students got hands on with equipment behind the scenes.

“The kids get to actually touch lighting consoles, sound consoles,” Flener said. “They get to work with entertainment business professionals.”

Before the Jimmy Mowery show, Stephens had seen live music only once at the Montgomery Amphitheater with a Tye Tribett performance. The Stanhope show was her second live concert.

Introducing live music to

teenagers is also a mission of Flener’s. He estimates 95% of high school students have never been to a concert beyond the school’s band programs.

“We are their first,” Flener said. “Hopefully it gets them excited. The only way we are going to keep the live music alive is if we have this age group of people excited about it. It is a fun time and great for school morale. Because the kids come in and have fun.”

Stephens said she had fun with her friends at the show.

“It was nice to celebrate because of all the hard work we put into it,” Stephens said.

Flener and the Pygmies have done the Reach and Teach concerts before at Stanhope. He said the students give off an energy the artists thrive on.

“When you play a nightclub, people are there for a variety of reasons,” Flener said. “When the kids come to this, it is a concert experience which is different. The kids’ enthusiasm is very sincere. They are here for the show.”

ABIGAIL MURPHY

Senior center benefits from biker donation

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

Bikers often get a bad rap.

Some complain about their loud motorcycles. Some think they are mean and dangerous. But to the clients of the Eclectic Senior Center, the members of the Dixie Bikers Association are just big teddy bears waiting to be hugged. Members of the group showed why they are so loved Saturday as they presented the senior with a new refrigerator.

“We are not very big but we are committed to helping those less fortunate than us,” Dixie’s Dirty Jones said. “It does us good.”

The organization votes on a charity to support every year. In the past the group has provided an ice maker and television for the center.

“We try to find local things. If we give to larger organizations, it often leaves the area,” Jones said. “We can’t do much but we can do small things for people locally. It helps them and helps

our mission.” Jones said members of the Dixie Bikers Association like to see the benefit of their efforts.

“We see these people in the grocery store and out in the community,” Jones said. “We

want to help our neighbors.”

Saturday the bikers joined the clients of the center to celebrate.

The benefits of the refrigerator were already seen.

“It gets everything froze,” center director Minnie Johnson

Elmore County girls top Tallassee in area opener

By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor

The Elmore County girls soccer team may be young, but that didn’t stop the Panthers from opening area play with a win Monday night.

Elmore County defeated Tallassee, 2-1, to open AHSAA Class 5A, Area 3 play. After being deadlocked at 1-1 for over half the game, seventh grader Cadi Crews knocked in the game-winning score with 35 minutes left. She took a rebound off a missed shot from Kristina Elmore and found the back of the net.

“That was our third and a half game of the season, and I feel good about many positives on defense,” head coach Leslie Clark Hines said. “We have a lot of growth. We are playing seven girls who are in 10th grade or lower and it’s taking time to learn our style.”

While it was a seventh grader who ended the game scoring, it was one of Elmore County’s seniors who started the game.

Emily Spears found the net to begin the game as she scored just six minutes into the match.

Barely a minute later, however, Tallassee’s Aubrey Paggett juked past the defense and hit an equalizer.

Following that, Elmore County (3-1, 1-0) took multiple shots on goal but Tallassee’s Jhakhia Anderson didn’t let anything touch the back of the net until Crews’ shot in the second half.

“Cadi has been dominant so far for us both on defense and on offense,” Hines said. “In our two games we’ve scored, she’s scored multiple goals for us. She’s just a seventh grader and she’s the future of our program. We’re really excited to have her on the team.”

With a 2-1 lead, Elmore County turned to goalkeeper Ansley Caudle to keep the Panthers ahead.

She wasn’t tested much, but her job got tougher as time neared its end and Tallassee got into desperation mode. Two Tigers slipped past the Elmore County defense in the final 10 minutes, but Caudle stopped both shots with diving saves to keep Elmore County ahead.

Caudle has allowed just one goal in back-to-back games and only four this entire season.

“We played an amazing defensive stand last week and kept that game against Sylacauga close,” Hines said. “We have some new girls on our defensive line and I feel like we struggled at times tonight but still played well. (Coach Matt) Tarpley has done a great job at Tallassee and they’ve improved greatly.”

Elmore County, which won the area title last year, will travel to Brewbaker Tech on Thursday to try and continue defending the area championship. Tallassee will host Beauregard on Thursday looking for its first area win of the year.

port thanked the Dixie Bikers Association for purchasing the new refrigerator.

