Mat 24, 2017 Wetumpka Herald

INSIDE TODAY Class of 2017 shows great promise.

Stanhope, Holtville get answers in spring games.

244-7778

OPINION, PAGE A4

SPORTS, PAGE A7

THE WETUMPKA HERALD Elmore County’s Oldest Newspaper - Established 1898

Wetumpka, AL 36092

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WEDNESDAY • MAY 24, 2017

THEWETUMPKAHERALD.COM

VOL. 119, NO. 21

Local charity seeks public support in wake of fire

By COREY ARWOOD Staff Writer

A fire recently destroyed the workshop of a local nonprofit devoted to providing home maintenance and repairs for those who otherwise might not be able to receive them in Elmore County.

Josh Henderson, executive director of Elmore County

Outreach Center, or Elmore County Outreach, said the fire was caused from faulty wiring of a shop vacuum.

“We lost pretty much everything but the structure of the building,” said Henderson.

The two-person team largely works through volunteers from churches and organizations.

Despite the fire, Henderson said, “Our projects have to go

on.”

Through the organization’s social media a call was put out for volunteer to help over the weekend, not in a construction project for others, but to clean out the remains of the shop and determine what was salvageable.

The vacuum that allegedly Cprey Arwood / The Herald was the source of the fire was Elmore County Outreach’s workshop was badly damaged in what Executive Director Josh Henderson determined to be an electrical fire caused by faulty wiring of a shop See FIRE • Page A8 vacuum last week.

HATS OFF TO HOLTVILLE CLASS OF 2017 Board hears Holtville awards pleas for diplomas to WHS coach, 111 seniors audit results

By COREY ARWOOD Staff Writer

Holtville High School’s Class of 2017 was in a race against the weather for its graduation ceremony as storm clouds grew and lightning flashed on the horizon, but despite the impending storm they talked, walked and celebrated afterward.

The some 111 students filed across Boykin Field, guys in green robes, girls in white – the school colors.

Hundreds more family and friends gathered in the bleachers and near the entrance of the field.

It was stifling hot, like the heat before a summer storm, and as the afternoon progressed the dark charcoal gray clouds inched closer.

To start, Principal Kyle Futral opened the ceremony and introduced senior class president Elizabeth Howard, who gave the

By COREY ARWOOD Staff Writer

Corey Arwood / The Herald

Holtville High School graduates didn’t let Thursday evening’s impending weather prevent them from the traditional See GRADUATES • Page A3 tossing of their mortar boards into the Boykin Field air.

Today’s

Weather

74 53 High

Low

To kick off a relatively short Elmore County Board of Education meeting three people spoke during public comment about the recent dismissal of Wetumpka High School Baseball Coach Mark Davis as head baseball coach.

Jess Shipley, Lisa Blankenship and Misty Pruitt delivered at times impassioned and emotional requests to the board members petitioning Davis to be reinstated to his position as baseball coach at WHS. They said they did not know why Davis was dismissed from his coaching duties, and while two of the three said they were new to the program one said the only issues that had arisen were between parents and the coach.

Commission touches on multiple topics

Snail Trail blazes through fundraising goal

By DAVID GRANGER Managing Editor

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Brevity was the modus operandi of the Elmore County Commission on Monday night.

The full complement of commissioners swiftly breezed through a work session and meeting, taking little substantive action, but touching on everything from high-speed internet opportunities to a lack of faith among some in public servants.

See BOARD • Page A8

By COREY ARWOOD Staff Writer

David Granger / The Herald

Elmore County Commission Chairman Troy Stubbs, center, presides over Monday night’s meeting as others study agenda materials. Left to right, other commissioners are Kenny Holt, Mack Daugherty, Bart Mercer and Earl Reeves.

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Main Street Wetumpka surpassed its fundraising goal for the first phase of the Tulotoma Snail Trail project planned to re-brand downtown with artwork and pedestrian projects from the city’s past and present.

According to its fundraiser webpage, MSW raised $11,000 in donations, surpassing its $10,000 goal.

The project is set up in three phases, and with phase See SNAIL TRAIL • Page A8

PAGE A2 • MAY 24, 2017

Obituaries Mrs. Gloria Jean Macon

Mrs. Gloria Jean Macon, 67, of Tallassee, passed away May 18, 2017. She was born July 6, 1949. She is survived by her mother, Billie S. Carden; children, Melissa Pettus, Tammy Winslett, Sandra Daniel, Hope Precise, Billie Watson and Edward Macon; brothers, Wayne Carden, Roger Carden, John Carden and Donald Carden; sister, Anita Carden; fifteen grandchildren; four great grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her father, Winston W. Carden; daughter, Melinda Jo Macon; brother, Michael Carden and sister, Linda Tylicki. Gloria had a good heart and loved her family. She will be greatly missed. The family will have a private memorial service at a later date.

Online condolences at www.linvillememorial.com.

Linville Memorial Funeral Home. Eclectic, Alabama

TheWetumpkaHerald.com

THE WETUMPKA HERALD

Registration underway for public library’s summer programs Archives and History on June 6; • A visit from Birmingham’s McWane Science Center on June 13; and • “Give Bees a Chance”: A visit from a Wetumpka Public Library patron, Kathy Coleman, who also happens to be a beekeeper, and her bees on June 20.

• “Animal Architects”: On June 27, Kimberly Hayes from Dalton State College in Dalton, Georgia will talk about animals that build things, such as beavers and their dams and certain nesting birds.

• On July 11 after a break for July 4, the Elmore County Museum will present “Technology Now and Then,” showing examples of old and new technologies and how they have progressed through time.

• On July 18, participants will man their S.T.E.M. stations for fun and interesting challenges based on STEM disciplines in a round-robin tournament format.

Hays said the library’s summer program is no newcomer among summer opportunities for children and teens in the community.

“The summer program has been going on for a long time at the library, before I even started, and I’ve been doing it for 17 years,” Hays said. “It’s grown.

We have our ups and down, but, you know, people work and sometimes it’s difficult to get their children here.”

Hays said the preschool program is largely a continuation of the year-round program that meets on Tuesdays and Fridays at 10 a.m.

The children’s program is for those entering grades 1-6 in the coming school year and meets on Tuesday afternoons from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. beginning on June 6. She said programs she’s arranged for that group include: • A visit from a representative of the Alabama Department of

By DAVID GRANGER Managing Editor

The Wetumpka Public Library will be working this summer to help kids in preschool through high school to “Build a Better World.”

That’s the theme of the library’s summer programs that run June 6 through July 27 at the library (preschool and teen programs) and the Wetumpka Civic Center programs for grades 1-6), according to Myrna Hays, assistant director and special programs coordinator at the library.

“We look forward to this every year and we hope everyone who can will take advantage of these programs,” Hays said. “The children that grew up in the program are now my helpers. I have teens and college students that come back every year to help me with registration and projects and crowd control and all.

• The program’s awards will be given our on July 25.

“On July 25, we’ll also make ice cream in a bag,” Hays said.

“It’s fun, but messy.”

Hays said the teen program, beginning June 8, is largely a film festival of sorts and will feature the movies “Rogue One,” “October Sky,” “Guardians of the Galaxy,” “Apollo 13,” “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them,” “Allegiant” and “Star Trek Beyond.”

The teen program ends on July 27 with ice cream sundaes and book bingo in the Jeanette Barrett Civic Room.

Registration forms for the library’s summer programs are available online at wetumpkalibrary.com or may be picked up at the library, located at 212 S. Main St. between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Mondays through Fridays and 9 a.m-5 p.m. on Saturdays.

Victory Baptist students participate in national competition STAFF REPORT TPI Staff

Three students from Victory Baptist School in Millbrook recently competed in the 40th annual American Association of Christian Schools (AACS) national competition at Bob Jones University in Greenville, South Carolina.

Micah A. Smith of Prattville, son of Les and Ann Smith competed in the humorous speech category, Carter J. Byrd of Deatsville, son of Kevin and Shelley Byrd, competed in expository preaching and Megan E. Fondren of Millbrook, daughter of Kevin and Patricia Fondren compet-

ed in biology and chemistry academic testing.

Approximately 1,800 students and sponsors from 33 states participated in the AACS competitions, having captured top honors in their state contests.

The students, representing almost 200 Christian high schools, competed in 76 categories in the five basic areas of Bible, music, speech, art and academics.

A fundamental Christian school, Victory Baptist was founded in 1971 to train tomorrow’s Christian leaders in grades K-12.

Victory Baptist School provides “an accredited Christian education in a safe environment at an affordable price.”

Submitted / The Herald

Left to right, Micah Smith, Megan Fondren and Carter Byrd, students at Millbrook’s Victory Baptist School, recently competed in the American Association of Christian Schools’ competition at Bob Jones University in Greenville, South Carolin

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Elmore County student briefs Amber E. Rogers of Wetumpka was one of 700 students who graduated from Jacksonville State University on April 28. Rogers received a bachelor’s degree in Integrated Studies.

