Bank to open soon

Staff Report

Construction is nearly complete at 526 Gilmer Avenue for the new branch of First Community Bank in Tallassee. This will be the seventh location for the financial institution that started in Wetumpka in 2001.
To start, there will be five employees on site. Tallassee native Barry Parker will be the branch manager. Parker has had a long relationship with First Community Bank.


"My dad decided he was ready to retire. I walked in and told them I needed a job," Parker said.


Parker

Parker worked with his father for 27 years at T. Parker Auto Sales in Wetumpka. His father Thurman had the business there for 43 years.

"There's very little difference," Parker said of the car business compared to banking. "You're dealing with people. You want to make them happy and be accessible when they need you."
Parker began training on April 1 with the bank. He's ready to get going in Tallassee.
"Working right beside where you grew up and played football is pretty neat," Parker said. "It's real exciting for me to be coming back."
Parker said plans are to open shortly after Christmas.

Your own personal Magazine

What if there there were a magazine made just for you? One that contained just the things you like?

One of the hottest trends on the net is just that.

• You decide what is in your magazine.
• You can easily share it with your friends who like the same things. 
• You can add an article to your magazine in just three or four mouse clicks.
• You can invite a few friends with similar interest to add articles to your magazine.

It's called Flipboard. It's an app for Apple  iOS, Android, Windows, Blackberry, Kindle Fire and Nook. 

I created this Tallapossa Treasure magazine in just a couple minutes. This is what the cover and a few pages look like on a phone, tablet or eReader.

If you don't have the Flipboard app you can still read the magazine in a browser. Take a look at my magazine Tallaposa Treasure on the web. (Click here.)
If you have the app installed, launch it and click on "Your Subscriptions", then search for Tallapoosa Treasure. You can add it to your list of Magazines.
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SMS Band in Troy

The Troy University "MS SEUS," Middle School Southeastern United States Honor Band and Directors Clinic, was held at Troy University Dec. 5-7.  Southside band students played scales and sight reading in chair placement auditions.  Here were the results: GOLD BAND - Kelsey Butler, 15th chair alto saxophone; Jacob Lawrence, 2nd chair baritone saxophone. SILVER BAND - Madelaine Worley, 9th chair clarinet; Jean Leah Atkins, 1st chair oboe; Emily Stillwell, 9th chair alto saxophone; Jordan Wallace, 6th chair percussion; Reign Jones, 8th chair percussion.
CARDINAL BAND - Sarah Smith, 22nd chair flute; Charlecia Skipper, 19th chair clarinet; Hadden Langley, 3rd chair alto saxophone; Ashlyn Diamond, 1st chair tenor saxophone; Elizabeth Stillwell, 5th chair trumpet; Brien Brooks, 22nd chair trumpet; Jacob Brown, 5th chair trombone; Matthew Bice, 1st chair tuba; John Jackson, 4th chair percussion; James Ledbetter, 8th chair percussion. Submitted by Michael Bird.

Caroling

Macon Armistead leads a group of carolers from First United Methodist Church. The singers visited shut-ins last Sunday.

Tallassee Times Christmas Contest

Times presents 'Christmas Card Contest'

Staff Report

Tallassee Times is putting together its first "Christmas Card Contest." This holiday season, submit your Christmas card photos to us by e-mail. Several prizes will be given away.

A panel of judges will determine the winners. Limit one photo per family.

Pictures must be submitted by e-mail: tallasseetimes@elmore.rr.com by Dec. 17. Be sure to identify the family, pet, etc. Include the photographer as well.

The winning photos will be featured in the Dec. 24 edition of Tallassee Times.

The grand prize will be a Husqvarna 122LDX Quick Connect Trimmer valued at $199 courtesy of Tallassee Power and Equipment. The second place winner will receive a $50 gift certificate from Tallassee Jewelers. Other prizes include; Alabama Shakespeare Festival tickets to "A Christmas Carol" and gift certificates to 1220 Café.

