SPORTS: Holtville baseball drops game to Chilton County, B1 Deputy recovering after being shot in Claud standoff, B8
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30, 2022 | VOL. 123, NO. 13 | $1.00
‘Crater Talk’ to start again April 2 Holtville High School basketball coach arrested WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2022 | VOL. 123, NO. 5 | $1.00
questions about tours and research on a shallow sea at the time of impact, scithe Crater. The Kelly is joining forces entists have declared it to be one of the The COVID-19 pandemic may have Impactinvestigation Crater Com-and“best preserved impact craters in By Cliff Williams Franklin said investigators Wilsonwith wasthe theWetumpka head basketWilson was released on a handed it off marine stopped guided crater tours but the Wemission to help residents learn about this the world.” Staff Writer ball coach at Holtville High to the appropriate authorities. with the Elmore County Sher- $6,000 bond 90 minutes aftumpka Impact Crater Commission is important Wetumpkaiff’s Impact ComOfficeCrater have the alleged vic- ter turning himself in accordSchool and was historic event. He was also placedThe on adminisstarting Crater Talks at the Kelly FitzpatThis year’s tours were canceled and mission wants everyone to know about collect- ing to the Elmore County Jail A virtual teacher at Elmore placed on adtim’s phone. Authorities trative leave at that time.” SUBMITTED / THE HERALD rick Memorial Gallery. a new map was developed Dennis to allowsaid the school the Wetumpka Crater. Starting County School’s Edge program ministrative ed Wilson’s phone as well. website. officials Impact The Lake Martin area is at enhanced risk also for severe “Wetumpka is the site of the greatest public to self-guide themselves. These April 2, they plan to host a “Crater Talk” has been arrested and charged leave Jan. 13 “You could see a conversaDennis said Wilson follow the same procedure weathercoached Wednesday evening through Thursday natural disasteremployee to ever hit Alabama, a maps are available at no cost. at 10receive a.m. ona thetion firstbetween Saturdaytheoftwo,” each Frankwith school distribaccording to Elother sports at Holtwhen administrators morning as a storm system is forecast tobeing hit central large strike,” the to crater First discovered in the mid 1970s, an monthagainst at the Kelly Fitzpatrick Memo-is going report of allegations utingmeteor obscene material a stu-commislin said. “Mr. Wilson more County ville schools including Alabama, to the coach Nationaland Weather Service. staff and employees. dent. contend Street, someone Schoolsastrobleme, supertheaccording head track assission said. “It created an almost five-mile meaning “starschool wound” was rial Gallery, 124toCompany We-had the “Once we handtumpka, it over,The wespeakers Elmore Sheriff Billnearintendent security codemonth to hiswill phone and tant football coach. Rich- in 1998 by Auburn wide crater County that is still visible the confirmed Universieach know very little be about what is who Franklin said Emmanuel Andre ard Dennis. he was Dennis said other staff would city.” ty professor of geology Dr. David King volunteers, servenot onresponsible. the Crater There WILSON going on,” by Dennis said. “We is other information we can’t fill in for the duties of Wilson at Wilson II, 32, of Montgomery “We had a re- the The crater commission receives many Jr. Because location was covered Commission. cooperate with authorities if disclose now but I don’t think Holtville while he is on adminturned himself into authorities port,” Dennis Tuesday afternoon. it’s beneficial to Mr. Wilson.” istrative leave. said. “We had a preliminary necessary.” STAFF REPORT
‘MO, YOU JUST Chamber holds luncheon BLEW THE welcoming members ELECTION’ By Cliff Williams Staff Writer
The Wetumpka Chamber of Commerce held its annual luncheon to install new officers and board members for the first time in a while Thursday. The COVID-19 pandemic put a hamper on gatherings but the chamber celebrated the successes of business in Wetumpka. “We haven’t been able to do this for the last couple years,” chairperson Clay McConnell said. “Your attendance is an indication people want to get back together and have these opportunities to see each See CHAMBER, Page A3
Members of the Brooks campaigns in Tallapoosa County just Wetumpka hours before losing Trump’s endorsement Chamber of Commerce By CLIFF WILLIAMS supports Donaldattend Trump?” the Staff Writer Brooks told a gathering chamber’sof “A the Tallapoosa County Taste of ReOur Alabama Congressman publican Party. “IHome cut Town” three Mo Brooks was still hold- checks in 2016, 2020 to help luncheon.
ing onto a Donald Trump endorsement to replace Richard Shelby as U.S. Senator Tuesday night just hours before the former president changed his mind. “Do you want to know who
him get elected. InCLIFF turnWILLIAMS/ he enTHE HERALD dorsed me in 2018, 2020 and now in 2022.” Brooks is running against Lillie Boddie, Katie Britt, See ELECTION, Page A3 CLIFF WILLIAMS / THE HERALD
U.S. Senate candidate Congressman Mo Brooks speaks at a meeting of the Tallapoosa County Republican Party Tuesday.