Jamaria Ryasia Ransaw of Wetumpka was named to the Dean’s List for winter trimester at William Carey University in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.

Lindsey Pouncey and William Swicord of Eclectic and Camri Martin-Bowen, Makayla Pickron and Sara Tyler of Wetumpka were recently initiated into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation’s oldest and most selective all-discipline collegiate honorary, at Troy University. Tyler Jones of Deatsville was initiated into Phi Kappa Phi at the University of Montevallo.

Cynthia Foote of Wetumpka was recently initiated into the Alpha Chi national honor society at Brescia University, a Catholic university in Owensboro, Kentucky.

Hana Hollis of Wetumpka, a sophomore in the College of Liberal Arts at Mercer University, was recently named to the Dean’s list at the Macon, Georgia university.

Kyle McCollough, a junior psychology major from Eclectic, and John Michael Sweatt, a sophomore law and politics major from Deatsville, were recently named to the Dean’s List at Freed Hardeman University in Henderson, Tennessee.

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Commission In the business portion of the meeting, the board: • Approved unanimously a two-year maintenance agreement with EPD IT Services LLC for its Flex System x240 Computer Nodes. The maintenance contract will be paid for from the county’s reappraisal budget.

• Approved unanimously removing from county service six vehicles and declaring them surplus to sell at auction.

• Approved a travel memorandum.

• Accepted the resignations of corrections officer Walker Patterson and equipment operator Wallace Wingard.

In the reports portion of the meeting, Commissioner Bart Mercer updated the Commission on the Elmore County Economic Development Association’s efforts to bring high-speed internet competition to the county.

“ECEDA is busy making providers aware that there’s opportunity for them here in Elmore County,” Mercer said. “In fact, they’ve already met with one provider. They are treating it just like they were recruiting and industry.”

Commissioner Mack Daugherty mentioned the upcoming Memorial Day weekend, specifically the event set for 2 p.m. Monday at the Veterans’ Memorial Wall in Eclectic.

“I pray that, as a county, we never get to the point where we consider Memorial Day just another three-day cookout weekend or a time to go to the beach of the lake,” Daugherty said. “We should always remember what that day is about and the price some paid to keep us free.”

Chairman Troy Stubbs recalled a recent encounter he had with a citizen that spoke to him about the public’s attitudes toward public servants like the commis-

continued from page 1

sioners.

“Some people are frustrated and suffer from a lack of expectation of government’s role,” Stubbs said. “They look at the state and the national government and the way things are going on in the news and they think we’re going to operate the same way. I’d never met this man before, but he was sure that we were going to operate like what he’d seen on the news.

“I took some time to talk to him and, by the time the conversation was over, I think he had changed his mind a little bit and felt better. We need to take time to reassure people we’re not like that, not like what they see on TV.” “We kicked around ideas about ways to save our general funds money,” McDuffie said. “It was a general consensus that everybody’s general fund needed to save money.

We talked about how to split overhead costs among departments. We do a good job of that, a lot better than some other counties.”

County Engineer Richie Beyer reported that work was still underway on the Ingram Road Bridge project, but that it had been hampered some by the weather. He also said the county highway department had recently finished a parking-lot project for the Elmore County Sheriff’s Office and was in discussions with Elmore County Superintendent of Schools Richard Dennis about ways it could save the schools money, citing a traffic-flow project at Wetumpka Elementary School.

County EMA Director Eric Jones talked about efforts underway to inventory emergency resources in the county. He said his department was working with public safety and public service officials throughout the county, as well as utilities.

MAY 24, 2017 • Page A3

Graduates welcoming statement.

Howard spoke with an inspirational and motivational message, but somberly asked for a moment of silence in remembrance of Joey Ward, a classmate she said died two years ago.

Several of the graduates could be seen wearing black ribbons in his honor.

Afterward she introduced salutatorian Nicole Tyler who addressed her class, faculty and the audience.

“Now to my fellow classmates, we have finally made it,” said Tyler. “The day that seemed so distant from us when we were just freshmen finding our way around the high school and exploring our new found freedom is upon us.”

She spoke about what they had gained from their teachers and interspersed humor with sentiment before moving on to what they woul faced over the next few years.

Then she delved into something serious that would plague some of them throughout their lives, the epidemic of student-loan debt.

“We remember all the wisdom our teachers have bestowed upon us throughout our journey. For example Mr. Garner taught us to always think on the bright side because it could be worse – it could be raining, which seems appropriate for tonight,” Tyler said.

“And Ms. Billings taught us that zero is our hero. This may become especially important to

continued from page 1

college-bound graduates as free things will become our best friends and getting through the next few years with zero debt will be a blessing.”

Tyler concluded with a message of encouragement for her fellow graduates and a charge for them to live meaningful lives.

“Also remember that success and achievement are not always what they seem. Success is not just gaining material wealth, it’s gaining spiritual wealth with every smile your job gives you and every laugh you share with others,” Tyler said.

“Don’t try to judge your life with superficial means because it will ultimately not provide personal satisfaction, you get to choose how to measure your life in accomplishments, so why not measure them with happiness and joy?”

After Ty l e r, Valedictorian Jack Broom spoke leading with a humorous anecdote he said his class learned first off entering high school about walking in lines, then he mentioned the lessons he had learned from his various instructors.

Lastly he talked about special lessons he said he had learned through his father, history teacher and coach Robert Broom.

“I’d like to share with you some advice from (my) dad as a blueprint on how to continually learn and grow outside of school,” said Broom.

“The first step, no matter what it is you do, get better. .. The second step is along the same lines as the first, make those around you better … The final step is the most important.

Have fun and enjoy life, find the path in life that you enjoy and then set a goal.”

Afterward Futral, spoke but said in the interest of keeping the ceremony on track he would keep it short.

“I just want to say congratulations Class of 2017. I truly could not have asked for a better group of students to spend my first year as principal of Holtville High School,” said Futral.

The speaker of the event was Elmore County Schools Superintendent Richard Dennis.

Himself an HHS alumnus he talked about his own graduation in 1983 and his time at HHS.

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He said his words would echo those of the “val and sal.”

“You got two people up here being recognized in a speech,” Dennis said. “There’s 111 of you sitting out in the field. I was not one of those two people that stood up here and spoke. I was not. I was sitting back there somewhere in alphabetical order where you guys are. What I will tell you is the skills that you’ve learned and the activities that you’ve participated in, they’re going to be the things that get you through in life and make you successful.”

He concluded, “I tell graduates, and have been doing it since ’98, prepare yourself to do something you enjoy doing so that when you get up in the morning you don’t dread to go to work, your passion for it will take care of it and your money will follow.”

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OPINION

Page A4 • MAY 24, 2017

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W

Class of 2017 shows great promise

e think of them as children.

It wasn’t so long ago that many of you, as their parents, were responsible for keeping them properly fed, clean and dry.

But they are no longer children.

The boys and girls that have or will, over the next few days, accept their high school diplomas are no longer boys and girls.

They are young adults.

I have been managing editor of Tallapoosa Publishing’s Elmore County newspapers – The Wetumpka Herald, The Eclectic Observer and The Tallassee Tribune – for approximately half a year now. In that time, I have had the opportunity to meet several of the young men and women in the Class of 2017 from the various schools throughout the county. While there are many things about our country that worry me, our young adults – and the leadership they will provide us as they move through their lives of both private and public endeavors – are not among them.

Take Elmore County High School graduate Abie Tyler, for example. When I sat down with her in Eclectic to discuss her being chosen the county’s technical student of the year, I expected someone focused on a technical career, something that would allow her to go to work right out of high school.

Of course, there is honor in that choice, but I found out quickly that Abie isn’t your average

DAVID GRANGER Managing Editor

technical student.

She’s a dreamer.

And we need dreamers.

Abie dreams about design.

Who knows? It may be one of Abie’s designs – or one she contributes to – that is the next big thing in protecting us from the damage we’re doing our environment.

She’s that smart.

She’s that focused.

Abie’s not the only one.

There’s Wetumpka grad Madison Conley, who may one day stand in a White House briefing room in front of a room of reporters and outline a president’s day.

There are Edgewood’s Kevi Hanson and Caity Jo Lee, whose futures in nursing promise to be a boon to our healthcare. There’s Wetumpka’s Marc Chauvin, a National Merit Scholar, who may prove the key developer of software that protects both us individually and as a nation against the hackers we’ve seen so much in the news lately.

And there’s Eclectic’s Isabella Sanders, whose life goal is to bring as many to Christianity and a relationship with Christ as one person can.

The Class of 2017 has both dreams and talent. And when those two meet with a clear

focus, young men and women can do anything.

My advice? Never let those dreams die. Never doubt your talent. There will be times when you want to do both. Don’t.