Christmas Events

Christmas festivities this weekend

By Michael Butler

The month of December has arrived with the anticipation of holiday traditions. In Tallassee, the annual tree lighting, holiday market and parade mark the advent of the season.

The Holiday Market will begin on Friday, Dec. 6. at 12:00 at Veterans Park. The Christmas tree lighting is at 5:30 p.m. in the park. The market resumes at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 7.

"It's a warm and cozy event with caroling," Tallassee Chamber of Commerce executive director Jeanna Kervin said. "It's really nice. You can get you some good Christmas presents. It puts people in the Christmas spirit."

At 9:00 a.m., parade participants will gather at the East Tallassee Church of Christ. The procession will start at 10:00 and move across the Benjamin Fitzpatrick Bridge and end at 5 Points. High school marching bands from Tallassee and Reeltown will be involved again this year.

WTLS Turkey Toss

Kyle Thornton shows Trey Taylor his best turkey impression at the WTLS Turkey Toss last Thursday at J. E. "Hot" O'Brien Stadium. Winners included: Chris Lackey (Football Toss), Jacob Dantro (Football Toss/Junior Division), Brad Bonner (Turkey Toss), Jace Taylor (Turkey Toss/Junior Division) and Brian Thornton (Turkey Call).

Jimmy Rodgers Addresses Rumors

Tallassee Police Chief Jimmy Rogers in an exclusive interview, clears up rumors concerning former assistant chief Chris Miles and the 109 felony charges of child sexual abuse against Stephen Conrad Jr.
100 counts against the notorious sex abuse suspect were dismissed all because of the actions of Tallassee's now former assistant police chief, Chris Miles. It is alleged that Miles coerced the suspect's confession, which means it's not admissible in court.

WTLS Studio invaded.

The coach from Wetumpka visited.

Watch the Video here.

Connected

Connected

Brooke Barron hands Madison Johnson a new iPad for the upcoming school year. Johnson will be a junior this year at Tallassee.

21st Century Learning registration next week

Tallassee City Schools 21st Century Community Learning Center is offering registration for the 2013-2014 school year. The Tallassee Elementary School’s 21st CCLC is open to students in grades 1-6 who attend Tallassee City Schools. Registration will be held at Tallassee Elementary School on August 13 from 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. 

The following items are needed to complete the registration process:

• Completed and signed Registration Form;
• Updated medical information;
• Emergency contact person(s) other than parents:
• Non-Refundable registration fee. Due upon registration in the form of cash, money order or personal check.

($20 for each student, $35 for 2 or more students)

If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact Lauren Funderburk at (334) 354-6443 or shirleylauren08@gmail.com.

Free and reduced meal applications available

Tallassee City Schools will be offering Online Free and Reduced Price Meal Applications for the upcoming school year.  If you wish to have your child's meal status determined before school begins, please complete the online application form.

You may access the form by visiting the TCSCHOOLS website at www.tcschools.com.  You will then select the Online Free and Reduced Priced Meal Application in the purple sidebar and follow the steps as directed.

Please be sure to include all of your children in the same application.                                                         

If you do not have internet access in your home or need assistance with the online application, you may stop by the Tallassee High School Cafeteria on Monday, August 5th or Tuesday August 6th for assistance.  We will be available from 8 am until 3 pm.

Cafeteria staff will also be available to help you complete the applications during Open House on August 13, 2013 from 9 am to 3 pm at each school.

Students learn about history

Tallassee's Southside Middle School

Col. Larry Cornwell (USAF, Ret.) spoke to the fifth graders on behalf of the Sons of the American Revolution. His program was on what it was like to be a Revolutionary War soldier, specifically Gen. George Washington. Cornwell wore period dress and brought the actual instruments and weapons that were used by the colonists as they fought the British during the 1770s and 1780s. Cornwell also quizzed the students on various names, dates, and historical events. Mr. Shane Scroggins also visited the fifth graders, but he was in his Civil War uniform. Scroggins brought gear and supplies to show and demonstrate for the students, but also had real Confederate uniforms for the students to try on. Scroggins believes in historical recreations, and in "bringing the past back to life," as stated in his brochure. Fifth graders study the American Revolution near the end of fifth grade. Students study the Civil War and its aftermath at the beginning of sixth grade. Both of these programs were informative and educational, and enjoyed by the students.