Lake Martin area at enhanced risk for overnight Police severe weather
continue investigation, man no longer suspected By SIRI HEDREEN Multimedia Reporter
The National Weather Service has elevated the threats in its severe storm forecast for central Alabama Wednesday night into Thursday morning, with the Lake Martin area now at “enhanced risk” for damaging 70 mph winds and a few tornadoes. As of Tuesday morning, the storm system is forecast to hit Coosa County and northern Elmore County between 8 p.m. Wednesday and 2 a.m. Thursday, with the severe weather threat continuing through 6 a.m. Thursday in Tallapoosa County and southern Elmore County. By Jake Arthur counties west of Interstate 65 are ChiefAlabama Videographer the most likely to be affected earlier in the afternoon with Hamilton, TusPolice areWednesday, still investigating the fatal caloosa and Demopolis now at moderate shooting in the Wetumpka Walmart parkingrisk lotfor on damaging Jan. 20. 80 mph winds and tornadoes, according to NWS. Theparking threat timing Police were dispatched to the lot for west-central Alabama is expected to be around 10:45 p.m. for a “shots fired” call. between 5-10 p.m. Wednesday. Once there, they found Centell Winston, “Please havedead multiple, reliablewound ways to 42 of Tallassee, of a gunshot receive your weather alerts,” Tallapoosa in the driver seat of his vehicle. County Emergency Management Agency According to Wetumpka police chief Greg Benton, this was not a random shootSee WEATHER, Page A3 ing. “This was not random, not a random act,” said Benton. “We believe the victim and the perpetrator knew each other.” This is the first homicide in Wetumpka in over three years. The last homicide in the city took place in 2018. “It’s not a good way to start out the new year,” said Benton. Benton didn’t want to speculate on the
Wetumpka native packs out Laugh Factory “My family is what makes me want to rience. continue to push harder,” Dunn said. “I Now Dunn is producing Laugh FactoSee SHOOTING, Page A3 Taylor Dunn’s comedy roots start in wake up everyday for them.” ry’s “Got your Six,” a military appreciWetumpka but now the 2012 WetumpDunn’s military profession led the fam- ation show that serves the huge military ka High School graduate is turning heads ily to San Diego in late 2019, where presence in San Diego. But Dunn isn’t with his comedy act at San Diego’s he immediately started performing any- stopping there. Laugh Factory. where he could. The fun was suddenly “I’m very excited about the show movTaylor started doing stand-up comedy halted by the COVID-19 pandemic. ing forward,” Dunn said. “My 10 year shortly after graduating high school, after “Everything was closed and comics high school reunion is this summer and Staffinfluenced Report to try it by Wetumpkaschoolwide assembly at Holtville schoolI’dculture that of a shiftshow in a in positive direction. The being started hosting shows in parks,” the Dunn love tofrom produce a comedy High School. Elmore County Suschool struggling with low moschool experienced a 62 percent High School theater teacher Jeff Glass. said. “That’s when I decided to start pro- Wetumpka and give the proceeds to the The Alabama Association of perintendent Richard Dennis was rale, achievement and attendance decrease in discipline referrals, “The first time I tried actual stand-up I ducing my own shows.” WHS Theater Department. That’s what Secondary School Principals in attendance for the presentation. to a school that strives for excel50 percent decrease in chronic fell in love with it,” Dunn said. “There’s Dunn produced and hosted two shows got me started and I’d love to do some(AASSP) named Holtville High “Kyle Futral is an exception- lence. By collaborating with staff, absenteeism, 7 percent increase nothing more freeing.” for headlining comedian David Lucas. thing to give back.” School principal Kyle Futral the al principal and is very proac- many of the school’s issues were in the graduation rate, 33 percent Dunn’s urging came 10 years ago. Lucas is quickly on the rise, opening for Taylor operates Crown City Comedy 2022 Alabama High School Prin- tive and innovative in his think- identified and addressed. Futral’s increase in CCR rate and a 20 perSince then Dunn enlisted in the U.S. comedians like Louis CK, Dave Chap- in an art gallery in Coronado, California SUBMITTED / THE HERALD cipal of the Year. ing and approaches to managing leadership style of listening, en- cent increase in ACT proficiency Navy, married his high school sweet- pelle and Bert Krisher, a regular on the having several very successful shows, Taylor Dunn’s comedy roots start in Wetumpka but now the 2012 The High School Principal of his school,” Dennis said, couraging, supporting, organizing in the last five years. heart, Zana, and together they had a lit- AsKill Tony Podcast and will soon appear hosting acts like Zoltan Kaszas and Erin Wetumpka High School graduate is turning heads with his comedy the Year award was presented to principal of Holtville High and challenging the staff and stutleFutral girl. on Friday, Jan. 28 during a School, on anFutral episode the Joe Rogan dents, Expe-caused Tracy. act at San Diego’s Laugh Factory. See PRINCIPAL, Page A3 hasof transformed the school culture to STAFF REPORT
Holtville’s Futral Alabama principal of the year
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