Keep dreaming. Maintain that belief in what you can do.

Everyone will fail. It’s those who dust themselves off and step right back up to the task whose names we have remembered, whose feats we have studied in history books and, more important still, reaped the benefits of.

You, the Class of 2017, can write your names in the books.

People will remember this time as tumultuous. And I believe they will remember, among you, the people who helped us recover from the tumult.

I would be remiss not to express my congratulations to the parents of the Class of 2017 who have set these young men and women on the right paths.

You’ve done your job well. It’s not over, but perhaps you can take a well-deserved breath.

Most of all, congratulations to the graduates. You have reached the first of many significant milestones in your lives.

Keep dreaming and work hard toward those dreams.

They will eventually come true.

David Granger is the managing editor of Tallapoosa Publishers Elmore County newspapers. He can be reached at david.granger@ thewetumpkaherald.com

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ADMINISTRATION Steve Baker publisher@thewetumpkaherald.com David Granger, managing editor david.granger@thewetumpkaherald.com NEWS Corey Arwood, staff writer corey.arwood@thewetumpkaherald.com Carmen Rodgers, staff writer carmen.rodgers@thewetumpkaherald.com SALES Marilyn Hawkins, marketing consultant marilyn.hawkins@TheWetumpkaHerald.com Ext. 305

A story of birds, bees and knobby knees

N

o one ever promised us life would be easy.

We all face challenges and have our shares of ups and downs. I’ve had more ups and downs than a kangaroo on a Pogo Stick all jacked up on Mountain Dew, and that’s OK. I wouldn’t be the person I am today had I not faced such adversity. We should embrace our trials and tribulations, learn from them, count our blessings, move on and grow.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1: 2-4 If we want to learn and grow, we must handle the tasks at hand and move on; however, we need time for ourselves, too. We need that alone time to forget about life’s complexities and appreciate its simplicities.

I stay fairly busy, so I get no greater joy than sitting in my rocking chair on my front porch a couple of times throughout the day. It’s where I go when I simply need a break. It’s where I go when I want peace. It’s

JODY FULLER Columnist

where I go when I want to see God’s handiwork, particularly at sunset.

I like to sit back in my chair with a keen eye out for the birds and the bees and the flowers and the trees, all just beyond my two knobby knees. There is a male blue bird that often sits atop the lone tree in my front yard, while the bees buzz around the yard sucking up nectar wherever it may be found. My view from the porch is splendid, but I’d much rather have a bird’s or bee’s eye view.

I sometimes eat on that front porch, whether it’s a bowl of cereal, a hot dog or a BLT with a Mason jar full of sweet iced tea.

Ruby often joins me and lays just a few feet away. She got too close one time and the rocking chair reached over and bit her right on the tail. It’s where I go to read. I’ll cross my legs and lay that book over a knobby knee.

I look at my yard and admire

the work I’ve done but also think about the work that I need to do.

I can make the mockingbirds happy one day by cutting the grass but see a dandelion standing tall and proud above everything else the very next day. I can’t let it taunt me like that, so I have no choice but to get up out of that chair and pull it and any of its boastful cousins completely out of the ground.

Weeds never forget their roots.

And from there, it’s back to work. I love working in the yard. There’s nothing quite like it, because it’s not really work.

For me, it’s a stress-relieving, prideful hobby with instant gratification. It’s something that has to be done, but it’s something that I take pride in and something that lets me forget about everything else for a little while. It’s my time to be grateful to God for the simple things in life. Simple things like the birds, the bees, and my knobby knees.

Jody Fuller is a comic, speaker, writer and soldier with three tours of duty in Iraq. He is also a lifetime stutterer. He can be reached at jody@jodyfuller. com. For more information, please visit www.jodyfuller.com

THE WETUMPKA HERALD

TheWetumpkaHerald.com

MAY 24, 2017 • Page A5

What’s in your pantry?

G

Elmore County Food Pantry.

The building faces Coosa River Parkway. It is easy to miss if you are not looking for it. If you don’t know anything about it or perhaps think you know something about it, I encourage you to stop by sometime and see what’s in our pantry.

This community ministry was born at Victory Temple Church many years ago. It started as a ministry effort to feed “at risk” people in our community. The ministry grew rapidly due to the connection between a tremendous need for service and an abundance of willingness to provide the service. It soon became a 501(c)3 non profit. It was housed in a well-worn warehouse space on company Street for several years before moving to its current location a few years ago.

The ECFP is guided by a manager and a board of directors.

I am currently serving as board

reetings from the corner of Bridge and Bridge!

Blessings to all as the weeks of Easter continue and we venture towards celebration of the Day of Pentecost. Blessings to all as another school year comes to a close as well!

What’s in your pantry? I suppose if I asked this question to any person at a given moment in time, a mental image of the place where food is stored in the house would pop up. That image might be one of plenty or it might be one of lack.

What’s in the Elmore County Food Pantry? If I asked this question of residents of our community, the answers I would receive would be equally varied.

Some folks know the ECFP well.

Others know of it in name and perhaps even purpose. Some know nothing of the ECFP. There is a building at 515 West Boundary St. bearing the name

REV. JONATHAN YARBORO First Presbyterian

president. We are presently searching for a new manager as our current manager, Patti Peacock, will be leaving the area with her family in early June due to ministerial reassignment. There are a few basic facts everyone in our community should know about the pantry.

The ECFP serves approximately 500 families in Elmore County each month. Eligible families are given one appointment each month to come and shop. The pantry is set up like a grocery store, and clients select the items they can use within certain limits. Over sixty individual volunteers do all of the shopping, stocking, file

preparation and review, shopping supervision, and weighing and bagging of groceries each month for the six days of food distribution.

Clients must meet eligibility standards established by the USDA for food assistance programs. They must provide proof of residency and income, which is reviewed each month and renewed once a year. The pantry distributes an average of 25,000 pounds of food each month.

The pantry receives no funds from federal, state or local government. All food items are either donated or purchased from the Montgomery Area Food Bank, which is USDA approved. All funds for operation of the pantry come from individuals, businesses and churches. Food drives that benefit the pantry are often held by agencies and schools within our county.

This is all good information

Area Churches

3511 Shirley Ln., Millbrook New Home Assembly of God 5620 Caesarville Rd., Wetumpka 5692825

AME ZION Mt. Zion Chapel AME Zion 2340 Crenshaw Rd., Wetumpka 567-4413 Rogers Chapel AME Zion 709 W. Bridge St., Wetumpka 567-8144 Jackson Chapel AME Zion 4885 Coosada Rd., Coosada Jones Chapel AME Zion 2414 Ingram Rd. (Co. Rd. 3), Elmore ABUNDANT LIFE Abundant Life Church 9301 U.S. Hwy 231., Wetumpka 567-9143 ASSEMBLY OF GOD Agape Tabernacle Assembly of God 1076 Kowaliga Rd., Eclectic 541-2006 Bethel Worship Center 11117 U.S. Hwy 231., Wetumpka 567-5754 Crossroads Assembly of God 2534 AL Hwy 14., Millbrook 285-5545 First Assembly of God

Wallsboro United Methodist Church 11066 U.S. 231, Wallsbooro

Rev. Ryan Johnson Pastor Rickey Luster, Music Director Sunday School....10:45 a.m.

Morning Worship....9:30 a.m.

Children’s Church.... 9:30 a.m.

Thur. Night Service....6:00 p.m.

You will receive a warm Welcome at this friendly, Christ-centered Church.

NURSERY PROVIDED FOR ALL SERVICES

Wallsboro United Methodist Church 11066 U.S. 231, Wallsboro

BAPTIST Abraham Baptist Church Millbrook Antioch Baptist Church 1115 Antioch Rd., Titus 567-2917 Beulah Baptist Church 2350 Grier Rd., Wetumpka 514-2881 Blue Ridge Baptist 4471 Jasmine Hill Rd., Wetumpka 5674325 Brookwood Baptist Grandview Rd., Millbrook Calvary Baptist 504 W. Osceola St., Wetumpka 567-4729 Central Baptist 3545 W. Central Rd., Wetumpka 541-2556 Coosada Baptist

Wetumpka Church of Christ 408 West Bridge Street

Jason Chesser Minister Sunday Prayer and Fellowship.......8:30 a.m.

Bible Study.............9 a.m.

Worship service...10 a.m.

Wednesday Bible Study........7 p.m.

Visitors Welcome At All Services

large...

Pastor

...with the right kind of advertising.