Wedding Plans

Rachel Jane East and Samuel Kristopher (Kris) Parker

May 25, 2013 in Knoxville, Alabama

The wedding will take place May 25, 2013 at Southern House and Gardens in Knoxville, Alabama. All friends and family are invited.
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Kris is the son of the late Kevin and Lynn (Decker) Parker of Centre, Alabama. He is the grandson of Reba Decker and the late Rev. Artis Decker of Leesburg, Alabama; the late Leon and Betty Sam Parker of Centre, AL; and Harvel and Kathi Anderson of Centre, Alabama.
Rachel is a 2007 graduate of Tallassee High School. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Communicative Disorders from the University of Alabama in 2011 and her Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Alabama in December, 2012. She is currently employed with Restore Therapy Services, Ltd. Kris is a 2009 graduate of Cherokee County High School. He received his Bachelor of Science in Commerce and Business Administration from the University of Alabama in May, 2013.

Neptune offers students CHOICES®

 

On May 7 and 8, Neptune Technology Group presented a program called CHOICES to Tallassee High School ninth grade students. CHOICES is an interactive decision-making workshop that empowers teens to achieve academic success in pursuit of their career and life aspirations.

 

In two 45-minute sessions, business volunteers took students through real-world exercises on academic self-discipline, time and money management and goal setting. CHOICES has been delivered to more than six million teens in three countries since 1985.

Read more on TallasseeTimes.com

 

Council Considers Goat Ordinance

 Staff Report  

 

The Tallassee city council introduced and ordinance that if passed will permit domestic goats within the city to control vegetation.

The proposed ordinance would allow goats to battle kudzu, but is not limited to kudzu.

The idea for such an ordinance came to the attention of the city last spring when the Tallassee Historical Preservation Society requested the use of goats to control kudzu on its property on the west side of the Tallapoosa River.

Ann Christian is the THPS president. "We requested that the city council please consider an ordinance for THPS or any other "entity" to use goats (to) maintain overgrown property," she said. "(City attorney) John Smith recommended that it not be done and that THPS could rezone their property to agricultural, but if we do that there is no way we could get any type of grants.  So it was pretty much dead before it ever got off the table."

Baynes inducted into Hall of Fame

 By Michael Butler

Longtime Tallassee coach Ronnie Baynes has been inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame.  Baynes was one of eight inductees which included Alabama head football coach Nick Saban...

 

Baynes remembered the first title at Tallassee as one of his fondest memories in sports. "The excitement we had, you have to rank it high."

Winning the first state title of any sort for THS was a hurdle that set the table for a dynasty in Tallassee under Baynes.

Tigers Football News

Tallassee wrapped up spring football drills with a scrimmage vs. Notasulga on Friday night.
The game will be available On-Demand on Tallassee Times TV
THS head coach Mike Battles has 70 players out this spring.The next game will be Friday, August 23rd for the Tigers vs Jemison. The pre-game coverage starts at 6:00pm with the kickoff at 7:00pm. the game will be aired live on Tallassee Times TV: www.tallasseetv.com.

Spring game Friday

Tallassee will put a wrap on spring football drills with a scrimmage vs. Notasulga on Friday night. The game will kick off at 7:00 from Tallassee's J. E. "Hot" O'Brien Stadium

Man drowns on Tallapoosa

By Michael Butler

Rescue boat searching the Tallapoosa River Friday.