“I have been fortunate enough to be mayor of Eclectic when you made donations,” Davenport said. “The senior center absolutely appreciates it.”

The bikers aren’t done. They are constantly on the lookout for where they can help out.

“We vote on our charity at the beginning of the year,” Jones said. “We don’t do cash money. We always do local.”

To help raise funds the group hosts the yearly Slapout Blowout. Fathers Day weekend this year will be the 41st fundraising event with a live band, rides and more.

“We are not far from here now,” Jones said. “But years ago, it got started in Slapout.”

The group helps out in smaller ways too.

said. “It means we don’t have to dump the water every other day. For some reason it leaked and couldn’t be fixed. We had a container catching the water and had to dump it.”

Eclectic Mayor Gary Daven-

“We also collect canned food and grocery items,” Jones said. “At Thanksgiving and Christmas we will get with the police and schools and find a family that will appreciate it.”

Murillo stuns Elmore County with last-minute-goal

By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor

There was nothing but fight in Matt Tarpley’s boys soccer team on Monday night. Down two goals and playing with only 10 players due to a red card, Tallassee scored three goals in the final 13 minutes of the game to stun Elmore County, 3-2, in the AHSAA Class 5A, Area 3 opener. Tallassee’s Ricky Murillo scored both the game-tying and game-winning goals in the last five minutes of the game.

“I’ve learned a little bit about my guys this season and they’re not scared of anything and not backing down from anybody,” Tarpley said. “It motivated them being down 2-0 with time running out and being down a man. They pushed through and I couldn’t be prouder of my guys.”

The two teams were deadlocked for the first 35 minutes when disaster struck for Tallassee (5-4-2, 1-0) and fortune for Elmore County.

The Panthers (1-2, 0-1) were pushing towards the goal and Tallassee’s Alec Carswell misread a situation and scored an own goal when trying to kick back to goalkeeper Trey Bosch. That put the Panthes up, 1-0, but they struck again just 19 seconds later.

Tom Overdeik was controlling the ball down the left side of the field when he took a shot. It ended up falling under Bosch’s body and rolling into the net.

Elmore County then carried the 2-0 score until the 66-minute mark.

“It was a really great game,” Tarpley said. “Hats off to Elmore County. They played really well and they’re exactly the team we thought they were coming into the season.”

Tallassee’s Yuren Rodriguez was given a red card after his second yellow midway through the second half, and it looked like Elmore County was going to cruise to a victory when the Panthers were called for a hand ball in the box.

Luis Ruemmler stepped up and drained the penalty kick and cut the lead in half.

Just nine minutes later, Tallassee tied the game on Murillo’s header. Irvin Delfin kicked the corner kick to the back side and it found the head of Murillo, who then knocked it perfectly into the net.

With 40 seconds left, Murillo got the ball again down the left side and dribbled up the field towards the middle. He kicked a shot that bounced off a defender and right past Elmore County goalie Preston Baker.

“Ricky is a really good player and I’m happy for him,” Tarpley said. “I personally thought he was taking too many touches and wanted him to shoot it earlier, but when it found the back of the net all was forgiven.”

The Tigers will host Beauregard on Thursday with hopes of moving to 2-0 and getting closer to that playoff spot. The Panthers travel to Brewbaker Tech on Thursday.

CLIFF

Members of the Dixie Biker Association look over a thank you card made by clients of the Eclectic Senior Center after the bikers donated a new refrigerator to the center Saturday.

DALTON MIDDLETON | TPI

Elmore County seventh grader Cadi Crews (00) scored the game-winning goal against Tallassee on Monday night.

DALTON MIDDLETON TPI

Elmore County goalkeeper Preston Baker blocks a penalty kick in the second half of Monday night’s game.

Opelika band feels at home in Tallapoosa County

By MELODY RATHEL Multimedia Reporter

Celebrating women in the arts

Mthing.

workforce and the men on staff are true Southern gentlemen who don’t mind working with a strong Boss Lady. This Arts & Entertainment section is all about amazing women who have dedicated their lives to the arts.

Read about Annie Bartol, an Alexander City local who has channeled her emotions through her art. Bartol has suffered the loss of two significant others and has battled her demons by hammering metal and creating beautiful jewelry. Her paintings started a little darker but now are full of color, and you can see how much Bartol has come into herself and her art.