NURSERY PROVIDED FOR ALL SERVICES

• Alexander City Outlook • Dadeville Record • Wetumpka Herald • Eclectic Observer • Tallassee Tribune

256.234.4281

150 Mt. Hebron Rd., Elmore 567-4441 Mt. Herron East Baptist Church 4355 Mt. Herron Rd. Eclectic, Al 36024 334-857-3689 Mountain View Baptist 1025 Rifle Range Rd., Wetumpka 5674458 New Harmony Baptist 3094 New Harmony Rd., Marbury 3121878 New Home Baptist 1605 New Home Rd., Titus 567-0923 New Hope Baptist 6191 Lightwood Rd., Deatsville 569-1267 New Lily Green Baptist 6504 Deatsville Hwy., Deatsville New Nazareth Baptist Hwy. 143, Deatsville Pleasant Hill Baptist Pleasant Hill Rd., Eclectic 541-3460

First

“And we know that Presbyterian allChurch things work 100 W. Bridge St. together for good to thoseJonathan who loveYarboro God, Rev. to those who are the Sunday School..9:45 am Morning called Worship..11 according toam His567-8135 purpose.”

Harmony United Methodist Church 8000 Titus Road Titus, Ala.

Sunday Services at 11 a.m.

Minister Dr. John Brannon There is Harmony at Harmony United Methodist Church!

– Romans 8:28

“In the name of the Lord Jesus – Welcome.”

Please join us.

Mountain View Baptist Church

has been made

Rickey Luster, Music Director

You will receive a warm welcome at this friendly, Christ-centered Church.

Green Ridge Baptist 288 Turner Rd., Wetumpka 567-2486 Harvest Baptist 2990 Main St., Millbrook Hillside Baptist 405 Old Montgomery Hwy., Wetumpka Holtville Riverside Baptist 7121 Holtville Rd., Wetumpka 514-5922 Lake Elam Baptist 4060 Gober Rd., Millbrook Liberty Hill Baptist 61 Crenshaw Rd., Wetumpka 567-8750 Lighthouse Baptist 2281 Main St., Millbrook Living Water Baptist 1745 Grass Farm Rd. (Co. Rd. 80), Weoka Millbrook Baptist Millbrook 285-4731 Mitts Chapel Baptist 935 Cold Springs Rd., Deatsville 569-1952 Mt. Hebron West Baptist

Many a small thing

Rev. Ryan Johnson

Sunday School..........10:45 a.m.

Morning Worship........9:30 a.m.

Children’s Church.......9:30 a.m.

Wed. Night Service.....6:30 p.m.

20 Kennedy Ave., Coosada Deatsville Baptist 184 Church St., Deatsville Eclectic Baptist Church 203 Claud Rd., Eclectic 541-4444 Faith Baptist 64 Chapel Rd., Wetumpka 567-4417 First Baptist Church 205 W. Bridge St., Wetumpka 567-5191 First Baptist of Elmore Hwy. 14 Co. Rd. 74, Elmore Galilee Baptist 95 Old Georgia Rd., Wetumpka 567-4178 Good Hope Baptist 1766 S. Fleahop Rd., Eclectic Goodship Baptist Hwy. 143, Millbrook Grace Baptist Old Montgomery Hwy., Wetumpka 567-3255 Grandview Pines Baptist Deatsville Hwy., Deatsville

to have, but in order to truly see what’s in the pantry, you have to see it firsthand. If you volunteer on a regular basis, keep coming back.

If you haven’t been to the pantry in a while, stop in for a visit. If you’ve never been there, make some time to drop by and see what it’s all about.

Last Saturday during a regular monthly distribution day, close to 200 people came in and out of the pantry for various reasons. Some were there to help – others were there for help. Religious affiliation ranged from Southern Baptist to Mormon to non-believers and everything in between. Everyone who came through the place saw a glimpse of God’s kingdom of heaven right here in our own community. Check it out for yourself sometime and see what’s in our pantry!

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

567-4458 1025 Rifle Range Rd.

504 Osceola Street 504West West Osceola St. 334-567-4729 334-567-4729 •••• Anthony Rhodes Rev.Rev. Anthony Rhodes, Senior Pastor Senior Pastor Sarah Swedenburg, Worship Ministries

Anthony B. Counts, Pastor Angie Gallups, Worship Leader Billy Reinhardt, Min. of Students

Derek Blankenship, Tammy Student Driver:Ministries

SUNDAY Morning Worship.......10:30 Sunday School.............9:15 Youth Choir ..................5:00 Evening Worship..........6:00 WEDNESDAY Fellowship Meal............5:45 Preschool/Children’s Choirs.........................6:00 House of Prayer............6:30 Preschool/Children’s Missions........................6:30 Youth Bible Study.........6:30

Children's Director

SUNDAY SERVICES SUNDAY SERVICES Sunday School...........9:30 a.m.

Sunday Worship.....10:30 School........9:30 a.m. a.m.

Morning MorningWorship.......6:00 Worship...10:30p.m. a.m.

Evening Evening Worship.....6:00 p.m.

WEDNESDAY SERVICES WEDNESDAY SERVICES Prayer Meeting...........6:00 p.m.

Supper.....................5:30 p.m.

Choir PrayerRehearsal.........6:45 Meeting........6:15 p.m. p.m.

Student Worship........6:00 p.m.

Choir Practice..........7:00 p.m.

Calvary Kids...............6:00 p.m.

CEDARWOOD COMMUNITY CHURCH 10286 U.S. Hwy. 231 Wallsboro 567-0476 www.worshipcedarwood.org

Roger Olsen, Pastor Sunday Bible Study..........9:00 AM Sunday Worship.............10:00 AM We are a Congregational Christian Church which, in the name of Jesus, invites all to worship with us.

Nursery Check out our Facebook page

Santuck Baptist Church

7250 Central Plank Road 7250 Central C Plank Road “A Family of Families” “A Family of Families”

B.R. Johnson, Senior Pastor Larry Gore, Adm. & Counseling Counseling Randy Godfrey, Education Chad Middlebrooks, Students Amy Pugh, Director of Matt Fallin, Worship Children & Preschool Amy Pugh, Children & Students Preschool Chad Middlebrooks,

SUNDAY SUNDAY Sunday School........9 & 10:30 a.m.

Sunday School............9 & 10:30 a.m.

Worship...................9 &&10:30 Worship........................9 10:30a.m. a.m.

EveningCelebration.................6 Celebration...........5 p.m.

Evening p.m.

WEDNESDAY/FAMILY NIGHT WEDNESDAY/FAMILY NIGHT Programs for every age Programs 6:15 -- 7:30 p.m.

6:15

Send your church news and happenings to: news@The Wetumpka Herald.com _________ Call Brandy Call Jayne or Shannon at 567-7811 to advertise your church’s services in this space

PAGE A6 • MAY 24, 2017

TheWetumpkaHerald.com

THE WETUMPKA HERALD

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TheWetumpkaHerald.com

MAY 24, 2017 • PAGE A7

Holtville starts Franklin era right

By DAVID GRANGER Managing Editor

Yes, it was a spring game, but the Jason Franklin era began Friday night in a good way, giving Bulldogs faithful something they haven’t seen a lot of in recent years.

A win.

Despite what Franklin called an “inconsistent” offensive effort, the Bulldogs used a thieving defense to down the Marbury Bulldogs 13-7 at Marbury Stadium.

Even though the spring win came to a team that has won just four games since 2012, including last year’s season ending 41-39 win over Buelah, its first victory since 2013, Franklin wasn’t altogether pleased with his team’s effort

“We didn’t play real well at times, but we actually pulled it out, so it was a positive,” said Franklin, who finished his first spring at Holtville after coming to the school from Horseshoe Bend High School, where he coached nine seasons and compiled a 34-59 record, including a trip to the state playoffs’ first round in 2012.

Franklin came away from the spring game very pleased with his defensive charges.

“Defensively, I thought we played extremely well,” Franklin said. “We were able to be aggressive and force some turnovers and that’s what kept us in the ballgame.”

Among the Bulldog defenders, there were three that

File / The Herald

Holtvlle’s Bulldogs, shown here taking the field last season against Elmore County, hopes its 13-7 spring game win over Marbury reflects a new determination under new head coach Jason Franklin.

Franklin singled out for their efforts.

“Dajon Reeves, our cornerback had three picks,” Franklin said. “J.J. Jackson,

our safety played well with six or eight tackles, an interception and he caused a fumble. And Evan Headley played well. He had a pick

for us.

“Our defensive backfield did a real good job. Anytime you come away with five picks, you know your DBs

Study affirms Forever Wild’s statewide impact

State makes June 10 ‘Free Fishing Day’ STAFF REPORT TPI Staff

By DAVID RAINER Alabama Department of Conservation & Natural Resources

When it comes to return on investment, very few programs can match the success of Alabama’s Forever Wild Land Trust.

Forever Wild was established in 1992 as a vehicle to preserve and protect important ecological and recreational tracts of land in the state.

Voters approved the constitutional amendment that established Forever Wild with an overwhelming 84 percent approval.