A Wetumpka man has died after being swept underwater in the Tallapoosa River in Tallassee near the AES boat ramp on Thursday afternoon. John Picken, age 27, was fishing with friends when electricity began being generated and water levels quickly rose.
Picken's brother and two friends were able to make their way up the banks to safety, while he was reeling in a fish.


The Alabama Power Company cooperated with search teams by lowering levels below Thurlow Dam. Picken's body was found on Saturday morning.
Tallassee police chief Jimmy Rodgers said that the four men did not hear the sirens which go off when water is generated, but noticed the rising water.
"People don't realize how quickly that water comes," Rodgers stated. "Mr. Picken apparently slipped on the rock from the pressure of the water coming down the river. He was last seen at the eddy."
The area known as the "Big Eddy" has some of the most extreme undercurrent on the river. The Tallassee Fire Department has trained swift water operations and dive personnel that responded
 to a 911 call.
Picken Rodgers said studies have been done that indicate water levels rise three feet in just over a minute when electric current is being generated.
Alabama Power has a toll-free number (800-525-3711) for access to information on generation schedules of their hydroelectric facilities.

Kindergarten Kids

Tallassee Elementary School Kindergarten Class Tour

WTLS and TallasseeTV.com  hosted a fun tour by local students and teachers.

Tallassee Fire Department Rescue

Firemen use high tech rescue equipment to lift fire truck.

A mishap lands the rear wheel of a Tallassee Fire Department truck in a hole.
Undeterred, the firemen used air bags to lift the heavy truck and filled the hole. After a few minutes work, the truck was easily driven out of the hole. The incident demonstrates just some of the amazing equipment available in the department used for emergency rescue.

Mt. Vernon Theatre

What to do on Friday night? Take in a concert.

The Mt. Vernon Theatre operations board has set Friday, April 12 as the date for its “Music in the Park.”

The concert will be from 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. at Bell Park in Tallassee.

Admission is free, but donations will be appreciated.

Event coordinator Kami Scarborough said Noah Griggs, Jr. came up with the idea.

“We were looking for a fundraiser,” Scarborough said. “We’re also creating awareness about the theatre.”

To complete the theater restoration project, approximately $400,000 still needs to be raised.

Musicians Roland “Lucky” Jackson, Zac Martin and Five and Dime will perform acoustic sets in a picnic setting. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, blankets and coolers.
“If we get a good response, we may have another one,” Scarborough added.
Additional parking, if needed, will be available at the First United Methodist Church.

Annual Station Tour

Kindergarten classes from Tallassee Elementary will visit Tallassee TV and WTLS studio on Friday April 19th from 8:20 to 12:35.
The students teachers are Ms. Aldridge, Ms. Looney, Ms. Bell, Ms. Beacher, Ms. Gantt and Ms. Griggs.

The tour is an annual event.
Be sure to tune in on WTLS or watch on TallasseeTV.com

Pride in Orlando

The Pride of Tallassee Marching Band pictured during their trip to Orlando.

 

Photo submitted by Angel Miller.

 

Read about his and many other local events on TallasseeTimes, Tallassee's weekly news source.

 

Tallassee Times is published every Wednesday.

Tigers lose 3-of-4 at Classic

THS wraps up area play

 By Michael Butler     

Tallassee's first game at the Lake Martin Baseball Classic began with a record-breaking performance in victory and ended with three straight losses.

Jed Carter struck out 16 batters, a Tallassee record, on Monday's 4-2 win over Handley. Brandon Baynes was 2-for-3 with a walk. Don Speake was 1-for-3 with two RBIs.

On Tuesday, the Tigers lost to Sylacauga 5-4 and Russell County 5-0.

Blake Ware took the loss in the Sylacauga game giving up four runs on five hits. Ware was 3-for-4 with a double. Colin Speake was 2-for-4.

Read the rest of story, go to  http://tallasseetimes.com/sports.htm

Game Change Announcement.

The game scheduled to Thursday has been move up to Wednesday. Watch it here live with the pre-game show starting at 5:30

Wednesday

Apr. 10

Stanhope Elmore

Tallassee

6:00

Tallassee Now!!

