By Cliff Williams Staff Writer
Elmore County, Coosada at odds over sewer project
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
Coosada is asking the courts for an injunction to stop the West Elmore Sewer Group project from being constructed in town limits without its permission.
County to the wastewater treatment facility at the Wetumpka Water Works.
alleged victim’s phone. Authorities collected Wilson’s phone as well. “You could see a conversation between the two,” Franklin said. “Mr. Wilson is going to contend someone had the security code to his phone and he was not responsible. There is other information we can’t disclose now but I don’t think it’s beneficial to Mr. Wilson.”
1 deputy, 2 others injured in officer involved shooting
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
A Wetumpka woman is in the Elmore County Jail after she allegedly
Chamber holds luncheon welcoming members
to Elmore Coun-
ty Sheriff Bill Franklin, the incident started Tuesday morning when Bracy asked deputies to respond to her home on Dozier Road in the Redland community about a theft.
“(Deputies) went out there,
See SHOOTING, Page A6
By Cliff Williams Staff Writer
Elmore County contends the parts of the project within Coosada are on rights of way deeded to the county.
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) Town of Coosada seeks an order which prohibits Elmore County from implementing a sewage project within the boundaries of the town in direct violation of the attorney’s general opinion,” the town’s complaint dated March 17 states.
The COVID-19 pandemic put a hamper on gatherings but the chamber celebrated the successes of business in Wetumpka.
The project is designed to connect large portions of western Elmore
Elmore County responded to the complaint on March 21. It stated it has
See COOSADA, Page B3
“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
| TPI
An artist rendering shows the new Baumhower’s for The Marketplace at 17 Springs.
Baumhower’s coming to Millbrook’s 17 Springs
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
ADDICTION RECOVERY
HOME OPENS WITH CELEBRATION, CONCERN
local churches.”
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
Ahome for recovering addicts is now open on the shores of Lake Jordan.
The home for up to six residents will aid in starting a new life for some but has also caused concern for some neighbors.
negative, I’ve seen two positives.” Recovery Alive is a North Carolina based organization and officially opened the men’s home Stillwaters on Saturday. It Recovery Alive’s seventh home in the country, the eighth will be open in another two weeks. It is the second home in Alabama.
Holtville’s Futral Alabama principal of the year
Staff Report
Baumhower’s Victory
Grille plans to open in the fall at The Marketplace at 17 Springs.
“I am beyond excited to welcome Baumhower’s,” Millbrook Mayor Al Kelley said. “I can’t wait to eat there.”
The Alabama Association of Secondary School Principals (AASSP) named Holtville High School principal Kyle Futral the 2022 Alabama High School Principal of the Year.
“We’re thrilled to bring our newest prototype to Millbrook at 17 Springs,”
CEO and Head Fry Cook
The first Alabama home was “Ray of Hope” for women, which opened in October. Both Alabama homes are in Elmore County and are designed to aid recovering addicts start a new life without ignoring their obligations.
The new restaurant will feature Baumhower’s newest prototype, delivering an unmatched dining experience to Elmore and Autauga County.
Bob Baumhower said in a release. “This location will elevate the sports-themed
“Kyle Futral is an exceptional principal and is very proactive and innovative in his thinking and approaches to managing his school,” Dennis said, As principal of Holtville High School, Futral has transformed
The High School Principal of the Year award was presented to Futral on Friday, Jan. 28 during a schoolwide assembly at Holtville High School. Elmore County Superintendent Richard Dennis was in attendance for the presentation.
See SPRINGS, Page B3
“There is always going to be negative no matter where we go,” Recovery Alive Founder and CEO Tisha Temple said. “I’m trying to focus on the positive because for every
the school culture from that of a school struggling with low morale, achievement and attendance to a school that strives for excellence. By collaborating with staff, many of the school’s issues were identified and addressed. Futral’s leadership style of listening, encouraging, supporting, organizing and challenging the staff and students, caused the school culture to
“God put a dream on my heart years ago to open up a recovery program,” Temple said. “I didn’t know his plan was to increase this far. He is transforming local communities through
shift in a positive direction. The school experienced a 62 percent decrease in discipline referrals, 50 percent decrease in chronic absenteeism, 7 percent increase in the graduation rate, 33 percent increase in CCR rate and a 20 percent increase in ACT proficiency in the last five years.
See PRINCIPAL, Page A3
“These are sober living homes,” Recovery Alive Ambassador and home director Tracy Boozer said. “This is not a halfway house. It’s not a treatment center. It’s not a detox
See RECOVERY, Page A6
WILSON
SUBMITTED
BRACY
CLIFF WILLIAMS TPI
Tracy Boozer, center, leads a prayer at the ribbon cutting for Stillwaters, the Lake Jordan home for recovering addicts.
The project is designed to connect large portions of western Elmore County to the wastewater treatment facility at the Wetumpka Water Works.
Police Reports
WETUMPKA POLICE DEPARTMENT
MARCH 20
• Nekila Waters, 35, of Montgomery, was arrested for three counts of failure to appear.
MARCH 19
• Courtney Hayes, 37, of Letohatchee, was arrested for driving under the influence and person forbidden to possess a firearm.
• Antawan Willoughby Jr., 26, of Montgomery, was arrested for four counts of failure to
appear.
• Manuel Martinez-Gomez, 48, of Montgomery, was arrested for driving under the influence.
MARCH 18
• Ashley Smitherman, 37, of Montgomery, was arrested for two counts of failure to appear.
MARCH 17
• Douglas Washington, 45, of Wetumpka, was arrested for failure to appear.
• Leroy Jones, 61, of Wetumpka, was arrested for possession of mar-
ijuana and failure to obey.
• Michael Sexton, 46, of Montgomery, was arrested for three counts of failure to appear.
• Assault was reported in Autumnwood Village.
M ARCH 16
• Reginald Zeigler, 42, of Wetumpka, was arrested for driving under the influence.
• Cybele Laboy, 55, of Warner Robbins, Georgia, was arrested for driving under the influence.
MARCH 15
• Angela Hines, 32, of Wetumpka, was arrested for possession of marijuana, possession of a controlled substance and obstruction of justice using a false identity.
• Byron Jarrett, 35, of Montgomery, was arrested for theft of property.
MARCH 13
• Cordale Johnson, 29, of Montgomery, was arrested for six counts of failure to appear.
Woman stabs another with ‘large knife’
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
A Troy woman faces first-degree assault charges after a fight with a girlfriend and ex.
The charges stem from a call to the Millbrook Police Department on Saturday about a fight between subjects inside a home on Sweetwater Drive.
“We believe this incident began as a domestic altercation between roommates,” Millbrook police chief
P.K. Johnson said. “It resulted in one person calling a former girlfriend to pick her up.”
According to court records, when police arrived they found witnesses attempting to restrain Madyson Eutsey, 20, of Troy. They found the 24-yearold female victim with stab wounds to both legs and bleeding heavily.
Multiple witnesses were interviewed, according to court records.
“Eutsey threw a vape at (her girlfriend),” court records state. “(It was thrown) back to Eutsey.”
Court documents state Eutsey then punched her girlfriend causing swelling around the eye and scratching the eye according to court records. The girlfriend contacted her ex-girlfriend to pick her up.
“When the victim and her cousins arrived to pick her up, an argument ensued between Eutsey and the victim during which the victim was stabbed in both legs with a large kitchen knife,” court documents state.
The victim was transported to a Montgomery area hospital for treatment.
Eutsey was charged with first-degree assault and taken to the Elmore County Jail.
Quality of Life Projects continue, contingency plan for graduation in place
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
There is no longer a grass field at J.E. Hot O’Brien Field, Holtville or Elmore County High School’s football fields.
They are all being replaced with turf as part of the Elmore County Commission’s Quality of Life Projects. Currently, there are red mounds of dirt at Hot O’Brien and Tallassee City Schools.
Superintendent Dr. Brock Nolin is working on a contingency plan for graduation, which is normally at the football stadium.
“You hope for the best and plan for the worst,” Nolin said. “I have been involved in projects with delays before. I went ahead and made a plan with an alternate location for graduation just in case the project is delayed. You are dealing with an outdoor project with ground work and can’t predict the weather.”
Plans are still to have the graduation ceremony at J.E. Hot O’Brien on May 23 or 24, if weather causes a last-minute delay. But in case the new artificial turf isn’t ready, Nolin secured the stadium at the Wetumpka Sports Complex as a backup.
At the same time, contractors have been
working on the fields at Holtville and Elmore County high schools.
Those schools also received turf diamond fields for baseball and softball. Both of those fields were completed in time to be used this season. To save funds, contractors kept their equipment at the schools to start work on the football fields.
“Hopefully as the county projects are completed, more machinery and manpower will be coming to our site to push the project,” Nolin said.
The project at Holtville hit a temporary hiccup as
EUTSEY
CLIFF WILLIAMS | TPI
TOP: Contractors install gravel as the base layer for turf at the football field at Elmore County High School. The project is one of the Elmore County Commission Quality of Life funded projects and is scheduled to be completed in time for the May graduation.
ABOVE: Contractors work to install turf at the Holtville Football stadium Saturday. Plans are to have graduation ceremonies on the field in May.
Humane Society of Elmore County News
Do your research before adopting a pet
By REA CORD HSEC Executive Director
People obtain pets from many sources – Shelters, rescues, pets being re-homed by family, neighbors and friends; puppies and kittens from unplanned litters; pet stores; farm auctions; flea markets; newspaper ads; social media, fliers posted in public places and breeders.
While many pets obtained from any one of these sources live wonderful lives and are well loved, far too many end up again needing new homes or, worse, living lives of neglect or misery with owners who were truly not prepared or who quickly lose interest in them.
Adding a living, breathing animal to your family should be a deliberate, well thought out process. This is why we have an Adoption Application to adopt a pet as far too many of our pets are there because they were obtained on a whim or without due consideration to their phys-
ical & mental needs. The application process is us, doing our best, to make sure that the adoption is a good fit for the pet and for the new owner. Questions about lifestyles, the home environment, the adopter’s expectations, children, other pets, etc, help us match the right pet with the right family. We do this because far too many of the animals in shelters are there because they took on a pet without really thinking it through and it turns out to be a bad fit for all concerned. Just like there are good and perhaps not so good sheltering agencies, there are wonderful breeders who breed for the love of their breed and breeders who are only in it for money. Good breeders care about the homes they are placing their puppy or kitten (or horse, or bird, etc) in. Good breeders question potential buyers thoroughly to ensure the new owner will be able to provide a good home for the pet for its entire lifetime.
Pet of the Week - Coco
Good breeders do not just sell a puppy or kitten to the first person who can pay the purchase price.
Our pets all leave us fully vaccinated based on their age with our puppies and kittens having at least two sets of vaccinations. Our puppies and kittens have to be a minimum of eight weeks old before we place them for adoption so as to allow them socialization from their littermates or kennel mates and to get at least the two sets of vaccinations complete. We say this as conscientious breeders will also ensure their babies are healthy, vaccinated and ready to leave mom and littermates, so they also wait until they are 8-12 weeks old before sending them to new families.
It is understandable to look for a breeder if you have a desire for a particular breed and want to start with a puppy or kitten. If you do turn to a breeder here are some hints to find a reputable breeder: a rep-
utable breeder will not sell their puppies or kittens at a flea market, auctions or out of the trunk of their car in a parking lot. Reputable breeders will not have you meet them in some parking lot ‘because their house is too hard to find.’ Reputable breeders will decline a sale if they don’t think it is in the best interest of the puppy or kitten. Reputable breeders care more about their animals than they do the almighty dollar and work hard to breed pets that are physically & genetically healthy, with stable temperaments as well. Reputable breeders help by becoming mentors to those who do purchase their puppies or kittens and stand by their pets. Truly reputable breeders are there for their puppies and kittens even years after the sale if the need arises. Reputable breeders are some of our best allies in terms of animal welfare as they work very hard to teach responsible pet ownership and have much expertise to
Coco is a female Terrier mix who is about 9 ½ months old and weighs 18 pounds. She came to us as a stray and was never reclaimed. This little gal packs a lot of energy in a small package and thinks playing keepaway is a fun game but she is very responsive to treats. She is a sweet gal, good with other dogs and can be talkative like a lot of Terriers. The Humane Society of El-
contractors damaged an unknown sewer line.
“It has been repaired,” Elmore County Schools superintendent Richard Dennis said. “Contractors will come back at a later date and install a new line behind the pressbox and not under the field. They will then fill the current line with foam when it is no longer needed to prevent it from collapsing.”
Dennis said those fields would be ready for graduation for Holtville and Elmore County high schools. Elmore County chief operating officer Richie Beyer added more quality of life projects are in the plans.
“We are working on video boards at the three schools in Eclectic, Holtville and Tallassee with shared
more County’s adoption fees are $100 for dogs and $50 for cats under 1 year old. Cats over 1 can be adopted by approved adopters for a fee of their choosing. This adoption fee covers the mandatory spay or neuter, basic immunizations, deworming, microchip, heartworm check for dogs, rabies vaccination if old enough and a free health exam with your participating veterinar-
funding,” Beyer said.
Nolin said the Tallassee Board of Education has approved about $85,000 for the project with the county funding the remainder. As part of this year’s Elmore County Commission budget, a new rodeo arena was ordered and recently delivered to the Wetumpka Sports Complex. Beyer said a climbing tower for the Stanhope Elmore High School JROTC program is also being planned.
“They go to competitions everywhere,” Beyer said. “This will allow them to host competitions bringing in teams who will stay and eat in Elmore County. It will also pave the way for training for first responder training with climbing gear.”
Beyer said other quality of life projects include about $15,000 in tarps and equipment to help maintain the infield at Bazemore Field at Wetumpka High School.
offer. So the next time you are thinking of adding a new pet to your family, take your time. Do your homework, make sure you are ready, check with a shelter perhaps and if you do choose to purchase from a breeder, take the time to make sure they actually care about their pets and their future. One way to find a conscientious breeder is to ask area veterinarians since caring breeders will
be good clients of veterinarians as they both work to ensure the best health of the parents and the babies they produce. Getting a pet is a serious commitment in terms of time and money so please make sure you are truly ready to commit to that pet for the next 15-20 years of its life.