You’ll also read about Ashley Miller and the Dixie Red Band, fronted by a strong female vocalist. Miller could easily make it in Nashville or one of the bigger music cities, but she chooses to stay local. Knowing the names of her fans makes a difference.

Much like Miller and the Dixie Red Band, Dani Anderson has called Wetumpka home when she could’ve gone to much bigger places. She and Bartol’s art is similar in that they use what they can find. No matter what the item, they see a use for it — and that’s a beautiful

Last month, I was lucky enough to get to know Sydne Schuler, an artist whose motto is “Live Happy.” How can you go wrong with that? Schuler was all about spreading joy and happiness, and now she’s commissioning a piece of my beloved dogs for me. I couldn’t be more excited.

The Arts & Entertainment section won’t be the only place you’ll see fantastic women highlighted in the pages of Tallapoosa Publishers Inc. this month, but it is a good place to start.

We are surrounded by amazing art, especially in Tallapoosa and Elmore counties, and it’s great to know some of it was created by women.

Much like the rest of our TPI pages, the Arts & Entertainment section was created with you in mind — it’s all about reaching the community. Do you know someone who should be featured here? Do you have a drink or meal you want one of our sports editors to review? Is there an upcoming event we must be at? Please reach out. You can call me at 434-962-9420 or shoot me an email at lizi.gwin@alexcityoutlook.com, and we’ll find a place in our pages for you.

Lizi Arbogast Gwin is the managing editor at Tallapoosa Publishers Inc.

BARTOL TURNS TRIALS INTO TALENT

By MELODY RATHEL Multimedia Reporter

When struck with sudden grief, many turn to different methods as a means of overcoming affliction.

Some turn to exercise, others keep their schedules full with work and hobbies. For Annie Bartol, the best coping mechanism is art.

Bartol is a local artist who has created hundreds of pieces for herself and others. Bartol’s intricate and unique pieces of jewelry, colorful abstract paintings and complex leatherwork allow her to stand out from other artists.

From a young age, she was surrounded by art. Her

father is a skilled artist who submerged Bartol and her siblings in the art world. Bartol’s knowledge and love for art led her to pursue a degree in graphic design and marketing at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

However, she did not become fully immersed in her artwork until later in life. Bartol is now located in Alexander City, but her art journey really began when she lived in Tallahassee.

Nine years ago she began her journey with art after losing two people who she had close connections with. Unfortunately, she lost a very close friend while living in Florida; however, her

New artist finding new ways to create

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News

Dani

New

“I can’t give away my secret,”

Anderson said. “Many people mistake it for paper mache to ceramic to glass to porcelain. Some of it I don’t know what it is. They say terminology artists might be familiar with, but I have no idea.”

Anderson began developing the process while she worked from home about a year ago.

“I work from home and you get tired of seeing the same things on your wall all the time,” Anderson said. “I didn’t want more of the same being the paint and

type.” She had a vision of what she wanted and took to the internet.

“I looked in galleries all over the world,” Anderson said. “I knew I couldn’t afford much of it but wanted to see if I could find something similar to my vision. I couldn’t find anything like it. So I decided to make it myself.”

The vision happened about the time Anderson watched a

need to channel her grief into something catapulted Bartol into her art career.

“I had no other outlet at all. I went to group therapy, all that stuff,” Bartol said. “I walked in my house one day, and I thought, ‘I’ve got to do something with it. I had to get it out. I pulled out a kitchen drawer and there was a (shish kebab) skewer, and the rest is history.”

Bartol began painting using uncommon utensils and techniques. To this day, she still uses shish kebab skewers to complete her paintings. Upon the loss of her friend, Bartol’s brother encouraged her to fight through her grief

by channeling her emotions into art.

“My brother said, ‘OK, you need to just channel your sadness into these,’” Bartol said. “He brought me a 6-foot by 4-foot canvas, and a three foot by four foot canvas, and said, ‘Do it.’”

This instance was especially difficult for her because she had no other choice but to dive deep into her grief.

“Painting is all about feelings for me,” Bartol said. “A lot of my artwork has some harsh lines, but I remember every painting I do, and how I felt, and what was going through my mind (when I painted it). I take all the feelings I have and channel them into something productive.”