Two years later, Forever Wild closed on its first parcel of land, and now the program owns 195,000 acres and has an additional 60,000 acres under long-term lease agreements. Forever Wild funding comes from interest earnings generated by oil and gas production royalties paid to the state and is capped at $15 million annually. Doug Deaton of the Alabama State Lands Division, which administers the program for the Forever Wild Land Trust Board, said funding to date for the current fiscal year is about $14 million.

When Forever Wild came up for renewal for another 20 years in 2012, the program maintained widespread support and passed with 75 percent of the vote.

Despite the public support, there have been attempts to divert some of the Forever Wild funding and concerned conservation groups decided to sponsor a return-on-investment study to show how Forever Wild benefits the state in ways more than the intrinsic values of preserving sensitive habitat or providing public recreation opportunities.

At last week’s Forever Wild Land Trust Board meeting in Spanish Fort, Tammy Herrington, Executive Director of Conservation Alabama, took her turn during the public comment portion of the meeting to remind those in attendance of the enormous impact of Forever Wild and outdoors recreation on Alabama’s economy.

“We partnered with The Trust for Public Land, See IMPACT • Page A8

have played well.”

Franklin said the play of his offense compared to his defense wasn’t surprising.

“We knew going in that our offense would be behind our defense,” Franklin said.

“They’re learning a new system and it’s just going to take some time.

“At times, we executed some things well, but our consistency just wasn’t there. The effort was there.

We’re going to have to be more consistent moving the football. We had some passes and some runs after the catch, but we just need to be more consistent.”

Holtville will play Verbena in a fall jamboree before it begins its season Sept. 1 with a rematch against Marbury.

Billy Pope / DNR

From mountain biking in north Alabama’s Appalachian foothills to paddling one of the state’s coastal rivers, Forever Wild Land Trust properties offer a wide variety of outdoors recreation.

WE WANT TO SEE YOUR FISH As the weather grows warmer and the fish start biting, we want to see your big fish! And we know you want others to see them, too.

To get exposure for your prized catch, just email us a photo of your fish (either a single big ‘un or your entire catch) to david.granger@thewetumpkaherald.com.

Or, if it’s easier for you, drop by our office at 300 Green St. in Wetumpka and we’ll take the photo for you.

It’s that simple.

We’ll throw a photo of your fish in the newspaper and see that your catch is talked about throughout the county.So grab a pole and head to your favorite fishing spot. When you land that lunker, show us what an angler you are.

Send us your fish! Good luck! And good fishing!

On Saturday, June 10, Alabamians and visitors alike will have the opportunity to fish for free in most public waters including both freshwater and saltwater.

Free Fishing Day is part of National Fishing and Boating Week, which runs June 3-11. Approved by the Alabama Legislature, Free Fishing Day allows residents and non-residents to enjoy the outstanding fishing opportunities Alabama has to offer without having to purchase a fishing license.

The fishing license exemption on Free Fishing Day does not affect some lakes that may still require fees and permits. Fishing in a private pond requires the pond owner’s permission. Anglers can visit http://outdooralabama.com/ where-fish-alabama to find a great fishing spot for Free Fishing Day. “Free Fishing Day is the perfect opportunity for non-anglers to test the fishing waters and to remind former anglers of all the fun they’ve been missing,” said Nick Nichols, fisheries section chief for the Alabama Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries.

“It’s also a great opportunity for kids to get out and learn how fun and exciting fishing is. lus the day gives families a chance to do something together outdoors.”

The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) promotes wise stewardship, management and enjoyment of Alabama’s natural resources through four divisions: Marine Resources, State Parks, State Lands, and Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries. To learn more about ADCNR, visit www.outdooralabama.com.

Opelika downs Stanhope in tussle of new coaches

By DAVID GRANGER Managing Editor

It was a battle of brand-new coaches when Stanhope Elmore traveled to Opelika to play the 2016 Class 6A runner-up Bulldogs Friday night at Bulldog Stadium.

Brain Bradford was named Stanhope Elmore’s new coach in February, returning to his alma mater and a school where he coached nine years under Jeff Foshee.

Caleb Ross, Opelika’s new head coach, was named the leader of the Bulldog program in February, as well, coming to Opelika from McGill-Toolen in Mobile.

It was Ross whose charges got the better end of things on Friday as the Bulldogs took advantage of what Bradford called “mental mistakes” by the Mustangs en route to a 28-7 springgame win.

Asked what he learned about his Mustangs Friday night, Bradford

was enthusiastic about his team’s enthusiasm.

“They’re going to play hard,” said Bradford, who returned to Stanhope from a head coaching stint at Chilton County. “There was no nothing, you know, no let down. This was one of the top two best teams in the state in Opelika. They finished No. 2 last year (losing to Ramsay, 21-16 in the state championship game). We went out there, we played hard. We went out there with everything we had and I know it. You know, of course, we could have done a lot of things better because we didn’t win, but I thought the effort was there. It was definitely something to build on.

“I thought the offensive line played well. We made a lot of mental mistakes.

We had bad snaps that ended drives for us that if we hadn’t had we could have possibly had some more scoring opportunities. We got down to the 3 and had another bad snap which kind of

finished that drive. Well, it didn’t finish it. It was on third down and on fourth down, we didn’t convert. But, you know, having so many mental mistakes and still being able to move the ball I thought was encouraging.”

Bradford was also complimentary of the level of effort he got from his defense. But, again, mental mistakes proved to be the stop troops’ biggest obstacles.

“Defensively, the kids played hard,” Bradford said. “They got after it. We had a busted coverage which led to a score with the (first-teamers). So it was 14-0 at halftime, which, they played hard, a couple of little things here or there that we can tweak and fix and it’s a whole different game. They played very, very hard against a very good Opelika team. Of course, we wanted to win, but it’s not a total loss. I was pleased with the effort.”

One of the things that Bradford believes made the task tougher than

normal for his Mustangs is that he has, according to him, changed “everything” scheme-wise at the Millbrook school.

“We went in and totally revamped everything,” Bradford said. “So that caused a lot of confusion. The kids were, you know, trying to learn a whole new system, which creates some problems. I know one play that led to one big touchdown, the running back lined up on the wrong side, the protection was called to the wrong side and the quarterback’s blind side wasn’t protected. He got hit on the 20 yardline, they got the ball on the 20, which led to a touchdown. Little things like that hurt us. By the fall, we’ll be able to fix all that and we’ll be that much better.

“I thought they played aggressive and got after it, but too many mental mistakes cost us too many points. And we didn’t get enough on offense. But they played hard. Not bad for two weeks of practice and all.”

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Fire

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said to be in the middle of workshop, which Henderson said saved the structure.

However, the location of the fire was right in the middle of the building Henderson that Elmore County Outreach used to generate its income to further its operations.

Henderson said the bulk of the equipment used by their Outreach Wood Crafts was lost.

Through OWC, he said, they create crafts using wood. Most of

what they do is recover bibles and make ornate wood coverings for journals.

On its website, outreachwoodcrafts.com, images of their work can be found, including the recovered bibles, journal covers, monogrammed wooden coasters and ornaments among other things.

“We use that to fund what we do,” Henderson said.

He said the fire started next to the woodworking bench.

Photos of the weekend cleanup effort show volunteers pulling out

damaged debris from the charred shop with melted tools, wiring and burnt walls.

“Not only do we have to repair the building, we’ve got to replace the tools going forward,” Henderson said.

And just like in their work providing maintenance and safety upgrades for low-income elderly and the disabled, volunteers and donations would prove crucial to getting their nonprofit back in working order as quickly as possible.

Henderson published a lengthy list of needed tools to the Elmore County Outreach Facebook page.

“For anyone interested here is a list of what we need to get back operational in our shop once we it cleaned back up or in a new location,” the post reads.

Provided are email addresses to reach Henderson and the ECO and ways to donate directly through its website.

Henderson’s email is listed josh@elcooutreach.org, and a telephone number provided was (334)

452-7383, however Henderson said phone issues have arisen due to the fire and social media was the best way of reaching them.

He said the ECO was officially started last year, but formed in 2015.

“We stay fairly busy,” Henderson said. ”There’s a lot of need in Elmore County for people who live in unsavory conditions, safety issues, people living in mold, leaky roofs … You’d be surprised how much of that is in Elmore county.”

Board

Billy Pope / DNR

Forever Wild has land in trust across the state, offering a wide range scenery and landscape that offers a wide range of activities.

Impact The Nature Conservancy and others to do an economic impact study to show the economic value of the program so we would have the information when we were talking with legislators and voters about the actual benefits the program does bring to the state,” Herrington said.

“There have been attacks in recent years on public lands. So we had an idea there would be continued threats to Forever Wild, and we wanted to bring the numbers into the conversation.”

Herrington said the economic study showed that for every $1 invested in public land through the Forever Wild Land Trust, $5 is returned in goods and services to the state.