Rea Cord is the executive director of the Humane Society of Elmore County.
ian. If you are interested in meeting Coco or any of the pets at HSEC, the first step is to fill out an adoption application online. Once approved, you will be contacted by someone from the humane society. HSEC is located at 255 Central Plank Road in Wetumpka. The phone number is 334-5673377 and the website is www. elmorehumane.org.
The baseball and softball fields at the Wetumpka Sports Complex will be converted to turf. He said they are the last of the quality of life projects in this cycle. Plans are well underway to expand the boat ramps and parking at Kowaliga on Highway 63.
“We are preparing to go to the bond market to get the final funding for these projects and the community center in Tallassee,” Beyer said.
Nolin said Tallassee City Schools has put its track project on hold for the time being as the bid costs were too high the first time.
“We have put the brakes on it right now,” Nolins said. “I’m expecting more funds from the state. Hopefully we will be able to rebid it and do the whole package of bathrooms and fencing instead of cutting back and (getting a) value engineer.”
CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
‘Diggin’ up Bones’ Music awards show brings back memories
Seeing country music legend Randy Travis finish up his song “Forever and Ever Amen” with Carrie Underwood at the County Music Awards brought all sorts of memories.
I knew he wasn’t performing much, if any, since his stroke more than a decade ago. But I was pleasantly surprised to see him highlighted in the front row of the program as Underwood sang his “Forever and Ever Amen.”
I was overjoyed when Underwood put the microphone up to Travis for the last word of the song. There it was, that voice I miss saying, “Amen.”
All of sudden I was flush with memories and I was “Diggin Up Bones.”
Some were unsure of Travis’ talent but he never gave up. The record companies turned him down many times after he made the move to Nashville to start his career in the early 80s. Like so many trying to make it, he waited tables while visiting the labels. They were not sure of his style as some saw country going more pop.
Then Nashville took a chance on him and let him record Storms of Life in 1986. Just the year before he had been named new male male vocalist of the year.
I remember making the trek to Jackson Island in Millbrook to see Travis. My dad had scored tickets just before Travis’ climb up the charts to the legend who he would become.
The day is almost like a video in my mind.
See AWARDS, Page A5
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After Gov. Kay Ivey officially signed it into law earlier this week, paid maternity leave is now a reality for state employees and educators in Alabama.
The fact it’s 2025 and this is just now becoming a thing is bewildering to start with. However, we’ll call it a win for all Alabamians. Although it only affects state employees and educators, I do hope more smaller companies across the state will follow suit.
Before now, women who worked for the state of Alabama did not receive any paid maternity leave. That’s not to say they couldn’t take time off when they had babies. Instead, they had to use their paid time off and sick leave in order to make things work. Same for men. Now, maternity leave will be paid for up to eight weeks and paternity leave will be paid for two weeks.
This also applies to stillbirths and miscarriages and adoptions under the age of 3. It’s a huge win for women across the state.
There has been an undue burden on state-employed
Paid maternity leave a win for all Alabamians
women who choose to have a family. This was unacceptable. Multiple studies have shown that a key portion of mother and child bonding comes in the earliest weeks of a baby’s life. This is also important for moms and dads who don’t have other family members to rely on; there’s no mother who wants to put their baby into daycare as a newborn. Even eight weeks isn’t much, but it’s better than nothing.
My husband and I have been trying to start a family for several months. It’s challenging and it comes with a lot of heartache. But one of our biggest fears involving having a child is childcare. Simply put, we don’t have a lot of family in the area.
out of state. We worry about early daycare for a potential child because, obviously, we both work full-time jobs (and sometimes more than full-time, to be sure).
wrong with daycare. My sisterin-law worked in daycares for years, and I’ve seen the kind of success children can have in that kind of environment. We also have some amazing daycares but having those early bonding weeks and months is essential as well.
panies and businesses to offer unpaid time off, but having that paid leave is essential, especially for young women who are trying to start a fam ily.
able cost associated with hav ing or adopting a child. This new law for state employees is a step in the right direction.
Afew weeks ago in this space, I wrote about various experiences working in radio stations over the years.
“Dead air” is a time when a record finishes and nobody is there to cue up the next one; it happens whenever there is a malfunction in the automated operating system or whenever an announcer just doesn’t know what to do next.
Montgomery’s oldest radio station, and the fourth-oldest in Alabama, only has dead air now. Permanently. The station at 1440 kilocycles on the dial that began its life as WSFA, spent most of its time as WHHY, and ended as WLWI has signed off for good due to low ratings.
As of last Saturday, March 15, 2025, one of Alabama’s oldest radio stations fell silent. 1440 AM began on April 30, 1930 as WSFA-AM. The call letters mean, “With the South’s Finest Airport” and live on today as the call letters of WSFA-TV 12. AM 1440 may be the most storied broadcast frequency in Montgomery history. The original owner, Montgomery Broadcasting Company, was managed by future Alabama governor Gordon Persons. The radio station was the starting point for country music legend Hank Williams, who used to perform on WSFA with his Drifting Cowboys starting in 1936. The Speer Family of gospel music also started out on WSFA. Both Williams and the Speers moved on to Nashville after a few years, but 1440 AM gave them their start.
In 1957, Holt-Robinson Broadcasting Service purchased WSFA and changed the historic callsign to WHHY, to match their other properties: WHSY in Hattiesburg, WHNY in McComb, and WHXY in Bogalusa. This was the beginning of the rock n’ roll era, and WHHY was ready. Legendary disc jockeys like Joe Hagler were breaking local hits by artists such as Clarence Carter before they became famous nationally. In the late 1960s, WHHYAM 1440 developed a partner FM station at 101.9 mHz and called it Y-102. Operations moved from the Frank Leu Building in downtown Mont-
Charles’ family is about an hour away, and as you all know, I’m a transplant from
managing editor of Tallapoo sa Publishers Inc. She can be reached at 434-962-9420 or via email at lizi.gwin@alexc ityoutlook.com.
gomery (imploded in 1997) to a house on Norman Bridge Road in south Montgomery. At the time, the number-one station in the area was The Big BAM, WBAM-AM 740 – but WHHY’s powerful AM/FM combination began to really give WBAM some serious competition once Larry Stevens came to town. Everybody has somebody they listened to, looked up to, emulated – or, at least, tried to emulate. For those of us who grew up in the Montgomery area during the 1970s and 1980s, the radio personality was Larry Stevens. Larry Stevens was the Program Director of WHHY-AM 1440 and Y-102 FM. Now, WHHY had been around for decades, of course, before Larry Stevens came along – but it was under his leadership that the station became the top-rated in this market and a model for all others to follow. They were everywhere: grand openings, high school pep rallies, reporting on severe weather, you name it.
Larry and his “Waking Crew” aired weekdays from 6:00-10:00 a.m. and, for many, provided the soundtrack of our lives.
Other personalities on WHHY included Kris O’Kelly, Bill “The Birdman” Thomas, Mark Thompson, Lanny West, and dozens more who made Top 40 radio exciting and memorable. James Spann and Rich Thomas, later known as the preeminent meteorologists in Alabama, once worked at WHHY. The news department featured Jim McDade, Jimmy Carter, and more – led by the legendary Robert Charles, who ended his newscasts with the line “the moving finger writes; and, having writ, moves on!” WHHY-FM, or Y-102, became the focus station around the mid-1980s and the AM began transitioning away from Top 40 into oldies and talk radio formats. Y-102, with a powerful 100,000-watt signal, could be heard everywhere
When radio goes silent
from Birmingham to Dothan and was the dominant radio station in the market for the 1980s and 1990s.
Coincidentally, it was in 1993 that Holt-Robinson decided to sell WHHY-AM & FM to Thomas Duddy – right at the time that popular music tastes were moving away from rock n’ roll to hip-hop and country. Larry Stevens and his morning crew departed for rival WMXSFM (“Mix 103”), and for fans of Montgomery radio, it was the end of an era in the summer of 1996 when the legendary Y-102 changed call letters –and formats. First, the station played an active rock format and called itself “Live 101.9” for a short time; then, after stunt programming with a computer reading jokes, In 1996, WHHY became WJCC and “Cat Country 102”.
None of this helped the ratings, and in 1999, Cumulus Broadcasting purchased WHHY-AM and WJCC-FM. By the fall of 1999, the heritage callsign WHHY and the Top 40 format was back on Y-102, while AM 1440 had new call letters: WLWI-AM. WLWI-AM 1440 began broadcasting a news/talk format to the Montgomery area and featured nationally syndicated talk show hosts Rush Limbaugh, Mark Levin, Sean Hannity, and Michael Savage. All Montgomery Biscuits baseball games were carried on 1440, as well as local call-in shows featuring Kevin Elkins and Caleb Colquitt.
In this past 25 years, it seemed that Cumulus cared less and less for AM 1440. While other news/talk stations such as WACV-FM 93.1 saw their audience growing exponentially during this period, WLWI-AM 1440 was barely even promoted anymore even though they had some top-tier talk show talent on their airwaves. In their final Arbitron ratings book, WLWI-AM 1440, once the giant of Montgomery broadcasting, registered at a 0.7. Cumulus pulled the plug. After 95 years, 1440 AM had something nobody alive has ever heard: dead air.
Michael Bird is a music teacher at Faulkner University.
MICHAEL BIRD Columnist
LIZI GWIN Managing Editor
SUBMITTED TPI
Glock switches now outlawed in Alabama
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
Devices to make semiautomatic handguns automatic have been illegal according to federal courts for several years. Now they are illegal in Alabama.
The Alabama Legislature passed legislation introduced by state Sen. Will Barfoot making Glock switches, which are a device that can be attached to the end of a Glock handgun to convert it into an selective fire machine pistol, which is capable of a fully automatic fire.
The new legislation means law enforcement can charge those with the devices and district attorneys can prosecute defendants in state court for possession of Glock switches.
“While there is a federal ban on these gun conversion devices, we needed a way to empower our own law enforcement here in Alabama to get these illegal and extremely dangerous Glock switches off our streets,” Gov. Kay Ivey said in a statement. “I am proud to support law enforcement and work to combat crime by putting my signature on SB116.”
SB116 is part of the governor’s Safe Alabama public safety package. Ivey began the legislative session by stating bolstering public safety is her No. 1 priority.
Barfoot is the son and nephew of retired law enforcement officers. He noted helping law enforcement as one of the issues at a legislative breakfast hosted by the Millbrook Chamber of Commerce before the session started.
“One thing I know for sure is going to be in that public safe-
Continued from A4
I was 11 or 12 years old at the time and went with my parents in our old conversion van.
It was a perfect day packed with a picnic lunch, lawn chairs with sunlight beaming through the trees like spotlights of the arenas Travis would soon play.
ty big heading,” Barfoot said.
“There’ll be a focus on trying to help municipalities and county governments around the state to recruit and retain officers. We stand behind our law enforcement officers, but I think we need to do something to make sure that they understand that we value them. We appreciate their service. They deal with a lot more than the average citizen does.”
This week Ivey also signed Senate Bill 115, the Officer Impersonation Prevention Act, sponsored by Sen. Clyde Chambliss and Rep. Ron Bolton. This bill enhances the current law regarding the offense of impersonating a police officer. SB115 eliminates a loophole that could allow unqualified individuals to unlawfully serve as law enforcement officers.
“Safeguarding the law enforcement profession is just plain common sense, and bolstering the existing law here adds one more tool in our toolbox,” Ivey said in a statement. “Every Alabamian deserves to know that the men and women entrusted with enforcing our laws are fully qualified and properly certified.”
Ivey said she and the state are not only working to build public trust in law enforcement.
“We are also working to better protect them and enable them to do their jobs more effectively through legislation like our Back the Blue bill, House Bill 202, working its way through the process,” Ivey said. “I look forward to all our public safety bills reaching my desk, so we can create a safer Alabama.”
It was long before the island was a movie set. But it would have been a wonderful backdrop to record a live concert video. He was wearing a white suit and it all was under the shade of oak trees draped in moss. There was a gentle breeze blowing. Travis sang “On the Other Hand,” “1982,” “My Heart Cracked But Didn’t Break” and “Diggin’ Up Bones” to name a few.
I soon had my own cassette of the album. I wore it out on the stereo system ‘Santa’ had
Dennis Creek Farms lost to weekend fire
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
Marion ‘Skeet’ Dennis is picking up the pieces after he and his wife lost their home, shop and business in a Saturday night fire in Coosada.
The couple lost all their inventory for Dennis Creek Farms for the show season that just began.
“We had just gotten back from a show,” Dennis said. “It had maybe been 45 minutes and I went to let the dog out and noticed the shop was fully in flames. Nobody had been there for three days. We are not sure what happened. We have no idea.”
The Dennis home is covered by insurance, but not the business, the shop or the inventory.
Dennis is a retired chemical engineer from a concrete plant, but got started in honey bees mainly for pollination. About 11 years ago Dennis Creek Farms became a business expanding to products made from honey and beeswax from the farm.
“It all got started to help a young lady going through radiation treatment from breast cancer,” Dennis said. “It started as a hobby and now my wife is working my retired self to death creating lotion. It has been a heck of a ride.”
The Dennis Creek Farm
product line is primarily the lip balms and lotions mainly purchased by those going through cancer treatment.
Honey made up 9% of the farm’s business in 2019.
“Radiation burns and breast cancer put us in business,” Dennis said. “All 43 products were completely consumable. They were natural products with no fragrances, no color, no dyes, no preservatives. Everything we manufactured including our insect repellents were edible.”
During the winter months, Dennis uses beeswax and honey to create 43 different lip balms, lotions and soaps.
“It went from being a hobby about 11 years ago and before you know it, it exploded on us and had several people working for us,” Dennis said. “We were traveling all over selling the product. We traveled every weekend with our business.”
The fire destroyed the shop with its various tools used to make the products. It destroyed his aunt’s house that Dennis purchased years ago. It housed the business and the inventory.
“I’m going to restart it,” Dennis said. “I’m not going to quit. If it costs everything else I got, I’m going to start it back. It’s going to take several months to get some of that stuff gathered back up.”
Dennis has his reason for not giving up and living a simple retirement.
“I’ve seen it help too many people over the past 11 years,” Dennis said. “We seen the stuff work with baby’s eczema, psoriasis and burn victims to a point where I’m not going to quit. Those smiles meant a lot to me.“
The other hurdle for Dennis to overcome is his 40th wedding anniversary next month.
“It’s really tough,” Dennis said. “Bad thing was four months after my wife and I got married, our home burnt. This is some kind of an anniversary present.”