As she became increasingly skilled, she began doing commissioned pieces for others, live paintings at events and paint parties.

Like the unique methods she takes when painting, Bartol also uses unorthodox methods when creating her jewelry. To create jewelry in which each piece is one-of-a-kind, Bartol has multiple processes that vary from one another.

“It’s all reclaimed, repurposed metal,” Bartol said. “I look at thrift stores, I look at (other’s waste), I look for aluminum trays from way back that already have prints on them, anything that’s really lightweight.”

Once she finds a metal up to her standards, she uses some of her many tools to manipulate it into the shape she desires. From an anvil to a grinder, Bartol is no stranger to doing anything it takes to make her ideas become a reality.

ARTIST Continued from C1

documentary on the blind.

“I noticed in their apartments there was no art,” Anderson said. “It made sense since they can’t see it. I thought it would be awesome to develop something that they can appreciate through touch and it be something neutral and appreciated just as much and equally by those with sight.”

The materials to bring the vision to life at first came from the COVID-19 pandemic when Anderson took to home remodeling. She started in the garage then the kitchen as turned into a DIYer with knowledge from YouTube and Google.

“I had plaster sitting in the garage I had not used,” Anderson said. “I decided to put it to use. I knew exactly in mind what I wanted it to look like and it being tactile. I wanted something sculpture like I could hang on a wall.”

Anderson quickly made a

“I cut (the metal) with shears, and break them down to where they’re flat, then I will texturize them with whatever,” Bartol said. “I mean I’ll go outside and put them on the ground, and hammer it to get an imprint of the gravel outside.” When someone looks at a piece of Bartol’s jewelry, they may not realize the time and effort it took to make a single piece. She said in order to create quality pieces, she must be in a physically fit state to have the strength to mangle the jewelry into her desired shape.

Because of the tedious procedures and wide variety of tools, Bartol must wear safety goggles and use other protection measures to avoid injuring herself in the process.

Bartol’s journey in jewelry design began from the simple fact of not having a pair of earrings to wear to an event she was going to that night.

“I (went through) my dad’s shop, and I found some old metal, and I just beat them up,” Bartol said. “I made my own earrings out of it. That kind of took off immediately, and I’m still doing that. It’s my bread and butter, pretty much.”

While painting is a way to help her mind cope, jewelry-making allows her to release her emotions physically.

The best thing about her jewelry, according to Bartol, is being able to see other people enjoying her work.

“What I like about my jewelry is being able to make other people happy, and to see my work in use,” Bartol said.

Aside from jewelry, Bartol creates several other art pieces using metal. She’s made metal crosses, journal emblems and other unique items. Many of her

friends have approached her to create artwork in honor of loved ones who have passed.

Bartol told the story of a woman who approached her after her father passed away. Upon her father’s death, he had a quarter and two pennies in his pocket. Her friend asked Bartol if she could somehow incorporate the coins into a bracelet.

With the help of Bartol’s father, she created a cuff that had the coins in the center of it.

Bartol attributes much of her skill to her father’s influence in art. To this day, Bartol still shares a shop with her father where they complete artwork together.

“He is my mentor, he is my everything,” Bartol said. “He does woodwork, leatherwork, and he does knife and gun holsters.”

Bartol’s father was the first person to introduce and teach Bartol about leatherwork. She made her first purse after asking her dad for one, and he told her she had to make her own.

“From that point on, I did. I started making leather handbags, clutches to order,” Bartol said.

Because of their intricacy, Bartol only does purses upon request; she said one of her purses took 58 hours to create.

Each of her purses is completely handmade – Bartol sews every stitch, cuts every inch and paints every detail with her own hands.

“(My father) has a leather sewing machine,” Bartol said. “I refuse to use it. If it’s done with that, then it’s not handmade to me.”

Today, Bartol sells her unique artwork, primarily jewelry, through her business Color Me Annie Art. Her artwork can be found in local businesses throughout the Lake Martin area.

BAND Continued from C1

inviting the band to perform after the restaurant had a cancellation that night.

Since then, they have become familiar faces in the Lake Martin area. However, Miller got her own start in the community years ago when she was the winner of Kowaliga Idol’s tenth season.

