SPORTS: All-County softball team, player of the year chosen, B1 Deputy recovering after being shot in Claud standoff, B8
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Allen tauts experience in campaign for secretary of state
Holtville High School basketball coach arrested
probate judge,” Allen said. “No courthouse at 5:30 a.m. on election other candidate in this race has been day, get the day going, travel to chief elections official. I can run that precincts, get poll workers what they By Cliff Williams Franklin said investigators Wilson was the head basket- investigation and handed it off Wilson was released on a Wes Allen knows Alabama office at when I step inHigh there on day appropriate need,”authorities. Allen said. “Iwith havethe appointed Staff Writer Elmore County Sher- $6,000 bond 90 minutes afball coach Holtville to the elections and vital documents and Schoolone.” poll workers and trained poll have the alleged vic- ter turning himself in accordiff’s Office and was He was also placed on adminiswants to bring that experience to the Allen was appointed probate workers. I have worked alongside A virtual teacher at Elmore placed on adtim’s phone. Authorities collect- ing to the Elmore County Jail trative leave at that time.” office of Alabama Secretary of State. judge in Pike County in 2009Dennis by circuitofficials clerk, the ed sheriff and the County School’s Edge program Wilson’s phone as well. ministrative website. saidtheschool The Tuscaloosa native and Pike then Governor Bob Riley. In 2012 board of registrars. I have done it all has been arrested and charged leave Jan. 13 “You could see a conversaDennis said Wilson also follow the same procedure County resident believesdistribhis political he was elected to the office.when Withadministrators from start to finish.” a tion between the two,” Frank- coached other sports at Holtwith school employee according to Elreceive experience makes him uniquely years as probate judge,report Allen of allegations As secretary of state, Allen“Mr. said Wilson if against uting obscene material to a stu- morenine lin said. is going ville schools including County CLIFF WILLIAMSbeing | THE HERALD qualified has superhelped oversee electionsschool in andstaff and issues arise during future elections Alabama candidate Allenand speaks to the Elemployees. dent. for the office. to contend someone hadSecretary the of Schools theState head trackWes coach assis“I’m the County only candidate this intendent around Troy. County Party. Allencoach. is in the runoff against Jim “Once we hand it over, we security code to hismore Elmore Sheriff inBill phone andRepublican Richtant football Page A2 Zeigler. There race that has experience of “I know what it’s like to know be at the very little about what is See Franklin saidthe Emmanuel Andre heALLEN, was not responsible. ard Dennis. Dennis said other staff would WILSON going on,” 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 recooperate 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.” BY CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer
Cooke wants to bring servant heart to auditor’s office
Chamber holds luncheon
welcoming members
BY CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer
Stan Cooke wants to serve Alabama as its state auditor. He grew up inWilliams the coal mining area in By Cliff SumitonStaff andWriter worked in mining pits while still in high school. “TimesThe were hard,” Cooke said. “I Wetumpka Chamber of know Commerce held its what it means grow uptopoor, to have one annualto luncheon install new officers and board members the first time inyear a while Thursday. pair of blue jeans for to start the school COVID-19 pandemic put a hamper on gathwith. YouThe wear them all year long, they erings but night. the chamber celebrated get washed every Come May and the successes of business in Wetumpka. school gets out, you cut your jeans off and haven’t ableyou to do thisallfor the last couhave your“We shorts. Thatbeen is what have years,” Clay McConnell said. “Your summer.ple You do it chairperson again after Labor Day.” is anofindication people It wasattendance in those days having little andwant to get back andCooke have took thesesteps opportunities valuing together everything to better to see each himself. See CHAMBER, Page A3 “I know what it means to work,” Cooke See COOKE, Page A2
Wetumpka recognizes seven police officers BY CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer
Members of the Wetumpka Chamber of Commerce attend the chamber’s “A Taste of Our Home Town” luncheon. CLIFF WILLIAMS/
Police continue investigation, man no longer suspected By Jake Arthur Chief Videographer
THE HERALD
Police are still investigating the fatal shooting in the Wetumpka Walmart parking lot on Jan. 20. Police were dispatched to the parking lot around 10:45 p.m. for a “shots fired” call. Once there, they found Centell Winston, 42 of Tallassee, dead of a gunshot wound in the driver seat of his vehicle. According to Wetumpka police chief Greg Benton, this was not a random shooting. “This was not random, not a random act,” said Benton. “We believe the vicCLIFF WILLIAMS | THE HERALD tim and the perpetrator knew each other.” Wetumpka Mayor Jerry Willis congratulates Wetumpka Police Department Sgt. Clarence Reid on his retirement. Reid served 25 years in the This is the first homicide in Wetumpka Wetumpka Police Department. 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
REID RETIRES FROM WETUMPKA PD
The Wetumpka Police Department recently honored seven of its officers for actions taken in four different incidents — even one while off duty. BY CLIFF WILLIAMS “He will be dearly missed welcome back anytime.” See SHOOTING, Page A3 Wetumpka police Chief Greg Staff Writer by department personnel for As a retirement gift, the Benton said officers do not get as his leadership, guidance and department gave Reid his much recognition for doing good gt. Clarence Reid has been comradery,” police Chief Greg service pistol used while things as they should. with the Wetumpka Police Benton said. “He will also working for the Wetumpka “The command staff of the Department for 25 years — be missed by the community Police Department. Wetumpka Police Department but his stint with the department and schools for his dedicated “It even has a little bit of would like to take this opportunity is over after he retired last week. service.” ammunition there,” Benton said. Report all of these officers schoolwide assembly at Holtville the school culture from that of a shift in a positive direction. The toStaff commend In his 25 years with the Wetumpka Mayor Jerry Benton said Reid’s retirement High School. Elmore County Su- school struggling with low mo- school experienced a 62 percent and extend our gratitude for a job Wetumpka Police Department Willis was at a small gathering was well deserved. Thewell Alabama Association of “The perintendent Richard Dennis was rale, achievement and attendance decrease in discipline referrals, very done,” Benton said. Reid has to touched almost everyfor excelof officers markingdecrease Reid’s in chronic“We wish him the best in his Secondary School Principals in attendance for the presentation. a school that strives 50 percent citizens of Wetumpka are in good part of policing in the city retirement. future endeavors and being able (AASSP) named Holtville lence. By collaborating with staff, absenteeism, 7 percent increase hands with officers suchHigh as these“Kyle on Futral is an exceptionthrough patrol, investigations “You deserve this retirement to spend more time with his School Kyle thebefore al principal and is very proac- many of the school’s issues were in the graduation rate, 33 percent the job.principal They put allFutral others and overseeing the school for all that you have done for family,” Benton said. “Thank 2022 Alabama High tive and innovative in his think- identified and addressed. Futral’s increase in CCR rate and a 20 perthemselves and areSchool true Prinprofessionals resource leadership officer program. said. “Youproficiency are you for your service.” cipal of the Year. ing and approaches to managing style of listening,this en-city,” centWillis increase in ACT in every way.” The High School Principal of his school,” Dennis said, couraging, supporting, organizing in the last five years. the Year award was presented to As principal of Holtville High and challenging the staff and stuSee OFFICERS, Page A3 See PRINCIPAL, Page A3 Futral on Friday, Jan. 28 during a School, Futral has transformed dents, caused the school culture to FUTURAL
S principal of the year Holtville’s Futral Alabama
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