The newlywed couple had moved into a mobile home on the backside of the land he was currently living in. The fire started because of a pan of grease left on the stove.
Dennis doesn’t know the cause of the most recent fire and is thankful once again no one was injured in either blaze. But things are a little different now.
“We were lucky then,” Dennis said. “We didn’t have 40 years of stuff that we had accumulated and a business that helped so many.”
A gofundme has been established to help build back Dennis Creek Farm. It can be found at www.gofundme. com/f/aid-dennis-creek-farmsafter-fire-disaster.
brought me. It finally stretched out and broke. I didn’t replace it and regret throwing it away — not that it would be worth anything. But that trip was my formal introduction to country music.
I went on to see other greats like Merle Haggard, Loretta Lynn, Reba McIntire and Luke Bryan.
There are other concerts too but Travis stood out with his, to me, baritone voice. There are
many who claim to be country, but are far from the standard Travis set for me. He is the measuring stick I use when listening to country music.
Travis’ smile with Underwood said something else the other night. It said perseverance and quickly reminded me we should follow the model of Travis.
Follow your dreams. Yes they will be difficult and there will be setbacks. But with hard work and persistence almost anything is possible. But most of all, always remember to be happy with where and who you are with as those moments will shape your mindset forever.
Cliff Williams is the news editor of Tallapoosa Publishers Inc.’s Elmore County newspapers. He can be reached at cliff. williams@thewetumpkaherald. com.
Glock switches, which are devices that turn a semiautomatic handgun into an automatic weapon, have been made illegal in Alabama.
SUBMITTED TPI
Onlookers watch as Dennis Creek Farms burned Saturday night. Marion ‘Skeet’ Dennis said the entire place is a loss. The farm lost all of its inventory for the upcoming show season.
center. It’s not a place where the residents can get a certificate for a bed to satisfy the court.”
Boozer said applicants have to have at least 30 days sobriety under their belt before they can begin to apply. She said the application and interview process is extensive. The process includes checking with court referral services and probation officers before allowing residents to move into the home.
Locally, Recovery Alive is under the Shoal Creek Baptist Church and its Recovery Alive program. It is a 12-step Biblical based sobriety program. The church was using Celebrate Recovery until a year ago. Residents of Stillwaters and Ray of Hope are required to attend the Thursday meetings of the program and other church services.
Being close to the church is necessary as not all residents have adequate transportation. Residents are also required to work to pay rent. They must let Boozer and other Recovery Alive volunteers know their schedule.
took her complaint and were trying to figure
“The doors are locked at 10 p.m.,” Boozer said. “They can’t get in without me after that.”
Boozer said many of the residents normally work food services as they begin to get back on their feet.
“They pay ‘rent’ and help with cleaning and keeping up the home,” Boozer said. “They are drug tested before they enter the home and at random.
I’m coming and going in the homes all the time.”
Neighbors have no issues in creating a home to help recovering addicts. Their issue with
out what was going on,” Franklin said. “I think she had a phone issue.”
Franklin said dispatch had informed the deputies en route that Bracy
Stillwaters is the location, on the lake front where everyone is so close and also the timing.
There are also concerns about the home’s septic system with six people being in it.
Many neighbors said they learned of the recovery home less than a week before Saturday’s ribbon for Stillwaters was cut.
Leah Bassett recently purchased property adjacent to Stillwaters. It was well before intentions for the recovery home were made public. Bassett is single as are several
had warrants for her arrest. At some point a deputy informed Bracy of the warrant.
“She immediately picked up a gun and fired
women in the area.
“I bought this to build a small cabin on,” Bassett said. “My children are into fishing and I wanted a place for them. I had started the planning process with a contractor but after learning of this earlier this week, I have put it on pause.”
Bassett was aided by neighbors in marking the property boundaries. Her property line goes within yards of the front door of Stillwaters.
“We did this to show how close the house is to things,” Bassett said. “I’m concerned about safety, especially since there is no on site staff. What happens if they wander off and pick up a fishing reel from my porch and then pawn it?”
However, Recovery Alive offered a story about a recovering addict from another home. Bryce Besley applied to be a resident of the Recovery Alive home Pathway to Peace in Johnston County, North Carolina. On. Dec. 2, 2023, he was accepted to be a resident straight from prison.
“I look like I’m up to no good — someone who can’t be trusted,” Besley said in the letter. “But they accepted
one round into one of the deputies who was standing on the porch,” Franklin said.
The round struck the deputy in the arm traveling from the wrist area to the bicep area, Franklin said.
“A deputy immediately returned fire,” Franklin said. “A round struck the caller just on the side of the rib cage. She may require stitches. She walked to the ambulance.”
A person behind the caller on the porch was struck in the thigh. Franklin said it is unknown if the round that struck the caller is the same one that struck the second person.
me as a person. I had never felt that before in a Christian setting.”
Besley said he felt love for the first time because of the home.
“That void of abandonment and loneliness that addiction had created over the years was finally filled,” Besley said.
Besley was married April 4, 2024, and had a child Oct. 21, 2024, and was baptized.
The homes are in unincorporated Elmore County, which has no zoning, and the homes are in areas with no homeowner’s association. The homes are also rented so as the need for recovery homes increases or decreases, the number of homes can grow or shrink as needed.
Boozer said the property owner is aware of how the home is being used.
Bassett understands addicts need help and is willing to help. She has volunteered to purchase a mobile home for the program if someone else or another group will come up with the property for it.
“I’m not against recovery and helping create a better life for them,” Bassett said.
“I understand everyone needs a chance.”
Franklin said a tourniquet was placed on the deputy and everyone was transported to area hospitals for treatment.
Bracy had previously been arrested Aug. 10, 2024, and charged with second-degree assault and resisting arrest.
According to court documents, deputies had responded to Bracy’s home to investigate a menacing call and serve a warrant.
“Deputies were met in the yard by the offender,” the incident report states. “The offender stated she worked for the Department of Justice and quickly walked back inside the residence.”
According to the inci -
dent report, deputies explained she was under arrest and when they went to place handcuffs on her, Bracy started to punch and kick deputies. One punch struck a deputy in the face. Bracy was tased in the August 2024 arrest.
“The drive stun was ineffective,” the incident report states. The case was indicted and a failure to appear warrant was issued when Bracy did not show up for arraignment on Feb. 13.
Franklin said the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s State Bureau of Investigation would handle the investigation into Tuesday’s incident.
A simple argument for God’s existence
Let us suppose that you arrive at your house after a visit to your barber to have your whiskers trimmed. As you walk through your front door you pass through your living-room area and then see, to your great astonishment, a lion sitting on your kitchen floor! Your initial reaction is, likely, to ease your way out of your house and then to call the authorities to come get this lion out of your house! However, after that initial “fight/ flight/freeze” reaction, you are probably going to ask, “Where did this lion come from? How did this lion get into my house?”
Let us now suppose that the lion has been safely removed, and you begin to research how this lion got into your house. You are checking doors and windows and other entry ways to try to find out how that lion got into your kitchen. No doors were left open, all the windows were shut, and there was no other way into your house. Would you, then, suppose that the lion suddenly “appeared,” out of
BILLY REINHARDT Pastor
thin air, in your house? Would you deduct that the lion had magical powers to suddenly shift in and out of physical existence and decided to “land” in your kitchen floor, without passing through a door or a window or any other physical entry? Likely not! The reason you do not deduce that the lion “magically appeared” is because you know the lion had to come from some place and for some reason. Lions do not magically appear and “poof” into existence from nowhere and for no reason! What is interesting about this story is that people will not apply the same laws of thinking to the universe as they do to the lion in their kitchen. There are many who are comfortable saying that the universe “poofed” into existence
from nowhere, for no reason, but are extremely uncomfortable saying the same for the lion in their kitchen. If we demand that the existence of a lion to be explained in such a logical manner, then why not the universe as well? If we do not believe that lions “poof” into existence from nothing and for no reason, then why would we think the same for the entire universe, which is certainly on a much grander scale than a mere lion! We know, intuitively, that if something is somewhere then it is because someone (or some thing) has put it there. It is impossible for entities to move about apart from either their own action or from being acted upon. If a car “shifts” from parking spot A to parking spot B, then we ask, “Why?” and we ask “How?” If a wreck happens on the highway, we ask, “Why?” and “How?” When it comes to asking where the universe comes from, many want to leave it to “a mystery” or they want to put forth the scientifically-erroneous view that it has “always been” (known as the
“Steady-State Theory” which has been soundly debunked the past 50 plus years). We know, at least scientifically, that the universe has a beginning, and we can trace that back to some point in the past. Putting the actual age of the universe aside for a moment, we can look at the most popular secular theory for how the universe began (the “Big Bang Theory”) and use this theory (whether we believe it or not) as an argument for God’s existence. This theory says that the universe began to exist at some point in the past. How did the universe begin in the past? Did the universe suddenly “poof” into existence? Was there some pre-existing matter that arranged itself to suddenly “decide” (nonsensical) to “create” (also nonsensical) the universe? That didn’t happen because that is like saying the universe existed before the universe existed. The best, and most logical explanation, is that the universe was created by someone else, who willed it to happen,
who was powerful enough to create it, whose existence does not depend upon the universe, and who is also outside of what the universe is (matter). God fits this description very well as a Being, Who is All-Powerful, Eternal, and Who is Immaterial and outside of the universe. This argument is known in philosophical and theological circles as “The Cosmological Argument for God’s Existence.” Look it up! If you have struggled believing in God’s existence, then simply try to rationally answer the question, “How did all of this (universe, existence, birds, planets, bugs, oceans, etc.) get here?” and try to come up with a better explanation than God.
Billy Reinhardt is the pastor of Riverside Heights Baptist church in Tallassee, AL. He lives in Tallassee, AL with his wife, Jessica, and their four children. He blogs at www.billyreinhardt.com where he writes articles on matters of faith, family, and culture.
Live Sunday School at 9:30 a.m. and Worship Service at 11 a.m.
CARRVILLE BAPTIST CHURCH
Regular hours of service are Sundays- 9 a.m. Sunday School and 10 a.m. Morning Worship. Wednesday nights at 6:30 p.m. the church offers Children’s Gospel Project, Youth Bible Study and Adult Prayer Meeting. Regular office hours
are Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
EAST TALLASSEE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
ETUMC’s Rivers Edge Flea Market is now closed. The church will start a new project called Rivers Edge Food Pantry. ETUMC will provide canned food, water, dry beans and rice, blankets, and jackets. If you want to donate or help with the cause, call Joan Wood at 334-312-4913.
EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF THE EPIPHANY
Please join us for Sunday services at 10:30 a.m. when the Rev. Lee Lowery will celebrate the Holy Eucharist. We are asking everyone please to wear
a mask. The service will be live streamed on Facebook https:// www.facebook.com/EpiphanyTallassee/ For more information, visit the church website at http://epiphanytallassee.org/
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
First Presbyterian Church, located at 514 Central Blvd. will host a Veteran’s Day Celebration on Nov. 11 from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. for all veterans and first responders and their family members.
FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
“We are OPEN and everyone is WELCOME! Come worship with us in person Sunday mornings at 8:50 a.m. (contemporary) or 11 a.m.
(traditional). Sunday School for all ages is offered Sunday mornings at 10 a.m., and a nursery is available for infants.
CHILDREN & YOUTH: meet Sunday evenings from 5-6:30 p.m. and Wednesday evenings from 6-7:15 p.m.; supper is included both days! For more information about our church or the programs we offer, visit our website: fumctallassee. com or call us: 334-283-2195. FUMC Tallassee - 1 Jordan Avenue.”
HILLSIDE BAPTIST CHURCH
Invites you to join us each Sunday at 9:45 a.m. for Sunday School, followed immediately by our Worship Service at 11:00 a.m. Bible Study is Wednesday at 6:00
p.m. We also offer a Sunday evening prayer gathering for those wishing to join together in prayer. If you need prayer or know someone who does, you may call 33-567-9695 and leave a voicemail prayer request or drop a prayer request by our prayer box located on our sanctuary porch. We will carry all requests to the Lord in our hour of prayer. Hillside is located at 405 Old Montgomery Highway in Wetumpka. If you have questions, please call us at 334567-9695.
HILLSIDE BAPTIST CHURCH Angel’s Attic ministry provides clothing for all members of the family. The Attic is located at 210 Old Montgom-
ery Highway and is open each Wednesday afternoon between the hours of 3:30 - 5:00 p.m. If you wish to donate clothing items, please do so during the Wednesday hours of operation. This is a free service to the community. We look forward to seeing you soon!
OUR LIFE’S JOURNEY Airs every Sunday at 8:30 a.m. on 580 WACQ, FM 98.5 & 101.1, on your smart speaker, your TuneIn app, or on our website www.wacqradio.com. Please share on social media. This set of programs features Msgr. Charles Troncale, Fr. Mateusz Rudzik, Fr. James Dean, Fr. David Carucci, Fr. Patrick Driscoll, and Deacon Jim Labadie.
Edgewood’s Justin Jones reaches 100 career wins
By SAMUEL HIGGS Sports Reporter
It’s the goal for any coach to reach the milestone of 100 career wins and for Edgewood baseball coach Justin Jones, it’s now a reality.
Following a 19-6 victory over Hooper Academy, Jones now holds the illustrious honor of picking up 100 career wins since his arrival to Edgewood in 2019. But he couldn’t do it alone; he praised both the contributions
from his assistant coaching staff as well as the players both current and past for getting to this point.
“Getting to 100 wins was a goal of mine; I think it’s a goal of any coach, especially when you’re young and you first get in it to see how fast you can get there,” Jones said. “But I’ll say this: I’ve got really, really good assistant coaches, and I got really, really good players, and if it wasn’t for them, then it would make my job extreme-
Whitt was the other Wildcat to have his play recognized, named as a thirdteam All-State player for the AISA.
Edgewood’s Smith, Whitt named to All-State teams
STAFF REPORT
TPI Staff
A pair of Wildcats were named a part of the ASWA All-State team last week with Edgewood’s Lexie Smith and Brock Whitt each seeing their names on the list.
The sophomore sensation, Smith, took the highest honors by being named to the AISA first team after being an integral piece in leading Edgewood to an Elite 8 appearance this past season. She led the team with 22.6 points, 2.1 assists and 5.0 steals per game.