Third Annual BBQ Cook-Off 

June 7 & 8, 2013
The Tallassee Community Development  Corporation  proudly sponsors this event for the benefit of the citizens. Come join us!  Good foo
d, good company, and good competition!

Schedule of Events  

June 7th, 2013

• 9:00am– till Check in & meat  inspection
• 6:30 pm  Cooks Meeting 
• 7-11 pm  Contest Social   

June 8th, 2013

• 11:30 am  Chicken Turn-in
• 12 noon  Shoulder/butt Turn-in
• 12:30 pm  Ribs Turn-in
• 1:00 pm  Brisket Turn-in
• 1-2:30 pm  Peoples Choice Vote

It's ball season

The weather was just about perfect.

 By Michael Butler 

I took some time off for spring break to be with the kids this past week.  .

The advent of the season means more than just warmer weather and blooming azaleas.  It’s ball season.

Dixie Youth Opening Day last Saturday rekindles fond memories.  I remember loading up on the back of a pickup truck in the Tallaweka Baptist Church parking lot.  All the teams would parade through town.  A lot of ball caps ended up on Gilmer Avenue.

My first year of Little League was with the Lions’ Braves. My grandfather, Thomas Stalnaker, was our coach.  His name is now on the scoreboard where opening ceremonies took place Saturday.  I miss having a wad of Big League Chew and hearing his voice, ‘Hit the ball, shuga!’

I now live a couple of blocks away from the ballpark, within shouting distance of those mamas and daddies.

My two boys will be playing t-ball for the first time this year.  I've had a ball introducing them to “America’s Favorite Pastime.”

I’ll try not to embarrass them too much. But if you hear a ‘Hit the ball shuga,” it might be me.

Read more news at TallasseeTime.com published every Wednesday.

Tigers Baseball

The Tigers play Dallas County

Go out and support the team Friday April 5th.
Game starts at game starts at 5:00 pm
The pre-game show airtime is 4:30pm on Tallassee TV
If you can't make it to the game,, you can watch it live on TallasseeTV.com

Easter Eggs

Seekers of eggs and prizes gathered at City Hall for the Treasure Hunt on the Tallapoosa last Saturday. More pictures are at Tallassee Times in the photos section

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Easter Egg Hunt

 

Treasure Hunt on the Tallapoosa

The city of Tallassee will have an Easter egg hunt on Saturday from 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. at the City Hall grounds. The event is called "Treasure Hunt on the Tallapoosa" and is for children 10 and under. 3,000 candy-filled eggs will be distributed over four areas with their perimeters defined with tape.  The age groups will be 2 and under, 3-4, 5-7 and 8-10. Parents will be allowed to assist children 2 and under.

Eggs will be filled with candy and coupons. A handful of eggs in each group will be filled with numbers that correspond to prizes, chocolate bunnies or baskets. Children will enjoy popcorn, cotton candy, drinks, crafts, balloons, and train rides. Those who attend are encourage to bring their cameras for pictures with the Easter bunny.

Volunteers are needed to assist with filling the plastic eggs. For more information...

Call City Hall

334-283-6571

Epperson Metro Wrestler of Year

Metro Wrestler of the Year

Josh Epperson ended his junior wrestling season with an unprecedented accomplishment. He was the first Tallassee wrestler to complete a season undefeated. The 126-pound junior was 49-0 in winning his second championship and will get an opportunity for more uncharted waters with a three-peat possibility next year. Epperson can now add "Wrester of the Year" to his resume. He is the recipient of the All-Metro honor given by the Montgomery Advertiser.

Three of Epperson's Tallassee teammates were also selected to the team; Kennon Reese (120, 46-6), Drew Baker (182, 45-6) and Jesse Rowlen (285, 42-1). Rowlen was also a state champion. B.J. Thomas (152, 43-10) was an honorable mention selection. 