The economic analysis, a return-on-investment study, focused on fee simple purchases made by Forever Wild using state dollars. Public lands purchased through partnerships with federal grant programs, conservation organizations or private landowners were not included to purposely highlight the benefits of Alabama’s direct investment in land conservation through Forever Wild.

Herrington said the economic study verified what the study sponsors expected from setting aside land for public access and recreational use.

“We feel it’s a conservative estimate to what public lands bring to the state,” she said. “We focused just on Forever Wild land. When you look at some of the ways the program is able to leverage funds from federal, private and nonprofit sources, it adds to the value.

“So we think it brings more economic benefits than can even be quantified through this economic report.”

The report showed that tourists and residents spend $7.5 billion annually on outdoor recreation, which generates $494 million in tax revenues and supports 86,000 jobs and $2 billion in wages in Alabama.

One of the most geographically and ecologically diverse states in the nation, Alabama’s habitat includes mountains, coastal beaches, grassland plains, forests, farmland and abundant water resources in the drainages of the Tombigbee, Tennessee and Alabama river systems.

“In addition to those concrete numbers about the economy, you have stories in local communities about how they were able to take Forever Wild lands and were

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able to market them to bring in people for recreational opportunities, like hunting and other outdoors activities, to their areas,” Herrington said. “Those stories are all very interesting to me.

“Not only are you looking at what happens in economic impact, you’re able to look at places like Anniston, which took their Forever Wild land and built a biking community around it. You’ve got bicyclers from all over going to Anniston for their great mountain biking.”

The area near Anniston that Herrington referred to is the Doug Ghee Nature Preserve and Recreation Area, which is comprised of four Forever Wild acquisitions on Coldwater Mountain. Named for the former Alabama legislator and Forever Wild board member, the 4,180acre tract of mountainous forest is a combination of hardwoods and pines.

A total of 35 miles of bike trails, ranging from beginner level to expert, have been constructed on Coldwater Mountain.

The trail system attracts riders from all over the U.S. and has become a mecca for mountain bikers in the Southeast. Forever Wild’s Coldwater Mountain tract has been recognized by the International Mountain Biking Association as a Bronze-Level Ride Center, one of only 37 in the world.

Forever Wild has been used to purchase land in the Mobile-Tensaw Delta, Little River Canyon, Sipsey River Complex, Cathedral Caverns, Ruffner Mountain, Weeks Bay Reserve, Splinter Hill Bog and the Turkey Creek Nature Preserve, to name only a few. Additions to numerous Wildlife Management Areas were created through Forever Wild purchases, as well as additions to the Alabama State Parks System.

“I think that’s what people don’t understand,” Herrington said. “Our organization, Conservation Alabama Foundation, is focused on nature but also how people interact with nature. It’s not just to protect the wildlife for nature’s sake, it’s really about how citizens of this state interact with the land and what intrinsic value that brings to us as people. That’s why we do this work. Looking at public lands and these communities that benefit from Forever Wild lands, local leaders and citizens want to take advantage of them personally but also bring tourism opportunities into their community.”

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Following the meeting Director of Human Resources Susanne Goodin said she did not know if the coach had actually been dismissed, saying only principals could do that.

She said that decision was made by the individual schools and that decision did go before the board.

Asked if Davis had been dismissed, WHS Principal Robert Slater responded in an email, “The head varsity baseball position is open.”

Later in the meeting an examiner of public accounts with Alabama Department of Examiners of Public Accounts, Dixie Broadwater, spoke about last fiscal year’s audit findings.

She said they issued an unmodified opinion on the board’s financial statements as of and for the period ending Sept 30 2016.

“We also noted no matters to indicate that the board has not complied in all material respects to applicable laws and regulations,” said Broadwater. “In addition we issued an unmodified opinion on the board’s major federal financial assistance program for fiscal year 2016. We tested the Child Nutrition Program and there were no problems noted with this program.”

“We did however note the following finding … concerning 2016001 it relates to inadequate internal controls over funds collected by teachers at Stanhope Elmore High School,” Broadwater said.

She said Dennis had prepared a response and it was in the report, which could be found along with a copy of the audit at www.examiners. alabama.gov.

Afterward Dennis said there would be a special called meeting Thursday, June 8, to address items necessary for review by the board members.

An expulsion from Stanhope Elmore High School was discussed by the school’s administration.

After learning no one was present to request the topic be taken into executive session the expulsion was spoken about publicly, and the student referred to as ABC-2017-7.

The SEHS administration detailed why the student was expelled saying it was roughly the third major infraction, and the student was found in the parking lot smoking, where some amount of marijuana was subsequently found.

This follows other incidents they detailed involving “several knives” and another in which the student reportedly left school with a female student via a drainage ditch.

Dennis said the student had recently done a long-term stretch in the Elmore County Alternative Program (ECAP).

Afterward an executive session was called to discuss some matter and when the meeting was re-convened it was only done in order to adjourn it officially.

Snail Trail one set to begin, MSW Executive Director Jenny Stubbs said overall it would provide a kind of perpetual improvement process to the downtown landscape.

“It is a comprehensive project, it will be ongoing, we plan to incorporate many different pieces of art,” said Stubbs.

“Right now we’re concentrating on phase one, taking it step by step, we want to do it right,” And Stubbs said she wanted to make sure it was something that can be enjoyed by everyone.

“We’re using its name to help us highlight different stories of our community,” Stubbs said referring to the tulotoma magnifica.

In phase one, plans are that three concrete river snail sculptures would be placed downtown at key geographic regions and other artwork, like murals, would be installed to illustrate the city’s his-

continued from page 1

tory.

“The implementation of the ‘snail trail’ will get people moving and living downtown again, strengthening local businesses and bringing vibrancy back to what was once the heart of our community,” according to details about the project online. “This comprehensive project will celebrate the stories, both told and untold, and also highlight our city center’s eye-pleasing architectural elements.

In doing so, people throughout the entire region will enjoy a revitalized downtown.”

Stubbs said the focus was multi-pronged in history, education, economic vitality and conservation.

She said they had received calls from biologists and researchers across the country interested and wanting to contribute in some way to the effort due to the awareness it would generate to the once endangered species.

The Tulotoma Snail is indigenous to the Coosa River and until only recently was endangered due to loss of its natural habitat through damming and loss of oxygenated waters.

Stubbs said through federal regulations like the Clean Water Act and those in the area acting as ecology advocates the snail was brought back from endangered and has been the only snail species to do so.

Simultaneously, one of the factors that saved the snail was also a boon in local kayaking and fishing industries resulting in the raising of the Coosa River

Water levels.

She said she wanted to celebrate the human hands that she said came together in an effort to restore some of the natural habitat that brought the resurgence of the snail One group she named specifically was the Coosa River Paddling Club.

“Before them, the rivers were so low it wasn’t possible,” said Stubbs. “Our downtown has an evolving identity and one is the outdoor recreationist we want to attract.”

Stubbs recently appeared before the Wetumpka City Council and revealed the three locations where phase one would begin – a green space near the Elmore County Historical Museum, the other near the city driver’s license office and a downtown alley, all with some significance.

Stubbs said because the project would be expensive – more than their current accumulated $11,000 – they would partner with the city for in-kind work.

With Stubbs having appeared on two major local broadcasters within the last week, the project has undergone a sort of media blitz.

Among the phase one components, Stubbs, said was a mosaic Tulotoma River Snail sculpture.

She said she expected two of the locations to be complete by late summer, and into fall Stubbs said she anticipated the post office installment plus the alleyway renovations would likely be finished as well.

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Inside the Statehouse

By Steve Flowers

Race for Senate seat begins

W

ell folks the field is set for the sprint to fill the open U.S. Senate seat of Jeff Sessions.

The primary is less than three months away on Aug. 15. There will probably be a run-off on Sept.

26 and the winner of that GOP run-off will be our junior senator from Alabama. In the Heart of Dixie, winning the Republican nomination is tantamount to election. The Dec. 12 general election will be a coronation for the winner of the Sept. 26 Republican primary.

It was an interesting closing day of qualifying last Wednesday. It was unbelievable how many people showed up to qualify. There are eleven candidates running in the Republican primary and, amazingly, the Democrats fielded eight candidates. It was like ants coming out of the woodwork. It was similar to our olden days of Alabama politics when everybody and their brother ran for an open governor’s race or a seldom seen open Senate race. We ought to refer to this race as an ant race rather than a horse race.

Of the nineteen candidates, only about five are viable contenders. Therefore, about fourteen of these folks are running for the fun of it. In fact, we use to refer to them as “run for the fun of it” candidates.

The most colorful run for the fun of it candidate in Alabama political history was Ralph “Shorty” Price.

Shorty ran for governor every four years. He usually finished last. His slogan was smoke Tampa Nugget cigars, drink Budweiser beer, and vote for Shorty Price. His campaign platform declared that he would change the term of governor from four years to two years. He would say if you are not smart enough to steal enough as governor in two years, you ain’t smart enough to be governor.