Her scoring prowess was crucial for the Wildcats, proved even further by crossing the 40-point threshold on three separate occasions for the squad. Her tenacity to score on the offensive side also translated on the defensive side of the ball. She accumulated 135 steals which more than likely resulted in points for Edgewood.
Still with two more years left in her high school career expect her to take a step up even further as a prominent piece for the Wildcats for years to come.
Whitt was the other Wildcat to have his play recognized, named as a third-team All-State player for the AISA. Whatever was needed from him, he was going to accomplish for Edgewood en route to its appearance in the Elite 8.
He not only finished as the leading scorer with 13.1 points per game but was also a force to be reckoned with on the boards. He was also the leader in rebounds with 12.3 per game, averaging a double-double in his junior year with the Wildcats.
He will still have one more year for Edgewood and will look to build from this year to an even more dominant player in his senior year with the squad.
ly difficult. They’d make it as easy as it could be.” The beginning of his tenure did not quite go according to plan, not by any faults of his own. The COVID-19 pandemic shortened Edgewood’s schedule dramatically. However, slowly but surely the win started to come with it all culminating in Edgewood’s state runner-up season last year, where they accrued over 25 wins along the way.
LEGANDARY FASHION
Boone reaches 300-hit milestone
By SAMUEL HIGGS Sports Reporter
It’s not every day you get the chance to witness a softball player accrue 300 career hits — but the Holtville community got the chance to witness history with senior Bailea Boone further etching her name as a legend.
Already regarded as one of the better players in the area, Boone has been out to an impressive start to her senior year. She sits atop the team in batting average with
By SAMUEL HIGGS Sports Reporter
Hitting has been at the forefront for the Wetumpka baseball team during its four-game win streak. And, against Benjamin Russell the result was no different by coming away with a 7-4 victory. However, it was slow to start. The Indians and Wildcats matched each other in the hitting and scoring department through the first four innings tied at 1-1. The Wildcats came out in the fifth inning scoring two runs to place themselves in the lead, Wetumpka
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.750 to pair with her 42 total hits which include three doubles, a triple and a home run. However, little did she know she was approaching such a significant milestone.
“It’s very exciting,” Boone said. “I personally didn’t know I was that close. A lot of my family and coaches, they knew where I was at, but I had no idea. But just for my team to be so excited for me and cheer me on. It’s just great. It was so exciting.” Boone could not have done it more impressively either. Against Maplesville, she went a perfect five-forfive in her at-bats while scoring five runs and logging one RBI, but more importantly leading the Bulldogs to a win. Her prowess at the plate should not come as a surprise when hearing her approach for every at-bat.
“Every time I get into the plate, I first look at where my defense is to see what they’ve set me up for,” Boone said. “Then I also look where my runners are at, so I know what situation I’m in.
Edgewood’s Brock Whitt was named to the third-team All-State last week.
SAMUEL HIGGS TPI
Wetumpka’s Tyler Johnson sends a line drive to left field for his second hit against Benjamin Russell. See SURGE
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Holtville senior Bailea Boone recorded her 300th career hit against Maplesville last week.
SAMUEL HIGGS Sports Reporter
The Madness that is March
One thing I’m always reminded about in March is I know nothing, you know nothing, whoever your favorite sports commentator is knows nothing — everyone is a victim of March Madness.
I can spend hours consuming anything related to college basketball while looking at the little intricate details, but then again it would be all for not. The NCAA Tournament is the only time I believe someone with no prior sports knowledge has just as much of a chance to pick more correct games in their bracket than a college basketball junky.
That’s why March is arguably one of the best times of the year — it’s so unpredictable.
I’ll admit I’m not one of those people who makes 10 different brackets across multiple websites. I usually just make one in my family bracket contest, and this year, I have Duke winning it all, which is a bit of a boring pick.
Don’t get me wrong, I like Auburn’s team and do truthfully believe it is the best team in the country. But when it comes to the tournament I have my doubts. When looking at the odds of how the tournament usually plays out, a No.1 seeded team has won six out of the last seven years — the outlier being the 2020 season where there was no tournament.
If you were to look at the odds currently; Duke and Florida are tied as the heavy favorites to come out on top with Auburn sliding in at No. 3 and the final one-seeded Houston as the fourth-best.
One of the ‘upsets’ that I hoped for desperately was my alma mater, Georgia, making it to the next round. Gonzaga made sure to take away all my hope of the Bulldogs having any success jumping out to a 27-3 lead in the first half. I still have to give credit where it’s due, when Mike White took over a dysfunctional Georgia team who had just gone 6-26 the year prior the expectations for immediate success were low. However, White took the laughing stock of SEC basketball and morphed them into a tournament team.
So far, at the time I’m writing this, the only major upset we’ve seen was No. 12 seeded McNeese State over No. 5 seed Clemson, 69-67. Then followed by No. 11 seeded Drake over No. 6 seeded Missouri, 67-57. I’d imagine someone would mention No. 9 Creighton over No. 8 Louisville was another notable upset, which it was, but it’s also virtually the same Creighton team who went to the Sweet 16 last year.
The main thing I’m looking for in the tournament, now that Georgia is out, is what team is going to make a Cinderella run. After just one day I got my eyes on McNeese State, but they don’t fit the prototypical build of what I’d imagine to be a Cinderella team. I don’t have faith in these teams but what I’d envision to be candidates would be No. 15 seeded Bryant and No. 13 seeded Grand Canyon — no reasoning behind it, just vibes.
The second thing I’ll be monitoring is what characters are going to come out of the tournament. Last year, it was N.C. State’s D.J. Burns Jr and the team’s Final Four run paired alongside Oakland’s sharpshooter Jack Gohlke. In 2022, it was St. Peters’ mustached bandit Doug Edert and his team’s run to the Elite 8. This year though, I think we are going to have a 2018 Loyola-Chicago Sister Jean level character who doesn’t play basketball that’ll be a notable figure. That’s right, I think it’s going to be McNeese State’s manager Amir “Aura” Khan, the manager who’s gained notable traction on social media.
“If they kept manager stats for rebounding and wiping up wet spots on the court, I’d put up Wilt Chamberlain numbers,” Khan’s bio reads on the McNeese State basketball website.
It’s only the beginning of the NCAA Tournament, with much heartbreak left on the table. There will be upsets, there will be buzzer-beaters and there will eventually be a champion. Although it is just the beginning, I’m excited to see what is to come out of this year’s March Madness.
Stanhope Elmore falls to Central, Opelika
REPORT
STAFF
TPI Staff
The start of the Stanhope Elmore baseball season was electric, to say the least, but where it stands now is a bit lackluster. Now, the Mustangs have dropped the past six straight games to drop to 11-9 on the year.
As far as at-bats go, Stanhope is coming away with plenty of hits — only being outnumbered by eight hits combined through four games last week. However, the major discrepancy is in the run category — outdone 38 runs to 21.
Granted the Mustangs have competed against some of the better teams in the state with Central ranked amongst the top 10 in Class 7A with Opelika on the outside looking in. The road does not get much easier either, No. 4 ranked in Class 7A Vestavia Hill and No. 7 ranked in Class 7A Hoover are yet to come.
Despite the wins being scarce at the moment, there is still plenty of time for Stanhope to see an uptick in production before area play. Crosstown rival Wetumpka is currently in the driver’s
STAFF REPORT
TPI Staff
At this point, it’s almost a given for the Wetumpka softball program to eclipse 30 wins in a season, and now the Indians sit at 30-4.
Following a loss to Chilton County at the beginning of the week, Wetumpka responded with wins over Tallassee, Collinsville, Ider, Pisgah, Munford and North Sand Mountain to end the week. Through those six games, the Indians accrued 59 total hits and crossed the 10-run threshold in four of those games. On the contrary, the Indians surrendered 18 hits and just two runs. To put it kindly, Wetumpka dominated the opposition. Lily Davenport took over through those six games with 12 hits, 11 runs and eight RBIs for Wetumpka. Abigail Adams and Sophie Arant swapped duties in the circle with each dominating for the team.
STANHOPE ELMORE EXTENDS WIN STREAK TO SIX
The Mustangs show no signs of slowing down anytime soon, picking up
seat at 3-0 while Percy Julian sits at 0-3 in Class 6A Area 4.
HOLTVILLE SPLITS AGAINST SYLACAUGA, JOHN CARROLL CATHOLIC
It’s still a constant up and down for the Holtville baseball team this season.
After roaring to an 8-5 victory over Sylacauga where the Bulldogs logged eight hits, they came back the next day and lost to John Carroll Catholic 13-3 with just four hits.
Carson McCutchin and Gage Russom were two of the standouts through both games, each ending with three hits apiece. Madison Curry and Kelan Kimbro finished right behind with two hits through both games.
The difference between both games was how productive Holtville was on the mound. Against Sylacauga, the hit numbers were low with just six hits to 10 strikeouts. However, against John Carroll, the hit numbers were nine hits and just five strikeouts.
Having yet to start area play, Holtville still has time to gain momentum.
The Bulldogs still have to face off against Autauga Academy and Shades Valley before then to add some more
wins under their belt.
EDGEWOOD PICKS UP TWO WINS BEFORE PANAMA CITY TOURNAMENT
The Edgewood baseball team picked up a pair of much-needed wins before a spring break tournament trip to Panama City, Florida. The Wildcats crossed both 10 runs and 10 hits in each game with a 13-11 win over Fort Dale followed by a 19-6 win over Hooper. Landon Smith arguably had the best day through both games, recording five hits, five runs and five RBIs — hitting two doubles in the process. Cooper Freeman and Jackson Hutson also came away with notable contributions picking up two hits each.
On the mound Edgewood had its fair share of adversity, allowing 21 hits in total through both games. However, the plethora of pitchers racked up 15 strikeouts to just 10 walks.
The Wildcats look to continue the hitting success as they face off against some of the best teams in the country in Florida this week.
their sixth straight win over Maplesville, 8-3. Taylor Burkett, Hayden Bush and Anaijhai Russell all finished with two hits apiece — Russell also led the team with three RBIs. Zoey Gibson, Taylor Jackon and Keyari Brown each came away with a hit in the matchup as well. The contribution from the entire lineup results in nine total hits for Stanhope.
In the circle, Savannah Wyatt joined in on the success, striking out five batters and walking one. She
allowed six hits and three runs while also picking up three errors.
HOLTVILLE PICKS UP AREA WIN OVER MARBURY
After dismantling Maplesville the week prior, the Holtville softball team made sure to do the same against Class 5A Area 5 opponent Marbury to put the Bulldogs 1-0 in area play.
Bailae Boone, in typical fashion, led the Bulldogs in the hit category with three alongside one run and three
RBIs. Avery Goff, Kinsley Faulk, Maddie Oates, Anna Lawrence and Brooke Findley all chipped in with one hit to bring Holtville’s total to eight through seven innings.
Findley translated the overall hitting success to the circle. She manned pitching duties through all seven innings surrendering four hits and four runs, but dominated with 11 strikeouts.
EDGEWOOD DROPS TO FORT DALE, CHAMBER ACADEMY
Unfortunately for the Edgewood softball team, it was just simply outdone in last week’s slate of games. The Wildcats logged 15 hits and 12 runs through both games but surrendered 28 hits alongside 21 runs. Haylee Coleman had one of the better days for the team, picking up four hits, one hit and one RBI. Avery White chipped in with two hits through both games as well as Savannah Acreman and Emmah Clement.
Edgewood has fallen into a bit of a slump. Currently the team has dropped the past three games but will look to turn the tide against Bessemer next Monday.
Stanhope Elmore’s baseball team has fallen into a slump, dropping the last four games.
Holtville’s Avery Goff picked up a hit against Marbury.
Commission approves more quality of life projects
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
Changes are coming throughout the county.
From new video boards coming to football stadiums in Eclectic, Holtville and Tallassee to a climbing tower at Stanhope Elmore High School, new quality of life projects are coming to life.
The new projects were possible after previous quality of life projects came in under the county’s budget.
“Some of these were taken off the table previously because we were not sure of the funding,” Elmore County chief engineer Luke McGinty said. “With the savings and funds available, we
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If I need to get my base hit or if I need to just get in there and swing to get my runners over. So every bat I just go into look at the situation. I go in there confident, thinking I can do this no matter what.”
Although the milestone is something Boone will cher-
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but that lasted for just a short while.
Wetumpka took it to the next gear in the bottom of the fifth with each at-bat getting hotter. Out of the seven total hits Wetumpka had on the day, four of them were in the fifth. In three straight at-bats; Miller Lombardi, Mason Fuller and Tyler Johnson all hit
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brought them back for approval.”
The commission approved $150,000 to be spent at both Elmore County and Stanhope Elmore high schools for video boards with the Elmore County Board of Education kicking in $50,000 for each project.
A new video board is also coming to J.E. Hot O’Brien Stadium in Tallassee. The commission approved $150,000 in funding and the City of Tallassee Board of Education is allotting $80,000 to the project.
The commission is also funding $30,000 in design services associated with the projects. The rappel tower at Stanhope Elmore will be funded with $200,000 from the commission,
ish, it’s not her main focus. She mentioned she doesn’t monitor her stats because her goal is to be a shoulder her team can lean on as she continues to embrace her role as a leader for the Holtville softball team.
“The stats are great and I know a lot of people get bogged down in the stats, but just me personally, I don’t look at stats throughout the
a double while scoring three runs in the process.
“Hitting is contagious,” Wetumpka coach Russ Brooks said. “You just take it bat after bat after bat, and it’s hard to go through somebody’s lineup three times without getting hurt, you know. It takes one good barrel sometimes, and everybody just catches fire. And that was kind of the fifth inning for us.” What has led to so
Academy.
“I got here the year of COVID,” Jones said. “So we only played 10 games that year. So to get 100 wins, and about four and a half years is an accomplishment. And it contests the players that we’ve had in the last couple of years.”
Of course, every win is valuable to Jones, but according to him, this 100th victory was eerily similar to when he notched his first win with Edgewood
COOSADA
Continued from A1
received all necessary permits for the project required for utilization of Elmore County Board of Education property, private property easements, count rights of way, state rights of way, railroad rights of way and Town of Elmore rights of way for the construction of a 12-inch sewer line.
“Also even though the Town of Coosada isn’t participating in the current project, (it) would be eligible to connect to this transmission main in the future should they determine its in their best interest to pay the connection fee and join the collaborative effort like the other entities leveraging
SPRINGS
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$25,000 from the county board of education and $25,000 from the City of Millbrook.