Elmore County Roads

A dissection of county road safety

County roads, nationally, account for a disproportionate share of fatal accidents when compared to vehicle miles traveled. With over 50% of all fatalities occurring on rural roads, this national trend, unfortunately, is also consistent in Alabama. Safety is a major focus of the Elmore County Highway Department. Through the leadership of the Elmore County Commission, our daily focus is to ensure a safe and efficient county road and bridge network for the traveling public. Many policies and protocols are in place to maximize the effectiveness of our limited resources with regard to road and bridge safety.

The most recent example of these low cost countermeasures being implemented can be found at the intersection of Alabama Highway 14 and Cherokee Trail just west of Tallassee. Tragically, this intersection has seen two fatal accidents over the last ten years including one fairly recently. Even though all elements of the site point to the fact that the intersection and approaches meet all accepted standards for a safe driving environment, it was apparent upon reviewing the accident history that distracted driving was a contributing factor to many accidents that occurred at this location over the last decade. Another interesting fact related to this intersection was that over 80% of all the accidents occurred during the daytime hours.
In an attempt to bring more attention to the intersection and while working in concert with the Alabama Department of Transportation who owns and maintains Alabama Highway 14, larger stop signs were installed by the state at the county's request.
In addition, increased signage and rumble strips have been installed by the county on the Cherokee Trail approaches to the intersection to provide drivers a heightened awareness of the impending stop condition. This is just one of many examples countywide of how these low cost countermeasures are specifically chosen to fit the location's accident data, roadway characteristics, and the county's available resources.

You Matter

Wells says, "You Matter"

By Michael Butler 
Sgt. James Wells has spent 11 years in law enforcement. Recently, the investigator has started a new program for community youth titled, "You Matter."
"I've seen youth suicides, youth addicted to drugs, kids on alcohol, kids getting bullied at school," Wells said. "I intend to speak to the church youth groups and schools. I have a program that's for ninth graders entering their freshman year and a session for seniors leaving school."
Wells has come up with an acronym called the "B.A.D." movement. "It's youth against bullying, alcohol and drugs," he said.

Wells during an interview at WTLS

The availability of alcohol is a serious issue according to Wells. "I call alcohol a drug because it is addicting and it will hurt you. The problem with alcohol is it's everywhere; the service station, shopping centers... everywhere. There's one low-life that will buy the alcohol for the kids. Every place has one of these people. I'm sure Tallassee has one too."

Last week, Wells spoke to a group of middle school students at the Wall Street Community Center that he called "attentive and well-behaved."
"Communication - that's the key. In this day and age of how busy everything is, family communication is shot," Wells said. "Talking to the kids, I explain that. I also have a parent session."

Wells is having a website developed that will be available soon at: www.youmatteryouth.com. To schedule Wells as a speaker, call him 334-868-8133.

Tallassee Times TV offerings

Tallassee Times TV offerings...

Check out our live shows every weekday. The "Wake-Up Call" from 1300 WTLS/106.5 FM is available every morning from 6:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. Get a behind the scenes look from the WTLS studio with local guests. River Region Sports covers all things sports from noon until 2:00. Every other Friday night, Ryan Merrett and Keith Chambers host 80's Flashback Parking Lot Fridays from 8:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. As always, you can get involved with the action. Log on and chat to become a part of the program. We're updating our archived videos everyday. Browse the variety of highlights in the videos tab.

Career Day

Southside Middle School

Students Mary Gaston (left) and Ann Claire Dantro speak with Ida Turner, retired teacher with Tallassee City Schools, about futures in education at last Thursday's Career Day at Tallassee High School.

This and other

First Pitch

Tallassee Tigers Sports

Tallassee mayor Bobby Payne along with city council members David Stough, Rob Rygiel, Darrell Wilson, Charles Blalock and Heather Johnson toss the ceremonial first pitches to open the youth softball season on Saturday at the Tallassee Softball Complex. See more pictures in the Photos section.