My guess is that if someone put Shorty’s name on this Aug. 15 ballot, he would run sixth out of the 12-person GOP field, posthumously. He would probably win the Democratic nomination from the grave. The party leaders were probably glad to see them all show up. They raked in $3,400 a pop from each qualifier.

You wonder what motivates those also-ran candidates to put their names on the ballot? Maybe they just want to see their name on the ballot, maybe their Aunt Susie left them $5,000 with the stipulation that they had to use it to run for the U.S. Senate, or they want to tell their grandchildren one day that they ran for the U.S. Senate. They can omit that they ran eleventh.

Maybe they won a 4-H speaking contest when they were in school and figured their destiny was to be a U.S. Senator. It is similar to someone trying to walk on to Bear Bryant’s or Nick Saban’s football team and Bryant or Saban grants them permission to get a uniform if only for a day and try out. That bold soul who had to be hit by John Hannah like a tackling dummy can truthfully say to their grandson, “I played football at Alabama for Bear Bryant.”

Actually, Alabama’s Sixth Congressional Jefferson/ Shelby U.S. Representative, Gary Palmer, was elected to Congress by his doing the above thing while in college at Alabama. Some people suspect that his saying he played for Bear Bryant helped propel him to victory when he was elected a few years ago.

Well, let’s give them just due and list them for you.

I will list them in order of how I would handicap the field as the race for the Republican nomination begins.

The two frontrunners are Roy Moore, followed by Luther Strange. U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks is within striking distance of Big Luther. State Sen. Trip Pittman and Dr. Randy Brinson could be players if they come up with $5 million to spend on the race. Right now, they are unknown to more than 95 percent of the electorate. If Mo Brooks can raise and spend $3 million, or if Brinson or Pittman can pony up $5 million, one of these three could probably knock Luther out of the run-off. Roy Moore is in the run-off. He leads the crowded field. These six brave souls are in for the fun of it. Hopefully, their next-door neighbor or grandmother will vote for them: James Paul Baretta, Joseph Breault, Dom Gentile, Karen Jackson, Mary Maxwell and Bryan Peeples.

Enjoy the race. I will keep you posted. Next week I will analyze and handicap the race in-depth.

See you next week.

Steve Flowers is Alabama’s leading political columnist.

His weekly column appears in over 60 Alabama newspapers. He served 16 years in the state legislature.

Steve may be reached at www.steveflowers.us.

MAY 24, 2017 • Page B5

Going for a swim? Guard against health risks STAFF REPORT TPI Staff

The weather is growing warmer.

And with the weather, folks in Alabama are looking for ways to cool off.

The best way? Take a dip in a pool, river or lake.

The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) would like to remind all swimmers to stay safe and healthy when swimming in any body of water. All bodies of water, both fresh and salt, can contain many microorganisms

– germs – as part of natural flora and from animals or other species entering the water.

Germs are not only found in natural bodies of water like lakes or rivers, but can also be found in chlorinated pools. Pools may contain bacteria and viruses even when water is correctly treated.

“Infections from swimming are rare, but can occur,” Dr. Scott Harris, infectious disease physician with the ADPH, said.

“Natural bacteria that exist in bodies of water can cause skin and soft-tissue infection. Be

sure to follow safe swimming practices and follow up for any injuries you sustain in lakes, rivers, pools or coastal waters.

These are important health measures.”

ADPH reminds all swimmers to take the following precautions: • Shower after swimming.

• Wash hands before eating and after going to the bathroom.

• Avoid swimming if there are cuts or abrasions on the skin.

• Seek immediate medical care if a person sustains a laceration (cut of the skin) in the water.

Gas prices in the area rising over last week STAFF REPORT TPI Staff

Average retail gasoline prices in the Montgomery area, which includes Elmore County, have risen 3.5 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $2.09 per gallon Sunday, according to GasBuddy’s daily survey of 205 gas outlets in Montgomery.

This compares with the national average that has increased 2.1 cents per gallon in the last week to $2.35 per gallong, according to gasoline price website GasBuddy.com.

Including the change in gas prices in the Montgomery area during the past week, prices yesterday were 0.6 cents per gallon lower than the same day one year ago and are 8.0 cents per gallon lower than a month ago. The national average

has decreased 7.0 cents per gallon during the last month and stands 6.9 cents per gallon higher than this day one year ago.

According to GasBuddy historical data, gasoline prices on May 22 in Montgomery have ranged widely over the last five years, from a low of $2.10 per gallon last year to a high of $3.51 per gallon in 2014.

Areas near Montgomery and their current gas price climate include Pensacola, Florida at $2.31 per gallon, up 1.2 cents per gallon from last week’s $2.29, and Birmingham, up 0.4 cents per gallon to $2.07 from last week’s $2.06.

Alabama’s average gas price on Sunday stood at $2.08 per gallon, up 0.4 cents per gallon from last week’s $2.07.

“Due to a $3 per barrel surge in

crude oil prices in the last week, gasoline prices have been moving higher across a good portion of the U.S.,” said Patrick DeHaan, senior petroleum analyst for GasBuddy. com. “Optimism surrounding a likely deal to renew OPEC’s production cuts is pushing oil prices higher, but also the possibility that non-OPEC countries may join in has led to a dramatic turnaround in oil prices recently, with WTI crude oil climbing back over $50 per barrel for the first time since late April.

“The timing is impeccable for OPEC – tighten the market as summer driving season hits? Of course, but if global oil inventories don’t soon reflect the lower output it will eventually mean more struggles for oil down the road, so we’re staying tuned.”

Submitted / The Herald

Three Elmore County students represented their schools at Alabama All-State Honor Band at Alabama State University. Left to right, the students are Dallas Wade of Elmore County High School and Jesse Martin and Nicole Tyler, both of Holtville High School.

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PAGE B6 • MAY 24, 2017

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CommunityCalendar NOW – June 2

The exhibition, Stardust: From the Alabama Pastel Society, is at The Kelly Fitzpatrick Memorial Gallery. This is a juried exhibition and is opened to the public Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. - 4:30p.m. on the second floor of the City Administration Building, 408 South Main Street, Wetumpka, Alabama. Admission is free.

May 21

Darien Primitive Baptist Church will hold their Homecoming beginning at 10:30 a.m. Elder Jonathan Blakeley of Wetumpka will be the guest minister. A covered dish lunch will follow the morning service. All friends and descendants of former members are cordially invited to attend this service. Darien Church is located 5 miles west of Wadley, just off Highway 22 at Cotney’s old store.

• The Elmore County Historical Society is pleased to welcome Mrs. Ryan Blocker from the Alabama Department of Archives and History as our speaker. Mrs. Blocker will discuss the historical changes in wedding through past generations, why bridesmaids wear the same dresses, and fun wedding trivia. The meeting will be held at 2:30p.m. at the Elmore

County Museum. Refreshments will be served. The meeting is free and all are welcome.

May 22-June 22

Do you want to play a game?

Join the Businesses of Downtown Wetumpka as we have our first Photo Scavenger Hunt! Beginning May 22 and running through June 22 you will search Downtown Wetumpka for many special items located inside our businesses and snap a SELFIE with that item.

The more Selfies you take better your chance to win. Over $400 in prizes to be given away including prizes from Grumpy Dog, Vault Variety, Creed Gym, Curves, Scent Wizards and many more.

For more information contact Scent Wizards at 334-478-3801.

May 27

The 4th annual Hotrods in the Park will be from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the Village Green Park in Millbrook. There will be a car show, food, and t-shirts.

Admission will be canned goods to be donated to the Millbrook Welcome Center.

June 3

Elmore County NWTF Chapter Volunteers invite young people under the age of 18 and their parents to enjoy a day of outdoor fun at Fort Toulouse. Registration is free and includes lunch for the

youth participant. Preregistration is required by May 31. Onsite registration will also be available. Supervised activities will include: crafts, archery, hunter safety, BB gun shooting, Hatchet Throw, Black Powder Shooting, and many other events. For registration information about this year’s Jakes Event, contact Barbara Burchard, bburc24315@ aol.com. Registration Form can be located on our Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/ ElmoreCountyNWTF/ or online at http://bit.ly/2017ECJAKES.

June 17

Join the Wetumpka Chamber of Commerce for an in-depth 5 hour paranormal investigation of the most haunted building in Wetumpka from 7 p.m. – 12 a.m. Reservations include a “Paranormal 101” class at the Chamber. Register online at www. wetumpkachamber.com. Call (334) 567-4811 or email jyoung@ wetumpkachamber.org for more information.

