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W. Gaines Smith inducted into Alabama 4-H Wall of Fame

Submitted by Donna Wallace-King, Community Web Producer
Tuesday, March 26th, 2013, 2:40pm
W. Gaines Smith inducted into Alabama 4-H Wall of Fame

W. Gaines Smith, retired director of the Alabama Cooperative Extension System and 4-H alumnus, was inducted into the Alabama 4-H Wall of Fame March 19 at the Alabama 4-H and Youth Development Center in Columbiana. He was one of 24 inductees honored during special ceremonies at the Alabama 4-H Environmental Science Education Center. Smith was nominated by Alabama 4-H.

The Alabama 4-H Wall of Fame recognizes individuals and organizations that have had a significant effect on the 4-H Youth Development program, its members and leaders. The Alabama 4-H Club Foundation, Inc., and Alabama 4-H honors, remembers and pays tribute to those who influenced the lives of Alabama youth by their commitment "To Make the Best Better."

W. Gaines Smith is the only director of the Extension System or its predecessor, The Alabama Cooperative Extension Service, to have worked at every level of Extension in Alabama.

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Farrar's relief work leads Warhawks to victory in series final

Submitted by Donna Wallace-King, Community Web Producer
Tuesday, March 26th, 2013, 1:29pm
Farrar's relief work leads Warhawks to victory in series final

The No. 18 Auburn Montgomery baseball team scored 14 times, but it was sophomore Daniel Farrar’s 5 2/3 innings of scoreless relief that kept the team in the game, as the Warhawks picked up a 14-8 victory over Mobile in the series finale of the three-game series between the two squads.

With the win, the Warhawks improved to 19-14 on the season and 6-9 in league play. The Rams fell to 21-10 overall and 9-6 in Southern States Athletic Conference play.

“Today our guys showed that they could be a winner if they really wanted to,” head coach Q.V. Lowe said. “Their battles at the plate were much better and Farrar did a great job of coming in and stopping the bleeding. His efforts really gave us a chance to win the ball game.”

Farrar threw 107 pitches to complete the final 5 2/3 innings, allowing five hits and one unearned run, while striking out eight.

“I knew I needed to come in with a lot of intensity and throw a lot of strikes,” Farrar said.

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AUM's Cassie Daniels repeats as SSAC Pitcher of the Week

Submitted by Donna Wallace-King, Community Web Producer
Wednesday, March 20th, 2013, 12:35pm
AUM's Cassie Daniels repeats as SSAC Pitcher of the Week

Auburn Montgomery sophomore pitcher Cassie Daniels was named the Southern States Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Week on Monday for the second week in a row.

Daniels led the Warhawk pitching staff with a 3-0 record, surrendering just two runs over 14 innings. She struck out 21 batters while walking four, and held opponents to a .114 batting average. A 10 strikeout, complete-game shutout against Warner highlighted her week. It was the third time she has fanned at least 10 batters this season, and it was her third complete-game shutout.

For the season, the Valley Grande, Ala., native is 9-0 with a 2.44 ERA over 13 appearances, including 10 starts.

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Guilty verdict in dice game death

Submitted by JoBeth Davis, Community Web Producer
Thursday, March 14th, 2013, 5:48pm
Guilty verdict in dice game death

ELMORE CO., AL (WSFA) - The second man named as a suspect in a December 2011 homicide that happened during a dice game has been convicted of murder.

An Elmore County Jury today convicted Robert Griffin in connection with the December 2011 shooting death of 31-year-old Quinton Thomas.

Authorities say the shooting stemmed from an argument over dice game money the victim allegedly owed to another suspect, 28-year-old Kelvin Mitchell of Wetumpka.

Court records show Mitchell already pleaded guilty in connection with Thomas' death.

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Alabama Department of Labor Obtaining Convictions for Unemployment Compensation Fraud

Submitted by JoBeth Davis, Community Web Producer
Wednesday, March 13th, 2013, 4:20pm
Alabama Department of Labor Obtaining Convictions for Unemployment Compensation Fraud

MONTGOMERY – Alabama Department of Labor Commissioner Tom Surtees announced today that the Department has successfully prosecuted several Alabamians for unemployment compensation fraud. The following individuals were charged with violating the Alabama Unemployment Compensation Law by making false statements in claims for benefits:

- Ernest Wade, Jr., of Alabaster, was tried in Shelby County District Court on March 6, 2013. An investigation by Labor’s Benefit Payment Control Section determined that Wade received a total of $1,658 in benefits to which he was not entitled.
Wade pled guilty and was sentenced to 90 days in jail, which was suspended for two years, and 24 months of unsupervised probation. He was also ordered to pay a $100 fine, court costs and restitution in the amount of benefits received illegally.

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Fmr. Elmore Co. Sheriff Thrash dies at 81

Submitted by John Shryock
Tuesday, March 12th, 2013, 4:25pm
Fmr. Elmore Co. Sheriff Thrash dies at 81

WETUMPKA, AL (WSFA) - A longtime Elmore County public servant has died. Former Sheriff Sidney Thrash passed away at his home Sunday at the age of 81. 

Thrash was born in Tallapoosa County in 1931. He married the former Betty Cobb in 1958. He is survived by his wife, along with several children, grandchildren and extended family. 

He served as deputy sheriff and patrolman in both Tallassee and Wetumpka prior to being elected Elmore County Sheriff in 1966. It's a position he would keep for 24 years.

District Attorney Randall Houston said Sheriff Thrash will be remembered as a man who cared about his county and who took care of its citizens the best way he could. 

The former sheriff's funeral will be held Wednesday at the Mulder Memorial United Methodist Church in Wetumpka. 

Family members say any contributions should be made to hospice.

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AUM Softball sweeps SSAC weekly honors

Submitted by Donna Wallace-King, Community Web Producer
Tuesday, March 12th, 2013, 12:47pm
AUM Softball sweeps SSAC weekly honors

Auburn Montgomery junior shortstop was selected the Southern States Athletic Conference Player of the Week, while sophomore hurler Cassie Daniels was chosen the SSAC Pitcher of the Week, following strong performances last week at the Gulf Coast Invitational.

Pepper joins sophomore teammate Katie Spain as 2013 league player of the week honorees, while Daniels becomes the first AUM pitcher since four-time All-American Brandi Richards to claim the honor. Spain garnered player of the week accolades for the week of Feb. 18-24, while Richards earned the recognition during the final week of last season.

In five games, Pepper finished with a .571 batting average, collecting 8 hits in 14 at bats. She hit two home runs and added a triple en route to posting a 1.143 slugging percentage for the week. She scored three times, stole a base and recorded a .600 on-base percentage. The highlight of Pepper’s week came against No.

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