Prior to Dixie Red’s inception, three of the four Dixie Red band members played in a band called Alabama Avenue before it dissolved. Miller met her husband, Billy Joe Miller, in their previous band. “We actually met at Copper’s,” Miller said. “A couple years later, we got engaged on Copper’s stage.” When Alabama Avenue dissolved, three of the band members wanted to continue playing music. They turned to Facebook as a means of searching for a fourth member. Now, Miller sings alongside her husband, Billy Joe Miller, who plays guitar Rickey Badcock, who plays bass and Blake Pike, who plays drums. With a focus on Southern rock, the band needed a name to match the vibe they were aiming for. “Funny story actually,” Miller said, “none of us came up with the name. The name was given to me by another Opelika musician, Rob Todd from the band Dam Skippy, who heard that I was trying to start up a band of my own. He said, ‘I’ve got this name that I

won’t ever use because it’s too country for me,’ because he plays, like, straight-up rock.”

Todd suggested the name Dixie Red, and Miller thought it was the perfect name for the band.

Dixie Red officially formed in January 2018, and since then they have taken the southeast by storm by staying booked between Alabama and Georgia

“We play in Columbus, Phenix City and of course Opelika,” Miller said. “We play even up from Prattville, Clanton and we’ve even been south of Atlanta.”

Throughout their years together, the band has played in multiple locations throughout the southeast, but one of their favorite places to play is Tallapoosa County.

“I feel like (Tallapoosa County) really does have a sense of community,” Miller said. “The people that come see you once, if they like you, they’ll come see us again and again. I know most of the people that come and see us in Tallapoosa County; I feel like they’re our friends.”

Performing at a variety of venues around Lake Martin has allowed the members of Dixie Red to become fully immersed in the community.

“I know their names, and it’s just really nice how they can latch onto (newcomers),” Miller said. “Although I’m not from (the area) I know everybody when I’m there.”

Dixie Red will be playing live acoustic music at 7 p.m.

Friday at the Funky Goat in Dadeville.

few pieces and shared photographs with friends and family who loved it. She saw where The Kelly Fitzpatrick Center for the Arts was moving and was inspired again by the modern look of the building overlooking the Coosa River.

“I made four or five pieces

and came to The Kelly and got accepted into their first show back in June,” Anderson said.

Another artist suggested she enter her work into her first contest — the Society of Arts & Crafts Gallery in Montgomery. She won first place.

Since it has been promoting her work. “Realistically, I send 200 to 300 emails a week to galleries around the world,” Anderson said. “Any email I can find, I write to them and say I’m a new artist, this is what I do. I just make the effort to

spread the word and apply for grants.”

This all while being one of the first artist in residence at The Kelly. Guests have taken to her art. It was popular at The Kelly’s Arti Gras fundraiser. It is also bringing new guests into The Kelly.

“I have had people who are sight impaired and those with some of the autism groups come in,” Anderson said. “The pieces with pearls create a rhythm when the hand goes over them. I’m told it is soothing for certain individuals.”

She has also received inquiries about teaching some blind students. Many options are still on the table for Anderson. She is still developing a portfolio and has paused for an undetermined amount of time visiting galleries and art directors in New York.

“It’s an open invitation for when I’m ready.,” Anderson said. “I know I am still early in developing this. If I only get one shot, I want to make sure I’m ready.”

TALENT Continued from C1

CLIFF WILLIAMS TPI

Dani Anderson is one of the first artist-in-residence at The Kelly. She is new to the art world having found her passion about a year ago.

SUBMITTED TPI

Annie Bartol sells hundreds of handmade jewelry, each being one of a kind.

SUBMITTED | TPI

Dixie Red lead singer Ashley Miller got her start in Tallapoosa County after winning the 10th annual Kowaliga Idol.

Fruity fun at the lake Strawberry Peach Fishbowl at Niffer's

By HENRY ZIMMER Sports Editor

In the mood to knock your socks off with a drink straight out of Bourbon Street?

Then look no further than a Niffer’s Fishbowl concoction to get your fruit and liquor fix. One fishbowl and you will be ready to face any sort of day.

Served in a goblet the size of a softball, Niffer’s will accommodate any sort of drink mix and match your heart can desire. I was recommended the Strawberry

and Peach Fishbowl by my bartender and was not disappointed in the least.