Wetumpka High School is getting $15,000 in tarps and equipment for baseball infield maintenance. The boat ramp at Kowaliga will be improved with $500,000 approved by the commission and additional funding coming from the Alabama Department of Natural and Conservation Resources.
Russell Lands is providing additional property at the ramp to create more parking.
All told the commission approved spending up to $1,195,000 with $230,000 coming from partners in the various communities.
whole season,” Boone said. “So like I said, I had no idea where I was at. So I would like anybody to know that stats are not what’s the most important – it’s how you have fun in the game and enjoy the game. Because, overall, you’re not gonna remember your stats as you get older, you’re going to remember how much fun you had.”
Boone’s playing career
much success for the Indians this year is their drive to not let bad at-bats affect them in the long run. Of course, every team wants to dominate from the start but like in any sport a slow start is inevitable. However, the Indians combat that by their attitude according to Brooks.
“You don’t have to win the game in the first, you just got to hold the other team,” Brooks said.
“The first one is a great feeling to get up under your belt, and then you get that same little butterfly feeling in your stomach when you get the 100th one,” Jones said. “And so, you know, as a coach, if you ever lose that passion, then that’s a contestant to might want to think of another avenues to go.”
Not only has the team grown in Jones’ tenure as the head coach, but so has he. He’s learned valuable lessons throughout his career that have played dividends to Edgewood’s play in the diamond — with
their funds,” the county’s response states.
Elmore County said in its response, the project stands to benefit more than 40,000 citizens in western Elmore County.
“This project is designed to allow for 1 million to 1.5 million gallons (of waste water) per day to be treated at the Wetumpka plant and alleviate pressure from Millbrook’s treatment plant,” the county’s response states.
Millbrook already has sewage lines that run into Coosada town limits to treat wastewater from Coosada Elementary and Airport Road Intermediate schools. Thanks to an early 2000s grant, a sewage line was installed on Upper and Lower Gibson Town roads to service up to 90 custom-
dining experience with the largest TV walls in the area and a state-of-the-art entertainment package that makes you feel like you’re right in the action. We’re excited to become a part of the community — not just serving great food but giving back as well.” The new Baumhower’s will be located in The Marketplace at 17 Springs, the commercial element of the state-of-theart recreational, entertainment, and sports complex 17 Springs. This premier facility
ers with the sewage being treated by Millbrook. It currently has approximately 50 customers.
In its response, the county said all clearing for the project must be done between Feb. 16 and April 30 each year due to a protected bat.
The Elmore County Commission approved using American Rescue Plan Act funding to pay for the project. The county also received state ARPA for the project.
Altogether, the project is using $6,487,743 in ARPA funding. The county has asked if the preliminary injunction is granted for the Town of Coosada to post the amount as a bond.
“It should be required to ensure the public benefit of the use of these ARPA
features 12 pickleball courts, 12 tennis courts, five multi-purpose turf fields designed for soccer and football, including a 5,500 seat stadium with competition track, six turf diamond fields and an 86,000 SF indoor venue dubbed The Fieldhouse. Jointly owned by the City of Millbrook, the Elmore County Commission, Greater Montgomery YMCA, Elmore County Board of Education and the Elmore County Economic Development Authority, 17 Springs is set to become a central hub for local sports and entertainment. Baumhower is a former Alabama football All-American and Miami Dolphins
Outside of quality of life projects, the commission approved a bid for a new patrol vehicle for the Elmore County Sheriff’s Office. It is not from the state bid list but is lower than the expected cost.
Mid-South RC&D executive director Pam Hughes told the commission the upcoming grant cycle application period is April 1 to June 30.
“I have already been speaking with Keith Barnett with (Elmore County) EMA,” Hughes said. “There may be a couple grant funding opportunities there.”
The program has aided several Elmore County volunteer fire departments, the Wetumpka Depot and schools with projects over the past couple of years.
won’t end following her time at Holtville and has already committed to play at the next level for Faulkner University. For the time being, she wants to make sure she’s enjoying her senior year to the best of her ability while also continuing to be a standout player in hopes of picking up more wins.
“I want to have the best season I can possibly have,”
“You can win it late, and that’s okay. It’s not against the law. Sometimes that happens, you just win games at the end. And (Wednesday), our bats have been like that most of the year. Even if it doesn’t work out, we’re a pretty scrappy little team. We’re not the best team in the world, but we’re gonna come to play, whether it works out or not, we’re gonna be here.” Wetumpka is now
“(These are) grants you can put your hands on,” commission chairman Bart Mercer said.
IN OTHER ACTION THE ELMORE COUNTY COMMISSION:
• Approved minutes of the March 10 meeting.
• Approved the memorandum of warrants totaling $4,181,396.69 for March 1-14.
• Appointed Rashawn Blasingame to the Carastar Health Board.
• Authorized the chair to execute a three year contract with OTM Cyber for professional cybersecurity services.
The next meeting of the Elmore County Commission is scheduled for 9 a.m. Thursday, April 10.
Boone said. “I mean, I’m already off to a great start, I feel like. But just to go in and just have fun, this is the last time I’ll be able to take the field with my family at Holtville. So I just want to make it the best, the most fun possible, and have the best outcomes and results for everybody, not just myself, but just to be there for everybody and just have fun the last season.”
over the halfway mark through the season with a 16-5 record to its name. Although it’s been a jam-packed early stretch, Wetumpka now has the time to get some much-needed rest thanks to spring break. The chance to rest some arms as well as get a reset will be beneficial because after a week off the Indians will be back into the thick of it with a rematch with Benjamin Russell before the start of area
most concerning how he leads his squad.
“But the things you learn along the way is just how to handle the young men,” Jones said. “You got to coach a team, but you got to coach the individuals, and you got to coach the individuals to be the best that they could be. So that way is the best for the team. They can’t be cookie cutter with being a coach, you got to be able to coach each individual and get the best out of them. So that way you get the best from the team.”
The wins show no sign of going anywhere anytime soon. Already the Wild-
funds are not lost,” the county’s response states.
The county has encumbered the funds but they must be spent by the end of 2026.
The complaint states Coosada learned of the project in January 2022.
“The county’s representatives never sought or received the town’s consent to proceed with the project’s plans,” the complaint states.
The town sought and received an attorney’s general opinion on the matter in May 2023.
“Another municipality, county, board of education or utility authority may not install water or sewer lines inside the town limits of the Town of Coosada to connect a neighboring municipality without first
play.
“It’s kind of a reset, go get some rest, go be a kid” Brooks said about the upcoming spring break. “We played 21 ball games now. We’ll show back up here Wednesday, and play Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and we’ll get back on a roll. Just (a) reset button, man, you know what got you here at this point, and continue to do that when you get back”
cats are out to a 14-6 start to the season and are competing in a tournament in Panama City, Florida, against some of the best teams in the country. Even with fierce competition in front of them, Jones is making sure his team knows they’re capable of facing anyone in front of them.
“As a coach, the way I’ve always been is, you know, never being afraid to play anybody,” Jones said. “We’ll line it up; you may beat me; we may beat you, but we’re going to line it up. We’re going to see what happens.”
obtaining approval from the town,” the attorney’s general opinion reads.
The county’s response to Coosada’s complaint states the county is not required to get the consent of the town for the sewer project because it doesn’t use town property or streets.
“The Town of Coosada has no authority or right of control over Airport Road or the rights of way on that county road,” the county’s response states.
One of the contractors on the project purchased a Town of Coosada business license March 17 at a cost of $150. It was soon voided. According to supporting documents with the county’s response, Coosada Mayor Jim Houston and Coosada police chief Leon Smith Jr. voided the
All-Pro player. He introduced Alabama to its first Buffalo-style chicken wings and opened his first sports-themed restaurant in 1981. For nearly 45 years, Baumhower’s Victory Grille has been a cornerstone of Alabama’s casual dining scene, earning numerous accolades, including being consistently voted as the best sports bar and best wings in every market it serves, including most recently being voted best wings in Alabama by Bama Buzz in 2023. Spencer Baumhower, president and legendary wingman, shared his excitement.
“We are very excited to bring Baum-
license.
“The Town of Coosada arbitrarily and capriciously voided or attempted to void that business license in an attempt to unlawfully interfere with the construction of the sewer project,” the county’s response states.
“Upon information and belief, the Town of Coosada plans to issue daily citations to the employees and representatives of sewer contractor Jordan Excavation Company, LLC and possible others working on the project to harass and otherwise intimidate the contractor and its employees….”
The county’s response asks the courts to reinstate the contractor’s business license and keep the Town of Coosada from interfering with the project.
hower’s to Millbrook at 17 Springs,” Spencer Baumhower said. “Working with the owners and the mayor has been a true pleasure. We can’t wait to get to work to bring legendary fun and legendary food to Millbrook and surrounding counties.”
The Millbrook location will feature over 70 large-screen TVs and a cutting-edge audio system, providing an unmatched sports-viewing experience. Guests can enjoy all of Baumhower’s scratch made fan favorites like Spencer’s Gooey Fries, Da Boss Burger and Baumhower’s award-winning Buffalo-style chicken wings.
JONES
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vation of portions of the existing Judicial Building to incorporate two new district courtrooms and required support areas, relocation and consolidation of the Adult Probation and Parole -
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Public Notices
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PUBLIC NOTICE
ADVERTISEMENT FOR BID ELMORE COUNTY JUDICIAL COMPLEX ADDITION & RENOVATION WETUMPKA, ALABAMA
SCOPE OF WORK: The project consists of two phases. Phase One consists of the construction of a two-story administrative building of approximately 27,325 square feet located adjacent to the existing Elmore County Judicial Complex in Wetumpka, Alabama. The building will house the Court Clerk’s ofand secure vault. Additionally, the building will house the and investigative functions, evidence storage, as well as the public-facing functions of theing will be fully sprinklered and connected to the existing facility by an enclosed walkway to allow secure access for staff between both facilities. Phase Two will consist of the selective demolition and reno-
in the judges’ suite and existing courtrooms. The low-slope roof will be removed and replaced with a new membrane roof system, including new insulation, reworking the drainage, and extending the curbs on roof-mounted equipment to alwill be replaced. Underground utilities, grading, and sitework will be part of the project.
A Mandatory Pre-bid Conference will be held on April 9, 2025, at 10:00 AM CDT at 2nd at 100 E Commerce St, Wetumpka, AL 36092. Due to the nature of this project, General Contractors wishing to submit a bid must attend the Pre-bid bidders who attend the Pre-bid Conference decreases so there is little or no competition, others may be allowed to bid, or the bid may be postponed at the discretion of the Owner. Sealed bids from the General Contractors for the Elmore County Judicial Complex Adreceived by Elmore County Commission at 2nd Floor ConE Commerce St, Wetumpka, AL 36092, until May 1, 2025, at 2:00 PM CDT at which time and place they will be publicly opened and read. No Bids will be accepted after May 1, 2025, at 2:00 PM CDT. This requirement will not be waived. The proposals will be opened and read aloud at the time at the location listed determined by the Architect, or his designated representative. A cashier’s check or Bid Bond payable to the Elmore County Commission in an amount of not the amount of the proposal, but in no event more than $10,000 must accompany the bid. Performance and Statutory Labor and Material Payment Bonds in the amount of one hundred Price will be required at the signing of the Contract. All bidders must submit threeposal forms furnished by the Architect or copies thereof. All bidders bidding in amounts exceeding that established by the State Licensing Board for General Contractors must be licensed under the provisions of Title 34, Chapter 8, Code of Alabama 1975 and must show evidence of licensure before bidding or the bid will not be received or considered by the Architect; the bidder shall show such evidence by clearly displaying his or her current license number on the outside of the sealed envelope in which the proposal is delivered. The successful bidder must provide evidence of enrollment in the E-Verify program per The referred to as “Act 2011-535” 31, Chapter 13 of the Code offore awarding of contract. The Owner reserves the right to reject any or all the proposals and waive technical errors if, in the Owner’s judgment, the best interest of the Owner will thereby be promoted. Drawings and Project Manual will be open to public inspection beginning March 24, 2025, at Commission, CMH Architects, and ConstructConnect. Bidders must call the Owner’s or the Arin advance to arrange a time to review the documents. These documents cannot be removed from the Owner’s or Architect’s these documents be provided to the bidders. Bid Documents must be obtained from the Architect upon receipt of a deposit of $300 Said deposit is refundable for unsuccessful bidders if all plans and specs are returned to the Architect in good condition bid date. Following purchase of the initial set, digital copies of the bid documents will be made available to the Bidders. Additional printed sets for contractors, subcontractors, and dealers may be obtained from Alabama Graphics, 2801 5th Ave. S., Birmingham, AL 35233, printing and handling. The project is being bid EXthe Contractor to comply with the requirements of Act 2013205, which was signed into law May 19, 2013. The Contractor and Owner will be required totion with the Alabama Departhandle the administration of shall account for the tax savings on the Accounting of Sales Taxtions behind the proposal form. Failure of the Contractor to complete this form and include with their proposal shall render their bid non-responsive. Any permits, licenses, or fees required by any governmental agency will be furnished and paid for by the Contractor. All costs for business licenses required by the governing authorities shall be the responsibility of the General Contractor. Liquidated Damages apply to this project in the amounts -
eral Conditions.
No bidder may withdraw his bidter the actual date of the opening of the bids. Performance Time: The project is a two-phase project and is to be complete within 480 calendar days for Phase One and an additional 180 calendar days for Phase Two from the Notice to Proceed.
AWARDING AUTHORITY:
Elmore County Commission 100 E Commerce St Wetumpka, AL 36092
ARCHITECT:
Suite 300 Birmingham, AL 35243
Wetumpka Herald: Mar. 26, Apr. 2 and 9, 2025 1935.01
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PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT MEETING AND ONLINE PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT PROJECT NO. HSIP-0009(591) ACCESS MANAGEMENT ON AL-9 (US-231)
FROM CHARLES AVENUE TO MAIN STREET ELMORE COUNTY
Notice is hereby given that the State of Alabama Department of Transportation will hold a Public Involvement Meeting on Project No. HSIP-0009(591. This project is located in Elmore County. This project will not require the purchase of additional right-of-way. This informal meeting will be held as follows:
Place: Wetumpka Civic Center 410 S. Main Street Wetumpka, AL. 36092
Date: April 29, 2025
Time: 5:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M.
