The year 2018 saw Wetumpka and Elmore County chilled by substantial snow in January and a triple murder-suicide in July. Those are among the top 10 stories of the year as selected by The Herald.
- County blasted with snow, extreme cold
A blanket of snow covered Elmore County between Jan. 16 and 19.
Jan. 16 started with temperatures in the 40s but flakes began falling by midnight. Throughout those three days, temperatures steadily decreased while police said car accidents increased.
Elmore County chief deputy Ricky Lowery said the sheriff’s office responded to more than 50 calls concerning wrecks or stranded motorists.
According to the Elmore County Emergency Management Agency, Millbrook and Wetumpka received 2 inches of snow, Santuck received 2.5 inches and Tallassee reported up to 3 inches.
- Search for Kegley continues
On Feb. 26, law enforcement agencies and volunteers began combing 300 acres in Friendship’s Chalk Hill Road area in search of evidence connected to the 1998 disappearance of Traci Pittman Kegley.
Kegley was last seen at a local gas station on April 26, 1998. Kegley’s vehicle was located with her toddler daughter inside the next day.
To gather evidence, police used dive teams, drones and dog teams.
Gov. Kay Ivey offered a $10,000 reward and Crimestoppers offered a $1,000 reward for pertinent information regarding the Kegley case. Anyone with information regarding Kegley’s disappearance is encouraged to contact Crimestoppers at 334-215-STOP.
- Local artist paints mural in Wetumpka
Big Fish artist Shellie Whitfield painted a piece of Wetumpka’s history on the third story of the old Lancaster Hotel building in March.
A mural of a steamboat is now visible to pedestrians and motorists traveling toward downtown on the Bibb Graves Bridge.
Whitfield said she was inspired to paint the mural in honor of Lock 31, which is located in the Coosa River.
The construction of Lock 31 was initially started in the 1800s to capacitate steamboats. However, trains replaced steamboats as the primary mode of transportation before the lock could be completed.
- Class of 2018 leaves indelible mark on WHS
A total of 297 Wetumpka High School seniors walked across the stage during a graduation ceremony at the Alabama State University Acadome on May 29.
The class valedictorian was Emily Pinkston, who was among 16 students who scored a 30 or higher on their ACT.
A total of 150 students received about $5.6 million combined in scholarships.
- Domestic dispute leaves three dead
An estranged husband and wife and one of their 12-year-old triplet daughters were pronounced dead on July 8 after police said a domestic dispute escalated into a murder-suicide.
Elmore County Sheriff Bill Franklin identified Robert James Orsi as the person responsible for the murder-suicide. His wife, Charlene Ann Orsi, 41, and daughter, Cadence Orsi, were later identified as the victims.
The couple’s oldest daughter, who was uninjured, escaped from the Stonegate subdivision house and ran for help. The two surviving triplets sustained gunshot wounds.
Authorities said Robert Orsi set fire to the house before dying.
- Coosapalooza Brewfest draws a crowd
Main Street Wetumpka’s inaugural Coosapalooza Brewfest took over Wetumpka’s Gold Star Park on July 21.
The event featured a variety of craft beer vendors and live music from local bands.
According to Main Street Wetumpka President Dennis Fain, Coosapalooza was started to take the place of the Wetumpka River and Blues Music and Arts Festival, which was held annually in the past.
- Photos sought of local fallen Vietnam soldiers
A Hawaiian woman sought photographs of several Elmore County soldiers who died during the Vietnam War.
Maui resident Janna Hoehn said a total of 23 soldiers from the county were listed as missing or killed in action.
Hoehn, who was in high school at the beginning of the war, said she saw a great deal of opposition to the war and was dismayed by the ill treatment of surviving soldiers as they returned home.
- Ex-WPD officer sentenced for negligent homicide
Former Wetumpka police officer Andrew Bass was sentenced to serve a year in jail after he was convicted of criminally negligent homicide in September.
In October 2016, Bass’ police cruiser struck the vehicle of Elaine Merritt, 52, of Wetumpka, killing her. Evidence presented during the trial indicated Bass was traveling at 97 mph seconds before the crash and multiple witnesses claimed the lights and sirens in the cruiser were not turned on.
Bass was initially charged with manslaughter but was convicted of negligent homicide as a lesser-included charge.
- Haunted History Tours into Wetumpka’s past
Visitors stopped by 15 different downtown locations during the Wetumpka Area Chamber of Commerce’s third annual Haunted History Tours Oct. 24-27.
During the tours, visitors learned about the history of the locations and the ghostly lore attached to some of them.
Each night after the tours concluded, some visitors stayed behind to experience paranormal investigations conducted by River Region Paranormal at the chamber of commerce’s building, which is widely regarded as the city’s most haunted place.
- Elmore County overwhelmingly red
During the statewide general election on Nov. 6, the majority of Elmore County voters cast their ballots for Republicans.
Republican and incumbent Gov. Kay Ivey received 21,743 votes from Elmore County to defeat Democratic opponent Walt Maddox.
The county’s only uncontested election was for a seat on the Elmore County Board of Education. Because no candidates formally qualified, Wendell Saxon was elected via write-in votes. Saxon defeated former BOE member Patrycya Tucker and candidate ElWanda Penn.