June 24

The Shoppes at Eastchase, Blackfinn Ameripub, the Montgomery Bicycle Club, and Ability Sport Network at Huntingdon College invite you to ride Cycling for sight at 7 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. There is are

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Submit calendar items: Participate in your Herald and Observer by calling 256-234-4281, faxing them to 256-234-6550, sending your event to the.editor@thewetumpkaherald.com or logging on to http://www.thewetumpkaherald.com/.

optional 20-mile, 45-mile, 65-mile and 100-mile fun rides to benefit the Montgomery Lions Club Community Foundation charities.

This is the sevnth ride in the Alabama Backroads Century Series, This ride will commemorate Helen Keller, a native Alabamian who courageously challenged Lions Club members to become “knights of the blind in the crusade against darkness.

Visit www.montgomerylionsclub. com for more information.

June 26-30 New Home Baptist Church, located at 1605 New Home Road in Titus, will host “Maker Fun Factory Vacation Bible School.”

Supper will be served each night at 6 p.m. and class will be taught from 6:30 p.m.- 8:30 p.m. Maker Fun Factory is a world where curious kids become hands-on inventors who discover they’re lovingly crafted by God. Sunday, July 2 is Family Day, where families can see what the kids learned all week at 10 a.m. Lunch will follow at 11 a.m. Please make plans to attend; you aren’t going to want to miss out on the fun.

ONGOING EVENTS

The DAC Foundation exhibit located at 219 Hill Street in downtown Wetumpka will be open each Monday and Wednesday from 10:00 am until 12:00 pm.

Our first exhibit at this location, features work by Dixie Art Colony artists Arthur Stewart, Kelly Fitzpatrick, Shiney Moon, Lousie Everton, Karl Wolfe, Billy Wilson and Genevieve Sutherland. Some of the work has never been publicly shown. For information visit DixieArtColony.org or follow us on Facebook.

• Celebrate Recovery meets at Grace Point Community Church, located at 78223 Tallassee Highway, every Tuesday night at 6:15 p.m. All are welcome! These meetings are a safe and loving environment for individuals seeking to conquer their hurts, habits, and hang-ups! For more information visit gracepoint.info.

• Celebrate Recovery meets at Journey Church, located at 2960 East Cobbs Ford Road every Monday at 5:30 p.m.

There is a meal and childcare provided. Celebrate Recovery is a Christ-centered 12-step for anyone struggling with addiction or life-challenging issues. Call Larry at (334) 832-5714 or visit myjourneychurch.com for more information.

• Celebrate Recovery meets each Thursday evening at 6:15 p.m. at Santuck Baptist Church, located at 7250 Central Plank Road. This is a Christ centered 12 step program for anyone

struggling with hurts, habits, and hang-ups. Call (334) 567-2364 for more information.

• Fresh Start Recovery meets every Thursday from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. at First United Methodist Church Wetumpka located at 306 W Tuskeena Street. Fresh Start Motorcycle Ministry began when God laid it on the heart of a lifetime biker to minister to those with his background. All are welcome, not a requirement to own/ ride a motorcycle. Format used is the Holy Bible. For information contact ministry leader Paul Henderson at (334) 201-5428.

• Gamblers Anonymous meets Saturdays at 6 p.m. at Cedarwood Community Church, located at 10286 U.S. Highway 231 in the Wallsboro/ Wetumpka community. Call (334) 567-0476 for more information.

• Griefshare Ministry meets on Tuesday nights at 6:30 p.m.

This ministry is for anyone who is dealing with the loss of a loved one and is seeking guidance and encouragement. There is a small fee for the materials and this is open to all people needing support. Contact the church office for more information 334-567-4729 or visit www. calvarybaptistwetumpka.org or our Facebook page @calvarybaptistwetumpka.

Humane Society of Elmore County News

By REA CORD Executive Director

“Kitten season” is in definitely here as we are receiving increasing numbers of momma cats with kittens, orphaned kittens, single kittens, multiple litters of kittens, just kittens and more kittens. And for possibly every kitten surrendered to our shelter there are another three or four more kittens out in the community looking for homes. With literally hundreds of kittens looking for homes each week, the supply of kittens far exceeds the demand.

All of these free kittens unfortunately sustain this vicious cycle as not enough of these will ever be spayed or neutered before they start producing litters of their own.

Many of these kittens will get pregnant as early as four months old and the dilemma of too many kittens and not enough homes will continue.

If you are looking to add a cat or kitten to your family, please look to your local shelter. For our $50 adoption fee, our kittens will have had basic immunizations and de-wormings, will be spayed or neutered, microchipped and so

much more. With the support of all of the area veterinarians, we can pretty well say that adopting a kitten from a shelter will be the most economical way to give one a good home and make sure your new cat does not contribute to a very real problem of pet overpopulation.

And if you do get one of the hundreds of free kittens, please see to it that it is vaccinated and de-wormed by your vet soon after you get it and then spayed or neutered (remember – it takes two to tango, so boys need to be neutered as well) by the time it is six months old. No matter where you get your kitten (or cat or puppy or dog), please take it to a veterinarian soonest so that it can get off to a healthy start.

Far too many ‘free’ pets succumb to diseases because they never went to a veterinarian to help them get the protection they need and your veterinarian will be happy to answer your questions and help make sure your pet is a happy and healthy member of your family.

There are also many, many dogs, puppies and adult cats at our shelter looking for their forever homes which leads to a big shout out to our

Pet Care Staff for their hard work decorating our shelter last week and all the fun of our 2nd annual “Adoptions Under the Stars” this past Saturday. We will leave our interior decorations up for a while as you really need to see the creativity of our staff. Mama Nature put a bit of a damper on our fun, but eleven of our pets did find new homes. Sadly 34 more pets came in before noon on Saturday, but we kept the proverbial stiff upper lips and smiled with each of our wonderful adoptions. Those 34 are just a fraction of our intake this time of year and the cause for the kitten season information above.

Many know how important our Tail’s End Thrift Store is to our shelter so we hope you can join us on Friday, June 2, at 1:30 pm for our official dedication ceremony as there are some very important people who deserve our thanks and whose help and faith in our work we want to publicly celebrate.

For more information on our shelter check out our website at www.elmorehumane.org, email us at hselco@bellsouth.net or give us a call at 334-567-3377.

Pet of the Week — Paul Paul is a six-seven-month old, possible Lab/bulldog mix boy, about 35-40 pounds.

He isn’t going to get much bigger when fully grown, so he is a perfect size for many families.

Paul is very playful, good with other dogs, loves people and is a submissive natured boy.

Our adoption fees are $100 for dogs and $50 for cats under one year old; cats over one year old can be adopted by approved adopters for a fee of their choosing.

This adoption fee completely covers the mandatory

spay or neuter, basic immunizations, de-worming, microchip, heartworm check for dogs, rabies vaccination (if old enough) and a free health exam with your participating veterinarian.

To meet all the great pets at our shelter come to 255 Central Plank Road.

For more information, go to our website at www.elmorehumane.org, email us at hselco@bellsouth.net or give us a call at 334-567-3377.

We are open for adoptions Monday – Friday 10 a.m-5 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Your social security tax supports millions

By KYLLE’ D. MCKINNEY Alabama Social Security Public Affairs Specialist

You are making America stronger through Social Security. Chances are, people you know and love benefit in some way from this social safety net. Retirees, Wounded Warriors, the disabled, and people who are chronically ill rely on Social Security for monthly benefits. The Social Security taxes you pay are helping millions of Americans — and financially securing your today and tomorrow.

By law, employers must withhold Social Security taxes from workers’ paychecks. While usually referred to as “Social Security taxes” on an employee’s pay statement, sometimes the deduction is labeled as “FICA.” This stands for Federal Insurance Contributions Act, a reference to the original Social Security Act. In some cases, you will see “OASDI,” which stands for Old Age Survivors Disability Insurance, the official name for the Social Security Insurance program.

The taxes you pay now mean a lifetime of protection — for a comfortable retirement in your senior years or in the event of disability. And when you die, your family (or future family) may be able to receive survivors benefits based on your work as well.

Social Security is fully funded through 2033. At that point, we’ll be able to fund retirement benefits at 79 percent unless changes are made to the law. Social Security has evolved to meet the needs of a changing population — and you can count on Social Security in the future.

If you’re a long way from retirement, you may have a tough time seeing the value of benefit payments that could be many decades in the future. But keep in mind that the Social Security taxes you’re paying can provide valuable disability or survivors benefits in the event the unexpected happens. Studies show that of today’s 20-year-olds, about one in four will become disabled and about one in eight will die before reaching retirement.

Check out our webinar, “Social Security 101: What’s in it for me?” The webinar explains what you need to know about Social Security. You can find it at www. socialsecurity.gov/multimedia/webinars/social_security_101.html.

If you’d like to learn a little more about Social Security and exactly what you’re earning for yourself by paying Social Security taxes, take a look at our online booklet, “How You Earn Credits,” at www. socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10072.html.

You can also learn more at www.socialsecurity.gov.