The presentation will be available as follows: Website: www.aldotinvolved.com April 9, 2025 – May 9, 2025
This meeting will be conducted as an “open house” type format where no formal presentation will be given. Interested persons are urged to attend on April 29, 2025, between the hours of 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m
Representatives of the State of Alabama Department of Transportation will be present to discuss the proposed project and other technical aspects of this project. Provisions will be made to receive written comments at the meeting. The purpose of this meeting is to provide an opportunity for interested persons to be informed and participate in the public process of this project. Preliminary Maps as well as other information developed on this Alabama Department of Transportation
Anyone with a disability requiring special assistance, should two days in
CLASSIFIEDS/PUBLIC NOTICES
Public Notices
PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE OF MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE
STATE OF ALABAMA COUNTY OF ELMORE
Default having been made of the terms of the loan documents secured by that certain mortgage executed by John Brooks, An Unmarried Man to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as mortgagee, as nominee for Rocket Mortgage, LLC, its successors and assigns dated August 4, 2023; said mortgage being recorded on August 10, 2023, in Book 2023, Page of Probate of Elmore County, Alabama. Said Mortgage was last sold, assigned and transferred to Rocket Mortgage, LLC f/k/a Quicken Loans, LLC by assignment recorded in Deed Book of the Judge of Probate of Elmore County, ALABAMA. The undersigned, Rocket Mortgage, LLC f/k/a Quicken Loans, LLC, under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in said mortgage, will sell at public outcry to the highest bidder for cash before the main entrance of the Court House in Elmore County, Alabama during the legal hours of sale (between 11am and 4pm), on the 24th day of April, 2025 the following property, situated in Elmore County, Alabama, to-wit: LOT 22, BLOCK A, ACCORDING TO THE PLAT OF JAMESTOWN SUBDIVISION, PLAT NO. 1, AS THE SAME APPEARS OF RECORD IN THE OFFICE OF THE JUDGE OF PROBATE OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA, IN PLAT BOOK 13, AT PAGE 37. Said property is commonly known as 246 James Dr, Millbrook, AL 36054.
the property address and the legal description the legal description will control. Said property will be sold subject to any outstanding ad valorem taxes (including taxes which are a lien, but not yet due and payable), the right of redemption of any taxing authority, all outstanding liens for public utilities which constitute liens upon the property, any matters which might be disclosed by an accurate survey and inspection of the property, any assessments, liens, encumbrances, easements, rights-of-way, zoning ordinances, restrictions, special assessments, covenants, the statutory right of redemption pursuant to Alabama law, and any matters of record including, but not limited to, those supeout above. Said property will be sold on an “as-is” basis without any representation, warranty or recourse against the abovenamed or the undersigned. The successful bidder must present the winning bid at the time and place of sale. Alabama law gives some persons who have an interest in property the right to redeem the property under certain circumstances. Programs may also exist that help persons avoid or delay the foreclosure process. An attorney should be consulted to help you understand these rights and programs as a part of the foreclosure process. The sale will be conducted subsale is not prohibited under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code and (2) of the status of the loan with the holder of the Mortgage. ROCKET MORTGAGE, LLC F/K/A QUICKEN LOANS, LLC as holder of said mortgage McCalla Raymer Leibert Pierce, LLP 505 20th Street North, Suite 1775 Birmingham, AL 35203 (205) 216-4238 FT21@mccalla.com File No. 24-06498AL www.foreclosurehotline.net Wetumpka Herald: Mar. 26, Apr. 2 and 9, 2025 24-06498AL/96033
PUBLIC NOTICE
INVITATION TO BID
The City of Wetumpka will accept sealed bids for Pest Conlocations as included in theceived by the City Clerk of the City of Wetumpka, until 2:00 PM CDT, Thursday, April 17, at 408 South Main Street at the Wetumpka City Administra-
A mandatory pre-bid conference will be held at 10:00 AM CDT on Tuesday April 8, at the Wetumpka City Administration -
standard forms furnished by theterest of the City may require to
be sealed, marked, addressed as follows and delivered or mailed to Tiffany Robinson, City Clerk, City of Wetumpka, Post Main Street, Wetumpka, AlaEnvelope must be marked ‘BID FOR PEST CONTROL.’ Jerry Willis Mayor Wetumpka Herald: BIDS/PEST CONTROL
Public Notices
PUBLIC NOTICE
MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE
Default having been made in the payment of the indebtedness secured by that certain mortgage executed on October 25, 2023 by SJDLB-FS Capital Holdings LLC, originally in favor of FTF Lending, LLC, and recorded in RLPY Book 2023 at Page 49394 on October 26, 2025 in RLPY Book 2025 Page of Probate of Elmore County, Alabama, and secured indebtedness having been transferred to Horizon Residential Income Fund. LOGS Legal Group LLP, Transferee and under and by virtue of power of sale contained in the said mortgage will, outcry to the highest bidder at the main entrance of the Elmore County, Alabama, Courthouse in the City of Wetumpka, during the legal hours of sale, the following real estate situated in Elmore County, Alabama, to wit: Lot No. 2 of the Jasmine Forest plat made by Ralph H. Hays, Registered Land Surveyor No. the Judge of Probate of Elmore County, Alabama, in Plat Book For informational purposes only, the property address is: 65 Sky View Drive, Wetumpka, AL 36093. ANY PROPERTY ADDRESS PROVIDED IS NOT PART OF THE LEGAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPERTY SOLD HEREIN AND IN THE EVENT OF ANY DISCREPANCY, THE LEGAL DESCRIPTION REFERENCED HEREIN SHALL CONTROL.
This sale is made for the purpose of paying the indebtedness secured by said mortgage, as well as the expenses of foreclosure. Furthermore, the property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance AS IS, WHERE IS. Neither the mortgagee, nor the employees, agents or authorized representative of the mortgagee make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property offered for sale. Any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition, including those suggested by expressly are disclaimed. This sale is subject to all prior liens and encumbrances and unpaid taxes and assessments including any transfer tax associated with the foreclosure. The successful bidder must tender a non-refundable deposit of Five funds at the time and place of the sale. The balance of the purchase price must be paid inness on the next business day LOGS Legal Group LLP at the address indicated below. LOGS Legal Group LLP reserves the right to award the bid to the next highest bidder, or to reschedule the sale, should the highest bidder fail to timely tender the total amount due. Alabama law gives some persons who have an interest in property the right to redeem the property under certain circumstances. Programs may also exist that help persons avoid or delay the foreclosure process. An attorney should be consulted to help you understand these rights and programs as a part of the foreclosure process. Horizon Residential Income Fund, and its successors and assigns
LOGS LEGAL GROUP LLP Suite 400
***al_phone cmp***/ 25-024600
Transferee
Wetumpka Herald: 249747 PUBLIC NOTICE
ASPHALT CONTRACTORS, INC. HEREBY GIVES NOTICE OF COMPLETION OF CONTRACT WITH ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FOR ELMORE COUNTY PROJECT STPMN-2624(251). ALL CLAIMS SHOULD BE FILED AT P.O. BOX 241447, MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA 36124 DURING THIS PERIOD. ASPHALT CONTRACTORS, INC.
Wetumpka Herald: Mar. 26, Apr. 2, 9 and 16, 2025 COMPLETION PUBLIC NOTICE
MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE
Public Notices
gg py to the highest bidder for cash, in front of the main entrance of the Courthouse at Prattville, Autauga County, Alabama, on April 10, 2025, during the legal hours of sale, all of its right, title, and interest in and to the following described real estate, situated in Autauga County, Alabama, to-wit: Commence at the Northeast corner of the Southwest 1/4 of the Southeast 1/4 of Section 15, Township 18 North, Range 16 East, Autauga County, Alabama: thence South 01 degrees 55 minutes 42 seconds East, 151.21 feet to the point of beginning; thence South 02 degrees 08 minutes 01 seconds East, 582.41 feet; thence South 87 degrees 56 minutes 52 seconds West, 320.0.feet; thence North 02 degrees 08 minutes 01 seconds West, 621.94 feet; thence South 85 degrees 00 minutes 43 seconds East, 322.49 feet to the point of beginning. The above described property lies in the Southwest 1/4 of the Southeast 1/4 of Section 15, Township 18 North, Range 16 East, Autauga County, Alabama
Also granted with this conveyance South a 60 foot wide access and utility easement extending Southerly from county line road to this property, as recorded in RLPY Book 705 at Page 735.
Also granted with this conveyance is a 20 foot wide access and utility easement extending Easterly from the above mentioned 60 feet wide easement to the West line of the above described property. Property street address for informational purposes: 409 Oak Valley Rd, Deatsville, AL 36022 the property address and the legal description, the legal description will control. THIS PROPERTY WILL BE SOLD ON AN “AS IS, WHERE IS” BASIS, WITHOUT WARRANTY OR RECOURSE, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED AS TO TITLE, USE AND/OR ENJOYMENT AND WILL BE SOLD SUBJECT TO THE RIGHT OF REDEMPTION OF ALL PARTIES ENTITLED THERETO. Alabama law gives some persons who have an interest in property the right to redeem the property under certain circumstances. Programs may also exist that help persons avoid or delay the foreclosure process. An attorney should be consulted to help you understand these rights and programs as a part of the foreclosure process. This sale is made for the purpose of paying the indebtedness secured by said mortgage, as well as the expenses of foreclosure. The successful bidder must tender a non-refundable deposit of Five Thousand Dollars made payable to Tiffany & Bosco, P.A. at the time and place of the sale. The balance of the purchase price plus any deed recording costs and transfer funds by noon the next busi-
Tiffany & Bosco, P.A. at the address indicated below. Tiffany & Bosco, P.A. reserves the right to award the bid to the next highest bidder should the highest bidder fail to timely tender the total amount due. The Mortgagee/Transferee r serves the right to bid for and purchase the real estate and to credit its purchase price against the expenses of sale and the indebtedness secured by the real estate. This sale is subject to postponement or cancellation. Rocket Mortgage, LLC f/k/a Quicken Loans, LLC, “Mortgagee/Transferee” Tiffany & Bosco, P.A. 2501 20th Place South Suite 300 Homewood, AL 35223 www.tblaw.com TB File Number: 24-03579-QQAL
Wetumpka Herald: Mar. 19, 26 and Apr. 2, 2025 25-00465
PUBLIC NOTICE
NOTICE OF ACTION SEEKING MONETARY RELIEF
Willie Wright and Diane Bates, who are avoiding service of process, must answercomplaint by March 13, 2025, or within 30 days after the last publication hereof (whichever is longer) or, thereafter a judgment by default may be rendered against them in Circuit Court of Elmore County, Alabama. Done the 14th day of February, 2025. /s/ Clerk of the Circuit Court of Elmore County, Alabama
Montgomery, Alabama 36103
Tel: 334-300-8500 Email: HOA@argohughes.com
Wetumpka Herald: Mar. 5, 12, 19 and 26, 2025
Public Notices y Alabama, in RLPY Book: 2022 Page: 9492; the undersigned PennyMac Loan Services, LLC, as Mortgagee/Transferee, under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in said mortgage, will sell at public outcry to the highest bidder for cash, in front of the main entrance of the Courthouse at Wetumpka, Elmore County, Alabama, on April 23, 2025, during the legal hours of sale, all of its rights, title, and interest in and to the following described real estate, situated in Elmore County, Alabama, towit: Lot 6, Block 10, according to the Resubdivision of Blocks 9, 10, and 11, of the Blue Ridge Estates Plat B, as said map apCounty, Alabama, in Plat Book 6, Page 44. Said property being formerly known as Lot 6, Block 10, according to the survey of Blue Ridge Estates Resubdivision of Plat B, as recorded inbate, Elmore County, Alabama, in Plat Book 4, Page 78.. Property street address for informational purposes: 155 Plantation Rd , Wetumpka, AL 36093. THIS PROPERTY WILL BE SOLD ON AN “AS IS, WHERE IS” BASIS, WITHOUT WARRANTY OR RECOURSE, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED AS TOMENT AND WILL BE SOLD REDEMPTION OF ALL PARTIES ENTITLED THERETO. Alabama law gives some persons who have an interest in property the right to redeem the property under certain circumstances. Programs may also exist that help persons avoid or delay the foreclosure process. An attorney should be consulted to help you understand these rights and programs as a part of the foreclosure process. This sale is made for the purpose of paying the indebtedness secured by said mortgage, as well as the expenses of foreclosure. The successful bidder must tender a non-refundable deposit of Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) to Tiffany & Bosco, P.A. at the time and place of the sale. The balance of the purchase price plus any deed recording costs and transfer taxes must be paid next business day at the Law at the address indicated below. Tiffany & Bosco, P.A. reserves the right to award the bid to the next highest bidder should the highest bidder fail to timely tender the total amount due. The Mortgagee/Transferee reserves the right to bid for and purchase the real estate and to credit its purchase price against the expenses of sale and the indebtedness secured by the real estate. This sale is subject to postponement or cancellation. PennyMac Loan Services, LLC, (“Transferee”) Tiffany & Bosco, P.A., 2501 20th Place South, Suite 300, Homewood, AL 35223 www.tblaw.com TB File Number: 25-02099-PM-AL Wetumpka Herald: Mar. 26, Apr. 2 and 9, 2025 25-00544
PUBLIC NOTICE
IN THE DISTRICT COURT OF CHAMBERS COUNTY STATE OF ALABAMA SOUTHERN HARBOR RESORT & MARINA, PLAINTIFF, VS. JASON GOBER, DEFENDANT. CASE NUMBER: DV-2024-900085.00
NOTICE OF SERVICE BY PUBLICATION TO: JASON GOBER Take notice that a Complaintsort & Marina vs. Jason-
Public Notices
yg for cash at the main entrance to the County Courthouse, Elmore County, Alabama on 05/22/2025, during the legal hours of sale, the following described real estate situated in Elmore County, Alabama, to-wit: Commence at an iron pin at the Northeast corner of the Northwest Quarter of the Northwest Quarter of Section 16, T 20 North, R 17 East, Elmore County, Alabama; Thence South 00 deg. 04 min. 23 sec. West, along Quarter Section line, 1328.42 feet to an iron pin; Thence North 89 deg. 01 min. 24 sec. East, 128.40 feet to an iron pin, said point being the Point of Beginning; Thence continue North 89 deg. 01 min. 24 sec. East, 330.44 feet to an iron pin; Thence South 00 deg. 11 min. 04 sec. West, 182.46 feet to an iron pin on the North Right of Way of Geddie Loop Road, 60 foot Right of Way; Thence South 67 deg. 08 min. 28 sec. West, along said Right of Way, 56.74 feet; Thence South 66 deg. 07 min. 31 sec. West, along said Right of Way, 239.80 feet to an iron pin; Thence leaving said Right of Way, North 23 deg. 52 min. 29 sec. West, 145.20 feet to an iron pin; Thence North 00 deg. 11 min. 03 sec. East, 163.15 feet to the Point of Beginning. The above described property lies in the Southeast Quarter of the Northwest Quarter of Section 16, T 20 North, R 17 East, Elmore County, Alabama, and contains 1.80 acres, more or less. For informational purposes only, the property address is: 1346 Geddie Loop Rd, Deatsville, AL 36022. Any property address provided is not part of the legal description of the property sold herein and in the event of any discrepancy, the legal description referenced herein shall control. THIS PROPERTY WILL BE SOLD ON AN “AS-IS, WHEREIS” BASIS, SUBJECT TO ANY EASEMENTS, ENCUMBRANCES, AND EXCEPTIONS REFLECTED IN THE MORTGAGE AND THOSE CONTAINED IN THE RECORDS OF THE OFFICE OF THE JUDGE OF PROBATE OF THE COUNTY WHERE THE ABOVE-DESCRIBED PROPERTY IS SITUATED. THIS PROPERTY WILL BE SOLD WITHOUT WARRANTY OR RECOURSE, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED AS TO TITLE, USE AND/OR ENJOYMENT AND WILL BE SOLD SUBJECT TO THE RIGHT OF REDEMPTION OF ALL PARTIES ENTITLED THERETO. Alabama law gives some persons who have an interest in property the right to redeem the property under certain circumstances. Programs may also exist that help persons avoid or delay the foreclosure process. An attorney should be consulted to help you understand these rights and programs as a part of the foreclosure process. This sale is made for the purpose of paying the indebtedness secured by mortgage as well as the expenses of foreclosure, including a reasonable attorney’s fees and other purposes set out in said mortgage. NewRez LLC d/b/a Shellpoint Mortgage Servicing Paul K. Lavelle, Esq. Attorney for Mortgagee Spina, & Lavelle, P.C. One Perimeter Park SouthSuite 400N Birmingham, Alabama 35243 (205) 298-1800
Wetumpka Herald: Mar. 19, 26 and Apr. 2, 2025 30-FC-25-01101
PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF STEVE BYRON BUTLER, SR., DECEASED. CASE NO.: 2025-017 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE
Letters Testamentary in the Estate of STEVE BYRON BUTLER, SR., deceased, having been granted to SAMUEL B. BUTLER on March 20, 2025 by D. JASON BRITT, Judge of Probate of Elmore County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons and parties having claims against said estate are required, within the time allowed by law, to present the same to the Court or the same will be barred.