My fishbowl had a beautiful blood orange color and was garnished with an orange slice and a single cherry. Each sip was equal parts vodka and fruity goodness. The fishbowl I got might not have been my first choice — I was eyeing the Key Lime Martini to bring me back to my Florida roots — but I am certainly glad I listened to the experts behind the bar. In back to back drink reviews I

Ed’s Deli Home cooking from the heart

By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor

I may have found one of the most underrated places I’ve been to eat since moving to Alabama. For my monthly food review, I was asked to try out Ed’s Deli on Main Street in Goodwater. I made the trek up from Wetumpka this week, and it honestly might become a weekly occurrence.

I walked up to the hot bar and got just a normal plate. What I ordered was fried chicken, loaded mashed potatoes, pinto beans and cornbread. I was given three pieces of fried chicken – one thigh and two wings. I got all of that for a whopping price of only $10.02. I would’ve paid double.

The options I did not pick were a fried porkchop, macaroni and cheese and cheesy broccoli casserole.

I’ll start with the fried chicken. When I was given my third piece, they had already won me over. The wings were great, but the star of the show was my thigh. It was cooked to perfection and was seasoned beautifully. I am a lover of the skin on my chicken, and this skin was perfect. My first bite was super crunchy, but also extremely juicy. After my first bite, I didn’t waste much time eating the rest.

I ordered pinto beans as one of my sides, and I was the only one in my group of four to do so. I enjoy a good pinto bean, and this was perfect. There was the perfect amount of juice in mine, good enough to have some liquid in every bite. The taste was fantastic and seasoned well. In my opinion, the pinto beans I ate at Ed’s were exactly what I wanted when I sat down to eat them.

The mashed potatoes were likely the star of the show.

The loaded mash came with bacon, green onions and lots and lots of cheese on it. It was seasoned well. There was no going back behind after and adding salt and pepper. You tasted the seasoning in every bite. I don’t enjoy mashed potatoes that have chunks of potatoes. I want it smooth, and mine certainly was. The bacon was a good touch, but the cheese was top notch. There was enough cheese to have some in every single bite. It was perfect.

My cornbread was great, and I was given two pieces. It wasn’t dry at all, but had a great crunch.

Overall, it was one of the best meals I’ve had in 2024.

I love home cooking, and this one has won me over. I think I’ll be making a return trip sooner rather than later. Especially for an extremely cheap price of only $10.

If you want a good home cooked meal or just craving some fried chicken, go visit Ed.

You won’t regret it.

have gotten fruit drinks, but can happily declare that flavor knows no gender. If it’s good, it is good no matter the color or glass. And my strawberry and peach fishbowl was exactly what the doctor ordered.

I paired my fishbowl with a side of corn nuggets, but very easily could have accompanied my drink with any number of delicious eats at Niffer’s.

With afternoon basketball on at the bar and warm weather in the air, my fishbowl made me feel like I was transport -

ed to an all-inclusive resort in some faraway island. I wasn’t even too far from water regardless, as Niffer’s butts right up to Lake Martin. It is hard to find a better way to spend an afternoon. Fishbowls at Niffer’s can include liquors from vodka to gin to tequila. Thirsty patrons can combine multiple flavors or pick from a robust list of house favorites.

In the mood for an enormous Moscow Mule? An old fashioned with a new age twist?

Then park the boat or the family car and prepare to sip your worries

away as a Niffer’s Fishbowl puts a smile across your face.

Spamalot thrills the masses

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

It took almost four years but Monty Python’s Spamalot took the stage at the Wetumpka Depot.

Pack houses were the normal for almost every performance and little liberty with props poked fun at the reason for the four year delay — the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We had a blast with it,” Wetumpka Depot Players artistic director Kristy Meanor said. “We

are so fortunate to have so many people in the area who love theater.” Actors from all around lined up for a chance at performing the comedic musical on stage.

“We had so many people audition for it I could have cast two or three different ways,” Meanor said. “We are so lucky to have the moon and the stars line up for this one.”

Tickets were hard to come by. Some of the shows sold out days

in advance. “We are blessed to have numerous people who love live theater,” Meanor said. “This show brought everyone out.”

Spamalot was directed by Meanor. The creative team included musical director Randy Foster, stage manager Hannah Meherg, choreographer Daniel Harms, set designer Charles Eddie Moncrief, lighting designer Thomas Rodman, music technician Jerry Parker and costume designer Suzanne Booth.

CLIFF WILLIAMS | TPI

Wetumpka Depot Players rehearse Spamalot. The production was a crowd favorite leaving everyone laughing.