SAMUEL B. BUTLER PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF STEVE BYRON BUTLER, SR., DECEASED.
DV-2024-900085.00
PUBLIC NOTICE
MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE
Public Notices
g Elmore County, Alabama. Said default continues and notice is hereby given that the undersigned, Trustmark National Bank, under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in said mortgage, will sell at public outcry to the highest bidder for cash at the main entrance to the County Courthouse, Elmore County, Alabama on 04/23/2025, during the legal hours of sale, the following described real estate situated in Elmore County, Alabama, to-wit: Lot 2, Block A, according to the Plat of Westlawn Estates as the same appears of record in the of Elmore County, Alabama, in Plat Book 3 at Page 64. For informational purposes only, the property address is: 31 Forrest Ave., Wetumpka, AL 36092. Any property address provided is not part of the legal description of the property sold herein and in the event of any discrepancy, the legal description referenced herein shall control. THIS PROPERTY WILL BE SOLD ON AN “AS-IS, WHEREANY EASEMENTS, ENCUMBRANCES, AND EXCEPTIONS REFLECTED IN THE MORTGAGE AND THOSE CONTAINED IN THE RECORDS OF THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY WHERE THE ABOVE-DESCRIBED PROPERTY IS SITUATED. THIS PROPERTY WILL BE SOLD WITHOUT WARRANTY OR RECOURSE, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED AS TO TITLE, USE THE RIGHT OF REDEMPTION OF ALL PARTIES ENTITLED THERETO. Alabama law gives some persons who have an interest in property the right to redeem the property under certain circumstances. Programs may also exist that help persons avoid or delay the foreclosure process. An attorney should be consulted to help you understand these rights and programs as a part of the foreclosure process. This sale is made for the purpose of paying the indebtedness secured by mortgage as well as the expenses of foreclosure, including a reasonable attorney’s fees and other purposes set out in said mortgage. Trustmark National Bank Paul K. Lavelle, Esq. Attorney for Mortgagee Spina, & Lavelle, P.C. One Perimeter Park SouthSuite 400N Birmingham, Alabama 35243 (205) 298-1800 40-FC-25-01110 Wetumpka Herald: Mar. 19, 26 and Apr. 2, 2025 40-FC-25-01110
Do you have available jobs? Call 256.277.4219 to let others know about job opportunities at your business.
PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF MARY E .CALHOUN, DECEASED. CASE NO.: 2025-075 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE Letters Testamentary in the Estate of MARY E. CALHOUN, deceased, having been granted to DANIEL P. HORTON on March 19, 2025 by D. JASON BRITT, Judge of Probate of Elmore County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons and parties having claims against said estate are required, within the time allowed by law, to present the same to the Court or the same will be barred.
DANIEL P. HORTON PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF MARY E. CALHOUN, DECEASED.
Address of Personal Representative: 162 Dogwood Ridge Drive Wetumpka, Alabama 36092 334-315-7160 Wetumpka Herald: Mar. 26, Apr. 2 and 9, 2025 EST/CALHOUN, M.
PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF SEAN PATRICK CARROLL, DECEASED. CASE NO: 2025-035 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE
Default having been made in the payment of the indebtedness secured by that certain mortgage executed by Chad D. McCaulley and Nicole M. McCaulley, husband and wife, originally in favor of Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., solely as nominee for Quicken Loans, LLC, on January 14, 2021, said mortgage Judge of Probate of Autauga County, Alabama, in Real Property Book 2024 Page 3347; the undersigned Rocket Mortgage, LLC f/k/a Quicken Loans, LLC, as Mortgagee/Transferee, under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in said mortgage, will sell at public outcry
PUBLIC NOTICE
MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE
Default having been made in the payment of the indebtedness secured by that certain mortgage executed by Stephen Boggs, single man, originally in favor of Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as nominee for Mortgage Research Center, LLC dba Veterans United Home Loans, on February 11, 2022, said mortgage recordof Probate of Elmore County,
Default having being made in the payment of the indebtedness secured by that certain mortgage dated April 25, 2022 executed by Gregory Bailey, a single man, in favor of Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc. solely as nominee for Caliber Home Loans, Inc., said Mortgage being recorded May 2, 2022, in RLPY Book 2022, the Judge of Probate of Elmore County, Alabama; having later been assigned to NewRez LLC d/b/a Shellpoint Mortgage Servicing by instrument recorded in RLPY Book 2024, Page 44263, Probate of Elmore County, Alabama. Said default continues and notice is hereby given that the undersigned, NewRez LLC d/b/a Shellpoint Mortgage Servicing, under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in said mortgage, will sell at public outcry to the highest bidder
Attorney of Record for Personal Representative: Regina B. Edwards, Esq. The Law Firm of Edwards & Edwards, P.C. 109 E. Bridge Street Wetumpka, Alabama 36092 Wetumpka Herald: Mar. 26, Apr. 2 and 9, 2025 EST/BUTLER S.
PUBLIC NOTICE MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE
Default having being made in the payment of the indebtedness secured by that certain mortgage dated August 11, 2020 executed by Kellye S. Dennis and Stephen Dennis husband and wife, in favor of Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., solely as a nominee for Trustmark National Bank, said Mortgage being recorded August 12, 2020, in Book 2020, Page 55523, in the of Elmore County, Alabama; having later been assigned to Trustmark National Bank by instrument recorded in Book 2024, Page 47780, in the Of-
Letters of Administration over the Estate of SEAN PATRICK CARROLL, deceased, having been granted to TIFFANIE CARROLL on March 12, 2025 by D. JASON BRITT. Judge of Probate of Elmore County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons and parties having claims against said estate are required, within the time allowed by law, to present the same to the Court or the same will be barred.
TIFFANIE CARROLL ADMINISTRATOR OF THE ESTATE OF SEAN PATRICK CARROLL, DECEASED Name and Address of Attorney for Administrator: WILL O’REAR, JR. SASSER & O’REAR, LLC 7007 FULTON COURT MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA 36117
Wetumpka Herald: Mar. 19, 26 and Apr. 2, 2025 EST/CARROLL S. Selling your home? Advertise here and sell it faster. Call Classifieds at 256.277.4219.
CLASSIFIEDS/PUBLIC NOTICES
Public Notices
PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF DOVIE M. HOGAN, DECEASED. CASE NO.: 2025-069 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE
Public Notices
PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF RODGER JUMAN PARRISH, DECEASED CASE NO: 2025-021
NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE
Public Notices
Public Notices
Public Notices
to present the same to the Court or the same will be barred.
LASHUNDA TUCKER ADMINISTRATOR OF THE ESTATE OF ETHEL LORETTA CHANCEY, DECEASED Name and Address of Attorney for Administrator:
WILLIAM M. DELAHAY THE HARRIS FIRM LLC 215 RICHARD ARRINGTON JR., BLVD N SUITE 1000 BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA 35203 205-201-1789
Wetumpka Herald: Mar. 26, Apr. 2 and 9, 2025 EST/CHANCEY, E. PUBLIC NOTICE
IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF JEFFREY LEW CHAPMAN, DECEASED. CASE NO.: 2025-058 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE
Letters Testamentary in the Estate of JEFFREY LEW CHAPMAN, deceased, having been granted to GAIL GREEN CHAPMAN on March 3, 2025 by D. JASON BRITT, Judge of Probate of Elmore County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons and parties having claims against said estate are required, within the time allowed by law, to present the same to the Court or the same will be barred.
GAIL GREEN CHAPMAN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF JEFFREY LEW CHAPMAN, DECEASED.
Attorney of Record for Personal Representative: Ed Parish, Jr. The Parish Law Firm Montgomery, AL 36101-0052
Wetumpka Herald: Mar. 12, 19 and 26, 2025 EST/CHAPMAN, J.
PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF ANGELA DARLENE DICKINSON, DECEASED. CASE NO: 2025-062 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE
Letters of Administration over the Estate of ANGELA DARLENE DICKINSON, deceased, having been granted to JAMES COREY DICKINSON on March 12, 2025 by D. JASON BRITT. Judge of Probate of Elmore County. Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons and parties having claims against said estate are required, within the time allowed by law, to present the same to the Court or the same will be barred.
JAMES COREY DICKINSON ADMINISTRATOR OF THE ESTATE OF ANGELA DARLENE DICKINSON, DECEASED
Name and Address of Attorney for Administrator:
JASON M. JACKSON RADNEY, RADNEY & JACKSON. LLC PO BOX 819 ALEXANDER CITY. ALABAMA 35011 256-234-2547
Wetumpka Herald: Mar. 19, 26 and Apr. 2, 2025 EST/DICKINSON, A. PUBLIC NOTICE
Notice is hereby given that the undersigned will sell for cash, at an ONLINE public auction on the 16th of April 2025, at 9:00am AT STORAGETREASURES.COM
Please note: THIS AUCTION IS NOT IN PERSON. PLEASE DO NOT SHOW UP TO OUR PHYSICAL LOCATION. ALL AUCTION PARTICIPANTS MUST SIGN UP AND BID ONLINE.
Southeast Storage 8416 US-231 Wetumpka, AL 36092
3097:Tracey Hart. P.O Box 151, Wetumpka, Al 36092
Contents:basketball goal, weights, boxes, dresser, home decor
2248:Sara Elizabeth. 681 Taylor Circle, Somerville, Al 35670
Contents: desk, mattress set,table, dresser, boxes, tv, headboard, 3046:Diana Candelaria 2275 Chaple Lakes Ln. Apt. B Contents:desk, love seat, bike, pictures, tables, home decor Wetumpka Herald: Mar. 26 and Apr. 2, 2025 STORAGE AUCTION
Letters Testamentary in the Estate of DOVIE M. HOGAN, deceased, having been granted to RICHARD HAROLD HOGAN on March 19, 2025 by D. JASON BRITT, Judge of Probate of Elmore County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons and parties having claims against said estate are required, within the time allowed by law to present the same to the Court or the same will be barred.
RICHARD HAROLD HOGAN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF DOVIE M. HOGAN, DECEASED.
Attorney of Record for Personal Representative:
SCARLETT TRAVIS ATTORNEY AT LAW GARRY S. MCANNALLY. LLC 50 WISTERIA PLACE MILLBROOK. ALABAMA 36054 334-285-1976 Scarlett@gmacclosings.com
Wetumpka Herald: Mar. 26, Apr. 2 and 9, 2025 EST/HOGAN, D.
PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF RAMONA STEPHENS MCCORD, DECEASED. CASE NO.: 2025-079 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE
Letters Testamentary in the Estate of RAMONA STEPHENS MCCORD, deceased, having been granted to JOEL MCCORD on March 17, 2025 by D. JASON BRITT, Judge of Probate of Elmore County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons and parties having claims against said estate are required, within the time allowed by law, to present the same to the Court or the same will be barred.
JOEL MCCORD PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF RAMONA STEPHENS MCCORD, DECEASED.
Attorney of Record for Personal Representative: KELLY LEE ATTORNEY AT LAW 164 WEST 5TH STREET PRATTVILLE, ALABAMA 36067 334-358-0685 kellylee@kellyleelaw.com
Wetumpka Herald: Mar. 26, Apr. 2 and 9, 2025 EST/MCCORD, R. PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF JESSIE L. MCINTYRE A/K/A JESSIE LEE FREE, DECEASED. CASE NO.: 2025-065 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE
Letters Testamentary in the Estate of JESSIE L. MCINTYRE A/K/A JESSIE LEE FREE, deceased, having been granted to MURRAY FREE on March 14, 2025 by D. JASON BRITT, Judge of Probate of Elmore County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons and parties having claims against said estate are required, within the time allowed by law, to present the same to the Court or the same will be barred. MURRAY FREE PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF JESSIE L. MCINTYRE A/K/A JESSIE LEE FREE, DECEASED.
Attorney of Record for Personal Representative: G. Barton Crum Crum, Ellis & Associates, P.C. P.O. Box 1186 Montgomery, AL 36101 Wetumpka Herald: Mar. 19, 26 and Apr. 2, 2025 EST/MCINTYRE, J.
PUBLIC NOTICE
The Elmore County Emergency Communications District and 911 Consult, Inc. are proposing to install a lattice telecommunications tower to be located at 4584 Friendship Road, Tallassee, Elmore County, Alabama at latitude 32° 32’ 16.5” north and longitude 85° 58’ 23.2” west. The height of the tower will be 99.1 meters above ground level (249.4 meters above mean seagarding the project is available by calling Chad Stinnett during normal business hours at (205) 629-3868. Any interested party may submit environmental related comments within 30 days of this publication with Environmental, Inc. at 96B Cogswell Avenue, Pell City, AL 35125 for comments on the impact of the proposed action on any districts, sites, buildings, structures, or history, archaeology, engineering, or culture that are listed or determined eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places under National Historic Preservation Act Section 106. Wetumpka Herald: Mar. 26, 2024 TALLASSEE TOWER
Letters of Administration over the Estate of RODGER JUMAN PARRISH, deceased, having been granted to RHODESIA B. PARRISH on March 4, 2025 by D. JASON BRITT, Judge of Probate of Elmore County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons and parties having claims against said estate are required, within the time allowed by law, to present the same to the Court or the same will be barred.
RHODESIA B. PARRISH ADMINISTRATOR OF THE ESTATE OF RODGER JUMAN PARRISH, DECEASED
Name and Address of Attorney for Administrator: JOHN T. WINANS THE HARRIS LAW FIRM, LLC 60 COMMERCE STREET, STE 370 MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA 36104 334-782-9938
Wetumpka Herald: Mar. 12, 19 and 26, 2025
EST/PARRISH, R. PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF HUBERT F. POWELL, DECEASED. CASE NO. 2025-056 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE
Letters Testamentary in the Estate of HUBERT F. POWELL, deceased, having been granted to CHRISTIANA MICHELLE YEAGER on the 19th day of March, 2025 by D. JASON BRITT, Judge of Probate of Elmore County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons and parties having claims against said estate are required, within the time allowed by law, to present the same to the Court or the same will be barred.
CHRISTIANA MICHELLE YEAGER PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF HUBERT F. POWELL, DECEASED
Attorney of Record for Personal Representative: ASHLEIGH L. HUGHES ATTORNEY AT LAW THE GRIGGS LAW FIRM, L.L.C. 100 EXECUTIVE PARK DRIVE PO BOX 780452 TALLASSEE, ALABAMA 36078 334-283-2893
Wetumpka Herald: Mar. 26, Apr. 2 and 9, 2025 EST/POWELL, H. PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF MARGARET ANNE WEYBRIGHT SHULTZ, DECEASED. CASE NO.: 2025-087 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATE
Letters Testamentary in the Estate of MARGARET ANNE WEYBRIGHT SHULTZ, deceased, having been granted to KATRINA L. SHULTZ MITCHELL on March 21, 2025 by D. JASON BRITT, Judge of Probate of Elmore County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons and parties having claims against said estate are required, within the time allmved by law, to present the same to the Court or the same will be barred.
KATRINA L. SHULTZ MITCHELL PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF MARGARET ANNE WEYBRIGHT SHULTZ, DECEASED
Attorney of Record for Personal Representative: RODERICK B. PERDUE
ATTORNEY AT LAW 2033 HOLTVILLE ROAD WETUMPKA, ALABAMA 36092 334-567-7373
Wetumpka Herald: Mar. 26, Apr. 2 and 9, 2025 EST/SHULTZ M. PUBLIC NOTICE
NOTICE OF PUBLICATION
TO: THE ANY AND ALL HEIRS OR DEVISEES OF IDA MAE MCREE, DECEASED, WHOSE WHEREABOUTS ARE UNKNOWN AND WHICH CANNOT BE ASCERTAINED AFTER EXERCISE OF REASONABLE DILIGENCE.
NOTICE PUBLIC NOTICE
NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS
PROJECT NO. R023725001 CITY OF TALLASSEE ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA
SEALED BIDS WILL BE RECEIVED BY THE CITY OF TALLASSEE at 3 Freeman Ave, Tallassee, AL, 36078 UNTIL 1:30 PM, Tuesday, April 8th, 2025, AND AT THAT TIME PUBLICLY OPENED FOR CONSTRUCTING THE FOLLOWING: ROADWAY IMPROVEMENTS ALONG SOUTH ANN AVENUE, COMER LANE AND CLIFF STREET FOR THE CITY OF TALLASSEE, PROJECT NO. R023725001 THE BRACKET ESTIMATE ON THIS PROJECT IS FROM $230,000.00 TO $260,000.00. THIS BRACKET RANGE IS SHOWN ONLY TO PROVIDE GENERAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION TO CONTRACTORS AND BONDING COMPANIES CONCERNING THE PROJECT’S COMPLEXITY AND SIZE. THIS BRACKET SHOULD NOT BE USED IN PREPARING A BID, NOR WILL
THIS BRACKET HAVE ANY BEARING ON THE DECISION TO AWARD THE CONTRACT. THE PRINCIPAL ITEMS OF WORK ARE APPROXIMATELY AS FOLLOWS: 22 MACHINE GRADING SHOULDERS, PER STATION 2533 MICRO MILLING EXISTING PAVEMENT (APP 1.10” THRU 2.00” THICK), PER SQUARE YARD 529 SUPERPAVE BITUMINOUS CONCRETE WEARING SURFACE LAYER, 1/2” MAX AGG ESAL A/B, PER TON 75 SUPERPAVE BITUMINOUS CONCRETE WEARING SURFACE LAYER, PATCHING 1” MAX AGG ESAL A/B, PER TON 25 SUPERPAVE BITUMINOUS CONCRETE WEARING SURFACE LAYER, LEVELING 1/2” ESAL A/B, PER TON THE ENTIRE PROJECT SHALL BE COMPLETED IN THIRTY (30) WORKING DAYS. TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR CONSIDERATION, BIDS MUST BE SUBMITTED ON COMPLETE ORIGINAL PROPOSALS MADE AVAILABLE BY THE OWNER. BID DOCUMENTS (INCLUDING PLANS AND PROPOSALS) ARE AVAILABLE AT CDG, INC., 224 BROAD STREET, SUITE 201, GADSDEN, AL, 35903 (256) 5439431. PAPER COPIES ARE AVAILABLE UPON RECEIPT OF A NON-REFUNDABLE DEPOSIT IN THE AMOUNT OF $200 FOR ONE SET. PDF ELECTRONIC COPIES ARE AVAILABLE VIA EMAIL AT NO COST TO THE BIDDER. NO BID DOCUMENTS WILL BE DISTRIBUTED LATER THAN 24 HOURS PRIOR TO THE SCHEDULED OPENING OF BIDS. A CASHIER’S CHECK (DRAWN ON AN ALABAMA BANK) OR BID BOND FOR 5% OF THE AMOUNT BID (MAXIMUM - $10,000.00) AND MADE PAYABLE TO THE CITY OF TALLASSEE MUST ACCOMPANY EACH BID AS EVIDENCE OF GOOD FAITH. IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 34-8-8, CODE OF ALABAMA, AS AMENDED, “ALL OWNERS, ARCHITECTS, AND ENGINEERS RECEIVING BIDS PURSUANT TO THIS CHAPTER SHALL REQUIRE THE PERSON, FIRM OR CORPORATION TO INCLUDE HIS OR HER CURRENT LICENSE NUMBER ON THE BID.” IT ALSO STATES THAT “...IT WILL BE NECESSARY FOR HIM OR HER TO SHOW EVIDENCE OF LICENSE BEFORE HIS OR HER BID IS CONSIDERED.” PREQUALIFICATION IS NOT REQUIRED ON THIS PROJECT. FURTHER DETAILS AND DEFINITIONS REGARDING THIS PROVISION ARE INCLUDED IN SECTION 102 OF SPECIAL PROVISION 22-LPA001 AND ALDOT’S 2022 STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS.
PROOF OF INSURANCE COVERAGES OF THE TYPES AND AMOUNTS AS SET FORTH IN THE PROJECT SPECIFICATIONS WILL BE REQUIRED OF THE CONTRACTOR, AND ANY AND ALL SUBCONTRACTORS, PRIOR TO BEGINNING WORK. THE CONTRACTOR WILL BE REQUIRED TO PERFORM WORK AMOUNTING TO AT LEAST 30% OF THE TOTAL CONTRACT COST WITH HIS OWN ORGANIZATION. THE PROPOSED WORK SHALL BE PERFORMED IN CONFORMITY WITH ALDOT STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS AND ALL APPLICABLE LAWS, RULES, AND REGULATIONS. THE RIGHT TO REJECT ANY OR ALL BIDS AND TO DISREGARD ANY MINOR IRREGULARITIES IS RESERVED BY THE OWNER. HONORABLE SARAH HILL, MAYOR
Wetumpka Herald: Mar.
ECHS teaching program gets CLAS Distinction
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
Elmore County High School’s Future Teachers of Alabama program is getting noticed.
The Council for Leaders in Alabama Schools recently selected ECHS as a District 3 School of Distinction joining the Elmore County Technical Center for the recognition.
“It’s been really successful the last four years,” advisor Julie Powell said. “We’ve had a student on our executive board for the state. We had three people on
the board of directors. We also have the current first vice president going into the next school year.”
The program is designed to recruit and show high school students the teaching profession. This year more than 20 ECHS students are involved in the program. Many help as teaching aides at Eclectic Elementary School.
“We are trying to grow teachers,” ECHS FTA advisor Julie Powell said. “It aids students in figuring out if teaching is for them.”
Elmore County picks up 4 straight wins
STAFF REPORT
TPI Staff
It is reminiscent of the beginning of the season for the Elmore County baseball team as it soared to four straight victories.
First were back-toback wins over Class 5A Area 6 opponent Valley, not placing Elmore County atop of the area.
The Panther accumulated 21 total hits in the two game stretch with Shae Darnell picking up five by himself — adding four runs as well.
Shelton Darnell also carved himself out a solid day in the second game against the Rams with a three hit performance which included one run scored and two RBIs.
The Panther carried that momentum towards an 8-5 victory over Opelika. It was there that Jaden Eason took over with four hits in his four at-bats which consisted of a triple and a double, adding three runs for the team as well. Hayden Jones also came in with a two hit outing, logging a home run for the Panthers.
To close out the week, Elmore County took down Pelham 8-1, where Gage Davis was the standout performer. He went a perfect fivefor-five in his at-bats with one being a double added to his one RBI.
Darnell yet again, Shea Darnell made his presence known with two hits with one being a
home run.
ELMORE COUNTY SOFTBALL SPLITS WITH BEAUREGARD, VALLEY
To open the week, the Elmore County softball team duked it out with Class 5A Area 6 opponent Valley where it snatched a 12-1 victory.
Addison Hicks and Addi Stephenson took center stage for the Panther each finishing the game with three hits apiece while they both scored two runs in the process. Lalah Culpepper and Kayden Edwards contributed two hits each to the already impressive total.
Stephenson also dominated in the circle, through five innings she struck out four batters and walked one. She allowed two hits and one run.
Against Beauregard it was an all-out slug fest between the two with the Hornets taking a 5-4 victory.
The Panthers accumulated more hits than the Hornets, but the opposition was able to get runs when it counted. Hicks, Culpepper, Stephenson, Raevyn Barris and Addy Peaden combined for those 10 hits with two each.
Culpepper pitched the first four innings where she logged one strikeout while she allowed six hits and three runs.
Bailey Kennedy came in for the last three innings where she also picked up a strikeout, but allowed two runs and three hits.
Students in the program spend Groundhog Day shadowing teachers at the elementary and middle school. They also help teachers at the schools with Christmas programs, Read Across America and art projects.
“Our students go and spend the day with a teacher in the community to see what teaching is really like,” Powell said. “They get to see it on the other side, not as a student.”
Sending high school students to the elementary school has been more formalized in the
last two years through an aide program.
“They get to experience almost all aspects of teaching this way,” Powell said. “It also encourages the elementary students to do well in school and builds relationships between everyone.”
The FTA students also help with programs for the needy. They help put together kits containing essential supplies such as soap, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes and school supplies.
“Whatever fits the need we
try to do,” Powell said. “If students can’t get their basic needs met, then it’s really hard to learn.”
Students have started visiting college campuses. Some have already started to receive scholarships to major in education.
“It’s been really great for the students,” Powell said. “We are really hoping to grow teachers in the hope they return home someday.”
ECHS and ECTC will gather for an awards ceremony in May to see if they are selected as CLAS Banner School.
CLEANUP
HONORS MEMORY OF REUBEN THORNTON
By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor
t was another successful
IReuben Thornton Memorial Cleanup in the Red Hill and Eclectic community Saturday.
Friends of Thornton gathered once again to do one thing in his honor: pick up litter. Thornton and his wife Jackie owned Dirt Road Gourmet at the time and started the idea of an organized cleanup in the area about a decade ago.
“The idea came from Reuben while we were in church,” Lake Martin
Resource Association president Jodie McGuirt said. “He and Jackie combined it with food, both a breakfast and a lunch. They did so much for LMRA and he was on the board for a long while.”
Reuben saw litter collecting outside his business on Highway 229 and started picking it up. He got LMRA volunteers involved and expanded the area of cleanup from just around his business. The Thorntons repaid the volunteers with food.
Saturday volunteers gathered at the Red Hill Community Center for breakfast of course and then set about their paths to pick up litter. They gathered a little later in the day at the Lake Martin Mini Mall for lunch, some music and socializing. The cleanup is still on the mind of Reuben’s wife Jackie.
“She moved to Virginia to be close to family,” McGuirt said. “She texted me this week to check in on it. She wishes she could be here.”
Reuben got sick prior to the COVID-19 pandemic and had to stay home a little more. But the cleanup he started continues.
| TPI
Elmore County’s Shea Darnell sent one beyond the fence against Pelham last week.